Hong Kong: Probe on officials almost ended: CE (To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.) Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the internal investigations into the disciplinary aspects on government officials who attended a birthday party reception on January 3 are coming to an end. Ahead of todays Executive Council meeting, Mrs Lam said Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui is the only official among those attending the banquet who has not yet resumed their duties so far. It should be quite obvious, based on what I said on January 6, that the Secretary for Home Affairs is an official whom we will have to look into very deeply because of various aspects. He has stayed long (at the party), I already told you that he was one of those who stayed for a pretty long period during a pretty late time of the dinner party. And of course, his position is a Secretary for Home Affairs, who is involved in the anti-epidemic operation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. So I have already asked that he should not come to work until the investigation is completed and the results announced to the public including any possible sanctions. That is the reason why I have asked him to continue to take his leave, and not to come to the office, because he is in a very important position - the Secretary for Home Affairs. She added that she will make her best effort to announce the investigation result and the consequential actions before the Chinese New Year. This story has been published on: 2022-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Investors looking forward to green energy stocks in 2022 With a solid financial foundation, bright prospects in the medium and long term, stocks of renewable energy companies are attracting more and more investors. Multinational Investment & Development JSC's workers install a rooftop solar power system for a frozen seafood factory in Dong Thap province. (Photo: VNA) According to statistics from January last year to January this year, stocks of renewable energy companies all grew significantly, Truong Thanh Energy and Real Estate JSC (TEG) grew 175.59 percent, Licogi 13 JSC (LIG) rose 167.21 percent, Gelex Group JSC (GEX) gained 163.28 percent, Fecon JSC (FCN) increased 142.02 percent, Bamboo Capital Joint Stock Company (BCG) rose 141.22 percent. "There are a few reasons why renewable energy stocks have risen sharply in recent times, such as predictions that this power source will account for the largest proportion in the total capacity of Vietnam's power sources. The commitment of the Vietnamese Government to achieve net emissions of "zero" in the recent COP26 is a great motivation for businesses to continue participating in and expanding the exploitation of renewable energy sources, namely solar power, wind power, said Ha Duc Tung, analyst of VNDirect Securities JSC. Bamboo Capital Joint Stock Company (BCG) has signed cooperation deals with international enterprises like Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, SP Group, Sembcorp Utilities. Gelex Group JSC (GEX) has established a subsidiary named Gelex Electrical Equipment JSC specialised in renewable energy listed on UPCOM. Many enterprises have positive business results in the first nine months of 2021. Truong Thanh Energy and Real Estate JSC (TEG)s nine-month revenue reached 199.4 billion VND, up nearly 44 percent over the same period last year. The company's net profit reached more than 19 billion VND, an increase of more than 2,300 percent - the highest growth rate of profit after tax among renewable energy companies. Bamboo Capital Joint Stock Company (BCG)'s net profit in nine months reached 701 billion VND, up nearly 579 percent over the same period last year. According to BCG, this growth was achieved thanks to the cash flow earned from renewable energy projects that were energised at the end of 2020. Gelex Group JSC (GEX) earned a profit of 1.16 trillion VND, up 81.3 percent, KOSY Joint Stock Company (KOS) reported 15 billion VND, up 68.9 percent, Alpha Seven Group JSC (DL1) achieved 35 billion VND, up 57.3 percent. In terms of efficiency per dollar spent, Bamboo Capital Joint Stock Company (BCG) ranked first with return on equity (ROE) reaching 13.74 percent, followed by Power Construction JSC No.1 (PC1) (12.52 percent), Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE) 12.27 percent, Gelex Group JSC (GEX) 8.56 percent. As for the return on asset (ROA), Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE) was the champion as its ROA reached 6.68 percent, followed by Power Construction JSC No.1 (PC1) 4.78 percent, Sao Mai Group Corporation (ASM) 3.26 percent and Truong Thanh Energy and Real Estate JSC (TEG) 3.02 percent. Many analysts forecast renewable energy stocks still have room for growth in the long term. Yuanta Securities Vietnam Joint Stock Company forecast that electricity demand will grow by 9.8 percent per year to support the expected GDP growth in the 2021-2030 period from 6.5-7.0 percent. With the same opinion, Agriseco Research assesses that the electricity industry will achieve good growth this year following the recovery of the economy. In the medium and long term, thermoelectric power and renewable energy are expected to gradually replace traditional energy sources such as coal and hydroelectricity. Under the Government's plan, the installed capacity of solar and wind power will reach 35GW and 41GW by 2045, accounting for 20 percent and 23.3 percent of the total installed capacity of power sources in the country. Thanks to the incentives on electricity generation prices, the capacity of solar power has reached 16,500 MW. According to Agriseco Research, thanks to the application of technology and price competition among the world's turbine and solar cell suppliers, net costs, which include installation costs, management costs, operation management, repair costs, in the life cycle of renewable energy projects tend to decline sharply. As a result, the installation costs of solar and wind power projects onshore may be cheaper than coal power projects in the next few years when the equipment market is saturated. Meanwhile, in a recent analysis report, VNDirect Securities JSC highly valued the stocks of companies with renewable energy projects with attractive preferential feed-in-tariff (FIT) mechanism prices and low-cost development. The government's supportive policies may facilitate wind power companies to develop in the future such as Ha Do Group JSC (HDG), Gelex Group JSC (GEG), Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE) and Power Construction JSC No.1 (PC1)./. By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov Aydin Karimov, the Azerbaijani president's special representative in Shusha district, has stated that the opening of the Baku-Shusha bus route is critical for liberated Shusha city, Trend reported on January 24. "It has been a little more than a year since Shusha was liberated from Armenian occupation. During this time, large-scale restoration and construction work in the city began on behalf of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Among these are the restoration of historical and cultural monuments, as well as the construction of new schools, hospitals, and modern residential complexes," Karimov said. Furthermore, he thanked the country's leadership and relevant government bodies for organizing the first regular bus trip to Azerbaijan's territories liberated from Armenian occupation following the 44-day war in 2020. On January 24, the first passenger bus from Baku arrived in Shusha. The meeting ceremony was attended by employees from the Azerbaijani President's Special Representative Office in Shusha, the Shusha State Reserve Department, the Shusha Police Department, and members of the city community. Following the ceremony, the guests visited historical sites in the city, including the Shusha fortress, Bulbul's House-Museum, and Jidir Duzu. Azerbaijan began regular intercity bus trips between Baku and Shusha, Baku and Aghdam, Ahmadbayli and Shusha, Fuzuli International Airport and Shusha, and Barda and Shusha. The Ahmadbayli-Shusha trips will be scheduled four times per week, with trips to other destinations scheduled twice per week. Citizens will only be permitted to visit Azerbaijan's liberated regions once a year. Personal accident insurance will be provided to passengers. Once a year, a select group of people will be able to obtain free tickets to these locations. This category includes Great Patriotic War heroes, national heroes, martyrs' families, and veterans of the Karabakh war. Tickets for Baku-Shusha-Baku are 10.4 AZN ($6.1), Baku-Aghdam-Baku are 9.4 AZN ($5.5), Ahmadbayli-Shusha are 7 AZN ($4.1), and Fuzuli International Airport-Shusha are 6 AZN ($3.5). The buses depart from Baku at 0630 (GMT +4), and from Ahmadbayli and Barda at 1000. Tickets can be purchased online at yolumuzqarabaga.az. Passengers will be insured, and the movement of buses will be tracked using a GPS system. The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency will patrol the bus routes. Passenger buses will be accompanied by police cars as they travel through Azerbaijani territory liberated from Armenian occupation. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. After the settlements were held in Daraa at least 85 persons who joined the settlements have been killed in different ways according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the SOHR. In the disorder that sweeps the city the Syrian government forces launched a rocket attack on the city of Hrak in Daraa last Saturday that led to ten injuries in repelling an attacked carried out by unknown men on two checkpoints of the Syrian government forces in western Mileha and the 52 Brigade in Daraa resulted in three injuries according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the SOHR. 955 persons were killed in this period: 4 local militants refused settlements, 308 civili9ans including 18 she/citizens and 26 children, in addition to 416 troops of the Syrian government forces and affiliated groups and 159 made settlements and reconciliations and joined the security branches of whom former leaders and 31 of Hezbollah and Iranian troops and 37 elements of the Five Legion. In this relation, Yasin Belkhi made a statement to ANHA saying the ''increase in assassinations in Daraa and the disorder due to the wish by the Damascus government to get rid of elements rejecting the Russian project and the Iranian one as well, and to the return of the authority of the regime and to get rid of those who became despised in society''. '' it also killed the spirit of revolution and bearing it all crimes committed by regime and terror and keeping the city in a status of disorder. Order means all protests are going to return anew via all peaceful ways and would reveal the actual reality of the regime and bringing it to an end politically in from of the international community and to propagate itself as the sole power to deal with anarchy''. The settlements target all wanted by the compulsory and reserve services and all militants and young and men and it is considered a Russian idea par excellence and it was commenced after the capture of the Eastern Ghuta and rural Homs in 2018 and was carried out in Daraa last September. Accordng to the Syran Observatory for Human Rghts 42 persons ncluded n the so-called settlements were arrested n Deir Ezzor to be enrolled n compulsory and reserve servces. The source confirmed many fled to areas under the Syrian Democratic Forces. Yasin Belkhi believes the ''settlements are mere Iranian and a Russian scheme to help the regime control the situation anew to propagate the regime politically in front of the international community and to get rid of all rejections and opposition that opposes the Iranian-Russian project and to revert the country to the situation prevailing in 2011. Belkhi said the application of the project in Deir Ezzor is to pave the way for the Iranian militias to prevail the city and the people that opposes it'. The Arab tribes in a statement said the settlements are direct threat to stability that prevails the city of Raqqa and its countryside. the statement made it clear that the tribes disavow anybody that holds such settlement with the regime. The statement was followed by a demonstration in the city center of Raqqa call for the removal of Damascus government and reject the settlements. Yasin Belkhi says ' we do not say the Damascus government but the terrorist regime ruling in Damascus that sees every Syrian citizen rejects tyranny is an enemy that ought to be liquidated''. At the end Belkhi said these settlement cannot bring solution in this ugly manner for it deepens the rift in the Syrian society and this is a dangerous game that may lead to any explosion at any time and to prolong the conflict that would make the regime the sole player''. l..a ANHA Afghan refugees in Helena | Part three Through its newly formed Helena Afghan Refugee Resettlement Team, local nonprofit Hands On Global plans to bring about 15 refugees to the area over the coming months. This three-part series will document the experience these refugees will face as they arrive, settle in and move forward as long-term members of the community. For some folks, just moving across town can be an experience that takes some time to adjust, to get acclimated, to decompress and to call the new surroundings "home." But then again, it all depends on the individual. About 15 people from war-torn Afghanistan are expected to resettle in Helena over the coming months. Some of the refugees will come with families, others alone. The refugees will get to stay in their apartments rent-free for three months. After that, they will pay rent and work toward becoming able to make it on their own. In September, the U.S. government approved $3.6 billion to help with Afghan resettlement efforts. Each family member receives $1,225 to help with rent, furniture and food. Through its new Helena Afghan Refugee Resettlement Team (HARRT), local nonprofit Hands On Global is prepared to help them through at least their first year. And once the aid from HARRT eventually ends? Theyre going to be facing the same issues that many of our working poor are facing, said state Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, an advocate for the resettlement efforts. Theyll be safe, Hellermann added. Thats what they get. Safety. Theres no bombs falling. Theres no insurrection, at least not yet. And some said there are great opportunities for cultural exchange. Elinor Edmunds Miller of East Helena, a member of HARTT who traveled to Afghanistan eight times since 2003, saw other advantages. And theyll have access to food, which is something they dont have there now. And thats important, she said. And their kids can go to school, which theyre not going to school now in Afghanistan. Its not safe to go to school. She noted Helena Food Share provides free food to anyone in need. Eamon Fahey, deputy director of the International Rescue Committee, a nongovernment agency in Missoula that helps with resettlement efforts, said the goal will be to get the people jobs as quickly as possible, with help from the community, to make the new residents self-sustaining within a short period of time. This is where community support is so critical to this process, he said. He said the government started the Afghan Placement and Assistance Program in August, in response to Afghanistan people fleeing their country. His agency, the International Rescue Committee, works with federal government to resettle refugees. He said these are people who had to flee their homes for fear of persecution if they stayed. Fahey said the Afghans do not have official refugee status, but have resettled in the United States as humanitarian parolees. He said the International Rescue Committee agreed to resettle 100 Afghans in Montana. At first the people had to be within 100 miles of the Missoula office, but those rules were relaxed and the Afghan people can now resettle anywhere. Fahey said the Helena families have been placed under a co-sponsorship agreement in which they work with another agency, Hands On Global. He said Helena is unique in that the families are not paying the first three months of rent. He said they have received a lot of help with food and jobs and efforts to get to the point of being self-sufficient. They are off to as good a start as can be, he said. There is a lot of support there. Fahey said there are also resettlement efforts in Butte, Bozeman, Kalispell and Billings. Mary Poole, director of Soft Landing Missoula, a grassroots community group that assists refugees and immigrants, offered her unexpert advice on resettlement efforts. She encouraged Helena residents to be very diligent in listening. Poole said every community is great at some things, and every community has gaps. The job is to find gaps and holes and step in there, she said. Poole said the refugees will likely run the full spectrum of humanity. In the long run, these are human beings who have been to hell and back and they will need what they need, she said. Poole said her experience has taught her to not forget joy, saying friendship and joy are among the most important things a community can bring to those who have resettled. She said Soft Landing has brought more than 400 people to Montana in five years, including those from Congo, Eritrea (in northeast Africa), Iraq, Syria and now Afghanistan. She believes the Queen City will be welcoming. Missoula has been awesome and I think Helena will be awesome too, she said, adding Helena has been thinking about bringing in refugees for a long time. I think for the most part people make a really great life here and for the most part people are really happy, she said, adding the refugees are not required to stay in the adoptive towns if they decide to move. Poole said they have freedom, and some decide to move to places that have larger groups of people from their home country in larger locations. Hellermann believes those who stay in Helena will become friends with residents and community members, "and well support them as we support our other friends and community members. Financial donations for Helena's Afghan refugee resettlement program can be sent to Hands on Global, 5210 Kerr Drive, Helena, MT 59602, Attn: Afghans. Independent Record editor Jesse Chaney contributed to this story. Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Love 12 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 61-year-old former Helena man now living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was arrested on suspicion of raping a child younger than 12 while he was living in Lewis and Clark County. Edwin M. Tomlinson is charged with felony sexual intercourse without consent and felony sexual assault. On Oct. 21, a detective in the Fremont County, Idaho, sheriff's office took a report from a teen who said the defendant had sexual contact with her over the course of 12 years, from the time she was a toddler to her early teens. The victim told detectives the sexual contact happened "a lot." The victim's report was triggered by a letter she received from the defendant. In that letter the defendant apologized for his "trespasses" against her. The victim said she believed the letter was the defendant's attempt to apologize for the sexual contact, and she reportedly interpreted it as a request for her to not reveal what he had done to her. Law enforcement interviewed Tomlinson's former domestic partner, who said the defendant had admitted to inappropriately touching the victim. She said the defendant told her he felt horrible about what he had done to the victim but believed God had forgiven him. The woman told authorities she immediately ended her relationship with the defendant and asked him to leave. Tomlinson was arraigned in the court of Justice of the Peace Judge Mark Piskolich. Piskolich set bond for Tomlinson at $30,000. He is set to be arraigned in district court on Feb. 15. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 15 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Billings transgender woman has been awarded compensation by the Montana Human Rights Commission after Yellowstone Countys health care policy denied her all gender-affirming health care. In 2019, Eleanor Andersen Maloney filed a complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau alleging Yellowstone County and county commissioners violated her human rights by expressly denying health care for "services or supplies related to sexual reassignment and reversal of such procedures," according to an administrative decision issued by the HRB. On Monday an HRB administrative hearing officer awarded Maloney $66,531 to compensate her for lost wages and compensation after she was "constructively discharged" from her job as a result of the county's health care policy denied her health care on the basis of her sex. Maloney had worked as an attorney in the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office at the time. She is a transgender woman, meaning she identifies as a woman, but had male sex assigned at birth. Most experts agree that gender identity has a biological component, meaning that each person's gender identity is the result of biological factors in addition to social, cultural and behavioral factors, according to facts presented to the HRB. In August, an administrative judge with the HRB ruled Yellowstone Countys blanket ban on coverage for gender-affirming care constitutes unlawful sex discrimination violating Maloney's human rights and the Montana Human Rights Act in general, according to hearing documents. I'm grateful that the rights of LGBTQIA+ Montanans are vindicated today," Maloney said via the ACLU's press release. Love 3 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 6 The United States of America was built on the backs of millions of immigrants. Since the founding of our country, immigrants have continuously contributed to our economy and society. Immigrants bring a richness in diversity, culture and experience to our communities. It is one of the reasons America is the greatest country in the world. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy once wrote that our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances. Our nation is made greater by the immigrant communities who live here, and those communities often include Dreamers. Brought to the U.S. as children by no choice of their own, Dreamers live in limbo because they lack legal documentation. As the former commissioner of securities and insurance I believe it is my duty to advocate for all in need across our Montana communities. I stand with the Dreamers who have stood with us in difficult times. These individuals have served as essential workers during this pandemic and have contributed immensely to our economy and society as members of our communities. Expanding protections for undocumented immigrants in Montana and across the country needs to be a priority for our leaders in the Senate. They should explore the various options available in order to secure protections for undocumented immigrants. Those protections should be thoughtfully considered and legislation passed for undocumented immigrants who have lived in our country for an average of 20 years. The time has come to finally end the uncertainty that clouds the lives of millions of families across the country. Families, burdened by the fear of deportation and a lack of access to resources for years, have earned the right to live freely in the place they call home. We cannot let this opportunity to pass protections for undocumented immigrants slip away, especially when most of our voters are eager to see legislation passed. Data shows that the immigration policies before Congress right now are supported by 75% of Americans overall, including 88% of Democrats, 81% of Independents and 58% of Republicans. Millions of people across America deserve much better. Our leaders should take any and all steps necessary to ensure protection now. We can no longer stand idly by when American families lives are at stake, vulnerable to deportation and separation. The opportunity and responsibility to relieve them of their worries is now. Congress must pass robust immigration relief, deliver for millions of American families, and help keep our economy recovering and strong. Monica Lindeen is a former Montana commissioner of securities and insurance, state auditor. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 DECATUR Aaron L. Hand, the sex predator and former Macon gas station employee who tried to kidnap one of his female customers, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Hand, 33, had pleaded guilty to a single count of committing aggravated kidnapping while armed with a knife. His plea was part of a deal negotiated by defense attorney Susan Moorehead that saw a further charge of kidnapping using force or threat dismissed. Hand appeared for a sentencing hearing Jan. 20 in Macon County Circuit Court and Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith also agreed to dismiss further charges of aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated battery, unlawful restraint, vehicular invasion and theft. Griffith ordered the 14 year sentence to be served at 85%. The case dates to Jan. 13, 2021 while Hand was working as a clerk of the P&V Quick Stop just off U.S. 51 in Macon. Police reports said a 41-year-old woman had stopped in at lunchtime to buy a drink when she was accosted by Hand, who came out from behind his counter to menace her with a knife. He was accused of using tape to gag and tie her up and leaving her in the womens restroom. He then went to steal money out of the store safe and, while he was doing that, she was able to bust loose out of the tape and run out the front door towards her car, said Blue Mound Police Chief Chad Lamb in an interview with the Herald & Review at the time. Lamb said the customer described being pursued by Hand, who jabbed at her with the knife before she was able to fend him off and make her escape in her car. Hand fled but was captured several days later by Indiana State Troopers who found him at a highway rest stop in Plainfield, Indiana. Hand is designated a sexual predator after being convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse when he was 21 and the victim was aged 16. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR Chief Macon County Public Defender Michelle Sanders won her first big case at the tender age of 13. Back in those days, growing up in Decatur, she was called Michelle Ashley and was arguing before the supreme court of her father, trying to make the case for why she should have her hearts desire, a pet cat. So I wrote up a binder of all the reasons we should get a cat and then I presented my argument for the cat, she recalled, a faraway look in her eye. I think I told him the cat could live in my room and I would take care of it. The head of the family court, overwhelmed by her well-reasoned case, granted her appeal and Snowball joined the family. And she was about 18 when she passed away, so she did really well for a cat, added Sanders, 40. And Snowball was no doubt very well cared for by a woman whose nature has always told her that if a job is worth doing, its worth doing well. Thats the approach she still carries to the Macon County Circuit Court every day as the first female chief public defender in the 72-year-history of the office. But the victor in the celebrated case of Michelle versus Dad has had to learn that the best preparation in the world doesnt always lead to victory as a public defender. When we step into a courtroom, the odds are often against us, quite frankly, she said. The state, after all, controls the charging and it has so many resources at its disposal. But it then becomes our job to protect our clients rights as we negotiate and go through trial proceedings; we must do the best we can to come out with the best outcome possible. No second-rate lawyers here Judges will appoint you a public defender from Sanders office if its deemed that you cant afford to hire private counsel. But the chief public defender defender bristles at the notion, much portrayed on TV, that public defenders, paid for by county taxpayers, are second rate lawyers. Its frustrating for us to find that people just assume when they get a public defender they are getting bad attorneys, she added. When, in reality, the best attorneys Ive worked with either are or have been public defenders. Were in the court every day and so we know what the judges are looking for and we know what is a valid deal and what is not. Its not uncommon that the most experienced lawyer in the courtroom is the public defender. It is true that many young lawyers cut their criminal defense teeth at the public defenders office, and Sanders (whose office should ideally have 10 lawyers and is now down to seven) is a keen teacher looking to recruit more of those with the right stuff. Starting pay is around $50,000 for someone right out of law school but, if you stick around in public service for 10 years, there are programs to forgive your considerable student loans. I dont care what your top grade is in law school if you cant stand up in front of a judge and make an argument, she explains in her approach for weeding through job candidates. She says her office is also looking for team players because it works as a team, the more experienced attorneys helping out the others as they all juggle case loads that run into the many dozens. And for new attorneys, I want someone who is eager and wants to learn, she added. If they are shut down and not listening, they are not going to get anywhere. Decatur defense attorney Chris Amero, now in private practice, said you wont find a better teacher than Sanders. When I graduated law school and got my first job at the Macon County Public Defenders Office, Michelle wasnt the chief public defender then, but she took me under her wing and kind of showed me how to practice law, he recalled. She was an incredible mentor and teacher and I dont think there is probably anyone better suited for the job she has now. Amero has also heard client criticisms of public defenders as public pretenders but shuts such comments down. I dont think that anyone has any clue how hard those people work over there, he said. I always explain that the only difference between me and one of them is that my case load is 50 whereas theirs is 250. But they are great attorneys in that office and they care for their clients and they want to make sure everyone is represented to the best of their abilities. And no one works harder than Michelle. Play well with others Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter has a well-rounded view of the job Sanders is doing because he spent more than 15 years working in the public defenders office himself. She is an organized, efficient and good attorney, he said. And, for lack of a better way of saying it, she plays well with others. She makes an effort to work with people rather than against them. Which is a handy skill to have and to teach since so many cases end up in plea deals worked out between prosecutors and defense attorneys. But if it comes down to a trial, Sanders said your public defender will fight like hell to win the day, whatever the system odds may say, and they all cherish the moments when one of them does walk away with a victory. There are certainly celebrations within the office and a lot of high fives and congratulations going around, she said after a legal win. Its really heartfelt because our lawyers work so hard. Sanders has known she wanted to be a lawyer the first in her family since she was around age 7 and fell in love with TV courtroom reality shows. She joined the public defenders office right out of law school in 2007 and left in 2013 to clerk for Justice Lisa Holder White on the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District. Sanders loved the job and learned a lot, but eventually felt the desire to start applying some of that learning. I thought Well, I have all this knowledge now and it just simmers up here in my brain and rolls around, and I am not using it,' she said. So I wanted to come back and be able to use the knowledge I had gained. By 2018 she was back at the public defenders office as first assistant to then chief David Ellison and was appointed to the top job when he retired in March of 2021. Married with two children, she also teaches at Millikin University and enjoys introducing students to the labyrinthine wonders of American jurisprudence. Students usually have an idea about the law; theyve seen stuff on TV or theyve read an article, and so that is where theyre coming from, she said. So I think their knowledge is so much on the surface that they have no idea about everything underneath, especially when I get to talking about public defenders and what defense attorneys do. Court of public opinion And if students are generally not too far up to speed, the general publics grasp of how the legal system should work isnt all that encouraging, either. Quaint notions like the presumption of innocence are usually the first casualties when the accused is dragged before the court of public opinion. Sanders said its not her job to develop a belief on whether someone is innocent or guilty. What I need to do is look at the justice system and make sure justice is being done, she explained. And that means we make sure the state has done what they need to do from their side of things and, if they havent, we need to attack that. Sanders said it may be easy to look down on the criminal classes, but points out that there but for the grace of God go many of us: the normally morally upstanding office worker who has one drink too many at the office Christmas party might suddenly find themselves plunged into Sanders world if they get pulled over on the way home. She said for the legal system to work as it should, the attorney who steps up beside the accused in front of a judge must ensure everyone gets the same fair deal. Sanders said that applies whether its a defendant facing a DUI charge for a one-time, never to be repeated mistake, or its a frequent justice system flier with a rap sheet as long as your arm. So its our job to make sure the protections are in place for the bad people so that they are in place for everybody, and it all only works if we protect everybody equally, she added. Macon Countys chief public defender said there is a lot of job satisfaction to be had in being able to do just that. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CHICAGO A substitute teacher has been charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child after he allegedly touched himself inappropriately in front of students in a Chicago elementary school classroom. James Ruml, 29, of Chicago, turned himself in last week and appeared in court Saturday, when a judge prohibited him from having contact with anyone under the age of 18 while the case is pending. According to Cook County prosecutors, Ruml, while substitute teaching in a writing class at Walt Disney Magnet School in the Uptown neighborhood on Chicago's North Side on Nov. 16, "leaned back in his chair, stretched his legs wide open and began touching his genital area," as three 11-year-old students watched, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Prosecutors, who said Ruml didn't take any clothes off, allegedly walked to a corner of the classroom where he continued touching himself. He posted bond Saturday and is scheduled to return to court Feb. 3. Ruml's attorney, Joseph Cavanaugh, said that Ruml has been a substitute teacher in the Chicago Public Schools district for three years. Cavanaugh noted that there are no allegations that Ruml exposed himself to the students or tried to touch them. Students reported the alleged incident to a teacher and the 1,500-student school notified police as well as parents in November. The school's Principal Paul Ruskis said in a note to parents that the alleged incident happened on the substitute teacher's first day at the school. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On January 25, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The head of state congratulated the President of Ukraine on the occasion of his birthday, wished him success in his activities and the best of health. Expressing his gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan for the congratulations and kind words, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he recalls with pleasure President Ilham Aliyevs recent visit to his country. The President of Azerbaijan thanked the President of Ukraine for the hospitality shown to him during the visit. During the phone conversation, the sides exchanged views on prospects for bilateral relations. DECATUR Shortly after a group of Afghan evacuees arrived at a Decatur home on Sunday, they were sitting on the floor eating an All-American meal, pizza. On Monday, their hosts, Ilene Henderson and Sue Montgomery, let them take over the homes kitchen, making a traditional Afghan meal with lamb and complimentary side dishes of raw onions, cucumbers and a flat bread. They dont eat pork in any form or shape, Montgomery said. They eat halal meat. Its very close to being kosher. The local hospitality was a small payback for the men who helped and protected Henderson and other American military personnel while they were serving in Afghanistan. I have the utmost respect and honor for them, Henderson said. The Afghan Welcome Home Project temporarily welcomed the Afghan evacuees to the Decatur community. Hospitality is a common personality trait among the eight men currently staying in the northside Decatur home. They are very hospitable, said Haji Monir, a name he uses as an alias through an interrupter. They will provide whatever they have in their home for you. Afghanistan is made up of villages, according to Henderson. And every village, especially in the host province, will welcome you, she said. No matter who you are or where youre from, youre welcome to visit them in their homes and villages. Decatur is a temporary stop. Bloomington is the nearest destination for the men. They have such a dynamic, diverse population there, Montgomery said. It draws people from all over the world. The immediate goals for the Afghan Welcome Home Project is to find housing for the men, help them learn English, then find employment. While in Afghanistan, the men provided services and jobs in and around the military bases. These gentlemen worked for the U.S. Army, Montgomery said. The men visiting Decatur do not speak English. The community colleges throughout Central Illinois will hopefully provide classes in English as a Second Language. Learning the language makes all the doors open, Montgomery said. The future is unclear, but the circumstances they left were exceptionally dangerous. The men rushed to board the last planes taking off from Afghanistan in August, leaving their families behind. It became too dangerous, Montgomery said. The Taliban continue to hunt the refugees, which is why their names and photos are not publicized. Theyre not worried about the women and children, Montgomery said about the Taliban. They want the men who worked for the Americans. With refugee status, the men must wait three years before they can apply to bring their families to the United States. While they are here, they have applied for their own Social Security numbers, allowing them to collect and earn their way. Theyre not taking anything from anybody else, Montgomery said. Although their families are currently out of harm's way, they continue to face challenges and changes since the American and their husbands and fathers left the country. One of the men has two girls, who can no longer be educated. The men who remained behind are taking care of the families in hiding. They are able to communicate through cell phone conversations. Their biggest concern right now is getting to work, Henderson said. None of their families (in Afghanistan) have an income right now. Henderson was deployed in Afghanistan in 2003 working alongside men similar to the guests in Decatur. They did missions with the American special forces teams, she said. According to Henderson, the men fought the Taliban when the Americans were leaving. The Taliban were telling them to hand over their weapons, and they said No, she said. They had a standoff with the Taliban. They were told they would have to turn their country over to the enemy, Henderson said. However, rather than hand over their weapons to the Taliban, they destroyed them all. We are veterans that had been in Afghanistan and worked with the Afghan forces, that was a very proud moment that they did, Henderson said. Although they may be safer in America, the men admit they miss their country. We look forward to having peace in our country and have our country back, Monir said. Now the men are trying to settle into Midwestern lifestyles. The pizza was delicious and everyone liked it, Monir said. Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy early followed by partly cloudy skies and gusty winds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%. As the rate of new COVID-19 cases continue to escalate, one Southwest Virginia health care provider is actively seeking help. The Health Wagon, which serves residents in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott and Wise counties, issued an urgent email plea Sunday for health care volunteers to supplement its staff. The Health Wagon is calling for emergency general and medical volunteers. We are in need of nurse practitioners, RNs, LPNs, nursing assistants, medical assistants, physicians, paramedics and clerical/office support immediately. Short and long-term commitments are needed, according to the email. They are also exploring state and federal resource options. Contacted Monday, CEO Dr. Teresa Tyson said the needs are on multiple fronts. Twenty percent of our staff is (COVID) positive. We are overwhelmed and need nurses to help test and health care providers to help treat in person and over telehealth. This is our biggest needs, Tyson said, adding that her staff is exhausted. The Health Wagon employs about 50 people and has a large volunteer base they hope will respond. As a region, Southwest Virginia has the highest community transmission rate in the state, with 37.6% of all patients testing positive for COVID-19 over the past seven days. Many localities recorded their highest weekly average since the pandemic began in March 2020, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Community transmission levels were above 41% in six localities with the cities of Bristol and Norton and Wythe County having among the highest rates in Virginia. Bristols seven-day average testing positivity rate is 46.4% meaning nearly half the people tested for COVID-19 were positive. In the past seven days, the city has diagnosed 286 new cases of COVID-19, and its total for 2022 is 815. During that time, the citys positivity rate has more than doubled since Jan. 1, when it was 21%, according to VDH. The city of Nortons rate is 47.6%, and Wythe Countys rate is 45.2%. Scott, Washington and Wise counties are all at or above 41%. On Jan. 1, the regional rate was 26.2%. Monday, the statewide average rate was 27.9%. Tyson said even more testing is crucial. Need for testing is outpacing what we can currently provide. The health care system is under great strain from the rising rates of COVID. We are doing our best to perform increased testing to stave off increased illness from the disease, Tyson said in a text message. We are working with the health department, planning extra testing sites in Coeburn and Wise approximately 400 additional tests for the area next week due to the COVID demand. And those numbers likely arent the whole story. There has been a lot of at-home testing in the region that is not reflected in those numbers and that number at 41% that is high, Tyson said. Tyson said its important for people to know if theyre positive, so they can isolate and not spread the virus to others. More than 4,300 new cases of COVID-19 were identified across the 10 counties and two cities of far Southwest Virginia during the past seven days maintaining a trend that began in early January. More than 11,500 cases of COVID have been diagnosed across Southwest Virginia so far in January. Those record rates are also translating into hospitalizations. Ballad Health System reported 381 inpatients on Monday at its facilities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, the most this year and the most since mid-September. Seventy-six patients are being treated in intensive care units, and 48 are on ventilators. There are eight pediatric patients at Niswonger Childrens Hospital. Ballads single-day record is 413 COVID inpatients, set last Sept. 8. They anticipate totals will approach that number in the coming days. Rapid pace of omicron case growth projected to peak within the region in a week or so, likely keeping hospitalizations in the 400 range, according to forecast information released last week by Ballad Health. However, depending on how case growth tracks this week, we could potentially push past 400 for some days in the upcoming week or so. Trends show that omicron is typically a less severe illness than the delta variant which preceded it. Initial comparison of Ballad Health hospitalizations in the omicron period versus delta hospitalizations indicate a 25% reduction in ICU utilization and a 30% shorter overall hospitalization length of stay, according to the document. Last week Ballad treated an average of 349 inpatients per day, plus an additional nearly 300 COVID patients per day through its Safe at Home monitoring program. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The author is a contributing editor at the Manhattan Institutes City Journal. His book, Forge of Empires 1861-1871: Three Revolutionary Statesmen and the World They Made, is being published this month by Free Press. His previous books are The Last Patrician, a New York Times Notable Book of 1998, and Jeffersons Demons. In 1931, a Cambridge don, Herbert Butterfield, published The Whig Interpretation of History. The Whig historian, Butterfield said, is a bad historian because in embracing the British Whigs faith in freedom he studies the past, not for its own sake, but with reference to the present. In concentrating on the consequences, for liberty, of the acts of revolutionary statesmen, the Whig historian distorts history, and makes it into a narrative of the triumph of the free state, the summit or end of history. 1 Butterfields belief that Whig history is bad history became conventional wisdom. To call an historian a Whig, J.G.A. Pocock observed in 1981, was to belittle him. 2 But in the 1990s a Whig revival began; the fall of the Berlin Wall stirred interest in the question at the heart of Whig historyhow are free states made, and how are they unmade?3 Where Progressive and Marxist historians interpreted episodes like the creation of the American Republic cynically, as defenses of property and class interests, a new generation of Whiggish historians took the founding seriously, as a crucial event in the history of freedom.4 In a spate of books on the revolutionary statesmen of the early Republic, David McCullough, Richard Brookhiser, Ron Chernow, and Walter Isaacson cast the founders in a Whig light as avatars of freedom. Gertrude Himmelfarb examined the contributions of British Enlightenment Whigs to liberty; Akhil Amar offered a Whiggish interpretation of the Constitution. 5 In the past year more books with Whig themes have appeared, among them Jay Winiks The Great Upheaval, Michael Barones Our First Revolution, and Andrew Robertss A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900. Detractors regard neo-Whiggery as a front for neo-conservatisms faith in the inevitable triumph of free institutions. But if they are to refute the new Whigs, such critics must do more than cite Butterfields book. Butterfield expended much effort in demonstrating that Martin Luther was not a nineteenth-century freedom-fighter, but he failed to address later historical episodes where a Whig interpretation can, arguably, illuminate the question of how free states are made. And he said little about the greatest work in the Whig canon, Macaulays history of the Revolution of 1688. As well refute Marxism without taking into account Das Kapital. In writing about three upheavals that shook the world between 1861 and 1871Lincolns revolution in America, the unification of Germany under Bismarck, and the liberation of the Russian serfs by Alexander III found the Whig perspective useful. In analyzing Bismarcks statesmanship, I could not escape the knowledge of its consequences for freedom. Nor could Fritz Stern, who in Gold and Iron showed how Bismarck prepared the way for Hitler by stamping out the dream of a liberal, humane Germany and forging a fatal and unprecedented system of constitutional absolutism, a mighty, militaristic country that would idolize power. 6 No more could I evade the consequences of Lincolns statesmanship. Had Lincoln not succeeded in saving the United States on principles of freedom, it is doubtful whether America would have been strong enough, or free enough, to resist the slave empires that emerged in Germany and Russia and that in the twentieth century aspired to world power. Yet if Butterfield was too dogmatic in excluding, from the historians vision, a knowledge of subsequent events, he was on more solid ground when he argued that the historian who judges the past from the point of view of the present risks complacency. Butterfields skepticism of the self-satisfied determinism that turns many Whig histories into triumphant pageants of liberty was anticipated by Lincoln himself, the greatest Whig of his age (if Whiggery means expansion of freedom). Lincoln did not, like Butterfield, reject the Whig interpretation of history; he instead reworked the facile, deterministic conception of progress which had characterized it since its inception in eighteenth-century Scottish historiography. Lincoln gave Whig history what might be called a Dostoevskian twist. Though Lincoln never read Dostoevsky, he was, like the Russian novelist, perplexed by the morally ambiguous qualities of revolutionary statesmanship, even when such statesmanship enlarged freedom. In his 1838 address to the Young Mens Lyceum in Springfield, Lincoln spoke of those who, like Alexander, Caesar, and Napoleon, belong to the family of the lion, or the tribe of the eagle. Towering genius, he said, was amoral: "It thirsts and burns for distinction; and, if possible, it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving freemen."7 Lincolns eagle statesman would as willingly, perhaps more so, acquire [distinction] by doing good as harm; yet, that opportunity [to do good] being past, he would set boldly to do harm. In Crime and Punishment, which Dostoevsky began the year Lincoln died, Raskolnikov argues that the extraordinary man is similarly amoral: he has . . . an inner right to decide in his own conscience to overstep certain [moral] obstacles. Lycurgus, Solon, Mahomet, Napoleon, and so on, were all without exception criminals . . . and they did not stop short at bloodshed either, if that bloodshedoften of innocent persons fighting bravely in defense of ancient lawwere of use to their cause. Its remarkable, in fact, that the majority, indeed, of these benefactors and leaders of humanity were guilty of terrible carnage.8 Raskolnikov argued that for his extraordinary man, all things are permitted if they enable him to do something great. 9 Lincoln argued that his eagle man will permit himself all things in order to do something historically distinctive. Even as Lincoln orchestrated his liberating Whig revolution, he renounced the optimistic Whig triumphalism which Butterfield condemned. He came to believe, with Raskolnikov, that the morally corrosive characteristics of revolutionary statesmanshipeven revolutionary Whig statesmanshipmust be expiated through suffering. The really great men, Raskolnikov says, must, I think, have great sadness on earth, for they must expiate their morally ambivalent ambitiousness. Lincoln agreed: If there is a worse place than Hell, he said in 1862, I am in it.10 Shortly before he died Lincoln returned to Macbeth, a work that prefigures Crime and Punishment, and he meditated on the consequences of Macbeths ambition.11 I think nothing equals Macbeth, he said. 12 Unlike Dostoevskys Raskolnikov, Lincoln used his insight into the morally ambiguous nature of revolutionary statesmanship to revise the determinist Whig notion that the free state is the inevitable end of history. In the vesper-music of his Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln insisted that Americas story could still be a Whig story, a story of the victory of freedom over coercion. But the outcome was not predetermined. If progress were to continue, Americans would have to sweatand sufferfor it. They must, Lincoln said, abandon triumphalism and expiate their complicity in slavery. 13 In the Second Inaugural Address Lincoln preserved what is valuable in Whig historyits faith in freedomwhile he at the same time endowed it with humility and moral insight. If Lincoln was right, Butterfield was wrong. Whig history can illuminate the story of freedomas long as the Whig historian tempers Macaulay with Dostoevsky. From fast food restaurants to Michelin rated restaurants, who makes the decision on what food goes on the menu? Of course, the answer is chefs and culinary specialists. Part of the U.S. Dairy Export Councils most recent efforts in many international countries has involved bringing U.S. dairy products to thought leaders in these areas through trainings provided at culinary schools. During the January 19 Hoards Dairyman DairyLivestream, Missouri dairy farmer Alex Peterson described his experience visiting one of these culinary institutes during a recent trade mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ill start with a question that I asked one of our hosts in Dubai, What does authentic Emirati cuisine look like? They laughed at me because theres really very few actual people there from the UAE, Peterson described. Its a cross-section and melting pot of the world. Thats what makes a culinary school there such an incredible opportunity. Not only is UAE known for being a cultural melting pot, but it is also one that is considered a trendsetter and leading voice, especially in the area of cuisine and bringing together flavors from across the world. Dubai is really a trendsetting part of the world, were talking about a city that has 12,000 restaurants, 600 hotels, and it reaches people from all over the world, not just the Middle East, Peterson described. We are getting to touch such a huge region by influencing the people there. The culinary school engages in an intensive USA Cheese Guild training program that Peterson says helps students learn more about cheese, where it comes from, and the quality, reliability, and variety of American cheeses. We sat down with this class of 22 students, and for over an hour we answered their questions about our farms, about dairy in general, about environmental standards and practices, and a number of other things, Peterson reported. In his mind, the most noteworthy part of the culinary school visit was just seeing the broad influence of the classes. There were 15 or 20 different countries represented in the class that we were talking to. People from all over, and they are going to get trained in Dubai and some of them will eventually go to other places. Anytime you can impact someone, they take that with them wherever they go, he concluded. To watch the recording of the January 19 DairyLivestream, go to the link above. The program recording is now also available as an audio-only podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and downloadable from the Hoards Dairyman website. Register to continue receiving updates The next broadcast of DairyLivestream will be on Wednesday, February 23 at 11 a.m. CDT. In the new year, we moved to a new system, and if you have not yet, you will need to re-register to continue receiving email updates and links to the webcasts. You can sign up here now. Registering once will sign you up you for all future events. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022 January 20, 2022 Gurugram emerging as the next investment hub for startups ! New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Delhi-NCR is expanding into SPR and NPR and Gurugram has been attracting substantial investments in both residential as well as commercial space. Many national and multinational companies have occupied office space and residential space in Gurugram and the trend continues to grow. The expansion of Delhi-NCR through SPR and NPR is an indication that the demand for investment in real-estate is increasing and the developers need to be prepared to address such increase in real-estate demand. A heat wave that has broken the hate spell (IANS Column: FairPoint) By Deepika Bhan This is one record that no Indian wants to be made, but the Sun God, who has always been generous with the Indian sub-continent, has made sure we bear witness to Northwest and Central India roasting in the worst heat wave in 122 years. IIT Hyderabad takes early lead in 6G extreme Massive MIMO technology Hyderabad, May 2 (IANS) In a breakthrough for next generation communication, the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) on Monday announced a demonstration of the Extreme Massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), a key technology that is being considered for 5G-advanced and 6G deployment. Using multiple antennas at the base station, massive MIMO increases the coverage and capacity of cellular networks. This technology has become mainstream and is now an integral part of 5G. Clean Energy: Govt takes initiative for 100 mn ton coal gasification by 2030 New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) The Central government is organising an investor meet in Mumbai on Friday to develop the PPP model to achieve 100 million ton coal gasification, which is considered a cleaner option compared to burning of coal, and focus on attracting private sector participation and investment in the sector. By Trend Armenia sincerely wishes to normalize relations with Turkey, establish diplomatic relations and open borders, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a press conference held online on his Facebook page on Monday, Trend reports citing his Facebook page. According to him, if the dynamics of negotiations with Ankara is maintained, Armenia can accept the invitation of the Turkish side to take part in a diplomatic forum in Antalya. "We have already held a meeting of special representatives on the settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations. And if this dynamics continues, then it is highly likely that Armenia will take part in the diplomatic forum in Antalya. It will be illogical if we miss the opportunity to continue the conversation. It should be noted that the world community supports the process of settling relations, including Russia, the EU, the USA, the states of the region," he said. Wiped out in Punjab but Cong internal rift widens with demand for action against Sidhu New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) The Congress state in-charge of Punjab has written to party president Sonia Gandhi for action against former state party president Navjot Singh Sidhu for speaking against the party line. The letter written by Harish Chaudhary says that Sidhu can't be allowed to portray himself above the party. Delhi reports rise in Covid cases again, one more death New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) Delhi on Tuesday recorded 1,414 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, against 1,076 on the previous day, and one more death, as per the Health Department bulletin. Cattle smuggling from India curbed, B'desh feels the heat during festive season Kolkata, May 1 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) claims that it has been successful in doing away with the illegal supply lines for Indian cattle in Bangladesh after a clamp down on the movement of smuggled animals across the International Boundary (IB) between the two countries. Against executive tyranny draped in disciplinary power, says SC on mandatory Covid vax (Lead) New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday said the courts must act to defend citizens in the assertion of their fundamental rights against "executive tyranny draped in disciplinary power", as it declared that no individual can be forced to get Covid-19 vaccine as bodily integrity and personal autonomy are recognised under the Constitution's Article 21. Can Saudi package offset Pakistan's financial reliance on China? By Mahua Venkatesh New Delhi, May 2: For the cash starved Pakistan, which is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance, a big ticket loan of about $8 billion from Saudi Arabia couldn't have come at a better time. On one hand, concerns are rising in Pakistan over the stringent riders that IMF has attached and on the other China's delay in coming forth with financial assistance have added to Islamabad's problems. Resilient infra can prevent disasters for this, many future generations: PM Modi New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Stating the need to keep people at the heart of any infrastructure growth story and providing them with high quality, dependable, and sustainable services in an equitable manner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that resilient infrastructure can prevent disasters not only for this generation but for many future generations. MHA monitoring situation in violence-hit Jodhpur New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Following the incidents of violence and communal tension in the city of Jodhpur on Tuesday, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has been monitoring the situation in the town as well as in the state, sources in the Ministry said here on Wednesday. Omicron's latest subvariant BA.2.12.1 proves virus not declining: Report New York, May 2 (IANS) Omicron's latest subvariant BA.2.12.1, responsible for about one-fourth of Covid-19 cases in the US, shows that the virus is not showing any signs of decline even over two years after it was first detected in humans. Arrest of 'Ma' in China erodes $27 bn from Alibaba's share value Beijing, May 4 (IANS) The arrest of an individual with the last name 'Ma' in China left people in utter shock who dumped shares in Alibaba that eroded a massive $27 billion in its share value, as investors thought the person arrested was the billionaire Jack Ma. Miraculous Misdeeds? Locked room crimes and their significance for humans (IANS Column: Bookends) By Vikas Datta Why do we like crime? Like, that is, in the sense of why we are attracted to reports of lurid incidents in our newspapers and TV bulletins -- or WhatsApp forwards or YouTube channels -- or, for that matter, the relevance of a steady diet of good vs evil in almost every form of cultural expression -- religious or literary -- we were/are exposed to, and why for many book readers, mystery fiction is entrancing. By Trend Another Russian airline has launched direct flights to Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport told Trend. According to the message, Azimuth Airline has been making Rostov-on-Don - Baku - Rostov-on-Don flights since January 21. The flights are made every week on Fridays. Departure from Rostov-on-Don is at 08:00 (GMT +3), landing in Baku - at 11:10 (GMT +4), a departure from Baku - at 12:10, landing at the airport of Rostov-on-Don - at 13:15, the airport said. Russias Nordwind Airlines also makes Rostov-on-Don-Baku direct flights on Sundays. SC appoints high-powered committee to execute decrees against NSEL defaulters New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) The National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) said on Wednesday that the Supreme Court has approved the constitution of a high-powered committee headed by retired judge of the Bombay High Court, Pradeep Nandrajog, for recovery of monies from the defaulters where NSEL has secured money decrees. INTRODUCTION These Terms of Use govern your use of the website "www.ians.in/" ("Website") and all such online services provided by INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE PVT. LTD ("IANS") through its website and unless other terms and conditions expressly govern, any other electronic/online services provided by IANS that may be available from time to time (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Services"). The term you or your, being used interchangeably, refers to the user or viewer of the Website / Services. 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Notices.Notices to IANS India Private Limited must be given in writing, by letter, and sent to IANS India Pvt. Ltd. A-6, A Block, Sector-16, Noida-201301 U.P. India. Severability/Survival/Statute of Limitations. If any provision of these Terms is invalid or unenforceable, such will not render all the Terms unenforceable or invalid. Rather, the Terms will then be read and construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision(s) are not contained therein. If you are outside of India, any cause of action of yours with respect to these Terms must be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction. Three of western North Carolinas bear sanctuaries, including one that lies partly in Haywood County, could be opened to limited hunting a move aimed both at slowing population growth and reining in bear problems. Western North Carolina has 11 bear sanctuaries within the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests where bear hunting isnt allowed. The sanctuaries date to the 1970s when the bear population was critically low. Thats no longer the case, however. It has been a conservation success story. We now have a very robust bear population, said Justin McVey, a N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologist based in Haywood. But Haywood County bear hunter Wallace Messer, 86, remembers the days when bear werent so plentiful. When I started bear hunting, you were lucky if anybody killed a bear, Messer said. I dont want to go back to those days. There were only 1,000 bears in western North Carolina in 1980 compared to 7,000 today. Messer credits the bear sanctuaries for turning the tide. When they formed the sanctuaries, the bear started growing, Messer said. You didnt have all them bears when you didnt have the sanctuary. I think truly the sanctuary is our backbone of the growth of the bear. The incredible growth rate has slowed in recent years and now hovers around 5% a year. But thats still too much, according to the N.C. Wildlife Commission. The agency believes the bear population has reached its carrying capacity and the goal is now zero population growth. Wed like to slow or stop that growth. We dont want the bear population to increase or the range to expand, McVey said. Public comment on the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission proposal to open the three sanctuaries to limited hunting is being accepted through Jan. 31. Hunting then and now The number of bears killed by hunters in western North Carolina has tripled since 2000, from around 500 to 1,500 bears a year mirroring the overall population increase. The Wildlife Commission sees hunters as the frontline to keeping the bear population in check. But opinions among hunters are mixed. A survey conducted by the Wildlife Commission in the mid-2000s found that more than 50% of bear hunters in western North Carolina were against opening up bear sanctuaries. Wallace Messer is among them. When he was a young man, bear hunters were few and far between. The Harmon Den and Twelve Mile area in northern Haywood was prime bear country, and hunting parties followed an unspoken creed of keeping to their own territory. Everybody had their own area they hunted. Bear hunters had respect for everybody else, Wallace said. Bear dogs didnt have radio collars back then, so the sport was much harder. You couldnt keep up with them, Messer said of the dogs. The only way to track the dogs was to stay within earshot. We tried tried being the operative word but sometimes they would get away from you and it would take you a day or two to find them, Messer said. Everybody back then looked after each other. If you caught someones dog who wasnt in your hunting group, we tied it up and youd run into them sometime or another. Sometimes, theyd cross paths with a bear being run by another hunting party. Theyd take the shot if they could, but the bear wasnt theirs to keep. Youd get up with the man it belonged to, based on whose dogs were running it, Messer said. It was the honor system back then. Back in those days, getting a bear was rare. You were lucky to get one. As the years went on, it got easier, he said, crediting the bear sanctuaries. At 86, Messer is too old to bear hunt anymore. But he still goes along, pulls his truck over on the side of the road and sits, waiting to hear the yelp of the hounds echoing through the forest. I go and listen. I love to hear dogs run, he said. Bear lovers Critics to the plan also include wildlife enthusiasts, who claim that killing bears isnt the solution to limit the population. Bill Lea, a black bear expert and a pre-eminent bear photographer in the Smokies, says the science is all wrong. By killing bears every year like they do, they create a vacuum and the bear ends up reproducing at higher rates to fill that void, said Lea, a retired ranger with the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests. Permitted hunts are already allowed in two other western North Carolina bear sanctuaries: Mount Mitchell and Daniel Boone. The permitted hunts in those sanctuaries net about 20 to 25 bears a year. Lea questions the rationale that these permitted hunts make any sort of dent in the bear population, given there are 7,000 bears in western North Carolina. It destroys the sanctity of the sanctuary and has little impact on the population, Lea said. Its a cover up to give a little gift to the hunters who would just die for the opportunity to hunt those areas. Lea has spent thousands of hours observing bears in nature, waiting patiently for the perfect photo. He believes bear sanctuaries should continue to serve as safe havens a small island of asylum where they arent pursued by packs of hounds. I want to save every bear I can from the torment and terror of being chased by dogs. This is a cruelty issue, Lea said. Hunters would be killing bears on the very lands the bears have come to know as a safe haven and a place where they can retreat. Weighing in The three bear sanctuaries targeted in the plan wouldnt be open to wholesale bear hunting. Instead, a limited number of special hunting permits would be issued each year. The number could be dialed up or down each year or even done away with completely. It would allow us to really regulate the harvest, McVey said. Our goal is to slow or create zero growth but we dont want it to go the other way. The three bear sanctuaries targeted in the plan are: Pisgah bear sanctuary starting from the Haywood County line near Mount Pisgah on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and stretching all the way to Bent Creek and Mills River on the outskirts of Asheville. Its the largest in western North Carolina at 158,000 acres. Panthertown Valley in Jackson County. Standing Indian in Macon County. Haywood County has a second bear sanctuary in a portion of the Harmon Den area that isnt part of the plan. Hunters can put their name in the hat each year for a shot at hunting in the sanctuaries, with the permits then issued through a random lottery. The public can weigh in on the plan to open up the bear sanctuaries through Jan. 31. Comments can be emailed to regulations@ncwildlife.org. Dr. Mandy Cohen, who spent nearly two years telling North Carolinians to wear, wait and wash and get vaccinated during the coronavirus pandemic, is going into the private sector. Cohen announced her new job Tuesday morning as she retweeted a post from her soon-to-be employer, the health care company Aledade. She will become the chief executive officer of its new health services unit, Aledade Care Solutions, and executive vice president of Aledade. Aledade is a health IT company founded in 2014 that builds a network of independent, physician-led accountable care organizations, Forbes previously reported, and has operated in North Carolina since 2019. The company is based in Bethesda, Maryland. Cohen served five years as DHHS secretary in Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers administration. At one of Cooper and Cohens regular COVID-19 response news conferences just after the news became public, Cooper thanked her for her service. He told reporters that he and Cohen had been in the trenches together and he would miss her. Cooper said Cohens work during the pandemic has saved countless lives. I deeply appreciate your service and your steady hand in times of crisis, Cooper said to Cohen then. Cooper appointed then-deputy secretary Kody Kinsley to Cohens job. Kinsley started earlier this month. In a post on the company website, a photograph of Cohen shows the N.C. DHHS headquarters in Raleigh in the background. She explains that watching her mothers nursing career helped lead to her decision for this kind of work now. After nearly 15 years in public service at both the federal and state level, I am excited to keep growing and learning as a leader and health care executive, now in the private sector, Cohen said. When I looked for the next opportunity where I could continue to work on the mission to build a more equitable, health-focused, proactive, and trusted system, Aledade quickly rose to the top of the list. Cohen went to Cornell, Yale and Harvard universities and worked in the Obama administration as chief operating officer and chief of staff at the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, before coming to North Carolina. Cohen announced her departure from DHHS in November, not saying where she would be going after her last day of work on Dec. 31. She said she would spend time with family and travel in January. Cohen, who has served in Democratic administrations at the state and federal level, told reporters in December that she is not running for office, and that she wanted to keep working in North Carolina. Her new job at Aledade doesnt start until March. HIGH POINT High Point pharmaceutical company vTv Therapeutics announced last month that it laid off about 65% of its workforce as part of a strategy to prioritize its work on a new diabetes treatment. The company, which leases office space in the Premier Center business park, did not specify in a Dec. 6 news release how many employees it has and how many were let go. Company representatives did not respond to emails, and its office phone message says its current employees are working remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic. The latest U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing for the company came in December and briefly addressed the layoffs. It states that vTv Therapeutics expects to incur severance costs of approximately $1.5 million and eventual annual cost savings of $2.8 million as a result of the reductions. Some of these reductions may be offset by higher costs for outsourced services which cannot be quantified at this time, the filing states. The company, which develops components of drugs in the clinical stage, is touting its lead product called TTP399 as part of a new treatment for Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease with no cure affecting more than 1.6 million people in the U.S. The news release states that its product was shown in studies to reduce hypoglycemia, the most common complication of the disease. It is always difficult to restructure, but this allows us to focus on TTP399 and our future growth, Deepa Prasad, president and CEO of vTv Therapeutics, stated in the release. Hypoglycemia management is a serious issue impacting the lives of patients and their families. We are very excited to see TTP399s novel mechanism of action allowing for reduction of hypoglycemic episodes with a well-tolerated safety profile. We continue to engage with the FDA to map out a clear and positive path forward on our Phase 3 pivotal studies with the goal of improving quality of life for patients managing this chronic, burdensome disease. Workers in the U.S. just suffered a gut punch. On Jan. 13, the six conservative justices of the U.S. Supreme Court blocked implementation of an emergency temporary standard issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The standard directed that employers with 100 or more workers must require their employees to either be vaccinated or else mask and undergo weekly testing at their own expense. It was not a vaccine mandate. It encouraged vaccination but allowed other options. Even so, six justices turned their thumbs down. Congress, they said, hadnt authorized OSHA to issue such a sweeping rule. They also argued that since COVID-19 is a public health problem and not one limited to workplaces, its not in OSHAs bailiwick. The courts three liberal justices vehemently dissented. The Occupational Safety and Health Act, they said, expressly calls for emergency temporary standards like this one. The enormity and seriousness of the problem justified taking this big step. And nothing in the act suggests that, if a hazard presents a grave danger that extends beyond the workplace, OSHA is powerless to take action. According to OSHA estimates, the proposed rule would have saved 6,500 lives and prevented 250,000 hospitalizations over the next six months. The court majority did leave open the possibility that a new rule, narrowly tailored to workplaces with the greatest risk of COVID-19 transmission, might survive their scrutiny. But hours after the decision was handed down, President Joe Biden signaled that its now up to individual employers and the states to protect workers against a virus that has already killed some 850,000 people in the United States. That doesnt bode well. The law creating OSHA was passed more than 50 years ago because many employers werent doing enough to protect their workers from injury and death on the job, and because states werent stepping into that breach. So Congress provided a federal right to safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women. The law is credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives and preventing countless injuries and illnesses. And yet, in the face of the greatest occupational health challenge this nation has ever faced, six justices effectively told OSHA to back off. COVID-19 calls for a concerted national response; tossing worker safety back to the states is anything but. Worker advocates and unions have been pushing for a federal emergency rule since the pandemic began. When the Trump administration refused to act, some states California, New Jersey and Virginia among them issued mandatory safety standards of their own. Others did nothing. In fact, after the Biden administration proposed the vaccine or testing rule, it was the states specifically 26 red states that sued to prevent its implementation, leading to the Supreme Courts action in mid-January. But now its back to the states to tackle COVID-19 transmission in the workplace. Some may pass new rules, perhaps including vaccine mandates. Others will do nothing or, worse, even prevent employers from requiring vaccines or testing. Businesses will be left wondering what the rules are, or will be. OSHA was created to set a floor on workplace safety in all 50 states, and the vaccine-or-test rule was designed to save lives consistent with that mandate. Six justices devised reasons to block that effort, and now each state will either address the workplace COVID threat or not as it sees fit. Thats no way to honor our workers or the will of Congress. Michael Felsen of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, retired in 2018 after a 39-year career as an attorney with the Department of Labor. This column was produced for The Progressive magazine and distributed by Tribune News Service. CHARLESTON Charleston Carnegie Public Library is joining 200 libraries across Illinois in a new collaborative effort, Illinois Libraries Present, to bring virtual events with bestselling and esteemed authors to their communities. The collaborative effort kicks off in January with an event featuring author Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Moreno-Garcia, the bestselling and award-winning author of Mexican Gothic, will discuss her new book, "Velvet Was the Night," and her genre-defying mashups of cultural noir and Lovecraftian horror. The event will be held virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of the critically acclaimed novels "Certain Dark Things," "Gods of Jade and Shadow," and "Mexican Gothic." Her newest book, "Velvet Was the Night," was included on The New York Times list of 100 notable books of 2021. Taking place in 1970s Mexico City, the book revolves around a daydreaming secretary, a lonesome enforcer, and the mystery of a missing woman theyre both desperate to find. Author events are often a cornerstone of library programming. Throughout the pandemic such events have continued, but in a virtual format. As these events have flourished, libraries have joined together to host a variety of bestselling and award-winning authors and thought leaders. Joining forces for such events allow libraries to bring speakers to their communities that might not be possible due to budget constraints or production capabilities. And thats just the point of Illinois Libraries Present. By working together, libraries are able to bring an event to multiple and diverse communities, providing access for many library patrons to attend, while at the same time, expanding the platform for the author. Its exciting to work together to bring not only such accomplished authors to our communities, but the diverse voices were featuring as well, explains Illinois Libraries Presents steering committee member Jennifer Czajka of Arlington Heights Memorial Library. We want the events that we offer to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve as Illinois libraries. And we believe that diversity of voices breeds creativity and a stronger connection to one another. Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination, Moreno-Garcia has also edited several anthologies and is a columnist for The Washington Post. Silvia Moreno-Garcia will be joined in conversation for the event with author Gus Moreno. Moreno recently published his debut novel "This Thing Between Us." Illinois Libraries Present will also feature an event with Jasmine Guillory in February. The bestselling and romance author has written six novels including "The Wedding Date" and "The Proposal." The virtual event with Guillory will take place on Feb. 16. An Evening with Silvia Moreno-Garcia will begin at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, visit www.charlestonlibrary.org. For more information, call 217-345-4913. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. IXcellerate, a leading commercial data centre operator in Russia, has raised $190 million in financing from existing and new investors including UAEs Mubadala Investment Company, SberInvest and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russias sovereign wealth fund). IXcellerate already offers world-class data centre facilities and outstanding connectivity level in Russia to cater to both local enterprises and global corporations across multiple industries. The company ensures 24x7 business operations continuity and easy to access services in a world of rapidly growing appetite for expanding data volumes and data storage. IXcellerate will use the proceeds of the new funding round to spearhead the expansion of its Moscow North and South campuses with the aim of building new capacities and running one of the largest data campuses in Europe which will provide exceptional capacity to an even broader customer base. IXcellerate plans to build new data centres in full compliance with the highest industry standards, offering customers better connectivity, 99.999% service availability and unparalleled performance which is essential for the success of digital-first businesses in the new economy. Andrei Aksenov, IXcellerates Chief Executive Officer, said: As one of the largest carrier-neutral commercial data centre operators in Russia, IXcellerate is enabling digitalisation in Russia through unrivaled scalability and growth opportunities. With the help of this new funding, we aim to provide the type of facilities and services to our existing and future customers that are both ultra-powerful and sustainable in the long-term, while ensuring that our clients continue to benefit from our reliable engineering infrastructure, ESG compliant practices and outstanding service levels. Abdulla Naser Almarzooqi, Deputy Head of Russia and CIS Investment Programme at Mubadala, said: IXcellerate has a successful record in developing and managing state-of-the-art data centres in Russia. The company is well-positioned to continue growing as a leading colocation and data centre operator; directly enhancing Russia's digital infrastructure. Leading this investment round into IXcellerate aligns with Mubadalas strategy to invest in the digital economy and the sectors that support it. Andrey Shemetov, senior vice president at Sberbank, head of SberCIB, said: We live in the age of big data, which is stored somewhere far away in the cloud. The data seems weightless, but data centres with their servers are in fact huge and city-like facilities. I have seen them in real life and they grip imagination. What IXcellerate delivers for businesses is of crucial importance. Construction of such data towns ensures uninterrupted operations of companies along with on-demand computing power, helping them not to bother where to locate IT infrastructure. Mik Mikhail Kireev, Senior vice president, RDIF, said:Investment in IXcellerate is part of RDIFs strategy aimed at supporting the development of digital infrastructure in Russia and will further enhance our portfolio of collocation and data centres. IXcellerate will add new facilities and increase the customer base allowing more companies to expand the scale of operations as the need for high-end affordable data storage services will keep on growing rapidly. We expect IXcellerate to further strengthen its market position and boost its leadership in the Russian commercial data centres segment.-- TradeArabia News Service 100 years ago, Jan. 25, 1922 MATTOON The 15-room home of W.E. Dole, Mattoon Highway Commissioner, located on his farm four miles northwest of the city, narrowly escaped destruction late yesterday afternoon when fire broke out between the first and second floors around the large chimney. A call was sent to the Mattoon Fire Department and the chemical wagon and pumper were sent out. With a liberal shot or two of the chemicals, firemen were able soon to extinguish the flames. The residence, which is valued at about $10,000, was damaged to the extent of about $1,000. Fire Chief Weaver and Fireman Howard Gwinn are nursing frozen ears today, received while aiding in extinguishing the flames CHARLESTON Coles County Clerk Elmer Elstons office is busy with the annual job of extending taxes being in full swing. Taxpayers in the old town of Charleston will pay this year at a rate of $7.06 on $100 valuation while taxpayers in Normal Park and Bishop Heights will pay $6.95 on the $100. Last year the rate for the town of Charleston was $8.10 while the rate was $7.98 in Normal Park and Bishop Heights. 50 years ago, 1972 CHARLESTON President Nixons budget message last night included $2 million for Lincoln Lake, virtually half of the total for land acquisition. This amount, by far the largest figure for one year in the history of the project, was hailed by supporters of the lake. Mayor Max Cougill said the funding effort was due to the cooperation of local, state and national cooperation. Ferrel Atkins of Charleston, vice president of the Wabash Valley Association, said he is heartened by Nixons announcement and the project is getting closer to the start. Jerry Bennett, executive vice president of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, called it an investment in the future CHARLESTON The remains of Sportsmans Lounge and Eastern Illinois Office Equipment Co., the two Charleston businesses in the 700 block of Seventh Street destroyed by fire Jan. 15, were razed last night after the west wall of Sportsmans Lounge collapsed onto Seventh Street about 4 p.m. Authorities said a chimney inside the building may have been pushed over by high gusts of wind and knocked the wall out to the street. The exact velocity of yesterdays wind was unavailable from Co-Air at Coles County Airport because their measuring equipment was thrown off by the force of the wind, a Co-Air official said. 25 years ago, 1997 MATTOON The story of 10 Coles County sisters who were split from their parents and reunited 50 years later is now available for all to see. Ten Sisters: A True Story is now available at Central Illinois bookstores. The 10 Waggoner sisters of Mattoon were separated in 1942 when their parents divorced. A Coles County judge ruled it best that the sisters be split up. They reunited at their mothers funeral in 1993. Their story is told in a 288-page book published by Mayhaven Publishing of Mahomet. All 10 sisters will be at Waldenbooks in the Cross County Mall Sunday afternoon to sign copies of the book CHARLESTON Several Charleston High School students have been on the move recently. Two members of the Trojets dance team spent much of Christmas break in France sightseeing and performing in New Years Eve and New Years Day parades. The Lucky Trojets were Autumn Cooper and Amber Clark, both seniors. Jay Kilgore, also a CHS senior, spent part of December in Washington, D.C., at the National Young Leaders Conference visiting the U.S. State Department, the National Press Club plus the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The group also spent a day meeting with office staff of their state delegation on Capitol Hill. In addition, Rotary Youth Exchange student Ricardo Wittenzellner of Colombia recently concluded his yearlong stay at CHS and returned to his home in South America. Just before he departed, CHS student Kristy Poteete returned from her AFS exchange year in Peru. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON A Naming Committee has completed its review of potential new names for Eastern Illinois University's Douglas Hall. The names being considered are: Coles Hall, after former Illinois Gov. Edward Coles; Hall Residence, after Eastern graduate and Tuskegee Airman Major Charles B. Hall; Norton Hall, after Ona and Kenneth Norton, an African American couple who secured housing in Charleston for African-American students at Eastern; Hall-Norton Hall, after Hall and the Nortons Powell Hall, after Easterns first black graduate Zella Powell; and Ridgeway Hall, after former professor and director of Afro-American Studies at Eastern William T. Ridgeway. Also being considered are Lincoln-Douglas Debate Hall and Lincoln-Douglas Debate Memorial Towers which would rename both Lincoln and Douglas halls to Liberty Hall and Justice Hall. Those names would recognize the event that led to the original naming of the halls. Each of the names presented to EIU's Board of Trustees honors individuals who made significant contributions to the community and/or the university. Former Eastern President Louis V. Hencken was also previously on the list but asked current university president David Glassman to remove him from consideration in December. Douglas Hall is an all male residence hall at Eastern. Douglas Hall, along with connecting Lincoln Hall, was named in 1951 in commemoration of the famous debates between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln during their 1858 senate race. One of those debates was held in Charleston. The pairs main debate topic was the expansion of slavery in the new U.S. territories, which Douglas supported. Over the past few decades, Stephen Douglas has become an increasingly controversial figure for deploying inflammatory and racist rhetoric as a means to realizing his political aspirations, Glassman wrote in an email to the university community on October 12, 2021. Pressure to rename Douglas Hall grew after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020. In April 2021, the Naming Committee voted to recommend that Douglas Halls name be changed. The recommendation was then sent to Glassman, who shared the recommendation at the Board of Trustees September meeting. Submissions for name suggestions from various EIU stakeholders were accepted during October. Glassman reviewed the nominations then sent a list of recommendations to the committee. The committee had to ensure each name submitted for recommendation met university guidelines before they could finalize a list of recommendations for the president, said Eastern Public Information Coordinator Josh Reinhart. Although the committee previously voted to recommend a name change, only the board of trustees has the authority to name or rename a campus building. The ultimate authority rests with the board of trustees, said Kenneth Wetstein, vice president for University Advancement at Eastern and member of the Naming Committee. The potential Douglas Hall renaming was only briefly mentioned during the boards Jan. 21 meeting, and no action was taken. But if Glassman decides to suggest action on the name change at the next board meeting, the board could select a new name in April, said Wetstein. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Madison County's state's attorney filed a lawsuit Friday to try to stop a plan opponents say allowed Democrats to pull the rug out from under two local Republican judge candidates. Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law that splits the current 3rd Judicial Circuit which includes Madison and Bond counties into new sections called subcircuits. The change is unconstitutional and scrambles election planning for two openings in the 3rd Circuit by using an outdated precinct map, according to the suit filed by Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine. It also affects two judges temporarily appointed to circuit vacancies: Republicans Christopher Threlkeld and Amy Sholar. Threlkeld has held the seat since February 2020 and Sholar since April 2021, and both announced plans to run this year. The new map means they would have to move in order to run for election to their current seats, according to Haine's office. "Every citizen should be concerned anytime that legislative actions are taken to influence the court system," state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Fosterburg, wrote in a newsletter Friday. Democratic House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch said the subcircuits will allow communities to elect judges who represent their interests and create diversity on the bench. Voters will only be able to vote for judges in their own subcircuit; before they could vote for judges countywide. "These new subcircuits will help improve the diversity of opinion and background of judges, while giving everyone a voice in electing a bench of judges they feel best represent their communities," Welch said in a statement in early January. The lawsuit says the newly drawn judicial map used old precinct boundaries no longer in effect. The Madison County Board adopted a revised precinct map in December. "This redrawing of voting precincts in Madison County has changed the makeup or completely eliminated a number of precincts referred to in the (law)," the suit says. The change causes confusion among candidates planning to circulate petitions, as well as for voters, the lawsuit alleges. Madison County's current voter registration cards don't include any information on the new subcircuits, meaning they'll have to be redrafted to inform voters about which subcircuit they live in, the suit states. The requirement "poses an undue burden on Madison County Administration in terms of the time, manpower and resources it will take to implement for the 2022 elections," the lawsuit states. Changes to other circuit maps don't go into effect until 2024, but Madison County's map goes into effect this year with no explanation for the "differential treatment," the suit says. Additionally, the Illinois Constitution doesn't allow the General Assembly to eliminate all countywide judgeships, the lawsuit argues. Haine filed the suit in Sangamon County, home to the state Capitol, and it names Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Elections and Illinois Supreme Court Clerk Cynthia Grant. Pritzker and the state elections agency didn't immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. The clerk's office declined to comment. A hearing could happen as early as Monday, according to a spokesman for Haine. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to stop the plan from going into effect until a judge makes a ruling. "We are arguing that a pause is warranted here to let clearer heads prevail," Haine said in a prepared statement. "With this pause, our upcoming 2022 judicial elections can be held county-wide, as they have always been, while the courts closely review this very dubious new subcircuit scheme." The 3rd Circuit is one of 23 statewide, according to the Madison County Circuit Court. Each circuit is made up of between one and 12 counties dependent on population, and therefore can be changed following the U.S. Census every decade. The Democratic-majority state legislature controls redistricting. The current makeup of the court includes eight circuit judges and 12 associate circuit judges. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Forsyth County reported 570 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, which followed on 733 cases reported Monday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said. Forsyth also had two additional COVID-19 related deaths. For the pandemic, Forsyth has had 82,308 cases and 670 related deaths, including 49 so far in January. Local and state health officials caution that the current rate of COVID-19 related deaths could continue through at least early February. Forsyth health director Joshua Swift said Tuesday there has been typically a two- to three-week spread between having a surge in cases and an accompanying surge in hospitalizations and deaths. The vast majority of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, state Health Secretary Kody Kinsley has said. Meanwhile, DHHS reported 13,017 new cases statewide, compared with 18,452 Monday, 24,172 Sunday and 34,803 Saturday. The record-high statewide count stands at 35,759 cases, reported Jan. 14 North Carolina has recorded 2.3 million cases and 20,335 COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began. The statewide death toll was up 46 from Monday. Forsyth update Forsyths positive test rate over the past 14 days was at 37.9% as of noon Tuesday, while the statewide rate was 36.4%. With Fridays report, Forsyth is averaging 254 cases per 100,000 people over the most recent two-week period. Thats up from 67.6 cases per 100,000 as recently as Dec. 31. Statewide, 5,055 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized as of noon Tuesday, the highest the number has been since the pandemic began and up 159 since Mondays report. Hospitals in the 17-county Triad region reported a combined 1,156 COVID-19 patients as of Monday, up 48 from the previous report. Cone Health reported having a record 304 COVID-19 patients on Monday. Of the latest totals, 506 patients are on ventilators, including 116 in the Triad region. There were 101 children hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 23 in the Triad region. Swift said Forsyth hospitals have increased from about 50 COVID-19 patients to more than 100 in the past two weeks. The chief executives of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Cone Health and Novant Health Inc. are asking people to follow vaccination and testing recommendations and urging the public not to seek COVID-19 testing in emergency departments. Novants latest public appeal includes ads, including in the Winston-Salem Journal, that read We are not telling ... we are not asking ... we are begging get vaccinated. Do your part. So we can do ours. K-12 student update DHHS latest K-12 school cluster report, updated Tuesday, contains two new outbreaks for Forsyth: Redeemer School with five infected students, while The Childrens Center has three staff and two students listed as infected. The cluster at Meadowlark Middle remains listed with 10 students and three staff. DHHS added a second Forsyth daycare facility with a cluster, New Horizon Preschool with 10 children. Still on the dashboard is Friendly People That Care Childcare with a cluster of eight children and one staff. Removed from the dashboard are N.C. Leadership Academy in Kernersville, which had 18 students and five staff members with infections, and Piney Grove Elementary with five students and one staff. Its likely the DHHS school cluster dashboard will include more WS/FCS schools in the coming weeks. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools reported Monday on its COVID-19 dashboard a nearly 61% decrease in COVID-19 related cases at 599, compared with 1,025 the previous week. There were 399 students who tested positive for COVID during the week ending Jan. 21, compared with 1,016 the previous week. There also were 160 staff members listed as infected. The case count reflects numbers gathered from the school districts contact tracing team and families who self-report. Wiley Middle reported 30 cases among students and six among staff members. The schools with the highest case counts among students were the Downtown School with 19; Lewisville and Kimmel Farm elementary each with 15; and Kernersville and Morgan elementary each with 14. Konnoak and Morgan also each reported six infected staff members. DHHS said its report on school clusters are based on data entered into the N.C. COVID-19 Surveillance System. Time is required to determine whether a given COVID-19 case is associated with a child care or school setting, gather follow-up information, and enter it into NC COVID, DHHS said. Thus, data included in this report may differ from data available through media and other sources. Swift said Tuesday that at least 8,850 children ages 5 to 11 in Forsyth have received one dose of the kids version of the Pfizer vaccine. That represents about 25% of the 35,400 children in that age range in the county the same as the statewide level. Swift said that about 6,372 Forsyth children in that age range, or 19%, are fully vaccinated. Among ages 12 to 17 in Forsyth, the fully vaccinated rate remains at 46%, which mirrors the 47% statewide rate. The statewide rate is 67% for fully vaccinated ages 12 and older. Our concern right now is what were seeing in our younger ages ... we still have a sizable percentage of the population that still dont have even one dose, Swift said. Unvaccinated impact As of Jan. 15, DHHS reports that more than 76% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in North Carolina are unvaccinated. Among ICU patients, more than 86% are unvaccinated. While we will continue to pull every lever we can to safeguard hospital care, each North Carolinian can do their part by staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and wearing a well-fitting mask when around other people as we weather this surge, Kinsley said. Swift and Dr. David Priest, an infectious diseases expert with Novant, have said the number of COVID-19 cases likely is underreported. Most at-home test results arent reported to county health officials, and some infected individuals have mild cases and dont seek care, they say. Priest said that if someone tests positive with an at-home testing kit, they should stay at home for at least five days even if they begin to feel better. If their symptoms worsen during that period, they should seek another test and medical care. If you have symptoms of COVID, you likely have COVID given the high level of positivity right now, Priest said. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the face of North Carolinas COVID-19 response, didnt need long to find her next job after stepping down as health secretary on Jan. 1 after nearly six years. Cohen was announced Tuesday as being hired by Aledade Care Solutions as its chief executive, as well as an executive vice president for its parent company Aledade. Cohen will begin both roles in March. Aledade did not disclose her annual salary. Founded in 2014 and based in Bethesda, Md., Aledades main mission is assisting independent physician practices, health centers and clinics in maneuvering through complex Medicaid regulatory issues to deliver better care to their patients and thrive in value-based care. When Cohen announced her plans in November to leave as state health secretary, she cited plans to spend more time with her family while exploring new opportunities to carry on her work improving the health and well-being of communities. Aledades support for primary care practices to deliver integrated, whole-person care in value-based payment arrangements is good for practices, payers, patients, communities and society, Cohen said in a statement. Importantly, its the kind of care I want for my family. Aledade said it has hired Cohen for her Medicaid expertise, both with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Service and before that with the federal Centers for Disease Control Prevention under the Obama administration. The company said Cohens focus will be on growing the companys work with practices that serve the Medicaid population. Foremost in that initiative is guiding targeted wraparound care solutions for Aledades nationwide network of primary care practices in Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) that launch in January. Those healthcare groups target patient engagement, including following up with patients primary care physicians, and leveraging technology to improve care coordination. Aledades partner practices care for more than 385,000 North Carolinians across 241 practices and more than 540 locations. That includes 18 practices in the Triad. Altogether, Aledade supports more than 1,000 primary-care practices through its ACO network in 37 states. One of Aledades secret powers has been our ability to welcome amazing executives from public service to come and serve the broader social good in a different way, said Dr. Farzad Mostashari, co-founder and chief executive of Aledade. I have had the opportunity to work with Mandy when she was a leader at CMS and state health secretary. I have always been impressed with her proven track record of delivering results for people who need high-quality, whole-person care, and we are thrilled that she will be helping to guide this next phase in our growth. Beside Cohens COVID-19 efforts, she helped launch the states Medicaid transformation initiative, using Medicaid to address drivers of health, such as housing, transportation and employment, and restoring financial accountability to DHHS following the controversial tenure of Dr. Aldona Wos during the McCrory administration. Under Cohens leadership, NCDHHS hired its first chief health equity officer and has focused on reducing disparities in opportunity and outcomes for historically marginalized populations. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A major economic development announcement is planned for Wednesday afternoon at Piedmont Triad International Airport thats most likely Boom Supersonic committing to establishing an aircraft manufacturing plant on the campus. Company and local economic development entities, along with state and local elected officials, will attend the 2 p.m. event, according to a notice sent Monday by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Two Triad elected or economic officials who declined to be identified said recently it was their understanding that Denver-based Boom Supersonic is the potential airplane manufacturer that could benefit from up to $106.5 million in infrastructure improvements at PTI. In return, Boom is expected to pledge to a $500 million capital investment at PTI that could create at least 1,750 jobs paying an average annual wage of $60,000. The chambers announcement appears to be the final sign that Boom is coming to PTI. Preceding the announcement are separate incentive hearings set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday by Guilford County Board of Commissioners and 10 a.m. Wednesday by Greensboro City Council. The legal notices for each incentive meeting describes capital investment and job-creation requirements very similar to the states Job Development Investment Grant package. The states Economic Investment Committee will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The committee is required to give final approval to the largest N.C. Commerce Department incentive packages. If the project comes to fruition, construction is projected to begin in 2022. Boom says on its website that its Overture supersonic airplane is slated to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026 and expected to carry passengers by 2029. PTI has a nearly 1,000-acre aerospace site available, one of four megasites being marketed by Piedmont Triad Partnership and Carolina Core. The property, connected to the airport by a new taxiway bridge, has already received preliminary approval for development by the EPA and is ready to host a major tenant, according to the Carolina Core website. Guilford commissioners are considering incentives for a manufacturing corporation that would create 1,761 jobs and invest up to $500 million in the Greensboro area. The performance-based Guilford incentives would be 80% of the manufacturers eligible taxes for 10 years, according to a legal notice released by the county. Melvin Skip Alston, the boards chairman, would not confirm Friday the company is Boom, but said the project is gonna be great for Greensboro. In December, the commissioners approved $2 million for PTI to support infrastructure costs related to economic development. The Greensboro Council released Monday the details of an incentive proposal it will consider at its special meeting. Although the resolution doesnt name Boom, the companys description also matches reports of Booms investment. The incentive is for the amount of $1,500 per job for at least 1,761 jobs and a projected investment of $500 million at PTI by Dec. 31, 2030. The resolution says the company would not locate in the Greensboro area without the incentive. The incentive resolution to be voted on requires the jobs to pay at least $15 an hour with an average annual wage of $69,000. According to the resolution, the incentive would be paid in five annual installments of no more than $1 million each. Background The press conference appears to involve Project Thunderbird, which surfaced out of the blue in November. The $106,5 million in funding for a potential high-yield economic-development project was included in House Bill 334 that Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law on Dec. 6. The committee is required to approve JDIG proposals submitted by Commerce. Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, said Nov. 29 on the House floor that the Project Thunderbird inclusion in HB334 is something we all should be proud of. It is a very exciting project and should give a real boost to that area for the manufacturing sites that weve lost. Lambeth has said the potential airport project will be a game changer for this area and PTI. He said Friday he did not have an update on the project. Rep. Jon Hardister, R-Guilford, and House majority whip, has said the PTI project would be transformative in the sense that it would bring many high paying jobs to our region. I would submit that success brings more success. As advance manufacturing continues to flourish in our region, you are going to see other companies invest in our area. You are probably going to see ancillary companies locate here. On Dec. 6, the Economic Investment Committee approved a JDIG offer worth up to $320 million in performance-based incentives for what could be the biggest single capital investment in state history. A few hours later, Toyota Motor North America Inc. announced at a Cooper news conference that it had chosen the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite for a $1.29 billion production plant with 1,750 employees initially when production begins in 2025. Cooper was accompanied by Toyota officials and state legislative and local leaders. Toyota Battery Manufacturing N.C. will build lithium batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State and local officials have released little information about their investigation into a Thomasville nursing home where two residents were found dead and two more were sent to a local hospital in critical condition on Jan. 16. According to a Jan. 18 Thomasville police report, responding officers determined there were three staff members to care for the 98 patients at the Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center at 706 Pineywood Road. One licensed practical nurse and two certified nursing assistants were at the facility when investigators arrived Jan. 16. The N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation is reviewing whether Pine Ridge complied with staffing requirements, a move prompted by the welfare check by Thomasville police and other local first responders and medical personnel made at the request of residents. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said last week that neither federal nor state law prescribe a minimum staffing ratio for nursing homes. Among the investigating agencies are the State Bureau of Investigation, Davidson County District Attorneys Office and Davidson County Social Services. The owner of Pine Ridge, Principle LTC based in Kinston, issued a statement Monday, Jan. 24,more than a week after the residents were found, saying the disruptions to our staffing (on Jan. 16) were created by the combination of hazardous road conditions and the rampant spread of COVID across North Carolina. Pinnacle said that we are cooperating fully with state officials investigating this situation and taking meaningful steps to ensure that it does not happen again. On Jan. 20, Thomasville police were at the nursing home, as was a crime scene unit from the department. Thomasville police have not commented beyond the initial report. Thomasville Mayor Raleigh York told WGHP/Fox8, the Journals newsgathering partner, that the city council and I are very concerned with conditions present at Pine Ridge, as stated in the press release from the police department. However, I feel it would be premature for me to make any further comment until after the ongoing investigation has been completed. Few answers In its statement, Principle did not say what health issues the two resident who died may have had, nor did it discuss the conditions of the two residents who were taken to hospitals in critical condition, one to High Point Medical Center and the other to Thomasville Medical Center. Autopsies are being done at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on the residents who died. Principle said its medical director has indicated the deaths were medically unrelated to any staffing issues caused by the winter storm. The families were notified by our staff at the time of death. The statement did not say how the medical director came to that determination. Principle also said All of our residents are currently receiving the medical care and support they need. And the company said that the deaths of two residents in Thomasville were mischaracterized. It has been implied that the deaths of these residents were discovered when EMS crews arrived at the facility on Sunday evening. That is not accurate. Our staff began making arrangements with local funeral homes well before EMS arrived at the facility, Principle said in its statements. Hazardous road conditions prevented the funeral home from immediately traveling to Pine Ridge. State regulators said they will not comment until their review is completed. An on-site investigation was supposed to have been completed over the weekend. Gov. Roy Cooper said Jan. 18 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. 1 star rating Pine Ridge is listed with a one-star overall health inspections rating, which is classified as much below average by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS said health inspection star ratings are based on each nursing homes current health inspection (which took place June 17) and two prior inspections, as well as findings from the most recent three years of complaint inspections and three years of infection control inspections. Pine Ridge ranked below average for staffing levels but above average for quality of patient care. CMS said the facility has had 12 complaints over the past three years with nine citations reported, which is three above the average in North Carolina for a long-term care facility. Most of the complaints centered on patient care, particularly whether patients were receiving the care assigned by their doctors, including appropriate and timely medication, and whether their patient records were being updated as necessary. Other complaints addressed the quality of food, the length of scheduled breaks for nursing assistants, and lack of documentation that the facility was addressing complaints in a timely fashion. 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. In a February 2018 recertification report for Pine Ridge, DHHS found that the facility did not have an adequate emergency preparedness plan. Nursing homes are inspected and re-certified by the state each year. 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 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. COVID-19 cluster DHHS COVID-19 dashboard for long-term care facilities, updated Wednesday, listed Pine Ridge with an 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. Principle said staffing levels have been affected in recent weeks either by employees becoming infected with COVID or their children being exposed to COVID. Principle also said employee burnout contributing to staff shortages. DHHS said there were previous outbreaks at Pine Ridge that began on July 18, 2020, and ended on Feb. 26, 2021, and another than began on Oct. 13, 2021, and ended on Nov. 10, 2021. In the July 2020 cluster nine residents died. At its peak, that cluster had 99 infected residents and 57 staff members. No deaths were reported in the October 2021 cluster, which included three staff members and one resident. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Its difficult to believe that some who put in a full days work in North Carolina receive even less than the pittance our state calls a minimum wage $7.25 an hour. That might be enough on which to eke out an existence, but its hard to imagine how. Such was the case for some North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Journals Richard Craver reported on Monday, who were employed in special sheltered workshops that were legally allowed to pay them less. But a settlement agreed to last week between advocacy group Disability Rights NC and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will allow at least 1,000 state residents in that situation to reach for jobs that pay at least that lowly amount. This is progress, but more definitely needs to be done. Legally, more than 1,000 state residents with disabilities work in segregated settings that are supposed to train them to work in the community for competitive wages. Many work five days a week and still earn less than a hundred dollars a month. That you could work five days a week and only earn $10 in this day and age is just unbelievable to most people, Chris Hodgson, an attorney with Disability Rights NC, said in a statement. The settlement will provide new training to change that, but not all at once. Segregated employment facilities will be phased out over the next five years, the Journal reported. This agreement recognizes that people with disabilities have interests and skills and must have opportunities to pursue jobs of their own choosing, Hodgson said. It also provides workers with disabilities a path out of poverty and a chance at economic stability. Thats what most of us want. The sheltered workshops may have been instituted with the best of motives to provide training for people who wouldnt have otherwise received a fair shake. But Disability Rights NC and other advocacy groups have said that this work no longer has a meaningful purpose. We learned that segregated workshops typically are not successful in preparing workers for jobs in their communities and helping them transition out of the workshops, Hodgson said. Indeed, integration is the goal. Equitable access to employment opportunities with a livable wage should be available to all, state Health Secretary Kody Kinsley said in a statement. Although these segregated facilities have provided important services and supports, we can do more for North Carolinians with disabilities. North Carolinians with disabilities should be able to secure employment in integrated community settings that provide competitive wages and benefits, enable them to reach their full potential, increase their economic self-sufficiency, and grant them dignity as members of the workforce, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a 2019 executive order. Under the new agreement with the state, current participants in the sheltered workshops will retain their positions, but will also receive additional supports and services over the next five years that should help them obtain jobs in the larger workplace. DHHS says it will collaborate with local partners and providers to implement informed choice, individual decision-making, career assessments, linkages to benefits counselors and ongoing training and technical assistance for individuals, families and communities. This agreement recognizes that the days of placing people with disabilities in workshops and preparing them for a lifetime of earning less than the minimum wage must come to an end in North Carolina, Hodgson said. The news was received gladly by Laurie Coker, president of advocacy group NC CANSO and a former CenterPoint Human Services board member. Advocates have been disturbed that sheltered workshops are just that work settings that are sheltered or segregated and which limit peoples participation in the broader community, Coker said. Despite lurid tales of people staying at home with COVID paychecks, most of us want to work, as the states 3.9% November unemployment rate should make clear. But most of us also want and deserve recompense that allows us to support ourselves and participate in public life without struggling for every little thing. Its no different for people with disabilities. Now, about that minimum wage A successful completion Kudos to our city, to Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines, the housing authority and the activists who brought about the decision and funding to renovate Crystal Towers (Crystal Towers will not be sold, Jan. 19). I believe it is the right thing to do and the residents and building are worthy of it. Ive been following the three years of articles written in the Journal about the building and residents, but I am anticipating three more years of articles because much difficulty lies ahead with planning, design and engineering and especially construction. In the Jan. 20 editorial Crystal Towers will remain a safe haven, it was stated that the residents dont have to leave. Thats great, but as a practicing architect, I understand the road ahead. Any general contractor will tell you that the project will take less time and cost less if you evacuate the building. Or you can juggle the residents, do the renovations in bits and pieces, cause multiple disruptions in building services, take longer and pay more to keep contractors on site for a longer duration and, as a result, get less for your money. Dont the residents still have to move out, though? How do you renovate a bathroom or kitchenette or even paint apartment walls if they dont? There is much to plan for, and I trust we will hear reports of progress. Good luck. Truly. I look forward to a successful completion of the project. Joe Bircher Winston-Salem Losing socialism Kudos to the writer of the Jan. 21 letter Basic definitions, who defined the major political and economic systems. He is correct in describing the American system as a combination of a democratic government and a capitalist economy and is also correct in not using socialism to describe our government or economy. In a socialist system, the government owns the production of all goods and services. Material goods produced in the U.S. are manufactured by privately owned businesses. Until Congress makes private business ownership illegal, America cannot be called socialist. The U.S. government does not produce any goods. It does incorporate some socialist elements by providing essential services that most private businesses cannot afford or are unwilling to provide, such as Social Security, Medicare, air traffic control, mail delivery, law enforcement, insurance of deposit accounts, etc. Pay attention to candidates (people wanting to represent you in our representative democracy) who promise to end socialism in the U.S. If they are elected and keep their promise, are you prepared to lose the services listed above or any of the hundreds of other services not listed? Gary Meeks Boonville Label: antisemitism I am opposed to antisemitism. No one has the right to attack another for religious reasons. But labeling a person or a company antisemitic because they nonviolently object to the way Israeli Zionists are oppressing the Palestinian people is to misuse and minimize an important label (Unilever must be held accountable, Jan. 22). Israel has, over the past 70 years, turned the Palestinians (who lived there for centuries before Israel was re-created) into zero-class noncitizens. Their vineyards, orchards and dwellings in the West Bank are stolen for Israeli settlements surrounded by huge walls and connected by roads for Jewish drivers only. Gaza has been turned into the worlds largest open-air prison, where 2 million Palestinians live in enforced misery and poverty. When Palestinians show their objection to this apartheid by firing a few ineffective fireworks at Israeli territory, their power and water plants may be destroyed by massive bombs; high-rise buildings can be flattened and children killed with impunity. Noncompliant Palestinians are imprisoned and tortured. Well, where there is conflict, look for oppression. But do not object to that oppression in the U.S. lest you be labeled antisemitic and lose your contract or your job. Antisemitism has become the new communism, complete with required loyalty oaths. First Amendment rights, anyone? James Stewart Campbell Pfafftown National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) has signed an agreement with the Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCI), which is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to develop business opportunities. NMDC is the UAEs leading contractor in the field of engineering, procurement, construction, and marine dredging in the Middle East. The MoU was signed at a virtual event, by NMDC Group CEO Engineer Yasser Zaghoul and DCI Chief General Captain S Divakar. The agreement paves the way for the two entities to embark upon projects of mutual benefit, and to share experience in their exclusive areas of specialisation on projects across India, Bangladesh, Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC), Africa and other parts of the world. The collaboration will work on a project-to-project basis, across specified geographical areas of operation, through the formation of joint ventures, or a mutual understanding between the two parties for securing fresh business opportunities. Commenting on the deal, Zaghloul said: "This agreement is a statement of intent between the NMDC and DCI that we are keen to broaden our level of collaboration. Each partner brings to the table unique strengths and experience." "This, coupled with our common goal of growing our footprint, will lead to incredible opportunities that are waiting to be realised in the post-pandemic era. The agreement complements the Groups robust plans to strengthen our capabilities and expertise and expand our operations across the region and South-East Asia," he added. NMDC (The Group) and DCI have also agreed on mutual participation and mutual bid submissions across the region on a project-to-project basis. They will also cooperate on projects which are subcontracted, thorough a consortium, or any other specific arrangements, by outlining their responsibilities that will be jointly agreed upon and delivered. The MoU is in line with NMDCs goal of driving its strategic expansion plans for strengthening its position and expertise as a global engineering and construction powerhouse driving high quality infrastructure development in Abu Dhabi and also serving the world. Both partners will provide each other with technical and other support, if required through a joint venture agreement, or any other contractual form, to enable either of them to pre-qualify for a tender process, as well as secure and execute projects during the tendering. Irvin Brown began his life alone nearly 90 years ago, at an orphanage in Rhode Island. He was almost buried alone, too. After the Air Force veteran and retired postal worker died last week, he left behind a prearranged funeral but no known survivors -- he and Edna never had children, and his brother was already gone -- prompting the possibility of an empty chapel at Roper and Sons. That didnt seem right to Tom Roper. We know the veterans groups; they do not want to leave anybody behind, the funeral home president said. And we wanted to make sure that since there was a service, that there were people in attendance. So Roper and Sons put out a plea late last week, inviting everyone -- veterans, their clubs and organizations, even the general public -- to Browns services. And an estimated crowd of more than 200 people filled the funeral homes chapel near 40th and Pine Lake early Monday afternoon, spilling into the overflow room. Patriot Guard members in their leather vests. Gray-haired vets in their side caps. The young and the older. Even Browns nieces and nephews, who contacted Roper after the funeral home issued its invitation. Dozens more watched a livestream broadcast. Roper saw it coming. The great thing about the community we live in, everybody feels for an individual, whether they served in the military or not. The Lincoln community has always embraced someone who doesnt have family. They sang Amazing Grace. The Rev. Michael McCabe of St. Joseph Catholic Church sprinkled holy water on Browns flag-draped casket. What a great turnout for Irv, he said. Thank you so, so, so much. And then he introduced the room to Irvin Brown. Brown was born in 1932 in Providence, Rhode Island. He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1971 -- at nearly a dozen bases here and abroad, New York to Nebraska, Taiwan to Turkey -- before settling in Lincoln. He started working at the post office in 1972, at the counter and in the delivery truck, retiring in 1987. Hed married Edna in 1963 and lost her 22 years later. But he found a new family later in life after he moved to the Grand Lodge at the Preserve, McCabe said. His neighbors shared some of their memories with the priest, who shared them at the funeral. During Browns first few years there, before the trees were too tall, hed keep watch from a third-floor balcony, letting the other residents know when the mail had been delivered. Hed cut out comic strips from the newspaper, sharing them with the office and the reception desk. He made a special friend, and he looked forward to riding the elevator with her to check their mailboxes. He was kind of gruff at times, but he was a marshmallow inside. McCabe visited Brown just before he died, to give him the Lords blessings. The veteran was ready to go. Hed served his country, family and workplace for nearly 90 years. And Monday, they served him. He was loved, the priest told the crowd that had gathered to mourn a stranger. He was cared for in many, many, many ways. Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or psalter@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSPeterSalter Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The residence hall designated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as quarantine quarters for students who tested positive for COVID was filling up fast before the spring semester wrapped up its first week. Matthew Gillespie found his assigned room on the eighth floor of Sandoz Hall already occupied on Friday morning, after the test the Omaha student had taken a day earlier came back positive. "He got to the room a couple hours before I did," Gillespie, an economics and political science major with sophomore standing, said in a phone interview. "Everyone I've talked to has said they have a roommate." Sandoz Hall, which opened as a women's dormitory more than a half century ago, was closed this year as construction on a nearby College of Engineering building got underway. It was expected to remain offline until 2023, but over winter break, in anticipation that the need for quarantine and isolation rooms would exceed the beds available in another residence hall, UNL reopened eight floors of Sandoz to create additional capacity. On Monday, a total of 210 students at UNL were in quarantine in Sandoz Hall and Piper Hall, the university said. The quarantine numbers come as a reported 2,011 students, faculty and staff -- roughly 11.4% of the 17,710 saliva samples submitted -- tested positive for COVID between Jan. 14-20, the final week of mandatory reentry testing on campus. "It's about what we were expecting given everything we had seen about omicron," said Deb Fiddelke, UNL's chief communications officer. The highly contagious variant has driven record numbers of cases across the United States, including in the Capital City, according to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, prompting the return of a citywide mask mandate earlier this month. UNL also imposed its own mask mandate ahead of the spring semester. This week, students who live in congregate living spaces such as residence halls or fraternity or sorority houses, will be required to test once more in an effort to detect any lingering COVID clusters on campus. But aside from that, UNL will move ahead with the spring semester as planned, Fiddelke said, including in-person classes. UNL Faculty Senate President Steve Kolbe said the number of students missing class due to COVID varies across campus, often correlating with students' living arrangements. The associate professor of virtual production in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film said he has had minimal disruptions in his classes so far, but has heard some classes have had as many as 25% of students out sick. "Everyone kind of knows the deal," he said. "Students know the deal. We encourage them not to come to class if they don't feel well, just like I won't come to class if I don't feel well. "We're trying to be as lenient as we can be," Kolbe added. The spike in cases at the state's largest university campus has raised concerns among some students, however, who say it has become nearly impossible to avoid coming into contact with someone carrying the virus. Ken Bartling, a freshmen political science major from Grand Island, said he was notified about six potential exposures since returning to Lincoln on Jan. 10, including the day after he moved back to campus. In a letter to Chancellor Ronnie Green and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Laurie Bellows, Bartling said UNL's requirement that students submit to COVID testing by the end of the first week of the spring semester rather than before they could attend class was "inadequate and insufficient to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff on campus." Bartling asked UNL to consider postponing the start of in-person classes for two weeks, provide students with N95 masks, to require more frequent testing of students, or require instructors to provide virtual learning options for students leery of gathering in groups. "I know quite a few people who have told me they feel unsafe even going to class," Bartling told the Journal Star in a phone interview. Bellows, responding on behalf of UNL's administration, told Bartling they were "confident that the protocols we've put in place will help ensure the safety of our campus community." UNL said it was also reluctant to return to online-only learning, which it said "resulted in higher levels of stress for most students and, for some, an increase in mental health concerns." Bartling said he was "glad to hear (UNL is) concerned about students' mental health," but said he believed a temporary return to virtual learning would have been a better approach to start the spring semester. "Safety and well-being should be the first priority," he said. Fiddelke said the rapid, saliva-based testing allows UNL to notify students early whether they have COVID, and to provide them options for isolating or quarantining themselves. Students who live on campus are given the option of moving into Sandoz Hall or Piper Hall temporarily. Under the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, students are asked to quarantine in the dorm for five days. After the five days are up, students return to in-person classes and other campus buildings if they follow proper masking and social distancing rules, Fiddelke said. Those with roommates are asked to continue sleeping in the quarantine room for an additional five nights until they are cleared to move back into their own residence hall, according to UNL's protocols. Gillespie, who was fully vaccinated and received a booster shot on Dec. 23, said students have been moving out of Sandoz after finishing their quarantine requirements just in time for others to move in at a steady clip. "It's not super-crazy, but it's been a pretty busy place," he said. UNL provides box lunches and dinners for the students in the Sandoz lobby -- Gillespie said "the food situation could definitely be a lot better" -- and a store in the residence hall offers other goodies such as cereal, mac and cheese and microwaveable pizza rolls. In between classes, or late into the night, quarantined Huskers pass the time walking around the residence hall and socializing, Gillespie said. Many, including himself, appear to be asymptomatic. "Not too many people are super-stressed or anxious or anything," he said. "But it's quarantine, so there's not much to do." Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lincoln has a new flag. Lincoln City Council members -- two of whom wore T-shirts emblazoned with the new design, along with the mayor when she spoke on a different issue -- voted unanimously Monday to approve the new art deco design created by Ed Mejia, an art director at Nelnet. Councilman Richard Meginnis was absent. This city means a lot to me, an emotional Mejia told the council during a public hearing on the new design. What this flag means is stability. Its about having a home. I know a lot of people see it that way, too. Mejia -- who has lived in three countries and five states, and has made Lincoln his home for nearly 30 years -- said he knows people from all over the state, country and world whove made their homes here. His design, called All Roads Lead to Lincoln, was the winner among more than 190 submissions in a ReFlag Lincoln contest. The American Marketing Association and Lincoln Young Professionals raised nearly $20,000 in a matter of weeks to run the contest. Mejia said in an earlier interview he spent about 10 hours writing down words he felt described Lincoln and sketching out symbols that represented what he felt and took five to six hours on his computer to design it. The teal green, navy blue and gold flag includes intersecting lines intended to capture the interconnection of technology, agriculture and commerce that have drawn people to Lincoln, according to Mejia. The beacon in the center symbolizes hope and optimism, as well as Lincolns reputation as a safe harbor for those seeking to make the community their home. Theres a sunset -- one of Mejias favorite things about Nebraska -- represented, along with the state Capitol and an aerial view of the traditional center of town and the start located at 13th and O streets. The teal green represents Lincolns tapestry of parks, trails, trees and green spaces and its being home of the Arbor Day Foundation; the navy blue, the groundwater aquifer, and significant natural resources significant to the region; the gold, the citys bright future and a place where all are welcome. Members who served on the committee and City Council members heaped praise on Mejias work. Kayla Meyer, with the Young Professionals Group, said submissions came from people ages 6 to 90, and the committee got more than 6,400 comments on the four finalists. The design by Mejia, who emigrated from El Salvador, was a clear fan favorite, she said. Councilwoman Jane Raybould, who described herself as a bit of a curmudgeon, wasnt convinced when she first saw the design, but as she learned about the meaning of the flag, she had a change of heart. Little by little, I really warmed up to it, she said. I really have grown to appreciate it more. Thats the power of your work. If you can make converts of people like me, thats really saying something. Supporters said the flag would be something people noticed, that it was a chance for the city to rebrand itself and that it would be good for business. The flag will replace one created in another contest sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce 90 years ago. The winner got a $50 prize. Only one person spoke in opposition. Jim Klein said he appreciated Mejias passion, the artwork and his love for the city -- something he shares -- but didnt think people would understand what it means. A more literal representation of the state Capitol, corn cobs and wheat carries more meaning, he said. Maybe Im old-fashioned, but thats Lincoln, he said. Paige Gade, a member of the young professionals group, said the new design doesnt mean Lincoln is any less proud of its connection to the state Capitol, the Huskers, or any other symbols long associated with its identity, but the redesign offered a chance to re-establish young peoples identity with the city based on its vibrant culture. Mejia told the council the flag isnt meant to impose ideals on the city. Instead, its the people of Lincoln who give it meaning. My hope is when people see this flag, they see themselves in it, he said. Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An increase in the theft of copper wiring used for streetlights along Interstate 80 exit ramps in Omaha is concerning and frustrating city officials. The cost of the work to replace the missing miles of cables will total more than $170,000. Its turning out to be quite a price tag, said Jeff Riesselman, Omahas city traffic engineer. The scope of this keeps increasing each week. Riesselman said workers have been aware of the copper cable thefts since early December. The thefts continued into mid-January. One of the first instances was on Dec. 1, when a worker found that 1,500 feet of underground copper wiring was stolen near the eastbound I-80 off-ramp to 42nd Street. The wiring was valued at roughly $17,000, according to a police report. Then, on Jan. 5, a worker realized that 2,500 feet of wiring had been pulled out near 42nd Street and the on-ramp of eastbound I-80 until 36th Street, costing almost $38,000. And on Jan. 10, three more thefts were reported along I-80 at 42nd, 60th and 84th Streets, totaling 4,600 feet, a value of $71,000. In all, a dozen spots between 42nd and 84th Street I-80 interchanges and the westbound lanes of the Interstate near 36th and 50th Streets will need to be fixed. The thieves are cutting the cables and then pulling the wiring from underground, and even the wires up into streetlights, Riesselman said. They then strip the valuable copper wire of its protective rubber covering and take the wiring. Some workers found spools of the rubber coverings left underneath the I-80 bridge at 42nd Street. The thieves likely try to sell the wiring, which recently has increased in price, to scrap recyclers or salvage businesses. It kind of coincides with that increase in salvage prices, which coincides with the cost of everything going up, Riesselman said. I sure hope that they try to sell it locally because I think thats probably the best chance of getting caught. Although the wiring powers streetlights that illuminate parts of the Interstate, Riesselman said state statute says major metropolitan areas like Omaha are responsible for owning and maintaining the Interstate lights. Shannon Ankeny, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Transportation, confirmed that the streetlights are in the citys jurisdiction. But she said the agency is helping raise awareness of the thefts in order to deter criminals. The Nebraska State Patrol is planning additional patrolling in the area, she said, and Ankeny urged people to call authorities if they see anything, even what appears to be workers on-site. She said the thieves could be impersonating contractors or city workers. In addition, Ankeny said, scrap businesses should question sellers and contact authorities if people come in with spools of copper wiring. The thefts also pose a safety hazard because the lights are out until workers can fix them. When this copper was stolen, it takes those lights out that are along that route, so people no longer have those safety lights, Ankeny said. For everybody, that cost is taxpayer money that has to replace all of the wiring and the damage. Riesselman said he hopes that the replacement work will prevent future thefts because some parts of the cables will be buried under the ground instead of in a plastic conduit that makes the wiring easy to remove. The drawback, he said, is that method takes longer and is more expensive. Officials have noticed that thieves have targeted lights in less-populated areas near the off- and on-ramps of the Interstate. It seems to be going west, Riesselman said. If (residents) see anything suspicious, Id love for them to report it to the police. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Sarpy County attorney will pursue the death penalty against a Bellevue man accused of fatally shooting two Sonic Drive-In employees and injuring two others. The announcement Monday marks the first time that Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov has sought the death penalty in a case in his nearly 30 years as an elected official. Polikov dismissed then refiled the nine felonies that 24-year-old Roberto Silva Jr. had faced. He also filed additional attempted first-degree murder charges involving three employees who were able to flee to safety. I took these procedural steps today because I intend to seek the death penalty in this case, Polikov said in a press release. I based my decision on the initial investigation as well as new information we received after the case was initially filed, which fit the aggravating circumstances necessary to seek the death penalty. Authorities have said Silva arrived at the Sonic fast food restaurant at 1307 Cornhusker Road in Bellevue on Nov. 21, 2020, and fired numerous times. The shots killed employees Nathan Pastrana, 22, and Ryan Helbert, 28, and injured Zoey Lujan, 18, and Kenneth Gerner, 25. Silva had driven a U-Haul truck there, which he later set on fire. He also threw several incendiary devices at the restaurant, a prosecutor has said. Silva was arrested at the scene, found by officers lying face down on the ground. Polikov plans to file a "notice of aggravators" that will explain why he thinks Silva's alleged crimes merit the death penalty. A jury or three-judge panel would decide whether to impose the death penalty if Silva is convicted. If that would occur, Silva would be the youngest person on Nebraska's death row. In November, judges decided that 24-year-old Bailey Boswell should spend life in prison instead of being put to death in the 2017 killing and dismemberment of Sydney Loofe. Her counterpart in the killing, 55-year-old Aubrey Trail, was sentenced to death in June 2021. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A battle over the proposed location of a casino in Sarpy County that would compete with a major casino project in Omaha dominated a legislative hearing Monday on provisions that would govern Nebraska's voter-approved authorization of casinos at horse race tracks. "Our goal is to create a powerhouse to compete with three Iowa casinos" just across the Missouri River, Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., told the Legislature's General Affairs Committee. But if there is a competing casino in Sarpy County, he said, Ho-Chunk would reduce its Douglas County casino proposal by $100 million and 300 jobs. The number of proposed slot machines probably would be reduced from 1,700 to 1,000 or less, Morgan said. "The Ponca Tribe is waiting to see what happens," he said. "We're fighting against very strong companies across the river." Monday's battle erupted during a hearing on LB876, introduced by Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, that would help implement the casino gambling authorization. Included in the proposal was an amendment to extend the proposed distance requirement between casinos from 50 miles to 75 miles. Iowa "has been very strategic in adding facilities that would not hurt existing casinos," Morgan told the committee. "And we want Nebraskans to feel comfortable that there will be reasonable, not open-ended, expansion" of casinos in the state, he said. The new Nebraska casino gambling authorization confines casinos to horse race tracks. Ho-Chunk, the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe, is planning to build a $200 million casino at Horseman's Park in Omaha along with a $220 million WarHorse Casino in Lincoln near U.S. 77 and West Denton Road. Don Wesely, a registered lobbyist for the Winnebago Tribe, told the committee that Omaha will "need a casino that is spectacular to compete with the Council Bluffs casinos" that now attract Nebraskans and lure their money across the river. "I do not believe the Legislature should pick winners and losers," Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike said. The legislative proposal would, in effect, "prohibit economic development," he told the senators. "Our money is going to Council Bluffs" too, he said. John Hassett, Aksarben Equine director, said the metropolitan Omaha area can accommodate two casinos and that would "generate more money for property tax relief." Nebraska's new casino gambling law provides that 70% of the revenue generated by a 20% tax on gambling will be funneled into property tax relief. Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A judge said she will decide by noon Tuesday whether people in Omaha will have to continue wearing masks in public. Douglas County District Judge Shelly Stratman said she realized the immediacy of whats going on and would go over almost 51 exhibits before deciding whether to issue a temporary restraining order that would end Omaha's current mask mandate. The judges comments came after a two-hour hearing in which attorneys for the state urged the judge to overturn the mandate. State leaders including Gov. Pete Ricketts and Attorney General Doug Peterson argue that Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse didnt seek permission from the state Department of Health and Human Services before issuing the mandate. The state says such approval is needed under state law. Attorneys pointed to a statute that requires county health directors to adopt measures with the approval of the Department of Health and Human Services. But attorneys for the City of Omaha and Huse argued that she was serving as health director of the city, not the county, and had a right to impose a mask mandate within city limits as she saw fit. Huse said she did so Jan. 11 amid spiking cases of COVID-19. About 30 people attended the hearing via online teleconference. Most were attorneys and reporters. Also watching: City Council members Brinker Harding, Aimee Melton and Don Rowe, Republicans on the officially nonpartisan council who joined the lawsuit against the mandate. A dozen mask protesters gathered outside the Douglas County Courthouse, holding signs and trying to get drivers on Farnam Street to honk. Very few, if any, went inside to watch the arguments over whether they should be required to be masked. The two hours of arguments boiled down to this: Stratman will have to determine whether there is a distinction between Huse as a "county health director" and her appointment as health director for the City of Omaha. All parties in the case agreed that Huse would have to seek HHS approval if she were operating as county health director. But she wasn't acting in that capacity, the city and county argued. She instead was acting under the authority granted to her by an Omaha City Council resolution, they said. A key question for Stratman: Would the state, which is suing, suffer irreparable harm if she didnt stop the mask mandate? The state argued that it would because citizens could be arrested, fined or jailed if they dont comply with the mask mandate. It is unclear how many people, if any, have been cited over failing to wear a mask under the current mandate. The city argued that the greater risk of harm would be if the health director were not allowed to impose restrictions to combat the surge in COVID-19 cases brought on by the omicron variant. Bernard in den Bosch, a deputy city attorney, noted that the City Council determined that during a pandemic, it shall be the duty of the health director to issue such orders, regulations and instructions as may ... be deemed effective for the prevention, removal or limiting of such disease. In den Bosch joined by Deputy Douglas County Attorney Josh Woolf and private attorneys Robert Slovek and Edward Fox said former County Health Director Adi Pour was also appointed city health director during her tenure. Though she didn't impose mask mandates, she did deliver COVID-19 reports to the City Council as part of her duties as city health director. "Dr. Huse has been characterized as a rogue bureaucrat acting independently when in fact she has ... made a thoughtful, considered judgment with the help of others, and most importantly with the help of science," Slovek said. Campbell and Dave Lopez, a former assistant Nebraska attorney general now representing Harding, Melton and Rowe, said no one is questioning Huse's intentions, but rather her authority to act. The attorneys note that Huse previously deferred to HHS for permission to impose a mask mandate but now says she can impose one on her own. The state says Huse is trying to tiptoe an intellectually dishonest tightrope that she isnt acting as a county health director but as the citys de facto health director. She is doing so to sidestep a county health directors need for HHS approval. Nebraska Solicitor General Jim Campbell said the state is "not saying she acted irrationally." It's saying she acted illegally. "This case is not about whether mask mandates are good public health policy," Campbell told the judge. "Rather we raise a legal issue whether Dr. Huse had authority to decree a mask mandate." Under Huses order, masks are required for people over age 5 in indoor public venues such as schools and many businesses. Exceptions include religious services and places where it is possible to maintain 6 feet of distance. Huse has said the measure might last four weeks from the date it was issued. Besix, a leading Belgian infrastructure group with a major regional presence, has announced that concrete work on the Dubai Uptown Tower has reached its 329-m peak. The tower, which will reach a final height of 340 m, is being developed by Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC), with the design provided by the architectural firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. The Belgian group said the project was nearing its structural topping out as well as 90% of facade completion. The works are being carried out under the supervisory management of Turner International Middle East, with WSP and Wood-Baggot as structural/technical and architectural consultants respectively. Besix Group said its Dubai branch was responsible for the detailed engineering and construction of the skyscraper. David De Visscher, Resident Manager UAE for Besix-Six Construct: "We are extremely proud to be part of this project and very pleased that we are now reaching structural topping out as well as 90% of facade completion which is demonstrating once again our engineering and construction management expertise." The tower will be completed and delivered to DMCC in autumn 2022. Based on the initial structural design, Besix Group introduced a large amount of cost and time saving Value Engineering elements and was further responsible for the detailed engineering and methodology of the Uptown Tower. In particular, Besix Group's in-house design office contributed to geotechnical and structural studies, the development of BIM models, the design and construction of the facade, and the development of planning and methods. The Belgian group's engineering unit is also assisting the operational teams, their active collaboration ensuring the operational excellence of the construction process which started at the end of 2019.-TradeArabia News Service LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo. The Lafayette County Sheriffs Office is defending one of its jail employees for her decision to wear a red prom dress that featured the Confederate battle flag years before she began working for the agency. Sgt. Samantha Bell, an employee with the jail division for the sheriffs office, wore a red shiny dress with a giant Confederate battle flag on her backside to her senior prom at Wellington-Napoleon High School in 2013. Bell has been employed with the sheriffs office for the past five years. Lafayette County is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, about 200 miles west of St. Louis. The Kansas City Star contacted the sheriffs office Thursday after receiving an anonymous tip raising concerns. Lafayette County Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh said the photograph was discussed with Bell. Our employee advises she was in no way making a racial statement by wearing this dress. She was simply stating her southern heritage in memory of her deceased Grandmother, the sheriff said in an email Friday. Bell did not reply to The Stars request for comment via Facebook message. My daughters heritage and my heritage The anonymous tipster claimed Bell was also in the process of becoming a sworn police officer through the Central Missouri Police Academy, a detail The Star was unable to independently verify Friday. The police academy is located at the University of Central Missouri. In a statement, the police academy declined to identify any of its trainees, citing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. But the law does not in fact prevent the academy from commenting on such matters. Holly Pierce, Bells mother, said that she made the dress for her daughter. Pierce contended there was nothing racist about the symbol. Im not going to stand out here and freeze to death having this discussion with you, she told a Star reporter from the driveway of her Mayview, Missouri, home on Friday morning. You guys really need to take this up with Sam (Bell) and go back and read your history. For you to come on my property and accuse me of something that absolutely has nothing to do with that Confederate flag except for my daughters heritage and my heritage is absolutely wrong. Flags history In recent years, Confederate symbols and statues which were largely erected after the Civil War during the Jim Crow era and into the civil rights movement have started coming down. Mississippi removed the battle flag from its state flag in 2020 as several states reckoned with the imagery. In his message to The Star, Sheriff Alumbaugh said the agency has never received any complaints or concerns of racial bias during Bells five years of employment there. Lauren Bonds, legal director for the National Police Accountability Project, said it is important for law enforcement departments to do extensive background checks for past extremist or racist statements or posts. I do definitely think that this is going to undermine the trust that folks may have in this particular officer, Bonds said. She added that there is a fine line when it comes to disciplinary actions that can be taken against employees who have done things in the past, before they were employed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Visitors to Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium can now put a name to the newest member of the zoos elephant herd. The female African elephant calf has been named Eugenia, which means noble or well-born, the zoo announced Monday in a press release. Eugenia was named by the Grewcock family, who won the naming rights at the zoos fundraiser, Zoofari. The family has always had a great love of elephants, Berniece Grewcock said. The fact that these elephants were saved from drought-stricken Swaziland makes their story especially remarkable, she said. Being able to select the name of the first elephant born at the zoo is very special to us. Grewcocks husband, William Grewcock, was a member of the Omaha Zoological Society and Omaha Zoo Foundation boards until his death in 2018. The family has supported multiple zoo projects over the past 40 years, according to the press release, including the Berniece and Bill Grewcock Elephant Habitat, the Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion and the Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research. Eugenia was born Jan. 7 and is the first elephant born at the zoo in its 125-year history. She is nursing and growing and currently weighs 183 pounds. The Elephant Herd Room, where Eugenia lives with the herd, is currently closed to the public so animal care staff have time to observe the herd. There are seven elephants in the herd, including Eugenia. She wont be the youngest for long. Another member of the herd is expected to give birth this winter. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Laila Ayubzai arrived in Lincoln on Sept. 15, 2000, coming from Afghanistan after her husband was killed by the Taliban. A widow with six children a baby in her arms she still remembers her first night in America at a hotel in New York City the taste of Pepsi, a rare treat how her kids each received a dinner box which she told them to ration. We had run away from war, she explains. I was a single mom with no money, no luggage It was one of the best nights of my life. The next day her family boarded a plane bound for Nebraska, a place she was told was the heart of America. Twenty years later she is fluent in English, her children have graduated from high school and have jobs, she and her sons have launched a local food truck called The Corner Kitchen, and she is giving back by helping a new wave of Afghan refugees. I tell new Afghans that I know this pain. I had this pain inside But they cannot think in the back, they must think into the future, she shares. Be strong. Its not easy to leave your country behind, but someday they will be sitting in a good place with an open heart and with food on the table. In the last few months, Ayubzai has been taking new Afghan families on errands for groceries, the doctor, the drugstore. I am doing as much as I can. She remembers when she was first learning English and struggling to survive in a foreign land raising her children while patching together a livelihood. I did not do this alone, she says. I thank Catholic Social Services and Lutheran Family Services and specifically Lincoln Literacy, for so many new opportunities. Ayubzai says she has a simple message for Lincoln: I pray for Afghanistan, and I hope you will join me. But I want to say thanks, America. I love America. This is now my home. For information about The Corner Kitchen, go to: www.facebook.com/thecornerkitchen2020/community. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As the Taliban advanced and the Afghanistan capital started to fall last year, Mohibullah Hamit and his family knew they were in danger. Hamit had worked for the U.S. military in Kabul, and anyone working there had started to vanish. We stayed longer than we should with risk of Taliban retaliation, Hamit says, now safe and sound in Lincoln with three of his adult siblings. Insurgent groups are still coming to the house of my parents in Afghanistan, knocking on the door. They are looking for us; we are targeted. My mother tells us, Son, dont try to come back home. Fairly fluent in English, Hamit tells a compelling story of their escape and of how blessed he and three tenacious siblings feel to have found a home in Lincoln. We are so happy and thankful to the people of the U.S. for bringing us here. Clayton Naff, executive director of Lincoln Literacy, says this kind of gratitude is uniform among all refugees. People like Mohibullah and his brothers and sisters are filled with gratitude, he says. They bring great vitality to our community, just as refugees and immigrants before them. I am fully confident we will be better off for having welcomed refugees to Lincoln. Bridge to a better future For decades, Naff says, Lincoln Literacy has served a major role in helping newcomers adjust to life in Lincoln most recently the latest wave from Afghanistan: Lincoln Literacy works as a bridge across to a better life, a better future. According to the latest numbers, 500 Afghans have settled in Nebraska since fall and thousands more are expected in coming months estimates that increase regularly. Hamit, a civil engineer, was among the first wave to arrive in Lincoln in October while his three siblings arrived months later. Now living in temporary housing, they await a more permanent home, but are content in their newfound sense of security. Surprisingly composed, Hamit relates an emotional story of his familys flight: The government was collapsing and the Taliban took control so fast, very cruel people arresting and killing people I called my brothers and sisters and told them I could get the papers, but we needed to escape. It was terrible, such a bad time. Unfortunately, Hamit and his three siblings were separated in the crowded chaotic Kabul Airport but reunited in Lincoln with the arrival of his brother, Hikmatullah Wazirzai, and his two sisters, Fishtal Wazirzai and Masouma Wazirzai. Another of Hamits brothers is stranded in The Netherlands, while a fifth brother is still back in Afghanistan in hiding. Hamits brother, Wazirzai, says they already feel comfortable in Nebraska. We have a message for our family still in Afghanistan, our mom and papa, our brother: We are good. We are safe. There is no war and no fighting here. There is so much space Our next ambitions are learning English and finding work. Working with resettlement agencies Naff says thats where his agency enters the picture. Part of the New Americans Task Force a network of agencies that help refugees and immigrants find footing in this community Lincoln Literacy supplements the significant contributions of the two major resettlement agencies here: Catholic Social Services and Lutheran Family Services. Southeast Community College generally provides a month of language classes, then new citizens go to Lincoln Literacy. But the agency is about so much more than teaching skills in reading and writing, Naff emphasizes. We provide essential survival services that help a refugee settle into a new home, he explains, citing guidance in everything from figuring out utility bills to earning a drivers license. Lincoln Literacy also provides: Van transportation to and from classes. Free onsite child care. Support with job skills and GEDs. Literacy lessons in math and computers, health and finance. Through volunteer tutors, we not only help refugees learn the language, we often serve as their first American friend, someone who they can ask any question, Naff shares. 50th anniversary Lincoln Literacy celebrates its 50th anniversary this year as a community-based nonprofit. The agency started in 1972 as a small civic group with a handful of volunteers, increased their range of services in the early 1990s with a major wave of immigration, and truly ramped up after a 2005 Woods Charitable Fund grant. We increased learning opportunities an English Language and Literacy Academy 22 learning centers across the city. By 2020, we served a record 1,200 people. The pandemic undoubtedly set them back, Naff says, but adds he is proud of how the organization weathered the storm. Life changed in an instant, but Lincoln Literacy paused to regroup and bounded back fast I was never prouder to live in Lincoln, he says. We demonstrated that we are a community and that we care about one another Despite our individual worries, we were willing to pitch in and help one another. And thats beautiful. He praises Lincoln Literacy volunteers who stayed with us through all our frustrating twists and turns these past two years. And Im proud of our staff for enduring all the hardships and remaining extraordinarily dedicated. Currently the agency is seeing a modest rebound, reopening some in-person classes as well as eight learning centers while continuing weekly online classes, and providing free Chromebooks and internet access. Im optimistic about the future, Naff says. Looking ahead, Im hopeful we will be able to again provide robust services throughout Lincoln. Welcoming city, opening doors Hamit and his brother and sisters are overwhelmed with the welcoming people of Lincoln, and praise Lincoln Literacy for opening so many doors for us already. He recognizes inevitable challenges loom ahead with housing and financial support, anxiously awaiting their absent siblings. Nonetheless, when asked about the future, Hamit smiles calmly: The Taliban are not after us here. I dont have many complaints. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 I am a wife, mother, grandmother and a nurse. I want to express my utter disbelief and outrage regarding our governor, attorney general and many of the Republican senators of our state. Our children, youth and adults of all ages continue to become ill and some die due to COVID-19 and its variants. We have the tools to combat this virus, masks indoors and in crowds, vaccination and boosters and social distancing. Three simple steps to decrease deaths, illness and provide relief to our long overburdened and overwhelmed hospitals and staff. Yet the governor and attorney general will not support our public health departments, healthcare systems and all staff by supporting vaccinations for all and mask mandates. Instead of supporting public health departments, healthcare systems and staff and protecting all, they file lawsuits against such health measures. The sheer amount of misinformation, conspiracy theories and lies regarding COVID, vaccinations and masking remains overwhelming. We all need to come together to support one another in our community and across our state. We say we always help and assist one another in Nebraska. Well, it is past time that every single one of us do what is needed: wear a mask, get vaccinated, boosted and support our healthcare systems and staff. Please, all our lives remain at risk. Kay Kiechel-White, Lincoln Love 5 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BURLINGTON A hot cocoa bandit may be on the loose, but police say the trail has gone cold. The search heated up Dec. 2 when officials at Cross Lutheran Church called police to report more than 200 boxes of hot cocoa mix had gone missing inside the church. The following night, Cross Lutheran members were planning to hand out 1,250 packets of hot cocoa mix to spectators along the route of Burlingtons annual Christmas parade. Emergency replacements purchased from a nearby Walmart store would allow the parade festivities to go ahead. But church leaders still want to know: What had become of their hot cocoa? Burlington police responded to the scene at 126 Chapel Trail and scoured the church grounds in a burglary investigation. We did not locate anyone or any signs of forced entry, Police Officer Anthony Romano wrote in his report. The hot chocolate was missing. The estimated value of the loss was $280, which the church had spent to place an order via Amazon for 240 boxes of Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate mix, each box containing eight packets. In the days leading up to the Dec. 3 holiday parade, church members were affixing labels to each packet, with information about Cross Lutheran. The theme of the parade was, Frozen Fantasy, so each cocoa packet included the churchs message: Let Gods love forever warm your frozen heart. Cross Lutheran would have a float in the parade, and congregation members wanted to distribute hot cocoa to spectators along the route. Joshua Kuehn, outreach chairman and a member of the church council, arrived with his daughter about 3 p.m. Dec. 2 to label more hot cocoa packets. But boxes of Swiss Miss that were supposed to be just inside the churchs front entrance were nowhere to be found. Kuehn said it took a while before he realized that the hot cocoa had been stolen. It was confusing at first, he said. It was very disappointing that someone would come into our church like that. While Kuehn and his daughter ran to Walmart to buy more Swiss Miss, police searched the area, took photographs for evidence, and checked neighboring property owners for security video. The church, which has about 250 families in the congregation, was not equipped with security cameras. Investigators discovered that the churchs pastor, the Rev. John Brink, had accidentally left the front door unlocked the night before. Brink told police he was unsure when the hot cocoa had gone missing, and he wanted the investigation closed. Brink later said he did not think the police should have been involved, and that a churchs loss of hot cocoa mix should not take up police resources when there are more serious crimes happening. I thought it was ridiculous that we called police, he said. After police found no relevant security video footage and no sign of the missing hot cocoa mix, they reported Jan. 17 that the investigation had reached a standstill. There are no leads or suspects at this time, police records state. Cross Lutheran members were able to join the Christmas parade and distribute their emergency replacement hot cocoa stockpile. Brink said he remains uncertain whether the hot cocoa was stolen or whether it was misplaced, or whether it ever really arrived from Amazon. If someone needed hot chocolate more than we did, OK, he said. Im at a loss. Kuehn speculated that someone found the front door unlocked, but rather than search for valuables, they just quickly grabbed the hot chocolate. The box shipped by Amazon was not labeled on the outside, Kuehn said, so the thief might not have known what he or she was taking. They mightve thought it was more valuable than it was, he said. If youre stealing from a church, youre probably going to grab and run. They were probably pretty disappointed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MOUNT PLEASANT A Milwaukee man was allegedly so enraged upon seeing Burger King workers touching food without gloves on that he demanded a refund and, even after receiving the refund, pointed a gun at a drive-thru worker. According to a criminal complaint: On Jan. 4, officers with the Mount Pleasant Police Department were sent to Burger King, 13348 Washington Ave. (just east of Interstate 94), for a man who allegedly pulled a gun on a worker. Upon arrival, an officer spoke with an employee who said she was working the drive-thru when a man later identified as Marshall Trudo IV, 28 pulled a gun on her. She said he ordered food and paid for it. But when he saw another worker making food without gloves on, he said he no longer wanted the food and wanted his money back. She then gave him $12, which was 67 cents more than he paid. When she asked for the 67 cents back, he refused, pulled a gun out and pointed it at her. He then proceeded through the drive-thru and employees said they heard the gun being fired. An officer located a car with a bullet hole in its trunk, leading officers to believe Trudo shot the car. Trudo was charged with felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a firearm by adjudicated delinquent, as well as misdemeanor counts of pointing a firearm at another, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. He had an initial court appearance on Tuesday at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show. Fatality at a Milwaukee Burger King This incident occurred two days after a Burger King employee was killed in Milwaukee. On Jan. 2, cashier Niesha Harris-Bracell, 16, was shot to death during a robbery. Video surveillance showed a man with a gun leaning into the drive-thru window and another Burger King employee opening fire on him. According to a criminal complaint, the man who leaned into the drive-thru window was Antoine Edwards. His 16-year-old daughter worked at the Burger King with Harris-Bracell. The three of them hatched a plan to steal money from the restaurant by staging a robbery. The night of Jan. 2, Edwards drove up to the drive-thru. Harris-Bracell was supposed to hand him the register but took too long. Edwards grew impatient and leaned into the window with his gun. Another employee who wasnt in on the robbery opened fire on Edwards and hit Harris-Bracell by mistake. Derrick Ellis, the employee who allegedly shot Harris-Bracell, was charged Jan. 6 with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He turned himself in last week. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 KENOSHA A 65-year-old Racine man, with four previous drunken-driving convictions, faces a felony charge of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle after a New Years Eve crash in Kenosha. James Green Jr., who previously lived in Kenosha County but whose address is now on the 1000 block of Main Street in Racine, is due for an initial appearance in Kenosha County Circuit Court on Feb. 17. Kenosha County Jail records showed that Green was is in custody as of Tuesday. No bond information was available. The felony charge carries a maximum prison term of 7 years plus five years of extended supervision and a fine of $25,000 if he is convicted. According to the criminal complaint: Kenosha Police responded to the area of Highway 158 and 78th Avenue at 11:10 p.m. on Dec. 31, for a three-vehicle crash with injuries. The victims vehicle had front-end damage, and the driver suffered a visible cut to her forehead that was about 4 inches long and 1-2 centimeters deep. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. In addition to the cut, which needed 29 sutures to repair, she also had injuries to her left leg, left forearm, wrist, right hand and suffered a broken right heel. Police spoke with Green, who stated he was in the process of turning his vehicle around when he was struck by the other vehicle. He complained of severe leg pain and thought his left leg was broken, the complaint states. The officer stated he could smell an odor of intoxicants, but wasnt sure if it was coming from the defendant. Green told police he had one drink, but had difficulty explaining what it was. A passenger in his vehicle, who police said had a strong odor of alcohol coming from her, had visible bruising and a bloody mouth, but refused medical treatment. Police determined that Greens vehicle was eastbound, drove over the center lane median and continued eastbound in the westbound lanes when the crash happened. The driver of the third vehicle stated they were westbound on 52nd Street when the Jeep in front of them struck a dark colored SUV head on. The driver and his passenger both refused medical treatment. Green was transported to a local hospital for treatment and also for a legal blood draw to determine his level of intoxication. Results of that test were unavailable Tuesday. Court records show the defendant has previous OWI convictions in 2000, 2004, 2017 and 2019, all in Illinois. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This story has been updated with a quote from Devin Remiker, Democratic Party of Wisconsin interim executive director, and additional information about funding supporting Kevin Nicholson. Looking to build momentum in unseating Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, some Wisconsin conservatives chief among them Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester had hoped Republicans would converge behind one candidate in the 2022 gubernatorial race. Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch is the apparent frontrunner for the GOP nomination. She already has raised millions and has been a popular face at speaking functions for more than a year, building up wide momentum before and into her actual campaign. The likes of Vos have been hoping to avoid a knock-down, drag-out battle leading up to Aug. 9s primary that could hurt the partys chances in the final Nov. 8 vote. But its becoming increasingly likely that there will be some kind of battle, with many millions to be spent in it. Campaign contributions show Kleefisch has the backing of billionaire Liz Uihlein. But Liz Uihleins husband, Dick Uihlein, is sticking behind his preferred candidate: Kevin Nicholson, even if Nicholson isnt even an official candidate at this point. The Uihleins are Republican megadonors who co-own Pleasant Prairie-based ULINE. Nicholson, a combat veteran Marine who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 2018 supported by more than $8 million in funding from Dick Uihlein, has tiptoed around deciding what major elected office he wants to run for. He had indicated he was waiting for Ron Johnson to decide if he wanted to seek a third term in the U.S. Senate or not. Now that Johnson has declared that he will seek a third term, Nicholsons decision has become more complicated. If Kevin Nicholson is listening, you need to not run for governor, Vos was quoted as saying during an event in Madison last week. On Monday, Dick Uihlein issued a statement, pushing in the other direction. I strongly urge Kevin Nicholson to run for Governor of Wisconsin. There are very few people that can shake things up in the state; Kevin is one of them. Hes an outsider who bravely served as a Marine commander and has built a career in business while also galvanizing conservatives throughout the state through No Better Friend Corp., he said. Kevin is a born leader. If he decides to run for Governor, he will have my full support and commitment to win the primary and general elections. I know hes the fighter we need to get Wisconsin back on track. Dick Uihlein has already spent more than $1 million in advertising supporting Nicholson in recent months. The Kleefisch campaign on Monday did not respond to a request for a comment on Dick Uihleins statement. Would primary hurt GOP chances? Avoiding a close race for the Republican nomination could increase the partys chances of unseating Evers. If nothing else, more campaign dollars could be set aside for the general election, rather than having them burned in the primary before battling Evers. The primary could get even more intense if former Gov. Tommy Thompson, a Republican who is popular even with some Democrats for his defense of COVID-19 prevention mandates during his tenure as interim UW System president, decides to run again. Another Republican, small business owner and entrepreneur Jonathan Wichmann, has been making the rounds of the state as he seeks the governors office, but he hasnt been able to raise enough to appear competitive in the statewide race. In the second half of 2021, he reported receiving donations totaling $42,000. Former police officer and businessman Adam Fischer raised a little more than $28,000 in the last six months of 2021 in his announced run as a Republican for Wisconsin governor. On the hot-button issues of the day, theres little separating the likes of Wichmann, Kleefisch and Nicholson. They all have expressed alarm about critical race theory, have joined those looking to tighten election laws in the wake of Joe Bidens 2020 victory over Donald Trump, consider themselves defenders of the Second Amendment and are all anti-abortion. Evers, who has a significant fundraising lead on Kleefisch, is uncontested among Democrats and thus will be able to save his money for closer to the big day, the general election on Nov. 8. Kleefisch earlier this month reported raising more than $3.3 million in the first four months of her campaign. Evers campaign reports having more than $10 million on hand. Power of incumbency Since 1948 and through 2013, incumbent U.S. governors seeking re-election win 72.08% of the time, and that percentage has steadily risen over the past century from 63.5% in the 1960s to 79.91% in the 2000s according to data analyzed by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Dating to 1986 when Thompson unseated incumbent Democrat Tony Earl, sitting Wisconsin governors have won re-election two-thirds of the time including when Scott Walker staved off a recall in 2012. In response Monday to those seeking to keep the Republican primary uncontested, Meg Andrietsch, Democratic Party of Racine County chair and secretary of the state Democratic Party, texted: Id say that primaries are healthy, and allow for a robust discussion of issues. Trying to control the process of nominating a candidate hurts our democracy. Democrats have endorsed Gov. Tony Evers because we know where he stands, and that he has kept his campaign promises. We hope for and expect a fair race regardless of who the Republican nominee is or how they get chosen. Devin Remiker, Democratic Party of Wisconsin interim executive director, added in a statement: Kevin Nicholsons entrance to the race will make this a no-holds barred competition to prove who is the most divisive. Rebecca Kleefisch has already changed policy positions on ballot drop boxes to match Nicholsons stance on elections and he hasnt even announced his candidacy yet, thats how afraid she is of an opponent. No matter who wins this battle to prove who is the most extreme Kleefisch, Wichmann, or Nicholson any candidate the GOP nominates will be wildly out of touch with the people of Wisconsin. Lee Newspapers Reporter Mitchell Schmidt contributed to this article. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Absentee ballot drop boxes will be allowed in the Feb. 15 spring primary, a state appeals court decided Monday as it blocked a recent ruling by a Waukesha County judge. The state District 4 Court of Appeals issued a stay against the earlier ruling by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren, which barred the use of absentee ballot drop boxes in the state. The appeals court said in an order Monday that the lower courts ruling creates the potential for voter confusion and uncertainty in the upcoming primary. In their order, appeals court judges Brian Blanchard, Rachel Graham and Jennifer Nashold agreed with the Wisconsin Elections Commissions concern that some voters may have already deposited their absentee ballots in drop boxes or given them to a spouse or caregiver to be mailed or delivered to a clerk. The commission reported that, as of about 8 a.m. Monday, nearly 8,400 absentee ballots had already been sent out by local clerks and at least 1,845 ballots have already been delivered or are currently out for delivery, according to court records. If the current guidance is withdrawn at this stage of the election process, there is significant uncertainty as to whether these votes would be counted, the court wrote. Given this situation, the risk of confusion and possible disenfranchisement is compelling. The appeals court will decide at a future date what measures need to be in place for elections after the spring primary. At the same time, the state Supreme Court also could take up the matter. Todays ruling will stop new barriers to voting from being imposed, and almost certainly prevent some Wisconsinites from being disenfranchised, in the upcoming February elections, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement. We will continue protecting Wisconsinites freedom to vote. On Jan. 13, Bohren ruled in a case brought by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty that there is no statutory authority to have drop boxes used for the collection of absentee ballots outside of a specifically allowed alternate absentee ballot location or at a clerks office. Bohren also ordered that voters cannot have anyone else return their ballot for them. WILLs lawsuit was filed days after the state Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling, turned back a separate attempt by a major Republican donor to ban the boxes. The state Department of Justice filed a motion for an appeal late Friday following Bohrens decision that day denying a request to put the ruling on hold until after the upcoming spring primary. The state Elections Commission and a group of voting rights advocacy organizations also appealed the ruling last week. The bipartisan commission was originally scheduled to discuss Bohrens ruling later Monday, but the meeting was canceled in light of the Court of Appeals decision. Widely used State statutes do not address the use of ballot drop boxes, though the commission issued guidance in early 2020 to allow election clerks to make use of them. The boxes were widely used in the state that year as an alternative for voters worried that, with the crush of absentee ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic and potential delays in mail delivery, their ballots might not make it back before Election Day. At least 34 states used or planned to use ballot drop boxes in the 2020 election and about 16% of nationwide voters in the 2016 general election made use of the boxes, according to the commissions website. Only four states prohibited the use of drop boxes when the commission issued the 2020 guidance for their use in Wisconsin. State elections commission administrator Meagan Wolfe said in testimony in the circuit court case last year the commission was aware of at least 528 drop boxes being used across the state in the 2020 November election. While some cities installed multiple boxes, Wolfe said the boxes were ultimately used by more than 430 communities. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement she was happy to hear the state appeals court recognizes that drop boxes are a normal part of elections in our state and that changing the rules right before an election is inappropriate. I am confident that they will recognize that removing drop boxes altogether risks disenfranchising voters in Madison and across the state, Rhodes-Conway added. The Wisconsin Supreme Court also could take up the topic of drop boxes in a lawsuit filed last year by Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch challenging the commissions guidance on drop boxes. The states high court has not said if it will take up the case before it goes through lower courts. Another lawsuit was filed earlier this month by a Waukesha County resident represented by WILL. The voter is suing the Elections Commission for rejecting a complaint he filed last year regarding ballot drop boxes. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Emirates Health Services (EHS) is leading the way in joining the Metaverse and has launched the worlds first Healthcare Metaverse platform, MetaHealth. EHS is showcasing the pilot version of the project at the Arab Health 2022 exhibition. Visitors to Arab Health 2022, from January 24 to 27, will have the opportunity to experience MetaHealth at the EHS booth, exploring its ability to deliver healthcare services that exceed expectations, adapt to future requirements and challenges, and promote happiness and wellbeing in the community. They will be able to teleport themselves into the MetaHealth world and choose to speak with doctors, health professionals, or representatives of three major hospitals in Dubai. Mubaraka Ibrahim, Acting Chief Information Officer of Information Sector at Emirates Health Services, said: Launching the worlds first Healthcare Metaverse platform demonstrates Emirates Health Services commitment to our mission, where we aim to improve customers experience, promote wellbeing and happiness at the national level, and embed advanced technologies into healthcare services to better serve patients and bring the sector firmly into the future. This, in turn, resonates with Dubai and the UAEs ambitions to embrace avant-garde technology and lead the way into better, more prosperous societies. The platform helps create a more inclusive environment in the sector, in line with the UAEs ambitions for a more inclusive, engaging, enjoyable, and fair nation, Ibrahim added. Unlike other Metaverse platforms, MetaHealth allows users to enter the virtual world using only their smart devices. This is particularly useful for People of Determination a top priority in the UAE where MetaHealth offers a solution for those unable to physically commute to one of the EHS Customer Happiness Centres. The platform was designed to ensure easy access with a few simple steps. Customers can then interact within the 3D virtual world: they can virtually meet each other or immerse themselves in virtual activities.-- TradeArabia News Service Wisconsin lawmakers approved bills Tuesday that would create enhanced penalties for rioters and divert federal funds to shore up law enforcement staffing challenges. While the Republican-authored bills would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, they show Republicans tough-on-crime agenda going into Novembers gubernatorial and Senate elections as Wisconsin Republicans say Democratic politicians push ineffective crime policies and encourage violent protests. The Senate passed a GOP-authored bill that would bar public schools from teaching students or training employees about concepts such as systemic racism and implicit bias. The chamber also approved the first of several votes on a joint resolution that would give the Republican Legislature the final say over how the governor spends federal funds allocated to the state. Riot penalties A Republican bill headed to Evers after passing the Assembly and Senate Tuesday would create mandatory minimum sentences for people participating in riots defined as gatherings of at least three people with a clear danger toward property or people where somebody commits or threatens to commit an act of violence. Under the bill which passed the Senate on a voice vote and the Assembly on a 59-34 party-line vote intentionally attending a riot would constitute a misdemeanor and carry a 30-day jail sentence; knowingly participating in a riot resulting in injury or property damage would carry up to a 45-day jail sentence. Several law enforcement organizations backed the bill, while activist groups and the city of Milwaukee opposed the bill as likely to infringe protesters free speech and assembly rights. Protest is democracy, Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, said ahead of the vote. This bill brought forward today by my friends across the aisle is a declaration of war against the First Amendment. The bill was also opposed by the conservative group Americans for Prosperity, who shared a statement saying, AFP fears this well-intended legislation would have a chilling effect on the lawful exercise of free expression and could be inappropriately applied by government officials in a partisan or otherwise biased manner. The Assembly Tuesday passed a second bill that would permit three-and-a-half-year sentences for people who damage or deface government property or items on government property of commemorative or historical significance. It came in response to 2020 incidents in which racial justice demonstrators tore down the Forward and Col. Hans Christian Heg statues on Capitol Square. The bill, which is headed to the Senate, passed on a 59-33 roll call vote Tuesday with all Republicans as well as Rep. Steve Doyle, D-Onalaska, in favor. Law enforcement Several bills the Assembly passed Tuesday would use around $25 million in federal COVID-19 relief money to recruit, train and retain law enforcement officers. The bills making up the package are now headed to the Senate. If they pass, they are likely to be vetoed by Evers, who has rejected similar measures by lawmakers to direct federal spending in the past. Ahead of the Assembly session Tuesday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said workforce shortages combined with negative Democratic messaging about police have exacerbated law enforcement challenges. Probably the toughest job right now, where it seems like a whole bunch of forces are coming down on folks, is in law enforcement, Vos said. Vos added that while health care workers often receive strong bipartisan support, law enforcement officer support is more divided, especially among Democrats and the defund the police movement. The bills, which passed on roll call votes with Republicans and Doyle in favor, would use federal funds to provide bonuses to law enforcement officers serving in Wisconsin for the first time; establish part-time police academy programs in at least two technical colleges; provide required medical testing and certain supplies to officers at local agencies; reimburse people training to be officers and law enforcement agencies whose officers recertify each year; and lead to the creation of a marketing campaign focused on recruiting and retaining officers in Wisconsin. Critical race theory The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to prohibit teaching concepts related to critical race theory, which was introduced amid a nationwide push by conservatives to police how teachers talk about race in the classroom. Critical race theory is a decades-old academic framework that can be used to understand how systemic racism prevails through laws and institutions. The theory asserts that racism is ingrained in the nations social structures and policies. The bill passed 20-13, with Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, joining all Democratic lawmakers in opposition to the bill. Marklein said local school boards should retain control over the matter. The measure passed the Assembly on a 60-38 party-line vote last fall, but is all but certain to be vetoed by Evers, a former state schools superintendent. Opponents have criticized the bill as an attempt to strip local control from school districts and say it misinterprets the concept of critical race theory, which focuses on social and racial inequality in U.S. law and institutions. Federal funds The Senate voted 21-12, with all Democratic lawmakers opposed, in favor of a GOP-authored constitutional amendment that would give Republicans final say over how the governor spends federal funds allocated to the state. The measure would need to pass the Senate and Assembly in two successive sessions before going to voters in a referendum. The governor cannot veto a constitutional amendment. Currently, the governor has sole discretion over how federal funds are spent, but there has been a growing push among legislative Republicans seeking more control over how the executive office doles out federal funds primarily in recent years as the federal government pumped billions of stimulus dollars into the state to help address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal before the Senate would prohibit any executive branch official or department from allocating any federal dollars without first securing approval from a legislative committee, which officials have said would likely be the GOP-led budget committee. Evers has vetoed several efforts in recent years by Republicans seeking control over federal funds. COVID-19 The Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that would require employers to allow proof of prior COVID-19 infection known as natural immunity as an alternative to vaccination and regular testing even though studies show unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected with the virus as vaccinated people. Ahead of the bills party-line 59-34 vote, Rep. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton, said she wished there were two lines one to get a vaccine and the other to get COVID-19 so Wisconsin could move beyond the pandemic. In Wisconsin, 12,010 people have died from COVID-19 so far, and the mortality rate among the unvaccinated is far higher than those who are vaccinated. Another Republican bill that passed the Assembly on a voice vote Tuesday would prohibit governmental entities from discriminating against people based on whether they received a COVID-19 vaccine. Both of the COVID-19 bills are now headed to the Senate. If they pass, they will face a likely veto from Evers, who last year vetoed a GOP bill that would have barred public health officials from requiring people get vaccinated. Employee contracts Both chambers Tuesday approved new contracts for state troopers and building tradespeople such as carpenters and electricians. The contract for state troopers provides a 2% wage increase in the previous two-year period that ended last June. It also includes payments equal to a 2% increase for hours worked 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, 2021. Contracts for other workers apply to the previous and current fiscal years and implement raises ranging from 1.23% to 1.8%. The Senate and Assembly unanimously approved the contracts Tuesday, which will now be sent to Evers. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 View Results KEARNEY Kearney business leader Jon Abegglen was the recipient of the 2021 Friend of Kearney Award presented at Monday evenings Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce banquet. When I came to Kearney it was just to finish college, Abegglen said about getting his start in banking and business. Later, his mentors Barry Sherman, Ron and Carol Cope and Tom Henning, to name a few encouraged Abegglen to become involved in community affairs. Getting involved in the community was going to be good for my banking, Abegglen told the crowd of 600 at the Younes Conference Center. He said early experiences with community service made him decide Kearney not only was a good place to begin his career, but to put down roots. During the past 47 years, Abegglen has served on nearly two dozen boards, committees and task forces. Among his roles were the boards of the Museum of Nebraska Art, Rowe Sanctuary, Kearney Chamber, Kearney Family YMCA, United Way and UNK Alumni Association. Abegglen also gave his time to the Community Redevelopment Authority, Buffalo County Economic Development Council, Merryman Performing Arts Center, Central Community College and First Presbyterian Church. A Columbus native, Abegglen graduated in 1975 with a business degree from Kearney State College. When he was selected for a 2015 Kearney Hub Freedom Award for his voluntarism, Abegglen said there are three ways a person can give back to their community: with their time, with their talent and with their treasure. At the state level Abegglen has been a member of the Nebraska Department of Transportations Innovation Task Force, UNMC Chancellors Board of Counselors and College of Nursing Advisory Board. Previously, he was a trustee of the University of Nebraska Foundation. In addition to recognizing Abegglen, the Kearney Area Chamber announced recipients of other top awards. They went to: Young Professional of the Year: Given posthumously to Alyshia Samuelson. (Drew Samuelson, her husband, and Amanda Polacek accepting on her behalf.) Youth Friend of Kearney: Isabella Cao of Kearney High School. Leadership Kearney Distinguished Alumni: Loralea Frank of Bruner, Frank, Schumacher, Husak, LLC. New Business of the Year: Veronica Pinon of Pinon Market. Small Business of the Year: Megan Axmann, Stacy Schulte and Chelsie Bebensee, owners of Divas at Kearney Floral. Outstanding Business of the Year: Megan Goeke and Jenna Lukasiewicz, owners of Hello Beautiful Bridal & Formal Wear. The chamber thanked outgoing board members for their service to the organization. They included Goeke of Hello Beautiful; Yousef Ghamedi of Cunninghams Journal and Nick Ward of Ward Labs. Platte Valley Medical Group was recognized for 50 years as a chamber member. Gov. Pete Ricketts congratulated Kearney on its growth and economic development and stumped for the water initiatives he announced last week, including seizing South Platte water from Colorado. Gibbon native and former UNK volleyball player, Kelsey Ruwe, was Monday nights speaker. You want to build stronger businesses and in the process build a stronger community, Ruwe said. Ruwe is the chief of staff of Carson Group in Omaha, where she oversees talent, human resources and corporate communications. During her 15 years with Carson Group, Ruwe has had a role in hiring, training and educating nearly 300 employees, and she oversaw major components of the firms $80 million two-tower campus and headquarters on the prior Boys Town west farm property. Ruwe said that at a time when corporations are pushing employees to work out of the office, Carsons new headquarters are a recruiting magnet because employees want to feel like theyre part of a team. The need for community has never been better, she said. Day-to-day, Ruwe focuses on Carsons diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, along with community partnerships and engagement. She also had a hand in Carsons IDEA Council (Inclusion, Diversity, Education, Action). Mondays event was the 103rd annual meeting of the Kearney Area Chamber. About 600 attended the gathering at Younes Conference Center. The University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium remains the top online masters degree program in business administration in the Upper Midwest and among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Reports 2022 rankings. In the rankings released Tuesday, the consortium that includes UW-La Crosse, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Oshkosh moved up one spot from last year into ninth place in the country, tying the consortiums highest ranking ever. This is the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time overall that the consortium has been among the top 10 online MBA programs in the U.S. U.S. News & World report examined 356 schools, meaning the consortium is among the top 2.5% of online programs in the country. We are thrilled to continue being recognized by the prestigious U.S. News & World Report as a top program in the nation, says Jessica Franson, UW MBA Consortium managing director. We have consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation since 2015, when U.S. News & World Report began ranking online MBA programs. The consortium also moved up in the rankings in U.S. News Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans, from eighth place in 2021 to sixth this year. The UW MBA Consortium is the only Upper Midwest program in the top 20 programs in the nation. Other Wisconsin schools in the rankings include UW-Whitewater, 24th; Herzing University, 171st; Cardinal Stritch and Concordia University, 252-328; and Carroll University, Mount Mary University and UW-Milwaukee, unranked. U.S. News ranked the online programs using five categories: engagement; expert opinion; faculty credentials and training; student excellence; and student services and technologies. Students in the UW MBA Consortium program say they are attracted to the program for many reasons, says Dr. Paula Lentz, UW MBA Consortium academic director. Among the reasons are its student-centered instruction, flexibility that enables them to balance their professional and personal priorities, and affordability. In addition, the integrated, team-taught curriculum reflects the demands of the workplace, which allows students to apply what they learn immediately in their organizations, Lentz says. Students also appreciate the programs rigor, expert faculty from academic and professional backgrounds, and reputation for academic excellence, Lentz says. Students regularly comment on our personalized advising and responsive staff who guide students through academic advising, course support, degree planning and development of their professional goals, Lentz says. The consortiums program has experienced significant growth in recent years, expanding by 20% in the past two years. This academic year, about 400 students are enrolled. The program has graduated 726 students since degrees were first granted in 2008, with more than 70 students graduating in a typical year. Students from four countries and 37 states currently are enrolled in the program. Thirty-one percent of the students are from Wisconsin, with 53% from the region consisting of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. As the program looks to the future, Franson says directors are excited to develop new pathways for students to focus their MBA experience in different professional areas. For example, the program recently received funding through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.s Workforce Innovation Grant program and will add a health care management specialization option to its MBA degree. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MADISON, Wis. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has awarded a brownfields grant to Monroe County to assist with the investigation of potential environmental contamination at two former railroad properties located near the intersection of Milwaukee and Walrath streets in Sparta. The grant is from the DNRs Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, which provides contractor services worth up to $35,000 for the environmental assessment of eligible brownfields sites. Brownfields are abandoned, idle and underused commercial or industrial properties where reuse is stalled by potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use; they can be anything from a 500-acre former automobile assembly plant to a small, abandoned gas station. The vacant properties in Sparta are adjacent to an existing railroad corridor that has operated since the late 1800s. The properties were used to store coal and lumber. They included a freight house and a grain elevator. Monroe County acquired the properties through tax delinquency proceedings in 2016. Conducting an environmental assessment of brownfield properties is an important first step towards revitalization and reuse, said Jodie Peotter, DNR brownfields outreach and policy section chief. The DNR will work with Monroe County to ensure public health is protected and help get these properties back into productive use. An environmental contractor first conducted partial environmental assessment work at the properties in 2008. The review resulted in the identification of soil contamination. With the grant, the DNRs environmental contractor will perform an additional site investigation to identify the degree and extent of contamination at the properties. The work will help the county to evaluate remedial actions and property reuse options. Since 2009, the program has provided nearly $2.8 million to 71 communities across Wisconsin, partnering to help clean up and redevelop often run-down or underused properties. Applications for assistance can be submitted to the DNR at any time. More information about the DNRs brownfields cleanup programs and services is available on the DNRs brownfields webpage. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. According to the Vernon County Sheriffs Office, at about 11:15 a.m. Diane M. Brown, 67, was operating a mid-size sport utility vehicle northbound on County Road D near Currier Road. Brown lost control and slid across the highway into the path of a southbound semi-tractor/trailer operated by Michael S. Schendel, 51, of rural La Farge. Schendel steered right, toward a shallow ditch, attempting to avoid the oncoming vehicle, but the front of Browns vehicle struck the left side of the semi-tractor. The Brown vehicle came to rest on the highway. The semi came to rest in the ditch. Nestle has appointed Yasser Abdul Malak as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, effective January 1, 2022. Nestle Mena provides employment to more than 15,000 people in 19 countries, operates 25 factories across the region, and achieved annual sales of close to USD 3 billion in 2020. This region is where my journey at Nestle began, and it is really an honor for me to come back here to help grow our business and create shared value for society with our local teams of highly talented and dedicated people, said Malak. We at Nestle remain committed to living up to our purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Malak is moving to Dubai from Nestle Turkey where he delivered strong results as CEO and embarked on expansion projects that are already accelerating the companys growth in the country. He has held several leadership positions at Nestle over the years. He previously served as CEO for Nestles North East Africa Region based in Egypt until he was assigned the role of Dairy Category Head Zone Europe Middle East & North Africa in 2018 at the Nestle headquarters in Vevey. Malak joined Nestle in Saudi Arabia in 1999. After his first assignment, he moved to the companys regional head office to lead the Maggi business as Senior Brand Manager until mid-2003. He was then appointed Global Marketing Advisor for the Food business in Switzerland. In 2005, he was promoted to head the Food Business in the South East Africa region. Three years later, he returned to the Middle East as Business Executive Officer Food, prior to his assignment as Country Manager. Malak holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Marketing from the Lebanese American University, and an Executive Development diploma from the IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. He is a Lebanese national, married, and father of two children. Malak succeeds Remy Ejel, who joined the global Nestle Executive Board in Vevey, Switzerland, as Executive Vice President and CEO of Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA), which includes the Middle East and North Africa region.-- TradeArabia News Service According to the Vernon County Sheriffs Office, Jada Schroeder, 23, of Westby, and her passenger, Sierra Hohneke, 19, of La Crosse, were on U.S. Hwy. 14 making a left-hand turn onto County Road Y west, when they pulled out in front of a vehicle traveling south on U.S. Hwy. 14. The driver of that vehicle was Telly Miller, 47, of Viroqua; he was the only occupant in the vehicle. After colliding, Millers passenger truck went off the roadway to the right, coming to a stop in the snowbank. Schroeders passenger car came to a final rest on the shoulder of the southbound lane facing north. World health officials are offering hope that the ebbing of the omicron wave could give way to a new, more manageable phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as they warn of difficult weeks ahead and the possibility of another, more dangerous variant arising. In the U.S., cases have crested and are dropping rapidly, following a pattern seen in Britain and South Africa, with researchers projecting a period of low spread in many countries by the end of March. Though U.S. deaths now at 2,000 each day are still rising, new hospital admissions have started to fall, and a drop in deaths is expected to follow. The encouraging trends after two years of coronavirus misery have brought a noticeably hopeful tone from health experts. Rosy predictions have crumbled before, but this time they are backed by what could be called omicrons silver lining: The highly contagious variant will leave behind extremely high levels of immunity. COVID-19 antibody drugs from Regeneron and Eli Lilly should no longer be used because they are unlikely to work against the omicron variant that now accounts for nearly all U.S. infections, U.S. health regulators said Monday. The Food and Drug Administration said it was revoking emergency authorization for both drugs, which were purchased by the federal government and given to millions of Americans with COVID-19. If the drugs prove effective against future variants, the FDA said it could reauthorize their use. A cluster of COVID-19 cases in Beijing has prompted authorities to test millions and impose new measures two weeks ahead of the opening of the Winter Olympics, even as the city of Xi'an in north-central China lifted on Monday a monthlong lockdown that had isolated its 13 million residents. Officials in Beijing said they would conduct a second round of mass testing of the Fengtai district's 2 million residents, where the majority of the capital's 40 coronavirus cases since Jan. 15 have been found. That came a day after authorities announced that anyone who buys or who has bought fever, cough or certain other medicines in the past two weeks would be required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours. An attorney for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Monday said he provided little guidance to former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman about how to respond to requests for public records related to his ongoing review of the 2020 election. At a hearing in Dane County Circuit Court Monday, Assembly staff attorney Steve Fawcett also testified he has not received weekly reports from Gableman on the review, which is required under the contract between the former justice and the state Assembly. Assembly Chief Clerk Ted Blazel also testified, but more than two hours of Mondays hearing focused on Fawcett. Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn noted Fawcett helped negotiate the Assemblys contract with Gableman and is listed as the former justices point of contact for the agreement. Bailey-Rihn again questioned why so few documents have been provided in the case, which was filed last year by liberal watchdog group American Oversight. Hes supposed to be doing weekly investigative reports, Bailey-Rihn said. Im just having difficulty believing that Mr. Gableman did nothing for three months and received payment. Fawcett said he has no idea whether Gableman has been compiling the weekly reports. Gableman was hired last summer by Vos, R-Rochester, to review the election at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers. His contract expired at the close of December, but Vos has said he hopes to have the review finished by the end of February. The case stems from one of three ongoing lawsuits filed by American Oversight over public records requests the organization filed last year. Attorneys for American Oversight have asked that Vos be held in contempt for not releasing the records sooner, while attorneys for Vos have said all available records have been provided. Bailey-Rihn ordered Vos to turn over records last November. She said on Monday she will decide at a future date whether to hold Vos in contempt. She added on Monday that ultimately the buck stops with Mr. Vos and his office to produce relevant documents. Fawcett also said he did not try to obtain Gablemans records or ask him to provide documents in response to the initial request from American Oversight. Fawcett later said he notified Gableman of Bailey-Rihns November court order seeking the records; however, he added he could not remember whether he specified what records were requested. He also noted he does not know what parameters Gableman used when searching for records. Fawcett also said Gableman at times used text messages and a personal Yahoo email account to discuss his ongoing review. He added he does not know whether Gableman uses other means of communication such as Facebook Messenger or encrypted messaging apps such as Signal. In a separate case, Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington on Friday ordered Gablemans office to provide the court with documents responsive to a records request regarding his 2020 election review by Jan. 31. That order will only stand if the court has personal jurisdiction over the case, which the judge will review at a hearing Jan. 27. A recount and court decisions have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes. Similarly, reviews of the election by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau and the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty found no evidence of widespread fraud but did lead to recommendations on how elections can be improved. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson on Monday convened a group of doctors and scientists who have been criticized for spreading COVID-19 misinformation to get a second opinion on the health issues facing Americans because of the pandemic. Until COVID, a fundamental principle of medicine was when dealing with a serious illness to get a second opinion, maybe even a third, Johnson said. Today is about getting that long-overdue second opinion. Immediately after Johnsons panel, the Committee to Protect Health Care, an advocacy group aligned with Democrats, held a Zoom call with Wisconsin doctors to criticize the senator for spreading misinformation. Senator Johnson has done this before. This isnt new, said Bob Freedland, an ophthalmologist from La Crosse. Senator Johnson continues to give a megaphone to notorious COVID-19 misinformation doctors. Dr. Ann Helms, a critical care neurologist from Milwaukee, said she believes the Republican from Oshkosh is trying to look tough. I think theres just an interest in pretending this isnt happening, she said. Weve made this into a partisan issue when it shouldnt be. This should be about listening to the science. The discussion organized by Johnson was advertised as an alternative perspective to the U.S. governments response to COVID-19. Speakers and audience members gathered in person, without masks, in the Russell Senate Office Building although the event was not an official Senate hearing. A day earlier, several of the speakers attended the Defeat the Mandates rally of several thousand demonstrators who marched from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial to protest COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Notable attendees at both events included Dr. Robert Malone, a doctor and infectious disease researcher removed from Twitter for spreading COVID-19 misinformation, and Christina Parks, who holds a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology and is a staunch critic of COVID vaccines. Johnson praised the speakers for their courage and compassion in treating COVID-19 patients with alternative medical options. I want to thank the courageous doctors who have shown the compassion to actually treat patients ... and suffer the vilification, the censorship, the suppression ... that has come with their courage, Johnson said. The Medill News Service fact-checked several dubious statements from the panel. Limiting spread CLAIM: The (COVID) virus is not spread from an asymptomatic person to another asymptomatic person, said Dr. Peter McCullough, former vice chief of internal medicine at Baylor University Medical Center, who was sued for illegitimately representing himself as a Baylor employee while promoting misinformation about COVID-19. FACT: More than half of transmissions that occur in our communities are occurring by people who have no symptoms, said Ajay Sethi, associate professor of population health sciences and faculty director of the Public Health masters program at UW-Madison. This is a virus in which people become infectious before the symptoms begin, and for some of those people, the symptoms may never begin, and yet theyre infectious while theyre asymptomatic. CLAIM: Dr. Aaron Kheriarty, a former professor in the University of California-Irvine School of Medicine who was fired over his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and other reasons, said people with natural immunity, meaning people who have developed antibodies after contracting a virus, cannot be reinfected with COVID-19 or transmit the virus to others. FACT: While it is true that people may develop antibodies to a virus like COVID-19, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released in September found that 36% of those with prior COVID infection did not produce any antibodies. You have to survive COVID in order to walk away with some immunity that can be protective for the future, and how long that protection lasts varies from person to person, Sethi said. He noted the emergence of new variants continues to threaten prior immunity. As stated by the CDC, reinfections do occur after COVID-19. Treatment CLAIM: Johnson claimed the National Institutes of Health has told those who test positive for COVID-19 to go home and do nothing. FACT: Patients are told to monitor their symptoms, that (if) they progress to a point where they need medical attention, that people should seek medical attention, Sethi said. The CDC lists certain warning signs of when to seek emergency medical care. CLAIM: Dr. Harvey Risch, professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, said when hydroxychloroquine is used as an early treatment for COVID-19, it can produce a 50% reduced risk of hospitalization and 75% reduced risk of mortality. FACT: Im not sure where that datas coming from, Sethi said. The scientific consensus is that hydroxychloroquine is not a valid treatment for COVID. Hydroxychloroquine, typically used to treat malaria, was first approved under Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA for treating COVID in March 2020. On June 15, 2020, the FDA canceled its recommendation after finding the medication was unlikely to be effective at treating COVID and resulted in some serious side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, according to the National Library of Medicine. CLAIM: Dr. Pierre Kory, a vocal advocate for the off-label use of ivermectin, said the drug has been shown to help treat COVID in other parts of the world, claiming it could help solve the pandemic. FACT: When tested in a lab, there was evidence that the (COVID) virus can be killed by ivermectin, but at such high, toxic levels that they cant be given to people, Sethi said. That just became a myth that ivermectin is something that could be used to treat COVID. Its not. CLAIM: In a press release put out the day after the panel discussion, Johnson said COVID-19 is an entirely treatable disease. Probably hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives that didnt have to. FACT: Patients have various treatment options for COVID-19. The FDA has approved the antiviral drug remdesivir for use in adults and some pediatric patients and has issued emergency use authorizations for several monoclonal antibody treatments. For those who are hospitalized with COVID-19, the NIH has a set of guidelines for when to administer various treatments. Vaccines CLAIM: Parks, the vaccine critic, said Black people may need lower doses of the COVID vaccine because of a sensitivity to mRNA vaccines. FACT: Im sad that such a claim would even be made, because that kind of misinformation is what leads to health disparities in our society, Sethi said. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID vaccines are mRNA vaccines. CLAIM: Many panelists said COVID vaccine development was rushed and they are not safe. FACT: I dont think the process was rushed, Sethi said. The only thing that was cut from the process was red tape, but the science that was carried out was the same science that would be carried out with the approval process for any new biologic vaccine or treatment. Preaching to choir? David Rapp, a professor of psychology and education at Northwestern University, said Johnsons COVID-19 panel provides a good case where someone is trying to offer inaccurate information to a constituency that already would be prone to believe it. In addition, advocating inaccurate ideas makes it difficult to have productive debates about what is true or false within the information people receive. The way that (the issue is) framed might suggest that the medical community writ large is ... less interested in care, Rapp said. Framing viewpoints in this way is a really clever and strategic method of getting people to think about who they should rely upon. Michael Wagner, a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW-Madison, noted that midterm elections are coming up in November. Johnson recently announced he will run for a third Senate term, and Wagner said he may be trying to make inroads among the most ideologically extreme of his supporters. It seems to be more of a way to generate support from the very far right, Wagner said. It might be a way to try to generate some kind of grassroots social media support for his untested and unproven theories about the pandemic. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Wisconsin is projected to close out the current biennium with more than $3.8 billion in the states general fund more than $2.8 billion higher than previously estimated, the states nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported Tuesday. The bulk of the states increased revenue stems from an estimated $2.5 billion increase in tax collections by the end of the states two-year budget cycle in the summer of 2023. Other factors include a roughly $33 million increase in department revenues and an almost $340 million decrease in net appropriations. The projected surplus was also spurred by a massive influx of federal dollars pumped into the state during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Republican leaders were quick to signal that their plan is to use the funds on future tax cuts, rather than on increased spending on state services as Democratic lawmakers have proposed. We will not be foolish with these tax dollars by spending them into the future, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said in a statement. Rather, we will focus on further tax relief in the next budget to continue our state on a positive trajectory and ensure the long-term health of the state budget and, more importantly, family budgets. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers also celebrated the states surplus projection in a statement Tuesday, but pushed back against plans to hold off on any spending until the next budget process, which begins in 2023. Evers is running for a second term this fall. At the end of the day, I know folks and families are facing rising costs at the checkout line and businesses are facing challenges getting resources and supplies, Evers said. Wisconsinites need help making ends meet and cant wait until the next biennial budget they need relief now. Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, noted that, while the projected surplus is a positive sign for the states economy, he added that inflation and workforce shortage challenges in the state should lead lawmakers to exercise a level of caution moving forward. The ongoing pandemic also creates uncertainty in the states future finances, the bureaus report notes. Waiting until we have a better picture of the challenges and opportunities of the next budget before returning the surplus to taxpayers is the prudent thing to do, Wanggaard said in a statement. The Republican co-chairs of the states budget committee Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, and Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said in a joint statement the projected surplus could be largely attributed to a decade of responsible budgeting and significant tax cuts by Republicans. Thanks to an unprecedented projected surplus last year, Republicans worked a $2 billion income tax cut into the states 2021-23 biennial budget, which was ultimately signed last summer by Evers. Traditionally, half of the states projected surplus gets deposited into the states budget stabilization fund, a rainy day fund to be tapped in times of emergency. However, the bureau reports that, because the rainy day funds balance of more than $1.7 billion exceeds 5% of the estimated general fund expenditures, none of the surplus will be deposited into the emergency account. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Wisconsin judge says the state has the authority to test wastewater for toxic forever chemicals but cannot bring legal action against polluters without first establishing water quality standards. Jefferson County Judge William Hue sided with Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, which sought to bar the Department of Natural Resources from testing for PFAS, a group of human-made chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other ailments but are not yet regulated under state code. The case, one of two challenging the states authority to regulate PFAS, involved sampling undertaken as part of the DNRs effort to estimate the economic impact of proposed standards that, if adopted, would require wastewater treatment plants to remove two PFAS compounds. The DNR estimates the regulations would cost businesses and local governments up to $4.8 million a year but could save more than $100 million annually in health care expenses. In a 45-page decision issued Monday, Hue ruled that under the federal Clean Water Act, the DNR can sample wastewater for informational purposes, but enforcement is limited to substances and quantities established through the rulemaking process. Spokespeople for the DNR and WMC, the states largest business lobby, each declined to comment on the decision. Because they do not break down naturally, PFAS accumulate in animal and human tissue and can be spread to farm fields in sludge from sewage treatment plants. PFAS have contaminated soil and groundwater at sites across the state, including Madison, Marinette and La Crosse. The DNR is finalizing water standards for two PFAS compounds, and the Department of Health Services has recommended limits for 16 more. As part of the 30-month rulemaking process, those standards will require approval from the Republican-led Legislature. In the lawsuit, WMC argued the agency does not have the statutory authority to test for contaminants when there are no standards in place because state agencies dont have any powers not explicitly granted by the Legislature. According to court records, the DNRs sampling program expanded beyond the scope of the economic impact study. The DNR sampled water from 116 sewage treatment plants and manufacturing facilities, but a court order issued last spring barred the release of data that could be tied to an individual facility, address or county. Seven other facilities refused to allow the agency to sample their effluent. Hue ruled the DNR acted unlawfully when it took samples for the economic assessment, but he determined the data gathered are nevertheless considered public records, which could be subject to release. WMC says by releasing the results, the DNR risked significant reputational harm to the businesses that could be stigmatized as polluters even though they are in compliance with their discharge permits. In a separate case, WMC sued the DNR on behalf of an Oconomowoc dry cleaning business in a challenge to the agencys authority to require cleanup of unregulated pollutants such as PFAS. State law gives the DNR authority to regulate the discharge of hazardous substances, though there is no definitive list of those substances, which can include toxic chemicals, as well as otherwise innocuous substances like milk in certain circumstances. In that case, WMC argues the DNR should be required to go through the rulemaking process to establish a list of what substances qualify as hazardous. Waukesha County Judge Michael Bohren is expected to issue a decision in April. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Siemens Mobility has signed an agreement to divest Yunex Traffic, the international road traffic business, to Atlantia, a global leader in mobility infrastructure technology and services. The purchase price is 950 million ($1.07 billion). Closing is expected by September 2022, subject to the relevant regulatory approvals. Roland Busch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG said: Siemens is continuously sharpening and optimizing its portfolio as a technology company focused on its core business. Siemens Mobility and Yunex Traffic have demonstrated that Siemens is able to develop businesses very successfully and increase their value. In addition, we are very pleased to have found the best owner for Yunex Traffic with Atlantia. Their competence, long-term orientation and high commitment to growth and innovation is in the best interest of all stakeholders. With the sale to Atlantia, Yunex Traffic becomes part of a highly dynamic traffic ecosystem that will ensure cleaner air and more liveable cities and safer roads, said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility. Under the umbrella of Atlantia, Yunex Traffic will be perfectly positioned to actively shape the market and break new ground in traffic management with the help of digitalization and disruptive technologies. The addition of Yunex Traffic to our Group marks a major step forward in expanding our business, said Atlantias CEO, Carlo Bertazzo. We aim to deliver operating and growth synergies between our assets and Yunex Traffic, with the intention of creating a highly competitive, one-of-a-kind Group, able to deliver synergies in the management of infrastructure, services and technological innovation, in order to improve the travel experience. We are pleased that Siemens, one of the leading industrial groups at European and global level, has chosen Atlantias plan as offering the best strategy for Yunex Traffics future growth. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our Group to Yunex Traffic, its management team and its 3,000 employees, with whom we will continue to build the new Atlantia, concluded Bertazzo. For Atlantia, Yunex Traffic is an ideal addition to its international mobility infrastructure and services portfolio. The acquired company is planned to be managed as a separate entity. Yunex Traffic will continue to build its position as a global leader in adaptive traffic management systems and intelligent solutions for networking traffic and toll systems. Its portfolio strategy will focus on automation and digitalization to more thoroughly exploit the potential offered by cloud computing, 5G, and artificial intelligence in the years ahead. By joining Atlantia, Yunex Traffic will also be able to yield significant industrial and development synergies with the Group's motorway, airport and mobility services assets, already present in 35 countries. Yunex Traffic operates in more than 25 countries worldwide with over 3,000 employees. Its intelligent mobility solutions are being used in cities like Dubai, London, Berlin, Bogota, and Miami. The company is the only provider worldwide that meets all major regional traffic technology standards in the EU, Great Britain, Asia and the Americas. TradeArabia News Service WITF and Rotary District 7390 are now accepting nominations for the 2022 Teacher Impact Awards. The awards recognize teachers who have made an extra special impact in the lives of their students and community, according to a news release. Teachers who teach K-12 in public and private schools within the Rotarys district are eligible; that includes Lancaster County, as well as Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Perry and York counties. Seven teachers, one from each county, will be selected for the honor. Lisa Wolf, who teaches visual arts to ninth through 12th grades in the School District of Lancaster, was one of last years award recipients. Wolf organized and assembled 950 take-home art kits so her students could create work at home. Were looking forward to honoring seven more teachers who create supportive learning environments, no matter the challenge, said Debbie Riek, WITF director of education, in a news release. McCaskey art teacher's inspiring return from kidney transplant earns her teacher impact award A Lancaster teacher known for her commitment to students through a major health battle is one of seven Pennsylvania educators to win the 2021 Teacher Impact Award from WITF and Rotary District 7390. Any student, caregiver, colleague or school administrator who knows a teacher whose impact is felt beyond the classroom can complete the nomination form at witf.org/teacherimpactawards now through Feb. 28. After nomination forms are downloaded and completed, email them to teacherimpactawards@witf.org or mail them to Debbie Riek, education director, WITF, 4801 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. All nomination forms must be received by midnight Feb. 28. A committee of Rotary members and WITF staff will review the nominations and choose one winning teacher from each county. The winning teachers will also be honored at an awards ceremony May 24, and in a special television program featuring the winners that will air on WITF TV June 23. A lawsuit by Manheim Townships former pool manager, who accused the township of making her a scapegoat when it fired her in 2020 amid a controversy over the pools cheeky swimsuit policy, was dismissed last week. Kristal Narkiewicz claimed in her November 2020 lawsuit that the township damaged her reputation and hurt her ability to get a job by intentionally giving the false impression that she was fired for engaging in racist behavior. Narkiewicz was working at Skyline Pool on July 3, 2020, when she asked two teens one Puerto Rican and the other Black and Venezuelan to either change their bikini bottoms or leave. The girls changed, but later that day the mother of one of the girls accused Narkiewicz of racial profiling. Narkiewicz responded that she was enforcing the townships policy equally. Narkiewicz said the mother reacted angrily to the explanation. Ultimately, after the mother refused to leave the pool, Narkiewicz called police. In granting the townships request to dismiss Narkiewiczs suit, U.S. District Judge Joseph P. Leeson said the township did not put out any false information. Leeson wrote in his opinion that the townships investigation concluded that Narkiewicz failed to deescalate the situation and that the township found other instances of poor decision making on her part. Despite any impression that the public might have about the results of the investigation and the reason for Narkiewiczs termination, this impression was created, if at all, by the media, not by the township, Leeson wrote. Narkiewicz, of Mount Joy, was seeking more than $75,000 in damages. Last May, the township agreed to pay $43,000 to settle a lawsuit in which several patrons claimed the pools cheeky swimsuit policy was unevenly applied to them. Last June, Narkiewicz filed notice that she intended to sue LNP Media Group Inc., the publisher of LNP | LancasterOnline, for defamation. As of Monday, she had not filed a complaint. A Lancaster city man was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for attempted homicide after firing seven shots at a woman at an East Lampeter Township apartment in 2020, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office. Judge Dennis Reinaker sentenced 23-year-old Wanyai Parker to 15 to 30 years in prison on Thursday, the DAs office said in a press release. Parker, of the 300 block of South Marshal Street, pleaded guilty to attempted homicide and eight other charges in November. A spokesperson for the DAs office said Parker will be eligible for parole in 2035. Parker, 22 at the time, entered a womans apartment in the 1300 block of Bentley Ridge Boulevard without her permission shortly after 10 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2020, pulling a handgun on both her and her sister and grabbing both of their phones, according to the news release. The woman had an active protection from abuse order against Parker at the time. Parker fired multiple shots at one of the women attempting to flee to get help from a neighbor, then discarded the gun in a wooded area near the apartment complex. Police later found multiple shell casings and bullet holes both inside the apartment and along an outdoor stairwell. The gun was also later found. Its sheer luck this isnt a homicide case, Assistant Attorney Mark Fetterman said at the sentencing. Its a miracle nobody was hurt. In arguing for a lenient sentence, Parkers defense attorney said he had consumed a large amount of alcohol before the incident and that he had an undiagnosed mental illness. Parker apologized to the woman and her family in attendance, adding If I could go back in time, Id change what Ive done. You fired seven shots at a victim trying to flee, Reinaker said. A York County man entered a West Donegal Township home early Sunday morning and set it on fire, also breaking into several vehicles in the area and stealing multiple items, according to Northwest Regional police. Robert Connor Castro, 29, of New Freedom, entered the basement of a split-level home in the 2000 block of Harrisburg Avenue and started the fire using a butane hand torch and a WD-40 spray can just before 2:30 a.m., according to an affidavit of probable cause. Three people were sleeping inside the residence at the time. A man inside the residence was awoken by smoke alarms several minutes later, finding his basement was filled with smoke, police said. The man spotted Castro outside rummaging through a car in the residences driveway. When confronted by the homeowner, Castro told the man he noticed the house was on fire and claimed he was looking through the car to find a fire extinguisher. Castro then left the scene, but police followed his movements through an open field behind the home using a tracker dog. He was later found around 5 a.m. standing about five houses away from the burning home, claiming he was searching for his car after being kicked out of a nearby residence by a Tinder date. A detective recognized Castro as being a suspect in other arson investigations in southern York County, and police soon found that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failing to appear at his most recent hearing for charges of theft and assault in Baltimore County, Maryland. Castro later admitted to entering the home, claiming he was using Xanax pills when he lit a blanket on fire and then set a wooden chair on top of it to get warm, according to the affidavit. Castro told police he then walked out of the house as it burned and entered the car, stealing a compact car charger from inside, but later discarding it. Castro was also found to be carrying several items that were stolen from vehicles in the area, including credit cards and a money clip. Police later received numerous reports of vehicle break-ins in the same housing development and other areas nearby. Investigators believe Castro also stole items from vehicles in the Shady Oak neighborhood in Mount Joy Township and the Aspen Estates, Donegal Meadows and Crescent Brea developments in West Donegal Township the same morning. Authorities are urging residents in those neighborhoods who believe their vehicles were entered to report those incidents to police. Castro was charged with four counts of arson, three counts of risking catastrophe, two counts of theft by unlawful taking and one count of burglary. An attorney was not listed for Castro in court documents. Judge Tony Russell set Castros bail at $1 million. He is currently being held in Lancaster County Prison, unable to post that amount. Castro will face a preliminary hearing before Judge Randall Miller on Jan. 31, court records show. A New Providence man was found guilty last week of assaulting a Quarryville Borough police officer in 2020, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office. On Thursday, a jury convicted Andrew Josiah Goslin, 38, of charges of aggravated assault, strangulation, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct for the August 2020 incident, the DAs office said in a news release. Judge Dennis Reinaker increased Goslins bail to $200,000 after the jury returned guilty verdicts on four of the six charges he faced. He was found not guilty on charges of rioting and criminal mischief, a spokesperson for the DAs office said. Eric Winter, Goslin's attorney, said Tuesday that he was "disappointed" in the jurys verdict. We believe Mr. Goslin did not have any choice in this situation," Winter said. Goslin faces a maximum of 15 years of confinement, a DA's office spokesperson said. His sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Goslin arrived in the 300 block of West Fourth Street with a loaded AR-15 rifle around 9 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2020 after being called there by someone who was in a group of people involved in a fight with a police officer at the time, the DAs office said. Police had initially been dispatched to the area after receiving a report of people appearing to run away from a vehicle that looked like it was chasing them. A fight between an officer and members of the group, which included Goslins wife and two sons, broke out. Officers used a stun gun on Goslin after he refused their instructions and approached the scene. Continuing to ignore instructions, Goslin fought two officers, placing one of them in a chokehold and injuring them both, according to the news release. Police used a stun gun on Goslin a second time when he ran toward his vehicle, which contained the rifle. The defendant acted unreasonably throughout this situation, refused to listen to police commands, and escalated the situation when he ran towards the AR-15 he had in his car, said Assistant District Attorney Cody Wade, who prosecuted the case. Everything the officer did was reasonable and proportional response to the threat the defendant created. But Winter said prosecutors framing of the incident left out key context as to why Goslin was at the scene to begin with, arguing that his client did not have any choice in this case. He was trying to defend his wife and his children against an unlawful arrest and use of force by the police, Winter said. Officers wrongfully detained Goslins wife Kimberly Goslin and one of their sons, Winter said, placing her in a painful wristlock and pointing a stun gun at her and putting the boy in handcuffs after she refused to provide them her identification. Officers stopped her while she was picking up their two children from Bible study. Goslins younger son then called him, distressed at seeing his mother and older brother being restrained and in pain. Police had been called to the area after seeing the Goslins two teen boys alone in the parking lot for several minutes, Winter said. Goslin then arrived at the scene and, concerned for his wife and sons well-being, approached police and was shot with a stun gun in the process, Winter said. He kept saying leave my wife and children alone, Winter said. A scuffle ensued, and Goslin considered leaving the scene, but he was not going to leave his wife and children, Winter said. If you see your wife and children in danger, and if a police officer unlawfully uses a Taser against you, how much can you do to defend your family and yourself? Thats the question, Winter said. The jury finding Goslin not guilty of two of the charges shows they did not agree that the officer was completely in the right, Winter said. Goslin began crying loudly when a video of the scene was played during the closing arguments, prompting Reinaker to tell Winter to ask him to compose himself, according to the news release. Kimberly Goslin, 37, also of New Providence, was found guilty of disorderly conduct for the same incident. Jan Yanello, a second woman who arrived at the scene with Goslin, who is originally of Lancaster but now lives in Alaska, was found guilty of obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct. Goslin was previously convicted of bringing a pocketknife to his sons elementary school in 2015, previous reporting shows. Goslin appealed that conviction, claiming his knife had a lawful purpose because he was a carpenter. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered a new trial for him on those charges in 2017 before the DAs office dropped the charges the following day. A racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Lancaster General Hospital was dismissed earlier this month after both sides moved to drop the case. Jiair Banks, of Lancaster city, claimed in his Aug. 31, 2021, suit that he was unfairly targeted for drug testing because he was the only Black janitor on staff. But in a Jan. 14 filing in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, attorneys for Banks and the hospital agreed to drop the case. A hospital spokesman and Banks attorney declined to comment Thursday. The dismissal comes nearly three months after the hospital refuted Banks allegations in a court filing. Besides claiming that he was forced to take a drug test, Banks said he had been prohibited from returning to work until the test results came back. A negative test came back the next day. The hospitals filing said Banks wasnt the only Black janitor and that it was Banks who requested the drug test. According to the hospital, an employee found a bag of cocaine and bloody tissues after Banks came out of a restroom on Sept. 2, 2020. Even if the hospital had forced him to take a drug test, the hospital said, it had sufficient reasonable suspicion to do so that had nothing to do with race. Hospital policy prohibits an employee from working while results are pending, and when Banks results came back negative, he was compensated retroactively, in full, the hospital said. The hospital said in its filing that Banks was ultimately fired for job abandonment, noting he left his shift on Sept. 24, 2020, and missed the next three days without calling out. On Sept. 28, 2020, human resources notified Banks that the hospital had been trying to contact him and if he didnt get in touch by Oct. 2, he would be fired for job abandonment, the suit said. A breakdown in communication at McCaskey High School prompted School District of Lancaster Superintendent Damaris Rau to publicly apologize after about 15 students at McCaskey East endured most of a Jan. 4 lockdown without full-time adult supervision. We heard you, and thats why the administration at the high school is working to ensure this never happens again, Rau told a concerned parent who declined to give his full name when speaking at the school boards Jan. 18 meeting. The parent said he complained at the meeting because he wasnt satisfied with administrator answers immediately after the incident. McCaskey Principal Justin Reese said no other parents have contacted the school or district after the incident, which involved eighth- and ninth-graders in a geometry classroom. Although the school houses grades nine through 12, some eighth-graders who take advanced math classes also come to campus. What happened Reese said the school received a report of an overheard comment shortly before classes started at 7:50 a.m. Jan. 4. The district does not release detailed information pertaining to lockdowns, Reese said. Concerned about overheard comment, administrators, who wanted to limit movement inside and outside of campus buildings, called for an internal lockdown. No threat to the building, staff or students existed at any time, and police were never notified, Reese said. The lockdown affected both McCaskey buildings, Lincoln Middle School and Full Circle Learning, a hybrid program for elementary students. A text message and email alerting parents to the lockdown went out at 9:06 a.m. An internal lockdown means that no one may enter or leave the campus, and no students may move from the room they occupy when the lockdown starts. Reese, who didnt offer specifics, said an example that could cause an internal lockdown would be if someone heard a student or staff member talking about drugs being on campus. During such a lockdown, teachers must lock all classroom doors with a key, said Adam Aurand, district spokesman. Keys lock the door from the outside, Reese said. Adults are supposed to lock the door from the outside and remain inside with students. For this lockdown, Reese said, students were allowed to use the restroom with an adult escort summoned from the office. Shortly after the school locked down, staff members, who were allowed to move throughout the buildings, realized the geometry class had no teacher because a substitute was late. However, Reese said, a communication breakdown occurred when administrators continued moving about the buildings and only periodically checked in with students in the class. I wished someone had stayed in that classroom, said Reese, who found out about the unmanned class after the lockdown ended at 10:30 a.m. The overheard comment proved to be unfounded, Reese said. An assistant principal arrived to stay with students about 55 minutes after the incident started. He said parents of the affected students received contact that week about the uncovered class by email, phone call and text. We realized very quickly we needed to touch base, Reese said. Most parents expressed frustration, but accepted the principals promise that policy changes would ensure a class would never be without an adult present. Staff knew the lockdown included no threats, but Reese wasnt sure students had the same information. It was terrible, Rau said during the Jan. 18 meeting. There is no excuse. Mistakes happen. New policy, staff shortages The problem unfolded when the geometry classroom teacher asked for a substitute. District schools now experience between 10% and 15% of staff absences daily, Aurand, said. On Jan. 4, between 40-50 out of the schools 347 staff members were absent, Reese estimated. A substitute accepted the geometry teachers job but ran late because of an appointment, Reese said. He did not know if the substitute communicated with administrators about the late arrival. Reese said he could not comment on personnel matters or say if anyone received discipline. Administrators have a back-up plan. They sometimes ask other teachers to cover classes during their preparation times when substitutes arent available. School leaders, though, didnt know at first that no one arrived to teach the class 1st period that Tuesday. The breakdown in staffing at McCaskey is inexcusable, Reese said. We have a responsibility to ensure that our students feel safe, and that we have an adult in every room at all times. He said the school immediately made changes to make sure a similar incident never occurs. First, school personnel must verify class coverage is complete for every absent teacher during every class period. In addition, this coverage must be confirmed before school starts via internal school communication. Next, staffers will do a visual check of all classrooms where substitutes are assigned at 7:45 a.m., before school starts at 7:50 a.m. Also, every room at the high school will be visited at 7:55 a.m. to ensure an adult is present. Finally, in incidents where no threat exists, announcements over the schools public address system will notify students and teachers that learning may continue during the lockdown, Reese explained. The newly Republican-controlled Manheim Township Board of Commissioners voted Monday night to replace Democrat-appointed Township Manager James Drumm with former township fire Chief Rick Kane. Board President Donna DiMeo said in a text and a statement the decision was a mutual separation, the result of differences between the board and Drumm, who did not attend the meeting. We can dream more, do more and learn more, DiMeo said as she welcomed Kane, who will be sworn on the morning of Jan. 31 and in a ceremony at the Feb. 14 commissioners meeting. We are fortunate to have him back on board. Kane attended the meeting but did not speak. The board unanimously voted to give Drumm a 30-day notice of termination and to hire Kane to fill Drumms unexpired term, until the first Monday of January 2024. Kane recently resigned as fire chief, saying he planned to take a position in the private sector. Drumm, who previously served as city manager in Brunswick, Georgia, was appointed manager last March at an annual salary of $135,000 when the board was controlled by Democrats. It has since flipped to Republican control. He was reappointed at the Jan. 3 meeting. Commissioner John Bear congratulated Kane, noting that its best to harvest from within Manheim Township. The move to replace the townships top administrator comes as one of the first acts of the newly elected Republican board majority. At the boards first meeting of the year, the new majority voted to abolish a police advisory commission created in 2020 by the previous board. Prior to Drumms hiring, the township manager position was held by Sean Molchany, starting in 2014. He worked for the township for 26 years before his firing in 2020, after the then-newly Democratic board wanted a new manager who would help pursue the boards legislative and policy agenda, former Commissioner Sam Mecum said at the time. Molchany received nearly $80,000 in unused sick days and an additional $60,100 half of his annual salary, which was $120,200. He was hired in Akron Borough as the assistant borough manager in February 2021, where he remains employed. During the 2021 municipal election campaign, the GOP slate of candidates criticized their Democratic opponents firing of Molchany for political gain. Kane, Drumms replacement, announced his resignation from the township in September 2021, and officially left the fire chief position this month. At the time of his resignation, he told the board he was pursuing a new job in the private sector. Kane led Manheim Township Fire and Rescue since 2007. Over that time, he was credited with transitioning the townships three fire stations into one department, adding several full-time firefighters, creating a fire marshals office with a safety inspection program for commercial businesses, serving as the townships emergency management coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed reporting for this story. Ha Nam villagers busy preparing braised fish for Tet People in Vu Dai Village in the northern province of Ha Nam Province have been busy again preparing their special braised fish which is a popular traditional dish for the Lunar New Year of Tet Festival. According to local villagers, they have started making the dish since the start of lunar December when more orders come. A local man, Tran Duy Thu and his wife said that they have received orders for 480 pots of braised fish for this Tet. "Besides orders from customers, were also preparing the fish to enjoy during Tet and send to our relatives and friends as Tet gifts," Thu said. "So my wife and I are very busy day and night these days." The dish is prepared from black carp and ingredients includes fish sauce, galangal, red chilli, and lime. The fish must be fresh and weigh at least four kilos. After being soaked well in all these ingredients, the fish are arranged in clay pots and cooked under a low fire of dry longan wood for between 12-16 hours. Another villager, Tran Huu Hoan said that besides selling at the local market, he exports braised fish to Cuba. "Each Tet season we make some 3,000 pots," he said. "We have to hire more staff to cook the fish round the clock to meet the high demand during this time. There are different sizes of pots with the smallest pots costing VND 500,000 (USD22). dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has been certified by the International Air Transport Associations (Iata) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) for its pharma and live animal handling processes at Brussels Airport (BRU). Stef Vanbinst, Managing Director of dnata Belgium, said: We are proud to be globally recognised for delivering reliable and safe services at our Brussels hub. These certifications demonstrate our teams ability to handle precious cargo under the strictest international standards, consistently providing best-in-class services to our customers. I thank each member of our team for their hard work and commitment to our robust quality and compliance program that ensures service excellence at every stage of the handling process. We continue to invest in our operations to exceed our customers expectations and cement our position as a leading cargo handler at Brussels Airport. Brendan Sullivan, Iata Global Head of Cargo, said: The safe and efficient transportation of temperature sensitive Pharma products and live animals is a key priority for our industry. We congratulate dnata for achieving both CEIV Pharma and Live Animals certification at their Brussels hub. Shippers can enjoy additional reassurance that their facilities, equipment, operations and staff comply with all applicable standards, regulations and guidelines. Nathan De Valck, Head of Cargo Product and Network Development at Brussels Airport, said: We are very glad to add dnata to our local community of CEIV Pharma certified partners. As the first and largest airport community in the world with CEIV Pharma certified stakeholders, this certification of dnata further strengthens our position as preferred EU pharma gateway and increases the guarantee of qualitative handling of time and temperature sensitive cargo throughout the entire air cargo chain. dnata opened its state-of-the-art cargo centre at Brussels Airport (BRU) in 2019, substantially increasing cargo capacity in the Benelux states. The company has been also operating the Animal Care & Inspection Centre offering a top-notch, 2000-sq-m facility for the handling of live animals at BRU. dnata currently provides cargo services with a team of 120 highly trained employees in the Belgian capital. The CEIV Pharma program was created by Iata to provide a globally consistent and recognized pharmaceutical product handling certification that focuses on airfreight and temporary storage. The stringent standards set by CEIV Pharma and the rigorous assessments conducted either meet or exceed many of the current worldwide regulations. dnatas global commitment to providing best-in-class pharma handling services is underlined by the CEIV Pharma certification of its Amsterdam, Brussels, Dallas, Dubai, Singapore and Toronto cargo centres, as well the GDP certification of its Amsterdam, Brussels, Karachi, London, Manchester, Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto and Zurich facilities. Iatas CEIV Live Animals Logistics establishes baseline standards to improve the level of competency, infrastructure and quality management in the handling and transportation of live animals throughout the supply chain. dnata provides quality and reliable ground handling, cargo, catering and retail services at over 120 airports in 14 countries. TradeArabia News Service When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, Jan. 20. What happened: The board reviewed where the districts fund balances as work begins on the 2022-23 budget. General fund: Although the district was initially anticipating a $1 million deficit for the 2020-21 school year, the districts revenue was nearly $1 million higher than expected. The districts expenses were roughly $2.5 million lower than projected, which gave the district a surplus that was transferred to the capital improvement fund. Other funds: The districts capital improvement fund used to pay for facility improvements has a balance of $4.2 million. The district is looking to grow the fund by roughly $2 million in the coming year. The district also has $1.5 million in a fund to balance future budgets if needed and $2.2 million in a fund to be used for unbudgeted expenses as needed. Tax rate: Although Columbia has not raised tax rates since 2019, the district has the highest millage rate in Lancaster County. Under state law, Columbia was assigned a 5.1% tax increase limit the district cannot exceed without approval by voters or being granted an exception by the state. The millage rate for next years budget will not be set for several months, but the school board voted in December to keep any property tax increase within the 5.1% limit. Other business: Superintendent Ashley Rizzo organized a celebration for the board in honor of school director recognition month. Each board member was given artwork drawn for them by middle and high school students. Several of the districts middle and high school vocal and instrumental ensembles also performed for the board. When: Donegal school board meeting, Jan. 13. What happened: Superintendent J. Michael Lausch announced that livestreaming within the classroom for quarantined students will end Jan. 18. Health and safety update: Lausch related staff concerns over the delivery of the material as livestreaming lessons with a classroom full of students creates a division for attention that has become very burdensome for staff. The service will only be used in outstanding circumstances in which students are facing a long-term illness, such as cancer, are undergoing a lengthy recovery following a surgery, or for virtual days during building closures due to inclement weather. Protocol for absences: Quarantined students will be required to have parents pick up their work and materials from the office so that they may keep up with their courses. Some educators are going to offer asynchronous work through various digital platforms. Students are encouraged to contact their teachers about expectations if the need for quarantining were to arise. Curriculum update: The board unanimously voted for an overhaul of the English language arts curriculum to allow for thematic focus on the freshmen and sophomore offerings. Freshmen courses will explore texts that analyze the relationship between people and the environment. Sophomores will see a spotlight shined on people and the justice system. Specific genres that will be highlighted throughout both grades are horror, science-fiction, dystopian, and coming-of-age. Ron Melleby called the upcoming changes exciting stuff. Substitutes: Debra Sturgis was the lone member that abstained from voting on changing the per diem rate for Substitute Teacher Services employees to $125. She did the same when it came time to approve an addendum to the STS contract that would provide substitute incentives during the current and following school year. Many district in Pennsylvania are struggling to find substitutes for their buildings, leading to teachers having to give up their preparation periods to cover classes. Generous donation: The VFW Auxiliary Post 5752 Mount Joy donated $3,000 to be used by the junior high track team to purchase uniforms for the teams inaugural year. Board appreciation: Donald Seibert, co-president of the Donegal Education Association, the district teachers union, noted that January is School Board Recognition Month. He took the opportunity to offer his gratitude to board members for their commitment to education and the community. Whats next: The Donegal school board meeting will meet again Feb. 10. LNP|LancasterOnline publishes submitted obituaries in each of its daily editions and in a searchable format online at lancasteronline.com/obit The Electoral Colleges primary purpose was not to give small states greater representation, as is often claimed by its defenders. Instead, the Electoral College was created to reflect the political realities associated with accommodating the institution of slavery into our electoral system. Under a direct election system, the Southern states would be at a significant disadvantage, because enslaved Black people could not vote. Through the Electoral College and the three-fifths compromise, however, partially counting enslaved people when determining the number of presidential electors allowed Southern states to rival the electoral power of their Northern brethren. U.S. senators were initially appointed by state legislatures, and states were permitted to ban women from voting entirely. Those who were enslaved got an even worse deal, as they were officially counted as just three-fifths of a person, but had no vote. In Anti-Federalist Papers 72, the anonymous Democratic-Republican Party writer argues that the issues with the Electoral College deal with the ability of electors, rather than the people, to elect the president. In the writers eyes, the Electoral College removes the ability of the people to select their leader, and instead delegates that right to a small number of individuals. The writer further speculates, Is it not probable, at least possible, that the president who is to be vested with all this omnipotence who is not chosen by the community; and who consequently, as to them, is irresponsible and independent that he, I say, by a few artful and dependent emissaries in Congress, may not only perpetuate his own personal administration, but also make it hereditary? This early Democratic-Republican feared a hypothetically stronger executive. As I believe we have seen in recent years, the writers fears were justified. We cant ignore the majority of the voters. Today, we are one country and the vote for president needs to reflect the will of the majority. Robert Hirsch Commander, U.S. Navy (retired) Millersville Lancaster County is known for caring deeply about the suffering of people around the world. This has been shown time and again in our communitys response to people needing help. The current humanitarian crisis in Yemen is an emergency in which the United States shares responsibility. Almost a year ago, President Joe Biden said we would end our support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalitions offensive operations in Yemen. But we are still helping to make airstrikes possible. News stories about the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which is killing so many civilians, often dont spell out this fact: The United States continues to provide ongoing maintenance and intelligence-sharing for warplanes conducting airstrikes and enforcing an air and sea blockade of Yemen. These deadly blockades prevent food, clean water and medicine from reaching the people. The United Nations warned in 2021 that 2.3 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition and that the war led to 377,000 deaths nearly 60% due to these disruptions. The United States does many good things in the world. That is a fact. But we dont always know everything that is being done in our name. Lancaster County residents should tell U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker that our continuing support of this war is immoral and should end immediately. Christine Crocamo West Hempfield Township I write and send my letters mainly to the Rep-Demo politicians in the US government who have influence in the US policies. In the same time, I send my letters to some Afghans for the reason if they have any objections, comments or suggestions. So, all Afghans are free to respond to my emails but politely. Dr. Qassimyar IN THE PRESENT TIME, BOTH THE US AND PAKISTAN ARE THE MOST UNPOPULAR AND CONDEMNED GOVERNMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN ON THE GROUND THAT THEY PURSUED 100% HYPOCRITICAL POLICIES IN THE PAST 20 YEARS AGAINST AFGHANISTAN PEOPLE. THEREFORE, BOTH THE US AND PAKISTAN NEED TO BE 100% HONEST IN AFGHANISTAN IF THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE COURSE TO NORMALCY. First I wish you all HAPPY NEW YEAR. Thanks GOD, this year is the best for Afghanistan people in the past 20 years on the ground that Afghanistan is now liberated from both the US-NATO occupied forces and the puppet imposed Karzai-Ghani regime which murdered, wounded and disabled around 2 million Afghanistan people in the past two decades for exploitation. Now we briefly explain that there are 195 countries in the world. But the United States and Pakistan are the most unpopular and hated governments in Afghanistan in the present time. The reason for this terrible failure is the fact that Afghanistan people believe that the US and Pakistan are 100% hypocritical and deceptive which harmed and damaged Afghanistan people more than any other country in the world. In fact, the US imperialism invaded the mineral-rich Afghanistan for exploitation in 2001 and installed a puppet-treasonous regime to support the US-NATO invasion. In fact, Afghanistan has a very old and rich culture where falsehood, dishonesty and hypocrisy go nowhere but fail. On the contrary, the US government is an imperialism which has no culture but the rule of 1% super-rich Zionist Jews and White supremacists at the expense of 99% American people, and is based on exploitation, oppression, racism, abusis, falsehood, brutality, conspiracy, corruption and stealing under the colorful slogans of democracy, human rights, women rights, minority rights, and freedom of speech. Briefly, Afghanistan people practically witnessed that the former USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1980s, but the US invasion supported by European colonialism was multiple times worse than the former Soviet Union invasion. What means that the former Soviet Union was not involved in the destruction of Afghanistan people intentionally but just wanted to occupy the country. But on the contrary, the US was intentionally involved in the destruction of Afghanistan in the past 20-year occupation in term of opium production and smuggling of tens of K tones, destruction of Afghan people women and children by narcotic addiction, heavy- handed tactics punishing, and torturing the innocent Afghan people , fake and regulated elections, lying and falsehood, fake promises, disrespect to Islam and Afghan culture,creation of ISIS and terrorism, prostitution and imorality and the imposition of Karzai-Ghani despicable regime which was exclusively made of warlords, separatists, opium-Mafia, street gangs, theives, murderers, female prostitutes, rapists, Western spies, and notorious criminals for oppressing and torturing Afghanistan people. Therefore, the US is the most unpopular and hated government in Afghanistan in the present time than any other country in the world. The second most unpopular and condemned government in Afghanistan in the present time is the Pakistan military-and-political government. The reason for that is that Pakistan government was involved directly in all the above-mentioned destructive policies of the US against the 40 million Afghanistan people and it had been supporting the US-NATO occupation of the neighbouring Islamic Afghanistan in exchange for money despite the fact that it was 100% un-Islamic to support non-Muslim US-NATO invasion against neibouring Muslim Afghanistan. Therefore, both the US and Pakistan are now extremely unpopular in Afghanistan because of their 100% abusive policies which harmed and damaged tremendously Afghanistan people in the past 20 years. If both Pakistan and the US want to change the ongoing hatred to normalcy in Afghanistan, Then it is necessary for both the US and Pakistan to regret their past and start a new era with 100% honesty and cooperation to convince Afghanistan people to trust them again. Furthermore, I would like to bring to your attention that fighting for liberation against the US imperialism was way difficult than fighting against the former Soviet Union invasion in Afghanistan on the ground that the US imperialism uses two abusive tactics to achive its colonial goals: The first tactic is terrorism and extrem brutality to subdue its enemy. What means that the US imperialism uses 100% power of brutality and terrorism to subdue its enemy. The second tactic is corruption and offering bribery, money and other privilages to convince its enemy to subdue to its will. I have personal knowledge of these two tactics for the reason that I had been alone defending the holy Islam, and struggling for the liberation of Afghanistan against the US-NATO occupation in the past 20 years inside the United States. In Fact, the US government not only offered me corruption and working with Karza-Ghani puppet regime but also did whatever they could to persecute me by terrible and scariest tactics during the past two decades. Let us acknowledge it that when the US imperialism and European colonialism started war against Islamic countries for exploitation in 2001 under the fake slogan of terrorism. Then the entire world including all American and European Muslims were suporting the US war against Islam and Afghanistan people. But I truely decided to defend Islam and Afghanistan people and accepted all the consequences in my way. So, I really gave up on my life 20 years ago. But Al-humdullilah, I am proud today on the ground that the Taliban defeated the US-NATO militarily in Afghanistan. But without exaggeration, I defeated the US invasion politically inside the US despite the extreme difficulties in my way in the past two decades. In fact, politics is a war without blood and I did this war for Islam and the liberation of Afghanistan inside the US for 20 years. And finally the truth has prevailed. Therefore, I am telling to Afghanistan people based on my personal knowledge as I explained that the Taliban are both fearless and extremely transperent on the ground that the US imperialism and European colonialism had used both tactics to subdue them and gave up on jihad. But it is beyond the reasonable doubt that the Taliban neither gave up to the US-NATO brutality nor to their corruption and billions of dollars bribery to submit to the foreign occupation. So, Afghanistan people must trust the Taliban who are not only fearless and the toughest fighters in the world but also they are the most transparent Muslims and that is the reason that the Islamic Emirate is the most cleanest government in the entire world which has zero corruption in the present time. In fact, there is no government in the entire world where there is zero corruption. Thank you. Best Regards, Dr. Qassimyar Biden Nominates 3 to Fed Board, Including First Black woman President Joe Biden will nominate three people for the Federal Reserves Board of Governors, including former Fed official Sarah Bloom Raskin for the top regulatory slot, and Lisa Cook, who would be the first Black woman to serve as a governor. Biden will also nominate Phillip Jefferson, an economist, dean of faculty at Davidson College in North Carolina, and a former Fed researcher, according to a person familiar with the decision Thursday who was not authorized to speak on the record. The three nominations will have to be approved by the Senate. ADVERTISEMENT Raskins nomination to the position of Fed vice chair for supervision _ the nations top bank regulator _ will be welcomed by progressive senators and advocacy groups, who see her as likely to be tougher bank regulator than Chair Jerome Powell. She is also viewed as someone committed to incorporating climate change considerations into the Feds oversight of banks. For that reason, however, she has already drawn opposition from Republican senators. Raskin, 60, is a Harvard-trained lawyer and previously served on the Feds seven-member board from 2010 to 2014. President Barack Obama then chose her to serve as deputy Treasury secretary, the No. 2 job in the department. As Fed Governors, Raskin, Cook and Jefferson would vote on interest-rate policy decisions at the eight meetings each year of the Feds policymaking committee, which also includes the 12 regional Fed bank presidents. Raskins first term as a Fed governor followed her work as Marylands commissioner of financial regulation. Before her government jobs, Raskin had worked as a lawyer at Arnold & Porter, a high-profile Washington firm, and as a managing director at the Promontory Financial Group. In a May 2020 column in The New York Times, Raskin criticized the Feds willingness to support lending to oil and gas companies as part of its efforts to bolster the financial sector in the depths of the pandemic recession. The decisions the Fed makes on our behalf should build toward a stronger economy with more jobs in innovative industries _ not prop up and enrich dying ones, she wrote, in a reference to oil and gas providers. ADVERTISEMENT Raskin is married to Rep. Jamie Raskin, a liberal Maryland Democrat who gained widespread visibility as a member of the House Judiciary Committee when it brought impeachment charges against President Donald Trump. Cook, with Jefferson, would be the fourth and fifth Black members of the Feds Board of Governors in its 108-year history, if confirmed. She has been an economics and international relations professor at Michigan State since 2005. She also was also a staff economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 2011 to 2012 and was an adviser to the Biden-Harris transition team on the Fed and bank regulatory policy. Cook is best-known for her research on the impact of racial violence on African-Americaninvention and innovation. Her 2013 paper concluded that racially motivated violence, by undermining the rule of law and threatening personal security, depressed patent awards to Black Americans by 15% annually between 1882 and 1940, a loss that also held back the broader U.S. economy. In an October interview, Cook said that despite encouragement from prominent economists such as Milton Friedman and George Akerloff, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens husband, she struggled for years to get the paper published. The major economics journals, she said, typically didnt deal with patents, or economic history, or anything that related to African-Americans. Cook has also been an advocate for Black women in economics, a profession that is notably less diverse than other social sciences. In 2019, she co-wrote a column in The New York Times that asserted that economics is neither a welcoming nor a supportive profession for women and is especially antagonistic to Black women. To combat those problems, Cook has spent time mentoring younger Black women in economics, directing a summer program run by the American Economic Association, and won an award for mentoring in 2019. Tuesday, January 25, 2022 An oral argument scheduled today before the Ohio Supreme Court Medina County Bar Association v. Russell A. Buzzelli, Case No. 2021-1233 Medina County The Board of Professional Conduct recommends a two-year suspension for Wadsworth attorney Russell Buzzelli, concluding that he violated 18 attorney ethics rules. Buzzelli objects only to the proposed sanction. He asks the Ohio Supreme Court to stay one year of the suspension. The Medina County Bar Association, which submitted the disciplinary complaint against Buzzelli, disagrees. The extreme nature of the attorneys misconduct supports a suspension with no stay to protect the public, the associations brief maintains. Because Buzzelli objected to the boards recommendation, the Supreme Court must hear oral argument in the case. Client Helps Attorney with Office Work Buzzelli states that Mary Beth Foster approached him in summer 2017 to represent her in a divorce. Foster began doing work at Buzzellis law office, but not as a paid employee, starting in fall 2017 until the late summer of 2018. During part of this time, Buzzelli was estranged from his wife and lived with Foster. Foster answered the telephone, had an office key, and was in the office with clients. She had access to Buzzellis computer, client files, and bank accounts. Buzzelli provided no training or supervision to Foster. Attorney Threatens Client, Commits Other Misconduct In September 2018, Foster recorded part of a conversation she and Buzzelli had in his office. The attorney touched Foster against her will which he referred to in the recording and threatened to kill her. Buzzelli stated that he wanted to intimidate Foster because she had threatened to murder his wife. However, no evidence to support Buzzellis claim was admitted at his disciplinary hearing. Buzzelli also acted as his wifes attorney in filing a request for a civil stalking protection order against Foster. At the final hearing, Buzzelli cross-examined Foster using information he gathered while representing her in her cases. Among his ethical violations, the professional conduct board found Buzzelli failed to take measures to ensure that Fosters conduct in his law office abided by ethical rules; committed an illegal act menacing by threatening Foster; and used information obtained while representing Foster against her in a later legal matter. The board also determined that Buzzelli neglected the case of a client who paid a $15,000 retainer to him to handle a divorce and then overcharged her, and that he didnt act diligently while representing a client in the appeal of a conviction. Professional Conduct Board Rejects Any Stay of Suspension The boards three-member panel that conducted the disciplinary hearing suggested a two-year suspension with six months stayed. However, the full board voted to recommend a two-year suspension with no stay, citing Buzzellis violence toward Foster and misrepresentations he made in a federal court filing for Foster. The board recommends that the attorney pay restitution of $7,869 in the overcharging case within 60 days of the final order, pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings, and complete six hours of legal education on sexual harassment and employee management. Attorney Advocates for Partial Stay Buzzelli states in his objections that he acknowledges his ethical misconduct and accepts the proposed conditions of a suspension. Noting his wifes ongoing medical conditions, he maintains he and his wife are dependent on his ability to earn an income. He asks the Court to stay one year of his suspension, pointing to other similar disciplinary cases with lesser sanctions and stating he has had no other disciplinary actions in 34 years of practicing law. Bar Association Argues Full Suspension Necessary The bar association responds in its brief that Buzzelli has not learned that his actions undermined his clients and the public. It supports the boards proposed sanction and conditions. Kathleen Maloney https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2022/01/an-oral-argument-scheduled-today-before-the-ohio-supreme-court-medina-county-bar-association-v-russell-a-buzzelli-case-no.html Tuesday, January 25, 2022 The Oklahoma Supreme Court has reinstated an attorney who had been convicted of bribery and allowed to resign in 2013. The United States Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction but remanded for resentencing and portrayed the offense like an episode of Ozark, set in the Petitioner's Senate office dealing with the concerns of the Oklahoma Assisted Living Association In May 2006, [OKALA part owner] Crosby hired lobbyist Benny Vanatta to promote Silver Oak's position with the legislature. Vanatta immediately arranged a meeting with Crosby and [Senator] Morgan in Morgan's office at the Capitol. According to Crosby's testimony, they met for "about an hour to an hour and a half." (Morgan's App'x, Vol. 5 at 1904.) His testimony continued as follows. I told "them all my troubles and the fights with the [ODH] and everything and that I needed some help. I didn't care whether it was a phone call, legislation, meetings, whatever, I just needed some help to get them off my back." (Id.) About forty-five minutes into the meeting, Vanatta left to get coffee. While Vanatta was gone, Morgan told Crosby, "This is the way it works. You pay me a $1,000 a month retainer." (Id.) Morgan assured Crosby the arrangement was legal. Crosby asked, "Well, do I maybe get some traffic tickets or something for that [amount]?" (Id.) Morgan told Crosby to call his law firm and it will "help you with [the traffic tickets]." (Id.) In the end, even though it "[d]idn't sound right" to Crosby, Silver Oak made twelve $1,000 payments to Morgan from July 2006 until July 2007. ...The retainer agreement between Morgan and Crosby was made at a meeting at Morgan's office in the Capitol. The meeting was brokered by a lobbyist hired to promote Silver Oak's governmental relations. Crosby told Morgan "[he] didn't care whether it was a phone call, legislation, meetings," he just needed "help" in getting the ODH "off [his] back." (Morgan's App'x, Vol. 5 at 1905.) Morgan insisted on a monthly retainer, even though he could not represent Silver Oak before the ODH. See supra n.10. Shortly thereafter, Huser learned that "a legislator" requested a meeting between the ODH and Silver Oak representatives to take place at the Capitol. (Id. at 1949.) Seven and a half months later, Morgan introduced a bill favorably addressing Silver Oak's problems. Panel finding "that the Petitioner possesses the moral character which would entitle him to be admitted to the OBA" in light of the "clear and convincing evidence" that his efforts to be reinstated are supported by a wide array of people who have known him for decades--including former Governor Brad Henry, retired Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Joseph Watt, former Oklahoma State Senator Glenn Coffee, District Judge Phillip Corley (Payne County), retired District Judge Donald Worthington (Payne County), District Attorney Laura Thomas (Logan and Payne Counties), and his current co-workers at Cactus Drilling Company--and that he has consistently sought "to make positive contributions . . . to the general community as well as the legal community," particularly as demonstrated by the testimony of District Attorney Laura Thomas about Petitioner's help with a juvenile delinquent program being developed in Payne County..." It was not unanimous per Justice Rowe ...the seriousness of Petitioner's misconduct weighs most heavily against reinstatement. Bribery is a conscious, well-thought-out crime. Petitioner made a calculated decision to accept a bribe under the guise of a legal fee. In addition to the intentionality, the notoriety of Petitioner's misconduct exacerbated the harm to our profession. Petitioner's deception reflected poorly on the character of the legal profession as a whole and undermined the ability of honest, hard-working, and well-intentioned members of the Bar to overcome public mistrust of lawyers when running for public office. Petitioner served as the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate from 2005 to 2008, making him one of the highest-ranking, most powerful, and most well-known elected officials in state government. His misconduct and criminal conviction were the focus of significant public discourse, which reflected poorly on our State and the Bar. The uniqueness of Petitioner's misconduct begs the question of what potential deleterious effect his reinstatement might have on the public's perception of the Bar, which is of utmost importance to us in disciplinary matters. See State ex rel. Okla. Bar Ass'n v. Kinsey, 2009 OK 31, 15, 212 P.3d 1186, 1192. The answer to that question seems quite clear: Reinstatement of Petitioner's law license would signal to the public that this Court takes lightly incidents of public corruption by attorneys at the highest levels of our most vital institutions. We must remain ever-vigilant of the harm bribery inflicts upon a democracy--and we must take seriously our duty to ensure that the integrity of our profession endures for future generations. In summary, this crime committed by Petitioner--a lawyer-legislator using his law degree--is profoundly damaging to our profession. Thus, I respectfully cannot assent to reinstatement of his law license. Justice Kuehn joined the dissent. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2022/01/the-oklahoma-supreme-court-has-reinstated-an-attorney-who-had-been-convicted-of-bribery-and-allowed-to-resign-it-was-not-un.html From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. As a 16-year-old boy looked closely at a mouse, it ran around an enclosed area in a laboratory. Hi, Jakob 1. Im Jake. Jake Litvag named the mouse, but they share more than just names. Scientists genetically engineered Jakob, the mouse, to be similar to Jake in one important genetic way. That mouse and its relatives are the first in the world to have the same missing gene that scientists say may cause Jakes condition -- autism. Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis raised the mice from stem cells that came from Jakes blood. They wanted to study his condition. Jakes parents, Joe and Lisa Litvag, visited the laboratory back in December 2021. They thought that meeting the scientists and the mice would help Jake understand his important part in the research. He now considers autism something to be proud of rather than something that makes him different from others. Oh wow. Cool! Jake said as he watched the research mice. Walking out of the lab, Lisa Litvag cried as she thought about her sons cells helping others. After meeting the mice, the family visited another lab, where Jake looked through a microscope at his own stem cells. Thats me! Thats cool stuff. I never saw anything like that in my life, Jake said, as his dad pulled him close. Jakes father Joe Litvag told the Associated Press that he and his family are deeply proud to be part of the research. He added, What do we live this life for? Its ultimately to try to -- in one way, shape or form -- be of service to others. Autism in children Autism starts in childhood and leads to problems forming relationships and communicating with others. Autism disorders include a large group of conditions. The abilities and needs of people with autism can also be very different. Some people with autism can live independently. Others have severe disabilities and require life-long care and support. The AP reports that one in 44 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). On its website, the World Health Organization says that worldwide that number is about one in 160 children. The Litvags saw early on that Jake was not developing the same as other children. He could not walk without help until he was four. He struggled to speak complete sentences in first grade. At first, no one knew why. Jake had a mix of different qualities. He had difficulty calming down and controlling his reactions. But he was also social and funny. He was five years old when doctors said he had autism. Then, the Litvags heard that an expert on the genetics of autism was giving a talk at the Saint Louis Science Center. There, they met Dr. John Constantino who began seeing Jake as a patient. About five years later, Constantino proposed genetic testing. The testing found the missing copy of the MYT1L gene. This gene is believed to cause one out of every 10,000 to 50,000 autism cases. The finding brought the family peace. They had heard that autism had other causes, like difficulties during birth. Lisa Litvag said, For a long time, I thought it was something that I did. Joe Litvag said that his family came to understand that they did not do anything wrong. Its just that people are born all the time with genetic differences, he said. A large multinational study that appeared in JAMA Psychiatry in 2019 estimated that up to 80 percent of the risk for autism comes from genetics. Jakes mother said she never wanted her son to feel badly about his condition. She added that the family continues to support the idea that, because of his autism, he has important gifts to share. Gifts to give When Constantino suggested studying the MYT1L gene, the Litvags happily agreed. To start the research, Jakes family raised about $70,000 from family and friends. Scientists then were able to turn that money into $4 million in research aid from the National Institutes of Health. Researcher Kristen Kroll and her team reprogrammed cells from Jakes blood into stem cells. These special cells can create different kinds of cells in the body. Scientist Joseph Dougherty and his team used Jakes genetic information. They reproduced Jakes genetic mutation in the mice. To do this, they used the gene-editing tool CRISPR. Since starting the research about three years ago, scientists have raised around 100 mice with Jakes mutation. They are now using the great-great grandchildren of the first mouse they engineered. They recently published their research with mice in Neuron. A gift in return Dougherty and his team said they hope their research on MYT1L will lead to treatments to improve or correct the problems the mutation causes. They are sharing their findings with scientists studying other genes related to autism. They are also trying to discover how different genes work together to cause the condition. The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative says that more than 100 genes have strong evidence linking them to autism. It also says there are several hundred more genes thought to be linked. Dougherty said understanding autism will require finding one or two things shared across different forms of the disorder. These could be targets for treatment. Although not everyone with autism wants treatment, Dougherty said it could help those who do. Since the research began, Dougherty has been writing notes to the Litvags explaining the latest discoveries. But as a scientist, he is mostly removed from the people behind the research. When the Litvag family visited the lab last December, Dougherty wanted to share some news in person. The missing gene does not seem to shorten life. The mice live two to three years, the same as their brothers and sisters. Joe Litvag asked hopefully, So, a normal life span? Yes, Dougherty answered. As far as the researchers can see, the mice with Jakes genes live as long as the others. Joe Litvag turned to his son. So Jake, maybe you will live to be 100. I will be 112! Jake said, smiling. And thats the Health & Lifestyle report. Im Anna Matteo. And Im Dan Friedell. In St. Louis, Laura Ungar reported this story for the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. Quiz - How a Boy Helps Scientists Learn about Autism Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _________________________________________________ Words in This Story stem cell n. a simple cell in the body that is able to develop into any one of many different kinds of cells (such as blood cells, skin cells, or other cells) ultimately adv. at the end of a process or period proud adj. very happy and pleased because of something you have done or something that you have mutation n. a permanent change in the genes of an organism The Saudi National Shipping Company (Bahri) has announced the start of the trial operations of the first floating desalination plant set up near Al Shuqaiq port on the western coast of Saudi Arabia at an investment of SR760 million ($202 million). This comes following an earlier agreement signed with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC). The project was developed by Metito, a leading global provider of water and alternative energy management solutions, on a fast-track basis. Its scope of work included the design, engineering, construction, operation trials, and the provision of floating barges to sail the desalination plants in addition to the completion of power generation system. Bahri had awarded the contract to Metito Saudi for the floating water desalination plants project with a total capacity of 150,000 cu m per day after winning a competitive tender. This project is mainly aimed at contributing sustainably and consistently to the supply of high-quality potable water in compliance with all applicable international and local codes and standards and using the most advanced treatment technology, Integrated Ultra Filtration. It falls under the third independent phase of the kingdom's Privatization Program and aims to ensure sustainable supply of water to enhance water security. Metito Managing Director Fady Juez said: "Winning this innovative project is a true testament of the kingdoms progressive vision to achieving national water security targets through sustainable projects. It highlights the governments efforts to further engage the private sector with mega infrastructural projects." "Metito specifically designed the plant taking into consideration mobility and flexibility of sailing the barges to different locations, according to changing water needs," stated Juez, while emphasizing the possibility of using solar energy to power the barges. Metito is also the first company to pioneer concession contracts through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the Middle East and Africa, he added.-TradeArabia News Service NATO members plan to send more ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe following Russias military buildup along its border with Ukraine. The military alliance said Monday that additional troops and equipment would be provided by several nations, including the United States, Denmark, Spain, France and the Netherlands. In a statement, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the deployments. He said the alliance planned to "continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the alliance." Stoltenberg added: We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defense. Russia has deployed an estimated 100,000 troops just across its border with Ukraine. U.S. and NATO officials have expressed concern that the military buildup could lead to a Russian invasion. Russia denies it is planning to invade Ukraine. Russian officials have said the countrys military buildup serves as a defensive measure against possible military actions by NATO and Ukraine. Russia is demanding that NATO promise it will never permit Ukraine to join the military alliance. It has also sought guarantees against further NATO expansion in Eastern Europe. Diplomatic talks in recent days aimed at reducing tensions failed to produce any agreements. NATO said Monday it was strengthening its deterrence abilities in the Baltic Sea area. Denmark planned to send a warship and F-16 fighter planes to Lithuania. Spain was sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces. France said it was prepared to send troops to Romania. Some NATO countries close to Russia Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have confirmed plans to send U.S.-made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed recent moves by NATO and the United States for increasing tensions. All this is happening not because of what we, Russia, are doing. This is happening because of what NATO (and) the U.S. are doing, he told reporters. The United States and Britain announced orders for their embassy workers and family members in Kyiv to leave Ukraine. They said the orders were issued because of the threat of possible Russian military action. NATOs announcement came as European Union foreign ministers sought to show a united front in support of Ukraine. In a statement, the ministers said the EU was already working to prepare possible sanctions against Russia. They warned that any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs. Separately, the EU also promised to increase financial support for Ukraine. It said it plans to approve $1.4 billion in loans and grants to the country as soon as possible. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press, Reuters and VOA News 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 respond v. say or do something as an answer or reaction to something deteriorate v. to become worse deter v. make someone less likely to do something sanction n. an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country consequence n. the result of an action or situation, especially one that has a bad result grant n. an amount of money provided by a government or organization for a special purpose An international organization of healthcare workers is worried that a shortage of nurses and the COVID-19 pandemic will worsen healthcare problems for poor countries. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) represents 27 million nurses worldwide. The ICN said, even before the pandemic, there was already a shortage of 6 million nurses, with 90 percent of the shortages in poorer countries. Howard Catton leads the Switzerland-based organization. He said increased infections caused by the Omicron variant made the nursing shortage even worse. Western nations have dealt with the problems by bringing back retirees and volunteers to the workforce. Now, Catton said rich countries including the United States, Germany, Canada, and Britain are offering nurses from poor countries more money to come. The nurses come from places like sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Besides money and better working conditions, he said, some nations also make it easier for nurses to permanently move to new countries. I really fear this 'quick fix solution', he said. Catton compared the situation to a time when wealthy nations bought more face coverings and vaccines than they needed. He added, if they do that with the nursing workforce it will just make the inequity even worse." Catton added that rich countries are taking advantage of poor countries which educated the nurses but now cannot use their skills at home. He said healthcare organizations around the world need to start thinking about a 10-year-plan to add more nurses. He said the immediate problem of the COVID-19 pandemic is one thing, but a greater problem is ahead. He explained that people have held off on surgeries and other important procedures during the pandemic. Once the virus is under control and more people come back into hospitals, the nursing shortage will continue. We need a global effort, he said. Not just warm words and platitudes. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by Reuters. What is your suggestion for keeping nurses from leaving for more money? Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story nurse n. a person who is trained to care for sick or injured people and who usually works in a hospital or doctor's office variant n. something that is different from a known item that already exists; a change from the usual quick fix expression something done based on a short-term goal that avoids considering long-term concerns take advantage of phrase - to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable from (someone) : to treat (someone who is generous or helpful) unfairly global adj. involving the entire world platitude n. a statement that expresses an idea that is not new Oregon transportation officials want to hear from the public about how the state should spend more than $400 million in flexible funds from th As many as 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment to Eastern Europe as Russian troops mass on Ukraine's border, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday. If not for Jane Does courage, former Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, R-Lewiston, a man who stands convicted of raping her and now faces spending the rest of his life in prison would no doubt be on his way toward securing a second term representing this area in the Legislature. The e-Trader licences, launched by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai issued in 2021 reached 6,217, as against 5,848 licenses during the previous year, marking an increase of 6.3%, a media report said. A total of 16,409 e-Trader licences have been issued since its launch in March of 2017 till end of 2021, reported Emirates News Agency WAM. The report released by the Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector at DET said that this progress shows the growing momentum of e-shopping in Dubai. The emirate has become a platform for the largest e-commerce companies in the world, led by its flexible business and investment environment, government integration with the private sector and its logistical advantages, as well as strategic location that facilitates global trade, it added. The growth also reflects the ongoing efforts to consolidate the emirate's position as a global platform for e-commerce, based on its importance in driving growth and supporting economic diversification policies. The 'UAE eCommerce Landscape study, conducted jointly by DET and Visa in 2020, showed Dubai leading the list of the fastest-growing and developing e-commerce markets in the Mena region. e-Trader aims to licence startups and business activities that operate from their place of residence, online or on social networking sites. The licence, which is issued electronically, aims to guide traders towards the right path to enter the business world. According to the BRL sectors report, 79% of the e-Trader licences issued in 2021 were professional, and 21% were commercial. IT, readymade garments, womens tailoring and design, handicrafts, mens tailoring and design, publishing and printing services, facility management, marketing services, and preparation of food, topped the list of activities of the licences issued in 2021. Through e-Trader licence, DET seeks to regulate and enhance ease of doing business electronically, find a platform that supports and develops trade as well as connect customers with traders. The licensee cannot open a shop/store but can avail of three visas if the ownership is 100% Emirati and legal liability falls under the licence holder. The BRL sector focuses on providing support to e-Trader licence holders by signing partnerships with government and private sectors, providing facilities for their business growth as well as opening new channels by enhancing cooperation with major sales outlets. The benefits of getting the e-Trader licence include getting Dubai Chamber membership for commercial activities, benefitting from bank facilities, getting Customs Client Code, which facilitates import and export via dubaitrade.ae, temporary employment services, participation in exhibitions and conferences and training workshop, displaying of products in consumer points of sale and providing work space. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Two teens have been arrested in the armed burglary Tuesday of a Sun Prairie home, police reported. The armed burglars entered the unlocked home on Sun Prairies west side about 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Lt. Ryan Cox said in a statement after the crime. The burglars did not interact with residents of the home before they left in a vehicle, Cox said, and no information was provided on what, if anything, was stolen. On Monday, Cox said in an update to his report of last week that two 17-year-old boys had been arrested in the case. The first was arrested Friday with assistance from Madison police, and continued efforts over the weekend resulted in the second arrest. Jamier Frazier, of Fitchburg, and Tavis Thurman, of Madison, were booked into the Dane County Jail on a tentative charges of felony burglary while armed, Cox said. The case remains active and Sun Prairie police ask anyone with information to contact them at 608-837-7336, or anonymously at 608-837-6300. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Dane County Sheriffs Office said it is investigating the death Monday of a 32-year-old man who was in the Custody Alternative Monitoring Program. At about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dane County deputies and Waunakee police and EMS responded to a residence on Highway I in the town of Westport on a report of an unresponsive man, Sheriffs Office spokesperson Elise Schaffer said in a statement. Efforts to revive the man were unsuccessful and an autopsy is scheduled Wednesday by the Dane County Medical Examiners Office, Schaffer said. The man, who was no identified, was serving a sentence for felony bail jumping and had been in the diversion program since July, Schaffer said. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A man who fled the scene of a crash that led to another mans death in 2019 was sentenced Monday to a year in jail with work-release privileges after a judge agreed he does not pose a threat to the public and should concentrate on raising his two young children. Branden R.A. Iler, 24, of Portland, Oregon, pleaded guilty in November to hit-and-run causing death in the Sept. 12, 2019, crash in Madison that caused fatal injuries to Darrell Sunderlage, 60, of Brooklyn. Sunderlage died three days later at UW Hospital. Iler was living in Madison at the time. It was dark and raining heavily at the time of the crash on Northport Drive between Dryden Drive and North Sherman Avenue, according to Ilers attorney, Michael Covey, although the criminal complaint in the case notes a witness said Sunderlage was crossing in the crosswalk with flashing lights activated and that Iler was going about 50 mph. Iler had been driving home from work at a restaurant and while he had had one drink after his shift, he was not intoxicated, Covey said. He acknowledged to Judge Josann Reynolds that his client was driving on a revoked license, typically considered a minor offense. Where Iler went wrong was in leaving the scene, Reynolds, Covey and Assistant District Attorney Lexi Keyes agreed. If he had stopped, I dont know if we would be here, Keyes said, even if the victim had died. Instead, despite an impact strong enough to spiderweb his windshield and dent his vehicles hood, Iler kept going, Keyes said, and in the days after dumped the car at a dealership and went to Portland, where he has family. He later turned himself in. Because of those aggravating factors, Keyes said, the public expects prison at this point. She asked Reynolds to impose a six-year prison sentence followed by six years of extended supervision. Covey, though, pointed to his clients strong work history and efforts to raise his two children, and said his September arrest for drunken driving in Oregon came because he was passed out drunk in a parking lot behavior that he said is consistent with Ilers attempts to numb with alcohol the guilt and emotional trauma hes experienced from killing Sunderlage. His remorse on this is profound and real, he said of Iler, whose decision to flee the scene wasnt because he didnt care about the victim, but because he panicked and was terrified and shocked. He asked that Iler be given three years of probation with nine to 12 months in jail. Iler told Reynolds that he was deeply sorry for the crash. I beg you dont punish my kids for the mistake that I made, he told her. Its going to weigh on my heart forever. Reynolds sentenced Iler to three years in prison and three years of extended supervision but suspended the sentence and instead gave him four years of probation, with the year of jail a condition of probation. The sentence structure means that if Ilers probation is revoked he would immediately begin serving the prison sentence. Iler will be able to serve his probation in Oregon. He is also required to remain sober and work, go to school or get treatment 40 hours a week under the conditions of his probation. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Verona Area School District is alleged to have paid its male staff members more than similarly qualified female staffers, according to a complaint the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed Tuesday. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin, states a recently hired male special-education teacher is being paid much more than a group of female special-education teachers who have been with the district much longer. It also states the district is underpaying a female school psychologist compared to a male psychologist who works for the district. The complaint, brought by the Chicago office of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleges that the districts actions violate the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which prohibits discrimination on account of sex in the payment of wages by employers, and that the district owes the female employees back pay to make up the difference between their salary and their male colleagues salary. According to the complaint, the district hired a male special-education teacher in June 2019 on a salary of more than $77,000, while 10 female special-education teachers who were hired between 1994 and 2005 made between $60,000 and $74,000 during the 2019-20 school year. The male special-education teachers salary increased to nearly $81,000 during the 2021-22 school year while the highest salary earned among the group of 10 female special-education teachers in that same year was just under $76,000. All of the special-education teachers have lifetime teaching licenses from Wisconsin and masters degrees, and two of the female teachers are nationally board-certified in special education while the male teacher is not. The complaint also alleges the district has underpaid a female school psychologist with more experience than a male school psychologist since at least August 2017. According to the complaint, the female school psychologist was paid a salary of roughly $70,000, compared to the male school psychologists salary of roughly $87,000 during the 2020-21 school year. Both have lifetime licenses in pupil service from Wisconsin, as well as masters degrees, while the female school psychologist is nationally board-certified and the male school psychologist is not. Superintendent Tremayne Clardy said the district remains committed to lawful, equitable hiring and compensation practices but that it would be inappropriate for him to comment on pending litigation involving the previous administrations practices and procedures. Clardy became superintendent in July of 2021. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LAS VEGAS The family of a Wisconsin tourist, who died in Las Vegas after being strapped to a restraint chair in jail following his arrest on a trespassing charge, has agreed to a $2.35 million settlement with the police department, their attorney said Monday. Relatives of Nicholas Farah, 36, of Appleton, agreed to drop their federal excessive force, wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, five corrections officers and a police officer who were involved in Farahs detention and death in March 2019, family attorney Sarah Grady said. There should be a price to pay when you dehumanize people, Grady said. Nick was not just another person being arrested for the most vanilla of criminal charges. He was a father, a son, a brother. He was incredibly valued by his family. A jury would see how his treatment was clearly dehumanizing. Officer Larry Hadfield, a police spokesman, declined immediate comment about the settlement. The amount topped a reported $2.2 million agreement in 2020 with several relatives of Tashii Brown, a 40-year-old Las Vegas man who died in 2017 after being hit with stun gun jolts and put in a neck restraint by a police officer outside a Las Vegas casino. Homicide ruled In Farahs case, the Clark County coroner ruled his death a homicide resulting from asphyxia during restraint procedures. Farahs autopsy called methamphetamine intoxication and obesity significant contributing conditions. Police said Farah, a father of two, became unconscious after jail officers pressed his body forward while he was seated in the restraint chair with his face near his knees and his arms pulled back for about 75 seconds while officers replaced one set of handcuffs on his wrists with another. Farah was pronounced dead at a hospital less than 90 minutes later. He had been arrested at a motel where an employee told police he walked in and refused to leave. Police said Farah called 911 and taxi companies seeking a ride to the Las Vegas airport, where he had arrived several hours earlier following a family vacation in California. But when taxis arrived, he refused service. In one 911 call, Farah stated that he had been drinking and reported that his backpack and cellphone had been stolen by a stranger who punched him while they were walking, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a March 2020 report that cleared officers in Farahs death. Farah told the dispatcher he wanted to remain anonymous, didnt want to press charges and that he was trying to catch a flight home to Wisconsin. Police said Farah struggled with several patrol officers while he was being put in a patrol car. No unlawful act Wolfson found no criminal wrongdoing, saying there was no evidence of any intent to kill on the part of any officer. Officers were not committing an unlawful act as they attempted to remove his handcuffs, the prosecutor said. Video from the jail showed that after officers there replaced Farahs handcuffs and returned him to an upright position in the restraint seat, a medical staffer noticed he was unconscious. Farahs family sued the department and officers in April 2020. His brother, Eric Farah of Tempe, Arizona, said in a statement Monday that the use of restraint chairs should be banned in jails. It was very clear that the Las Vegas Metro Police Department acted belligerently and monstrously towards my brother, Eric Farah said. Id love to see the restraint chair completely removed ... along with measures and precautions put into effect so this never happens to another family. China-based Alibaba Cloud and Tradeling will join forces to unlock cross-border trade and boost digital economy in Mena at a time the B2B ecommerce market in the region is expected to reach $49 billion by the end of 2022. With the growing size of the B2B ecommerce market, this collaboration presents an attractive opportunity to China-based sellers who will be able to list their products on Tradelings platform to fulfil local demand. The partnership will also offer Mena-based sellers and manufacturers a chance to expand their reach beyond the region and enter the global market through listing their products on Alibaba.com. Towards this, Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tradeling, the dominant B2B eMarketplace in the Middle East and North Africa at Expo 2020 Dubai, during Alibaba Cloud Day. The official signing of the agreement by Phillip Liu, General Manager of the Middle East and Africa, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and Marius Ciavola, Chief Executive Officer of Tradeling took place at the China Pavilion. The partnership aims to better facilitate cross-border trade between China and the Middle East by deploying Alibaba Clouds advanced and secure cloud technologies to strengthen Tradelings logistical capabilities, enabling it to further support local and international businesses in thriving within the Mena region through its online platform. Alibaba and Tradeling will join forces to create a smooth and seamless B2B experience for sellers from both regions and provide intelligent solutions for all of Tradelings customers while collaborating in running seller recruitment campaigns from beginning to end. We are delighted to continue building fruitful relationships with local partners in the Middle East as part of a momentous occasion such as Alibaba Cloud Day at the prestigious Expo 2020 Dubai, says Liu. Alibaba Cloud has continuously invested in its infrastructure services in emerging markets and our partnership with Tradeling enables further opportunities to leverage our digital resources and experience to support local companies worldwide. We strive to make it easier for more people to do business in the future through our digital solutions. Ciavola said: The collaboration with Alibaba provides us with the means to further highlight the enormous potential that the Mena region offers for B2B ecommerce. In addition to unlocking the Mena region demand for businesses in China, together, we will provide an opportunity to Mena based sellers to tap into new markets. He added: By using Alibabas advanced technology solutions, we will continue to create a digitally driven ecosystem for businesses of all sizes that overcomes barriers for the regions supply chain and develop new opportunities to create a thriving future. Established in February 2020, Tradeling connects local businesses with wholesale suppliers from around the world and offers opportunities for local businesses to improve their margins. International sellers can also rely on Tradeling to expand their reach and easily enter the Middle East region. Alibaba Cloud Day is a key event launched by Alibaba Cloud and the China Pavilion jointly during Expo 2020 Dubai to celebrate the achievements of businesses and country pavilions participating at the World event. As an official partner of the China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, Alibaba Cloud has provided digital solutions to bring immersive experiences to audiences who are unable to visit the Expo on-site such as real-time livestreaming and future events taking place at the China Pavilion. Led by a team of experienced technology startup builders, Tradeling ensures a reliable and smooth trade process in addition to providing comprehensive logistics and financing solutions. Connecting global suppliers with Mena-based demand, the platform leverages advanced technology to optimise the supply chain and creates economic value in addition to mitigating risks. Today, Tradeling has over 100,000 registered buyers and sellers from over 55 countries.-- TradeArabia News Service An attorney for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Monday said he provided little guidance to former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman about how to respond to requests for public records related to his ongoing review of the 2020 election. At a hearing in Dane County Circuit Court Monday, Assembly staff attorney Steve Fawcett also testified he has not received weekly reports from Gableman on the review, which is required under the contract between the former justice and the state Assembly. Assembly Chief Clerk Ted Blazel also testified, but more than two hours of Mondays hearing focused on Fawcett. Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn noted Fawcett helped negotiate the Assemblys contract with Gableman and is listed as the former justices point of contact for the agreement. Bailey-Rihn again questioned why so few documents have been provided in the case, which was filed last year by liberal watchdog group American Oversight. Hes supposed to be doing weekly investigative reports, Bailey-Rihn said. Im just having difficulty believing that Mr. Gableman did nothing for three months and received payment. Fawcett said he has no idea whether Gableman has been compiling the weekly reports. Gableman was hired last summer by Vos, R-Rochester, to review the election at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers. His contract expired at the close of December, but Vos has said he hopes to have the review finished by the end of February. The case stems from one of three ongoing lawsuits filed by American Oversight over public records requests the organization filed last year. Attorneys for American Oversight have asked that Vos be held in contempt for not releasing the records sooner, while attorneys for Vos have said all available records have been provided. Bailey-Rihn ordered Vos to turn over records last November. She said on Monday she will decide at a future date whether to hold Vos in contempt. She added on Monday that ultimately the buck stops with Mr. Vos and his office to produce relevant documents. Fawcett also said he did not try to obtain Gablemans records or ask him to provide documents in response to the initial request from American Oversight. Fawcett later said he notified Gableman of Bailey-Rihns November court order seeking the records; however, he added he could not remember whether he specified what records were requested. He also noted he does not know what parameters Gableman used when searching for records. Fawcett also said Gableman at times used text messages and a personal Yahoo email account to discuss his ongoing review. He added he does not know whether Gableman uses other means of communication such as Facebook Messenger or encrypted messaging apps such as Signal. In a separate case, Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington on Friday ordered Gablemans office to provide the court with documents responsive to a records request regarding his 2020 election review by Jan. 31. That order will only stand if the court has personal jurisdiction over the case, which the judge will review at a hearing Jan. 27. A recount and court decisions have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes. Similarly, reviews of the election by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau and the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty found no evidence of widespread fraud but did lead to recommendations on how elections can be improved. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson on Monday convened a group of doctors and scientists who have been criticized for spreading COVID-19 misinformation to get a second opinion on the health issues facing Americans because of the pandemic. Until COVID, a fundamental principle of medicine was when dealing with a serious illness to get a second opinion, maybe even a third, Johnson said. Today is about getting that long-overdue second opinion. Immediately after Johnsons panel, the Committee to Protect Health Care, an advocacy group aligned with Democrats, held a Zoom call with Wisconsin doctors to criticize the senator for spreading misinformation. Senator Johnson has done this before. This isnt new, said Bob Freedland, an ophthalmologist from La Crosse. Senator Johnson continues to give a megaphone to notorious COVID-19 misinformation doctors. Dr. Ann Helms, a critical care neurologist from Milwaukee, said she believes the Republican from Oshkosh is trying to look tough. I think theres just an interest in pretending this isnt happening, she said. Weve made this into a partisan issue when it shouldnt be. This should be about listening to the science. The discussion organized by Johnson was advertised as an alternative perspective to the U.S. governments response to COVID-19. Speakers and audience members gathered in person, without masks, in the Russell Senate Office Building although the event was not an official Senate hearing. A day earlier, several of the speakers attended the Defeat the Mandates rally of several thousand demonstrators who marched from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial to protest COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Notable attendees at both events included Dr. Robert Malone, a doctor and infectious disease researcher removed from Twitter for spreading COVID-19 misinformation, and Christina Parks, who holds a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology and is a staunch critic of COVID vaccines. Johnson praised the speakers for their courage and compassion in treating COVID-19 patients with alternative medical options. I want to thank the courageous doctors who have shown the compassion to actually treat patients ... and suffer the vilification, the censorship, the suppression ... that has come with their courage, Johnson said. The Medill News Service fact-checked several dubious statements from the panel. Limiting spread CLAIM: The (COVID) virus is not spread from an asymptomatic person to another asymptomatic person, said Dr. Peter McCullough, former vice chief of internal medicine at Baylor University Medical Center, who was sued for illegitimately representing himself as a Baylor employee while promoting misinformation about COVID-19. FACT: More than half of transmissions that occur in our communities are occurring by people who have no symptoms, said Ajay Sethi, associate professor of population health sciences and faculty director of the Public Health masters program at UW-Madison. This is a virus in which people become infectious before the symptoms begin, and for some of those people, the symptoms may never begin, and yet theyre infectious while theyre asymptomatic. CLAIM: Dr. Aaron Kheriarty, a former professor in the University of California-Irvine School of Medicine who was fired over his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and other reasons, said people with natural immunity, meaning people who have developed antibodies after contracting a virus, cannot be reinfected with COVID-19 or transmit the virus to others. FACT: While it is true that people may develop antibodies to a virus like COVID-19, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released in September found that 36% of those with prior COVID infection did not produce any antibodies. You have to survive COVID in order to walk away with some immunity that can be protective for the future, and how long that protection lasts varies from person to person, Sethi said. He noted the emergence of new variants continues to threaten prior immunity. As stated by the CDC, reinfections do occur after COVID-19. Treatment CLAIM: Johnson claimed the National Institutes of Health has told those who test positive for COVID-19 to go home and do nothing. FACT: Patients are told to monitor their symptoms, that (if) they progress to a point where they need medical attention, that people should seek medical attention, Sethi said. The CDC lists certain warning signs of when to seek emergency medical care. CLAIM: Dr. Harvey Risch, professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, said when hydroxychloroquine is used as an early treatment for COVID-19, it can produce a 50% reduced risk of hospitalization and 75% reduced risk of mortality. FACT: Im not sure where that datas coming from, Sethi said. The scientific consensus is that hydroxychloroquine is not a valid treatment for COVID. Hydroxychloroquine, typically used to treat malaria, was first approved under Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA for treating COVID in March 2020. On June 15, 2020, the FDA canceled its recommendation after finding the medication was unlikely to be effective at treating COVID and resulted in some serious side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, according to the National Library of Medicine. CLAIM: Dr. Pierre Kory, a vocal advocate for the off-label use of ivermectin, said the drug has been shown to help treat COVID in other parts of the world, claiming it could help solve the pandemic. FACT: When tested in a lab, there was evidence that the (COVID) virus can be killed by ivermectin, but at such high, toxic levels that they cant be given to people, Sethi said. That just became a myth that ivermectin is something that could be used to treat COVID. Its not. CLAIM: In a press release put out the day after the panel discussion, Johnson said COVID-19 is an entirely treatable disease. Probably hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives that didnt have to. FACT: Patients have various treatment options for COVID-19. The FDA has approved the antiviral drug remdesivir for use in adults and some pediatric patients and has issued emergency use authorizations for several monoclonal antibody treatments. For those who are hospitalized with COVID-19, the NIH has a set of guidelines for when to administer various treatments. Vaccines CLAIM: Parks, the vaccine critic, said Black people may need lower doses of the COVID vaccine because of a sensitivity to mRNA vaccines. FACT: Im sad that such a claim would even be made, because that kind of misinformation is what leads to health disparities in our society, Sethi said. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID vaccines are mRNA vaccines. CLAIM: Many panelists said COVID vaccine development was rushed and they are not safe. FACT: I dont think the process was rushed, Sethi said. The only thing that was cut from the process was red tape, but the science that was carried out was the same science that would be carried out with the approval process for any new biologic vaccine or treatment. Preaching to choir? David Rapp, a professor of psychology and education at Northwestern University, said Johnsons COVID-19 panel provides a good case where someone is trying to offer inaccurate information to a constituency that already would be prone to believe it. In addition, advocating inaccurate ideas makes it difficult to have productive debates about what is true or false within the information people receive. The way that (the issue is) framed might suggest that the medical community writ large is ... less interested in care, Rapp said. Framing viewpoints in this way is a really clever and strategic method of getting people to think about who they should rely upon. Michael Wagner, a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW-Madison, noted that midterm elections are coming up in November. Johnson recently announced he will run for a third Senate term, and Wagner said he may be trying to make inroads among the most ideologically extreme of his supporters. It seems to be more of a way to generate support from the very far right, Wagner said. It might be a way to try to generate some kind of grassroots social media support for his untested and unproven theories about the pandemic. Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday in Milwaukee that removing and replacing lead pipes is a moral imperative and must be one of the nations highest priorities, pointing to the environmental and health risks lead exposure presents to everyone from children to the elderly. We are long overdue to get this done and we will get this done and generations of Americans will forever benefit because of the work that is being done right here in Milwaukee, Harris said in comments delivered at the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/BIG STEP program on Milwaukees west side. Eliminating lead exposures in our nation must be among our nations highest priorities, she said. Harris promoted the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law during her Milwaukee stop, where she was joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee. Gov. Tony Evers greeted Harris upon arrival at the airport. Harris also met with community and health leaders, as well as union members who are working to replace lead pipes. One of those she met with, Milwaukee lead activist Deanna Branch, showed her a picture book drawn by her son featuring the lead monster. Her son suffers from lead poisoning and Branch said he was hospitalized twice because of it. It means a lot to me and my community that I am hearing and talking to you on their behalf, Branch told Harris. Harris told Branch, You put the call out and it was heard. In her comments introducing Harris, Branch said, Too many moms are going through the same thing that I went through. And too many little boys and girls are going through (what my son) went through. The Biden administration announced a plan last month to remove or replace all lead pipes over the next decade. However, Congress approved $15 billion for lead service line replacement in the infrastructure bill about a third less than what the White House and water experts say it would cost to replace them nationally. Of that, $48 million is being sent to Wisconsin as part of $3 billion coming to states this year, the EPA previously announced. In Milwaukee alone, Wisconsins largest city, the cost to replace lead pipes on all public and private property is estimated to be $800 million. This funding is a welcome relief after years of advocacy, Branch said. But we also know that is not enough. We need more to replace the 70,000 lead pipes that are still in Milwaukee and the many, many more across the country. The White House estimates between 6 million and 10 million U.S. households and 400,000 schools get water through lead service lines, which connect buildings to the water main and can leach particles of the neurotoxin into drinking water and potentially cause severe developmental and neurological issues especially when consumed by children. In recent years, the risks facing cities with lead service lines have come into focus, most notably after the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. The visit by Harris to Wisconsin is her latest across the country to promote the infrastructure law. In her only previous stop in Wisconsin in May, Harris touted clean energy labs on the UW-Milwaukee campus. Wisconsin is projected to close out the current biennium with more than $3.8 billion in the states general fund more than $2.8 billion higher than previously estimated, the states nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported Tuesday. The bulk of the states increased revenue stems from an estimated $2.5 billion increase in tax collections by the end of the states two-year budget cycle in the summer of 2023. Other factors include a roughly $33 million increase in department revenues and an almost $340 million decrease in net appropriations. The projected surplus was also spurred by a massive influx of federal dollars pumped into the state during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Republican leaders were quick to signal that their plan is to use the funds on future tax cuts, rather than on increased spending on state services as Democratic lawmakers have proposed. We will not be foolish with these tax dollars by spending them into the future, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said in a statement. Rather, we will focus on further tax relief in the next budget to continue our state on a positive trajectory and ensure the long-term health of the state budget and, more importantly, family budgets. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers also celebrated the states surplus projection in a statement Tuesday, but pushed back against plans to hold off on any spending until the next budget process, which begins in 2023. Evers is running for a second term this fall. At the end of the day, I know folks and families are facing rising costs at the checkout line and businesses are facing challenges getting resources and supplies, Evers said. Wisconsinites need help making ends meet and cant wait until the next biennial budget they need relief now. Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, noted that, while the projected surplus is a positive sign for the states economy, he added that inflation and workforce shortage challenges in the state should lead lawmakers to exercise a level of caution moving forward. The ongoing pandemic also creates uncertainty in the states future finances, the bureaus report notes. Waiting until we have a better picture of the challenges and opportunities of the next budget before returning the surplus to taxpayers is the prudent thing to do, Wanggaard said in a statement. The Republican co-chairs of the states budget committee Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, and Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said in a joint statement the projected surplus could be largely attributed to a decade of responsible budgeting and significant tax cuts by Republicans. Thanks to an unprecedented projected surplus last year, Republicans worked a $2 billion income tax cut into the states 2021-23 biennial budget, which was ultimately signed last summer by Evers. Traditionally, half of the states projected surplus gets deposited into the states budget stabilization fund, a rainy day fund to be tapped in times of emergency. However, the bureau reports that, because the rainy day funds balance of more than $1.7 billion exceeds 5% of the estimated general fund expenditures, none of the surplus will be deposited into the emergency account. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OSHKOSH The crack in the ice was only a few inches wide the last time Don Herman had checked. About a half-mile off shore, due east of the grand white mansion built in 1903 for the Oshkosh Yacht Club, the expansion, created by cooling and warming temperatures, was now more than a foot wide, over an estimated 10 feet of water. This is prime time for ice anglers to chase Lake Winnebagos walleye and perch with 2- to 3-foot-long jigging rods. Come next month, however, the traffic on the states largest inland lake will increase significantly. The sturgeon spearing season begins Feb. 12 and will draw thousands of people who will sit in windowless shacks waiting for the appearance of one of the prehistoric fish that can top 5 feet long and weigh well over 100 pounds. Six days later, Battle on Bago, one of the countrys largest ice fishing tournaments, will draw thousands more. Thats why Herman, a lifelong member of the Otter Street Fishing Club, was at work Wednesday using his Polaris UTV with a heated cab to pull a homemade, portable bridge out onto the ice. A pair of discarded Christmas trees, their trunks plunged into the crack, which likely ran for miles in a north-south direction, served as calling cards to guide travelers to the bridge that would provide a safer passage. We might move this bridge tomorrow or the the next day, Herman said of the rapidly changing and unpredictable ice conditions. Sometimes we move them twice a day just to keep people safe. Venturing onto the ice is always a risky proposition, but with the proper precautions, a little common sense and, through the work of volunteers like Herman and those involved with other fishing clubs that ring the lake, most trips onto Lake Winnebago and other bodies of water can be done without getting wet, or worse. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, no ice is ever 100% safe. There are just too many variables. They can include wild temperature swings, underwater springs and currents, wind that can break up massive sheets of ice, pressure ridges and heaves, and insulating snow cover that can reduce the rate at which ice forms. Earlier this month on Green Bay, more than two dozen anglers had to be rescued from a sheet of what appeared to be stable ice that had detached from the mainland. Passing barge traffic, which created waves, is being blamed for the incident. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Back on Lake Winnebago, snowmobiles and ATVs are running the surface, but the ice isnt thick enough for cars and trucks, which need a minimum of 12 to 16 inches of ice. But thats a uniform thickness, according to Herman. While checking ice thickness Wednesday morning, he found 13 inches of ice in one spot after drilling a hole with his propane-fueled auger. About 20 feet away, another hole revealed there was just 8 inches of ice, according to his well-worn, wooden measuring stick that has an L-shaped lip at the one end to grab the bottom of the ice. Snowdrifts and heaves of ice littered the frozen surface. The ice is rough, said Jason Mathe, 28, of Oshkosh, who was on an ATV to fish in 15 feet of water about 1 miles out. This (crack) opened up from about 2 inches last night to about a foot today. The DNR recommends that those going onto the ice dress in warm, water-resistant layers and pack an extra hat and gloves; contact local bait shops, fishing clubs or resorts to ask about local ice conditions; stay safely on shore if ice conditions are questionable and if open water is nearby; and carry basic safety gear like ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof bag and rope. Wearing a life jacket or a float coat is advised, as is making sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return. Extreme caution should be used when traveling in unfamiliar areas, at night or at times with reduced visibility. But the human condition isnt always prone to listening to reason, which is why for the past 42 years Herman has a profitable side gig. His business Sunk? Dive and Ice Service retrieves cars, trucks, snowmobiles and ice shacks that have plunged through the ice and into the depths of a lake or river. In warmer months he has pulled out sunken boats, cars that have slid down boat ramps, and crashed planes and helicopters. Hes waiting to remove a tractor from 30 feet of water in Lake Lucerne near Wautoma and will use a tow truck that weighs about 4,000 pounds, significantly less than most. Herman typically does about 20 jobs each winter within in a two-hour radius of Oshkosh, although one year he pulled more than 70 vehicles out of the drinks of Wisconsin. In another year, he pulled a car out of 125 feet of water in Green Lake. He charges $1,000 an hour, and a job can take three to four hours or more, depending on the circumstances. Insurance may or may not cover the expense. It all depends on the policy. I dont believe Im an ice expert. I just go out on the lake all of the time, said Herman, 64. But I know the ice pretty well. We have to because of what were into, pulling cars and everything out. Hermans father was a member of the Otter Street Fishing Club, which was formed in 1961, and used a 1952 Dodge to plow roads on the lake. Herman tagged along with his father as a 10-year-old when his father was plowing roads on the lake and fixed one of the clubs wreckers when he was 16. He began plowing himself a year before graduating from Oshkosh North High School. He spent several years at Leach Co., building garbage trucks, and in 1978 started building plows for the club. In 2000, his entrepreneurial drive kicked into high gear when he purchased his own vehicle repair shop on the east side of Lake Butte des Morts. Herman at one time also had his own towing and crane business and still owns two bars the Fountain, located a short drive from his shop, and Blazers, 63 miles to the northwest in the unincorporated Shawano County hamlet of Split Rock. But hes best known for pulling out waterlogged vehicles, his video posts on Facebook in which he gives updates on ice conditions, and his TV news appearances, all of which have garnered him the nickname Hollywood Herman. Its fun. Its volunteer work and we have a great group of guys. Some of them have been with me for 30 years, Herman said, as we headed toward the Merritt Avenue boat landing in his Toyota Tundra. We build the trucks, we build the plows, we build the plow frames, we build the bridges. Its all volunteer work. The clubhouse for the fishing club, which has 750 life members, is located next door to Jerrys Bar, a longtime haunt for sturgeon spearers, who could have a quick season this year thanks to clear water and good visibility. A garage behind the bar holds two of the clubs three plow trucks, which are stripped down to reduce their weight and cost. Massive V-plows, 8 feet long and 6 feet wide, are attached to the front of each vehicle. Scott Engel, whose great-grandfather opened the bar 111 years ago, estimates the club has more than $100,000 invested into the trucks and plows. Theres a lot of maintenance that goes into these trucks every year for the pounding they take, said Engel, who has owned the bar for 34 years and is a longtime member of the club. This is something that were all brought up with out here, and its part of the culture. Barry Adams covers regional news for the Wisconsin State Journal. Send him ideas for On Wisconsin at 608-252-6148 or by email at badams@madison.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. It is no secret our country has a troubled history with deciding who has the right to vote and whose votes count. While the Voting Rights Act, the law that prohibits the practice of racial discrimination in voting, was passed more than a half-century ago in 1965, we are still seeing deliberate and desperate attempts to restrict the freedom to vote in our country today. In 2021, 19 states passed a total of 34 laws restricting the freedom to vote, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. In Georgia, three months after Joe Biden was sworn in as president and the historic runoff elections of Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff led to Democratic control of the U.S. Senate, state lawmakers passed a sweeping overhaul of the states election law aimed at disenfranchising Black voters. In Florida, even as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis called the states election process a model for the rest of the nation, Republican state lawmakers enacted new laws that place restrictions on voting by mail and at drop boxes. Now, DeSantis is agitating for a new special police force tasked with harassing voters based on tips from government officials, including himself. While these are just two examples of the many discriminatory voting laws enacted last year, they highlight why Congress must act quickly to head off this partisan attempt to deny people in the United States the freedom to vote. But on Jan. 19, the U.S. Senate failed to protect our rights by refusing to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. In 2006, 17 Republicans voted to reauthorize the 1965 Voting Rights Act. That they have since shifted their position shows us how much, in recent years, right-wing extremists have been able to politicize an issue as basic as our freedom to choose our political leaders. As the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union representing more than 700,000 federal and Washington government workers, I urge Congress to take swift action to protect our basic freedoms. State leaders should not have the authority to deny certain people the right to vote because they are unhappy with the outcome of an election. Every vote should count, and voters have a right to choose our political leaders, not the other way around. As I reminded lawmakers, public servants defend and advance this right every day. While it took more than a century for women and people of color to be granted voting rights and those opposed went to great lengths to keep it from happening our country persevered. We kept about the work of making a more perfect union, of expanding freedom, liberty and justice. Today, we must continue in that tradition. We must ensure that all voters have an equal and fair opportunity to vote, regardless of where they live, the color of their skin or who they support at the ballot box. The right to vote is a bedrock principle of democracy. If this Congress will not secure that right, then it is up to us to send Washington a new Congress that will. Kelley is the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees: afge.org. He wrote this for The Progressive magazine in Madison. A Jan. 14 letter to the editor "What about assault on state Capitol?" compared the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington to the peaceful protests that occurred in Madison in 2011. What about assault on state Capitol? -- Pete Papageorge Will Democrats and the media ever discuss the "insurrection" back in 2011 by liberals stormi I protested to protect collective bargaining, compensation, health care and sick leave for public sector employees, including teachers. The primary reason for Act 10 was to help then-Gov. Scott Walker cover a large budget deficit by cutting these benefits. Our state Capitol was occupied, but no one was killed. No feces was smeared on the walls, and there was no massive damage, no pipe bombs and no weapons charges. The insurrection in Washington was based on lies the former president has perpetuated that the election was stolen. Every lawsuit filed has reenforced the election was not stolen, and that Joe Biden is our duly elected president. The former president refused to participate in the peaceful transfer of power. There have been numerous arrests, several deaths and many people were wounded. The U.S. Capitol was breached, and our elected officials feared for their lives. The mob believed that former president Trump had requested them to come and "fight like hell" to keep him in power illegally. Democratic elections have winners and losers. Authoritarian regimes do not. Lila Hemlin, Madison FILER Representative Clark Kauffman announced he will not be running for reelection this November. The Republican from Filer has represented District 25 in the Idaho State Legislature since 2012. The announcement was first made in his legislative newsletter released Jan. 19, where he said he and Debbie, his wife of 47 years, are looking forward to more time with family, grandkids and travel. Lifes priorities change with age, and so have mine, Kauffman said in the newsletter. New eyes and views on our ongoing challenges are a good thing. The issues of budgets, water, rules, and farmland preservation will be discussion items for years to come. Kauffman said he would run to the finish line and serve the remainder of his term representing District 25 constituents, which is currently made up of parts of rural Twin Falls and Jerome counties. A redistricting process completed in 2021 has re-drawn the portion of Twin Falls county to combine with Gooding and Camas counties as District 24, but the map is being challenged in court. Kauffman said the redistricting had not been a factor in his decision to retire. In his newsletter, he said he was announcing his decision now to give interested parties time to consider running for his seat in the May 17 primary. The candidate filing period for the primary opens on Feb. 28 and closes on March 11. Kauffman is a lifelong resident of the Magic Valley. He graduated from Filer High School in 1968 and joined the Air Force where he served from 1968 to 1972. He is a Vietnam veteran. After his service, Kauffman returned to Filer where he has farmed for more than 40 years. Prior to serving as representative in the Idaho Legislature, Kauffman held several local and state positions, such as Commissioner of the Filer Highway District, and chairman of the Filer School District Long Range Planning Committee that helped build the new high school. Kauffman is also a past president of Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA), past president of the Idaho Hay & Forage Association, and past president of the Idaho Association of Highway Districts. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Idaho State Tax Commission and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden are warning the public about a scam targeting taxpayers that is meant to intimidate and steal money from residents, according to a press release. Taxpayers have reported receiving threatening letters from the Tax Processing Center or Tax Processing Unit claiming the state will seize the recipients property and garnish their wages for unpaid taxes. The letters are designed to resembled official government notices and include fake filing numbers, according to the release. A representative of the Idaho Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division contacted the scam agency and spoke to a man who said he was with Lien Recovery and that a lien had been filed for unpaid taxes, the release said. The man asked if the letter was sent to a person or a business and whether it was state or federal. The representative told the man the letter came to her personally in Idaho. When asked for his companys name, the man hung up. Actual government agencies dont hide who they are or hang up on you when questioned, Wasden said in the release. If youre not sure whether a government notice you received is legitimate, dont hesitate to contact my Consumer Protection Division for assistance. To avoid scams like this, Idahoans should follow these tips: Examine notices for factual errors, misspellings and incorrect information. Scammers often pose as government agencies. Research notices online. Someone else may have already identified this scam and posted information online from other parts of the country, or other states and media outlets may have published alerts. Search any identified contact information like phone numbers, addresses and names. Contact the government agency directly. Dont call telephone numbers provided in suspicious notices. T o verify a notice, find the contact information for the actual agency and call with your questions. Never pay debts with gift cards, reloadable debit cards or wire services. Government agencies will never ask you to pay a debt through those methods. If youre asked to pay a bill or debt in this fashion, youre dealing with a scammer. The Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division can be reached at 1-800-432-3545, 208-334-2424 or through the Attorney Generals online contact form. To contact the Idaho State Tax Commission, call 208-332-4060 or submit a fraud referral online through the Commissions TAP webpage. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A high-level government and tourism delegation from Mauritius has visited the UAE seeking to position the country as the destination and partner of choice for the UAEs travel agents, tourism industry partners and leisure-seeking residents. Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, along with Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) led the mission to the UAE and met with Dubai and UAE government officials, private companies and airline representatives to strengthen established partnerships and seek new opportunities that position Mauritius as a safe, exciting and rejuvenating destination for all residents of the Gulf region. The delegation also included Showkutally Soodhun, Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to the UAE, as well as Arvind Bundhun, Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), and 25 tour operators and hospitality representatives from Mauritius eager to reconnect with the UAEs leading travel agents. A number of key events were held as a platform to bring the tourism industries together to create innovative and enticing holiday packages to Mauritius. A travel agent workshop was held on January 11, 2021 at the One and Only Royal Mirage Dubai, that saw 110 leading travel agents and outbound travel professionals from Dubai and the Northern Emirates hold one to one meetings with sales representatives from Mauritius preeminent hotels, resorts, and tour operators. On January 12, 2021, a similar workshop was held at the same venue for 80 travel specialists from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, that were especially invited by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority. The promotional week concluded with a gala event for over 100 media representatives and social media influencers so that they could learn more about the attractions of Mauritius as an idyllic paradise ready to be enjoyed and explored. While the deputy prime minister and accompanying dignitaries explored strategic partnerships and investment opportunities with global aviation and tourism players, the tourism delegation was meeting and educating more than 180 agents and tour operators from the UAE and Saudi Arabia for the creation of new holiday packages to Mauritius that are specifically tailored to UAE and Saudi travellers needs. Commenting on the visit Bundhun said: We are extremely pleased to visit the UAE and reconnect with our industry partners. The number of Mauritius partners and level of seniority present on this mission is indicative of the commitment and level of importance this market holds for us. The UAE and Gulf region have become key strategic markets for Mauritius, as we diversify our visitor mix.-- TradeArabia News Service MORGANTON After three generations and 80 years, a Morganton family decided it was time to hand off their keys to someone else. John Greene Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM on Jamestown Road sold the dealership to Team Automotive, based in Salisbury, on Dec. 13. Johnny Greene said the decision to sell the dealership involved several factors. One reason was none of the younger generations in the family wanted to take it over. The other reason is his age. Working long hours, it became a little bit overwhelming and burdensome, and he wants to enjoy retirement. Greene, 63, worked in the business for 40 years. He discussed the decision of whether to sell the dealership with his mother and father, Jane and John Greene, who co-owned it. His father retired from the business in 2010. They all knew the dealership would have to be sold at some point, he said. So this was just an extremely good opportunity at this time, Greene said. Greene said several parties were interested in buying the dealership but Team Automotive was very interested in acquiring a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram franchise. He said the Morganton dealership is the first Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram franchise for Team Automotive, which also owns five GM dealerships. I could have refused it but the future was it was gonna have to be sold at some point, Greene said. And when you turn 63, Ive had a lot of good friends that havent had as many birthdays as I have, you know, that are no longer with us. That reality was evident. So it was just better for it to take place while I was healthy. And then maybe I can enjoy some years with my family. Ive got three grandchildren now. In 1941, Tux Bowers, Greenes grandfather, started Tux Bowers Motor Company at 200 W. Union St. in Morganton. Tux Bowers son-in-law and Greenes father, John Greene, joined the dealership in 1963 and its name was changed to Bowers-Greene Motor Company in 1978. And then it was changed to John Greene Chrysler Dodge Jeep, and then it added RAM when they separated the Dodge truck to be RAM made by itself, Greene said. While Greene grew up around the business, he officially started full time in 1982. The community has always been very supportive and we have enjoyed the decades of having a business in Burke County, Greene said. Like with many business that are lucky enough enjoy success for many years, there also were challenges during the 80 years. And COVID was just the latest one. Greene said while there were issues with supply chains and employees and their families getting sick with the virus, the dealership was able to maintain excellent business. Other challenges throughout the years included spiked interest rates, an oil embargo and no gas, high gas prices and major recessions. While there were challenges and long hours, Greene said the sale is bittersweet. He already misses the customers and especially the employees. Ive really enjoyed working with customers and making vehicle sales but so much of it had changed and become so specialized with the marketing and the financing and all, it just was a little overwhelming for single-point dealership to continue on, Greene said. But hes also looking forward to what retirement may bring. A recent afternoon found Greene doing yard work at his home. I dont know exactly what Ill do, but right now, Im enjoying all the time away from the 50-hour weeks that I did for many, many years. Two men with ties to McDowell County have been recognized by the U.S. Navy for service to their country. Chief Machinists Mate Adam Tomas from Marion serves aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). In November, Tomas received his combination cover by Chief Boatswains Mate Cordaryl Sims, from Atlanta, during a chief pinning ceremony aboard the Charleston. Initiation is a six-week training period in which currently serving chief petty officers prepare new chief petty officers to assume their duties and become members of the Chiefs Mess, the Navy said. This process for newly promoted E7 personnel is unique to the Navy among the armed forces. At the end of the process, the newly initiated chief petty officers have their collar devices and covers put on by mentors or family members during the pinning ceremony. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the worlds international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy. Jordan M. MooreJordan M. Moore, 23, earned the Sailor of the Year Award from ship where he is serving. He is a rescue swimmer, small boat coxswain and boatswains mate second class (surface warfare) aboard the USS Higgins. Moore is the grandson of Troy Skip Williams of Marion and the son of Chris Moore of Arden and Sabrina Buchanan, a native of Marion. Moore graduated from T.C. Roberson High School in 2016. He later graduated from boot camp, where he was the top sharpshooter in his first assigned unit. In the fall of 2017, he was assigned to the USS Curtis Wilbur in Japan. From October 2017 to October 2020, he supervised the receipt of more than 300,000 gallons of F-76 military diesel fuels during at sea replenishments with no mishaps. He was successful in completing helicopter maritime strike wing Atlantic Surface Rescue Swimmer School in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2018. He completed 27 small boat pax transfers and 19 men overboard drills and seven forecastle deployments, according to information from the family. For this and other achievements, Moore was honored on Dec. 12. He was selected as the USS Higgins Sailor of the Year for his meritorious service while serving as deck division leading petty officer from October 2020 to September 2021. He demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by leading, training and managing 25 sailors, resolving over 1,000 material discrepancies improving deck division material readiness to execute (Board of Inspection and Survey) and homeport shift, reads the commendation. He inspected and inventoried 150 pieces of search and research gear, 120 pieces of underway replenishment gear, and 70 pieces of towing equipment, improving Higgins overall mission and readiness. Petty Officer Moores exceptional professionalism, unrelenting perseverance and loyal devotion to duty reflected credit upon him. It was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. The Saudi and Romanian governments signed an agreement for cooperation in the defense field, the kingdoms state-run news agency SPA announced Monday. Per the agreement, both countries will cooperate in training, exchanging expertise, technologies, developing communications systems, medical services, military history, archives, publications and museums, among others. The agreement comes within the commitment of the two governments to promote and encourage international peace and stability, a statement said. Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Hussein Al-Bayari signed the deal with Romanian State Secretary and Chief of the Department for Defense Policy, Planning and International Relations Simona Cojocaru. Two Senegalese soldiers of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (Ecomig) and a suspected Casamance rebel were killed Monday in a clash in western Gambia, Senegalese officials said. The confrontation occurred when men from the Senegalese Ecomig contingent on patrol came under fire from rebels, the Senegalese headquarters and Ecomig spokesman said. The perpetrators of the attack were elements believed to belong to the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance who were aboard a truck carrying wood, the Senegalese headquarters said. Casamance has been the scene of one of the oldest conflicts in Africa since independence fighters went underground after a march was suppressed in December 1982. After claiming thousands of lives and devastating the economy, the conflict has persisted at low intensity. Senegal is working to normalize the situation and is resettling displaced persons. The region also has significant timber trafficking activity. One non-commissioned officer and one non-commissioned soldier were fatally wounded, the Senegalese military said. One rebel was killed and two others taken prisoner, it added. The Ecomig was instituted by the West African states organization ECOWAS in the face of the political crisis arising from the refusal of former president Yahya Jammeh to leave power after his defeat in the December 2016 presidential election. Yahya Jammeh was finally forced into exile in January 2017 by international pressure and the entry of Senegalese troops on Gambian soil. Sudanese General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemetti, was in Ethiopia last week-end. The deputy chairman of the Sovereign Base Council met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. It has been more than a year since a Sudanese leader visited Ethiopia, and for good reason, the two neighbors are at odds over various issues, including a territorial dispute on their border and the Ethiopian dam on the Nile. It was an unexpected visit to Ethiopia by the number two man in the Sudanese government. Officially, the man known as Hemetti went to Addis Ababa to discuss bilateral issues, but one could more easily speak of border issues. First, because Sudan and Ethiopia are at odds over the issue of the GERD, the Great Renaissance Dam on the Nile built by Ethiopia. Aligned with the Egyptian position, Khartoum is asking its Ethiopian neighbor to share information on the construction of the dam to avoid flooding in the country. A diplomatic source assures that Sudan has little confidence in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on this issue. Another border dispute is the Fashaga triangle in the Ethiopian province of Tigray. The two countries are fighting over a fertile territory that the Sudanese army finally took back by force at the end of 2020, as Ethiopia sank into civil war. Since then, tensions have not subsided, and low-intensity clashes have been taking place. Hemetti also took advantage of his visit to meet with Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to discuss the latest political developments in Sudan, described as disturbing by the continental organization. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new device invented on an attic sewing machine is set to revolutionize the lives of thousands living with stoma bags as well as saving the NHS considerable time and expense following an injection of specialist support from the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre at Heriot-Watt University. In the UK alone, one in every 400 people undergoing a surgical procedure have a stoma bag to create an opening in the body to discharge waste. The technique is used to treat and manage a range of medical conditions including several cancers, Crohn's disease and bowel incontinence. While individuals are encouraged to lead a normal life, leaks from bags are common leading to embarrassment and a loss of confidence and dignity. Stoma bag leaks cost the NHS significant time and money. For in-patients, changing a soiled bed is a 38-step process that can happen multiple times in a day while an operation must be halted to sterilize the area and equipment. Elderly patients cannot be discharged if their bag leaks; this can make unavailable much-needed hospital beds. Skin management is also an ongoing issue. Now, a woman from South Lanarkshire is set to transform lives with an invention that contains stoma bag leaks, drawing it away from the skin and allowing people time to change their bag without embarrassment. Working with Heriot-Watt University to have the device listed on prescription, thousands look set to benefit. Anne Inch and her husband Iain both wear stoma bags. She explains: "Iain was in hospital and in a single day, his bag leaked nine times. Changing hospital sheets has a huge impact on nursing time and Iain was understandably distressed. I went home and designed ConfiPlus using a disposable bedsheet. "Because ConfiPlus is so absorbent, the user has time to go and change even if their bag does leak as the waste is absorbed. When I brought my design into the hospital the next day, the nurses couldn't believe how effective it was." Lisa Crombie helped Anne set up Confidence Plus Ltd, the company behind ConfiPlus. Lisa added "There hasn't been a shake-up of the products on the market in years and there is little investment going back into design and development. Current accessories try to stop leaks happening in the first place with sticky dressings. However, this means people don't know they've leaked until it's too late, and skin irritation occurs quickly. We want to bring the device to everyone who needs it by making it available on prescription and in care homes but, for a small company like ours, it is a difficult process to navigate the pathways to have the device adopted by the NHS. That is why we have enlisted specialist support from Heriot-Watt University." Professor Marc Desmulliez, Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), Heriot-Watt University said: "We recognize the incredibly life changing potential of this device for both patients and healthcare practitioners, so we are supporting ConfiPlus by helping them to introduce the product into clinical settings as quickly as possible. Navigating the process of clinical evaluation is difficult and tortuous for new companies. The NHS regulatory landscape is necessarily complex to protect patients, but it also slows down the introduction of products that could save significant money for the NHS, reduce nurse intervention and free hospital beds. "The MDMC was set up to help people like Anne and Lisa to navigate the challenging path of medical device regulation and prepare product cases to help new items to become available on prescription. Our support is free to SMEs as a way of supporting innovation in Scotland and beyond. While ConfiPlus is currently available over the counter, we strongly believe that everyone should be able to wear their stoma bag with dignity and it shouldn't be down to financial ability to pay for a product of this type. "Usually when you make a medical device for a hospital, you can benchmark it with similar products, but this product is unique. Putting together a clinical evaluation is very difficult for an SME so this is where the MDMC can step in, find the right experts to advise the company, find the right hospital for trials and maximize the chance of adoption quickly. ConfiPlus is the first company to use in Scotland the new tool developed by NICE in order to prepare an effective healthcare technology assessment document." ConfiPlus is available now to buy confiplus.com. Explore further Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing presents updated statement on preoperative stoma site marking Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Preliminary findings from Penn Medicine in an ongoing first-in-human clinical trial examining the safety, tolerability and feasibility of chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) has helped to establish the viability of this innovative immunotherapy, which advances the trailblazing scientific discovery of CAR T cell therapyalso pioneered at Pennfor solid cancer tumors and offers a promising new strategy in the fight against cancer. Preliminary data from the Phase 1 multi-center clinical trial, which uses a novel, gene-based cancer therapy with CAR-engineered macrophages to target recurrent or metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors, was presented during the recent Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) annual meeting. "Existing immuno-oncology treatments have offered improved outcomes for some cancer patients, yet CAR-T cells, which are engineered to recognize tumor-specific antigens and are successful in some blood cancers, have not been effective in solid tumors to date," said Saar Gill, MD, Ph.D., scientific co-director of the Cell Therapy and Transplant Program at the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and an associate professor of Hematology-Oncology in the Perelman School of Medicine. "Seeing macrophages show high CAR expression, viability, and purity, successfully manufactured from cancer patients and are well tolerated, has us excited to be conducting this trial to help us understand the impact CAR-M cells have on targeting solid tumors." CAR-M is an individualized therapy that begins with isolation of primary monocytes from blood drawn from a patient, which are then modified with the desired antigen-specific chimeric receptorfor example, anti-HER2. The resulting CAR-M modified cells are cryopreserved and will be infused back into the patient. CAR-M may be able to reach immunologically 'cold' tumors, or those that are typically undetectable or unresponsive to the immune system, to help activate them to be more receptive to treatment. "We are motivated by the potential of CAR-M cell therapy for HER2-positive solid tumors," said Kim A. Reiss, MD, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology at Penn and principal investigator of the trial. "Tumor cells alone are unable to stimulate the process of T-cell activation, but with macrophages, they engage the tumors differently by penetrating them to induce a reaction, making CAR macrophage therapy quite different than CAR T cells, and something we are enthusiastic about studying further." CAR T cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy that uses specially altered T cellsa part of the immune system that fights diseases, including cancerwas pioneered by a team led by Carl H. June, MD, the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Penn and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies. CAR T cell technology involves the collection of a patient's T cells and genetically reprogramming them in the lab to recognize markers on specific cell types in the body. These specially targeted T cells can then be multiplied using cell culture techniques and re-infused into the patient to attack a specific cell type. The first CAR T cell therapy was developed by researchers from Penn and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for use against certain leukemiasand later approved for lymphomathat arise from immune cells called B cells. The CAR-M platform was pioneered in Gill's laboratory to capitalize on the ability of macrophages and monocytes to enter and survive within tumorsa major differentiator of this type of cell compared with T cells. In addition, Gill and colleagues engineered macrophages to express a chimeric antigen receptor akin to that present on CAR T cells, thus giving the macrophages the ability to specifically recognize tumor cells. Another difference between macrophages and T cells is their effector function: While T cells typically kill tumor cells by poking them full of holes, macrophages (a term for "big eaters") tend to kill by engulfing and devouring tumor cells. Macrophages can also break down and digest the engulfed cells and use their byproducts to stimulate a broader immune response. The preliminary data presented at SITC demonstrated that the CAR-M known as CT-0508 has the ability to alter the solid tumor microenvironment and change the composition of myeloid cells and T-cells. These findings also represent the first clinical data with genetically engineered macrophages in humans. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted Fast Track designation to CT-0508 for clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of the therapy in patients with solid tumors. Led by Dr. Gill, scientists at Penn engineered the human macrophages to express CAR constructs. The engineered CAR-M cells have the ability to target proteins on cancer cells and penetrate solid tumors, ingest malignant tissue, and stimulate adaptive immunity in mouse models. Dr. Gill, Dr. Michael Klichinsky, and Penn co-founded Carisma Therapeutics to further study and develop this technology through clinical research efforts. Explore further CAR macrophages go beyond T cells to fight solid tumors Credit: CC0 Public Domain France posted 501,635 new cases of coronavirus for the past 24 hours on Tuesday, a new daily record and the first time the headline number has surpassed half a million. The country is currently recording the highest daily infection rates of any major European nation, with an average of more than 360,000 over the past week. More than 30,000 people are in hospital with coronavirus across France in the highest such tally since November 2020, official figures showed. But only a little more than 3,700 were in intensive care, less than during previous periods of high infection. The highly contagious Omicron variant that is fuelling the latest wave is believed to be less dangerous than the previous dominant strain Delta. Some 364 people died of the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths from COVID in France to 129,489. The latest figures came after new COVID rules came into force in France on Monday. People are now required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter bars, restaurants, trains and planes. A negative coronavirus test will no longer be enough to access leisure activities, some work events and long-distance travel. More than 77 percent of France's population has received two shots of an anti-COVID vaccine. How France emerges from the current wave is seen as crucial in April presidential elections, in which President Emmanuel Macron is widely expected to run although he has yet to declare his candidacy. Despite the high caseload, Prime Minister Jean Castex last week announced a timetable for lifting COVID restrictions in France from February 2. Explore further France posts daily record 464,000 COVID cases 2022 AFP Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH Many experts now predict that COVID-19, which so far has killed more than 5.5 million people worldwide, will remain endemic as new, infectious variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. These new variants could pose a greater risk of reinfectioninfecting people who have already had COVID19than previous ones. The rapid identification of reinfection cases and surges could improve public health responses and reveal variants that escape the protection offered by vaccination. A study published this week in mBio, by collaborators from the Broad Institute, MIT, Harvard Medical School, and the company SpaceX, suggests a way to keep track of those cases. In the work, a multi-institutional group of researchers have identified immunological blood biomarkers that correspond to reinfection and re-exposure to the virus. "In the setting of waning natural and vaccine immunity, reinfections have emerged across the globe, even amongst previously infected and vaccinated individuals," noted the immunologists, virologists, biologists, and others who worked on the study. Previous studies have reported that rhesus macaques have a clinical response to SARS-CoV-2 infection similar to that of humans. For the new study, the researchers studied a group of rhesus macaques that had previously been infected with the virus. They exposed the primates to a different variant of the virusat varying dosesand collected blood samples before and after both the original infection and the rechallenge. Notably, analyses of the blood samples revealed distinct biomarkers of reinfection. Those included increased levels of immunoglobulin antibodies that bind to the Spike protein, nucleocapsid protein, or other parts of the virus particle. Animals exposed to higher doses of the virus showed higher SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin responses. The authors reported that those immunological features differentiated primary infection from re-exposure and reinfection in the macaques. The researchers then analyzed blood samples from a small group of humans who were participating in a community-based surveillance cohort at SpaceX and had been reinfected with the coronavirus. The study on humans confirmed the findings from the one on macaques. Simple, inexpensive, and widely accessible surveillance tools are needed to identify new hotspots of infection, the authors noted. The new work, they added, shows how simple titers might be used as readily available markers of reinfection. "Our ability to monitor and control both infection and reinfection hinges on the development of simple, immunologically sound screening strategies," they wrote. Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, and talabat, a top food and q-commerce delivery platform, are expanding their partnership with the Etihad Guest Miles on the Go programme to include carbon offsetting until December 2023. The original agreement was signed in September 2021 and allowed Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles when ordering food, groceries, and other essentials on the talabat platform in the UAE. Today, Etihad Guest members can also contribute to the Conscious Choices sustainability initiative recently launched by the airline. In partnership with CarbonClick, the project will offset each ride made by a talabat rider through the Miles on the Go programme, helping to contribute to the overall effort by the airline to offset its carbon footprint, making it the first in the world to reward its guests for adopting more sustainable practices. Kim Hardaker, Director Loyalty and Partnerships, Etihad Airways, said: We are very proud of our Conscious Choices initiative and our venture with talabat through the Miles on the Go programme is an example of our constant strive to find new and innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint. This partnership enhances our commitment and that of our guests towards making a positive impact to a more sustainable future. Onur Elgun, Vice President of Strategy at talabat, added: As a company, we are stepping up our efforts to contribute to a more sustainable future focusing on offsetting and reducing our carbon footprint. Therefore, the timing of this couldnt be better, and its an opportunity to positively contribute to projects that create clean energy, a key driver in reducing global carbon emissions. Were very proud to continue expanding our partnership with Etihad Airways, especially in this area, and supporting them in their carbon offsetting goals. Through this, we will be able to utilize our combined platforms to help make a difference as part of our ongoing commitment for a better tomorrow. The offsets will be invested in the Sichuan Household Biogas Programme through Etihads partner CarbonClick. This project helps Chinese farmers recycle farm waste into clean energy, which can be used for cooking, heating, or lighting instead of coal and firewood. Members can use the Etihad Guest mobile app to register their eligible Visa cards and earn one mile for every AED3 ($0.81) spent on the talabat platform using the linked card. The app will also prompt members to choose if they wish to earn miles or redeem miles on the transaction. Customers using the talabat app who would like to start earning miles on Etihad Guest can sign up for free on etihadguest.com, while Etihad Guest members who would like to start earning and spending their miles through the talabat platform can download the Etihad Guest App and register their Visa cards on Miles on the Go. Over the last two years, despite the challenges of Covid-19, Etihad has introduced several significant CO2 reduction initiatives under its Greenliner sustainability programme. This includes adopting thousands of mangroves, using sustainable fuels, reducing contrails, flying optimised flight paths, operating more electric vehicles and working with partners who share its vision for cleaner skies. TradeArabia News Service A medical worker wearing protective gears disinfects at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. The 8,571 new cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency followed three straight days exceeding 7,000. With omicron spreading more than twice as fast as the delta strain that cause the last surge, experts say new cases may exceed 10,000 this week and possibly 20,000 after the Lunar New Year's holiday break that begins this weekend and continues to next Wednesday. To prevent a sudden explosion of infections from overwhelming hospitals and disrupting workplaces and essential services, South Korea will reduce quarantine periods, expand testing and treat more people at home. From Wednesday, the quarantine periods for people who test positive after being fully vaccinated will be reduced from the current 10 days to seven days. Fully vaccinated people who comes in close contact with virus carriers won't be placed under quarantine. Officials are also planning to treat a larger number of mild or moderate cases at home and expand the use of rapid antigen tests to detect more infections sooner. Park Hyang, a senior Health Ministry official, pleaded people to stay home during the upcoming holidays and get vaccinated if they haven't already. While those who aren't fully vaccinated account for less than 7% of South Koreans who are 12 years or older, these people have accounted for about 60% of serious cases and deaths in the past eight weeks, Park said during a briefing. Health workers wearing protective gears prepare for visitors at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man People queue in line for the coronavirus test while maintaining social distancing at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man People queue in line for the coronavirus test at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man A health worker wearing protective gear holds plastic gloves for visitors at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man "While infections are increasing, cases among people in their 60s or older, who are at higher risk of serious illness and death, have so far remained at a low level," Park said. "We believe this is because the rate of people in that age group who received booster shots has now rose to 84.9%." Omicron has become the dominant variant in many countries and more easily infects those who have been vaccinated or had COVID-19 previously. But vaccination and booster shots still provide strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death. More than 85% of South Korea's more than 51 million people have been fully vaccinated. The KDCA said 50.1% of the population have been administered booster shots as of Tuesday afternoon. 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Dr. Jessica Taubert Seeing faces in everyday objects is a common experience, but research from The University of Queensland has found people are more likely to see male faces when they see an image on the trunk of a tree or in burnt toast over breakfast. Dr. Jessica Taubert from UQ's School of Psychology said face pareidolia, the illusion of seeing a facial structure in an everyday object, tells us a lot about how our brains detect and recognize social cues. "The aim of our study was to understand whether examples of face pareidolia carry the kinds of social signals that faces normally transmit, such as expression and biological sex," Dr. Taubert said. "Our results showed a striking bias in gender perception, with many more illusory faces perceived as male than female. "As illusory faces do not have a biological sex, this bias is significant in revealing an asymmetry in our face evaluation system when given minimal information. "The results demonstrate visual features required for face detection are not generally sufficient for the perception of female faces." More than 3,800 participants were shown numerous examples of face pareidolia and inanimate objects with no facial structure and they were asked to indicate whether each example had a distinct emotional expression, age, and biological sex, or not. "We know when we see faces in objects, this illusion is processed by parts of the human brain that are dedicated to processing real faces, so in theory, face pareidolia 'fools the brain,'" Dr. Taubert said. "The participants could recognize the emotional expressions conveyed by these peculiar objects and attribute a specific age and gender to them. "Now we have evidence these illusory stimuli are being processed by the brain by areas involved in social perception and cognition, so we can use face pareidolia to identify those specific areas. "We can compare how our brains recognize emotion, age, and biological sex, to the performance of computers trained to recognize these cues. "Further we can use these interesting stimuli to test for abnormal patterns of behavior." The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The UQ research team wants to gather more examples of face pareidolia and is encouraging people to email any illusions they come across to j.taubert@uq.edu.au. More information: Susan G. Wardle et al, Illusory faces are more likely to be perceived as male than female, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Susan G. Wardle et al, Illusory faces are more likely to be perceived as male than female,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117413119 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Some private fertility clinics have begun to sell polygenic risk scores (PRSs) analyses on embryos to prospective parents. This practice raises many concerns, representatives from the European Society of Human Genetics told a media briefing in London today (Tuesday 25 January). In a paper published in the European Journal of Human Genetics, they say that there is no evidence that PRSs can predict the likelihood of as-yet unborn children being liable to a specific disease in the future. While it is quite normal for parents to consider any genetic risks they may pass to their children, this would usually be done by performing genetic testing for typical genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. In these cases, the disease has a single genetic cause and therefore the ability of the test to predict its development in any offspring is high. "PRSs are a completely different matter. Many conditions are caused by a combination of genetics and environment, and PRSs are only able to capture parts of any of the relevant genetic component, which is itself likely to be highly complex and difficult to analyze. In addition, while PRS mayidentify individuals at risk of a given disease in the general population (where the genetic variability is very wide) there is no evidence that theycan be useful for a couple in determining the choice of one embryo over another, as the genetic variability within an individual family is limited," says Dr. Francesca Forzano, chair of the ESHG Public and Professional Policy Committee. In addition, research on PRSs has been performed and is ongoing on liveborn, mostly adult, individuals, with the aim of deciphering the pathological mechanisms underlying complex multifactorial diseases. No information on the value of PRSs to predict disease development in postnatal life is available for embryos. In fact, such studies would be wellnigh impossible to perform in embryos, given that one might have to wait decades for the predicted disorder to appearor not. At present, performing a PRS test for embryo selection would be premature at best, say the authors Adequate, unbiased information on the risks and limitations of this practice should be provided to prospective parents and the public, and a societal debate must take place before any potential application of the technique in embryo selection. Such a debate should be focused particularly on what would be considered acceptable regarding the selection of individual traits. Without proper public engagement and oversight, the practice of implementing PRS tests for embryo selection could easily lead to discrimination and the stigmatization of certain conditions. "It is also vital to provide prospective parents with a clear understanding of the difference between counseling and marketing," says Professor Maurizio Genuardi, ESHG President. "And at a time when healthcare resources are under strain, it is important that the limited money available should be spent on tests that are known to be effective. Currently, research resources would be better spent on improving knowledge about how PRSs interact with the environment in which we live, rather on the premature application to our future children of an inadequately assessed test with potentially misleading results." Explore further Genetic risk scores can aid accurate diagnosis of epilepsy More information: Francesca Forzano et al, The use of polygenic risk scores in pre-implantation genetic testing: an unproven, unethical practice, European Journal of Human Genetics (2021). Francesca Forzano et al, The use of polygenic risk scores in pre-implantation genetic testing: an unproven, unethical practice,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-01000-x Provided by European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Credit: CC0 Public Domain The COVID-19 pandemic still poses enormous social challenges. People with cognitive impairments (problems with, for example, memory and concentration) and dementia are doubly affected by this pandemic. On the one hand, they have direct risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. And on the other hand, the restrictive measures have hit them extra hard. As a result of disrupted formal care, such as home care, the informal caregivers were extensively burdened. During the first lockdown in the Netherlands, people with cognitive complaints and their loved ones were affected by the discontinuation of support services. The second lockdown was more strict than the first: Many shops were closed, a curfew was imposed and home visits were limited to one person a day. Cognitive decline During the first lockdown, worries were reported for faster cognitive decline in patients with dementia. This is due to the cessation of formal care and the increase in psychosocial problems as a results of social isolation during lockdown. Whether there is actually a decline due to the lockdown is currently being investigated. This new study shows that patients and loved ones have adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown. For example, during the second lockdown, patients and loved ones reported fewer psychosocial problems, such as anxiety, compared to the first lockdown. In addition, patients experienced more social social support compared to the first lockdown. Finally, the researchers found an important protective factor against negative feelings during the lockdown. Patients and loved ones who experienced support from family and friends reported fewer negative feelings, such as loneliness and sadness. Effects of COVID-19 This is the second scientific publication of the POLAR project: Psychosocial effects of COVID-19 in Alzheimer's disease. ZonMw made a COVID-19 grant available in 2020 for the project, which is led by Wiesje van der Flier, who is assisted by researchers Ingrid van Maurik and Els Bakker, all of Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC. This means that research will be continued into the effects of the COVID-19 measures on patients with cognitive impairments and their loved ones. Alzheimer Center Amsterdam is joining forces with Alzheimer Nederland, Pharos and Hersenonderzoek.nl. They investigate the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 measures, look at cognitive decline as a result of the loss of care and structure and look at the effects on care use. An important part of POLAR is that the findings are put into practice through toolkits, webinars and video clips. Explore further COVID-19 lockdowns hurt women more than men More information: Els D. Bakker et al, Psychosocial Effects of COVID-19 Measures on (Pre-)Dementia Patients During Second Lockdown, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2022). Journal information: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Els D. Bakker et al, Psychosocial Effects of COVID-19 Measures on (Pre-)Dementia Patients During Second Lockdown,(2022). DOI: 10.3233/JAD-215342 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Family caregivers are often involved in the day-to-day activities of their older relatives, such as communicating with doctors, helping them navigate the health care system and making decisions that affect their care. When the pandemic hit, forcing health care systems to switch to telehealth visits, many of the caregivers that would have been involved in in-person care were left out of the process, according to a new observational study published in the Annals of Family Medicine. "Our telehealth policies and practices need to consider how to involve caregivers," said lead author Minakshi Raj, a professor of kinesiology and community health at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Raj conducted the study while a doctoral student at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. For their study, researchers recruited participants from the University of Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research between May 1 and June 30, 2020. In all, 90 participants completed the 10-minute survey. Caregivers reported that among other benefits, telehealth increased access to health care, limited risk exposure to COVID-19 and improved relationship and rapport between older relatives and care providers. Caregivers cited concerns over their older relatives' ability to access and manage technology independently and the relevance of telehealth for addressing their specific needs, as well as patient-clinician rapport. "There were some caregivers with relatives who had mobility challenges, so for them, telehealth was great because they didn't have to worry about finding their relative an Uber or somebody to transport them to the doctor's office," Raj said. "The two biggest challenges were whether it's appropriatesay with a wound infectionor whether their relative knows how to use the technology and is comfortable navigating the telehealth platform. "For example, in many cases, getting into the visit requires multiple clicks, knowing how to use a computer, turning on the microphone, turning on the speakers, being able to hear. Some of the caregivers described their older relative's hearing difficulties, and so it just became more frustrating because they couldn't hear what the doctor was saying through the computer." Having a clear understanding of the involvement caregivers can have could help maximize the benefits of telehealth while addressing privacy concerns, Raj said. Many were kicked out of the virtual visits but would have been allowed to take part in in-person visits, for example. "The way that we think about caregiver involvement in in-person care and telehealth is still different," Raj said. "And in terms of telehealth policy and practice, we need to start thinking about how we can better engage caregivers so that they can still stay involved, better support their relatives and also be better supported by the health care system." Explore further The importance of telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic More information: Minakshi Raj et al, Family Caregivers' Experiences With Telehealth During COVID-19: Insights From Michigan, The Annals of Family Medicine (2022). Journal information: Annals of Family Medicine Minakshi Raj et al, Family Caregivers' Experiences With Telehealth During COVID-19: Insights From Michigan,(2022). DOI: 10.1370/afm.2760 TUESDAY, Jan. 25, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- If you're wondering whether to intentionally expose yourself to the Omicron variant with the goal of developing immunity, the answer is absolutely not, experts say. "It sounds like playing with fire to me," said Dr. Nicole Van Groningen, a hospitalist who has treated hundreds of COVID-19 patients at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. First of all, you do risk becoming severely ill, even though Omicron appears to cause milder illness among many vaccinated people. "There is no guarantee you'll have a mild case," Van Groningen said in a Cedars-Sinai news release. "Some people still get really sick and need to come to the hospital. Others feel really miserable at home. Some patients say it's worse than the worst flu they ever had." Secondly, you could infect others, who could become extremely ill. "You might be young, otherwise healthy and do fine," said Dr. Catherine Le, an infectious disease expert and co-director of the Cedars-Sinai COVID-19 Recovery Program. "But let's say you don't know exactly when you got COVID-19 or when you became infectious, and you give it to someone in your family or the community who is at risk for a bad outcome. It's very hard to control," she noted. "If you're searching for immunity, why not just get vaccinated?" Le said. "And anyone who is eligible for a booster shot should get one. Vaccination is the most potent weapon we have against this pandemic." Finally, another risk of intentionally getting infected is the possibility of developing complications such as long COVID, which affects up to 30% of people who get the disease. "You don't have to have COVID-19 really bad to get all these potentially really severe and debilitating symptoms that can last for over a year," Le said. "A wide variety of people can get it, including adolescents. Young, healthy people make up a lot of our clinic." Some long COVID patients of working age are on disability for at least six months. "That's a huge impact on your life, and we have no idea if Omicron will be any different," Le said. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19. SOURCE: Cedars-Sinai, news release, Jan. 12, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. TUESDAY, Jan. 25, 2022 (American Heart Association News) -- Christina Saldivar felt well-rested and energetic when she headed to her elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, on a Monday morning in February 2020. At 26, she was enjoying her first year of teaching music at the same campus instead of bouncing around as an itinerant teacher. The morning opened with back-to-back classes to second and first graders. Using simple instruments like recorders and rhythm sticks, she taught the children tone and rhythm. Next up, she was taking kindergarteners to the gym to dance. First, she needed to use the restroom. While in a stall, she felt overcome by a headache so powerful that it felt like someone was hammering against the front of her skull. Then came waves of nausea and lightheadedness. She tried to vomit but couldn't. The next thing she knew, she woke up on the floor of the stall. The germaphobe in her wanted to jump up, but she lacked the energy. From her smartwatch, she called one of the physical education teachers. "Can you bring my class to the gym?" she had asked. "I think I'll be late getting there. I don't feel so well." "Should I send the nurse?" the PE teacher asked. "No, no. I'm OK," Saldivar answered. As she spoke, the hammering blows began spreading across her entire head. "Wait, yes, go ahead and send the nurse," she said into her watch before blacking out a second time. Her next memories are murky. A school administrator and nurse talking to each other about her. Being inside an ambulance. Waking up in the emergency room. Meanwhile, school staff had called Saldivar's partner, Brean Hicks-Bailey, and Saldivar's mother, Catherine Saldivar. Hicks-Bailey arrived at the school from their home in Hampton, Virginia, just as Saldivar was getting into the ambulance. He drove to the hospital and her mother met him there. "We had no idea what could be going on," Hicks-Bailey said. "It was so confusing." A doctor later explained that Saldivar had a ruptured brain aneurysm. Essentially, a blood vessel in her brain burst. This sent blood into the surrounding area, causing what's called a hemorrhagic stroke. Just as they were processing that devastating news, the doctor said Saldivar needed to undergo a procedure to stop the blood from flowing into the damaged area. Saldivar was treated with a technique called coiling. Coiling closes off the blood flow into the aneurysm by packing it tightly with detachable platinum coils. It is performed through a catheter from the groin extending to the brain. Recovery usually takes a couple days. But Saldivar was in the hospital for two weeks because her headaches continued. Doctors readjusted the coiling, then monitored her for several more days. Saldivar went home with virtually no physical or cognitive deficits. She also went home confused: Why had this happened to her? In the hospital, her ongoing headaches kept her from using her phone or computer. Once she got home, she felt strong enough to research it all. And soon, she had plenty of time to do it. She was released in early March 2020, days before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. After reading about strokes and aneurysms, Saldivar realized how lucky she was that things played out as they did. "I'd heard about F.A.S.T. but didn't really pay attention," she said, referring to the acronym to help people remember the signs of a stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness or Speech difficulty mean it's Time to call 911. "And I definitely didn't know someone my age could have a stroke." The question of why it happened remains a bit of a mystery. Her neurologist found no explanation. Alas, doctors are now monitoring another smaller aneurysm. She may need the same procedure done to prevent this bubble from bursting. As a young strong survivor, Saldivar struggled to find others who could understand what she's been through and the aftermath. Online supports groups have helped. So has her cat, Butter. "As soon as I came home from the hospital, he started snuggling and has literally stayed by my side," she said. "He helps with my stress level, which I'm trying to monitor." Last year, Saldivar became pregnant. She was considered high risk because of her stroke. While she delivered prematurely at 36 weeks, that was due to an unrelated cause. More importantly, she had a healthy son named Brean Jr. American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. By Diane Daniel You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on the TownNews Content Exchange. TUESDAY, Jan. 25, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Children in sub-Saharan Africa have a far higher risk of death from COVID-19 than those in the United States and Europe, a new study shows. Although our study looked at data from earlier in the pandemic, the situation hasnt changed much for the children of Africa. If anything, it is expected to be worsening with the global emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant, said lead study author Dr. Jean Nachega, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Vaccines are not yet widely available, and pediatric intensive care is not easily accessible," Nachega explained in a school news release. Researchers examined outcomes among 469 children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda who were admitted to 25 hospitals with COVID-19 between March and December 2020. They ranged in age from 3 months to 19 years. Eighteen had confirmed or suspected multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MISC), a serious complication of COVID-19. About one-third of the children were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) or required supplemental oxygen. Just over 21% of those admitted to the ICU required mechanical ventilation. More than 8% of the children died, compared with rates of between 1% and 5% in high-income countries. The researchers also found that infants younger than 1 were nearly five times more likely to die than teens ages 15-19. Patients of all ages with underlying health conditions -- including high blood pressure, chronic lung diseases, hematological disorders and cancer -- also had a higher risk of dying. The study was published Jan. 19 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. Our findings call for an urgent scale-up of COVID-19 vaccination and therapeutic interventions among at-risk eligible children and adolescents in Africa, said Nachega, also a professor at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa. They also raise further the acute need for capacity-building and support for pediatric intensive care in these settings, Nachega added. More information Unicef has more on COVID-19. SOURCE: University of Pittsburgh, news release, Jan. 19, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. MONDAY, Jan. 24, 2022 (healthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday that it will curtail the use of two monoclonal antibody treatments that do not appear to work against the highly contagious Omicron variant. The combo treatments bamlanivimab/etesevimab and casirivimab/imdevimab, made by Eli Lilly and Regeneron, respectively, performed well against earlier variants, but only a third antibody therapy made by GlaxoSmithKline has stayed strong against Omicron. Last week, the National Institutes of Health updated its guidelines to advise clinics against using the first two treatments on patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 due to their diminished effectiveness. "Ensuring that healthcare providers on the frontlines have the best tools available to treat patients is a top priority for the agency," Dr Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement issued Monday. Based on the latest data, the new directive limits use of the Eli Lilly and Regeneron products "to only when the patient is likely to have been infected with or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to these treatments." Those cases are likely to be rare, since the Omicron variant now accounts for more than 99% of U.S. cases, according to federal data. So, "these treatments are not authorized for use in any U.S. states, territories and jurisdictions at this time," Cavazzoni said. This doesn't leave Americans stricken with COVID-19 defenseless, however. "Importantly, there are several other therapies Paxlovid, sotrovimab, Veklury [remdesivir] and molnupiravir that are expected to work against the Omicron variant, and that are authorized or approved to treat patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe disease, including hospitalization or death," Cavazzoni said. Senior health officials in the Biden administration have already called governors and state health officials to urge them not to use the Regeneron and Lilly antibody cocktails, a senior official with knowledge of the process told CNN. But some governors have not been heeding that advice. Over the last two weeks, states have distributed nearly 110,000 doses of the Lily and Regeneron treatments, according to a federal database maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services, CNN reported. Earlier this month, Florida governor Ron DeSantis criticized the Biden administration for pausing shipments of the monoclonal antibodies, and has pushed for the treatment to remain widely available in his state. During a Jan. 3 media briefing, DeSantis claimed his administration had seen the treatments work on Omicron patients, CNN reported. Nearly 13,000 doses of Regeneron were used in Florida over the past two weeks, more than any three other states combined. "Omicron is not the only variant that's out there," DeSantis said. "And it's something that we actually have seen applied with Omicron patients and we have seen symptoms resolved." But Regeneron itself has stated that its monoclonal antibody treatment, known as REGEN-COV, is now ineffective against the Omicron variant. Still, DeSantis has made monoclonal antibodies a cornerstone of his response to surges of coronavirus cases in his state, often pushing the treatment more vigorously than vaccines. Last summer, he introduced clinics where individuals could receive the treatment right after symptoms surface or there is exposure to someone with COVID-19. Other governors have followed suit: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last year opened "infusion centers" where COVID-positive patients could receive monoclonal antibody treatments. Abbott himself received Regeneron's treatment when he tested positive for coronavirus back in August, when the Delta variant was predominant, CNN reported. After the Omicron variant was first detected in the United States at the beginning of December, the Biden administration continued to ship the Regeneron and Lily treatments while Delta remained a threatening variant. But with Omicron dominating now, federal officials had hoped most states would stop using the treatments, a senior official told CNN. Instead, the Biden administration has pushed for other treatments that have demonstrated greater effectiveness against the Omicron variant. On Friday, the FDA expanded the use of remdesivir for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 to children and people who aren't hospitalized. More information Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on COVID antibody treatments. SOURCES: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, Jan. 24, 2022; CNN You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. Red River Resources Limited (ASX:RVR) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Black Gold Resources Limited ("Black Gold"), an unlisted company, whereby it can earn a 50% interest in EPC 1181 and EPC 1921 (the Taabinga Project) for the expenditure of A$2 million. The tenements are situated at Kingaroy, 150 km northwest of Brisbane, Queensland. Independent consultants have calculated that EPC 1181 contains JORC-compliant indicated and inferred resources of 82.1 million tonnes of coal and there is further exploration potential in EPC 1181 lying to the north. MONDAY, Jan. 24, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Schools should stock the opioid overdose antidote naloxone and train staff and students how to respond to an overdose, experts say after the apparent fentanyl overdose death of a seventh grader at a school in Hartford, Connecticut. "Naloxone should be available in all schools, and there should be education on signs and symptoms of overdose and how to use this," Craig Allen, M.D., vice president of addiction services for Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network, told the Associated Press. "Unfortunately, a horrible incident like this happens and suddenly everyone's vision is 20/20." The 13-year-old student was hospitalized Jan. 13 after falling ill at a Hartford school where no naloxone was available. Since the student was so young, an opioid overdose did not come to mind when the school nurse and first responders, who did have naloxone, treated him, said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. In response to the incident, city officials pledged to ensure that all city schools are stocked with naloxone (Narcan) as part of an overall drug use and overdose prevention program that would also include educating staff, students, and community members in substance use awareness and prevention, the AP reported. Fentanyl has been showing up in marijuana, illicit pills, and other substances accessible to school-age children, experts told the AP. Fatal overdoses in this country are at record levels, fueled by fentanyl, and have been increasing among younger people, national data show. Since 2015, the National Association of School Nurses has urged that naloxone be in all schools and for school nurses to help improve community awareness about the signs and symptoms of substance abuse. The association offers school nurses a "tool kit" with information on administering naloxone, which can be given as a nasal spray or an injection, and educating the community about opioid abuse. The group noted that the kit has been downloaded from its website more than 49,000 times. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. TUESDAY, Jan. 25, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Pfizer Inc. announced Tuesday that it has launched a trial that will compare its existing COVID-19 vaccine against a new version tailored to beat back the highly contagious Omicron variant. "While current research and real-world data show that boosters continue to provide a high level of protection against severe disease and hospitalization with Omicron, we recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address Omicron and new variants in the future," Kathrin Jansen, senior vice president and head of vaccine research & development at Pfizer, said in a company statement. "Staying vigilant against the virus requires us to identify new approaches for people to maintain a high level of protection, and we believe developing and investigating variant-based vaccines, like this one, are essential in our efforts towards this goal," she added. The new U.S. study will include up to 1,420 healthy adults, aged 18 to 55, and assess the updated, Omicron-targeted vaccine for use as a booster or for primary vaccinations. The modified vaccine's safety and how it bolsters the immune system in comparison to the original vaccine will be examined by the researchers. Volunteers will receive varying vaccine doses and will be monitored for how long virus-fighting antibodies remain at high levels after vaccination, so it could take months for the full study results to be available. One group of roughly 600 volunteers who received two doses of the original Pfizer vaccine three to six months ago will receive either one or two Omicron-based shots as boosters. Another 600 who've already gotten three doses of the original Pfizer vaccine will be given a fourth dose of either the regular vaccine or the Omicron-matched version. The study also will enroll some unvaccinated volunteers who will receive three doses of the Omicron-based vaccine. Makers of coronavirus vaccines have been working on updating their shots to better match Omicron in case global health officials decide such a change is necessary to combat the variant, the Associated Press reported. While Omicron is more likely than previous coronavirus variants to infect vaccinated people, it's not clear whether updated vaccines will be mandated by health regulators, the wire service said. That's because the original vaccines still provide good protection against severe illness and death, and there's no way to know if the next variant that appears will be similar to Omicron or totally different, the AP reported. More information Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more on COVID vaccines. SOURCES: Associated Press; Pfizer, statement, Jan. 25, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on the TownNews Content Exchange. A woman lost her life and a man is in the hospital after a domestic violence homicide in Missoula early Monday morning. Missoula police responded to a report of stabbing on the 1200 block of South First Street West at 1:15 a.m. A male caller said he had been stabbed in the chest by his girlfriend. When officers arrived, the man did not answer and police were forced to kick in the door, according to a Tuesday news release. When they entered, law enforcement found a deceased woman in the living room area with multiple stab wounds. The man was verbally responsive in the bedroom and had several knife wounds as well. He was transported to Providence St. Patrick Hospital where he underwent surgery. He is expected to recover from his injuries, the release said. The name of the victim has not been released. Her body was transported to the Montana State Crime Lab for an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday morning. An arrest has not been made yet and the investigation is ongoing. There are many resources available in Missoula for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. The Missoula YWCA provides 24-hour crisis counseling, emergency shelter, transitional housing, mental health counseling, legal support and support groups for victims of crime. Their phone number is 406-542-1944. The Missoula City-County Crime Victim Advocate Program provides legal advocacy for victims of crimes. Advocates can help you obtain a restraining order, report a crime to police or navigate options available to you through the justice system. They can be reached at 406-258-3830. UM's Student Advocacy Resource Center also provides support for survivors of violence and harassment. They offer free and confidential counseling, advocacy and a 24-hour support line at 406-243-6559. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 6 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. About 100 businesses have formed a coalition opposing Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks higher wolf hunting and trapping quotas near Yellowstone National Park. The Wild Livelihoods Business Coalition comprised of business owners in the gateway communities of Gardiner, Livingston, West Yellowstone and Cooke City has been pressing members of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to revert to previous regulations in the hunting districts near the parks northern boundary following the killing of 180 wolves across Montana this season. Of these, 19 were killed in Wolf Management Units 313 and 316, located north of Yellowstone. Another 15 have been killed in WMU 310 on the northwest side of the park that also stretches into the Madison and Gallatin mountain ranges. These were some of the most viewable wolves in the lower 48, if not the world, said Cara McGary, owner of In Our Nature Guiding Services, in the coalitions press release. In terms of drawing visitors, their value cannot be overstated. Hunters, trappers, outfitters and some legislators have argued wolf numbers in Montana are too high and their populations should be reduced to lessen depredation on species like elk and deer. At last count, Yellowstone officials estimated the parks wolf population at 123 wolves spread among nine packs. Wolves were reintroduced to the park beginning in 1995. The Montana season for hunting and trapping wolves extends to March 15 but can be closed by the commissioners if they think the harvest is too high. The threshold for commission review for the entire Region 3 hunting district is 82 wolves killed. So far, 74 have been shot or trapped in the region. Earlier this month, Yellowstone officials said 15 of the wolves killed in Montana were known to roam in the park, including the Phantom Lake pack which is now considered eliminated, the Associated Press reported. "I know weve had many people watching Montanas wolf hunting and trapping season this year, said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Hank Worsech in a Jan. 20 press release. However, harvest numbers in the state are very similar to years past. Well continue to monitor these numbers closely as the hunting and trapping season continues. Facing similar criticism in 2014, a past commission decided to limit the killing of wolves in WMUs 313 and 316 to only three in recognition of their significance to Yellowstone-area businesses, which last year hosted a record 4.8 million visitors. Also in 2014, the commission floated the idea of a conservation stamp to have nonhunters help pay for wildlife management. Hunters are now one of the main sources for funding FWP, which draws no state general fund dollars. Back then, the commission also created a buffer zone around Glacier National Park to lessen the harvest of its wolves. This year, nine wolves have been killed from the two hunting districts closest to Glacier with another 27 taken from WMU 101, only a small portion of which borders the parks western boundary. The reduced harvests around the parks were changed last year after the Legislature passed a bill requiring Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to slash the states wolf population. The Commission then eliminated quotas and increased the number of wolves each hunter or trapper could kill to 10, or 20 per person if they chose to hunt and trap. The extended trapping season also allows snares. The state hasnt responded to my pleas so far, except to remind me that when wolves leave Yellowstone they can be killed, but they seem to be missing the point, said coalition member Nathan Varley. The damage being done is to Montanans our income, our livelihoods and ultimately our reputation as stewards of a world-renowned resource. Jeff Reed, who farms and runs a lodging business on the banks of the Yellowstone River north of the park, said the coalition isnt interested in arguing whether wolves should revert to federal management for protection under the Endangered Species Act, as several conservation and wildlife groups have called for. Instead, his group is focused on the out of proportion harvest of wolves from such a small area. Were not anti-hunting, Reed said. I hunt. Instead, he said the group is hoping to encourage the commission to consider nonconsumptive use as a management objective in places close to the park where wildlife have a demonstrated tourism value beyond hunting. Wildlife tourism in the Gardiner area dominates the business flow, Reed said, as more than 1 million tourists visit the community over the course of the year to visit Yellowstone. So lets broaden the conversation, he added, noting that the wolf hunting and trapping season that has killed so many Yellowstone wolves is hurting Montanas image nationally and internationally. The ask is very simple, revert back to the old quotas, Reed said. The group plans to take its request to the commissioners at their Feb. 4 meeting. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Missoula woman who allegedly crashed into the rear end of a utility pickup truck while driving impaired was charged with felony criminal endangerment and four drug counts. Raquel Ranae Murray, 25, appeared Monday in Ravalli County Justice Court on the felony charges as well as misdemeanor counts of theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving and failure to wear a seat belt. A Montana Highway Patrol officer responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 93 on Jan. 21 at about 10:15 a.m., according to the charging affidavit. He found Murrays vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road with obvious damage and a utility pickup truck on the opposite side of the road. The trooper immediately smelled the odor of burnt marijuana coming from Murray and noticed that her eyes were red with droopy eyelids, the affidavit said. Murray claimed she last smoked marijuana three days earlier and that the crash had occurred when she attempted to find her cell phone. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Before commencing with the field sobriety test, Murray told the officer she was taking prescription Seroquel, a known central nervous system depressant. During the test, Murray stepped out of the starting position, swayed, was unable to maintain balance and didnt follow instructions. She swayed on the one-leg stand and had to place her foot on the ground several times to prevent herself from falling over, the affidavit said. After Murray consented to a search of her vehicle, troopers allegedly found methamphetamine, fentanyl and Clonazepam, the affidavit said. A trooper spoke to a witness who said Murray was driving too fast at inconsistent speeds, was unable to stay in one lane and was following too close. A stolen 9mm pistol was allegedly found in Murrays vehicle. Murray told the trooper she had been given the gun from someone at the Poverello Center in Missoula. Justice Jennifer Ray set bond at $10,000. Other cases in justice court: Zachary Michael Nielsen, 22, of Corvallis, was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to have liability insurance and failure to wear a seat belt. Nielsen was arrested following a traffic stop on Jan. 24 in which two used glass pipes allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine. Bond was set at $2,500. Druex Kurtis Matthew Kuntz, 26, of Hamilton, was charged with felony possession of fentanyl and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Kuntz was arrested on an active arrest warrant following a traffic stop on Jan. 21. The charging affidavit said Kuntz admitted to possessing fentanyl while in custody. The drug was found inside his vehicle. Bond was set at $25,000. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Owners Shawn and Lisa Todd stand inside Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in South Bend. When Shawn and Lisa Todd would travel, they often visited area wine bars and found themselves wondering, "Why don't we have one of these in South Bend?" The idea was planted and the couple put it in the back of their minds. Shawn, a broker with NAI Cressy, knew the building at 702 E. Jefferson Blvd. next to Howard Park in South Bend was for sale and knew his friend Brad Emberton was looking at buying in the East Bank area. Shawn said he mentioned the property to Emberton, while also pitching the wine bar idea. "Then he came back and said he got (the building) under contract," Shawn said. "And I said, 'Are you serious?'" From then on, plans for the new restaurant moved forward and now, The Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen will open Tuesday, Jan. 25. List: More than 30 businesses are slated to open in the South Bend area in 2022. "It's really cool to see the whole place and what we've put on paper for design and see it now in person and how far we've come with it," Lisa said. Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen will open Jan. 25 near Howard Park in South Bend. The 3,000-square foot building was most recently home to local retailer The Mole Hole until it closed in 2018. The building has since been transformed into a fully functional wine bar and restaurant. On the east portion of the building is a wrap-around bar that can sit about 25 people, with additional table seating and chairs by the front windows. On the western side is a family-friendly seating area with padded booths, tables and a lounge area with couches and arm chairs. And in the back is a private area that can seat about 14 and features a mural by local artist Christopher Stackowicz. Seating in the bar and main dining area will be on a first come, first serve basis with reservations accepted only for special holidays. Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen includes different seating areas, including this family-friendly one, as well as a wrap-around bar that can sit about 25 people and a private area that can seat about 14. A pet-friendly patio also is planned. It was important to the owners that the restaurant be trendy, casual and unpretentious in order to provide a relaxing atmosphere where novice wine drinkers and more seasoned connoisseurs can feel at home. The Todds plan to offer about 30 different wines on the rotating menu with blends ranging from dry reds to sweet whites and sparkling options. Prices will range between $8 and $18 a glass, with bottles and flights also available. Most wines on the menu will be sourced from the West Coast or from international regions like Spain and France. Owners said there are other nearby local winemakers like Ironhand that feature and sell their own bottles so, at The Cellar, the Todds simply wanted to offer a wider sourcing net of options. Story continues "It's nothing against local," Shawn said. "But I don't want people to always have to go to LaSalle to get a nice glass of wine." The wine cellar is located in the basement at Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen, which will offer about 30 different wines on the rotating menu, with blends ranging from dry reds to sweet whites and sparkling options. Servers at The Cellar will be able to recommend wine options to customers and suggest pairings from the shareable food menu options like flatbreads, paninis, salads and charcuterie boards. Like the wine menu, the owners anticipate the food menu to rotate occasionally to highlight seasonal options. "As far as the food, we think that a lot of people are wanting more fresh foods, and that's what our menu is all about," Lisa said. In Elkhart: 530 Wine Bar aims to open before Thanksgiving in Elkhart In addition to wine, The Cellar will also offer cocktails and bottled beer. The owners also plan to open a pet-friendly, outdoor patio along St. Louis Boulevard across from Howard Park once the weather stays above freezing. Inside Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in South Bend. But after months of rolling with the punches with permitting, construction and equipment delays, owners say they're excited and anxious to get the new restaurant open. "It's exciting and nervous and actually kind of cool," Lisa said. "It's 90% scared and 10% excited," Shawn said. "But that's what makes it so great." The Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen will be open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Inside Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in South Bend. Contact Mary Shown at 574-235-6244 and mshown@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @maryshownSBT and @marketbasketSBT. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend dining: The Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen to open About 2 years ago, Tim Michaels had a dream. But that dream packed away into a 1960 model food trailer ended up strewn across the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Exit 104 on a sunny July day. It was days before the food trailers first scheduled gig when a wheel on his truck broke, a defect from the factory line, and the pickup truck and food trailer went into a tailspin and ended up against the guardrail. Itll all work out, Michaels had told The News Herald, staring at the wreckage that had carried part of his lifelong dream to be a chef. On Friday, that statement seemed to be true as Michaels and his soon-to-be baker Catie Jackson stood inside Old Mimosa Bakery and Sandwich in the Fiddlers Run Shopping Center off Enola Road in Morganton. The pair met when Michaels started working at Root & Vine in downtown Morganton, where Jackson was the pastry chef. We hit it off, Michaels said. Were just two people with the same, crazy sense of humor and we like doing things very similar. He had been on the hunt for a commissary kitchen to start rebuilding his food truck dream from the ground up, but when he couldnt find one, he decided to open his own but put a bakery in the front. Jackson and Michaels discussed the idea and it was decided that Jackson would join him at the bakery and sandwich shop, where the food will be scratch-made and chef-prepared. Menu options include breakfast sandwiches and biscuits and gravy, Cubans and club sandwiches, with classic bakery items like bagels, croissants, Danishes, muffins, cinnamon rolls, scones and cream horns. Theyll also be offering bar-style desserts like brownies, blondies and fruit crumbles, a variety of cookies, pies, cheesecakes and layer cakes. Becoming a chef has been Michaels lifelong dream, something he finally decided to pursue a few years ago at the insistence of his kids. Ive told them all their life, I dont care what you do, if you flip burgers at McDonalds, just be happy doing what youre doing, Michaels said. And my daughter, she says, look, Pop, we understand you said this our whole life, but youre kind of a hypocrite. Youre not doing it yourself. That was when he started building the first food trailer. After the crash, he ended up enrolling in culinary courses at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Hudson. When youre 58-years-old, going back to school is not the thing you really think about wanting to do, Michaels said. I did I went, and I loved it. He has plans to finish up a couple of other courses at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College so hell have a full degree in baking and pastries. AB Tech is where Jackson earned her baking credentials, deciding in high school that the culinary arts were the path for her. After school, her culinary career took her from working with her mom for a couple months to a retirement community that was opening a state-of the-art kitchen. That was my first grown-up job, Jackson said. It was just me baking for 500-plus residents, and a lot of sweat and tears went into that. But I learned a whole lot; it was a lot of large-production baking that I had to learn on the fly. Her career then took her onto Ashevilles Grove Park Inn before she landed at Root & Vine five or six years ago. Shell still be baking goods for Root & Vine, but now shes planning to produce those goods at the bakery in Fiddlers Run. Michaels, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Robin, said he had hoped to be open by this point, but supply chain issues have pushed back his intended opening date. He said hes still not sure when the shop will open, but hes hoping to have things up and running in February. Stay tuned to oldmimosabakery.com and Michaels Facebook page for updates on the opening date. Chrissy Murphy is a staff writer and can be reached at cmurphy@morganton.com or at 828-432-8941. Follow @cmurphyMNH on Twitter. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As patience with the seemingly endless pandemic wears thin, the scientific community has turned its attention to finding ways for us to live with the coronavirus. The focus is increasingly on preventing hospitalizations and deaths, rather than stopping all COVID-19 infections, by using new therapies. Advertisement Vaccinations and boosters remain the preferred method of protection, along with masking and testing, to stem transmission or keep infections on the mild side. But the toolbox is growing with monoclonal antibodies, antiviral pills and infusions, and maybe soon, even simple plasma taken from survivors blood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded approvals Jan. 21 for the antiviral drug remdesivir for use in newly infected adults and children, not just those already hospitalized with more severe disease. Advertisement The FDA also recently authorized gave temporary approvals to two antiviral pills from pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Merck. The actions, bolster the arsenal of therapeutics to treat COVID-19 and respond to the surge of the omicron variant, said Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement. On remdesivir, she added, the approvals provide adults and pediatric patients, with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of severe COVID-19, with a treatment option they could receive outside of a traditional inpatient hospital setting, including at skilled nursing facilities, home health care settings and outpatient facilities such as infusion centers. Doctors warn that most of the therapies are just trickling out and nearly all are in short supply. They also say none are cure-alls, rather they give the body time to battle the virus. Some work better than others. Nonetheless, doctors and scientists in Maryland are pleased with the pipeline of possible treatments that could continue pushing down hospitalizations. Now considered a leading indicator of the pandemics severity, hospitalizations peaked in the last week or so in many states. Maryland peaked Jan. 11 at 3,462 in a hospital with COVID-19, but has since dropped to 2,234, still above last winters high mark of 1,952. Deaths surpassed 13,000 in the state and thousands continue to test positive each day. No one can say when the latest omicron-fueled wave will pass and when another variant may arrive, said Dr. Shyam Kottilil, director of the division of clinical care and research in the University of Maryland School of Medicines Institute of Human Virology. But over time, he said, doctors have gotten better at treating critically ill patients, knowing when to use existing tools such as ventilators and steroids and when to put patients in the prone position, on their stomachs, to aid breathing. Advertisement Weve gotten better in managing critically ill patients for sure, Kottilil said. Some are getting better sooner. There is a big difference I see now. He said the new drugs will help further, but he saw specific hurdles. Maryland is providing hundreds of doses of remdesivir, also known as Veklury, to at-risk residents of nursing homes, according to several health care groups. That could limit its availability elsewhere. Kottilil noted remdesivir, as well as most monoclonal antibodies, are administered by infusion that requires specialized locations and staff to administer. Further, not all monoclonal antibodies appear to work against the omicron variant. GlaxoSmithKlines sotrovimabis, also known as Xevudy, is the one that studies suggest works best. Marylands federal allocation has been limited to 816 doses a week for the next several weeks, according to the Maryland Department of Health. States have been advised to use it for those most at risk from severe cases of COVID-19 after infection. Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, a cancer survivor, was given a dose when he tested positive in December. Advertisement The supply isnt likely to last long. The state reported 2,900 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday alone, though many cases are mild and will resolve on their own. In mid-January, Maryland also received 1,320 doses of AstraZenecas Evusheld, but its authorized for use only in people with compromised immune systems who dont respond well to vaccines and are at risk from COVID-19. Regeneron said its monoclonal antibody was unlikely to be effective against omicron. Eli Lillys version also has proven ineffective against that variant. On Monday, the FDA limited their use to cases of the delta variant or others where theyve been shown to work. The new antiviral pills, Mercks molnupiravir and Pfizers Paxlovid, authorized by the FDA in late December, can lessen the duration and severity of an infection and are easier for patients to access and take. But they have varying efficacy and also remain in short supply. The state gets new stock every other week. Doctors can prescribe the medications, which are delivered to a small number of Walgreens pharmacies in Maryland. A list of allocations can be found on the website of MedChi, the physicians association. In order to avoid sending prescriptions and patients to a pharmacy that has depleted its stock, the state will provide an estimate of inventory by site posted on the MedChi website, which will be updated regularly, said Andy Owen, a state health department spokesman. Advertisement Dr. Kinjal Sheth, chief of critical care medicine at LifeBridge Healths Northwest Hospital, said the Pfizer pill has been shown to be the most effective. But it has to be given in the five days after symptoms arise and there is a positive COVID test, he said. There are a lot of barriers. Patients may fall outside the window. And because of a limited supply we wont be able to give it to everybody. Sheth also warned that none of the drugs are actually treatments, rather they just make the body feel better and buy time to let the body heal. More devastating to him, however, is that even as hospitals are overrun and staffs are exhausted from nearly two years of providing care, some patients dont want the therapies, he said. Like vaccines, he said, the science related to medications has been heavily politicized, and its trickled out to all areas of care. Still Sheth is committed to the hospital and providing care to COVID-19 patients, and hes optimistic about the therapeutic pipeline. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > He pointed to one new, or rather old, therapy. Convalescent plasma doesnt need to be made in a lab like monoclonal antibodies. Its taken from survivors blood and contains antibodies against whatever variant is circulating at the time. Advertisement It has tremendous promise, he said, as new variants emerge that evade existing vaccines or drugs. Studies on plasma until now have been mixed, and Sheth said more studies are needed. But he pointed to the latest study from Johns Hopkins Medicine and university researchers, the largest trial to date, that showed more promise in preventing hospitalizations in people newly infected with the virus. The findings, posted in December on MedRxiv, a website used to quickly post the latest COVID studies, could help make the therapy more accessible to patients who cant access lab-made monoclonal antibodies or antiviral pills or they become ineffective. The researchers found that the early administration of plasma with high levels of antibodies reduced hospitalizations by more than 50%. Our findings suggest that this is another effective treatment for COVID-19 with the advantages being low cost, wide availability and rapid resilience to the evolving virus, said study colead author Dr. Kelly Gebo, professor of medicine in Hopkins School of Medicine, in a statement. Researchers would need to ask FDA to authorize its use before it could become a treatment option. Saturday, Jan. 15, was the perfect date for the inaugural Lake James Ice Festival as it turned out to be a prelude to western North Carolinas first major winter storm of 2022. The festival was a new fundraising event for Friends of Lake James State Park, a nonprofit group devoted to supporting and the park and protecting its natural features. It was held at the Paddys Creek area of the park and featured food provided by J. Hartmans, of Marion, coffee and hot chocolate provided by Little Guatemala, of Morganton, and beer and Wine provided by Fonta Flora Brewery. The centerpiece of the evening were the 34 ice sculptures provided by Lake James resident Aaron Costic and his team from Elegant Ice Creations Inc. The ice sculptures were of animals native to the park such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey and river otter, Nora Coffey, Lake James State Park superintendent said. Costic and his team made 31 of the carvings before the event, while the other three were created onsite during live demonstrations held throughout the evening. Coffey characterized the event as a major success, reporting that it drew in more than $6,000 for the nonprofit, despite being an exclusive event with limited ticket availability. Eric Jenkins, president of the Friends of Lake James State Park, hopes to see the event grow into a major draw for the park and a major source of funding for the organization in future years. We are already looking forward to next years event, he said. Next year the visitors center will be open, so I would think that next year there will be more tickets available to it, but were still in the early stages of planning. Jenkins was particularly impressed by Costics ice-carving demonstrations, calling them the highlight of the evening. He said he was amazed by the quality of Costics work and by his ability to captivate the audience during his live show. This was not only the Lake James State Park first ice-sculpture event, this was my first opportunity to attend an ice-sculpture event, Jenkins said. Mr. Costic provided the park with a very special and unique experience and put on several different shows making different sculptures. ... He took the time not only to demonstrate and showcase his talents in front of us, but he also incorporated the audience that was watching him. Costic has been creating ice sculptures since his culinary school days in the early 1990s. One of the first classes was creating centerpieces out of edible products, Costic said. We made centerpieces out of chocolate, cheese, vegetables and ice. Mine turned out pretty good, and Ive been doing that ever since. Since then, Costic has gained international attention for his work, providing the ice sculptures for the prince of Monacos wedding and winning an Olympic gold medal in ice carving in the 2006 games in Torino. In April 2020, drawn by the natural beauty of the Lake James area, Costic and his wife, who is now a board member of Friends of Lake James State Park, relocated to the area from Ohio. We went on motorcycle rides once a year for quite a few years looking at different lakes that we might want to move to, he said. We settled on Lake James because we loved the lake and the area, but we didnt even realize how much it had to offer beyond that. We didnt know how much we would love mountain biking when we made the decision or how great the Linville Gorge was and all the other things in the area. According to Coffey, the event was more than she could have hoped for and she is excited about bringing it back to the community next year. The Ice Festival was a huge success, she said. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. It was such a unique event to host, and we will definitely plan to bring it back in 2023. For information on Friends of Lake James State Park or the become a member, visit lakejamesstatepark.org. Jason Koon is a staff writer and can be reached at jkoon@morganton.com Every year, Montana educators are forced to raid their own bank accounts to buy classroom supplies and enrichment projects for their students. The Montana Professional Teaching Foundation created the Karen Cox Memorial Grants to help these dedicated educators. This year, four Butte area educators have been awarded Karen Cox Memorial grants of up to $500 from the Montana Professional Teaching Foundation. The grantees are: Desiree LaMiaux, Margaret Leary. LaMiauxs grant is for the purchase of seating aids and organizational tools to facilitate productivity, flexibility, and independence within the classroom. LaMiauxs grant is for the purchase of seating aids and organizational tools to facilitate productivity, flexibility, and independence within the classroom. Kim McCarthy-Cody, Butte School District. McCarthy-Codys grant provides tools designed to improve speech and language skills, including Drills for Skills, Articulation Flashcards, and Ultimate Speech Therapy Craft Bundle. McCarthy-Codys grant provides tools designed to improve speech and language skills, including Drills for Skills, Articulation Flashcards, and Ultimate Speech Therapy Craft Bundle. Patty ONeill, West Elementary School. ONeills grant is for the creation of the Fun to be Fit Program, which aims to improve the physical, emotional, and academic fitness of students. ONeills grant is for the creation of the Fun to be Fit Program, which aims to improve the physical, emotional, and academic fitness of students. Heather Hamilton, Ramsay School. Hamiltons grant is for the purchase of a worm bin to help students learn key concepts in math and science by estimating populations to understanding biological systems. The MTFs grant program is named for the late Karen Cox, a Billings teacher who lost her life several years ago in an auto accident on her way to a union meeting in Helena. Karen Cox grants are not intended to replace school funds but rather to support teachers who dig into their own pockets to help their students succeed. For more details about the MPTF, go to www.mfpe.org/foundation. For comment, contact MPTF Chair Amanda Curtis at acurtis@mfpe.org. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 A Helena judge on Tuesday said supporters of an initiative aimed at capping property taxes can start gathering signatures again. The order from Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott reverses a previous decision from Judge Michael McMahon blocking signature gathering for Constitutional Initiative 121. "(Plaintiffs') failure to make any substantial showing of injury, coupled with the clear inequity of preventing the proponents from gathering signatures while this case is litigated, dooms their request for a preliminary injunction," Abbott wrote in Tuesday's order. Since the secretary of state cleared supporters to start gathering signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot earlier this month, the effort has faced significant challenges, both legal and ideological. To qualify for the ballot, the group must collect 60,359 signatures by June 17, with enough signatures coming from certain parts of the state. A coalition including the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the Montana Farmers Union and two state residents sued days after the approval for signature gathering. The groups claimed Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen didn't comply with a new state law that increased the Legislature's and Attorney General's role in initiatives and shouldn't have given the go-ahead for signature-gathering. In court Monday, Abbott said he had a hard time understanding why signature gathering would cause irreparable harm to the coalition. McMahon cited that harm in issuing the pause earlier this month. As an example, Abbott said if he ended up siding with the coalition, any signatures gathered could just be invalidated. "No harm seems to accrue," Abbott said in court Monday. In his order Tuesday, he again said any harm could be remedied by invalidating any signatures if he decides for the coalition in the end. Abbott's order also recognized how heavy of a lift it is to gather enough signatures to qualify an initiative. "A successful signature gathering campaign is a significant undertaking," Abbott wrote. " ... Preliminarily enjoining the gathering of signatures could had defeat to the proponents of a constitutional initiative by default." Bozeman lawyer and former Republican state legislator Matthew Monforton, one of the submitters of the petition, agreed in court Monday. "There's absolutely no harm whatsoever for Montana homeowners being able to gather signatures and exercise their First Amendment right," Monforton said, adding that most initiatives don't end up getting enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. "While we appreciate Judge Abbott dissolving the prior judges outrageous injunction, the fact remains that Montanas judiciary unlawfully shut down signature gathering for two critical weeks despite a looming deadline to get 60,000 signatures," Monforton said in an emailed statement Tuesday. New requirements Under the new law, the secretary of state can't approve an initiative for signature gathering until an interim legislative committee reviews the proposal. The committee must vote on if it supports putting the initiative on the ballot or not. That's not happened yet for CI-121. The vote would not stop the initiative from appearing if supporters gather enough signatures to qualify it, but the committee's vote would be noted on the petition form. While the attorney general was already tasked with a legal sufficiency review for initiatives, under the new law he must also determine if a ballot issue would cause "significant material harm" to business interests in the state. If he determined it would cause harm, a warning would also appear on the petition form. While the lawsuit argued supporters could not gather signatures because the attorney general and secretary of state hadn't compiled with those provisions, lawyers for Knudsen and Jacobsen argued in court that the new law only applies to statutory initiatives, not those aiming to change the state constitution. In court Monday, lawyer and current Democratic lawmaker from Helena Robert Farris-Olsen, representing the coalition challenging the signature-gathering, argued the process did apply to constitutional initiatives. He also pointed out an interim legislative committee was going to vote on the initiative last week but decided not to while the court battle plays out. "While there may have been some procedure, it wasn't the correct procedures, and that procedure hasn't been fulfilled. Signature gathering at this point would be premature," Farris-Olsen said. " ...That's all we're asking is that they comply with the law as it was written and as it was signed by the governor." Both Farris-Olsen and Monforton took issue with the new law more broadly. "Frankly, House Bill 651 should have been drafted probably a little bit better, but it wasn't," Farris-Olsen said, pointing to the lack of clarity over what applies to ballot initiatives versus constitutional ones. Monforton objected to how the new law gives the Legislature more power in the process of getting something on the ballot. "HB 651 was passed by a Legislature that is hostile to the rights of citizens to amend our Constitution, as provided by the Montana Constitution," Monforton said. " ... HB 651 is an atrocity and it should never have been ... enacted by the Legislature. It directly implicates the people's right to amend the ... Montana Constitution." Jurisdictional question Abbott's Tuesday order also addressed questions raised about jurisdiction. After McMahon blocked signature gathering, Monforton went to the state Supreme Court to ask it to reverse the lower court. He argued that the state's high court is the one that should have jurisdiction citing a segment of state code saying the Supreme Court has "exclusive" jurisdiction to review the legal sufficiency determinations related to initiatives. While the state Supreme Court declined to step in, saying the district court could resolve the issue faster, both Monforton and Derek Oestreicher, an attorney representing the state, argued in court Monday the Supreme Court was still the right place to bring a challenge related to initiatives. Both lawyers also said that in addition to District Court being the wrong venue, the timing was not correct. They pointed to a segment of state law they say requires any challenge to be brought in a 10-day window once enough signatures are gathered and an issue is cleared for the ballot. Oestreicher said that process was designed to "avoid well-funded special interest groups stalling this process through litigation," which is what he said was happening with CI-121. "If something is messed up along the way, that's a challenge for another day in another court," Oestreicher said. Monforton echoed that. "We've lost ... almost 14 days for no reason," Monforton said. "The arguments over jurisdiction are ones that can be made and decided and argued for the next few months. We don't care. We just want to be able to get our signatures." Abbott's order Tuesday says he does have jurisdiction over the question of if the attorney general and secretary of state followed the provisions of the new law and that the 10-day window did not apply in this case. Abbott wrote that the questions about if the attorney general's legal review was sufficient or challenges to ballot statements should go straight to the high court, but that those issues weren't at the heart of the lawsuit before him. State Auditor Troy Downing, who submitted the initiative with Monforton, was also named in the lawsuit. He did not appear in court Monday and was not represented by a lawyer in the hearing. Legislative concern In a meeting last Thursday, legislators from both sides of the aisle on the Revenue Interim Committee said they had concerns over the proposed property tax cap. They were joined by lobbyists representing local government and public employees, as well as business groups, who said they had concerns the measure, if passed, would equate to a large tax shift. Sen. Greg Hertz, a Polson Republican who shepherded several bills to cut income and business taxes through the last legislative session, was skeptical that the proposed initiative would be a workable solution. But he also acknowledged that the Legislature missed opportunities last session to look at other policies to help residents struggling with skyrocketing property taxes. We probably havent reviewed them at the legislative standpoint that we should have, Hertz said. After the hearing last week, lawmakers unanimously voted to send letters to several other interim committees, urging them to discuss the proposals potential impacts on local governments, education and the states economy. The revenue committee also decided to hold off on its vote about the initiative while the legal process plays out. Reporter Sam Wilson contributed to this story. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ARCHIVED - Spain advocates delaying booster jab for Covid positives to five months Health authorities in Spain also recommend that children who have tested positive receive their second jab after 8 weeks Following a decision last week by authorities in Spain to follow the EUs lead in administering the booster Covid vaccine to all those aged over 18 , the Public Health Commission has backtracked a little on Tuesday January 25 by recommending that adults who have previously been infected with coronavirus wait five months until receiving their third dose. The experts have also suggested that children aged between five and 11 years old who have previously been diagnosed with the virus only receive a single vaccine. In the event that youngsters become infected after their first jab, the Commission now recommends that they receive their second shot eight weeks after diagnosis. Initially, the general directors of health and the leaders of the autonomous communities agreed that the interval between infection and the third dose should be set at a minimum of four weeks; the new recommendation represents a significant about-turn by Public Health, after the decision to triple inoculate so early was widely deemed absurd by immunologists and virology experts in January. Current evidence shows that having a SARS-CoV-2 infection after having the complete primary vaccination schedule leads to the development of a more powerful and broader immune response in terms of neutralising other variants of the virus, compared to the immune response observed in people who only suffered infection or who only received two doses, a ministry spokesperson stressed. Thus, it is for this reason that the experts believe that the interval between the second and third dose should be set at a minimum of four weeks, but ideally, after five months have elapsed. Image: Archive article_detail By Alex Pologruto | Jan 25, 2022 Clockwise from top left: Untitled, Charles Bennett. (oil pastel on paper, 1978); Operation Stalemate II, Jerry B. Phillips (Paper, wood, foam, rice, aluminum, and steel; 2017); A Thing Already Named, Sarah Phyllis Smith. (archival pigment inkjet print, 2021); Untitled, Douglas Degges (acrylic on panel, 2021). MURRAY, Ky. As part of Murray State Universitys centennial in 2022, the Murray State University Galleries and the Department of Art & Design are pleased to present work by various alumni of the institution. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours on Tuesdays until 8 p.m. and Thursdays until 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Recollections Recollections, work from the Permanent Collection of University Galleries, is on view now through Feb. 14 in the Mary Ed Mecoy Hall Gallery located inside the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building on Murray States campus. This exhibition has been co-curated by Mike Martin, Director of University Galleries, and recent student gallery workers featuring a selection of alumni works. Artists whose works are featured include: Jim Alexander Rick Arrowood Charles Bennett Debi Henry Danielson Kate Hoffman Dennis Horn John Frederick Leonard Kik Carmean Mercado Wes Mills Sandy Miller Sasso Brent Skidmire Kaiti Slater Laurie Waite-Fellner Brenda Weyerbacher Jimmy Wright Student co-curators include: Krizianna Groves Jessie Lawrence CJ Nance Sydney Robinson Gretchen Ruth Skyler Stewart Aaliyah Vincent Landlocked: Redux Landlocked: Redux, work by Murray State alumnus Jerry Bedor Phillips, 07, will be on view from Jan. 26 through Feb. 24 in the Clara M. Eagle Main Gallery located inside the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building on Murray States campus. Phillips works in a variety of media, from drawing and printmaking to etched plexiglass. His work is created in self-reflections and thoughts of a landlocked Pacific Islander addressing family, heritage and self-identity. Using the simple origami technique to create paper boats and drawings with ink, this exhibition peeks into historical events at the end of World War II in the Pacific Islands, which eventually led to the immigration of many Pacific Islander families to the American mainland specifically Phillips own family. Phillips is an artist living and creating in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the building manager, studio assistant and gallery coordinator for the Vanderbilt University Department of Art and for Space 204, the contemporary gallery space located in the E. Bronson Ingram Studio Arts Center. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and drawing from Murray State in 2007 and his Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and drawing from Bradley University in 2010. Work by Phillips has appeared in exhibitions across the United States, with group shows at the Frist Art Museum, OZ Arts Nashville and Red Arrow Gallery in Nashville, Tennessee. Recent venues include the Davis Gallery at Montgomery Bell Academy and Space 204 at Vanderbilt University. His work has also been exhibited in Red Garage Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Gallery 336B at Illinois Central College East Peoria Campus; Catapult Creative House at Southeastern Missouri State University; The Art Gallery (TAG) at Fayetteville Technical Community College, North Carolina and the Yeiser Art Center in Paducah, Kentucky. He has also exhibited internationally in small group shows in Melbourne, Australia, and Turin, Italy. For more information about Phillips and his work, please visit jerryfish.net. dirt from here and dirt from there dirt from here and dirt from there, a two-person exhibit featuring the work of artists Sarah Phyllis Smith, Murray State alumna, 08, and Douglas Degges, will be on view from Jan. 26 through Feb. 24 in the Clara M. Eagle Main Gallery. Sarah Phyllis Smith's work is grounded in photographys inherent relationship with nostalgia and the ways in which a photograph can ask us to look backwards while remaining grounded in the present. Stemming from autobiographical experiences, her work explores expectations of and attachment to personal photographic images through a slow and considered documentation of personal objects, interior spaces and the landscape. Each image functions as a timestamp and landmark that exists beyond a known chronology. Smith creates images that achieve in moments the same weight that is gained from an image or object that is lived with over time. In their accumulation, a larger narrative that blends truth, poetry and abstraction hums beneath the surface. Smith's work mirrors how the space within a photograph becomes a stage in which the past, present and future become the same moment. Smith, born in Middletown, New York, is a photographer and educator based in Utica, New York, where she is Assistant Professor of Photography at PrattMWP. Recent solo and two-person exhibitions include Where the Great Lakes Leap to the Sea at The Shed Space in Brooklyn, New York and Fish Hotel at Vanderbilt University. Smiths work has recently been shown at Perspectives Gallery at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Ground Floor Gallery in Nashville,Tennessee, Whitespace Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia, Roman Susan Gallery and Wedge Projects in Chicago, Illinois. Her work has been featured in several online and print publications including Silver Eye Center for Photography, From Here On Out, Dont Take Pictures Magazine, Light Leaked, Vulgaris Magazine, Photo-Emphasis and Incandescent Magazine. Smiths artwork was also featured on the cover of Iranian literary magazine, Dastan. In 2021 she was an artist-in-residence at Stove Works in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Smith received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art Photography from Murray State University in 2008. She also received her Masters degree in Photography in 2012 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography, both from the University of Iowa. For more information, please visit sarahpsmith.com. The works included in this exhibition are a part of Douglas Degges' recent project: a squirrel from memory. The smaller works on paper are more literal and time-intensive translations of printed photographic images, mostly of the northern Louisiana landscape, fish, small game, rodents and pests. These photographic images are digitally prepared, occasionally collaged and present a far more articulated visual language than the paintings. The drawings are his way of studying an image and internalizing form. The paintings are either crafted from memory with whatever is held onto from the drawing process or approached in a fast-paced and painterly way, much like a study. Degges is interested in how the paintings undo the drawings and how these disparate modes of inquiry might posit "the work" somewhere in between the paintings and the drawings. "[T]his requires some averaging or leveling across the visually and materially divergent objects that comprise a squirrel from memory, said Degges. Degges, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, is an artist and educator currently based in Mansfield Center, Connecticut, where he is an Assistant Professor of Art in Painting and Drawing at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. Douglas received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. His work has been exhibited in various group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States and abroad. Most recently his work was exhibited at Side Room Gallery in Brooklyn, New York; the PrattMWP Gallery at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute in Utica, New York; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Cleaner Gallery + Projects in Chicago, Illinois; Stove Works in Chattanooga, Tennessee and the Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. His work has been supported by several artist residencies including the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, Stove Works, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Millay Colony. For more information about him and his work, please visit douglasdegges.com. Murray State continues to adhere to state, federal and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines for the health and safety of its campus and broader community. These include following the Racer Safe and Healthy Guidelines, including social distancing and the required use of face masks/coverings while indoors. The Racer Safe and Healthy Guidelines, along with additional information, is available online at murraystate.edu/racerrestart. MUSCATINE The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Monday to give Muscatine County Attorney Jim Barry permission to attempt to recover expenses stemming from an investigation in which over two dozen animals were seized by law enforcement. Barry told the supervisors Monday morning that the Muscatine County Sheriffs Office took 28 dogs and one cat into custody. He reported the animals were taken to It Takes a Village Animal Rescue. The animals were seized on Jan. 19, and Barry said the county had 10 days from that date to take action. I need to initiate a suit to recover those maintenance costs as well as any attorneys fees related with the action, which is filed as a civil action and is separate from any criminal charged which may be filed, Barry said. He commented there had been a similar case about a year ago in which a Muscatine County woman was charged with seven counts of animal neglect after 59 animals were located at her residence. Susan Purcell-Varnell, 66, pleaded guilty to three counts of animal neglect and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 18. According to a press release from the sheriffs office, It Takes a Village filed a complaint alleging a female subject was living in a camper on a property with dozens of dogs and one cat and that the camper was uninhabitable because of its condition. Based on information obtained and corroborated by the sheriffs office, a State of Iowa search warrant was obtained. On Wednesday, Jan. 19, the sheriffs office, with the assistance of the Muscatine County Zoning Office and It Takes a Village executed the search warrant at the property and on the camper. On arrival, a single drop cord was found running from the residence on the property to the camper and the windows on the camper were iced over. On entry 28 dogs and one cat were located throughout the camper. The camper was confirmed to be uninhabitable because of the amount of feces and subsequent odor. The property owners were provided notice by zoning officials that the trailer was deemed a dangerous building and was unsafe for human occupancy. The release said neither of the property owners was the female identified as living in the trailer and possessing the animals. Under Iowa Code 717B.5, which outlines the rescue of threatened animals, the sheriffs office contracted with It Takes a Village for the maintenance of the rescued animals. The animals will be cared for and remain with them until dispositional proceedings can be held. On Jan. 13, It Takes a Village posted on its Facebook page that it had been contacted regarding the situation with over two dozen dogs. It also said that it needed to obtain a shelter facility as soon as possible, asking for donations to assist in the founding of a shelter. It was announced that the goal to rent a shelter for six months had been raised. The sheriffs office reported the investigation remains ongoing and further details may be released upon completion. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Baltimore City firefighters salute as an ambulance carries the body of Lt. Paul Butrim from the scene of a vacant row house fire on S. Stricker Street. Four firefighters were trapped in a collapse while fighting the fire Monday morning. Three have died and a fourth is in critical condition. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun) Remembrances have begun pouring in for the three Baltimore City firefighters who died battling a blaze in a vacant rowhome Monday morning. Four firefighters were trapped when the building, which had been unoccupied since 2010, collapsed during the fire. One of them survived. Firefighter John McMaster was on life support at the hospital as of Monday evening. Advertisement A previous fire at the same home, located at 205 South Stricker St. in the Mount Clare area, injured three firefighters in 2015 and resulted in the building being condemned. The homeowners had also received a citation in 2020 from the city housing department for failing to complete a required annual registration. Here is what we know about the fallen first responders. Advertisement Lt. Paul Butrim Lt. Paul Butrim died after a vacant house collapsed while he was battling a blaze. (handout) Butrim, a 16-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department, was no stranger to thrusting himself into harms way for his job. In 2015, Butrim rushed into an apartment ablaze, found a child in a bedroom and brought the child to safety, according to the Firehouse Magazine. He performed CPR on the child alone until more help arrived, the magazine reported, recognizing his great bravery in the face of dangerous conditions as one of Firehouses honorees for its annual Award of Valor. He also rose through the Baltimore City Fire Department ranks. Hired in 2005 as a firefighter and paramedic apprentice, he dropped the novice title within years and reached the rank of lieutenant by the end of 2016, according to city salary databases and Butrims LinkedIn page. Butrim and his family were no stranger to tragedy, either. In a February 2019 post on the Baltimore Fire Officers Association website, IAFF Local 964 leaders offered their condolences and support to Butrim after the sudden loss of his young son. A family member declined to comment Monday evening, requesting privacy while the family grieved. Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler Firefighter Kelsey Sadler died after a vacant house collapsed while she was battling a blaze. (handout) Longtime friend Tracie Martinek said Sadler was one of the nicest people, and hardest workers, that she had ever met. The 32-year-old said Sadler earned the nickname the beast at one of her first fire department jobs because she wouldnt take crap from anybody. Martinek said the two first met in 2008 at the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company in Phoenix, Maryland, where they both worked part time. Together, the two worked together for about 10 years, with Sadler working as a paramedic while Martinek drove the rig. Advertisement Everyone thought she was unapproachable until you got to know her, Martinek said. Once you got to know her she was the sweetest person ever and would give the shirt off of her back. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > Martinek now works as a 911 dispatcher in Anne Arundel County, but said the two have always kept in touch over the years. Martinek described Sadler as a foodie who loved her pitbull named Scary Mary and insisted upon leaving The Food Network or HGTV on for her dog to watch when she was gone. She also said that Sadler loved her family and enjoyed doing home renovations. Firefighter/Paramedic Kenny Lacayo Firefighter Kenny Lacayo died after a vacant house collapsed while he was battling a blaze. (handout) In a Facebook post, the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue squad said throughout his tenure there, Lacayo was always climbing the ranks. He first joined the rescue squad in May 2011. About a year later he became a firefighter and in 2014 a paramedic. The department said he was named Rescue Squads paramedic of the year in 2016 and was deemed a top ten responder in 2015 and 2016. He also received a unit citation for helping save a person struck by a car in 2018. His exceptional skills as a firefighter and paramedic were matched by his bright smile and his unfailing good nature, Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad wrote in the post. He was dearly loved by his fellow WVRS volunteers and will be greatly missed. Advertisement Lacayos family members did not wish to comment Monday evening. Baltimore Sun reporter Christine Condon contributed to this article. DES MOINES Iowa would join several other states in making retirement income including pensions, annuities and employer plans among others exempt from state income taxes starting right way under a proposal made Monday by Iowa House Republicans. State Rep. Gary Mohr, a Republican from Bettendorf himself a retiree said the proposal aimed to keep more retirees in Iowa instead of seeing them moving to other states that do not tax retirement income. When you retire, your kids are all grown, you really have nothing keeping you here if you want to save money. And I think thats why a lot of people change their state of residence, Mohr told reporters Monday. Thats what Im trying to stop. As of March 2021, nine states did not tax any retirement income because they did not have any state income tax for anyone, according to AARP. Three more states do not tax income from either retirement plans or pensions, and two tax income from retirement plans but not pensions. Iowa has a state income tax on most retirement income, with some exclusions. House Republicans proposal, House File 2026, is similar to a plank within Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds tax plan. Reynolds also proposed eliminating the state tax on retirement income. The states nonpartisan fiscal analysis agency has not yet reported on the bills financial impact. But according to a preliminary analysis by the state budget office, provided by House Republican staff, the bill would reduce state general fund revenue by $186.6 million in 2023 and gradually increase to a reduction of $396.5 million in 2028. Iowa can afford that right now. And thats why I decided for me, this was a priority, Mohr said. Mohr said information from Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System the largest public employee retirement program in the state showed that more than $282 million in retirement benefits from that program were paid to retired Iowa workers who now live in other states. Of the nine states to which at least $10 million in IPERS benefits were paid, four do not tax retirement income. Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights and leader of the minority House Democrats, said she supported the proposal in theory but wanted to see how it fits with Republicans overall tax proposals and what impact they would have on the state budget. Im all for keeping Iowans in the state, Konfrst said. We need to look at this holistically, see what does the big picture look like and make sure this is sustainable, that we can afford these changes. In addition to making her proposal to eliminate retirement income, Reynolds has also pitched a plan for Iowans who do pay state income taxes to within four years pay a flat rate of 4%. Currently, as a result of tax reform passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed by Reynolds in 2018, the number of tax brackets will be reduced to four, ranging between 4.4% and 6.5%. In the Iowa Senate, several Republicans also are formulating a moon shot proposal they say would eventually eliminate the states personal income tax all together. The House GOP proposal to exempt retirement income has not yet scheduled for its first legislative hearing. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A Baltimore firefighter who was pulled from the wreckage of a burning vacant home that collapsed Monday is conscious and alert, the city fire department said Tuesday. Emergency medical services transported John McMaster to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in critical condition after he and three other firefighters were trapped inside a vacant rowhome that caught fire around 6 a.m. in the 200 block of S. Stricker St. The three other firefighters died. Advertisement [ Three fallen Baltimore firefighters remembered for their passion, sacrifice after fatal rowhouse fire ] McMaster was placed on life support in an intensive care unit. His medical condition was upgraded to fair, according to the fire department. While he has a long way to go, I am incredibly optimistic, and we will continue to pray for and support EMT/FF McMaster and his family during his time of recovery, Baltimore Fire Chief Niles R. Ford said in a statement. Advertisement McMaster was rescued from the crumbled building almost immediately. Firefighter/paramedic Kelsey Sadler and EMT/firefighter Kenny Lacayo, were located about an hour later and pronounced dead at Shock Trauma from cardiac arrest they suffered at the scene. Lt. Paul Butrim was pronounced dead at the scene. Firefighter John McMaster remains hospitalized after being injured in the South Stricker Street fire that claimed the lives of three other firefighters. Credit: Baltimore Firefighters Union (Baltimore Firefighters Union) Gov. Larry Hogan described the news of McMasters upgraded condition as a great relief amid so much heartbreak right now. The incident is among the deadliest fires for Baltimore firefighters in recent memory. It comes just a few months after a mother and two of her children were killed in a rowhome blaze in East Baltimore that also injured several other children. The last on-duty death for a Baltimore firefighter was in 2014, when Lt. James Bethea fell into the basement of a vacant home during a firefighting effort next-door and went unnoticed for hours. He died of smoke inhalation during the incident, which led to calls for reform. Lt. Paul Butrim, Truck 23 (handout) Firefighter Kelsey Sadler, Engine 14 (handout) Firefighter Kenny Lacayo, Engine 14 (handout) Between 2006 and 2020, only about a dozen other fires in the United States claimed the lives of three or more firefighters, according to data compiled by the National Fire Protection Association. Two unions that represent Baltimore firefighters and EMTs created a GoFundMe page Tuesday to raise money for the family members Sadler, Butrim and Lacayo left behind. Donations poured in. The fundraiser collected more than $40,000 in under six hours. The firefighters entered the empty rowhome adjoined to an occupied house in the citys New Southwest/Mount Clare neighborhood. The burning house partially collapsed while they were inside. Advertisement Butrim, known as PJ, was a 16-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department who rose to lieutenant from his position as an apprentice. Sadler was a 15-year veteran of the department and Lacayo was a seven-year veteran. Tuesday, the home where the fire took place 205 S. Stricker St. was a hollowed out shell. Its facade and most of its interior had been completely destroyed. Part of the buildings back wall remained, along with still-smoldering piles of ash and debris. Crews began using lumber to support the walls of the two homes that still stood. As a result of the fire, that home and the two on either side of it will have to be demolished after the investigation concludes, said Tammy Hawley, spokeswoman for the citys Department of Housing and Community Development. One of those homes 203 S. Stricker also was vacant, Hawley said. The other was occupied, although its unclear whether anyone was home at the time of the fire, said fire department spokeswoman Blair Adams. Monday evening, Ford said firefighters chose to enter the home partly because one of the adjacent properties was occupied. They made the determination they could control the fire and put it out, he said. Its up to those individuals on the scene to see the circumstances they have, and they did. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 42 Baltimore City firefighters salute as an ambulance carries the body of Lt. Paul Butrim from the scene of a vacant row house fire on S. Stricker Street. Four firefighters were trapped in a collapse while fighting the fire Monday morning. Three have died and a fourth is in critical condition. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun) Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > The home at 205 S. Stricker St. had last been inspected by city officials Jan. 4, Hawley said. The routine checkup, which wasnt precipitated by a citizens 311 call, found that the building was adequately boarded up and cleaned. The building, vacant since 2010, had been condemned in 2015 after another fire, which injured three firefighters. Advertisement Efforts to reach the homes owners were unsuccessful Tuesday. The Mount Clare neighborhood where the home sits has the sixth most vacant buildings per acre of any neighborhood in the city, according to a Baltimore Sun analysis of city data. Tuesday, flags flew at half-staff at nearby Engine Company 14, which sits just across Hollins Street from a row of vacant, boarded-up homes. The problem has become endemic to the city, with more than 15,000 vacant homes the majority of them privately owned. The city uses citations, criminal penalties and tax sale foreclosures to address issues with the properties, Hawley said. The destroyed home on Stricker had liens against it and had been offered up in previous tax sales, but there was no market for the property, Hawley said. Baltimore Sun reporters Emily Opilo and Steve Earley contributed to this article. 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. FEATURE | A brief look at the Earhart GI witnesses on Saipan Helios Investment Partners LLP is in talks with African telecom operators and banks about ways the private-equity firm can help them cash in on their mobile-money and digital-payments platforms. Africas largest wireless carriers, including MTN Group Ltd. and Airtel Africa Plc, are among companies exploring how to unlock value from their multi-billion dollar fintech operations. Johannesburg-based MTN is looking to finalize plans to spin off the lucrative unit by the end of March, while Airtel brought in Mastercard Inc. has a minority investor in its mobile-finance division last year. There is a desire to carve out these businesses, and we have been in continuous dialog with such players, Helios Co-Founder and Managing Partner Tope Lawani said in an interview, without naming specific firms. Companies are trying to find ways of letting these units flourish and not essentially be suffocated by the traditional parts of business. Helios is looking to take advantage of the booming digital-payments sector in Africa, where a youthful and tech-savvy population has increasing access to smartphones and affordable, high-speed internet. Traditional banking infrastructure is relatively scarce for a continent of about 1.4 billion people a report by Statistica found that about a third has an account. Mobile phones enable those without to easily pay for goods and services. The opportunity for investment firms is therefore vast, Lawani said. Helioss experience in the African telecom market includes founding and developing mobile-mast firm Helios Towers Plc, which expanded through acquisitions across the continent and listed in London in 2019. The investment firm is now in the process of raising a $1.25 billion fund for future deals. Energy Focus Another focus for Helios is the continents role in the global energy transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy options. The company is raising $350 million for this purpose, Lawani said. We want to help Africa to navigate this quite dangerous energy transition period that we are in, the CEO said. I say dangerous as pro-climate policies are not designed with continents like Africa in mind, but rather with the big polluters like the U.S., Europe and China. We are quite keen not to see Africa miss out on another development cycle, and we want to get these investments done. Helios is looking for deals in South Africa, a country in the throes of a debate about a historic dependence on coal and proposals about new energy sources. The cleaner fuels investment opportunity is particularly interesting in South Africa, and maybe some of the work that we intend to do with the new fund will enable us to deepen and increase our footprint in the country, Lawani said. Now read: Cheapest banks in South Africa Telkom has responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa proclamation instructing South Africas anti-corruption watchdog, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), to investigate dodgy deals at Telkom dating back to 2016. The Presidencys surprise announcement was published in the government gazette on Tuesday after he had signed it on 14 January 2022. Among the issues Ramaphosa referred to the SIU is Telkoms 2011 sale of its botched Nigerian operation, Multi-Links, and the sale of iWayAfrica and Africa Online Mauritius in 2013. Late communications minister Roy Padayachie revealed in July 2011 that Telkom had made a R7 billion loss on Multi-Links after acquiring it in March 2007. Telkom notes [the Government Gazette] giving the SIU authority to investigate possible maladministration in the sale or disposal of iWayAfrica, Africa Online Mauritius and Multi-Links Telecommunications Limited, the company stated. Telkom follows robust corporate governance principles. All matters relating to these transactions are on the public record. The partially state-owned telecommunications giant said that its own investigation flagged possible cases of wrongdoing by two employees in one of these transactions. It was declared in terms of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, Telkom said. Telkom issued civil summons against an employee with an eye to recovering losses amounting to $5 million relating to activities incidental to the transaction, it added. As the matter is the subject of a criminal and civil nature, Telkom will deal with the case on its merits in the appropriate forum, in the appropriate manner, at the appropriate time. Telkom did not comment on the first part of Ramaphosas directive instructing the SIU to investigate allegations of unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by Telkom or the state with several Telkom contracts. These contracts relate to telegraph services telex and telegrams and advisory services in respect of the broadband and mobile strategy of Telkom. The advisory services mentioned in the proclamation may refer to the billions Telkom reportedly spent on consultants over the years, including a R200 million contract with Bain & Company, and a separate contract with consulting firm A.T. Kearney. When questioned about these contracts at the time, Telkom defended them, saying it received value for the money spent. As he was growing up in Northern California, Todd Spanier found nothing unusual about his familys interest in foraging for wild mushrooms. Many within his circle his grandparents, godfather, parents, and close friends were expert fungaioli (an Italian term used for mushroom hunters). Weekends might be spent on excursions as his family and friends searched within local forests for delectable fungi. Perhaps they would find golden chanterelles with their nutty aroma or delicate morels or a sweet oyster mushroom, or someone might find a meaty porcini or the rare coccoli, with its complex flavor and texture. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $5.99 per mo Foraging for mushrooms was just a normal and fun thing we did growing up, Spanier said. As young as 5 years old, Spanier was taught the difference between edible and poisonous varieties. He also learned to forage respectfully with an eye toward conservation. His grandfathers expected him to collect only where appropriate and legal, leave the base of the mushroom in place, collect only what could be used, and leave at least a few mushrooms behind to seed the next generation and thus to ensure future harvests. The reward for the most successful collector was to be crowned king or queen for the day. Anyone who found the biggest one that day got to be the king or queen of mushrooms, he said. Being crowned royalty was no laughing matter. The title provided the winner with a luxurious evening devoid of cooking or cleaning responsibilities. Fungi were central to life for the Spanier family. Every Christmas his great-aunt Lala from Borgotaro, Italy, sent a burlap sack full of dried porcini mushrooms she had collected. Later in life, Spanier would travel to the village, where hed forage right alongside Lala, harvesting and then enjoying fresh porcinis cooked with tomatoes into sugo sauce and served along with homemade chestnut ravioli. That Spanier eventually would become a professional fungaioli makes sense in hindsight, but it wasnt until high school that that idea first took shape. In the early 1990s, Spaniers godfather, Giovanni Tempesta a professor in the Italian language program at Stanford University visited his high school to share an Alba white truffle. These particular fungi are some of the most prized culinary items in the world, often fetching over $500 per ounce. When he walked in, the entire room filled with the [truffle] aroma, Spanier said. Then he showed us a slide show of him and his brothers big white pig hunting truffles in the forest in Perugia, Italy, and I started wondering if this was something I might do for a living. His business started slowly. Still in high school, he spent some of his weekends foraging for mushrooms and mapping secret spots where mushrooms thrived. When hed find a clutch of edible mushrooms, hed rush home to make calls to some of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Id just cold-call a fancy restaurant and tell them I had a bunch of morels or whatever, he said. At first theyd be like, Who is this kid? But after they saw what I could provide they started to actually call me. His efforts gained him more than just pocket money. He also honed his expertise and built up a reputation along the way. After graduating from high school, two trips to Italy to visit family were all it took to solidify Spaniers future. By 1996 he had launched a new company The King of Mushrooms, named in honor his familys tradition. Today The King of Mushrooms has become a thriving business that not only sells locally foraged mushrooms to individuals and restaurants but also provides mushrooms and truffles sourced from other local foragers and imports a few varieties including white and black truffles from Europe. Beyond selling mushrooms, Spanier also leads groups of mushroom enthusiasts on local foraging expeditions throughout Northern California, one of which I recently joined. We met in Boonville, and he eventually led us a few miles north. I promised not to share the exact location to protect it from over-foraging. He led us to a stunning, fern-strewn valley that was dotted with giant redwoods. The surrounding hills were covered in manzanita and tanoak. Everything was damp from recent rain, and the air smelled of wet earth and a refreshing minty aroma that I came to learn was from a dense thicket of nearby Mentha pulegium (pennyroyal). The group gathered around Spanier, eager for instruction. There are old mushroom hunters and there are bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old-bold mushroom hunters, he told us, explaining that because some mushrooms are toxic it is critical to learn how to forage first with an expert, paying close attention to subtle differences in shape, color, and texture. When foraging for mushrooms imagine that you are water, he said. Think about how water might flow down the slope of a hill or within a valley, and thats where you start searching first. As we walked Spanier talked about how one of the most poisonous local mushrooms the dreaded death cap (Amanita phalloides) is actually an invasive species that arrived during the 1849 gold rush as spores, likely tracked in on the miners boots or the hooves of farm animals. We also learned that one of the oldest known organisms on earth is the Armillaria ostoyae, an enormous fungus first discovered in Oregon two decades ago. Believed to be as big as a 200-ton blue whale, this fungus is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old. Another fun fungal fact is that scientists have recently found that the total length of fungal mycelium (think of mycelium as roots) in the top few inches of the earths soil laid end to end would measure more than 280 quadrillion miles, or about half the width of our galaxy. Fascinating asides aside, finding edible mushrooms was of top priority, and our guide was hopeful that the early winter rains of 2021 might usher in a bumper crop of chanterelles and oyster mushrooms, maybe even the prized Amanita calyptroderma. Also known as coccora, coccoli or the Pacific amanita, these mushrooms are utterly delicious savory with a pleasant, mild seafood flavor. However, A. calyptroderma is also easily confused with its close cousin the death cap. Only about 2% of fungi are deadly, but ingesting even a small portion of the toxic death cap can kill an adult by way of liver and kidney failure. Some historians believe that it was this mushroom that caused the deaths of Roman Emperor Claudius in C.E. 54 and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in 1740. Collecting these culinary treasurers more than nearly any other requires identification by an expert. Spending the morning walking in the woods and training my eyes to notice what are often well-camouflaged fungi was a treat. The world provides so much when we learn to look closely. When looking so intently one sees other attractions, too, such as the vibrant, verdant beauty of moss on a decaying log. A tiny mushroom sprouting out of a rock is one of the few organisms able to mineralize stone. A salamander under a fallen leaf. Birds, squirrels and the sound of water dripping onto a damp forest floor. Aromas of decaying leaves, pine, each tree different. Two hours later we had collected only a few handfuls of oyster mushrooms. It was still a little too early yet, our guide explained. Just then a blast of a French horn sounded from the woods. A friend of Spaniers, Michelle Rattaire, Steve Jobs banquet chef who has been hunting mushrooms with Spanier for decades, had found something. Holding a mushroom high above his head in one hand and the horn dangling from the other, Rattaire approached. You found one! Spanier called. Rattaire handed his friend the mushroom and bowed victoriously. Today he would be the king of the mushrooms. Spanier gazed at the nearly foot-long fungus for a long time, twisting and turning it in all directions, inspecting and then reinspecting it. Finally, his grin widened. Wow, just wow! he said. This is certainly calyptroderma. What a day. This is truly wondrous. The American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation has been busy these past few weeks in preparation for its second annual Heart Your Parks month celebration, cutting up massive frames in the shape of a heart for local artists to decorate and set up around town. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $5.99 per mo An initiative put together by the ACCPF to get locals out-and-about in the public parks system, Heart Your Parks month entails a slew of community events and fundraisers in addition to its mainstay exhibit the Heart Walk where love- and nature-themed displays will be put on view in Shenandoah Park, Community Park II and Wetlands Edge throughout February. Community members can leisurely enjoy the embellished trails, or can pursue the ACCPFs walking search-and-solve challenge to hunt down all 40-some hearts. Those interested in painting their own mini hearts can also head to Shenandoah Park on Saturday, Feb. 5 for a community event, and java drinkers can join the ACCPF for morning coffee at Wetlands on Saturday, Feb. 19. Heart Your Parks showcases our local artists, it encourages people to get outdoors and get active and healthy, and it promotes our local parks, said Janelle Sellick, executive director of the ACCPF. And, because we have the hearts spread out throughout parks, trails, and other locations in American Canyon, it might get people out to see a location that they had never seen before. According to Sellick, Heart Your Park month initially began as a COVID response program back when most establishments were still shut down, and she and her colleagues were scratching their heads over how to get community members out in the parks. We were trying to find ways to make walking more enjoyable and encourage people to get out and get healthy and get active together, but in a safe way, said Sellick. So now, in this current COVID spike, we want to provide an affordable way for people to get out in the community and exercise while also showcasing the work of local artists. The inaugural Heart Your Park month featured work from 20 different artists, but this year, the ACCPF was able to more than double the amount. And according to ACCPFs program coordinator Andrea Long, they also were able to highlight artists hailing from Vallejo and Napa, in addition to American Canyon. We give the artists a very broad theme, and then seeing them come back with their interpretation of that theme is just fascinating, Long said of the submission process. We asked them to have it be, first and foremost, positive in nature, but also reflect the environment or their interaction with the natural world. But what comes back? Each artist's interpretation of that is different, and each one is unique and special It comes together to make a really nice representation of how our community feels about the environment, about the outdoors, and how we connect with it, and especially during COVID, how it's helped us, she said. This year, under-18 artists also have been folded into the Heart Your Park festivities. With submissions ranging from a class of kindergarteners to local seniors, the ACCPF was able to reach a greater subset of the artistic community through various programs, including the Youth Art Contest. The Youth Art Contest we initiated this year, said Long. We reached out to the principals and the local PTOs at the three elementary schools and American Canyon Middle School, and we created a flyer and asked them to submit their design concepts We had several hundred submissions come in across the schools. From there, Long and her colleagues narrowed the submissions down to three stellar pieces from each school, before then handing over the final voting process to the respective student bodies. Andrea Sierra Funtes, a third-grader, won for Napa Junction Elementary; Kristen Bandang, a second-grader won for Canyon Oaks Elementary; Abram Ramos, a fifth-grader won for Donaldson Way Elementary; and eighth-grader Xochitl Gonzalez won for AmCan Middle. Then at the end, when we auction them off, the money that's raised for their particular heart will be donated to their school PTO, said Long. American Canyon High School students are also in on the fun, with ACHS Ceramics students creating customized hearts for ACCPFs contributing members, with funds raised going toward new glaze supplies for their studio. In addition to all of this community fundraising, though, the ACCPF is also hoping to make some dough for themselves, too. In addition to selling the student-created hearts to benefit their schools PTO, the foundation will also auction off the other community members pieces to fund future arts in parks programs. We're in the beginning stages of working on a permanent environmental sculpture to go out at our Wetlands trailhead, so a lot of the proceeds of the Heart Your Parks auction this year will go to help fund that permanent sculpture, said Sellick. The design is still being worked on, but it will be something that's made with repurposed materials and celebrates our appreciation for the wetlands and the wildlife out there. The ACCPF also sells merchandise like magnets and sweatshirts both online and at Heart Your Park events, all with designs based on the artwork submissions featured in the Heart Walk. Above all else though, Sellick and her colleagues goal is simple: to increase awareness of the expansive and beautiful American Canyon parks system. Soon we'll have the map up on our website, so people will be able to come down, and they can make sure they hit all the spots that they want to see, said Sellick. Learn more about Heart Your Parks month and the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation at acparks.org. You can reach Sam Jones at 707-256-2221 and sjones@napanews.com. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Customers were evacuated from the American Canyon Walmart Monday night after a reported bomb threat, but police reported no explosives or suspicious objects were found. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $5.99 per mo The threat was telephoned to a business in the 7000 block of Main Street at the Napa Junction shopping center, police Sgt. Nathalie Hurtado said in an email. Officers were sent to the scene at 6:37 p.m. Police did not identify the targeted business, but a Napa Valley Register reporter inside the Walmart was among those who were told to evacuate the building at 7011 Main St. shortly before 7:15 p.m. A search of the area surrounding the store did not turn up any suspicious objects, according to Hurtado. The Walmart reopened to visitors before 9:40 p.m. Robert Eugene Shippmann, who has been imprisoned for nearly 30 years after killing his estranged wife in the hills near Angwin nearly three decades ago, will get another chance at parole in March. The 84-year-old Shippmann will face a state Board of Parole Hearings March 25 at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, where he is being held for the shooting death of Juli Mathis Schippmann in 1993, according to the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website. He has regularly sought parole about once every three years and been rejected several times, most recently in March 2019. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $5.99 per mo Napa County Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero will represent his department at the parole hearing and help make the case against freeing Shippmann. We feel he continues to be a significant danger to the public, he said Monday ahead of the hearing, which is not open to the public and will be conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to prosecutors, Shippmann, who was then 55 and previously spelled his name as Schippmann, drove the 28-year-old Mathis to a remote area off Howell Mountain Road on April 23, 1993. There, he used a .22-caliber semiautomatic rifle to shoot his estranged wife three times in the chest, back and the back of her head, prosecutors said after his last bid for parole three years ago. Afterward, Shippmann turned the gun on himself in a suicide attempt but survived. A student from Pacific Union College in Angwin driving on a dirt road saw Shippmanns pickup truck and found him inside, and his wifes body on the ground in front of the vehicle, according to previous Napa Valley Register reports. Shippmann pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a sentence of 15 years to life. The couple, who lived in St. Helena and had been married three years, were having marital trouble and had separated, and Mathis had moved in with her mother and filed a restraining order against Shippmann, according to past Register reports. The week before her murder, Mathis reported to St. Helena Police that she had been kidnapped, raped, and beaten by her estranged husband. Several attempts by Shippmann to gain parole since 2004 have failed, as Mathis relatives have written letters and collected signatures urging that he remain behind bars. The Napa County District Attorneys Office has joined Mathis family during previous parole hearings, pointing to the heinousness of the murder and his history of violence against women. Parole denied for man convicted of killing estranged wife near Angwin in 1993 Robert Eugene Shippmann, who was convicted of killing his estranged wife, Juli, in the hills near Angwin a quarter century ago, was denied par Relatives of both Shippmann and Mathis interviewed Monday by the Napa Valley Register confirmed they will again write letters to the state parole board calling for Shippmanns continued imprisonment. He makes excuses, (and) he has not attended much counseling on domestic violence because he says there wasnt any going on, which we know is not factual, his biological daughter Rochelle Rose said of the thrice-married Shippmann. Theres been a long relationship with domestic violence in all of his homes; I think thats why hes not been released, and when he was released, we wrote about our own experiences in his home, which was horrendous. Gov. Brown reverses parole decision, keeps Napa Valley murderer in prison An 80-year-old convicted murderer deemed suitable for parole last year will be staying in prison after all. Gov. Jerry Brown reversed the Paro A parole board in 2017 deemed Shippmann a suitable candidate for release, but then-Gov. Jerry Brown overruled the finding a year later, keeping Shippmann behind bars. During the 2019 parole hearing in Vacaville, Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero argued Shippmann should not go free because the murder of Mathis was vicious, he minimized acts of domestic violence and didnt understand what drove him to commit the crime, and because he took part only rarely in self-help programs in prison. Even as an octogenarian, Shippmann would remain as dangerous as ever if paroled, according to Mathis mother Joanne Mathis Wilson, who described an outwardly quiet manner and regular attendance at a Seventh-day Adventist church concealing an explosive temper. Man convicted of Angwin murder denied parole again Robert Schippmann has been denied parole again. I am saying the same thing I have said since forever about the man: Hes a dangerous person, very dangerous, said Wilson, a St. Helena resident who is joining the letter-writing effort against Shippmanns parole but will not attend the March hearing for health reasons. I dont care how old the man is; he is very violent. And I want this to be noted and someone to understand just because he pretends to be such a nice normal man, hes not. We have enough violence already in our community, in our state, in our country and all over the world, and we dont need any more. You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Vietnam receives additional 6.27 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from foreign donors Vietnam received an additional 6.27 million COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal and the United Kingdom through the COVAX Facility at the turn of the year 2021/2022. Germany has donated vaccines and medical equipment to Viet Nam on several occasions in 2021. Photo by the German Embassy in Hanoi According to a report by UNICEF Vietnam, the country received 4,000,230 doses Covid-19 vaccine donated by the Government of Germany, 99,450 doses from the Government of Luxembourg, 159,120 doses from the Government of Portugal and 2,012,960 doses from the UK, all through the COVAX Facility. The German Ambassador to Viet Nam, Dr. Guido Hildner, said Germany has donated vaccines and medical equipment to Viet Nam on several occasions in 2021. With this new shipment of over 4 million doses of BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine via COVAX, Germany continues its ongoing support to Viet Nam to fight and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic." The recent delivery is the largest German donation of vaccine doses to Viet Nam to date, bringing the total number of vaccines supplied by Germany to Viet Nam to over 10 million doses. Representing the Embassy of Portugal to Viet Nam, the Honorary Consul in Ha Noi, Mr. Tran Kim Chung said: In 2021, Portugal donated nearly 160,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Viet Nam through COVAX Facility. Portugal will continue to support Viet Nam in health sector to respond to the challenges caused by the pandemic and to ensure the equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines for Vietnamese people. With the delivery of vaccines donated by the Government of Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal and the United Kingdom, Viet Nam has received 51,024,180 doses of COVID-19 vaccines via the COVAX Facility. ROCKVILLE The teen charged with shooting a fellow student at a Maryland high school last week told authorities he bought parts for the 9 mm ghost gun online and assembled it with a friend, a prosecutor said in court Monday. Montgomery County States Attorneys Office Juvenile Court Division Chief Carlotta Woodward told the judge at a bond hearing for Steven Alston Jr., 17, that the 15-year-old victim critically wounded in the shooting at Magruder High School on Friday is fighting for his life, news outlets reported. Advertisement [ Police: Student shot at Montgomery County school, suspect in custody ] Alston is charged as an adult with attempted second-degree murder, felony assault and weapons offenses. The judge ordered Alston held without bond Monday and granted a request that he be held at a juvenile facility. An 11th grader, Alston brought the gun to school because he knew there would be a conflict that day and went to a boys bathroom on Friday afternoon with the loaded gun in his waistband, Woodward said. Alston pointed it at the victims head and when the victim pushed the gun away, he was shot in the pelvis area, she said. Advertisement After the shooting, Alston went to a classroom with other students and was found with the magazine with nine bullets in his sock, Woodward said. Later in the day, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said, investigators learned learned that other students who had been in the bathroom tweeted about the shooting, identifying the suspect and the victim, instead of calling 911 or alerting staff that a classmate had been shot. The wounded student wasnt found until a security sweep during the change in classes, he said. A policeman stands near the scene at Col. Zadok Magruder High School where authorities say a student was shot and a suspect was in custody, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Rockville, Md. (Freddy Kunkle/The Washington Post via AP) (Freddy Kunkle/AP) Authorities identified the gun used as a ghost gun, an untraceable weapon thats usually sold in pieces. Five such guns have been recovered at county schools this academic year, States Attorney John McCarthy said. Citing Alstons lack of criminal history, attorney Lucy Larkins asked the judge to allow the teen to be released to home detention so he could take classes virtually. I know he is committed to continuing his studies, Larkins said. The judge denied the request. The city of Napa announced late last week that some city lobbies may be temporarily closed to the public in response to the current rapid spread of COVID-19. Only the Napa Police Departments lobby is currently closed, and will remain closed at least until Jan. 28, according to a city press release. The police department will evaluate reopening its lobby each week after Jan. 28, the press release said. Police reports can still be filed online on the citys website, and the departments records personnel can be contacted via phone (707-257-9573) or email (napapdrecords@cityofnapa.org). Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $5.99 per mo Any subsequent anticipated lobby closures will be announced by the city, according to the press release. COVID-19 cases have been surging rapidly in Napa County over the past few weeks. Napa County announced the region had identified 1,470 positive cases of the virus on Friday last week, the highest number of positive weekly cases so far. That represented a 43% rise in cases from the previous week, which had also broken the weekly case count record. City manager Steve Potter previously said the citys safety response is connected to its high number of staff vacancies, which heightens the potential disruption COVID-19 exposures and the resulting quarantine periods can have on city operations. The city previously transitioned most public meetings back to virtual meetings on Jan. 7 in response to the ongoing COVID-19 surge. And, on Jan. 12, the city canceled two in-person redistricting community workshops set to be held Jan. 15 and moved two workshops planned for Jan. 30 to a virtual format. The city has also made a few internal changes to respond to the virus: internal staff meetings are being held virtually, and city staff members, if possible or appropriate, are working from home. Additionally, the city has contracted a contact tracer to manage COVID-19 cases and exposures, according to the press release. The city partnered with Providence Queen of the Valley last week to hold a COVID-19 vaccine booster clinic. Roughly 77% of city employees are fully vaccinated, the press release says. Thats a few percentage points above the 73.4% of Napa County residents that are fully vaccinated, according to county data from Jan. 18. You can reach Edward Booth at (707) 256-2213. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A whopping $45 billion budget surplus. Signs that we are (maybe, finally) rounding the corner on the coronavirus pandemic. Persistent, perennial problems like the sky-high cost of living and drought. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $5.99 per mo As Californians look deeper into 2022, what can we expect lawmakers in Sacramento to tackle this year? Is the Golden State, long a beacon of hope for progressives, set to swing more conservative as some residents demand a crackdown on crime and homelessness? Or will the fact that the pandemic showed just how interconnected we all are give new life to once-lofty ideas like single-payer health care? Those battles will play out here as Republicans try to take back control of Congress and like abortion and voting rights continue to roil the nation. Where will California end up? Jack Pitney, a Claremont McKenna College politics professor, thinks the state will remain, "in broad strokes, progressive, but with some relatively conservative streaks." Take crime. While some parts of the state have seen an increase in certain types of crime, California has not suddenly become a hotbed of criminal activity. And yet, the state's politicians know voters have been inundated with a barrage of footage of retail robberies and, recently, miles of train tracks in Southern California littered with pilfered Amazon boxes. "That can drive public opinion as much as the statistics do," Pitney said, warning that "anything that goes wrong for California will be a video segment on Fox News." Gov. Gavin Newsom seemed to acknowledge as much this week when he lamented, "We look like a third-world country," as he helped clean up railroad tracks in Los Angeles. In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed introduced a ballot measure that would expand police access to surveillance cameras as part of a bid to crack down on crime and rampant drug use in the Tenderloin and elsewhere. Earlier this month, Newsom unveiled a that called for more prosecutors and a new to combat organized retail crime, along with grants for impacted businesses. The governor has also hinted, without providing details, that he plans on "leaning into conservatorships this year," perhaps as a way to force mentally ill homeless people . And yet the notion that deep blue California, where Democrats hold supermajorities in both the state Senate and Assembly, would abandon its progressive ethos entirely to return to being a tough law-and-order state is a nonstarter. "I don't see that as a priority," said Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Menlo College, who thinks more voters are more concerned about issues having to do with schools, housing costs and climate change than cracking down on crime. "How am I supposed to keep my kid safe but get a good education? How am I supposed to find somewhere to live?" Michelson said. "It's 75 degrees in January, that seems problematic...The greatest hits of California's perennial problems." And, she added, "how can the state shift conservative when there's no conservative party to grow?" Republicans did not succeed with the recent attempt to recall Newsom, and would-be moderate GOP lawmakers are stuck trying to appeal to a base that is small but still . Pitney, a former Republican strategist who left the party after Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016, agreed that "at the statewide level, the problem is pretty dire" for the party. With the budget surplus, lawmakers could choose to go big on one or two key issues say, funneling massive amounts of money toward housing homeless people, or injecting cash into thorny . "There's a lot of progressive impulse in California that in the past has been limited by lack of available funds," Michelson said. And, she pointed out, "we've got all these Democratic socialists in local government, so maybe that is the future." But for now, Michelson said, "there's a limit." Consider San Jose Assemblymember Ash Kalra's single-payer health care proposal. The bill would eliminate private insurance and guarantee medical coverage for all residents by implementing new taxes. It's backed by the powerful California Nurses Association, but faces steep opposition from deep-pocketed insurance companies and other business interests. Even many of his fellow Democratic lawmakers aren't sold on the idea, and analysts say its chances for passage are low. The bill passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and is likely headed for the Assembly floor next week. But it's linked to a funding bill that calls for tax increases, which must pass by two-thirds and get approval from voters. Raising taxes while state coffers are overflowing? That's a hard sell to voters faced with $5 a gallon gas prices at the pump. There's also the chance lawmakers could sprinkle the funds around to various smaller projects. That could give lots of lawmakers something to take home to constituents, but the strategy also creates the risk that voters don't see much meaningful progress. Whatever they do, Pitney warned, lawmakers need to keep in mind that "when you spend the surplus, you are raising expectations those levels will remain in out-years when the revenues aren't so flush." He paused, chuckling. "But that's not the way politicians think," Pitney said, evoking former Gov. Jerry Brown's constant warnings that revenues are volatile. "In making decisions, it's not likely legislators will dwell on the biblical story of Joseph and the coming lean years." And, as the pandemic made painfully clear, there's always the looming possibility that some unforeseen calamity will strike and suck up resources and attention. "Some kind of disaster we're not thinking of," said Pitney, who lost his former Glendale home in a mudslide and then had to be evacuated from the 2009 Station Fire. "There's always the chance we'll have the Big One." Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Fishtrap Lake, shown in this 2019 file photo, will be the recipient of more than $2 million in federal funding for improvements, it was announced last week. Pikeville, KY (41501) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. High 74F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 54F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Dollar goes up, euro also rises in Armenia EU studying possibility of providing military assistance to Moldova Opposition supporters move toward Armenian parliament building Armenia deputy police chief says law enforcement has right detain MPs Large-scale opposition rally starts in central Yerevan Many teenagers in New Zealand are illiterate AFP: EU proposes to impose sanctions on Patriarch Kirill Arestovich says Israel could supply Ukraine with weapons Azerbaijan used in Karabakh war Parliament speaker threatens Armenian opposition, clergy Armenia opposition MP: Ex-President Serzh Sargsyan will not hold office in new government Beijing closes over 60 subway stations due to COVID-19 outbreak Bayramov, Roquefeuil discuss Azerbaijan-Armenia relations normalization process Armenia FM meets with US National Democratic Institute president Armenia ruling force MP: Opposition will not achieve its goal Armenia 2nd president Robert Kocharyans son blocking road with citizens in Yerevan Oklahoma bans almost all abortions Number of children in Japan falls to record low Karabakh President meets with of Free Homeland-UCA parliamentary faction members Armenian judge waves Artsakh flag at Ironman Triathlon (PHOTOS) There is still lot to do in 'October 27' case, says Armenia Prosecutor General Ambassador Wiktorin to finance minister: EU ready to continue providing assistance to Armenia government Armenia Prosecutor General admits there are difficulties in investigation of 'March 1' criminal case Copper price is stable 3 COVID-19 new cases confirmed in Armenia American Armenian youth hold protest rally outside Armenia embassy in Washington Japan protests against North Korean missile Gold is getting cheaper U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue issues joint statement Newspaper: Armenia Patrol Guard Service head to be summoned to Investigative Committee to give explanation Armenia parliament regular sittings continue Newspaper: Armenia opposition members falling into National Security Service trap by opening links Civil disobedience protests resume in Yerevan Earthquake shakes Armenia-Georgia border zone Microsoft urges to abandon Internet Explorer Mark Milley: Potential for significant international conflict between great powers is increasing 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 YEREVAN. Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: Armen Sarkissian's resignation is creating new realities in the country. The authorities may become completely unipolar in the near future. People are now discussing how Armen Sarkissian ended up in the RA President's chair. They recall that various names were circulating in that periodin particular, the name of ex-PM Vazgen Manukyan, but a statement by [then President] Serzh Sargsyan that a person who speaks languages would be elected [President] made it clear that it was about Armen Sarkissian. According to our information, it was during that period that [second President] Robert Kocharyan met with the third president and urged him not to bring Armen Sarkissian [as the new President]substantiating his [respective] point of view. Our sources say that after that conversation, the already tense relations between Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan broke down in general. The State Service for the Protection of Historical Environment of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has summed up 2021, assessing it as a difficult year for the Service. As a result of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan in the fall of 2020, about 2,000 monuments have remained in the occupied territories. In 2021, work was carried out to preserve, popularize, and study historical and architectural immovable monuments, historical environment, and other cultural treasures, as well as to monitor and collect information on the condition of monuments in the Azerbaijani-occupied territories. During the reporting year, about 200 monuments were discovered in the Martakert and Askeran regionsincluding cross-stones, tombstones and church-chapels, some of which containing inscriptions and others containing important information. Greek authorities declared January 25 a day off because of the heavy snowfall that paralyzed the country, announced Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Christos Stylianides during a briefing on the subject of bad weather, on Monday evening, TASS reports. According to Christos Stylianides, a day off has been declared on Tuesday in the [metropolitan area of] Attica, the island of Evia, the region of Boeotia, the islands of Cyclades, Sporades, Dodecanese and Crete, as these regions are declared high risk areas due to extreme weather conditions and the introduction of appropriate emergency measures. Employees of all public institutions will not work, with the exception of local government, security services, the armed forces, health facilities and public transport. Educational institutions of all levels, kindergartens, children's centers will also be closed in these areas, there will not even be remote classes. The work of private enterprises is suspended. Only grocery stores, pharmacies and other health structures, gas stations, as well as organizations that assist in coping with the consequences of bad weather will work, the minister said. On Monday, a strong cyclone Elpis struck Greece, bringing heavy snowfall and severely low temperatures. About a dozen Athens districts and suburbs, mostly in the northern region, were left without electricity and Internet because of broken wires on which tree trunks and branches fell. Dozens of technicians were sent to repair the damage, but for now, many homes remain without electricity, internet and individual heating. Hundreds of cars are stuck in the snow on the Attiki Odos toll highway, which runs through the north of the capital and goes to Athens International Airport. Authorities have engaged firefighters and the army to evacuate drivers who have been in their cars for hours without food or heat. According to Stylianides, the drivers will be taken to six locations, from which they will be taken by bus to prepared hotels, where they will be given medical care if necessary. The Armenian authorities consider absurd the reports circulating in the press that the Russian 102nd military base is being pulled out from Gyumri. Artur Hovhannisyan, the secretary of the ruling majority "Civil Contract" Faction in the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, stated about this Tuesday during the traditional press briefings in the NA. Also, the MP recalled that Armenia and Russia are "strategic allies." "At this moment, a new dialogue has startedthrough special envoysbetween Armenia and Turkey. It has started recently, and, consequently, the relevant departments will be informed about the development of [respective] events," Hovhannisyan said, referring to the press reports on the pulling out of the aforesaid Russian military baseand within the framework of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. "Such rumors have no basis at the moment. Therefore, they are not subject to comment. There is no such discussion in our scene," assured the representative of the ruling political force in Armenia. In his turn, another MP of the Civil Contract Faction, Vahagn Hovakimyan, noted that the agreement on the deployment of the Russian 102nd military base in Gyumri is valid until 2049but he said nothing about the fact that any one of these two parties can cancel this agreement at any time. To note, Zhoghovurd daily had written that the normalization of Armenias relations with Turkey may lead to the pulling out of the Russian 102nd military base from Gyumri. Top Maryland lawmakers vowed Tuesday to ban ghost guns in the state this year, hoping to disrupt the supply of unregistered and untraceable guns that can be bought easily online, sidestepping background checks. Efforts to ban ghost guns have languished in Annapolis the past few years, but lawmakers and activists are making a renewed push for the ban as the weapons are becoming more common. Advertisement It is clearer now than ever that we need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous extremists, as well as those who are in crisis and pose a danger to themselves or others, said Melissa Ladd, state chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Denise Reid of Baltimore holds a sign for Moms of Murdered Sons and Daughters United as she takes a group picture on the steps of the State House Tuesday at a rally in support of a bill that would outlaw "ghost guns" in Maryland. Dozens of members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and other gun violence prevention groups rallied on Lawyers Mall in Annapolis on Tuesday. (Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Sun) Ladd was among dozens of Moms Demand members in red T-shirts, jackets and surgical masks who gathered Tuesday in Annapolis to make a public push for the ban on ghost guns. The members planned to have video meetings with more than 140 of the states 188 lawmakers on Wednesday. Advertisement Ghost guns are generally sold as kits that are 80% complete, typically with no serial number, that purchasers finish putting together themselves. Buying gun kits online allows purchasers to avoid Marylands requirements for gun ownership, including background checks and, in the case of handguns, a training course and a special license. Opponents say banning ghost guns could cause otherwise law-abiding gun owners and hobbyists to be charged with a crime and that Maryland should wait on pending federal rules to restrict sales of the weapons. Supporters of the ban pointed to a shooting Friday at Magruder High School in Montgomery County as an example of why theres a need to stem the supply of ghost guns. One teenager shot another in a school bathroom with a ghost gun. The 17-year-old shooter bought the parts for the 9 mm gun online and built it with a friend, according to a prosecutor. The 15-year-old who was shot remains in the hospital fighting for his life. Lilly Freeman, a student at Walt Whitman High School in Montgomery County, talks about the need to ban "ghost guns" in Maryland during a rally in Annapolis Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. "We do not deserve to bear the weight of gun violence on our shoulders," said Freeman, a leader with Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. (Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Sun) Lilly Freeman, a student at Montgomery Countys Walt Whitman High School, said young people feel like their pleas for help that come after each school shooting from Virginia Tech to Marjory Stoneman Douglas arent heard. It feels almost pointless to say that I am numb and I am devastated. Of course I am. Of course I am, said Freeman, a leader with the Students Demand Action group. But I have been made to feel that my emotions dont matter, students emotions dont matter, because we have seen such little change in our lives when it comes to gun violence. The ghost guns ban has the backing of Democratic Attorney General Brian Frosh, and the chairs of the legislatures judicial committees pledged to pass the bills in their committees this year. That would lead to debates before the full House of Delegates and state Senate. In the Judicial Proceedings Committee, were going to pass this bill this year, said Sen. William C. Smith Jr., a Montgomery County Democrat who chairs that committee. Advertisement Its time to do this, added Del. Luke Clippinger, a Baltimore Democrat who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, has not offered a public position on the ghost gun ban and a spokesman said Tuesday that the governor will thoughtfully review any legislation that reaches his desk. Hogan has supported past gun legislation, including a red flag program that allows for guns to be temporarily taken away if a judge finds a person might harm themselves or others. But Hogan is in his last year in office and weighing options for his political future, and gun control is not popular among Republicans. Del. Lesley Lopez, left, Sen. Susan Lee and activist Melissa Ladd raise their hands as they vow to pass a bill that would outlaw "ghost guns" in Maryland. Dozens of members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and other gun violence prevention groups rallied on Lawyers Mall in Annapolis on Tuesday. (Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Sun) The ban has been considered in Annapolis for five years now, said Del. Lesley Lopez, the lead sponsor in the House of Delegates. Its a full-court press, said Lopez, a Montgomery County Democrat. Weve got the momentum, weve got the movement and were ready to get this done. The ghost gun bill would ban buying, selling and transferring an unfinished frame or receiver if it does not have a serial number imprinted by a licensed manufacturer starting June 1. Advertisement Starting Jan. 1, 2023, it would be illegal to own a gun without the serial number, a misdemeanor punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. The ban would not apply to guns manufactured before 1968 or antique firearms Lopez said those who already own handmade or ghost guns would be able to go to a federally-licensed firearms dealer to have a serial number and manufacturing information engraved on the weapon. Police say they are recovering an increasing number of ghost guns at crime scenes. In the first three weeks of the year, 31 of the 187 guns seized by Baltimore Police Department officers have been ghost guns. Last year, city officers sized 324 ghost guns, representing about 14% of all guns seized. Thats a steep increase from 128 ghost guns seized in 2020, and 30 seized in 2019. In addition to the Magruder High School shooting, a Westminster teen was fatally injured by a ghost gun at a home in Dundalk last week. Police have charged a man with failing to secure the gun in the home and illegal possession of a gun because he is a felon and prohibited from having guns. Advocates for gun rights are expected to register their opposition to the ban, saying bad actors who get ghost guns can and should be punished under existing gun laws. Advertisement Sen. Justin Ready, a Carroll County Republican, said hes skeptical that banning ghost guns would make a dent in violent crime. He suggested that those with violent intentions who are determined to get their hands on untraceable guns still will find a way to do so. I would have a lot more respect for these gun control groups if they came in strong supporting the bills cracking down on the people that commit violent acts, said Ready, who supports tougher sentences for certain gun crimes and has been trying to make theft of a firearm a felony. Hobbyist gun owners could get caught up in the ban and risk losing their ability to buy firearms forever, said Mark Pennak, president of the advocacy group Maryland Shall Issue. Maryland Policy & Politics Weekdays Keep up to date with Maryland politics, elections and important decisions made by federal, state and local government officials. > What we cant have is the General Assembly passing laws that threaten to send away and permanently disqualify law-abiding people, when the states attorneys particularly in Baltimore dont enforce these laws, Pennak said in an interview. If lawmakers insist on banning ghost guns, then they at least could improve the grandfathering provision, Pennak said. He suggests following Californias procedure, which requires ghost gun owners to send to the state information about the gun and the owners eligibility to own one. The state then sends the gun owner a serial number that has to be engraved or otherwise permanently marked on the weapon. Better yet, Pennak said, the state should wait for the adoption of federal regulations proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that would define the most common ghost gun kits as firearms. Thats likely to significantly curtail the sale of gun kits online. Advertisement A lot of this problem is going to be addressed by the ATF regulations that will establish nationwide standards to address the interstate sale of these kits, he said. Theres no need to wait for the federal government, said Sen. Susan Lee, lead sponsor of the ban in the Senate. Were not going to wait around for the federal government to finally do it The regulatory process takes 1,000 years, said Lee, a Montgomery County Democrat. Weve got to protect Marylanders now. Baltimore Sun reporter Jessica Anderson contributed to this article. Ankara plans to open flights to Armenias regions and expand trade ties with Yerevan, Hurriyet daily of Turkey reported, citing the Turkish presidential administrations closed discussions on foreign policy. "As a first step, it was decided to open air communication with Armenia. Then the matter of flights to other regions will be put on the agenda. In particular, Van [city of Turkey] can become a tourism center for Armenians. At the same time, it is planned to restore some historical structuressuch as the bridge and buildings near Kars [city of Turkey]to which the Armenians attach great importance. In order to reduce the pressure of the Armenian diaspora, trade ties [with Turkey] will be expanded at the same time," the newspaper writes. Earlier, the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation had announced that Turkey and Armenia will resume their air communication as of February 2, and flights between Yerevan and Istanbul will be operated three times a week. YEREVAN. The Yerevan court hearing on the criminal case against second President Robert Kocharyan and former deputy prime minister Armen Gevorgyanwho is now an MP of the opposition Armenia Faction in the National Assembly of Armeniais resuming Tuesday. In the previous session, presiding Judge Anna Danibekyan had denied the two motions of Gevorgyan's lawyers on the matter of his parliamentary immunity. Earlier, the court had denied the motion to allow Gevorgyan to go abroad to attend the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). According to the judge, it would be enough for Gevorgyan to remotely attend in this session. At the same time, the court had set the next hearing for January 25, the day of the aforesaid PACE session, thus depriving Armen Gevorgyan of the opportunity to even remotely attend in this session. The ruling Civil Contract Party has not yet started discussing the candidacy of a new President. Gevorg Papoyan, a member of the ruling majority "Civil Contract" Faction in the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, stated about this Tuesday during the traditional press briefings in the NA. According to the MP, under the current respective law, Armen Sarkissian is still the President until the end of a certain timeframe during which time he can withdraw his letter of resignationfor which he still has five to six days. "So, in this situation, we consider the discussion of such matter premature, as at least in theory, the [aforesaid] law leaves an opportunity to withdraw the petition [for resignation]. We will discuss that matter when the post [of the President] remains vacant," Papoyan explained. YEREVAN. The Yerevan court session on the criminal case against second President Robert Kocharyan and former deputy prime minister Armen Gevorgyanwho is now an MP of the opposition Armenia Faction in the National Assembly of Armeniaadjourned Tuesday for at least a week. At the beginning of the hearing, it became apparent that the two defendants were absent from the courtroom. Kocharyan's attorney, Hayk Alumyan, informed the court that there was a confirmed case of the coronavirus in the Kocharyan family, and the former president had taken a COVID-19 test whose result was expected at 5pm. Also, the lawyer submitted all the required documents to the court. And Gevorgyan's attorney, Lusine Sahakyan, read her client's petition to the court. In the petition, Gevorgyan had informed that, as the presiding judge had advised him in the previous court hearing, he was now remotely attending the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Due to the absence of the two defendants, presiding Judge Anna Danibekyan adjourned todays court hearing until February 1. But this date can also be push backdepending on the result of Robert Kocharyan's Covid test. The prosecutor's office has sent to the National Security Service (NSS) the report of Hetq online newspaper about Armen Sarkissian being a citizen of another country before becoming the President of Armenia, according to Gor Abrahamyan, Adviser to the Prosecutor General. As per Abrahamyan, this report was sent to the NSS considering the fact that a criminal case was initiated back in April 2021 on the grounds of falsifying documents in order to conceal Sarkissian's dual citizenship. And this report will be reviewed within the framework of this criminal case. Hetq, citing the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), on Monday publicized an investigation, according to which Armen Sarkissian, in addition to being an Armenian citizen, was also a citizen of another countryat least before becoming the President off Armenia. According to the website, Sarkissian was also a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis. As per Hetqs information, the incumbent Armenian Presidentwho has submitted his resignationhad a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, and this was confirmed during a correspondence with Sarkissian. Under the Armenian Constitution, however, one of the requirements for the President is to be only an Armenian citizen for the last six years and to live permanently in Armenia for the last six years. "President Armen Sarkissian mentioned several reasons in his letter of resignation. But we believe that they have little to do with his resignation. In our opinion, the [real] reason for his resignation is but one: he was a citizen of another countryat least before he became President. (). Let us note that this country [i.e., Saint Kitts and Nevis] is not the United Kingdom, of which Armen Sarkissian was a citizen and which became known before he was elected [President]," Hetq had written, in particular. In a letter released today, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunya Mijatovic called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to return the recently adopted media law to parliament for revision. It is reported by Turan. In her, the Commissioner expresses grave concern that the new law was adopted without broad and meaningful consultation. It does not comply with international standards in the field of human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of the media. The law over-regulates the media and the profession of journalism, which is contrary to the principles of free, independent, uncensored media and pluralism. The adopted law further worsens the situation with freedom of expression and freedom of the media. It empowers public authorities to unduly restrict the work of journalists through licensing. It also provides an opportunity to impose restrictions on the financial, legal and operational activities of media companies and organizations, writes Mijatovic, emphasizing the need to bring legislation into line with international and European standards for freedom of speech and freedom of the media. Four U.S. Attorneys General have sued Google for tracking users' geolocation without their consent, CNBC reports. The actions of the corporation were dubbed surveillance due to the way in the interface they specifically did not allow users to notice that they allowed the collection of data about themselves. According to the prosecution, Google continued to track the location of users even after they banned it. The lawsuits state that the corporation hid from users the observation of their movements from at least 2014 to 2019. When the Location History feature was turned off, the company continued surveillance, prosecutors general said. According to them, regardless of the settings chosen, Google users did not have the opportunity to refuse to allow the collection, storage and use of location data. The plaintiffs demand that the court fine Google and oblige the company to delete the received data. Google denies the accusations, claiming that they provided reliable control over location data. In the event of a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Croatian authorities will withdraw all their military personnel from NATO forces in Eastern Europe, said the President of the Republic Zoran Milanovic on national television, TASS reports. We have nothing to do with this and will not have anything, the President noted. Croatia will not only not send, but in the event of an escalation it will recall everyone, to the last Croatian soldier, the president promised. Today, on January 25, the residents of the Karmir Shouka in the Martuni region of Artsakh closed the main road of the village for some time in order to stop the line of Azerbaijani cars, the Artsakh NA Deputy Metakse Hakobyan told NEWS.am. As Hakobyan said, the residents demanded that the Azerbaijanis inform them in advance when they were going to cross the road in convoy. In addition, residents complain that Azerbaijanis regularly seize animals and do not return them. Azerbaijani side regularly resorts to provocations, often shots are fired in the direction of the village, insults are uttered against the residents. The deputy said that the residents also formed a detachment for the self-defense of the village. We were informed that the road had already been opened by the residents and a convoy of Azerbaijani cars accompanied by Russian peacekeepers had passed. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest as of 25.01.22: The prosecutor's office has sent to the National Security Service (NSS) the report of Hetq online newspaper about Armen Sarkissian being a citizen of another country before becoming the President of Armenia, according to Gor Abrahamyan, Adviser to the Prosecutor General. This report was sent to the NSS considering the fact that a criminal case was initiated back in April 2021 on the grounds of falsifying documents to conceal Sarkissian's dual citizenship. And this report will be reviewed within the framework of this criminal case. Hetq, citing the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), on Monday publicized an investigation, according to which Armen Sarkissian, in addition to being an Armenian citizen, was also a citizen of another countryat least before becoming the President off Armenia. According to the website, Sarkissian was also a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis. As per Hetqs information, the incumbent Armenian Presidentwho has submitted his resignationhad a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, and this was confirmed during correspondence with Sarkissian. Under the Armenian Constitution, however, one of the requirements for the President is to be only an Armenian citizen for the last six years and to live permanently in Armenia for the last six years. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan answered on Monday the questions of journalists and representatives of civil society, on the air, and spoke about all the painful issues that the country is currently facing. The prime ministers press conference began with the question of the resignation of the countrys president, as he announced his decision unexpectedly, including for Pashinyan. The Prime Minister learned about Armen Sarkissians intentions 3.5 hours before the publication of his statement. Even though Sarkissian resigned citing the lack of power due to the constitution, Pashinyan said "there may not be any changes to the constitution." During the press conference, he also outlined the priorities of the current government, including the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Asked if it is necessary to sign a document recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, he noted that, back in 1992, both countries mutually recognized each others territorial integrity in accordance with the borders outlined by the CIS. Later, speaking about the restoration of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz railway, Pashinyan said the construction of the Armenian part of the road would cost Armenia $200 million. This will connect Armenia with Iran and Russia. And both for Armenia and Azerbaijan, this is an opportunity for large transit flows and an opportunity to make big profits, he noted. Ankara plans to open flights to Armenias regions and expand trade ties with Yerevan, Hurriyet daily of Turkey reported, citing the Turkish presidential administrations closed discussions on foreign policy. "As a first step, it was decided to open-air communication with Armenia. Then the matter of flights to other regions will be put on the agenda. In particular, Van can become a tourism center for Armenians," the newspaper writes. As many as 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment to Eastern Europe as Russian troops mass on Ukraine's border, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday, CNN reported. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued the prepare to deploy orders at the direction of President Joe Biden, the latest step the US has taken to prepare for a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine that officials have warned could be imminent. The Armenian authorities consider absurd the reports circulating in the press that the Russian 102nd military base is being pulled out from Gyumri, said Artur Hovhannisyan, the secretary of the ruling majority "Civil Contract" Faction. "Such rumors have no basis at the moment. Therefore, they are not subject to comment. There is no such discussion in our scene," assured the representative of the ruling political force in Armenia. The first semifinal of Eurovision 2022 will take place on May 10, and Armenia will perform in the first semifinal, according to the official website of the international song contest. The second semifinal will take place on May 12. The Eurovision 2022 final will take place on May 14 in PalaOlimpico arena in Turin. Britain will "contribute" to any new deployments of NATO forces if Russia "invades" Ukraine, Boris Johnson said, Sky News reported. He said Western allies would respond "in unison" to "any Russian attack" on Ukraine by imposing sanctions "heavier than anything we have done before." Johnson said: "If Russia invades Ukraine, we would look to contribute to any new NATO deployments to protect our allies in Europe." He said that Britain leads NATO forces in Estonia and last week supplied anti-tank missiles and a small group of British troops to Ukraine, where the British military has trained 21,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015. "Ukrainians have every moral and legal right to defend their country and I believe their resistance would be dogged and tenacious, and the bloodshed comparable to the first war in Chechnya, or Bosnia, or any other conflict that Europe has endured since 1945. No one would gain from such a catastrophe. Russia would create a wasteland in a country which as she constantly reminds us, is composed of fellow Slavs; and Russia would never be able to call it peace," he said. Johnson said Britain has been working with the U.S. and European allies for months to avoid war through dialogue and deterrence in the form of sanctions. He added that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in mid-December and told him that NATO "had no thought of encircling or otherwise threatening his country" but Ukraine "of course enjoys an equal and symmetrical right to that of Russia". Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan and French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot discussed human rights protection issues in Armenia, the official Facebook page of the ombudsman reported. During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to the professional activities of journalists, women's and children's rights. In addition, Tatoyan presented to the ambassador the results of his visit to Paris. According to him, issues related to the human rights situation in the post-war period were discussed in detail during the meetings. The need for a security zone to protect the rights of the Armenian population residing on the border was also discussed. The ombudsman thanked the ambassador for the fact that French authorities pay special attention to the rights of the Armenian community. The first genome-wide, ancient human DNA data from Sudan reveals new insights into the ancestry and social organization of people who lived more than 1,000 years ago in the Nile Valley, an important genetic and cultural crossroads. Nature Communications published the analyses of the DNA of 66 individuals from a site in ancient Nubia known as Kulubnarti, located on the Nile River in Sudan, just south of the Egyptian border. Before this work, there were only three ancient genome-wide samples available, from Egypt, for the entire Nile Valley, says first author Kendra Sirak, who began the project as a PhD student at Emory University. And yet the region was, and still is, an incredibly important part of the world in terms of the movement, meeting and mixing of people. Sirak was the last graduate student of the late George Armelagos, former professor of anthropology at Emory and a pioneer in bridging the disciplines of archeology and biology. While still a graduate student in the 1960s, Armelagos was part of a team that excavated ancient skeletons from Sudanese Nubia, so the bones would not be lost forever when the Nile was dammed. Nubia was a place of human habitation for tens of thousands of years, says Sirak, who is now a staff scientist at Harvard University. This ancient genetic data helps fill in some major gaps in our understanding of who these people were. The 66 individuals date back from 1,080 to 1,320 years ago, during the Christian Period of Sudanese Nubia, prior to the genetic and cultural changes that occurred along with the introduction of Islam. The analyses showed how the Kulubnarti gene pool formed over the course of a least a millennium through multiple waves of admixture, some local and some from distant places. They had ancestry seen today in some populations of Sudan, as well as ancestry that was ultimately West Eurasian in origin and likely introduced into Nubia through Egypt. Socially stratified cemeteries A key finding is that social status did not have a strong relationship to biological relatedness or to ancestry in this ancient population, who lived during a period of cultural and social change, says Jessica Thompson, a co-senior author of the paper. Thompson, a former PhD supervisor of Sirak in Emorys Department of Anthropology, is now at Yale University. The remains of the individuals came from two cemeteries with Christian-style burials that previous evidence indicated were socially stratified. In one cemetery, located on an island in the Nile, the skeletal remains bore more markers of stress, disease and malnutrition and the average age of those buried was just over 10 years old. By contrast, the average age at death in the other cemetery, located on the mainland, was 18 years. One hypothesis that grew out of this skeletal evidence was that the island cemetery was for a Kulubnarti underclass, possibly laborers for members of landowning families buried in the mainland cemetery. It was a mystery whether the social stratification may have developed because one population came from a different origin. A genome-wide analysis suggests that was not the case the people buried in the separate cemeteries came from a single genetic population. It seems that people in this area did not use biological ancestry as a basis for social differentiation, Thompson says. This reinforces the point that dividing people up socially on the basis of their genetic ancestry is a recent phenomenon, with no basis in universal human tendences. Fluidity of social status Another key finding of the genetic analyses shows that some people as close as second-degree relatives were buried across the cemetery divide. Examples of second-degree relationships include grandparents to grandchildren, aunts and uncles to nieces and nephews, and half siblings. That indicates that there was some fluidity among the two groups of people, Sirak says. There wasnt an intergenerational caste system that meant someone was prescribed to being in the same social group as all of their relatives. A further interesting twist is that much of the Eurasian-derived ancestry within the population came from women. Often when you think of ancestry and how genes move, you think of males who are trading or conquering or spreading religion, Sirak says. But the genetic data here reveals that female mobility was really crucial to shaping the gene pool in Kulubnarti. One possible explanation is that Kulubnarti was a patrilocal system, meaning that males tended to stay where they were born and females moved away from their homelands. The Christian Period Nubians from Kulubnarti are fascinating, Sirak says. They survived in a barren, isolated, desolate region where life was never easy. I like to think that the ancient DNA research is giving a new life to these people from 1,000 years ago by providing a more nuanced view of them. Anytime youre studying someones remains, their physical being, you owe it to them to tell the most accurate, respectful and meaningful story that you can. A powerhouse of biocultural anthropology Sirak came to Emory as a graduate student in 2012 to study human bones and paleopathology under Armelagos. By that time, he and fellow faculty members had built Emorys Department of Anthropology into a powerhouse of the biocultural approach to the field. In particular, Armelagos, his colleagues and graduate students studied the remains of the Sudanese Nubians to learn about patterns of health, illness and death in the past. A long missing piece in the studies of this population, however, was genetic analysis. So, in 2013, Armelagos sent Sirak to one of the best ancient DNA labs in the world, University College Dublin, with samples of the Nubian bones. I had no interest in genetics, Sirak recalls, but George was a visionary who believed that DNA was going to become a critical part of anthropological research. Sirak soon became hooked when she saw how she could combine her interest in ancient bones with insights from DNA. She formed collaborations not just in Dublin but at Harvard Medical Schools Department of Genetics and elsewhere, investigating mysteries surrounding deaths going back anywhere from decades to ancient times. Armelagos was 77 and still mentoring Sirak, his last graduate student, when he died of pancreatic cancer in 2014. Dennis Van Gerven, an emeritus professor of anthropology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, took over Siraks mentorship, along with Thompson. Van Gerven was among Armelagos first group of students, and he also spent decades studying the Sudanese Nubians. Sirak stuck with her PhD dissertation project of trying to collect enough ancient DNA from the Nubian remains for analysis. Ancient DNA is difficult to recover from areas that are extremely hot, because DNA tends to degrade in heat, she explains. Pushing the boundaries of ancient DNA sequencing Genetic sequencing techniques kept improving, however, and Sirak was working at the forefront of the effort. In 2015, while still an Emory graduate student, she was among the researchers who realized that a particular part of the petrous bone consistently yielded the most DNA. This pyramid-shaped bone houses several parts of the inner ear related to hearing and balance. In addition, Sirak developed a technique to drill into a skull and reach this particular part of the petrous bone in the most non-invasive way possible, while also getting enough bone powder for DNA analysis. The use of this part of the petrous bone is now the gold standard in ancient DNA analysis. In 2018, Sirak received her PhD from Emory and went on to work in the lab of David Reich, a geneticist at Harvard Medical School who specializes in the population genetics of ancient humans. She and her colleagues continued to push the boundaries of whats possible with ancient DNA sequencing. They managed to get whole-genome samples from the petrous bones of 66 of the Sudanese Nubians, ushering in a whole new era of bioarchaeology for the Nile Valley. I dont think we would have succeeded in this work had we not known to focus on the specific part of the petrous bone, Sirak says. Its incredible to me that George asked me to focus on ancient DNA back in 2012, long before these techniques were developed, she adds. He had a way of making anyone who was working with him really feel important and powerful and that gave me the confidence to strike out on a pioneering path. George Armelagos influence is everywhere, adds Thompson, explaining that he also advised many senior people who mentored her early in her career. Continuing a scholarly legacy Funded by National Geographic Explorer grants, Sirak is now working with Sudanese colleagues to gather and analyze ancient DNA samples from other geographic locations in the Nile Valley, going even deeper into its past, to add more details to the story of how people moved, mixed and thrived in the region across millennia. As the last graduate student of Armelagos and then a mentee of Van Gerven, one of Armelagos first students Sirak feels like she is completing a circle. The publication of the current paper is the realization of Armelagos last wishes for the project. Its really special for me to be able to use ancient DNA to build on decades of anthropological and archeological research for the region, Sirak says. I know that George would be proud and thrilled. Im part of this amazing lineage of researchers now. And the desire to continue what they started is a huge motivation for me. In addition to Reich, Thompson and Van Gerven, senior authors of the Nature Communications paper include Nick Patterson (Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT) and Ron Pinhasi (University College, Dublin). Co-authors include researchers from these institutions as well as the University of Vienna, the University of Coimbra in Portugal, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the University of Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, the University of Georgia, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of Michigan. Highlights: MET OPERA Baritone Kim Josephson joins star colleagues Robynne Redmon, Frank Ragsdale, and Kevin Short, with the rising students of the Frost Opera Theater World-Renowned Maestro Gerard Schwarz Conducts the Frost Symphony Orchestra Alan Johnson, Music Director Jeffrey Buchman, Stage Director Award-winning film The Leopard- special single engagement at Coral Gables Art Cinema on Feb. 27 With South Florida establishing itself as one of the premier performing arts destinations in the world, it is befitting that an important work is having its world premiere in the Magic City. An opera adapted from one of the greatest novels has awarded its debut to the world-renowned artist faculty and gifted students of the Frost Opera Theater and Frost Symphony Orchestra of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. With members of its faculty, led by Metropolitan Opera baritone Kim Josephson in the title role and 9-time Emmy Winning internationally renowned Maestro Gerard Schwarz conducting the Frost Symphony Orchestra, the world premiere of the opera, THE LEOPARD will take place March 5 and 6, 2022 at the South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center; 10950 SW 211 St. Cutler Bay, FL 33189. Showtime for both shows is 3:00 PM. For tickets call 786-573-5300 or visit SMDCAC.ORG. Set in Sicily in the year 1860, the opera is told through the eyes of Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina (also known as the Leopard). Known for his commanding personality, he is a member of an impoverished Sicilian aristocracy soon to be obsolete. Now facing a society in upheaval, he is forced to choose between decay and progress, and between the downfall of the nobility and the future of his family. This highly anticipated opera, THE LEOPARD is the third and last collaboration between Michael Dellaira and American poet, librettist, and literary critic J. D. McClatchy. Dellaira completed the score in February 2018, just two months before McClatchys death. He is also the first composer granted operatic rights to The Leopard in over 50 years. The opera was commissioned by American Opera Projects, with funds provided by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and the Paul Underwood Charitable Trust. About The Book & Movie Il Gattopardo became the top-selling novel in Italian history. Considered one of the most important novels in modern Italian literature, Il Gattopardo won The Strega Prize, which is Italys highest award for fiction. In 1963, director Luchino Visconti turned the novel into an award-winning film starring Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale, and Alain Delon. The film debuted later that year at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the prestigious Palme dOr. The masterpiece garnered two Academy Award nominations and won three Golden Globe Awards. British Film Institute has named it the 57th greatest film of all time and its reputation continues to rise with director Martin Scorcese considering it to be one of the greatest ever made. Special Event Special Single Afternoon Engagement of Award-Winning Feature Film The Leopard Feb. 27, 2022 12:30 PM Pre-talk - Speakers TBD 1:00 PM screening Coral Gables Art Cinema 260 Aragon Avenue Coral Gables, FL A visiting Taliban delegation and representatives of the US and seven other nations and region held talks in Oslo which mainly focused on Afghanistan's economy, humanitarian aid to the war-torn country, security and healthcare, according to media reports. According to the Taliban Foreign Ministry's spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the meeting, set to last for three days, started on Monday and the remaining representatives were from the UK, Norway, Germany, Italy, France, Qatar and the European Union (EU). In a tweet, Balkhi said: "The meeting focused on discussions on economy, humanitarian aid, security, central bank operation, health & other relevant issues. The discussions are in progress, full report will follow." A day before the meeting, the US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West on Sunday evening said that Washington and its allies were seeking ways to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, reports TOLO News. "As we seek to address (the) humanitarian crisis together with allies, partners, and relief organisations, we will continue clear-eyed diplomacy with the Taliban regarding our concerns and our abiding interest in a stable, rights-respecting and inclusive Afghanistan," he said. Political analysts believe that such meetings could play a vital role in solving the problems in the country. "There is a need to take a constructive step inside Afghanistan for the formation of an inclusive and sustainable government," said professor Sayed Baqir Mohseni. Earlier on Sunday, the Taliban met with members of the civil society of Afghanistan, including women, and discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. The delegation, headed by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, landed in Norway on Saturday night. This is their first visit to Europe after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021. Although the visit comes on an official invite by Norway, the government in Oslo has said it does not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban. --IANS ksk/ ( 323 Words) 2022-01-25-08:32:03 (IANS) Exports of engineering goods jumped to $81.8 billion during April-December 2021 (Provisional) as compared to $52.9 billion during the same period in the previous year (2020), registering a stupendous growth of 54 per cent. Engineering goods sector constituted the largest -- over 27 per cent -- share of India's total exports basket during the period. In December 2021, exports of engineering goods touched $9.79 billion, registering a growth of 38.41 per cent over $7.07 bn logged in December 2020. As compared to April-December 2019 ($59.8 Billion), exports of engineering goods registered a growth of 37 per cent while this represents a growth of 49 per cent compared to April-December 2014 ($55.0 Billion). The overall exports of engineering goods in the last financial year (March 2020-April 2021) was $76.62 billion, and with the sector already logging $81.8 billion in the first three quarters of FY2021-22, it is set to scale further record highs despite the impact of the Covid19 pandemic since January 2020. India's top five export destinations for the engineering goods in April-November 2021 are: the US (14.7 per cent), China (5.8 per cent), the UAE (5.1 per cent), Italy (4 per cent) & Germany (3.4 per cent). The impressive growth in engineering goods exports in recent years has largely been due to the zero duty Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and forms part of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP). The present Policy which came into force on April 1, 2015, was for 5 years with validity upto March 31, 2020. In order to provide policy stability during the pandemic period, FTP 2015-20 was extended up to March 31, 2022. --IANS nimish/vd ( 287 Words) 2022-01-24-22:16:02 (IANS) Design training for Molela artisans in Rajasthan's Rajsamand, skill training for Muga Silk weavers from Assam's Kamrup, and sustained year-year trade facilitation of Lakadong turmeric from Meghalya's West Jaintia Hills have the same bedrock of economic empowerment through trade facilitation, capacity building, and product development, thanks to the Centre and state government concerned's collaboration in promoting products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. ODOP's work in e-commerce onboarding and its close association with large e-commerce players to support rural artisans in leveraging web-based sales through dedicated storefronts and the promotion of ODOP products from across districts and categories at international events such as the Dubai Expo 2020 was discussed at the conference organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. The initiative's work in Jammu and Kashmir, especially its successes in trade facilitation for walnuts and apples, was discussed. Facilitation of Jammu and Kashmir's representation at the Dubai Expo 2020 and successful buyer-seller meets as well as focused trade discussions conducted therein were also highlighted. The rest of the states would also soon be facilitated to participate in events at an international level, said the UT's Principal Secretary, Industries, Ranjan Prakash Thakur while presenting a report, 'Changing Narratives for the Manufacturing Sector in Jammu and Kashmir'. Uttar Pradesh presented the success of its model wherein artisans and producers from all districts have been promoted and assisted under the programme. UP provides a template for states to successfully implement and take forward the goal of creating each district as a hub for economic development through the product synonymous with it, Additional Chief Secretary, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Export Promotion, Navneet Sehgal, said. Tripura outlined a roadmap for promoting remote districts and boosting the local economy and focussed on successful collaboration between the state government and the ODOP team thus far, and the next steps that would be taken to promote product development and exports from all its eight districts, Tripura's Additional Director, Industries and Commerce, Swapna Debnath, said. --IANS nimish/vd ( 356 Words) 2022-01-24-23:20:02 (IANS) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 25 (ANI/PRNewswire): Kissflow Inc., a leading SaaS software company, has launched a first-of-its-kind "fully managed" community platform for community managers to build and manage communities. As part of the launch, the company is giving away $1 million worth of free credits to run SaaS customer communities on the Kissflow Community Platform. SaaS entrepreneur and CEO of Kissflow, Suresh Sambandam said, "Globally, 30% of SaaS companies have reported that their churn rates increased in the past year. Engaging customers and reducing churn is a constant challenge for SaaS businesses and it calls for a human-centric approach to customer success. Building customer communities is the only way. Well-managed communities can drive engagement, facilitate peer-to-peer learning and convert customers into loyal brand advocates. With community becoming the moat for SaaS products, we see a massive demand for the platform." Kissflow Community Platform helps SaaS businesses gather valuable product feedback, understand the pressing issues of customers and communicate product roadmap. It allows customers to share their success stories and help each other out. It is the only platform in its category that comes with dedicated Community Specialists who help SaaS community managers to develop a content strategy, understand key analytics & insights, identify trends to capitalize on, and suggest engagement tactics. SaaS Founders and community managers can apply to avail the launch offer of $1 Million free credits to Kissflow Community Platform here. Kissflow is a leading SaaS software company offering award-winning low-code & no-code work management solutions used by organizations in over 160 countries. Kissflow's offerings include product platforms for workflow management, low code application development, procurement cloud solution, digital workplace and community management, all of them designed to simplify work. Kissflow powers more than 50 Fortune 500 companies such as Airbus, McDermott, Reckitt Benckiser and Olympus. Kissflow is featured as a leader in G2, the world's largest user reviews aggregator and by renowned analyst firms Gartner & Forrester. Kissflow has a globally distributed workforce of close to 400 employees. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 25 (ANI/SRV): Hubert Enviro Care Systems P Ltd (HECS) recently acquired a 2.5 Acre Industrial land parcel at SIPCOT Vallam Industrial Estate at the outskirts of Chennai to set up its second manufacturing unit for manufacturing of FRP Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants. This facility is expected to be one of the largest units in India for manufacturing of Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants. HECS is India's Leading Environmental Management Company and has over 25 years of experience in the field of Water, Waste Water and Sewage Treatment and has completed innumerable projects across India and the Middle East. With this vast experience, HECS has earmarked an overall investment of over 20 crores for this manufacturing unit, Phase one of the project is expected to complete by July 2022. Through bulk manufacturing of Sewage Treatment Plants, HECS is set to revolutionize the complete Industry through economical products of the highest quality which ensure the best performance. The manufacturing unit will house the most advanced Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) manufacturing equipment's which will be sourced from across the globe to ensure that the products are of the best quality and the highest technology. Dr JR Moses, CEO of HECS further added, 'There is a huge requirement in India for quality Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants, this sector is generally catered to by innumerable smaller water treatment OEMs and is commonly plagued by design flaws and performance issues. After immense R&D, we started our bulk manufacturing of STPs around a year back and our existing manufacturing unit is running at full capacity ever since. The company has acquired this Industrial land parcel with a vision to set up a unit with a manufacturing capacity of around 600 units per year which is around 15 times more than their existing units capacity. These standardized FRP STP units proudly designed and manufactured in India are of the highest standards in comparison to any other competitors both local and international. The company will also be using this manufacturing unit to fulfill our export demands across Asian, European, and African markets' To know more visit: www.hecspstp.com This story is provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 25 (ANI/NewsVoir): TiE Global recently announced that B.J. Arun was elected as the Chairman of the Global Board of Trustees. San Jose-based investor and entrepreneur B.J. Arun was the Vice-Chairman of Global Board in 2021 and the President of the Silicon Valley (2019-2020). Before this, Arun was the CEO of July Systems (acquired by Cisco in 2018). He Co-founded and was CEO of Librato (acquired by Solar Winds in 2015) and was also the Founder and CEO of California Digital, a market leader in the space of Linux-based High-Performance Computing (acquired the assets of VA Linux in 2001). Newly appointed TiE Global Chair B.J. Arun said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted massive job losses and impacted economies around the world. As we work together to build back better, TiE is uniquely qualified and positioned to help entrepreneurs innovate and create jobs in their respective geographies. While plenty of resources exist for entrepreneurs today, TiE is unparalleled in that it is built on the core value that the most accomplished business leaders have an obligation to help the next generation of entrepreneurs succeed. It is both an honor and responsibility to be elected leader of such an august organization, especially since 2022 will mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of TiE. I am confident that with the support of my fellow trustees & TiE chapter leaders worldwide, we will make a significant impact on entrepreneurship globally." Amit Mookim - President, TiE Mumbai said, "We at TiE Mumbai are very excited to have B.J. Arun as Chairman of the TiE Global Board. We will work alongside and continue to support entrepreneurship, boost innovation, and nurture the Startup ecosystem." Pradeep Udhas - Past President & Board member, TiE Mumbai & Board of Trustees, TiE Global added, "We are witnessing a staggering growth momentum in the Startup sector, particularly in India. We are highly motivated for enabling an innovation-led environment with applications of deep tech in all future startup businesses through education, knowledge sharing, mentoring and funding through TiE Angels." Murali Bukkapatnam - Vice-Chairman, TiE Global is a new member of the board. Hyderabad-based Murali is the Chairman and CEO of Volksy Technologies, an angel investor and a startup mentor. Talking about TiE, he said, "TiE Global will continue to play a key role in engaging local entrepreneurial ecosystems through well-known TiE programs like Investor Connect, TiE Women, Knowledge Series, MyStory Session, Open Mic, TiE University, TiE Young Entrepreneurs." He further added, "I am looking forward to hosting our Flagship event, TiE Global Summit, in my home city of Hyderabad in December 2022. TGS attracts 5,000+ entrepreneurs from around the world to establish relationships, network, and identify investment possibilities." Aside from Murali, the Global Board has gained five new members: Dharti Desai (New York) is a Global Business Leader, Marketing Strategist, Investor, Advisor, D&I Champion, and Entrepreneur. Kiran Deshpande (Pune) has experience spanning 42 years across corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, fund-raising, R&D, and community development. Santosh Huralikoppi (Hubli) is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor. Shankar Ram (SoCal) is an entrepreneur, mentor, and angel investor. Sundi Natarajan (DC) is an angel investor and the Co-founder of Sparksoft that offers agile software development, testing, IV&V, cybersecurity, and Cloud-based services. Apart from the Chairman and newly elected members, other trustees on the Global Board are Gita Dang (Delhi), PK Gulati (Dubai), Pradeep Udhas (Mumbai), and Ravi Narayan (Bangalore). TiE is a non-profit organization focused on fostering entrepreneurship across every generation all over the world. TiE currently has 61 chapters across 14 countries with a membership base of over 13,000. For more information, please visit tie.org. The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. Since 1992. TiE has been supporting entrepreneurs by offering education, mentorship, networking and funding opportunities. The mission of TiE is to foster entrepreneurship globally through the 5 pillars of TiE: mentoring, networking and education, funding and incubation. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community. TiE's focus area is to generate enable the next generation of entrepreneurs. There are currently 11,000 members, including over 2,500 charter members in 60 chapters across 17 countries. TiE's mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TiE's focus is on generating and nurturing our next generation of entrepreneurs. For more information, please visit mumbai.tie.org. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 25 (ANI/NewsVoir): N. Ranga Rao & Sons (NRRS), the makers of Cycle Pure Agarbathi-India's largest prayer brand has been certified as a 'Great Place to Work' organization. The certification from Great Place to Work recognizes NRRS' efforts towards building an organization of High-Performance Culture and High-Trust. The accreditation was the result of an employee survey to empower leaders with feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. The Institute's research shows that great workplaces are characterized by great leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations are able to deliver a consistent experience to all their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure, or level in the organization. Their leaders believe in the vision of creating and sustaining a Great Place to Work FOR ALL and role models being 'FOR ALL' Leaders. Expressing his pleasure over this rare recognition, Guru Ranga, Chairman of NR Group, said, "I am humbled towards each and everyone at our NR Parivar for earning this honor. It gives us a tremendous impetus to continue towards becoming better than what we were yesterday and continue our journey of impacting the lives of our employees, stakeholders, and consumers." Speaking about this certification, Arjun Ranga, Managing Partner, N. Ranga Rao and Sons Pvt. Ltd., says, "An achievement like this does not happen overnight and definitely not without the support of your people. We have continuously strived towards making our organization a better place for our employees and worked meticulously towards building a value-led and purpose-driven brand. This certification is a beacon of hope for building a better future for everyone." "Learning to get audited, inspected, and judged helps us stay grounded and prevents us from getting ahead of ourselves. As we have always believed in prioritizing our people and consumers first, this motivates us towards building and nurturing an organisation that is driven by a high standard of performance." he adds. NRRS has created a Great Place to Work for their employees by excelling with an overall of 92% on the five dimensions of a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture - Credibility, Respect, Fairness, Pride, and Camaraderie. The Great Place to Work certification is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience - specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace and this certification is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Learn more at www.greatplacetowork.in and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Mysuru-based NRRS was founded by Shri N. Ranga Rao in 1948. A true visionary and philanthropist, Shri. Ranga Rao created the ubiquitous Cycle Pure agarbathies which has today become the largest selling incense stick brand in the world. NRRS has evolved into a successfully run business conglomerate with an established presence in India and abroad from a home-grown enterprise. The Group has diversified into various business categories like functional air care products (Lia brand of room fresheners and car fresheners), wellness home fragrance products (IRIS) under Ripple Fragrances, floral extracts (NESSO), and Rangsons Technologies. Today it is truly an agarbathi to Aerospace conglomerate as it is also involved in making parts for defense helicopters. The organization has largely committed towards social responsibilities and fulfills them, through its charity arm 'NR Foundation'. NRRS today is managed by the third generation of the Ranga family. For more information on NRRS. For more information, please visit www.nrgroup.co.in. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Atlanta (Georgia) [US], January 25 (ANI/NewsVoir): SRAM & MRAM Group along with its Walletz4U brand partner Healthtech International Inc. of Atlanta, GA will participate in the 2022 edition of International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in the Atlanta, GA, USA from January 25-27, 2022. The group will be showcasing the Walletz4U range of PPE including disposable gloves and COVID-19 test kits. In a bid to support personal safety in the critical market segment, a market segment that was severely ravaged by COVID-19, leaving massive shortages of food products and proteins in its wake. In a bid to strengthen its foothold in the USA market SRAM & MRAM will be investing heavily in the USA market. The group will be investing to the tune of USD 126 million. The group will be setting up a glove production facility in the region. The group is on the lookout for the potential land piece to set up their facility in the country. The 2022 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) will be held from January 25 - 27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. IPPE is a critical part of the poultry, animal food and meat industry's continuing development, offering timely and important educational information and an efficient way for producers and processors to find the solutions they need to continue operations. It is the only annual exposition of its kind showcasing the latest advances and technologies for the global animal food and protein industries. During the summit, the Walletz4u & Healthtech team will be focusing on how it can help animal food, meat, and poultry industry leaders from all over the world by offering them the best personal safety solutions for the current workplace challenges. The poultry industry has seen a series of changes in recent years due to the onslaught of COVID-19. The industry leaders have adapted and are continuing to offer safe, nutritious food products and proteins to keep the supply chain moving and stores stocked amid the COVID crises. Sailesh Lachu Hiranandani, Chairman - SRAM & MRAM Group quoted, "We are thrilled to be part of IPPE 2022. The summit will act as a gateway for showcasing Walletz4u brand offerings to the poultry, animal food, meat packers and processors from around the world" "We are also ecstatic to announce that we will be setting up a manufacturing facility in the USA. Looking at the demand forecast, it will be a big game-changer for the company. We are eying to capture 18% of Examination Glove market and 10% of disposable Glove market of entire United States by the year 2023," added Hiranandani. Speaking on the participation, John B. Parella, Senior Vice President - Healthtech International, Inc. quoted, "The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) offers a unique platform for exchanging ideas and solutions for the safe and efficient continuation of business through these difficult and challenging times. We are proud to represent SRAM & MRAM and the Walletz4U brand at this exposition as they are at the forefront of workplace safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) solutions. The group is continuously delivering with an unwavering commitment to bring PPE to the workplace and keep it safe for everyone equally. The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) showcases the best technology, products, and services, available for this critical market and we are ecstatic to be a part of such an important event." The summit is expected to witness almost 1,200 exhibitors with more than 520,000 square feet of exhibit space and an estimated 32,000+ animal food, meat, and poultry industry leaders from all over the world in attendance. Hitanshu Heera, Senior Director - SRAM & MRAM Group (The Brand Owner of Walletz4u) quoted, "We are elated to be associated with IPPE 2022, this event will act as a gateway for showcasing the Walletz4u brand offering to the poultry, animal food, meat packers and processors from around the world. The summit will help us bring our personal protection and occupational safety related products to this critical market efficiently in a face-to-face setting. The summit will help us in reaching out to this market segment." The 2022 IPPE will be a collaboration of three trade shows - the International Feed Expo, International Poultry Expo and International Meat Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the American Feed Industry Association and the North American Meat Institute. Further adding, Heera quoted, "I'm happy to announce that we have successfully delivered more than 1.3 Billion Disposable and Examination Gloves to the USA and other parts of the world since the pandemic started. I'd like to acknowledge my sales team around the globe for their commitment to support their client's needs. Our team is working diligently to make these essential safety products available for immediate domestic shipments in support of the IPPE attendees from the poultry, animal food, and meat packing and processing industry through convenient ship locations in the U.S. and around the world. This exposition will help us to grow in the U.S. market and will give us an opportunity to get closer to the North American stakeholders and business prospects. Our Target is to capture 10% market share in terms of disposable gloves business of the entire USA market by the year 2023 (including Nitrile/Latex/Vinyl). We are glad to have Healthtech International, Inc. as our Valued Partner and Exclusive Distributor for the USA Market. I'd also like to acknowledge the entire team of Healthtech International, Inc. for their dedication and professional approach." The IPPE show will further help the industry leaders in incorporating the best practices and continue to improve their businesses with more efficient and affordable solutions. The IPPE show will take place under the watchful eye of the Georgia Department of Public Health and epidemiological expert organizations. The safety measures established for an event of such a scale will be monitored constantly, in addition to continuously monitoring CDC guidelines. The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). For more information about IPPE, kindly visit: www.ippexpo.org. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI/PNN): It's 2022. Yet, the fear and panic unleashed by Covid in 2020 is yet to subside. As each state government tries to tackle the threat from Omicron, its latest variant, the Indian healthcare industry prepares for a hybrid healthcare system. Hybrid work, popular across all industries today, allows employees to choose when they want to work from the office and when they want to work remotely, depending on the nature of work and their personal situation. Similarly, the healthcare industry too is preparing to consult and treat patients in clinics, hospitals, and even remotely depending on the patient's condition and general conditions. From being negligible prior to Covid, the organized market size of telemedicine or teleconsultation (remote medical practice using information and digital technology) was estimated to be about Rs. 1,200 crore in FY2021 and is expected to cross 6,000 crore by FY2024, growing at 72% CAGR according to a recent report by Praxis Global Alliance, a management consulting and advisory services firm. "We are not surprised by these numbers. Over the past six months, we have not only seen a huge number of DRiefcase users storing and sharing medical reports but also an increasing number of app downloads from smaller cities and towns in India. When we started DRiefcase, people would ask us why should they use the app, but today they want to know how best they can use it", says Sohit Kapoor, founder, DRiefcase. DRiefcase, founded by two investment bankers from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, is a pioneering digital health locker, helping users manage their medical records for more than 5 years now. DRiefcase provides secure, easy-to-use access to personal health records enabling users to maintain their family medical records online and access them anytime in a matter of seconds. It is a patient-centric platform with an unmatched focus on personal health records that ensures ease of upload and fast retrieval of records. DRiefcase is the only health locker in India that has teams that can scan all your records for you (including radiology reports like X-rays and MRIs) at your house itself. DRiefcase is the first patient-side app to be integrated into ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) - the Indian government's digital framework to connect patients, doctors, and other stakeholders to facilitate safe and secure movement of health information such as prescriptions and discharge summaries between them with patient consent. To allow the flow of digital health records, ABDM has a provision of a unique health account identifier, known as Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA address), to ensure that the created medical records are issued to the correct individual or accessed by a health information user that has been granted the consent. Soon DRiefcase will also have integrated the user-side experience of the ABDM (creation of government-issued ABHA address, managing consents for movement of records, linking existing records into ABDM). While gearing up for the New Normal, the healthcare industry, along with the government, is making all efforts to communicate best practices, including digitization of medical records, that will save lives. "As a doctor, when I ask my patients details about their medical history, I do so because I need to have a complete picture of their health. Patients need to understand that the human body is one interconnected system - so, a problem in one organ can lead to complications in other parts of the body. Yet, many times they fail to provide details of their medical history", says Dr Ajay Jhaveri, Gastroenterologist, Mumbai. With digital health lockers like DRiefcase, patients will be able to provide accurate data to their doctors. In fact, seeking a second opinion from doctors and even ensuring the best healthcare for parents and loved ones is a click away. You can download DRiefcase and get started here. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI/NewsVoir): Bertelsmann India Investments, a venture capital fund focussed on investing in Series B and Series C startups, has secured rank #1 globally in Top investors and Top CVC category as per CB Insights - State of Venture report. The annual report shares global data and analysis on deal making, funding, and exits by private market companies Investors. Mosaic scores are taken into account to identify, shortlist and benchmark companies across the entire market on the global scale. CB Insights aggregates all the information required about startups, companies and distills it into a single score. As per their mosaic score, Bertelsmann India Investments is ranked #1 in the global top CVCs by median Mosaic score of companies in 2021, closely followed by Snowflake Ventures (U.S) and Allianz X (Germany). In the top 10 list, Bertelsmann India Investments was the only Indian origin fund as a part of this ranking. In the other category of global top investors by median Mosaic score of companies in 2021, the fund secured #1 again. Sharing this rank were two other investors, Generation Investment Management (UK) and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (Canada). Delighted on being recognized in the CB Insights State of Venture Report 2021, Pankaj Makkar, Managing Director, Bertelsmann India Investments said, "Given our extensive operational and investing experience globally at Bertelsmann across 300+ companies, BII has been a strong investor and long-term partner to its portfolio companies and the Indian startup ecosystem at large. It is truly humbling to be recognized as the No. 1 VC and CVC globally by CB Insights. It further strengthens our commitment to supporting pioneering entrepreneurs who are building national and global champions by innovating across operations and technology." The top highlights of the report were: Analytics related to 2021 witnessed a record in unicorn count, unicorn birth trends, and a spree of highest-valued unicorns The data behind the biggest year in global funding, up 111% year-over-year The regions that raised the most venture dollars in 2021 and witnessed the most deals Data on 2021's M&A, IPO, and SPAC exits compared to previous years Investors which backed 300+ companies in 2021 Sector accounting for $1 in every $5 of global venture funding The 5+ US metro areas with record-high funding quarters in Q4 The complete report can be viewed here. Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) is a venture capital fund of Bertelsmann, a media, services, and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. BII focuses on series B and C stage investments in pioneering companies in the digital, education, media, and services sectors. Since its official launch in 2012, BII has invested in pioneering companies including Saavn (music streaming service), Pepperfry (online furniture marketplace), iNurture (higher education services), Lendingkart (digital lending platform for SMEs), and Eruditus and Emeritus (IVY league programs for working professionals) among others. BII is part of Bertelsmann Investments, which has so far invested more than EUR1 billion in over 300 innovative companies and funds. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI/NewsVoir): American QSR restaurant chain serving Italian cuisine, Figaro's Pizza announce their expansion in the Indian market. This expansion is brought in association with FranGlobal, India's largest market entry firm under its asset development and management business. Figaro's offers a pizza high in quality and value. Figaro's Pizza truly has "Flavours That Sing" because of the ingredients they use and the recipes they follow. Founded in 1981, Figaro's pioneered a product that became known as 'take-and-bake' pizza which a customer could watch get freshly prepared with only the best, freshest ingredients, and then could bake at home when they wanted to. Then, they added ovens, becoming the industry leader in providing customers with the 'we bake or you bake' choice. Figaro's Pizza is seeking franchise partners to develop Figaro's stores in India. They feature an operating system that is simple to run and does not require prior food experience. It is an ideal opportunity for either a multi-store investor or an active operator on the individual store level. Commenting on the collaboration Ron Berger, CEO - Figaro's Pizza said, "On our 40th anniversary, we are incredibly excited to be entering the Indian market. We are confident that the deliciously unique flavours of our pizzas and other products will find a most appreciative audience in India. We could not have partnered with a more experienced company in India and we look forward to doing business there.We hope India provides the impetus for our brand to expand globally rapidly." "We aim to expand planet-wide. The management team has extensive experience in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, and is pushing for rapid global expansion," Berger added. Venus Barak, CEO, FranGlobal said, "Franglobal as part of its DNA has always believed in the power of the brand and connecting it with the local marketplace. As a market entry and advisory firm, we deal in every sector and territory and represent hundred plus brands actively. Our asset business is a strategic call where we focus on brands with strong IPs and standards and combine that with a strong ops, management team and robust franchise partners across the country." The acquisition of Figaro's Pizza is a turning point in our asset business as the primary pizza market is currently dominated by two legacy American players 'Domino's' & Pizza Hut alongside regional and local chains. You will find this quite skewed in comparison with the burger/sandwich market. With more than forty years in the business in the US and globally, Figaro's has inherent strong SOPs and strengths which if accompanied with local market variables can become a powerful offering to our partners and customers. Our goal is to create a better pizza experience and offering for our patrons. In the next four years, we plan to open 250 stores across major cities through exclusive development franchise partners. Our team will be working with Figaro's team for menu and product development. We have already started working with real estate developers for initial key locations. FranGlobal is looking to acquire different brand assets under a Master Licensee or Franchise structure over the next few years. Ultimately, we want to unlock the massive demand for great brands both on the B2B and B2C side. Figaro's journey began in 1981 as the dream of two entrepreneurs, Corkey Gorley & Al Debacker in Salem, Oregon, the United States who wanted to meet the needs of busy families. In an era when both parents often work outside the home and there's a universal demand for speed, quality, value and convenience, Figaro's popularity has increased year after year as a partner in mealtime preparation. The Company focused from the beginning on creating unique, delicious, wholesome pizzas unlike the 'other' pizzas available. The attention to creating pizza masterpieces led to the commitment to not adding MSG, as well as no fillers or extenders, the use of only real cheese, the preparation of fresh dough at every location every day, special sauces blended with imported extra virgin olive oil, leaner choice meats and fresh vegetables. Combine it all, and you have a uniquely delicious product you will be proud to offer. Today, Figaro's is the leading company offering both baked and unbaked pizzas. FranGlobal, the international business arm of Franchise India provides every brand with an opportunity to expand their business and follow a dream. For two decades, FranGlobal has been acting as a market entry specialist, serving brands to expand and reach out to global markets. We consult, recommend and implement strategies to help companies create success even in complex markets. With over a million man-hours of business advisory experience, our team of consultants discovers and analyses opportunities, arranges meetings by identifying partners with the right kind of synergy, and supports till a company is well established. It will not be wrong to say that FranGlobal is and has been the gateway to domestic brands going overseas and to foreign brands entering the Indian franchising space. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) New Delhi (India), January 25 (ANI/PNN): Medec Dragon Pvt Limited, One of India's Leading manufacturers and exporter of Anti Cancer and Anti Malarial Drugs, was Awarded The "Best Pharmaceutical Company of the Year 2021" by European Business Assembly. Dr Deepak Shenoy Promoter and Managing Director, received the award on behalf of the company. Medec Dragon Pvt Limited received the recognition because of the forward-looking approach of the company with the risk-taking abilities in the current tough situations at a time when Pharma industry is facing a tough task in pricing, clinical trials hurdles & regulatory approvals. The company Exports to over 75 countries globally. The company provides anti-malarial, expectorant, emetic, CNS, anti retro-viral, ace inhibitor, erectile dysfunction, animal health, anti-cancer, and diabetic APIs, as well as pain management products. It also offers formulations, such as finished antimalarial dosages, animal health products, anti TB drug therapy products, expectorants/cold preparations/mucolytic, lozenges, multivitamin syrups, analgesics, anti-obesity products, erectile dysfunction and hormone replacement therapy products, and topicals. "This Award recognizes Medec Dragon Pvt Limited ability to stay ahead in competition", said Dr Deepak Shenoy, Managing Director, while receiving the coveted recognitions. Medec Dragon Pvt Limited will look at the new year with increased technology innovations & wider market access added by Dr Deepak Shenoy while addressing the 300 strong veterans of the Pharma Industry present at the Awards Ceremony. The European Business Assembly, in collaboration with Oxford Union, also conferred Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration to Dr Deepak Shenoy to honour him for his consistent efforts to export lifesaving drugs to emerging Markets. Accepting the Award Dr Deepak Shenoy commented, "I am extremely honoured to receive this Honorary Doctorate from a University that plays such an important role in developing the potential and talent of tens of thousands of students from all over the world. May you all be fortunate enough to know someone who will inspire you to feel the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping others." Website: www.medecdragon.com To Know More About Him, Please do watch https://youtu.be/kPM1GUeycSA This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki on Tuesday reported a net profit of Rs 1,011.3 crore for the third quarter of the current financial year, which is 47.90 per cent lower when compared with Rs 1,941.4 crore recorded during the corresponding quarter of last fiscal. However, the company's profit more than doubled quarter-on-quarter basis. Maruti Suzuki had posted Rs 487 crore profit in the second quarter of the current financial year. "Despite cost reduction efforts, due to lower sales volume, high commodity prices and lower non-operating income on account of mark-to-market impact, the net profit in this quarter was Rs 10,113 million (Rs 1,011.3 crore) compared to Rs 19,414 million (Rs 1,941.4 crore) in the same period the previous year," Maruti Suzuki said in a statement after its Board of Directors approved the financial results for October-December 2021 period. The company's net sales declined marginally to Rs 22,187.6 crore in the third quarter of the current financial year as compared to Rs 22,236.7 crore recorded during the same period the previous year. The company sold a total of 430,668 units during the third quarter of 2021-22, lower than 495,897 units in the same period, the previous year. Maruti Suzuki production during the quarter under review was constrained by a global shortage in the supply of electronic components because of which an estimated 90,000 units could not be produced. In the domestic market, the sales stood at 365,673 units in the quarter under review, against 467,369 units in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. "There was no lack of demand as the company had more than 240,000 pending customer orders at the end of the quarter. Though still unpredictable, the electronics supply situation is improving gradually. The Company hopes to increase production in Q4, though it would not reach full capacity," Maruti Suzuki said. In the quarter, the company clocked its highest ever exports at 64,995 units as compared to 28,528 units in Q3 FY21. This was also 66 per cent higher than the previous peak exports in any Q3. The total vehicle sales during the nine-month period (Apr-Dec 2021) were at 1,163,823 units. This includes domestic market sales of 993,901 units and exports of 169,922 units. In the corresponding period the previous year, the Company registered a sale of 965,626 units comprising 905,015 units in the domestic market and 60,611 units in the export market. During the first nine months of the current financial year, the company logged net sales of Rs 58,284.1 crore compared to Rs 43,603.5 crore in the same period the previous year. (ANI) New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI/ATK): VARNi, the National Premium Mobile Accessories Brand has launched new products in their exquisite range to cover the whole mobile accessories subjects with supreme quality products and best customer experience. The brand has already established its market owing to their affordable yet premium quality products that includes Wireless Speaker, Headset, Wireless Headphone, Power Banks, Mobile Battery, USB Cables, Touch Screen, LCD, Spare Parts, Mobile Case and much more. Founded in 2009, by VARNi Technology, VARNi has many years of marketing experience and is a one-stop design research and development production firm to provide better quality of mobile phone Accessories products, especially in INDIA. The brand aims to create value, enable customers to experience the fashion trend of electronic product development and contribute to the growth of the economy. The products constitute a reasonable product style, effective marketing plan, highly efficient internal management system and the life of enterprise culture atmosphere in the national market to establish a good reputation - highlighting the company's brand value. This further improves the global sales network and has laid a solid foundation. Talking about the visionary brand, Founder Krishan Mali says, "With digital marketing booming in India, still many had to rely on Chinese products as they were affordable. That's what led to the inception of VARNi. We are currently focused on establishing a strong customer base with high-quality products that are affordable yet premium. Driven by values and fueled by passion, we are bringing in an exquisite experience for our customers to get an enhanced user-experience and enjoy products that are at par with the industry standards". "Made In India, Vocal For Local, Promote Local, I mean these are good slogans but one also needs to do something about it, more than just write it. I thought about it and ventured into buying machinery and acquired knowledge to operate a business. I launched my own company, Varni, making products in India." "India is a great country, we're a young nation with untapped potential for progress. If we set our minds to it, we can be the leading force in the digital manufacturing arena, rather than just a consumer base" he further added. Varni is the leading premium Mobile Accessories Brand in India covering the whole mobile Accessories spectrum and is planning to expand its horizons across other parts of the country to drive its sales and earn revenue through the same. This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 25 (ANI/PR Newswire): Acuite Ratings & Research Ltd. (Acuite) has been awarded the prestigious Great Place to Work-Certification Jan 2022 - Jan 2023 in India. This achievement signifies an important milestone in the organization's consistent efforts in building a work culture in line with their values of trust, innovation, and excellence and becoming an employer of choice. Celebrating the momentous occasion, Sankar Chakraborti, Group CEO at Acuite Ratings & Research, said, "Receiving the Great Place to Work-Certification is a reminder that nothing is more precious to an institution than human capital. Whether it's driving innovations through technology to people's practices, we put our team at the heart of everything we do. This day, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to be loyal to these values and meet the expectations of our stakeholders." Acuite has been making consistent efforts in building an inclusive culture by facilitating idea generation and stimulating an intellectual environment. The company has made a remarkable impact in the minds of its stakeholders which was possible due to the excellence in execution demonstrated by its employees. Acuite has stood firm by its employee value proposition of 'Learn, Grow and Be Proud' of their Job. It conveys to both existing and prospective employees that this company offers a balance of all three desirable aspects of a job. As part of the Trust Index(c) Employee Survey conducted by Great Place to Work, one of the Acuiteans anonymously shared, "Acuite is a collection of brilliant minds, hearts, and talent coming together as a masterpiece. Acuite has given me the confidence and opportunity to build my career from scratch. I feel proud of every little success that we achieve as a family, unlike some big organizations which may lack the human touch." Echoing the employee value proposition followed by the organization, another Acuitean cited in the Trust Index(c) Employee Survey anonymously, "Being a mid-size company, the opportunities to grow and learn new things at Acuite are tremendous. Acuite employees are exposed to different areas of their job roles which is beneficial to their growth. With guidance and support, any new employee can achieve success in his or her own field in this company." The company's management philosophy revolves around the simple concept of 3F: Fun in Office, Flat Hierarchy, and Fairness in Dealing with People Matters. "Fostering a work environment where employees have fun allows them to be more creatively engaged. Also, our flat organizational structure enables quick decision-making, simplifies internal communication, and empowers our employees across all levels irrespective of seniority. We've always created a supportive and fair work environment where everyone can flourish with only merit regardless of gender, age, religion, or any other dimension of diversity," Chakraborti said. Acuite Ratings & Research has promoted SMERA - the SME Rating Agency of India and ESGRisk.ai - India's first ESG rating and assessment provider. Acuite boasts of many pioneering initiatives to its credit. It is the first Indian rating agency to cover ESG factors in its rating rationales, become a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)'s 'ESG in Credit Risk and Ratings Statement' from India, launch a mobile app Ratingbuzz to disseminate ratings, and QR code-based method to let rating users verify the authenticity of rating certificates. Acuite Ratings & Research Limited is a full-service Credit Rating Agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The company received RBI Accreditation as an External Credit Assessment Institution (ECAI), for Bank Loan Ratings under BASEL-II norms in the year 2012. Since then, it has assigned more than 9,000 credit ratings to various securities, debt instruments, and bank facilities of entities spread across the country and a wide cross-section of industries. It has its Registered and Head Office in Kanjurmarg, Mumbai. Learn more at www.acuite.in Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. The Institute serves businesses, non-profits, and government agencies in more than 60 countries and has conducted pioneering research on the characteristics of great workplaces for over three decades. In India, the institute partners with more than 1100 organizations annually across over 22 industries to help them build High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures designed to deliver sustained business results. Hundreds of CEOs and CXOs from India Inc. are part of the great place community that is committed to the vision of making India a great place to work FOR ALLTM. The Institute's research shows that great workplaces are characterized by great leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations can deliver a consistent experience to all their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure, or level in the organization. Their leaders believe in the vision of creating and sustaining a Great Place to Work FOR ALL and role model being 'FOR ALL' Leaders. Learn more at https://www.greatplacetowork.in/ and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This story is provided by PR Newswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PR Newswire) Chandigarh [India], January 25 (ANI/PR Newswire): Chandigarh University has emerged amongst the top Higher Education Institutions of India in the field of Research and Innovation. Continuing its remarkable performance 3rd year in a row, Chandigarh University has been able to file a total of 1,273 patents in different areas and fields. Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, the faculty and students of the varsity continued tirelessly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, thus marking Chandigarh University's contribution in making this world a better place to live in. As many as 87 patents were filed by students of Chandigarh University in the year 2021, while 68 patents were granted in the year that has gone by, this information was shared by Pro-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Dr RS Bawa. "Till date, the students and faculty of Chandigarh University have filed 1273 patents. It fills me with pride to note that as many as 683 patents have been published, while 128 patents are in the first examination stage. Apart from this, 120 patents of the university have been approved. For the last three years, Chandigarh University holds the number one position among the private universities of the countries to file maximum number of patents, while it is ranked third in the number of patents published and granted," Dr Bawa informed the media personnel. To make this world a better place to live in, Chandigarh University is marching ahead with full commitment to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations General Assembly, he added. "Today the world has more knowledge than ever before, but for a secure future we have to ensure proper use of available resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research and innovation is the basis of future, and certainly science-technology and research work will play an important role in every aspect of life as we move ahead. In the year 2015, 17 SDGs were set by the UN in view of a secure future and Chandigarh University is constantly striving to achieve these goals. I note with immense pride that more than half of our patents are catering to most of the UN's SDGs," Dr Bawa shared. Out of the 1273 patents filed by Chandigarh University, as many as 658 of them directly cater to 10 of 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, making a remarkable effort in ensuring a secure and prosperous future for this and upcoming generations of mankind, he said, adding that the rest of the SDGs are also being fulfilled by other patents in one way or the other. Among these 658 patents, the highest 152 patents pertain to issues and solutions related to Responsible Consumption and Production, followed by 148 patents pertaining to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, while 105 patents relate to Sustained Cities and Communities. As many as 66 and 46 patents pertain to Affordable and Clean Energy, and Life Below Water, respectively, while other SDGs including Climate action (7), Decent work and economic growth(19), Good Health and Well-Being (57), Life on Land (45) and Quality Education (13) are also being fulfilled. Besides, Chandigarh University has been conducting extensive research in the areas of Agriculture, Climate Change, IT, Pharma, Biotech, Healthcare, Automation, Women Empowerment, Environment, etc. he added. Dr Bawa informed that the University has earmarked a special budget of Rs 12 crore for the promotion of Research & Innovation in the year 2022, so that the economic problems do not become a hindrance for the budding scientists of the future and this extraordinary impetus on research has led to Chandigarh University becoming the leading stand-alone institution in the country. He added that IDC (Innovation and Entrepreneur Development Cell) and TBI (Technology Business Incubator) have been set up by the Government of India in the University Campus. "The TBI established in the university is one of the top 10 technology business incubators in the country, which provides training to students and provides financial assistance in addition to research, development and applications for patent registration. The University has 20 laboratories under industry collaboration, 30 state-of-the-art Research Centers, more than 60 research groups, where over 800 research scholars work on innovative research and innovation in various fields. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University, speaking on the top performance of the varsity in the field of research and innovation, said, "This is an outcome of our focused and pointed emphasis on inculcating the spirit of research and innovation amongst our faculty and students alike, ever since the inception of Chandigarh University." "I give the credit for this huge success to all the stakeholders including students, faculty, alumni and industry who have contributed through their efforts to position Chandigarh University amongst India's elite and prestigious higher education institutions, courtesy its unshaken focus on Quality Teaching, Industry Exposure, Research & Innovation," the Chancellor added. Website: www.cuchd.in Image: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1733411/Chandigarh_University.jpg This story is provided by PR Newswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PR Newswire) India's exports of gems and jewellery surged by 71 per cent to USD 28.9 billion in the first nine months of the current financial year as compared with USD 16.9 billion recorded in the corresponding period of last fiscal, the government data showed on Tuesday. According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, gems and jewellery exports rose to USD 2.99 billion in December 2021 as against USD 2.57 billion in December 2020, registering a year-on-year growth of 16.38 per cent. The exports during the first nine months of the current financial year is higher when compared with the pre-Covid period. Gems and jewellery exports during April-December 2019 period stood at USD 28.0 billion. During the first three quarters of the current financial year it is 3 per cent higher at USD 28.9 billion. With USD 28.9 billion worth of gems and jewellery exports already achieved during the first three quarters of the current financial year, it has already surpassed USD 26.02 billion exports registered during complete year of 2020-21. The gems and jewellery sector accounted for a 9.6 per cent share of India's entire exports basket during the period, garnering the second largest commodity share. Top 5 export destinations in April-November 2021 (latest available, share per cent in bracket) are: USA (38.7 per cent), Hong Kong (24.6 per cent), UAE (11.9 per cent), Belgium (6.6 per cent) and Israel (3.9 per cent). The gems and jewellery industry contributes about 7 per cent to India's GDP and employs a skilled and semi-skilled workforce of more than 50 lakh. More than 450 organised jewellery manufacturers, importers and exporters are based in Surat city of Gujarat, making it the jewellery manufacturing hub of the world. (ANI) "After announcement of results of bidding, BPCL's committed investment in CGD network, on a standalone basis, would increase to over Rs 22,000 crore for development of 23 GAs, including Rs I0,000 crore for the 6 new Gas," BPCL said in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges. BPCL has emerged as the successful bidder in 6 Geographical Areas (GA) in 19 districts, for setting up City Gas Distribution (CGD) Networks, post evaluation of technical and financial bids, in the recently concluded 11th bidding round of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). "The CGD footprints of BPCL, along with its JYs, will now extend to 48 GAs covering 94 districts in 18 states, across India. Currently, with presence in 63 districts, including prominent cities, BPCL along with its JYs together hold 33 per cent market share in the CGD sector in the Country," BPCL said. (ANI) New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI/SRV): IntegriChain, delivering Life Sciences' only comprehensive data and business process platform for market access, announced it has expanded its India operations with new A-Grade facilities, complete with new-age employee-friendly features, in Pune, Maharashtra, following 100 per cent year-on-year growth consistently over the past three years. The company also announced plans to add more than 100 technology employees to its India team in 2022. IntegriChain is a data, technology, and business process company serving the $500 billion US pharmaceutical industry. The Company started its operations 15 years ago with a vision to help pharmaceutical manufacturers transform access to innovative therapies that significantly improve patient lives. Today, IntegriChain is a leading provider of therapy commercialization data and insights as well as business process operations and optimization. More than 250 pharma manufacturers rely on IntegriChain's ICyte Platform to address the complicated processes of commercial and government payer contracting, patient services, and distribution channels. For more than a decade, the Company has leveraged and grown its India operations, expanding its team of data, technology, and business process professionals by 100 per cent. "The power of IntegriChain is to help patients start therapy faster and stay in therapy longer. Our ICyte data and business process platform gives pharma manufacturers the insights to ensure patients have access to life-saving and life-changing therapies. To do this, we are continuously employing leading-edge technology to maintain our forefront position in the market and to improve patient access to therapy, and we rely on our outstanding Pune team to help drive technology innovation and implementation," said Kevin E Leininger, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at IntegriChain. "At IntegriChain, we continue to invest in developing our workforce, adopting exciting new technologies, and improving our operational processes to provide differentiated products and services to our customers. With our recent rapid growth, we look forward to expanding our Pune data science and technologies teams and to continuing to enable the career development of our employees," said Sachin Sadekar, Vice President and Managing Director, India Operations at IntegriChain. IntegriChain India Operations Culture IntegriChain believes that taking care of employees is the key to success. The company focuses on building an employee-friendly culture, with policies, schemes, and packages that nurture the overall well-being of their employees. "Our people are our biggest assets, and we're doing everything we can to create a positive environment for them to function at their best. While compensation and benefits are just one part of the picture, the culture we have created is one where everyone feels respected and valued. Our focus is on making work enjoyable and rewarding, rather than an element that adds stress," said Prajakta Jagtap, Director People & Culture, India, at IntegriChain. IntegriChain promotes open communication, where the employees are encouraged to share thoughts and ideas with any level of the hierarchy, eliminating the noise in between. The Company utilizes employee "non-wage compensation," which is merit- and outcomes-driven. IntegriChain also focuses greatly on the healthcare needs of employees, addressing both mental and physical well-being. IntegriChain employs a hybrid model of work In which team members work with the managers and colleagues to design a model of partly working from the office and partly from home that suits each employee's preferences and yet ensures significant collaboration. IntegriChain also employs constructive programs and events for employee wellness such as vaccination drives, mental health camps, unlimited paid leaves, wellness webinars, and many more that benefit employee satisfaction. IntegriChain is Life Sciences' data and application backbone for patient access and therapy commercialization. More than 250 manufacturers rely on IntegriChain's ICyte Platform to orchestrate commercial and government payer contracting, patient services, and distribution channels. ICyte is the first and only platform that unites the financial, operational, and commercial data sets required to support therapy access in the era of specialty and precision medicine. With ICyte, Life Sciences innovators are digitalizing labour-intensive processes - freeing up their best talent to identify and resolve coverage and availability hurdles and to manage pricing and forecasting complexity. IntegriChain is backed by Accel-KKR, a leading Silicon Valley technology private equity firm. The company is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, with offices in Ambler, PA; Raleigh, NC, and Pune, India. For more information, visit www.integrichain.com, or follow us on Twitter @IntegriChain and LinkedIn. Contact: INDIAHR@INTEGRICHAIN.COM This story is provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV) San Francisco [US], January 25 (ANI/Giant Protocol): A new start-up is making waves in Silicon Valley ever since it made its public debut in November last year. The company is the brainchild of Suruchi Gupta, a passionate Indian Female Founder, who got her start by winning hackathons after emigrating to the US to pursue her Masters in Computer Science less than a decade ago. Suruchi wanted to pursue her passion for technology to create something that will impact the lives of billions, and the result was GIANT (Global Internet Access Network Token) Protocol, a leading-edge web3 protocol to decentralize and democratize access to the internet and financial services. The tokenized bandwidth platform will partner with telecommunications companies and connectivity providers worldwide to create a new distributed connectivity economy that tokenizes bandwidth, essentially allowing anyone with a mobile phone to access the internet and become an owner simply by going online. Suruchi founded the company with support from college friend Jinesh Doshi, who is also from Mumbai. The pair have formed a close collaborative working relationship over the past 10-plus years. GIANT Protocol was founded with the ambition of launching a decentralized connectivity economy that can address multiple challenges in the telecom industry. It envisions turning internet connectivity into a digital asset and creating a new web3 layer, which will align incentives of all parties, enabling the formation of a novel economic platform that is open to all, seamless and secure by design and governed by the community. "At GIANT, we believe an Internet that works for everyone can only be built together- and it's critical we leverage this for humanity over the coming decades as we try to find our way to a more just and sustainable world", says Suruchi Gupta, Founder and CEO. She adds, "There are more than 5bn mobile phone users that spend over $2 trillion to access broadband and mobile internet every year. By transforming this bandwidth into a virtual currency, GIANT provides an on-ramp to web3 by simply going online. It is a simple, intuitive, and practical solution that turns our phone numbers into wallets and mobile minutes and mobile data into real-world value for users. The company recently announced that it has raised USD $5 million in a seed funding round led by pioneer blockchain-focused investment firm, CoinFund. The Protocol is in an advanced stage of development, and the project has also hired a world-class team of executives hailing from Juniper, Salesforce, Roku, Mobile365, and others. They have more than 100 years of collective experience from sectors including telecoms, security, and consumer tech. GIANT has also closed agreements with some of the largest telecommunication providers in the world. Gupta adds about the importance of the venture, "Decentralized protocols offer significantpromise to create a more inclusive and global economy as well as enabling and incentivizing thesharing of resources such as bandwidth. However, compared to the relative ubiquity of the internet and smartphones, decentralized platforms currently remain inaccessible due to the knowledge and technical gaps for non-users of digital currencies. GIANT will serve as a global enabler of decentralized financial services via connectivity as a digital asset of value, which is very difficult to achieve using the current centralized economic systems." Access to the internet and financial services are no longer a luxury, it represents a basic human right. For countries like India which are looking to boost their digital literacy and financial inclusion, GIANT represents not only a practical solution, but also an inspirational success story of an Indian Female Founder working to make technology benefit the masses. This story is provided by Giant Protocol. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Giant Protocol) Manfred Thierry Mugler, the legendary French fashion designer who famously came out of retirement to create Kim Kardashian's viral 2019 Met Gala look, passed away on Sunday at age 73. According to People Magazine, Mugler retired in 2002, yet the iconic designer remained a staple in the world of fashion. The 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' alum paid tribute to the late French designer on Instagram, posting a gallery of photos of their outfit collaborations, along with a touching caption. "Manfred Thierry Mugler My heart breaks," Kardashian began the post. "There's no one like you! Your vision, your transformations, your magic! I am so honoured to have known you, spent time with you and be a muse for you." Kardashian added that she was still looking forward to more moments with the visionary. She wrote, "There was so much more for you to show the world and that we had planned to do together, but you already gave us so much. I will never forget our time together around the world and learning from the master himself on what couture really meant! You always said beauty will save the world - and you really believed it was a better place because of the beauty all around! Thank you for the beauty. I love you so much. My condolences go to Manfred's family, friends, JB and his incredible team - and everyone who loved him and who's lives he has touched." Kardashian had a close relationship with Mugler, who famously crafted her iconic dripping wet ensemble for the 2019 Met Gala. "This is the first time in 20 years Mr Mugler has designed for the House of Mugler. So to come and design this gown for me is such an honour," Kardashian told Vogue at the time. "This is about eight months in the making ... He envisioned me this California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping." That same year, she also wore a skin-baring vintage Mugler design to the Hollywood Beauty Awards in April and, days later, donned two structured dresses by the French designer for a Mugler exhibition opening in Montreal. "He always, it's a full vision from, you know, hair to nails to everything," Kardashian told People Magazine of Mugler in 2019. "His runway shows were the most legendary and iconic runway shows ever." More recently, the fashion icon created a custom "cowbot" costume last year for the SKIMS founder to wear on Halloween. The futuristic aluminium design featured a bra, high-rise briefs, chaps, chunky belt buckle and even a built-in pistol and gun holster. "HALLOWEEN 2021- CowBot Costume by @manfredthierrymugler #SpaceCowboy," Kardashian captioned the reveal on Instagram. Mugler's team announced his passing on his Instagram account Sunday, sharing a black square and a statement written in both French and English. "We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday, January 23rd 2022. May his soul Rest In Peace," the caption read. Mugler's eponymous brand also confirmed the news, writing, "It is with deep sadness that the House of Mugler announces the passing of Mr Manfred Thierry Mugler. A visionary whose imagination as a couturier, perfumer and image-maker empowered people around the world to be bolder and dream bigger every day." Born December 21, 1948, in Strasbourg, France, Mugler began designing in the 1970s. He eventually became known for his dramatic, avant-garde creations. (ANI) More than two months after Mamie Mitchell, the script supervisor on 'Rust' filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and other producers for the actor's fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchinson on the set, the defendants want a California judge to dismiss the action. According to Deadline, the filing in response to Mamie Mitchell's November 17, 2021 lawsuit said, "Nothing about Plaintiff's allegations suggest that any of Defendants, including Mr Baldwin, intended the Prop Gun to be loaded with live ammunition," responded Baldwin, Rust Movie Productions, LLC, El Dorado Pictures, Inc., Ryan Donnell Smith, Langley Allen Cheney, Thomasville Pictures, LLC, Anjul Nigam, Matthew DelPiano, and Cavalry Media, Inc., who were "erroneously sued as Calvary Media, Inc." "Moreover, nothing about Plaintiff's allegations suggests any of the Defendants knew the Prop Gun contained live ammunition," the defendants' memorandum accompanying their demurrer added. "The absence of such allegations of course makes sense because the Incident is apparently unprecedented in the filmmaking industry," the document added, apparently overlooking past film set fatalities like Brandon Lee's shooting death on 1994's 'The Crow'. "Because all three of Plaintiff's causes of action are based on allegations of negligence that resulted in a workplace accident, they should be dismissed because her exclusive remedy is New Mexico's Workers' Compensation Act, not a civil action filed in California State Court," the filing added. As the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office continues its probe into what went terribly wrong on the Rust set on October 21 last year, Baldwin and his fellow producers' Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP lawyers are requesting a February 24 hearing before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Whitaker on the move to toss out Mitchell's case. "Alec Baldwin should have assumed that the gun in question was loaded unless and until it was demonstrated to him or checked by him that it was not loaded," the filing proclaimed in language echoed at a press conference Mitchell and Allred held soon after filing the suit. "He had no right to rely upon some alleged statement by the Assistant Director that it was a 'cold gun,'" the wide-ranging, damages-seeking complaint went on to say, referring to Assistant Director David Halls. "Mr Baldwin cannot hide behind the Assistant Director to attempt to excuse the fact that he did not check the gun himself," continued the filing from Mitchell, who was actually in the church location on the Bonanza Creek Ranch when Baldwin's "quick draw" move during rehearsal killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. Having since admitted he didn't examine the weapon properly before giving it to the actor, Halls, along with 'Rust' armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, has been at the centre of the sheriff's investigation. As her lawyers have floated the idea of sabotage on the production that had safety and labour issues, Gutierrez Reed launched her own legal action earlier this month against the film's so-called armourer/mentor Seth Kenney and his Albuquerque-based company PDQ Arm and Prop. (ANI) Kareena Kapoor Khan took to her Instagram Story and shared a lovely picture of the couple along with their daughter. Bebo added a "Happy anniversary" sticker, tagging her cousin and brother-in-law. Neetu Kapoor also took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of the lovebirds. In the caption, she wrote, "Happy 16th my beautiful Loves. You both deserve all the happiness n Gods love." Taking to the comments section, Riddhima replied, "We love u most." For the unversed, Riddhima is a renowned jewellery designer and Bharat is a well-established businessman. (ANI) The team of director Arun Vaiga's Malayalam film, 'Upacharapoorvam Gundajayan', on Tuesday announced that they had chosen to postpone the release of their film in the wake of the restrictions imposed by the government to contain the third wave of the pandemic. Actor Siju Wilson, who plays one of the leads in the film, took to Instagram to make the announcement. He said: "Taking into consideration the current restrictions, we have taken the tough decision to postpone the release of 'Upacharapoorvam Gundajayan'. The movie is a labour of love and we hope to release it as soon as we can." The film has raised considerable interest as it happens to be Siju's 100th film . The film, which has music by Bijibal and cinematography by Eldho Isaac, also features Shabareesh Varma, Johny Antony, Sabumon and Sudheer Karamana among others. Written by Rajesh Varma, the film has editing by Kiran Das. That apart, the film is to be released by actor Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films. --IANS mani/dc/svn/ksk/ ( 175 Words) 2022-01-25-12:26:05 (IANS) Hollywood actor-comedian Tiffany Haddish, who was arrested recently in Georgia on a suspected Driving Under Influence (DUI) charge, has now addressed her recent brush with the law. According to Fox News, Haddish opened up about the ordeal, along with her recent breakup from rapper Common, during her recent appearance on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', which aired on Monday night. The 42-year-old had found herself in headlines earlier this month when she was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after officers responded to a call regarding a driver falling asleep at the wheel in the early morning hours. While on the show, Tiffany said, "I've been praying to God to send me a new man, a good man. God went ahead and sent me four in a uniform. I was not expecting that at all." The comedian said she is working with a "really great lawyer." She explained, "We're going to work it out. I've gotta get my asking of things to God a little better." In the days before the DUI arrest, Haddish went through a series of personal losses, including losing her friend Bob Saget, who she described to Fallon as "a big mentor to me, a big brother, father figure." "He was the first White man to ever tell me, 'Just be yourself. Just be who you are, Tiffany, don't worry about nothing, just be you.' That was huge for me," she recalled. Haddish then also explained that her grandmother had passed away. "She saved my life. That's my heart. She was like my soulmate. So that's been really hard to process all this grief," said the actor. (ANI) The Parliament will function in two shifts during the Budget Session from February under which the Rajya Sabha will function from 10 am to 3 pm, and the Lok Sabha from 4 pm to 9 pm, owing to the prevailing Covid situation. The Budget Session will be held in two parts this year, from January 31 to February 11 and from March 14 to April 8. The Union Budget for FY23 will be tabled in the Parliament on February 1. All Covid protocols will be in place in the Parliament to prevent the outbreak of the disease. As per the schedule, President Ram Nath Kovind will address the joint sitting of the two Houses at 11 am on January 31. "During the sittings from 31.1.2022 to 11.2.2022, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers and their galleries will be used for sitting of members in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic," said a bulletin. The bulletin said that members should arrive at the Parliament by 10.30 am on January 31 in order to obviate any inconvenience. The President will arrive at the Central Hall of the Parliament at 10.55 am along with the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. Seating arrangements for members have been made in the Central Hall, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers and their galleries. On Sunday, Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu tested positive for Covid-19. The Secretary Generals of both the Houses have been instructed to suggest measures for the safe conduct of the upcoming Budget Session. Sources said that over 700 Parliament staff have tested positive for Covid till now during random testing. --IANS miz/arm ( 296 Words) 2022-01-24-22:48:03 (IANS) A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asserted that a man of 'profound secularism' like him must not be reduced to a mere symbol. PM Modi, while unveiling the statue at India Gate on Sunday, had said the contribution of our heroes, whose memories were being erased post-Independence, is now being revived. However, Tharoor insists this is "simply not accurate". "I grew up in an India where Netaji was honoured. There are 164 institutions around the country named after him, all before 2014. No attempt has been made to erase Netaji. Similar things were said about Sardar Patel... I think we've to understand there is a political exercise at work here to somehow show that it is this government that is restoring the glory of previous leaders. And, that is simply not accurate," he told ANI here. He elaborated, "I'm glad that Netaji and Patel sahab are being honoured. We should be proud of all these people who fought for our independence and gave us the freedom we cherish today. But the important thing to remember is that Netaji should not be reduced to just a symbol or a hologram. He stood for certain admirable values and principles. He was a man of profound secularism, his Azad Hind Fauj had people of every faith - Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs - who served side by side with Netaji in positions of honour and trust. The officer with him when his plane crashed was a Muslim, his colleague was a Christian... This is the kind of ethos Netaji represents. In fact, he was one of the first leaders to value women's equality. This kind of leader should not be seen as just a hologram. It's not only valour and heroism he had; there are also certain solid principles which, sadly, the present government is abandoning." On Bose's 125th birth anniversary on Sunday, his nephew Ardhendu Bose claimed that late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru 'sidelined' the former's achievement. He also stated that it was not Mahatma Gandhi's peace movement but Bose's Azad Hind Fauj that brought independence to India. And this remark, Tharoor said, is rather surprising to him. "We all admire the Azad Hind Fauj greatly, but we know they actually did not succeed in their attempt to move into India via Burma. In fact, what happened, as you probably know, is that they were defeated by the British Indian army. Therefore, they could not have won independence for India. But Mahatma Gandhi's decades of fighting for freedom in a non-violent, peaceful way changed the moral equation of British colonialism and made it difficult to sustain. There were also other factors. For example, if you look at the Indian naval mutiny, 1945 and the British also were exhausted at the end of World War II, and began to realise they'd need perhaps more troops, resources and more effort to hold India than before, because of the resistance. The naval mutiny, the earlier rebellion, all these factors would have come to the minds of the British and they must have said enough, we want out... So if you look back at that period, there are many, many factors. But, the largest and the most significant factors for the longest period of time that the world gives credit to was Gandhiji, the Congress and the freedom struggle," he reasoned. Another cause for concern, according to Tharoor, is the merging of the Amar Jawan Jyoti with the flame at Delhi's National War Memorial. "Amar Jawan Jyoti was lit for the first time after the Bangladesh War, where so many sacrifices were made by our soldiers, who redrew the map of the subcontinent. 50 years of honouring it, respecting it and praying before it on various occasions, even Kargil Vijay Diwas... And today, all that has been snuffed out as if it doesn't matter. You don't snuff out the flame of our Amar Jawan Jyoti because you've got another flame at the National War Memorial. The flame is meant to be amar, it's meant to be immortal. You don't destroy what is eternal merely because of the whims of the government of the day," he pointed out. (ANI) The ABVP alleged that the girl committed suicide due to the 'unbearable torture' she was facing after refusing to get converted to Christianity. The ABVP claimed that she was being tortured by two female employees of her school. In a purported video clip, the deceased was allegedly seen mentioning how her parents are being pressured by a female employee of the school to convert her religion. "It is unfortunate that despite the video of the student coming to the fore and the testimony of his mother, no action has been taken by the state government or the police administration," ABVP said, adding that they demand a fair and transparent investigation into the suicide. ABVP workers held symbolic demonstrations at 11 places in Delhi, after which a memorandum was submitted to the district administration. ABVP's Siddhartha Yadav termed the incident as tragic and said that the organisation stands with the family of the deceased student in this fight for justice. "By submitting the memorandum, we urge the Governor to ensure a fair and transparent investigation into the matter. We also urge for enactment of a new legislation as soon as possible to prevent forceful conversion," he added. --IANS gcb/shs/arm ( 247 Words) 2022-01-24-21:42:07 (IANS) Patna police managed to crack the case of the sensational jewellery heist in the Bihar capital with the arrest of five accused, including the son of a jewellery shop owner, officials said on Monday. Five persons executed the broad daylight robbery in Bakarganj wholesale market on Friday, and had codenamed their operation "Ek Glass Pani". Patna SSP Manavjeet Singh Dhillon said: "One of the accused was already arrested on the day of crime. He revealed the name of the other accused. All of them are natives of Jehanabad and one of them is a son of jewellers based in Jehanabad." The accused are identified as Nitesh Prasad, the kingpin of the gang and son of Ranjeet Prasad who is an owner of Raj Laxmi Jewellers of Jehanabad. The other accused are Akash Ojha, Sonu Kumar, and Raju Kewat. Rajesh Ram alias Sadhu was arrested with the help of local traders on the day of the incident on Friday. All are professional robbers and have served jail terms in the past. "Nitesh has a complete idea of gold, silver and diamond jewellery. He is also a smack addict. He made a plan a month ago and did the recee twice before executing the crime," Dhillon said. The accused committed the robbery in a successful manner but when they were fleeing from the spot, alert traders of Bakarganj pelted stones and bricks on them, lead to Rajesh Rai being injured and overpowered. He was later on handed over to the police. "The accused were hiding in their native places in Jehanabad. We have conducted simultaneous raids at their hideouts and arrested them. The SIT, formed for the purpose, recovered 9 kg gold and Rs 4.32 lakh cash from their possession. Besides, we have also recovered a Toyota Fortuner, 5 bikes, two pistols, one country made Katta, several live cartridges and mobile phones," Dhillon said. Victim Vijay Prasad, the owner of the SS Jewellers, had earlier claimed that they took away 35 kg gold, silver and diamond jewellery apart from Rs 14 lakh cash. --IANS ajk/vd ( 355 Words) 2022-01-24-22:00:03 (IANS) The cyber crime wing of Hyderabad police registered a case and took up investigation on Monday after the bank officials lodged a complaint. Some persons hacked into the servers of the bank and transferred the huge amounts to about 100 different bank accounts. The bank officials lodged a complaint with the police after the fraud came to light during internal verification. A police team visited the main branch of the bank to launch the probe. The team gathered details of the cyber security system of the bank. This is said to be first such e-fraud targeting a bank in the city. With its headquarters in Hyderabad, Mahesh Bank has 45 branches across four states. In 2018, hackers had siphoned off Rs 94 crore from Pune-based Cosmos Bank, India's second largest cooperative bank, by cloning thousands of credit cards. --IANS ms/arm A ( 175 Words) 2022-01-24-22:08:03 (IANS) The government employees in Andhra Pradesh on Monday served a notice on the state government that they will be going on indefinite strike from February 7 to demand rollback of a Government Order relating to pay revision. Leaders of the PRC Sadhana Samithi, a body comprising various employees' unions, submitted the notice to Principal Secretary, General Administration, Shashibhushan Kumar as Chief Secretary Samir Sharma was away in Delhi. A 20-member steering committee of PRC Sadhana Samithi reached the state secretariat and submitted the notice to the official stating that the employees will go on leave from midnight of February 6. The leaders alleged that the Government Order (GO) on pay revision was issued without taking the views of the employees. They said the implementation of GO will result in loss to the employees, teachers, and pensioners. The government official informed the leaders that the government has constituted a committee to hold talks with them. He handed over a GO in this regard. The committee comprises ministers Botsa Satyanarayana, Perni Nani, Buggana Rajendra Prasad and government advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. The Chief Secretary will be the member convenor. However, leaders of employees' unions made it clear that they have two pre-conditions for talks - they should be given report of Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and salary for current month be paid as per previous pay scales. Earlier, the government had invited the employees' unions for talks and the committee waited for the union leaders. However, the unions rejected the invitation for talks. The employees say that there will be downward revision in their salaries under the new pay scale implemented as per the GO issued recently. They have been protesting for more than a week to demand the government to withdraw the GO. PRC Sadhana Samithi leaders told reporters after submitting strike notice that the government should not dismiss their protest as insignificant. They pointed out that 13 lakh employees and pensioners will go on strike. AP NGOs Association president Bandi Srinivasa Rao alleged that the treasury employees are being pressurised to pay salaries as per new PRC and wondered why the government was acting in hasty manner. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced 23 per cent pay revision earlier this month. A GO issued to implement the same sparked protest by employees who alleged that revised pay scales would result in reduction of their present salaries. The employees' unions are demanding that the government pay their salaries as per 27 per cent interim relief which was announced pending implementation of the new PRC report. However, the government maintains that there will not be downward revision of salaries. It claimed that with the payment of DA arrears since 2019, the gross salary will go up. --IANS ms/vd ( 472 Words) 2022-01-24-22:20:02 (IANS) Higher Education Department principal secretary Saswat Mishra wrote to the principals of all government, non-government, self-financing colleges in this regard. The principals have been asked for verification and authentication of disability certificate of such students for the academic session 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. The department has taken this move in the wake of unearth of 'fake admission' in Bhadrak Autonomous College of Odisha. "It has come to the notice of this department that in Bhadrak (Autonomous) College, Bhadrak, students took admission in recent years under THE PwD quota submitting fake disability certificates. The matter is under enquiry and strict action will be taken against such students after the enquiry," Mishra said in the letter. In order to detect such malpractices elsewhere, the principals were directed to verify the disability certificates of the physically handicapped and orthopedically handicapped (PH-OH) students through chief district medical officer (CDMO) of the district concerned. After verification, if students are found to have taken admission with fake certificates, the admission of such students will be cancelled immediately. The college authorities were also directed to lodge FIR against such students. --IANS bbm/pgh ( 227 Words) 2022-01-24-22:26:03 (IANS) Notably, the results of the RRB NTPC for CBT-1 exam was released on January 15 for shortlisting the candidates for the CBT-2. Patna district magistrate (DM) Dr Chandrashekhar Singh informed that the protestors had hampered the train services for nearly five hours and said that action will be taken against the culprits. "They (protesters) stopped the train for almost 5 hours, this is not the way to resolve any issue. We'll take action against the main culprits & register case against them," he said. Later, the protestors were removed from the railway station. The hampered rail operations were normalised from 22.05 hours (10.05 pm) at Rajendra Nagar Terminal station of Danapur. Rajesh Kumar, CPRO, East Central Railway said, "Rail operations have been normalized from 22.05hrs at Rajendra Nagar Terminal station of Danapur." (ANI) National Institute of Technology-Agartala (NIT-Agartala) Assistant Professor Rajib Mallik said that Subham Raj, who has bagged the offer from Amazon with an annual Package of 1.3 lakh euros (Rs 1.15 crore), would join Amazon's Berlin office in September this year as a Software Development Engineer. A student of the first batch of the institute, Subham, a resident of Kunj Vihar, Argora, Ranchi, is currently an eighth semester B.Tech student of IIIT-Agartala, which is currently under the mentorship of the NIT-Agartala. Subham, 21, who previously did an internship in Google in 2021, was also selected in Global Competitive drive conducted by Google, Mallik told IANS. He said that the entire fraternity of IIIT-Agartala and NIT-Agartala is proud of Subham's success. The students of IIIT-Agartala for the academic year 2021-22 received an average annual cost offer of Rs 22 lakh. The IIIT-Agartala was set up in 2018 in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model in accordance with the IIIT Act passed by the then Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Education Ministry) in 2014. The IIIT-Agartala, which currently offers only B.Tech programme in Computer Science and Engineering, shares and uses the infrastructure, faculties and curriculum of the NIT-Agartala. Mallik said that the Centre for Career Development of NIT-Agartala arranges internships and placement for IIIT-Agartala students and conducts many online workshops, webinars, mock-training and mock interviews through online mode and virtual mode. --IANS sc/pgh ( 275 Words) 2022-01-24-22:34:01 (IANS) Gen. Yoweri Museveni, the nation's abuser-in-chief. Photo: Facebook. Harold Acemah. [Aluta Continua!] My attention has been drawn to an Opinion piece by Mr. Faruk Kirunda published in Daily Monitor of January 13, 2022 titled, Its the Presidents duty to call out on non-performers which is in reply to my Sunday Monitor Opinion titled, Of colonial civil servants and fishermen of NRM regime published on January 9. I would, at the outset, like to thank Mr. Kirunda for his feedback in which he attempted, in vain, to defend the indefensible. I wish him better luck next time. We are agreed on at least one thing, what he calls language dynamics, the use of language by you, me and political leaders. The words we choose to use in public discourse matters a lot, especially in societies like ours where a majority of citizens are either semi-literate or not well informed and where ignorance, poverty and disease are rampant. On the use of language Kirunda writes, Politicians, including Museveni, are human beings. They err, but they have a right to speak or front their ideas, language dynamics notwithstanding, because they have stepped up to diagnose societys problems and try to find solutions to them. Yoweri Museveni is the ruler of the country and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Mind your Language Its unethical, unacceptable and counterproductive to use abusive, foul and insulting language to diagnose societys problems in order to find solutions to problems. If anything, use of abusive language will create new problems and make a bad situation worse. It is wrong, indefensible and unacceptable for anybody to call a human being created by God in His own image a pig, swine or weevil. I am sure most Ugandans agree with me on this matter, but whether you believe or not, history will absolve me. The apostle James discusses the question of the spoken word or speech in chapter 3 of his letter titled, Taming the Tongue. James compares the tongue to fire and argues that: it is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse our fellow man who is created in the likeness of God. James 3 v 8 (GNB) Make no mistake, the words each one of us speaks are powerful beyond imagination. Words can make or break relationships and careers, words can build nations or tear down nations. On January 26, 1995, on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of NRM Day, President Museveni made a speech at Kololo Independence Grounds in which he stated publicly that past leaders of Uganda were swine. Among the invited guests at that event were former Vice Presidents Gen. Mustafa Adrisi and Brig. Gad Wilson Toko. I was a member of Brig. Tokos entourage and witnessed what happened. The damage those remarks have done is enormous and long-lasting. Since to err is human, the least one expects is an apology. Ugandans deserve a lot better from their elected leaders. I am surprised to read Kirunda take issue with my use of the title Sabalwanyi chief fighterwhich the President has invoked many times with pleasure to extol his role as a freedom fighter, revolutionary and warrior. One allegation Kirunda makes that, all they (civil servants) are occupied with is for God and my stomach designs is dishonest, false and offensive and should be dismissed with contempt. I am reminded of the theme of the 59th anniversary of Ugandas independence: Celebrating our 59th Independence Day as we secure our future through national mindset change. If the leaders of Uganda are honest and patriotic, they must stop abusing and insulting Ugandans. They must change their mindset and begin to treat all Ugandans, especially wananchithe common man and womanwith due respect as fellow citizens, not as serfs and mere subjects. For God and my Country! Arua, Uganda. January 16, 2022. Thousands of aspiring candidates of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) blocked the Kolkata-New Delhi main railway line at Rajendra Nagar terminal in Patna and Arrah district on Monday evening to protest its move to have two exams. The agitating students went on the tracks and stopped the passage of various trains including Rajendra Nagar-New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani express, the Sampoorna Kranti express, South Bihar express and many more. A large number of trains were diverted towards Gaya and Patliputra rail sections to go towards Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati and other parts of north Bihar. "There was only one examination mentioned in the RRB notification 2019. Now, RRB has issued fresh notifications where it mentioned two examinations. Many of the selected candidates are disqualified in the second examination. This is complete cheating by RRB. Its officials are playing with the futures of the students," said Randhir Sahay, a student, protesting at Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Patna. Another student Rohan Rajput said: "We will not vacate railway tracks unless and until the Railway Minister announces one examination for Group-D." Due to massive protests, a large number of police of Patna and Bhojpur reached at Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Arrah junction respectively and carried out a baton-charge to disperse the protesters. They also fired tear shells. Still, the aspirants sat on the track and had not left till late evening. Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekher Singh said: "The students are sitting on the tracks in large numbers. We are trying to convince them. As they are in large numbers, they are unfortunatelyleaderless. Hence, if we talk to a group of students, others start protesting against them. We have informed senior officials of the railway. They are on the way to address the issue they have." "As a precaution, SSP Patna and myself are keeping an eye on the developments. This is the main route of Kolkata-New Delhi rail section. We are trying to convince them and remove them from the track so that passengers who are suffering from it, would get relieved," he added. --IANS ajk/vd ( 356 Words) 2022-01-24-22:50:05 (IANS) An alleged sacrilege attempt was made at a historic temple in Patiala on Monday and the perpetrator has been arrested, police said. The accused has been identified as Rajdeep Singh. Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Garg told that the media the accused was arrested and additional police has been deployed at the spot. The entire incident was caught on a CCTV and its footage has gone viral. In the video, a masked man was seen trying to deface the idol. The man was pushed aside by the priest, preventing the accused from commiting the crime. Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, in a tweet, said: "Some vested interests are continuously trying to destabilise the social harmony of Punjab on the eve of the upcoming elections, but I will not let them be succeed in their malicious motives." --IANS vg/vd ( 148 Words) 2022-01-24-23:00:04 (IANS) Notably, the schools in Mumbai have been closed since January 4 due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Addressing a press conference here, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said, "Schools have started in Mumbai. The old rules are applicable for running the schools." She further said that only the children whose parents give permission to attend the physical classes will go to school while the virtual classes will continue for the students not attending the physical classes. "The children whose parents give permission, only they will go to school. There will be a distance of 2 feet between the benches. School management will decide the number of children in classes," she said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Aditya Thackeray has said that parents are free to make their own decisions in this regard and should send their children to school. Thackeray on Sunday told reporters, "Even though we are re-opening schools from Monday, it is not compulsory for students to come to school. Parents are free to make their own decisions in this regard and should send their children to school only if they feel it is safe." (ANI) Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and BJP leader Raman Singh slammed Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel over his statement that the Congress will never let the prices of gas cylinders surpass Rs 500 if the party comes to power in Uttarakhand saying that Baghel should have given cylinders at this rate in his own state in the past three years of his government. While launching the campaign theme and song of the Uttarakhand Congress in Dehradun on Monday, Baghel had assured that the price of a gas cylinder in the state will never cross Rs 500 mark if it comes to power in the upcoming assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Raman Singh said, "The series of announcements have begun and they are promising anything to get back to power. While promising such things, he should think about whether the gas cylinders have been given at Rs 500 in the past three years? Big announcements were made here also before the elections, today they are throwing it into the dustbin." Singh further said that the party is announcing such schemes only to get votes adding that Congress will not come to power in Uttarakhand. "Congress is announcing such schemes just to get votes. Why are they announced now and not in the last 3 years of governance? Their govt won't be formed," he said. Elections will be held for 70 assembly seats in Uttarakhand on February 14 and the results will be declared on March 10. (ANI) Within 24 hours after sending showcause letters to two BJP leaders in West Bengal -- Joy Prakash Majumdar and Ritesh Tiwari -- the saffron party has suspended them temporarily. In a letter issued by the Office Secretary Pranmoy Roy, it has been said that as part of disciplinary action the BJP has temporarily suspended both the leaders. The saffron party is conducting an enquiry and both the leaders will remain suspended till the enquiry is over. The two leaders were indulging in anti-party activities publicly. Though, there was no immediate reaction available from the BJP regarding the suspension of the leaders, sources in the party said that the action was taken on the direction of West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar. The party state unit has taken the permission of the central leadership before initiating action against the two leaders. The letter of suspension comes after Joy Prakash Mujumdar met Union Minister of State for Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur just after the showcause letter was given to the former and had a meeting with the latter for more than three hours. This didn't go down well with the top leaders of the state BJP unit. It was even more surprising because the party had given both the leaders a time of 15 days for their reply to the showcause letter but within 24 hours they were suspended. The party didn't even wait for their reply. On Sunday, the party gave showcause letters to two long-time leaders of BJP -- Majumdar and Tiwari -- for giving anti-party statements for the last few days. This was considered to be a serious breach of discipline. The two leaders were asked to reason why action will not be taken against them. The letter comes few days after Union MoS Shantanu Thakur had a meeting with the disgruntled BJP leaders of the state, including two party MLAs -- Subrata Thakur and Ashok Kirtania -- and Sayantan Basu, who has recently lost the post of party's State General Secretary. The meeting was also attended by Joy Prakash Majumdar -- one of the prominent faces in Bengal BJP, who has been demoted to a spokesperson from the party's State unit Vice-President, is also present in the meeting. Apart from that, three prominent leaders of the state BJP -- Ritesh Tiwari, Tushar Mukhopadhyay and Debashis Mitra have joined the meeting. Just after the meeting, BJP State General Secretary (organisation), Amitava Chakraborty had filed a complaint with the central leadership against 10 rebel leaders for indulging in anti-party activities and breaking the basic protocol and discipline of the party. Sources in the BJP had said that the central leadership also assured the party state unit that the matter will be taken up with all seriousness. --IANS sbg/khz/ ( 463 Words) 2022-01-25-00:50:03 (IANS) According to sources, these states and UTs include Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh. Earlier, Union Health Minister had interacted with the Health Ministers and Principal Secretaries of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu. In the meeting, he had advised that states must review the strengthening of health infrastructure, establish teleconsultation hubs in every district and focus on raising awareness on available services. Meanwhile, India reported a down surge in the COVID 19 cases as the country recorded 3,06,064 new COVID-19 cases on Monday. According to government sources to ANI, "it is expected to reduce COVID-19 cases by February 15." (ANI) Ahead of the assembly polls in the five states scheduled next month, Congress has decided to present a separate vision document "Student Manifesto" in the poll-bound states. NSUI, its student wing will launch one such manifesto today for the Goa Assembly polls dated to be held on February 14. The manifesto is said to declare the nine most important issues of the students which need to be addressed at the earliest. The national president of the wing, Neeraj Kundan will himself address the press conference at NSUI Goa headquarters in Panaji and will appeal to all the students as well as their families to vote for the congress party. The Congress students' wing is targeting the ruling BJP government over the "sharpest decline of employment in Goa" as compared to any other poll-bound state. The motive behind this manifesto launch is said to unite the student community under the issues of unemployment and education. National president Neeraj Kundan said, "Rahul ji and Priyanka ji gave a clear message about the importance of students and youth's issues while launching the Youth manifesto in Uttar Pradesh, and NSUI considers it very important that the student community stands together against the anti-student policies of the BJP." "Not just in Goa but all over the country the students are extremely affected by BJP government's negligence on all of the students' issues, whether it be postponing of exams or their policy on online classes, NSUI on every occasion had to fight and protest during COVID on every occasion when the BJP failed to address the students' issues," he added. Kundan further alleged that the educational structure of Goa has been broken since the BJP power began in the state. "Out of all 5 election going states, Goa has faced the sharpest decline in employment and the educational structure of the state has been broken since BJP came to power. This student manifesto is a clear message from NSUI for all the students as well as their guardians that we strongly believe in the betterment of the future of Goa and it's high time that the students stand together to demand what they deserve," he said. Neeraj Kundan further declared that NSUI, after launching the manifesto in Goa, will move to Uttrakhand, Punjab and Manipur. In Uttar Pradesh, the first phase polling will be held on February 10, the second phase on February 14, the third phase on February 20, the fourth phase on February 23, the fifth phase on February 27, the sixth phase on March 3 and the seventh phase on March 7. Polling in Manipur will be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3 whereas the voting will take place in Uttarakhand and Goa on February 14 and Punjab will go to polls on February 20. The counting of votes for all five poll-bound states will take place on March 10. (ANI) Bhagwat reached Agartala on Monday and went straight to Seva Dham in Ranirbazar of West Tripura. According to sources, Deb highlighted issues related to Tripura's development and how the landlocked state is progressing ahead during the meeting and Bhagwat expressed his satisfaction over welfare programmes of the state government. "The RSS chief inquired about various issues pertaining to the state's development. In particular, he was told about the state government's initiatives to protect the indigenous groups and promote the rich culture tribes in the national as well as in the international levels," said a source. "He expressed his satisfaction over the works being done on priority basis for the welfare of the people belonging to the underprivileged and backward sections of society," the source said. Deb informed the RSS chief about a range of issues including rapid COVID-19 vaccination, transparent image of state government and overall social empowerment schemes. Bhagwat is said to have congratulated Deb for 50 years of Tripura's statehood and commended the state government for its commitment plan for the next 25 years. Sources claimed that the RSS chief visit in Tripura assumes significance as according to political analysts Bhagwat's address to a public meeting of RSS volunteers in Agartala had shaped BJP's victory in the 2018 assembly elections. "The ruling BJP shall certainly be pepped up with his arrival just one year before the elections," added sources. Bhagwat is likely to hold a closed-door meeting at Seva Dham with RSS members as holding any public meeting is not possible owing to COVID-19 restrictions. (ANI) Maharashtra former home minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday while appearing before Chandiwal Commission repeatedly said that he wants to talk about 'Param Satya (Ultimate truth)', apparently referring to ex Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh's letter which alleged corruption charges on Deshmukh, said sources. During the questioning, Deshmukh said that he wants to tell why Parambir Singh wrote written the letter (with allegations of corruption). 'Param Satya' must come to fore, Deshmukh said. However, Justice Chandiwal didn't allow Deshmukh to speak on the matter and asked him to seek written permission from the commission. Deshmukh and police officer Sachin Waze appeared before the Chandiwal Commission on Monday and for the third consecutive day, Waze's lawyer Naidu questioned Deshmukh. During the questioning said that he doesn't know who Sachin Waze is and has never met him before. Sachin Vaze's lawyer mentioned a WhatsApp message that a man named Ankit Anand sent to Sachin Waze. Vaze's lawyer said that Anand is an owner of a bar called True Tram Trunk (TTT) and is a close friend of Anil Deshmukh's son Salil Deshmukh. The lawyer said that it was written in the message that Anand held a discussion with Salil about hookah parlor, pub and orchestra bar. "I am ready for collection. Please tell me when can we meet," reads the message. When being questioned about the message, Deshmukh said that he does not know who Anand is and does not have any clue about the said message. Deshmukh's lawyer opposed the question and said that this question holds no relevance as it is not related to the 100 crore corruption case. Both Deshmukh and Waze are in judicial custody in separate cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), respectively. Justice KU Chandiwal Committee was formed by Maharashtra Government to investigate Param Bir Singh's extortion allegation against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. In a letter to CM Thackeray in March last year, Singh had alleged that Deshmukh was involved in several wrongdoings, including asking Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants in Mumbai. (ANI) Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan on Monday alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government has been protecting anti-nationalists and arresting those protecting the law of land. He further alleged that Andhra Pradesh has been suffering from the misrule and corruption of the government in power but now the law and order was in peril. His statement came in support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Budda Srikanth Reddy who was arrested in a communal clash recently that took place in Atmakur in connection with the construction of a mosque. "Srikanth Reddy went to Atmakur not to create any violence. He did not go to instigate the mob. He went because there was an unlawful construction. The local authority did not give permission for the construction due to which the local people raised objections there. He went there to inquire about that, with the permission of the police. The SP was given advance information about his visit," Muraleedharan told media persons after he visited the central prison where BJP leaders B Srikanth Reddy and BJP district president Nandyal are lodged. "With SP's permission, the visit was taken. After that, a mob attacked him. His vehicle was set on fire. He escaped, otherwise, he would have been killed. I suspect that there was a conspiracy to kill him. But, what did the Jagan Mohan Reddy government do? The government arrested a person, who was trying to bring out those who were doing illegal activities. The government is protecting those who have violated the law, who was involved in anti-national law. That is why the government should correct it. It is not the first incident." he added. The Minister stated, "During last three years, the people of AP have been suffering from the misrule and corruption of the government in power. But now, it has gone to the level of law and order. The people who have respect for the law are suffering and those who are breaking the law are getting protection in Andhra Pradesh." "Government should congratulate Srikanth Reddy, instead he is in jail. I demand, free Srikanth Reddy, withdraw the cases on him, book the cases on culprits. That needs to be inquired," he added. "The BJP leaders were not allowed to enter Atmakur, whereas the YSRCP leaders were allowed to go. Are the BJP leaders not part of India? The CM has taken an oath in the name of the Constitution to uphold the Constitution," he stated. "In the Kurnool and nearby areas, the terrorist activities and Islamic fundamentalistic activities are happening. Such people are involved in anti-national activities. This place became a breeding ground for that. The SDPI and Popular Front of India, are involved in violence. In Kerala, two people were killed by these people. They are against the Constitution. But they were protected by the Jagan Mohan Reddy government," he further stated. (ANI) UB research uncovers previously unknown aspects of running shoe design Our results show that runners do not need to worry about the amount of cushioning. That element of shoe design is not interrupting your normal running style in any significant or meaningful way. BUFFALO, N.Y. A University at Buffalo researcher has some good news for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who favor thick, heavily cushioned running shoes. Although these shoes are increasingly popular because they provide comfort and a high degree of shock absorbing protection, those benefits were thought to come at the expense of increased overall leg stiffness, which altered a runners normal stride and could increase muscle fatigue. Plenty of research suggests just such a result when running on a compliant surface, like a synthetic rubber track, but no one had actually tested how the cushioned midsole of a running shoe affects overall leg stiffness. Until now. Our results show that runners do not need to worry about the amount of cushioning, says Nicholas Holowka, PhD, an assistant professor of anthropology in the UB College of Arts and Sciences and the papers first author. That element of shoe design is not interrupting your normal running style in any significant or meaningful way. The findings of the study conducted with Daniel Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University; Emmanuel Virot, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard; and Stephen Gillinov, a medical school student at Yale University, appear in the Journal of Biomechanics. Leg stiffness can be compared to a springs tension. If the leg alone were modeled as a single spring, that coil would have one level of stiffness. The leg, however, is made up of many muscles that control degrees of stiffness. When running on cushioned surfaces, leg stiffness increases, but thats not the case when running in heavily cushioned shoes. There is an assumed optimal leg stiffness for runners, but if you increase your leg stiffness above that point youd be using more muscles to stiffen that leg spring, which means more energy and fatigue over long distance, says Holowka, an expert on the biomechanics of walking and running. We were interested in the idea that when people run on surfaces that are elastic, with a certain amount of compliance, they subconsciously change the stiffness of their leg to maintain an optimal stiffness. Was this the same when it came to the cushioning of their shoes? At a glance, the absence of research on midsole running shoe thickness and running style seems surprising, but Holowka says the problem is more complicated than it appears. Its very hard to account for all of the factors in such a way that allows you to isolate specifically on the stiffness of the footwear itself, he says. If you try to compare different shoes, then you have design differences, like heel height or arch support, which makes it difficult if not impossible to look at the effects of the shoes cushioning. Our study was geared at looking at this one variable. And to do that, Holowkas team custom created sandals for the study. The researchers enrolled 20 experienced runners and measured them in four different conditions: barefoot and sandals made from three different materials. The first sandals were a commercially available model inspired by the footwear of the Tarahumara, an Indigenous population living in Mexico who have developed a tradition of long-distance running. These sandals, made from the common shoe cushioning material ethylene-vinyl acetate foam (EVA), served as molds for two other similar designs with different degrees of cushioning. Participants ran on treadmills that measured the forces the body was putting against the ground. Their motions were also measured through a specialized camera system. The data contributed to a model of the leg as a linear spring, which allowed the researchers to calculate leg stiffness under the different conditions We went into this with the hypothesis that the cushioning might change leg stiffness, but that just wasnt supported, says Holowka. The results show that your running style is still natural even when running in these heavily cushioned shoes. Our findings tell us something that was previously unknown about shoe design, essentially the extent to which shoe cushioning influences normal running style. And thats important information for runners who prefer heavily cushioned shoes, but are concerned about how those shoes affect running style, according to Holowka. You can have that cushioning if you like it and still run with normal natural leg stiffness, he says. As per the Palakkad Police, a total of ten people have been arrested in the case so far, all of them are workers of the Popular Front of India (PFI). The prime accused, Muhammad Haroon, is a native of Athikkode. It has also been informed that four accused, including one directly involved in murder, are yet to be arrested. S Sanjith, an RSS worker, was hacked to death allegedly by the workers of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of the PFI, on November 15. According to the police, the deceased was waylaid and attacked when he was travelling with his wife on his motorbike. (ANI) Hundreds of students blocked the Kolkata-New Delhi main railway line at Rajendra Nagar Terminal in Patna. "The Railway Recruitment Board has created a discrepancy in the results of group D. Our future appears bleak now," said a protestor Ajit Kumar. "People have gathered here due to which train services were disrupted for some time but now trains are running normally," says Mukul Pankaj Mani, Additional SDM, Bihar Sharif. After the blockade of the railway track, a team of officers has reached the spot and efforts are being made to convince the agitated students. A large number of police forces under the leadership of Additional Sub-Divisional Officer Mukul Pankaj Mani are also present on the spot. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday slammed the Opposition saying when they are in power, they do nothing but now they are getting ready for assembly elections. "There is a saying, 'Kare na dhare, tarkas pehne fire' (haven't done anything but are getting ready for electoral battle). The same is true of the entire opposition! If you are in power, don't do anything; now everyone is gearing up for an electoral battle," Adityanath tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi). Taking a dig at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath said, "Those who do not think Pakistan is an enemy, Jinnah seems to be a friend. What can be said about their education and vision. They call themselves socialists, but the truth is that violence runs in their veins." The Chief Minister earlier hit out at the Opposition parties for not helping people during the time of COVID-19 crisis and asked the voters not to elect their candidates. He had also unleashed a scathing attack on Akhilesh Yadav over his promise of free electricity. "Before 2017, there was no electricity. We need to ask those promising 300 units of free electricity how they will distribute electricity for free when there was no electricity during their tenure," said Adityanath. The Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had promised that if his party is voted to power in 2022 assembly polls, the SP government would give 300 units of free power to all households in UP every month and free electricity to farmers for irrigation. Uttar Pradesh will go to the polls for its 403-member assembly in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned till February 9, the hearing of a plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner. A bench headed by Justice Justice DY Chandrachud listed the matter for February 9 for final argument on the NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation's (CPIL) petition challenging Asthana's appointment as Delhi Police chief. The Court said that it is keeping two days - February 9 and February 10 - for the hearing on the petition. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Centre while Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi was representing Asthana. The NGO CPIL through its advocate Prashant Bhushan had approached the apex court in an appeal against the October 12, 2021 order of the Delhi High Court which had upheld the Centre's decision to appoint Asthana, Gujarat cadre 1984-batch IPS officer, as Delhi Police Commissioner four days before his superannuation on July 31, saying there was "no irregularity, illegality or infirmity" in his selection. In the affidavit filed by the Centre, it has been maintained that he was picked "to provide effective policing on the recent law and order situation which arose in the National Capital Territory of Delhi". The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that there was a "compelling need" to appoint Indian Police Service Rakesh Asthana as the Delhi Police Commissioner taking into consideration the national capital's "extremely challenging situations" of public order, policing issues, and their implications on national security. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) while justifying the appointment of Asthana as the Delhi Police commissioner, informed the apex court through an affidavit that Asthana was appointed police chief of Delhi as a "special case of public interest". The affidavit was filed on a plea of NGO CPIL against the Delhi High Court order of upholding Asthana's appointment as police chief. Eight Delhi Police Commissioners had been appointed by the same procedure without any complaints from the petitioner, the Centre said while accusing the petitioner of harbouring a personal vendetta against Asthana. The affidavit stated, "Delhi is the capital of the country has a specific and special requirement which witnessed certain untoward and extremely challenging public order problems/riots/crimes which have an international implication. This necessitated the appointment of an experienced officer having diverse, multifarious experience of heading a police force in any large State/Central Investigating Agency/Para-military Security Forces, etc, to head the Delhi Police force." It sought that the petitions challenging the appointment to be dismissed. Asthana also filed separate affidavits in the plea saying petitions were filed in the top court following a scathing social media campaign to malign his reputation and that petitioner NGO and Prashant Bhushan harboured a personal vendetta against him. The Delhi High Court while dismissing a PIL challenging Asthana's selection had said the justification and reasons given by the Centre for appointing Asthana are plausible, calling for no interference in judicial review. Asthana, who was serving as the Director-General of Border Security Force, was appointed the Commissioner on July 27, 2021, after being shifted to the Union Territory cadre from Gujarat cadre for the tenure of one year. The NGO's petition has urged the top court to set aside the Centre's order to appoint Asthana after extending his service period. It termed the extension of Asthana's tenure as well as an appointment as "illegal" as he did not have a residual tenure of mandatory six months of service at the time of his appointment as Commissioner of Police since he was to retire within 4 days. The petition further claimed that the Centre's order violated the policy regarding Inter-Cadre deputation of All India Service Officers. (ANI) "A girl registered a complaint of rape alleging that she was sleeping in her home when 2 people entered and took her out forcibly. One of them raped her while the other helped in the act. We've registered a case of gang rape," Ramesh Kumar, CI, Sadar PS said. The victim has named Balram Sahariya and Yogesh, residents of Amapura, in her complaint. As per the complainant, her parents were out of town and she was at home, sleeping with her sister when the two barged in and allegedly abducted her on a bike. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jinendra Jain told that the victim's medical has been done, and a case of rape has been registered. Investigation for the same is underway. Notably, in the past few months, several cases of rape have been reported from various parts of the state. (ANI) The Karnataka Police have nabbed a 34-year-old former call centre employee on charges of cheating engineering graduates and job aspirants in the pretext of getting them a placement in a top software company in Bengaluru, police said on Tuesday. The police have seized 40 fake appointment letters from the accused and are investigating the matter. The accused has been identified as Sanjeev Gangaram Gurkha, a resident of Chinchanwad, Pune in Maharashtra. The accused gave advertisements on social media and other platforms announcing recruitment to a top software company based in the Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru. He has also opened eight bank accounts to receive money from gullible candidates, said the police. When job aspirants contacted him, he conducted online interviews. The accused after announcing that they have got through the interview, would ask them to deposit money towards laptop and other equipment. He would tell the victims that they will have to work from home. He took Rs 1.5 lakh from each job aspirant, according to police. The accused had sent appointment letters to as many as 40 such job aspirants. The preliminary investigation has confirmed the accused receiving money from four candidates. The police are contacting other candidates and say that the accused may have cheated hundreds of gullible job aspirants. The cheating came to light when victims approached the company headquarters with fake appointment letters. The company HR manager subsequently filed a complaint with Sampigehalli police on January 13. The investigation has revealed that the accused worked at the call centre unit at Pune run by the same tech firm. While on job he had collected a few letters from the HR department and created fake logos and letterheads to carry out fake racket. --IANS mka/dpb ( 304 Words) 2022-01-25-08:50:03 (IANS) Talking with ANI, Thakur said, "We're true soldiers of Congress, we'll live and die here. We think his decision is wrong." Further, he added that RPN Singh's exit is sad, and said, "Many incharges have come and gone, doesn't matter. He must have decided after a lot of thinking." Congress leader and former Union minister RPN Singh on Tuesday quit his party, amid speculations that he is set to join the BJP, in a major setback to the party just ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. Taking to Twitter, Singh posted his resignation letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi, "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind." Popularly known as Raja Saheb of Padrauna, the Congress party's Jharkhand in-charge, RPN Singh has previously severed as the Minister of State from 2012 to 2014. (ANI) "We condemn it. We will not let anyone spoil the environment of the state. I urge the state govt to further strengthen the law and order situation in the state, " Patiala MP, Preneet Kaur told ANI. Meanwhile, the markets in Patiala are closed as a mark of protest against the alleged 'sacrilege attempt' at Kali Mandir, said Punjab president, Shiv Sena, Harish Singla. "Administration is not telling us who is this person, whoever has done it and who is behind it, till the time the administration does not tell us completely, such markets will remain closed in Patiala," Singla told ANI. According to CM Office, a sacrilege attempt was made at Shri Kali Devi Temple on Monday and the accused was restrained by devotees and security personnel at the spot. Local police had detained the accused. (ANI) Taking to Twitter, Sidhu said also said "divisive forces" cannot tear into the socio-economic fabric of Punjabiyat. "Politics of fear, polarisation and hate is intruding Punjab ...The incident of sacrilege at Mata kaali Devi temple is deplorable, divisive forces can never tear into the socio-economic fabric of Punjabiyat .. our armour is universal brotherhood and respect for all religions," he tweeted. Meanwhile, the Patiala Superintendent of police said that the police will verify the alleged sacrilege incident at Sri Kali Mata Mandir and action will be taken against the accused. "We'll verify the alleged sacrilege incident, we'll take action against the accused," said Harpal Singh, Superintendent of Police, Patiala city. The incident took place during evening prayers when the man jumped over the metal railing around the Guru Granth Sahib and allegedly attempted to desecrate the Holy Book of the Sikhs with a sword. Punjab will go to the polls on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Republic Day Parade 2022 will showcase India''s military might and cultural diversity and many unique initiatives have been included to mark the celebration of the 75th year of Independence as part of ''Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav''. "Several firsts planned during the main parade include the launch of ''Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman'' programme by National Cadet Corps, a grand flypast by 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force, cultural performances by 480 dancers, display of ten scrolls each of 75 metres prepared during the ''Kala Kumbh'' event," said the Defence Ministry in an official statement. According to the Ministry, a drone show by 1,000 indigenously developed drones has also been planned for ''Beating the Retreat'' ceremony, along with projection mapping. As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, Ati Vishisth Seva Medal, a second-generation Army officer. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command. A total of six marching contingents of the Indian Army will be present in the parade including the Rajput Regiment, the Assam Regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Light Regiment, the Sikh Light Regiment, the Army Ordnance Corps and the Parachute Regiment. The combined Band of the Madras Regimental Centre, the Kumoun Regimental Centre, Maratha Light Regimental Centre, Jammu & Kashmir Light Regimental Centre, Army Medical Corps Centre and School, 14 Gorkha Training Centre, Army Supply Corps Centre and College, Bihar Regimental Centre and Army Ordnance Corps Centre will also march past the saluting dais. "The Indian Army will be represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, 14 Mechanised Columns, six marching contingents and a fly past by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) of Army Aviation. One Tank PT-76 and Centurion (On Tank Transporters) and two MBT Arjun MK-I, one APC TOPAS and BMP-I (On Tank Transporter) and Two BMP-II, one 75/24 Towed Gun (On Vehicle) and two Dhanush Gun System, one PMS Bridge and Two Sarvatra Bridge System, one HT-16 (On Vehicle) and two Tarang Shakti Electronic Warfare System, one Tiger Cat Missile & two Akash Missile System will be the main attraction in the mechanised columns," the statement further said. The theme of the marching contingents of the Indian Army is the evolution of the uniform and personnel weapons of the Indian Army over the last 75 years. "The contingent of the Rajput Regiment will be wearing the uniform of Indian Army of 1947 and would be carrying .303 Rifle. The Assam Regiment will be in uniform during the period of the 1962 and carrying .303 Rifles. The Jammu and Kashmir Light Regiment would be in uniform worn during 1971 and would carry 7.62mm self loading Rifle. The contingent of the Sikh Light Regiment and the Army Ordnance Corps would be in the present day uniform with 5.56mm INSAS Rifle," said the Defence Ministry. "The contingent of the Parachute Regiment would be donning the new Combat Uniform of Indian Army, unveiled on January 15, 2022 and would be carrying 5.56mm x 45mm TAVOR Rifle," it added. Meanwhile, the Naval contingent will comprise of 96 young sailors and four officers led by Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma as Contingent Commander. It will be followed by the Naval Tableau which is designed with the aim to showcase the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy. The forward part of the tableau depicts the Naval Uprising of 1946, which contributed in India''s struggle for independence. The rear section illustrates the ''Make in India'' initiatives of the Indian Navy from 1983 to 2021. The model of New Vikrant with LCA Navy in air flanked by models of indigenously designed and built warships. The frames on the sides of the trailer depict the construction of Indian Naval platforms in India. The Indian Air Force contingent comprises of 96 airmen and four officers and will be led by Squadron Leader Prashant Swamyanathan. The Air Force tableau is titled ''Indian Air Force, Transforming for the Future''. The tableau showcases scaled down models of MiG-21, Gnat, Light Combat Helicopter and Rafale aircraft, as well as the Aslesha radar. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will display two tableaux, signifying the defence technological advancements of country. The tableaux are titled ''Suite of Indigenously Developed Sensors, Weapons and Electronic Warfare Systems for LCA Tejas'' and ''Air Independent Propulsion System'' developed for the submarines of Indian Navy. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) contingent will be led by Deputy Commandant H T Manjunath. The marching contingents of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), led by Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik, 15 times winner of best marching contingent, Delhi Police, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) commanded by Assistant Commandant Mohnish Bagree, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) led by Deputy Commandant Nirupesh Kumar and Border Security Force (BSF) Camel Contingent headed by Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh Kheechee will also march past the saluting dais. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys Marching contingent, comprising of 100 Senior Division cadets, will be led by Senior Under Officer Rupendra Singh Chauhan of the Punjab Directorate. Senior Under Officer Pramila of Karnataka Directorate will head the NCC Girls Marching contingent, consisting of 100 Senior Wing Cadets drawn from all 17 Directorates. The marching contingent of National Service Scheme (NSS), comprising of 100 volunteers, will be headed by Baraiya Siddhi Ramesh from Diu Union Territory, Ahmedabad Directorate. It will be followed by tableaux of 12 States/Union Territories and nine Ministries/Departments. The theme of tableaux of Arunachal Pradesh is Anglo-Abor (Adi) Wars; Haryana''s is Haryana: No 1 in Sports;Chattisgarh''s is Godhan Nyay Yojana: A new path to prosperity; Goa''s is Symbols of Goan heritage; Gujarat is Tribal Revolutionaries of Gujarat; Jammu and Kashmir''s is Changing face of Jammu and Kashmir, among others. "The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past, will, for the first time, witness 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force displaying a number of formations, as part of ''Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav''," said the Defence Ministry. Vintage as well as current modern aircraft/helicopters like Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, Mi-17, Sarang, Apache and Dakota, will display different formations, including Rahat, Meghna, Eklavya, Trishul, Tiranga, Vijay and Amrit. For the first time IAF has coordinated with Doordarshan to show cockpit videos during the fly past. The ceremony will culminate with the national anthem and the release of Tri-colour balloons. (ANI) Buffalo, WY (82834) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 40F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Knowing the importance of women voters for winning the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls for the second consecutive terms, the BJP is holding a 'Mahila chaupal' and 'kirtan' across the state. The saffron party believes that women voters will play a crucial and decisive role in next year's poll as they constitute nearly half (46 per cent) of the total electorate of state and their participation has increased over a period of time. In the last 2017 Assembly polls, over 60 per cent women cast their vote, more than the men. The BJP women wing is organising 'Mahila Chaupal' and 'Kirtan' at block and village levels in Uttar Pradesh along with other reach out programmes in which they interact with the beneficiaries of government schemes and appeal to vote for the party in Assembly polls. BJP Mahila Morcha national vice president Rekha Gupta told IANS that the party is reaching out to the women voters through 'Mahila Chaupal' and 'Kirtan'. "We are organising a series of programmes to reach out to women voters and 'Mahila Chaupal' and 'Kirtan' are two of them. In chaupal, all the attendees are beneficiaries of the government schemes. Similarly, we are reaching out to women through kirtan mandali (group). These programmes are done at village and block levels," Gupta said. According to Gupta, office-bearers of the mahila morcha interact with the beneficiaries following the Covid protocols and guidelines led by the Election Commission. "We tell them the people are with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for tremendous work he has done in the last five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We explain that no government has done so much work in this short span of five years. We appeal to them to elect the BJP government to take Uttar Pradesh to a new height of development under a double engine government," Gupta said. Women voters played an important role in the BJP victory in 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and ensured the return of the Modi government at the Centre in 2019. Knowing that they will also play an important and decisive role in this poll, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to win their support. 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. --IANS ssb/dpb ( 408 Words) 2022-01-25-10:48:01 (IANS) A 19-year-old woman member of Cherla LGS group of the banned Maoist party on Tuesday surrendered before the Telangana Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) accusing the rebel outfit of forcing her to marry with a senior Maoist leader and 2-3 Dalam members. Identified as Vetti Jogi alias Jyothi, who belongs to Bathinapally village in Cherla Mandal in Telangana, surrendered before Bhadradri Kothagudem district Police and 141 Battalion of CRPF. As per a statement of Telangana Police shared by CRPF, Vetti Jogi was "forcefully inducted into the banned CPI Maoist party in 2018 by the Maoist party at the age of 15 years". "Maoist party leaders are not allowing Adivasi Children to go to school. They are threatening these Adivasi minor girls and boys and forcing them to join the Maoist party. Hence, the Maoist party leaders are violating the rights of the minors (boys and girls) and Adivasis," the statement mentions. From 2018 to date, the statement reads, Vetti Jogi was working in Cherla LGS and as a minor, she was forced to do all odd jobs like cooking, shifting luggage, picking weapons, conducting night patrolling and guard duty to senior Maoist leaders like Azad, Madhu, Aruna, Rajitha (wife of Bade Chokkarao alias Damodhar). During the exchange of fires between the Police and the Maoists, the Maoist party leaders are using the minor Dalam members as Cover from Police fire and escaping, mentions the statement, adding "Vetti Jogi was being forced later on to marry with Maoist Senior leader and 2-3 Dalam members". Realising that there is no support for the Maoist party among the people at present and Physical and Mental harassment by Maoist leaders on Minors, especially on Minor girls and women, the statement says, Vetti Jogi decided to surrender before the Police to live a better life. "We appeal to all the organisations working for the protection of rights of minors and women to raise the voice against the Maoist party for violating the rights of minors and women," the statement says. "We also appeal to all the other Dalam members and militia members to contact your relatives or Police to surrender and live a better life," the statement added. (ANI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday urged the Election Commission and the citizens to ensure a voter turnout of 75 per cent in the next general elections to make electoral democracy more inclusive and also sought consensus on simultaneous polls to sustain the tempo of development. In a message on the occasion of the 12th National Voters Day, Naidu stressed that no voter should be left behind and urged the citizens to judge the contestants in the elections on merit. As Naidu is in home isolation in Hyderabad after testing corona positive, his address was read out at the event in New Delhi. Referring to the increase in voter turnout from 44.87 per cent in the first general elections to Lok Sabha during 1951-52 to the highest ever 67.40 per cent for the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019, marking an increase of 50 per cent in voting, Naidu complimented all stakeholders for the same. Alluding to the sustained efforts of the Election Commission of India in this regard striving for excellence during the 70 years of the country's electoral journey, Naidu hailed the Commission as a credible, responsive and forward-looking institution every votary of democracy can legitimately be proud of. The Vice President noted that the challenge before the Election Commission is to ensure a steady increase in voting in every election to make our electoral democracy more inclusive by addressing the barriers to voter participation. "In the 75th year of our Independence, let us resolve to leave no voter behind and aim to increase the voter turnout to at least 75 per cent in the next general elections. Let each one realize that vote is not only a right but a responsibility. We, as a nation, must think and arrive at a consensus to have simultaneous polls to all the three tiers of federal set up and move towards better governance by focusing our attention on all-around development of our people," he said. Naidu referred to the substantial 8 per cent increase in voter turnout from 58.21 per cent in 2009 general elections to 66.44 per cent in 2014, suggesting that it is feasible to reach a 75 per cent voter turnout target from 67.40 per cent in 2019. He complimented the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative of the Election Commission launched in 2009 for improving voter participation. He further expressed delight over women voting more than men in the 2019 general elections by a margin of 0.17 per cent, for the first time in 70 years, ending the gender gap in the country. (In 1962 general elections, men voter turnout was 16.71 per cent more than that of women) Naidu stressed on the need for a more swift resolution of election disputes and the creation of a more informed citizenry empowered to judge the merits of each candidate in the elections. He urged the Commission to further explore innovative ways in which technology can enhance the credibility and accessibility of the voting process. He also referred to high voter turnout in the range of 74 per cent to 84 per cent in the elections to five State Assembly held under COVID-19 protocol last year. The 12th National Voters Day is being organized on the theme "Making our Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative". January 25 is being so celebrated as the Election Commission was set up on January 25, 1950, a day before the country became a Republic with the Constitution coming into force from January 26, 1950. (ANI) Taking to Twitter, Sidhu said, "Our Visionary leader Rahul Gandhi Ji is visiting Punjab on January 27. Every Congress worker looks forward to welcoming him in Punjab." According to the schedule shared by Sidhu, the former Congress President will begin his tour from Amritsar by paying obeisance at Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir and Bhagwan Valmiki Mandir along with the 117 candidates, before proceeding towards Jalandhar by road. In Jalandhar, the Congress MP will also conduct a virtual rally "Punjab Fateh" at White Diamond, Mithapur, Jalandhar. Punjab will go to the assembly polls on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) With an aim to carry out terrorist attacks on Republic Day and derail elections in five states, Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has re-activated its Kashmir-Khalistan (K2) desk to bring pro-Khalistan and anti-India supporters in Kashmir at a common platform, said a senior official in Delhi Police. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police has pasted posters - with names and pictures - of suspected terrorists belonging to the Al-Qaeda terror group and banned terrorist outfits of pro-Khalistan in central Delhi. A senior official said that the idea behind the K2 desk is to exploit sentiments in Punjab and Kashmir. Intelligence agencies claimed that around 350 terrorists are ready to infiltrate into India. The videos released by pro-Khalistan terrorist organisations are pushing the part of the K2 plan and backed by ISI. In a recent video released by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of banned Khalistani organization 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ), he had shared the screen with a burqa-clad woman in the video. The woman, in her message, urged "Kashmiri Freedom Fighters" to leave the Valley, and reach Delhi on January 26 in order to free Kashmir and Khalistan." The purported video of SFJ also featured a picture of terrorist Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter in Kashmir. Pannu claimed that the burqa-clad woman is a Muzaffarabad- (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) based woman "activist". The official added that ISI is pushing morphed videos in Punjab and Kashmir to create unrest. They have been keeping a tap on social media and keep warning people to report such videos and do not propagate it. He added that December 23 blast at the Ludhiana court complex showed it was the handiwork of ISI in support of pro-Khalistan groups. On Friday, the government banned 35 YouTube channels and multiple social media accounts for spreading 'anti-India' content. The blocked social media accounts of Instagram, YouTube, Facebook had a total of 1.2 crore subscribers and over 130 crore views. The controversial 'toolkit' during the farmers' protest was also connected to K2, claimed Delhi police. (ANI) Tripura Chief Secretary Kumar Alok on Tuesday said that the state is contemplating converting all polling stations into specially-abled friendly in line with the Election Commission of India's special emphasis on the voting rights of Divyangjans. Addressing the National Voter's Day programme at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan, Agartala, "The state CEO office has taken cognizance of the new provisions incorporated to ensure the voting rights of challenged people and a lot of schools that are polling stations have been made disabled-friendly." "Since the assembly elections are scheduled next year, I want to request the CEO office to make sure that all the polling stations in the state are converted into Disable friendly polling booths,"he said He also said that whatever reforms necessary to improve the polling stations to that level the government should take up. "The resources are, indeed, required and the state government shall be trying to find out resources to tackle this important issue and we need to work with full empathy to solve this problem", added Alok. He also laid emphasis on the significance of youth's participation in the electoral process. "Youth shall live much longer than the aged citizens. They need to decide what kind of governance, political structure and policy they need. So, their role in the election process is very important," Alok stated. "Considering this factor, the Election Commission of India felt the need of initiating special drives to enrol youth in the electoral rolls. In Tripura, such drives have been conducted in four spots and 41,000 new voters have been incorporated in the electoral rolls", the chief secretary added. He also reminded the people present in the function about the history of India's democracy and how much before Western Countries, India introduced Universal Adult Suffrage. (ANI) Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy RK Singh on Tuesday flagged off four high-tech ambulances, under National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) corporate social responsibility (CSR) grant to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) Patna. The keys were handed over to Dr Manish Mandal, the medical superintendent of IGIMS in a function organised in the IGIMS administrative office complex where Union Minister of Power, Singh joined virtually from Delhi whereas Energy Minister of Bihar Bijendra Prasad Yadav and State Health Minister Mangal Pandey were physically present. Speaking on the occasion, RK Singh said that handing over the four ALS ambulances to IGIMS, Patna by NTPC reflects the best in the CSR and we are continuously and proactively supporting the state of Bihar. "In the last four years, NTPC has spent more than 321 crores in the state of Bihar under CSR," he said. Singh said 10 ambulances have already been provided to IGIMS Patna and on the request of the Bihar government, he assured two more ambulances will be provided which would be a total of 16 ambulances for IGIMS Patna. Congratulating the efforts of NTPC and the State Health Department in strengthening the health sector in the state, he said this is the work for progress and wellbeing of the people of the state and such efforts will continue in the future also. The state-of-the-art ambulances, provided at a cost of 80 lakhs, are fitted with Advance Life Support (ALS) facilities. NTPC has sanctioned four ambulances with ALS facility to IGIMS, Patna. Medical equipment in the Ambulance includes an auto-loading stretcher, wheelchair cum stair chair, transport ventilator, syringe infusion pump, multi-parameter monitor, vacuum splint, portable oxygen cylinder with the regulator, emergency kits, rescue tools etc. In the past, NTPC has also provided financial support for building a dedicated Burn Unit at AIIMS, Patna with a total cost of 21.06 Crores apart from providing ambulances to various states and has supported medical infrastructure projects. (ANI) Soon after joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former Union Minister RPN Singh met BJP chief JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the party headquarters in the national capital on Tuesday. Former Union Minister RPN Singh who joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after quitting Congress on Tuesday said that he will work as a 'karyakarta' towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dreams for India. Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters today, Singh said, "I spent 32 years in one political party (Congress). But that party has not remained the same as it was before." He said, "Now I will work as a 'Karyakarta' towards fulfilling PM Modi's dreams for India." Taking a jibe at the Congress party, the former Union Minister said that the party does not have the same ideology anymore. "I had clearly said in my press conference that the party (Congress) is no more the one where I had worked, it is not the same ideology anymore. I would not like to add anything further to it," he told ANI after joining BJP today. Responding to the speculations of his wife Sonia Singh and him contesting the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, he said, "I am the only one in politics. I will definitely do what the party asks me to." After Singh joined joining the BJP, Congress removed his nameplate from the party headquarters. Notably, prior to the resignation, Singh had also changed his Twitter Bio from: My motto India, First, Always. AICC in-charge, Jharkhand, Spokesperson Congress party, Former Minister of State for Home Affairs, to "My motto India, First, Always." Kunwar Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh, popularly known as Raja Saheb of Padrauna was a former Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He was an MP from the Kushinagar constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha (2009-2014). The 57-year-old former Congress loyalist from the erstwhile royal family of Sainthwar of Kushinagar (Padrauna) was an MLA from the Padrauna constituency of Uttar Pradesh (1996-2009), just like his father CPN Singh. Popularly known as Raja Saheb of Padrauna, the Congress party's Jharkhand in-charge, RPN Singh has previously severed as the Minister of State from 2012 to 2014. However, in the 16th Lok Sabha election, he lost to BJP's Rajesh PandeyThe Doon School alumnus has also served as the All India Congress Committee's Secretary from 2003-2006. (ANI) Following the rise in COVID-19 infections, the NTR Memorial Trust has begun extensive 'telemedicine' services for the Covid-19 patients, said a press release. The NTR Trust zoom app video link is being shared to enable thousands of Coronavirus patients to make use of these services every day. Over the last one week, teams of doctors from here and abroad have been treating hundreds of these patients through video calls. From now, the NTR Trust in coordination with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is expanding these telemedicine services by sharing this zoom consultation link to a lakh people daily. About a 12 doctors' team is rendering these services while the medicines are being delivered to the doorsteps of patients in needy cases. Thanks to the effective telemedicine services, the Coronavirus patients are able to avail of the treatment from expert doctors without stepping out of their homes. After listening to each patient's health issues, the doctors are giving prescriptions. Of the 12 doctors, four belong to the US while the remaining 8 hail from AP. The NTR Trust has set up six rooms for running the virtual hospital to render telemedicine to Covid patients. This is for the first time that thousands of patients are getting treatment with a video conference facility through one single app. The AP doctors are giving treatment under the supervision of the senior-most US doctors. In tune with its rich legacy of services in rural areas, the NTR Trust has started providing free Covid services in villages. The Trust technical teams along with the TDP leaders are reaching out to thousands of patients every day. In addition to treatment, free medicines are also being provided to the patients through the Trust representatives. Realizing the critical requirement of oxygen in Covid treatment, the NTR Trust has started setting up oxygen plants at three places in the two Telugu States. TDP National President and former CM Chandrababu Naidu has already inaugurated one plant at Kuppam. One more oxygen plant of NTR Trust will be inaugurated in Tekkeli Government hospital in Srikakulam district in a day or two. One more plant is getting ready at Gudur located in Mahabubabad district of Telangana State. The NTR Trust has been rendering services to victims of natural disasters, heavy rains and floods. Huge destruction took place in Kadapa, Chittoor and Nellore districts in floods in November 2021. Over 48 people lost their lives. NTR Trust Managing Trustee Nara Bhuvaneswari handed over Rs. 1 lakh assistance to each of these 48 bereaved families. The NTR Trust has also felicitated a youth at Pulapathuru in Kadapa district who saved 6 six lives in the floods. Nara Bhuvaneswari along with Trust CEO Rajendra Kumar has been supervising Trust activities daily. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has been providing direction to leaders and cadres to extend Trust services to all sections of people. Bhuvaneswari has thanked everyone for taking part in the NTR Trust service activities and made an appeal to the people to become active partners in these critical services. (ANI) The constable has been identified as Pushkar Shinde, shot himself at 9.50 am. Shinde has been on duty at the main gate of Mantralaya since January 6, 2022, when the incident happened in the limits of Dongri police station. According to the police, Shinde was immediately taken to JJ Hospital where he died during treatment. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) Airlines asked to adjust flight time to ease overcrowding around Tet Holiday The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has asked local airlines to adjust flight times to ease the current overcrowding at the Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports as travel demand has increased as Tet nears. Passengers wait at Tan Son Nhat Airport on January 23 In a report sent to the Ministry of Transport, CAAV said that overcrowding has occurred at the two airports in recent days and many flights have been delayed. "On January 23, as many as 25 flights were delayed at Tan Son Nhat Airport airport," CAAV said. "Weve asked local airlines to adjust flight times on some routes to ease overcrowding at some peak hours. Airlines are also encouraged to arrange more night flights." According to CAAV, Tan Son Nhat Airport has been allowed to operate a maximum of 24 domestic flights per hour during the Lunar New Year Holiday. Meanwhile, the number of flights operated per hour allowed in Noi Bai Airport during this time is 17. "Tan Son Nhat Airport operated 19 flights during the peak hour (between 11am-11.59am) on January 23, and 22 flights during the peak hour of January 24," CAAV said. The country's two biggest airports have become more crowded in recent days due to increasing amounts of travel around the Lunar New Year Holiday. Vietnam Airlines Group, which operate Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and VASCO, said on January 17 that flights on many air routes have seen their occupancy rates ranging from 70 to 90 percent in recent days as many people began to make the journey home for the Lunar New Year. The group observed that this year, passengers have chosen to depart sooner instead of waiting until a few days before Tet like in previous years. A large number of flights with schedules falling between January 17 and 23 now have most of their seats booked. The 2022 Lunar New Year holiday, the longest and most important holiday in Vietnam, lasts from January 31 through February 4. It's a great place to visit or shop The new street is nice but shops have disappeared I have no reason to go there Vote View Results Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain tweeted in Hindi, "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government will unfurl 115 feet high national flag on January 27 to celebrate 75 years of Independence." He further said that this will invoke patriotism among people. India will celebrate 72nd Republic Day on January 26. (ANI) The Karnataka unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has asked Muslim students and parents not to participate in "Surya Namaskar" on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day as the ritual is against Islam. Dr. Muhammad Saad Belgami, JIH President told IANS on Tuesday that, "Surya Namaskaar" is against Islam. We don't prostrate before our prophet and we believe in oneness of the God. "Surya Namaskar" is not allowed for Muslim students," he said. "We also strongly advice Muslim parents and children not to participate in this idolatrous practice. This should also be an occasion to make children understand the concept of oneness of God and its demands. We urge the management of schools and institutions to respect this diversity and freedom of choice," he explained. The central government has issued instructions on the 75th Republic Day celebrations that special programmes to perform "Surya Namaskar" with musical instruments should be held across the country. The plan is to achieve a target of 75 crore "Surya Namaskar" across 30 states, 30,000 institutes by involving three lakh students. "We wish to say that "Surya Namaskar" is devotional Yoga practice involving prostration to the Sun and chanting of hymns. Islam strongly prohibits any act of worship or devotion to any of the creation," he said. "Islam strictly recommends that is permissible only to the creator of the entire universe - Allah. Muslims are not allowed to prostrate even to the beloved personality of Prophet Muhammad. We have been asked not to perform Namaz, including prostration at the exact time of dawn or dusk to avoid any doubt of resemblance to sun worship," he explained. Hence it will be an infringement on the fundamental and constitutional right of Muslim children to expect or ask them to participate in this respect. The government should not enforce religious practices of one community on others since it is a violation of the secular principles and against the spirit of equality, justice and liberty, he said. The hijab row in Udupi College has resulted in resentment and a standoff between the Muslim girls and the management. The girls continued to be excluded from the classes till date. The right choice of dress, practice of one's religious belief is a fundamental and constitutionally guaranteed right which cannot be denied to any individual, he said. Hijab has never been an obstacle to identity and progress. To deny the same to the girl students at Udupi and as a result deny them dignity and right to education is highly deplorable. The issue should not be politicised and the matter should not lead to polarisation and hatred between the communities, he demanded. --IANS mka/shb/ ( 455 Words) 2022-01-25-13:26:03 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday said that the day is not far ahead when people of Tripura would not have to bear costly medical expenses and travel outside the state for advanced treatment. "We have good doctors here, we have our government hospitals giving best possible treatment and most importantly we have PM Modi's support of Ayushman Bharat that is easing the trouble of many poor families in Tripura," said Deb during a precise media briefing at his official chamber. He was briefing the media persons on the sidelines of a felicitation programme of the GBP hospital medical team that recently operated an open heart surgery at the state's biggest referral hospital. Deb further said, "The first open-heart surgery performed in Tripura was done completely free of cost as the patient was a beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat health scheme that assures Rs 5 lakh insurance cover every year. This is a big achievement for the state. I congratulate the medical team for their commendable job." According to Deb, this is a new dawn in Tripura's health sector and complicated operations are being done in regular intervals at the newly introduced Cardiology department at the hospital. "This is not like that one surgery has been done and after that procedures are stopped. Persistent efforts are being put and doctors have so far completed 83 procedures pertaining to different complexities of the heart. Apart from the Open Heart Surgeries, three other surgeries have been done," said Deb. According to an official statement, a total of 131 persons received treatment at the Cath Lab where facilities like Angiography, Angioplasty, and permanent and temporary pacemaker implantations are newly introduced. (ANI) An eight-year-old girl was gang-raped by two minors in the New Usmanpur area of North East Delhi on Monday. According to Delhi Police, the victim was playing when one of the accused boys lured her and took her to his house nearby. Both accused who raped the victim are in the age group of 10-12 years. Returning home, the victim complained of pain and narrated the ordeal to her mother. Following this, her mother took her to the police station and filed a complaint. The victim was then counselled by Child Welfare Commission and sent for a medical examination. Both the accused minors who are residents of the same locality have been apprehended. Police registered a case under sections 363 and 376 AB of IPC and Posco Act. The investigation is underway. (ANI) The police also advised people to be vigilant in view of today's grenade attack. "All civilians are advised to be vigilant in view of today's grenade attack that caused minor splinter injuries to four locals. Please bring any suspicious movement/person to the notice of the nearest Security personnel. Let's spoil the nefarious designs of anti-social elements," the police said in a tweet. Further details are awaited. (ANI) A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli agreed to consider the plea for urgent listing after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Rane, sought an urgent hearing of the case. Rohatgi alleged that it was a case of "political rivalry". "Upon being mentioned by Mr Mukul Rohatgi, senior counsel for the petitioner, we deem it appropriate to direct the Registry to list the matter on January 27, 2022 before an appropriateBench," the apex court stated in its order. Rane, son of Union Minister Narayan Rane, challenged the January 17 Bombay High Court order which rejected his pre-arrest in an alleged attempt to murder case. His plea seeking anticipatory bail was rejected by the High court after a local court in Sindhudurg district quashed his anticipatory bail on December 31. Rane represents the Kankavli Assembly seat in the Sindhudurg district. A case was registered against Rane after a Kankavli resident named Santosh Parab, 44, had filed a police complaint claiming he was assaulted by certain persons linked with the Kankavli MLA. The incident took place on December 18, 2021, in the Kankavli region of Maharashtra during the campaigning for the Sindhudurg District Co-operative Bank elections. Rane's plea in the High Court had stated that the police investigation has not yet found anything that would point to his involvement in the attempt-to-murder case. He has been charged with Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. (ANI) With India reporting 2,55,874 new COVID cases (50,190 less than yesterday), and 614 deaths in the last 24 hours, health experts cautioned that since most of the population lives in rural India, the country is yet to see the peak in the current wave. Omicron, the latest Variant of Concern was first detected in South Africa. It is causing a milder disease but has 70 times more transmissibility leading to a high percentage of the percentage rate. However, hospitalization has been far less in the current variant than in the second wave, but patients with comorbidities are still requiring hospital admissions and ICU beds. Speaking to ANI, Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals said, "The metropolitans have already seen a peak and currently the graph is showing a steady downward trend. But the tier-II and tier-III cities and the villages have reported less number of cases. India as a country might see a peak in one or two weeks." "Omicron in India has been mild so far. People are getting infected fast and are also recovering at a much faster pace. But we should not lower our guards at all," he added. Another expert Dr DS Rana is of the view that with milder infection and faster recovery, people are getting reluctant for the test. Further, many opt for rapid antigen self-test kits. These lead to dropping in the daily number of cases. Dr Rana, chairman, Sir Gangaram Hospital, Delhi told ANI, "This happened during delta variant also when cases started decreasing in cities it showed an upward trend in villages. COVID is primarily a respiratory disease and the contagiousness depends on the density of the population." He added, "Unlike the time of delta wave, many opted to stay back in cities rather than going back to their villages. But despite everything, due to its transmissibility rural population will definitely see a rise in cases in the coming weeks. However whether it will be recorded or not, largely depends on how tests are being done." Many of the top health experts emphasised on accelerating genome sequencing for COVID cases. According to the Ministry of Health and family welfare, with 2,55,874 new COVID cases recorded in the last 24 hours in the country, the current positivity rate remained at 15.52 per cent on Tuesday. India's active caseload stands at 22,36,842 on Tuesday. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday took a jibe at Samajwadi Party stating that it will become the "Samaptwadi Party" on March 10, the day when the votes cast in the assembly polls will be counted, adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will retain power in the state. "BJP will cross 300 seat mark this time and Samajwadi Party will become 'Samaptwadi Party' on March 10. SP will face defeat worse than it did in the last assembly elections in 2017. BJP who has done development works will again come to power," Maurya told ANI. He also said that SP and its alliance is not capable enough to defeat BJP in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. "SP is not able enough to stop the lotus of BJP from blooming in the state. The list of candidates that the SP has released for the upcoming elections shows that it is not a political party but the party of gangsters, criminals, mafias. They are not fighting polls in UP but threatening the people of the state," said the Deputy Chief Minister. Maurya added, "I wish to tell him that however many criminals you give tickets to, your cycle was punctured and will remain punctured." Highlighting the work of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh in the last five years, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "The double engine government of the BJP at the Centre and the state has worked for the welfare of the poor, labourers and 24 crore people of the state. A protective shield was provided to them, which has been acknowledged by the people of the state. That is why from 2014 to 2019, all the alliances have failed and BJP's lotus blossomed." On the reported remark of SP chief saying "Pakistan is not the real enemy of India", Maurya said, "I believe Akhilesh Yadav is probably not well. A person who has been the chief minister of the biggest state of the country cannot pass such remarks. He has realized the condition that he faced in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Moreover, he will be in a much worse position in 2022. His remarks show his desperation." Meanwhile, the SP released a new list of 159 candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on Monday. According to the list, party leader Akhilesh Yadav will contest from Mainpuri's Karhal constituency. Former Uttar Pradesh Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav will contest from Jaswantnagar. Shivpal Singh Yadav's Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party is part of the alliance led by Akhilesh Yadav for forthcoming elections. Uttar Pradesh will go to the polls for its 403-member assembly in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Former Congress leader RPN Singh who joined the BJP on Tuesday said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will decide on his role in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, adding that no one else from his family is contesting the elections except him. "No one from my family is in politics. Only I am in politics and I will fulfil whichever role Bharatiya Janata Party chooses for me during the elections. No one else from my family will contest elections," said Singh while speaking to ANI. "I have joined Bharatiya Janata Party as a party worker for nation-building under the influence of Prime Minister. I want to make it clear that I will fulfil any role as a member of the party for the purpose of nation-building. I will fulfil whichever decision party takes on me regarding the upcoming polls," he added. Singh termed the trend of Congress leaders leaving their party to join other political opponents as 'sad'. "No one is leaving Congress over tickets, the ones leaving are those who selflessly served the party for 25-30 years. In fact, our government was there in Uttar Pradesh for over 30 years and people serving the party sacrificed their entire lives for it. It is not only the big leaders, but leaders at the village and district levels are leaving Congress too. There is a rush to leave the party in UP, which is sad," he said. Responding to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate's comments after his departure from the party, he said, "I don't want to make any personal remarks, may God give them good sense." Congress on Tuesday unleashed a veiled attack on RPN Singh over his resignation by saying that the battle Congress is fighting only can be fought with bravery, coward people can't fight it. "The battle Congres is putting up all across the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh is a battle against government resources, its agencies. It's a battle of ideology, truth and to fight a battle as strong pitched as this one you have to fight it with courage and a lot of dedication. I don't think this fight is meant for cowards," said Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate while addressing a press conference. Responding to Congress's allegations that Singh tried to dislodge the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-led government in Jharkhand, Singh said that he contributed to bringing the government to power in Jharkhand and the entire state knows it. "I am an open-hearted person. I have always done clean politics," he added. On contesting elections from Padrauna in Kushinagar district, he said, "He is not from Purvanchal, Kushinagar or Padrauna so why should I comment on him." Former Uttar Pradesh Minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from the Yogi Adityanath government and the ruling BJP ahead of Assembly polls, has joined the Samajwadi Party (SP). When questioned about how BJP will perform in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls, he said that the party will cross 300 seats in the state. "In BJP rule, hooligans and hooliganism met its end. Ruffianism that was happening earlier has stopped. There is 'laathi danda', if one does not stay clean, police fix them well. There is a double engine government in UP, Yogiji will make everything right, just stay within the limits of law and order and help in the development of UP," he remarked. Former Union Minister RPN Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), soon after quitting Congress on Tuesday. In a major setback to Congress just ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, the Jharkhand in-charge and ex-MP from Kushinagar constituency took to Twitter to inform of his joining. "This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation-building under the visionary leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah," he said after resigning from the Congress party. 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. (ANI) Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday hit out at Congress stating that the negative politics of the national political party has turned it into a local party. 'Congress used to be a national party earlier, but now it has become a local party due to its negative politics. Everyone can see the condition of the party today," Naqvi said. "People who think that power is their birthright, they suffer like this only," he added. His remarks came after Congress unleashed a veiled attack on RPN Singh who joined BJP today, over his resignation by saying that the battle Congress is fighting only can be fought with bravery, coward people can't fight it. "The battle Congres is putting up all across the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh is a battle against government resources, its agencies. It's a battle of ideology, truth and to fight a battle as strong pitched as this one you have to fight it with courage and a lot of dedication. I don't think this fight is meant for cowards," said Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate while addressing a press conference. Former Union Minister RPN Singh who joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after quitting Congress on Tuesday said that he will work as a 'karyakarta' towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dreams for India. Kunwar Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh, popularly known as Raja Saheb of Padrauna was a former Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He was an MP from the Kushinagar constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha (2009-2014). The 57-year-old former Congress loyalist from the erstwhile royal family of Sainthwar of Kushinagar (Padrauna) was an MLA from the Padrauna constituency of Uttar Pradesh (1996-2009), just like his father CPN Singh. Popularly known as Raja Saheb of Padrauna, the Congress party's Jharkhand in-charge, RPN Singh has previously severed as the Minister of State from 2012 to 2014. However, in the 16th Lok Sabha election, he lost to BJP's Rajesh PandeyThe Doon School alumnus has also served as the All India Congress Committee's Secretary from 2003-2006. (ANI) Annapolis and Anne Arundel police are investigating the distribution of antisemitic flyers found in at least two areas of the county over the weekend. The flyers, which were placed inside clear plastic bags and weighed down with corn kernels, according to photos provided to The Capital, were found by residents in the Anchorage community on Mainsail Drive around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, said Lt. Jackie Davis, a county police spokesperson. Advertisement More flyers were found along Tyler Avenue in Annapolis, said Patti Norris, an Annapolis police spokesperson. Norris said it was unclear whether the flyers were distributed on Sunday or Monday. Annapolis police are investigating. Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley condemned the act during Mondays City Council meeting, calling the flyers disgusting and disheartening. He urged anyone with information to contact Annapolis police. Residents with information about the flyers should call the tip line at 410-368-4141. Advertisement It is sad that there are people coming into our community distributing this hateful disinformation. I have spoken with our police chief and this will not be tolerated, Buckley said. Annapolis is a diverse, loving, inclusive and caring community. Acts of hatred and bigotry will not find a home here. The flyers contained accusations that Jewish people are responsible for the coronavirus pandemic and listed 15 people who are involved in the fictitious agenda, including the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several pharmaceutical executives. The literature also provided a link to a website featuring an antisemitic catchphrase that was full of videos peddling false conspiracy theories about supposed Jewish involvement in the Sept. 11 attacks and other events. Ashley Bower, president of the Anchorage Community Homeowners Association, said she was absolutely horrified when she found a flyer outside her house Sunday. Nearly every home in the community received one, she said. Bower, a 10-year resident of the Annapolis area community, immediately called police. Another resident reported the incident to the Anti-Defamation League. Bower said she had never experienced anything like this. It is a flyer that is blatantly blaming people that believe in Judaism for the COVID pandemic, she said. As somebody who appreciates history, it is far too reminiscent of other claims against Jews across the world. It is very upsetting. I thought that our greater Annapolis community was a little more accepting and above this. Detectives from the South District are investigating the incident. Anne Arundel County residents can report tips to detectives at 410-222-1960 or send anonymous tips to 410-222-4700. Daily Top Stories Daily Get the day's top news, sports, opinion, features and local events. > The incidents come just days after a man took four hostages at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. All four hostages were released safely after a standoff. The alleged hostage-taker was fatally shot by law enforcement, according to local news reports. Advertisement Similar antisemitic literature was reported in other states, including Florida and California over the weekend. This is a national effort. Its happening everywhere and its disappointing that it happened here, Bower said. These kinds of hate/bias incidents are part of the reason the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion was established, County Executive Steuart Pittman said during a Tuesday news conference. Pittman said he was briefed about the report Monday by Pete Hill, director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. [Antisemitism] has no place in our county and our police department and all county government, and I believe our residents will do everything they can to stamp it out and express love rather than hate for our neighbors, Pittman said. Hill, who was hired in July, said he receives reports of this nature all the time and, while the frequency of hate/bias incidents has increased over time, no particular group has been targeted more than another. He urged anyone who experiences an incident of hate/bias to report it to Anne Arundel County police. The state of Marylands 2019 Hate Bias Report showed hate bias incidents increased slightly in Anne Arundel County from 2018, continuing an upward trend that began in 2014. A report published last year showed a 27% decrease in reported hate/bias incidents between 2019 and 2020; however, those reports may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic when people largely stayed indoors and away from public places and schools where most incidents were reported in prior years. AAP has fielded Hamender Singh Chauhan as a candidate from the Naugawan Sadat seat. Jitender Singh Senger has been fielded from Bidhuna. Dr Hariram is the party's candidate from Lalganj and Mukesh Rai has been fielded from the Sagri seat. The AAP will contest on all 403 seats in the Assembly elections. In the earlier two lists, the party had already announced candidates for 191 seats out of 403. In the third list, AAP announced the names of 33 candidates. In this list also doctors, engineers and ex-servicemen found the place. Earlier on Monday, Aam Admi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the "Ek Mauka Kejriwal Ko" campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections in five states. Kejriwal has requested the people of Delhi to share video testimony of the party's work in the national capital on social media. Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa are heading into Assembly polls. 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) Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar launched the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative, a first-of-its-kind in the entire country undertaken by NIMHNANS in association with Niti Aayog, said a press release on Tuesday. Speaking at the virtual launch program Dr K Sudhakar said that the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative is being rolled out in Bengaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts on a pilot basis. Under this programme, doctors will be trained in screening and treating mental health patients. Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, our govt is helping people to cope with mental health issues in association with NIMHANS. We have conducted thousands of mental health counselling sessions with Covid infected persons and their family members. Since mental health has a bearing on the physical health and overall wellness of the individual we need to ensure that everyone is aware of mental health issues and NIMHANS is doing a very good job in taking mental healthcare to the people. Under this Brain Health Initiative, even general physicians will be trained in mental healthcare. There is a need to even screen newborn babies for mental health issues. Due to various socio-economic factors, genetic and family issues many people suffer from mental health issues. This will have an impact on their day to day lives and quality of life. Therefore, we need more doctors trained in mental healthcare, said the minister. Dr Sudhakar insisted the program organisers focus on implementation and deliver good results so that the program can get more budgetary allocation in future. Other than Bengaluru, the positivity rate has been less in other districts. It was about 22 per cent last week which has now increased to 32 per cent. About 5,230 infected persons are hospitalized including 3,442 in Govt and 1,788 in private hospitals. Only about 2 per cent of infected persons out of 3.62 lakh active cases are hospitalised which indicates that the severity of infection is not as high as it was during the second wave. It is generally seen that people are recovering within 5-6 days, so there is no need to panic. However, people must not let their guard down, cautioned the minister. The third wave is expected to recede by February second or third week as per ICMR. We have covered 100 per cent in the first dose and 84 per cent in the second dose which has contributed a lot in reducing severity and hospitalization, said Dr Sudhakar. Our health department is coming up with a vision document. The vision document lays down a comprehensive roadmap for the overhaul of public health care at all three levels, primary, secondary and tertiary. There are about 30 senior experts from various disciplines who are working on this report and about 750 experts have contributed to this over the last year. CM Basavaraj Bommai will complete six months in office on January 28th and CM will release the vision document on this occasion. People naturally have big expectations from the budget. We are in an unprecedented situation where we have to categorise the entire economy into pre-covid and post-covid periods. I am confident that both Union and State Budgets will be people-friendly and will provide the necessary stimulus for overall development. (ANI) Noting that the past year has been "a watershed year" for women empowerment in the armed forces, President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said the country's daughters have broken a glass ceiling and permanent commission has now been allowed for women officers in new areas. Addressing the nation on the eve of 73rd Republic Day, he said the country's soldiers and security personnel carry on the legacy of national pride. He also paid tributes to India's first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, who died in a helicopter crash last month. The President described him as "one of bravest commanders of the country". "When a brave soldier dies on duty, the entire country feels sad. Last month, in an unfortunate accident, we lost one of the bravest commanders of the country - General Bipin Rawat - his wife and many brave soldiers. The entire country was deeply saddened by the tragic loss," he said. The President said that the talent pipeline for the forces will be strengthened with women coming through Sainik Schools. "As the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, I am glad to note that it has been a watershed year for women empowerment in the Armed Forces. Our daughters have broken a glass ceiling, and the permanent commission has now been allowed for women officers in new areas. Also, the talent pipeline for the forces will be strengthened with women coming through Sainik Schools and the prestigious National Defence Academy. Consequently, our Armed Forces will benefit from better gender balance," he said. President Kovind said the soldiers guard the borders in the unbearable cold of the Himalayas and in the excruciating heat of the desert, far away from their families. "It is thanks to the constant vigil of the armed forces securing our borders and the police personnel maintaining internal security within the country that their fellow citizens enjoy a peaceful life," he said. The President said patriotism strengthens the sense of duty among citizens. "Whether you are a doctor or a lawyer, a shopkeeper or office-worker, a sanitation employee or a labourer, doing one's duty well and efficiently is the first and foremost contribution you make to the nation," he said. (ANI) The Border Security Force (BSF) is putting a strong vigil to avoid all sorts of anti-national activities along the international border. "The Border Security Force is putting a strong vigil over the borderlines to avoid all sorts of tensions along Indo-Bangladesh border. We have mobilised maximum force and besides that additional forces have also been deployed along the border. We are constantly coordinating with the police and sharing information, intelligence with each other," said Ajai Singh, Inspector-General, BSF North Bengal Frontier to ANI. Singh said that cameras, night vision devices are being used to keep an eye on any potential threat and vehicles with night vision devices installed in them are being used for patrolling. On being asked about any potential threat, Singh said, "No specific threat so far." (ANI) Soon after the former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has refused the Padma Bhushan and said that he had no idea about the award, the Government sources on Tuesday clarified that his family was well-informed about it in the morning and at that time no intent of rejection was expressed. Bhattacharjee is among 17 Padma Bhushan awardees, the government announced on the eve of 73rd Republic Day. Within a short time of the announcement a statement was released by CPI-M, "I don't know anything about Padman Bhusan award, none has said anything about it. If I have been given Padma Bhushan I refuse to accept it," Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said on the Padma Bhushan announcement." Top government sources have told ANI, "It is factually incorrect that the family was not informed about the government's decision to Besto him with this honour." As per the sources, a very senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs had called up the Bhattacharjee household and spoken to his wife. "At that time no intent of rejection was expressed by the wife or anybody else from the family. The government release the list of awards is only late in the night therefore it is being assumed that this could have been a political afterthought," sources said. If one reflects the list of Padma awards given by the Modi government, it has been seen that a large number of opposition leaders were given the honour. A prominent name in the UPA, former President Pranab Mukherjee was awarded Bharat Ratna by the Modi government in 2019. Last year former Chief Minister of Assam, Late Tarun Gogoi was conferred with the Padma Bhushan award. In 2020, four-time Chief Minister of Nagaland SC Jamir was awarded the Padma Bhushan. Another Congressman, Bhabani Charan Patnaik, a three-term Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha and office bearer of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee was awarded Padma Shri in 2018. In 2017, Sharad Pawar and PA Sangma (posthumous) were awarded the Padma Vibhushan. In comparison, not a single Opposition leader was honoured with any such award when the UPA was in power. The only exception was that of Mohan Dharia who was also awarded in the social service category. The government announced 128 Padma awards this year including four Padma Vibushan and 107 Padma Shri. India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh were posthumously awarded Padma Vibhushan. (ANI) President Ram Nath Kovind said on Tuesday that India is better placed today to meet the challenges of the future and urged people to re-discover the values that animated freedom movement. Addressing the nation on the eve of 73rd Republic Day, he said the twenty-first century is turning out to be the age of climate change, and India has taken a leadership position on the world stage in showing the way, especially with its bold and ambitious push for renewable energy. "At the individual level, each one of us can remember Gandhiji's advice and help improve the world around us. India has always considered the whole world as one family. I am sure that, inspired by this spirit of universal brotherhood, our country and the entire global community will move towards a more equitable and prosperous future," he said. The President said India will cross a milestone when it completes 75 years of Independence and is celebrating 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. He said it is heartening to note that citizens, especially youngsters, are participating enthusiastically in a variety of events and programmes organised to commemorate the landmark year and it is a great opportunity for not only the next generation but all citizens to reconnect with the past. "I am confident that India is better placed today to meet the challenges of the future," he said. The President said that the freedom struggle was an inspiring chapter in the country's splendid saga. "In this seventy-fifth year of Independence, let us re-discover the values that animated our glorious national movement. Many men and women laid down their lives for our freedom. Our freedom fighters have suffered unimaginable torture and made countless sacrifices for us to enjoy the festivals of Independence Day and Republic Day. Let us gratefully recall their immortal sacrifices on the occasion of Republic Day," he said. The President said India is an ancient civilisation but a young republic. He said India has made impressive progress and new opportunities await the next generation. "For us, nation-building is a constant endeavour. As in a family, so in a nation; one generation works hard to ensure a better future for the next generation. When we won independence, the exploitation of colonial rule had left us in utter poverty, but in seventy-five years, we have made impressive progress. New opportunities await the next generation. Our youth have taken advantage of these opportunities and set new benchmarks of success," he said. "I am sure that with this energy, confidence and entrepreneurship, our country will continue to march ahead on the path of progress and will definitely secure its rightful place, befitting its potential, in the global community," he added. (ANI) In the list of the invitees released by the state government, Adhikari's name was dropped for the event. This has happened for the first time that the Leader of Opposition has not been invited to the Republic Day programme in the state. However, some of the ministers in the state government have also not been invited to the event. A maximum of 60 persons will be attending the event including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, Speaker of the Assembly, Mayor of KMC, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DG and IGP, CP, Kolkata, approx 15 foreign Delegation persons, Army Official and Navy Official. (ANI) These include 12 Shaurya Chakras, three Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 81 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and 13 Yudh Seva Medal. The list also includes 40 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), three Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal, 74 Vishisht Seva Medal, 16 Navy, and 32 Air Force. Naib Subedar Sreejith M of the 17 Madras regiment was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) for killing a terrorist in an operation in July 2021 in Jammu & Kashmir while carrying out search operations. Havildar Anil Kumar Tomar of the Rajput Regiment was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) for killing two terrorists while leading a Combat Action Team in Jammu and Kashmir in December 2020. Havildar Kashiray Bammanalli of the Corps of Engineers was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) for killing a terrorist in an operation around an orchard in the Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir. The havildar had also saved the lives of his team members during the operation. Havildar Pinku Kumar of the Jat Regiment was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) for killing a terrorist while blocking their escape route during an operation. He had seriously injured another terrorist before laying down his life. Sepoy Maruprolu Jaswanth Kumar Reddy was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) for killing a terrorist in a face-to-face gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir. He also saved the life of his team commander during the operation. Rifleman Rakesh Sharma of 5 Assam Rifles was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for killing two insurgents in an operation in Assam in July 2021. Besides these, 44 personnel from Armed Forces have been awarded 'Mention-in-Despatches' by the President. President's Medal for Gallantry and President's Medal for Distinguished Services as well as Gallantry Medal and Meritorious Services Medals are awarded to the personnel of armed forces and other services on Republic Day and Independence Day each year. (ANI) Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has ruled out the possibility of an "interim deal" in ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers in Austria's capital Vienna. "Iran is looking for a stable and reliable agreement and will not accept anything less than that. The quality of the agreement is important to us, nothing less and nothing more," Saeed Khatibzadeh made the remarks on Monday in his weekly press conference. "An interim agreement has never been on Iran's agenda, and we have a serious need to reach a qualitative and substantive agreement, and I hope Washington has realised this," he said, adding "obtaining guarantees is very important" to reach a stable and reliable agreement, Xinhua news agency reported. Commenting on the status of the talks in Vienna aimed at removing anti-Iran sanctions and restoration of 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he said "good progress" has been made in some areas, and it is important that all parties in Vienna have agreed that the US should not leave a possible agreement again. The JCPOA was signed between Iran and the world powers in July 2015. However, the US government under former President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Iran. In the current talks in Vienna since April 2021, Iran has insisted on obtaining guarantees that the succeeding US governments would not drop the deal again. --IANS int/khz/ ( 257 Words) 2022-01-25-00:10:03 (IANS) The ships from the Russian Baltic Fleet, forming several tactical groups, will carry out anti-submarine, air defense and mine-sweeping tasks, added the statement on Monday. The drills are being held at a time when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe as tensions in and around Ukraine have escalated, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it is impossible for the Russian military to ignore an increase in NATO military activities in Eastern Europe. --IANS int/khz/ ( 139 Words) 2022-01-25-00:14:05 (IANS) The High Court in London decided on Monday that Assange had an arguable point of law that UK Supreme Court justices may want to consider, Xinhua news agency reported. However, the High Court refused him permission for a direct appeal, meaning the Supreme Court will first have to decide whether it should hear his challenge. Assange's lawyers now have 14 days to prepare the application to the Supreme Court. In December 2021, the High Court ruled that Assange can be extradited, as it overturned an earlier judgment based on concerns about Assange's mental health and risk of suicide in a maximum-security prison in the US. Assange, 50, is wanted in the US on allegations of disclosing national defense information following WikiLeaks's publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked military documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars a decade ago. He has been held at south London's high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019. --IANS int/khz/ ( 195 Words) 2022-01-25-00:24:06 (IANS) China has not provided any legal basis for its claims in the South China Sea (SCS), the acting US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Fisheries, and Polar Affairs said on Monday, reiterating Washington's stand against China's "unlawful" maritime claims in the region. China's claim of a wide swathe of the South China Sea is inconsistent with the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, according to the US State Department. "The United States reiterates that China has not offered any legal basis to support its maritime claims," Constance Arvis told a briefing, as quoted Sputnik. The US continues to call on China to cease its coercive activities, Arvis said. The deputy assistant secretary also stated that China's claims in the South China Sea have no basis in international law. Jung Pak, deputy assistant secretary of state, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, added that Washington is committed to the region and will uphold the rights of allies and partners. "US and Japan very much committed to freedom of navigation, other lawful uses of the sea," she stressed. Beijing has been disputing for decades the status of a number of territories in the South China Sea to which it lays claim, primarily the Paracel and Spratly islands, and the Scarborough Shoal. China considers the Spratly archipelago to be its territory, despite the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling which said there was no legal basis for China's maritime claims. On Sunday, US aircraft carriers entered the SCS "to begin operations" amid heightened tensions arising between China and Taiwan. The US Navy Carrier Strike Groups Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln will engage in operations aimed at strengthening maritime integrated-at-sea operations and combat readiness, according to a statement from the US Navy. "Our ability to rapidly aggregate and work collectively alongside CSG 3, highlights the U.S. Navy's ability to deliver overwhelming maritime force, when called upon, to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region," Rear Admiral Dan Martin, commander of the strike group led by USS Carl Vinson, said in a statement. (ANI) US President Joe Biden said his virtual meeting with European leaders on the situation between Russia and Ukraine went very well and achieved a "total unity" among them. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid a buildup of forces near their border has led to a tense situation. Discussions are underway for US involvement in the European security situation, including by supplying more military aid to Ukraine. Russia has denied accusations that it intends to invade attack any country and has warned NATO that its activities near Russia's borders are a national security threat while Moscow reserves the right to move forces on its territory. Biden's call with the European leaders lasted one hour and 20 minutes, during which time the parties consulted and coordinated on issues related to the ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine. "I had a very, very, very good meeting, total unity with all the European leaders. We'll talk about it later," Biden said during a White House event on Monday. In a video call between Biden and European leaders, the leaders reiterated their continued concern about the Russian military build-up on Ukraine's borders and expressed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The leaders underscored their shared desire for a diplomatic resolution to the current tensions and reviewed recent engagements with Russia in multiple formats," the White House said in a statement. The leaders also discussed their joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia for such actions as well as to reinforce security on NATO's eastern flank. They committed to continued close consultation with transatlantic Allies and partners, including working with and through the EU, NATO, and the OSCE. Participants in the call included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, President Andrzej Duda of Poland, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. (ANI) Italy's Parliament gathered in a joint session of both houses for the first round of voting to elect the country's new President to replace Sergio Mattarella, whose term will end on February 3. A total of 1,008 "grand electors" are set to choose the next Head of state, including all the members of the Parliament plus 58 representatives chosen by regional councils, Xinhua news agency reported. The Italian constitution requires a majority of two-thirds in the first three rounds of voting, followed by a simple majority, or at least 505 votes, from the fourth one. One ballot a day will take place from Monday. No clear name is in sight so far. While former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday withdrew his candidature, current Prime Minister Mario Draghi has been repeatedly named as a possible contender. Draghi has repeatedly refused to say clearly whether he would be available to take the job. The next one will be the 13th President of the Italian Republic. It is a figure that traditionally plays a ceremonial and balancing role in the country, although the President presides over the Superior Council of the Judiciary and the Supreme Council of Defence. Yet, the Head of state directly enters into the political playground in case of broad instability, tasked with helping solve major deadlocks between the government and the Parliament. The President selects a new Prime Minister candidate, when the cabinet loses the confidence of the chambers and resigns; and in case of no agreement among members of Parliament on a new Executive, the President would dissolve the Parliament and call for new general elections. For these reasons, the President is usually chosen among figures that all political forces perceive as non-partisan, but at the same time someone with broad political experience and deep knowledge of the constitution. The election has been preceded by intense talks between the country's two main political blocks in Parliament, the center-left led by the Five Star Movement and Democratic Party and the center-right led by the right-wing League and Berlusconi's Forza Italia party. The process is being followed attentively by Italian media and people as usual, and there might be additional reasons for that this time. Mattarella has in fact played a visible role at social level in the last two years, dispensing reassuring messages that helped the country navigate through the difficult pandemic phase. Secondly, the next elections to renew the Parliament and therefore form the new government are scheduled in spring 2023. In case Draghi will move to the Quirinale presidential palace, early elections might be called one year ahead of the natural end of the legislature. --IANS int/khz/ ( 457 Words) 2022-01-25-01:14:02 (IANS) "A federal jury convicted an Afghan national Friday on charges of abusive sexual contact with a 3-year-old girl," the US Justice Department said in a statement. "Mohammed Tariq, 24, engaged in sexual contact with the victim while both the victim and Tariq were housed at Camp Upshur, on Marine Corps Base Quantico, following evacuation from Afghanistan," the statement added. The victim and Tariq were unrelated, however, both Tariq and the victim and her family had recently been evacuated from Afghanistan and brought to the United States. Tariq faces a maximum term of life in prison when sentenced on April 26, 2022. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. US President Joe Biden came under fire for a messy drawdown from Afghanistan as the Taliban took power in August. The Biden administration has said that evacuees undergo a thorough vetting process conducted by US intelligence before they are allowed into their country. At least 70,000 Afghans have arrived in the US as part of Operation Allies Welcome. (ANI) Afghan girls must be allowed to go to schools when they reopen in March, said former Afghan President Hamid Karzai as he reiterated his resolute stand on the key issue of girls and women's education. "There can not be an excuse and there must not be an excuse. No excuse is understandable or accepted. The girls of the country must return to the school," Karzai said in an interview with American news network CNN. "Women should return to work. Our religion allows it. Period...No compromise on the principles or rights. Or running the country better," he added. This comes as talks are underway in the capital city of Norway over wide-ranging issues concerning the fate of Afghanistan. A Taliban delegation, led by Acting Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with envoys of western nations in Oslo on Monday. Prior to that, the Taliban delegation also met with members of the civil society. Karzai backed these meetings, which experts believe could play a vital role in solving the problems in the country. "We have happy about the meetings that have taken place in Norway among Afghans between the Taliban government representatives and members of the civil society. We had some very constructive talks. Notes were changed," the former Afghan President said. For the good of Afghanistan, Karzai said a parallel track of two activities must happen at the same time. "We...must begin to work out a stable and peaceful Afghanistan by incorporating the opinion and aspiration of all other Afghans, by enacting a constitution, by moving forward with opening schools for girls this March," he said. While supporting the issue of girls' education, the former president said, "we all sit among ourselves and understand each other and work with one another, despite the differences we have." Afghanistan is contending with drought, a pandemic, an economic collapse and the effects of years of conflict. Some 24 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity. Reports indicate that one million children could die of starvation. According to UN estimates, more than half of the population will be facing famine this winter, and 97 per cent of the population could fall below the poverty line this year. (ANI) "President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has been detained by soldiers," local radio Omega FM reported on Monday. "The President was taken to a military camp following the mutiny," a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. On Sunday, a country-wide curfew was imposed in Burkina Faso, following reports of gunfire in some barracks in the morning, according to a decree signed by President Kabore, Xinhua news agency reported. Another statement, from the Minister of National Education, announced the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday. Gunshots were heard early Sunday morning in barracks in the capital Ouagadougou and other cities. The government confirmed the gunfire but denied reports on social media about an army takeover. Also on Sunday, Defense Minister General Barthelemy Simpore said on state television that the situation was under control, and rejected reports as rumors that President Kabore had been detained by soldiers. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for calm and reaffirmed its support for President Kabore. --IANS int/khz/ ( 197 Words) 2022-01-25-01:42:04 (IANS) "All flights at Istanbul Airport have been temporarily halted for flight safety due to bad weather conditions," the airport management announced in a Monday post on Twitter. Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya asked locals not to travel unless necessary, and warned that heavy snowfall is forecast in the city center during the evening rush hour, Xinhua news agency reported. Public employees were allowed to end their shifts at 3:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT), according to Yerlikaya. The Istanbul Governor's Office said in a separate statement that due to the snowstorm, vehicles heading from the Thrace area in the northern part of the country to Istanbul would not be allowed to enter the city. More than 7,400 municipal teams in Istanbul had been working around the clock to keep the roads open, according to Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of the city with a population of nearly 16 million. Heavy snowfall stranded 4,603 persons on roadways around the country in the last 24 hours, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. Turkish authorities issued a five-day extreme weather alert on Friday, warning of heavy and continuous snowfall, ice, and strong winds in most parts of the country. --IANS int/khz/ ( 245 Words) 2022-01-25-01:58:03 (IANS) The explosion took place on Monday when the soldiers were carrying out an operation to hunt down the militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group in Wadi al-Shay, a rugged area in southern Kirkuk, Abbas al-Obaidi told Xinhua. The explosion resulted in the killing of four soldiers and the destruction of their military vehicle, al-Obaidi said, adding a reinforcement security force rushed to the scene after the explosion, Xinhua news agency reported. The provinces, which the IS militants had previously controlled, have witnessed their intense activities during the past months, despite repeated military operations to hunt them down. The security situation in Iraq has been improving since the Iraqi forces defeated the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have since melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. --IANS int/khz/ ( 173 Words) 2022-01-25-02:12:03 (IANS) In a statement on Monday, the Ministry expressed Lebanon's "solidarity with the brotherly UAE leadership and people, in the face of any attack on its sovereignty, security, stability and territorial integrity." On Monday, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthi militia aimed against the UAE. No casualties were reported as a result of the attack, Xinhua news agency reported. Soon after the attacks, the UAE Ministry announced that a ballistic missile launcher in Yemen's Al Jawf governorate was destroyed. The latest exchange of fire came after a Houthi attack on the UAE on January 17, during which three petroleum tankers burst into a fire near Abu Dhabi National Oil Company storage facilities in the UAE capital. Three persons were killed and six others injured in the attack. The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has claimed responsibility for the January 17 attack in the UAE, an active member of the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen. --IANs int/khz/ ( 200 Words) 2022-01-25-02:16:03 (IANS) :2022 20220125 17:55:31 ::2022 ::2022 Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. :2022-06 Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. Notice of Holding the Second Provisional Shareholders' General Meeting of 2022 The members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record, misleading statement or significant omission carried in this announcement. Special reminder: In light of the current situation of the new coronavirus pneumonia, in order to ensure the safety of participants, the Company encourages shareholders to participate in this general meeting of shareholders through online voting. Shareholders and shareholder proxies who intend to attend the on-site meeting must contact the Company before 16:30 on February 14, 2022, and truthfully register recent personal itineraries, health conditions and other relevant information. Shareholders and shareholder proxies who have not registered in advance or do not meet the epidemic prevention requirements will not be able to enter the meeting site. Shareholders or shareholders' proxies participating in the meeting are requested to take preventive measures on the way back and forth, and cooperate with relevant epidemic prevention work arrangements at the venue. I. Basic information about the meeting 1.The period of board session: The Second Provisional Shareholders Meeting of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.of 2022. 2. Caller of the meeting: Board of Directors of the Company. The 21st meeting of the 8th Board of Directors was held on January 25,2022, The meeting examined and adopted the Proposal of the Holding for the Second provisional shareholders' general meeting of 2022.For details please find the Resolutions of the 21st Meeting of the 8th Board of Directors(Announcement No.:2022-04). 3.The convening and holding of this shareholders' general meeting by the board of directors of the Company complies with relevant laws and administrative regulations, departmental rules and regulations, regulatory documents , The Shenzhen stock exchange business rules and relevant provisions of the Articles of Association of the Company. 4. Time, date of the meeting (1) Time/date of the onsite meeting: February 18,2022(Friday) 15:00 (2) Time/date of online voting: February 18,2022 Specific Time for network voting through the Transaction System of Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 9:15 to 9:25,9:30 to 1130 and 13:00 to 1500; Specific Time for network voting through the Internet Voting System of Shenzhen Stock Exchange: Any time during 9:15 to 15:00. 5. Way of meeting This shareholders meeting will be held both onsite and online. In addition to the on-site meeting , according to the relevant provisions, Online voting system will be provided through the trading system and website of Shenzhen Stock Exchange (http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). Current shareholders may vote online in the period as provided hereinabove. the shareholders of the company shall choose one of the methods from on-site voting and online voting. In the case of there is a repeat vote by the same voting right, the result of the first vote shall prevail. 6. Shareholding Registration date: February 14,2022 The share registration date of B shares requires that the companys shares held by shareholders be registered, and investors should be on the third trading day before the share registration date(the last trading day B-shareholders can buy and hold the shares to attend the meeting) are eligible to attend the meeting. 7. Qualification for the meeting: (1) All of the state-owned shareholders and B-share holders registered by China Securities Depository & Clearing Corporation Ltd. Shenzhen Branch at the closing of stock market at 3:00 pm, February 14,2022 (Shareholding Registration date). Shareholders may attend the meeting personally or empower proxies to present the meeting. The proxies are not necessarily shareholders of the Company (2) Directors, supervisors, and executives of the Company (3) Legal consultant of the Company: Zhejiang Tiance Law Firm 4Other persons who should attend the shareholders' meeting in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations 8. Venue of the meeting: Meeting Room No.304 of Steam Turbine Power Building of the Company Address of the meetingNo.1188, Dongxin Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang II. Proposals to be examined at the meeting (I)The shareholders' general meeting will consider and vote on the following matters: 1.Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam Turbine New Energy Company For details of the above proposal please refer to released by Securities Times, Shanghai Securities Daily, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, as well as http://www.cninfo.com.cn dated January 26,2022(Announcement No.: 2022-05). (II)Special remarks: The Proposal 1 is an ordinary motions, which can be adopted by over half of valid shares at the meeting. III. Proposal code 1.The proposal number of the shareholders' meeting Proposal code Name Notes The item of the column can vote 100 General proposal 1.00 Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam Turbine New Energy Company IV. Registration issues 1. Way of registering: Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card to register at the Company. Registration at the Company or through mail or fax are acceptable both for shareholders or their attorneys 2. Registration deadline: on-site registration time for February 14,2022. 8: 30-16: 30. Off-site shareholders can register by letter or fax, letter or fax must be in February 14,2022. 16:30 before the service or fax to the company's board office 3. Registration place: Board Office of the Company 4. Documents for registration: (1) Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card to register at the Company. An Power of Attorney is essential for attorneys. Attorneys of shareholders shall take the shareholders account card, ID card of the consigner, the Power of Attorney, and his/her own ID card to register. (2) Legal person shareholders shall be represented by the legal representatives or the proxies empowered by the legal representatives to attend the meeting. Legal representatives shall provide their ID card, and effective evidence for his/her position. Proxies shall provide their ID cards and the Power of Attorney issued by the legal representative. V. Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online Voting On this Shareholders meeting, shareholders can vote via Shenzhen Stock Exchange trading system and online voting system (website:http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). The instructions for online voting of shareholders meeting can be seen in attachment I of Notice on Shareholders Meeting--Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online Voting. VI. Other matters 1. Shareholders and attorneys shall bring the original copies of papers when presenting the meeting. 2. Contact: Mail address: Steam Turbine Power Building,No.1188 Dongxin Road, Hangzhou) Postal code: 310022 Tel: Wang Caihua (0571)85780438 Li Xiaoyang 057185780438 Fax:057185780433 E-maillixiaoyang@htc.cn 3. The meeting will last half a day. Shareholders shall pay their own travel and accommodation expenses. VII. Documents available for inspection The Resolutions of the 21st Meeting of the 8th Board of the Company This announcement is hereby made. The Board of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. January 26,2022 Appendix 1: Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online Voting I. Procedure of Online Voting 1. Voting code and Short Abbreviation for ordinary sharesVoting codes: 360771 Short Abbreviation : Hangqi Voting 2. Fill in your opinions or votes For non-cumulative voting proposals, Your opinions can be Agreement vote, Against vote or Abstention. The shareholders vote on the general motion and are deemed to express the same opinion on all other proposals except the cumulative voting proposal. The 1st vote shall prevail when votes are repeated at general vote and individual vote. Votes on individual proposal shall prevail when it is voted before the general vote. Un-voted proposals are default to the vote on general. The general vote shall prevail when it is voted before individual votes. 1.The proposal number of the shareholders' meeting Proposal code Name Notes The item of the column can vote 100 General proposal 1.00 Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam Turbine New Energy Company II. Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange trading system 1. Polling hours: trading hour on February 18,2022 , namely, from 915 to 925 9:30 to 11:30 and from 13:00 to 15:00 . 2. Shareholders can log on the trading client of securities company and vote through trading system. III. Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange the Online Voting System 1. Time/date of online voting: 915February 18,2022(On the day the shareholders' meeting) and the end time:1500. February 18,2022 (the end of the shareholder meeting). 2.To vote through online voting system, shareholder shall, in accordance with the regulations on Guidelines for Online Service Identity Authentication of Shenzhen Stock Exchange Investors, handle the formalities for identity authentication and obtain the digital certificate of Shenzhen Stock Exchange or service password for investors of Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The specific identity authentication process can be accessed by logging on the online voting system http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn for more guidance. 3.With the service password or digital certificate, shareholders can log on http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn and vote through the online voting system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange within the allotted time. Appendix 2: Power of Attorney To Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. Mr.(Ms) is hereby authorized to attend the Second provisional shareholders general meeting 2022 of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd., And exercise voting right on behalf of me/my company. Name of the consignor: ID number (or Business License No.) of the consignor: Shareholder Account: Consignors share: Signature of the attorney: ID number of the attorney: Date of signing: Consignee: ID: Date of consignation: 1.The proposal number of the shareholders' meeting Proposal code Name Voting opinion Agreement Against Abstained 100 General proposal 1.00 Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam Turbine New Energy Company Notes :1.The validity of this authorization: from the date of this power of attorney signed to the end of this general meeting. 2.The company commisioned must be stamped with the official seal 3.Power of attorney copy or self-made in accordance with the above format are valid. 4. In the above table, "agree", "against", "abstained" in the corresponding space to choose a play "", can only choose one, multiple election invalid. 5. If the client did not make a specific vote instructions, should indicate whether authorized by the trustee according to their own wishes to vote. Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. :2022-06Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.Notice of Holding the Second Provisional Shareholders' General Meeting of 2022The members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for the truthfulness,accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record, misleading statement orsignificant omission carried in this announcement.Special reminder: In light of the current situation of the new coronavirus pneumonia, in order toensure the safety of participants, the Company encourages shareholders to participate in this generalmeeting of shareholders through online voting. Shareholders and shareholder proxies who intend toattend the on-site meeting must contact the Company before 16:30 on February 14, 2022, andtruthfully register recent personal itineraries, health conditions and other relevant information.Shareholders and shareholder proxies who have not registered in advance or do not meet theepidemic prevention requirements will not be able to enter the meeting site. Shareholders orshareholders' proxies participating in the meeting are requested to take preventive measures on theway back and forth, and cooperate with relevant epidemic prevention work arrangements at thevenue.I. Basic information about the meeting1.The period of board session: The Second Provisional Shareholders Meeting of Hangzhou SteamTurbine Co., Ltd.of 2022.2. Caller of the meeting: Board of Directors of the Company.The 21st meeting of the 8th Board of Directors was held on January 25,2022, The meeting examinedand adopted the Proposal of the Holding for the Second provisional shareholders' general meeting of2022.For details please find the Resolutions of the 21st Meeting of the 8th Board ofDirectors(Announcement No.:2022-04).3.The convening and holding of this shareholders' general meeting by the board of directors of theCompany complies with relevant laws and administrative regulations, departmental rules andregulations, regulatory documents , The Shenzhen stock exchange business rules and relevantprovisions of the Articles of Association of the Company.4. Time, date of the meeting(1) Time/date of the onsite meeting: February 18,2022(Friday) 15:00(2) Time/date of online voting: February 18,2022Specific Time for network voting through the Transaction System of Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 9:15to 9:25,9:30 to 1130 and 13:00 to 1500;Specific Time for network voting through the Internet Voting System of Shenzhen Stock Exchange:Any time during 9:15 to 15:00.5. Way of meetingThis shareholders meeting will be held both onsite and online. In addition to the on-site meeting ,according to the relevant provisions, Online voting system will be provided through the tradingsystem and website of Shenzhen Stock Exchange (http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). Current shareholdersmay vote online in the period as provided hereinabove. the shareholders of the company shall chooseone of the methods from on-site voting and online voting. In the case of there is a repeat vote by thesame voting right, the result of the first vote shall prevail.6. Shareholding Registration date: February 14,2022The share registration date of B shares requires that the companys shares held by shareholders be registered, and investors should be on the third trading day before the share registration date(the lasttrading day B-shareholders can buy and hold the shares to attend the meeting) are eligible to attendthe meeting.7. Qualification for the meeting:(1) All of the state-owned shareholders and B-share holders registered by China SecuritiesDepository & Clearing Corporation Ltd. Shenzhen Branch at the closing of stock market at 3:00 pm,February 14,2022 (Shareholding Registration date). Shareholders may attend the meeting personallyor empower proxies to present the meeting. The proxies are not necessarily shareholders of theCompany(2) Directors, supervisors, and executives of the Company(3) Legal consultant of the Company: Zhejiang Tiance Law Firm4Other persons who should attend the shareholders' meeting in accordance with the relevant lawsand regulations8. Venue of the meeting: Meeting Room No.304 of Steam Turbine Power Building of the CompanyAddress of the meetingNo.1188, Dongxin Road, Hangzhou, ZhejiangII. Proposals to be examined at the meeting(I)The shareholders' general meeting will consider and vote on the following matters:1.Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam Turbine New Energy CompanyFor details of the above proposal please refer to released by Securities Times, ShanghaiSecurities Daily, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, as well as http://www.cninfo.com.cn dated January26,2022(Announcement No.: 2022-05).(II)Special remarks:The Proposal 1 is an ordinary motions, which can be adopted by over half of valid shares at themeeting.III. Proposal code1.The proposal number of the shareholders' meetingProposal codeNameNotesThe item of thecolumn can vote100General proposal1.00Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam Turbine New EnergyCompanyIV. Registration issues1. Way of registering: Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card toregister at the Company. Registration at the Company or through mail or fax are acceptable bothfor shareholders or their attorneys2. Registration deadline: on-site registration time for February 14,2022. 8: 30-16: 30. Off-siteshareholders can register by letter or fax, letter or fax must be in February 14,2022. 16:30 before theservice or fax to the company's board office3. Registration place: Board Office of the Company4. Documents for registration:(1) Shareholders please bring their ID card and shareholding account card to register at the Company.An Power of Attorney is essential for attorneys. Attorneys of shareholders shall take theshareholders account card, ID card of the consigner, the Power of Attorney, and his/her own ID cardto register. (2) Legal person shareholders shall be represented by the legal representatives or theproxies empowered by the legal representatives to attend the meeting. Legal representatives shallprovide their ID card, and effective evidence for his/her position. Proxies shall provide their ID cardsand the Power of Attorney issued by the legal representative.V. Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online VotingOn this Shareholders meeting, shareholders can vote via Shenzhen Stock Exchange trading systemand online voting system (website:http://wltp.cninfo.com.cn). The instructions for online voting ofshareholders meeting can be seen in attachment I of Notice on Shareholders Meeting--DetailedInstructions for Participating in Online Voting.VI. Other matters1. Shareholders and attorneys shall bring the original copies of papers when presenting the meeting.2. Contact: Mail address: Steam Turbine Power Building,No.1188 Dongxin Road, Hangzhou)Postal code: 310022Tel: Wang Caihua (0571)85780438 Li Xiaoyang 057185780438Fax:057185780433E-maillixiaoyang@htc.cn3. The meeting will last half a day. Shareholders shall pay their own travel and accommodationexpenses.VII. Documents available for inspectionThe Resolutions of the 21st Meeting of the 8th Board of the CompanyThis announcement is hereby made.The Board of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.January 26,2022Appendix 1:Detailed Instructions for Participating in Online VotingI. Procedure of Online Voting1. Voting code and Short Abbreviation for ordinary sharesVoting codes: 360771 ShortAbbreviation : Hangqi Voting2. Fill in your opinions or votesFor non-cumulative voting proposals, Your opinions can be Agreement vote, Against vote orAbstention.The shareholders vote on the general motion and are deemed to express the same opinion on all otherproposals except the cumulative voting proposal. The 1st vote shall prevail when votes are repeatedat general vote and individual vote. Votes on individual proposal shall prevail when it is voted beforethe general vote. Un-voted proposals are default to the vote on general. The general vote shall prevailwhen it is voted before individual votes.1.The proposal number of the shareholders' meetingProposal codeNameNotesThe item of thecolumn can vote100General proposal1.00Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam Turbine New EnergyCompanyII. Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange trading system1. Polling hours: trading hour on February 18,2022 , namely, from 915 to 925 9:30 to 11:30and from 13:00 to 15:00 .2. Shareholders can log on the trading client of securities company and vote through trading system.III. Procedure for Voting through Shenzhen Stock Exchange the Online Voting System1. Time/date of online voting: 915February 18,2022(On the day the shareholders' meeting) and theend time:1500. February 18,2022 (the end of the shareholder meeting).2.To vote through online voting system, shareholder shall, in accordance with the regulations onGuidelines for Online Service Identity Authentication of Shenzhen Stock Exchange Investors, handlethe formalities for identity authentication and obtain the digital certificate of Shenzhen StockExchange or service password for investors of Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The specific identityauthentication process can be accessed by logging on the online voting systemhttp://wltp.cninfo.com.cn for more guidance.3.With the service password or digital certificate, shareholders can log on http://wltp.cninfo.com.cnand vote through the online voting system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange within the allotted time.Appendix 2:Power of AttorneyTo Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.Mr.(Ms) is hereby authorized to attend the Second provisional shareholders general meeting 2022 ofHangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd., And exercise voting right on behalf of me/my company.Name of the consignor:ID number (or Business License No.) of the consignor:Shareholder Account: Consignors share:Signature of the attorney:ID number of the attorney:Date of signing:Consignee: ID:Date of consignation:1.The proposal number of the shareholders' meetingProposal codeNameVoting opinionAgreementAgainstAbstained100General proposal1.00Proposal on Providing Guarantee for Steam TurbineNew Energy CompanyNotes :1.The validity of this authorization: from the date of this power of attorney signed to the endof this general meeting.2.The company commisioned must be stamped with the official seal3.Power of attorney copy or self-made in accordance with the above format are valid.4. In the above table, "agree", "against", "abstained" in the corresponding space to choose a play "",can only choose one, multiple election invalid.5. If the client did not make a specific vote instructions, should indicate whether authorized by thetrustee according to their own wishes to vote. "The EU once again demonstrates its firm support for Ukraine," Zelensky tweeted on Monday. Earlier on Monday, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen announced the new financial assistance package to Ukraine, saying it will help the Eastern European country to address its financing needs, Xinhua news agency reported. Soon, the EU will start work on another longer-term macro-financial assistance program to support Ukraine's modernisation efforts, said von der Leyen. --IANS int/khz/ ( 109 Words) 2022-01-25-02:20:03 (IANS) Peskov made the remarks on Monday during his daily briefing shortly after NATO said its allies are "putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to NATO deployments in Eastern Europe" to deter Russia, Xinhua news agency reported. In addition to the NATO maneuvers, Ukrainian authorities are concentrating a huge amount of forces on the line of contact with the two self-proclaimed republics in Donbass, he noted. The threat of provocations by Kiev in the Donbass region in east Ukraine is now higher than ever, the spokesman stressed. The current escalation of tensions was caused by the US and its NATO allies, who have launched a propaganda campaign full of lies against Russia, Peskov said. The US and Britain are withdrawing some staff and dependents from their embassies in Ukraine, stoking fears that a conflict is looming. --IANS int/khz/ ( 185 Words) 2022-01-25-02:24:02 (IANS) Provision of basic education and life-long learning to African children and youth is facing new headwinds linked to Covid-19, inadequate financing and shortage of tutors, says a report launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The sub-Saharan African region has fallen short of commitment to achieve universal school enrollment and lags behind other regions in attainment of universal education targets, said the report on Monday, "National SDG4 benchmarks: fulfilling our commitment," which was launched on the World Education Day. SDG4 stands for Sustainable Development Goal 4, one of 17 goals set under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It aims to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all." The UNESCO report added that other parts of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa, are on course to meeting their universal primary education goal thanks to supportive policies, investments in teacher training and modern learning facilities, Xinhua news agency reported. "Challenges will remain in sub-Saharan Africa, where 8 per cent of primary school-age children are still predicted to be out of school in 2030, down from 19 per cent currently," the report said. It added that sub-Saharan Africa, northern Africa and western Asia could miss the universal early childhood education target, given the shortage of trained teachers. The UNESCO report said over a quarter of preschool teachers in sub-Saharan Africa will remain untrained by 2030, even as other regions achieve over 90 per cent target in terms of population of trained pre-primary level tutors. On a positive note, the report added that the sub-Saharan African region is expected to reduce the rate of out-of-school upper secondary age youth from 47 to 31 per cent by 2030, as governments allocate more funding toward post-primary education. It said the continent should pay attention to key indicators like early childhood education attendance, out-of-school rates, completion rates, gender parity in school enrollment, proficiency in mathematics and reading, financing and teacher training as a prerequisite to achieve education-for-all goals. --IANS int/khz/ ( 347 Words) 2022-01-25-02:52:03 (IANS) "I call on everyone to unite around education as a public good and a top political priority for the recovery and beyond," the UN Chief said in his video message for the International Day of Education, which falls on Monday. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused chaos in education worldwide, said the Secretary-General. "Some 1.6 billion school and college students had their studies interrupted at the peak of the pandemic -- and it's not over yet." He added that school closures continue to disrupt the lives of over 31 million students, exacerbating a global learning crisis, Xinhua news agency reported. "Unless we take action, the share of children leaving school in developing countries who are unable to read could increase from 53 to 70 per cent," he said. "Education is a preeminent public good, and an essential enabler for the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Guterres said, adding that "the international community cannot afford to be agnostic about its provision, quality and relevance." The International Day of Education, which came into existence on December 3, 2018, following an UN General Assembly resolution, is celebrated annually on January 24 for the role of education in bringing global peace and sustainable development. --IANS int/khz/ ( 245 Words) 2022-01-25-02:58:03 (IANS) According to the IOM on Monday, 604 migrants were rescued or intercepted at sea and returned to Libya between January 16 and 22. The United Nations agency reported that 12 illegal immigrants died and 16 others went missing off the coast of Libya on the Central Mediterranean route in the past week, Xinhua news agency reported. In 2021, a total of 32,425 illegal immigrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 662 died and 891 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, the agency revealed. Since the fall of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the North African country has become a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores. --IANS int/khz/ ( 169 Words) 2022-01-25-03:16:02 (IANS) Some embassy staff and dependents are being withdrawn from Ukraine, but the embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work, it added. "The FCDO advise against all travel to Donetsk oblast, Luhansk oblast and Crimea. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Ukraine," it said. Britain's move came after the US Department of State on Sunday ordered eligible family members of staff at its embassy in Ukraine to leave the country, Xinhua news agency reported. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it considered the US decision "premature and a manifestation of excessive caution." Meanwhile, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told reporters on Monday that "we are not going to do the same thing because we don't know any specific reasons." --IANS int/khz/ ( 173 Words) 2022-01-25-03:44:02 (IANS) Pakistan's deafening silence on the disclosers made in the UK Court in the case of the British-Pakistani man Muhammad Gohir Khan, charged for conspiring to kill Netherlands-based blogger and activist, Ahmad Waqass Goraya, has raised serious questions on the country's stand on human rights and free speech. 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, according to Geo TV. This middleman, the bank account, and the receipt of the money transfer indicate Pak links in the blogger murder plot however the authorities in Pakistan have chosen to not utter a single word in the case. Asif, another person who assisted Khan, asked Khan 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. It is important the government demonstrates that it values free speech and human rights by prosecuting any violators, reported the newspaper. It's unclear whether Islamabad has contacted London about this suspect or whether attempts are being made to identify the middleman and his boss. Dr. Imran Farooq, a senior leader of the MQM, was murdered outside his home in London in 2010 and at that time also the UK and Pakistan aided each other legally but the question arises - Are such mechanisms being used to apprehend the alleged criminals? asked the newspaper. Even the MLAs have been used in the Imran Farooq murder case. The doubt remains that why even after serious concern shown by Dutch and UK authorities in the blogger murder plot case, Pakistan has not taken any step. (ANI) At least 19 people were found dead in a nightclub, which caught fire, after a clash between two community groups in Indonesia's West Papua province, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday. Quoting a Provincial Police spokesman senior Commissioner Adam Erwindi, the news agency reported that the clash occurred in Sorong city of West Papua province. Further details awaited. (ANI) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (local time) spoke over the phone with Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and among the issues the two discussed was the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and also the situation in Afghanistan, according to a readout of the call. State spokesperson Ned Price said that the discussions touched on Russia's military buildup near Ukraine's borders. Blinken thanked Qatar for its continued willingness to assist with the safe transit from Afghanistan of U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and Afghan partners. Blinken and the Foreign Minister discussed cooperation to promptly resume relocation flights from Kabul and provide lifesaving economic and humanitarian needs to the people of Afghanistan, the readout said. (ANI) The recent nod by Pakistan to pay compensation appears to be a case of a Chinese firm, whether Government or private, exercising arm-twisting, with the Chinese authorities leaning on Islamabad, according to analysts, reported Hongkong Post. Ever since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) began, the Chinese nationals are being targeted. In certain areas, such as Balochistan, Pakistanis have targeted the Chinese to convey a message that the CPEC benefits China solely and provides no jobs for the local populace, reported Islam Khabar. Additionally, China's angst over the slow pace of CPEC projects and the overall suspicion within Pakistan that it has become a client state of China is gaining much momentum. This tussle between the countries and the simmering tensions raises questions whether the compensation for the Chinese nationals who lost lives in Dasu attack is genuine or merely a blackmail. One recent report in The News suggests that there could over five million Chinese in Pakistan by 2025. According to Islam Khabar, If this count continues Pakistan will soon become a province of China. Furthermore, It is estimated that currently there are over 100,000 Chinese nationals living and working in Pakistan. Notably, Pakistan is paying for the health of Chinese workers living in their own country, when they are unable to look after the health of their own people. (ANI) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Ten Pakistani nationals have been arrested from the suburbs of Paris, on the suspicion of money laundering, human trafficking and fake documents, according to sources. As per media reports, police suspect two brothers among the 10 arrested, to be controlling this network. Police got a whiff of the network in June 2020 after being informed of suspicious packages carrying fake European documents arriving in France, from Pakistan via Turkey and Greece. According to sources, the fake documents included official documents of countries in the Schengen area and in particular for France, including passports, identity cards and residence permits. Following this lead, investigators from the Central Office for the Suppression of Irregular Immigration and the Employment of Undocumented Foreigners and OCRGDF (Central Office for the Suppression of Serious Financial Crime) began investigations into the presence of illegal workers operating in the Paris region, largely in the construction sector. During the probe, the French authorities also unearthed 20 legal companies involved in the construction business that were linked to a large network of "taxi" companies, which were used to redirect the funds to nearly 200 bank accounts opened with false papers. This network transferred money to the various accounts using fake invoices or documents and then got the money out of the legal circuit by withdrawing large amounts from these bank accounts through ATMs. Part of the money withdrawn was used to pay illegal Pakistanis working in these construction sites and the remaining diverted to Pakistan. Searches at the houses and offices of these 10 individuals from Val-d'Oise and Seine-Saint-Denis areas in Paris led to the recovery of 157 fake identity documents, Euros 134,000 in cash, four vehicles including a Maserati, documents related to 180 bank accounts and the false papers used to open these accounts. As per the police, between 2019 and 2021, at least Euro 28 million were transferred to the bank accounts of different people and another Euro 13 million were transferred to the accounts in the names of front companies, sources said. The case has unearthed the close link between illegal immigration from Pakistan and money laundering. (ANI) "Today, I made my decision to submit my resignation to the President of the republic, after two years of work," Akecha said in a Facebook post on Monday. "I had the honour of devoting myself to the service of the best interest of my country," she said, adding that because of "fundamental differences in viewpoints related to this best interest, I consider it my duty to leave my position." Akecha was appointed as Head of Saied's presidential office on January 28, 2020, Xinhua news agency reported. --IANS int/khz/ ( 115 Words) 2022-01-25-07:02:03 (IANS) Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has dissolved his cabinet amid speculations that many of the highest political figures, judiciary and others are involved in a corruption case involving UK-based Malawian businessman, Zuneth Sattar, who is being investigated by both Malawi and UK anti-corruption agencies. The President dissolved his cabinet on Monday. This followed a leaked phone conversation between the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Chief, Martha Chizuma, and an unidentified caller, in which the former made some sensitive revelations concerning investigations of the corruption case, Xinhua news agency reported. The President has since issued a stern warning to Chizuma for her conduct in the leaked phone call, which he described as misconduct. --IANS int/khz/ ( 119 Words) 2022-01-25-07:06:01 (IANS) "Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns, in the strongest terms, the attacks committed by the Houthi group on Monday by firing ballistic missiles in the UAE and Saudi Arabia," Sudan's Foreign Ministry said on Monday in a statement. The Ministry reiterated the firm position of the Sudanese government and people in standing with the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the face of all forms of aggression targeting their security and stability, the statement said. On Monday, Yemen's Houthi group carried out new attacks with ballistic missiles and drones against targets in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Xinhua news agency reported. The UAE Defence Ministry announced the interception of two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthi group towards its territories. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition said in a statement that it intercepted another missile fired by the Houthi group towards Saudi Arabia's southern Asir province. --IANS int/khz/ ( 175 Words) 2022-01-25-07:10:03 (IANS) Canada has advised its nationals to cancel plans for non-essential trips to Ukraine amid growing tension between Russia and Ukraine border, Sputnik News Agency reported citing an advisory issued by the country's ministry of foreign affairs. "Avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine due to ongoing Russian threats and military buildup in and around the country. If you are in Ukraine, you should evaluate if your presence is essential," the travel advisory on the ministry's website read. The move follows a similar advisory by the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom who on Monday authorized the departure of some diplomatic personnel and their families from Kiev. Other countries have expressed readiness to follow suit if the situation worsens, and advised their nationals to leave Ukraine by commercial means of transport. Moscow has consistently denied claims about plans to attack Ukraine and stressed that it considers NATO's military activity near the Russian borders a threat to its national security. Last month Russia put forward proposals on security guarantees in Europe to the US and NATO, which are yet to give a response on them, according to the news agency. (ANI) Pakistan has released 20 Indian fishermen and repatriated them via Wagah Border to India, confirmed a statement issued from the country's foreign ministry on Tuesday. "The Government of Pakistan has released 20 Indian prisoners (fishermen) who have been repatriated via Wagah Border to India on 24 January. These prisoners have been released on completion of their sentence," the statement read. Arunpal Singh, Protocol Officer at the Attari-Wagah border on Monday said that the fishermen were kept in Karachi's Landhi jail for four years. "20 Indian fishermen repatriated by Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border on Monday. They mistakenly entered the Pakistan territory in 2017, due to the lack of navigation, and were held captive in Karachi's Landhi jail for 4 years," Singh said. Sunil, one of the fishermen to have come back to India, thanked the Indian government and the soldiers for bringing him back to the country after four years. "I was there in the water. They came and caught me and took me away to Karachi. I was released by our government and am thankful to them and our soldiers who brought me back to my country. I have lived there for four years," he said. Another fisherman, Bhavesh urged the government to bring back more such prisoners stuck there in Pakistan. "I was released after four years. I request the Indian government to bring more of our prisoners back to the country who are stuck in Pakistan. I was kept in Landhi jail in Karachi," he said. (ANI) Banners criticizing and 'Sanction Pakistan' were shown by the protesters. The protesters also criticized Pakistan and China for organizing the visit of the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs to Oslo, Norway to meet representatives of the European Union. The Afghan community in Italy also demanded unfreezing of money lying in the US. Furthermore, during the protest, the participants raised slogans against USA and Pakistan. The protestors also shouted slogans against border fencing between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The protest was led by the community's President Kaihan Mashirqwal. Nearly 30-35 people participated in the protest which included 4-5 women participants. Four prominent speakers of the Afghan community in Italy including one women speaker criticized the involvement of Pakistan in internal matters of Afghanistan. The protests highlighted recent tensions at the Durand Line and the incident of firing between the Afghan and Pakistan forces. The incident of the burning of musical instruments of an Afghan musician by the Taliban officials was also rebuked by the protestors. It further raised the issue of Interference and control of ISI over Taliban officials while running a so-called independent nation. (ANI) "As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Tonga, Government of India extends an immediate relief assistance of USD 200,000 to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Kingdom of Tonga," MEA statement reads. Furthermore, India extends deep sympathy to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga for the damage and destruction caused by this unprecedented disaster. Notably, on 15 January 2022, a tsunami hit the Kingdom of Tonga impacting large sections of the country's population and causing significant infrastructural damage. "India has firmly stood by Tonga during times of crisis and devastation caused by natural disasters, as during Cyclone Gita in 2018. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is an important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019," MEA added in its statement. (ANI) Washington [US], January 25 (ANI/Sputnik): The recent attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia by the Houthis as well as retaliation airstrikes in Yemen escalate the ongoing conflict and exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Yemen, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during a press briefing. "The United States condemns the overnight attack by the Houthis on the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which resulted in civilian injuries in Saudi Arabia and follows a similar Houthi incursion last week that killed three civilians in Abu Dhabi," Price said on Monday. "These attacks on the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as recent airstrikes in Yemen that killed civilians, represent a troubling escalation that only exacerbates the suffering of the Yemeni people." Price pointed out that the Yemeni people are in urgent need of a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict and reaffirmed the US commitment to help strengthen the defense of the Saudi and Emirati partners. Houthis recently targeted Abu Dhabi with drone attacks, killing three and injuring six others. In response to Houthi's recent drone attacks, the Saudi-led coalition, including the UAE, launched a campaign against the group, targeting their warehouses and other infrastructure in Yemen. On Friday, the Houthi rebels said that dozens of people were killed and injured as a result of the coalition airstrike on the prison in the Saada province. Initial reports mentioned 70 fatalities and more than 130 injured. Yemen has been gripped by an internal conflict between the government forces and the Houthi movement for over six years. Since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition fighting on the government's side has been conducting air, land, and sea operations against the rebels. The Houthis often retaliate by firing projectiles and bomber drones on Saudi territory. The United Nations has described the situation in Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. (ANI/Sputnik) "Today, on January 25, at 11:00 [local time, 06:00 GMT), there was a major power outage in some regions of the country. Technicians are currently working on troubleshooting," the ministry wrote on its social media platform. Notably, the power outage has been reported in other Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with the major power blackout seen on Tuesday in Kazakhstan's Almaty and Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek. Almaty is facing a large-scale power failure and outages have been reported in some city neighborhoods as well as in Taldykorgan, the center of the Almaty region. In Bishkek, the water supply has been suspended due to the blackout as pumping stations cannot operate, reported the news agency. Such a large-scale blackout in the Central Asian region occurred for the first time in a long time. The collapse may have been caused by the failure of the united energy system of Central Asia, media reported. (ANI) ST. PAUL, Minn. Prosecutors played video from a police body camera Tuesday as witness testimony resumed at the federal civil rights trial of three former Minneapolis police officers accused of violating George Floyds civil rights as fellow Officer Derek Chauvin killed him. Former officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are broadly charged with depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes as the 46-year-old Black man was facedown, handcuffed and gasping for air. Kueng knelt on Floyds back, Lane held his legs and Thao kept bystanders from intervening in the videotaped killing that triggered worldwide protests and a reexamination of racism and policing. Advertisement Prosecutors told U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson that they did not plan to play all of the video evidence in court, but want it available to the jury when they deliberate. Prosecutor Samantha Trepel, who works for the Justice Departments civil rights division, said during opening statements Monday that the videos will show the three officers stood by as Chauvin slowly killed George Floyd right in front of them and told jurors that they will ask you to hold these men accountable. Advertisement But it was Chauvin, the senior officer at the scene, who called all of the shots, one defense attorney told jurors, adding that the Minneapolis Police Department did too little to train officers to intervene when a colleague should be stopped. Another officers attorney focused on Floyds struggle with police before they restrained him. And an attorney for the third officer said his client raised concerns about the restraint of Floyd, but was rebuffed. Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter last year in state court. He also pleaded guilty to a federal count of violating Floyds civil rights. Kueng, who is Black; Lane, who is white; and Thao, who is Hmong American, are all charged for failing to provide Floyd with medical care. Thao and Kueng face an additional count for failing to stop Chauvin, who is white. Both counts allege the officers actions resulted in Floyds death. Attorneys for both Kueng and Thao noted that prosecutors must prove the officers willfully violated Floyds constitutional rights a high legal standard that essentially requires prosecutors to prove the officers knew what they were doing was wrong, but did it anyway. Tom Plunkett, Kuengs attorney, highlighted the rookie status of his client and Lane, who were responding to a 911 call accusing Floyd of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes at a corner market. Thao and Chauvin responded as backup. Youll see and hear officer Chauvin call all of the shots, Plunkett said. Lanes attorney, Earl Gray, said Lane was at Floyds legs and could not see Chauvins knee on Floyds neck. Advertisement Lane at one point suggested that they use a restraint called the hobble on Floyd, which would have meant Floyd would have been on his side and no doubt hed be alive today, Gray said. But he said Chauvin said no. Lane also suggested twice that they roll Floyd over, but was rebuffed, Gray said. Gray also said Lane called an ambulance because of a cut on Floyds lip and later had another officer increase the urgency of the ambulance code. Gray noted that Lane got into the ambulance and helped perform chest compressions on Floyd. Thaos attorney, Robert Paule, said Floyds death was a tragedy, however, a tragedy is not a crime. He also said a widely watched bystander video of the arrest does not show everything, including Floyd struggling with officers who were trying to put him in a police vehicle. Gray said Lane will testify, but its not known if Thao or Kueng will. Its also not clear whether Chauvin will testify, though many experts who spoke to The Associated Press believe he wont. Magnuson has said the trial could last four weeks. Lane, Kueng and Thao also face a separate state trial in June on charges they aided and abetted both murder and manslaughter. Advertisement ___ Associated Press writer Tammy Webber contributed from Fenton, Michigan. According to a statement issued by the CPNE, Hasnain was shot by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle while sitting in his car outside the Lahore Press Club. He died on the spot, according to Express Tribune. Soon after the incident, journalist bodies across Pakistan condemned the murder. Further, the police said they would use all resources to apprehend Hasnain's killers. In the statement, CPNE President Kazim Khan, Secretary-General Amir Mehmood and other office-bearers condemned the incident, as reported by Express Tribune. Secretary-General Mehmood pointed out that the murder and the escape of the culprits from the crime scene call into question the performance of the government and its claims of providing protection to the lives and property of journalists. The CPNE president said that it is becoming difficult for journalists to perform their professional duties due to the increasing difficulties faced by them in the country. Mehmood demanded that the killers be arrested as soon as possible, following exemplary punishment for this crime, according to Express Tribune. Earlier, highlighting the failing "law and order situation in the country, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday condemned the killing of the Lahore journalist. (ANI) The Australian government has acquired the rights to the Aboriginal Flag for a whopping A$20 million ($14.2 million U.S. dollars), making it freely available for public use. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt on Tuesday announced the government acquired the copyright for the iconic flag from its designer Harold Thomas, reports Xinhua news agency. It means Australians can now use the flag design, which is divided horizontally into halves of black (top) and red (bottom) with a yellow circle in the centre, freely on clothing, for art, and at sporting events without seeking permission or paying a fee. Thomas created the flag in 1971 as a protest image but it is now the dominant Aboriginal emblem and an official national flag. Wyatt said the flag now belonged to Australians. "The Aboriginal Flag is an enduring symbol close to the heart of Aboriginal people," he said in a joint statement with Morrison. "In reaching this agreement to resolve the copyright issues, all Australians can freely display and use the flag to celebrate Indigenous culture." The flag designer Thomas has indicated that he intends to use A$2 million to establish an Australian Aboriginal Flag Legacy not-for-profit to make periodic disbursements aligned with the interests of Aboriginal Australians and the flag. "I am grateful that my art is appreciated by so many, and that it has come to represent something so powerful to so many," Thomas said. "The flag represents the timeless history of our land and our people's time on it." Morrison said the flag would be managed in a similar manner to the national flag whereby it "must be presented in a respectful and dignified way". --IANS ksk/ ( 295 Words) 2022-01-25-10:44:04 (IANS) The Taliban on Tuesday admitted that the nation-wide security is not yet established in Afghanistan. During an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "One thing we should know is that nation-wide security is not established and we have not received all the resources to ensure overall security. There may be some enemy forces that may have nefarious designs but we could not name any side." "We witness some drones in the air in some provinces despite our repeated request to the US side that air surveillance should be stopped. Such things are also a security concern," he said regarding security threats. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in mid-August. He also said that Taliban supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhunzada will appear publicly when the nation-wide security is ensured. He said that Akhunzada has travelled to Kandahar, Farah, Herat and Helmand provinces and met common people there, reported Pajhwok Afghan News. "This process may continue and his excellency will meet more people. In Kandahar, he continuously meet elders and people, there are naturally reservations on the issue of camera coverage and photographing. Some security and other issues might have been the reason behind no media coverage of his excellency. He meets people, exchange views and send messages," said Mujahid. When Pajhwok asked about the threat to the current administration, the Taliban spokesperson said, "The current administration is new, it has different problems, I don't see any threat, because the threat would be when God forbid there was a big war against it, then it would have been a threat, now there are no threats, but there are problems, the biggest problem is the economy that needs to self-sustain." Regarding relations with the international community, Mujahid said, "we cannot call them threats but problems, so these problems exist which is normal when a new situation forms." Pajhwok also questioned about the Al-Fatah Army Corps that killed 10 resistance fighters on Monday in Balkh province. They asked -- In the first conference after Islamic Emirate took power, you said that the war in Afghanistan is over, why Al-Fatah Army Corps said yesterday that it killed 10 resistance fighters in Balkh province, there are also reports of some explosions and casualties, what is your explanation about that? "Yes, the war is over, there is no war front against us, you cannot show us the physical location of any of such fronts, but secret explosions or attacks in which some people are killed happen in many countries, it is the job of the government to stop it, when they are arrested or killed, it means that the government is serious against them," said Mujahid. Answering about the explosions, the spokesperson said, "These are two or three dimensions, one is a group called Islamic State (ISIS) evils, although we do not see their physical presence, they secretly carry out some explosions. Sometimes who raise their voice in the name of resistance also create some problems. The third is kidnapping and crimes which involve individuals." (ANI) People's Liberation Army Air Force's (PLAAF) two Shenyang electronic warfare J-16D fighter jets, eight Shenyang J-16 fighters, two Xian H-6 bombers, and one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane flew into the southwest corner of the ADIZ, reported Taiwan News citing the country's Ministry of National Defence (MND). The intrusion first time involved China's J-16D aircraft -- the electronic warfare variant of the J-16. Taiwan sent aircraft, broadcast radio warnings, and deployed air defence missile systems immediately responding to the intrusion to track the Chinese planes. It came after 39 Chinese military planes had entered Taiwan's ADIZ on Sunday. The 39 PLAAF military aircraft were spotted on Sunday morning, matching the 39 detected on October 2, 2021, the second-highest number recorded on one day. The all-time record for the most Chinese military aircraft seen violating Taiwan's ADIZ was set on October 4 of 2021 with 56 PLAAF planes. (ANI) Amid ongoing unrest and a coup in Burkina Faso, a tweet was sent out by President Roch Kabore's official account calling on the army to lay down arms and to safeguard democratic achievements. "Our nation is going through difficult times. At this precise moment, we must safeguard our democratic achievements. I invite those who have taken up arms to lay them down in the higher interests of the nation. It is through dialogue and listening that we must resolve our contradictions," read the tweet posted on Monday. Earlier on Monday, Burkina Faso's Army said that it had ousted President Kabore, suspended the Constitution, dissolved the government and the national assembly, and closed the country's borders. Kabore has been detained and taken to a military camp following the mutiny, a security source has confirmed. Also in the day, the ruling party of Burkina Faso, People's Movement for Progress (PMP) announced that the President survived a "failed assassination attempt". On Sunday, a nationwide curfew was imposed in Burkina Faso, following reports of gunfire in some barracks in the morning. Another statement, from the Minister of National Education, announced the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday. Gunshots were heard early Sunday morning in barracks in the capital Ouagadougou and other cities. The government confirmed the gunfire but had denied reports on social media about an army takeover. UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the coup and called on the military to "ensure the protection and the physical integrity" of Kabore. The African Union and regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States, have also condemned the forceful takeover of power, with the latter saying it holds the soldiers responsible for the deposed President's well-being. The coup camea week after 11 soldiers were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow Kabore. Burkina Faso is now the third West African country to witness a military takeover in recent years. Guinea and Mali have had sanctions imposed on them by Ecowas to press them to return to constitutional order. --IANS ksk/ ( 346 Words) 2022-01-25-11:32:02 (IANS) "We still need to conduct a detailed analysis (on the launches)," Yonhap News Agency quoted the military official as saying to reporters. "But I want to say that should such a missile be launched southward, our detection and interception systems have no problem countering it." The official did not offer details, including origins and targets. The North conducted the last known test of a cruise missile in September last year. At the time, it claimed to have fired a "new-type long-range cruise missile", calling it a "strategic weapon of great significance". A cruise missile test does not run afoul of UN Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology. The North fired what it called two tactical guided missiles on January 17, just three days after its purported test-firing of two other missiles by its railway-borne unit. It also shot what it claimed to be hypersonic missiles on January 5 and 11. Pyongyang on January 20 threatened to lift its yearslong self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests. --IANS ksk/ ( 218 Words) 2022-01-25-11:52:05 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that he would be more dangerous on the streets than in government. It further signals that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ruling coalition is under severe pressure. Imran Khan's remark was not in response to any specific question and was a part of his diatribe against the opposition, as reported by Dawn. Earlier, in the lengthy session, Imran Khan defended his government's performance and tried to argue that the economic situation was rather favourable and not as dire as was being painted by the opposition and the media. Imran Khan further spent considerable time in lambasting the opposition -- with a special focus on the Sharifs. However, at the end of the session, he volunteered this opinion about being a greater danger on the streets which many have construed as a threat, according to Dawn. The Prime Minister is well aware of the trouble that his government is in from a political and economic perspective. Meanwhile, his remark was surely an implicit acknowledgement that the PTI could find itself out of power. It was a signal, perhaps a message, that he was ready for his role in the opposition, as reported by Dawn. On the other hand, the opposition has obviously trashed such arguments and said the Prime Minister was increasingly sounding like a frustrated and defeated man who could sense that his government's days were numbered. Whatever the fact, it is clear that the government is showing signs of being under pressure and Imran Khan's acknowledgement was the latest manifestation of this reality, according to Dawn. (ANI) The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said that Myanmar's military will continue to collect massive revenues from natural gas and other extractive sectors unless new targeted sanctions block foreign currency payments supporting the junta's abusive rule on Tuesday. "After nearly a year in power, Myanmar's junta is continuing to commit horrific abuses without facing significant costs from the international community," said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch stressing that Junta leaders are not going to turn away from "their brutality and oppression" unless governments impose more significant financial pressure on them. Two energy industry companies, TotalEnergies and Chevron announced plans to leave Myanmar on Friday, but natural gas revenue to the junta will continue because other companies will take over their operations, said HRW on Tuesday. The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, and other concerned governments should now adopt a common position to impose sanctions on all-natural gas revenues. Thailand's state-owned PTT and South Korea's POSCO, the two main energy companies remaining in Myanmar, should signal their support for such measures. Natural gas projects in Myanmar generate over USD1 billion in foreign revenue for the junta annually, its single largest source of foreign currency revenue. The money is transmitted in US dollars to the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) and other military-controlled bank accounts in foreign countries in the form of fees, taxes, royalties, and revenues from the export of natural gas, most of which travels by pipeline to Thailand or China, according to HRW. TotalEnergies on Friday said that the company was withdrawing from Myanmar due to the deteriorating human rights situation, which "no longer allows TotalEnergies to make a sufficiently positive contribution in the country." TotalEnergies, in partnership with Chevron and PTT, has since the 1990s operated the Yadana gas project, one of the country's largest fields. Chevron sent a brief statement to journalists the same day, stating that it was making "a planned and orderly transition that will lead to an exit from the country", according to HRW. "Energy company departures from Myanmar will be only gestures so long as the junta keeps making money," Sifton said. "The US and EU urgently need to impose measures that will have real economic impact on the junta, if there is to be any progress on human rights." (ANI) Karzai says the right to be educated and to work has been granted by Islam to women and should not be compromised, according to Tolo News. The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, earlier, said the US and the international community will pay the salaries of teachers in Afghanistan if all girls' schools are reopened across the country. Since the collapse of the previous government on August 15 last year, girls' secondary schools have remained closed in most parts of the country as reported by Tolo News. Karzai also said he and Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation in the previous government, will not be members of any government, according to Tolo News. (ANI) At least seven persons were injured in a US F-35 jet crash on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in the South China Sea. The US Pacific Fleet said in a statement Monday that the pilot of a US F-35 jet was conducting routine flight operations when the crash happened. However, he was safely ejected and was recovered by a military helicopter and he is in stable condition, reported CNN. Six others were injured on the deck of the carrier. Three required evacuations to a medical facility in Manila, Philippines, where they are in stable condition, according to Pacific Fleet. The other three sailors were treated on the carrier and have been released. The cause of what the statement called an "inflight mishap" is under investigation, reported CNN. A spokesman for the Navy's 7th Fleet in Japan, Lt Mark Langford, said Tuesday the impact to the Vinson's flight deck was "superficial" and the warship and its air wing had resumed normal operations. As for the F-35, "the status of the recovery is in progress," Langford said. The crash is the first for an F-35C, the US Navy's variant of the single-engine stealth fighter, designed for operations off aircraft carriers. The F-35A, flown by the Air Force, takes off and lands on conventional runways, and the F-35B, the Marine Corps version, is a short-takeoff vertical landing aircraft that can operate off the Navy's amphibious assault ships, reported CNN. Versions of the F-35 are also flown by US allies and partners, including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and Israel. More countries have orders in for the jet. Monday's crash in the South China Sea was the second of an F-35 this year. On January 4, the pilot of a South Korean F-35 made an emergency "belly landing" at an air base on Tuesday after its landing gear malfunctioned due to electronic issues, according to the South Korean Air Force. In previous years, F-35s have been involved in at least eight other incidents, according to records kept by the crowd-sourced website F-16.net, reported CNN. The 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea has been the site of frequent naval activity in the past several years as China has asserted its claims over almost all of the area by building up and militarizing islands and reefs. The US military asserts its right to operate freely in what are international waters. Carrier deployments like the current one exercise those rights. The two strike groups along with a Japanese helicopter destroyer staged a large exercise on Saturday in the Philippine Sea, the part of the Pacific Ocean between Taiwan and the US island territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. A day after that exercise, China sent 39 warplanes into Taiwan's self-declared air defense identification zone, the largest such incursion of Chinese warplanes into that zone this year. (ANI) KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines leaders sought Tuesday to reassure the nation that an invasion from neighboring Russia was not imminent, even as they acknowledged the threat is real and received a shipment of U.S. military equipment to shore up their defenses. Moscow has denied it is planning an assault, but it has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine in recent weeks and is holding military drills at multiple locations in Russia. That has led the United States and its NATO allies to rush to prepare for a possible war. Advertisement U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to build forces along Ukraines border, and an attack would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world. A serviceman checks his machine-gun in a shelter on the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants at frontline with Ukrainian government forces in Slavyanoserbsk, Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (Alexei Alexandrov/AP) Several rounds of high stakes diplomacy have failed to yield any breakthroughs, and tensions escalated further this week. NATO said it was bolstering its deterrence in the Baltic Sea region, and the U.S. ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert for potential deployment to Europe as part of an alliance response force if necessary. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said he is prepared to send troops to protect NATO allies in Europe. Advertisement We have no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine, Biden said, adding that there would be serious economic consequences for Putin, including personal sanctions, in the event of an invasion. In a show of European unity in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron called for an easing of the crisis. Scholz said he wanted clear steps from Russia that will contribute to a de-escalation of the situation. Macron, who said he would talk to Putin by phone Friday, added: If there is aggression, there will be retaliation and the cost will be very high. The U.S. and its allies have threatened sanctions like never before if Moscow sends its military into Ukraine, but they have given few details, saying its best to keep Putin guessing. The U.S. State Department has ordered the families of all American personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave the country, and it said that nonessential embassy staff could leave. Britain said it, too, was withdrawing some diplomats and dependents from its embassy, and families of Canadian diplomatic staff also have been told to leave. Ukrainian authorities, however, have sought to project calm. Speaking in the second televised speech to the nation in as many days, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians not to panic. We are strong enough to keep everything under control and derail any attempts at destabilization, he said. The decision by the U.S., Britain, Australia, Germany and Canada to withdraw some of their diplomats and dependents from Kyiv doesnt necessarily signal an inevitable escalation and is part of a complex diplomatic game, he said. We are working together with our partners as a single team. Advertisement Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told parliament that as of today, there are no grounds to believe Russia will invade imminently, noting that its troops have not formed what he called a battle group to force its way over the border. Dont worry, sleep well, he said. No need to have your bags packed. In an interview late Monday, however, he acknowledged risky scenarios are possible. Russia has said Western accusations it is planning an attack are merely a cover for NATOs own planned provocations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov again accused the U.S. of fomenting tensions around Ukraine, a former Soviet state that has been in a conflict with Russia for almost eight years. Moscow has rejected Western demands to pull its troops back from areas near Ukraine, saying it will deploy and train them wherever necessary on its territory as a response to what it called hostile moves by the U.S. and its allies. Thousands of troops from Russias Southern and Western Military Districts took part Tuesday in readiness drills in those regions in maneuvers involving Iskander missiles and dozens of warplanes. In 2014, following the ouster of a Kremlin-friendly president in Kyiv, Moscow annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the countrys eastern industrial heartland. Fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels has killed over 14,000 people, and efforts to reach a settlement have stalled. Advertisement In the latest standoff, Russia wants guarantees from the West that NATO will never admit Ukraine as a member and that the alliance would curtail other actions, such as stationing troops in former Soviet bloc countries. Some of these, like the membership pledge, are nonstarters for NATO, creating a seemingly intractable stalemate that many fear can only end in a war. Moscow has accused Ukraine of massing troops near rebel-controlled regions to retake them by force accusations Kyiv has rejected. Analysts say Ukraines leaders are caught between trying to calm the nation and ensuring it gets sufficient assistance from the West in case of an invasion. The Kremlins plans include undermining the situation inside Ukraine, fomenting hysteria and fear among Ukrainians, and the authorities in Kyiv find it increasingly difficult to contain this snowball, said political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. Kyiv resident Andrey Chekonovsky said Ukrainians have been living with the threat of a Russian attack for eight years, and I think that the fact that we are worried now is connected with diplomatic games. The crisis didnt stop a large group of people from rallying outside parliament, demanding changes to the countrys tax regulations and even clashing with police at one point. Advertisement Other Ukrainians are watching warily. Of course we fear Russias aggression and a war, which will lead to the further impoverishment of Ukrainians. But we will be forced to fight and defend ourselves, said Dmytro Ugol, a 46-year-old construction worker in Kyiv. I am prepared to fight, but my entire family doesnt want it and lives in tension. Every day, the news scares us more and more. Putting U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for Europe on Monday suggested diminishing hope in the West that Putin will back away. The Pentagon said Tuesday it is still identifying the roughly 8,500 U.S. troops being placed on higher alert for possible deployment to Europe, and said that more could be tapped if needed. The U.S. is still in active consultation with allies about the capabilities they might need, said press secretary John Kirby. As part of a new $200 million in security assistance directed to Ukraine from the United States, a shipment including equipment and munitions arrived Tuesday in Ukraine, according to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar. If Russia invades, we will provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians, above and beyond what we have already sent, U.S. Charge dAffaires in Ukraine Kristina Kvien said at the airport. Advertisement And let me underscore that Russian soldiers sent to Ukraine at the behest of the Kremlin will face fierce resistance. The losses to Russia will be heavy, Kvien said. The U.S. moves are being coordinated with other NATO members to bolster a defensive presence in Eastern Europe. Denmark is sending a frigate and F-16 warplanes to Lithuania; Spain is sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces, and France stands ready to send troops to Romania. Bidens national security team has been working with several European nations, the European Commission, and global suppliers on contingency plans if Russia cuts off energy, according to two senior administration officials who briefed reporters about efforts to mitigate spillover effects from potential military action. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the deliberations. If needed, Europe would look to natural gas supplies in North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the U.S. The effort would require rather smaller volumes from a multitude of sources to make up for a Russian cutoff, according to one official. - Ellen Knickmeyer, Lolita Baldor and Aamer Madhani in Washington, Dasha Litvinova and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Barbara Surk in Nice, France, and Sylvia Hui in London contributed. Opposition leaders in Pakistan on Monday slammed the Imran Khan government in the Senate over the establishment's "policy of appeasement" towards terrorist outfits, saying that talks with such groups has emboldened and encouraged anti-peace actors in the country, according to a media report. Opposition senators voiced concern over talks with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which were being held through a government (Afghan Taliban) not recognised by any country, reported Dawn. Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad questioned as to who negotiated with the TTP, and what the terms of these talks were. He also sought an explanation from Sheikh Rashid, the interior minister, over his statement about the presence of terrorists' sleeper cells in Pakistan. No talks were currently being held with the TTP since their demands were considered to be against the country's security interests, said Rashid in response to the question. Senator Ahmad also regretted that terrorists and target killers ruled the roost and demanded that former military ruler Pervez Musharraf be brought to Pakistan and tried for his surrender before the US and the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti. Leaders of the opposition parties also said that the recently unveiled National Security Policy be discussed in the Parliament and that an internal security policy, as well as the Afghan strategy, should be framed in light of that discussion, according to Dawn. It came after Sheikh Rashid last week had said that the Pakistan government's talks with the TTP broke down due to the latter's harsh conditions. "We had a talk with some TTP groups. But their conditions were such that they couldn't be agreed upon," Samaa TV quoted Rashid as saying. The Minister had also informed that the talks with TTP were being mediated by the Afghan Taliban as the latter had guaranteed their soil would not be used against the Taliban. "The Taliban were talking to the TTP. But their demands were so harsh that talks could not proceed," said the Minister, adding that "the TTP broke the ceasefire and that is why there is a spike in terror attacks." Recently the number of attacks by the TTP in Pakistan has surged. Earlier the Pakistan government and Prime Minister Imran Khan had accepted that they were in talks with TTP. (ANI) A total of 390 Afghans, mostly local helpers for South Korea and their families, arrived here in August 2021 after their country was seized by the Taliban, reports Yonhap news Agency. They were designated as "persons of special merit" and provided with long-term residency and chances to get a job under a revised immigration act. In a follow-up measure, the Ministry amended the framework act on foreign residents to provide them with government support roughly equivalent to that for refugees. Under the revision, they will be granted the same level of social security benefits as citizens. Minors will receive school education, language programs and vocational training. Unlike refugees, the special contributors will also get financial support for initial settlement, whose amount will be determined through consultations with related ministries, the Ministry added. --IANS ksk/ ( 178 Words) 2022-01-25-12:50:07 (IANS) China has set its eyes on Maldives to facilitate its strategic outreach in the wider Indian Ocean, according to International Forum for Rights and Security. China is continuously trying to create footholds in the island countries of the Indian Ocean Region from Sri Lanka to the Maldives, and further to Mauritius and Seychelles. These small atoll countries need funds for the development of infrastructure and industrialisation. Taking advantage of the scarcity of capital and technology in these countries, China helps them with requisite funds and technological support, as reported by International Forum for Rights and Security. However, being relatively poor these nations are unable to enter into rewarding and beneficial contracts with Chinese companies. The Maldives is an outstanding example of how China leverages a paucity of funds and technical expertise to its strategic advantage. The Maldives has described China as a crucial development partner including the provider of funds, and technological & logistical support. With its deep pockets, China has provided millions of dollars to the Maldives as commercial loans. Although Beijing is helping to construct mega infrastructure projects in the Maldives, Chinese loans to the country are continuously increasing and were estimated to be about USD 1.4 billion in 2020, as reported by International Forum for Rights and Security. Major China aided projects in the Maldives include the expansion of Velana International Airport (VIA), Fahala Island Development Project & Olhugiri Island Project, Housing Projects in Male and Hulhumale and five-star luxury resorts in Kaafu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls. However, a major problem with the Chinese projects in the atoll country is their unfeasible size for a small country and also delay in implementation raising the project costs. On the other hand, it is also believed that China uses underhand methods to win the project bids. Meanwhile, Beijing also exploits the lack of insight and expertise in these nations to grasp its true intentions. Against this backdrop and given Maldivian experience, the small island countries in Indian Ocean Region need to take Chinese funding with caution, according to International Forum for Rights and Security. (ANI) "We will continue to serve our people, but our decision is to suspend any role in power, politics and parliament," said Hariri in a live televised address. Hariri, a leading Lebanese Sunni politician, said he succeeded in preventing a new civil war in Lebanon but was not able to provide the people with a better life he had promised, reports Xinhua news agency. There will be little positive prospect for Lebanon in the light of Iranian influence, sectarianism, and the collapse of the state, he added. --IANS ksk/ ( 118 Words) 2022-01-25-13:12:05 (IANS) London [UK], January 25 (ANI/Sputnik): The United Kingdom is unlikely to send a military contingent to Ukraine amid rising tensions no matter how the situation develops, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Tuesday. "As the defense secretary has already said, it is unlikely that there will be the circumstance," Truss told lawmakers when asked under what condition the UK can send combat units to defend Ukraine. The UK has helped train 20,000 Ukrainian troops and is also working with its partners for them to provide the same support to Ukraine, the official added. (ANI/Sputnik) Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a summit held on Tuesday via video link to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries, and said that mutual respect, solidarity and mutual benefit are key to successful cooperation among countries, according to a media report. Xi said that the keys to successful cooperation between China and five Central Asian countries are mutual respect, good neighbourliness and friendship, solidarity, and mutual benefit. These principles serve as political guarantees for stable and lasting relations between China and the five countries as well as the source of strength for friendly exchanges in the future, Xi said. The Chinese President also emphasised that Beijing is ready to work with Central Asian countries in building a closer community with a shared future. Leaders of the five Central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- took part in the summit and stated that they look forward to attending the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics next week. This is China's first major diplomatic action facing Central Asia this year and the first heads-of-state meeting between China and the five Central Asia countries. Beijing sees the summit as of great significance for all sides to take stock of the achievements and experience of China-Central Asia relations, seek coordination and make plans for future bilateral cooperation across the board at a new historical starting point, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (ANI) After Pakistan's Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan revealed about preparations to bring a presidential form of government in place of its parliamentary one in the country, the media is questioning the controversial idea. Aijaz Mangi, writing in Sindhi publication, Pahenji Akhbar, said that bringing presidential format in Pakistan will not make Pakistan, America-like powerful in the world. "We are living in a country where we get to see dictatorship even in 21st century, we are living in a country where elected representatives and ministers rejoice on reading military general's statements, we are living in a country where words like civilian leadership and military leadership are used with pride, we are living in a country for which it is often claimed that it is army and establishment and not peoples' power behind it," said Mangi. He said that deliberate rumours are being spread that hectic preparations are afoot to bring a presidential form of government in place of its parliamentary one in the country. The commentators and political observers are now questioning -- Will a change of format of government suffice for running the show/for running the country's affairs. If the answer is yes, then what reasons can be cited in support of such an answer? Can anyone raise any voice in front of a person with a pistol? If anyone thinks that poverty can be gotten rid of with the advent of the presidential format of government, then one can only pity such a thinker! reported Pak vernacular media. Taking a potshot at Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had lived a substantial part of his life in the UK, the vernacular media said, "Now, his children are in the UK. The secret of the UK's progress/development has nothing to do with the government head there being a Prime Minister. When Russia was known as the Soviet Union, power was vested in the hands of the President. When the Soviet Union crashed, that time too its head was President Gorbachev." Aijaz also gave the example of India and its vibrant democracy, he said, "In South Asia, India is no weak country. There is no presidential format of government there. India too has a parliamentary system. If we say our parliamentary system has failed, then the first question we can raise is -- Has the parliamentary system been allowed to function in the country? How can we talk about the success or failure of this system when half the time of the country's history /formation, we have had direct or indirect dictatorship? In a veiled attack, the Pahenji Akhbar article also questioned the interference of Pakistan's military establishment in the working of parliamentary government in Pakistan. "If the presidential form is good for Pakistan, then there is no harm in doing away with parliamentary form, but the first condition is -- Let the parliamentary system be allowed to function first. We have a parliamentary system but we all know how it functions and under whose shadows/domination and pressures it works. If the country were allowed to function truly as per the spirit of the 1973 constitution, conditions would have been altogether different in the country," said the article. It further urged that the country should be allowed to function as per the constitution. "If betterment in the country is main task /reason for the change of format of government, then the first condition should be that let country first be allowed to function as per the constitution. What do words like law and justice mean in a country where forces like establishment are above the constitution?" said the article. Further, the Sindhi publication also laid stress on the rule of law and delivery of justice as the two basic issues in Pakistan that need to be implemented. "There is no guarantee that presidential form will be delivered. Rule of law and delivery of justice. These two are basic issues in Pakistan. Sadly, governments did not run the country as per rule of law in past. And, the current government too did not deliver justice to the people. The parliamentary system can function well enough only when none is above law and all are treated equally in the eyes of law. If there is no rule of law, then no system can deliver, be it parliamentary or presidential," said the article. "Let there be any system, but it must be left free to function. We can pin no hopes on any system that is held, hostage. A system held hostage will have controversial and discriminatory laws that can deliver no justice," it added. (ANI) The US has increased its strategic presence in Albania to counter Beijing's increased footprint in the Balkan region. The greater US engagement with the small Balkan nation highlights the emergence of another potential collision between China's geo-economic ambitions in the region and the growing if belated, Western efforts to push back, according to Foreign Policy magazine. While most Balkan countries have been hungry recipients of Chinese money, Albania has been an outlier, choosing to selectively engage with Beijing. While there are about 120 Chinese-linked projects worth almost USD 32 billion in the Balkans--the majority of which are in the infrastructure and energy sectors--Albania has largely steered clear of piling on huge Chinese debt in exchange for development, opting instead for acquisitions that don't threaten to leverage the country's future, writes Amanda Coakley for the Foreign Policy. Washington's renewed interest in Albania began in 2020, when the country joined the Clean Network initiative, a Trump administration program that sought to challenge the dominance of Chinese firms in 4G and 5G mobile technology. Albania was the first country in the region to join and has used its participation to curry favour with Washington, which has been glad of the support in the region, as analyzed by Foreign Policy magazine. Further, The US European Command on January 8th said that it was establishing a special operation headquarters in Albania as part of an effort to boost capabilities as a keystone for regional stability. Earlier, EUCOM also said the base offers increased interoperability with US Albanian allies and important access to transportation hubs in the Balkans. (ANI) As many as 3,500 families have so far fled their homes in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah amid US airstrikes and clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Islamic State (IS) terror group. The airstrikes and the clashes have been escalating following the jailbreak of IS inmates from a Kurdish-controlled prison in the Gweiran neighbourhood in Hasakah on January 20, Xinhua news agency. Following the prison break, the SDF engaged in fierce battles with IS militants inside and outside the prison while the US-led warplanes kept on targeting residential areas where the fugitives could have reached. Earlier on Monday, the warplanes struck a university campus in Hasakah and destroyed the university's parking lot, as part of their manhunt for the escaped inmates. Such a situation has pushed thousands of families to flee their homes close to the clashes sites in Kurdish-controlled areas. Local media reports have said the displaced families reached the government-controlled areas in Hasakah and settled in temporary displacement shelters, as the Syrian army opened safe corridors to secure the fleeing families. Director of Social Affairs Ibrahim Khalaf said in a statement that due to the increase in the number of displaced families, two new temporary shelters were opened, bringing the number of centres to five in the city. Khalaf pointed out that the work is underway to equip the sixth centre in light of the continued influx of people from the southern neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry on Monday held an urgent meeting of representatives from the international organisations operating in Syria to address the crisis in Hasakah. Hasakah province is largely controlled by the US-backed SDF, while some certain areas, particularly in the city of Qamishli, are still under the control of the Syrian government. --IANS ksk/ ( 307 Words) 2022-01-25-14:20:02 (IANS) Aslam was arrested following the FIR registered by Mughalpura police in 2011 on the complaint of his brother Faisal Aslam under section 295-B of the PPC, reported Dawn. The complainant himself admitted in the FIR that the suspect had a history of mental illness. A trial court had awarded the suspect life imprisonment on the basis of his confessional statement. Later, he challenged his conviction before the Lahore High Court in 2015. The high court in 2021 suspended the sentence and directed the sessions court to hold a fresh trial of the suspect in light of his mental health, reported Dawn. The suspect also filed an application for his acquittal under section 265-K of the CrPC. Additional District & Sessions Judge Khalid Wazir allowed the application of Aslam and acquitted him of the charge. "He be released immediately, if not required in any other case," said the order issued by the trial judge, reported Dawn. Last year, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had raised concerns about the recent surge in blasphemy cases. "HRCP believes that the state has effectively abdicated its responsibilities under international human rights law by leaving those accused of blasphemy to the mercy of mobs, or trials that are marred by glaring legal and procedural flaws," the rights group had said. They said that the police must also refrain from registering blasphemy cases so promptly, knowing full well the sensitive implications of doing so when such complaints are often fabricated and spurred on by personal vendettas. (ANI) An off-duty Illinois State Police trooper and a woman were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads inside a vehicle on the Far South Side Monday, according to state police and Chicago police. Chicago police said that around 1:40 p.m. a witness discovered a vehicle parked on a street in the 11000 block of South Avenue E in the East Side neighborhood. A 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man were found inside and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Advertisement State police confirmed the 30-year-old man was Trooper Antonio Alvarez, a three-year veteran of the department who was off-duty, and the woman was Amanda Alvarez. The relationship between the two was not immediately disclosed. The vehicle they were found in was not department-issued. Illinois State Police and Chicago police maintain a crime scene at 110th Street and Avenue E in Chicago after an off-duty Illinois State Police trooper and a woman were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads inside a vehicle there on Jan. 24, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) A gun was also found at the scene, Chicago police said. Advertisement Autopsies were to be performed Tuesday at the Cook County medical examiners office. Investigators werent ruling out a murder-suicide, sources said. Illinois State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This is a developing story. Check back for updates pfry@chicagotribune.com Twitter @paigexfry "If visitors have a negative result of the PCR test for coronavirus infection taken within 48 hours, no express test is needed," said the country's special commission on Covid-19. Earlier this month, Uzbekistan was tightening pandemic restrictions as the first case of the Omicron variant was confirmed in the country, Xinhua news agency. Starting from January 15, all visitors to Uzbekistan were required to pass a rapid test at airports, train stations and border checkpoints in spite of their PCR test results. Uzbekistan has so far registered 216,186 Covid-19 cases and 1,545 deaths. --IANS ksk/ ( 127 Words) 2022-01-25-15:04:02 (IANS) Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai to be conferred with Padma Bhushan, according to a press release by the centre. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the Padma Awards 2022 on the eve of 73rd Republic Day. The Ministry stated that Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai will be conferred with Padma Bhushan. Satya Nadella is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft. He was named CEO in February 2014. Earlier, he had held leadership roles in both enterprise and consumer businesses across the company. Nadella hails from Hyderabad, India and currently lives in Bellevue, Washington. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Mangalore University, a master's degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago. Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. This year the President has approved the conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases. (ANI) Pakistan government's decision to increase electricity tariff up to Rs0.95 per following withdrawal of Rs 20 billion subsidy has compounded the power-consumers problem. Pakistan's federal government has filed a petition before National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to approve policy guidelines to withdraw Rs20 billion subsidy in the second phase of the subsidy reduction plan, across Express Tribune. Earlier, Pakistan's government removed around 8 million power consumers from the subsidy net by reducing volume from 22 million to 13.9 million consumers. Now, in the second phase, the government is going to remove more consumers from the power subsidy network by withdrawing Rs20 billion per annum subsidy. Further, The power regulator on Monday held a public hearing relating to the approval of the Policy Guidelines under Section 31 of the Regulation, Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997 for Retargeting of Power Sector Subsidies Phase-II. Earlier, Nepra had pointed out that the provision of subsidy was the mandate of the Federal government. Further, it said that the Energy Ministry (Power Division) had devised the subsidy reform programme, approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, which would be applied in three phases after approval from Nepra. Earlier, the power regulator had approved the first phase and notified it with effect from October 1, 2021. Under this programme, the power regulator expanded the definition of lifeline consumers. It approved a new category of protected consumers having consumed up to 200 units consistently for six months, according to Express Tribune. For the consumers using above 700 units, there would be no change and the base tariff would remain at Rs 22.22 per unit. Under pressure from the international lenders, the Pakistan government plans to increase power tariff up to Rs0.95 per unit, taking the base power tariff to Rs18.75 per unit for some residential consumers, according to Express Tribune. (ANI) A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight steward Waqar Ahmad Jadoon went missing from his hotel after arriving in Toronto, Canada. The disappearance came to light when the senior staff of the airline tried to contact him in the hotel as he was scheduled to travel to Islamabad on the return flight on January 23, reported Dawn. According to sources, Jadoon performed his duties at PIA flight PK-781 which carried passengers from Islamabad to Toronto. Immediately after Jadoon went missing, the PIA station manager and the headquarters were informed, and subsequently, the matter was reported to the local police. A PIA spokesman confirmed that the Canada border security agency and the police were informed about the missing staffer, reported Dawn. He also confirmed that the passport of the flight steward was lying with the PIA station manager in Toronto. The spokesman said his indemnity was also lying with PIA and departmental proceedings will be initiated against him which may result in his termination from service. The cabin crew members, according to SOPs, are required to deposit their passports with the station manager after immigration clearance and customs formalities. Their passports are returned at the time of check-in on departing flights. The cabin crew members are instructed to restrict their movement due to the pandemic and no one is allowed to stay out of the hotel premises at night. Four such cases in which PIA crew members, including an air hostess, went missing after landing in Canada have come to light over the past two and a half years. Earlier on February 1 last year, a flight steward of PIA reportedly went missing in Canada soon after the airline's flight PK-798 landed in Toronto, reported Dawn. (ANI) A Minister in Pakistan's Balochistan province has staged a walkout from the provincial assembly session on Monday alleging corruption and irregularities in the recruitment process in agriculture and food departments, said a media report. "Deserving youths were deprived of selection by adopting discrimination in the recruitment process," said Minister for Science and Technology in Balochistan province Mubeen Ahmed Khilji, claiming that the agriculture and food departments hired outsiders whose names were not included in the list of candidates, according to Dawn. "As a protest, I walk out against this discrimination and injustice," said the Minister. Khilji also warned that if notice was not taken, he would hold a press conference to disclose all wrongdoings committed in the recruitment process with proof. After some time, Minister Khilji returned to the house, stating that he protested against the recruitment made by the agriculture department during the tenure of the previous government, reported Dawn. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Mir Asadullah Baloch also clarified the position of his Ministry on the issue and said: " I am not accountable for what happened in the previous government." The interferences were made in every constituency and "maybe these posts were booked," said province's Senior Finance Minister Noor Dummar agreeing with Mubeen Khilji. The allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process is a matter of concern, said province's Minister for Planning and Development Zahoor Buledi stressing that millions of Pakistani youth are unemployed and the province has 20,000 to 30,000 vacancies. "Immediate relief can be given to the unemployed youth from government jobs," he added. (ANI) The UK prosecution on Tuesday grilled 31-year-old British Pakistani Gohir Khan about his intention to travel to the Netherlands allegedly as part of a conspiracy to kill self-exiled blogger Ahmad Waqass Goraya. The trial entered its second week on Monday. The prosecution alleged that Khan had travelled to Rotterdam last year as part of a conspiracy to murder Goraya, and that he had undertaken a reconnaissance mission outside his home and even bought a tool with the aim to succeed in his mission, reported Dawn. Alison Morgan QC led the prosecution and questioned why Khan did not approach the police when he was contacted by the Pakistan-based middleman Muzamil to kill someone; why Mr Khan kept asking if the 'job' or killing was a debt-related one; why he purchased a knife; and why he made efforts to deceive the immigration authorities to enter the Netherlands. While maintaining that he was not guilty of intent to kill, the defendant claimed he "never intended to kill anyone", but that he "wanted to get money out of Muzamil as he owed him money". He said he purchased the knife to cut steak, fruit and bread and travelled to the Netherlands to convince Muzamil to give him more money, reported Dawn. He claimed the messages he sent to the middleman about the tool, the target and the job were meant only to give him the impression that he (Khan) was serious about the job but in reality all he wanted was money. Morgan cross-examined Khan for several hours, going back to the timeline of events as established by Whatsapp and Signal messages, CCTV footage and receipts. She pressed Khan on why he purchased a knife for 10.99 euros when there were cheaper options available, and why he waited until the next day to use the knife to eat the steak as he had wanted. She also asked why Khan kept the receipt for the knife despite discarding others, and why he did not mention the knife to the police till he was confronted about it, to which he responded that he forgot as he had a lapse of memory, reported Dawn. The prosecution will continue his cross-examination on Tuesday, and the jury will then review the statements of the defence and prosecution before it comes to a decision. At previous hearings, the jury was told how Muzamil allegedly contacted Khan in 2021 with an offer to pay Pound 80,000 for the job, while telling him about his own commission of Pound 20,000. It is unclear who Muzamil was working for, but evidence that Pound 5,000 was paid into a Pakistani bank account and received through a hundi transfer in London has been shared in the court, reported Dawn. Meanwhile, Pakistan's deafening silence on the disclosers made in the UK Court in the case of Khan has raised serious questions on the country's stand on human rights and free speech. (ANI) Taipei and New Delhi are all set to develop closer strategic and economic relations with each other. The State Bank of India has raised USD 300 million from the Taiwanese market through a maiden issue of Formosa bonds at a coupon rate of 2.49 per cent. The issuance attracted a wide range of investors, such as supranational agencies, asset managers, private bankers and financial institutions, as reported by Taipei Times. Meanwhile, the Indian government has also started talks with Taiwan on a free-trade agreement. These developments would normally have been treated as a routine affair between India and Taiwan, but as the countries do not enjoy formal ties, and India has in the past remained hesitant to sign a free-trade agreement with Taiwan, the activities underscore a profound shift in New Delhi's policy toward Taipei, writes Sumit Kumar Taipei Times. More to the point, the successive governments before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to foster ties with Taiwan in a closet due to their fear of China, as reported by Taipei Times. Now, India has taken several bold initiatives to openly acknowledge its ties with Taiwan as Taipei's de facto embassy in New Delhi has also been given more public space. The Indian political leadership's new approach toward Taiwan has inadvertently encouraged Indian print and electronic media to focus on the relationship between the nations, writes Sumit Kumar for the Taipei Times. Moreover, there is a strong opinion among Indian experts, former diplomats and the general public that India should take initiatives to consolidate and improve ties with Taiwan. Taiwan and India should establish a joint working group to explore possibilities for enhanced cooperation, promote understanding of government policies and procedures, and facilitate collaboration by addressing issues promptly. Closer cooperation in international initiatives, such as the Group on Earth Observations as well as efforts to develop a multiple hazards early warning and response system, would serve national objectives on both sides, according to Taipei Times. (ANI) Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and his delegation met with Western diplomats and discussed a range of topics on Tuesday which is the final day of the summit talks in Oslo. Meanwhile, a member of the Islamic Emirate delegation said they would also meet with the representatives of the US, Britain, Germany, Italy, Norway and the European Union (EU), according to Tolo News. Tuesday is the final day of the Oslo summit and the second day of talks between the Islamic Emirate delegation and Western diplomats. "In this meeting, acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi met with EU special envoy for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson in Oslo today and called for good relations and cooperation, Niklasson pledged the EU will continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The Afghanistan PM welcomed their support and called for better relations and cooperation between countries," Afghan Foreign Minister Spokesperson Balkhi tweeted. In the meantime, a member of the delegation said they will discuss political, economic, security, human rights and the fight against terrorism with the Western diplomats, as reported by Tolo News. "Our hope is that we will be able to reach a common understanding in this meeting, which will be a source of hope for the people of Afghanistan, "said Abdul Latif Nazari, a member of the delegation of the Taliban. Earlier, the US State Department said that building an inclusive government and delivering humanitarian aid to Afghanistan will be on the agenda of the Oslo summit. Meanwhile, the Oslo summit discussions have been held behind closed doors and away from the presence of media. The acting Foreign Minister, who leads the delegation of the Taliban called the talks with Western diplomats promising, as reported by Tolo news. (ANI) Scores of farmers in Pakistan's Punjab province have alleged that the administration seemed busy suppressing the voice of the farmers by lodging fake cases against them whenever they tried to record their protest against the non-availability of urea, according to a media report. Farmers in Punjab province's Bahawalnagar have stated that their wheat crops were ruined due to the non-availability of urea and the administration was not ready to take any measures, reported Dawn. They also staged a sit-in in front of the office of the Chishtian assistant commissioner (AC) to protest the shortage of urea here on Monday. Due to the indifference of the district administration, the urea crises across the district was getting worsened with each passing day, alleged the farmers. Instead of taking any concrete step to resolve the issue permanently, the administration seemed busy suppressing the voice of the farmers by lodging fake cases against them whenever they tried to record their protest, said the farmers. Later, farmers later took out a rally in the city and demanded to provide urea at the government rates immediately. They also threatened the administration they would take to the streets again if their demands were not met, according to Dawn. (ANI) The MoU was signed virtually on Tuesday. The MoU aims to facilitate Joint Training, exchange of expertise and best practices between the two elite forces. "M A Ganapathy, IPS, DG NSG and Maj Gen Djuraev Rustom, Commander of the National Guard of Republic of Uzbekistan signed an MoU on cooperation on 25 January 2022 virtually with an aim to facilitate Joint Training, exchange of expertise and best practices between the two Elite Forces," said The National Security Guard in a tweet on Tuesday. (ANI) Nearly 10,000 women traveled from out of state to have an abortion in Illinois in 2020, a roughly 29% increase compared with the previous year, according to the most recent Illinois Department of Public Health data available. State health statistics show 9,686 out-of-state women terminated a pregnancy in Illinois in 2020, comprising about 21% of all 46,243 abortions performed statewide. This was over 2,000 more than the 7,534 women who came here from another state in 2019. State data from 2021 was not available. Advertisement The rise in travelers was anticipated by reproductive rights advocates and opponents of abortion alike, attributed largely to nearby states with increasingly stringent abortion laws, including those mandating waiting periods, gestational limits and more regulations on clinics. Reproductive freedoms are increasingly under fire in much of the country, particularly many Midwestern states that surround Illinois as well as southern portions of the nation. Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court by midyear is expected to rule on one of the most influential abortion cases in decades: Dobbs v. Jackson will determine the legality of a Mississippi law that bars abortion past 15 weeks gestation. The case could also dictate the fate of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that established the right to terminate a pregnancy nationwide. If Roe were to be overturned or significantly curtailed, the matter of abortion rights would be resolved at the state level. Experts predict that roughly half the nation would ban or severely restrict abortion, including every state adjacent to Illinois. At the same time, Illinois has ensconced abortion rights in state law. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act, which established terminating a pregnancy as a fundamental right for women in Illinois. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks before signing the Reproductive Health Act into law at the Chicago Cultural Center on June 12, 2019. The law establishes "the fundamental right" of a pregnant woman to have an abortion. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Ameri Klafeta, director of the Womens and Reproductive Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said the 2020 Illinois abortion numbers reflect two undeniable realities. First, Illinois has taken steps through the Reproductive Health Act to assure (access) to reproductive health care, she said. The other truth is that this time period has been marked by escalating activity in many other states including many in the Midwest to choke off access to such care. Banning abortion and other reproductive health care in these surrounding states does not erase the need for access to critical health care despite the magical thinking of anti-abortion politicians inside and outside Illinois borders. It is hopeful and helpful that some number of those affected by these regressive laws are able to get care in our state. The number of women crossing state lines to come to Illinois for the procedure has risen every year since 2014. Former state lawmaker and prominent abortion opponent Peter Breen called the trend disturbing. When you look at the way Illinois has legislated, it makes sense that folks from out of state would stream into Illinois to get abortions, said Breen, vice president and senior counsel with the Chicago-based nonprofit public interest law firm the Thomas More Society. I dont think the people of Illinois wanted our state to become known as the abortion capital of the Midwest, but our legislators and government have decided to move us in that direction. Advertisement Then-Illinois House Republican Peter Breen disavowed Gov. Bruce Rauner at a news conference after Rauner signed a bill expanding taxpayer-subsidized abortions for women covered by Medicaid and state employee insurance on Sept. 28, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) New abortion clinics had also recently opened near state boundary lines: An 18,000-square-foot Planned Parenthood facility opened in 2019 in Fairview Heights right by the Missouri border and another Planned Parenthood opened in May 2020 in Waukegan near the Wisconsin border. Another factor might have been several states that intermittently halted abortion services in 2020 citing the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving patients scrambling to find an appointment elsewhere. The Chicago-based American Medical Association had decried these temporary bans as government intrusion in medical care. While many physicians and health care workers are on the front lines in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unfortunate that elected officials in some states are exploiting this moment to ban or dramatically limit womens reproductive health care, labeling procedures as non-urgent, the organization said in a March 2020 written statement. Overall, the total number of abortions in Illinois decreased slightly during the same period, from 46,517 in 2019 to 46,243 in 2020. There was a decline in the number of Illinois residents who terminated a pregnancy, from 38,756 in 2019 to 36,174 in 2020. Breen pointed out that the national birthrate also declined during that same period, which might account for the decrease in in-state abortions. The number of births in the U.S. decreased from more than 3.7 million in 2019 to about 3.6 million in 2020. Advertisement The waiting room of the Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights, Illinois, on Oct. 2, 2019, before opening that month. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch) National abortion figures have not been released for 2020. Nationwide, 2019 saw a slight increase in terminated pregnancies compared with 2018, after many years of decline, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Experts on both sides of the abortion debate predict the number of out-of-state travelers will continue to rise in the future. Last month, Pritzker signed a law repealing parental notification requirements for minors seeking an abortion in Illinois. Supporters of the change say repeal was needed to protect the rights and health of vulnerable young people, particularly those from unsafe households. Opponents, however, were alarmed that parents could be kept in the dark about the health care decisions of their children. Breen predicted that the repeal will draw more minors from other states to Illinois, since every state surrounding Illinois has some form of a parental notice requirement. Minor girls will be brought to Illinois by the thousands in order to avoid notifying their parents of their pregnancies, Breen said. The Food and Drug Administration in December permanently eased previous restrictions on shipping abortion pills via mail; this allows patients in Illinois and some other states to get a prescription through a telemedicine visit and then get the medication shipped to their home, another means to access abortion services. Advertisement Illinois abortion providers say they expect more women will be traveling here from other states for reproductive health care in the future. As Illinois continues to break down barriers to health care, we will remain a needed haven in the Midwest, said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. We are planning for Illinois out-of-state numbers to continue to increase as long as other states are allowed to enact harmful and unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions. Jennifer Welch, president of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, speaks to abortion rights activists during a demonstration at Federal Plaza in Chicago on Dec. 1, 2021. The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case challenging Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Last week, two abortion providers in southern Illinois opened a new resource for out-of-state travelers called the Regional Logistics Center, where designated case managers will help patients book transportation, find lodging and connect them with funding resources to help pay for the procedure and other associated costs. The center which is inside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Fairview Heights is a joint project by Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City. In September, a Texas law went into effect barring abortions as early as about six weeks gestation, before many women even know theyre pregnant, all but banning the procedure in the second-largest state in the nation. Dr. Erin King, executive director of Hope Clinic for Women, told the Tribune her clinic now sees several patients who travel from Texas each week. She described one recent patient who found out she was pregnant on a Wednesday, made the appointment on Friday and flew in on Saturday to have a medication abortion. King recalled that the patient flew back to Texas that same day, and that trip had been her first time on an airplane. Advertisement The volume of patients fleeing to Illinois will only grow, said Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, at the centers opening. If Roe is overturned, we expect to see 14,000 patients from outside our service area in the first year. But to foes of abortion, the role of Illinois as a reproductive rights oasis in the Midwest has long been considered a disgrace. Illinois is drastically out of step with the rest of the Midwest, said Kevin Grillot, executive director of March for Life Chicago. The last five years, Illinois legislators have prioritized the abortion industry over the people that they represent. Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, added that theres nothing inevitable about the rise of Illinois as a major abortion state. As we continue to see the impact of the governments aggressive expansion of abortion in Illinois, especially abortions performed on minors from out of state, we may see more willingness on the part of voters to rein in this abortion license, he said. eleventis@chicagotribune.com Advertisement In order to thwart strict norms put in place by the US and European Union (EU), rich Chinese people are on the lookout for easier alternatives to easily obtain US/EU residency permits. They have recently discovered that obtaining Turkish citizenship first would make it easier for them to acquire US citizenship, reported Greek City Times. As a result of China's strained relations with the US and many European countries in recent years, it has become difficult for Chinese citizens to obtain a residence permit in Western countries. Chinese websites and social media platforms are flooded with advertisements for obtaining Turkish citizenship and the advertisements underline that the alternate way to obtain US Citizenship is by first obtaining Turkish citizenship which can be acquired through an investment of at least USD 250,000 in the property. The advertisements emphasize that it is possible to go to America and other western countries easily after obtaining Turkish citizenship. The tagline of ads reads, "if you buy real estate, all your family members get their passports as gifts," reported Greek City Times. One Chinese real estate consultancy firm that deals with real estate sales from Turkey emphasized in one of its advertisements that for Turkish citizenship, "Britain is the best springboard for settling in developed countries, such as the USA," added Greek City Times. As per the advertisement, after obtaining a Turkish passport, the Chinese can go to the US as an immigrant with an E2 investor ID. E2 is a visa issued by the US only to countries with mutual trade partnerships. Turkey has a trade partnership with the US. The E2 visa is the country's most issued visa. It can take 500-600 people every year, reported Greek City Times. Moreover, with a Turkish passport, they can go to England with a business visa. The UK government allows Turkish citizens to engage in business. A 1-year commercial visa can be obtained on the first application. After five years, the right to stay in the UK indefinitely can be earned, reported Greek City Times. Turkey has provision vide, in which a foreigner can obtain Turkish nationality on the basis of a certain amount of investment in real estate, capital investment, by way of business generating employment for Turkish nationals, or by investing in Treasury bonds or any type of government loan instrument. In 2018, with a legal regulation, the lower limit of real estate investment, which is one of the options for citizens of other countries to obtain Turkish citizenship, had been reduced from USD 1 million to USD 250,000, reported Greek City Times. However, on January 06, 2022, the regulation on the 'Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law' was amended and the investment values were enhanced. The Turkish government facilitated the regulation for foreigners to acquire Turkish citizenship in a bid to support the Turkish lira, which is depreciating in the backdrop of greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in October 2021. However, China is exploiting this provision of Turkey, whereby Chinese citizens are purchasing real estate in Turkey or making a fixed capital investment to obtain Turkish citizenship. (ANI) India emphasizes normative architecture respecting principles of sovereignty and political independence at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate held on "Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Wars in cities - protection of civilians in urban settings" on Tuesday. India's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, T S Tirumurti in his speech at the UNSC, expressed concern about the resurgence in armed conflicts around the globe which has been further complicated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The use of explosive weapons, particularly those with wide-area effects, continues to expose civilians to a high risk of indiscriminate effects. People in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Yemen have witnessed the devastation caused by urban conflicts, according to Ambassador T S Tirumuri's statement. Further, Ambassador in his speech expressed concern that the parties to the armed conflicts till this day seem to consider civilian population and civilian infrastructure as legitimate targets. Also, Ambassador T S Tirumurti in his speech at the UNSC urged the international community should therefore stand firm on its opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and reject any attempt to provide any justifications for terrorist acts. The international community should therefore stand firm on its opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and reject any attempt to provide any justifications for terrorist acts. India stands ready to support efforts towards strengthening the normative architecture for the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian assistance in armed conflict in urban areas as part of a broader endeavour, according to Ambassador T S Tirumurti. (ANI) Pakistan Islamist radicals on Sunday demolished Hinglaj Mata Mandir, located in Khatri Mohalla, Teh Mithi, Tharparker district of Sindh province. This is the 11th attack on Hindu shrines in the past 22 months in Pakistan. Krishen Sharma, President, Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management reached the spot and in interaction with media told them that Islamist radicals are not even afraid of Pakistan Supreme Court and the Pakistani Government. Meanwhile, the local Hindu leaders took out a protest rally on the issue. Pakistan has been repeatedly slammed by the international community for not taking stringent measures to protect its minority communities, despite the country's Prime Minister Imran Khan vowing to protect them on numerous occasions. In 2020 December, a mob of over a hundred people led by local Muslim clerics had destroyed and set on fire the temple in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A video clip that went viral on social media showed a violent mob destroying the walls and roof of the temple. Pakistan is a well-known perpetrator of human rights violations of minorities in the country. On several occasions, it has promised to safeguard the interest of minority communities in the nation. However, continuing attacks on minorities narrate a different story. Islamabad has been discriminating against its religious minorities. This is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias the most persecuted minorities in the region. A recent report by a minorities' rights commission in Pakistan has revealed a "dismal" picture of the most revered Hindu sites in the country and slammed the statutory board responsible to maintain the ancient sites of the minority community. The report submitted to the country's Supreme Court last month presents a "general picture of decay and obliteration" of two of the four most revered evacuee sites in Pakistan, Dawn reported. The report states that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), a statutory board of the Pakistan government, has failed to maintain ancient and holy sites of the minority community. Out of 365 temples, only 13 were being managed by them, leaving 65 with the Hindu community, and "abandoning the rest of temples," Dawn reported, citing the statutory board ETPB. (ANI) United Great Punjab, Apna Punjab Media Group and India Day Parade Inc held a programme in New York to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who they said had done a phenomenal job for Punjab and its people in his over seven-year tenure. The event organised by Punjabis, predominantly Sikhs, comprised several speeches from prominent members of the Sikh diaspora thanking Prime Minister Modi. An official document released later said that the community was grateful for several actions taken by the Modi government that included the announcement of 26th December as Veer Bal Divas, the opening of Kartarpur corridor on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, repealing of three agricultural laws, bringing back Sikhs and Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji safely from Afghanistan, actions taken to ensure justice to the victims of 1984 after three decades and taking care of Punjabis and Sikhs living in Pakistan and other countries. It also thanked the government for celebrating the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the celebration of the 400th birth anniversary of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in a grand manner. The event also highlighted the government's endeavour in improving the situation of Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes special care of every section of society. Prime Minister had a good relationship with Punjabis and Sikhs from the very beginning," a speaker said. CEO of Hindustani J Jasbir Singh, Tara Singh Ahluwalia, Jagdish, Pinki Jaggi, Jyoti Gupta, Bina Sabhapati, Gobind were among the several speakers who participated in the event. On this occasion, it was also decided that Veer Children's Day would be celebrated on 26th December every year by its Punjab Media Group, IDP Group and other organizations. It is worth mentioning that Deepak Bansal, President of India Day Parade Inc conducts the India Day Parade in Hicksville Long Island every year, which is attended by hundreds of members from the Indian diaspora in the United States. (ANI) According to his relatives, Malikzada was shot close to the entrance of his house in PD1 of Herat city on Tuesday morning, as reported by Ariana News. Sabir Herawi, a spokesman for the Taliban Intelligence, has confirmed the incident, stating that the culprits fled the area after attacking Malikzada, as reported by Ariana News. So far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. (ANI) China held a virtual summit on Tuesday to mark 30 years of diplomatic ties with Central Asian countries. This event was attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. "I announce the provision of a USD 500 million donation to the Central Asian countries over the next three years for the implementation of socially significant projects," Xi said during the Central Asia-China summit. Xi added that China would invite 5,000 healthcare and IT professionals to participate in courses to further their professional development. During the summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Xi said that mutual respect, solidarity and mutual benefit are key to successful cooperation among countries. He added said these principles serve as political guarantees for stable and lasting relations between China and the five countries as well as the source of strength for friendly exchanges in the future. The Chinese President also emphasised that Beijing is ready to work with Central Asian countries in building a closer community with a shared future. This is China's first major diplomatic action facing Central Asia this year and the first heads-of-state meeting between China and the five Central Asia countries. (ANI) The Taliban delegation and representatives of the Afghan diaspora met on Sunday in the capital city of Norway to discuss ways to overcome the building crisis in the country. During the meeting, the participants listened patiently to each others' opinions and exchanged views on the current circumstances in the country. Norway hosted a meeting in Oslo between a group of Afghans from various sectors of the society and the de facto authorities - the first such meeting. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss pressing issues directly and to prepare the ground for further discussions. In an official statement released on Tuesday, the two sides "affirmed that Afghanistan is the common home of all Afghans, and emphasized that all Afghans need to work together for better political, economic and security outcomes in the country." The participants also agreed that cooperation is the only solution to Afghanistan's problems and expressed the hope that such meetings can be held in the interests of the country. On Monday, the US envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, arrived in Oslo to discuss a humanitarian situation in Afghanistan with European and US officials alongside Afghan civil society and leadership of the Taliban. The Afghan delegation, headed by the foreign minister of the interim Taliban government, Amir Khan Muttaqi, arrived in Norway a few days prior to deliberate on the provision of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and several other issues.(ANI) Raising concern about the resurgence of armed conflicts around the world, India on Tuesday noted the effect of urban warfare and terrorist attacks on cities that has impacted the lives of 50 million people globally. Speaking at a UN Security Council Open Debate, India's Permanent Ambassador to the UN, T S Tirumurti said people in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and Yemen have witnessed the devastation caused by urban conflicts. "According to the Secretary General's report, more than 50 million people were affected by conflict in urban areas. The use of explosive weapons, particularly those with wide-area effects, continues to expose civilians to a high risk of indiscriminate effects," the Indian envoy said during the debate on "Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Wars in cities - protection of civilians in urban settings." Citing the example of the 1971 genocide in erstwhile East Pakistan, Ambassador Tirumurti underlined how several countries are still reeling from military actions carried out in the past either. He expressed concern over the resurgence of armed conflicts around the world which has been further complicated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The use of explosive weapons, particularly those with wide-area effects, continues to expose civilians to a high risk of indiscriminate effects, said Ambassador Tirumuri. Further, Ambassador during his speech expressed concern that the parties to the armed conflicts seem to consider civilian population and civilian infrastructure as legitimate targets. Having suffered the scourge of cross-border terrorism for decades, India has always been at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts, he said while adding that India has witnessed dastardly terrorist attacks on our cities targeting innocent civilians. "Any debate on the protection of civilians in urban areas would be incomplete without taking into account the carnage wrought by terrorist forces, especially those backed by State actors. The dastardly terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008 which resulted in the killing of 166 innocent civilians of 15 nationalities are still a ghastly reminder to the entire international community." During his speech, Tirumurti urged the international community to stand firm on its opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and reject attempts to provide justifications for terrorist acts. Stating that India recognizes the importance of assisting countries that have suffered the destruction of urban infrastructure, he reminded how New Delhi assisted Sri Lanka in immediately restoring essential civilian infrastructures in the country after the end of the armed conflict in 2009. He also said India had also invested USD 3 billion in infrastructure and community development projects in Afghanistan. Concluding his speech, the Indian envoy added India is ready to support efforts towards strengthening the normative architecture for the protection of civilians, and provision of humanitarian assistance in armed conflict in urban areas. (ANI) "Today I was honored to swear in Nicholas Burns, our newly confirmed Ambassador to the People's Republic of China," Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said via Twitter. "Ambassador Burns will be a strong voice protecting and advancing US interests in our relationship with the PRC, and I look forward to working with him again." Burns' nomination was confirmed by the US Senate in December with a 75-18 vote. In October, Burns said during a confirmation hearing that China represents the greatest security threat to the US and the democratic world. Burns said that both countries should work on improving their communications in order to avert the possibility of a conflict and maintain regional peace. He promised to communicate directly with Chinese officials and to facilitate meetings with US counterparts, including President Joe Biden. However, Burns called on the Biden administration to scale up security cooperation and arms provisions to Taiwan to defend itself from China. Futhermore, Burns said China's ongoing nuclear weapons buildup, its development of hypersonic missile technology, and economic dominance should be matters of concern for Russia. (ANI) The iconic Little Village arch that welcomes visitors to the bustling 26th Street shopping district and acts as an important symbol for Chicagos Mexican immigrant community stands on the cusp of landmark status following a vote by aldermen Tuesday. The City Council Zoning Committee approved the landmark designation, setting it for approval by the full council Wednesday. Advertisement Local Ald. George Cardenas, 12th, has said he expects landmarking the two-story arch that spans 26th Street east of Kedzie Avenue will make it easier to secure funding to protect and repair it. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Advertisement The arch features a wrought-iron grille with a metal banner that reads, Bienvenidos a Little Village. It houses a mechanical clock. The Little Village arch in Chicago's Little Village as seen on Nov. 12, 2021. The arch welcomes visitors to the bustling 26th Street shopping district and acts as an important symbol for Chicagos Mexican immigrant community. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Speaking to the Zoning Committee Tuesday, Cardenas said it was high time the city is finally acknowledging contributions from phenomenal artists and architects like the late Mexican-born architect Adrian Lozano, who designed the arch, built in 1990. And Ald. Michael Rodriguez, 22nd, who represents much of the Little Village neighborhood, said the arch is a beacon of sorts for Mexican Americans throughout the Midwest who come to the area to shop, work and live. Rodriguez also noted the recent shooting death of 8-year-old Melissa Ortega, who was struck down Saturday by a stray bullet while walking with her mother on 26th Street about eight blocks west of the arch. Little Village has suffered from violence and from the impact of the COVID-19, Rodriguez said. But to cast a positive light on our neighborhood, and to look at the strengths and build off those strengths to address some of those issues, part of which is recognizing the architectural treasure and the economic impact that 26th Street has with the architectural treasure that the arch is, Rodriguez said. jebyrne@chicagotribune.com Twitter @_johnbyrne Political consultant Roger Stone, former President Donald Trump, and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images; Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images Donald Trump and his allies are facing a flurry of legal challenges this year. Investigations into his company's finances are ongoing, along with others related to January 6. Here are the dates to watch out for this year. Former President Donald Trump has had a number of surprising legal victories ever since he left the White House though his greatest potential battles are still looming. In November, Summer Zervos, who had accused Trump of sexual assault following her appearance on "The Apprentice," dropped her lawsuit against him before he was forced to sit for a deposition. At around the same time, a New York state judge dismissed a lawsuit from Michael Cohen seeking to have the Trump Organization reimburse his legal fees for work he did on Trump's behalf. But greater dangers loom. The Trump Organization is the subject of a sprawling investigation from the Manhattan district attorney's office and the New York attorney general's office into alleged financial misconduct. In Atlanta, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is weighing charges over his conduct in the 2020 election. Those investigations are proceeding as the Justice Department comes up on the five-year deadline to prosecute Trump over acts of possible obstruction that former Special Counsel Robert Mueller III scrutinized as part of his investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is sending a steady stream of Trump's White House records to the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. And Trump along with many of his allies face federal investigations and lawsuits stemming from the January 6 insurrection. Expect the judges in those cases to set court dates later this year. While Trump mulls whether to run for president again in 2024, 2022 is shaping up to be a year of legal headaches for the former president and his associates. Here's a timeline of the threats Trumpworld faces. Story continues April Former President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower in Manhattan on August 22, 2021, in New York City. James Devaney/GC Images April 15 The Trump Organization is required to meet this deadline to hand over a batch of outstanding discovery documents to the New York Attorney General's office for its investigation into potential financial misconduct. April 20 For the same case brought by the New York Attorney General's office, the Trump Organization needs to give the judge a progress report on how it's complying with subpoenas for other documents. April 25 Judge Arthur Engoron, who's overseeing the subpoena case between the New York Attorney General's office and Trump's company, is scheduled to hold a hearing to make sure all his orders have been complied with. May Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Getty May 2 Jury selection is scheduled to begin in a trial regarding a civil lawsuit brought by a group of protesters against the Trump Organization. The protesters sued in 2015, alleging the company's security guards roughed them up during a demonstration outside Trump Tower. A video of a deposition Trump was forced to take this past fall is expected to be shown at the trial as evidence. May 2 A special grand jury for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation into Trump will be empaneled on May 2 and continue for up to 12 months. This announcement on Monday comes after Willis formally requested to have a special grand jury that would give her the subpoena power to obtain documents and compel witnesses to testify. May 6 Federal prosecutors need to meet this deadline to respond to Stephen Bannon's motion to dismiss the charges against him for refusing to comply with subpoenas from the House of Representatives January 6 Committee. After allowing Bannon to respond, the judge is expected to rule whether the charges can stick and when to set a trial. May 10 Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is scheduled to give a deposition for a lawsuit brought by a group of people who say the Trump Organization pushed an alleged pyramid scheme. May 12 Eric Trump is scheduled to give his own deposition for the same lawsuit. Ivanka Trump will also be required to testify, though her deposition date hasn't yet been finalized. Their father is set to testify the following month. May 13 A federal judge has ordered the government to provide a status report on the cooperation of Joel Greenberg, a former Gaetz associate who has pleaded guilty to federal sex trafficking charges. Greenberg could potentially be a key witness in the Justice Department investigation into Gaetz, one of Trump's most loyal supporters. He'd been scheduled to be sentenced in March but his attorney requested a delay while his client continues to answer federal investigators' questions. May 20 The Manhattan District Attorney's office has until this date to respond to motions from the Trump Organization and Allen Weisselberg to dismiss the criminal charges against them. It'll be an opportunity to lay down any new evidence they've gathered since filing the indictment last July, as well as to dispel reports that the investigation is faltering. June Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis walks past boxes of criminal case files at her office in Atlanta on Feb. 24, 2021. AP Photo/John Bazemore June Willis told the Associated Press in January that she is expecting to decide whether to charge Trump in Fulton County, Georgia, by the first half of 2022. June 16 Two days after his birthday, Trump is scheduled to sit for his deposition in the lawsuit brought by plaintiffs alleging the Trump Organization pushed a pyramid scheme. As Insider's Yelena Dzhanova reported, they sued after saying they lost thousands of dollars from joining a company called ACN and trying to sell its telephones with video capabilities. June 29 Litigants will get to see a copy of Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" tapes. June 29 marks the deadline of discovery for the ACN case. While Trump, in "Celebrity Apprentice," vouched for the ACN Videophone, litigants are trying to figure out if other footage shot for the show demonstrated otherwise. ACN lost an attempt to bring the case to arbitration, and a jury trial is expected to be scheduled for late 2022 or 2023. July Steve Bannon speaks to the press on his way out of federal court in Washington, D.C., on November 15, 2021. Drew Angerer/Getty Images) July 7 Prosecutors and Roger Stone, one of Trump's longtime political advisors, have to meet this deadline for a civil case in which the US Attorney's Office in Florida alleged Stone failed to pay $2 million in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties. July 12 The New York State Supreme Court will hold a hearing in the Manhattan District Attorney's criminal case against the Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg, who's become more marginalized within the company following the indictment from last July. The status conference is expected to update the public on how Trump Organization lawyers are reviewing the 6 million pages of discovery material for the case, in which the Manhattan District Attorney's office alleges the company and executive dodged millions of dollars in taxes. The judge has also signaled he wants to hold a trial before the end of 2022. July 18 Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, is expected to go on trial in Washington, D.C. Bannon is facing two criminal charges over defying a congressional subpoena. The Justice Department formally charged him in November 2021 after he refused to comply with a subpoena handed down from the House Select Committee that is investigating the January 6 riot. September Thomas Barrack. Alex Wong/Getty Images September 7 Tom Barrack, the chairman of Trump's 2017 inaugural committee, is set to stand trial in September on charges he secretly acted as an agent of the United Arab Emirates. Barrack was charged in July with using his access to Trump to advance the United Arab Emirates' foreign-policy goals and later misleading federal investigators about his activities in a 2019 interview. The indictment of the top Trump fundraiser marked an escalation of the Justice Department's crackdown in recent years on covert foreign influence. Barrack's legal team is headlined by Daniel Petrocelli, a partner at the law firm O'Melveny & Myers who previously represented Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling and, more recently, defended AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner Inc. against a Justice Department antitrust challenge. September 26 The Trump Organization and Donald Trump's 2016 inaugural fund are expected to go to trial for a lawsuit brought by Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine alleging they misused nonprofit funds. A precise trial date has not been set. In November, Trump notched a partial win when the judge dismissed part of the suit, but other elements of the case such as the attorney general's claim that the committee illegally misused funds will be moving forward. But on February 15, another judge reversed that decision, reinstating the Trump Organization as a defendant. November Trump ally Roger Stone is auctioning off a non-fungible token of an autograph addressed to him by former President Donald Trump. Stone Cold Collection/Roger Stone November 7 Trump's longtime political advisor Roger Stone is scheduled to go to trial in federal court in Florida over allegations that he failed to pay $2 million in taxes, as well as interest and penalties for the unpaid sum. Read the original article on Business Insider (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore) SINGAPORE Four men were charged on Tuesday (25 January) for breaching COVID-19 curbs at Clarke Quay on New Year's Eve. The four, aged between 19 and 22, are William Alexander Brooks-Potts, Verma Pulkit, Kotra Venkata Sai Rohankrishna and Harjaz Singh. Their nationalities were not stated in their charge sheets. Each man was given two charges. These are for failing to wear a mask over their noses and mouths while outside Riverside Point near Read Bridge, at around midnight on 1 January, and for failing to keep a safe distance of at least one metre from other individuals while in a public place. Kotra faces an extra charge of attending a gathering while dressed in a Spider-Man costume. He is said to have attended the gathering with three others, and to have interacted with about 20 other individuals to record video interviews and take photographs. Each were handed charges under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. Verma and Singh are expected to be given one more charge, also related to social gatherings, when they return to court. The four cases will return to court on 8 February. If convicted, each man can be jailed up to six months, and/or fined up to $10,000. Another four who also breached measures were served notices of composition of $1,000 each, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) earlier. During the New Year's Eve celebration, the crowd at the Clarke Quay reportedly grew too large for police officers at the scene to control. In early January, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force on COVID-19 (MTF), said that enforcement agencies are combing through CCTV footage of the spontaneous gathering at Clarke Quay, and different individuals will be called in for "interviews". Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Good morning, Memphis, where we could see a quarterback battle for the Tigers in the spring and coach Ryan Silverfield is all for it, saying he loves competition. But, first, the late Memphis rapper Young Dolphs label, Paper Route Empire, released a mew musical tribute featuring some of his closest friends, collaborators and proteges, our Bob Mehr reports. Long Live Dolph, an eight-track tribute, features songs from Big Moochie Grape, Kenny Muney, Jay Fizzle, Joddy Badass, Snupe Bandz, PaperRoute Woo and Chitana. The digital release comes just two months after Dolphs murder in November. Earlier this month, three suspects were arrested in connection with the killing. Bob Rolfe, commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, speaks Tuesday at Shelby Farms as Ford Motor Company celebrates their announced $5.6 billion investment to create an industrial campus about 50 miles northeast of Memphis to produce electric trucks and electric vehicle batteries. Q&A with Tennessee economic commissioner Ford Motor Co.s project, Blue Oval City, is expected to create about 5,800 jobs in an electric truck and battery-manufacturing complex in 2025. Our Omer Yusuf speaks with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe to discuss the areas workforce, South Korean company SK Innovations role and how the Haywood County project can transform West Tennessee. The good news here is that we have lead time, for the sake of this conversation, two years to make sure that we adequately prepare the workforce and the numbers and the skillsets required to make sure the project is successful, Rolfe said in his Q&A with Omer. What were probably most excited about is the quality of wages that will be available to West Tennessee and the contiguous states. (Not a subscriber? You can get a digital subscription and get access to all the premium stories mentioned in today's 901. You can get the best deals here.) The Parke at Houston Levee, a mixed-use project on the west side of Houston Levee Road North of Tennessee 385, will feature about 150 acres of single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, hotels, medical and business offices, retail and commercial spaces, supermarkets and fuel stations. Plans for the Parke at Houston Levee development Collierville could see more homes, hotels, and retail spots with The Parke at Houston Levee Development project. The Parke at Houston Levee features about 150 acres of single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, hotels, medical and business offices, retail and commercial spaces, supermarkets and fuel stations, our Dima Amro reports. Story continues "Presenting our western most gateway into Collierville, this limited access intersection has the potential to both set the tone for first impressions of our town as well as leverage the location to generate a substantial tax base for the town," developers Township Development Services said in a letter to Assistant Town Planner Nancy Boatwright. The plan will face the board of mayor and aldermen Feb. 28. Ayoka Pond, left, Demetria Lay, center, and Jala Cox, right, speak about sewing items available for kids to use on the table in front of them Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, during the grand opening of a a Best Buy Teen Tech Center in South Memphis. The center allows middle and high school aged kids to explore technology related to fashion, programming, photography, music production and recording and film. Best Buy Teen Tech Center to bridge the digital divide A Best Buy Teen Tech Center opened in South Memphis as a place for middle and high school students to get hands-on experience to explore their interest in the digital field. The center allows them to practice with programming, photography, filmmaking, music production and recording, and fashion and accessory design, our Astrid Kayembe reports. The centers are meant "to bridge the digital divide by giving youth access to tech education opportunities, relationships that help to build confidence, and a foundation for school and career success." The view from the cockpit of a Cessna model 172 over Olive Branch, Miss. on a lesson from Air Venture Flight Center on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Olive Branch Airport looks to expand The city of Olive Branch is working with the Mississippi Legislature to receive some federal funding to grow the Olive Branch Airport, our Gina Butkovich reports. Expanding the airport goes hand in hand with the growth Olive Branch needs, said Ken Adams the citys mayor. "Not necessarily with flying components and widgets and boxes out like cargo, but it ties into corporate staff and executives coming in and out to view their businesses and flying from one warehouse location to another, that all ties together," Adams said. Katrina Robinson walks into a press conference following her conviction on wire fraud charges on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. Full Senate to take up expulsion of Sen. Katrina Robinson The full state Senate will take up the fate of Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, on Feb. 2 and weigh whether to expel her from the chamber following her conviction on federal fraud charges, our Adam Friedman reports. The announcement comes days after a Senate Ethics Committee determined Robinson violated the body's code of ethics and recommended she be stripped of her position. Robinson requested the committee delay last week's hearing so her attorney could join, while she continued to argue her federal case had not yet concluded, despite her conviction. Robinson awaits a March sentencing. Memphis Tigers quarterback Seth Henigan throws the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Will Memphis football see another quarterback battle? Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield said freshman quarterback Seth Henigan told him hes staying at Memphis as long as Silverfield remains coach, but the coach also said Grant Gunnell plans to stay and is preparing for spring practice. (Grant) talks quite often about how much he loves Memphis and the people here. He plans on being here competing and fighting and he wants to battle for a starting job. I'm all for it, I love competition. Silverfield said on the Jason & John" show on 92.9FM. Silverfield's message of a quarterback battle adds intrigue to an offense in transition where quarterback, for now, is the only strong constant, our Evan Barnes reports. The 901 was written by Ray Padilla, the digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Ray_Padilla_. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: Paper Route Empire releases musical tribute for Young Dolph 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 TODAY meteorologist Dylan Dreyer could not have forecasted a cuter welcome home from oldest son, Cal, after her first day back to work. The mom of three, who gave birth to her son, Rusty, in September, returned to her TODAY family on the 3rd hour on Monday. Upon returning home from studio 1A, Dylan posted a sweet snap of son Cal holding a homemade sign with a heartfelt message waiting for her at home. "My first day back to work either got me a 'Good God, Mom' or a 'Good "Job, Mom'. His smile says its the second one!" she captioned the photo, alongside #thanksbuddy. Earlier in the day, Dylan had shared her excitement to be back to work with a carousel of photos showing her hugging TODAY colleagues posted to Instagram. So many hugs!!!, she captioned the photos. Oh how I missed my @todayshowfamily. It feels good to get right back into the swing of things!! Dylan and husband Brian Fichera are now parents to three boys, Calvin, 5, and Oliver, 2, and Rusty, almost 4 months. The now family of five welcomed Russell Rusty James Fichera into the fold on Wednesday, Sept. 29, six weeks before his expected due date. Before returning back to her role at TODAY, Dylan reflected on her maternity leave on social media. "As I prepare to go back to work in a week, Im baffled by where the time has gone," she wrote in an Instagram caption. "I know time will keep flying by so Im soaking in every second and loving every minute of it. Im also so lucky that I get to go back to a job I love and my kids get to see me loving what I do and working hard. A multistate effort to crack down on large technology companies got underway Monday as the attorney general from the District of Columbia sued Google over shady user-tracking tactics, with AGs from Indiana, Texas and Washington preparing to follow suit. For years, the search giant offered privacy settings that appeared to give people control over data, such as location information. The AGs believe they amounted to false promises and allege that from 2014 to 2019, the company undertook dark patterns designed to manipulate or push users into giving up location data anyway. More from WWD Google uses tricks to continuously seek to track a users location, explained Karl A. Racine, D.C.s attorney general, who described the bipartisan suit as an overdue enforcement action against a flagrant violator of privacy and the laws of our states. Online advertising platforms rely on user-tracking to target ads, a key practice in what has become big business across social, search and video. Noting historic gains in digital ad spending, eMarketer expects even greater growth this year that will break more than $500 billion. With that much at stake, platforms arent likely to stop tracking users entirely. But as pressure mounts over privacy concerns, the focus hones in on transparency. The goal is to make people aware of such features and give them control over the settings. The D.C. lawsuit filed Monday said Google has powerful financial incentive to make that hard for consumers. It alleged that the company engaged in deceptive actions that misled people into thinking that turning off location settings would keep their whereabouts private. Yet, even when consumers explicitly opted out of location tracking by turning location history off, Google nevertheless recorded consumers locations via other means, the filing argued. Although Web & App Activity setting is automatically enabled for all Google accounts, the companys disclosures during Google account creation did not mention or draw consumers attention to the setting until 2018. Story continues The suit also described dark patterns to sway user behavior, such as warning that turning off location sharing would compromise the functionality of some apps. In a statement to the media, Google denied the accusations and pointed to updates in recent years to offer more transparency, simplicity and control over location settings. The Attorneys General are bringing a case based on inaccurate claims and outdated assertions about our settings, said Google spokesman Jose Castaneda. We have always built privacy features into our products and provided robust controls for location data. We will vigorously defend ourselves and set the record straight. Google has faced lawsuits over privacy and advertising practices before, though the latest case comes amid a more recent and broader effort to hold large technology companies accountable. Google parent Alphabet, Apple, Facebooks Meta, Amazon and others have been facing increasing scrutiny over acquisitions, app store policies, marketplace behavior and many other issues, which may lead to greater regulation over how Big Tech operates. Alec Baldwin speaks during the 2021 RFK Ripple Of Hope Gala at New York Hilton Midtown on December 09, 2021 in New York City. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Alec Baldwin fired a gun on the set of "Rust," killing a cinematographer and injuring the director. Script supervisor Mamie Mitchell alleges in her lawsuit that she was injured during the shooting. Attorneys for the defendants claim that Mamie Mitchell has no grounds to sue in California. On Monday, lawyers for Alec Baldwin, production companies, and individuals involved with the production of "Rust" asked Judge Michael E. Whitaker to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell over the fatal shooting that occurred on the film's set in October. Mitchell, who was standing four feet away when Baldwin fired the Colt .45 revolver, alleged the movie script never required the actor to fire the shot that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, according to the lawsuit. She also alleged that she sustained injuries from the incident and is suing for assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and deliberate infliction of harm. However, attorneys for the defendants disputed Mitchell's case for suing their clients for monetary damages in California. Because her allegations are related to a workplace accident, attorneys claimed in the filing that Mitchell should pursue a legal remedy under worker's compensation law in New Mexico, where the Western was being filmed, not in civil court in California. "Despite no apparent physical injury, plaintiff raced to the courthouse in California, without providing the notice in New Mexico required for a worker's compensation claim, apparently to get her claim in front of any potential claims by the two individuals who were hit by the live round," the defendants' lawyers said in the filing. "It is difficult to ascertain from her allegations what injury she could actually have suffered, but what is clear is that she should not be permitted to assert any such claim in this Court." Story continues Judge Whitaker will preside over a hearing on February 24 to determine whether or not to dismiss Mitchell's lawsuit, according to court documents. Attorneys representing Mitchell, including high-profile lawyer Gloria Allred, told Insider that they believe the case should be allowed to proceed and defendants are "trying to avoid explaining their conduct before a judge and a jury in a court of law." Insider has also reached out to representatives of the defendants for comment. Read the original article on Insider The US expects to lift relationship with Vietnam The United States attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership with Vietnam and wants to raise bilateral relationship to a higher level. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung hold phone talks with US diplomats on January 25. , US Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs. Kurt Campbell and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink made the affirmation during their phone talks with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung on January 25. They all shared the view that the US Vietnam comprehensive partnership has developed substantially in recent times, bringing practical benefits to the two peoples and actively contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. Dung suggested that in order to further deepen bilateral relations, the two countries should strengthen contact and dialogue, especially at high-level, to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation within the framework of the Trade & Investment Framework Agreement. He highly appreciated the US increasing the budget for addressing wartime consequences, establishing a regional office of the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in Hanoi during Vice President Kamala Harris visit to Vietnam, as well as undertaking US invested projects in the country. He expressed his wish that the US would continue to give priority to supporting Vietnam in the areas of education - training, health care, humanitarian, digital economy, and climate change among others. Both Campbell and Kritenbrink expressed delight at Vietnams continued implementation of its commitments in the Action Plan towards a harmonious and sustainable trade. They also highly appreciated Vietnams strong commitment to reducing net emissions to zero by 2050 at the 26th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26) and affirmed the US will continue to strengthen cooperation and support developing countries, including Vietnam, in responding to climate change. On this occasion, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung hoped that the US would continue to strengthen comprehensive, sustainable and inclusive cooperation with the region, support the intra-regional solidarity and the central role of ASEAN, and further promote the ASEAN - US Strategic Partnership, as well as the Mekong - US Partnership. The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the East Sea issue. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral forums, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, security and development in the region and the rest of the world. Aldermen took the rare stance this week of refusing to pay a negotiated settlement in a lawsuit related to police conduct in this case to a woman whose son was shot and killed by officers after she called 911 because he was threatening her with a knife. The City Council Finance Committee deadlocked 13-13 Monday on the proposed $125,000 settlement for Lenora Bonds, meaning the Finance Committee will report to the full City Council that it should not approve the deal Wednesday. Advertisement Bonds argued in her suit that the Police Departments crisis intervention team training was inadequate, city lawyer Victoria Benson told aldermen, and if they had been better prepared, the situation could have been handled without her son, Terrance Harris, winding up dead. Police shot Harris 29 times, Benson said. Advertisement Chicago aldermen declined to advance a settlement proposal in a 2013 police shooting. A Chicago police vehicle is shown with Willis Tower in the background this month. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) But several aldermen said it sounded like the responding officers did their best in a difficult situation. Four officers went to Bonds home in October 2013 after she called 911 and said Harris was off his medication and threatening her with a knife, Benson said Monday. Harris opened the door and stabbed a sergeant, who had received crisis intervention training, in the face before retreating into the home and locking the door. Three other officers eventually got in the house, where they said Harris lunged at them with two knives in the basement. All three officers opened fire on Harris, Benson said. So there was a CIT officer. He was stabbed in the face, Southwest Side Ald. Silvana Tabares said Monday. This is a justified but unfortunate situation. Settling sends a bad message to police officers when they have to make these split-second decisions. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Benson said the city was recommending the settlement because going to trial and litigating the specifics of the Police Departments crisis intervention training program circa 2013 could result in Bonds receiving a larger payment. She also noted Bonds had left the house and Harris was the only person still inside when the three officers entered and shot him. So the question will be was it necessary for them to have done so at that time, given that the individual who had called for police had exited the home, Benson said. Advertisement The cost of police cases has been astronomical for Chicago. From 2004 through 2019, the city spent about $760 million on settlements, losses at trial and other payouts in police cases, and the number has only grown in the years since. That includes civil rights cases, as well as car crash claims, racial discrimination complaints and sexual harassment suits, among other legal matters. Aldermen almost always approve settlements recommended by the Law Department in suits against the city, though they have grown more restive in recent years thanks to an increasing awareness of how much the deals cost, and a reluctance among politicians to take votes that add to the total. Some aldermen have also grown more vocal in their support of the police, and have voted against settlements as a way of backing officers who they say face difficult choices in dealing with rampant violence. Also Monday, the Finance Committee unanimously approved a $14 million settlement to be shared by two men who spent a combined 43 years behind bars after they said they were tortured by police detectives with ties to disgraced late Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge until they confessed to a murder they didnt commit. The proposed settlement for Kevin Bailey and Corey Batchelor comes four years after a Cook County special prosecutor dropped charges against the two, and a judge tossed out their convictions. The full council will consider their payment Wednesday. Advertisement jebyrne@chicagotribune.com Twitter @_johnbyrne A right-wing broadcaster famous for his embrace of wild conspiracies on a startling range of topics said on Monday that he exercised his Fifth Amendment rights to avoid answering nearly 100 questions asked by the January 6 committee during his testimony to the panel. Alex Jones told listeners on Mondays live recording of The Alex Jones Show that he wanted to answer the committees questions, many of which he said seemed valid, but could not as he worried that his political enemies on the panel like Rep Adam Schiff would try to accuse him of perjury for getting details wrong. But I said this, my lawyer told me, almost 100 times ..: On advice of counsel, I am asserting my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. And the media tells you thats because youre guilty, or because youre going to incriminate yourself. But its also just because it can be used to incriminate you and try to twist [what you said], said Mr Jones. He then went on to accuse Mr Schiff of having a history of changing the words of witnesses to serve his political goals; the California Democrat was recently criticised by Republicans for reading a text sent by Rep Jim Jordan during a hearing of the January 6 committee while omitting that Mr Jordan was quoting a legal argument he had read online. Mr Jones sued the January 6 committee in December in an attempt to get the committee to stop chasing his phone records; he has yet to see any success in those legal efforts. During Mondays broadcast, he also falsely implied that the committee was improperly formed, a popular argument among Republicans who ignore that the GOP House leadership withdrew all of its nominations to the panel after just two, one of whom is now a material witness in the probe were rejected. The controversial InfoWars host went through a bruising public legal battle over custody of his children in 2017, and last year suffered a major legal defeat when a judge ruled that he was required to pay damages to families of children slain in the Sandy Hook attack who argued that Mr Joness conspiratorial ravings about the shooting being a false flag attack led them to be harassed while they grieved the loss of their loved ones. Story continues Mr Joness show now broadcasts on its own website as well as a site titled Banned.video after it was pushed off YouTube, Apple, and other platforms in 2018. The broadcaster led a march with supporters in DC on the day of January 6, but is not accused of entering the building at any time and has not been cited for any criminal activity. He remains one of dozens of Trump supporters and allies of the former president who have testified before the committee in recent weeks as the investigation continues into various aspects of the January 6 attack including (but not limited to) the hosting of two Stop the Steal-themed rallies around Washington on the day of the attack. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected 32 petitions filed by Oklahoma Attorney General John OConnor asking justices to revisit their 2020 decision that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation was never disestablished. Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said the courts action establishes a new level of certainty and finality to the decision in the McGirt v Oklahoma case and the related cases affirming five other reservations in Oklahoma. The dismissal of the petitions followed the high courts brief order on Friday saying it would not consider the state of Oklahomas arguments that the McGirt case should be reversed but would examine a narrow question of criminal jurisdiction in Indian country. The state has filed several other petitions that the court has not acted upon, but a pattern has been set: Petitions only seeking the reversal of McGirt have been rejected, but the court has held onto those petitions that also raise the question of whether the state shares jurisdiction with the federal government in cases in which a non-Indian is accused of a crime against a Native American in Indian country. More: Stitt again blasts McGirt ruling, saying Martin Luther King Jr. might be 'disgusted' by decision This June 8 photo shows the Supreme Court in Washington. There are at least five such cases before the court, including ones involving first- and second-degree murder committed by non-Indians. Anoatubby said Monday, This mornings order establishes a new level of certainty and finality. It makes clear that our treaties and reservation continue in accord with the Constitution and other federal law. We will continue our work to make sure our communities are the strongest, healthiest, and most secure they can be. We are confident that together, we can overcome most any challenge we face, and we look forward to partnering with those who bring that same spirit to the task." The court agreed Friday to hear the case of Victor Manuel Castro-Huerta, who was convicted in Tulsa County District Court of child neglect and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals reversed his conviction because the victim was Cherokee and the crime occurred on the Cherokee reservation. The court rejected the state's argument that it has concurrent jurisdiction over non-Indians in cases involving Native American victims in Indian country. Story continues The Supreme Court said it would hear oral arguments in April in the case. A decision may come sometime this summer. More: Supreme Court lets McGirt stand, will address related question Hill says state efforts 'unfruitful' The high court in 2020 examined numerous treaties between the U.S. government and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and bills approved by Congress before Oklahoma became a state in 1907 and ruled that the tribes reservation was never disestablished. The 5-4 decision came in the case of convicted child rapist Jimcy McGirt, who argued that he was wrongly tried in state court because he is Native American and the crimes were committed on the Creek reservation. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, citing the McGirt decision, affirmed the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Quapaw and Seminole reservations last year, meaning most of eastern Oklahoma and some counties in central Oklahoma qualify as Indian country. Under federal law, crimes involving Native Americans in Indian country must be prosecuted by federal or tribal courts. Since tribal courts have no jurisdiction over non-Indians, U.S. attorneys prosecute cases with non-Indian perpetrators and Native American victims in Indian country. Gov. Kevin Stitt claims the McGirt decision has created chaos in Oklahoma and threatens the states taxation and regulatory authority. A federal judge ruled last month that, under McGirt, the state no longer has authority to regulate surface mining in eastern Oklahoma. In a statement Friday, Stitt said the fallout of the McGirt decision has been destructive and that law enforcement had been hamstrung in half the state. Muskogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill said Monday that the courts rejection of 32 state petitions should end the State of Oklahomas long, unfruitful campaign of litigation that has come at the cost of untold millions of taxpayer dollars and has diverted resources away from properly implementing the sovereignty ruling for the benefit of all who live and work in the Mvskoke Reservation. The petitions rejected involved cases that were overturned by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals in the wake of the McGirt decision, But federal or tribal prosecutors filed their own charges in the cases. Anoatubby said, The Chickasaw Nation executive, legislative and judicial departments have responsibly met our criminal justice duties. We have deepened our intergovernmental partnerships to protect public safety and maintain law and order. We will continue to do this work with the commitment to service we bring to all our efforts. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Anoatubby cites 'finality' as high court rejects 32 McGirt petitions Actor Alec Baldwin and the producers of "Rust" have asked a California judge to dismiss a script supervisor's lawsuit, Deadline.com reported. "Rust" script supervisor Mamie Mitchell filed a lawsuit against Baldwin and film producers in November in relation to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchinson on the movie set. "Nothing about Plaintiff's allegations suggest that any of Defendants, including Mr. Baldwin, intended the Prop Gun to be loaded with live ammunition," the defendants said in their motion to dismiss. "Moreover, nothing about Plaintiff's allegations suggests any of the Defendants knew the Prop Gun contained live ammunition." Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP attorneys, who are representing Baldwin and the film's producers, have requested a hearing next month before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Whitaker to dismiss Mitchell's case. The attorneys for the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who is the center of the Santa Fe Sheriff Office's probe into the incident, have suggested that the prop gun may have been tampered with, noting that the film set had other safety and labor issues. Earlier this month Gutierrez Reed filed a lawsuit against the film's so-called armorer/mentor Seth Kenney and his company, PDQ Arm and Prop, Deadline.com noted. (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp is bringing employees back to offices in parts of the United States where new COVID-19 cases have started to decline, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. The company had earlier encouraged employees to work remotely during the first three weeks of January, after a big spike in COVID-19 cases forced several large U.S. banks to pause return-to-office plans. Like its peers, Bank of America has pushed employees to get fully vaccinated and has hosted on-site vaccine booster clinics for staff across the country. Bank of America is not the only large bank to have asked employees to return to office - in January, rival lender Citigroup also asked employees in the New York City region to return to office in early February. (Reporting by Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath) President Biden on Tuesday said there will be no American forces moving into Ukraine as tensions flare over the urgent threat of a Russian military incursion. "There is not going to be any American forces moving into Ukraine," Biden told reporters. The U.S. and its allies have warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent as Moscow has amassed at least 100,000 troops near its border with Kyiv. Biden's comments come a day after the Pentagon announced on Monday that it is readying up to 8,500 troops to potentially deploy to Eastern Europe. Most of those troops would help the NATO Response Force, a multinational force that the alliance could deploy on short notice. That force has not yet been activated. Asked about what would lead to the deployment of the 8,500 troops, Biden said it depends on "what Putin does or doesn't do." "It's not provocative," the president said, pointing to concerns among NATO allies in Eastern Europe about Russia's troop buildup. "Everyone from Poland on has a reason to be concerned about what would happen and what spillover effects could occur," he said. "We have no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine. But ... there are going to be serious economic consequences if he moves." Biden previously said sending troops directly into Ukraine was "not on the table" but said an invasion would cause the U.S. to bolster NATO's defenses. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg similarly said Tuesday that the alliance would not be sending combat troops to Ukraine. "NATO will not deploy NATO combat troops to Ukraine," Stoltenberg told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday. "But we need to be sure that there is no misunderstanding about our readiness, our commitment to protect and defend all allies, especially in the eastern part of the alliance," he continued. One person was fatally stabbed in the fight early on Tuesday (January 25) before the venue was set on fire with 18 people trapped inside, a police official said. "Fights among youths in cities are normal, but that it has caused so many deaths, that is a first," Adam Erwini, a spokesman for West Papua police, told local media. He added that the deadly incident at the entertainment venue in Sorong was still under investigation, and it was unclear if the death toll would rise. Separately, Dedi Prasetyo, a spokesman for Indonesia's national police said the brawl was between two rival gangs from the neighboring island of Maluku. BNSF Railway, one of the countrys largest freight companies, has asked a federal court to block thousands of union members who help transport agricultural and industrial goods nationwide from striking over a change in attendance policy set to take effect Feb. 1. Both sides were in court Monday, but U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman of the Northern Texas District didnt rule on the motion seeking a temporary restraining order. In its lawsuit, BNSF said the two unions representing 17,000 workers would be in breach of their obligations because the nature of the dispute doesnt rise to a level that would justify a work stoppage. BNSF characterized the disagreement as a minor dispute over the interpretation of existing rights under its collective bargaining agreements with the unions, which means the matter must be resolved by negotiation or arbitration, not by striking, according to court records. Any disruption of BNSFs operations would therefore have a serious impact on interstate and international commerce, the company said in the Jan. 13 court filing. The freight rail company hauled 4 million carloads of industrial products and agricultural commodities in 2020, according to company officials. Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers have threatened to strike if the policy goes into effect next week. They claim the new policy constitutes a unilateral change and a violation of their collective bargaining agreements that could be considered a major dispute. Neither the company nor the unions have publicly disclosed exactly what the changes are. But the unions said on their websites that the new policy is a points-based system that penalizes employees who in many cases have no assigned days off whenever they take time off. This unprecedented BNSF policy repudiates direct and clear contract language, and in application, will attempt to force our members to report for duty without regard for their medical condition as we struggle to come out of a pandemic, union presidents Dennis Pierce and Jeremy Ferguson said in a joint statement. Story continues They said the changes also conflict with collective bargaining agreements the railway has with other unions. BNSF, which has more than 30,000 employees, operates more than 30,000 miles of track in 28 states while serving thousands of industrial and commercial customers, dozens of whom have no other access to rail transportation, according to court records. Workers play key roles in ensuring the safe movement of more than 1,000 daily trains, the documents said. BNSF said in court papers that a strike would deprive shippers of transportation, hurt revenue, threaten the safety of the general public, force other employees out of work and cause immediate and substantial schedule disruptions. BNSF said that it has a long history of unilaterally changing practices and standards governing attendance and that it has periodically done so dating back a few decades, according to court documents. For example, in 1999, BNSF adopted a policy requiring train service employees to be available for a certain number of days a month, and failing to do so would lead to disciplinary actions, company officials said in court records. Unions fought that decision, claiming the disagreement was a "major dispute," but a court ruled it "minor" and sent it to arbitration, the company said in court records. Those policy modifications extend a practice of more than two decades of BNSF unilaterally modifying and adopting attendance standards to meet the ever-changing needs of service, the company said. A strike could occur at any time prior to or after implementation of the new attendance program. A convicted gunrunner accused of escaping from custody while attending his brothers funeral has been arrested, authorities announced Monday. Bruce Berrier was arrested without incident Saturday at the Jewel-Osco in Glendale Heights and on Sunday was ordered held without bail, DuPage County prosecutors said. He was charged with escape or violation of electronic monitoring, failure to return to a penal institution, criminal damage to government property, and indirect criminal contempt of court. Advertisement Over prosecutors objections, Berrier, 23, formerly of Villa Park, had been released from DuPage County Jail Jan. 11 to attend his brothers funeral. He was fitted with an electronic GPS monitoring device and ordered to return by 2 p.m. But that afternoon, prosecutors said, Berrier failed to return and cut off the device, which was later found at Arlington Cemetery in Elmhurst. Berrier was serving a 10-year sentence after pleading guilty to felony gunrunning. He was scheduled for arraignment on the new charges Feb. 14 before Judge Mike Reidy. Advertisement In September, an undercover officer with the North Central Narcotics Task Force had contacted Berrier by Snapchat about buying a gun from him. The agent bought a .22-caliber firearm and ammunition from him, and subsequently bought three more guns from him, prosecutors said. DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said such illegally purchased guns often end up being used in violent crimes. The approximately five-year-old animal was found weak, malnourished, and unable to fly in November last year in the Municipality of Huancapampa, close to Bolivia's capital La Paz. Veterinarians at the Vesty Pakos Biopark helped the condor to recover, later release him into its natural habitat. Authorities equipped the condor with a GPS device to track its movements in the future. blower 2602 Fixed penalty notices for breaching the Governments coronavirus regulations will not usually show up on an individuals criminal record if they pay any fine issued within 28 days. There is no formal process to appeal or dispute fixed penalty notices without going to court or refusing to pay the fine. For most people, the main way of arguing that a notice was wrongly issued is to be prosecuted in court for the offence and to mount a defence. However, if an individual is not successful in justifying their defence, this will result in a conviction, a criminal record and the need to pay any fine awarded by the court. A report by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights said it would seem likely that for most people, the stress of a criminal prosecution combined with the significant life impacts of a criminal conviction would mean they would rather receive a Covid fixed penalty notice - even an "unjustified" one - than attempt to contest it. Throughout the pandemic, the Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed all cases where a person decided to contest or not pay a fixed penalty notice and was prosecuted in open court. However, since June 3 2020, many cases have not reached open court and have therefore not been reviewed by the CPS. While those who decide to pay the fixed penalty notice avoid the risk of a criminal record, they could still find it much more challenging to travel and immigrate to a number of countries around the world. United States Boris Johnson may find it harder to visit the Oval Office if he is fined for a coronavirus rule breach - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire If Boris Johnson is arrested, he may find it much harder to travel to the United States. The US Embassy in the UK does not recommend travellers who have ever been arrested to attempt to travel to America under the countrys visa waiver programme, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction. Our advice is that if you have ever been arrested, cautioned or convicted, you apply for a visa, the embassy says. The UKs Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to US visa law and spent convictions, regardless of when they occurred, will have a bearing on a travellers eligibility for admission into the US. Story continues However, an individual should still be able to travel to the US if they are issued with a Covid fixed penalty notice without being arrested. Advice from the embassy states that people with similar minor traffic offences which did not result in an arrest or conviction may travel visa free. British citizens travelling visa-free to the United States are still required to fill out the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form. Having previously renounced his US citizenship, Boris Johnson would be required to answer the questions on the form, which include: "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime that resulted in serious damage to property, or serious harm to another person or government authority?" A crime that results in serious harm to government authority is considered to be one involving moral turpitude. However, organising a party at Downing Street is unlikely to qualify as one, despite the harm to the Governments standing, as it usually does not apply to crimes where the maximum possible prison sentence is less than 12 months. Australia Boris Johnson outside the Sydney Opera House when he was foreign secretary. Even if he is fined for Covid rule breaches, Australia is still likely to consider him as someone of 'good character' - Dan Himbrechts/Getty Images In order to be granted a visa to travel to Australia, an individual must be deemed of good character. Australia's Department of Home Affairs states that good character generally refers to the enduring moral qualities of a person. While Australian government guidance states that applicants must tell the department about any convictions you may have had in Australia or overseas, it says that offences similar to fixed penalty notices like traffic infringements are not considered to be a conviction. And even the existence of a criminal record does not mean that an individual will automatically be assessed as not being of good character. Books for baking that are new in the past year include volumes on sweet applications for sourdough, modern cookies, cakes of all sorts, Southern baking and baked goods from morning to night. Judging by cookbook sales, America's baking obsession hasn't let up, nor was it just a pandemic-lockdown thing. Sales of printed baking books were up 42% from October 2020 to October 2021, according to the NPD Group, the market research firm. That's in line with ever-growing viewing for "The Great British Baking Show" on Netflix, among other baking shows and videos, and robust sales of baking pans and tools, the group noted. And it's not just a pre-vaccine dalliance, NPD suggested; baking book sales have been climbing for 10 years, and bakeware sales, though not as strong as the pandemic's early days, are up from the Before Times of 2019. Kristen McLean, books industry analyst for NPD, observed at the time of the group's finding that people were baking to fill their hours but found they enjoyed the creativity. They turned to books as well as streaming services and social media for inspiration, and she doesn't expect that to stop. Here's a look at some of the books published in the past year that can supply the inspiration bakers are looking for: "The Sweet Side of Sourdough," by Caroline Schiff, looks beyond savory bread for activated and discarded sourdough starter. "The Sweet Side of Sourdough: 50 Irresistible Recipes for Pastries, Buns, Cakes, Cookies and More," by Caroline Schiff (168 pages, Page Street Publishing, $21.99). With bread and yeast hard to find early in the pandemic, more people began baking sourdough bread at home. But surely there must be more than bread to make with that starter hulking in the fridge or on the counter? Why, yes. And "The Sweet Side of Sourdough" explores that sweeter side, using both activated and discarded sourdough starter. It's born out of Schiff's own pandemic experience as the pastry chef at Gage and Tollner. The historic New York restaurant, which had closed in 2004 after 125 years, had been set to reopen just when COVID-19 shut down restaurants. It eventually reopened in April 2021, but in the meantime, Schiff who previously left sourdough to the bread bakers took the restaurant's starter home so she could keep it alive. Awash in loaves of bread, she found herself thinking about how it might be used for sweets and not just savory breads. Story continues "I want to give you a whole new way to look at your sourdough starter and an understanding of what it's capable of," she writes in the introduction. That includes easy stir-and-bake recipes such as apple sour cream crumb cake, or chewy coconut-cashew bars, as well as bigger projects such as lemon-poppy cream cheese babka. The book, she said, helped her cope with the pandemic. "These recipes were my lifeline," she writes. A paperback, "The Sweet Side of Sourdough" is practical Schiff lays out the basics of keeping and activating sourdough, as well as providing lip-smacking flavor combinations for her recipes but it's also a testament to the creativity people tapped into during and since the pandemic lockdown. "Cookies: The New Classics," by Jesse Szewczyk, puts new spins on classic cookies. "Cookies: The New Classics," by Jesse Szewczyk (255 pages, Clarkson Potter, $27.50). If you have a recipe for chocolate chip cookies already, the not-cookie-obsessed might reason, what else do you need? What possibly could be new in the world of cookies? A lot, if you look at cookies the way Szewczyk looks at cookies. He's a columnist at The Kitchn online and has contributed recipes to Food52, the Washington Post and other publications and websites. He acknowledges that the perfect recipe for a snickerdoodle or chocolate chip cookie already exists, but Szewczyk frames classics in new ways. This book is about pushing some cookie boundaries. So chocolate chip cookies, for example, become bars with added depth from malted milk powder; in another chapter, the dough for chocolate chunk cookies is a magenta shade, intensely scented from freeze-dried raspberries that are pulverized and mixed with the flour. Chapters are organized by flavor: chocolaty, boozy, fruity, nutty, tart, spiced, smoky and savory (think cookies for cocktail hour). Instructions are clear and precise, and Szewczyk anticipates everything a baker would want to know: How can I make these ahead? How should they be stored and how long will they keep? Which are vegan? Which are gluten-free? Enticing, contemporary flavor combinations pop from every page: bourbon pecan sandies, matcha amaretti, Millionaire's Shortbread made with peanut butter caramel, or shortbread with Campari glaze and orange sugar crunch. Among the savory cookies is that everywhere seasoning, Everything. It's definitely not just for bagels anymore. "Cheryl Day's Treasury of Southern Baking" presents more than 200 recipes, both historical and updated. "Cheryl Day's Treasury of Southern Baking," by Cheryl Day (400 pages, Artisan, $40). Day, the co-owner of Back in the Day bakery in Savannah, Georgia, and co-author with her husband of four previous baking books, went it alone for this collection, an epic assortment of recipes beloved in the South and, many of them, across the country. It's a personal history as much as a history of the region. "This book would not have been possible without the millions of enslaved laborers who worked in the fields, plantations, and kitchens of the United States. My great-great-grandmother Hannah Queen Grubbs was born enslaved in 1838 and was among the women who created many of these Southern recipes," Day writes in the book's dedication. "My story has a direct connection to her life experience and expertise. With reverence for her and so many like her, I carry this history forward in sharing recipes that I love." Just as the way to preserve heritage breeds of pigs and cattle is to eat them, the way to preserve the recipes of the South (or anywhere) is to cook them. Although Day honors the past, she's not frozen in it. Mixed among the recipes for cathead biscuits, milk jam, sweet potato pie and cold-oven poundcake (so called because of marketing materials urging Southerners to replace wood-burning stoves with modern gas ones in the early 1900s) are recipes that reflect the South's newer immigrants, like concha buns, a nod to pan dulce brought by Mexican immigrants. Cuisines, like the world, do not stand still. Besides recipes, Day offers tips gleaned from her considerable experience (it's easier to separate cold eggs; creamier European-style butter makes a crisper pie crust) and a list of essential kitchen tools and others that would be nice to have. In "Zoe Bakes Cakes," Zoe Francois offers cakes for every baking skill level, from Bundts to a wedding cake. "Zoe Bakes Cakes," by Zoe Francois (261 pages, Ten Speed Press, $30). This Minneapolis pastry chef who's worked with Andrew Zimmern devotes a book entirely to her favorite thing to bake, along with the frostings and decorations useful for gilding them. The book has something for every level of baking experience, from simple-enough quick breads (banana swirled with Nutella) to the ultimate project (a wedding cake). In between are plenty of everyday and special-day cakes soaked cakes, fruity cakes like rhubarb upside-down cake, rolled cakes like Pavlova roulade cake and a cake made with crumpled filo dough among them. "Zoe Bakes Cakes" pauses for tutorials on filling piping bags and piping designs, explaining why dry and wet ingredients are added to a batter alternately (ending with dry) and why it's not better to beat butter faster. Understanding is the way to become a more proficient baker. The book provides recipes for the basic building blocks, like cake layers (such as yellow, white and Devil's Food) and frostings (Ermine and Italian meringue buttercream, for instance), and for the fun bits, too marshmallows, dramatic candied hazelnuts and even carrot-peel candy for a decidedly modern carrot cake. "Baking With Dorie: Sweet, Salty and Simple," by Dorie Greenspan, is the author's 14th book on baking. "Baking With Dorie: Sweet, Salty and Simple," by Dorie Greenspan (389 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $35). Greenspan has been in the cookbook business for 30 years now, and this latest is her 14th book. Like any baker, she finds inspiration around her, especially when trying other bakers' wares. Greenspan starts this book with breakfast bakes, thanks to a cheddar and green onion scone she picked up on a family vacation that wowed her. To start the day, "Baking With Dorie" presents biscuits, scones and variations on brioche, as well as carrot muffins and mochaccino muffins, among other, and the book ends with savory main and side dishes for supper, like clam chowder pie. In between, Greenspan delivers a plethora of cakes, cookies (including a revisit of her renowned World Peace cookies), pies, cobblers and more. She draws inspiration from her sometime home in Paris she seizes on the Parisian trend of putting toppings on cookies, for one and she supplies inspiration to cookbook readers in the way of alternate flavors under "playing around" headings at the end of many recipes. Along the way, she notes her "sweetheart" recipes, the ones she favors above all. That would include the brioche, and some "playing around" of her own with the recipe, resulting in cheese-swirl babka buns topped with cheddar streusel. Her idea of "simple" in the title might be vastly different from that of occasional and even everyday bakers. But when she says simple, she means the recipes are built on basic techniques. Follow the steps along with Dorie, and you've got this. A few tips for baking success Always read the recipe all the way through before cooking there might be chill time for the dough, butter to soften or other delaying steps. Assemble and measure ingredients before beginning the recipe. It might seem like a pain in the neck, but it will make baking go much more smoothly. Before the cooking begins is also the better time to find out you've run out of sugar. Start monitoring the baked good's progress well before the time it's supposed to be finished baking. Ovens can vary wildly, and your project might be finished early. If you haven't yet bought a digital scale for weighing ingredients, now would be the time, if you're able to. Many cookbooks provide both weights and measures for the ingredients, for cooks who use scales and for those who use measuring cups. If you were to weigh the measurements provided, the discrepancies would be eye opening. It's exactly why recipe developers advocate for weighing over measuring. Contact dining critic Carol Deptolla at carol.deptolla@jrn.com or (414) 224-2841, or through the Journal Sentinel Food & Home page on Facebook. Follow her on Twitter at @mkediner or Instagram at @mke_diner. ***** Baking recipes This recipe from "The Sweet Side of Sourdough" by Caroline Schiff makes use of both discard sourdough starter (in the crumb topping) and active starter. A very light tang sets off the apples in this cake, which will stay moist for days. Apple sour cream crumb cake from "The Sweeter Side of Sourdough" has discard starter in the crumb topping and active starter in the batter. Apples keep the cake moist. Apple sour cream crumb cake Recipe tested by Carol Deptolla Makes one 10-inch cake Crumb topping: 125 grams (1 cup) flour 150 grams ( cup) sugar teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon kosher salt 55 grams (3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon) discard sourdough starter 57 grams (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted For the cake: 2 large tart apples such as Granny Smith, unpeeled, cored and chopped into -inch cubes Juice of lemon 114 grams (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 200 grams (1 cup) sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 125 grams (1 cup) flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon baking soda 165 grams ( cup) active sourdough starter 120 milliliters ( cup) sour cream, at room temperature 24 to 32 grams (3 to 4 tablespoons) powdered sugar, to garnish Make crumb topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Whisk to combine evenly. In a small bowl, whisk together discarded starter and melted butter. Add it to dry ingredients, mixing with rubber spatula until all dry ingredients are incorporated and mixture is crumbly, with bits ranging from pea- to marble-sized. Refrigerate until ready to use. Make cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees with a rack in center. Grease a 10-inch springform cake pan (such as with neutral nonstick cooking spray). In a medium bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice evenly to prevent browning. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and baking soda, and gently fold together with rubber spatula until no dry patches remain. The batter will be very thick and stiff. Gently fold in sourdough starter until it's evenly distributed. Add apples (drained of lemon juice) and sour cream, gently folding to distribute evenly. A few streaks of sour cream are OK; it's more important not to overmix. Scrape batter into prepared pan, using spatula to even it out. Top cake with all the streusel. Bake until golden brown on top, set in the center and a cake tester comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Before serving, run a thin knife between cake and pan to be sure the cake isn't sticking, and remove springform ring. Use a fine-mesh strainer to dust cake liberally with powdered sugar. ***** Raspberry chocolate chunk cookies from "Cookies: The New Classics" owe their color, fragrance and flavor to pulverized freeze-dried berries. Grinding freeze-dried raspberries in a food processor with the flour gives these cookies an intense flavor. Any freeze-dried berry can be used, author Jesse Szewczyk of "Cookies: The New Classics" writes; they can be found at stores such as Whole Foods. The cookies turn from crisp and chewy to cakey after a day or so. Raspberry chocolate chunk cookies Recipe tested by Carol Deptolla Makes about 20 large cookies 288 grams (2 cups) flour 74 grams (2.6 ounces from two 1.3-ounce packages, about 3 cups) freeze-dried raspberries teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 226 grams (2 sticks or 1 cup) unsalted butter, softened 250 grams (1 cups, packed) light brown sugar 100 grams ( cup) granulated sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 227 grams (8 ounces, about 1 cups) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped Heat the oven to 350 degrees and set two racks in the upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Combine the flour, freeze-dried raspberries, baking soda and salt in bowl of a food processor fitted with blade attachment. Process until berries turn entirely into fine powder, about 20 seconds. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, cream butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed, scraping sides and bottom of bowl halfway through, until smooth and fluffy, at least 2 minutes. Turn the mixer off and add egg and vanilla; mix on medium speed until very fluffy and lightened somewhat in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Stir in the chocolate with a rubber spatula. Using a 1 3/4-inch (No. 40) cookie scoop or 2 tablespoons, portion the dough and roll into balls. Place them about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets (about 10 to a sheet). Bake sheets at the same time, swapping the top sheet to the lower rack and the lower sheet to the top halfway through baking, until cookie tops crack and bottoms are just starting to turn brown, 9 to 11 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Dough tightly wrapped in plastic can be stored in the refrigerator for several days before baking. If too firm to scoop, let sit at room temperature 15 minutes. The cookies keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week. ***** Salted honey peanut pie, from "Cheryl Day's Treasury of Southern Baking," is an ode to Georgia. This pie from "Cheryl Day's Treasury of Southern Baking" is meant to pay homage to the farmers of Georgia, who produce half of the peanuts grown in America. The peanuts stay crunchy in the sweet-as-honey caramel filling that's topped with flaky sea salt. Salted honey peanut pie Recipe tested by Carol Deptolla Makes 1 9-inch pie 150 grams ( cup, packed) dark brown sugar 200 grams (4 large) eggs, room temperature 85 grams (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 158 milliliters ( cup) honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice teaspoon fine sea salt 225 grams (1 cups) lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts 1 parbaked pie crust, cooled About 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, for garnish Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, honey, vanilla, lemon juice and fine sea salt until completely combined, a minute or 2. Fold in 75 grams (1/2 cup) peanuts. Pour filling into parbaked crust. Sprinkle remaining 150 grams (1 cup) peanuts on top. Place pie on a parchment-lined baking sheet to catch potential drips and bake until edges are set and center jiggles slightly, about 1 hour (but possibly as long as 1 hour, 15 minutes). Remove pie from oven and sprinkle flaky salt on top. Let cool for at least 1 hour on wire rack before slicing. The pie can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days. ***** Bake chocolate Devil's Food cake from "Zoe Bakes Cake" by Zoe Francois in loaf form, and you have an everyday snacking cake. Frost it, or skip it; the cake is plenty moist on its own. "Zoe Bakes Cakes" author Zoe Francois calls this the best chocolate cake she's ever made. The thin batter comes together easily with Dutch process cocoa to make a dense, supremely moist cake. Make it in a loaf pan and you've got something for everyday snacking; frost it in chocolate, if you're so inclined, but the loaf needs no adornment. It also can be baked in two round layers for an occasion cake and frosted. Chocolate Devil's Food cake Recipe tested by Carol Deptolla Makes a 9-inch loaf or an 8-inch double-layer cake or 24 cupcakes 280 grams (2 cups) flour 400 grams (2 cups) sugar 50 grams ( cup) sifted Dutch-process cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 300 milliliters (1 cups) hot, strong coffee 2 tablespoons rum or brandy (see note) 2 eggs 240 milliliters (1 cup) buttermilk 120 milliliters ( cup) neutral cooking oil, such as canola 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Chocolate or cream cheese frosting Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a 9-by-4-inch Pullman pan (a straight-sided loaf pan with a lid), although a regular 9-by-4 loaf pan will do in a pinch. Line the loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for a sling to help remove the finished cake, and grease the paper. Alternatively, grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with greased parchment. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt until well combined. In a small bowl, stir together coffee and rum. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla until well combined. Add the egg mixture and half the coffee-rum to the dry ingredients and mix with spoon until smooth. Slowly add remaining coffee-rum and whisk until totally smooth. Batter will be quite thin. Pour batter into prepared pan. Gently tap pan on counter several times to release excess air bubbles. Bake until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes (30 minutes for 8-inch round pans). Let cake cool completely before removing from pan and inverting onto a serving plate. If desired, use an offset metal spatula to cover cake with an even layer of frosting. (Shavings scraped from a bar of chocolate can garnish the top, if desired). Note: The coffee and rum or brandy can be substituted with an equal amount of flat cola or stout beer. ***** Cheddar and green onion scones from "Baking With Dorie" are cut into a bar shape. These scones inspired Dorie Greenspan to write her 14th book, "Baking With Dorie: Sweet, Salty and Simple." Cheddar-green onion scones Recipe tested by Carol Deptolla Makes about 14 340 grams (2 cups) flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons sugar teaspoon fine sea salt to 1 teaspoon mustard powder, to taste to teaspoon paprika teaspoon baking soda 85 grams (6 tablespoons, or 3 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks 105 grams (1 cups or 3 ounces) shredded cheddar 20 grams ( cup) thin-sliced white parts of green onions 1 cold large egg 240 milliliters (1 cup) cold milk Milk for brushing (optional) Sliced green onion tops for finishing (optional) Center a rack in the oven and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, mustard powder, paprika and baking soda. Scatter the cold butter bits over flour; smash them with your fingers into the flour, or use a pastry cutter. Continue tossing dry ingredients and smashing butter until the flour-coated pieces are as small as cornflakes and as large as peas. Add the cheese and green onions and toss to coat with flour. In a small bowl, whisk egg and milk. Pour them over dry ingredients and, with a fork, toss, turn and stir everything together until the flour is moistened. Gently and sparingly squeeze and knead the dough just enough to form a ball (or use a rubber spatula if the dough is too sticky). Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a rectangle 1 inch high. It will be about 6 by 7 inches. Dust top of dough with flour. With bench scraper or chef's knife, cut dough lengthwise in half, pressing straight down and not dragging the blade. Then cut dough crosswise into 1-inch-wide bars. Carefully transfer to the baking sheet, about 3/4 inch apart. The tops can be lightly brushed with milk and sprinkled with the sliced green tops of the onions, if desired. Bake scones for 17 to 20 minutes, or until tall and golden brown on top and bottom. Transfer baking sheet to cooling rack; wait a couple of minutes, then transfer scones from sheet to rack. Scones are ready to eat 15 minutes out of the oven and are best within 3 or 4 hours. Playing around: Onion, cut into fine dice and sauteed, can be added to the dough, as can 2 strips of crumbled, crisp bacon. Notes: Smoked sweet or hot paprika can be substituted for regular paprika; you might want the smaller amount. The dough can be mixed, cut and frozen up to 2 months ahead, wrapping it airtight. Bake the scones straight from the freezer, putting them on a lined baking sheet as the oven heats. They might have to bake a few minutes longer. Sign up for our Dish newsletter to get food and dining news delivered to your inbox. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baking boom: Cookbooks, creativity help cooks people endure pandemic Brian Williams Monica Schipper/Getty Images for New York Comedy Festival Brian Williams reportedly turned down the opportunity to anchor the CBS Evening News after his recent departure from NBC. Williams left MSNBC last year after nearly three decades at NBC News, and CNN now reports that CBS News President Neeraj Khemlani made at least two attempts to recruit him to the network to anchor the CBS Evening News. But Williams reportedly rebuffed the offer and isn't interested in the gig. Williams most recently served as the host of The 11th Hour on MSNBC, and he formerly anchored the NBC Nightly News. He was suspended in 2015 following revelations that he misrepresented his experiences covering the Iraq War. Williams said he did not intentionally fabricate stories but had misremembered them. "I told stories that were not true," he said in 2015. "Over the years, looking back, it is very clear. I never intended to. It got mixed up. It got turned around in my mind." Williams was moved to MSNBC. CNN's Oliver Darcy writes that the idea of Williams turning down an offer to anchor one of the big three network newscasts would have been "unfathomable" just a few years ago but that despite the scandal, he is now "in demand" and "fielding proposals" about his future. Norah O'Donnell currently anchors the CBS Evening News, but the New York Post previously reported she was "in danger of losing" the job. A CBS executive told CNN that while "it's no surprise people are wondering who's coming to CBS News next," Williams "is not going to be doing the Evening News. End of Story." When he announced his departure from NBC in November, Williams told viewers "there are many things I want to do, and I'll pop up again somewhere." You may also like Senate candidate J.D. Vance defends caustic jokes because 'our country's kind of a joke' Russian threat complicates Olympics for Ukrainian athletes Florida advances DeSantis-backed ban on making white people feel 'discomfort' or 'guilt' from past racism LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Tuesday it needed to recruit 6,000 more people onto a trial of Merck's COVID-19 antiviral pill molnupiravir to inform how the drug can be rolled out more widely. Britain's MHRA medicine regulator approved the pill, made by Merck and Ridgeback Therapeutics, in November, and the government launched a national study to establish the best way to use the drug. The health ministry said that while 4,500 trial participants had signed up, thousands more were needed to gather the data needed. The study, called Panoramic, was launched to assess how the antiviral should be used in a largely vaccinated population, given it was assessed in clinical trials on unvaccinated people. "Antivirals are a hugely important addition to our response to COVID-19," said Eddie Gray, chair of the UK's Antivirals Taskforce. "Getting people enrolled onto this study is vital, not just in protecting the most vulnerable now, but in ensuring we can deploy these medicines more widely as soon as possible." Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week said he would ditch mask mandates, work from home guidance and compulsory COVID passes in England, citing Britain's purchase of antivirals as well as the booster rollout and the lower severity of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The health ministry said it had bought 2.23 million courses of the Merck drug, as well as 2.75 million courses of an antiviral pill developed by Pfizer Inc which it has not yet started to deploy. Merck's pill was shown to reduce hospitalisations and deaths by around 30% in a clinical trial of high-risk individuals early in the course of the illness. The government said that over-50s and those with an underlying medical condition who had tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR test or who were unwell with COVID symptoms in the last five days could sign up for the Panoramic study. (Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Mark Potter) The George H. Mahon Federal Building in downtown Lubbock. The head of Brownfield's economic development department reportedly admitted to investigators that he had collected thousands of images of child sexual abuse for years on the internet and that he sexually fantasized about children, including infants, according to federal court documents. Brian Lynn Brisendine, Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation director, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Court in Lubbock for an initial appearance on federal charges of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, which carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison. Brisendine, was the editor of the Brownfield News before getting the job as director of the Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation in 2019. The corporation oversees the Brownfield Economic Development Department, according to the city's website. Brisendine's charge stems from a Texas Department of Public Safety investigation that began in October after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a tip that files containing materials of child sexual abuse were held in an online storage account. The account was linked to an I.P. Address that was traced to Brisendine's home in Brownfield. The storage account was also associated with an email address Brisendine used in a drivers license application, according to a criminal complaint that was unsealed after his initial appearance on Monday. On Jan. 18, agents searched Brisendine's home. He also met with agents and reportedly admitted to trading images of child sexual abuse online since 2014. He reportedly admitted to viewing between 5,000 and 10,000 videos and images of child sexual abuse with children as young as four months old. He reputedly told investigators that he knowingly possessed all the images and videos in the storage account, which he also saved on his computer. He was initially booked into the Terry County jail on state charges of possession or promotion of child pornography and possession of child pornography. His bail on those charges is set at $100,000. Story continues Federal court records show he is set to return Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant for a detention hearing to determine if he could be released on bail. However, Bryant will likely determine that the issue of bond on the federal charges is moot since Brisendine is still being held on the state charges. Brownfield city manager Jeff Davis told the A-J on Jan. 20 that city and Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation officials were informed of Brisendine's charges last Wednesday and have fully cooperated with law enforcement. However, Davis' statement did not indicate the status of Brisendine's position. "Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation, the City of Brownfield/BID Corp will not be commenting further on this matter," Davis' statement read. Calls to the city asking for an update of Brisendine's status have not been returned. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Court records: Brian Brisendine admits to possessing child pornography By Anne Mimault and Thiam Ndiaga OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) -More than 1,000 people gathered in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on Tuesday in support of a military coup that a day earlier ousted President Roch Kabore, dissolved the government and suspended the constitution. The fifth coup in West and Central Africa this decade comes amid an increasingly bloody Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel region, eroding faith in democratic leaders to combat the problem. On Monday, soldiers announced they had overthrown Kabore https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/burkina-faso-president-kabore-detained-military-camp-sources-tell-reuters-2022-01-24, who came to power in 2015, a move condemned internationally but welcomed by some at home tired of widespread insecurity, alleged corruption and deep poverty. The putchists, called the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), presented Kabore with a hand-written resignation letter on Monday, which he signed, according to numerous sources who shared the letter with Reuters and verified its authenticity. "In the interests of the nation, following events that took place since yesterday, I have decided to resign from my role as president of Burkina Faso," said the letter. An MPSR statement read on television said it was re-opening borders a day after closing them. Kabore's whereabouts were unknown on Tuesday. The MPSR has said he was detained at a secure location. Vehicles belonging to the presidential fleet were seen riddled with bullets near Kabore's residence the day before. France's President Emmanuel Macron said the situation had appeared calm in the last few hours and that he had been informed Kabore was "in good health" and not being threatened. The United States, the United Nations, regional political bloc ECOWAS and the G5 group of Sahel nations all condemned the coup. ECOWAS said in a statement on Tuesday that Kabore was forced to resign under "threat, intimidation and pressure" from the military, and it will hold an emergency summit to discuss a response in the coming days. [L8N2U54VY] [L8N2U54V7] Story continues ECOWAS has already slapped broad sanctions on neighbouring Mali where there have been two military coups since August 2020. A military-led interim government said this month that it planned to hold on to power until December 2025 - nearly four years after it initially agreed to hold democratic elections - prompting ECOWAS to close borders with Mali and cut it off from financial markets. Armies have also staged coups in Guinea and Chad in the last year, raising worries about a return to the latter stages of the last century when frequent putches across West and Central Africa saw the region dubbed "The Coup Belt". 'THIS IS WHAT WE WANT' A crowd gathered in Ouagadougou's national square to play live music, blow horns and dance. A Reuters reporter saw a group burning a French flag, a sign of growing frustration about the military role the former colonial power still plays in the region. "ECOWAS doesn't care about us, and the international community only wants to condemn," said one member of the crowd, Armel Ouedraogo, in reference to West Africa's regional political bloc. "This is what we want." A Reuters reporter saw Russian flags dotting the crowd, and several demonstrators called on Moscow to replace France in the fight against jihadists. After nine years, France is in the process of drawing down its force of thousands of soldiers in the region. Russian military trainers and contractors are already operating in Mali, much to the consternation of France and its western allies. "Today the Burkinabe people are asking for Russia's support to accompany them in this fierce struggle that has been imposed on us," said Armel Kabore, who was also among those celebrating. Attacks on civilians and the armed forces, including the killing of 49 gendarmes at a security post in November, prompted violent protests calling for Kabore's ouster. The putchists, who are led by a lieutenant colonel called Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, said Kabore failed to unite the country or ensure security. The MPSR said it would propose a calendar for a return to constitutional order "within a reasonable time frame". (Reporting by Anne Mimault and Thiam Ndiaga Additional reporting by Ange Aboa in Abidjan;Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau in Paris;Writing by Cooper Inveen and Edward McAllister;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Raissa Kasolowsky) The California Department of Justice is investigating a recent case in which local law enforcement officers fatally shot a man suspected of selling fentanyl in Hemet marking the first time a new law providing state-level oversight of officer-involved shootings has been deployed in Riverside County. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the investigation Tuesday, a week after the shooting occurred. The announcement comes after the July 1, 2021, enactment of Assembly Bill 1506, which requires state prosecutors to investigate all officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed civilian in California. The incident under investigation began at about 11:36 p.m. Jan. 18, as deputies and officers from a Riverside County gang task force were conducting surveillance of a suspected fentanyl distributor in the 2600 block of West Florida Avenue in Hemet. Several deputies and officers attempted to contact the suspect, who fled on foot through a nearby parking lot before he was shot by officers from three law enforcement agencies: the Riverside County Sheriffs Department, Hemet Police Department, and Riverside Police Department, according to a press release. Officers and paramedics attempted life-saving measures on the suspect, whose identity has not been released, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. The suspects firearm was located at the scene, and there are no outstanding suspects, according to the sheriffs department. The involved deputies and officers, whose names have not been released, were set to be placed on paid administrative leave, according to the sheriff's press release. Upon the completion of the state's investigation, the case will be turned over to the California Department of Justices Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review. While the announcement marks the first investigation in Riverside County under AB 1506, several other investigations across the state have been launched in recent months, including one involving the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old girl in a Burlington store in Los Angeles. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: State DOJ investigating fatal shooting by law enforcement officers in Hemet A student is vaccinated by a school nurse at Arleta High School. Under a proposed bill, California students would be required to be immunized for COVID-19. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) California once again finds itself at the center of the national debate about COVID-19 safety, with new proposals that would, among other things, require that California students be immunized. The plans are generating intense debate about the best ways to keep schools open, parent rights and the role of the government. Here is a breakdown of what we know: What are the new proposals? Senate Bill 871, by state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), would add COVID-19 vaccinations to Californias list of required inoculations for attending K-12 schools, which can be skipped only if a student receives a rare medical exemption. If passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the measure would supplant a more limited COVID-19 vaccination mandate for schools that was initiated by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year. Under the bill, the California Department of Public Health could mandate vaccinations in the future without requiring the state to offer personal belief exemptions, a move that would make it easier to add COVID-19 boosters or other immunizations for students without a lengthy legislative process. Senate Bill 866, introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would permit children 12 and older to choose to be vaccinated, including against COVID-19, without a parents consent or knowledge. How would this change the landscape? California already has plans to require students at all public and private schools to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. However, that mandate, which was announced by Newsom in October, does not take effect until after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approves the shot for children ages 12 and older. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is fully approved for ages 16 and older, and there is only an emergency authorization in place for ages 5 to 15, which is a lesser standard than full approval. Newsoms mandate is limited to grades seven through 12 and has a key caveat: Once the vaccine is fully approved, parents could still cite personal beliefs to opt their children out of being inoculated. Under existing law, the state must offer personal belief exemptions for any newly required vaccine unless it is added through new legislation to the list of shots students must receive to attend school in California. For those vaccinations already mandated through legislation, state law requires a medical exemption to skip some or all of them for in-person attendance at K-12 schools. Story continues Pans bill would go much further than Newsoms mandate, starting with requiring all public and private school students 5 years and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19 beginning Jan. 1, 2023. That requirement would be in place even if the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine remains available only through an emergency authorization for ages 5 to 15, although Pan said that language is something were still working out. Pan's proposed law also would apply to childcare centers, nursery schools and home-based daycare. However, there is not currently a vaccine approved for children under 5 years old. Once that happens, the bill as currently written would apply to those age groups, too. What do supporters say? Pan said his proposal is needed to insure that students and staff are safe on campus and that schools remain open. We need to make sure schools are safe so that all parents are comfortable sending their children to school, said Pan, a pediatrician whose previous legislation has strengthened oversight of vaccine exemptions. And we want to keep schools open. He also argued vaccinations already enjoy strong majority support from parents. Some parents are keeping students out of school fearing virus transmission, he added. What do critics say? "California parents dont want the state making parenting decisions for them. said Stefanie Fetzer, founder of Parents United 4 Kids, which advocates for parental choice. Both bills are expected to be met with strong opposition from groups that don't believe the broad scientific consensus behind the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines and those who argue that parents should decide whether to inoculate their children without government intervention. Its pretty clear they dont want to give your children a choice. If they decide not to have a vaccine under this bill, they will be kicked out of school. This is about them wanting you to make the choice that the government has decided for you, said Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City). Families that don't comply would have to enroll their children in an independent study or other remote learning program. They also would have the option to home-school their children. Where do we stand with vaccination rates for kids? Vaccination rates remain low among younger children in the state, with less than a quarter of 5- to 11-year-olds fully vaccinated, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. Nearly 64% of children 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated in California, while overall 73% of residents in the state eligible for a COVID-19 shot have received both doses. What's next? Both vaccine-related bills now need to go through the legislative process, where passionate debate is expected. Legislative attempts to change vaccine laws in schools have previously led to intense deliberations, prolonged protests and arrests. Newsom suggested in October that he may be open to legislative action to strengthen his more-limited COVID-19-vaccine mandate, but on Monday his office declined to comment on SB 871. Follow reporter Melody Gutierrez on Twitter for more on the legislation in the coming days. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Chicago firefighter looks over the damaged living room area as he and other firefighters arrive to look over the scene of an overnight fatal fire that killed an 81-year-old woman in the 8200 block of S. Cornell Ave. Jan. 25, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) An 81-year-old woman who tried to fight a fire that broke out in her Stony Island Park residence overnight was unable to extinguish it and later died at an area hospital, according to Chicago Fire Department officials who said they also had trouble battling the blaze, due to frozen water in a nearby fire hydrant. The fire first was reported around 1:55 a.m. on the 8200 block of South Cornell Avenue on the Far South Side, according to information from the police and fire departments. Paramedics took the woman who was in critical condition to University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 2:53 a.m., according to information from the Cook County medical examiners office, which had not released information about the womans identity as of Tuesday morning. Advertisement The departments Office of Fire Investigations found the fire was most likely accidental, and the result of a wiring problem, fire officials said. Firefighters called out additional engines after discovering a fire hydrant near the residence was frozen, said Larry Langford, a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department. They also used another hydrant near the building, so there was no real loss due to that frozen hydrant because they always look for two at the same time, Langford said. Advertisement The frozen hydrant, that slows things down a little bit, but it did not stop them from getting water on the fire, he explained. A firefighter looks over the scene of an overnight fire that killed an 81-year-old woman in the 8200 block of South Cornell Avenue Jan. 25, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Water in hydrants typically doesnt freeze unless temperatures remain below zero for an extended period of time, Langford said. Chicago was under a wind chill advisory Tuesday, but temperatures were forecast in the single digits. When the temperature drops and stays below zero, the Fire Department often will call the citys Water Department for help or prepare additional engines, each of which can carry 500 gallons of water, Langford said. They may also preemptively try to force open hydrants by dropping flares to heat them. The woman was found suffering from cardiac arrest and with third-degree burns over most of her body, according to fire officials. Police spokeswoman Kellie Bartoli said officials originally reported the woman as 82, but later verified her date of birth and confirmed she was 81. There were no working smoke detectors found at the scene, Langford said. A preliminary report on the fire said it started in the basement, and theres some indication that (the woman) was downstairs trying to fight that fire, he added. The department planned to hand out smoke detectors near the scene of the fire Tuesday morning, according to fire officials. Check back for updates. OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada said on Tuesday it is temporarily withdrawing the families of its diplomats in Ukraine because of the Russian military build-up on the borders of the Eastern European country. The U.S. State Department announced on Sunday it was ordering diplomats' family members https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-orders-departure-ukraine-embassy-staff-family-members-2022-01-23 to leave Ukraine, saying military action by Russia could come at any time. "Due to the ongoing Russian military buildup and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine, we have decided to temporarily withdraw Canadian embassy staffs children under 18 years of age and family members accompanying them," the Canadian foreign ministry said in a statement. The statement gave no further details. Canada, which has taken a hard line with Moscow since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, said last week it would offer Ukraine a loan https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-offer-ukraine-loan-up-c120-mln-russia-crisis-deepens-pm-2022-01-21 of up to C$120 million ($95 million). (Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Paul Simao) File: A Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Miami came under fire for allegedly kicking out a homeless man who paid for food (Getty Images) A Chick Fil A outlet in Miami has came under fire after a viral video filmed inside the outlet showed security removing a man who appeared to be homeless and eating at the fast-food joint. The short video clip shared by TikTok user Pineda Lainez with the username @pinedalainez884 showed a Miami police officer walking towards a man who was sitting and eating his meal at a table in the corner of the outlet. The clip did not show the man walking or being forced out, but the overlay text in Spanish read: They kicked the man out for being homeless when he paid for the food. Social media users were left concerned after watching the video, and called the incident heartbreaking and wrong. This is so heartbreaking because he even chose to eat in the last seat, far away from everyone, a user @wendyseatingshow wrote, If I was there I would have spoken up for him. This is so wrong on so many different levels. They should feel ashamed for even doing something like that to a paying customer, another user said. The video, that has collected more than 344,000 views, prompted backlash and forced the outlet to issue a clarification from its Facebook page in a reply to one of the users who shared the video in an unconnected post. The Miami Central Chick-fil-A outlet said the man was issued a trespass warrant for the location as he had previously spit on guests and is verbally hostile. We apologise for any misunderstanding and acknowledge that this situation does seem inappropriate out of context, however, we hope this clears up any confusion about what is actually occurring in the clip, the statement read. What occurred in this video was a safety issue, this individual regularly displays dangerous and erratic behaviour in our store, it added. We are committed to taking action and helping the homeless population in our community on a regular basis. The statement also clarified they did not call police to their stories. The person seen in the video was an off-duty Miami police officer they hire to secure their facilities on-site daily, according to the outlet. Columbus police on Tuesday identified the victim of a homicide Saturday night on the East Side but have identified no suspects. An East Side man was identified Tuesday by Columbus police as the person who was fatally shot Saturday night inside a home on the street where he resided. City homicide detectives said 24-year-old Jamour Funderburg was found shot around 9:30 p.m. Saturday inside a home on the 1800 block of Wyton Court, a cul-de-sac located off of Binbrook Road in a subdivision east of Barnett Road and north of Penfield Road. For subscribers: Community activists say Columbus needs to move faster on anti-violence strategy Funderburg was rushed to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:04 p.m. Social media pages that appear to belong to Funderburg indicate he was a "father first" to two young daughters. Funderburg worked through a third-party company that provided drivers to FedEx. Keep updated: Here's where homicides have occurred in Columbus since 2017 Funderburg had also been developing his own clothing, which he called Passer Le Flambeau, which translates to Pass the Flame. His family could not immediately be reached by The Dispatch. Detectives have not identified any suspects or potential motive in Funderburg's case. However, Columbus police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a South Linden man in connection with an unrelated Jan. 13 homicide. Previous coverage: One killed, two injured in shooting after dispute at East Side nightclub spills outside Bruce Newby, 40, was arrested in Preble County on Monday, police said. He will be extradited back to Franklin County. Newby has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Billy Joe White, who was shot around 2:05 a.m. Jan. 13 outside the Next Level Lounge, located at 1381 S. Hamilton Road on the city's East Side. Two other people were injured in the shooting. White had been celebrating his 32nd birthday. Court records show Newby was identified from a photo array as being involved with the fatal shooting. Anyone with information about any Columbus homicide is asked to call detectives at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS. Story continues bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jamour Funderburg: Columbus police name man killed in East Side home Election season is heating up in Georgia, and Gov. Brian Kemp is facing a Republican primary challenge from David Perdue. The showdown has put a campaign issue, loosening gun laws, at the forefront of Kemp's state legislative agenda. Kemp's floor leaders in the statehouse have yet to detail the specifics of a constitutional carry bill. However, they have plenty of material to pull from, as several other states have similar legislation pending. More: Gov. Brian Kemp wants constitutional carry. What would that look like in Georgia? Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during recent a press conference in Bryan County. Here's how constitutional carry is playing out in other states. Alabama A set of companion bills in the Alabama House and Senate would allow people to carry a gun on themselves or in their vehicle without a permit. However, law enforcement officers, including the Alabama Sheriffs Association, generally oppose the bill because the permits fund police departments and police officers use the permits as an investigative tool, akin to a background check. Florida With support from Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson and Gov. Ron DeSantis, H.B. 103 has hopeful prospects in the Republican-controlled sunshine state. Some concerns from within the Republican party include potential harms to tourism due to the image of people openly carrying guns at the beach. Indiana A bill in Indiana's Legislature would abolish permit requirements for most people over the age of 22. "Criminals do what they do" said the bill's author, Sen. James Tomes to a Republican-controlled Judiciary committee. Due to a lack of support from the committee chair, the bill is not currently slated to move forward. Nebraska A bill in the Nebraska Legislature would remove the permitting and training process. Proponents have pointed toward the U.S. Constitution while opponents such as the Omaha Police Officers Association believe that the bill would help criminals avoid prosecution and hurt police officers' ability to remove guns from dangerous people. Story continues Ohio Both Ohio's Senate and House have passed different bills that would eliminate permits and requirements involving concealed-carry training. Ohio's Fraternal Order of Police has voiced concern about the removal of gun safety training requirements. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Constitutional carry gun laws: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia Jan. 24A Cornish man is facing charges after Lebanon police allege he fired a .44 magnum revolver out the rear window of his Chevy Tahoe during a road rage incident Saturday in Lebanon, police said. According to Lebanon police, around 4:49 p.m. Saturday a Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota RAV4 were heading north on Meriden Road in Lebanon when the driver of the RAV4 attempted to pass the Tahoe in a passing zone. Instead of letting the car pass, Lebanon police allege the driver of the Tahoe swerved at the RAV4, almost forcing the car off the road. Shortly afterwards, the driver of the Tahoe, identified by police as Donald Delisle, 50, of Cornish, allegedly attempted to fire a .44 magnum revolver through his own rear window at the RAV4, but did not hit the vehicle. Lebanon police were able to locate the Tahoe and took Delisle into custody, seizing his .44 magnum revolver and a 16-gauge pump shotgun also found in his vehicle. Delisle was charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, unauthorized use of a firearm, criminal threatening with a firearm, and attempted murder. To stay connected with our comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 in Florida, sign up for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter. Reported COVID-19 cases last week were flat compared to the previous week in Okaloosa County, while cases in Walton County fell slightly. For the week ending Sunday, 3,365 cases were reported in Okaloosa County. The previous week saw 3,353 cases. Throughout the pandemic, 45,031 cases have been reported in the county. In Walton County, 837 COVID-19 cases were reported last week compared to 886 cases the previous week, for a 5.5% decrease. The county has reported 15,655 cases throughout the pandemic. Statewide, far fewer coronavirus cases in the week ending Sunday were reported, with the state adding 282,520 new cases. That's down 30.9% from the previous week's tally of 408,841 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. Last week: Okaloosa County's COVID cases up 75%; Florida cases fall 3.4% Local team deployed: Eglin AFB team deployed to Arizona hospital to help with COVID-19 patients Florida ranked 37th 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 decreased 14.9% from the week before, with 4,770,122 cases reported. With 6.45% of the country's population, Florida had 5.92% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 27 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before. Many counties did not report data during the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, disrupting the current and previous weeks' statistics. Week-to-week comparisons are skewed and these numbers will be unreliable even as they're accurate to what states reported. Across Florida, cases fell in 46 counties, with the greatest declines in Miami-Dade County, with 46,959 cases from 93,321 a week earlier; in Broward County, with 23,063 cases from 48,103; and in Orange County, with 18,738 cases from 30,752. Story continues >> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases Florida ranked 19th among states in share of people receiving at least one shot, with 76.8% of its residents at least partially vaccinated. The national rate is 75.5%, a USA TODAY analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 Sunday, Florida reported administering another 390,947 vaccine doses, including 226,645 first doses. In the previous week, the state administered 382,770 vaccine doses, including 101,368 first doses. In all, Florida reported it has administered 35,086,747 total doses. Within Florida, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Taylor County with 2,276 cases per 100,000 per week; Madison County with 2,233; and Jackson County with 2,146. The CDC says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week. Adding the most new cases overall were Miami-Dade County, with 46,959 cases; Broward County, with 23,063 cases; and Orange County, with 18,738. Weekly case counts rose in 19 counties from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Jackson, Santa Rosa and Baker counties. In Florida, 605 people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 470 people were reported dead. A total of 5,324,438 people in Florida have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 63,763 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 70,700,678 people have tested positive and 866,540 people have died. >> Track coronavirus cases across the United States Florida's COVID-19 hospital admissions falling USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Jan. 23. Likely COVID patients admitted in the state: Last week: 14,873 The week before that: 16,789 Four weeks ago: 4,930 Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation: Last week: 188,864 The week before that: 197,883 Four weeks ago: 99,261 Hospitals in 25 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 22 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 30 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. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: COVID Florida: Okaloosa cases increased this week; Walton cases decrease Employee Diego Almendor has his temperature taken by owner Nicolas Montano before beginning his shift at Los Toros Mexican restaurant in Chatsworth on Feb. 27, 2021. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers reached an agreement Tuesday to again require employers to provide workers with up to two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave to recover from COVID-19 or care for a family member with the virus. The legislation, which lawmakers would likely fast-track to the governor in the coming weeks, would apply to all businesses with 26 or more employees. A similar law from 2021 that provided 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave expired Sept. 30. Labor unions pushed the new proposal at the Capitol as California grapples with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. State officials hope the deal will encourage workers with the virus to stay home and help slow transmission. Companies across California would have to absorb the costs of additional paid time off for workers. In an attempt to help some businesses, the agreement includes separate proposals to restore tax credits that were suspended and capped two years ago when state officials feared the pandemic would cause Californias economy to collapse. "By extending sick leave to frontline workers with COVID and providing support for California businesses, we can help protect the health of our workforce, while also ensuring that businesses and our economy are able to thrive," Newsom, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) said in a statement. "We will continue to work to address additional needs of small businesses through the budget they are the backbone of our communities and continue to be impacted by COVID-19. The proposal would require employers to provide up to 40 hours of flexible paid leave to full-time workers who are sick or caring for an ill loved one, and require proof of a positive test to qualify for an additional 40 hours of paid time off. Part-time workers would be eligible for sick leave equal to the number of hours they typically work in a week or twice that amount with a positive test. Story continues Under the deal agreed upon Tuesday, the sick leave would be retroactive to cover coronavirus-related absences since Jan. 1 and extends until Sept. 30. That provision is likely to be particularly helpful for workers since cases linked to the Omicron variant have surged over the past several weeks, prompting increased interest in ensuring that sick employees are able to take time off. Last year's paid leave plan did not require a positive test to use all of the benefit. When it expired in September, workers were left with a state minimum of three paid sick days. Labor groups have been lobbying to add back additional days for this year, arguing that three days is not enough time to recover or quarantine and forces lower-wage workers to chose between going to work sick or falling behind on paying bills. Californias unions are fighting tooth and nail to ensure that no worker has to choose between going to work sick or feeding her family," said Art Pulaski, executive-secretary treasurer of the California Labor Federation. "The labor movement supports the proposal announced by the governor and legislative leadership to extend COVID paid sick leave, providing much-needed relief to essential workers and their families. Not only does this measure protect workers, its vital to tamping down the surge and keeping schools and businesses open." The paid time off also allows parents to stay home when their children are sent home from school due to illness or after being exposed to COVID-19. The Omicron variant has been spreading rapidly through schools over the past three weeks after students returned from winter break. Employees could use up to three days of the sick leave to attend a vaccination appointment for themselves or a family member and to recover from any symptoms after vaccination, a provision intended to make it easier for parents to immunize their children against the virus. Workers in the state first qualified for an additional two weeks of COVID-19-related sick leave in 2020 through a combination of state and federal laws and tax credits. This supplemental paid leave is what has allowed workers to stay home while sick and keep sick children at home without having to worry about being fired or losing their income, said Katherine Wutchiett, a staff attorney at Legal Aid at Work in San Francisco. During the first two years, workers in the state did not have to show a doctors note or positive COVID-19 test result in order to access paid leave, which Wutchiett said allowed for necessary flexibility during the pandemic. People need COVID leave for so many reasons right now for themselves, for vaccination, or to care for kids who are sent home following an exposure or school closure, she said. Business interests at the Capitol lobbied for the requirement of a positive test to qualify for 40 additional hours as insurance that workers cannot take more time than they need. The test could be taken by the worker or a family member in their care. Businesses have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to keep employees and customers safe through the pandemic," said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable. "While we still need to see the details for this new sick leave policy, the reality is that this is yet another expense paid for by the business community, which is struggling to recover from the recession. This new and expensive mandate is on top of existing COVID exclusion pay, increased testing and increased masking all paid for by employers without any existing support from the state." The agreement between lawmakers and the governor includes several proposals Newsom introduced earlier this month in his 2022-2023 budget plan that might help some businesses as they shoulder the cost of providing sick leave to workers. The agreement would restore net operating loss deductions for corporate and individual taxpayers with business income of $1 million or more, which had been paused for tax years 2020, 2021 and 2022 and extended by three years. The state would also lift a $5-million limit on several other business tax credits for those same tax years. The governor's budget also calls for tax conformity with federal grant programs that helped keep restaurants afloat during the pandemic and provided assistance to venues that were forced to shutter. Lawmakers agreed to another Newsom budget proposal that called for the state to quickly authorize $1.4 billion for testing, vaccinations and COVID-19 response in state prisons. Newsom's advisors said the governor is also asking the Legislature to increase that funding by $400 million and authorize another $600 million for COVID-19 response as needed. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. For the past many months, government, businesses and community and health care organizations, including the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, worked to promote and provide COVID-19 vaccines. The Reduce the Risk collaborative provided factual information around community resources as well. Subsequently, the El Paso vaccination rate is higher than the Texas state rate: 93% of the elderly are fully vaccinated in El Paso County (84% in Texas) and 75% of those 5 years and older are fully vaccinated (62% in Texas). Vaccines were very helpful in preventing someone from contracting the alpha and delta variants, but this is less so with omicron. The omicron variant is the most contagious version of the coronavirus observed during this 2-year-long pandemic. And current vaccines do less to prevent omicron infection. However, vaccines are just as important as ever, said Dr. Ogechika Alozie, an infectious disease specialist and CEO of Sunset ID CARE. More: El Pasoans encouraged to give blood as COVID-19 leads to dwindling supplies More: City of El Paso begins administrating COVID-19 boosters to children 12 to 15 More: El Paso County recorded 26 COVID-19 deaths, 13,786 infections last week More: Mexican President AMLO announces he has COVID-19 for 2nd time "One of the things that people are noticing is that even if they've been vaccinated, they're still getting sick," Alozie said. "We now have at least three population studies from Kaiser, from Denmark, and from the United Kingdom that showed that the vaccines that we got vaccinated with earlier in the pandemic, on average, aren't protecting against omicron. Omicron seems to be escaping the vaccines. Now that should be a sort of pump the brakes moment, because even though it seems vaccines arent preventing infections and people are experiencing symptoms, they are holding up against the virus by reducing the severity of the virus and keeping most people from being hospitalized." Story continues Alozie said while omicron is more contagious, it is less severe for most people due in large part to vaccinations. Is it less severe in everybody? Absolutely not, Alozie said. There's still going to be people at risk, but on average it's less severe than the other variants." El Pasoans must be aware of the effectiveness of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. If you got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine more than six months ago, you are essentially unvaccinated, Alozie said. "It's important that if you got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and that's your only shot, you must get another shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or an mRNA shot." Those who are elderly, have an underlying health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, or had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should consider getting an mRNA vaccine or booster. Both Moderna and Pfizer are approved mRNA vaccines and are preferred by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the Johnson & Johnson shot. Anyone who gets a shot of the mRNA vaccine after originally getting the Johnson and Johnson vaccine should consult with their doctor to see if a second mRNA shot or booster shot is later needed, Alozie said. The risk of contracting the virus remains high and vaccines are still the best way to reduce the severity of illness and avoid being hospitalized. For more information on COVID-19 and vaccinations, visit reducetherisk915.org. Dr. Michael Kelly is vice president of programs for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and may be reached at mkelly@pdnfoundation.org and 915-218-2619. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: COVID-19 vaccines play different but important role with omicron New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones addressed Northwestern University virtually Monday, calling for a more diverse journalism industry and a recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.s radicalism, as part of the schools weeklong celebration of the civil rights leader. Im always fascinated by how every year, when we commemorate Dr. King, how few of his words we ever hear, how little we actually talk about what he said and what he stood for, Hannah-Jones said at the public event. Advertisement Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones speaks during an interview with The Associated Press on Dec. 10, 2021. (Robert Bumsted / AP) Hannah-Jones created the 1619 Project, a journalistic and historical examination of the legacy of slavery, with The New York Times in 2019. The project has received criticism and has been weaponized, particularly on the political right, for centering racism and slavery as animating forces of the American experiment, Northwestern Medill School of Journalism Dean Charles Whitaker said as he led Mondays conversation. Advertisement Hannah-Jones said she expected criticism when she led the project and that all her work is imperfect. But that particular critique, frankly, I think is ludicrous, she said, citing the vast number of American laws involving race, and the fact that 10 of the first 12 presidents were enslavers. Kings legacy in particular has been whitewashed by those who ignore his more radical stances on workers rights, economic justice for Black people, anti-militarism and anti-capitalism, she said, repeatedly calling for action to enact change. We talk about him as a dreamer, she said. This was a man who was nearly killed, putting his life on the line. He wasnt sitting around his house dreaming. Hannah-Jones, an investigative journalist, also addressed questions on her industry, advocating for more Black and Indigenous representation in investigative journalism. She said she first encountered African American studies as a student bused out of her neighborhood to a predominantly white high school in Waterloo, Iowa, where she was inspired to write a column for the newspaper about the Black student experience. It was a sense of both empowerment, because I realized there was all of this history that could be learned and all of these contributions we could learn about, Hannah-Jones said of learning African American history, but also anger that no one had ever felt it was important enough for us to learn this history. As an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame, she was able to study history and African American studies, and eventually pursue a career in journalism that bridged stories from academia to the masses, she said. The 1619 Projects elevation of certain ideas out of academia and into the public discourse has prompted pushback as it made many white people uncomfortable, Northwestern history professor Kate Masur said last week. But this trait is in line with Kings work, Masur said: Many thought he was moving too fast, was too radical or wasnt doing it right. Advertisement Hannah-Jones was enthusiastically selected by Northwesterns Dream Week committee, Robin Means Coleman, vice president and associate provost for diversity and inclusion, said in a news release. Her reporting comes at a critical time when we must all be reminded to be agents of positive change in our society, Means Coleman said. The universitys annual Dream Week aims to commemorate Kings life and legacy, according to the events website. After an appearance at Chicagos Union League Club last week, Hannah-Jones made headlines when she said she altered her speech in response to critics from the civic and social club. Emails circulated online before the event had shown at least two members of the club criticized Hannah-Jones and her work, and said she had mischaracterized King. I scrapped my original speech and spent the entire first half of it reading excerpts from a bunch of Dr. Kings speeches, but without telling anyone that I was doing so, leading the audience to think Kings words were mine, she wrote in a viral Twitter thread on Jan. 17. She addressed the incident at the Northwestern event. I really wanted us to come back to Kings radical self, she said of her speech last week. Advertisement Hannah-Jones also attracted media attention last year, when she chose to join the faculty at Howard University instead of the University of North Carolina. UNC trustees had waffled about whether to grant the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist tenure. She taught her first class at Howard on Monday afternoon, before the appearance at Northwestern, according to a tweet. I am HOME, yall, Hannah-Jones said in the post. Carrol Olinger, grandparent of a student at T.C. Berrien speaks at a parents meeting for Cumberland County Schools on Nov. 19, 2019. The Fayetteville, N.C., school was closed and its student body was located to Spring Lake, N.C., which is 10 miles away, after mold and air-quality issues were discovered. Cumberland County Schools officials will hold the last of three forums on Thursday to give families a chance to weigh in on preliminary school reassignments. The reassignment is part of a process of permanently closing T.C. Berrien Elementary School on North Street in Fayetteville. School district leaders presented the proposals on Jan. 4 to the Cumberland County Board of Education. In 2019, Berrien students were moved to W.T. Brown, a school 10 miles away, because of issues at Berrien that related to air quality and the school buildings foundation. The Thursday forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Ferguson-Easley Elementary School, 1857 Seabrook Road. It will concern the attendance areas of Berrien, Lucile Souders, Ferguson-Easley, Glendale Acres, Ashley and Walker-Spivey elementary schools, and Luther Nick Jeralds and R. Max Abbott middle schools. People who attend the forums will be required to follow the 3 Ws of COVID-19 protocol: Wait 6 feet; wash hands; and wear a mask, according to a news release from the school system. People can also submit feedback online at the CCS Student Reassignment web page, which has more information about the plans under discussion. More: Cumberland County school board hears student reassignment plans The school system release states: In developing options, which would impact schools in the T.C. Berrien area and potentially other schools in the district, multiple factors were considered, such as campus proximity, facility utilization and diversity. Support local journalism with a subscription to The Fayetteville Observer. Click the subscribe link at the top of this article. A forum held Tuesday evening was held at W.T. Brown Elementary School in Spring Lake and concerned the Lillian Black, Brown and Manchester elementary schools attendance areas. A forum held Monday evening involved the merger of Douglas Byrd Middle School and Ireland Drive Middle School, which currently only serves sixth graders. Opinion Editor Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County Schools holding public forum on school reassignment proposals MUNCIE, Ind. Opponents for the planned large solar farm north of Gaston packed the regular meeting of the Delaware County Council Tuesday morning and won both sympathy from council members and a promise they would look at rescinding the tax abatement council approved for the project last year. Amid applause from audience, six members of the council voted to direct their attorney, William Hughes, to find out how the council might go about reversing the 10-year property tax abatement granted the proposed Meadow Forge solar farm in October. Commission member Jane Lasater, who has a nephew involved with the project, abstained from the vote and said she would abstain from future votes regarding Meadow Forge. From Monday: Moratorium on building solar farms in Delaware County to expire Feb. 22 Ron Quakenbush, the council member who made the motion, told the audience that recension of the abatement wouldn't necessarily stop the project. A crowd fills the seats at the Delaware County Council meeting the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. The action came after numerous residents of the area took turns addressing the council about what the believe the estimated 900 acres of solar panels would do to their quality of life. "It looks like to us you've made up your mind and are pushing this forward. You just don't care," said Tim Niccum, a resident of the area. As they have at other public meetings, people in the audience said they were angry because they had no idea that the project was being finalized until it was nearly done. More: Gaston-area solar farm opponents gather at Wes-Del to learn more, discuss game plan Council member Ryan Webb said he had asked proponents of the Meadow Forge tax abatement earlier if there was opposition to the project and was told "no." After listening to the crowd at the council meeting, he said he would not have voted in support of Meadow Forge if he had known there was such opposition. After the meeting, Jason Kuchmay, an attorney for property owners fighting the solar farm, said he was encouraged by the action of the council to determine if they could rescind the abatement. Story continues For subscribers: Solar vs. grain: Farm feud in Washington Township roils community, ends friendships The next public meeting regarding the future of the project will be the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission, which is set to consider changes in the solar farm zoning ordinance. That meeting will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Delaware County Justice Center auditorium. Quakenbush, who said he was not running for re-election to his council seat this year, said he hoped to get the chance to vote on the matter again. "I come from farming," he said. "I wouldn't want to have (solar panels) next to my farm." This article will be updated. David Penticuff is the local government reporter at the Star Press. Contact him at dpenticuff@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Indiana solar farm: County council could repeal property tax abatement Domestic extremists have been developing plans to attack U.S. electric power infrastructure, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned in a bulletin obtained by The Hill. The department said both domestic violent extremists and extremists specifically motivated by racial animus are among those eyeing the power system as a target for attack. "DVEs have developed credible, specific plans to attack electricity infrastructure since at least 2020, identifying the electric grid as a particularly attractive target given its interdependency with other infrastructure sectors," the bulletin says. The Daily Beast first reported the memo. The notice to the electric sector comes as DHS and other national security agencies have said lone wolf actors and small bands of extremists are among the greatest threats to the homeland. "We are very focused on the lone actor or a loose affiliation of individuals rather than necessarily an organized structure with a set and defined hierarchy, and that's what I think can make the threat so challenging to address. It is that lack - it is the loose affiliation of individuals and the dynamic nature that they present," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently told reporters. White supremacist groups garnered FBI attention ahead of the 2020 election for discussing ways to attack the U.S. power grid if then-President Trump lost his reelection bid. In May of that year, three men claiming to be part of the Boogaloo movement, a far-right anti-government extremist group, were arrested after allegedly planning to attack an electrical substation in Las Vegas. The memo was issued Monday, the same day DHS warned law enforcement agencies that Russia could launch a cyberattack, including on U.S. infrastructure. "We assess that Russia would consider initiating a cyber attack against the Homeland if it perceived a US or NATO response to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine threatened its long-term national security," the agency said in the bulletin. Updated: 8:22 p.m. Jipson Quah (PHOTO: Facebook/Jipson Quah) SINGAPORE Jipson Quah, a doctor said to have falsely stated that individuals have been given COVID-19 vaccines, was remanded for one more week on Tuesday (25 January) after his lawyer unsuccessfully argued for him to be released on bail with conditions. Quah, 33, a medical practitioner at Wan Medical Clinic, has been in remand for five days. He was originally handed last Friday a charge of cheating the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a conspiracy with two other individuals, Thomas Chua Cheng Soon and Mehrajunnisha. Cheating is a bailable offence carrying a maximum jail term of three years but Quah now faces an amended and more serious charge. The new charge, which was handed to him on Tuesday, states that he dishonestly made a false representation to the MOH on 14 January 2022 in a conspiracy with Chua, who is Quah's assistant, and Mehrajunnisha. The alleged false representation was that Mehrajunnisha had been vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccine when she was not, in order for her to obtain a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19. The offence is not bailable and if convicted, Quah would face a maximum jail term of 20 years, or fined, or both. Quah's lawyer, Shashi Nathan, said that he was informed by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) a day earlier that the charge would be amended, after he had reached out to the prosecution about the original charge being a bailable offence. On Tuesday, before District Judge Terence Tay, the prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Samuel Yap, applied for Quah to be remanded for one more week. DPP Yap said that investigations required Quah's presence, including his access to medical records. "Preliminary investigations suggest that there are other patients involved and there are voluminous records that need to be examined," said DPP Yap. "There is also some time urgency... because there is public interest in ensuring investigations are carried out quickly. The outcome of this offending...is that there may be people (walking) around with vaccinated status but in fact have not received (their) vaccinations. And these people will be allowed to enjoy vaccinated-differentiated measures and therefore pose a risk to Singaporeans in this time," added the DPP. Story continues Nathan objected to Quah being further remanded, stating that the court has many options, including imposing conditions with bail on Quah such as daily reporting, or electronic tagging to secure his attendance. The police had already taken records from Quah's clinics so there was no issue of him having the records destroyed or disseminated, according to Nathan. There was no guarantee that even if Quah were to be remanded for a week, the prosecution would not ask for an extended remand, Nathan added. "If there was any danger of him absconding...I have no quarrel with prosecution. But in this case he is a young intelligent man, he knows he has a lot of explaining to do. I would ask him to be admitted to bail, even if (it's a) higher amount. I would ask the court to impose conditions including e-tagging or daily reporting if necessary so that he has his liberty, and the police can continue investigations as quickly as possible." Replying to Nathan's suggestion that AGC only amended the charge upon being contacted by Nathan, DPP Yap said it was the prosecution's prerogative to prefer the most appropriate charge, and that the charge had been amended after it reviewed the facts. DJ Tay granted the prosecution's application for Quah to be remanded for one more week. He said that given the spread of the Omicron COVID variant, there was a need to quickly verify the vaccination status of individuals to allow vaccination-differentiated measures to apply amid the "risk of serious and more widespread health consequences". Quah's case will return to court on 31 January. MOH began investigations into the case after it received anonymous feedback in December 2021. Wan Medical Clinic is currently under investigation for allegedly partnering Iris Koh, the founder of the group known as Healing the Divide to offer remote antigen rapid test (ART) pre-event testing (PET) for members of group. Koh was charged on Sunday with an offence of criminal conspiracy to cheat. She is said to have referred members of Healing The Divide to Quah and suggesting that instead of a vaccine, something else is administered to them. Her case is pending before the courts. Wan Medical Clinic is said to have allowed individuals to allegedly submit to the clinic pre-recorded videos and/or photos purporting to show that they had performed ART PET on themselves. The clinic then uploaded the negative ART results for these individuals. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Dorian LaCourse, chief of police in the Village of Addyston, has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of a March 2, 2020 council hearing. The former Addyston police chief is expected to plead guilty in a federal weapons case. He is accused in a 17-count indictment of using his position to help two Indiana gun dealers illegally get hundreds of fully automatic weapons. Former Addyston Police Chief Dorian LaCourse is entering into a plea deal with federal prosecutors, his attorney wrote in new court records. LaCourse, 65, of Milford, faced decades in prison if convicted on all charges. The specific terms of the guilty plea are being submitted for approval to supervisory authorities within the United States Attorneys Office, his attorney, Andrew Maternowski, wrote in a motion for the judge to vacate a Feb. 28 jury trial. Once thats approved and finalized, they will file the written agreement. LaCourse has previously pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and making false statements to the ATF. Fox19 requested a comment from his lawyer and this report will be updated once a response is received. LaCourse remains free on his own recognizance. 'Hundreds of machine guns': Feds indict former Addyston chief in weapons scheme He abruptly resigned from the Addyston Police Department in 2020 after village officials put him on leave amid an internal investigation. A federal grand jury indicted LaCourse in March for conspiring to help two Indiana gun dealers acquire about 200 machine guns. The dealers, Johnathan Marcum of Laurel, and Christopher Petty of Lawrenceburg who is a retired Harrison police officer, pleaded guilty last spring to conspiracy and making false statements. Authorities have described the case as a machine gun scheme. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Indiana alleged LaCourse used his position and made false statements to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to get approval to acquire the weapons. According to LaCourses indictment, he signed multiple letters and other official documents as the police chief falsely claiming to the ATF and others that the Addyston Police Department was interested in purchasing or receiving demonstrations of machine guns. Story continues Federal officials say he sold some at a profit to Marcum and Petty from October 2015 until May 2019, receiving 11 checks for more than $11,500. Mr. Marcum deeply regrets making some poor decisions that led to the charges in this case. He accepted responsibility and pled guilty, said Marcums attorney, John Freeman of Troy, Michigan. Mr. Marcum is eager to put this matter behind him and move forward as a productive and law-abiding citizen. The weapons included smaller submachine guns, automatic assault rifles and belt-fed machine guns for military use. One was an M2 .50 caliber belt-fed heavy machine gun that, according to LaCourses indictment, is vehicle-or ship-mounted and effective against lightly armored vehicles and low-flying aircraft. The village of Addyston has approximately 1,000 residents, and the Addyston Police Department has up to 10 officers, most of whom were part-time. Ohio state auditor:: Addyston bookkeeping a 'train wreck.' Mayor promises to 'bust open the books.' Marcum and Petty each face up to five years in prison. The court has ordered a presentencing investigation to assist in deciding their sentences. Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Addyston police chief Dorian LaCourse expected to plead guilty in weapons scheme Two weeks ago, Rem Pitlick playing at Xcel Energy Center would have been nothing out of the ordinary. But after exiting the Wild earlier this month, a Monday night game in St. Paul became a reunion for the former Gopher. "It's definitely interesting," Pitlick said. The 24-year-old forward was claimed off waivers by the Canadiens on Jan. 12 and, while he's excited to be with Montreal, moving on from the Wild was challenging. "It definitely hurt," Pitlick said during a virtual interview with reporters. "But it's a business. You get going again, and there's new connections to be made. It is the mecca of hockey in Montreal. I'm beyond blessed to be here now." A former Shattuck-St. Mary's standout who grew up in Plymouth, Pitlick joined the Wild off waivers from the Predators during training camp. He went on to appear in 20 games, tallying six goals and five assists. The highlight was Nov. 11 at Seattle when Pitlick became the 32nd player in NHL history to score a hat trick in the same game that included his first goal. Eventually, though, Pitlick became a healthy scratch, and he didn't lock up the depth spot the team had available that ultimately went to forward Connor Dewar. But with the Canadiens, Pitlick's situation has changed. He's logging more minutes and even getting a look on the power play. "I do not want to ignore a 200-foot game, and I think have the tools, the skating ability and the stick to not be a defensive liability," said Pitlick, who had a goal and assist through his first five games with Montreal. "But my hope is to bring hockey IQ, skating ability and a scoring touch." Talbot starts Cam Talbot was back in net on Monday, his first start since he left the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 because of a lower-body injury that Talbot didn't anticipate sidelining him as long as it did. "I thought that it would be a week, maybe two," he said. "I didn't expect it to be three. But we're just being extra cautious right now. I've been skating for two weeks now. I only took about a week, 10 days, off the ice, so it's just one of those things where you just have to progress, make sure you're not feeling it and then give it a few extra days to really feel comfortable with it." Story continues Different strategy Captain Jared Spurgeon made a smooth return to the lineup on Saturday after being out for more than a month, assisting on two goals and playing 23 minutes, 6 seconds in the 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks. That was the second time this season the defenseman came back from the same lower-body injury, with Spurgeon and the Wild taking a more patient approach with his latest recovery. "Skating-wise this time we just from the start put a date on when would be the first time to possibly even try to skate," said Spurgeon, who hopes the issue is behind him. "Before it was, 'Do you feel good that day?' and hop on the ice versus one was a hard no for a couple weeks. Then we slowly started integrating stuff back into the workout and off-ice stuff before getting back on the ice." Roster move The Wild assigned defenseman Calen Addison to Iowa in the American Hockey League. MOSCOW (AP) Kazakhstan's leader has trumpeted ambitious economic reforms following the worst unrest in the country of 19 million in three decades. The measures are aimed at reducing the states deep involvement in the economy, bridging the gap between the wealthy minority and the struggling majority and eliminating triggers for further turmoil. Experts say the announced changes look good on paper, but question whether the new government in the energy-rich former Soviet state will implement them. A look at the causes of discontent and the government's promised reforms: WHAT'S ROILING KAZAKHSTAN? On Jan. 2, small protests broke out in an oil city in western Kazakhstan where residents were unhappy about a sudden spike in prices for liquified gas, which is widely used as automotive fuel. The demonstrations soon spread across the vast country, reflecting wider public discontent with steadily decreasing incomes, worsening living conditions and the authoritarian government. By Jan. 5, the protests descended into violence, with armed groups storming government buildings and setting cars and buses on fire in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty. To quell the violence, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested help from a Russia-led security alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The bloc of six former Soviet states sent more than 2,000 troops. Authorities arrested thousands of people and more than 220 mostly civilians were killed. About a week after the protests began, order was largely restored. WHY WERE GAS PRICES SUCH A SORE POINT? The price of gas soared to 120 tenge ($0.27) per liter, a significant increase in the country where, according to Tokayev's own admission, half the population earns no more than 50,000 tenge ($114) a month. The spike came about as the government moved away from price controls as part of efforts to build a market economy. Analysts say the increase came as a complete surprise. Story continues All these decisions were made without transparency. ... People woke up to a new gas price that was 2 1/2 times higher," said Kassymkhan Kapparov, an economist in Kazakhstan and founder of the Ekonomist.Kz think tank. The western region of Kazakhstan where the protests started also produces oil and gas. Residents were outraged that the price increased while their salaries remained stagnant, said Rustam Burnashev of the Kazakh-German University in Almaty, an expert on regional security in Central Asia. They were saying, Guys, were producing it, and now we (have to) buy it at astronomical prices?' They agree that gas prices (all over the world) grow, but in that case (they say) that our salaries should too,'" Burnashev said. HOW DID KAZAKHSTAN END UP IN THIS SITUATION? Kazakhstan became independent when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. In the first post-independence years, the country saw rapid economic growth and rising prosperity. For almost three decades, it was dominated by Nursultan Nazarbayev, its last Communist Party leader at the time of independence. The country profited from its natural resources, most notably oil. Foreign investors were welcome, money flowed into state coffers, and social spending helped keep abject poverty low. But key sectors such as mining, telecommunications and banking were dominated by state-owned companies and a few figures connected to Nazarbayev, either politically or through family ties. As time went on, Nazarbayev increasingly monopolized the countrys politics, suppressing opposition and introducing a highly personalized form of rule as Elbasy, the Leader of the Nation. Nazarbayev resigned in 2019, but until recently remained head of the ruling Nur Otan party and chair of the Security Council. Tokayev, the chair of the upper house of parliament, was appointed president and renamed the capital of Astana to Nur-Sultan, to honor his predecessor. WHAT ARE THE ISSUES BEHIND THE PUBLIC DISCONTENT? Discontent among ordinary people goes way beyond gas prices. People are aware of the countrys striking level of inequality and the immense economic privilege of those around Nazarbayev, in which 162 people control more than half the countrys wealth. Meanwhile, the average monthly wage is around 243,000 tenge, or $558, according to government statistics, although the cost of living is relatively low compared with Western countries. A recent report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project found that a charitable foundation created by Nazarbayev held assets worth $7.8 billion, including stakes in banking, shopping centers, logistics firms and food production. British authorities issued unexplained-wealth orders to Nazarbayevs daughter and grandson demanding they reveal where they obtained funds for three London properties worth more than 80 million pounds. A judge threw out the orders. WHAT APPROACH IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT TAKING? Tokayev publicly acknowledged Kazakhstans rampant inequality and initially tried to quell the protests with a few concessions: He capped gas prices for 180 days, named a new Cabinet, and ousted Nazarbayev from the National Security Council. The president outlined future reforms to reset the economy, remarking, We need to define new rules of play fairer, more transparent and just." Among the ambitious measures he touted are reducing the government's involvement in and oligarchs' influence on business; reforming the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, which owns major companies; and ensuring fair competition, a better investment climate and the integrity of private property, in part by overhauling the country's justice system. WHAT CHANCE OF SUCCESS DO THE PROPOSED REFORMS HAVE? Kapparov, the economist, said important questions remain about the Samruk-Kazyna fund and its companies. Will there be a privatization? On what scale? In which time frame? he asked. Will it be open to everyone, including foreign investors? These issues havent been mentioned. The inner circle's power and influence raise serious obstacles to any wide-ranging reform that would be required to privatize state companies and allow outside interests to compete in key sectors, said former World Bank official Simon Commander, now managing partner at emerging markets advisory firm Altura Partners. Tokayev's speech, while interesting, is certainly more radical than is likely to be possible. ... Let's hope he turns out to be a genuine reformer. But he added: "Im very skeptical. Their economic and political structure hems them in." WHAT ABOUT POLITICAL REFORMS? During his years in office, Tokayev also has promised limited political reforms, including local elections. But the crackdown on protesters suggests authorities don't intend to allow genuine political opposition, and without political reform, economic reform is difficult to imagine. Greeting discontent with more than 12,000 arrests is a pretty good metric for how the regime thinks it needs to respond, Commander said. ___ McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany. By Elaine Lies and Ju-min Park TOKYO (Reuters) - The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant said this month that two storage tanks had leaked about four tonnes of coolant solution used to create an ice wall that prevented groundwater from seeping in. The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co Holdings (Tepco), said the leak had no impact on the wall or the environment, however. But the incident highlights its struggle to clean up the plant nearly 11 years after a massive earthquake and tsunami set off meltdowns in the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. It also comes just as the utility is readying to build a tunnel to the sea to release more than 1 million tonnes of irradiated water from the site, after treatment, in an effort set to start around the spring of 2023. WHY AN ICE WALL? In operation since 2016, the ice wall, as the structure is called, is really more like a barrier of frozen soil. Built by Kajima Corp, it cost 34.5 billion yen ($303 million) in public funds. The ice wall is meant to keep contaminated water within the plant while keeping out groundwater, which becomes radioactive on seeping into the basements of the crippled reactors and coming in contact with highly radioactive debris there. That has interfered with clean-up work, forcing Tepco to pump out the water for storage in huge tanks at an annual cost of about 100 billion yen. Now space is running out, as nearly 1.3 million tonnes of such water has accumulated, or enough to fill about 500 swimming pools of Olympic size. HOW DOES IT WORK? Coolant pumped into freeze tubes reduces temperatures to about -30 degrees C (-22 Fahrenheit) in about 1,500 tubes filled with brine located at a depth of 30 meters (98.43 ft) along a perimeter of 1.5 km (1 mile) around the plant. This in turn freezes the surrounding groundwater into a contiguous wall of frozen soil, and the coolant is recirculated. LEAKS AND PROBLEMS The latest leak appears to have been caused by a warping of joints in metal pipes, despite a lack of visible cracks, a TEPCO spokesperson said. The system is operating after the defective parts were replaced. Story continues The last of roughly eight leaks since the wall became operative was in 2019, probably because of metal fatigue from vibrations caused by construction vehicles. The spokesperson was unable to immediately confirm the cause of earlier leaks, but said similar reasons were likely. In Nov 2021, Tepco said it was launching remedial work after testing showed a partial melting of the ice wall. The coolant in Sunday's leak was a solution of calcium chloride, used in concrete mixes to hasten setting and in food to firm it. WATER RELEASE - AND THE TUNNEL In December, Tepco said it aimed to build an underwater tunnel to release the water into the sea, in the latest stage of a plan to discharge about 1 million tonnes after treatment and dilution, at a point about 1 km (0.6 miles) offshore. The treated water is to be pumped from tanks for release at a depth of 12 metres (40 ft), with construction set to start this year. The water will be processed to remove all radioactive contamination, except tritium, which will be diluted to a seventh of the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water. The release is set to start around spring 2023. Though nuclear plants worldwide routinely discharge water with tritium in it, the plan has stirred concern from neighbours China and South Korea, worried over food safety. Also alarmed are farmers and fishermen nearby who worry it could hit prices after years of struggle to rebuild. LAWSUIT Separately, a lawsuit set to be filed on Thursday against Tepco says a group of six men and women developed thyroid cancer due to radiation exposure from the disaster, the Mainichi daily said. In a statement, the utility said it would respond after the filing and hearings. ($1=113.7600 yen) (Reporting by Ju-min Park and Elaine Lies; Editing by David Dolan and Clarence Fernandez) Republican candidates for governor Richard Irvin and Jesse Sullivan launched television spots Tuesday that followed the partys election-year strategy of using spikes in violent crime to attack Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers leadership. Irvins ad was unveiled little more than a week after the Aurora mayor entered the GOP primary race, and the day after his campaign reported collecting more than $1.2 million in contributions of $1,000 or more though none from an expected backer, Ken Griffin, co-founder of the Citadel investment firm and Illinois richest resident. Advertisement Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, a U.S. Army veteran, gives a Memorial Day tribute to Gold Star families at a wreath-laying ceremony at Phillips Park. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News) The spot focuses on a May 31, 2020, protest over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police that turned violent as rioters among a crowd of about 500 people looted stores and set a series of fires in Auroras downtown. Irvin is shown at a mayoral news conference saying, Aurora will be ready for you if you come to our community wreaking havoc. We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We will not put up with this BS and foolishness. This I guarantee. Advertisement An announcer then says, They tried to burn his city down. Richard Irvin took it back. Elect Irvin governor. Well take back our state. The announcer says Irvin called in the Guard, a reference to the National Guard. But the governor authorizes the use of the National Guard, not individual mayors who can only make a request for a call-up to the states chief executive. The state Democratic Party issued a statement that sought to link Irvin to former one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner by noting the candidate has yet to speak to reporters since announcing his candidacy. Clearly, Irvin and the rest of the Rauner Reboot slate think they can avoid accountability for their words as long as they can avoid talking to voters or reporters, the Democratic Party statement said. Former members of Rauners team are part of the group that has assembled a slate of statewide GOP candidates, headed by Irvin, with the aim of securing the financial support of Griffin in an attempt to match billionaire Pritzkers spending ability. Griffin was not on an initial list Irvin donors reported Monday, but other members of the states Republican business establishment were, including industrialist Craig Duchossois, who was among four $250,000 donors, along with former U.S. Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz and real estate mogul Sam Zell, who gave $100,000 apiece. Industry reports show Irvin is paying more than $55,000 for one week of advertising on cable TV alone. Pritzker, who has regularly been airing ads featuring his handling of the pandemic and state finances, is spending nearly $80,000 for a week of cable advertising. Central Illinois venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan, seen here on Sept. 10, 2021, has launched a bid for the Republican nomination for governor. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Sullivan, a businessman from Petersburg, is spending nearly $90,000 to air his latest commercial on cable TV for two weeks, industry reports show. Advertisement In his ad, Sullivan compares Chicago to Afghanistan, where he spent time as a civilian intelligence analyst. I know corrupt war zones torn apart by violence. But this isnt Afghanistan. This is Chicago. Pritzkers leftist agenda is literally killing us, turning parts of Illinois into a war zone, Sullivan says. Sullivan released the ad along with what he called his safe streets plan, which includes repealing elements of a new criminal justice law that have yet to take effect yet, such as the elimination of cash bail. Republicans have argued parts of the law have spurred outbreaks of violent crime. Sullivan also has called for using the National Guard and State Police to help fill police vacancies across the state. He wants to increase pay for county sheriffs, provide better benefits to attract and retain people to law enforcement, and create a position for a statewide anti-violence director. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly last year created a $152,983-per-year assistant secretary of firearm violence prevention under the states Department of Human Services. The position was created as part of a plan, championed by Pritzker, to reimagine public safety through a holistic-based violence prevention initiative. rap30@aol.com WASHINGTON (AP) Extremist groups in the United States appear to increasingly view attacking the power grid as a means of disrupting the country, according to a government report aimed at law enforcement agencies and utility operators. Domestic extremists have developed credible, specific plans to attack electricity infrastructure since at least 2020, according to the report from the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Intelligence and Analysis. The document, dated Monday, was obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. The report warns that extremists adhering to a range of ideologies will likely continue to plot and encourage physical attacks against electrical infrastructure, which includes more than 6,400 power plants and 450,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines that span the country. Experts on the U.S. power grid have pointed out that it would be difficult to knock out power to the nation given the size and decentralized nature of the grid. The DHS report also notes that attackers, without inside help at least, would be unlikely to produce widespread, multistate outages, though they could still do damage and cause injuries. It comes as both the FBI and DHS have repeatedly warned in recent months that the U.S. faces a heightened threat from domestic extremists. The grid is viewed as a target, based on a series of incidents in recent years as well as online discussions in extremist and conspiracy-minded forums, because transmission lines and substations are often in remote areas and because outages may result in frustration and divisions within American society, a federal law enforcement official said. They feel that disrupting the electrical supply will disrupt the ability of government to operate, the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss a report that has not been publicly released. And, secondly, by conducting attacks against the communications and electrical infrastructure, it will actually accelerate the coming civil war that they anticipate because it will disrupt the lives of so many people that they will lose faith in government. Story continues Some of these concerns are nearly a decade old. In 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered grid operators to increase security following a sniper attack on the Pacific Gas & Electric Companys Metcalf Transmission Substation in an isolated area southeast of San Jose, California. No arrests have been made in an assault that stunned authorities and could have disrupted power to Silicon Valley. DHS noted the Metcalf incident in the report along with more recent incidents, including a suspected plot by white supremacist extremists to attack power stations in the southeastern U.S. as part of an effort to cause havoc if they disagreed with the outcome of the November 2020 election. Asked about the report, the Edison Electric Institute, an association of companies that provide power to about 70% of the U.S. population, said it has been cooperating for years with the government to respond to a range of potential dangers. Our industry is working constantly to adapt to new and evolving threats to the grid, whether thats by protecting against malicious threats like cyber and physical attacks or addressing the challenges of extreme weather caused by climate change, Scott Aaronson, the associations senior vice president for security and preparedness, said by email. The report also mentioned four suspected extremists who were accused in October 2020 of a plot to damage transformers in Idaho and nearby states and the arrest in May 2020 of three alleged militia extremists, tied to the antigovernment Boogaloo movement, who were charged in a conspiracy to attack an electrical substation in Las Vegas. The electrical companies and state and local law enforcement need to be aware of this and need to take steps," said the federal law enforcement official. - Associated Press writer Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report. Monarch School of New England receives Fabulous Find grant The Monarch School of New England announced that a $8,890.22 grant has been awarded to the school from The Fabulous Find. ROCHESTER The Monarch School of New England has announced it has received an $8,890.22 grant from The Fabulous Find. The Monarch School of New England was one of three nonprofits selected to participate in the stores December partnership program. Diane Bessey, Executive Director of the Monarch School of New England, said; We are grateful to be a part of The Fabulous Finds supportive community and for this partnership opportunity. This grant award helps our school continue to move forward in an innovative way, so that we can continue to provide our students with special needs with the programs and services they need to learn as the pandemic continues. The Fabulous Find is a boutique-style resale shop at 139 State Road (Route One) in Kittery which partners with different worthy, local non-profit organizations each month. Since opening in July 2010, The Fabulous Find has donated over $2 million dollars to more than 150 nonprofits in the greater Seacoast community. To learn more, visit: monarchschoolne.org. Rochester Middle School students explore tech center ROCHESTER Rochester Middle School eighth graders recently toured the R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center, learning more about the career technical education programs it offers. Attendees learned about the 17 career pathways at the center, visiting programs from Accounting to Video and Photographic Arts. Incoming Spaulding High School students were greeted by CTE Ambassadors, a new program started this year. About 50 student-ambassadors guided students, explained programs, and shared their experiences and personal growth in career technical education. Eighth-grade students tour the Advanced Manufacturing/Millwork program at the R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center in Rochester. Freshmen may take a variety of exploratory classes, and select pathways starting in their sophomore year. Incoming Spaulding ninth graders who attend the Paul School and St. Elizabeth Seton School will visit Creteau Center in the coming weeks. I always enjoy talking with staff and prospective students during these tours, Superintendent Kyle Repucci said. Its special to see students experience what the Creteau Center has to offer, and discover an interest or passion that can last a lifetime. Story continues Eighth-grade students tour the Engineering Maker Space at the R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center. The Creteau Center is part of the Tri-City Opportunities, which offers high school students in Rochester, Somersworth and Dover the ability to access career technical programs at their partnering schools, allowing for more diversity of programs and overall opportunities. "The tours are a great opportunity for students to meet our Ambassadors, to hear their CTE story, and ask questions that will help guide them into their own pathway!" said Michele Halligan-Foley, director of Career Technology Education. CTE Ambassadors talk about their experiences at the Creteau Center with eighth-grade students. Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year closes March 4. Applicants will be interviewed in March, and learn about their acceptance in April. Applications by students after March 4 will be reviewed if openings remain available in April. To visit the Creteau Center website go to https://sites.google.com/a/sau54.org/cte/home?authuser=0. To review the Program of Studies go to https://coredocs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1368473/Spaulding_HS_Program_of_Studies.pdf Service Credit Union awards $10k to Arts in Reach PORTSMOUTH Arts In Reach (AIR), a nonprofit committed to empowering teenage girls and gender expansive youth, is proud to announce a $10,000 sponsorship from Service Credit Union. This award is helping to fund free year-round arts programs in 2022. Service Credit Union is celebrating its 65th year of improving the financial wellbeing of military personnel, their families, and the greater New Hampshire Seacoast community. Service and community are at the core of their work, and there is no exception in their support of Arts In Reach. Arts in Reach is an amazing organization that we are excited to partner with. Community Relations Manager Jaime Yates said. We are in awe of the work they do to empower youth in our community and cant wait to see the impact of AIRs programs on the teens they serve. From mixed media and clay to acting and wearable art, Arts In Reach teens explore new ways to express themselves creatively and authentically while building confidence and making friends in a safe, inclusive environment. Service Credit Unions sponsorship funds twenty teens to participate in AIR programs and access transportation and supplies for programs free of charge. This sponsorship gives teens opportunities to work with their peers and professional teaching artists to create visual, performing, and literary arts. We are incredibly grateful to Service Credit Union for their investment in youth empowerment, commented AIR Executive Director Debra Holloway, AIR closes opportunity gaps and creates brighter futures for our Seacoast youth. To find more information about Service Credit Union, go to https://servicecu.org, and to learn more about Arts In Reach and its corporate sponsor program, visit www.artsinreach.org/donate. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Monarch School of New England, Fabulous Find, Creteau Center Mileisha Windham Mileisha Windham didn't know if she would ever be able to have children. Prior unexplained health issues, her family said, raised doubts about her ability to become pregnant until she did. Six years ago, Windham gave birth to the first of her three daughters. The girls now ages 2, 4 and 6 became Windham's world, her reason for pursuing a higher education while working to provide for them as a single mother, her family said. "For her it was a fulfillment," said Windham's sister, Tashi Windham, 28, "the family she always wanted." Windham, 34, and her daughters were nearly inseparable, so it's no surprise all three girls were with her on the night of Dec. 22, 2021, when tragedy struck. While they were outside of Windham's apartment on Columbus' North Side, Windham was shot dead by an unknown assailant. Homicide map: Here's an updated map of where homicides have occurred in Columbus A neighbor at the Reserve at Sharon Woods apartment complex on Solera Drive near Sharon Woods Boulevard called 911 at 7:52 p.m., telling the dispatcher that the children had knocked on his door imploring him to help. "They said their mom is dead," the man says in the 911 call as the children can be heard inconsolably wailing for their mother in the background. "I don't know where they belong, I don't know anything." Columbus police and medics rushed to the apartment complex, located north of Route 161 about a mile south of Sharon Woods Metro Park, and pronounced Windham dead at the scene after 8 p.m. Mileisha Windham: Family in Mansfield devastated by her slaying More than a month after the fatal shooting, Columbus homicide detectives have made no arrests as Windham's family is left grieving and processing the sudden, unexplainable loss of their loved one just days before Christmas. "If you haven't gone through it you wouldn't internally understand what it feels like," said Windham's mother, 48-year-old Denica Slusher. "I don't understand how it could happen to her of all people." Story continues Born and raised in Mansfield, Windham graduated in 2006 from Mansfield Senior High School, her obituary states. Most recently, she worked at Quantum Health on the Far North Side, where her family said she was hired in October in customer service. Windham's family said she was working while completing a bachelor's degree in psychology online through Southern New Hampshire University, which she hoped to put to use to advance her career at Quantum. Windham had spent years not working and moving back and forth between the Greater Columbus area and Mansfield. Despite her efforts to keep up with expenses, management at the apartment complex had taken her to court and gotten permission to have her removed nearly 12 hours earlier on the day she was killed, court records showed. When her life was cut short, she became the 196th victim of homicide in 2021, which had already become the city's deadliest year on record a month prior. Eight more people were killed in the remaining days of 2021, making for 204 homicides recorded within the year. For subscribers: Homicides have risen in Columbus and cities across the U.S. What are the causes? Windham was laid her to rest on Jan. 7 at a cemetery in Mansfield where most of her family lives. Her daughters now live with Slusher and her husband at her Mansfield home, where they also spend time with Tashi, who lives nearby. Tashi said she looks back with fondness on all the nights she spent with her sister simply sitting on Windham's back porch listening to music and talking. Those mundane moments seemed unremarkable at the time, but now they're the memories Tashi said she'll cherish for a lifetime. "After this situation, I'm losing myself and I kind of feel empty," Tashi said. Homicide arrest: Columbus police arrest South Side man for late-December homicide in Merion Village Latest homicide of 2022: One killed, two injured in shooting after dispute at East Side nightclub spills outside Windham's sister, Ikea Windham, 32, graduated from Youngtown University with a nursing degree in early December, weeks before the murder. At the ceremony, she was touched when she discovered that her older sister had worked with Ikea's two teenage sons to make congratulatory signs that they held aloft for her to see. "I just feel lost because she was there for us through so many things," said Ikea, who lives in Reynoldsburg. "She was a big support system for me." Windham's family doesn't know who would cause her harm or what possible motives that person would have. And as the days turn into weeks with her murder unsolved, they've attempted to make peace with the possibility that they may never have the closure that would come from knowing who was behind her death. But they still have hope that they'll get answers. "She just wanted to live life and make everything better for her kids," Tashi said. "It was always about the three of them." Now, Slusher said, "There are three kids out here who are going to grow up without a mom, a mom they loved dearly." Anyone with information about this or any homicide can call the Columbus police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or report an anonymous tip to the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477. Eric Lagatta is a reporter at the Columbus Dispatch covering public safety, breaking news and social justice issues. Reach him at elagatta@dispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mileisha Windham: Family seeks answers after mom slain in Columbus In this March 2020 photo, sugarcane burns in preparation for harvesting along State Road 80 near 20-mile bend. [ALLEN EYESTONE / palmbeachpost.com] On January 20th the Tallahassee Democrat published an op-ed by Alan Shelby and Jim Karels of the Florida Forestry Association and the NASF. In it the authors inaccurately characterized two repealer bills that we filed as an effort to eliminate the Florida Forest Services prescribed burn program. This is simply not the case, what these bills (SB 1102 and HB 6085) actually do is reinstate air-quality protections that Floridians once had before the passage of last years Senate Bill 88, a policy proposal backed by the sugar industry. They would not affect Floridas respected and renowned Prescribed Fire Program, which in fact is protected from liability by its own separate chapter of Florida Statutes and has put Florida decades ahead of western states in wildfire prevention. Last year the Florida Legislature passed this bill under the guise of promoting important farming activities in our state. In reality, however, this new law actually ended up providing immunity to those who are actively endangering the health and safety of vulnerable communities in Florida. These newly protected dangerous activities are largely limited to industrial farming operations, particularly the practice of sugarcane burning. For example, a 2021 study found that article emissions from field burning, tillage dust, and fuel combustion in some agricultural equipment contributed to 4,800 deaths per year nationwide. Last years bill caused the very working families who often support these large agricultural operations to lose any chance of having their day in court if they or their families suffer damages from such operations. The Atmospheric Environment Journal has found that areas surrounding sugar burning have increased occurrences of acute respiratory illness, genotoxicity which harms genetic information leading to cancer, and other diseases of the respiratory system, and that the impacts are particularly pronounced in vulnerable groups, such as young children and the elderly. Story continues Toxic waste, particularly ammonia runoff from fertilizers, is also a particle emission that can cause damage well outside of the half-mile range to drinking water and aquatic ecosystems. Prescribed burn at Torreya State Park. These bills we filed this year are designed to provide much needed protections to vulnerable communities from the harms associated with what is widely recognized to be a dangerous practice. These bills will not ban or restrict the Florida Forest Service from performing or regulating a prescribed burn program, which as the authors rightly pointed out, is an important tool for foresters and forester landowners to manage and care for the land. it should be noted that the Florida Forest Service was successfully operating its well-known prescribed burning program years prior to the passage of SB 88, the legislation which our bills seek to amend. Additionally, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (which oversees the Florida Forest Service) has performed agency bill analyses on both SB 88 and HB 6085/SB 1102. In all these analyses the department noted that the legislation would not require them to adopt or eliminate any rules, regulations, policies or procedures. Simply put, our proposed legislation to protect Floridians from harmful emissions will not prevent the Florida Forest Service from continuing to use prescribed burning as an effective forest and land management tool. While we are certain of the good the intentions of Mr. Shelby and Mr. Karels, their analysis of our bills and their effect is wholly inaccurate. Should the presiding officers of either the Senate Judiciary Committee or the House Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee grant our bills the hearings they deserve, we both would be more than happy to clarify the specific intent of this important legislation - protecting marginalized communities from the dangerous effects of sugarcane burning - and reiterate our support of Floridas prescribed fire program. Sen. Gary M. Farmer Jr. Sen. Gary M. Farmer Jr. is a Democrat representing Floridas 34th State Senate District covering the eastern portion of Broward County. State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani Rep. Anna V. Eskamani is a Democrat representing Floridas 4th State House District covering parts of Orange County. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Farmer, Eskamani: Proposed bills would reinstate air-quality protections; preserve prescribed burn program | Opinion Progressives are preparing to try to clear out Democrats they say are hampering their ability to remodel the country while their party still controls Congress. They see the skeleton Build Back Better (BBB) package and failed voting rights bill as warning signs that a few stubborn lawmakers can - and, if given the chance, will - block and blow up the liberal vision they had dreamed about enacting when President Biden took office. When things fell further apart last week, leaving the president and congressional Democrats scrambling for a way to advance their two main priorities, progressives saw a clear fix to all of it: primary challenges ahead of November. "We need strong progressives in Congress to have some sort of counterweight and leverage against the conservative, corporate backed Democrats who are an obstacle to delivering results," said Waleed Shaheed, a spokesperson for Justice Democrats, a progressive group that has backed several liberal challengers to Democratic incumbents in recent years. "These primaries are where those seats come from, where that leverage comes from," he said. Many on the left are outraged that Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.) joined Republicans last week in opposing a rule change to the filibuster and in doing so killed off a voting rights bill. They are equally furious that the same two holdouts, particularly Manchin, sank Biden's social and climate spending package. While both bills have defined Biden's first year in office, progressives see them as just the start. They believe the moderate duo in the Senate and many more in the House will vote against their proposals as often as possible in 2022 and 2024, creating further pressure to oust them from within their own ranks before it gets to that point. Manchin and Sinema aren't up for reelection in 2022, but here are five moderate Democrats the left plans to target: 1) Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas) Story continues Jessica Cisneros's quest to remove longtime moderate Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas) from his position as a key centrist negotiator on Capitol Hill has attracted the most progressive energy this cycle. Cuellar, a 10-term incumbent currently embroiled in an FBI investigation for alleged improper ties to Azerbaijan, is one of progressives' biggest potential gets. He was seen as a major barrier to left-wing lawmakers' goal of keeping Biden's social safety net package linked to the bipartisan infrastructure bill in November, arguing that he and others in similar positions in conservative districts needed an accomplishment to talk up back home. Cisneros, a working class Mexican American woman, has a very different vision. She gained some prominence for challenging Cuellar for the same seat in Texas's 28th Congressional District in 2020. And since then, progressives have become more interested in her candidacy. Like many on the left, she is firmly against corporate money in politics, particularly from the fossil fuel industry in the oil-rich state. Cuellar has sustained pushback from liberals over his ties to Big Oil. While Cisneros is backed by liberal lawmakers, Cuellar, who's held his seat since 2005, has establishment weight behind his bid, including Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.), the No. 2 Democrat in the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has remained neutral so far, but supported him last cycle against Cisneros. 2) Rep. Carolyn Maloney (N.Y.) Rana Abdelhamid is progressives' biggest chance to create a liberal trifecta in deep blue New York. Abdelhamid, a 28-year-old Muslim woman, is competing against Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a nearly three decade House veteran, for a shot at the 12th Congressional District of the state where Democrat-on-Democrat action is something of a blood sport. In Abdelhamid, top strategists see an opening to recreate the fire they've captured cycle after cycle in the state that sent Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman to Congress against their more well-known and well-funded incumbent opponents. The millennial progressive told The Hill she hopes that she can draw a contrast between her "establishment" rival "backed by Wall Street and real estate" who, she adds, "has held this seat for as long as I have been alive." "We saw how important it is to have real progressives in Congress during the fight for Build Back Better," Abdelhamid said. "We need leaders who will fight as hard as the people of this district already do." 3) Rep. Danny K. Davis (Ill.) Activists desperate to send another social justice advocate to Capitol Hill have set their sights on Kina Collins, a young, Black gun violence prevention activist with ties to community organizing. If Collins's story sounds familiar, it's because it is strikingly similar to another progressive recruit from the activist class, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who rose to power and prominence by defeating longtime Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) amid an uproar over racial unrest. Operatives see parallels between Bush and Collins, who is taking on Rep. Danny K. Davis, a 13-term lawmaker and member of the Congressional Black Caucus, in Illinois's 7th Congressional District. Davis, progressives contend, is too closely tied to corporate money, which they say has long influenced his decision making, whereas Collins relies exclusively on small-dollar donations to fund her insurgent bid. Illinois's 7th District "is one of the most unequal districts in the country, yet our representative Danny Davis has stopped showing up in the community, misses votes, and takes money from corporate donors," Collins said. Like Abdelhamid, Collins believes the ongoing struggle and public spectacle around passing Democrats' social spending plan further spotlighted the need for her candidacy and others challenging lawmakers who liberals say are slowing things down. "We need progressive fighters," she said. 4) Rep. Tim Ryan for Ohio Senate Columbus native Morgan Harper, a former adviser for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is challenging moderate Rep. Tim Ryan in the state's Democratic Senate primary, a race that's attracting national eyeballs. Harper's resume reads a bit like Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-Mass.). A lawyer and policy wonk, but from the Midwest, not Massachusetts. She hopes that in Ohio, the state that Democrats have watched turn red over the last several cycles, she's making the pitch that populist policies like "Medicare for All" and the Green New Deal are needed to inject optimism and concrete results into struggling areas. Ryan, a Youngstown native and early backer of Biden, has long enjoyed the support of the party's establishment wing. While some Democrats are skeptical that the seat can go to any candidate from their side of the aisle, Harper would have to outcompete the moderate faction's favorite candidate in 10-term Ryan to have a shot against the eventual Republican nominee. 5) Rep. Jim Cooper (Tenn.) If there's an underdog to be had among progressives' 2022 dream draft, it's Odessa Kelly. The young Nashville native is challenging Rep. Jim Cooper, a 16-term conservative Democrat and member of the Blue Dog Coalition in the House, for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. Like other outsiders angling for a way in, Kelly, a mother of two, has the support of Justice Democrats and progressive groups like Indivisible, Brand New Congress, the Working Families Party and a slew of local and community leaders in Tennessee. Her platform is unabashedly progressive. While fellow organizers see hope in Kelly's bid against Cooper, some privately acknowledge she has a tougher road ahead than her counterparts. Her district has been recently gerrymandered to lean toward Republican control, making it even harder for some to envision any Democrat clinging to power in the Southern enclave. 2024 Honorable Mentions: 6) Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) There's no shortage of progressives who want Manchin out of Congress and away from politics altogether. But can anyone make that happen? The West Virginia senator has been the left's biggest problem child on Capitol Hill for the entirety of Biden's administration. From BBB to the federal minimum wage, many progressives are loath to even refer to Manchin as a "moderate," arguing that he is more of a Republican officeholder than a team member of the Democratic caucus. It's not just the left flank who is mad. As the negotiations around major legislation lagged for months for what he promised were "good faith" talks with the White House and congressional colleagues, many in the party felt he basically delivered a middle finger to the plans to pass an agenda that would address many social and environmental problems before the midterm elections. The whole episode was cinematic. And it drastically upped the pressure among aggravated activists at the state and national levels to find someone who could be viable against him. That, of course, won't be easy. Former President Trump swept the state easily in both elections, and Manchin is still deeply popular with his constituents, despite the overall mood among Democrats in Washington souring on him. 7) Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) Unlike Manchin, Sinema is a relatively newer target on the left. But she's quickly caught up to being equally reviled by those who want her out. What started as a nascent "primary Sinema" movement among some rogue activists has gained steam in recent weeks after the first-term Arizona senator voted against amending the filibuster and effectively halted the debate on passing voting rights legislation. Beyond the majority of Democrats in Congress, who have become increasingly unhappy with Sinema's position on the filibuster and refusal to budge after meeting several times directly with Biden, officials in her own state are even more upset. Members of the Arizona Democratic Party recently voted to censure their own senator after her GOP-aligned vote last week, a move that received praise from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has been critical of both Sinema and Manchin in their opposition to changing the procedure. Activists say they expect a Sinema challenger to emerge ahead of 2024, with some anticipating that Rep. Ruben Gallego could mount an intraparty fight, despite shooting down the idea earlier. JUPITER Five teachers were sent home from Limestone Creek Elementary last week for refusing to wear masks on campus, a school district spokeswoman confirmed. The teachers were instructed to leave campus Thursday for violating the Palm Beach County School Districts mask policy, which requires all employees and visitors to wear facial coverings while indoors on campus. State law prohibits mask requirements for students. More: Palm Beach County schools to impose mask mandate for staff, visitors when classes resume The School District of Palm Beach County offices on August 12, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. [GREG LOVETT/palmbeachpost.com] School district spokeswoman Claudia Shea said the teachers were sent home with pay on Thursday, the first day they refused to wear masks. The teachers remained off duty Friday and Monday, she said, although she could not confirm whether they continued to receive pay. The five teachers, who she declined to identify, are now the subject of a personnel investigation and could face disciplinary action, Shea said. The teachers' absence from campus comes amid widespread staffing shortages at the county's public schools, which have been worsened by the spike in coronavirus cases this month. Subscribe today to support local journalism and enjoy unlimited digital access including videos, apps, sports news, and more. Special introductory offer for new subscribers only. In addition to reducing contagion, the school district has called its mask mandate a strategy to dampen the impact of staffing shortfalls. "Facial coverings serve as a mitigating factor in helping to control the spread of COVID-19, and in doing so, keeping our students and staff healthy, while reducing absenteeism and staffing shortages," district officials said in a letter to parents last week. The teachers are invited to come back to campus when they agree to abide by the school districts mask rules, she said. She called the incident at Limestone Creek an aberration and said the district has faced few cases of teachers refusing to wear masks. Story continues Want more education news? Sign up for ourExtra Credit weekly newsletter, delivered every Friday! The great, great, great majority of employees are following the rules, she said. Justin Katz, president of the county teachers union, said he was not aware of any other cases of multiple teachers at a single school refusing to wear masks since the district re-imposed a mask mandate for employees Jan. 4. You can count those refusing with fingers to spare, he said. Limestone Creek, located north of Indiantown Road and east of Interstate 95, educates 970 students. amarra@pbpost.com @AMarranara This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Limestone Creek teachers sent home for refusing to wear masks A US Coast Guard vessel in the Taiwan Strait, August 2021 (US Coast Guard) The US Coast Guard is searching for 39 people who were on board a suspected people smuggling boat when it capsized off the Florida coast. Officials said that the alarm was raised when a survivor clinging to the capsized vessel was rescued by a "good Samaritan" about 45 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet. The survivor said that he was one of 40 people who had left Bimini in the Bahamas on Saturday night but quickly encountered bad weather. He said nobody was wearing a life jacket. The Coast Guard said it believed it was dealing with a human smuggling venture. This is not the first such disaster. Last May, another suspected human smuggling boat capsized off a beach in California, reportedly killing one person and injuring 11. Another, larger smuggling vessel turned over off Point Loma near San Diego the same month, allegedly killing four people. The San Diego Fire Department pulled 27 people from the water, with five needing CPR. Follow live updates below as this story develops. What the Coast Guard has said 19:47 , Io Dodds Welcome to our live coverage. Here's what the US Coast Guard has said about the capsized vessel in Florida: "Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a report from a good Samaritan who rescued a man clinging to a capsized vessel approximately 45 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet. The survivor reported he left Bimini, Bahamas, with 39 other people Saturday night and encountered severe weather, causing the vessel to capsize. "According to the survivor, no one else was wearing a life jacket. Coast Guard air and surface asset crews are actively searching for people in the water. "This is a suspected human smuggling venture." A judge in Florida tried to stop a 17-year-old high school student from getting an abortion because he thought her grades were too low. However, the 17-year-old, known as Jane Doe in court papers, successfully appealed the circuit judges ruling this week. In a 2-1 ruling in the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, the panel of judges found that Ms Doe was mature enough to earn whats known as a judicial bypass an arduous legal process that lets minors get abortions without involving their parents. Vice reports that in the original ruling, Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge Jared Smith noted that Ms Doe had originally said she made B grades, but her current grade point average is 2.0. Clearly, a B average would not equate to a 2.0 GPA, Mr Smith wrote. He continued, Does testimony evinces either a lack of intelligence or credibility, either of which weigh against a finding of maturity pursuant to the statute. However, a ruling written by Judge Darryl Casanueva and joined by Judge Susan Rothstein-Youakim pointed out that if Ms Doe is obtaining B-grades, then her current GPA may not reflect her newer grades. In addition, we observe a C average demonstrates average intelligence for a high school student, Mr Casanueva wrote. The evidence certainly did not show that her overall intelligence was less than average. The appeals court ruling dismissed Judge Smiths other arguments as to why the 17-year-old should not get an abortion. Mr Smith said that Ms Doe does not care for any younger family members to evaluate her emotional stability. Mr Casanueva pointed out that Ms Doe doesnt have younger siblings. The Hillsborough County judge also said that Ms Doe has never had any financial responsibilities, even so much as paying her own cellphone bills. However, Mr Casanueva noted that the teenager works for more than 20 hours a week, has $1,600 in savings and two credit cards, and pays for almost everything with the exception of the cellphone bills. Story continues In a 22-page ruling, Mr Casanueva wrote that Ms Does testimony demonstrates that she possesses an ability to assess the consequences of her choice and the risk it entails. Ms Doe said she wanted an abortion because she is not yet financially stable and that she wants to be able to be on her own first, per Mr Casanuevas ruling and that she ultimately wants to go into the military, then go to college and become a nurse. Although Ms Does boyfriend and his mother support her decision to end the pregnancy, she said that her parents would try to convince her to carry the pregnancy to term if they found out. Some 38 states require parents to be notified if a minor wants an abortion, and in Florida a parent must also give consent. However, most of these states also offer judicial bypass routes for minors. The one dissenting justice on Ms Does appeal was Judge John Stargel who is married to State Senator Kelli Stargel who introduced a bill to ban almost all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. An example of a police body camera. The Franklin County Sheriff's office and six other area law enforcement agencies will receive a combined total of more than $500,000 from the state to help start or enhance body-camera programs, Gov. Mike DeWine's office has announced. The money, part of a statewide $4.7 million grant distributed to 109 agencies, is part of the state's effort to ensure that all law enforcement have the cameras. The sheriff's office received $232,200 the most money in Franklin County to help get their body-camera program moving. The sheriff's office still does not have body cameras for deputies or jail personnel, despite the controversy ignited more than a year ago when a white sheriff's SWAT deputy fatally shot a Black man as he was entering his residence. Approved: Columbus City Council to set aside $4 million to update police body, other cameras In December 2020, then-deputy Jason Meade, who had been assigned to work with a U.S. Marshal's fugitive task force, shot and killed Casey Goodson Jr. on Columbus' Northeast Side. Meade's attorneys say Goodson had flashed a gun at a passing motorist so Meade, who was leaving the area after an unrelated and unsuccessful search for a felon, followed Goodson a short distance away to Goodson's residence. Meade ordered Goodson to drop his gun, his attorneys say, then shot Goodson. A coroner's report says Goodson was struck six times from behind. His family says Goodson's keys were in the door, he was carrying Subway sandwiches, and had a legal permit to carry a concealed weapon. A witness heard Meade's command, but did not see Goodson or the shooting. Goodson's weapon was recovered from the scene. Meade was not wearing a body camera and there were no eyewitnesses to the shooting. Meade has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting, and has since taken a disability retirement from the sheriff's office. Weeks after the shooting, the Franklin County Commissioners set aside $2.5 million for the sheriff's office to obtain body cameras. More than a year has passed since Goodson's death and the sheriff's office has not yet introduced cameras to its personnel. Story continues Since that time, the sheriff's office said it has continued to work on the body camera process, with bids being solicited from companies for the cost of outfitting the sheriff's office. More: Deputy who killed Casey Goodson has used faith to justify use of force before Of the other agencies in Franklin County receiving funding, four of them are also starting body camera programs. Upper Arlington police received $62,335, Obetz police received $75,959, Hilliard police received $58,830 and Grove City police received $58,976. Whitehall and Blendon Township police also received funding, $46,675 and $19,224 respectively, to enhance their current body camera programs. Newark police, in Licking County, also received nearly $100,000 in funding to start a body camera program. The grants are being administered by the state's Office of Criminal Justice Services, which has $16 million to fund body camera programs across Ohio. Every agency that applied for funding to start a new camera program was granted funding, with some other agencies receiving funding. There are other agencies that have since applied for funding, which is expected to be granted and distributed at a later date. A deeper look: Many law enforcement agencies using body cameras, but some say they can't afford them In Franklin County, 14 of the 26 law enforcement agencies had body camera programs in place in 2021. An additional eight agencies were in the process of starting a body camera program. Columbus Division of Police is in the process of upgrading its body camera program to include cameras that have a longer "look back" feature that also includes audio. In December, Columbus City Council set aside $4 million for that process. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County Sheriff's office among locals to get body cam funds The U.S. House Committee on Ethics has voted to extend its review of allegations that first-term Democratic Rep. Marie Newman used the lure of a future job on her congressional staff to keep a potential rival from running against her. The ethics panels action came in response to a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics, whose board found substantial reason to believe Newman may have promised federal work to Iyman Chehade, a prospective primary candidate, for the purpose of procuring political support. Such a deal would be a potential violation of House rules, federal law or standards of conduct. Advertisement Newman, of LaGrange, had previously settled a lawsuit filed by Chehade, who alleged he had entered into an employment contract with Newman in December 2018 that said if she won the 2020 3rd Congressional District race, he would be hired by her office as a foreign policy adviser or district director for $135,000 to $140,000 annually. U.S. Rep. Marie Newman, of the 3rd Congressional District, speaks during a Chicago Tribune editorial board meeting in Chicago Jan. 21, 2020, when she was a candidate. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune / Chicago Tribune) Newmans attorneys argued against the expanded probe, saying that at the time of the contract she was not a candidate for office and did not have knowledge that Chehade was considering a bid for the nomination. Her attorneys had argued she could not be bound by a federal staff contract signed before she was a federal officeholder. Advertisement Newman lost a 2018 primary bid against then-Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, of Western Springs, before defeating him in a 2020 rematch and easily winning the general election. The decision by the ethics panel to extend its investigation comes at a critical time for Newman, who is challenging fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, a two-term lawmaker from Downers Grove, in the June 28 primary in the newly drawn west and southwest suburban 6th Congressional District. In documents released by the panel, the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics said it believed evidence that it gathered contradicted Newmans testimony that she had no knowledge of Chehades intent to run for congressional office when the job offer and contract were negotiated. It also disputed Newmans assertion that she reacted with outrage over Chehades attempt to link a job to his agreeing not to run for office in proposed contractual language. Instead, the board found she responded to his emailed proposal explaining most of it looks good and that her concerns dealt with phraseology. Chehade refused to meet with congressional investigators because of the nondisclosure agreement accompanying the lawsuit settlement. The OCE board recommended the ethics panel seek a subpoena of Chehade. In response to the ethics panels decision to extend its review of the case, Newmans office released a statement saying, The materials produced during the OCEs review overwhelmingly demonstrate that the ethics complaint is completely meritless. Newmans attorney, Brian Svoboda, of Washington, D.C.-based Perkins Coie, filed a response to the ethics panel arguing that the OCE withheld a wide range of facts showing clearly that Mr. Chehade was never running for Congress, regardless of the agreement with Rep. Newman, and that he did not live in the district or nearby and never made any filings with the Federal Election Commission. He told Rep. Newman in May 2018 that, while he had thought about running, he wanted to help her instead, which made her understand that he would not become a candidate for Congress, Svoboda wrote the panel, adding that the contract never mentioned candidacy and expressly disclaimed the existence of any other agreements. Advertisement The facts, which OCE consistently omitted whenever they favored Rep. Newman, show that virtually every element of the allegation is false, he wrote. The ethics panel noted that its decision to seek an extended review and its disclosure of such a review does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred or reflect any judgment on behalf of the committee. rap30@aol.com Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. By Christian Kraemer BERLIN (Reuters) - German companies doing business in China are worried the Omicron coronavirus variant will trigger more strict lockdown measures from Beijing that could exacerbate supply chain problems, the DIHK Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday. "The Chinese strategy with targeted lockdowns has been very efficient so far," Jens Hildebrandt, DIHK's executive board member in China, told Reuters in an interview. But the more contagious Omicron variant could challenge the zero-COVID approach by Chinese authorities, especially as more Chinese citizens will travel across the country due to the upcoming holiday season, Hildebrandt said. "There will be a lot of travel despite warnings," he said. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday called on China to reassess its zero-COVID approach given the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the strategy, which has included sealing off entire cities with millions of citizens, had increasingly proved to be a burden for the domestic and global economy. "The criticism of the IMF is not entirely unjustified," Hildebrandt said. But he added Beijing would probably stick to its zero-COVID strategy, in part because scientific studies suggested Chinese vaccines were not as effective against Omicron as mRNA vaccines from Western countries. The DIHK's concerns were echoed by the BDI industry association. "Should the Omicron variant also be transmitted more quickly and easily in China, this could again become a bottleneck for global supply chains and fuel a recession in certain sectors of German industry," BDI said in its "Global Growth Outlook" published on Monday. With the Olympic Games starting in Beijing next week, thousands of foreigners would enter the country and increase the infection risk from Omicron, potentially leading to more strict lockdowns, BDI warned. Story continues This could pose new challenges for producers and exporters as well as companies at the end of the supply chain, it said. "The bottlenecks would probably also be accompanied by higher prices, which would continue to affect inflation," BDI said. "The development of the coronavirus pandemic in China thus poses a risk for the recovery process of the German industry." (Reporting by Christian Kraemer; Writing by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Mark Potter) About 100 people attended a rally outside Menomonee Falls Village Hall on Jan. 21, seeking to end gerrymandering. "Gerrymandering has got to go," was the repeated chant at Menomonee Falls Village Hall on Jan. 21 at a rally seeking to end gerrymandering. "What do we want?" asked community leaders for the fair maps movement. "Fair maps, now," was the reply of the rally attendees. About 100 people showed up at the rally to stop the practice of gerrymandering and to advocate for fair maps. They held signs calling for fair maps and to end gerrymandering as they walked around village hall. People at the rally were encouraged to sign a pledge to support candidates who favor nonpartisan redistricting. More: 'Democracy is at stake': Suburban Milwaukee grassroots leaders push for an end to gerrymandering More: What you need to know about gerrymandering in Wisconsin - and why it will take massive political pressure to change a corrupt system This rally was organized by the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, Grassroots Germantown and the Menomonee Falls Action Team. State Rep. Sara Rodriguez, D-Brookfield, was the featured guest speaker. On Jan. 21, there were fair map rallies at more than 15 locations statewide, including Madison, La Crosse, Eagle River and Eau Claire. States draw new congressional and legislative districts every 10 years to account for population shifts, said Carlene Bechen, Wisconsin fair maps organizer at Fair Maps Coalition. State Rep. Sara Rodriguez, D-Brookfield, was the featured guest speaker at a rally to end gerrymandering. The rally was held at Menomonee Falls Village Hall on Friday, Jan. 21. The maps, however, can be drawn in ways that give one political party an edge in campaigns; this is known as gerrymandering. When maps were last drawn in 2011, Republicans controlled all of state government. They drew their maps behind closed doors and required Republican lawmakers to sign nondisclosure agreements to look at maps of their districts before the public could see them. But Rodriguez said at the rally that having fair maps is a bipartisan issue. "We all know our democracy is under threat," said Rodriguez at the rally. "Democrats, Republicans and independents, they want fair maps." Story continues Rodriguez said gerrymandered maps lead to more unnecessary partisanship at a time where voters are calling for elected officials to work together. "We must continue this long fight," she said, urging all elected officials to work together. Lena Eng, executive director of Voters First Wisconsin, and a conservative from New Berlin, said at the rally, Voters want fair and free elections, regardless of their political leaning. That starts with maps that are not rigged to favor either political party. Republicans who control the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers failed to agree on maps. As a result, it is up to the courts to decide where to draw the lines for elections this fall. Vicki Aro-Schackmuth, chair of the Wisconsin Fair Maps Waukesha County team and one of the event coordinators for the rally said at the rally, Efforts for fair maps were fought in the Wisconsin State Legislature, who chose partisanship over citizenship. Now the fight extends to the courts. Scholars from across the country remark that Wisconsins Supreme Court actions on voting maps appear political. We want the court to know were watching their actions. Chris Byrnes, lead event organizer and team co-leader of the Menomonee Falls Action Team called the turnout for the rally "both inspiring and informative." "We will continue to show up at rallies and meetings and the polls. It's time for the court to do the right thing and ensure every voter is fairly represented in their government," Byrnes said. Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: About 100 people rally in Menomonee Falls to end gerrymandering HENDERSON, Ky. The number of COVID-19 cases in the region continues a steep climb, with the Green River District Health Department reporting 4,773 new cases and seven deaths Tuesday. The GRDHD's report spans six days from Jan. 19-24. In its previous report Wednesday, the health department counted 3,089 cases and 14 deaths in the seven-county district. The seven-day average for new cases is now 813.7 per day. In the GRDHD's previous report that number was 538; on Dec. 28 it was 108 new cases per day. Henderson news: Henderson Downtown Partnership and Chamber of Commerce to merge Henderson County reported 1005 new cases and one death. Daviess County had 2,488 cases and six deaths. Ohio County had 491 cases, Webster 247, Union 218, McLean 185 and Hancock 139. All of the state's 120 counties are now considered areas of high transmission, or "red" status. An area of high transmission is defined as 25 cases or more per capita by the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Henderson has the highest incidence rate in the region at 329.6, up from 308.4 Wednesday. Union has the area's lowest rate at 231.5. "We are seeing an alarming increase in our incidence rates of COVID-19," said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. "The best way to protect yourself and those you love is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This map issued by the Kentucky Department for Public Health shows incidence rates for COVID-19 in each of the state's 120 counties. "If you are not yet vaccinated, go get vaccinated today. If you are already vaccinated and it is time, get a booster shot. If you must be in indoor public spaces, wear a mask. Most importantly, if you are feeling sick, stay home and dont infect others." There have been 55,637 cases reported in the district since the beginning of the pandemic, with 741 deaths. Last week, Kentucky passed the one million mark in COVID case since the start of the pandemic, with 1,085,051 confirmed cases and 12,763 COVID-related deaths. Henderson mask policies Facemasks are required at all Henderson city government buildings for city employees, visitors and customers. Story continues Henderson County Schools has universal masking in effect for all students, faculty and visitors. On Thursday, the school system updated its Healthy at School Plan, which continues to require masking at school grounds and on buses. Masking is highly recommended, but not required, at extracurricular activities. COVID Vaccine Information Kentucky residents can visit vaccine.ky.gov to find a vaccine location and sign up for update notifications. Additional COVID-19 vaccine information can be found at vaccines.gov. More: Henderson County Library to host community visioning sessions. How to help decide its future Retail pharmacies and health centers are also providing COVID-19 vaccinations. Kentucky COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and information: https://govstatus.egov.com/ky-covid-vaccine Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 800-722-5725 can answer general COVID-19 vaccine questions. Demographics The cases being reported from the Green River District Health Department are being investigated and confirmed locally. These cases are then reported to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. As of Tuesday, the total reported cases in the Green River district by county, current COVID-19 hospitalizations, the cases ever hospitalized, the number of deaths by county and the percent of residents having received at least one dose of the vaccine are: Daviess: 26,187 10 620 342 58.39 Hancock: 2,058 1 36 21 65.29 Henderson: 11,647 3 267 141 57.16 McLean: 2,241 0 79 46 53.68 Ohio: 6,460 4 191 91 43.52 Union: 3,690 0 122 52 46.06 Webster: 3,354 0 101 48 50.73 Total: 55,637 18 1,416 741 NA Additional demographic information Average Age: 39 Age Range: 5 days to 104 years old Male: 46.5% Female: 53.5% GRDHD COVID-19 Cases by Age Group <1: 1% 1-11: 8% 12-19: 12% 20-29: 17% 30-39: 17% 40-49: 15% 50-59: 13% 60-69: 10% 70-79: 6% 80+: 3% This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: COVID-19 update for Henderson County Kentucky, Green River District Five people were taken to hospital after a bus ploughed into a building in London on Tuesday. (PA) Three children and two adults were taken to hospital after a double decker bus ploughed into a building in north-east London. Emergency crews raced to the scene in Highams Park on Tuesday morning after the bus collided with an end-of-terrace shop with flats above. The bus driver was trapped in the vehicle and had to be cut free by firefighters, while three children and two adults were taken to hospital. Witnesses described hearing what sounded like a "really loud explosion" just after 8.20am followed by seeing efforts to help frightened children from the bus. Watch: Highams Park crash: Bus caught almost hitting woman before crash Witnesses described hearing a huge bang that sounded like an explosion. (PA) London Fire Brigade said firefighters were called to Selwyn Avenue where the bus had collided with an end-of-terrace shop with flats above. The brigade said the driver was trapped by his injuries but was taken to hospital after fire crews cut him free using specialist equipment. London Ambulance Service (LAS) said crews treated and assessed 19 people at the scene and of those, three children and two adults were taken to hospital. Katriye Osman, who dialled 999 after hearing what sounded like a really loud explosion, witnessed the aftermath from outside her beauty salon, with around 50 or 60 schoolchildren were standing around the bus after it collided with the repairs shop. She said: "It was absolutely awful. It happened so quickly but all I know is as it was going over it felt quite quick. "Im really really shaken up by it. It was like a really really loud explosion. It was really traumatising." Read more: Met Police to investigate Downing Street parties, Cressida Dick confirms CCTV video seen from The Corner Cafe showed a woman nearly being hit at the zebra crossing by the double-decker. The bus is seen to swerve as the woman jumps across to the pavement. Tina Hogan, 58, who works at the cafe, said: "The woman came in such a fright and said that she was nearly hit. "The poor woman was shocked." Story continues Local cafe owner Eric Garip, 38, helped rescue children after the crash at The Broadway in Highams Park, east London. (PA) After the crash locals helped frightened schoolchildren, with one handing out water and tissues while others helped get children off the bus. Eric Garip, 38, who owned The Corner Cafe, said he rushed out after hearing a "big bang" on the opposite side of the road and began trying to carry people out through the emergency door of the bus. "There were a couple of kids on the floor," he said. "We were trying to take the kids out and they were panicking. I spoke to the driver and said to come out, he said: I cant, Im stuck." He added: "Some parents were in the bus as well, crying. I tried to calm them but it was a big shock. "We went upstairs and told the kids to come out but one was on the stairs so (we) were lifting them. It was very bad. They were all scared and crying." The ambulance service said 19 people were treated at the scene, with five taken to hospital. (PA) London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that his thoughts were with those involved (Twitter) Another person who was drinking tea in the cafe revealed he also went to go help the injured. He said: "I was in the coffee shop and heard the crash. "We couldn't open the front doors they were jammed shut. We got everyone off when we could. "We went to see the driver, he was stuck but he was conscious. "I just stayed with the injured - there was a lot of blood from the head injuries. "The girl was not moving initially, I thought she was dead. "There was a strong pulse and it looked like a lot of blood was coming out from near her eye." After the crash, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: "Ive received reports this morning of a bus crashing into a building in Highams Park in Waltham Forest. "Emergency services are currently on the scenewe will share more information as soon as we have it. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this terrible incident." Watch: How to solve the problem of inflation Today is Tuesday. Welcome to Hillicon Valley, detailing all you need to know about tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup. Follow The Hill's tech team, Chris Mills Rodrigo (@millsrodrigo) and Rebecca Klar (@rebeccaklar_), for more coverage. The "right to repair" movement celebrated a big win Tuesday after President Biden made it a focus of a major speech. The president touted commitments by Apple and Microsoft to make their products easier to fix, articulating the matter as a competition issue. In cyber news, a DHS bulletin is reportedly warning that domestic extremists are developing plans to attack the country's fragile electric power infrastructure. Let's jump into the news. Consumer movement in spotlight President Biden touted recent commitments by companies to make it easier for consumers to repair their products during a roundtable on competition Monday evening. The president signed an executive order last summer directing the Federal Trade Commission to craft rules enforcing the so-called right to repair. Both Microsoft and Apple have since announced plans to make repair parts and manuals more accessible. "What's happened [is] a lot of these companies said, 'You're right. We're going to voluntarily do it. You don't have to order us to do it,' " Biden said at Monday's meeting. Advocates have been pushing for the right to repair to be enshrined for years, arguing electronics manufacturers have hurt consumers and diminished competition by restricting consumer choice to fix their own products. Their cause has gained steam since Biden formally took it up. Read more. Grid at risk Domestic extremists have been developing plans to attack U.S. electric power infrastructure, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned in a bulletin obtained by several media outlets. The department said both domestic violent extremists and extremists more specifically motivated by racial animus are among those eyeing the power system as a target for attack. Story continues "DVEs have developed credible, specific plans to attack electricity infrastructure since at least 2020, identifying the electric grid as a particularly attractive target given its interdependency with other infrastructure sectors," the bulletin says, according to The Daily Beast, which first reported the memo. The notice to the electric sector comes as DHS and other national security agencies have said lone wolf actors and small bands of extremists are among the greatest threats to the homeland. "We are very focused on the lone actor or a loose affiliation of individuals, rather than necessarily an organized structure with a set and defined hierarchy, and that's what I think can make the threat so challenging to address. It is that lack, it is the loose affiliation of individuals and the dynamic nature that they present," DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently told reporters. Read more. GROWING INFLUENCE A coalition of tech advocacy groups is warning members of Congress and federal antitrust enforcers against the potential dangers posed by tech giants expanding into the automobile industry. "Make no mistake: the expansion of Google, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook into the auto sector spells trouble for workers and consumers," the groups wrote in a letter sent Tuesday, according to a copy shared exclusively with The Hill. The letter was sent by nearly 30 groups, including the American Economic Liberties Project and Demand Progress, to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan and the Justice Department's antitrust head Jonathan Kanter. It details concerns about tech giants' growth in the automobile industry as the auto sector transitions to focus on electric and autonomous vehicles. Read more here. FTC VS. FASHION NOVA Online retailer Fashion Nova will pay $4.2 million to settle a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) case alleging the company blocked negative reviews of products on its site, the commission said Tuesday. It is the first case brought by the FTC involving a company's efforts to conceal negative customer reviews, and along with the settlement the commission released new guidance for online retailers regarding collecting and publishing customer reviews in a way that doesn't mislead consumers. The FTC alleged that the California-based retailer used a third-party online product review management interface to automatically post four and five star reviews, and to hold lower starred reviews for the company's approval. According to the complaint, Fashion Nova didn't approve or post hundreds of thousands of lower starred and negative reviews between late 2015 and November 2019. "Deceptive review practices cheat consumers, undercut honest businesses, and pollute online commerce," said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement. "Fashion Nova is being held accountable for these practices, and other firms should take note." Fashion Nova denied the FTC's allegations, calling them "inaccurate and deceptive." Read more here. Canada's foreign ministry targeted in cyberattack The Canadian flag is seen at the U.S. Embassy in Washington, D.C., on June 18 The Canadian foreign ministry has been impacted by a "cyber incident" that has interrupted some of its "internet-based services," the Canadian government said Monday, according to CNN. Cybersecurity officials in Canada were working to rectify the interruption as of Monday night, CNN reported. Officials said that "critical services for Canadians" involving the foreign ministry were not affected during the incident. "At this time, there is no indication that any other government departments have been impacted by this incident," read a statement from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to CNN. The statement continued, "We are constantly reviewing measures to protect Canadians and our critical infrastructure from electronic threats, hacking, and cyber espionage." "Given this investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further on any specific details for operational reasons," Treasury Board spokesperson Alain Belle-Isle said, per CNN. Read more here. BITS AND PIECES An op-ed to chew on: 2022 must be the year that Big Tech's data wars end Lighter click: Hot questions and even hotter wings Notable links from around the web: Ireland's data centers are an economic lifeline. Environmentalists say they're wrecking the planet (CNN / Kara Fox) The Rise of the Crypto Mayors (The New York Times / David Yaffe-Bellany) Google proposes a new way to track people around the Web. Again. (The Washington Post / Gerrit De Vynck) One last thing: Influencers told to save spot Former P. Trump stands before wall President Trump's social media company Truth Social is asking social media influencers to "reserve" their spots on the social network, reported Axios, which obtained an email to some of the online personalities. The news outlet reported that a person named Ana, who was a representative on behalf of Truth Social's VIP department, had reached out to influencers like Jeremy Jacobowitz and Gillie Houston, popular foodie Instagrammers, to see if they want to reserve their "preferred username for when we launch in late February/early March." The emails to the influencers reportedly do not mention the former president or any connection between him and the social media network. The representative's name is only listed as "Ana" and includes an apparently dead Palm Beach County area phone number. Read more here. That's it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill's technology and cybersecurity pages for the latest news and coverage. We'll see you Tuesday. ROCKLAND While local authorities say they're happy with many of the recent changes made to the controversial Shingle Mill development proposed in Rockland, environmental concerns now stand to impact the project's future. In a recent meeting, Shingle Mill project developer Rick Lincoln presented plans that dropped the proposed number of units from 236 to 212, softened the roof line with plants and reduced the number of parking spaces. Zoning board members said they were generally happy with the softer designs and new rendering, but an environmental testing report by the company Tighe and Bond largely dominated the conversation. This rendering shows new architectural designs for a proposed 212-unit apartment complex proposed in Rockland. "This report convinced me we have a real horror show on our hands if this project gets built," Rockland Zoning Board of Appeals Member Greg Tansey said. Tighe and Bond recently submitted a report to the town that board members say was full of so many disclaimers and caveats, it may as well have not been written in the first place. While the company found no reason to suspect soil contamination, one of the largest concerns about the site, Tansey said the list of disclaimers meant the report shouldn't be trusted. South Shore housing crisis series: Experts: Massachusetts housing crisis was years in the making South Shore housing crisis series: Housing Choice has come to Massachusetts. What does it mean for the South Shore? Board member Robert Baker Jr. said he had never seen a report with so many disclaimers. "This makes me question every bit of information that has been submitted to us by the applicant," he said. In addition to Tighe and Bond, a report on the project was done by ecological impact assessment and permitting company Coneco Engineers & Scientists, Inc, which Lincoln said is a more reliable document. Lincoln is the owner of Coneco Engineers & Scientists, according to records from Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office. Neither the town's zoning board of appeals nor its conservation commission responded to multiple requests from The Patriot Ledger to see the reports. Story continues This rendering shows new architectural designs for a proposed 212-unit apartment complex proposed in Rockland. Soil, ground water concerns In addition to worries about soil contamination, the cleanliness of groundwater the project wants to pump also came up. Lincoln said tests of the groundwater showed no contamination and no signs of the "forever chemicals" PFAS, an issue Rockland and other South Shore towns are contending with. Under a permit from the state, the project drilled three wells and has yet to conduct a "pump test," where they vigorously pump water out of the ground to see if it causes water levels in the surrounding wetlands and the Rockland Abington reservoir to dip. Tansey called Lincoln's water testing "totally inconclusive," saying that the site of the proposed apartment complex is likely contaminated. Tansey did not say if he read the testing report. This rendering shows new architectural designs for a proposed 212-unit apartment complex proposed in Rockland. A previous agreement with the town's joint water department had Lincoln paying $1 million to hook up to the town's water supply, but the project will now pump its own water. Last November, the state gave Rockland and Abington a $2.24 million grant to begin operating an unused well to increase water capacity, pumping an additional 80,000 gallons a day for Rockland. The fact that the project is downstream from one of the town's water supplies could be a bigger issue. At least three streams run through the property and into the reservoir, giving the area the highest level of state protection and severely limiting what can be done around and to them. State Department of Environmental Protection representatives said in an email to town officials that at least two of the streams require the state's stringent "Zone A" restrictions. Storm water cannot be funneled into those streams, and wastewater and septic systems can't be nearby. 'We just miss him': UNH student Vinny Lirosi, of Whitman, remembered by his brother. No charges expected. April 14, 2021: Streams leading to drinking water reservoir pose problem for Rockland development That complicates the project because the town's sewer commission has been silent on whether it will allow the development to hook up to the municipal sewer system. If it can't, the developer has proposed putting in a new system, essentially a large septic tank. A hookup to the town's sewer system would cost at least $1.7 million, a price the developer previously said he would be happy to pay. Lincoln will have his company, Coneco, resubmit its report and data. The town will hire an environmental peer reviewer and go over Coneco's report and the data it collected. The next hearing is set for March 1. Parking, recreation fly under the radar At the recent meeting, Lincoln said he reduced the amount of parking to 329 spots, a ratio of 1.55 spaces per unit. Before Lincoln took over from Jones Street as the developer, enough parking spaces had been a point of contention with the zoning board. In 2020, Tansey said he wanted a ratio of 2.25 parking spaces per unit. Member Stephen Galley said he was concerned about the reduced parking. Looking to the sky: Stressful times for a respiratory specialist. Rockland man relaxes flying huge kites. Board member Tim Haynes said the development seems great for adults but there needs to be more space for children to play and for parents to walk with strollers. Chairman Rob Rosa said another unresolved issue carried over from hearings with the former developer, Jones Street, is the developer's financial necessity for the two apartment buildings to be five stories tall. He wants them to be four stories tall at most. The building would be flanked on one side by the five-story tall Doubletree by Hilton. See our past coverage of the Shingle Mill development Nov. 14, 2021: 'Capacity is a huge concern': Rockland, Abington to spend $2 million tapping unused well Oct. 21, 2021: Controversial Rockland affordable housing project expected to downsize after developer replaced Aug. 19, 2021: Rockland zoning board sets final hearing date for controversial apartment proposal Aug. 13, 2021: Rockland citizens group formed to oppose 236-unit apartment complex April 14, 2021: Streams leading to drinking water reservoir pose problem for Rockland development April 7, 2021: Rockland developer asks for more time to address conservation issues March 18, 2021: Rockland delays decision to allow pump tests for 40B project north of reservoir March 3, 2021: Deadline looms for proposed 236-unit apartment complex in Rockland Feb. 3, 2021: Rockland 40B project still waiting on answers from sewer commission, zoning board Jan. 22, 2021: Developer of 5-story apartment complex in Rockland seeks $1 million water hook-up Dec. 16, 2020: Developer pushes for 5-story apartment complex on Pond Street in Rockland Sept. 16, 2020: Parking and traffic still major concerns for Rockland 40B project July 24, 2020: 236 unit apartment complex proposed for Rockland Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here's our latest offer. Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Questions over soil testing dominate Rockland apartment complex plans JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) on Tuesday warned that financial firms are not allowed to offer and facilitate sales of crypto assets amid a boom in crypto trading in Southeast Asia's largest economy. "OJK has strictly prohibited financial service institutions from using, marketing, and/or facilitating crypto asset trading," the regulator said in a statement posted on Instagram. It warned that the value of crypto assets often fluctuates and that people buying into the digital assets should fully understand the risks. "Please beware of allegations of Ponzi scheme scams in crypto investments," it added, without elaborating. The warning follows similar concerns by the central banks of Thailand and Singapore. Trade in crypto assets is surging in Indonesia, with total 2021 transactions reaching 859 trillion rupiah ($59.83 billion), up from just 60 trillion rupiah in 2020, media reported, citing trade ministry data. Indonesia allows sales of crypto assets in the commodities exchange and trading is supervised by the trade ministry and the Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency, not by the OJK. The ministry is currently facilitating the set up of a separate bourse for digital assets, called the Digital Futures Exchange, which officials say will be launched in the first quarter. However, crypto currencies cannot legally be used for payments in the country. ($1 = 14,357.0000 rupiah) (Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Martin Petty) JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Indonesia and Singapore on Tuesday signed a series of key defense and diplomatic agreements that appeared to mark a turning point in relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors. The agreement on defense cooperation along with separate treaties on extradition and airspace rights were signed in the presence of Indonesian President Joko Widodo of Indonesia and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. They have been on our bilateral agenda for several decades, we have worked together and discussed them many times before, Lee said at a joint news conference with Widodo. The signing ceremony on the Indonesian resort island of Bintan, next to Singapore, followed on lengthy and difficult negotiations. A similar defense agreement was first signed by the two countries in April 2007, but didnt to go into effect after opposition in Indonesias Parliament. With the new airspace and extradition agreements meeting many of Jakartas demands, it is widely expected that Indonesian lawmakers the majority of whom belong to the government-led bloc will pass the new treaties. The extradition treaty will give Jakarta the ability to pursue high-profile Indonesian businessmen who are accused of embezzling billions of dollars after the 1997-1998 financial crisis and fled to the neighboring city-state, if the treaties are ratified by lawmakers in both countries. In the future, it is hoped that cooperation in law enforcement, aviation safety, and defense and security of the two countries can continue to be strengthened based on the principle of mutual benefit, Widodo said. The defense cooperation agreement will significantly boost Singapore's ability to carry out naval and military exercises amid regional tensions over China's rise. The island city-state lacks maritime, land and airspace to effectively train its military. Indonesia, which holds huge land and maritime areas, has agreed to let Singapore carry out naval exercises with other nations in the Bravo area of the South China Sea four times a year terms which previously riled up Indonesian lawmakers. Story continues In return, Singapore has agreed to limit its airspace rights and cede air traffic control in the Riau region and over some parts of Indonesia's Borneo areas that the International Civil Aviation Organization assigned to Singapore's aviation authority in 1946 despite Indonesia's later opposition. Under the new Flight Information Region (FIR) scheme, Singapores air rights only reach to within 90 nautical miles of Indonesias airspace. Singapore's Lee presented the agreements as key to bringing bilateral relations forward. When implemented, the FIR Agreement will meet the civil aviation needs of both countries,, Lee said. The extradition treaty will enhance cooperation in combating crime and send a clear and positive signal to investors, while the defense agreement will strengthen cooperation between our armed forces," he added. An equity and anti-racism consultant withdrew her proposal to provide training to faculty at Hinsdale High School District 86 ahead of her presentation to the Board of Education on Jan. 13, citing a hostile environment that exhibits racism. Valda Valbrun, CEO of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Valbrun Consulting Group, was scheduled to give a virtual presentation about diversity, equity and inclusion after the Culture and Equity Leadership Team approved her hiring in December following an interview on Nov. 17. Advertisement According to District 86 spokesperson, Chris Jasculca, after the district received proposals from four vendors, the Culture and Equity Leadership Team recommended that Valbrun be awarded the RFP, but the board was not slated to vote to award the RFP during the Jan. 13 meeting. A contract, therefore, was not yet signed, Jasculca said. Valda Valbrun, chief executive of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Valbrun Consulting Group, was scheduled to give a virtual presentation to Hinsdale H.S District 86 about diversity, equity and inclusion on Jan. 13. She backed out citing a hostile district community. (Alvin Jacobs / HANDOUT) At the beginning of the Jan. 13 school board meeting, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss read a letter from Valbrun, that said: Advertisement The vitriol and lack of professionalism in the direct messages I received from members of your school community demonstrates a clear lack of goodwill to address issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in your district, the letter stated. I got several messages yesterday and really think Hinsdale is a dangerous place and would not be physically comfortable there. In a phone conversation with Pioneer Press following the meeting, Valbrun said on Jan. 12, she unexpectedly received nasty direct messages on her personal social media platforms. I was all in, said Valbrun. But then by Wednesday, a day before the meeting, Im getting hate mail. What is this about? Valbrun said a Hinsdale resident flagged an August Facebook post on Valbruns personal Facebook account dated Aug. 9, in which Valbrun spoke out against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Republican Party. The post said, DeSantis and Abbott are the devil. Just like Trump. I hope the entire GOP implodes. Valbrun said she quickly connected the dots. The hate mail, threats, direct messages on Twitter and friend requests on Facebook from those with a Hinsdale ZIP code started piling in after the social media post made the rounds in the community, she said. I felt violated because people were trying to dig into my personal life, she added. According to Valbrun, she changed the privacy settings on her social media accounts from public to private, and began receiving message requests such as what are you afraid of, why is your Twitter feed protected? to no one wants your kind in Hinsdale and you dont belong here, were glad you pulled out. Valbrun said she made the decision to back out because this caused her mental anguish, not because of her post. I said I didnt want anything to do with them because of the threats. They got what they wanted. Valbrun explained that she didnt want to be involved with a town or school district exhibiting racism. Advertisement Valbrun emailed Prentiss that she would not be furthering her professional relationship with District 86 and gave her permission to read the letter out loud at the Jan. 13 meeting. During the public comments portion of the meeting, audience members called out Valbruns tone as degrading toward the community, and several spoke out against the hiring of an equity consultant. We have a woke culture ruining our schools, a Darien resident said. Why would the district want to hire another racist consultant? Another Darien resident, walked up to the meetings video camera and showed Valbruns Facebook post, stating, I find this shameful. I stand by the post on my personal page, Valbrun said over the phone, sharing that she caught snippets of the board meeting livestream. Ill be on the right side of history on this, my opinions about the Republican Party are my right, I am sitting here witnessing them attempting to take away voting rights from people of color and organizing at school boards to effectively maintain the status quo which is power and privilege for one group of people over another. Valbrun said the demographics of the district speak for themselves. According to data from Illinois Report Card, District 86 has a 36% minority enrollment rate that breaks down into 63% white, 17% Asian, 10% Hispanic and 7.5% Black. Advertisement While Valbruns letter outraged some members of the community, it also struck a chord with others, including a Hinsdale Central teacher who left Valbrun a voicemail in solidarity. And a Hinsdale South parent emailed Valbrun, saying, I want to express my deepest apologies for the extreme ignorance that some people have in this area and for the way they have treated you. Your letter has opened my eyes and I intend to become more active in the school. Valbrun said she had the privilege of walking away, but minority students and parents do not. She shared over the phone, and briefly at the top of her Jan. 13 letter, an incident that occurred on Nov. 17 when she flew in to interview for the consultant position. I did the presentation and then opened up the Q&A and a gentleman asked, how will your company help us to change the public perception of us? Valbrun recounted. I said to him thats an interesting question because I can more than imagine what the public perception is based on my own experience. Valbrun told the audience her first impression of District 86 was not pleasant. She said upon walking into the front office, she was met with hostility from employees who told her the interview was taking place in the auditorium down the street. Advertisement Im used to experiencing micro-aggressions as a Black woman, thats the story of my life, Valbrun said. But in that moment I considered that I could have been a Black parent or I could have been a Black student and my heart broke at that moment for them. In a statement provided to Pioneer Press, Prentiss said the administration agrees with Valbrun that the behavior members of the district community have directed toward her is abhorrent and inexcusable. As we have stated clearly, repeatedly and emphatically, one of the main goals of our equity work is to create an environment where everyone is not only treated with compassion, dignity and respect, but also feels safe and welcome, the statement reads. It is both troubling and disturbing that people who claim to share that belief would choose to laugh at or mock someone who said they felt none of those things based on the way they were treated. Sadly, Ms. Valbruns experience is not unlike what some of our students and staff members have encountered during their time in our district. Board member Erik Held, who is a graduate of District 86, tried to address the need for an equity consultant by saying such a hiring is a way to strengthen the district. I hope we dont lose sight of that, that we dont allow people to use buzzwords from various talking heads or pundits on Twitter to try to obfuscate the issue and make it seem different from what it is, Held said. Advertisement Valbrun acknowledged that several school officials and Prentiss were aware of race-related issues in the district, and handled the fallout apologetically. I know they are very aware of what is going on in the district, but the problem I have with many districts is they say they want to do this work, but then they let their communities go crazy. Just the behavior, the laughing, the clapping it demonstrates a lack of humanity on the part of the people there, Valbrun said. Prentiss offered an explanation in her statement that from a strictly procedural standpoint, the practice of the board is not to engage in a discussion with audience members during board meetings, which includes responding to what they say during public comment. From an ideological standpoint, the individuals who attended the meeting on Jan. 13 represent those in our community who have always opposed this work, regardless of what we have said to them publicly or privately, Prentiss said. That does not mean that we stop standing up for what we believe in. It simply means focusing our time, effort and energy toward having a productive dialogue about the issues and challenges our students and staff have faced for far too long. School officials said the Cultural and Equity Leadership Team would hold a meeting in February to review the next steps in hiring a consultant, who would train staff about equity issues. The need to address equity exists because we see how pervasive it is in schools, we see how the outcomes are different for children of color and I dont understand why (some people) wouldnt want to create an equitable environment where everybody can thrive, Valbrun said. No one is saying if we help Black or POC students, that we are not helping those from the majority population. We are saying that the needs are different, so I cant just throw my hands up and say Im done, but I can protect myself as a practitioner in this field. Advertisement zsyed@chicagotribune.com PARIS (Reuters) -An Iranian court on Tuesday sentenced French national Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison on spying charges, his Paris-based lawyer said, describing the trial as a politically motivated sham and his client as a "bargaining chip". Briere, 36, has been held in Iran 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. The ruling comes at a sensitive time as the United States and European parties to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal try to restore the pact that was abandoned in 2018 by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. "It is unacceptable that Benjamin Briere remains a hostage to negotiations on the part of a regime that persists in its desire to arbitrarily detain a French citizen and use him as a bargaining chip," lawyer Philippe Valent said in a statement. France has been seen as tougher in nuclear negotiations with Iran than some of the other parties to the deal. Briere, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was given an additional eight-month sentence for "propaganda against the Islamic Republic", Valent said. Briere will appeal against the ruling, said Saeid Dehghan, one of his Iranian lawyers. He said his client had been shocked by the sentence, which was harsher than expected and included an additional charge of cooperating against Iran with hostile states. "His sentence is based on a different legal clause than the earlier one ... He has been convicted of cooperation with hostile states against Iran which carries a longer sentence than his previous one," Dehghan said. HUNGER STRIKE Briere has been on a hunger strike since Christmas. "Benjamin Briere obviously did not - nor ever - benefit from any form of fair trial before impartial judges," Valent said. "This ruling is the result of a purely political process." Story continues Iran's judiciary was not immediately available for comment. France's foreign ministry said the verdict was "unacceptable", adding that it was in regular contact with Briere. France has warned Tehran in the past that the way it is handling the cases of French nationals held in Iran could sour ties. Briere's family are alarmed by his physical and psychological condition, Valent said, urging the French authorities to step in. In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Western powers have long demanded that Tehran free their citizens, who they say are political prisoners. Earlier this month, Iran re-imprisoned Franco-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah, sentenced to five years in jail in 2020 but recently living under house arrest. France has demanded Adelkhah's immediate release. (Reporting by Sophie Louet, Tassilo Hummel and John Irish in Paris and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Richard Lough; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, William Maclean) The Unruly Pig pub restaurant, in Bromeswell, Suffolk, (Getty Images) Everyone loves a good gastropub - and most struggled during the pandemic. All the more reason, then, to celebrate the ones who have emerged even better. The prestigious Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs awards were held in Manchester this week, and while four of the top five pubs are to be found in the north, the overall winner was The Unruly Pig in Woodbridge, Suffolk - the highest climber from last years list. The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards are an industry gold standard, voted for by leading food and hospitality experts. These include gastropub operators (who cant vote for their own pubs), food writers, development managers and executive chefs and pub guide editors. The votes are counted across six regions, and this year, Suffolk has come up trumps. "The Unruly Pig serves filling and well-crafted pub food in an environment that reflects the personalities of the people behind the stunning venue," said Estrella Damm. "Owner Brendan Padfield is a force of nature, being witty, charismatic and ultimately passionate about the pub he founded following a 36-year career in law." Read more: Food now bigger than booze in Britain's pubs, new data shows Head chef Dave Wall has helped to turn the pub into a "stunning phenomenon", and the venue was also listed in last year's Michelin Guide in 2021 as one of the top six food pubs in the east of England. So what makes it such a winner? The British-Italian influenced menus change monthly, and meat, fish and vegetables are seasonal and locally sourced wherever possible. The pub also offers vegan and 'free from' menus, with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian options always available. For drinkers, there are more than 60 wines available by the glass, along with home-made cordials for non-drinkers. Watch: Seal makes 400 mile trip to door of Bristol pub Story continues Its success is even more impressive, after a traumatic opening. Just three months after its launch, in April 2015, a huge fire wiped out parts of the 16th century building. It was closed for six months - but owner Brendan Padfield used the time to redesign areas to make it more 'welcoming and accessible.' Now, there's an airy, beamed dining room with red leather seating, scrubbed tables, cosy log-burners and Persian carpets. Sample menus include chicken and duck liver parfait with plum, ginger, sourdough brioche, halibut with creamed leeks, ham hock, and seaweed potatoes, saddle of hare with caramelised celeriac, Cropwell Bishop and pear, while puddings - always a gastro pub win - feature Calvados pannacotta with blackberry granita, salted caramel tart honeycomb with Madagascan vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate mousse. OK, we're sold. The pub has won numerous accolades and awards - and it's easy to see why it pipped a very worthy bunch to the post this year. Read more: The Best Pubs And Bars In UK Cities, According To You The rest of the top five featured The Parker's Arms in Clitheroe, a historic country pub serving 'modern British classics', such as charcoal smoked Lancs beetroot, labneh-soused Lancs turnips, summer radish za'atar and charcoal baked sourdough flatbread and 'pork and black pudding turnover.' In third place is The Star Inn, York, a thatched pub in a 'quaint Yorkshire village', with sample dishes including "partridge with juniper-creamed Brussel sprouts, pine-smoked Alsace bacon, smoked beets and clementine with Port wine juices" and "baked sherried fig frangipane with toasted marzipan, candied clementine and figgy toffee ice cream." Another Yorkshire pub, The Angel at Hetton, came fourth, with a Michelin star and a highly exotic menu featuring "Loire valley rabbit loin and merguez, salsify, trompette and poached pear" and "Tahitian vanilla cheesecake with salted granola, buttermilk, roasted beetroot puree and yogurt." In fifth place was a Lancashire pub, The Freemasons at Wiswell, which is rooted in the local community, whilst serving "roast loin and kofta of Nidderdale lamb with BBQ gem lettuce, miso aubergine, mint and yoghurt", and "butter-poached native lobster tail with crispy claw wontons, wild blueberry, coastal herbs and black pepper sauce." Who's for a long walk and lunch at a country gastropub? Watch: Rudi the cocker spaniel wins Britain's best pub award Ron Klain, the White House chief of staff, attends a weekly economic briefing in the Oval Office in April 2021. Andrew Harnik/AP Photo Sen. Joe Manchin is reportedly furious with the White House chief of staff Ron Klain. The Washington Post reported that Manchin feels it's up to Klain to repair the rift. Manchin's relationship with the White House continues to be closely watched. Sen. Joe Manchin reportedly remains displeased with the White House's handling of his opposition to President Joe Biden's social-spending and climate plan, The Washington Post reported. Manchin blames Ron Klain, the White House chief of staff, for the struggles between Washington's two Joes. "Manchin has told allies that he believes Klain has pushed Biden to embrace a more liberal policy agenda, adding that Klain must repair the relationship with him if the chief of staff is to be involved in future negotiations," The Post wrote in an in-depth review of Klain's first year in the White House. Manchin previously vented that he was at his "wit's end" with Biden's staff, a frustration he mentioned when he told Fox News in December that he could not support Biden's sweeping Build Back Better Plan. Steve Clemons, a close Manchin confidant, later wrote that the senator was particularly upset over a White House statement that singled him out after an earlier setback in negotiations over Biden's plan. With Democrats clutching to razor-thin majorities, Manchin's relationship with the White House is of the utmost importance to Biden's agenda. "Given the protests that Manchin's family has experienced at his home, which is a boat in Washington Harbor with folks harassing him, his wife and grandson by kayak around his boat and the gate to the marina I knew this presidential statement was personalizing the game. It put his family at risk, in my view," Clemons wrote in The Hill. The conservative West Virginia Democrat indicated earlier this month that negotiations on the centerpiece of Biden's agenda are at a standstill. That's prompted the party to begin debating anew which priorities to cut so the bill is tailored to address Manchin's demands and fiscal concerns. Story continues Manchin told Insider last week that any future talks would be "starting from scratch," acknowledging he pulled back a $1.8 trillion offer that he made to the White House in December. The package reportedly included funding to make beefed-up Affordable Care Act subsidies permanent, universal pre-K, and clean-energy initiatives to combat the climate emergency. Klain is a longtime Biden hand, who first worked for the president in the late 1980s when Biden was a senator. Klain, per The Post, had a role in drafting the White House's blistering statement after Manchin announced his definitive opposition to Build Back Better. A spokesperson for Manchin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other unnamed sources told The Post that Klain has rubbed other top Democrats the wrong way. Some Republicans have taken to suggesting Klain is the real president or has power akin to a prime minister. In recent years, White House chiefs of staff typically have not lasted long. President Trump went through four either acting or permanent chiefs in his single term. President Obama churned through five in eight years. "It is a grinding job, there's no question about it," Klain told The Post. "It takes a lot of stamina to do it. So we'll see how long it lasts." Read the original article on Business Insider The man wanted in the Alabama double slayings of his girlfriend and her 75-year-old father was captured Monday in St. Johns County. John Peyton Scott III, 41, was taken into custody early Monday afternoon. According to the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, investigators there received information Scott could be traveling in the area. Crime news: Aiden Fucci not expected to stand trial in Tristyn Bailey homicide until at least 2022 What is a Blue Alert?: Notification sounds off on Florida phones after Nassau deputy shot Patrol deputies were on alert and began searching for the suspects vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and performed a PIT maneuver in the area of IGP and I-95 where the suspect immediately surrendered. Scott is being held in the St. Johns County Jail. This is yet another example that if you commit a crime no matter where you are from, your journey stops in St. Johns County,' sheriffs officials posted on Facebook. Scott is charged with capital murder in the Jan. 19 deaths of Chester Chuck Tarwater Jr. and 40-year-old Sharon Tarwater Whited. They were found slain Wednesday afternoon by Tarwaters 12-year-old grandson inside their Piney Woods Road home. Tarwater was found in the hallway and Whited in another room in the house. Authorities have not said how the father and daughter were killed. Scott was Tarwater Whiteds boyfriend and lived at the Helena, Alabama, home with the family. Though police initially labeled Scott only as a person of interest and said he was not believed to be a danger to the general public, lookout bulletins issued to law enforcement agencies across multiple counties described him both as armed and dangerous. He was listed in the BOLO as a capital murder suspect and said he was likely to be armed with a long gun and a handgun. According to the BOLO, Scott was to be considered armed and to be approached with caution. The alert said Scott is known to take antipsychotic and antidepressant medications and known to experience hallucinations. Story continues The bulletins also said evidence found at the murder scene led them to believe Scott may have been injured. Police initially said Scott could be driving a red 2020 Ford EcoSport with Alabama license plate number DV47860. That SUV belonged to Chuck Tarwater and has a disabled veteran ( U.S. Navy) license plate. Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the investigation. Scott does not have any prior criminal history listed in court records. The Tarwater family moved to Helena after their home in western Jefferson County was destroyed in the 2011 tornado outbreak. The family was initially from the Pleasant Grove area. Tarwater Whited was the mother of two daughters, who were with their father at the time of the slayings, but she was also helping to raise to her two nephews after the death of their father, who was her brother. Tarwaters wife, who suffers dementia, was home at the time of the killings but unharmed. The Shelby County Major Crimes Task Force is assisting in the investigation. The task force includes detectives from Pelham, Alabaster, the Shelby County Sheriffs Office, Hoover and Montevallo. 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Alabama man wanted in double slaying captured in St. Johns County Then-Vice President Joe Biden, left, and former President Clinton exit Air Force Two in Youngstown, Ohio, in October 2012. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press) You and my husband think so similarly when it comes to politics, Hillary Clinton once told Joe Biden. You guys were almost separated at birth. Its interesting to think about how Bidens first year as president would have gone differently if this were in fact true. The easiest way to illustrate this is to ask: Where are the Sister Souljah moments? Sister Souljah, a rapper and writer, gained notoriety in 1992 when Clinton, running for president, made a planned attack on her controversial statements about the Los Angeles riots after a jury acquitted police officers in the beating of Rodney King. Wikipedia even has a lengthy Sister Souljah Moment entry, defining it as a politician's calculated public repudiation of an extremist person, statement, group or position that is perceived to have some association with the politician's own party. More on that in a moment. Both Biden and Clinton are frequently dubbed centrists but they subscribe to very different definitions of centrism, neither of them particularly ideological. For Clinton, its the popular stuff from both parties. For Biden, the center amounted to splitting the difference between the two poles of the Democratic Party. Biden spent decades in a Senate in which there were a great many liberal and conservative Democrats. His strategy was to straddle between them. As the party moved leftward, with conservative Democrats fading away (even Joe Manchin would be a big-spending liberal a decade ago), Biden and the partys center of gravity moved leftward, too. Clintons ascent to the Oval Office was the result of a decadelong war with the Democratic establishment. Bidens entire career was as a member of that establishment, as a senator, vice president and now president. That makes all the difference in the world. As a candidate, Clinton triangulated against the Democratic base, billing himself as a third way figure unbeholden to the special interest and identity politics groups that had captured the party. On the campaign trail, he inveighed against welfare policies supported by the base, promising a hand up, rather than a handout. He even took time off from the trail to oversee the execution of a severely brain damaged inmate, Ricky Ray Rector (Rector actually asked the guards to save his pie until after his execution). Story continues Ironically, Bidens success in the 2020 primaries hinged on the belief that he was more of a Clinton-style centrist. Thats why he beat the purely progressive ideologues. But as president, Biden has steadfastly refused to triangulate. There have been countless potential Sister Souljah moments. Amid surging crime rates in New York City, the new Manhattan district attorney vowed not to seek prison sentences, even for some violent criminals, whenever possible. Biden says schools should stay open, but hes never criticized teachers unions, even when they refused to work in Chicago. And, countless Democratic members of Congress say inflammatory things on a daily basis. Why not pick a fight? Biden could also have told the Democratic base that their voting reform wish list, largely unchanged since 2019, wasnt a pragmatic response to the current moment. Instead, he parroted the most extreme language of the base, accusing Republicans of being on the side of Jim Crow and Bull Connor. A telling moment in his epic news conference last week came when Biden explained why he didnt reach out to Republicans on voting reform: He was too busy trying to make sure we got everybody on the same page in my party on this score. The mother of Sister Souljah moments came in June when Biden succeeded in fulfilling one of the core promises of his presidency: a bipartisan traditional infrastructure bill, with 19 Republican senators on board. He could have declared victory, telling the Democratic base that trillions more of poorly funded human infrastructure wasnt in the cards. Instead, he caved to the base, vowing at the time only to sign the popular bill if the progressives got everything they wanted, too. In June 1993, when Bill Clintons approval ratings were even lower than Bidens today, Clinton sought a reset. He declared, I was sent to the White House, I think, to take on brain-dead politics in Washington from either party or from both. It was widely assumed Biden would use his press conference for a similar do-over. But when asked if he overpromised, he said, Look, I didn't overpromise, but I have probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen. Bill Clinton would never have done that. @JonahDispatch This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered the Kansas agency that oversees foster care to investigate the death of a 17-year-old who was restrained face down for more than 30 minutes last fall at a Wichita juvenile intake center after his foster father called begging for help because the teen was hallucinating. This situation is tragic, and we must find a way to ensure something like this never happens again, Kelly said in a written statement calling for the Kansas Department for Children and Families to review the case of Cedric Lofton and see if policies needed to be changed. Meanwhile, the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that it was forming a task force to review what happened. Glenda Martens, the department's director, said the work would be painstakingly difficult." The developments come one week after Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett expressed concerns about the handling of Lofton's case when he announced that he wouldn't file any criminal charges. He said he struggled with whether an involuntary manslaughter charge was justified, but concluded that the states stand-your-ground law prevented him from pursuing it because staff members were protecting themselves. Kelly also said she was looking forward to hearing recommendations from Bennett, the Legislature and advocates on ways to clarify or modify the law. According to Bennetts report, Lofton's mental health got markedly worse after the teen attended his grandmothers funeral. Lofton's family expressed concern to the foster father that Cedric was having either a mental breakdown and, or he was having an onset of schizophrenia. And one of his foster brothers later told investigators that Lofton had complained that there were kids in his class at school that were robots who were trying to kill him, the report said. At the urging of a case manager with DCCCA, a private foster care agency that contracts with DCF, the foster father drove Lofton to a mental health provider, but he walked away. When Lofton returned home in the pre-dawn hours of on Sept. 24, the case worker told the foster father to not let the teen into the house and to call police. Story continues Bennett wrote in his report: Whether the State of Kansas should accept a foster care system that responds to a foster fathers expression of concern that his foster son is in mental distress by telling the man, dont let him in the house and call the police -- is a legitimate question. A question, in fact, that may well demand answers." DCF spokesman Mike Deines didnt comment about the investigation but did note that policy stipulates that providers are expected to have staff available, accessible and able to manage a crisis. Police who arrived at the home spent nearly an hour trying to convince Lofton to go to a hospital for mental health treatment. But Lofton refused, telling officers he was concerned about people trying to kill him, the report said. When officers tried to escort the 5-foot-10, 135-pound Lofton to the patrol car, Lofton struck and kicked at them, the report said. They ultimately restrained him in something called the WRAP, a device comprised of a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps. A sergeant said in an interview that he believed Lofton was too combative to take to the hospital. But at least one officer involved can be heard saying on a body camera recording that he thought the teen should have been taken there and not to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center. Once at the center, Lofton scuffled with staff after the WRAP restraint was removed. Surveillance video released Friday shows him punching one of the juvenile detention employees in the head. Bennetts report said staff shackled Loftons ankles and put him on his stomach on the floor. His report said Cedric was mumbling at times, repeated that he was Jesus and saying staff should kill themselves and that he would hex them. Staff noticed he wasnt breathing after they called to arrange for Lofton to be taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. Paramedics rushed to the scene, but Lofton died two days later. The governor of Kansas ordered an investigation into a private foster care agency following the death of Cedric Lofton, 17, a Black foster child who became unresponsive as he was being restrained facedown for more than 30 minutes at a juvenile center in Wichita. "This situation is tragic, and we must find a way to ensure something like this never happens again," Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement to NBC affiliate KSN of Wichita. "I've also directed the Department for Children and Families to thoroughly investigate this case to ensure policy and procedures were properly followed, and to determine if these processes need to be changed or refined." Image: Cedric Lofton (Action Injury Law Group, LLC) Lofton was a foster child at the foster care agency, DCCCA, according to a report by Sedgewick County District Attorney Marc Bennett. DCCCA contracts with the Department for Children and Families, The Wichita Eagle reported. DCCCA and the Department for Children and Families did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Lofton was taken to the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center on Sept. 24 after police responded to a disturbance at a home around 1 a.m., officials said. Lofton was described as being "paranoid," and he was "behaving erratically," the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said. A previously released bodycam video shows officers speaking to Lofton for about an hour. At one point in the video, they tell him that they are "worried" about him because of his behavior and try to persuade him to go to a hospital voluntarily. A struggle ensues, the video shows, and Lofton is put into a "wrap" restraint, which is used to hold down a person's legs and torso, officials have said. Lofton was taken to the juvenile center and seated upright on the floor in a holding room. The officers removed all the restraints before they left the room, the bodycam video shows. Officers were called back to the center about an hour after they left. Staff members were already performing CPR on Lofton by the time officers arrived, the video shows. EMS workers arrived at the center later and took over. Story continues Other video released by Sedgwick County shows Lofton appearing to pace around a lobby before a struggle ensues between him and two other people. The video includes no audio; workers at the facility are not equipped with body cameras. Bennett, the district attorney, said in his report that Lofton was alleged to have became combative in the lobby and struck a staff member in the face. Staff members were able to get Lofton into a holding room, where he was restrained on the floor, according to the report. In interviews with investigators, staff members alleged that Lofton was mumbling during the struggle and did not say he could not breathe, the report says. "According to the employees, Cedric finally relaxed which allowed the handcuffs to be applied," the report says. "At or about that time, the employees said Cedric began to 'snore.'" Shortly afterward, staff members noticed that Lofton was not breathing, and they could not find a pulse, according to the report. CPR was performed, but he died. A coroner ruled the death a homicide, listing the cause as "complications of cardiopulmonary arrest sustained after physical struggle while restrained in the prone position." His family has demanded charges, but the district attorney has said no charges would be filed because of the state's "stand your ground law" and because staff members were defending themselves. Bennett wrote in his report that there was no evidence that staff members put their full weight on Lofton, who he said resisted during the struggle. Bennett also wrote that there was "no evidence that the workers discerned anything from Cedric, physically or verbally to indicate Cedric was in physical distress." RYE BROOK, NY Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District officials said masks will continue to be required at school even after a state Supreme Court ruling invalidating Gov. Kathy Hochul's state mask mandate. UPDATE: Tuesday evening, a New York Appellate Court Judge granted a stay of the earlier court ruling that blocked New York's COVID-19 face mask mandate. The emergency face mask order remains in effect while the case is appealed. New York Schools will be required to enforce the face mask rules. SEE: Stay Granted, School Mask Mandate In Effect The district said it will follow a decision from the New York State Department of Education that masks are still required in classrooms. The superintendent noted that the Attorney General has filed a Notice of Appeal of the court's ruling. "As of now we are keeping the mask mandate in place for our district," Superintendent Colin Byrne said in a message to students and families dated Jan. 25. According to Monday's decision by Judge Thomas Rademaker, the law was "promulgated and enacted unlawfully by an executive branch state agency and therefore void and unenforceable as a matter of law." The decision also said that it does not "opine on the efficacy, need or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus." The issue is only whether or not the rule was properly enacted, the decision said. Meanwhile, the New York State Department of Education (NYSDE) sent a letter to districts, advising schools that they must keep mask requirements in place in a letter dated Jan. 24: "The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep't of Health et al. This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al," the NYSDE wrote in the letter. "It is SED's understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule." Story continues "I am watching this situation very closely along with my fellow superintendents," Byrne wrote. "I will keep you updated as things progress." This article originally appeared on the Rye Patch Some of Shanghai's universities are expected to have their walls and fences dismantled, making campus resources more accessible to the public. "We plan to remove the wall and open the campus to the public," said Xu Xu, secretary of the Communist Party of China committee of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, who is also a political advisor in Shanghai. Xu made the remarks at the annual meeting of the municipal committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference that concluded on Saturday. The school campus is located in Fenyang Road in the city's downtown area. There are six historical buildings on the campus, including the former Jewish club and the former Belgian Consulate in Shanghai. These old buildings shaded by green trees attract many music and history lovers. Xu said that the purpose of demolishing the wall is to allow artistic resources to better serve the society. The school is not alone in making the transition. A number of higher education institutions in the city have initiated similar moves or planned to tear down their walls to share campus resources with the public. Huang Changyong, president of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, said the school would make its theater more accessible to neighborhood communities, and it plans to build an art gallery and a drama space on the Huashan Road outside the campus to turn the street into an "avenue themed on drama and art." The school's Pudong campus, which opened in 2019, is already a fenceless one situated on the bank of Huangpu River, integrating the campus with a riverfront park and a nearby community. "Going fenceless has become a new trend for universities," said Ding Xiaodong, president of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, at the meeting. Ding also pointed out that universities open and share their resources with the public on the premise of comprehensive institutional guarantee, as school roads are transformed into public roads. Traffic safety and school security need to be clarified in terms of management responsibilities. He said the school is discussing these campus-opening arrangements with city and district authorities. No one is really excited about a nasal swab or spitting in a tube, but now that testing has become the next front in the war against COVID-19, rapid tests (now available for free through COVIDtests.gov) and PCR tests can help us reduce the odds that we pass on the illness to someone else. PCR and rapid tests each work differently. The PCR (which stands for polymerase chain reaction) test looks for genetic material from the virus, while the rapid test looks for viral antigens, a type of protein that's on the surface of the virus. Usually, it takes a couple of days for the lab to process a PCR test, while you can get your rapid test results in under 30 minutes. So depending on the reasons why you're taking a test at a particular moment, you may opt for one over another. COVID-19 testing nasal swabs Getty Images "The biggest advantage of rapid antigen tests is that they are fast, cheap, and a reliable way for you to find out if you're spreading the virus," says Vivek Cherian, MD, an internal medicine physician in Chicago. "A PCR test is more sensitive and can actually identify an infection sooner, but the downside is that it can take a few days to get your result." When you're deciding how (or when) to test, remember that the tests only represent your status at the moment you take them. "These tests only tell you about one point in time, so a negative test yesterday could be a positive test today," says Larissa Pisney, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at UCHealth in Denver, Colo. To choose the test that's best for your particular situation, follow these guidelines. If you're experiencing symptoms: Rapid or PCR test If you develop a headache, sore throat, fever, or other common COVID symptoms, the CDC recommends that you assume you have COVID and get tested. A rapid test may give you a more immediate answer, but a PCR test will give you a more definitive one. "Rapid tests are best used when someone has symptoms of COVID, and even then if it is negative, I would recommend getting a PCR to confirm," Dr. Pisney says. "A positive rapid test does not need to be confirmed with a PCR." Story continues If you've been exposed to someone with COVID: Rapid or PCR test Either test would be a good option in this scenario, though there's an advantage to the rapid test: "It can prompt a person to isolate sooner, and thereby prevent you from spreading the virus earlier," Dr. Cherian says. But for the highest degree of accuracy, a PCR test will be best. "For high-risk exposures, I would recommend a PCR if you have access to one," Dr. Pisney says. "A PCR test is going to be the most sensitive way to detect an infection." The CDC recommends waiting at least five days after exposure (or until symptoms emerge), if you've been exposed to someone with COVID. If you're getting together with a group: Rapid test A rapid test just before you get together with friends (especially if you take it just before you head inside) offers you a quick snapshot of whether you're currently infectious. "I have used them before gatherings with family and friends as an extra layer of protection," Dr. Pisney says. "It is important to know that false negatives can happen, so using them is not a foolproof strategy." If you need to prove your COVID status: PCR test Because PCR tests are lab-certified, they're more likely to be accepted as proof of a negative (or positive) result than a test done at home. If you want to know if you're still infectious after developing COVID: Rapid test A PCR test will not be an accurate gauge of whether you are still infectious after a COVID illness. "Past day 10 or so, a PCR test is not going to be helpful because you may have completely cleared the virus out of your system, but the test may still read as positive because it still may be detecting viral debris, or in other words, dead virus," Dr. Cherian says. That positivity can continue for longer than you'd expectup to 90 days after an initial infection, Dr. Pisney says. If you're traveling: PCR test PCR (also known as molecular) tests are required by many international destinationsso if you're traveling out of the country, you'll need to have a negative test, generally taken within 72 hours of your travel. Some countries may require additional testing and quarantining for a few days once you arrive. And even for U.S. citizens traveling to Hawaii, a negative PCR test or proof of full vaccination is required to avoid quarantine upon arrival. Because the rules around this change quickly, it's best to check the website of your intended destination in the week before your visit to see what's currently being required, so you can plan your testing accordingly. And it's a good idea to test after you've traveled, just to make sure you aren't bringing an infection back to your communityeither a PCR or rapid test could work for this, Dr. Pisney says. Vitali Klitschko. Andrew Redington/Getty Images NATO countries have been sending weapons to Ukraine in case of a Russian invasion. Germany said it won't send Ukraine weapons, saying it wants to deescalate tensions. In an op-ed, Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv accused Germany of a "betrayal" by "friends." The mayor of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, accused Germany of betraying Ukraine by not giving the country arms as Russia appears ready to invade. In a Sunday op-ed in Germany's Bild newspaper, Vitali Klitschko wrote that Germany's decision to not send weapons to Ukraine and to block Estonia from doing so was a "betrayal of friends." German officials said the country will not send weapons to Ukraine as they would not help deescalate tensions, but that it would send a field hospital. Germany also chose not to give fellow NATO member Estonia permission to export old German-made D-30 howitzers to Ukraine. Klitschko wrote in Bild: "Many ask themselves the question: where does the German government actually stand? On the side of freedom and therefore on the side of Ukraine? Or at the side of the aggressor?" "Ukraine only wants one thing: to be an independent, democratic and free country!" he said. Multiple countries including Ukraine and the US have warned that Russia appears poised to invade Ukraine, and some NATO countries have sent defense weapons to help in case of an attack. Ukraine warned that Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops at the border, while Russia denies planning an invasion. Germany was also criticized by Ukraine after Germany's top navy officer said Russia "deserves respect" over Ukraine. The officer has since resigned, and Germany said on Monday it would help Ukraine by giving it financial aid, though it did not say how much. Read the original article on Business Insider Diversity training can benefit all of us Florida SB 148 is likely to be passed into law. Defines individual freedoms based on the truth that all individuals are equal before the law and have inalienable rights. Specifically, the legislation prohibits individuals from being subjected to any training, instruction, or any other required activity in public schools or the workplace that promotes divisiveness and discrimination. Additionally, the legislation requires instruction, instructional materials and professional development in public schools to be consistent with the principles of individual freedom. We don't want to contaminate our school children or employees with the realities of racism, including real American history. Yeah, it will really create "divisiveness" to learn those realities. I never knew that workplace diversity training was divisive. Or teaching our white snowflakes about racial history in the U.S. Imagine that! Just ask Republicans, they'll tell you all about divisiveness from the comfort of their whiteness. All of this under the banner of "freedom." Silly me, I thought the object was to teach and learn new information that will help improve one's personal life and the community. But at 79, as a political non-partisan with an undergrad degree in philosophy and a law degree (nobody calls us "doctor" but we hold a doctor's degree), and having sent four children through public primary, secondary, and collegiate education, and having received diversity training at the federal level, what do I know? Teachers and employers will not be able to do any of this under penalty of law (injunction). Lets welcome more authoritarianism to Florida. Francis Clifford, Suntree In this June 17, 2021, file photo, an Orange County resident receives the COVID-19 vaccine at the Florida Division of Emergency Management mobile vaccination site at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. DeSantis handling of Pino pathetic I was interested to read the Jan. 21 story titled "Health director on leave for urging vaccinations. It was reported that Orange County Health Director Dr. Raul Pino was placed on leave because he sent an email to his staff, urging them to get vaccinated. In his email Dr. Pino stated that only 219 of his 518 staff members had received two doses-a situation he described as "irresponsible" and "pathetic. For this, Dr. Pino was placed on administrative leave by the DeSantis administration. Story continues They issued a statement which said (in part) " the decision to get vaccinated is a personal medical decision that should be made free from coercion and mandates from employers." It was further stated that the Florida DOH is conducting an inquiry to determine if Dr. Pino had broken any laws. I find it incredible that the DeSantis administration would remove Dr. Pino from his post for simply doing his job. I agree with his email describing this embarrassingly low vaccination rate as irresponsible and pathetic. Dr. Pino is certainly within his rights to address the situation with his staff and attempt to correct it. As for the handling of this by the DeSantis administration, I find it to be irresponsible and pathetic. Rick Donaldson, Melbourne Florida legislators focused on reality... Vaccine is key to controlling spread Seriously? How can the governor speak out of both sides of his mouth at the same time? I am speaking, as a registered nurse, in reference to what the governor stated in that nobody should be denied earning a living based on these jabs (meaning COVID vaccinations). Then on the other side of his mouth, he states Its not something the government should be forcing. Then when Dr. Pino expresses his concerns regarding those working in the public health sector who should be vaccinated, Dr. Pino is put on leave. What in the world? Dr. Pino would be amiss and not doing his job if he didnt acknowledge that vaccination is the key to controlling the spread of this dreaded deadly virus. I also believe Dr. Pino's First Amendment right to free speech was violated by the very same tyrant who is also trying to eliminate the mention of factual history that occurred in this country. For most people who equate education with wisdom, Gov DeSantis has made a mockery of Florida. DeSantis education has not contributed one iota of common sense or wisdom. Surely, Florida can do better. Also, DeSantis stated, Florida is the freest state in these United States, thanks to him, it is just the opposite and the most oppressed state. Ron DeSantis owes Dr. Pino an apology, back pay, and reinstatement to do his job as the Orange County health director. Sandra Gardner, Melbourne Some of us must live on another planet I was incensed when reading in FLORIDA TODAY about a Health director on leave for urging vaccinations because the email he sent is part of his job. He didnt write COVID-19 vaccinations were a mandate, but rather provided information which is expected from someone in a leadership position. I agree with DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw that it is essential to find out if any laws were broken in this case. I hope there is a thorough investigation by all departments, to find out if any employment laws were broken when placing Dr. Pino on administrative leave for doing his job. Also, it is quite a contradiction that The Department is committed to upholding all laws, however, they dont plan on implementing the U.S. Supreme Court ruling about the mandatory vaccination policy for health care workers. Next, I read the FLORIDA TODAY editorial and I thoroughly agree with the writers. Surreal does sum it up because it feels like we are living on different planets. As of Jan. 19, 2022, according to Johns Hopkins University, there have been more than 68.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 857,665 deaths from the virus in the United States. Kudos to Dr. Pino for doing his job and giving sound advice and leadership. Also, whenever I read the reason against a vaccine mandate as being your choice. Its a private choice. It is not something the government should be forcing, I think about women and why dont they have that same choice when making a private decision. Anita Moore, Merritt Island A Ukrainian soldier walks on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. President Joe Biden has warned Russia's Vladimir Putin that the U.S. could impose new sanctions against Russia if it takes further military action against Ukraine Putin, NATO and what's in store If Putin is so afraid of NATO, why not invite Russia to join NATO? More than likely Putin would turn this down and show his hand to the world the real reasons for trying to recreate the old Soviet Union. NATO is a Cold War relic and President Trump had the right idea for improving relations with Russia. After all, if Russia was a NATO ally, this could stabilize the whole situation. If we do nothing, then I fear an eventual alignment with China, North Korea and Iran. Enticing Putin to abolish his old Soviet dream by lifting sanctions may do the trick. George S. Nolan, Titusville What's behind emphasis on Jan. 6? A report published by Axios states that between May 2020 and July 2020, there were 574 riots, which included damage to government buildings. The perpetrators were part of Antifa and/or BLM. The damage from these riots cost about $1 billion. Now fast-forward to Jan. 6, 2021. Whatever you want to call it, be it a riot, insurrection, or sedition, it happened. The damage caused by this incident was about $1.5 million. Now, why are these perpetrators being prosecuted, whereas, many of those mentioned in the May to July riots in 2020 were not? Why the double standard for participants in these riots? A prudent observer would draw the conclusion that the House of Representatives is trying to keep the Jan. 6 incident fresh in the minds of the voters. With all this negative publicity about Jan. 6 being associated to President Trump's name, they are worried about him seeking re-election is 2024. Ted Hesser, Indian Harbour Beach This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Letters and feedback: Jan. 25, 2022 By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Tuesday it voted unanimously to sue to block arms maker Lockheed Martin's proposed $4.4 billion purchase of rocket engine maker Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc over antitrust concerns. Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said the company will review the FTC's planned challenge, adding: "With the filing of the suit, we may elect to defend the lawsuit or terminate the merger agreement." Lockheed is the No. 1 U.S. defense contractor by sales. The deal, if it were allowed to go forward, could enable Lockheed to use its control of Aerojet to hurt other defense contractors while creating more consolidation in the industry, the FTC said. The agency did not immediately release its complaint. If the deal ends up in court, it would be the first litigated defense merger challenge in decades, the agency said. Aerojet's shares were down 18% at $36.86 in midday trading on Tuesday. Lockheed's offer valued Aerojet at $51 per share but the shares had been trading below the offer because of investor concerns over the FTC's antitrust review. The FTC, made up of two Democrats and two Republicans, voted 4-0 to challenge the deal. "Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the U.S. government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation. We cannot afford to allow further concentration in markets critical to our national security and defense," FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova said in a statement. If the deal fails because of opposition from antitrust enforcers, Lockheed would not pay a termination fee, according to a Lockheed spokesman. The FTC said it would file a complaint in federal court in Washington to seek a preliminary injunction halting the deal. Mergers that are halted at this stage are generally terminated. If a court rules in favor of the merging companies, the FTC generally drops its parallel administrative complaint. Story continues The deal has drawn criticism because it would give Lockheed a dominant position over solid fuel rocket motors - a vital piece of the U.S. missile industry. Missile maker Raytheon has been an outspoken opponent of the proposed deal. The deal has attracted opposition in the U.S. Congress including from Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who applauded the FTC's action in a statement on Tuesday. "After decades of mergers, the defense industry is left with a few giant firms that aim to buy up key suppliers and stomp out competition. I support the FTC taking aggressive action to oppose further corporate concentration in the defense industry that could threaten U.S. national security." Lockheed has said it accounted for 33% of Aerojet's sales and the deal would reduce "fee-on-fee" costs for the Pentagon and the U.S. taxpayer. Rocket motors like those made by Aerojet are used in everything from the homeland defensive missile system to Stinger missiles. Aerojet develops and manufactures liquid and solid rocket propulsion, air-breathing hypersonic engines and electric power and propulsion for space, defense, civil and commercial applications. Its customers include the Pentagon, NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies and the United Launch Alliance. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington with additional reporting by Diane BartzEditing by Jason Neely, David Goodman and Chris Reese) South Louisiana Community College celebrates its spring graduates with an in-person ceremony Thursday, May 13, 2021. It is the first face-to-face commencement after two semesters of drive-through graduation. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Legislature are poised to provide free community college for adults in high-demand careers beginning July 1, something President Biden and Congress have been unable to do on a national level. Lawmakers are already debating how to spend more than $2 billion in surpluses and increased future revenue for fiscal year 2023 that begins July 1. "Obviously there are going to be a lot of hands out," Edwards' Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said Tuesday while presenting the governor's proposed spending plan to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. But virtually everyone agrees one of Edwards' proposed budget increases will survive the debate in the Legislature $10.5 million to pay for the MJ Foster Promise community college scholarship program. Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan describes the program as "TOPS for grown folks," referring to the state's popular university tuition scholarship program. But unlike TOPS, which the state funds with more than $300 million annually, there are no academic requirements for securing the grants for community colleges. Applicants must only be 21 or older and enroll in programs supporting five growing industry sectors construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and transportation and logistics. Republican Senate President Page Cortez's Senate Bill 148 now Act 457 was named after the late former Gov. Mike Foster, who is considered the father of the state's community college system. Foster died last year. Though the bill passed last year, the program must still be funded. "The Legislature has been very supportive of this new program for those who have been caught in an education and career gap, and I'm confident my colleagues will continue to support it when it comes to funding the program," Cortez told USA Today Network. The MJ Foster Promise Program is the first of its kind in our states history and will provide opportunity and access to jobs for thousands of Louisianans," Cortez said. "Employers across the state are seeking skilled workers who often lack the resources they need for training. Story continues More: Louisiana governor proposes teacher raises, new bridges, higher education budget increases Eligible training can range from a two-year associate nursing degree to a 10-week commercial driving course. Sullivan said the maximum $6,400 award will cover all of the eligible training and degree programs "without having to come out of their pocket," calling it a transformational opportunity for 1.1 million Louisiana adults without training beyond high school. More: Louisiana's tax revenue beats estimates by $2 billion over 3 years; how should it be used? He said the system will begin marketing the program and how to access it this spring. "This will not only transform the lives of these adults and their families, but the communities in which they live," Sullivan said. "Imagine having more nurses during a pandemic and having a work force to attract new business and industry." Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana set to begin offering free community college for some adults A man was killed when a tractor fell on him as he worked at a South Miami-Dade commercial vegetable farm Tuesday afternoon, Miami-Dade police say. The workplace tragedy happened at Torbert Farms, 20001 SW 344th St., around 12:32 p.m. Torberts Facebook page claims that its one of the largest vegetable producers in the Southeast United States. The death of the man, whose name hasnt been released yet, will be investigated by OSHA and Miami-Dade homicide detectives. A search of OSHAs online establishment inspections show no incidents for Torbert Farms over the past 10 years. OSHA cites contractors after scaffolding collapse in Bradenton Beach, killing one Three Florida citrus pickers shorted H-2A visa employees on work and $72,000 in pay Tumwater police are looking for a 34-year-old man who fired his gun at a vehicle on Sunday. About noon, police were dispatched to a private business parking lot in the 2400 block of 93rd Avenue Southwest after a report of a weapons violation, Lt. Jen Kolb said Tuesday. After talking to the victim at the scene a 34-year-old woman they learned the following: The woman had agreed to meet her ex-boyfriend to exchange some personal property. When she approached her exs vehicle, he pulled out a gun and ordered her to get inside. She then ran back to her vehicle while the ex-boyfriend fired two shots at it. The woman was not hurt and neither was the 31-year-old man driving the vehicle, but in their haste to get away from the ex-boyfriend, they backed into another vehicle in the parking lot and remained at the scene. The ex-boyfriend, along with a 27-year-old male passenger, drove away. Police are still looking for the ex-boyfriend, although they have his name and other key details, Kolb said. They have not developed probable cause for the 27-year-old male passenger, describing him as an involved person. Jan. 24Residents of a Beech Street neighborhood where a company hopes to set up a sober home spoke out against the proposal during a recent planning board meeting, saying such facilities "aren't right" for residential neighborhoods like theirs. Planning board members last week heard a request to change the use of 568 Beech St., currently a two-family dwelling, to a six-bedroom congregate housing facility. 603 Sober Living LLC has filed an application to change the use of 568 Beech St. from residential use to congregate housing for a 12-step abstinence based sober living house for 12 men, according to an application filed with the planning board. "Residents will be required to engage in five meetings a week, a weekly house meeting, various chores, obtain employment or volunteer work, be weekly drug tested, engage in the community at large, and build healthy lifestyle change for their recovery," the application reads. Several residents spoke out against the proposal during a public hearing last week. "The values of our properties are at risk with this," said Nelson Gagnon, who identified himself as a property owner in the neighborhood. "The city and the zoning board need to figure out where these places should be located. You can't just put them in residential neighborhoods." Brendan Gilmartin, also a nearby property owner, read from letters from residents opposed to the project who couldn't attend the public hearing. "This house is a rock's throw from Central High School," said Gilmartin. Others argued the proposal should be considered a halfway house instead of a sober living facility, claiming it could draw individuals just getting out of prison. Others had concerns over potential noise from house residents smoking outside the building. Representatives of the applicants responded to the impact on nearby property values by saying they believe the sober house could benefit the community. They also said they would make efforts talk nearby property owners to see how they could become better neighbors, Story continues 603 Sober Living LLC provides peer to peer support, connection to a case manager and a safe, healthy living environment, according to the application. The house will include a house manager who lives on site. 603 Sober Living LLC will seek New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residences certification after the first three months of being open. Owner Christina Manter is in discussion with the building owner about adding a third bathroom. If added, the program will help 14 men. Two of the bedrooms will have three men and three rooms will have two men, according to the application. The company's mission is: "A sober living environment where sobriety is our foundation; recovery is our journey, and community keeps us together." Some classes offered include financial peace and behavioral change. "New Hampshire has an on-going never ending addiction problem," the application reads. "People fight daily to access long-term housing, stable enough to sustain their recovery efforts. Individuals who struggle with substance misuse battle to maintain healthy lifestyles; make good choices; obtain and manage long-term employment; and so much more." Jan. 24A city woman was arrested over the weekend in connection with an assault that left a child hospitalized with significant bruising, Manchester police said. Jessica Laferriere, 31, of Manchester, was arraigned Monday in Hillsborough Superior Court on charges including second-degree assault for causing bodily injury to a child under the age of 13 and endangering the welfare of a child, Manchester police said in a news release. Officers responding to a report of a child suffering from suspicious injuries at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center around 2:45 p.m. Sunday determined the youth's injuries were suffered in Manchester, police said. Laferriere was later identified as a suspect and taken into custody. She was released on personal recognizance. Police said their investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Trade between east China's Fujian Province and Taiwan rose 26.2 percent year on year to top 100 billion yuan (about 15.77 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, according to the Fujian provincial government work report. A total of 1,495 Taiwanese-invested enterprises were newly established in Fujian last year, up 21.2 percent year on year, the report said. In 2021, Fujian attracted nearly 40,000 young people from Taiwan to come to the province for internships, employment and starting up businesses thanks to a series of equal treatment policies. Meanwhile, the province also drew 95 teams that consisted of Taiwan's architects or personnel engaging in cultural and creative businesses, while building 12 provincial-level bases for exchanges with Taiwan last year, said Zhao Long, acting governor of Fujian when delivering the report. In 2022, Fujian will continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation, and strengthen grassroots and youth exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, among other efforts, Zhao noted. By Ross Kerber BOSTON (Reuters) -Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin on Tuesday said his office will investigate broker-dealers offering target-date funds, concerned about changes that created large tax bills for small-dollar investors. In a press release Galvin said his securities division sent letters seeking information from companies including BlackRock Inc,, T. Rowe Price Group, a unit of Vanguard Group and others. Representatives for the companies did not immediately comment. Target-date mutual funds have become an increasing popular vehicle for retirement savings, typically set up to reduced the amount of risk among assets held by investors as they age. U.S. target-date funds held nearly $1.6 trillion as of 2020, up from $1.4 trillion in 2019 and $1.1 trillion in 2018, according to the Investment Company Institute, largely in retirement plans like 401(k)s. According to the press release Galvin "is particularly concerned by reports of inadequately disclosed fund changes that shifted financial burdens to small-dollar investors, resulting in large tax bills for those who held the funds in non-retirement accounts." Galvin was not immediately available for further comment. (Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by David Gregorio) A trucking company owner charged with playing a supporting role in a gold-smuggling scheme spanning South America, the Caribbean and South Florida pleaded guilty Monday to submitting false customs documents that concealed the true origins of the gold being imported through Miami International Airport. Jesus Gabriel Rodriguez Jr., CEO of the Doral-based armored truck company Transvalue Inc., admitted as part of his plea agreement that he helped import thousands of kilos of gold valued at $140 million into the United States from Curacao, knowing that the customs paperwork falsely represented its origins. The records falsely showed the gold was shipped from the Cayman Islands to make it look like it didnt come from Curacao, which is known as an illicit trading hub for gold mined in South America, including nearby Venezuela. Disclosing that the gold was actually shipped through Curacao would have violated U.S. anti-money-laundering laws. By pleading guilty to the false statement charge, Rodriguez now faces up to two years in prison instead of 20 years under a previous money-laundering conspiracy charge. But Rodriguez, 45, may receive less time at his sentencing April 4 before U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayle because he accepted responsibility and agreed to cooperate with authorities, according to the terms of his deal struck between defense attorney Michael R. Band and prosecutor Walter Norkin. Rodriguez also agreed to forfeit $267,817 as part of his agreement. The amount represents the increase in value to his cargo-hauling business and his personal earnings from the scheme, according to court records. U.S. Attorney Tony Gonzalez said that Rodriguez was one of the key players in the sprawling money-laundering case, which was unveiled nearly five years ago with the arrests of three Miami-area brokers accused of illegally importing $3.6 billion worth of gold from Peru and other South American countries. Rodriguez may be the last defendant to be prosecuted in the case, which put a spotlight on Miami as a major gold-import capital and on minings devastation of the rain forest in South America. The case, because of its geographical breadth and financial complexity, involved a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and IRS. Story continues Corporate executives who facilitate money laundering while purportedly importing lawful goods at the transport and U.S. Customs stages do not get to hide behind their status as otherwise legitimate business owners, Gonzalez said in a statement. Like everyone else participating in these illegal schemes, they will be prosecuted. Smuggling scheme After his arrest last June, Rodriguez was accused of participating in a piece of the international smuggling scheme by helping coordinate millions of dollars in gold shipments designed to launder cash with ties to criminal activity, federal prosecutors in Miami said. According to a criminal complaint affidavit, Rodriguez used his experience and contacts to orchestrate the importation of thousands of kilos of illicitly sourced gold that was flown into the United States from Curacao between March 2015 and September 2016. Curacao, a Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has no gold mines. Rodriguez was accused of conspiring with gold sellers in the Caribbean, though the gold was likely being illegally mined and smuggled out of Venezuela, according to the complaint. Other possible sources included Peru and Colombia, which are rich in gold but rife with corruption in the precious-metal trade, according to U.S. authorities. Rodriguezs trucking company hauled the gold loads from Miami International Airport to NTR Metals, a precious-metal import firm based in Doral that was at the center of the huge precious-metal money-laundering case. U.S. authorities say NTR Metals, which had a small refinery in Doral and a major processing facility in Ohio, was not supposed to buy gold from Curacao as part of its anti-money-laundering policy. The island country is commonly used as a transshipment point for gold illegally mined in, and smuggled out of, South America, authorities said. Rodriguez, the Transvalue CEO, helped a circle of co-conspirators dodge NTR Metals anti-money-laundering policy and get the gold past U.S. Customs by working to conceal the golds illegal origins and connections to Curacao, according to the criminal complaint that was the basis for his arrest. The complaint accused Rodriguez of routing the gold shipments through different countries before they reached their final destination in Miami. The gold loads would be shipped from Curacao to Miami, then go to the Cayman Islands and back to Miami. As a result, the gold exporting country falsely appeared to be the Cayman Islands. The buyers of the gold were co-conspirators based in South Florida and Latin America who earned commissions by procuring gold for NTR Metals. The firms three principal brokers were the first defendants charged in the money-laundering conspiracy in 2017. They pleaded guilty and served several years in prison. NTR Metals three principal brokers, who cooperated with authorities, said that Rodriguez was aware that the gold coming into Miami ... did not originate in the Cayman Islands, according to the complaint. NTR Metals was owned by Dallas parent company Elemetal, which pleaded guilty to failing to maintain a strong anti-money-laundering program and paid a $15 million fine to the U.S. government. Most of the gold imported by NTR Metals was illegally mined in Peru and smuggled through that country or diverted through other South American nations, such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, according to court records and authorities. In addition to NTR Metals and its parent company, authorities also charged a Peruvian gold exporter, three of his associates and a Lima-based customs broker all accused of falsifying documents and paying bribes to officials to move loads of the precious metal to Miami. In Latin America, criminals view mining and trading precious metals as a lucrative growth business, carefully hidden from U.S. consumers who have no idea where it comes from or that laws are being broken, the Miami Herald reported in a 2018 series, Dirty Gold, Clean Cash. Drug traffickers, who exert control over miners in the Amazon rain forest, have tapped into the gold trade because the precious metal is difficult to trace and therefore ideal for money laundering. Americas demand for gold is as strong as it is for cocaine. NTR Metals, for instance, was the subsidiary of a major U.S. gold refinery that supplied Apple and 67 other Fortune 500 companies, as well as Tiffany & Co., according to a Herald analysis of corporate disclosures. Those companies argued that they maintained robust anti-money-laundering programs and committed no wrongdoing. Microsoft's overall business is still going strong, even though it's not seeing the shockingly huge profit growth it saw last year. In its Q2 earnings report today, company reported revenue of $51.7 billion (up 20 percent from last year) with profits of $18.8 billion (up 21 percent). As usual, Microsoft has its unstoppable cloud business to thank, as well as a decent showing from its PC group, Office and other business products. Its Intelligent Cloud business grew by 26 percent, reaching $18.3 billion, while its Productivity and Business group saw revenues increase by 19 percent to reach $15.9 billion. There weren't any true major weak links this quarter even Surface revenue, which Microsoft previously expected to dip a bit, grew by 8 percent thanks to strong Surface Laptop sales. Windows OEM revenues also increased by 25 percent, not a huge surprise since the overall PC industry is still going strong. Where the PC business goes, Microsoft's revenues will follow, after all. When it comes to Office, the company says its consumer revenue increased by 15 percent, and that it has reached 56.4 million Microsoft 365 subscribers. While Microsoft's earnings reports have basically looked the same over the last few years Cloud good! Revenues grow! the company's numbers will look a bit different once it finalizes its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. At the very least, we'll get to see how much the new Microsoft Gaming division actually helps (or hurts) Microsoft's overall business. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff meets with students at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center Jan. 24. While Vice President Kamala Harris visited Milwaukee Monday to promote lead abatement, her husband Doug Emhoff spent time with youth arts program directors before meeting with leaders of the Milwaukee Jewish community. Emhoff was highlighting federal COVID-19 relief grants that helped the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center stay open throughout the pandemic. "These amazing kids were able to stay here during the height of the pandemic, which is so great for so many reasons," Emhoff said. Subscribe to our On Wisconsin Politics newsletter for the week's political news explained. The newly renovated arts center, at 325 W. Walnut St., is home to the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and First Stage theater group, which received $395,000 and $1,02 million, respectively, in federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grants part of the American Rescue Plan. Emhoff talked with the students about what the space meant to them. Lucas LaBeau, a MYSO jazz pianist who also performed for Emhoff, said he saw many musicians skip lessons during the pandemic and he was grateful to continue participating in MYSO. MYSO kept me involved," he said. "And I think that really helped me kindle my joy for music." Daisha Lafford said the building was a second home and safe haven. Others agreed. Throughout the pandemic, everything shut down I couldnt go to school, MYSO student Zindzi Frederick said. This was the one thing that stayed constant and Im really grateful for that. MYSO and First Stage were two of 236 Wisconsin recipients of Shuttered Venue grants who received a total of $229 million as of Jan. 21, according to a White House spokesperson. More: 'It's been quite a roller-coaster ride': Wisconsin venues see bumpy start to live music comeback but high hopes for 2022 The students also asked Emhoff, a former entertainment lawyer and now professor, for life advice. Emhoff said his children, named after jazz musicians Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane, were involved in theater for many years and now have careers in the arts. But he said a background in arts would serve the students well, regardless of their career path. Story continues "One of the reasons I'm able to do this as second gentleman is because I have a background in the arts because it gives you confidence, it gives you the ability to listen more than you talk, and it gives you the ability to understand and feel and communicate," he said. After speaking with the students, Emhoff was escorted to meet with leaders of the Milwaukee Jewish community. Media were not invited to attend that meeting. Emhoff said he expected they would speak about combatting antisemitism. There's a real epidemic of hate going on in our country, if not our world right now, Emhoff said. And antisemitism is a part of that. Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @RoryLinnane. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In Milwaukee, Doug Emhoff visits MYSO, First Stage, Jewish leaders Jan. 25At a time when COVID-19 cases are dropping in Southwest Ohio, members of the Ohio National Guard are arriving at two area hospitals and one in Cincinnati to assist with medical and non-clinical duties, according to hospital officials. Guard members were deployed Monday to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, Christ Hospital in Liberty Twp. and UC Medical Center to support hospital workers during the present surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to officials. Members went through orientation Monday at AMC, then they will start performing non-clinical duties. It has not been determined how long the Guard will be deployed at Atrium, according to the hospital. Dr. Keith Bricking, president of AMC, said there are several non-clinical functions that are "vital to the day-to-day care and services" at the hospital. Guard members will be on site during first- and second-shifts, seven days a week, officials said. "The Ohio National Guard's assistance with these tasks means we are able to more efficiently free up beds for the next patient," he said. Debbie Hayes, president and CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network, said the hospital is grateful for the Guard because their effort decreases the "burden on our hospital team." Maj. Eric Bailey, a physician's assistant from Waynesville, said joining the Christ Hospital team is "kind of like starting between 10 and 30 new employees on very short notice" with orientation one day and starting work the next. About half his team has medical experience so it knows how to draw blood and check patients' vital signs, Bailey said. "It's been difficult, it's been stressful," he said. "But we just show up and do our job like we have to, and we adjust and adapt, and do what we have to do." Sgt. Melissa McWilliams, a Dayton native, assigns soldiers where they're needed. "Everyone's been so thankful that we've been there," at various hospitals, McWilliams said. "They've been so gracious and so wonderful. It's a really gratifying experience, just being one-on-one with patients." Story continues The 70 Guard troops at UC Medical joined the other 20 already there working: 10 medics in the Emergency Department and 10 non-clinical members in Environmental Services. The guard members have been deployed to other hospitals around Ohio to help shore up staffing shortages, as workers quit, demand surges, and infections spread in the latest COVID-19 surge. Ohio National Guard Major General John C. Harris, Jr. made the announcement after Gov. Mike DeWine shared that an additional 1,250 guard members would be deployed to help hospitals. Overall, Ohio is seeing a decrease in COVID hospitalizations and ICU admissions. The 5,322 patients hospitalized with the virus on Monday is down 11% compared to a week ago and 15% compared to three weeks ago, according to OHA. The state had 1,069 COVID patients in the ICU as of Monday. It's a 9% decrease from last week and 19% decrease from three weeks ago. Despite the overall decrease in hospitalized COVID patients across the state, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff warned that it's much higher than previously reported during the pandemic. Staff writer Kristen Spiker contributed to this report. Nearly 10,000 women traveled from out of state to have an abortion in Illinois in 2020, a roughly 29% increase compared with the previous year, according to the most recent Illinois Department of Public Health data available. State health statistics show 9,686 out-of-state women terminated a pregnancy in Illinois in 2020, comprising about 21% of all 46,243 abortions performed statewide. This was over 2,000 more than the 7,534 women who came here from another state in 2019. State data from 2021 was not available. The rise in travelers was anticipated by reproductive rights advocates and opponents of abortion alike, attributed largely to nearby states with increasingly stringent abortion laws, including those mandating waiting periods, gestational limits and more regulations on clinics. Reproductive freedoms are increasingly under fire in much of the country, particularly many Midwestern states that surround Illinois as well as southern portions of the nation. The U.S. Supreme Court by midyear is expected to rule on one of the most influential abortion cases in decades: Dobbs v. Jackson will determine the legality of a Mississippi law that bars abortion past 15 weeks gestation. The case could also dictate the fate of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that established the right to terminate a pregnancy nationwide. If Roe were to be overturned or significantly curtailed, the matter of abortion rights would be resolved at the state level. Experts predict that roughly half the nation would ban or severely restrict abortion, including every state adjacent to Illinois. At the same time, Illinois has ensconced abortion rights in state law. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act, which established terminating a pregnancy as a fundamental right for women in Illinois. Ameri Klafeta, director of the Womens and Reproductive Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said the 2020 Illinois abortion numbers reflect two undeniable realities. Story continues First, Illinois has taken steps through the Reproductive Health Act to assure (access) to reproductive health care, she said. The other truth is that this time period has been marked by escalating activity in many other states including many in the Midwest to choke off access to such care. Banning abortion and other reproductive health care in these surrounding states does not erase the need for access to critical health care despite the magical thinking of anti-abortion politicians inside and outside Illinois borders. It is hopeful and helpful that some number of those affected by these regressive laws are able to get care in our state. The number of women crossing state lines to come to Illinois for the procedure has risen every year since 2014. Former state lawmaker and prominent abortion opponent Peter Breen called the trend disturbing. When you look at the way Illinois has legislated, it makes sense that folks from out of state would stream into Illinois to get abortions, said Breen, vice president and senior counsel with the Chicago-based nonprofit public interest law firm the Thomas More Society. I dont think the people of Illinois wanted our state to become known as the abortion capital of the Midwest, but our legislators and government have decided to move us in that direction. New abortion clinics had also recently opened near state boundary lines: An 18,000-square-foot Planned Parenthood facility opened in 2019 in Fairview Heights right by the Missouri border and another Planned Parenthood opened in May 2020 in Waukegan near the Wisconsin border. Another factor might have been several states that intermittently halted abortion services in 2020 citing the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving patients scrambling to find an appointment elsewhere. The Chicago-based American Medical Association had decried these temporary bans as government intrusion in medical care. While many physicians and health care workers are on the front lines in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unfortunate that elected officials in some states are exploiting this moment to ban or dramatically limit womens reproductive health care, labeling procedures as non-urgent, the organization said in a March 2020 written statement. Overall, the total number of abortions in Illinois decreased slightly during the same period, from 46,517 in 2019 to 46,243 in 2020. There was a decline in the number of Illinois residents who terminated a pregnancy, from 38,756 in 2019 to 36,174 in 2020. Breen pointed out that the national birthrate also declined during that same period, which might account for the decrease in in-state abortions. The number of births in the U.S. decreased from more than 3.7 million in 2019 to about 3.6 million in 2020. National abortion figures have not been released for 2020. Nationwide, 2019 saw a slight increase in terminated pregnancies compared with 2018, after many years of decline, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Experts on both sides of the abortion debate predict the number of out-of-state travelers will continue to rise in the future. Last month, Pritzker signed a law repealing parental notification requirements for minors seeking an abortion in Illinois. Supporters of the change say repeal was needed to protect the rights and health of vulnerable young people, particularly those from unsafe households. Opponents, however, were alarmed that parents could be kept in the dark about the health care decisions of their children. Breen predicted that the repeal will draw more minors from other states to Illinois, since every state surrounding Illinois has some form of a parental notice requirement. Minor girls will be brought to Illinois by the thousands in order to avoid notifying their parents of their pregnancies, Breen said. The Food and Drug Administration in December permanently eased previous restrictions on shipping abortion pills via mail; this allows patients in Illinois and some other states to get a prescription through a telemedicine visit and then get the medication shipped to their home, another means to access abortion services. Illinois abortion providers say they expect more women will be traveling here from other states for reproductive health care in the future. As Illinois continues to break down barriers to health care, we will remain a needed haven in the Midwest, said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. We are planning for Illinois out-of-state numbers to continue to increase as long as other states are allowed to enact harmful and unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions. Last week, two abortion providers in southern Illinois opened a new resource for out-of-state travelers called the Regional Logistics Center, where designated case managers will help patients book transportation, find lodging and connect them with funding resources to help pay for the procedure and other associated costs. The center which is inside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Fairview Heights is a joint project by Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City. In September, a Texas law went into effect barring abortions as early as about six weeks gestation, before many women even know theyre pregnant, all but banning the procedure in the second-largest state in the nation. Dr. Erin King, executive director of Hope Clinic for Women, told the Tribune her clinic now sees several patients who travel from Texas each week. She described one recent patient who found out she was pregnant on a Wednesday, made the appointment on Friday and flew in on Saturday to have a medication abortion. King recalled that the patient flew back to Texas that same day, and that trip had been her first time on an airplane. The volume of patients fleeing to Illinois will only grow, said Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, at the centers opening. If Roe is overturned, we expect to see 14,000 patients from outside our service area in the first year. But to foes of abortion, the role of Illinois as a reproductive rights oasis in the Midwest has long been considered a disgrace. Illinois is drastically out of step with the rest of the Midwest, said Kevin Grillot, executive director of March for Life Chicago. The last five years, Illinois legislators have prioritized the abortion industry over the people that they represent. Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, added that theres nothing inevitable about the rise of Illinois as a major abortion state. As we continue to see the impact of the governments aggressive expansion of abortion in Illinois, especially abortions performed on minors from out of state, we may see more willingness on the part of voters to rein in this abortion license, he said. eleventis@chicagotribune.com Many of China's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic that is still raging across the globe. Instead of giving in, they have fought a way out of the predicament and are now embracing an even brighter prospect. Located in the southern Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, Taihua Toys (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. faced a make-or-break moment in early 2020 as the overseas market is vital for the company. "Factories stopped running due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and customer orders could not go out as scheduled," said Liu Wenwei, general manager of the toy maker. He could not help crying when he recalled "the darkest hour" of the company. Workers still got paid, even without working, Liu said. In the meantime, the pandemic situation overseas led to a sharp drop in orders, and it was hard to find a container to transport goods, making it difficult for the prepared products to be shipped abroad. Around the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2021, the company's cash flow was about to wither as it faced a pincer attack from both upstream suppliers' capital settlement and workers' wages. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, China's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Guangdong has the highest concentration of SMEs in China. By the end of 2020, there were over 5.86 million SMEs in the province, accounting for about one-seventh of the national total. Many of them were facing the same dilemma as Liu's company. Digital transformation One hundred kilometers away from Shenzhen, more than 8,000 enterprises specializing in bag and luggage production in the town of Shiling in Guangzhou also reached a crossroad. Shiling is known as the "leather goods capital of China." Supply chains were severely damaged, sales channels were disrupted, and raw material prices rose sharply due to the fallout of the pandemic. Against this backdrop, Huang Haifeng, general manager of Guangzhou Longzhuo Leather Co., Ltd., decided to improve the production efficiency of his company. Huang started exploring digital transformation in early 2021. To prove its feasibility, he organized a man-machine competition in the company. Huang asked workers with decades of experience to do the same work as newly introduced digital machines. It was not hard to imagine the end of the competition -- 10 master workers produced far less than a single machine in the same time frame. Huang spent about 800,000 yuan (about 126,161 U.S. dollars) introducing digital machines, and the savings from going digital in one year also amounted to around 800,000 yuan. The investment broke even within a year. "Our company's production efficiency has increased by 10 percent only half a year after the digital transformation," said Huang. Bright future Liu Wenwei also relied on new smart devices to improve production efficiency. With the help of the Shenzhen branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Liu received a 3-million yuan credit loan in January 2021. Liu used the loan to purchase intelligent cloth laying machines, intelligent cutting machines, and other equipment, which improved production capacity. The efficiency of a cloth laying machine is equivalent to the work of four workers. The situation of Taihua Toys has improved a lot. At present, the amount of toys made by the company reaches up to 600,000 per month. Not long ago, Liu's company won the bid for mascot producing orders for the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. There are more than 40 million SMEs like Taihua Toys in China, and they contribute more than 80 percent of urban employment. The Chinese government has been vigorously supporting these small and medium firms in their efforts to overcome the difficulties. Inclusive finance is now becoming a strategic choice for China's state-owned banks. "Almost every month, we are launching one or two innovative products that meet the financing needs of different types of enterprises," said Yang Fan, vice president of ICBC Shenzhen branch. "Overseas orders are coming back," said Liu of Taihua Toys. "Old friends from overseas trust Chinese enterprises. They trust our product quality, intelligent production equipment, production capacity, and cost performance," he added. China continued to lead the world in economic recovery and epidemic control in 2021, with GDP expanding 8.1 percent year on year to 114.37 trillion yuan, according to the NBS. "Enterprises that survive the crisis will have stronger risk resistance and competitiveness in the future," said Chen Zhuming, a professor at Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University. More than 130,000 workers in New Jersey who collected unemployment benefits under COVID pandemic federal assistance programs later received a letter from the state Labor Department saying they weren't actually eligible for jobless benefits and must give the money back. And that's just the number of overpayment letters that have gone out so far. New Jersey estimates it paid 250,000 workers who aren't eligible for unemployment after federal rules changed. New Jersey's labor commissioner is urging Congress to waive these overpayments as long as they weren't fraudulent. Commissioner Rob Asaro-Angelo signed on to a Jan. 7 letter to congressional leadership written by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, a nonprofit representing 50 state agencies that administer unemployment insurance. Millions of unemployed workers deemed eligible for federal pandemic unemployment benefits later found out that the rules had changed, and, through no fault of their own, were no longer considered eligible months after they had spent the money on necessities like food and housing, said Asaro-Angelo. To try to recover these funds after the fact stresses these workers and their families, strains the system of resources with little chance of success, and is counterintuitive to our mission of helping people in their time of need, he said. NJ property taxes: Who saw the biggest increases in their 2021 bills? Gateway: Here's what needs to happen before Gateway construction gets underway Asaro-Angelo and the association want Congress to let states tell these workers they don't have to pay back the money, and can still collect unemployment in the future. Currently, until workers pay back what the Labor Department determines they owe, they are ineligible for future jobless benefits. As an unprecedented number of workers lost hours or jobs due to pandemic-related business closures, Congress passed expanded unemployment programs that gave workers more money and paid people who were not normally eligible for jobless benefits, such as freelancers, the self-employed and gig economy workers. Story continues But as time passed, certain federal rules about administering the programs changed, said New Jersey Department of Labor spokesperson Angela Delli Santi. For instance, federal guidance first allowed self-employed workers to self-certify their earnings and unemployment history, but later required documentation. Our series on unsolved murders in North Jersey would not be possible without the support of subscribers. Become one today and help us continue to report on stories that matter to you and to the community. "Workers later had to provide documents of an earnings history or tax returns, and quite frankly, many could not pass muster," Delli Santi said. "They received benefits for what was legal at the time, but these new rules made them ineligible. They didn't lie, but the rules changed." For instance, a waitress or hairdresser paid primarily in tips may not have reported all of these payments to the IRS, and there isn't a paper record of their true wages. "Individuals receiving [pandemic unemployment] spent these funds months ago to help preserve their own economic stability," the association letter said. "The likelihood of recovering these funds is low and the cost of states efforts to secure repayment far outweighs any monetary returns." The letter said that not all states have a "current and consistent waiver process" and "federal action is necessary to prevent further hardships on these individuals." Workers who receive an overpayment notice currently have a right to appeal the determination. People who owe the Labor Department benefits can set up a monthly payment plan, and state income tax refunds or rebates could be withheld and applied to the debt. For more information about unemployment overpayments, visit tinyurl.com/unemploymentoverpay. Ashley Balcerzak is a reporter covering affordable housing and its intersection of how we live in New Jersey. For unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: balcerzaka@northjersey.com Twitter: @abalcerzak This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ overpaid unemployment benefits. State urges Congress to waive debt New York's mask mandate will remain in place for now, as a judge issued a stay Tuesday afternoon of Monday's ruling that the mandate was unconstitutional. Justice Robert J. Miller of the Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court issued the stay hours after hearing oral arguments. He set a hearing on the case for Friday. Attorney General Letitia James tweeted that the decision would keep the mandate in place while the appeals process continues. "Protecting the health of New Yorkers during the #COVID19 pandemic is our top priority," she tweeted. Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement late Tuesday praising the decision; "I applaud the Appellate Division, Second Department for siding with common sense and granting an interim stay to keep the state's important masking regulations in place," she said. On Monday, a judge in Nassau County ruled that Hochul's mask mandate cannot be enforced, in schools, businesses or elsewhere, because she did not have the authority to enact it. "There can be no doubt that every person in this State wishes, wants, and prays that this era of COVID ends soon and they will surely do their part to see that is accomplished," New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker wrote in Monday's decision. "However, enacting any laws to this end is entrusted solely to the State Legislature." Teacher Katie Galvin helps a student with a mask at the Jesse Kaplan School in West Nyack in April 2021. James filed a Notice of Appeal late Monday. Many school districts sent out notices late Tuesday saying the indoor mask mandate was back in effect. Some had not known whether to enforce the mask mandate on Tuesday morning. State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said in a statement Tuesday that she was pleased with the stay. "Support Governor Hochul and the state Department of Health as they continue with the appeal," Rosa said. "We thank the members of our school communities for their patience during this process." Speaking in Syracuse earlier Tuesday, Hochul said she disagreed with the initial decision that, as she put it, "the Department of Health did not have the authority to protect public health." Story continues Hochul said that depending on how the case goes, she would consider working with the state Legislature to reimpose a mask mandate. The mandate is in effect through Feb. 1. Hochul said Friday that she would wait until the end of January before deciding whether to extend it. For now, she encouraged the continued wearing of masks inside schools, saying the mandate has helped keep New York's schools open this school year. She also noted that cases and hospitalizations involving children were higher during the Omicron wave. "Omicron changed that dynamic," she said. "We realized children were becoming sick and being hospitalized." Hochul repeated what she said last week, that the day is coming when New York will no longer have a mask mandate. "But I will not do it a day before we can do it safely," she said. Schools scrambling again School officials were scrambling Tuesday morning to get a handle on the ruling and explain things to their communities. Most school districts appeared to be saying the mask mandate was still in effect. Others were saying masks were now optional, but the mandate could quickly return if a state appeal triggers a stay. The Yonkers schools, for instance, said that masks would continue to be worn indoors at all times until there is a "definitive decision," while the New Rochelle district said it had been advised that "we do not have the legal authority to require masks indoors." Omicron recedes: New York cases drop 46% Officer Rivera: Hudson Valley police caravan to mourn slain NYPD officer Sheldon Silver: Fallen Albany power broker dead at 77 The Pleasantville school district was among those telling families and staff that the mask mandate is still in effect. Superintendent Tina DeSa lamented Tuesday morning that school officials continue to be put in the position of having to interpret sudden, sometimes late-night, changes to COVID policies. "The lack of clear guidance is frustrating and confusing for everyone, for students, parents, educators and staff," she said. "We are charged with creating a positive and productive learning environment. Everyone needs clarity on these complex issues in order for us to serve students well. We are not lawyers, health experts or politicians. Our work is to educate your children and thats where we need to keep our focus. Because of the court decision, Christine Walkley Kunz, who lives in the Clarkstown school district, sent her two daughters to Laurel Plains Elementary School Tuesday morning without masks. But she got a call from school saying they had to wear masks or leave. She left it up to her girls. They want to stay in school, they want to stay with their friends, they want to learn, Kunz said. But she said the schools should now follow the courts and honor her familys decision. Now youve changed the game, Kunz said. Now you are infringing on my childrens rights. Judge: mandate improperly enacted Hochul's mandate requiring students and staff to wear masks indoors, one of her first actions as governor in August, has faced pockets of opposition across the state. More recently, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued executive orders Jan. 6 ending enforcement of mask mandates and giving schools an option to require masks. State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa released a statement that day saying she expected school boards to "follow all legal requirements, including the face-covering regulation." Blakeman hailed Monday's ruling as a "major win for students & parents" in a tweet. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul during a COVID-19 media briefing Jan. 7 in Manhattan. Rademaker was ruling on a case brought by several parents against Hochul and state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett, on behalf of all school children in the state, seeking to have the mask mandate thrown out. In his ruling, Rademaker wrote that he was not questioning or taking a position on the "efficacy, need, or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus." Rather, he wrote that the mask mandate was not properly enacted and therefore cannot be enforced. The decision said that Hochul did not include the mask mandate in an executive order because the state Legislature would not allow it, so she had the state Health Department improperly include the mandate in an emergency rule. "The Court cannot find any law enacted by the State Legislature that specifically gives the Department of Health and its Commissioner the authority to enact a law," Rademaker wrote. Staff writer Nancy Cutler contributed to this report. Gary Stern is an editor/writer covering K-12 education in the Hudson Valley. Reach him at gstern@lohud.com. Twitter: @garysternNY. Click here for his latest. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New York's mask mandate still alive; judge issues stay on decision New coronavirus cases increased 7.1% in Oregon in the week ending Sunday as the state added 57,501 cases. The previous week had 53,691 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. Oregon ranked 34th 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 decreased 14.9% from the week before, with 4,770,122 cases reported. With 1.27% of the country's population, Oregon had 1.21% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 27 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before. Investigation: Dozens of long-term care facilities in Oregon have had three or more outbreaks of COVID-19 Many counties did not report during data during the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, disrupting the current and previous weeks' statistics. Week-to-week comparisons are skewed and these numbers will be unreliable even as they're accurate to what states reported. Marion County reported 6,048 cases and seven deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 4,388 cases and nine deaths. Throughout the pandemic, it has reported 55,435 cases and 570 deaths. Medical staff with Salem Health work to test patients for COVID-19 at Salem Health Lab on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in Salem, Ore. Polk County reported 1,315 cases and three deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 1,050 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic, it has reported 11,966 cases and 115 deaths. Within Oregon, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Jefferson County with 2,539 cases per 100,000 per week; Deschutes County with 2,069; and Umatilla County with 2,064. 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 Multnomah County, with 9,032 cases; Washington County, with 7,731 cases; and Marion County. Weekly case counts rose in 23 counties from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Marion, Lane and Jackson counties. Story continues >> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases Oregon ranked 20th among states in share of people receiving at least one shot, with 75.7% of its residents at least partially vaccinated. The national rate is 75.5%, a USA TODAY analysis of CDC data shows. In the week ending Sunday, Oregon reported administering another 125,306 vaccine doses, including 30,545 first doses. In the previous week, the state administered 99,257 vaccine doses, including 18,893 first doses. In all, Oregon reported it has administered 7,180,124 total doses. Across Oregon, cases fell in 12 counties, with the best declines in Multnomah County, with 9,032 cases from 10,721 a week earlier; in Washington County, with 7,731 cases from 8,736; and in Clackamas County, with 4,914 cases from 5,253. >> Track coronavirus cases across the United States In Oregon, 53 people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 122 people were reported dead. A total of 570,892 people in Oregon have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 5,936 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States, 70,700,678 people have tested positive and 866,540 people have died. Hospital admissions rising USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Jan. 23. Likely COVID-19 patients admitted in the state: Last week: 1,462 The week before that: 1,351 Four weeks ago: 673 Likely COVID-19 patients admitted in the nation: Last week: 188,864 The week before that: 197,883 Four weeks ago: 99,261 Hospitals in 25 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 22 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 30 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 Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon COVID-19 update: Cases rise in state as omicron wave moves west Voter registration information for Patrick Michael Byrne from the state of Utah. Perhaps they were too busy examining ballots for bamboo shoots to see where the voter illegality really was. Turns out, it was smack dab under their Cyber Ninja noses, and yet somehow they failed to slink in and discover that Arizona audit moneyman Patrick Byrne had illegally registered to vote in Park City, Utah. Yes, of all the ironies, it appears Byrne, who went from Overstock to laughingstock for bankrolling the ambiguous Sarasota computer security company to find election fraud in Maricopa County, Az., violated Utah state statute by listing his place of business as his legal residence on his form. And as any self-respecting ninja worth his weight in bamboo ballots will tell you, and state election officials will probably confirm, thats kind of a no-no if true. The records seem to say it is. Mr. Postman: OPINION: Flynns post office box holds more than his mail Going deep: OPINION: Cyber Ninjas' connection to Big Lie runs far, deep and dangerous It doesn't get crazier: OPINION: Tying Sarasota's Cyber Ninjas to Donald Trump's White House Byrne, along with former General Michael T. Flynn, our neighbor in Englewood and Q-Anon cult hero, is adamant the 2020 presidential election was rigged and Donald Trump robbed. Both men are behind three nonprofits registered in Florida by using Sarasota County addresses that have donated $4.7 million to Cyber Ninjas for the unrelenting pursuit of the truth. According to the state of Utah, the address on Byrnes voter registration form is 700 Bitner Road in Park City. That is a commercial building, according to a county official, and not a residence. Details on High Plains Investments LLC in Park City, Utah, from the website of the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. A persons principal place of residency, according to Utah state statute 20A-2-105, is defined as the single location where the persons habitation is fixed and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has the intention of returning. A screenshot of the Utah statute on residency. The commercial building listed is where an investment holding company owned by Byrne called High Plains Investments is located. Story continues Byrne, according to a profile in Forbes, used High Plains Investments to buy Overstock.com, a company that sold inventory it acquired from bankrupt dot-coms on the cheap, in 1999. Byrnes $7 million investment resulted in $92 million in revenue three years later. Byrne bizarrely stepped aside as Overstock.com CEO in 2019 after he publicly claimed he had an affair with a Russian operative named Maria Butina, infamous from the Mueller investigation, and at the direction of the FBI no less. But before he walked away, he cashed out stock worth $90 million through High Plains Investments. Michael Flynn speaks to a Trump rally on Dec. 12, 2020. Byrne has long been a conspiracy theorist and has spent millions on the pursuit of his version of the truth. He is so convinced the 2020 election was rigged that he and Flynn essentially snuck into the Oval Office in December and met with Trump. According to an account of the meeting on his website, they nearly talked Trump into ordering the National Guard to secure voting machines in six counties as proof. Byrne is quick to point out he didnt even vote for Trump. Heck, his book is called The Deep Rig: How election fraud cost Donald J. Trump the White House, by a man who did not vote for him. Byrne has written on his blog that he always votes Libertarian. Wearing a cutout of Donald Trump's face, Marc DiMaggio of Punta Gorda attends a rally for former President Donald Trump at the Sarasota Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Those would be strong indications he participated in the 2020 election. So considering it appears he is illegally registered to vote, does that mean his vote was illegally cast and did not count? According to a voting official in Utah, every county uses the same database that flags people who list commercial businesses as residences. If flagged, the person is contacted by the county to correct it. If there is no response, then a ballot is not mailed to the person. However, a person could still go to a traditional voting place on election day, but a valid ID and proof of a residential address would be needed to vote provisionally. That vote would then come back to the county for processing before it could be verified. Everyone from the high-ranking Democrats on the House Oversight Committee who think this is all a sham and are investigating the pride and joy of Sarasota, to Republicans in the Arizona Senate who think the presidential election was indeed stolen is waiting to hear the results of the audit. After months of fantastical absurdities, including scouring ballots for bamboo shoots as proof they came from China, to theories that ballots were shredded and fed to 165,000 chickens that were then burned in a chicken farm fire, the results were supposed to be delivered last week, but there was an unfortunate holdup. It seems a couple of auditors in the Sarasota company, including CEO Doug Logan, conveniently came down with bad cases of COVID. Get well soon, ninjas. America needs you back on the job. Who else is going to find the fraud? Chris Anderson Contact columnist Chris Anderson at chris.anderson@heraldtribune.com. Please support local journalism by purchasing a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ovserstock.com CEO Patrick Byrnes illegal voting form and Cyber Ninjas Mayor Nan Whaley, Democratic Gubernatorial candidate and Dayton Mayor, speaks about her economic plan during a press conference on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at BlaCk Coffee Lounge in Cincinnati. Too often, our elected officials talk about how much they support veterans, but they dont actually follow through with action. Thats why Im so excited by Dayton Mayor Nan Whaleys plan to keep Ohios promise to our veterans. Ohio has the sixth largest veteran population in the country, but it is obvious to me as a veteran that our state is falling short in serving those who served us. We must do much more to support our veterans and Nans plan will do just that. First, Nans plan will give every Ohio veteran the right to age with dignity. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has authorized Ohio to have 2,184 beds in VA-funded veterans homes, but our state only has 750. This means that every year, Ohio chooses to leave money on the table that could help our veterans. At the same time, more than 100 veterans are on waiting lists for these facilities. That should outrage every Ohioan. Just as outrageous is that Ohio families often have to choose between getting care for their elderly veteran family member or having them close to home, since Ohios two veterans homes are at opposite ends of the state in Sandusky and Georgetown. Nans plan calls for 15 new veterans homes with at least 1,000 new beds. Federal VA money will pay for the majority of building and running these facilities. This will allow veterans to get the care they need while staying close to their families and get Ohio its fair share of VA funding. But she wont just help our older veterans Nans plan also will help post-9/11 service members returning to civilian life. She will make sure every veteran has the skills and support they need by creating a user-friendly, online portal for veterans to find services like health care, jobs, training, and benefits. Her plan will also address veteran homelessness, which rose 10% in Ohio last year, by increasing funding for veteran housing and ending landlord discrimination against veterans. Finally, Nan will work to make sure veterans dont get caught up in the criminal justice system. Too many veterans end up with a criminal record due to treatable conditions or service-related disabilities like traumatic brain injury, PTSD and substance abuse. Nan will finally give Veterans Treatment Courts the support they need. Similar to drug courts, these specialized dockets help veterans address the underlying issues they face and get the support they need. Her plan will expand these specialized veterans courts as well as addiction and mental health treatment options. Story continues Unfortunately, the folks running our state are focused on supporting their campaign donors and special interests, not everyday Ohioans. While Ohio veterans face homelessness, addiction, or a long waiting list at a veterans home, big corporations line up for bailouts. I think this is unacceptable. And it doesnt have to be this way Ohio deserves better. We need fresh leadership in our state and a real, substantive plan to help our states veterans. Thats why I am proud to support Nan Whaley for governor. Connie Pillich is a military veteran who has long been an active advocate for veterans, particularly those with traumatic brain injury. She served in the Ohio House of Representatives for three terms, where she was ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Connie Pillich This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Opinion: Ohio governor candidate Nan Whaley has a real plan to help veterans PATERSON Mayor Andre Sayegh has contributed $1,500 to the reelection campaign of one of his former adversaries, City Council President Maritza Davila, a donation that reflects the growing cooperation between the two. Davila so far is the only one among many potential council candidates in Mays election to get financial backing from the mayor. Sayegh said the donation does not equate to his endorsement of Davila. But other political figures said the contribution spoke more than the mayors words. You put your money where your support is, said council candidate and anti-violence activist Casey Melvin. Sayeghs donation to Davila was made public in state campaign finance records released this week. The two of them acknowledged that they had spent most of the past four years at odds but said they have tried to change that, for the good of the city. Paterson City Council President, Maritza Davila, speaks during a ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the Great Falls becoming a national historical park, as a rainbow forms in the background. Monday, November 8, 2021 You can say you want progress, but if youre continuing to fight and oppose everything, its difficult, Davila said. To me, its about standing in the middle. Its not all his way, its not all my way. Sayegh made his contribution to Davilas campaign kickoff event on Dec. 18, her 50th birthday. Davila said numerous other elected officials attended the event, including mayors of neighboring towns and state legislators. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh and Paterson City Council President Maritza Davila raise a rainbow flag outside of City Hall in Paterson on Friday, June 28, 2019. The council president and I have been working well together, and I want us to continue to work well together, Sayegh said about the thaw in their relationship. Four years ago, Sayegh as a mayoral candidate publicly endorsed just one person in the council race: Lilisa Mimms. That alliance reflected Sayeghs concerted effort in 2018 to build political bridges with Patersons African American community. Mimms ended up being the second-highest vote-getter among 14 candidates seeking three council seats that year. Mayor's race: Ex-Mayors Jeffery Jones, Joey Torres join crowded race for Paterson's top seat City in grief: Paterson mourns teen with heart of pure gold killed by stray bullet Story continues But the relationship between Sayegh and Mimms has soured, political insiders said. Mimms held a fundraiser last month that Sayegh did not attend or make a financial contribution to. Thats his choice, Mimms said Tuesday when asked about the mayors contribution to Davila. Several of Sayeghs rivals in the mayoral race said the donation showed that he is trying to buy the support of others. Im not going to take money from pay-to-play. Thats what hes doing, said Councilman Luis Velez, who endorsed Sayegh in 2018 and is now running against him. I pay you, I play you, Velez said of the mayors strategy. You owe me a favor. Councilman Alex Mendez whom Davila backed against Sayegh four years ago said the donation showed that the mayor is desperate to try to get council candidates to align with him. I dont think its going to be too smart for elected officials to get on a ticket with this mayor. He's been a disaster, Mendez said. Sayeghs campaign finance report released this week said he had a balance of $298,536 in his political bank account. None of his would-be rivals in May have listed any money in their campaign fundsin their most recent reports. But Sayegh was the only one to file the quarterly report that was due Jan. 15. Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson Mayor Sayegh donates to former rival's campaign fund A police investigation into a fake child abuse claim against Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins has failed to uncover the person behind the false report. The investigation into the claim filed amid what Jenkins described as a campaign of harassment against her family for her support of the Brevard County School District's mask mandate that was then in effect was closed in November for lack of leads, according to a case report from the Satellite Beach Police Department. New evidence could reopen the case for further investigation, according to the report signed by investigating Detective Anthony Holland. Satellite Beach police have urged anyone with information to come forward. Calls and messages to police representatives were not immediately returned. More: School Board member Jenkins' comments about threats, harassment grab national attention More: Police reports, neighbors back Brevard School Board member's claims of threats, harassment Police began the investigation after determining the claim that Jenkins was abusing her young daughter, filed in September with the Florida Department of Children and Families, was "completely false," the report said. Detectives tracked the fake complaint, filed through the DCF online portal, to a public IP address owned by Verizon Wireless, according to the report. Further investigation determined the address was being accessed hundred of times by different devices within the relevant time frame, the report said. Phone numbers associated with accounts that accessed the address around the time the fake report was submitted failed to yield further leads, either going unanswered or being out of service. Verizon was "ultimately unable to locate or provide" identifying information associated with a connection between the IP address and the DCF website, the report said. "Due to all potential leads being exhausted, this case will be closed as open/inactive," Holland wrote. Story continues Jenkins on Tuesday said she was "grateful for Detective Holland's empathy and responsiveness" in the case, as well as to the DCF investigator who checked out the initial claim. More: School Board member Jennifer Jenkins files for injunction against Randy Fine, cites 'cyberstalking' More: Brevard judge dismisses Jennifer Jenkins' 'cyberstalking' case against Rep. Randy Fine "To the person(s) who did or orchestrated this, your disturbing attack will never deter me from doing what is in the best interest of the students and staff of Brevard Public Schools," Jenkins said in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY. "All you achieved was displacing resources from the community that could have been helping children in need." The false report was part of series of "harassing" incidents that included reported vandalism and a series of heated protests by anti-mask mandate activists outside Jenkins' Satellite Beach home, Jenkins said. Her account of the incidents garnered national media attention amid a rancorous mask debate raging in school districts across the country. Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Fake child abuse claim against Brevard School Board member unsolved Xi chairs CPC leadership meeting to review report, regulations Xinhua) 08:06, January 25, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting reviewed a report from the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau after the Standing Committee heard and discussed the work reports of the leading Party members groups of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, as well as the work report of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. The regulations on the handling of petition letters and visits were also reviewed. The meeting fully acknowledged the work of these authorities in 2021 and approved their work plans for 2022. Noting the importance of the year 2022 in China's new journey toward modernization, the meeting urged the leading Party members groups of the top legislature, central government, top political advisory body, top court, and top procuratorate to focus on the preparation and convocation of the 20th CPC National Congress, firm up historical confidence, take the initiative and make concrete progress in all of their work. The authorities were urged to strictly implement the eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct. They must also continue to address the practice of pointless formalities, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance and mercilessly fight corruption, according to the meeting. The Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee was asked to take the lead in safeguarding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership. The regulations on the handling of petition letters and visits give a review of the Party's experience in leading and conducting work in this regard, especially institutional reform achievements since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, said the meeting. Formulating the regulations will help optimize the system and mechanisms to handle petition letters and visits, the meeting said. The meeting stressed upholding and strengthening Party leadership over the work of handling petition letters and visits, and called for fostering a social environment where people do things according to the law, turn to the law when they require assistance, and use laws to solve problems and conflicts. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China will take stronger measures to cut fees and taxes to support market entities this year with a combination of fiscal incentives, the Ministry of Finance said Tuesday. The measures will be more precise and sustainable to meet the needs of market entities, said Xu Hongcai, vice minister of finance. Incentives will be given to support the high-quality development of the manufacturing sector, such as tax deductions for research and development expenses of enterprises to aid technological advancement, Xu said. The country will also extend the tax and fee cuts due at the end of 2021 for small, micro and individual businesses to further ease their operating pressure. The central government will step up transfer payments to local governments to ensure sufficient funds for local tax and fee cuts, Xu said. On the basis of 7.6 trillion yuan (1.2 trillion U.S. dollars) of tax and fee cuts over the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), China cut another 1 trillion yuan in taxes and fees in 2021, which helped mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on market entities. Peter Dinklage has criticised Disneys upcoming Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remake, calling the story f***ing backwards. The actor was discussing the concept of wokeness on the latest episode of the WTF with Marc Maron podcast when he made his comments about the live-action remake, which will star Rachel Zegler as the princess. I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, he said. Youre still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what youre doing there. It makes no sense to me. Watch: Peter Dinklage questions whether there are too many guns in films Youre progressive in one way and youre still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing man? The 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs film was based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. The dwarfs in the original story and the Disney film did not live in a cave, but rather a cottage. In other versions of the tale, including in Belgium and the Netherlands, Snow White is befriended by 17 robbers who live in a cave, rather than seven dwarfs who live in a cottage. Dinklage, 52, added: Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess Im not loud enough. I dont know which studio that is but they were so proud of it. All love and respect to the actress and all the people who thought they were doing the right thing. But Im just like, what are you doing? The Independent has contacted Disney for comment. The story has previously been criticised for being ableist because several of the dwarfs are depicted as being stupid or clumsy, and in the film, Snow White assumes they are all children. Dinklage questioned whether hed been loud enough in promoting the cause of people with restricted growth (Seacia Pavao / Netflix) Dinklage can next be seen in Cyrano, a new musical adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, out in the UK next month. Directed by Joe Wright, its the film version of a 2019 Broadway play in which Dinklage also starred, written by Erica Schmidt. Her version is based on the original play, written by 1897 by Edmond Rostand, which fictionalises the real-life story of a 17th-century French writer and duellist. Watch: A First Look At Cyrano JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) A nightclub in Indonesia's West Papua province burned after two community groups clashed inside the building and 19 people were killed, officials said Tuesday. Members of the two groups attacked each other with machetes, arrows and Molotov cocktails, National Police spokesperson Ahmad Ramadhan said at a news conference. One of the dead was a member of the groups that clashed, and 18 bodies were found after the fire Monday night at the club in Sorong city. The clash Monday at the nightclub followed a clash Saturday night between the same groups because of a misunderstanding, city police Chief Ary Nyoto Setiawan said. We called them and mediated them but they continued the clash until late night, Setiawan said. He said police evacuated visitors of the nightclub during the clash, but firefighters later found 18 bodies in one of the rooms inside the building. Police are still investigating what caused the clash and whether the fire was set or was accidental. Colorful origami butterflies line the halls of St. John Neumann Catholic School as students remember the estimated 1.5 million children killed in the Holocaust. Making butterflies as part of the global Butterfly Project is one of many things fourth grade and middle school students at St. John Neumann Catholic School are doing this January to remember the Holocaust. What started with fourth graders reading "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry has become a comprehensive research and remembrance project. "We talked to the middle schoolers and then they started reading a novel called 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,'" fourth-grade teacher Michelle Meier said. "We teamed up with them and we decided to make butterflies together and work together as fourth grade, sixth, seventh and eighth graders." Security in Pueblo D60 schools: Pueblo D60 continues 'layered' security approach following arrest of armed student "Number the Stars" tells the story of a young Danish girl who helps conceal her Jewish friend's identity from the Nazis. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne follows Bruno, 9-year-old son of a Nazi official, who befriends Schmuel, a nine-year-old Jewish boy imprisoned at the Auschwitz concentration camp. "The Holocaust Remembrance worldwide is January 27. We have been doing a lot of research and a lot of project-based learning on just the gravity of the situation and so is middle school," Meier said. "We are just teaming up together with that." Fourth grade and middle school students at St. John Neumann Catholic School place origami butterflies on the wall to remember the children killed during the Holocaust. Part of the fourth graders' research centers around a historical newspaper mentioned in "Number the Stars." De Frie Danske, which translates from Danish to "The Free Danes," was an underground newspaper written by the Danish Resistance who opposed the Nazis during the Holocaust. "The kids all took one particular part of something that they are interested in... one student researched about when the allies came and what they did to help," Meier said. "Another student researched and reported as a newspaper reporter about the concentration camps and what would happen there." Story continues "They all took a different part in what they were interested in and researched that for a newspaper that they were writing. We will put all that together once we get that done." Fourth graders at St. John Neumann Catholic School also are learning from virtual tours of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. "We have been going through that virtual tour and talking about all the different parts and spending time just evaluating," Meier said. "Going through what they have there and what happened, they are just diving in; diving in and looking at everything." 'It can happen anywhere and at any time' In "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," 9-year-old Bruno narrates the story. As a narrator, he is unaware of the horrors faced by those imprisoned at the nearby Auschwitz camp. "Because it's told from the point of view of a child, you get that kind of self-centered, where he is only worried about himself and he doesn't see what's going on around him," said Jennifer Brown, middle school and social studies teacher at St. John Neumann Catholic School. "You have to have empathy and you have to worry about other people because if you are only worried about yourself then things can get out of hand. We don't want to repeat history." Students at St. John Newman Catholic School have made around 500 origami butterflies for their Holocaust Remembrance Day Project. Middle school students at St. John Newman Catholic School are learning about the different children who were held in concentration camps, including those who were killed and those who lived to tell their stories. Students are also studying poetry written by children in the Warsaw Ghetto. "It can happen anywhere and at any time," Brown said. "There is a lot of people that discount how awful the Holocaust was and people who believe it didn't really happen. "We are trying to teach them that this was something that really happened. The world didn't respond right away and we can't go back to that." Mental Health in Pueblo schools: Here is how Pueblo D60 and Pueblo D70 schools work to combat pandemic mental health crisis Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo Catholic school studies Holocaust with cross-curricular project Singaporean YouTuber Darryl Ian Koshy, also known as Dee Kosh. (PHOTO: Dee Kosh / Facebook) SINGAPORE Local deejay and YouTuber Dee Kosh is expected to plead guilty over sexual offences involving male teenagers. The court heard on Tuesday (25 January) that Dee Kosh, whose real name is Darryl Ian Koshy, will plead guilty on 10 March. He was charged on 19 August last year. The 33-year-old Singaporean faces a total of seven charges one under the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) for sexual exploitation of a child or a young person; one for possessing obscene films; two for making obscene films; and the rest for commercial sex with a minor under the age of 18. He is said to have attempted to ask a 15-year-old male to perform sexual acts on him in exchange for money, between March and June 2018. He is also accused of offering $1,000 to a 17-year-old male teenager in July 2018 for the purpose of obtaining a sexual service, and of offering the same amount to another 17-year-old in August 2020 for sexual services. He also allegedly offered a 16-year-old male $2,000 to perform a sexual service on him, in February 2017. Koshy was also said to have had 23 obscene films in his possession on 5 October last year at a flat in Woodlands. He allegedly made two obscene films, named 00001 and 00007, between 2016 and 2017 at the same flat. Sexual harassment allegations on Instagram and Twitter Koshy is a former radio host with local radio station Power 98. Multiple police reports were filed against him following a series of sexual harassment allegations on Instagram and Twitter in August 2020. The police said that Koshy who has about 176,000 followers in Instagram and 362,000 subscribers on YouTube had allegedly offered money in exchange for sexual services to victims below the age of 18 years old between 2017 and 2020. If convicted of sexual exploitation of a young person under the CYPA, he may face a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term of up to five years, or both. If found guilty for communicating for the purpose of obtaining for consideration sexual services of a minor under 18 years of age, he may face imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, a fine, or both. Story continues Under the Films Act in force at the time of the alleged offences, he, if found guilty for making an obscene film, may face a fine of not less than $20,000 but not more than $40,000, imprisonment for a term of up to two years, or both. If found guilty for having in his possession any obscene film, he may face a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment for a term of up to six months or both. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore On Shirley Chisholm: Despite the outside worlds low expectations of her as a Black woman, she never limited herself. After insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, destroying anything they could get their hands on, including desecrating a memorial placard of civil rights icon U.S. Congressman John R. Lewis, there was one historic structure that was left unscathed a portrait of former U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the nations first woman and Black woman from the Democratic Party to run for U.S. president in 1972. 25th January 1972: US Representative Shirley Chisholm of Brooklyn announces her entry for Democratic nomination for the presidency, at the Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. Manhattan borough president Percy Sutton applauds at right. (Photo by Don Hogan Charles/New York Times Co./Getty Images) The painting by Kadir Nelson of the late U.S. representative, who was also the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, portrays a bold and unapologetic Chisholm with her arms folded as she towers over the Capitol building. That illustrious artwork of the former Congresswoman stared down the mostly white insurrectionists as they tried unsuccessfully to overturn the certification of the 2020 presidential election. U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York confirmed to theGrio that the portrait was spared by the insurrectionists. Lee is credited with having the portrait placed inside the Capitol and Jeffries happens to be sitting in the very congressional seat Chisholm once held. For decades, Chisholms political grit and history-making presidential campaign launched 50 years ago on Jan. 25 has served as an inspiration to Black women in politics. Her boldness and transformational integrity transcended her 5-foot-2 petite frame. Chisholms likeness has graced the walls of many homes across the nation, including that of Tiffany Cross, host of the MSNBCs The Cross Connection. Crosss portrait boasts a vivid portrayal of Chisholm by artist Shawn Perkins. Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Barbara Lee, D-Calif., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md.,and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., stand in front of a portrait of former Rep. Shirley Chisholm as it was unveiled in the Cannon caucus room. Chisholm was the first black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. The portrait was painted by Kadir Nelson. (Photo by Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images) Shirley Chisholm was a pioneer with the tenacity to be her authentic self. She faced many enemies and a system that routinely denied her. She famously said If they dont give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair, Cross exclusively told theGrio. Story continues Ive always loved that. But I take her message a step furtherif they dont give you a seat at the table, build your own. And make it big and welcoming. Soon enough, their table becomes irrelevant, added Cross, who is one of a growing number of Black women in cable news covering politics. I wish she could see this space now. But while Shirley Chisholm is praised today for her courageous run for president, inspiring generations of women and Black politicians who came behind her, she faced an uphill battle of sexism and racism. Shola Lynch, director of Chisholm 72 Unbought & Unbossed, a 2004 documentary film on Chisholms life, noted that when the announcement of her run aired on national news, broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite infamously quipped, A new hat rather, a bonnet was tossed into the presidential race today. The comment seemingly placed Chisholm behind the number of white men vying for the highest office in the land. African American congresswoman Shirley Chisholm gives the peace sign to a crowd of protestors as she speaks to veterans on the Washington Mall, Washington, DC, April 1971. (Photo by New York Times Co./Mike Lien/Getty Images) Despite the outside worlds low expectations of her as a Black woman, she never limited herself, Lynch told theGrio. One of the things Octavia Butler says in the film is Id like to think its not as though she wasnt afraid. But she was afraid and did it anyway. Chisholm, whose congressional district represented the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, faced questions from her initial announcement from a cadre of people, including friends and supporters. Former U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns, who Chisholm endorsed to take her seat in Washington in 1983, was relied on heavily by Chisholm for advice. He remembers the day she decided to run for office. We tried to talk her out of that. We said, Shirley you know, running for president means you got to have all 50 states. Thats just not even New York state, Towns recalled to theGrio. She said, I know that and I have people in certain states that are just waiting for me to make my announcement and Im going to make the announcement. Shirley Chisholm with former Congressman Edolphus Towns. (Photo: Courtesy of Edolphus Towns) The run for president wasnt easy and came just four years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Towns remembered also reminding Chisholm of how costly a presidential campaign would be. She said, Thats all you guys talk about is resources and money. All you have to do is have the people. If you have the people, youd be able to achieve and accomplish your goal. Early on in the campaign, even as the odds were against her, there were believers like a young Al Sharpton and a young Barbara Lee, who both worked on Chisholms campaign. Her staffers did not necessarily have official titles, however, they fit where they could get in. They supported the campaign as Chisholms platform was, as they saw it, about The People. Chisholm raised money in spite of not having the financial bandwidth. She even maxed out her amex card, according filmmaker Lynch. Congresswoman Lee recalled, She said she didnt have a lot of money. She couldnt run a national campaign. So I ended up raising money for her. We had events at nightclubs and we had events at venues that you would never think a presidential candidate would have an event at. Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm Announcing her Candidacy for U.S. Presidential Nomination, Thomas J. OHalloran, January 25, 1972. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Many community activists got a chance to meet with the presidential candidate who, at times, traveled only with the Secret Service on the campaign due to money restrictions. Lee, who worked as the Oakland, California Chisholm Campaign director said, I had the Black Panther Party, Huey Newton, come to Los Angeles to Diane Carrolls house with me, where [she] was the special guest to meet Shirley Chisholm. He went back to Oakland and said, lets get involved in her campaign. And that was their first drive for voter registration and the Black Panther Party engaged. That was their first time in the political process. Chisholm laid the groundwork from state lawmaker, to U.S. congresswoman to presidential candidate to be part of the solution for issues facing Black America and women. She predated Vice President Kamala Harriss historic rise to The White House, and that of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, whose grassroots voter advocacy work helped turn the red state blue. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attack in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Chisholm also arguably gave rise to former President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clintons then-historic campaign for the Oval Office, and she was the original progressive before The Squad and U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Barbara Bullard, president of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute, told theGrio, While Shirley gave a rousing speech for the Equal Rights Amendment, and she would speak about that in her presidential race, this was not the only reason she ran. She was attempting to end the war in Vietnam, to fight for homosexual rights as one of the first politicians to speak on behalf of the LGBTQ community of the time, and to get better opportunities for people of color, said Bullard. Shirley addressed the need to show full federal support to scientists working to save our environment, and to stop the destruction of our national forests and national resources. Adding, Shirley also addressed gun control, as she feared that America was teaching children, through the Vietnam War, that the only way to solve societys problems was through the gun and not the ballot. American politician, educator, and author Shirley Chisholm (19242005), Member of the US House of Representatives from New Yorks 12th district, cheered by the crowd as she gives a speech at the Womens Rights Day, US, 4th April 1981. (Photo by Nancy Shia/Archive Photos/Getty Images) In Congress, Chisholm, a trailblazing political icon, introduced 50 pieces of legislation that addressed racial and gender equality and championed the poor. While on the Hill, she garnered the moniker Fighting Shirley. Chisholms push for progress also manifested itself in her co-founding of the National Womens Political Caucus in 1971, which was the precursor to her run for president. As Chisholm was a huge advocate for Black America, she also shocked many supporters after she visited racist presidential candidate George Wallace in the hospital after he was shot while campaigning in Maryland. She decided to visit the wounded Wallace because she believed it was the right thing to do. She also kept the continuity of other presidential candidates who took the trip to visit Wallace. Congresswoman Lee vividly remembered the dust up over Chisholms decision to visit Wallace. When George Wallace was shot during her campaign, she suspended it for a week or a few days, and I was furious. I was going to say, forget it. She disappointed me when I saw that racist segregationist in the hospital. There is no way, said Lee. She took me to task about that and told me that you never know. She said, Thats the human thing to do. You cant let politics take over so much that you forget that youre a human being. Though Chisholms bid for president was ultimately unsuccessful, her boldness to even think the possibility could become a reality is what made her remarkable to many who were of her time and generations to come. (Original Caption) Miami Beach, Florida. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, after losing her bid for Democratic presidential nomination, endorses Senator George McGovern as she speaks from podium at Democratic National Convention. In a February 2019 interview with theGrio, Vice President Kamala Harris described Chisholm as someone who was both powerful and courageous. She reminds me of the many sayings of my mother and that is, Dont let anybody tell you who you are. You tell them who you are. That was Shirely Chisholm, unbought and unbossed. I stand as so many of us do on her shoulders, said then-U.S. Senator Harris, who had just launched her own bid for president. At the U.S. House of Representatives, where Chisholm served in congress from 1969 to 1983, the Congressional Black Caucus is planning to kick off Black History Month in homage to the greatness of Shirley Chisholm with a special order hour. The effort to honor the political giant, led by Congresswoman Lee, is expected to be a year-long celebration of her life and work. Its going to be awesome, said Lee. People will never forget Shirley Chisholm after this. Have you subscribed to theGrio podcasts Dear Culture or Acting Up? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today! The post Remembering the historic presidential run of Shirley Chisholm 50 years later appeared first on TheGrio. Jan. 25A Republican state lawmaker is pursuing police charges against a right-wing activist who physically yanked him out of a political event Friday. Rep. Nolan West, a third-term lawmaker from Blaine, was uninjured in the incident, which was partially recorded on video. But he said he wants the man prosecuted on principle because the increasingly hostile physically hostile tenor of politics has gotten out of hand. "I'm sure this is going to be a big pain, but with the way politics is now, this is completely insane," West said in an interview Monday. "You can't lay hands on people. Come on." Here's what happened, according to West: On Friday, he planned to attend an event put on by a group called Action 4 Liberty, which rallies against coronavirus restrictions and promotes false and discredited claims about the virus. The meeting, held inside a local VFW hall, was promoted as a "patriot meetup and caucus training" that was open to "the general public," according to web flyers. West said he had heard of the group before and described them as "a confrontational activist group, which is now in style in both parties." West said that since the event was being held in his district and appeared to involve training people to attend upcoming precinct caucuses the first step toward party endorsements for candidates he would attend to see that happening. "I didn't want to hijack their event," he said. "I went there thinking they wouldn't recognize me." But a man who identified himself as Tony stopped West before he took his seat. "He said, 'We don't allow politicians here.' I was taken aback." The two argued in the doorway, and at one point the man threatened to call the police. West scoffed, which appeared to anger the man, who grabbed West's arm and tugged. The physical contact between the two was recorded in the background of a video of the group's leader, who was speaking to those seated. West maintained his balance, and the man grabbed West's arm with both hands and yanked West, throwing him off balance and stumbling into the hallway. The man slammed the door behind him. Story continues West said it took him a while to process what had happened and initially had no intention of reporting the incident to police. But after he posted a summary of the event to Facebook, he began to hear from others who have had run-ins with the same man in political settings. "I kept hearing stories about this guy and an escalating pattern of aggressiveness," he said. The man, who is known among some right-wing circles in the suburban metro, could not be reached for comment Monday. He was not named in the public portion of the police report and had not been charged with any crime Monday. According to West and Blaine police, the incident will be reviewed by the city attorney's office for possible misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct. The president of Action 4 Liberty, Jake Duesenberg, who was at the event and speaking to those assembled when the incident happened, did not respond to requests for comment Monday. According to the group's website, numerous events like Friday's are being organized in an attempt to train followers to attend Republican precinct caucuses to influence the party's agenda. A video of the event posted separately on Facebook shows West being aggressively removed from the room by a person later indentified in the video as Tony LaLonde. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/usq9UaqRlm Michael Brodkorb (@mbrodkorb) January 21, 2022 'LET'S BE CIVIL' West, a videographer by profession, is a conservative from a potential swing district who generally cuts a quiet profile at the state Capitol. "I don't attract the spotlight too much," he said. He said he's tried to espouse a conduct of civility he fears is in decline in politics. "For example, I always try to use someone's title," he said. "As much as I'm frustrated by Governor (Tim) Walz and what he's done to our state, I'm not going to use nicknames. I know that's a small thing that might seem meaningless, but I think it's important. ... When I first ran for office, it was death threats from the left. Here, it's getting attacked by a crazy right-winger. Always, I try to preach: Let's be civil. "This kind of thing can't be tolerated. If politics continues on a course like this, we're in trouble." Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Chris Bates pose for a photo with the key to the city. WORCESTER Chris Bates, a city resident, was presented with a key to the city Monday afternoon in recognition of his advocacy work surrounding human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the region. Mayor Joseph M. Petty granted the "city's highest honor" to the 27-year-old from Connecticut for raising awareness about the wide-ranging impactful issue and for highlighting the need to aid male and male-identified young victims in the area. The intimate ceremony took place at the Main Street office of Pathways for Change Inc., a nonprofit aiding victims of sexual violence, where Bates is a volunteer sexual assault support counselor. Bates has been living in Worcester for six years and said he felt validated by the city's appreciation for his work. "I really appreciate this award and living in Worcester, which is a great community. It really takes a village," said Bates, speaking of his advocacy work within the city. January is recognized as Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation awareness month. Earlier this month, Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge over Lake Quinsigamond was lit up in blue hues, marking National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Jan. 11. Bates' experience and work was recently featured on a GBH investigative series on the commercial sexual exploitation of young boys and men. More information about Bates and his work can found on his website overcomeexploitation.com. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Chris Bates presented with key to city for work surrounding human trafficking, sexual exploitation A youth who claimed to have been sold at birth after recently reuniting with his birth parents and then being abandoned by them again, committed suicide on Monday in Sanya, Hainan province, local police said on Monday. Liu Xuezhou, who was registered as 17 years old and from Hebei province, posted a long suicide note in the early hours of Monday on the Sina Weibo micro-blog platform. The post soon attracted widespread attention and netizens notified police. At around 2 am, Liu's aunt, surnamed Chai, told media that Liu had taken medications on a beach in Sanya and was sent to hospital after being found by passersby. He died after treatment failed, Chai said at around 4 am. Later in the day, Sanya police confirmed his death. In the note, Liu said he was sold at birth by his biological parents, and at the age of 4 his adoptive parents died. He also mentioned he was bullied at school and met a "perverted male teacher" at his middle school in Nangong, Hebei, implying he was sexually molested. Nangong's education bureau said it is looking into the case. Liu also said in the note that he was subjected to online violence by many netizens after he succeeded in finding his family. Some netizens questioned Liu's intentions in searching for his birth parents, saying he was using the family search to hype himself and gain sympathy. In December, Liu released a video stating that he was looking for his birth parents after reading about another family reunion where the son had been abducted 14 years earlier. Liu said in his video that he was born between 2004 and 2006 and was sold at about 3 months old in Datong, Shanxi province. Not long after he posted the video, police in Datong helped him find his birth parents using a DNA test, and local authorities threw a reunion ceremony for the family. However, Liu soon learned that he had been sold on purpose by his birth father to buy betrothal gifts to marry Liu's birth mother, he said in the note. Liu was born before they married. His parents were already divorced when he found them, and neither wanted Liu around. Liu said in his note that he told his mother he wanted a "home", but she accused him of forcing her to buy him real estate and blocked him on the WeChat social media platform, according to a Sina Weibo post from Jan 18. Liu wrote on Sina Weibo, "Is it wrong for me to ask them for a home of my own?" One day later, Liu told media that he planned to sue his parents for child abduction and abandonment. Liu's death has sparked a heated discussion online, with many feeling sorry for Liu's experience and condemning internet trolls. Zhou Zhaocheng, a Beijing lawyer, said child abduction and abandonment can be prosecuted and if the police find relevant evidence, Liu's parents are likely to be charged. He said Liu's death also proved the urgency of legislation to curb online violence. Police in Datong said on Monday they would investigate Liu's claim that he was sold to his adoptive parents when he was 3 months old, ThePaper.cn reported. Robert F Kennedy Jr has apologised for referring to Anne Frank during an anti-vax rant comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust. Mr Kennedy claimed imposing vaccine passports was similar to Nazi Germany in a speech to an anti-vax protest march in Washington DC on Sunday. Even in Hitlers Germany, you could hide in the attic like Anne Frank did, he told the crowd. The remarks provoked widespread condemnation. In a tweet on Tuesday, he said: I apologise for my reference to Anne Frank, especially to families that suffered the Holocaust horrors. My intention was to use examples of past barbarism to show the perils from new technologies of control. To the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry. The Auschwitz Memorial called Mr Kennedy Jrs remarks a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decay on Sunday. Making reckless comparisons to the Holocaust, the murder of six million Jews for a political agenda is outrageous and deeply offensive. CNN anchor Jake Tapper said Mr Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaxxer, was a lying ignorant menace. Mr Kennedys apology was met with skepticism, with many pointing out his history of making offensive remarks about the vaccine measures. He says even worse stuff than that almost every day, said lawyer and extremist monitor Ron Filipkowski. Interesting that this is the one thing he felt the need to apologise for. The US embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images Fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are growing. The US and UK told families of embassy staff in Ukraine to leave the country. But some EU and Ukrainian officials say the drawdown is premature and alarmist. A rift is emerging between the US and UK and their NATO and EU allies on the imminence of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. This week, the US and UK told families of embassy personnel to leave Kyiv, citing a growing threat from Russia. The US warned of "threats of Russian military action" on Sunday, and the UK followed suit on Monday, saying that "events in Ukraine are fast moving." But those moves have irked and perplexed officials in Ukraine and some EU states, who say the move is unnecessary and alarmist. Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, tweeted on Monday that the US and UK moves were "premature." Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said the bloc didn't want to "dramatize" the situation by following suit. "We are not going to do the same thing, because we do not have any specific reasons," Borrell said. Mujtaba Rahman, the managing director of Eurasia Group, tweeted on Monday that a source in French President Emmanuel Macron's office told him: "There is a kind of alarmism in Washington and London which we cannot understand. We see no immediate likelihood of Russian military action." And in an apparent attempt to reassure Ukraine's partners, President Volodymyr Zelensky told European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday that he was "grateful" to EU leaders "whose diplomats remain in our country and support us in our work." A composite image of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Valery Sharifulin, Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images Intel gaps? The split between the US and UK and their allies "points to a gap in assessments of Russia's likely courses of action," Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow on the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House, told Insider. "There is a history of the US trying to convince its European partners that the threat is imminent, based on the sources and intelligence it has, and they apparently do not," he said. Story continues "It may be that after several weeks of this being repeated, Russia's partners in Europe, particularly the major members of the EU are placing less credence on what they are being told by Washington," Giles added. In a Monday interview with BBC Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said the US and UK withdrawals were contributing to panic and playing into President Vladimir Putin's hands. Putin has long worked to destabilize Western Europe, either through politics or business, and welcomes instances of disunity. But Giles said that putting safety first was a sensible policy when it came to Russian aggression. "Despite the fact that there's skepticism in Kyiv itself as to the imminence of a Russian move against Ukraine, it's still a prudent step to draw down nonessential personnel from embassies," he said. "We know from previous practice by Russia in different theaters that targeting civilian populations is a key means of winning wars. It makes sense to take personnel who don't need to be there out of harm's way regardless of whether an attack is actually happening right now." Despite fears of invasion, Russia may not yet be ready About 100,000 Russian troops are estimated to be stationed at the Ukrainian border, but in an essay published on Monday, a trio of Ukrainian military experts said Russia was not yet ready to launch a full-scale invasion. "This number of troops is not enough for a full-scale offensive," read an article published in Pravda by Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Ukraine's former defense minister; Alina Frolova; and Oleksiy Pavliuchyk. "According to our estimates, supported by many of the indicators below, a large-scale general military operation can't take place for at least the next two or three weeks," they wrote. The US on Tuesday put 8,500 troops on alert to deploy to Europe in case of an escalation with Russia. But Giles suggested those troops could be waiting some time. "The invasion has been going to happen 'tomorrow' for several months now, and still hasn't," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Ron Howards upcoming biographical film about the 2018 Thai cave rescue mission has reportedly received the highest test scores in MGM history. The film, titled Thirteen Lives, is based on the real-life story of the Tham Luang cave rescue mission in Thailand, after a junior football team and their coach were trapped for 18 days. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell and Joel Edgerton, it will depict the efforts to locate the young boys and their coach from the system of flooding underground caves. Ahead of its scheduled release later this year, Thirteen Lives has been a success with its test audiences, Deadline reports. Prior to the general release of films, they are often broadcasted to a selected group of viewers to gauge audience reaction. Test scores are calculated using a questionnaire given to audience members after the screening has finished. According to the outlet,Thirteen Lives earned a 97 in the top two boxes and an 86 definite recommend. Ron Howard at Sundance 2020 (Getty) If these scores a true, Howards film sets a record for MGM pictures, receiving higher test marks than any James Bond film and Oscar-winner Rain Man. Furthermore, due to favourable responses to the film, its US release date has reportedly been postponed from Easter weekend to Friday 18 November, placing it in better stead for awards season. Currently, the film is scheduled for release in the UK on 15 April. Universal, Thirteen Lives UK distributor, has been contacted for comment. By Ben Makori and Michael Holden WINDSOR, England (Reuters) - Celebrations this year marking Queen Elizabeth's seven-decade reign will mask a less happy reality for the world's pre-eminent royal family: the British monarchy is being questioned in ways that were unthinkable for most of the last 70 years. From the U.S. sex abuse court case https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/what-we-know-about-virginia-giuffres-lawsuit-against-britains-prince-andrew-2022-01-04 facing son Prince Andrew to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife's allegations of racism https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-royals-meghan-int-idUSKBN2B003I in the royal household, rarely has the family of 95-year-old Elizabeth, who became queen on Feb. 6, 1952, faced such scrutiny and damaging headlines. Such is the depth of respect for the queen that while she lives, the institution that goes back nearly 1,000 years looks safe. What comes next is less certain. "The monarchy and the queen are synonymous for most people," Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, which has stepped up its campaigning, told Reuters. "Once we're past the end of the queen's reign, all bets are off as to where public opinion is going to go." He said while only an act of parliament would be needed to end the monarchy, it was highly likely there would have to be a referendum first. The monarchy's fortunes have ebbed and flowed since her ancestor Norman King William I's 1066 conquest of England, but only during the decade that followed the execution of King Charles I in 1649 has Britain been a republic. During Elizabeth's reign, lows came in the 1990s amid the failings of three of her children's marriages and the 1997 death of Princess Diana, first wife of heir Prince Charles. Highs included the public outpourings of support at previous jubilees, the 2011 royal marriage of Elizabeth's grandson - and future king - Prince William, and the birth of royal children. Story continues Buckingham Palace said the four days of celebrations in June to mark Elizabeth's platinum jubilee will allow "national moments of reflection on the queen's 70 years of service". A spokesman declined to comment on questions about the monarchy's long-term future. ROYAL EXTINCTION? Supporters see the queen as a stabilising factor, and cite economic benefits the monarchy brings Britain through tourism. Opponents argue the institution is a bastion of undeserved privilege, partially funded by taxpayers and undermined by some members' behaviour. Andrew, 61, reputed by media to be Elizabeth's favourite of her four children, was stripped https://www.reuters.com/world/us/prince-andrews-legal-team-decline-comment-us-court-decision-2022-01-13 of his royal patronages and military titles this month as he fights allegations of sex abuse in a U.S. lawsuit. "For the monarchy it is an extinction-level event. You can't spend a thousand years telling everyone you're special and then everyone discovers, in real time, in a court case, that you are really not," columnist Camilla Long wrote in the Sunday Times newspaper. Meanwhile, Prince Harry, once the Windsors' most popular member, and his American wife Meghan gave up their royal duties to move to Los Angeles from where they have delivered some barbed attacks on the family and Buckingham Palace. Charles has come under scrutiny after Michael Fawcett, his right-hand man and close confidant for decades, quit https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-prince-charless-right-hand-man-quits-charity-role-after-honours-report-2021-11-12 his job running one of the heir's main charities amid allegations he had offered honours in return for donations. Fawcett has not commented publicly on the allegations. "Whether (these scandals) are enough in themselves to make enough people in Britain think that as a result we should have no monarchy, I would doubt," said royal biographer Penny Junor. OPINION SHIFTING? Polls suggest a comfortable majority believe the monarchy should remain, with 83% holding a positive view of Elizabeth, according to one survey in December. But there are worrying signs for the royals. Last November Barbados ditched https://www.reuters.com/world/prince-charles-travels-barbados-celebrate-creation-republic-2021-11-29 the queen as head of state, Charles is much less popular and support among younger people appears to be waning, with polls suggesting a majority under 30 favour getting rid of the monarchy. "I don't think it holds much importance any more," said student Margaux Butler, 20, in Windsor, where the queen now spends most of her time. "I despise that idea (of Charles being king). I don't mind the royal family in general but I think he's a bit controversial and I think a lot of younger people feel the same." However, ending the monarchy will take more than apathy towards Charles or damning tabloid headlines about Andrew or Harry. Indeed, those same papers now rarely run negative articles about Charles, his wife Camilla, William and his wife Kate, all of whom suffered intense criticism in the past. For some Britons, scandals embroiling Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the tumult of Donald Trump's U.S. presidency also make having an elected head of state a less attractive proposition. The establishment too remains firmly behind the royals. There is no sign the ruling Conservative Party would countenance an end to the monarchy, while the main opposition Labour Party suffered a 2019 election drubbing partly because of its former leader's perceived lack of patriotism. Johnson last year remarked, after the death of Prince Philip, how Elizabeth's husband of 73 years had helped his wife steer "the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life." The royals themselves are also conscious of how they must adapt to a changing world. While politicians suffered the "brutal" repudiation by the public at the ballot box, "for us, a royal family, however, the message is often harder to read," Elizabeth, who has never given an interview during her reign, said in a 1997 speech. "I have done my best ... to interpret it correctly through the years of our marriage and of my reign as your queen. And we shall, as a family, try together to do so in the future." (Writing by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Mike Collett-White) Antonio Brown revealed on the I am Athlete podcast that hed like to play with Lamar Jackson, and the Baltimore Ravens QB responded in kind. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski revealed hed be open to keep playing even if Tom Brady retires. And Philadelphia 76ers PG Ben Simmons probably isnt going anywhere before the NBA Trade Deadline. Though a move in the offseason for Brooklyn Nets superstar James Harden isnt out of the question. Video Transcript - Who's next in line for you? You played with the goat. - Lamar Jackson. - That's who you want to play with for? - Action Jackson. JARED QUAY: Antonio Brown went on the "I Am Athlete" podcast and named the next quarterback he wants to play with, which is Lamar Jackson. - Why? Talk to them about Lamar? - You don't know why? What do you mean why? I'm saying you watch games. - Yes, I want you to say it so you can tell the people. Yes I know why. - Hey, listen, shout out to Lamar Jackson. That's it. JARED QUAY: Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on if you're a fan of the Ravens or how you feel about AB, Lamar responded pretty quickly to the revelation, and it seems like the feeling is mutual. - Mutual, likewise reciprocated. JARED QUAY: Now the question is does AB's talent offset the publicity and headache that comes along with playing with the superstar receiver. - I think you know. JARED QUAY: I mean, the guy tweeted this after the Rams beat the Bucs, and that's literally the tamest reaction AB's ever had, but Lamar's the franchise quarterback. Do you think he gets some input? But just remember, buyer beware. - Sorry, no refunds. JARED QUAY: Speaking of AB's old team, Tom Brady may or may not retire this offseason. - Yippee! JARED QUAY: Tom's trusty sidekick Rob Gronkowski doesn't seem afraid to part ways with the GOAT. Gronk told reporters that he could see a scenario where Brady retires, but the tight end keeps playing without him. - Is that even legal? JARED QUAY: But let's be honest for a second. Brady just threw for over 5,000 yards this season, and he may win the MVP, and he just lost. And if I know how insane Brady is, he wants to go out with a Super Bowl victory. He's not going out with the scent of defeat on him. Story continues - What's that smell? JARED QUAY: So this whole thing is a moot point. - Yeah, it's like a cow's opinion. JARED QUAY: Brady will be back, and Gronk will never have to experience football life without him. That would be like Robin with no Batman. It's just sad. The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the guy at the center of it all is none other than Ben Simmons. - Oh, I had totally forgotten about him. JARED QUAY: He wants to be traded. The 76ers want to trade him. You would think they'd be able to get a deal done already, except Philly's GM Daryl Morey wants a superstar return for the point guard with a 3-point allergy. I mean, at this point, he's kind of allergic to free throws too. According to Shams, the Sixers are content to wait for the off season to see if they can trade Simmons for Nets superstar James Harden. So don't hold your breath, NBA fans. The NBA's biggest domino for this year's trade deadline ain't falling any time soon. Although, Embiid sure could use some help. I'm just saying. The man is scoring 30 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and they're winning by 2 points, maybe 3. I mean, he's putting up shot numbers and barely winning games. At this rate, he ain't going to win in the playoffs. Russia on Tuesday announced new military exercises amid a standoff with the U.S. and NATO over Ukraine, which Western officials have warned Russia not to invade. The newest Russian military drills include short-range ballistic missile units and are being conducted in the western region of Russia, The New York Times reported. Russia's military district in the area said the exercises were meant "to comprehensively check forces' combat skills," The Washington Post reported. The announcement of the new drills came as a response after Pentagon press secretary John Kirby on Monday announced that about 8,500 U.S. military personnel have been put "on a heightened preparedness to deploy" in the event "NATO should activate the [NATO Response Force] or if other situations develop." Russia's action was also a response to added fighter jets and other ships being deployed by NATO, according to the Times. "We are observing these actions of the United States with profound concern," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Tuesday, according to multiple reports. The latest drills come amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine as the U.S. and other nations voice concern about Russia potentially invading the former Soviet Union state. Tens of thousands of troops have been amassed by Russia near the Ukrainian border. The Biden administration has signaled its support for sending troops to nearby countries, though lawmakers have pressed the administration to send more military aid to Ukraine as well. Russia needs to regulate cryptocurrencies, not ban them, according to the head of the financial policy department at Russia's Ministry of Finance, Ivan Chebeskov. Chebeskov said the ministry opposes the stance of the Bank of Russia, which earlier this month issued a report calling for a full ban on cryptocurrency trading and mining. Chebeskov spoke during a conference on cryptocurrencies held by Russian publication RBK on Tuesday. "We need to regulate, not ban," Chebeskov said "Regulation is sufficient to protect our citizens." The Ministry of Finance has prepared a set of proposals and is waiting for the government to evaluate it, he said. Banning crypto transactions and mining would mean undermining the industry's technological development, Chebeskov said. "We need to let these technologies develop." The Bank of Russia's report on cryptocurrencies called them a threat to the country's economic stability. The report suggested banning cryptocurrency trading and mining, as well as introducing a punishment for violating the already existing ban on using crypto for payments in Russia. The bank is waiting for feedback on the report until March 1. Bloomberg reported that Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina was successfully lobbied by the FSB, Russia's powerful security service, which had been concerned by the use of cryptocurrencies by members of the political opposition in Russia. An apartment developer active in Greater Hartford plans to purchase The Childrens Museum property near West Hartford Center seen as prime for redevelopment with the museum now looking to move to a temporary location in June as it searches for a permanent home in Hartford. Continental Properties of New York has reached an agreement with the museum propertys owner, the neighboring Kingswood Oxford School, and plans upscale apartments. A purchase price and detailed plans were not announced Tuesday. Formal plans are expected in late spring or early summer. Howard S. Rappaport, a Continental principal, said, in a release, that he envisioned bringing a beautiful, new walkable residential community to the edge of West Hartford Center. A redevelopment of the 3.5-acre property at 950 Trout Brook Drive near the intersection of Farmington Avenue will mean the relocation of the museum after more than six decades on the site. Michael J. Werle, the museums executive director, said Tuesday the museum has two temporary locations in mind, both within a few miles and no more than 8 to 10 minutes away. A lot of people are a bit upset about [the museum] moving but, to be honest, were kind of excited about the future and what it is laying out for us, Werle said. Weve been in these buildings 60 some years, and they show it. One thing that appears to be for sure is that Conny the Whale a 45,000-pound concrete sculpture that has graced the museums grounds since the 1970s will not be moving with it. The iconic Conny now synonymous with the museum and incorporated into its logo isnt owned by the museum, Werle said. It was built by volunteers on behalf of the state to both recognize the sperm whale, Connecticuts state animal, and to call attention to the indiscriminate killing of the creatures. Werle said it could cost $200,000 or more to move the sculpture and with the prospect of the museum moving twice, it wasnt financially feasible for Conny to stay with the museum. Story continues The museum is in negotiating with a handful of potential new caretakers for the sculpture, but it remains uncertain who would pay for the move and any needed repairs, Werle said. The museum sold the property to Kingswood Oxford in 2002 and has leased it ever since, with the intention of eventually finding a new site. Werle said he expects the museum also will announce in the very near future its permanent location in Hartford where the museum was founded in 1927. Once it does, Werle said, it would be two or three years before the museum opens in the permanent location. Fundraising for the permanent site is continuing, Werle said. Redevelopment of the museum site would further strengthen the gateway to West Hartford Center and the Blue Back Square area, where apartment occupancy is tight. Diagonally across Farmington Avenue from the museum site, a project is planned that would demolish two forlorn buildings and replace them with 48 upscale apartments. This is a highly sought-after property in the heart of town, and we believe its sale will enable Kingswood Oxford to invest in its future as Continental Properties brings its vision to life in a vibrant West Hartford, said John Cafasso, a broker at commercial real estate services firm Colliers International, which represented the school. Founded more than 65 years ago, Continental has built 25,000 units of housing in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Florida, California and elsewhere. In Connecticut, Continental has developed and managed four projects: One Glastonbury Place, Glastonbury; Temp at The Promenade Shoppes at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor; and Montage and Alterra in Rocky Hill. Tom Dillow, Kingswood Oxfords head of school, said Tuesday the planned development will fit well with the school and the proceeds will be reinvested back into Kingswood Oxford. Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com. TALLAHASSEE Three years after Florida lawmakers became embroiled in a fierce debate about so-called sanctuary cities, the Senate began moving forward this week with another attempt to ratchet up immigration enforcement in the state. The Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee approved a measure (SB 1808) that is a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis but drew sharp criticism from Democrats and immigrant-advocacy groups. This bill makes no sense, Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, said. It is unconstitutional. It is wrong on a human level. But Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican who is sponsoring the measure, blasted federal immigration policies and said the bill was intended, at least in part, to prevent undocumented immigrants from being flown into Florida in the dead of night. We think its time to say no to the federal government running this human smuggling operation, Bean said. Florida AG:Attorney General Ashley Moody sues feds over immigration records Illegal immigrant suspect: DeSantis puts Jacksonville homicide suspect at center of immigration debate The bill is similar to proposals that DeSantis announced recently during a news conference in Jacksonville. DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody have criticized the Biden administration over immigration policies for months, including with the state filing lawsuits against the federal government and DeSantis sending state officers to help at the border of Texas and Mexico. Opponents argued Monday that the bill is politically motivated, as DeSantis runs for re-election in November and is considered a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate. Perhaps the most-controversial part of the bill would crack down on transportation companies that bring undocumented immigrants into the state. The proposal would bar the state and local governments from contracting with such companies if the carrier is willfully providing any service in furtherance of transporting an unauthorized alien into the state of Florida knowing that the unauthorized alien entered into or remains in the United States in violation of law. Story continues Bean pointed to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants after coming to the state, including a murder in Jacksonville. Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, called federal border policy a disaster and questioned why flights of undocumented immigrants were coming into Florida at night. If youve got nothing to hide, then why are you sending them in in the middle of the night? Rodrigues said. But opponents of the bill said targeting transportation companies could prevent unaccompanied immigrant children from being brought into the state for care and shelter. Lets not play politics with the lives of children, said Ida Eskamani of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Nate Monroe: How DeSantis used his office to politicize tragedy and gin up outrage Nate Monroe: Power brokers ended a local state Senate race before it began The bill also would require counties to enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in a program in which local law enforcement officers help in immigration enforcement. A Senate staff analysis said 49 Florida law enforcement agencies already have such agreements. In addition, the bill would expand a 2019 law that sought to ban sanctuary cities. It would prevent local governments from blocking law-enforcement agencies from sharing information with the state about the immigration status of people in custody. The 2019 law was designed to spur local law enforcement agencies to fully comply with federal immigration detainers and share information with federal immigration authorities after undocumented immigrants are in custody. But U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in September ruled that two parts of the sanctuary-cities law violated constitutional due-process rights a ruling the state has appealed. Bloom pointed to what she described as an immigrant threat narrative that helped lead to the law. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Senate refuels immigration debate Sheldon Silver, New York's once-powerful Assembly speaker who was sentenced to prison after decades in office on corruption charges, has died in federal custody. He was 77. The cause of death was not known. He died Monday at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, located near the Devens Federal Medical Center where was incarcerated, the federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed to CBS News. Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver leaves federal court on May 11, 2018. / Credit: Mary Altaffer / AP Silver last year had asked a judge for leniency, saying he did not want to die in prison. But Judge Valerie Caproni responded that he was guilty of "corruption, pure and simple," said a "nonjail sentence is simply not appropriate." Silver, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, represented the Lower East Side neighborhood where he grew up and where his father once ran a hardware store. He attended Yeshiva University and received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He only practiced law for a few years before being elected to the Assembly in 1976. But since Assembly jobs are part-time, he remained "of counsel" at the law firm Weitz & Luxenberg, a personal-injury law firm, until he was arrested on corruption charges in 2015 for activities related to the law firm. Silver, known as "Shelly" throughout Albany, was a left-of-center Democrat who succeeded in navigating through the capital's power system. He became Assembly Speaker in 1994, shortly before Democratic Governor Mario Cuomo lost as Republicans swept into elected offices nationwide. As speaker, he traveled the state extensively and kept his authority by being in close contact with all his members. According to The New York Times, he controlled everything from their parking spots to the size and location of their offices to their pay raises. His loyal followers were rewarded with higher-paying leadership posts, while those who once tried to lead a rebellion against him were left with little influence or even on the losing side of a redistricting battle. Story continues In 2013, Charmian Neary, a former legislative aide who had once brought a sexual harassment suit against the Assembly, told The New York Times that members "fear the speaker more than they fear the voters. With a 96 percent re-election rate for incumbents, they don't have to worry about getting turned out of office." Silver dedicated himself to statewide issues such as K-12 education and higher education, but also remained steadfast in his support for rent regulations in New York City and blocked Republican efforts to end them. He could be an inscrutable and stubborn negotiator, blocking proposals so often he was sometimes called "Dr. No," according to CBS New York. Some of his obstructionist reputation had to do with being the lone Democrat at the negotiating table during Republican Governor George Pataki's three terms, a time when the GOP also controlled the state Senate. But not all of it. He helped scuttle former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's plan to locate a football stadium on Manhattan's West Side. And he took the brunt of the blame for the collapse in 2008 of Bloomberg's congestion-pricing plan for Manhattan, which would have charged electronic tolls for driving through the borough's most highly trafficked neighborhoods. In 2015, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo described Silver as one of the "three men in the room" who made the decisions in Albany. Former state Senate majority leader Dean Skelos, one of the other men in the room, was convicted two weeks after Silver for pressuring businessmen to give his son a no-show job. Cuomo, the third man in the room, resigned in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Silver came under investigation for his outside income at Weitz & Luxenberg. Prosecutors alleged he had traded his influence for money, accusing him of persuading a physician to refer asbestos cancer patients to his law firm so it could seek multimillion-dollar settlements from personal injury lawsuits, CBS New York reported. Prosecutors said he received $3 million in referral fees, and in return, he allegedly directed hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants to a research center run by the doctor. He was convicted in November 2015 on seven charges of honest services fraud, extortion and money laundering. But Silver would not go down without a fight, and the conviction was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court. Prosecutors retried him on a charge tailored to the court's ruling, and also accused him of supporting legislation that benefited real estate developers who were referring tax business to the law firm. Convicted at his second trial, Silver was sentenced in 2018 to six and a half years in prison. He began serving his sentence in 2020, despite pleas from his lawyers about his health problems and the COVID-19 pandemic. Silver begged for mercy ahead of his sentencing in a letter to the judge, saying he was "broken-hearted" he had caused people to lose faith in government. "I pray I will not die in prison," Silver wrote. Lauren Smith-Fields' death ruled an accident, with drugs including fentanyl and alcohol to blame Eye Opener: Pentagon prepares 8,500 troops for possible deployment to Eastern Europe Estonia: An Innovation Driven Digital Nation Editor's note: This story was published May 29, 2010, online and in The Herald-Mail. It was republished online Jan. 25, 2022. Jane Kline hasn't had closure for 60 years. It was December 1950 that her brother, Cpl. Roy C. DeLauter, was listed as missing in action while serving with the 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War. Kline, 79, said the Army officially declared her brother dead in 1953, but the family has never seen his remains. "I still don't have closure," Kline said. "I guess I probably never will." On Sunday, the Town of Smithsburg will honor DeLauter's memory by adding his name to a plaque with 14 other Smithsburg veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II, Korea or Vietnam. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in Veterans Park. Kline said she and her sister, Margaret Carr, had a difficult time trying to get their brother recognized. Local veterans organizations and private donors contributed $1,650 to have DeLauter's name engraved on the plaque with those of Smithsburg's other war dead. Korean War casualty Roy C. DeLauter photo and a 1951 telegram notifying family of DeLauter's status She said the ceremony Sunday will be the closest thing to a real burial, even though her family placed a marker to memorialize Roy DeLauter in their parent's burial plot at Cedar Lawn Cemetery. Roy DeLauter is believed to have died during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which was fought shortly after Chinese forces entered the war. The vastly outnumbered American and United Nations troops were surrounded until they broke through the Chinese lines. Estimates show that about 2,900 Americans and 35,000 Chinese were killed. Kline said she was told after the war by a soldier who served with DeLauter that her brother was wounded during the battle and captured. The enemy threw DeLauter and other wounded soldiers on a truck, she said, then intentionally blew it up to kill those on board. "I guess that's why they never found his dog tags," Kline said. The quest to gain recognition for Roy DeLauter began two or three years ago, Kline said, when Carr asked the Smithsburg Historical Society why his name wasn't included on the original plaque at Veterans Park. The inquiry eventually made its way to Smithsburg Mayor Mildred "Mickey" Myers, who helped get the ball rolling. Story continues "I asked (Kline) to get me the information and the proof that he did serve in that war," Myers said. "I then contacted the park commission chair to get it done." Myers said she encouraged Kline to seek donations from veterans groups, social clubs and private benefactors to raise money for the project. Roy Charles Delauter Ceremony: Korean War dead from Washington County honored; Maryland's first lady in attendance D.C. memorial: Local Korean War veterans attend groundbreaking for Wall of Remembrance AMVETS Post 14 in Cascade was one of the organizations that donated. Post Commander Dennis Wenthe said he believed DeLauter's memory should have been celebrated long ago. "A lot of times, the veterans don't get the credit they deserve," Wenthe said. "It's nice to honor someone who gave his life for our freedom." DeLauter's daughter, Sharlene DeLauter, was 3 years old when her father died. "He sent us little outfits," she said. "He sent birthday cards and Christmas cards. As far as memories, I have very few." Sharlene DeLauter said she kept the cards and still has a recording of her father singing Christmas carols with some of his Army buddies. She said she heard several stories of her father's fate, including one that told of him being killed on the first day of the battle. Sharlene DeLauter often wonders whether her father is buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. "I didn't think I minded growing up without a father as a young child, but as I got older, it became more difficult," Sharlene DeLauter said. "I was wondering what he was like ... You wish for some closure. I think it's a proud thing what he did and what lots of other Americans did. For as young as he was, it was pretty outstanding." This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Roy DeLauter's name added to Smithsburg memorial Two years ago, when Carl Herrmann thought about building a new home northeast of Fort Collins, he spent a year designing, choosing materials and creating a budget. Last fall, he penciled out costs to set a budget. His framing package studs, trusses, floor and roof sheathing came in at about $45,000. By early spring, when his builder placed the order, the cost had jumped to $55,000. Today, with the price of lumber surging to historic levels, that same package would have cost about $75,000, a 67% increase in only nine months. That, Herrmann said, could have put his dream home out of reach. "I honestly don't know if the bank would have funded it," said Herrmann, operations manager at Sears Trostel Lumber & Millwork in Fort Collins. "It might have pushed us outside our budget." Herrmann's shock is familiar to anyone who's built a house, purchased a new home, finished a basement, renovated a kitchen or bought a two-by-four at Home Depot recently. Soaring lumber prices fueled by high demand, low inventory, pandemic-forced slowdowns at sawmills, Canadian tariffs and escalating shipping and trucking costs, are adding roughly $36,000 to the price of a new home, and doubling or tripling the cost of remodeling, according to the National Association of Home Builders. How much is the average Fort Collins home? In Fort Collins, the median home price of $510,215 through April is up 17.1% compared to the same time last year, the result of low interest rates, high demand and high construction costs, including lumber. Some lumber dealers don't believe lumber prices will level off until demand for new homes decreases, and that won't happen until interest rates rise. Current lumber prices create problems not only for consumers, but for home builders who often have to price out a new build months in advance, said Steve Spanjer, owner of custom home builder Spanjer Homes in Fort Collins. Spanjer absorbs a 5% increase on unit costs on new buildings, he said. Beyond that, the contract calls for the home owner to pay the difference. Story continues Hartford Homes is waiting to put new homes on the market until they know what final costs will be, said Mike Welty, president of homebuilding. "We will release houses when we feel comfortable with what the price increase is" so there are no surprises for the buyer. The company also halted construction in a few of its communities until this month or next so it could set expectations for buyers and avoid large price increases. Larimer County property owners: Here's how to protest your 2021 property valuation How did lumber get so expensive? About 70% of the softwood lumber used in Colorado home building, like pine, fir and cedar, comes from Canada. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the industry anticipated a market slowdown that never materialized, said Scott Glasscock, owner of Mawson's Lumber in Fort Collins. Some mills shut down production or had trouble getting logs, he said. Instead of a slowdown, the industry saw "a huge demand of people staying home and adding to, renovating or purchasing new homes," Glasscock said. "It's just driven demand off the charts." When demand for homes spiked, the mills "just couldn't keep up," Spanjer said. Builders and suppliers alike say a 20% tariff on softwood lumber from Canada imposed by then-President Donald Trump in 2017 lowered to 9% late last year contributed to the increase in U.S. lumber prices and therefore the cost to build a home. The tariff a tax charged on goods coming into or out of the country made it more expensive to import lumber from Canada. Prices went through the roof, rising from a 52-week low of $344.60 in May 2020 for 1,000 board feet to a 52-week high of $1,670.50 earlier this month. As of May 19, July lumber futures were on the decline, but still remained higher than at any point last year. That doesn't affect today's prices but will bring down prices over the next 30 to 60 days, said Curt Viehmeyer, president of Sears Trostel Lumber & Millwork in Fort Collins. More: Larimer County boosts Housing Catalyst funds for future affordable housing The average 2,085 square-foot single-family home can include 13,127 board feet of framing lumber alone, according to a report from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Because softwood lumber is traded as a commodity, like sugar or pork bellies, prices are volatile and change daily. Spanjer said a two-by-four, which used to cost 54 cents per board foot, now costs $1.49 per board foot. Translated to an 8-foot-long, two-by-four stud, the cost would now be $11.92 instead of $4.92. A four-by-eight sheet of 3/4-inch floor sheeting was $18.50 per sheet and is now $73.28, a fourfold hike, Spanjer said. And, the 1,000 board-feet of framing lumber, which just months ago cost $369, was selling for $1,630 in early May. "Everybody was unsure what COVID would do to the economy, so they scaled back," Viehmeyer said. "They didnt know what demand was going to be so they didnt stockpile a bunch of logs or anything like that. When demand really ramped up at the beginning of this year they didnt have the raw material to cut." Specialty hardwoods, like those used in custom trim, are generally produced in the U.S. and are not seeing the same volatility in prices as softwood, although hardwood is getting more expensive, too. Biden administration pressured to lower lumber costs The National Association of Home Builders is pressuring the Biden Administration to find solutions to increase production and bring prices down, including renewing the softwood lumber agreement between the U.S. and Canada. Jeffrey Schneider, president of Armstead Construction in Fort Collins and chair of the Colorado Association of Home Builders, said the organization is working with its congressional delegation to see what can be done, including addressing tariff and supply chain issues and the softwood agreement. The sticking point to the lumber agreement from the U.S. perspective seems to be a claim that Canada unfairly subsidizes its softwood lumber industry, something the Canadian government disputes. Oriented Strand Board, commonly known as OSB, used in walls, floor and roof decking, has seen the largest price increase, going from $9 for a half-inch, four-by-eight sheet to $70 because of a shortage in the resin/glue that holds the wood chips together, Schneider said. Hurricanes and deep freezes that hit Louisiana 18 months ago and Texas last year disrupted production, accounting for the shortage and affecting the supply and prices "of anything that requires glue," Schneider said. "It hurts all attempts at affordability/attainability." Schneider said one client put off building a new home for a year to see what will happen to costs; two others put renovation plans on hold for the same reason. He says the industry expects it will likely be another 12 to 16 months before the supply chain gets back to normal and there's some ease or stability to prices. One custom home client saw the framing package jump $100,000 over the original estimate, Schneider said. "There's no price guarantee at all," he said. "In the past we would get 180-day holds or for three to six months we could guarantee the price. Now we can't guarantee the price one day to the next." Pallets of wood and supplies sit in the lumberyard at Mawson Lumber and Hardware in Fort Collins, Colo. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Supply chain economics Hard hit by a record backlog of trucks and a shortage of long-haul truck drivers, the industry is stressed up and down the supply chain, said Zachary Rogers, assistant professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University. Production of new trucks, which are increasingly sophisticated and full of technology, has slowed because of a shortage of semiconductors used in the computer systems. "The technology makes the trucks much safer but it requires a lot of computing power," he said. Truck production, which used to take nine months, now requires more than a year because of the semiconductor shortage. "The spike in e-commerce has definitely played a role in the limitations we're seeing around distribution for many products, including lumber," Rogers said. Typically, e-commerce grows about 15% per year, but last year, due to the limits on brick-and-mortar stores it went up 45%, he said. "Essentially, demand for trucks for e-commerce jumped ahead by three years. There is no fat in the supply chain so we didn't have any reserve trucks to fall back on." Now, there are fewer trucks and fewer drivers, and high demand for both. The spot price for a flatbed truck in April 2020 was $1.84 per mile now, it's $2.94, Rogers said. "It's tough for lumber to even get transported, the demand for trucks is so tight." The driver shortage is real, something the trucking industry has been dealing with for a while, he said, but it's more pronounced now due to the increased need. A majority of of truckers are closing in on retirement age and there's not a crop of younger people in the pipeline, Viehmeyer said. "That's forcing a long delay in getting products and a 15% to 30% increase in shipping costs over the last six months," he said. For U.S.-produced hardwoods, the major issues are also shipping and workforce. "It's a strange situation," Viehmeyer said. "The unemployment rate is high ... but sawmills and other producers in the Midwest and back East that I buy from have all expressed problems hiring people." "We used to ask for a truck and could get it in two to three days," he said. "We've waited up to three weeks now to have a broker line up a truck." Trucking companies are picking and choosing which loads they want to deliver, Rogers said. "If I have a trucking company and have one truck and two potential loads and one is lumber and one is cell phones, I'm going to go with cell phones because it makes you more money." Why not build more sawmills? With lumber prices and demand what they are, sawmills lack capacity to keep up but there's no desire to expand or build new mills, Viehmeyer said. A sawmill in Maine told him they were turning down work but didn't want to build or expand capacity. "It would take three to four years to get a new mill built and there's no guarantee what would happen in the market in three to four years," Viehmeyer said. "They'd rather pass up the opportunity than take the risk of building too much capacity and be in a bad spot down the road." Rogers added they don't want to make any big capital expenditures in case this turns out to be a bubble in demand. "In their minds, making a big capital expenditure at the height of a demand cycle is akin to buying a stock when it is at its highest price." Pat Ferrier is a senior reporter covering business, health care and growth issues in Northern Colorado. Contact her at patferrier@coloradoan.com. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Soaring lumber prices add $36K to cost of building a new home The South Bend school corporation is moving forward in hopes of selling its downtown administration center. School board members approved a resolution Monday night allowing its assistant superintendent to negotiate an agreement with the city of South Bend. SOUTH BEND The South Bend school board took the first step Monday night toward negotiating a sale of its downtown administration building to the city. The city of South Bend is looking to move its offices from their current site, in the County-City Building on West Jefferson Blvd. The school district, meanwhile, is looking to move its offices to the Brown Community Learning Center on Beale Street. The school board voted 5-2 in favor of a resolution allowing Kareemah Fowler, assistant superintendent of business and finance, to notify the Indiana Attorney General of the district's intention to the sell its downtown building. The 59,000-square-foot building houses administrative offices and the school board meeting room. Graduation 2022: South Bend announces plans for spring commencement A state law that took effect last June requires school boards to seek certification from the attorney general before selling a building. If the state grants approval, Fowler can begin negotiating a purchase agreement. The city currently occupies nearly 37,000 square feet of space on the top three floors of the County-City Building. It is interested in moving and using all six floors of the South Bend schools' administration building, at 215 South Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. "For the city of South Bend, it presents an opportunity to consolidate some spaces, some offices and make sure that that space is still being utilized for a good purpose," city spokesman Caleb Bauer said. "We applaud (the district) for thinking creatively in how they can reduce overhead without impacting classrooms." Bauer said financial considerations for the purchase are still being negotiated and that he couldn't share a potential price. South Bend district eyes cost savings A study commissioned by South Bend schools in 2020 estimated the district could bring in between $2.5 million to $3 million in a sale of the administration center. In a presentation Monday night, Fowler said the city has offered the South Bend district $2.8 million for the building. Story continues Discussion of the sale comes as the school district continues to evaluate its facilities and looks for cuts to make up for declining enrollment and property tax caps. The district has closed or repurposed seven school buildings since 2018. "This is one of the few buildings we can sell and produce a profit," Fowler said of the administration center. She said discussions of a sale began with the city in early 2021. Fowler projected that the school district in profits from the sale and savings in maintenance and operations could direct more than $5 million back into classrooms over the next decade. South Bend school administrators say they anticipate moving out of the administration center sometime in late 2022. The school board president, John Anella, said the prospective sale is symbolic, as the district looks to shed itself of a building that many residents think represents "excess and waste." "We have underutilized buildings and we'd save millions of dollars over 10 years and we would continue our emphasis on spending money on people in the classroom and not on things," Anella said. "In the end, it comes down to this: Is it better to move the superintendent out of his beautiful office or close another school?" Future plans for administration The school district purchased its headquarters in October 2004 for $600,000. The district bought the building, formerly the Century Building, from the city's Department of Redevelopment and made $7.6 million in renovations after its purchase, The Tribune reported in 2019. The school corporation conducted a feasibility study in mid-2021 to consider a new home for its administrative services, Fowler said. Administrators decided the Brown Community Learning Center would best serve the district's needs in size, parking and other amenities, with a chance to combine administrative and family services currently offered at Brown in one location. Saturday Accelerator: South Bend combats learning loss at Brown center The exterior of the Brown Community Learning Center on Beale Street in South Bend. Other buildings, including vacant structures and Washington High School, which is not at full capacity, were studied but would have required more costly additions, Fowler said. Moving administrators into the 163,600-square-foot Brown building wouldn't require any expansion and would allow for more flexible office space, Fowler said. Fowler told The Tribune after Monday night's meeting that she anticipates renovations at the Brown building to cost about $3.1 million. On Tuesday , a spokeswoman for the district said moving costs would actually be $2.1 million. Board member Oletha Jones was critical of the move, likening it to the district's decision about 15 years ago to move downtown. Jones said she hoped the district would have been more transparent with its intention to move to Brown. "There's going to be a lot of people that are going to have a difficult time getting on that side of town, just like where we're located now," Jones said. "It was criticized back then when the superintendent purchased it for various reasons, and now I think we're making another mistake by attempting to relocate at Brown school." The school corporation and city hope to hear back from the attorney general's office within 30 days, at which point they can start work to formalize a purchase agreement. Several officials from the city released statements in support of a potential sale, including Mayor James Mueller and City Controller Dan Parker. "The prospect of moving city offices to the current SBCSC Administration Building is a great example of governments working together to gain efficiencies and reduce costs for all involved," Parker said in a release. Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Carley Lanich at clanich@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @carleylanich. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend, SBCSC work on administration building sale A southern Iowa school district's superintendent has died after becoming ill with COVID-19, according to district officials. The Mormon Trail Community School District in Humeston shared on Facebook Sunday that Superintendent Kerry Phillips "lost his battle with COVID today." "Once a Saint, always a Saint! ," district officials wrote in reference to the school's mascot. It was not immediately clear how long Phillips had been ill. The district has 209 students in grades preschool through 12th this year, according to enrollment data from the Iowa Department of Education. According to his LinkedIn profile, Phillips had been Mormon Trail's superintendent for several years. According to his obituary and LinkedIn profile, Phillips was an undergraduate alum of Buena Vista University and earned a master's in education from Drake University. His career in education included work for Indian Hills Community College, Simpson College and Buena Vista. For subscribers: Omicron surge leaves no segment of Iowa unscathed: Police, schools, restaurants deal with record wave of cases He also taught and was a principal at the Cardinal Community School District, and worked as superintendent for the Harmony Community School District, in southeast Iowa before coming to Mormon Trail. Phillips is not the first Iowa educator to die after battling COVID-19. According to the privately operated Iowa COVID-19 Tracker, 30 educators and school staff, including bus drivers, have died not including Phillips of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, although the names and ages of three were not immediately available. According to an analysis of the tracker's database, Phillips may have been the first superintendent in Iowa to die of the disease since the virus was first reported in Iowa in March 2020. According to a spokesperson for the Iowa State Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union, the association isn't aware of any other superintendents to have died from COVID-19 and referred reporters to the private COVID-19 Tracker for more information. Story continues More, for subscribers: Iowa's inconsistent tracking of COVID-19 in schools creates a murky picture of cases A retired superintendent's death last fall: Iowan dies after a 15-day wait for a medical center bed. His survivors blame the COVID surge The Mormon Trail district is about an hour's drive from Mount Ayr, another southern Iowa district hit particularly hard by the pandemic in recent weeks. Officials there announced last week that the district would not hold classes the first half of this week because of illness including COVID-19 within its buildings and the community. In Wayne County, where the Mormon Trail district is located, the county hospital's walk-in clinic had to close early more than once last week "due to increased illness among our providers and staff," according to the posts on the hospital's Facebook profile. The 14-day positivity rate in the county is 16.2%, and the 7-day rate is 21.4%, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. According to the state health department, 43.5% of the county's residents older than 5 are fully vaccinated; that figure compares to 63.6% of eligible Iowans fully vaccinated statewide. For subscribers: 12-hour shifts, 37 ICU beds, 14,000 steps: How two Iowa respiratory therapists are weathering the latest crush of COVID-19 cases Phillip Sitter covers education for the Ames Tribune and the Des Moines Register. Reach him via email, at psitter@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter, at @pslifeisabeauty. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kerry Phillips, superintendent of Mormon Trail district, dies of COVID Deer Creek High School honors junior pitcher Nathan Rogalski, who died over the weekend, with a message on its baseball scoreboard on Monday. EDMOND It's no secret that Nathan Rogalski was loved around the Deer Creek community. That became apparent Sunday in the hours after Rogalski died from complications from a sudden illness in a battle with bacterial meningitis. Numerous players and coaches showed their support for the Oklahoma State commit with meaningful messages and photos. "Heaven gained its greatest angel this morning," Deer Creek catcher and NEO signee Duncan Key wrote on Twitter. "I don't even know where to start. "Nate, you were my go-to, you were the kid that in tough times always found a way to make me smile. You changed me in ways no one could. Fly high 21, you will never be forgotten. Love you forever bubba." Nate Rogalski For Deer Creek baseball coach Roland Baza, the news is still a shock to him. "He was a special player," Baza said. "He touched a lot of people's lives. I talked with our team and they're hurting pretty bad now as well, and the thing is, everyone knows he was a great athlete and had a bright future ahead of him. A lot of people know about the competitor he was, but the biggest loss is the great teammate and friend that he was." Rogalski was a highly touted prospect. Rogalski was selected for the Junior National PerfectGameUSA showcase in June 2020 of his freshman year of high school baseball. About 20 days later, Rogalski announced his commitment to Oklahoma State. "We are heartbroken. Nate was a talented kid with a great personality his excitement for life, his love for the game and his personal talents made him a special young man and we were excited about his future here at Oklahoma State," OSU baseball coach Josh Holliday said in a tweet. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time. Nate will always be part of our Cowboy baseball family." We are saddened to hear of the passing of Class of 2023 commitment Nate Rogalski. pic.twitter.com/dkMN8oqHI3 OSU Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) January 24, 2022 As a sophomore, Rogalski earned a spot in the Deer Creek bullpen. He pitched 26 innings, gave up 17 hits and recorded a 1.34 ERA as Deer Creek advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals with a 35-4 record. Rogalski had a 5-1 record and was third on the team with 35 strikeouts last season. Story continues "He was a special kid all around," Baza said. "I can't think of a day where he didn't have a smile on his face or I was able to put a smile on somebody's face around him. For the amount of people, he was their go-to guy. He was their rock. He was the one they were able to come to whenever they needed something was unbelievable. He's a very special kid." Deer Creek wrote in a statement, "The Deer Creek school community is deeply saddened by the passing of Nate Rogalski, a Deer Creek High School student. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Nate's family and friends. "Deer Creeks Health & Wellness staff will be available to our students and staff members for as long as needed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rogalski family." A GoFundMe page was established in the Rogalski's name to help the family with medical expenses. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma baseball community mourns death of Deer Creek's Nate Rogalski PARIS (Reuters) - French label Stephane Rolland returned to the runway on Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, offering an array of feminine draped dresses and billowing cloud-like gowns at Paris Fashion Week. After almost two years, the designer Stephane Rolland said he felt it was time to get back to an in-person show for his new couture collection. "We designed the collection to be displayed on a runway -- if there were any last minute problems, we could always change course," the French designer told Reuters before the show. Held in the Palais de Chaillot, at a stone's throw from the Eiffel tower, the spring-summer 2022 presentation opened to the beat of Aretha Franklin and a series of fluid kaftans made of satin crepe in black and ivory tones. Rolland's muse, the Spanish model Nieves Alvarez, strode down the catwalk in a hooded golden metallic blazer paired with wide pants in white wool. The label, known for its sculptural outfits, slightly refined its designs but silhouettes remained bold and striking. "I have the impression that with what we have gone through, it was necessary to turn a page - without turning my back on what I had done before," Rolland said. "I want to highlight the body of a free woman differently to project a desirable look, and play with transparency in a subtle manner, rather than a slightly vulgar style. Its about sensuality, not sexuality." Tailored dresses, a long brown tunic, draped gowns plunging in the back or front alternated on the catwalk while other models paraded in transparent chiffon dresses. Alvarez closed the show in a black velvet and satin ballgown and a huge emerald necklace. Before the presentation, Rolland paid homage to Thierry Mugler with a recorded message honouring the designer who died on Sunday. (Reporting Laetitia Volga; Editing by Mimosa Spencer and Alison Williams) BENICIA, CA Starbucks will no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations of its 228,000 workers at 9,000 U.S. coffee shops, including those in Benicia. Starbucks is one of the first big companies to change vaccination policies after the U.S. Supreme Court quashed a vaccine mandate that would have affected about 84 million workers, or about half of the U.S. labor force. Had the mandate been allowed to stand, workers would have had to either get fully vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. The courts Jan. 13, 6-3 ruling came as the omicron coronavirus variant was driving a surge in COVID-19 infections. Nothing in the Supreme Court ruling, which allows the Biden administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most U.S. health care workers, requires companies with 100 or more employees to ease vaccination requirements. California requires workers in health care and congregate settings, as well as K-12 schools and state offices, to verify they are fully vaccinated or submit to regular COVID-19 tests. Other California employers can require their employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as long as the employer: Does not discriminate against or harass employees or job applicants on the basis of a protected characteristic, such as disability or national origin Provides reasonable accommodations related to disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices Does not retaliate against anyone for engaging in protected activities, such as requesting a reasonable accommodation The new Starbucks vaccination policy, first reported by The Associated Press, was announced in a Jan. 18 memo to employees. Amtrak temporarily suspended its vaccine mandate in December, before the Supreme Court ruling. In a memo to employees seen by Reuters, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said nearly 96 percent of its employees were either fully vaccinated or had received an accommodation for religious or medical reasons. More big businesses operating in Benicia could follow suit as the coronavirus surge worsens the countrys labor shortage. A record 8.8 million people called out sick with COVID-19 between Dec. 29-Jan. 10, according to data reported by The Washington Post. Story continues Retail establishments and their advocates have been vocal critics of the now-blocked requirement, arguing theyre already struggling to find enough workers as the coronavirus pandemic persists. Millions of Americans have quit their jobs since the pandemic began in whats being called The Great Resignation. Brett Coburn, a lawyer at Atlanta-based Alston & Bird, told The New York Times a lot of companies were pursuing the vaccine or test requirement only because they were being required to do so. The AP reported Boston-based General Electric Co. got rid of its vaccine mandate last week after the court ruled, according to IEU-CWA Local 201, the union representing machinists, electricians and other GE employees. Overall, GE has 56,000 U.S. workers. Not all big businesses plan to follow the lead of Starbucks and GE, though. New York-based Citigroup Inc., one of the largest banks in the U.S., in October said its workers needed to be fully vaccinated or receive an accommodation by Jan. 14. Citigroup told the AP that 99 percent of its employees are now fully vaccinated. Its up to employers to navigate state and local laws in the absence of a federal mandate. More than a dozen states prohibit COVID-19 vaccine mandates of any kind, CNBC reported. For most employers, it has proved to be a day-to-day crisis because when they think they know the answer, the rules change, Domenique Camacho Moran, a labor and employment lawyer with the firm Farrell Fritz, told The New York Times. This article originally appeared on the Benicia Patch An off-duty Illinois State Police trooper and a woman were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads inside a vehicle on the Far South Side Monday, according to state police and Chicago police. Chicago police said that around 1:40 p.m. a witness discovered a vehicle parked on a street in the 11000 block of South Avenue E in the East Side neighborhood. A 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man were found inside and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. State police confirmed the 30-year-old man was Trooper Antonio Alvarez, a three-year veteran of the department who was off-duty, and the woman was Amanda Alvarez. The relationship between the two was not immediately disclosed. The vehicle they were found in was not department-issued. A gun was also found at the scene, Chicago police said. Autopsies were to be performed Tuesday at the Cook County medical examiners office. Investigators werent ruling out a murder-suicide, sources said. Illinois State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This is a developing story. Check back for updates pfry@chicagotribune.com Twitter @paigexfry LEESBURG In the last two years, the global COVID-19 pandemic has sickened millions crippling some families financially and created an increased need for food assistance. Local food pantries have been forced to adapt and step up, even while facing challenges of their own, including supply chain issues. As we begin a new year, food insecurity continues to plague Central Florida and Lake County. Some local pantries are struggling to keep their shelves stocked, while others need donations of time more than anything. The local hunger picture Second Harvests Director of Philanthropy Dan Samuels says that the food insecurity landscape in Central Florida is worse now than it was pre-pandemic. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, stores, and distributes donated food to more than 550 feeding partners in six Central Florida counties including Lake County. Right now in Lake County, and really across all of our communities, about one in seven individuals is at risk of facing food insecurity, Samuels said. "And its actually about one in every five kids at that same risk." Virtual tours: Second Harvest offering virtual food pantry tours From the Extension: Winter weather and its impact on food crops Volunteer Marie Harris stocks the shelves with food donations at the Salvation Army food pantry in Leesburg. [Cindy Peterson/Correspondent] Food insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. This change has come amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people have been able to stabilize their lives and get back on their feet, Samuels said, but there are others that are experiencing the need for food assistance for the first time. Second Harvest measures and tracks food insecurity with the "food finder" tool on their website, which helps people search for food assistance. In March 2020, just before the pandemic hit in the United States, Second Harvest was seeing about 35 searches a day, according to Samuels. In late March and April, that number was closer to 1,500 searches a day. Story continues Now, even two years later they are still seeing an average of between 100 and 200 searches a day. We are still in the midst of a disaster a disaster thats been going on for almost two years now that has really changed how we are serving the community and the amount of people that we are serving, Samuels said. So as an organization we are really focused on what the long-term recovery effort looks like and how we meet that need. The Salvation Army in Leesburg runs a food pantry and a hot breakfast giveaway to people in need every weekday morning. [Cindy Peterson/Correspondent] The Salvation Armys food pantries need help The Salvation Army food pantries of Lake and Sumter Counties are in a state of crisis trying to keep up with an increased demand in the new year. We are reaching out to the community to help us to meet those needs," said Major Marie Harris, PR/Volunteer Coordinator at the Salvation Army Lake & Sumter Counties. "You know this is a hard time for everybody and we got through Christmas but now here we are in January and things are going up, costs are rising, and people are having a hard time buying food and paying all their other bills." By the way: Salvation Army future plans in Leesburg could include housing for seniors Shelves are stocked with non-perishable foods with lots of empty space that needs filled at the Salvation Army food pantry in Leesburg. [Cindy Peterson/Correspondent] Harris says that with all of the extra people needing assistance they need to restock their pantry. Both monetary and food donations are welcome. Salvation Army needs the following non-perishable foods: Canned meats; tuna, chicken, spam, etc. Canned soups Canned stews; Dinty Moore, chicken & dumplings, etc. Canned pasta; spaghetti & meatballs, ravioli, Spaghetti Os, etc. Spaghetti sauce Macaroni, spaghetti, noodles Boxed dinners such as Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper Dried beans Rice Canned vegetables Canned fruit Boxed cereals Pop Tarts, breakfast bars Pancake mix (that uses just water) Pancake syrup Fruit juices Peanut butter and jelly Harris says that other donations like soap, shampoo, razors, shaving cream and deodorant are also always welcomed. We are thankful for our community and their outpouring of love and care for those that are in need, she said. Supply chain issues impacting food distribution Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic affected food insecurity in the community, but supply chain issues have forced our local organizations to adapt. Second Harvest has had to be more flexible and innovative when it comes to food distribution. For instance, typically around Thanksgiving, we give out turkeys," Samuels said. "We knew that there was a supply chain issue with turkeys this year so instead of just giving out turkeys we also gave out some chicken, and some ham, and so it hasnt hindered our ability to serve the community it just has caused us to be more flexible about what specifically we are giving out." It has also impacted the type of products Second Harvest purchases because they are not always readily available. Grocery stores feel that ebb and flow in the ability to get certain food items and as a result, Second Harvest does too. About 50% of the organization's food comes from its grocery store partners. So if they're struggling to keep food on the shelves, which has been the case multiple times during the pandemic, they will receive fewer food donations. But thanks to our community who have been so incredibly generous, we are able to work through those ebbs and flows and purchase food to keep up with that need in the community," Samuels said. "No matter what the supply chain has been doing we have been able to keep up with it or at least work on keeping up with it." For every dollar donated to Second Harvest, they can provide about nine dollars worth of food out into the community. They are able to do this through their relationships with the food industry. They are not paying retail, most of the time they arent even paying wholesale oftentimes its either free or at-cost. All they need is the money to physically transport the items from wherever they are to their warehouse so they can distribute them to our local pantries. Were able to do so much with so little and thats why we always tell people if you want to make an impact, and you want to make a big impact, making a monetary gift is the way to do it, said Samuels. Second Harvest study: Food insecurity dramatically increasing amid pandemic Not every local food pantry needs help; some need donations and volunteers Not all of our food banks and food pantries are experiencing a food shortage. For instance, Lake Cares Food Pantry and the Leesburg Food Bank have been doing well keeping up with demand in the new year, but theyre always looking for a helping hand. Right now Lake Cares has about 200 volunteers that are working to keep everything moving forward. Last year those volunteers dedicated 23,381 hours of their time. There are always volunteer opportunities here at Lakes Cares," said Ruthie Haffner, Director of Development at Lake Cares. "We rely heavily on our volunteers to keep things moving. Lake Cares is always looking for donations to feed the hungry. They are associated with Second Harvest and purchase food from them at a discounted rate. Haffner says that they put a high priority on fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy when they purchase their food because studies have shown that people living in poverty do not always have the access and funds to be able to buy nutritious food on their own. Meanwhile, the Leesburg Food Bank has been very lucky when it comes to volunteers. They are open three days a week and average 25 volunteers a day. We dont need help at the present moment but Ill take any help I can get because I know Im going to need it in the future," said Don Diamant, President and Board of Directors and Daily Operations at the Leesburg Food Bank. "Right now were pretty well set if the food keeps coming in the way its coming in." Want to help? Salvation Army accepts donations at at give.salvationarmyflorida.org. Prospective donors can also contact Harris at 352-365-0079 ext. 26761. To donate to Second Harvest, visit their website at feedhopenow.org. Lake Cares Food Pantry accepts donations at lakecares.org. To donate to the Leesburg Food Bank, visit in person or send a check to their location at 1801 W Main St. Lake Cares is also hosting a concert Friday, February 11th, and a portion of the proceeds will be going to their food pantry. It is the 50th Anniversary American Pie Tour with Don McLean. To purchase your tickets visit tickets.thevillages.com/9152/9153. This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Lake County food pantries seek donations, volunteers amid COVID Jan. 25Three students from Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center who were elected into the regional office attended the training institute last week. Tehya Maxwell, a junior from Northeastern in the computer graphic arts program; Alison Phillips, a junior from Northeastern in the health occupations program; and Carley Sontag, a junior from Kenton Ridge in the electrical trades program; were elected last November into the SkillsUSA Southwest Regional Offices, taking three of the seven offices available, Springfield-Clark announced. The three attended the SkillsUSA Regional Officer Training Institute to learn how to serve the Southwest Region of Ohio for the 2021-22 school year. Two SkillsUSA State Officers Brinkli Hayes, a senior from Tecumseh in Engineering & Architectural Design and Lilly Rowland, a senior from Greenon in the EMT program also helped with the training. "While at the training, the newly elected regional officers from all six regions of Ohio worked on team building, leadership skills and worked tirelessly on presentations and opening ceremonies," Michael Rice, Associate Schools Coordinator at Springfield-Clark, said in a release. "After all of their training and preparation, the six regions each gave their Goodwill Plan presentation, Team Mock Interview and conducted the SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Ceremony to a team of advisors and judges." The Southwest Regional Officers, including Maxwell, Phillips, Sontag and four other students, were awarded medals: a gold medal for first place in the "Goodwill Plan" presentation, a gold medal for first place in Opening and Closing Ceremony, and a silver medal for second place in the Team Mock Interview. All five students earned their "Statesman Award," the highest award you can earn at the training institute. During the training, advisors and state staff observe the officers and note who steps up to be leaders of each of the regions. State staff selected Maxwell as the Southwest Regional President and Sontag at the Southwest Regional Vice President. "We couldn't be more proud of all five of our students on the way that they represented The Springfield-Clark CTC, the SkillsUSA State and Regional Chapters and themselves," Rice said. SOUTH BEND U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett will return to South Bend next month to deliver the keynote address for the Notre Dame Law Review's Federal Courts Symposium. Barrett's speech will be at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Law School's McCartan Courtroom and is open only to faculty, students and the media because of limited seating, according to a Notre Dame news release. The keynote will be in person and open only to law faculty, law students and students in the university's Constitutional Studies program who will be sent a registration form to RSVP, a university spokesman said in an email. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett will deliver the keynote address for the Notre Dame Law Review's 2022 Federal Courts Symposium at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Barrett will speak during the 2022 symposium titled "The Nature of Federal Equity Power," which will focus on federal equity power and its scope within constitutional law. Barrett, a 1997 graduate of the Notre Dame Law School, joined the university's faculty in 2002 and continued to teach part-time after she was appointed in 2017 to the 7th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. She was nominated by former President Donald Trump and was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court in October 2020. COVID-19 policies: Masks, boosters required at Notre Dame this spring "We are honored that Justice Barrett will participate in the symposium," Notre Dame Law Review faculty adviser Nicole Stelle Garnett said in the news release. "Not only did she play an important role in establishing the Federal Courts Symposium, but she served for many years as adviser to the Law Review." The Law Review symposium comes 25 years after Barrett served as executive editor of the journal as a student and marks the justice's second visit to Notre Dame this school year. She returned to campus last fall to teach a one-week course on statutory interpretation to third-year law students. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito also spoke on campus last fall. "For more than two decades, Notre Dame Law School was blessed by Justice Barrett's brilliant scholarship, devoted teaching and thoughtful approach to legal questions," law school dean G. Marcus Cole said in the release. "We look forward to welcoming her back to the Law School for this year's Federal Courts Symposium." Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Carley Lanich at clanich@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @carleylanich. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Justice Amy Coney Barrett keynote University of Notre Dame symposium Hes no friend of the United States, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is certainly a figure of fascination. As the de facto ruler of Russia for 22 years, Putin has watched three American presidents come and go, and he could remain in office for at least another 14 years. Russia is no economic powerhouse, yet Putin has gotten stronger over time, not weakerand he now commands the worlds attention as Russian forces threaten to start a land war in eastern Europe. Russia has amassed nearly 100,000 troops at its border with Ukraine, in a campaign for attention, respect and territorial security. Russia could invade the former Soviet territory to replace the western-leaning administration of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with a new government aligned with Moscow. Putin, among other things, wants to repel western influence in Ukraine and enlarge the buffer zone that Ukraine, nearly as large as Texas, could provide against western Europe and the NATO military alliance, were it a Russian client state. Putin could be bluffing, but the Biden administration seems to be taking the threat of invasion seriously. The Pentagon has put 8,500 U.S. troops on standby notice for a possible deployment to the region around Ukraine, and NATO allies are moving their own troops and military gear into eastern Europe. President Biden said on Jan. 19 he expected Russia to invade, with possible sanctions including a ban on semiconductor shipments to Russia, which could cripple the consumer electronics market there. Russia is accustomed to sanctions, however, and Putin has most likely factored them into his cost-benefit calculations. Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with members of Russia's national team ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, via a video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia January 25, 2022. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS Putin, 69, is punching way above his weight by threatening to destabilize Europe and reassert some of Russias lost superpower credibility. Russia has a formidable militaryplus nuclear weaponsbut its kleptocratic economy represents less than 2% of world GDP, compared with 21% for the United States and 16% for the European Union. Combined, the U.S. and European economies outproduce Russia 19 to 1. Story continues Yet Putins Machiavellian efficiency generates reluctant admiration among many who have studied his methods. Putin has thought circles around every president hes had a chance to think circles around, says Scott Bethel, CEO of Integrity ISR and a retired Air Force general who analyzed Putin as an Air Force scholar. Hes really good at following a long-term strategy and operating with an end goal in mind that may be 10 or 20 years away. Putin isnt exactly a leadership role model, given that he assassinates rivals and has become one of the worlds richest people by plundering his nations assets. Yet Putin is still one of the worlds wiliest leaders, with skills that might be valuable in any boardroom or on any battlefield. Among them: Information mastery. As a longtime KGB agent in the USSR and then head of the FSB, Russias successor spy agency, Putin became a sophisticated purveyor of propaganda and imageryincluding his own public persona. In their 2015 book on Putin, Fiona Hill and Clifford Gaddy described the Russian president as a master at manipulating information, suppressing information, and creating pseudo-information. The end result of Putin's misinformation and contradictory information is to create the image that he is unknowable and unpredictable and therefore even dangerous. It is part of his play in the domestic and international political gameto keep everyone guessing about, and in some cases fearing, how he might react. [Get Rick Newmans stories by email or follow him on Twitter.] Russias use of social media to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign was a fairly conventional information operation similar to many Putin and his cronies have carried out in Putins own political campaigns in Russia, and in other countries Russia wants to influence. Yet it flummoxed U.S. authorities and social-media platforms such as Facebook that never really figured out how to respond. The proliferation of online information and social media in particular have given Putin extensive new opportunities to create viral narratives favorable to Russia and detrimental to Russias foes. Nobody uses information as ruthlessly or effectively as Putin. Aggressive thrift. Russia cant match U.S. defense spending dollar-for-dollarbut it doesnt have to. While Americas defense budgets continue to emphasize the worlds most expensive ships and aircraft, Putin gets results with information operations and cyberwarfare, which are vastly cheaper. He doesnt have a lot of money and the ability to produce $350 million fighter jets or billion-dollar boats, says Bethel. What he has is roomfuls of people around the world churning out fake news stories, which is a buck ninety eight. The United States conducts cyberwarfare too, but Russia can do it without the ethical or legal barriers that hamstring some of what America cyberwarriors can do. Some analysts think Russia (and possibly China) have penetrated U.S. networks so thoroughly they could shut down vital infrastructure in the event of overt conflict, and also disrupt vital technologies such as the GPS system multimillion-dollar weapon systems depend upon. If Russias defense can stop Americas offense at a fraction of the cost, it neutralizes the advantage the highly productive U.S. economy provides. Potent populism. Putin doesnt need to win elections the way U.S. presidents do, since he has disabled most political opposition and secured an indefinite hold on power. But he still needs popular support to defang protests over massive wealth inequality and burnish his image as a world leader unchallenged at home. Putin builds this support through an uncanny connection to many ordinary Russians that may make him the most effective populist politician in the world. Putin publicly berates wealthy oligarchs who are his behind-the-scenes business partners, to show he can boss around Russians most powerful people. He shows up at factories in a hard hat and once appointed a factory foreman to an important political job. Putin figured out how to channel, if not completely control, the populist forces at home, Fiona Hill, a top Russia expert in the Trump administration, wrote in her recent memoir, There is Nothing for you Here. Putin had perfected the art of populist patronage and the big show that Trump tried to emulate. Putin, unlike Trump, actually grew up poor and worked his way up from the bottom, giving him legitimate credibility with working-class Russians, even if his methods are disingenuous. A nose for weakness. Hill and others think one reason Putin is moving against Ukraine now is his sense that the United States is in disarray and Europe isnt in much better shape. Biden is reeling from low approval ratings, ongoing COVID disputes and a hostile Republican party that could take control of Congress in the 2022 midterm elections. Much of Europe suffers from energy insecurity, relying on Russian natural gas for winter heating and imported oil for petrol. Putin guessed right in 2014 when he annexed Ukraines Crimean peninsula and the West failed to stop him. He guessed right again in 2016 when he interfered in the U.S. election on behalf of Donald Trump, with barely any consequence. Europe and the United States have imposed economic sanctions on Russia, and those could get tougher if Putin invades Ukraine again. Putin knows the drill and may decides its worth the risk. Putin has some weaknesses, too. Hes thin-skinned and takes it personally when foreigners insult Russia, as President Obama did in 2014 when he called it a regional power. He oversteps by violently pursuing critics and political opponents, even outside of Russia. Against a Churchill or a Roosevelt, these shortcomings might bring Putin some long overdue comeuppance. In the world as it is, however, Putin reigns as the ultimate troll. Rick Newman is a columnist and author of four books, including "Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. You can also send confidential tips. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn ZURICH (Reuters) -Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group said it expected double-digit sales growth in local currencies this year after sales and profits recovered in 2021. It rebounded with a net profit of 774 million Swiss francs ($845 million) in 2021 after a loss of 53 million a year earlier. Its sales at constant currency rose nearly 30% to 7.31 billion francs, the maker of Omega and Longines watches said in a statement https://www.swatchgroup.com/en/services/archive/2022/swatch-group-key-figures-2021 on Tuesday. Swatch shares were indicated 2.9% higher in pre-market activity. "Swatch was able to surprise the market with an EBIT above the 1 billion franc mark. The strong (free cash flow) is also a positive," Vontobel analyst Jean-Philippe Bertschy, who rates the stock "hold", wrote in a client note. "However, we believe that the market will focus on Swatch growth, which is underperforming the market. The difference in growth to Richemont during the same period is significant, although due to specific reasons (different geographical mix, less exposure to the strong performing high end, less exposure to own retail and online)." Sales of Swiss watches recovered strongly last year from the slump caused by pandemic-related lockdowns, but Swatch Group has been losing market share to industry major Rolex and connected watches such as the Apple Watch. Its shares, which lagged their peers last year, fell out of the blue-chip SMI index in September. Richemont also posted a jump in sales this month thanks to its strong jewellery business amid a wider luxury goods revival. Swatch Group's operating margin rose to 14% from just 0.9% last year and 12.4% in 2019. Its Watches & Jewelry segment (excluding production) had an operating margin of 17.7%. It said its board of directors would decide on its dividend proposal at its next meeting. ($1 = 0.9159 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz and Michael Shields; editing by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; editing by Miranda Murray and Jason Neely) You are here: World Flash WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won permission from a court to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. The High Court in London decided on Monday that Assange had an arguable point of law that UK Supreme Court justices may want to consider. However, the High Court refused him permission for a direct appeal, meaning the Supreme Court will first have to decide whether it should hear his challenge. Assange's lawyers now have 14 days to prepare the application to the Supreme Court. Last month, the High Court ruled that Assange can be extradited, as it overturned an earlier judgment based on concerns about Assange's mental health and risk of suicide in a maximum-security prison in the U.S. Assange, 50, is wanted in the United States on allegations of disclosing national defense information following WikiLeaks's publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked military documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars a decade ago. He has been held at south London's high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019. BEIRUT (AP) In a recording that emerged from a Syrian prison wing taken over by Islamic State group militants, a trapped teenager pleads for help, describing the mayhem of a days-long battle over the facility that has reportedly left multiple child inmates killed and wounded. U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces were advancing slowly inside the detention facility, where they said Tuesday they freed nine of their servicemen held hostage by the militants. At least 15 others are still held by IS, one Kurdish official said. IS militants stormed the prison late Thursday, aiming to break out comrades inside. Around 200 militants remain holed up in the northern wing at one end of the prison complex, holding hostages from among the prison staff. The Gweiran Prison, also known as al-Sinaa, is the largest detention facility in northeast Syria for suspected IS members, with more than 3,000 inmates, including hundreds of minors. The attack is the biggest by IS militants since the fall of the groups caliphate in 2019. Dozens from both sides have been killed in the clashes, the U.S.-led coalition has carried out nearly a dozen airstrikes, and thousands of civilians living nearby have been displaced. The militants are also using minors as human shields, Kurdish officials say, slowing the effort by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to retake the facility, located in the northeastern city of Hassakeh. Children are reportedly among the dead and wounded from the fighting, rights groups say, though numbers are not known. Letta Tayler, associate crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch, said she had unconfirmed reports that SDF paramedics were treating wounded children, along with others, in newly recaptured parts of the prison complex. She said she learned from a well-placed source that militants had moved the boys to various parts of the prison and they were no longer segregated in an area for minors, which complicates rescue and recapture efforts. Story continues Human Rights Watch provided The Associated Press with a series of audio messages sent by a 17-year-old Australian from inside the prison. He appealed for help and described his surroundings, saying he was in a kitchen when fighting erupted around him. He said he was injured in the head and was bleeding. They are not stopping shooting. Every little bit they shoot. Every little bit they hit a missile. I dont know what to do, the teen said. HRW removed the teen's name from the recording. I have seen a lot of bodies of kids. Eight, 10, 12 years (old). My friends got killed here. I am very scared. I am by myself, he said. There is no doctors here that can help me. I need help please. I am very scared. There are a lot of people dead in front of me. I am scared I might die anytime because of bleeding. Please help me. Overnight, scores of minors were transported in buses out of the complex, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdurrahman, said. But it appears some remain in the militants' hands. Some 600 minor boys, around half of them Iraqis and other non-Syrians, were inmates in the prison. Most are between 14 to 17 years old, though some are as young as 12, Tayler said. Most were captured by Kurdish forces during their U.S.-backed campaign that brought down IS three years ago. IS had trained young boys for combat, calling them Cubs of the Caliphate, but it is not known how many of those in the prison are from the Cubs ranks. These children ... should never have been placed in this squalid, overcrowded prison, where their lives are clearly at risk to begin with, Tayler said. The days of fighting has shaken Hassakeh, spreading to residential areas where the militants have taken cover. Coalition airstrikes have hit the prison and the nearby neighborhoods. The coalition also deployed Bradley Fighting Vehicles to support the operation, according to a coalition official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Some 45,000 civilians have fled, according to the U.N. Most have moved in with family and friends, but 750 have taken refuge in temporary shelters, including mosques. Shexa Miziyen is one of about 150 in a mosque in the Til Hajar neighborhood. She said IS militants forced their way into her home at dawn and kicked her and her family out. They said they didnt want anything. They wanted safety, she said. Miziyen said those in the mosque were receiving no help even as more sought shelter there. "It seems that they forgot about us. Khalil Hassan was forced to host militants who took over his home for a few hours overnight for shelter from the fighting. They said, We are your brothers from the Islamic State and we wont hurt you. Just let us in, Hassan said. They left hours later. The SDF said in a statement that it had gained control of more prison cells Tuesday and freed nine hostages. It said more inmates have surrendered, bringing the total number to 550. Through loudspeakers, the SDF has called on militants to surrender. It said its fighters recaptured over 100 inmates who escaped. The total number of fugitives remains unclear. Freeing convicts and imprisoned comrades has been a main tactic of the Islamic State group. During their 2014 surge that overwhelmed territory in Iraq and Syria, IS carried out multiple prison breaks. A Taiwanese man who assisted his disabled son with committing suicide last year has been sentenced to jail and given a probation. The man, identified only as Chang, was sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment followed by a three-year probation with protection and restraint, according to CNA. Chang, who comes from Yunlin County, Taiwan, was accused of assisted suicide. He stabbed his 24-year-old son to death on Aug. 10, 2021, according to Taiwan News. The deceased became disabled following a road accident several years ago, which left him unable to walk. Faced with the possibility of having his feet amputated due to bedsores, he sought help from his father. Changs son had reportedly tried to take his life in the past, but all his previous attempts were unsuccessful. Chang brought his son to an industrial road two kilometers (about 1.2 miles) away from their home on the morning of the murder, then stabbed him to death using a fruit knife. Chang called the police to turn himself in soon after. During the investigation of the murder, authorities discovered a letter written by Changs son, who confessed that he was the one who asked his father to help him since he had lost the will to live due to prolonged illness. The Yunlin County Police Bureau referred to the letters handwriting to check for authenticity and determined that the letter appears to be genuine. Changs son was rushed to the hospital after the incident and eventually pronounced dead. Prosecutors consider the act to be assisted suicide. A person found guilty of assisted suicide in Taiwan can face one to seven years of imprisonment. If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For a list of international suicide hotlines, click here. Featured Image via Douliu Precinct via Taiwan News Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Story continues Bipartisan U.S. lawmaker group ignore Chinas blunt message against visiting Taiwan amid rising tensions Loyal Chinese restaurant worker shot multiple times trying to protect business from armed robber 92-year-old Asian man required 9 staples to his head after unprovoked attack at MBTA station Siblings save their mother from attacker in Oakland attempted robbery TAUNTON The city's election chief said that while there's room for improvement in how Taunton administers elections, she's satisfied with progress so far. "I don't want to say we're a well-oiled machine," Election Director Pamela Menconi told city Councilors last week, "but we are on our way to being that." Menconi's job remains relatively new. Last year's preliminary and general elections were the first under her leadership. Previously, the city clerk had administered elections. Menconi said there were "bumps in the road" during the 2021 preliminary election, such as poll workers getting used to new technology. She cited a bar being left down on a voting machine when it should have been up. Election Director Pamela Menconi speaks to Taunton City Councilors at City Hall on Jan. 18, 2022. She also said some poll workers struggled with the "poll pads." These are electronic voting lists that, supporters of the technology say, make voting quicker. "Many of the bumps we experienced in September were ironed out and did not resurface," she wrote in a letter to council members recapping the fall elections. Who's in who's out: Taunton boots Cleary and Croteau, elects Dooner and Quintal as Borges tops ballot count Menconi's office has three elections to run in 2022: The March referendum on Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech's $305 million makeover and primary and general elections in September and November for governor, U.S. representative, district attorney and other state and regional offices. ID is optional but speeds up the process Several councilors pressed Menconi on how poll workers requested IDs, including City Councilor Barry Sanders. "When a poll worker leads with, 'Do you have an ID,' it implies there's an expectation that they have to produce the ID," said Sanders. State law allows for poll workers to ask for ID, but only in narrow circumstances: For first-time voters in federal elections and for voters listed as inactive. Story continues "When you have a paper list, it's thumbing through each page," Menconi explained. "When you have the poll pad you type the name and it pops up. It's an easier check-in." City Councilor David Pottier, the board's longest-serving member and a member of the Republican City Committee, said Monday that a vibrant democracy depends on eligible people voting. "With the new systems, I know I'm going to be asked [for an ID], so I present it willingly," Pottier said at last week's council meeting. "I understand I don't have to, but it speeds the process." 'People were being pretty much forced to show their license' City Councilor Estele Borges, chair of the Democratic City Committee, said the committee has had a lot of conversation around how poll workers requested IDs. "The past election, people were being pretty much forced to show their license," she said Friday. Menconi, in her remarks to council, said better signage and continued poll worker training would address the ID issue. Kathryn Cunningham, who has for decades been active in the Democratic City Committee, said elections must be administered transparently. "Don't make it harder for people to vote," Cunningham said in public comments at last week's City Council meeting. "If you're an active voter, no one should be asking you for an ID." Cunningham also spoke in favor of continued in-person early voting. That option won't be available for the March 5 B-P referendum, and the state has not announced whether it will be required for the September preliminary. Menconi said she expected the state would require in-person early voting for the November election. Should in-person early voting be continued? There are costs associated with in-person early voting, including overtime for election workers and police details. Menconi didn't cite an exact figure, saying it would depend on whether one week or two weeks of in-person early voting might be offered. For the upcoming school construction referendum, polls will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. Absentee ballots will be available for those who qualify, Menconi said in a letter to councilors. However, early voting in person and "no excuse" vote by mail will not be offered. The deadline for residents to request an absentee ballot by mail is Tuesday, March 1. Such requests can be made until noon on Friday, March 4 in person at the Election Department office. City elections 'come a long way' Another longtime observer and participant in Taunton elections, Jody Fiore, said that recent frustrations with new technology aside, that major improvements have taken place since the city hand-counted paper ballots and wards varied significantly by size. "I think things have come a long way over the years," said Fiore, a current School Committee member and former chairman of the Republican City Committee. Borges said that overall it's been a good thing for the city that election administration was taken off the plate of the city clerk. "It was too much work for the city clerk to do all that," Borges said Friday. "We really needed somebody. It's something that was talked about for a very long time. You need to have someone who that's all they do." Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@tauntongazette.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Taunton Daily Gazette. This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton elections: Council asks about voter ID process Taylor Swift has hit back at Blur and Gorillaz star Damon Albarn after he claimed that she doesnt write her own songs. Albarn made the comments in a recent interview while talking about artists relying on sound and attitude. When the LA Times interviewer mentioned Swift as an example of someone who doesnt rely on these things, calling her an excellent songwriter, Albarn replied, She doesnt write her own songs. Journalist Mikael Wood replied: Of course she does. Co-writes some of them. To which Albarn responded: That doesnt count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing. Im not hating on anybody, Im just saying theres a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes. Doesnt mean that the outcome cant be really great. And some of the greatest singers I mean, Ella Fitzgerald never wrote a song in her life. When I sing, I have to close my eyes and just be in there. I suppose Im a traditionalist in that sense. A really interesting songwriter is Billie Eilish and her brother. Im more attracted to that than to Taylor Swift. Its just darker less endlessly upbeat. Way more minor and odd. I think shes exceptional. Responding to the interview on Twitter, Swift who is officially credited with writing or co-writing all of her music posted: @DamonAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You dont have to like my songs but its really f***ed up to try and discredit my writing. WOW. @DamonAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You dont have to like my songs but its really fucked up to try and discredit my writing. WOW. https://t.co/t6GyXBU2Jd Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 24, 2022 In a comment on the post, the singer added: PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering. Swift is widely recognised and highly acclaimed for her songwriting, which is often deeply confessional. Awarding her with the Songwriter Icon Award in 2021, the National Music Publishers Association remarked that no one is more influential when it comes to writing music today than Swift, while The Week described her as the foremost female songwriter of modern times. Taylor Swift is hitting back at claims she doesnt write her own music. The chart-topping pop star has taken umbrage at British rocker Damon Albarn for discounting her artistic contribution in a recent interview. The Blur frontman made the claim about the Shake It Off singer during a recent profile in the Los Angeles Times after the interviewer called Swift was an excellent songwriter, who doesnt rely on sounds and attitude. He begged to differ, saying that she doesnt write her owns songs. Pop music critic Mikael Wood countered and clarified: Of course she does. Co-writes some of them. That doesnt count, Albarn responded. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing. Im not hating on anybody, Im just saying theres a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes. Doesnt mean that the outcome cant be really great. When Swift who is credited with writing or co-writing all of her music got wind of the chatter, she took to social media on Monday afternoon to blast the ex-Gorillaz leader. I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this, she wrote on Twitter. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You dont have to like my songs but its really f---ed up to try and discredit my writing. WOW. In a comment on the post, the 11-time Grammy winner sarcastically added: PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering. Swift had not posted on Twitter since late last year. Elsewhere in the LA Times article, the 53-year celebrated musician called Billie Eilish and her bother, Finneas, as really interesting and said he refuses to watch 17 hours of the Beatles rehearsing referring to Peter Jacksons recent Disney+ documentary on the groundbreaking rock & roll group. Cheyenne Floyd, Zach Davis Cheyenne Floyd/Instagram Cheyenne Floyd's fiance, Zach Davis, had a brush with the law upon returning from their recent Mexico vacation. According to a report by TMZ, the 29-year-old Teen Mom OG star's future spouse was taken into police custody at Los Angeles International Airport earlier this month. The arrest was prompted after a customs agent discovered that Davis, 31, had outstanding warrants against him. Davis had violated his probation for past theft and DUI offenses. He was briefly held before being released. An airport police officer confirmed to PEOPLE that Davis was arrested on Jan. 3. PEOPLE has reached out to Floyd's rep and MTV for comment. RELATED: Teen Mom's Cheyenne Floyd Calls Co-Parenting with Ex Cory Wharton a 'Never-Ending Rollercoaster' Floyd and Davis previously shared several photos on Instagram from their family's Mexico getaway. Upon returning on the day of Davis' Jan. 3 arrest, Floyd said she was "having vacation withdrawals." "Also feeling like after a trip with 3 kids we need a vacation, after the vacation lol (adult only) ," she wrote alongside more photos from the trip. "Hope everyone is having a great start to their New Years! ." Her romance with Davis first surfaced on Teen Mom in 2018. The pair had been broken up for nearly two years before reconciling in October 2020. "We reconnected through Instagram. Zach slid back into my DMs and then I fell back in love through him bringing me food," Floyd told In Touch in January 2021 of their reconciliation. "It was so bad. It was way too easy, but I couldn't resist." 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. Cheyenne Floyd Zach Davis Cheyenne Floyd/Instagram Floyd and Davis then announced that December that they were expecting their first child together. They welcomed their son, Ace, last May. (Floyd shares 4-year-old daughter Ryder with ex-boyfriend Cory Wharton.) Recently, Floyd posted a sweet tribute on Instagram to celebrate Davis' 31st birthday. "Happy Birthday baby @z.terrel," she captioned a carousel of photos featuring Davis sleeping with their son. "Chapter 31 is going to be one to remember! I love you." On Jan. 15, Malik Faisal Akram entered a synagogue during Shabbat Services and took the rabbi and three congregants hostage. Yet, the initial reaction of the FBI was that this was not specifically related to the Jewish community. The FBI has revised this position to acknowledge that this was explicitly a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted. But how is it possible that the FBI did not immediately recognize this as an antisemitic attack? Their data shows that 60% of religious hate crimes are directed against Jews, who are only 2% of the U.S. population. Tara Laxer The FBI narrowly focused on the gunmans demand that a terrorist, Siddiqui, who had been incarcerated for the attempted killing of American soldiers and plotting to blow up the Statue of Liberty be released, rather than on the reason Akram selected a synagogue for his attack. The gunman believed the widespread conspiracy theory that Jews control the world, the media, the government and everything else. Fortunately, the hostages escaped but the incident shows how deadly conspiracy theories can be. And, unfortunately, these lies have spread throughout history and on all sides of the political spectrum from Ancient Greece to Nazi Germany to Soviet Communism. More: Rise in antisemitism is an American problem | Commentary Over the past several years we have seen antisemitism grow significantly in this country, coming from the left, right, extremists, theology, and it has mainstreamed in pop culture and throughout social media. It can be seen from some on the right in the chants of Jews will not replace us and supporters proudly displaying Auschwitz T-shirts as they stormed the capitol building. We see it in caricatures of George Soros with a large nose on campaign materials. It is used to compare Dr. Fauci to Nazi doctors who performed experiments in concentration camps. On the left, some have taken over progressive spaces and social media to repeat the lies of, It is all about the Benjamins or the calumny that Jews in America have dual loyalties or even comparing Israel to Nazi Germany or politicians in this country to Hitler. Story continues Some repeat antisemitic theology from the 60s Louis Farrakhan, who blames all the ills of the world on the Jews or calls them termites. Or, the Islamist extremists who misrepresent Zionism, which is merely the support for the continued existence of the Jewish state of Israel, as a form of racism. This flood of hate, coming from every direction has had a dramatic impact on the rise of antisemitism nationwide and globally. Every law enforcement officer, every educator, every elected leader and everyone in the media needs to read the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which has been adopted by the European Parliament, the U.S State Department, over 500 other entities, including three dozen countries and Florida. Left, right and anywhere in between, the echoes and origin of antisemitism need to be explained, named (not just when it comes from your opposition) and contained to not stain another generation. Despite all of this, there is still hope because for now the majority of communities reject the hate. The effort for change is not generational and together we must ensure that Never Again is an action not simply hope. Tara Laxer, of Boca Raton, founded the new interactive educational non-profit, a boot camp to teach a generation of about antisemitism. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Texas temple terror shows need for vigilance against antisemitism BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's narcotics board on Tuesday said it would remove cannabis from its drugs list, paving the way for households to grow the plant. Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise marijuana https://reut.rs/32vKNRz in 2018 for medical use and research. Under the new rule, people can grow cannabis plants at home after notifying their local government, but the cannabis cannot be used for commercial purposes without further licenses, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters. The rule must be published in the official Royal Gazette and 120 days must pass before home cannabis plants will become legal. Meanwhile, the health ministry will this week present to parliament a separate draft bill which provides details on the legal use of cannabis, including its production and commercial use, including guidelines on recreational use. Homegrown cannabis should be used for medical purposes like traditional medicine, food and drug regulator chief, Paisal Dankhum has said previously and that there would be random inspections. The draft bill punishes growth of cannabis without notifying the government with a fine of up to 20,000 baht ($605.33) and prescribes a fine of up to 300,000 baht or three years in jail, or both, for selling it without a license. The move is the latest step in Thailand's plan to promote cannabis as a cash crop. About a third of its labour force works in agriculture, according to the World Bank. Thai drinks and cosmetics companies last year rushed to launch products https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-cannabis-idUSKBN2B40K4 with hemp and CBD, a compound that does not give users a high, after their use was approved for consumer goods. ($1 = 33.0400 baht) (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Martin Petty) Tiffany Haddish has addressed her run-in with the law that happened earlier this month. Appearing via video chat on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday night, the actress, 42, briefly told host Jimmy Fallon about the moment she was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Georgia early in the morning of Jan. 14. When asked by Fallon, 47, if she would like to discuss the incident, Haddish who split from Common in November after a year of dating jokingly replied: "I can say this, Jimmy... I've been praying to God to send me a new man. A good man. And God went ahead and sent me four... in uniform." RELATED: Tiffany Haddish Arrested on Suspicion of DUI in Georgia After the laughter died down, Haddish continued, saying, "And now I got a really great lawyer, and we're going to work it out. I've got to get my asking of things to God a little better!" For more on Tiffany Haddish, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day. Fallon replied, "Yeah, you've got to be a little clearer!" Tiffany Haddish Emma McIntyre/Getty PEOPLE confirmed the Girls Trip star was arrested by Peachtree City police officers earlier this month for a suspected DUI and improper stopping on a roadway. According to police, officers received a 911 call around 2:30 a.m. about a driver who had allegedly fallen asleep at the wheel on Highway 74. While en route, officers located a car that matched the description from the 911 call and conducted a traffic stop. RELATED VIDEO: Tiffany Haddish Wants Wesley Snipes to Return Her Phone Calls "Subsequent investigation led to Ms. Tiffany Haddish being arrested for Driving Under the Influence," police told PEOPLE. "She was transported to the Fayette County Jail without incident." Haddish's arrest followed a difficult few weeks for the actress that included four deaths in her personal life: her grandmother (who raised her), her pet dog, and close friends Bob Saget and Carl Craig. Story continues RELATED: Tiffany Haddish Shares Update on Her Plans to Adopt: 'Maybe at the End of the Year' She discussed the deaths of both Saget as well as her grandmother while talking to Fallon on Monday. "[Saget] was like a big mentor to me, a big brother, a father figure. He meant a lot to me," Haddish said. "Funny man. He was the first white man to ever tell me, 'Just be yourself, just be who you are, Tiffany. Don't worry about nothing. Just be you.' That was huge for me." "And then, my grandma passed away, and she saved my life," the comedian continued. "That's my heart. She was like my soulmate. So that's been... really hard to process, all this... Grief." 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. When Fallon suggested that these painful experiences could serve as inspiration for future projects, Haddish agreed. "I'm definitely making something out of it. My next special is going to be about grief. And it's going to be hilarious," she said, adding that it would help her "figure out how to process it all." "Kids get to cry whenever they want to, wherever they want to. As an adult you can't do that," she noted. "You can't just cry at work like that, they send you home! I need my money!" You are here: World Flash The ruling party of Burkina Faso, People's Movement for Progress (PMP), said in a statement on Monday that it was a "failed assassination attempt" on President Roch Kabore. According to the statement, "simple mutiny initiated by some elements of the army on January 23, 2022 is moving hour by hour towards a military coup against our dearly won democracy." It also said it was a "failed assassination attempt" on democratically elected President Kabore. PMP also listed several facts like "surrounding of the Kosyam palace by a group of heavily armed and hooded men" and "occupation of national radio and television." Emma Raducanu tried to fight through the pain (Andy Brownbill/AP) (AP) Tim Henman has backed Emma Raducanu to win many more big titles and claims she has reasons to be positive despite a second-round exit at the 2022 Australian Open. Raducanu, playing just her third Grand Slam after winning on the US Open last year, lost in the second round to Danka KoviniA at Melbourne Park. But the 19-year-old has been praised by the former British No1 for her work ethic and attitude. Its been a pretty challenging start to the year for Raducanu, Henman told Eurosport. But I loved her competitive spirit. I thought she did absolutely brilliantly to come through the match against Stephens, and Im sure that would have given her a big boost of confidence just to get that match under her belt, but then she had another spanner in the works with blisters on her hands [against Kovinic]. So its been hard, but I love her attitude. I love her work ethic. There are going to be lots of opportunities ahead for Raducanu. I think its a similar conversation with a lot of young players like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. We need to be patient. Emma is the least experienced of all these players, shes barely played a handful of professional tournaments and is only in her third Grand Slam. Yes, shes already won one, but she certainly needs time to develop and learn her trade and improve all aspects of a game and if she does that, then sure shes going to win many more big titles in the future. Raducanu will now work on her fitness in the coming weeks with the prospect of playing tournaments in the Middle East before switching attention to WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami in March. A posted policy at Tio Taco + Tequila in Edison that said employees had to get five positive Google reviews per month to keep their jobs made its way through the internet over the weekend, resulting in thousands of one-star reviews for the restaurant from people all over the world. But according to Andrea Bonfiglio, chief marketing officer of Triple T Hospitality Group, which owns the restaurant, the policy simply isn't real. "We did not institute this policy," she said. "It's an insane policy." A posted policy at Tio Taco + Tequila that turned out to be unapproved. According to Bonfiglio, a "rogue" general manager "took it upon himself" to type up the policy without Triple T Hospitality Group approval and post it for the restaurant's 75 employees to see on Friday. One of those employees saw the posting, took a photo of it, shared it to Reddit, and then quit at the end of her shift before owners were aware of the policy. The Reddit post has 1,600 comments. The posted policy was removed one hour later once restaurant group directors were made aware of it. Current management spoke with employees and let them know the policy is not real. The general manager and assistant manager, who admitted to instituting the policy, were fired Saturday. They knew they made a mistake and were apologetic, Bonfiglio said. Fare from Tio Taco + Tequila in Edison. Conversely, the restaurant often rewards employees with positive Google reviews by letting them choose a shift or section, or giving them a sweatshirt, Bonfiglio said. But there has never been a policy where they had to or were asked to. "We reward people who go above and beyond, but we would never be like, 'You better get these,' " she said. On the screen: 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' is going back to the Skylark Diner in Edison However, the damage has been done to Tio Taco + Tequila, which has locations in Edison, Marlboro and Clifton, and Tommy's Tavern + Tap, which has locations in Bridgewater, Princeton, Clifton, Morris Plains, Freehold, Sea Bright and Staten Island. The restaurant group is owned by Tommy Bonfiglio, Andrea's father, and employs 1,100 people. Story continues The Reddit thread resulted in "thousands" of one-star Google reviews for the restaurant from people around the world who had never visited, Andrea Bonfiglio said. Google has already removed some of them. Inside Tio Taco + Tequila in Edison. Google referred to the commenters as a "cyber mob," she said. Some of them told her she should commit suicide. RIP: Co-owner of Antonio's Brick Oven Pizza in Metuchen with 'gift of gab' dies of COVID-19 "People are people and you cant watch them 24/7," Bonfiglio said. "This one bad egg caused such chaos. We love our employees and our employees are like family. The thought of us doing this is ridiculous." Jenna Intersimone. Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA Today Network New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Contact: JIntersimone@Gannett.com or @JIntersimone. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ restaurant chain owner says 5-star review policy for servers untrue Isaac Kalua and Lehua Kalua have been charged with second-degree murder. Honolulu Police Department The murder trial for the adoptive parents of a 6-year-old girl in Honolulu has been delayed to May. Prosecutors have accused Isaac and Lehua Kalua of killing their daughter Isabella "Ariel" Kalua. The couple, who've been charged with second-degree murder, could face life sentences if convicted. The murder trial for the adoptive parents of a 6-year-old girl in Honolulu has been pushed back four months, to May, because of COVID-19, according to court documents. Isaac and Lehua Kalua face nine charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, in connection with the death of Isabella "Ariel" Kalua. Prosecutors are seeking life sentences without the possibility of parole if they're convicted. The Kaluas have pleaded not guilty. The trial had been set to start at the end of January but was delayed because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, the documents said. The couple fostered Isabella and three of her siblings for several years before adopting Isabella and two of the siblings on January 26, 2021, a social worker told The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The Kaluas reported Isabella missing on September 13. Authorities in Honolulu have said they believe the girl had been dead for at least a month and have accused Kaluas of covering up her death and hiding evidence. In an affidavit filed in November, an investigator said Isabella's 12-year-old sister told him that Isaac and Lehua Kalua had duct-taped Isabella's mouth and nose and left her in a dog cage, where she died. Prosecutors and relatives said the siblings had been removed from their biological mother's custody because of substance-use and housing issues. Isabella's biological family members are said to be considering a lawsuit against state officials over Isabella's placement with the Kaluas. Records indicate in 2000, Isaac Kalua was convicted of four felony charges of assault, attempted assault, and terroristic threatening, to which he pleaded guilty and served five years of probation. An attorney representing the Kaluas could not be immediately reached for comment. Read the original article on Insider Rep Jim Banks speaks at the Capitol (AFP via Getty Images) A congressman from Indiana was roundly mocked on Twitter after his criticism of President Joe Biden for insulting a reporter hit a bit close to home. Mr Biden was caught on a mic referring to Fox News reporter Peter Doocy a stupid son of a b**** while taking questions from reporters at the White House on Monday; the exchange immediately caught fire on Twitter as liberals applauded the president for lashing out at the combative Mr Doocy, who frequently spars with Mr Bidens press secretary at on-camera briefings. Later that evening, Rep Jim Banks of Indiana fired off a bizarre query on Twitter, asking his followers: Have we ever seen a President attack and malign the free press like Joe Biden has?? The remark was strange for several reasons, the most glaring one being the four-year reign of former President Donald Trump, who frequently attacked the press and members of the press corps personally, both in person at press conferences and through vicious attacks on Twitter. Mr Banks, a close ally of the former president in the House, is no stranger to those attacks. A quick review of his Twitter timeline shows that Mr Banks has used Mr Trumps favoured epithet for the press, fake news, several times in tweets from his congressional account since he took office in 2017. In era of fake news, publishers need to be forthright when they publish fiction, he wrote in one tweet attacking The New York Times in 2019. The Indiana congressman would go on to attack the press again himself just minutes later on Monday with a tweet calling CNNs Brian Stelter not a journalist. Hes a Democrat political activist and isnt even ashamed to show it! wrote the congressman. He was roundly mocked for the remark on Twitter, including by journalists such as MSNBCs Ali Velshi, who summed up what many felt: This is a joke, right? Beyond f****** parody, added Charlie Sykes, founder and editor-at-large of the conservative site The Bulwark. Mr Trump and Mr Bankss comments aside, the Indiana congressman would not even have to look that far back in history to find better examples of presidential administrations having rocky records on press freedoms. During the Obama administration, the Justice Department seized phone records from reporters at the Associated Press and obtained a search warrant for the emails of James Rosen, then the chief Washington correspondent for Fox News. Mr Banks made headlines throughout 2021 as a result of his battles with Democratic leaders in the House over the January 6 committee, to which he was nominated by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy but rejected for membership by Speaker Nancy Pelosi due to his comments about the attack itself. He would later go on to sign letters referring to himself as the ranking Republican on the committee in attempts to obtain information from at least one federal agency about the committees investigation. Chapman University law professor John Eastman, next to US President Donald Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani (REUTERS) Former professor and Trump lawyer John Eastman, who spoke to a crowd of supporters at the Stop the Steal rally on 6 January, has invoked his constitutional protection rights against self-incrimination nearly 150 times, according to reports. Dr Eastman is among a number of those in Trumps circle who have pleaded the Fifth Amendment, after receiving subpoenas relating to the insurrection on 6 January. According to CNN, Dr Eastman refused to answer questions 146 times. Dr Eastman has a more than reasonable fear that any statements he makes pursuant to this subpoena will be used in an attempt to mount a criminal investigation against him, Mr Eastmans lawyer, Charles Burnham, told 6 January committee in a letter on Wednesday. However, a federal judge on Monday ordered Dr Eastman to respond another committee subpoena one sent to his former employer, Chapman University. With his lawyer, Dr Eastman has worked to try and block Chapman University from handing over approximately 19,000 emails to the committee. The new order means the 6 January committee will likely gain access to to the information it needs. Mr Trump has previously said pleading the Fifth Amendment is comparable to mob behaviour. As a political candidate in 2016, he said: "If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?" Around the same time, Hillary Clinton used the defence in regards to her private email server. "The mob takes the Fifth, added Mr Trump. Dr Eastman met Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on 3 January in the lead up to the "Stop the Steal" rally, at which he spoke to a Washington DC crowd of approximately 10,000 people. We know there was fraud, and dead people voted, claimed Dr Eastman of the 2020 presidential election, while next to another former Trump attorney, Rudy Giuliani, who has also recently been subpoenaed. Mr Giuliani called for trial by combat at the rally. He has since denied inciting violence, claiming his remark was in reference to the fictional show Game of Thrones. Mr Giulianis lawyers have said the remark was clearly hyperbolic and not literal. Story continues The 6 January Committee has issued more than 60 subpoenas to seek: Facts about the planning, coordination, and funding of events that preceded the violent attack on our democracy, said Mississippi Representative and Chairman of the Committee Bennie Thompson in a statement. Those who have received subpoenas include Trumps former advisor Stephen Bannon, his former chief of staff Mark Meadows and Trump's son Eric among others. The Capitol was attacked on 6 January after a Trump rally. If you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore, said Mr Trump in a rally speech. Five people lost their lives as a result of the insurrection. The execution table is shown in this image from a video released by the Oklahoma Corrections Department. McALESTER Admitted double murderer Donald Anthony Grant has lost again in court and remains on schedule to be executed Thursday. The execution will be the third in Oklahoma since lethal injections resumed in the state last year. The execution is set to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. A federal appeals court refused Monday to issue a stay. Death penalty opponents plan to demonstrate outside the governor's office at 9 a.m. Thursday. They will begin a silent vigil at 10 a.m. Donald Grant should be confined to a mental institution not prison, said Rev. Don Heath, chair of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver also denied a stay Monday to death row inmate Gilbert Ray Postelle. His execution is set for Feb. 17. More: Oklahoma execution doctor paid $15,000 each time death penalty carried out Grant Both had asked the appeals court to intervene after a federal judge in Oklahoma City refused to block their executions. Their attorneys complain that they will be exposed to an unconstitutional level of pain during the procedure because the first drug, the sedative midazolam, doesn't work. U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot rejected the complaint, concluding that midazolam may be relied upon to render a prisoner insensate to pain quickly. In its order Monday, the appeals court ruled the death row inmates failed to show the district judge abused his discretion in denying their motion for a preliminary injunction. What did Donald Grant do? Grant, 46, was sentenced to death for murdering two workers at a LaQuinta Inn in Del City during a 2001 robbery. He confessed to committing the robbery to bail his girlfriend out of jail. He also admitted he killed manager Brenda McElyea and front desk clerk Suzette Smith so they couldn't identify him. Grant said at a clemency hearing in November he was not in his rightful mind at the time of the murders. "God and the devil ... I feel they works through us," he said. "I let ... that entity talk to me, which is the devil." Story continues The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 4-1 not so send his clemency request on to Gov. Kevin Stitt. That vote means the governor cannot intervene. Defense experts have diagnosed him as schizophrenic but state experts say he is a faker and really just antisocial. What did Gilbert Postelle do? Postelle, 35, was convicted of murdering four people on Memorial Day 2005 outside a trailer in Del City. He was sentenced to death for two of the murders and to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the other two. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma to carry out execution after appeals court ruling A look at the shareholders of West African Resources Limited (ASX:WAF) can tell us which group is most powerful. Large companies usually have institutions as shareholders, and we usually see insiders owning shares in smaller companies. I generally like to see some degree of insider ownership, even if only a little. As Nassim Nicholas Taleb said, 'Dont tell me what you think, tell me what you have in your portfolio. With a market capitalization of AU$1.3b, West African Resources is a decent size, so it is probably on the radar of institutional investors. In the chart below, we can see that institutions own shares in the company. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about West African Resources. View our latest analysis for West African Resources What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About West African Resources? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in West African Resources. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at West African Resources' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in West African Resources. The company's largest shareholder is Van Eck Associates Corporation, with ownership of 13%. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 5.5% and 4.1%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. In addition, we found that Richard Hyde, the CEO has 1.8% of the shares allocated to their name. Story continues Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 50% of the ownership is controlled by the top 13 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There is a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage. Insider Ownership Of West African Resources The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. We can see that insiders own shares in West African Resources Limited. In their own names, insiders own AU$74m worth of stock in the AU$1.3b company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 37% stake in West African Resources. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for West African Resources (1 is a bit concerning) that you should be aware of. If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Flash Zambia on Monday received a fresh batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government. The 400,000 doses of vaccines were received by Li Jie, the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia and Sylvia Masebo, Zambia's Health Minister, during a ceremony held at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the country's capital. Addressing the ceremony, the Chinese envoy said the two governments have agreed that the 1 million vaccines pledged last year will be dispatched in three batches. The Chinese side, he said, was willing to mobilize more resources to help Zambia tackle the COVID-19 pandemic as a demonstration of the cordial relations that have existed between the two countries over the years. The current donation was in addition to another 100,000 doses donated last year, he added. According to him, the two countries have collaborated in the fight against the pandemic since the first case was announced in the southern African nation in March 2020, and thanked Zambia for the support rendered when China recorded its first cases in 2019. The Zambian minister thanked China for the donation, saying this was a mark of the cordial relations that have existed between the two countries. The Zambian minister said the arrival of the vaccines was timely as it comes at a time when the country has started administering booster vaccines as well as the introduction of the vaccines for children aged 12 years and above. The government, the minister said, has targeted to vaccinate about 70 percent of the eligible population by June this year. She said the friendship between the two countries was centered on a people-to-people basis despite a change of governments, adding that the mission of the current government was to continue building on the cordial relations laid by the leaders of the old generation of the two countries. Masebo said the Zambian government was thankful to China for the support rendered over the years in various areas including the health sector and infrastructure development. By Humeyra Pamuk and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is in talks with major energy-producing countries and companies around the world over a potential diversion of supplies to Europe if Russia invades Ukraine, senior Biden administration officials said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters on a call, the officials did not name the specific countries or companies they were in talks with to ensure an uninterrupted energy flow into Europe for the remainder of the winter, but said they included a broad range of suppliers, including sellers of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Reuters reported contingency plans for supplying natural gas to Europe if conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupts Russian supplies, earlier this month that State Department officials were discussing contingency plans with energy companies to ensure stable supplies to Europe if conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupted Russian supplies. "We've been working to identify additional volumes of non- Russian natural gas from various areas of the world; from North Africa and the Middle East to Asia and the United States," a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity. "Correspondingly, we're ... in discussions with major natural gas producers around the globe to understand their capacity and willingness to temporarily surge natural gas output and to allocate these volumes to European buyers," the official said. The White House's plan is complicated by the fact that the world's LNG producers are already churning out as much as they possibly can. Reuters reported https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/exclusive-us-talks-energy-firms-over-eu-gas-supply-case-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-01-15 that the companies contacted told the U.S. government officials that global gas supplies are tight and that there is little available to substitute large volumes from Russia. Russia has massed an estimated 100,000 troops within reach of Ukraine's border, surrounding it from the north, east and south, raising alarm in the West that Moscow is preparing for a new military assault after its invasion of Crimea in 2014. Story continues The Russian government denies that it plans an invasion and Moscow has cited the Western response as evidence that Russia is the target, not the instigator, of aggression. ENERGY CRISIS The European Union depends on Russia for around a third of its gas supplies. Any interruptions to Russia's gas supply to Europe would exacerbate an existing energy crisis caused by a shortage. Record power prices have driven up consumer energy bills as well as business costs and sparked protests in some countries. Russia normally supplies 40 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year to Europe through Ukraine, the senior administration official said, adding that it has already cut those supplies through this route by half. "To ensure Europe is able to make it through the winter and spring, we expect to be prepared to ensure alternative supplies covering a significant majority of the potential shortfall," the official said. The key to ensuring supplies was also about identifying the locations where the shortfall would be, the official said. "The story of Europe is making sure that you have the access to the right locations in Europe that would be most affected by Russian cut-off of supplies and where storage is lower than other places in Europe." (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Steve Holland; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Bernadette Baum and Paul Simao) UPPER EAST SIDE, NY A company running pop-up COVID-19 testing sites on the Upper East Side has falsely promised next-day results, then returned long-delayed results with incorrect information, according to a local lawmaker. In recent weeks, complaints have poured into Coucilmember Julie Menin's office about PacGenomics: a California-based company that has opened testing tents on street corners around the neighborhood. Though the tents promise same-day results for "rush" samples and next-day results for "routine" tests, results have in fact taken far longer to arrive. One constituent who visited a PacGenomics tent on the corner of East 72nd Street and Second Avenue on Dec. 31 has yet to receive any results nearly a month later, Menin said. "Failure to provide timely results, and in fact failure to provide any results - which is what we have heard from several constituents - is certainly contrary to pressing public health needs," Menin said in a letter sent last week to PacGenomics, pressing the company to stop its "deceptive marketing and advertising claims." Meanwhile, some residents who have gotten results say the documents have included incorrect details. A person tested on Dec. 1 later received a positive test result claiming they had been tested on Dec. 4 leading them to suspect that their test had been confused with someone else's. "I've been negative on 4 rapid tests since getting my lab results," the person wrote in a complaint shared by Menin's office. "Something here doesn't add up, and pooled testing would explain it. I called and emailed their offices, and have not gotten any kind of response." Other sites run by the company have popped up on the corner of East 70th Street and First Avenue, and East 68th Street and Third Avenue, among others. PacGenomics has not responded to Menin's letter, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Patch. Its CEO told the Daily News that the company has operated "10 or 12" pop-up sites in the city since December, shipping samples to California for processing making the supposed 24-hour turnaround impossible. Story continues Menin also questioned the company for its practice of collecting personal and health insurance information from customers. A former commissioner of the city's Consumer Affairs department, Menin said she takes such complaints "especially seriously. "We must instill some accountability in this field, and not allow those seeking diagnostic testing to be misled or worse," Menin said in a statement. As New Yorkers flood COVID testing sites during the omicron wave, other companies have come under scrutiny for misleading claims. Several companies with Manhattan locations, including ClearMD, Labworq and LabQ , have been warned by Attorney General Letitia James about misrepresenting turnaround times. This article originally appeared on the Upper East Side Patch KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine's leaders sought Tuesday to reassure the nation that an invasion from neighboring Russia was not imminent, even as they acknowledged the threat is real and received a shipment of U.S. military equipment to shore up their defenses. Moscow has denied it is planning an assault, but it has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine in recent weeks and is holding military drills at multiple locations in Russia. That has led the United States and its NATO allies to rush to prepare for a possible war. U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to build forces along Ukraines border, and an attack would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world. Several rounds of high stakes diplomacy have failed to yield any breakthroughs, and tensions escalated further this week. NATO said it was bolstering its deterrence in the Baltic Sea region, and the U.S. ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert for potential deployment to Europe as part of an alliance response force" if necessary. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said he is prepared to send troops to protect NATO allies in Europe. We have no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine, Biden said, adding that there would be serious economic consequences for Putin, including personal sanctions, in the event of an invasion. In a show of European unity in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron called for an easing of the crisis. Scholz said he wanted clear steps from Russia that will contribute to a de-escalation of the situation. Macron, who said he would talk to Putin by phone Friday, added: If there is aggression, there will be retaliation and the cost will be very high. The U.S. and its allies have threatened sanctions like never before if Moscow sends its military into Ukraine, but they have given few details, saying its best to keep Putin guessing. Story continues The U.S. State Department has ordered the families of all American personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave the country, and it said that nonessential embassy staff could leave. Britain said it, too, was withdrawing some diplomats and dependents from its embassy, and families of Canadian diplomatic staff also have been told to leave. Ukrainian authorities, however, have sought to project calm. Speaking in the second televised speech to the nation in as many days, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians not to panic. "We are strong enough to keep everything under control and derail any attempts at destabilization, he said. The decision by the U.S., Britain, Australia, Germany and Canada to withdraw some of their diplomats and dependents from Kyiv doesn't necessarily signal an inevitable escalation and is part of a complex diplomatic game, he said. We are working together with our partners as a single team." Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told parliament that as of today, there are no grounds to believe Russia will invade imminently, noting that its troops have not formed what he called a battle group to force its way over the border. Don't worry, sleep well, he said. No need to have your bags packed. In an interview late Monday, however, he acknowledged risky scenarios" are possible. Russia has said Western accusations it is planning an attack are merely a cover for NATOs own planned provocations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov again accused the U.S. of fomenting tensions around Ukraine, a former Soviet state that has been in a conflict with Russia for almost eight years. Moscow has rejected Western demands to pull its troops back from areas near Ukraine, saying it will deploy and train them wherever necessary on its territory as a response to what it called hostile moves by the U.S. and its allies. Thousands of troops from Russia's Southern and Western Military Districts took part Tuesday in readiness drills in those regions in maneuvers involving Iskander missiles and dozens of warplanes. In 2014, following the ouster of a Kremlin-friendly president in Kyiv, Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the country's eastern industrial heartland. Fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels has killed over 14,000 people, and efforts to reach a settlement have stalled. In the latest standoff, Russia wants guarantees from the West that NATO will never admit Ukraine as a member and that the alliance would curtail other actions, such as stationing troops in former Soviet bloc countries. Some of these, like the membership pledge, are nonstarters for NATO, creating a seemingly intractable stalemate that many fear can only end in a war. Moscow has accused Ukraine of massing troops near rebel-controlled regions to retake them by force accusations Kyiv has rejected. Analysts say Ukraine's leaders are caught between trying to calm the nation and ensuring it gets sufficient assistance from the West in case of an invasion. The Kremlins plans include undermining the situation inside Ukraine, fomenting hysteria and fear among Ukrainians, and the authorities in Kyiv find it increasingly difficult to contain this snowball, said political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. Kyiv resident Andrey Chekonovsky said Ukrainians have been living with the threat of a Russian attack for eight years, "and I think that the fact that we are worried now is connected with diplomatic games. The crisis didn't stop a large group of people from rallying outside parliament, demanding changes to the country's tax regulations and even clashing with police at one point. Other Ukrainians are watching warily. Of course we fear Russias aggression and a war, which will lead to the further impoverishment of Ukrainians. But we will be forced to fight and defend ourselves, said Dmytro Ugol, a 46-year-old construction worker in Kyiv. I am prepared to fight, but my entire family doesnt want it and lives in tension. Every day, the news scares us more and more. Putting U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for Europe on Monday suggested diminishing hope in the West that Putin will back away. The Pentagon said Tuesday it is still identifying the roughly 8,500 U.S. troops being placed on higher alert for possible deployment to Europe, and said that more could be tapped if needed. The U.S. is still in active consultation with allies about the capabilities they might need, said press secretary John Kirby. As part of a new $200 million in security assistance directed to Ukraine from the United States, a shipment including equipment and munitions arrived Tuesday in Ukraine, according to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar. If Russia invades, we will provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians, above and beyond what we have already sent, U.S. Charge dAffaires in Ukraine Kristina Kvien said at the airport. And let me underscore that Russian soldiers sent to Ukraine at the behest of the Kremlin will face fierce resistance. The losses to Russia will be heavy, Kvien said. The U.S. moves are being coordinated with other NATO members to bolster a defensive presence in Eastern Europe. Denmark is sending a frigate and F-16 warplanes to Lithuania; Spain is sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces, and France stands ready to send troops to Romania. Bidens national security team has been working with several European nations, the European Commission, and global suppliers on contingency plans if Russia cuts off energy, according to two senior administration officials who briefed reporters about efforts to mitigate spillover effects from potential military action. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the deliberations. If needed, Europe would look to natural gas supplies in North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the U.S. The effort would require rather smaller volumes from a multitude of sources to make up for a Russian cutoff, according to one official. - Ellen Knickmeyer, Lolita Baldor and Aamer Madhani in Washington, Dasha Litvinova and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Barbara Surk in Nice, France, and Sylvia Hui in London contributed. Russian and Belarusian troops take part in the Zapad-2021 military exercise in Brest region in Belarus on September 14, 2021. Getty Images The US will not send troops to defend Ukraine if Russia invades, according to experts and ex-diplomats. Biden has said the US is not obligated to defend Ukraine because it's not a NATO member. Experts said there is a low but real risk the US could be dragged into conflict with a revanchist Russia. Russia is banging the war drum on Ukraine's doorstep, as tens of thousands of Russian troops mass along the border raise alarms across the Western world. Europe hasn't faced a crisis on this scale since the days of the Cold War. Amid rising tensions, the US, in coordination with its allies, has placed 8,500 troops on heightened alert for a potential deployment to eastern Europe, and NATO has sent additional ships and fighter jets to the region as members of the alliance send Ukraine military assistance including lethal aid. But in the event Russian President Vladimir Putin gives the order for an invasion of Ukraine, the US and its NATO allies are unlikely to deploy troops in its defense, former US diplomats and experts say. Any US troop deployments would be to NATO countries in the region not Ukraine and they'd be sent as a deterrent, meaning they are meant to make Putin think twice about expanding any territorial conquest beyond Ukraine. "I don't think there is an escalation scenario that leads us to a direct confrontation between the US and Russia in Ukraine," Ivo Daalder, the former US ambassador to NATO, told Insider. "Anything is possible, of course," he said. "But clearly the intent of the Biden administration and of NATO is not to be military involved directly in a conflict inside Ukraine. ... There's a pretty big line drawn on direct military engagement of US troops or NATO troops." Still, there is a limited risk that the US could be dragged into the conflict at some point, according to some experts Insider spoke to. A big move by Putin may signal a new era, as their thinking goes, of elevated tensions between Russia and the West, potentially sparking new conflicts. There are also concerns Russian aggression may prompt US responses like sanctions that are so drastic they back Putin in a corner, raising the prospect he may try to broaden his effort. Story continues Daalder said the deployment of US troops to Eastern Europe would be "designed to send the signal to both our allies and the Russians that whatever you're contemplating with Ukraine don't think that means you could do the same with regard to any NATO country." Russia has roughly 100,000 troops on Ukraine's border. Comparatively, if the US were to send the far more modest force of 8,500 troops to the region, it would clearly not be meant to provide an offensive capability, Daalder said. "I do not see US and NATO troops taking military action against Russia should Russia launch an attack on Ukraine," Steven Pifer, the US ambassador to Ukraine from 1998 to 2000, told Insider. "President Biden and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, among others, have ruled that out. But you would see a greater flow of military assistance to Ukraine to help the Ukrainians defend themselves." 'While NATO will not intervene in Ukraine, it will defend NATO members' US soldiers with NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland keep watch on targets during a live-fire exercise with Romanian troops, February 2, 2021. US Army/Staff Sgt. Elizabeth O. Bryson The US has provided Ukraine with billions in military assistance since 2014, when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea including $650 million in the past year alone. The Kremlin since 2014 has supported rebels against Ukrainian forces in a war that's estimated to have killed over 13,000 and displaced 1.5 million. Ukraine over that period has received Javelin anti-tank missiles, small arms and ammunition, and patrol boats from the US, among other forms of assistance. Though Washington maintains strong ties with Kyiv, President Joe Biden in December said that the US is not obligated to defend Ukraine if Russia invades given the country is not a NATO member. "The idea the US will unilaterally use force to confront Russia invading Ukraine is not in the cards right now," Biden told reporters at the time. "We have a moral obligation and a legal obligation to our NATO allies under Article 5. It's a sacred obligation. That obligation does not extend to ... Ukraine." Article 5 of NATO's charter says that an attack on one member of the alliance is an attack on all. But it's only been invoked once in NATO's history, following the 9/11 terror attacks in the US. Ukraine has sought to join NATO for years and has a robust partnership with the alliance. NATO's expanding influence in Ukraine is among the myriad factors driving Russia's aggressive posture toward its next door neighbor. Pifer said it's a "sensible move" for the US and NATO to increase their footprint in Eastern Europe, underscoring that Russia recently moved troops into Belarus, a Russian ally allowing for an "additional corridor of attack against Ukraine" while increasing "Russian military forces near to Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia." All three Baltic countries are NATO members. "Bolstering forces on NATO's eastern flank would assure nervous allies of NATO's commitment to their defense and remind Moscow that, while NATO will not intervene in Ukraine, it will defend NATO members," Pifer added. 'We're entering into a time when conflicts are probably going to appear more often' Russian President Vladimir Putin at a ceremonial event. MIKHAIL METZEL/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images The idea that US troops "will be sent to Ukraine to defend that country against a Russian attack is very clearly off the table," Andrew Lohsen, a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Insider. "American support for Ukraine post-invasion would almost certainly involve providing lethal military assistance. It would be really hard to imagine completely severing ties with Ukraine at a time when they're paying the price for pursuing their dream of Western integration," Lohsen added. It would hurt US credibility if it pulled back support for Ukraine, Lohsen said, while endorsing sending troops to Eastern Europe as a logical step. But even though the US and its allies are unlikely to go to war on Ukraine's behalf, an invasion could still trigger "an era of more open confrontation" between Russia and NATO, Lohsen added. "We are entering into a time when conflicts are probably going to appear more often or could be more deadly because we no longer have agreed rules of what is acceptable behavior," Lohsen said. "This brings us back to an era of expansionist conflicts and basically rewinds the clock." The US has pushed for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, but it's failed to produce any major breakthroughs so far. The Kremlin says it has no plans to invade, but the White House continues to warn that Russian action against Ukraine could be imminent. Meanwhile, Russia has made demands for binding security guarantees, including barring Ukraine from ever joining NATO, that the US and the alliance have repeatedly dismissed as non-starters. The Biden administration has warned Moscow it would face economic consequences on a scale not yet seen if Russia invades. Jeffrey Edmonds, a former Central Intelligence Agency analyst who's now a Russia expert at CNA, told Insider that he's concerned about a worst case scenario in which the US and its allies respond to a Russian invasion with severe consequences and it creates a level of instability within Russia that would see Moscow "broaden the conflict in order to get us to back down." "Because then it really has become a conflict between the US and Russia in which Russia thinks we're trying to overthrow the regime," Edmonds added. "There's no holds barred in that kind of conflict." Read the original article on Business Insider VATICAN CITY (AP) The lone cardinal indicted in the Vaticans big fraud and embezzlement trial has issued a formal protest to the court claiming the popes prosecutors had offended his dignity by suggesting he was having sex with a co-defendant. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a onetime high-ranking official in the Vatican secretary of state, is the only defendant who has attended all hearings of the trial. But Becciu stayed home on Tuesday and wrote a letter to the court saying he didnt want to be present while his lawyers raised objections to the contents of a 2020 interrogation by prosecutors about his relationship with co-defendant Cecilia Marogna. The objection was the latest made by the defense about the behavior of the popes prosecutors during their investigation, which began in 2019 over the Vaticans 350 million euro investment in a London real estate deal. The probe has grown to include Beccius donations of Vatican money to a charity run by his brother and his payments of Vatican money to Marogna, whom he had hired as an external security consultant to help negotiate the release of Catholic missionary hostages in Africa. Both Becciu and Marogna have denied wrongdoing or any improper relationship. The Vatican tribunal president threw out the prosecutors indictments against four other suspects because they made procedural errors, though on Tuesday the four were re-indicted. The tribunal has also repeatedly ordered prosecutors to hand over all evidence after defense attorneys complained they couldnt properly defend their clients without it. Six months into the trial, prosecutors have still held onto some evidence, turning over edited portions of videotaped interrogations and a fraction of the emails, text messages and other informational evidence that they had seized. On Tuesday, tribunal president Giuseppe Pignatone gave prosecutors one more deadline to make the forensic copies available to the defense by Monday, after Beccius lawyers said they had received only 16 of 255 pieces of evidence seized. Story continues Beccius lawyers also raised an objection to the behavior of prosecutors during a November 2020 interrogation of their prime suspect turned star witness, Monsignor Alberto Perlasca, a longtime Becciu deputy. During the session, prosecutor Alessandro Diddi pressed Perlasca about whether Becciu was having intimate relations with Marogna. According to a transcript, Perlasca denied anything untoward. But Diddi persisted, noting that a famous Italian television comedian had done a skit suggesting that Marogna was Becciu's lover, and wondering why Becciu hadnt sued him if it were false. According to Beccius lawyers, Diddis line of questioning violated the Vaticans procedural code, which forbids interrogating witnesses about the morality of others. Diddi, for his part, defended his behavior. I am tranquil about the work we have done," he told the court. Pignatone set the next trial date for Feb. 18, at which point the newly re-indicted suspects would re-join the trial and the court would consider the defense objections raised to date. You are here: World Flash Six people were killed and ten others wounded in an explosion on Monday in a local restaurant in the southern part of Somalia, local security officials said. The security officers told state-owned Somalia national television that the explosion occurred at a tea shop in Qalimow town in Middle Shabelle region, about 35 km north of the capital, Mogadishu. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks in Somalia but al-Shabab militants frequently stage such attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere. The militants have intensified attacks in Somalia despite government forces having made intensive operations against the group in central and southern regions in recent months in an attempt to flush out al-Shabab cells. Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia. AP Photo/Steve Helber, File Gov. Glenn Youngkin told citizens opposed to school mask mandates to "love your neighbor." Youngkin made the statement during an interview where he discussed school boards defying his mask order. Opponents of Youngkin's order have argued that they are prioritizing the health of their students. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday told anti-mask parents who are upset that their children's schools are defying his ban on mask mandates to "love your neighbor" but also said the tide was turning against "left liberals." During an interview with conservative radio host John Fredericks, the newly-inaugurated Republican executive said that parents who were dismayed by challenges to his statewide order should remain composed and allow the legal process to play out within the judicial system. "This is one of these moments where I know people might want to do some things that might want to make a strong statement just love your neighbor," Youngkin said, adding that he would take "aggressive" action in the courts. He continued: "I am not going to stop fighting for the rights of parents to make these decisions for their kids. ... And it may not be exactly what you want to hear today but keep your kid in school that's really important. And the legal process will sort this out because parents have this fundamental right in Virginia." Youngkin then said the push for mask mandates was losing steam and called out teachers' unions for their role in opposing his executive order. "I think that many, many, many school systems absolutely wanted to stand up for parents, but again, there was this constant drumbeat from the education unions that consistently tried to work against parents' rights," he argued. He added: "Let's be real. Virginia was only one of 16 states that had a statewide mask requirement, and this whole sentiment is moving against the teachers, the teachers' unions and teachers associations, and the left liberals." Story continues Last week, a parent in Page County, Virginia, who firmly opposed COVID-19 mask mandates for students threatened to bring "every single gun loaded" while speaking during a local school board meeting. She was ultimately charged with making a threat while on school property and was released on a $5,000 bond. Youngkin who on his first day in office also signed an executive order banning the teaching of critical race theory, an academic concept rarely taught in pre-university education said he was creating a hotline for parents to report their children's teachers for "behaving objectionably." "We're going to get these inherently divisive teaching practices out of the classroom," the governor told Fredericks later in the interview. He continued: "What this executive order clearly states is practices like teaching that one group is inherently privileged and another is a victim or that in fact people today should be held responsible for sins of the past ... these are the kinds of teaching practices that exist in our schools and we are going to get them out." Opponents of Youngkin's order have argued that critical race theory is not taught in Virginia schools, with Democratic officials criticizing the governor's focus on the issue as a "dog whistle" meant to appease his conservative base. Read the original article on Business Insider GOP Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin The Washington Post Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said about 1 in 5 of the state's school systems are defying his order that bans school mask mandates and "aren't recognizing the rights of parents today." Youngkin a Republican who banned mask mandates on his first day in office earlier this month said he was "not surprised" by the resistance from roughly 25 of Virginia's 130 school systems. "Oh, by the way, they haven't been recognizing the rights of parents all along," Youngkin said during an interview with right-wing radio host John Fredericks on Monday. "I am not surprised at all to hear these reactions from school boards that have consistently prioritized bureaucrats and politicians over the rights of parents." Youngkin added, "This is a small group of counties that are not recognizing parents rights. We have a very large group of counties that are." The governor said that his administration will continue to "aggressively" fight the issue in court. "This should be heard and decided on very quickly and we're going to continue to ask for expedited hearings to make sure this happens," he said. Parents from Chesapeake, Virginia, filed a lawsuit against Youngkin last week over his executive order, arguing that it violates state law. Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares swiftly filed a motion to dismiss the suit. "I am not going to stop fighting for the rights of parents to make these decisions for their kids," Youngkin said during the interview. This story is developing. Please check back for updates. Read the original article on Business Insider Jan. 25Meyers High School 2019 graduate Paul Michael Horvath offered a different perspective Monday in the 2-month old "School fair funding" trial being held in Harrisburg: A studen'ts view. And it was pretty grim. "I remember coming home from school and not feeling really great about where you are going to school," he told the Commonwealth Court presided by Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer. "The facade outside chipping away, the ceiling inside chipping away." He described desks that didn't fit students or were broken, textbooks missing pages, and dealing with cockroaches in lavatories, locker rooms and gyms. Most water fountains didn't work, meaning "As a young kid in high school you need to make sure you have at least two bucks for water or Gatorade to quench thirst after gym." Horvath is the son of Tracey Hughes, a longtime activist in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District who joined the lawsuit as an individual petitioner. The suit, known briefly as William Penn School District et al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education et al. was filed jointly by six school districts (including Wilkes-Barre Area) two statewide advocacy organizations and several families. It claims the state is failing to meet a Constitutional mandate to provide a "thorough and efficient" education for all students. Horvath was in eighth grade at Meyers when the suit was first filed in 2014. After numerous challenges and changes, it cleared all hurdles and got on the docket this fall, with opening arguments given Nov. 12 last year and the first witnesses testifying Nov. 15. Court was closed Nov. 22-26 for Thanksgiving and Dec. 22-26 for Christmas, but generally the trial has run five days a week and is expected to conclude sometime next month. Until Monday, the list of witnesses was a litany of district officials and education experts. Horvath gave a student's eye view of what those who brought the suit contend is a dramatically inconsistent and inadequate state funding system that leaves many poorer districts unable to provide everything students need to succeed. Story continues The Meyers building, since closed with the construction of a new high school in Plains Township that consolidated grades 9 through 12 in the district's three high schools this year had arguably become the poster school for outdated facilities. The front entrances were protected from potential falling facade pieces by boxy wooden constructs, the STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) academy had set up in some spare basement space, and a tunnel-like driveway to the adjoining stadium had gone unused due to fear of concrete falling from above. The venerable school still boasted a lot of elegance, with lots of marble, heavy wooden doors and stained glass including in the auditorium ceiling. But district officials insisted it would cost more to repair than to build new. Horvath testified to the problems, including a lack of air conditioning in summer and a cantankerous heating system that could push the temperature inside well into the 80s, making it hard to concentrate on studies. "It was a distraction," he said. "It was more of a survival mode, just to go through your day. Trying to learn something is hard if you're not in a comfortable environment." Horvath also offered an accounting of a year he spent in Utica College, New York, as proof he felt unprepared for higher education, but that testimony came under dispute, with attorneys for the defense arguing it was "beyond the scope of discovery" and that they had not been given adequate time to prepare for such testimony. The judge deferred a ruling on the objection, saying she would review details of the matter, allowing testimony but promising to strike it from the record if she upheld the objection. Horvath talked of not being familiar enough with computers when he entered college intending to become a special education teacher. While Meyers had computers, they were shared among students so there wasn't one always available a problem that has been fixed with the new high school providing a laptop for each student. He also cited his inexperience with doing research in libraries because the district had eliminated librarians and pared down the number of books available at Meyers. And he said he felt unprepared when asked to do a 25-page paper because the longest he had done in high school was "three pages, double spaced." And he said chemistry lab classes in college were much different than high school because the equipment at Meyers was so old it couldn't be used. "In high school we never did experiments with Bunsen burners because we were not able to turn them on or control them." He ultimately left Utica after the first year because he felt he couldn't handle it and moved back home, enrolling in King's College but again feeling unable to deal with the technology issues when required to do remote classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Defense attorneys countered with transcripts form Meyers and emails between Hughes and teachers that suggested Horvath was not applying himself, was missing many classes, often looked at his phone rather than paying attention in class and missed deadlines for turning in assignments. He said he missed classes because he was a prominent football player who often got pulled out of class in his senior year for visits with college coaches, interviews with people making a documentary about the school after the School Board voted to close it and visits with his guidance counselor. Horvath's testimony completed before the court broke for lunch. The schedule calls for testimony from one more local witness this week: Wilkes-Barre Area Superintendent Brian Costello. Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish Colleen Le received support from social media users after sharing her experience of donating her kidney to a man who later cheated on her (TikTok/Colleen Le) A woman who donated her kidney to a man she was dating is creating ripples on Tik Tok after she revealed that he cheated on and dumped her within a year of her saving his life. Colleen Le, 30, posted a series of videos describing how she went under the knife because her then boyfriend needed a kidney transplant. When she began dating the man five years ago, she learnt of his chronic kidney disease that left him needing dialysis at the age of 17. I decided to get tested to see if we were a match because I didnt want to watch him die. I was so nervous, she said. After a test confirmed that she was a match, Ms Le said she volunteered to donate her kidney. Seven months after the surgery, the man told her he was going to a bachelor party with [his] church group in Vegas for the weekend. Since he was a hardcore Christian, she didnt worry about that trip, Ms Le said. But a few days later, her boyfriend came home to confess that he cheated on her in Vegas, and asked for forgiveness. A lot of arguments later I eventually forgave him and gave him a second chance, the woman said on TikTok. However, three months later, the man dumped her saying: If we are meant for each other, God will bring us back together in the end. Ms Le shared that he went ahead and blocked her on social media, stopped answering her calls and texts for months, and later even accused her of donating the kidney to look good. She also received a word of advice from her ex-boyfriends homie during her graduation party, saying not everyone needs to know that [you] gave him your f***ing kidney n yall broke up. The clip has been viewed millions of times, with several supporting Ms Le, while blasting off her ex-boyfriend. While some told her to sleep with everyone he loves his dad, mom, sister, grammy, many others applauded her for her good deed. One user wrote: Dont worry girl he literally cannot live without you and he has to deal with that for the rest of his life. Another person said: Take it [her kidney] back, he dont deserve it. BEIRUT (AP) Lebanons economy contracted by more than 58%, the World Bank said Tuesday, warning in a report that the small countrys financial meltdown poses a threat to long-term stability and social peace. It accused Lebanese leaders of being indifferent to the nations economic collapse, refusing to adopt a credible recovery plan and begin implementing reforms. The World Banks Lebanon Economic Monitor showed the countrys gross domestic product plummeted from close to $52 billion in 2019 to a projected $21.8 billion in 2021, marking the biggest contraction of the 193 countries listed by the publication. The scale and scope of Lebanons deliberate depression are leading to the disintegration of key pillars of Lebanons post-civil war political economy, said the report, titled, The Great Denial. The meltdown began in October 2019 and has thrown more than 75% of the countrys population into poverty. The same political class blamed for the decades of corruption and mismanagement leading up to the crisis has done almost nothing to help Lebanon climb out of the crisis. The Lebanese pound has lost more than 90% of its value and there are several exchange rates, reflecting the severity of the crisis. Banks have imposed informal capital controls, depriving people of access to their savings. Despite spending billions of dollars on infrastructure projects since the civil war ended in 1990, electricity cuts out for 22 hours a day, tap water is largely undrinkable, roads are riddled with holes, trash piles on the streets while the sewage system floods whenever there is heavy rain. The report, which analyzes the end of 2021, estimates a decline of the GDP by 10.5% percent for that year. That comes after a 21.4% contraction in 2020. It lined up with earlier reports that said the crisis is one of the worlds most severe economic collapses in modern times. Lebanons surging inflation, estimated to average 145% in 2021, now ranks third globally after Venezuelas and Sudans, it said. Story continues The report said government revenues are estimated to almost halve in 2021 to reach 6.6% of GDP, marking the third-lowest ratio globally after Somalia and Yemen. The gross debt is estimated to reach 183% of GDP in 2021, taking Lebanon to the fourth highest ratio in the world behind Japan, Sudan and Greece. Deliberate denial during deliberate depression is creating long-lasting scars on the economy and society, said Saroj Kumar Jha, the World Banks regional director. Over two years into the financial crisis, Lebanon has yet to identify, least of all embark upon, a credible path toward economic and financial recovery. Jha added that the Lebanese government urgently needs to move forward with the adoption of a credible, comprehensive and equitable macro-financial stabilization and recovery plan and accelerate its implementation if it is to avoid a complete destruction of its social and economic networks and immediately stop irreversible loss of human capital. The report came a day after Beirut resumed its talks with the International Monetary Fund after the Cabinet held its first meeting in three months. The talks began last year and broke off without a breakthrough amid political bickering by rival groups. Later on Tuesday, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said Lebanese police thwarted an attempt to smuggle large amounts of Captagon amphetamine pills. He said they were on their way from Lebanon to the African nation of Togo. From there they would have been sent to a Persian Gulf nation, most likely Saudi Arabia. Mawlawi said the pills were hidden in 434 boxes mixed in with seven tons of tea. They were confiscated at sea after the smugglers sailed from Beiruts port. Captagon manufacturing thrives in Lebanon and war-torn Syria, which have become a gateway for the drug to the Middle East, particularly the Gulf. Smuggling of Captagon pills has been at the heart of a spat between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, after over 5 million pills hidden in a shipment of pomegranate from Lebanon were seized in the kingdom in April. In retaliation, the Saudis banned Lebanese produce from going to or even transiting through the kingdom, a blow to Lebanons exporters. WRIGHT COUNTY, MN Time is quickly running out for Wright County residents to apply for rental assistance after Minnesota officials imposed a new deadline Wednesday with federal funds drying up. RentHelpMN, which uses federal coronavirus-relief funds to help residents cover overdue rent, will stop accepting applications for assistance at 9 p.m. Friday. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho said the programs closure will affect many households that continue to struggle to make rent payments amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the need for help greater than the funds available. Frozen Potatoes Shut Down Minnesota Highway After Truck Crash The pandemic has lasted a lot longer than anyone could have predicted, and longer than the federal rental assistance program was designed to address, Ho said in a news release. We know there are more renters who are hurting out there. RentHelpMN had been offering qualified applicants up to three months of future rent payments, in addition to past-due rent. However, RentHelpMN is now offering just one months worth of future rent payments to conserve funds and try to help more renters, officials said. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has requested more federal funding for rental assistance, but Ho said she does not expect the state to get more money. It pains me to see this program come to an end, but unfortunately we knew it would end before all the need was met, Ho said. Elk River Native To Play For US Hockey Team At Beijing Olympics RentHelpMN has given out almost $350 million in rental assistance to Minnesota residents since the program was launched in April 2021, including $32.9 million since Jan. 15, according to the programs data dashboard. Minnesota residents have submitted more than 87,000 applications for rental assistance, requesting a total of $500 million, as of Jan. 20, according to the states data. RentHelpMN Income Limits for Wright County Households Story continues 1 person: $55,950 2 people: $63,950 3 people: $71,950 4 people: $79,900 5 people: $86,300 6 people: $92,700 7 people: $99,100 8 people: $105,500 Click here for more information about RentHelpMN and an application form. This article originally appeared on the St. Michael Patch By Daniel Trotta and Brad Brooks (Reuters) - A New York judge struck down the state's mask mandate on Monday, one week before it was due to expire, ruling the governor overstepped her authority in imposing a rule that needed to have been passed by the state legislature. Judge Thomas Rademaker of New York State Supreme Court on Long Island found that the state legislature last year curbed any governor's ability to issue decrees, such as a mask mandate, amid a declared state of emergency. It was latest setback for executive branch officials at state and federal levels. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Joe Biden's vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses. A judge in Texas last week ruled that Biden could not require federal employees to be vaccinated. Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, vowed to fight back, saying in a statement, "We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately." "My responsibility as Governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives," Hochul said. Disagreements and court action over mandates in a number of states have become a flashpoint of the pandemic response in the United States, often dividing Democrats and Republicans. The requirements in New York state, home to around 20 million people, include wearing masks in schools, on public transit and other public indoor spaces. Hochul declared a state of emergency almost immediately after the World Health Organization named Omicron as a variant of concern on Nov. 26. At the time, New York state's seven-day average of new daily cases was around 6,400. That number rapidly rose until peaking at 73,815 on Jan. 10. It has since fallen to about a third of that. When Hochul imposed the rule on Dec. 31, she called it temporary. She later extended the original expiration date of Jan. 15 until Feb. 1. Story continues Rademaker wrote that his ruling is not intended in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need, or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus, but that "enacting any laws to this end is entrusted solely to the State Legislature." Hochul's Democrats hold large majorities in both houses of he New York state legislature. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta, Brad Brooks and Costas Pitas; Editing by Sandra Maler, Leslie Adler & Simon Cameron-Moore) People wear masks at an indoor mall in The Oculus in lower Manhattan on the day that a mask mandate went into effect in New York on 13 December 2021 in New York City (Getty Images) The New York State Supreme Court has ruled that the mask mandate by governor Kathy Hochul is unconstitutional. The mask mandate, put in place for all public indoor spaces, came into effect in December 2021 and was due to expire on 1 February 2022. Governor Hochul on Monday said she would challenge judge Thomas Rademakers ruling. My responsibility as governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, she said. We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately, she said. Striking down the mask mandate, Judge Rademaker said the governor overstepped her authority in imposing a rule that needed to have been passed by the state legislature, reported Reuters. The judge, however, wrote that his ruling is not intended in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need, or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the pandemic, but that enacting any laws to this end is entrusted solely to the State Legislature. It was the latest setback to the executive branch as earlier this month the US Supreme Court blocked president Joe Bidens vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses. BREAKING: A NYS Supreme Court Judge has ruled that the Governors mask mandate is illegal. The Governor and State Education Department have NO authority to enforce this mandate without the approval of State lawmakers. This is a major win for students & parents. Bruce Blakeman (@NassauExec) January 24, 2022 Nassau county executive Bruce Blakeman, who signed an executive order allowing school boards to determine if school children should be required to wear masks, called this ruling a major win for students and parents. Meanwhile, Emily DeSantis, a spokeswoman for the state Education Department, told the New York Times the state Health Department would appeal against the order. This would automatically restore the mask mandate till an appellate court rules in the matter. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule, she told the outlet. Flash Britain has begun to withdraw staff from its embassy in Kiev, the country's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said Monday. Some embassy staff and dependents are being withdrawn from Ukraine, but the embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work, it said. "The FCDO advise against all travel to Donetsk oblast, Luhansk oblast and Crimea. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Ukraine," it said. Britain's move came after the U.S. Department of State on Sunday ordered eligible family members of staff at its embassy in Ukraine to leave the country. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it considered the U.S. decision "premature and a manifestation of excessive caution." Meanwhile, Josep Borrell, high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told reporters on Monday that "we are not going to do the same thing because we don't know any specific reasons." A Madison Heights man and former veterinarian pleaded guilty in federal court last week to a pair of misdemeanor drug charges related to the diversion of hydromorphone, an opioid drug also known under the trade name of Dilaudid. Patrick Gries, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of adulteration of a drug held for sale after shipment in interstate commerce and one count of distribution of a controlled substance without a written prescription, according to a news release Monday from the office of United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh. The U.S. Attorneys Office is committed to working with our partners at the FDA, and elsewhere, to ensure consumer products are stored and prescribed using the most safe and secure safety protocols possible, the news release said. When individuals with access to controlled substances break those safety protocols, even for individual use, they must be held accountable. According to court documents, from 1994 through 2021, Gries practiced as a doctor of veterinary medicine at a veterinary hospital in Amherst County. The veterinary hospital held hydromorphone for sale and maintained supplies of hydromorphone for use in treating pain in the hospitals animal patients following surgeries, the release said. As the hospitals primary surgeon, Gries had full access to the hospitals supply of hydromorphone. Beginning in July 2020 and without a valid prescription, Gries diverted hydromorphone for personal use by withdrawing a portion of the hydromorphone from the vial and injecting it into himself, the news release stated. Gries would replace the diverted portion of the hydromorphone with another substance, usually either saline or butorphonal, and return the altered hydromorphone to the supply maintained by the hospital. Gries is scheduled to face a May 5 sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg, online court records show. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A collision between a tanker truck and a sedan on U.S. 29 left one person dead Tuesday morning, according to Virginia State Police. Police were called at 6:41 a.m. to the scene of the crash on U.S. 29 near Grannys Lane, just south of where Virginia 24 crosses the highway in Campbell County. The Virginia State Police Appomattox Division's Crash Reconstruction Team is helping with the investigation. No further information has been released at this time. RICHMOND Seven Virginia school districts sued Gov. Glenn Youngkin in Arlington County Monday in an effort to block his executive order to make masks in schools optional. The governors order went into effect Monday. School boards in Richmond, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties and the cities of Alexandria, Hampton and Falls Church are challenging the governors plan to allow parents to decide whether their children wear masks in school. With COVID-19 transmission rates high, our hospitals at crisis level, and the continued recommendation of health experts to retain universal mask-wearing for the time being, this is simply not the time to remove this critical component of layered health and safety mitigation strategies, said a joint news release from the school divisions. School divisions need to continue to preserve their authority to protect and serve all our students, including our most vulnerable, who need these mitigation measures perhaps more than anyone to be able to continue to access in-person instruction. Last week, a group of parents from Chesapeake brought a separate suit against Youngkin in the state Supreme Court seeking to block the executive order. Youngkin, in an interview Monday on WRVA radio, addressed the resistance to his order. When youre pressing forward with an agenda that cuts across what has been happening in Virginia, where we have not been looking after parents rights, we have not been standing up for our kids, then, you know what, were going to have some pushback. Youngkin said. This is what Virginians sent me here to do. Youngkin said he found it ironic that the group of Chesapeake parents who sued him in the state Supreme Court are mad because central government isnt telling them what to do. The school districts that filed suit in Arlington say that at issue is whether the order violates Article 8, section 7 of the Virginia Constitution, which says the supervision of schools in each school division shall be vested in a school board. The school districts say that provision means they have the authority to oversee the daily operations of their divisions and set their own policies. They also say they are challenging whether Youngkin can reverse, through executive order, a state law the General Assembly passed in 2021 that says school systems should follow COVID-19 mitigation guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the maximum extent practicable. That state law, which spelled out rules for return to school amid COVID, is set to expire later this year. Youngkin has cited a separate state law that says: A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education and care of the parents child. This is going to play out in our favor. I feel strongly about that, Youngkin said in the radio interview, noting that Virginia was one of 16 states that still had statewide mask mandates. At the end of the day, the rights of parents, particularly, to make decisions with their kids must be upheld. The new lawsuit by the seven school districts represents around 300,000 students combined, with Fairfax County, the states largest school district, taking the lead. Richmond Public Schools has had a mask mandate in place since it reopened schools for in-person learning. It was the first district in the state to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, though it was effectively killed months later. RPS has also been among the most conservative in the state around COVID-19 mitigation policies and became the last school district in the state to reopen for in-person instruction. Theresa Kennedy, a mother of two boys in Richmond schools, spoke in Richmond Monday morning at a press conference held by the state Democratic Party. She said she was baffled that Youngkin would issue the executive order at a time when COVID is spreading in schools. This is not about our personal freedoms or our personal choice. That is false. This is about the safety and health of every child in school with my kids and every teacher and staff member in school with my kids and in every school in this commonwealth, Kennedy said. Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, a public school teacher, said Monday was not an easy day for teachers, principals and school administrators who now must deal with how to address many new conflicts. He said the 2021 law passed by the General Assembly was done with the intent of making schools were open safely. RICHMOND Gov. Glenn Youngkin has proposed more than $3.5 billion in amendments to the $158 billion two-year budget left by his predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam, but doesnt say where he would find the money to pay for his priorities. The centerpiece of the new governors proposed amendments is a campaign promise to double the standard deduction for state income tax filers at a cost of more than $2.1 billion in state revenues. Youngkin also proposes to exempt up to $40,000 a year in military retirement benefits from income tax, phased in over three years at a total cost of $515 million. The other big piece of the new governors tax cut package would raise the amount of money given to taxpayers as one-time rebates by about $203 million for a total of about $1 billion when combined with tax relief that Youngkins predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam, proposed in his outgoing budget. The amendments, released late Friday afternoon, break precedent with the past three governors one Republican, two Democrats whom the House Appropriations Committee did not allow to propose budget amendments directly, but only through members of the House of Delegates. The practice has been you need to pay for what youre proposing, former House Appropriations Chairman Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, said Monday. Jones confirmed that he and his predecessor, former Chairman Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, did not allow incoming governors to propose executive amendments to the budget from Gov. Bob McDonnell, who took office in 2010, through Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2014 and Northam in 2018. The custom and practice was the governor was not allowed any amendments, Jones said, noting that governors propose the budget in subsequent years for the General Assembly to consider. House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said Monday that he is not bound by precedent because the assembly allowed budget amendments by two previous incoming governors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats now serving in the U.S. Senate. McDonnell took office during the Great Recession, Knight noted. He said he gave Youngkin an additional week to submit budget amendments, which were due the day before he was inaugurated as Virginias 74th governor. He understands the separation of powers, the chairman said. I have no doubt we can co-exist. Knight, who became chairman this month after Republicans gained a 52-48 majority in the House, said few delegates adhere to the past committee practice of requiring them to show how they would pay for their proposals, so he wont require it of the governor. Im not going to hold him to that, he said. Youngkins 21 proposed line-item amendments would add more than $3.5 billion to the $17.7 billion that House members already have proposed to the budget that Northam proposed last month before leaving office. Tax cuts Youngkin wants to give rebates of $300 to individual taxpayers and $600 to couples, compared with Northams proposal of $250 for individuals and $500 for couples. House Finance Chair Roxann Robinson, R-Chesterfield, has proposed legislation to require the refunds. He also proposed language amendments in the budget bill for this fiscal year to require the rebates and suspend the last 5-cent-per-gallon increase in the state gasoline tax. Other big winners in Youngkins proposed amendments are economic development initiatives proposed through the existing GO Virginia grant program and a proposal by the Growth4Virginia business coalition for spending on higher education. The governor proposes almost $84 million for GO Virginia talent pathways program and $32 million for a higher education program to expand paid internships and other work-based learning opportunities with state businesses. Both are priorities of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, which closely aligned with McGuireWoods Consulting. The lobbying firm is an offshoot of the powerful Richmond law firm, whose former chairman, Richard Cullen, serves as Youngkins counselor. Youngkin also proposed to add $29 million to the money Northam included to expand a state economic development program to prepare ready sites for immediate development by new or expanding industries. The program would receive a total of $40 million over two years. Richmond In Richmond, the government proposes $10 million over two years for the state and city to create a slavery and freedom heritage site in Shockoe Bottom, which was the heart of the second largest domestic slave market in the United States before the Civil War. Youngkin also proposed new spending on public safety, including $27 million over two years for cities and large counties with police departments through the so-called 599 program. Local police departments were left out of big boosts in compensation to state police, local sheriffs departments and other law officers in the current budget and Northams parting proposal. He also proposes $40 million to expand cybersecurity initiatives, including $12 million from consolidating existing programs. Youngkin proposes $100 million in federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for training and equipment, and $65 million in capital funding for a new State Police Training Academy. Charter schools In K-12 education, the governor has proposed $150 million in funding over two years to create what he calls laboratory innovation charter schools, as part of his push to use state money to expand privately run public school choices for parents. He also proposes more than $50 million to provide grants to local school divisions to hire school resource officers for security in schools. Finally, Youngkin proposes $3 million and five state jobs for the new Office of the Chief Transformation Officer, whose initial mission will be reorganization of the Virginia Employment Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The office also would receive a proposed $25 million to pay for transformation initiatives and be allowed to keep half of any budget savings it produces. RICHMOND Gov. Glenn Youngkin is throwing the weight of his office behind a few dozen bills moving through the Virginia legislature. Many are meant to deliver on his campaign promises, like expanding the number of charter schools and increasing the role of law enforcement in schools, to tax cuts and tax form. Youngkins agenda does not include bills restricting abortions or rolling back gun control measures passed by Democrats, though it is not an exhaustive list of the bills he would sign if they reached his desk. These initiatives will make Virginias communities safer, restore academic excellence, lower the cost of living, and I look forward to seeing these bills come to my desk, the governor said in a statement. Education Youngkin is backing measures to: ban governors schools from using race as a factor in admissions; ban the teaching of inherently divisive concepts in schools; require school principals to report misdemeanor offenses to law enforcement and notify the parents of any student who was harmed; allow the state Board of Education or regional charter school divisions to approve applications to open a charter school; allow public and private colleges and universities, or private businesses, to open lab schools, which are publicly funded and privately run schools. The bill gives preference to historically Black college[s] or universit[ies] or any application to establish a lab school in an underserved community; require state education officials to recommend ways to promote excellence in education, do away with the states advance math tracking program and increase school accountability by reforming the accreditation system; require parent notification about sexually explicit material in schools; and allow active-duty armed forces members who work as caregivers to apply for child care subsidies. Elections Youngkin is backing bills to: reinstate the requirement voters present a state-issued photo I.D. to vote; and increase membership of the Board of Elections from the current three to an even number of Republicans and Democrats. Taxes and government The governors agenda includes measures to: increase the standard deduction to $9,000 for individuals and $18,000 for families; offer income tax rebates of $300 to individuals and $600 for families; eliminate the states grocery tax; make it harder for localities to raise property taxes by requiring the governing body to hold a referendum before making most increases in their real property tax rate; delay the most recent gas tax increase; repeal a law allowing local public sector workers to engage in collective bargaining; provide a one-time income tax credit for small businesses with 50 employees or fewer; waive some permitting fees for veteran-owned small businesses; create the Coastal Virginia Resilience Authority to address rising sea levels; and rename the director of diversity, equity and inclusion as the director of diversity, opportunity and inclusion. Saga and Nagasaki prefectures have asked their schools to review their regulations that require students to wear white underwear, prompting them to make revisions. Public elementary, junior high and high schools in Kyushu are changing unreasonable school rules, after all seven prefectures in the region and its major cities issued notices and guidelines for public schools to do so. The city of Kumamoto has made student participation in the establishment and change of school rules compulsory under its school management regulations for municipal elementary, junior high and high schools. Saga and Nagasaki prefectures have also asked their schools to review their regulations that require students to wear white underwear, prompting them to make the revision. But because school principals have the authority to set school rules, experts say that the board of education should first raise awareness among teachers. In May, Kumamoto the only city with such guidelines also compiled a list of questions and answers about the review, and set forth the following standards for schools: Establishing a system in which students think and decide for themselves. Establishing rules that are necessary and reasonable. Making school rules public. Some schools in Japan have rules prohibiting students from dying their black hair brown or having a perm, as these are sometimes considered a sign of delinquency. If their hair is naturally brown or curly, for example, such schools require students to show proof by submitting a photo of them from early childhood. Then they would need to gain the schools permission so that they do not have to have their hair dyed black or have it straightened. The city of Kumamoto specifically instructed schools that these rules would have to be changed. Schools were also urged to revise rules that do not respect gender diversity, such as separate uniform requirements for boys and girls. And the city asked that the school rules be made public on each schools website, so that parents and local residents can keep an eye on them. ...continue reading The Iowa Lottery has set a deadline for claiming prizes in 11 scratch games set to be scratched. As part of its standard procedures, the Iowa Lottery is officially ending sales in these instant-scratch games. The lottery has announced the end date for the following scratch games: Lucky Marbles, Sir-Cash-A-Lot, Power 10s, Hidden Cash, $30,000 Holiday Crossword, Strikes & Spares, Lady Luck 7, Fast Cash, Amazing Money, Quick $50s and Cash Line. Players have until the close of business on April 25 to claim prizes in these games. Players may visit an Iowa Lottery retailer or schedule an appointment at one of the lotterys offices in Clive, Cedar Rapids, Mason City or Storm Lake to claim scratch-game prizes. The lottery replaces ending games with new games throughout the year. A complete list of all current games can be found on the lottery website at ialottery.com. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Morocco has launched an ambitious plan to cut its trade deficit by $3.7 billion by offering incentives to local investors to produce imported goods locally, Moroccos trade minister said. So far 731 industrial projects were eligible for state subsidies, of which 90% will be funded by a Moroccan capital, minister Riad Mezzour told MPs. Most of these factories are focused on the agri-good, chemical and textile industries with a potential to create 400,000 jobs, he said. Moroccos King had urged the government to strive to ensure Moroccos self-sufficiency in strategic goods. Mezzour said that investors who choose to set up projects in remote areas with an emerging industrial sector will benefit from incentives including affordable real estate. He also defended Moroccos free trade agreements as conducive to the countrys competitiveness, citing the example of the automotive sector which produces 700,000 cars annually, while the purchasing power of the domestic market is estimated at only 175,000 vehicles annually. Morocco now ranks as fifth exporter of vehicles to the EU market and Casablanca in particular ranks 12th as the most competitive research center in electric vehicles, he said. Up to now, Morocco has a local sourcing rate of 63% and plans to export cars that include 80% of locally made parts, he said. Mezzour also spoke with an optimistic tone saying that 98% of jobs lost due to the pandemic were regenerated. Morocco now makes parts for satellites and its aerospace sector is now able to locally manufacture 41% of parts used in airplanes, he said. Flash China has urged the United States to stop disrupting and restricting normal people-to-people exchanges between the two countries by politicizing the COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures of airlines, after the U.S. government announced the suspension of 44 China-bound flights from the country. "Driven by its selfish pursuit of exceptional and special treatment, the U.S. suspended passenger flights by Chinese airlines without any reason and disrupted their normal operation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular news briefing on Monday. Such arbitrary and irresponsible practices are in disregard of the Chinese and foreign passengers' health, he added. On Friday, the U.S. Transportation Department said it would suspend 44 passenger flights by Chinese airlines between late January and the end of March. The orderwhich applies to flights operated by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlineswas issued "in response" to measures by Chinese aviation authorities that asked U.S. carriers to cancel the same number of flights, according to the department. Zhao noted that China has applied a "circuit breaker" policy on inbound international passenger flights since 2020 with the purpose of curbing international transmission of the virus to the greatest extent and protecting the health of people in all countries. "The policy exactly shows our consideration for the public interests of all parties," Zhao said, adding that it also won respect and cooperation from the vast majority of airlines in many countries. Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, was cited in media reports as saying on Friday that the global surge in virus cases had led to an increase in cases being brought into China on international flights and the "circuit breaker" was designed to limit such cases. "The policy has been applied equally to Chinese and foreign airlines in a fair, open and transparent way," he said. "It is very unreasonable for the U.S. to suspend Chinese airlines' flights on those grounds. We urge the U.S. side to stop disrupting and restricting normal passenger flights operated by Chinese airlines." Under China's "circuit breaker" policy, airlines must suspend flights on a route for a week if at least five passengers test positive for the coronavirus. If the number exceeds 10, the airline must suspend the flights for four weeks. According to a notice issued on Jan 21 on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the policy was recently applied to five China-bound passenger flights from Iraq, the U.S., Canada, Australia and France. Faced with a new wave of COVID-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant, Zhao, the ministry spokesman, called on all countries to strengthen international communications and cooperation to effectively prevent cross-border transmission of the virus and win an early victory against the pandemic. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, head of Guineas ruling junta, has named the 81 members of the National Transitional Council (CNT), the transitional legislative body that will decide when civilians return to power. Doctor Danso Kourouma, a civil society activist, was named president of the CNT, according to a decree read out Saturday night on state television. Mr. Kourouma was previously president of the National Council of Civil Society Organizations (CNOSC). Close to former Prime Minister Kassory Fofana, he is one of those who promoted the third term of Alpha Conde, who was overthrown by a coup on September 5, 2021. The members of the CNT represent all of the countrys socio-professional organizations as well as the political parties. They must participate in discussions on the transition agenda. Since the September 5 putsch, Colonel Doumbouya has become transitional president and a government has been formed, headed by a civilian. He has promised to return power to civilians after elections, but refuses to be dictated to. He said the deadline would be set by the CNT. Posted by North Africa Post North Africa Post's news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers. The Southern zone General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) is hosting, from January 24 to 28, 2022, the master planning meeting of the African Lion 2022 exercise, with the participation of representatives of several countries besides Morocco and the United States. The meeting, held pursuant to the instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of the FAR General Staff, is to decide the modalities of execution of the various activities of the African Lion 2022 exercise which will include, in addition to training on the components of several operational areas, training on operations against terror groups, land, airborne, air, sea and CBRN (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological and Chemical) decontamination exercises, said a statement by the General Staff of FAR. Scheduled to take place from June 20 to July 1, 2022 in the regions of Agadir, Tan Tan, Mehbes, Taroudant, Kenitra and Ben Guerir, the African Lion 2022 drills aim to develop technical and procedural interoperability between FAR and the forces of participating countries as well as training on the planning and conduct of joint operations in a multinational setting, said the statement. The exercise will be multinational, multi-domain and multifunctional. It will test participating warfighters ability to deploy, fight and win in a complex, competitive and global environment, said the U.S. Army in a tweet following a previous joint preparations planning that took place in Agadir, in October 2021. The Lincoln County commissioners voted Monday not to reappoint Carla ODell as highway superintendent. Commissioner Micaela Wuehler, who made the motion, said too many concerns had been voiced by department employees as well as residents to not take action. The motion not to reappoint ODell passed 4-1 with Commissioner Joe Hewgley voting against it. ODell was appointed to the position in September 2015. Hewgley asked Wuehler to explain her reasoning for making the motion in the manner she presented it. Since coming into this position, I have been inundated with phone calls from people with concerns about how our Department of Roads office is being ran, Wuehler said. Wuehler said very few of those who contacted her expressed concern about the condition of the countys roads. I dont prescribe to the theory that it is our responsibility to go out looking for feedback, Wuehler said. When the feedback comes to us, it is our responsibility to talk to the people and investigate. Wuehler said she concluded there have been unprofessional management practices that cultivate a toxic work environment that are detrimental to the employees and to the county. Out of respect for our current highway superintendent, Im not going to go into any details, she said. Wuehler said she has written documentation of the concerns. I just feel like that rather than revisiting issues over and over and not getting the results, that it is time for us to help the people of Lincoln County Department of Roads, Wuehler said. We can do better and thats my position. Commissioner Kent Weems said that he was aware of some personnel issues and that he recognizes the difficulties of management. We all have our strong suits and our weak links, and I would echo that our superintendent does a lot of good things, Weems said, but the personnel thing is a real challenge. Jerry Woodruff said in his two years on the county board he has had numerous contacts about a toxic work environment and the turnover in the department. I think the residents of this county are entitled to a very responsive sort of department that is very visible, Woodruff said. Before I took this seat, in the time I was chosen to fill this seat, I hate to tell you how many phone calls I got saying something has got to be done with this department. Contacted by phone later, ODell did not wish to comment other than to say, That is their prerogative. The commissioners reappointed Brandon Myers as Region 51 Emergency Management director, Todd Herndon as noxious weed superintendent and Paul Cooper as veterans service officer. Before the reappointments, the board set the salaries for each of the four positions highway superintendent, noxious weed superintendent, veterans service officer and emergency management director. By law, salaries must be set unrelated to who is appointed to the position and those salaries must be commensurate to those in other counties of similar size. The commissioners discovered the current salaries for the four positions were well below the average of the counties in the National Association of Counties array that include Cass, Adams, Saunders, Madison, Dodge, Hall, Platte and Buffalo. Consequently, the board voted unanimously to raise the highway superintendent salary from $59,072.04 to $72,000; the emergency management director from $54,699.96 to $60,000; the veterans service officer from $46,683 to $51,000 and the noxious weed superintendent from $42,432 to $48,000. More by Job Vigil Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person. Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else. Still the MAGA man. Photo: Ross D Franklin/AP/Shutterstock From the moment Donald Trump got booed at one of his own rallies for endorsing COVID-19 vaccines, some observers began to suspect hes lost his mojo and may be losing his grip on his own MAGA base. As Philip Bump put it this week, Trump may be losing out to Trumpism: Seven years after Trump first emerged as a significant political force, and with him now in semi-retirement post-2020, the party seems finally to have figured out how to use to its own advantage what made him appealing. Trumpism, if you will, has been licensed out like so many Trump products before. Bumps Exhibit A for this proposition is the success Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has had in running to Trumps right on the coronavirus pandemic. Clearly, DeSantiss rise in visibility is getting under Trumps skin, if only because the former president thinks the governor is his creature entirely (thanks to the key Trump endorsement that lifted DeSantis to the governorship). Bump isnt the only one who thinks the puppet could actually displace the puppet-master. National Review editor Rich Lowry recently argued that DeSantis has credibility with Trump voters and the foundation to compete with Trump, not as a critic or scold, but as someone who can do it better and, in a few instances, perhaps go further. Its possible these theories have merit. Yet, the punditocracy has underestimated Trump again and again and again, from his demolition of a huge field of rivals in the 2016 primaries to his 2016 general-election upset win over Hillary Clinton to his surprisingly strong showing against Joe Biden in 2020. Most recently, the conventional wisdom erred in assuming that Trumps conduct on January 6, 2021, represented political suicide. While the ex-president cannot defy the laws of gravity forever, youd be foolish to bet on his demise until hes political roadkill receding in the rearview mirror. A new survey of Republicans from Harvard-Harris, moreover, suggests that any political obituaries of Trump at this point are highly premature. In a hypothetical eight-candidate 2024 presidential-nomination competition, Trump has a commanding lead, winning 57 percent support. DeSantis finished a distant second with 12 percent, followed by Mike Pence at 11 percent, and five other possible candidates Ted Cruz, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Mike Pompeo, and Marco Rubio in the low single digits). Last month a Reuters-Ipsos poll showed nearly identical numbers, with Trump at 54 percent, DeSantis at 11 percent, Pence at 8 percent, and eight other candidates (the five mentioned earlier plus Greg Abbott, Chris Christie, and Josh Hawley) in low single digits. Obviously we are a long way from 2024 (though the Iowa Caucuses are just two years and 11 days away according to the current schedule), but the sort of dominance Trump is exerting over his party is not often overturned absent a world-shaking event. And if two impeachments and a failed insurrection havent shoved him toward the dustbin of history, will Ron DeSantis? We shouldnt believe it until we see it. A ground crew unloads weapons and other military hardware from the U.S. at Boryspil airport near Kyiv. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Were doing it again. It seems as if every time the U.S. shows some muscle in some corner of the world this time in Ukraine ahead of an expected Russian invasion the White House convinces journalists to borrow its preferred term for the big weapons that could be used. This years models are lethal aid and defensive security assistance, phrases that have popped up in headlines all week. "Lethal Aid" sounds like the drink they served at Jonestown https://t.co/q3mAQSOmiP Christopher Hooks (@cd_hooks) January 25, 2022 Rather than parrot the bureaucratic voice, lets take a look at what were actually sending to Ukraine as Russia and the U.S. fall into the familiar rhythms of the Cold War. While the administration declined to list all the specific weapons sent over, the haul includes 300 shoulder-fired anti-tank Javelin missiles, anti-armor artillery, and tens of thousands of pounds of ammunition. And although the U.S. is not directly supplying Kyiv with anti-aircraft missiles, NATO members Latvia and Lithuania are sending Stinger and other surface-to-air missiles as well as thermal imagers for firing them in the dark. Along with $2.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine since 2014, the Pentagon has put 8,500 troops on higher alert in case of an invasion. Its in the nature of government officials to use the ugly, inaccurate language of bureaucracy to obscure the meaning of state actions, as anyone who has come across the phrase officer-involved shooting would know. And while the terms are legally relevant nonlethal aid, which includes everything from Humvees to medical supplies, can be handed out via the State Department, while the distribution of lethal aid requires a full presidential finding and congressional briefings people who arent in government dont have to use them. Theres no good reason for the news aggregators of the world to describe the deliveries as anything other than the heavy weapons and ammunition that they are. Doing so could further obscure the events on the ground in yet another proxy conflict that few Americans may care about. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. In search of flexibility and autonomy, knowledge workers say the ability to be their own boss is a main driver for joining the freelance economy CHICAGO, January 25, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to new research from Paro, a Chicago-based startup disrupting the way companies access on-demand financial expertise, both full-time and self-employed knowledge workers say that work-life balance is more important to them in 2022 than compensation. Thirty-nine percent of knowledge workers cited work-life balance as the most important element of their job in 2022, while 28% cited compensation. Only 13% said opportunities for professional growth were most important to them. Amid the Great Resignation, Workers Want Less Stress The studys findings indicate that knowledge workers will prioritize jobs that offer both flexibility and autonomy in the New Year, with many choosing to explore freelance life. Nearly one in five (17%) knowledge workers who are not currently freelancing are considering joining the freelance economy in 2022. A vast majority of these respondents rank being their own boss (79%), schedule flexibility (76%), and ability to build their own business (60%) in their top three drivers for doing so. Knowledge workers say things that bother them most about their current jobs are stress (35%), feeling unappreciated (28%) and too much bureaucracy (22%). Younger respondents also report being unexcited by their work, with 26% of people ages 18-34 saying they feel bored completing the same tasks every day at their current job. "With the Great Resignation showing no sign of abating, its more important than ever that employers listen to the needs of their people and adapt accordingly," said Anita Samojednik, CEO of Paro. "Our research made it clear that earning a larger paycheck is no longer a sufficient motivator for coping with inflexible schedules. Workers are embracing the silver linings of the pandemic remote work and greater time with family and the freelance economy is poised to welcome these professionals and help them take their careers to new heights." Story continues While Encouraged by Autonomy and Flexibility, Freelancers Face Their Own Set of Challenges Nearly one-third (31%) of study respondents are already working as freelancers. When asked about the most challenging aspects of their jobs, these workers report they find managing their finances or adapting to changes outside of their control (35% for each respectively), being the final decision maker (30%), time management (23%) and acquiring customers (22%) to be the most difficult parts of freelancing. And while freelance knowledge workers have always found themselves wearing a number of hats, the pandemic made them think more about not having traditional corporate benefits than they did previously (64%). "Understanding the motivators and pain points of the business professionals we work with is key to helping them grow as successful entrepreneurs," said Michael Burdick, Co-founder, Chief Strategy Officer and Interim CFO at Paro. "Paros AI-powered platform and infrastructure removes the burdens of working for yourself by helping experts acquire quality clients, match with the right projects to align with their career goals, price themselves competitively, and collect payments. This makes it easier for people to live the lives they want and deepens the talent pool for companies seeking subject matter expertise to support growth goals." Methodology This Paro poll, with data collection by Ipsos, was conducted between Dec. 20-28, 2021. For this survey, a starting sample of roughly 2,042 adults age 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii was interviewed online in English. To qualify for the survey, respondents had to be "knowledge workers," defined for respondents as this: "Knowledge workers whose main capital is knowledge. Examples include programmers, physicians, pharmacists, architects, engineers, scientists, design thinkers, public accountants, lawyers, editors, and academics, whose job is to "think for a living" versus those who are paid to perform manual tasks." A sample of 962 knowledge workers completed the rest of the survey, including n=299 freelance workers. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points for all knowledge workers, and plus or minus 6.5 percentage points for freelance knowledge workers. About Paro Paro provides flexible finance and accounting solutions to businesses via its network of highly vetted freelance experts. Through its proprietary AI-powered platform, Paro precisely matches clients with the best-fit experts to solve problems and drive growth. Its carefully curated expert community provides a range of financial services to clients, from basic bookkeeping and accounting to highly specialized corporate development and strategic advisory. By freeing these professionals from the constraints of traditional employment, Paro empowers them to pursue meaningful work on their own terms while helping clients achieve their business goals. Learn more at Paro.io. About Ipsos Ipsos is the world's third-largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people. Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts, and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions, and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers, or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005017/en/ Contacts Media: John Austin, VP of Marketing jaustin@paro.io Staff Writer Brad Hundt came to the Observer-Reporter in 1998 after stints at newspapers in Georgia and Michigan. He serves as editorial page editor, and has covered the arts and entertainment and worked as a municipal beat reporter. U.S. ways to tackle COVID-19 ignite domestic criticism, probes Xinhua) 08:09, January 25, 2022 Criticism and probes keep increasing domestically from various sectors against the federal policies and decisions. NEW YORK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- As of Sunday afternoon, the United States had logged over 70 million COVID-19 cases and 866,000 deaths, according to real-time data from Johns Hopkins University. Though Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, has recently said that nationwide Omicron cases appear to be peaking, criticism and probes keep increasing domestically from various sectors against the federal policies and decisions concerning the pandemic. A man poses while attending an event protesting vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 23, 2022. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) The New York Times on Sunday bashed setbacks in three key areas during the Biden administration's first-year pandemic fight: unpreparedness for sharp turns, a lack of sustained focus on testing, and the president's hesitation in pushing containment measures. "The administration did not anticipate the nature and severity of variants, even after clear warning signals from the rest of the world," the report added. Working in hospitals flooded with patients, frontline medics told the Wall Street Journal that they are "stretched thin and seeking help from burnout." According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 1,000 hospitals have been reporting daily critical staffing shortages in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the healthcare sector has lost nearly 500,000 workers since February 2020. "Corporate healthcare already had us on the brink, and when COVID-19 came it pushed us over," Doreen McIntyre, a nurse at Minnesota Children's Hospital, was quoted as saying. A health worker carries soiled sheets and towels in front of the Maimonides Medical Center in New York, the United States, Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Saturday searched the headquarters of a nationwide string of coronavirus testing sites known as the Center for COVID Control. "The company and its main lab, which has been reimbursed more than 124 million U.S. dollars from the federal government for coronavirus testing, are under investigation by state and federal officials," reported USA Today on Monday. Longtime entrepreneurs Akbar Syed and his wife, Aleya Siyaj, run the Center for COVID Control and, in recent months, have been sharing photos and videos on social media of their growing wealth. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Thank you for Reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. It's what he deserves.gif Reply Thread Link "do you like spicy food?? " I do~ but I wouldn't last on here. I have not been trained in the art of spicy. Reply Thread Link rn I'm in love with sweet chili with bleu cheese dipping sauce Reply Thread Link Hot with lemon pepper sprinkles and bleu cheese Reply Parent Thread Link Bleu cheese >>>> Reply Parent Thread Expand Link tbh, i'll eat any type of wing just to get at some good, from-scratch bleu cheese. love bleu cheese lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Anything with blue cheese dressing honestly. Wingstop Korean BBQ wings were good or a local place makes a sweet Buffalo sauce which is so good Reply Parent Thread Link I really want him to be asked what convos he's had with James franco and if they are friends still. idc if its unfair lol Reply Thread Link And he'd say he didn't know anything about what Franco was doing with those girls. So...I mean, what were you expecting? Reply Parent Thread Link I like spicy food! But I don't like spice just for the idea of being unbearable. Reply Thread Link I wanna get better at spicy food. I do enjoy it. I'd do all 10 out of sheer stubborness but I feel like around 5 is my comfortable top level (that's when they were in the 30+k SCU). da bomb would kick my ass because I hate when a hot sauce's main flavor profile is hot. I want it to taste good too! Edited at 2022-01-25 02:04 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link I love spicy food! Ive been meaning to try some of the brands from this show. Also I think I said this in another Hot Ones post but this is literally my dream interview as a celeb lol. You get to eat while you get interviewed? Its perfect. Edited at 2022-01-25 02:05 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link I do not like spicy food because I believe in tasting my food and it should not cause me pain. Reply Thread Link the sound of his goofy endearing laugh makes me so happy also, dang, he barely blinked! Reply Thread Link Thanks for the spoiler.! I was looking for someone to tell me how he did soo I didnt have to watch lol. Reply Parent Thread Link There's spicy and not being able to taste shit because your mouth is on fire. I don't understand eating something that hot. Reply Thread Link I like my food to have a little kick. My favorite hot sauces are el yucateco (green and red), nandos peri peri, Melindas habanero hot mustard, and my moms homemade lemongrass chili oil. My family grows a particular variety of chili pepper that I dont know the name of but it is deliciousvery hot but so flavorful Reply Thread Link I enjoy spicy food, I just dont like when the spice I decided for me. Give it to me mild and Ill make it spicy myself thank you very much. Reply Thread Link im kinda curious with that hot sauce with a flower (sunflower?) on it? for the few episodes I've seen i think a lot of the guests liked it! i grew up around food that is generally spicy but idk if ill survive trying out all 10 of those hot sauce in one sitting! but then again, im reminded that yt ppl were able to push through so why can't my sea ass? well, im not gonna be on the show anyway just thinking generally lol Edited at 2022-01-25 02:33 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link https://heatonist.com/collections/hot-ones-hot-sauces this one kinda looks like a flower? it's from s16 https://heatonist.com/collections/hot-ones-hot-sauces/products/yellowbird-bliss-and-vinegar?variant=39373083705442 a giant list of all the hot sauces https://www.saucemania.com.au/hot-sauce/a-complete-list-of-hot-ones-hot-sauces/ i didn't see one with a flower on this ep, so not sure if you mean a different seasonthis one kinda looks like a flower? it's from s16a giant list of all the hot sauces Reply Parent Thread Link ahh i forgot they change hot sauce set each season! i can't remember which one i watch but i really think there some sort of flower in it. or maybe im mixing it up w something else? thanks for the links! will check them! Reply Parent Thread Link I love a little sinus flush with my food tbh Reply Thread Link In 1975, Ford-era energy expert and policymaker Robert C. Seamans declared that solar power could likely represent a quarter of the United States energy production by 2020, while wind power would never represent more than 1% of the nations energy mix. Instead, solar power has never cracked 3% of the United States energy mix, while wind power has gone on to reach about 8% in the past year. In general, the United States lags far behind other Western developed countries when it comes to renewable energy production and adoption, but the lack of growth from solar is particularly surprising compared to the high hopes that experts had for photovoltaics in the not-so-distant past. According to a recent article from the New York Times Hindsight series, the reason that renewables, and solar in particular, have seen a relative failure to launch in the United States is an uneven history of governmental support. The lesson, writer Lois Parshley argues, is Renewable technology benefits from early, consistent government support. In the United States, this support has waxed and waned over the years. Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof. Ronald Reagan removed them and cut the Carter administrations renewable energy research budget by 85 percent and fired most of the federally employed renewable energy scientists, ultimately pivoting to nuclear instead. While this anecdote of two isolated administrations doesnt illustrate the complex energy policy movements of a nation, it's illustrative of a greater trend of federal wishy-washiness when it comes to putting the kind of money and stolid support behind nascent green energies that they need to become competitive on the market. Since new technologies often have relatively high barriers to entry and take years, if not decades, to pay off, early research phases often need government funding if they ever have any hope of getting off the ground. We are finally at a point where solar and wind have become cost-competitive with fossil fuels thanks to early investment from countries such as Germany and Japan, more widespread adoption around the world, better and more efficient technologies, and a global industrial learning curve. Over the last decade alone, solar energy prices have plummeted by a jaw-dropping 89 percent. So why is wind king while solar remains unable to establish more than a sliver of the overall national energy mix? Its still relatively young, and support for solar has only very recently ramped up in the United States. Its been too little, too late to live up to expectations for PV performance. And despite plummeting renewable costs, U.S. energy policies remain fragmented, with no federal renewable portfolio standards, which would require that a certain amount of electricity come from renewable energy, writes the Times. Despite this, the outlook for both wind and solar is positive as the United States finally starts to fall in line with global climate change targets and imperatives. President Biden has said that he intends to put the United States on track to have a completely clean-powered grid within the next 50 years, and wants to slash the cost of solar energy by another 60% over the next decade. These are extremely lofty goals, however, considering that the United States energy grid is woefully outdated and unprepared for that transition, and many experts believe that the era of constantly falling renewable energy prices is nearing an end. Whats more, if history has taught us anything, its to expect that the next administration will almost certainly not see eye to eye with its predecessor, putting any long-term goals at risk. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Higher costs and supply constraints are causing problems for what many see as a solar industry boom in the United States under the strongly pro-renewables Biden administration. According to a Financial Times report, despite strong demand for solar power, some forecasters are beginning to doubt that the U.S. governments ambitious plans for adding 21.5 GW of utility-scale solar this year may not pan out. The FT cited Wood Mackenzie as one of these forecasters, noting the consultancy had revised substantially down its projections for utility-scale solar additions for this year. There are two realities for the solar industry right now, Xiaojing Sun, head of solar at Wood Mackenzie, said as quoted by the Financial Times. The demand for a clean energy product like solar is extremely strong . . . but the other reality is the situation on the ground, given Covid, the complex supply chain situation as well as some of the geopolitical factors. The industry does not seem to share the concern, based on recent comments made by a senior executive from Hanwha Q Cells, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere. Were at an inflection point for the industry, Scott Moskowitz, director of strategy and public affairs at Hanwha Q Cells, said this week, as quoted by E&E News. Solar power, he added, is the cheapest form of energy that has ever existed now that the industry has scaled, how are we going to make sure we install as much as possible? The answer to this question may not be as simple and straightforward as the industry would hope. In addition to rising production costs amid a major commodity rally, there is also the question of Chinese dominance in all things solar. Last year, the Biden administration suspended imports of Chinese polysilicon on allegations of forced labor being used to make the material and made non-Chinese suppliers prove their polysilicon does not come from Chinas Xinjiang province. There is also the question of Chinese solar import tariffs, introduced by the Trump administration and kept by Biden. Those have both supporters and opponents in the U.S. solar lobby, and it is yet to be seen which side will prevail. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Geopolitical tensions are soaring over Ukraine between Russia and the U.S. and its European allies. On Sunday, the U.S. ordered family members of the Kyiv embassy to evacuate after President Biden may deploy thousands of troops to Eastern Europe. NATO said on Monday it was putting forces on standby. The impending threat of World War III has quashed demand for riskier assets such as bitcoin and technology stocks and supported demand for energy. In particular, European natural gas soared 20% Monday as the increasing risk of conflict threatens fuel-starved Europe with supplies from Russia. Goldman Sachs commodity analyst Samantha Dart expanded more on the supply side story and told clients Sunday, "should further tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate, the initial uncertainty around its impact on gas flows would likely lead the market to once again add a significant risk premium to European gas prices ." Dart explained if "current tightness in European gas balances" persisted and "existing gas flows from Russia" were blocked, "we wouldn't rule out in this scenario the market briefly revisiting the 180 EUR/MWh high observed in mid-December - or even higher levels - while flow impacts are assessed." She also outlined a "potential risk" if escalating tensions over Ukraine result in sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany, which would delay the certification of the pipeline even more and cause continued tightness in European markets. There's also a risk, "tightness in European gas markets to linger for another three years," Dart warned (The full report is available to pro subs in the usual place). Rising geopolitical uncertainties and adverse weather conditions have made Europen gas a massive arbitrage opportunity for traders. As shown below, the premium for European gas is much higher than in the US. While the premium for EU gas over US gas is rising once again, after hitting a record high at the end of 2021, this is equivalent to a $173 price for a barrel of crude oil... The latest escalations could mean sanctions on Russia would undoubtedly result in massive consequences for Europe of declining gas flows that would send energy prices through the roof and crush consumers who can barely afford to pay their energy bills already. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: U.S. presidents have long been made by their advisers to understand the dangers of benchmark oil prices staying above the US$75-80 per barrel (pb) level for extended periods of time. As the Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) benchmarks continue to spike back above that level and threaten a sustained move even above US$90 pb there will be renewed pressure on President Joe Biden to act to bring oil prices down to below the danger levels. The danger for a U.S. president in oil prices being above these levels for any prolonged period is twofold. Firstly, there is the damage that is done to the U.S. economy. As analyzed in-depth in my new book on the global oil markets, and the recent disconnect between the oil and gas markets aside, historical precedent highlighted that every US$10 per barrel change in the price of crude oil results in a 25-30 cent change in the price of a gallon of gasoline. The corollary longstanding rule of thumb is that for every one cent that the U.S.s average price of gasoline increases, more than US$1 billion per year in discretionary additional consumer spending is lost. Secondly, there is the damage done to the re-election prospects of the sitting U.S. president and his party by the negative economic effects of sustained high oil prices and also by the negative public reaction to sustained high gasoline prices. The danger zone for U.S. presidents starts at around US$3.00 per gallon and at US$4.00 per gallon they are being advised to pack their bags in Pennsylvania Avenue or start a war to divert the publics attention. The point was underlined by Bob McNally, the former energy adviser to the former President George W. Bush, who said: Few things terrify an American president more than a spike in fuel [gasoline] prices. Specifically, as also analyzed in-depth in my new book on the global oil markets, it is a matter of historical fact that since World War I, the sitting U.S. president has won re-election 11 times out of 11 if the U.S. economy was not in recession within two years of an upcoming election. However, presidents who went into a re-election campaign with the economy in recession won only once out of seven times (Calvin Coolidge in 1924, although strictly speaking he had not won the previous election but had rather taken up the position on the death in office of Warren G Harding). Although President Biden is not facing another presidential election for four years, he does face critical mid-term elections within the next two years - November 2022, in fact - when his Democrats could lose their narrow majority in the House of Representatives. There are those who say that Biden is content to see the prices of traditional fossil fuels rise in order to narrow the pricing differential between them and their more costly green alternatives. However, underlining how often and how quickly such lofty principles disappear in the cold light of hard political self-interest, the U.S. Land Administration Committee released data at the beginning of 2022 showing that Biden in his first year as president issued 35 percent more permits for drilling oil and gas wells than his predecessor, Donald Trump, in his first year. Given that there is evidently no ideological reason precluding Biden from acting against rising oil prices, what are the options available to him to do so right now? Some believe that taking the sort of robust approach to OPEC producers through its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, would prompt a flood of new oil into the market. The regulation of oil prices in an effective band between a US$35-40 pb floor (the breakeven price of U.S. shale producers) and a US$75-80 pb cap (the level above which the prospect of economic damage to the U.S. looms) was a significant achievement of the Trump presidential era. Even for Trump, though, the floor price was easier to manipulate, as it was reached only when Saudi Arabia and OPEC were actively pumping everything they could most notably during the 2020 Oil Price War - and could easily be reversed by cutting back production to more historically average levels. Forcing Saudi to do this was achieved by Trump directly telephoning Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) on 2 April 2020 and telling him that unless OPEC started cutting oil production he would be powerless to stop lawmakers from passing legislation to withdraw U.S. troops from Saudi Arabia. Trumps administration was successful also in controlling the cap on the price through similar tactics, as evidenced during the only time that oil prices rose and stayed persistently above the US$75 per barrel of Brent level during his presidency April to October 2019. Trump publically Tweeted about Saudi Arabias King Salman that: He would not last in power for two weeks without the backing of the U.S. military. Privately, moves were being made to finally push through the No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Bill (NOPEC), the threat of which also hung over the mooted initial public offering of Saudi Aramco that was vital for MbSs prestige among senior Saudis at the time. The NOPEC bill, when enacted, would immediately remove the sovereign immunity that exists in U.S. courts for OPEC as a group and for its individual member states. This would leave Saudi Arabia open to being sued under existing U.S. anti-trust legislation, with its total liability being it's estimated US$1 trillion of investments in the U.S. alone, and Saudi Aramco being broken up into constituent parts. Related: An Experts Take On Energy Markets In 2022 So, would either of these tactics work right now for Bidens administration? Although genuine figures for the global oil market are difficult to ascertain, as seen most recently with export numbers for Iran and China and for even official International Energy Agency (IEA) numbers, the genuine oil production capacity and spare capacity numbers for OPECs principal producer, Saudi Arabia, are much lower than the official Saudi figures, as analyzed in-depth as long ago as 2015. The difference between 2019 when Trump told MbS to start pumping more into the market and now is that this deficit between genuine and imagined spare capacity is shared among a much wider range of OPEC oil producers than just Saudi. This is partly a consequence of originally exaggerated claims over oil reserves, production capacity, and spare capacity from some of the producers for geopolitical purposes and partly due to the negative effects on the oil industry's financial and operational infrastructure because of the long-running COVID-19 pandemic. With Omicron, the newest pervasive strain of COVID-19, clinically assessed as being less deadly than its predecessors for those with the necessary vaccinations against it, and the world economy likely to register a growth of over 4.5 percent this year, the IEA currently estimates that world oil demand will rise by 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2022. This surpasses the pre-pandemic level of 99.7 million bpd in 2019. In short, OPECs genuine spare capacity, and Russias as well as part of the OPEC+ producer group, looks extremely limited, regardless of whatever inducements or threats Biden might use. In reality, this leaves the U.S. president with three options to bring oil prices down quickly. The first is to announce another drawdown of oil from the U.S.s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), and vitally an accompanying statement that further releases will be done as and when required. When this was done on 23 November 2021 with just 50 million barrels a paltry amount in global oil supply terms - the shock value (it had only previously been done in periods of physical supply disruptions) helped to push benchmark oil prices down by around US$12 pb in the same week as the announcement. The second option would be to encourage the U.S. shale sector producers and again, vitally their financing banks, to ease up on the currently super-strict focus on paying down debt and returning cash to shareholders rather than increasing shale oil production. This has led to the situation in which although average oil prices were much higher in 2021 than they were in 2018, the capital expenditure of U.S. shale producers last year was only 65 percent of what was spent three years earlier, according to industry figures. According to industry analysis, at US$100 pb, under no capital discipline, an additional 1.2 million bpd of extra oil could be expected to come from the U.S. shale sector, requiring an additional 270 rigs year on year. The third option is that Bidens team finally signs a new version of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, and removes sanctions. This, as highlighted recently by OilPrice.com, could release an additional 1.7 million bpd of oil (including 200,000 bpd of condensate and LPG/ethane) in a six to nine-month period from when sanctions are lifted, resulting in at least a 5-10 percent likely fall in the oil price. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Shell has made a significant oil and gas discovery offshore Namibia, one of the expected hotspots for exploration this year, Reuters reported on Tuesday, quoting three sources in the industry. Shell, which started drilling the Graff-1 well in Namibias waters in December, has found resources estimated at 250-300 million barrels of oil and gas equivalent, one of the sources told Reuters. The government of Namibia is expected to make an announcement next week, two sources said. Namibia does not produce oil and gas, but the offshore area around it is thought to hold a lot of resources, and analysts believe it would be one of the top high-impact exploration hotspots this year. Namibias neighbor to the north is OPEC producer Angola, which has a lot of offshore developments. Namibia is again under the spotlight as Shell bank on the highly anticipated Graff-1 to unlock frontier plays in the Orange Sub-basin, Erik Meyer and Hugh Ewan, Senior Technical Research Analysts at IHS Markit, said in a note just after Shell spud the Graff-1 well in December. If successful, Graff-1 could spark significant international investment to a region which has had minimal E&P activity over the last 25 years, they added. However, the analysts stressed that a discovery has to be sizeable to be commercially viable. Shell is likely targeting at least 210 million barrels of recoverable resources, they said. According to Reuters sources, it is not clear yet if Shells discovery is as big as to lead to a deepwater development offshore Namibia. Deepwater plays, with highly productive reservoirs, including offshore Nambia, will be prioritized by large companies this year, Wood Mackenzie said last month. Giant prospects in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Namibia, and South Africa would be priorities for majors, while deepwater is likely to account for half of all new volumes, WoodMac said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline could expand its capacity a year ahead of schedule, the managing director of the project, Luca Schieppati, told Italian media as quoted by Reuters this week. TAP is the final leg of the Southern Gas Corridor that carries natural gas from the Shah Deniz gas field in the Azeri section of the Caspian Sea. It connects Greece to Italy. The current annual capacity of the pipeline is 10 billion cubic meters. Of this, the bulk of it, or 8 billion cubic meters goes to Italy, with another 1 billion cubic meters going to Greece and Bulgaria each. The capacity could be expanded to carry natural gas to other European countries as well. For comparison, in 2020, Russia's Gazprom supplied a total of 174.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas to European countries. "We offered to the market to speed up the timings... We are willing to expand our capacity one year in advance, also because we already have the go ahead of the regulatory authorities," Schieppati told Italian daily Il Messaggero. The Southern Gas Corridor, a $40-billion project, only started operating at the end of last year. The full initial capacity of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline has been booked for the next 20 years. Meanwhile, natural gas prices in Europe are rising again, this time fuelled by the rising tensions around Ukraine. Per Natural Gas Intelligence, the TTF benchmark contracts for February and March added almost $5. The jump was supported by reconsideration on the part of two Chinese LNG traders to sell cargoes to Europe. "LNG markets are still primarily driven by European prices, as the energy crisis storms on, European Union storage levels are at record lows and price volatility has continued due to significant variance in market fundamentals scenarios," Vortexa's head of LNG Felix Booth told Natural Gas Intelligence. "This market uncertainty is centered around Russian gas supplies to central Europe and the associated geopolitical dimension of the growing tension over Ukraine," he added. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Just as free Covid-19 tests are landing in the mailboxes of people who ordered them, the first free N95 masks for the public have started to arrive at US pharmacies, with more on the way in the coming days. The Biden administration seeks to ramp up access to high-quality masks amid the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Meanwhile, the free tests started shipping out last week, and are part of the administration's effort to increase access to testing around the United States. Masks already are set up for distribution at some Hy-Vee and Meijer grocery stores in the Midwest, with more expected at Southeastern Grocers stores later this week. "Last week masks began shipping and arriving at pharmacies and grocers around (the) country. We expect that throughout the week the number of stores and N95s arriving to scale up significantly," an administration official told CNN on Monday. The Biden administration announced last week that the 400 million N95 masks, which are coming from the Strategic National Stockpile, will be distributed to pharmacies and community health centers, with the program expected to be fully up and running by early February. The masks are arriving at their destinations with accompanying flyers and signage from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which paid for the masks. "Mask up and maximize your protection," the flyers say, encouraging Americans to "help slow the spread of Covid by protecting yourself and those around you." The flyer, which is being distributed in both English and Spanish, notes that up to three of the free masks are "available to every person in the U.S." It directs people to cdc.gov/coronavirus and includes a QR code with instructions on how to properly put on and take off the masks. The masks are rolling out just as some in the United States are receiving US Postal Service packages containing free Covid-19 antigen tests they ordered. Gourjoine Wade of San Antonio, Texas, told CNN he ordered the tests the day covidtests.gov went live last week. He wanted to have them on hand and ready for when they are needed. "It's another tool in the toolbox of keeping me, my family, and our community safe," Wade said. Where masks are arriving Some of the first masks arrived in the Midwest on Friday, including at Hy-Vee grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. Masks will also begin arriving at Southeastern Grocers locations as early this Friday, the official added, and will be available at Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacies. Mills Civic Hy-Vee in West Des Moines, Iowa, received masks Friday, along with nearly 150 other Hy-Vee locations. Photos provided by the store show employees handing out the individually wrapped packages of masks, with flyers positioned nearby for customers to take home. "I can confirm that we began receiving and distributing our first shipments of N95 masks from HHS on Friday, Jan. 21. At this time, many Hy-Vee pharmacy locations have received and are distributing their mask allocations. All 275 Hy-Vee pharmacies in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin will have masks by mid-week," Christina Gayman, a spokesperson for Hy-Vee, Inc., wrote in an email to CNN on Monday. "We have received many positive comments from customers who are happy we have the masks and are distributing them so quickly. We still have masks available at all locations that have received them so far," Gayman added. At Meijer locations, the masks will be placed on tables near the store entrances and distributed by greeters. Meijer confirmed to CNN on Monday that it has received "an estimated 3 million masks" that will be made available for no charge to any customer who needs them. CVS pharmacies are also expected to receive and begin distributing free N95 masks in the coming weeks as supply from the federal government comes in, spokesman Matt Blanchette told CNN in an email Monday. Walgreens expects free N95 masks will be available at some locations starting this Friday, according to a company spokesperson. "We are pleased to partner with the Administration to make N95 masks in varying sizes available free of charge at participating Walgreens locations while supplies last," a Walgreens spokesperson wrote in an email to CNN on Monday. "Customers and patients can pick up a maximum of three masks per person," the email noted. "We expect the first stores to begin offering masks on Friday, Jan. 28, and will continue on a rolling basis in the days and weeks following. Participating stores will have signage indicating mask availability." The first 100 community health centers participating in the rollout of the federal government's free N95 mask program will also start this week, Amy Simmons Farber, a spokesperson for the National Association of Community Health Centers wrote in an email to CNN on Monday. The Health Resources and Services Administration or HRSA oversees the Community Health Centers program for the federal government, and notes on its website that the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program will begin incrementally, providing N95 masks to approximately 100 to 200 health centers in the initial phase. "These health centers should receive and start distributing masks before the end of January 2022," according to HRSA. Farber added that by mid-February, HRSA anticipates that masks will be made available to all health centers. "For now, the program is limited to around 300 Community Health Centers to ensure the logistics of receiving, storing and distributing the masks are worked out. Our understanding is the program will be widened to include more health centers as part of the Biden Administration's effort to ensure underserved communities have equitable access to public health tools," Farber wrote in the email. "Our understanding is that these select health centers should be receiving the masks by the end of January," Farber wrote. "Each individual health center will need time to develop a distribution plan and notification process for patients. If you are a patient, check with your local health center's web site for announcements. Bear in mind that most health care systems are at capacity and workers are suffering from pandemic exhaustion -- and health centers are no exception. Try to avoid overwhelming call centers for now." Masks are 'largest deployment' yet This rollout of free masks has been called the federal government's "largest deployment" yet. "This effort represents the largest deployment by the Strategic National Stockpile to date and it's also the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history," Dawn O'Connell, assistant secretary for Preparedness and Response at HHS wrote in a blog post Friday. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not plan to change its guidance on mask usage as the administration ramps up access to these masks. The CDC recommends Americans wear well-fitting masks, which can include multiple layers of cloth masks, N95s, or K95s. "Masking is a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask," the CDC said in a statement earlier this month. "Some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others, and some may be harder to tolerate or wear consistently than others," CDC guidelines say. "It is most important to wear a well-fitted mask or respirator correctly that is comfortable for you and that provides good protection." By having a better fit and certain materials -- such as polypropylene fibers -- acting as both mechanical and electrostatic barriers, N95 masks help to better prevent tiny particles from getting into the nose or mouth and must be fitted to the face to function properly. "CDC continues to recommend that any mask is better than no mask. And we do encourage all Americans to wear a well-fitting mask to protect themselves and prevent the spread of Covid-19," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told reporters in a briefing earlier this month. "And that recommendation is not going to change." The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. CNN's Paul Murphy contributed to this report. The ink had just dried on a judges order upholding the City of Omahas mask mandate Tuesday when an attorney opposed to the mandate set eyes on whether they could get the issue before another set of robes. Dave Lopez, a private-practice attorney and former assistant Nebraska attorney general representing three Republican members of Omahas City Council, said he was exploring how, and how quickly, this case could get to Nebraskas Supreme Court. The short answer: It probably will not be quick or easy. In the vast majority of cases, the Nebraska Supreme Court requires that any appeals be based on a final order. Douglas County District Judge Shelly Stratman merely declined to issue a temporary restraining order on Tuesday and isnt close to a full hearing on the case. Stratman pointed to Nebraska Supreme Court decisions that say a judges ruling on a temporary injunction is not an appealable order. Additionally, in her 30-page decision, Stratman emphasized that both sides will present evidence at a yet-to-be-scheduled permanent injunction hearing. At such a hearing, the state could present additional information that would change her mind regarding who has the power to enact measures related to communicable diseases in the City of Omaha. The state had argued that such mandates require approval from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. For now, Stratman rejected that argument. Siding with the city and county, she pointed out that the plain language of the Omaha municipal code requires that the health director shall take all measures necessary to prevent the introduction ... of malignant, contagious and infectious diseases. The Omaha City Council gave Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse the authority to act as the citys health director. In turn, the judge decided, she had a right to impose a mask mandate to try to quell the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases. This plain text appears, at least at this stage, to support the authority (the city and county) assert Dr. Huse possesses, Stratman wrote. Lopez, who represents council members Aimee Melton, Brinker Harding and Don Rowe, said that although we respectfully disagree with the Courts conclusion, we appreciate the attention the Court devoted to this case on such a short timetable. This is, as the Court recognized, a critically important case about the balance of governmental power, Lopez said. As such, we believe it should ultimately be decided by the States highest court and as quickly as possible. Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said his office disagrees with the decision but recognizes the high bar required to put a stop to a law. A very important question still needs to be resolved in this case, Peterson said in a statement. That question is whether our laws allow one unaccountable official to unilaterally impose these kinds of mandates on individuals and businesses backed by the threat of fines or imprisonment. No date has been set for a permanent injunction hearing. In a two-hour hearing Monday, attorneys had pointed out that Huse, desperate to combat COVID-19, had sought the counsel of city and county attorneys to see if she had a path to a mask mandate. Huse then gave a report to the Douglas County Board on Tuesday morning suggesting that COVID-19 cases appear to be starting to come down off of hopefully the peak of this omicron spike. By noon Tuesday, she got word that the judge had upheld the mandate. We felt we were on solid legal ground and were pleased with the judges decision, Huse said in a statement. The Health Department has and will continue to work tirelessly in this battle against COVID-19, and we hope that with everyones cooperation we can soon return to normal. Stratman rejected the argument that Huse had to get approval from the HHS director. Huse would have had to get such approval had she been acting as Douglas County health director. But Huse was acting in her de facto position as city health director, appointed by the Omaha City Council. Historically, rejecting a restraining order doesnt bode well for the states attempts to overturn the mandate. While judges can change their mind, they rarely deviate from what they decide as far as a temporary restraining order. Any hearing on a permanent injunction likely would be weeks away. Though omicron may pass by then, attorneys say the issue is still important. Judge Stratman put it this way: This matter involves weighty disputes between the parties about the balance of power between the City of Omaha and the State of Nebraska to regulate matters pertaining to health within Omahas city limits. The judge also noted that a lot can change as the case progresses. The City Council could pass a resolution on masks. Or it could rescind its assignment of health director duties to Huse. Its not clear whether the City Council would do so just three of the seven members had joined the state in attempting to stop Huses mandate. In making this difficult decision, the Court takes into consideration the fact that even as litigation progresses, intervenors, as members of the City Council, maintain legislative power, Stratman wrote. To the extent that immediate action needs to be taken in this matter, it can and should be taken by the city and states respective legislative powers. A state senator has proposed a bill that would require all local health departments to hold public hearings, and seek HHS approval, before issuing health directives. It is unclear whether that bill will proceed to a vote this year. During Mondays hearing, the state argued that Huse didnt have a right to issue a mandate without HHS approval. The state also noted that in August, Huse sought to issue a mask mandate for the county but was denied by the HHS director. The state suggested that Huse was trying to do an end-run around the requirement that she get HHS approval. They also suggested that her mandate could cause irreparable harm because of the threat of jail or fines for those who violate the mandate. Under Huses order which is similar to one passed by the City Council in 2020 masks are required for people over age 5 in indoor public venues, such as schools and many businesses. Exceptions include religious services and places where it is possible to maintain 6 feet of distance. Before it went into effect Jan. 12, Huse said it could expire after four weeks. In roughly the two weeks since the mandate went into effect, Omaha police officers have issued no citations or written warnings. Officer Michael Pecha, an Omaha police spokesman, said that as of Monday the 13th day with the mask mandate in place Omaha police fielded five complaints regarding mask wearing. Officers followed up on the calls and went to three grocery stores, a retail store and a gas station. Pecha couldnt provide more detailed information on the complaints. Comparatively, in the first five months of Omahas mask mandate enacted Aug. 11, 2020, there were 389 logged complaints and officers issued only six citations. Robert Slovek, an Omaha attorney hired to defend Huse, had rejected assertions that Huse was acting out of anything but a desire to combat a global pandemic. Slovek said city and county attorneys laid the foundation for Dr. Huse to do her work. The judges ruling demonstrates that Dr. Huse was acting in good faith on behalf of the citizens of Omaha, Slovek said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Todd Cooper Reporter - Courts Todd Cooper covers courts, lawyers, trials, legal issues, the justice system and government wrongdoing for The World-Herald. Follow him on Twitter @CooperonCourts. Phone: 402-444-1275. Follow Todd Cooper Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A 37-year-old Nigerian man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for wire fraud, including a scheme involving an Omaha couple. Jude Uzochukwu Ifeanyi was sentenced Monday in Omaha to three years and five months in prison, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for Nebraska. After his release from prison, he will begin a one-year term of supervised release and must pay $262,895 in restitution to several victims. He will be deported to Nigeria after serving his sentence, officials said. The sentencing today of Jude Uzochukwu Ifeanyi sends a strong message to criminals who carry out business email compromise schemes, Omaha FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said. An investigation by the FBI determined that in May 2018, Ifeanyi and his co-conspirators developed a scheme in an effort to defraud an Omaha couple of $700,000. Ifeanyi and his co-conspirators, who were located in Nigeria, compromised an email account used by the Omaha couple. The conspirators identified a financial transaction that was to take place relating to the purchase of property in Florida and sent fraudulent emails that appeared to come from the sellers of the property. The emails directed the Omahans to use alternate wiring instructions when making payment for the property. As a result of the scheme, the Omahans were induced into making a $700,000 wire transfer to an unauthorized third-party bank account. When the fraud was discovered, the couple were able to recover a portion of the wire transfer but suffered a loss of $131,485. During the course of the investigation, the FBI determined that Ifeanyi and his co-conspirators also were involved in similar schemes to defraud nine other people, with losses totaling $1,581,655. In December 2020, Ifeanyi was extradited from Spain. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 35-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to 45 days in the Sarpy County Jail for receiving stolen property. The conviction caps a string of them related to the 2018 murder of a Bellevue man. Jonathan Riesgaard of Omaha faced up to six months in jail when he entered a guilty plea earlier this month. He was credited with 31 days served. Riesgaard had faced up to three years in prison when he originally was charged with being an accessory to the murder of Brent Quigley, 39, who was stabbed to death in his Bellevue home. Authorities said Riesgaard was not present when Quigley was killed. Riesgaards sentencing wraps up the criminal proceedings that involved five people found guilty of being involved in Quigleys death. Raymond T. Davis, 32, of Des Moines, was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder. Christopher J. Reagan, 49, of Omaha, was sentenced to 80 years to life in prison after he pleaded no contest to second-degree murder. Alisia Cooke, 31, of Omaha, who let Reagan and Davis into Quigleys house after she said she would have sex with Quigley for money, was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison after being found guilty of second-degree murder. Krystal R. Martin, 24, of Hawk Point, Missouri, was sentenced to five to 20 years after pleading guilty to being an accessory to a felony. Officials said Martin wasnt present when Quigley was killed. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nebraska gubernatorial candidates Charles W. Herbster and Jim Pillen are trading barbs over the importance of parenthood as a qualification to be the states next top executive. Pillen, a University of Nebraska regent and livestock producer, and his wife Suzanne have four children and seven grandchildren. Herbster, a Falls City businessman, and his late wife, Judy, didnt have children. Judy Herbster died in 2017 of a heart attack. Considered front-runners in the Republican primary race, the two campaigns have sparred before. But the subject matter this time was personal: How and to what extent the differences in their biographies bear weight in the race. Herbster took issue with Pillens comments at a recent press conference where term-limited Gov. Pete Ricketts officially announced his endorsement. Pillen was asked what distinguishes him from Herbster, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Part of his answer: If you dont have a family, it doesnt make you a bad person, but its a distinct, significant difference in how you view life when theres more to the world than just you. Herbster released a scathing statement on Twitter on Monday afternoon criticizing that take. His statement shows a complete disdain for the many Nebraskans who have chosen not to have children or who have encountered challenges when trying to start a family, Herbster said in the statement. Jim Pillen does not know their stories, and he clearly does not know mine. Pillens comments demonstrated a lack of empathy for families that dont look like his, Herbster asserted. A century ago, if you were not married or did not have children, parts of society shunned you, he said. Thankfully, our attitudes about family structure and extended families have changed. God has blessed me mightily, but not with children. My late wife, Judy, and I stepped up and stepped in to help single parents, friends, colleagues and neighbors as they raised their children. He framed the comments as so offensive that Pillen should pull out of the race and that Ricketts should drop his support. But Pillen dismissed Herbsters comments, calling them fake-news hogwash. Herbster, Pillen said in a statement, has himself cited his lack of immediate family as an asset. Among examples the Pillen campaign included in its response was a radio interview from last May: I have no wife, we lost Judy in 2017, Herbster said then. We were not blessed with children, so I have no children. I have no grandchildren. I have zero family left. Ive buried everyone ... Im the perfect person to leave and go somewhere else. But Im not going to do that ... because Im just like you. If you cut me, Im gonna bleed red. Im gonna bleed Nebraska. On multiple occasions, Charles Herbster has publicly stated he believes he is more qualified to be governor because he has no family, Pillen said. Now, hes attacking me when I say that parenting is an important perspective for our next governor to have. All Nebraska parents know what it takes to protect and provide for our children in a changing world. Weve been raising our children here for over 40 years. Our youngest is a junior in high school. We know what it takes to protect our kids in todays world and give them the best life we can. Twisting my comment into an attack is just peddling fake-news hogwash. Former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, who briefly served as Herbsters running mate before deciding to launch her own gubernatorial campaign, criticized Pillens remark. In a campaign video released on social media, Thibodeau called the comments an outlandish attack that should disgust everyone. People without a family could be parents who lost a child or could not bear one, widowed spouses, even Catholic clergy. Jim, whats your problem with these Nebraskans? Thibodeau said in the video. In a time when liberal Democrats try to label and separate us, divisive comments like this should disqualify any Republican candidate. World-Herald Staff Writer Martha Stoddard contributed to this report. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. If Russian forces invade Ukraine in the coming weeks, some Offutt-based air crews may be among the first to know. Two RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft from Offutt Air Force Bases 55th Wing (plus a third from Great Britains Royal Air Force) are part of a growing wave of reconnaissance aircraft from U.S. and allied nations flying just beyond the Russian frontier, watching and listening for signs of war. Collectively, these planes both manned and unmanned can pick up many kinds of electronic signals. The Rivet Joints carry teams of interpreters capable of translating radio communications from the ground at a range of up to 300 miles, said Robert Hopkins III, who flew RC-135s in the Gulf War and is now a historian of Air Force reconnaissance missions. They are the eyes and ears of Americas national command authority people who live next door to you in Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion and Plattsmouth, Hopkins said. Anyone on the front lines is going to have a front-row seat to whats happening. Since late December, reconnaissance planes from the U.S., Great Britain, Sweden, Germany and Norway have logged more than 100 flights near the Russian border especially near Ukraine, where Russia has reportedly massed up to 100,000 troops for a possible invasion. Rivet Joints have flown at least 19 of those missions. Theres been a spike in the RC-135 operations in Eastern Europe, and over Ukraine, said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who commanded the 55th Wing a decade ago and who now serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Both the frequency and types of aircraft have ramped up over the last two months, according to aircraft monitors who track the flights through websites such as ADSBexchange.com. There were eight flights Monday and 12 Tuesday, marking two of the heaviest back-to-back days of the past month. The frequency has gone from three or four times a week, to multiple flights a day, said Hopkins, co-author of Crowded Skies: Cold War Reconnaissance in the Baltic, slated for publication in March. All of a sudden, this is from the south of Europe to the north of Europe; from Yalta to St. Petersburg. Russia and Ukraine have a long history of domination and conflict. The territory that is now Ukraine has been fought over by Russia and other powerful neighbors such as Austria and Poland for centuries. Much of Ukraine was absorbed into the Russian empire in the 1600s, and later was a republic of the Soviet Union. The region was a target of Stalinist terror, including a forced famine and large-scale political purges in the 1930s. Along with other former Soviet republics, Ukraine declared its independence during the USSRs 1991 collapse. Since Vladimir Putins rise to power in 2000, he has sought to permanently return Ukraine to Russias orbit including by force, as when he engineered the annexation of Crimea and occupied eastern Ukraine with a proxy army in 2014. That conflict has simmered ever since, with pro-Russian militias occupying provinces in Ukraines far east, as well as Crimea. In recent months, Putin has demanded that NATO permanently exclude Ukraine. President Joe Biden has said thats a nonstarter. Last week he predicted that Russia would soon invade, though Putin has denied any plans. Earlier this week, Biden alerted 8,500 troops that they might be deployed to nearby countries, though not Ukraine itself. Hes also pledged strong sanctions against Russia and its leaders. For years, the U.S. has flown routine Rivet Joint missions in the region, from forward-deployed bases in England and Greece. The routes have primarily focused on Kaliningrad (a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea dense with military facilities) and Crimea (a Ukrainian peninsula in the Black Sea, seized by Russia in 2014). Recently, the planes have expanded routes over Poland, eastern Ukraine, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The last couple of months, things have been slowly escalating, said Amelia Smith, an online aircraft tracker who lives near Boston. Its definitely new and interesting to see these flights over Ukraine itself. Smith, 25, is part of a small army of internet sleuths who have taken advantage of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) network that monitors civilian and military air traffic around the world. She works for an office-supply retailer and has had no degree or special training in defense issues. But she has a hobbyists avid interest in intelligence and aerial reconnaissance and a knack for digging up information online. Open-source intelligence is available to anyone, she said. Anyone can do this. Smiths daily updates on reconnaissance flights over Eastern Europe posted on her Twitter account, @ameliairheart have drawn a following on social media. Her posts mapping the flights draw hundreds of likes and dozens of retweets among her following of military intelligence and aviation enthusiasts including experts like Hopkins, who described them as credible and reliable. Smith is the first to map out each planes surveillance range, using colorful bubbles that show the distance their crews can see and hear. Smiths data shows that 19 of the flights involved Rivet Joints. Her post Monday, for example, showed a 55th Wing RC-135 operating out of Mildenhall flying a U-shaped track around Kaliningrad over Poland and Lithuania. She has also tracked flights by several other crewed aircraft types, including Air Force E-8 JSTARS and E-3 AWACS and Navy P-8A Poseidons, plus unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawks and MQ-9 Reapers. All can intercept different types of electronic and communication signals. Rivet Joints and P-8s are ears. E-8 JSTARS are ground eyes, and E-3 AWACS are aerial eyes, Hopkins said. The unmanned aircraft can operate at very high altitudes, and for long periods of time. The Army has contributed RC-12X aircraft along with its new ARTEMIS system, both of which operate at lower altitudes. The Rivet Joints, built in the early 1960s for Cold War-era reconnaissance and upgraded in the 21st century, are among the militarys most sought-after surveillance tools because they can give real-time information about whats happening on the ground. The higher they go, the farther they can see, Hopkins said. The Rivet Joints are going to have the largest range. Theyre going to be able to hear well into Russia. The crews have been flying missions in the Middle East continuously since August 1990, just days after Iraqi forces invaded and occupied Kuwait. They have flown frequently during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also along the tense border between North and South Korea. For the crews, these missions are routine. Bacon, who has flown on planes like these in combat zones, said theres an added element of risk on the Ukrainian frontier a new region for 55th Wing crews. These guys probably have had to up their game, he said. Hopkins said it would be hard for the crews to forget that in 2014, during an earlier Russia-Ukraine showdown, soldiers in eastern Ukraine used a surface-to-air missile to shoot down a Malaysian Airlines jetliner, killing all 298 civilians on board. During the early Cold War years, the Soviet Union sometimes shot down U.S. reconnaissance flights in the fierce defense of its borders. Thats not the way Russia conducts itself now, and Hopkins thinks the odds are low of a repeat. But not quite zero. I dont think the Russians would take any action that would put an American or NATO aircraft at risk, he said. But you cant rule out the possibility that a Russian separatist group could shoot a plane at random. If youre a crew member, he said, You cant just ignore the threat. You have to take it seriously. Even absent that fear, theres the certainty that war and peace hang in the balance as the Rivet Joint crews carry out their missions. Theres a sense of gravitas thats not there on a day-to-day basis, Hopkins said. Theyre gathering intelligence with the knowledge it will go straight to the top, and it will be acted on. The world is watching, and waiting. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LINCOLN The residence hall designated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as quarantine quarters for students who tested positive for COVID was filling up fast before the spring semester wrapped up its first week. Matthew Gillespie found his assigned room on the eighth floor of Sandoz Hall already occupied on Friday morning, after the test the Omaha student had taken a day earlier came back positive. He got to the room a couple hours before I did, Gillespie, an economics and political science major with sophomore standing, said in a phone interview. Everyone Ive talked to has said they have a roommate. Sandoz Hall, which opened as a womens dormitory more than half a century ago, was closed this year as construction on a nearby College of Engineering building got underway. It was expected to remain offline until 2023, but over winter break, in anticipation that the need for quarantine and isolation rooms would exceed the beds available in another residence hall, UNL reopened eight floors of Sandoz to create additional capacity. On Monday, a total of 210 students at UNL were in quarantine in Sandoz Hall and Piper Hall, the university said. The quarantine numbers come as a reported 2,011 students, faculty and staff roughly 11.4% of the 17,710 saliva samples submitted tested positive for COVID between Jan. 14 and 20, the final week of mandatory reentry testing on campus. Its about what we were expecting given everything we had seen about omicron, said Deb Fiddelke, UNLs chief communications officer. The highly contagious variant has driven record numbers of cases across the United States, including in the Capital City, according to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, prompting the return of a citywide mask mandate this month. UNL also imposed its own mask mandate ahead of the spring semester. This week, students who live in congregate living spaces, such as residence halls or fraternity or sorority houses, will be required to test once more in an effort to detect any lingering COVID clusters on campus. But aside from that, UNL will move ahead with the spring semester as planned, Fiddelke said, including in-person classes. UNL Faculty Senate President Steve Kolbe said the number of students missing class due to COVID varies across campus, often correlating with students living arrangements. The associate professor of virtual production in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film said he has had minimal disruptions in his classes, but has heard some classes have had as many as 25% of students out sick. Everyone kind of knows the deal, he said. Students know the deal. We encourage them not to come to class if they dont feel well, just like I wont come to class if I dont feel well. Were trying to be as lenient as we can be, Kolbe added. The spike in cases at the states largest university campus has raised concerns among some students, however, who say it has become nearly impossible to avoid coming into contact with someone carrying the virus. Ken Bartling, a freshmen political science major from Grand Island, said he was notified about six potential exposures since returning to Lincoln on Jan. 10, including the day after he moved back to campus. In a letter to Chancellor Ronnie Green and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Laurie Bellows, Bartling said UNLs requirement that students submit to COVID testing by the end of the first week of the spring semester rather than before they could attend class was inadequate and insufficient to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff on campus. Bartling asked UNL to consider postponing the start of in-person classes for two weeks, provide students with N95 masks, require more frequent testing of students or require instructors to provide virtual learning options for students leery of gathering in groups. I know quite a few people who have told me they feel unsafe even going to class, Bartling said in a phone interview. Bellows, responding on behalf of UNLs administration, told Bartling that they were confident that the protocols weve put in place will help ensure the safety of our campus community. UNL said it was also reluctant to return to online-only learning, which it said resulted in higher levels of stress for most students and, for some, an increase in mental health concerns. Bartling said he was glad to hear (UNL is) concerned about students mental health, but said he believed a temporary return to virtual learning would have been a better approach to start the spring semester. Safety and well-being should be the first priority, he said. Fiddelke said the rapid, saliva-based testing allows UNL to notify students early whether they have COVID, and to provide them options for isolating or quarantining themselves. Students who live on campus are given the option of moving into Sandoz Hall or Piper Hall temporarily. Under current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students are asked to quarantine in the dorm for five days. After the five days are up, students return to in-person classes and other campus buildings if they follow proper masking and social distancing rules, Fiddelke said. Those with roommates are asked to continue sleeping in the quarantine room for an additional five nights until they are cleared to move back into their own residence hall, according to UNLs protocols. Gillespie, who was fully vaccinated and received a booster shot Dec. 23, said students have been moving out of Sandoz after finishing their quarantine requirements just in time for others to move in at a steady clip. Its not super-crazy, but its been a pretty busy place, he said. UNL provides box lunches and dinners for the students in the Sandoz lobby Gillespie said the food situation could definitely be a lot better and a store in the residence hall offers other goodies such as cereal, mac and cheese and microwaveable pizza rolls. In between classes, or late into the night, quarantined Huskers pass the time walking around the residence hall and socializing, Gillespie said. Many, including himself, appear to be asymptomatic. Not too many people are super-stressed or anxious or anything, he said. But its quarantine, so theres not much to do. Legislative Resolution 282CA, introduced in the Nebraska Legislature on the final day of bill introduction in the 2022 session, would repeal a portion of the state constitution that originally chartered Nebraskas unicameral Legislature. The provision LR282CA would scrap requires that candidates for the Legislature be elected on a nonpartisan basis, without any indication on the ballot that would identify them with any given political party. When I retired from a career that included 34 years as registered lobbyist, I wrote a book that examined George Norriss original ideas regarding what he termed A Model State Legislature, a piece published on The New York Times opinion page on Jan. 28, 1923. My books goal was to discover whether, in its 80th year, Nebraskas unicameral continued to reflect Norriss original vision. One aspect of answering that question consisted of conducting a personal interview with the then-speaker of the Legislature and every living former speaker, as well as two other former officials of the body. If one overriding finding emerged from that exercise, it was that each and every interviewee stated total and unwavering support for our states nonpartisan, one-house parliamentary body. Interestingly, each and every one I spoke to gave at least as much importance to the nonpartisanship of the Nebraska Legislature as to its being one house. And more than one of them said that if push comes to shove, the nonpartisan status is probably even more important than unicameralism. I happily admit that when I started the research for the book, I did not understand that Nebraskas constitution provides only that the election of the members of the Legislature and not the organization and operation of the body be on a nonpartisan basis. The constitution provides that the body shall elect its own leadership, and the manner of its organization and proceedings actually are captured in the Rules of the Legislature, adopted at the beginning of every two-year body. Interestingly, I was far from alone in this misconception, which I found is widely held, even by some in and around the Legislature itself. So, if the Legislature would adopt LR282CA and the citizens of Nebraska approve the constitutional amendment at the ballot box, what would change? Actually, not much. The states two political parties would presumably each field a candidate in each district, but in most of the races especially in Omaha and Lincoln they do that now. Presumably, each candidate would openly identify their party, as would the ballot. But unless the Legislature would change its rules, the manner in which the successful candidates serve the state and their constituents would not change. So why is it being proposed? The answer to that question, in a word, is power. In addressing the opening day of Nebraskas first unicameral Legislature, George Norris told the members of that body, You are the members of the first Legislature of Nebraska to hold your positions without any partisan obligation to any machine, to any boss or to any alleged political leader. Norris went on to tell the members, You have an opportunity to render a service to your fellow citizens that no other Legislature has ever had. In our interview, former Lt. Gov. and President of the Legislature Kim Robak most likely said it best: Nonpartisanship makes it possible for members to work together who otherwise would not. I have no doubt that the political parties would like to have more to say about who serves in our Legislature, as well as what they do when they get there. But Nebraskans have only to look at the U.S. Congress to understand how well that would serve the public interest. Or not. Ron Jensen is an erstwhile state official who also served two tours of duty, totaling some 34 years, as a lobbyist at the Nebraska unicameral Legislature. Library relocation I totally agree that the city should keep the library at its current location. It is centralized for everyone with easy access. Also, why not spend the money to remodel it instead of renovating another building to relocate? Why does this city insist on tearing buildings down instead of renovating them? Other cities do. Also, when I was a small child I was taught to look both ways before crossing the street and to always cross at the corner or with a traffic signal. If a car is coming wait. Why should we have to put speed bumps on every street, or lights at every corner? In reference to the Blackstone District, maybe they should put brighter street lighting up so the pedestrians can see the cars coming. Susan Peters, Omaha Mask mandate In response to Sen. John McCollisters latest opinion piece (Jan. 16), I would like to offer a perspective on masking and the current mandate shared by many in this community. This is a perspective I have yet to hear posed to anyone in a position of leadership by the media for a response. Since vaccines have been made available starting in the winter of 2021, we have been told by the CDC and Dr. Fauci that once we are fully vaccinated we can finally do away with the requirement of masking in public. We are now into the middle of January 2022 and, by this point, all Americans that want to be vaccinated have been given ample opportunity to receive one. As a vaccinated person, the only logical reason I am being forced to mask is to protect the unvaccinated. The mask does nothing to protect me. It protects those that have chosen not to vax. No one wants an unvaccinated person to get the virus and get sick or worse, die, but at this point, the decision to not vaccinate is entirely theirs, not mine. Asking the vaccinated to don the mask to protect them is frankly insulting. The counter might be that the mask is protecting the vaccinated person since they can still contract the virus, but if one looks at the mortality rates for vaccinated folks, you will find the chances of death are in the .14% to .53% range depending on age and booster status (CDC data). Ones chances of dying in a car crash in a lifetime is .93% (NSC data). No one expects the government to ban car travel until made safer. Similarly, mask mandates must end. The choice to mask should be left to the individual, not be mandated by government. Chad Meyer, Omaha Personal responsibility Mayor Jean Stothert says that she does not support a mask mandate, saying that she instead supports personal responsibility and accountability. I fail to see any sort of accountability under this personal responsibility scenario that she envisions. What does accountability mean to her? Does it mean that if someone can prove an unvaccinated and unmasked individual infected them, they can sue for damages? Does it mean that the police and prosecutors will pursue some sort of criminal action against folks who ignore all the available evidence and walk around as Typhoid Marys? How about the rationing of health care, denying it to those who refuse to mask or vaccinate? Health care professionals have openly stated that we are now rationing care so it only seems appropriate that the accountable action would be for the unmasked and unvaccinated to refuse treatment and for hospitals to put them last in line for whatever resources may, or may not be, remaining. The mayor also seems proud of the Omaha areas almost-70% vaccination rate. Yet when compared to other vaccine rates that are mandated polio, MMR, chicken pox 70% is telling us that personal responsibility really doesnt work without that government enforced accountability. Our society has proved that a sizable portion just want to be obstinate. A mask mandate is almost the absolute least that our society can do and the mayor doesnt even want to do that? Mayor Stothert former nurse Stothert please do just a notch above the absolute bare minimum and support a mask mandate to help relieve the overwhelming surge of patients hitting hospitals now. Nathan Rice, Lincoln Legislative Resolution 14 I am writing in regards to Legislative Resolution 14. This resolution has no business being debated this session or any session. A number of Constitutional law experts have stated that this is a bad idea. I am positive we do not have very many Constitutional law experts in the legislature. In addition, we have many pressing matters affecting this state that need the full attention of the nonpartisan Unicameral. This resolution is taking away valuable time that could be spent on these matters such as tax relief, addressing how to allocate federal funds related to the pandemic, just to name a few. I urge all senators to put away partisan politics and vote against this resolution. Jerry Baker, Omaha Candidate support I am supporting Jim Pillen for governor and Mike Flood for a congressional seat. These gentleman are conservatives who will best represent the majority of Nebraskans. We have to send a strong message to the states democratic party that its radical positions are no longer acceptable to the majority of Nebraskas residents. Please consider joining me in supporting these candidates as the future of this great state will be impacted significantly by this election. Randy Spahn, Gretna KSA Public Safety Committee focuses on cluster mailboxes Criminal damage and thefts from Kingwood cluster mailboxes became the major topic of discussion at the Kingwood Services Association (KSA) Public Safety meeting Jan. 12. It began with a single question following the routine monthly crime reports presented by the Houston Police Department (HPD) Kingwood Station for November and December. The reports themselves were routine but, to at least one committee member, there seemed to be information missing about incidents concerning mailboxes in Mills Branch. Weve had break-ins in our mailboxes again in Mills Branch Village. We had three in December. Weve had an additional three just last weekend. Were those in the crime stats or were they even reported? asked David Miniter of Mills Branch. HPD Officer Ayaht Nichols explained she did not remember any reports regarding Mills Branch, even though there were criminal mischief reports about cluster mailboxes located in Kings Point Village. I spoke with Ray (Rhodes, the Kings Point committee member) earlier today in regard to their mailboxes, Nichols said. She asked Miniter if the Mills Branch Village Homeowners Association (HOA) owns the mailboxes in its neighborhoods. Yes, we do, Miniter said. They are cluster mailboxes and Mills Branch Village is responsible for maintaining them because they are not individual stand-alone mailboxes owned by the residents. Nichols explained since the HOA owned the boxes, the damage done to them should be reported and is usually classified as criminal mischief. However, any thefts or unauthorized use of the residents individual boxes in the cluster would go to the U.S. Postal Service for investigation. Nichols pointed out even though both single resident mailboxes and cluster mailboxes are bought and installed by residents, their HOAs or the property owner in the case of apartments, they are all considered to be federal property for purposes of reporting and investigating mail theft from them. Miniter pointed out he and probably others learn of damage done to the cluster boxes themselves long after the damage occurs and often through nonspecific comments on social media, like nextdoor.com. He surmised delays in damage discovery and no specific recognition of the crimes when they occur may account for under reporting to HPD. It also raises the issue of who, if anyone, is reporting possible theft to the U.S. Postal Service for investigation. Chairman Marshall Settegast asked Nichols if the Safety Committee could get some paperwork started with the HPD in the next few days to report and specify any cluster boxes they know of that have been vandalized in the past. Sure, absolutely, once you have that information, Nichols said. She added that Ray Rhodes had gathered all of the documentation on when the criminal mischief took place in Kings Point and was planning to meet with HPD to formally report them. He is coming in tomorrow morning to file his reports, Nichols said. She clarified that a separate report is needed for each mailbox actually damaged in a cluster unless they all happened on the same day. Settegast suggested the committee members check with their HOAs immediately in order to get the reports to the HPD as soon as possible. The discussion about reporting damage raised the issue of repairing the damage and who absorbs the cost. Since the cluster units are owned by the HOAs, it is clearly an HOA responsibility to maintain and repair them as needed. Ethel McCormick of Kingwood Association Management, the administrative services company for many of the Kingwood HOAs and for KSA itself, said she has coincidentally been pursuing this issue from an insurance coverage standpoint as repairs and maintenance when needed for any reason are often significant. I have been in contact with our insurance agent and if we are required to purchase the mailboxes, we can put them under our property coverage per each association, McCormick said. She explained it will be covered under the general liability and property coverage provisions already in place for each Villages HOA where ever cluster mailboxes are used. In order to get that done, at the insurance agents request, McCormick explained she is compiling the needed information about which specific HOAs have cluster mailbox units, along with their locations, which will require coverage. She noted there are actually more associations that have individual mailboxes owned by their residents than there are those with cluster mailboxes. Settegast asked her to confirm that this would be handled through KSA within the common insurance provision used by all the HOAs. McCormick said that it would be handled that way. In other business: Dustin Hodges of Dave Martins city council office reported cleanup trucks are well into sweeping through the areas impacted by the Jan. 8 early morning tornadoes in Forest Cove and Trailwood. He urged everyone who had not yet called the Houston 311 non emergency number to request debris pickup to do so as soon as possible. He pointed out that not all the debris could be collected and put out for pickup within the first 48 hours, especially in the hardest hit area of Forest Cove. We fully understand there may be a need for additional collections. Nobody needs to feel like they cant report it. Keep reporting it. That makes it easier for us to get it taken care of, using the calls to justify the need for additional debris sweeps, Hodges said. The final order of business was to elect the committees officers for 2022. By acclimation, Marshall Settegast of Mills Branch Village will continue as chairman. Dave Lambrix of South Woodland Hills will serve as vice chairman. The next Public Safety Committee Meeting is Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Due to Covid-19, it will take place as a Zoom teleconference. Those planning to attend should call the Kingwood Association Management office at 281-358-5192 a day or two prior to the meeting to obtain teleconference credentials. Humble ISD school board hears bond presentation, celebrates School Board Appreciation Month January is School Board Appreciation Month and it is celebrated across the state of Texas. As a result, all board members, regardless of tenure, were presented with gifts from senior FFA members, Humble ATPE members and more. Several elementary campus students even created colorful hot air balloon artwork which adorned the board stand. Even the Inspiring Moments video by Public Communications featured special messages from students and entire classes. Dr. Elizabeth Fagen, Humble ISD superintendent, remarked, We certainly appreciate the hard work and dedication of each of our members. Each one of them works hundreds of sometimes thankless hours as a volunteer to make a difference in our students. The Humble ISD school board is comprised of normal people that when they come together, they work as a team. They give personal sacrifice to work with politicians, attend meetings, and make informed decisions for complex issues, added State Vice President of Region 4 Humble Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), Stacey Ward. Members of the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) continued the celebration and positive remarks by thanking all trustees for their service, followed by a presentation to the board which included a listing of successful projects completed as part of past bond projects districtwide as well as showcasing proposed projects that could be tackled and completed with future bond dollars. The CBAC was formed in the latter part of 2021 and included parents of then-currently enrolled Humble ISD students and other district persons, such as residents, property taxpayers, staff members and even students. The committee had an orientation session, followed up by six additional sessions between September and December. These committee members continue to advise the Humble ISD administration and school board on the funding of facility updates, new campus designs and locations, technology advancements and other renovations. These modifications support positive school experiences, now and for generations to come. Several of the projects in the presentation included elements of safety, such as alarm systems, HVAC updates, stadium turf additions, Wi-Fi access improvements and overall connectivity and firewall changes. Some campuses are proposed to receive a face-lift via renovation, while it is suggested that other campuses be rebuilt due to age. Dr. Roger Brown, deputy superintendent of Humble ISD added, As promised to voters, the resulting tax rate from the 2008 and 2018 bond has not exceeded 35 cents for debt service. If approved, the new bond would not come with a tax rate increase. This is a big deal. For a copy of the presentation brought before the board, refer to humbleisd.net/cms/lib/TX01001414/Centricity/Domain/10548/CBAC_BoardPresentation_2022Jan11.pdf. To read more about the CBAC, find out about Bond 2018, review the facilities assessment, view photos, or become informed about the orientation and follow-up sessions, see humbleisd.net/Page/99204. Normally, in this part of the Corn Belt, 2022 corn planting is going to be a half and half rotation. Bean fields last year will be corn fields this year, vice versa, and the total acreage is split equally within a handful of acres. 2022 may be the same for most farmers, but not everyone. And there are several dynamics that are at play. The first is the cost of fertilizer, which is upwards of a third the cost of corn production, and way out of bounds compared last year thanks to many issues that would totally fill todays issue of the paper. The second is the availability of crop protection products that control weeds, insects, and fungal issues, all of which tend to diminish yield to the point of farming with red ink. Supply chains have broken down to get active ingredients, primarily from China. In addition to those simple issues, there is great uncertainty about market prices at the end of the year when harvest rolls around. Farmers who are adept at marketing have likely booked most of their expected corn and soybean production at the profitable prices being offered on the futures market as well as the cash market at local elevators and processors. But there is so much at play in the international market that todays prices for corn and soybeans could look quite different at harvest time. In the past couple of years, farmers have had good pricing opportunities even to sell over the scales during harvest season. And that flies in the face of the supply and demand lessons learned in Ag Econ 101 at college. But the international grain market is in a major chapter of unpredictability compared to typical times, if there are ever typical times. Our main competitors in supplying corn and beans to the world are Argentina and Brazil. Argentina and southern Brazil have suffered from a La Nina-driven drought that has diminished yields. And those estimates are declining weekly. Central and northern Brazil has had sufficient rain for a good soybean crop, but their second crop of corn is being planted as La Nina is bearing down. Of course, China has been the major global buyer of corn and soybeans for the past two years from the Western Hemisphere. Then there is Ukraine. A country that may be in the middle of an international war at any hour, was the primary supplier of corn to China in December and was expected to continue that trend in January and February. Maybe. China direly needs Ukrainian corn, which is closer and cheaper than U.S. corn or South American corn. And if you want to win at a bet, bet on the fact that Chinese corn buyers are furiously trying to find out from Russia if they can get corn supplied from Ukrainian grain warehouses before any fighting starts. That will be a new dynamic for U.S. farmers to consider in their acreage decisions. The White House may want to monitor Ukrainian corn exports, to find out what Putin is up to. Stu Ellis is an observer of the Central Illinois agriculture scene. In addition to his weekly column, you can view his From The Farm and Harvest Heritage reports on WCIA 3 News. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BLOOMINGTON Phyllis J. Gastineau, 83, of Bloomington passed away peacefully in her home and surrounded by family on January 24, 2022. She wa DOWNS There is something about NASA and astronomy that draws students in, Tri-Valley High School teacher Jeff Benter said. Their interest in turn drives his own energy for the subject. The more you learn about it, the more you enjoy it, he said. Benter hopes to bring more of that learning to students through a project he will be completing through the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP). The program gives high school teachers a chance to work with researchers at national astronomy labs on a project using data collected by telescopes. The teachers then bring back what they have learned to improve their own teaching and share it with other teachers in their district. Were kind of ambassadors after this is over, Benter said. He will be working with Varoujan Gorjian, a researcher at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Caltech. He is also working with three other teachers, including a mentor teacher. The mentor teachers have already completed the program and help the other teachers. The system provides helpful advice and structure, Benter said. The program uses existing data collected from telescopes and emphasizes doing original research, not working through prepared lab projects or re-doing prior research projects, the programs website says. It is run through the Spitzer Science Center and NASAs Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. An earlier version of the program, called the Spitzer Space Telescope Research Program for Teachers and Students, started in 2004. The name changed in 2009 to reflected changed funding. Since the start of the program, 130 teachers have done research projects. Benter is the first from downstate Illinois. Along with Benter's group, another group of four teachers and a researcher will be working through the year. Benters group will be using the existing data to look for terrestrial planets around red dwarf stars, he said. The planets cause such systems to emit extra infrared radiation. The search for exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system, is a hot topic in astronomy right now, Benter said. The project could even be used as ground work for future research using the newly launched James Webb Space Telescope. The new telescope has better infrared vision than the Hubble telescope. NASA announced on Monday that the new telescope had reached its final orbit, around 1 million miles from Earth. It was launched in late December. "Were one step closer to uncovering the mysteries of the universe. And I cant wait to see Webbs first new views of the universe this summer! NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. There are also opportunities for student involvement, although Benter is not sure what that will look like quite yet, he said. Ive already talked about the research in some of my classes, he said. Benter's educational approach also puts science in the hands of students. On a recent visit, Tri-Valley High School students Anthony Decker, Lucas Burgard, River Wilson and Adam Hupf experimented with a static electricity generator, watching how different objects interact. Benter said astronomy requires a different approach than a lot of high school science courses. Given the difficulties of bringing astronomy experiments to Earths surface, much less into the classroom, there is a level of creativity required that students seem to enjoy. The project will be the real research project Benter will do in astronomy, he said. He grew up in Gibson City and then studied chemistry and teaching at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He has been at TVHS since 2001. The program runs January through January. While most past participants have gotten to meet their teams in-person at the start of the project, this year they had to make do with remote meetings, IAPCs announcement of the new cohort said. They hope to meet in-person next January to present findings. Benter is looking forward to participating in the research, but is also glad that he is able to use the experience to help other area teachers and in his classroom. (I hope to) bring back to the kids a sense of questioning and wonder, the scientific method, Benter said. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An off-duty Illinois State Police trooper and a woman were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads inside a vehicle on the Far South Side Monday, according to state police and Chicago police. Chicago police said that around 1:40 p.m. a witness discovered a vehicle parked on a street in the 11000 block of South Avenue E in the East Side neighborhood. A 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man were found inside and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. State police confirmed the 30-year-old man was Trooper Antonio Alvarez, a three-year veteran of the department who was off-duty, and the woman was Amanda Alvarez. The relationship between the two was not immediately disclosed. The vehicle they were found in was not department-issued. A gun was also found at the scene, Chicago police said. Autopsies were to be performed Tuesday at the Cook County medical examiners office. Investigators werent ruling out a murder-suicide, sources said. Illinois State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Ciceros town president called Dr. Anthony Fauci an idiot and probably a communist, but said Tuesday that he supports vaccinations and masking to fight COVID-19. At the town meeting on Jan. 11, Cicero Town President Larry Dominick criticized Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, for inconsistencies in advice on protecting against the coronavirus. He said get your shots and then you dont have to wear a mask, Dominick said, as initially recorded and reported by Cicero Independiente. They dont know what theyre doing especially that guy, hes probably a communist. Dominick initially commented in response to a staff report that some residents were confused by mixed messages. He stood by his comments at the board meeting Tuesday. I do think Fauci is an idiot and I consider communists as being idiots, too, Dominick said in a statement after the meeting. I stand by those comments because of his confusing back-and-forth comments that he has made about face masks, vaccinations and COVID We urge everyone to get vaccinated and to get the booster shots. We urge everyone to wear face masks and to maintain social distancing. COVID is a serious threat, but the federal and state governments can do a better job of distributing information. The Cicero Health Department has been providing free testing and vaccinations for residents, as well as people from Chicago, town spokesman Ray Hanania said. The Cook County Department of Public Health characterizes Cicero as a priority community for COVID vulnerability, and recognized the town in December for exceeding a 70% vaccination rate. Cicero is mostly Latino, and has an official population of about 85,000, but includes another estimated 30,000 undocumented immigrants, some of whom are reluctant to participate in any government activities, but all of whom are offered services, Hanania said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday vetoed a bill that would have provided paid administrative leave for public school and university employees who miss work due to COVID-19-related issues and instead negotiated compromise legislation that would provide such leave to only those who are fully vaccinated. Vaccines are a vital tool in preventing the deadly effects of COVID-19, and those who take the steps to be fully vaccinated against this virus are doing their part to keep everyone safe, Pritzker said in his veto message. They deserve to be able to take the time they need to respond to the ongoing devastating impacts the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on them and their families. House Bill 2778 passed the General Assembly during the fall veto session with wide bipartisan majorities, 53-1 in the Senate and 92-23 in the House. It would have provided paid leave for any employee, including support staff and contractors, who missed work because they or someone in their household contracted COVID-19, if they or a family member was forced to stay home because theyd been in close contact with someone who had tested positive, or if they could not work because the school building was closed due to COVID-19. To be eligible, however, the bill provided that the employee must either have been vaccinated or participated in the COVID-19 testing program provided by the district. In September, Pritzker issued an executive order requiring school personnel to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. But his veto action Monday means that those who choose not to be vaccinated will not be eligible for paid administrative leave. Since that bill passed, however, Pritzker said he has been negotiating with teachers unions and other groups to negotiate a different package with a stronger vaccine requirement. Numerous organizations are impacted by this legislation, and my administration has listened closely to all of them, including lawmakers and our partners at the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, parents, school districts, community colleges and universities, he said in his veto message. Through a collaborative, cooperative process, we have negotiated an initiative that will provide paid administrative leave for teachers who, despite doing all they can to keep themselves and their communities safe, continue to have their lives and livelihoods disrupted by COVID-19. Under that initiative, which still needs legislative approval, public school and university employees would receive paid administrative leave if they are fully vaccinated and they or their child is required to be excluded from school because of a positive COVID-19 test or have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19. It also maintains the wage protections in HB2778 for all hourly school employees including custodians, bus drivers, food service workers, classroom assistants and administrative staff who miss work because the school building theyre assigned to is closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. That protection would be retroactive for the entire 2021-2022 academic year. Keeping schools open and those inside them and their families safe has been our number one priority from the start of the pandemic, IEA President Kathi Griffin said in a news release. We want people to stay home when theyre sick, to be able to care for their children when their children need them the most, and to be paid when the circumstances that close their buildings are completely beyond their control. The pandemic has been physically, emotionally, and economically challenging for us all, and certainly no less so for educators, school staff, and their families, said IFT President Dan Montgomery. This legislation provides important relief and ensures that education personnel can afford to take time off if they or they families become ill with COVID. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A former Mobile Money (MoMo) attendant, 27-year-old Gifty Tetteh, recounts how she was jailed for thirty months for claiming she mistakenly cashed in GH30,000 instead of GH3,000 back in 2018. She said she operated a busy MoMo joint together with her employer at Afariwaa, a suburb of Tema. In an interview with Crime Check TV GH, Tetteh said on that faithful day, overwhelmed with customers and in a bid to hurriedly attend to other customers, she entered Thirty Thousand Ghana cedis instead of Three Thousand Ghana cedis to be sent to the customer. The young lady said she did not notice the erroneous transaction until they had closed and was rendering accounts of the days business. The customer asked me to send the money to a third party. When I realized the blunder, I drew the attention of my employer who asked me to call the person the money was sent to. The person did not pick up the call so we had to fall on MTN to block the number, she recalled. She said before the Telecom giant could block the number to prevent the recipient from cashing out the amount, the person had emptied his account. Her arrest The now ex-convict indicated that her employer then asked her to refund the money making a monthly payment of One Thousand Ghana cedis after he reported her to the Tema Community 22 Police. Tetteh said she was able to pay for four months with the help of relatives but unfortunately she could not raise the Thousand cedis in the fifth month as she deposited Eight Hundred Ghana cedis. This she said infuriated her employer. I was paid Four Hundred Ghana cedis by my employer so it was the contribution of some relatives that I was able to pay part of the money for Four months. When the CID officer told my employer that I brought Eight Hundred Ghana cedis in the fifth month, he asked the police to take the matter to Court for the Court to make a decision on it, she narrated. That same day the CID officer called me and informed me that they were taking me to court the following day. I did not sleep the whole night. She said she appeared before Court without a lawyer and therefore could not defend herself. Tetteh said she was sentenced to thirty months imprisonment and after serving her sentence she is directed by the court to refund the Thirty Thousand cedis. In a reaction to the story, Tettehs employer said she is known for stealing from him and that the young lady stole the money and loaned it to friends and used some to stake bets. Tetteh stole the money and it is not a mistake she made in sending the money. She has stolen almost Sixty Thousand Ghana cedis from me. She was about to marry so she stole the money to buy items for her marriage, loaned some of the money to friends and she was good at betting so she staked bets also. This is not the first time she has stolen from me, he clarified. CCFs Stay Away From Trouble Crime Check Foundation (CCF) has introduced programmes including the latest Stay Away From Trouble as part of its crime prevention advocacy project. Through these programmes CCF cautions the general public against acts that could land them in trouble in a bid to curb crime. The Foundation screens one-on-one interviews with prison inmates bringing to bear acts that landed them into prison and the difficulties they face in custody. It has also paid the fines of many petty offenders for their release. Source: adomonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The United Nations marks every January 24 as International Day of Education to commemorate the role education plays in international peace and development. This years day, which is the fourth celebration of the day since it was instituted in 2019, is held under the theme Changing Course, Transforming Education. Ghanas quest to transform and improve education with the introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum in schools appears to be in line with the theme. STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and aims at building capacities of students in problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, and analysis. Government is using the project to reposition the educational system to equip learners with 21st-century skills to be fit for purpose. It is also to prepare the critical mass of empowered Ghanaians for socio-economic transformation and become active participants in the 4th Industrial Revolution. Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, has said the initiative would be a priority in Ghanas education to prepare students for the job market and make them globally competitive. The Minister said that the countrys education system had outlived its relevance and needed to be reviewed, saying, the review should reflect current trends by focusing more on STEM. He stressed that the government's agenda to promote STEM education was part of a grand plan to increase the Science - Humanities ratio from the current 40:60 to 60:40 in favour of the Sciences. This quest by government has necessitated the building of 11 model state-of-the art STEM SHS across the country, which will be equipped with 12 laboratories and a STEM pathway established in some existing Senior High schools (SHS) with four laboratories. On improving students interest in the programme, government has introduced a one-year pre-engineering course for SHS graduates without a science background. The programme, the Minister said, would be piloted at the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) and Pentecost University. Students will be taught in physics, chemistry, elective mathematics, technical drawing and Information and Communication Technology and when successful, they will be admitted to pursue engineering course of their choice at the universities. The initiative is to encourage Arts students who have the desire to offer engineering programmes in the universities to do so. 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. Featured Video A member of the Communication team of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dennis Miracles Aboagye says no person or entity should be spared if found guilty of the explosion that claimed several lives at Apiate in the Bogoso district in the Western Region. According to reports, fourteen (14) people were killed and 179 others injured in the explosion which occurred on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Investigations by the Police indicated that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to the Chirano Gold Mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion at Apiate, a farming community between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Prestea Huni-Valley municipality. Addressing the issue during Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Dennis Miracles, who is a former Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem North, called for punishment to be meted out to the company of the explosives should it be revealed that they didn't comply with the safety measures of moving such things across the community. He stated that no one should be go scot free should it turn out that the explosion was due to a negligence. ''We need to have severe punishment for these people because the we cannot bring back the lives we've lost and even if you lose one life (one citizen's life), it will be difficult to get a replacement for that citizen's life, let alone we're counting almost 13 or so thereabout people who have lost their lives. Is it because of the case of someone's negligence? Then these people need to be severely punished.'' 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. Featured Video Chief Executive Officer of the State Transport Corporation, Nana Akomea has showered praises on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Dampare over his work. Dr. George Dampare, since his appointment, has attracted the admiration of many Ghanaians as he is touted to be one of the best IGPs in the country. His determination to clamp down on criminals and to make the Police Service worthwhile is said to be unparalleled. Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Nana Akomea was pleased with the work by the IGP who he noted is putting the laws of the country into practice. He cited some things that have come under control since the IGP resumed office to be the rampant sounding of sirens by unqualified vehicle drivers and the fact that no person who flouts the laws goes scot free under the leadership of the new IGP. ''Ever since Dr. Dampare came, what has he been doing? He's applying the laws, that's all! He hasn't introduced anything new. So, you can feel that Ghanaians are crying for the laws to be obeyed. That's all!...All he's doing is just to apply the laws'', he stated. He called on Ghanaians to ''encourage Dr. Dampare. He should keep going on''. 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. Featured Video A Police officer has been shot dead amidst the resurgence of violence in Bawku, in the Upper East Region. According to the Police, Constable Regina Angenu, who was with the Paga Police Station on Sunday, paid a visit to her colleague, Constable Erasmus Enkson of the Bawku Division. However, the duo was attacked around 5:07 pm by unknown assailants. The deceased was shot in the groin and died at Presbyterian Mission Hospital while undergoing treatment. The body has been sent to Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for preservation and autopsy. Meanwhile, sources have disclosed that eight people sustained various degrees of injuries during the tension and were rushed to the Presbyterian Mission Hospital. Following gunshots in the early hours of Monday, December 27, 2021, which resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties in the township, insecurity has become a significant concern in Bawku. Thirteen persons were subsequently arrested and airlifted to Accra following the violence. Since then, government, through the Interior Ministry, has implemented various curfews to reduce the tension. Also, the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has banned the riding of motorbikes in the Bawku Municipality. The incident also resulted in heavy security deployment to communities within the municipality. Source: myjoyonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Lawrence Edusei, the Pathologist who performed the Post-Moterm examination on the body of the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu has told the High Court in Accra that, the late MP died from exsanguination. While tendering his Post-Moterm examination report to the court as part of his testimony as a witness, the Pathologist said, the cause of death, is exsanguination, due to multiple stab injuries of neck and chest. Dr. Edusei, who was explaining the term to the court while being led by Mrs Sefakor Batse, a Principal State Attorney as he gives his Evidence in Chief as the 5th Prosecution Witness said, there was virtually no blood in the body of the late MP, who died of an unnatural cause. The Pathologist under cross-examination from defence lawyer Yaw Danquah told the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court, that, he received and performed post moterm examination on the late MP on February 16, 2016, he prepared his examination on February 6, 2018. The court presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Lydia Osei Marfo has adjourned the case to January 25, for further cross-examination. The Pathologist (PW5) followed, Samuel Berko Sakodie, driver of the late MP (PW1), Samuel Apraku Mensah, his night security guard, (PW2), Kennedy Koranchie, a mobile phone repairer (PW3) and George Amofa, (PW4) as the first five of the 10 witnesses the state intended to call to prove its case. Daniel Asiedu, alias Sexy Don Don is standing trial for murder and robbery. While together with Vincent Bossu, alias Agogo are facing a separate charge for conspiracy to rob. Brief facts The brief facts of the prosecution were that the former MP lived with his family at Shiashie, near East Legon, a suburb of Accra. The accused persons, Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso, lived at Agbogbloshie, also in Accra. According to the prosecution, between February 8 and 9, 2016, the late legislator was chauffeured home in his private car. The driver reportedly handed over the ignition keys of the car to Mr Danquah-Adu and left for home, after which the MP retired to bed in a room located on the first floor of his house. On February 9, 2016, at about 1 am, Asiedu and Bosso, armed with a catapult, cutter and sharp knife, went to the legislators house. Bosso had assisted Asiedu to enter the house by scaling the wall on the blind side of a security man who was fast asleep. Asiedu picked a ladder on entering the house, climbed onto a porch on the top floor, and entered the MPs bedroom through a window while Mr Danquah-Adu was sleeping. While Asiedu was searching the room, the MP woke up and held him. A struggle ensued during which Asiedu stabbed the MP in the right chest above the breast. The prosecution said, the MP consequently held the knife, and Asiedu pulled it through his hand, leaving a deep cut in his palm. The MP according to the prosecution bled profusely and fell by his bed, after which Asiedu stabbed him several times in his right chest and neck. Upon realising that the MP was dying, Asiedu left the room and took with him three iPhones and absconded with his accomplice. Charges Asiedu and Bosso have since been charged with murder and abetment of crime in the murder of the late MP. They both pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit robbery. Asiedu, on the other hand, has pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery. Exsanguination Exsanguination is death caused by loss of blood. Depending upon the health of the individual, people usually die from losing half to two-thirds of their blood; a loss of roughly one-third of the blood volume is considered very serious. Source: kasapafmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video It has emerged that the young female police officer shot dead in renewed clashes in Bawku is a cousin to former Tema East Member of Parliament, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover. The deceased, 27-year-old Constable Regina Angenu with the Paga Police Station on Sunday, January 23, 2022, was shot in the groin following which she died at Presbyterian Mission Hospital while undergoing treatment. According to reports, she had gone to visit a colleague and the duo was attacked by unknown assailants. A teary Titus-Glover wept uncontrollably while giving details about his relationship with the young police officer on Adom FMs morning show, Dwaso Nsem programme Monday. He revealed that the late Regina lost her mother in 2020 hence her sudden demise is a big blow to the family. The former Tema East MP added that the family I distraught to lose such a vibrant young woman dedicated to serving her country. She has left behind a young innocent girl; this is very difficult for me, Titus-Glover said tearfully. He stressed that the Bawku conflict is claiming innocent lives hence security agencies must be proactive to prevent such unfortunate deaths. Hon. Titus-Glover also appealed to the feuding factions to put the national interest first and smoke the peace pipe. Source: adomonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Cape Coast Appeal Court has adjourned the dual citizenship case against Mr James Gyekye Quayson, the embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, pending a motion filed by his lawyers at the Supreme Court. The motion filed by Mr Quayson was to seek the Supreme Court's interpretation of Article 94(2) of the constitution which was first brought before the Appeals Court that dismissed it. Upon notice, the court presided over by Justice Irene Charity Larbi together with two Judges, adjourned the case to Monday, February 21, 2022. Earlier, the Court had dismissed an application by Mr Quayson, seeking an application supplementary (affidavit) to support the substantive case before the Court. In Court, Monday, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel of Mr Quayson prayed the Court to wait for the Supreme Court to decide on the application to be heard on Tuesday, February 08, 2022. The Court was fully packed with party faithful and stalwarts of both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP). After the adjournment the members of the NDC, cheerfully interacted amongst themselves whilst the NPP members looked indifferent. Addressing the media after the adjournment, Mr Richard Takyi Mensah, the Regional Secretary of the NPP, said the NDC was playing delay tactics but would not continue in perpetuity. Adding that no matter their tactics, judgement would come one day for Justice to prevail. 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. Featured Video Rev Opambour Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom, the General Overseer of Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre has described an Ashanti Regional Chairman hopeful, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi as a traitor. According to him, Mr Aduomis recent comments about the President and government at large is a sign of betrayal. Speaking on Prophet 1 Television on Sunday, December 23, he explained that President Akufo-Addo campaigned on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), adding that every well-meaning party faithful must equally support statements he made on the economy during the 2016 elections. ...I dont understand why Aduomi publicly disowned Akufo-Addo on national television. Its not right. I mean its so wrong. He was the leader of the NPP during the 2016 election. Whatever statement he made was in the interest of the party. For him to have done that is a sign of bad leadership, the Nation's Prophet as he is affectionately called said. Mr Owusu Aduomi, a former NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejisu, has been in the news in recent times following a viral video on social media of the beleaguered politician surprisingly disowning his party (NPP), President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his administration. His comments, where he openly scorned the NPP government, has angered many party faithfuls including a member of NPP Council of Elders in the Manhyia South Constituency, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta aka Tomtom who has descended heavily on him, describing his outburst as repulsive. An aspiring regional chairman, Mr Aduomi stated 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. Prophet Ebenezer attributed the former Ejisu MP's comments to the flagbearership contest between the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Trade Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng. Aduomi has a reason for making those statements. Many people dont know but I know because Im a prophet. It has to do with the partys internal elections,- who succeeds Nana Addo after his term. He belongs to a certain faction. If you listen carefully, he was throwing shades at the other faction. I dont want to delve deep into this but I know people understand what Im driving at. Greetings to Alan Kyeremanteng," he added. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has charged party members who have expressed willingness to contest in the various positions of the party to stop undermining one another as such a phenomenon has the potential to negatively affect the partys fortunes in 2024. This is why it seems irritatingly too early, to a large extent, perilous, for those of our compatriots interested in leading our party at various levels to start aggressively undermining each other as some reports suggest he emphasized. The Honourable Member of Parliament for Effutu also indicated that if this worrying phenomenon is not nipped in the bud, the consequences for the New Patriotic Party in its agenda to break the eight years cycle maybe a mirage. I dare say that if we are not careful, wed end up working at cross purposes, leading us to ultimately, lose the confidence that the good people of Ghana have reposed in us. On the point above, I do submit that there is the need for all of us to learn from our mistakes in the pasts and ensure that we work together to break the eight he admonished. In his belief, if the Majority Caucus are determined to work together and hold and support one another, success would crown the efforts of the members. The criticality of this period, he stressed, requires that members of the Majority Cause should work as a team. The Deputy Majority Leader also stated that it is in their own interest that they do not allow petty issues to derail the ultimate goal of the party as it has resolved to win the 2024 elections. He admonished that divisionists must be kept at bay as that is one of the ways the party can break the eight-year jinx. He assured the MPs of the leaderships resolve and determination to put in place capacity building programmes for all the Members of Parliament in the ensuing year to aid them in their advocacies on the floor of the House. The Deputy Majority Leader made these remarks when he addressed his colleagues at the ongoing Workshop for Majority Caucus at Kwahu Abetifi which seeks to enhance their advocacies on some key policies and programmes of the Government. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu has taken a jab at former President John Mahama, describing him as corrupt, whose time has expired. He said the the former president who has lost two election in a row cannot lead the party again, hence the grassroots of the NDC should consider and endorse him as the next flagbearer of the Party. Mr. Bonsu, who is eying the flagbearership slot of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), told Citi TVs lifestyle show upside Down in an interview that the biggest opposition party did very little to salvage the name of the 2020 flagbearer, who he described as a fine gentleman a situation, he noted, that has caused Mr. Mahama irreparable damage. He explained that former President John Mahama does not stand a chance as far as winning the 2024 general elections is concerned because his opponents in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has sullied his name with corruption and womens affairs to the extent that he has become unattractive to the floating voter. According to him, There is a vacancy and that is why we are all contesting the seat, adding: It is democracy and our party believes in democracy, so, we dont push people to take over. We dont want that. So, if one is given the chance and he wins it, he will do the job. So, it is fair we all do it, he noted. One other reason I am contesting is not that I hate President Mahama. No. What has he done to me?, he asked The problem is that people have lied a lot in this country about John Mahama. They put corruption on him, Mr. Bonsu pointed out. They have said a lot of things against him that you cant even take it off. NDC has the numbers in terms of votes but NPP has soiled John Mahama that I feel so sad. In his view, the NDC, as a party, has not helped the situation. We should have redeemed him [Mahama] long ago but he doesnt have a chance now, he noted. Lets bring in a fresh person so that the swing voters wouldnt have anything to say against President Mahama, Mr. Bonsu remarked. In his view, I stand a better chance than Mahama because I have not been soiled. So, that is where I come in. Its so sad, he bemoaned, pointing out: He [Mr. Mahama] is a great gentleman, speaks very well, very affable but he has been put in the mud so much. They have tagged him with corruption, womens affairs, and we the NDC have not been able to defend it and get him out of it, he complained. To him, if the party had corrected this, we wouldnt have come to this level.As far as Mr. Bonsu is concerned, Mr. Mahamas name and face on the ballot paper will not do the NDC any good in the next election. If we want to win the 2024 elections, I think lets bring someone like me, he proposed. I am eligible to do it. Its not an issue of fighting Mahama, insulting the former President, or doing anything but the situation we find ourselves in, lets try someone new and see if it will work. 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. Featured Video The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has tasked Majority caucus in Parliament, to be resolute and strategic in their dealings with colleagues on the Minority side. He asked them to do all it takes on their part to engage in consensus building efforts due to the nature of the current Parliament. Open fights as witnessed in the chamber in 2021 are unacceptable, we must all recognise that violence has never been the way out of any conflict situation, rather dialogue and consensus building, Mr Blay stated. He tasked the MPs when he was speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day strategic workshop organised by the Majority caucus at Kwahu-Nkwatia in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region to help MPs to brainstorm ideas ahead of the resumption of parliamentary duties on January 25. Parliament is Parliament and not a forum for brawls rather coax them for debates, I will plead that we also tone down on the heated media banters between the majority caucus leadership and the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Blay said. Whiles advancing the issue of consensus building, he also warned that in a bid to return to power in 2024, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs would seek to undermine the Majority and the government through different means including use of propaganda. Mr Blay entreated that they should always exercise much restraint in their reactions when responding to the vicious propaganda of the NDC since they were determined to undermine NPP MPs and they should be resolute and strategic and also sustain their focus on the leadership of the minority. Our focus must remain on the leadership of the minority while we channel our energies towards enacting good laws for their constituents, I suggest you remain focused on your core mandate of pushing the governments business at any moment with less drama so as to repose confidence and trust of the citizenry. As you return to parliamentary duties, I urge you to put your best foot forward by using experiences from last year to make sure you work towards productive consensus that will result in tangible deliverables for the government to continue with its pragmatic policies, programmes and innovative social interventions to break the 8 years of power cycle, Mr Blay advised. 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. Featured Video The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Madam Frema Akosua Osei-Opare, has appealed to members of the Majority caucus in Parliament to improve on the quality of engagement with the Speaker of Parliament and the Minority in conducting parliamentary business. She shared resentment over recent development on the floor of Parliament resulting in fisticuffs between the Majority and the Minority, indicating that effective engagement among leadership of Parliament would be key to a successful parliamentary session. "Effective engagement of leadership of Parliament remain key to a successful parliamentary session. I, therefore, appeal that together with the Speaker and the Minority leadership in Parliament, you should improve the quality of engagement. This eighth Parliament is unique in its own rights and calls for good consultation, teamwork and balanced leadership coupled with support of the Speaker in order to harness all capabilities and potentials at your disposal. A large segment of the Ghanaian populace have shown signs of disappointment and disagreement in connection with the continuous scuffle on the floor of the House; so there is the need to find common ground for such concerns without any show of fisticuffs," she said. The Chief of Staff was speaking as the Guest Speaker at the opening of a two-day Majority caucus retreat held last Saturday at Kwahu-Nkwatia in the Eastern Region to assess and review the work of the government and build capacity of the caucus and ministers of state ahead of the resumption of the Parliamentary session on January 25 this year. Madam Osei-Opare pledged her support to the Majority caucus to facilitate a politically healthy Parliament which would be the beacon in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, adding that the recent "brouhaha since the introduction of the E-levy bill should give way to sober debate", adding that most Ghanaians embrace the idea of generating revenue internally; hence, the need to steer the tide away from continuous borrowing that had plagued governments of the Fourth Republic. She indicated that the legislature was the pivot that directed government business and policy to the centre stage for Ghanaians; "it is therefore obligatory that Parliament and all stakeholders within make conscious and self-willing choice to establish a trusted and authentic interface to produce, interpret and echo executive policies. She commended the Majority for a good job done in making sure government policies were passed while also commending the Minority for their support and cooperation. However, she called for more maturity, dialogue, cooperation and tolerance in this year's Parliamentary sessions. Build consensus The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Freddie Blay, in his remarks urged the Majority caucus to build consensus with the Minority and be seen as less aggressive and confrontational, especially when they should shoulder a greater responsibility for pursuing peace and ultimately the unity and development of the nation. On the recent chaos in Parliament, he said it did not serve the interest of government, as it made Ghanaians more resentful to government policies and programmes and urged them to be nice with members of the Minority to make sure government business was executed. "Be nice with members of the Minority. Be friendly, humbly but firmly plead with them to come along just to make you get what your government wants. Of course, we must note that we have an opposition desperately scheming their way back to power; but we should be in a position to ensure we appear less combative and more understanding. So that, our posture does not smack of divisions," he said. The NPP Chairman added that a hung Parliament had never been in the interest of the government in power; therefore, members of the Majority caucus as well as those who would be contesting internal party elections should conduct themselves well in order not to bring cracks within the party but make it more attractive to external people. E-Levy and public purse The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Alex Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, reiterated government's position that the E-levy was a necessary part of the financial solution that the country needed. However, he urged members of the caucus to address legitimate concerns raised by Ghanaians. "I do not doubt that the E-levy is a necessary part of the financial solution that we need. Out of the unfounded claims against the proposed E-levy, there are nonetheless some legitimate concerns that we must address. I believe the proposed rate and concerns about waste in our public finance system are examples," he said. Meanwhile, the Majority Leader of Parliament, who chaired the occasion, also indicated in his introductory remarks that the government had surmounted series of hurdles on the proposed E-levy awaiting its legislative backing. Budget "In adoption of the motion to approve the budget, thus the economic policy and budget statement of government which contains E-levy as a policy, we have approved of that. The receivables from the E-levy has been factored into the various documents that we have approved for all the sectors; that's the second stage that we did. Thirdly, when we encapsulated everything into the appropriation bill, and passed the appropriation bill, unanimously it means the E-levy has been approved. What is outstanding is to back the E-levy with legislation," he said. For his part, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Joseph Osei Owusu, urged the Majority caucus to find a way of maximising its one difference advantage in Parliament. 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. Featured Video National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, has patted the National Democratic Congress MPs on the back for the role they have played in holding the government accountable under the current dispensation. According to him, the minority group is not obstructing government business but rather contributing to demanding more accountability. The statement by the minister is a sharp departure from the position of the NPP majority in Parliament who have argued in time past that the minority have been hell-bent on obstructing government business-based events in the 8th parliament particularly the passage or otherwise of the e-levy bill. Albert Kan-Dapaah, speaking at this years Commonwealth Parliamentary Association workshop urged the government to view the actions of the minority as an attempt to shed off the rubber stamp image of parliament. The study of the evaluation of Ghanas parliament under the 4th republic reveals an interesting insight. The composition of the current parliament where the majority is decided by a narrow margin of one seat is in sharp contrast to the first parliament of the 4th Republic which operated as a one-sided legislature due to the decision of the then opposition party to boycott the 1992 parliamentary elections. What does this observation imply for the growth of Ghanas democratic practice?...various interpretations could be given out of this insight depending on the interest and motivation of the one conducting the analysis. Whereas some consider the new development as a threat given that it equips the minority with immense powers to obstruct government business, let us view it as a departure from the perceived rubberstamping nature of parliament, allowing it the much-needed impetus to serve as a proper check on the executive, he said. We love democracyall of us love democracy but the only reason we love democracy is because of the checks and balances. Democracy without checks and balances does not qualify to be a democracy. Parliament is the only institution that can hold the government to account, he added The Minority caucus in parliament has maintained a stiff opposition to the e-levy which they describe as draconian According to the group, the passage of the bill will impose severe hardship on Ghanaians. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Peoples National Convention (PNC) has called for a thorough and dispassionate investigations into the Appiatse explosion incident to unravel the actual cause and extent of damage. The party in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Ms Janet Nabla, said it was awfully saddened by the heart-wrenching disaster that has claimed at least 13 lives and injured scores of people at the community of Appiatse, near Bogosu in the Western Region. The PNC said it is equally disturbing that the community has been razed to the ground as a result of the heavy explosion. As a party, our hearts go to the bereaved families and the scores of people who are injured and undergoing medical treatment. We also commend government, security agencies, private and voluntary organisations and individuals for their endless show of support and statesmanship to alleviate the pain of our compatriots, the PNC said in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Janet Nabla. Intervention The PNC said given the depth of the accident and the degree of destruction, a detailed and meticulous probe should be the main fulcrum to herald implementation of medium to long-term intervention to revive the fortunes of the community. Governments interventions should focus on re-organising the communitys architectural makeup and create monuments to remind us of the need to keep watch over activities that can easily tip down our collective existence. As a developing country, we need to continuously examine our safety protocols to bring them up to speed with international best practices. One life lost to a safety breach is one too many but sadly, this is more of the norm than the exception, the statement said. Safety concerns The PNC noted that the country had grave issues around its safety culture that required urgent attention. It said one particular area worth singling-out was the poor safety environment suffered by women in palm-kennel oil production. According to the party, their exposure to fume and pathogens as a result of poor working environment is worrying, adding that there are also countless number of Ghanaians dying or suffering severe injuries in their lines of work as a result of breaches to simple safety protocols. The PNC is calling on the state to fashion a comprehensive safety policy to consolidate our progressive gains on our developmental efforts. The party further recommended to the government to comprehensively ensure the implementation of existing laws on health and safety of the citizenry and where necessary, overhaul the laws as a tribute to the lost souls at Appiatse. The PNC described as sad what it says were countless number of residential facilities including educational facilities, correctional facilities, private houses and markets without the minimum fire and disaster detection systems to initiate early warning signals to save lives and property. 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. Featured Video Even ahead of its resumption, Parliament is already bracing itself for another round of drama. Starting from the main gate, security personnel are under pressure from dozens of members of a pressure group, Justice 4 Ghana, vowing to reject the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy). The group, led by Bernard Mornah, the former Chairman of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), showed up on Tuesday morning to occupy Parliament in protest of the E-Levy. According to him, the Police were duly notified about the demonstration and is, therefore, confused as to why they have not been allowed entry into the premises. In a January 18 statement, the group hinted that todays picket will last until the vote on the E-levy Bill is completed. But developments within the past 24 hours mean this could be a dicey move. Even though the Finance Ministry has communicated its intent to re-introduce the levy proposal in Parliament, Banda MP, Ahmed Ibrahim says the actual business for the day excludes the e-levy. So today [Monday], I was not surprised that they went for a business committee meeting to my disbelieve government could not table the e-levy as part of the business to be executed this week. So the e-levy is not on the business statement for this week, he said on Monday. But Bernard Mornah does not seem satisfied with the supposed re-scheduling. He insisted that the aggrieved members will not take their word for it. Can you trust the Majority and the Finance Minister when they can come under certificate of emergency in the middle of the night to present this and force their way through? Speaking to JoyNews, Mr Mornah added that even though they have been denied entry into the facility, some of his members are already inside in plain clothes, ready to hold the fort while they protest outside. Parliament adjourned proceedings to January 25, thereby cutting short any attempt to approve or reject the E-levy Bill. It happened after proceedings in the House were brought to a halt, following the fisticuff among members of the two sides of the House on Monday, December 20, 2021. Ahead of todays sitting, the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, has urged the leadership of the Majority caucus to prioritise consultations in their decision-making processes with regard to the business of the House. So far, security presence has been beefed up in and around Parliament to ensure the safe execution of todays agenda as Parliament resumes. Source: Myjoyonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video UK-based gospel artiste, K.K Mensah, has urged his colleague gospel musicians in the diaspora to rethink their promotional strategy after releasing their songs. The budding gospel artiste told ghanaweekend.com that in the wake of the high cost of promotions and lack of structure within the Ghanaian music space, it has become important to focus on ones immediate territory and location in order to engage and grow a loyal fan base. KK Mensah released Aseda, his first single in 2019, which featured gospel heavyweight KODA, and followed up with a second single Mmre Nie (Its my time), featuring Pastor Edwin Dadson two years later. KK is currently working on his third single NAdom (His Grace) and will be embarking on a UK-wide church tour this year. The Aseda Tour is scheduled to make joyful stops at Milton Keynes, Leeds, Birmingham, Swindon, Luton, Manchester and London. KK Mensah is gradually endearing himself to the Ghanaian community in the UK as the next big representation of traditional Ghanaian gospel in the diaspora. Through the instrumentality of his management team, KK Mensah featured as the opening act for This far by Grace and Keteke concerts hosted by Pastor Edwin and KODA in Accra and Takoradi respectively. Catch the Aseda tour in a city near you if you are in the UK. You can also Follow KK Mensah on all social media portals. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video " " John Calvin, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, is shown writing. This etching was displayed at the Musee International de la Reforme, Geneva. GODONG/Corbis via Getty Images In 1536, a 27-year-old Jean Calvin (better known as John Calvin) fled his native France, where he had been persecuted for his newfound Protestant faith, and written a groundbreaking theological treatise titled "Institutes of the Christian Religion." A wanted man in Catholic France, Calvin sought refuge in neighboring Switzerland, and stopped at an inn in Geneva where he planned to spend just one night. But when local church leader William Farel learned that the author of "Institutes" was there, he stormed into the inn and told Calvin that it was God's will that he stay and preach in Geneva. When Calvin tried to explain that he was a scholar, not a preacher, Farel turned red in the face (not hard for a redhead) and swore an oath that God would curse Calvin's so-called "studies" if he dared to leave Geneva. A man of great faith, Calvin took this as a sign. "I felt as if God from heaven had laid his mighty hand upon me to stop me in my course," Calvin later wrote, "and I was so terror stricken that I did not continue my journey." John Calvin spent the rest of his life in Geneva preaching a new strain of Protestantism known as Reformed Theology. A contemporary of famed Reformation leader Martin Luther, Calvin was the father of Calvinism, a faith that's inextricably tied to the controversial doctrine of predestination, which holds that a sovereign God has already selected who will be saved and who will be damned. To better understand the life and legacy of Calvin one of the most influential and controversial figures in Christianity we spoke with Bruce Gordon, a professor of ecclesiastical history at the Yale Divinity School and author of the biography "Calvin" and "John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion: A Biography." Advertisement 'If God Wills It, It Must Be Good' In his early 20s, Calvin was studying law in France (his father's idea) when he discovered the preaching of Luther, who taught that God was found in the Bible, not in the saints and sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Much like his later experience in the Geneva inn, Calvin was convinced that it was God's will that he quit law school and follow in the footsteps of Luther and other early church reformers. God's will or more specifically the "sovereignty" of God's will is a central tenet of Calvinism, the Protestant movement that was founded in Calvin's name. For Calvin as well as most early reformers, the Bible made it perfectly clear that God was an all-powerful being who was in control of everything, including the salvation of mankind. In Romans 9:15, Paul quotes God telling Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." In other words, God chooses to save who he wants to save, and he has his own incomprehensible reasons for doing so; i.e., he is sovereign. For Calvin, the important thing wasn't understanding God's will, but accepting it. "One of Calvin's major themes was that we don't know the mind of God," says Gordon. "But if God wills it, it must be good." If God is solely in charge, then there's nothing we as sinful humans can do to "earn" our salvation. Yes, we can be "justified" by faith in Jesus Christ, as Luther taught, but even that faith in Christ isn't a product of our will. It is a gift from God prepared since the dawn of time. Advertisement 'Double Predestination' Born almost 30 years after Luther, Calvin was a "second generation" Protestant reformer, explains Gordon, which meant that he inherited much of his theology from those who came before him, including the influential Swiss theologian Huldrych Zwingli, who Gordon just published a book about ("Zwingli: God's Armed Prophet"). " " Young Calvin expounds on the Bible to a family at Bourges, France. Bettmann/Getty Images One of those widely accepted Reformation-era doctrines was predestination. "Calvin is famously associated with predestination, but what a lot of people don't know is that predestination was a mainline teaching of Christianity right back to early Church fathers like St. Augustine," says Gordon. The accepted version of predestination was that God had "elected" those who would be saved since before the creation of the world. But Calvin went a step further and took predestination to its next logical conclusion: If God alone decided who was saved and would abide with Him in heaven, then he also decided who was damned and would spend an eternity in hell. And here's the kicker: There's nothing we can do to change that. In theological terms, Calvin's belief in a sovereign God who both saves and damns according to His own will is called "double predestination," and it was controversial from the start. "The double predestination idea shocks a lot of people, because they start to say, Calvin has created this God who is the source of evil," says Gordon. Keep in mind that Calvin was preaching in the 16th century, when a belief in a literal heaven and hell was universal. In that context, double predestination seems to raise a harrowing question: If God has already decided who is going where, then how do I know if I'm among the lucky elect? "Interestingly, Calvin was quite optimistic about this," says Gordon. "Calvin taught that if you're troubled by this question and trying to find signs of your election, that itself is a sign that you're counted among the elect. There's a sense that the damned don't give a damn." Calvin came to believe that election could be "proven" by outward signs, including: profession of faith, disciplined Christian behavior and dutiful participation in the Lord's Supper (or communion) the only sacrament carried over from Catholicism. Advertisement The Servetus Affair Much like predestination, no discussion of John Calvin can leave out an infamous incident that took place in 1553, when Calvin was the chief religious authority in Geneva, that's known as "the Servetus affair." " " Michael Servetus is burned alive in Geneva, Oct. 27, 1553. DEA/BIBLIOTECA AMBROSIANA/Getty Images Michael Servetus (Miguel Serveto) was a Spanish "Renaissance man" in a very literal sense. He was a self-taught scholar of the Bible, cartography, human physiology and more. Servetus got in hot water with Catholic authorities when he published tracts rejecting the Trinity, the doctrine that God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit were three distinct persons united in one Godhead. For his crime of heresy, Servetus was condemned to death by the Catholic Church. But Servetus escaped from prison and fled to Geneva, where he appeared publicly at one of Calvin's sermons and was summarily arrested. Calvin and Servetus had a history. They had exchanged letters for years, each trying to convince the other of his theological follies, and Calvin had even visited Servetus in Paris at great risk to Calvin's own safety to urge the heretical Servetus to repent. In the end, Servetus was executed in Geneva for his heretical teachings. Defenders of Calvin argue that he didn't have the authority to save or condemn Servetus, and that it was the state that killed him. Critics of Calvin insist that a man of Calvin's religious authority in Geneva could have stepped in to save Servetus's life. Instead, he burned at the stake. Gordon says that the Servetus affair made Calvin look like a cold-blooded hardliner, and provided ammunition for Calvin's critics and opponents, of which he had many by the 1550s. "That story makes Calvin infamous among many people as this 'Zeus throwing thunderbolts' who was creating a punitive, judgmental God in his own image," says Gordon. "Calvin becomes associated with this very severe notion of God." Advertisement Calvinism and the Protestant Work Ethic In Geneva, Calvin helped to create a theocratic society in which the Bible was the chief guidebook for moral and civic order. Ordained pastors, elders and deacons oversaw the spiritual and temporal welfare of the city, ministering to the poor and admonishing the wicked. Attendance at Sunday church was mandatory. Lectures, sermons and religious services were held every day of the week, with Calvin himself publicly preaching and teaching daily. He maintained this tireless pace until his death in 1564. In the next century, Calvinism arrived in England, where it was embraced by the Puritan movement. Not all Puritans who came to America were Calvinists, but the sociologist Max Weber credits Calvinist theology with fueling the rise of capitalism in the colonies. The Puritans, unlike Calvin himself, were wracked with anxiety over the question of their predestined status: were they among the elect or the damned? Puritans came to believe that an outward sign of election was economic prosperity. That Puritan doctrine fostered the development of what Weber called the "protestant work ethic," in which individuals carry out God's will through worldly vocations. By the 18th century, Gordon says that Calvinism went into decline as Enlightenment ideals of personal freedom chafed against the rigidity of predestination. In its place, a more liberal strain of Protestantism took hold that shifted away from strict predestination to the more inclusive concept of "universality," in which all mankind can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. But that's not to say that Calvinism is dead. Far from it. Calvinism has made a comeback in the resurgence of Reformed theology and the popularity of Reformed churches and pastors like John Piper and Timothy Keller. As chronicled in the book "Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinists," the uncompromising teachings of Calvin, including predestination, have caught on with a new generation of young evangelical Christians. HowStuffWorks earns a small affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site. Now That's Funny Fans of the long-running comic strip Calvin and Hobbes might be surprised to learn that the titular characters were named after John Calvin and the 16th-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes, which creator Bill Waterson explained was "an inside joke for poli-sci majors." " " A classified document awaits the perusal of the president on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. Pete Souza/The White House/Getty Images Over the decades, the U.S. government has generated almost unimaginably vast quantities of documents possibly in the hundreds of millions containing information that officials deemed too sensitive to be made public. It's a trove of information that contains, in bits and pieces, a hidden history of wars and diplomacy, of spies and secret weapons and presidents' most fateful decisions. "Declassified government documents are absolutely vital to our understanding of the history of U.S. national security policy," Jon DiCicco, professor of political science and international relations, Middle Tennessee State University, explains via email. "Such documents are windows into the inner workings of the U.S. government and national security establishment." Sometimes, they can take many years to surface. Back in 2011, for example, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) finally declassified what it said were the U.S. government's oldest classified documents, one of which had been secret since 1917. The papers, which described methods for creating invisible ink and opening sealed letters, were deemed releasable because "recent advancements in technology" made the information no longer sensitive, then-CIA director Leon Panetta explained at the time. Most classified documents aren't supposed to stay hidden forever. A 2009 executive order issued by then-President Barack Obama generally compels classified documents to be marked for automatic declassification 10 to 25 years after release though a few exceptions, such as information that identifies a confidential human intelligence source or design details for weapons of mass destruction, can be kept from public view indefinitely. "The burden is on the intelligence agency that produced the intelligence," says Larry Pfeiffer. He's a 32-year veteran of the U.S. intelligence community who now is director of the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy and International Security at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. "If they want to keep it classified, they have to have some very compelling reasons to do it." The government has so many secrets that sifting through them and figuring out what is eligible for release is a daunting task. In 2017, the most recent year for which statistics are available, federal agencies reviewed 83.8 million documents, of which 46 million slightly more than half were declassified. Pfeiffer says that declassification actually benefits U.S. intelligence agencies, because it helps the American public to understand what U.S. intelligence agencies do, and why their mission is important. "The [public] tolerance for the secrecy of these organizations has become smaller," Pfeiffer says. "There's a demand by people to have a greater understanding of what their intelligence agencies actually are up to ... And the intelligence agencies are incredibly powerful and outrageously secret. So over time, for the intelligence community to continue to be able to do the great work it does to protect America, it needs to have the trust of the American people. And, in order to obtain that trust, we need to be willing to kind of lift the skirt a little bit and show people what we're really up to." Here are six surprising revelations that have emerged in recent years from declassified documents. Many are available from the website of George Washington University's National Security Archive, an organization of journalists and scholars that has amassed what may be the largest collections of formerly secret government information. Advertisement 1. The U.S. Army Drew Up Plans for a Base on the Moon In 1959, Lt. Gen. Arthur G. Trudeau, the Army's chief of research and development, commissioned this proposal for building a future lunar base, which he believed would be needed to "develop techniques in moon-based surveillance of the Earth and space," and to counter the Soviets' expected territorial claims on the moon. The plan envisioned setting up an outpost in late 1965. Nearly 150 Saturn I and II launches would be needed to ship nearly 500,000 pounds (226,796 kilograms) of cargo needed to construct an underground base for 12 men. Advertisement 2. The Kennedy Administration Considered Invading Cuba in 1962, Expecting Heavy Casualties In the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Maxwell Taylor wrote a Nov. 2, 1962, memo at the request of President John F. Kennedy, who wanted to know what human cost would be incurred by invading Cuba. Provided that the Cuban forces used conventional weapons but not tactical nukes, Taylor wrote, "our medical plans are drawn up to accommodate up to 18,500 casualties in the first 10 days of operation." However, if tactical nuclear weapons were used, "there is no experience factor upon which to base an estimate of casualties." " " One of the many declassified documents pertaining to the activities of Cuban leader Fidel Castro held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. Mark Garfinkel/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/Getty Images Advertisement 3. Gulf of Tonkin: A Fake Attack Escalated the Vietnam War A declassified National Security Agency historical analysis confirmed what many had long suspected: One of the two supposed North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964 which President Lyndon Johnson's administration had used as justification for a massive escalation of the Vietnam War had never actually happened. As the article noted, intelligence and defense officials who doubted the administration's evidence had kept quiet, due to "an awareness that President Johnson would brook no uncertainty that could undermine his position." Advertisement 4. The U.S. Government Practices Surveillance of High-profile Americans As the result of the National Security Archive's efforts, the National Security Agency in 2013 declassified an historical document describing a "watch list" of prominent Americans critical of the Vietnam War, whose overseas communications were tapped by the government from 1967 to 1973. "President Johnson wanted to know if the domestic anti-war movement was receiving help from abroad," one document explains. Project Minaret, as the effort became known, expanded to include surveillance of more than 1,600 people, including civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Whitney Young, Muhammad Ali, Democratic U.S. Senator Frank Church of Idaho, Republican Senator Howard Baker of Tennessee, New York Times columnist Tom Wicker and Washington Post humor columnist Art Buchwald. The surveillance operation continued under the Nixon administration until Attorney General Elliot Richardson, who was concerned about its doubtful legality, decided to shut it down during the Watergate scandal in September 1973. Advertisement 5. The CIA Used 'Enhanced Interrogation Techniques' on al-Qaida Detainees This 2004 report by the CIA's inspector general, initially released in heavily redacted form by the George W. Bush administration and then again with fewer deletions by the Obama administration, describes "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques" used on al-Qaida detainees. The techniques detailed in the document include "walling," in which prisoners were pulled forward and then pushed into a wall, slaps to the face, stress positions, sleep deprivation and waterboarding, in which "the detainee's head is immobilized and an interrogator places a cloth over the detainee's mouth and nose while pouring water onto the cloth in a controlled manner," with the effect of restricting airflow for 20 to 40 seconds and creating "the sensation of drowning and suffocation." Another technique involved confining a detainee in a box for up to 18 hours, sometimes with a "harmless insect" placed inside as well to increase the discomfort. Advertisement 6. 'Unidentified Aerial Phenomena' Has Been Tracked by DOD This one involves some information that wasn't actually classified, but which hadn't been made available publicly. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) authorized the U.S. Navy to release video of three incidents, one in 2004 and the others in 2015, in which Navy fighter pilots had encountered "unidentified aerial phenomena," which is another way of saying UFOs. "After a thorough review, the department has determined that the authorized release of these unclassified videos does not reveal any sensitive capabilities or systems, and does not impinge on any subsequent investigations of military air space incursions by unidentified aerial phenomena," DOD noted in a press release. The COVID-19 Relief Bill passed by Congress in 2020 also included a provision requiring various government agencies to release their files on UFOs. Here is an assortment of documents, including the mysterious report of a sighting of multiple "fast-moving flying objects" over Stalingrad in 1954, posted on the CIA's website. DiCicco cautions that declassified documents don't always provide the full story. Other relevant documents may remain classified, and the ones that are released often contain redacted information, "which means that the document is not readable in its entirety." Additionally, he notes, a particular document may only contain one official's or agency's perspective on a complex situation. "For this reason, it is necessary to examine declassified documents from as many relevant offices and departments as possible," says DiCicco. Now That's Interesting In December 2021, the National Archives released nearly 1,500 documents related to the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination of President John F. Kennedy, including a CIA document detailing surveillance of presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald during his Oct. 1, 1963, visit to the Soviet consul in Mexico City. Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town, treats travelers to a special gift for the Chinese New Year with Ang Pao Offer room promotion that offers comfortable stay in the heart of Phuket Town and numerous perks to enjoy during the festive season. A Deluxe Room starts from just THB 2,599+++ per night, with privileges that include daily breakfast for 2, THB 888 credit to spend within the hotel (for daily use only and cannot be accumulated), early check-in from 10.00 hrs. (subject to availability) and late check-out until 15.00 hrs. 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For more information about Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town, please visit www.courtyardphukettown.com or contact Email reservations.phukettown@courtyard.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CourtyardbyMarriottPhuketTown Line official account @courtyardphuket Credit: Nicolas Rakotopare/Karajarri Traditional Lands Association Indigenous people across Australia place tremendous cultural and customary value on many species and ecological communities. The very presence of a plant or animal species can trigger an Indigenous person to recall and share knowledge. This is crucial to maintaining culture and managing Country. But as species disappear, ancient knowledge built up over thousands of years also fades awayand fragments of our culture are lost forever. For years, Indigenous groups have pushed for the right to partner with government authorities to "co-manage" culturally significant species and communities. Such recognition of Indigenous rights would require amendments to environment and land management laws. Unfortunately, changes to Australia's federal environment laws currently underway fall short of what's needed. To protect Australia's imperiled species, the law must chart a new course that allows Indigenous groups to manage their Country, their way. Managing the Indigenous estate Australia's Indigenous estate takes in about 51% of the range of the nation's threatened vertebrate species. The Indigenous estate refers to the assets held, or reasonably likely to be held, by or for the benefit of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. It includes land and sea held through such means as traditional ownership, native title and land rights organizations. It also includes intangible values such as cultural rights, practice and expression, as well as Indigenous knowledge and traditional management. Ngurrara Ranger Mary is welcomed to Paruku Country in the Great Sandy Desert. A meeting between many groups discussed threatened and culturally significant species. Credit: Nicolas Rakotopare/Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation A range of state and federal programs involve Indigenous participation in land and sea management, offering invaluable protection to the Indigenous estate. These include Indigenous Protected Areas and the successful Indigenous Ranger program. And many governments and other groups recognize that species and ecological communities can have significant cultural, spiritual and customary value to Indigenous Australians. But often, no legal mechanism exists to protect these entities. Some species and other entities of significance to Indigenous Australians are listed as threatened under Australia's federal environment law, known as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. But authorities are not required to engage Indigenous Australians in the listing, management or recovery of these species. Indigenous Australians have successfully managed this continent's landscapes and seascapes for tens of thousands of years. Their approach is holistic and integratedconsidering the whole cultural landscape with a deep understanding of the interconnected relationships between species and Country. In contrast, management actions under federal environment law focus on the outcomes of the listed species instead of the overall health of Country. All this has left Indigenous groups underfunded and at the mercy of national-level management decisions, as opposed to place-based Indigenous-led action. Ngurrara Rangers map potential night parrot habitat. The meeting was hosted by Paruku Rangers and Traditional Owners in the Great Sandy Desert. Credit: Nicolas Rakotopare/Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation 'Surprising and disappointing' The EPBC Act was recently reviewed by Professor Graeme Samuel, who was commissioned by the federal government. His final report in 2020 found the law was failing in many ways. Samuel recommended a suite of reforms. Among other goals, they aimed to "respect and harness the knowledge of Indigenous Australians." One year on and progress on implementing the 38 recommendations is slow. Among the recommendations were that the EPBC Act adopt a set of legally enforceable "national environmental standards"clear rules that protect the environment and enable sustainable development. The standards would cover matters such as threatened species, compliance, environmental data and Indigenous engagement and participation in decision-making. It was both surprising and disappointing that Indigenous knowledge was not embedded across all proposed environmental standards. The omission means Indigenous perspectives will continue to be relegated to a stand-alone standard of "participation." In particular, the national standard pertaining to threatened species made no reference to Indigenous knowledge or the Indigenous estate.And proposed interim standards completely omit Indigenous engagement, participation and values. Without a mandate to include Indigenous people in threatened species planning and recovery, biodiversity will remain at risk. What's more, significant gaps in the application of Indigenous Knowledge and protection of the Indigenous estate will continue. Rangers collecting green turtle eggs on Yanyuwa Country in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Credit: Nicolas Rakotopare A new kind of recognition During the submission process of the review, many Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations lobbied for the recognition of "culturally significant entities." These groups include the government's own Indigenous Advisory Committee and Threatened Species Scientific Committee. "Culturally significant entities" are species and sites of great or exceptional cultural importance to Indigenous Australians. They might be a source of identity, a medicine, lore, an important traditional food or required for cultural practices. They usually feature prominently in Indigenous knowledge, language and ceremonies. Submissions to the review called for these entities to be formally recognized under the EPBC Act and afforded a far higher level of protection. They also called for the mandatory participation of Indigenous Australians in threatened species nominations, listings, policy and management. Many Indigenous Australians were disappointed this measure was not mentioned in Samuel's final report. Without proper legal protection, culturally significant entities will not be assessed and can be damaged by threats such as climate change, inappropriate land management and poorly conceived development proposals. A yellow-spotted monitor a culturally significant bush tucker species on Karajarri Country. Credit: Sarah Legge From engagement to empowerment It's time for governments and conservation groups to recognize the enduring value of the Indigenous estate and knowledge in curbing Australia's parlous record of biodiversity loss. While many of Samuel's recommendations attempted to address issues raised by Indigenous Australians, they fall short of true empowerment and global best practice. As the size and scale of the Indigenous estate continues to grow, so to does the opportunity to arrest biodiversity decline. Rather than sitting in the back seat, Indigenous Australians must be up front in managing the recovery of Australia's unique and precious environment. Explore further New research collection highlights indigenous perspectives on conservation biology This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Backlit Nesocodon mauritianus. Credit: Rahul Roy and Clay Carter Plants that secrete colored nectars are part of an exclusive club. To date, only 70 plants in the world are on that list. The colors lure in pollinators, but more recently they sparked the interest of researchers and industry partners in search of natural colorant options. Over the past several years, a team of researchers, including a handful from the University of Minnesota, sorted out how plants produced distinctive red nectar and its makeup in a newly published study in Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences. One such plant, called Nesocodon mauritianus, is endemic to the island of Mauritius and first caught the eye of Clay Carter, a professor in the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences, during a tour of the Conservatory & Botanical Collection at the university. "I first met the plant on May 2, 2016 and wondered what is behind that red nectar," says Carter. "When I started the research, I certainly wasn't expecting to turn heads of multinational companies." The research team identified two enzymes never described in plants before. They compared Nesocodon mauritianus with another red nectar plant from the other side of the world. Surprisingly, these two plants both rely on the same compoundresearchers named it nesocodinto produce red nectar and attract their respective pollinators. A gecko licks its lips after drinking a mixture of red nesocodin nectar and sugar. Geckos were also presented with a non-colored sugar sample which wasn't visited nearly as much as the one with nesocodin. In this case, the gecko drank for well over a minute. Credit: Ylenia Chiari "Studying examples like these can tell us a lot about basic rules of adaptation, especially when viewed at the genetic and biochemical level," says Carter. The research also has direct applications. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, industry currently relies heavily on non-natural color additives. Red is a notoriously hard color to source for products, from candy to clothing, and beyond. With knowledge of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms, researchers created a synthetic red nectar. The researchers also sought feedback from an expert in the form of geckos, pollinators of Nesocodon mauritianus. The synthetic nectar passed the gecko test, which was run by researchers at George Mason University. "For years natural red colorants have been inaccessible for many product formulations because of their chemical properties," says Adrian Hegeman, a professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and a co-author on the study. "Since nesocodin has different properties, it's poised to work well in conditions where other natural colorants failed in the past." The University of Minnesota has applied for a patent for the process for synthesizing nesocodin and associated non-natural derivatives. These findings also set the groundwork for continuing research efforts. Explore further Urban gardens are a dependable food source for pollinators through the year More information: Rahul Roy et al, Convergent evolution of a blood-red nectar pigment in vertebrate-pollinated flowers, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Rahul Roy et al, Convergent evolution of a blood-red nectar pigment in vertebrate-pollinated flowers,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114420119 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Southern Ontario wetlands provide $4.2 billion worth of sediment filtration and phosphorus removal services each year, keeping our drinking water sources clean and helping to mitigate harmful and nuisance algal blooms in our lakes and rivers. A new study from the University of Waterloo uses economic valuation to help us understand the importance of Southern Ontario's wetlands for water filtrationparticularly as these sensitive ecosystems continue to be lost by conversion to agriculture or urban development. "Wetlands naturally filter out phosphorus and sediments from water, but their value is often greatly overlooked," said Tariq Aziz, who carried out the study during his Ph.D. and postdoctoral work in Waterloo's Department of Earth and Environmental Science. "By calculating the economic value of wetland filtration and comparing it to the costs of engineered interventions, we hope to reinforce the importance of protecting our wetlands." The total value of $4.2 billion in sediment and phosphorus filtration services was found based on the average rate of sediment accretion in each type of wetland in Southern Ontario and estimating how much the removal and disposal of the same amounts of sediment and phosphorus in stormwater management facilities in Ontario would cost. This is the first economic valuation study to separate the values of the major types of wetlands in Southern Ontario: marshes, bogs, swamps, and fens. "We found that marshes were the most valuable wetland type for sediment and phosphorus filtration, based on the removal rates per hectare," said Aziz. "However, because swamps make up 87 percent of Southern Ontario's wetlands, they contribute about 80 percent of the overall filtration services we benefit from, at a value of about $3.4 billion per year." This study also calculated how much it would cost to replace wetlands' existing phosphorus filtration function with three different human-engineered solutions. Building artificially constructed wetlands would cost an average of $2.9 billion per year to replace the free phosphorus filtration service our natural wetlands currently provide. Implementing agricultural Best Management Practices to remove an equivalent phosphorus load would cost society $13 billion annually, while expanding current wastewater treatment capacity to replace wetlands' filtration service would cost $164 billion per year. The study "Economic valuation of suspended sediment and phosphorus filtration services by four different wetland types: A preliminary assessment for southern Ontario, Canada," authored by Aziz and his supervisor professor Philippe Van Cappellen was published in the journal Hydrological Processes. Explore further Destruction of wetlands linked to algal blooms in Great Lakes More information: Tariq Aziz et al, Economic valuation of suspended sediment and phosphorus filtration services by four different wetland types: A preliminary assessment for southern Ontario, Canada, Hydrological Processes (2021). Tariq Aziz et al, Economic valuation of suspended sediment and phosphorus filtration services by four different wetland types: A preliminary assessment for southern Ontario, Canada,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/hyp.14442 Credit: CC0 Public Domain A gym in Boston, Massachusetts, with an inventive vocational path that prepares students to work as personal trainers serves as a telling example for how community-based programs can develop anti-racism practices within organizations that contribute to the cultivation of racial unity, according to a paper published by a University at Buffalo Social Work researcher. "Efforts like this can help break down segregation and begin moving society out of its current racial divide," says the paper's author, Christopher St. Vil, Ph.D., an associate professor in the UB School of Social Work. "These programs work." Intergroup contact theory is at the center of St. Vil's study. This theory suggests that contact between different racial and class groups is an effective means of reducing bias and prejudice. Hundreds of papers have been published that support this idea, but that research has been conducted mostly through laboratory studies. St. Vil took the theory into the real world. He explored it qualitatively by speaking with the participants of the Boston program in order to expand our understanding for how intergroup contact works in society. "This study is one example of the effectiveness of programs that utilize intergroup contact to break down racial barriers, but the research also shows how Black and Brown men can serve in these programs that advance anti-racism practices that further diversity and inclusion," St. Vil says. His findings appear in the Journal of Community Practice. Much of St. Vil's research represents a wide-angle look at cross-age peer mentoring, where older adolescents mentor their younger peers. Unlike traditional mentoring, where the mentee realizes most of the relationship's benefits, cross-age peer mentoring provides reciprocal benefits, with the mentor realizing the same gains as the mentee, such as elevated self-esteem and improved connections in school and at home. Mentoring participants for this research often relied on identifying ideal students, but St. Vil's work suggests similar results when mentors are selected from underserved populations. That's why he went to Boston after hearing about Inner-City Weightlifting (ICW). ICW is a non-profit established in Boston in 2010. Its goal is curbing gun violence by extending opportunities to individuals who have engaged in gun violence or have been incarcerated. The gym's mission is twofold, and merges physical fitness with social justice. "While the track to becoming a personal trainer fulfills the fitness passion, the second passion of social justice is grounded in improving the plight of Black and Brown men from marginalized communities and eradicating racism, stigmatization and prejudice through anti-racism work," says St. Vil. ICW's location is not public because of the need to navigate social situations that could lead to recidivism. It's a safe place, a place to work out, but it also teaches, prepares and pays for students interested in pursuing careers as credentialed personal trainers. St. Vil recruited 19 participants for the study: 10 trainers who completed ICW's preparation, all of whom were Black and Latinx, ranging in age from 21 to 33, who would train clients at a gym in Cambridge. All nine clients for the study were white, between the ages of 29 and 80 and had college degrees, including seven with advanced or terminal degrees. The idea was to learn whether the benefits of reciprocal mentoring would surface in this context, where people of different races and classes work in a provider-client relationship, by providing meaningful engagement. "Overall, the findings suggest that the intergroup contact facilitated by ICW resulted in a shift in worldview and attitudes of the clients," says St. Vil. "Further, the shift in attitudes of the trainers included shifts in views around race and class as well as behavior changes that included desistance of crime." St. Vil says additional research could explore whether the themes that emerged from his ICW study are as effective in other areas where there exist opportunities for bringing people of different races and classes together. "This current racial moment in society exists because this country has spent trillions of dollars in segregationist policies and practices that keep people apart," says St. Vil. "Programs like ICW's can combat that investment. That's what it does. And that's what we need. "ICW provides one example of an initiative bursting the bubble of racism that currently grips our society." More information: Christopher St. Vil et al, Bursting bubbles: outcomes of an intergroup contact intervention within the context of a community based violence intervention program, Journal of Community Practice (2021). Christopher St. Vil et al, Bursting bubbles: outcomes of an intergroup contact intervention within the context of a community based violence intervention program,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/10705422.2021.1997851 Researchers from the Universities of Manchester, Birmingham and Mahavir Cancer Sansthan collecting field data along the River Ganga, in Bihar. Credit: Aman Gaurav Water quality in rivers is affected by underpinning 'natural' hydrogeological and biogeochemical processes, as well as interactions between people and their environment that are accelerating stress on water resources at unprecedented rates. Pollutants can move at different speeds and accumulate in varying quantities along rivers where the mix of the complex 'cocktail' of chemicals that is making its way towards the ocean is constantly changing, a new study reveals. Researchers have discovered characteristic breakpointsoften found when a tributary joins the main river or significant point sources existcan change the behavior of some compounds, causing the concentration of these chemicals to change drastically, depending on where they are on their journey down the river. Experts discovered the phenomenon after piloting a new, systematic approach to understanding hydrogeochemical dynamics in large river systems along the entire length of India's River Ganges (Ganga)from close to its source in the Himalayas down to the Indian Ocean. This new research approach proven successful at the iconic Ganga can be applied to other large river systems across the worldhopefully shedding new light on how to tackle the global challenge of aquatic pollution by multiple interacting contaminants. Publishing its findings in Water Research, the international research team, which includes experts from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester and other Indian and UK collaborators, reveals that chemicals including nitrate, chloride, sulfate, calcium, sodium and strontium are cut and boosted in different proportion by a series of breakpoints along the Ganga. They found that mixing, dilution and weathering are key processes controlling major hydrochemistryidentifying four major breakpoints which alter the concentration of at least four chemicals in the river. Five minor breakpoints affect the water mix of 2-3 chemicals, with two 'single' locations impacting on just one parameter. Stefan Krause, Professor of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry at the University of Birmingham, commented that "Large river systems, such as the Ganga, provide crucial water resources with important implications for global water, food and energy security. Understanding the complex dynamics of such systems remains a major challenge." "The breakpoints we have identified in India change the behavior of some compounds, altering the composition of the cocktail of chemicals flowing down the Ganga to the ocean." "Breakpoint analysis could be a game changer in understanding how pollutants travel along major watercoursesallowing us to identify the 'hotspots' which will shed new light on the behavior of aquatic pollution and how better to tackle this global challenge." Informed by a 2019 post-monsoonal survey of 81 bank-side sampling locations, researchers identified five major hydrogeochemical zonescharacterized, in part, by the inputs of key tributaries, urban and agricultural areas, and estuarine inputs near the Bay of Bengal. Dr. Laura Richards, the study's lead author from the University of Manchester, commented that their "research helps to understand the downstream transitions in the chemistry of the River Ganga providing important baseline information and quantification of solute sources and controls. In addition to improving the understanding of a river system as environmentally and societally important as the Ganga, the systematic approach used may also be applicable to other large river systems." The researcher's novel research approach brings systematic insight into the factors controlling key geochemistry in the Gangaone of the world's largest and most important river systems, flowing over 2,500 km from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, through one of the world's most densely populated areas. As a major source of livelihood, the river is a key water source to more than 400 Million people and very important to many social and religious traditions in India, but faces increasing environmental challenges associated with rapid development, climate change, increasing urbanization, water demand and agricultural intensity. Explore further Effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities on the Ganga basin More information: Laura A. Richards et al, A systematic approach to understand hydrogeochemical dynamics in large river systems: Development and application to the River Ganges (Ganga) in India, Water Research (2022). Laura A. Richards et al, A systematic approach to understand hydrogeochemical dynamics in large river systems: Development and application to the River Ganges (Ganga) in India,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118054 This report covers 13 Latin American (LATAM) countries located in Central and South America.The countries in the scope of the Regional E-waste Monitor for Latin America are: Argentina (ARG) Bolivia (Plurinational State of, BOL), Chile (CHL), Costa Rica (CRI), Ecuador (ECU), Guatemala (GTM), Honduras (HND), Nicaragua (NIC), Panama (PAN), Peru (PER), El Salvador (SLV), Uruguay (UGY), and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of, VEN). Credit: UN Electronic waste in 13 Latin American countries rose by 49% between 2010 and 2019, roughly the world average, but just 3% was collected and safely managed, a fraction of the 17.4% global average, according to the UN's first assessment of Latin America's e-waste volume, legislation, and management infrastructure. In 2019, e-waste generated by 206 million citizens in the 13 countries reached 1,300,000 tons (1.3 megatonnes, of which almost 30% was plastic)equal in weight to a 670 km line of fully-loaded 40-ton trucks. The comparable figure in 2010 was 900,000 tons, generated by about 185 million citizens. While informal recyclers "cherry pick" some valuable elements from waste electronics and electrical equipment, some 97% is improperly managed; just 3% is known to be collected and treated in facilities using environmentally sound methods. The findings are published in the "Regional E-waste Monitor for Latin America, Results for the 13 Countries Participating," produced by the Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme, co-hosted by the UN University (UNU) and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). It was developed under the 'Strengthening of National Initiatives and Enhancement of Regional Cooperation for the Environmentally Sound Management of POPs in Waste of Electronic or Electrical Equipment (WEEE)' project (in Spanish: PREALProyecto Residuos Electronicos America Latina), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and coordinated by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). "E-waste constitutes one of the fastest-growing streams of physical waste in today's global environment and is a threat to sustainable development," the report says. However, few countries collect internationally-comparable e-waste statistics. This report was created with the cooperation of 13 countries to support and facilitate environmentally-sound management of e-waste in the region, says co-author Ruediger Kuehr, the Senior Manager of UNITAR SCYCLE (previously hosted by United Nations University). The hazardous substances in the region's e-waste comprises at least 2200 kg of mercury, 600 kg of cadmium, 4.4 million kg of lead, 4 million kg of brominated flame retardants, and 5.6 megatonnes of greenhouse gas-equivalents (due to refrigerants). These substances "are poorly managed within the region and are likely to be untreated, generating various risks to the stability of a healthy environment," according to the report. Meanwhile, "managing e-waste could be an economic opportunity," says co-author Kees Balde, Senior Scientific Specialist at UNITAR SCYCLE. "The e-waste generated regionally in 2019 contained 7000 kg of gold, 310 kg of rare earth metals, 591 million kg of iron, 54 million kg of copper, and 91 million kg of aluminum, representing a total value of roughly US $1.7 billion of secondary raw materials." Key statistical findings: On an average annual per capita basis, e-waste generation rose from 4.7 kilograms in 2010 to 6.7 kilograms in 2019, ranging from 13.2 kg in Costa Rica to 2.5 kg in Nicaragua. The volume of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the market fluctuated between 2010 and 2019, from 1.7 Mt (1.7 million tons, or 8.9 kg per inhabitant) in 2010, to 1.9 Mt in 2017, and 1.7 Mt (8.1 kg per inhabitant) in 2019. One-third (33%) of the region's e-waste consists of small equipment (e.g. microwaves, grills and toasters, speakers, cameras). The next largest categories: large equipment (e.g. dishwashers, washing machines, ovens, central heating systems) and temperature exchange equipment (e.g. fridges, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps), each with 21%. One or two appliances in the latter categories are found in typical householdsbulky, heavy appliances with long lifespans compared with small equipment, sold in higher numbers and more frequently discarded. The region's smallest category in terms of e-waste generation is lamps (3% of the region's e-waste weight). The volume of EEE plastic placed on the market decreased over the years, from 470,000 tons (2.49 kg/inh) in 2010 to 460,000 tons (2.22 kg/inh) in 2019 due to changes in technology, for example, from cathode ray tube (CRT) screens in computers and televisions to flat-panel displays, as well as material substitutions by manufacturers and shifting demand in some EEE categories. 380,000 tons of e-waste plastic was generated in the 13 countries in 2019, of which 31,000 tons contained toxic brominated flame retardants (BRF), suspected of causing neurobehavioral effects and endocrine disruption. Almost all of the plastics containing BRF are contained in just three e-waste categories: small equipment (16,000 tons), small IT (10,000 tons), and screens (5,000 tons) Data is unavailable on the volume of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in e-waste plastic managed in an environmentally-sound way. The countries in the study collected and managed a total of 36,000 tons (0.21 kg per inhabitant) of e-waste in 2019. (Guatemala data is being assessed but unavailable as the report went to press). Costa Rica has the highest e-waste collection of 8.0 percent (1.0 kg per inhabitant) of its total e-waste generated, followed by Chile with 5.0 percent (0.4 kg per inhabitant). Annual EEE growth rates are slowing but still positive in all categories except screens and monitors, the mass of which is dropping as heavy cathode ray tube (CRT) screens in computers and televisions are replaced on the market by substantially lighter flat-panel displays. Argentina, Costa Rica, and Chile manufacture EEE and their components domestically; all 10 other countries rely entirely on imports. All 13 participating countries have some legal and regulatory frameworks for waste management but only Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru have instituted specific legislation for e-waste and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems focusing on e-waste regulation. have hazardous waste regulation that includes POPs, but none has legislation specifically for POPs from e-waste. have ratified the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which controls the transboundary movement of e-waste, and enacted national bans on e-waste imports. However, "the enforcement of these measures remains a significant challenge," the report says, adding that many of the 13 countries do not submit transboundary movement reports to the Basel Convention, making monitoring and mapping difficult. "Low quality of data and control of transboundary movement of e-waste through the Basel Convention poses a threat to the environmentally sound management of e-waste and illegal movements." The report calls on all countries in the region to introduce and enforce either: a) a robust legal and policy framework focused on ESM of e-waste and POPs contained in e-waste, or b) monitor and reinforce existing systems to make them more efficient and effective. It adds that adequate financing and monitoring of the systems, and the cooperation of all stakeholders, are essential elements for setting up and sustaining successful policies. The report concludes with detailed individual country profiles and elaborates on seven recommendations, headlined: Prevent more Be more aware Collect more Pollute less Pay adequately Work more safely, and Train more Provided by UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Researchers used thermochronometric data from four North American locations to determine the cause of the Great Unconformitya massive loss of rock about 700 million years ago. Credit: Kalin McDannell New research provides further evidence that rocks representing up to a billion years of geological time were carved away by ancient glaciers during the planet's "Snowball Earth" period, according to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research presents the latest findings in a debate over what caused the Earth's "Great Unconformity"a time gap in the geological record associated with the erosion of rock up to 3 miles thick in areas across the globe. "The fact that so many places are missing the sedimentary rocks from this time period has been one of the most puzzling features of the rock record," said C. Brenhin Keller, an assistant professor of earth sciences and senior researcher on the study. "With these results, the pattern is starting to make a lot more sense." The massive amount of missing rock that has come to be known as the Great Unconformity was first named in the Grand Canyon in the late 1800s. The conspicuous geological feature is visible where rock layers from distant time periods are sandwiched together, and it is often identified where rocks with fossils sit directly above those that do not contain fossils. "This was a fascinating time in Earth's history," said Kalin McDannell, a postdoctoral researcher at Dartmouth and the lead author of the paper. "The Great Unconformity sets the stage for the Cambrian explosion of life, which has always been puzzling since it is so abrupt in the fossil recordgeological and evolutionary processes are usually gradual." For over a century, researchers have sought to explain the cause of the missing geological time. In the last five years, two opposing theories have come into focus: One explains that the rock was carved away by ancient glaciers during the Snowball Earth period about 700 to 635 million years ago. The other focuses on a series of plate tectonic events over a much longer period during the assembly and breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia from about 1 billion to 550 million years ago. Research led by Keller in 2019 first proposed that widespread erosion by continental ice sheets during the Cryogenian glacial interval caused the loss of rock. This was based on geochemical proxies that suggested that large amounts of mass erosion matched with the Snowball Earth period. "The new research verifies and advances the findings in the earlier study," said Keller. "Here we are providing independent evidence of rock cooling and miles of exhumation in the Cryogenian period across a large area of North America." The study relies on a detailed interpretation of thermochronology to make the assessment. Thermochronology allows researchers to estimate the temperature that mineral crystals experience over time as well as their position in the continental crust given a particular thermal structure. Those histories can provide evidence of when missing rock was removed and when rocks currently exposed at the surface may have been exhumed. In Colorado's Ladder Canyon, rocks that differ in age by about a billion years sit together across the Great Unconformity. Credit: C. Brenhin Keller The researchers used multiple measurements from previously published thermochronometric data taken across four North American locations. The areas, known as cratons, are parts of the continent that are chemically and physically stable, and where plate tectonic activity would not have been common during that time. By running simulations that searched for the time-temperature path the rocks experienced, the research recorded a widespread signal of rapid, high magnitude cooling that is consistent with about 2-3 miles of erosion during Snowball Earth glaciations across the interior of North America. "While other studies have used thermochronology to question the glacial origin, a global phenomenon like the Great Unconformity requires a global assessment," said McDannell. "Glaciation is the simplest explanation for erosion across a vast area during the Snowball Earth period since ice sheets were believed to cover most of North America at that time and can be efficient excavators of rock." According to the research team, the competing theory that tectonic activity carved out the missing rock was put forth in 2020 when a separate research group questioned whether ancient glaciers were erosive enough to cause the massive loss of rock. While that research also used thermochronology, it applied an alternate technique at only a single tectonically active location and suggested that the erosion occurred prior to Snowball Earth. "The underlying concept is pretty simple: Something removed a whole lot of rock, resulting in a whole lot of missing time," said Keller. "Our research demonstrates that only glacial erosion could be responsible at this scale." According to the researchers, the new findings also help explain links between the erosion of rock and the emergence of complex organisms about 530 million years ago during the Cambrian explosion. It is believed that erosion during the Snowball Earth period deposited nutrient-rich sediment in the ocean that could have provided a fertile environment for the building blocks of complex life. The study notes that the two hypotheses of how the rock eroded are not mutually exclusiveit is possible that both tectonics and glaciation contributed to global Earth system disruption during the formation of the Great Unconformity. It appears, however, that only glaciation can explain erosion in the center of the continent, far from the tectonic margins. "Ultimately with respect to the Great Unconformity, it may be that the generally accepted reconstruction(s) of more concentrated equatorial packing of the Rodinian continents along with the unique environmental conditions of the Neoproterozoic, proved to be a time of geologic serendipity unlike most any other in Earth history," the research paper says. According to the team, this is the first research that uses their thermochronology modeling approach to study a period that extends well beyond a billion years. In the future, the team will repeat their work on other continents, where they hope to further test these hypotheses about how the Great Unconformity was created and preserved. According to the team, resolving differences in the research is critical to understanding early Earth history and the interconnection of climatic, tectonic and biogeochemical processes. "The fact that there may have been tectonic erosion along the craton margins does not rule out glaciation," said McDannell. "Unconformities are composite features, and our work suggests Cryogenian erosion was a key contributor, but it is possible that both earlier and later erosion were involved in forming the unconformity surface in different places. A global examination will tell us more." William Guenthner, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Peter Zeitler from Lehigh University; and David Shuster from the University of California, Berkeley and the Berkeley Geochronology Center served as co-authors of the paper. More information: Kalin T. McDannell et al, Thermochronologic constraints on the origin of the Great Unconformity, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Kalin T. McDannell et al, Thermochronologic constraints on the origin of the Great Unconformity,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118682119 Professor Benito Chen-Charpentier. Credit: University of Texas at Arlington In a new study published in the journal Ecological Modelling, a team of researchers led by Benito Chen-Charpentier, professor of mathematics at The University of Texas at Arlington, devises a mathematical model to calculate the minimum habitat size for endangered plant species. Due to human activities and population growth, the rate of species extinction and ecosystem degradation is increasing worldwide. Endangered plant species face challenges of habitat reduction caused by extreme weather, invasive species, infectious disease and human disturbances. To assist in conservation efforts, Chen-Charpentier and colleagues developed and published a practical mathematical model to discover the minimum habitat area needed to sustain plant populations in fragmented landscapes. "Mathematical modeling is an important tool to obtain insights into many aspects of ecosystem sustainability and management," said Chen-Charpentier, who is senior author of the study. "Mathematicians can do a lot to help ecologists and biologists solve today's most urgent problems in species conservation." The study, "Modeling the persistence of plant populations in fragmented ecosystems," is among the first to provide practical answers to the key question of minimum or optimal habitat size to protect populations in fragmented ecosystems. Chen-Charpentier said most studies fail to address this central question, and scientists' understanding of and capacity to predict the effects and outcomes associated with fragmentation is still elusive. Using data from the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, one of the largest and longest data collection experiments to analyze the ecological impact of habitat fragmentation, the team developed an ordinary differential equation to determine the minimum patch size necessary to sustain populations of Heliconia acuminata, an Amazonian herb native to South America. The researchers found a significant correlation between fragment area and growth rate, confirming that the herb's death rate responds more negatively to smaller habitat sizes. Further investigations are needed to verify if these findings can be applied to other plant populations in fragmented systems. Chen-Charpentier said the study's findings will not only help scientists, but could also aid architects and city planners looking to minimize environmental disturbances. "When a city is developing a highway system, its planners may notice a plant population in the area that would not be able to survive the habitat reduction caused by construction," Chen-Charpentier said. "Now, they could use mathematical modeling to calculate the optimal habitat size and adjust their plans to support the local ecosystem." Explore further New conservation tool calculates the optimal time to spend researching a habitat before protecting it More information: Maria C.A. Leite et al, Modeling the persistence of plant populations in fragmented ecosystems, Ecological Modelling (2021). Maria C.A. Leite et al, Modeling the persistence of plant populations in fragmented ecosystems,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109681 Teamwork: Scientists ascending to the research station in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Credit: ZAMG/Niedermoser In a new study, Empa researcher Dominik Brunner, together with colleagues from Utrecht University and the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geophysics, is investigating how much plastic is trickling down on us from the atmosphere. According to the study, some nanoplastics travel over 2000 kilometers through the air. According to the figures from the measurements about 43 trillion miniature plastic particles land in Switzerland every year. Researchers still disagree on the exact number. But according to estimates from the study, it could be as much as 3,000 tons of nanoplastics that cover Switzerland every year, from the remote Alps to the urban lowlands. These estimates are very high compared to other studies, and more research is needed to verify these numbers The study is uncharted scientific territory because the spread of nanoplastics through the air is still largely unexplored. The result of Brunner's research is the most accurate record of air pollution by nanoplastics ever made. To count the plastic particles, Brunner and his colleagues have developed a chemical method that determines the contamination of the samples with a mass spectrometer. Extreme conditions The scientists studied a small area at an altitude of 3106 meters at the top of the mountain "Hoher Sonnenblick" in the "Hohe Tauern" National Park in Austria. An observatory of the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics has been located here since 1886. The observatory is run by meteorologist and Arctic researcher Elke Ludewig. Since research began here in the late 19th century, the observatory has only been non-operational on four days. The research station also served as a base for the study on the spread of nanoplastics in remote areas. Every day, and in all weather conditions, scientists removed a part of the top layer of snow around a marker at 8 AM and carefully stored it. Contamination of the samples by nanoplastics in the air or on the scientists' clothes was a particular challenge. In the laboratory, the researchers sometimes had to remain motionless when a colleague handled an open sample. The origin of the tiny particles was traced with the help of European wind and weather data. The researchers could show that the greatest emission of nanoplastics into the atmosphere occurs in densely populated, urban areas. About 30% of the nanoplastic particles measured on the mountain top originate from a radius of 200 kilometers, mainly from cities. However, plastics from the world's oceans apparently also get into the air via the spray of the waves. Around 10% of the particles measured in the study were blown onto the mountain by wind and weather over 2000 kilometerssome of them from the Atlantic. The research site at Sonnblick: The ZAMG observatory is located at an altitude of over 3100 meters in the Hohe Tauern mountains in Salzburg and has existed since 1886. Image: ZAMG/Christian Schober Nanoparticles in the bloodstream It is estimated that more than 8300 million tons of plastic have been produced worldwide to date, about 60% of which is now waste. This waste erodes through weathering effects and mechanical abrasion from macro- to micro- and nanoparticles. But discarded plastic is far from the only source. Everyday use of plastic products such as packaging and clothing releases nanoplastics. Particles in this size range are so light that their movement in the air can best be compared to gasses. Besides plastics, there are all kinds of other tiny particles. From Sahara sand to brake pads, the world is buzzing through the air as abrasion. It is as yet unclear whether this kind of air pollution poses a potential health threat to humans. Nanoparticles, unlike microparticles, do not just end up in the stomach. They are sucked deep into the lungs through respiration, where their size may allow them to cross the cell-blood barrier and enter the human bloodstream. Whether this is harmful or even dangerous, however, remains to be researched. The research was published in Environmental Pollution. Explore further Polar ice contaminated with nanoplastics More information: Dusan Materic et al, Nanoplastics transport to the remote, high-altitude Alps, Environmental Pollution (2021). Journal information: Environmental Pollution Dusan Materic et al, Nanoplastics transport to the remote, high-altitude Alps,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117697 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The origin of water on our planet is a hot question: Water has immense implications for plate tectonics, climate, the origin of life on Earth, and potential habitability of other Earth-like planets. In a recent study in Physical Review Letters, a Skoltech professor and his Chinese colleagues suggest a chemical compound thatalthough now extinctcould have preserved water deep underground in the violent era when massive collisions must have evaporated the Earth's surface water. Besides being the all-important substance for the origin of life as we know it, surface water is important for stabilizing a planet's climate over long periods of time, allowing evolution to happen. Even small amounts of water deep below the surface are known to dramatically increase rock plasticity, which is essential for plate tectonicsa process that shapes the continents and oceans, and drives earthquakes and volcanism. But despite its huge importance for the evolution of rocky planets like ours, we don't know where the Earth's water originated. "Some scientists thought our water was seeded by comets, but this source seems to be very limitedthe isotope composition of water in comets is quite different from that on Earth," says Professor Artem R. Oganov of Skoltech, who co-authored the study. If the water did not come from above, it must have come from below, from deep within the mantle or even the core of the Earth. But how could it survive the violent first 30 million years or so in the Earth's history, when the planet was very hot and was ceaselessly bombarded by asteroids and even underwent a catastrophic collision with a Mars-sized planet? These processes must have evaporated part of the Earth and what remained was molten at least several hundred kilometers down, removing the water. Until now, scientists did not know a stable compound that could lock up hydrogen and oxygen atoms within the planet's interior long enough and then release them as water. Oganov teamed up with a group of scientists lead by Professor Xiao Dong of Nankai University, China, and together they used Oganov's crystal structure prediction method USPEX to discover a compound that fits the bill: magnesium hydrosilicate, with the formula Mg 2 SiO 5 H 2 , which is over 11% water by weight and is stable at pressures of more than 2 million atmospheres and at extremely high temperatures. Such pressures exist in the Earth's core. But everyone knows the core is a metal ballmostly ironso the elements making up magnesium hydrosilicate are simply not available there, right? "Wrong. There was no core at the time. In the beginning of its existence, the Earth had a more or less evenly distributed composition, and it took the iron roughly 30 million years from when the planet formed to seep down to its center, pushing the silicates up into what we now call the mantle," Oganov explains. This means that for 30 million years, part of the Earth's water was safely stored away in the form of hydrosilicates at the depths of the present-day core. During that time the Earth withstood the heaviest phase of asteroid bombardment. By the time the core formed, the hydrosilicates had been pushed into lower-pressure areas, where they became unstable and decomposed. This produced the magnesium oxide and magnesium silicate that make up the mantle today, and water, which started on its 100-million-year-long journey to the surface. "In the meantime, the Earth was being pummeled by asteroids and even a protoplanet, but water was safe, because it had not yet made its way to the surface," Oganov adds. The researchers say their study shows how faulty human intuitions can sometimes be. Nobody had thought about silicates at core pressures, because the constituent atoms were supposedly not to be found there. And even then, people would not have expected a hydrosilicate to be stable at core conditions, because the extreme temperatures and pressures were believed to "squeeze" the water out of the mineral. Yet accurate modeling based on quantum mechanics proved otherwise. "It's also a story about how a material that existed for a brief moment on the planetary timescale had a massive impact on the Earth's evolution," the materials scientist goes on. "This runs counter to the usual geological mindset, but come to think of it, an evolutionary biologist, for whom much of what we see today has evolved out of now-extinct species, would hardly be surprised, would they?" The new hypothesis of water origin has implications for other celestial bodies, too. "Mars, for example, is too small to produce pressures necessary to stabilize magnesium hydrosilicate," Oganov says. "This explains why it is so dry and means that whatever water exists on Mars, it likely came from comets." Or else, consider planets outside our solar system. "To be habitable, an exoplanet has to have a stable climate, which requires both continents and oceans. So there has to be water, but not too much," adds Xiao Dong. "There was an estimate that for an Earth-like planet of any size to be habitable, it should have no more than 0.2% water by weight. Our results imply that for large Earth-like planets, called 'super-Earths,' the story is likely different: In such planets, pressures stabilizing the magnesium hydrosilicate must exist even outside the core, locking up large amounts of water indefinitely. As a result, super-Earths can have a much greater water content and still support the existence of exposed continents." It even has implications for a planet's magnetosphere. "At temperatures of more than 2,000 degrees Celsius, magnesium hydrosilicate will conduct electricity, with hydrogen protons serving as charge carriers. This means that our hydrosilicate will contribute to the magnetic fields of super-Earths," Oganov explains, adding that the list of consequences of the new hypothesis goes on and on. Explore further Why is there water on Earth? More information: Han-Fei Li et al, Ultrahigh-Pressure Magnesium Hydrosilicates as Reservoirs of Water in Early Earth, Physical Review Letters (2022). Journal information: Physical Review Letters Han-Fei Li et al, Ultrahigh-Pressure Magnesium Hydrosilicates as Reservoirs of Water in Early Earth,(2022). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.035703 Janus rods with the same surface characteristics except for the geometry of the coating are depicted. The particles assume completely different orientations, implying they also assume different mechanical properties for the overall interface. Credit: Giovanniantonio Natale Named for a Roman god, Janus particles refer to nanoparticles that possess surfaces with two or more distinct physical chemical properties. The special nanoparticles were introduced to the scientific community by 1991 Nobel Prize winner Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, who pointed out that "objects with two sides of different wettability have the unique advantage of densely self-assembling at liquid-liquid interfaces," and consequentially, generating new colloidal structures. The resulting chemical asymmetry led to the discovery of new and unusual molecular properties, making Janus particles relevant to a wide range of applications, from biomedicine to water-repellent textiles to fabrication of membranes with tunable properties. In Physics of Fluids, researchers from the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, use dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations to examine the translational diffusion of Janus nanoparticles at the interface between two immiscible fluids, incapable of mixing or attaining homogeneity. Focusing on a cluster of spherical particles used to create a rigid body of Janus rods, the simulations shed light on the dynamic behavior of the nanoparticles, with varying surface coatings and sizes, at a water-oil interface. The work reveals a strong influence of their shape on their orientation at the interface as well as on their mobility. "As a result, these varying individual responses modify the interfacial tension of the entire system, which impacts rheology and, thus, processing schemes," said co-author Giovanniantonio Natale. Natale and his colleagues describe a "tilting and tumbling" effect due to the presence of local energy minima at the interface, an effect that varies with the aspect ratio of the Janus rods and the surface coverage of their coatings. Interfacial tension is shown to reduce with increased aspect ratio as particles shift from an upright position to a tilted orientation. The tension reduces when the coatings are horizontal rather than vertical, since the particles are more stabilized in their orientation. In theory, these findings imply the geometrical characteristics of Janus particles can be modified without their surface chemistries becoming altered to produce either stable or unstable emulsions. Altogether, the work provides significant and fundamental insight into the dynamics and self-assembly of anisotropic Brownian particles at interfaces, which may better inform the design and fabrication of engineered interfaces. "Moreover, we can employ our DPD simulations to optimize systems at the nanoscale, where performing and characterizing experiments is often extremely challenging and time-consuming," said Natale. Explore further New avenue for the large-scale synthesis of Janus particles More information: "Dynamics of Brownian Janus Rods at a liquid-liquid interface", Physics of Fluids, aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/5.0076148 Journal information: Physics of Fluids "Dynamics of Brownian Janus Rods at a liquid-liquid interface", A wave glider was one of the ocean robots in the project, collecting data from the surface. Credit: Fred Fourie Storms over the waters around Antarctica drive an outgassing of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to a new international study with researchers from the University of Gothenburg. The research group used advanced ocean robots for the study, which provides a better understanding of climate change and can lead to better global climate models. The world's southernmost ocean, the Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica, plays an important role in the global climate because its waters contain large amounts of carbon dioxide. A new international study, in which researchers from the University of Gothenburg participated, has examined the complex processes driving air-sea fluxes of gasses, such as carbon dioxide. Storms bring carbon dioxide-rich waters to the surface The research group is now delivering new findings that shed light on the area's important role in climate change. "We show how the intense storms that often occur in the region increase ocean mixing and bring carbon dioxide-rich waters from the deep to the surface. This drives an outgassing of carbon dioxide from the ocean to the atmosphere. There has been a lack of knowledge about these complex processes, so the study is an important key to understanding the Southern Ocean's significance for the climate and the global carbon budget", says Sebastiaan Swart, professor of oceanography at the University of Gothenburg and co-author of the study. One of the ocean robots in the project, a slocum glider, was able to to collect data at a depth of one kilometer. Credit: Sea Technology Services Facilitates better climate models Half of all carbon dioxide bound in the world's oceans is found in the Southern Ocean. At the same time, climate change is expected to result in more intense storms in the future. Therefore, it is vital to understand the storms' impact on the outgassing of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the researchers point out. "This knowledge is necessary to be able to make more accurate predictions about future climate change. Currently, these environmental processes are not captured by global climate models", says Marcel du Plessis at the University of Gothenburg, who also participated in the study. Pioneering ocean robotics Measuring the inaccessible and stormy waters around Antarctica for a long period of time is a real challenge, which the researchers tackled with the help of unique robot technology. For several months, autonomous ocean robots; drones and ocean gliders, collected data from the surface and through to depths of one kilometer. "This pioneering technology gave us the opportunity to collect data with long endurance, which would not have been possible via a research vessel. Thanks to these ocean robots we can now fill important knowledge gaps and gain a better understanding of the importance of the ocean for the climate, says Sebastiaan Swart. The research was published in Nature Communications. Explore further Unknown currents in Southern Ocean have been observed with help of seals More information: Nicholson, SA. et al, Storms drive outgassing of CO2 in the subpolar Southern Ocean, Nat Commun (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Nicholson, SA. et al, Storms drive outgassing of CO2 in the subpolar Southern Ocean,(2022). doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27780-w A glimpse into an RNA-lipid world. The image shows a lipid membrane. The parts of the membrane that are more liquid are visible in magenta and the gel-like parts are visible as dark patches. The green RNA molecules concentrate at the membrane at the gel membrane domains. Such selective RNA-lipid interactions may have sparked the emergence of life in a prebiotic world. Nowadays, they can be employed in bioengineering applications. Scale bars represent 10 microns. Credit: Tomasz Czerniak All cells on Earth are enveloped in a fatty layer of lipids. Lipid membranes protect the content of the cells, including genetic information such as RNA and DNA. A new study from the researchers at the B CUBECenter for Molecular Bioengineering at TU Dresden reveals how lipids and RNA can directly interact and how this regulates RNA activity in unexpected ways. The study could help explain how RNA could be regulated in primordial or synthetic biological systems and lead to improvements in the design of RNA vaccines. Lipids and RNA are two of the essential building blocks of cells. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a versatile molecule. On the one hand, like DNA, RNA encodes genetic information which is essential for life to replicate itself. On the other hand, like proteins, RNA molecules carry out chemical reactions. One molecule that can carry the information and also execute its instructions through chemical reactions is an attractive feature to synthetic biologists who try to build minimal living systems from scratch. However, finding a simple way to control RNA activity has always been a key challenge. In a new study published in the PNAS journal, Tomasz Czerniak and James Saenz discovered that lipids can directly modulate the activity of RNA in a simple synthetic system. "This opens up a completely new path to think about how we can use RNA-lipid interactions for bioengineering, for example, delivery of mRNA therapies," says Dr. James Saenz, research group leader at the B CUBECenter for Molecular Bioengineering and the senior author of the study. In addition, their work can also help to give clues about the origin of ancient life. A popular hypothesis on the origin of life is that life itself likely emerged from self-replicating RNA molecules, years before the evolution of DNA and proteins. Here, the simple and effective way of modulating RNA activity would be the key for the organization of early life on an ancient Earth. The RNA-lipid world The scientists tested how well different types of RNA molecules interacted with lipid membranes. They found that some RNAs were binding lipids better than others and that this depended on the sequence and structure of the RNA molecule. In particular, guanineone of the four building blocks that makes up RNA, was crucial for RNA to stick to the lipids. Adding additional chains of guanines to the RNAs made them even stickier, providing a way to control the strength of RNA-lipid interactions. Artistic representation of lipid membranes interacting with RNA molecules. Credit: Priyanka Oberoi It turned out that guanine not only directly enhanced RNA-lipid binding but also made it stickier by promoting the folding of RNAs into different structures. One such structure, called a G-quadruplex, is found in cells and is known as an important element of RNA activity and regulation. "This raises the possibility that RNA-lipid interactions could be still happening in modern cells, possibly as a remnant of a long-extinct RNA-lipid world," says Saenz. Lipids give RNA self-control Once the researchers had discovered how to engineer RNA to stick better to lipids, they then showed that such RNA-lipid interactions could be used to control the activity of RNAs that catalyze chemical reactions. "It's the first time that I'm aware of, where someone has demonstrated sequence-specific effects in the way a lipid can influence RNA catalysis," says Professor Gerald Joyce of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California, who was not involved in the study. The future of RNA-lipid interactions "As a next step we would like to understand how to use RNA-lipid interactions to engineer synthetic life and if these interactions are important in modern organisms, including humans," explains Saenz. The team also points out that the insights from their work could provide new ways of designing lipid nanoparticles for mRNA vaccine formulations. Explore further The Lipid Code: New chemical tools can control the concentration of lipids in living cells More information: Tomasz Czerniak et al, Lipid membranes modulate the activity of RNA through sequence-dependent interactions, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Tomasz Czerniak et al, Lipid membranes modulate the activity of RNA through sequence-dependent interactions,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119235119 Butterflies land on branches at Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, Calif., on Nov. 10, 2021. The number of Western monarch butterflies overwintering in California rebounded to more than 247,000 a year after fewer than 2,000 appeared, but the tally remained far below the millions that were seen in the 1980s, leaders of an annual count said Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury, File The number of Western monarch butterflies overwintering in California rebounded to more than 247,000 a year after fewer than 2,000 appeared, but the tally remained far below the millions that were seen in the 1980s, leaders of an annual count said Tuesday. The Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count revealed the highest number of butterflies in five years but it is still less than 5% of the 1980s population, said Emma Pelton, senior endangered species biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Pelton said she was ecstatic about the turnabout but cautioned that it did not indicate a recovery of the species. "It will take multiple more years to understand if this is the beginning of a trend or just a blip," she said in an online news conference. Western monarchs, the population found west of the Rockies, overwinter in groves along the Pacific coast from Northern California's Mendocino County south to the northern edge of Baja California, as well as in a few inland locations. Monarchs east of the Rockies migrate deep into Mexico for winter. The Western monarch count is conducted by trained volunteers over several weeks around the Thanksgiving holiday. It dates to 1997 and has observed a loss of more than 95% of a population that according to earlier studies once numbered in the low millions. A butterfly sits on a leaf at Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, Calif., on Nov. 10, 2021. The number of Western monarch butterflies overwintering in California rebounded to more than 247,000 a year after fewer than 2,000 appeared, but the tally remained far below the millions that were seen in the 1980s, leaders of an annual count said Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury, File The count released a year ago was the smallest ever seen, and the reasons for the turnabout are elusive, according to Pelton. Not only was there the largest one-year increase ever seen, but the butterflies were found at 283 sites, the most ever. "The question of the day that we're getting is really, why are we having this uptick? And we don't have a single definitive answer for you," Pelton said. Factors could include good weather, the amount of milkweed the monarchs rely on and some interchange between the Western and Eastern populations, but the monarchs have a complex migratory cycle with multiple generations over a complex landscape, she said. Pelton said she believes the numbers are going to continue to fluctuate until underlying causes for the huge declines over the decade are dealt with. "And the root of those are habitat loss, both at the overwintering sites in California and elsewhere, and then migratory breeding habitat," she said. Leslee Russell of Livermore, Calif. takes a picture of her husband Dave Russell in front of a mural outside the Butterfly Grove Inn near the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, Calif., on Nov. 10, 2021. The number of Western monarch butterflies overwintering in California rebounded to more than 247,000 a year after fewer than 2,000 appeared, but the tally remained far below the millions that were seen in the 1980s, leaders of an annual count said Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury, File Among details in the data, the count showed that overwintering sites trended to the south. California's central coast usually sees the most monarchs, and the San Francisco Bay Area normally has significant numbers as well. In the latest count, however, Bay Area sites had few or no monarchs. The most monarchsmore than 95,000were found in Santa Barbara County, including one site on private property that had 25,000 butterflies. Farther south, Ventura County had nearly 19,500 butterflies and Los Angeles County had more than 4,000numbers that hadn't been seen since the early 2000s. Explore further After record low, monarch butterflies return to California 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. We are just beginning to appreciate the long-term impact of the past two years on mental healthand especially for children and adolescents. But we already know that lockdowns, isolation, and uncertainty have contributed to increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms and that parents have been pushed to the breaking point as the crisis disrupts their fragile support networks. Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic caused mental health symptomsit has revealed the lack of basic support for the emotional health of our children, who as a group are underserved by current systems. In a recent report on the state of youth mental health, noting the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, the Office of the Surgeon General encourages responding with a whole of society approach. We, who are working at the forefront of philanthropy and child mental health, urge our peers across sectors to embrace this call to action and come together in a whole world approach. We need to be able to give our mental health the same attention we give our physical health, recognize that this is a universal problem, and finally remove the stigma that hinders healing. The single most important takeaway from the COVID mental health crisis is the need to build capacity to support childrens emotional health. This isnt an easy task. In the United States, deficits in training and workforce development in childrens mental health at all levelsat school, in the pediatricians office, and in mental health care settingshas been a persistent barrier to access and utilization. Seventy percent of U.S. counties dont have a single child and adolescent psychiatrist. (The same is true for most rural areas in Greece, where we are collaborating on a mental health initiative.) And that was before the pandemic. In the same way that COVID revealed weaknesses in our pandemic preparedness, it also revealed weaknesses in our mental health care system, which has historically ignored children almost completely and is still woefully underdeveloped. The risks of untreated mental health problems are significant and long-lastingincluding higher rates of continued mental health disorders, school dropout, family dysfunction, social isolation, and suicide. Yet two-thirds of individuals with mental health disorders never get the treatment they need. The mental health crisis shares another similarity with the coronavirus pandemic: It is global and has a disproportionate impact on marginalized and underresourced communities. According to the Child Mind Institutes 2021 Childrens Mental Health Report, Black and Hispanic/Latinx teens are more likely than white teens to express concerns about pandemic-related mental health challenges. In Greece, the Stavros Niarchos Foundations (SNF) Health Initiative has seen that households in remote areas, refugee and migrant populations, and Roma are less likely to have access to adequate mental health care. There is a critical, global need to invest in access to evidence-based mental health care for all children and adolescentsparticularly those most at risk. When we listen to the needs of the people on the ground who are awake to the barriers and inequalities present, we hear calls for capacity building. The Child Mental Health Initiative (CMHI), a new joint initiative between the Child Mind Institute and SNF that is part of the latters Health Initiative in Greece, hopes to do just this: to expand capacity for mental health support for children and youth in Greece. The CMHI aspires to reinforce and extend the critical work done by mental health and child protection providers across the country. Through a collaborative, interdisciplinary model between the institute and regional teams of Greek professionals specializing in child mental health and psychosocial care, the program aims to increase care access, capacity, and resources while developing a country-wide network and improving mental health literacy and awareness. By collaborating and bringing together international and local expertise, our initiative is using field-leading research to build robust and accessible mental health support for young people across Greece. We see this capacity-building effort in Greece as a blueprint that can be applied across Europe and potentially around the world. This work is not optional. Organizations like ours must recognize that addressing challenges facing children and young people is both an immediate priority and a long-term commitment. Governments and NGOs can play their part by sharing best practices and openly communicating with the local professionals and communities who utilize this care. Whether its COVID or mental health, public health crises require sustained international collaboration to determine the best ways to direct resources and build capacity for preventing further harm. We need to demonstrate a common will to come together across borders and agree that access to mental health care is an area we cannot be divided on. As Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy writes: It would be a tragedy if we beat back one public health crisis only to allow another to grow in its place. Andreas Dracopoulos is co-president of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), and Harold S. Koplewicz is founding president and medical director of the Child Mind Institute. A version of this post originally appeared on the Child Mind Institutes blog. (Top photo credit: Getty Images/fizkes) (Harold S. Koplewicz photo credit: Brian Marcus/Fred Marcus Studio) QUEENSBURY Great Escape is looking to change the entrance to the park before the summer season kicks off. Great Escape Theme Park LLC, along with CT Male Associates, received a positive recommendation last week from the town Planning Board to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Park engineer Frank Palumbo told board members the project would increase the green space of the area by 34.8%. The plan involves tearing down the current ticketing booth at the entrance of the amusement park and constructing a building that would house metal detectors for guests to pass through before gaining entry. Palumbo said the previous entrance worked at a time when attendees did not have to be checked by park security before entering. This is the time we live in and most people are used to this level of security, he said. The new building would also include two bathrooms, which Palumbo said guests who had been traveling would appreciate. People who have just parked after a long car ride will now be able to access a restroom while they wait in line, instead of having to find one once inside the park, Palumbo said. The amusement park brought the plans before the Planning Board hoping to receive a positive recommendation regarding the zoning variances that would be needed to complete the new construction. The first of the variances deals with a unique situation in which the zoning is divided on the same lot. Palumbo explained that the park had previously received approval for the ticketing booth that is now standing, but due to the new construction, a vote would need to be held in order to approve the size and structure of the proposed building. The Planning Board did not foresee any future issues going forward with the proposed building. The plans also originally included a 35-foot light pole that would match the existing light post in the same area of the entryway. The town only allows for light poles that stand 20 feet tall, which caused the park to seek another variance for the proposed light fixture. Board members expressed concern over the height of the proposed light post and asked if the plans could be amended to include two 20-foot-tall light poles instead of the taller post being proposed. Great Escape representatives agreed to adjust the plans to be in compliance with the town code before the next meeting, where the official site plans would be revealed. Planning Board members said they were confident the Zoning Board would approve the variance for the building itself and only had concerns regarding the out-of-code light pole. Once the agreement was reached to amend the plans of a larger pole, the Planning Board passed a unanimously positive recommendation for the plans, noting that the new green space would further beautify the area. The plans will be subject to a public hearing Tuesday (Jan. 25) at 7 p.m., at which time community members can voice their opinions on the plans. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. QUEENSBURY Warren Countys Board of Elections is actively working to fill open positions for poll workers as the June primary and the remainder of election season draws near. The COVID-19 pandemic has created the need for more poll workers. This is because a majority of poll workers have been older people or retired individuals who are opting to not work in the public eye as a result of the pandemic, according to a Warren County news release. In the state, 55% of poll workers are over 60 years old, making them potentially vulnerable to health complications as a result of COVID, according to the release. Warren County Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner Beth McLaughlin said that poll workers provide a service critical to all New Yorkers. There is a shortage of workers on the local, state and national level, and we can use help in Warren County to make sure everyone can exercise their right to vote, she said. Poll workers are paid to prepare polling places for voting, set up voting equipment, enforce social distancing, demonstrate voting procedures and close the polling place, among other things. To be eligible in the state of New York, a person must be a registered voter in the state. If a person is 17 years old, they may be eligible if their school district participates in a program under New York State Education Law. William VanNess, Warren County Board of Elections Republican commissioner, said residents would be helping New York vote by becoming a poll worker. We are encouraging voters of all ages to step up and volunteer to serve as a poll worker in our primary and general elections, he said in the news release. Poll workers get paid for training and each election day that they work. Residents outside of New York City can apply by filling out a form at www.elections.ny.gov/BecomePollworker.html. Warren County residents who are interested can call the Warren County Board of Elections at 518-761-6456 and can also visit the boards office at the Warren County Human Services Building. Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at (518) 742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SALEM Jacko Tomasi was the village counselor of Salem. In the mid-1970s, high school girls would sit at his counter stools, sipping soda from straws and trading the latest gossip. Tomasi, in his white shirt, tie and ice cream coat, would stand behind the counter making strawberry Cokes and lemon-lime fizzes. Jackos was a gathering spot in the village of Salem since James Cont Tomasi opened his soda fountain in 1919. Known as Jacko by everyone in town, Tomasi was an Italian immigrant who loved being an American. He was warm. Loved people, said his daughter-in-law Kay Tomasi. One person said you didnt need a shrink in Salem. You could always go to Jacko, and he would listen to you. Jacko ran his shop until his death in 1982. A group of individuals, including some Salem natives, recently re-imagined and reopened a new Jackos Corner as a small plates kitchen, bar and social space at the corner of Main Street and Broadway. There is a small-town, everyone-is-welcome feeling as soon as you walk through the old wooden doors. And if that wasnt reason enough to pay a visit, the vast list of beers and menu of savory dishes is enough to keep you seated for a while and coming back for more. The new shop also boasts hand pies and open-faced sandwiches and an impressive assortment of cheese boards. Jackos Corner is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The four business partners have focused on bringing in a huge assortment of local and European beers served in nice stemware. The food is farm-to-table and locally sourced. And everyone is welcome couples, girls nights, even kids. I think thats really been missed, said partner Tom Clary. I dont think Salems had that for a long time, where friends can really feel comfortable coming and talking for a couple hours. Clary, an accountant, Sarah Parker, who does marketing, Susi Thomas, a local choreographer, Kean McIlvaine, the chef, and Cindy DAndrea, the general manager have pulled together to create a go-to neighborhood bar. Jackos American dream The building at 190 Main St. housed a number of businesses around the turn of the century. The site hosted a merchant tailor establishment, and the Salem Press was located upstairs. James Burke ran his barbershop out of that location as well, according to the book The Village of Salem 1761-1994, written by Kay Tomasi. In 1897, Adolph Abrams, sole owner of Pincus & Abrams, moved into the corner store. He ran a sales room on the first floor and a room for tailoring and repair on the second floor. He renovated the place in 1902 and added womens clothing and menswear, according to Tomasis book. George Hastings moved his business into the northern end of the block and ran the Spot Cash market and a lunchroom. The Odd Fellows purchased the building in 1913 and turned the second floor into a meeting room and refurbished the exterior with paint. A restaurant-grocery store and movie theater were located on the first floor, according to Tomasis book. Also in 1913, a 13-year-old Jacko Tomasi emigrated from Locana, Italy to America. He got off the ship at Ellis Island with a tag around his neck that read Poultney, Vermont. Jackos two sisters Marianna and Madeline had already immigrated to the United States. Jacko arrived at Ellis Island, but grew anxious when his brother-in-law was delayed in picking him up because Jackos sister was about to have a baby. If his sponsor didnt meet him, Jacko would be put on a ship back to Italy, said Kay Tomasi. Luckily, his brother-in-law arrived the day before Jacko was sent back to Italy. Jacko lived in Poultney, Vermont, with his sister Marianna and her husband, Frank Bertolino, who ran a store and soda shop in Poultney. He lived with them about six years. A Salem resident named Don Cruikshank frequented the Bertolino shop and mentioned there was a space available for rent in Salem since the theater and smoke shop closed. Prohibition was a good time for soda fountains to flourish and serve as a center of socialization for all ages in the community, Kay Tomasi noted in her research. In October 1919, Jacko and his sister Madeline opened a store selling confectionery, cigars, cigarettes, fancy groceries and fruits, according to Tomasis book. But in 1920, burglars using lighted matches for illumination robbed the Tomasi store. The inside of the building was destroyed, but the structure remained standing. Jacko rebuilt his business, and in January 1921, Jacko and Madeline opened the Elite Candy Shop. Madeline continued to be his business partner until 1928. Jacko eventually purchased the building from the Odd Fellows in 1943. Jacko was only around age 19 or 20 when he opened his shop, where sundaes were served in silver holders lined with paper and where you could ask for a cherry or vanilla Coke and have it stirred up in a Coca-Cola glass, according to an article in The Times Record of Troy in 1973. You can sip your soda amid the original decor of marble top tables and wrought iron chairs, the article stated. The shop was a noontime and after-school retreat for kids, a place to chat with friends while sipping sodas and eating ice cream. The Wurlitzer jukebox would spin old 78s with songs performed by Frank Sinatra, Patti Page and Rosemary Clooney, according to a 1977 article in The Post-Star. But Jacko was the main draw of the establishment. He is a friend to children as well as the adults, Judy Irwin wrote in The Times Record. The mirror behind his counter is filled to capacity with row upon row of high school graduation pictures. Each one bears its personal inscription to Jacko. Jacko was once featured in Smithsonian magazine and the New York Daily News. He worked at the soda fountain until his death in 1982. Kay Tomasi, herself, visited the soda shop when she was young. He spent his life here, seven days a week, Tomasi said. He even worked on Christmas. He wouldnt arrive for Christmas dinner until it was just 15 minutes before because he didnt want to miss a sale of chocolates, Tomasi said. He sold penny candy out of a glass cabinet. During World War II he would send cigarettes to the soldiers. Parker said people are eager to share with her their stories of Jackos while visiting the bar. Someone that was in their 60s remembers being a kid and spinning on the bar stools, she said. But then youve got people that are in their 40s that remember it a little bit later and remember the high school kids used to smoke cigarettes in the back. After Jacko passed in 1982, Jerome Wright Insurance and Real Estate took over the building. Several other businesses occupied the building until 2011, when pipes froze and caused considerable damage to the space. The Tomasi family decided to restore the space back to the original 1920s, 1940s look. The restored space was used as a soda shop until 2014 and a soda and sandwich shop until 2017. You hear just as many stories about Kay and what she means to the community as you do about Jacko and what he did, Parker said. So it doesnt surprise me that she would restore it because thats the type of person that she is. A new beginning The new Jackos Corner a small plates kitchen, bar and social space grew from a group of people during the fall of 2020. It officially opened Jan. 6. We knew how important this space was so we gravitated toward a restaurant and bar concept, Clary said. It has to be a bar simply because of the limited kitchen space. We cant have a full kitchen. The business partners, who all have other jobs, consider themselves aggressive entrepreneurs with a community focus who want to bring more tourism into Salem. Many Salem natives moved back to the area during the pandemic, like Parker, who moved back to Salem from Los Angeles. Every house has been bought, Parker said. Theres nothing left. I know because Ive been looking for one. The partners want to cash in on this influx of young families. Clary and Parker make a point to meet everyone who comes in, just like Jacko used to do. At least 50% of customers have been from outside of Salem. Tomasi said the crew brings a lot of experience, enthusiasm and tenacity to the job. I am so excited, Tomasi said, and I think Jacko would be so excited to see this alive and thriving. Gretta Hochsprung writes features and hometown news. She can be reached at 518-742-3206 or ghochsprung@poststar.com. Love 8 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. When Wendy and Janet Norman decided to have a baby, they went sperm shopping through Xytex Corp., a sperm bank. The couple chose Donor #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 Norman 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. A wrongful birth? Aggeles wasnt pursuing an advanced degree when he began donating sperm. He didnt 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 Georgias 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 donors 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 states 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 providers failure to identify the risk. The case is still pending. 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. 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. Its 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 donors medical history, educational background or criminal record. The movie Delivery Man revolves around what happens when a sperm bank uses a single donors sperm to make hundreds of babies. 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. The end of anonymity One complication in terms of resolving these disputes is that most sperm donations are anonymous. At odds with the donors interest in keeping his identity a secret, we argue, are donor-conceived peoples 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. The movie The Kids Are All Right hinged on the complications that can arise when a family gets to know a sperm donor. 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. [Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.] 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 sons 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. Costs are not a barrier Its possible that measures like the one pending in New York state would make fertility treatment somewhat more expensive. 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, its 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. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. ATLANTIC CITY Two city residents were arrested on drug charges after a car stop at Arkansas and Atlantic avenues early Tuesday morning. Officer Jesse Oliver-Logan, his K-9 partner, Gee, and Officer Erica Britko conducted a motor vehicle stop at the intersection on a vehicle with expired registration and tinted windows at 12:41 a.m. The officers searched the vehicle and found a large quantity of narcotics, police said in a news release. The officers arrested the driver, Manny Napoles, who was found to be in possession of 134 grams of heroin, 85 grams of suspected fentanyl, 4 grams of cocaine and various pills, police said. Napoles also was in possession of $3,286 believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Fire in Atlantic City's Ducktown neighborhood shows the dangers of vacant homes ATLANTIC CITY An early morning fire that destroyed a vacant rowhome on Siracusa Terrace hi Passenger Steven Nguyen was found to be in possession of 2 grams of heroin and hypodermic needles, police said. He also was found to have several active warrants for his arrest. Napoles, 36, was charged with four counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and three counts of possession with intent to distribute as well as several traffic violations. Nguyen, 32, was charged with possession of CDS and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men were sent to the Atlantic County jail. Contact Nicholas Huba: 609-272-7046 nhuba@pressofac.com Twitter @acpresshuba Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATLANTIC CITY The chairman of the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority has sued to try to stop City Council from taking steps to remove him from his position over allegations of misconduct. A Superior Court judge will consider the motion at 9 a.m. Tuesday with the City Council hearing set for 5 p.m. during a special meeting. Im confident the judge will see through a political attack and personal attack toward me and my family, said John Devlin of the allegations by the current and former ACMUA executive directors. He will give us some kind of relief, either terminate the hearing or give us more time, or put it in somebody elses hands outside of City Council. Devlins attorney David Castellani said Judge James P. Savio will consider Devlins motion Tuesday morning. We are asking for relief to invalidate the vote initially and/or restrain the hearing until a judge can determine if council members are so biased they cannot give Devlin a fair hearing, Castellani said Monday. Council voted 5-3 earlier this month to hold the hearing on whether misconduct allegations should result in the removal of Devlin. The suit also reserves the right to sue for damages. Right now we are just seeking restraints and a voiding of actions of the municipality, Castellani said. According to city attorney Robert Tarver, current and past executive directors of the MUA have alleged, in letters to the state Department of Community Affairs, that Devlin interfered with an insurance contract with a company called Fairview and almost cost the MUA its insurance. Devlin also has been accused of inappropriately interfering with the daily operations of the MUA, according to Tarver. The Division of Local Government Services is aware of concerns over Mr. Devlins conduct on the ACMUA board, DCA spokesperson Lisa Ryan has said. The Division may provide guidance on process requirements. Once the governing body makes its decision, the DLGS (Division of Local Government Services) Director would approve or disapprove its actions. Devlin, a longtime school board member, calls himself a political opponent of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. On the school board, he has criticized the districts handling of a child pornography case involving a substitute teacher who is a cousin of Smalls wife, LaQuetta. LaQuetta Small is now superintendent of the city schools. The city should not want to foster an environment in which disagreements lead to personal attacks and retaliation, new Councilman Bruce Weekes has said. Council President George Tibbitt, however, said the allegations against Devlin do not come from Small or the administration, but from letters sent to the state DCA by current Executive Director Michael Armstrong and previous Executive Director Bruce Ward, both of whom are also lawyers. Voting against the resolution were Councilwoman LaToya Dunston; 6th Ward Councilman Jesse Kurtz, who appointed Devlin to the MUA board, and Weekes. Voting for were Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, Tibbitt, newly elected Councilwoman Stephanie Marshall, and Councilmen Muhammad Zia and MD Hossain Morshed. Councilman Aaron Sporty Randolph was not present. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATLANTIC CITY A judge on Tuesday morning refused to stop City Council from holding a hearing to potentially remove John Devlin from his position as board chair of the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority. But Judge James P. Savio did postpone the hearing for about two weeks to give Devlin and his attorney, David Castellani, more time to prepare, Castellani said later Tuesday morning. It allows us to get witnesses and documentary evidence, Castellani said. The judge did not grant Devlin two things he asked for, said city attorney Robert Tarver. They filed an application asking for temporary restraints to have the hearing put off, he said, while the court dealt with allegations of bias against Devlin. He denied that application, and also denied an application to have the meeting of Jan. 7, 2022, voided, Tarver said. Devlin sues to stop A.C. City Council hearing to remove him ATLANTIC CITY The chairman of the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority has sued to That was the special meeting in which council members voted 5-3 to hold a hearing to potentially remove Devlin. The judge has, however, allowed Devlins side more time to prepare, Tarver said. Tonights meeting is off, Tarver said of a special council meeting that had been scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday. It was a special meeting just for the hearing. No new hearing date has been set, both Castellani and Tarver said. Devlin has called the attempts to remove him a political and personal attack toward me and my family. He sued to get relief, either in the form of stopping the hearing altogether or gaining more time to prepare. Devlin said the suit also reserves the right to sue for damages. According to Tarver, current and past executive directors of the MUA have alleged, in letters to the state Department of Community Affairs, that Devlin interfered with an insurance contract with a company called Fairview and almost cost the MUA its insurance. Devlin also has been accused of inappropriately interfering with the daily operations of the MUA, according to Tarver. The Division of Local Government Services is aware of concerns over Mr. Devlins conduct on the ACMUA board, DCA spokesperson Lisa Ryan has said. The Division may provide guidance on process requirements. Once the governing body makes its decision, the DLGS Director would approve or disapprove its actions. Devlin, a longtime school board member, calls himself a political opponent of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. On the school board, he has criticized the districts handling of a child pornography case involving a substitute teacher who is a cousin of Smalls wife, LaQuetta. LaQuetta Small is now superintendent of the city schools. The city should not want to foster an environment in which disagreements lead to personal attacks and retaliation, newly elected Councilman Bruce Weekes has said. Council President George Tibbitt, however, said the allegations against Devlin do not come from Small or the administration, but from letters sent to the state DCA by current ACMUA Executive Director Michael Armstrong and previous Executive Director Bruce Ward, both of whom are also lawyers. Atlantic City Council votes to hear misconduct allegations against ACMUA board chair ATLANTIC CITY City Council voted 5-3 Friday night to hold a hearing on whether misconduct Voting against the resolution Jan. 7 were 2nd Ward Councilwoman LaToya Dunston, 6th Ward Councilman Jesse Kurtz, who appointed Devlin to the MUA board, and Weekes. Voting for were 3rd Ward Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, Tibbitt, newly elected Councilwoman Stephanie Marshall, and Councilmen Muhammad Zia and MD Hossain Morshed. First Ward Councilman Aaron Sporty Randolph was not present. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATLANTIC CITY Former state Sen. Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, will be more visible in his role as the senior adviser on Atlantic City for the Department of Community Affairs, he said Monday. Brown will now be attending all City Council meetings as the point person for the DCAs Division of Local Government Services, which handles the state takeover of the city. He has been in the role since July, said DCA spokesperson Lisa Ryan, and he now serves as the team leader and representative point of contact on behalf of the DLGS Director. All requests and concerns from Atlantic City will be submitted in writing by the Business Administrator through Mr. Brown to the DLGS Director for the Directors approval, Ryan said. Brown will also coordinate with a wide variety of other state agencies, the Atlantic City Initiatives Project Office, and many other entities. I will still be very much part of the team, I will simply be more hands on and involved in the day-to-day business of working with the city and state, Brown said. The DCAs Phil Gonzalez, who had been attending City Council meetings, is still very much involved, Brown said. Efforts to make sure there is longer-term planning for fiscal responsibility have intensified in the last few months, Brown said. Its all part of the progression and growth of the position, Brown said of his $150,000-a-year job. Changing parties in Buena Vista Longtime Buena Vista Township Committeeman John Williams has left the Democratic Party and will seek reelection as a Republican, the local Republican League said last week. Williams has lived in Buena Vista Township since 1977 and has served on the Township Committee for the past nine years, the Buena Vista Township Republican Committee said in a news release. The Democratic party of today is not at all in line with my views. I want to be a part of the new day here in Buena Vista Township, Williams said in a release. He praised Republican Mayor Bill Ruggieri, Deputy Mayor Ellen Testa and Committeeman Aaron Krenzer. The township was long led by Democrats, but is now dominated by Republicans. Im also proud to have an opportunity to seek reelection on a ticket with New Jerseys Conservative Congressman Jeff Van Drew, Williams said. Atlantic County Democratic Chair Michael Suleiman expressed skepticism about Williams reasoning. It amazes me that John would actually put in writing that hes switching parties just so he can stay in elected office, Suleiman wrote in an email response to Williams announcement. If a jury ever found John Williams guilty of being a smart person, theyd be convicting an innocent man. Van Drews Campaign Manager Ron Filan said it should come as no surprise that a conservative Democrat like Williams would look at Governor Murphys latest taxpayer-funded partial birth abortion law ... and realize the Democratic Party had left him long ago, and that the rightful home for conservatives has always been within the Republican Party. County Republican Chair Keith Davis welcomed Williams. Here in Atlantic County in small, tight knit communities like Buena Vista Township voters understand that common sense, kitchen table solutions are whats right for our families, Davis said. The Buena Vista Township Republican League was established in 2019. For more information check out their page at Facebook.com/BVTRepublicans/. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SOMERS POINT City Council is mulling an ordinance that would change how entry-level police officers are hired in the city. Under the proposed ordinance, which was introduced Jan. 13, the citys police department could hire officers who have not completed their civil service requirements but have passed police training. The ordinance is expected to be up again for vote at the next City Council meeting Thursday, after which the new law, if passed, would become official. Typically, municipalities under the Civil Service Commission, such as Somers Point, require entry-level officers to complete the exam. Gov. Phil Murphy agreed to be lenient with the rule, signing into law a bill that would allow towns within the commission to opt-out of the requirement. According to the proposed ordinance, the city council will need to adopt the legislation into its bylaws before the practice becomes acceptable. Itll also need to construct an anti-nepotism policy before any entry-level officers can be hired under the changed rules. Somers Point solicitor Thomas Smith, who helped draft the ordinance, said the new rule would help the city save money because it does not have to hire and then pay an entry-level officer to attend the necessary courses to meet the qualifications. City police are represented by Mainland PBA Local 77, which represents multiple departments in Atlantic County, including Absecon, Hammonton and Egg Harbor Township. Attempts to contact the unions president, Jeff Lancaster, for comment were unsuccessful. Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two South Jersey deer have tested positive for past coronavirus infection, according to a news release recently issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish & Wildlife. A joint federal and state surveillance study has found evidence that two free-ranging deer in Atlantic and Cumberland counties had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Coronavirus infection also has been detected in deer from six other states participating in surveillance studies namely Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Other states, including Wisconsin, also have begun testing its deer population The Division of Fish & Wildlife news release issued Thursday, citing the World Organization for Animal Health, said recent scientific research indicates how coronavirus infection had become prevalent in North American white-tailed deer populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarify that deer have not displayed any clinical signs or symptoms of COVID-19. There is a lack of evidence, moreover, that there is a significant chance a person can contract COVID-19 by interacting with any wildlife, including deer. There is similarly not enough evidence to say one has a significant chance of contracting COVID-19 from dressing, preparing and eating game meat. Evidence deer can infect other animals with the coronavirus also is lacking and coronavirus infection is not expected to have a deleterious effect on deer populations overall. The CDC cautions more research is needed into the nature of coronavirus spread within wildlife populations and between humans and other animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services program and the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife conducted the study that detected coronavirus infections in New Jersey. According to the news release, 398 samples collected from game butcher shops during the study have been tested so far. The study was part of a national surveillance project to learn about the potential impacts of the coronavirus on animal populations. The prevalence of coronavirus infection in deer ostensibly varied by state. According to a USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service study, 7% of 101 deer samples tested in Illinois; 67% of 113 Michigan samples; 19% of 68 New York samples and 31% of 199 Pennsylvania samples tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, which indicate past coronavirus infection. Of the total 481 samples, 33% tested positive, although the APHIS study cautioned that these statistics should not be extrapolated to estimate the prevalence of coronavirus infections in deer populations as a whole. It is unknown how the deer were infected. Coronavirus infections have been detected in other wildlife and zoo animals, including gorillas, hyenas, leopards and other big cats, mink and otters, as well as binturong and coatimundi. Although there is little demonstrated chance of getting a diagnosable coronavirus infection from wildlife, the CDC still recommends certain hunting hygiene practices, noting it can prevent both COVID-19 and other animal-borne pathogen. Among the recommendations are to not allow contact between wildlife and domesticated animals; not harvest animals that appear sick or dead; and to clean and cool game meat as soon as possible. The CDC also asks one wear a mask and gloves while dressing and preparing a carcass and refrain from eating, drinking or smoking while doing so. The organization advises against cutting through an animals spine or spinal tissue and urges people to not eat wildlife brains. One should wash ones hands after handling wildlife and cook game meat thoroughly. The Division of Fish & Wildlife said in its news release it is not recommending hunters test their deer for coronavirus infection. Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. President Joe Biden has declared fighting corruption a core national security interest, and last month, the White House released a strategy to combat corruption globally. These are welcome moves, but to effectively impede corruption around the world, America needs to take a serious look at how our government inadvertently facilitates it too. Corruption, the abuse or misuse of state resources or positions of authority for personal gain, is endemic in many countries across the globe and remains a fundamental obstacle to better governance and better standards of living worldwide. Low-level corruption, like the bribes demanded by police at roadside checkpoints or by civil servants, increases the costs of transport, trade and essential commercial goods, such as food and medicine. High-level corruption when political leaders steal vast sums of money from the public coffers costs all of society by impairing the provision of basic social services. Both kinds of corruption impede governance and undermine the legitimacy of the state in the eyes of the public. This is why corruption is so dangerous to democracies and why fighting corruption is so essential to President Bidens democracy promotion agenda. In a globalized world, it is also directly in our interest that other countries can effectively address health crises, facilitate business and trade, and implement the rule of law. Pandemics cannot be managed in countries where individuals or businesses can bypass safety and health measures with a bribe. American businesses cannot compete when standards and laws are applied unequally, or when bribes or special relationships are required for access. When public funds are stolen, the lack of services or security can drive conflict and crises that spill over borders. The administrations new strategy to counter corruption is sound, but three of President Bidens four predecessors also had anti-corruption initiatives. To be effective, this strategy must be a higher priority than anti-corruption has been in the past, and its provisions must be implemented. The strategy first calls for better coordination on anti-corruption efforts across U.S. government agencies, including the Departments of State, Commerce and Treasury and the U.S. Agency on International Development. It also focuses on tightening regulations and enforcement in the U.S. financial system, such as increasing transparency in real estate transactions often used to launder illicit funds. It has provisions for supporting, defending and protecting those who expose corruption, and establishing a kleptocracy asset recovery rewards program to identify illicit funds held in U.S. banks. It also seeks coordination to improve transparency and anti-corruption measures within other countries and with international institutions like the G7 and G20. Finally, the strategy calls for safeguarding assistance dollars from inadvertently supporting corrupt actors. This point is essential. If treated as an afterthought, the role U.S. assistance dollars play in fueling corruption in fragile states across the globe could easily undermine the benefits of the rest. Take Afghanistan. The United States flooded such vast sums of money into Afghanistan in the name of security efforts that its systems were incapable of absorbing it, and we turned a blind eye to the results. Successive administrations were aware of this problem for years. The 2016 report of the special inspector general of Afghanistan reconstruction confirmed that U.S. assistance fueled corruption by pouring tens of billions of dollars into the local economy, using flawed oversight and contracting practices, and partnering with malign powerbrokers. And yet we continued to fund them generously and to pretend these actors were the good guys. American money was used to prop up a corrupt government with no legitimacy in the eyes of the public and to buy off warlords, justified in the name of stability that was never achieved. Trillions of U.S. dollars later, the government and military we had funded from scratch regardless of its performance simply disappeared in the face of the advancing Taliban. U.S. support not only failed to save Afghanistan from this fate but directly facilitated it. Afghanistan is an extreme example but not unique. Americas plans for promoting stability, democracy and development in fragile states worldwide frequently fail to take into account what is possible and wait too late to acknowledge what isnt working. Too little attention is paid to local dynamics that hundreds of millions of dollars cant help but disrupt. Security assistance and financial support are often seen as too essential to pause, leading to a high tolerance of foul play. Extinguishing corruption is not a realistic goal, and the choices corruption offers are stark. For example, paying off bad actors to reach hundreds of thousands of desperate people in need of lifesaving humanitarian support is a trade-off frequently made to deliver essential humanitarian needs. There are times when bribes are better than the alternative. But to be a credible champion of good governance and democracy, America must make fighting corruption a higher priority and call it out even when we cannot stop it. If we continue to turn a blind eye to it routinely in the name of short-term security interests, our support is not only futile but makes matters worse. Elizabeth Shackelford is a senior fellow on U.S. foreign policy with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She was previously a U.S. diplomat. The Easter Bunny was representing the prosecution in several hundred Polk County criminal cases.At least thats what Iowa Courts Online, the court systems official, statewide web-based repository of court records, indicated for most of April.On April 4, the online docket sheets for hundreds of Polk County cases primarily misdemeanors and drunken-driving cases were revised to indicate the prosecution of those cases had been transferred from one particular assistant county attorney, Kailey Gray, to another prosecutor in the county attorneys office by the name of Easter Santa Bunny.And thats where the cases remained as of Thursday morning.Bret Lucas, an assistant county attorney, said Thursday the situation stemmed from a recent realignment of cases within the county attorneys office. Gray took over a colleagues cases, and Iowa Courts Online accurately reflects the transfer of those cases. But Grays old cases, he said, were transferred to the Easter Bunny until all of the work on the digital case transfer could be completed.We had contacted the Judicial Branch and they worked with their information technology department to facilitate the mass transfer of cases, Lucas said. Apparently, the Judicial Branch and the IT department decided to put that placeholder in there because, obviously, no one else would have that name. So they were all aware of that, and it sounds like they must still be in the middle of that transfer process.Stacy Curtis, a supervisor for the criminal division of the Polk County Clerk of Courts Office, said the references to the Easter Bunny should not be visible to the public either through a name search or in the docket sheets for the individual cases. She said the office took extra steps to make sure members of the public didnt see any reference to the Easter Bunny and only clerks, lawyers, judges and others with higher security clearance could see it. It appears that the opposite may have occurred, as the Easter Bunny references could be seen by members of the public who werent even logged into the site.This has been a nightmare for me, Curtis said. We moved everything from Kaylie to the Easter Bunny, and those should have all been cleaned up so you wouldnt be able to see that.Many of the cases that were publicly assigned to the Easter Bunny are open, active cases, but hundreds of others are dormant, though not technically closed because of probationary sentences that have yet to be completed or fines that have yet to be paid.The only practical effect of the Easter Bunny designation is that some defendants may see that information online and not know who to contact at the county attorneys office about their case.After being contacted by the Iowa Capital Dispatch on Thursday, court officials were working to erase from the website any mention of the Easter Bunny, and by late afternoon it appeared they had succeeded.Santa bailed out by RudolphThe Easter Bunny cases are not the only criminal matters listed on the court systems official website to have featured nonexistent lawyers or defendants. In what appear to be training exercises for clerical staff, fictitious test cases are sometimes created and then posted to the public website but never removed.For example, a December 1997 case shows Santa Claus being convicted of felony burglary and kidnapping, with a charge of assault on a peace officer dismissed by the court. The court records indicate a sentence of 999 years in prison was imposed.As part of that same test case, the court imposed a no-contact order prohibiting Santa from having any contact with Mickey Mouse. Santas bail listed as one million bucks in a possible punning reference to Santas reindeer is stated to have been posted by Rudolph.In 2014, Santa Claus was charged with second-degree robbery in Scott County, according to the Iowa Courts Online site. Although theres no record of a conviction in that case, Claus right to carry a gun was revoked.The court systems website also shows that in 2014, Mickey Mouse filed a small claims case against Donald Duck in Marion County.For more information, visit iowacapitaldispatch.com. WASHINGTON A congressional ethics watchdog has concluded that U.S. Reps. Marie Newman of Illinois and Doug Lamborn of Colorado may have violated federal law, prompting reviews from the House Ethics Committee. Separate investigative reports from the Office of Congressional Ethics released Monday detailed a substantial reason to believe that Newman, a Democrat, promised federal employment to a political opponent and that Lamborn, a Republican, misused official resources for personal purposes. Though the ethics office conducts the initial review and makes recommendations, only the House Ethics Committee has the power to punish a lawmaker for wrongdoing. The committee said in a statement Monday that it would review the reports and investigate further. REP. MARIE NEWMAN, DEMOCRAT OF ILLINOIS The allegations against Newman surfaced out of a legal dispute involving an employment contract between the Illinois Democrat and Iymen Chehade, a former foreign policy advisor during her successful House campaign in 2020. Newman a progressive lawmaker, unseated Chicago-area Rep. Dan Lipinski, a staunch abortion opponent and one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress at the time. An attorney representing Newman told the committee in December that the congresswoman cooperates completely with the review," but, that OCE has prejudged the matter from the beginning. The ethics office report says that at the start of her campaign, Newman made Chehade certain promises about future employment, in her congressional office. Those promises were reduced to a contract signed by both parties, in December 2018, the report reads. When Newman did not hire Chehade, he filed a lawsuit to enforce the contract. He claimed that he decided to not run for the congressional seat in 2020 because of the promise that Newman would hire him as a foreign policy advisor during the campaign and then a district or legislative director once she took office. In a motion to dismiss the case, Newman's counsel acknowledged that her contract was in violation of House employment and federal contracting rules. Newman ended up settling the case with her former adviser and the two signed nondisclosure agreements as part of a settlement. The OEC recommended that the House committee subpoena Chehade and political consulting group LBH Chicago as it conducts its review of its findings. A spokesperson for Newman said Monday that the OCE review stemmed from a politically-motivated complaint from a right-wing organization and that the materials produced during the probe overwhelmingly demonstrate that the ethics complaint is completely meritless. Newman is a former management consultant who started and led an anti-bullying nonprofit. During her campaign for the House, she argued Lipinski no longer reflected the views of the district, which backed Sen. Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist, over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential primary. She called herself the true Democrat during the race, and said she would fight for Medicare for All, abortion rights and a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally. REP. DOUG LAMBORN, REPUBLICAN OF COLORADO The report into Lamborn looks at complaints that lawmaker has misused official resources for personal and non-official purposes. The OCE report included interviews with three current and two former Lamborn staffers as well as interviews with the lawmaker himself. The OCE uncovered evidence showing a pattern and practice in Rep. Lamborns office of official staff conducting personal and campaign-related tasks for Rep. Lamborn, his wife, and other family members during official work hours, and using official resources, the report stated. In a December statement to the committee, an attorney for Lamborn said, A thorough review of the facts will make it clear to everyone that no ethical violation has occurred, and the same should be dismissed." A request for comment from Lamborn was not immediately returned, The report includes details about Laborn's wife having access to an official House email account and even at times sleeping in the office with Lamborn. The lawmaker told the ethics office his wife played a substantial role, in his congressional office which at times included hiring, firing, and promotions. While it is not unusual for spouses to play a role in a congressional office or have an official email account, evidence obtained by the OCE indicated that Mrs. Lamborn had a role in the office that exceeded what is permissible for spouses, the report continued. The OCE recommended the House Ethics Committee review other allegations against Lamborn, including that he solicited or accepted improper gifts from subordinates. It also recommended issuing subpoenas to Lamborn and several senior members of his staff. Lamborn, the eight-term congressman from Colorado Springs, was sued in May by a former staffer for allegedly disregarding coronavirus safety protocols in his Washington office even after he and staff members were infected, letting one of his sons live in the basement of the U.S. Capitol and ordering staff to run personal errands for his family. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON The House Ethics Committee on Monday released details of Office of Congressional Ethics reports on two members, Reps. Marie Newman, D-Ill., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., and said that the committee would continue to review the referrals. Newmans situation concerns whether she offered a job to someone in exchange for that person forgoing a primary run against her. According to the OCE report, Newman was aware of Iymen Chehades intent to run in the 2020 Democratic primary for the congressional seat she holds when she entered into an employment contract offering him a job in her office if he didnt run against her and she won, the Office of Congressional Ethics found. In summary, the evidence collected by the OCE supports a finding that Rep. Newman had knowledge of Mr. Chehades intent to run for the 2020 congressional seat when she knowingly entered into an employment contract with Mr. Chehade promising him future employment in her official office if he did not submit or announce his candidacy for the same congressional seat, according to the OCE report. The OCE found there is substantial documentary evidence demonstrating that Rep. Newman at the very least had knowledge of Mr. Chehades intent to run in the 2020 Democratic primary. The issue stems from a lawsuit filed by Chehade in which he sued Newman for allegedly violating the contract, which would have given him a senior job making up to $140,000 in her congressional office, a suit that was settled for an undisclosed amount. In an effort to induce Chehade not to run against her in the primary, Newman offered Chehade employment as Foreign Policy Advisor and Legislative or District Director, Chehades suit alleged. Newman told the OCE that she didnt have any discussions with Chehade on his interest in running for the the seat in Illinois 3rd Congressional District in 2020 prior to receiving a proposal on Oct. 27, 2018. Newman provided the OCE an email dated Oct. 27, 2018 to Newman from Chehade that summarized an earlier meeting they had on employment negotiations. Attached to that email was a proposal from Chehade for the employment contract detailing the terms and conditions, which included the following language: Overview: Chehade agrees not to announce or submit his candidacy for election to Congressional Representative of the 3rd District of Illinois. In exchange, Newman will hire Chehade as her Chief Foreign Policy Advisor. When the OCE asked Rep. Newman about the October 27, 2018 proposal email, Rep. Newman asserted that upon receiving the email, she was outraged and incensed. She stated that she sternly communicated her negative reaction to Mr. Chehades language in the proposal over a telephone conversation, the OCE report said. It added that Newmans assertion of outrage, and a follow-up phone call on Chehades potential candidacy, is not supported by the documentary evidence. In a Nov. 2, 2018 email, Newman replied to Chehades proposal email with no outrage, saying most of it looks good and that Newmans concerns were about phraseology. The two entered into a detailed employment contract where Rep. Newman agreed to employ Mr. Chehade should she be elected to Congress, according to the OCE report. Newmans office responded to the OCE report by downplaying the findings. Recently, a right-wing organization filed a politically-motivated complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) regarding a dismissed lawsuit. The materials produced during the committees review overwhelmingly demonstrate that the ethics complaint is completely meritless, Pat Mullane, a Newman spokesperson, said. Chehade was not interviewed by OCE because he declined to cooperate, citing concerns of violating a nondisclosure agreement signed as part of the lawsuits settlement. Federal law states a candidate who directly or indirectly promises or pledges the appointment, or the use of his influence or support for the appointment of any person to any public or private position or employment, for the purpose of procuring support in his candidacy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. The OCE report on Newman was released by the House Ethics Committee, which is still examining the matter and, unlike the OCE, has the authority to discipline members. Lamborn report The House panel also released an OCE report on Lamborn. The OCE report found Lamborns office performed personal and campaign-related tasks for the Colorado Republican, his wife and son during official work hours and using official resources. While several relevant witnesses refused to interview, and Rep. Lamborn refused to provide relevant documents requested as a part of this review, the OCE uncovered evidence showing a pattern and practice in Rep. Lamborns office of official staff conducting personal and campaign-related tasks for Rep. Lamborn, his wife, and other family members during official work hours, and using official resources, the OCE report said. Lamborn is being sued in federal court in Colorado by a former employee, Brandon Pope, who alleges he was retaliated against by the lawmaker for trying to protect employees from unsafe working conditions he said Lamborn fostered during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in Popes firing. The litigation is currently in discovery. The OCE found that Lamborns wife, Jeanie, played a role in the office that exceeded what is permissible for spouses. Testimony obtained from staffers in the office showed Jeanie was deeply involved in all personnel aspects of the Colorado Republicans office, including hiring, firing and promotions in the office. Staffers recalled to the OCE that Jeanie received all D.C. and district staffer daily reports, which were described as summaries of what each district and D.C. staffer worked on in a given day, and to track the work of each specific staffer. At least one current congressional staffer reported running errands for Jeanie as an unofficial errand in the daily reports during a lunch break. Jeanie regularly made requests of staff on campaign-related matters , like picking up mail, and personal errands or services. She made these requests by contacting staff through calls, texts or email during work hours, which Lamborn confirmed in his interview with the OCE. Mrs. Lamborns significant involvement in Rep. Lamborns office led former staffers to feel that they were required to comply with her requests, according to the report. At least five current and former staffers said they performed personal tasks for the Lamborns, with three current staffers saying they did so voluntarily. The Board notes that regardless of whether these activities were voluntary or not, none of the witnesses indicated that the official time used to conduct these tasks was made up, or that any policies or procedures existed that would allow for such an arrangement in the congressional office, the report said. One witness said district staff would regularly leave the office to perform tasks for Jeanie and that she asked for personal favors, including picking up campaign-related mail, personal mail and other similar tasks. A third witness recalled specific days in which Jeanie asked him during official work hours to help her move furniture or schedule personal virtual meetings. A Lamborn spokesperson cast aspersions on the staffers and said she expects her boss to be cleared. Congressman Lamborn is confident in the professional approach the House Committee on Ethics is taking to review the information collected by the overzealous Office of Congressional Ethics. Our office has demonstrated to the OCE in our rebuttal that these false and unfounded allegations have no merit. It is extremely disappointing that two disgruntled former staffers have weaponized the ethics process for political and personal purposes, Cassandra Sebastian, a spokesperson for Lamborn, said. Congressman Lamborn intends to cooperate fully with the bipartisan House Committee on Ethics, just as he did with all reasonable requests of the OCE. He remains certain the committee will ultimately reach the appropriate decision by dismissing the OCEs referral and he expects to be fully exonerated. When Lamborns daughter-in-law became a naturalized citizen in 2020, the Lamborns and Dale Anderson, the chief of staff, instructed congressional staff to plan and host a celebration in the district office, the report said. The OCE said the information it gathered suggests Lamborns office does not hold celebrations for constituents who become American citizens. When asked how many times there has been a celebration for a constituent becoming a citizen, Witness 2 stated none that I can think of and Witness 3 stated [w]e would never do that because it is not a professional this was a personal, social group, the report said. On another matter, Lamborns son moved to Washington, D.C. from New York City in 2020. Current and former staffers told the OCE Lamborn and Jeanie asked them to help their son with his federal job application process. Lamborn said he asked the staff to give him the same [sic] understanding that this is the same that they would do for any veteran who was also a constituent. Though Lamborn said his son got the same assistance as an ordinary constituent would get in the job hiring process, the OCE found testimonial and documentary evidence that indicates otherwise. A fifth witness and former Lamborn staffer told the OCE he was told by Anderson, the chief of staff, that Lamborns son was coming into the office and that he was to help him with whatever he needed in the job application process. That former staffer said he spent several hours providing extensive guidance to Lamborns son, including reviewing his resume, evaluating job postings and helping with mock interview questions. He also told the OCE these were not tasks he would do for ordinary constituents. This witness sent Lamborns son several links to federal job postings in September of 2019, and in emails exchanged in October of that year followed up with the son on the job process. These were using his official House email account. At least two other staffers were involved in helping Lamborns son with the federal job hiring process, the OCE said in its report. On special occasions, such as Christmas and birthdays, staffers recalled hosting celebrations for Lamborn and his wife in which staff would provide a gift to them. Though the current staffers interviewed said they contributed voluntarily, some prior staffers told the OCE that the gift giving was obligatory. Witness Five told the OCE he would receive an email from Anderson before the holiday or Lamborns birthday instructing him to provide a gift. He did not interpret it as a voluntary request, the OCE said. The first witness recounted feeling compelled by Dale Anderson to cover the expenses for the gifts. It is unclear when or how the House Ethics Committee will proceed on these two matters. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Democrats ran in 2020 on a long list of policies they planned to enact and implement, and now they are going through the agony of trying to make good on their promises. Republicans have found a foolproof way to avoid that pain: Theyre not going to campaign on any ideas in the first place. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is perennially averse to having his party run on a legislative agenda. He discouraged Republican Senate candidates from campaigning on one in 2014, in the middle of President Barack Obamas second term, and has often told colleagues that the Republicans nine-seat pickup that year vindicated that strategic choice. Republicans have been following the plan not to have plans ever since. In 2016, Donald Trump ran for president with the wispiest of proposals: Building a wall and somehow making Mexico pay for it was as detailed as he got. In 2018, Republicans had control of both houses of Congress and the White House. They did not say what they would do if the voters kept them in power, beyond confirming judges. Trump released no second-term agenda when he ran for re-election in 2020, and the Republicans did not even produce a platform at their national convention that year. McConnell has reportedly told Republican donors he will not get behind a legislative agenda for this years elections, either. There are exceptions to the rule of Republican inactivism. Senators Mike Lee, Marco Rubio and Josh Hawley have advanced ambitious proposals on a range of issues, as has J.D. Vance, the best-selling author who is running for Senate from Ohio. Their ideas are often heterodox among Republicans: Vance wants to break up big tech companies, for example, where most Republicans would prefer just to complain about them. Such ideas may gain ground, especially in the absence of alternatives. For now, though, most Republicans are sticking with the McConnell way. It seems to have worked electorally. Republicans nearly won in 2020, even with an unpopular incumbent president. They are in a strong position to take the Senate and House of Representatives this fall. Reticence on policy may help them do it. An agenda creates a target. It also creates opportunity for dissension. It distracts from the main Republican message: that Biden is a failure. A degree of silence also fits with a conservative disposition. There are more bad ideas than good ones, more pieces of legislation that deserve defeat than support. Theres nothing wrong with running for legislative office primarily to prevent mistakes. In the U.S. political system, which has evolved to center on the White House, theres a stronger case for running that kind of campaign during the midterms than in a presidential-election year. The presidential race sets the countrys political direction while the midterms function as a referendum on how the president is performing. The main drawback to this strategy for Republican election victories is what happens after them, or rather what doesnt. The strategy makes it more difficult for Republicans to govern when they have the opportunity. Consider the record of 2017-2018, the only two years within the last 15 when Republicans had unified control of the government. They spent months trying and ignominiously failing to move health-care policy in their direction. Among the reasons for their defeat: They hadnt spent the previous years thinking about what to do about health care or responding to criticisms of their proposals. They decided to wait for their presidential candidate to come up with an agenda, but he preferred to tweet. Democrats proceed very differently. They always have ideas about what government should be doing, as you would expect given their political philosophy, and they often offer many proposals during campaigns. The Democrats worked out many of their differences over health care in the campaigns of 2006 and 2008 before trying to make law in 2009, for example, and the decision to make the issue a priority was effectively taken party-wide. This difference in approach probably helps explain why, over the last generation, Democrats have done more to shape federal policy than Republicans have. Or, to put it another way, why Democratic rule has been more effective. Ramesh Ponnuru is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the editor of National Review and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Mike Duffy left a legacy big and small. He died last Friday, leaving behind his family's stewardship of Per Mar Security Services and a long list of philanthropic efforts. He was a big source of support for everything from helping the disabled to supporting St. Ambrose University. And there were small things. Dory Retherford has a drawer full of $2 bills and memories of the man who took the time to send them on her birthday. "Mike Duffy wanted employees to know he cared about them, that they mattered here at Per Mar and they mattered when they left here," said Dory, who has worked at Per Mar for 42 years. "Mike and Linda, his wife, are genuine people who cared for other people. "Every birthday, I got a card from Mike with two $2 bills in it. It was just a little thing, his way of smiling at me and saying, 'Happy Birthday.' I'm starting to cry saying this, but I'm smiling, too. He was a really special person. And he tried to make everyone else feel special, too." Dory said after her first husband died, Mike never failed to inquire about how she was recovering. "It was just the small things," Dory said. "He genuinely cared about how I was doing and always asked if I needed anything." Mike and Linda, who married 1973, had a large family four boys and three girls. Bridget Murphy is one of those daughters, and she recalled how her father's gifts reflected how much attention he paid to the people around him. "My sister (Brianna Lane) always wanted to go to Paris," said Bridget, who is principal of Assumption High School. "It was her dream. My father told her, 'Someday I'm going to take you to Paris because I want you to go with someone who loves you unconditionally.' "And that's what he did. When she was older, he took her. He was like that. He always kept his word. He wanted his gifts and gestures to have real meaning for other people, not just for him." Mike and Linda modeled the kind of lives they hoped their children would lead. As a couple, they worked together at Per Mar. As parents, they were what son Brian Duffy called "a team." "They were really equals," Brian said. "Obviously, they are our mother and father but they both had very much equal roles in everything. My dad really valued my mother's opinion on everything, especially with the business. She has a very active role." While Mike and Linda raised the family and built Per Mar, Mike made time to serve as an alumni president at St. Ambrose University and chaired the board of Handicapped Development Center. He worked with the Scott County YMCA and the Chamber of Commerce. Brian saw his father as a man who " ... just wanted to do the right thing all of the time." "My dad always wanted to be better," Brian explained. "He wanted to do better not just in business, but in his community. He joined things and served because he thought it was his duty to help. "My dad was guy who very much saw himself as a man born on third base. Per Mar was his parents' business. But he wanted to make sure he left that to his family, and left his community a better place because of the advantages he had." David Steil is the president of Fidlar Technologies and met Mike and Linda in the late 1980s when Mike spearheaded the Rejuvenate Davenport community improvement efforts. David described Mike as "selfless." "Mike did things quietly he didn't care about publicity, and he never really wanted it," David said. "When it came right down to it, Mike cared about customers and employees and his family and his community. And the thing I really came to respect is the fact he never compromised one for the other. "He saw himself as a steward of Per Mar, and in his efforts to help others. He just did everything very quietly. Personally." David's voice cracked talking about Mike. He held back tears. "I've been thinking a lot about Mike," David said. "I think he was great man. And I'm going to miss the man I very much looked up to." Dory offered one final story about the man who asked her to keep a board of employee's pictures and names. "He wanted so very much to know the names of employees. He always thought it was important to know them and show a kind of respect by calling them by their names," Dory said. "There was a woman who worked here who had stage 4 cancer. Mike paid for her whole family to go up to Mall of the Americas and stay in a hotel a few days. Her whole family. He never told anyone. But he took the time to know about her life." It was his attention to small things, Dory said, that made Mike a great man. "He was great man," she said. "Because he saw each and every one of us as important." Love 19 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Another suspect, 23-year-old Ernest D. Morgan III, of Rock Island, was found by Rock Island Police in the 2100 block of 16th Ave. He was taken to UnityPoint Health-Trinity Rock Island hospital for treatment and is expected to survive, according to a news release from the Rock Island Police Department. Rock Island Police obtained an arrest warrant for Morgan while he is being treated. He's charged with armed robbery, with a bond set at $500,000. MARSYS LAW: Advocates for enshrinement of certain victims rights into the state constitution held a rally in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. Proponents of what has become known as Marsys Law at the rally included survivors of crime, victim service providers, law enforcement officials and lawmakers. They are calling for legislators to approve HSB 525, which would start the process of a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution. Such a change requires passage by consecutive two-year general assemblies, followed by a public vote. Marsys Law has been passed in 13 states, according to a group that advocates for its passage. Victims should not be forgotten. We should not be left standing alone, said Liz Ford, a Sioux City woman who said she was not notified of myriad changes to the conviction of the man who killed her husband in 2016. We need our rights enforced. Marsys Law would do this. JUDICIAL NOMINATING: The governor would get an additional appointment to the public commissions that nominate Iowa judges for district-level posts under legislation that advanced in the Senate. SF 2014 essentially makes the same change that the Republican-led Legislature in 2019 made to the commission that nominates judges for the Iowa Supreme Court. Opponents decried that proposal at the time, saying it gave the governor too large a role, thus injecting politics into what is supposed to be a nonpartisan process. Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, said he believed that change hadbeen good, and thus the district court commissions should be composed the same as state court commissions. The bill advanced out of subcommittee with only Republican support and is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate Judiciary Committee. TRAFFIC CAMERAS: Two bills dealing with traffic enforcement cameras received very different receptions while advancing in the Senate. SF 2061 would prohibit the use of any traffic camera that is maintained, installed or serviced by an out-of-state company. Sen. Adrian Dickey, R-Packwood, said the legislation sought to prioritize Iowa-based companies that provided traffic cameras. Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, questioned whether such a law would be constitutional. SF 2062 received a much warmer response from lawmakers and stakeholders. The bill would require any local government agency that institutes a traffic enforcement camera to provide safety data that shows why the camera is needed. Both bills were approved and advanced to the Senate Transportation Committee. VACCINATIONS: A bill to allow a registered nurse practicing under the order of a pharmacist to assist in administering vaccinations and immunizations without obtaining a registration from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy sailed through a Human Resources Committee. You know were going to pass this, subcommittee Chairman Rob Bacon, R-Slater, said. Subcommittee members Reps. John Forbes, D-Urbandale, and Anne Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, also supported HSB 544, which now goes to the full committee. Forbes, a pharmacist, said the legislation grew out of the need for more help administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Meyer, a registered nurse, was confident RNs have the necessary training to give injections. The Iowa Medical Society voiced a concern that the bill, as drafted, would allow nurses to administer not only vaccinations but also COVID-19 treatments without involvement of a physician. A pharmacist would have to prescribe the treatment, however, Forbes said. Groups representing seniors, rural health clinics, nurses, residential group homes, hospitals and pharmacies were in support of the bill. Of about 110 groups registered on the bill, two-thirds were undecided. CONVENTION OF STATES: Iowa conservatives will call for a convention of states at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, talk show host Steve Deace and Iowa legislators will lead the call to Take Back our Government. Among their issues is HJR 2002, a proposal for term limits for federal officeholders, a concept also proposed by Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful and former Iowa lawmaker Abby Finkenauer. A convention of states is a convention called by state legislatures for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. It is not a constitutional convention. ETHANOL MANDATE: Gov. Kim Reynolds adjusted ethanol mandate was introduced. While HSB 594 is sweeping legislation with many parts, at its heart is the requirement that all Iowa fuel retailers sell the E-15 ethanol blend at half of their pumps. The proposal allows for stations to request waivers if they are unable to fulfill the requirement because of infrastructure. The waivers would be considered by the state agriculture secretary. Retailers who violate the policy would face suspension or revocation of their license. The proposal is scheduled for its first legislative hearing Tuesday in the Iowa House. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 CHICAGO Nearly 10,000 women traveled from out of state to have an abortion in Illinois in 2020, a roughly 29% increase compared with the previous year, according to the most recent Illinois Department of Public Health data available. State health statistics show 9,686 out-of-state women terminated a pregnancy in Illinois in 2020, comprising about 21% of all 46,243 abortions performed statewide. This was over 2,000 more than the 7,534 women who came here from another state in 2019. State data from 2021 was not available. The rise in travelers was anticipated by reproductive rights advocates and opponents of abortion alike, attributed largely to nearby states with increasingly stringent abortion laws, including those mandating waiting periods, gestational limits and more regulations on clinics. Reproductive freedoms are increasingly under fire in much of the country, particularly many Midwestern states that surround Illinois as well as southern portions of the nation. The U.S. Supreme Court by midyear is expected to rule on one of the most influential abortion cases in decades: Dobbs v. Jackson will determine the legality of a Mississippi law that bars abortion past 15 weeks gestation. The case could also dictate the fate of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that established the right to terminate a pregnancy nationwide. If Roe were to be overturned or significantly curtailed, the matter of abortion rights would be resolved at the state level. Experts predict that roughly half the nation would ban or severely restrict abortion, including every state adjacent to Illinois. At the same time, Illinois has ensconced abortion rights in state law. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act, which established terminating a pregnancy as a fundamental right for women in Illinois. Ameri Klafeta, director of the Womens and Reproductive Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said the 2020 Illinois abortion numbers reflect two undeniable realities. First, Illinois has taken steps through the Reproductive Health Act to assure (access) to reproductive health care, she said. The other truth is that this time period has been marked by escalating activity in many other states including many in the Midwest to choke off access to such care. Banning abortion and other reproductive health care in these surrounding states does not erase the need for access to critical health care despite the magical thinking of anti-abortion politicians inside and outside Illinois borders. It is hopeful and helpful that some number of those affected by these regressive laws are able to get care in our state. The number of women crossing state lines to come to Illinois for the procedure has risen every year since 2014. Former state lawmaker and prominent abortion opponent Peter Breen called the trend disturbing. When you look at the way Illinois has legislated, it makes sense that folks from out of state would stream into Illinois to get abortions, said Breen, vice president and senior counsel with the Chicago-based nonprofit public interest law firm the Thomas More Society. I dont think the people of Illinois wanted our state to become known as the abortion capital of the Midwest, but our legislators and government have decided to move us in that direction. New abortion clinics had also recently opened near state boundary lines: An 18,000-square-foot Planned Parenthood facility opened in 2019 in Fairview Heights right by the Missouri border and another Planned Parenthood opened in May 2020 in Waukegan near the Wisconsin border. Another factor might have been several states that intermittently halted abortion services in 2020 citing the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving patients scrambling to find an appointment elsewhere. The Chicago-based American Medical Association had decried these temporary bans as government intrusion in medical care. While many physicians and health care workers are on the front lines in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unfortunate that elected officials in some states are exploiting this moment to ban or dramatically limit womens reproductive health care, labeling procedures as non-urgent, the organization said in a March 2020 written statement. Overall, the total number of abortions in Illinois decreased slightly during the same period, from 46,517 in 2019 to 46,243 in 2020. There was a decline in the number of Illinois residents who terminated a pregnancy, from 38,756 in 2019 to 36,174 in 2020. Breen pointed out that the national birthrate also declined during that same period, which might account for the decrease in in-state abortions. The number of births in the U.S. decreased from more than 3.7 million in 2019 to about 3.6 million in 2020. National abortion figures have not been released for 2020. Nationwide, 2019 saw a slight increase in terminated pregnancies compared with 2018, after many years of decline, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Experts on both sides of the abortion debate predict the number of out-of-state travelers will continue to rise in the future. Last month, Pritzker signed a law repealing parental notification requirements for minors seeking an abortion in Illinois. Supporters of the change say repeal was needed to protect the rights and health of vulnerable young people, particularly those from unsafe households. Opponents, however, were alarmed that parents could be kept in the dark about the health care decisions of their children. Breen predicted that the repeal will draw more minors from other states to Illinois, since every state surrounding Illinois has some form of a parental notice requirement. Minor girls will be brought to Illinois by the thousands in order to avoid notifying their parents of their pregnancies, Breen said. The Food and Drug Administration in December permanently eased previous restrictions on shipping abortion pills via mail; this allows patients in Illinois and some other states to get a prescription through a telemedicine visit and then get the medication shipped to their home, another means to access abortion services. Illinois abortion providers say they expect more women will be traveling here from other states for reproductive health care in the future. As Illinois continues to break down barriers to health care, we will remain a needed haven in the Midwest, said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. We are planning for Illinois out-of-state numbers to continue to increase as long as other states are allowed to enact harmful and unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions. Last week, two abortion providers in southern Illinois opened a new resource for out-of-state travelers called the Regional Logistics Center, where designated case managers will help patients book transportation, find lodging and connect them with funding resources to help pay for the procedure and other associated costs. The center which is inside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Fairview Heights is a joint project by Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City. In September, a Texas law went into effect barring abortions as early as about six weeks gestation, before many women even know theyre pregnant, all but banning the procedure in the second-largest state in the nation. Dr. Erin King, executive director of Hope Clinic for Women, told the Tribune her clinic now sees several patients who travel from Texas each week. She described one recent patient who found out she was pregnant on a Wednesday, made the appointment on Friday and flew in on Saturday to have a medication abortion. King recalled that the patient flew back to Texas that same day, and that trip had been her first time on an airplane. The volume of patients fleeing to Illinois will only grow, said Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, at the centers opening. If Roe is overturned, we expect to see 14,000 patients from outside our service area in the first year. But to foes of abortion, the role of Illinois as a reproductive rights oasis in the Midwest has long been considered a disgrace. Illinois is drastically out of step with the rest of the Midwest, said Kevin Grillot, executive director of March for Life Chicago. The last five years, Illinois legislators have prioritized the abortion industry over the people that they represent. Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, added that theres nothing inevitable about the rise of Illinois as a major abortion state. As we continue to see the impact of the governments aggressive expansion of abortion in Illinois, especially abortions performed on minors from out of state, we may see more willingness on the part of voters to rein in this abortion license, he said. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As cases of COVID-19 among children have continued to rise, more children have ended up in the hospital with serious and sometimes long-range symptoms, said Dr. Jody Huber, a pediatrician and head of childrens intensive care at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. It has been alarming for us, Huber said. What we have seen with this current variant is that we have had more children hospitalized with COVID than we ever have before. Huber said Sanford has now opened a new intensive care wing of the hospital specifically for children with COVID-19. Doctors across the country have consistently seen the benefits of vaccines to fight COVID-19 among children, both in preventing infection and reducing the chance of experiencing serious or lingering symptoms. What were noticing, especially right now with the new omicron wave, is that children who are vaccinated have less severe illness than unvaccinated children, Huber said. Thury said vaccination also appears to help children avoid symptoms that linger after initial recovery from COVID-19. In terms of long-haulers, theres pretty clear evidence that being vaccinated prevents that, he said. Vaccines are available to people age 5 and up; as of mid-January, South Dakota was slightly behind the national average of vaccination rates of children and adolescents. Getting vaccinated also appears to reduce the chance that infected children will get multi-inflammatory syndrome, which can be debilitating, Huber said. MIS-C is a condition in which several body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition has been diagnosed in more than 6,000 U.S. children who had COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with the active virus. Several cases have been documented in South Dakota. So were encouraging all parents to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19, Huber said. Thury said a high rate of vaccination among children and young adults is a critical component of reaching so-called herd immunity, or the condition in which the virus is unable to spread with regularity among the general population and life can begin to return to normal. Kids and young adults are a big propagator and spreader of COVID, and getting them vaccinated is part of the solution to both problems, Thury said. Greater vaccination rates will also help protect people who are immuno-compromised or who are unable to get vaccinated for some health reason, Huber said. It helps prevent severe disease, she said. But there is a general benefit about being vaccinated in that we also protect those in our community who arent able to protect themselves. Recent data suggest that severe COVID-19 symptoms are more likely to afflict children who test positive for COVID-19 and who are obese, prone to seizures, were developmentally disabled or who have diabetes, asthma or other lung diseases, Huber said. Huber said statistics continue to show that compared with adults who test positive for COVID-19, children who are infected tend to have fewer symptoms overall, fewer severe symptoms, and far less likelihood of hospitalization or death. Children do seem to get less severe disease, Huber said. However, its hard to tell which child is going to get severe disease and which child isnt. One of the most common but still little understood conditions associated with children who contract COVID-19 is MIS-C, which the CDC has been tracking in the U.S. since May 2020. As of Jan. 3, more than 6,400 cases had been diagnosed in the U.S., with 55 deaths. The condition has been recorded in all 50 states and most commonly afflicts children ages 5 to 13; most children recover with treatment. Parents should seek diagnosis and treatment for their children if they display a fever along with at least one other symptom, including stomach pain, bloodshot eyes, diarrhea, dizziness or lightheadedness, skin rash or vomiting. Children and young adults in South Dakota are seeing high COVID-19 transmission rates in early 2022. In the K-12 school system, there were 1,189 active cases of COVID-19 on Jan. 8, with 725 new confirmed or probable cases reported that week, by far the most new cases reported during any week in the current school year. More than 200 K-12 schools had one or two cases, and 135 schools had three or more active cases that week. A few schools in Rapid City went to remote teaching due to high COVID-19 case counts or related staffing shortages in early January. South Dakota colleges, universities and technical schools also reported the highest number of new cases in the week of Jan. 2-8. Fourteen of 15 institutions being tracked reported three or more active cases, and the 203 new probable or confirmed cases reported that week was almost three times higher than any other week in the ongoing academic year. With the arrival of the omicron variant of COVID-19 sweeping the state, South Dakota is seeing a dramatic rise in overall COVID-19 cases, according to the South Dakota Department of Health website. In just three days, from Jan. 10-12, South Dakota saw 7,836 probable or confirmed cases, the highest three-day total ever and 53% higher than during the previous worst bout of the pandemic in the state on Nov. 10-13, 2020. The positive-test rate in the first week of January 2022 was 37.2%, far above the average positivity rate of 14.3% over the entire pandemic. Since the pandemic began in early 2020, the state has had more than 202,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,559 deaths. Nicole Olson, manager of the clinic at Winner Regional Health in Winner, said local health officials have promoted child vaccinations via social media, through posters around town and on local radio. Yet vaccine hesitancy in her region of south-central South Dakota remains stubbornly high, and as the omicron variant sweeps over the state, more children are coming to the clinic with positive cases of COVID-19 than to get vaccinated, Olson said. Right after New Years, we really saw a huge uptick in cases, and were seeing kids multiple times a day now, and they are typically unvaccinated, Olson said, noting that recently she has also seen some vaccinated patients arrive with breakthrough cases of COVID-19. It can be anything from a runny nose to ear pain and vomiting, you name it. Some have sinus pain, terrible, terrible sore throat and terrible headaches. Vaccination rates have been higher among older residents and Native Americans in the Winner area, Olson said. In Tripp County, were not seeing a lot of interest in COVID vaccines among younger kids, Olson said. I believe in it, but its not my choice of whether my neighbor is going to vaccinate their children or not. Olson said vaccine hesitancy among parents is likely due in part to the newness of the vaccine and also because most children who become infected do not have severe symptoms. I think people are looking at this and saying that, Whats the point of getting vaccinated if everyone is fine after getting it, she said. A lot of people seem concerned about what this vaccine is going to do to kids in 10 or 15 years from now more than they are concerned about the virus. Dr. Huber, of Sanford Health, said parents are misinformed if they believe that the vaccine is potentially more harmful than the virus. The evidence would speak to the opposite of that, she said. These vaccines were studied quite extensively in those age groups and the vaccine side effects are minimal compared to the risks of ending up in the hospital or intensive care unit with COVID. The state has worked hard to inform parents about the efficacy and availability of vaccines for children, said Daniel Bucheli, spokesperson for the health department. We encourage all South Dakotans to continue getting their COVID-19 information from trusted and reputable resources, Bucheli wrote to News Watch in an email. We know vaccines are safe, effective and are an important tool in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. PIERRE | After unanimous approval in committee last week, a bill that enhances the reach of public notices sailed through the S.D. House of Representatives on Monday. HB1075 requires all newspapers to post public notices to a website, sdpublicnotices.com, maintained by the S.D. Newspaper Association. The bill also requires newspapers maintain a prominent link to the site on their websites or provide a link to the public notices it publishes that is accessible and free to the public. The legislation allows e-editions of newspapers to count toward the frequency of publication required by some notices and sets a minimum of eight hours per week that a newspaper office must be open. The cost disclaimer found at the end of each public notice must include information that the notice can be accessed on the newspaper associations statewide website. This bill represents a proactive step by the states newspaper industry to modernize and enhance the reach of public notices published first and foremost in newspapers, said the bills sponsor, Rep. Tim Reed, R-Brookings. Reed told the members of the House that newspaper publication of public notices is a recurring topic of discussion in the House Local Government Committee where the bill received its unanimous endorsement. Continually people have said yes, we still want them printed in the hard copy, Reed said. Rep. Will Mortenson, R-Pierre, asked Reed if the portion of the bill that allows e-editions to count toward the frequency of publication that some notices require would mean that a five-day-a-week electronic newsletter would now qualify as a legal newspaper. You still have to have a postal permit to be a legal newspaper, Reed explained. In what was likely a reference to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader moving the printing of the newspaper to Iowa, Rep. Randy Gross, R-Elkton, asked Reed, Was any consideration given to what a state newspaper should be? Should it be published and printed in the state? Reed said the Legislature doesnt make rules about where the states businesses can do business. I dont think its fair that we force a paper to do a certain part of their business in or out of state, Reed said. I dont think we do that for other businesses in the state. The bill passed through the House on a vote of 69-1 and will next be heard in a Senate committee. When the bill was heard last week in the House Local Government Committee, there was no testimony in opposition to the bill. Yvonne Taylor, a lobbyist for the S.D. Municipal League, offered neutral testimony about the legislation. Neutral testimony is a new category being tried out this year to go along with traditional proponent and opponent testimony. Taylor drew the committees attention to a statewide website that started recently for city, school and county meeting material. Its a statewide website that will be hosted by the state of South Dakota for all local government meeting materials, Taylor said, explaining that there would be a link to the website on the states home page. Taylor, whose organization has in the past lobbied for public notices to be moved out of newspapers and on to local government websites, told the committee: You can take that and apply it to this bill neutrally all you want. Dave Bordewyk, executive director of the S.D. Newspaper Association, said the site hosted by his organization would require the posting of any public notice required by law to be printed in a legal newspaper. This bill is about our industry being proactive and working to bring you a solution that will work well for the future of our states newspapers and, more importantly, for ensuring our local citizens are informed about what local entities are doing and how they are spending taxpayer dollars, Bordewyk said. Bordewyk welcomed a state public notice website as a means for getting information to as many people as possible, but cautioned the committee about any attempt to make that the only online access to that information. Newspapers and their websites are in a much better position to reach a much wider, populous audience than a government website, he said. Newspaper websites garner much more web traffic than government websites any day. Sioux Falls attorney Justin Smith, a lobbyist for the newspaper association, noted the many attempts through the years to move public notices out of newspapers and on to the web. The prayers of the tech savvy, cutting edge public bodies have been answered, Smith said, and we are coming into the internet age. According to Smith, newspapers play a vital role in making sure that public notices are published with integrity. He also noted that for government entities, posting to the proposed state website is currently voluntary, while HB1075 would make it mandatory for newspapers to post to the associations site. In South Dakota, we understand that government should not be the arbiter of its own accountability and that there must be third party oversight, Smith said. Rep. Will Mortenson, R-Pierre, asked about the future of newspapers. One nice thing about state government is that it has a permanence that no private entity has, he said. What happens to all our public notices if no entity exists that represents a majority of the newspapers in the state? Bordewyk acknowledged that times are changing for newspapers but said that his organization has been in existence since 1882 and newspapers pre-date statehood. This bill is a recognition of whats happening within the industry and within the realm of commerce, he said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Priscilla Roach couldnt see past her basic needs while she was homeless for three years and on drugs while taking care of her daughter. For so long, I was in survival mode, she said. Once I got those (basic needs) accomplished, it was already the end of the day. The mind is so busy trying to survive that you dont get that opportunity to actually think about tomorrow. Now sober, off the streets and living with her daughter, Roach wants to help people who were in her shoes by working with Journey On. Journey On is a Native American-led, nonprofit organization providing street outreach, case management and resources to at-risk individuals experiencing substance abuse, mental or behavioral health crises, crime victimization, and chronic or potential homelessness. The organization started co-responding with the Rapid City police and fire departments in November in a two-month trial program. It officially began its city-funded outreach work Jan. 1. The Rapid City Council approved the program at a November meeting. The program is in partnership with Volunteers of America, Behavior Management Systems and the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board. Journey Ons Street Outreach Team consists of 11 members split into units. The team has responded to more than 100 calls since November. Roach said all team members have "lived experiences" that help them connect with the people who need their help. Im just blessed to be a couple of steps further in my sobriety and somebody actually gave me the support and the opportunity to be embraced by these organizations, she said. I know the impact it had on my life and it all started with one person believing in me, giving me an opportunity instead of sending you to prison. According to the January 2021 Point-in-Time count that aims to count the number of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless, there were 194 sheltered homeless. Unsheltered numbers were not documented due to COVID-19. The next point-in-time count will be Tuesday. Roach said everyone at Journey On is cross-trained to do case management, outreach and dispatch response. On dispatch, teams intervene before the police are involved. Outreach teams go out on their own and check hot spots, or areas where the homeless normally gather. Team members go through de-escalation training, CPR and other training. Dispatch teams also identify whether a mobile medic or law enforcement needs to be called. During a recent We Connect Business Toolkit meeting, Lt. Tim Doyle, who oversees the Rapid City Police Departments Quality of Life Unit, said the unit is still in operation. The Quality of Life Unit is a street outreach team with two police officers in street clothes who work with the Pennington County Care Campus. Roach said the Rapid City homeless community is tight-knit, and a lot of the people she comes into contact with while on the job are people she knows or went to school with. She said already having that connection helps build trust and gives her and her colleagues credibility. Its inspirational to them, too, because then they could see how bad off I was, but to see me where Im at now, it gives them hope, Roach said. They could accomplish that, too. Through that connection, teams are able to build relationships and work with them on a personal level. Roach said team members take people to get a meal, transport them to safe places, and take them to wherever they call home. A lot of times people seem to forget they have feelings and they come from a family. Theyre somebodys relative and we try to treat them with as much respect as we treat our own blood relatives, she said. Roach said their support goes beyond connecting people with resources. She said they stay in contact with people they help and continue that support whether its a phone call, visiting in person or just helping them move forward. Getting a person to identify their aspirations is Roachs definition of success. She said there are only about five people shes helped to do that so far, but even helping just one person makes it worth it. Just try to dream because once you can dream, you can accomplish that, Roach said. Its important for me to make sure that they can open their minds beyond surviving because thatll be the first step. During the toolkit meeting, businesses were given a response guide for what to do if there are concerns about homeless individuals. The first is to identify basic needs and its recommended to call 211 or hand out information about the 211 Helpline Center. The center has an app that lists further resources. The second level is to call Journey On, which can be reached at 605-519-1066 or by calling the non-emergency dispatch at 605-394-4131. If its a medical emergency or there are imminent safety issues, call 911. Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PIERRE | South Dakota's Republican-controlled House on Monday signaled its lawmakers want more power to look into settlement agreements after parts of a legislative probe last year were hampered as it examined Gov. Kristi Noem's alleged interference in a state agency that was evaluating her daughter's application for a real estate appraiser license. A bipartisan proposal easily cleared the House on a 64-6 vote and will next head to the Senate. It would require state agencies that enter into settlement agreements to give a copy of the agreement to the Legislature, as well as makes it clear that non-disparagement clauses in the agreements cannot be used to stop people from speaking to a pair of the Legislature's oversight committees. This is just an oversight that we need to have, Republican Rep. Ernie Otten said during a House debate in which Republican lawmakers avoided any mention of the Republican governor's actions. However, the Legislature's heightened scrutiny of settlement agreements follows a report from The Associated Press that the longtime director of the states Appraiser Certification Program, Sherry Bren, was pressured to retire by Noem's cabinet secretary late in 2020 and eventually received a $200,000 settlement agreement to withdraw an age discrimination complaint she filed. Months earlier, Noem had called a meeting with her daughter, Bren, and other key decision-makers, just days after the Appraiser Certification Program moved to deny her daughter's application. Bren last month told the Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee that she felt intimidated at the meeting. Through an agreement signed after the meeting, Noem's daughter, Kassidy Peters, received what Bren described as an unprecedented extra opportunity to show her appraiser work could meet federal requirements. Lawmakers has also questioned why Bren was pressured to retire. But both Bren and Noems cabinet secretary for the Department of Labor and Regulation, Marcia Hultman, declined to answer those questions. They were both bound by a non-disparagement clause in the $200,000 agreement. Otten said the bill would allow either the Government Operations and Audit Committee, or the Executive Board, which is made of senior lawmakers, to freely question people who have entered into settlement agreements that hold a non-disparagement clause. But that does not mean the public will get any more answers on the agreements because both boards can move into a closed-door executive session. They can shut it all down, he said. This is a private conversation. Noem, who is running for reelection and has positioned herself for a 2024 White House bid, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and implied that Bren was standing in the way of efforts to make it easier for potential appraisers to get licenses. But the organization that represents the state's appraisers, the Professional Appraisers Association of South Dakota, has been critical of changes at the agency since Bren departed. Earlier Wednesday, the organization's leadership spoke in support of a bill that would codify into law an advisory board that Bren had created, but that had fallen into disuse after she departed. Republican lawmakers on the committee evaluating the bill, which was sponsored by Democratic Rep. Linda Duba, moved to delay action on the bill until several technical issues could be fixed. The House Commerce and Energy Committee is set to consider it Wednesday. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 5 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Active COVID-19 cases could have peaked in South Dakota but for the current surge in cases. Even with 2,829 new infections reported from Friday through Monday, active infections declined by 92 to 36,155. Due to the high number of recoveries that are expected over the next several days, active cases could begin to decline in the state. The highest number of active cases recorded in the previous two waves was just over 20,000. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 increased by 31 to 423, according to Tuesday's report from the Department of Health. Twenty of those new patients are in the Black Hills where there are now 93 patients and 17 in ICU. Of the 2,829 new infections reported Tuesday, 545 were in children under 19. Even with 82 new infections reported Monday night, the Rapid City Area Schools reported a significant decrease in the number of active COVID-19 cases in schools across the district over the weekend. According to Monday evening's RCAS update, there are 249 students out with COVID-19 98 fewer than Friday and 33 staff members 30 fewer than Friday. In addition to the active infections, there are 295 students and two staff members required to quarantine. That is more than 100 fewer, as well. The biggest outbreak is still at Rapid City Central High School where there are 36 active cases a decrease of 21 from Friday. Rapid City Stevens is next with 35 active cases a decrease of 20. Eleven other schools have at least 10 active infections Canyon Lake Elementary (26), Rapid Valley Elementary (20), Valley View Elementary (18), Meadowbrook Elementary (16), East Middle (12), Pinedale Elementary (12), Rapid City High (11), Wilson Elementary (11), Southwest Middle (11), Black Hawk Elementary (10) and West Middle (10). There were 278 people over 70 who tested positive for Tuesday's report. The Department of Health also reported three deaths bringing January's total to 123 and the overall death toll to 2,609. There were two women and one man included in the deaths with two from Minnehaha County and one from Brown County. One person was in their 60s and two were over 80. Pennington County reported the most new cases Tuesday and saw an increase in active cases, as well. There were 581 new infections in Pennington County and there are now 5,837 active cases up 232 from Monday. Minnehaha County saw active infections begin to decline Tuesday. They reported 507 new infections but active cases dropped by 512 to 9,259 there. Meade County recorded 115 new cases and there were 88 in Lawrence County. Butte County reported 42 new infections and there were 28 in Custer County. Fall River County reported 25 new cases and there were 17 in Oglala-Lakota County. Brown County added 151 new cases and there were 135 in Lincoln County. Codington County recorded 126 new infections and there were 106 in Brookings County. Yankton County had 92 new infections and there were 71 in Davison County. Union County reported 60 new infections and there were 59 in Beadle County. Clay County had 51 positive tests and there were 42 in Charles Mix County. Hughes and Todd counties each added 38 new infections and there were 30 in Roberts County. Bon Homme, Day and Edmunds counties each reported 21 new cases and there were 20 each in Grant, Hutchinson and Kingsbury counties. China's small and medium firms evolve to seek vitality amid pandemic Xinhua) 08:11, January 25, 2022 GUANGZHOU, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Many of China's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic that is still raging across the globe. Instead of giving in, they have fought a way out of the predicament and are now embracing an even brighter prospect. Located in the southern Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, Taihua Toys (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. faced a make-or-break moment in early 2020 as the overseas market is vital for the company. "Factories stopped running due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and customer orders could not go out as scheduled," said Liu Wenwei, general manager of the toy maker. He could not help crying when he recalled "the darkest hour" of the company. Workers still got paid, even without working, Liu said. In the meantime, the pandemic situation overseas led to a sharp drop in orders, and it was hard to find a container to transport goods, making it difficult for the prepared products to be shipped abroad. A factory producing toy bricks is pictured in Shantou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) Around the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2021, the company's cash flow was about to wither as it faced a pincer attack from both upstream suppliers' capital settlement and workers' wages. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, China's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Guangdong has the highest concentration of SMEs in China. By the end of 2020, there were over 5.86 million SMEs in the province, accounting for about one-seventh of the national total. Many of them were facing the same dilemma as Liu's company. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION One hundred kilometers away from Shenzhen, more than 8,000 enterprises specializing in bag and luggage production in the town of Shiling in Guangzhou also reached a crossroad. Shiling is known as the "leather goods capital of China." A foreign purchaser discusses business with a merchant at a leather goods market in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) Supply chains were severely damaged, sales channels were disrupted, and raw material prices rose sharply due to the fallout of the pandemic. Against this backdrop, Huang Haifeng, general manager of Guangzhou Longzhuo Leather Co., Ltd., decided to improve the production efficiency of his company. Huang started exploring digital transformation in early 2021. To prove its feasibility, he organized a man-machine competition in the company. Huang asked workers with decades of experience to do the same work as newly introduced digital machines. It was not hard to imagine the end of the competition -- 10 master workers produced far less than a single machine in the same time frame. Huang spent about 800,000 yuan (about 126,161 U.S. dollars) introducing digital machines, and the savings from going digital in one year also amounted to around 800,000 yuan. The investment broke even within a year. "Our company's production efficiency has increased by 10 percent only half a year after the digital transformation," said Huang. Photo taken on Nov. 26, 2020 shows a model of a 5G-supported smart factory at a 5G-themed exhibition held during the World 5G Convention in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) BRIGHT FUTURE Liu Wenwei also relied on new smart devices to improve production efficiency. With the help of the Shenzhen branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Liu received a 3-million yuan credit loan in January 2021. Liu used the loan to purchase intelligent cloth laying machines, intelligent cutting machines, and other equipment, which improved production capacity. The efficiency of a cloth laying machine is equivalent to the work of four workers. The situation of Taihua Toys has improved a lot. At present, the amount of toys made by the company reaches up to 600,000 per month. Not long ago, Liu's company won the bid for mascot producing orders for the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Toys are displayed at a toy cultural and tourism industrial park in Chenghai District of Shantou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) There are more than 40 million SMEs like Taihua Toys in China, and they contribute more than 80 percent of urban employment. The Chinese government has been vigorously supporting these small and medium firms in their efforts to overcome the difficulties. Inclusive finance is now becoming a strategic choice for China's state-owned banks. "Almost every month, we are launching one or two innovative products that meet the financing needs of different types of enterprises," said Yang Fan, vice president of ICBC Shenzhen branch. "Overseas orders are coming back," said Liu of Taihua Toys. "Old friends from overseas trust Chinese enterprises. They trust our product quality, intelligent production equipment, production capacity, and cost performance," he added. China continued to lead the world in economic recovery and epidemic control in 2021, with GDP expanding 8.1 percent year on year to 114.37 trillion yuan, according to the NBS. "Enterprises that survive the crisis will have stronger risk resistance and competitiveness in the future," said Chen Zhuming, a professor at Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Signs of the spread of COVID-19 specifically, the omicron variant are multiplying through the community, from sparsely populated public offices to literal signs of store closures hanging from shop windows. The latest testing results from Monument Health show that 44% of the people whove taken COVID-19 tests from the health system between Jan. 16 and Jan. 22 have tested positive. Thats up from a 9.6% positivity rate on Dec. 25, according to Dr. Shankar Kurra, vice president of medical affairs at Monument Health. That is unheard of, Kurra said of the 44%. Weve never been that high. At the same time, new cases of influenza are diminishing. According to the South Dakota Department of Health, the total for this flu season is still 81 times more than last seasons, or 5,755 cases compared to 71. Records also show that four people have died in the state this season from the flu, compared to two last season. But in recent weeks the numbers of new cases have been declining in South Dakota and in other parts of the country as the states health department website reveals: https://doh.sd.gov/diseases/infectious/flu/surveillance.aspx. When omicron took over, thats about the time the decline (in cases of the flu) occurred, Kurra said, noting that people may have changed their behavior with the entrance of omicron in ways that helped to fend off the flu. Kurra said behavior changes in surrounding communities may have contributed to the slow-down of the flu in South Dakota. If the flu is declining in a lasting way this season, Kurra said, that could save at least some suffering in the midst of the omicron surge. When both flu and COVID are present in the same person, it can wreak havoc, he said, though he noted that such co-infection appears to be fairly rare right now. With regard to the omicron surge, Kurra said many of the familiar precautions are still effective, and he emphasized the importance of the vaccine and the booster. The booster, Kurra has maintained, is particularly vital in fending off serious cases of COVID-19 from the omicron variant. But Kurra also noted a difference. The most important precaution, he said, remains the vaccine followed by a booster but the old cloth mask may not work as well with the arrival of omicron. If you can get hold of an N95 or a KN95 or a surgical mask, you should, he said, noting that the masks need to fit tightly. He explained why the quality of mask matters more with omicron. You only need small amounts of the virus for omicron to spread, he said. In the case of delta and alpha, you needed larger viral loads, so a cloth mask was sufficient. Other factors remain fairly constant. Omicron, Kurra said, doesnt appear to travel farther than the other variants so the guidelines for social distancing can stay the same. In Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment is 40, as of last Wednesday. Of those, 16 are vaccinated a higher number than in past months. However, of the 10 ICU level patients being treated for COVID-19, all are unvaccinated. The same is true for the seven patients treated for COVID-19 on ventilators. They are all unvaccinated. The omicron variant, Kurra, reiterated, spreads more rapidly and you get more cases. Some of them will be folks who have underlying conditions and who will not get into the ICU, but who will end up in the hospital. Citing research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kurra said that vaccines and boosters have shown strong effectiveness in preventing serious illness and death from the omicron variant. He explained further, noting that vaccines and boosters are particularly potent in bolstering the bodys T cells, which are effective in preventing serious illness from omicron. He said T cells include helper cells and killer cells. The helper cells augment the antibody response, he said, and the killer cells can detect which cells are infected and destroy the cells. Kurra said the Rapid City hospital continues to operate at capacity, with about 260 patients. He said hospital officials have not had to repurpose any additional space to accommodate patients, but he noted a persistent shortage of medical staff members in a range of positions. Every day has become for us a challenge, he said. But Kurra also envisioned a dissipation of omicron in the coming months, based on its behavior elsewhere, particularly if people act with care. We have to be vigilant in January, February and March, and once we are through that, I think well be in good shape, he said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Emphasizing the importance of bison hunts outside the park and the transfer of live bison to tribes, Yellowstone National Park is developing a new bison management plan to update a 20-year-old document. The announcement of the park undertaking the process will be formally announced in the Federal Register on Jan. 28. Montana state veterinarian Marty Zaluski on Monday informed the Environmental Quality Council during its Helena meeting that the scoping effort is underway to gather information from cooperating partners. The EQC is an interim legislative working group. The new document will incorporate recent studies related to bison in the park, according to Superintendent Cam Sholly, including one that examined the parks vegetation and carrying capacity. Under the three alternatives that will be considered is one that maintains bison populations at 3,500 to 5,000 animals after calving season in the spring utilizing hunting, slaughter and quarantine. Alternative number-two would raise the population objective to 4,500 to 6,000 animals while emphasizing tribal engagement and decreasing slaughter. Alternative three would allow the bison population to climb to between 5,500 and 8,000 and be based on the carrying capacity of the vegetation inside the park. The third alternative would also attempt to move away from any shipping of bison to slaughter unless the population exceeds 8,000 animals. We are working to ultimately reduce reliance on shipment to slaughter, Sholly said. The shipment-to-slaughter program has been a controversial piece of Yellowstones Interagency Bison Management Plan. This year the goal is to remove 600 to 900 bison through a combination of the slaughter program, tribal and sport hunting. Killing another 200 animals may also be authorized if conditions warrant. The meat and hides from slaughtered bison are distributed to participating tribes. About 80 to 120 bison that test negative for exposure to brucellosis will be placed in quarantine for possible live transfer to the Fort Peck Reservation for eventual distribution to other tribes, once the animals pass rigorous testing. With help from conservation groups the park is constructing new quarantine facilities to increase its capabilities from holding 80 to about 200 bison. So far the transfer program has moved 163 bison to tribal partners. "We've shown we can manage higher numbers without transmitting brucellosis or having higher numbers of conflicts," the park's Sholly added. The Nez Perce Tribe, one of the IBMP cooperators, has protested the location of the new quarantine facility saying it could lessen migration out of the park. Sholly said the location was chosen based on bison GPS monitoring to avoid any problems. Most of the hunting occurs in the Gardiner Basin north of Yellowstone. So far this winter few bison have migrated into the basin, so only two bison have been shot by state hunters, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The state issues 85 permits for hunters. Eight tribes cooperate to hunt bison outside the park under their own regulations. The parks most recent bison population estimate was about 5,450 animals. With few predators, the population is capable of growing by 10% to 17% a year. The previous bison management plan and development of the IBMP came after the state of Montana successfully sued the park to keep bison numbers low to ensure those infected with brucellosis dont transfer the disease to cattle in the state. Consequently, bison are the only park animal whose wanderings are restricted and populations are controlled. Elk, which are also infected with brucellosis, move freely within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Sholly said the cooperative work of the agencies and tribes under the IBMP has successfully maintained bison populations, lessened conflicts with landowners and avoided brucellosis infections. That cooperation will continue even under a new plan, he added. Were still adhering to the intent of the IBMP, Sholly said. The goal is to have a draft environmental impact statement regarding bison management out for public comment by this fall with a final document approved in 2023, Sholly said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A former executive vice president at ChildFund International has been named president and CEO of the Henrico County-based nonprofit that helps vulnerable children worldwide. Isam Ghanim will succeed Anne Lynam Goddard as the global nonprofits ninth top executive in its 83-year history. Goddard, who has led ChildFund International since 2007, announced her retirement last year. Ghanim assumes his new position on March 1, with Goddard supporting the transition until her retirement in May. He is currently president of Search for Common Ground, the Washington, D.C.-based international peacebuilding organization that works to end violent conflict and build healthy, safe and just societies. It has offices in more than 30 countries. He has served as its president since 2018, overseeing the groups strategic and operational management. Before Search for Common Ground, Ghanim served as executive vice president of programs at ChildFund from 2010 until 2018. He joined ChildFund as vice president for the Africa region in 2007 and later became vice president of global operations with responsibility for the Asia and Americas regions. Ghanims career in international development began at CARE Sudan after he completed his masters degree at Sudans University of Khartoum. In his 21 years with CARE, Ghanim held various roles in Sudan, Somalia, India and at the regional level before eventually becoming its vice president for global program resources and learning in 2003. Ghanims appointment at ChildFund comes after a six-month, global search process to replace Goddard. He was a standout among the 100-plus candidates we considered, with his remarkable breadth of experience, diverse contributions, already-established credibility within ChildFund, and the unprecedented growth he led at Search for Common Ground, said Lyn McDermid, ChildFunds board chair who recently retired as chief information officer from the Federal Reserve System. Hes the right person at the right time for this organization, McDermid said in the statement. Isam knows ChildFund, he knows the landscape in which we operate, and he returns to us with an even broader view and experience that will enhance his ability to lead the implementation of our new strategy while sustaining the momentum and energy we have already achieved. Ghanim joins ChildFund just after the launch of a new, 10-year strategy that aims to multiply the organizations impact and reach. I am beyond thrilled to leave the leadership of ChildFunds in Isams hands, Goddard said in a statement. Of course it is bittersweet, but I could not have hoped for a more fitting successor, someone who also knows and loves ChildFund. Make no mistake, though Isam loves ChildFund enough to challenge it, and he wont hesitate to do so. And that, especially, fills me with great hope for ChildFunds future impact for children. ChildFund reached 16.2 million children and family members in 24 countries last year. A bill banning law enforcement agencies from setting a target number of tickets that officers write or arrests they make passed a Senate committee vote on Monday without opposition. Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, introduced Senate Bill 327 prohibiting ticket-writing or arrest quotas as the 2022 General Assembly session got underway. But several last-minute amendments were made Monday morning during a Senate Judiciary hearing allowing agencies to keep track of those figures, as long as they are not the sole method for evaluating an officer, trooper or deputy. Sean McGowan, executive director for the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, an organization that represents 8,000 law enforcement members across the state including about 800 Virginia State Police troopers, requested the bills passage, calling quotas an antiquated and ineffective measure of effectiveness during the hearing. We think that law enforcement needs to evolve, he testified. This is a reform bill, and we want to help move it forward. And we think this is the start of moving in the right direction of reforming how law enforcement officers are evaluated by their administration. But afterward, in a phone call, McGowan said the amendments were made to appease the state police agency, which would have otherwise opposed the bill. State police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said the agency does not comment on pending legislation. Basically, what they are doing is allowing quotas on a limited basis, McGowan said after the 15-0 vote. Were trying to strike a balance for a state trooper, who it is part of their job to enforce traffic laws and write summons. Its a start, he said, to reforming how officers are evaluated. Mark Snesavage, Reeves chief of staff, said the added language was a compromise between the PBA and state police brass, who, he said, need a way to track tickets and arrests because some grant funding relies on or sets those targets. Snesavage added that they would be monitoring to ensure that no agency is only using quotas to evaluate troopers a year from now, or else they would come back before the General Assembly for changes that may include penalties for agencies in violation. Last summer, the Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote a story revealing that state police, after first denying the use of quotas, allow area supervisors at various offices around the state to set a target number of tickets to write, calling them average benchmarks rather than quotas. In an email obtained by The Times-Dispatch, a first sergeant in Williamsburg and James City County scolded troopers for writing too few tickets and said they should write at least five per day. State troopers ticket or arrest motorists nearly 25% more often than every other law enforcement agency in the state, according to The Times-Dispatchs analysis of a years worth of traffic and investigatory stop data for every department in the state. Troopers gave a warning or took no action in less than a quarter of stops, while other agencies let motorists go in more than a third of stops, the data showed. During Mondays hearing, some senators appeared surprised that the practice was still in use. Ticket quotas are illegal is several states, including California, New York, Florida and Texas, over concerns that police could unnecessarily stop drivers to meet mandated goals. You used to hear about these all the time many, many, many, many years ago. I thought that was pretty much something that is done away with, said Sen. Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax. Youre saying it still exists? Reeves affirmed: We just want to put an end to it. The bill, which now goes to the full Senate, was also supported by the Virginia Association of Commonwealths Attorneys. Several of the elected prosecutors spoke in favor of the bill Monday. A version of the bill in the House of Delegates, introduced by Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, is awaiting a hearing in the Public Safety Committee. Virginia Commonwealth University has named Naomi E. Boyd, an associate dean at West Virginia University, as the dean of its business school. Boyd replaces Ed Grier, who left in the summer for Santa Clara University in California. Doug Pugh is currently serving as interim dean. Boyd starts July 1. She is the schools first female dean. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with the community of Richmond to empower the School of Business to take VCUs explicit commitment of creativity and harness it to produce the next generation of business leaders who are good corporate citizens, well versed in emerging technologies, with strong entrepreneurial roots, Boyd said in a statement. At West Virginia, Boyd has researched structural shifts and innovation in capital markets. Her current position is associate dean for innovation, outreach and engagement and chair of the finance department. She works on the review board of the American Journal of Business and the editorial advisory boards of other financial publications. For eight years, she was a financial analyst and consultant to the Office of the Chief Economist at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Her background, which spans academia, government, and industry, coupled with her impressive record of success in transforming student learning and supporting faculty to excel make her the right person at the right time for VCU and the School of Business, VCU provost Fotis Sotiropoulos said in a statement. Boyd has a bachelors in fine arts in dance from the University of Texas at Austin, a masters in business administration in finance from Texas Tech University and a doctorate in finance and quantitative methods from George Washington University. Unable to pay her bills to Virginia Commonwealth University, Salona Perkins dropped out and enrolled in community college. But VCU wouldnt give Perkins her transcript until she paid her debt, denying her of college credit. Without that credit, she was forced to repeat her general education classes. Its holding back my career, Perkins said. Universities sometimes hold a students transcript hostage if a student hasnt fully paid his or her tuition and fees. But a bill before the Senate would restrict colleges from denying students their transcripts. A subcommittee on Monday advanced the bill to the full committee. Too often, students who cannot obtain their transcripts are unable to get a job, and they have no money to pay off their debt, said Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, the bills sponsor. It creates a vicious cycle, Hashmi said. If you cant work, you cant repay your debt. But opponents say the bill takes away a colleges only leverage to receiving the money it is owed. The bill came about after a report by Virginia Public Media revealed that students who cannot pay off their debt to a college often cannot find the financial resources to continue their education. The bill addresses direct-to-school debt and not debt owed on federal loans. Generally, a student cant start a semester without having paid tuition and fees. But if a students financial aid falls short, the student and the college can come to an agreement to pay the remainder of the bill after the semester has begun. Debts may range from $100 to $500, Hashmi said. During the pandemic, the number of indebted students at Virginia State University grew, and so did the amount they owed. So VSU, along with other historically Black colleges and universities, used Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds to pay off students debt. VSU and Virginia Union University directed $8 million toward the initiative, helping 2,500 students. The law dictates that colleges aggressively pursue the debt they are owed. Withholding a students record of academic achievement can keep a student from transferring to another college or proving theyve gained the credential necessary to begin employment. Students in debt often simply stop their education altogether, Hashmi said. After the bill was written, colleges asked for an amendment, which Hashmi agreed to: Colleges would still be able to withhold a students diploma until a debt is paid. The transcript would indicate if a student has graduated. Before he could graduate college, Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, had to pay off all his parking tickets, he said. His father was kind enough to write the check, but not every student is afforded that benefit. Students should be accountable for their debts, but he believes its not appropriate for colleges to withhold transcripts. Opponents say the bill strips colleges from their only recourse when pursuing debt. I dont know what else will drive a student who has debt to a university to pay off that debt if they have their transcript, said Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, who voted against the bill. Colleges can turn over the debt collection to an agency, Hashmi added. The Office of the Attorney General has not taken a position on the bill, but the law would make it more difficult for colleges to collect on delinquent accounts, said Josh Humphries, a representative of Attorney General Jason Miyares. Now alone among the Richmond regions largest localities, Hanover Countys School Board voted unanimously on Monday night to follow Gov. Glenn Youngkins executive order on optional masks for students in schools. The only modification is that it will take effect on Jan. 31, something board members said will allow for the close of the first semester and also give school officials time to provide guidance for principals and teachers. After an hour of public comment time in which the majority of the speakers supported the order some held signs that read Make masks a choice and Parents have rights Hanovers board took the 7-0 vote. South Anna representative Bob May made the motion to allow parents and legal guardians to exempt their students from the general requirement that all people must be masked while in schools. He said the board acknowledges the law and the governors authority to issue executive orders, but also said we strongly recommend that students continue to wear masks while in the school building [and] masks will remain required on school buses. During public comment, parents like Ryan Martin, who supported the executive order, said data shows that the likelihood of children contracting and then dying from COVID-19 is very low and that bureaucrats across the country have made decisions like mask mandates that have caused irreparable damage to children. Our children are being trained that living life behind a mask is normal, he said. Its not normal, its not healthy ... please help our kids get their lives back to normal. Others, however, asked the board to keep the mask mandate. John Szewczyk spoke on behalf of Hanover Professional Educators and the Hanover Education Association. He said the overwhelming majority of teachers in recent days have expressed that they want the mask mandate to continue. He said schools may not be equipped to offer proper spacing for social distancing, questioned whether schools ventilation systems are sufficient to filter COVID germs, and wondered how administrators will have time for more contact tracing if everyone is unmasked and, therefore, potentially everyone becomes a close contact and may have to quarantine. Where do we draw the line between parent choice and responsible citizenship? he asked the board. Hanover students and teachers had a built-in flexible learning day Monday, so they werent in school. Everyone returns Tuesday. Youngkins order allows parents to elect to not have their children wear masks while in school, and does not require parents to provide reasons for their decisions. It also says a child who has permission from their parents to not 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. As of Monday, Hanovers COVID dashboard which is updated every Friday showed 1,002 students were in remote learning, or in quarantine, as of Jan. 21. Thats 6% of the total student population. That number moves daily, however, as students enter and exit quarantine. As of this past Friday, among the schools with highest numbers of cases are Patrick Henry High with 117, Liberty Middle with 113, Mechanicsville High with 111, Chickahominy Middle with 105 and Hanover High with 104. Locally, Richmond City joined six other school divisions Monday in filing a lawsuit in Arlington County to block Youngkins order allowing optional masks in schools. The other school divisions included in the suit are Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Hampton and Falls Church. That is the second suit filed to block Youngkins order. The first was filed last week by a group of Chesapeake parents. Both suits say Youngkins order violates a 2021 state law that requires schools to adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions COVID guidelines to the maximum extent practicable. Additionally, school officials in Chesterfield and Henrico counties decided last week to uphold mask mandates in their divisions. In a joint letter on Thursday, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and City Councilman Michael Jones pressed Virginias Office of the Attorney General to stop stalling a civil rights investigation into the landlord of Communities at Southwood and make the results publicly available as soon as possible. The statement was prompted over concerns that Attorney General Jason Miyares Jan. 15 firings of 30 people in the office which included the lead attorney who initiated the potential housing discrimination inquiry against Southwoods property manager would negatively impact the residents of Richmonds largest Latino community. A three-month Richmond Times-Dispatch investigation, which provoked the probe announced in early January, found tenants were living with mold, rat and roach infestations and other maintenance issues the landlord is responsible for repairing by Virginia law. Families told The Times-Dispatch that management repeatedly ignored requests or failed to properly address issues when brought to their attention. Southwoods property manager, Carroll Steele, blamed tenants from third-world countries for the infestations and said her office did not have any record of maintenance requests from residents who spoke with reporters. Continued inaction to rectify this issue could literally be the difference between a Richmonder in Southwood having a home or being homeless, the letter read. Terminating these hard-working public servants is deeply troubling and could be construed by some as an attempt to deadlock current investigations into discriminatory actions across the Commonwealth. Victoria LaCivita, spokesperson for Miyares, said there are no projects that have been stalled or ceased as the letter stated. LaCivita emphasized only two out of 12 people within the Office of Civil Rights were laid off and the assistant attorney general handling the case is the same one who was managing the inquiry in the administration previously led by Democrat Mark Herring. Stoney and Jones joint letter had said the office had dismissed the entire staff of the Office of Civil Rights handling the Southwood investigation. LaCivita would not publicly comment on a time frame for when attorneys would meet with tenants, but in a statement Friday assured reporters that this inquiry remains open and is ongoing by the Office of Civil Rights within the Civil Division. On Monday morning, Mark Hubbard, a newly hired spokesperson for Southwood, provided The Times-Dispatch with the complexs goal to address concerns and assess 32 apartments each day during the workweek. If achieved, all 1,287 apartments could be assessed by the end of March. Residents would be given a 72-hour notice of the visits. The assessment of every apartment is being conducted to determine next steps and how we can best work with tenants to maintain a safe and clean community, Hubbard said. We want to work with our residents to address their concerns and continue being responsive to their needs. We will be offering housekeeping support and resources and promoting how we can all work together to be good neighbors. Management will also be offering Wednesday night classes on Housekeeping 101 to any new tenants or people renewing their lease. Participants would receive $20 worth of cleaning supplies, and those who complete the one-hour course will receive $50 off next months rent. In a letter sent to a Southwood resident in both English and clunky Spanish for an upcoming housing evaluation, management said they were taking tenants concerns seriously and would have one to three staff members walk through to hear how they can help and support. The letter also asked residents to please clean their kitchens, bathrooms, take out the trash and confine any pets to a kennel for the staffs safety prior to the visits. Management explained that they were conducting evaluations to continue the positive relationship we have built during the time you have called Southwood home! The Communities at Southwood is very proud of our residents and we want to ensure that everyone has a safe comfortable place to call home, the letter stated. In a 98-person survey conducted by New Virginia Majority, an advocacy group that has worked with tenants to fight for better conditions, 78 said they thought people in the leasing office treated tenants bad or OK. Gov. Glenn Youngkins COVID-19 action plan, announced last week, calls for Virginians with mild-to-no symptoms to forgo coronavirus testing in hopes of lessening the strain on Virginias supply. As of Tuesday, its not clear what that means for Richmond and Henricos health districts since the guidelines which go against recommendations outlined by federal and state health agencies are not yet finished. So the health departments are sticking to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and advising residents to get tested if they develop any symptoms, were potentially exposed, are unvaccinated or have been asked to submit to testing by a school, workplace or health care provider. That guidance [from Youngkin] came out in a context where we are experiencing a real shortage of access to tests, but two to three weeks from now, were going to be in a different scenario, said Danny Avula, the director of Richmond and Henricos health districts, in a Monday media briefing. Cases will come down ... the supply chain for testing will continue to improve. Weve already seen that, really, even in the last week. The average number of daily infections has dropped from more than 18,000 two weeks ago to slightly over 12,000 on Tuesday. Thats still higher than any figure recorded in 2020 or 2021. But, Avula said, a part of Youngkins plan that will likely not change regardless of case counts is the need to preserve testing for schools, nursing homes and hospitals. At the end of December, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and the Virginia Department of Health urged people with mild COVID cases to avoid emergency rooms. In a joint statement, VHHA and VDH wrote that unnecessary visits risked further delays in care for patients experiencing a true medical crisis and contribute to the depletion of fine resources including medical staff, testing kits, personal protective equipment, and therapeutic treatments. On Jan. 19, the average number of people hospitalized on any given day peaked at 3,875 the highest ever recorded throughout the pandemic in Virginia. At more than 140 outbreaks, nursing home, multicare and assisted living facilities account for nearly all the listed outbreaks in progress on VDHs website. Daycare, Pre-K and K-12 schools have the second-most outbreaks in progress at 26. Throughout January, children under 18 were experiencing the most cases and hospitalizations VDH has ever recorded among this age group. Almost 300 children have been hospitalized with COVID in the month of January. In December, the total number was less than 100. Richmond and Henricos health districts have continued running a community testing center at Richmond Raceway in partnership with AshBritt, a Florida-based rapid-response company which helped Virginia run its mass vaccination centers, and stationed testing and vaccine clinics in schools. Amy Popovich, nurse manager at Richmond and Henricos health districts, said the testing centers continue to operate at capacity, which translates roughly 3,000 viral tests known as PCRs per week. But appointment slots arent filling up as quickly as they have been in the past month. So another good sign that hopefully weve reached the peak of this omicron surge, Popovich said. Popovich added that the national shortage of rapid test kits has put a pause on the health departments distributing them at vaccination and testing events to prioritize the existing supply to communities facing a greater risk of contracting the virus. This includes people who are uninsured, refugee and immigrant communities and those who are experiencing homelessness. In Richmond, the highest case rates have consistently been concentrated in the citys public housing and South Richmond. Upcoming testing events Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Richmond Raceway by appointment only at vase.vdh.virginia.gov. Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eastern Henrico Rec Center. No appointment needed. Thursday from 2-6 p.m. at Southside Plaza. No appointment needed. Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Southwood. Upcoming walk-up vaccination events Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Arthur Ashe Athletic Center Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at John Marshall High School Thursday from 1-4:30 p.m. at 400 E. Cary St. Thursday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Binford Middle School Friday from 1-3 p.m. at Northside YMCA Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and several members of the City Council are proposing a 2-cent reduction to the citys real estate tax rate to get voters behind a second casino referendum. After voters narrowly rejected plans for the nearly $600 million One Casino and Resort last November, the Richmond City Council voted Monday night to hold another popular vote on whether to permit the project, again highlighting a projected windfall of $30 million in annual tax revenue, 1,500 jobs and an immediate $25 million payment if the measure passes. The mayors administration announced the tax cut proposal a few hours before the council vote on Monday night. A Stoney spokesman said the tax cut would be contingent on voters approving the project. Our residents deserve tax relief and access to good jobs. They want public infrastructure improvements and more funding for school capital projects. This project provides a unique opportunity to do just that, Stoney said through a news release ahead of the meeting. I know City Council is committed to creating opportunities that uplift and support all Richmond residents, and Im hopeful tonights vote affirms this shared commitment. The referendum failed last November in a 49% to 51% vote, by a margin of approximately 1,500 votes. Opponents said the result was a victory over a project they suspected would create gambling addiction, poverty, criminal activity and other social issues. In a public hearing on Monday where about 20 people evenly split on the referendum legislation spoke, community activist Allan-Charles Chipman and others said they felt it would be unfair to try it again. The passage of this legislation would defy the expressed will of the people in Richmond. It is a frequent tactic of casinos once they lose any democratic referendum to try and break the will of the people with consecutive referendums, Chipman said. While double or nothing is an acceptable tool for someone who lost a bet in the casino, it is not an acceptable option for the members of this body who lost a bet on a casino. Stoney and other supporters of the Richmond casino project have noted that the election results broke along racial and geographic lines, according to precinct vote counts that showed majority white precincts voted 2-to-1 against the project, even as voters closest to it in South Richmond, in majority Black neighborhoods, voted overwhelmingly for it. (According to city election officials, 26,000 of the 77,000 votes counted were sent by mail or cast before Election Day, meaning that one-third of all votes were reported from a central location.) In pitching the project last year, many supporters noted that it would be the only Black-owned casino in the country. In an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch last month, Stoney said the rejection made some of the citys Black residents feel unloved. Under the legislation passed on Monday, the city would again partner with national media conglomerate Urban One and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the owner and operator of Rosies gaming emporiums and Colonial Downs racetrack, to deliver a casino resort with 250 hotel rooms and a 3,000-seat concert venue. The development would still be located on property owned by Philip Morris USA near the intersection of Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard. As advertised ahead of last years vote, the city would not provide any tax breaks or other incentives for the project. Alfred Liggins, the CEO of Urban One, also spoke during Mondays public hearing, saying that many voters last year had told him that they were unaware about how the project would benefit the entire city, citing agreements that were made to provide $16 million for Richmond public schools and charitable organizations. We needed to be more intentional and specific about that, Liggins said. The idea now that the administration and council is talking about proposing a real estate tax reduction, which will go across all nine council districts ... is a big difference. The council was nearly unanimous in voting for a second referendum, with several members supporting the tax cut proposal and challenging allegations that it would be undemocratic. Councilwoman Katherine Jordan, who opposed the referendum last year, voted against it again Monday, citing personal objections to casino gambling. The council approved the legislation on Monday as state Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, is seeking to pass a bill in the Virginia General Assembly that would enable Petersburg to hold its own casino referendum and bar Richmond from holding another casino for the next five years. State law currently allows Richmond, Danville, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Bristol to permit a casino, if approved by voters. Richmond voters rejected the One Casino plan a year after the other four localities overwhelmingly approved casino plans in their communities. Morrissey, who had supported the One Casino and Resort project, recently criticized Richmond officials for considering another referendum, calling the idea undemocratic. With two cities competing for the fifth state casino license, Urban One has been quiet on whether it favors one city or the other. The company did not respond to questions sent by email on Monday. Mark Hubbard, a McGuireWoods consultant who had been a spokesman for Urban One and Peninsula Pacifics campaign last year, referred questions to 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell, the chief sponsor of the referendum legislation. Trammell said Monday that she was hopeful that it would pass, as she and others have been collecting signatures for a petition drive to bring the referendum back. Trammell said she was unsure of who is coordinating the petition, but noted that Charles Willis, president of the Richmond Highway Neighborhood Civic Association, had also been gathering signatures. The civic association, which represents the neighborhoods closest to the proposed casino site, endorsed the project last year. Willis was unavailable for an interview on Monday, but recently highlighted the petition in a series of videos on his personal Facebook page promoting events where he and others with a group called Richmonders for a Better Future have provided free gas for motorists at gas stations in South Richmond. Clovia Lawrence, a local radio host who works for Urban One, also promoted the events and spoke in favor of the city legislation during Mondays public hearing. She and Willis did not respond to messages Monday asking who paid for the gas. According to state campaign finance reports, a campaign committee associated with the casino project paid Willis $2,500 on Dec. 10. The committee reported $2.6 million in campaign expenditures last year, with all of the money coming from the projects owners or in-kind donations in the form of ads on Urban Ones stations. Virginia Democratic leaders say they have had enough with Gov. Glenn Youngkins pitch that the states economy is in a ditch. In successive appearances before the General Assemblys powerful budget committees, new Secretary of Finance Steve Cummings weathered a scolding by two powerful Democrats former House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William, and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, who challenged the new governors gloomy narrative about Virginias economy. Listening to you all, you would think we were the worst state for doing business, and it simply isnt so, Saslaw told Cummings on Tuesday at the secretarys debut before the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee. It was much the same the previous day at the House Appropriations Committee. Torian, who stepped down as chairman this month after Republicans regained control of the House, confessed his frustration over Youngkins negative view of a state economy with one big revenue surplus in the bank and another apparently on the way, record financial reserves, low unemployment and successive rankings by CNBC as the best state for business. Do you think that the Virginia economy is in the ditch? he asked Cummings. And if you believe its not, can you certainly use your influence to help the governor change his narrative? Because ... the previous administration transitioned to this new administration an economy thats in pretty darn good shape. Cummings handled the challenges diplomatically I understand the perspective, and I understand the frustration, he told Torian but he didnt back off Youngkins claims that Virginia is lagging in economic growth and jobs, especially for small businesses and people with lower incomes who dont contribute as much in state taxes as the wealthy. The environment for the average Virginian is, its really great if youre at the top, but its really not very great if youre at the bottom of the spectrum, he said. Cummings, with more than 40 years in private finance and banking, has tried to walk the line by acknowledging his lack of experience in public service, but reassuring legislators with finance veterans they know. He was flanked by two veteran deputies June Jennings, who served under Gov. Ralph Northam, and Charles Kennington, a former fiscal analyst at Senate Finance. Sitting behind him were Tax Commissioner Craig Burns and Chief State Economist John Layman, who both remain in their jobs. And in the wings, Northams former Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne has agreed to serve as an unpaid adviser to his successor. Hes actually been doing that with me ever since I walked in the door, Cummings told the House committee. But the administrations message has been a hard sell for legislators, especially Democrats, who take pride in the $2.6 billion revenue surplus the state achieved in the fiscal year that ended June 30 and expected new revenues of more than $13 billion combined this year and in the next two-year budget. State financial reserves would reach a record $3.3 billion under the budget Northam presented last month. Cummings spent much of his career as a banking executive in Charlotte, N.C., which in the past 30 years eclipsed Richmond as a regional financial center. He warned that Virginia is lagging in economic growth and new jobs behind North Carolina and five other Southern states Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas all under Republican political control. Virginias a wonderful state, he said. Im glad Im living here, but were not winning the war. The secretary credited the strength of Virginias budget revenues, especially the income taxes withheld from paychecks that account for more than 60% of the money that flows into the general budget for core services such as education and public safety. In the first six months of this fiscal year, those revenues have grown by 10.3%, above a forecast of 4.2% Thats big, because thats a new sustainable level, he told the House committee. Cummings also complimented how the state had managed its revenues and budget through the COVID-19 pandemic and his good fortune at taking office with the state in an unprecedented financial position, lots of money in the bank. Youve actually done a very nice job of keeping the economy on track, thanks to swift and aggressive actions, he said. But Cummings warned against what he called a mismatch between Virginias revenues and its underlying economy. Like Youngkin, he is concerned that government revenues have grown by 8% over the past three fiscal years, while its gross domestic product has increased by 1%. You cant match these growth trends in government revenue with success, he told the Senate committee. Cummings also shares the governors concern that Virginias labor force participation has fallen to a record low of 63%, with too few jobs being created and too few people migrating from other states, partly because of the comparatively high cost of living here. Weve just got too many people on the sidelines, and were not getting people to move to Virginia to pick up our jobs, he said. Youngkins agenda includes a tax cut package of more than $4 billion, most of it from recurring cuts in income and sales taxes, and a pledge of big investments in economic development to add 400,000 jobs over four years. Northams proposed budget also includes more than $2 billion in many of the same tax cuts, including a one-time refund and eliminating most of the sales tax on groceries. Pushed by legislators on concerns over proposals to suspend a recent gas tax hike for a year and eliminate the grocery tax important both to local school divisions and transportation funding Cummings provided few details. Its in discussion, he said. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has proposed more than $3.5 billion in amendments to the $158 billion two-year budget left by his predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam, but doesnt say where he would find the money to pay for his priorities. The centerpiece of the new governors proposed amendments is a campaign promise to double the standard deduction for state income tax filers at a cost of more than $2.1 billion in state revenues. Youngkin also proposes to exempt up to $40,000 a year in military retirement benefits from income tax, phased in over three years at a total cost of $515 million. The other big piece of the new governors tax cut package would raise the amount of money given to taxpayers as one-time rebates by about $203 million for a total of about $1 billion when combined with tax relief that Northam proposed in his outgoing budget. The amendments, released late Friday afternoon, break precedent with the past three governors one Republican, two Democrats whom the House Appropriations Committee did not allow to propose budget amendments directly, but only through members of the House of Delegates. The practice has been you need to pay for what youre proposing, former House Appropriations Chairman Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, said Monday. Jones confirmed that he and his predecessor, former Chairman Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, did not allow incoming governors to propose executive amendments to the budget from Gov. Bob McDonnell, who took office in 2010, through Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2014 and Northam in 2018. The custom and practice was the governor was not allowed any amendments, said Jones, noting that governors propose the budget in subsequent years for the General Assembly to consider. House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said Monday that he is not bound by precedent because the assembly allowed budget amendments by two previous incoming governors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats now serving in the U.S. Senate. McDonnell took office during the Great Recession, Knight noted. He said he gave Youngkin an additional week to submit budget amendments, which were due the day before he was inaugurated as Virginias 74th governor. He understands the separation of powers, the chairman said. I have no doubt we can co-exist. Senate Finance Chair Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, said she also gave the new governor an additional week to propose budget amendments. We will treat them like any other members, she said. But Howell, whose committee is controlled by Democrats, added, A responsible governor would have explained how to pay for them. Knight, who became chairman this month after Republicans gained a 52-48 majority in the House, said few delegates adhere to the past committee practice of requiring them to show how they would pay for their proposals, so he wont require it of the governor. Im not going to hold him to that, he said. Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for Youngkin, said, The governor appreciates the General Assemblys willingness to accept a package of amendments that reflects the governors priorities for this budget cycle. He especially appreciates Senator Howells willingness to do so as a gesture of good faith. The package reflects the priorities outlined in the day one game plan, and the governor looks forward to working hand in hand with the General Assembly to incorporate them into the budget they are already working on. Youngkins 21 proposed line-item amendments would add more than $3.5 billion to the budget that Northam proposed last month. Northams proposal left about $150 million unappropriated, which means budget writers would have to cut from Northams plan in order to back the new governors proposals. Youngkin is counting on unprecedented revenue growth projected in Northams parting budget, which could increase again when the new administration considers a potential mid-session revenue forecast next month. Im optimistic it will be reasonably good news, Secretary of Finance Steve Cummings told the House Appropriations Committee on Monday. Tax cuts Youngkin wants to give rebates of $300 to individual taxpayers and $600 to couples, compared with Northams proposal of $250 for individuals and $500 for couples. House Finance Chair Roxann Robinson, R-Chesterfield, has proposed legislation to require the refunds. He also proposed a $75 million credit next year on income taxes paid by small businesses and included language in the budget bill for this fiscal year to require the tax rebates and suspend the most recent 5-cent-per-gallon increase in the state gasoline tax. Other big winners in Youngkins proposed amendments are economic development initiatives proposed through the existing GO Virginia grant program and a proposal by the Growth4Virginia business coalition for spending on higher education. The governor proposes almost $84 million for GO Virginias talent pathways program and $32 million for a higher education program to expand paid internships and other work-based learning opportunities with state businesses. Both are priorities of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, which is closely aligned with McGuireWoods Consulting. The lobbying firm is an offshoot of the powerful Richmond law firm, whose former chairman, Richard Cullen, serves as Youngkins counselor. Youngkin also proposed to add $29 million to the $150 million Northam provided to expand a state economic development program to prepare ready sites for immediate development by new or expanding industries. Richmond In Richmond, the government proposes $10 million over two years for the state and city to create a slavery and freedom heritage site in Shockoe Bottom, which was the heart of the second-largest domestic slave market in the U.S. before the Civil War. Youngkin also proposed new spending on public safety, including $27 million over two years for cities and large counties with police departments through the so-called 599 program. Local police departments were left out of big boosts in compensation to state police, local sheriffs departments and other law officers in the current budget and Northams parting proposal. He also proposes $40 million to expand cybersecurity initiatives, including $12 million from consolidating existing programs. Youngkin proposes $100 million in federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for training and equipment, and $65 million in capital funding for a new State Police Training Academy. Charter schools In K-12 education, the governor has proposed $150 million in funding over two years to create what he calls laboratory innovation charter schools, as part of his push to use state money to expand privately run public school choices for parents. He also proposes more than $50 million to provide grants to local school divisions to hire school resource officers for security in schools. But Youngkin did not seek more money to help local school divisions repair or replace crumbling schools, in addition to $500 million that Northam proposed. I see nothing for schools, Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, told Cummings during the committee meeting. Knight, the chairman, stepped in to answer the question. School construction has never been a function of state government, he said. Its always been a function of local government. PILOT David Wayne Kingrea wants to be able to pick up his disabled son from school. He wants to be able to better advocate for his sons care, to feel that he can approach organizations that help children with rare disabilities. He wants to have a better chance of being hired for a job. He wants to remove his name from the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. And he wants to overturn a 2014 jury verdict that found him guilty of molesting his then-girlfriends son. All of this may be coming closer with a recent Virginia Court of Appeals order. On Jan. 14, the state appeals court said that a Montgomery County judge must take a new look at the testimony of Kingreas accuser now a grown man who filed an affidavit in 2020 saying he lied in order to convict Kingrea. Fred Kellerman, a Christiansburg attorney who is representing Kingrea, said that he could not recall a similar decision in 30 years of legal practice. Kingrea, 48, said Sunday that the appeals court ruling still was settling in. A date has not been scheduled for a hearing to examine the accusers testimony. And after that, the case will go back to the appeals court for a decision about Kingreas guilt or innocence. But after years of hoping, the possibility that Kingrea would be exonerated seemed far closer. Im happy, Kingrea said. I dont know how to put it into words. Its been a long journey. Its such a journey of emotions. Try to right my wrong According to a review carried out last year by the Virginia Attorney Generals office, the allegations against Kingrea surfaced several years after his breakup with his accusers mother. The accuser, Shawn Douglas Smith, now 23, told state attorneys that in 2008, he, his younger brother, and his mother lived with Kingrea in Kingreas single-wide mobile home along Pilot Road. It was the home where Kingrea grew up and where he still lives. Both Kingrea and Smiths mother would eventually testify that the relationship ended badly, amid drug use and theft. Smiths mother was convicted in 2009 of fraud for using a credit card that belonged to Kingreas mother. In 2011, Smith said to state attorneys, he told a counselor that when they had lived together, Kingrea several times touched Smiths genitals and made him touch Kingreas. In March 2014, a teenage Smith repeated those accusations as the primary witness during Kingreas trial, which ended with a jury finding Kingrea guilty of taking indecent liberties with a child over whom he had a supervisory role. Four counts of sodomy were dropped before the trial began and another count of indecent liberties was thrown out by the judge. I was looking at 80 years to begin with, and I still didnt take no pleas, Kingrea recalled. I was standing on the truth. Stoic as jurors announced his conviction, Kingrea broke into tears during his trials sentencing phase. Im truly innocent. I did not do this. Its a hard pill to swallow that Ive been convicted of something I did not do, Kingrea told the jury. In August 2014, a judge affirmed jurors sentencing recommendation and sent Kingrea to jail for 12 months. In an interview last month, Kingrea said that he stewed over what had happened for about five years, then eventually forgave Smith for what hed told the jury. But Kingrea said he was stunned when, in the late summer of 2020, Smiths grandmother arrived at the Pilot Road home to say that Smith was recanting. Smith had also ended up behind bars, convicted in Radford of harming his own daughter. Smith wrote a letter to Kingrea saying he was sorry. He explained that as a boy, he thought Kingreas household discipline was too harsh and to get back at him, he made up the story of being sexually abused. Smith wrote that during his own incarceration, he had decided to become a Godly man and a better man and that he wanted to make amends. I know I cant change what has already happened but I can change the future. Im going to do whatever it takes to clear your name and try to right my wrong against you, Smith wrote. Smith said Kingrea was physically and verbally abusive toward him, but never sexually abusive. Kingrea, in his interview last month, agreed that he had been rough with Smith. Smith worked with attorney Chris Tuck of Blacksburg and in October 2020, signed an affidavit stating that Kingrea had not sexually abused him. Tuck said it was only the second such affidavit hed prepared in nearly three decades as a lawyer. It took a lot of courage to do what hes doing, Tuck said of Smith. He came forward. In the affidavit, Smith acknowledged that he was basically confessing to perjury, a felony. He said that from his own prison experience, Now I understand what I put Mr. Kingrea through. Mr. Kingrea was innocent, Smith said in the affidavit. ... I wish to do the right and moral thing. In November 2021, when Smith was being held at the Lunenburg Correctional Center, state attorneys interviewed him and Smith again said that he testified falsely against Kingrea. Smith added that after initially talking to investigators and testifying at Kingreas preliminary hearing, which was in 2012, he forgot the details of his story. But a prosecutor reminded him before he testified at the 2014 trial, the attorney generals office review said. Smith also told the state attorneys that he had allowed the false claims of abuse to be repeated as mitigating evidence at his own sentencing in January 2020. At that hearing, a Radford judge ordered that Smith, who had pleaded guilty to malicious wounding, cruelty, and child abuse or neglect, serve four years of a 20-year prison term. Smith told the state attorneys that neither Kingrea nor anyone associated with him had contacted him or tried to convince him to take back his testimony. After Kellerman received the affidavit in which Smith recanted, he filed a writ of actual innocence with the appeals court. The attorney generals office responded, after its review, by asking the court to send the case back to Montgomery County to resolve the question of Smiths credibility and truthfulness at trial. In its order this month, the appeals court directed that a hearing be held in Montgomery County Circuit Court within the next three months. At the hearing, Smith is to again testify under oath, subject to cross examination, and the circuit judge is to make findings in three areas: whether Smith says his 2014 testimony was false and that Kingrea never touched him in a sexual manner; whether Kingrea or anyone else influenced Smiths decision to recant; and whether Smiths recantation was available to Kingreas attorney within 21 days of his final order of conviction. The circuit court is to return its findings to the appeals judges within 30 days of the hearing, along with any findings about Smiths conscientiousness, intelligence and demeanor that seem relevant, the appeals court order said. A jail with no bars In 2012, as the case against him gathered steam, Kingrea married Michelle Barker, who he had met through church. In April 2015, Kingrea was furloughed from jail for a week to be present as Michelle gave birth to their son Dylan. A few months after his second birthday, Dylan had a seizure. It would be the first in a horrifying progression that eventually led to the toddler having seizures almost continually, with more than 170 seizures in a 24-hour period, the Kingreas said. Each episode lasted usually just seconds, and involved Dylan seeming to lose track of what was happening around him. Doctors eventually assigned a list of diagnoses, starting with a genetic mutation that causes a deficiency of the amino acid creatine that is needed by the brain and muscles. Other diagnoses include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, which is a rare type of epilepsy, and more. Now six years old, Dylan takes a host of medications. He is nonverbal and wears a helmet as he rides in a wheelchair. He likes watching videos, his father said. He has attended programs at Montgomery County Public Schools for four years and is presently in the first grade, his parents said. At home, he spends much of his time in a net-enclosed safety bed that dominates the main room of the Kingreas home. Dylans condition is like a jail with no bars, David Kingrea said. Both Kingreas called their son a source of joy in their lives, even as they worry. With lots of help, the family meets Dylans basic needs. But theres so much more we could have done, David Kingrea said. Even matters as simple as replacing torn netting on Dylans safety bed become fraught attempts at duct-tape repairs, Kingrea said. The family has a GoFundMe page under Dylan Kingreas name to try to raise money to add a sensory room to their home where Dylan could safely play. On Monday it was showing $615 raised toward an $8,000 goal. Kingrea knows not to approach social service or charitable groups for help. Theres a long line for assistance and a convicted sex offender isnt going to get it, he said. The Kingreas said the sex abuse conviction held them back from having the money and resources that could help their son. It has consumed our marriage too, Michelle Kingrea said. She is a custodian for the public schools. David Kingrea worked at the regional recycling center before his arrest but has not held a job since being jailed. He said that soon after his release, he was hired at a restaurant but was let go as soon as a manager learned that he was a sex offender. We get kids here, Kingrea remembered the manager saying. Virginia law sets a number of restrictions for sex offenders, including a lifetime ban on loitering within 100 feet of a school or any childrens playground, athletic field, or day program. This means Kingrea cannot pick up or drop off his son at school, or go to programs there. Kingrea said that he wants to do more for his son, in terms of his accommodations and care. He wonders if he could help raise money that could fund research into cures. Its all about Dylan, Kingrea said. Until his case was reopened by the appeals court, these seemed distant dreams. Expanding cloud access Editor, Times-Dispatch: A recent column by Shannon Kellogg accurately highlighted Virginias status as the cloud capital of the world and credited strong public-private partnerships between government, industry and higher education for making the commonwealth the single greatest concentration of data centers on Earth. Virginia is fortunate to have the greatest concentration of data centers and network infrastructure on the planet, but these assets are highly concentrated in Northern Virginia and selected urban locations. We must create improved access and programming to reach all Virginians, giving more people opportunities to enter the high-value, digital workforce. The success of existing industries, as well as attracting new ones, depends on creating a diverse, digitally-enabled workforce. State-wide initiatives are underway to bring advanced cloud computing to all Virginians and sectors of the economy, but we must do more. Industry partners tell us our students should have direct experience on the most current digital tools. To make this a reality, a broad-based group from Virginias colleges, universities and industry, led by Virginia Commonwealth Universitys College of Engineering, have been working to create the Commonwealth Center for Cloud Computing (C4). It's designed to expand access to advanced computers, digital tools, hardware and software not currently available to most students in the commonwealth. The General Assembly authorized infrastructure funding to help launch C4. This is great news for students, parents and every organization in the commonwealth. State officials tell us Virginia loses large-scale economic development opportunities to Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Each of these states already has highly advanced computing consortia operating from their universities in large-scale, public-private partnerships. Initiatives like C4 can accelerate these digital opportunities for everyone across the commonwealth. Lets start writing the next chapter of our history now. Barbara Boyan, Ph.D. Dean, College of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University. After nearly two years, Radford University will bring a major musical event back to campus with the arrival of the Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra, a world class ensemble, on Wednesday, Feb. 2, in Bondurant Hall. From 2005 to early 2020, the University Performance Series brought national and international performing acts to the stage several times a year. However, COVID-19 put the program on hiatus until now. Bringing unique and powerful performances to the area is an important part of what we do, said James Robey, interim dean of Radfords College of Visual and Performing Arts. We are thrilled to kick off the series again with such a remarkable orchestra. The Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra formed at the end of World War II and provided the first post-war concert in Poland, a sign of resilience in very dark times. Today, the highly respected orchestra tours the world, bringing classical music to not just university audiences but also the major cities of Europe, the United States and China. The conductor, Wojciech Rodek, is considered one of the best of his generation, and the two soloists Thomasz Ritter (piano) and Sara Dragan (violin) are highly decorated. Dr. Robert Trent, interim chair of the Department of Music, said the chance to see a full symphonic orchestra in this region is far too rare, and encouraged people to take advantage of the opportunity. There is nothing like the experience of hearing the full pallet of colors and dynamic range, he added. The performance will feature three well-known pieces: the overture to Rossinis opera La gazza ladra (or The Thieving Magpie); Edvard Griegs Piano Concerto in A Minor; and Beethovens Fifth Symphony. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m., and Radford University encourages the public to join in the event. Ticket information is available at www.radfordactivities.com. - Submitted by Sean Kotz, Communications Officer, Radford University College of Visual and Performing Arts Making masks optional was once a forgone conclusion for the Roanoke County School Board, but it has decided to keep the districts mask requirement in place for now. School Board Chair David Linden sent an email to parents Sunday afternoon reaffirming that the district will continue to require students and staff to wear masks inside school buildings at least until Thursday when the board holds its next meeting. The school board meets again on January 27 and plans to consider taking additional action on this subject Governor Youngkin issued a press release in which he urged parents to listen to their principal and trust the legal process while the Virginia Supreme Court sorts out challenges made to his executive order, Linden wrote. He and Windsor Hills representative Cheryl Facciani have made it known that they wish to follow the governors order to make masks optional, despite the advice of the Virginia Health Department and Center for Disease and Control to keep masks on in school. Facciani was also at the forefront of much of the criticism at last weeks meeting for the statements she made about the CDC being a nonprofit (it is a government agency), and the pandemic in general, at the Jan. 4 meeting. The first-term board member had little to say about the matter at last weeks meeting other than she was looking forward to further guidance from the governor. The county was one of the first districts in the state to pass a motion to make face coverings optional upon Youngkins executive order made shortly after his Jan. 15 inauguration. The board passed the initial motion on Jan. 4, before backtracking on the decision on Jan. 6, following public backlash, and at the advice of the school systems legal representation. The initial motion stated that county schools would go 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 Youngkins new directive. A school board meeting last week brought out more than 30 speakers, most of which criticized the board for how it made the decision at a work session before reneging at a special meeting days later, and what they deemed as choosing politics over science. Following the public comments, some board members said they were open to compromise and worried that ending the mask mandate too soon could cause the district to have to resort to virtual learning, something people on both sides of the mask debate have said they dont want to see happen. 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. Cases for last week were down, according to the school systems COVID-19 dashboard, but Assistant Superintendent Rhonda Stegall said during last weeks COVID-19 update portion of the meeting that was a likely outcome since kids missed multiple days of school for snow, making it less likely for some positive cases to be reported. Linden finished up his letter to parents asking parents to direct their policy concerns to the school board and not school staff. Also as a reminder, the safety and security of our schools and students are of primary importance and all visitors must request entry at the office, Linden wrote. Parents are not allowed to walk students to classrooms. Disturbances or disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated and principals are authorized to take appropriate action to ensure the orderly and safe operations of their schools. Roanoke City Public Schools will also continue to require face coverings in schools, on buses and on other school transportation, as medically and developmentally appropriate, for all students and staff, according to the schools website. Transmission in our city remains high, as the Virginia Department of Health reports. We must do everything we can to keep our students and staff safe, while protecting in-person instruction, a note that was posted on the schools website on Saturday read. Other localities in the Roanoke and New River valleys made decisions that took place or effect Monday as well. The Botetourt County School Board held a special meeting Monday morning where it voted unanimously to lift the mandate on March 7, according to a release from the school system. This date allows families the time required to have their children fully vaccinated, if they so choose and provides the Supreme Court of Virginia time to rule on the constitutionality of Governor Youngkins Executive Order No. 2, the release states. The Botetourt board also voted to explore how to implement a test-to-stay program, which would allow the division to better meet the needs of both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, but the release did not elaborate on what that meant, nor did the school system immediately respond to an email request to explain the potential program. The school system in Radford decided to make masks optional for students, though a letter to parents did highly recommend that students and school community members continue to follow all mitigation strategies that are currently in place while in the school buildings. The letter also stated that staff will continue to wear masks, and masks will still be required on school buses. Students that test positive for the virus or who are in quarantine for five days will have to wear masks for days six through ten or remain at home for the entire 10-day isolation period, the letter states. Superintendent Rob Graham wrote in an email that the board did not vote on the matter but was aware of the school systems decision. He also wrote that he was impressed with how many kids still chose to wear masks. While visiting the schools today, I was very impressed to still see a large amount of our student population continuing to wear masks, he wrote Monday afternoon. I am hopeful it will stay that way until we start to see a decrease in Omicron variant cases. Most school divisions in the region still have across-the-board mask mandates currently, except for Radford and Botetourt and Pulaski counties. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. For the second time, a federal appeals court has thrown out government approvals for a natural gas pipeline to pass through the Jefferson National Forest. A written decision Tuesday from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marked the latest of many setbacks for the Mountain Valley Pipeline since construction began in 2018. The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management failed to properly predict and to prevent erosion and sedimentation caused by building the massive infrastructure project, a three-judge panel for the court found. Judge Stephanie Thacker wrote in the unanimous decision that the agencies erroneously failed to account for real-world data suggesting increased sedimentation along the pipeline route. The ruling sends the permit back to the Forest Service and BLM for reconsideration. The first time the court did that, in July 2018, it took about two years for the agencies to approve a second permit which now has also been found lacking by the Fourth Circuit. In its 29-page opinion, the court also ruled that the Forest Service failed to comply with its 2012 Planning Rule and that it prematurely authorized the crossings of some streams in the national forest. Again the courts have served as a backstop for agencies that failed to protect the public and our resources from this dangerous and destructive project, David Sligh of Wild Virginia, one of the environmental groups that challenged the permit, said in a statement. The Forest Service and BLM have now been shown to have ignored important scientific information and bypassed their own rules for the second time, all to allow a private corporation to use and abuse the public resources they are supposed to protect and preserve for us all. Efforts to reach the Forest Service were unsuccessful Tuesday. Although much of the 303-mile pipeline has been completed, it has not been allowed to pass through a 3.5-mile section of the Jefferson National Forest in Giles and Montgomery counties. Mountain Valley also lacks a final permit to cross the remaining streams and wetlands in its path from northern West Virginia, through the New River and Roanoke valleys, to connect with an existing pipeline near the North Carolina line. Other approvals by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are also being challenged in court by opponents of the deeply controversial project. On Tuesday, Mountain Valley spokeswomen Natalie Cox wrote in an email that the joint venture of five energy companies is thoroughly reviewing the Courts decision regarding MVPs crossing permit for the Jefferson National Forest and will be expeditiously evaluating the projects next steps and timing considerations. Mountain Valley has previously said it is on track to finish the $6.2 billion project by this summer. Opponents hope Tuesdays decision will at least delay completion once again, and perhaps be the final nail in the coffin they long for. This is a big hit in the impending downfall of the Mountain Valley Pipeline project, Russell Chisholm, co-chair of the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights Coalition, said in a statement. If MVP is unfit for the protected Jefferson National Forest, it is unfit for our waters, our land, and our communities, full stop. Since 2018, inspections by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality have found nearly 400 violations of erosion and sediment control regulations. Mountain Valley has blamed the problems on record rainfalls. When the Fourth Circuit threw out the first permit to pass through the Jefferson National Forest in 2018, it said the Forest Service was too accepting of Mountain Valleys assurances that burying a 42-inch diameter pipe along steep slopes would not cause major problems with muddy runoff. Authoring the courts opinion in that case as well, Thacker wrote: American citizens understandably place their trust in the Forest Service to protect and preserve this countrys forests, and they deserve more than silent acquiescence to a pipeline companys justification for upending large swaths of national forest lands. Some questioned if the courts second opinion will be enough to kill a project that has seen other permits rejected, only to have them re-issued by federal and state agencies. I think its extremely unlikely that this decision will serve as a deathblow to the project, said Josh Price, vice president of energy policy at Capstone, a global policy analysis firm for corporate and investor clients. The issues identified by Fourth Circuit should be easily resolvable by the agencies, Price, who has followed Mountain Valley from the outset, wrote in an email. We only have a 5% probability that MVP will be cancelled. More likely, he said, the pipelines completion will be pushed back to the middle of next year. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RICHMOND Gov. Glenn Youngkin has proposed more than $3.5 billion in amendments to the $158 billion two-year budget left by his predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam, but doesnt say where he would find the money to pay for his priorities. The centerpiece of the new governors proposed amendments is a campaign promise to double the standard deduction for state income tax filers at a cost of more than $2.1 billion in state revenues. Youngkin also proposes to exempt up to $40,000 a year in military retirement benefits from income tax, phased in over three years at a total cost of $515 million. The other big piece of the new governors tax cut package would raise the amount of money given to taxpayers as one-time rebates by about $203 million for a total of about $1 billion when combined with tax relief that Northam proposed in his outgoing budget. The amendments, released late Friday afternoon, break precedent with the past three governorsone Republican, two Democratswhom the House Appropriations Committee did not allow to propose budget amendments directly, but only through members of the House of Delegates. The practice has been you need to pay for what youre proposing, former House Appropriations Chairman Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, said Monday Jones confirmed that he and his predecessor, former Chairman Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, did not allow incoming governors to propose executive amendments to the budgetfrom Gov. Bob McDonnell, who took office in 2010, through Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2014 and Northam in 2018. The custom and practice was the governor was not allowed any amendments, Jones said, noting that governors propose the budget in subsequent years for the General Assembly to consider. House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said Monday that he is not bound by precedent because the assembly allowed budget amendments by two previous incoming governors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats now serving in the U.S. Senate. McDonnell took office during the Great Recession, Knight noted. He said he gave Youngkin an additional week to submit budget amendments, which were due the day before he was inaugurated as Virginias 74th governor. He understands the separation of powers, the chairman said. I have no doubt we can co-exist. Senate Finance Chair Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, said she also gave the new governor an additional week to propose budget amendments. We will treat them like any other members, she said. But Howell, whose committee is controlled by Democrats, added, A responsible governor would have explained how to pay for them. Knight, who became chairman this month after Republicans gained a 52-48 majority in the House, said few delegates adhere to the past committee practice of requiring them to show how they would pay for their proposals, so he wont require it of the governor. Im not going to hold him to that, he said. Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for Youngkin, said, The governor appreciates the General Assemblys willingness to accept a package of amendments that reflects the governors priorities for this budget cycle. He especially appreciates Senator Howells willingness to do so as a gesture of good faith. The package reflects the priorities outlined in the day one game plan, and the governor looks forward to working hand in hand with the General Assembly to incorporate them into the budget they are already working on. Youngkins 21 proposed line-item amendments would add more than $3.5 billion to the budget that Northam proposed last month. Northams proposal left about $150 million unappropriated, which means budget writers would have to cut from Northams plan in order to back the new governors proposals. Youngkin is counting on unprecedented revenue growth projected in Northams parting budget, which could increase again when the new administration considers a potential mid-session revenue forecast next month. Im optimistic it will be reasonably good news, Secretary of Finance Steve Cummings told the House Appropriations Committee on Monday. Tax cuts Youngkin wants to give rebates of $300 to individual taxpayers and $600 to couples, compared with Northams proposal of $250 for individuals and $500 for couples. House Finance Chair Roxann Robinson, R-Chesterfield, has proposed legislation to require the refunds. He also proposed a $75 million credit next year on income taxes paid by small businesses, and included language in the budget bill for this fiscal year to require the tax rebates and suspend the most recent 5-cent-per-gallon increase in the state gasoline tax. Other big winners in Youngkins proposed amendments are economic development initiatives proposed through the existing GO Virginia grant program and a proposal by the Growth4Virginia business coalition for spending on higher education. The governor proposes almost $84 million for GO Virginia talent pathways program and $32 million for a higher education program to expand paid internships and other work-based learning opportunities with state businesses. Both are priorities of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, which closely aligned with McGuireWoods Consulting. The lobbying firm is an offshoot of the powerful Richmond law firm, whose former chairman, Richard Cullen, serves as Youngkins counselor. Museum and safetyIn Richmond, the government proposes $10 million over two years for the state and city to create a slavery and freedom heritage site in Shockoe Bottom, which was the heart of the second largest domestic slave market in the United States before the Civil War. Youngkin also proposed new spending on public safety, including $27 million over two years for cities and large counties with police departments through the so-called 599 program. Local police departments were left out of big boosts in compensation to state police, local sheriffs departments and other law officers in the current budget and Northams parting proposal. He also proposes $40 million to expand cybersecurity initiatives, including $12 million from consolidating existing programs. Youngkin proposes $100 million in federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for training and equipment, and $65 million in capital funding for a new State Police Training Academy. Charter schoolsIn K-12 education, the governor has proposed $150 million in funding over two years to create what he calls laboratory innovation charter schools, as part of his push to use state money to expand privately run public school choices for parents. He also proposes more than $50 million to provide grants to local school divisions to hire school resource officers for security in schools. But Youngkin did not seek more money to help local school divisions repair or replace crumbling schools, in addition to $500 million that Northam proposed. I see nothing for schools, Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, told Cummings during the committee meeting. Knight, the chairman, stepped in to answer the question. School construction has never been a function of state government, he said. Its always been a function of local government. Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net " " Gerd Altmann/Pixabay People who constantly engage in self talk may think everyone does the same, but that's not true. Have you ever thought about how you think? Do you tell yourself, "Don't forget the milk" before you leave home and then when you get home without it at the end of the day, you say to yourself, "How could I've been so stupid?" Is there a constant "talking to self" throughout the day? Advertisement A lot of people use language-based chatter to organize and focus their thoughts. However, it turns out that some people don't have this kind of inner monologue at all. Instead, they may rely more on visualization (for instancing "seeing themselves" buying the milk at the store). Others employ a combination of these techniques. People on both sides of this "inner monologue" divide have a hard time imagining another way of being to the point that it sort of freaked everyone out during an online debate that went viral in February. Russell Hurlburt is a psychology professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. For decades, he's been doing experiments on people's inner experiences, their thoughts, feelings and sensations. Regarding the viral kerfuffle over the inner speech haves and have nots, he chuckles a bit and says he frequently hears people claim that they have an ever-present inner monologue but his experiments show that this is not always true. But rather than argue with them, he says, "Well, let's find out." His tests began long ago. As a graduate student in the early '70s, he began wondering how scientists could investigate subjects' pristine inner experiences, experiences that are in your present consciousness, before your brain has tried to make sense of them or assigned them some sort of interpretation. "The object of my research is not to explore inner speech or inner monologue or whatever you want to call it, but to explore your experience as it actually is," says Hurlburt. He thought beepers of some kind might work, but back then, there were no cell phones or pagers. So, Hurlburt, who has an engineering background, designed and patented a device that beeped at irregular intervals. Each time the beeper went off, he asked subjects to make notes about their experiences in that moment. As students went about their days, the beepers would go off at random times. They were instructed to try and clarify what was happening in their minds at that instant. The beepers went off only a few times. This was intentional, so that the research subjects would forget that they had them (and thus, not contaminate their thinking processes with thoughts about the experiment). Later, researchers asked the students questions to better understand how the students were thinking when the beepers sounded. Were they visualizing something? Experiencing a tactile sensation? Feeling an emotion? This line of inquiry is called Descriptive Experience Sampling (DES). He says one key takeaway was that, "You can't expect a good answer on the first day." Essentially, it takes a day or two of DES training before people to find ways to focus on and express what they're experiencing in a given moment. In his research, he found that most subjects struggled to articulate the way they were talking to themselves. When he asked them for the specific words or sentences, many came up blank. "And in the course of doing that, you and I together I guess you would say, we decide, 'well, I thought I had inner speech, but I really don't.'" His study showed that subjects talked to themselves inwardly about 26 percent of the time they were sampled but many never experienced inner speech while others had it 75 percent of the time (the median percentage was 20 percent.) Hurlburt has worked with other researchers, like Charles Fernyhough, to use DES questioning while subjects were inside MRI scanners. In a 2018 study of just five subjects, the scanner showed that the area of the brain associated with certain topics lit up when subjects said they were thinking about those things, providing a physical link to the abstractions of thoughts themselves. Still, scientists are grappling with a lot of uncertainty. What Causes an Inner Monologue? Some research shows that people often use more inner verbalization when they're under pressure. Perhaps they're rehearsing answers to job interview questions. Or maybe they're athletes trying to focus. Among people who do report inner monologue, they tend to perceive those voices as their own. That self-talk generally has a familiar pace and tone, although the exact voice might change depending on whether the current scenario is happy, scary, or relaxed. Sometimes they may use whole sentences. Other times they might rely on condensed wordplay that would be meaningless to anyone else. But what causes inner speech? A researcher at the University of British Columbia, Mark Scott found that there is a brain signal called "corollary discharge" that helps us distinguish between sensory experiences we create internally versus those from outside stimuli and this signal plays a big role in internal speech. It also plays a role in how our auditory systems process speech. When we speak, there is an internal copy of the sound of our voice generated at the same time as our speaking voice. As for the online debate regarding inner monologue, Hurlburt understands that online commenters have taken strong positions on the matter. Some people simply can't imagine not having an inner voice; others are taken aback by the idea of constant internal chatter. "Half of those people are probably right and half of them are not right about their own [inner monologue] characteristics." He says. "The main conclusions, are, I think that people don't know what's in their own experience." And, according to his experiments, "level of confidence is not a good predictor," of whether someone has an active inner monologue. NOW THAT'S INTERESTING An ongoing Massachusetts Institute of Technology project, called AlterEgo, has successfully demonstrated that a head-mounted gadget can "read" people's thoughts. The device interprets subtle neuromuscular signals that everyone produces when they internally verbalize certain phrases or words. Although it's still a prototype, it has an accuracy of more than 90 percent. Advertisement Originally Published: Mar 2, 2020 FLORENCE, S.C. Residents of most of Florence County and two precincts in Darlington County headed to the polls Tuesday to help select their next state senator. Residents of Senate District 31 had the opportunity to cast ballots for state Rep. Jay Jordan or businessman Mike Reichenbach. The district includes most of Florence County and two small parts of eastern Darlington County. Parts of north Florence, east Florence and the Mars Bluff area of Florence County are not included in the district. Other parts of Florence County not included in the district are Lake City (Senate District 32), Olanta and Timmonsville (both in Senate District 36). Both candidates voted Tuesday morning. Jordan and his wife, Tara, voted around 10 a.m. at Royall Elementary School, the site of Florence Ward 7. Reichenbach and his wife, Charisse, voted around 11 a.m. at Savannah Grove Baptist Church, the site of the precinct with the same name. Julian Young, Florence County election director, said things were going smoothly at the polls and turnout was good for the election. The election office finished with around 1,440 in-person absentee ballots. Young said the election office began counting mail-in ballots Tuesday morning and would begin to do so again between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Poll workers said turnout was good and things were moving along smoothly at the polls. The seat was vacated when 41-year incumbent Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. died last year. Senate President Harvey Peeler called a special election with primaries set for Tuesday and the general election for March 29. The results of the primary are available on SCNow.com and SCVotes.gov. They will also be provided in Thursdays Morning News. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Suzanne La Rochelle in the March 29 general election. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Seguin, TX (78155) Today Cloudy early then partly cloudy and windy this afternoon. High 91F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 74F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%. CCRC releases "From Reentry to Reintegration: Criminal Record Reforms in 2021" | Main | Notable new report on juve LWOP reviews "Montgomery v. Louisiana Six Years Later: Progress and Outliers" January 24, 2022 Connecticut Supreme Court reverses sentence based "materially false information" that defendant was in "mythical group of teenage 'superpredators'" A few helpful folks made sure I did not miss the notable ruling by the Connecticut Supreme Court this past Friday in State v. Belcher, No. SC 20531 (Conn. Jan 21, 2022) (available here). The start of the unanimous opinion sets out the basics: The defendant, Keith Belcher, a juvenile offender, appeals from the trial courts denial of his motion to correct an illegal sentence. After his conviction, the defendant received a total effective sentence of sixty years of incarceration. He claims, inter alia, that the trial court improperly denied his motion to correct on the basis of the courts conclusion that the sentencing court did not impose the sentence in an illegal manner by relying on materially false information. Our review of the record reveals that the defendant established that the sentencing court substantially relied on materially false information in imposing his sentence, specifically, on the courts view that the defendant was a charter member of a mythical group of teenage superpredators. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the defendants motion to correct. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the trial court, and the case is remanded with direction to grant the defendants motion and for resentencing. The full opinion merits a full read for many reasons. Therein, one learns that the defendant here was only 14 when committing his crimes way back in 1993 (meaning he has now already served nearly three decades). Also of note, the court avoids resolution of constitutional claims by deciding he gets resentencing based on the illegal manner of the original sentence's imposition. Here are a few highlights from the interesting opinion: We conclude that the superpredator theory was baseless when it originally was espoused and has since been thoroughly debunked and universally rejected as a myth, and it therefore constituted false and unreliable information that a sentencing court ought not consider in crafting a sentence for a juvenile offender.... In the context of the sentencing of the defendant, a Black teenager, the courts reliance on the materially false superpredator myth is especially detrimental to the integrity of the sentencing procedure for two reasons. First, reliance on that myth invoked racial stereotypes, thus calling into question whether the defendant would have received as lengthy a sentence were he not Black. Second, the use of the superpredator myth supported treating the characteristics of youth as an aggravating, rather than a mitigating, factor.... In summary, by invoking the superpredator theory to sentence the young, Black male defendant in the present case, the sentencing court, perhaps even without realizing it, relied on materially false, racial stereotypes that perpetuate systemic inequities demanding harsher sentences that date back to the founding of our nation. In addition, contrary to Roper and its progeny, in relying on the superpredator myth, the sentencing court counted the characteristics of youth as an aggravating factor against the defendant. Although we do not mean to suggest that the sentencing judge intended to perpetuate a race based stereotype, we cannot overlook the fact that the superpredator myth is precisely the type of materially false information that courts should not rely on in making sentencing decisions. Whether used wittingly or unwittingly, reliance on such a baseless, illegitimate theory calls into question the legitimacy of the sentencing procedure and the sentence. January 24, 2022 at 06:40 PM | Permalink Comments What do you call a 14 year old who commits such an awful crime? Posted by: Federalist | Jan 25, 2022 2:46:29 PM And of course this idiot judge capitalizes Black and leaves white lowercase. Woke nonsense. Posted by: Federalist | Jan 25, 2022 3:11:06 PM It is a little hard to tell what range of sentences are possible upon remand. Posted by: ohwilleke | Jan 25, 2022 6:21:29 PM Post a comment When Cemex truck drivers in Las Vegas and Southern California decided to join the Teamsters in 2018, the ready-mix concrete company did all it could to stop them. Cemex quickly hired a union avoidance firm that it would pay more than $1 million to try to dissuade workers from organizing. Cemex managed to narrowly defeat the union in a March 2019 election, but not without traipsing all over the law and illegally firing a female driver who had been organizing her co-workers, according to trial testimony. The anti-union campaign was so rife with threats that a judge at the National Labor Relations Board ruled last month that Cemex committed extraordinary violations right up until ballots were cast. The case offers a window into how aggressively many companies respond when workers exercise their right to form a union even at a place like Cemex, which already employs Teamsters members in other locations and has previously negotiated contracts with the union. It was so traumatic for me, said Diana Ornelas, 29, the driver who the judge found was wrongly suspended and then fired. NLRB administrative law judge John T. Giannopoulos found many of the companys witnesses not to be credible when they testified about what happened. He even determined that one of Cemexs anti-union consultants who is supposed to understand the legal boundaries better than anyone onsite violated the law by telling workers Cemex might simply close its ready-mix cement operation rather than deal with unionized drivers. The judge ordered that Cemex reinstate Ornelas and give her back pay to compensate for the wages she lost. He also ordered that Cemex inform its workers around the country of its violations and their rights. Notably, the judge ruled that the Teamsters be given access to the job sites to talk to workers about unionizing ahead of another election, something unions are normally not entitled to. Cemex said in a statement that it disagrees that the Teamsters were disadvantaged in any way in the organizing campaign. The company noted that, despite the judges findings, several of the unions claims were ultimately withdrawn or dismissed. It pointed to the results of the original election, which the Teamsters lost by just 13 votes, and claimed drivers dont want a union. Story continues CEMEX supports a fair process by which our employees will again have the opportunity to vote and make an informed decision regarding the Teamsters and union representation, the company said. A Show Of Force The Cemex workers trying to unionize were truck drivers who work out of the companys batch plants. Drivers pick up the ready-mix concrete at the plants, add the appropriate amount of water as needed, and haul the slump to job sites in the trucks spinning drum. The concrete has to be delivered within 90 minutes to be poured. Ornelas described the job as stressful and dangerous due to the time factor, an obstacle course every day. It is normal practice for a company facing a union drive to hire consultants who can help them blunt the unions support. In this case, Cemex brought in one of the best-known firms offering these services: the Oklahoma-based Labor Relations Institute, which subcontracted the work out to individual consultants based elsewhere. What was unusual about the anti-union consulting work was how much money the company spent on it: more than $1.1 million in less than a year, according to Labor Department disclosure filings. A 2020 Economic Policy Institute analysis found that only a handful of companies have broken the $1 million mark on consultant spending in recent years. Diana Ornelas on the job before Cemex fired her. (Photo: Diana Ornelas) But those figures disclosed to the Labor Department reflect only the fees paid to consultants who speak directly to workers, not the money companies spend on legal work meant to stifle union efforts. For those services, Cemex hired the firm Jackson Lewis, a high-priced management-side firm that helps clients remain union free. Testimony in the Cemex case indicated that the consultants held regular strategy sessions to determine how best to persuade drivers not to support the union. They also met individually with workers and hosted what are known as captive audience meetings, where workers are corralled into a room to watch PowerPoint presentations and hear the negative stuff that could happen if they unionize. It was in one of these meetings that a consultant, Amed Santana, apparently said Cemex might choose to close its ready-mix operation that employs the drivers in response to the campaign. Cemex, which had revenue of $3.77 billion last quarter, could keep its other construction divisions in place, he allegedly said. Santana denied saying so at trial, but the administrative law judge didnt find him to be credible. Santana didnt respond to a message HuffPost sent via LinkedIn, and Labor Relations Institute did not respond to an email asking about the judges findings. Cemex managers committed the bulk of the violations during the campaign, however. On different occasions, workers were told not to speak to union organizers; invited to go work elsewhere if they wanted a union; asked why they werent wearing vote no paraphernalia ahead of the election; and warned their positions might be sent to another state if they organized. The judge found in all those instances that Cemex supervisors ran afoul of the law. The most serious charges involved the treatment of Ornelas, a bilingual worker who helped translate for other Spanish-speaking drivers and wasnt afraid to make her union support known. Ornelas said she was the only female driver at her facility at the time. Im 5-10 and husky, so I made it, she said with a laugh. Managers knew she was an activist because she wore a union sticker on her hard hat and openly spoke to organizers outside the plant. Supervisors and managers were closely watching Ornelas and forwarding any incident whatsoever to their superiors trying to find a misstep.From the judge's ruling Ornelas said she didnt become such a vocal union supporter until she saw the company going to such lengths to stop it. Once I saw the resistance from them, I thought, Something is wrong here. Why are they pushing back so hard? Theres something going on here, Ornelas explained. Cemex offered different reasons for why the company suspended Ornelas, but the judge found that her union activities were the real reason. Ornelas was also one of six drivers reprimanded for taking work trucks rather than their personal cars to a different facility without permission. The other five drivers were suspended; only Ornelas was terminated. Supervisors and managers were closely watching Ornelas, Giannopoulos wrote, and forwarding any incident whatsoever to their superiors trying to find a misstep that would subject her to further discipline. The violations continued right through the union vote, when Cemex hired guards to patrol the facilities a move the Teamsters said was meant to intimidate workers. The company assigned the guards to patrol the plants ahead of the election, and stationed them at polling places on the day ballots were cast. The guards prevented some workers from showing up early to vote, and forbid them from entering the polling place in groups. Clearly [Cemex] wanted the guards present at the facility as a show of force, Giannopoulos wrote, deeming it an unfair labor practice. When the vote took place in March 2019, the Teamsters lost 166-179. An Atmosphere Of Fear Union supporters believe they would have won the election if not for Cemexs anti-union campaign. Giannopoulos order would help level the playing field next time by guaranteeing that if company officials convened workers to make the case against a union, then Teamsters organizers would be afforded the same opportunity onsite. Such remedies, the judge wrote, were meant to dissipate as much as possible the lingering atmosphere of fear Cemex created. The Teamsters have not yet filed for another election to represent the Cemex workers in Southern California and Las Vegas. Given the violations that occurred during the first campaign, the union may explore other tactics to pressure the company. Last Thursday, union members held a picket outside Cemexs Los Angeles facility. Cemex said it plans to challenge the administrative law judges findings, meaning a legal case could stretch on for months or years at the NLRB. The company does not have to rehire Ornelas until it has exhausted those options. After she was fired, the Teamsters hired Ornelas as a paid organizer. She told the judge when she testified at trial that she didnt want to return to Cemex even if she was offered her old job back, due to the harassment shed experienced. But now that all of the findings have come out, Ornelas said her feelings have changed; she plans to clock in again if the judges ruling stands. What made her change her mind? The fact that they really dont want me to go back, she said. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. SIOUX CITY -- The parents of a boy who was attacked and cut by a fellow East Middle School student have sued the Sioux City Community School District. Chad and Mandy Sorenson allege their son's injury was the result of negligence by the school's staff to adequately supervise students in hallways and to allow weapons in the school. Their son was injured on Dec. 14, 2020, during a confrontation with two female students, who were 12 and 13 years old at the time, at East Middle, 5400 Lorraine Ave. According to a police report issued after the incident, the boy, who was 12, received a minor laceration on the back of his head from an "X-acto" style cutting tool used for crafts and hobbies that the 12-year-old girl had in her possession. The girl was referred to Juvenile Court Services on a charge of willful injury. In addition to suing the school district, the Sorensons also are suing Sandra Benigno, the mother of the girl accused of injuring their son. The district does not comment on pending litigation, communications director Leslie Heying said. The parents said in the suit, filed last week in Woodbury County District Court, that their son has permanent injuries that will require future medical expenses, in addition to the expenses occurred to treat the injury at the time of the incident. They did not specify a dollar amount of damages being sought, but requested a judgment that will "fairly and adequately compensate them for their injuries and damages ...". Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing two young girls over several years. Cesar Auyon, 56, pleaded guilty in Woodbury County District Court to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse. Single counts of second-degree sexual abuse and indecent contact with a child were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Auyon initiated sexual contact with the first child in November 2010 and the abuse continued through November 2015. The abuse eventually included sexual intercourse when the girl was 13. Auyon forced the second girl, who was friends with the first girl, to touch him multiple times from September 2012 through September 2013. In addition to the prison sentence, Auyon must register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life and also serve a lifetime special sex offender sentence after he completes his prison sentence. If he were to violate terms of the special sentence, he could be sent back to prison. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PONCA, Neb. -- A Wayne, Nebraska, man was sentenced Monday to up to 10 years in prison for stabbing another man in Wakefield. Javier Zavala, 37, pleaded no contest in October in Dixon County District Court to first-degree assault and terroristic threats. District Judge Bryan Meismer sentenced Zavala to four-10 years in prison on the assault charge and one-three years for terroristic threats. Meismer ordered the sentences to be served concurrently, or at the same time. Zavala confronted Anacleto Perez-Ramirez, 35, at a Wakefield home on Nov. 9, 2020, and accused him of kidnapping his wife before punching him and stabbing him multiple times in the back and legs. Zavala then asked Perez-Ramirez to get in his pickup truck or he would continue to stab him. Zavala drove Perez-Ramirez to Wayne, where he let him go. Zavala was arrested four days later. Charges of attempted first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, kidnapping and first-degree false imprisonment were dismissed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The health department will offer free curbside COVID-19 testing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday outside the Dakota County Courthouse, 1601 Broadway St. Members of the public are to wear masks and remain in their vehicles the entire time. Test results will be available in one or two days. Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 will be administered from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the health department, which is located on the first floor of the courthouse. Appointments are required. Adult vaccination clinics are held every Wednesday by appointment only. Call 402-987-2164 to schedule an appointment. SIOUX CITY The Sioux City Community School District has indefinitely delayed the construction of a permanent space for its virtual academy due to much higher construction costs than anticipated. The school board rejected the low bid of $1.93 million from W.A. Klinger of Sioux City for the remodeling of Career Academys second floor for the Vibe Academy. Tim Paul, the district's director of operations and maintenance, recommended the board reject all bids due to the higher than the estimated costs. FEH Design of Sioux City originally estimated the VIBE Academy construction to cost $1.48 million. Additional costs include $365,380.53 for furnishings and $50,000 for building security and IT. Matt Basye said there were a variety of factors that led to higher than expected bids, including the short project timeframe, the bid period being over the holidays, construction material cost increase over the first of the year and the use of Davis Bacon Act wages for the projects. Three bids were received, with Klinger coming in at the lowest. L&L Builders Co. of Sioux City bid $2.06 million and Nelson Commercial Construction of Sioux City bid $2.15 million. Paul said he is working with Basye to remove aspects of the project to reduce the price, and he will approach the board again to restart the bidding process. Currently, the virtual academy teachers are housed on the fourth floor of the Ho-Chunk Centre. To continue leasing that space for 10 years would cost the district $1.49 million, according to school board documents. Paul said the current lease with the Ho-Chunk Centre may need to be extended due to this delay on the project. Basye presented the layout plan to the board in November. Around 14,000 square feet of the second floor of the Career Academy will be used for the VIBE Academy. The space will include training rooms, open layout for around 40 instructors, specialty rooms such as counseling, music, art and physical education - a break room and work room. Basye said his team didnt want it to look like a call center. More windows will be added for natural light and most of the division will be through furniture. Basye said currently there is an example display of the layout with the proposed headsets and microphones at the current career academy for teachers to try out. Elementary and secondary school emergency relief III funding will be used to construct the space. The ESSER funding is currently being used to pay for the present space and can only be used through 2024. In one of its final decisions prior to seating two newly-elected members, the board voted 4-3 to approve the remodeling project. Two of the four who voted yes, Jeremy Saint and Ron Coling, have since been replaced by Bob Michaelson and Jan George. Dan Greenwell, the new board president, and Taylor Goodvin both voted no. Goodvin said the VIBE Academy ranks low in his priorities for the use of Education and Secondary School Relief, or ESSER, funds the federal government allocated to the district for COVID relief. A survey done by board members, teachers and community members ranked construction of the space as a low priority, while Superintendent Paul Gausman's administration ranked it as the No. 1 priority. Greenwell agreed with Goodvin, stating there other options for the VIBE Academy, including continuing to lease space in the Ho-Chunk Centre, until it's certain the online academy will continue on a long-term basis. The ESSER funding set aside for the remodeling project, for instance, could have been used to address the ongoing substitute recruitment shortage, he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Council, by voting in favor of its consent agenda Monday, agreed to amend its development agreement with Kinseth Hospitality for the 150-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, which is having problems hiring as many hotel staff as the company promised. According to documents filed with the city, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the $22 million, five-story downtown hotel connected to the Sioux City Convention Center. The hotel opened on May 14, 2020 during the first year of the pandemic. Kinseth Hospitality, a North Liberty, Iowa-based company, manages both the Convention Center and the hotel. Although Kinseth continues to actively recruit and train new employees, it currently has 19 full-time and 37 part-time employees, according to the documents. Under the previous terms of the development agreement, Kinseth was to employ 40 full-time employees by Jan. 1, 2020, but its count currently only equals 23.6 full-time employees. The second amendment adjusts the number of full-time employees so that Kinseth must employ 20 full-time employees by July 1, 2021 and maintain that number through July 1, 2023. From July 1, 2024 through July 1, 2034, Kinseth must employ 30 full-time employees. "It's just another negative impact that we have to deal with. We'll deal with it," Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore said before the vote. The action doesn't change Kinseth's previous financial commitments for the project, including the payment of property taxes and hotel/motel taxes. Revenue from the Iowa Reinvestment District began in October 2019 and will not be impacted by the amendment, according to the documents. In support of Kinseth's investment, the city funded the construction of a parking structure behind the hotel, as well as modifications to the current Convention Center. In the fall of 2018, work began on converting 7,500 square feet of Convention Center space into a ballroom for events and constructing a new 7,260-square-foot "pre-function" space that attaches to the five-story hotel. The Sioux City Council awarded the $2.9 million Convention Center contract to L&L Builders after rebidding the project. The Convention Center renovation was the second of two city-funded projects, both of which combined cost over $2 million more than expected, to support the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. A $3.7 million bid for the first project, construction of a two-story parking deck at Fifth and Virginia streets to accommodate hotel guests, came in approximately $1.2 million more than the architect's original estimate. Since it was built in 1988, the Convention Center has hosted thousands of events. The City of Sioux City has said the new space will help market the facility and draw additional events, resulting in additional hotel/motel and sales taxes. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Irvin Brown began his life alone nearly 90 years ago, at an orphanage in Rhode Island. He was almost buried alone, too. After the Air Force veteran and retired postal worker died last week, he left behind a prearranged funeral but no known survivors -- he and Edna never had children, and his brother was already gone -- prompting the possibility of an empty chapel at Roper and Sons. That didnt seem right to Tom Roper. We know the veterans groups; they do not want to leave anybody behind, the funeral home president said. And we wanted to make sure that since there was a service, that there were people in attendance. So Roper and Sons put out a plea late last week, inviting everyone -- veterans, their clubs and organizations, even the general public -- to Browns services. And an estimated crowd of more than 200 people filled the funeral homes chapel near 40th and Pine Lake early Monday afternoon, spilling into the overflow room. Patriot Guard members in their leather vests. Gray-haired vets in their side caps. The young and the older. Even Browns nieces and nephews, who contacted Roper after the funeral home issued its invitation. Dozens more watched a livestream broadcast. Roper saw it coming. The great thing about the community we live in, everybody feels for an individual, whether they served in the military or not. The Lincoln community has always embraced someone who doesnt have family. They sang Amazing Grace. The Rev. Michael McCabe of St. Joseph Catholic Church sprinkled holy water on Browns flag-draped casket. What a great turnout for Irv, he said. Thank you so, so, so much. And then he introduced the room to Irvin Brown. Brown was born in 1932 in Providence, Rhode Island. He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1971 -- at nearly a dozen bases here and abroad, New York to Nebraska, Taiwan to Turkey -- before settling in Lincoln. He started working at the post office in 1972, at the counter and in the delivery truck, retiring in 1987. Hed married Edna in 1963 and lost her 22 years later. But he found a new family later in life after he moved to the Grand Lodge at the Preserve, McCabe said. His neighbors shared some of their memories with the priest, who shared them at the funeral. During Browns first few years there, before the trees were too tall, hed keep watch from a third-floor balcony, letting the other residents know when the mail had been delivered. Hed cut out comic strips from the newspaper, sharing them with the office and the reception desk. He made a special friend, and he looked forward to riding the elevator with her to check their mailboxes. He was kind of gruff at times, but he was a marshmallow inside. McCabe visited Brown just before he died, to give him the Lords blessings. The veteran was ready to go. Hed served his country, family and workplace for nearly 90 years. And Monday, they served him. He was loved, the priest told the crowd that had gathered to mourn a stranger. He was cared for in many, many, many ways. Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or psalter@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSPeterSalter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Ballotpedia tracks what it calls a personal gain index showing how much each member of Congress personal wealth has changed while in office. For the top 20, the average increase in net worth has been 422% per year. Data like that helps explain why regular Americans hold Congress in such low esteem, as they watch their supposed public servants seemingly benefiting personally from their positions. Bipartisan legislation in Congress to prohibit its members from buying and selling stocks while in office could help rebuild that trust. In January 2020, when most of America had no idea what the coronavirus would soon do to the economy, many members of Congress did, because they were getting privileged information from experts. Several of those members started dumping stock they owned this during a soaring stock market that most people didnt know was about to tank as the pandemic arrived. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., sold between $628,000 and $1.72 million worth, including hotel holdings that would subsequently lose value because of the lockdowns. Then-Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Georgia, sold off even more doomed stocks while picking up one for a tech company whose value would spike because of the coming necessity of teleconferencing for many more workers. The husband of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., sold at least $1.5 million worth of stock before the market plunged. The wife of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., bought stock in February 2020 in a pharmaceutical company that developed an antiviral treatment for the coronavirus, well before most regular Americans knew it would be needed. People are also reading Fairview Heights police: At least one person shot inside mall Messenger: Schools close, hospitals need help, while Missouri Gov. Parson, AG Schmitt ignore pandemic reality Take it back, man: Ballwin lawmaker calls on colleague to retract Chinese virus comments Family, friends of man killed by police in Wood River suspect suicide by cop They and others all denied wrongdoing, and the Justice Department has dropped its investigations of those and other transactions (though the Securities and Exchange Commission is still looking at Burrs case). But whether these were just happy coincidences for these lawmakers, or something more sinister, they looked awful and eroded public confidence in the honesty of Congress. A recent investigation by Business Insider found scores of members of Congress have violated a requirement to disclose stock trades within 45 days of the transaction. Worse, when the website sought comment from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (whose husband is a major stock trader), she dismissed the idea of requiring lawmakers to put their holdings in blind trusts while serving a response that angered reformers on both sides of the aisle and has reinvigorated efforts to pass such a requirement. Among the various pieces of legislation out there now are proposals from such disparate sources as Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Service in Congress is supposed to be just that service not a chance for the rich to get richer with games that might land them in jail if they were anyone else. Pelosi and other leaders in both parties should get behind these reforms and make them happen. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Why is AL.com columnist John Archibald warning that people stay away from Brookside, a small Alabama town just outside Birmingham? Simple: the police. Brookside has only one commercial building, a Dollar General, and is mostly known for its annual Russian Food Festival. But when Archibald started writing about the criminalization of poverty in this region, a number of sources kept pointing him up the interstate, and saying, Theres something going on over there. Thats when he started pulling Brooksides legal documents and realized that cops seemed to be bilking motorists along part of the nearby highway for cash. Like a lot of places with lower tax revenues, municipalities in Alabama need to get creative to raise money. And making money from pulling people over on the highway is not news. But the extent to which officers in Brookside go for revenue is on another level. On Tuesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Archibald about how easy its been for a single police department to turn a mile and a half of highway into an ATM, why no one stopped it along the way, and why people who dont live in Brookside should pay attention. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Harris: For people who dont live anywhere near Brookside, Alabama, why should they pay attention to whats happening in this small town? John Archibald: Brookside is an extreme example of a type of policing thats going on all over this country. Theres no greater way in which your rights can be infringed than by becoming prey to someone with a badge and a gun who simply sees you as a way to pay the bills. Ive covered a lot of communities like this that did the same sort of thing, but never quite on the same scale. Here, half the city budget coming from fines and forfeitures. Nobody can look at that and say thats the way government was designed to run. A state legislator years ago was ticketed twice for speeding. He had a law passed that said towns under 19,000 cannot issue speeding tickets on the interstate. But the police here get around it because they dont stop you for speeding: If your lights are too bright or your tag lights too dim, theyll pull you over. And if youre following someone too closely, or if youre driving too long in the left lane, they will pull you over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking at over the citys audits, the fines and fees were broken out. In 2018, Brookside had somewhere in the range of $80,000 in fines and forfeitures, which made up 14 percent of the city budget. The next year, it doubled. Then the year after that, it had grown 600 percent, so by 2020, it was 49 percent of the budget. Let me just back up and say that between 2011 and 2018the year when this change beganBrookside had reported a total of 55 crimes over that eight-year period. None of them were homicide or rape; if there were any robberies, there were just one or two. According to the towns own reporting, there was essentially zero serious crime in this town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time that theres barely any crime, these fines and fees are stacking up. Vehicle towing has gone up by more than a thousand percent: 1.7 tows for every household. Arrests have gone up too. By 2020, that meant more misdemeanor arrests than the town has residents. Its an extreme case where Brookside has 1,253 people and at least 10 full-time police officers along with several part-time officers. These cops line up along 1 miles of the interstate They will find any reason they can to pull you over and then theyll bring out their drug-sniffing dogs. Theyll keep the driver in their car for a while, talking to them, sniffing the car out, finding some reason to charge the operator, whether they find drugs or lack of insurance or whatever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you show up to court, because the municipal court is open only once a month, theres a line out the door of people who have been pulled over by the police and are there to figure out if theres some way out of it. What do you hear when you stand in that line? Outrage. Every story is an outrage. People say, I was ticketed for driving 2 miles per hour over the speed limit, or I was ticketed for running a stop sign that I didnt run, over and over and over again. During COVID, theyre not letting a lot of people in the courtroom. So the police direct court traffic into this field, and they make other people sit in the car while they call the people charged. The claim by a lot of those people is that while their family members are sitting in cars, the police line them up and then bring the drug-sniffing dogs out into the parking lot to sniff for more drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Its like double dipping. Exactly. And if you go in and agree to pay your money, the court has an ability to stack charges on people. Like, somebody was arrested for a small amount of marijuana, and the court charged him with the marijuana and with the rolling paper as paraphernalia that covered the joint or whatever. The bags are paraphernalia. A tray that may have once held marijuana is paraphernalia. In this particular case, the guy ended up having a $12,000 fine and a $6,000 appeal bond, which is insane for just a misdemeanor drug charge. Advertisement For a drug thats legal in a whole bunch of states. Right? And he had enough money to hire a lawyer who appealed. But if it goes to state court, they typically just dont show up. Advertisement The police department just doesnt show up? Right. If you put up a fight, its as if they dont pursue it because its just not in their profit plan. Theyll just take the loss, move on. Right. But if youre in city court, the M.O. is if you plead guilty, you pay, youre done. But the fee is going to be pretty outrageous. You can pay $5,000 for a series of minor traffic crimes. If you appeal, if you plead not guilty, theyll say, Well hear that later. Its a long, arduous process to fight one of these cases. Again, were not talking about serious crimes. I want to zoom in on the story of one person who was stopped because what happened to them seems so egregious to me on its face. Can you tell the story of what happened to Rev. Vincent Witt? Advertisement Vincent Witt, a Black Baptist preacher, was driving through Brookside with his wife and he had just bought a new black Cadillac. It still had paper tags on the back, from within a week of his purchase. He was pulled over and told it was because he had a paper tag and because there had been a reported stolen vehicle that maybe matched his cars description. Ive never seen information that documented that actually this was the case, but that was what was said. Witt is a chaplain for another tiny suburb in western Jefferson County and around Birmingham, and when he pulled out his license, there was a little badge noting his chaplain position. The officer ended up not giving the guy a ticket, but the reverend said, Why did you stop me? You just stopped everybody. Allegedly, the officer called him the N-word, told him to stay out of Brookside, and walked off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That wasnt the end of Witts ordeal with the Brookside PD. He called up the department to complain about the way he was treated. Even though he didnt end up filing a formal report, officers seem to have taken note. Witts sister was the first one to notice what happened next. A friend sent her a link to a website called Crime Stoppers. Thats where she and her brother were both listedas fugitives. This goes so far beyond a traffic stop. Right? Its really frightening. Frankly, a lot of people have fear of something just like that. Charging people all these high fines and fees is not necessarily illegal. Ive had a couple of different legislators here who have said theyve decided they want to introduce bills to address that in the coming session. But the bottom line is when you choose not to fund your government through taxes, then your governments going to find ways to make that money up. Weve seen it here with all sorts of corruption. But when it happens with your police department, it becomes something else entirely. Advertisement I know you spoke to the chief of police, and I was struck by his story because when he was hired, he was the only full time police officer. In the ensuing years, hes hired additional full-time officers. How does the police officerper-resident ratio in Brookside compare with other places? Based on his deposition, it would have been one officer for every 144 peopleway more than the national average, which would be one for every 588 people. Its dramatic in a town that did not report any crime for a long time. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 How to Do It, Slates sex advice column, now has its very own podcast featuring Stoya and Rich. Twice a week, theyll tackle their most eye-popping questions yet in short, fun, informative episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now wherever you listen. This episode transcript is available exclusively to Slate Plus members. Join todayyour first month is only $1. Dear How to Do It, Im a 35-year-old heterosexual man whos into BDSM. When looking at prospective play partners, there is one thing that so many of them say that just instantly rules them out. Specifically, one of the things I ask about are hard and soft limits. Ive long since lost track of the number of times a woman Im talking to gets this almost exalted look on her face and says something like, I dont have limits. Do anything you want to me. On one hand, its useful for screening them out. But on the other hand, its profoundly troubling that people like this exist and go to munches. Where do they come from? And how can I get better at spotting and avoiding them? Not Sorry I Asked Rich: I mean, its troubling that people like this existwhat are you going to do, exterminate them? People like this exist. So what? Its a little harsh. Stoya: Well, I was thinking you might use the Socratic method to help people think through that, right? Rather than being like, Oh my God! You get away from me, you could be like, Wow, thats really brave. Can I ask why youre so open to a stranger that you dont have limits? Do you perhaps have boundaries rarely? Why do you have no boundaries or limits? They could help a person think about, oh, is this actually how I want to be? I think the writer and I differ in that, if this is actually how the person really wants to be, theyre an adult, thats their choice. And while Im not personally comfortable engaging in anything complicated or emotionally intense with a person who doesnt have limits or boundaries, thats a valid way of doing things. Rich: Also, another way to look at somebody without limits or boundaries is that then you can create them. Theyre putting it in your hands, which A) allows you to explore whatever you want to, apparently, because they seem game, and B) would not require you to go anywhere outside of your comfort zone if theyre giving that to you. I would suspect that these people do have limits. I would suspect that actual violence enacted on their bodies in a way that might cause lasting injury probably isnt something that these people want. I think if someone said I have no limits and you said, Okay, can I cut off your arm? Theyd say No. I would assume, maybe not! But I would assume that I dont have limits, it kind of comes with an agreement within certain limits. Stoya: Only within some reason. Rich: Exactly. Stoya: I think thats absolutely the case. And I think if he sticks around for a few minutes and talks to these people, hell realize its the case. Im assuming that these people are new to BDSM, and I think theres a chance that theyll realize like, Oh, I do have certain limits and I do need to state those, because sexuality is so diverse and vast that theres no predicting what a person might fantasize about and want to enact. However, you get into the tyranny of words and the impossibility of predicting everything. Asking someone to provide an exhaustive list of things that will not be done to them and considering anything not explicitly on the list as free game is hugely problematic. Get the How to Do It Newsletter Sex advice from Rich and Stoya, plus exclusive letter follow-ups, delivered weekly. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Rich: Totally. There has been this discourse in the past year, thereve been multiple books about this, that have probed to the idea of consent as being the be-all, end-all of ethical sexuality. Obviously consent is very important, but what about people who dont know what they want? Who cant articulate themselves, or want to feel their way through sex as a way of exploring and attaining pleasure? That all seems okay with me, as long as they have a responsible partner whos not going to take advantage of that, but instead honor it. It is really important to communicate. You know, I am nothing if not verbose; I communicate to an annoying degree. So I understand this, but at the same time, you got to let people have their vibe and figure out how they want to communicate. I think what you said about maybe these people being new is really important to think about, because if theyre new, then they have to learn the language. And the only way that you get to learn a language is by practicing it. So, what I dont like is this impulse that I see a lot on social media, but just in general, someone says the wrong thing, whatever that is, and then theyre immediately shut down. That leaves no room for growth, for understanding, for them to even to be able to explain why. Stoya: Its up to the letter writer if they want to contribute to the good of the social group around the munches and help these people who are responding this way to grow into people that he does want as sexual partners, or if hed rather just avoid them. And if thats the case, dont go to munches, man. Munches is where we send the people who are curious about BDSM. That is newbie territory. Rich: Yeah. And I think he has the right idea in one respect, which is, if youre going to be so judgmental, then you can take that which offends your sensibilities as data: Okay, you said this; I dont like that. Youre screened out. Thats it. More How to Do It I am a cis woman who has been dating a cis man for several months. He is very sweet and respectful. We love each other and have great communication in general. When we started talking about what we like in bed, he revealed that he enjoys some consensual BDSM activities, like slapping his partner. I told him I dont enjoy pain sexually. He said he really loves having sex with me without that element and that he doesnt need it to be sexually fulfilled. So far, that all seems to be true. A problem arose when we had sex with me on top. The last two years were by far the deadliest inside jails and prisons on record. And as President Joe Bidens second year in office begins, a sobering reality has already become apparent: Under his administration, rather than movement toward the end of a system of over-incarceration, we are instead witnessing the beginning of a new prison boom. At the start of the pandemic, public health experts hoped for a very different policy outcome as we sounded alarms that the U.S. prison system, the largest in the world, posed a major threat to national public health. We correctly anticipated that if ambitious changes were not immediately implemented, our jails and prisons would operate as epidemic engines fueling the spread of disease that would infect millions and kill at least tens of thousands of people nationwide. Crowded carceral settings were already well known from past epidemics to function like Petri dishes for the incubation and communitywide dissemination of infectious diseases. It was thus no surprise that by September 2021, jails and prisons constituted 90 of the top 100 epidemic hot spots in America and were spreading COVID-19 well beyond their walls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Prison doctors, researchers, and activists saw a critical needand an unprecedented opportunity: Could we finally make the American public understand that protecting public health and safety requires we end mass incarceration now, not in some always-deferred future? We hoped that appealing to peoples own self-interest in an urgent pandemic context might allow us to make more headway toward large-scale decarceration than had decades of appeals to morality, anti-racism, criminological evidence, and human rights. With this goal, we threw ourselves into nonstop work analyzing data, supporting legal advocacy, and testifying before officials while issuing call after call for immediate decarceration. Those desperate appeals largely fell on deaf ears. Rather than investing in decarceration and reentry programs to protect the public as recommended by the nations leading health and safety experts, several states and cities have allocated federal money from the CARES Act to already-bloated police departments and to the construction of yet more jails and prisons. When petitioned to ban such misuse of these funds that were meant to provide support to struggling Americans, Biden declined to do so. Instead, in an effort to score partisan points in myopic tough on crime competitions with the likes of Tom Cotton, Biden has chosen to explicitly endorse the allocation of federal COVID relief funds for punishment rather than support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just last week in his address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Biden again made his position very clear when he told his audience, We shouldnt be cutting funding for police departments. I proposed increasing funding. Reflecting this calculated political stance, in addition to earmarking $651 million in his 2022 budget to boost local police hiring, the Biden administration has repeatedly encouraged state and local governments to use the $350 billion in discretionary funds given to them by the American Rescue Plan to expand police budgets. Indeed, both Biden and his spokespeople have proudly touted his signature COVID relief bill as a major stimulus for policing in a national context already characterized by globally unparalleled police spending. Advertisement Advertisement Given Bidens long career of misleading conflations of punishment with public safety, his campaign promises to cut the federal prison population by over half were encouraging. Unfortunately, theyve so far proved to be hollow. During his administration, the federal prison population has grown for the first time in a decade, reversing the marginal gains made under President Donald Trump. So too has the number of people held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, which has increased by 70 percent since Biden took office. At the state level, many systems have seen pandemic-era reductions to their prison populations. But these have almost all been due to haphazard logistical logjams on the front end (e.g., court closures, sentencing delays, jail-to-prison transfer stoppages, etc.) that have slowed new admissions rather than due to releases tied to decarceration policies. As a result, when pandemic-related disruptions to normal proceedings abate, prison populations will likely rise as the large backlog of pending admissions is processed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Refusing to decarcerate and now increasing spending on policing that will drive the shuttling of even more Americans into jails and prisons is especially perverse given the recent attention paid to the worsening conditions of confinement and the mistreatment of the incarcerated. Alongside historic protests against police brutality, the last two years featured more media coverage of horrific, unconstitutional conditions inside jails and prisons than seen since the prison uprising at Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York 50 years ago. From spectacular cruelty at New Yorks Rikers Island and abhorrent abuse at Houstons Harris County Jail to deadly conditions in prison systems in Texas, Alabama, Florida, or Georgia, portraits of the brutality behind bars provoked near-universal condemnation. But in the short-lived ascent of these stories to the forefront of news cycles, each was treated by lawmakers as a one-off shock to Americas moral sensibilities rather than as a systemic problem requiring a systematic solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the long and ongoing history of abuse of incarcerated people makes plain is that it is the intrinsic conditions of incarceration themselves that harm the health and safety of incarcerated people, staff, and the public writ large. Even before COVID-19, researchers showed that incarceration is cutting millions of lives short, estimating that the number of years that incarceration continues to take from people even after they have served their time ranges from two years for each year spent locked up to about five years of life expectancy lost by age 45 alone. These harms also extend to family members of incarcerated people, who face a 2.6-year shorter life expectancy relative to peers who have not experienced their siblings, children, fathers, or mothers taken away from them by the American legal system. And, as recent studies have underlined, the health of entire communities ultimately suffers as a result of Americas high incarceration rates. Advertisement Advertisement Incarceration, which abundant data show does not in fact prevent crime or improve collective safety, increases county-level deaths from both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. For people who have been held in facilities with extremely poor health care, incarceration exacerbates chronic diseases, which in turn affects their families and neighborhoods by fueling communitywide spread of infectious diseases like influenza, HIV, and hepatitis C. This dynamic exacerbates racial and class inequalities that ultimately impose an enormous life tax on Americas most dispossessed residents. When one in three Black men are locked up during their lifetimes, men across all races face an 11 percent lifetime chance of incarceration, and over 70 million people live with criminal records, the scale of harm caused by Americas punishment system is difficult to overstate. Advertisement The COVID-19 pandemic has turned this slow violence into an acute disaster for everyone. Millions of Americans have been sickened with COVID-19 due to jail- and prison-driven spread. A large number of the approximately 875,000 Americans who have died so far from the coronavirus would still be alive today had lawmakers followed evidence to decarcerate. It should now be obvious that, regardless of whether you care about human rights or racial justice, mass incarceration is fundamentally incompatible with national public health, public safety, and pandemic preparedness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does not have to be this way. Lawmakers must enact ambitious changes rather than retreat into empty calls for reform that surreptitiously defer what America clearly needs: large-scale, safe decarceration measures coupled with well-funded reentry support systems. Congress must confront the utter absurdity of spending at least $277 billion of taxpayer dollars on policing and prison each year and $768 billion for militaristic fantasies of national security while the nations security is being ravaged by grossly deficient investments in health and welfare systems that are far more deadly than any war in American history. And while we push our representatives to pass responsible legislation, we must also demand that Americas officialsfrom Biden and state governors to judges, prosecutors, mayors, sheriffs, and parole boardsuse their already-existing powers to release the hundreds of thousands of people whose continued confinement serves no plausible public safety rationale. Advertisement Biden must also take immediate action to reduce the federal prison population. He has so far refused to grant a single clemency petition from among the 18,492 sitting on his desk. During an ongoing pandemic conjoined with an intensifying operational crisis inside U.S. prisons, mass clemency should be the first step of many toward a decarceral agenda that could stillif hes bold enough to seize the opportunitydefine Bidens presidency. To turn our historic period of suffering into impetus for real change, Biden and the Democratic Party he guides must stop paying lip service to change while in practice doubling down on failed punishment policy. If he refuses to do so, Biden will continue to preside over a burgeoning prison boom and will prove that his long legacy as a committed advocate of tough on crime politics is alive and well, even if thousands of Americans die because of it. On Monday, the nations most powerful policymaking body signaled that it will soon decide the fate of race-conscious admissions policies in higher education. The nearly guaranteed outcome, a ban on affirmative action in colleges and universities, will reverse 44 years of precedent, affect thousands of schools across the country, and upend the admissions process for millions of students. This new policy will not be enacted by elected representatives in Congress, or the president, or state legislatures. It will, instead, be imposed by six justices of the Supreme Courtpolicymakers whom no one elected and no one can vote out. Advertisement The impending demise of affirmative action therefore marks yet another triumph of the GOPs current approach to lawmaking. Republicans need no longer pass their agenda through the lengthy and burdensome democratic process. Now that they have captured the federal judiciary, they can sit back as the robed members of their caucus transform the party platform into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld race-conscious admissions under both the Civil Rights Act and the Constitution. In 1978, 2003, and 2016, a majority approved affirmative action programs at both state and private schools. The court held that these schools have a compelling interest in promoting the educational benefits that flow from student body diversity. At the same time, it subjected affirmative action programs to strict scrutiny, requiring that they be narrowly tailored to achieve that goal. Racial quotas are strictly forbidden, and schools must undertake a holistic review of each applicant. Moreover, SCOTUS allowed states to prohibit any consideration of race in admissions. Advertisement Advertisement But the conservative legal movement has never been content to let the people determine the fate of affirmative action. Its attorneys have long asked the federal courts to issue a blanket ban on the practice, asserting that it violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act as well as the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. The leader of this campaign is Ed Blum, a Republican activist who orchestrates legal challenges to race-conscious admissions policies (as well as the Voting Rights Act). Blum has worked alongside a network of conservative attorneysincluding William Consovoy, former counsel to Donald Trump and proponent of voter suppression lawsto tee up another Supreme Court case. His group, Students for Fair Admissions, claimed to represent Asian Americans students who allegedly faced discrimination from race-conscious admissions programs at the University of North Carolina and Harvard. Advertisement Republicans have long railed against activist judges. Now their party relies on large-scale judicial activism. Why does Blum think hell succeed with Asian American plaintiffs in 2022 when he failed with the notorious Abigail Fisher in 2016? Its not really about the new litigants, of courseits about the new Supreme Court. Two justices who supported affirmative action, Anthony Kennedy and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, have been replaced by hardline conservatives Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. There are clearly six votes to outlaw the policy, even though there is strong evidence that doing so will fly in the face of the 14th Amendments original meaning. (The courts self-proclaimed originalists have long suspended originalism in this area.) Advertisement Advertisement For as long as GOP lawyers have sought to eradicate affirmative action through federal courts, opponents of the policy have pushed for bans through the democratic process, as well. Nine states have banned the practice by legislation, ballot initiative, or executive action; these moves resulted in staggering decline in the share of underrepresented racial minorities enrolled in higher education. Republican lawmakers have introduced federal legislation and even a constitutional amendment to forbid race-conscious admissions. But the dream of a nationwide prohibition has floundereduntil now. Not because Republicans won enough votes in Congress or persuaded enough states to enact a ban, but because they installed enough conservative judges to make this dream a reality by judicial diktat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This same story has played out time and again over the last few years. The GOP has outsourced large chunks of its agenda to the courts, whichsuddenly infused with Trumps nomineesare eager to oblige. Republicans couldnt hobble public sector unions in blue and purple states, so they asked SCOTUS to do it. Republicans couldnt convince Congress to create a nationwide right to concealed carry, so they asked SCOTUS to do it. Republicans couldnt force states to legalize discrimination against LGBTQ people, so they asked SCOTUS to do it. Republicans couldnt secure legislative repeal of campaign finance restrictions, so they asked SCOTUS to do it. Republicans couldnt stop the president from issuing vaccine policies, so they asked SCOTUS to do it. Republicans couldnt compel states to fund religious education, so they asked SCOTUS to do it. Republicans couldnt pass a bill to eviscerate the Voting Rights Act, so they asked SCOTUS to do it. The list goes on; it will only grow longer. And these days, SCOTUS almost always says yes. Advertisement Undoubtedly, both parties rely on the courts to further their interests to some degree. Most famously, Democrats have long depended on the federal judiciary to safeguard reproductive rights (a strategy poised to fail spectacularly). But in recent years, Republican politicians have grown far more reliant on courts to accomplish their policy goals. Advertisement Advertisement Why? One likely reason is that many of these policies are wildly unpopular. For instance, Americans support basic gun safety measures, like bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, by huge majorities. GOP lawmakers know they cant defeat all of these laws, so theyve handed off the job to their judges, who will never bear the consequences of their own decisions. The same is true of campaign finance limits, which are wildly popular among the American public yet dead on arrival at the Supreme Court. Another, more obvious reason is that Trump appointed 234 federal judges, including one-third of SCOTUS. It is suddenly very easy to win a nationwide injunction against any policy that a Republican attorney general dislikes. Advertisement This approach might not be so galling were it not for two hypocrisies at its heart. First, Republicans have long railed against activist judges who supplant the role of Congress and state legislatures. Yet their party now relies on large-scale judicial activism to achieve its aims, specifically because it cant win these battles in Congress and state legislatures. Second, the GOP has elevated the Senate filibuster as a sacred guardian of democracy, but it does not apply to judges. (Democrats repealed the filibuster for lower court judges in 2013; Republicans repealed the filibuster for Supreme Court judges in 2017.) As a result, the Senate can confirm judges with 50 votes, but can only enact most legislation with 60 votes. This disparity consistently favors Republicans, who have prioritized aggressively ideological and brazenly partisan judges. For proof, look at what happened just last week: Senate Democrats failed to overcome a GOP filibuster of two voting rights billslegislation that was necessary in large part because the Supreme Court gutted laws on the books. Any hope of limiting the GOPs agenda has evaporated. In the early months of Barretts tenure as a justice, it looked like she and Kavanaugh might join with Roberts to tap the brakes on the conservative revolution. At a minimum, it seemed that three conservative justices wanted to proceed cautiously for fear of dashing their own legitimacy. But the courts addition of affirmative action to its extensive hit list is only the latest evidence that as democracy breaks down, its juristocracy is gladly seizing the reins of power. There are times when history seems to be unfolding before our eyes, in slow motion. The events surrounding Ukraine sure feel like one of those times. Its not hard to imagine, years from now, reading a chronicle that briskly summarizes the moves and countermoves made at the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 that led to well, thats what makes interesting times, as the Chinese define them, so perilously nail-biting: Those of us watching now dont know how the story ends. As is often the case with crises whose causes and outcomes seem so clear and simple in history books, we dont even know what the intentions and interests of the main actors are. By some accounts, the main actors themselves dont quite know either. Does Russian President Vladimir Putin really want to invade Ukraine, or is he using the threat of invasion as a way of exerting political pressure? What will he do if he doesnt get his way? How far will the U.S. and NATO go to stop him if he follows through on his threat? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The standoff, which has gone on for two months (or, depending on how you measure, much longer than that), has intensified in the past week, as the pace of moves and countermovesboth diplomatic and militaryhas accelerated. Its worth analyzing what these moves mean, or could mean, to help gain an understanding of how close we are to war or to peace, or at least to gauge which way the signs are pointing. The U.S. has put 8,500 troops on high alert to be sent to Eastern Europe as part of a NATO response force. One thing is clear: This does not mean that those 8,500 troops are being sent to fight Russian troops in case of an invasion; nor are any of those troops being sent to Ukraine. President Joe Biden and other leaders of NATO nations have talked about imposing severe political and economic measures if Russia invades Ukraine. They are sending Ukraine more anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, and have hinted at helping Ukraines army and civilian resistance fighters fend off the Russians. But they have made very clear that they will not send U.S. or NATO troops to fight in a Russia-Ukraine war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those 8,500 U.S. troops are meant to shore up NATOs eastern flank, especially in Poland and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuaniasmall countries, whose people get very nervous about their proximity to Russia, especially when the ruler in the Kremlin behaves aggressively. Other core NATO members are taking similar actions of reassurance: France is sending troops to Romania; Denmark and the Netherlands are sending jet fighters to Lithuania and Bulgaria; Spain is sending a frigate to the Black Sea. These steps are also meant to send a message to Putin. One of his strategic goals in the past five years has been to drive wedges between the United States and its European allies. One of his demands, in the ongoing Ukraine crisis, is that the U.S. reduce its military presence in Eastern European countries that were under Moscows control during the Cold War. By sending more troops, jets, and warships to their more vulnerable allies, the U.S. and these other countries are telling Putin that NATO is unified, and that his moves on Ukraine have only strengthened the alliance. In that sense, these troops might help deter Putin from acting on his threats, as doing so would likely tighten the bonds even furtherthe exact opposite of what he hopes to see happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, if Putin really does view the U.S. presence in Eastern Europe and its budding military infrastructure in Ukraine as a threat, he may see this buildup as a pretense for intensifying the danger. If he ultimately intends to invade Ukraine, he may accelerate his timetable before these extra troops arrive. Whats important here is whether Putin genuinely views these activities as a threatnot whether hes right or wrong in doing so. The U.S. is evacuating the families of its diplomats in Ukraine. Britain, Germany, and Australia are ordering reductions in their embassy staffs in Kyiv. Russian and Ukrainian officials are protesting this move as premature and unnecessary. Pulling citizens out of embassies is the sort of thing that political leaders do when they think a war is about to break out in a foreign country. The risk is that it could amount to a self-fulfilling prophecy: heightened preparations for war might trigger a spiral of escalation on all sides. Russian officials have derided the U.S. move, insisting that they have no intention to invade. Advertisement Advertisement Oddly, Ukrainian officials have also protested the move. Perhaps they fear that if Biden thinks war is imminent, he might be more prone to make an excessively compromising peace deal with Putin. Or perhaps they fear that the departure of diplomats or their families would signal a slackening American commitment. A source supposedly close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told BuzzFeed on Monday that Zelensky does not think theres any remotely imminent threat to Kyiv, adding, Quite frankly these Americans are safer in Kyiv than they are in Los Angeles or any other crime-ridden city in the U.S. Advertisement The statement is both confusing and annoying. Its confusing because, since November, it has been top Ukrainian officials who have sounded the alarms about an imminent Russian invasion. Now Zelensky is urging calm (i.e., urging all Americans to stay put)? Its annoying for well, the obvious reasons. The U.S. is doubling arms exports to Ukraine, urging the allies to step up their efforts, devoting nearly all of its diplomatic assets to barring the Russian bear from Kyivs doorand Zelensky, whose country doesnt meet NATOs minimum standards for building democracy or combating corruption, chooses this moment to diss American cities whose taxpayers are keeping him afloat? Zelensky is on the side of right in this fight. But its not a good look for a guy who wants us, and the rest of the Western world, to bail him out still more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany refused to let Estonia export its Germany-made weapons to Ukraineand also refused to let British planes, which were carrying arms for Ukraine, fly through German airspace. Biden hails the unanimous stand that all 30 NATO nations have taken to condemn and counter Russian aggression against Ukraine, but some kinks are emerging as the crisis gets hairier. Germany is NATOs largest European ally but also its most skittish about getting snared into wars, for understandable reasons: historical (its own militaristic past) and economic (its dependence on Russian energy supplies). Advertisement Advertisement Germany is not the only country that Bidens diplomats are keeping an eye on. France is committed to Ukraines independence, but it spent 40 years as a member of NATO that stayed outside of its military structure. Lately, French President Emmanuel Macronwith impeccable timing for attracting attentionhas been renewing his push, which he began during the Trump years, for a European security pact outside NATO altogether. Advertisement However, these dissensions should not be overstated. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has taken several steps to assert his countrys post-Brexit status as a great power and stalwart U.S. ally (and who has the further motive of trying to distract attention from a grave political crisis), has been sending more defensive arms to Ukraine. NATOs Eastern European members, who have memories of living under Russian dominance, are committed to the cause, as are the alliances other smaller countries. As a bonus, Sweden and Finland, Russian neighbors that are Western but whose leaders have stayed militarily neutral, are now expressing interest in joining NATOfor their own securityif Putin invades Ukraine. It is true that allies can buckle as a crisis turns to war and the call comes to translate general principles into specific actions. Biden hinted at this when he said at his recent news conference that, while Russia will suffer severe costs if Putin launches a major invasion of Ukraine, there are differences within NATO about what countries are willing to do if he mounted a minor incursion. Biden committed a serious blunder in saying this out loud in public (he and his diplomats had to backpedal and say that any further crossing of Ukraines border would be major), but he also spoke a truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All these mixed messages and the natural tendency for alliances to splinter make Biden and his diplomats all the more eager to reach some kind of peaceful deal with Moscow soon. Its also why Zelensky fears the compromises that might be made in a deal struck too soon. For the moment, though, NATOs members are speaking and acting in greater unity than Putin probably expected. He must have hopedprobably calculatedthat his troop buildup would split the alliance from the get-go, allowing him to dictate terms to Kyiv with little resistance. That hasnt happened. Some are calling for sanctions now. Zelensky has called for sanctions now, as have a number of Republican legislators. It is a really stupid idea. Biden and the other NATO leaders are threatening to hit Putin with severe sanctions as a way of deterring him from invading. If Putin is inclined to invade, and if he were hit with sanctions now, he would have no reason to restrain himself. He could absorb the painwhich would fall far short of preventing him from taking military actionand proceed to invade. Advertisement Meanwhile, its still unclear what Putin ultimately wants. This is the big question. And nobody knows the answer. (Some Russian analysts think that even Putin doesnt know.) Therefore Biden doesnt know how to deal with the problem. If Putin really wants a legal document barring NATOs expansion further eastward forever, that wont happen. If he could be mollified by a statement that Ukraine wont join NATO for, say, at least another 10 years (not because Putin demands it but because Ukraine isnt qualified to join), something could be worked out. If agreements could be struck to reduce military deployments in Eastern Europe and on the Russian-Ukraine border, to ban nuclear missiles in certain areas, to make military exercises more transparentin short, to relax tensions, reduce the chance of sudden war, and reassure the most paranoid perceptions of threatssomething could be worked out. Meanwhile, were all stuck in a long reel that could someday be fodder for the History Channel. Its not a comforting feeling. Virginias new governor, Glenn Youngkin, is just a week into his term, but already he has reminded the nation what the first weeks of the Trump administration looked like: chaos. On his first day in office, Youngkin issued an executive order granting parents of the commonwealths 1.5 million schoolchildren the ability to exempt their kids from their school districts mask policies if they so choose. Immediately after the order was signed, several superintendents announced plans to keep their mask requirements. Virginias lieutenant governor announced that Youngkin could pull funding from any district refusing to comply, although nobody could say whether that was legal. Parents sued to reverse the order, and then seven school boards filed a lawsuit claiming the masks-optional policy violates both the Virginia Constitution, which provides that the supervision of schools in each school division shall be vested in a school board, and a 2021 state law that requires school systems to follow federal health guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends all students, K12, wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, a Virginia mom was charged in Page County with threatening to bring every single gun loaded to her kids school on Monday. (She apologized, claiming that she was speaking of metaphorical firearms.) That district ramped up security measures on Monday morning, a day when the chaos spilled out across the state: There were dueling rallies between anti-mask parents and school boards demanding compliance. In Loudoun County, students refusing to wear masks were directed to school auditoriums where they did virtual work online. Some parents pulled their kids from school. Creators of the website Mask Off Monday instructed parents to send kids to school prepared to defy the school guidance with these instructions: You may feel the need to explain your mask issues further. Resist that feeling. When it comes to the law, explanation is weakness. The site goes on to explain: Its time to get back to normal life, and the time to push is right now. Fear has ruled our lives for far too long. No health authority will give you the all clear after all of the new power they have seized and wielded. You must turn off the television, and take it for yourself. Advertisement Advertisement Welcome to hell. Advertisement Theres no point debating who in the complicated mess of parents, schools, local school boards, states, or federal agencies should have the last word on public health measures in a peaking pandemic. That complicated legal question, which will presumably be resolved in the courts, has been temporarily obviated by the choice to say that the wearing of masks is an exigent denial of individual liberty, akin to the wearing of yellow stars in Nazi Germany, and the governors decision to empower parents to therefore refuse it. Youngkin, who ran as a moderate, entered office with a ban on the teaching of critical race theory (which is not currently taught in K12 schools in Virginia) and other divisive topics. Youngkins attorney general has just reversed the states position on Roe v. Wade, arguing for it to be overturned this spring at the Supreme Court. This past weekend the AG also fired UVAs counsel, who was on leave working as the top investigator for the U.S. House panel investigating the Jan. 6 riotinsisting this was not a politically motivated act but not offering any other reason for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Bill Scher notes here, Youngkin changed his tune on mask mandates only after winning his election (by a 50.6 margin). As recently as last fall, his campaign told the Washington Post that Youngkin would not go quite as far as DeSantis, and that as governor, Youngkin would leave the policy decision about masks up to local school districts and strongly encourage them to let individual parents decide. Immediately after his election, Youngkin told WRIC-TV, Localities are going to have to make decisions the way the law works. As of September, when COVID numbers were about a sixth of what they are today, a Washington Post poll found that 69 percent of Virginias registered voters were in favor of the mandate while Monmouth University reported 67 percent support. Thats actually pretty impressive consensus as measured in 2022 units. One can see why it would become essential to show leadership by opposing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After big-footing his way into a crisis, on Saturday, Youngkin tried to tweet his way out of it with vague platitudes that ultimately contradicted themselves and only added to the confusion: While the legal process continues on the parental opt out of mask mandates for their children in schools, I urge everyone to love your neighbor, to listen to school principals, and to trust the legal process. Except listen to your principal ends up sounding quite a bit like listen to your principal for now, particularly when it is paired with trust the legal process. Youngkin made that subtext text when he said, on a Richmond radio broadcast Monday morning, that parents should, Listen to a principal today. And I know that there are some school systems that are doing things that are inconsistent with respecting the rights of parents. Lets respect it right now and let this legal process play out. Having seeded the conflict himself, Youngkin now insisted that This is not a moment for us to forget that were all in the same boat and love one another. Advertisement Advertisement The problem here is that Youngkin got the order wrong. He was supposed to start with love and respect for school principals, and then build up to rancor and division and threats of violenceits so much harder to go in the other direction, as hes tried to do. Bottling up the outrage after the gun-waving phase proves difficultask Donald Trump. By the time parents are marching their kids into schools with copies of a hastily crafted executive order and the directive to refuse to listen to anyone in authority, love your neighbor is a fossilized relic of a forgotten time. Pundits are asking whether Youngkin is naive or simply fanning the flames, but honestly, it doesnt much matter. Just as Donald Trump opted to enter office in a flurry of half-baked, half-legal orders and tweets, Youngkin decided that leadership and healing demand empowering parents to become a law unto themselves, then walking all that back after the damage is done. Advertisement Im hardly the first to worry that states racing to enact ever more insane incursions on educational freedom and a teachers right to speak and book bans are destined to end in reprisals and mass resignations and bounty schemes and threats of violence. At this point, I must assume that such vigilantism is the point. Parents are frayed and starved for leadership. Some leaders have realized that the inflaming of tensions around masks garners votes. The problem is it also destabilizes government authority. Youngkin didnt just turn student against student, parent against parent, or pit principals against educators and states against federal rules with the stroke of a pen the day he was sworn in. He personally modeled contempt for authorityhe encouraged it and rewarded it. He did so in the full knowledge that he was essentially deputizing furious parents to follow only the kinds of laws they liked and conscripting their kids into participating. Here is an excerpt, from reporters around the state, tracking how all that went: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loudoun County mother Heather Jermacams said her daughter was moved into a separate classroom after she didnt wear a mask. Video shows Jermacams shouting into a phone, refusing to pick up her daughter. No, I am not picking my child up. She has an IEP, and I will call my lawyer next. She has an IEP and needs to be in her classroom. Do you understand me? she said. Across Loudoun County Public Schools, about 60 students refused to wear masks on Monday, the district said. Most were at Woodgrove High School, where parents confronted the principal and demanded to know the plan for educating students who werent wearing masks. Please, we will make sure that to the extent that we possibly can, given the circumstances, they have everything they need, the principal said. Clint and Erin Thomas said their two daughters at Woodgrove High sat in an auditorium without a teacher for most of the morning. They didnt have a plan to actually have these kids start school on time, Clint Thomas said. These kids are asking, I have a test today. Whats going on? The teachers didnt have the test ready. Its just kind of chaotic. Parent Megan Rafalski was near tears when asked about her familys plan for the next day. I have been asked that several times and it has been its been a really hard day, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The author of this hard day? Not the courts, not the school districts, not the principals, and not these children or their parents. The author was the guy who signed a nonsensical order without thinking through the repercussions. The best way to ensure public contempt for every level of government is by pitting various parts of it against one another, dumping it all on the courts to resolve, and then telling a million parents to do whatever they want in the interim (just do it with love). It hardly matters what a court says at this junctureparents have been told to defy any authority but their own. Teaching just became significantly harder in Virginia. And so did learning, if thats something they still care about. This article is part of the Free Speech Project , a collaboration between Future Tense and the Tech, Law, & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law that examines the ways technology is influencing how we think about speech. This article originally appeared on Zocalo Public Square. This was no ordinary internet blackout. For five days, the ninth largest country in the world was a black box. On the evening of Jan. 5, we set our respective alarms for 5:30 a.m. We wanted to get the earliest possible updates from our colleagues in Kazakhstan, who had been chronicling three days of demonstrations as they spread from the western oil-producing city of Zhanaozen to other urban centers across the Central Asian nation. Early morning on the East Coast was already late afternoon in Kazakhstan, yet when we woke up, nothing seemed to have changed. Our friends Instagram stories were 12 hours old; the single checkmarks next to our WhatsApp and Telegram messages to activists and journalists we know signaled that they hadnt been delivered. A sinking feeling of worry set in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wed seen communication disruptions before. Kazakhstans authoritarian government frequently jams up the 3G network in cities where protests are planned and target-blocks social media platforms. (Even SoundCloud has been banned there since 2018.) But in June 2019, when some of the largest protests in the past decade followed the election of current president Kassym-Jomart Tokayeva former prime minister, state secretary, and chair of the senate who had been handpicked to replace Kazakhstans longtime dictator Nursultan Nazarbayevactivists and journalists wiggled around internet restrictions with virtual private networks to post Instagram stories, share updates on Telegram, and livestream mass detentions on Facebook within just a couple of hours. What made this blackout different was the deafening silence and the duration: We knew all but nothing of our friends and colleagues from the afternoon of Jan. 5 until the morning of Jan. 10. Advertisement Advertisement We had been following Kazakhstan even more closely than usual since Jan. 2, when several dozen drivers took to the streets of Zhanaozen to protest a steep jump in the price of liquified petroleum gas. But while fuel prices may have been the immediate trigger, the demands of what soon became countrywide protests reflect long-seated anger with corruption, economic inequality and stagnation, and lack of civil rights. Advertisement For 30 years, Kazakhstans political elite have hacked away at civil liberties and political opposition. Nazarbayev, who ruled Kazakhstan from its 1991 independence from the Soviet Union until 2019, outlawed most forms of political protest, gutted the independent media, and oversaw several rigged and opaque elections. Despite promises of stability and middle-class life in exchange for his authoritarianism, Nazarbayev and his allies lined their pockets with the countrys vast natural resource wealth and laundered it in the West, leaving ordinary citizens in the grips of economic stagnation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, many social scientists and regional analysts have argued that Kazakhstans supposedly apolitical population would never push back against the regime. A 2016 nationwide survey showed that young Kazakhstanis were not interested in engaging in politics, and a 2019 report by Central Asia analyst Daniyar Kosnazarov found rising engagement among millennials but pointed to socio-economic problems translating into political passivity. Those brave few who try to push back face retaliation. In 2011, security forces opened fire on oil workers in Zhanaozen who had been on strike for seven months demanding better working conditions. In 2016, when protesters gathered in the nearby oil hub of Atyrau to protest land reforms, veteran activist Maks Bokayev was jailed for five years and banned from further political organizing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite it all, Kazakhstanis rose up at the start of 2022and their country plunged into informational darkness. During the blackout, those of us who tried to make sense of what was happening had to rely largely on the reporting of mostly Russian news outlets, which had been given access to help the Kazakh government control the narrative surrounding the events. Foreign journalists were turned away at the border; the website of Vlast, one of Kazakhstans few independent media outlets, was inaccessible from abroad, though its reporters continued to post updates on the publications Twitter account, accessed through a patchy network of proxy servers. Early reports published in mainstream Western media largely cited statements from the presidents website, and even some Kazakhstani outlets were stuck linking to reporting done by Russian media. Advertisement This brief reliance on Russian mediaand on pure speculationopened up a Pandoras box of dis- and misinformation. Unconfirmed reports have suggested everything from the protests being co-opted by the members of Kazakhstans organized crime groups to the countrys elite evacuating the country in private planes. This is exactly what makes the blackouts such an effectiveand oppressivetool: By restricting the spread of information, the regime creates a dependence on its narrative of events while sowing confusion to mask its own use of force against citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Of course, Kazakhstan is no stranger to dis- and misinformation. Most media in the country are essentially megaphones for government propaganda. To defang the opposition and the shrinking independent media, the countrys regime has even created several pseudo-oppositional media channels such as Azattyq Ruhy, which mimics oppositional material but is actually pro-government. Advertisement Nonetheless, some basic facts about the past week are clear. Legitimate long-standing grievances prompted largely peaceful protests. But things turned violent in Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city and the site of the biggest protests, leading to the burning of city hall, hundreds of businesses looted, and at least 100 peopleincluding two childrendead. The rest requires educated guesswork. President Tokayev is seemingly struggling to manage multiple threats to his regimes survival: both from the protestors and from infighting among government officials vying for power. He has resorted to drastic measures in response to both threats, reshuffling the countrys security apparatus and building a false narrative around foreign terrorism. He marshalled this narrative to request troops from the Collective Security Treaty Organizationa military alliance between Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia that had never sent a peacekeeping mission in its 30-year history. On Jan. 6, 3,000 CSTO troopsinappropriately donning U.N. peacekeeper helmetsdescended on Almaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Jan. 7 speech, Tokayev doubled down on the terrorist narrative, conflating civil rights activists with terrorists and accusing both of undermining the countrys stability. In a now-deleted English-language Twitter thread, he promised no talks with the terrorists, we must kill them. As if just to make things more incoherent, during a Jan. 10 virtual meeting with other CSTO state leaders, Tokayev further alleged that the terrorists had broken into morgues to steal the bodies of their dead comrades, in order to leave no evidence of their involvement. Advertisement Advertisement The way that Kazakhstanis synthesize and interpret the trajectory of recent events will have important consequences for political reform advocates. As a political scientist and a journalist, were wondering about the macro-scale effects: Does this unrest signal a political opportunity for reform and democratization or harsher repression and dictatorship? How will civic movements navigate a traumatized public to continue to advocate for change? Advertisement Answers to these questions are important. But rampant misinformation and days-long internet blackouts carry different questions on a personal level. Did our friends who went to Almatys central Republic Square make it home safely? Have police shown up at their doors? Did my colleagues friend manage to find a ride to the hospital when she went into labor during curfew? We havent yet answered all of these questions, although most of our friends and colleagues seem to be safe; theyre relieved to have a few hours of internet access a day. In Almaty, ATMs are starting to work again, and clinics are offering to treat those who were injured during the unrest for free. But while the government has already assessed the economic damage of the protests, theres still no official information about how many people did not make it home. While Kazakhstan may no longer be a black box, transparency and political representation remain elusive. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Ross Ulbricht has been trying to keep busy. Currently incarcerated in a high-security federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, the man infamous for creating one of the internets shadiest marketplaces spends his days reading books about artificial intelligence and physics and writing essays about encryption and blockchain technology. He also meditates, teaches GED classes, and draws dreamlike sketches of his life in prison by pencil. Decades of incarceration stretch out in front of me, Ulbricht wrote in a November Medium post. As I face that future my eventual old age and death in this cage I find myself looking for meaning and purpose. Advertisement Ulbricht is currently serving two life sentences plus 40 years for founding and operating Silk Road, a dark web marketplace for drugs, fake drivers licenses, and other contraband. Silk Road was arguably the first major use case for cryptocurrency, as transactions were conducted with Bitcoin in order to make them harder to trace. Founded in 2011, the site amassed more than $200 million in total sales revenue before the FBI shut it down and arrested Ulbricht in 2013. Prosecutors alleged that at least six deaths were attributable to drugs sold through Silk Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ulbrichts family, friends, and fans within the cryptocurrency community have helmed a years-long campaign to free him, arguing that the sentence was incommensurate with the crime. Its just a horrendously excessive sentence for something where there was no violence involved, his mother, Lyn Ulbricht, told me recently. A few celebrities have even gotten behind the cause, such as Pussy Riot co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova. I ended up in jail for a non-violent crime myself. And I witnessed how peoples lives are being broken in the result of the war on drugs, she wrote over email. When I learnt about Ross, it was obvious to me that he does not deserve a double life time, its simply unjust. Despite the persistence of the campaign and the publicity its enjoyed, Ulbrichts case has hit a wall. In 2018, the Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal. Former President Donald Trump also reportedly considered pardoning Ulbricht in the last weeks of his term, but didnt follow through. Advertisement Advertisement As Ulbrichts path to freedom has narrowed, theres now a community of people who think that cryptocurrency, the technology that Ulbricht used to run the site that would land him in prison, could also be the key to finally getting him out. In December, thousands of people joined a Discord server to form the FreeRossDAO. A DAO, or decentralized autonomous organization, is a group that uses shares of cryptocurrency tokens to divide ownership and decision-making among the holders. As the notion of a crypto-powered Web3 has generated hype in recent months, DAOs have been popping up everywhere, for various purposes. Perhaps the most infamous was the ConstitutionDAO, which raised $47 million from 17,000 people late last year in an effort to win a copy of the U.S. Constitution at an auction, only to be narrowly outbid at the last second. Another group known as the SpiceDAO raised funds for a winning $3 million bid on a manuscript for filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowskys failed adaptation of Dune in November, though subsequent ambitions to make it into an animated series seem destined to fail due to the members evident misunderstanding of copyright law. Crypto evangelists say that DAOs obviate the need for centralized leadership and allow organizations to operate from the bottom up, with everyones input. On paper, it sounds like a powerful tool for egalitarian grassroots movements. But can a DAO really free a man from prison? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like ConstitutionDAO and SpiceDAO, the FreeRossDAO was created to buy an item at auctionnamely, a collection of Ulbrichts drawings. Ulbricht had been mailing drawings to his mother from prison over the years, and shed also been curating his work from childhood. I went through boxes that I had saved for years. He was very prolific as a child, Lyn said. She had been selling the art as posters on the campaigns website to raise funds, but one of Ulbrichts supporters soon reached out to recommend that he make an NFT for them. (NFTs are essentially one-of-a-kind tokens that function as certificates of ownership, often for virtual items like digital images, on the blockchain.) The NFT went up for auction at Art Basel Miami in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For people who couldnt just drop millions of dollars on an NFT, the FreeRossDAO was a way to combine funds with others. In exchange for donating to the DAO, contributors would receive a corresponding number of cryptocurrency tokens known as FREE, which function as voting shares for the organizations subsequent decisionslike what to do with the NFT or the excess funds. The FreeRossDAO ultimately raised $12.5 million and won the NFT for $6.2 million. The profits from the auction will go to paying the lawyers, political consultants, and PR representatives that the Ulbricht family hires, along with his efforts to support kids of incarcerated parents. To bring this to the forefront of peoples minds and to get support, theres all kinds of expenses involved, Lyn said. Some of the money is currently sitting in a donor-advised fund while Ulbrichts close contacts research charities that support the wellbeing of incarcerated individuals. Advertisement Advertisement So Step 1 succeeded: The RossDAO had successfully transferred $6 million to Ross Ulbrichts family to fund their cause. But what, exactly, was supposed to be Step 2? After the rush of excitement from winning the auction, the FreeRossDAO was in the awkward position of figuring out what to do next. The DAOs manifesto spells out three goals: 1. We will help Free Ross. 2. We will advance prison reform. 3. We will share Rosss work with the world and give everyone a unique opportunity to own a piece of it. At the moment, the DAO is trying to figure out exactly how it can continue trying to do all that. To be honest, we had a tremendous amount of momentum purchasing the NFT, and then the momentum slowed down a lot, said Rene Pinnell, one of Ulbrichts childhood friends who now serves as the operational lead for the DAO. The FreeRossDao is different from most in that theres a real humans life at stake, and we want to be very thoughtful and very careful with the actions that we take. Advertisement Advertisement To generate ideas for what to do with the $6 million that the DAO has left over, Pinnell and other administrators have been perusing the Discords chats and polling members for initiative ideas. There are working groupsa treasury, NFTs, media/marketing, operationsin which members draft proposals based on their specialties. These proposals then go through an approval process thats somewhat reminiscent of how a bill becomes a law. Pinnell first brings the proposal to an advisory council, consisting of Ulbrichts mother, fiance, lifelong friend, and lawyer. A nay vote from two or more of them results in a veto. Theyre really just there to make sure that we dont do anything reckless, because theyre the ones who know the case and know Ross better than anyone else, said Pinnell. If approved, the proposal goes up for a vote among the coin holders. Some of the upcoming proposals include funding a documentary series about Ulbricht, donating to criminal justice reform charities, and selling NFTs from the art of other prisoners. Both Pinnell and Lyn told me that they think Ulbrichts best shot at freedom is getting President Joe Biden to grant him clemency, so the DAO has mainly been considering initiatives that will raise awareness about his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with any governance system, certain vulnerabilities are immediately apparent in FreeRossDAO. For instance, members join for a variety of different reasons and may not necessarily be there with the intent of freeing Ulbricht. If you read the Discord chat, there do seem to be some members who are preoccupied with making a profit and obsess over the declining value of the FREE tokens, which are resellable. While DAOs are meant to be decentralized, sometimes an authority has to make executive decisions or guide the group to make sure it stays on track. One way Pinnell does that is by prioritizing proposals that are most in keeping with the goals of freeing Ulbricht and advancing prison reform. There are a lot of different stakeholders and a lot of different functions in the DAO, and its my job to balance those sometime competing concerns and focus the DAOs energy on proposals and actions that will help Ross, he said. Another vulnerability is the presence of whales, or people who have bought a huge share of the tokens and thus have outsized voting power. The DAO has seen its share of whales, and Pinnell thinks the issue might be solved with quadratic voting, which involves taking the square root of ones number of tokens in determining voting power. Advertisement Advertisement While it has some kinks to work out, the people I spoke to still maintain that a DAO is one of the most effective tools for freeing Ulbricht, especially compared to a tradition charity or activist group. Traditional charities, foundations, trusts, theyre not very easy to engage with. Theyre highly centralized and theres a board of directors that makes all the decisions, said Pinnell, who added that joining the DAO is easier than joining a charity because it just requires buying some FREE tokens or hopping on the Discord. Tolokonnikova, who is also part of the FreeRossDAO and helped set up its infrastructure, added that DAOs have proven to be more effective fundraising mechanisms. Theres a little chance to raise over $10 million in just a few days via more traditional resources, not saying its impossible, but less likely, she said. Advertisement Lyn admits that she doesnt totally understand cryptocurrency and blockchain, but shes been counting on the community in her fight to free her son. Ross is acknowledged by many, many people as a pioneer of the whole cryptocurrency movement, she said, though she adds that he advised her against buying Bitcoin back when it was cheap due to volatility. (Seeing how much the price has risen, she regrets not investing earlier on.) We have tremendous support from the cryptocurrency community, because they understand that his intentions were good and that we wanted to bring privacy and freedom of choice monetarily. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. ARCHIVED - Spain on yellow alert for frost and low temperatures: Monday January 24 Seventeen provinces in Spain have been issued with a weather warning, although a Filomena has been ruled out A total of 17 provinces in Spain will remain on yellow alert on Monday January 24 with temperatures as low as -8C forecast, according to State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). At dawn and first thing in the morning, extremely cold frosts are expected to hit the areas of Huesca, Teruel, Zaragoza, Avila, Burgos, Leon, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, Zamora, Guadalajara, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. In addition, Cadiz will be on yellow alert for coastal phenomena, with force 7 winds, occasionally rising to 8, in the west of the Strait. The Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia can expect scattered showers throughout Monday, while cloudy skies will prevail throughout most of the southeast. Morning mists are forecast in the southeast of Castilla-La Mancha and inland Galicia, according to Aemet, which has also issued a warning for hazy weather in the southeast of Spain. Temperatures will rise slightly in the Cantabrian mountain range, the Basque Country, Navarra and the Pyrenees while frosts will persist in much of the north, east and central Spain. Despite the recent cold snap , meteorologists have ruled another episode similar to storm Filomena, which wreaked havoc across much of Spain this time last year. The forecast shows that January 24 was actually the most likely day for this weather phenomenon to occur, but while the day will be colder than normal for the most part, it will also be much drier than usual. Image: Archive Send the vaccines to Africa, infectious disease expert Vladimir Krcmery says. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Most medical experts in Slovakia do not consider a fourth dose of the vaccine against Covid necessary. There might be a new vaccine in the autumn available, with which vaccination against Covid will be conducted like the vaccination against seasonal influenza, once a year and voluntarily. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The European Medicines Agency and World Health Organisation also do not recommend the fourth dose. However, countries like Israel have already launched vaccination with the fourth dose. In Slovakia, 48 percent of the population is fully-vaccinated, but only some 22 percent have received a booster dose. The third dose is, according to experts, needed protection against the Omicron variant, which might become the dominant variant in Slovakia within days. No more fourth He attacked mostly journalists revealing the corruption scandals related to his governments. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Robert Fico, former three-time prime minister and chair of the opposition party Smer, is attacking journalists representing the critical media again. His targets are mainly reporters of the dailies Sme and Dennik N and the news website Aktuality.sk that point to the corruption scandals linked to his governments and nominees the most, the Omediach.com website reported. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Im convinced theres an organised crime group of journalists in Slovakia, and its members are concentrated particularly in Dennik N, Sme and Aktuality, Fico told the press. Id like to address the law enforcement bodies to start investigating how these journalists damage the statehood and to what extent they attack the state bodies of the Slovak Republic. Protection of Zilinka Fico decided to hold the press conference mostly to react to a recent opinion piece published by Marek Vagovic on Aktuality.sk, in which he criticised the attitudes of General Prosecutor Maros Zilinka. General Prosecutors Office rejects Slovak-American defence agreement Read more Vagovic claimed that Zilinka is enjoying the status of a dauntless ruler who spreads fear, humiliates his subordinates and punishes them. In his piece, he asks what would make Zilinka leave his post as soon as possible. ISLAMABAD, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday met with visiting Sri Lankan Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena to discuss bilateral and economic relations, the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said. During the meeting, the Pakistani foreign minister highlighted the importance of strengthening the existing fraternal relations between the two countries through high-level exchanges, it said in a statement. Qureshi underlined the need to capitalize on the immense goodwill that exists between Pakistan and Sri Lanka by expanding cooperation across diverse areas including trade and investment, tourism, culture, education, defense, agriculture, and human resource development, said the statement. "All efforts must be made to enhance bilateral trade relations through optimal utilization of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), particularly by expanding interaction between the business communities on both sides, and joint ventures and investments in high potential sectors," he was quoted as having said. Both sides also agreed to continue close collaboration in multilateral fora and to strengthen regional cooperation, the Pakistani foreign ministry said. Defence minister says Slovakia is within the range of Russian military technology gathered at Ukrainian border. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Slovakia cannot accept several of Russia's demands linked with the situation in Ukraine. Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS nominee) made the above statement after the Tuesday (January 25) meeting of the government's Security Council. The council is to reconvene for further discussions on the development in Ukraine on Wednesday. The council members will receive complete military and intelligence briefing to get acquainted with the defence plans Slovakia has developed in regard to the situation involving its eastern neighbour. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Extremely serious Though Korcok agrees with Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) that the situation is extremely serious, he still sees room for a diplomatic solution. "This is the most serious situation in the last 30 years, but it is not unresolvable," said Korcok. "There is the threat of a real conflict." There goes the neighbourhood Read more Nad said that about 130,000 members of the Russian Armed Forces are gathering at Ukraine's eastern borders with military technology that is not only of defence character. Some of the technology has a range that would allow Russia to interfere with Slovakias territory, the minister added. These are missiles and air defence systems. I dare say, and this is how we presented it at the negotiation of the Security Council, that in terms of the European continent the situation is maybe the worst since the end of WWII, Nad emphasised. War would mean refugees arriving from Ukraine Slovakia's Defence Ministry has prepared defence plans. Minister Nad noted that the consequences for Slovakia might be significant, even if there is no direct military threat to the country. The ministers said that they trust Slovakia will avoid deploying its armed forces. Nad explained that even a limited attack on Ukraine would lead to tens of thousands of people crossing the Slovak-Ukrainian border. Slovakia is ready to deploy all its available forces and resources at the eastern border, he added. In the event of war, Ukrainians would have a different status to the migrants crossing the borders now. They would be war refugees. War in Ukraine would change Slovakia, too Read more "Any crisis of a military nature in Ukraine has a direct reflection on the situation in Slovakia," Nad said. Notwithstanding the preparations, the head of Slovak diplomacy, Ivan Korcok, still believes that this conflict can be resolved by diplomatic means. Korcok repeated his stance from the day before that withdrawing Slovak diplomats from Ukraine would be premature. Neither does the ministry see any reason to warn Slovak citizens before travelling to Ukraine. https://sputniknews.com/20220124/george-floyd-civil-rights-case-us-prosecutors-give-opening-remarks-in-trial-against-former-cops-1092493578.html George Floyd Civil Rights Case: US Prosecutors Give Opening Remarks in Trial Against Former Cops George Floyd Civil Rights Case: US Prosecutors Give Opening Remarks in Trial Against Former Cops In April of 2021, former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on three counts of murdering George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man. The three former... 24.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-24T22:29+0000 2022-01-24T22:29+0000 2022-01-24T22:28+0000 trial civil rights george floyd derek chauvin /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083129343_0:195:2949:1853_1920x0_80_0_0_f7de3fa9cfd2cf9156413469ef04a0e4.jpg According to the indictment, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao have been charged with deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly failing to give George Floyd medical aid on May 25, 2020, as well as failure to intervene in Chauvins excessive use of force. The jurors, who are mostly white, consist of five men and seven women who were selected on Thursday in a federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota. All three have pleaded not guilty.Floyds death sparked outrage, protests, and reignited the Black Lives Matter movement. The Minnesota man had worked as a bouncer until he lost his job due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. After purchasing a pack of cigarettes from a Minneapolis corner store, an employee called the police and accused Floyd of giving them a counterfeit twenty dollar bill and being drunk.A visual investigation from the New York Times shows a video compilation of Floyd being nonviolent and compliant, but expressing his fear of being put in the back of a police vehicle.Former police officer Derek Chauvin crushed Floyds neck with his knee for over nine minutes while officers Lane and Keung held down other parts of his body. Videos of the scene showed Floyd was lying face down on the ground saying I cant breathe, and calling out for his mother.Throughout the ordeal, Chauvin did not remove his knee off of Floyds neck even after he appeared to go unconscious. Lane asked twice if they could move Floyd onto his side, to which Chauvin responded, No. Chauvin had already 17 complaints and was involved in three shootings, one of which was fatal, before his fatal interaction with Floyd.Walking the jury through a law requiring police officers to intervene when they see a colleague using excessive force, Trepel explained that under the US Constitution, officers are required to protect people in their custody, and failing to do so is a crime.Trepel outlined prosecutors plans for the trial, including officers who will take to the stand and testify that their training includes intervening when a fellow officer uses excessive force, as well as the knowledge that holding a handcuffed suspect facedown is dangerous. Some of the same witnesses who testified during Chauvins 2021 hearing will also take the stand.The prosecutor also honed in on 36-year-old Thao, who was both a veteran officer and Chauvins partner at the time of the murder. Before Floyds arrest, Thao had already had six complaints filed against him, as well as a brutality lawsuit in 2017 when he and another officer punched, kicked and kneed a Black man, leaving him with bruises and broken teeth.Trepel has argued that Thao was in a position to see what Chauvin was doing and was told by public bystanders that Floyd was in distress. Thao was holding back members of the public while Chauvin kneeled on Floyds neck.Lane, 38, and 28-year-old J. Alexander Kueng were holding down other parts of Floyds body, with Kueng pinning Floyds back and Lane pressing on his legs. Though both were rookies when the murder occurred, Trepel has stated that is not a defense and argues that, if so, their training should have been that much more fresh in their minds.Incidentally, Lane had just passed his final evaluation to become a rookie officer a few days before Floyds death. He was the only officer of the four who intervened, and is not charged with failing to intervene because he asked Chauvin twice if they could turn Floyd onto his side, which officers are trained to recognize as a safer position than prone restraint. Lane also rode in the ambulance with Floyd and performed CPR.The failure to intervene charge only applies to Thao and Kueng, accusing the two former officers of willfully failing to intervene when they were aware that their colleague Chauvin was using excessive force while restraining Floyd.However, the failure to render assistance charge applies to all three of the officers - Thao, Kueng and Lane. The defendants are being held liable for depriving Floyd of liberty without due process, and more specifically in Floyds case, the right to be free from a police officers deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs.Although the officers had called for paramedics, they made no effort to give Floyd medical treatment themselves, and when EMT did get Floyd into an ambulance, they requested additional assistance from the fire department. Additionally, the officers gave the fire department no information on Floyd or his whereabouts on arrival, delaying the EMTs efforts to help, according to an incident report. Floyd was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.All four officers were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department shortly after Floyds death, with Chauvin charged with a sentence of 25 years in prison. As for the other three officers, there is a wide range of possible sentences as each offense is punishable with a fine, a prison sentence, or both.Under the statute that bodily injury is involved, sentences could be increased, or result in life in prison, or even the death sentence. However, according to the New York Times, prosecutors are not expected to seek out a sentence that severe. https://sputniknews.com/20211215/ex-cop-derek-chauvin-reportedly-pleads-guilty-to-violating-george-floyds-civil-rights-1091549497.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg trial, civil rights, george floyd, derek chauvin https://sputniknews.com/20220124/lone-gunman-at-german-university-identified-by-authorities-as-18-year-old-biology-student-1092493408.html Lone Gunman at German University Identified by Authorities as 18-Year-Old Biology Student Lone Gunman at German University Identified by Authorities as 18-Year-Old Biology Student On Monday, a lone gunman opened fire in a lecture hall at the University in Heidelberg in Germany, wounding three and killing one, before fatally shooting... 24.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-24T22:37+0000 2022-01-24T22:37+0000 2022-01-24T22:36+0000 school shooting germany heidelberg /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/15/1089280846_0:0:1501:844_1920x0_80_0_0_579c8757244eeae0bcd2b6508b23a4e7.jpg The attacker had purchased two guns abroad, according to Mannheim police chief Siegfried Kollmar, who added that he could not say in which country the firearms were purchased, as it could impede the ongoing investigation.The shooter, who reportedly used a rifle to carry out the attack, had no previous criminal record. Authorities have ruled out a political or religious motivation for the shooting. Police have searched the assailants residence in the nearby city of Mannheim, but a motive has yet to be determined.The shooting occurred around midday in Heidelberg. Four individuals were wounded and one later died from her injuries, according to the interior minister of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg Thomas Strobl.In the past 100 years there have been six school shootings in Germany - the last of which occurred at a secondary school in 2009.Heidelberg University, established in 1386, is the oldest university in Germany, and one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. The city of Heidelberg has a population of approximately 160,000, of which about a quarter are students. https://sputniknews.com/20220124/what-is-known-so-far-about-shooting-incident-in-heidelberg-germany-1092484422.html heidelberg Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Nevin Brown Nevin Brown News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nevin Brown school shooting, germany, heidelberg https://sputniknews.com/20220124/russian-ambassador-calls-canada-hacking-allegations-hysteria-western-propaganda-1092493832.html Russian Ambassador Calls Canada Hacking Allegations 'Hysteria,' Western Propaganda Russian Ambassador Calls Canada Hacking Allegations 'Hysteria,' Western Propaganda WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Allegations of Russia being behind the recent cyber attack on the Canadian Foreign Ministry is hysteria and part of self-produced... 24.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-24T23:06+0000 2022-01-24T23:06+0000 2022-01-24T23:05+0000 russia canada allegations cyberattack /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/106414/80/1064148054_0:67:1280:787_1920x0_80_0_0_9be88b335a609cdef398a80a8c845195.jpg On Monday, local media outlet Global News said Global Affairs Canada, the country's foreign ministry, was the target of a multiday cyber attack. The outlet, citing unnamed sources, said the Canadian government is concerned the attack was conducted by Russia-linked hackers.Russia, he said, is not engaged in any illegal sabotage activities in cyberspace.Last week, Canadas Communications Security Establishment (CSE) warned critical infrastructure operators to enhance their defenses against alleged Russian threats, Global News reported.Tensions between Russia and Western countries escalated recently amid allegations related to Moscow's military buildup near Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly denied Western countries' accusations, pointing to NATO's military activities close to Russia. Moscow's stance is that it does not threaten anyone and has the right to move troops within its national sovereignty. canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 russia, canada, allegations, cyberattack https://sputniknews.com/20220125/biden-meeting-with-european-leaders-about-ukraine-very-good-achieved-total-unity-1092494340.html Biden: Meeting With European Leaders About Ukraine 'Very Good,' Achieved Total Unity Biden: Meeting With European Leaders About Ukraine 'Very Good,' Achieved Total Unity WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Joe Biden said his virtual meeting with European leaders on the situation between Russia and Ukraine went very well and... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T00:25+0000 2022-01-25T00:25+0000 2022-01-25T00:25+0000 joe biden russia ukraine us tensions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/13/1092378975_0:0:2756:1551_1920x0_80_0_0_250bbce8357026fad681fa4202daa6a0.jpg I had a very, very, very good meeting, total unity with all the European leaders. Well talk about it later, Biden said during a White House event on Monday.Bidens call with the European leaders lasted one hour and 20 minutes, during which time the parties consulted and coordinated on issues related to the ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine.Participants in the meeting included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.Tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid a buildup of forces near their border have sparked discussions of further US involvement in the European security situation, including by supplying more military aid to Ukraine as deterrence to a potential invasion.Russia has resolutely denied that it intends to attack any country and has warned NATO that its activities near Russias borders are a national security threat while Moscow reserves the right to move forces on its territory as it sees fit. https://sputniknews.com/20220124/pentagon-no-final-decision-to-deploy-us-troops-to-ukraine-but-8500-soldiers-on-heightened-alert-1092491152.html ukraine us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 joe biden, russia, ukraine, us, tensions https://sputniknews.com/20220125/canada-orders-diplomats-families-to-leave-ukraine-as-tensions-mount-1092509999.html Canada Orders Diplomats' Families to Leave Ukraine as Tensions Mount Canada Orders Diplomats' Families to Leave Ukraine as Tensions Mount WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Canada urges the family members of diplomats on duty in Ukraine to leave the country amid fears of a conflict escalation, Global Affairs... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T15:23+0000 2022-01-25T15:23+0000 2022-01-25T15:22+0000 ukraine canada diplomats /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/1e/1089553859_0:231:1920:1311_1920x0_80_0_0_a6eab9ae72c2188021f7a536ee513343.jpg "The safety and security of Canadians, our personnel and their families at our missions abroad is our top priority. Due to the ongoing Russian military buildup and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine, we have decided to temporarily withdraw Canadian embassy staffs children under 18 years of age and family members accompanying them," Global Affairs Canada said in a statement.The Canadian embassy in Kiev and consulate in Lvov will remain open to closely monitor the situation in the country, the statement added.Earlier this month, the US ordered the evacuation of American diplomats' families from the country. The UK followed in the US footsteps and decided to withdraw part of its embassy staff from Ukraine. ukraine canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 ukraine, canada, diplomats https://sputniknews.com/20220125/croatia-to-withdraw-its-forces-from-nato-in-event-of-russia-ukraine-conflict-1092505242.html Croatia to Withdraw Its Forces From NATO in Event of Russia-Ukraine Conflict Croatia to Withdraw Its Forces From NATO in Event of Russia-Ukraine Conflict BELGRADE (Sputnik) - Croatia will withdraw its military from NATO forces deployed in the region in the event of a conflict between Russia and Ukraine... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T12:28+0000 2022-01-25T12:28+0000 2022-01-25T12:26+0000 croatia russia ukraine nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107833/85/1078338529_0:70:2519:1486_1920x0_80_0_0_9e7cf7fc446fd006dbda957ee6caa43e.jpg "I follow reports, according to which NATO, not a separate state, not the United States, is strengthening its presence, sending reconnaissance vessels. We have nothing to do with this, and we will not have, I guarantee you this," Milanovic told a national broadcaster, adding that Croatia will not send its military to the region."If there is an escalation, we will withdraw everyone to the last Croatian military. It has nothing to do with Ukraine or Russia, it has to do with the dynamics of the US' domestic policy, [President] Joe Biden and his administration, whom I supported, the only one in Europe but I see dangerous behavior in matters of international security," he added. croatia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 croatia, russia, ukraine, nato https://sputniknews.com/20220125/head-of-anne-frank-fund-calls-new-claims-of-familys-betrayal-full-of-errors-1092495753.html Head of Anne Frank Fund Calls New Claims of Familys Betrayal Full of Errors Head of Anne Frank Fund Calls New Claims of Familys Betrayal Full of Errors John Goldsmith, head of the Anne Frank Fund, slammed the bombshell conclusion of a new book, "The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation," that... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T03:20+0000 2022-01-25T03:20+0000 2022-01-25T03:19+0000 anne frank /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102225/35/1022253519_0:768:3090:2506_1920x0_80_0_0_819fddac9d2386d5d87ff8a7a8dc861c.jpg The conclusion that Arnold van den Berg revealed to the Nazis where the Frank family was hiding has been met with considerable pushback from experts on Anne Frank, the German occupation of Amsterdam, and his descendents.Goldsmiths criticisms were especially scathing.Van den Berghs descendents are also furious with the author. His granddaughter came to his defense by recounting how, by how 1944, the year the Franks were found by the Nazis, he and his family were already hiding in safehouses throughout the Netherlands.Goldsmith and van den Berghs familys assertions have been supported by a multitude of experts.The polarizing book is the brainchild of Pieter van Twisk, a Dutch media producer, and reportedly took six years to complete. Van Twisk claimed that he assembled a team of over 20 investigators and asked them to crack the cold case of who had betrayed the Franks in the summer of 1944 as they hid in a secret annex attached to the office building where Otto Frank had once worked.The investigation was led by Vince Pankoke, a retired FBI detective. The project used modern forensic technology and even artificial intelligence. The story is written in the style of a true crime novel.While the use of modern technology aided their efforts, it was reportedly a piece of old evidence that led them to their conclusion. An anonymous letter was given to Otto Frank, Anne Franks father and the only survivor from their secret Amsterdam hideout, in 1945, that claimed that Arnold van den Bergh had betrayed the family.Otto gave the letter to a Dutch detective in 1963, but it was ultimately dismissed. Van den Bergh died in 1950.Due to the existence of the note, van den Bergh has regularly been a suspect, but no other evidence has materialized to support the claim.David Barnouw, who also wrote a book on the Frank cold case, Who Betrayed Anne Frank?, said that he had ruled van den Bergh out as a suspect because the note was the only evidence of his guilt.Barnouw wasnt the only expert to take issue with the conclusion made by van Twisk and his crew. Emile Schrijver, the director of Amsterdams Jewish Cultural Quarter, said, The evidence is far too thin to accuse someone.Ronald Leopold, the Anne Frank Houses executive director, believes the pressure to come to a conclusion is what led to the heavily-refuted verdict.A bit of circumstantial evidence was reportedly the key to van Twisks belief that van den Bergh was the guilty party. Van den Bergh was once on the board of the Amsterdam Jewish Council, an organization established by the occupying Nazi forces in 1941 to control the Jewish population.It is believed by some that van den Bergh obtained a list of where Jewish individuals and families were hiding through his participation on the council. No such list has ever been found, although there are multiple mentions of its existence.An expert on the subject, Laurien Vastenhout, a researcher at the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, asked, Why would the people in hiding provide the Jewish Council with their addresses?Van Twisk, the mastermind behind the new book, acknowledges that no lists were ever found, but suggested that the rumor of their existence is enough to support his highly-disputed claims.The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigations controversial conclusion has done little to bring consensus to the question it set out to answer. With the cold case fast approaching a century, the answer may never be known. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Nevin Brown Nevin Brown News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nevin Brown anne frank https://sputniknews.com/20220125/india-gets-first-batch-of-ak-203-assault-rifles-from-russia-to-meet-urgent-operational-requirement-1092507856.html India Gets First Batch of AK-203 Assault Rifles from Russia to Meet 'Urgent Operational Requirement' India Gets First Batch of AK-203 Assault Rifles from Russia to Meet 'Urgent Operational Requirement' In December, Moscow agreed to give Delhi the means to produce 600,000 AK-203 assault rifles to replace the India-developed INSAS rifles used by its army. 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T14:59+0000 2022-01-25T14:59+0000 2022-01-25T14:59+0000 kalashnikov corporation narendra modi rajnath singh russia assault rifle indian army ak-203 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107572/88/1075728875_0:189:2971:1860_1920x0_80_0_0_05236a438b19c5506e02321dcd3ecd9d.jpg Russia has delivered 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles to India to meet the "urgent operational requirement" of the Indian armed forces. In total, Delhi will eventually have 600,000 rifles at its disposal. The arms delivery is part of a deal signed between the Indian Defence Ministry and Indo-Russian Private Limited (IRPL) on 19 August 2021. Indo-Russian Private Limited is a joint venture formed in early 2019 to licence-build 601,427 AK-203s for the Indian military.The AK will replace the indigenously-developed Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56x45mm assault rifles that have been used by the Indian Army since the mid-1990s. In 2010, the latter was declared "operationally inadequate" by Delhi following the finding of several design flaws.The IRPL will be manufacturing the guns at the Korwa facility in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the facility in 2019 and signed the contract worth $690 million for more than 600,000 rifles. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg kalashnikov corporation, narendra modi, rajnath singh, russia, assault rifle, indian army, ak-203 https://sputniknews.com/20220125/is-citing-the-bible-a-crime-finnish-ex-interior-minister-faces-two-years-for-incitement-of-gays-1092497020.html Is Citing the Bible a Crime? Finnish Ex-Minister Faces Two Years for 'Incitement' Against Gays Is Citing the Bible a Crime? Finnish Ex-Minister Faces Two Years for 'Incitement' Against Gays The case of Christian Democrat Paivi Rasanen marks the first time in Finland that a court will decide on whether quoting the Bible can be considered a crime. 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T05:30+0000 2022-01-25T05:30+0000 2022-01-25T05:39+0000 finland gay lgbt christianity hate speech scandinavia incitement for hatred /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/1b/1083469959_0:100:1921:1180_1920x0_80_0_0_1c250c5506e4f585ed746627f45f6f46.jpg Following a protracted investigation that took nearly two years, the trial of former Interior Minister Paivi Rasanen on three charges of incitement against a minority group, in this case homosexuals, has begun in Helsinki District Court.The politician, a pious Christian, will defend herself over hateful social media posts in which she happened to quote Romans 1:24-27 to criticise the participation of the Finnish Lutheran Church in the Pride festival. The two other charges involve a booklet about the Bible and sexuality titled As Man and Woman He Created Them from back in 2004, as well as her statements in a radio talk show where she spoke on the topic What would Jesus think about homosexuals?Announcing formal charges against the former Christian Democrats leader, the Finnish Prosecutor General said her statements were derogatory and discriminatory against homosexuals and exceeded the boundaries of free speech and religion. Presiding over the case, State Prosecutor Ari Mantila emphasised that this is neither the inquisition, nor a theological dispute and that the hateful message becomes obvious when gays are substituted with other minorities such as people of colour or Finland Swedes.However, during a police interview ahead of the trial, Rasanen stuck to her guns and said that she had merely wanted to stir debate with her opinion, and not to offend gay people, arguing that it was a matter of freedom of speech and religion.Rasanen insisted that she supports the dignity and human rights of homosexuals, yet added that her concerns and criticisms were directed specifically at the Church and its leadership, which she felt had forgotten the clear teachings of the Bible. According to Rasanen, the proceedings of the Finnish Lutheran Church, which of late has become an avid Pride supporter, are at odds with the Bible, as the Pride movement celebrates things that are declared shameful and sinful in the Bible. She admitted that she even though of quitting, like many of her compatriots, as the church is currently leaking members, but decided to stay and influence fellow worshippers.A conviction could potentially lead to a fine or in the worst case up to two years of prison, as well as a ban on the content deemed as hateful.A trained physician, Rasanen became an MP in 1995. She led the Finnish Christian Democrats from 2004 to 2015 and served as interior minister between 2011 and 2015. Rasanen is firm pro-lifer with five children. In 2013, she made headlines as she contrasted abortion law to animal protection law, saying that the latter does a better job at protecting animals than the former does to humans. https://sputniknews.com/20211021/hundreds-leave-church-of-finland-after-bishops-urge-to-vaxx-1090091343.html finland scandinavia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Igor Kuznetsov Igor Kuznetsov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Igor Kuznetsov finland, gay, lgbt, christianity, hate speech, scandinavia, incitement for hatred https://sputniknews.com/20220125/julian-assange-wins-right-to-appeal-extradition-new-state-department-report-on-rt-and-sputnik-1092495071.html Julian Assange Wins Right to Appeal Extradition; New State Department Report on RT and Sputnik Julian Assange Wins Right to Appeal Extradition; New State Department Report on RT and Sputnik On Monday, the London High Court allowed Julian Assange to appeal his extradition decision to the UK Supreme Court. 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T09:37+0000 2022-01-25T09:37+0000 2022-01-25T09:37+0000 julian assange mali russia burkina faso taiwan the critical hour radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/19/1092495046_29:0:1273:700_1920x0_80_0_0_6297cbb833fa5973163af6d71c2d4f9e.png Julian Assange Wins Right to Appeal Extradition; New State Department Report on RT and Sputnik Julian Assange has won an appeal that will allow him to appeal his extradition decision to the U.K. Supreme Court. Alexander Mercouris, editor-in-chief at theduran.com and host of "The Duran" on YouTube, joins us to discuss Julian Assange. Julian Assange has won an appeal that will allow him to appeal his extradition decision to the UK Supreme Court. Assange's lawyer stated What happened in court today is precisely what we wanted to happen. The High Court certified that we had raised a point of law of general public importance and that the Supreme Court has good grounds to hear this appeal Make no mistake, we won today in court.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss the NATO crisis. The New York Times and various British officials are claiming, without evidence, that Russia is planning on overthrowing the US-sponsored government of Ukraine. Also, a German navy chief has resigned over comments he made that President Putin deserves respect.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss China. Twitter has announced that they will be using the services of a hawkish anti-China think tank to curate information on their feeds. Also, notorious war hawk Michael McCaul is arguing that Russia is about to invade Ukraine and China is about to invade Taiwan.Gerald Horne, professor of history at the University of Houston, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss Africa. The Washington Post is reporting that the President of Burkina Faso has been detained in a possible coup attempt. Also, a French soldier has been killed in an attack on a military base in Mali.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Al Jazeera is reporting that at least 120 people have been killed in pitched battles between ISIS and Kurdish fighters in Syria.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss the Global South. Russia is demanding that the US release kidnapped diplomat Alex Saab. Also, we discuss how Argentina, Brazil, and Chile will affect the political landscape in Central and South America over the next few years.Ted Rall, political cartoonist and syndicated columnist, joins us to discuss a new US State Department report on RT and Sputnik. A new US State Department report which accuses Sputnik and RT of propaganda and lies is itself packed with previously debunked falsehoods.Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Several sources are claiming that the US and the UK are abandoning their embassies in Kiev for fear of an imminent Russian invasion. Meanwhile, the EU has no plans to remove diplomats as long as diplomatic talks are continuing between the two sides.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com mali russia burkina faso Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Garland Nixon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg Garland Nixon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Garland Nixon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg julian assange, mali, russia, burkina faso, taiwan, the critical hour, , radio https://sputniknews.com/20220125/kremlin-says-moscow-havana-have-synchronized-positions-amid-speculation-on-russian-base-in-cuba-1092500906.html Kremlin Says Moscow, Havana Have 'Synchronised Positions' Amid Speculation on Russian Bases in Cuba Kremlin Says Moscow, Havana Have 'Synchronised Positions' Amid Speculation on Russian Bases in Cuba Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Cuban counterpart President Miguel Diaz-Canel spoke by phone on Monday to discuss "issues of further coordination of... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T09:28+0000 2022-01-25T09:28+0000 2022-01-25T11:00+0000 cuba /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104613/56/1046135665_0:65:2001:1190_1920x0_80_0_0_1b67487e67b557d93c9767bb3a0e308b.jpg Vladimir Putin and Miguel Diaz-Canel 'synchronised their positions' on international issues during their talks Monday, but did not discuss the possibility of Russian military bases in Cuba, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov has said."You know that relations between Russia and Cuba have deep traditions...and indeed, the synchronisation of positions on international and regional issues of mutual interest to both countries is extremely important. This is what the leaders of the two countries spoke about yesterday," Peskov said, speaking to reporters on Tuesday.The Russian and Cuban presidents spoke by phone on Monday, with a Kremlin press release indicating that the talks included a "thorough exchange of views on the subject of bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation." The two sides "also discussed issues of further coordination of the actions of the two countries in the international arena in accordance with the principles of strategic partnership and the traditions of friendship and mutual understanding." Finally, "the intention to work closely together to strengthen bilateral relations was agreed, and it was resolved to intensify contacts at various levels," according to the Kremlin.Monday's talks followed speculation by US media that Moscow may seek to deploy military capabilities in the Western Hemisphere near the United States in response to NATO's troop and missile deployments and continued expansion toward Russia's borders in Eastern Europe.Last week, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned Moscow that Russian "aggressive action" in the form of missile deployments in Latin America would be met with a "strong response" from Washington. She did not elaborate on what this "strong response" might be.Earlier, the Kremlin and the Russian Foreign Ministry each hinted that Russia would 'explore options' and 'not rule anything out' when it comes to ensuring security and strategic stability, including the possible deployment of some type of military infrastructure in Latin America.Last month, a few days before the publication of a pair of Russian security proposals aimed at significantly easing tensions between Moscow on one side and Washington and the NATO alliance on the other, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated that Russia was looking to avoid the repeat of a Cuban Missile Crisis-style scenario, including "the non-deployment of these kinds of weapons near our borders, the withdrawal of forces and assets which destabilise the situation, [and] a rejection of provocative measures, including various drills".Russia-Cuba TiesNotwithstanding the dramatic weakening of relations between Moscow and Havana following the collapse of the Soviet Union thirty years ago, Cuba remains one of Russia's main partners in the Western Hemisphere, with the countries enjoying friendly diplomatic ties and expressing solidarity for one another in international forums, and marking growing economic, investment, scientific, cultural and humanitarian cooperation and engagement from the 2000s on.At the same time, the two countries have been careful when it comes to reengaging militarily, with Russia pulling out the estimated 11,000 Soviet troops stationed in the country in the early 1990s, and closing down the Lourdes Signals Intelligence facility - which enabled Soviet and Russian intelligence to monitor an array of commercial and government communications throughout the southeastern United States, in 2002.In 1962, concerned by the deployment of US nuclear missiles in Turkey and the global strategic imbalance caused by the lack of Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev attempted to secretly deploy over 160 nuclear weapons in Cuba. US intelligence found out about the attempted deployment in October 1962, sparking a two week diplomatic and military standoff which nearly led to World War III.The crisis was resolved after Moscow agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba in exchange for guarantees from Washington not to invade the island, and a quiet pledge by the US to withdraw its Jupiter missiles from Turkey.In recent years, Russia has again expressed concerns about the deployment of dual-use US missile defence infrastructure in Romania and Poland with offensive capabilities, and about attempts by NATO to pull Ukraine into the Western alliance. Last month, President Putin warned that alliance missiles deployed in Ukraine would have a flight time to Moscow of just 4-5 minutes. https://sputniknews.com/20220124/kremlin-russian-cuban-presidents-discuss-coordination-of-actions-as-part-of-strategic-partnership-1092487008.html https://sputniknews.com/20220118/us-warns-of-strong-response-if-russia-tries-to-intimidate-washington-with-nukes-in-latin-america-1092349826.html https://sputniknews.com/20171014/cuban-missile-crisis-history-1058236332.html cuba Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov cuba https://sputniknews.com/20220125/lpr-defense-ministry-says-detected-armoured-vehicles-of-ukrainian-forces-near-contact-line-1092500769.html LPR Defense Ministry Says Detected Armoured Vehicles of Ukrainian Forces Near Contact Line LPR Defense Ministry Says Detected Armoured Vehicles of Ukrainian Forces Near Contact Line LUHANSK (Sputnik) The intelligence services of the People's Militia of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) detected armoured vehicles of the... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T09:28+0000 2022-01-25T09:28+0000 2022-01-25T09:27+0000 russia ukraine donbass /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/0d/1082617294_92:0:1292:675_1920x0_80_0_0_d54fbd0146722282bb74962e574a02fa.jpg "In the zone of responsibility of the 79th brigade [of the Ukrainian security forces], two infantry fighting vehicles were recorded near the residential area of the Schastia settlement were detected," the ministry told reporters.According to the LPR police, the Ukrainian forces have been mobilised across the country."In recent days, we have constantly detected the active military activity of the Ukrainian army not only in the area of the punitive operation in the Donbass but also throughout the whole territory of Ukraine, a police spokesperson told a briefing.The highest activity of the army is observed in Odessa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, the spokesperson said.The conflict in the eastern region of Donbass between Kiev and the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk republics has been ongoing since 2014 when the republics proclaimed their independence from the central government after then-leadership was toppled.The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that Ukraine has sent half of its armed forces to Donbass over the past few months. Moscow also expressed concern about the transfer of NATO's military equipment to Russian borders and the increase in the number of Western instructors in the breakaway region. https://sputniknews.com/20220125/employees-of-dutch-embassy-in-kiev-can-leave-ukraine-if-they-wish---foreign-minister-1092496477.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 russia, ukraine, donbass https://sputniknews.com/20220125/martian-lakes-detected-in-2018-may-have-been-dusty-mirage---study--1092495219.html Martian Lakes Detected in 2018 May Have Been Dusty Mirage - Study Martian Lakes Detected in 2018 May Have Been Dusty Mirage - Study A study published on Monday leads researchers to believe what was previously thought of as evidence of liquid water was actually just a mirage. Though this... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T00:55+0000 2022-01-25T00:55+0000 2022-01-25T00:54+0000 red planet study mars water /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107809/36/1078093625_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_d3eb77d65978ee5e45033eec6c428f0c.jpg In 2018, researchers found what they believed to be evidence of water existing on Mars surface lying beneath the ice of its south pole. But researchers at the University of Texas at Austin now have evidence leading them to believe that what lies beneath the ice of Mars south pole are actually lava deposits rich in iron, or possibly dried up riverbeds covered in mineral deposits.An international team of researchers published their findings in the journal Geographical Research Letters, revealing that the reflection of what was believed to be evidence of water actually matched other volcanic plains found all over the surface of Mars.The study was conducted using a computer model, built by lead author Cyril Grima, to cover the red planet in ice and observe how it changed the radar data. Doing this caused Mars volcanic plains to look as though they were made of liquid water.But Grima is optimistic, believing that these continued discoveries will eventually lead researchers to more information about the history of Mars.On Earth, iron-rich lava flows can leave behind rocks that similarly reflect radar. Other possibilities include mineral deposits in dried river beds. Either way, figuring out what they are could answer important questions about Mars history, said Grima.A study conducted in the summer of 2021 also sought to investigate the cause of the unexplained pools of reflective water, arguing that the source was most likely clay. Isaac Smith, who was the lead author of that study but was not involved in Mondays published study, commented on Grimas findings:Other recent studies which have come to light suggest that Mars was actually once a frigid and wet planet three billion years ago, including both an ocean in its northern part, as well as ice caps and glacial valleys.Though the study may be disappointing for some, Smith and Grima are now working to find water on Mars in an effort to seek out what could be a potential resource for human landings, as well as evidence of previous life forms. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg red planet, study, mars, water https://sputniknews.com/20220125/massive-blackouts-reported-in-central-asian-nations-of-kazakhstan-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-1092498665.html Massive Blackouts Hit Central Asian Nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan - Photo, Video Massive Blackouts Hit Central Asian Nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan - Photo, Video Disruption in the energy system of Central Asia reportedly occurred due to an overloaded transit line in Kazakhstan. 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T06:49+0000 2022-01-25T06:49+0000 2022-01-25T10:07+0000 central asia kazakhstan kyrgyzstan uzbekistan blackout /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/19/1092500456_0:703:2047:1854_1920x0_80_0_0_3e5aac3f93fe619bbedb6cde62c39f34.jpg A major power outage has occurred in the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan.In Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Energy announced on Tuesday on Telegram: The ministry added that the causes were being investigated.The metro service in the capital Tashkent has been disrupted, with passengers being evacuated.A photo was shared online, showing one of the metro stations in darkness following the blackout. A cable car system in Amirsoy ski resort in Uzbekistan came to a stop due to a power outage. Twenty skiers have been rescued from stranded cable cars, local emergency services said.A video from one of the cable cars emerged online.Power outages have occurred in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, and the second-largest city, Osh. Water supply disruptions were also reported in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, with pumping stations not working due to the outage. There is no central heating in Bishkek, a local operator said, adding that restoration works are currently underway. To operate normally, the Manas International Airport in Bishkek has switched to an autonomous power supply, local media said. The outage has affected traffic in major cities across the region hit by the blackout. In Kazakhstan, there is no electricity in central Almaty, in Taraz and Taldykorgan. The airport of Almaty is operating at full capacity, its press service said. According to the city administration, power supplies have been partially restored. An accident in the power supply system that affected several countries in Central Asia has occurred due to an overload of a transit line in Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan Electricity Grid operating Company (KEGOC) said."At 11:59 [05:59 GMT], due to a significant emergency imbalance created by the energy system of Central Asia, there was a power surge for the electricity transit ... As a result, an emergency separation of the transit 'North-East-South of Kazakhstan' occurred with the repayment of a significant part of consumers in the southern zone of Kazakhstan," the operator said in a statement.An international commission will be created to investigate the reasons behind a major in the Central Asian region, Kyrgyz Energy Minister Doskul Bekmurzaev said. central asia kazakhstan kyrgyzstan uzbekistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko central asia, kazakhstan, kyrgyzstan, uzbekistan, blackout https://sputniknews.com/20220125/netanyahu-refuses-to-accept-israeli-ags-moral-turpitude-clause-in-corruption-case-plea-deal-1092496022.html Netanyahu Refuses to Accept Israeli AG's 'Moral Turpitude' Clause in Corruption Case Plea Deal Netanyahu Refuses to Accept Israeli AG's 'Moral Turpitude' Clause in Corruption Case Plea Deal Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is presently negotiating a plea deal in a corruption case led by the Israeli Attorney General's office. Recent... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T03:47+0000 2022-01-25T03:47+0000 2022-01-25T03:46+0000 middle east corruption benjamin netanyahu politics israel likud plea deal opposition parties /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/18/1082983003_0:74:3073:1802_1920x0_80_0_0_74907a00757d9e06e66a33a7e910c2a6.jpg Netanyahu, chairman of the Likud Party, issued a statement this week clarifying that he and his legal team have yet to reach an agreement with Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, despite media reports suggesting otherwise. According to Israeli media reports, Mandelblit is negotiating a deal with Netanyahu's legal team that would include an admission of "moral turpitude," which is accompanied by a seven-year ban from Israeli national politics. The embattled politician went on to declare that he "will continue to lead Likud," signaling that he has no intention of departing politics on his own accord. Israeli officials, including Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, have publicly spoken out against Netanyahu being offered a plea deal after attempting to cast doubt on Israel's court system in the wake of his indictment. Netanyahu, who served as Israeli PM from 1996 to 1999, and again from 2009 until 2021, is now the leader of the Likud, the largest political opposition party in the Knesset. At the same time, several politicos are attempting to secure Netanyahu's role, in the event he leaves. The former PM is accused of repeatedly accepting improper gifts and soliciting the trade of regulatory favors for favorable coverage from media moguls. https://sputniknews.com/20220118/as-netanyahu-is-discussing-a-plea-bargain-tweeps-are-divided-over-the-potential-agreement-1092332291.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead middle east, corruption, benjamin netanyahu, politics, israel, likud, plea deal, opposition parties https://sputniknews.com/20220125/pakistan-navy-inducts-1st-type-054ap-frigate-developed-by-china-1092503593.html Pakistan Navy Inducts 1st Type 054A/P Frigate Developed by China Pakistan Navy Inducts 1st Type 054A/P Frigate Developed by China The Pakistan Navy on Monday inducted the PNS Tughril, the first of four Type 054A/P frigates developed by China, in the Pakistan Navy Fleet, with the president... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T11:30+0000 2022-01-25T11:30+0000 2022-01-25T11:28+0000 china pakistan frigate /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/19/1092503639_0:23:1200:698_1920x0_80_0_0_758974fccb1363c81033737716f5d4d8.jpg China and Pakistan signed the contract for four Type 054A/Ps for the Pakistan Navy in June 2018. The first hull of this class was launched in Shanghai in August 2020, and it was delivered to the Pakistan Navy in November 2021.The frigate is the largest and most advanced surface combat vessel China has ever exported, China State Shipbuilding Corp, the maker of the ship, said in a statement published when the ship was delivered.Other major naval projects undertaken and ongoing collaborations between the two countries include the F-22P frigates with organic Z-9 helicopters, survey vessel PNS Behr Masah, Azmat-class fast attack craft (missile) and Hangor-class submarines, Niazi said.Niazi told the Global Times in an exclusive interview in 2021 that the Pakistan Navy has contracted construction of eight Hangor-class submarines, four Type 054A/P ships and medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicles from China.Talking about the application of the Type 054A/P frigate, President Alvi said at the induction ceremony that Pakistan's maritime sector has gained exceptional importance in the context of the CPEC, so the induction of the Type 054A/P frigates in the Pakistan Navy will not only serve to reinforce the security architecture of Pakistan's maritime zones across the country's maritime border, but also help safeguard the sea routes of the CPEC.This will open the CPEC to common vistas of prosperity, development and regional integration, Alvi said, noting that he is confident that the Pakistan Navy has the requisite operational capability and wherewithal to deal with the entire range of maritime security challenges.Niazi said at the event that Pakistan is located in an area of immense geo-economic and geostrategic significance, and the country's maritime security is embedded with the maritime environment of Indian Ocean, which has witnessed surges in the recent past in both traditional and non-traditional maritime threats. The Pakistan Navy's role of maintaining order at sea for sustenance and the protection of global maritime trade has been enhanced significantly, Niazi said.The Pakistan Navy's responsibilities have also grown manyfold since the inception of the CPEC and the development of its associated maritime infrastructure and Gwadar Port, Niazi said.In fulfillment of these obligations, the Pakistan Navy has continuously undertaken Maritime Security and Counter Piracy Operations since 2004 and 2009, respectively, besides the Navy's initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrols, the naval chief said, noting that the Pakistan Navy Fleet and Coastal Command units maintain round-the-clock readiness to foil any nefarious designs of sinister elements and give a befitting response in case of any misadventure by an adversary.The induction ceremony of the PNS Tughril multi-role frigate was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on Monday, according to a press release the Pakistan Navy sent to the Global Times on the day.President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi said at the ceremony that the Type 054A/P project is yet another manifestation of the deep friendship with China, and the collaboration shows a time-tested brotherly fraternity that is emerging between the two countries and continues to get stronger and stronger every day, which is focused on promoting security, stability and peace.Alvi said that he is confident that defense cooperation between China and Pakistan will continue to grow ever stronger.Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, the Pakistani Chief of the Naval Staff, said at the ceremony that the Type 054A/P is a potent platform, fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors.The ship is designed for combat in a multi-threat environment, and it can generate the requisite firepower in multiple domains with supersonic surface-to-surface cruise missiles, air defense missiles, anti-submarine warfare torpedoes and the latest combat management and electronic warfare systems, which will enable the Pakistan Navy to remain on par with contemporary trends in naval warfare, Niazi said.Niazi extended his gratitude to Admiral Dong Jun, commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, for his support during trials and commissioning of the PNS Tughril.The Pakistan Navy holds an induction ceremony for the PNS Tughril, the first of four Type 054A/P frigates built by China, at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on January 24, 2022. Photo: Courtesy of the Pakistan Navy china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 china, pakistan, frigate https://sputniknews.com/20220125/polish-prime-minister-disappointed-by-germanys-refusal-to-supply-arms-to-ukraine-1092510579.html Polish Prime Minister Disappointed by Germany's Refusal to Supply Arms to Ukraine Polish Prime Minister Disappointed by Germany's Refusal to Supply Arms to Ukraine WARSAW (Sputnik) - Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Tuesday expressed his dismay at Germanys refusal to supply arms to Ukraine amid fears of... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T15:37+0000 2022-01-25T15:37+0000 2022-01-25T15:36+0000 ukraine poland germany arms /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107955/66/1079556647_0:0:2399:1350_1920x0_80_0_0_0197034e1534fb8cd00bf51ae55feb3b.jpg Ukraine has pressured Germany for years to allow arms sales to the country as it fights a rebellion in the east.I observe with dismay the Ukrainian situation and our German neighbors reaction in the face of the Russian threat, Morawiecki said on Facebook, adding that German suspension of arms supply from Estonia to Ukraine, inter alia, represents a great disappointment, when the latter is preparing for defense against the aggressor.The Ukrainian government has also criticized Germany for vetoing its purchase of weapons from NATO. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk reiterated that Germany's position might have repercussions for bilateral relations. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock responded by saying that tensions in Ukraine must be resolved politically, not militarily.Tensions over Ukraine have increased in recent months, with Russia and NATO accusing each other of amassing troops on the Russian-Ukrainian border. The West and Kiev accuse Russia of allegedly preparing to invade. Moscow denies this, and maintains that it has no intention of invading Ukraine, adding that the allegations serve as a pretext for expanding the alliance's military presence and deploying more troops to Eastern Europe. Russia stresses its right to move forces within its own territory and claims that arms supply to Kiev may encourage it to use them against the breakaway Donbass. https://sputniknews.com/20220125/croatia-to-withdraw-its-forces-from-nato-in-event-of-russia-ukraine-conflict-1092505242.html ukraine poland germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 ukraine, poland, germany, arms https://sputniknews.com/20220125/records-show-drastic-increase-in-shark-attacks-worldwide-over-2021-1092514978.html Records Show Drastic Increase in Shark Attacks Worldwide Over 2021 Records Show Drastic Increase in Shark Attacks Worldwide Over 2021 Records Show Drastic Increase in Shark Attacks Worldwide Over 2021 2022-01-25T20:49+0000 2022-01-25T20:49+0000 2022-01-25T20:49+0000 shark attack florida daytona viral /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/09/1083343070_0:0:3495:1966_1920x0_80_0_0_dd6653fe50612933fadec20259e51eec.jpg 2021 saw 73 unprovoked shark bites across the world, exceeding the three-year average, according to an annual shark attack report from the International Shark Attack File, prepared at The Florida Museum of Natural History.The attacks were differentiated between provoked and unprovoked, with the latter standing at 73, which is 21 more in comparison with data from 2020.While the total number of attacks was said to be in line with the yearly average between 2016-2020, 72 confirmed bites, there were 11 shark-related fatalities this year, 9 of which were assigned as unprovoked, this number is above the annual global average of five unprovoked fatalities per year, according to The Florida Museum.The International Shark Attack File manager, Tyler Bowling, told the Guardian that shark bites in 2020 decreased due to pandemic-related restrictions, and 2021 records, according to him, are much more typical, with average bite numbers from an assortment of species and fatalities from white sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks.The US has seen more unprovoked shark bites than any other country (47), with 28 of them recorded in Florida alone, which is consistent with Floridas most recent five-year annual average of 25 attacks. 17 Florida cases were observed in Volusia county, which includes Daytona Beach.The one unprovoked fatal shark attack in the US occurred in California in December, when a man was killed while boogie boarding in Morro Bay. More deaths were seen in Australia (3) and New Caledonia (2).Earlier research has indicated that climate change may be forcing dangerous tiger sharks to migrate towards the UK, as rising ocean temperatures have changed the timing and direction of their migration. https://sputniknews.com/20211111/sharks-are-once-again-swimming-in-the-river-thames--1090669836.html daytona Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Alexandra Kashirina Alexandra Kashirina News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Alexandra Kashirina shark attack, florida, daytona, viral https://sputniknews.com/20220125/stoltenberg-reportedly-says-nato-will-not-deploy-troops-in-ukraine-1092511576.html Stoltenberg Reportedly Says NATO Will Not Deploy Troops in Ukraine Stoltenberg Reportedly Says NATO Will Not Deploy Troops in Ukraine He added, however, that the alliance is not ready to compromise with Russia on the alliance's fundamental principles. 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T16:41+0000 2022-01-25T16:41+0000 2022-01-26T13:22+0000 ukraine nato jens stoltenberg russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/07/1083095767_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_77a893b29c0a4a0b9223236a6ed9cbcb.jpg NATO won't send combat troops to Ukraine, the alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. "NATO will not deploy NATO combat troops to Ukraine," he said in an interview with CNN.He also said that NATO will send a written response to Russia's security proposals this week in parallel with the United States. NATO is ready to "sit down and discuss arms control, disarmament, transparency on military activities, risk reduction mechanisms and other issues which are relevant for European security," he said."But we are not ready to compromise on core principles," Stoltenberg said.Earlier in the day, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said not a single NATO country was ready to deploy a large contingent of troops in Ukraine. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said Croatia would withdraw its military from the NATO forces deployed in the region in the event of a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 ukraine, nato, jens stoltenberg, russia BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair on Tuesday a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries in Beijing. This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the five countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Over the past few years, Xi has on various occasions called for promoting ties and security cooperation between China and the five countries. The following are some highlights of his remarks. Jan. 6, 2022 While exchanging congratulations with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xi said he would like to continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and jointly lift the China-Turkmenistan strategic partnership to new levels for the benefit of the two countries and their people. Jan. 5, 2022 The development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations not only benefits the two countries and their people, but also contributes to peace and stability in Central Asia, Xi said in his congratulatory message to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations, and stands ready to maintain close contact with Zhaparov and further promote bilateral ties. Jan. 4, 2022 In his congratulatory message to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said the two countries have taken the lead in building a community of development and a community of security, setting an example of jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides enjoy booming cooperation in various fields, he said, adding that their high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has also achieved fruitful results. Jan. 2, 2022 China-Uzbekistan relations have kept pace with the times and forged ahead, setting a fine example of international relations featuring harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation, Xi said while exchanging congratulations with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Xi said he stands ready to work with Mirziyoyev to jointly write a new chapter in the history of the development of the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to benefit the two countries and two peoples. Sept. 17, 2021 Addressing the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization via video link, Xi said "faced with complex and fluid security dynamics in the region, we need to pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and take tough actions against terrorism, separatism and extremism." "We should make the most of the meeting mechanisms and platforms at all levels, step up policy dialogue, communication and coordination, respect each other's legitimate concerns and promptly resolve problems that may arise and affect our cooperation," Xi said. June 2, 2021 In a telephone conversation with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Xi said China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to make their good relations even better. Xi pointed out that China and Kazakhstan are permanent comprehensive strategic partners, and their friendship enjoys a solid foundation and a strong impetus. June 15, 2019 Addressing the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Xi said building a safe and stable Asia is a common goal of regional countries. He called for dialogue rather than confrontation, and partnership instead of alliance among CICA members. To properly address various traditional and non-traditional security problems, Asian countries should stand firm in cracking down on terrorism of all forms, take all kinds of effective precaution measures and extinguish extremism from its roots, Xi said, urging CICA members to explore a regional security structure with Asian features to realize collective security and common security for Asia. https://sputniknews.com/20220125/swapped-bus-for-bugatti-georgina-rodriguez-sheds-light-on-how-cristiano-ronaldo-changed-her-life-1092503285.html Swapped Bus for Bugatti: Georgina Rodriguez Sheds Light on How Cristiano Ronaldo Changed Her Life Swapped Bus for Bugatti: Georgina Rodriguez Sheds Light on How Cristiano Ronaldo Changed Her Life Georgina Rodriguez worked at a Gucci store in the Spanish capital where Cristiano Ronaldo used to shop while plying his trade for Real Madrid. Flames between... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T11:52+0000 2022-01-25T11:52+0000 2022-01-25T11:52+0000 football football sport real madrid manchester united cristiano ronaldo sputnik sport sport relationship /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/106772/68/1067726856_0:271:1080:879_1920x0_80_0_0_3def5d2870687096d27e849f35f35078.jpg Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, who grew-up in a two-room apartment in Spain, has revealed that it was difficult to get accustomed to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's luxurious lifestyle initially. The Spanish-Argentine lingerie model, who has nearly 30 million followers on Instagram, is set to disclose many secrets of her life in an upcoming documentary, titled 'I Am Georgina', which will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, her 28th birthday. According to British tabloid newspaper The Sun, due to her modest life, Rodriguez had hardly ever travelled in expensive cars, as she could only afford a bus ride to her office and back home and this is why it took her a lot of time to get used to Ronaldo's range of luxury cars."I'd get there on the bus and leave in a Bugatti," Georgina said while describing how she felt when Ronaldo came to pick her up from the Gucci store where she worked as a sales assistant. "I went from selling luxury items to wearing them on the red carpet. I have millions of followers and I'm the woman of the most-followed man in the world." Rodriguez also claimed that right at the start of their relationship, she got lost in Ronaldo's $6.5 million home several times. In fact, during her first visit to CR7's ultra-modern mansion, it took her more than 30 minutes to find a way out of the kitchen and get back to the living room."The first time I went to Cristiano's house I'd get lost every time I went to the kitchen for water. Sometimes it would take me half an hour to get back from the living room because I didn't know the way. It was so big," she explained. "Since I was a kid, I'd been used to living in small apartments. After half a year, I got to know where everything was," Rodriguez concluded. Though Rodriguez has often spoken about her frugal life in Spain and how she has remained grounded even after her relationship with Ronaldo, her uncle Jesus Hernandez, recently slammed her and branded her as an "evil woman" for shutting out her family. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png football, football, sport, real madrid, manchester united, cristiano ronaldo, sputnik, sport, sport, relationship, girlfriend, football club, football team, footballer, football legend, football star, georgina rodriguez https://sputniknews.com/20220125/taiwan-reports-first-sighting-of-two-chinese-j-16d-electronic-warfare-aircraft-near-island-1092514294.html Taiwan Reports First Sighting of Two Chinese J-16D Electronic Warfare Aircraft Near Island Taiwan Reports First Sighting of Two Chinese J-16D Electronic Warfare Aircraft Near Island Taiwans de facto defense ministry said on Monday it had detected two advanced Chinese electronic warfare jets flying near the island for the first time. The... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T19:18+0000 2022-01-25T19:18+0000 2022-01-25T19:18+0000 electronic warfare taiwan j-16 fighter jet electronic jammer plaaf /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/19/1092513837_0:44:1625:958_1920x0_80_0_0_9d3db894fd2a7564fc0b0c7eeba6d300.png Taiwans Ministry of National Defense reported tracking 13 Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft flying through its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Monday: eight were J-16 multirole strike aircraft, one was a Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane, two were H-6 strategic bombers, and two were J-16D electronic warfare aircraft.The J-16D, a version of Shenyangs J-16 which only debuted in 2015, had never previously been spotted near the autonomous island, according to Taiwan Central News Agency. The jet carries four different electronic warfare pods designed to suppress enemy air defenses (SEAD) and disrupt communications systems across the EM band, and can also fire anti-radiation missiles, which home in on enemy radar sites.In all, the J-16D is a broad equivalent to the US Navys E-18 Growler, itself a heavily modified version of the F/A-18E/F Hornet fighter jet. Russia never developed a separate SEAD role for its strike aircraft, instead using escort jammers made out of modified bombers teamed up with either regular bombers or strike aircraft armed with anti-radiation missiles.Taiwan scrambled fighters in response to detecting the PLAAF aircraft, which were flying outside Taiwanese airspace but within its ADIZ, a self-declared and defined area where it claims the right to identify aircraft flying through it, military and civilian alike. In the Western media, such flights have been characterized as violations of Taiwanese airspace and a bellicose prelude to a Chinese attack. While the Chinese government sees Taiwan as a rebellious province destined to be reunited with the rest of China, it doesnt have the means at present to invade the island.Taiwan, once the ruling government of all of China, has been autonomous from Beijing since the victorious communist forces founded the Peoples Republic of China in 1949. The islands government has survived largely with US backing, even as Washington switched its recognition of the legitimate Chinese government from Taipei to Beijing in the 1970s, keeping open an informal lifeline that has included the sale of advanced weapons systems like F-16V Viper fighter jets.According to the Taiwanese MND, the aircraft on Monday flew between Taiwan and Pratas, an island in the northern South China Sea thats controlled by the government in Taiwan. Further to the south, two US Navy aircraft carrier battle groups led by the carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln began operations on Sunday after performing joint exercises east of Taiwan in conjunction with Japanese self-defense forces.Last week, the PLA Navy said it had warned off another US warship, the destroyer USS Benfold, which strayed too close to the Paracel Islands, one of several island chains in the South China Sea that China claims as its territory. However, Vietnam also claims to own the islands.The US says it operates in the region to deter Chinese aggression and defend the regions smaller nations, but Beijing has its own dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on developing a mutual code of conduct for the waterway and established hotlines to settle their disputes. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg electronic warfare, taiwan, j-16 fighter jet, electronic jammer, plaaf https://sputniknews.com/20220125/top-us-general-uae-counterpart-discuss-houthis-missile-attack-on-air-base---spokesman-1092495616.html Top US General, UAE Counterpart Discuss Houthi's Missile Attack on Air Base - Spokesman Top US General, UAE Counterpart Discuss Houthi's Missile Attack on Air Base - Spokesman WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley and his UAE counterpart Lt. Gen. Hamad Muhammad Thani al-Rumaythi discussed Yemen Houthi... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T03:00+0000 2022-01-25T03:00+0000 2022-01-25T02:59+0000 united arab emirates abu dhabi mark milley houthi militants /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/18/1092473896_0:258:1430:1062_1920x0_80_0_0_ac733eaf0924e472351ac9f93d511725.png "The military leaders discussed the recent Houthi terrorist attacks against the UAE as well as the security environment in the Middle East," Butler said in a statement on Monday. "The Chairman condemned both last night's attack as well as the January 17, 2022 attack publicly claimed by the Houthis."Milley praised the United Arab Emirates' armed forces for successfully intercepting the missiles, especially a combined effort to prevent inbound missiles from impacting the al-Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi, which houses US service members, Butler said.Earlier on Monday, the US Central Command said the United States successfully intercepted two missiles launched by the Houthis that were aimed at the air base.The Houthis have conducted several drone attacks that targeted Abu Dhabi, killing three people and injuring six others. In response, the Saudi-led coalition, of which the UAE is a part, launched a campaign against the rebel group, targeting their warehouses and other infrastructure in Yemen.Yemen has been gripped by a conflict fought between the government forces and the Houthi movement for over six years. Since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition fighting on the government's side has been conducting air, land and sea operations against the rebels. The Houthis have often retaliated by firing projectiles and bomber drones on Saudi territory. The United Nations has described the situation in Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. https://sputniknews.com/20220124/sirens-sound-off-in-abu-dhabi-amid-reports-of-explosions-air-defense-activity-1092473400.html united arab emirates abu dhabi Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 united arab emirates, abu dhabi, mark milley, houthi militants https://sputniknews.com/20220125/ukraines-defence-minister-slams-foreign-media-for-whipping-up-russian-invasion-fears-1092512473.html Ukraines Defence Minister Slams Foreign Media for Whipping Up Russian Invasion Fears Ukraines Defence Minister Slams Foreign Media for Whipping Up Russian Invasion Fears Western officials and media have spent months claiming that Russian troops stationed near Ukraine are making preparations for an "imminent" invasion. Moscow... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T17:13+0000 2022-01-25T17:13+0000 2022-01-25T18:32+0000 russia ukraine hysteria invasion officials claims /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0e/1092265864_0:102:2048:1254_1920x0_80_0_0_5b8ea21d69351bb8bd563a4549c15fa7.jpg Kiev does not see any imminent danger of a Russian incursion, and foreign media are to blame for blowing up tensions, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said.There are no grounds to think that an invasion will happen tomorrow from a military point of view, he added.The defence minister also expressed readiness to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, if such a possibility presents itself within the framework of negotiations in Brussels or Munich involving Russia, Ukraine, and its partners from the US and the UK.In a separate interview with Ukraines ICTV on Monday, Reznikov called on ordinary Ukrainians and media in particular not to give in to war panic, saying there was no evidence to justify war fears. I dont rate such a scenario very highly. Our armed forces, our command and general staff have all the options worked out and know how to act. Right now, our intelligence and the intelligence of partner nations shows that no strike force has been created by the Russian Federation to indicate an offensive tomorrow. There is no such threat. Therefore, I ask you not to sow panic, he said.The minister went on to claim that Russias war against Ukraine actually began in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea. The peninsula broke off from Ukraine in March 2014 after a pro-Western coup in Kiev overthrew the countrys elected government. Amid a voter turnout of 83 percent, over 96 percent of Crimeas residents voted in favour of rejoining Russia.Reznikov is the latest Ukrainian official to call for calm amid growing tensions with Russia. On Monday, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called on citizens to keep cool amid unfounded media-inspired fearmongering so as not to create additional pressure on the economy.Separately, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, an advisory body to the Ukrainian president, asked reporters to avoid creating Russia-related fake news.Danilov went on to criticise Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko over plans to organise territorial defence forces for resistance to the aggressor in cities across the country. Defence of the country was the job of the military, the National Security and Defence Council chief said.President Volodymyr Zelensky, appears not to have received Danilovs memos, warning repeatedly in recent days that a Russian incursion into Ukraine might begin with the border city of Kharkiv, and stressing that Russia could never occupy the city because it is filled with our cool people.Western officials and media have spent months claiming that Russia is gearing up to invade Ukraine, with some NATO nations sending troops and military equipment and ordering diplomats and/or members of their families to leave the country while threatening Moscow with never before seen sanctions. Moscow has slammed the US and its allies over the invasion claims, accusing them of artificially pumping up hysteria as a pretext for expanding NATOs presence in countries that ring Russias western frontiers, and of attempting to speed up the incorporation of Ukraine into the Western bloc. https://sputniknews.com/20220125/croatia-to-withdraw-its-forces-from-nato-in-event-of-russia-ukraine-conflict-1092505242.html https://sputniknews.com/20220125/polish-prime-minister-disappointed-by-germanys-refusal-to-supply-arms-to-ukraine-1092510579.html https://sputniknews.com/20220125/pentagon-new-us-military-aid-arriving-in-ukraine-including-anti-tank-javelin-missiles-1092512150.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov russia, ukraine, hysteria, invasion, officials, claims https://sputniknews.com/20220125/ukrainian-troops-trained-by-uk-to-use-new-anti-tank-weapons-defense-ministry-says-1092515276.html Ukrainian Troops Trained by UK to Use New Anti-Tank Weapons, Defense Ministry Says Ukrainian Troops Trained by UK to Use New Anti-Tank Weapons, Defense Ministry Says KIEV (Sputnik) - British military advisers are training the Ukrainian army to use the recently-delivered advanced anti-tank missile systems NLAW, the Ukrainian... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T20:29+0000 2022-01-25T20:29+0000 2022-01-25T20:29+0000 weapon systems military & intelligence ukraine military ukraine crisis east ukraine uk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/19/1092515250_0:265:3073:1993_1920x0_80_0_0_f541e3dc0ac9be7f8ef95860204069f0.jpg On January 17, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK will deliver a number of NLAWs to Ukraine and will provide personnel to train Ukrainian soldiers on how to handle the weapons. The systems were delivered by the UK Royal Air Force on January 17-18, accompanied by a training team consisting of 10-20 soldiers.According to the message, the UK military advisers were dispatched to Ukraine under Operation Orbital of 2015.The academy's head, Lieutenant General Pavlo Tkachuk, said that Ukrainian officers will soon be able to train soldiers themselves. He thanked the British government and military advisers for their support, the statement read.Operation Orbital was launched by the UK in 2015 to provide guidance and training to the Ukrainian armed forces. So far, 21,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been trained under the initiative. The UK has also delivered $3 million of non-lethal military equipment and made the first supply of lethal weaponry to Ukraine under the initiative in 2022. https://sputniknews.com/20220125/uk-unlikely-to-send-troops-to-ukraine-foreign-minister-says-1092506382.html ukraine east ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 weapon systems, military & intelligence, ukraine, military, ukraine crisis, east ukraine, uk https://sputniknews.com/20220125/us-studying-alternatives-to-russian-gas-in-north-africa-amid-ukraine-spat-white-house-says-1092512990.html US Studying Alternatives to Russian Gas in North Africa Amid Ukraine Spat, White House Says US Studying Alternatives to Russian Gas in North Africa Amid Ukraine Spat, White House Says Russian natural gas accounts for roughly 40 percent of Europe's consumption, including nearly half of the gas purchased by regional economic and industrial... 25.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-25T17:40+0000 2022-01-25T17:40+0000 2022-01-25T18:31+0000 gas gas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102482/45/1024824568_0:156:3001:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_df2eb218cbc5b0832c38ddb874d32831.jpg The Biden administration is working to identify new volumes of non-Russian gas for Europe in North Africa amid fears of the potential disruption of Russian supplies due to tensions over Ukraine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki has announced."We're engaging with a range of countries and partners to discuss what could be shortages...A disruption of course of physical energy supplies transiting Ukraine would most acutely affect natural gas markets in Europe, so we're engaging our European allies to coordinate response planning including how to deploy their existing energy stockpiles. That's part of it," Psaki said, speaking to reporters in Washington on Tuesday.The US is also "engaging with major buyers and suppliers of LNG to ensure flexibility of existing contracts and storage," Psaki said.The spokeswoman suggested that this range of "contingencies" is being worked on in the event of a disruption in Russian supplies headed to Europe for "a range of reasons."The spokeswoman declined to comment on negotiations with any individual country or any other diplomatic conversations the US may be having with its partners on the matter.Psaki's comments follow reporting by US media last week about a global strategy being put together by Amos Hochstein, a senior advisor for energy security at the State Department, on the emergency redirecting of supplies, and the increasing of output, in the event of a sudden drop in Russian deliveries. Hochstein is the same official who expressed "concern" about gas shortages in Europe and blamed Russia for spiking prices after the US spent two straight years trying to torpedo the new 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year-capacity Nord Stream 2 pipeline.Earlier this month, several unidentified energy companies reportedly told the State Department that replacing Russian gas would be next to impossible, given the size of Russia's footprint in the global gas market.Ukraine is set to remain a major transit artery for Russian gas supplies heading westward until at least 2024 under the current contract between Moscow and Kiev, which nets Russia's neighbour billions of dollars in revenues annually in exchange for the transit of some 40 billion cubic meters of gas per year through its Soviet-era pipeline infrastructure. Ukraine itself claims that it hasn't purchased Russian gas since 2015, buying "European" gas from countries including Slovakia, Poland and Germany instead. However, subsequent investigations have discovered that most, if not all of the gas Kiev gets from the European Union is actually Russian, and that it is sold back to Ukraine at inflated prices by its European "partners."Libya, one of Europe's major North African suppliers of natural gas in decades past, has seen its production plummet by more than half since 2011 and the NATO-aided intervention to overthrow longtime Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, which turned the country into a failed state. https://sputniknews.com/20211223/putin-links-european-gas-crunch-to-eu-buying-at-spot-markets-1091748541.html https://sputniknews.com/20220115/intl-energy-firms-tell-us-they-lack-gas-to-replace-russian-supplies-to-europe-media-says-1092280253.html https://sputniknews.com/20210215/there-was-no-revolution-libyans-reflect-on-decade-of-chaos-that-followed-gaddafis-ouster-1082084421.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov gas, gas A movie featuring locations at Smith Mountain Lake, Roanoke and Vinton will have its red carpet premiere at the Grandin Theatre on Feb. 10. After several years of waiting, Princess Cut 3: Beauty from Ashes will be debuting on the big screen, including in Roanoke. The movie was filmed in 2018 and used scenes that included an alpaca farm in Hardy. The movie is the second sequel to Princess Cut, the debut feature-length film by Paul and Sheilah Munger of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The couple worked as writers, producers and directors on each. The sequel Princess Cut 2: Hearts on Fire also featured area locations, but came out in September without the fanfare of a premiere event. Sheilah Munger said the decision to skip the premiere was due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Munger said she is eager to premiere Princess Cut 3. Grandin Theatre also plans to show Princess Cut 2 beforehand, giving an audience the chance to see both on the big screen. Two expectant couples that are best friends face crushing upheavals in their lives which force them to make life-altering choices, according to a blurb about Princess Cut 2 posted grandintheatre.com. A single mom struggling to make ends meet as a waitress witnesses a domestic disturbance and develops an unexpected relationship with the policeman investigating the case, reads the Grandins blurb on Princess Cut 3. It has been a long road to completion. Munger said she expected to finish the films post-production in 2020, but was hit with significant delays. On top of COVID-related delays, Munger said they had to wait on a tax credit from Virginia for the filming. A computer hard drive failure wiped out a portion of work done on the third movie. It really has been an exercise in patience, she said. Next months premiere will give local residents the opportunity to see the results of eight weeks spent shooting both movies in the area. Munger said she loved living in the area during the shoots, a schedule extended several days in 2018, when more than a foot of snow fell. That weather forced a change in the shooting schedule, but Munger said it allowed for some beautiful scenery of snow covered fields, especially at the alpaca farm. Actors spent the day at the farm, owned by Robbin Martinelli and Jay Pratley, and worked closely with the animals. Munger said having alpacas gave the film a unique quality. It created an endearing element, she said. The Princess Cut 3: Beauty from Ashes premiere is at 8:15 p.m. Feb. 10. The Roanoke theater will show Princess Cut 2: Hearts on Fire at 6 p.m. watchmanpictures.com Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins is supporting state Sen. Bryce Reeves in his run for Virginias 7th Congressional District seat. Bryce has a long history of service in our community. He is one of my auxiliary deputies here in Culpeper, and Ive always been glad to have him on my team, Jenkins said Tuesday in a statement from the Reeves campaign. Its one of the many reasons Im willing to join him in his race against Abigail Spanberger. Bryce has always been committed to helping our men and women in law enforcement, and he has my full endorsement in his run for Congress. Im so honored to have the endorsement of Sheriff Jenkins, Reeves said in a response. Im grateful to serve under him as an auxiliary sheriff for the Culpeper Sheriffs Department. He is now the sixth sheriff in the new 7th Congressional District to announce his support for my campaign. Its an honor to have our law-enforcement officials rallying behind this campaign. As a former narcotics detective, I have always been an advocate for our men and women in blue while in Richmond, and will continue to do so in Washington. A conservative Republican, Jenkins has kept a high profile on illegal immigration and gun rights. After Democrats gained control of the Virginia House of Delegates, he became a leading proponent of Virginias Second Amendment sanctuary movement in early 2020. Reeves is running for the 7th Congressional District seat redrawn last month by Virginias redistricting special masters, as later approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. He is among the GOP candidates challenging two-term U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th. In recent weeks, Reeves has also been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Vietnam War POW leader Paul Galanti; SEAL Pac, a national veterans political action committee led by former Trump administration Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke; Fredericksburg Sheriff Paul Higgs; Stafford County Sheriff David Decatur; Caroline County Sheriff Tony Lippa; former Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell; Louisa County Sheriff Donald A. Lowe; state Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper; Spotsylvania County Commonwealths Attorney Travis Bird; Spotsylvania County Sheriff Roger Harris; Orange County Sheriff Mark Amos; Trump administration Secretary of Energy Rick Perry; and FreedomWorks, a libertarian advocacy nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. An Army veteran and a small business owner, Reeves represents the 17th District in the Virginia Senate, which includes the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Albemarle (part), Culpeper (part), Louisa (part), Orange and Spotsylvania (part). Reeves serves on the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services as well as the committees on Local Government, General Laws and Technology, and Privileges and Elections. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Its time to talk about history the history of Nebraska and Wyoming stories. Legacy of the Plains Museum is inviting the public to attend a monthly speaker series starting Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. as part of its efforts to preserve the areas history. The series will feature a different topic every month, with the focus centering on Nebraska and Wyoming stories delivered in hour-long sessions. The presenters will also come from a variety of backgrounds and locations. All presentations are free and open to the public. Legacy of the Plains Executive Director Dave Wolf said they are planning to offer one speaker per month until they can no longer find speakers. We want to do this event as an ongoing thing, Wolf said. Were trying to get a whole years worth scheduled; that way we can get advertising out and hand out cards, so people know this person is in June or July. The first session will begin Wednesday at 6 p.m. with Brian Croft discussing the history of Nebraska maps. Croft teaches composition, literature, creative writing and Nebraska history at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. I think its a really good way to kick off the series because hes known in the area, and he does a really good job presenting, Wolf said. Were excited to get this started, and Brian is a great choice for our first one. Croft said his presentation will look at how Nebraska has been seen cartographically (practice of drawing maps) from the earliest explorations to statehood, but also examine the varied uses of maps and the sometimes altered maps that result. From Crofts perspective, life is best lived with a wide lens, stretching not just across our 2022 landscape, but through time. Not only is Nebraska rich in its nationally significant history (such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the start of the Union Pacific/Transcontinental Railroad, its Native peoples, and its novel Unicameral), understanding how we got here is predicated on at least a local level of historical knowledge, Croft said. We can see trends in agriculture and its methods, understand demographic changes in our population and the economic impact of this, and, of course, find who we are through researching our personal heritage. Maps give us a timestamp of a communitys establishment, growth and activities of people, but they also supply more subjective uses from politics to land claims, Croft said. Regardless of what they do, however, these everyday and easy-to-access depictions of our state influence how we see us as Nebraskans, even though we exist in invisible, generally artificial (with the exception of the Missouri River, of course) borders. During his discussion of maps Wednesday, Croft is hopeful attendees leave with a greater appreciation of the art of cartography and the evolution of the state. Maps are at once factual and imaginative, stark and beautiful, and play a role in our daily lives, whether stuffed in our glove compartments or navigating us digitally on our phones, he said. We will also have a discussion about what, exactly, defines a map for it is more of an unknown than one might think. Loren Pospisil with Chimney Rock Museum is Februarys featured speaker. Pospisil will discuss the history of eastbound trails. Wolf is hopeful to have the presentations confirmed by the end of January to provide the community with a list of topics, speakers and dates, barring unforeseen circumstances to the schedule. Each month will feature a different presentation format with some speakers giving a presentation and then taking questions while other sessions will be set up as a panel discussion. Were working on one panel discussion for the Homestead Act, Wolf said. Curtis, Nebraska, is offering land to people to move to Curits. Really thats a modern reproduction of the Homestead Act, so were bringing in some people to talk about the history of it and the economics of it and government officials. Wolf said the board has also considered organizing a debate between two sides of the historical decisions to keep the audience engaged each month. He hopes the series will allow the public to engage with the rich history through new stories and unique angles. The museums Puzzles of the Past focuses on cities whereas the speaker series focuses on topics. Anyone interested in presenting a topic is welcome to contact the museum for further details. Legacy of the Plains Museum is located at 2930 Old Oregon Trail in Gering. For more information about the event or other events at the museum, call 308-436-1989. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Commentary: Xi's far-reaching anti-graft drive ensures China's sound governance Xinhua) 08:13, January 25, 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/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The plenary sessions of the top disciplinary agency of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) are usually tone-setting times for China's anti-graft work. It was at such a meeting nine years ago, when Xi Jinping, who was just about two months into his role as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, vowed to crack down on high-ranking "tigers" as well as lower-level "flies" involved in corruption. In the ensuing years, Xi's far-reaching anti-graft campaign has ushered in an era of immaculate governance in China, with people's trust in the leadership continuing to grow. This week, addressing the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), Xi stressed rigorous and unswerving efforts in further promoting full and strict Party governance. Since its launch, the anti-corruption dragnet has not only nabbed high-ranking officials but has also tracked down venal officials who have fled abroad. In less than a decade, more than 400 officials at the ministerial level or above have been punished or investigated. From 2014 to 2020, over 8,300 fugitives were repatriated from more than 120 countries and regions. Among several other major achievements, China's "sweeping victory" over corruption will be an indelible part of Xi's leadership legacy. As the adage goes, "corruption is the root cause of all evils," the success of numerous societal upliftment initiatives can be ascribed to Xi's flagship anti-corruption drive. Last year, China achieved a decisive triumph, eradicating absolute poverty. This feat would not have been possible without a team of clean and honest poverty-relief officials. To aid in the implementation of targeted poverty alleviation, the top disciplinary agency adopted tough measures to prevent corruption from impeding poverty alleviation. China's anti-corruption campaign is remarkable for a number of reasons, the most significant of which is that nowhere else in the world can one see an approach with such unusual energy, scale, and perseverance, led by the top leader. Xi compares corruption to poison and often cites an ancient proverb to emphasize the resolve of "scrapping poison off the bone" to maintain the Party's "good health." The anti-graft campaign calls for "no mercy." It's about preventing and eliminating corruption and ensuring that officials are honest, the government is clean, and political integrity is maintained. The repercussions of engaging in malpractice and crimes are severe. Convicted individuals face the harshest penalties, including the death penalty or languishing in prison for life, with their property and unlawful assets confiscated. Whether serving or retired, the anti-graft dragnet spares none, and it is possibly unique globally to have an anti-corruption campaign go deep into the military to ferret out and rectify misconduct. The goal is to foster an environment in which people "don't dare to, are unable to and have no desire to commit acts of corruption." Soon after Xi launched his anti-corruption campaign, observers predicted that the governance of China would benefit in the long run as the success of the anti-corruption drive would pave the way for further reforms and would instill greater confidence in the country's long-term development. Today facts have only proved the effectiveness of his campaign. China has eradicated absolute poverty, and the country has sailed to become a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Besides, significant progress has been achieved in judicial, economic, and tax reforms, as well as in state-owned enterprise, military, and educational reforms. Xi's anti-corruption efforts have garnered widespread support from both Party members and ordinary citizens, indicating a growing consensus, but the battle is far from over. At the just-concluded CCDI plenary session, Xi once again cautioned that as long as the soil for graft still exists, corrupt practices will not just go away. In Xi's words: "our fight against corruption will never stop." (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese rail consortium has been awarded a contract from the Philippines to build a railway in the country, according to an announcement from China Railway Group Limited (CREC) filed with the Shanghai Stock Exchange. A joint venture of CREC, China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd. has signed a contract worth around 17.55 billion yuan (about 2.77 billion U.S. dollars) with the Phillipines Department of Transportation to build the Philippine National Railway South-Long Haul Project, said the announcement. The 380 km stretch includes 23 stations, with the designed speed of passenger trains at 120-160 km per hour. During its Jan. 18 meeting, the ESU-13 Board of Education voted unanimously to approve Laura Barrett as the ESU-13 Administrator. Barrett has been serving as the interim administrator after former administrator Andrew Dick accepted a superintendent position with Scottsbluff Public Schools last spring, as well as co-coordinator for the Nebraska Department of Educations Multi-Tiered System of Support Project this past year. Barrett will begin to make the transition to permanent administrator for the 2022-23 school year. Laura has come up through the ranks of the service unit over the years, recently earning her Educational Doctorate from the University of Nebraska. She will bring her enthusiasm, experience and vision for the future of the unit and school districts of the Panhandle schools and students, ESU-13 Board President Mark Sinner said in a press release. Laura is very well known and respected across the state at all levels of education. On behalf of the board, congratulations to Dr. Laura Barrett. Barrett said she is looking forward to setting new goals and building on what the service unit already has going for it. Im excited about it. Its nice to be able to think about the future and what could be, she said. As interim you want to be able to maintain that quality, but not ruffle anything that might be different with the new administrator, and so knowing that I get to stay on board with our team is exciting. So then we can start to move forward in setting goals for the future. Some of those goals, for Barrett, include expanding ESU-13s programs and services in the early childhood education and behavioral health areas, as well as career and technical education. One of the areas that we really know is big within our service area is really just how do we continue to support teachers and administrators? Its a hard job, and just (we want to find) new ways to make sure that our programs help them have the skills they need, she said. I anticipate were going to see more of a need for our early childhood programming and support as well as our behavior and mental health. And one other area were really just on the cusp of really starting to increase is career and technical education and our support for teachers who do that. Barrett also said one of her main initiatives will be to continue educating the public about what exactly ESU-13 does. Were, unfortunately, the best kept secret, she said. Not everybody knows of the things that we do, which is great that were behind the scenes, but I think sometimes growing that awareness of our programs is going to be important. Educational Service Unit #13 provides services to 11 counties and 21 school districts in the Panhandle of Nebraska, proudly serving more than 14,000 students and over 1,000 teachers. To learn more about the wide range of services the unit offers, visit www.esu13.org. Barrett has been in education for nearly 17 years, many of them with ESU-13. According to the press prelease, Barrett served the unit in a variety of roles prior to her current ones, including Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Assistant Coordinator for the Central/Western Nebraska Partnership for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Secondary Transition Specialist, Special Education Coordinator and Director. Barrett also served as the Director of Student Services for Gering Public Schools. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Panhandle youth robotics teams will be competing in one of four regional competitions Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center. Scottsbluff will host 16 teams, two local, all looking to advance to the state competition held in Grand Island Feb. 26. The competition will consist of two main events individual judging on teams innovation projects will begin at 7 a.m. and the multiple gaming rounds will begin at 10 a.m. First Lego League Challenge, organized through Lego, released details and the theme in August 2021 for this years competition teams. The theme is Cargo Connect. Teams are responsible for answering what can be done to improve the transportation systems across the U.S. Participants are encouraged to think about future transportation sustainability relating to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9. The goal is focused on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. The innovation project tasks every team with identifying a problem in their community or the world, developing a solution for that problem, prototyping it and sharing it with stakeholders in their communities. Teams will then present to judges on what problem they have identified, what solution they came up with and how they accomplished it. The robot games portion of the competition will bring a bit more excitement to the day as teams will operate their Lego robots to complete missions on a challenge board or table. The Lego kits along with optional instructions and challenge boards were also released in August 2021. Though typical first year teams may follow the instructions completely or use them as a guide, advanced teams are expected to design from scratch and are rewarded for their creativity and not following instructions. About half the points come from how many missions on this challenge board that teams can complete in two and a half minutes, Nathan Rice, extension educator and tournament director, said. Each mission will have different points associated with it based on how hard it is. The Lego League is offered as part of Nebraskas 4-H STEM clubs. Though 4-H membership is not required, it is encouraged to ensure each participant is under an insurance policy during events. Rice explained the cost for materials for the project is substantial the robot kits themselves cost around $280 to $300. In addition to materials for multiple robots and the challenge board, teams need a computer for each robot, presentation supplies and registration cost, which is around $300 each year. Constellation Energy and Gas company have been huge supporters of our 4-H and robotics club, Rice said. He explained that every county with Constellation is typically gifted a robotics kit and this past year, Scotts Bluff County was given a spec prime kit and expansion set. Rice further said that Constellation donates money through the 4-H council for STEM club, and money for Lego League materials also comes from the extensions Cost Objects Fund. County club leaders work at fundraising to cover additional costs. Its not a cheap event but its probably one of the biggest learning events that Ive taught through 4-H. Because of how much time that goes into it, the kids get really into the learning process, Rice said. In addition to learning Scratch programming, the participants are developing communication and teamwork skills, which also account for a portion of the judges scores. This is an abnormal Saturday event, and I feel like a lot of people could make a fun day out of it, Rice said. The public is encouraged to attend the competition and support the two local teams Rice has been work with to prepare. The all-day event will take place at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research & Extension Center, located at 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff. For more information about First Lego League, go to firstlegoleague.org or contact Nathan Rice at (308) 632-1480. Nicole Heldt is a reporter with the Star-Herald, covering agriculture. She can be reached at 308-632-9044 or by email at nheldt@starherald.com. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo. The Lafayette County Sheriffs Office is defending one of its jail employees for her decision to wear a red prom dress that featured the Confederate battle flag years before she began working for the agency. Sgt. Samantha Bell, an employee with the jail division for the sheriffs office, wore a red shiny dress with a giant Confederate battle flag on her backside to her senior prom at Wellington-Napoleon High School in 2013. Bell has been employed with the sheriffs office for the past five years. Lafayette County is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, about 200 miles west of St. Louis. The Kansas City Star contacted the sheriffs office Thursday after receiving an anonymous tip raising concerns. Lafayette County Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh said the photograph was discussed with Bell. Our employee advises she was in no way making a racial statement by wearing this dress. She was simply stating her southern heritage in memory of her deceased Grandmother, the sheriff said in an email Friday. Bell did not reply to The Stars request for comment via Facebook message. My daughters heritage and my heritage The anonymous tipster claimed Bell was also in the process of becoming a sworn police officer through the Central Missouri Police Academy, a detail The Star was unable to independently verify Friday. The police academy is located at the University of Central Missouri. In a statement, the police academy declined to identify any of its trainees, citing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. But the law does not in fact prevent the academy from commenting on such matters. Holly Pierce, Bells mother, said that she made the dress for her daughter. Pierce contended there was nothing racist about the symbol. Im not going to stand out here and freeze to death having this discussion with you, she told a Star reporter from the driveway of her Mayview, Missouri, home on Friday morning. You guys really need to take this up with Sam (Bell) and go back and read your history. For you to come on my property and accuse me of something that absolutely has nothing to do with that Confederate flag except for my daughters heritage and my heritage is absolutely wrong. Flags history In recent years, Confederate symbols and statues which were largely erected after the Civil War during the Jim Crow era and into the civil rights movement have started coming down. Mississippi removed the battle flag from its state flag in 2020 as several states reckoned with the imagery. In his message to The Star, Sheriff Alumbaugh said the agency has never received any complaints or concerns of racial bias during Bells five years of employment there. Lauren Bonds, legal director for the National Police Accountability Project, said it is important for law enforcement departments to do extensive background checks for past extremist or racist statements or posts. I do definitely think that this is going to undermine the trust that folks may have in this particular officer, Bonds said. She added that there is a fine line when it comes to disciplinary actions that can be taken against employees who have done things in the past, before they were employed. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form I have long opposed making voting mandatory, an idea that pops up every few years. I still dont like the idea. But its become more attractive, at least as a thought experiment. The arguments against compelling people to vote -- as Australia and a handful of other countries do -- run from the constitutional (its coerced speech) to the cultural (this is America, dagnabbit) to the practical and the partisan. Historically, the practical case is that its the wrong solution chasing a nonexistent problem. Proponents of mandatory voting think that low voter turnout is a sign of civic decay and democratic entropy. This view, no doubt accurate or at least plausible for some people, misses the fact that for many other Americans not voting is a sign of general satisfaction. We had record-breaking turnout in 2020. Raise your hand if think that was proof that Americas civic and democratic commitments are stronger than ever. More importantly, if voting is virtuous, its virtue -- like all virtue -- derives from it being voluntary. Compelled virtue is an oxymoron. Partisanship enters the equation because both parties subscribe to an enduring myth: that increased voter turnout automatically favors the Democrats. Thus, if everyone were forced to vote -- many opponents and proponents believe -- some imagined reserve army of leftwing voters would swamp the polls. This belief plays a significant role among those who want to make voting easier and those who want to make it harder. The problem: Its not true. Yes, of course, turning out more of your own voters is how you win elections, but if everybody voted its unlikely that one party would always benefit more than the other. As Daron Shaw and John R. Petrocik demonstrate in their book The Turnout Myth, there is no systematic or consistent partisan bias to turnout. The recent Virginia governors race saw huge turnout, and the Republicans routed the Democrats. Partisan Democrats have all sorts of high-minded and sincere reasons for making casting ballots easier for Black voters in particular and disadvantaged communities in general. But on a practical level, the fact that they think these voters will disproportionately vote Democratic drives many of their policy preferences. Partisan Republicans discount the high-minded arguments and focus on the Democratic advantage they see in such efforts. Meanwhile, Democrats assume any concern with fraud or voter integrity is a ruse for disenfranchising voters. Republicans tend also to suffer from a weird cognitive dissonance. They fear that if everyone voted, the GOP would lose; theyve also convinced themselves that Democrats only win by importing voters (i.e., immigrants) and through fraud. Each party believes -- without evidence -- that they have the people on their side and that if elections were run right, theyd be the majority party. For Democrats this means curtailing big money in elections and, lately, federalizing election rules to combat voter suppression. For Republicans, it means catering to Donald Trumps conspiracy theories and psephological rantings. More broadly, both parties ignore the closeness of their victories and act as if they have mandates to behave like they have super-majorities supporting them. They then devote their energies to pandering both rhetorically and in terms of policy to the slender slice of the electorate that is their base. The incentive to appeal to the vast middle is shockingly weak even though politicians, such as Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin last year or Joe Biden in 2020, owe their victories to the persuadable middle. The incentives for pandering to the hyper-partisans are all too familiar: the pernicious effect of our primary system, self-sorting polarization, an ideologically skewed media ecosystem, and the ease of raising small donations from partisan super-fans. President Bidens seriously tone-deaf speech on voting rights and Sen. Ted Cruzs capitulation to Tucker Carlsons January 6 fantasies are recent examples of this perverse dynamic. And thats what appeals to me about mandatory voting. If everybody voted -- even just once -- it just might dispel the myth that either party speaks for some untapped silent majority. The incentive to drive up the base turnout would evaporate. Low voter turnout -- which benefits incumbents and their special interest allies -- would not skew election results. Candidates, elected officials and big donors alike would ignore electoral majorities at their peril. I still oppose this solution, but at least the case for mandatory voting is no longer a solution in pursuit of a problem. Even as a thought experiment, it helps illuminate the real problems we face. High school graduates are forgoing free money for college by not submitting financial aid applications, according to a new analysis by the nonprofit National College Attainment Network. The Class of 2021 left behind $3.75 billion in Pell Grant aid by not completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. An estimated 813,000 students were eligible for the Pell Grant the largest federal grant program offered to undergraduates but didn't submit an application for federal student aid, according to NCAN. This quantifies exactly how much opportunity, in the form of forgone Pell Grants, students are leaving on the table, says Bill DeBaun, director of data and evaluation at NCAN. Its another component of showing how dire the college-going situation is in the U.S. right now. The findings of the analysis are estimates only; it assumes all high school grads who are eligible for financial aid would submit an application and attend college directly after high school. Nonetheless, the analysis does show that a large number of students arent submitting the FAFSA, and if students arent submitting it, its unlikely theyre enrolling in college, DeBaun says. That can have countless long-term impacts, he added. FAFSA completion rates are declining The pandemics impact on FAFSA completion is one of the reasons $3.75 billion went unclaimed. A huge part of it is the FAFSA is complicated, and students from all walks of life really need support to get through the process, says Traci Lanier, vice president of external affairs at 10,000 Degrees, a nonprofit college access organization that supports students before and after enrolling in college. The pandemic forced much of that support to go virtual, Lanier added, and assisting students over one-on-one video conferencing proved to be a challenge compared with large groups that could gather and learn before the pandemic. In 2019, 61% of high school graduates submitted the FAFSA, while in 2021, an estimated 53% had submitted the application by June 30, according to NCAN. College enrollment has dropped during the pandemic, along with FAFSA completion. Since fall 2019, there has been a 5.1% drop in enrollment, which translates to nearly 1 million fewer students enrolled in college now than before the pandemic, according to estimates from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. This is not a hiccup, this is not a blip in college-going, DeBaun says. This is a real trend, and it is something that has and is going to keep having real implications on students' individual finances, on their familys finances, communitys finances, and then of course, local, state, and national revenue. Some state policies have increased FAFSA completion rates The states with the highest FAFSA completion rates include Louisiana and Tennessee. In 2021, Louisiana had a completion rate of 68%, and Tennessee saw a rate of 71%, according to NCANs estimates. Both states have policies that incentivize students to complete the FAFSA. On the other hand, there are 16 states that have completion rates below 50%, and in the two states with the lowest completion rates, Utah and Alaska, just 37% of high school graduates in 2021 submitted the FAFSA. Louisiana made submitting the FAFSA a requirement for graduating high school in 2016, and completion rates jumped 10% in the first year the policy was implemented, says Peter Granville, a senior policy associate at The Century Foundation, a progressive, independent think tank. In Tennessee, students complete the FAFSA at such high rates due to incentives including free community college, Granville says. It is implicit in the [mandatory FAFSA] policy that everyone should have a chance to go to college, says Granville. I think it has the potential to do a great job starting conversations between students and their schools and their families about going to college and paying for college. Submitting the FAFSA is key to paying for college Each Pell-eligible student in the Class of 2021 who didnt submit the FAFSA missed out on an average of $4,477 nationally, NCAN estimates. The Pell Grant is awarded based on demonstrated need, most often to lower-income students, but there is no income limit. The total award depends on details shared in the FAFSA as well as the cost of attendance of the school you plan on applying to. For students in the Class of 2021 who didnt submit the FAFSA, 44% said they didnt do so because they didnt think theyd qualify for aid, according to student loan lender Sallie Maes 2021 How America Pays for College study. If youre considering pursuing higher education this fall: Even if youre unsure whether youd qualify for financial aid, you should still complete the application, as not all aid is based on demonstrated need. You dont need to know where youre going to school before completing the application; rather, you just need to provide the names of the institutions youre considering. Its best to submit the FAFSA sooner rather than later as some aid is disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis. ___ Serving as a caregiver is a full-time job that can become stressful and require the loved one to make tough decisions. Beginning Jan. 26 and continuing for five consecutive Wednesdays, a class titled Powerful Tools for Caregivers will be offered at the South Iredell Senior Center, 202 N. Church St., to help those serving in the role. Led by Jackie Negley, in-home services coordinator and family caregiver specialist with the Iredell County Council on Aging, the class will provide information on how to reduce personal stress, communicate effectively with others, handle challenging situations, make tough decisions, hold meetings so that family members can talk things out and get the help theyre looking for, handle grief and loss and end-of-life issues, and provide access to local resources. There is no cost for the class; however, donations will be appreciated. Those participating in the class will be given a book that goes with the program. Its a caregiver help book, Negley said, which provides information perhaps not covered in the class. Each class lasts 90 minutes, she said. Participants are encouraged to attend all of them. Every class is a little different in what we cover, she said. Caregivers have such a hard time dealing with all of the emotions that go along with caregiving the guilt, the anger, the frustration. So we touch on those and how to handle that, how to deal with stress because caregivers are very, very stressed out. Also covered in the class, she said, will be communication techniques, how to use what we call I messages instead of you messages. The technique helps caregivers communicate information without seemingly blaming someone for what has been done. In addition to the information covered in the class, Negley said, she also takes the time to let participants share what they are going through because every situation is different. Were here to help you, she said. Thats the whole idea behind it. All ages are welcome to attend. Registration is encouraged so she has an idea of how many people are coming and can properly prepare for the class. While Negley said that she has never used Zoom to teach the class, it could be an option. If someone needs to participate via Zoom, registration would be very important so she can have the proper equipment to have them join in the group. To register, call the Iredell Council on Aging at 704-873-5171 or email jnegley@iredellcoa.org. Another resource In addition to the caregiver class, Negley facilitates a caregivers support group that meets from 2-4 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday at the South Iredell Senior Center in Mooresville. Attendance averages four to 10 people. Even when the pandemic hit, Negley said that the group met via Zoom. I had my core group that came into the Zoom meetings, and they were there faithfully every time, she said. The group returned to meeting in person about four or five months ago. The group is close-knit, and its members share together, laugh together and are concerned for one another. Several called the group a lifeline where they can come and know that others attending understand what theyre going through. Friends dont understand what Im going through, one participant said, but here, they understand. Another one said that they wished the group could meet more often. It offers a respite to get out and be with people going through the same thing, the participant said. They can identify. Its a blessing. Those who attend the support group might walk in as strangers, Negley said, but many have become friends and feel comfortable and safe with what they talk about. This is a safe zone. Were not here to judge your comments or how you feel about things or whatever, because weve all been there at some point. While the group initially started as a dementia caregivers group, Negley said, it is for any caregiver, including those in the Powerful Tools for Caregivers class. I take any caregiver because I feel that anybody, whether youre dealing with dementia or not, youre dealing with something involving caregiving and so you need to know youre not by yourself, Negley said. Complementary focus While both activities provide help and encouragement, the support group differs from the caregiver class in that the group is more about talking and sharing. They basically come in and kind of run it, serving as the facilitator of the group, Negley said, Im just here to give everybody a chance and also if they have a specific question or if theyre looking for something specific. While people in the class are not required to attend the support group, those who do attend have mentioned they get a lot out of it or they feel better when they leave here, Negley said. One participant said that the group is very helpful, many dont know what to do. Another said the group is informative, and a third shared that the resources help us stay grounded. Those who attend the support group can be in different phases of serving as a caregiver, too, Negley noted. There are some who continue to attend even after the death of their loved one or when the loved one has to go to a facility. Some have come and shared after their loss, and that helps others who have not gone through that but are starting to see it and it just gives them that aha moment, Negley said. Then there are those who havent taken up that role as caregiver yet, but are starting to notice behavior that could warrant it in the future. They, too, can come and learn from the group. I would actually prefer to catch somebody before they get into caregiving because then they are kind of a little bit more prepared to handle it, she said. Personal experience Negley not only understands caregiving as a facilitator, but also from having served as a caregiver herself; she took care of her mother for 5 years. It is from her personal experience that she encourages others to come and visit the class and group. Unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, her mother underwent surgery, and within a short time, moved here to live with Negley and her husband. The diagnosis was not good, Negley said, and her mother wasnt expected to live long. But she lived 5 years, going through treatment, eventually moving into an apartment and adjusting well. So Ive been there, and I know that caregivers struggle with a lot of different things, Negley said. With me that was What do we do? Whats the first thing we do? Its a crisis situation, and I really want to get caregivers before they get to that crisis situation. I will tell you the crisis happens regardless. I want to get them to the point that they realize that theyre not alone and maybe give them suggestions as to heres who you call or heres how you can handle this a little bit easier so youre not so completely bombarded and overwhelmed with everything. Negley said that she has been working in aging services for 25 years 17 of them in this role. She previously worked in Pennsylvania as a care manager and an ombudsman, which is an advocate for people who are in facilities helping to solve problems that may arise. In addition to the family caregiver program, she handles in-home services, which are offered to seniors 60 and older in Iredell County. While some senior services such as Meals on Wheels and transportation are not available everywhere in the county, Negley said she could go border to border with my services. Those services include a chore program that helps with light housekeeping. We usually do it at least once a week for about three hours, and I actually have a couple of in-home aides, and we also contract out to provide that service, she said. There also is a personal care program that provides help with bathing, dressing and grooming. It is offered about twice a week for four hours. Getting the help As a private nonprofit, the Council on Aging doesnt charge for its services; however, if people want to donate, they can. A senior does not have to have a referral from a doctor to get the services, Negley said. The senior can call and make the referral themselves, she said. It can be a family member, it can be them, it can be a friend, just somebody who has the basic information that we need. There is a small waiting list for those programs just because the demand is so great, she said. But we are working on dwindling that down with the contract agencies. Of course, theyve had staffing issues due to COVID, naturally. One thing that Negley wanted to share is that anyone can take advantage of her caregiver libraries, which are available at the Mooresville and Statesville senior centers. Book topics include dementia, how to do caregiving, how to give somebody a bath, Parkinsons disease and Lewy body dementia. There are so many different dementias out there, and they all affect people differently, Negley said. People can check out a book and return it when they are finished. If someone would like to donate books, Negley said, she would take them for the library. Anyone can use this library. They dont have to be seniors, she said. Late last week, PAR agreed to take more than 20 dogs seized from a hoarding situation in Gaston County, Donald Gullett, development director for the all-volunteer rescue, said. Ultimately, Gaston County animal control is expected to seize 63 dogs. Of that number, 59 were taken in last week by PAR and other rescue groups, and there are attempts to catch four more. Gullett said PAR also will take those four. They were all in one home; some were inside and some were outside, he said. Now the work of getting them vetted and assessed begins, and thats what Gullett, his wife, Lynn, and a group of volunteers were doing Monday morning at PARs office in Mooresville. He said a rescue from Florida was coming to Mooresville to take a few of the dogs, including a couple that are nearly feral. Gullett said there are a few dogs with medical needs, including one with a tumor that probably weighs as much as she does. She was to be assessed by a veterinarian Monday, but removing the tumor will be expensive. Surgery for that is probably going to be $2,000 to $3,000, Gullett said Thats where some of the money from the Betty White Challenge will really help. That and fundraisers such as the upcoming Rescue Roundup will foot the bill. PAR, Aloft Hotel, which is fostering dogs for PAR, and LKNFest are sponsoring the event that will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28 at the Iredell County Agricultural Fairgrounds in Troutman. It will feature rescue animals from all over North Carolina, more than 250 vendors, food trucks and special presentations. The dogs taken in by PAR are smaller ones, probably terrier mixes. Gullett said they are various ages, many still younger dogs but a couple of them seniors. Volunteers pitch in On Monday, volunteer Brandon Bradshaw gently handled one of the seniors to give her a bath. Groomer Lisa Biggs of Zen Pet Care LKN of Statesville took over caring for the dog, talking gently to her as she shampooed her. Biggs and Michelle Lally also came to help Monday. Both are fosters for PAR and wanted to lend a hand with grooming the dogs that could be handled. Chelsie Danyels of Groomingdells in Troutman also wanted to help, coming by between appointments to clip the severely overgrown nails of the dogs. PAR responded immediately after receiving a call about the situation from one of its rescue partners in Gaston County, Gullett said. Getting the dogs into a safe environment and taking care of their medical needs are just the first steps, he said. All of the dogs are scared and under-socialized and will need the help of fosters to be adopted. Luckily, PARs fosters were expected to come in Monday to take the dogs to their homes. The next few weeks will be spent getting the dogs used to living in homes and being handled by people. The goal, Gullett said, is eventually to get them into forever homes. With the addition of 23 dogs to its rescue, PAR has taken in 30 dogs this week. The others six taken in from an area shelter also were under-socialized and will need to spend time with a foster. Dogs such as these require a lot of attention and work, but they are worth it, said Lynn Gullett, who has fostered for PAR for many years. These are my favorite fosters, she said, because you get to see them improve. While these dogs represent a massive undertaking for PAR and its volunteers, she said, the hard work of picking up the dogs and seeing them adopted into a loving home means everything. This is why we do what we do. This is why we rescue, she said. Businesswoman, reality show star Kim Kardashian never forgets about her Armenian roots The star with 282 million followers on Instagram often introduces users to Armenian dishes. This time the TV star showed the dessert - Armenian sour lavash "Armenian fruit roll up," Kardashian wrote in the caption. Dessert was given to the star by rapper Super Sako. In 2019, Kim Kardashian arrived in Armenia with her children and sister Kourtney Kardashian. The world-famous Armenian woman baptized her children in Armenia. Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LIMA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A team of UN experts on environmental disasters arrived in Peru on Monday to assist the cleanup of the oil spill that occurred near capital Lima on Jan. 15 at a refinery operated by Spanish energy company Repsol. "The team of United Nations specialists is already in Lima to evaluate and propose immediate steps to mitigate the environmental impact caused by the oil spill in Ventanilla," a district in the port city of Callao, the Peruvian Foreign Affairs Ministry tweeted. The experts aim to carry out a rapid assessment of the socio-environmental impact of the oil spill, and advise the authorities on the management and coordination of the response. They also hope to reduce the risk of similar disasters recurring in the country. The UN support came in response to Peru's request for international aid. The crude oil spill, estimated to be of about 6,000 barrels, occured at the La Pampilla refinery, affecting about 1.8 square km of coastline and 7.1 square km of sea, according to the Environmental Assessment and Control Agency under the Environment Ministry. On Saturday, the Peruvian government declared a 90-day environmental emergency in the coastal area of Lima. Authorities have opened an investigation into the disaster, which the company had reportedly minimized at first. Repsol Peru's President Jaime Fernandez-Cuesta told media on Sunday that there was initially a "misperception" about the amount of crude oil spilled into the sea, but containment efforts were begun "as soon as there was awareness of the magnitude of the event." The body pulled from Lake Sacajawea on Wednesday in Longview was a Kelso man who died of drowning, officials say. Cowlitz County Chief Deputy Coroner Brett Dundas said staff identified the man as Scott Lawrence Juntunen, 52, of Kelso. Dundas said Juntunen died of asphyxia due to fresh water drowning. He said the manner of death could not be determined because of a lack of information, but the case was ruled to be noncriminal. Juntunens body was pulled from the eastern end of the lake by Longview officers, Cowlitz County deputies, a dive team and county coroner staff Wednesday after a 911 call around 9:30 a.m. alerted officials of a body in the water. Longview police report he could not be resuscitated once pulled from the water near the intersection of 18th Avenue and Nichols Boulevard, west of the Lions Shelter. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife report the lake spans about 46 acres and is around 8 feet deep. Love 2 Funny 2 Wow 2 Sad 31 Angry 4 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Cowlitz County commissioners Tuesday approved a $9.2 million contract with Lower Columbia CAP to operate a rent and utility assistance program, after moving ahead with the related agreement with the state earlier this month. The commissioners passed the contract for Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP) 2.0 in a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Arne Mortensen opposed. In the same 2-1 split, on Jan. 11 the commissioners approved the agreement with the state Department of Commerce to administer the program. Operating as the Cowlitz County Board of Health, the commissioners gave staff direction on how they want to change the board as required under a law passed last year. The legislation requires adding at least one non-elected board member from three different categories. The changes take effect July 1. Most local health boards, including Cowlitz Countys, are comprised primarily of county commissioners. The new law requires health boards to have an even balance of elected and non-elected officials or a majority of non-elected members, said Carole Harrison, county Health and Human Services director. The non-elected officials must include a certified health-care provider practicing or employed in the county; a consumer of public health; and a representative of an organization or nonprofit, business community, environmental public health regulated community or armed service member. More than one member of each group could be added to the board as long as non-elected officials keep the majority, Harrison said. The law limits how many people from each group can be added to the board before having to add people from other groups, she said. In counties where a federally recognized tribe holds a reservation, trust lands or has usual and accustomed areas, or where a Washington nonprofit serves Native American people, the board must also include a tribal representative. Its unclear if the county board is required to include a Cowlitz Tribe representative, Harrison said. The Cowlitz Tribes reservation is in Clark County but the tribes administrative offices are in Longview, as well as one of its primary care clinics. Harrison said she is waiting for clarification. The commissioners agreed the new board structure should include one person from each category of non-elected members and no additional elected officials, bringing the total to six members. Commissioner Mortensen proposed starting with two-year terms. The board would be voluntary. Harrison said the state Board of Health still is working on the final rules, which likely will be released in the next couple months. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Vaccine maker BioNTech, Google and rail firm Deutsche Bahn are among the companies investing in African-founded artificial intelligence company InstaDeep. The company, now based in London, announced Tuesday that it has raised $100 million from investors, allowing it to expand its presence to the United States. The exact amounts invested by each company were not disclosed. InstaDeep focuses on using artificial intelligence to improve electronics manufacturing, logistics and biotechnology research. Recently, the company announced the development of an early warning system together with BioNTech to analyze coronavirus samples and predict high-risk variants. BioNTech and its U.S. partner Pfizer developed the first widely available vaccine against COVID-19. The two companies said Tuesday they are working on a shot tailored to the omicron variant. Founded in Tunis eight years ago, InstaDeep now has engineers and researchers in South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, France, Britain and the United Arab Emirates. Explore further S.Africa okays COVID vaccine boosters for adults 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This Feb 23, 2019, photo shows the inside of a computer. A key part of President Joe Biden's plans to fight major ransomware attacks and digital espionage campaigns has been languishing for more than eight months.Credit: AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File It's a key part of President Joe Biden's plans to fight major ransomware attacks and digital espionage campaigns: creating a board of experts that would investigate major incidents to see what went wrong and try to prevent the problems from happening againmuch like a transportation safety board does with plane crashes. But eight months after Biden signed an executive order creating the Cyber Safety Review Board it still hasn't been set up. That means critical tasks haven't been completed, including an investigation of the massive SolarWinds espionage campaign first discovered more than a year ago. Russian hackers stole data from several federal agencies and private companies. Some supporters of the new board say the delay could hurt national security and comes amid growing concerns of a potential conflict with Russia over Ukraine that could involve nation-state cyberattacks. The FBI and other federal agencies recently released an advisoryaimed particularly at critical infrastructure like utilitieson Russian state hackers' methods and techniques. "We will never get ahead of these threats if it takes us nearly a year to simply organize a group to investigate major breaches like SolarWinds," said Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat who leads the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Such a delay is detrimental to our national security and I urge the administration to expedite its process." Biden's order, signed in May, gives the board 90 days to investigate the SolarWinds hack once it's established. But there's no timeline for creating the board itself, a job designated to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In response to questions from The Associated Press, DHS said in a statement it was far along in setting it up and anticipated a "near-term announcement," but did not address why the process has taken so long. Scott Shackelford, the cybersecurity program chair at Indiana University and an advocate for creating a cyber review board, said having a rigorous study about what happened in a past hack like SolarWinds is a way of helping prevent similar attacks. "It sure is taking, my goodness, quite a while to get it going," Shackelford said. "It's certainly past time where we could see some positive benefits from having it stood up." The Biden administration has made improving cybersecurity a top priority and taken steps to bolster defenses, but this is not the first time lawmakers have been unhappy with the pace of progress. Last year several lawmakers complained it took the administration too long to name a national cyber director, a new position created by Congress. The SolarWinds hack exploited vulnerabilities in the software supply-chain system and went undetected for most of 2020 despite compromises at a broad swath of federal agencies and dozens of companies, primarily telecommunications and information technology providers. The hacking campaign is named SolarWinds after the U.S. software company whose product was exploited in the first-stage infection of that effort. The hack highlighted the Russians' skill at getting to high-level targets. The AP previously reported that SolarWinds hackers had gained access to emails belonging to the then-acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf. The Biden administration has kept many of the details about the cyberespionage campaign hidden. The Justice Department, for instance, said in July that 27 U.S. attorney offices around the country had at least one employee's email account compromised during the hacking campaign. It did not provide details about what kind of information was taken and what impact such a hack may have had on ongoing cases. The New York-based staff of the DOJ Antitrust Division also had files stolen by the SolarWinds hackers, according to one former senior official briefed on the hack who was not authorized to speak about it publicly and requested anonymity. That breach has not previously been reported. The Antitrust Division investigates private companies and has access to highly sensitive corporate data. The federal government has undertaken reviews of the SolarWinds hack. The Government Accountability Office issued a report this month on the SolarWinds hack and another major hacking incident that found there was sometimes a slow and difficult process for sharing information between government agencies and the private sector, The National Security Council also conducted a review of the SolarWinds hack last year, according to the GAO report. But having the new board conduct an independent, thorough examination of the SolarWinds hack could identify inconspicuous security gaps and issues that others may have missed, said Christopher Hart, a former National Transportation Safety Board chairman who has advocated for the creation of a cyber review board. "Most of the crashes that the NTSB really goes after ... are ones that are a surprise even to the security experts," Hart said. "They weren't really obvious things, they were things that really took some deep digging to figure out what went wrong." Explore further Senators press for more on SolarWinds hack after AP report 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Figure 1A is a perspective view illustration of forksheet transistors, in accordance with an embodiment. Credit: https://www.freepatentsonline.com/20210407999.pdf Twitter user @Underfox3 has posted a tweet showing an application for a patent by Intel. In it, Intel has applied for a patent on a stacked forksheet transistora type of stacked transistor that might allow the company to produce chips with 18 Angstrom transistors on them. The patent application was filled out by Intel's Components Research Group and demonstrates the companies' interest in developing chips that are either faster or do more with the same amount of power. The design is described as a transistor device that is made using a vertical stack of semiconductor channels next to the edges of a backbone. Then, a second transistor, which also has a vertical stack of semiconductor channels next to a backbone is stacked on top of the first transistor. Pursuing this stacked transistor technology allows Intel to add more transistors to a chip and achieve faster communications between transistors by giving chips the ability to send signals in three dimensions instead of two, the technology used on current chips. Notably, Intel included a node called 20A on slides it made public recently showing the company's new node naming conventionthe A stands for Angstrom. Twenty of them would be equivalent to 2 nanometers (the size refers to the distance between gates), which suggests the new transistor design (using what the company describes as RibbonFET technology) would be sub 3nm, which is the current company standard. Along with the new node naming, Intel also suggested that it would be making some refinements to the 20A, which would lead to the development of the 18A. Some in the press have suggested that the new refinement could be the application of stacked forksheeting. Also, the word "forksheet" appears to have come from a Belgian company called Imec, which posted a document online in 2019 describing a stacked type of transistor, which they called a forksheet. Intel did not make any claims or predictions regarding the performance of their proposed forksheet transistor but Imec claimed on their posting that their design would result in a 10% speed gain or a 24% reduction in power. Explore further IBM and Samsung team up to design vertical transport field effect transistors More information: Patent application: Patent application: www.freepatentsonline.com/20210407999.pdf 2022 Science X Network Credit: CC0 Public Domain Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is suing Google in an effort to change how the company handles users' personal data. Ferguson joined attorneys general in Texas, Indiana and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit Monday alleging the company misled consumers about its location-tracking services and, at times, collected data without their consent. In Washington, Ferguson is asking the court to tell Google to change its practices, give up the data it acquired and take back the profits it made from using those tactics in the first placeas well as a $7,500 fee for each violation. "Location data is deeply personal for consumers," he said. "Google denied consumers the ability to choose whether [it] could track their sensitive location data to make a profit. Google kept tracking individuals' location data even after consumers told the corporation to stop. "This is not only dishonestit's unlawful." In the lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court, Ferguson claims Google violated the state's Consumer Protection Act by collecting, storing and using consumers' location data without their knowledge or consent and, in some cases, directly against their intent. It's not yet clear how many Washingtonians were impacted by Google's practices but the attorney general's office estimates there could be "hundreds of thousands of potential violations." State law requires that any penalties Google pays as a result of violations to the Consumer Protection Act will go to the general fund, Ferguson said. Google isn't the only company that has been accused of using misleading messages to collect data from users, which can be a way to sell more advertising, said Bennett Cyphers, a staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit based in San Francisco that focuses on digital privacy and free speech. But it is one of the most influential. "There's no one else who does it at the scale that Google does, and there's no one else that has all the different inroads into your life that Google does," Cyphers said. Google says location data plays an important role in providing useful and meaningful experiences to consumers, according to its website. The data is used for things like directions on Google Maps, making sure websites are shown in the right language and telling consumers what restaurants are nearbyand how crowded they typically are at any given time. At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Google began releasing anonymous and aggregated reports to track where people were going, and where they were not, to help remediate the impact of the virus. For example, in Washington last week, visits to grocery stores and pharmacies were down 10% compared to a baseline and visits to parks were up 14%. Google can track someone's location from real-time signals, like an IP address or a device's location, as well as using past activity on Google sites and services. In recent years, the company says it has made improvements to make location data easy to manage and understand while also minimizing the amount of data stored. It launched an Incognito mode for Google Maps to allow users to browse or get directions without saving information to their Google account. And it set up an auto-delete default for all new Google accounts that will automatically delete any activity data older than 18 months. "The attorneys general are bringing a case based on inaccurate claims and outdated assertions about our settings," said Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson. "We will vigorously defend ourselves and set the record straight." The complaints lodged Monday come after a 2018 report from The Associated Press that found many Google services on Android devices and iPhones stored users' location data even if the consumer enabled a privacy setting that said it would prevent Google from doing so. Washington, D.C., opened an investigation into the company in 2018. And in 2020, Arizona's attorney general filed a lawsuit arguing that the company set up its Android mobile operating system in a way that enriched its advertising empire and deceived users about the protections afforded to their personal data. The case in Arizona made it clear Google didn't have a "real infrastructure or a real plan" for handling user's requests to turn location tracking off, said Jennifer King, a privacy and data policy fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. "I'm inclined to argue that they had no interest in creating products that assumed you did not want to be tracked by them," she said. "I don't think its incompetence or accidental as much as it was just not a priority." Along with tracking Android devices even after users turn off location access and collecting location data after users disable "location history," the lawsuit alleges Google repeatedly "nudges" users to consent to location tracking. Those nudges could come in the form of a pop-up box alerting a user that a service like Google Maps won't work as well if the user opts to turn off location tracking. That pop-up box is misleading, according to both Ferguson and King. The map could still perform its main functiongetting a user from one address to another, she said. It just might not be able to point you to the closest fast-food joint. "They were trying to make it sound as if you were somehow suffering from a depleted user experience because they wouldn't be able to do the next layer of things they wanted to do, which is the personalization," King said. If the court rules against Google, King predicts it would lead to one of two outcomes: The court orders Google to change its practice or the court tells the company to be more transparent about the information it collects. "If your phone is tracking everywhere you go, that data is used generally to build a portrait of who you are and what you do," King said. "There's no constraints on the companies, any company, using that knowledge." Ferguson said Monday the first step is to wait for Google to respond and then to start the discovery process to seek more information about the company's practices and how they impacted Washington residents. "Google is a big corporation and they may put up a fight," he said. "I'm here to see this through and get meaningful change for Washingtonians, even if that takes time." Explore further Google sued by Australian regulators over location tracking 2022 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. BEIRUT, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Syrian Energy Minister Ghassan al-Zamil said on Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ordered to provide all needed assistance to facilitate the transfer of electricity from Jordan to Lebanon through Syria. "President Assad is keen to ensure the implementation of this project which would pave the way for increased Arab cooperation in the near future," al-Zamil was quoted as saying in a statement released by Lebanon's Presidency, following the Syrian minister's meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace. On Wednesday, a signing ceremony for an energy deal among Lebanon, Jordan and Syria is scheduled to be held at the Lebanese Energy Ministry in the capital Beirut. Al-Zamil noted that the rehabilitation of his country's power network had been completed by the end of 2021 to allow the transfer of electricity from Jordan to Lebanon. The deal will provide Lebanon with up to 250 megawatts of electricity during the day and 150 megawatts at night, equivalent to a total of two additional hours of power, according to Lebanon's Energy Minister Walid Fayad. The agreement, which came amid Lebanon's severe power outage, is part of the government's wider efforts to increase the daily power supply to eight hours from just two hours now in most parts of the country. The Lebanese government is also preparing to sign an agreement later this year to import gas from Egypt through the Arab Gas Pipeline and boost Lebanon's electricity output. Thank you, Blanche Brick, for reminding us of the contributions Thomas Jefferson made to the founding of our country and to its democratic form of government (Eagle, Jan. 14). He deserves a prominent place in our history books, not as the whitewashed figure some would prefer but as a real person with both virtues and faults. The Jefferson quotes referring to God which Brick includes in her op-ed piece probably are accurate, but they might mislead some into thinking that Jefferson was a Christian. In fact, he rejected the main tenets of Christianity including the virgin birth, the resurrection, the divinity of Jesus and the Trinity. He also rejected the authority of the priesthood, insisting that people should use reason and logic to form their own conclusions on religious matters. Jeffersons religious views were complex. He believed a First Cause was necessary to create the Universe but doubted that supernatural forces were affecting it now. He strongly endorsed the moral and ethical teachings of Jesus. However, he meticulously cut up the Gospels, removing all references to miracles and the supernatural. Today, some evangelical preachers and media personalities are using quotes from Jefferson and other Founding Fathers to support a Christian Nation agenda and to attack the wall of separation between church and state. Such activity is a danger to our democracy, as the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and the popularity of lies about election security demonstrate. BOBBY PRESLEY College Station Chief Buildings, a premier metal building system manufacturer, has announced the purchase of a new manufacturing plant in Lancaster, South Carolina. Expanding their manufacturing footprint in the southeast will increase Chiefs level of service to its Authorized Builder network with added capacity and increased resources. In addition to the existing manufacturing plants in Grand Island, Nebraska and Rensselaer, Indiana, this new location will add around 100 people over the next few years and will allow Chief Buildings to increase its manufacturing capacity, helping to meet or exceed customer expectations. The newly purchased manufacturing plant will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment that provides the highest quality and safety standards. The expansion is a logical step in our business growth strategy and helps to ensure we meet the needs of our stakeholders, said DJ Eihusen, Chairman of the Board, CEO, and president of Chief Industries. Logistically, the area is a prime location for expansion. Given the talent needed for our manufacturing and trucking operations. Founded in 1966, Chief Buildings is a nationwide metal building manufacturer with offices and manufacturing facilities in Nebraska, Iowa, Alabama, Indiana and South Carolina. Chiefs metal buildings are shipped to all 50 states and are sold through a network of authorized builders across the country. Chief Industries, Inc. is a private family-owned company with diversified operations that manufactures products and provides services for a wide range of industries including agriculture, commercial construction, structural steel, factory-built housing, ethanol production, transportation, and more. Chiefs family of companies includes include Chief Agri, Chief Buildings, Chief Carriers, Chief Construction, Chief Ethanol, Chief Fabrication, and BonnaVilla. For more information about the family of companies at Chief Industries, Inc., visit www.chiefind.com. Riekes Equipment receives MHEDA Most Valued Partner Award for 12th time OMAHA For the 12th consecutive year, since the awards inception, Riekes Equipment has earned the Most Valuable Partner MVP Award from the industrys trade association, Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association. Award recipients must satisfy a rigorous set of criteria with less than 10% of the associations membership earning the award. As a 2022 MVP, Riekes Equipment has successfully demonstrated a commitment to business excellence, professionalism and good stewardship. Receiving this prestigious award 12 years in a row validates our commitment to our partners, customers, and employees, said Pete Womack, vice president of sales and MHEDA board member. We are inspired to continue growing solid relationships with our partners, providing exceptional service to our customers and developing growth opportunities for our employees. To qualify for the annual MVP Award companies are required to provide evidence of their commitment to their partners in business including their customers, employees, and suppliers. They must satisfy criteria in industry advocacy, customer service, safety practices, business networking, continuing education and business best practices. Founded in 1936, Riekes Equipment is an industry leader in material handling and warehouse solutions. Riekes offers warehouse solutions including automation, forklifts, racking, hoist and crane products and fleet management services, as well as parts and service for all brands of lift equipment, aerial lifts, docks, and other warehouse equipment. Riekes is an authorized Hyster and Yale forklift dealer headquartered in Omaha, with locations throughout the Midwest including Grand Island For more information, visit www.RiekesEquipment.com Reinke invests $2.5 million to improve irrigation production and product supply chain DESHLER Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology with dealer locations throughout central Nebraska, has invested $2.5 million in fiberoptic lasers to increase and further improve production and automation in their Deshler facility. Reinke hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 12 to celebrate the advancement and show first-hand how the cutting-edge technology enables Reinke to speed up the delivery of precision irrigation systems and parts to growers around the world. This is a very exciting day at Reinke, said Chris Roth, president of Reinke. These new lasers will allow our company to not only shorten delivery timelines to growers, but it also enables our manufacturing team to improve the precision production of our parts. Those two factors will help us meet our goal of providing the worlds finest irrigation systems to growers working to improve yield potential while conserving valuable resources. The lasers will cut production time on a large number of parts used to assemble Reinkes precision irrigation systems. After weeks of advanced training for their employees, Reinke is now ready to ship out those parts to growers in more than 40 countries across the globe. This new technology in Deshler sets Reinke up to continue to be a leader in the irrigation industry, helping growers here in Nebraska and around the world, said Anthony Goins, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. With this $2.5 million investment, Reinke has also strengthened a family-owned business supporting the economy in much of this area of our state and Kansas as well. As Reinke works to attract and keep a good workforce in Nebraska, I think this is a key investment for our region. The GX-F ADVANCED is a 10,000 watt laser from Machinery System with the latest in artificial intelligence and gas reduction technology. The two-dimensional fiber lasers have superior beam-quality consistency for high levels of precision production. The operating system will give Reinke on-site and remote monitoring of the cutting process, allowing the system to continue producing part 24/7. Reinke has taken an additional step towards sustainability by installing its own air filtration system to gather naturally-occurring nitrogen out of the air. Instead of having nitrogen shipped in to assist the laser-cutting process, the system will capture the gas as its released and recycle it over and over. To learn more Reinkes irrigation innovations or to find a dealer near you, visit Reinke.com. High school graduation rates dipped in at least 20 states after the first full school year disrupted by the pandemic, suggesting the coronavirus may have ended nearly two decades of nationwide progress toward getting more students diplomas, an analysis shows. The drops came despite at least some states and educators loosening standards to help struggling students. The results, according to data obtained from 26 states and analyzed by Chalkbeat, are the latest concerning trend in American education, which has been rocked by a pandemic that left many students learning remotely last year and continues to complicate teaching and learning. Some fear that the next several graduating classes could be even more affected. "It does concern me," said Chris Reykdal, the schools superintendent in Washington state, where the graduation rate fell by about half a point. "I don't ever want to see a decline. We've made such steady progress." Keep scrolling for a listing of the best school district in every state In 2020, when schools shuttered for the final months of the school year, most states waived outstanding graduation requirements and saw graduation rates tick up. But the picture was different for the class of 2021. In 20 of 26 states that have released their data, graduation rates fell. Comprehensive national data will likely not be available until 2023. Those declines were less than a percentage point in some states, like Colorado, Georgia and Kansas. Elsewhere, they were larger. Illinois, Oregon, and North Dakota saw graduation rates drop 2 points, and Indiana, Maine, Nevada, South Dakota, and West Virginia saw declines of at least 1 point. Where rates increased, growth was modest. Florida had seen graduation rates jump by more than 2 points every year for a decade but gained just a tenth of a point in 2021, even as state officials waived certain diploma requirements. "We do have to be concerned that grad rates are down and that some number of kids that earned a diploma, they've learned less than prior years," said Robert Balfanz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Education and director of a research center focused on high school graduation. "What we're going to have to learn in the future is, how great is the concern?" Last year's senior class saw school disrupted in distinct ways. In Nevada's Washoe County schools, for example, the graduation rate tumbled by 2.6 points as many teens worked longer hours or spent more time caring for siblings. Carly Lott, a counselor at Hug High School in Reno, grew concerned last year as the hours on her students' pay stubs, which the school collects to offer elective credits, rose from 20 to 30 a week to 40 to 50. Some students worked during remote school days, while others took late-night shifts that left them too tired to concentrate on schoolwork. Lott made sure students knew about the district's food bank and grew used to asking, "Do you absolutely need to work, or can you cut back?" As course failures stacked up, a trend schools reported nationwide, counselors nudged seniors to come to school in person to make up missed credits. "If they were at home, they weren't engaged they were doing other things," Lott said. One of last year's graduates, 19-year-old De'karius Graham, had an up-close view of how 12th graders struggled. There was no prom to look forward to, and all his senior classes at Florida's Polk County schools were online, an experience he describes as "low social interaction, low teacher interaction." He often turned to YouTube to figure out confusing assignments. "It was a lot of self-teaching and self-motivation," he said. "I was just really alone with it all." At the same time, Graham was running his own landscaping business to make money and helping seven school-age siblings with their homework. He also spent time working with a close friend who struggled with online assignments without reliable internet. Other students got derailed. Eighteen-year-old Lailani Greaves had been behind before the pandemic but was aiming to graduate with the class of 2021. Without in-person connections, her motivation plummeted. "I didn't have a clear head where I was focused and able to go every day and catch up on some work and log in to the computer," she said. "Just talking to a computer it didn't feel real." The New York City student contemplated dropping out and getting her GED but ultimately transferred to a smaller high school and is hopeful she'll graduate this year. "I realized that I could go farther with my high school diploma," said Greaves, who wants to pursue a career in medicine. Despite those challenges, statewide graduation rates are still typically higher now than they were a few years ago. But the modest declines are striking departures from recent trends. In 2001, an estimated 71% of U.S. students who started ninth grade at a public high school graduated four years later. By 2019, that number had jumped to 86%, although the nation's way of calculating that has changed slightly. On its face, that increase is one of the biggest recent success stories in American education. A recent Brookings Institution study concluded that the gains were a result of new federal pressure on states and schools and found little evidence that the long-term improvements were due to lower standards. The causes are much debated, though. A 2015 NPR investigation found that many students graduated with the help of hasty, low-quality credit recovery courses. Some of the states with the nation's top graduation rates, like Alabama and West Virginia, also have very low test scores. Some fear that cumulative effects of the pandemic stand to hit future graduating classes hardest. In both Oregon and Nevada, the share of high school freshmen who finished last school year on track to graduate was about 10 percentage points lower than before the pandemic. This school year, attendance has also been unusually low. Lott worries many seniors won't graduate on time this year, either. "We have a significant group of kids on our campus who failed an entire year of high school," she said. Those students get extra check-ins with Lott, who says it will be hard but not impossible to make up those classes through online credit recovery. "I tell them, there will be a time that you're going to want to give up," she said. "That's when we need to talk with you, because we can help you through that motivational slump." Schools have received large sums of federal aid that could be used to help students to graduate, but Washington's Reykdal said schools have recently been focused on staffing and safety. "If I had talked to my districts a year ago, they all would have said graduation and recovery, and right now they're saying more PPE, finding substitutes," he said. Still, some educators are hopeful last year's dip represents an anomaly. In Peoria, Illinois, where the graduation rate fell 4 points after climbing steadily for years, Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat thinks the district's expanded "safety net" for struggling students will help. Every week, a team of educators identifies students with failing grades for extra support. The district has also added ways for working students to earn credits in the evenings or on weekends, and has hired three "navigators" to help students who are in the juvenile justice system to finish school. "It is not easy," Desmoulin-Kherat said. "It's definitely a marathon, not a sprint." *** Chalkbeat's Sarah Darville and Christina Veiga contributed to this report. LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo. The Lafayette County Sheriffs Office is defending one of its jail employees for her decision to wear a red prom dress that featured the Confederate battle flag years before she began working for the agency. Sgt. Samantha Bell, an employee with the jail division for the sheriffs office, wore a red shiny dress with a giant Confederate battle flag on her backside to her senior prom at Wellington-Napoleon High School in 2013. Bell has been employed with the sheriffs office for the past five years. Lafayette County is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, about 200 miles west of St. Louis. The Kansas City Star contacted the sheriffs office Thursday after receiving an anonymous tip raising concerns. Lafayette County Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh said the photograph was discussed with Bell. Our employee advises she was in no way making a racial statement by wearing this dress. She was simply stating her southern heritage in memory of her deceased Grandmother, the sheriff said in an email Friday. Bell did not reply to The Stars request for comment via Facebook message. My daughters heritage and my heritage The anonymous tipster claimed Bell was also in the process of becoming a sworn police officer through the Central Missouri Police Academy, a detail The Star was unable to independently verify Friday. The police academy is located at the University of Central Missouri. In a statement, the police academy declined to identify any of its trainees, citing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. But the law does not in fact prevent the academy from commenting on such matters. Holly Pierce, Bells mother, said that she made the dress for her daughter. Pierce contended there was nothing racist about the symbol. Im not going to stand out here and freeze to death having this discussion with you, she told a Star reporter from the driveway of her Mayview, Missouri, home on Friday morning. You guys really need to take this up with Sam (Bell) and go back and read your history. For you to come on my property and accuse me of something that absolutely has nothing to do with that Confederate flag except for my daughters heritage and my heritage is absolutely wrong. Flags history In recent years, Confederate symbols and statues which were largely erected after the Civil War during the Jim Crow era and into the civil rights movement have started coming down. Mississippi removed the battle flag from its state flag in 2020 as several states reckoned with the imagery. In his message to The Star, Sheriff Alumbaugh said the agency has never received any complaints or concerns of racial bias during Bells five years of employment there. Lauren Bonds, legal director for the National Police Accountability Project, said it is important for law enforcement departments to do extensive background checks for past extremist or racist statements or posts. I do definitely think that this is going to undermine the trust that folks may have in this particular officer, Bonds said. She added that there is a fine line when it comes to disciplinary actions that can be taken against employees who have done things in the past, before they were employed. Immersive Learning Tools Discovery Education Introduces Free Augmented Reality App for Students and Educators Sandbox AR Lets Users Create Virtual Worlds or Augment Their Own All Linked to Real World Knowledge Discovery Education today introduced its new Sandbox AR iPad app, giving students and educators no-cost access to an immersive learning tool using augmented and virtual reality to create interactive learning experiences that unlock students natural curiosity. By superimposing virtual images and data on a user's view of the real world, AR allows learners to visualize and interact with complex topics and heightens student engagement with digital content. The Sandbox AR app empowers students and teachers to create, share, and even inhabit virtual environments; users can create virtual scenes and populate those scenes with any of the hundreds of built-in unique objects from history, science, nature, and more, Discovery Education said. The app also has a mode allowing users to scale up and inhabit their own environments in a virtual setting, using their iPad to take photos of whats around them; that virtual world or scene can then be filled with the apps built-in objects to create a scene mixing virtual and augmented reality, Discovery Education told THE Journal recently. The objects within the app each connect to information about its history (such as the Great Pyramid at Giza), its origins in the natural world (such as an African elephant), and so forth. Once a user has their Sandbox AR scene built to their satisfaction, they can take photos or record a video walkthrough with their own voiceover, to introduce their classmates or their teacher to what they created or what they learned, for example. To help educators leverage the power of AR wherever learning takes place, Discovery Education has made the Sandbox AR iPad app available for free in the Apple App Store. We know educators and students love augmented reality, explained one of the apps developers, Phil Birchinall, Discovery Educations senior director of immersive content. Sandbox gives students the ability to control and have some agency over that augmented reality. Sandbox adds multiple laters of data over the scene users create, using built-in links attached to each object within the app to teach users real world information about each object theyre seeing in their virtual world, he explained. Sandbox AR gives students the ability to immerse themselves in whatever scene or topic theyre learning and really show their knowledge, said Jason Ediger of Discovery Education. This app will have a real impact in the classroom and on learning outcomes. Highly engaging content is important, but giving kids a sense of ownership underpinned by proper learning concepts is the key. Sandbox AR has pre-made scenes such as ancient Egypt, Mayan ruins, road construction worksites, space exploration, and more, as well as hundreds of individual objects that students or educators can use to build their own scenes. Each scene and object links to learning materials, or for teachers using the app, each links to instructional materials. Visit the Discovery Education website to view a demo video of the Sandbox AR app's capabilities. Its critical for teachers to understand the power of this tool for them and their students, so weve included lessons for educators on how to use this in their teaching, Ediger said. The uses of this are endless students can inhabit an AR world they build and truly experience it; it could be part of a mindfulness meditation, or a game or a lesson on endangered species like the African elephant. Birchinall, a former teacher himself, said his team created the Sandbox AR with purpose, not just to bring cool tools to the classroom. We know AR has a huge impact on learning, he said. Tools like these amplify the power, depth, and speed of student learning. Discovery Education first entered the education technology world over two decades ago, digitizing educational video content previously brought into classrooms on VHS tapes and media carts, and then introducing digital textbooks. While 2021 marked Discovery Educations 20th year of providing innovative digital learning solutions to educators worldwide, it also began a new chapter in the companys history, said Discovery Education Chief Executive Officer Scott Kinney. Sandbox AR and resources we make available to educators today are just the beginning of what will be a number of powerful new resources Discovery Education plans to provide students and educators in 2022 and beyond. Discovery Education also introduced DE Originals today. Produced by Discovery Educations curriculum team, DE Originals are streaming videos featuring former teachers presenting assorted topics to students in a fun and engaging fashion, the companys aid. DE Originals are exclusively available to subscribers of Discovery Educations K-12 learning platform. The more than 100 new DE Originals kick off with the DEmystfied series, which explains complex science concepts through fun, funny, short, digestible, and standards-aligned videos. Combining Discovery Educations signature storytelling style with creative graphics, DEmystfied helps students ask and answer questions about the world around them. Discovery Education users can access DEmystfied through the DE website. For more information about Sandbox AR, educators can view the Sandbox AR quick start guide or check out a free Sandbox AR lesson. To learn about Discovery Educations digital learning resources, visit www.discoveryeducation.com. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- During a Security Council debate on Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that more than 50 million people are currently affected by urban conflict. As a matter of fact, according to the UN chief, when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, up to 90 percent of those killed and injured are not involved in initiating the violence. "Civilians can suffer devastating harm both in the immediate aftermath, and in the long-term," the UN chief explained. The majority of victims face lifelong disabilities and severe psychological trauma, according to Guterres. The infrastructure for water, electricity, and sanitation is often damaged, and healthcare services are severely disrupted. The top UN official then mentioned some examples. Pointing to scores of schools and healthcare facilities damaged during fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza last year, he remembered that nearly 800,000 people were left without access to piped water. In Afghanistan, an explosive attack outside a Kabul high school last May, killed 90 students, mainly girls, and left another 240 people injured. Using heavy explosive weapons in populated areas disrupted every system and resource in Yemen, according to a study conducted in 2020. "From Afghanistan to Libya, Syria, Yemen and beyond, the risk of harm to civilians, rises when combatants move among them and put military facilities and equipment near civilian infrastructure," the UN chief said. The consequences of this type of conflict go far beyond its more immediate impact, putting people at risk of sieges and blockades, which have had a horrific impact on civilians in growing urban areas, up to and including starvation. "Urban warfare forces millions of people from their homes, contributing to record numbers of refugees and internally displaced people," Guterres explained. Four years after the destruction of 80 percent of housing in Mosul, Iraq, for example, an estimated 300,000 people are still displaced. Warfare in cities also creates millions of tons of debris that poses risks to both the environment and to people's health. And unexploded ordnance makes it too dangerous for people to return home. On top of that, mass destruction of buildings sets development back by decades, undermining progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Guterres told the council that "the frightening human cost of waging war in cities is not inevitable; it is a choice." He then shared some measures that could help prevent and mitigate its impact. First, regarding international humanitarian law, he noted that recent years have seen increasing concern over compliance with these laws. He stated that "accountability for serious violations is essential" and argued that member states must demonstrate the political will to investigate and prosecute alleged war crimes to the maximum extent. "We owe that to the victims and their loved ones - and it is also crucial to serve as a powerful deterrent," he explained. Second, the secretary-general explained that parties to a conflict have options when they wage war. "They should adapt their choice of weapons and tactics when they wage war in cities, recognizing that they cannot fight in populated areas the way they would in open battlefields," Guterres said, urging member states to commit themselves to avoiding the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas. Third, and lastly, Guterres made the case for better policies and practices, including more systematic tracking of alleged incidents in cities and towns. Paris, TX (75460) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. TUESDAY, Jan. 25, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Coronavirus infections before or after vaccination provide equal levels of increased immunity, and the key to this so-called "super immunity" is to be vaccinated, researchers report. "It makes no difference whether you get infected-and-then-vaccinated, or if you get vaccinated-and-then-a-breakthrough infection," said study co-senior author Fikadu Tafesse. He is an assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine, in Portland. "In either case, you will get a really, really robust immune response amazingly high," Tafesse said in a university news release. The study included 104 university staff who received the Pfizer vaccine. Of those, 42 had never been infected, 31 were infected before vaccination, and 31 were infected after vaccination (breakthrough infections). Blood samples from the participants were exposed to three variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the results showed that both groups who had been infected had much stronger immunity against the viruses than those who hadn't been infected. Specifically, the blood of those who'd been vaccinated and infected (hybrid immunity) had equally more abundant and more effective antibodies at least 1,000% more effective than the blood of those who'd been vaccinated but never infected. The study was conducted before the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, but the authors believe the hybrid immune response would be similar with that variant. "The likelihood of getting breakthrough infections is high because there is so much virus around us right now," Tafesse explained. "But we position ourselves better by getting vaccinated. And if the virus comes, we'll get a milder case and end up with this super immunity." The findings were published online Jan. 25 in the journal Science Immunology. "I would expect at this point many vaccinated people are going to wind up with breakthrough infections and hence a form of hybrid immunity," said study senior co-author Dr. Bill Messer, an assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology and medicine (infectious diseases) at OHSU. As Omicron continues to rage, many unvaccinated people who were previously infected are likely to be infected again, and will have a much more variable degree of immune response than those who are vaccinated, according to Messer. "I can guarantee that such immunity will be variable, with some people getting equivalent immunity to vaccination, but most will not," he added. "And there is no way, short of laboratory testing, to know who gets what immunity. Vaccination makes it much more likely to be assured of a good immune response." Another member of the research team agreed. "Immunity from natural infection alone is variable. Some people produce a strong response and others do not," said study senior co-author Dr. Marcel Curlin, an associate professor of medicine (infectious diseases) at OHSU and director of OHSU Occupational Health. "But vaccination combined with immunity from infection almost always provides very strong responses." More information For more on COVID-19 vaccines, go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SOURCE: Oregon Health & Science University, news release, Jan. 25, 2022 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on the TownNews Content Exchange. MURPHYSBORO Community members and inmates interviewed by The Southern this weekend say that up until just over two weeks ago, masks were considered contraband in the Jackson County Jail, causing COVID-19 cases to increase. The Jackson County Sheriffs Office and the countys top prosecutor Joseph Cervantez have not directly addressed these claims, but say they are working together to ensure the health and safety of those in the jail. When the pandemic first began, the Sheriffs Office took measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Sheriffs Office installed ionizers on the return air systems and deployed peroxide solution misters to help kill and prevent the spread of airborne contaminants. Masks, specifically N95 masks, were issued to all staff for mandatory use, and masks were also issued to all inmates who desired them. These measures continue today, the statement read. The offices did not respond to additional requests to confirm or deny the allegations of masks being considered contraband for several weeks. The allegations were brought to light during a protest this weekend outside the jail. In a joint press release from the Jackson County Sheriff Robert Burns and States Attorney Joseph Cervantez, they argued proper quarantine procedures are in place. A dozen protesters gathered outside the Jackson County Jail on Saturday to pray and to protest the treatment of inmates during a COVID-19 outbreak within the jail. The Southern learned of the protest through a flier dropped off at the newsroom the week prior. Some of these protesters were mothers of men in the jails. One of these mothers called her son, who passed the phone off to other inmates within his block to speak to The Southern. Raymond Grant, one of the protesters at the event, said a person's pre-trial status should not affect their ability to protect themselves. With a 200-person capacity, 151 people are housed at the Jackson County jail of those, 106 are awaiting trial. Their pretrial status shouldn't preclude them from their constitutional rights, because in this country, we're considered innocent until proven guilty, and they have not had their day in court yet, Grant said. Luzzetta Gibbs, one of the organizers of the demonstration and a mother of a man in the jail, said they are asking for release of these offenders because of overcrowding. It's so crowded with the COVID. And they are allowing the positive ones, that's positive with the COVID, they put them with the ones that's negative. In other words, they saying you know, (If) you die, you die, Gibbs said. Authorities say the increase in COVID-19 cases at the jail in recent weeks mirrors that of the dramatic increases seen nationwide. In a statement, county jail officials said the jail had no positive tests for the first four weeks of December. However, one inmate tested positive the week beginning December 28; 31 tested positive the week of January 5; and four tested positive the week beginning January 12. Cynthia Campbell, a mother whose son is incarcerated elsewhere and caught COVID-19, showed up to support the demonstration. She said she believes some inmates without serious violent charges should be put on house arrest while awaiting trial as COVID-19 circulates in jails. Cervantez said that the majority of those in the jail are violent offenders. Moreover, the Jackson County States Attorneys Office has worked closely with local law enforcement to determine, on a case-by-case basis, which arrestees were sufficiently dangerous so as to require incarceration for the safety of the public, the release said. As of this date, the Jackson County Jail is operating at a mere 75% of capacity, but approximately 89% of the inmates awaiting trial in the Jail were arrested on charges relating to violent crimes and/or use of firearms. He said he came up with new directives to law enforcement during COVID-19 regarding who would and would not be sent to jail to avoid overcrowding. Our priority is maintaining the health and safety of all Jackson County citizens, Cervantez said. Multiple inmates who spoke with the Southern on Saturday by phone said there are 11 of them in their block a room they described as a dorm with no way to separate. One inmate said they were one of the first to test positive for COVID in jail, but instead of being sent to quarantine, they were sent back to their dorm and now everyone in that dorm tested positive. The 11 men housed in the dorm had chest pains, body aches, fatigue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, vomiting and coughing, one inmate described. In a statement to The Southern, the sheriff's department said when a person is arrested and taken to jail, they are tested as soon as possible and quarantined until a second test can be performed. Five to seven days later, a second test is performed. If it is again negative, they are moved into the general population, the sheriff said. Inmates within the jail who spoke with The Southern said up until two and a half weeks ago, masks were banned and considered contraband. Inmates said this happened after the 14-day quarantine period when an individual would first arrive at the jail. Ginger Rye Sanders, a Carbondale councilwoman and member of Women for Change, attended the protest in solidarity. I'm here because I'm letting the inmates know that I hear them and I see them. And even though they can't speak up for themselves, we're here to speak up for them, Rye Sanders said. And there are some injustices that's going on inside of the jail the fact that they have been unable to have masks to prevent this COVID And recently I heard that about a week and a half ago that they did give them masks but nothing proactive was done. Rye Sanders said this is a violation of a persons rights and not following CDC guidelines. So we're here to speak up for them. And hopefully the administration will make some decisions moving forward about individuals that are there that may be able to be moved out. And some kind of solutions and answers will be gathered for those who work on the inside, Rye Sanders said. Burns said in a statement that COVID-19 has presented major challenges to our jail staff. But we have been able to overcome those challenges by working cooperatively with the States Attorney and the Jackson County Health Department, Burns said. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A grassroots campaign to honor actress Betty White has benefited animal welfare organizations across the country, including those in Southern Illinois. Simple social media posts with #BettyWhiteChallenge encouraged fans of the longtime actress and animal advocate to make contributions to local animal shelters and rescue operations in her honor on Jan. 17, which would have been her 100th birthday. She died Dec. 31 at the age of 99. The campaign, which was planned before her death, became a way of honoring White. In Southern Illinois, leaders of animal shelters say they have seen significant contributions from the campaign. The challenge has generated more than $10,000 for St. Francis CARE, located between Carbondale and Murphysboro. It has been unbelievable, St. Francis Care board president Diane Daugherty said. We seemingly had people come out of nowhere to give five or ten dollars, but it all adds up to an incredible number. Daugherty said many who gave through the campaign were first-time donors to St. Francis CARE. I think people just love Betty White. Maybe they never had donated to a rescue before, but they felt moved to honor her, Daugherty said. At the Jackson County Humane Society, people not only made donations, but some stopped by the facility. Manager and Director Hailey Huart said the challenge not only brought in gifts, but also increased awareness of animal welfare organizations. Weve definitely seen an influx of donations, more people sharing our social media posts and weve seen donations of supplies, too, said Huart, who added gifts to her facility totaled more than $400. Project Hope Humane Society in Metropolis has netted about $2,000 so far. We cannot thank her supporters enough, Karly Parker, shelter manager and veterinary technician said. I think it was a wonderful thing sort of a Betty White Remembrance Day and it was so generous and thoughtful because of her love of animals. She said the more than $2,000 in donations will make a difference. It keeps us going, Parker said. Were a non-profit so we count on donations to continue to help these animals. This is huge for us. Michelle Richards, president of the Wayne County Humane Society, said the more than $400 donated to the organization will help directly care for a collection of 19 Chihuahuas that recently came to the shelter. If we didnt have donations like this, we just couldnt function, she said. All of the shelter leaders commented that the challenge was some of the easiest fundraising they have undertaken, only requiring them to share a few social media posts. Social media is about influence and I dont think anybody had more positive influence than Betty White, explained Tom Harness, owner of Harness Digital Marketing, a social media marketing company in Carterville. This just speaks to how social media can be utilized for good. A hashtag is only as good as the person associated with it, and this shows how she was an incredible person. Daugherty said her organization continues to receive donations and each is a testament to Whites love for animals. Im sure she is looking down from Heaven with a big smile on her face, knowing that she has made such a difference for all of us, she said. I dont know who it was that came up with the Betty White Challenge, but on behalf of all of the animal rescues everywhere, thank you. According to Variety magazine, Meta the parent company of Facebook and Instagram reported Friday that donations made through the two social media platforms using the hashtag topped more than $12.7 million. The figure does not include offline donations made directly to shelters. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MARION During its regular meeting Monday evening, Marion City Council approved a contract for sale to sell a piece of property 24 feet by 85 feet along Franklin Avenue to John Brown for the appraised value of $14,000. Mayor Mike Absher said when the request to buy the property from the city was made last year, Brown wanted to build a covered deck for John Browns. The business sits on a 26-foot property. The city sold them an additional 24 feet, so they will have a total of 50 feet along Franklin Street. The council also discussed building stairs or some other structure to allow people access to the square near John Brown's. Because that issue was not on the agenda, no action was taken and the discussion was limited. The council also approved Renew Southern Illinois request for $50,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to assist with their temporary emergency housing program. The funds will be used to help the homeless with case management and other emergency needs. Absher explained that the city had given the same amount to Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless to fight homelessness in the community. This is a huge problem not just in our community, but in every community, Absher said. The homeless have to be willing to accept some kind of services. He added that this is something the church had done with their own funds for years. He also said it has nothing to do with their program of tiny homes in Marion. This seems to be well thought out. I like that somebody or several people have thought out the rules, Councilman Doug Patton said. The mayor said this action is part of us trying to build a social net to take care of some acute needs in the city. I am hopeful this will help, Absher said. The council also approved a Resolution 2022-06 for design and engineering to resurface portions of Main Street, Pentecost Road and Bainbridge Trail using Motor Fuel Tax funds. They also approved an engineering services agreement with Clarida and Ziegler Engineering Company for that work. They approved the purchase of 174 Zenner meters for a Norman Road development. The price was locked in by the developer, who has already paid for the water department for the meters. They also created a registry of interested parties for Residential TIF II. The registry is primarily for people who dont live in the TIF district, such as those interested in building or developing property in the TIF. A hearing for the proposed Residential TIF II will be at 5 p.m. Feb. 14. The council also discussed two items under old business. They approved a change order for new city hall project. They approved spending about $15,269 to have safety deposit boxes removed from the building. Cody Moake, chief of staff, said the street department tried to get the boxes out, but was not successful. The mayor also discussed the U.S. Supreme Court approving to stay on the vaccine mandate. The issue has been kicked back to lower courts to make a decision on the rule. This action just stops OSHA from enforcing the rule at this time. The council went into executive session. The mayor said they would adjourn without taking any action. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the first Black woman to lead the 145-year-old Illinois Department of Public Health, is the special guest speaker as Southern Illinois University Carbondale kicks off Black History Month on Feb. 1. The hybrid event is at 5 p.m. in Morris Librarys John C. Guyon Auditorium, with Ezikes presentation happening virtually. The public is invited to attend in person or through Zoom. Advance registration is suggested for who plan to attend the virtual webinar presentation. A board-certified internist and pediatrician, Ezike has led the IDPH since 2019. SIU Carbondale awarded Ezike an honorary Doctor of Community Health degree in May 2021 for her efforts in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to joining the IDPH, Ezike served for more than 15 years with Cook County Health as medical director at the Juvenile Detention Center and as medical director for the Austin Health Center. Ezike earned her medical degree from the University of California at San Diego and a bachelors degree in chemistry from Harvard University. The complete Black History Month schedule, along with additional information is online at smrc.siu.edu/brc/black-history-month.php. Diverse events mark the celebration A wide array of events throughout the month, both on campus and virtually, will recognize the accomplishments of the Black community and the importance of striving toward a more inclusive future, according to organizers. The history month theme, Black Health and Wellness Strong Balance, Love, Alert, Cherish, Knowledge, provides a great opportunity to focus on our health, now more than ever, and also to highlight the many accomplishments and achievements that Blacks and African Americans have made in the health field, said Charah McKinzie, coordinator of SIUs Black Resource Center. I love the Russell Ledet quote that says We are our ancestors wildest dreams. I love it because there used to be a time when becoming a Black doctor, engineer, scientist etc., was just a dream, McKinzie said. Weve come a long way but there is still much work to be done. I am honored to celebrate and recognize the courage and sacrifices our ancestors have made and I look forward to an even better future. Blacks in STEM fields Wendell ONeal, a board-certified clinical chemist will be part of Blacks in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Presentation and Art Exhibit at 4 p.m., Feb. 10. The hybrid event will take place in University Museum in Faner Hall and also via Zoom. ONeal will discuss the importance of STEM involvement for Black students and touch on the impact of The Flying Black Medics, a group of medical practitioners who provided quality health care Cairo, Illinois-area residents after the Civil Rights era. ONeal earned his bachelors degree in chemistry from SIU and is a 2014 inductee in the now School of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences Hall of Fame. ONeal operates The WHISK Group, a consulting practice assisting hospital systems and clinical laboratories with strategy, structure and efficiency, and has worked extensively with clinical laboratory and STEM-related organizations to foster STEM participation by students. The Zoom presentation in the museum is free, and participants should also register in advance to participate virtually from another location. Breaking into the music industry Scholar, educator and hip-hop practitioner Jason Rawls will share his tips for breaking into this competitive field when he presents HIP HOP: Tools of the Trade at 5 p.m., Feb. 8, in Morris Librarys Guyon Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. An associate professor of instruction at Ohio University, Rawls helped produce the critically acclaimed 1998 album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, which played a role in the eras underground hip-hop explosion. He has also produced for and served as DJ for artists including the Beastie Boys, Ghostface of WuTang Clan, Capital Steez, Pro Era, Slum Village, Souls of Mischief, 9th Wonder and Us3. Rawls also lectures at Ohio State University and Columbus College of Art & Design. He holds an educational doctorate in educational administration from Ohio University, a masters degree in education from Ashland University and a bachelors degree in business from the University of Cincinnati. He is the co-author of Youth Culture Power: A #HipHopEd Guide to Building Teacher-Student Relationships and Increasing Student Engagement and is co-writing the first hip-hop-based education program through Ohio Universitys Patton College of Education. Join the commemoration Numerous other activities are planned throughout the month including a family movie night, panel discussions, health fair, the Tunnel of Oppression, Afrocentric Fashion Show, Black History Scholar Bowl, Black graduate luncheon and much more. Most of the events are open to the public and free. For more information, email the Black Resource Center at brc@siu.edu or call 618-453-3470. Black History Month sponsors include the Black Resource Center, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, College of Business and Analytics and the colleges Office of Diversity and Inclusion, New Student Programs, Student Affairs, Student Programming Council, Black Affairs Council, TRIO Student Support Services, Black Affairs Council, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Delta Phi fraternities, University Museum, Black Togetherness Organization, the African American Museum of Southern Illinois, the Black Chamber of Commerce of Southern Illinois, Carbondale United, Dentmon Center, the NAACP, Sacral Space for Women and the Black History Month Planning Committee. Aldermen declined Monday to pay a woman $125,000 to settle the lawsuit she filed after Chicago police officers fatally shot her son in her home when she called for help because he was threatening her with a knife. The City Council Finance Committee deadlocked 13-13 on the proposed settlement for Lenora Bonds, meaning the deal will not head to the full City Council this week. Bonds argued in her suit that the Police Departments crisis intervention team training was inadequate, city lawyer Victoria Benson told aldermen, and if they had been better prepared, the situation could have been handled without her son, Terrance Harris, winding up dead. Police shot Harris 29 times, Benson said. But several aldermen said it sounded like the responding officers did their best in a difficult situation. Four officers went to Bonds home in October 2013 after she called 911 and said Harris was off his medication and threatening her with a knife, Benson said Monday. Harris opened the door and stabbed a sergeant who had received crisis intervention training in the face before retreating into the home and locking the door. Three other officers eventually got in the house, where they said Harris lunged at them with two knives in the basement. All three officers opened fire on Harris, Benson said. So there was a CIT officer. He was stabbed in the face, Southwest Side Ald. Silvana Tabares said Monday. This is a justified but unfortunate situation. Settling sends a bad message to police officers when they have to make these split-second decisions. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Benson said the city was recommending the settlement because going to trial and litigating the specifics of the Police Departments crisis intervention training program circa 2013 could result in Bonds receiving a larger payment. She also noted Bonds had left the house and Harris was the only person still inside when the three officers entered and shot him. So the question will be was it necessary for them to have done so at that time, given that the individual who had called for police had exited the home, Benson said. Also Monday, the Finance Committee unanimously approved a $14 million settlement to be shared by two men who spent a combined 43 years behind bars after they said they were tortured by police detectives with ties to disgraced late Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge until they confessed to a murder they didnt commit. The proposed settlement for Kevin Bailey and Corey Batchelor comes four years after a Cook County special prosecutor dropped charges against the two, and a judge tossed out their convictions. The full council will consider their payment Wednesday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On his second day as Chicago Public Schools CEO, Pedro Martinez promised transparency in the way the district publicly reports student and staff member COVID-19 cases. On our website, we will be reporting out cases daily. We will be more complete. We will not only just show active cases, well show quarantine. Please give us some grace. Because it is daily, that means there will be some cleanup of data, Martinez said at a Sept. 30 news conference with city public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady. CPS came under fire last week when it was revealed that the district had quietly changed the method it presents COVID-19 data on its public dashboard to only show closed cases at individual schools instead of all reported cases of COVID-19 among staff and students, as the district had done since September. The backlash grew as CPS continued to experience an omicron-fueled surge in infections, with 660 adult cases and a record 2,200 student cases reported districtwide last week. The districts dashboard change was noticed by parent and cloud engineer Jakob Ondrey, who maintains his own website that tracks and visualizes COVID-19 cases reported by CPS. He pointed out that parents visiting the dashboard to find out case numbers at their childrens school would not get a complete picture of the cases reported by students and staff of the school. His Twitter thread drew attention from elected officials such as Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd; Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd; and Maria Hadden, 49th, who demanded answers from the district. In a statement Friday afternoon, the district said it discloses on its public dashboard all reported cases at the district level, but recently switched to only showing cases that have been investigated by district contact tracers on the individual school pages of the dashboard. This change was made to provide a more accurate number of closed positive and confirmed cases and to protect the privacy of our students and staff, especially in some of our school settings where the case count was very low and there was subsequent speculation about the health status of specific individuals, the CPS statement read. The district promised to re-evaluate its data reporting in light of the omicron surge and in the interest of broader transparency. The districts dashboard falls short in other areas as well. CPS does not share vaccination rates of students on its dashboard, as it does staff members. A CPS representative recently told the Tribune that the Chicago Department of Public Health only provides vaccination data to CPS twice a month. The CPS dashboard also doesnt provide case numbers for its 100-plus charter schools. More than 330,000 students are enrolled in CPS, the nations third-largest district. When CPS reached a safety agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union this month after a battle that saw classes canceled for five days, the district promised it would share on its dashboard the number of classrooms or school buildings that transitioned to remote learning because they met the thresholds set in the safety deal. That information has not been reported on CPS dashboard. The district is reporting 20,500 students and 865 adults in isolation because they tested positive for COVID-19 or in quarantine because they came in contact with an infected person. CPS has repeatedly expressed confidence in its contact tracing process, though some parents and teachers have reported delays in hearing about positive cases that affect them. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Granite City man has been charged with the murder of a 54-year old Washington Park resident. Police say Alexander Graham was shot at 12:44 a.m. on January 22 in the 5700 block of Westmoreland Street in Washington Park. He later died at a St. Louis hospital. Police said a suspect was taken into custody a short time later. On Sunday, Michael A. Wilmington, 55, was charged by St. Clair County State's Attorney James Gomric's office with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated discharge of a weapon in connection with Graham's death. Prosecutors allege that Wilmington knowingly fired his gun at the building with an intent to kill. Wilmington is being held on $1 million bond. Illinois State Police, Washington Park Police and St. Ann, Missouri police investigated the shooting. Any possible motive has not been released. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO Republican candidates for governor Richard Irvin and Jesse Sullivan launched television spots Tuesday that followed the partys election-year strategy of using spikes in violent crime to attack Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers leadership. Irvins ad was unveiled little more than a week after the Aurora mayor entered the GOP primary race, and the day after his campaign reported collecting more than $1.2 million in contributions of $1,000 or more though none from an expected backer, Ken Griffin, co-founder of the Citadel investment firm and Illinois richest resident. The spot focuses on a May 31, 2020, protest over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police that turned violent as rioters among a crowd of about 500 people looted stores and set a series of fires in Auroras downtown. Irvin is shown at a mayoral news conference saying, Aurora will be ready for you if you come to our community wreaking havoc. We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We will not put up with this BS and foolishness. This I guarantee. An announcer then says, They tried to burn his city down. Richard Irvin took it back. Elect Irvin governor. Well take back our state. The announcer says Irvin called in the Guard, a reference to the National Guard. But the governor authorizes the use of the National Guard, not individual mayors who can only make a request for a call-up to the states chief executive. The state Democratic Party issued a statement that sought to link Irvin to former one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner by noting the candidate has yet to speak to reporters since announcing his candidacy. Clearly, Irvin and the rest of the Rauner Reboot slate think they can avoid accountability for their words as long as they can avoid talking to voters or reporters, the Democratic Party statement said. Former members of Rauners team are part of the group that has assembled a slate of statewide GOP candidates, headed by Irvin, with the aim of securing the financial support of Griffin in an attempt to match billionaire Pritzkers spending ability. Griffin was not on an initial list Irvin donors reported Monday but other members of the states Republican business establishment were, including industrialist Craig Duchossois, who was among four $250,000 donors, along with former U.S. Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz and real estate mogul Sam Zell, who gave $100,000 apiece. Industry reports show Irvin is paying more than $55,000 for one week of advertising on cable TV alone. Pritzker, who has regularly been airing ads featuring his handling of the pandemic and state finances, is spending nearly $80,000 for a week of cable advertising. Sullivan, a businessman from Petersburg, is spending nearly $90,000 to air his latest commercial on cable TV for two weeks, industry reports show. In his ad, Sullivan compares Chicago to Afghanistan, where he spent time as a civilian intelligence analyst. I know corrupt war zones torn apart by violence. But this isnt Afghanistan. This is Chicago. Pritzkers leftist agenda is literally killing us, turning parts of Illinois into a war zone, Sullivan says. Sullivan released the ad along with what he called his safe streets plan, which includes repealing elements of a new criminal justice law that have yet to take effect yet, such as the elimination of cash bail. Republicans have argued parts of the law have spurred outbreaks of violent crime. Sullivan has also called for using the National Guard and State Police to help fill police vacancies across the state. He wants to increase pay for county sheriffs, provide better benefits to attract and retain people to law enforcement, and create a position for a statewide anti-violence director. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ACCRA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's economic rebound is on course despite global challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, as stimulus packages for various sectors were beginning to yield positive results, Minister of State of the Ghanaian Finance Ministry Charles Adu-Boahen said Monday. "Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate continues to be robust despite the challenges. For the third quarter of 2021, GDP growth stood at 6.6 percent," said the minister. The average growth rate of about 5.2 percent over the first three quarters of 2021 had exceeded the projected growth rate, indicating a strong rebound in growth, he said. GDP growth outcomes for the medium term from 2021 to 2025 are also expected to rebound strongly for all sectors, he added. Ghana recorded a low economic growth of 0.4 percent in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. OMAHA, Neb. Newspaper publisher Lee Enterprises is asking its shareholders to help it fight off a hostile takeover offer from "vulture hedge fund" Alden Global Capital. Lee -- publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Buffalo News and dozens of other newspapers, including nearly every daily newspaper in Nebraska, and The Times and Democrat in Orangeburg -- sent a letter to shareholders Monday asking them to support its board nominees in the dispute with Alden. Lee, which is based in Davenport, Iowa, already rejected Alden's $24-per-share offer because it said the $141 million bid grossly undervalues Lee, but the two sides are locked in a court battle over whether Alden will be able to nominate its own directors. "A 'Vulture Hedge Fund' is seeking to acquire Lee at a steep discount. Don't let it take value that belongs to you," Lee said in its letter to shareholders. Lee also told shareholders that they should have faith in the company's current strategy to shift its publications over to online delivery because it has seen its digital-only subscriptions grow 65% over the past year to 402,000 at all of its newspapers. Alden officials didn't immediately respond Monday to Lee's letter. The New York hedge fund, which is one of the nation's largest newspaper owners, filed a lawsuit last month asking a judge to force Lee to allow shareholders to vote on its three nominees for the company's board ahead of Lee's March 10 annual meeting. Lee has argued that Alden's director nomination was invalid because it didn't meet technical requirements the company established before its deadline. A trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 7 in that lawsuit. Alden owns more than 200 newspapers across the country including the Denver Post, Orange County Register and Boston Herald, and it bought up all of Tribune's newspapers last year. It has developed a reputation for using extensive layoffs and severe cost cuts at the newspapers it owns. When it announced its offer to buy Lee in November, Alden said it already owned 6.3% of Lee's stock. Alden first disclosed owning Lee shares in 2020 after the company bought up Berkshire Hathaway's group of newspapers. Berkshire, which is led by billionaire Warren Buffett, has thus far been silent on Alden's takeover offer even though it holds all of Lee's $483 million in debt. At the time Berkshire sold its newspapers, Buffett said Lee was the best steward for them. Buffett didn't immediately respond Monday to another request for comment. Two other hedge funds that each hold more Lee stock than Alden Cannell Capital and Praetorian Capital have said they believe the company is worth much more than Alden is offering. Cannell holds 8.2% of Lee's stock and Praetorian owns 7.3%. Lee's current board also owns or has options to buy up to 10.2% of the company's stock, according to the proxy statement Lee filed Monday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office A car ran off the road the road Saturday afternoon as the passengers were allegedly fleeing a drug dealer they robbed earlier in the day, according to a sheriffs office incident report. Three people in the car were taken to the Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. The occupants of the car claimed they robbed a drug dealer on Saturday, the report said. Later that day, they were traveling down Slab Landing Road when they noticed the alleged drug dealer and another male in a dark-colored Nissan behind them, the report said. They claimed that someone in the Nissan brandished a handgun and began shooting. The cars driver continued all the way down Slab Landing Road and turned right on Binnicker Bridge Road. The driver then attempted to turn right on Cope Road. The driver lost control of the car and the car ended up in a ditch. The four people got out of the car and ran into the woods. A man in a pickup truck stopped and asked if they were OK. He gave them a ride home. In other reports: A Holly Hill woman reported someone stole her 9mm Taurus handgun from her vehicles glove compartment. Someone was borrowing her vehicle at the time, according to an incident report. The gun is valued at $500. Someone stole a tiller, grill and John Deere lawnmower from the back of a truck on Russell Street in Orangeburg on Jan. 20. The stolen items are valued at $4,500. Someone stole 19 utility pole rollers from a staging area on Antioch Road in Santee. The rollers belonged to Sumter Utilities Inc. The company reported the theft on Jan. 20. The rollers are valued at $1,400. The following items were stolen from a Campus Drive apartment on Saturday: a black, 15.6-inch Asus laptop computer; a silver and white Apple iPad 7; a black Infinity book bag; $53 cash and a pair of Nike Air Jordan Chicago 1 sneakers. Deputies collected fresh handprints left on a window. The value of the stolen items is $1,978. A 2002 dark green Honda Accord was stolen from a Hilton Street residence in Orangeburg on Monday morning. It is valued at $3,000. McCrory Construction, based in Columbia, reported on Monday that someone used the company-issued credit card to make $22,802.92 in unauthorized purchases from Lowes, located at 2896 North Road, in Orangeburg. The purchases were made in January. The following items were stolen from a Corona Drive apartment in Orangeburg on Monday: a 55-inch television, a 42-inch television, a ring light and a box of sunglasses. The items are valued at $900. Someone stole an impact gun from Select Tire, located at 2244 Magnolia Street in Orangeburg, on Monday. The impact gun is valued at $1,000. Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 4 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Claflin University announced Tuesday it is one four recipients of the inaugural Getty Images Photo Archive Grant for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, an initiative aimed at preserving and amplifying the invaluable visual history of HBCUs. Funding from the grant will help digitize roughly 50,000 archival photographs from Claflin Universitys library, including stories about the Charleston hospital workers strike; the Conference of Black Mayors collection; and photos from Briggs v. Elliott, a case that paved the way for Brown v. Board of Education. It will also expand Getty Images collection of photos from renowned photojournalist and Claflin alumnus Cecil Williams, including his personal library, which Williams will help curate. Jackson State, North Carolina Central University and Prairie View A&M University were also selected as recipients of the grant. We are enormously grateful to receive the Getty Images Photo Digitization Grant for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack said. This partnership will help Claflin preserve its illustrious history in photographs documenting the universitys emergence as one of the nations premier liberal arts universities. These images provide compelling visual narratives of how Claflins dedicated and visionary administrators, distinguished faculty and staff, and high-achieving scholars made indelible contributions to Orangeburg, the state of South Carolina and the world, he said. Launching on gettyimages.com, the Historically Black Colleges & Universities Collection will see thousands of images added throughout 2022. Archivists and librarians from Claflin University will work alongside Getty Images team of archivists and Adnet Global, a post-production agency that specializes in the digitization, restoration and discoverability of visual analog historic libraries, in the photo digitization process. The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs were created to honor the vast history of HBCUs and their contribution to American history, said Cassandra Illidge, vice president of partnerships at Getty Images. We are committed to preserving the visual narrative of all cultures and communities to ensure these vital artifacts are accessible to storytellers around the world. Claflin University will retain all copyright of its photos and, once digitized, the historical content will be placed in a newly created, stand-alone Getty Images photo collection dubbed the HBCU Photo Collection, which will be made available for licensing in early 2022. All revenue generated from the images that are preserved through the grants will be funneled back into impact programs: 50 percent will go to grant recipients; 30 percent of revenue will be used for a financial donation to a scholarship fund focused on furthering the education of students at HBCUs and 20 percent will be reinvested to fund the Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs each year. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Regional Medical Center employees must get vaccinated following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. We are going to comply with the vaccine mandate and abide by the U.S. Supreme Court decision, RMC CEO and President David Southerland said. RMC currently employs about 1,300. About 900 are estimated to be fully vaccinated. Southerland said some of employees have expressed their disagreement with the vaccine mandate. We do anticipate we may lose a few employees, he said. Under the federal mandate, employees who have not been vaccinated will have to receive their first shot by Monday, Feb. 14, except those with a pending exemption request and those whose vaccination was temporarily delayed per CDC recommendations, Southerland wrote in a letter to hospital employees about the mandate. The deadline for the second shot is March 15, 2022. This policy applies to any individual who performs duties at any RMC facility or has the potential to have contact with anyone at any facility, including staff, contractors, or patients, regardless of whether they have clinical responsibility or patient contact, Southerland said in the letter. This includes all current staff and new staff. Individuals covered by the policy include, but are not limited to, facility employees, administrative staff, clinical staff, licensed practitioners, students, trainees and volunteers. This policy also applies to any individual under contract or other arrangement with the facility, Southerland said. Please note that this policy implementation is not based on a decision made by RMC administration or Board of Trustees, Southerland said. This was a decision made by the United States Supreme Court that would have major implications for RMC should it not comply. If RMC does not comply, the organization is subject to not receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments, which makes up approximately 75% of RMC revenue, Southerland wrote. We know that being the frontline of a global pandemic has not been easy on you or your loved ones, Southerland continued in the letter. The RMC senior leadership team and board of trustees appreciate all of your dedication, hard work and perseverance over the last two years. Southerland did note RMC, in accordance with the mandate ruling, is going to allow a religious and medical or health exemption. We have received approximately 40-45 applications for religious exemptions and those are being evaluated at the present time, Southerland said. We know there are a few medical exemptions that we are anticipating that we will receive. The ruling does not provide for a weekly testing option. Employees are required to wear masks. The RMC trustees unanimously voted in November to require all employees to be vaccinated based on the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirement that health care facilities with over 100 employees have a policy in place ensuring that eligible staff be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022. Once the federal requirement was challenged, RMC delayed action until the matter could be resolved by the courts. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On their darkest day after learning of the loss of a loved one, 831 South Carolina families in 2021, more than any previous year, consented for their loved one to give the gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation. Their selflessness allowed We Are Sharing Hope SC (SHSC), the states nonprofit organ and tissue recovery service, to facilitate the life-changing legacies of 221 organ and 356 tissue donor heroes in 2021. S.C. organ donors saved 479 lives through 548 transplanted organs. Donated tissue from S.C. tissue donors helped heal the lives of more than 45,000 Americans. The generosity of our South Carolina donor heroes and donor families had a profound impact in 2021, touching the lives of thousands through life-saving and life-changing organ and tissue transplants, said Dave DeStefano, president/CEO of SHSC. As S.C.s nonprofit organ and tissue recovery organization, We Are Sharing Hope SC is proud to serve the people of our state, honoring the legacies of our donor heroes and offering hope to those awaiting their second chance. In 2021, the U.S. surpassed 40,000 lives saved through organ transplantation for the first time. Additionally, tissue transplants helped heal an approximate 2.5 million Americans, including breast cancer survivors, newborns with heart defects, wounded soldiers, injured athletes and burn victims. According to SHSC, one organ, eye and tissue donor can save eight lives, potentially restore the sight for two and improve the lives of 125. South Carolina has been asking drivers license applicants since 1980 about organ donation. The challenge is to get people who declared their intentions via the red heart on their drivers license to take another step. The donor designation on your license is information stored in the South Carolina Donor Registry. The donor designation and/or a signed and witnessed donor card grants authorization for organ and/or tissue recovery, but due to the suddenness and emotion surrounding the circumstances, both documents are rarely available at the time a family is approached regarding donation. With the South Carolina Donor Registry, your desire to donate is stored in a secure, confidential database. Should your death result in the opportunity for you to be a donor, an official record of your donor designation will be readily available and cannot be overturned by your family. Thus, should you be medically suitable to donate, your wishes will be respected and your family will be relieved of the burden of making a decision on your behalf. If you havent considered being an organ donor previously, you are urged to do so. If you are a person having declared your intent, be certain your wishes are carried out by becoming a part of the S.C. Donor Registry. South Carolina residents can declare their life-saving intentions to donate at any SCDMV office and add their information to the registry at https://www.donatelifesc.org/. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Send us your news, photos, and videos and let us know what's going on! Submit Here ALGIERS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Algeria on Tuesday condemned the recurrent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "Algeria expresses its strong condemnation and indignation following the repeated attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, reaffirming its constant solidarity with the two brotherly countries," said a statement of Algerian Foreign Ministry. Algeria reiterates its call to "avoid escalation, and to use wisdom and dialogue to overcome differences and find solutions that can ensure a future of peace, security and prosperity for all people in the region," the ministry statement added. The Houthi armed movement in Yemen announced on Monday that it had launched attacks with ballistic missiles and drones on specific targets in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Saudi-led Arab coalition, with the participation of the UAE, has been intervening in the Yemeni war since March 2015, aiming to support the Yemeni government led by President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi who was forced into exile after the Houthi rebels took over most northern provinces including the capital Sanaa in 2014. (TBTCO) - Thi truong ket thuc thang 4 voi muc giam 8,4%, tro thanh thang giam sau nhat trong vong 2 nam. Hang loat co phieu chiet khau gia cuc sau tuy gay thiet hai rat lon cho nhieu nha au tu, nhung cung se tao co hoi cho cac nha au tu khac. Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Former Wyoming Speaker of the House Tom Lubnau and 15 others are suing Gov. Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Republican Party, the partys chairman and the Wyoming Republican State Central Committee over the recent state superintendent selection process. The complaint, filed Tuesday in federal court, claims that the process of selecting the superintendent spot left vacant by Jillian Balows resignation is unconstitutional because a political partys central committee which is made up of one county chairman, one county committeeman and one county committeewoman is responsible for nominating replacements, thereby defying the one man-one vote principle in both the Wyoming and U.S. constitutions. More specifically, the number of votes each county gets in the process is not proportional to its population, meaning Laramie County, population 99,500, has the same number of votes as Niobrara County, population 2,400, even though its roughly 41 times the size. That, according to the plaintiffs, is unconstitutional. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs request that the court temporarily and permanently prohibit Gordon from making a decision on one of the three candidates, which he is statutorily required to do within the next few days. The suit, however, extends its focus beyond the superintendent vacancy alone, and asks that the court disallow the defendants from taking any actions to select candidates for vacancies in Statewide or federal offices in any way that violates the one man-one vote principle. Gordon intends to make a decision on a candidate by Thursday, his spokesman told the Star-Tribune. [The governor] will carry out his duty within the five-day window according to the law, said Michael Pearlman, director of communications for Gordon. Lubnau, whos a practicing attorney and the current Campbell County state committeeman, is joined by 15 other plaintiffs. They include Dave Northrup, a former state lawmaker and an unsuccessful candidate for the superintendent position, Doug Camblin, the Campbell County GOP committeeman, Rex Arney, a former state lawmaker as well as a dozen voters from all across the political spectrum. Lubnau sent a letter detailing his concerns over the constitutionality to Frank Eathorne, the party chairman, and Brian Shuck, the partys lawyer, on Thursday, two days before the meeting in which the central committee selected the superintendent. Considering the extreme differences in population among Wyomings 23 counties, any vote on a county basis would disenfranchise voters in the more populated counties and would constitute a violation of constitutional principles, the letter read. Party counsel didnt mince words when asked about the letter Saturday. Tom Lubnaus position is absolutely preposterous, Shuck said. Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan also took office in this manner, as did U.S. Sen. John Barrasso. Buchanan told the Star-Tribune on Monday that when he was going through the selection process, he was not approached about the constitutionality of the situation. According to state statute, when the position of state superintendent is vacated, the central committee of the political party that person is affiliated with is responsible for nominating three candidates. The governor is then responsible for choosing one of the three. At the end of the day we all need to follow the Constitution, Crank said. Lubnau was not present at the Saturday meeting when the GOP officials voted on the three candidates, but the issue was raised at the meeting. This is not an election, its a selection process, Joey Correnti, the Carbon County GOP chairman, told the Star-Tribune. Why didnt he address it when he was Speaker of the House? Eathorne later echoed those sentiments to the entire body. Eathorne also told the Star-Tribune that he was advised by two party lawyers, Mitch Edwards and Shuck, that he should go ahead with the process. If it gets challenged in court, it gets challenged in court, he said Saturday. Because Lubnau was the Speaker of the House, the most powerful position in the House, Republican party leadership questioned why Lubnau was bringing up the issue now as opposed to years ago. I think everybody in the room is asking, Why now? Eathorne said. Crank argued that if something is unconstitutional, its not always ruled unconstitutional right off the bat, like being read your Miranda Rights when youre arrested. As we have more and more of these types of selections, thats why its coming up now and it didnt come up later. It has reached a boiling point, Crank said. The state superintendent of public instruction is the chief education officer in the state and sits on a number of other important state boards. The superintendent of public instruction sets education policy and funding, Crank said. Its a real critical office. The candidate who is ultimately chosen by Gordon will serve out the remainder of Balows term, which ends in January 2023. But theyll also have a head start if they choose to run to keep the office. Incumbency offers benefits like name recognition. Three out of 11 candidates were selected in a landslide vote Saturday. The committee chose Thomas Kelly, with 67 votes, Marti Halverson, with 56 votes, and Brian Schroeder, with 52. The fourth-place candidate, Megan Degenfelder, the former chief policy officer for the Wyoming Department of Education, received only 19 votes. Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SMALL business owners in three Caribbean countries will get the opportunity to showcase how their enterprises are transforming their communities, and themselves, due to support from the social enterprise, Nudge Caribbean. The opportunity comes tomorrow, at an event called Nudge Now, which is being organised by Nudge Caribbean, which was founded by Anya Ayoung-Chee, design strategist and social entrepreneur, and Julie Avey, Massy Groups senior vice president of People and Culture. A POINT Fortin man and his teenage son were among four people detained yesterday by residents of Beach Road, Fullerton Village, Cedros, who fought back against cable theft on their street. The suspects, of Techier Village, Mahaica, were blocked by villagers from leaving the street and nabbed in the bushes as they attempted an escape. AYBAK, Afghanistan, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Police have arrested two persons on the charge of smuggling illicit drugs in northern Afghanistan's Samangan province, said a statement of the provincial police department released here Tuesday. The alleged smugglers, according to the statement, were arrested on Monday for smuggling heroin and selling it to addicts in the provincial capital Aybak city. Both the arrested are being investigated to locate more accomplices, the statement said. The Taliban-run administration has announced to check drug production and its smuggling in war-torn Afghanistan. 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. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. A local giving circle is on a roll: 100+ Women Who Care Tucson (100womenwhocaretucson.org) recently passed a $500,000 donation milestone and hopes to celebrate its 25th Big Give by donating at least $30,000 to a local charity on Thursday, Jan. 27, at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive. The original concept of 100+ Women Who Care was to give $10,000 each quarter to a deserving charity, and when we accomplished that, we increased our goal to $25,000 per quarter. Now our goal is 500 members and $50,000 per quarter. This is kind of like a 401K: When it gets to a certain size, it just grows so much faster. We have members bringing more people in and we continue to grow. It is just momentous, and all from donations of $100 at a time. When they are given collectively, it makes such a huge impact, said Desha Bymers-Davis, who founded the Tucson chapter in 2016. Bymers-Davis emphasized that the premise is simple: To allow women to maximize impact through minimal time by providing the opportunity to contribute $100 for each quarterly Big Give or $400 annually. Each member then votes on one of three charities to receive the quarterly funds. The three charities are chosen randomly from a pool of more than 70 approved nonprofits that have been nominated by members. The concept has proven so popular that it has spawned 100+ Guys Who Give Tucson (100guyswhogivetucson.org) and 100+ Teens Who Care Tucson Chapter (100teenswhocaretucson.org). Bymers-Davis emphasized that guests are welcome at Big Gives and she hopes that prospective members will simply drop in at the upcoming event. We want you to come check us out and join the movement to reach $50,000 each quarter, she said. To date, 100+ Women Who Care Tucson has donated almost $515,000 to a diverse range of 24 charities that offer services in education, health care, social services and more. Past recipients include Kids Chance, Literacy Connects, More Than a Bed, The Steven M. Gootter Foundation, Felicias Farm, Courtneys Courage and Youth on Their Own. Recently, Junior Achievement (JA) of Arizona received a gift of $29,400 during the largest Big Give to date. The gift was amplified by a grant from the Connie Hillman Family Foundation, which matched 50 percent of funds raised for JA at the time. Instead of it being $29,400, which is huge in and of itself, the Give ended up bringing $44,100 to JA because of the match. With these funds, we will be able to facilitate JA programs for more than 1,200 students, which is an insane amount. Our goal is to facilitate these programs for more than 11,000 students this year, so this will make a huge difference, said Chrisie Ballard, the member who nominated JA. Ballard, who has been a JA volunteer for 12 years and is a member of the executive committee, said that JA helps to empower youth of all ages to succeed in work and life by teaching financial literacy, workplace readiness, communication and leadership. This has a long-term impact on our community. Our kids are 143 percent more likely to own their own businesses, and 54 percent more likely to graduate from college if they have more than two years of JA. These programs are pretty phenomenal and kids wont get this type of teaching in schoollearning the value of dollar and the difference between a credit card and a $100 bill. We teach kindergarteners the difference between needs and wants and continue through the high school level where kids learn conflict resolution, goal-setting, how to prepare for interviews and many other skills, said Ballard, a native Tucsonan who owns BNI SoZona (bniarizonasouth.com), a referral organization that brings together business professionals. Ultimately, Ballard is grateful for the opportunity that 100+ Women Who Care Tucson affords for busy women to give back. I love that this is once a quarter for an hour and you know it will start on time and end on time. It is super efficient. And I love the mission and the fact that we get to see where our dollars go. I became a member the night I visited; I didnt think twice, Ballard said. Contact freelance writer Loni Nannini ninch2@comcast.net If you go 100+ Women Who Care Tucson 25th Big Give When: Thursday, Jan. 27 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Social Hour 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meeting Where: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E Sunrise Drive Cost: Free Festivities include a social hour followed by short presentations highlighting three local charities, a question-and-answer session and membership voting to choose the quarterly recipient of donations. Guests are welcome and masks are requested at the event. For more information about 100+ Women Who Care Tucson and upcoming Giving Circle dates, visit the website at 100womenwhocaretucson.org. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PHOENIX The U.S. Supreme Court has doused the last hope of former state Rep. Don Shooter to claim that his rights were violated when he was expelled in 2018 from the House of Representatives. Without comment, the justices refused to set aside a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals throwing out the lawsuit that the Yuma Republican had filed against former House Speaker J.D. Mesnard and Kirk Adams, a former top adviser for Gov. Doug Ducey. But in doing so, the justices did not address the claims by Shooter that having him ousted for violating a policy against sexual harassment one that did not exist at the time of the alleged incidents was illegal. Instead, Mondays action simply upholds the conclusion by the appellate court that Mesnard and Adams have qualified immunity for their actions. What can I say? Shooter said when asked for comment. At the heart of the case are claims by Shooter that Mesnard and Adams, at the time working for Ducey, were seeking to thwart his efforts to investigate the use of no-bid contracts to make technology purposes. Thats where the state chooses a vendor who, according to Shooter, then is able to dictate contract price and service. After he threatened to issue subpoenas, Shooter said Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, accused him of sexual harassment. Shooter claimed there was a link, saying that she was engaged at the time to a lobbyist who had previously worked for Adams. And Shooter leveled his own charges of inappropriate conduct against her. Under normal House procedures, those allegations would have been reviewed by the Ethics Committee where Shooter could have presented evidence and cross-examined others. Instead, Mesnard named his own staff members to oversee a probe and they, in turn, hired an outside law firm. That report concluded Shooter created a hostile working environment for other lawmakers and those who do business at the Capitol. It also found no credible evidence that Ugenti-Rita had violated the harassment policy, though a lobbyist later filed a deposition spelling out how she was the victim of a pattern of harassment by the legislator. Four days after the report was issued, and without any hearings, the House voted 56-3 to expel him. That led to Shooters claim that his rights had been violated. The problem with all that, according to the 9th Circuit, is the qualified immunity that exists for government officials performing official acts. Beyond that, appellate Judge Daniel Collins, writing for the unanimous panel, pointed out that the Arizona Constitution empowers the House to discipline its own members and even oust them with a two-thirds vote. He said that limits the ability of federal courts to second-guess the procedures used here. And the judges rebuffed Shooters contention that he had been ejected for violating a zero-tolerance standard against sexual harassment that did not exist before the move to remove him. They said that argument fails because Shooter had failed to show that the House policy allowed the sort of conduct of which he was accused. In this case, the court noted, the allegations ranged from commenting about the breasts of a female lawmaker, making sexualized comments about a female lobbyists appearance, that he made sexual gestures in front of a female lobbyist from the Arizona Supreme Court, that he made a sexual joke to the then-publisher of The Arizona Republic, and that he hugged a female newspaper intern in a prolonged, uncomfortable, and inappropriate manner. The notion that the Arizona Legislature previously permitted this type of conduct is simply implausible, and nothing in Shooters complaint supports such an inference, Collins wrote. Shooter has conceded that there is merit behind some of the charges. Ive said stupid things, Ive done stupid things he told colleagues on the date of the vote, asking they limit his punishment to a public censure. And he reminded other lawmakers that he apologized earlier this year during a House floor session dealing with sexual harassment training. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. TOKYO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A member of Japan's Self-Defense Force (SDF) unit that was dispatched to provide aid to disaster-struck Tonga has tested positive for COVID-19, Japan's public broadcaster NHK said Tuesday. According to Japan's Defense Ministry, a member of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) tested positive for the virus after spiking a fever on Monday and taking an antigen test. The ASDF member belongs to a unit currently based in Australia and took the test there, NHK quoted Japan's Defense Ministry as saying. As a result, the infected individual is now in quarantine along with 21 other SDF personnel who are suspected of having close contact with the individual. The ministry said that the infected member, along with all the other personnel dispatched to provide assistance to the disaster-stricken Pacific islands nation, all took polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests before they departed from Japan. Tonga, which is currently free from COVID-19, was rocked by a powerful undersea volcanic eruption on Jan. 15, triggering a devastating tsunami. On Monday, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) dispatched a transport vessel with more aid to help the disaster-hit Pacific islands nation. The Defense Ministry said the vessel was carrying 60,000 liters of drinking water as well as 60 high-pressure washers. The high-pressure washers will be used to help remove a thick blanket of volcanic ash left in the wake of the massive undersea volcanic eruption. The ministry here said that the unit's delivery of drinking water and other emergency supplies to be delivered to Tonga, will not be affected by the COVID-19 incident. The ministry also said that along with two CH-47 transport helicopters, two hovercrafts and trucks, 300 personnel would also join the mission as part of Japan's ongoing relief operation to Tonga. The latest dispatch followed two transport planes loaded with drinking water and other emergency supplies sent by Japan. According to the Tonga government, the falling ash and the tsunami have affected more than 80 percent of its population. Japan's first dispatch on Jan. 20 of supplies and aid to Tonga arrived on Saturday. After a request from the Pima County Health Department, a drive-through testing site, funded by FEMA, is offering free COVID-19 PCR self-swab tests from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. An ID is not required and registration is available on site although pre-registration is highly recommended. For those who pre-register, it is required to bring a printed out version of the proof of voucher. To pre-register, visit https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/Tucson_AZ_14647.html The covid tests are free. Vehicles can enter off West Anklam Road. Staff at the site are expected to administer 1,000-2,000 tests per day, according to the Pima County Health Department. For more information visit https://ein.az.gov/emergency-information/emergency-bulletin/pima-county-host-fema-high-capacity-covid-testing-center. The Tucson Gem Show is now among the largest of its kind in the country and the showcase has grown to include more than 50 satellite shows around the city. This year's showcases will begin in late January and early February, after many were scaled back, postponed, or canceled in 2021. The Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase started in 1955 as a small show organized by the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society at an elementary school. It was so popular, it became an annual event and moved to the Pima County Fair and Rodeo Grounds until 1972, when it moved to the Tucson Convention Center. Did you know? We have a Tucson history email newsletter! Sign up for it at tucson.com/timemachine Self-styled wealth guru Kevin Easterly of San Diego would be breaking the law in his home state if he bought an apartment building and imposed a huge rent hike on tenants. But its perfectly legal in Tucson, where he and his partners have been playing a sort of real-life Monopoly game: buying and repainting aging apartment buildings, and raising rents 50% or more to boost the propertys value and refinance for more than they paid, public records and Easterlys social media posts show. Once featured in an Instagram video called How to Flip Apartment Buildings, Easterly recently partnered to buy a senior citizens complex at 1511 N. Craycroft Road that catered to older people on fixed incomes until he raised rents by 52%. Its a very sad place around here, said former tenant Nan Abrams, 74, who spent the recent holidays packing up the one-bedroom unit she used to rent for $579 a month. She moved out a few weeks ago, a month after receiving a lease renewal notice that said her new rent would be $880, a $301 increase. Other tenants said they were forced out when management declined to renew their leases. Abrams, who is staying with friends for now, said shes worried about her former neighbors, some of whom have health issues that could make moving difficult. One of my neighbors uses a wheelchair and needs oxygen. I see some of these people and wonder Where are they going to go? Big rent hikes can be disastrous for elderly tenants no longer in the workforce, said Jim Murphy, president of the Tucson Housing Foundation and chair of the Affordable Housing Alliance for Older Adults, a group studying the regions senior housing shortage and what might be done to address it. An older person may have less of a chance to recover from something like this. A younger person might have the ability to go out and earn some more money, he said. Flipping senior citizen apartments may be legal, but its certainly not moral, he said. Easterly, 41, is not widely known in the real estate investment field with 205 followers on Facebook, 827 on Instagram and 13 on Twitter this in a world where big names have millions of followers. Even so, he now co-owns four Tucson apartment complexes with nearly 160 units between them, all purchased in less than five years through four limited liability companies he registered in Arizona. In each case, he used a system he described in the apartment-flipping video as rehab, kick the tenants out and raise the rents. Easterly could not be reached for comment for this story despite more than 20 attempts over a two-week period. (See box) Failed requests for comment The Arizona Daily Star made more than 20 unsuccessful attempts to reach self-described apartment-flipper Kevin Easterly between Jan. 5 and 20. He did not respond to voicemails left on his cellphone and at his Tucson rental office or to repeated emails sent to his business and personal accounts as listed in public records. He also did not respond to detailed questions sent by certified mail to his home and business addresses in San Diego, or to written requests left at the rental offices of each of his four Tucson properties, one of which was hand-delivered to a worker wearing a shirt with Easterly's corporate logo on it. Nor did he respond to email requests sent to two of his business partners and a call and email to a local real estate firm that handled his most recent purchase. And he didn't reply to a detailed Facebook message, which was opened according to the status alert on the messaging program. Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik, whose Ward 6 is home to the Craycroft Road seniors complex, called the 52% rent hike nauseating. This is predatory capitalism and it is totally without a conscience, he said. Its a telling example of whats happening in our real estate market. Tucson is vulnerable because our real estate prices are relatively low compared to the rest of the nation. Murphy said the tenants Easterly is displacing will have a tough time finding affordable quarters in a city where more than 3,000 people already are on waiting lists for publicly-funded apartments geared toward seniors and those with disabilities. In California, its illegal for a landlord to raise rents by more 10% a year. But Arizona has no such limits, nor are there limits in neighboring Nevada, where Easterly co-owns apartment buildings in Las Vegas and Henderson similar to his Tucson properties, according to his San Diego website. Raising rents is key tactic Easterly aims to eventually become a billionaire, with a B and raising rents is one of his key tactics, his social media posts show. He calls it forced appreciation, a way to drive up a propertys value faster than would happen by market forces alone. It typically involves cosmetic improvements such as new exterior paint and landscape gravel and rent hikes in the 50% range, his posts show. The rent increases are critical, he explained on the apartment-flipping video, because a rental propertys value is closely tied to how much income it generates a number banks use in lending decisions. Easterlys first Tucson purchase was in 2017 when he teamed with three other California investors, public records show. They put $350,000 down on a $1 million, 30-unit apartment complex at 3653 E. Second St., and raised rents there by 53%, from $425 to $650 a month. Eighteen months later, Easterly announced plans to refinance the complex for up to $1.7 million 70% more than he paid and use the proceeds as a down payment on another apartment complex. He described the process this way in a January 2019 Facebook post: EFF THE STOCK MARKET. Forced appreciation, 30 units we purchased for $1m 2 yrs ago, Just got done turning all the tenants and raising rents from 425-650. Put 110k into it. Now were refinancing at 1.6-1.7 . Pulling our original money out and putting it into the the next property. This is how you force appreciation based on cash flow people. Dont count on appreciation in the market. Later that year, Easterly and partners put $600,000 down on a $1.8 million, 36-unit complex at 3949 Monte Vista Drive, property transfer records show. Last year they bought two more back-to-back in August and September: a 52-unit at 3493 E. Lind Road for $3.6 million with $1 million down and the Craycroft Road seniors complex for $3.2 million with $960,000 down. Each of the Tucson complexes are 30 to 60 years old, built between 1963 and 1992. In the apartment-flipping video, Easterly refers to them as B- and C-class properties. It isnt clear from public records if any others besides the Craycroft Road complex were exclusively for older adults ages 55 and up. Solutions under study So far theres no end in sight for the apartment-buying spree. But efforts are underway to try to mitigate some of its worst effects on Tucson seniors. The Affordable Housing Alliance for Older Adults is in the process of creating a Pima County-wide housing plan for seniors, said Murphy, the groups chair. A long list of ideas is being looked at including tiny homes, container homes, a home-sharing database that pairs willing renters with would-be roommates and converting motels and vacant schools and business space into lower-cost senior living space. Its hard to say with any accuracy how many local seniors dont have access to affordable housing defined by the federal government as housing and utilities costs that, when added up, are less than 30% of monthly income. Murphy said its hard to track need by age group because many local households around 25% are mixed, with older and younger people under the same roof. Murphy pointed to one improvement thats already inching forward: Tucson City Councils recent decision to allow accessory dwelling units more commonly called casitas or granny flats on many more residential properties. But such changes dont happen quickly, he said, noting the council decision took more than a year of study and discussion. Nonprofit real estate developers are stepping up too. Later this year, La Frontera, a Tucson agency that provides social services for those with low incomes, plans to open a 120-unit seniors housing complex on North Oracle Road near West Drachman Street. Murphy said hes hopeful more changes are on the horizon now that local lawmakers seem more attuned to affordable housing issues and elder housing in particular. I dont know if we can solve the problem, Murphy said of the shortage. But I do believe we can make a dent in it. Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at 573-4138 or calaimo@tucson.com . On Twitter: @AZStarConsumer Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Budget surplus for hospitals The other night I was an unexpected guest at the Banner UMC emergency room. There I found a large number of patients, many in considerable discomfort, waiting for hours to be seen by a doctor. Many simply left, their problem solved by frustration. Meanwhile, the leaders of the state of Arizona are crowing over an enormous budget surplus. Why cant we deploy some of this cash to reduce the needless suffering and anxiety of Arizonans experiencing urgent medical problems? William Nelson Midtown Voting rights for all In Jan. 20 edition of the Star, there were numerous letters (in print and online) that focused on Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Half of the letters attempted to get the senator to support voting rights and change the Senate filibuster rules. The other letters applauded the senators independence and rights. I think Sinema could not care less if you are for/against voting rights, for/against the filibuster, child care, climate, etc. Her actions depend solely on the wishes of her corporate donors, and not the voters of Arizona. Those conservatives (probably Republican) who instead of applauding her single-minded position concerning the current filibuster rule, which I think is a smoke screen for voter obstruction, should ask themselves and fellow Republicans, do I favor democracy? The democracy that gives voting rights to all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, and sexual orientation. Write Sen. Sinema and tell her to give this issue some honest thinking. Michael Coiro East side Desalinating seawater Re: the Jan. 23 article Critics say desalinating seawater is too costly. Kudos to Tony Davis and the Arizona Daily Star for the balanced and in-depth article. It says something very good about local journalism that the Arizona Daily Star was willing to devote the resources to produce such a well researched and informative article on a topic that is both complicated and important. As someone with a little background regarding desalinization, I learned a lot. Thank you. Peter Gruenstein Foothills Thanks, Sen. Sinema I am very disappointed at the Daily Star, although I expect it from an extreme liberal publication. The effort to eliminate the filibuster so that radical liberals can achieve their goals provides a great opportunity for the newspaper to serve as the adult on the block. Everyone with any intelligence knows that the filibuster has served our country well for over 200 years, and eliminated wild swings in policies depending on who had a slight majority. If they remember, they know there were Republicans trying to eliminate it during Trumps administration. There were enough sane people around that prevented the change. Instead, the newspaper publishes many letters from the left to make it appear as a good idea. Just like executive orders can be reversed by the stroke of a pen, policies could easily be changed when the balance of power changes, if the filibuster is eliminated. Thanks to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for doing what is right. Ken Wolfe Marana All about me So, heres my all-about-me experience today. Went to the local sandwich/bread store. Big sign, do not enter without a mask. Great! Went in (masked) got my order and was headed out. In walks a younger male, no mask. Who is supposed to confront him? The working help? Anyway, I drive home. At the stop light, the car in front of me continues through a late yellow/red light seriously! I wonder, what if we placed those around us in priority to ourselves? Just another day in the new America. Norman Patten Midtown Sinema doesnt get it! Sen. Sinema seems to be a very principled person who wants to play nice. However, what she doesnt seem to get is that bullies (the folks across the aisle) dont play nice. Its time for her to wake up to this reality and do whats best for the greater good of this country! Stanley Curd Midtown Political party allegiance When I registered to vote in the 1960s, I dont remember being tattooed either on my back side or on my forehead saying I belonged and gave allegiance only to a specific political party. When I joined the military, I pledged allegiance to the U.S., and the same pledge is taken by senators and representatives, regardless of party affiliation. I was taught to vote for the best candidate that would help America. Not the Democrat or Republican Party. Political leaders in the past used to work together for the good of all. People are upset about Republicans changing voting laws, but they push a voting law that appears to be written only by the Democratic Party. Why do we need a holiday to vote, which is a civic duty? Who got a day off for jury duty? Having a holiday does not mean more people will vote. I want my representatives to vote for America not a political party. Al Wiruth Southeast side Where are we today? Re: the Jan. 23 article Owner ups rent by 50%. Several decades ago, Lifestyles of The Rich And Famous, a television show celebrating the incredible wealth of a very small percentage of the worlds population, gave American viewers vicarious insight into what it could be like if only they could, somehow, win that lottery. I found the message of that show disturbing then, and today feel it was a harbinger of future trends. Today, no one is impressed by millionaires. The new bar is not just billionaire; todays standard is multi-billionaire. Elon Musk is worth over $200 billion and has stated that he shouldnt have to pay any taxes at all. Jeff Bezos trails behind with barely $185 billion, and paid no tax some years. In Tucson, predatory investors buy apartment complexes and raise the rent 50%, because they can. Is all this OK? Eric Maurer Northwest side Thank you is not enough Last Saturday I visited my sister at Banner UMC. My negative expectations quickly turned very positive. I want to personally thank Dr. Robert Koch, my sisters attending physician. While visiting her in her room, Dr. Koch came in and proceeded to answer my dozen or so questions concerning her care. What doctor even does that these days! There are no words that come to mind to adequately express my gratitude to Dr. Koch, the lady at the front desk who walked me to the room (approximately a half-mile) and to all the medical staff I met along the way. As a veteran who receives excellent care at the local Tucson VA, I wish to commend Banner hospital for giving me a truly unique hospital experience. Bob Wineland Northwest side Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. COVID-19 hospitalizations for both children and adults have hit highs in Oklahoma in recent days and are overwhelming the states hospitals. Pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations reached an overall record Thursday at 73 across the state, a three-day average the state first started reporting in mid-July, during the delta variant wave. COVID-19 hospitalizations in Oklahoma hit a high for the omicron surge over the weekend, with 1,887 reported Saturday. The states overall record of 1,995 was set on Dec. 28, 2020, when the state included patients under investigation for COVID as part of that count. And that overall high is a daily point-in-time count, not a recent three-day average, which the state has reported since early May. Pediatric COVID hospitalizations came down a bit to 64 reported Monday, though that could be artificially lower because of inconsistencies with weekend reporting. Overall COVID hospitalizations were at 1,868 on Monday, with 373 of those patients 20% in intensive-care units. The state has started providing a Saturday data report publicly because of how much COVID is spreading throughout the state. Dr. George Monks, the immediate past president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, noted on Twitter that COVID cases remain high but have fallen for four straight days. Monks said he is hopeful that cases have plateaued, but he cautioned that weekend, Monday and Tuesday data can be low. The hospitalization peak will likely happen 2 weeks after cases peak, he wrote. The states seven-day moving average of new daily COVID cases dropped to 10,703 on Monday, down 10% from the record 11,908 posted Friday. The daily case average record before omicron hit is nearly three times lower, at 4,256 in January 2021. Severe complications OU Health hosted a media briefing last week to share how omicron can cause severe health problems in youngsters and how Oklahoma Childrens Hospital in Oklahoma City is overburdened and is limiting surgeries. Dr. Donna Tyungu, medical director of infection prevention and control at Oklahoma Childrens Hospital, said COVID is a top 10 cause of death for children ages 11 and younger. Children under the age of 11 dont die often, Tyungu said. So for it to be a top 10 cause of death thats taking into account that weve had nearly or a little more than over 1,000 children die from this disease. Tyungu said more than 9.5 million children in the U.S. have tested positive for COVID and that 10% of those cases were within just the past week. Children made up more than 21% of overall cases. The original strain of COVID-19 resulted in very few pediatric cases, Tyungo said, but the virus has mutated to much more easily infect children and potentially make them very sick. We absolutely need to gain more information especially age-specific information about the severity of the new variants, Tyungu said. Theres a lot of talk about how mild omicron is, but that is not necessarily true for all age groups. Some people have suggested that we should all get omicron and get it over with, and I would push back on that especially with regards for children because there so many things to learn about this variant, including the long-term consequences of being infected with omicron. A sore throat, a mild runny nose or congestion, fatigue, a mild cough or a headache is often seen in children who are able to stay at home or be treated by pediatricians or family doctors, said Dr. Stephanie DeLeon. DeLeon, Oklahoma Childrens Hospital inpatient medical director, said children who are hospitalized with COVID often develop respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, which can cause difficulty in breathing. Some younger children enter the hospital dehydrated because the virus made them not want to eat or drink, she said. DeLeon said some of the young population testing positive for COVID are experiencing severe complications. She referenced a recent study that found a correlation between COVID-positive kids and diagnoses of diabetes after their COVID infections. Oklahoma Childrens Hospital is seeing that correlation, too, she said. We also are seeing COVID encephalitis. These are patients that have inflammation in their brains and are presenting with change in their mental status or seizures, DeLeon said. Were also seeing strokes. We know that COVID makes people of all ages more likely to clot, and we are seeing that in our pediatric patients, as well. More pediatric operations are being postponed because children show up at the hospital for those procedures and test positive for COVID, so the operations cant proceed. Dr. Cameron Mantor, physician executive for the Childrens Division, said about 1% to 1.5% of children in need of surgical care who had appointments from October through December tested positive for COVID. In the past several weeks that share of COVID-positive preoperation patients has skyrocketed to 13% more than a 10-fold increase, Mantor said. He said staffing shortfalls and kids testing positive have resulted in five to eight childrens surgeries being postponed per week rather than historically perhaps one a week. Surgeons are asked to admit fewer inpatients; our (operating and procedural) rooms are required to do fewer cases, Mantor said. Pediatric ICU beds are full, he said, and two or three times a day administrators must decide what they are going to do with children in the Emergency Department who need a pediatric ICU bed. Do they try to take care of them or transfer them elsewhere? Other facilities are burdened, too, he said. The patients dont go away, Mantor said. Our pediatric patients come here because there are services that cant be found elsewhere in the community or in the state. "So we're challenged to try to figure out how can we continue to take care of those patients." Featured video: When do parents need to seek urgent care for kids with COVID symptoms? Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PHNOM PENH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Tuesday had a video call with Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, exchanging views on bilateral ties and other issues, the Cambodia's foreign ministry said in a press statement. Cambodia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2022. "Both sides shared commitment in further enhancing and enriching the cordial ties between the two nations," said the statement. Hun Sen, according to the statement, assured his Malaysian counterpart that Cambodia will continue to provide care, including COVID-19 vaccination, to Malaysians who live and work in Cambodia, and thanked Malaysia for giving the same support to Cambodian workers in Malaysia. In his book, Midnight in Washington, Adam Schiff refers to Alexander Hamiltons reasoning to have the Senate serve as the jury in the trial of an official impeached by the House of Representatives. Schiff describes the Senate as our greatest deliberative body, whereas Hamilton describes it as a tribunal sufficiently dignified, or sufficiently independent, to serve as a jury. Where else than in the Senate? Hamilton wrote. His reasoning was surely defensible at the time, but the current Senate isnt deliberative, dignified or independent. This Senate is comatose, and instead of being a body of deliberation, its a body that needs defibrillation. Schiffs narrative describes the evidence that proved Trump was guilty as charged but the Senate instead voted to acquit. The Republican reasoning was that a guilty verdict would nullify millions of votes and remove a duly elected president. Let the voters decide, they said. Such an excuse could be applicable for any impeachment no matter the crime(s) committed. If so, then why not delete impeachment from the Constitution? Why not let president do whatever they want to do? After a second impeachment also resulting in acquittal, its obvious to me that the Senate did not do its job. Its obvious to me that some senators are very good at obscuring reality. Edward R. Morrow once said, The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. Better yet, from an unknown source: Nothing is so invisible as the obvious. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to tulsaworld.com/opinion/submitletter. Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Oxford brought the unique air of Vietnams traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) to an event celebrating the upcoming Year of the Tiger, with the participation of many professors, students, and researchers on Saturday. The informal meeting took place in an intimate atmosphere and open conversation, in which the overseas Vietnamese community in the UK recalled their memories about the Tet holiday in their homeland, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The event was also an opportunity for Vietnamese students at Oxford to promote their traditional cultural values to international friends. Nguyen Hoang Long, Ambassador of Vietnam to the UK, expressed his pleasure and honor in attending the meeting along with many famous professors and scientists from the University of Oxford. I hope that the relationship and cooperation between the two countries will be promoted, especially in scientific research, the ambassador said at the special event. Professor Nick Brown, principal of Linacre College, Oxford showed his excitement of trying delicious dishes and traditional activities in Vietnams New Year celebration, just right in the UK. I hope that Linacre College will welcome more Vietnamese students to our country, Brown said. Professor Peter Horby, director of Pandemic Sciences Center under the University of Oxford, said that the event brought him back to the old days when he was researching in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vietnameses New Year celebrations in both Vietnam and the UK share similarities which are groundbreaking customs and the belief that the first guest to visit the house is the one to bring good luck to the family for the whole year, the professor excitedly said. He additionally commented that Tet, which is still a week away, is an occasion for family reunion and an opportunity for people to reflect on what happened during the previous year and build their to-do lists for the coming year. Dr. Tran Quang Minh from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, spoke highly of the gathering as an opportunity to promote Vietnams images and cultural traditions to friends across the globe. I always miss Vietnam, especially on the days when the traditional Tet holiday is approaching, Dr. Minh admitted. Born in a Vietnamese family, I always keep the valuable traditions of making banh chung [sticky rice cake], worshiping Gods and ancestors, wishing relatives good luck for the new year and exchanging lucky money during the Tet holiday, said Vu Thi Phuong, a Vietnamese attendee. Phuong believed that overseas Vietnamese need to maintain those national cultural traditions and uphold them for the next generations. The recent event marks the first time the Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Oxford has celebrated the Lunar New Year in the UK. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Japanese advisory panel is set to approve the expansion of tougher measures against COVID-19 to 18 additional regions on Tuesday, putting more than 70% of the country under restrictions. The western prefectures of Osaka and Kyoto are among the areas covered by the measures, taken in response to a surge of infections and hospitalisation driven by the Omicron variant. Japan logged more than 44,000 new cases on Monday, a tally by public broadcaster NHK showed. The curbs will be enforced from Thursday through Feb. 20, and governors in those regions can request restaurants and bars to shorten business hours and stop serving alcohol. The advisory panel is also expected to greenlight an extension through Feb. 20 of the so-called quasi-emergency measures prevailing in three regions. A government taskforce led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to formally approve those decisions on Tuesday evening. Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited and extended Lunar New Year (Tet) greetings to the Party organization, administration, and people of northern Bac Ninh Province on Monday, according to the Vietnam News Agency. COVID-19 Updates -- The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ho Chi Minh City has been decreasing over the past days, Pham Duc Hai, deputy head of the municipal steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, said at a press meeting on Monday. -- Ho Chi Minh City residents are now able to receive their third vaccine doses by coming to any vaccination sites near their places of residence without having to be on a registration list, the citys Center for Disease Control confirmed on Monday. Society -- Police in northern Hai Phong City confirmed on Monday they had arrested the 22-year-old girlfriend of a man, who was previously captured for robbing a local bank of VND3 billion (US$132,500), for concealing a crime. -- Officers have arrested the former director of Hanoi-based ASA JSC for falsifying records and documents to manipulate prices of seven million ASA shares, valued at VND70 billion ($3 million). -- A 38-year-old man from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for attacking two people with a knife in an attempt to steal their belongings as he was hired to paint their house in May last year. -- The former director of Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi has been sentenced to five years in prison for hiking the price of medical equipment that caused financial damage to over 600 patients. Business -- Nami Solar, a subsidiary of Vietnams Nami Energy Company, and SK Ecoplant, a member of South Koreas conglomerate SK Group, sealed a joint venture deal on Monday to pump $200 million into solar energy development in Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Caregiving for COVID-19 patients has been a sought-after service in Hanoi amid rising cases, providing job opportunities for many people in the capital city. Several groups dedicated to the service have been created on social media, making it easier for residents to seek a suitable caregiver for their sick family members. In one group, a member named T. posted a status saying that his grandmother has been infected with COVID-19 and is being treated at a hospital. As the elderly woman suffers from a broken leg, someone needs to take care of her at the hospital, T. continued, adding that the payment is negotiable. The hospital requires the caregiver to have recovered from COVID-19, a criteria that no one in T.s family is able to meet. Hoang Mai, a resident of Cau Giay District, said she used to work as a freelancer but has recently switched to providing care service for coronavirus patients amid the surge in infections across the city. Most of Mais clients require her to take care of their family members at local COVID-19 treatment hospitals, but sometimes patients quarantined at home also seek her service. Although Mai has already recovered from the disease and has been vaccinated, she still needs to test herself on a regular basis as well as wear protective clothing on the job. The woman said she receives an average of VND2 million (US$88) a day for her service, adding that the cost will be higher during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, which is a week away. Lan, another caregiver in Hoan Kiem District, stated that most of the patients who need care are the elderly. Her most recent client was a 96-year-old patient with underlying conditions, and her payment was VND1.5 million ($66) a day. The caregiver said she could only take care of the elderly man for five days before he passed away, commenting that the job was much harder than she had thought. At the end of their lives, the elderly can feel very lonely, thus having someone to talk to and be there for them means a lot, Lan elaborated. Being infected with COVID-19 prevents family members from staying by their side in the last moments." Gia Huy, 26, who previously worked as an app-based motorbike taxi driver, said he has provided care for four COVID-19 patients at their homes for VND1-1.5 million ($44-66) per day. Huy said he had been jabbed twice, got infected with the coronavirus, and recovered from it. The job can be quite challenging if the patient is unable to walk, as you need to pay close attention to them and help them maintain good personal hygiene, Huy continued. A caregivers job is to help patients perform their daily activities, while doctors are in charge of providing treatment and other health-related guidance, he explained. When the patients condition worsens, the caregiver would promptly contact doctors for emergency treatment, Huy added. Some people recovered after one or two weeks, but some did not make it, he said. Huy, whose hometown is in central Vietnam, has decided to remain in Hanoi this Tet holiday to continue working as a caregiver for COVID-19 patients. Hanoi has recorded more than 111,600 local cases since the fourth virus wave hit the country on April 27. The city has seen a surge in infections over the past few weeks with an average daily jump of more than 2,800 cases. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The former director of a major public hospital in Hanoi has been sentenced to five years in prison for hiking the price of medical equipment that caused financial damage worth VND10 billion (US$440,500) to over 600 patients. During a trial on Monday, the Hanoi Peoples Court handed a five-year jail term to Nguyen Quoc Anh, 63, ex-director of Bach Mai Hospital, for abuse of positions and powers while performing official duties. For a similar offense, Nguyen Ngoc Hien, former deputy director of Bach Mai Hospital, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, and Pham Duc Tuan, former chairman of BMS Medical Technology Company, was jailed for 36 months. However, Tuan was given a suspended sentence. The remaining five defendants who are former staff of Bach Mai Hospital, BMS Company, and Hanoi Valuation and Financial Services Company (VFS) were also handed jail terms or suspended sentences. The indictment showed that Bach Mai is a public hospital under the management of the Ministry of Health. In May 2016, Tuan met Anh to offer the sale of a robotic surgical system named the Rosa Robot. Defendants stand at their trial at the Hanoi Peoples Court, January 24, 2022. Photo: Danh Trong / Tuoi Tre As the original procedures were complicated, the two sides agreed to enter into a joint venture to install the robotic system at Bach Mai Hospital and let Tuan decide the price for the equipment. Anh went on to sign a contract with BMS Company without reporting to the health ministry in accordance with regulations. To legitimize the process, Tuan asked Tran Le Hoang, an employee of VFS, to issue a certificate of appraisal for the Rosa Robot. Investigators found that the price of the robotic system was inflated to VND39 billion ($1.7 million), while its market price was only VND7.4 billion ($326,000). Doctors at Bach Mai Hospital have used the robotic system to perform cranial nerve surgeries on 637 patients. This resulted in financial damage worth more than VND10 billion to the patients as they had to pay much more than they should have for their surgeries. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Boiled chickens with roses on their beaks are the best-selling food in Hanoi on Tuesday, the Kitchen Gods farewell day, as observed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters. As an annual tradition, Vietnamese people prepare a farewell ceremony for the Kitchen Gods to return to the Jade Emperors palace on the 23rd day of the last lunar month, around a week before the Tet holiday. This year, the farewell day falls on January 25. As boiled chicken is among the popular offerings of the ritual in northern Vietnam, Hang Be Market in Hanois Hoan Kiem District, which is famous for selling the food, was crowded right from the start of Tuesday morning. Every year, we sell about 200-300 chickens on this day, said a representative of a shop at Hang Be Market. This year, however, due to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we anticipate that sales will drop. A stall sells boiled chickens, a popular offering on the Kitchen Gods farewell day in northern Vietnam, at Hang Be Market in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, January 25, 2022. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre The offered chicken is boiled, with a rose branch placed on its beak as a highlight, and fetches from VND400,000 (US$17.6) to VND500,000 ($22). It is often served with either red sticky rice cooked in baby jackfruit flesh or mung bean sticky rice, priced from VND30,000 ($1.32) to VND50,000 ($2.21) a portion. The tradition of selling and buying chickens with roses on beaks on the Kitchen Gods farewell day dates back about 15 years ago, according to a chicken shop owner on Gia Ngu Street. Boiled chickens carrying roses are put up for sale at a stall at Hang Be Market in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, January 25, 2022. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre I started buying chickens here seven years ago, said Minh, who traveled some ten kilometers from her house in Long Bien District to Hang Be Market to buy the offering. The chickens appearance is extremely eye-catching. The price is a bit high, but its fine, as long as the offerings are brilliant. In addition to going directly to the store to buy the dish, many customers used delivery applications. People buy boiled chickens, a popular offering on the Kitchen Gods farewell day in northern Vietnam, at Hang Be Market in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, January 25, 2022. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre A man carries a tray of boiled chickens, a popular offering on the Kitchen Gods farewell day in northern Vietnam, at a stall at Hang Be Market in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, January 25, 2022. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre Boiled chickens with roses and sticky rice are put up for sale at a stall at Hang Be Market in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, January 25, 2022. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre An attendant places a rose branch on the beak of a boiled chicken at a stall at Hang Be Market in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, January 25, 2022. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam documented 15,743 additional COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, together with 62,889 recovered patients and 126 virus-associated fatalities. The newest cases, including 44 imported and 15,699 domestic transmissions, were detected in 61 provinces and cities, the Ministry of Health reported, clarifying that 10,733 were infected in the community. Hanoi logged 2,956 of the latest local cases, Da Nang 989, Hai Phong City 704, Thanh Hoa Province 685, Hung Yen Province 623, Bac Ninh Province 560, Hai Duong Province 397, Nam Dinh Province 337, Quang Ninh Province 322, Thua Thien-Hue Province 305, Quang Nam Province 301, Lam Dong Province 225, Quang Binh Province 186, Ha Nam Province 138, Ho Chi Minh City 99, Tuyen Quang Province 70, Can Tho City 42, and Cao Bang Province 34. Vietnam had registered 14,307 locally-transmitted infections on Monday. The country has confirmed 2,164,794 community transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave erupted on April 27, 2021. Above 1.9 million of them have recovered from COVID-19. Ho Chi Minh City has suffered the most with 512,970 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 292,364, Hanoi with 114,586, Dong Nai Province with 99,717, Tay Ninh Province with 87,435, Ca Mau Province 55,093, Dong Thap Province with 47,121, Can Tho City with 44,206, Long An Province with 41,436, An Giang Province with 35,372, Tien Giang Province with 35,246, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 30,466, Binh Thuan Province with 28,962, and Da Nang with 27,133. Vietnam recorded only 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in total in the previous three waves. The health ministry declared 62,889 coronavirus patients recovered on Tuesday, bringing the national count to 1,904,069. The toll has spiked to 37,010 deaths after the ministry announced 126 fatalities on the same day, including 18 in Hanoi, nine in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, nine in Tien Giang Province, nine in Vinh Long Province, eight in Can Tho City, seven in Hai Phong City, and the remainder in 22 other provinces and cities. Vietnam has logged 2,171,527 patients in total, including 163 imported and community-based Omicron infections, since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country in early 2020. The Omicron cases consist of 93 in Ho Chi Minh City, 27 in Quang Nam Province, 14 in Hanoi, 11 in Khanh Hoa Province, eight in Da Nang, two in Thanh Hoa Province, two in Quang Ninh Province, two in Kien Giang Province, one in Hai Duong Province, one in Hai Phong City, one in Long An Province, and one in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Health workers have given upwards of 177 million vaccine doses, including 943,564 shots on Monday, since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8, 2021. Over 78.9 million of the countrys 98 million people have received at least one dose while more than 73.8 million have been injected twice. The number of third doses including additional primary shots for immunocompromised people, boosters, and third jabs of Cubas Abdala vaccine has topped 24.7 million. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh City authorities have made a move to prevent sharp nails from being scattered along major roads after a large number of such metal objects had been collected recently from different roadways. Functional units have been mobilized to carry out routine patrols and warn vehicle repair shop owners on the big roads where motorcyclists often fall victim to tire-puncturing nails. Banners stating that deliberate nail scattering is a punishable offense, with a hotline number for reporting offenders, have also been hung up along National Highway No. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. I have always strictly complied with the law and never had the intention to spread nails, claimed a car repair shop owner in response to the authorities reminder. Nearly a kilogram of sharp metal objects and brake wires cut into small pieces was found on separate sections of major roads in the city last week, raising the alarm among motorcyclists and local authorities. Workers from IDICO Infrastructure Development Investment JSC also collected almost a kilogram of metal objects from a 50m-long section of the Provincial Road 10 Overpass in Binh Tan District within just 15 minutes on Sunday. The rhombus-shaped metal objects were believed to be purposely scattered by repair shop owners along the roads to puncture tires and thus force drivers to use their service, normally at exorbitant prices. Vu Chi Kien, vice-chairman of the Binh Tan District People's Committee, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that authorities are dealing with some suspects. The repair shop owners in question are required to make a serious commitment to stop scattering nails, according to police officers. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The pandemic may have disrupted numerous shows but very occasionally there is an unexpected outcome if you look hard enough. The Great Australian Bake Off returns for its fifth season on LifeStyle this week (plus one former season on Nine) and producers had no shortage of potential contestants, after months of lockdowns. COVID and home-baking fed straight into our casting process so beautifully, says BBC Studios Australia General Manager & Creative Director, Kylie Washington. There were just so many people out there that had totally perfected baking through having all of that time. I think we saw across social media how baking around the world took off. Raw ingredients in grocery stores were sold out often through lockdowns. Weve got people that are Disability Support Workers, Copywriters, people in Retail, Public Servants, English Teachers, CEOs, Stay-at-Home Dads. We had a really good amount of men applying. Often you have to search a little bit harder for them, they dont necessarily come forward. But its such a beautiful show. Its the nicest show Ive ever been a big part of. which says a lot considering Im probably referencing Real Housewives there. You couldnt get much more different! Yet filming in Sydney was not without its challenges with border restrictions impacting on bringing together the 12 bakers from around Australia. It was hard. COVID was going through one of its worst times in New South Wales in terms of full lockdowns, she explains. I think they were quite apprehensive about the whole thing. But theres something beautiful and magical that happens in that shed they just all came together. Theyre so happy to be there and help each other out. Joining them in the Bake Off shed in Concord, inner western Sydney, are returning judges Maggie Beer, Matt Moran and hosts Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle. In the middle of scones, cakes, pastries, lamingtons, pies and mouth-watering creations emerges friendly competition and camaraderie. In another environment where the reality component is really heightened and youre pushing and pushing to get the biggest drama, its not needed on this show. The drama is inherently there, because the bakers are pushing themselves. We as the audience, and the judges, just want them to succeed. We dont want failure, we want them to do their very best because its such a beautiful creation. This is also the first season produced locally by BBC Studios after previously being a Fremantle production. Its a good opportunity for me to say to Fremantle, and Nicole Rogers and everyone there, what a beautiful job they did. We feel such respect for what they built. And hopefully the viewers can see that we upheld the production standards and hope it continues on with the success that its been. We are so pleased Matt and Maggie return once again as our judges. Maggie brings so much warmth, support and years of knowledge along with her trademark sparkle, and Matt brings his fabled tough-guy-with-a-heart-of-gold act, but is genuinely keen to teach the bakers and see them succeed. A wonderful combo, Washington adds. And congratulations to Maggie on her Australia Day Honour. She truly is a national treasure! The Great Australian Bake Off returns 8:30pm Thursday on LifeStyle. Source: Xinhua| 2022-01-25 10:54:00|Editor: huaxia JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nineteen people were found dead in a nightclub, which caught fire, after a clash between two community groups in Sorong city of Indonesia's West Papua province, Provincial Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Adam Erwindi told Metro TV on Tuesday. Tyler, TX (75702) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Fishermen who plan to peacefully disrupt Russias military exercises off the coast of Ireland have been warned by the countrys deputy premier not to put themselves at risk. Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, said some of its members plan to hold a protest against the military exercises next month. The artillery drills at the start of February will take place in international waters but within Irish-controlled airspace and the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Mr Murphy said the area is very important for fishing and they want to protect biodiversity. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar after a Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA) On Monday, the Russian ambassador to Ireland said plans to hold navy military exercises off the coast of Ireland are a non-story. Yury Filatov downplayed the significance of the exercises, after concerns were raised by the Irish Government. Irelands foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said they were not welcome. When asked about the fishermens plans, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday: I havent had the chance to speak to any of the fishermen operating in that area. I suppose I would just say to them that these are military vessels. Whatever they choose to do in terms of any protests, just make sure that they dont put themselves at risk. Russian ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov at the Russian Embassy in Dublin on Monday (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Varadkar said that the military exercises are happening outside Irelands territorial waters, leaving Ireland with no power to prevent them from happening. But we have made it very clear that these exercises are not welcome, particularly in the current context, when tensions are rising in relation to Ukraine, Mr Varadkar added. Thats being communicated to them very strongly. There are no plans to send Irish troops to Ukraine, that hasnt been discussed. Mr Varadkar said the Cabinet received a comprehensive briefing from Mr Coveney over fears that Russia will invade Ukraine. It is very serious, there is a real fear that we could see a land war on the continent of Europe, the Fine Gael leader added. Story continues We havent seen that for a very long time. Aside from the humanitarian impact, it could have an impact on us economically as well. We got a comprehensive briefing on that today. Were co-ordinating our response, of course, with our European partners and our UN partners. The Russian exercises off the coast of Cork and Kerry, while not illegal, are not welcome. We dont believe that theyre connected to the events in Russia and Ukraine, but we certainly would prefer that they were not happening. In compliance with legal requirements, Russia informed Irelands aviation authorities of the planned activities in advance. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said there would be no impact on the safety of civil aircraft operations. In fewer than six and a half hours on the final day, the 2022 World Series of Poker International Circuit crowned a champion in the 1,700 Main Event at the King's Resort in Rozvadov. Out of a field of 808 entries, Turkey's Feyzullah Karaarslan prevailed in heads-up against Aleksandar Tomovic to claim the biggest slice of the 1,189,780 prize pool and his first WSOP Circuit gold ring. For his efforts, Karaarslan walked away with a cash prize of 204,053 while Tomovic had to settle for a consolation prize. Both also received an entry to the 2022 WSOP Europe 10,350 Main Event as part of a year-long promotion in Europe's biggest poker arena. The top 12 finishers in the tournament all received the ticket and will be back in late 2022 for the pinnacle poker event of the year at the King's Resort. Local player Roman Chochola finished in third place and among the finalists were also three Italians including 2021 WSOPE bracelet winner Simone Andrian. He came into the day as one of the shortest stacks and fell shy of another victory at the venue, bowing out in 8th place. Final Result 2022 WSOPC Rozvadov 1,700 Main Event Place Winner Country Prize (in EUR) 1 Feyzullah Karaarslan Turkey 204,053* 2 Aleksandar Tomovic Serbia 127,017 3 Roman Chochola Czech Republic 90,894 4 Ronnie Lemmens Netherlands 70,328 5 Claudio Di Giacomo Italy 55,410 6 Do Tran Germany 43,369 7 Sharon Sade Israel 32,074 8 Simone Andrian Italy 22,058 9 Michael Ugucctoni Italy 17,369 *The top 12 finishers also received a 2022 WSOPE Main Event ticket worth 10,350 Dutchman Ronnie Lemmens entered the day as the chip leader ahead of Karaarslan and Tomovic. He was one of the most active finalists despite complaining to the rail that he had "no hands to play with" and proceeded to live and die by the sword. Ultimately, he was eliminated by Chochola in fourth place for a decent six-figure payday. While Lemmens retained the top spot during the early stages, the two Italian short stacks Michael Ugucctoni and Andrian were never able to get things going to become the first two casualties. Once Sharon Sade was eliminated in 7th place, the ladder-up of Do Tran ended in a flip when ace-king flopped best but Chochola hit running cards to a flush. Veteran player Claudio Di Giacomo was handcuffed in the middle of the pack and succumbed in fifth place to miss out on a repeat victory for Italy in this WSOP International Circuit stop. Chochola took over the lead in three-handed play but went from hero to zero in half an hour. While heads-up play was very deep at the start, the gloves went off right away between the most aggressive and the most experienced contender among the final nine. Ultimately, the duel one-versus-one lasted all but 15 minutes and it was Karaarslan who prevailed in an aggressive four-bet pot. Aleksandar Tomovic Eliminated That wraps up the successful festival at the King's Resort and the PokerNews live coverage from Rozvadov. Assange wins right to appeal extradition to U.S. Xinhua) 08:16, January 25, 2022 A sticker with a photo of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen on a road sign outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, on Jan. 24, 2022. Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) LONDON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. The High Court in London decided on Monday that Assange had an arguable point of law that UK Supreme Court justices may want to consider. However, the High Court refused him permission for a direct appeal, meaning the Supreme Court will first have to decide whether it should hear his challenge. Assange's lawyers now have 14 days to prepare the application to the Supreme Court. Last month, the High Court ruled that Assange can be extradited, as it overturned an earlier judgment based on concerns about Assange's mental health and risk of suicide in a maximum-security prison in the U.S. Assange, 50, is wanted in the United States on allegations of disclosing national defense information following WikiLeaks's publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked military documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars a decade ago. He has been held at south London's high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) BUDAPEST, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A special zodiac stamp issued by the Hungarian Post to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Tiger was presented at an online ceremony here on Tuesday. Hungary has issued stamps commemorating the Chinese New Year for nine consecutive years. It was the fifth time that Hungary and the Chinese Embassy in Hungary jointly issue zodiac stamps. The sheetlet for the Year of the Tiger was designed by graphic artist Agnes Szajko-Berta, with a total volume of 20,000. Each sheetlet consists of two stamps, with two tigers connected end to end. The stamp features the colors red and yellow, with red symbolizing happiness and contentment and yellow representing prosperity and abundance. "In the past year, China and Hungary have maintained close cooperation and mutual support in the fight against the epidemic," Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Qi Dayu said during the ceremony. "The friendly relationship between the two countries is based on mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual support, which is of great significance not only to China and Hungary but also to the region and the international community," Qi added. "The bilateral cooperation between China and Hungary is being carried out at an unprecedented level," said Geza Lang, deputy state secretary of the Hungarian state asset management department. "China is Hungary's most important trading partner outside of Europe, and Hungary is willing to continue to provide an open business environment for Chinese enterprises wishing to invest in Hungary," he underlined. The Year of the Tiger begins on Feb. 1, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Hospitalizations from COVID-19 remained high but steady Monday in McLennan County, with the rate of new cases appearing to slow even as federal and world officials express hope that the surge driven by the omicron variant will soon ebb. The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District on Monday reported 314 new cases and four deaths, with 191 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 28 of whom are on ventilators. The number of active cases in the county dipped to 4,777, nearly 2,000 fewer than a week ago. The daily number of new cases was considerably lower than the countys seven-day average of new cases of 918. Mondays number of new cases also was in sharp contrast with the 2,195 cases on Friday, a daily number boosted by a weeks worth of positive cases of Baylor University students and staff, said health district assistant director Stephanie Alvey. Baylor students returning from the holiday break had increased the numbers of tests administered and the number of positive cases, she said. Baylors online COVID dashboard listed 441 active cases for Monday, down from 1,081 reported on Saturday. Nationwide, daily COVID-19 cases have fallen to 680,000 from an all-time peak last week of around 800,000, accompanied by an overall decline in hospitalizations. On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease specialist, spoke to ABC This Week about a best-case scenario in which COVID-19 would fall to manageable levels so the United States could get back to a degree of normality. And on Monday, the World Health Organization issued a statement anticipating an end to the emergency phase of the pandemic this year and saying that the omicron variant offers plausible hope for stabilization and normalization, the Associated Press reported. But in McLennan County, hospitalizations remained at their highest since September, when the deadly delta wave was in full force. McLennan Countys two hospitals had 191 COVID-19 patients and 54 ICU beds in use. Texas Department of State Health Services hospitalization figures show that Trauma Service Area M, which covers McLennan, Bosque, Hill, Falls and Limestone Counties, led the state with 37.2% of available hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Comparison of new cases and hospitalizations during the current surge of the omicron variant with that experienced in September with the delta variant, however, may suggest a whisper of hope. McLennan County has had approximately 17,300 reported cases of COVID-19 this January five times the number registered in December and roughly equal to that experienced in the entire five months between July and December 2021. During the high point of the delta surge, the county experienced about 2,000 estimated active cases; this month, active cases have topped 5,000, with a current active case level just under that at 4,777. However, while the month has had 30 deaths, more than the 19 deaths in December, its not near the high of 104 deaths of the delta surge in September. Alvey said the present seven-day average for hospitalizations is 168 COVID-19 patients, compared to a peak of 201 during the delta surge. The course of omicron in South Africa and Great Britain, which preceded the United States experience by several weeks, suggests that this coronavirus variant is more rapidly transmitted, but milder in its effect. Even so, hospitals are still swamped with cases, she pointed out. Its still stressing the hospitals, she said. The omicron variant also appears to strike and leave more quickly, leading the Center for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month to shorten its recommended COVID-19 quarantine from 10 to five days. The shorter quarantine also led Baylor to revise accordingly how long before active cases are considered inactive from 10 to five days. Following the states guidelines, the health district still uses the 10-day estimate, but may consider going to the shorter period simply to get a more accurate sense of the extent of COVID-19 in the community, Alvey said. The districts advice to the public remain the same, however: vaccinations and boosters for the unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated; masking, particularly in public places; higher quality masks, such as N95 masks, if possible; and avoidance of large gatherings. The health district is offering free testing this week at sites at McLennan Community College and Columbus Avenue Baptist Church as well as COVID-19 vaccinations from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the district. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Testimony is set to begin Tuesday in the civil commitment trial of a former Waco man who the state claims is a sexual predator and should not be released. Attorneys in the State Special Prosecution Units civil division filed a motion last year in 54th State District Court seeking to have Robert Anthony Fluke committed to a West Texas sex offender treatment facility before his release from prison in February. Jury selection was delayed temporarily Monday when a prospective juror with a previous medical condition started bleeding profusely from his upper leg. Fortunately, there were two nurses on the jury panel who rushed in to assist the man before he was taken to the hospital. Judge Susan Kelly called an early lunch break so a team could come in and clean the extensive blood stain from the carpet of the courthouse annex. Jury selection resumed at 1 p.m. Fluke, 39, is serving a 20-year prison term after pleading guilty in April 2003 to two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Special prosecutor Maureen Whittmore alleged in the civil commitment petition that Fluke is a repeat sexually violent offender who suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence. Fluke is represented by attorneys from the State Counsel for Offenders Office. He was supposed to go to trial earlier this month. However, it was postponed when he tested positive for COVID-19 at the McLennan County Jail on the morning of his trial. State prosecutors will ask the jury to determine that Fluke should be sent to a treatment facility in Littlefield instead of being released. If he is committed, Flukes case will be reviewed every two years to see if he can be released or if his multi-tiered treatment plan needs to be modified. According to court records in the case to which Fluke pleaded guilty almost 20 years ago, a girl reported she was at her cousins house on Summer Avenue and her cousins wife called Fluke to come over. The girl, who was 12 at the time, reported to police that she asked Fluke to get her a drink from the kitchen. She said she noticed some white stuff floating in her drink but she drank it anyway. She told police her eyes starting rolling back in her head 10 minutes later and she was unable to get up, according to police reports. She said someone carried her to bed, where she said Fluke sexually assaulted her. Fluke is the fourth person to stand trial in McLennan County under the civil commitment statute. Two others were committed for sex offender treatment and the third case ended in a hung jury and a mistrial. However, the jury approved the inmates civil commitment at a retrial in October 2019. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. COVID-19 vaccination clinics The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is hosting free COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week. The Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available. Parents or a consenting adult must accompany minor children to receive the vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome, and registration is available for an appointment at covidwaco.com. The clinic schedule is as follows: Tuesday: Homeless Connect, Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave., 8 p.m. to noon; La Vega High School cafeteria, 555 N. Loop 340, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday: Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 1624 Wooded Acres Drive, 9 a.m. to noon. Thursday: Provident Heights Elementary School, 2415 Bosque Blvd., 4 to 7 p.m.; McGregor High School, 903 Bluebonnet Parkway, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday: TSTC, 3801 Campus Drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You do not need to be a student to attend the clinics at local schools. COVID-19 testing sites available The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is offering free drive-thru community COVID-19 testing starting Tuesday at McLennan Community College. The PCR test is a self-administered, shallow nose swab. Results should be available 48 to 72 hours after taking the test. Testing at MCC is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday in Parking Lot M, 4601 N. 19th St. Registration is required at dashboard.mylabsdirect.com/insurance or by calling 877-355-7978. Testing at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, 1300 Columbus Ave., is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Saturday. Registration is required at mycovidappointment.com or by calling 469-536-0807. Submit printed or typed items to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco, 76702-2588; or email goingson@wacotrib.com. As a result of the deadly Covid pandemic, governors across the country have issued extraordinary directives. Legislators from all around the nation are pushing to limit the authority of governors in the future. Since Jay Inslee Washingon Governor (D) emergency directives to limit the spread of the coronavirus went into effect two years ago, Republicans in Washington state have been outraged by what they perceive to be excessive government interference in their lives. In Olympia, though, a new campaign to limit Inslee's power received surprising backing this time from Inslee's own party members when the legislature assembled for the session. Sen. Emily Randall (D) of Washington state has sponsored legislation that would provide legislative leaders the ability to terminate a state of emergency that has been issued while the legislature is not currently in session. State Rep. Mike Chapman (D) would give lawmakers the authority to declare a state of emergency if it lasts for more than 60 days in any one county. Other legislation was supported mainly through Republicans in the state House. State House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D) remarked during a preview event for the legislature's annual meeting that "I have a sense that the theme of this year's session is going to be achieving balance." Legislators from around the country are attempting to curb the power of governors who have issued extraordinary directives in the face of a deadly outbreak. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, legislators in at least 28 states have submitted proposals this year to limit governors' power or give themselves more control over proclaimed emergencies. Many of that legislation is sponsored by Republicans, even in blue states. When it comes to executive orders in Indiana, lawmakers have proposed legislation that would make them ineffective after 180 days unless the legislature authorizes an extension. Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) has said that he opposes the bill because he believes it would have consequences beyond the epidemic. Georgia lawmakers have submitted four pieces of legislation to restrict the power of Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and his administration. In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) is up against eight proposals that would restrict his authority, at least two of which have already passed one house of the legislature. In contrast, an increasing number of Democrats are joining the movement, showing a renewed interest in rebalancing powers after an emergency that shifted power to the executive branch. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's (D) emergency declarations would be limited to 90 days under a constitutional amendment sponsored by a bipartisan pair of state senators in the state of New Mexico. Legislators in New Jersey rejected a request to extend Governor Phil Murphy's (D) state of emergency declaration. The outbreak "made it plain to my neighbors and to Washingtonians in every part of our state that our existing structure of government places a great deal of authority in the hands of a single individual in the executive branch in times of disaster," Randall said when she filed her legislation. Emergencies affect entire communities, and in the case of this pandemic, this emergency has involved our entire state." When a body of properly elected lawmakers operating in direct service of our communities can be a part of that recovery, we will heal better collectively, more fairly, and more rapidly." Since the beginning of the epidemic, lawmakers have been fighting to limit the scope of emergency declarations and decrees. The passage of legislation defining the power of governors occurred even before introducing the coronavirus vaccine in 2020. These states included Democratic-controlled Colorado and Hawaii, among others. Except for South Dakota, Iowa, and Vermont, every state debated comparable legislation in 2021. Many of the same proposals are returning this year, either as carryovers from prior sessions or as fresh initiatives by members wary of being railroaded by the political establishment. Coronavirus lockdowns took a toll on the rural district of the Olympic Peninsula, according to state Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D), who represents a rural district on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. This was long before the virus spread broadly in the state. In addition to the authority to ensure that any emergency orders reflect the realities and requirements of our community and not those of others, Van De Wege noted that the governor needs emergency powers to keep our state secure. CEDAR FALLS A Cedar Falls man has been sentenced to almost three decades in prison for child porn charges. Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Joshua Nathanael Baird, 40, formerly of Hampton, to 29 years and six months in prison on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child during a Friday hearing in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. Under the sentence, he will serve five years of supervised release following prison. Authorities allege Baird enticed a girl to engage in sexual conduct that was recorded with a Samsung cell phone in February 2021. He sent some of the images through the Kik Messenger app to a person who turned out to be an undercover officer. He also allegedly sent a video of a girl having sexual contact with an animal to a Kik group and had exchanged sexual images and videos with a teen from Melbourne, Australia. The case was investigated by the FBI, and authorities searched his home in February 2021. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CEDAR FALLS Councilor Dave Sires says his failed motion to strike the City Councils goals for the Public Safety Officer model was a missed opportunity to begin unraveling it. Because his motion failed 6-1, he has significant doubts the city will ever have separate police and fire departments. He expressed frustration with the other three councilors, Simon Harding, Gil Schultz and Dustin Ganfield, who, to varying degrees, share concerns about the PSO model. Ive given up, said Sires in a telephone interview, Why bother? Why continue this fight? I got no backup. It was voted down six to one. Sires vowed to create separate departments during his unsuccessful mayoral campaign last year. He said by voting against his motion, Harding, Schultz and Ganfield are supporting efforts to continue promoting the PSO program. If the motion had been approved, its unclear what exactly that would have accomplished. We will not be commenting on any hypothetical situations, said Amanda Huisman, the citys communications specialist and spokesperson, in an email. Six of seven city council members previously supported holding a work session to discuss the future of the public safety director position. Director Jeff Olson is set to retire March 11. In addition, those conversations will center on possible ways to gain data in order to evaluate the current public safety model. The FY2023 City Council Goals document contains dozens of objectives, and was informally put together by councilors and staff after two December sessions totaling about 10 hours. The document was formally adopted last Tuesday. Sires and Councilor Susan deBuhr voted against it. Sires missed the two goal setting sessions after contracting COVID-19. This is the most important document the council produces because it provides guidance for the staff for the next 18 months, said Mayor Rob Green in a blog post, noting every major city staff action should refer back to the councils stated goals and directives. Before Sires attempted action, Ganfield made a motion to eliminate the exclusive language of only hiring one particular staff line (PSOs) out of a desire to evaluate the citys public safety department more broadly. Ganfield received enough support for replacing the goal continue the citys PSO model, which hires Public Safety Officers for cross-training in law enforcement, firefighting, and rescue operations with his newly proposed language: Continue to evaluate the citys public safety model ensuring cost effective law enforcement, firefighting and rescue operations. That was one goal of seven Sires wished to have stricken from the document under the belief a majority of the council wants a separate police and fire department. Im all for talking about this, but just get nervous striking all of them, said Harding. Then staff has no direction, and we have no plan. We have nothing. The whole point of why I really had a problem with this, and I still have an issue with the PSO system, is because I didnt feel like we had this strong plan. Harding suggested Sires motion doesnt get us a fire department magically. Public safety director position's future to be discussed 'sooner rather than later' in Cedar Falls Administrator Rob Gaines told councilors Monday hed wait for direction from them before working to identify a replacement for Director Jeff Olson, who is retiring in March. Schultz noted a vote for that motion would give the citizens the impression were not staffed for police or were not staffed for fire. They are fighting our fires and the police are protecting us, so its more of getting the definitions of how were going to staff them; what their training is going to be. Those things. Its not that we dont have a fire department, he said. Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 7 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest for Monday: MARSYS LAW: Advocates for enshrinement of certain victims rights into the state constitution held a rally in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. Proponents of what has become known as Marsys Law at the rally included survivors of crime, victim service providers, law enforcement officials and lawmakers. They are calling for legislators to approve HSB 525, which would start the process of a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution. Such a change requires passage by consecutive two-year general assemblies, followed by a public vote. Marsys Law has been passed in 13 states, according to a group that advocates for its passage. Victims should not be forgotten. We should not be left standing alone, said Liz Ford, a Sioux City woman who said she was not notified of myriad changes to the conviction of the man who killed her husband in 2016. We need our rights enforced. Marsys Law would do this. JUDICIAL NOMINATING: The governor would get an additional appointment to the public commissions that nominate Iowa judges for district-level posts under legislation that advanced in the Senate. SF 2014 essentially makes the same change that the Republican-led Legislature in 2019 made to the commission that nominates judges for the Iowa Supreme Court. Opponents decried that proposal at the time, saying it gave the governor too large a role, thus injecting politics into what is supposed to be a nonpartisan process. Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, said he believes that change has been good, and thus the district court commissions should be composed the same as state court commissions. The bill advanced out of subcommittee with only Republican support, and is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate Judiciary Committee. TRAFFIC CAMERAS: Two bills dealing with traffic enforcement cameras received very different receptions while advancing in the Senate. SF 2061 would prohibit the use of any traffic camera that is maintained, installed or serviced by an out-of-state company. Sen. Adrian Dickey, R-Packwood, said the legislation seeks to prioritize Iowa-based companies that provide traffic cameras. Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, questioned whether such a law would be constitutional. SF 2062 received a much warmer response from lawmakers and stakeholders. The bill would require any local government agency that institutes a traffic enforcement camera to provide safety data that shows why the camera is needed. Both bills were approved and advanced to the Senate Transportation Committee. VACCINATIONS: A bill to allow a registered nurse practicing under the order of a pharmacist to assist in administering vaccinations and immunizations without obtaining a registration from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy sailed through a Human Resources Committee. You know were going to pass this, subcommittee Chairman Rob Bacon, R-Slater, said. Subcommittee members Reps. John Forbes, D-Urbandale, and Anne Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, also supported HSB 544, which now goes to the full committee. Forbes, a pharmacist, said the legislation grew out of the need for more help administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Meyer, a registered nurse, was confident RNs have the necessary training to give injections. The Iowa Medical Society voiced a concern that the bill, as drafted, would allow nurses to administer not only vaccinations but also COVID-19 treatments without involvement of a physician. A pharmacist would have to prescribe the treatment, however, Forbes said. Groups representing seniors, rural health clinics, nurses, residential group homes, hospitals and pharmacies were in support of the bill. Of about 110 groups registered on the bill, two-thirds were undecided. CONVENTION OF STATES: Iowa conservatives will call for a convention of states at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, talk show host Steve Deace and Iowa legislators will lead the call to Take Back our Government. Among their issues is HJR 2002, a proposal for term limits for federal officeholders, a concept also proposed by Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful and former Iowa lawmaker Abby Finkenauer. A convention of states is a convention called by state legislatures for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. It is not a constitutional convention. ETHANOL MANDATE: Gov. Kim Reynolds adjusted ethanol mandate was introduced. While HSB 594 is sweeping legislation with many parts, at its heart is the requirement that all Iowa fuel retailers sell the E-15 ethanol blend at half of their pumps. The proposal allows for stations to request waivers if they are unable to fulfill the requirement due to infrastructure. The waivers would be considered by the state agriculture secretary. Retailers that violate the policy would face suspension or revocation of their license. The proposal is scheduled for its first legislative hearing Tuesday in the Iowa House. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR FALLS Veterinarian James Kenyon always played it cool and noncommittal when a client asked him to name his favorite animal. Now retired, the Cedar Falls vet can confess his soft spot for cats, especially calicos. A calico appears on the cover of his latest book, A Cat Named Fatima: Tales of 23 Cats & The People Who Loved Them, recently released by Meadowlark Press. Fatima was his brothers cat, and the first indoor cat Kenyon had experienced as a young child growing up on a Kansas farm where, at one time, there were as many as 32 barn cats. The painting of Fatima was done nearly 50 years ago. Cats are so independent and have such extremely varied personalities. Behind every cat is a character. Cat owners are sort of fun and unique, and Ill throw in another adjective unusual, said Kenyon, 73. Each of the true cat stories is illustrated by artist Thomas Marple. Kenyon tells such tales as one about a three-legged cat, another about a Siamese that enjoyed following his owner into the shower and afterwards, having its fur blown dry with a drier, and the story about Patches, the calico cat he rescued off a farm that became his clinic mascot. People would come in off the street to see Patches. She was a beautiful calico and everyone loved her, Kenyon recalled. Her loss still breaks his heart today. The author included the story of a longtime client who decided to have her beloved Mr. Tufts cloned. Mr. Tufts Jr. is the spitting image of his namesake. Their love and enjoyment of the first one had them do what they needed to do and pay the cost to clone Mr. Tufts. I thought it would be educational for other people to know that it can be done, Kenyon explained. The vet appreciates the deep connection between humans and their pets. He often treated his patients from the beginning of life through middle age and until the end. I saw the sunset coming. For owners who didnt have children, their animal becomes pretty connected to them. As a vet, your enjoyment is sharing their lives and hearing their stories. If youre not listening, you cant help them come to a diagnosis. Kenyon is a graduate of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a Kansas State Veterinary Distinguished Alumni recipient. He was a veterinarian for 35 years in a mixed animal practice in Cedar Falls. He served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and is an eight-time veterinary volunteer for the Iditarod Alaskan dog sled race. He is a past president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and chairman of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Examining Board. He is author of A Cow for College and Other Stories of 1950s Farm Life and Golden Rule Days: History and Recollections of 109 Closed Kansas High Schools. Both books received commendations as Martin Kansas History Book Award winners. Kenyon describes himself as a shirttail writer, a writer who conveys his stories in such a way that paints a picture. Veterinarian Tom Johnson writes that Dr. Jims ability to tell a story about his patients and their people is unrivaled. His gift is to make those clients and patients come to life and that makes this book so much fun to read. Johnson is director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Iowa State University in Ames and director of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. Kenyon spent a year working on the cat book, and now has turned his attention to a pair of new projects. The first is on the Iditarod and Alaska, not just the race itself but the people who inhabit Alaska and the people who volunteer for the race for this reason, and the second is 20 to 25 biographies about immigrants telling their stories about coming to America. I wish I had more time. Ive had too many birthdays, Kenyon adds. Life goes quickly. If I could write every day, I would. And I miss terribly being a vet. I miss the people tremendously. Writing something like these stories about cats fills the gap for me. A Cat Named Fatima is available in paperback and hardcover. It can be ordered directly from the publisher at https://meadowlark-books.square.site/, the author at https://www.jamesrkenyon.com/, or through any bookstore. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LISBON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Though Europe is confronted with a rapid spread of the Omicron variant and surging COVID-19 infections, many European countries tend to relax their pandemic control measures to release social mobility. Though mentioning "hope for stabilization" this year, Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Europe, warned that the pandemic is "far from over," and it is still too early to relax. Omicron is spreading at an "unprecedented speed," he said, adding that as predicted, the majority of people in need of intensive care across the region are unvaccinated. "If 2021 was the year of vaccine production, 2022 should be the year of vaccine equity in the European region and beyond. Many people who need the vaccine remain unvaccinated," said the WHO official, cautioning that it would drive COVID-19 transmission, prolong the pandemic and increase the likelihood of new variants. RELAXATION DESPITE MORE INFECTIONS Despite a rising number of infections and a vaccination rate below the European Union (EU) average, Poland has shortened COVID-19 quarantine time from ten to seven days. Polish Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said that his country is preparing to face the fifth pandemic wave driven by Omicron, with "a very dynamic increase in medical referrals." In the Netherlands, even as new COVID-19 infections reached record highs in recent days, there have been growing calls to ease restrictions on restaurants and cultural venues. According to the Dutch restaurant and hospitality industry, restricting the sector will not achieve the goal of subduing the pandemic, but will make it increasingly difficult for restaurants and bars to sustain. More than 50,000 protesters in Brussels rallied against the restrictions imposed by the local government to contain COVID-19. Local police have cracked down on the demonstration with water cannons and tear gas over the weekend. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo declared that the country "will never accept blind violence, let alone against our law enforcement agencies," according to the Belgian news agency Belga. In Croatia, a referendum with popular signatures calls for abolishing the immunization certificate against COVID-19. According to the proponents, the aim is to abolish discriminatory illogical confirmations of vaccination, as well as to stop citizens from being harassed and the country's healthcare system from overloading. In Serbia, the peak of COVID-19 contagion, which occurred after New Year holidays, appears to slowly subside amid vaccination and immunity from the virus. Virologist Milanko Sekler told Serbian public broadcaster RTS that the country has come "two-thirds of the way" towards the end of the epidemic, estimating that despite a high number of infections, the situation is moving in a positive direction. TIGHTENING UNTIL CASES FALL German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke out against the loosening of pandemic control measures, as COVID-19 infections in Germany continue to rise and have reached a new record this week. "It is certainly not appropriate to relax the rules in general in the midst of the Omicron wave. We don't need a course correction," Scholz said. In Italy, the number of daily COVID-19 cases has been falling for six consecutive days as the country's health authorities beefed up their anti-virus measures in recent weeks, in an effort to contain the spread of the Omicron variant. "As the World Health Organization also noted, we are approaching the peak of infections. After that, we will have to adjust our rules and our model to the new phase of the pandemic we are facing," said Health Minister Roberto Speranza. French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that his government will ease certain restrictions related to COVID-19 in February, but only for those who are fully vaccinated. "The fifth wave with the Omicron variant is not over and its impact on the healthcare system will remain high but partially manageable until mid-March," he said. "The Omicron wave is currently receding in the UK, with the number of cases dropping sharply in recent days and hospitalizations now following suit. The situation provides a case for lifting restrictions," said Francois Balloux, a professor of computational systems biology and director of the Genetics Institute at University College London. However, the expert stressed that health care should remain to avoid a rapid return to pre-pandemic behaviors, which can "lead to viral outbreaks to extremely high levels of infection" in Britain. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), one of the poorest countries in Europe, has been struggling to mitigate the pandemic's impacts on local economy, as the country has recently registered a record daily case number. Nearly 34.8 million U.S. dollars was provided to 24,766 small craft shops and other independent businesses to save jobs, according to the BiH Federation Government. Enditem (Xinhua writers Zhang Xiuzhi in Sarajevo, Zhang Yirong in Berlin, Li Xuejun in Zagreb, Shi Zhongyu in Belgrade, Pan Geping in Brussels, Guo Shuang in London, He Miao in Stockholm, He Fei in Rome, David Williams and Lin Jing in Copenhagen, Xing Jianqiao in Paris, Wang Xiangjiang in The Hague, Chen Jin in Bucharest, and Zhang Zhang in Warsaw contributed to the story.) Weather Alert ...MORE WINDY DAYS ON THE WAY, WITH COLDER TEMPERATURES AND RAIN/SNOW SHOWERS FOR MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND... --Thursday and Friday-- * A pair of systems brushing through the region will bring gusty winds both days, with Friday looking to have the strongest peak winds. Anticipate wind gusts of 35-45 mph Thursday, and 35-55 mph Friday, locally stronger in wind prone locations. Winds will bring travel difficulties both in the air and on the ground. Travel restrictions for high profile vehicles are possible. Check with CalTrans/NDOT for the current road information. * Area of blowing dust are possible both afternoons downwind of the Carson Sink, possibly affecting portions of I-80, US 50, and Highway 95. In addition, backcountry and ski recreation could be impacted along with choppy conditions on area lakes. * A few light showers with minimal liquid totals are possible in far northern Nevada and northeast California. --Mother's Day Weekend into Early Next Week-- * It will remain breezy throughout the weekend, with a secondary max in wind speeds on Sunday due to a strong cold front. This front will usher in a much colder air mass and high temperatures on Mother's Day will be 15-20 degrees below normal. * There will be rain and snow showers with the front, but again, liquid amounts will be minimal. There are solid chances for snow levels to fall to all valley floors by Sunday evening, which may catch many off guard, though it is hard to get snow to stick to roadways in lower elevation valleys this late in the spring. * Well below normal temperatures and chances for light showers will continue into Monday and Tuesday next week. While still some uncertainty due to winds and cloud cover, it's possible we could have frost and freeze concerns Sunday and Monday nights. Dating back to the fashions beloved by hippies and the Free Store opened by the Diggers during the Summer of Love, second-hand shopping has been an integral part of SF culture. How else can you shop sustainably, save some cash, and shake up your style with some one-of-a-kind pieces all at once? Here are our favorite vintage and thrift stores, plus flea markets and shopping events, around the Bay Area. The Best Vintage Stores + Collections in San Francisco (Courtesy of @shopwastelandsf) Wasteland Iconic shop Wasteland is home to a constantly changing, massive collection of vintage and modern designer pieces for guys and girls inside a light filled, open space. While prices can be a little steep, Wasteland's designer pieces have a hip, trendy vibe and are consistently in amazing shape, so whether you're picking up a silver fringed Jeremy Scott leather jacket, some Rag & Bone jeans with the original tag still intact, or nearly unworn Chanel espadrilles, the splurge will be worth it. Plus, grab some more affordable graphic vintage t-shirts or Reformation finds from last season to go with. Be sure to check out the displays featuring some of Wasteland's coolest pieces artistically paired together for some trendy style inspo on the way out. PS: You can also shop online! // 1660 Haight St. (Upper Haight), shopwasteland.com Sui Generis Consignment Sui Generis is far from your average consignment shop. Men and women alike will love Sui Generis for authentic, luxury pieces from brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, Prada, and Kenzo with a less daunting price tag. Look for gold vintage Chanel earrings alongside Comme des Garcons T-shirts, Giorgio Armani suits, and Raf Simons trainers. // 2231 Market St. (Upper Market), suigenerisconsignment.com Indigo Vintage Cooperative The best part about Berkeley transplant Indigo Vintage Cooperative is that it feels like you're stepping into the closets of all of your coolest friends, but combined. Indigo Vintage Cooperative's light-filled Haight Street outpost is home to a range of permanent and rotating vendors, each with their own handpicked collection and style. Grab a denim trucker jacket or colorful silk midi dress, and keep your eye out for Indigo Vintage's 1987 vintage filled van at pop-ups around the Bay. Also look for the shop's newest location next time you're in Santa Cruz. // 1649 Haight St. (Upper Haight), indigovtg.com Afterlife Collective Valencia Street's Afterlife boutiqueknown for its huge range of cool, casual vintage items along with some statement designer pieceshas teamed up with Super Thrift Bros. to launch Afterlife Collective, which will curate killer vintage from a community of vendors at a new address in Mission, opening February 2022. // 541 Valencia St. (Mission), theafterlifecollective.com No Shop No packs a large assortment of vintage threads for guys and girlsplus some newer findsinto their succulent filled Valencia space. While you'll be sure to find good basics here too, No's quirky patterned pants and tops, occasional designer finds, and oversized vintage jackets really shine. Compared to the usual markup at curated thrift stores, No's prices are refreshingly affordable. // 389 Valencia St. (Mission), ohnonotno.com Relic Vintage If it's been a while since you visited Relic Vintage's glamorous, Art Decoinspired spaceyou know, the one with the cheetah-print chaiseset your sights a few blocks down: Relic has moved down the street. The space is larger than ever, so you'll still be greeted with a curated array of fine vintage apparel and accessories for men and women from the 1920s through the 1960s, presented in an organized layout. Whether you come to Relic Vintage in search of a pleated midi skirt circa 1950, a second hand fur stole, an ornate beaded gown, or a letterman sweater, thanks to owner Oran Scott's vintage expertise and desire to help every customer find fashions they'll cherish forever, you'll leave Relic Vintage with the perfectly fitting vintage piece of your dreams, without breaking the bank. // 1475 Haight St. (Upper Haight), relicvintagesf.com Held Over On a street with endless thrift shops, Held Over is the cream of the crop. Pieces are organized by specific style and decade, which makes for easier shopping in this otherwise overwhelming store, which is filled with relatively affordable wearable vintage piecesincluding a huge selection of jeans, overalls, and leather jacketsand plenty of costumey fashions for men and women. The beauty of Held Over is that you'll go in with the intention of just picking up a '20s flapper dress for your next theme party, and you'll leaveafter perusing the aisles for hourswith some wild '60s patterned pants, an '80s prom dress, a florescent color blocked windbreaker, and some garters as well. // 1543 Haight St. (Upper Haight), instagram.com Eden & Eden Inside this aesthetically pleasing, impeccably designed boutique, you'll find unique high fashion vintage pieces that you could never find on your own, alongside current fashions, jewelry, and home goods. From the blush pink vintage Sonia Rykiel power suit of your dreams, to a Yves Saint Laurent tweed coat you'll treasure forever or a floaty caftan perfect for your next beach getaway, Eden & Eden's vintage collection has something for every occasion. // 560 Jackson St. (Financial District), edenandeden.com General Store Beloved home and apparel establishment General Store has a curated rack of beautiful vintage apparel with the same effortlessly artistic aesthetic as the boutique's current finds. While the selection may be small, the regularly restocked collection features unique hand picked pieces that are in impeccable condition and can easily be worked into a modern wardrobe (try pairing them with General Store's new items). Minimalist-chic fashionistas will fall in love with high quality garments including silk hand embroidered Chinese blouses, floral cotton summer dresses, and hand crocheted tanks. // 4035 Judah St. (Outer Sunset), shop-generalstore.com The Biden administration is withdrawing its Covid-19 vaccination and testing regulation aimed at large businesses, following the Supreme Court's decision to block the rule earlier this month. ANKARA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish police on Tuesday detained 17 suspects over their alleged links to a network accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016. The Ankara prosecutor's office said that an arrest warrant was issued for 29 suspects that were allegedly linked to the Gulen movement, which the Turkish government accuses of attempting a coup on July 15, 2016. The suspects are detained within the scope of the 2012 "Gendarmerie Sergeant Exam" fraud investigation, said the statement, noting that the members of the group accessed the exam questions before the written exam. The 29 suspects included 26 persons who passed the written phase of the exam, and three who mediated the distribution of questions. The Ankara-based operations continue to detain the remaining suspects across 20 cities. The Turkish government accuses the group members of frauds in exams used as a steppingstone for its infiltrators in the public sector. The government also claims that the members of the Gulen Movement at military schools helped recruits pass the admission interviews. Ankara accuses U.S.-based Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the attempted coup in 2016, in which at least 250 people were killed. Quarterly Activities Report Perth, Jan 25, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Okapi Resources Limited ( ASX:OKR ) ( FRA:26O ) ( OTCMKTS:OKPRF ) is pleased to provide a quarterly development and corporate update.DEVELOPMENTAthabasca Projects, CanadaDuring the quarter, the Company has entered into a binding, conditional agreement with ALX Resources Corp ( CVE:AL ) to acquire a portfolio of six advanced exploration projects in the Athabasca Basin (Athabasca Projects), the world's premier high grade uranium district.The Athabasca properties includes six projects across 75 granted mineral claims covering approximately 55,000 hectares. Importantly, all of the projects are located along the margin of the Athabasca Basin or in the Carswell Impact Structure, the depth to the Athabasca Basin - Precambrian Basement unconformity is relatively shallow at 300 metres or less and typically closer to 100 metres, making them targets for shallow high-grade unconformity-related and basement hosted uranium deposits.The Athabasca Basin is home to the world's largest and highest-grade uranium mines including Cameco's McArthur River and Cigar Lake uranium mines. A number of world-class discoveries have been made in recent years in the Athabasca Basin including the Triple R, Arrow and Hurricane discoveries.The material terms of the Property Purchase Agreement between Okapi and the vendor, ALX, (Acquisition Agreement) are summarised below:- Acquisition: Okapi has agreed to purchase and ALX has agreed to sell an undivided 100% legal and beneficial interest in five of the six Athabasca Projects and an 80% interest in the sixth Athabasca Project, the Middle Lake Exploration Project, for the consideration and subject to the conditions precedent set out below.- Consideration:o pay ALX cash in the amount of A$1,000,000;o issue ALX with A$1,050,000 worth of fully paid ordinary shares in Okapi Shares calculated by way of the 10-day volume weighted average price of Shares up to the day prior to that date which is Five business days following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent; ando grant to ALX a 1.5% net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on minerals produced from certain mineral claims the subject of the acquisition that do not bear existing royalties. Okapi may at any time acquire up to 50% of the NSR from ALX by payment to the Vendor of CAD$1,000,000.- Voluntary escrow: The Consideration Shares will be escrowed as follows:o 33% of the Consideration Shares shall be released six months after the Closing Date;o 33% of the Consideration Shares shall be released on the date that is nine months after the Closing Date;o 34% of the Consideration Shares shall be released on the date that is 12 months after the Closing Date.In addition to the consideration set out above, the Company has agreed to issue Geonomik Pty Ltd (or their nominee) A$400,000 worth of fully paid ordinary shares in Okapi (the Fee Shares) in consideration for finder and introduction services provided to Okapi from 14 September 2021 in relation to the acquisition of the Athabasca Projects from ALX. The value of the Fee Shares shall be calculated by use of the 10-day volume weighted average price of Shares up to the day prior to Completion. The Fee Shares will be issued to Geonomik Pty Ltd (or their nominee) who are not related parties of the Company and subject to a voluntary escrow whereby 25% of the Fee Shares are released from escrow after each of three, six, nine and twelve months from completion respectively.Okapi's management team have been working closely alongside a highly reputable, independent technical services firm based in Saskatchewan to assist in ranking and prioritising the properties by geological prospectivity.The data review and high priority target generation is well advanced, and Okapi will outline the exploration strategy going forward on the Athabasca properties upon closing the transaction in late January 2022.The company will be focused-permitting drill programs on two of the six properties which include Middle Lake and Newnham Lake, which have been identified as having the best exploration potential. ALX, on behalf of Okapi has already lodged a permit to drill on the Middle Lake Project prior to closing and is in the process of submitting a drill for Newnham Lake.The Company will also be looking to consolidate and expand its positions in the Athabasca Basin through some highly accretive acquisitions during 2022.Tallahassee Uranium Project, ColoradoOkapi holds a 100% interest in mineral rights that cover approximately 7,500 acres in the Tallahassee Creek Uranium District of Colorado, USA.During the quarter, the Company announced a Maiden 2012 Mineral Resource for the Tallahassee Uranium Project estimated at 25.4Mt @ 490ppm U3O8 for 27.6 million pounds of U3O8 using a 250ppm cut-off grade.The Company also acquired additional high-grade uranium pounds located immediately alongside and contiguous with Okapi's High Park Deposit. The Company added a further 640 acre landholding through the execution of a mining lease with the State of Colorado. The New Project Area was previously drilled out on 30 metre centres with approximately 550 holes drilled for 26,000m completed in the late 1970's. This New Project Area has a JORC 2012 Resource 2.48 million pounds of U3O8 at 570ppm U3O8.Rattler Uranium Project, UtahThe Rattler Uranium Project comprises ninety-eight (98) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) unpatented Federal mining claims totalling of approximately 1,960 acres in the La Sal Uranium District.During the quarter, the Company commenced initial field programs at its high-grade Rattler Uranium Project with Okapi's exploration team on-site to conduct an initial review of the historical workings, undertake geological mapping to gather information for future programmes and to undertake rock chip sampling. The rock chip samples are awaiting being sent for assaying.The Company is currently in the process of submitting permits to drill at Rattler with the BLM, State and County regulators, and plans to commence drilling in March or April subject to permits and drill rig availability.Lake Johnston and Crackerjack ProjectsDuring the quarter, no exploration activity was conducted on Lake Johnston and Crackerjack Project.Enmore Gold Project, NSWOkapi's Enmore Gold Project is located approximately 20km south of the operating Hillgrove Gold Mine ( ASX:RVR ), where past production exceeds 730,000 ounces of gold.During the previous quarter, the maiden drilling program intersected significant, thick, shallow gold mineralisation with exceptional results received including 174m @ 1.83 g/t gold, from surface, with this hole, OSSRC06, ending in mineralisation, with the deepest interval returning 3m @ 8.86 g/t gold from 171m to EOH.During the quarter, Okapi's shareholders approved the issue of shares 620,023 at the Annual General Meeting as part of the Milestone 1 payment to acquire the Enmore Gold Project.CORPORATEManaging Director AppointmentDuring the quarter, highly experienced mining executive, Mr Andrew Ferrier was appointed as Managing Director.Mr Ferrier has more than 15 years of experience in both management, corporate finance and principal investing roles in the global mining sector. He has previously held senior roles for Pacific Road Capital, a large mining-focused private equity investment firm where he worked for 12 years across USA, Canada and Australia. Mr Ferrier has significant knowledge and understanding of the North American Uranium space having been heavily involved in the development, permitting and sale of the Reno Creek ISR Uranium project in Wyoming, USA.Executive Director, Mr David Nour retired at the Company's Annual General Meeting.OTCQB Trading in the USAOkapi commenced trading on OTCQB market on 22 November 2021 in the USA, providing North American investors with the opportunity to purchase Okapi stock as the Company executes its strategy to become a new leader in North American carbon-free nuclear energy.The Company's cross-trade allows Okapi shares to be traded on the OTCQB market under the Company's ticker code OKPRF. No new shares have been issued to facilitate this quotation. B. Riley Securities acted as the Company's OTCQB sponsor.The Company is currently seeking approval for Depository Trust Clearing (DTC) eligibility to facilitate real-time electronic trading in the USA which will further enhance liquidity and trading activity in the USA.Cashflow for the QuarterOkapi held cash reserves at end of quarter of approximately $4.0 Million and investment in listed entities currently valued at approximately $0.45 Million.During the quarter, a total amount of approximately $188,000 (as shown in 6.1 of Appendix 5B) was paid to directors and officers which includes consulting fees and superannuation payments. These payments were paid in accordance with the directors' and officer's contracts.The Company paid approximately $597,000 (capitalised and expensed) on exploration and evaluation activities including geological consulting services, drilling and field expenses, assay costs, property lease and annual rates payments.To view the Quarterly Report with tables, please visit:About Okapi Resources Limited Okapi Resources Limited (ASX:OKR) recently acquired a portfolio of advanced, high grade uranium assets located in the United States of America and in the Athabasca Basin, Canada. Assets include a strategic position in one of the most prolific uranium districts in the USA - the Tallahassee Creek Uranium District in Colorado. The Tallahassee Uranium Project contains a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource estimate of 27.6 million pounds of U3O8 at a grade of 490ppm U3O8 with significant exploration upside. The greater Tallahassee Creek Uranium District hosts more than 100 million pounds of U3O8 with considerable opportunity to expand the existing resource base by acquiring additional complementary assets in the district. The portfolio of assets also includes an option to acquire 100% of the high-grade Rattler Uranium Project in Utah, which includes the historical Rattlesnake open pit mine. The Rattler Uranium Project is located 85km from the White Mesa Uranium Mill, the only operating conventional uranium mill in the USA hence provides a near term, low-capital development opportunity. In January 2022, Okapi acquired a portfolio of high-grade exploration assets in the world's premier uranium district, the Athabasca Basin. The Athabasca Basin is home to the world's largest and highest-grade uranium mines. Okapi's clear strategy is to become a new leader in North American carbon-free nuclear energy by assembling a portfolio of high-quality uranium assets through accretive acquisitions and exploration. LOI for Supply Agreement and Investment in KORE Power Brisbane, Jan 25, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - NOVONIX Limited ( ASX:NVX ) ( FRA:GC3 ) ( OTCMKTS:NVNXF ), an advanced battery materials and technology company, today announced the execution of a letter of intent to enter into investment and supply agreements with KORE Power, Inc. ("KORE Power"), as part of an ongoing joint effort to strengthen the North American battery supply chain, from key materials to cell and pack manufacturing for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.Pending board approvals of both companies and the execution of definitive documentation, NOVONIX will acquire an approximately 5% stake in KORE Power and will become the exclusive supplier of graphite anode materials to KORE Power's large-scale battery cell manufacturing facility in the U.S. The letter of intent is non-binding and subject to the execution of definitive documents and other customary conditions. If approved, these agreements are expected to close in early 2022.NOVONIX and KORE Power began working together in 2019 when the parties entered into testing agreements to focus on validation and development of KORE Power's battery cell technologies. Through the arrangement, the parties have continued to test existing and new materials and designs for use in future KORE Power products found in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. KORE Power has announced plans to build a 12 gigawatt-hour (GWh) facility in Buckeye, Arizona to support the local market need for battery cells and systems, and this facility will need close to 12,000 tonnes per year of graphite anode material when fully operational."NOVONIX and KORE Power have been actively working together to improve battery technology utilizing NOVONIX's proprietary cell testing technologies, and these agreements deepen our longstanding collaboration," said Dr. Chris Burns, NOVONIX Co-Founder and CEO. "Through our partnership, we showed KORE Power's cell performance as comparable to global Tier 1 cell providers, and we are excited to continue to strengthen that technology. We are reducing the reliance on foreign materials and furthering the United States' position as a global energy storage leader by providing high-capacity long-life synthetic graphite anode material to a leading domestic developer.""This partnership represents a natural fit for two companies committed to establishing a North American battery sector and facilitating a sustainable future" said KORE Power Co-Founder & CEO Lindsay Gorrill. "The booming U.S. market is leading the global transition to grid-scale battery systems, and with the support of NOVONIX, we're energized to work towards building a secure domestic supply chain for energy storage."Under the proposed Securities Purchase Agreement, NOVONIX would agree to purchase 3,333,333 shares of KORE Power common stock ("Shares") at an issue price of $7.50 per share. The aggregate offering price for the Shares will be paid in a combination of 50% cash and 50% ordinary shares of NOVONIX ("NOVONIX Shares"), at a valuation equal to 95% of the 20-day volume weighted average trading price of NOVONIX Shares on the ASX ending three days prior to the closing date. Simultaneously with the contemplated investment, NOVONIX and KORE Power shall enter into a supply agreement on mutually agreed terms. The cash component of the offering price will be funded from NOVONIX's existing cash reserves. NOVONIX Shares which are issued as part of the purchase consideration for the Shares, will be issued to KORE Power within NOVONIX's existing placement capacity under the ASX Listing Rules.About KORE PowerKORE Power, Inc., is the leading U.S.-based developer of battery cell technology for the clean energy industry. With clients in energy storage, e-mobility, utility, industrial and mission-critical markets, KORE Power provides the backbone for decarbonization across the globe. Optimized by its battery management system, KORE Power designs and manufactures its proprietary NMC and LFP cells, VDA modules and packs. Through the construction and operations of its large-scale battery cell manufacturing facility in the U.S., KORE is positioned to operate at 12 GWh per year capacity. The facility (the "KOREPlex") will operate with net-zero carbon emissions through strategic partnerships and solar and storage co-generation.KORE Power's differentiated approach provides customers with direct access, unparalleled service, superior technology and Tier 1 product availability. Focused on building sustainable communities, clean energy jobs and green economic expansion, KORE Power is proud to offer a functional solution to real-world problems and fulfill market demand to deliver a zero-carbon future. The KOREPlex is expected to come to Buckeye Arizona and be the anchor to the development of the Sustainable Valley by the end 2023.About NOVONIX Limited NOVONIX Limited (ASX:NVX) (FRA:GC3) (OTCMKTS:NVNXF) is an integrated developer and supplier of high-performance materials, equipment and services for the global lithium-ion battery industry with operations in the USA and Canada and sales in more than 14 countries. NOVONIX's mission is to support the global deployment of lithium-ion battery technologies for a cleaner energy future. Sayona Expands Northern Quebec Lithium Hub with 121 New Claims Brisbane, Jan 25, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium producer Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( FRA:DML ) ( OTCMKTS:SYAXF ) has significantly expanded its Northern Quebec lithium hub by acquiring 121 new claims west of the Moblan Lithium Project, with demand intensifying for this strategic battery metal.Located 3.5km west of the Moblan project, the new claims, known as the Lac Albert Project, span 6,592 hectares and will be assessed for lithium pegmatite occurrences during the upcoming Northern Hemisphere summer. The Moblan project covers around 433 ha for a total of 20 claims, with Sayona holding a 60% interest (SOQUEM Inc. 40%). The new claims are separate to the current Moblan joint venture agreement.The Moblan deposit is host to spodumene pegmatite mineralisation and the additional claims at Lac Albert are located in the same proven lithium mining province, Eeyou-Istchee James Bay, which hosts established lithium resources such as Nemaska Lithium's Whabouchi mine. It is well serviced by key infrastructure and transport, namely the Route de Nord, and has access to low cost, environmentally friendly hydropower.Drilling is currently underway at Moblan in partnership with SOQUEM Inc., acting as operator. The planned 55 diamond drill hole program for nearly 9,000m aims to identify extensions to the Moblan deposit and define mineralisation in nearby spodumene pegmatites, such as the Moleon prospect.Sayona's Managing Director, Brett Lynch welcomed the new claims as signifying the Company's commitment to expanding its Northern Quebec lithium resource base."Moblan and Lac Albert are located in a proven lithium mining district, with potential to become a significant northern growth hub for Sayona, adding to our Abitibi lithium hub in the south," Mr Lynch said."The drilling program shows our commitment to further expanding our lithium resource base, further solidifying Sayona's leading position in the North American lithium sector."Geological summaryPast work has been limited and the geology of the new claim area at Lac Albert is poorly understood, with much of the area obscured by glacial moraines. Exploration is targeting greenstone areas within the mapped monzogranite, along strike of the east-west trend of the Moblan deposit.The identified pegmatites occurrences are located in an area afforded favourable access by its proximity to the Route Du Nord, an all-weather regional highway. The area of the new claims is displayed in Figure 1* below.The Moblan project is located about 100km north of Chibougamau and around 85km from the Cree (First Nations) community of Mistissini. The project is located in the Eeyou-Istchee James Bay lithium mining province and is host to other lithium deposits, including the Whabouchi mine, as shown in Figure 2* below.The acquisition of new claims near Moblan and the current drilling program at the project adds to Sayona's other expansion plans in Quebec in 2022, including increasing the lithium resource base at the Company's Authier Lithium Project and North American Lithium (NAL) and progressing the resumption of spodumene production at NAL, targeted from 2023.Lithium demand in North America continues to accelerate on the back of increased EV investments by U.S. automakers such as Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in Ontario, Canada, together with planned battery investments in Quebec by Britishvolt, Lion Electric and StromVolt."2022 is showing no sign of a slowdown in the global momentum towards the electrification of transport.Sayona's North American lithium resource base is a key part of this transformation and we look forward to delivering on the potential of our assets," Mr Lynch added.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Sayona Mining Ltd Sayona Mining Limited (ASX:SYA) (OTCMKTS:SYAXF) is an Australian, ASX-listed (SYA) company focused on sourcing and developing the raw materials required to construct lithium-ion batteries for use in the rapidly growing new and green technology sectors. The Company has lithium projects in Quebec, Canada and in Western Australia. Please visit us as at www.sayonamining.com.au December 2021 Quarterly Activities Report Sydney, Jan 25, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tamboran Resources Limited ( ASX:TBN ) provides the Second quarter activities report for period ended 31 December 2021.Highlights:- Fracture stimulation of the Tanumbirini 2H ("T2H") and Tanumbirini 3H ("T3H") wells was completed in EP 161, with both wells flowing gas to surface at the end of the quarter.- Gas continuted flowing to surface folllowing a weather related shut-in during early January 2022.- Learnings from the Santos-operated EP 161 drilling program are being incorporated into Tamboran's 100 per cent operated EP 136 Beetaloo drilling program. The Maverick 1H ("M1H") well is expected to spud in mid-calender year 2022.- Approximately $35 million was raised through a private placement, anchored by a $20 million investment from strategic US investor, Mr Bryan Sheffield.Tamboran Resources Limited ( ASX:TBN ) Managing Director and CEO, Joel Riddle said:"The second quarter of financial year 2022 was an active period for Tamboran as we made steps towards establishing commercial flow rates within the extensive low carbon dioxide gas resource in the Core Beetaloo Sub-basin of the Northern Territory."In EP 161, the Santos-operated calendar year 2021 drilling program was competed in late November following the successful drilling of T3H. The well encountered significant gas shows and pressures within the Mid-Velkerri 'B' shale target, in line with the results from the T2H well. The program was completed with no major safety incidents."Fracture stimulation of T2H and T3H within the Mid-Velkerri 'B' shale was conducted across 11 stages over a 660-metre lateral interval and 10 stages over a 600-metre lateral interval respectively during December 2021. Both wells were undergoing clean-up activities and flowing gas to surface at the end of the quarter. Operations were interrupted and the wells shut-in due to weather for a short period in early-January 2022. Testing operations have since resumed and gas is continuing to flow to surface. We expect to be in a position to announce initial flow rates in the near-term."During the December 2021 quarter, we continued planning our 100 per cent operated drilling campaign in permit EP 136. The program is incorporating data and learnings from the recent program and aims to achieve reductions in drilling time and reduce costs."We are entering a significant year for the Beetaloo Sub-basin, as Tamboran plans to drill our M1H well in EP 136. The well will be drilled with an advanced frac design and will target commercial flow rates and support the booking of an initial contingent resource within our 100 per cent owned and operated acreage."EP 161Santos 75 per cent working interest and operator, Tamboran 25 per cent working interestDuring the quarter, the T3H well was safely and successfully drilled to a total depth of 4,857 metres Measured Depth, encountering significant gas shows within the Mid-Velkerri 'B' shale. The Easternwell Rig 106 was released and de-mobilised in late November 2021.In early December 2021, T2H and T3H wells were fracture stimulated across 11 and 10 stages respectively. The stimulated stages were completed at specifically selected 60-metre intervals across 660-metre and 600-metre lateral sections, respectively, within the Mid-Velkerri 'B' shale. The decision was made by the EP 161 Joint Venture to conduct fracture stimulation over a smaller lateral section to optimise execution and allow for comparison with future development stimulation designs.At the end of the quarter, gas was flowing to surface, with both wells undergoing clean-up activities, including flow back of the fracture stimulation water injected during the process. The wells were temporarily suspended due to weather during January 2022 and have since returned to testing operations, with gas continuing to flow to surface.Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Santos and the pastoral leaseholder of Tanumbirini Station reached an agreement to resolve the Land Access and Compensation Agreement ("LACA") process for EP 161. Santos will continue flow testing, monitoring and maintenance at the T2H and T3H wells and conduct other low impact activities. No additional petroleum activities may be undertaken on EP 161 at Tanumbirini Station until after 31 December 2022.During the December 2021 quarter, approximately $7.9 million was spent by Tamboran on its share of the current EP 161 joint venture drilling campaign.EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197Tamboran 100 per cent working interest and operatorTamboran continued preparations for the Company's 100 per cent owned and operated CY2022 Beetaloo drilling program, which will include the drilling of M1H in EP 136.The M1H well is planned as an appraisal of the Core Beetaloo to the southwest of EP 161. The well is expected to include drilling and fracture stimulation of a horizontal section in excess of 1,000 metres within the Mid-Velkerri 'B' shale and an extended flow test. Using data and learnings from the T2H and T3H wells drilled during CY2021, the M1H well is expected to include more compact fracture stimulation stages aimed at increasing well productivity.During the quarter, Tamboran spent $2.8 million ordering long-lead items in preparation for Tamboran's CY2022 Beetaloo drilling program.Commercial and CorporateIn November 2021, Tamboran successfully completed a $35 million private placement, anchored by a strategic $20 million investment by Mr Bryan Sheffield, the former Chairman, CEO and founder of Parsley Energy Inc. The remaining $15 million was raised predominantly from existing shareholders. Funds will be used to accelerate commercialisation of Tamboran's 100 per cent owned and operated EP 136 permit and working capital purposes.Tamboran has commissioned Netherland Sewell and Associates, Inc, a leading third-party resource certifier, to provide an independent resource report. The report will incorporate results from the EP 161 drilling program and has potential to lead to Tamboran booking a revised contingent resource during the March quarter of CY2022.To view the Quarterly Report, please visit:About Tamboran Resources Limited Tamboran Resources Ltd (ASX:TBN) is a natural gas company that intends to play a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future by developing low CO2 unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tamboran's key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin. Quarterly Update Sydney, Jan 25, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Haodex Limited ( NSX:HAO ) is pleased to update the market on its activities for the quarter ended 31 December 2021.Haodex was pleased to receive listing approval during the quarter for the National Stock Exchange ("NSX") and commenced share trading on 9 December 2021.Updates on BulkBuyBulkBuy is a wholesale e-commerce marketplace that allows users to participate in group buying deals. BulkBuy enables merchants to set up an online store similar to the operation of Amazon and sell products from Chinese factories directly at wholesale prices to all USA customers by allowing several customers to participate in group buying deals (crowd-ordering). On the Bulkbuy marketplace, Haodex generates revenue from sales commissions, membership fees and product listing fees.Bulkbuy has started to grow significantly from December 2021 inspired by a new innovative franchise model to develop merchants in various provinces in China. Bulkbuy has set up several provincial offices including Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hainan with local franchises to grow the merchants rapidly and expand its product range. Under the franchise agreement, the franchisee will pay the initial franchise fee to Bulkbuy and Bulkbuy will share 20% of the revenue to the franchise. To the 31st of December Bulkbuy had received franchise fees of 4.9 million Chinese Yuan ( AUD$1.06 million). Bulkbuy is currently in the process of launching franchisees in other provincial offices to enable rapid expansion after the Chinese New Year.Appointment of Michael Pixley and Alvin Tan as Independent DirectorsOn 22 November 2021, Haodex appointed Michael Pixley and Alvin Tan as independent directors to strengthen the board and corporate governance. Mr Pixley has over 30 years of experience in investment banking involved in providing financial advisory services to various companies throughout Asia. Mr Tan has over 25 years of experience in Australia and Asia, including mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and listing on the ASX, AIM, Bursa Malaysia and Frankfurt Stock Exchange.Quarterly CashflowThe Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $1.68 million. Quarterly operating cash outflows for the period was $859,000. During the December 2021 quarter the aggregated amount of payments made to related parties and their associates totalled $30,000 for the directors fees.About Haodex Limited Haodex Limited (NSX:HAO) is an Australian company focused on forward thinking online platforms and global projects. Haodex owns 78% of and operates 2 omnichannel marketplaces, being MonkeyKing Australia (www.monkeykingaustralia.com) and BulkBuy (www.bulkbuyworld.com), and owns 100% of a short term Chinese accommodation hosting business, Franks Haus (www.frankshaus.com). MonkeyKing is an online e-commerce platform which sources Australian products from Australian suppliers to distribute to consumers in Asia, mainly China. BulkBuy is a wholesale e-commerce marketplace which allows users to participate in group buying deals. BulkBuy enables merchants to set up an online store and sell products directly to customers at wholesale prices by allowing several customers to participate in group buying deals (crowd-ordering). Franks Haus is an online platform for leasing private properties, mainly for short term accommodation, in China. The platform will attract tourists Albuquerque police arrested an 18-year-old woman on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a man killed after he refused to pay a ransom. Anna Bella Dukes, 18, has been arrested for her involvement in the Feb. 11 killing of Elias Otero. Police said that Dukes met Oteros brother, Nicholas Otero, over Snapchat and the two met at Alvarado Park. During the encounter, Nicholas Otero was robbed at gunpoint by three armed men and then driven to his brothers home, where the kidnappers asked for a ransom. Elias Otero was shot when he walked out of the home, according to police. A criminal complaint says the robbers and Dukes were working together and that the group used the same tactics during a previous carjacking in the city. Murder charges were filed late last year against Dukes and her boyfriend, Adrian Avila. Dukes has been charged with an open count of murder, kidnapping, 2 counts of armed robbery, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal A cold front moving into New Mexico on Tuesday night is expected to send temperatures plummeting and increase snow chances before the state warms up toward the end of the week. Colorado is going to be getting the majority of the precipitation (Tuesday), but we will start to see parts of the Four Corners and northern New Mexico get in on that precipitation overnight, said Scott Overpeck, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque. Tuesday in Albuquerque is expected to reach 54 degrees. Albuquerque has a 40% chance of precipitation on Tuesday. Rain is possible before 11 p.m., and then could change to a mix of rain and snow. Wind gusts could reach 35 mph in the city Tuesday night. Peak snowfall from the storm is expected on Wednesday morning from 2 to 11 a.m. Santa Fe could see a total of 1 to 2 inches of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday. About 5 to 6 inches of snow is possible in Las Vegas over the two days. Clines Corners, Santa Rosa and Tucumcari could see 2 to 3 inches. Road travel could be difficult Wednesday, including on Interstate 25 from Glorieta to Raton and Interstate 40 from Clines Corners to Tucumcari. If you do have to get out, make sure people know where youre going, check the forecast and have emergency supplies, Overpeck said. Albuquerque will be mostly cloudy Wednesday morning, with a 20% chance of snow before 11 a.m. The city is expected to have a low of 28 degrees and a high of 45. Wednesday afternoon should be sunny. New Mexicos precipitation chances should drop off sharply on Thursday. Albuquerque has a forecast high of 46 degrees on both Thursday and Friday. Cold temperatures (will remain) up in the mountains and the higher terrain, so well be able to hold on to any snowfall there, Overpeck said. Most areas may be trending up a little more as we get into the weekend. The weekend is expected to be mostly sunny in Albuquerque, with high temperatures of 50 degrees on Saturday and 52 on Sunday. Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal There was no on-site medical director and no doctor at the county jail, and whole shifts went by without a mental health worker in the building. Around the end of the year, the facilitys medical unit was so short staffed the jail stopped accepting people arrested by law enforcement for a period of time. These are some of the allegations a nurse who worked at the Metropolitan Detention Center for more than a decade made in a declaration filed in federal court Jan. 6. The declaration is part of the McClendon lawsuit mandating reforms at the jail. Nurse Taileigh Sanchez said the medical program began to decline after Centurion Health got the contract in mid-2018, and it only got worse since Centurion left and Corizon Health took over in mid-October. In my experience, what is occurring now is the worst medical care has ever been at MDC, Sanchez wrote in the declaration. Sanchez has since left her job, stating in the declaration that even though she liked the work and had been employed at MDC for 11 years, she was resigning immediately due to the safety concerns I have for our clientele and our staff. It is important for me to make this declaration because without change, Im afraid something bad is going to happen, she wrote. Bernalillo County Commission Chairwoman Adriann Barboa did not return multiple calls from the Journal. When the contract was approved, Barboa had said she was grateful for the thought that went into it and that new staff that would be coming in. County officials directed all questions to Corizon. Corizon officials would not do an interview with the Journal. Instead, Steven Tomlin, the senior vice president of business development, said in a statement that the company is in the process of overhauling standards and staff at MDC and wants to dramatically improve the quality of care from what we inherited in the fall. But this takes time, and while disgruntled former employees who preferred the substandard status quo will surely make noise because we demand more quality from them, Corizon is committed to reform, Tomlin wrote. The unfortunate reality is were digging ourselves out of a deep hole to meet compliance standards, but its a credit to Bernallilo County that they identified a need for change, and were confident that working together, we will dramatically improve the quality of care at MDC. Corizon did not address whether the report that there was no medical director and no doctor at the jail was accurate and instead said all services continue to be provided to our patients, and critical roles are being performed by experienced interim staff where needed. Health care an ongoing concern Health care at the county jail has been a topic of concern for attorneys and advocates for some time. Centurion the previous medical provider company decided to terminate its contract more than a year early after county officials reportedly expressed concerns about staff vacancies and continuity of care. The announcement came not long after the Journal published an article detailing nine inmate deaths in a year. In September, the Bernalillo County Commission approved a $64.9 million contract for jail medical services with Corizon. The company will be paid between $14 million and almost $16 million a year. When the contract was approved, county officials said the agreement with Corizon Health would increase health care staffing at the jail and would include new positions, including seven certified medical assistants. The contract funds 105 medical staff positions, most of which were expected to be filled by those who were already working at the jail under Centurion. In emailed responses to the Journal, Corizon said it inherited 40 staff vacancies due in large part (to) a lack of recruiting by the previous contractor and 26 additional staff have since left. The company added that it has made nearly two dozen new hires, including a new medical director and more than half a dozen members of a behavioral health team. Corizon said when it took over it discovered large backlogs in basic care, including physicals and dental exams and it has either eliminated or dramatically cut down on all these backlogs, despite staffing issues. Staffing described as dangerously low Staffing levels of correctional officers at MDC have been described as dangerously low. Inmates have been locked down for days at a time. Violence has broken out at the facility. In late October, investigators say an inmate killed his cellmate while one guard was responsible for watching two units. As of November, there was about a 31.7% staff vacancy rate at the jail. Now health care workers are speaking out about conditions there. Nancy Simmons, an attorney representing plaintiffs in the McClendon lawsuit, said when she talks to experienced corrections nurses they appear more upset, sad and angry than ever. Its an extra concern that you have the number of personnel who are very, very concerned and are being in some ways treated as though theyre the Debbie Downers, as opposed to trying to raise serious concerns, Simmons said. I think that the people who are raising the concerns are very much speaking in good faith about what theyre seeing, and they need to be listened to. One health care worker told the Journal that a whole unit of inmates didnt receive medication one weekend because there wasnt enough security to escort a nurse around. In her declaration, Sanchez said two months into the Corizon contract people are quitting every week. She said the short staffing means there have been several times that a nurse is asked to fill multiple positions in one shift or had to work a position the nurse had not worked before, often without training. If a nurse is working Med 3 (intake) and detox, it is hard for them to do both jobs and puts patients at risk, Sanchez wrote. If the Med 3 nurse is out on detox rounds, it means people are waiting for medical assessments and clearance before they can be admitted to the facility. Detox rounds are also very important and take a long time, usually hours. These are two huge and critical jobs. It is not safe for a nurse to try to cover both positions, she added. Corizon said it has not terminated anyone for refusing to work a position they had not trained on, it does not expect anyone to work outside their scope of practice, and training is provided to all staff before they work in an area. The attorneys representing the inmates in the McClendon lawsuit have been filing motions, asking for more oversight and for the county to give monthly reports. In a motion filed in late December, the attorneys quoted a court-appointed expert who identified patients whose care was substantially deficient and who found life-threatening lapses in medication continuity for patients on essential medications. The experts report was filed in September, before Corizon took over. The expert reportedly expressed concern about the transition to a new medical provider, especially since a new company brought a change in platform for electronic medical records. The Journal has requested a copy of the experts report but has not yet received it. Sanchez, in her declaration, said important patient information that was in the previous electronic record system did not show up in the new system. Simmons said the attorneys are asking for more regular visits from the experts to provide more oversight. But ultimately, she said, the county runs the jail and it needs to take responsibility to ensure its providing adequate medical care. The county knew that transition was coming up and so had a responsibility to oversee it, Simmons said. What happened in terms of oversight isnt clear to us yet but it is clear that something went very haywire in the transition. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal Second Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez is firing back after Legislative Finance Committee analysts released a report last week that found an accountability gap low arrest, prosecution and conviction rates may have contributed more to the crime problem in Bernalillo County than releasing defendants awaiting trial. Torrez said the courts and the Legislature have repeatedly disregarded warnings from prosecutors and police not to open a revolving door for violent criminals and now, to add insult to injury, the analysts have produced an inaccurate report which seeks to blame those same frontline professionals for the very systemic failures we have fought so hard to prevent. The report is based on misinformation that is the product of incomplete data, flawed analysis and a troubling failure to ask obvious questions about fundamental changes to court procedure, Torrez said in a letter to the governor, several lawmakers and the LFC. Jon Courtney, deputy director for program evaluators, said he had not received Torrezs response to the report until the Journal sent it to him. He said it surprised him. Weve made repeated requests for information to the DA going back to November that have gone unanswered, Courtney said. We sent our report to the DA a week before the hearing and followed up with a call. I personally reached out to him when I started reading things in the press, asking him to contact us with any specific concerns that he has. Courtney said the analysts collaborated with the University of New Mexicos Institute for Social Research and a number of criminal justice agencies, and they had several Ph.D. researchers with expertise in statistics working on the project. We believe we did our due diligence insofar as reviewing the data and ensuring that its accurate before publishing our memo, he said. Nevertheless, we are willing to listen to criticisms, dig into that and learn more about the DAs concerns. In the 19-page letter, Torrez took issue with many of the data points in last weeks report a memo providing a status update on crime in Bernalillo County, law enforcement and bail reform. Torrez said his data shows that the conviction rate for violent felonies increased from 67.2% in 2017 to 78.5% in 2020. That is contrary to the LFC report, which said an analysis from the 2nd Judicial District Court found that the conviction rate for violent felonies had declined over the past decade and was 59% in 2020. Torrez said the LFC analysts did not take into account cases that were dismissed in state court to be refiled in federal court or were dismissed so that defendants with multiple pending felonies could resolve their cases with a consolidated plea agreement. Torrez disputed that his office declines 50% of violent felonies and dismisses 40% of the remaining violent felony cases. He said that, in 2021, approximately 37% were declined and that, in two thirds of those instances, it was due to a lack of cooperation by victims or witnesses. Torrez said the problem was exacerbated after the 2nd Judicial District Court began reducing grand jury time in favor of preliminary hearings which means witnesses must take time off work or pay for day care in order to attend court. Furthermore, he said that, when the analysts compared the conviction rate from 2011 to 2020, they were comparing apples to oranges and they understated the role of the Case Management Order, which imposes deadlines prosecutors must meet. The District Attorneys Office cannot be expected to achieve 2011s conviction rate today unless policymakers are prepared to return the system to the way it existed in 2011, Torrez wrote. One of many examples highlights a present system designed to promote procedural failure over trials on the merits. As for the issue of pretrial detention, Torrez included graphs that showed there was a 15.6% recidivism rate among people who were released from jail pending trial, with 6.7% committing violent felonies. He reiterated that this, of course, counts only those crimes that resulted in an arrest. As the Status Update rightly points out, crime reporting and clearance of reported crime are low nationally and in Bernalillo County, Torrez wrote. Using national reporting figures for violent crimes, known violent crimes are approximately one-fifth of actual violent criminal incidents. Online Go to ABQJournal for the full LFC memo and the DAs response Legislative Finance Committee memo on crime in Bernalillo County by Albuquerque Journal on Scribd Response from DA Torrez to LFC memo by Albuquerque Journal on Scribd 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 Four Sandia National Laboratories employees have been recognized by the Society of Women Engineers for their professional excellence, leadership and support of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The society has sought to support women in achieving their full potential in careers for more than 70 years, according to a news release. The award winners, Laura Biedermann, Annie Dallman, Erica Douglas and Chris LaFleur, were recognized this past fall during the societys annual conference held in a hybrid format. Biedermann, a physicist, received the societys Spark Award for her work co-founding the PI Workshop in 2013 and co-creating Sandias Peer Mentoring Steering Committee in 2016. Dallman, a mechanical engineer, received the Distinguished New Engineer Award for her technical performance and contributions to several fields, and her leadership. Douglas, a manager at the labs, received the Emerging Leader Award for her engineering work and outstanding leadership. LaFleur, a fire protection engineer, received an Advocating for Women in Engineering Award for her service as chair of the Sandia Pride Alliance Network, according to the release. In the nearly two months since a conservative majority of justices on the Supreme Court indicated openness to dramatic new restrictions on abortion, money has poured into the political fundraising arm of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List. The organization secured $20 million in pledged financial contributions, five times more than it has had at the outset of an election year over its 30-year history, according to figures shared with The Associated Press. Before the recent surge, the group had already signed off on its largest-ever political budget, $72 million, for 2022. Thats nearly $20 million more than it spent in 2020, a year that included a presidential election. The cash pile virtually guarantees that the Supreme Courts abortion ruling, anticipated by the summer, will do little to quell what has become one of the most animating issues in the United States. Abortion opponents say they will pump their newfound resources into the November elections. Once a decision is issued, there will be a lot of focus on all the states and the midterm elections, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony List. The Supreme Court is considering a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks. If the law is upheld, anti-abortion activists said much of the attention would shift to Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas. These are states with Republican legislatures but Democrats in the governorship, each of whom is up for election in November. If the Supreme Court overturns the Roe v. Wade ruling that women have a constitutional right to an abortion, governors in Michigan and Wisconsin would be powerless to overturn restrictions in their states that were already in place before the 1973 decision. But these governors would be the only obstacle to new measures passed by GOP legislatures, including outright bans on the procedure. A Supreme Court decision is really just the beginning of the work, said Terry Schilling, president of the socially conservative American Principles Project. Groups have actually been really well-connected with state leaders and investing in campaigns at the local level in these swing states, trying to win control in divided governments. Supporters of abortion rights, already feeling a heightened sense of alarm by the prospect of a defeat at the Supreme Court, are well aware of how important the governors races may be to their cause. Really truly, governors in many states are going to be our backstop, said Jenny Lawson, vice president of organizing and electoral campaigns for Planned Parenthood Action Fund. As the decisions come down to the states, these governors are the ones who can protect access. She declined to specify how much money the group was budgeting to support candidates who back abortion rights. Some of the Democratic governors up for reelection are increasingly highlighting their commitment to protecting some form of access. And as long as Im governor, thats what Ill do, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said during a news conference last week marking the 49th anniversary of the Roe decision. Im proud to stand with so many Michiganders to protect the right to safe and legal abortion, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tweeted last week on the same day organizers of a ballot drive to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution cleared a procedural step. Over the weekend, Whitmer tweeted that the right to abortion hangs by a thread in the Supreme Court. For their part, abortion opponents are undeniably upbeat as the Supreme Court decision nears. Thousands gathered on a bitterly cold day in Washington last week for the March for Life, expressing joy and optimism about the prospect of Roe being overturned. But the political fallout from such a move could be volatile for both parties. A decision drastically reducing access to abortion could energize Democrats heading into the fall campaign. The issue is already rising in priority for Democrats, according to a December poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found that 13% of Democrats listed abortion or reproductive rights as an issue they want the federal government to address. Thats up from less than 1% of Democrats who named it as a priority for 2021 and 3% who listed it in 2020. Lawson predicted a court ruling sharply restricting or ending a federal right to abortion would drive anger and outrage and cause a realignment at the voting booth. Theres a risk for religious conservatives as well, who have devoted decades of work to the issue and formed an unlikely alliance with Donald Trump to achieve their goals. The thrice-married former president who once expressed support for abortion rights ultimately named three justices to the Supreme Court, dramatically reshaping it to threaten Roe. But if those justices fall short of overturning that decision or agree to some sort of compromise, conservatives could be deeply disappointed and feel less interested in participating in the midterm elections. The GOP has been stung before, notably when Republican-appointed Chief Justice John Roberts helped uphold President Barack Obamas signature health care law, another issue that had galvanized the right. But for now, opponents say theyre buoyed by a sense of momentum. Its different now, Dannenfelser said. ___ Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Associated Press writers Mark Sherman in Washington and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis., contributed to this report. WASHINGTON A congressional ethics watchdog has concluded that U.S. Reps. Marie Newman of Illinois and Doug Lamborn of Colorado may have violated federal law, prompting reviews from the House Ethics Committee. Separate investigative reports from the Office of Congressional Ethics released Monday detailed a substantial reason to believe that Newman, a Democrat, promised federal employment to a political opponent and that Lamborn, a Republican, misused official resources for personal purposes. Though the ethics office conducts the initial review and makes recommendations, only the House Ethics Committee has the power to punish a lawmaker for wrongdoing. The committee said in a statement Monday that it would review the reports and investigate further. REP. MARIE NEWMAN, DEMOCRAT OF ILLINOIS The allegations against Newman surfaced out of a legal dispute involving an employment contract between the Illinois Democrat and Iymen Chehade, a former foreign policy advisor during her successful House campaign in 2020. Newman a progressive lawmaker, unseated Chicago-area Rep. Dan Lipinski, a staunch abortion opponent and one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress at the time. An attorney representing Newman told the committee in December that the congresswoman cooperates completely with the review, but, that OCE has prejudged the matter from the beginning. The ethics office report says that at the start of her campaign, Newman made Chehade certain promises about future employment, in her congressional office. Those promises were reduced to a contract signed by both parties, in December 2018, the report reads. When Newman did not hire Chehade, he filed a lawsuit to enforce the contract. He claimed that he decided to not run for the congressional seat in 2020 because of the promise that Newman would hire him as a foreign policy advisor during the campaign and then a district or legislative director once she took office. In a motion to dismiss the case, Newmans counsel acknowledged that her contract was in violation of House employment and federal contracting rules. Newman ended up settling the case with her former adviser and the two signed nondisclosure agreements as part of a settlement. The OEC recommended that the House committee subpoena Chehade and political consulting group LBH Chicago as it conducts its review of its findings. A spokesperson for Newman said Monday that the OCE review stemmed from a politically-motivated complaint from a right-wing organization and that the materials produced during the probe overwhelmingly demonstrate that the ethics complaint is completely meritless. Newman is a former management consultant who started and led an anti-bullying nonprofit. During her campaign for the House, she argued Lipinski no longer reflected the views of the district, which backed Sen. Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist, over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential primary. She called herself the true Democrat during the race, and said she would fight for Medicare for All, abortion rights and a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally. REP. DOUG LAMBORN, REPUBLICAN OF COLORADO The report into Lamborn looks at complaints that lawmaker has misused official resources for personal and non-official purposes. The OCE report included interviews with three current and two former Lamborn staffers as well as interviews with the lawmaker himself. The OCE uncovered evidence showing a pattern and practice in Rep. Lamborns office of official staff conducting personal and campaign-related tasks for Rep. Lamborn, his wife, and other family members during official work hours, and using official resources, the report stated. In a December statement to the committee, an attorney for Lamborn said, A thorough review of the facts will make it clear to everyone that no ethical violation has occurred, and the same should be dismissed. A request for comment from Lamborn was not immediately returned, The report includes details about Laborns wife having access to an official House email account and even at times sleeping in the office with Lamborn. The lawmaker told the ethics office his wife played a substantial role, in his congressional office which at times included hiring, firing, and promotions. While it is not unusual for spouses to play a role in a congressional office or have an official email account, evidence obtained by the OCE indicated that Mrs. Lamborn had a role in the office that exceeded what is permissible for spouses, the report continued. The OCE recommended the House Ethics Committee review other allegations against Lamborn, including that he solicited or accepted improper gifts from subordinates. It also recommended issuing subpoenas to Lamborn and several senior members of his staff. Lamborn, the eight-term congressman from Colorado Springs, was sued in May by a former staffer for allegedly disregarding coronavirus safety protocols in his Washington office even after he and staff members were infected, letting one of his sons live in the basement of the U.S. Capitol and ordering staff to run personal errands for his family. __ An earlier version of this story misidentified a picture of Rep. Mike Turner as Rep. Doug Lamborn. That photo has been replaced. ISTANBUL Rescue crews in Istanbul and Athens dug through snow and ice Tuesday to clear paralyzed roads and rescue people stranded overnight in their cars after snowstorms and a massive cold front brought much of Turkey and Greece to a standstill. Two storm-related deaths were reported. Highways and roads in Istanbul became clogged Monday after the storm pounded the city of 16 million that straddles Europe and Asia dropping more than 80 centimeters (31 inches) of snow in some areas. Stranded motorists spent the night in their cars, abandoned their vehicles to walk home or crowded subways and other limited public transportation. All highways and main roads in Istanbul were reopened by Tuesday afternoon, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoglu announced on Twitter, while Istanbul Gov. Ali Yerlikaya said restrictions on vehicles traveling into Istanbul were lifted. Authorities also cleared a runway at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday, allowing limited flights to resume. Flights were suspended on Monday for safety reasons at the airport, where the roof of a cargo facility collapsed from the weight of the snow. Istanbuls second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, was also operating limited services. Hundreds of passengers stranded at Istanbul Airport a key travel hub shouted We need (a) hotel! to protest their ordeal, the Cumhuriyet newspaper reported, and airport police were called in. Huand Mahperi, who posted a video of the protest on Twitter, said the outcry came Tuesday morning after passengers were given conflicting information and were told that Turkish Airlines flights had been canceled until midnight. In Athens, rescue crews freed up to 300 drivers trapped on a major highway that connects the Greek capital with the citys international airport. Drivers there had abandoned their cars and walked home. Others had trekked to a nearby train station, jumping over barriers to reach the platform after spending the night in their cars. Train service had been suspended, but a train was sent Tuesday to pick stragglers up. The army was sent out overnight to deliver food and water to those trapped and to help free as many as possible. Officials said each trapped driver would receive 2,000 euros ($2,265) in compensation, which the highway administration accepted. It was a very difficult night and we faced unprecedented conditions, Civil Protection and Climate Change Minister Christos Stylianides said. I want to again express an apology from the state for all the difficulties that the (stranded) drivers faced. By Tuesday, the heavy snowfall had mostly stopped but many streets in Athens remained blocked by fallen trees and several northern neighborhoods were without power. Authorities had ordered all but essential businesses shut on Tuesday, and have extended that for Wednesday in the wider Athens area and several other regions. In the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, police said a homeless man who had been sleeping outdoors was found dead Tuesday. Local authorities said the 60-year-old had refused to relocate to a shelter. In Turkey, authorities recovered the body of a 34-year-old who is believed to have died in heavy snowfall while trying to reach his village in Amasya province, 326 kilometers (202 miles) northwest of Ankara, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the snowfall around Istanbul would continue until Thursday and urged people not to venture out in private cars unless necessary. He said many of the stranded vehicles did not have snow tires. Nothing is moving. The snow plows cant even reach us, Ahmet Odabasi, 40, one of thousands who stranded overnight on a highway west of Istanbul, told The Associated Press. The snowstorm, complete with thunder and lightning, hit the Athens area late Monday morning, the second year in a row that Greece has experienced a freak snowstorm. The severe weather also brought rare snowfall to vacation resorts in Turkeys southwest region, including Bodrum and Datca, with snow and slippery conditions blocking a highway linking the provinces of Mugla and Denizli. Antalya city center, on Turkeys Mediterranean coast, saw its first snowfall in 29 years, the private NTV television reported. Authorities in Istanbul suspended intercity bus services Monday and blocked travel to the city from Turkeys northwestern Thrace region. Civil servants were given leave until Thursday, except for those employed in security, health and transportation sectors. Schools across Turkey were already closed for a winter break and universities decided to close until Jan. 31. The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, said the city provided shelter to around 1,500 homeless people. He said he hoped the snow would fill dams and bring relief to the parched region. The Balkans was also gripped by freezing weather, with temperatures dropping way below freezing in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia. Montenegrin authorities said a record national low temperature was confirmed in the northern village of Kosanica, which plunged to minus 33.2 C (minus 27.7 F). In Bosnia, ice formed on the Miljacka River after a minus 15 C (5 F) temperature was recorded in the capital of Sarajevo on Tuesday. ___ Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece. Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Costas Kantouris in Thessaloniki, Nadia Ahmed in London and Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report. MOSCOW Kazakhstans leader has trumpeted ambitious economic reforms following the worst unrest in the country of 19 million in three decades. The measures are aimed at reducing the states deep involvement in the economy, bridging the gap between the wealthy minority and the struggling majority and eliminating triggers for further turmoil. Experts say the announced changes look good on paper, but question whether the new government in the energy-rich former Soviet state will implement them. A look at the causes of discontent and the governments promised reforms: WHATS ROILING KAZAKHSTAN? On Jan. 2, small protests broke out in an oil city in western Kazakhstan where residents were unhappy about a sudden spike in prices for liquified gas, which is widely used as automotive fuel. The demonstrations soon spread across the vast country, reflecting wider public discontent with steadily decreasing incomes, worsening living conditions and the authoritarian government. By Jan. 5, the protests descended into violence, with armed groups storming government buildings and setting cars and buses on fire in Kazakhstans largest city, Almaty. To quell the violence, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested help from a Russia-led security alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The bloc of six former Soviet states sent more than 2,000 troops. Authorities arrested thousands of people and more than 220 mostly civilians were killed. About a week after the protests began, order was largely restored. WHY WERE GAS PRICES SUCH A SORE POINT? The price of gas soared to 120 tenge ($0.27) per liter, a significant increase in the country where, according to Tokayevs own admission, half the population earns no more than 50,000 tenge ($114) a month. The spike came about as the government moved away from price controls as part of efforts to build a market economy. Analysts say the increase came as a complete surprise. All these decisions were made without transparency. People woke up to a new gas price that was 2 1/2 times higher, said Kassymkhan Kapparov, an economist in Kazakhstan and founder of the Ekonomist.Kz think tank. The western region of Kazakhstan where the protests started also produces oil and gas. Residents were outraged that the price increased while their salaries remained stagnant, said Rustam Burnashev of the Kazakh-German University in Almaty, an expert on regional security in Central Asia. They were saying, Guys, were producing it, and now we (have to) buy it at astronomical prices? They agree that gas prices (all over the world) grow, but in that case (they say) that our salaries should too,' Burnashev said. HOW DID KAZAKHSTAN END UP IN THIS SITUATION? Kazakhstan became independent when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. In the first post-independence years, the country saw rapid economic growth and rising prosperity. For almost three decades, it was dominated by Nursultan Nazarbayev, its last Communist Party leader at the time of independence. The country profited from its natural resources, most notably oil. Foreign investors were welcome, money flowed into state coffers, and social spending helped keep abject poverty low. But key sectors such as mining, telecommunications and banking were dominated by state-owned companies and a few figures connected to Nazarbayev, either politically or through family ties. As time went on, Nazarbayev increasingly monopolized the countrys politics, suppressing opposition and introducing a highly personalized form of rule as Elbasy, the Leader of the Nation. Nazarbayev resigned in 2019, but until recently remained head of the ruling Nur Otan party and chair of the Security Council. Tokayev, the chair of the upper house of parliament, was appointed president and renamed the capital of Astana to Nur-Sultan, to honor his predecessor. WHAT ARE THE ISSUES BEHIND THE PUBLIC DISCONTENT? Discontent among ordinary people goes way beyond gas prices. People are aware of the countrys striking level of inequality and the immense economic privilege of those around Nazarbayev, in which 162 people control more than half the countrys wealth. Meanwhile, the average monthly wage is around 243,000 tenge, or $558, according to government statistics, although the cost of living is relatively low compared with Western countries. A recent report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project found that a charitable foundation created by Nazarbayev held assets worth $7.8 billion, including stakes in banking, shopping centers, logistics firms and food production. British authorities issued unexplained-wealth orders to Nazarbayevs daughter and grandson demanding they reveal where they obtained funds for three London properties worth more than 80 million pounds. A judge threw out the orders. WHAT APPROACH IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT TAKING? Tokayev publicly acknowledged Kazakhstans rampant inequality and initially tried to quell the protests with a few concessions: He capped gas prices for 180 days, named a new Cabinet, and ousted Nazarbayev from the National Security Council. The president outlined future reforms to reset the economy, remarking, We need to define new rules of play fairer, more transparent and just. Among the ambitious measures he touted are reducing the governments involvement in and oligarchs influence on business; reforming the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, which owns major companies; and ensuring fair competition, a better investment climate and the integrity of private property, in part by overhauling the countrys justice system. WHAT CHANCE OF SUCCESS DO THE PROPOSED REFORMS HAVE? Kapparov, the economist, said important questions remain about the Samruk-Kazyna fund and its companies. Will there be a privatization? On what scale? In which time frame? he asked. Will it be open to everyone, including foreign investors? These issues havent been mentioned. The inner circles power and influence raise serious obstacles to any wide-ranging reform that would be required to privatize state companies and allow outside interests to compete in key sectors, said former World Bank official Simon Commander, now managing partner at emerging markets advisory firm Altura Partners. Tokayevs speech, while interesting, is certainly more radical than is likely to be possible. Lets hope he turns out to be a genuine reformer. But he added: Im very skeptical. Their economic and political structure hems them in. WHAT ABOUT POLITICAL REFORMS? During his years in office, Tokayev also has promised limited political reforms, including local elections. But the crackdown on protesters suggests authorities dont intend to allow genuine political opposition, and without political reform, economic reform is difficult to imagine. Greeting discontent with more than 12,000 arrests is a pretty good metric for how the regime thinks it needs to respond, Commander said. ___ McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal The battle over building a hydrogen economy in New Mexico officially began on Monday when two lawmakers filed the long-awaited Hydrogen Hub Development Act for discussion in the current legislative session. Rep. Patricia Lundstrom a Gallup Democrat who chairs the Legislative Finance Committee and Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, are sponsoring the bill, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is pushing as priority legislation. The act would authorize a slate of new tax breaks and other incentives for industry to develop hydrogen production and distribution facilities across New Mexico, and to build a robust market for local and regional hydrogen consumption. It would particularly reward efforts to build new hydrogen hubs around the state, where public and private entities could form partnerships to become eligible for state-sponsored loans and grants. Those partnerships would be expected to build out hydrogen infrastructure in designated zones, potentially converting them into industrial parks where companies that consume or market hydrogen-based products and services can co-locate. The bill is expected to face intense pushback in the Legislature from environmental groups and legislators who are skeptical about the real benefits. But supporters say building a local hydrogen economy is critical to accelerate efforts to lower or eliminate carbon emissions because hydrogen is a relatively clean-burning fuel that doesnt emit carbon dioxide. They contend it could help decarbonize everything from electric generation and long-haul trucking to heavy manufacturing operations and the heating and cooling of homes and buildings. This is New Mexicos chance to reap the vast economic and environmental benefits of clean hydrogen, and I urge legislators to think boldly and support (it), Lujan Grisham said in a statement Tuesday. Lundstrom said the initiative could bring sustainable employment opportunities to local communities. This bill creates and protects good, family-supporting jobs for New Mexicans, while reducing emissions and addressing climate change, Lundstrom said in a statement. Major opposition Environmentalists disagree. They say large-scale hydrogen production would do little to lower carbon emissions and may even worsen them because todays hydrogen is made with natural gas, with a significant amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the process. About 30 environmental organizations already called on the government in December to initiate an extensive state-sponsored study of the pros and cons before considering any new hydrogen legislation. And some legislators may introduce a memorial in the session supporting that, said Brian Egolf, Democratic Speaker of the House. It may not get done in this session, Egolf said during an online town hall Saturday. We dont want to rush a decision. The consequences of getting it wrong are too dire. Peter Wirth, the Senate majority leader, said hes concerned about relying on carbon capture and sequestration technology, or CCS, when producing hydrogen. Industry would use CCS to trap carbon thats released when pulling hydrogen out of the methane contained in natural gas, but that technology must still be proven efficient and economically viable in commercial projects. I have real reservations, Wirth said during Saturdays town hall. Its an extremely complicated question whether carbon sequestration technology is reliable. Even if CCS proves effective, opponents fear the methane released in mining and transporting natural gas to hydrogen plants will offset any potential benefits from capturing carbon released during hydrogen production. And despite new state rules to lower upstream gas emissions, regulatory agencies need a lot more money and staff to monitor and enforce compliance, especially if gas production increases to supply hydrogen plants, environmentalists say. They also are concerned pursuing hydrogen now could also divert attention and resources away from building out solar, wind and other renewable generation, slowing the states transition to a clean energy economy. We dont want the discussion of hydrogen to take us away from (that), Wirth said. We need careful, deliberative analysis to see where we go. Addressing concerns State officials and legislators worked together since the fall to address many of those concerns in the new bill (HB 4). The governors cabinet and Lundstrom had originally developed separate hydrogen bills, but they consolidated them into HB 4, with significant modifications based on public feedback. Environmentalists, for example, sharply criticized the original governors bill for allowing hydrogen producers to emit up to nine kilograms of carbon for every one kilogram of hydrogen produced when applying for tax credits, although it did mandate a steady drop to just three-to-one over eight years. The new bill, however, completely overhauled tax incentive eligibility to encourage zero emissions, offering much higher tax breaks now for non-emission, clean hydrogen, and even bigger incentives for carbon-negative production, said Environment Department Secretary James Kenney. In contrast, it provides significantly reduced tax breaks for low-carbon hydrogen, with the eligibility ratio now starting at only four-to-one. Producers who locate in a hydrogen hub would also receive higher tax breaks than hydrogen facilities located outside hubs to encourage the build-out of those industrial zones. In terms of tax breaks, the most lucrative incentives would be for producing carbon-negative hydrogen, and especially if producers are located in a hydrogen hub, Kenney said. The bill also sets a hard cap on carbon emissions for hydrogen production thats used to run electric generating facilities, imposing a maximum of 375 pounds of carbon for each megawatt hour of electricity produced. That would reduce emissions in hydrogen-based electric generation by at least 50% compared to a new natural gas plant, Kenney said. The bill could make the states goal of 45% lower carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 much more achievable, Kenney said. This will help us get there, he said. We hope the Legislature will take the big, bold, brave step needed to approve it. But many questions remain unanswered for environmentalists. The bill, for example, authorizes third-party verification firms to certify that natural gas used in hydrogen production is responsibly sourced, meaning suppliers have reduced upstream methane emissions to a minimum. But theres no clear definition of what responsibly sourced gas means, nor how total carbon reductions will be measured throughout the full life-cycle of hydrogen production, from upstream operations to end user, said Tom Singer of the Western Environmental Law Center. That sounds a lot like a third-party hen house being overseen by oil-and-gas-producing foxes who want to claim that their gas is clean, Singer said. And state agencies will still need a huge increase in money and staff to monitor and enforce everything, said Tom Solomon of the environmental group 350 New Mexico. Theyll need a massive crew of enforcers, Solomon said. As it stands now, our position on the legislation is still a hard no.' The City of Albuquerque has issued an air quality health alert for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning due to blowing dust. The Environmental Health Department warns Albuquerque and Bernalillo County residents with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor activity. The alert goes into effect at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and expires at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Albuquerque could see wind gusts Tuesday night of 45 to 50 miles per hour. Gusts of up to 45 mph are possible in Santa Fe. A winter storm is expected to expand into northern and central New Mexico on Tuesday night. Snow-covered roads and wind gusts could make travel difficult on 1-25 in the areas of Glorieta Pass, Las Vegas to Raton, and Raton Pass. Roads may be slick on I-40 from Albuquerque to Santa Rosa. NEW YORK The COVID-19 booster drive in the U.S. is losing steam, worrying health experts who have pleaded with Americans to get an extra shot to shore up their protection against the highly contagious omicron variant. Just 40% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the average number of booster shots dispensed per day in the U.S. has plummeted from a peak of 1 million in early December to about 490,000 as of last week. Also, a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that Americans are more likely to see the initial vaccinations rather than a booster as essential. Its clear that the booster effort is falling short, said Jason Schwartz, a vaccine policy expert at Yale University. Overall, the U.S. vaccination campaign has been sluggish. More than 13 months after it began, just 63% of Americans, or 210 million people, are fully vaccinated with the initial rounds of shots. Mandates that could raise those numbers have been hobbled by legal challenges. Vaccination numbers are stagnant in states such as Wyoming, Idaho, Mississippi and Alabama, which have been hovering below 50%. In Wyoming, 44% are fully vaccinated, up just slightly from 41% in September. To boost numbers, the state has been running TV ads with health care workers giving grim accounts of unvaccinated people struggling with COVID-19. Certainly we would like to see higher rates. But it would be wrong for anyone to think that the rates we have are due to lack of effort, Wyoming Health Department spokeswoman Kim Deti said Tuesday. And in neighboring Idaho, which also has one of the countrys lowest vaccination rates, the number of people getting their first vaccine dose has remained under 1,000 almost every day this year and the number getting booster shots is also declining. Still, officials say they wont give up. I dont like to use the word resigned,' said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, administrator of the Idaho Division of Public Health. I think we just need to keep saying it over and over again, how important it is. At the other end of the spectrum, Vermont is a national leader in the percentage of people who have been fully vaccinated and received a booster shot. About 60% of the population over 18 has gotten a booster. But its not enough, said Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine. Id love to see that percentage much closer to 90%, Levine said. The U.S. and many other nations have been urging adults to get boosters because the vaccines protection can wane. Also, research has shown that while the vaccines have proved less effective against omicron, boosters can rev up the bodys defenses against the threat. As for why an estimated 86 million Americans who have been fully vaccinated and are eligible for a booster have not yet gotten one, Schwartz said public confusion is one important reason. I think the evidence is now overwhelming that the booster is not simply an optional supplement, but it is a foundational part of protection, he said. But clearly that message has been lost. The need for all Americans to get boosters initially was debated by scientists, and at first the government recommended only that certain groups of people, such as senior citizens, get additional doses. The arrival of omicron, and additional evidence about falling immunity, showed more clearly a widespread need for boosters. But the message has been lost in the sea of changing recommendations and guidance, Schwartz said. The AP-NORC Center poll found that 59% of Americans think it is essential that they receive a vaccine to fully participate in public life without feeling at risk of COVID-19 infection. Only 47% say the same about a booster shot. Keller Anne Ruble, 32, of Denver, received her two doses of the Moderna vaccine but hasnt gotten her booster. She said she had a bad reaction to the second dose and was in bed for four days with a fever and flu-like symptoms. I believe in the power of vaccines, and I know thats going to protect me, said Ruble, the owner of a greeting card sending service. But the vaccine just knocked me out completely and freaked me out about getting the booster. She said she does plan to get the booster in the next few weeks and in the meantime wears an N95 mask and tries to stay home. I just dont want to get COVID in general, she said. It does scare me. Blake Hassler, 26, of Nashville, Tennessee, said he doesnt plan to get the booster. He received Pfizers two doses last year after having a mild case of COVID-19 in 2020. He said he considers himself to be in a low-risk category. At this point, we need to focus on prevention of serious illness at the onset of symptoms rather than creating a new shot every six weeks and more divisive mandates, he said. ___ AP writers Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado; Wilson Ring in Montpelier, Vermont; Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this report. PHOENIX A woman who spent seven months in a Phoenix hospital being treated for COVID-19 is urging people to get vaccinated. Finally back in her Glendale home, 55-year-old Claudia Patterson told KNXV-TV this week that she wonders if her ordeal would have been less severe had she been vaccinated. Patterson went to St. Josephs Hospital in July and had to be put on a ventilator. She says she was sedated for two months. She was then placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ECMO, a machine that takes over respiratory function. There were times where I just said God just take me,' Patterson said. She was on the verge of needing a lung transplant and flatlined four times. Doctors now say Patterson is strong enough to continue therapy and treatment from home. I wouldnt want my worst enemy to go through what I went through, she said. As of Monday, 3,526 people statewide were hospitalized for COVID-19. Of those, 616 were in ICUs. Since the pandemic began, Arizona has seen nearly 1.8 million cases and over 25,600 deaths. WENN/Judy Eddy Celebrity Aside from allegedly jumping out of a moving car, the 'Tron Legacy' actor reportedly 'kicked' and 'swung on' the eyewitness before he was taken into police custody following his split from Emma Roberts. Jan 25, 2022 AceShowbiz - Garrett Hedlund apparently showed some disturbing behaviors before he was arrested for public intoxication. The "Tron Legacy" actor was accused by an eyewitness of trying to jump out of a moving car prior to his arrest. According to new legal documents obtained by TMZ on Monday, January 24, the man who called the cops told police officers that the "Country Strong" star "tried jumping out of a car" earlier on Saturday. Additionally, the witness told police that the actor "kicked him and swung on him." However, the legal documents noted that the man did not want to press criminal charges against the star. Garrett was arrested on Saturday evening while he was in Franklin County, Tennessee. Then on Sunday, the 37-year-old actor was released from jail on a $2,100 bond. It's also reported that he's due back in court in March. His arrest occurred just one day after news broke that he split from his girlfriend Emma Roberts. The two share one child together, one-year-old son Rhodes. According to reports, the former couple broke things off a few weeks ago, following a rocky few months in their relationship. A source told PEOPLE, "It's sad, and they are trying their best to co-parent. It's been hard." Garrett's arrest on Saturday was not his first legal scandal. In court documents filed on Friday, the "Triple Frontier" star was sued by two women, Marina Venegas and her daughter Jennifer Castillo, for causing a head-on crash in Los Angeles two years ago, which led to him being arrested. At the time, Garrett was released on bail with a court date set for February 25, 2020. The "Four Brothers" star later pleaded no contest to one count and was found guilty while the second DUI charge was dismissed. The suit claimed Garrett allegedly "passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle and ran a solid red-light at a high rate of speed," colliding with a Nissan Sentra containing Marina, Jennifer and two minor children. As a result of the crash, the legal documents stated that the passengers suffered "severe and permanent injuries" and had to be taken to the emergency room. "Hedlund's conduct was despicable in that he knew and was educated in the dangers presented to Plaintiffs and the public when he operated a vehicle while intoxicated," the complaint added. "There was a very strong odor of hard liquor emitting from Hedlund's breath, body, and the cab of the Jeep despite the windows being open/broken." At the time, Garrett's blood level tested at .36 percent, four times the legal limit of .08. In the petition, Maria and Jennifer noted that Garrett "could have taken a taxi or called a ride-share" but he allegedly "refused to do so." The women are asking for punitive damages and a jury trial. Instagram Celebrity The YouTube blogger remains positive and tweets, 'Winos it's only up from here,' after she's found guilty on three separate counts for 'defamation of character' and two other forms of wrongdoing. Jan 25, 2022 AceShowbiz - Cardi B has come out victorious in a libel case against Latasha Kebe a.k.a. Tasha K. Following a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict that sided with the Bronx femcee on Monday, January 24. Tasha was found liable on three separate claims for "defamation of character, invasion of privacy through portrayal in a false light, and intentional infliction of emotional distress." She is ordered to pay Cardi $1.25 million in general damages and $250k for medical expenses, according to TMZ. The "Bodak Yellow" hitmaker could end up being awarded more since there are more court proceedings starting Tuesday, January 25 to determine whether Tasha owes additional punitive damages or whether she must reimburse Cardi's legal expenses. Tasha has reacted on Twitter following the verdict. "My Husband, Attorney's, & I fought really hard. I want to thank them for their long hours and sleepless nights," she tweeted. Remaining positive, the blogger added, "Winos it's only up from here. See y'all in a few days. Back to work." Tasha K tweeted after the verdict in libel case against Cardi B. Cardi, meanwhile, posted a cryptic message on her Instagram Story to express her gratitude. "My queen thank you for hearing my prayers," she wrote along with a throwback photo of her and two older women. "only you know those nights that I cried to you feeling hopeless and tired even when it seems like I have the world on my hands." Cardi B posted a cryptic message after she won the federal libel suit. Cardi filed the lawsuit against Tasha in 2019 over her YouTube videos in which she claimed that the Grammy Award-winning artist "f**ked herself with beer bottles on f**king stripper stages." She also said that the 29-year-old femcee contracted herpes, was a prostitute, cheated on her husband Offset and did hard drugs. The trial kicked off on January 10 in Georgia federal court. On Thursday, January 13, Cardi took the stand and told the jury that the malicious allegations made her feel suicidal. "I felt extremely suicidal. I felt defeated and depressed and I didn't want to sleep with my husband," she said. "Only an evil person could do that s**t," the Bronx raptress said, before apologizing for her language. The "WAP" hitmaker added that Tasha's defamatory posts caused her to develop fatigue, anxiety, weight loss and migraines. Instagram Celebrity When making the revelation, 'The Peoples Champ' artist divulges that his father left him, his mother and his sister when he was only five or six years old. Jan 25, 2022 AceShowbiz - Paul Wall has made a major confession about his biological father. In a new interview, "The Peoples Champ" artist divulged that his dad was a "serial child molester" who did "horrible things." The 40-year-old made the revelation when appearing on the "FAQ Podcast". Explaining that his dad left him when he was only five or six years old, the emcee added, "I never knew what happened other than my mom would always have me and my sister paranoid that we were 'bout to get kidnapped." "But then later on in life, I asked my mom one day, like, 'Whatever happened? Whatever happened to him?' That's when I found out horrible things," the hip-hop star contiinued. "Man, I can't believe this stuff! My biological father, he was a child molester. A serial child molester. Paul went on to unveil more disturbing stuff that his father did. "He ended up kidnapping a girl - he started a 'relationship' with her when she was 12 years old, 13 years old. Then when she became 14 or 15, he 'married' her and they went to Canada and that's the last time I seen him," he said. Paul was not the only rapper who had an awful past. When speaking on "Hotboxin with Mike Tyson" podcast in July 2021, Kevin Gates admitted that he had been sexually abused as a child and he used music for "an escape." "I never said this in no interview or no podcast or anything like that. I grew up real, real violent and real aggressive. Not because I wanted to be, but I was molested as a child," Kevin divulged. "So, I had this fear of being vulnerable. I took every kind of martial arts you could take." "I even boxed; I did everything. I wanted to be the toughest person on earth. But writing and making music was always an escape for me," the rapper went on elaborating. "I never had the nuts to come out and say that. This is my first time saying this today." WENN/DC Comics/Adriana M. Barraza Movie The 'When They See Us' star is tapped to star in the HBO Max movie as Barbara Gordon's best friend Alysia Yeoh, the first trans character in a live-action DC film. Jan 25, 2022 AceShowbiz - "Batgirl" is embracing diversity with the new addition to its cast. The movie has tapped transgender actress Ivory Aquino to star alongside Leslie Grace, J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Michael Keaton, Ethan Kai, Jacob Scipio, Rebecca Front and Corey Johnson. Aquino's casting is a historic one since she will portray the first major transgender character in a live-action film adaptation of DC Comics. She is set to portray Alysia Yeoh, the best friend of the titular superhero a.k.a. Barbara Gordon, who is portrayed by "In the Heights" star Grace. Alysia is a roommate of Barbara and primarily works as a bartender. First introduced in a 2011 issue of "Batgirl" written by Gail Simone and penciled by Ardian Syaf, she is depicted as a transgender woman of Singaporean descent. The movie is directed by "Bad Boys for Life" directors Adil Eb Arbi and Bilall Fallah for HBO Max. It centers on Barbara, the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner Jim Gordon, who moonlights as the Gotham City vigilante. Oscar-winning actor Simmons reprises his role as Jim Gordon after appearing as the character in 2017's "Justice League" and Zack Snyder's cut (2021). Fraser is cast as the villain Firefly, while Keaton returns as Bruce Wayne a.k.a. Batman from Tim Burton's 1989 film of the same name and its 1992 follow-up "Batman Returns". Details of other actors' roles are currently unknown. Christina Hodson penned the script while filming is currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland. After a number of set photos leaked online, Grace recently unveiled via Instagram the first official photo of her in full Batgirl costume. She captioned the image with a quote from "Batgirl, Year One" issue. "I use their expectations against them. That will be their weakness. Not mine. Let them all underestimate me," it read. "And when their guard is down, and their pride is rising, let me kick their butts." As for Aquino, she is best known for portraying transgender activist Cecilia Chung in the 2017 miniseries "When We Rise". She has also starred on "When They See Us", "Tales of the City" and "FBI: Most Wanted". Music The new track, which is lifted from Denzel's upcoming album 'Melt My Eyez See Your Future', arrives along with its music video that sees the rapper traveling across a desert. Jan 25, 2022 AceShowbiz - Denzel Curry has double treats for his fans. On the same day he released a new single called "Walkin", the rapper announced that he will embark on a 2022 global tour across the U.S., U.K. and Europe. The 26-year-old unleashed the track along with its music video on Monday, January 24. In the sci-fi and western-themed visuals, the Florida native is seen walking across desert while rapping about a world-weary traveler. "Ain't no stopping in this dirty, filthy, rotten, nasty little world we call our home," he raps. "Ain't no option for my partnas so they resort to scams and robbing/ Take away stress, we ganja coppin/ Blow it all out, it's all forgotten." The cinematic video, which is directed by Adrian Villagomez, sees Denzel being shot by someone during his journey. At the end, he has a confrontation with John Wayne but he manages to win the battle. "Walkin" is lifted from Denzel's upcoming album, "Melt My Eyez See Your Future". Speaking about the record, which will also feature T-Pain and Rico Nasty among others, the "Dynasties and Dystopia" spitter said, "I like traditional hip-hop, I like drum and bass, I like trap, I like poetry." "So a lot of that is going to be interwoven in this album including jazz and a lot of genres that I came up on as a kid and just being in my parents' house," he added. "This album is made up of everything that I couldn't give you on TA13OO or Imperial because I was going through depression anger issues." Just one hour before dropping the track, Denzel announced dates of his 2022 global tour. He will kick off the "Melt My Eyez Tour" on April 1 in Denver. The emcee will make a stop in the Unitled Kingdom on April 29 and continue his European shows until June. The tour ends in Phoenix in July. WENN/Instagram/Brian To Celebrity The 'Reservoir Dogs' actor and his family 'are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief' after his son Hudson Madsen was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Oahu, Hawaii. Jan 25, 2022 AceShowbiz - Michael Madsen is dealing with a great loss. The actor and his family "are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief" after his son Hudson Madsen has passed away from a suspected suicide in Hawaii. He was only 26 years old. Hudson was found dead with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on the island of Oahu, authorities have confirmed. "I can confirm Hudson Lee Madsen, 26, died by a gunshot wound to the head in a suspected suicide on the island of Oahu," a spokeswoman for the Department of the Medical Examiner in Honolulu stated. Authorities would not confirm the time of death. A source told The Sun that Hudson's mother DeAnna Madsen has traveled to Hawaii to deal with the family tragedy. Meanwhile, the Madsen family has released a statement on the tragedy. "We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson," read the statement to The Blast. "His memory and light will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. We ask for privacy and respect during this difficult time. Thank you." Hudson is Michael's third son overall and his first from his marriage to DeAnna. The "Reservoir Dogs" star also shares sons Calvin, 25, and Luke, 16, with "The Price of Air" actress. Hudson is the godson of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who has collaborated with his father on multiple films, including "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill". Michael is also a father to son Christian, 31, and Max, 27, whom he shares with his ex-wife Jeannine Bisignano. The 64-year-old also has a daughter named Jessica. According to his Facebook profile, Hudson lived in Wahiawa, Hawaii with his wife Carlie. He appears to have served in the U.S. Army and posted pictures on his social media taken in Afghanistan. In a new interview, the actress shared\s that the firing of the 'And Just Like That...', who was accused of sexual assault accusations, was a 'delicate situation.' Jan 25, 2022 AceShowbiz - Queen Latifah has broken silence about the firing of Chris Noth from "The Equalizer". In a new interview on Monday, January 24, the actress shared that the firing of Noth, who was accused of sexual assault accusations, was a "delicate situation." "It's still surreal. It is such a dicey, delicate situation that requires a great deal of respect," Latifah told PEOPLE in a video interview on their show. "That's a personal thing that he's going to have to deal with." The 51-year-old actress continued, "We are figuring out what we want to do creatively on the show and how we're going to deal with that character." "Chris' character's obviously a big part of the show and it was amazing chemistry, amazing chemistry. And my feeling is justice has to prevail regardless. I just want the right things to be done, you know?" she added. On "The Equalizer", Latifah played former CIA operative Robyn McCall. Meanwhile, Noth portrayed a former CIA director named William Bishop. CBS announced Noth's firing from the show on December 20, 2021 after multiple women accused the "And Just Like That" actor of sexual assault. In a piece published by The Hollywood Reporter, two women accused him of sexually assaulting them and one even claimed that he raped her. One of the women, who went under the pseudonym Zoe, alleged that Noth raped her in her Los Angeles apartment in 2004. They reportedly first met at a high-profile firm that had ties to celebrities. The other woman, who went under the pseudonym Lily, alleged that Chris sexually assaulted her after he invited her to his New York City apartment in 2015. She claimed they met when she was 25 and working as a server at a nightclub. The actor, however, denied the allegations. He said in a statement, "The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories could've been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago - no always means no - that is a line I did not cross." "It's difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I don't know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women," he added. New year began with an upsurge in COVID19 cases where Mumbai witnessed a significant peak. The fear of Omicron is now driving people into their shells; many are stressed and panicked. Therefore, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai launched a social media campaign called #AllisWellMumbai to pierce this gloom and pep-up the spirit of the city. The campaign aims to assure people that they need not panic, and that the city & its healthcare system is well prepared to serve them with all the required services. It emphasizes on how we must not to let our guards down and follow COVID19 appropriate behavior & protocols. The campaign will effectively use digital platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn to share knowledge and bring people together. Fortis Hospitals Mumbai, through this campaign, aim to tell Mumbaikars that #AllIsWell and that together we can take safe & progressive steps into the future. That Mumbais caregivers are here to help the citizens, and that there should be panic, and all individuals should rather focus on adopting good practices so that we can safely tide over this wave. Speaking on the initiative, Ms Rinku Mavani, Business Partner-Sales, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai, says, "Times are such that we need to focus on keeping our anxiety at bay. At Fortis Hospitals Mumbai, we believe in support our patients within and beyond the hospital. Our caregivers understand the amount of panic that COVID19 has brought in its wake. We want to assure Mumbaikars that we can tackle wave and help them understand that precaution over panic is paramount. Key is to take preventive measures and stay safe at home to protect oneself & others. We are geared up for the third wave and, all is well! #AllisWellMumbai campaign will be delivered through all our social media platforms". The rapid spread and intensity of the new variant has put many at unease. With a strong networked healthcare system, robust telehealth services and adherence to COVID19 SOPs, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai will certainly be a frontrunner in helping the community tide over the panic. Through this campaign, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai also celebrates the resilience of Mumbai city. GroupM, the media investment group of WPP, today announced the appointment of Parthasarathy Mandayam (Maps) as the Chief Strategy Officer GroupM South Asia and Amin Lakhani, who is elevated to the role of Chief Executive Officer Mindshare South Asia, which was earlier led by Maps. Under the leadership of Maps and Amin, Mindshare saw a plethora of new business wins, with Oppo, Zomato, Ferrero, Meesho, Uniqlo, IAC, RedBus, Upstox, Polycab, Great Learning and Preethi, being just a few of those that became part of the family. Mindshare also retained key clients like HUL, The Walt Disney Company, Kelloggs, Home Center, and Max Fashion in this period. GroupM continues to invest in its talent, creating a strong leadership pipeline for the future driving the GroupM transformation journey for clients, partners, and internal teams. With more than 25 years of experience in the advertising & communication industry, Maps has successfully managed multiple leadership roles in Mindshare across Data, Analytics, Strategy, Client Leadership and Business Unit leadership. Starting his career with Mindshare in 2009 as head of the newly created Business Planning function, he went on to lead the North, East, and South offices. Later as the Chief Product Officer, he led specialist teams in driving strategic initiatives and creating bespoke tools that delivered client delight & recognition. He helped create diverse communities and a culture of learning and sharing. He has also been integral to the Mindshare new business powerhouse over the past decade. The role of GroupM Chief Strategy Officer will be to channel data, technology, consumer understanding to chart the growth and transformation agenda. Maps appointment into the new role is part of the strategy that envisions doubling the focus with a significant shift on new-age technologies, products and offerings that require a transformation of both GroupM and client businesses. He will report to Prasanth Kumar, CEO GroupM South Asia. Parthasarathy Mandayam, Chief Strategy Officer South Asia GroupM said, I am extremely grateful to have such an amazing journey at GroupM. I think learning and change have always been a part of my career here. Furthermore, as our offerings become more specialized, we need to ensure synergy and seamless flow of expertise between the various players both internal, WPP and external to get the full benefits of both scale and specialization. As I steer through this journey I will continue to push forward with the growth and transformation agenda to bring in significant synergies between new-age data, technology, consulting, products and offerings for our clients and internal stakeholders. Amin Lakhani Chief Executive Officer South Asia Mindshare said, We want to build on this existing momentum and drive Mindshare Good Growth for our clients. New age data, technology, creativity, research, consulting, and products will play a major role in this journey. Our industry has always witnessed change. Weve been at the centre of it and currently, the world is also witnessing this. Hence as marketers, we need to take charge and lead this journey for our clients and brands. I am excited for this next phase of my journey, and I would like to thank the team for believing in me. Amin has more than 20 years of experience in various roles in Mindshare and GroupM. In his previous role as Chief Operating Officer- Mindshare South Asia, he has been instrumental in driving the best practices and strengthening key client relationships. Earlier in his career as the leader for Mindshare Fulcrum South Asia, he successfully led the integration of the digital business of Unilever in India, leading the team to the most coveted win of a Grand Prix at Cannes. He has extensive cross-functional experience in Media, Marketing- Product Management, leading large teams and has worked with various clients like Pepsi, GSK, ICICI, Castrol, HSBC, BYJUs, Muthoot, Kelloggs amongst others. He plays an active role in industry bodies like BARC and AAAI. Amin will report to Prasanth Kumar, CEO GroupM South Asia and Helen McRae, CEO Mindshare Asia Pacific. Mindshare has left no award frontier unconquered under Maps and Amin with wins across prestigious global forums like Cannes, FOMA, FOMG, ICOM, MMA Smarties & Campaign as well as local platforms like Emvies, Goafest, IDMA, ICMA & Maddies. Helen McRae Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific Mindshare said, Both Maps and Amin are distinguished leaders who have brought energy, skill and leadership, to the Mindshare Group over the past few years in office. They have both led the agency with their invaluable expertise bringing immense value for our clients and internal teams. Mindshares achievements and client success journeys over the last few years narrate the business acumen of both Maps and Amin. I congratulate them both and wish them the very best for their new roles! Prasanth Kumar, Chief Executive Officer South Asia GroupM said, We have witnessed a significant consolidation of existing businesses, with deeper penetration of our new core offerings under their tutelage. Both have been instrumental in strengthening and reinvigorating the agency as it stands today. I have the utmost confidence in their expertise and know that both Maps and Amin will continue to drive innovation and further transformations in their future roles. I wish them the very best! Both Maps and Amin have also helped m/SIX, Neo India, and Neo GDS grow significantly and become significant players within the industry. As India celebrates its 73rd Republic Day, brands and organisations have taken to their social media platforms to celebrate these glorious years and pay a tribute to the nation. From Tata tea desh ki jhanki initiative to Kajaria appreciating the contribution of our warriors, all are celebrating the Rrepublic Day with fervour. BrandWagon Online takes a look at some of the campaigns rolled out by brands: Tata tea On the proud occasion of Indias 73rd Republic Day, TATA Tea Premium, the Desh Ki Chai brings forth its latest Desh Ki Jhanki initiative. It pays ode to the amalgamation of diverse elements that makes India truly unique. Ambuja cement This Republic Day, Ambuja brings to life the inspiring story of Saidpur - a village in UP with an unbroken tradition of almost every house sending a soldier to become the Nations unbreakable wall. The 2-minute long digital film titled #IndiaSalutesSaidpur is set to stirring poetry and visuals that celebrate and salute this village and its remarkable people. Disney + hotstar With the 75th Republic Day right around the corner, theres no better way to remember what our country stands for than by watching classic brave stories that will make your heart fill with patriotic fervour. From Tamil film Thupakki to Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt starrer Bhuj: The Pride of India, here are some of the most noteworthy films that you should watch on Disney+ Hotstar. NFTically NFTically, Indias first global NFT marketplace creator has joined hands with altiusDAO for an upcoming drop featuring NFTs of the legendary Indian sprinter, Milkha Singh. The drop, in association with Polygon Studios, is backed by NFTicallys cutting edge technology and is set to go Live this Republic Day to honor the countrys very own Flying Sikh. Picsart Coinciding with the 2022 Republic Day celebrations, Picsart has launched a series of special features to mark the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Audible.in. Commemorating the declaration of Indias freedom from colonial rule; Indias Republic Day holds significant importance in all our hearts. Channeling the right spirit of zeal and patriotism, lets celebrate this Republic day with Audible.in! LG This RepublicDay LG salutes & supports the sacrifices of our brave veterans of indian Armed Forces. They are contributing 1 Crore to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. This #RepublicDay, #LG salutes & supports the sacrifices of our brave veterans of #IndianArmedForces. We are contributing 1 Crore #ArmedForcesFlagDay Fund. We request you come forward & contribute. Log in to https://t.co/Rjo4op6EZO. #KarSalaam pic.twitter.com/UWncqVB6aC LG India (@LGIndia) January 22, 2022 kajaria ceramics This Republic Day, as we celebrate the contribution of our warriors, Kajaria is here to pay homage to all the Desh Ke Param Veer who showed immense strength and valour during such difficult times. This Republic Day, as we celebrate the contribution of our warriors, Kajaria is here to pay homage to all the #DeshKeParamVeer who showed immense strength and valour during such difficult times.#Republic #RepublicDay #Republic2022 #India #Constitution #Kajaria #KajariaTiles pic.twitter.com/AZIhmOxB5D Kajaria Ceramics (@KajariaCeramic) January 21, 2022 Finserv MARKETS Finserv MARKETS Republic Day video has a strong underlying social message of how people of our nation showcased solidarity during the challenging phase of this pandemic and continue to fight together to keep the nation going and keep building on. It is the real essence of being a Republic today. This indeed is what makes Bharat - Of the People, By the People and For the People. CRED This Republic Day, shop from the best of Indian D2C brands as the CRED store brings a curated range of products to celebrate the rise of homegrown names. The Republic of CRED sale, starting today (26th January) to February 2, will have premium Indian D2C brands offering up to 80% discounts on electronics and upto 70% on food & beverages, beauty and personal care, apparel & accessories and more. This is not all - members can look forward to special rewards, jackpots and many exciting deals. Your next dopamine hit. Live on CRED store. pic.twitter.com/t9vG6QWhij CRED (@CRED_club) January 26, 2022 Godrej Godrej Group features frontline workers such as a doctor, nurse, police official, delivery executive, home visit technician (Phlebotomist), security guard, ambulance driver, milkman, municipal body and NGO executives. The film also features individuals who took up unique initiatives for well-being of citizens as we dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. Coinswitch CoinSwitch published a topical brand film on the occasion of republic day In the last 10 years, PR has taken a different dimension, especially after the entry of social media and the rapid shift to digital, especially in the pandemic period. At the same time the industry has been facing stiff challenges, moreover client expectations have also increased, with more emphasis being given to digital and online reputation management. The industry has undergone a radical shift and the current times have pushed the industry to change gears. In conversation with Adgully, Magline Rufina F R, Director Communications, Boehringer Ingelheim India, speaks about how pharma communication has evolved over the years and what changes the pandemic period has brought about in this field. The pandemic has disrupted every industry. What are some of the challenges the pharma industry had to face and how did you engage and communicate with your key stakeholders? Over the past two years, peoples appetite to learn about various elements of healthcare spanning correlation between medical conditions, role of specialised care and availability of infrastructure in their neighbourhood, etc. has increased multi-fold. As people continue to remain eager for information, it has become imperative to consistently provide credible and expert content around various diseases. Thereby, consistent communication has emerged key to assuaging anxieties and enabling access to reliable and useable information. Consistent engagement and personal interactions could best describe communication with healthcare experts. With enabling engagement on a digital ecosystem becoming a necessity, we at Boehringer Ingelheim, focused on developing content sources, digital competencies across teams and a channel infrastructure that was tailored to reach our various audiences. PR has a major role to play in the pharma sector. Associations like OPPI are making every effort to educate doctors and end consumers on various diseases. What has been the role of Boehringer Ingelheim India when it comes to PR especially in the case of noncommunicable diseases? Boehringer Ingelheim India has been working towards bringing value to patients in India, through its innovative therapy solutions and quality information on various non-communicable diseases, in close collaboration with experts. PR has been an integral part of our focus on patient value. Our strategy has been to engage with our audiences through consistent, comprehensive, easily accessible, audience-friendly and geographically relevant information programmes. We have made significant strides in enabling such a programme in the therapy areas of brain stroke, heart failure and diabetes with a 360-degree approach encompassing mass media, public relations, advocacy, and virtual events. One of our significant wins in this space has been a stroke awareness initiative that achieved a Guinness World Records title for most pledges received for a stroke awareness campaign in one week. Our consistent messaging on stroke care through a mix of media that included multiple digital media touchpoints, radio and television helped us build familiarity and understanding around brain stroke identification and care. We look forward to replicating some of the learnings from such a programme in other focus therapy areas in the coming years. Training and drawing strategy for each quarter with your field force is partially hampered. How are you engaged with your field force and how do you help them on the communication strategy every quarter? With COVID-19 disrupting daily operations, we soon realised the potential of digital channels to engage with doctors and people in innovative ways. Our teams were equipped with knowledge to leverage technology and utilise new channels like webinars and social networks to create a more personalised experience. We continue to work with our field force to understand what works well and develop future communication strategies accordingly. Digital has made a major dent in every other industry. How have you adapted to the digital transformation and what are some of the innovations you introduced to stay engaged with your stakeholders? As with other industrial sectors, the pharmaceutical industry has considerably progressed in its ability to engage with its relevant audiences virtually over the past years. We leveraged similar tools to engage with our stakeholders such as virtual ad-boards, podcasts, webcasts, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and social networks to understand preferences of the healthcare professionals community, understand patient needs and offer an improved and personalised experience. We foresee that such virtual engagements will continue to be an essential aspect of the new normal. These engagements help us offer improved access to global experts and knowledge on medical advancements to our network of HCPs in India. The digital medium is growing as a platform for credible information, personalised experiences, improved awareness, and innovative healthcare solutions, resulting in a pool of well-informed patients and better-connected healthcare experts. Thought leaders play a very pivotal role in the pharma industry. How are you leveraging your various KOL to engage with multiple stakeholders and sending the right messages across the industry? Thought leaders are an essential component of pharma communication as audiences seek information and guidance from experts. Commonly referred to as Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), healthcare thought leaders also provide a valuable source of insights on needs of consumers, drug development, effective marketing or regulatory requirements. Additionally, they are role models for their community on various aspects of therapy and service. We have been working with such experts across key therapy areas to create much needed awareness around diseases such as brain stroke, heart failure and diabetes. Through our engagements, we have witnessed a few key trends emerge need for short format packages of usable information, digital patient-doctor interfaces to support consultations, interactive knowledge platforms and significantly increased messaging on NCDs like diabetes, cardio-vascular conditions and neurological diseases. Boehringer Ingelheim is a global pharma giant. What are the best practices that you draw from your international counterparts and follow in India more on the communication strategy and customer engagement front? As a global pharma company, we have always endeavoured to be at the forefront of research and innovation. This also reflects in our communication strategy as we engage with our stakeholders through new ways to facilitate access to therapies and information around disease areas. We have engaged in the production of information programmes that are comprehensive, audience-friendly and region-specific. For instance, our information programmes around stroke included a 360-degree approach covering mass media, public relations, advocacy as well as virtual events. With lifestyles and health needs changing during the pandemic months, we realised that there was a unique opportunity to raise awareness around various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes, heart failure and brain stroke as there was a noticeable increase in peoples interest in health. Additionally, consumers are increasingly engaging in healthy behaviour to prevent diseases. Our objective is to eventually progress from awareness to engagement, wherein people are equipped with information to be able to engage with their doctors in a meaningful manner and to minimise the economic burden of healthcare to the country and their families. Bangaliana laid the foundation of modern India. The very essence of the Bengali identity was at the helm of Indian progress. Bengalis have surpassed all other communities and races in terms of leadership, power, strong determination, grit, firmness, never-say-die attitude, exemplary visions. It has let the community set apart from the rest with respect to their acceptance towards newness, faced undaunted challenges and strove with unfledged knowledge for beckoning success. TV9 Banglas Bangaliana initiative aims to hold the platform to discuss challenges, soul- search for solutions while celebrating the achievements of Bengalis across the globe. Towards the revival of Bangaliana, the news channel broadly sets to mobilize and sensitize some 10 Crores Bengalis in the quest for their glory and to deliberate the present for charting the future roadmap. Gopal Krishna Gokhale boasts of even saying today, What Bengal Thinks Today, India Thinks Tomorrow. Taking this thought forward, the sentiments of Bengalis has made the race recalls the history of achievements that goes back centuries before the modern age. But have those days of glory long been relegated to idle nostalgia? Individual stars continue to shine but have Bengalis failed to be a race of the leaders? Has the time for some candid deliberations arrived to lead Bengalis somewhere and provide a platform for framing the future? Is it the time for Bengalis to take stock of the current realities and take the lead once again to bring the Bengali identity? These thoughts instigate Bengalis to contemplate soul-search and go about reclaiming the narrative, disregarding the stated political, cultural, and ideological positions. As TV9 Bangla extends its arms to bring Bengalis together to celebrate Bengaliness, it unfolds the event into five key aspects: Laced with different programs, Bangaliana Manifesto has beenlaunched on 14th January, the channels first year anniversary, unveiling Bangaliana logo with music theme, followed by the launch of Bangaliana Manifesto, views on Bangaliana from various members of the Bangaliana Advisory Committee, and the most awaited speech from the TV9 Networks CEO Sri. Barun Das. Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research Dubendorf, St. Gallen und Thun, 25.01.2022 - In a large-scale fundraising campaign, popular YouTubers like Mister Beast and Mark Rober are currently trying to rid the oceans of almost 14,000 tonnes of plastic waste. That's about 0.15 per cent of the amount that ends up in the oceans every year. But it's not just our waters that are full of plastic. A new study shows that the spread of nanoplastic through the air is a more widespread problem than previously thought. In a new study, Empa researcher Dominik Brunner, together with colleagues from Utrecht University and the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geophysics, is investigating how much plastic is trickling down on us from the atmosphere. According to the study, some nanoplastics travel over 2000 kilometers through the air. According to the figures from the measurements about 43 trillion miniature plastic particles land in Switzerland every year. Researchers still disagree on the exact number. But according to estimates from the study, it could be as much as 3,000 tonnes of nanoplastics that cover Switzerland every year, from the remote Alps to the urban lowlands. These estimates are very high compared to other studies, and more research is needed to verify these numbers The study is uncharted scientific territory because the spread of nanoplastics through the air is still largely unexplored. The result of Brunner's research is the most accurate record of air pollution by nanoplastics ever made. To count the plastic particles, Brunner and his colleagues have developed a chemical method that determines the contamination of the samples with a mass spectrometer. -------------Extreme conditions----------------- The scientists studied a small area at an altitude of 3106 meters at the top of the mountain "Hoher Sonnenblick" in the "Hohe Tauern" National Park in Austria. An observatory of the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics has been located here since 1886. The observatory is run by meteorologist and Arctic researcher Elke Ludewig. Since research began here in the late 19th century, the observatory has only been non-operational on four days. The research station also served as a base for the study on the spread of nanoplastics in remote areas. Every day, and in all weather conditions, scientists removed a part of the top layer of snow around a marker at 8 AM and carefully stored it. Contamination of the samples by nanoplastics in the air or on the scientists' clothes was a particular challenge. In the laboratory, the researchers sometimes had to remain motionless when a colleague handled an open sample. The origin of the tiny particles was traced with the help of European wind and weather data. The researchers could show that the greatest emission of nanoplastics into the atmosphere occurs in densely populated, urban areas. About 30% of the nanoplastic particles measured on the mountain top originate from a radius of 200 kilometers, mainly from cities. However, plastics from the world's oceans apparently also get into the air via the spray of the waves. Around 10% of the particles measured in the study were blown onto the mountain by wind and weather over 2000 kilometers some of them from the Atlantic. ----------Nanoparticles in the bloodstream---------- It is estimated that more than 8300 million tonnes of plastic have been produced worldwide to date, about 60% of which is now waste. This waste erodes through weathering effects and mechanical abrasion from macro- to micro- and nanoparticles. But discarded plastic is far from the only source. Everyday use of plastic products such as packaging and clothing releases nanoplastics. Particles in this size range are so light that their movement in the air can best be compared to gases. Besides plastics, there are all kinds of other tiny particles. From Sahara sand to brake pads, the world is buzzing through the air as abrasion. It is as yet unclear whether this kind of air pollution poses a potential health threat to humans. Nanoparticles, unlike microparticles, do not just end up in the stomach. They are sucked deep into the lungs through respiration, where their size may allow them to cross the cell-blood barrier and enter the human bloodstream. Whether this is harmful or even dangerous, however, remains to be researched. Address for enquiries Prof. Dr. Dominik Brunner Air Pollution / Environmental Technology Phone +41 58 765 4944 dominik.brunner@empa.ch Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack Technology and Society Phone +41 58 765 7692 bernd.nowack@empa.ch Publisher Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research http://www.empa.ch Operational flight testing of the first 14 of 50 Apache AH-64E attack helicopters has been started at Wattisham Flying Station in the UK by the British Army. The AH-64E is the sixth version of the helicopters and will replace the Apache Mk.1, which has been used by the Briths Army since 2001. The remaining 36 AH-64Es are expected to be delivered by the summer 2024 and the first of this initial batch currently being tested are expected to enter service early next year. ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> The replacement of the MK1 with the AH-64E built by Boeing and already in service with the US Army was announced in 2016 as part of a US$2.3 billion deal. The Boeing-built AH-64E features a new drivetrain and rotor blades to improve performance, improved sights and sensors, modern communications systems to share data with other helicopters, uncrewed aircraft systems and ground forces, and embedded maintenance diagnostic systems to increase aircraft availability. 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, part of 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team will be the first unit to field the AH-64E, with engineers and aircrew going on training courses in the USA to prepare themselves to operate the helicopter. Engineering checks and flight testing is being conducted by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Avionics supervisor Corporal Luke Salvatore leads a team of REME soldiers maintaining the Apaches radar, navigation, communication, and sighting systems. He said, To get ready for the E model weve gone out to the United States to do a four-week training package to learn about the aircraft and its systems. I find working on the Apache is very motivating as an engineer Im working with a really knowledgeable and well-trained team on cutting-edge technology. Warrant Officer Class 2 O, an experienced pilot who is his squadrons flying instructor said, Im very excited about flying the AH-64E. It is more agile, faster, more powerful and it is going to allow us to support ground forces and other air assets much better. The interoperability of this Apache is vastly improved. We have better communications systems, better sensors, the fire control radar has been enhanced, weve got lots more radios and Link 16, which allows us to share data quicker and with higher fidelity to ground forces, manned or unmanned aircraft. A 20-year agreement has been signed with Boeing Defence UK to maintain and support the new fleet. The new Boeing contract will cover aircraft design organisation services, maintenance, logistics support, plus pilot, maintainer and groundcrew training. Boeing already has more than 40 employees working alongside the Army Air Corps providing training for the Mk1 Apache at the Attack Helicopter Training School at Middle Wallop in the UK. The British Army has been using the Apache since 2005, with the attack helicopters used in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. You are the owner of this article. Why is it, that after a lifetime of simply adding a few amendments here and there when my garden plants look a little off, Im now turning to science? I must be panicking! The pending phaseout of the 3G cellular network will cost users of older cellphones the ability to make phone calls. It also will end the ability to transmit data on older tablets and some home security systems and medical alert devices. One helpful thing about our liberal friends is that they always signal to us who their enemies are. January 6 rioters? They are armed insurrectionists. Parents opposed to Critical Race Theory in schools? They are domestic terrorists and the FBI will know the reason why. Climate change skeptics? They are climate deniers, as in Holocaust deniers. Opponents of DEI? They are white oppressors and systemic racists. But when Vladimir Putin threatens the sanctity of Ukraine, President Biden blathers on about a minor incursion. So, not really an enemy. Now, all of a sudden, the usual suspects are accusing White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain of extremism. For months, moderate Democrats in Congress have complained that Klain is overly deferential to their liberal colleagues, to the point where some members and Hill staff privately said he needed to be replaced. They have? Well, bless my buttons. How come our fearless comfort the afflicted, afflict the comfortable media didnt tell us months ago? Moderate Democrats have been complaining for months? Now, all of a sudden, the Chuck n Nancy tactics of burn-it-down is old news? Now, all of a sudden, the enemy is Ron Klain? You think now, dear moderate Democrats, that treating Americans that dont agree with you as enemies is not the best of all possible worlds? Gosh. Forgive me if Ive been sitting in a political bomb shelter for the last year, but this is the first Ive heard that you moderates aint happy with your leadership and its take-no-prisoners tactics. And forgive me for saying that the time to make your voices heard in the councils of state was a year ago. Because now the die is cast, and probably after November 8, 2022, there wont be too many moderate Democrats left in Congress. For a generation. Now, I have had something of a Road to Damascus experience this year on the enemies front. I read Nazi Carl Schmitts The Concept of the Political where he says that the political is the friend/enemy distinction. Or, as Curtis Yarvin writes, there is no politics without an enemy. But then, I thought, if I write about enemies this week, will I be repeating myself? So I checked. I wrote about Everyone in Politics Needs an Enemy at AT in January 2020. Said I: Of course, our lefty friends, ever since Marx, have lived and died on the existential enemy: capitalists, bourgeois, robber barons, patriarchy, racists, all past, present and future -phobes, and now white supremacists and toxic masculinity. Oh, and Trump. Back in June 2013, I wrote The Enemy is Us. The only real job for a government is to make war on enemies, foreign and domestic, but liberals don't want to make war on foreign enemies, and they don't want to enforce the law on domestic enemies, the common criminals So liberals look around them for something to fight, and the first thing they see is corporations, conservatives, gun owners, Chick Fil-A. Because there is no politics without an enemy. Frankly, I was shocked. Even without the help of Nazi Carl Schmitt and neo-monarchist Curtis Yarvin, I had the politics-equals-enemy thing pretty well sewn up. Now, I dont know if youve noticed, but when I talk about liberals and lefties I always say our liberal friends or our lefty friends. I went to my blog archives and the first time I used liberal friends was in 2005. The first time I used lefty friends was in 2006. Do you see what I am doing? I am addressing liberal and lefty Americans not as enemies but as friends. I dare say that all the wokey girls at the New York Times would all agree that such talk is straight-up systemic hate-ism. Because what else would they say, the silly girls. Hey, dear liberal and lefty friends and all the ships at sea. How about you stop calling your political opponents armed insurrectionists, domestic terrorists, not to mention racist-sexist-homophobes and hard-right white supremacists? How about instead you call us conservative friends and Republican friends and righty friends? Because the problem with enemies, as the Nazi Carl Schmitt pointed out, is that when you talk of the enemy, then there is the possibility of conflict, and even physical killing. Now I would say that the lesson of the Year of George in 2020, when killings went up, particularly black-on-black killings, is that when you amp up the political you amp up the possibility of conflict, and even physical killing. Fortunately for you, dear liberal friends, there is no experts agree on this. They wouldnt dare. So how about it, dear liberal friends? Imagine theres no enemies It isnt hard to do. Start writing about our racist friends and our sexist friends and our homophobic friends. Maybe it will change your life. And ours. Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class. Image: Flood G. The devastation wreaked by the Covid-19 virus on human life and the world economy especially the way it made doomsday scenarios of contagion all too real has made ordinary people anxious to know its origin. Shockingly, there is enough evidence and reason to suspect that the pandemic might have been the result of a vaccine arms race that skirted dangerously close to bioweapons development. And that a leak from a lab in Wuhan, China inadvertent or, well, by design may have been responsible for the pandemic. The behind-the-scenes players were the U.S. government, Big Pharma, and China which in essence means the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Wuhan Institute of Virology (Photo credit: Ureem2805 CC BY-SA 4.0 license) This is no fuzzy conspiracy theory. But it's a complex story and calls for careful unraveling. Conservative political commentator Glenn Beck does that in a stunning chalkboard expose his signature methodology for connecting the dots on important issues of the day. Crimes or Cover-Up? Exposing the Worlds Most Dangerous Lie, a two-hour production, has Beck unfolding the map and the timeline in three parts: 1) The Vaccine Arms Race, 2) The Pandemic Begins, and 3) Censorship and Cover-Up. (Supporting documents are available here.) There are four key dramatis personae: Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the U.S. President; Dr. Ralph Baric, epidemiologist and expert on coronaviruses at the University of North Carolina; Dr. Peter Daszak, a zoologist whose EcoHealth Alliance channeled over $3 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the epicenter of the outbreak; and Dr. Zhengli Shi, a Chinese virologist at the Wuhan institute who was collaborating with Dr. Daszak. Over 83,000 pages of emails from Dr. Baric, obtained by the U.S. Right to Know Organization, and over 3,000 pages of Dr. Faucis emails (including those to and from Dr. Daszak), accessed by media under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), provide evidence to suspect risky, unethical behavior, if not outright wrongdoing, and a hasty, hermetic cover-up. To this hefty sheaf, Beck adds more documents and federal contracts that fill out the picture. This article, Part 1 of the story, focuses on the first section of Becks chalkboard expose. The Vaccine Arms Race According to Beck, the story begins in 2002, with a SARS outbreak in China that became a worldwide health threat. The death toll was over 8,000 people in 26 countries. To the CCP it represented the most severe sociopolitical crisis since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. China suffered great damage to its international image, so the CCP withheld information from the public and the rest of the world. It took little action to check this epidemic of a serious respiratory illness caused by one of a subfamily of RNA viruses known as coronaviruses. At the time, scientists first pondered the ominous possibility that coronaviruses may cause widespread health crises in the future. Becks anodyne perspective, giving the benefit of a wide berth of doubt to most researchers and others, is that, at least at the time of incipient developments, they believed they were making a principled effort to understand coronaviruses and develop vaccines against them. In 2005, three years after the SARS outbreak, Dr. Baric published a paper at the NIH website on his research on SARS coronavirus causes and mortality in laboratory-bred mice. With funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), NIH, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), he was searching for bats with coronavirus to determine if mice could be infected with bat fecal matter. He was able to produce a lethal mouse-adapted coronavirus named MA15. The paper says this was achieved by a process called serial passage. At this stage, there was no genetic engineering involved. Remember, the motive was to ultimately get a coronavirus that could target humans and then develop a vaccine. In the same year, at the Wuhan institute, Dr. Shi began collaborating with Dr. Daszak, a zoologist and president of the EcoHealth Alliance, an NGO that supports programs on global health and pandemic prevention. She was helping Dr. Daszak find coronavirus-infected bat droppings. In 2006, an intriguing development took place. The U.S. government passed the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2006. An unusual combination of subjects, to say the least. Suspiciously hidden in the Act was the Rule of Construction Concerning National Vaccine Injury and Compensation Program, granting liability waivers to vaccine companies working on Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) inoculations. As Beck explains, the government pushed through this protection for Big Pharma under the cover of hurricane appropriations legislation. Did this event happening when the vaccine arms race was just beginning mark the beginning of a public-private partnership with Big Pharma? Thats a question directly linked to the billions of dollars in profit that Big Pharma has earned during the pandemic, drawing much on public-funded research carried out in federal institutions by scientists paid from the exchequer. The public-private partnership that emerged during the pandemic comprised the NIH, Moderna, Pfizer, Dr. Daszaks EcoHealth Alliance, and the Wellcome Trust, headed by Sir Jeremy Farrar, a medical researcher. To return to the hunt for the virus, in 2013, Dr. Shi had located a remote cave in Yunnan, China, with samples of SARS-like coronaviruses, two previously unknown WIV1 and SHCO14. The exact location of the cave is not mentioned. She said she was able to culture WIV1 but not SHCO14 with the technology she had available in her lab. So Baric requested that she send him the genetic material. At his lab, Baric was able to take the spike protein from SHCO14 and move it into the SARS virus he had already produced to see if it could be passed from bats or mice to humans. Since SARS-like viruses were perceived as a huge future threat, the idea was to engineer them to infect humans and then develop a broad-spectrum vaccine. This time, Dr. Baric used humanized mice to see if he could achieve success with whats known as gain of function, or GoF, methodology. Different from serial passage, it involves altering viruses to infect species they wouldnt normally infect so that the virus and its effects could be studied under lab conditions or to develop vaccines. While its a standard methodology, there are risks: a) of the virus inadvertently escaping from the lab; and b) the use of the virus for developing bioweapons. So, such experiments are supposed to be done under high biosafety levels (BSL-3, at least). In 2014, determining that the research was too risky, the U.S. government halted selected funding of GoF research for SARS viruses. But it gave Dr. Baric a waiver. Funding continued to Dr. Daszak at the EcoHealth Alliance, who diverted the money to Dr. Shi in Wuhan. In 2015, Dr. Baric, who was able to produce transgenic or humanized mice, published A SARS-like cluster of circulating coronaviruses show potential for human emergence in Nature, announcing the transmissibility of a coronavirus that can be spread to humans and efficiently infect human airway cells. Dr. Shi was listed as a co-author. (In March 2020, Nature added an editorial note to the paper, saying the paper was being used in support of unverified theories that the pandemic was caused by an engineered virus and that there was no evidence this was true. But in the nearly two years since then, much has changed.) Even in 2015, many virologists, who were unaware that the work was being done in concert with Communist China, responded with alarm, and Nature published their fears too. A virus that grows remarkably well in human cells is extremely dangerous, after all. If the virus escaped, nobody could predict the trajectory, warned Dr. Simon Wain-Hobson of the Pasteur Institute, Paris. And Dr. Richard Ebright, a molecular biologist and biodefense expert at Rutgers University, cautioned, The only impact of this work is the creation, in a lab, of a new, non-natural risk. Dr. Baric responded that further studies with the virus would be on non-human primates, to extrapolate data relevant to humans. And Dr. Daszak argued that the research would help identify which pathogens should be prioritized for further research attention. It was only the next year that Dr. Baric issued a correction to the paper saying part of his funding came from the U.S. government via Dr. Daszaks outfit and went to Dr. Shi at the Wuhan lab. In 2017, Dr. Shi published a paper, with Dr. Baric as co-author, on the evolutionary origin of SARS-CoV and the risk of future emergence of SARS-like diseases. Essentially, it speaks of a rich pool of SARS-CoV viruses transmissible to humans all found from multiple species of bats from a cave in Yunnan province over a period of five years. In retrospect, the fulsome tone in which Nature described the cave hunt and the almost miraculous solving of the mystery gives weight to the suspicion of this being a red herring despite the questions the reputed journal did raise. 2017 was also the year in which Dr. Fauci removed the funding pause on GoF research. According to Becks copious research, in 2018, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an elite defense research group, rejected an EcoHealth Alliance proposal, named Project DEFUSE, seeking funds for collaborative studies with the CCP to inject bat coronavirus into humanized mice for developing vaccines. This GoF research was deemed too risky. On January 11, Project Veritas, a non-profit that exposes corruption, obtained and released a leaked memorandum confirming the Project DEFUSE rejection. The memo was written by U.S. Marine Major Joseph Murphy, who was working at DARPA at the time. What had happened was that research deemed a security and biohazard risk by the Department of Defense had been cleared for funding by Dr. Fauci. Major Murphy concludes that Covid-19 is an American-created recombinant bat vaccine or its precursor virus, presumably released in a lab in August 2019. It circulated and mutated in the Chinese population and reached epidemic status in November or December. Later, it spread across the world. So, what we are left pondering at the end of Part 1 of Becks coronavirus story is whether it was the pursuit of a profitable vaccine or the witting or unwitting development of a bioweapon. Independent of Becks work, too, one thing is clear, as a post-pandemic paper by Rosanna Segreta and Yuri Deigin says: the artificial origin of the Covid virus is no baseless conspiracy theory, and the pandemic can plausibly be linked to a lab leak. American conservatives have lost their respect for the integrity and professionalism of the FBI, and for good reason. In recent years its executives and top agents have demonstrated an arrogant confidence that they are above the law and will never suffer the consequences for misconduct. James Comey, FBI director 2013-17, published a memoir, A Higher Loyalty, in which he discussed how he handled the investigations of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump; but when testifying before Congress about the cases he couldnt recall or remember a fact 79 times and that he didnt know the answer 166 times. He needed to evade questioning for many reasons. One was because he signed false declarations to the FISA Court to obtain secret warrants to spy on the Trump campaign. FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe was fired in 2018 from the FBI because he repeatedly lied to investigators about his leaks to the Wall Street Journal of sensitive information about the Clinton Foundation investigation. In October 2021, the Biden Justice Department agreed to give him back his pension, expunge the record of his firing and pay over $500,000 in attorneys fees. FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith was convicted in August 2020 of lying to the FISA Court in order to obtain a warrant to spy on the Trump 2016 campaign when he falsely denied that Carter Page was a source for the CIA. For this felony, he was sentenced to probation and community service. In June 2021, we learned that the District of Columbia was restoring his license to practice law in August. At a recent Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz put the FBI Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch, Jill Sandborn, on the spot when he cross-examined her on how many FBI informants, agents, and assets participated in the January 6, 2021 riots on Capitol Hill. She refused to answer question after question, claiming that she could not disclose specifics of sources and methods. She even refused to answer the question, Did any FBI agents or confidential informants commit crimes of violence on January 6th? Senator Cruz had every reason to ask those questions after the news hit that about half of the participants in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were FBI informants. They reportedly pushed the kidnapping plot while the FBI provided funding for it. The FBI agent in charge of the investigation was promoted to the Washington, D.C. field office, perhaps just in time to supervise a similar operation on January 6th. Defense lawyers have asked the federal judge presiding over the case in Michigan to order the Justice Department to provide use immunity to FBI agents and informants they want to cross-examine at trial. FBI misconduct in political cases against Republicans goes back at least five years to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, when the FBI accused then-candidate Donald Trump of colluding with the Russians to steal the 2016 election. The FBI used the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to grab electronic communications of the top people in the Trump campaign and later the Trump administration. There is now a controversy as to whether Crossfire Hurricane was started because of the now-infamous Steele Dossier from former MI6 agent Christopher Steele. It alleged ties between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. In December 2019, DoJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz reported to Congress that he concluded that the Steele Dossier played no role in the Crossfire Hurricane opening, although the FBI did make some use of it. Special Counsel John Durham, who is investigating Crossfire Hurricane , announced that his office had advised the Inspector General that we do not agree with some of the reports conclusions as to predication and how the FBI case was opened. The news media has been peddling the story for years that Steeles allegations did not reach the Crossfire Hurricane team until Sept. 19, 2016. That was over a month and a half after the official opening of Crossfire Hurricane on July 31, 2016. I disagree and believe that even the choice of the name Crossfire Hurricane was an instance of FBI arrogance. Peter Strzok, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Counterintelligence Division and in charge of Crossfire Hurricane, was so arrogant that he named the investigation in honor of his favorite British spy, Christopher Steele. The media brushed off the name as a borrowing from the opening line of the Rolling Stones hit Jumpin Jack Flash (1968): I was born in a crossfire hurricane. But I believe that it is more likely that Strzoks inspiration was not the song. It was the 1986 movie Jumpin Jack Flash about a British spy (Jack) and Terry Doolittle (played by Whoopi Goldberg) who ends up saving his life when he is on the run in Eastern Europe after his exit plan was blown. Terry is a computer geek working at a New York bank handling coded messages over the banks network. (This is pre-Internet.) For fun, she chats over that network with people around the world. By chance, she gets a coded message from Jack who has lost the contacts he needs to exfiltrate and is looking for help on the other side of the Iron Curtain. The key to the code hes using is in the song Jumpin Jack Flash. Peter Strzok decided to be cute in coming up with the code-name for an operation that started because of a message (the Steele Dossier) from a (former) British spy. Christopher Steeles career as a covert agent for MI6 in Russia ended abruptly in 1999 when his cover was blown. Although he stayed with MI6 until 2009, he could not go back to Russia. It took a lot of chutzpah to make a joke out of the name of the investigation. Unfortunately, it was a bad joke for this country, because Crossfire Hurricane was part of an effort to undermine, if not drive from office, an American President. One can only hope that the Special Counsel John Durham will catch up with the jokers at the FBI -- the sooner, the better. Image: FBI The Olympics, which are all dedicated to peace, human dignity, and brotherhood, have a pretty creepy sponsor now that the host is Beijing. According to the Washington Free Beacon: A Chinese company sanctioned by the United States for helping the government surveil Uyghurs is a major sponsor of the upcoming Beijing Olympics. iFlytek is the exclusive supplier of automated translation software for the upcoming Winter Olympics. The Chinese government uses the companys technology to surveil Chinese Uyghurs and other persecuted groups. The Commerce Department sanctioned iFlytek along with other Chinese artificial intelligence firms in 2019 for their role in "human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of Chinas campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, and high-technology surveillance." Sen. Jim Risch (R., Idaho), the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called iFlyteks involvement in the Olympics "truly shameful." "The International Olympic Committee, which claims to recognize and uphold human rights,' is allowing a Chinese state-sponsored company that aids the Chinese government's atrocious human rights abuses against the Uyghurs to sponsor the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee," Risch told the Washington Free Beacon. "This just goes to show that the IOC values profit and its relationship with Beijing over all else." That so-called artificial intelligence firm, which translates languages, is neck-deep in China's surveillance of ethnic Uighurs, the Turkic people in China's northwest, millions of whom have been systematically forced into labor camps in order to wring any vestige of non-communist culture out of them. This company's "products" provide China's "Lives of Others" surveillance apparatchiks the means to know what individual Uighurs may be saying or writing in private, the better to abuse and imprison those who do not conform mindlessly to China's communist party line. It's as Big Brother as such things get. Anne Applebaum, who has a good November 2021 Atlantic article (spoiled in one part by an ignorant anti-Trump diatribe), describes what China is inflicting on the Uighurs: If the stories told by the young dissidents in Vilnius make you angry, the stories told by the Uyghurs of Istanbul will haunt your dreams. A few months ago, in a hot, airless apartment over a dress shop, I met Kalbinur Tursun. She was dressed in a dark-green gown with ruffled sleeves. Her face, framed by a tightly drawn headscarf, resembled that of a saint in a medieval triptych. Her small daughter, in Mickey Mouse leggings, played with an electronic tablet while we spoke. Tursun is a Uyghur, a member of Chinas predominantly Muslim Chinese minority, born in the territory that the Chinese call Xinjiang and that many Uyghurs know as East Turkestan. Tursun had six childrentoo many in a country where there are strict rules limiting births. Also, she wanted to raise them as Muslims; that, too, was a problem in China. When she became pregnant again, she feared being harassed by police, as women with more than two children often are. She and her husband decided to move to Turkey. They got passports for themselves and for their youngest child, but were told the other passports would take longer. Because of her pregnancy, the three of them came to Istanbul anyway; after she and her daughter were settled, her husband returned for the rest of the family. Then he disappeared. That was five years ago. Tursun has not spoken with her husband since. In July 2017, she spoke with her sister, who promised to take care of her remaining children. Then they lost contact. A year after that, Tursun came across a video being passed around on WhatsApp. Shot at what appeared to be a Chinese orphanage, it showed Uyghur children, heads shaved and all dressed alike, learning to speak Chinese. One of the children was her daughter Ayshe. What a nightmare, and this wasn't something that happened 60 years ago. It's happening now, thanks in part to technology turned to evil uses by the Chinese communist state. The Atlantic has another creepy account of what China is doing to the Uighurs, here. Now the company has become a sponsor and showpiece for the Beijing Olympics, to be featured as a great example of China's progress, but also to be deployed in the Olympic Village, the better to spy on the athletes of many nationalities, to make sure none is saying anything negative about the old gray men of Beijing, and quite likely to gather intelligence on athlete tactics and approaches, the better to help the Chinese team, which, I am sure, will do "excellently." The third thing they are likely to do is "data-mine," the better to gather material with which to improve their "product." The voices of athletes being surveilled may well become artificial intelligence tools for future operations. The whole thing is reason to stay away from the Beijing Olympics, which will be coming up soon. If the Chicoms can't hold a decent Olympics without a Big Brother surveillance apparatus as a flagship sponsor, why should anyone expect a fair participation field, or basic privacy of one's thoughts as an athlete or supporting person, in perfect safety from government goons? China should be held up as an object of scorn for this Big Brother sponsor, but they keep getting away with this sort of thing and lowering the bar again and again as to what's acceptable. Perhaps there will be no danger to television watchers from this sponsor, but to hold this company up as a good guy company in a public relations bonanza is disgusting. Meanwhile, the potential for trouble on the ground from this company's devices is pretty significant. So much for the Olympic spirit. Image: Logo via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. It's hard to go a day without hearing the name of the supposed COVID health expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Now comes the latest in a long line of insults to the American people. Fauci could receive a record retirement package, the largest in U.S. government history, a reward for his unfailing incompetence during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Forbes auditors, he stands to make more than $350,000 per year. This "golden parachute" will increase each year based on the cost of living adjustments. Already, Fauci made more than $434,000 in 2021. Michael Letts, a police officer and founder of InVest USA, quipped that Fauci's paycheck is robbery without a gun. He added that Fauci's services are far less beneficial to society than the work of ten police officers, whose combined pay in some municipalities equals Fauci's pay package. Regardless of his retirement package, Fauci is breaking records. As a U.S. government employee of 55 years, Fauci's tenure plays a significant role in his retirement package. His current salary is also sky-high, making him the highest-paid federal employee for the second year in a row. Yes, you read that right Dr. Fauci makes more than the president himself. Nowhere else but in the U.S. government could you be rewarded and even idolized for complete ineptitude, but here we are. Plus, Fauci is likely making a mint in additional booking fees, considering all of his media appearances. Unfortunately for our collective health, Fauci has no plans of stepping down. Many forget that this is the same man who said you could contract AIDS through kissing. I only wish I were lying. The 81-year-old White House medical adviser has been called upon to step down by Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), but he has said defiantly, "There's no way I'm going to walk away from this until we get this under control. In the middle of it, I'm not going to walk away." But still, we suffer. Still, we are infected. Still, we are dying. Lena Muhtadi Borrelli spent time in finance, marketing, and hospitality with a diverse professional background before settling into full-time life as a freelance writer. She has written for TIME, Investopedia, MSN, Bankrate, Onerent, and TV Guide. Image: NIAID via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). In November, a story broke about two teachers who held a sold-out seminar for the California Teachers Association's LGBTQ+ forum. During the talk, the teachers boasted about how they inveigled children as young as 11 and 12 into groups that advanced the LGBTQ+ cause, all without parental knowledge or consent. Now a mother whose daughter was almost destroyed by pressure from these teachers is suing the school district. Lori Caldeira and Kelly Baraki, both 7th-grade teachers from Buena Vista Middle School in Salinas, California, made the presentation at the conference, which ended up on an audio recording. They were explicit that their purpose was to give attendees techniques for recruiting students into LGBTQ+ clubs. The Epoch Times article breaking the story detailed the teachers' advice: Keeping GSA clubs unofficial, without rosters or records, so they have plausible deniability when parents complain that their children have been attending club meetings. Giving clubs names that don't scream "LGBTQ," such as the "Equity Club" or the "You Be You" club. Spying on children's conversations and web activities to identify children they can target for membership in the clubs. Using anti-bullying programs as LGBTQ promotion activities. Taking charge of the school's morning announcements, which allows teachers who sponsor LGBTQ clubs to make sure their activities are widely known. In addition to inveigling students into joining LGBTQ organizations, the two teachers were incredibly hostile to parents, saying those who didn't honor their children's new pronouns should be arrested for child abuse. One of the children on the receiving end of this technique was the then-11-year-old daughter of Jessica Konen. According to Konen, the teachers put enormous pressure on her daughter, first getting the child to believe that she was bisexual and then pushing her further, to the point at which the child declared she was actually a boy. This latter effort included teaching the girl how to bind her developing breasts to stop that development. Image: Gay-Straight Alliance at a school. Public domain. Konen says she first learned what happened in December 2019, during a meeting. What saved her child was the lockdown and distance learning. Once her daughter was no longer being pressured by Caldeira and Baraki, she happily reverted to identifying herself as the girl she is. Harmeet Dhillon, who is an indispensable warrior in the battle against leftism's toxic effects on young people, was the attorney Konen turned to when she wanted to file suit. When the Daily Mail reached out to Dhillon, she told the outlet that "since filing the case, she's heard from parents across multiple states who describe 'secretive trans grooming' by school officials[.]" Biologically, neither homosexuality nor so-called transgenderism is natural. The human biological imperative is for procreation, and that can happen only through the coming together of one human man and one human woman. Also, despite an endless search for a gay gene, no one has been able to find it. Likewise, there is also no known "transgender" gene. While human biology is complex, and we cannot rule out biological factors, what's certain is that the incredibly aggressive, culturally dominant LGBTQ juggernaut doesn't believe in leaving things to nature. Its members are actively and aggressively putting pressure on children to announce that they are anything but heterosexual or their biological sex. It's time for school districts across America to learn a lesson, and that lesson is that they don't get to use the time they have with children to indoctrinate them to become members of the LGBTQ spectrum. This needs to stop, and Konen's lawsuit is a good start. The last two years, during which leftists have weaponized COVID across the political and social aspects of America, have been hard years. They've been especially hard for children, denied socialization and normal learning. On the other hand, the past two years also saw the left give up all pretense of catering to longstanding American norms. Seeing them red in tooth and claw has been illuminating and may prove, in the long run, to be a helpful step to reclaiming sanity in America. Sarah Palin's defamation lawsuit against the New York Times was finally set to go to trial yesterday. However, the trial's start was delayed when Palin tested positive for COVID. Nowadays, that's unexceptional. It's what happened after that's the problem. The judge's sneering response when he heard about Palin's positive test indicates that he is incapable of being impartial and needs to be challenged for cause. Palin's lawsuit had its origin in a smear the Times made against Palin in 2011. When a delusional man tried to murder Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and managed to kill a lot of other people in the process, the New York Times claimed the culprit was a Palin PAC flyer that showed, not Giffords, but her district, as well as several other districts across America, with a camera sight imposed over them. The PAC's point was that the politicians in these districts were vulnerable to a GOP takeover: There wasn't a scintilla of evidence that the murderer had seen or was influenced by the flyer. Moreover, it quickly became clear that he was both insane and had a longstanding, obsessive hatred for Giffords. However, Palin didn't sue over this smear. In 2017, however, when a Bernie Bro attempted to kill the entire Republican House membership and ended up almost murdering Congressman Steve Scalise, the New York Times decided that the fault lay with Palin. Why? Because, wrote the Times, Bernie had never incited anyone to kill Republicans the way that Palin's map had incited the attack on Giffords. Again, this was a complete and total lie. The Times published an itty-bitty little correction, but Palin was not going to let the Times get away with an endless cycle of libeling loudly followed by apologizing softly. This time around, Palin sued. After many delays, in large part because of COVID, the trial was finally set to go forward yesterday. The judge before whom the case is to be tried is U.S. district judge Jed Rakoff, a Bill Clinton appointee. Right before jury selection was to begin, Palin took an at-home COVID test, which came up positive. She retested two more times, and the result was the same. Image: Judge Jed S. Rakoff. YouTube screen grab. Judge Rakoff announced in his Manhattan courtroom that the trial would be continued to February 3 because, after multiple tests, he was going to assume that she did, indeed, have COVID. "Since she has tested positive three times, I'm going to assume she's positive." That's all well and good. The problem is what Rakoff said in addition to the announcement that the plaintiff in the case had COVID: "She is, of course, unvaccinated." And there you have your bias oozing, condescending, sneering, and deeply ill-informed bias. What Rakoff said is ill-informed because there's no "of course" about it. If Rakoff consumed anything other than the leftist media (I'm pretty comfortable assuming he doesn't), he would have known that the CDC has explicitly conceded that immunity is no longer a possibility with the vaccine. You're going to get sick whether or not you had the jab. Fundamentally, there is no vaccine; there's only a possible therapeutic (unlike the actual therapeutics that the Fauci-led American government has made impossible to obtain). Moreover, there's an increasing amount of evidence showing that people who have had the "vaccine" are more, not less, vulnerable to the omicron variant. (See, e.g., news from Scotland and Israel.) Had Palin had the jab, it might actually have increased her likelihood of becoming ill. But there's something more important here than Rakoff's ignorance. His sneering statement about Palin's vaccine status was completely gratuitous. Rakoff said that to expose her in a negative fashion in front of the world and in front of the potential jury pool. It was a completely outrageous thing for a judge to say and justifies a motion demanding that he recuse himself from the trial. In sum, in one sentence, Rakoff revealed himself to be ill-informed and deeply biased against Sarah Palin. Unless all the other choices for a trial judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York are equally bad (and they probably are), Rakoff has no business presiding over Palin's case. Dana Milbank of the Washington Post calls it a smear when Fox News and Republicans tell the truth. How Fox News and Republicans devised one Biden smear For three months, Republican officeholders and Fox News personalities have been shouting it from the rooftops. "The attorney general announced the FBI would investigate moms who dared to complain at school board meetings as potential terrorists[.]" Here's the truth. It is possible that Milbank doesn't know it, because the WaPo rarely reports about Biden corruption and incompetence because they don't care. First: President Biden's Education Secretary Miguel Cardona apparently solicited the controversial letter from the National School Boards Association that said threats made by protesting parents should be taken as seriously as domestic terrorism, according to emails released on Tuesday. Second: The White House colluded with the NSBA to concoct a letter about the dangers of parents. WH aided school board group's 'domestic terrorism' letter before Garland sicced FBI on parents Top officials of a national school board group talked to the White House days before Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered the FBI to investigate complaints of threats from parents, newly released emails reveal. Third: Within a few days of getting the letter from NSBA, and without any investigation or evidence, Biden's partisan hack A.G. Garland sent a memo throughout the country to watch out for dangerous parents. Attorney General Garland's memo is a severe government overreach that chills the constitutionally protected speech of those who rightly object to ill-considered policies that harm our nation's school children. It is laughable, and deplorable, when smear merchants at the WaPo and elsewhere claim they care about the truth when they are targeting others. They spread lies and smears to destroy anyone who dares disagree with the leftist agenda to destroy America. They are especially vigilant in their attempt to silence Fox News and others they disagree with. They can't stand to have competition to their indoctrination. Most journalists and other Democrats pretend they want to unite the country and tell the truth, but they are lying. The examples of their lies and smears are endless. The WaPo and others sought to destroy white Christian boys with lies by calling them racists for the crime of wearing MAGA hats. The boys were disposable. How many people, especially young people, stay silent because they don't want to be destroyed by the media? Washington Post settles $250M suit with Covington teen Nick Sandmann The media and other Democrats, without evidence, colluded to defeat Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. They smeared the judge with no evidence. California professor, writer of confidential Brett Kavanaugh letter, speaks out about her allegation of sexual assault Many in the media, Joe Biden, and others repeatedly sought to smear Trump and gin up racial hate and division by saying Trump never denounced white supremacy even though it was a known lie. Trump denounces White supremacy '38 times' in new campaign video, amid Biden-Harris criticisms Somehow, we never saw demands for Biden and others to denounce the violent leftist groups that main, kill, and destroy cities. We also see little, if any, focus at the Justice Department on those groups for their criminal activity. For years, most of the media, Democrats, and the Justice Department smeared Trump with lies about Russian collusion with no evidence. There were endless investigations to intentionally weaken Trump and delegitimize his presidency. Then in 2018, the WaPo essentially said never mind, we made it all up. Why didn't journalists get fired for their false smears? Because they didn't care. They did their job to weaken Trump in the minds of a significant portion of the public. 'No collusion,' after all? Meanwhile, the same media that smeared Trump knew that Hillary and the DNC paid for the fake dossier, but the WaPo claimed that it was a lie to say Hillary was involved. It is astonishing how the smear merchants will destroy anyone they disagree with while hiding the truth about corrupt politicians like the Bidens and the Clintons. Finally, there is no evidence that Clinton was involved in Steele's reports or worked with Russian entities to feed information to Steele. That's where Nunes's claim goes off the rails and why he earns Four Pinocchios. In 2014, a young Black criminal tried to take a White officer's gun, and he was shot and killed. Instead of the media investigating, the fictional "hands up don't shoot" narrative was started to smear the White cop. He was disposable. The narrative started to gin up racial hate and violence. How many cops have been injured or killed because so many smeared the cop and spread the false story? In 2006, rich white boys were smeared by much of the media following a fake rape allegation. No investigation was necessary before the story was endlessly reported. The boys were disposable because the story fit an agenda. "Most people accused of crimes are guilty," attorney Brad Bannon recalls in a new film on the scandal that shook the foundation of college sports. "I had absolutely no problem believing that rich, white, elite young men would take advantage of a young African-American woman that they had hired to come and perform for them." Rolling Stone to Pay $1.65 Million to Fraternity Over Discredited Rape Story Despite having no evidence, the media were willing to repeat a lie about Romney and taxes. After all, the media were campaigning for Obama, and the truth didn't matter. Harry Reid: Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years The media and other Democrats support Fauci, the CDC, and the WHO, no matter what misinformation they spread. They never go after Democrat governors, no matter how bad their results are. But they smear Atlas, DeSantis, Noem, Rand Paul, Abbott, and anyone else who dares disagree. Scott Atlas will forever be the face of surrender to the coronavirus Washington Post Says Gov. Ron DeSantis Just Sank To A 'Jaw-Dropping' New Low The newspaper's editorial board said DeSantis, a Donald Trump loyalist, had sunk to "a jaw-dropping level of cynicism" by aligning himself with misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, campaigning against mask mandates and announcing fines for local governments that mandate vaccines for staff. Why Kristi Noem is so polarizing Democrats used the filibuster 327 times in 2020 as they were obstructing Trump every day, and not once do I remember the media calling the Democrats racist. Democrats used filibuster 327 times, compared to only once by GOP in 2020: Report Yet now, when the whiny journalists and other Democrats don't get their way passing a dictatorial, unconstitutional federal takeover of elections, the Republicans, plus Sinema and Manchin, are now smeared as racists because Democrats always play the race card. The Senate filibuster has a racist past and present. End it so America can move forward. Tea Party members were smeared as the party of anger even though they were peaceful and just wanted smaller government and lower taxes. They were also illegally targeted by swamp creatures at the IRS who were not punished by the swamp creatures at the Justice Department. The Tea Party Didn't Get What It Wanted, but It Did Unleash the Politics of Anger As I said, the examples of lies and smears are endless. A significant amount of purported news by mainstream media outlets essentially consists of talking points pushing an agenda. The smears and lies to destroy political opponents started long before Trump. What should we call supposed journalists who will smear and destroy people who disagree with their agenda to destroy or remake America? Wouldn't enemies of democracy and the American people be a proper description? Chicken poop has a strong and suffocating smell of ammonia thats hard to stand for more than a few minutes. The odor causes a variety of adverse reaction in humans ranging from vomiting, headache, and irritation to even stress and depression. Ammonia when it enters the body reacts with water to produce ammonium hydroxide, which is very corrosive and causes burning in the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Long-term exposure and inhalation of compounds released by chicken poop is harmful to humans as well as animals. Image credit: andrea lehmkuhl/Shutterstock.com The toxicity of chicken poop was taken advantage of by Abbotsforda city in British Columbia, Canada. In 2013, in a depraved attempt to drive out homeless people from the streets of Abbotsford, city workers dumped a truck of chicken poop and spread it over a patch of land that homeless people used to camp. The editor of Abbotsford Today wrote a scathing article speaking out against the mayor, describing his wicked actions as an act of chemical warfare against homelessness. City officials later apologized for their actions and promised to cleanup the site. This was not the first time chicken poop was used as a weapon against humans. In 1893, during the French occupation of Thailand, French troops built a small prison cell in Laem Sing, a pretty seaside town in Chanthaburi province. The rectangular structure, made of red bricks, is just over 14 feet long and 23 feet high with two rows of ventilating slits on the sides. The holding cell was located on the ground floor. Above this was a chicken coop. The floor of the coop was perforated that caused bird poop to rain down on the poor prisoners below. The prison was known as Khuk Khi Kai, or chicken poop prison. The French colonist used Khuk Khi Kai to imprison locals who resisted the French occupation. But some historian believe that the story is apocryphal, and that the building was only an observation tower. Khuk Khi Kai. Image credit: kwanchai/Shutterstock.com Khuk Khi Kai. Image credit: Sombat Muycheen / Shutterstock.com Khuk Khi Kai. Image credit: faak/Shutterstock.com Khuk Khi Kai. Image credit: kwanchai/Shutterstock.com Juliane Koepcke was seventeen and desperate to get home. She had just graduated from high school in Lima, and was returning to her home in the biological research station of Panguana, that her parents founded, deep in the Amazonian forest about 150 km south of Pucallpa. She had been living in Panguana, on and off, for three years with her mother, Maria, and her father, Hans-Wilhelm Koepcke, both zoologists. Their flight was on Christmas eve of 1971, and the plane was already seven hours late. It was just before noon when Juliane and her mother finally boarded the flight. The flight to Pucallpa was supposed to last less than an hour. About 25 minutes after takeoff, the LANSA Flight 508 flew into an area of thunderstorms and severe turbulence and the plane began to shake violently. Overhead compartments flew open, showering passengers and crew with luggage and Christmas presents. The plane could have turned back but there was pressure to meet the holiday schedule, and so the pilots continued to fly. Juliane Koepcke returns to the crash site in 1998. After about ten minutes of shaking, Juliane saw a very bright flash of lighting strike the left wing. She heard her mother say, "That is the end, it's all over." Immediately after, the airplane began to nosedive. It was pitch black and people were screaming, then the deep roaring of the engines filled my head completely, Juliane recalls. As the airplane fell, it broke apart separating her from everyone else onboard. The next thing she knew she was out in the open, still strapped to her seat and plummeting to the jungle below. I could see the canopy of the jungle spinning towards me. Then I lost consciousness and remember nothing of the impact, she said. When she woke up the next day, she found herself surrounded by dense foliage. There was no one else. The airplane was flying at an altitude of 21,000 feet when it ran into the thunderstorm. It broke apart at around 10,000 feet, and she fell from that height. Her survival was miraculous. Even her injuriesa broken collarbone, a sprained knee and a few gashes on her shoulders and legswere minor. I lay there, almost like an embryo for the rest of the day and a whole night, until the next morning, she wrote in her memoir, When I Fell From the Sky, published in 2011. I am completely soaked, covered with mud and dirt, for it must have been pouring rain for a day and a night. It was the middle of the wet season, so there was no fruit within reach to pick and no dry twigs with which to make a fire. Juliane Koepcke with her parents. Despite her precarious situation, Juliane did not feel fear, only a boundless feeling of abandonment. Having spent three years with her parents on their research station, Juliane learned a lot about life in the rainforest. I recognized the sounds of wildlife from Panguana and realized I was in the same jungle, she said. Her father had taught Juliane how to survive should she ever get lost in the inhospitable undergrowth. Always look for a stream, her father had said. Follow the stream to a river. The rivers are the roads of the Konibo, Shipibo, and Cacataibo Indians, the woodcutters, and the plantation owners. If you get lost in the jungle the rivers may be your only hope of reaching civilization. So arming herself with a stick to ward off poisonous snakes, Juliane began searching for a river. Juliane was wearing a very short, sleeveless mini-dress and white sandals. She had lost her glasses without which she could barely see. She also lost one shoe but kept the other to test the ground ahead of her as she walked. The first thing that Juliane did was search for her mother in the vicinity of the crash. But she could find no debris. A short distance away, she found a small parcel that had fallen from the plane inside which there were some toys and a piece of Christmas cake. She tried eating the cake but it was saturated with water from the rain. But there was a small bag of sweets in the Christmas parcel. She tucked it in. Juliane and her mother foray into the rainforest in 1959. The jungle was full of dangers. Poisonous spiders and snakes hid among the foliage. In the air there were flies and mosquitoes. There were delicious-looking fruits and berries hanging temptingly from the nearby trees but Juliane avoided anything she didnt recognize because they might be poisonous. Juliane soon found a small spring, and began following it, hoping that it would eventually lead to a river. On the fourth day, she found the first debris from the crasha bench with three passengers rammed head first into the earth. The sight of the corpses sent a chill down her spine. Lack of food, the heat, the incessant biting from the mosquitoes, and her wounds were beginning to drag her down. Her collar bone, broken in the disaster, was becoming more and more painful each day. The wound in her foot made walking more difficult as the days passed slowly by. But still she pressed on. The river was getting wider and flowing more rapidly. On the 10th day, she stumbled along the edge of a large river. There she found a small boat moored to the river bank, and near the boat was a path which led to a little hut. There was no one inside. She found a gallon of gasoline, and used it to render crude first-aid upon her wounds. She remembered her father treating a maggot infection on their dog with kerosene and tried the same on her wounds with the gasoline. As soon as she poured gasoline on her wounds, dozens of maggots came crawling out of it. She pulled some thirty maggots from her cuts and felt immensely proud with herself. Juliane Koepcke after her ordeal. That night she slept on the bare boards of the hut. The following morning she intended carrying on down the river but as it was pouring with rain she decided to rest for a while. That rain saved her life. A few hours later, a group of fishermen came barging into the hut and were taken aback by the sight of a haggard white women covered with sores and barely alive. The men treated her wounds and gave her something to eat. The next day, they took her to the nearest village by boat, and from there she was airlifted to a hospital. Juliane Koepcke had spent eleven nights in the Amazon forest. She was the only survivor of the flight. After her harrowing experience, Juliane moved back to Germany from where her parents came. Like her parents, Koepcke earned a degree in biology and returned to Peru to do extensive research on mammals, especially bats. Her survival story has been the subject a 1974 Italian movie called Miracles Still Happen, and a documentary by director Werner Herzog called Wings of Hope. In 2011, she published her own autobiography, When I Fell From the Sky. Now married to Erich Diller, an entomologist who specializes in parasitic wasps, Juliane Diller now leads the conservation her parents founded. Panguana is now the oldest biological research station in Peru. The preserve is home to more than 500 species of trees, 160 types of reptiles and amphibians, 100 different kinds of fish, seven varieties of monkey and 380 bird species. Juliane Koepcke returns to the crash site in 1998. References: # Franz Lidz, She Fell Nearly 2 Miles, and Walked Away, New York Times # Juliane Koepcke: How I survived a plane crash, BBC # Following a jungle stream saved Juliane Koepckes life, Look And Learn # Juliane Koepcke, Wikipedia North Andover, MA (01845) Today Periods of rain. High 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Chromecast with Google TV could soon be getting another variant as per a new report. The device is reportedly codenamed Boreal, which appears to be in the same family as Sabrina, the codename for the existing Chromecast with Google TV unit. All hints point towards this being an upgraded version of the existing device. Specs-related information is currently unavailable, though we expect to learn more in the weeks and months ahead. However, 9to5Google has reportedly viewed the related documentation, thus confirming the existence of this device. Separately, the sites APK Insight team has also managed to spot the Boreal codename in prior reporting. This would be the latest in the small list of first-party streaming products sold by Google. Although we dont know what hardware it will pack, it should bring hardware decoding support for the AV1 format. Theres some mystery around the launch timeline for this upcoming Google TV device. But since the Chromecast with Google TV only arrived a little over a year ago, a successor anytime soon appears unlikely. Advertisement Customers have long complained about the lack of internal storage on Chromecast with Google TV As 9to5Google rightly points out, a rehashed version with additional storage wouldnt require a new codename. This indicates that this Google TV device is still in early development, with a launch likely scheduled for later this year or maybe in 2023. Since Chromecast with Google TV is pretty limited in the hardware department, launching a beefier version of the streaming dongle makes some sense. The lack of enough internal storage has been a big concern for several customers of Chromecast with Google TV. The problem was so widespread that Google had to post a guide on freeing up storage space on the device in November. Customers can increase the storage on the device using the combination of a USB-C hub and an external storage device. However, this isnt a practical (or affordable) solution for many customers. Advertisement But for all its shortcomings, the Chromecast with Google TV is still a pretty sweet deal, especially for its initial price tag of $49.99. Though many wish Google simply offered a 16 or 32GB storage variant for a slightly higher cost. Perhaps that will be the case with the upcoming addition to the Google TV family. Chromecast with Google TV was in the news recently for encountering issues with the YouTube app. Several customers reported their device completely freezing while trying to play a video on the app. Some users found that navigating to Reset App under the YouTube app settings fixed the issue temporarily. According to newly uncovered information courtesy of Canadian carrier Fido, the Google Pixel 6 will receive the February 2022 Security Maintenance Release or SMR on February 7. The carrier also mentions that phones ranging from the Pixel 3a to the Pixel 5 will also get the update on the same day. This effectively means that the Feb 2022 SMR will reach all compatible Pixel devices on the same day. Pixel 6 owners would be aware that Google has been late with the release of the December 2021 and January 2022 security updates for the Pixel 6. That could finally change with next months SMR as per Fido (via 9to5Google). Google usually rolls out the monthly security updates on the first Monday of every month. But since February 1 happens to be a Tuesday, the company has seemingly decided to issue the update the following Monday. Advertisement Bear in mind that the update could take a few days to reach your device, depending on your geographic location. But based on this new information, Google could make the factory images available on Monday (Feb 7). So device owners should be able to get the latest update right away. The December 2021 Pixel 6 security update was paused after customers in Europe reported connectivity problems Google has faced numerous challenges with updates for the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro. The company is yet to release the carrier versions of its latest Pixel 6 update. Meanwhile, the company has only offered one global build of the most recent update. The Pixel 6 series started receiving the November 2021 security patch shortly after the device was available in late October. However, the company didnt offer release notes or a changelog until other Pixel devices received the OTA update. Advertisement While the December 2021 update saw a weeks delay, customers encountered network connectivity-related issues. This led to Google pausing the update and eventually removing the factory images from its site. Google veered off the usual Monday launch timeline for the January 2022 security update, officially launching the update on January 4. However, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro had to wait until January 14 to get this security release. Theres optimism that things will be different in February, though recent events dont inspire much confidence. Essay writing is one of the most common tasks every student needs to do at least once per semester. Given that essay writing is something that students need to deal with every semester, they also need the right tools for this task. Also, it is important to keep in mind that essay writing requires high-quality performance from android devices that can handle the process without any problems. Many students use their smartphones for all kinds of tasks, and that is why they need top smartphones with good performance and feature-rich hardware tools. What Should Top Android Phones for Essay Writing Be Like? Looking at all of the options available in todays market, we have researched what features every model must have to be considered a good option for those who love to work with their smartphones. The list below shows our conclusions: Convenient size : For many students, the number one requirement is that your device must be small in size, which is why having a compact phone would be best. : For many students, the number one requirement is that your device must be small in size, which is why having a compact phone would be best. Display quality : Since you need to write text in a fast and accurate way, it is highly recommended to use a high-resolution display which can offer an increased writing speed at the same time with the ability to present all relevant information in a clear way which makes reading easier. : Since you need to write text in a fast and accurate way, it is highly recommended to use a high-resolution display which can offer an increased writing speed at the same time with the ability to present all relevant information in a clear way which makes reading easier. Powerful hardware components : For your device not to slow down while working on something important or discussing your essay needs with services like collegessaywriter.com, it needs powerful hardware parts inside. The processor, RAM, and storage capacity will have a major impact on its performance, so make sure that your chosen model has all the required features. : For your device not to slow down while working on something important or discussing your essay needs with services like collegessaywriter.com, it needs powerful hardware parts inside. The processor, RAM, and storage capacity will have a major impact on its performance, so make sure that your chosen model has all the required features. Longer battery life : Essay writing can already be stressful and you do not want something that will frustrate you even more but one that can at least help with the phobia. All you need for essay writing is a phone that can work long enough to keep you going until the end. A decent battery capacity will be best when it comes to working on important tasks for more extended periods of time and with fewer interruptions. : Essay writing can already be stressful and you do not want something that will frustrate you even more but one that can at least help with the phobia. All you need for essay writing is a phone that can work long enough to keep you going until the end. A decent battery capacity will be best when it comes to working on important tasks for more extended periods of time and with fewer interruptions. High-resolution camera: A powerful camera may not be necessary, but for many students, a good front shooter is something which they consider very important because it allows them to make quality video calls to share their ideas with teachers, friends or professionals who might provide dissertation help during the writing process. Which are the Best Android Phones for Essay writing in 2022? We understand that there is a wide variety of options available in todays market, so picking the best phones for this specific task is not easy. However, there are some models which can offer better results than others, so keep on reading the list below if you need help with your decision: Advertisement Samsung Galaxy S8 : The first model that we recommend comes from Samsung, and its name is Galaxy S8. This phone has a 5.8-inch display with a high-quality resolution plus a Bixby intelligent assistant to make your life easier. It also offers a 12 MP camera on the back as well as an 8 MP front shooter, which means that you will be able to take pictures or record videos without any problems. Also, this phone comes with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. : The first model that we recommend comes from Samsung, and its name is Galaxy S8. This phone has a 5.8-inch display with a high-quality resolution plus a Bixby intelligent assistant to make your life easier. It also offers a 12 MP camera on the back as well as an 8 MP front shooter, which means that you will be able to take pictures or record videos without any problems. Also, this phone comes with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. Sony Xperia Z5 Compact : This phone has a 4.6-inch display with 720 x 1280 resolution, which is perfect for those who need accurate color reproduction and improved sharpness at the same time. It comes with powerful hardware parts such as a Snapdragon 810 processor, 2 GB RAM, and 32 GB of internal memory, plus a 23 MP camera on the back and a 5 MP Selfie shooter, which is more than enough to take high-quality pictures even during video calls. : This phone has a 4.6-inch display with 720 x 1280 resolution, which is perfect for those who need accurate color reproduction and improved sharpness at the same time. It comes with powerful hardware parts such as a Snapdragon 810 processor, 2 GB RAM, and 32 GB of internal memory, plus a 23 MP camera on the back and a 5 MP Selfie shooter, which is more than enough to take high-quality pictures even during video calls. Google pixel : Even though this model was released just recently, it remains one of the best options on the market because it offers all the features that every student needs to have to work properly, including highly accurate image processing, which can make your writing look even better on the screen, a 12 MP camera on the back, an 8 MP selfie shooter and an intelligent assistant. All of these features are packed in a compact-sized device with 4 GB RAM and a high-quality display. : Even though this model was released just recently, it remains one of the best options on the market because it offers all the features that every student needs to have to work properly, including highly accurate image processing, which can make your writing look even better on the screen, a 12 MP camera on the back, an 8 MP selfie shooter and an intelligent assistant. All of these features are packed in a compact-sized device with 4 GB RAM and a high-quality display. LG G6 : This is one of the best android phones for essay writing because it has all the required hardware parts, including a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4 GB RAM plus 32 GB of internal storage plus a 5.7-inch Quad HD display with accurate color reproduction to ensure that you will always enjoy working in front of your phone. Also, this model comes with dual 13 MP cameras, so you can take pictures or record videos easily during periods without any problems. : This is one of the best android phones for essay writing because it has all the required hardware parts, including a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4 GB RAM plus 32 GB of internal storage plus a 5.7-inch Quad HD display with accurate color reproduction to ensure that you will always enjoy working in front of your phone. Also, this model comes with dual 13 MP cameras, so you can take pictures or record videos easily during periods without any problems. Huawei P10 : This model has a 5.1-inch display with 1080 x 1920 resolution and a Kirin 960 processor, which is more than enough to ensure that everything works smoothly without any problems. Also, it comes with 4 GB RAM plus 64 GB of internal storage, so you can install as many applications as you want for your essay writing tasks. In addition, the device offers a 12 MP camera on its back along with an 8 MP front shooter, so taking pictures or recording videos wont be a problem at all during your writing sessions. : This model has a 5.1-inch display with 1080 x 1920 resolution and a Kirin 960 processor, which is more than enough to ensure that everything works smoothly without any problems. Also, it comes with 4 GB RAM plus 64 GB of internal storage, so you can install as many applications as you want for your essay writing tasks. In addition, the device offers a 12 MP camera on its back along with an 8 MP front shooter, so taking pictures or recording videos wont be a problem at all during your writing sessions. Samsung Galaxy Note 8: This is one of the most powerful smartphones on the market with either Android or iOS, so it will be easy for you to write your essays without any problems. Also, this model comes with a high-quality display, 6 GB RAM plus 64 GB storage capacity plus two 12 MP back cameras which can record videos in 4K resolution at 30 FPS along with an 8 MP front shooter. Even though this device is slightly expensive, its performance more than makes up for that aspect. The Bottom Line A good Android phone can mean the difference between an enjoyable experience while studying and having to put up with subpar quality. Always take time to do thorough research before making a purchase to ensure that you are getting the best possible device to suit your needs. PLEASE NOTE: ALL ONLINE PURCHASES ARE AUTOMATIC RENEWALS UNLESS YOU EMAIL JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM OR CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 256-235-9253.... Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM *NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY join with a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! AMEX is not accepted through this site. After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* RTHK: N Korea fires two suspected cruise missiles: Seoul North Korea fired two suspected cruise missiles on Tuesday, Seoul said, its fifth weapons test this year as Pyongyang flexes its military muscles while ignoring US offers of talks. The last time North Korea tested this many weapons in a month was in 2019, after high-profile negotiations collapsed between leader Kim Jong Un and then-US president Donald Trump. This year Pyongyang has embarked on a fresh flurry of sanctions-busting tests, including hypersonic missiles, after Kim re-avowed his commitment to military modernisation at a key party speech in December. Washington imposed new sanctions in response, prompting Pyongyang to double down on weapons testing and hint last week that it could abandon a years-long self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range tests. "North Korea fired two suspected cruise missiles," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement on Tuesday, without giving further details. Cruise missiles are not banned under current UN sanctions on North Korea, and Seoul does not always report such launches in real time, as it does for ballistic missile tests. The last time North Korea is known to have tested a cruise missile was in September 2021. A South Korean military official told the Yonhap news agency that "should such a missile be launched southward, our detection and interception systems have no problem countering it". Pyongyang's latest test looks like an attempt to provoke the administration of US President Joe Biden, which has offered talks "without preconditions" but no substantive high-level engagement in the last year. "North Korea appears to be wanting to test Washington's reaction, while showing off its presence on the global stage," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies. By firing a cruise missile, Pyongyang does not violate UN sanctions but can still try "to attract the world's attention while thumbing its nose at the US". The string of launches in 2022 comes at a delicate time in the region, with Kim's sole major ally China set to host the Winter Olympics next month and South Korea gearing up for a presidential election in March. Domestically, North Korea is preparing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the birth of late leader Kim Jong Il in February, as well as the 110th birthday of founder Kim Il Sung in April. Pyongyang has not tested inter-continental ballistic missiles or nukes since 2017, putting launches on hold as Kim embarked on a blitz of high-level diplomacy through three meetings with Trump. But last week Pyongyang said it could examine restarting all temporarily-suspended activities. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China, Israel vow to promote more fruitful innovation cooperation Xinhua) 08:23, January 25, 2022 Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan co-chairs the fifth meeting of China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation (JCIC) with Yair Lapid, Israel's alternate prime minister and foreign minister, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan co-chaired the fifth meeting of China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation (JCIC) with Yair Lapid, Israel's alternate prime minister and foreign minister, on Monday via video link, with the two sides pledging to promote cooperation on innovation. Wang said that, since the implementation of the China-Israel Innovation Cooperation Action Plan (2018-2021), the two sides have strengthened innovation guidance and institutional guarantees, deepened pragmatic cooperation and promoted personnel exchanges. Hailing the continuous deepening of bilateral relations and cooperation, and the fact that the China-Israel innovative comprehensive partnership has entered a new stage, Wang called on the two sides to follow the instructions of the two heads of state and view the important role of the China-Israel JCIC from a strategic perspective, while taking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges. He also expressed hopes that the two sides will promote the implementation of important consensuses and major projects, conclude the free-trade negotiations within the year, synergize innovation ideas and resources, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as vaccine and drug research and development, so that China-Israel innovation cooperation in various fields can flourish and play a greater role in promoting the economic and social development of the two countries while enhancing people's well-being. For his part, Lapid said that Israel is willing to work closely with China to give full play to the role of the JCIC and promote innovation cooperation between Israel and China to better benefit the two peoples. Wang and Lapid jointly signed the China-Israel Innovation Cooperation Action Plan (2022-2024), and witnessed the signing of seven cooperation agreements in the fields of science and technology, health, culture, environmental protection, clean energy and intellectual property rights. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) New York Police Department Officer Wilbert Mora is transported by ambulance on Sunday, Jan. 23 to NYU Langone Medical Center from Harlem Hospital, where he had been since being wounded in a shooting on Friday, Jan. 21. Fellow Officer Jason Rivera was killed in the attack while responding to a domestic violence call between a woman and her adult son. A view of a gate to Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University on July 8, 2020, in Cambridge, Mass. Without comment or dissent, the court dismissed the case of McCarthy vs. Pelosi and let stand a special rule set by the House when some members feared traveling to Washington. ROME - The heirs of the last king of Italy said Tuesday they are suing the Italian state to get the crown jewels back. King Umberto II's heirs, Prince Vittorio Emanuele and Princesses Maria Gabriella, Maria Pia and Maria Beatrice, are to sue the premier's office, the economy ministry and the Bank of Italy to get back the jewels, which have been stored in a Bank of Italy vault since Italy voted to become a Republic in June 1946. The case has been entrusted to lawyer Sergio Orlandi, who told ANSA: "unlike the other goods, these were never confiscated and have remained pending. Therefore, they must be returned". The suit follows an attempt at mediation which failed on Tuesday. PALERMO - Seven migrants died on a large boat that departed from Libya and arrived on Lampedusa over the night between Monday and Tuesday with 280 people onboard. The boat was assisted by Italian patrol boats. A few hours before, a rescue mission had been initiated in Tunisian territorial waters but the Tunisian rescue services had been unable to spot the boat. Onboard were migrants mostly from Bangladesh and Egypt. Three corpses were found on the boat by the Financial Police and the port authorities at the time of rescue. Another four migrants died shortly before arriving on land. All of those who lost their lives were young Bangladeshi men who froze to death. "Yet another tragedy. Yet another time we are mourning innocent victims," said Lampedusa and Linosa mayor Toto Martello. "Here we continue to do our part amid a thousand difficulties and despite the Italian government and Europe seeming to have forgotten Lampedusa and its inhabitants. But we cannot go forward much longer alone." The 20-meter-long boat had been sighted about 24 miles from the Lampedusa coast when the rescue mission started. It was in the search and rescue area under Italian responsibility. Having been sighted by a Frontex aircraft sent to the area for search operations, two Coast Guard patrol vehicles later arrived that had left from Lampedusa. "During the operations, rendered especially complicated due to the difficult weather conditions," the Coast Guard said, "the corpses of three migrants were found. Another four migrants, who had already appeared to be in desperate condition according to the CISOM doctors onboard the Coast Guard ship, died before arriving on the island. From initial assessments, the cause of the death of the seven migrants seems likely to have been from hypothermia." The 280 who landed over the night were taken to a hotspot in Imbriacola, where 365 others were already hosted. There are currently 645 migrants housed in initial reception facilities, compared with the 250 places the facilities were built for. Over 100 people were scheduled to be transferred on Tuesday that have already undergone COVID testing as well as having undergone identification procedures. They will be housed on a quarantine ship anchored in Cala Pisana. On Sunday, when the facilities ended up hosting over 700 people, 418 were moved onto the ship. Lawyers for Alec Baldwin have appealed to have the second lawsuit brought against the actor over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins thrown out. Representatives said nothing in the allegations brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell suggested that anyone knew that the prop contained live ammunition leading up to the unprecedented incident. The fatal shooting occurred on the set of Rust, on location in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in November. Mitchells lawsuit claims Baldwin fired the weapon when it was not called for in the script of the Western. Mitchells lawsuit claims Baldwin fired the weapon when it was not called for in the script of the Western (Evan Agostini/ AP) Nothing about the plaintiffs allegations suggest that any of the defendants, including Mr Baldwin, intended the prop gun to be loaded with live ammunition, lawyers said, in documents shared by US media outlets. Moreover, nothing about the plaintiffs allegations suggests any of the defendants knew the prop gun contained live ammunition. The absence of such allegations of course makes sense because the incident is apparently unprecedented in the filmmaking industry. The submissions were made at Los Angeles Superior Court on January 24, court documents show. Baldwin was previously accused of playing Russian roulette when he fired the gun without checking it and without having an armorer do so in his presence, by Ms Mitchells lawyer Gloria Allred. He is also facing another lawsuit brought by the head of lighting on the film, Serge Svetnoy, over the incident. As well as Baldwin, both lawsuits name nearly two dozen defendants associated with the film including David Halls, the assistant director who handed Baldwin the gun; and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was in charge of weapons on the set. Floating offshore wind projects are to receive a share of 31 million Government funding to help drive deployment of the clean technology. Some 11 successful projects are receiving a share of the money which is matched by more than 30 million from industry, to boost the sector by 60 million, the Business Department (Beis) said. The funding, of up to 10 million per project, aims to support research and development of technology for floating offshore wind, and bring down the costs of building and deploying the renewable power source more quickly. The Government said that with global gas prices at record highs, it wanted to strengthen energy security in the UK already home to the worlds largest deployment of offshore wind by deploying more home-grown renewables to reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuels. With floating offshore wind, turbines are installed on platforms harnessed to the seabed with cables or anchors. This allows them to be sited further offshore in deeper water to make the most of available wind. Among the projects to secure funding receiving 9.6 million is a scheme with bases in Edinburgh, Belfast, London and Doncaster, developing and demonstrating new technologies for mooring turbines, cable protection, floating base design and a digital monitoring system. Another winning project, based in Cambridge, Feltham, Aberdeen and Blyth, is receiving 10 million for compact floating turbine foundation and anchors that is hoped will enable a 2 megawatt (MW), or larger, turbine to be demonstrated in UK waters. And more than 3.4 million will go to a Swansea-based project to develop a floating wind turbine foundation with a small footprint that also generates power from wave energy. Energy Minister Greg Hands said: We are already a world leader in offshore wind and floating technology is key to unlocking the full potential of the seas around Britain. These innovative projects will help us expand renewable energy further and faster across the UK and help to reduce our exposure volatile global gas prices. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has vowed to end a postcode lottery on school absence across the country, in what will be a key component of his Schools White Paper expected later in the year. The Department for Education found there was a radically different approach to sanctions across the country, with some local authorities issuing no fines in 2020-21, while others issued over 1,500. In a consultation published on Tuesday, the DfE set out proposals for national rules on attendance, including when parents should be issued with fines for their childs absence. Fines could be considered after a certain number of unauthorised absences from a pupil within a certain period and for persistent incidents of lateness, the proposals say. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi (James Manning/PA) Parents will not be fined if their child is absent for coronavirus-related reasons, under the proposals. Mr Zahawi said: I want every single child to have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, which only time in school with this countrys world-class teachers can bring. And as we transition from pandemic to endemic, it makes me even more determined to fight for children to be in school every day they possibly can be, he added. Mr Zahawi said that absence caused by coronavirus was unavoidable, but that there were other reasons pupils missed out on school. Our new proposals will end the postcode lottery of how attendance is managed in different schools and parts of the country, and make sure every child and family gets the best possible support to attend school as regularly as possible, he added. Schools Minister Robin Walker said: We know that Covid has led to some unavoidable absences from school but that makes it even more important to reduce avoidable absence. The consultation proposes that schools should publish an attendance policy, and says that the most effective schools have high expectations for each individual pupils attendance and analyse attendance data to drive improvements. It says that whilst many schools have some version of a whole school attendance policy, there is great variety in their quality or how often they are updated, as schools are not required to publish them. It adds that Mr Zahawi has signalled his intention for attendance to be a key component of the upcoming Schools White Paper. Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: The Education Secretary has made clear the importance he places on attendance at school or college. We welcome his commitment to addressing an issue which has a major impact on childrens life chances. But she added: While these proposals appear broadly sensible, the reasons behind persistent absence among some children and young people are complex and need to be addressed through a joined-up government strategy that includes looking in depth at issues such as child poverty and mental health, as well as the impact of the pandemic. This is a complex problem, which requires joined-up strategies, appropriate resources and a long-term commitment from Government downwards. The news follows DfE estimates on Tuesday that 5.1% of all pupils were off school because of Covid on January 20, up from 3.9% on January 6 a record high for this school year, with 415,300 pupils absent in total. The consultation will run for five weeks until February 28. Now is not the time to remove guidance for secondary school pupils to wear masks in classrooms after a hike in cases, Nicola Sturgeon has said. Scottish Tory leader, Douglas Ross, has repeatedly pushed for the rules to be relaxed, and again urged the First Minister to change the guidance on Tuesday as she updated MSPs on Covid-19. But, Ms Sturgeon said, the under-15s were the only age group where the number of cases rose by 41% in the seven days up to Tuesday. We are not, at this stage, recommending any immediate change to the Reducing Risks in Schools guidance. However, this is being kept under close and regular review for schools and the early learning and childcare sector. The Advisory Sub-Group on Education is meeting again today. We will consider carefully any recommendations it makes, and continue to seek its advice on issues such as groupings within schools, and the requirement for secondary school pupils to wear face coverings. On the issue of face coverings, I know young people want to see the back of them as soon as possible. But I also know that many young people understand and agree, especially when cases in the younger age group are rising, that face coverings do provide important protection. Questioning the First Minister, Mr Ross said: Right now, adults can sit in workplaces and pubs without face masks, but pupils in the classroom are still required to wear them. The First Minister isnt even following public health advice on this. Nicola Sturgeon updated MSPs on Tuesday (Fraser Bremner/Daily Mail/PA) Mr Ross quoted Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, of Edinburgh University, who said earlier this month that masks in schools could be scrapped as early as February, as well as the national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, who said the day is coming for the end of the guidance. I hope the time is coming when that wont be necessary, the First Minister said in response to the Scottish Tory leader. But anyone with a degree of responsibility who, in the face of what I have reported today a 41% increase in cases in the under 15 age group who says that this is the moment to say that young people no longer need to wear face coverings, frankly, isnt showing responsibility. The First Minister said it was important to take decisions responsibly on the removal of restrictions and not pluck dates out of mid-air. Daniel Wyatt, the rector of Kelvinside Academy in Glasgow, described the level of restrictions in schools as farcical. Nightclubs are open and 50,000 people can go to watch sport, yet restrictions on pupils remain the impact on pupils development and mental health could be catastrophic, he said after the First Ministers statement. The level of restrictions we face in school is farcical when compared to the easing of restrictions in other areas of society and we need urgent changes to Scottish school guidance. Many pupils will spend half of their secondary school careers in masks. While teachers have adapted extremely well, to truly understand how to interact, they really need to see their pupils faces. Four U.S. suspects were arrested in a smuggling scheme to export machine guns, assault rifles and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition to a Mexican drug cartel that authorities have called the countrys bloodiest, officials said Monday. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Californias Central District named two more suspects in the alleged scheme to move military-grade firepower to the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, a group that law enforcement officials in the U.S. and Mexico have said is filling a vacuum left by the capture of kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman in 2016. One of the suspects is believed to be at large in Mexico. Another is in state custody in North Carolina on unrelated charges, the prosecutors office said in a news release. Most of the suspects were charged with smuggling and violating export regulations. The suspected ringleader and his son were also charged with money laundering, and two others were accused of illegal possession of ammunition. High-powered firearms and ammunition in an undated photo provided by the Justice Department. (U.S. Justice Department via AP) The defendants in this case smuggled sophisticated weaponry out of the United States to one of the most violent cartels in Mexico whose members target not only rival gangs, but innocent Mexican citizens and Mexican law enforcement, Kristi Johnson, an FBI official in Los Angeles, said in a statement. Marco Antonio Santillan Valencia, 51, was identified as the U.S. groups leader. According to the prosecutors office, he and the others obtained the guns from two states, Nevada and Oregon, and ammunition from other states, including 10,000 armor-piercing incendiary rounds from Arizona, the release says. Authorities seized an additional 250,000 rounds of assault rifle ammunition and 100,000 rounds of .223-caliber bullets. Among the parts found in the group's possession were kits to assemble six rotary machine guns that could fire 6,000 rounds per minute. Authorities also found six assault rifles, the release says. Prosecutors said Santillan's son, Marco Santillan Jr., 29, was allegedly seen in a Facebook video holding a stack of $100 bills and bragging about selling guns to the cartel. In a message on the platform, he allegedly said the cartel is "buying everything." The Mexican organization's leader, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, has remained elusive to authorities despite a $10 million reward from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. After the 2016 capture of the rival Sinaloa Cartel's leader, officials said the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion unleashed a wave of violence against other groups, leaving decapitated bodies hanging from bridges and mutilated torsos in the streets. The group has continued to traffic tons of methamphetamine and fentanyl to the U.S. each month, authorities have said. Lawyers for Santillan and the other suspects did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. Tiffany Haddish is speaking out about her DUI arrest. The Bad Trip actress and comedian, 42, appeared on Monday's Tonight Show and host Jimmy Fallon asked about her Jan. 14 arrest at the top of the show. She addressed the serious situation with her trademark humor, making for an awkward exchange. Tiffany Haddish has broken her silence about her recent DUI arrest. (Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Noting the appearance had been booked "months" ago, Fallon told Haddish that, as her friend, he wouldn't have been upset if she canceled. "But you were like, 'No, I'm a pro. I'm gonna come on.'" He gave her the chance to discuss what happened. "Well, I can say this, Jimmy," Haddish replied. "I've been praying to God to send me a new man," in the wake of her breakup with Common last year. "A good man. And God went ahead and sent me four... in uniform." She added, "I wasn't expecting it," as Fallon laughed. Haddish went on to say, "Now I got a really great lawyer, and we're going to work it out." She then quipped, "I've got to get my asking of things to God a little better." Jokes aside, Haddish went on to say she had been processing a lot of grief, pointing to the deaths of her grandmother, who raised her, and friend Bob Saget. Tiffany Haddish's mug shot after her Jan. 14 arrest in Georgia. (Credit: Fayette County Jail) "One of our mutual friends, Bob Saget, who was like a big mentor to me, a big brother, father figure he meant a lot to me," Haddish said. "He was the first white man to ever tell me, 'Just be yourself. Just be who you are, Tiffany.'" She continued, "Then my grandmother passed away. She saved my life. That's my heart. She was like my soulmate. It's been really hard to process this grief." Fallon said it took guts to come on the show, adding, "We're comedians. We have to make each other laugh." Not everyone considered it a laughing matter, however. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National President Alex Otte told Yahoo Entertainment in a statement, "Drunk and drugged driving is no joke and we are disappointed that Tiffany Haddish tried to make it one last night on the Tonight Show. We are grateful that no one was injured or killed in the incident that led to her arrest on suspicion of DUI, and we hope going forward she will use her humor and celebrity to save lives and prevent injuries by communicating that drunk and drugged driving are 100 percent preventable, 100 percent of the time. Drunk driving is never a laughing matter." Haddish was pulled over in Peachtree City, Ga., outside Atlanta, by officers responding to a call about a driver asleep behind the wheel on a highway. Officers said they saw a 2021 Ford Explorer matching the caller's description and stopped Haddish as she pulled into the yard of a residence. She was booked at Fayette County Jail, smiled in her mug shot and was released after posting $1,666 bond. Irish citizens are being advised to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine, it was announced. Irish premier Micheal Martin said on Tuesday the advice comes in light of ongoing tensions at the Eastern European countrys border with Russia. He also said planned Russian navy exercises off the Irish coast are not welcome. Reiterating comments made by Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, the taoiseach told the Dail: Holding military exercises in international waters off our coast is not welcome. And there is an ecological issue here. The Russian artillery drills, at the start of February, will take place in international waters but within Irish-controlled airspace and the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ). On Monday, the Russian ambassador to Ireland dismissed the plans as a non-story. Yury Filatov downplayed the significance of the exercises after concerns were raised by the Irish Government. Mr Martin rejected his suggestion such training exercises are a regular occurrence. Mr Martin, answering several questions from TDs about the tensions, said: Ireland accepts Ukrainian territorial integrity. Our principles in approach to the Russian-Ukrainian situation is accepting and, of course, adhering to that fundamental rules-based international order. We want diplomatic resolution to this. We want this de-escalated. We dont believe it necessitates the massing of so many hundreds of thousands of troops. It doesnt necessitate a war or invasion or the violation of Ukrainian territorial integrity. I think the world would breathe a collective sigh of relief because the world is trying to come through Covid-19 and all its implications and now, to go through another crisis, which could occur as a result of an invasion, I think would be very, very difficult for the world as a whole to deal with. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett told the Dail Russian president Vladimir Putin is a thug and an autocrat. However, he asked: Of course we should condemn what Russia are doing, but why is there no condemnation, from a country that is supposed to be neutral, about a clear agenda by Nato to expand eastwards and to escalate military tensions with Russia? Mr Martin rejected the claim. I dont think Nato is being aggressive here, he said. Earlier, fishermen who plan to peacefully disrupt Russias military exercises off Ireland were warned not to put themselves at risk. Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, said some of its members plan to hold a protest. He described the area of the exercises as very important for fishing and said members want to protect biodiversity. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar after a Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA) When asked about the fishermens plans, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday: I havent had the chance to speak to any of the fishermen operating in that area. I suppose I would just say to them that these are military vessels. Whatever they choose to do in terms of any protests, just make sure that they dont put themselves at risk. Russian ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov at the Russian Embassy in Dublin on Monday (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Varadkar said Ireland is powerless to stop the exercises. But we have made it very clear that these exercises are not welcome, particularly in the current context, when tensions are rising in relation to Ukraine, he added. Thats being communicated to them very strongly. There are no plans to send Irish troops to Ukraine. That hasnt been discussed. Mr Varadkar said the Cabinet received a comprehensive briefing from Mr Coveney over fears Russia will invade Ukraine. It is very serious. There is a real fear that we could see a land war on the continent of Europe, the Fine Gael leader added. We havent seen that for a very long time. Aside from the humanitarian impact, it could have an impact on us economically as well. We got a comprehensive briefing on that today. Were co-ordinating our response, of course, with our European partners and our UN partners. The Russian exercises off the coast of Cork and Kerry, while not illegal, are not welcome. We dont believe that theyre connected to the events in Russia and Ukraine but we certainly would prefer that they were not happening. In compliance with legal requirements, Russia informed Irelands aviation authorities of the planned activities in advance. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said there would be no impact on the safety of civil aircraft operations. On Tuesday evening, Mr Coveney warned that the situation was enormously serious. The tension between Russia and Ukraine, the threat of invasion of Ukraine, is something that the EU, the US and the UK are all taking incredibly seriously. This could be the first land war in Europe that weve seen for many decades, he warned. It could result in an enormous loss of life, and of course, extraordinary disruption right across the continent of Europe. And that is why Ireland has consistently been talking about the need to defuse tension, to focus on diplomacy and political dialogue, as opposed to military build-up and we will continue to be that voice. He told RTEs Six One that the EU was unified on the deterrent needed to avert a Russian invasion. He said: Because should they do that I think the response, from the sanctions perspective coming from the European Union, would be very, very comprehensive going way beyond anything weve done in recent times. Pharmacies across the country are in the process of receiving free N95 masks from the federal government and distributing them to the public. President Joe Biden announced the distribution of 400 million free N95 masks last week. The supply comes from dipping into the Strategic National Stockpile, a federal reserve of resources used when states become overwhelmed with crisis. Mask recipients are limited to three masks each to make supplies last. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, participating pharmacies will vary by state and territory. A full list can be found at their site, but popular retailers include Hy-Vee, Meijer, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart and CVS Health. The participating pharmacies include Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart, Hy-Vee and CVS Health. (Courtesy HyVee) Here's a list of the pharmacies participating in mask distributions and when they'll have free N95 masks available. When will free N95s be available at Albertsons? The grocery store chain shared a statement with TODAY stating they are "currently working to finalize details regarding inventory and distribution" of the free non-surgical N95 masks. When will free N95s be available at Kroger? According to a Kroger spokesperson, masks should be available at stores with pharmacies later this week. Most of its stores are located in the Midwestern or Southwestern region of the country. Dr. Marc Watkins, Kroger's Chief Medical Officer, said in a statement to NBC News Monday that the organization is glad to help distribute free masks. As part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, Kroger Health is incredibly proud to be part of the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history and continue our partnership with the Biden Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reduce the spread of the aggressive Omicron variant in the communities we serve. Wearing a mask and getting vaccinated continue to be the top defense tools in our nations fight against COVID-19. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free non-surgical N95 masks and make an appointment today to get vaccinated or boosted. When will free N95s be available at Walgreens? Free masks at Walgreens locations are not yet available, but will be in some locations starting on Friday, Jan. 28, a spokesperson told NBC Chicago. The roll out of masks will continue in the following days and weeks, reaching more stores in more states. Participating stores "will have signage indicating mask availability, the spokesperson said. N95 masks are more protective than other types of masks. The Biden administration began making them available for free last week. (Courtesy HyVee) When will free N95s be available at Hy-Vee? Hy-Vee is a chain in the Midwestern and Southern region of the country. Christina Gayman, a spokesperson for the company, said it received and began distributing free masks last Friday, Jan. 21. Most stores with pharmacies are currently distributing their mask allocation and all of them will have masks by Wednesday, Jan. 26. When will free N95s be available at Walmart? Walmart said free masks will become available late next week, at the earliest, at select Walmart and Sam's Club stores, according to a statement obtained by NBC Chicago. From the beginning of the pandemic, we have worked to meet the needs of our communities and help keep them safe and healthy by setting-up COVID testing sites, administering tens of millions of vaccines and boosters, and dispensing authorized COVID-19 oral antiviral medications, the statement read, in part. We are proud to continue to serve our customers, members and associates now through N95 mask distribution as part of the US Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. When will free N95s be available at CVS Health? CVS Health has not yet received or distributed any free masks, a company spokesperson said in a statement to TODAY. But it plans to in the coming weeks. "Through our continued participation in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, well be offering access to free N95 masks at CVS Pharmacy locations in the coming weeks as we receive supply from the Federal Government. Our work to distribute high-quality masks as part of this program is an extension of our commitment to providing equitable access to the tools necessary to combat COVID-19, including testing, vaccines and authorized therapies." When will free N95s be available at Rite Aid? In a statement shared with TODAY the company said they anticipate free N95 masks will be available in some stores later this week, with all stores receiving them by early February. "Customers will be able to pick up the masks, with a limit of three masks per person, at an in-store display or the pharmacy counter while supplies last," the statement said, in part. Related: While he continues to weigh deploying U.S. troops to Europe, President Biden said flatly on Tuesday that he has no intention of sending any into Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to invade the country. We have no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine, Biden told reporters after visiting a craft store on Capitol Hill, adding that Putin faced serious economic consequences if he moves. There would be enormous consequences if he were to go in and invade, as he could, the entire country, Biden continued. Theres not gonna be any American forces moving into Ukraine. At his press conference last week, Biden said he thinks Putin will ultimately invade Ukrainebut also predicted that the Russian president will regret having done it. I made it clear to President Putin early on that if he were to move into Ukraine that there would be severe consequences, Biden said Tuesday. President Biden visits the Honey Made store in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. (Andrew Harnik/AP) On Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin put 8,500 American troops on high alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe. Most of the troops would assist NATO in its response to Russias military buildup, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said at a news conference Monday afternoon. Its very clear the Russians have no intention right now of deescalating, Kirby said. What this is about, though, is reassurance to our NATO allies. On Tuesday, Biden said the U.S. has a sacred obligation to assist those allies should Putin continue Russias buildup. The president said he may be moving some of those troops in the near term. Its not provocative, Biden added. Its just exactly what I said. In this photo released by the Aurora Fire Rescue is the scene where a fire swept through a three-story apartment building in Aurora, Colo., Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Officials in suburban Denver say that a child died after firefighters rescued people unable to escape on their own before dawn. (Aurora Fire Rescue via AP) AURORA, Colo. (AP) A woman was arrested Monday on murder and arson charges after a fire swept through a three-story apartment building in suburban Denver, killing a 5-year-old boy and displacing more than 30 people. Investigators believe Alondra Michel, 37, was involved in a domestic violence incident with a resident on the main level of the apartment building early Monday morning and intentionally set something on fire, according to Aurora police. The blaze quickly spread to other apartments, including the second-story unit where the boy was found. Michel was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. A phone message left with the police department Monday evening to determine if she has an attorney who can speak on her behalf was not immediately returned. Fire officials said people trying to escape couldnt get down the stairs of the building during the fire, and photos showed the outdoor staircases burned in the blaze. Firefighters using ladders rescued about nine people from the building, said Lt. Dan Pollet, a spokesman for Aurora Fire Rescue. The boy, whose name has not been released, died in a hospital, Aurora Fire Rescue said in a statement. Despite the courageous and professional efforts of our members, our community has suffered a tragic loss and the entire Aurora Fire Rescue family is deeply saddened by this incident," Chief Fernando Gray, Sr. said. The fire agency is investigating the blaze, which was reported at about 1:30 a.m. Police are investigating the boy's death, said police spokesperson Agent Matthew Longshore. According to the Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, the fire directly damaged 12 apartments and left 12 others without utility service. It said it was providing lodging assistance and other services to 18 adults and eight children because of the fire. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva at a news conference last year. (Josie Norris / Los Angeles Times) The company that provides Los Angeles County with coronavirus testing said it plans to sue Sheriff Alex Villanueva for defamation over claims the sheriff made alleging the company has links to the Chinese government. Fulgent Genetics, the Temple City company contracted to administer tests and track the vaccination status of county employees, alleged that Villanueva orchestrated a briefing with FBI agents a day after Thanksgiving "in a last-ditch effort" to avoid complying with the county's employee vaccine mandate, according to papers the company's lawyers filed in court Friday. After the briefing, Villanueva claimed in a letter to elected county officials that FBI agents had called the meeting to warn him about Fulgent. The Times obtained a copy of the letter the same day Villanueva sent it. Villanueva "made these and other false claims about Fulgent even though the FBI neither accused Fulgent of wrongdoing nor alluded to any evidence that Fulgent provided or would provide private medical information to China," Fulgent attorneys said in the filing. They alleged that the FBI "never even mentioned Fulgents name" during the meeting. Fulgent, which contracts to provide testing for various federal and local agencies, asked a judge to order Villanueva to turn over documents and communications, including text messages and emails discussing Fulgent, as well as call logs and any written materials related to the FBI briefing. The Sheriff's Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. After Villanueva's letter was made public, Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokesperson, declined to answer questions about what had been discussed at the meeting. The county, whose top attorney and chief executive were also at the FBI briefing, released a statement disputing Villanueva's characterization of what was discussed. It said the countys contract with Fulgent prohibits the disclosure of data collected without the countys written permission and requires that the company store and process data in the continental United States. And in an email to employees last month, Lisa M. Garrett, the county's director of personnel, said: "The County has no evidence from any law enforcement agency or any other source that any County employee data has been or will be shared with the Chinese government." The controversy stems from a letter Villanueva sent to the Board of Supervisors late in November saying the FBI contacted him and held a briefing the day after Thanksgiving to relay the serious risks associated with allowing Fulgent to conduct COVID-19 testing of county employees. Villanueva claimed Fulgent collected genetic information about county employees when testing them and that it was not guaranteed to be safe and secure from foreign governments. FBI officials, he went on, had advised him at the briefing that the genetic information was likely to be shared with the Chinese government. Fulgent Genetics, he alleged in the letter, has strong ties with Chinese technology and genomics companies, but he did not elaborate on what those ties are. In a response to the letter, Fulgents chief commercial officer, Brandon Perthuis, dismissed the sheriffs allegations as untrue, saying the company was founded and is led by American citizens. He said the company does not use the swabs it collects during tests to sequence peoples unique genetic profiles and that the biological samples are destroyed by incineration after 48 hours. In general, he added, Fulgent does not share personal data about people who are tested with the Chinese government. Fulgent attorneys alleged that Villanueva directed the letter to be published on the Sheriff's Department's website. The allegedly false statements spread on social media, leading to an anti-Fulgent protest and causing the company to lose out on business contracts, according to the court filing. The filing also said a window was shot out at Fulgent's headquarters, though it does not say when. In letters to Fulgent attorneys that were attached to the court filing, Villanueva's attorney, Linda Savitt, said the sheriff did not publicly disseminate the letter and it wasn't posted to the department's website. I do have the IT Department looking into whether the Sheriffs website was hacked or accessed by someone outside of the department, she wrote. Savitt also accused the test company of deleting disclaimers from its website that it may store or transmit "personal information in locations around the world" and "if you do not want your information transferred to or processed or maintained outside of the country or jurisdiction where you are located, you should not use our services." Villanueva repeatedly has blasted the countys vaccine mandate for employees, saying he wont force his deputies to get inoculated and making dramatic claims that the mandate would trigger a mass exodus from the department. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful figures in state government for two decades before his conviction on corruption charges, has died in federal custody. He was 77. Silver died Monday, the federal Bureau of Prisons said, adding that the official cause of death would be determined by the medical examiner. Silvers supporters had said he was in failing health from multiple medical conditions. He had been serving his sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, but was in a hospital in nearby Ayer, Massachusetts, at the time of his death, the bureau said. The Manhattan Democrat, who told a judge he prayed he would not die in prison, was serving a more than six-year sentence for using his clout in state government to benefit real estate developers, who rewarded Silver by referring lucrative business to his law firm. Silvers conviction ended a nearly four-decade career in the Assembly. He first won a seat representing Manhattans Lower East Side in 1976. Although he cut a low-key figure in the halls of the state Capitol, carefully parsing out comments in a baritone mumble, he was a consummate practitioner of Albanys inside game. He became Assembly speaker in 1994, a powerful position that made him one of Albany's three men in a room negotiating annual budgets and major legislation with the governor and state Senate leader. In all, Silver served as speaker during the tenure of five New York governors, from Mario Cuomo to Andrew Cuomo. He became known as an inscrutable and stubborn negotiator, blocking proposals so often he was sometimes called Dr. No. Some of his obstructionist reputation had to do with being the lone Democrat at the negotiating table during Republican Gov. George Patakis three terms, during which time the GOP also controlled the state Senate. He helped scuttle former New York City Mayor Mike Bloombergs plan to locate a football stadium on Manhattans West Side. And he took the brunt of the blame for the collapse in 2008 of Bloombergs congestion-pricing plan for Manhattan, which would have charged electronic tolls for driving through the boroughs most highly trafficked neighborhoods. The exasperated mayor put out a press release saying it takes a special kind of cowardice not to have lawmakers vote on the plan. Silver said he didnt have the votes. He survived an early tenure coup attempt and became adept at horse-trading to secure education funding, tenants rights legislation and other policies favored by Assembly Democrats. For more than two decades, he held back a tide of repressive legislation while advancing an agenda that provided equity, justice and opportunity for all, Democratic Assembly member Kevin Cahill of the Hudson Valley said in a prepared statement. An Orthodox Jew, Silver was known to observe Sabbath even during the marathon negotiation sessions that preceded annual budget deadlines and the end of legislative sessions. Over time, he became a symbol of Albanys much-maligned opaque style of governance and, ultimately, a target of federal prosecutors. Prosecutors accused Silver of trading his influence for money. In one instance, they argued that Silver persuaded a physician to refer asbestos cancer patients to his law firm so it could seek multimillion-dollar settlements from personal injury lawsuits, a secret arrangement that allowed him to collect about $3 million in referral fees. In return, prosecutors said he directed hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants to a research center run by the doctor. Silvers lawyer argued that his client was entitled to accept payments for outside work. His original 2015 conviction was tossed out by an appeals court after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the definition of a corrupt act. He was convicted again at a second trial in 2018 tailored slightly to conform to the high court ruling. But an appeals court ultimately threw out the conviction related to the asbestos cancer patients, citing a faulty instruction to the jury. Prosecutors decided not to retry him on that charge. In the part of his conviction that stuck, the court found that he had supported legislation that benefited real estate developers who were referring tax business to a law firm that employed him. Silver gave up his leadership position following his arrest in January 2015 and lost his legislative seat upon his first conviction that November. Silver joined a long list of state lawmakers, including other top leaders, who have been sentenced for crimes including bribery, conspiracy, tax evasion, fraud and racketeering. One of the leaders with whom he shared power during his time as speaker, Republican state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, was convicted of extortion, wire fraud and bribery in a case that moved through the courts at roughly the same time as Silvers case. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had shared power with Silver, resigned from office last summer amid sexual harassment allegations. Silver begged for mercy ahead of his sentencing in a letter to the judge. I pray I will not die in prison, Silver wrote, saying he was broken-hearted that he damaged the trust people have in government. Silver was furloughed from prison for several days in May before federal authorities denied him home confinement. Silver was the youngest of four children of Russian immigrants. His father ran a wholesale hardware store. As an adult, he and his wife had four children and lived in a lower Manhattan apartment blocks from his first home. He received a bachelors degree from Yeshiva University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. ___ Balsamo reported from Washington. A pro-Trump social media influencer who posted video of himself at the U.S. Capitol during last year's riot was sentenced on Monday to three months of home detention after a federal prosecutor accused him of abusing his online platform to stir up the mob. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich said she finds it deeply disturbing that Brandon Straka, 45, used his social media influence to encourage and defend the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Election challenges are fought in the courts, not by storming the Capitol, Friedrich said. The judge also sentenced Straka to three years of probation and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. Also on Monday, a federal judge in Texas heard arguments on whether to jail the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group while he awaits trial on seditious conspiracy charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly Priest Johnson said she expects to issue a written ruling in the next day or two on whether to detain Stewart Rhodes. In the case of Straka, it was noted that his personal Twitter account has nearly 500,000 followers. Using his significant public profile, Straka encouraged others to storm the Capitol, to take a protective shield from a police officer and to hold the line even after he departed the Capitol grounds, a prosecutor said in a court filing. Even if he didnt personally engage in violence or property destruction during the riot, Straka encouraged and celebrated the violence of that day, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed wrote. Video: FBI arrests Brandon Straka Straka, a former hair stylist, founded the #WalkAway Campaign after posting a video that went viral in 2018. The video, titled Why I left the Democrat Party, has nearly 900,000 views on YouTube. He also chairs a tax-exempt nonprofit the #WalkAway Foundation in Fairfax, Virginia that reported more than $600,000 in revenue in 2019. Straka told the judge that he and his social media followers dont condone violence. Its not who they are, and its not who I am, which is why they love our movement, he said. My relationship with my fans and followers is not just about politics. Its about love. Prosecutors had recommended four months of home detention for Straka, a longtime resident of New York City. The Nebraska native pleaded guilty in October to a disorderly conduct charge, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment. More than 720 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Unlike most riot defendants, Straka isn't accused of either entering the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, or engaging in violent or destructive behavior. His attorney, Bilal Essayli, accused prosecutors of attacking Straka's constitutionally protected political speech and attempting to make a public example of a prominent Trump-supporting influencer. The judge, however, said Straka wasn't prosecuted or punished for his political views or personal beliefs. None of the criminal conduct to which Mr. Straka has admitted is covered by the First Amendment, Friedrich said. Essayli also said that when federal authorities interviewed Straka, they were focused on establishing an organized conspiracy between Straka, former President Donald Trump and Trump allies to disrupt the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6. Straka answered all questions truthfully and denied the existence of any such plot, his lawyer wrote in a court filing. After President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Straka frequently told his followers that it was time to rise up as part of a civil war, according to Reed, the prosecutor. Many of these messages contain rhetorical flourishes that are common in political speech. However, some of Strakas references to concrete planning and action could reasonably have been interpreted by some readers as a call for more than just a figurative struggle, Reed wrote. Straka was scheduled to speak at a rally near the Capitol on Jan. 6, after Trump's speech near the White House. Straka learned that the Capitol had been breached before he arrived at the building. A video captured Straka telling the rioters to go, go, go as they tried to enter the Capitol. Straka also can be heard saying take it, take it as rioters grabbed a shield from an officer. Straka tweeted, Patriots at the Capitol - HOLD. THE. LINE!!!! after he left the area. Thousands of Twitter users liked or retweeted the message. Straka did nothing to display to these followers that his conduct was shameful. He even boasted about his conduct by posting about the riot the following day, Reed wrote. Straka made statements on social media that were in retrospect irresponsible and potentially inflammatory, but he hadn't witnessed some of the worst violence on the west side of the Capitol, Essayli wrote. Once understanding the full context of the events, Brandon retracted and removed his prior statements, Straka's lawyer added. Straka was jailed for two days after his arrest in Omaha, Nebraska, last January. In the Texas case, Johnson heard arguments from federal prosecutors that Rhodes is dangerous, destroyed evidence of his alleged crimes and a is flight risk who could easily disappear with the help of his broad network of supporters. Rhodes defense attorneys countered that the 56-year-old has no passport, has cooperated with investigators and that the actions the government claims were dangerous took place many months ago. Defense lawyer James Lee Bright said Rhodes is being punished for his political opinion and called it disingenuous for the government to now claim hes a risk after waiting a year to arrest him. ___ Kunzelman reported from College Park, Maryland. Bleiberg reported from Plano, Texas. File image of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, provided by the U.S. Navy. (Petty Officer 1st Class Arthurgwain L. Marquez/U.S. Navy via AP) BANGKOK (AP) A U.S. Navy F35C Lightning II combat jet conducting exercises in the South China Sea crashed while trying to land on the deck of an American aircraft carrier, injuring seven sailors, the military said Tuesday. The pilot was able to eject before the aircraft slammed into the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson on Monday and then fell into the water. The pilot was safely recovered by a helicopter, said Lt. Mark Langford, a spokesman for the U.S. 7th Fleet. Seven sailors, including the pilot, were injured and three were evacuated for medical treatment in Manila, Philippines, while four were treated on board the ship. The three sent to Manila were reported in stable condition on Tuesday morning, the Navy said. Details on the crash of the multimillion-dollar aircraft were still being verified, Langford said. The status and recovery of the aircraft is currently under investigation, he told The Associated Press. Two American carrier strike groups with more than 14,000 sailors and marines are conducting exercises in the South China Sea, which the military says is to demonstrate the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Joint Force's ability to deliver a powerful maritime force. The U.S. and its allies have stepped up exercises in the region Impact to the deck of the USS Carl Vinson was superficial, Langford said, and both carriers have resumed routine flight operations. As China has pressed territorial claims in the South China Sea and increased pressure on Taiwan, the U.S. and its allies have stepped up exercises in the region, in what they call freedom of navigation operations in line with international law. As the Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln strike groups began their dual carrier operations on Sunday, China flew 39 warplanes toward Taiwan in its largest such sortie of the new year, according to Taiwan's defense ministry. The formation of 24 Chinese J-16 and 10 J-10 fighter jets stayed out of Taiwanese air space, but the maneuver prompted Taiwan to scramble its own aircraft in response. Chinese pilots have been flying toward Taiwan on a near-daily basis, and it was unclear if Sunday's flights were a response to the American exercises. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to comment. Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949, but China claims the island as its own territory. Beijing has used diplomatic and military means to isolate and intimidate the self-ruled island, but the U.S. has continued to support Taiwan by selling it advanced weapons and fighter planes. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Even as COVID-19 cases drop and hospitalizations show signs of plateauing in hard-hit pockets of the United States, the still-rising death toll from the Omicron variant highlights the trail of loss that follows every virus surge. Coronavirus deaths hit an 11-month high on Sunday, climbing 11% in the past week when compared to the prior week, according to a Reuters. COVID-19 fatalities are a lagging indicator, meaning their numbers usually rise a few weeks after new cases and hospitalizations. The Omicron death toll has now surpassed the height of deaths caused by the more severe Delta variant when the seven-day average peaked at 2,078 on Sept. 23 last year. An average of 2,200 people a day, mostly unvaccinated, are now dying due to Omicron. That is still below the peak of 3,300 lives lost a day during the surge in January 2021 as vaccines were just being rolled out. "It will be a while until we see (a) decrease in death as very sick people with COVID remain hospitalized for a long time," said Wafaa El-Sadr, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University in New York City. As Omicron surged in December and earlier this month, hospital systems from New Jersey to New Mexico buckled under the sheer number of patients brought in by the apparently less severe but highly infectious variant, prompting the federal government to send military medical aid to six states. "More infectious variants tend to run through a population very rapidly," said El-Sadr in an email. "Even if such new variants cause less severe disease (particularly among those vaccinated and boosted), we will likely still see increase in hospitalizations and deaths due to vulnerability of unvaccinated and unboosted." Nurses treat a COVID-19 patient in her isolation room at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho. (Reuters) COVID-19 hospitalizations are still setting records in some states including Arkansas and North Carolina. Nationally they are now under 147,000, compared with a peak of 152,746 on Jan. 20, the Reuters tally shows. Cases nationally are down by 12% in the last seven days compared with the prior seven, the analysis found, prompting some health officials to strike a cautiously optimist tone on the trajectory of the pandemic. "It's certainly reached its peak in certain regions of the country," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease official, said in an interview with MSNBC on Monday. "I believe that in the next few weeks we will see - as a country - that it is all turning around." U.S. COVID-19 data often lag a few days behind the actual state of affairs and paints an imperfect picture. Positive findings from the now ubiquitous at-home tests are not included in the official case count, while hospitalization counts often do not differentiate between patients who are receiving treatment for COVID-19 and others who test positive while in the hospital with other issues. On Monday, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that it was dangerous to assume Omicron would herald the end of COVID-19's most acute phase, and exhorted nations to stay focused to beat the pandemic. The Omicron wave scrambled the hopes of Americans for a gradual transition into a post-pandemic reality and re-ignited tensions around masking and vaccines in schools and workplaces, exposing once again the deep political fault lines cracked open by the health crisis. On Sunday, large crowds rallied in Washington, D.C., in opposition of COVID-19 mandates, some holding signs that read "people call the shot, not the government." Virginia's new Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is facing a lawsuit from seven school boards seeking to stop his order that would make masks optional in school as of Monday. A spokesperson for Youngkin, vowing to fight the lawsuit, said on Monday, "We are disappointed that these school boards are ignoring parent's rights." Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the armed forces, train in a city park in Kyiv on Saturday. (Efrem Lukatsky / Associated Press) With the crisis over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine intensifyingon Monday, U.S. officials placed thousands of troops on "high alert" and NATO took steps to position personnel and war machinery in Eastern Europe, further signs that a diplomatic solution to the standoff was nowhere within reach. Biden administration officials said a final decision had not been made about whether to dispatch troops, but 8,500 U.S.-based soldiers and other personnel specializing in reconnaissance, intelligence, aviation and transportation were being placed on heightened readiness to be dispatched to Europe if needed. President Biden has thus far ruled out putting U.S. troops in Ukraine but has signaled a willingness to use U.S. military personnel to bolster NATO forces if requested. "This is about getting troops ready," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. "It is very clear the Russians have no intentions right now of de-escalating." White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declined to speculate on whether the "high alert" status signaled the imminent deployment of troops. "We've never ruled out the option of providing additional assistance in advance of an invasion," she told reporters. "So I wouldn't say it's a response to an abrupt moment. It's a part of an ongoing contingency planning process." NATO, meanwhile, outlined plans for reinforcements in the East. Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is set to deploy four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania, while Spain, France and the Netherlands are sending or planning to send ships, fighter jets or troops to countries like Bulgaria and Romania. I welcome allies contributing additional forces to NATO," said the transatlantic alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg. "NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the alliance." The troop actions followed a decision Sunday by U.S. officials to order families of U.S. personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave the country. That announcement matched Monday by Britain set off panic among Ukrainians. A Ukrainian journalist at Monday's State Department briefing in Washington took pains to remind a State Department spokesman that Washington did not extract its personnel during Ukraine's 2014 ferociously deadly conflict with Russia. The situation in Ukraine, a pro-West emerging democracy flanked on at least two sides by more than 100,000 Russian troops, dominated public and private conversation at the White House on Monday. Biden has said he believes Russia will invade the former Soviet Republic. Security experts say a Russian attack and its violent fallout are inevitable. U.S. officials consistently insist, but with less and less optimism, that diplomacy is still on the table. America's top diplomats Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and his deputy Wendy R. Sherman have spent much of the last two weeks in European capitals, including Kyiv, trying to build a united front against Moscow. They have also met with their Russian counterparts, but do not appear to have succeeded in easing tensions. In the hopes of shoring up unity among allies, Biden and Blinken met again Monday, virtually, with European leaders to discuss ways to confront Russian aggression. Participants included the presidents or prime ministers of Poland, Britain, France, Italy and Germany. The U.S. president and secretary of State pledged to "impose massive consequences and severe economic costs" on Russia for any "additional aggression" against Ukraine. One possible measure would be booting Russia from international banking transactions. While such an action would be devastating to Moscow, it would also hurt its European trade partners. But some European governments, such as Germany, are reluctant to hit Russia very hard because of numerous business ties they maintain with Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin says his nation's military build-up is merely part of routine exercises, though he appears to be escalating the situation by moving troops into Belarus, an ally situated on Ukraine's northern side, much closer to Kyiv than the larger Russian deployments to Ukraine's east. North Atlantic Treaty Organization members Poland, Hungary and Romania sit on Ukraine's western border. Putin has blamed the crisis on the West, which he says is responsible for stoking tensions as part of its effort to dominate the former Soviet empire that he yearns to again have under Kremlin control. His key demand in talks with U.S. and European officials is that Ukraine never be allowed to enter NATO. While Kyiv is still a long way from qualifying for NATO membership, the alliance refuses to change its "open door" policy whereby any nation is entitled to apply for membership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday blamed Western "hysteria" for inflaming tensions over Ukraine. "It is generally laced with a huge amount of false information," Peskov said. For Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, however, the crisis appears to be existential. Backed by some U.S. lawmakers and former diplomats, he is urging more forceful U.S. and NATO actions now, before and as a real deterrent to a Russian invasion, rather than as punishment afterward. "Strong Ukraine is key for European security," he said Monday. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Britain is prepared to deploy troops to protect Nato allies in Europe should Russia invade Ukraine, Boris Johnson said, as he warned Vladimir Putin faces ferocious Ukrainian resistance. The Prime Minister also said the UK and its allies stand ready to impose heavy economic sanctions on Russia and voiced fears that any invasion would result in bloodshed comparable to the first war in Chechnya or Bosnia. Mr Johnson told the House of Commons: If Russia pursues this path, many Russian mothers sons will not be coming home. The response in the international community would be the same and the pain that would be inflicted on the Russian economy will be the same. He made an appeal for diplomacy to resolve the tensions and avoid a war that would earn and would deserve the condemnation of history. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party stands resolute in supporting Ukraines independence and sovereignty. Earlier, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss failed to rule out UK combat troops being sent to help defend Ukraine but told MPs such a scenario is unlikely. Putins aggression threatens peace in Europe and runs counter to Labours core values of internationalism and the rule of law. We must stand firm and united in our support for Ukraine. https://t.co/8WrRp73SnT David Lammy (@DavidLammy) January 25, 2022 Mr Johnson, making a statement to the Commons, went on to say: The British Army leads the Nato battle group in Estonia and if Russia invades Ukraine, we would look to contribute to any new Nato deployments to protect our allies in Europe. He also told MPs the UK could not bargain away the vision of a free Europe which emerged between 1989 and 1991, adding: We will not reopen that divide by agreeing to overturn the European Security Order because Russia has placed a gun to Ukraines head, nor can we accept the doctrine implicit in Russian proposals that all states are sovereign, but some are more sovereign than others. The draft treaty published by Russia in December would divide our continent once again between free nations and countries whose foreign and defence policies are explicitly constrained by the Kremlin in ways that Russia would never accept for herself. He went on: There is nothing new about large and powerful nations using the threat of brute force to terrify reasonable people into giving way to otherwise completely unacceptable demands. But if President Putin was to choose the path of bloodshed and destruction, he must realise that itd be both tragic and futile, and nor should we allow him to believe that he could easily take some smaller portion of Ukraine to salami-slice because the resistance would be ferocious. Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a statement on the Ukraine in the House of Commons, Westminster. Picture date: Tuesday January 25, 2022 (PA) Russian troops have massed at the border with Ukraine and intense diplomatic activity has failed to ease tensions. Sir Keir said: For too long the implicit message to Moscow has been that President Putin can do what he likes and the West will do little to respond. We must now change course and show Russia that any further aggression will result in severe real-world consequences. Tobias Ellwood, Conservative chairman of the Defence Committee, said the threat of sanctions will not deter Russian aggression. He added: It is not to late to mobilise a sizeable Nato presence in Ukraine, utilising the superior hard power the alliance possesses to make Putin think twice about invading another European democracy. Russian president Vladimir Putin (Nick Potts/PA) Mr Johnson replied: I have to tell him that I dont believe that to be a likely prospect in the near term. Ukraine is not a member of Nato. But what we can do, and what we are doing, is sending troops to support Ukraine. Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, warned that Defence Secretary Ben Wallaces support for Ukraine risks being undermined if the Government does not tackle dirty Russian money flowing through our system. Labour former minister Chris Bryant added: The arguments that President Putin uses about Russian speakers in Ukraine are exactly the same as Adolf Hitler advanced over the Sudetenland Germans in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. At the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, the Defence Secretary indicated that Russia already had operatives in place to prepare for an invasion. We are becoming aware of a significant number of individuals that are assessed to be associated with Russian military advance force operations that currently are located in Ukraine, Mr Wallace told MPs. The Ulster Unionist Party leader has said he will ask political colleagues whether he should resign amid a controversy over historical tweets. Doug Beattie has faced accusations of misogyny and racism over the content of tweets posted before he entered political life. The Upper Bann MLA conceded that the posts, the majority of which were written around a decade ago, were horrendous and horrific. He told BBC Radio Ulster: I will speak to my MLA group today and I will speak to my party officers through my chairman, Danny Kennedy, and if either group feels I should step down, then I will. Likewise, if they think I should refer myself to the party executive or the wider council on a vote of no confidence then I shall do that as well, and the party will decide whether or not they can follow my leadership. Mr Beattie denied being racist or misogynistic. He said he is extremely embarrassed and extremely ashamed about the social media posts. The former soldier suggested the dark and black humour he used may have been a coping mechanism and reflective of him being desensitised by battlefield experiences. My mental health has been affected by what I have seen and what I have done, he said. Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie leaving BBC Broadcasting House in Belfast on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA) But Mr Beattie insisted he is not using that potential explanation as an excuse for his tweets. I dont want anybody to think Im giving an excuse because I am simply not, it was wrong and I am deeply sorry, he said. He said he is asking his party for a second chance. Whether or not my party feels that I am the leader who can lead them into the election and beyond will be their decision and I will abide by that decision, he said. If the party want me to stay I will still be the leader next week, if they dont want me to stay I will not be the party leader next week. He added: I am asking people to look at the person I am now and not judge me on the person I was 10 years ago. The furore has erupted after Mr Beattie posted a joke on Twitter on Saturday evening that referred to the wife of a political rival and a brothel. DUP Stormont minister Edwin Poots said his wife was disgusted by the joke. Mr Beattie apologised for the post and deleted it. UUP leader Doug Beattie is a decorated former soldier (Brian Lawless/PA) He reiterated that apology on the floor on the Assembly on Monday, insisting he was truly sorry. However, the controversy then escalated after focus turned to Mr Beatties historical conduct on Twitter. A series of derogatory messages came to light referring to women, Muslims, members of the Travelling community and people with mental health issues. It has marked a dramatic turn of fortunes for Mr Beattie. He posted the tweet on Saturday evening, hours after a newspaper opinion poll indicated he was the most popular political leader in Northern Ireland. He said his confidence had been rocked by the controversy and he had isolated himself from friends and loved ones. I have to pick myself up and come out of the shadows and face this head on, he said. Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit Feature Your News Online $25.00 / for 30 days Highlight your business' news for just $25! We'll feature your content on our News From Local Business section & our Marketplace front page to give it maximum exposure for the next 30 days. Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content! YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Air Force received new modern multi-role attack and transport helicopters, the Ministry of Defense said. On the occasion of commissioning the new military aviation equipment, a ceremony was held on January 25 at the Erebuni airfield which was attended by Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Lt. General Artak Davtyan. Ahead of the anniversary of the formation of the Army, congratulating the personnel, the command of the military base expressed conviction that the protectors of the air borders are ready to fulfill their objectives and keep the countrys air gates safe, the Ministry of Defense said. Lt. General Artak Davtyan personally inspected the new gunships. According to information released on January 24, 2022, the U.S. Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems a contract modification for the second lot of full-rate production of Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs). The contract award of $ 169 million is for 33 vehicles. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link U.S. Marines offload amphibious combat vehicles (ACVs) with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division from the amphibious assault dock landing ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during a strategic mobility exercise (STRATMOBEX) at Naval Base San Diego, California, Oct. 19, 2021. (Picture source U.S. DoD) The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is a new generation of 8x8 amphibious armored vehicles designed and manufactured by BAE Systems in collaboration with the Italian company Iveco Defence Vehicles. The program to acquire a new amphibious armored vehicle was initiated in 2011 by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to replace the old tracked amphibious armored vehicle AAV, official designation AAVP-7A1 which is in service with the U.S. Marine Corps since 1972. In November 2015, BAE Systems received a $103.7m engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) contract to deliver 16 ACV prototypes. The first prototype under the contract was delivered to the USMC in December 2016. Delivery of the 16 prototypes was completed by the end of 2017. BAE Systems received a $198m contract for the initial delivery of 30 ACVs in June 2018. The contract also includes options for the delivery of up to 204 vehicles, bringing the total contract value to $1.2bn. BAE Systems was awarded the first full-rate ACV production Lot 1 contract option in December 2020 for the first 36 vehicles and the second option in February of 2021 for an additional 36 vehicles. BAE Systems is already under contract to deliver two variants of the ACV Family of Vehicles to the Marine Corps: the ACV personnel variant (ACV-P) and the ACV command variant (ACV-C). The company has also received a design and development contract for a 30mm cannon variant (ACV-30), and a recovery vehicle (ACV-R) is also planned. In addition, BAE Systems has received task instructions from the U.S. Marine Corps to complete a study of incorporating Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Command, Control, Communication, and Computers/Unmanned Aerial Systems mission payload into an Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) variant. The ACV is an 8x8 amphibious armored vehicle and features a proven H-Drive System to deliver full-time all-wheel traction both on land and in the surf zone. Built to be exceptionally mobile, the ACV can maneuver in tight spaces and operate in any terrain or environment. A blast-resistant hull and energy absorbing seats are key elements of the ACVs survivability system that deliver superior mine, improvised explosive device (IED), kinetic energy (KE), and overhead protection. An Automatic Fire Suppression System is also included. The ACV is powered by an Iveco Cursor 16 six-cylinder, 700 hp (515 kW) turbocharged and intercooled multi-fuel diesel engine, which develops 2213 lb. ft. (3000 Nm) of torque. The vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 105 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 523 km. The ACV is fully amphibious and powered in the water thanks to two waterjets mounted at the rear of the hull at a maximum speed of 11 km/h. The ACV has a crew of three and can accommodate up to 13 military personnel. It has a gross vehicle weight of 35 tons with a maximum payload of 3,300 kg. The vehicle has an overall length of 9.2m, a width of 3.1 m, and a height of 2.9 m. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Nancy Carolyn Roberts Chappell, 71, a native and lifelong resident of Crossett, died Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at her sisters residence in Hamburg. She was a 1968 graduate of Crossett High School and a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Nursing. She worked as a Read more Vintage, as well as current modern aircraft like Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, Mi-17, Sarang, Apache, and Dakota will display different formations Indian Air Force choppers fly in a formation during the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade 2022, at Rajpath, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: A grand fly-past of 75 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, cultural performances by 480 dancers selected through competitive process, display of 10 scrolls each of 75 metres length and installation of 10 large LED screens will be happening for the first time at the Republic Day parade on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said. The Republic Day parade (RDP)-2022 is happening in the 75th year of Indian independence, which is being celebrated as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' across the country, the MoD's statement on Tuesday noted. "The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the fly-past, will for the first time witness 75 aircraft of the IAF displaying a number of formations, as part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'," it mentioned. For the first time, the IAF has coordinated with Doordarshan to show cockpit videos during the fly past, it noted. Vintage as well as current modern aircraft like Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, Mi-17, Sarang, Apache and Dakota will display different formations -- including Rahat, Meghna, Eklavya, Trishul, Tiranga, Vijay and Amrit -- at the fly-past, the MoD stated. Ten scrolls each of 75 metres in length and 15 feet in height will be displayed along the Rajpath during the parade for the first time, it mentioned. "They (scrolls) were prepared during the 'Kala Kumbh' event jointly organised by Ministries of Defence and Culture," it noted. The scrolls were painted in two phases - at Bhubaneswar and Chandigarh - by over 600 renowned artists and young aspirants from across the country, it mentioned. For the first time, dancers who perform during the cultural programme at the parade have been selected through a nation-wide competition, the MoD noted. The competition 'Vande Bharatam' began at the district level with the participation of nearly 3,870 dancers in 323 groups progressed to state and zonal levels over a period of two months in November and December, it mentioned. "Finally, 480 dancers were selected. They will showcase their talent during the parade at Rajpath," it stated. For a better viewing experience at the parade, 10 large LED screens - five on each side of Rajpath will be installed, the MoD mentioned. "Curated films combining footages of previous Republic Day parades, short films on the armed forces and stories related to various events in the run-up to the RDP-2022 will be screened before the parade," it noted. Thereafter, the screens will show the live event, it mentioned. Citing sources, the prelate reports that the situation seems to be improving after fierce fighting. The jihadi raid sought to free jailed militants and their families. Fears are growing over the fate of 850 children trapped in the prison. At least 150 people have died since the attack began. Aleppo (AsiaNews) Last Thursday, a commando stormed Ghwayran prison, Hasaka, north-eastern Syria, which held members of the Islamic State (IS) and other jihadi groups. The situation seems to be improving and the intensity of the fighting seems to have abated a bit, but the real element of surprise" is how armed men arrived in the area without problems and easily launched their attack, said Mgr Antoine Audo, Chaldean bishop of Aleppo and former president of Caritas Syria. The attack triggered the response of Kurdish forces that control the area. Supported by air strikes of the US-led international coalition, they have kept the area cordoned off, including the local Christian community. The priest with whom I am in contact spoke to me about the attack against the Kurdish prison, which holds thousands of prisoners, said the prelate. They set fire to the structure, then fled. The reaction of the Kurds triggered fierce fighting, which included the intervention of US planes and forces. Hitherto, jihadi groups were thought to no longer constitute a danger, at least in Syria, but this attack shows that they are still active and ready to strike. Local Christians are sheltering at home and in the church, but now it seems that the situation "is calming down". At least 45,000 people have fled their homes in Hasaka, in northeastern Syria, a predominantly Kurdish region, scene of the bloody IS raid to free jailed fighters and their families. The fate of many children is also at stake. According to some estimates, some 850 children were held in Ghwayran prison. They could end up in the hands of IS fighters after the incident. About 300 jailed militants surrendered to Kurdish security forces. More than 150 people are reported to have been killed since IS launched its attack. The surprise attack shows how much jihadi cells are still active in Syria, not to mention Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group with a large network of informants on the ground, said on Monday that 102 IS fighters, seven civilians and 45 Kurdish members of security forces and prison guards have died in clashes at the prison since Thursday. UNICEF is alarmed by the fate of the 850 children caught up in the fighting; some are as young as 12 and their safety is at serious risk. As fighting continues, the risk for children increases including to be harmed or forcibly recruited, the UN agency said. IS is no stranger to using children, dubbed caliphate cubs, in extreme missions, such as carrying out suicide attacks or executing prisoners. In Iraq, there are more dormant cells ready to strike, explained Bishop Audo. They can rely on vast desert areas to shelter. This is less so in Syria, where the Syrian military exerts greater control. But jihadi fighters are concentrated in Idlib province. This is why the attack took everybody by surprise, because of the ease with which they were able to move. This suggests they had military support. Such outbreaks of violence must be carefully monitored, but what is the most worrying fact is poverty and lack of jobs. At present, this is the real emergency in Syria. This is where the Church can focus its action. Speaking about local Christians, the prelate noted: They are weaker because they constitute a minority caught in the crossfire, between two opposing forces. So far, at least, there seems to be no immediate danger of attacks against churches or the community. We do everything possible to remain, to be faithful to the country and bear witness though our mission. by Steve Suwannarat Many Singaporeans have been calling for a generational change in the countrys leadership, from the third (G3) to the fourth (G4) generation since independence. The pandemic has shown that the ruling party needs to attract young people, who are currently drawn to the opposition. But the small city-state rests on a delicate balance, which raises concerns. Singapore (AsiaNews) In Singapore, the debate over the countrys leaders has intensified, centred on the need for a broad change in leadership that many have been hoping for some time. Since the pandemic broke out, the 4G or fourth generation of leaders (since the countrys founding) played a crucial role in tackling the health emergency and the various SARS-CoV-2 variants. The third generation, that of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has instead shown a growing detachment. Lee, 69, who became prime minister and secretary-general of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in 2004, reacted to the crisis in a somewhat contradictory manner. His father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapores long-time strongman, was prime minister between 1959 and 1990. Determination and coordination will be necessary in order not to negatively affect the countrys economic and social prospects. For several observers, a generational change is necessary but it will need to be rapid and consistent to avoid repercussions on the small country, which rests on a delicate balance of diversity and interests. Although the elections of 10 July 2020 saw the PAP keep its hold on power, it also saw the main opposition party, the Worker's Party (WP), make a comeback, increasing its seat count in parliament by attracting younger voters. However, the ruling partys tactics, including the adoption of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, have kept the WP at bay limiting its role. When Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, the leading 4G leader, decided last year not to run to succeed Lee, the change in leadership was put on hold, although developments are expected this year. The PAP will need to continue to adapt its leadership to appeal to younger voters, said Chia Siow Yue, Senior Research Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. In fact, As they routinely express in writing and on social media, younger people want a more consultative style of governance and accountability, more emphasis on social inclusiveness and justice, and greater environmental sustainability. by Nirmala Carvalho On the eve of Republic Day, which also coincides with the promulgation of the Indian constitution, the archbishop emeritus of Guwahati speaks out. In his view, the country is slipping into the hands of the earning elite to the detriment of the poor and minorities. How can the authorities repeat that religious freedom is guaranteed when government interference in conversions is increasing, along with words that sow hatred between faiths? Mumbai (AsiaNews) On the eve of 26 January, the day when the Indian constitution was promulgated, Mgr Thomas Menamparampil, archbishop emeritus of Guwahati, 85, one of the best-known voices of the Indian Catholic Church, issued a warning. It Is Time to Rethink, he told AsiaNews in an interview. Republic Day is an occasion when we rejoice together over the achievements of the nation. It also offers us an opportunity for self-evaluation as a people and ask ourselves in what respect we may have failed the expectations and hopes of our Founding Fathers. Mgr Menamparampil, in recent days a report by Oxfam has highlighted the growing gap between rich and poor in India. During the pandemic, 84 per cent of families saw their income drop, while the number of Indian billionaires has increased from 102 to 142. What does this situation reveal? While we are proud of the democratic traditions that they [Founding Fathers] have handed down to us, the mounting inequality between different sections of people today, on which Oxfam has recently reported, is a cause for increasing anxiety for perceptive citizens. Seventy percent of wealth-increase is going into hands of the top elite who know how to take advantage, not only of market fluctuations and political bias, but also of natural calamities and global disasters like the pandemic. What is even more worrying is the closeness between the ruling elite and the earning elite. The future of the nation seems to be slipping too fast into the hands of the latter. It is time for responsible citizens to think. This trend comes with rising tensions between the majority embodied by Hindu nationalists and various minorities, with very little respect for what is written in the Indian constitution. Early proponents of democracy in history who called for respect for majority perspectives trembled at the prospect of a dictatorship of the majority. The memories of pre-war dictatorships along nationalistic lines, which led the mightiest nations of that period to a suicidal war, should stir a sense of responsibility in our policy-makers, who today seem to be more committed to the exaggerated claims of the majority community than shared common welfare. The insensitivity that was evident in recent community clashes where members of minority groups and weaker sections of people were victimised with the police standing by and authorities silent has set a worrying precedent. Dominance by the majority is not a healthy democratic trait. Domination and belittling of minority communities and fragile groups must give way to mutual respect and collaboration. In this context, hostility towards Christians in India continues to grow; anti-conversion laws are now in force in as many as 10 Indian states. One of the hardest tasks for Indian authorities is to explain to global society how they can claim that freedom of religion in the country is perfect when there is official interference in citizens personal religious decisions. The Freedom of Religion Act in fact limits the freedom of religious choice in many ways. And to these are added further interference imposed by the administrative bureaucracy. While the constitution gives freedom to propagate, today we feel that even the right to practice is being restricted, with prayer groups and religious gatherings being disturbed. Instances of harassments have multiplied. Hate words and hate-spreading vigilantes are reported in a variety of places. Republic Day is an occasion for all citizens of the country to reaffirm that they fully stand by the constitution. by Shafique Khokhar Four vandals tied up the guardian and desecrated the building. The police assure full cooperation. Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi: "The perpetrators wanted to generate panic, but we must remain calm and continue to pray". Okara (AsiaNews) - "They threw the Holy Eucharist out of the tabernacle and scattered and dishonoured the holy books". These are the words of Younus Masih Gill, a member of the Church of St. Camillus de Lellis after a group of armed men kidnapped and tied up the sacristan and desecrated the religious building in Okara, a town 100 km from Faisalabad (Punjab). The custodian Allahditta Masih told AsiaNews that on January 23 he was inside the church when at about 10:30 in the evening "four armed men stood in front of the gate and asked me to come out, otherwise they would shoot me". They tied him up with ropes, beat him, and then locked him in. Nadeem Faisal, one of the residents in the area, called the police. When they arrived, they freed Allahditta and collected evidence. Pastor Khalil Maqsood and Fr Khalid Rasheed Aasi, director of the Catholic Church's National Justice and Peace Commission, presented the first information report to the Saddar police station, demanding for a detailed investigation. Younus Masih Gill also filed a complaint against unknown persons and said that "people do not feel safe after the incident, which has disturbed the peace of the community". Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi condemned the vandalism and called on the faithful to remain calm: "The perpetrators wanted to generate panic, but we must remain calm and continue to pray that no one can harm our union," the priest explained. "The police have assured us of their full cooperation with the church and said they will soon arrest the perpetrators. Humility is the one way to come to worship God in the same house, around the same altar. The great band of martyrs around Jesus, indicates to us here below a clear way, the way of unity! Rome (AsiaNews) Pope Francis today celebrated Vespers for the Solemnity of the Conversion of St Paul, marking the end of the 55th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The traditional event in the Basilica of St Pauls Outside-the-Walls brought together representatives of various Churches, after ecumenical meetings centred this year on the theme In the East We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage (Mt 2:2), indicated by the Council of Churches of the Middle East. Following the Magis path, Francis focused on three stages of the journey that began from the East, passed through Jerusalem, and at last came to Bethlehem. The journeys start, in the words of Francis, indicates that the Magi were not content with their own knowledge and traditions; they desired something more. Hence, they embarked on a risky voyage, driven by a restless search for God. Traditionally represented wearing varied clothes, to represent various communities, In them, we can see reflected our own differences, our different Christian traditions and experiences, but also our unity, which is born of the same desire: to look to heaven and to journey together on earth. Like them, may we too follow the star of Jesus! The Magi come from the East. The East also makes us think of Christians living in various regions devastated by war and violence. It was the Middle East Council of Churches that prepared the resources for this Week of Prayer. These brothers and sisters of ours confront any number of difficult challenges, yet by their testimony they give us hope. They remind us that the star of Christ shines in the darkness and never sets; from on high, the Lord accompanies and encourages our steps. Around him, in heaven, there shine together, without distinction of confession, a great band of martyrs; they indicate to us here below a clear way, the way of unity! In Jerusalem, the second stage of their journey, the Magi found the dark forces of this world, i.e., Herod, and all those who fear the novelty they proclaim. Along our journey towards unity, we too can halt for the same reason that paralyzed those people: confusion and fear. The fear of a newness that upsets our usual habits and our sense of security; the fear that others may destabilize my traditions and long-established patterns. Yet deep down it is the fear lurking in every human heart, the fear from which the risen Lord wishes to liberate us. On our journey of fellowship, may we never fail to hear his words of encouragement: Do not be afraid (Mt 28:5.10). Let us not fear to put our brothers and sisters ahead of our own fears! The Lord wants us to trust one another and to journey together, despite our failings and our sins, despite the errors of the past and our mutual wounds. Finally, in Bethlehem, prostrating themselves before the child Jesus, the Magi anticipated the apostles, many yet one who became a prophetic sign for us who long for the Lord, our traveling companions along the paths of the world, seekers through sacred Scripture of the signs of God in history. Brothers and sisters, for us too, the fullness of unity, in the same house, will only be attained through worship of the Lord. For Francis, this is the path to follow: to worship God by prostrating ourselves. How many times has pride proved the real obstacle to communion! The gifts of the Magi symbolize the gifts the Lord desires to receive from us. God must be given the gold, that which is most precious, because the first place must always go to God. It is to him that we should look, not to ourselves; to his will, not our own; to his ways, not our own. If the Lord is truly in the first place, our choices, including our ecclesiastical choices, can no longer be based on the politics of this world, but on the will of God. Then there is the incense, which recalls the importance of prayer, which rises up to God as a pleasing fragrance (cf. Ps 141:2). May we never tire of praying for one another and with one another. Finally, there is the myrrh, which would be used to honour the body of Jesus taken down from the cross (cf. Jn 19:39), and which speaks to us of care for the suffering flesh of the Lord, reflected in the wounds of the poor. Let us serve those in need. Together, let us serve the suffering Jesus! Like the Magi who returned by another path, the Pope ended saying: we need to change course, to invert the route of our habits and our ways, in order to find the path that the Lord points out to us: the path of humility, fraternity and adoration. The celebration was attended by Metropolitan Polykarpos, representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; Ian Ernest, personal representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Rome; and representatives of other Christian communities present in Rome. Also present were students from the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Anglican students from Nashotah College in the United States, and Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox students who are on a scholarship offered by the Catholic Committee for Cultural Collaboration with the Orthodox Churches, which is active within the Council for Promoting Christian unity. by Vladimir Rozanskij A synodal decision is still necessary. A way to establish continuity between Putin and the rulers. Tsar Nicholas and the relics of his lineage will be the invincible "spiritual weapon" of the Russians against all threats. Moscow (AsiaNews) - With a statement from the Moscow patriarchate, an issue that has been dragging on since the end of the Soviet period ihas returned to the fore in Russia: the recognition of the mortal remains of the last Tsar Nicholas II and members of his family, found in mass graves in the woods near Ekaterinburg. The Bolsheviks had killed them on Lenin's orders in July 1918. The tsar was canonised in 2000 as a 'strastoterpets' martyr, the category of Russian 'political' martyrs who defended the Orthodox faith. Since 1998, the presumed mortal remains of the tsar, his wife and five children, including 'Tsarevich' Alexis and his servants (including a Catholic doctor and a Protestant nanny) have rested in a special chapel. The chapel was inaugurated by the then president Boris Yeltsyn during the state funeral in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in St Petersburg, next to the tombs of all the other tsars of the Romanov dynasty. On 22 January, Metropolitan Ilarion (Alfeev) spoke on his weekly television programme "The Church and the World" on the Rossija-24 channel, declaring that "nothing now prevents the authenticity of the 'remains of Ekaterinburg' from being recognised, but for this to happen a synodal decision of the Church will be necessary". Since 1990, when the bones were found, there has been a long and controversial process of analysis and study, which has given rise to various discussions; President Putin has decided to leave the final word to the Orthodox Church. Ilarion recalled that during last year's synod in June, the report of the chairman of the commission of enquiry had been heard, who had presented the bishops with the results of the investigation "in a convincing manner". The next synod was supposed to be held in November 2021, but the epidemiological situation forced the patriarchate to postpone it to May 2022; if there are no further postponements, the long-awaited official recognition can take place. Ilarion went on to explain in that case 'the remains will become holy relics, and due veneration will be allowed'. The relics are now kept in the chapel in a simple sepulchral form, while with the recognition the relics would be exposed to the devotion, which is deeply felt in the Russian Orthodox tradition towards saints. For years, the main proponent of this solemn act has been Putin's 'spiritual father', Metropolitan Tikhon (Sevkunov), and many have attributed to his insistence a political and ideological significance, to establish continuity between Putin and the tsars. Indeed, the discussion about imperial remains was also linked to the change of regime: the analyses made by Yeltsyn were not accepted, while those ordered under Putin are considered reliable, especially since Tikhon himself took the matter under his supervision in 2015, precisely in the neo-imperial phase of Putin's policy. Solemnities are now expected not only in the capital, but also in Yekaterinburg on the Urals, at the shrine of Galina Jama erected on the site of Nicholas' martyrdom and where the faithful flock even in times of pandemic, despite prohibitions. The area has now been freed from the cumbersome figure of the denialist 'starets' Sergei Romanov, and a new monastery will soon be opened. Tsar Nicholas and the relics of his lineage will thus be the invincible "spiritual weapon" of the Russians against every threat to Russia, external and internal, from East to West, exalting the "patriotic sacrifice" of those who found sanctity in defeat and humiliation. by Tran Hung Chinas Zero COVIDd-19 policy has disrupted trade, forcing Vietnamese farmers to throw away tonnes of fresh fruit. In turn, this has pushed the Vietnamese government to redirect exports to Australia asking overseas Vietnamese to support their homelands farmers. Hanoi (AsiaNews) Chinas Zero COVID-19 policy has had collateral effects on neighbouring countries. Since November 2021, lorries carrying fresh fruit have been blocked at Vietnams northern border after Chinese authorities intensified their anti-contagion campaign. This has forced Vietnam to turn to Australia for its exports. Vietnamese farmers, who shipped large quantities of dragon fruit, watermelons and jackfruits to China, were forced to throw away tonnes of spoiled food and lower the prices of their produce. More than 6,000 lorries are waiting along the border at the Tan Thanh-Po Chai and the Huu Nghi Quan crossings. Under current regulations, drivers are not allowed to leave their lorries once they cross the border and must return to Vietnam the same day. They also need to take a quick test every three days even if they have been fully vaccinated. This had a major impact on Vietnamese farmers who have contracts to ship tonnes of fruit to China. Locally, the price of dragon fruit has dropped from 5,000 to 4,000 dong (from 22 to 17 cents US) per kilo. For this reason, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has tried to re-direct exports to Australia. Recently, tonnes of dragon fruit have been sold for 200,000 dongs a kilo (US$ 8.85) in the states of Western and Southern Australia thanks to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, which launched a promotional campaign. The Hoa Australia Company has shipped 14 tonnes of red and white flesh dragon fruit to markets in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Cabramatta. Dragon fruit sales were encouraged through a promotional campaign that included a chance to win airline tickets and toys for children on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. Trade associations and Vietnamese nationals living in various Australian cities were also invited to support their homelands farmers. A fence has been erected for a playground area next to classroom space at Colorado Mountain College in Aspen. The classroom, which will be used for child care, is expected to open later this winter. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. As the coronavirus omicron variant continues to lead to a high demand in testing, local Texas leaders have warned residents of fake covid testing sites, but the extent of the issue remains unknown. Speaking of towing stuff, the third-generation Sequoia is rated at up to 9,000 pounds (make that 4,082 kilograms) when properly equipped. Thats a tremendous improvement over the outgoing model despite losing the free-breathing V8 for a twin-turbo V6 available solely with hybrid assistance.Codenamed XK80, the Sequoia promises up to 437 horsepower at 5,200 revolutions per minute and 583 pound-feet (790 Nm) at 2,400 revolutions per minute, figures that perfectly match the i-Force Max V6 in the Tundra.Scheduled to be revealed today at 9:30 pm Eastern Standard Time, the Sequoia is available with a so-called Tow Tech Package that steers the trailer in reverse. In addition to the aforementioned trim levels, the full-size utility vehicle will also be available in SR5 and Platinum flavors. Its not currently known if the extremely popular Nightshade Edition will return for the 2023 model year, but nevertheless, here's hope Toyota will cover all the bases.The SR5 and Limited can both be had with the TRD Off-Road Package as long as you specify four-wheel drive from the options list. In no particular order, highlights include Bilstein shocks with specially-tuned springs, a locking rear differential, 18-inch wheels, and Crawl Control. The SR5 can be alternatively had with the TRD Sport Package that brings 20-inch wheels, stiffer springs and shocks, and aluminum pedals. The no-nonsense TRD Pro levels up to Fox internal bypass shock absorbers, a beefy skid plate, and too many badges.Gifted with rear independent suspension instead of a solid axle, the all-new Sequoia comes standard with two-wheel drive across the board, with the notable exception of the TRD Pro. Even the Capstone comes with 2WD, although its the plushest specification available, which is a little weird if you ask me. Open-pore walnut veneer, semi-aniline leather upholstery in black and white, and rather vanilla 22-inch chrome wheels are its highlight features.To be produced in San Antonio, Texas, alongside the 2022 Tundra, the 2023 Sequoia can be optioned with a 14-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. Look forward to the first examples arriving at dealers this summer. That will change soon, as the European airspace company is looking to replace the BelugaST variant with the newer BelugaXL. In doing so, the existing fleet of five aircraft will shift to become part of a new air-cargo service called Airbus Beluga Transport.The company plans to make some money from the exploitation of the Belugas and targets mainly the freight, space, energy, military, aeronautic, and maritime sectors. In fact, the first mission under this new approach took place last year, when an undisclosed customer wanted his chopper delivered from France to Japan.At 56 meters long (184 feet) and boasting the largest interior cross-section of any transport aircraft, the Beluga can carry cargo up to 7.1 meters (23 feet) in width, 6.7 meters (22 feet) in height, and weighing as much as 155 tons.Its one of the planes most notable features, the bulge on top, that makes it so versatile. Presently, loading and unloading can be done in a variety of ways, including through what may be seen as the things forehead, but as it looks to expand the list of items it transports, Airbus says new loading techniques and equipment are being developed for the operation.As for the BelugaST replacement, the XL, its a plane based on the A330, and its larger, more capable, and of course more modern. Six of them will be made over the coming years to replace the STs.If the initial results of the new company are satisfactory, Airbus plans to create a new airline dedicated to oversized transportation needs. More often than not, AirTags are installed in places where its impossible to detect them, including behind the license plates of the cars that thieves plan on stealing.In some cases, stalkers turn to Apples GPS trackers to keep an eye on a specific individual, and in the last few weeks, weve seen plenty of such cases happening in the United States.Now it looks like the AirTag is becoming a problem in Europe too, as a woman in Hereford, England, reached out to the police complaining she was tracked using Apples device.The West Mercia Police confirmed the case, explaining that the woman was indeed tracked by someone whose identity is currently unknown. The investigation is still underway, but the local police explains theres a chance the number of such cases would increase in the coming months, especially based on whats happening right now over the ocean.The police emphasize its imperative for everybody to have the necessary tools on their phones to be alerted when an AirPad might be tracking them.On an iPhone, users dont need to do anything, as an active AirTag thats moving with them can generate a warning showing up on the screen when the tracking takes place. On Android, users must install a dedicated app published by Apple on the Google Play Store and then manually scan for nearby AirTag when they believe they might be tracked.Just like before, Apple explains that the AirTags main purpose is to help users keep an eye on their belongings, explaining the company is fully focused on the safety of every individual out there.Needless to say, if you detect an AirTag tracking your location and you believe youre in danger, reach out to the police as soon as possible. On the other hand, it was just a matter of time until criminals out there discovered a different side of the AirTag, eventually using the device for things like stalking and keeping track of potential theft targets.The number of people complaining theyre being tracked by strangers has skyrocketed lately, but as it turns out, the AirTag can sometimes really come in handy. And not only when it comes down to finding your lost keys.A recent report highlights a Texas story where the new owner of a truck got a notification on his iPhone that an AirTag was moving with them. Given the vehicle was only recently purchased, the driver decided to reach out to law enforcement.After a quick search, the police investigators found the AirTag hidden between the seats. The whole thing was treated as a red flag that something else might be happening, so the officers inspected the truck and found that its identification number was altered prior to the recent purchase.The truck was reported missing, so whoever sold the truck is believed to be the thief that actually stole the vehicle and then installed an AirTag between the seats in an attempt to steal it again.In other words, the thief stole the truck, sold it to someone else, and then wanted to steal the vehicle again before selling it again to another individual. The AirTag was playing a key role in this diabolic money-making plan, but the device eventually thwarted the whole thing when it warned the driver they might be tracked.The police returned the stolen truck to the original owner, but the investigation continues to find the thief and help reimburse the deceived buyer. EV Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis met over two decades ago, when they were filming for That 70s Show . They were friends back then and went their separate ways when the show ended after its eighth season. But, after some failed relationships and marriages, they reconnected at the beginning of the 2010s and started dating in 2012. Now they share two children, daughter Wyatt and son Dimitri, and have a combined net worth of $275 million.A couple of months ago, Ashton Kutcher appeared on an episode of Jay Lenos Garage , where he revealed that hes an American muscle car fan. Im a big American muscle car guy, he explained on the show. And added: I really like a big block, I like it loud, I like it fast.Now, he and his wife, Mila Kunis, have added a new vehicle to their garage, but its not exactly "a big block" and it's not loud either. It is instead the pickup version of the 2022 GMC HummerEdition 1. They reportedly purchased it recently and stepped out in Los Angeles, California, late last week. Not only did they introduce their new vehicle for the world to see, but the 43-year-old also had the sweatshirt to prove it, wearing a Hummer EV sweatshirt.Powered by three electric motors which send resources to all wheels, the Hummer EV is perfect for every road. Fitted with 35 off-road tires, the monster on wheels can produce up to 1,000 horsepower and an immense amount of torque: 11,500 lb-ft. With these figures, the pickup can 0-60 mph (0-96 kph) from a standstill in approximately 3 seconds, and GMC estimates a range up to 350+ miles (563 km) on a full charge.The new purchase must have been their way of celebrating the fact that they sold their Beverly Hills mansion for $10.35 million, eight years after purchasing it for $10.2 million. They made enough profit to splurge on the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, which has a starting price of $112.595. That sounds like a win. For example, if somebody loves derelict restomods of iconic nameplates, then Rat Rod-passionate Dom Host (aka altered_intent) might be the perfect CGI starting point. Outrageous muscle cars with quirky yet lovable features have a home in the heart and mind of Timothy Adry Emmanuel, aka adry53customs. Meanwhile, our daily dose of vintage passion has jlord8 written all over it . And so forth.As far as Sugar Chow, the pixel master better known as sugardesign_1 on social media, is concerned his channel is all about realistically-portrayed series of digital creations. Most of his projects revolve around the Touring the world! tag line, which has to do with just about everything station wagon and shooting brake that one can imagine Alas, thats not the only series that he dabbles with. Not long ago he also kicked off a quirky idea of returning certain models to absolute basics. That would be the cheap-looking black plastic-clad bumpers and steelie wheels. Naturally, he also could not help but insert a few touring vibes as well, just to make sure there is an additional CGI twist to entice fans.And the latest creation is a project that reunites all signature elements into one. The Toyota GR 86 Hatchback (which was a digitized Shooting Brake Basic not long ago) is allowed entry into the posh environment he usually reserves as background for the more lustful creations. And of course, it keeps its entry-level looks, only that now there is also some color choice not just the cheap-looking white attire.Naturally, that gave his followers a few ideas. Such as using this basic GR 86 as the CGI starting point for an extreme off-road transformation. As for our own two cents, we feel this might work like wonders as a modern Breadvan . Perhaps for a Hollywood remake of the Initial D success?! The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced the indictment of four Belarusian government officials for conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy after having diverted the Ryanair Flight 4978 with U.S. citizens on board in May 2021.The aircraft, carrying more than 100 passengers, was flying on a scheduled route between Athens, Greece, and Vilnius, Lithuania, on the day of May 23, 2021, when air traffic control authorities claimed that there was a serious bomb threat. The airplane landed in Minsk instead of the intended destination, and the reason behind it, which was later discovered, was so that Belarusian authorities could arrest a dissident journalist who was on that airplane.After the arrest, the aircraft continued its journey to Vilnius, and the Belarus authorities insisted that the bomb scare was real in a press conference the following day.The Belarusian state security services worked with the countrys air navigation authority to carry out the plot. During the course of our investigation, the FBI identified a detailed operation that subjected passengers from many countries, including the U.S., to the realities of terroristic threats, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York, pointing out that these types of false threats could also make pilots doubt the authenticity of future alerts, causing further security risks.The four officials, who are currently still at large, face a minimum sentence of 20 years for aircraft piracy.Ryanairs main fleet is comprised of Boeing next-generation 737 airplanes, with 189 seats. For the summer of 2022, it also intends to launch the new Boeing 737-82000 Gamechanger with 16% less fuel burn and 4% more passengers. The partnership between Cariad and Bosch will start with Level 2 systems, which involve hands-free driving in certain situations, including urban, highway, and extra-urban environments, and these will be offered in production cars starting 2023.A more advanced system will also be developed by the two partners, and it will comply with SAE Level 3 autonomy. That means handling all driving functions on the highway, and it will also be offered on selected models next year.Bosch is a world-renowned automotive supplier, and the development of such a system for a customer as big as the Volkswagen Group , even though one of its subsidiaries, is an important move in the field of autonomous vehicles.As the two companies underlined, their first goal is to offer partially and highly automated driving systems for volume production and offer them to a broad mass of consumers.The first co-developed system by Bosch and Cariad will be a standardized software platform that is described as state-of-the-art. It will reach all "privately used vehicle classes" that are sold under the Volkswagen Group brands, so it should work with every future vehicle created by the German conglomerate, which is no easy task. Cariad is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, and its role is to develop automotive software for the German conglomerate. As its representatives explain, Cariad will build a technology and software platform that will be unified across all VW Group brands, and it will include a vehicle OS, along with a cloud platform for it.Mind you, that is great news for developers, as they can build apps that will work on multiple brands, but they will also have to keep things secure across all brands.A vulnerability could be exploited to access not just one car, but the entire ecosystem behind a vehicle's software, so it will have to have multiple layers of protection against hackers.As 2021 was ending, Mercedes-Benz managed to have its SAE Level 3 system authorized for hands-free driving on the highway. That achievement has broken the ice for many other companies that were waiting for someone to get the approval first and then apply for theirs. German semiconductor maker Infineon expects the chip shortage to end as soon as 2023, but the even better news is that the first vital signs of recovery should be recorded later this year.In a recent interview , Peter Schiefer, the chief of Infineons automotive business, explained the company will be able to align the production with the demand next year, especially as its working on expanding the current capacity. More investments will be made in this regard, including at the semiconductor plant in Austria, Schiefer said.Without a doubt, the prediction is really, really good news for the entire industry and a huge breath of fresh air for carmakers across the globe.At this point, most auto manufacturers are struggling with the very constrained chip inventory, and many of them end up selling cars without certain systems simply because they dont have the components to power them.On the other hand, the whole chip crisis has convinced some of the leading names in the auto industry to embrace a different strategy that would help deal with another potential inventory issue in the long term.Ford and General Motors, for example, are two of the companies that are trying to invest in in-house chip development and manufacturing, therefore trying to make sure theyd always have the inventory to maintain their production unaffected.But for the time being, the global chip shortage is still strongly tied to the health issue the planet is still trying to deal with. The new wave thats spreading fast across the world is causing the same problems as the previous ones, including new restrictions and government lockdowns that lead to more production struggles for chipmakers across the world. And this is exactly what fledging design studio Asquared Naval Design does with its newest concept , unveiled on social media earlier this month. Its called Fluyt and, if the name isnt a dead giveaway, the designers note that its inspired by the golden times of Dutch shipbuilding, namely the fluyt sailing vessel that was designed for cargo hauling.The original fluyt (fluijt means flute) was first documented in the 16th century and had transoceanic capabilities, with a design that maximized cargo space and crew efficiency. This sailing vessel could not convert into a warship in times of conflict, with the direct upside being that construction on it was cheaper and less challenging. The fluyt could run even with a smaller crew and carry more cargo than similar vessels The Fluyt concept is a modern interpretation of the iconic vessel, brought into modern times and given a new layer of polish. And then some. Its not designed for cargo hauling or, for that matter, for regular folk unless they set foot on board as part of the crew. This is a megayacht of the future, but one that draws on the past for inspiration in looks, if not functionality.[The] distinct exterior is an unexpected symbiosis of a modern minimalist hull and antique swift-sailing vessel, the design studio explains. That might sound like fancy-talk, but the renders confirm its not empty talk, just fancy: Fluyt has a unique and striking silhouette, with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, long, flowing lines, and a sharp bow that slices through waves with ease.Fluyt is also massive. Measuring 110 meters (360 feet) in length and with a beam of 18 meters (60 feet), it offers an ample volume of 4,000 GT spread across three decks. The design studio did not elaborate on the interior layout, neither in text, nor renders, but theres more than enough space to put in there every luxury amenity imaginable, from private screening rooms to larger concert venues or cinemas, gyms, spas, and a wide assortment of exploring or even research gear.For the time being, though, Fluyt only stands out for the unique exterior design and swooping teardrop aesthetic. The gorgeous, deceivingly simple silhouette aside, the megayacht comes with three decks, one of which is almost entirely suspended. Also suspended is a glass-bottomed pool aft that extends downwards and connects to the deck below, which makes it a visual highlight. The area around the pool is left empty, either to highlight the uniqueness of the pool or to signal the various options for setting it up.A touch-and-go helipad is available forward, where another surprising highlight is found. Superyacht Times calls it an unorthodox wheelhouse, and it certainly is one since it sits completely isolated from the rest of the ship so as to allow seafarers maximum privacy. When you pay a (hypothetical) fortune on a (still-hypothetical) megayacht, especially one as elegant as Fluyt, you will not want to mix in with the crew too much. Presumably.Asquared Naval Design leaves all technical details on Fluyt for another time, just like with the interior design. The studio does say, though, that propulsion on this megayacht would be hybrid, with 140 square meters (1,507 square feet) of solar panels helping to harness energy for the electric motors. Imagining a future yacht as gorgeous and clean-looking as this one and not having it be greener than current-day vessels would have been a real shame. Today, the carmaker is paying homage to that Bronco by building a brand new one, boasting the exact same paintjob plus heritage-inspired wheels from Detroit Steel Wheels.Dubbed the Bronco Pope Francis Center First Edition, this bespoke off-roader will be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson this week, with all proceeds going to Detroits Pope Francis Center in its fight against homelessness. The center has been trying to help Detroits most vulnerable citizens for more than 30 years and is committed to eradicating chronic homelessness in the city by 2030.Its an honor to be able to help support a great charity like the Pope Francis Center, said Ford Vehicle Personalization chief designer, Steve Gilmore.Father Timothy McCabe and the team at the center were really instrumental in this project, collaborating on theme ideas and colors. The key was finding those special touches that really speak to the heritage of the 66 Bronco, and then combining them with some of the modern features on a Bronco First Edition.Lets run through some of the specs. For starters, that classic Wimbledon White paint isnt available on todays Bronco lineup , making this a unique product. Other visual highlights include the custom wheels with the Rapid Red stripe at the center (which matches the striping on the body and hood corners). Then there are the silver-painted accents, like the grille or the Ford Performance heavy-duty modular metal bumper.In terms of accessories, the off-roader is fitted with a rooftop lightbar, side pod lights, wheel-well rock lights from Rigid, an in-vehicle safe, a MOLLE strap system for the inner swing-gate, full vehicle cover, and garage storage bags for the Genuine Ford Accessories tube doors.As for the interior, you have more Wimbledon White paint, except this time on the instrument panel. Then there are the vent accents, grab handles and signature Bronco brand lettering all in red. I flunked my driving test in London last summer so figured Id go to the isle of Mull (which in 2021 had a pass rate of about 90%) to try my luck there. Heres what happened:https://t.co/lB4WUMEoS8 Constance Kampfner (@conky_k) January 17, 2022 Still, credit must be given where credit is due: when it comes to determination, few others can top this learner driver from London, in the UK. Constance failed her first driving test last summer, which took place in London, The Mirror reports. That wouldnt be so bad on its own, since few newbies get their license on the first try , but Constance was determined she wouldnt have to try a third time as well.So, she figured, if she found the easiest driving test course in the country, she could get her license on the second try. Her (Google) searches led her to the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland, presumably the easiest route she could take her driving test on since it mainly comprised of single-lane roads, no lights and a single roundabout. The roundabout wouldnt even be on the driving test, she later learned with relief since, apparently, Constance lived in mortal fear of roundabouts.The only problem for Constance was that the Isle of Mull was 500 miles (804 km) away, which meant she had to travel by car and then by ferry to get there. The ferry was the biggest uncertainty, because trips could be canceled at a moments notice on account of the weather. Then, there was the issue of finding an instructor that would take the test with her, and a car she could take.Constance prevailed, after several attempts. She found an instructor, she found a car (on Facebook, she says), she took the trip and even made it on the last stretch, by ferry. She was even relieved to find out that she wouldnt have to parallel park. Still, Constance failed the test.I dont like to talk about people who fail their tests. Think of it as just not passing, the instructor told her when they got back to mainland. Part of the reason was that she kept straying into the opposite lane.Perhaps the most spectacular part about this story is that Constance is willing to talk about it. It helps that shes a reporter for The Times , so her attempt makes for an entertaining (paywalled) story. From the reactions shes been getting on social media, it looks like shes not the only learner driver to travel across the UK in search for an easier driving test kWh kW Oshkosh Defense is no stranger to electrification. Back in 2010, its diesel-electric Light Combat Tactical Vehicle ( LCTV ) was the first military vehicle to conquer the grueling desert terrain of the SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race, showing its incredible capabilities.Now, the company is ready to introduce a hybrid-electric variant of the JLTV one that promises to provide the same level of off-road performance and protection brought by its diesel-powered counterpart to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.The new hybrid-electric eJLTV comes with some additional features that make it a better choice in combat and reconnaissance scenarios, including a 20 percent increase in fuel economy. Oshkosh didnt reveal much about the technical specifications of its new beast. For now, what we know is that the eJLTV is equipped with a 30battery pack that allows it to operate silently. This ability helps reduce the overall risk to warfighters when approaching the enemy.The lithium-ion battery also offers silent watch capabilities and can be fully recharged in half an hour when the diesel engine is in use. The eJLTV can also provide an export power capacity of up to 115, eliminating the need for towed generators.The introduction of the new vehicle is timed perfectly as this year, the U.S. Army intends to recompete the JLTV program. A follow-on contract estimated at $6.5 billion will be issued in September, and it includes more than 15,000 vehicles.Even if the Army has not specified a requirement for a hybrid capability, Oshkosh says that its ready to offer it if needed.While the U.S. Army has not requested a hybrid-electric JLTV as part of the JLTV recompete, the eJLTV proves that Oshkosh Defense has the team and technical capabilities to produce this highly capable vehicle today, said John Bryant, Executive Vice President for Oshkosh Corporation and President of Oshkosh Defense. At the time, we had little info on what the USAF will be bringing in the skies over Inglewood, California, where Super Bowl LVI will pit against each other this year two yet undetermined teams.On the field, well get to see two of the following four teams chasing the Vince Lombardi: the Kansas City Chiefs or the Cincinnati Bengals from the AFC, and the Los Angeles Rams or the San Francisco 49ers from the NFC. But there will be spectacle overhead as well, and now we know what the USAF has cooked up for the event: the first-of-its-kind heritage flight flyover and event that will take place during the national anthem performance.For the task at hand, the military branch is bringing to the SoFi Stadium its two fifth-generation aircraft, the F-22 Raptor (Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia), and the F-35 Lightning (Hill Air Force Base, Utah), but also an A-10 Thunderbolt flying in from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.The star of the lineup will undoubtedly be the P-51 Mustang flown from the same state the Super Bowl takes place in, by a pilot from the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation.The USAF will run a pre-game stream from the formation while they get into position in the sky, complete with special interviews and segments. This can be viewed on the branchs Facebook page, starting 6 p.m. ET on the day of the big game.As usual, we also expect a flood of images of the flyover to come our way courtesy of the Air Force, so stay tuned for more in the coming weeks. If you look at the prototype closely, it is easy to see that it comes with the bumper from the 911 facelift, as well as another premiere: intakes in the front bumper. However, unlike previous sightings, the new prototype is with its production body. That means that everything you see on it, except for the camouflage, is there to stay for the model that will reach showrooms later this year.While we have referred to this model as the 911 Safari all this time, some claim that it might be called 911 Dakar. Until its definitive name is clear, we will stick to the Safari name when referring to it, as it has been the description of choice for lifted versions of this model, not to mention its historical connotation.It is time for a quick history lesson. In case you are wondering where this trend started, look no further than the late 1970s, when the German manufacturer entered two 911 SC models in the East African Safari Rally. The latter was a race over 3,100 miles (5,00 km) in Kenya, and it took 94 hours (about 4 days) to complete. At the time, in 1978, Porsche was the only team to have completed the event with both cars.As you have already noticed, those models were not called 911 Safari , but 911 SC 3.0. The vehicle in question was a 953-series Neunelfer, and these were enrolled in all kinds of competitions, which even included the Paris-Dakar Rally The Safari name stuck, and even Porsche unveiled a concept vehicle that was called 911 Safari . The concept was unveiled during the Porsche Unseen event, where the marque showcased some of its hidden concepts. The 911 Safari Concept hailed from 2012, and it looked awesome.Rumors of a 911 Safari model have been going round and round for years , but now it will get a production version. It should not surprise anyone that Porsche has decided to offer a Safari version of the 911, as the designation has become synonymous with this kind of conversion , which is a popular aftermarket affair At this pace, who knows, maybe the brand from Stuttgart will work with the legendary Akira Nakai on a factory sanctioned RWB Porsche. But do not get your hopes up too high. On the other hand, you never know. I call dibs on the first test drive with it if this ever happens.The 2023 Porsche 911 Safari, or 911 Dakar, if the latter name will be the one chosen by the factory, will come with all-wheel-drive as standard, as well as a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six motor. Expect it to provide between 450 and 480 horsepower, while torque could range above 391 lb.-ft. (530 Nm), but not too far over 420 lb.-ft. (570 Nm), if the information we previously had on the topic was spot-on. EV MPV We were aware of three of these platforms: the CMF-(for C-segment and D-segment cars), CMF B-EV (for B-segment products), and one for kei cars, which Nissan and Mitsubishi are already sharing in Japan. According to Reuters, there will be two dedicated electric platforms for kei cars, which are very relevant in the home market of Nissan and Mitsubishi.The other platform would be the one Renault already uses to produce the Renault K-ZE and the Dacia Spring in China. Based on the CMF-A, it will probably be called CMF A-EV. We have no idea which other vehicles it could spawn, but the Indian market may give us some tips with the Triber and the Kiger, respectively, a smalland a crossover.To have these 30 new EVs, the three companies will promise to invest 20 billion ($22.61 billion at the current exchange rate) until 2027 on developing these electric cars. This investment will add to the 10 billion ($11.3 billion) the three carmakers have already spent in their electrification efforts.After Nissan announced it would have a solid-state battery, you may be wondering if the company was willing to share this technology with its alliance partners. According to Reuters, the answer is yes. After all, producing them on a larger scale than Nissan would be able to use itself will help to cut costs. On top of that, Dongfeng is a Nissan partner in China. After the Chinese carmaker announced a fleet of 50 cars with solid-state cells, that may also have repercussions for the Alliance.In the end, thats the goal of the joint investment. The two sources Reuters spoke to said that the three automakers would share cells and other vital components. They expect to halve battery pack costs. Considering these are the most expensive components in any electric vehicle, the alliance would already pay off based solely on this. The official announcement should happen this week. The superyacht currently known as Kalizma has quite a history. It was commissioned and built in 1906 as a private luxury yacht for Robert Steward, who was a Scottish estate owner and former owner of Kirkliston Distillery. Back then, it received the name of S/Y Minona, but that wasnt the only name it had.Minona also served in the British Royal Navy in both World Wars, and, after they ended, she returned to her day-to-day "duty" as a private yacht. In 1947 it was named both Cortynia and S/Y Oddyseia. After a significant refit between 1954 and 1955, when its engine converted from steam to diesel, it ended up in Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylors name.I have dreams of living with Elizabeth [Taylor] on the Kalizma, Welsh actor Richard Burton used to say of the superyacht, and never living on land again.Burton purchased the yacht for a reported $220,000 as a gift for Taylor, after they chartered it to sail around Portofino, Italy, in May 1967. They renamed it Kalizma after their three daughters, Kate, Liza, and Maria. He reportedly spent twice as much on remodeling, bringing in new interiors with the help of Arthur Barbosa. After the refit, it had an impressive art collection that featured works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. It was also the place Burton chose when he presented Taylor with expensive jewelry, including the world-famous 69.42-carat diamond, now known as the Taylor-Burton diamond.After Burton and Taylor, the superyacht had several other owners (and names), including Vijay Mallya, the former owner of the Formula 1 Sahara Force India team.Business magnate Shirish Saraf, founder of Samena Capital, is its latest owner. He purchased the classic yacht in 2019 at an auction. But when he bought it, it was in a very poor state, and in 2020 it underwent a major restoration to bring it back to its original glory, with Saraf paying four more times for the remodeling than the yacht itself. When I sit on the sandbanks and watch the Kalizma, I could spend hours just staring at her, Shirish Saraf told Boat International. Its like she grows on you... she almost talks to you. Im in love with her.Originally designed by Alan Olford, it has a length of 50.29 m (165 ft) and a beam of 6.34 m (20.8 ft). Powered by two Cummins diesel engines, it has a top speed of 12 kn, boasting a maximum range of 3,500 nautical miles at cruising speed. It can accommodate up to 10 guests in five rooms, with nine crew members available.Here is a boat that has been through two world wars, has had anyone and everyone stay on it, has survived everything, when not one other yacht of that pedigree has managed to. And you have to think: why? says Saraf. There must be some soul, some energy thats different.Almost the entire ship needed restoration, including its engines, generators, and stabilizers. The main structural changes included opening up the galley to give it a spacious feel, as well as creating a crew space. The top deck spa pool was replaced with a large lounge area, and the water toys (which include two tenders, two jet skis, a wakeboard, and waterskis) are now located on board.The interior has also changed, giving it a modern feel with brighter colors and light furniture. Alessandro Ortenzi, the interior designer, opted for grey shades, champagne white, and neutral tones for the interior, with deep blue accessories for the outdoor areas. The master cabin also has custom-made furniture, and a new lighting system, as well as white and beige shades.Burton and Taylor werent the only famous names to have been on it. Clint Eastwood and Rex Harrison have climbed its decks, as well as Brad Pitt, who reportedly tried to buy the superyacht for himself. Several members of royal families like Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, also set foot onboard Kalizma. With quite a history behind it, all the guests onboard surely will feel like royalty. But getting a quick charge behind the wheel is something extremely convenient, especially because, at least theoretically, you shouldnt interact with the mobile device at all.When it comes to this convenience factor, Samsung is about to push it to a new level. The company is reportedly working on a new car charger that will launch next month and which will offer insane speeds.While several other companies have already launched fast car chargers, theres no doubt Samsungs new model will be a very compelling product for those people running Android Auto wirelessly on their Galaxy S devices.In case youre wondering why we specifically mentioned Android Auto wireless , its because you wouldnt otherwise be able to run Googles app and charge your phone with this adapter. The wired version of Android Auto requires a direct connection to the cars USB port.Getting back to the new Samsung car charger, itll come with model number EP-L4020, and it will launch alongside the highly anticipated Galaxy S22 in early February. The device will come with two different ports.The first will be a USB-C connector that will allow for a maximum charging speed of 25W, while the second will be a regular Type-A rated at 15W. As said, chargers matching (and even exceeding) these speeds are already available from various manufacturers, but its pretty clear Samsung wants Galaxy S buyers to stick with its own hardware in the car.No information has been shared on the price so far, but dont expect this charger to come cheap. However, all details will be revealed by Samsung itself in the first days of February, with the actual sales projected to begin later the same month. ICE The same goes for Simon Cowell and his 7-year-old son Eric. The television personality is a multi-millionaire who is as fond of exclusive, gas-guzzling cars as he is of luxurious vacations, private jets and other experiences that tend to come with a big carbon footprint. Recently, though, hes gone (slightly) green, after repeated chats with Eric on the topic of climate change.Cowell has made the admission during a recent taping of Britains Got Talent, after a dance act that performed against a backdrop of images showing the effects of climate change, The Mirror informs. According to Cowell, Eric would love such an act, both because it draws attention to the issue of climate change and because its the only way to make an impression on a show like this.Eric may be young, but hes every bit the environmentalist, his dad told the other BGT panel members . In fact, hes so passionate that he even got him, Simon, to buy a Tesla.My son is obsessed with climate change, hes taught me a lot recently, Simon said. He goes down on the beaches and cleans them up. I think its something we should all take seriously now. Ive just bought a Tesla .This prompted fellow judge David Walliams to point out that it takes a bit more than just a Tesla for Cowell to go green, especially when hes still flying private jets and still owns an entire collection of(internal combustion engine) cars. Cowell laughed it off by asking Walliams if he just used Eltons private jet to put his conscience at ease.Climate change remains a hot topic today, and it does make for interesting TV, especially on a show as long-running as BGT. While its admirable that Eric is growing up so responsible as to clean up garbage on a beach with his own hands, Walliams does have a point: it takes more than a Tesla for Cowell to go green . Just like it takes a bit more than Simon saying its something we should all take seriously now for it to actually happen. The Ford Raptor line of performance vehicles was expanded with the latest Bronco Raptor addition, but soon the Blue Oval will have to fight a new challenger in this segment. The latest rumors show Toyota is planning a performance version of the Tundra and we expect it to look pretty much like the TRD Desert Chase Concept the Japanese introduced at the 2021 SEMA Show last November. 29 photos The vessels recent arrival from Japan to Australias Port of Hastings was marked by an official ceremony. This milestone is the culmination of an outstanding initiative, the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) Pilot Project, which is the worlds first to transport liquid hydrogen between two countries, by sea.The 380.5-foot-long (116 meters) carrier was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, with the goal of carrying LH2 between Australia and Japan, once every few months a world premiere. Liquid hydrogen is considered easier to transport than the gaseous form, because its much denser. This means that a larger quantity can be shipped each time, with fewer costs. The main challenge, however, is the prevention of a phenomenon called boil off, when heat causes hydrogen to revert to its gas state.In order to prevent that, Kawasaki developed an advanced storage tank, featuring a double-shell structure with vacuum insulation, doubled by glass-fiber-reinforced plastic, which keeps the liquid hydrogen at -253 degrees Celsius. The Japanese shipbuilder used its extensive knowledge in the area, as the first one to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier back in the 80s, to develop a state-of-the-art vessel.HESCs goal is to transport clean liquid hydrogen from the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia, to Kobe, Japan. As its name states, it involves developing an entire supply chain. Hydrogen is produced from coal, at a local plant, then transported by truck to a liquefaction terminal (the first of its kind in Australia), at the Port of Hastings. Next, the LH2 is loaded onto the Suiso Frontier, and shipped to Kobe.The pioneering vessel will be delivering its first shipment later this year. After the pilot phase will be successfully completed, HESC will move on to the full commercialization phase. Even with someone as experienced as motorsports legend Travis Pastrana, stunts can and do go wrong. This is one of those times, but theres a happy ending farther down the line. 7 photos AWD For anyone not accustomed to the Sam CarLegion channel on YouTube, all we can say is that its host loves traditional straight-line acceleration battles. He also deals with reviews from time to time, but fans of this Canadian outlet know very well that quarter-mile action is king here.As opposed to organized dragstrip racing, the channel uses a windy stretch of tarmac. So, the unprepped surface adds another layer of involvement from all parties. As such, people need to rely mostly on their skill and ride performance in the face of surface adversity. And do not think for a second the human factor does not have a major influence.Here is a cool example. The latest video battle as of January 24th (embedded below) involves a white Kia Stinger GT equipped with the turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine. It does not arrive in stock form because it needs to fend off the attacks from a black Roush Stage 3 Ford Mustang GT thats supercharged and capable of throwing out on the street a total of 750 horsepower.Logic dictates that with just 500 ponies, the tuned Stinger GT does not stand a chance. But there is a caveat: the Korean liftback is, while the American coupe is RWD. And even the latters driver came out into the open in the comments box and thoroughly appreciated the performance of the Stinger GT.Quite the sportsmanship, especially since the first round (at the 5:50 mark, drag race) went to his opponent. That is right, Sam and his borrowed, tuned Kia Stinger GT with 500 horsepower thrashed a 750-horsepower Roush Mustang. And it was all because of one little human mistake: a missed gear change!The rest of the skirmishes, which involved another battle from a standstill (at 7:17) as well as the traditional roll races (from the 9:10 mark), were less eventful, though. This time around, everyone did their part, and the Roush Mustang proved to be RWD supreme, beating the AWD Kia some car lengths apart. So, in the end, everyone was shocked... but for distinct reasons MIAMI, FLORIDA - A Tesla Model Y electric vehicle is displayed on a showroom floor at the Miami Design District on October 21, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Panasonic will start mass-producing the next-generation lithium-ion batteries for electric carmaker Tesla in the year 2023, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. The new batteries have five times the energy capacity of existing models, boosting the range of electric cars in the process. Tesla would want nothing more than to acquire that technology to make its electric cars more affordable to produce and sell. The world's leading electric automaker is preparing to start production of its first car using the larger, higher-capacity battery cells. They have been named 4680 cells because the battery measures 46mm x 80mm in size. According to Nikkei, the batteries could increase the range of electric cars by around 20 percent. Tesla's studies showed the 4680 battery cell increasing its vehicles' range by 16 percent. For example, a flagship Model S would now be able to travel for 750 kilometers compared to its previous range of 650 kilometers, a game-changer in the electric vehicle wars. Panasonic to invest $700 million for the 4680 battery production Tesla highlighted these next-generation battery cells at an event back in September 2020. Chief executive officer Elon Musk said then that the 4680 cells are six times more powerful, and they would reduce the cost per kWh by 14 percent. Panasonic knows this fully well, with the Japanese company investing $700 million to produce the 4680 battery cell for Tesla. Tesla needs so many battery cells with its vehicles in high demand, forcing the company to partner with current battery suppliers to help production. Panasonic is Tesla's oldest battery partner, and that partnership will continue for the foreseeable future with the Japanese firm giving the green light to the massive 80 billion yen investment. The huge outlay will be used to expand Panasonic's plant in Wakayama, Japan, the facility where the batteries will be mass-produced. Although Panasonic will primarily manufacture the batteries for Tesla, an executive in a November interview did not rule out supplying the 4680 cells to other companies. Panasonic issued a statement to Reuters, with the Japanese company declining to confirm Nikkei's report about the investment. Related Article: Stellantis Steals Show at CES With Showcase of Chrysler Airflow EV Concept: Will They Sell This Car? Panasonic targets production output of 10 GWh at Wakayama plant Panasonic said they are studying various options for mass production, including a test production line they are establishing this business year. Panasonic added that they don't have anything to announce at this time. According to the Nikkei report, Panasonic plans a production output of less than 10 GWh at the Wakayama plant. With the battery's average pack size of 60 kWh, the plant can produce cells for at least 150,000 vehicles per year. Panasonic is expected to expand its production lines for 4680 cells, though, with the Japanese firm likely to produce these batteries at Tesla's factories in Nevada and Fremont in the future. Apart from Panasonic, Samsung, LG, and CATL are also planning to make 4680 cells for Tesla. READ MORE ON AWN: Shakeup at Tesla as Company's Top Black Executive Steps Down as HR Chief Maserati To Race in Formula E for 2023 Season; Provides Major Boost to All-electric Series Wrapping up last year on a high, 20 Years of Xbox Museum by Active Theory has won Site of the Month December 2021. Thanks to everyone who voted, the winner of free year in our Design Directory is at the end of the article, big thanks to Active Theory for sharing this case study on the "making of" the website. The 20 Years of Xbox Museum is an immersive microverse featuring six custom 3D environments. In the experience, users can explore together with realtime avatars, learn about the history of Xbox and generate their own personal museum using Xbox account data. In March 2021, we connected with the Microsoft team to be briefed on an exciting new digital experience to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Xbox. This kickstarted months of experimentation and the eventual launch of the 20 Years of Xbox Museum in November. Case Study Video Originally the brief was laid out to achieve two main goals; 1) showcase the history of Xbox as a franchise through an honest, nostalgic lens and 2) give users individual data stories to relive their Xbox journey over the past 20 years. We started by running parallel working streams around creative concepting and UX, as well as exploring data story solutions (a process were familiar with through working with Spotify on their Wrapped campaigns over the past five years). From Humble Beginnings The experience was targeted towards both existing and future Xbox fans. This meant providing a user journey that was not only deep and meaningful to the faithful, but keeping things light enough for anyone to jump in and have an enjoyable experience. Our suggested creative wrapper was to use the different generations of consoles as content pillars and to structure the experience around these. This meant having the Original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Xbox Series X as 4 key categories to ideate around. Initial concepts explored how we could use the UI styles, graphical capabilities and physical consoles themselves (more on this later) as creative elements to play with throughout. Different eras of Xbox consoles trigger different types of nostalgia Early explorations started with an explorable 2D timeline. While the UX made sense, this proved creatively limiting. As each Xbox generation has a mass of content and fandom, we wanted to explore ways of giving fans a truly immersive experience that felt appropriate for the anniversary occasion. Early iterations featured a 2D explorable timeline and simple personal sharecards Introducing Dreamwave Over the past two years, one of our biggest work streams at Active Theory has been the launch of our immersive events platform, Dreamwave. Dreamwave is a portfolio of work including online events and microverses designed as connected digital spaces for communities to gather, celebrate and learn. With the success of microverses like the Secret Sky Music Festival (which took place in April 2021), we introduced Xbox to the idea of creating a microverse of connected, explorable 3D environments. Through Dreamwave technology, we would be able to easily lay the foundations for an immersive 3D museum that would take users through the different generations of Xbox and even include a generative personalized museum based on Xbox account data. Dreamwave hosts connected, digital spaces for communities. Secret Sky (left) and Sundance Film Festival (right) Creating an Immersive World: Foundations The concepting stages for a Dreamwave build involve mapping out the physical space and determining an overall environment aesthetic. For the Xbox Museum, our initial plan was to have users enter each console and view content while situated physically inside the hardware. This meant creating floor layouts for each of the 4 consoles, as well as an additional Halo museum and the personalized, generative museum - making six in total. Early floor plans for one of the galleries in the museum (the Original Xbox) While we were making good progress, we were also mindful not to completely abandon the original concept - a 2D timeline. This led to a divergence in UX that would allow fans to either explore the 3D space as an avatar, or simply select different content points with regular web UI. The 3D environment itself was the hero piece, but by selecting into the 2D UI, users could visualize how the Xbox story unfolds over time, as well as quickly jump between content. The 3D gallery experience needed a companion 2D view which displayed the same content Content research An immense amount of content was on display in the museum. To help provide recommendations on how to curate the galleries, we undertook a huge collaborative effort with the Xbox team diving into historic content over the year. We laid this out in a series of FigJam boards. Curating the museums content was a collaborative effort between the Active Theory and Xbox teams An avatar is born For users navigating 3D spaces in Dreamwave builds, we often use controllable avatars. This made even more sense for Xbox, given the gaming audience who are typically familiar with WASD movement on a keyboard, or joystick movement on a phone. For the designs, we decided to keep the avatars as simplified humanoid characters (paying particular attention to making them fairly androgynous). These went through a few iterations as we explored different colors, outfits, and accessories. In a nod to a popular series at the time of launch (Squid Game), we were even inspired to use the classic controller buttons of X, Y, A and B as character modifications. Each user was randomly assigned a letter on load and had the ability to change their style through an customization panel. Evolutions of the avatars from references (top left) to production build (bottom) Improve the floor plan With avatar iteration, content sourcing and data exploration well underway, we began to develop the floor plans and look and feel into an early build. Early build WIP of users exploring a gallery For each of the six galleries (Original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Halo, Personalized), we developed detailed floor plans that laid out how users would explore. In doing this we kept in mind some learnings from previous gallery builds weve created with Dreamwave such as at Sundance Film Festival. In terms of laying out content, we knew that users typically wander down one side of a room. Unlike a real, physical gallery, in which people wander round an entire room and look behind them, in digital galleries users are much more likely to move sideways along a single wall. With this in mind we tactically positioned content along alternating walls to guide users. Content was displayed side-by-side to make it easy for users to browse We also played with prototypes of content turning on and off when users approached the screens. This felt slow and cumbersome when trying to switch between different pieces of content quickly and we eventually moved away from this. Originally content would appear as users approached This was later changed We also set up directional arrows on the floors, leading users around the space (and up and down multiple levels in some galleries). These floor plans contained portals placed throughout the environment to encourage users to move on to other 3D spaces to explore. Directional arrows led users around the environments Finally, to decorate the floor plan with more than simple static content on wall panels, we placed different 3D objects in each gallery to add some variety to the experience. 3D elements were on display throughout the galleries Creating a sense of scale The initial concept for the museum was to take users into each piece of hardware, with the gallery of each existing inside the console. While this remained the concept throughout early ideation, when we created this in the build, we found it to feel cramped and claustrophobic. Mid project rethink: we felt the users were a bit boxed in and the color palette wasnt varied enough This shift coincided with a change in art direction to go beyond the classic black and green of Xbox. To improve this, we shifted to a concept on the other end of scale: an expansive city with a more varied color palette. Early city moodboards featuring neon lights, holograms and volumetric fog For users in the experience, the city is merely the backdrop environment surrounding the galleries. To create this effect in a convincing way, we situated the museum galleries inside a much larger 3D city space. As the user can only explore the gallery grounds, the actual size of this floor plan relative to the city space isnt important, but stepping back we can get a sense of how big the surrounding city is relative to the museum. Relative to its surrounding city environment, the museum itself was quite small Tapping into nostalgia Another objective of the build that tied into the overarching anniversary campaign was tapping into user nostalgia. We aimed to do this with both the visual direction and the content. This takes place immediately on the landing screen, as the menu for the museum experience isnt actually in a 3D world, but a nostalgic living room featuring all the consoles laid out in front of a television screen. The room is also detailed with controllers, wires and stacks of games. The living room scene filled with nostalgic consoles, games and furniture The content itself was also selected to trigger memories. An exciting aspect of this was how open and honest Microsoft was willing to be in their retelling of the ups and downs over the last 20 years. While there are natural highs with some of the massive sales numbers and games, franchise struggles such as the red ring of death were also on display throughout the experience. Users approach and select into content for deeper dives Halo Gallery Iterations While there were 4 major galleries for each generation, we wanted to give special treatment to one of Xboxs biggest franchises: Halo. This was identified at an early stage, with the initial Halo gallery environment based on Blood Gulch, a significant multiplayer map from the franchise. A first look at the Halo Gallery based on Blood Gulch As the art direction of the overall project evolved, we flipped Blood Gulch into a night-mode scene to make it fit the rest of the museum. This iteration continued to not quite hit the mark for us as the neons and content didnt really match the natural surrounding environment. WIP of the Blood Gulch map when we took it into night mode The final version of the Halo gallery ended up moving away from Blood Gulch, and instead focused on bringing other elements of Halo into the premium gallery space (as opposed to making the gallery space itself inherently Halo). This included a Master Chief statue (the series protagonist), a floating spaceship and various smaller 3D models. Final Halo Gallery after effects and adjustments The Personalized Museum Going back to the original brief, one of the two main objectives was to give users an individual data story to relive their Xbox journey over the past 20 years. Similar to the galleries themselves, this involved determining the content (although in this instance the content would be dynamically displayed based on an API pulling data from Microsoft accounts) and creating the space. With data stories, its often a chicken-egg approach. We want to know which data points we can use to determine the creative, and the data team wants to know which data points to build into their API for our creative. The solution was an iterative approach in which we gradually built out the creative, suggesting data points, and the Microsoft team worked with us to confirm data availability. Early ideation around data points to use in creative ideation The personalized gallery itself was a simple layout. As users content would differ and we wanted to have the focus on the content (not a curated floor layout), we kept the plan to a simple circular arena in true-to-brand Xbox colors. The personalized gallery in the final build Go Live and Reactions Lining up with other 20 Years Anniversary celebrations, the site went live in November 2021 and was immediately picked up on social media and in the press. Twitch streamers invited fans into their personal museum to hang out (using the shareable web link) and thousands of fans logged in to learn about their Xbox story. Twitter reactions Final Words The 20 Years of Xbox Museum embodies so many of the reasons we love to build creative experiences on the web. Its accessible. Its shareable. Its easy to use. Its fun. Thank you to everyone at Microsoft and Xbox for bringing this idea to life with us and hopefully see you all with more in the future. The 20 Years of Xbox Museum is available at https://museum.xbox.com/. Thanks for all the votes - the winner of the free Pro Plan is ceeed_g please DM us on Twitter to collect your prize! Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been hoping to reach a plea deal on the corruption charges against him before Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit left office at the end of January, but Mandelblit has reportedly notified Netayahu's lawyers that won't be possible. Why it matters: The deal Mandelblit and Netanyahu had been discussing would have kept him out of prison but seen him banned from politics for seven years. Netanyahu broke his silence on the plea talks after they collapsed and said he'd never accepted the seven-year ban. In a video statement, Netanyahu resumed his attacks on the police and prosecution and claimed the case against him was collapsing and should already have been dismissed. In a nod to the intra-party fight that had begun over his potential replacement if he took the deal, Netanyahu said he'd stay on as leader of the Likud party and of the opposition. What's next: The plea deal is not totally dead but will be frozen for now. The highest-profile case in recent Israeli political history will now pass to the next attorney general, who has yet to be named. The definition of what it means to be "fully vaccinated" is evolving even as the CDC has remained careful not to change it officially. Why it matters: CDC officials have been balancing the job of convincing Americans who've already gotten two doses of the importance of boosters with getting many Americans who still need their first doses to get their shots at all. "What we're really working to do is pivot the language to make sure everyone is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as they personally could be, should be, based on when they got their last vaccine," CDC director Rochelle Walensky said during a press briefing. "If you've recently gotten your second dose but you're not eligible for a booster, you're up-to-date," she said. "If you're eligible for a booster and you haven't gotten it, you're not up-to-date and you need to get your booster." Between the lines: This evolving language may well fit with vaccine makers' expectations. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Saturday he would recommend an annual COVID-19 vaccine over frequent booster shots, Reuters reported. Between the lines: This definition has potential ripple effects, as many cities around the U.S. have begun vaccine mandates. While some businesses, universities and others have begun to require the booster shots, most are using the CDC's definition of "fully vaccinated," which means a person has completed their primary series of COVID vaccines. Canada's top public health officials said Friday they are re-examining the definition of fully vaccinated, the Globe and Mail reported. The other side: "When I ask patients 'Are you fully vaccinated and they say 'yes,' they may have gotten that second shot seven or eight months ago. So they are not really protected at the levels we need them to be protected," Owais Durrani, an emergency medicine physician at UT Health San Antonio, told Yahoo Finance. What we're watching: when kids under 5 will be able to actually get vaccinated at all. Pfizer's shot probably won't be available until at least the end of March at the earliest, Pfizer board former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on CBS' "Face the Nation" over the weekend. But NIAID director Anthony Fauci said last week that he hopes those shots might be available within the next month. Moderna also plans to report its data on vaccines for kids ages 25 in March and, if the data is promising, would file for regulatory approval within weeks. Editor's note: This story originally published on Jan. 24. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told Israeli officials during his recent visit to Jerusalem that the threat of snapback UN Security Council sanctions should be used as a means to deter Iran from enriching weapons-grade uranium, three Israeli officials with direct knowledge of the issue told me. Why it matters: Snapback was the most significant mechanism built into the 2015 deal to punish Iran if it violates the agreement. According to the deal, any party to the agreement can trigger the sanctions. The sanctions would be particularly devastating to Iran's economy because all UN members would be bound to comply. Iran has continued to accelerate its nuclear program while also taking part in nuclear negotiations in Vienna. Israel has warned its Western allies that Tehran is taking technical steps to prepare to enrich uranium to 90% purity. Behind the scenes: Israel has been pushing the U.S. and the E3 France, Germany and the U.K. to increase the pressure on Iran now and has raised the possibility of triggering snapback sanctions. Only the U.K. had shown any openness to the snapback idea so far, Israeli officials say. The U.S. has been arguing to the Israelis that pressure needs to be balanced with diplomacy and that Israeli sabotage operations against Iran's nuclear facilities have actually led the Iranians to accelerate their program. During a Dec. 22 meeting of the U.S.-Israel strategic forum on Iran, Sullivan said he was very concerned that the Iranians felt they were getting closer to the possibility of breaking out toward a nuclear weapon, the Israeli officials say. Sullivan said he didn't know whether additional U.S. pressure or a lack thereof would be more likely to lead Iran to move closer to a bomb, the officials say. But he said the threat of snapback sanctions in addition to strengthening the credibility of the military threat against Iran should be used to deter Iran from increasing uranium enrichment to 90% purity. The other side: Israeli Foreign Ministry officials told Sullivan they think the U.S. and E3 should move ahead with snapback sanctions if the Vienna talks reach a dead end, regardless of Iran's levels of enrichment. But at the end of the meeting, Sullivan's Israeli counterpart, Eyal Hulata, agreed that using snapback as a deterrent against 90% enrichment makes sense. A senior administration official told Axios the U.S. would not comment on private diplomatic deliberations but said: The United States and Israel are closely aligned on the security threats posed by Iran. Jake Sullivans visit last month confirmed that alignment." State of play: The eighth round of the nuclear talks resumed in Vienna this week. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday there had been some modest progress in recent days. The bottom line: Sullivan said in the U.S.-Israel meeting that if no agreement is reached in Vienna within weeks and the Iranians aren't negotiating in good faith, the U.S. should walk away from the talks, the Israeli officials said. In a televised interview aired late on Monday, Pashinian was asked to comment on the possibility of Armenian recognition of Azerbaijans territorial integrity through a peace treaty sought by Baku. He responded by claiming that Armenia already did so when it signed and ratified in 1992 a treaty on the creation of the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Armenia and Azerbaijan de jure recognized in 1992 the inviolability of borders and [each others] territorial integrity within the bounds of borders existing in the CIS, he said. Pashinian also argued that territorial integrity of states has been one of the main elements of peace plans on Karabakh jointly drawn up by the U.S., Russian and French mediators. Lawmakers representing the main opposition Hayastan alliance were quick to portray the remarks as further proof of Pashinians readiness to end Armenian control over Karabakh. One of them, Gegham Manukian, accused him of echoing Azerbaijani arguments in the conflict. According to him, Karabakh is Azerbaijan. Period, another Hayastan deputy, Andranik Tevanian, wrote on Facebook. Tigran Abrahamian of the Pativ Unem bloc, the other parliamentary opposition force, added his voice to these allegations on Tuesday. Nikol Pashinian is trying to substantiate Artsakhs being Azerbaijani territory, he told a news conference. Abrahamian also argued that the so-called Madrid Principles of a Karabakh settlement, which were first put forward by the mediating powers in 2007, include not only territorial integrity but also peoples right to self-determination. Various versions of that peace plan stipulated that Karabakhs predominantly Armenian population would be able to determine the disputed territorys internationally recognized status in a future referendum. Pashinian has repeatedly criticized the proposed peace deal since Armenias defeat in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. He claimed late last month that they envisaged the eventual restoration of Azerbaijani control over Karabakh. He also declared that Artsakh (Karabakh) could not have ended up being completely Armenian. Those remarks were condemned by the Armenian opposition as well as Karabakhs leadership. The latter openly accused Pashinian of making statements playing into Bakus hands. In a January 2021 article, Pashinian likewise said that the U.S., Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group sought a surrender of lands to Azerbaijan and offered the Armenian side nothing in return. The then Russian co-chair of the group, Igor Popov, bluntly denied the claim. China's aid to Tonga ready for delivery Xinhua) 08:30, January 25, 2022 GUANGZHOU, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A batch of disaster-relief supplies from Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong Province was ready to be dispatched to tsunami-hit Tonga on Monday, according to the local foreign affairs office. The supplies by the China-Pacific Island Countries Reserve of Emergency Supplies (Guangdong) include drinking water, canned meat, masks, gloves, tents, and walkie-talkies. On the cartons, people wrote down encouraging messages in Chinese, Tongan, and English, like -- "We are one under the same sun," which demonstrates the shared destiny and special friendship in hard times. Guangdong Province and Tonga have maintained close contact over the years with frequent cultural exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation, according to Li Hongzhi, an official of the local foreign affairs office that works closely with the Chinese foreign ministry for the information about needs of the Tongan people after the volcanic eruptions. Also, the Food and Strategic Reserves Administration of Guangdong Province immediately launched an emergency plan at short notice, contacted the manufacturers and warehouses for preparation. "Suppliers have been very active and enthusiastic. We've been working overtime recently to prepare supplies," said Wang Chunming, an administration official. More supplies will be delivered in batches under the guidance of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, covering daily necessities, epidemic prevention supplies, and means of production, according to Wang. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Christopher Wayne Hinton, 31, of Bluefield, who is being held at the Southern Regional Jail, was arraigned by video Tuesday morning before Magistrate Susan Honaker. Hinton was charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child under 12 and sexual abuse by a guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust. Warm, Sunny Skies for Washington / Oregon Coast - But Also Sneaker Waves Published 01/25/22 at 4:36 AM PST By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Another few days of sunny and sometimes almost-warm temps are in store for the Oregon coast and Washington coast, while the south Oregon coast has a greater threat of sneaker waves on Tuesday. Sunny skies will stick around until about Saturday, bringing daytime highs into the mid 50s in parts of Oregon's shoreline but colder up on the Washington coast. Winds will be generally fairly light, which will make for a balmy effect directly next to the ocean. (Above: Port Orford. Courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more) For the southern coast, there is a heightened threat of sneaker waves from the afternoon through late evening, according to a Beach Hazards Statement put out by the National Weather Service (NWS). There, a long period between swells kicks in, which can cause waves offshore to pile up together and build considerable energy. See Oregon Coast Weather - Washington Coast Weather See Oregon Coast Road, Traffic Conditions, Updates Even during calm conditions, sneaker waves can sweep up the beach without warning and knock unsuspecting people over and pull them out to sea, the NWS said. Shock and hypothermia can occur quickly in the cold Pacific waters. In addition, logs and other debris can be lifted and carried by the waves, crushing or entrapping unsuspecting victims underneath. For the northern half of the Oregon coast and southern third of the Washington coast, the NWS has said on social media there is also a greater threat of sneaker waves throughout the week, although it did not elaborate on the timing between swells. The agency also issued special statements for these areas. Meteorologists in both states are urging extra caution throughout the week while on the beaches from Brookings up through Seaside and into Westport and beyond, with a greater risk down south on Tuesday. Conditions get calmer south of Reedsport after Tuesday, however. With such great weather on the coast this week, many of you may head that way, the NWS said. FYI - there's an elevated sneaker wave threat thru the week. If you go to the beach, it's a good idea to stay off rocks, logs, and jetties AND never turn your back on the ocean. For the south Oregon coast, Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 58. Thursday and Friday lower that number a little bit, and then rain and clouds begin on Saturday and Sunday. It's a similar forecast for the northern half, including the towns of Newport, Pacific City, Manzanita and Cannon Beach. However, daytime highs will remain in the lower 50s. On the Washington coast, beaches stay sunny until the weekend as well, but daytime highs will struggle to reach beyond 50 degrees. However, conditions like these on beaches with little wind and lots of sun will make it seem as much as 10 to 15 degrees warmer when you're next to the ocean. The water and sun reflect the sun back, creating this almost tropical effect. Although it's winter, you may discover the need for sunscreen. Air stagnation will be plaguing much of the inland portion of the two states, but also on the Washington coast as well as the Oregon Coast Range. Those with respiratory issues may need to take caution. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees nearly 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Essie Bellfield, the first Black female mayor of the city of Orange, a devoted churchwoman, jobs generator and indefatigable supporter of civil rights, died Sunday at the Meadows of Orange senior care center. She was 93. Bellfield won election to the Orange city council in 1994 and became mayor in 1997, serving until 2000. "Orange has lost a fine woman, a great leader and a big chunk of its history," said Ron Sigler, a former member of Orange City Council who served with her. "She was always concerned in doing what was best for the community and she continuously worked for the average family. She could be shrewd and she wouldn't hesitate to stand her ground. On the other hand, she was always willing to listen to other viewpoints and she understood that progress often requires compromise," Sigler continued. In September 2016, when a nondescript flag was hoisted above the Sons of Confederate Veterans memorial at Interstate 10 at the end of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, North 41st Street and Farm Road 3257, Bellfield was noncommital if not dismissive. However, at the time she noted that the more notorious flag the one South Carolina had then recently taken down after nine Black churchgoers in Charleston were murdered by a self-described racial antoganist was not part of the memorial in Orange. "The Confederate flag is a symbol of what went on. Anyone who is a student of history knows that," she told The Enterprise. Asked about the less well-known flag flying at the memorial, she said, she hadnt seen it and didnt know whether it would offend her. In a story prepared by the United Methodist Church for its Texas Annual Conference, Bellfield's background showed how hardscrabble her life was. In 1932, her parents, a lumberjack and a maid, left Pittsburgh for Jennings, Louisiana. "Albert Lagard shouldered the familys few belongings. His wife, Ollie, cradled their first and only child. A baby girl they named Essie. "The world in which young Essie grew from girl to womanhood had distinct expectations for her life, her voice, the very essence of her being. As a young woman Essie moved to Orange, Texas to join her mother where she lived and worked as a domestic laborer. For a time, it seemed Essie was poised to follow in her footsteps as a maid. But Essie Lagard Bellfield had another destiny. She had this spark within her that inspired her to achieve and become more than her circumstances indicated, said the Rev. Develous Bright, Salem UMC, Orange said at the time the story was published. Still today, at the age of 86, she has this incredible spirit, and strength of character. Essie Bellfield attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where on Aug. 28, 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history "I Have a Dream." Bellfield remembers "sitting on the toes" of the statue of the seated Abraham Lincoln, behind King as he gave his speech. In the later 1960s, Bellfield opened an ice cream parlor in Orange for young people to congregate, hiring high school girls to give them a little income and sense of worth. Michael Franklin, finance committee chairman at Salem United Methodist, graduated with Bellfield's older daughter in 1969 from Lutcher Stark High School and remembers the place well. "What always stood out to me was that she was always involved. She was always up-front. She never took a back seat a go-getter," he said. "She never was one to give up. Her legacy is that she gave her all, regardless of the circumstances. Whatever it was -- the city, jobs, the church, until it was resolved." Bright, her pastor at Salem UMC, called her "outspoken and well-loved." He noted she'd be the first in church for service and would kneel at the altar to pray aloud. He said the church named its educational center in her honor at about the same time the city of Orange named its senior center for her. "She was always proud of her rapport with leaders. She worked at the old Baptist-Orange hospital in housekeeping and in personnel and she helped a lot of families by getting them hired. She had a bail bonds business and people called her when they were in trouble," Bright said. "She remained a force long into her retirement," he said. "She was the person you called when you needed help." Dan Wallach is a freelance writer. Covid-19 featured hot Two years ago, first COVID-19 case reported in Illinois The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continued to urge people to get vaccinated and boosted as Monday marked the two-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case reported in Illinois. Two years later, IDPH is reporting more than 30,000 COVID-19 deaths in Illinois since the pandemic began. On Jan. 24, 2020 when we announced the first case of COVID-19 in Illinois, we were not imagining that two years later we would still be battling the virus with this ferocity, said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike in a press release. While we have seen the highest number of cases and hospitalizations throughout the entire pandemic this January, we are cautiously optimistic that those numbers will continue to decrease as quickly as they rose due to the Omicron variant. The first confirmed Illinois case of COVID-19 was reported in a Chicago residenta woman in her 60s who returned from Wuhan, China on Jan. 13, 2020. On Jan. 30, 2020 the second case was confirmed in Illinois, a man in his 60s, as well as the spouse of the first confirmed case in Illinois. This was the first person-to-person spread of the virus in the United States. As of Friday, Jan. 21, the most recent data as of press time, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 183,722 new COVID-19 cases in Illinois, including an increase of 746 deaths since Jan. 14. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from Jan. 1420, 2022 is 15.3%. Of Illinois total population, more than 74% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 65% of Illinois total population is fully vaccinated. Almost 49% of Illinois residents have received booster shots, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Monday in Winnebago County, Illinois, there were 1,921 new cases per 100,000, which is going up, and a positivity rate of 22.1, which is going down. About 55.8% of Winnebago County residents are vaccinated, according to the Winnebago County Health Department. COVID-19 tests provided by SHIELD Illinois on the UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford at 1601 Parkview Ave. will now be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.5 p.m., and Thursday until 6 p.m. Individuals being tested should not eat, drink, use tobacco, brush their teeth, or use mouthwash within 60 minutes of submitting a sample and should remove all lip cosmetics. Pre-register for an appointment and to get results by visiting the SHIELD testing portal at portal.shieldillinois.com, clicking sign up for an account and entering agency code df5brbrj. There were 1,771 new cases of COVID-19 in Beloit from Jan. 18 to Jan. 24; 842 in Janesville; 40 in Clinton; 164 in Edgerton; and 107 in Evansville, and 123 in Milton, according to the Rock County Public Health Department. However, a recent backlog in the processing of laboratory results has created a delay in daily reporting of confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has fixed this issue, but in the upcoming days, there may be spikes in the number of daily confirmed cases as this backlog is processed. On Monday there were 8,157 active cases in Rock County. There were 186 new cases. The total number of cases since the pandemic began reached 33,215 and the total amount of deaths reached 278, according to Rock County Public Health Department data. There were 46 hospitalized due to COVID-19 on Jan. 20 in Rock County. The percentage of the population fully vaccinated in Rock County was 63.4%. As of Monday, the average new cases per day in Wisconsin for the past seven days has been 11,127. The seven-day average of deaths per day in the state has been 31 and the seven day average state positivity rate was 25.1%. As of Monday, the latest data available as of press time, there were 59% of the total population of Wisconsin residents that have completed the vaccine series. There have been no great changes in hospital capacity. There are 51.1% of Wisconsin hospitals at peak capacity; 77.4% of hospitals with their ICUs at peak capacity; and 59.3% of hospitals with their medical surgical units at peak capacity. Of the total cases in Wisconsin, 3.6% are healthcare workers. Cases among healthcare workers are more prevalent in the northwest, north central and western part of the state. A fire burns at a nightclub set alight by a mob during communal violence that left 18 dead, in Sorong, in Indonesias West Papua province, Jan. 25, 2022. At least 18 people died in communal violence in Indonesias West Papua province Tuesday, including 17 burned alive in a nightclub set on fire during fighting between ethnic groups from the neighboring Maluku Islands, police said. The incident began Tuesday before dawn when members of the Pelauw tribe attacked and killed a 20-year-old ethnic Kei man in Sorong, a coastal city of a quarter million people on West Papuas northwestern tip, local officials said. Friends of the victim immediately chased the perpetrators, to retaliate, said the citys police chief, Ary Nyoto Setiawan, adding that the chase ended in the vicinity of a karaoke club. Clashes broke out. The mob burned down the karaoke place, and two vehicles, Ary said, confirming that the two groups were not ethnic Papuans. Security forces evacuated the burning building and believed they had emptied it, Ary said, but firemen later found 17 burned bodies on the second floor. The victims likely nightclub patrons and workers had apparently hidden there fearing the violence outside, he added. The bodies were taken to a nearby hospital to be identified, Ary said. About half the present population of Papua and West Papua provinces are people who moved there from other islands, according to estimates. The Maluku chain lies directly west of West Papua, and the provincial capital, Ambon, is a little over an hour by ferry from Sorong. Tensions between the groups flared on Saturday, Ary said. We already brought together the tribal chiefs to resolve the issue so it wouldnt fester. Patrols were put on alert But evidently the conflict was still going on, he said. As of Tuesday evening, police had not yet named any suspects. In Jakarta, a national police spokesman said West Papua police were still investigating the case. [The] investigation into this case is still ongoing to identify the perpetrators, including the masterminds from the two warring groups the most important thing is for regional police to get the situation under control first, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Ramadhan told a press conference. Police will convene another meeting with religious figures and community leaders to try to prevent further clashes, he added. Were asking for trust in the police to enforce the law in this case until it is resolved. Members of the public are asked to refrain from retaliating, he said. Soldiers from a military base in Sorong had joined police patrols in key areas, according to local media reports. In 2019, Indonesian authorities identified the easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua as areas of the nation most prone to conflict due to tensions among ethnic and religious groups and the presence of armed separatist groups. Earlier this month, inter-ethnic fighting in Jayawijaya, a regency in the mountainous interior of Papua province, left two dead and 22 wounded, and 34 homes burned to the ground. Ethnic Nduga people and members of another ethnic group from neighboring Lanny Jaya regency had clashed, police said. Two Nduga men were killed on Jan. 8, including one who was shot with an arrow. In a statement posted on a police portal on Jan. 16, Jayawijaya police chief Muh Safei said the two sides had settled their dispute. No more hurting each other, and when problems arise, we are ready to open the door for resolution, mediation and communication, the statement quoted him as saying. As part of the settlement, the regent of Lanny Jaya, Befa Jigibalom, had agreed to compensate families of the Nduga victims with a total of 2.5 billion rupiah (U.S. $174,207) in cash, and twenty pigs, it said. Indonesians will go to the polls in February 2024 to select the countrys next leader, the election commission announced, ending speculation that President Joko Jokowi Widodo might try to extend his second and constitutionally mandated final term. The decision was made late Monday at a meeting involving Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, the General Election Commission and members of the House of Representatives. Voting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Election Commission chief Ilham Saputra said late Monday. Officials also agreed that elections for regency chiefs, mayors and provincial governors would be held simultaneously nationwide on Nov. 27, 2024. Issues related to campaign schedules and electoral stages will be deliberated on this coming June, officials said. Tito, the home minister, had proposed a shorter campaign period of three months to curb political polarization, but the Election Commission suggested that campaigning should last four months, beginning Oct. 14, 2023. Three months is enough. The public should not be divided for too long and we think that with communication technology, media, and social media, we think this is enough time, Tito said. A third term for Jokowi? The announcement of a date for the next presidential polls occurred amid speculation that the government planned to postpone a general election to allow Jokowi, who was reelected in 2019, to extend his five-year term. An amendment to the constitution would be required to change term limits, which were enacted through a constitutional amendment in 1999. Jokowi has said he is not interested in staying in office for much longer. I can assure you, I have no intention of becoming president for three terms, he said last year. Speculation remained rife, however, after Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said that businesses wanted the presidential election to be postponed to allow the country to recover from an economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, Bahlil said that business players feared elections would create instability. If theres a way for the [election] process to be postponed, that would be much better, Bahlil had said. Why? Because they [businesses] are still black and blue from the health crisis and are only starting to recover, and suddenly they have to deal with the political mess. Separately, Amien Rais, a critic of Jokowi and former speaker of the Peoples Consultative Assembly, had fueled speculation by saying the ruling coalition would seek to amend the constitution to allow Jokowi to run for a third term. Central Java Gov. Gandjar Pranowo, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan are among potential contenders for the next presidential election, according to recent privately-conducted opinion polls. Prabowos party has commented that he will run, but the other contenders have not said so publicly. Prabowo, the defense minister in the current government, lost against Jokowi in the last two presidential contests. A tradition Its business people who want Jokowi to stay in power, according to Wasisto Raharjo Jati, a political researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Its a tradition for businesses to donate funds to political campaigns and the government returns the favor with policies, he said. We dont know when this pandemic will end, so businessmen dread the 2024 elections because they want to spend as little as possible, he said. Wasisto said talk of extending Jokowis term amounted to a democratic setback, after a reform movement spearheaded by students in 1998 helped topple autocratic President Suharto after 32 years in power. When a government is allowed to be in power for too long, it tends to be corrupt and authoritarian, he said. Parliamentary Speaker Puan Maharani, meanwhile, expressed hope that the 2024 election would improve democracy in Indonesia. I invite the public to actively participate by monitoring the 2024 election process, she said in a statement. That way, we hope that the election process will be transparent and accommodate peoples voices. A fighter-jet takes off from the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 2, 2022. Seven servicemen were injured in a fighter-jet accident aboard an American aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy said. The landing mishap occurred aboard the USS Carl Vinson on Monday but the pilot safely ejected from his plane and was recovered by a U.S. military helicopter, the U.S. Pacific Fleets public affairs office said in a statement issued from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Three of the injured sailors from the Carl Vinson were rushed to a hospital in Manila where they were in stable condition, while four were treated on-board by medical personnel, it said. The statement also listed the pilot as being in stable condition. An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, had a landing mishap on deck while USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea, Jan. 24, the statement said. It said the cause of the in-flight mishap was being investigated. Additional details were not made public. The Carl Vinson is among two U.S. carrier groups that have been conducting maneuvers this week in the contested South China Sea amid tensions between China and Taiwan. In Manila, a Philippine official who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak about the incident said the U.S. had not contacted the Philippine military about it. If the American aircraft carrier was operating in the South China Sea, it likely was sailing outside Philippine territory, the source said. The U.S. Embassy in Manila could not immediately be reached for comment. Freedom of navigation The U.S. Navy and Air Force periodically conduct freedom of navigation operations, or FONOPs, to challenge Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea. Beijing has criticized these operations and accused Washington of provoking conflict. On Sunday, China dispatched 39 military aircraft into Taiwans air zone, the same day that the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Abraham Lincoln launched a FONOP in the South China Sea. Taiwan said it scrambled fighters and issued radio warnings while air-defense missile systems were deployed to track the Chinese aircraft incursions, the largest since October 2021. That occurred as the U.S. Navy was conducting joint drills with British and Japanese ships near Okinawa. The Chinese military sent 145 fighter planes to Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting the Taiwanese minister of defense to say cross-strait tensions were at their worst in 40 years. Also in October 2021, three aircraft carriers and other warships from the U.S., joined by ships from the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands sailed on the fringes of the South China Sea. The Philippines has supported a new U.S.-led defense pact with the U.K. and Australia that it hoped would address a military imbalance in Southeast Asia despite concerns aired by Malaysia and Indonesia. China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have claims to territories in the South China Sea. While Jakarta does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing does claim historic rights to areas overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Investigations editor Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service. 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. ADAMS When pressed Tuesday on his qualifications to run a proposed cannabis dispensary, Kerry Raheb leaned on the two decades he spent worki After serving for three terms on the Williamstown Select Board, Jane Patton has decided shed like to serve one more term to help complete a few more chores, like stabilizing the functioning of town government by getting the new town manager and a permanent police chief on board, among other things. The old street railway sub-stations in Sheffield have seen several reuses since the trolley line closed in 1930. Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Place an Obituary Ryker Audiss (Belle Fourche baseball): Audiss, a senior outfielder, was a force at the plate and a major contributor to the Broncs wins over Lead-Deadwood, St. Thomas More, and Chamberlain/Kimball/Lyman. His cumulative Stats for the week: three games, nine hits in 11 at bats, two doubles, nine RBIs, seven runs scored, two stolen bases. 0.818 batting average, 0.833 on base percentage, and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Garrett Winkler (Newell boys track and field): Last week Winkler competed at the Northern Hills Invite in Belle Fourche and finished second in the 3,200-meter run, and had a 16 second improvement from his previous best. He also anchored the boys Medley Relay to a sixth place finish. Vote View Results BOISE - In a winter that has been anything but typical, AAA is reporting that the rising cost of crude oil is driving the national average price of gasoline higher. However, there is some good news for Idahoans, as the Gem State is one of just ten states that saw gas prices dip slightly over the past week. As of Monday, Idaho's average price for regular fuel is $3.54 per gallon, which is a penny less than a week ago and five cents less than a month ago. Despite that, prices are still $1.24 higher than this time one year ago. Meanwhile, the national average across the U.S. currently sits at $3.33, which is two cents more than a week ago, four cents more than a month ago and 93 cents more than a year ago. According to AAA, the West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil topped out at $87 per barrel last week, its highest price since late 2014. WTI is currently trading near $83 per barrel, which is $8 more than a month ago and $30 more than a year ago. Crude oil makes up half the price of finished gasoline. The belief that fuel demand will return in the coming weeks is combining with tight oil supplies to keep the price of crude high. Domestic oil stocks are about 15% lower than a year ago, but gasoline demand is 9% higher, says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. If the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, that tension could put even more upward pressure on the price of crude. Thats tough news for drivers who are looking for a little more wiggle room in their travel budget as they make plans for a spring break vacation. Idaho currently ranks 9th in the country for most expensive fuel, trailing California ($4.64), Hawaii ($4.35), Washington ($3.96), Oregon ($3.93), Nevada ($3.81), Alaska ($3.77), and the District of Columbia ($3.56). Weather events may curb gasoline demand at times this winter, but with OPEC holding fast to a schedule of very modest production increases, there may not be much in the way of relief on the supply side anytime soon, Conde said. Heres a look at gas prices across Idaho as of Monday, January 24, 2022: To explore opportunities for further collaboration and knowledge sharing The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in South Korea and the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) of Thailand have signed a Definitive Agreement to strengthen the collaborative partnership between the two organizations. The agreement was signed by Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of the IVI, and Dr. Nakorn Premsri, Director of NVI, witnessed by Dr. Manki Song, Deputy Director General of Science of IVI, and Dr. Sunate Cheunkitmongkol, Deputy Director of NVI. This agreement will strengthen the collaborative relationship enjoyed by IVI and NVI since NVIs establishment in 2018. IVI has been working on several vaccine R&D programs in Thailand since 2002, including an HPV single-dose study, a Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) country investment case study, Dengue vaccine research and clinical trials, an Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) Phase II clinical trial, and studies on Shigella and Japanese Encephalitis (JE). As of 2022, IVI is conducting several clinical trials in Thailand, including Phase II/III clinical trial of Chikungunya vaccine, SK bioscience COVID-19 vaccine trials, Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial with Mahidol University. These programs have been conducted in collaboration with local partners in Thailand, including the Thai CDC, the Ministry of Public Health, and NVI. From 2002 until 2019, over 70 Thai scientists and physicians have received training in IVIs annual International Vaccinology Course held in Seoul, South Korea. In 2021, NVI supported IVIs 20th International Vaccinology Course, which was held virtually, and 182 registrants were from Thailand. The appointment will enable HEL India to provide direct sales and marketing, service, and support operations to customers locally HEL Group (HEL), a global developer and manufacturer of innovative laboratory tools for process optimisation, safety, and scale-up, announced the appointment of Rajeev Kumria as General Manager of HEL India. This announcement follows the recent news that HEL is expanding operations in India by moving to a wholly-owned subsidiary in the country. Kumria will oversee the creation and commercial effectiveness of this new business. Kumria brings 25 years of experience in general management, M&A, business development, strategy, sales leadership, and product consultancy across medical device and diagnostics sectors. He has extensive experience in managing businesses in South Asia holding leadership roles in companies such as Getinge Medical India, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Transasia Biomedical, and Bharat Serums and Vaccines. As well as setting up the new HEL entity, Kumria will work closely with HEL's existing commercial partners, Skytech Systems, to ensure a smooth handover of business, focusing on the continuity of customer support. I am delighted to have Natalie re-join the dentsu SA team as managing director for John Brown Media and to have another female leader join our team. Natalie re-joins the business with a huge amount of business, client and brand experience and I know she will add immense value to the dentsu family and our clients. The future for JBSA is exciting and I wish her huge success in her new role Koo Govender, CEO of dentsu South Africa. Previously group account director on the internationally award-winning Pick n Pay portfolio at JBSA and more recently, head of Food for brands such as food24.com and eatout.co.za, Natalie has over 20 years experience in the content marketing, publishing and digital media space. Her impressive portfolio spans multiple clients and some of South Africas (SAs) largest brands encompassing the FMCG, automotive, food and retail environment.Commenting on her appointment, Wilson says: I am thrilled to be joining John Brown Media SA, this time at the helm. Its a challenging and hugely exciting time for content marketing, with the market brimming with potential. On top of delivering hugely creative and innovative work, John Brown has always stood for the depth and longevity of relationships, with clients, staff and audiences so it feels very fitting to return home to re-join a team with such brilliant values. I simply cant wait to get stuck in.Working alongside executive content director, Justine Drake and supported by digital director, Emma Odendaal, and brand director Samantha Stevens, Natalie will be reporting to dentsu SA CEO, Koo Govender.Wilson will be responsible for maintaining, developing and entrenching JBSAs positioning, product offering and culture within the SA market in order to enhance and build on an established and successful business model. In addition, her role will also include supporting and delivering the digital future and redefining the business to support the future growth strategy of the dentsu business.Having worked with Natalie for a number of years when she was previously group account director on the Pick n Pay account, I am well aware of her business acumen, savvy and charm! She knows the content landscape in both print and digital inside and out and I am completely thrilled and very excited at what the future holds for us as we lead John Brown South Africa into 2022 and beyond, said Justine Drake , executive content director for JBSA. The Big Switch is on to Hot 102.7FM as more and more people tune into Joburg's Best Old Skool and R&B station. The station's Hotbusters gang is "busting" businesses that play Hot 102.7FM for their staff and customers, rewarding them with pizza from Papachinos and an exclusive Hot 102.7FM decal to proudly display their support of Hot 102.7FM.We love it that more people are switching on to Hot 102.7FM every day and that our on-air feel-good vibe is being carried into retail stores and businesses for the benefit of staff and customers, says Lloyd Madurai, managing director of Hot 102.7FM. Were getting invaluable feedback from our listeners in the 2022 Joburg Radio Check-up, and we are constantly striving to make a better radio station for Joburgs discerning listeners. Through 'busting' and rewarding businesses that play Hot 102.7FM to their staff and customers, were giving something back to those who support us.Hotbusters will take place every weekday. Businesses that want to be visited by the Hotbusters crew can send their details to az.oc.7201toh@sretsubtoh The state inspector general has started an investigation into the Jan. 13 use of force by a deputy U.S. marshal in New Haven, according to a statement. The incident involving gunfire occurred at about 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13 at or near 35 Wheeler St. according to the statement from the office of Inspector General Robert J. Devlin Jr. Advertisement Former judge and prosecutor Robert Devlin is now state inspector general. (Connecticut Judicial Branch) There were no injuries as a result of the gunfire, according to the statement. According to the release, members of a Fugitive Task Force had active felony arrest warrants for Marvin Owens, of Bridgeport. Then, at about 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13, Owens entered a parking lot near 35 Wheeler St., New Haven driving a white box truck. Advertisement Task force members, including, Deputy U.S. Marshal James Masterson, drove into the parking lot, got out of their vehicles and approached Owens with the intent to take him into custody on the active warrants, the statement said. [ Robert Devlin, Connecticuts new inspector general, on policing the police ] Disregarding the officers commands, Owens got back into the white truck and started driving out of the parking lot, the statement said. The Task Force Officers pursued on foot for a short distance. It was during this time that Deputy United States Marshal Masterson fired five shots in the direction of the truck. Owens continued to flee in the truck, drove to Bridgeport, and was apprehended after a collision with another vehicle, according to the statement. The Inspector General is examining whether the use of force by Masterson was justified under Connecticut law, according to the statement. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Western District Major Crime Squad is investigating the incident. The Task Force officers were not wearing body-worn cameras at the time of the incident and their vehicles were not equipped with dashboard cameras, according to the statement. Investigators found private security cameras on a building adjacent to the parking lot where the shooting occurred, according to the statement. Connecticut continues to see significant improvement in its COVID-19 metrics, state numbers show, signaling an approaching end to its latest coronavirus surge. The state on Monday reported an 11.4% test positivity rate, lowest since late December, and a decrease of more than 200 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Advertisement Though cases and hospitalizations remain higher than during most of last year, they have declined substantially over the past two weeks, leading to optimism that the state has survived the worst of the omicron variant. Like other places slammed by omicron, Connecticut experienced an intense spike in cases over about a month before reaching an apparent peak. [ Gov. Ned Lamont, Access Health CT launch health insurance broker training program, good for consumers ] Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said Monday that Connecticut could possibly move toward a future in which COVID-19 is endemic, meaning it continues to spread but not at a crisis level, with possible seasonal outbreaks. Advertisement I expect the numbers to continue to improve, Wu said. The future state is trying to figure out, if this does become endemic, how do we incorporate COVID into our normal life? Wu warned that another variant could disrupt Connecticuts progress at any time. For now, though, the signs are encouraging. I dont want it to be an out-of-sight, out-of-mind conversation when it comes to COVID, but overall it is positive, Wu said. Cases and positivity rate Connecticut on Monday reported 12,057 new COVID-19 cases out of 106,153 tests, for a daily positivity rate of 11.4%. The states seven-day positivity rate now stands at 13.4%, down from 23.6% earlier this month and the lowest it has been since late December. Connecticut has now averaged 4,331 daily COVID-19 cases over the past week, down more than 50% from the states peak earlier this month. Unvaccinated residents have been about three times as likely to test positive in recent weeks as vaccinated residents, according to state numbers. Still, all eight Connecticut counties along with nearly the entire rest of the country are recording high levels of COVID-19 transmission as defined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this level of transmission, the CDC advises people to wear a mask in public indoor settings. Hospitalizations As of Monday, Connecticut had 1,477 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, down 218 from Thursday and down from more than 1,900 on Jan. 12. Hospital officials say some patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were admitted for non-coronavirus reasons before testing positive upon arrival but that a majority have significant COVID-19 symptoms. Advertisement According to the state, 56.5% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Hospital officials say the rate is significantly higher when considering only patients with severe symptoms. Deaths Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut > Connecticut reports COVID-19 deaths on Thursdays. This week, the state reported 241 deaths, bringing its total during the pandemic to 9,683. COVID-19 deaths which typically tend to lag other metrics by several weeks have continued to increase in recent weeks even as cases and hospitalizations have slowed. Unvaccinated people in Connecticut have been about 14 times as likely to die from COVID-19 in recent weeks as those who are vaccinated, according to state numbers. The United States has now recorded 867,287 COVID-19 deaths, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University. Vaccinations As of Monday, 92% of all Connecticut residents and 95% of those 12 and older had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, while 76.2% of all residents and 84.7% of those 12 and older were fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Additionally, about 49.8% of fully vaccinated Connecticut residents 18 or older have received a booster dose. Advertisement The CDC warns that booster shots are sometimes misclassified as first doses, likely inflating the reported number of first-dose coverage and understating the true number of people who have received boosters. Alex Putterman can be reached at aputterman@courant.com. Lincoln, NE (68508) Today Cloudy with occasional showers this afternoon. High near 55F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. By Michael Maharrey CONCORD, N.H. (Jan. 24, 2022) Last week, a New Hampshire House committee held a hearing on a bill that would take the first step toward closing a loophole allowing state and local police to circumvent more stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. A coalition of seven Republicans introduced House Bill 1101 (HB1101) on Jan. 5. The proposed law would ban police from transferring property seized under state law to a federal agency for federal forfeiture. Asset forfeiture cases would have to be adjudicated under the more stringent forfeiture process. But the legislation would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to pass forfeiture cases to the feds if they participate on a federal task force. Paragraph I shall only apply to a seizure by a state or local law enforcement agency pursuant to its own authority under state law and without involvement of the federal government in the seizure. Nothing in paragraph I shall be construed to limit state and local law enforcement agencies from participating in a joint task force with the federal government. On Jan 12, the House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB1101. THE FEDERAL LOOPHOLE A federal program known as Equitable Sharing allows prosecutors to bypass more stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the federal government through a process known as adoption. The DOJ directive reiterates full support for the equitable sharing program, directs federal law enforcement agencies to aggressively utilize it, and sets the stage to expand it in the future. Law enforcement agencies can circumvent more strict state forfeiture laws by claiming cases are federal in nature. Under these arrangements, state officials simply hand cases over to a federal agency, participate in the case, and then receive up to 80 percent of the proceeds. However, when states merely withdraw from participation, the federal directive loses its impact. California faced this situation. The state has some of the strongest state-level restrictions on civil asset forfeiture in the country, but state and local police were circumventing the state process by passing cases to the feds. According to a report by the Institute for Justice, Policing for Profit, California ranked as the worst offender of all states in the country between 2000 and 2013. In other words, California law enforcement was passing off a lot of cases to the feds and collecting the loot. The state closed the loophole in 2016. According to the Institute for Justice, federal equitable sharing revenues in New Hampshire dwarf state asset forfeiture revenues by a factor of 10. That means state agencies are transferring most cases to the feds. The passage of HB1101 would prohibit police from transferring at least some cases to federal authority. But property seized by a joint task force could still be transferred to the feds to take advantage of the less stringent federal forfeiture process and equitable sharing. We dont really have any way of knowing how many cases the federal government adopts through task forces and how many cases are investigated solely by the state and then sent to the feds after the fact. And as an attorney with the Institute for Justice put it, what it means to be on a joint task force can be murky. An IJ lawyer testified in support of the bill. He said even incremental steps are important. He also said it provides an opportunity to educate legislators who face tremendous difficulties learning a subject well enough to overcome their deference to law enforcement. NECESSARY While some people believe the Supreme Court ended asset forfeiture, its opinion in Timbs v. Indiana ended nothing. Without further action, civil asset forfeiture remains. Additionally, as law professor Ilya Somin noted, the Court left an important issue unresolved. What exactly counts as excessive in the civil forfeiture context? That is likely to be a hotly contested issue in the lower federal courts over the next few years. The ultimate effect of todays decision depends in large part on how that question is resolved. If courts rule that only a few unusually extreme cases qualify as excessive, the impact of Timbs might be relatively marginal. Going forward, opponents of civil asset forfeiture could wait and see how lower federal courts will address this over the next few years, or they can do what a number of states have already taken steps to do, end the practice on a state level, and opt out of the federal equitable sharing program as well. WHATS NEXT HB1101 needs to be brought up for a vote in the Judiciary Committee. An ought to pass recommendation would increase the bills chance for passage in the House. Michael Maharrey [send him email] is the Communications Director for the Tenth Amendment Center. He is from the original home of the Principles of 98 Kentucky and currently resides in northern Florida. See his blog archive here and his article archive here.He is the author of the book, Our Last Hope: Rediscovering the Lost Path to Liberty., and Constitution Owners Manual. You can visit his personal website at MichaelMaharrey.com and like him on Facebook HERE After throwing open our own borders, the Biden regime is now looking to send our troops to fight and die in defense of Ukraine's borders. According to a new poll, he will have the support of only 15% of Americans if he puts boots on the ground in the case of a Russian invasion. From Newsmax, "Poll: Voters Oppose War With Russia": Most voters oppose the idea of the United States putting troops on the ground in Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion of the country, according to a new poll from the Trafalgar Group released on Friday. The poll, which was conducted in partnership with the Convention of States Action, found that less than 1-in-5 support putting U.S. troops on the ground if Russia invades Ukraine, while less than 1-in-3 think that the U.S. should provide military advisers, weapons, or supplies. Biden has put 8,500 troops on "high alert" for possible deployment to Eastern Europe, according to the latest reports. He has also been sending Ukraine tons more so-called "lethal aid." The shipment - and $2.7 billion USD since 2014 - demonstrates U.S. commitment to helping Ukraine bolster its defenses in the face of growing Russian aggression. #partnershipstrong [2/2] pic.twitter.com/scPFWM3we7 U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) January 22, 2022 The American people have no desire to risk the life of even a single U.S. soldier in this war and yet permanent Washington is lusting for World War III. Tucker Carlson On Neo-Con @MaxBoot "At this point, every project in @MaxBoot's life has collapsed into disaster." "Only a man completely insulated from the consequences of his bloodlust could talk like that." pic.twitter.com/qjrxy2to73 The Columbia Bugle (@ColumbiaBugle) January 25, 2022 What I wrote in 2014 when Putin invaded. Ukraine is the front line of a war the free world doesnt want to admit exists, and so is losing. 15 years of democratic decline, led by Putins support of autocracies worldwide, backed up by force. https://t.co/MsAtjdt4yE Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) January 25, 2022 A large war in Europe is likely in the coming weeksUkraine, whose fate hangs in the balance, may be at the center of the crisis, but Moscow has a greater goal in mind: the revision of Europes security order. https://t.co/o6BBwOs4Mw Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) January 25, 2022 The Americans most likely to fight and die in the next pointless war are the same ones Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin only recently descibed as "enemies within our own ranks" No ruling class in history has been so undeserving of the blood it demands others spill for it as ours pic.twitter.com/pPfcu3Lrle Pedro L. Gonzalez (@emeriticus) January 24, 2022 Every Neocon hack and Democrat shill who supports this war should pick up arms, get on a plane and go fight on the front lines themselves. Not only would that receive widespread popular support but I'm sure the American people would be more than happy to crowdsource the money to send them all there! Our troops should be defending our own border against the ongoing illegal alien invasion Biden's handlers' greenlit immediately after seizing power. Live in RGV this morning discussing two single groups of 400 migrants who crossed illegally into Eagle Pass, TX two nights in a row, a group of runners we found hiding in the brush, including 2 Chinese men, & a human smuggling bust w/ 22 people locked in crates in Laredo @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/xCaH9GqW4b Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) January 21, 2022 BREAKING: CBP finally releases December migrant encounter numbers at Southern border. 178,840. The first 3 months of FY22 have already seen 518,370 encounters. Thats more than *double* first 3 months of FY21. (218,306), which was the highest on record at the time.@FoxNews pic.twitter.com/YjkRUpyFcl Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) January 24, 2022 Ukraine doesn't need our troops anyways, they have "Ukrainian women" ready to fight on the front lines, as the British Ambassador to Ukraine, Melinda Simmons, pointed out on Twitter! [Header image by Taras Gren, CC BY-SA 2.0] Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Minds, Parler and Telegram. The 'western' media buildup for war in Ukraine was launched 63 days ago on November 22: The U.S. has shared intelligence including maps with European allies that shows a buildup of Russian troops and artillery to prepare for a rapid, large-scale push into Ukraine from multiple locations if President Vladimir Putin decided to invade, according to people familiar with the conversations. That intelligence has been conveyed to some NATO members over the past week to back up U.S. concerns about Putins possible intentions and an increasingly frantic diplomatic effort to deter him from any incursion, with European leaders engaging directly with the Russian president. The diplomacy is informed by an American assessment that Putin could be weighing an invasion early next year as his troops again mass near the border. Nothing has happened since but there has been no letup: The sheer size and scope of the Western information operations right now regarding Ukraine and Russia in my opinion dwarfs what was done in the lead up to the second invasion of Iraq. Even in unimportant Australia, the commercial and public broadcasters feature daily stories about the plucky Ukrainians getting ready for an imminent Russian invasion and the print media feature think-pieces about Putin trying to recreate the glory days of Catherine the Great and a new Russian empire, etc. Then there are the stories of gallant NATO members rushing to assist little Ukraine. I am now completely unnerved by the scope and obvious imbalance of this coverage. The media is totally on board the war train. Most of the propaganda is just crap. Today we hear about a recall of U.S. and British diplomat families from Kiev, additional weapon and money promises to Kiev, the repositioning of NATO forces and so on. None of this would have any effect in the case of war. But everything is done to keep this item at the top of the news. This is without doubt a CIA/MI6 run campaign. There is only one thing missing and that is a Russian interest in invading the Ukraine. Still, former ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar thinks it will happen for strategic reasons: Basically, the US has gained the high ground through sustained efforts through the past three decades since the Bill Clinton administration put into effect a concerted strategy in anticipation of a resurgent Russia in a matter of time. Now that the US has gained the upper hand, it is loathe to give it up. From Washingtons viewpoint, this is a key template of the geopolitical struggle unfolding over the new world order after Chinas rise and the shift in power dynamic from the West to the East. Cutting down Russia to size and to be able to intimidate it is a pre-requisite of the situation before the US tackles China comprehensively. Suffice to say, Ukraine has become a battleground where a titanic test of will is playing out. ... The ultimate Russian objective will be a federated Ukraine through constitutional reform with the countrys sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity intact while the regions enjoy autonomy. Europe may welcome this as the best way to stabilise the situation and remove the potential for future conflict. Well, maybe. There are several threads on how such an invasion could plausibly proceed. No one doubts that Russia would win militarily. Russia has good reasons to invade the Ukraine but there are also good reasons not to invade it. It could become a millstone around Russia's neck. Russia's aim is to change the aggressive position the U.S. and its NATO proxy are taking towards it. Invading Ukraine would do the opposite. It would increase the number of troops in east European NATO countries and would have negative impacts on Russia's strategic position. Only the western military industrial media complex would profit from it. I believe that the current 'western' media campaign is supposed to give cover for an Ukrainian campaign against the rebelling Donbas provinces. Murad Gazdiev @MuradGazdiev - 12:47 UTC Jan 24, 2022 President Zelensky speaking to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine: We have learned to contain external threats. It is time we begin offensive actions aimed at securing our national interests. Our citizens are united in wanting their territory returned Embedded video Russia must be pushed to either not intervene in the Ukrainian campaign or alternatively intervene with a huge invasion. Both would fit U.S. desires though the first is preferred. That is why the U.S. is threatening Russia with sanctions. (Sanctions that would drive oil above $100/b? Sanction which would hurt the European NATO countries and the U.S. stock market much more than Russia?) Russia's President Vladimir Putin is a Judoka, not a boxer. Should the Donbas get attacked Russia would certainly intervene but it can and likely would do so without an invasion. Artillery and maybe some air campaign would be sufficient to destroy the Ukrainian attackers. The real picture is much bigger. Russia wants to compel the U.S. to agree to a non-aggressive posture in Europe. That requires a threat to the U.S. itself. Washington will only come to its senses when it feels that it is under a direct threat. A threat that is new and highly visible. That is why I find this news item intriguing: Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. January 24, 2022 18:10 The leaders had an in-depth exchange of opinions on bilateral cooperation in trade, the economy and investment. The President of Cuba thanked Russia for the humanitarian aid supplied to the republic, including in the context of countering COVID-19. The presidents discussed further coordination of Russias and Cubas actions in the international arena in line with the principles of strategic partnership and the traditions of friendship and mutual understanding. Vladimir Putin and Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and agreed to intensify contacts at different levels. Four days ago a similar call was held with the president of Venezuela: The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination in international affairs in keeping with the principles of strategic partnership that underlie bilateral relations. When Russia gave Washington two draft treaties it threatened 'military technical' steps that would follow should the U.S. reject Russia's demands. I believe that is code for the deployment of existing or new weapon systems. During the cold war the stationing of Russian missiles in Cuba compelled the U.S. to pull back its missiles from Turkey and Italy. Nothing else had worked but the missiles on Cuba did it. So why not learn from history and repeat such a step? Days before Bidens inauguration as president on January 20 last year, instigating Russian dissident and Putins longtime foe Alexei Navalny to return to Russia on January 17 from his sojourn in Germany for no apparent political advantage, after being allegedly poisoned in August 2020, was clearly the job of the US deep state that wanted to sabotage newly inaugurated Biden administrations relations with Russia and forestall the likelihood of rapprochement between the arch-rivals. Its pertinent to note that as a goodwill gesture before the Biden-Putin summit at Geneva in June, Russia significantly drawdown its troop build-up along Ukraines border. Reciprocating the courtesy, however, the ambience and body language of the summit, clearly choreographed by the US national security establishment, were kept as austere as possible. No joint press conferences were held, as is customary after such momentous meetings. The organizers of the farcical show strictly ordered no breaking the bread or refreshments during hours-long strenuous discussions. All blame games and tough talk. Even Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was held in a more cordial atmosphere than the bitter encounter between the leaders of the two global powers. The civilian administrations of the United States, whether Trump or Biden, want to have friendly relations with other major powers, including Russia and China, and want to focus on national economy to provide much-needed financial relief to the American electorate. But the mindset and institutional logic of the US deep state has been frozen in the Cold War era, and it perceives any threat to its global military domination agenda with utmost suspicion and hostility. The current brinkmanship on the Ukraine crisis is a manifestation of this global power belligerence where the hands of civilian presidents are tied behind their backs and the Pentagons top brass determines the national security agenda pursued by the United States. Its worth noting that it wasnt the first time the deep state scuttled peace negotiations between the civilian administration of the United States and its global rivals. Following their first-ever rendezvous in Singapore in June 2018 and a bromance lasting over a period of several months, a much-anticipated two-day summit meeting between capricious North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump was held at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 2728, 2019. On the last day of the Hanoi Summit, however, the White House abruptly announced that the summit was cut short and that no agreement was reached. Trump later clarified that it was due to North Korea's insistence on ending all sanctions. The real reason of the foundering of the much-hyped North Korea nuclear negotiations, however, can be discovered in hardly noticed news headlines weeks after the summit. In March 2019, Adam Taylor and Min Joo Kim reported for the Washington Post [1]: In broad daylight in late February, just days before President Trump met with North Koreas Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, a group of masked men forced their way into the North Korean Embassy in Madrid. The intruders tied up staff and took computers and mobile phones before fleeing. The raid was initially a mystery, but the culprit was soon revealed: Free Joseon, an organization that calls for the overthrow of Kims dynasty. More details emerged this week as a Spanish judge lifted a secrecy order on the embassy raid case and claimed one of the perpetrators had later shared stolen material from the raid with the FBI. More startling still to North Korea watchers, however, was one of the names of the suspects Spain would reportedly seek to extradite from the United States: a Mexican citizen by the name of Adrian Hong Chang. To many, that name rang a bell. Adrian Hong had been a prominent figure in the tightknit world of defectors and activists in Washington and Seoul a decade earlier. Hong had spent some of his childhood in Mexico and later studied at Yale University, where he formed a now well-known NGO that campaigned for change in North Korea. He was a regular at government events and in newspaper op-eds. Some said the statements by Free Joseon fit in with the man they knew. For years, Hong has sought to establish a government-in-exile for North Korea. Lee Wolosky, a lawyer with Boies Schiller Flexner and a former State Department official, issued a statement on the groups behalf Wednesday that said the United States and its allies should support groups that oppose the North Korean government. Hong later formed Pegasus Strategies, an advisory firm, and was listed as president of a North Korea-focused group called the Joseon Institute. He appears to have broadened his interests to include the Middle East, traveling to Libya in 2011. I consider the Arab Spring a dress rehearsal for North Korea, he said in an interview with the National that year. Park Sang Hak, a prominent North Korean defector, said he had last seen Hong in Washington in June 2018, when they both attended a meeting at the Director of National Intelligence. There has been widespread speculation in both the Spanish and South Korean media that the group has ties to the CIA. South Koreas Munhwa Ilbo, the countrys main evening conservative newspaper, published an editorial Thursday that said the US seems to be unofficially involved and providing support to Free Joseon. State Department spokesman Robert J. Palladino said Tuesday that the U.S. government had nothing to do with the embassy incident. Kim Jung-bong, a former NIS official, said while he thought the Free Joseon movement was probably in contact with the CIA, he doubted the U.S. intelligence community would have supported the embassy raid. Their moves were too sloppy, Kim Jung-bong said. It was not immediately clear how the group could have afforded to carry out raids in a foreign country or hire a prestigious law firm such as Boies Schiller Flexner. After reading the excerpts, it becomes abundantly clear that Adrian Hong was a CIA asset and the brazen tactics of raiding North Koreas embassy in Madrid were deliberately made to look sloppy because the raids purpose was nothing more than sending a clear message to the North Korean leader before the Hanoi Summit. Although Trump was eager to get a coveted feather in his diplomatic cap by making Kim Jong-un agree to discard North Koreas nuclear program, the US national security establishment was staunchly against the negotiations since the beginning. While Trump was holding a summit with the North Korean leader in Singapore in June 2018, the deep state shills in the mainstream media were publishing fabricated satellite images and speculating that Trump was being duped by Kim and that North Korea had shifted its nuclear arsenal at a secret location in the mountainous region bordering China. Coming back to Ukraines aspirations for joining NATO and the alliances eastward expansion along Russias western borders, the ostensible cause of the current standoff, its pertinent to mention that the trans-Atlantic military alliance NATO and its auxiliary economic alliance European Union were conceived during the Cold War to offset the influence of the former Soviet Union which was geographically adjacent to Europe. Historically, the NATO military alliance, at least ostensibly, was conceived as a defensive alliance in 1949 during the Cold War in order to offset conventional warfare superiority of the former Soviet Union. The US forged collective defense pact with the Western European nations after the Soviet Union reached the threshold to build its first atomic bomb in 1949 and achieved nuclear parity with the US. But the trans-Atlantic military alliance has outlived its purpose following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and is now being used as an aggressive and expansionist military alliance meant to browbeat and coerce the former Soviet allies, the Central and Eastern European states, to join NATO and its corollary economic alliance, the European Union, or risk international economic isolation. It was not a coincidence that the Soviet Union was dissolved in December 1991 and the Maastricht Treaty that consolidated the European Community and laid the groundwork for the European Union was signed in February 1992. The basic purpose of the EU has been nothing more than to entice the former communist states of the Eastern and Central Europe into the folds of the Western capitalist bloc by offering financial incentives and inducements, particularly in the form of agreements to abolish internal border checks between the EU member states, thus allowing the free movement of workers from the impoverished Eastern Europe to the prosperous countries of the Western Europe. Regarding the global footprint of the American forces, according to a January 2017 infographic [2] by the New York Times, 210,000 US military personnel were deployed across the world, including 79,000 in Europe, 45,000 in Japan, 28,500 in South Korea and 36,000 in the Middle East. In Europe, 400,000 US forces were deployed during the height of the Cold War in the sixties, though the number has since been significantly brought down after European powers developed their own military capacity following the devastation of the Second World War. The number of American troops deployed in Europe now stands at 47,000 in Germany, 15,000 in Italy and 8,000 in the United Kingdom. Thus, Europe is nothing more than a client of corporate America. Not surprisingly, the Western political establishments, and particularly the deep states of the US and EU, were as freaked out over the outcome of Brexit as they were during the Ukrainian Crisis in November 2013 when Viktor Yanukovych suspended the preparations for the implementation of an association agreement with the European Union and threatened to take Ukraine back into the folds of the Russian sphere of influence by accepting billions of dollars of loan package offered by Vladimir Putin. In this regard, the founding of the EU has been similar to the precedent of Japan and South Korea in the Far East where 45,000 and 28,500 US troops have currently been deployed, respectively. After the Second World War, when Japan was about to fall in the hands of geographically adjacent Soviet Union, the Truman administration authorized the use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to subjugate Japan and send a signal to the leaders of the former Soviet Union, which had not developed its nuclear program at the time, to desist from encroaching upon Japan in the east and West Germany in Europe. Then, during the Cold War, American entrepreneurs invested heavily in the economies of Japan and South Korea and made them model industrialized nations to forestall the expansion of communism in the Far East. Similarly, after the Second World War, Washington embarked on the Marshall Plan to rebuild Western Europe with an economic assistance of $13 billion, equivalent to hundreds of billions of dollars in the current dollar value. Since then, Washington has maintained military and economic dominance over Western Europe. Thus, all the grandstanding and moral posturing of unity and equality aside, the hopelessly neoliberal institution, the EU, in effect, is nothing more than the civilian counterpart of the Western military alliance against the former Soviet Union, the NATO, that employs a much more subtle and insidious tactic of economic warfare to win over political allies and to isolate adversaries that dare to sidestep from the global trade and economic policies as laid down by the Western capitalist bloc. Citations: [1] The covert group that carried out a brazen raid on a North Korean embassy now fears exposure: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/03/28/covert-group-that-carried-out-brazen-raid-north-korean-embassy-now-fears-exposure/ [2] What the US Gets for Defending Its Allies and Interests Abroad? http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/16/world/trump-military-role-treaties-allies-nato-asia-persian-gulf.html About the author: Nauman Sadiq is an Islamabad-based attorney, columnist and geopolitical analyst focused on the politics of Af-Pak and Middle East regions, neocolonialism and petro-imperialism. With regards to the completely made up story of the 'imminent Russian invasion' of the Ukraine a commentator remarked to me: What we are seeing is a 'parthogenetic' conflict/war/crisis. A first - to my recollection. Indeed - the virgin birth of a conflict in which there is no enemy. There is no threat of a Russian invasion of the Ukraine now or in the foreseeable future. Despite that today's New York Times has put no less than four 'invasion' stories at the top of its homepage. Here is more evidence that there is absolutely no indication of any Russian invasion of the Ukraine: Mujtaba (Mij) Rahman @Mij_Europe - 14:36 UTC Jan 24, 2022 Senior Elysee source tells me: There is a kind of alarmism in Washington and London which we cannot understand. We see no immediate likelihood of Russian military action. We simply want our interpretation to be taken into account before a common western approach is agreed. --- Richard Hadley @FranceVotes - 15:50 UTC Jan 24, 2022 Replying to @Mij_Europe Elysee briefed 'same' to @PhilippRicard (21 Jan @lemondefr): France, like Germany, remain puzzled by USA & UK alarmism'. A source is quoted: 'We see same number of lorries, tanks and people. We observed same manoeuvres, but can't conclude offensive is imminent from all that.' Yesterday the BBC interviewed the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov: Some of our partners contribute to panic. This is beneficial to Russia - Danilov (machine translation) Whether BBC News Ukraine asked the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov whether there is a reason for panic or whether the Russian invasion is so real today and what the Ukrainian authorities are doing. ... BBC: What is happening near the Ukrainian borders? Is the number of troops increasing, are they maneuvering? Alexei Danilov: The number of Russian troops is not increasing in the form in which many people paint today. Do they have maneuvers there - yes, but they were in them all the time. This is their territory, they have the right to move left and right there. Is it unpleasant for us? Yes, it's unpleasant, but it's not news to us. If this is news to someone in the West, I apologize. Likewise Ukraine's Defense Minister via TASS: Ukrainian defense minister sees no threat of Russian invasion in near future Alexey Reznikov said that a scenario of a Russian attack in the near future was also unlikely KIEV, January 25. /TASS/. Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexey Reznikov said early on Tuesday he had received no information so far indicating the possibility of Russias invasion of his country in the near future. "As of today, the armed forces of Russia created no strike groups, indicating they were ready to launch an offensive tomorrow," he told Ukraines ICTV television channel, adding that a scenario of a Russian attack in the near future was also unlikely. When asked about the likelihood of Russia attacking Ukraine on February 20, the final day of the Olympic Games in Beijing, the minister said the probability was "low." And this military analysis via the Kiev Independent: Center for Defense Strategies: How likely is large-scale war in Ukraine? (analysis) Editors note: This is an analysis by the Center of Defense Strategies experts Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Alina Frolova, Oleksiy Pavliuchyk. It was originally published in Ukrainian by Ukrainska Pravda. The Kyiv Independent has translated it and is republishing it with permission. How realistic is the scenario of a full-scale offensive into all or most of Ukraine in the near future? At the moment, there are not enough Russian troops on Ukraines borders and no fully formed military groups needed to conduct a strategic offensive against Ukraine. According to our estimates, supported by many of the indicators below, a large-scale general military operation cant take place for at least the next two or three weeks. As of Jan. 23, we do not observe the required formation of several hundred thousand troops, not only on the border with Ukraine, but also on Russian territory behind the front line. Besides, we do not see the creation of strategic reserve units, nor the mobilization of the necessary connections and units on the basis of the centers for mobilization deployment. Russian troops move mainly as battalion tactical groups (mechanized, tank and airborne troops) and tactical groups (artillery, multiple launch missile systems). Russia hasnt completed the formation of groups of troops in operational areas. It also hasnt established and tested its wartime administration system. If Russia was conducting preparations for a large-scale invasion, it would have been much more noticeable. Therefore, what we currently have is the military threat posed by about 127,000 Russian servicemen along Ukraines borders, in the occupied territories of eastern Ukraine, and in Crimea. This number has not increased since April, and is not enough for a full-scale offensive. ... How likely is an invasion in 2022? In general, a large-scale Russian offensive operation against Ukraine in 2022 seems unlikely according to many indicators, even judging by purely military requirements. ... The story of Russian preparations for an invasion of the Ukraine is made up from whole cloth. It was peddled in early November with cropped satellite images which pretended that equipment parked next to regular long term Russian barracks was newly moved there in preparation of a war. Based on such pictures Politico, for example, headlined on November 1: Satellite images show new Russian military buildup near Ukraine The deployments come as tension is rising between Moscow and the West. New commercial satellite photos taken on Monday confirm recent reports that Russia is once again massing troops and military equipment on the border with Ukraine after a major buildup this spring. The new images taken by Maxar Technologies and shared with POLITICO show a buildup of armored units, tanks and self-propelled artillery along with ground troops massing near the Russian town of Yelnya close to the border of Belarus. The units, which began moving in late September from other areas of Russia where they are normally based, include the elite 1st Guards Tank Army. Yelnya is 250 kilometers (150 mi) north of the nearest Ukrainian border, not 'close' to it. The piece included this picture: The picture shows parts of the regular storage area of the 144th Mechanized Division near Yelnya, Smolensk Oblast. The divisions was established in 2016-2017 on the basis of the former 28th Mechanized Brigade (Yekaterinburg). This is a large formation with hundreds of vehicles. The division's forces include i.a. two mechanized regiments, one tank regiment, one recon battalion, one self-propelled artillery regiment, one anti-tank artillery battalion as well as supplementary forces. Here is an uncropped picture of the whole area. It shows large size barracks at the top right and parking grounds for each of its subunits. The barracks roads and facilities were not built over night. The above picture was cropped to only show the lower middle part of the picture below. Another picture that was circulated widely to demonstrate that Russia is 'bolstering forces along Ukraine border' is this one: It shows parts of the 237th Tank Regiment near Soloti, Belgorod Oblast, Russia. The picture is cropped so that it does not show the troop quarters which prove that the tanks are parked next to the unit's barracks where they belong during peacetime. Here is an uncropped image from Google maps: Again - those barracks were not built over night. They are long-term facilities. The 237th Tank Regiment is stationed in Valuyki and Soloti. It has 90+ tanks, 40+ infantry fighting vehicles, 18 howitzers, 8 mortars. It consists of three tank battalions, one mechanized battalion, one sniper company, one recon company, one self-propelled howitzer battalion and one air defence battalion. All such units also have lots of trucks to carry the ammunition, fuel and other supplies they need. All together those vehicles are clearly sufficient to fill that large parking lot. The pictures that were supposed to show a 'new Russian military buildup' only showed units in their regular barracks were they have been stationed for years. None of the units seen in them is deployed in a build-up-to-war like manner. Suspending Russia from SWIFT an international system of financial transactions between banks operated by a Belgium-based company could massively backfire on Europe, Deputy Speaker of the Russian Senate Nikolay Zhuravlev warned on Tuesday. SWIFT is a payment system. Its a service, Zhuravlev told journalists. He added that cutting Russia off from it would mean that Moscow would not be able to get foreign currencies. It would also mean that Russias trading partners and that primarily means Europe would not get goods they import from Russia. It means that Russias oil, gas, and metals, as well as other important imported products would not reach European markets in such a scenario, the official warned. Do they [European nations] need that? I doubt it, Zhuravlev added. The Senates deputy speaker also said he believes a decision by Washington and London might not be enough to push SWIFT into cutting Russia off from its services. He particularly noted that nations that have a sizable amount of trade with Russia would hardly take such pressure from the US and the UK lightly. Russia has been one of the EUs top five trading partners, according to the EU Commissions 2020 report. It supplied more than 5% of the blocs imports, worth over 95 billion ($107 billion). Its a European company; an association of many nations, Zhuravlev said, referring to SWIFT and adding that it would need a unanimous decision by all member states for a nation to be cut off from it. Last Sunday, the British media reported that London considers supporting Russias suspension from SWIFT in case of its hypothetical military conflict with Ukraine. In mid-January, the German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that Western leaders had ruled out such a move and Washington itself had given up on the idea. The US denied this was the case by saying that no option is off the table. SWIFT is a limited liability cooperative owned by its shareholders that elect the board of 25 'independent directors governing the company and overseeing the management. The current board composition mostly includes members from Western nations but also has one member from Russia and one from China. According to the companys website, SWIFTs international governance and oversight reinforces the neutral, global character of its cooperative structure. The US arguably influenced SWIFTs decision on disconnecting Iranian banks from its services back in 2012 when the US Senate Banking Committee approved sanctions against companies dealing with the blacklisted banks. Back in 2014, SWIFT refused to consider disconnecting Russia from its services in response to calls it had received at that time. Although SWIFT is a convenient and fast financial transaction instrument, it is by no means unique, Zhuravlev noted. Russia and China have already created their own systems of financial transactions. Russias one, which is called SPFS, already has over 400 institutions mostly banks within its network. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Bradford, PA (16701) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 43F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. A convoy of truckers is expected to roll through the Wheat City this morning to protest a new federal mandate that requires them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before crossing the Canada-U.S. border for work. Advertisement Advertise With Us DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS Canadian truckers and their supporters depart from Delta, B.C., on Sunday to take part in the ongoing Freedom Rally, which will be moving through Brandon Tuesday. A convoy of truckers is expected to roll through the Wheat City this morning to protest a new federal mandate that requires them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before crossing the Canada-U.S. border for work. The fleet of trucks represents the western arm of the nation-wide "Freedom Rally," which departed from Prince Rupert, B.C., over the weekend and is hoping to reach Ottawa by Saturday. Once they arrive in the nations capital, members of this rally which also includes truckers driving from southern Ontario and the east coast are planning to lobby the federal government to reverse the vaccine mandate. After moving through Alberta and Saskatchewan over the past couple of days, the convoy is slated to arrive in Brandon around 11 a.m. today, with some vehicles parking near the Esso gas station located at the intersection of 18th Street and Provincial Trunk Highway 1. According to Freedom Rally promoter Benita Pedersen, the publics reaction to the protest has been overwhelmingly positive so far, with their GoFundMe campaign to financially support the travelling protestors having raised over $3.6 million as of Monday evening. While Pedersen couldnt supply a specific number of vehicles that will show up this morning, she claims the convoy could last for several hours as it passes through Brandon. "This is like an army," she told the Sun over the phone. "Were a peaceful army, mind you, but this is a show of force to say that we will not tolerate these mandates any longer. This is over. These restrictions are unreasonable and they need to end the mandates effective immediately." The new vaccine mandate for Canadian truckers officially came into effect on Jan. 15, falling in line with a similar policy from the United States that requires all essential foreign travellers, including truck drivers, who cross the border, to be fully vaccinated. While Pedersen reiterated the Freedom Rally is designed to convince the Canadian government to eliminate this specific trucker vaccine mandate, she said it also aims to force out COVID-19 mandates across the board. "That includes the mandated vaccine, that includes the vax pass, that includes mask-wearing rules, and that includes social distancing rules and capacity rules," she said. "Its time to end the mandates. This virus has burned itself out, and these truckers and everybody else just want to get back to work." The province recorded 23 new COVID-related deaths over the weekend, with 716 patients occupying hospital beds, including 49 people in intensive care units, as of Monday afternoon, due to the virus. The ongoing Freedom Rally isnt the only time Pedersen has helped organize a protest against COVID measures. The Westlock, Alta., DJ is currently facing 10 Public Health Act tickets for spearheading a variety of rallies across northern Alberta last year, including one directly outside the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. However, Pedersen said she believes the scale of this current protest is different and will inevitably cause a ripple effect that leads to policy change south of the border as well. "The support for the freedom movement is growing exponentially and what happens is people just naturally get inspired when they see other people doing something," she said. "Whats happening here in Canada is already being studied and shared by people in the United States. In fact, weve got truckers that are coming up from the United States to support this Canadian convoy." In the lead-up to Jan. 15, the Canadian Trucking Alliance also asked the federal government to either eliminate this particular vaccine mandate, believing it could force around 12,000 to 22,000 workers off the job. However, CTA explicitly does not endorse the ongoing Freedom Rally and said the nationwide protest has the potential to compromise public safety given its size. "Members of the trucking industry who want to publicly express displeasure over government policies can choose to hold an organized, lawful event on Parliament Hill or contact their local MP," CTA wrote on its official website. "What is not acceptable is disrupting the motoring public on highways and commerce at the border." Pedersen admitted that todays rally in Brandon could cause some traffic congestion and suggests local motorists plan their day ahead of time to avoid any delays. "I acknowledge it may cause some inconvenience for some people," she said. "But if people simply speak [to the participants] to understand the motivation behind the convoy, then they too will come to support Freedom Convoy 2022." kdarbyson@brandonsun.com Twitter:@KyleDarbyson Koryn Hawthorne releases a new track You (Remix) feat. Big K.R.I.T. | W&W Public Relation, Koryn Hawthorne Nashville, TN Chart-topper Koryn Hawthorne releases a new track You (Remix) feat. Big K.R.I.T., available on digital music providers now. Hawthorne teamed up with the chart-topping rapper/producer on the new digital single, creating a potent blast of musical inspiration with the mix of the songs dynamic beats and her soaring vocals, along with Big K.R.I.T.s acclaimed lyrical flow featured on You (Remix). With verses such as, All that matters is you keep pushingdont let nothing get in your wayany mountain can be moved Hawthorne and Big K.R.I.T. urge listeners on the empowering track to keep striving for their dreams. Co-written by Koryn Hawthorne, Darhyl Camper Jr., Makeba Riddick-Woods, and Alonzo F. Smalls along with Big K.R.I.T. on You (Remix), the remix further amplifies the songs powerful message, with God always with you, you can do all things. The song You was originally featured on Hawthornes I AM, the chart-topping sophomore album. The two-time GRAMMY nominated, Billboard Music Award, NAACP Image Award, Dove and Stellar Award-winning phenom also continues to give back to the community and shine a light on her hometown of Abbeville, Louisiana as an entrepreneur, as owner of the dessert shop The Cobbler House Abbeville. Koryn Hawthorne: You (Remix) feat. Big K.R.I.T., is available now. https://korynhawthorne.lnk.to/YouRemixFtBigKRITPR!WW To connect with Koryn Hawthorne, visit: https://korynhawthorne.com/ Instagram, TikTok, Twitter: @korynhawthorne Facebook: /korynhawthornemusic China to provide Tonga with more emergency aid Xinhua) 08:32, January 25, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to provide three more batches of emergency assistance to Tonga in the wake of the recent volcanic eruptions and tsunami there, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian Monday. Zhao told a daily press briefing in response to a related query that China has been paying close attention to the situation in Tonga and is providing assistance to the country through multiple channels. The three batches of emergency aid include emergency supplies worth 20 million yuan (3.16 million U.S. dollars), emergency humanitarian aid in cash, and 1 million yuan worth of aid materials raised through the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, which is close to Tonga. China will spare no effort and overcome all difficulties to deliver the 20 million yuan worth of supplies to Tonga as soon as possible, said Zhao. The supplies raised through the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, including drinking water, emergency food, generators, water pumps, and chainsaws, were on their way to Tonga, he added. The first batch of emergency supplies arrived in Tonga on Jan. 19. "China will continue to provide relief and post-disaster reconstruction assistance to the best of its ability in light of the disaster situation and the needs of Tonga," said the spokesperson. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Jonathan and Melissa Helser release 'The Land I'm Living' In - Day One' | PFA Media Today, DOVE Award winning husband and wife duo Jonathan and Melissa Helser have released the first part of their latest album The Land Im Livin In. Recorded over the course of three days in North Carolina, the deeply personal album was created on the land the Helsers have spent the last two decades cultivating community and discipleship. The Land Im Livin In is filled with the spontaneous, raw, and personal moments of adoration that have marked the Helsers worship since the beginning. From the passionate surrender of I am Your Beloved to the explosive joy found in I Cant Get Away and the confident declaration of Sound Mind, this album is an authentic expression of what God has been doing in a community for more than twenty years. Listen to The Land Im Livin In Day One (Live) HERE. When we sat down to decide how we were going to do the album we landed on the idea that we're gonna do it live, we're gonna do it here in this room on our land and we're going to invite alumni. there was a joy that flooded and realized that it was time to harvest what we have spent over 20 years sowing into this soil, shares Melissa. When we got to the first moment looking around the room and there was 14 years represented, I felt like there was truly no greater reward for us than to see the faces of the people that we've loved so hard over such a long period of time and to make this offering with them. It was so sacred. My prayer is that what people hear is that overcoming spirit, because it is the spirit of the testimony of our lives and authentic love for the Lord in the really highs and the really low lows. And it was the truest offering that we could have made. About the Helsers Jonathan and Melissa Helser have been a part of the Bethel Music Collective since 2014, bringing with them a rich history of passionate worship. The Helsers are known for their Billboard No. 1 hit Raise A Hallelujah, which was featured on Bethel Musics VICTORY (2019) album and No Longer Slaves, appearing on Bethel Musics We Will Not Be Shaken which took home Worship Song of the Year at the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The couple have been a part of several Bethel Music albums in addition to seven albums of their own. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In recent years, trendy eyewear stores have found a way to expand their customer base beyond just people with flawed vision by stocking so-called screen glasses. In certain major retailers, mixed in among the regular spectacles, youll find blue-light-blocking glasses. And as our use of digital devices peaked during the pandemic, interest in these products surged. Blue-light-blocking glasses look like regular glasses, but instead of carrying a corrective lens, theyre fitted with a filter that specifically targets blue light emitted by digital screens. They purport to alleviate eye strain, improve sleep and reduce the risk of eye disease. There are now dozens of brands, some of which are promoted on social media by influencers and major celebrities alike, with some high-end pairs costing close to $200. So, should we really be worried about blue light? And do these glasses help? Credit: Artwork: Jo Gay Whats blue light? Light is a form of radiation made up of a range of different wavelengths, each a different colour, explains Andrew Anderson, an associate professor of optometry at the University of Melbourne. When white light enters a prism it is broken up into the colours of the rainbow including, of course, blue. This spectrum ranges from short to long wavelengths, blue being the shortest and red the longest. Advertisement The reason blue light gets a bad rap is that shorter wavelengths have higher energy and so are more likely to be hazardous, Anderson says. But this is only at extremely high intensities. The blue light from a computer screen is nothing even remotely close to the sorts of intensities required for it to cause damage, he says. Loading Why do people buy blue-light glasses? Ever since we started glueing ourselves to screens, people have been complaining of digital eye strain (also known as computer vision syndrome). Dry eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, headaches and neck tension are all symptoms. The more people use their devices, the more likely they are to experience this discomfort. Our eyes werent really designed with that task in mind, theyre designed for looking in the distance and, occasionally, looking up close, says Luke Arundel, Optometry Australias chief clinical officer. Theres absolutely been an increase in eye strain during the pandemic. But even before COVID-19, blue-light glasses were popular. Anderson published a study in 2019 surveying 400 Australian optometrists. He found lenses with blue-light blockers represented about one-third of all prescribed glasses in the previous year, driven by high device use and patient requests. Advertisement Specsavers optometrist Karen Walsh has noted a massive upswing, particularly in the past year, of people making inquiries about blue-light filters. Specsavers doesnt promote them but can arrange for them to be applied if a patient insists, although Walsh says her busy Perth clinic has only ever sold them twice. Trying to dispel myths [about blue-light blockers] is 10 per cent of my day, every day, Walsh says. The last thing we want is people wasting their money. Unfortunately, a lot of marketing is grabbing on peoples anxiety over how much time theyre spending in front of digital devices. What are the myths? Loading Basically, that blue light causes eye strain or worse permanent eye damage. As for eye strain, Arundel says the theory is that blue light scatters in the eye and increases the effort needed to maintain visual focus. There are, however, many components which contribute to digital eye strain, he says, and there is currently no high-level evidence to support wearing blue-light blocking glasses. Andersons own findings from a randomised controlled trial, published in February 2021, found no difference in symptoms between participants wearing blue-light filters and those wearing clear lenses. Advertisement Anderson says researchers are working to determine what causes eye strain. Blue light aside, even the overall light from screens is unlikely to be an issue. Scientists now believe its more to do with human behaviour and how we use our digital devices, rather than a feature inherent in the screens. For example, when youre staring at a screen, your blinking rate drops to about five times slower than usual, so your eyes are more likely to dry out and feel tired. Also, Anderson says, fixing your gaze at a short distance for long periods of time can then make it difficult to relax your muscles to adjust your focus for further distances, and that makes things further away appear blurry. Looking at a computer screen also exposes the eyes more, potentially contributing to dryness. Then, theres poor positioning of a screen, which can cause visual discomfort, for example with glare from a window behind you. When it comes to ocular damage, Anderson says the scientific evidence categorically shows that blue light from screens is not a culprit. Animal studies conducted in laboratories have found that very intense exposure to high levels of blue light over a protracted period of time causes retinal damage, but Anderson says these arent even close to levels wed normally encounter. Loading The issue is not that the type of blue light from a computer screen is different, Anderson explains, but that it simply isnt intense enough to pose a damage risk to the eye. Similarly, we get the same type of ultraviolet radiation when the weathers ultraviolet index is extreme or low it is just that there is much more of it during the latter. In fact, the most powerful source of blue light were exposed to day to day is the sun, Arundel says. Id like to reassure people that were not frying our eyes with blue light by looking at screens all day, Arundel says. The intensity of [blue light] from walking outside, on even a cloudy day, is orders of magnitude more than that emitted from digital screens. Advertisement Wearing sunglasses is important: they protect from ultraviolet light, which is a much bigger issue. The only potential benefit of blue-light filters is a possible placebo effect, Arundel says. Its a really difficult one because some patients absolutely swear by it, say it changed their life. But thats anecdotal evidence, he says. There are reasons that staring at a screen can cause eye discomfort, but theres no evidence to suggest its because of the blue light emitted. Credit:Dimitri Vervitsiotis Does blue light affect sleep? Blue light does play an important role in influencing our circadian rhythm. We have photoreceptors in our eyes that are sensitive to blue light, says Monash University associate professor and Australasian Sleep Association spokesperson Sean Cain. When those receptors pick up blue light, they signal to our brain that its daytime and suppress the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. This means that during the day, the blue light around us helps keep us alert, but at night, scrolling on our phones can make it harder to fall asleep. Most blue-light-blocking glasses have largely clear lenses, and Cain says these are ineffective at improving sleep. But wearing more intense blue-light blockers, which have an amber tint, can be helpful if worn before bedtime (wearing them during the day may affect your body clock). Advertisement With school returning next week, parents in NSW and Victoria are staring down the barrel of giving their children a rapid antigen test (RAT) twice a week for the first month of school. (The NSW government has mandated the measure, the Victorian government has strongly recommended it.) So, the question on every parent or caregivers mind is: how can you give a child a RAT via a nasal swab so that theyre comfortable and your mornings dont descend into a swirl of squirming, crying and dirty looks? If you look at the swab and its parallel to the ground, youre doing it right, says Melbourne paediatric respiratory physician Dr Shivanthan Shanthikumar. Credit:iStock One thing is getting the technique right and the second thing is trying to make it as child-friendly as possible, says Dr Shivanthan Shanthikumar, a paediatric respiratory physician at the Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne. Firstly, he says, parents or caregivers need to insert the RAT swab into their childs nose at a horizontal angle. So your natural tendency, [like] when people pick their noses, is to point the swab vertically to the sky and often the pictures depict that, but actually whats best is for the swab to go horizontal, he says. If you look at the swab and its parallel to the ground, youre doing it right. Australian science has taken centre stage at this years Australia Day Honours list, with leading scientists making up five of the seven people appointed Companions of the Order of Australia the days highest honour. The awards come at what could be an important moment potentially a pivot point for science. A global pandemic and worsening climate crisis have focused attention on the discipline like never before. The Australian government has won global praise for listening to and acting on the best scientific advice for dealing with the pandemic. QUTs Professor James Dale developed a genetically modified banana with high levels of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency kills more than half a million children in developing countries every year. Credit:QUT/Erika Fish Yet a survey of the winners by the Herald and The Age reveal, while pleased by the new focus, many are pessimistic about change. Politicians would continue to ignore the evidence on the urgency of the climate crisis, many winners said. No, I am not hopeful, said Professor James Dale. I think there is ample evidence from this pandemic, particularly in the past 12 months, that politics and political allegiances will always trump science and scientific advice. Justin Stein allegedly drove across Sydney in his red Holden Colorado ute for more than 200 kilometres, towing a boat and transporting a plastic barrel and the body of his fiances young daughter Charlise Mutten. In a series of new details released on Tuesday about the alleged murder of the nine-year-old, police claim Mr Stein, 31, shot and killed her with a small calibre weapon at his familys lavish Blue Mountains property on the night of Tuesday, January 11. The red ute and boat captured on CCTV footage at Drummoyne. Two days later, Mr Stein allegedly drove from the property at Mount Wilson to Drummoyne, via Marsden Park with the schoolgirls body, before finally dumping it on the banks of the Colo River. Police on Tuesday also confirmed Charlises mother, Kallista Mutten, who is engaged to Mr Stein, was staying elsewhere at the time the girl was allegedly murdered. Prahran resident Erica Cervini at an event before the pandemic hit. She is now staying away from crowds. The Age has been contacted by dozens of readers who have been in self-imposed isolation since Christmas or are being selective about the places they visit. They include people with medical conditions, those with sick or eldery family members, pregnant women and people trying to avoid getting infected before events such as weddings and travel. Some say they have been shopping online only, cancelling social engagements and holidays, avoiding the gym, wearing N95/P2 masks when they can get them and restricting outings to things like hairdressing and medical appointments. Inner-city resident Erica Cervini, an academic who has a number of autoimmune conditions, said: I still partly feel like I am in lockdown. She still walks her dog and goes to the supermarket, but otherwise avoids crowds, public transport and indoor venues such as cinemas. When numbers were lower, I would pop into the city and have a wander around and look at the department stores. Im not popping into the city now. Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton predicted that Victoria had passed its peak in Omicron infections a position supported by many epidemiologists, who still warn of a rise in cases as people return to work and school. Loading Professor Thompson said: Until we have some intervention, whether that be an extremely effective vaccine or some other intervention that dampens that oscillation, we will continue to bounce around in this up and down pattern. Many people in self-imposed isolation cited as motivation not wanting to add to the strain on the health system and its capacity to provide care to those that need it. Mornington Peninsula GP Deepak Gaur, who also has underlying health conditions, recently turned down a ticket to Saturdays Australian Open womens final. I think the risk is too high when youre at mass events, where you are in very close proximity to multiple people at a time, Dr Gaur said. When I see patients, Im wearing a N95 mask and feel very safe. Melbourne University epidemiologist Tony Blakely said people all over the world were showing behavioural changes in response to rising infections. People do hunker down without being told to, Professor Blakely said. If that hunkering down extends out to the wider community then you can slow down epidemic growth. He said while this showed mandatory health restrictions had shaped peoples behaviour, it was not a reason to remove government interventions altogether. Theres nothing about this that says mandatory is not required from time to time, he said. Mandatory is a good way of changing cultural norms, like seatbelts. University of Melbourne epidemiologist Nancy Baxter said it was not surprising that people were taking personal responsibility for their movements because they did not want to further overwhelm the health system. Weve been well trained at what to do to slow down transmission and many people clicked into gear with the same things we had done through many other lockdowns, Professor Baxter said. But she said immunocompromised people had been completely left out of the discussion when restrictions were lifted and many were now being forced back into their own lockdowns to protect their health. Whats going to happen to these people? she said. So many people have underlying conditions and these are peoples family members. She said another challenge of a shadow lockdown was that not everyone would come out of it at the same time. Youre not going to see this rapid return to business as usual; its going to be slower than that, she said. Infectious disease expert Robert Booy said while he believed that those over 60 were dramatically curtailing their social circles because of the risk they could get severely ill with coronavirus, people under 30 continued to socialise together. Older people are behaving dramatically differently because they really are concerned for their own welfare... they dont need to be told not to have a wide social circle they do it naturally, he said. Young people dont perceive they will get COVID severely they know so many people who have had it mildly. And so a persons personal experience is really influencing their behaviour. He said if the pandemic had shown anything it was that people desperately need human companionship. People have learnt how to obtain that in an inferior way through modern means, but we are all really hanging out for the end of the pandemic, he said. Deakin University chair of epidemiology Catherine Bennett speculated the dip in peoples movements could have been slightly exaggerated over the holiday period when people were generally less mobile, but said cautiousness around the virus undoubtedly played a role too. David Attenborough warned theyd inherit the earth. That day may be upon us. Melbournes beaches have been inundated by jellyfish; namely, the lions mane species, with their often bright red colour, deceptive seaweed-like appearance and painful sting. A lions mane jellyfish in the water at the Brighton dog walking beach. Credit:Joe Armao Life Saving Victoria said that in just the past five weeks lifesavers had reported treating 40 people for jellyfish stings at the states beaches; equivalent to the total number of people they treated for stings over the entire previous financial year. Carrum Life Saving Club president Ben Rooks said the club treated 29 people for jellyfish stings last weekend, most, if not all of them, inflicted by the lions mane variety. West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has failed in his bid to get out of appearing in person at his high-profile defamation case against mining magnate Clive Palmer in Sydney next month, which by the leaders own rules will force him into 14 days quarantine upon his return home. Following his shock decision on Thursday to indefinitely postpone WAs reopening to the rest of the world, Mr McGowan enlisted one of the nations top barristers, Bret Walker, SC, to try and have the trial postponed, or for the court to grant him and Attorney-General John Quigley leave to give their evidence remotely. WA Premier Mark McGowan has been ordered to leave Fortess WA in order to fight a defamation case against Clive Palmer. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Both are expected to be grilled about text messages they exchanged shortly after Mr Palmers application to enter WA in May 2020 was rejected, sparking a High Court challenge from the billionaire. Mr Walker said the quarantine requirement Mr McGowan faced if he had to fly to Sydney was highly undesirable and would impact the Premiers ability to carry out his duties. Aboriginal flag designer Harold Thomas. Credit:David Hancock In 1969, he became the first Aboriginal person to graduate from an Australian art school. The next year he created the flag, which was first flown at a land rights rally in Adelaide in July 1971. It became the unofficial emblem of his people in the following decades before, in 1995, it was proclaimed to be an official flag of Australia under the Flags Act. In 1997, the Federal Court of Australia officially recognised Thomas as the author of the flag. In mid-2019, WAM Clothing, which had entered into a licensing arrangement with Thomas a year earlier, had sent notice to an Aboriginal-owned social enterprise Spark Health, to stop producing clothing featuring the flag. He had also entered into discussions with major sporting codes, including the NRL and the AFL, to licence the flag on their one-off Indigenous round jumpers. The idea of a non-Indigenous company wielding this sort of power over the Aboriginal flag albeit through a legal agreement with Thomas incensed many. A movement began. More than 165,000 people signed a Pride not Profit petition. The #FreeTheFlag campaign would slowly build through social media and attracted some of Australia biggest sporting names, including gold medal-winning Olympian Nova Peris and AFL greats Michael Long and Lance Franklin. By mid-2020 the AFL announced it would no longer paint the flag on the ground because its own Indigenous players did not want the competition to pay if other Indigenous Australians and groups were denied the opportunity because of the commercial terms sought by the licensee. WAM Clothing, founded in 2018 by Semele Moore and Ben Wooster, went into damage control issuing a statement that it was not stopping Aboriginal people or the community from using the flag for personal use but when it was used on clothing for commercial reproduction then we need to talk. It was at this point Wyatt knew it was imperative that the government acted. But he said compulsorily acquiring the flag as some campaigners had called for was never an option. It would have been an affront to every artist and Aboriginal person in this country, Wyatt said. It became evident over time that our government would need to play an ongoing role and, with Mr Thomass agreement, discussions turned into negotiations to secure the copyright. But the process was nearly derailed in September 2020 when the governments former senate leader Mathias Cormann agreed to hold a parliament inquiry in the flags legal standing in return for Labor withdrawing a motion to fly the same flag in the chamber. Cormann, eager to avoid an embarrassing split within his Coalition colleagues, thought it the easiest option. Wyatt was never consulted and privately felt that with negotiations at a delicate stage, opening up public hearings to hundreds of divided stakeholders could derail the talks. He was angry. And when Ray Griggs, then chief executive officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, fronted the committee later that month, he was cautious not to give anything away. These negotiations are delicate, sensitive and... complex, he told the hearing. At this point, there is exceptional goodwill and trust being displayed. This must be preserved if we are to reach an outcome that will achieve the aim. Confidentiality around these discussions has been a consistent and understandable desire for Mr Thomas throughout. So sensitive were the talks that only a handful of people were made aware of any details. It dragged on with few public updates. A final agreement was struck last Friday, two-and-a-half years since those first discussions. Loading The deal included the complex discharge of the three existing licence arrangements, which included estimating the potential revenue over the life of the contracts and reaching agreements with the licensees on appropriate compensation for them giving up their exclusive rights. The $20.05 million sum paid by taxpayers includes a payment to Mr Thomas for the copyright and payments to the licensees, WAM Clothing and Gifts Mate, for the termination of their licences. The exact details are confidential, but it is thought to be about a 50-50 split. This masthead was unable to contact WAMs Wooster and Moore on Tuesday. They are said to be lying low having been scared by past controversies. But Thomas says the flag is now in a safe place with the Commonwealth as the custodian. Loading I like that, he says. And my family likes that. And my tribal family thinks thats a great idea. Laura Thompson, from the Free The Flag campaign, said it was an enormous collective win for everyone who has backed the movement. Public advocacy has paid off. The flag is now back in the public domain where it belongs as the public piece of property that all flags should be, he said. New federal powers to seize property and deny travel could be wielded against Russians who are implicated in aggression against Ukraine, in a push to use stronger Australian sanctions to intensify international efforts to deter war. The federal government is canvassing the option of imposing dramatic Magnitsky sanctions against senior Russians in the first use of a significant new law that passed Federal Parliament with bipartisan support last month. Russian President Vladimir Putin needs a message that makes him understand that any incursion into Ukraine will get a pretty strong reaction. Credit:AP With fears of an invasion running high while Russia assembles 127,000 troops on Ukraines borders, support is growing within the Liberals and the Labor caucus to use stronger measures alongside the United States, Britain and European Union. Foreign Minister Marise Payne signalled the option of tougher sanctions on Tuesday and said she had discussed this with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and other like-minded leaders. Customers can find locally-grown fresh produce, Asian grocery items, and grab-and-go Thai food at Chili Hill Food Market at 302 Main St. in Smithfield. (Courtesy / HANDOUT) Smithfield Akkhara Phayom and Tim Miller met on a Metro train in Washington, D.C., more than a dozen years ago, but their shared love of food dates back much further. The couple, who were wed in both the U.S. and in Thailand, Phayoms birthplace, opened Chili Hill Food Market in downtown Smithfield in November. Advertisement After seeing how hot their booth at the Smithfield Farmers Market was for three seasons, they decided it was time to delve into a brick-and-mortar business. They had their best year last year despite the pandemics renewed spread. We talked about it and dreamed about it, Miller said. Its a big step even though its a small little place. Advertisement Located at the corner of Main and Institute streets, Chili Hill Food Market is a specialty grocery store featuring Asian groceries with a Thai-centric theme, fresh produce, Virginia-grown products and homemade grab-and-go Thai food. The roughly 800-square-foot leased space incorporates a retail shop and a kitchen. Thats where the duo cooks up a variety of meals such as steamed pork buns, curry, salads, soups, rice dishes and other traditional Thai meals. Its the fresh produce and authentic dishes that made Samantha Shoemaker a fan of Chili Hills booth at the farmers market years ago and now a weekly shopper in their store. A transplant from Northern Virginia, Shoemaker said she lived an international life and enjoys cooking Thai food. I was very much drawn to Chili Hill and their offerings, she said. Its a really wonderful addition to our community it diversifies what you can find locally, but is also cultivated locally. Husband and wife, Tim Miller and Akkhara Phayom, opened Chili Hill Food Market in November in downtown Smithfield after three successful seasons selling their fresh produce and specialty Thai food at the farmers market. (Courtesy / HANDOUT) With their home just a block away from the store, the market owners walk to work each day. Grateful for the businesss humble beginnings, they also plan to maintain their spot at the farmers market when it reopens this spring. Phayom learned to cook in her homeland and took several cooking classes while growing up, but earned a degree in graphic design. Her career took off in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but a desire to see the U.S. led her to Washington, D.C., in 2009 and to Miller. She has a natural knack for cooking and shes very creative and artistically gifted, Miller said, noting a line of Phayoms postcards are also sold in the shop. Millers road into the culinary arts wasnt a conventional one. After he earned his bachelors degree in anthropology from Longwood University, the Windsor native worked a corporate job. But his path was rerouted in 2000 when the stock market crashed. He decided to return to his first love of cooking, enrolled at Johnson & Wales University in Norfolk and earned his associate degree in the culinary arts. Advertisement A stint with Marriott led him to Washington, D.C., and then into the restaurant space as a sous chef working his way up to executive chef. Miller then shifted gears again to become the culinary director for the nonprofit D.C. Central Kitchen, which trains people coming out of incarceration, homelessness, and addiction programs in culinary and life skills. Eight years ago, Miller and Phayom settled into a home in Smithfield and as parents to their daughter, Tahna, now 7. He became an account manager for the corporate food service company, Sodexo. The seed of their latest endeavor took hold several years ago when they decided to plant Thai chili pepper plants on a hill at Millers parents homestead in Windsor. That was our original business, Miller said. We grew Thai chili peppers and Thai produce to sell to Thai restaurants and Asian shops in Newport News and Hampton. Inside Business Weekdays Business news for the Hampton Roads region > Still providing their hand-picked peppers and other homegrown produce including Asian greens, Thai eggplant, and herbs to local dining establishments, they bumped up production to use in the food they cook at the store and the farmers market. It saves us money, we know where its coming from, and we can grow what we want, Miller said. Advertisement Fresh picked Thai chili peppers and homemade postcards are among the many items for sale at Chili Hill Food Market in downtown Smithfield. (Courtesy / HANDOUT) Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com Providence, Rhode Island: Anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy jnr was reckless and outrageous when he suggested things are worse for people today than they were for Anne Frank, the teenager who died in a Nazi concentration camp after hiding with her family in a secret annex in an Amsterdam house for two years, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum said. Making reckless comparisons to the Holocaust, the murder of six million Jews, for a political agenda is outrageous and deeply offensive. Those who carelessly invoke Anne Frank, the star badge, and the Nuremberg Trials exploit history and the consequences of hate, the museum said Monday in a statement posted to Twitter. Robert F. Kennedy jnr, is broadcast on a large screen as he speaks during an anti-vaccine rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Credit:AP A spokesman said the museum made the statement in response to Kennedys speech and other recent incidents of people invoking the Holocaust for political purposes. The museum also pointed out that Anne Frank was one of the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust. During a Sunday rally in Washington organised by his anti-vaccine nonprofit group Childrens Health Defence, Kennedy complained that peoples rights were being violated by public health measures that had been taken to reduce the number of people sickened and killed by COVID-19. He said the nations leading infectious disease doctor, Anthony Fauci, was orchestrating fascism. Washington: Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy jnr apologised on Wednesday AEDT for suggesting things are worse for people today than they were for Anne Frank, the teenager who died in a Nazi concentration camp after hiding with her family in a secret annex in an Amsterdam house for two years. Robert F. Kennedy jnr Credit:AP Kennedys comments, made at a Washington rally on Sunday put on by his anti-vaccine nonprofit group, were widely condemned as offensive, outrageous and historically ignorant. Australian MPs George Christensen, Senators Alex Antic and Matt Canavan, United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly and One Nations Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts also participated in the online forum. Its the second time since 2015 that Kennedy has apologised for referencing the Holocaust during his work sowing doubt and distrust about vaccines. I apologise for my reference to Anne Frank, especially to families that suffered the Holocaust horrors, Kennedy said in a tweet Tuesday morning. My intention was to use examples of past barbarism to show the perils from new technologies of control. To the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry. The Kite Runner - Broadway Tickets, News, Info & More The Kite Runner is a haunting tale of friendship spanning cultures and continents, that follows one man's journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is a divided country on the verge of war and two childhood friends are about to be torn apart. It's a beautiful afternoon in Kabul and the skies are full of the excitement and joy of a kite flying tournament. But neither Hassan nor Amir can foresee the terrible incident which will shatter their lives forever. Aavishkaar Capital, in partnership with German state-owned investment and development bank KfW, on Tuesday announced the launch of a USD 250 million ESG First Fund. The fund will focus on strengthening the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices of mid-cap businesses while offering them flexible capital to scale to new markets, Aavishkaar Capital said in a statement. Leveraging on the global drive for sustainability and equality, the fund focuses on investing in Africa and Asia with the mandate of generating superior ESG outcomes and commercially viable financial returns alongside positive social impact. The fund will seek to provide transformational capital which can be invested across the capital structure, helping businesses improve their ESG standards so that they can capitalise on the increasing consumer preference for ecologically-conscious, gender-equal and purpose-driven businesses. It will also enable them to meet increasing demands on corporate due diligence in the course of regulatory measures in the European market. The fund is in general open to all sectors but focuses on those with high exports towards Europe. "With our investment of 50 million euros, we want to help set up a fund that demonstrates that increased respect for ESG can be a viable investment and business model," Anosha Wahidi said on behalf of BMZ, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany. According to Wahidi, the German government has passed a due diligence law that obliges German to pay attention to social and ecological sustainability in their global supply chains. Corresponding European regulation will follow "It is important to us that we do not exclude in other parts of the world from supply chains towards Europe, but rather enable them to participate in better due diligence management. The fund is therefore primarily intended to help SMEs in Africa and Asia to meet the growing demands from European companies," Wahidi added. Aavishkaar Group founder and Chairman Vineet Rai said the ESG First fund underscores the unique partnership that Aavishkaar Group has built with KfW Group to develop rapidly innovative products and launch them quickly with trust and long term impact as the bedrock of this partnership. "With this initiative, funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, we want to improve the environmental, social and working conditions as well as the gender equality in the SME along the supply chain," Jan Martin Witte, Director, KfW said. Aavishkaar Capital is the impact investing arm of the Aavishkaar Group, which currently manages over USD 1 billion in impact assets across its platform. (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.) Two days before the handover, unions have raised concerns over various issues, such as a cut in arrears and weight check of cabin crew at airports. While the pilot unions have complained about illegal deduction in arrears and warned of a legal recourse in case the full amount is not paid to them immediately, the cabin crew association has termed the weight and body mass index (BMI) checks at airports as a "violation" of service conditions. The airline management had imposed a unilateral 25 per cent cut in salaries and allowances of all employees in 2012. Subsequently, the airline signed fresh salary agreements with the pilot unions in 2016 and 2018, following directions from the civil aviation ministry. But the arrears of the preceding period were due and are being repaid now in two tranches. Multiple deductions and recoveries have been projected in the arrears statement of many of our member . We strongly protest this illegal act. Should there be any reason for recovery or deductions, the concerned should have been intimated with reasons for such recovery. Additionally, the data on which the recovery is based has not been disclosed. This proves the malevolence of the management on the eve of the handover, the Indian Commercial Association and the Indian Pilots' Guild said in a joint representation on Monday. The spokesperson for refused to comment. The unions have claimed that the recovery exercise is illegal and the amount payable be rewarded with immediate effect. Should this issue not be settled in a timely manner, then we will have little option but to seek legal recourse, said the unions. Independently, the All India Cabin Crew Association and the Employees Union have objected to the weight and BMI checks at airports as part of the new procedure on grooming. We are not objecting to BMI checks which the crew members have undergone for more than 15 years now. However, the same must be conducted by medical doctors in the privacy of an Air India clinic. The process of weighing-scale checks dehumanises and denigrates our cabin crew, apart from violating the working conditions, observed the unions. Seeking to further democratise air travel with dependable and affordable services, airline is aiming to start in late May or early June after getting its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in April. Bullish on the long term growth potential of the country's civil aviation sector, ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed carrier is looking to have 18 planes in its fleet by the end of March 2023. Despite COVID clouds continuing to cast a shadow on the airlines, CEO Vinay Dube is more than optimistic as he asserted that "if you look at the long term future of commercial aviation in India, it is as exciting as anywhere in the world". Interacting with PTI on a video call, Dube said the Indian aviation pie is growing and the idea of is to look through what we are currently facing. "This is temporary. This too shall pass". The civil aviation space, especially the airlines, has been significantly impacted by the pandemic and as the emergence of the Omicron variant has dealt another blow to the recovery path of the sector. Akasa Air, which will take off as a low-cost carrier, has placed an order for 72 Boeing 737 MAX planes, which are fuel efficient. To begin with, Akasa Air will have services from metros to Tier II and III cities. There will also be from metros to metros so that the aircraft is moved around the system, Dube noted. Being professionally-managed, competitive cost structure, customer satisfaction, employees being happy and airline being financially healthy will be among the key elements for Akasa Air. "We hope to get our first aircraft in the second half of April, the first commercial flight in late May or early June... we are working with the government, DGCA to go through all of the requirements that are there," Dube said. Dube, who is also the Founder and Managing Director, said the airline has started hiring people, setting up technology, creating processes and procedures, defining things related to customer value and proposition and planning route network with airports. Currently, the carrier has more than 50 staff. "Part of the reason we are bullish about aviation is that few people have historically flown in India compared to most Western economies. All of that is going to change in the coming years and we want to be part of that change. We want to enable that change and continue to democratise air travel," Dube said. And international services are very much part of Akasa Air's future plans. Dube said the airline targets to start overseas in the second half of calendar year 2023 once there are 20 planes in its fleet. Under Indian regulations, a domestic airline should have at least 20 aircraft in its fleet before it can commence international flights. "Boeing 737 MAX gives us good range. We can fly to SouthEast Asia, SAARC countries, Middle East... That is our intention," he said. Last year, Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation, placed an order for 737 MAX planes with Boeing. The order was valued at nearly USD 9 billion at list prices and includes 737-8 and high-capacity 737-8-200 aircraft. On what will be the selling proposition for the airline, he said, "you got to be dependable" and in his words, the role of technology and analytics will be massive. "... whether it is fuel, leasing, people, airports, maintenance, for all of them, technology, data, analytics can move the needle 1-2 per cent to 5-10 per cent for each of these cost elements. For us, that is very very important. It is going to play a massive," he said. Further, he noted that data and analytics are not just linked to cost structure but are also extremely important even for customer service offerings, commercial aspects, revenue generation aspects. "... we are going to make sure queue times are low, good sort of customer experience... reliability, warmth and affordability from the customers' perspective," he emphasised. (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.) Global smartphone brand which has maintained top position in the smartphone shipments in India for 17 consecutive quarters, is fast losing market share in India and since Q1 2020, it has shed 8 per cent market share amid rising competition and supply chain constraints. In Q1 2020, registered a solid 29 per cent market share in the highly-competitive India market, according to Counterpoint Research data. Since then, the graph is spiralling downwards, slowly but steadily, and in Q4 2021 (the festive quarter), logged 21 per cent market share -- according to latest data coming from market research firm Canalys -- which is a massive 8 per cent decline from Q1 2020. The company, however, still maintained the lead in Q4 2021 with shipping 9.3 million units in the country, said Canalys. According to industry analysts, Xiaomi has been hit by component shortage in the mass-market, entry-level segment where its rival brands are rapidly gaining with riding on a new chipset player called Unisoc. In the premium segment where Xiaomi is aiming to gain footprint with launching top-of-the-line devices, Apple doubled its market share in India in 2021, on the back of increased share of domestic manufacturing, aggressive retail initiatives, and robust consumer demand. Certain brands which picked entry-level chipset provider Unisoc in the mass-market affordable segment amid the global chip shortage were able to meet the demand in the mass-level market, while Xiaomi lost on the opportunity as it was hit by supply issues in the all-important festive quarter (October-December). According to market research firm Techarc, entry-level chipset provider Unisoc saw two out of six smartphones launched in the entry segment (up to Rs 6,000) for 2021. On the other hand, Apple doubled its market share in the premium segment in India in 2021, selling 5-6 million units last year, thus narrowing the margin for other smartphone players in the premium category. Apple shipped a record 5.4 million iPhones to India in the entire year, and 2.2 million in the festive quarter (Q4) alone, according to Gurugram-based market research firm CMR. On the quarterly basis, the Cupertino-based giant registered 34 per cent growth in the October-December period. Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, said that Xiaomi has had to face tough headwinds in Q4 2021 owing, among others, to the prevailing supply side dynamics. "As the brand pegs its future growth on the premium smartphone segment, it will face-up to increased competition from its closest rivals. While doing so, Xiaomi will need to drive its brand salience among premium smartphone buyers to attain sustainable market gains," Ram told IANS. --IANS na/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An investigation by the state Attorney Generals Office found that, on at least five occasions from March 2016 to February 2020, Virginia Beach police showed fake lab certificates to suspects they were interrogating that indicated the person had been connected to a crime through DNA evidence. (Royalty-free/Getty Images) Richmond Following a state investigation that found the Virginia Beach police have used fake documents to obtain confessions from suspects, one local legislator is proposing legislation that would ban officers from using this tactic. Del. Jackie Glass (D-Norfolk) has introduced a bill that would prohibit the use of fake replica documents during interrogations. The bill defines such documents as any that contain a false statement, signature, seal, letterhead, or contact information, or materially misrepresents any fact. Advertisement This is not a bill about making things harder for police; this is a bill about protecting the integrity of our forensic scientists and ensuring police actions are building trust with their community, Glass said in a statement. Del. Jackie Glass (Courtesy Exposed Moxie) In an email to The Virginian-Pilot, Virginia Beach Public Defender Cal Bain said the bill is a step in the right direction. Advertisement The use of forged or inauthentic replica documents during an interrogation increases the risk of false confessions, which thanks to the work of groups like The Innocence Project, we know do happen, he wrote. Any attempt to prohibit the use of fake evidence is a good thing. The Innocence Project is a nonprofit that works to reverse wrongful convictions. An investigation by the state Attorney Generals Office found that, on at least five occasions from March 2016 to February 2020, Virginia Beach police showed fake lab certificates to suspects they were interrogating that indicated the person had been connected to a crime through DNA evidence. The practice was discovered in April 2021 after a Virginia Beach prosecutor asked the Department of Forensic Science to provide a certified copy of one of the forged documents. Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news > Bain said using fake documents during interrogations also increases the risk that one could mistakenly be used in a real court proceeding. The investigation into Virginia Beach police found forged paperwork was offered as evidence in court during at least one case. When asked for comment about the new legislation, a Virginia Beach police spokesperson said the department has already worked to prevent this practice from recurring. As the Chief has previously indicated in a variety of media and forums, the VBPD has already put into place internal protocols to ensure that the replica use of another agencys documents will not be utilized or condoned in any investigation or interview, a spokesperson wrote. Even though now officially prohibited by policy, the actual last use of this practice was over two years ago. Earlier this month, then-state Attorney General Mark Herring announced in a press release that his office had reached an agreement with the VBPD that would end the extremely troubling and potentially unconstitutional tactic of using fake documents. Advertisement It abused the good name and reputation of the Commonwealths hard-working forensic scientists and professionals who work hard to provide accurate, solid evidence in support of our law enforcement agencies, Herring wrote in the Jan. 12 press release. While I appreciate that Virginia Beach Police put an end to this practice and cooperated with our investigation, this is clearly a tactic that should never have been used. Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com GroupM, the media investment group of WPP, today announced the appointment of Parthasarathy Mandayam (Maps) as the Chief Strategy Officer South Asia and Amin Lakhani, who is elevated to the role of Chief Executive Officer South Asia, which was earlier led by Maps. Under the leadership of Maps and Amin, said it saw a plethora of new business wins, with Oppo, Zomato, Ferrero, Meesho, Uniqlo, IAC, RedBus, Upstox, Polycab, Great Learning and Preethi, being just a few of those that became part of the family. also retained key clients like HUL, The Walt Disney Company, Kelloggs, Home Center, and Max Fashion in this period. "With more than 25 years of experience in the advertising & communication industry, Maps has successfully managed multiple leadership roles in Mindshare across Data, Analytics, Strategy, Client Leadership and Business Unit leadership. Starting his career with Mindshare in 2009 as head of the newly created Business Planning function, he went on to lead the North, East, and South offices. Later as the Chief Product Officer, he led specialist teams in driving strategic initiatives and creating bespoke tools that delivered client delight & recognition," the company said in a release. The role of Chief Strategy Officer will be to channel data, technology, consumer understanding to chart the growth and transformation agenda. Maps appointment into the new role is part of the strategy that envisions doubling the focus with a significant shift on new-age technologies, products and offerings that require a transformation of both and client businesses. He will report to Prasanth Kumar, GroupM South Asia. Parthasarathy Mandayam, Chief Strategy Officer South Asia GroupM said: I am extremely grateful to have such an amazing journey at GroupM. I think learning and change have always been a part of my career here. Furthermore, as our offerings become more specialized, we need to ensure synergy and seamless flow of expertise between the various players both internal, WPP and external to get the full benefits of both scale and specialization. As I steer through this journey I will continue to push forward with the growth and transformation agenda to bring in significant synergies between new-age data, technology, consulting, products and offerings for our clients and internal stakeholders. Amin Lakhani Chief Executive Officer South Asia Mindshare said: We want to build on this existing momentum and drive Mindshare Good Growth for our clients. New age data, technology, creativity, research, consulting, and products will play a major role in this journey. Our industry has always witnessed change. Weve been at the centre of it and currently, the world is also witnessing this. Hence as marketers, we need to take charge and lead this journey for our clients and brands. I am excited for this next phase of my journey, and I would like to thank the team for believing in me. Britain's Cairn Energy on Tuesday said it has complied with all rules of the repeal law to now become eligible for about Rs 7,900 crore refund of taxes that were collected from it to enforce a retrospective tax demand. As part of the settlement reached with the government in the seven-year-old dispute over the levy of back taxes, the company - which is now known as Capricorn Energy PLC - has withdrawn all cases that were brought to collect the tax refund ordered by an international arbitration tribunal after rescinding retrospective raising of demand, according to an advertisement it issued in Indian newspapers on Wednesday. The government had initially refused to honour the December 2020 arbitration award but in August 2021 brought a law to scrap all retrospective tax demands and refund money collected, after it faced prospects of assets - ranging from flats used by its diplomatic staff in Paris and Air India planes in the US - being seized to recover the refund due. "The company has concluded all necessary steps under the rules of the India Taxation (Amendment) Act 2021 required for payment by the Government of India of a tax refund of approximately Rs 7,900 crore," the firm said in an operational and trading update. "Payment is expected to be made in early 2022." The company on November 26, 2021, initiated proceedings to withdraw lawsuits it had filed in several jurisdictions to enforce an international arbitration award, which had overturned the levy of Rs 10,247 crore retrospective taxes and ordered India to refund the money already collected. First, the lawsuit brought in Mauritius for recognition of the arbitration award was withdrawn, followed by similar measures in the courts in Singapore, the UK, and Canada. On December 15, it sought and got 'voluntary dismissal' of a lawsuit it had brought in a New York court to seize assets of Air India to recover the money due from the government. On the same day, it made a similar move in a Washington court where it was seeking recognition of the arbitration award. Recognition of arbitration award is the first step before any enforcement proceedings like the seizure of assets can be brought. The critical lawsuit in a French court, which had attached Indian properties on the petition of Cairn, was withdrawn thereafter and the one in the Netherlands too was dropped. The company thereafter filed a Form 3 with the Income Tax Department, which will allow the government to proceed to the final stage of issuing Form 4 of its undertakings. Form 3 is an application that details the cases withdrawn. Issue of Form 4 would lead to the refund of the taxes. "With the tax refund from the Government of India due and active management of the asset portfolio in recent years, Capricorn is well-positioned to continue delivery of its differentiated business model of returning value to shareholders whilst building sustainable cash flow generation and growth," the update said. As previously announced, Capricorn plans to return up to USD 700 million of the India tax refund proceeds to shareholders. "Having consulted with shareholders on the capital return options, Capricorn has determined that, to provide flexibility to its shareholders, USD 500 million will be returned by way of a tender offer, whereby shareholders will be invited to tender some or all of their shareholding for purchase on terms that will be set out in a Circular to be posted to shareholders. "It is intended that the remaining sum of up to USD 200 million will be returned by way of an ongoing share repurchase programme to provide a continuing value-accretive return of capital to shareholders," it said. Each of these returns is subject to shareholder approval. On November 15, the Company had announced that it would commence a buyback programme. This was due to end on January 31, 2022, and has now been extended to run until the end of February 2022. The attachment of Indian assets, including some flats in Paris, in July 2021 had triggered scrapping of a 2012 amendment to the Income Tax Act that gave taxmen powers to go back 50 years and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas but business assets were in India. The tax department had used the 2012 legislation to levy Rs 10,247 crore in taxes on alleged capital gains Cairn made on the reorganisation of its India business before its listing in 2006-07. Cairn contested such demand saying all taxes due when the reorganisation, which was approved by all statutory authorities, took place were duly paid. But the tax department in 2014 attached and subsequently sold the residual shares that Cairn held in the Indian unit, which was in 2011 acquired by Vedanta group. It also withheld tax refunds and confiscated dividends due to it to settle part of the tax demand. All this totalled Rs 7,900 crore. Seeking to repair India's damaged reputation as an investment destination, the government in August 2021 enacted new legislation to drop Rs 1.1 lakh crore in outstanding claims against multinationals such as telecom group Vodafone, pharmaceuticals company Sanofi and brewer SABMiller, now owned by AB InBev, and Cairn. About Rs 8,100 crore collected from under the scrapped tax provision are to be refunded if the firms agreed to drop outstanding litigation, including claims for interest and penalties. Of this, Rs 7,900 crore is due only to Cairn. Subsequent to this, the government in November 2021 notified rules that when adhered to will lead to the government withdrawing tax demands raised using the 2012 retrospective tax law and any tax collected in the enforcement of such demand is paid back. For this, are required to indemnify the Indian government against future claims and withdraw any pending legal proceedings. (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.) Pune-based farm pipes major on Tuesday reported a massive 30.5 per cent decline in net income to Rs 1,177.8 crore for the three months to December 2021 from Rs 255.9 crore a year ago, even though revenue declined only 5.7 per cent to Rs 1,005.25 crore. The bottomline (profit) was hit as the operating margin declined to 24.1 per cent in the reporting period from 32.5 per cent, which pulled down the profit margin to 17.7 per cent from 24 per cent a year ago, the company said. Revenue was down as the volume of pipes and fittings declined 15 per cent to 46,994 MT in the December 2021 quarter from 55,299 MT in Q3FY21, the company said. For the first nine months of the fiscal, income from operations rose 38 per cent to Rs 3,053.92 crore from Rs 2,213.50 crore as the volume in pipes and fittings grew 4.2 per cent to 1,58,266 MT from 1,51,828 MT. It fetched the company Rs 559.67 crore in net income, up 29.9 per cent from Rs 430.70 crore. Executive Chairman Prakash P Chhabria said that after a long upward trajectory, the global PVC prices have started to cool down and slightly flatten. "Coupled with this, the quarter saw demand slowdown of PVC pipes due to weather disruptions. But, the demand is expected to improve with season opening up and easing of supply chain bottlenecks," Chhabria added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The independent directors of Kishore Biyani-led Limited (FRL) have accepted the transaction with billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led energy-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance and rejected the proposal of US e-commerce giant for investment in FRL. The independent directors have written to saying that they have accepted the transaction with Reliance as it addressed the needs of funds to pay off public sector bank lenders and suppliers of goods. It (Reliance's offer) helps FRL to meet almost all FRLs liabilities and in the process helps protect the investment of small shareholders and jobs of over 25,000 employees, said FRLs letter, dated January 25, 2022, which Business Standard has reviewed. FRL said that it does not think it would serve any purpose to engage in any further discussions on the proposal made in the letter by . If you were serious about providing funding to the extent of Rs 3,500 crore within the timeline (in order to repay banks and avoid NPA classification), we would have been happy to engage with you, said FRL. But it is now clear that your letters were just a game of smoke and mirrors, just to serve your purpose of gaining all the media attention and create media headlines that Amazon is prepared to help. FRL said it would not be assessing any proposal from Amazon until an actual solution that meets FRLs capital requirements and addresses the concerns of its stakeholders in a legally compliant manner is tabled. FRL has also sent the letter to the Directorate of Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairman Ajay Tyagi, Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairman Ashok K Gupta. It has also sent the letter to top executives at lenders such as Union Bank of India, Bank of India, State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank and Indian Bank. FRL has told Amazon that FRL had sought the e-commerce firms help in seeking out funds in sufficient quantity to stave off bankruptcy but Amazon was not able to bring forth a concrete and viable offer that would address FRLs concerns. We refer to your letter dated January 22, 2022 received on January 23, 2022 at 01:22 am time in our e-mail, stated FRLs letter, dated January 25, 2022, which Business Standard has reviewed. This is not the first engagement that Limited (FRL) and its management is having with Amazon. FRL had sought your help in seeking out funds in sufficient quantity to stave off bankruptcy but you were not able to bring forth a concrete and viable offer that would address FRLs concerns. Your statements which suggest that there were delays or unwillingness on part of FRL is not true. Last week, Amazons letter to FRLs independent directors, including Gagan Singh, Ravindra Dhariwal, and Jacob Mathew, had expressed its willingness and ability to help FRL address its financial concerns. This included the solution proposed in the term sheet between Amazon-backed private equity firm Samara Capital and FRL, in which the former contemplated an infusion of Rs 7,000 crore in the Kishore Biyani firm. FRL has said it has always been clear that it would assess any proposal, which provides a comprehensive solution for banks, employees, shareholders, vendors, and other stakeholders of FRL. It said the proposal does not meet these basic criteria on speed and timing of funding, legal compliance and adherence with the regulatory rulings, which you have simply chosen to ignore. This makes it apparent that your offer is more by way of posturing for extraneous reasons and not to address the crisis in which FRL finds itself. The firm said it had also made it clear that assessment of any proposal would be subject to FRLs legal obligations. At its core, FRL said the offer in Amazons letter is to buy all of FRLs retail assets for a consideration of Rs 7,000 crore. It said this price is significantly below the amount needed to discharge FRLs total liabilities - FRLs Bank liabilities and part of the committed vendor payments till just March 2022 itself aggregate to Rs 12,027.31 crore. When seen in the context of the financials of the Reliance transaction by way of the Scheme of Arrangement, your offer is plainly an attempt to buy the FRL assets on the cheap, said the FRL letter. FRL said in its letter dated January 22, 2022, FRL had asked Amazon to confirm whether they had the authority to negotiate and finalize a transaction on behalf of Samara Capital. In response Amazon clarified that it would facilitate discussions, with Amazons exact role and relationship with Samara Capital being unclear. FRL said Amazon should act with transparency in matters of funding of an Indian listed company. Your earlier letter suggested that discussions would be led by an Amazon representative (i.e.Abhijeet Muzumdar, head of Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund and Corporate Development at Amazon), and now the name of a Samara representative is being proposed (i.e. Sumeet Narang, managing director at Samara), without even a confirmation from Samara Capital that they have authorized you to make statements on their behalf, said FRL. FRL said it needs to be clearly stated that foreign investment in multi-brand retail is impermissible without Government approval and any investment by Samara must be transparent, and not an indirect investment by Amazon contrary to the rules. For this purpose, it is necessary that the Amazon and Samara transparently disclose to FRL and the authorities, the ultimate beneficial owners and contributories to the Samara fund in India through various layers. Further, Amazon should confirm that it has not directly or indirectly funded any amount to Samara, said FRL. According to sources, as early as June 2020, private equity firm Samara Capital had signed a non-binding term sheet with FRL that entailed a Rs 7,000 crore investment. This was two months before Kishore Biyani-led Future Group announced its Rs 24,713 crore (or $3.4 billion) merger deal with Mukesh Ambani-led (RIL) at the end of August 2020. FRL had also asked Amazon to confirm whether they are willing to fund Rs 3,500 crores by Monday (January 24). It had informed that any such funds would be used to repay FRLs lenders, for if FRLs lenders are not repaid by January 29, 2022, its accounts may be classified as an NPA (non-performing asset). FRL said that Amazon has chosen to ignore this requirement. It is now apparent that you neither were nor are serious about funding FRL, within the required timelines but merely want to block sale of small-store formats assets to repay lenders to avoid a NPA classification, alleged FRL in the letter. FRL said it has a clear urgency of funds, and Amazonis instead is suggesting an alternative and an extensive due diligence exercise and has not even bothered to provide any timeline for funding, despite FRL specifically asking it to provide clarity on this point. It bears repetition that Amazon is aware that FRL needs funds aggregating to approx. Rs. 12,027.31 crores for Bank liabilities and part of the committed vendors payments which are due up to March 2022. Compared to the present proposed Scheme of Arrangement which will enable FRL to repay all its bank debts and suppliers; save the jobs of 25,000 employees; and protect the investment of lakhs of small shareholders, Amazons proposal that FRL sells all its retail assets to Samara for a total consideration of Rs.7,000 crores is a sorry attempt to buy FRLs assets on the cheap, said the letter. It said this is leaving FRL in a hopeless situation facing bankruptcy proceedings all causing public injury and public harm. This attempt appears to be an exercise in public relations in order to attract media headlines, stated the letter. FRL said Amazons attempts at drawing comparisons between the Scheme of Arrangement and the proposed transaction with Samara Capital are misplaced. The Scheme of Arrangement will be a court-approved transaction, and has already received the approvals of various regulators, including SEBI and CCI. It is fully-compliant with Indian laws, said FRL. More fundamentally, the Scheme of Arrangement provides a comprehensive solution to FRL to meet its various liabilities, which the proposed transaction with Samara Capital simply does not for the reasons mentioned above. Your (Amazon) statement that we should unwind certain transactions relating to outstanding advances and security deposits misses the issue at hand. The need of the hour is to focus on and find a solution to FRLs immediate liquidity needs, said FRL. Queries to Amazon and Future Group remained unanswered until the time of publication. Ltd (FRL) has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court (SC), requesting it to refrain its (FRLs) lenders from declaring the company a non-performing asset (NPA) if the retailer did not pay its dues of Rs 3,494 crore by January 29 (Saturday). FRL had missed its payment date of December 31, after which it had a review period of 30 days to pay the amount to its lenders if it was not to be classified as an NPA. In its petition to the court, the Kishore Biyani-led company said the respondents (lenders) had agreed to set up an asset sale committee to monetise the retailers small format stores (which include Easyday and Heritage Fresh Stores) and recover the dues under the Framework Agreement signed on January 1. The company has requested the court to direct its lenders to extend the timeline under the Framework Agreement for monetisation and extend the cure period/ review period (of 30 days) under the agreement. On January 11, the court reserved verdict on Future Groups pleas against a Delhi High Court order declining a stay on an arbitration tribunal decision refusing to interfere with the Emergency Award (EA) of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). A senior official of a public sector bank that has exposure to said: There is hardly anything to discuss. It is difficult to understand their intentions. The account will become a bad loan (from back-dated, quarter ended June 2021). Banks, however, are in better shape to absorb the burden of provisioning. Lenders have been making provisions from the time it became a one-time restructuring (OTR) account in (Q1FY22). ALSO READ: Samara Capital ready to invest Rs 7K crore in Future Retail: Amazon OTR was implemented on April 26, 2021. The overall exposure of the lenders to FRL is about Rs 6,000 crore. The provisioning by the banks will happen by setting aside 25 per cent (Rs 1,500 crore) of the amount. Lenders have said they would not become party to this matter (going to court). Banks will focus on cash (payments), which seems unlikely to come in the light of the ongoing legal battle. It is a legal matter between them ( and FRL). As of now there is no legal communication (for going to the Supreme Court). There is also no clarity on the sale of small format store chain to pay off lenders, said a banker. On the other hand, FRLs independent directors have accepted the transaction with Mukesh Ambani-led energy-to-telecom and rejected the proposal of US e-commerce giant for investment in FRL. It helps FRL to meet almost all FRLs liabilities and in the process helps protect the investment of small shareholders and jobs of over 25,000 employees, said a letter by FRLs independent directors dated January 25, 2022, which Business Standard has reviewed. The letter said it would not serve any purpose engaging in further discussion on the proposal had made in the letter. If you were serious about providing funding to the extent of Rs 3,500 crore within the timeline (in order to repay banks and avoid NPA classification), we would have been happy to engage with you, said the letter. But it is now clear that your letters were just a game of smoke and mirrors, just to serve your purpose of gaining all the media attention and create media headlines that Amazon is prepared to help, the letter said. The independent directors have sent the letter to the Directorate of Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Chairman Ajay Tyagi, and Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairman Ashok K Gupta. It has also sent it to top executives at Union Bank of India, Bank of India, State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, and Indian Bank. The independent directors had asked Amazon to confirm whether it was willing to fund Rs 3,500 crore by Monday (January 24). It is now apparent that you neither were nor are serious about funding FRL , the letter said. Queries to Amazon and Future Group remained unanswered until the time of going to press. Pushp Kumar Joshi has been picked by government headhunter PESB to be the new chairman and managing director of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), the nation's third largest oil refining and fuel marketing company. Joshi, who is currently Director - Human Resources at - was picked after PESB interviewed 10 candidates on January 24, the headhunter said in a notice. "PESB recommended the following name for the post of Chairman and Managing Director, HPCL: Pushp Kumar Joshi," it said. The recommendation will now go to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ACC will decide on his selection after getting reports from anti-corruption agencies such as CVC and CBI. Joshi, 58, has been on the board of for almost a decade now. He will replace Mukesh Kumar Surana, who superannuates on April 30 this year. Joshi had missed out on being the head of on previous two occasions - first in August 2013 when Nishi Vasudeva was picked by PESB and again in October 2015 when Surana was selected. PESB said it interviewed M Venkatesh, Managing Director of Mangalore Refineries & Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), Joshi and four executive directors of HPCL. It also interviewed U Sarvanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Madras Fertilizer Ltd and three other non-HPCL executives before selecting Joshi for the top job. Joshi, who has been Director Human Resources of HPCL since August 1, 2012, is a Doctorate in Human Resource Management, Post Graduate in Human Resource Management from XLRI, Jamshedpur and Bachelor of Law from Andhra University. "As Director HR, Mr. Joshi is presently responsible for overseeing the design and deployment of key Human Resource policies and strategies while leading Human Resources practices that are employee-oriented and aimed at building high performance culture. With over three decades of vast experience in Human Resource and Industrial Relations, Mr. Joshi has played a pivotal role in leading key transformational and strategic initiatives, across HPCL," the company says on its website. He has spearheaded Human Resource practices at HPCL with strong business focus and contemporary approaches for leadership development, capability building and productivity enhancement by leveraging technology. "He helped in the development and shaping the Company's Culture and Values aligned to the Vision and provided support to the business and finance functions in the critical area of Human Resources." If appointed, Joshi will have a tenure till August 31, 2024. HPCL is a subsidiary of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FRL's independent directors accept Reliance's bailout offer, reject Amazon Independent directors of Ltd (FRL) have turned down Amazon's offer of financial support to the company through a deal with private equity firm Samara Capital, saying the offer is "plainly an attempt to buy the FRL assets on the cheap". FRL's independent directors had last week asked Amazon if the e-commerce giant was willing to give a long-term loan to avoid default on repayment of Rs 3,500 crore loan due on January 29. Amazon replied that it was willing to financially assist through the Samara Capital deal but the retailer must shelve Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance. Read more Q3 net profit falls 48% to Rs 1,011 cr, but beats estimates India's top carmaker posted a bigger-than-expected 48% drop in third-quarter net profit on Tuesday, as a global chip shortage slowed production and high raw material costs squeezed margins. Carmakers, which closed plants or operated at reduced capacities during the height of the pandemic, have found themselves competing against the consumer electronics industry for chips which are a critical component in electronic devices. Read more to invest Rs 10,000 cr in six new city gas licences in next 5 years Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on Tuesday said it will invest Rs 10,000 crore over the next five years in setting up city gas distribution networks in the cities for which it secured licences in the latest bidding round. won licences to retail CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas for cooking purposes in six geographical areas or GAs bid out in the latest 11th bidding round of PNGRB. Read more No SC relief for NGOs that lost foreign funding licence The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to an pass interim order to protect around 6,000 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) whose registration had been cancelled or declined to be renewed by the Centre under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. A Bench headed Justice AM Khanwilkar asked these NGOs to make representation to Central government, which would take decision as per law. Read more Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor The government has spent Rs 74 crore from its State Disaster Response Fund to settle around 15,000 claims of COVID-19 deaths out of the over 18,500 applications it has received so far, a minister said here on Tuesday. At least 80 per cent of the claims have been cleared, and more will be done soon, he stated. "In accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines, we are releasing the compensation amount as soon as we get clearance certificates from doctors," state disaster management minister Javed Ahmed Khan told PTI. According to the minister, the department has received funds of Rs 100 crore from the state disaster management authority to pay compensation for such claims. "So far, we have spent Rs 74.4 crore to settle around 15,000 claims and it seems we may need more," the minister said. Over 4,500 claims were made from North 24 Parganas district, around 1,300 came from South 24 Parganas district and over 100 from Malda district, an official of the department said. The official also said that the number of such applications filed in Kolkata were comparatively less, given the fact that the fatality rate in the city was high. West Bengal, till January 20, reported 20,230 COVID-19 deaths 5,453 of which were in the metropolis. A Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) official said, "We have received around 2,200 applications, and compensation has been paid for more than 1,500," he said. On January 19, the Supreme Court directed state governments to intensify their efforts in reaching out to families of COVID-19 victims to pay them ex-gratia. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 count rose to 11,05,132 on Tuesday with an addition of 4,914 fresh cases, while the death toll rose to 13,769 after 23 more patients succumbed to the infection in the state, an official said. The daily figure was marginally up from 4,509 cases registered on Monday. The state's case positivity rate was 10.45 per cent, he said. The rate indicates the percentage of people who test positive for the virus of those overall who have been tested. The number of recoveries reached 10,61,109 after 216 people were discharged from hospitals, while 5,495 others completed their home isolation during the day, the official said. The state now has 30,254 active cases. Raipur district reported 1,156 new infections, taking the caseload to 1,86,151, including 3,184 deaths. The district has 6,972 active cases, the official said. Durg recorded 911 cases followed by Bilaspur 320, Rajnandgaon 225, Raigarh 192, Dhamtari 183, Kanker 142, Surguja 140 and Korba 111, among other districts, he said. With 47,030 swab samples examined during the day, the number of COVID-19 tests in the state went up to 1,60,39,907, the official said. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of the population in above the age of 18 years have been given both doses of vaccines (till January 24), an official statement said. So far, 1,37,16,317 people in the 18-plus age group have been fully vaccinated against in the state, the release. Also, 99 per cent of the population above 18 years and 57 per cent of the people in the 15 to 18 age group have been vaccinated with the first dose. This means 1,94,50,785 citizens above 18 and 9,34,216 children in the 15 to 18 age group have been given the first jab, it said. A total of 3,42,82,550 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far across the state in both age groups - including first, second and precaution shots, the release said. Precaution doses have been given to 1,81,232 health professionals, frontline workers and people above 60 years of age in the state, it said. Chhattisgarh's figures are as follows: Positive cases 11,05,132, new cases 4,914, death toll 13,769, recovered 10,61,109, active cases 30,254, total tests 1,60,39,907. (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.) BRUSSELS Tensions soared Monday between Russia and the West over concerns that Moscow is planning to invade Ukraine, with NATO outlining potential troop and ship deployments, Britain saying it would withdraw some diplomats from Kyiv, and Ireland denouncing upcoming Russian war games off its coast as unwelcome. The Western alliances statement summed up moves already announced by member countries, but restating them under the NATO banner appeared aimed at showing its resolve. It was just one of a series of announcements that signaled the West is ramping up its rhetoric in the information war that has accompanied the Ukraine standoff. Advertisement Russia has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraines border, demanding that NATO promise it will never allow Ukraine to join and that other actions, such as stationing alliance troops in former Soviet bloc countries, be curtailed. Some of these, like any pledge to permanently bar Ukraine, are nonstarters for NATO creating a seemingly intractable deadlock that many fear can only end in war. An instructor trains members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Russia denies it is planning an invasion, and says the Western accusations are merely a cover for NATOs own planned provocations. Recent days have seen high-stakes diplomacy that failed to reach any breakthrough and maneuvering on both sides. Advertisement NATO said Monday it is bolstering its deterrence in the Baltic Sea region. Denmark is sending a frigate and deploying F-16 warplanes to Lithuania; Spain is sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces; and France stands ready to send troops to Romania. The Netherlands also plans to send two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria from April. NATO will take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, Secretary-General jens Stoltenberg said. We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defense. In Washington, Pentagon leaders have proposed a range of options for President Joe Biden to reinforce the U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe and the Baltics as a demonstration of American commitment, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning. One of the officials said no specific deployments have been proposed but some unspecified U.S. military units have been told to start planning for that possibility. The other official said Sunday it is possible that reinforcements could be sent from U.S. bases, in addition to possible shifts of troops within Europe, but for the moment the White House and Pentagon are only exploring options. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov charged that it was NATO and the U.S. who were behind the escalating tensions in Europe, not Russia. All this is happening not because of what we, Russia, are doing. This is happening because of what NATO, the U.S. are doing, Peskov told reporters. He also cited U.S. media reports suggesting that Russia is evacuating its diplomats from Ukraine, something Moscow denied. The NATO announcement came as European Union foreign ministers sought to put on a fresh display of unity in support of Ukraine, and paper over concerns about divisions on the best way to confront any Russian aggression. In a statement, the ministers said the EU has stepped up sanction preparations and they warned that any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs. Advertisement Separately, the EU also committed to increase financial support for embattled Ukraine, vowing to push through a special package of 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in loans and grants as soon as possible. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday and said the U.S. would give Russia written responses to Moscows proposals this week, offering some hope that any invasion could be delayed for at least a few more days. The West is nervously watching Russian troop movements and war games in Belarus for any signs that a new invasion of Ukraine is imminent. Russia has already invaded Ukraine once, annexing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Moscow has also supported pro-Russian Ukrainian separatists fighting the Kyiv government in the eastern part of the country known as the Donbass region. About 14,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Asked whether the EU would follow a U.S. move and order the families of European embassy personnel in Ukraine to leave, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: We are not going to do the same thing. Britain also said it is withdrawing some diplomats and dependents from its embassy in Kyiv. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said an invasion was not inevitable, but the intelligence is pretty gloomy. He added that I think that sense can still prevail. Advertisement Ukraines Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oleg Nikolenko, said the U.S. decision was a premature step and a sign of excessive caution. He said that Russia is sowing panic among Ukrainians and foreigners in order to destabilize Ukraine. Germany has issued no order, but it said the families of embassy staff may leave if they wish. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed that we must not contribute to unsettling the situation further; we need to continue to support the Ukrainian government very clearly and above all maintain the stability of the country. At the EU meeting, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said he would inform his counterparts that Russia plans to holds war games 240 kilometers (150 miles) off Irelands southwest coast in international waters but within Irelands exclusive economic zone. This isnt a time to increase military activity and tension in the context of whats happening with and in Ukraine. Coveney said. The fact that they are choosing to do it on the western borders, if you like, of the EU, off the Irish coast, is something that in our view is simply not welcome. Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news > Some NATO members nearest Russia Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said they plan to send U.S.-made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, a move endorsed by the United States. But questions have arisen about just how unified the EU is. Diverse political, business and energy interests have long divided the 27-country bloc in its approach to Moscow. About 40% of the EUs natural gas imports come from Russia, much of it via pipelines across Ukraine and many are skittish about being cut off from that supply in winter, with prices already soaring. Advertisement The EUs two major powers appear most cautious. French President Emmanuel Macron has renewed previously rejected calls for an EU summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Late on Saturday, the head of the German navy, Vice Adm. Kay-Achim Schoenbach, resigned after coming under fire for saying that Ukraine would not regain the Crimean Peninsula, and for suggesting that Putin deserves respect. Still, diplomats and officials said hard-hitting sanctions are being drawn up with the EUs executive branch, the European Commission. They were reluctant to detail the measures or what action by Russia might trigger them but said they would come within days of any attack. ___ Associated Press writers Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dasha Litvinova in Moscow, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Aritz Parra in Madrid, Jill Lawless in London, Robert Burns in Washington, Mike Corder in The Hague, and Raf Casert in Brussels contributed. The Chinese mainland has reported 18 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Monday, local media reported citing the National Health Commission on Tuesday. Xinhua News Agency reported that out of the new local infections, six were reported in Xinjiang, five in Beijing, three in Henan, two in Hebei, and one each in Tianjin and Shanghai, according to the commission. Monday also saw reports of 27 imported COVID-19 cases across the mainland. No new suspected cases and new deaths from COVID-19 were reported on the day, the commission said. A total of 43 asymptomatic cases were newly reported Monday, 25 of whom arrived from outside the mainland, according to the commission, Xinhua News Agency. As of Monday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, both local and imported, reported on the Chinese mainland had reached 105,705, it added. There were 2,616 patients still under treatment on Monday, of whom nine were in severe condition. A total of 4,636 patients had died of the virus on the Chinese mainland since the outbreak of the pandemic. Meanwhile, China is witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases in its major cities including Beijing.After reporting the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the strict new COVID-19 restrictions come into force in the city. This comes ahead of Winter Olympics which is scheduled to be held next month. Beijing will now require travellers to get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in the Chinese capital, Taipei Times reported. The new rule, effective from Saturday to the end of March, is aimed to help with early detection of Omicron, which is surging globally, and the control of epidemic risks, Beijing Daily, a government newspaper, said on social media. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Tuesday reported 4,559 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the tally to 7,43,354 while the death toll rose to 4,077 with two more fatalities. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) reported the highest number of daily cases with 1,450, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (432) and Rangareddy (322) districts, a state government bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM today. The state had registered 3,980 new cases on Monday. A total of 1,961 people recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours. With this, the cumulative number of recoveries rose to 7,03,008. Active cases stood at 36,269, the bulletin said. A total of 1,13,670 samples were tested today and the total number examined till date was over 3.15 crore. The samples tested per million population were over 8.48 lakh. The case fatality and recovery rates were at 0.55 per cent and 94.57 per cent, respectively. (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.) In view of a substantial number of COVID-19 patients recuperating in home isolation, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday asked states to focus on expanding the reach of teleconsultation services to provide timely healthcare. He interacted with health ministers, senior bureaucrats and administrators of nine states and union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Ladakh and Uttar Pradesh, according to a statement from the health ministry. Mandaviya urged them to adopt the hub and spoke model and open additional teleconsultation centres. This will enable beneficiaries to access advice from experts stationed at district hubs, it said. He said the government's eSanjeevani telemedicine system has provided services to more than 2.6 crore beneficiaries where people can seek medical advice from the confines of their homes. This will prove to be a game-changer and will be of immense value and importance for the hard-to-reach and far-flung areas, and especially in the northern regions in the current winter season, he highlighted. States and union territories need to ensure that these centres work 24X7 and ensure convenience for both the common public and health experts. To ensure minimum hassle and travelling, such expert advice can be provided at the block levels, secondary or primary health centre levels too, the official communique stated quoting Mandaviya. He advised the states and union territories to ensure that those in home isolation are efficiently monitored in line with the national guidelines. This will ensure that the vulnerable categories of active cases in home isolation get the required medical help in a timely manner, the statement said. The virtual meeting was held to review public health preparedness for containment and management of COVID-19 and the progress of the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. State health ministers who joined the high-level review meeting included Anil Vij from Haryana and Uttarakhand's Dhan Singh Rawat. Reiterating that the Centre is dedicated to supporting states and union territories in containment and management of COVID-19, Mandaviya requested the attendees to review and expedite implementation of activities under the COVID Response Plans-II (ECRP-II) package for strengthening the health infrastructure. Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya also told the States/UTs that as a large number of people are opting for home isolation, they should be monitored as per national guidelines: Official sources ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2022 He urged the health ministers and state authorities to plug the existing gaps by efficiently utilizing the amount sanctioned for various infra projects, the statement said. With strengthened health infrastructure, we can meet any health emergency and public health crisis with better preparedness, he said. States were advised to ensure regular updation of availability, occupancy and use of infrastructure such as hospital beds, pressure swing adsorption plants and oxygen equipment on the COVID-19 portal. This update will help in obtaining a bigger picture and taking data-driven decisions at several levels for efficient public health response, it was noted. The Union health minister re-emphasised the need for ramping up testing. Those states and union territories showing a lower share of RT-PCR testing were requested to expedite tests, the statement said. They were also reminded to keep a close watch on the emerging clusters and hotspots, and monitor the trend of hospitalised cases, along with the deaths in the state. Vaccination remains a potent tool to fight COVID-19. Vaccinated people are less prone to severity and hospitalisation as seen in India and globally. Higher hospitalisation is being seen in unvaccinated people and hence it becomes crucial to vaccinate the unvaccinated, Mandaviya said. He also requested states to promote vaccination among adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years and ensure full coverage in the districts that have shown a lower coverage of the first and second doses. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has called on the international community to focus its attention on the threat of in Africa, in particular the Sahel region, saying it must be ensured that terrorist groups and affiliated entities are not allowed to operate unchallenged in Libya. Geographically, the Sahel region stretches from Senegal on the Atlantic coast, through parts of Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Sudan to Eritrea on the Red Sea coast. Speaking at the briefing/consultation on United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti on Monday said that the report of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the presence of training camps of Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL) in southern Libya. It is important that the international community focuses its attention on the threat of in Africa, in particular in the Sahel region. We must ensure that terrorist groups and affiliated entities are not allowed to operate unchallenged in Libya, Tirumurti said. "It is critical for the Security Council to focus and act upon the growing threat of in Africa, he said. Tirumurti is also Chair of the UN Security Council's Libya Sanctions Committee and presented the committee's report on Monday to the 15-nation Council. The Committee discussed issues relating to preserving integrity and value of Libyan frozen assets for the benefit of its people, arms embargo, travel ban exemptions, illicit petroleum exports, he said. India regrets to note that the presidential and parliamentary elections in the African nation could not be held as scheduled on December 24 last year, the Indian Ambassador said. As an objective endorsed by the Libyan people themselves, this could have been an important milestone in the political process, carrying forward the momentum generated by signing of Ceasefire Agreement in October 2020, he said, expressing hope that all issues relating to elections and candidature will be resolved in time and the elections will be conducted smoothly. It is important for the Security Council to support the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people, Tirumurti said. He stressed that the most important priority for Libya is holding of elections in a free, fair, inclusive and credible manner and a unified call from the Security Council would support this endeavour. "We hope that the House of Representatives of Libya will come to an agreement soon to resolve their internal issues, he said. India also emphasised that the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Libya needs to be safeguarded and the peace process must be fully Libyan-led and Libyan-owned with no imposition or external interference, Tirumurti said. Noting the challenges that still remain, he said that the involvement of external forces in the internal affairs of Libya has negatively impacted the progress on the political track; and there has been a resurgence in terrorist activity. He termed as equally alarming continued violations of the arms embargo. Tirumurti said that provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement and successive Security Council resolutions need to be respected. It is important that the call of the Libyan parties is honoured with regards to the full and complete withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries, the Indian Ambassador said, adding that there is also need to plan for the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of armed groups and non-state armed actors. Libya also needs an inclusive and comprehensive national reconciliation process, Tirumurti added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former chief minister on Tuesday slammed the government for issuing a show-cause notice to BJP leader for accessing some official documents. Somaiya visited Mantralaya, the state secretariat, on Monday to review some government documents in accordance with the provisions of the Right to Information Act, Fadnavis claimed. "But this brainless government has mowed down the democracy and issued a notice to Somaiya...Has the government lost its (mental) balance completely ? The person who ordered the officials to issue a notice to Somaiya should face some action, Fadnavis added. The BJP leader also said that it was because of activist Anna Hazare's "relentless pressure", the Right To Information Act, 2005 was framed. If the government is not aware of these processes, it should first get proper information, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran CPI(M) leader and former chief minister on Tuesday rejected the award. "I don't know anything about the award. Nobody told me about it. If I was given the award, I am rejecting it," he said in a statement. According to CPI(M) sources, it was a decision of Bhattacharjee and also the party. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Hindutva poster boy late Kalyan Singh and India's first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat who died in a helicopter crash recently, were awarded Padma Vibhushan on Tuesday, while veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and CPI(M) leader were conferred with Padma Bhushan. (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.) People at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 doctors, pharma industry leaders, and medical specialists formed the largest chunk of those selected for Indias highest civilian awards on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day. Indias first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, who died last month in a chopper accident, has been honoured posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan Indias second-highest civilian award. Krishna Ella, chairman of Bharat Biotech, and his wife and co-founder Suchitra Ella were awarded the Padma Bhushan as was Serum Institute of Indias Cyrus Poonawalla. Over half-a-dozen doctors and those engaged in medical research also got the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. These included Dr Lata Desai, Dr Narendra Prasad Mishra (posthumous), VV Dongre, SV Adinarayana Rao, V Seshiah, Bhimsen Singhal, Balaji Tambe (posthumous), Kamlakar Tripathi, Himmatrao Bawaskar, and Prokar Dasgupta, who is now based in the UK. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Alphabet CEO have been awarded the Padma Bhushan. Interestingly, among those awarded civilian honours were Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad (Padma Bhushan), as well as former West Bengal chief minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh was conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Classical music legend Prabha Atre got the Padma Vibushan. Gurmeet Bawa and actor Victor Banerjee also got awards on a list where no Bollywood biggies figured, except musician Sonu Nigam. Well-known culinary expert who made curry a byword in the UK, Madhur Jaffrey, was honoured with a Padma Bhushan. Prahlad Rai Agarwala, from Kolkata was awarded a Padma Shri for his contribution to trade and business. For the first time, two awards went to Ladakh, A Asghar Ali Basharat, for social work, and Tsering Namgyal, for art. Ajay Kumar Sonkar, an independent scientist, got the award for his pioneering work in making artificial pearls. Japanese businessman Ryuko Hira, who was born in Rajasthan, and is the owner of HMI Hotel Group, which runs a chain of hotels and resorts in Japan, also got a Padma award. Saibal Gupta, credited with original academic work on the evolution of the economy in Bihar, who also drafted many economic surveys presented by the government, got the award posthumously. A under its powers of revision cannot convert a finding of acquittal of an accused into conviction, the said on Tuesday. A bench of Justices M R Shah and Sanjiv Khanna said the has power to examine whether there is manifest error of law or procedure etc., however, after giving its own findings, it has to remit the matter to the trial Court and/or the first appellate Court. "If the order of acquittal has been passed by the trial Court, the may remit the matter to the trial Court and even direct retrial. However, if the order of acquittal is passed by the first appellate court, in that case, the High Court has two options available, (i) to remit the matter to the first appellate Court to rehear the appeal; or (ii) in an appropriate case remit the matter to the trial Court for retrial," the bench said. The top court was hearing an appeal filed against an order of the Madras High Court which in exercise of its revisional jurisdiction under Section 401 CrPC set aside the order of acquittal passed by the first appellate Court and convicted the accused. The apex court also said the right provided to the victim to prefer an appeal against the order of acquittal is an absolute right. (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.) has extended an immediate relief assistance of USD 200,000 for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in tsunami-hit Tonga, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. On January 15, 2022, a hit the Kingdom of Tonga impacting large sections of the country's population and causing significant infrastructural damage. extends deep sympathy to the government and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga for the damage and destruction caused by this unprecedented disaster, the MEA said in a statement. "As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Tonga, Government of extends an immediate relief assistance of USD 200,000 to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Kingdom of Tonga," the MEA said. India has firmly stood by Tonga during times of crisis and devastation caused by natural disasters, as during Cyclone Gita in 2018. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is an important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019, it said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The COVID-19 tally in reached 9,14,195 on Tuesday after the detection of 9,451 new cases, while the toll increased to 10,583 with seven patients succumbing to the infection in the last 24 hours, a health department official said. The positivity rate remained unchanged at 13.0 per cent on Tuesday, he said. The recovery count was 8,32,742 after 8,467 people were discharged from hospitals during the day, leaving the state with an active caseload of 70,870, he said. Bhopal and Indore, the two worst coronavirus-hit cities of Madhya Pradesh, registered 2,024 and 1,963 cases, respectively, during the past 24 hours, the official added. With 72,382 samples examined during the day, the number of tests in MP went up to 2,54,67,354, he said. A government release said 10,88,88,345 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far in the state, including 95,996 on Tuesday. figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 9,14,195, new cases 9,451, death toll 10,583, recoveries 8,32,742, active cases 70,870, number of tests so far 2,54,67,354. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A nurse receives a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination drive at Nauticus in Norfolk on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Trent Sprague/The Virginian-Pilot) Several thousand Hampton Roads residents eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot will receive a text or robocall alerting them of their eligibility in coming days. The campaign is part of an initiative by the Virginia Department of Health to get people boosted. And its not a scam, Cindy Clayton, a state health department spokesperson said. Advertisement The important thing for folks to know is that if they receive one of these, its really from VDH and is not a hoax, Clayton said in an email. The VDH launched the text and call program in December in the Richmond-Henrico health district area. Now, the department is sending the alerts in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the Peninsula. Residents in the Rappahannock, Roanoke-Alleghany and Prince William health districts will also receive the texts and calls. Advertisement Health officials are hoping that this could be just the thing that these folks need to go ahead and get boosted, said Megan Shearin, a spokesperson for the Norfolk Health Department. In Norfolk, 21.7% of adults have gotten the COVID-19 booster, and 30.7% of Virginia Beach adults have gotten the third shot, according to VDH data. The VDH text message will notify people their state health records indicate they are eligible for a booster shot and direct them to visit https://vase.vdh.virginia.gov or to call 877-829-4682 to make an appointment for the shot. Anyone fully vaccinated and over 18 should get a COVID-19 booster shot at least five months after completing their first two doses, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teens ages 12 to 17 should also get the booster, but they are only approved to get the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine booster, according to the CDC. More information about booster shots and when to get them is available on the CDCs website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. Ali Sullivan, 757-677-1974, ali.sullivan@virginiamedia.com Seven students, including the son of an MLA, were killed in Wardha district of when the car they were travelling in fell off a bridge, police said on Tuesday. An official said all the seven, who hailed from four states, including Maharashtra, died on the spot in the accident which took place around 11.30 pm on Monday near Selsura village in Wardha district, 77km away from Nagpur, in east . One of them, Avishkar Rahangdale, was the son of Tirora (Gondia district) BJP MLA Vijay Rahangdale. He was a first-year student of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College at Sawangi (Meghe) in Wardha. Police said the SUV was being driven by one of the and all the victims were returning from neighbouring Yavatmal district after celebrating the birthday of a student. Due to the impact of the crash, the SUV was reduced to pulp. All the deceased were of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, OSD of the Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences Dr Abhyuday Meghe told PTI. "One of the deceased was a medical intern. Of the rest six, two each were studying in the final year, third year and first year," he said. The other six deceased were identified by the police as Niraj Chauhan, who hailed from Daudpur in Gorakhpur, Pratyush Singh, Shubham Jaiswal from Chandauli (Uttar Pradesh), Vivek Nandan and Pawan Shakti (both from Gaya in Bihar), and Niteesh Kumar Singh from Belapur in Odisha. Police officer Sawangi Babasaheb Thorat informed that the ill-fated SUV belonged to Niteesh Singh, the medical intern who was also driving the car. Police reached the accident spot around midnight, he said, adding the victims were returning from Yavatmal after celebrating the birthday of one of the deceased, Pawan Shakti. Thorat said the cause of the accident was being investigated. Meanwhile, the body of Avishkar Rahangdale was handed over to his family. The other bodies were handed over to the college authorities as family members of the deceased, who hailed from different states, were yet to reach Wardha to collect them. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. "The passing away of such promising youths is very unfortunate and a big loss to their families," said the CM in his condolence message. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government will release 215 prisoners, serving life sentences in various jails across the state, on Republic Day, Minister for Home and Jail Narottam Mishra said on Tuesday. However, those serving life sentences for rape and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will not be released, he added. The remaining sentence of these prisoners, including five women, to be released on Republic Day, is pardoned due to their good conduct, Mishra told reporters. The MP government every year releases select inmates of jails on and Independence Day based on their good conduct and as per other parameters. I hope they (prisoners) will rehabilitate themselves in society after their release from jails by shunning crime and contributing in the building," he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two years after the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe and central Asia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the region could be "entering a new phase in the pandemic with plausible hope for stabilisation." "The pandemic is far from over, but I am hopeful we can end the emergency phase in 2022 and address other health threats that urgently require our attention," WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge said in a statement on Monday. Nevertheless, he warned in the statement that "it is far too early to relax" because new Covid-19 variants are almost certain to emerge, Xinhua news agency reported. "With the millions of infections occurring in the world in recent and coming weeks, coupled with waning immunity and winter seasonality, it is almost a given that new Covid-19 variants will emerge and return," he added. The WHO official elaborated by noting the challenges variants have caused, such as "the highly transmissible Omicron variant sweeping the region, from west to east." "Omicron is displacing Delta with unprecedented speed. Less than two months since it was first discovered in South Africa, it now accounts for 31.8 per cent of cases across the European Region, up from 15 per cent the previous week, and 6.3 per cent the week before that." While the Omicron variant "appears to cause much less severe disease than Delta," Kluge said that the region is "still seeing a rapid rise in hospitalisations due to the sheer number of infections," noting that most people needing intensive care across the region, as predicted, are unvaccinated. "The unacceptable human cost we know: every single hour since the pandemic's onset, 99 people in the Region have lost their lives to Covid-19. We mourn the more than 1.7 million people in the European Region who are no longer with us," he added. Although more than 1.4 billion vaccine doses have been administered in the region, Kluge said "huge disparities in access to vaccines remain." "If 2021 was the year of vaccine production, 2022 must be the year of vaccine equity in the European region and beyond. Too many people who need the vaccine remain unvaccinated. This is helping to drive transmission, prolonging the pandemic and increasing the likelihood of new variants," he added. --IANs int/khz/ (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.) general secretary Vadra on Tuesday accused the Police of assaulting students and vandalising their hostel in for allegedly protesting against unemployment in the city. Sharing a purported video of the incident on Twitter, said, It is highly condemnable that police in are thrashing students and vandalising their lodges and hostels. The administration should immediately stop this repressive action. The youth have every right to speak about employment and I am fully with them in this fight, she said. However, Senior Superintendent of Police, Prayagraj, Ajay Kumar said police received information that thousands of students were creating a ruckus near Prayag Railway Station and had blocked the rail track. There was also an apprehension of some miscreants setting the trains on fire. So, police personnel with riot control equipment reached Prayag station and dispersed the protesters, he said. Some of them pelted stones at the policemen and hid in their hostel nearby. Police were trying to catch the culprits and some of the personnel used unnecessary force which is visible in the video, he said. The incident is being investigated and a case is being registered against the rioting students under serious sections. The policemen who have used unnecessary force will be suspended, he added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways has said railway job aspirants found involved involved in blocking rail tracks, causing disruption in train operations and damaging railway property will be barred from getting recruited. (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.) After years of warning that the popularity of the I, then his party, was waning in Uttar Pradesh, RPN Singh (57), the Raja of Padrauna or Ritchie to friends, crossed over to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. He is most likely to contest the Assembly elections against Swami Prasad Maurya, who last week quit the BJP (he was MLA from Padrauna) to join the Samajwadi Party. This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation building under the visionary leadership & guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP president Shri @JPNadda ji & Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah ji, Singh tweeted before joining the BJP in Union minister Dharmendra Pradhans presence. Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the to join the BJP and is the civil aviation minister, was present for at ceremony. Singh is the second big exit from the in UP after Jitin Prasada quit last year. Padrauna Though Singh won the Lok Sabha elections only once from the Kushinagar seat in 2009, he has won the Padrauna Assembly seat thrice in 1996, 2002, and 2007. Singh held the Union minister of state for home and other portfolios in the second term of the Manmohan Singh government. He was made the party in charge of Jharkhand, where the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha formed a coalition government in the last Assembly election. He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the Kushinagar seat, but came third after the BJP and the SP candidates, getting only 13 per cent of the vote. How much the Congress was invested in him is clear from the fact that he was on the list of star campaigners of the party, though the party overlooked his claim to field his supporters in the Assembly election. Singh had his reservations about the personal attacks launched by the Congress leadership against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially the chowkidar chor hai slogan and spoke up at the Congresss internal meetings, questioning the political wisdom of this line. The Congress reacted with anger at the defection. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate called the fight between the BJP and Congress a war of ideology. To win this fight you have to be brave. Only a coward can jump to a party with a completely opposite ideology, she said. Singh belongs to a small community of royalty that is classified among Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He is a Kurmi and the BJP admitted him to the party so hurriedly because it wanted an OBC to take on Maurya. The Padrauna clash promises to be among the most interesting battles in this election. (With inputs from PTI) Cautioning people about a 'section in society' which has always been "misleading" them about imaginary issues like demographic changes, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said a target of investment proposals worth Rs 70,000 crore has been achieved within a year after 2019 "historic transformative" changes. He said the central government under the "strong and able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi" took the "bold and decisive" step of breaking the shackles erected in the path of development of which is fast moving towards becoming a powerful and self-reliant Union Territory. "After the historic transformative changes in August 2019 (when centre abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two UTs), is poised to become the latest success story among Indian states and a model of socio-economic development for the country," Sinha said in his Republic Day message. Extending his heartiest greetings and best wishes to all on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day, the Lt Governor said despite challenges, efforts are underway for turning Jammu and Kashmir into a preferred destination for industrial investment and opportunities. "The industrial revolution started just a year ago has achieved much more than what the Union Territory had clocked in the last 72 years. After the implementation of the new industrial scheme, investment proposals worth Rs 48,000 crores have been received," he said. He said the land use change policy which was a major impediment for the industrial development of the region has been simplified which is likely to attract more investment. "However, the people are being misled on this issue too," he said, without naming anyone but apparently referring to the criticism by regional parties, especially the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Lt Governor assured the "land owners and farmers that all these changes have been effected with the sole aim of empowering them. There is a section in the society which has always been misleading the people about imaginary issues like demographic change, and on this pretext the most hardworking and needy class of people had been deprived of alienated their own land, or even using it as per their wishes or requirements." The Lt Governor reiterated the administration's commitment to promoting local businesses in the real estate sector. Jammu and Kashmir recently hosted the first-ever historic Real Estate summit in December 2021, in which investment proposals worth Rs 18,300 crore were finalized, while the investment proposals attracted by J&K in the recently concluded Dubai Expo stands at Rs 3,000 crore. "In total, a target of investment proposal worth Rs 70,000 crore has been achieved within a year," the Lt Governor said. He said the government is committed to build a strong Jammu and Kashmir and "we will continue to march ahead with Mantra of 4 P's -- Peace, Progress, Prosperity and People first." The Jammu and Kashmir Private Industrial Estate Development Policy has been introduced, which incorporates mechanisms for public-private partnership in the industrial sector. The Lt Governor highlighted the co-existence of various religions, enriching and diversifying Jammu and Kashmir's cultural heritage and making the Union Territory an example of immortal organic composite Indian culture. Giving details of the reforms made in the last 30 months, the Lt Governor said the government is developing Jammu and Kashmir as the piece of Indian culture and ethos that has the capability to provide opportunity to industries to compete, connect and collaborate with its readily available abundant resources. "J&K is fast moving towards becoming a powerful and self-reliant Union Territory by improving the standard of living of farmers, youth, women, labourers and every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. On the government's efforts in employment generation in the last one and a half years, the Lt Governor said about 11,000 appointments have been made in various government departments in a fair and transparent manner, "which was unprecedented in the history of Jammu and Kashmir". "For the first time, children from the disadvantaged and poor sections have secured jobs on the basis of merit, turning their dreams into reality," he said. "Another 20,323 additional posts at various levels have been identified and referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board for recruitment. Besides, 1850 appointments have been made in J&K Bank at various levels in a fair and transparent manner," he said. "As many as 1,37,870 youths have been provided assistance in their entrepreneurial ventures under various self-employment generation schemes and programmes," the Lt Governor said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korea's daily count of new cases topped 8,000 for the first time on Tuesday, as the highly contagious Omicron variant spreads rapidly despite the recent extension of strict social-distancing rules to slow infection. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 8,571 cases for Monday, exceeding the previous peak posted in mid-December of 7,848. The new record came amid the spread of the more transmissible but less deadly Omicron variant, which became dominant in the country last week, and despite less testing over the weekend. reinstated tougher distancing curbs in December as record-breaking numbers of daily cases and critically ill patients threatened to saturate its medical system before the Omicron wave hit. Daily tallies had almost halved to around 4,000 this month but began rebounding last week because of Omicron infections, logging their second-highest level on Saturday. The surge fuelled worries about a potentially bigger wave ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, when tens of millions of Koreans usually travel across the country for family visits. Health officials said Omicron would likely account for more than 90% of new infections within two to three weeks, while daily numbers could reach 20,000 to 30,000 or even higher. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum issued a special statement on Monday to plead for people to refrain from travel and gatherings during the break, which starts on Saturday. "It is no different to adding fuel to the raging flames if many people move around the country and meet each other," he told a briefing. As part of efforts to reserve medical capacity for the critically ill, the mandatory isolation period for vaccinated patients will be reduced from the current 10 days to seven starting on Wednesday. has also rolled out one of the region's most stringent vaccine pass mandates, under which unvaccinated people can only dine out alone, or use takeout or delivery services. The extended curbs triggered a backlash from small business owners, while a court ordered large stores and teenagers to be temporarily exempted from the vaccine mandates in the capital Seoul in an intensifying legal battle between the government and citizens. Some 300 members of a coalition of small business owners plan to hold a hair-shaving protest on Tuesday, urging the government to lift the curbs, including a 9 p.m. dining curfew, and compensate their economic losses. has recorded 733,902 COVID-19 infections and 6,540 deaths, KDCA data showed. The country of 52 million has largely been a COVID-19 mitigation success story, with 749,979 total infections and 6,588 deaths. More than 95% of South Korean adults have been fully vaccinated and nearly 58% have received a booster shot, KDCA data showed. (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 Tuesday agreed to hear on January 28 the plea of SpiceJet against a Madras order admitting winding-up petition and directing the official liquidator to take over the assets of the low-cost airline. SpiceJet has rushed to the top court against the January 11 order of a division bench of the upholding a recent verdict of a single judge bench ordering it's winding up and directing the official liquidator attached to the to take over the assets. Credit Suisse AG, a Swiss firm, had moved the single-judge bench of the high court alleging that SpiceJet failed to honour its commitment to pay the bills for over USD 24 million raised by it towards maintenance, repairing, and overhauling of the aircraft engines and components. This is the case of a winding-up of an Airline called SpiceJet. The protection is till Friday. I am requesting an early hearing otherwise the Airline will fold up. Please list it on Friday or Monday, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Airline, told the bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices A S Bopanna and Hima Kohli. List it on Friday, the bench ordered. The division bench of the high court had rejected the appeal of SpiceJet holding that it did not make out any ground to entertain the appeal. While dismissing the appeal against the December 6, 2021 order of the Company judge Justice R Subramaniam, the division bench, however, had extended the operation of the interim stay granted by the single judge, till January 28 to enable the airliner to prefer an appeal before the . The single judge had suspended the operation of his order for a limited period with a direction to the company to remit USD 5 million, as a condition precedent to avail the interim relief. Originally, while allowing the company petition from Credit Suisse AG, the stock corporation registered under the laws of Switzerland, the single judge had held the airliner had miserably failed to satisfy the three-pronged test suggested by the in a similar case and hence had rendered itself liable to be wound up for its inability to pay its debts under Section 433 (e) of the Companies Act 1956. The company petition, filed by the Swiss firm, had prayed for winding up of SpiceJet under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 and appoint the Official Liquidator of the High Court as the Liquidator of SpiceJet with all powers under Section 448 of the Companies Act to take charge of its assets, properties, stock in trade and books of accounts. According to the Swiss firm, SpiceJet had availed the services of SR Technics, Switzerland, for maintenance, repair, and overhauling of aircraft engines, modules, components, assemblies, and parts, which were mandatory for its operations. An agreement for such services for 10 years was entered into between SpiceJet and SR Technics on November 24, 2011. The terms of payments were also agreed upon. On August 24, 2012, a supplemental agreement was also entered into to change certain terms of the agreement. The amendments included an extension of time for payment of money due under various invoices raised by SR Technics and also a deferred payment scheme. As there was a general increase in the cost, the 2012 supplemental agreement included adjustment of flight hour rates, and escalation provisions were also made. The Swiss firm had been making repeated requests to SpiceJet to make payments under the various invoices. Since it did not honour its commitment under the agreements with SR Technics and that it was not in a position to meet its financial obligations, the Swiss firm had issued a statutory notice. As there was no response, it preferred the company petition before the High Court to wind up SpiceJet and obtained a favourable order. Aggrieved, SpiceJet preferred the appeal before the Division bench which came to be dismissed on January 11. SpiceJet contended it had entered into an agreement with the Swiss company for a period of 10 years in 2011. However, midway, it discovered that the aircraft maintenance company did not have a valid authorisation from the Director-General of Civil Aviation between January 1, 2009, and May 18, 2015, the airline had said in its appeal. The single judge had wrongly assumed SpiceJet had entered into the agreement despite knowing about the absence of DGCA approval and held that it could have terminated the agreement midway once it came to know of the absence of the official authorisation, the low-cost airline had said. Termination was not a mandatory requirement. Once it (SpiceJet) came to know the fact, it stopped payments. There was no finding in the arbitral award that the air carrier was aware of the non-approval even before entering into the agreement, the appeal said, adding that an 'illegal claim' for dues would not come under the definition of 'debts' as stated in the Companies Act, it had said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tuesday voiced concern over degradation in the quality of legal education in the country and said that improvements are needed in the system at the entry-level. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by the Bar Council of India against a Gujarat high court order which allowed a single mother to enroll as an advocate without resigning from her job. "I want to also mention something on the responsibility of the BCI to hold proper exams and make recommendations on how to improve the system at entry-level. Make some suggestions" said Justice S K Kaul, who was heading the bench. "We have a situation where anti-social elements go and get law degrees. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka law courses are taking place in cowsheds. You have to make introspections. The Principals from Andhra Pradesh will come and stay in Chennai; he will receive money and collect applications. After 3 years a degree will be given. This is completely diluting the qualityA person without attending classes gets a law degreeMore stringent checks on law schools and more serious criteria of entry are important," the bench observed. As the hearing commenced, senior advocate K V Vishwanathan, appointed as amicus curiae, submitted that a mechanism can be evolved where employed persons are not enrolled and given the certificate at the outset. "They can put on a register that qualifies them to write the exam and thereafter give them enrollment," he said. The bench, also comprising Justice M M Sundresh, however, said it may not be proper to allow enrollment when a person is still employed. The judge said, "prima facie, we find it difficult to accept that somebody can ride both the boats together." "Suppose somebody is enrolled and wants to go out of the profession at some stage. They do not tend to surrender their enrollment certificate, which is something that the Bar Council should also regulate... In Tamil Nadu, I know, almost one-third of bar people were not in the professionThis is a dichotomy that we have to reconcile," Justice Sundresh observed. The counsel for the BCI opposed the submissions of the amicus and said that such suggestions go beyond the scope of the present issue. The apex court, however, said that when the bar body asserts its rights, it should also take stock of its shortcomings. The bench said that mushrooming of law schools and the quality of education imparted is one of the major problems. "The problem starts at the law schoolsThe rigour of your bar exam must test knowledge," the bench said, adding that there are many instances where people get their law degrees without attending classes. (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.) Utpal Parrikar's intention to contest as an Independent candidate and the resignation of former CM Laxmikant Parsekar from the party, has caused upheaval in the BJP. More on that in our top headlines this morning. Budget 2022-23: Steep subsidy sums for food and fertiliser likely The Union could allocate steep sums for food and fertiliser subsidies for 2022-23, similar to the Revised Estimates for the current fiscal year, analysts say, as global commodity prices remain elevated and the poorest sections of the society still suffer from distress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more Sensitive issues to remain out of India-Aussie early-harvest deal With India and Australia giving final touches to an interim trade deal, both countries are set to keep aside sensitive and contentious issues, steering clear of any surprise in the early-harvest agreement, people aware of the matter said. Read more Centre's vision document sees 10x rise in electronics exports by FY26 The government, along with the electronics industry, on Monday came out with a vision document that sets an ambitious target of increasing Indias electronics exports by over 10 time from $10.6 billion in 2020-21 to $120 billion by 2025-26. This will make electronics amongst the countrys top three export categories from its current rank at Number 7. Read more Why investors fleeing Chinese property market see India as an opportunity Investors have been taking refuge from the Chinese real estate debt crisis in pockets of the broader Asian credit market, and cite India among opportunities that are relatively insulated from the historic turmoil. Read more Goa Assembly polls: Panjim's exposed faultlines could be BJP's worry lines All eyes are on the Panjim Assembly seat in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly after former chief minister (CM) Manohar Parrikars son Utpal quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and announced his intention to contest the seat as an Independent candidate when he was denied a BJP nomination. Read more Nowadays, there is much discussion about the value of a college education and whether the cost of obtaining a degree is worth the effort. A quick survey of essays published in the Monitor, the College of William & Marys journal of International Studies, provides an answer to the question. It indicates students graduating from W&M are entering the marketplace with solid knowledge. Advertisement In a recent essay, entitled, Strategy and Meaning in Gender Violence: Rethinking Boko Haram, Emily Jackson, a senior majoring in international relations and minoring in economics, described how in 2014, the Nigeria-based terrorist organization Boko Haram orchestrated the kidnaping of 276 women and girls from a boarding school in the town of Chibok in northeastern Nigeria. Within month, she writes, a worldwide media campaign to Bring Back Our Girls brought attention to the terrorist group and led Secretary of State John Kerry to describe the situation as not just an act of terrorism but a massive human trafficking offense. Advertisement In the following year Boko Haram gained control of significant tracks of Nigerian territory, though the Nigerian military has since been more successful in counterinsurgency efforts with the support of Niger, Cameroon, Benin and the United States. Jackson, relying on extensive research, notes, Understanding, Boko Harams evolution to the pursuit of gender-based violence first requires familiarity with their goals and strategies as a domestic terrorist organization. When Mohammed Yusuf became the groups leader, Yusuf began preaching pure Islam and advocating for the overthrow of the secular Nigerian state and the imposition of Islamic Sharia Law. Jackson quotes Martha Crenshaw Hutchinson, an expert on political terrorism, who defined Boka Haram as a terrorist group pursuing an insurgent strategy toward regime change. However, Boko Harams goals are not limited to politics. Malliam Sanni Omaro, Boko Haram leader, stated that the sect is motivated by their perception of social vices and corruption in Nigeria and the desire to establish an ideal Islamic society devoid of moral deprivation. This implies, Jackson writes, that the group also seeks social control, or constrain of individuals, rather than the state. To achieve this goal, Boko Haram uses intimidation as a terrorist strategy, and demonstrating that the terrorist has the power to punish whoever disobeys them. Thus, Boko Haram current strategy, like the abduction of schoolgirls and obstruct their education as well as forcing them to join the group by marriage or via participation in terrorist acts, is to demonstrate their desire to eradicate Western influence, including the rights of women. Jackson, in her essay, suggests that to prevent future violence by Boko Haram and other radicalized groups, the U.S. needs to have a sustainable policy that would improve womans social status and productive capacity in at-risk communities. First, we must engage in an ideological contest against Boko Haram. Specifically, the relegation of women to purely reproductive capacity, which is a key aspect of the groups operating strategy as well as their goal as a terrorist organization. The United States must dispute this ideology through direct efforts to increase womens productive capacity. This includes supporting access to education, health care, and career opportunities. Advertisement Combating radicalized terrorism requires not only military action but also the diligent pursuit of sustainable development, Jackson argues in her essay. Defeating terrorism in Nigeria and internationally is paramount to the interest of the United States and its allies, she concludes. As such, these recommendations reflect a framework for addressing terrorism that can and should be applied to radicalized terror worldwide. Jacksons academic pursuit didnt go unnoticed. She was chosen as a research assistant at William & Marys Teaching Research and International Policy project, based at W&M Global Research Institute. Shatz is a Williamsburg resident. He is the author of Reports from a Distant Place, the compilation of his selected columns. The book is available at the Bruton Parish Shop and Amazon.com Asserting that the fire born out of series of protests against the imposition of Hindi will not get extinguished, DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday claimed the state was not against any language including Hindi, in particular, but opposed Hindi being thrust on it. He said it should not be construed as narrow-mindedness if Tamils insist on retaining their mother tongue and refuse to accept any other language to displace it. Addressing a virtual meet organised by the DMK youth wing to commemorate the sacrifices of the language martyrs during the anti-Hindi agitations in the state pre and post-Independence, Stalin said "the fire of the language struggle, ignited by Periyar (rationalist E V Ramaswamy) in that emerged in 1938 will not subside even in 2022." Tamils have no hatred for any language. Learning a language should be left to the individual's prerogative and should not create any dislike to a particular language by thrusting it upon others, the Chief Minister who earlier paid floral tributes to a portrait of Tamil language martyrs at Gandhi Mandapam, here, said. "Those who think of thrusting Hindi (on others) only view it as a tool to dominate. Just as they desire one religion for the nation, they want one language for the country. By thrusting Hindi, they want to ensure Hindi speaking people gain employment in all departments," he alleged. Lashing out at the Centre on the language policy, he said the central government is attempting to reduce all others in the country as second class citizens by pursuing its agenda of imposing Hindi. "We oppose Hindi because they want to displace our mother tongue," he explained. Taking a swipe at the Central government, Stalin remarked, "for them Tamil or appears to be bitter." The anti-Hindi agitations in 1965 led to major political changes in the state and the DMK catapulted to power in 1967. (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 Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Union Personnel Ministry will collaborate with the government of for next-generation administrative reforms, an official statement issued on Tuesday said. The DARPG and the government will collaborate on creation of an online portal for monitoring progress in 58 District Good Governance Index Indicators, adoption of e-HRMS in the Jammu and Srinagar secretariats, and online monitoring of citizen satisfaction in 150 e-services through Jammu & Kashmir e-services delivery assessment framework, it said. As a follow-up to the launch of the District Good Governance Index on January 22 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the roadmap for three key good governance initiatives was drawn up in a meeting held on Tuesday between DARPG Secretary V Srinivas and Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta. Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha were also present during the launch at convention centre, Jammu. The Jammu and Kashmir District Good Governance Index represents next generation administrative reform in benchmarking governance at district level, said the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry. The District Good Governance Index of Jammu & Kashmir helps identify the impact of various governance interventions at district level and provides a futuristic roadmap for improving district level governance with targeted interventions, it said. To further strengthen the good governance model of Jammu & Kashmir, the 58 indicators of the District Good Governance Index would be monitored on a dedicated portal on and evaluated by an external agency the Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad, the statement said. The data collation formats would be decided by government of Jammu & Kashmir and an online monitoring dashboard would be developed by NIC, it said. This exercise is expected to be completed by mid-February 2022, the statement said. The Jammu Secretariat and the Srinagar Secretariat have been transformed into paperless secretariats, with the adoption of e-Office version 7.0, it said. Taking this initiative forward, it was decided that e-HRMS software for digitalization of all employee records would be adopted by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said. The e-HRMS software provides for digitalization of employee service books, leave and travel records of employees, GPF, gratuity and pension benefits into the e-office system, it said. A project proposal for adoption e-HRMS would be prepared by government of Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with DARPG. The government of Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a significant transformation in the ease of doing business, the statement said. One hundred and fifty e-services are provided through digital platforms and the quality of these e-services and citizen satisfaction will be benchmarked by the Jammu & Kashmir e-services delivery assessment with the objective to improve the ease of life of the common citizen, improve efficiency and effectiveness of governance and administration, it said. Under this exercise, the first set of data sets would be analyzed by next month. The next meeting between DARPG Secretary V Srinivas and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Mehta would be held on February 7, the statement added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Recent media reports suggest that the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working on bringing clarity to the provisions of the press-note 3, an amendment to the FDI Policy made in April 2020. Nearly two years after the press-note 3 was enacted, its indeed a step in the right direction to introspect and resolve the unintended impact of the press-note. The widely known press-note 3 (2020 series) was brought during the initial days of the pandemic in April 2020 and as an immediate reaction to the concerns of Indian being vulnerable to opportunistic takeovers during the pandemic. Press-note 3 requires that all investments from entities, which are based in a land-bordering country, or when the beneficial owner of the investment is based in a land-bordering country, will have to be made under the approval route and will require security-clearance. The challenging part for the implementation of press-note 3 was that it did not define the threshold for identifying the beneficial owner. The ambiguity in identifying beneficial owners cast a wide net which caught in its radar all investments flowing into India where the investing entities had any shareholders/capital from a land-bordering country. The wide-net was perhaps unintended to the spirit of press-note 3. These factors make a fitting case to study the possibly unintended impact of the press-note 3 and issue clarifications to address the same. Defining the beneficial-ownership To define beneficial ownership, the may take a leaf out of the existing regulations. Beneficial ownership has already been defined under two-different Indian laws. Under the respective regulations, thresholds for identifying a beneficial owner spans from 10% to 25% One of the definitions corresponds to the benefits available to the shareholding-entities/individuals (including voting rights) ( Act Significant Beneficial Ownership Rules), while the other one corresponds more to the control that shareholding entities can exercise over the company they are invested in (Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005) To identify which definition of beneficial-ownership should be considered for the press-note 3, it makes sense to refer the text of the press-note 3 to understand its spirit. Press-note 3 was enacted to curb opportunistic takeovers of Indian businesses by entities situated in land-bordering countries, or entities which may have beneficial owners from these land-bordering countries. The seeming intent of the press-note to include beneficial owners in addition to the entity itself, implies that the beneficial owner within that organization should be in a position to control the management, policy decisions of the board, so as to be able to drive that organization to do an opportunistic takeover of an Indian business. In this framework, the beneficial-owner defined under the Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005 seems suitable. Beneficial Owner defined in PMLA (MoR) Rules is an individual who either has a controlling ownership interest (25% ownership) of the entity or can exercise control on the management or policy decisions of the company. The other option for defining the beneficial-ownership would be to consider the definition under the Act (SBO Rules) which identifies Beneficial Owner as a person who holds more than 10% shares of the entity and its voting rights. While the beneficial-owner under the SBO Rules also has access to voting rights, it overall has lesser teeth in comparison to a controlling beneficial owner defined under the PMLA (MoR) Rules. There are varying options available to define beneficial ownership, and the most adequate definition will play a strong role in bringing clarity, and facilitating FDI that has been adversely affected in the absence of such a definition. The author is former Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and advisor, Primus Partners. Gems and jewellery exports rose by 71 per cent during April-December 2021 to USD 28.9 billion as compared to USD 16.9 billion in the same period of the previous year, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday. In December 2021, these exports grew by 16.38 per cent to USD 2.99 billion, it said. The sector accounted for 9.6 per cent share of India's entire exports basket during the period under review. Top five destinations for the sector included the US, Hong Kong, the UAE, Belgium and Israel. The industry contributes about 7 per cent of India's total GDP and employs more than 50 lakh workers. The ministry added that the Centre has laid out four points to make India's gems and jewellery a pioneer industry in the world and those steps include focus on design; diversification of products; collaboration with other nations for cost-effective methods to enhance production of fusion jewellery, and promote lab-grown diamond. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commerce and Industry Minister has directed the officers concerned to hold regular meetings with state governments and central ministries to ensure timely resolution of issues for the implementation of projects. He said this while reviewing the pace of the implementation of projects being monitored through the PMG (Project Monitoring Group) portal and called for a need to address the issues being faced by implementing agencies to ensure their timely completion. The PMG is an institutional mechanism to facilitate the resolution of bottlenecks in projects with investments upward of Rs 500 crore. Currently, PMG is monitoring 1,351 under-implementation projects with a total anticipated investment of about Rs 48.94 lakh crore. Projects of infrastructure ministries such as road, transport and highways; railways; petroleum and natural gas; new and renewable energy; and power are listed on the portal. The PMG mechanism allows project proponents to raise issues with the government agencies concerned, which are causing hindrances in the implementation of projects, an official statement said on Tuesday. Issues raised on the PMG portal pertain primarily to land acquisition (about 40 per cent); grant of the right of use/ right of way (25 per cent); and forest, environment and wildlife clearances (14 per cent). Once enlisted on the portal, the projects and corresponding issues are taken up for resolution through meetings with state governments and central ministries. The commerce and industry minister has been closely monitoring activities on the PMG portal and conducted a review of select projects in June 2021. "Since April 1, 2021, 687 projects with a value of Rs 17.9 lakh crore have been brought on PMG for monitoring and timely completion, thereby bringing the total projects enlisted on PMG since inception to 1,726 projects," it added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Srijan Upadhyay supplied fried snacks to small eateries and roadside stalls in the poor eastern Indian state of Bihar before COVID-19 lockdowns forced most of his customers to close down, many without paying what they owed him. With his business crippled, the 31-year-old IT undergraduate this month travelled to Rajpura town in Punjab state to meet with consultants who promised him a work visa for Canada. He brought along his neighbour who also wants a Canadian visa because his commerce degree has not helped him get a job. "There are not enough for us here, and whenever government vacancies come up, we hear of cheating, leaking of test papers," Upadhyay said, waiting in the lounge of Blue Line consultants. "I am sure we will get a job in Canada, whatever it is initially." India's unemployment is estimated to have exceeded the global rate in five of the last six years, data from Mumbai-based the Centre for Monitoring (CMIE) and International Labour Organization show, due to an economic slowdown that was exacerbated by the pandemic. Having peaked at 23.5% in April 2020, India's joblessness rate dropped to 7.9% last month, according to CMIE. The rate in Canada fell to a multi-month-low of 5.9% in December, while the OECD group of mostly rich countries reported a sixth straight month of decline in October, with countries including the United States suffering labour shortages as economic activity picks up. What's worse for India, its economic growth is producing fewer than it used to, and as disheartened jobseekers instead take menial roles or look to move overseas, the country's already low rate of workforce participation - those aged 15 and above in work or looking for it - is falling. "The situation is worse than what the unemployment rate shows," CMIE Managing Director Mahesh Vyas told Reuters. "The unemployment rate only measures the proportion who do not find of those who are actively seeking jobs. The problem is the proportion seeking jobs itself is shrinking." VOCAL FOR LOCAL Critics say such hopelessness among India's youth is one of the biggest failures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who first came to power in 2014 with his as yet unfulfilled promise of creating millions of jobs. It also risks India wasting its demographic advantage of having more than two-thirds of its 1.35 billion people of working age. The ministries of labour and finance did not respond to requests for comment. The labour ministry's career website had more than 13 million active jobseekers as of last month, with only 220,000 vacancies. The ministry told parliament in December that "employment generation coupled with improving employability is the priority of the government", highlighting its focus on small businesses. Modi's rivals are now trying to tap into the crisis ahead of elections in five states, including Punjab and most populous Uttar Pradesh, in February and March. "Because of a lack of employment opportunities here, every kid looks at Canada. Parents hope to somehow send their kids to Canada," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose Aam Admi Party is a front-runner in Punjab elections, told a recent public function there. "I assure you, within five years they will start returning because we will create so many opportunities for them here." He did not explain, but party workers said their policies would attract job-creating businesses. ALSO READ: Man booked for duping 10 persons on false promise of providing jobs in BCCI Punjab's neighbour Haryana, home to local offices of many global IT companies and an automobiles hub, has already ordered that most jobs there be reserved for locals. A political party in Punjab has promised something similar if voted to power. "To an extent, if a particular sector is doing well, then some arrangements can be made to ensure that local youth get opportunities," said Amit Basole, head of the Centre for Sustainable Employment in Azim Premji University in Bengaluru. "But if overall job creation is weak, then such policies do not solve the underlying problem. And they may also make things worse by reducing investment." CMIE's Vyas said India needs more investment in labour-intensive industries and should bring more women into the labour force, like Bangladesh has done through its garments factories. "NO ONE DELIVERS" Between 2018 and 2021, India suffered its longest period of slowdown since 1991, with unemployment averaging 7.2%, CMIE data shows. Global unemployment averaged around 5.7% in that period. The jobs shortage is particularly problematic for a country like India where annually 12 million people reach employment age. The economy has not grown fast enough to absorb so many people, economists say. Also, the increase in workforce for every percent rise in gross domestic product has shrunk: the economy will have to grow at 10% to raise employment by 1%, said Basole of Azim Premji University. In the 1970s and 1980s, when GDP growth was 3% to 4%, employment grew around 2%, Basole has found. Back in Punjab, Blue Line counsellor Lovepreet said business was booming, with his agency handling some 40 clients a day. "I have been doing this for four years," said the 27-year-old, who gave only one name. "I am off to Canada myself, this year or next year. Politicians keep promising us government jobs, but no one delivers." (Reporting by Krishna N. Das and Aftab Ahmed; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) (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.) Senior leader RPN Singh resigned from the party on Tuesday, a day after being named as one of the party's star campaigners. Sources said he was miffed over the party affairs in his home district of Padrauna as he was not taken into confidence on many issues related to the party's functioning on his turf. Singh tweeted: "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind." A former Union Minister of State for Home, Singh has been MLA and MP from the party and also was in-charge of the party in Jharkhand. The has been facing a major exodus of its leaders in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, three candidates named by the party switched sides to other parties. Singh will be a high profile exit from UP after Jitin Prasada, who quit the party and now is a minister in the Yogi government. Singh is an influential leader in his area, but could not win two consecutive elections on the Congress ticket. R.P.N. Singh sent his resignation to the Congress President and wrote that he is resigning from the primary membership. Singh is likely to join the BJP as he has changed his Twitter bio to "my motto, India first always." (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Tuesday accused the of promoting gun culture and sought to corner its president over the Pakistan remark. An interview in the Economic Times quoted Yadav to have said that India's real enemy is China while Pakistan is a political enemy, which the BJP attacks for its "vote politics". "Those who do not think Pakistan is an enemy and consider Jinnah a friend, what can be said about their education and vision. They call themselves socialists but the truth is that 'tamanchawad' (gun culture) is running in their veins," said in a tweet in Hindi without taking any name. Earlier, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had also attacked Yadav over the issue, saying this shows his mindset and he should tender an apology to the country for the comments which show his love for Pakistan. "What the SP president has said is very unfortunate and disappointing," Patra had remarked on Monday. (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.) All eyes are on the Panjim Assembly seat in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly after former chief minister (CM) Manohar Parrikars son Utpal quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and announced his intention to contest the seat as an Independent candidate when he was denied a BJP nomination. This, and the resignation of former CM Laxmikant Parsekar from the party, has caused upheaval in the BJP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be visiting Goa on January 30 to sort things out. What spices up the Panjim contest ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor Congress leader RPN Singh on Tuesday joined the BJP in the presence of the saffron party's Uttar Pradesh in-charge and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Singh is the second big exit from the Congress in Uttar Pradesh after Jitin Prasada quit it last year. Prasada joined the BJP and later became a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government. "This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation building under the visionary leadership & guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP president Shri @JPNadda ji & Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah ji," Singh, a former Union minister, had tweeted before his joining. Besides Pradhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the Congress to join the BJP and is a Union minister, was also present for Singh's joining in ceremony. Singh was also the in-charge for Jharkhand affairs of the Congress, where the party is in power along with the JMM. He has earlier represented the Padrauna assembly constituency and had defeated Swami Prasad Maurya from Kushinagar in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. I spent 32 years in one political party (Congress). But that party has not remained the same as it was before. I will work as a 'Karyakarta' towards fulfilling PM Modi's dreams for India: RPN Singh on joining Bharatiya Janata Party pic.twitter.com/lxjA3fgUoq ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2022 Singh was on Monday included in the Congress list of 30 star campaigners for the first phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh. (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 Escher String Quartet is scheduled to appear on the Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg's concert series Feb. 1 in the Williamsburg Regional Library Theater. Courtesy of Escher String Quartet (HANDOUT) For close to 40 years, the Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg has dedicated itself to presenting some of the finest chamber music available to the community. That dedication to excellence continues with its upcoming presentation of the Escher Quartet, which takes to the Williamsburg Regional Library Theater stage at 8 p.m. Feb. 1. Formed in 2005, the New York-based ensemble quickly drew the attention of Pinchas Zukerman and Itzhak Perlman to be quartet-in-residence in their respective music festivals, as well as collaborators with the likes of Joshua Bell, jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman, Latin artist Paquito DRivera, acclaimed clarinetist David Shifrin, and Grammy winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux. Advertisement The ensemble also quickly gained international attention and acclaim for its ability to produce carefully interwoven, deeply blended connections of sound, expressive deliveries, and clarity, qualities that define its namesake inspiration Dutch artist M.C. Escher and his fascinating, insightful images derived from his interplay of elements. Affiliated with the esteemed Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and widely sought-after for major European venues, Escher will bring to its program works by Mozart, Bartok, Beethoven and George Walker. Of the four, Walker is the least known and the most anticipated on the program. Walker was a composer, pianist and organist who wrote orchestral, chamber and solo works, as well as voice, the latter which won him a Pulitzer Prize in Music for Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra, making him the first African American recipient. His works are founded in the traditions of classical, jazz, folk and church music. Advertisement Lyric for Strings, composed as a tribute to his grandmother who was enslaved, is considered one of his most popular and performed orchestral pieces. For information about the concert and ticket availability, email info@chambermusicwilliamsburg.org. Dewey Decibel Series On Feb. 4, the Williamsburg Regional Librarys Dewey Decibel Series will be presenting Victor Haskins & SKEIN. Haskins, who teaches jazz trumpet, improvisation and the Jazz Ensemble at William & Mary, has been called a visionary, multi-instrumentalist, multidisciplinary artist, international performer, composer, improviser, bandleader and educator. Hes established an international reputation for innovative and thought-provoking music, much of which tends to be an intellectual drive to express human experiences and their universal impacts. SKEIN, according to his website, refers to either a complicated arrangement or situation and a flock of wild geese or swans in flight. In relation to his music, it seems to blend the definitions into an interplay, often improvisational, between his ensemble. The compositions are Haskins-originals, each targeted for a specific combination of players, much of them embracing interpretative rhythms drawn from Candomble rhythms, the latter being an Afro-Brazilian religion founded in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The program takes place 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Library Theater. Tickets: $5 (Friends of WRL $4). For more information, call 757-741-3370 or go to wrl.org/event/dewey-decibel-concerts-victor-haskins-skein. Upcoming exhibit Pastels will be the featured exhibit at the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Centers upcoming exhibit, running Feb. 9 through March 4. The artwork, about 50 to 60 pieces, will be presented in the main gallery by WCAC members of the Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society. According to Jeanne Kouhestani, media director at WCAC, MAPS is a relatively new nonprofit organization, formed in 2015 to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of pastels as a fine-art medium. There are about a hundred members of all skill levels across several states in the mid-Atlantic region. MAPS offers them bi-monthly programs, critiques, educational training and opportunities to exhibit. Running concurrently with the pastel exhibit in the Fireside Gallery will be a WCAC members exhibit called Pet Parade. Kouhestani expects this to be a big show and will likely include traditional pets in multiple mediums and styles but other animals as well. Advertisement The Artisan Corner, part of the Fireside Gallery, will also feature new 3-D creations in jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, and other mediums by members. The center is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information about the exhibits or submissions, call 229-4949 or email visitWCAC@gmail.com. Ewell Concert Series William & Marys Ewell Concert Series has historically presented interesting and intellectually focused musical events held in intimate settings. The tradition continues Feb. 11, with the presentation of Miramar with the Rosette String Quartet. Co-presented with the Williamsburg Regional Librarys Dewey Decibel series, the program will take place in the Library Theatre. The groups repertoire focuses on music from Latin America, much of its highlighting female composers and music from Puerto Rico. Miramar seeks to merge music and poetry into a product with harmonies that have been described as lush and exquisite, with NPR calling the blending of Rei Alvarez and Laura Ann Singhs voices a spare and elegant invocation of heritage. According to a news release, Alvarez, Singh and pianist Marlysse Simmons, who also composes all string and orchestral arrangements, write original compositions that infuse key components of the traditional bolero and bolero-rock with their own wide-reaching musical influences. In addition to bolero-inspired pieces, Miramar occasionally offers songs from Greece and Russia that evolved from, what Miramar calls, similar international romantic song movements of the 1960s. Advertisement While based in Richmond where they have collaborated with the Richmond Symphony, Miramar regularly performs in venues between Richmond and Brooklyn, New York, as well as Stanford University, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. The group has also toured France and Russia, the latter locale including performing with local string quartets and outreach programs. The program is open to the public; a pre-concert artist talk takes place at 5:30 p.m. and the program takes place at 7 p.m. in the Library Theater. The Ewell Series will also present celebrated jazz saxophonist, composer, producer and educator Greg Osby on Feb. 25 in the Williamsburg Regional Library Theater. Osby has had a major impact on contemporary instrumental music for 35-some years, performing with his ensembles and such acclaimed jazz folk as Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack DeJohnette, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Chick Corea and The Grateful Dead. He was also a member of the M-Base Collective, a whos who of African American musicians involved in highly creative, improvisatory music that is inspired by musicians personal experiences and perspectives, nontraditional compositional musical structure and, according to an M-Base site, creative music of the Afrikan Diaspora. Osby is a prolific and award-winning recording artist whose appearances have been called passionate, who has been called one of the most provocative musical thinkers of his generation by The New York Times. The concert is open to the public. There is a pre-concert artist talk at 5:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Williamsburg Regional Library Theater. For more information, go to events.wm.edu/event/view/music/126806. Have news about arts events in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com. The exit' doors of the swung open wider on Tuesday with senior leader RPN Singh striding out to join the BJP, abandoning decades-old familial associations to leave a party that that had only the day before listed him as a star campaigner in Uttar Pradesh. Singh is the latest to join the leave Congress' bandwagon of leaders close to Rahul Gandhi -- Gen Next' not just in terms of their age but also because they were following in the footsteps of their fathers to be part of a party now struggling to shore up its dwindling electoral fortunes ahead of crucial assembly polls. Singh, a former Union minister and son of the late leader CPN Singh, has joined the ranks of Jitin Prasada and Jyotiraditya Scindia who, too, quit the party to join the over the last couple of years. While Prasada is the son of Jitendra Prasada, Scindia's father was Madhavrao Scindia, both veterans. According to political observer Rasheed Kidwai, author of 24 Akbar Road: A short history of the people behind the fall and rise of the Congress, there is a pattern in those leaving the Congress. They were mostly dynasts who got high posts at an early age and had not been ordinary Congress workers. He also said the Congress was facing the problem of being unable to split itself as had happened in the 1960s, and leaders continue to pull in different directions. That the Congress had on Monday listed Singh as one of its 30 star campaigners for the first phase of in Uttar Pradesh is indication that the leadership may have been taken by surprise with his decision to join the move, observers point out. Soon after Singh quit the party and joined the BJP, the Congress said it is fighting an ideological battle in which only those with courage can carry on and not cowards. Singh, from an erstwhile royal family, was the party's in-charge for Jharkhand where the party is in power along with the JMM. He earlier represented the Padrauna assembly constituency and had defeated Swami Prasad Maurya from Kushinagar in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Maurya recently quit the to join the Samajwadi Party. Singh, 57, was fulsome in his praise of the prime minister and the Union home minister. "This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation building under the visionary leadership & guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, president Shri @JPNadda ji & Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah ji," Singh tweeted before his joining. He joined the BJP in the presence of the saffron party's Uttar Pradesh in-charge and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan as well as Scindia. Both Scindia and Prasada also posted welcome messages for Singh. "A warm welcome to senior leader and my brother Shri @singhRPN in the BJP family...I am sure that your excellent experience in public service will give more strength and energy to the resolve for the development of the party," Scindia said on Twitter. Prasada's post said, "I welcome my friend and brother @SinghRPN to the BJP as he joins the movement under PM @narendramodi ji's leadership to work for India's rapid growth and development to establish its supremacy in the next decade." Singh's exit comes just months after Sushmita Dev, also considered close to Rahul Gandhi, quit the Congress to join the TMC. The story of senior leaders leaving the Congress for the BJP began ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha when the party lost Haryana heavyweights Birender Singh and Rao Inderjit Singh. Both went on to become ministers in Modi's first cabinet. Rao Inderjit, who was Textiles minister in the UPA government, continues to be the minister of state for Statistics and Programme Implementation in the present dispensation. There have been others too. Then Assam Congress stalwart Himanta Biswa Sarma left for the BJP in 2015 and rose up the saffron ladder to become the chief minister of Assam last month. Some other prominent Congress leaders and former union ministers in UPA rule who quit the party and joined the BJP include S M Krishna and Jayanti Natarajan. Krishna has also been the former chief minister of Karnataka and Natarajan was the Union environment minister in UPA. The Congress also lost once Gandhi family loyalist and former scion of the former Amethi royal family Sanjay Sinh to the BJP last year. Former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane and its then leader of opposition in state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil quit to join the BJP in 2019. It also suffered a jolt in 2019 in Assam when its chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, Bhubaneswar Kalita, suddenly quit and joined the BJP. He is now a BJP Rajya Sabha member from the state. Also in the Northeast, the Congress suffered setbacks when its former chief minister in Manipur N Biren Singh joined the BJP in 2016, citing differences with then incumbent Ibobi Singh. In Arunachal Pradesh, present Chief Minister Pema Khandu also left the Congress in 2016 before the . In Uttar Pradesh too, ahead of 2017 assembly elections, former state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi quit the party and is currently serving as a minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet. Other prominent faces who left the Congress in the recent past include Tamil actor Khushboo Sundar and former Congress spokesperson Tom Vaddakan, both of whom joined the BJP. While the leaders quitting the Congress have cited various reasons for quitting, from not being heard by the leadership to leaving for better prospects, the party has repeatedly called out their weak ideological moorings. Elections to the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur begin next month, an exercise being seen as a crucial litmus test for all parties before the general elections in 2024. (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.) Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party president, along with Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh of and State president L Jayantakumar Singh on Sunday virtually released the manifesto (Action Document 2022) for the upcoming Assembly elections. is among the five states slated to go to the polls next month. "Released the Manifesto for the Manipur Elections 2022 along with Dy. CM Manipur, Sh. Joykumar Singh, State Working President, Sh. Jayantakumar Singh and Arunachal State President, Sh. Mutchu Mithi," tweeted Sangma. Earlier on Sunday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party would form the government in Manipur with more than a two-third majority and added that the central leadership of will take the call on the party's chief minister's face for the state Assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Biren Singh that the will contest all 60 Assembly seats. "Ticket finalisation is with the central leadership. will contest on all 60 seats. Earlier we got 21 seats, this time we will get double of it. We are working hard for the two-thirds majority", stated Biren Singh. Polling in Manipur will be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3 and the votes will be counted on March 10. The tenure of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, which consists of 60 members, is scheduled to end on March 19, 2022. After the 2017 Assembly polls, a coalition of BJP, National People's Party (NPP), Naga People's Front and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) formed the government under the leadership of N Biren Singh. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the Assembly elections, Congress leader will be visiting Punjab on January 27, informed state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday. Taking to Twitter, Sidhu said, "Our Visionary leader Ji is visiting Punjab on January 27. Every Congress worker looks forward to welcoming him in Punjab." According to the schedule shared by Sidhu, the former Congress President will begin his tour from Amritsar by paying obeisance at Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir and Bhagwan Valmiki Mandir along with the 117 candidates, before proceeding towards Jalandhar by road. In Jalandhar, the Congress MP will also conduct a virtual rally "Punjab Fateh" at White Diamond, Mithapur, Jalandhar. Punjab will go to the assembly polls on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Just weeks ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, leader RPN Singh quit the party on Tuesday and joined the BJP, in a setback to the grand old party, which is already battling for its existence in the state. Singh, who was named as a star campaigner on Monday by the for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, posted his resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi on Twitter with a caption "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind." A former Union minister in the UPA II government, the 57-year-old leader joined the at the party headquarters here, evoking a sharp reaction from leaders, including spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, who called him a "coward". Singh was also the Congress in charge for Jharkhand, where the party is in power along with the JMM. Though Singh was not considered a pan-UP leader and his exit may have a limited impact on the election prospects of the Congress in the upcoming polls, politically his quitting is significant as he was considered close to Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. His exit also does not bode well for the Congress, which is seeking to revive itself in Uttar Pradesh, where it has remained out of power for three decades and only managed seven seats in the 403-member state assembly in 2017. By bringing in Singh, a kurmi leader, an OBC in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the is also seeking to neutralise the effect of OBC leader Swami Prasad Mourya's exit from the party. There is also speculation that the may field Singh from Padrauna, the assembly seat he represented thrice from 1996 to 2007. He later resigned from the assembly and contested Lok Sabha polls. Singh, also a scion of the royal family from Padrauna, had defeated Maurya from Kushinagar in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. However, Singh lost both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha from Kushinagar. The Congress has been losing its young leaders to the BJP, especially those considered close to Rahul Gandhi. Singh is the second big exit from the Congress in Uttar Pradesh after Jitin Prasada, who quit last year. Prasada joined the BJP and later became a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government. Shortly after he tweeted his resignation, Singh further said, "this is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation-building under the visionary leadership & guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP president Shri @JPNadda ji & Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah ji." He joined the saffron party in the presence of BJP's Uttar Pradesh in-charge and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and two deputy chief ministers in the state. After joining the BJP, Singh said the Congress is not the same party where he worked for 32 long years and wants to contribute to the nation's development while reposing faith in Prime Minister Modi. Later, Singh also posted "My motto India, First, Always" as his description on his Twitter page. Sharply reacting to his departure from the Congress, Shrinate said, "to fight this battle for truth and ideals, one needs strength and courage and cowards can't fight this battle." Echoing similar sentiments, another Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said Singh was ''not fully committed" towards the party's ideology and that is why he left this fight midway to join the saffron party. Besides Pradhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the Congress to join the BJP and is a Union minister, was also present at the ceremony to induct Singh. Singh became youth Congress President of Uttar Pradesh in 1997 and AICC Secretary in 2003. He was elected to Lok Sabha in 2009. Several Congress leaders including some of its MLAs have quit the grand old party in the recent past. These include a big Muslim leader Imran Masood from western Uttar Pradesh. The face of the Congress campaign for women 'Ladki hoon, Lad Sakti hoon' in Priyanka Maurya has also quit the party. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With Covid curbs in place and less than a month to go for the February 14 Assembly polls, both the and the in Uttarakhand are making the optimum use of to reach out to voters. Amid the ban on poll rallies, the has already held 18 virtual meetings through its two studios set up in Dehradun and Haldwani, party's IT head Himanshu Sangtani told PTI. The meetings have been addressed by a host of party leaders, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, state president Madan Kaushik, Union Minister of State Ajay Bhatt, former Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Vijay Bahuguna, he said. "The chief speaker and the candidate join the electorate through these studios at these virtual meetings and we stream the address live through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube," he said. "Each of the virtual meetings held so far got around one lakh views on an average," Sangtani said. With Covid curbs likely to be eased from February 1, more virtual rallies to be addressed by the party's star campaigners like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP president JP Nadda will be held, he said. The schedule of the programme of the party's star campaigners is being worked out in Delhi, he said. platforms like Facebook are also being used by the party to connect with the electorate, party functionaries here said. "There are around 35 lakh Facebook users in Uttarakhand and we have reached out to about 20 lakh of them," BJP's internet media cell head Shekhar Verma said. When asked whether candidates have a disadvantage due to the restrictions on actual poll rallies, Verma said though there can be no substitute to actual meetings that help the candidates connect directly with voters, with the smartphone in almost all hands, the option of outreach has also become hassle-free. The has also deployed it's team of 400 social media volunteers to spread the party's message via around 1,500 party workers using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and around 150 of its official WhatsApp groups, party's media cell coordinator Amarjeet Singh told PTI. A team of 50 content creators conceives and designs the matter to be floated in the form of audio-video clips or cartoons to take the failures of BJP government and the achievements of previous governments to the masses through social media platforms, he said "For example, around 50,000 users joined the party's campaign of Char Dham, Char Kam, which was trending across social media platforms on Monday," Singh claimed. The Congress launched the theme song of the party's election campaign, "Char Dham Char Kam", in Dehradun on Monday, making four promises to people if elected to power. The promises included Rs 40,000 per annum to five lakh families in the state and not letting the LPG cylinder price cross Rs 500. The party has not held many virtual meetings so far except the few addressed by Harish Rawat from Delhi for Almora and Didihat constituencies as most prominent party leaders were in the national capital until recently, he said. " Now, most of them are back and the process will pick up momentum in the coming days. Easing of Covid curbs likely from February 1 will also bring some relief to us as larger rallies of around 500 people will be possible," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The branches of beleaguered Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC) began functioning as branches of Unity Small Bank (Unity SFB) from Tuesday. The Government of India on Tuesday notified the scheme of amalgamation of with Unity Small Bank. Reserve Bank of India, in a statement, said, The scheme of amalgamation notified today (January 25, 2022) envisages takeover of the assets and liabilities of PMC Bank, including deposits, by the Unity Small Bank in terms of the provisions of the scheme. It had 137 branches as of March 2019. Unity SFB, which is a 51:49 joint venture between the Centrum Group and Bharat Pe, is making necessary arrangements to implement the provisions of the scheme, said. Unity SFB started its operations in November last year after receiving a final nod from the central bank. The promoters of Unity Small Finance Bank along with the joint investor have infused a capital of Rs 1,105.10 crore in Unity Small Finance Bank as on November 1, 2021. Further, equity warrants of Rs 1,900 crore, to be exercised anytime within a total period of eight years, have been issued by Unity SFB on November 1, 2021 to the promoters to bring further capital. According to amalgamation scheme, the transferee bank (Unity SFB) shall have the option of merging branches of transferor bank (PMC Bank) according to its convenience and may close down or shift the existing branches, as per the extant instructions issued by the Reserve Bank. In September 2019, the had superseded the board of and placed it under regulatory restrictions, including cap on withdrawals by its customers, after detection of certain financial irregularities, hiding and misreporting of loans given to real estate developer HDIL. According to the amalgamation allowed quick relief to depositors with savings of up to Rs five lakh, but a long wait for those who had more than Rs 5 lakh as deposits with bank. Around 96 per cent, or 880,000 of 924,000, depositors will get their full money straightaway after PMC is merged with Unity SFB. According to the scheme, retail investors may get up to Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) instantly, and then some more in phases till they can recall their full deposits after 10 years. However, they will not get any interest accrued on their deposits for five years after March 31, 2021. Afterwards, a simple interest at the rate of 2.75 per cent. per annum will be paid at the end of each year for the amounts remaining outstanding which shall be payable from the date after five years from the appointed date. The scheme suggests deposits up to Rs 5 lakh will be returned now, another Rs 50,000 after two years. Another Rs 1 lakh (total Rs 6.5 lakh) withdrawal is allowed after three years, and another Rs 3 lakh after four years (Rs 9.5 lakh); then another Rs 5.5 lakh after five years. In total, depositors with deposits up to Rs 15 lakh will get the entire money after five years. had total deposits of Rs 10,727.12 crore, total advances of Rs 4,472.78 crore and gross NPA of Rs 3,518.89 crore as of March 31, 2020. The troubled multi-state co-operative bank has 924,345 depositors, of which, 20,645 depositors have deposits of more than Rs 10 lakh. The amount stuck is Rs 7,126 crore, which is 60 per cent of the total Rs 11,800-crore in deposits. Unity SFB has appointed Vinod Rai, the former comptroller and auditor general of India, as chairman of Unity SFB. Apart from Rai, the SFB has appointed Sandip Ghose, an veteran, Basant Seth, the former chairman and managing director of erstwhile Syndicate Bank, and Subhash Kutte, former chairman RBL Bank to its board to guide its journey in becoming a successful digital bank. The European Parliament voted to approve the initial draft of a bill that aims to curb Big Techs invasive advertising practices (via Bloomberg). The Parliament adopted the draft with 530 votes of approval, 78 against, and 80 absentations. The Digital Services Act, which was first introduced in 2020, will prevent platforms, like Google, Amazon, and the Meta-owned Facebook, from using sensitive information, such as sexual orientation, race, and religion for targeted . It will require services to give users the ability to easily opt out of tracking, and pressures platforms to remove illegal content and products online, including hate speech or counterfeit goods. The bill provides for more transparent and informed choice for the recipients of digital services, including information on how their data will be monetised. With a huge majority, the European Parliament adopted the Digital Services Act, Dutch politician and Parliament member Paul Tang wrote on Twitter. A big win, with support from left to right. The approved proposal also includes two rules that the Parliament agreed on last month: a ban on both targeted for minors and dark patterns, a practice that some platforms use to trick users into agreeing to share their data. Any company in violation of these policies could face fines of up to six percent of its global revenue. As noted by Bloomberg, the Digital Services Act still has more hurdles to overcome; negotiations with the European Council start on January 31. US Democrats introduced a similar bill last week, which would also ban targeted advertising if passed. According to the bill, very large online platforms (VLOPs) will be subject to specific obligations due to the particular risks they pose regarding the dissemination of both illegal and harmful content. The recipients of digital services and organisations representing them must be able to seek redress for any damages resulting from platforms not respecting their due diligence obligations. "Online platforms should be prohibited from using deceiving or nudging techniques to influence users' behaviour through 'dark patterns', it added. By Elizabeth Howcroft LONDON (Reuters) - European stocks opened higher on Tuesday, after a downbeat Asian session, with world stocks set for their biggest monthly drop since the pandemic hit in March 2020. The move is attributed to fears over tensions between Russia and the West and the prospect of monetary policy tightening. A build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine's border has caused fears that Russia will invade. NATO said on Monday it was putting forcing on standby and reinforcing eastern Europe with more ships and fighter jets. The U.S. Federal Reserve begins its two-day meeting on Tuesday. It is expected to give guidance about the trajectory of monetary policy tightening ahead of the meeting in March in which investors expect the first post-pandemic rate hike. Tightening monetary policy typically hurts riskier assets, such as equities, and makes government bonds more attractive to investors. After a weak Asian session in which stock indexes extended Wall Street's losses, opened higher. The STOXX 600 was up 0.5%, showing some signs of recovery after it dropped to its lowest since October on Monday. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.3%. But the MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 50 countries, was down 0.2%. World stocks have fallen 6.5% so far this month, the most since the 13.8% monthly drop when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in February 2020. "What we have seen in a combination of the rising geopolitical risk ... in combination with the market downside risk triggered by the more hawkish Fed," said Eddie Cheng, head of multi-asset investment at Allspring Global Investments. Cheng said the geopolitical risk surrounding Ukraine would last for much longer, whereas investors were likely to get more certainty from the Fed at the meeting this week. The world equity index has fallen below its 200-day moving average. The last time this happened, stocks had a 30% drop and bounce. But Allspring's Cheng said there was unlikely to be such a drop this time, in the absence of a driver as big as the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We don't expect that equities are going to go all the way down just because of one geopolitical risk," he said. The sell-off in equities had limited impact on rates markets, with investors pricing in about 100 basis points of rate hikes for the Federal Reserve and Bank of England this year. Although investors do not expect a rate hike at this week's Fed meeting, the market is pricing in a 5.4% chance of this happening, according to Refinitiv data on Eikon. At 0915 GMT, the U.S. 10-year yield was at 1.7778%, a touch higher on the day. Germany's benchmark 10-year yield was up 3 bps at -0.073%, with bonds supported by the risk-averse tone. The U.S. dollar index was up 0.2% at 96.07, while euro-dollar slipped. Oil prices recovered some of the previous day's losses, as the geopolitical tensions fuelled supply fears. Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies slipped further. Bitcoin was trading around $36,230 dollars. On Monday it hit a six-month low of $32,950.72, having halved since its latest all-time high of $69,000 hit in November. (Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft; editing by David Evans) (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.) says its helping millions of the worlds poorest people get online through apps and services that allow them to use internet data free. Internal company documents show that many of these people end up being charged in amounts that collectively add up to an estimated millions of dollars a month. To attract new users, (FB) made deals with cellular carriers in countries including Pakistan, Indonesia and the Philippines to let low-income earners use a limited version of and browse some other websites without data charges. Many of the users have inexpensive cellphone plans that cost just a few dollars a month, often prepaid, for service and a small amount of internet data. Because of software problems at Facebook, which it has known about and failed to correct for months, people using the apps in free mode are getting unexpectedly charged by local cellular carriers for using data. In many cases they only discover this when their prepaid plans are drained of funds. In internal documents, employees of Facebook parent Meta acknowledge this is a problem. Charging people for services Facebook says are free breaches our transparency principle, an employee wrote in an October memo. In the year ended July 2021, charges made by the cellular carriers to users of Facebooks free-data products grew to an estimated total of $7.8 million a month, when purchasing power adjustments were made, from about $1.3 million a year earlier, according to a Facebook document. Facebook calls the problem leakage, since paid services are leaking into the free apps and services. It defines leakage in internal documents as, When users are in Free Mode and believe that the data they are using is being covered by their carrier networks, even though these users are actually paying for the data themselves. Germany's refusal to join other members in providing weapons to has annoyed some allies and raised questions about Berlin's resolve in standing up to . The issue rose to the fore over the weekend following a report that Berlin had gone so far as to block Estonia from supplying old German howitzers to Kyiv to help defend itself against Russian troops massing near the Ukrainian the border. Germany's stance on arms supplies does not correspond to the level of our relations and the current security situation", Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. Speaking to reporters Monday in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denied a decision had been made on the howitzers and insisted that his country stands with its and European Union allies in opposing any Russian incursion into . Should this situation occur, we will jointly act," he told reporters. "There would be a high price. Still, while would continue to provide help to Ukraine, there would be one exception, he said: We don't provide any lethal weapons." That stance, criticised in Kyiv and -- less loudly -- in Washington and London, has caused consternation among some in who worry that their country may not be considered a reliable partner. How many in Berlin are actually aware how our seemingly confused policy harms not just (Germany) but the entire EU? asked Wolfgang Ischinger, Germany's former ambassador to the United States and now head of the annual Munich Security Conference. Experts say Germany's position is partly rooted in its inglorious history of aggression during the 20th century. There's the obvious legacy of Germany's own militarisation in Europe during two world wars that has led many German leaders to view any military response as the last resort, said Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director of the Europe, and Eurasia programme at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and Studies. That attitude could backfire, she said. The current government does not seem to grasp that sending defensive weapons to Ukraine might actually deter further Russian aggression. And while has pointed to its restrictive position on arms exports to conflict zones in the past, analysts say the rule has not been consistently applied. "There have always been borderline cases here, such as the Kosovo war or support for the Kurds against IS in Syria, said Sabine Fischer, a senior expert at the German Institute for and Security Affairs. The debate over German weapons was unfolding days after the head of the German navy resigned following criticism at home and abroad for comments he made on Ukraine and Russia. Speaking at an event Friday in India, Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach said it was important to have Russia on the same side against China and suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin deserved respect. With Scholz's Social Democrats steeped in the legacy of Cold War rapprochement pursued by his predecessor Willy Brandt, and the Greens rooted in a tradition of pacifism, two out of Germany's three governing parties would balk at the idea of supplying arms to a non- country in a conflict with Russia. But letting Estonia pass on the old Soviet-designed 122-mm D-30 howitzers to Ukraine might be an acceptable compromise. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made clear that, qualms about exporting arms to Ukraine aside, Berlin takes a dim view of Russia's behaviour. In recent weeks, more than 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and guns have gathered near Ukraine for no understandable reason. And it's hard not to see that as a threat," she said during a recent visit to Moscow. Speaking alongside her Russian counterpart -- whom she referred to as dear colleague -- Baerbock acknowledged the suffering and destruction that we Germans brought upon the peoples of the Soviet Union during the Nazi era, but warned that Germany was willing to consider tough steps if Russia acts against Ukraine. This includes calling into question the future of the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline meant to bring much-needed natural gas from Russia to Germany. Such a move against its biggest energy supplier would come at a high price for Germany, too. With plans to switch off its last three nuclear power plants this year and phase out the use of coal by 2030, Germany's reliance on gas will increase in the short term until enough renewable energy comes online, said Georg Zachmann, a senior fellow at the Bruegel economic think tank in Brussels. Yet German officials believe that being a large customer of Russian gas can give it leverage, as Moscow won't want to harm its reputation as a reliable supplier of gas, painstakingly built up over decades. Speaking Monday at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Baerbock said the German government's priority is to deescalate the situation over Ukraine, dampening allies' calls for military support to Kyiv and swift new sanctions against Moscow. Berlin will have to deal with the criticism that is now coming from Ukraine, other European countries and Washington, Fischer said. At the same time, Germany remains an important player in the negotiations surrounding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and, I predict, will continue to support sanctions and other measures in the future. (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.) Over his years in the Hampton Roads area Bert Aaron has been a big contributor to the arts. He has been named the Daily Press Citizen of the Year for his support of local charities and the Virginia Symphony. (Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press) Bertram Aaron died on Dec. 31, 2021, just days shy of his 100th birthday. But those who knew him best didnt lament that he missed that milestone. In the near-century Aaron spent on earth, he had accomplished many lifetimes worth of laudable goals. A lifelong learner, activist and philanthropist, Aaron touched countless lives, especially on the Peninsula, where he resided during the first and last decades of his life. Aarons community-minded work, which never slowed in the last decades of his life, earned him recognition as the 2018 Daily Press Citizen of the Year an honor bestowed on him at age 97. Advertisement Aaron was born in Newport News, the son of a successful merchant who taught him business fundamentals and the importance of good relationships. In 1943, Aaron graduated from Virginia Tech, where he organized the first signal corps in the universitys Corps of Cadets. He later served with distinction in the Pacific Theater as a U.S. Army officer during World War II. After his military service, he embarked on a long and distinguished civilian career in electronics, engineering and national defense that took him to several places around the United States. Aaron and his first wife, Marcia, had three children, two of whom are now doctors and the third an entrepreneur. Advertisement When retirement came calling in 1990, Aaron returned home to the Peninsula, settling in Williamsburg. But if his retirement was well-deserved after a long and fruitful career, the following chapters of his life would best be described as anything but settling down. His heart and mind wouldnt allow it. Gladys Aaron and Bert Aaron, founder of the Virginia Symphony Society of Greater Williamsburg pose at the society's 10th annual black-tie gala at Two Rivers Country Club in Williamsburg on April 16, 2016. Sonya Paclob/Freelance file (Daily Press) Bert was kind, giving and bright, said his widow, Gladys Aaron. He was bigger than life. Many of the people who knew Bert Aaron he shortened his given name with an apostrophe agree that one of his fundamental character traits was problem-solving. When he saw a way to improve something, he sprung into action. Breast cancer touched Aarons life twice, and each time he fought back against those personal brushes with loss. After his first wife died of the disease, Aaron helped start a support group for breast cancer patients and their families at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. After his second wife, Judith, died of breast cancer, Aaron, by then a retiree, was instrumental in organizing an educational symposium in Williamsburg to raise awareness and visibility for the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, according to longtime foundation board member and volunteer Jennie Davies. His leadership of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundations mid-1990s Breast Cancer Educational Symposium really put VBCF on the map as an example of what could be done by a grassroots organization, Davies said. Aarons work on behalf of breast cancer survivors was just one example of his drive to improve the world. Much of his effort focused on making the arts as accessible as possible for the community. Aaron and his wife Gladys organized the Virginia Symphony Society of Greater Williamsburg when waning local support meant that Virginia Symphony Orchestra, based in Norfolk, might no longer perform in the Historic Triangle. Barbara Vollmer, former society president, said that ambition was part of who Aaron was. He believed in the transformative power of the arts, and the benefits of a strong relationship between the symphony and the Historic Triangle. Advertisement He served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Symphony Society for a quarter century, and the organization remains a local source of support for a symphony that brings world-class musicians to town. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Under Aarons guidance, the society hosted fundraisers and helped sponsor a program that allowed symphony musicians to make appearances in Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools classrooms. That was Aarons forte, according to Pat Rublein, former executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads, thinking outside the box. One of his early actions with the Virginia Symphony Society, Rublein said, was writing a grant proposal to help the symphony purchase a truck. Aaron knew that fine details and behind-the-scenes work were just as important as the more glamorous and visible jobs. It is little things like that that really keeps organizations going and Bert knew that, she said. Rublein is now chair of the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, a post once held by Aaron. He was unwavering in his belief in the importance of the arts, Rublein said. He was always about improving the quality of our community, she said. Advertisement Aaron also took a leading role in the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg. His formula for securing support from local businesses and organizations was bold and direct, according to longtime Kiwanis Club member Bob Petterson. There was not person or organization that Bert wouldnt approach for help, he said. He always went to the decision maker straight to the top. Thats how Aaron was able to secure Kiwanis Club speaking engagements from national politicians, CEOs and other distinguished guests, according to Gary Ripple, executive director of Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg Foundation. Aarons outlook on life was optimism on steroids, he said. He knew he had lived a good life and was blessed by good fortune, Ripple said, and Aaron wanted to share those gifts with others around him. Many members of the community remember that Aaron led by example. Christopher Newport University officials reached out to Aaron to help find support when the schools Department of Philosophy and Religion sought to create an endowed professorship in Jewish studies. Instead of just serving in an advisory role, Aaron and his wife also provided the lead gift. Department Chair Kip Redick said that Aaron was on the search committee to fill what became the Bertram & Gladys Aaron Professor of Jewish Studies. Redick recalls that Aarons involvement at CNU was all about serving. Advertisement He did not try to steer the search committee in any particular direction or take over, even though he provided the principal funds, Redick said. While the department had experts in many of the worlds religions, it lacked an expert in Judaism, and their gift allowed the university to bring that crucial academic concentration into the fold. Another important component, Redick said, is that it afforded an opportunity to reach out to the local Jewish community. Its been a great thing for our students, department, the university and community, he said. But as much as Aarons life was devoted to making life better for others, he was also deliberate about pursuing meaningful experiences for himself and his family. Bert and Gladys Aaron were avid travelers, for instance. We traveled all over the world and had fascinating experiences together, Gladys Aaron said. Virginia Gazette columnist Frank Shatz knew Aaron well and in a recent column honoring Aarons life, Shatz underscored not only the remarkable scope of Bert and Gladys Aarons globetrotting, but also how those travels informed his interactions with Shatz and other members of the community. Advertisement Bert had a way with words, bringing a smile to peoples faces, Shatz said. Rabbi David Katz of Temple Beth El, where the Aarons were congregants, said that Aarons memorial service had to be modified because of the pandemic, with close family attending in person and others participating through Zoom. The private streaming of the service quickly reached its 100-person limit. Writing Aarons eulogy was a difficult task, Katz said. It was almost impossible to pick specific stories, because there were so many fascinating things that he did in his life, he said. All that he accomplished over 10 decades was fueled by his innate generosity and love for others, Gladys Aaron said. He frequently reminded her of his love, even in his final hours. We loved each other dearly, she said. We had a wonderful life together. The UN General Assembly said Monday that Iran, Guinea and Vanuatu had paid sufficient back dues to the United Nations' regular operating budget to regain their voting rights in the 193-member world body. That leaves only two countries -- Venezuela and Papua New Guinea -- without the right to vote in the General Assembly. The UN Charter states that members whose arrears equal or exceed the amount of their contributions for the preceding two full years lose their voting rights. But it also gives the General Assembly the authority to decide "that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the member" and in that case, a country can continue to vote. According to a letter to the assembly from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres circulated on January 12, eight countries lost their voting rights. Three of those countries -- Sudan, Antigua and Barbuda, and Republic of Congo -- paid enough of their owed dues last week to regain their right to vote. The General Assembly decided that three African countries on the list of nations in arrears -- Comoros, Sao Tome, and Principe and Somalia -- would be able to keep their voting rights. According to Guterres' letter, the minimum payments needed to restore voting rights were USD 18,412,438 for Iran, USD 39,850,761 for Venezuela and USD 299,044 for Sudan. The five other countries each needed less than USD 75,000 to restore their voting rights. Using Iranian bank funds freed from American sanctions, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday it has paid Iran's more than USD 18 million in delinquent dues. It said the payment was made after consulting with the United States Treasury -- a potential signal of flexibility amid floundering nuclear negotiations over the US rejoining the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, which the Trump administration pulled out of in 2018. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Monday signaled a willingness to engage directly with the in ongoing discussions over the nuclear deal with world powers if it is necessary to reach a good agreement, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. In 2018, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, banned any negotiations with the U.S. saying negotiations with the U.S. would harm . Earlier this month, however, Khamenei indirectly gave the green light to the Iranian negotiation team to talk with the U.S. and said negotiating and interacting with the enemy does not mean surrender. IRNA quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian as saying, if we reach a stage in the negotiation process where the need for a good deal with a high guarantee is to have a dialogue with the Americans at some level, we will not ignore it. and world powers have begun another round of nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria aimed at salvaging the tattered 2015 nuclear deal. The meetings include all the deal's remaining signatories Iran, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China. The U.S. has participated indirectly in the ongoing talks because it withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden has signaled that he wants to rejoin the deal. Trump later re-imposed crushing sanctions on Iran. Tehran has since started enriching uranium up to 60% purity a short technical step from the 90% needed to make an atomic bomb. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that talks with Iran over its nuclear program are at a decisive moment, and warned that Washington and its allies may change tactics if a deal isn't reached in the coming weeks. Blinken said that the longer Iran fails to comply with the 2015 Vienna accord intended to rein in Tehran's nuclear program the closer it would get to being able to build an atomic weapon. Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful. But the country's steps away from its obligations under the 2015 accord have alarmed Israel and other world powers. (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.) fired what appeared to be two cruise missiles into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, days after a flurry of ballistic missile tests. South Korea's military is assessing the launches to determine the nature of the projectiles, it said. Such a launch would be its fifth missile test of the year, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to bolster the military with cutting-edge technology at a time when talks with South Korea and the United States have stalled. The isolated nation's biggest flurry of missile launches since at least 2019 has prompted an expression of concern from the U.N. secretary general, and the Biden administration has applied new sanctions. Cruise missile launches by the North are not banned under United Nations sanctions imposed on Pyongyang, which has defied condemnation and conducted four rounds of ballistic missile tests, the most recent on Jan. 17. China and Russia have pushed the U.N. Security Council to remove a ban on Pyongyang's exports of statues, seafood and textiles, and raise a refined petroleum imports cap. has said it is open to talks, but only if the United States and drop "hostile policies" such as sanctions and military drills. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Imran Khan's advisor on accountability and interior, Shahzad Akbar Monday resigned from his post as pressure mounts more on the ruling coalition government on a wider range of issues. Akbar hoped that the ongoing process of accountability will continue under the leadership of Prime Minister as per the manifesto of the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to News . "I will remain associated with the party and keep contributing as a member of the legal fraternity," he added. Earlier, a former deputy prosecutor for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Akbar was appointed as the special assistant to the prime minister on accountability in August 2018. Later, in December 2019, he was also given an additional portfolio of advisers to the prime minister on interior affairs. In July 2020, the barrister was promoted and made adviser to the prime minister on accountability and Interior with the status of a federal minister, as reported by News . (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) is reportedly planning to mass-produce new lithium-ion batteries as early as 2023 for that could increase the range of electric vehicles by up to 20 per cent. According to Nikkei Asia, the Japanese company plans to invest about $705 million in production facilities to make the new batteries for from as early as 2023. Although the battery is said to be twice as big as previous versions, it has a fivefold increase in energy capacity. The 4680 cell is said to boost the range of electric vehicles. The new cells would increase the Model S's range from about 650 kilometers, about 405 miles, to 750km, or 465 miles. As per report, the company will start making the cells on a small scale this year to develop safe and efficient processes before entering mass production. is expanding its Wakayama, Japan plant to mass produce the new batteries. In November last year, the head of Panasonic's battery division said that the company hasn't ruled out producing the cells for other automakers, though is its priority. Earlier, Musk said the company would continue to buy battery cells from other . "We intend to increase, not reduce battery cell purchases from Panasonic, LG & CATL," Musk tweeted. --IANS wh/dpb (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has published trial rules for the approval of gene-edited plants, paving the way for faster improvements to crops. The new guidelines, published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs late on Monday, come amid a raft of measures aimed at overhauling the country's seed industry, which is seen as a weak link in efforts to ensure national . Beijing has also recently passed new regulations that set out a clear path for approval for genetically modified (GM) crops. Gene editing is a newer technology that is seen as less risky than GM because it does not involve adding any foreign genes to a plant. Instead, scientists 'edit' or alter genes already in a plant to improve or change its performance, aiming for better yields or increased nutrients. The technology's precision makes it much faster than conventional breeding or genetic modification, and also lowers the cost. Regulation is also less cumbersome in some countries. "This really opens the door for plant breeding. It's an infinite opportunity to improve crops more precisely and much more efficiently," said Han Gengchen, chairman of seed company Origin Agritech. The draft rules stipulate that once gene-edited plants have completed pilot trials, a production certificate can be applied for, skipping the lengthy field trials required for the approval of a genetically modified plant. China's leadership said in late 2020 that the country needed to use science and technology for an urgent "turnaround" of its seed industry, which has long struggled with overcapacity and little innovation. While Beijing is expected to allow the planting of GM corn as early as this year, it may soon promote gene-edited crops too. The country's research institutes have already published more research on market-oriented gene-edited crops than any other country, according to Rabobank. "Given the strong investment of the Chinese government in genome editing, we expect the release of a relatively open policy in the coming years," it said in a recent report. There have been other instances of gene editing as well. Jill Banfield, a University of California at Berkeley ecosystem scientist and 1999 MacArthur Foundation fellow, had become curious in 2006 about mysterious repeating DNA sequences that were common in microbes that live in some of the planets most extreme environments, such as deep-sea heat vents, acid mines and geysers. She just needed a biochemist to help explain what the sequences known as Crispr/Cas9 were, and ideally somebody local. The best scientist-location tool available to the highly decorated PhD researchera web searchrecommended a Berkeley RNA specialist named Jennifer Doudna. The two met for tea at a campus lunch spot. Doudna hadnt heard of Crispr, a kind of microbial immune system, and was intrigued. So much so that over the next few years she would go on to solve the sequences structure, which turned out to be something of a miraculous cut-and-paste tool for DNA. The discovery heralded an era of genomics that is revolutionizing science and multiple industries and earned Doudna half the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Now, 15 years after their initial meeting, Banfield, Doudna and a large team of co-authors have published a paper that takes a major step toward solving the thorny problem of how to study and alter genomes of microbes living in complicated real-world environments, such as the gut microbiome or soil. The complexity of microbial communities has been a major obstacle to discovering technologies that can prevent diseases and improve agriculture. Its a critical step toward curbing methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that is emitted during rice production. The work is a part of the Innovative Genomics Institute, a consortium she founded to develop uses for Crispr and other genetic engineering techniques to solve problems in health, food production and elsewhere. The IGI in July received a $3 million gift from an anonymous donor to pursue climate work, and Banfields research on microbial ecosystems is fundamental to that push. Soil is the most difficult ecosystem on the planet to study, Banfield said. Its the most complex. It really was the Holy Grail to be able to get any insights into soil microbial communities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A visiting delegation and representatives of the US and seven other nations and region held talks in Oslo which mainly focused on Afghanistan's economy, humanitarian aid to the war-torn country, security and healthcare, according to media reports. According to the Foreign Ministry's spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the meeting, set to last for three days, started on Monday and the remaining representatives were from the UK, Norway, Germany, Italy, France, Qatar and the European Union (EU). In a tweet, Balkhi said: "The meeting focused on discussions on economy, humanitarian aid, security, central bank operation, health & other relevant issues. The discussions are in progress, full report will follow." A day before the meeting, the US special envoy for Thomas West on Sunday evening said that Washington and its allies were seeking ways to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, reports TOLO News. "As we seek to address (the) humanitarian crisis together with allies, partners, and relief organisations, we will continue clear-eyed diplomacy with the regarding our concerns and our abiding interest in a stable, rights-respecting and inclusive Afghanistan," he said. Political analysts believe that such meetings could play a vital role in solving the problems in the country. "There is a need to take a constructive step inside for the formation of an inclusive and sustainable government," said professor Sayed Baqir Mohseni. Earlier on Sunday, the Taliban met with members of the civil society of Afghanistan, including women, and discussed the ongoing situation in . The delegation, headed by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, landed in Norway on Saturday night. This is their first visit to Europe after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021. Although the visit comes on an official invite by Norway, the government in Oslo has said it does not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's embattled Prime Minister is on Tuesday facing fresh allegations in the ongoing partygate scandal as details emerged of a surprise birthday cake party organised for him at the peak of the first COVID . Downing Street said Johnson, who turned 56 on June 19, 2020, was present at the event "for less than 10 minutes" as his staff "gathered briefly" to wish him a happy birthday. The strict rules imposed at the time to contain the spread of coronavirus banned most indoor gatherings involving more than two people. But ITV News' reported on Monday night that up to 30 people attended the event, sang Happy Birthday and were served cake. The event reportedly took place in the Cabinet Room of Downing Street just after 2 pm local time that day and had been arranged as a surprise for Johnson by his then fiancee and now wife, Carrie Symonds, after he returned from an official trip to a school in Hertfordshire. "A group of staff working in Number 10 that day gathered briefly in the Cabinet Room after a meeting to wish the Prime Minister a happy birthday. He was there for less than 10 minutes," a Number 10 Downing Street spokesperson said. The ITV report also claimed that the same evening, family friends were hosted upstairs in the Prime Minister's official residence in apparent breach of the rules. However, Number 10 denied that claim: "This is totally untrue. In line with the rules at the time the Prime Minister hosted a small number of family members outside that evening." A number of his ministers spoke out in his defence even as the rebellion among backbench MPs continues to mount. "It obviously was the Prime Minister's birthday, he'd been given a cake earlier in the day, that's the picture in the newspapers," UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News'. And he was clearly given a cake by staff when he got back to the office. These are staff he would have been working with and was working with all day long, and will have been many a time in the same room with them working on the response to coronavirus. They come in, give him a cake, I understand I think it lasted for 10 minutes and that was it," he said. The minister reiterated that it was ultimately for Sue Gray, the senior civil servant leading the Cabinet Office inquiry into all partygate allegations within government, to decide whether this was appropriate. "I think we can be pretty clear that the Prime Minister didn't present the cake to himself, he added. UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries saying in a tweet: "So, when people in an office buy a cake in the middle of the afternoon for someone else they are working in the office with and stop for 10 minutes to sing happy birthday and then go back to their desks, this is now called a party?" But Opposition Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, repeated his call for to resign in the wake of the latest revelations. The Prime Minister is a national distraction and he's got to go," he said. It comes as Johnson meets his Cabinet for a regular weekly meeting on Tuesday amid the growing threat of war with President Putin in eastern Europe, against the backdrop of the partygate scandal. Meanwhile, Sue Gray's much-anticipated report into the scandal is expected by the end of this week and, according to BBC reports, she was already aware of the June 19 birthday event. A Conservative backbench rebellion against Boris Johnson's leadership is likely to continue intensifying until then. A total of 54 Tory MPs must write letters of no confidence in Johnson as a leader to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the party's powerful backbench 1922 Committee, to trigger a leadership contest. Most are said to be waiting for the inquiry report to make up their minds. (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.) UN member states have failed themselves by continuing to procrastinate on concluding a comprehensive convention against terrorism, India has said, voicing concern that the global body has neither agreed on a common definition of nor crafted a well-coordinated policy to tackle the global scourge and dismantle its enabling networks. Speaking in the UNGA meeting to consider the Report of Secretary-General on the work of the Organisation, Second Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Dinesh Setia on Monday said: Our inability to seriously address terrorism, the most dangerous of scourges faced by states and societies since the World War II, casts doubt on the relevance of the organisation for the very people whom the Charter of the obliges us to protect. The has yet to agree on a common definition, let alone craft a coherent well-coordinated policy to tackle and dismantle its enabling networks. We have failed ourselves by continuing to procrastinate on concluding a comprehensive convention against terrorism, he said. India proposed a draft document on the Comprehensive Convention on (CCIT) at the UN in 1986 but it has not been implemented yet as there is no unanimity on the definition of terrorism among the member states. The Indian diplomat further said that the effectiveness, relevance and longevity of any institution lie in its dynamic character and ability to adapt itself to the changing times. As long as the key organs of the organisation remain anchored in a governance structure frozen in the past, the crisis of legitimacy and performance will persist, Setia said. Lamenting that four decades have gone by since the inscription of the item on the reform of the Security Council on the agenda of the General Assembly, he called on member states to strive to ensure that this year is the one that finally delivers some concrete progress with regard to a Security Council and a that reflect the realities of the contemporary world. Setia said India shares UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' conviction that a vibrant, credible and effective United Nations is a critical defence against the pressures being faced by the global order. India welcomed the Secretary-General's continuing initiative to modernise and reform the Secretariat and make the United Nations fit for purpose, including streamlining the peace and security architecture, achieving gender parity and addressing the financial sustainability of the organisation. India will continue to support the Secretary-General in the implementation of these initiatives, including through voluntary contributions, as appropriate, he said. India also lauded Secretary-General's stewardship of the United Nations response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the catastrophic pandemic is threatening to reverse the gains made in poverty reduction and designing effective strategies to eradicate poverty will continue to remain a persistent challenge for humankind in the decade of action. Setia said that in the last one year, India has joined the global efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for One Earth One Health' approach underlines the country's continuing commitment, already evident in the supply of medicines to over 150 countries; and vaccines to many nations in the developing world, he said. India is gearing up to produce more vaccines for the world and we have pledged to make our production and delivery capacity available for the greater good of humanity, he said, adding that the world cannot afford a vaccine-divide. (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.) Plc plans to cut thousands of management positions to speed decision-making after activist investor Nelson Peltz built a stake in the consumer-goods giant, people familiar with the matter said. The move would eliminate numerous regional and divisional roles that Chief Executive Officer Alan Jope believes have slowed innovation, said the people, who requested anonymity when speaking about private matters. The are likely to number in the low thousands, they said. The company employs about 150,000 globally. The shares fell as much as 0.8% in London on Tuesday morning. A representative declined to comment. The news, which could be announced as soon as this week, comes at a crucial juncture for Jope, who took the top job three years ago and has come under increasing pressure to chart a new course as the companys share price lagged rivals. last week abandoned its pursuit of GlaxoSmithKline Plcs consumer healthcare business after the drugmaker rejected its overtures and investors disparaged the offer. Fund manager Terry Smith called the bid a near-death experience. Only days earlier, he had urged Unilever to focus more on fixing its own business than seeking to promote the sustainability ethos of brands such as Hellmanns mayonnaise. In recent days, news emerged that billionaire Peltzs Trian Fund Management has acquired a material stake. The exact size and his intentions remain unclear, but Unilevers stock surged 7.3% in London on Monday -- its biggest gain in 18 months -- on optimism the hedge fund would push for significant changes. Following reports of the stake, Sanford C. Bernstein analysts led by Bruno Monteyne wrote to investors speculating that morale had been sagging in low-growth divisions and that all talented people in Food and Refreshments must have updated their LinkedIn profile by now. Monteyne had anticipated that Unilever could be Trians next target in August, when Peltz retired from Procter & Gamble Co.s board after a campaign at that company. At the time, the analyst called out the need to address Unilevers stifling bureaucracy, which former Chief Executive Officer Paul Polman had sought to address during his 10-year tenure by periodically cutting bloated management structures. Despite the rising share price, Unilevers stock is trading near the same levels as when Kraft Heinz Co. made an unsuccessful bid to buy the company for $143 billion five years ago. Trian has a history of shaking up consumer companies, including PepsiCo Inc., Danone SA, Kraft Foods and others. Peltz has called for major break-ups at several of the businesses hes invested in to maximize shareholder returns. The firm often seeks representation on the board and has sometimes called for CEOs to step down. Jope said last week that Unilever aims to make acquisitions in consumer health and shed underperforming businesses. Analysts have speculated that possible scenarios could involve a sale of ice cream brands or an entire exit from food. PRC Struggle committee leaders and Government Employees take out a protest rally against the PRC in Vijayawada on Tuesday. (DC photo) VIJAYAWADA: The efforts of the ministers committee to resolve government employees issues through fresh talks did not yield results but there would be another round of consultations. Ministers Buggana Rajendranath, Perni Venkataramaiah, Botsa Satyanarayana and others waited for a meeting with the leaders at the Secretariat. However, the employee leaders under the banner of the PRC struggle committee initially decided not to attend the meeting till the cancellation of the GOs of the 11th PRC. Later, they went to the Secretariat, met the ministers panel and submitted their demands in writing. The committee invited the leaders for another round of consultations on January 27. APNGOs Association and chairman of AP JAC, Bandi Srinivasarao, secretariat employees association president and chairman of government employees federation, Venkatarami Reddy, government employees association president and chairman of APGEA JAC, Suryanarayana and AP revenue services association president and APJAC Amaravati chairman, Bopparaju Venkateswarlu submitted the memorandum to the committee. The leaders said they will resume dialogue with the government only after their demands got a serious consideration. The demands include holding back the PRC GOs, payment of pre-PRC 2022 salaries for this month and release of a copy of the Ashutosh Mishra's pay revision commission report. The committee members tried to clear some doubts of the leaders relating to the alleged reduction of salaries due to 11th PRC. Reiterating that AP has an employee-friendly government, the minister's committee assured the employees that the government is ready to hold more talks with the unions on January 27. Addressing the media, government adviser Sajjala Ramakrishna said that the employee leaders brought three demands to the committees notice -- putting PRC GOs in abeyance, the release of Ashutosh Misra Report on PRC, and implementation of the previous pay scale. The government is ready to discuss the employees' issues, he stressed. Ramakrishna Reddy said the chief minister strived hard for the welfare of the employees and hence he had announced interim relief and an increase in the pay scale for Asha workers and Anganwadis. The US on Tuesday advised its citizens to reconsider any travel to India due to the current high level of COVID-19 cases in the country. The latest travel advisory from the US State Department also advised them to exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. The new advisory comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level-3 Travel Health Notice for India due to COVID-19, indicating a 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 authorised vaccine. Before planning any travel, please review the CDC's specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, the State Department said. Placing India on "Level 3" travel advisory, the State Department advised its citizens to reconsider travel to India due to COVID-19. It also advised them to exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. "Do not travel to: The state of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict, the advisory said. "Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations, it added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) U. S. President said on Jan. 19, 2022, that he thinks Russia will invade Ukraine, and cautioned Russian president that he will regret having done it, following months of building tension. Russia has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops along its border with over the past several months. In mid-January, Russia began moving troops into Belarus, a country bordering both Russia and Ukraine, in preparation for joint military exercises in February. Putin has issued various security demands to the U. S. before he draws his military forces back. Putins list includes a ban on from entering NATO, and agreement that NATO will remove troops and weapons across much of Eastern Europe. Theres precedent for taking the threat seriously: Putin already annexed the Crimea portion of Ukraine in 2014. Ukraines layered history offers a window into the complex nation it is today and why it is continuously under threat. As an Eastern Europe expert, I highlight five key points to keep in mind. What should we know about Ukrainians relationship with Russia? gained independence 30 years ago, after the fall of the Soviet Union. It has since struggled to combat corruption and bridge deep internal divisions. Ukraines western region generally supported integration with Western Europe. The countrys eastern side, meanwhile, favored closer ties with Russia. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine peaked in February 2014, when violent protesters ousted Ukraines pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, in what is now known as the Revolution of Dignity. Around the same time, Russia forcibly annexed Crimea. Ukraine was in a vulnerable position for self-defense, with a temporary government and unprepared military. Putin immediately moved to strike in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The armed conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed over 14,000 people. Unlike its response to Crimea, Russia continues to officially deny its involvement in the Donbas conflict. What do Ukrainians want? Russias military aggression in Donbas and the annexation of Crimea have galvanized public support for Ukraines Western leanings. Ukraines government has said it will apply for European Union membership in 2024, and also has ambitions to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who came to power in 2019, campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption, economic renewal and peace in the Donbas region. In September 2021, 81% of Ukrainians said they have a negative attitude about Putin, according to the Ukrainian news site RBC-Ukraine. Just 15% of surveyed Ukrainians reported a positive attitude towards the Russian leader. Why is Putin threatening to invade Ukraine? Putins decision to engage in a military buildup along Ukraine is connected to a sense of impunity. Putin also has experience dealing with Western politicians who champion Russian interests and become engaged with Russian companies once they leave office. Western countries have imposed mostly symbolic sanctions against Russia over interference in the 2020 U. S. presidential elections and a huge cyberattack against about 18,000 people who work for companies and the U. S. government, among other transgressions. Without repercussions, Putin has backed Belarus President Alexander Lukashenkos brutal crackdown on mass protests in the capital city, Minsk. In several instances, Putin has seen that some leading Western politicians align with Russia. These alliances can prevent Western countries from forging a unified front to Putin. Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, for example, advocated for strategic cooperation between Europe and Russia while he was in office. He later joined Russian oil company Rosneft as chairman in 2017. Other senior European politicians promoting a soft position toward Russia while in office include former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and former Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl. Both joined the boards of Russian state-owned companies after leaving office. What is Putins end game? Putin views Ukraine as part of Russias sphere of influence a territory, rather than an independent state. This sense of ownership has driven the Kremlin to try to block Ukraine from joining the EU and NATO. In January 2021, Russia experienced one of its largest anti-government demonstrations in years. Tens of thousands of Russians protested in support of political opposition leader Alexei Navalny, following his detention in Russia. Navalny had recently returned from Germany, where he was treated for being poisoned by the Russian government. Putin is also using Ukraine as leverage for Western powers lifting their sanctions. Currently, the U. S. has various political and financial sanctions in place against Russia, as well as potential allies and business partners to Russia. A Russian attack on Ukraine could prompt more diplomatic conversations that could lead to concessions on these sanctions. The costs to Russia of attacking Ukraine would significantly outweigh the benefits. While a full scale invasion of Ukraine is unlikely, Putin might renew fighting between the Ukrainian army and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Why would the US want to get involved in this conflict? With its annexation of Crimea and support for the Donbas conflict, Russia has violated the Budapest Memorandum Security Assurances for Ukraine, a 1994 agreement between the U. S., United Kingdom and Russia that aims to protect Ukraines sovereignty in exchange for its commitment to give up its nuclear arsenal. [Over 140,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletters to understand the world. Sign up today.] Putins threats against Ukraine occur as he is moving Russian forces into Belarus, which also raises questions about the Kremlins plans for invading other neighboring countries. Military support for Ukraine and political and economic sanctions are ways the U. S. can make clear to Moscow that there will be consequences for its encroachment on an independent country. The risk, otherwise, is that the Kremlin might undertake other military and political actions that would further threaten European security and stability. Tatsiana Kulakevich, Assistant Professor of instruction at School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, affiliate professor at the Institute on Russia, University of South Florida This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. With the current funding model, the World Health Organisation (WHO) "is set to fail", warned the global health body chief. Addressing the 150th session of WHO's executive board, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed on the need for a paradigm shift in the way the global health body is funded. "If the current funding model continues, is being set up to fail," he said. "The paradigm shift in world health that is needed now must be matched by a paradigm shift in funding the world's health organisation," he added. Ghebreyesus said that in the last two years, since Covid pandemic began, almost 350 million cases have been reported, while more than 5.5 million people have lost their lives. While these are official figures, "we know these numbers are an underestimate". He noted that Covid has proven that health is not just a national issue. "It's an issue...and the scale of challenges we face is immense, and is reflected by the breadth of your agenda this week. "On average, last week, 100 cases were reported every three seconds, and somebody lost their life to Covid-19 every 12 seconds," the chief said. The relies on voluntary funding from member states and charities, which forces it to focus on priorities set by funders, and makes it less able to criticise members when things go wrong, the Guardian reported. A proposal by the WHO's working group on sustainable financing calls for members' mandatory contributions to rise gradually to account for half the agency's $2 billion core budget by 2028, from less than 20 per cent now. "For far too long, health has been compartmentalised and deprioritised, nationally and internationally. It's time to recognise that if we fail to invest in health, we fail to invest in the future," Ghebreyesus said. Addressing long-term concerns over the performance of the organisation, he said that members were within their rights to expect higher standards from the organisation, including "enhanced governance, efficiency, accountability and transparency", saying that included "zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment". The reference to sexual abuse appears to be a reference to a damning report last year that found that 21 employees working for the UN global health body were among perpetrators of serious sexual abuses during the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the report said. Ghebreyesus also urged member states to "ensure the quality and quantity of investments" in line with expectations. He also asked world countries to "work together to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to outbreaks and other health emergencies". --IANS rvt/vd (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of Kolkata-based hosiery maker slumped 20 per cent on Tuesday, a day after barred 14 entities for insider trading in its scrip. The regulator also impounded wrongful gains worth nearly Rs 3 crore. Those barred included Udit Todi, companys executive director and son of the MD. Sebis initial findings revealed that Todi has passed price sensitive information pertaining to financial results of the company. The information was allegedly used to build long position in shares of Lux by connected entities in May 2022 ahead of its result announcement. Shares of Lux ended at Rs 2,808, down Rs 702, or 20 per cent. The company in a statement to stock exchanges said, The company has initiated the process of seeking required clarification and explanation from the concerned person. The held a meeting on Tuesday to chalk out plans for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls expected to take place in a few months time. All MLAs and MPs as well as other leaders from took part in the meeting chaired by former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, said city MLA Ashish Shelar. "All the plans related to campaigning and mobilizing of party workers were chalked out in the meeting. The will face the civic polls with fresh vigour. We are all geared up to oust the Shiv Sena from the BMC and get the BJP's lotus to bloom," Shelar told reporters. The Shiv Sena had won 84 seats in the 227-member BMC body in polls held in 2017, while the was a close second with 82, though the former's tally rose after six MNS corporators joined along with some bypoll wins. The Sena has been in power in the BMC for nearly three decades. The number of wards in the civic body are expected to increase from 227 to 236, which in turn may reduce the number of voters per ward from 54,000 now to around 50,000. The metropolis has 94.55 lakh voters, as per 2019 data, and the redrawing of wards became necessary as the 2011 Census showed a decline in the population of the island city and an increase in that of the suburbs. (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.) Firing a fresh salvo at the which had accused the of paying only lip service to the cause of Hindutva, party MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday claimed that the Sena was the first party in the country to contest an election on the plank. Talking to reporters, Raut referred to a bypoll held for the Vile Parle Assembly seat in Mumbai, saying candidate Ramesh Prabhu had contested on the agenda of . It was for the first time that was mentioned in electoral in the country, Raut said, adding that Congress and were also in the fray in that byelection. Prabhu had won the Vile Parle Assembly segment in the byelection held in 1987-88 and retained the seat in the 1990 polls. "It is after this victory that the approached for an alliance on Hindutva which Balasaheb (Thackeray) agreed to as he didn't want a division of Hindu votes. Contemporary BJP leaders are unaware of this history," Raut said in a veiled dig at Opposition Leader Devendra Fadnavis. Raut's comments come amid a war of words between the Shiv Sena and BJP which erupted after Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday accused his former ally of practising "hollow" Hindutva for power. Hitting back at the Shiv Sena, Fadnavis on Monday said the Sena's Hindutva is merely on paper and finds mention just in speeches, while it was his party men who faced bullets and lathis during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Raut alleged that the BJP has neglected family members of its stalwarts like late Pramod Mahajan, Gopinath Munde and Manohar Parrikar who helped build that party in Maharashtra and Goa. Recently, Parrikar's son Utpal quit BJP and announced to contest the upcoming Assembly election from Panaji constituency, represented by his father for two decades before his death in 2019. Raut said Shiv Sena's corporators and legislators were elected from Mumbai before the birth of BJP and Devendra Fadnavis. The day before, Fadnavis had claimed that even before the Shiv Sena was born (in 1966), there was Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of the BJP, which had corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and MLAs in the state. When asked about CM Thackeray's remarks that Sena should "capture" Delhi, Raut clarified that he meant defeating BJP at the level. "The country is supreme and Delhi, which is the capital, should not be dominated by one or two people," he said. Raut told reporters that Sena MLA and Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray will campaign for candidates of his party and NCP in Goa, where elections will be held on February 14. Speaking on Voters' Day, which is observed on Tuesday, Raut said confusion and fear prevail among voters on whether their vote goes to the candidate they have voted for. He demanded that the election system be reverted to ballot papers from EVMs. (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.) Top brass of Ltd on Tuesday promised urgent remedial action a day after it emerged that a farmer, who came to buy a pick-up truck of the company, was allegedly insulted by a sales staff at a showroom in Karnataka. A video of the incident that took place at Tumkur in Karnataka went viral wherein the farmer claimed that he had been told that he probably didn't even have "Rs 10 in his pocket" by a sales staff when he went to buy a Bolero pick-up truck, which "costs Rs 10 lakh". Reacting to social media posts, M&M Chairman Anand Mahindra said in a tweet, "The Core Purpose of @MahindraRise is to enable our communities & all stakeholders to Rise. And a key Core Value is to uphold the Dignity of the Individual. Any aberration from this philosophy will be addressed with great urgency." Similarly, M&M Managing Director and CEO Anish Shah also took to social media to announce that the company is dealing with the issue with urgency. "Customer centricity and dignity of the individual are the foundation of @MahindraRise we are addressing this issue with urgency," Shah said in a post on Twitter. Elaborating on the steps taken by the company, M&M Ltd CEO Automotive Division Veejay Nakra tweeted, "Dealers are an integral part of delivering a customer centric experience & we ensure the respect & dignity of all our customers." The Core Purpose of @MahindraRise is to enable our communities & all stakeholders to Rise.And a key Core Value is to uphold the Dignity of the Individual. Any aberration from this philosophy will be addressed with great urgency. https://t.co/m3jeCNlV3w anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 25, 2022 He further said, "We are investigating the incident and will take appropriate action, in the case of any transgression, including counselling & training of frontline staff."In the video, the farmer and his friends claimed he was dismissed by the sales person on the basis of his appearance. After an argument broke out, the farmer dared the sales person to arrange for same day delivery of vehicle if he came back with the money within an hour. When he returned with cash, the salesperson could not manage instant delivery due to long waiting period. The farmer and his friends then demanded apology from the sales person as heated arguments followed and the police had to intervene. While the sale staff apologised, the farmer left saying he didn't want to buy from the showroom. (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 Promotion Council of India (TPCI) on Tuesday suggested the government to announce incentives in the forthcoming Budget for activities such as branding and marketing of products, setting up of modern R&D labs and duty-free import of raw material by SEZ units with an aim to promote the industry. It also demanded input tax credits for the industry, incentivise institutions for traceability in the food supply system; subsidy for testing in the food sector, funds for setting up food and beverage tech machinery manufacturing plants; and interest subvention scheme for MSMEs. "Looking at the great potential which the agri and food sector holds for the economy, this sector needs further thrust and renewed focus. The agri and food sector has shown a resilient growth of more than 20 per cent sustainably despite tough times," V K Gauba, Additional Director General TPCI said in a statement. The agri and food exports may touch USD 40 billion mark this fiscal, he added. He said that extending capital support for setting up CODEX standard-based R&D labs in the country will help the sector. Set up in 1963, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body established jointly by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), within the framework of the Joint Food Standards Programme to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food . (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.) New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI/Mediawire): India's biggest coding competition for women - TechGig Geek Goddess 2021 - declared the winners of its inaugural Diversity and HR Awards as: & gt; & gt; Tech Woman Leader Varundeep Kaur, Chief Information Officer, Spice Money & gt; & gt; Diversity Advocate Star Archana V, Business Partner - Communications & Engagement, Dunnhumby India & gt; & gt; Best HR Practises for Women Dunnhumby India The winners of the maiden edition of Geek Goddess Diversity and HR Awards were announced in Dec'21 with an aim to highlight the top technology leaders and companies doing outstanding work to promote gender diversity in three categories. Geek Goddess celebrated its sixth edition in 2021 with record breaking 73,000 registrations from women coders. IIT BHU's student Sangeeta Mishra was declared winner in a virtual grand finale ceremony. Geek Goddess is acclaimed to provide a democratic platform for all women technologists to show their coding skills and win prizes, accolades and get hired in the career fair. This year, the competition added the Geek Goddess Diversity and HR awards which received more than a dozen nominations in each category. All nominations underwent a critical scrutiny by a jury panel to ensure that only the accurate and worthy nominations get shortlisted. The shortlisted entries were put to public voting and winners were declared in Dec'21. Congratulating the winners, Sanjay Goyal, Business Head, TechGig and TimesJobs said, "The winners' declaration at the Geek Goddess Diversity & HR Awards was a jubilant moment for us. For years, Geek Goddess has promoted & advocated women in technology. With these awards, we wish to name and honour people and companies championing this cause in their respective area of work. Heartiest congratulations to all the winners". Neha Gupta, HR Director, dunnhumby India accepted the award on behalf of her company. "We are honoured and humbled to win the HR Best Practises for Women Award. This recognition has encouraged our resolve to strengthen our gender diversity proposition even further and take it to the next level." Sharing her jubilation, Archana V, Business Partner - Communications & Engagement, Dunnhumby India said, "Absolutely thrilled and grateful with the recognition from TechGig as Diversity Advocate Star 2021! Just by participating and getting nominated we've learnt so much, and this win motivates us to keep pushing ourselves to aim for a truly diverse and inclusive community". Talking about her victory, Varundeep Kaur, Chief Information Officer, Spice Money said, "I am feeling happy and thrilled. The opportunity to connect with likeminded winners has amplified the overall euphoria. I hope I am able to inspire many more buddy women leaders in tech space and otherwise. This award also sets a precedent of bringing a more innovative diverse workforce and being a stronger enabler." This story is provided by Mediawire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Mediawire) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The windshield of the vehicle were damaged in the attack. (Photo: Facebook) NIZAMABAD: TRS activists allegedly attacked a vehicle belonging to Nizamabad BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind at Issapally village in Armoor mandal on Tuesday. The incident occurred when the MP was proceeding to participate in developmental programmes in Nandipet mandal. The windshield of the vehicle were damaged in the attack. Arvind escaped the attack unhurt. Meanwhile, the TRS and the BJP activists clashed between each other and the police had to disperse them by resorting to mild lathi-charge. Tense situation prevailed in Issapally village as the TRS activists burnt tyres on road to prevent movement of vehicles. On the other hand, the BJP activists staged a protest in Armoor town against the police. Speaking to reporters, Arvind said around 200 TRS activists tried to attack his vehicle. "We informed the police officers of the TRS attack, but they did not respond, he said. He alleged that the police were responsible for the attack on his vehicle. The MP said the attack issue would be brought to the notice of Lok Sabha privilege committee and the BJP central leadership. Arvind said the Issapally incident proved that the police were bluntly favouring the TRS. He complained to the Nizamabad commissioner of police K. R. Nagaraju and urged to register attempt to murder case against the TRS activists. Crypto investment platform BitMEX is delighted to welcome Bill Beller as Head of Trading, effective 1 January. Bill is in charge of spearheading the companys trading strategies and expanding the BitMEX trading team and its capabilities. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005650/en/ BitMEX Welcomes New Head of Trading Bill Beller (Photo: Business Wire) Prior to joining BitMEX, Bill was Managing Director at Greenville Advisory for nearly five years, where he helped FinTech start-ups launch crypto exchange platforms and meet evolving regulatory requirements. Prior to that, he was Managing Director - Head of Equities for Sberbank CIB and Managing Director, Head of EEMEA Equity Derivatives Flow Trading at UniCredit. He brings over a decade of experience in risk management, building trading infrastructure, and managing equities and derivatives investments across global capital markets. Bill said: BitMEX is fast reaching the next stage in its transformation, and its the perfect time for me to have joined this very dynamic and talented group of people. Im looking forward to working with the team to enhance the BitMEX ecosystem by developing effective strategies that enhance the platforms trading experience. Alexander Hoptner, BitMEX CEO, said: Im delighted to welcome Bill as our new Head of Trading. His track record and level of expertise is outstanding, and our next stage of development will benefit from his extensive experience in delivering robust investment strategies. BitMEX is actively hiring. Click here to explore open career opportunities at BitMEX. *** About BitMEX BitMEX is a trading platform that offers users access to the global digital asset financial markets. BitMEX is owned by HDR Global Trading Limited. To learn more about BitMEX, our vision, growing team, and the road ahead, please follow us on Twitter, Telegram, and the BitMEX Blog. For further inquiries, please contact [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005650/en/ The Swiss technology company FERRONATO KGS GROUP, which specialises in industrial metallised fabrics, forayed into the lifestyle domain with the global launch of a new smart accessories brand FERRONATO at the Swiss Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005556/en/ Sandro Giovanni Ferronato, CEO, FERRONATO KGS GROUP & Alessia Ferronato, Partner, Ferronato (Photo: AETOSWire) "We have always been acknowledged for its focus on innovation tech and the new personal lifestyle accessories brand, Ferronato, is yet another milestone in our journey," said Sandro Giovanni Ferronato, CEO, FERRONATO KGS GROUP LTD. FERRONATO KGS GROUP was established in 1906 in Lugano, Switzerland. World-renowned for its precision tools, abrasives and metallised fabrics, KGS is now helmed by a 3rd generation, led by Sandro Giovanni Ferronato. He added, "Ferronato is a lifestyle brand borne out of a sense of immediacy that creates bespoke, high-end accessories that aim to protect your privacy. The Ferronato smart accessories showcased at the Swiss Pavilion include a range of personal products powered by KGS metallised fabrics, including laptop sleeves, phone pouches, totes, and briefcases that ensure the protection of privacy and personal information. The company said the smart accessories made of metallised fabrics fit in well as an antidote to invasive surveillance threats people face at every step of their personal life. "These smart accessories, made for our digital life, safeguard from several potential digital threats. This includes from stopping tracking of our location, remote activation of our phone to eavesdropping on our conversations to steal critical information and personal data," said Alessia Ferronato, Partner, Ferronato. KGS said that these accessories will curb hacking, tracking, potential cybercrimes, data theft, digital infiltration and system breeches without the consent of an individual or individuals. As the world's leading manufacturer of flexible diamond abrasives and electrolytically metallised fabrics, KGS industrial products are used across many industry verticals. This includes aerospace, aeronautical, defence, automotive, medical equipment, construction, telecommunications and consumer electronics. The company, with offices in 16 countries, has been supplying products in over 100 countries from its six manufacturing sites in Switzerland, The Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, China and India. For more information, please visit https://www.kgs.swiss/ and https://www.ferronato.swiss/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ferronato.swiss/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ferronato.swiss *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005556/en/ Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), together with its Denmark-based partner Precision Technic Defence Group, announced that they have signed a seven-year framework agreement with the Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) to provide a variety of medium- and long-range surveillance systems for land, maritime and airborne applications. DALO also has awarded the companies a service and maintenance contract. The potential contract value is estimated to exceed $100 million over the period of performance. Teledyne FLIR has offered its SeaFLIR/TacFLIR 280-HDEP and SeaFLIR/TacFLIR 380 HLD-X advanced day/night, all-weather imaging systems. The contract allows DALO to procure versions of these products for the Danish Defense Mobile Sensor Systems program, which supports the surveillance needs of its Army, Air Force and Navy users. Teledyne FLIR is proud to partner with Precision Technic Defence to continue to supply Danish armed forces with state-of-the-art, gyro-stabilized sensor systems, said JihFen Lei, executive vice president and general manager of Teledyne FLIR Defense. Weve invested heavily in technology upgrades across our lineup, including edge processing and AI capabilities that reduce the cognitive load on operators and improve situational awareness. As a trusted industry and regional partner, we look forward to supplying imaging platforms, service and support to Danish defense forces for many years to come, Lei added. Designed for full-time, all-weather maritime duty, SeaFLIR 280-HDEP provides long-range target detection, identification, and tracking for a broad range of mission support, such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; maritime search and rescue; interdiction; covert operations; and disaster recovery. TacFLIR 280-HDEP is a land-based version of the system used for ground vehicle surveillance and fixed installations, featuring a laser designator. The SeaFLIR/TacFLIR 380 HLD-X provides HD multi-spectral imaging, ultra long-range imaging performance, superior image stabilization, and true metadata embedded in digital video, complete with laser designation and rangefinder. About Teledyne FLIR Teledyne FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, is a world leader in intelligent sensing solutions for defense and industrial applications with approximately 4,000 employees worldwide. Founded in 1978, the company creates advanced technologies to help professionals make better, faster decisions that save lives and livelihoods. For more information, please visit www.teledyneflir.com or follow @flir. About Teledyne Technologies Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne's operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne's website at www.teledyne.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005072/en/ China to step up control over cold-chain food imports amid pandemic Xinhua) 08:43, January 25, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China will ramp up control measures over imported cold-chain food and farm produce to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through entry points, a customs official said Monday. Ni Yuefeng, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC), said the country will "strictly monitor and test imported cold-chain food, agricultural products and high-risk non-cold-chain container goods." Ni made the remarks when speaking at a meeting mapping out the GAC's work agenda this year. China recently found imported infections related to cold-chain goods or international mail, and the Omicron variant currently dominating the global spread also posed an increasing threat to the country. Companies involved in cargo that tested positive for COVID-19 will face restrictive measures, including suspension of their import business, Ni said. The customs found 550 COVID-19-positive specimens through random inspections over cold-chain food and farm produce last year, canceled or suspended import qualification of 884 companies, and supervised preventative disinfection of 1.15 million tonnes of goods. At Monday's meeting, Ni also stressed disinfection of inbound flights and other high-risk means of transportation, and precise quarantine for related personnel, including air and ship crew. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Past Pixel A-series phones like the 5a 5G and the 4a came in August so this would be quite the shift by Google. (Photo: PTI) Washington: American tech giant Google is rumoured to launch a mid-range Pixel 6a later this year featuring the in-house Tensor chipset and less impressive camera hardware than the flagship Pixel 6 phones. As per GSM Arena, earlier rumours suggested that the device will not launch before August but well-known tipster Max Jambor thinks otherwise saying the device will be official come May. Past Pixel A-series phones like the 5a 5G and the 4a came in August so this would be quite the shift by Google. Apart from the Tensor chipset, Pixel 6a is said to share the same basic design as its more expensive siblings with a punch-hole screen on the front and a camera visor setup on the back. The phone will likely come with a 6.2-inch OLED screen while its dimensions are rumoured to come in at 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm. Its camera hardware will be less flashy, as expectations are of a 12.2MP Sony IMX363 main sensor, the same main camera as on the Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5. It will be joined by a 12MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide shooter while the selfie cam is expected to come in at 8MP. The phone will also bring an in-display fingerprint scanner which would be a first in the Pixel A-series, as per GSM Arena. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (AP/Efrem Lukatsky) LONDON: The British government on Saturday accused Russia of seeking to replace Ukraines government with a pro-Moscow administration, and said former Ukrainian lawmaker Yevheniy Murayev is being considered as a potential candidate. Murayev is head of the small pro-Russian party Nashi, which currently has no seats in Ukraines parliament. Britains Foreign Office named several other Ukrainian politicians it said had links with Russian intelligence services. Its unclear what means Britain believes Russia might use to install a friendly government in Kyiv. The U.K. government made the claim based on an intelligence assessment, without providing evidence to back it up. It comes amid a war of words between Moscow and the West over Russias designs on Ukraine. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the information shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking. Truss urged Russia to de-escalate, end its campaigns of aggression and disinformation, and pursue a path of diplomacy, and reiterated Britains view that any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs. Britain has sent anti-tank weapons to Ukraine as part of efforts to bolster its defenses against a potential Russian attack. Amid diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis, U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is expected to meet Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for talks in Moscow. No timing has been given for the meeting, which would be the first U.K.-Russia bilateral defense talks since 2013. The U.S. has mounted an aggressive campaign in recent months to unify its European allies against a new Russian invasion of Ukraine. The White House called the U.K. government assessment deeply concerning and said it stands with the duly elected Ukrainian government. This kind of plotting is deeply concerning, said National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne. The Ukrainian people have the sovereign right to determine their own future, and we stand with our democratically-elected partners in Ukraine. The assessment came as President Joe Biden spent Saturday at the presidential retreat Camp David outside of Washington huddling with his senior national security team about the Ukraine situation. A White House official said the discussions included efforts to de-escalate the situation with diplomacy and deterrence measures being coordinated closely with allies and partners, including security assistance to Ukraine. In another development, the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania plan to send U.S.-made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, a move that the United States fully endorsed Saturday amid Kyivs escalating tensions with Russia. The defense ministers of the three Baltic states said in a joint statement that they stand united in our commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity in face of continued Russian aggression. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that Washington saluted the NATO nations and former Soviet republics for their longstanding support to Ukraine. I expedited and authorized and we fully endorse transfers of defensive equipment @NATO Allies Estonia Latvia Lithuania are providing to Ukraine to strengthen its ability to defend itself against Russias unprovoked and irresponsible aggression, Blinken said in another tweet. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier this week described the West supplying arms to Ukraine as extremely dangerous and said the shipments do nothing to reduce tensions. Moscow has massed tens of thousands of troops near the Russia-Ukraine border, leading to fears of an invasion. The West has rejected Moscows main demands promises from NATO that Ukraine will never be added as a member, that no alliance weapons will be deployed near Russian borders, and that it will pull back its forces from Central and Eastern Europe. A meeting Friday between Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ended with no breakthrough. Amid the uncertain security situation, the U.S. State Department has been considering a range of options to ensure the safety and security of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and its employees by moving to reduce its diplomatic presence there. The defense ministers of the Baltic states said in their statement that Estonia would provide Javelin anti-tank weapons while Latvia and Lithuania were sending Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other related equipment to bolster Kyivs defensive military capabilities. It wasnt immediately clear when the weapons and equipment would be sent to Ukraine. Today, Ukraine is at the forefront of separating Europe from the military conflict with Russia. Lets face it, the war in Ukraine is ongoing and it is important to support Ukraine in every way we can so that they can resist the aggressor, Estonian Defense Minister Kalle Laanet said. Estonia also is seeking Germanys approval to send Soviet-made howitzers, which once belonged to East Germany, to Ukraine. Estonia acquired the howitzers from non-NATO member Finland, which in turn had bought them from Germanys military surplus supply in the 1990s. The German government said Friday that it was considering Estonias request to pass the howitzers on to Ukraine but gave no timeline for a decision. Berlin said it planned to coordinate the issue with Finland, which has received a similar approval request from Estonia. Berlin routinely demands a say when German-sold weapons are transferred to third countries. But some recent media reports suggested German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Cabinet could block Estonias transfer of weapons to Kyiv, highlighting divisions in the Wests response to the Ukraine crisis. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba alleged Saturday that Germany was not showing adequate support for Ukraine. Kuleba said in a Twitter post that the weapons transfer issue and remarks by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressing skepticism about cutting off Russia from the SWIFT global payments system do not correspond to the level of our relations and the current security situation. Also Saturday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador to object to recently circulated video in which the head of the German navy said that Ukraine would not regain the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin deserved respect. The comments by vice admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach sparked consternation and a swift rebuke back in Berlin. By late Saturday, the German navy chief had tendered his resignation, saying he wanted to prevent further damage resulting from his ill-considered statements in India. The U.S. State Department is currently warning U.S. citizens not to visit Ukraine due to the coronavirus pandemic but is also advising them to reconsider travel there due to potential Russian aggression. Speculation that an announcement about the U.S. diplomatic presence in Ukraine may be imminent has increased since the embassy in Kyiv announced it would hold a virtual town hall meeting about the security situation with U.S. citizens in Ukraine on Tuesday. Discussions on the matter have been underway for some time, but Blinken went over the contingency plans with the embassys security team when he visited Kyiv on Wednesday, officials said. The officials stressed that no decisions had yet been made and that an outright evacuation is not being considered. One possible scenario would be to order the families of American personnel to leave the country while allowing non-essential staffers to depart voluntarily at government expense, they said. An American flag waves in front of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) An instructor trains members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Dozens of civilians have been joining Ukraine's army reserves in recent weeks amid fears about Russian invasion. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) FILE - This image from video shows Minneapolis police Officers Thomas Lane, left and J. Alexander Kueng, right, escorting George Floyd, center, to a police vehicle outside Cup Foods in Minneapolis, on May 25, 2020. Three former Minneapolis officers headed to trial this week on federal civil rights charges in the death of George Floyd aren't as familiar to most people as Derek Chauvin, a fellow officer who was convicted of murder last spring. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File) This Integrated Family Services mobile crisis team vehicle sits in front of the Carteret County Department of Social Services building Wednesday. The mental health agency is now providing a staff member to assist DSS workers with calls. (Cheryl Burke photo) The Vivens Aqua on the beach near south end of Ocracoke Island on Jan. 25, 2022. [National Park Service photo] Nassim has lived several lives. The first took place in Ethiopia where he grew up in a family of eleven children. At school, he quickly demonstrated a predisposition for art, but his learning ended when his country went to war with Eritrea. Exiled in 1998, Nassim immigrated to neighbouring Egypt, where a part of his family was already staying, thus beginning a new phase in Cairo, where his artistic reflection began. The violence of the uprooting from his homeland required an outlet. The streets of Cairo were the scene of his early work until he met his future wife and joined her in Paris in 2005. Nassim decided to devote himself exclusively to painting the following year. His third life, in contact with his in-laws who were a beautiful art-loving family and accustomed to museums, opened up to him novel horizons of expression. He adopted an original style with a tinge of Ethiopian traditional influences. His universe continued to evolve between returning to African sources and attempts at further abstraction. Painting allowed the artist to exorcise his own personal journey through current topics. Nassim integrates, processes and reproduces what he sees to deliver a message with universal ambitions. His paintings forcefully evoke politically active notions, such as human rights, democracy and freedom of expression. All subjects are concerned, regardless of geographical, cultural, or religious sensibilities. Nassim paints in acrylic on cotton or linen canvas. His pointillism develops a clever mix of flamboyant colours. Tonic and lively at first, his painting appears more serene and soothing after careful observation. His ability to represent humanity in all its complexity makes Nassim a modern day griot. A griot who tells his stories with the tip of his brush. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and consider subscribing for only $7 per month to get access to more articles and news as it happens. Long in the making, cg feature Blazing Samurai has finally found a home at Paramount Animation. Here are the details: Paramount acquired the movie from GFM Animation for North America and other key territories, and will release it in the U.S. on July 22, 2022. Riffing on Mel Brookss Blazing Saddles, the story follows a dog with dreams of becoming a samurai who ends up as the sheriff in a town of cats. The film is directed by Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) and Mark Koetsier (story artist, Big Hero 6, Rumble). The screenplay is by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper, with revisions by Robert Ben Garant and Minkoff. Minkoff, Adam Nagle, and Guy Collins produced the film. Alex Schwartz, Adrian Politowki, and Martin Metz executive produced. The voice cast includes Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Cathy Shim, Kylie Kuioka, Gabriel Iglesias, and Aasif Mandvi. Blazing Samurai was first announced in 2015, at which point it was slated for a 2017 release. Minkoff was then onboard only as a producer, not a director. It is the second release from Aniventure, a U.K. production company dedicated to developing a new economic model for animated features, following 2021s Riverdance: The Animated Adventure. Aniventure financed the film together with Align and HB Wink. Cinesite, which has a first-look service deal with Aniventure, produced the animation. Meanwhile, Paramount Animations Under the Boardwalk, which had previously been scheduled for the same date, has been unset. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news. Photo: Contributed The offices of B.C. privacy commissioner Michael McEvoy (left) and federal commissioner Daniel Therrien, along with Alberta and Quebec counterparts, found last year that Clearview scraped images of faces and associated data from publicly accessible online sources and stored that information in its database. A global 'mass surveillance' company ordered by B.C.'s privacy watchdog to stop collecting British Columbians' images is challenging that order in B.C. Supreme Court. Clearview AI claims B.C.'s Personal Information Protection Act does not apply to the company as it is physically located in the United States. It calls the orders unreasonable and unenforceable. In December, Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) Michael McEvoy ordered the facial recognition company to stop collecting, using and disclosing images of British Columbians without consent. The order was initially a set of February recommendations that the company has refused to comply with, McEvoy's office said. The Quebec and Alberta commissioners issued similar orders. They found the New York-based company violated federal and provincial privacy laws. The recommendations followed a joint investigation report by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Commission d'acces a l'information du Quebec, the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. "What Clearview does is mass surveillance, and it is illegal," Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien said at the time. "It is completely unacceptable for millions of people who will never be implicated in any crime to find themselves continually in a police line-up." The commissioners found Clearview scraped images of faces and associated data from publicly accessible online sources (including social media) and stored it in its database. Now, in a January petition to the court, Clearview wants a court declaration that the order is unreasonable and an order quashing and setting aside that order. Indeed, the company said, the order must be quashed as the commissioners' finding that the information collected was not public is unreasonable. A suit has not targeted the federal office. Under the national Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, it does not have order-making powers, that office's spokesperson, Vito Pilieci, said. Clearview said its facial recognition search engine "compares user-provided images of faces to a database of images indexed from public web pages. The tool allows law enforcement and national security agencies to identify victims and perpetrators of crimes. "Clearview's technology enables its clients to investigate serious crimes, enhancing public safety and provide justice to victims," the petition said. "The ability of all search engines to operate in this way is crucial to the free flow of information over the Internet for all users." The company claims the order infringes the company's Charter right to freedom of expression. The company said it has never broadly served Canadian law enforcement agencies. Still, it said the RCMP had been a paying client, and Clearview had provided trial accounts to other Canadian users. Those offerings ceased in July 2020, the company said. However, the issue the commissioners had was that Clearview did not obtain the requisite consent to collect, use, and disclose the personal information of Canadians. The personal information, they concluded, was for an improper purpose. What the commissioners recommended was that Clearview: cease offering facial recognition services to Canadian clients; cease collecting, using and disclosing images and biometric facial arrays collected from individuals in Canada, and; delete images and biometric facial arrays collected from individuals in Canada. The company said those recommendations were impossible to execute. As a result, McEvoy banned the company from offering its services in B.C and turned the recommendations into an order. Clearview asserts the orders are impossible to comply with and are unreasonable and unenforceable. OIPC spokeswoman Michelle Mitchell said the office couldn't comment on the details of the case. Photo: Vancouver Coastal Health While the Omicron wave of COVID-19 might have peaked in some parts of B.C., the head of Interior Health says sick calls among employees are still trending up. Surging case counts amid Omicron have forced IH to cut some rural healthcare services and shuffle staffing resources. Last week, IH announced temporary cuts or reductions to services in Barriere, Clearwater, Invermere and Ashcroft. Our sick calls are still on the rise they have not settled yet, IH CEO Susan Brown told Castanet. I think the Lower Mainland is a little bit ahead of us. What Ive heard from my peers is that they think theyre at the peak, and I think the Interior might be a little bit behind. Brown said she expects to see absenteeism begin to decline in the coming weeks. Where youve seen other jurisdictions in B.C. sort of start to see that levelling off and coming down, we anticipate we might be a couple of weeks behind them, she said. Photo: US Army/Flickr The Pentagon ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert Monday to potentially deploy to Europe as part of a NATO response force amid growing concern that Russia could soon make a military move on Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden consulted with key European leaders, underscoring U.S. solidarity with allies there. Putting the U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for Europe suggested diminishing hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin will back away from what Biden himself has said looks like a threat to invade neighbouring Ukraine. At stake, beyond the future of Ukraine, is the credibility of a NATO alliance that is central to U.S. defense strategy but that Putin views as a Cold War relic and a threat to Russian security. For Biden, the crisis represents a major test of his ability to forge a united allied stance against Putin. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said about 8,500 U.S.-based troops are being put on alert for possible deployment not to Ukraine but to NATO territory in Eastern Europe as part of an alliance force meant to signal a unified commitment to deter any wider Putin aggression. Russia denies it is planning an invasion. It says Western accusations are merely a cover for NATO's own planned provocations. Recent days have seen high-stakes diplomacy that has failed to reach any breakthrough, and key players in the drama are making moves that suggest fear of imminent war. Biden has sought to strike a balance between actions meant to deter Putin and those that might provide the Russian leader with an opening to use the huge force he has assembled at Ukraine's border. The Pentagon's move, which was done at Biden's direction and on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recommendation, is being made in tandem with actions by other NATO member governments to bolster a defensive presence in Eastern European nations. Denmark, for example, is sending a frigate and F-16 warplanes to Lithuania; Spain is sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces, and France stands ready to send troops to Romania. NATO has not made a decision to activate the response force, which consists of about 40,000 troops from multiple nations. That force was enhanced in 2014 the year Russia seized Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and intervened in support of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine by creating a "spearhead force'' of about 20,000 troops on extra-high alert within the larger response force. McLendon, who handled the bill during the debate on the Senate floor, did concede that he could not point to an instance of critical race theory being taught in Mississippi. In 2000 when I visited Ukraine, flying into Kyiv and stopping at a number of cities on the way to Lviv, I learned a little about this vast country. In eastern regions of the country, many Ukrainians speak Russian as a first language. The reason may be that under the Soviet Union, young people in Ukraine could attend university in Russia, tuition-free, if they remained in Russia for a number of years after graduation. Russian students could study in Ukraine under similar conditions. This resulted in a "melting pot" of people because many students settled in Ukraine. The most impressive structures in the eastern regions of Ukraine are the golden domed churches. Village dwellings, meanwhile, are picturesque and may have been built in the 16th Century for serfs. The national soup is borszcz. Its main ingredient is beets but each region adds its own choice of other ingredients. All versions are delicious, especially accompanied by black bread. Checkpoint officials are poker-faced but the rest of the population are friendly. My tour group was often invited to join in a local celebration, even a wedding. The Ukranian flag symbolizes the landyellow for fields of wheat or sunflowers, and blue for the open sky. To me, it represents peace and love of the natural world. Place names and public information notices are in Cyrillic script only. Perhaps in the past 21 years, the country has added Latin lettering for the sake of tourists who are not familiar with Cyrillic lettering. St. Cyril's script, in my opinion, has impeded Ukraine's entry into Western Europe's enterprises. What impressed me on more than one occasion was seeing young, happy people with bouquets of freshly picked flowers walking to some event. I was told by our guide that the flowers would likely be placed at the foot of a statue of Ukrainian poet and nationalist Taras Shevchenko. I have many unforgettable memories of that visit in 2000, when hopes were high that Ukraine would at last be a sovereign state, after centuries of invasions by foreign powers. As far as I know, Ukrainians have never tried to colonize another country's lands. Today, as Russia's 100,000 troops and tanks sit on the border of Eastern Ukraine, I feel sad that a people who have so loved their land and whose national hero is a poet, will once again have to defend themselves against a ruthless invader ready to snatch their freedom and trample their gentle flag. Helen Schiele, Kelowna Photo: Brendan Kergin Police arrested the suspect just after the theft at the Vancouver Public Library's Central Branch in downtown. A 29-year-old man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a senior at a Vancouver library public washroom and stealing a laptop. The incident happened Friday, Jan. 21, when a 74-year-old man was in a bathroom stall in a washroom at the downtown branch of the Vancouver Public Library, the VPD confirm. The suspect allegedly kicked the stall door open and stole the man's laptop. While fleeing the scene, two of the library's security guards tried to stop the suspect, but he allegedly pulled a weapon on them, states a police press release. The suspect was tracked down by police to an area near the library and was arrested after a foot chase. The senior was not harmed during the incident. The suspect was taken to jail and has been charged with assault with a weapon. Re.: Convoy heads for Winnipeg (Castanet, Jan. 25) I stand with the truckers, but it's not because I'm worried about supply chain issues, although that plays a role. No, it's about much more than that. The Freedom Convoy is about restoring Canada to its former glory. It's about giving people back their lives, both the vaxxed and unvaxxed. We've been stripped of so much in this country, all of us. Covid is here to stay and this virus is manageable without the extremes our politicians and health officials have resorted to over the past two years. Can anyone say, with a straight face, what has transpired has actually improved our situation? Are we really better off today than we were at the end of 2020? I think the fact there are over 50,000 donations for the Freedom Convoy speaks for itself. It's time to use a common sense approach, like we've done for all other illness and disease. No more passports, no more restrictions and no more lockdowns. These are not effective solutions and have caused more harm than good. It's time to start living again. Adam Fischer, West Kelowna Powering up Pecem ICR Research By Published 25 January 2022 In July 2021 Votorantim Cimentos announced the start of a new line at its grinding plant in Pecem, Brazil. The 0.8Mta expansion aims to produce cement in a more environmentally friendly way, in accordance with the companys 2030 Sustainability Commitments. The additional capacity as well as investments into Votorantim Cimentos rail line have increased the service and distribution of its products in the region. By Votorantim Cimentos, Brazil. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login Dr Sibo 'Steven' Yan appointed as general manager of KHD Beijing 25 January 2022 Dr Sibo 'Steven' Yan has been appointed as general manager of KHD's Chinese unit KHD Humboldt Wedag Machinery Equipment (Beijing) Co Ltd. Dr Yan holds a PhD from Beijing University of Technology and brings along an impressive background of experience and knowledge in industrial cement plant construction. During his term as Vice President at Humboldt Wedag Inc he has contributed largely to winning and successfully executing the Mitchell project in the USA. The Chinese market is expected to grow massively for KHD in the upcoming years and consequently takes a central position in KHD's strategy agenda. Therefore, KHD is adapting its resources and organisation in China. Dr Yan will develop this business in close cooperation with the KHD entities and the main shareholder AVIC. Jianlong Shen, CEO of KHD, says: "The Chinese market holds a lot of opportunity for KHD. We are happy to have Steven taking over this important management position and providing valuable leadership." Published under Belarusian cement plants quadruple peat consumption in 2015-21 ICR Newsroom By 25 January 2022 Belarusian cement plants increased the consumption of peat fuel by 4.36 times to 362,000t between 2015-21, according to Valery Kovalyov, vice CEO of Beltopgaz. Peat fuel consumption by cement plants increased from 83,000t in 2015 to 362,000t in 2021, Mr Kovalyov said in an interview with Beltopgaz corporate journal. Cement plants account for 44 per cent of total peat fuel sales and have been actively substituting imported natural gas with locally-available peat products. Published under Buena Vista, CO (81211) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. High 49F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low around 30F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have arrested and charged a Smyrna man with the death of a deputy from the Robertson County Sheriffs Office. At the request of 19th District Attorney General Robert Nash, TBI agents began investigating the death of Savanna Puckett, 22, on Sunday evening, shortly after Pucketts colleagues found her deceased, with a gunshot wound, after extinguishing a fire inside her home in the 5100 block of Highway 41 North in Springfield. During the investigation, agents developed information leading to James Jackson Conn, 37, an acquaintance, as the person responsible for her death and the fire at her home. Early Monday morning, TBI agents, Rutherford County deputies, and Smyrna Police officers arrived at Conns home on Odom Court to execute a search warrant, which led to an hours-long standoff. Later in the morning, SWAT officers from the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office entered the home and arrested Conn without incident. TBI agents have obtained warrants, charging Conn with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated arson. This evening, authorities booked him into the Robertson County Jail, where, at the time of this release, he was being held without bond. An employee at Jareds at 2001 Gunbarrel Road said two men walked into the store and asked about a ring but walked towards the watches. She said that one of them pointed to a silver/white Bulova watch and asked how much it was. She said they asked to see it and she got it out of the cabinet. She placed the watch on one of the men, named either Travis/Trey, and the other man started walking towards the exit. The other man walked out of the business and the man that had the watch on his wrist ran out of the store. After they both ran out they ran to the left of the building and down the hill towards an adjacent parking lot. A man driving a maroon truck was sitting in that same parking lot and said he saw a black Kia with a busted rear bumper in the parking lot. He saw four men getting out of the Kia and walking up the hill, then after a few minutes they all came running down the hill. He said they got into the black Kia and fled the scene. The officer tried to look for fingerprints inside the store and was able to find a place where the man that walked out of the store first may have placed the palm of his hand. The officer was able to recover that print and another smudge that possibly had a print on it where he was also. The officer watched video footage of the incident and saw two men enter the store. The first was wearing a blue jacket and had medium dreads. He was said to be around 25 years old. The other man was wearing a multi-color jacket/shirt and had a white hat on. The second man is the one who was trying on the watch and ran out of the store without paying for it. The man in the blue jacket is the man that the officer was able to get a print from on the counter. The prints will be turned into Property as evidence. The officer was able to get a picture of a similar watch and added it to the report. The actual watch is just slightly bigger than the picture in the report. The watch is worth $550, per Jared's. * * * An employee of The Chatt Inn at 2000 East 23rd St. said a bullet had broken an exterior panel of a window of room 271. She believes it happened around 3 a.m. * * * A man told police he had left his bike on the side of Lightfoot Mill Road the previous evening while he was collecting sticks. When he returned for his bike it was gone. The man didnt have the serial number for the bike. It is black with a red front tire and a 22" wheel on the rear. The bike will look like a low rider. * * * A woman on Strawberry Lane told police her car was left unlocked overnight, and someone entered it and stole her purse. The woman said her purse contained her Tennessee driver's license, Social Security card and First Volunteer debit card. She provided a video from her neighbor across the street and two men were seen walking on Strawberry Lane. One man entered the womans car while the other man checked another vehicle on Strawberry Lane. A short clip of the video will be emailed to Auto Crimes investigators. * * * A woman said she left her phone on the register at Target at 1816 Gunbarrel Road. Officers were unable to view any video footage to see if the woman left her phone or if someone stole it. The woman said the phone was an iPhone 12 Pro Max worth $1,000. * * * Police responded to The Bright School at 1950 McDade Lane for a business alarm. Upon arrival, police found an unsecured door. They searched the building and secured all doors found unsecured. There were no signs of a break-in and no one found within the premises. The responsible party for the alarm arrived on scene to reset the alarm and secured the front door. * * * An officer initiated a traffic stop at 2220 Hamilton Blvd. on a white Ford Taurus with no tag. There were three people in the car. The driver said she just bought the car and the seller kept the tag. Police ran the vehicle and all three people through NCIC with no return. Police gave the driver a verbal warning for the registration violation. * * * A man told police he was traveling east on I-24 when he ran over an object in the middle of the roadway. He added that he could not move out of the way safely because he was driving a semi-truck. The object in the roadway busted open the gas tank, and gas began to leak onto the interstate. Chattanooga Fire came to assist in closing the road. Yates Towing arrived and cleaned the roadway from fuel. Yates Towing also towed the semi. * * * A woman on Gunbarrel Road told police she wants her boyfriend to leave the house. She claimed she told him several times to leave, but he refused. The woman mentioned the relationship is over, she is the owner of the house, and she wanted him to leave. Police spoke with the man and he immediately agreed to leave. The woman packed his belongings and she handed them to him. He was given access to go back inside the bedroom to make sure he had all of his belongings. The man called his mother to come pick him up and he left the house without incident. * * * An employee of Piano Movers Plus at 3889 Hixson Pike said someone stole a catalytic converter from underneath one of the box trucks owned by the business. The box truck is a white Isuzu NPR. There is no suspect information at this time, however this is the third incident regarding stolen catalytic converters from this location and Piano Movers Plus has been added to the watch list by dispatch. * * * A woman on Lee Highway said a white male, observed on video footage, damaged the electrical outlet box of the business by kicking it as he walked by. She said the man then attempted to pull out a PVC pipe that was in the ground in front of the business. He then walked away. * * * A man at 900 East 11th St. said an employee claimed their vehicle was stolen and he found it a few hours later. The employee was in charge of the vehicle and working when this occurred. The officer informed the employee that filing a false police report is a crime. He said the vehicle was in fact not stolen, but he did not provide any other information as to the situation that occurred. It is believed that the employee allowed someone to use the vehicle for unknown reasons. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The officer told the manager the vehicle was not stolen and that he should speak with the employee to find out more of what happened as this was no longer a police matter. * * * A woman said her credit card was compromised and then used in Chattanooga. The woman lives in Gallatin, Tn. and has not been to Chattanooga since October. There were several charges made at the Aldi in Hixson, most which were refunded by the bank except one for $125.60. The woman said she didnt make the charges and needs a report for her bank. * * * A woman on Webb Oaks Court told police she had ordered a package and in an email, it said it was delivered. The woman said she never received her package and believes it might have been stolen. She needed a police report for the company to assist her further. * * * A man said he was in the process of firing an employee when the employee said, Ill drive my car through the airports front door. The man said the employee is no longer working for him but still has the Nooga Taxi decals on. The man said he didnt believe the employee intended on causing any damage and that he made the statement out of anger. * * * The loss prevention employee at Walmart at 5764 Hwy. 153 said a white female came into the store and selected over $600 worth of merchandise. She tried to pay with a poorly printed fake check, to which the checkout computer denied. The loss prevention employee said that an employee then unfortunately did an override of the computer and allowed the female to use the check. The female supplied a Tennessee drivers license number for the check, but the drivers license number was not valid as well. The female was able to walk out of the store with over $600 worth of items with a fake check that looked like it was printed off a computer and cut out. Senator Bo Watson on Thursday will continue a series of town hall meetings that provide Tennesseans the opportunity to participate in a review of the states education funding formula and share what matters most to them. The meeting, at the Collegedale Commons, will help create a more student-centered funding approach that incentivizes positive outcomes, ensures all students are served at a high level, empowers parents to engage in their childs education and reflects the values of our community, said officials. Additionally, the fourth and final session in this series is Feb. 3 at the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department. Previous meetings were held in Red Bank and Hixson. Thursday, Jan. 27, 6-7:30 p.m. Ooltewah/Collegedale The Commons Entry Pavilion Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, TN 37363 Thursday, Feb. 3, 6-7:30 p.m. Harrison/Tyner Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department 5402 HWY 58, Harrison, TN 37341 Senator Watson said feedback is crucial in his role on the Funding Review Steering Committee. The funding formula hasnt been updated in about 30 years. Public schools need to be well-equipped to prepare students for lifelong success. The state's continued success depends on good stewardship of resources today, said officials. The town halls are open to the public, and advance RSVP is requested for space considerations. Guests can RSVP at this link: bowatson.info/education. Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. announces litigation attorney Kelly Etchells and real estate attorney Martha Millener have been elected as shareholders of the firm. "Kelly and Martha are hardworking, driven attorneys who provide excellent results for our clients," said President and Managing Shareholder Mark Cunningham. "Kelly and Martha have already established stellar reputations in their practice areas, and I look forward to watching them grow and become established leaders in the Chattanooga community." Licensed in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, Ms. Etchells is a member of the firm's litigation section and represents large and small businesses in state and federal courts in a variety of commercial disputes. She provides dispute resolution for matters ranging from contractual issues to product liability. She also counsels clients on real property disputes and trade secrets matters. Prior to joining Chambliss, Ms. Etchells practiced at a large international law firm in Atlanta, where she focused on product liability defense, and served as a law clerk to a federal judge in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. She is recognized in the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list for 2022 and has been involved in several community organizations, including Little Miss Mag, Orange Grove Center, Habitat for Humanity, Chattanooga Hamilton County Medical Alliance and Brock-Cooper Inn of Court. Ms. Etchells graduated summa cum laude and second in her class at the University of Georgia School of Law. Ms. Millener started her legal career at Chambliss as a summer associate several years ago. As a member of the firm's real estate group, she represents clients in commercial real estate transactions across the country. Ms. Millener is known for getting the deal done while also protecting her clients. She regularly assists developers and business owners on leasing, acquisition and sale, development, management, financing and land and title issues. She also works with various lenders in commercial real estate transactions and financial workouts. Ms. Millener was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list for 2022 and volunteers her time through several nonprofits, including The Hart Gallery and The Chattery. She graduated cum laude at The University of Alabama School of Law. There are popular recipes on Food Networks website and then there are extraordinarily popular recipes. Alton Browns Good Eats Roast Turkey recipe easily falls in the latter category. With over 6000 five-star reviews, its not difficult to see why. Food Network star Alton Brown | Jude Domski/WireImage What Brown says not to do when roasting a bird The chef states on a Food Network video for creating your juiciest turkey ever: Basting is A-1 useless. Not only does it do nothing for the flavor or texture of the meat but repeated opening of the oven door just slows down cooking. Brown observed the sad truth that many a Thanksgiving cook encounters in another FN video: What do we really know about turkey? Well, its got a lot of mass but not a lot of flavor, and it can go from undercooked to desert dry in the wink of an eye. And enthusiastic reviewers who swear by Browns approach schooled the more novice home cooks when it came to basting. Dont baste. Will keep it from crisping, said one reviewer, while another added, No need to baste it. Highly recommend watching the actual video that goes along with this recipe. Alton Brown is entertaining and gives great tips along the way. Browns brine is a major secret to the birds successful cooking The nature of a turkey can be transformed, Browns video continued, with a little help from our friends salt and sugar. He notes that honey or any other sweetener can be used in place of sugar in the brine. In fact, Brown uses in his classic brine: kosher salt, light brown sugar, vegetable stock, black peppercorns, allspice berries, chopped candied ginger, and what he calls heavily iced water. Alton Browns Roast Turkey recipe has 6000 five-star reviews and counting from Food Network fans Reviewers didnt just like Browns recipe. They ardently support his way of roasting a turkey and for many, its become a family tradition. My dad has used this brine every Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. This year will be my second year using it for my husband. Definitely recommend for a very flavorful and juicy turkey, one home cook said. Another fan wrote, Just wanted to say that I have made this turkey recipe for seven years straight and my family LOVES IT!!!!!! Its the most moist turkey ever. Full of flavor; I have made this recipe for larger turkey such as 20-24 pounds and did not change anything just added more water to the brine to make sure its fully submerged and definitely soak it overnight constantly rotating it. It comes out perfect every time. Still another home cook noted it doesnt have to be Thanksgiving to enjoy Browns recipe: I have made this two years in a row. It is amazing. Thank you Alton. It is now March and we are all staying home and I had bought a smaller turkey on sale in December, so I am making this today. Clearly, Browns brine and roasting method is that good and worth the effort. Find Alton Browns full Roast Turkey recipe, video, and reviews on Food Networks site. RELATED: Alton Browns Top 3 Food Network Desserts Make Swoon-Worthy Valentines Day Treats Blue Valentine was a dark yet earnest portrayal of a crumbling marriage. Actors Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling garnered much attention for their performance, but that attention wasnt without criticism. One of the points of controversy for the film was the movies perceived graphic sex scenes. But Goslings co-star herself, Michelle Williams, also had a strong opinion towards her intimacy with Gosling. Looking back on those scenes, Williams couldnt help describe them as toxic for several reasons. Blue Valentine director had Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling living like a real married couple Michelle Williams | Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for Turner Blue Valentine received much praise for its authenticity. Williams and Goslings relationship is shown at its best and worse stages thanks to the performances of its two stars. But Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance went to extreme methods to make sure he brought the best out of his actors. This included having the pair live together like an actual married couple. According to HuffPost, Gosling and Williams would live in a rural house in Pennsylvania together per Cianfrances instruction. They lived on a grocery budget of $200 and did chores around the house that married couples would do. Mundane domestic tasks have a way of really stagnating two people and deteriorating something thats beautiful, Cianfrance said. Cianfrance also felt that their living situation brought real emotions out of his two actors for the film. Theyre great actors, but they arent faking it either, Cianfrance continued. If something gets said or done that creates bad feelings its not going to get forgotten. But Id have them go to the family fun park after a day of fighting. They would have to go out to the real world and put a smile on. Why Michelle Williams once called her sex scenes with Ryan Gosling toxic Both Williams and Gosling had strong opinions towards Blue Valentines provocative sex scenes. Michelle Williams shared with W Magazine that there were aspects of filming that were difficult. We never rehearsed anything, and those were really dark days, Williams said. We shot the beginning of our relationship first, and it was fun and alive. Then we did the sex scenes and it wastoxic. Ryan and I had stopped relating to each other as Ryan and Michelle. Those scenes took forever. After filming those scenes, Williams needed a bit of catharsis as she traveled back home. I had a long drive from set to home each night, and I would roll down all the windows and turn up the music as loud as I could and hang my head out the window like a dog and scream. It was my escape, she shared. Ryan Gosling also revealed how and why those scenes were difficult for him. It was harda lot of times actors can trick people into thinking something is happening when its not happening, and we had to call ourselves out on anything that didnt feel honest, Gosling said. For The Notebook actor, that honesty needed to be present to achieve authenticity between himself and Williams. All of these things are artificial, and you have to strip that away if youre going to achieve a sense of intimacy. In real life sex is messy, and we wanted to get at that wonderful messiness, he continued. It took Michelle Williams six years to prepare for this film Michelle Williams went through a unique preparation process for the film. When Rotten Tomatoes asked Williams what she did to get ready for the role, the Venom star didnt hold back. There are a lot of answers to that question, Williams said. The first one is, when I thought about making this movie I said to Ryan, You know that game of trust, when you fall backward into somebodys arms? Thats the first exercise that I want to do with you over and over and over again. She continued to share just how long shed been thinking about and preparing for the script. And in some way quietly, without even sometimes knowing it myself Id been preparing for this film for six years, because I read this script for the first time when I was 21 or 22, and then went to make the movie when I think I was 28 [the film was completed in 2009], Williams confided. So its been in the back of my mind; some part of my brain has been toying with it for six years or so. RELATED: How Michelle Williams Wowed Dawsons Creek Creator at Her Audition ABC premieres Promised Land Episode 1 on Jan. 24, 2022, in The Good Doctors typical time slot, following The Bachelor. The new Latinx family drama revolves around a massive Sonoma Valley winery, Heritage House, and the fight for control. John Ortiz, Cecilia Suarez, Augusto Aguilera, and Christina Ochoa join the Promised Land cast to bring Latino representation to network television. Promised Land: Bellamy Young | ABC/Raymond Liu What is the Promised Land ABC TV series about in 2022? Although the new TV series on ABC reuses a common phrase, Promised Land, its a show youve never seen before. One definition of the promised land is a place where dreams or hopes can come true. In one storyline, Carlos Rincon (Andres Velez) and two sisters, Juana (Katya Martin) and Rosa Sanchez (Ariana Guerra), cross the U.S. border from Mexico, searching for a better life. They share their hopes and dreams of going to America while they travel together Meanwhile, Joe Sandoval (Ortiz) congratulates his daughter, Veronica Sandoval (Ochoa), on her promotion to CEO of the family wine business. The Sandoval patriarch also immigrated to America and used his father-in-laws vineyard to create his American dream. However, his now ex-wife, Margaret Honeycroft (Bellamy Young), wants her familys vineyard back. Plus, the second-generation Sandovals fight over the rights to the booming wine business. It has a Succession-like feel as the children vie for their fathers attention and business in Promised Land Episode 1. RELATED: When Will A Million Little Things Return for Season 4 Episode 9? How many episodes of Promised Land on ABC will there be in 2022? According to the Promised Land ABC press team, there will be 10 episodes in season 1 airing in 2022. ABC responded to an email request from Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Jan. 24 regarding the number of episodes in season 1. Promised Land episodes air Mondays at 10 p.m. EST and are available the following day on Hulu. However, ABC planned a special early release for Promised Land Episode 2. It will drop to Hulu with the first episode on Jan. 25 and then air on ABC on Jan. 31. Below is the complete episode list, which Showbiz Cheat Sheet will update as ABC press releases come out. Promised Land Episode 1, A Place Called Heritage Jan. 24, 2022 (ABC) Promised Land Episode 2, La Madrugada (Day Break) Jan. 25, 2022 (Hulu), Jan. 31 (ABC) Promised Land Episode 3, La Lucha (The Struggle) Feb. 7, 2022 (ABC) Promised Land: John Ortiz and Christina Ochoa | ABC/Daniel Delgado Promised Land family tree When viewers watch Promised Land Episode 1, the producers introduce the large Sandoval family. Joe Sandoval and Lettie Sandoval (Suarez) celebrated their 20th anniversary. When the couple married, Joe brought his three children from his first marriage with Margaret to the family Veronica, Antonio (Tonatiuh Elizarraraz), and Carmen (Mariel Molino). Lettie also had one son before the couple married Augusto Aguilera portrays Mateo Sandoval. After they married, they completed their family with Joe Junior (Miguel Angel Garcia). Meanwhile, Margaret Honeycroft blames Joe for her fathers death, claiming he stole the vineyard. RELATED: A Million Little Things Season 4 Episode 4 Recap, Pinocchio Is It the End for Darcy and Gary? On Netflixs Singles Inferno, Shin Ji-yeon was one cast member who gained a lot of attention. On the show, she made a strong first impression on people thanks to her sweet image. In addition to beauty, Shin revealed she had brains as well. She has been studying science at a university in Canada. She recently shared an embarrassing story from her time living abroad. [Spoiler alert: This article contains mild spoilers for Singles Inferno.] Shin Ji-yeon on Singles Inferno | Netflix Shin Ji-yeon revealed she is studying neuroscience in Canada During episode 3 of Singles Inferno, Shin went to paradise with Choi Si-hun. There, the two of them got to share their ages and occupations, which they were not allowed to do on the island. Shin revealed that was born in 1997 and is studying neuroscience at the University of Toronto in Canada. She explained, I chose to study this because my grandfather is suffering from Alzheimers. Thats how I became interested in this field. Im planning on getting a masters degree in bioscience when I graduate. Shin also shared that many people tend to be surprised when they hear about her major. Shin Ji-yeon talks about an embarrassing story from her time in Canada RELATED: Singles Inferno: Will There Be a Season 2 of Netflixs Korean Dating Reality Show? In a new YouTube video, Shin talked more about her time in Canada. She told fans that she went to Canada in 2008 when she was around 12 years old, and she has been there ever since. A fan asked her to talk about some interesting events from her time in Canada, and she revealed an embarrassing moment that occurred when she was not yet familiar with Canadian culture. When I first went to Canada, I had to write a letter to my teacher, she said. In Korea, the expression I love you, teacher is used a lot, so I wrote that in English. However, in other countries, people dont use really use that expression. I was a bit embarrassed. Shin also revealed another surprise she came across. She said, When she went to college in Toronto, I was shocked that it snowed until April. Another Singles Inferno cast member wowed fans with their perfect English Singles Inferno was filmed entirely in Korean, so it is not always obvious to viewers which cast members could speak other languages. In early January, Kim Jun-sik posted a video on Instagram that wowed fans thanks to his perfect English. As a way to promote Netflix, Kim sat in front of the camera and listed many words starting with the letter N. The letter N stands for, he said. New Year, next generation, non-stop, nonpareil, never-ending, noteworthy, notable, nice, nifty, novel, n [and] Netflix! Got Netflix? Like Shin, Kim has an international background. According to a livestream he once appeared in, he used to live in the United States. In another video, he revealed that he lived in Cerritos, California. He also has an English nameDan. RELATED: Singles Inferno: An Yea-won and Cha Hyun-seung Shed Light on What Really Happened on the Dating Show Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes trades England for the U.S. in HBOs lavish new period drama The Gilded Age. The series, which premieres Jan. 24, takes place in the late 19th century and pits an old-money New York family against a nouveau riche railroad tycoon and his striving wife. The social scheming plays out in Manhattans tony mansions and the lavish estates of Newport, Rhode Island, where some filming for the show took place. Many scenes for The Gilded Age were filmed in Rhode Island Amy Forsyth, Ashlie Atkinson, and Harry Richardson in The Gilded Age | Alison Cohen Rosa/HBO RELATED: Downton Abbey: What Is Life Like at Highclere Castle When the Period Drama Isnt Filming? During the Gilded Age, families such as the Astors and the Vanderbilts built cottages in Newport where they could escape the city in the summer and socialize with other members of the elite. Many of these mansions are still standing. Several were tapped as filming locations for the new series. The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, Marble House, Rosecliff, The Elms, and The Ledges all appear in the series, according to The Providence Journal. However, one famous house didnt make it into the show: Beechwood. The mansion was owned by the Astor family, and members of the family are characters in The Gilded Age. Location manager Lauri Pitkus said current owner, former Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, denied a request to film at the home. Troy, New York, stands in for 19th-century Manhattan Louisa Jacobson and Denee Benton in The Gilded Age | Alison Cohen Rosa/HBO Though much of The Gilded Age takes place in New York City, the only Manhattan location used was the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Instead, street scenes were filmed on a studio backlot. Troy, New York, also stood in for 19th century New York City, according to New York Upstate. Filming took place around the citys Washington Park, a private park similar to NYCs Gramercy Park, and Monument Square area. Oakwood Cemetery, the Troy Savings Bank Musical Hall, Troy Public Library, the Rensselaer County Court House also make appearances on screen, according to the Albany Times-Union. Why so much of The Gilded Age was filmed in Troy For filmmakers, shooting parts of The Gilded Age in Troy had several advantages. Tax credits were an incentive, a local expert told WMHT (via Twitter). Plus, the city has a large collection of 19th-century buildings, making it easier to recreate the feel of old New York. Troy just has this wealth of houses from the 1830s, the 1840s, the 1850s, The Gilded Age production designer Bob Shaw told WMHT. You can go to Washington Park and have somebody walk around the entire perimeter and with very few exceptions, and almost no noticeable exceptions, have houses that are of the period of 1882 of our story. The Gilded Age premieres Monday, Jan. 24 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! RELATED: 8 Period Dramas We Cant Wait to See on TV in 2022 Chickasha, OK (73018) Today Strong thunderstorms likely. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 68F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. The yellowing notebook for my college philosophy of religion class contains this plaintive inscription: Sunday school was never this complicated. Similarly, the Beatitudes are more complex than they first appear. They are (like all of Scripture) inexhaustibly rich. The deeper you dig, the more they yield. Its hard to say that a beatitude means anything apart from a context in which that meaning might be practiced, and apart from lives in which the Beatitudes might mean something. The Beatitudes are best understood in their wider narrative contexts in Matthew and Luke: They only make sense as part of a wider story about God and Gods Son, Jesus. As Kavin Rowe writes, We cannot understand the sense ideas or practices have apart from the stories that make them intelligible as things to think/do in the first place. Now I also want to make a case that the Beatitudes can be known most fully not by reading about them but through seeing what they look like in human lives. Perhaps its better to say not that the Beatitudes mean something but that they hope to transform someone, that they aim to transform us. I didnt expect to be changed by writing a book on the Beatitudes, but I was. I thought often about how I experience and express anger, whether I am a gentle person, how I spend money, how I treat people who are poor or homeless, when and how I pray, and whether I ever suffer for a commitment to justice. How can one communicate the flame of the beatitudes, wonders Rene Coste, if one does not oneself burn? Christin Lore Weber writes of the Beatitudes: If we approach their meaning through analysis we will fail to understand them. Instead we need to receive them ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. DC archbishop compares Catholics for Choice's Basilica protest to Judas, cites John 13:30 The cardinal of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is condemning the move by a Catholic pro-choice organization to display a pro-abortion message on the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, likening the activity to the infamous Judas Iscariot. On Thursday, the night before the annual March for Life, the group Catholics for Choice held a light show outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the home of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. The group displayed a message on the building that read, pro-abortion Catholics, you are not alone. In a tweet, the group elaborated on the rationale for its actions. FACT: 68% of Catholics want #RoevWade to remain the law of the land, the group asserted. The #MarchforLife & @usccb want folks to think they speak for Catholics, but nothing could be further from the truth. Pro-choice Catholics: you are not alone! #LiberateAbortion #AbortionIsEssential. FACT: 68% of Catholics want #RoeVWade to remain the law of the land. The #MarchForLife & @usccb want folks to think they speak for Catholics, but nothing could be further from the truth. Pro-choice Catholics: you are not alone!#LiberateAbortion#AbortionIsEssentialpic.twitter.com/qr5RFMX69Z Catholics for Choice (@Catholic4Choice) January 20, 2022 A video shared on social media revealed additional messages displayed on the Basilica, which included a proclamation that 1 in 4 abortion patients is Catholic as well as a call to stop stigmatizing and start listening. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of the archdiocese, reacted to the light show with a statement. The true voice of the Church was only to be found within The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception last evening, he said. There, people prayed and offered the Eucharist asking God to restore a true reverence for all human life. Those whose antics projected words on the outside of the church building demonstrated by those pranks that they really are external to the Church and they did so at night John 13:30. The Bible passage Gregory spoke of recounts the events of the Last Supper, where Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus by turning him over to the Romans. Jesus was crucified shortly after on Good Friday. The passage reads: As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread, he went out. It was night. Catholics for Choice President Jamie Manson responded to Gregorys statement by declaring on Twitter that the idea that support for abortion is external to the church is a tragic denial of reality. We went to the Basilica to draw attention to the fact that women in the church have abortions, Manson wrote. Those are likely the women who serve as his lectors and Eucharistic ministers; who sew his vestments and wash his dishes. To ignore them is to betray them. The pro-life movement calls them murders without ever hearing their stories, Manson continued. They push for a political cause w/out regard for the disproportionate suffering it will inflict on women, poor families & people of color. Describing Catholics for Choice as a part of this church who are asking to be heard, Manson cited the Bible passage Romans 8:38-39 as justification for Catholic support for abortion. Apostle Paul writes, I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which contains all the churchs teachings, affirms the moral evil of every procured abortion and condemns the policy as gravely contrary to moral law. Additionally, the catechism asserts that formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense punishable by the canonical penalty of excommunication. J.D. Long-Garcia, the senior editor at America Magazine, a Jesuit publication, wrote in an op-ed that Catholics for Choices actions could be considered sacrilege. Even if we do not consider the sacrilege, this prank is childish and rude, he wrote. Imagine going to the movies only to discover someone projecting messages on the lead characters forehead. Or imagine someone projecting Trump 2024 on the garage of the Democrat next door. It undercuts their own cause by potentially alienating pro-choice Catholics who see this stunt for what it is, he continued. I imagine such Catholics would feel similar to my conservative family and friends who bemoan the prominence of the QAnon movement in the media. And while I am a Christian, I never want to be associated with the Westboro Baptist Church and their hateful actions against the L.G.B.T. community. Not all Christians are like that. In 2004, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, sent a letter to Gregory and other top church leaders in the U.S. He contended that the grave sin of abortion, when a persons formal cooperation becomes manifest ..., his pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Churchs teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself to Holy Communion until he brings an end to the objective situation of sin. The debate on whether pro-choice Catholic politicians can participate fully in the church has intensified in the past year after President Joe Biden, a Catholic Democrat, took office. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops debated implementing a national policy instructing priests to withhold communion from Catholic politicians who advocate for permissive abortion laws that directly contradict the denominations teachings. Gregory was among the Catholic leaders who indicated that he would not deny Biden communion if he presented himself for the Eucharist at his church. The USCCB approved the drafting of a formal statement on the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the church at its General Assembly earlier this year. Following criticism and allegations that it was designed to rebuke pro-abortion Catholics, the body of bishops insisted that the document being drafted is not meant to be disciplinary in nature and that the question of whether or not to deny any individual or groups Holy Communion was not on the ballot. Michael Youssef says blaming tragedies on sin is 'pagan thinking,' says it's natural to question God Megachurch pastor and author Michael Youssef advised his congregation Sunday not to give in to false guilt when asking God why a tragedy occurs, insisting that questioning God is OK. But, he warned listeners not to believe that all tragedies are caused by sin, a mindset that he says is found in some churches today. For the third sermon in a multiple-part sermon series titled The Visible Hand of the Invisible God, the 73-year-old founder of The Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia, insisted that the storms of life arent always caused by sin and warned against pagan thinking. He warned that this type of thinking impacted disciples during Jesus time and some of His followers to this day. Youssef directed the audience to John 9 when the disciples asked the Messiah why a man was born blind. The disciples questioned Jesus if the man was born blind because he had sinned or if his parents had sinned. Jesus replied in John 9:2-3: It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. How do you sin in the womb? Youssef preached, reiterating that this man was born blind. This type of erroneous thinking is even prevalent in some churches today. Jesus said: neither him nor his parents. Its just that God would be glorified in this. We are very quick to draw conclusions about other members of the body. We are quick to pass judgment on other members of the body. We are quick to connect dots. These dots dont even exist, Youssef emphasized. We are quick to tie all sin to calamity. Thats wrong. The Egyptian-born preacher said another thing that happens in society and culture today is that many are angry with God because of the tragedies happening in their own lives. Frequently, he said, people in these scenarios might not even acknowledge God or believe in God. But in times of calamity, they become furious with Him. Youre fighting someone who doesnt exist? Youssef said he once asked someone he talked with who didnt believe in God but was angry with God. Over his nearly four decades of pastoring, Youssef said that congregants often take their anger out on him when they are angry with God. In households, Youssef said he has noticed that when a family member is angry with God, they tend to take out their frustration on the godliest member of the family. This happens because anger is often accompanied by guilt, which causes them to act a certain way. All the anger that we see from people who are in a homosexual lobbying group or the transgender lobby; Im not talking about those who are caught up in the lifestyle who really dont know how to get out; Im talking about those who are expressing anger, and they are hell-bent on teaching that stuff to our children as young as 5 years old, Youssef reasoned. That comes out of guilt. That anger is out of guilt. They are created in Gods own image. And they know what theyre doing is contrary to creation. And that's guilt; they dont know it. Their burning with guilt, Youssef proclaimed. [They] show anger towards God because God is invisible, and they vent on Gods children the believers call them bigots, call them every name in the book. Sometimes, the guilt that people experience is due to the death of others, which always brings guilt to the surface. When a loved one dies, Youssef said, people tend to wonder what they should have done or what they should not have done or what they should have said or what they should not have said. The pastor has seen people grieve at funerals not only over the loss of their loved ones but also over their sense of guilt and failure in the face of the inevitability of death for everyone. Youssef assured that God is not the author of evil, but he permits tragedy to happen to His Children to allow for His glory to be displayed. And while there are tragedies, he said, there are always blessings. At the beginning of the sermon, he said he often finds that blasting of lifes storms and the blessing of God sort of go hand-in-hand almost. Lifes high and low, they are close companions, he said. The triumph and the tragedy often follow each other. He finds that lifes tragedies are always accompanied by blessings because God specializes in restoring fragments of life into something more beautiful and more meaningful. Most of us have been through some storms in life. Some have experienced storms that are very shattering. And yet many of us can testify to the fact that with the blasting of the storms of life, there was a blessing from the Hand of God, he said. Our God specializes in remaking beauty out of ash. Our God specializes in giving garments of praise instead of sackcloth, he preached. God is not through with any of us yet. If youre sitting here breathing, God is not through with you yet. Hes got some great plans for you. (33:58) Youssef assured that people should not feel guilty when they question God. The question why is very natural. Dont let a legalist tell you, Oh, you should not question God. All of the great heroes of the Bible it would take me a day to name them all all have asked why, Youssef explained. In Judges 6, Youssef said that when the Midianites were desecrating Israel, Gideon asked God why He allowed this to happen. And when Job, who was a man of wealth with a large family who had considerable influence, lost his fortune and family overnight, he asked God why he was not stillborn. He added that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, questioned God while dying on the cross: Why have you forsaken me? Please do not put yourself under false guilt when you ask why. When you see your highest dreams [being] crushed, when you see your highest hopes crash, when you find yourself hanging upside down in life as it were, [the] natural question is why. Its OK, Youssef rationalized. This question pounds on the doors of Heaven a million times a second from hospital beds, from lonely bedrooms, from graveyards, from pillows that are stained with tears, from places where individuals and families are experiencing their own private Gethsemane. And God hears them all, and God receives them all, and God answers them all. He said that God hears a person questioning why right away, and other times, He will not seem to hear the question immediately and will not respond for many years. Youssef said God will sometimes say: wait until you come home to glory. While many people know, experience and live in Gods abundant blessings, the pastor said that life often takes a turn that is unexpected and often tragic. Youssef said there have been several times he experienced an unexpected series of events in his life that was Gods blessing and then Gods blasting. In March of 1964, Youssef said he went through a period when he turned away from God because he was running away from Gods calling on His life. Despite what he described as his period of rebellion, on March 4 of that month, Youssef said he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. And the joy and the ecstasy yes, it is ecstasy and the joy of my salvation I was on high, Youssef recounted. In July of that year, my mother, who risked her life to have me [and] had prayed me into the Kingdom, died at the age of 55. Gods blessings and lifes blasting. On another occasion in 1990, Youssef said his church had been active for a few years, and he had witnessed the amazing blessing of God, and many souls were coming to Christ every week. The church had been growing in leaps and bounds. But over two weeks, he watched his 15-year-old hovering between life and death in the Childrens Hospital Intensive Care Unit. And soon, God intervened and heard the prayer of the congregation, and He was so gracious to us, and she came out of [the] hospital, and we rejoiced in Gods blessing, Youssef said. The following week, we checked my wife into another hospital nearby for a serious operation. You see, Gods blessings and lifes blasting go hand-in-hand. Im never going to tell anyone how I prayed during those weeks because it will not edify you. I didnt even tell my wife. I didnt tell anybody, he continued. But the thing that I can testify to you today is that God did not fall off his throne because of my sorry prayer. He didnt. Hes still on the throne, he added. Youssef said it was amazing grace that in the middle of his sorry prayers, he felt the love and embrace of the Lord in ways he never had before. Its the grace of God, he said. Gods blessings and lifes blasting all at the same time. PCUSA head doubles down on comparing Israeli occupation to 'slavery' The head of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has doubled down on earlier comments suggesting the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories was comparable to slavery. PC(USA) Stated Clerk Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II garnered outrage from Jewish groups when, as part of a statement released in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day last Monday, he declared that the continued occupation in Palestine/Israel is 21st-century slavery and should be abolished immediately. He called on the Jewish community in the United States to influence the call to join the U.S. government in ending the immoral enslavement. After being accused of antisemitism by Jewish advocacy groups, Nelson released a message on Saturday in which he defended his original remarks. Nelson maintained that no one who is informed regarding the use of military power and racial bias to control the lives of Palestinian citizens can honestly avoid the truth of this situation. I made special reference to the injustices currently suffered by the Palestinian people under Israeli domination, marked by confiscation of rich land they have farmed for generations, destruction of their crops, barriers to access their holy places of worship, lack of access to certain types of employment and other forms of economic opportunity, he said. For us in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) these realities make it imperative that we, as Presbyterians, find ways to have the necessary conversation with Jews who will talk with us about the real tragedy of the Palestinian/Israeli struggle. Nelson stated that his denomination has a long, clear policy of abhorrence of anti-Semitism, but contends that we must also be linked with the refusal to give Israel a pass in the face of injustices done to Palestinians in Israel-Palestine. Nelson said that a policy enacted at the 221st PC(USA) General Assembly in 2014 calling for equal rights for all inhabitants of Israel and Palestine was the basis for his statement. If we are to be able to work toward a just and equitable future for both Israelis and Palestinians, we must honor all involved as children of God and we must learn to seek peaceful, just resolutions to the complex histories faced by both parties, Nelson stated. May God give us the wisdom, courage and persistence to join in this quest for justice for all. Critics of Nelsons earlier remarks include the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. The organization said in a statement that it was dismayed and labeled the prelates assessment of Israeli foreign policy dangerous and false. The antisemitic nature of his statement is made even more clear by his failure to mention serious human rights abuses occurring elsewhere in the world, such as the ongoing genocides against the Uyghurs and Rohingya, stated JCPA. As Jews, we reject those who callously use the tragedy of the Holocaust to make political points, so we were saddened that Rev. Dr. Nelson trivialized the suffering, torture, and murder of millions of slaves as a tawdry rhetorical device. The organization Presbyterians for Middle East Peace also decried Nelsons statement, saying that he seems to blame all Jews as the culprit, ignoring the many reasons why Americans support Israel. The Rev. Dr. Nelsons actions in lashing out at the U.S. and global Jewish community is beyond the pale. Gratefully, his actions and words do not match the work of local PCUSA and Jewish congregations in communities across the nation, the organization stated. We hope the Stated Clerk will spend more time talking and working with American Jewish community leaders and less time writing blasts filled with reprehensible misrepresentations of our Jewish neighbors. The Jewish nongovernmental organization Anti-Defamation League sent Nelson a letter last Wednesday, arguing that his Jan. 17 statement is nothing less than antisemitism. Your demonizing language towards Israel appears to question the validity of Jewish statehood, and the morality of Jews and Judaism, the letter reads. By your formulation, unless they act against Israel, Jews (specifically American Jews) are implicated and judged guilty. This not only holds all Jews accountable for Israeli policies, but essentially demands that Jews deny an integral aspect of their Jewish identity, that of a connection to Israel, their historic homeland, and to Jewish self-determination, the ADL letter continued. It must be noted that support for the existence of Israel is affirmed by the vast majority of Jews in the U.S. and around the world, and is not synonymous with supporting policies of a particular government, nor is it synonymous with opposing self-determination, and a viable and secure state for Palestinians. In 2014, the PC(USA) General Assembly voted 310-303 to divest from Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola Solutions due to their reported business ties to Israel. The move was criticized by organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Union for Reform Judaism. The disputed territories are those in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza Strip captured by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967. Israel has controlled those territories for over five decades but sovereignty over those territories has long been debated by the international community. Many, including the United Nations, have opposed Israels plans to annex the West Bank, claiming it would do serious harm to a two-state solution. Planned Parenthood drops lawsuit against largest 'sanctuary city for the unborn' In a victory for the pro-life movement, Planned Parenthood has dropped a lawsuit against the largest sanctuary city for the unborn in the United States. On Thursday, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Surgical Health Services, an affiliate of the largest abortion provider in the country, filed a motion to dismiss its lawsuit against the city of Lubbock, Texas, the most populous sanctuary city for the unborn in the U.S. In a referendum last year, Lubbock residents voted to outlaw abortion within the city limits, making the West Texas city of more than 250,000 people the largest sanctuary city for the unborn in the nation. Planned Parenthood filed the lawsuit against the city of Lubbock in May 2021, about two weeks after a supermajority of the citys residents (62.5%) voted in favor of a referendum that made it unlawful for any person to procure or perform an abortion of any type and at any stage of pregnancy within the city limits. The motion to dismiss the lawsuit comes several months after a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division, upheld the ban, alleging that Planned Parenthood lacked the jurisdiction to file the lawsuit. Like the Texas Heartbeat Act that has found itself in litigation since taking effect in September, the Lubbock abortion ban leaves enforcement of the measure up to private citizens instead of city officials. Planned Parenthood initially appealed the lower court decision but has now decided to pursue a new course of action by dropping the appeal. Attorneys for Planned Parenthood cited the lower court decision in their motion to dismiss and noted that Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 42(b) and Circuit Rule 42.1 gave them the right to do so. The rule states: The circuit court may dismiss a docketed appeal if the parties file a signed dismissal agreement specifying how costs are to be paid and pay any fees that are due. Additionally, the rule establishes that No mandate or other process may issue without a court order. An appeal may be dismissed on the appellants motion on terms agreed to by the parties or fixed on the court. Planned Parenthoods attorneys explained that both the plaintiffs and defendants in the case agreed that the parties will bear their own costs for this appeal and for the proceedings in the court, adding no additional fees are due. The motion to dismiss the appeal was filed one day before the 49th annual March for Life, where pro-life protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., expressed optimism that Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, would soon be weakened or overturned when the justices rule on Mississippis 15-week abortion ban. Pro-life leaders in Texas cheered the apparent conclusion to the litigation against Lubbocks pro-life ordinance. Mark Lee Dickson, president of Right to Life of East Texas and the leading advocate for creating Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn, reacted to the motion to dismiss in a Facebook post. We have said from the beginning that the abortion bans we have drafted are bulletproof from court challenge, and we are pleased that the litigation over Lubbocks ordinance has proven us right. We will continue our work to enact similar ordinances in other cities throughout the United States, he vowed. Dustin Burrows, a Republican who represents Lubbock in the Texas House of Representatives, described Planned Parenthoods dropping of the appeal as a major and historic victory for the right to life. He rejoiced that the move will guarantee that the ordinance will remain in effect. Pro-Life Victory! In a major and historic victory for the right to life, Planned Parenthood is dropping its lawsuit over the city of Lubbocks abortion ban, ensuring that the ordinance will remain in effect! #txlege#prolife#sanctuarycityfortheunbornpic.twitter.com/SrGsx1GlTD Dustin Burrows (@Burrows4TX) January 21, 2022 Texas state Sen. Charles Perry, a Republican who represents Lubbock, issued a statement congratulating the city and the people of Lubbock on this historic victory and for becoming the first jurisdiction in the United States to successfully defend an abortion ban in court since Roe v. Wade. After praising the development as the answer to so many of our prayers, he further reflected on the role the city of Lubbock and the state of Texas have played in the pro-life movement over the past year. With the Texas Heartbeat Act taking effect last September, and with Lubbock having outlawed abortion within city limits, the state of Texas is leading the way on protecting the unborn despite the continued existence of Roe v. Wade. Texas and Lubbock have shown how states and cities can ban or restrict abortion while immunizing their laws from pre-enforcement judicial review. I encourage other cities in Texas and throughout the United States to adopt similar ordinances. There are currently 41 sanctuary cities for the unborn in the U.S., with all but three of them located in Texas. Nebraska has two sanctuary cities for the unborn, while Ohio has one. Pope Francis installs women in 2 ministries after formally expanding roles in Catholic Church Pope Francis installed female catechists and lectors on Sunday for the first time since adapting the laws of the Roman Catholic Church to expand the formal roles of women in the church. During the papal mass for the Sunday of the Word of God in St. Peters Basilica on Jan. 23., the pontiff conferred the ministries of catechist and lector upon both lay men and women two ministries previously reserved only to men, the National Catholic Register reports. Previously, the ministry of Lector was reserved only to men because it was considered preparatory to receiving Holy Orders, the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization said in a statement last week. A well-established practice in the Church, however, has confirmed that lay ministries, founded on the sacrament of Baptism, can be entrusted to all the faithful who are suitable, whether male or female, according to what is already implicitly indicated by canon 230 of the Code of Canon Law, which the Pope has modified for the occasion. The pope installed six women from South Korea, Pakistan, Ghana and Italy and two Italian men in the ministry of lector. He told them they were placing themselves "in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God." The pope prayed: "You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it." Lectors read from Scripture during mass, while catechists a ministry instituted by Francis last year teach the faith to children and adult converts. In most countries, women and men were already serving as lectors and catechists in the Catholic Church. However, with the official ordination, more conservative bishops will be unable to prevent women in their dioceses from taking on those roles, CNA notes. Throughout his papacy, Francis has called for women to have more formal roles in the church, but has remained firm on forbidding women to become deacons or priests. Catholic doctrine prohibits the ordination of women as priests, as those roles are reserved for men. In April 2020, the pope established a commission to study whether women should be granted the right to become ordained deacons. In this role, women would be permitted to preach and baptize, but not to conduct mass In January 2021, he changed the laws of the Roman Catholic church to formally allow women to give readings from the Bible during mass, act as altar servers and distribute communion. Last May, he established the ministry of catechist as an instituted service within the Catholic Church. In a letter published with the change to the law, Francis stressed that the services of reader and altar server entail stability, public recognition and a commission from the bishop, Catholic News Service reported. These services allow women to have a real and effective impact on the organization, the most important decisions and the direction of communities, while continuing to do so in a way that reflects their womanhood, Francis added. A 2020 survey of 224 young Catholic women in formation and ministry in the U.S. found that 82% of those surveyed felt that women's ministries were not valued equally to men's. Of the 224 young Catholic women who responded, 80% were dissatisfied with the ministry opportunities available to them in the global church, and 73% said the same about local opportunities. Josh Duggar files motion for acquittal or new trial after child pornography convictions Josh Duggars lead defense attorney, Justin Gelfand, has filed a motion to request that his client be acquitted of two child pornography convictions or be granted a new trial. The former reality TV stars defense team filed a motion over 75 pages long on Wednesday asking for an acquittal under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 29, according to the Arkansas-based KNWA-TV. If the acquittal is denied, then the motion requests a new trial. Images of child pornography were found in a computer at a cardealership owned by the eldest child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, whose family was featured on the reality television shows 19 Kids & Counting and Counting On. The Duggars are a large ultra-conservative Christian family that lives in Arkansas. Josh Duggar, a 33-year-old father of seven, had pled not guilty to the charges. His defense claimed someone else was responsible for the illegal files on the computer, a claim investigators found that to be unlikely. In December, he was found guilty by a federal jury of receiving and possessing child pornography and could face up to 20 years in prison. He has not yet been sentenced. Gelfand maintained that the evidence presented was not enough to convict the former 19 Kids and Counting reality star. The evidence elicited at trial does not support a conviction on either count even in the light most favorable to the Government, the motion claims. The Government failed to adduce any evidence that Duggar 'knew that the visual depictions were of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The request explained that the video files used as evidence in the initial trial gave the jury no evidence that Duggar personally viewed any specific portion of any of the files allegedly found on the computer. The Courts broad discretion empowers it to grant relief based not only on the sufficiency of the evidence at trial but on any other circumstance that might render the trial essentially unfair, including trial errors, the statement continued. The prosecution failing to timely disclose exculpatory evidence is what the defense claims. Duggars team is accusing the government of violating multiple rules of procedure and evidence. The argument is that the prosecution delayed turning over exhibits created by James Fottrell, director of the Department of Justices High Technology Investigative Unit, ahead of the trial. According to the defense, a former employee at Duggars car dealership, Caleb Williams, was an individual who had access to the car lot and the HP desktop computer during certain relevant time periods. The motion claims that law enforcement had failed to meaningfully investigate the possibility that anyone other than Duggar may have committed the crimes charged. The motion also included a screenshot of an email from Caleb Williams. Gelfand brought up this possibility during the trial and argued that investigators were star-struck by Duggar. As a result, the defense claims that the investigators did not thoroughly investigate the possibility that someone else could be responsible for the files found on the computer. The prosecution interviewed Williams before the trial began, but he was not called as a witness, KNWA-TV reports. Williams sent an email to a member of the prosecutions team from the Department of Justice stating the following: I was completely mistaken about not being at the Wholesale Motorcars lot during the time I was in Arkansas (AR) between May 8, 2019 May 11, 2019. I do not know if I was on the lot computer or even if I ended up going there. It looks like during my time there, I did odd work for the guys and maybe even Josh Duggar. In the messages between Josh Duggar and I, while I was in AR, as attached in one of these screenshots I am providing, I tell Josh I was planning to come to the lot a couple of days. I apologize for the mistake; I had no intention to mislead you all. - Caleb Williams But during the trial, the prosecution maintained that forensic evidence and testimonies determined that Duggar was the only person at his dealership during the dates in question when the illegal material was downloaded to the computer. Duggars defense contends that Williams made the prosecution aware that he had to turn back to the dealership to sell cars. The defense says the government hid the ball from the defense during nearly its entire case-in-chief. This deprived the defense of the ability to impeach these witnesses with evidence that yet another person had access to passwords, the motion detailed. Had the defense possessed this information when it became available, it would have meaningfully affected trial strategy and provided additional fodder for cross-examination of Government witnesses. The defense motion concludes that Duggar was deprived of the opportunity to present relevant, material favorable evidence in his favor and this ruling was disproportionate to any legitimate or evidentiary purpose. As such, it violated Duggars Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights and this Court should grant him a new trial, the motion states. Duggar had previously admitted to molesting his sisters when he was younger. His history of abuse resulted in the cancelation of the familys reality show. 17 Christian groups ask Biden to change US policy in the Holy Land A coalition of 17 Christian groups and denominations have asked President-elect Joe Biden to roll back the Trump administration's policies pertaining to Palestinian territories and Israel. In an open letter sent to Biden last Friday, the church groups stated that the Christian community in Israel/Palestine continues to suffer as a result of the ongoing [Israeli] occupation. As Palestinian Christians continue to emigrate, we face the real prospect that the survival of the indigenous Christian presence in the Holy Land may soon be in danger, they stated. By ensuring the U.S. government stands firmly in support of peace and justice for all in the region, your administration can help ensure the Christian community, along with all in the Holy Land, can flourish. The groups, which include the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA), argued that actions taken under the Trump administration, such as ending funding for the Palestinian Authority and the recognition of disputed territory like the Golan Heights as belonging to Israel, hindered the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Over the last four years, U.S. policy has moved in directions that have alienated the U.S. from many of its international partners and supported the deepening of Israels occupation while undermining long term efforts to realize a just and lasting peace, claimed the letter. If the U.S. remains committed to realizing peace with justice in Israel and Palestine there is a need for an immediate change in policy and approach when your administration enters office. The letter listed six proposals to help advance peace, which included respecting all parties, reiterating that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, resuming funding for the Palestinian Authority, greater accountability regarding how U.S. military aid to Israel is used, rejecting Israeli claims to certain disputed territories, and protecting the rights of advocates of divesting from Israel. Over the last four years there has been a coordinated effort to prohibit speech critical of Israel and to make it illegal to support boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) actions, stated the letter. We ask that your administration make it clear that Americans rights to engage in speech and actions critical of the government of Israel are constitutionally protected. Entities that signed on to the letter included: the Alliance of Baptists, American Friends Service Committee, the Disciples of Christ, the Office of Social Justice of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy of the Church of the Brethren, Church World Service, Churches for Middle East Peace, the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, the Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ, and the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church. The Trump administration has been known for its staunch support of Israel, which included officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by moving the U.S. embassy there in May 2018. "Thank you, President Trump, for having the courage to keep your promises," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the 2018 ceremony. Thank you President Trump and thank you all, for making the alliance between America and Israel stronger than ever. In September, the White House oversaw a diplomatic agreement being signed between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain known as the Abraham Accords. Yael Eckstein, president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, referred to the Abraham Accords in a statement at the time as miraculous. Sometimes in history, God blesses his people with miracles, from the parting of the Red Sea to the reestablishment of the modern state of Israel. Today is also a miracle a miracle of peace, she stated. Its been over two decades since the nation of Israel last entered into a peace agreement with another Middle Eastern country. Israel has often extended its hand for peace. Now that hand has been grasped twice in 29 days thanks to courageous leaders willing to take risks in order to realize a lasting peace. In October, a similar deal was reached between Israel and the Sudan, with the latter being taken off the State Department's list of State Sponsors of Terrorism as part of the agreement; in return, Sudan compensated victims of terrorism. Groups raise concerns over 19 federal agencies plans to track religious objectors to COVID-19 vaccines Some conservative groups are raising concerns over the Biden administration's reported tracking of federal employees who have requested religious exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccinations. The Heritage Foundation released a report last week that found at least 19 federal agencies had created or proposed a list tracking religious objectors to the COVID-19 vaccine. Sarah Parshall Perry and GianCarlo Canaparo, legal fellows at Heritages Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, wrote in the report that, based on researching the Federal Register, there were at least 19 total federal agencies including five cabinet level agencies that have created or proposed to create these tracking lists for religious-exemption requests from their employees. 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, stated Perry and Canaparo. 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. Perry and Canaparo noted that the lists will be shared between federal agencies and include information such as religious affiliation, the reasons and support given for religious accommodation requests, names, contact information, date of birth, aliases, home address, contact information, and other identifying information. The Heritage commentary quoted a public comment by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who said he believed there was a chilling effect on a citizens exercise of religion due to the creation of this Database. The First Liberty Institute, a conservative law firm based in Planio, Texas, released a statement Friday in response to The Heritage Foundation's report, calling the objector lists alarming. These policies could negatively impact religious freedom for people of all faiths across the country. Its incredibly dangerous (indeed, dystopian) for the government to have a list of religious citizens at its disposal, wrote Jorge Gomez of First Liberty. Tyranny and repression arent too far away when the state begins to actively track the faithful. Religious liberty is greatly endangered once the state monitors religious citizens in order to get them to conform to the governments sanctioned viewpoint. Earlier this month, Perry and Canaparo reported that the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia had announced the creation of the Employee Religious Exception Request Information System. According to the announcement, the system sought to maintain 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. The system of records will assist the Agency in the collection, storing, dissemination, and disposal of employee religious exemption request information collected and maintained by the Agency, stated the announcement. Although the agency in question was a small federal body, Perry and Canaparo expressed concern about the list, and believed that the new system would serve as a model for a whole-of-government push to assemble lists of Americans who object on religious grounds to a COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement also does not say what the agency will do with this information after it has decided an employees religious accommodation request, wrote the legal fellows. And neither does the announcement explain why the Biden administration chose to test this policy in an agency with a majority-black staff, who are both more religious and less vaccinated than other groups. CDC is pivoting what it means to be fully vaccinated, director says U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says the agency is preparing to pivot the language about what it means to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Individuals may no longer be considered fully vaccinated without a booster shot, she said during a White House COVID-19 response team press briefing Friday. Every year, you need a flu shot; youre not up to date with your flu shot until youve gotten your flu shot for that year, she elaborated. And what we really are working to do is pivot the language to make sure that everybody is as up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as they personally could be, should be, based on when they got their last vaccine. Those who recently got their second dose and are not eligible for a booster are considered up to date. If you are eligible for a booster and you havent gotten it, youre not up to date and you need to get your booster in order to be up to date, she stated. In a previous briefing on Jan. 5, Walensky had said, Individuals are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if theyve received their primary series, categorically saying also that that definition is not changing. But consistent with how public health has historically viewed or even talked about how we recommend vaccines, we are now recommending that individuals stay up to date with additional doses that they are eligible for, the CDC director added. And we have now available how you can stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines based on what vaccine you have received and what age group you are in. And that is available now on the CDC website. According to the CDC, about 63.4% of the U.S. population (210.5 million) is fully vaccinated, while more than 84.3 million people have received a booster dose as of Monday. Over 251 million people (75.6% of the U.S. population) have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC maintains that vaccines protect against severe disease and death from COVID-19. A CDC data tracker suggests that more than 99% of new COVID-19 infections come from the omicron variant. Walensky said earlier this month that most COVID-19 deaths were still from the delta variant and that the risk of hospitalization remains low especially among people who are up to date on their COVID vaccines. A recently published study of nearly 70,000 COVID-19 patients in California found that while the omicron variant represents the majority of new infections, it is associated with reduced risk of severe clinical endpoints and shorter durations of hospital stay. On Sunday, thousands protested vaccine mandates on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This is not an anti-vax rally, Sherry Walker, a Houston-based captain for United Airlines and the co-founder of Airline Employees for Health Freedom, said at the demonstration. This is a rally to tell our government that were going to hold them accountable to illegal mandates, and in our specific case with Title VII with our employer. Pastor Tony Evans, the pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, said in a sermon this month that he also has an issue with people being told they must get the COVID-19 vaccine. Our issue is against mandates, not against vaccinations if you choose to, and there are a whole lot of biblical reasons for that, Evans said. People dont know what to do, and stuff keeps changing because God keeps messing stuff up. If you dont see that, if all you see is the medical thing, then you are fighting on vaccines and non-vaccines. ... Feel free to do what the Bible says. The whole Romans 14 says you are free to choose. The whole chapter says you are free to choose, he reiterated. [Paul] comes to verse 23, and he says that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So whatever decision you make, be able to trust God with it. Thats the issue. ... People are going to make different decisions. So you have to be comfortable and not be mandated. Judge tosses Planned Parenthood's lawsuit against largest 'sanctuary city for the unborn' in US A federal judge has dismissed Planned Parenthoods lawsuit seeking to invalidate an ordinance outlawing abortion in a major Texas city, arguing a "lack of jurisdiction." Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas, appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump, tossed the lawsuit filed on behalf of the abortion provider against an ordinance banning abortion in the city of Lubbock. Because the ability to remedy a plaintiffs injury through a favorable decision is a prerequisite to a plaintiffs standing to sue an ability absent here the Court dismisses the case for lack of jurisdiction, Hendrix said in his Tuesday night ruling, as reported by The Texas Tribune. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas filed a lawsuit against Lubbock, asking a federal judge to declare the voter-approved ordinance outlawing most abortions within the city limits except for cases when a woman's life is at risk unconstitutional. The ruling comes after oral arguments were heard Friday in Hendrix's court during which he expressed reservations about the scope of his authority over the ordinance, The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported. In response to Hendrixs decision, the city of Lubbock released a statement acknowledging that the City has reviewed the June 1 Court Order in the litigation challenging Lubbocks Sanctuary City of the Unborn ordinance and is pleased with the result. Praising the judges thorough and well-reasoned opinion, the city vowed to vigorously defend the ordinance in any litigation that may be filed. Hendrixs ruling follows Planned Parenthoods announcement that it will no longer perform abortions at its Lubbock facility. In a statement released Tuesday, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, the Texas affiliate of the nation's largest abortion provider, which operates a clinic in the city, indicated that Abortion services will be provided when legally permissible. The announcement comes after Lubbocks abortion ban, approved by more than 62% of the citys voters, went into effect Tuesday, making the town of over 250,000 residents the largest sanctuary city for the unborn in the U.S. The abortion provider chastised the ordinance for creating significant barriers and the need to travel a minimum 600-mile round trip or out of state for patients seeking to obtain an abortion. Due to the controversial ordinance passed on May 1, Lubbock residents are currently required to travel to access a safe, legal abortion, said Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas CEO Ken Lambrecht. This ban on abortions provides no exemptions, even in cases of rape or incest. The ban on abortion violates patients constitutional right to an abortion and were in court to block this ban for Lubbock patients. Planned Parenthood opened up a clinic in Lubbock, the 11th largest city in Texas, last year. As the organization noted in its lawsuit, a health center operated in Lubbock by a separate Planned Parenthood entity was forced to close in 2013 following the States imposition of a series of state funding cuts and abortion restrictions. Shortly after the abortion provider announced its intentions to open a new facility in Lubbock, Republican lawmakers representing the city in the Texas state legislature urged Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope, also a Republican, to take all necessary actions to prevent them from opening. Additionally, the lawmakers called on Pope to enact an ordinance making Lubbock a sanctuary city for the unborn. When city officials unanimously opposed the idea, pro-life advocacy organizations successfully pushed to put the issue before the voters in a referendum, which passed on May 1. While the overwhelming majority of the sanctuary cities for the unborn are located in Texas, the movement has recently spread to other states. In addition to two cities in Nebraska, Lebanon, Ohio, passed an ordinance declaring itself a sanctuary city for the unborn last month, making it the first city in the Buckeye State to enact the ban. Twenty-eight cities have declared themselves sanctuary cities for the unborn, and more than three dozen cities in Texas and Florida are considering banning abortion within the city limits. Michigan youth pastor charged with sexually abusing 4 minors, 2 younger than 13 A 28-year-old youth pastor in Michigan has been charged with sexually assaulting four children and faces charges of indecent exposure and distributing explicit content. William Stefan Wahl, who worked at the River Church in Kimball, was charged Friday with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct of a person younger than 13 and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct of a person ages 13 to 16, according to court records. He was also charged with distributing obscene matter to children, aggravated indecent exposure and using computers to commit a crime. Wahl refused to enter a plea as records indicate that he stood mute" during his arraignment. Wahl is accused of sexually abusing four juvenile victims from the church, St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King was quoted as saying by The Port Huron Times Herald. The sheriffs office began investigating Wahl after it received a complaint of sexual assault of a child in late 2021. According to Fox 2, the investigation revealed that there were four victims involved two of which were younger than 13 and some of allegations dated back to 2014. The Times Herald noted that the victims ranged in age from 10 to 17. There could be more victims, authorities believe. Bond was set at $25,000 and was posted on Monday. Attorney Stephen Rabaut represents Wahl. In November, Bill Wahl, the co-lead pastor of the River Church, said in a statement that within hours after the church leadership learned about possible child abuse of two minors, the church board terminated the employee and reported the allegations to authorities. Additionally, the parents of the children involved were told of the allegations. It is unclear what the pastors relationship is to the defendant. Earlier this month, a former youth pastor in Indiana was sentenced to 20 years in prison for molesting several boys aged 11 to 13 for several years. An Elkhart County judge sentenced 46-year-old Scott Christner, formerly a youth group leader for First Baptist Church in Goshen, to three 9-year sentences for Level 4 felonies. Twenty of those years will be served in prison with seven suspended, WNDU reported at the time. Christner also received two seven-year sentences for two Class C felonies to be served along with the remaining suspended sentence in case he violates his parole after serving the prison time. He was convicted of molesting children dating back as far as 2012, according to court documents. In a written statement, a victim referred to Christners double life, pretending to be a kind, giving man, while also molesting kids. In a separate case early this month, the Reformed Presbyterian Church placed Jared Olivetti, a pastor of Immanuel Reformed Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette, Indiana, on leave pending its investigation into accusations of covering up sexual abuse involving minors in his congregation. The pastor and three elders eventually resigned. The incidents of abuse took place on and off church property between spring 2019 and March 2020, according to IndyStar. The newspaper revealed that eight victims from multiple families reported over- and under-clothes touching, oral-genital contact and penetration by a boy at the church believed to be related to Olivetti. Planned Parenthood agrees to install ultrasound equipment, drops case against Ind. abortion law After years of legal battles, abortion giant Planned Parenthood has agreed to drop its lawsuit against an Indiana law that requires women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound 18 hours before an abortion. A court filing on Aug. 19 states that Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky reached an agreement with the state and agreed to drop its three-year lawsuit against the 2016 law it claimed would hinder women's access to abortion. The Planned Parenthood affiliate had been granted a court injunction in 2017 after it argued that the law requiring abortion clinics to perform an ultrasound on patients was unconstitutional. Last week, however, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky agreed to install ultrasound equipment in its Fort Wayne clinic and train staff on how to use it. Both parties in the litigation the state of Indiana and Planned Parenthood also asked the court to dismiss the case. Due to events that have occurred in the more than three years since this court entered the preliminary injunction including, Plaintiffs addition of a new ultrasound machine at a new clinic in Fort Wayne the parties have conferred and agree that, on January 1, 2021, the preliminary injunction should be vacated and this case should be dismissed, the court filing states in part. Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill reacted favorably to the news. Im pleased that Planned Parenthood saw the likelihood that this very reasonable law ultimately would be upheld, he said. To their credit, they recognized the merits of avoiding further legal wrangling over this matter. The legal battle Hill referred to began after then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed House Bill 1337 into law four years ago. The bill includes several pro-life measures, including a requirement mandating that abortion providers perform an ultrasound at least 18 hours before an abortion is performed. Almost immediately following its passage, the bill began to face legal challenges from pro-abortion groups, including Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union. A federal judge struck down the law less than 24 hours before it was set to take effect. A decision by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower courts ruling blocking the law. Eventually, the battle over House Bill 1337 reached the United States Supreme Court. Last month, the high court threw out the Seventh Circuits ruling, ordering the lower court to reconsider the case in light of its decision in June Medical Services, L.L.C. v. Russo. While that Supreme Court's decision invalidated a Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals, Chief Justice John Roberts indicated in his concurring opinion that states still had wiggle room to enact abortion restrictions in some cases. In the past, members of the judicial branch have upheld state laws mandating that women be shown ultrasounds before an abortion. Last December, the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from pro-abortion groups seeking to strike down a Kentucky law requiring mothers to view an ultrasound and listen to their childs heartbeat before they confirmed they wanted to have an abortion. The Supreme Courts decision not to hear the case enabled the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding the Kentucky law to remain in place. Two weeks ago, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals gave the state of Arkansas the green light to implement laws banning dismemberment abortions and sex-selective abortions. Last October, a federal judge upheld a Virginia law requiring ultrasounds and waiting periods for women seeking abortions. That law was overruled by the Reproductive Health Protection Act, signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam this past April. However, not every judicial ruling on abortion that has taken place in the past year has resulted in a favorable outcome for the pro-life movement. In addition to the Supreme Courts ruling on the Louisiana law, a federal judge in Iowa blocked a law requiring a 24-hour waiting period for abortions from going into effect there. Planned Parenthood sues Texas city for becoming largest sanctuary city for the unborn A Planned Parenthood abortion clinic has filed a lawsuit against a city in Texas over its recent vote to approve an ordinance that bans abortions from being performed in their jurisdiction. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Surgical Health Services filed the suit in federal court on Monday against the city of Lubbock, which recently became known as a Sanctuary City for the Unborn. The complaint claims that the ordinance is unconstitutional since it imposes substantial liability on anyone who procures, performs, aids, or abets an abortion in Lubbock, be it a doctor, nurse, relative, friend, or stranger. The Ordinance will prevent Plaintiffs from providing abortions in Lubbock and will seriously impede access to abortion. Consequently, the Ordinance plainly violates the constitutional right to abortion, the suit argues. Plaintiffs (Planned Parenthood) bring this lawsuit to safeguard their patients constitutional right to abortion, to prevent the harm that the Ordinance will cause their patients health and well-being, and to preserve their own ability to fulfill their mission to provide comprehensive reproductive health care. Lubbock officials released a statement in response to the suit, vowing to vigorously defend this ordinance in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division. The city is being represented by Heather Hacker and Andrew Stephens of Hacker Stephens LLP of Austin, and Fernando Bustos of the Bustos Law Firm, P.C., of Lubbock, according to the statement. In recent years, several small towns, mostly in Texas, have passed ordinances stating that abortions will not be allowed within their city limits, despite current laws. Lubbock became the largest city in the United States to identify as a Sanctuary City for the Unborn after the ordinance was approved via referendum with 62% of the vote on May 1. In an earlier interview with The Christian Post, Mark Lee Dickson, the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn movement, called the referendum a landslide victory. I think it says a lot because Lubbock is the 11th-most populated city in the state of Texas and the 83rd most populated city in the United States of America, Dickson said. All cities at this point, with the exception of Lubbock, have outlawed abortion through their mayor and city council I think this is the appropriate way it needs to be done through the mayor and the council the people have elected. Jewish couple sue Tenn. over alleged rejection as foster trainees at Christian home due to religion A married Jewish couple are suing Tennessee in response to reportedly being rejected by a government-supported Christian childrens home when they tried to foster a child. Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram filed a complaint against the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services and DCS Commissioner Jenifer Nichols on Wednesday in the Chancery Court for the state of Tennessee, 20th Judicial District, Davidson County. According to the lawsuit, Rutan-Ram planned to foster a boy living in Florida, but in order to do so had to fulfill a state requirement to complete a program in foster-parent-training and earn a certification in home-study. When the Rutan-Rams sought to complete these programs through the state-supported Holston United Methodist Home for Children, according to the complaint, the home said they could only provide such services to families that shared their Christian beliefs. In January 2020, the Tennessee General Assembly expressly approved religious discrimination like Holstons, by enacting House Bill 836, claimed the lawsuit. This statute authorizes child-placing agencies to deny child-placement services, based on the agencies religious policies, even if state tax dollars fund the services. The Rutan-Rams are being represented by The Kramer Law Center and attorneys with the Washington, D.C.-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Alex J. Luchenitser, associate vice president and associate legal director at Americans United who is involved in the litigation, told The Christian Post in an emailed statement on Thursday that we believe that people should never be denied publicly-funded services because of their religious beliefs. Taxpayer funds should benefit everyone equally regardless of what their faith or belief system is. Religious discrimination should never be a reason to keep apart children who need a loving home and parents who want to provide one, Luchenitser added. CP reached out to the Tennessee DCS for this story, with spokesperson Rob Johnson responding on Thursday that the department cannot comment on pending litigation. Bradley Williams, president and CEO of Holston, emailed CP a statement on Thursday saying that they "view the caregivers we partner with as extensions of our ministry team serving children." "So from the very beginning, we seek to find alignment with them, and if we cannot do so, we try to help them find an agency that may be a better fit," stated Williams. "Finding other agencies is not hard to do. In Tennessee, for example, there are six other agencies for each one faith-based provider." Williams added that he believes "forcing Holston Home to violate our beliefs and place children in homes that do not share our faith is wrong and contrary to a free society." Founded in 1895 and having reportedly helped more than 8,000 children, Holston receives reimbursement for its services through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title IV-E. Last month, Holston filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over a rule requiring the organization to place kids in the homes of same-sex married couples or cohabitating couples. The regulation was enacted in 2016 during by the Obama administration. Although the Trump administration issued exemptions to the rule for faith-based organizations, they were recently rescinded by the Biden administration. It would substantially burden Holston Homes exercise of its religious beliefs to knowingly engage in child-placing activities in connection with couples who may be romantically cohabitating but not married, or who are couples of the same biological sex, read the Holston lawsuit. If Holston Home were to knowingly engage in child-placing activities concerning placements of children in connection with couples who may be romantically cohabitating but are not married, or who are couples of the same biological sex, it would need to engage in speech with which Holston Home disagrees and which violate Holston Homes religious beliefs. Those who mourn and the sanctity of life During my wifes first pregnancy, our doctor identified some irregularities in an early ultrasound. He informed us that these irregularities meant our child would be born with a genetic disorder. We were getting our care at a Catholic healthcare system that had specific beliefs regarding abortion and precluded the procedure within the system. Our doctor encouraged us to move to a non-Catholic system. In his round-about way, he was recommending that we terminate the pregnancy. We didnt. My son was born in 2005, and today, he is a healthy teenager who brings a great deal of joy to our family. Not terminating the pregnancy was an easy decision. Dealing with the emotions associated with the potential of having a child born with significant challenges was not. It was one of the few moments in my life when I have felt true despair. I called several friends to ask for prayer and wisdom. One gave me a piece of advice that has formed me into who I am and how I think to this day. He told me that I needed to mourn the child I thought I was going to have and embrace the child that God was going to give me. I took his advice. I grieved the loss of the child and life I had envisioned. In the process, I came to see that I had created a self-serving fantasy. In my innocent fiction, I was a wonderful father who raised a son who would avoid all the mistakes I had made. He would achieve everything I hadnt. He would be, in many ways, my redemption. By mourning my fantasy, I came to understand Old Testament theologian Walter Brueggemanns insight regarding the connection between criticism and grief: The grieving of Israel perhaps self-pity and surely complaint but never resignation is the beginning of criticism. It is made clear that things are not as they should be, not as they were promised, and not as they must and will be. Bringing hurt to public expression is an important first step in the dismantling criticism that permits a new reality, theological and social, to emerge. Mourning the loss of my distorted fantasy led to a critique and correction of my own depraved imagination. This connection between mourning and critique is crucial because mourning, as New Testament scholar Philip Esler argues, is a behavior. . .characteristic of the group that claims to follow Jesus. While moral outrage and zeal for justice can be appropriate orientations for Christians in the world, we are those who mourn (Matthew 5:4). We mourn because we see the broken world all around us. As author Rudolf Schnackenburg said, we are a people who grieve over the broken state of the world and groan under the burden of sorrow and guilt. Yet our mourning cannot end, as is suggested by the five stages of grief, in acceptance. Because our mourning is a recognition of the ways that the world is not right, we must allow our mourning to prompt critical reflection. Mourning acknowledges that pain and sorrow are part of our sinful state. Criticism considers the ways we can more faithfully testify to Gods presence in the world. Mourning and criticism offer us one means by which we can learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widows cause (Isa 1:17). In seeking to honor the sanctity of human life, our desire for justice, however legitimate, should not crowd out the grief we feel as we watch those made in Gods image adopt diminished and distorted notions of human dignity. While pro-life conversations are often juxtaposed with pro-choice arguments within the context of the abortion debate, the sanctity of life cannot be limited to conversations about abortion, particularly to political conversations about abortion. We must take care to privilege the theological significance of the phrase sanctity of life even as we interact in the political realm. Lifes sanctity is a theological maxim. We cultivate and enhance human dignity through conversion and discipleship. It is also a legal doctrine used in contexts associated with the governments role in promoting justice. Diminishing the theological import of lifes sanctity would blunt the churchs witness to Christ as would eliminating its significance to the promotion of justice by political authorities. Lifes sanctity is not a single realm issue. It requires more than a single realm approach. While abortion, immigration, racism, and sexism have become staples within political discourse, the governments scope of authority cannot address the root cause of these challenges. Sin is dealt with in the person and work of Christ. Gods people proclaim Christs victory over sin and death as we practice pure and undefiled religion before God the Father (Jam. 1:27). When we mourn the denial of lifes sanctity with all its theological significance, we are led back to the cross. We are led back to the sort of discipleship that shapes us into women and men capable of loving God and loving neighbor in concrete ways. There are endless ways to diminish lifes sanctity. From human trafficking and widespread access and use of pornography to slandering neighbors on social media and engaging in practices that violate Gods prohibition against partiality deny human dignity. As such, we would do well to learn to mourn and to lead others into mourning so we can redirect our misdirected desires and reshape our understanding of human purpose and dignity. Such mourning will surely prompt us to resist practices such as abortion, partiality, lust, greed, and idolatry as a means of promoting the sanctity of life. But it will also prompt us to offer care when others might find it distasteful and inconvenient to do so (Lk 10:25-37). Let us honor lifes sanctity by allowing our grief for a broken world to give way to building the church through discipleship, performing acts of love and pursuing justice as we wait for a time when there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Rev 21:4). 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. Antisemitic flyers were distributed in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood on Sunday, the San Francisco Police Department said. The flyers falsely blamed Jews for the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and said, Every single aspect of the COVID agenda is Jewish, photos of the flyers posted by news outlets showed. They named some health officials in Washington, including the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as leading "the agenda" and said they are Jewish, KTVU reported. Antisemitic conspiracy theories falsely accuse Jewish people of controlling major institutions. They date back to the Middle Ages and have historically been used to justify acts of violence and discrimination against Jewish people. The flyers were found in front of homes in a three-square-block area on Union Street, between Scott and Broderick streets, NBC Bay Area reported. "Officers located multiple fliers that contained anti-Semitic language," the police department said. "Officers collected the fliers, canvassed the scene for additional evidence, and authored an incident report." District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani wrote on Twitter that antisemitic hatred has no place in the city. "Ive been in touch with SFPD and intend to see these individuals held accountable," Stefani wrote. In a follow-up tweet, she added, "Our communities have been terrified by the rise in hate crimes, and we must do everything we can to stand against it wherever it occurs." Similar flyers have been reported in Florida. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber tweeted that flyers in plastic sandwich bags with small pebbles were distributed to hundreds of homes. In neighboring Surfside, the same type of flyers were distributed to homes, officials said in a "community alert" email to residents. The Associated Press contributed to this story. As a new version of the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads in parts of Asia and Europe, the World Health Organization recommended Monday that officials begin investigating its characteristics to determine whether it poses new challenges for pandemic-weary nations. Known as BA. 2, the new version of the virus is a descendant of the omicron variant responsible for huge surges of covid-19 in the United States and elsewhere around the globe. Virologists are referring to the original omicron variant as BA. 1. "The BA. 2 descendant lineage, which differs from BA. 1 in some of the mutations, including in the spike protein, is increasing in many countries," the WHO wrote on its website. "Investigations into the characteristics of BA. 2, including immune escape properties and virulence, should be prioritized independently (and comparatively) to BA. 1." Viruses mutate constantly, mostly in harmless ways. There is no current evidence that BA. 2 is more virulent, spreads faster or escapes immunity better than BA. 1. "Variants have come, variants have gone," said Robert Garry, a virologist at Tulane University School of Medicine. "I don't think there's any reason to think this one is a whole lot worse than the current version of omicron." BA. 2 has been detected in India, Denmark and Britain, among other countries, according to health officials and media reports abroad. In Europe, it appears the most widespread in Denmark, but that may be because the Scandinavian nation has a robust program of sequencing the virus's genome. At least three cases have been found in the United States at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, which also is studying the genetic makeup of virus samples from its patients. "The good news is we have only three," said James Musser, director of the Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research at Houston Methodist. "We certainly do not see the 5% and more that is being reported in the U.K. now and certainly not the 40% that is being reported in Denmark." But Musser said BA. 2 deserves close attention because little is known about it yet. "We know that omicron . . . can clearly evade preexisting immunity" from both vaccines and exposure to other variants of the virus, he said. "What we don't know yet is whether son-of-omicron does that better or worse than omicron. So that's an open question." On Monday, more than 695,000 new coronavirus infections were reported and testing shows that almost all are from omicron. Still, that total is down 13.7% from the week prior, according to a seven-day average of data tracked by The Washington Post. Kristen Nordlund, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, "Although the BA.2 lineage has recently increased in proportion in some countries, it remains a very low proportion of circulating viruses in the United States and globally. Currently, there are insufficient data to determine whether the BA.2 lineage is more transmissible or has a fitness advantage over the BA.1 lineage. CDC continues to monitor variants that are circulating both domestically and internationally." Anders Fomsgaard a virologist at the State Serum Institute in Denmark, said in an email Monday that BA. 2 has become the dominant form of the virus in his nation of nearly 6 million people, where it now accounts for about 65% of new cases as BA. 1 is on the decline. At the same time, Fomsgaard said, "we are not so concerned, since we so far do not see major differences in age distribution, vaccination status, breakthrough infections and risk of hospitalization. Also, despite the high infection rate of BA. 2, the numbers of hospitalizations [in] ICUs are decreasing." The United Kingdom Health Security Agency identified more than 400 cases of BA. 2 in the first 10 days of January and on Friday designated BA. 2 a "virus under investigation," according to Al Jazeera. The agency said BA. 2 has been identified in 40 countries and "there is still uncertainty around the significance of the changes to the viral genome." Some scientists have dubbed BA. 2 the "stealth omicron" because it has genetic traits that make it more difficult to identify the omicron form of the virus on PCR tests. A French epidemiologist told Agence France-Presse that "what surprised us is the rapidity with which this sub-variant, which has been circulating to a great extent in Asia, has taken hold in Denmark." - - - The Washington Post's Lena H. Sun contributed to this report. Bank of America ousted a financial adviser after police arrested him for a racially charged tirade at a smoothie shop in Connecticut that was caught on video and viewed millions of times on social media over the weekend. The incident at a Robeks outlet Saturday began when James Iannazzo ordered a drink without peanut butter for his son, who has a peanut allergy, according to a statement from the Fairfield Police Department. He left the store, but returned to confront employees after his son had an allergic reaction that sent him to the hospital, police said. A video shot from behind the counter shows a man shouting and using expletives, and throwing a drink at an employee. "I want to speak to the f---ing person who made this drink," the man can be heard saying in copies of the video on TikTok and Twitter that were widely cited in media reports. "You stupid f---ing idiot," he said, later adding "You f---ing immigrant loser." An attorney for Iannazzo said his client "wholeheartedly regrets the incident that took place" and isn't a racist. By Sunday, Bank of America said Iannazzo, 48, was no longer at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where regulatory records show he's worked since at least the mid-1990s. "Our company does not tolerate behavior of this kind," company spokesman William Halldin said in a statement. "We immediately investigated and have taken action. This individual is no longer employed at our firm." Iannazzo's lawyer, Frank J. Riccio, wrote on Twitter that his client had "stressed to the staff that the product must not contain peanuts," and that his receipt showed it shouldn't have peanut butter. Riccio said the son had a "severe allergic reaction" and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. "When faced with a dire situation for his son, Mr. Iannazzo's parental instinct kicked in and he acted out of anger and fear," the lawyer wrote. "He is not a racist individual and deeply regrets his statements and actions during a moment of extreme emotional stress." Riccio declined to comment on his client's departure from Merrill. According to the police report, Iannazzo asked that the drink be made without peanut butter, but never told the shop's workers about his son's allergy. Employees repeatedly told Iannazzo to leave, but he stayed and continued yelling insults, according to the police. He also tried to open a locked door to a staff-only area. He left before officers arrived and later turned himself in. He was charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias, trespassing and breaching the peace, according to the police. A court appearance was set for Feb. 7. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Montgomery County commissioners approved overtime expenses for county law enforcement personnel to provide security for former President Donald Trumps upcoming Save America Rally. Trump is scheduled to be at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Saturday. The Save America Rally will be his second appearance in the region in just two months. In December, Trump was part of a speaking tour with former FOX News personality Bill OReilly. Trump hasnt held one of his traditional rallies in Texas since 2019 in Dallas. His trip to Conroe will be the second of 2022. On HoustonChronicle.com: Former President Donald Trump to hold Montgomery County Fairgrounds rally Sheriff Rand Henderson said he along with other law enforcement officials have meet several times to discuss the needs for the event and what Trumps team would be providing as far of staff inside and outside the building. We did an analysis on (how many personnel are needed) and we also got rosters from all the constables, they have been fantastic with the number of personnel they have been willing to assign to the event, Henderson said. Henderson said the total cost of the overtime would be less than $100,000. In 2016 when Trump appeared in The Woodlands as part of his bid for president, the sheriffs office alone paid about $47,000 in overtime. He was just a candidate then, Henderson said. This event is expected to be five times larger than that. Its going to be significant. We are looking forward to this event. County Judge Mark Keough asked about ensuring the safety of event goers. Henderson explained the Montgomery County Fire Marshalls Office has taken the lead on how to handle crowd rush. Henderson added he was confident in the number of law enforcement scheduled to be at the event to provide security. The folks we will have assigned inside are specifically trained in crowd control, this is what they do, Henderson said. Constable Hayden and Constable Gable also have personnel trained specifically for these types of events. Doors for the event open at 2 p.m. with Trump scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m. For more information on the event www.donaldjtrump.com. Houston Chronicle Austin bureau reporter Jeremy Wallace contributed to this report. cdominguez@hcnonline.com --UPDATE: 1/26-- Mexican authorities have arrested Oscar Rosales, the 51-year-old man sought by Houston police police for the alleged murder of Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office Corporal Charles Galloway early Sunday morning. Rosales is in custody, according to the Houston Police Department, and Harris County authorities are working to have him transferred back to the United States. --END OF UPDATE-- Houston police on Monday said they believe they know the identity of the driver who shot and killed a deputy constable during a late-night traffic stop over the weekend and are asking the community's help in finding him. Oscar Rosales, 51, will be charged with capital murder and remains on the run, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner told media during a news conference. He's accused of shooting Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office Corporal Charles Galloway dead in his patrol SUV in the 9100 block of Beechnut Street around 12:45 a.m. Sunday. After the shooting, the driver sped off and was never apprehended. Police have since recovered the white car that was stopped, Finner said. Video obtained by investigators reportedly captured the shooting and helped identify Rosales as detective's main suspect, Finner said. He did not specify where the video originated. Finner also did not say whether Galloway had given dispatch the vehicle's license plate number. The corporal's in-car computer might have been damaged in the shooting, according to archived police radio traffic. Courtesy Houston Police Department Police released an undated photo of Rosales during the press conference. Finner noted that Rosales might have changed his appearance since the shooting. Detectives believe he is still in Houston. "We're bringing the strong arm and eyes of our community," Finner said announcing the charges. Part of that pressure comes from a hefty reward offered as part of the Houston PD's manhunt. Kim Ogg, Harris County's district attorney, warned Rosales that "$60,000 from the Fallen Heros Fund and Tilman Fertitta is on your head" and added later that Rosales was "on the run, and somebody out there knows where he is. Mr. Rosales, you can run but you can't hide." Two of Rosales' family members are already behind bars accused of tampering with the vehicle, Ogg said. Rosales is considered "armed and dangerous," Finner said. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call police. UN Biodiversity Conference set to hold in China in April may be affected by COVID-19 Xinhua) 08:46, January 25, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The schedule of the second phase of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in China is likely to be affected by the COVID-19, said the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Monday. The meeting, formerly set to be held in southwest China's Kunming in April this year, is supposed to see the completion of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The first phase of COP15 was held in Kunming last October both online and offline, and a follow-up offline meeting slated for January 2022 in Geneva has been postponed as a result of the pandemic. Liu Youbin, the ministry's spokesperson, said China is keeping close contact with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and relevant parties. They will take into account the UN meeting agenda throughout the year, time span of the discussions of the framework and preparations of related documents, and the pandemic situation to confirm the date, organization formats as well as epidemic-prevention measures of the second phase of COP15, Liu said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Katie Friel/MySA An icon of the Austin culinary scene is gone. Texas French Bread, a 40-year-old bakery and restaurant near the West Campus neighborhood, caught fire around 11 p.m. on Monday, January 24, according to the Austin Fire Department. AFD officials arrived on scene at 2900 Rio Grande Street and found the fire "venting from the roof." According to KVUE, firefighters fought the blaze from inside the building until it became unstable and the roof collapsed. The building, itself an Austin landmark built in the 1930s, was considered a total loss. Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Over 1,200 fake mostly college-age state IDs for more than 20 states, including Texas, were stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Indianapolis CBP intercepted 1,207 fake IDs across three packages that were headed to an address in Chicago and the other two shipments were heading to addresses in New York, according to a news release. The packages hailed from Hong Kong and the contents were described as 'Game Card" with a value of $20. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Florida, US (34429) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. Thunder possible. High near 90F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Wilkes Barre, PA (18701) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 51F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Oklahoma City, OK (73106) Today Variable clouds with strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 67F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low around 60F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Raspunsul la criza refugiatilor: Apel de propuneri, lansat de MAD-Aid in parteneriat cu Camera de Comert Britanica din Moldova Consultant national pentru elaborarea conceptului unui program guvernamental de stagii pentru tinerii din diaspora - studenti sau absolventi ai institutiilor universitare de peste hotarele tarii Late on Saturday night, local time, British government officials published a highly unusual press release under an ultra-clickable headline: Kremlin plan to install pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine exposed. The officials went on to do the exposing, claiming to have information that indicates the Putin regimes desire to replace Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, with a puppet, possibly in the person of Yevhen Murayev, a former Ukrainian lawmaker. Some stories in US media relayed the claim more or less uncritically; others noted that the press release did not offer any specifics or evidence; none that I saw emphasized that the British government is in the thick of a COVID-partying scandal from which it might welcome a Putin-shaped distraction (or that Liz Truss, Britains cheese-import-skeptical foreign minister, who signed off on the press release, is angling to become prime minister should Boris Johnson fall). Unnamed British officials told the New York Times that they published the plan to put Putin on notice. US officials stood behind the British claim. Russian officials denied the claim and advised British officials to concentrate [their] efforts on studying the history of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. (Me neither.) When The Observer, a British newspaper, reached Murayev, he laughed, claiming that Russia views him as a threat, not a potential puppet. Youve made my evening, he said. The British Foreign Office seems confused. Murayev has since offered similar comment to several other Western news organizations, despite telling one of them that there is nothing to comment on. Listen: Russia, Ukraine, and the front lines of information warfare Rather than simply transcribe the claims and counterclaims, the best articles on the press release dug into its plausibility. Not that this is especially easy to gauge. Various analysts told The Observer that the intelligence does seem plausible, if not especially surprising or newsworthy; Vasyl Filipchuk, a former spokesperson for Ukraines foreign ministry, told the same paper that such a plot wouldnt work without a prior, full-on invasion. (There may be a plan, Filipchuk said, but its bullshit.) Mark Galeotti, an expert on the Russian security services, told the Associated Press that its hard to know if the British claim represents a threat, a misunderstanding, or strategic communicationwhich is what we call propaganda these days when were doing it. Appearing on CJRs podcast, The Kicker, yesterday, Christo Grozev, the lead Russia investigator at Bellingcat, told Kyle Pope, our editor and publisher, that disparate entities with ties to the Russian state are always throwing around plots. This does not necessarily mean that these are the plans that will be approved ultimately by Putin, Grozev said of the British claim. While any Russia expert could attest to this, he added, I didnt see much of mainstream media going to some of the more skeptical Russia experts before publishing. Whether the intelligence is true or not, the British decision to go public with it certainly is part of an information war thats steering the medias understanding ofnot to mention itself shapingrising tensions between Western powers and Russia as Putin threatens to invade Ukraine again. John Hudson, a diplomacy and national-security reporter at the Washington Post, said that in going public, Britain is seeking an upper hand in this war, preempting a scenario in which Putin might seek to oust Zelensky surreptitiously while claiming a patina of Ukrainian popular legitimacy. Also writing for the Post, Nina Jankowicz and Ross Burley noted the existence of a broader Western strategy to more aggressively counter Russian narratives about Ukraine in the public sphere, after the Kremlins disinformation playbook caught the West flat-footed when Putin annexed the Crimea in 2014. Russia is running a similar playbook this time, using social and state media to pump out waves of propaganda asserting the vulnerability of Russia and Russian-speakers. (Not that the playbook was wholly new in 2014: as one Ukrainian museum guide told the Wall Street Journal recently, pointing to artworks that glorified a decisive Russian victory in what is now Ukraine in 1709, the information war started 300 years ago.) The US, of course, has been at the center of this information war in recent weeks. Ten days ago, the Biden administration itself publicly shared an intelligence claim, with an official telling CNN that Russia was planning a false flag operation in eastern Ukraine as a pretext to invade; Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, confirmed and expanded on the claim at a briefing the same day. At a rare press conference last week, meanwhile, Biden himself told reporters that his guess is that Putin will move in to Ukraine because he has to do something in the face of Western pressure, even if he doesnt want an all-out war. Bidens guess went far beyond his administrations formal assessments of Putins behavior, but it was overshadowed in the news cycle by another remark at the presser, in which Biden differentiated between a full Russian invasion of Ukraine and a minor incursion, and acknowledged that, in the latter scenario, Western powers might end up having a fight about what to do. Ukrainian officials were livid, and spokespeople for Biden quickly flooded the airwaves in a bid to reassure them of strong US support. (Cleanup on Aisle 1600! Jake Tapper exclaimed, prior to grilling Psaki on CNN.) Sign up for CJR 's daily email Reaching eagerly for a long-favored media trope about Biden, major news organizations framed his incursion comment as a massive gaffe. This seemed fair. The most useful coverage, though, looked beyond the optics to focus on something much more consequential: that what Biden said was true. (More than one outlet reached for the journalist Michael Kinsleys definition of a gaffe, which is some obvious truth that a politician isnt supposed to say.) Western powers are divided not just on what to do about the Russian threat to Ukraine, but on the magnitude of the threat itself. Analysts are divided, too. The press must consequently walk a very high wire. This is a dangerous situation that demands attention. But hard information about Putins true intentions is scarce, which leaves reporters combing for cluesnot only in thinly evidenced press releases, but in factual, real-world developments (like Russia emptying its embassy in Kiev) that could themselves be propaganda, or part of a bluff. Its imperative, for now, that news outlets stay vigilant while sharply scrutinizing all the chum and hawkish hot takes thrown up by the information war, and laying out clearly and prominently what we dont know. As Bidens gaffe started to show, the prospect of war is starting to be framed, in some quarters, as a story about US politics; right-wing politicians and their media boosters are already calling Biden weak, and its not hard to imagine, should the worst happen, that we might end up with another Afghanistan-sized media feeding frenzy on our hands. (I would gently advise reporters to ask any member of Congress accusing Biden of appeasing Russia how they voted on Trumps 2019 impeachment for leveraging military aid to extort Ukraine.) But I digress. This is not primarily a story about America, but rather the Ukrainian people. As Olga Tokariuk, a Kiev-based reporter, put it on Sunday in a plea to global media, Ukrainians are not pawns in a geopolitical game. We are real peoplewith our agency, ideas and aspirations. Its also a story about Russian domestic politics and human rights abuses, a thread that Grozev, of Bellingcat, told CJR has not been pulled enough so far by international media. In any of the Mafia Hollywood movies, you have a moment where the villain no longer hides that he or she is the villain, and thats when the risk increases for everybody else in the movie, because they start shooting left and right, Grozev said. This is where we are in Russia. Russia is no longer trying to pretend that its legitimate, that its a peacemaker, that its not the villain. It trolls the world. This is one overall story with many tributaries, and the Ukraine threat risk is just one of them. Below, more on Ukraine, Russia, and the West: Other notable stories: ICYMI: Omicron, false dichotomies, and the new normal Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today 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. In March 2019, a fire damaged Craig and Katie Shaws house outside the hamlet of Adams in rural southern Minnesota. Two months laterbefore the Shaws made repairsa second fire burned the house to the ground. Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Co. paid $159,808.52 for the damages caused by the first fire. But after the Shaws submitted a second claim for a total loss, the carrier refused to issue a second check for the full $268,800 policy limit. The insurer argued that the Shaws were entitled to only $108,991.42the difference between the payment it had made for the first fire and the full insured value of the home. On Friday, however, a panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Shaws were entitled to the full $268,800 even though they had not yet spent the money their insurer paid them after the first blaze. The court affirmed a U.S. District Court decision that found under Minnesota law and the wording of the insurance policy, Farm Bureau was required to pay the full amount of a total loss for the second fire. The appellate panels opinion says nowhere does the policy state that successive losses deplete the general policy limit on the house. As the drafter, Farm Bureau could have included such a limitationas other insurance companies have done. Farm Bureaus failure to attach a similar restraint to the general policy limit indicates that no such restraint exists. Court documents contain only cursory information about the two fires. According to the Shaws civil complaint against Farm Bureau, the March 9, 2019 blaze opened a large hole in an exterior wall. The Shaws hired a roofing crew to secure the home, but had not started other repairs. Firefighters were called out again to the Shaws home on May 19, 2019. They doused a fire burning near a liquefied petroleum gas tank and then noticed that the Shaws house had been destroyed by the blaze. After the Shaws submitted their second claim, Farm Bureau argued that it was not required to pay more than the full value of the home for separate events that occurred within the same policy period. But the insurer did not cite any Minnesota statute that allowed it to pay anything less than the insured value of the home, the Shaws civil complaint says. Both parties filed motions for summary judgment at the US District Court in Minnesota. District Court Judge Nancy E. Brasel granted the Shaws petition. The judge said in her ruling that no court construing Minnesota law had ever before been asked to decide whether an insurer can limit payments for successive losses occurring during the same policy period. But she noted that the Farm Bureau policy states that coverage applies to each accident, loss and occurrence and does not limit coverage for successive occurrences. She said the language is not ambiguous, and even if it was she would be required to resolve the ambiguity in favor of the insured. Farm Bureau argued that the Shaws could not have suffered a total loss because the house was already damaged at the time of the second fire. The two fires together had caused the total loss, the insurer contended. Brasel, however, said if the value of the house had been reduced by the first fire, Farm Bureau could have changed the policy terms to reduce the amount of coverage. It chose not to. The appellate panel noted that the Farm Bureau policy did not write a provision into the policy establishing a duty for the insured to make repairs after a payment for damages is made. Instead, the Shaws have a responsibility to make any repairs that are necessary to protect the property from further damage, the opinion says. Other repairs that would restore the house to its original condition are not required. The 8th Circuit panel affirmed the district courts ruling. Gail Marsha Malitz, age 83, of Beachwood, was born June 11, 1938, in Cleveland, and passed away on May 2, 2022. Arrangements under the direction of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel. Emporia, KS (66801) Today Thunderstorms this morning, then cloudy with rain likely during the afternoon. High 56F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thundershowers overnight following a period of rain early. Low 53F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near an inch. Alice Stuedemann, 89 of Camanche, formerly of Clinton, passed away April 30th at Mercy One Hospital. Visitation and services are being planned for Monday, May 9th at St. John Lutheran Church. Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) A third full dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine showed promising results against variants of concern, including omicron, a company official told CNN Philippines' The Final Word. AstraZeneca Country President Lotis Ramin cited a recent study they conducted that showed "a third full dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine significantly increases antibody levels or strengthen immune response against multiple variants of concern, including the Omicron variant." This statement comes after the government rolled out its COVID-19 booster shots program to provide an additional layer of protection amid the threat of the more transmissible Omicron variant. In pharmacies, where boosters are currently being administered, AstraZeneca is one of the brands being used. So far, 40 million AstraZeneca doses have been delivered to the Philippines, according to Ramin. She said they are ready to provide future supply requirements. "Our goal now is to work with the government to ensure that there is high accessibility across the nation for this vaccine to support the primary and booster vaccination program," Ramin said. Ramin added that the company has developed Evusheld, a long-acting antibody combination, which mimics the body's natural antibodies to fight the coronavirus. She said this can be used on certain individuals, like those who may not achieve adequate immune response to vaccination, or people whose vaccination is not recommended. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) The Commission on Elections rejected the accusation of bias against three of its commissioners who denied a petition blocking Bongbong Marcos' presidential bid. A group of human rights advocates represented by lawyer Theodore Te on Monday called out the supposed "manifest bias" of Commissioners Socorro Inting, Antonio Kho, Jr., and Rey Bulay of the poll body's Second Division and said they should sit out of the review of their January 17 decision dismissing the plea to cancel Marcos' certificate of candidacy. "Relative particularly to the accusations of bias, of course Comelec takes exception to such characterizations," poll body spokesman James Jimenez said in a Tuesday briefing. "The commission stands by the integrity of its commissioners." Jimenez stressed that Inting, who penned the decision in question, has been with the Judiciary for 20 years, the most recent of which as Court of Appeals associate justice prior to her appointment to Comelec. She will also serve as acting poll chairman once incumbent chief Sheriff Abas retires by February 2, fellow Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said. Jimenez added that the request for commissioners to inhibit from a case review is a common remedy sought by aggrieved parties. "As far as treatment of this (motion for partial reconsideration) is concerned, yes it will be reviewed by the commission en banc. Whether or not anyone will inhibit will really be up to the person whose inhibition is being sought," he told reporters. "They will have to make the determination whether or not they are able to sit in judgement on the matter with the proper impartiality and it has happened in the past." The poll body did not give a timeline to resolve the appeal, but Jimenez said it's unlikely to be tackled during this week's en banc hearing. READ: No backing down for group behind junked petition to block Marcos candidacy The appeal was also filed at a crucial time as three of seven sitting commissioners are retiring next week. It is likewise unclear if the matter will be left to the succeeding set of poll executives to resolve. "The problem with letting incoming commissioners handle it is that there will have to be a study period, because the incoming commissioners will not have had the opportunity to actually participate in the deliberations of the case," Jimenez said. "Mag-aaral pa 'yan sila, baka mas lalong tumagal [They will have to study it and that could delay this further]." "That will probably will be taken into consideration when the commission decides whether or not to pick this up sooner rather than later," he added. Meanwhile, Comelec's First Division has still not released its decision on three pending disqualification cases against Marcos despite Guanzon's earlier target of a Jan. 17 announcement. LIST: Petitions against Bongbong Marcos' 2022 presidential bid Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) President Rodrigo Duterte said he is willing to pay small-time illegal loggers to help in cutting off fallen trees in areas battered by Typhoon Odette last December. Ang importante diyan ngayon is the chainsaw or the portable sawmills," said Duterte in his pre-recorded public address on Tuesday. "Kung ayan ang trabahuhin nila, all you have to do is go to the office of Gen. [Roy] Cimatu, get a permit to operate a chainsaw to cut fallen trees. [Translation: What is important now is the chainsaw or the portable sawmills. If they will work on that, they just need to go to the office of Gen. Cimatu, get a permit to operate a chainsaw and cut the fallen trees.] If you commit to use that, we will pay you sa trabaho ninyo," he added. "I am encouraging the illegal loggers, yung mga small-time, go back there. [Translation: If you commit to use that, we will pay you for your work. I am encouraging the illegal loggers, especially those who are small-time, to go back there.] Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that at least 1.3 million houses across 11 regions were damaged due to Typhoon Odette in December. More than 339,000 individuals are still staying in 1,146 evacuation centers, the NDRRMC added. Duterte said that the fallen trees could be used to build houses. Let us make use of the fallen coconut trees...Ilagare mo (Saw it) and make it a house out of that material, he said. He added that he could shell out the payment for the illegal loggers from his office. Vaccination of evacuees Moreover, Duterte also wanted evacuees in typhoon-hit areas to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Id like to go there personally and again to ask the health workers to give vaccination to everybody there para mas madali (so it will be easy). We were able to gather them in one place, in several places, but in one place for each barangay, said Duterte as he expressed intent to visit again the affected provinces. If many affected individuals are still unvaccinated against COVID-19, Duterte said that the Philippine Coast Guard can use its fast crafts to deliver the vaccine doses to the evacuation centers. He added that he is willing to give spare doses to the members of New Peoples Army. But Duterte then asked the communist rebels to allow the government to freely work on its vaccination drive in these areas. Hindi kayo pwede unahin. Kalaban kayo sa gobyerno, said Duterte. Kung may sobra, tawagan niyo muna ako, na kung may sobra ibigay ninyo sa NPA para hindi ma-COVID-19. [Translation: You cannot be prioritized. You are enemies of the state. If there will be extra doses, give me a call first to give them to the NPA so that you will not be infected with COVID-19.] Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) Senator Richard Gordon has filed a bill seeking to grant a lump sum of up to 10 years worth of gratuity benefits to the families of National Prosecution Service (NPS) members who are killed, his office said in a statement Tuesday. Senate Bill No. 2487, filed on Monday, aims to amend the newly signed Republic Act No. 11643, which provides retirement benefits to the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children of deceased prosecutors. The bill aims to expand the grant of survivorship benefits in case of death of a member of the NPS while in actual service, regardless of his or her age and length of service, Gordon said. This is to ensure that the families of our prosecutors will be taken care of when unfortunate incidents befall them. The proposed legislation would provide five to 10 years worth of gratuity to the family, with the amount depending on the number of years the prosecutor was in service. It will be computed based on the employee's highest monthly salary, on top of allowances awarded, said Gordon, chairman of the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee. The bill also has a retroactivity clause and, if signed into law, will be applied to NPS members who died within one year prior to the effectivity of the act. The senator pushed for the expanded benefits following the murder of Assistant City Prosecutor Edilberto Mendoza in Trece Martires, Cavite last Dec. 31. Itong mga pagpatay na ito ay [These killings are] spitting on the face of justice. Every attack on the lawyers in the performance of their duties is an attack on the rule of law and our justice system, Gordon said in a privilege speech earlier this month. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) The Land Bank of the Philippines on Monday said its systems were not hacked and that the teachers whose bank accounts lost money fell victims to a phishing scam. In a statement, the government-owned bank said its initial investigation found that the devices of some teachers were hacked via phishing, which compromised their personal information. The Bank has already reached out to the affected customers and is working on the resolution of these isolated cases at the soonest possible time, it said. Landbank also assured its clients that their accounts and personal information remain safe as it maintains the highest level of security in all its systems. Over the weekend, the Teachers Dignity Coalition reported that some teachers lost funds they deposited in Landbank after these were transferred using online banking. The coalitions chairperson Benjo Basa on Monday said they have received 16 complaints, with the amount lost ranging from 10,000 to 150,000. Kung bakit nangyari ito, meron kayong pagkukulang. Meron kayong pananagutan, yun po ang sinasabi natin. At kinakailangan po talaga mabawi ito ng mga teacher, he added. Kami ay ninakawan, kami ay biktima, at kaya kami nanakawan dahil hindi po secured ang system na ginagamit ninyo. [Translation: This happened because you have a shortcoming. You are liable, thats what were saying. And the teachers should be able to get their money back. We were robbed, we are victims, and the reason why we were robbed is because your systems are not secure.] Basa also said the coalition will formally request for the Department of Education's assistance on the matter. The Landbank has urged the public to remain vigilant against online banking fraud and not to open suspicious emails, links, or attachments, or share account and personal information. It also has reminded customers that official Landbank representatives will never ask for sensitive financial details. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) All activities celebrating the Chinese New Year are once again canceled as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced in a news briefing Tuesday. "This is our continuous preparation in case na magkaroon ng biglaang surge," said Moreno on the issuance of Executive Order No. 11, which covers festivities on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Chinese New Year celebrations are traditionally characterized by gatherings, dances, and fireworks. But this is the second straight year that such activities are not allowed by the local government due to the ongoing pandemic. "Nakikisuyo sa ating mga kababayang Filipino-Chinese na wala po tayong dragon dance, wala po tayong mga paputok or firecrackers. Pinagbabawal din po ang inuman at pagbebenta ng alak," said the local chief executive who is also urging barangay officials to implement the issuance. [Translation: We are politely asking our fellow Filipino-Chinese countrymen that we can't hold dragon dances nor use firecrackers. Drinking and selling liquor are also prohibited.] Manila has 103,774 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date 1,583 of which are currently active. Some 1,817 have died in the city because of the virus, while 100,374 have recovered from it. This year's Chinese New Year marks the transition from Year of the Ox to Year of the Tiger. The Chinese New Year is traditionally the most important holiday in China and it is celebrated by more than 20 percent of the world. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) If he becomes president, former senator Bongbong Marcos said he will not seek help from the United States if tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea escalates. Marcos said he believes tapping the US for assistance if one-on-one negotiations with China no longer work would only aggravate the situation. "Pagka pinasok mo ang US, kaaway mo na agad ang China Hindi maaayos ang problema natin sa China. Hindi na tayo pakikinggan," the presidential aspirant said in an interview on DZRH Tuesday. [Translation: If you include the US, China will immediately become your enemy We won't be able to fix our problem with China. They will no longer listen to us.] "I think three or four years ago, nag-offer ang US na mag-moderate between China and the Philippines sa West Philippine Sea. Ika ko, that's a recipe for disaster Pag pinasok mo ang isa, pumanig ka na doon," he added. [Translation: I think three or four years ago, the US offered to moderate between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea. I said that's a recipe for disaster If you include one in the mix, you're already siding with them.] According to Marcos, continuing bilateral talks with Beijing the same approach undertaken by the Duterte administration is the current best option for the Philippines. "'Yun ang dapat habulin natin. 'Yun nalang ang natitira sa'ting option na practical," he said. [Translation: That's what we should aim for. That's the only practical option left.] Experts earlier pushed for a multilateral approach in settling the sea dispute a proposal backed by Vice President Leni Robredo. Robredo said having other claimant nations join negotiations could help "equalize the [Philippines'] footing." Despite not being keen on asking help from the US, Marcos said the government could also request the assistance of other countries, particularly member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as international bodies such as the United Nations. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) Malacanang on Monday defended President Rodrigo Dutertes war on illegal drugs, maintaining that extrajudicial killings are not sanctioned under the campaign. Ipinagbabawal natin ang EJK, bawal po yan. Bawal ang any extrajudicial means. At kung sinuman ang kailangang parusahan, sinuman ang naakusahan, kung sinuman ang gumawa ng ganoon ay ipo-prosecute natin, said acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles. [Translation: We do not allow EJKs, thats illegal. Extrajudicial means are not allowed. And we whoever needs to be punished, is accused, or has committed such an act, well prosecute.] Pangalawa po, wala pong sinayang si Pangulong Duterte dito sa laban against illegal drugs and the facts will speak for themselves, Nograles further said. [Translation: Secondly, President Duterte did not waste anything in our fight against illegal drugs and the facts will speak for themselves.] The spokesman was responding to presidential aspirant Sen. Ping Lacsons remarks describing as sayang the chief executives drug war, and criticizing how it resorted to extrajudicial means. Nograles reported that the government has seized and destroyed over 74 billion in illegal drugs from 2016 until November last year, along with laboratory equipment and paraphernalia. Over 23,600 barangays nationwide have been cleared from the grip of the illegal drug trade, he added. Hindi po nasayang yung pagkakataon at patuloy pa rin po ang ating malawakang campaign against illegal drugs here in the country, said Nograles. [Translation: The opportunity wasnt wasted and the widespread campaign against illegal drugs here in the country continues.] The Department of Justices drug war report released in October last year found lapses in police operation protocols concerning the war on drugs. The Free Legal Assistance Group criticized the DOJ findings as grossly insufficient. The International Criminal Court in November temporarily suspended its probe into the bloody campaign upon the Philippine governments request. State officials have since maintained the country will not cooperate with the ICC. RELATED: Drug War 2021: The wait continues Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) The five-day vaccination drive at the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or PITX is open not just to commuters, but also to the general public looking to complete their COVID-19 doses, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday. Transportation Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon told CNN Philippines' The Source some 300 persons got their COVID-19 booster shots in the temporary vaccination site on Monday, the first day of the rollout. "Yesterday, we started the We Vax as One: Mobile Vaccination Drive at the PITX and for the first day of the implementation we had about 300 persons who had their booster shots already," Tuazon said. First and second doses are also being offered at the site. "The only requirement you have to show is your vaccination card for your primary doses if you are getting a booster," he said. "You can walk in, you can register on the site itself." "There is no need for a pre-registration. It is open to the public, not only to the commuters but to the general public," he added. He noted that about 500 AstraZeneca shots are being reserved daily for individuals who will head to the mobile vaccination drive, which will run until January 28 at the PITX from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Tuazon said as the drive expands to other facilities such as ports, terminals, expressways and other transport hubs in the future, the government may be able to administer other vaccine brands. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said over 51.8 million Filipinos have completed their doses as of January 24. Meanwhile, over 6.4 million have received their boosters. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday honored the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members killed in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao seven years ago. But as calls for justice continue, an official admitted that case proceedings have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though 'yung hearings [were] a bit impede[d]... medyo huminto kasi nga because of the pandemic, but tuloy pa rin, stressed SAF Commander MGen Pipoy Natividad during the PNPs commemoration event. [Translation: Though the hearings were a bit impeded.. halted because of the pandemic, they will continue.] Natividad added there is also a request for authorities to look for and connect with families of the fallen troops. The police official also emphasized the importance of reaching out to witnesses who can shed more light to the case. He added, And some troopers also, I mean members of the SAF na mga witnesses natin (who are also witnesses) which is vital for the furtherance of the case." The SAF44 was gunned down on Jan, 25, 2015 after an encounter with Moro rebels in the Maguindanao town. The troop was on a mission to capture top terror suspects. A number of rebels and civilians also died during the day-long firefight. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra also paid tribute to the SAF44. To the families they left behind, they were sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. To the people and country they served, they were and are heroes whose devotion to the nation proves more powerful than death itself. The plight of these 44 heroes is a story inked in history and etched in our collective memory, Guevarra said in his message. PNP chief Dionardo Carlos, for his part, assured that the police body will never allow history to repeat itself. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) President Rodrigo Duterte said he will reveal the frailties of most presidential aspirants once the elections draw closer, saying he will name the male bet who is too corrupt and the other one who is clueless about leading the country. During his taped speech that aired on Tuesday, Duterte said he will divulge "what's wrong" with the candidates to help Filipinos make an informed decision on May 9. The president said all, except for one hopeful, are facing unpleasant issues. "Walang personalan ito because obligasyon ko lang para masabi sa tao," he said. "Sa lahat ng nakikita ko, para sa akin - well, except one - lahat mayroong issue na hindi maganda." [Translation: This is nothing personal because it is my obligation to tell the public the truth. From what I see, all but one have unpleasant issues.] He described one of his potential successors as a corrupt official and another one as not ripe for the presidency. The President claimed a male aspirant was reported to him by Chinese business owners as being allegedly excessively corrupt. "Meron diyan kasi talagang hindi pwede maging presidente," he said. "Meron naman diyan (pwede maging) presidente pero masyadong corrupt. Akala lang ng mga tao malinis, pero yung mga nag-transact sa business sa kanya, official business, pati yung mga Chinese nagreklamo na masyadong corrupt daw. Naghihingi sa kanila. Sabi ko ang magawa ko ay to charge him for corruption." [Translation: There is one who cannot be a president. There is another who can, but he is too corrupt. People see him as someone with a clean image, but those who transact with him for official business, even Chinese are complaining that he's too corrupt. I said what I can do is charge him for corruption.] Duterte described another as someone who is clueless and always makes mistakes. "Meron naman dito hopelessly I think hindi dapat mag-presidente, medyo kulang talaga, kulang na kulang talaga," he said. "Every day may sasabihin siya na mali, maski the fundamentals of what a person na gusto mag-presidente dapat, ewan ko lang." [Translation: There is someone whom hopelessly I think should not be a president. The person is kind of lacking intelligence, very lacking. They will say something wrong every day, even the fundamentals of a presidential aspirant.] He went on to describe another bet: "From observation, parang taong nakainom. Malaman mo na medyo sumobra siya sa limit ng botelya na kaya niya tapos mag-away, tapos magtapang, magsalita masakit. Kala niya may utang ang tao sa kanya, ganun 'yan." [Translation: From observation, it's like the person had a drink. This person seems to drink too much then picks a fight and think they're fearless and utter hurtful things. The person thinks people owe him.] The President denied that politics is involved in his revelations, saying he gains nothing from doing it. He said he can opt to keep silent and not butt heads with anyone, but that would be a disservice to Filipinos. Duterte said his information is based on secrets only made known to the commander-in-chief and his personal experiences with them. He previously claimed that one candidate is a cocaine user and a "weak leader." Days later, he described presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos as a "weak leader" and a "spoiled child." Duterte has not yet endorsed any presidential candidate for the upcoming elections. His political party, PDP-Laban, adopted presidential daughter Mayor Sara Duterte as its vice presidential candidate, but the ruling party is still deliberating the presidential bet it will endorse and campaign for. Some aspirants react Asked about the pronouncement, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said Duterte is entitled to his opinion and has a right as a voter to expose these aspirants. Labor leader Leody de Guzman, however, called out the chief executive for "politicking" instead of concentrating on the ongoing crises in the country. He also challenged Duterte to show evidence to back up his claims. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) After failing to hurdle the House of Representatives, the proposed universal pension for senior citizens gets a renewed push in the Senate. In a hearing of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development on Tuesday, Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes cited budget constraints as reason why the House passed a bill increasing the monthly social pension from 500 to 1,000 -- but only for indigent elderlies. The group Aksyon sa Pensyon (AKAP) Coalition said this is not enough, adding that the government even owes the elderly due to lapses in the implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. Ang kasunduan natin noong unang inimplement ito ay every now and then irereview natin at iuupgrade. Wala pong upgrading na nangyari kaya po may utang po kayo sa amin so wag po ninyo kaming bigyan ng 1,000, said Floro Francisco, representative of the AKAP Coalition. Ang kailangan po natin kung maaari ay 1,500 although alam nating lahat na hindi ito sapat para sa pangangailangan ng senior citizens, he added. [Translation: Our agreement was to review and upgrade the law every now and then. No upgrading happened so you owe us, do not give us 1,000. We need 1,500 if possible, although we all know even this is not enough for the needs of senior citizens.] The National Anti-Poverty Commissions Senior Citizen Sectoral Council made the same pitch. It estimates around 180 billion would have to be allocated yearly to provide a 1,500 monthly pension for some 10 million senior citizens. Citing a 2020 census by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Senator Joel Villanueva said there are 12 million individuals aged 60 and above in the country. Under Senator Risa Hontiveros' proposed "Lingap Para Kay Lolo at Lola Act," all those aged 65 and above should be eligible for social pension, regardless of socio-economic status. In its position paper, the NAPC identified possible sources of funding, including the social pension fund from the General Appropriations Act, unutilized funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the local government units share from state revenues, among others. The amount is large, yes, but affordable and therefore, the program is feasible, NAPC Sectoral Representative Salvacion Basciano said. The departments of finance and budget said they needed more data to determine the exact budget for a universal pension program. According to the Department of Finance, doubling the stipend for low-income senior citizens alone entails an additional 22.7 billion. Instead of increasing the social pension, the DOF recommends the provision of additional benefits to be shouldered by LGUs. The DSWD, on the other hand, supports the proposed universal pension, as relayed by its National Focal Person of Social Pension, Analiza Salud. The government gave pensions to 3.4 million senior citizens last year. Salud said there were delays in the payouts, but some 400,000 others are set to receive their stipends in the first quarter of the year. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) Gamaleya Institute's single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine is a good booster shot candidate against coronavirus infection, according to members of the Philippines' vaccine expert panel. Pediatric infectious diseases specialist Dr. Maria Liza Gonzales shared the study on 84 individuals who received Sputnik Light. This measured the antibody, T-Cell responses, and the level of virus neutralizing activity against variants of concern including the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants. It showed Sputnik Light enhanced the immune response of previously infected individuals on the seventh day after vaccination. Those who never had COVID-19 infection, meanwhile, only developed antibody response after 21 days. "Can it be useful as a booster? I think the studies would show that it would. It would actually enhance the immune response in those who were previously vaccinated and in facthigher pa ang response in those who were previously infected. So, whether infected or not and given primary immunization, I think the Sputnik would be a good booster to be given, to be used," Gonzales told a forum on Tuesday. She noted that Sputnik Light has the same components as the first dose of Sputnik V. Another vaccine expert panel member, Dr. Derrick Sumalapao, said the revaccination with Sputnik Light among inoculated individuals could elicit neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant. "The good thing is there is presence of such neutralizing antibody to Omicorn variant among the study participants revaccinated with Sputnik Light," he said. A study conducted by Italian Spallanzani Institute and Gamaleya Center also found that the level of antibodies fighting the Omicorn variant among those vaccinated with Sputnik V did not decline as much as Pfizer. The study involved 51 people inoculated with Sputnik V and 17 with Pfizer. It showed Sputnik V has more than twice the number of neutralizing antibodies to Omicron. "The levels were more stable with the Sputnik V vaccine and analysis of neutralizing antibodies to the Wuhan D614G variants showed comparable activity between the two groups. Those given Sputnik and Pfizer. However, neutralizing antibody titers, in those vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine were lower - 21.4 folds lower compared to those given Sputnik Vaccine where the sera was 8.1 folds lower," Gonzales said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) The Senate has approved a resolution concurring with the Philippines accession to the United Nations 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. All 21 senators present during Tuesdays plenary session voted for the proposed Resolution No. 964. The treaty provides a legal framework to prevent and reduce statelessness. Among its salient features is a requirement for state parties to grant citizenship to all children born within their territories or those born to their nationals abroad. Senator Koko Pimentel, sponsor of the resolution, said acceding to the 1961 Convention shows the countrys commitment to human rights. Under the Senates measure, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will register all the birth of children born under disadvantaged situations in the country to avoid possibility of being stateless. As for the Foreign Affairs and Labor departments, they will be tasked to assist undocumented Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers, as well as their children born outside of the country. The resolution also states that the President of the Philippines may, with the concurrence of the Senate, withdraw from the Treaty. President Rodrigo Duterte ratified the convention in August 2021 and submitted it to the upper chamber for concurrence. CNN Philippines Eimor Santos contributed to this report. Advocates of legalizing marijuana use for adults in Delaware are aiming to set the record straight on some myths and facts behind the issue. Columbia, SC (29201) Today Mostly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Home is usually a place where a person is most comfortable to kick back and be free from the troubles of the outside world. But for Lewis Scaliti those troubles found their way into his home by way of a felony burglary. Scaliti (senior-security and risk analysis) said he was asleep when someone broke into his apartment in The Standard at State College and stole over $5,000 worth of personal items from him and his roommates. When Scaliti and his roommates apartment was burglarized on Dec. 11, 2021, he said The Standards management was condescending and unhelpful. On Dec. 12, 2021 Nishith Kapoor, a former Penn State student, was arrested for the multiple burglaries at The Standard, according to the criminal complaint. According to Penn State spokesperson Lisa Powers, Kapoor is not enrolled this spring at Penn State. He was charged with three felony counts of burglary, four counts of criminal trespassing, three counts of theft by unlawful taking and four counts of receiving stolen property, court documents said. Kapoor allegedly broke into Scalitis apartment at 2:45 a.m. Dec. 11 and was seen "checking various doors to apartments," the criminal complaint said. Prior to the burglary that night, Scaliti said he and some of his roommates were at a formal event for their fraternity and one roommate was home studying. The roommates went to sleep at around 3 a.m. with their door unlocked and thats when Scaliti said the burglary occurred. Scaliti said he woke up first the next morning and went to look for his phone, computer and watch, but he couldnt find them. It was then Scaliti said he realized they had been burglarized. He said he woke up his roommates, and they called State College Police that Saturday morning around 7 a.m. Then early the next morning, at around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jarrod Keating one of Scalitis roommates said he heard a knock on their door. He opened the door, and two people were there, saying theyd found some of the stolen items in the parking lot and ultimately returned them. But about 30 minutes later Keating (junior-data science) said he heard someone attempt to open the door of the apartment. Keating said he and two other roommates opened the door to find Kapoor trying to get into other apartments while allegedly holding two laptops. The roommates then called State College Police who were unable to arrest Kapoor that night because they werent able to prove the laptops had been stolen at the time. Scaliti said he believes this was because The Standard had not released security tapes to the State College Police Department at this point. The roommates then took to The Standards Instagram page to comment about the burglary. That's when The Standard wasn't giving the tapes to the cops for like, two days, Scaliti said. In the comment section of a post on The Standards Instagram, The Standard wrote, Open communication and transparency are a vital part of strengthening community relationships with residents. The Standard said on the post, which was from five weeks ago, are currently under investigation and asked residents to please make sure they lock apartment doors as a continued precaution. In an email sent out to residents at 8:32 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2021 more than 40 hours after the first incident The Standard made residents aware of the burglaries from that weekend. According to the email, there were allegedly multiple burglaries that occurred on Scalitis floor. The Standards management team said it cooperated with the police during their investigation and provided video surveillance footage from this weekend. And according to the criminal complaint, The Standard did give the State College Police Department the tapes. Lt. Chad Hamilton of the State College Police Department said police received the security tapes relatively quickly, and there is an ongoing investigation with the tapes to learn more about the burglaries. He said turnaround for security tapes can be anywhere from a day to a few weeks, and turnaround varies depending on the company. Davis Suffredini, another of Scalitis roommates, was home studying the night of the burglary. He said the email to residents came too late. The main thing is if they notified everybody about our burglary, then the next night, people wouldve locked their doors, Suffredini (senior-finance) said. But instead, [more] apartments got robbed. According to Suffredini, the video tapes from the hallway showed Kapoor leaving their apartment and entering another one on Dec. 11. The morning after the burglary, Scaliti said he and his roommates met with State College Police around 7:10 a.m. and spoke with them for 30 minutes. He said the officer then went down to speak with The Standard staff. But when Suffredini went to speak with staff following the conversation with the police officer, he said a report hadnt been filed by The Standard yet. I went down there at like 11 a.m., [and] she was like, Oh, you got robbed, I need to make a report or something, Suffredini said. So, even though the cops came to them with all that, they didn't make the report yet, and then I had to tell them the whole story again. Suffredini said some of their key fobs which are used to unlock their door and grant access to the stairwells and elevators at The Standard were stolen the night of the burglary, and he said The Standard wouldnt initially give them new key fobs. This also meant Kapoor couldve come back again even if their door was locked, Suffredini said. [The Standards management is] just completely incompetent honestly, Suffredini said. Literally every part of how they run this. Kelly Gray, director of public relations at The Standard, said because there is a legal investigation, The Standard cannot comment at this time on the allegations. Scaliti said after the burglary, a property manager called him and was accusational about the incident. When he was on the phone with a property manager, Scaliti said he told them he wished he and his roommates were treated differently. I was like, It would have been nice if you had [said], Hey, I know you're a victim of crime are you doing well, that sort of stuff, Scaliti said. Instead of just being very defensive and sort of rude to us throughout the whole thing. MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE For the 27th annual Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture, Penn State's Schreyer Honors College welcomed ABC News correspondent and host of "What Would You Do?" John Quinones to the The State Theatre in downtown State College on Monday. The annual lecture series is endowed by Schreyer Scholar alumni who keep the legacy of Mark Luchinsky, a former Schreyer Honors scholar, alive by honoring his memory and life. Schreyer Honors College Dean Patrick Mather welcomed the audience and shared the story of Luchinsky's life and then asked the audience to take a moment of silence for him. Mather then introduced Quinones, a seven-time Emmy award winner, who began his lecture by talking about his experiences with adversity in his childhood and reflecting on how his early years as a migrant farm worker led him to pursue a better life. I would work all day in the Michigan fields picking cherries, making only 75 cents a bucket, Quinones said. I knew that I did not want to look down at the field the rest of my life. He spoke about how his mother told him to lead with his heart his corazon and to not worry about what others said about him or his family. Quinones said many people look back on their family's financial status and say "they didn't know they were poor," but he joked "we knew we were poor." Despite facing this adversity, Quinones now an author, broadcast journalist and motivational speaker knew he wanted to be a reporter very early on, when he would listen to the radio station. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas, speaking primarily Spanish, Quinones said. Everyone around me, including my teachers, had no faith in me. When he was 14, he said his talents for journalism recognized, leading him to join his school newspaper and eventually become the chief of editorials. Quinones shared his internship experience at a radio station where he was in charge of cleaning the station's horses' "poop" at the end of the day, but he would stay overnight to practice recording his own shows. He said he would ask the overnight janitor how he sounded, even though the janitor only spoke Spanish, who would respond "mas o menos" more or less. Then, he said without the Upward Bound program a federally funded educational program in the United States he would not have been able to attend college. After I completed my undergraduate education, I pursued higher education at Columbia University, Quinones said. Here, I was under a fellowship program with CBS. He said one of his most memorable moments as a reporter was crossing into the United States through the Rio Grande river. I convinced my boss at CBS to let me pose as a Mexican immigrant trying to cross the [United States] border, Quinones said. I was able to obtain a fake social security number and birth certificate from a smuggler for $300. Quinones said the experience inspired him to talk to the moven and the shaken" in America an opportunity he was given on his show, "What Would You Do?" We set up a scene where someone would be stealing a bike, Qunones said. When the white man was stealing the bike, there was not a huge commotion. When the African American man was stealing the bike, a crowd of people gathered around to stop him. When a beautiful woman was stealing the bike, other men offered to help her. For Quinones, he said journalism can be seen as a "candlelight in the darkness," and reflected on how journalists can "shine a light on untold stories," which is what he strives to do on his show. Quinones said he never expected the show would air for 15 years, and it's planning on returning this summer. I honestly thought that the show would run out of ideas, Quinones said. After the lecture, Carolyn Donaldson, former WTAJ-TV news anchor and current community engagement manger for WPSU, moderated a Q&A session with questions submitted by audience members. What is the hardest and most inspiring story you have covered? Donaldson asked Quinones. Quinones told the audience his most challenging story was during his coverage in Panama. My producer was taken hostage, Quinones said. [Panama] ended up releasing him, but we did not know if he was going to come out alive. Quinones left the audience with a words of wisdom on how to be inclusive to others. Continue looking for the good, Quinones said. Always look for the good. At the end of the lecture, Dean Mather returned to gift Quinones a blue vase and thanked him for sharing his story with the audience. After the lecture, students mingled and chatted at in the lobby of The State Theatre. Alexys Lyons said she heard about the event through Penn State stall stories advertised in the dorm bathrooms. I thought it would be a good way to start my week. Lyons (freshman-political science) said. Its John Quinones, so I couldnt miss it. The stall stories also attracted Sean Haroutunian to the lecture. I watch his content on Youtube all of the time, Haroutunian (freshman-psychology) said. He keeps me on my guard." Haroutunian said he felt inspired by Quinones words. We need to do what is right, Herotunian said. We need to learn and understand what an inclusive society looks like. Though Melena Carrano said she did not have many expectations going into the lecture, she ended up being affected for the better. It was really moving, Carrano (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said. I feel much more aware of what people in our society are going through. RELATED +3 Residents unpack The Standard at State Colleges completely incompetent response to December burglaries Home is usually a place where a person is most comfortable to kick back and be free from the Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. New China-Europe train route links Suzhou, Milan Xinhua) 08:49, January 25, 2022 NANJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A train loaded with 100 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of goods departed the city of Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province for Milan, Italy on Monday, marking the first China-Europe freight train linking the two cities. The exported goods included auto parts and cooking utensils manufactured in Jiangsu worth about 3.73 million U.S. dollars, and are expected to arrive in Milan aboard the X8020 train in 25 days. According to Suzhou Customs, the city sent 406 China-Europe freight trains in 2021, up 38.12 percent year on year. The total value of transported goods stood at about 2.25 billion dollars, up 66.52 percent. Suzhou has opened eight China-Europe freight train routes to Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe since 2013, covering more than 80 cities. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) 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 What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-283-2144 or email circ@oelweindailyregister.com. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com. People die because of cyber wars, even if no bullets are ever fired. Instead, they die in emergency rooms that no longer have power, from broken medical communication networks, and from riots. All of this has happened before. It will happen again. And now, with Russia poised to invade Ukraine and Russian cyberattacks already in motion, we can only hope and pray that what promises to be the first major European war since World War II doesn't spark the next World War. If it does, I fear the proximate cause won't be Russian T-90 main battle tanks trying to smash their way into Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. It will be the Russian GRU Sandworm hacking group launching a cyberattack that perhaps wrecks the European Union power grid; or knocks out major US internet sites such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft; or stops 4G and 5G cellular services in their tracks. Sound like something out of a modern-day Tom Clancy novel? I wish. This is all too real. Last week, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) gave notice that critical infrastructure operators should take "urgent, near-term steps" against cyber threats. It's not so much a fear that Russia will target US or UK technology resources as it is that in the past, when Russia has gone after Ukraine's IT infrastructure, the attacks hit the West, as well. Malware doesn't care about borders. Past malware such as NotPetya and WannaCry began as nation-state attackware then quickly went well beyond their original targets. To this day, they're still causing trouble. The Russian cyberattack on Ukraine has already begun. On Jan. 14, a massive website attack smeared Ukrainian government websites with a warning to "be afraid and expect the worst." That caught headlines, but it was purely a psychological attack. The real attack, Microsoft revealed, was that destructive malware had been injected into multiple Ukrainian government organizations on Jan. 13. The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) reports that these programs masquerade as ransomware but they're purely destructive and designed to ruin computers and devices rather than extort a ransom. Microsoft also warns that these programs are only the malware they've detected. There are almost certainly others not yet discovered. Russia has made such attacks (and others) before on Ukraine. Indeed, in 2016, Russia turned off Kyiv's power supply. It's a lead-pipe cinch they'll try again. When not if they do, these attacks may well hit targets Russia never meant to smack. Or maybe Russia will want to attack Western infrastructure. Unlike the Trump Administration that kowtowed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Joe Biden is pushing back against Russia's aggression. And he's not alone. The other NATO powers are also telling Putin that enough is enough. While I doubt this means we'll see the 82nd Airborne deploying along the Dnieper River, cyberattacks are another matter entirely. After all, as President Biden said in his Jan. 19 news conference, the US could respond to future Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine with its own cyberwar resources. In a "hack-for-hack" world, the internet we know and use every day isn't likely to hold up for long. Russia has already been attacking the US on the internet. These attacks tend not to be noticed since they blur into American politics. There's often little difference between a social network message from a rabid, but sincere, Trump supporter and one from a Russian (Internet Research Agency) IRA troll factory. But what we're facing now is an entirely different level of cyber warfare. It's also one that Russia's been doing for quite some time. In the last few decades, besides Ukraine, Russia has attacked Estonia and Georgia. More recently, "58% of all cyberattacks from nation-states have come from Russia," said Tom Burt, Microsoft corporate vice president. For example, the US and UK blame the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) for the huge SolarWinds software supply chain attack. As Burt pointed out, Kremlin-backed hackers are becoming "increasingly effective." That's no surprise. After all, Russian agents have been at it for years. Even if you can't find Ukraine on a map, things happening there are all too likely to affect all of us everywhere soon. I cant help but imagine sighs of relief may be heard from Cupertino on the news Nvidia may abandon its attempt to acquire Apples strategically important supplier, Arm. Competitive concerns put deal on ice Nvidia has reportedly told partners it doesnt expect the acquisition to go ahead. That said, both Nvidia and SoftBank appear to be pressing forward with the deal for the time being; Nvidia stands to lose $1.25 billion if it fails. If the acquisition does fall through, SoftBank may instead issue an IPO of Arm shares though both Arm and SoftBank argue that the company will be too weak to compete without major financial support. Nvidia has been attempting to purchase Arm at a cost of around $40 billion, but the plan has upset regulators worldwide. They are concerned that the purchase puts Nvidia in position to harm competitors and hinder future technology development. The UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) noted the importance of Arm to many in the industry, and warned that the merger would, create incentives to change Arms business model and favor Nvidia. While Arm is UK-based, the UK isnt the only nation to investigate the deal, which has also fallen afoul of regulators in Europe and has the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suing to prevent it from taking place. Apple's Arm connection goes back decades Apple today uses Arm reference designs in the development of its world-beating processors, including the M-series Apple Silicon chips inside todays Macs. These chips are of huge strategic importance to the company. They give Macs, iPhones, and iPads a real competitive edge. Apple isnt alone. Microsoft, Qualcomm, and others are all increasing their use of Arm processor designs, which means the small UK company has oversight into competitively sensitive information about all those firms. Thats yet another reason for Nvidias purchase attempt to fail. In 2020, Apple apparently declined a chance to purchase Arm, which it helped found with Acorn and VLSI more than 20 years ago. Ive little doubt that if Apple had agreed to the purchase, it would also have faced regulatory opposition as the acquisition would give it significant market power. That is perhaps why it declined. A regulatory and competitive nightmare The company may remain shy about any attempt to purchase Arm today, but could conceivably scoop up a sizable shareholding in the company during an IPO. It might also be able to find some way to run Arm as an owned, but wholly independent, subsidiary though even that could generate additional regulation. Most other potential acquirers face similar challenges. What this means is that while there may be some relief in Cupertino that such a strategically important supplier now seems unlikely to end up in the hands of Nvidia, such relief will be tempered by fresh anxiety as to the future of the smaller firm. Competitor Qualcomm has also said it would be willing to take a stake in Arm. What can Apple do to help support Arm without taking too much control of the company, and how can it reassure competitors of continues discretion in how Arm might operate in future? Problems need solutions Theres a need to find some way forward. For many in the industry there is growing recognition that Arm must thrive, as its processor designs are becoming essential across the business. Apple does have alternatives. Its silicon teams are certain to be exploring other processor architectures such as RISC-V. And while it may (or may not) find it challenging to acquire Arm, it seems plausible Apple might explore other strategic investments to protect its hard-won processor advantage. Nvidia, meanwhile, is investing heavily in developing its own next-generation CPUs in Israel, where it holds several Nvidia research facilities. It is interesting to note that Apples second largest R&D center is also based in Israel and focused on processor invention. The location was set up following Apples acquisition of Israeli start-up Anobit. Intel also has R&D teams based in the nation that is home to NSO Group. Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe. 01/25/2022 Photo (c) Cavan Images - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.) Total U.S. confirmed cases: 71,720,055 (70,700,678) Total U.S. deaths: 869,250 (866,541) Total global cases: 356,366,271 (352,095,412) Total global deaths: 5,607,895 (5,598,349) U.S. hospitalizations continue to fall The number of Americans requiring hospital treatment for their COVID-19 symptoms continues to go down, according to federal health officials. The trend line for new cases of the virus also appears to be on a downward trajectory. Statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) show that the seven-day average of COVID-19 patients in the nations hospitals fell for a fourth straight day on Monday. However, the decline is not evenly distributed across the nation. Some areas that were hit hard by the Omicron variant in early January have recovered the most. Meanwhile, serious cases are rising in a handful of states. Omicron vaccine tested on humans Pfizer and BioNTech, the companies that produced the first coronavirus vaccine, have begun a clinical trial testing their new Omicron vaccine on human subjects. Theyve begun enrolling people between the ages of 18 and 55 to take the vaccine. The trial will test the vaccine for safety, tolerability, and immune response. It is being given both as a primary vaccine to subjects who have not been vaccinated and as a booster to those who have. While current research and real-world data show that boosters continue to provide a high level of protection against severe disease and hospitalization with Omicron, we recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address Omicron and new variants in the future, said Kathrin Jansen, senior vice president and head of Vaccine Research & Development at Pfizer. Scientists create new, cheaper COVID-19 test With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the demand for tests to detect the virus is off the charts. In some areas, at-home antigen tests are in short supply. The backlog of PCR tests at laboratories is also growing. Enter researchers from the University of Washington. Theyve developed a new COVID-19 test that they say is cheaper and, in some cases, faster than whats available now. We designed the test to be low-cost and simple enough that it could be used anywhere, said Barry Lutz, a UW associate professor of bioengineering. We hope that the low cost will make high-performance testing more accessible locally and around the world. Around the nation This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. Cruzdelsur.cl scored 55 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 3/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 1 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. cruzdelsur.cl is very popular in Facebook. It is liked by 63 people on Facebook, it has 3 twitter shares and it has 2 google+ shares. The total number of people who shared the cruzdelsur homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the cruzdelsur homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the cruzdelsur homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if cruzdelsur has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the cruzdelsur homepage on Twitter + the total number of cruzdelsur followers (if cruzdelsur has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the cruzdelsur homepage on Delicious. Basic Information PAGE TITLE DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 SERVER Apache OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux The language of cruzdelsur.cl as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for cruzdelsur.cl by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Corsicana, TX (75110) Today Mostly cloudy early. Isolated thunderstorms may develop this afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Salvatore Maranzano on September 10, 1931. The Fascist government of Benito Mussolini kicked Maranzano out of Italy in the 1920s. He came to America, settling in Brooklyn. Maranzano built a legitimate real estate brokerage business, which he used as cover for his criminal operations, which included a growing bootlegging business. Eventually, Maranzano was atop an immense criminal organization sprawled across the Northeast United States. He took to mentoring a young man named Joseph Bonanno. Maranzano enjoyed talking about himself and was known to spend an inordinate amount of time telling everyone around him that he had studied for the priesthood, was able to speak Latin, and enjoyed reading histories of ancient Rome, especially about Julius Caesar, his personal idol. (They allegedly killed Maranzano as a preemptive strikebut his being such an unbelievably pompous ass must have had something to do with it too.) The Fascist government of Benito Mussolini kicked Maranzano out of Italy in the 1920s. He came to America, settling in Brooklyn. Maranzano built a legitimate real estate brokerage business, which he used as cover for his criminal operations, which included a growing bootlegging business. Eventually, Maranzano was atop an immense criminal organization sprawled across the Northeast United States. He took to mentoring a young man named Joseph Bonanno. Maranzano enjoyed talking about himself and was known to spend an inordinate amount of time telling everyone around him that he had studied for the priesthood, was able to speak Latin, and enjoyed reading histories of ancient Rome, especially about Julius Caesar, his personal idol. (They allegedly killed Maranzano as a preemptive strikebut his being such an unbelievably pompous ass must have had something to do with it too.) From around 1930 to 1931, Maranzano and his organization engaged in a deadly faceoff against a rival for control of New York Citys rackets. Dubbed the Castellammare War, the fighting was between the Maranzano faction and Joe (The Boss) Masseria and his gang. (The founding members of the original Five Families were scattered across the two rival groups. They would come together and reorganize after shrewdly getting rid of both Masseria and then Maranzano. But were getting ahead of ourselves.) After Joe the Boss finally bit the dust, Maranzano reportedly put some of his knowledge of ancient Rome to practical use. (We are trying to be brief here, as we're not writing a book.) At a spring 1931 to-do at a Bronx dance hall reportedly attended by around 400 Mafia members, Maranzano purportedly announced a revision of the structure of the New York Mafia , which he said he modeled on the military chain of command of a Roman legion. This was the same meeting where he formed the Five Families, still around today, and christened himself capo di tutti capi ("boss of all bosses"). Mafia historians debate just about everything we think we know about that meeting. For example, Joe Bonanno and Nicola Gentile don't mention Maranzano revising the structure of the crime families in their respective memoirs, Mafia historians debate just about everything we think we know about that meeting. For example, Joe Bonanno and Nicola Gentile don't mention Maranzano revising the structure of the crime families in their respective memoirs, A Man of Honor and Vita Di Capomafia. But the notion that Maranzano tweaked the Mafia to somehow align it with his beloved Roman Empire has become embedded in American pop culture and was alluded to in a scene in the Godfather sequel . Corleone family lawyer Tom Hagan meets with Joe Valachi-esque Frank Pentangeli and attempts to talk him out of testifying against Michael Corleone. "You were around the old timers (when they met to discuss) how the families should be organized. How they based them on the old Roman legions and called them regimes - the capos and the soldiers. And it worked." "Yeah, it worked. Those were the great old days you know. And we was like the Roman Empire. The Corleone Family was like the Roman Empire." "It was once." Hagan was successful. Frankie Five Angels climbs into a warm bathand slices both his wrists. The hit team arrived at Maranzano's office before Luciano's scheduled arrival. They announced themselves to the secretary as government agents sent to review Maranzano's books. Tommy Lucchese, who was in the office with Maranzano at the time, pointed the boss of bosses out so the killers knew who their target was. The four disarmed Maranzano's bodyguards. Two members of the hit team held the bodyguards at bay in the outer office while the other two rushed into Maranzano's inner office and shot and stabbed him repeatedly. While Maranzano lay there dying, the four assassins and Lucchese fled down the staircase, where they met the ascending Vincent (Mad Dog) Coll who was arriving to meet with Maranzano to On September 10, 1931, months after that reputed big meeting in the Bronx, Maranzano ordered Charles (Lucky) Luciano and Vito Genovese to come to his office . Fearing a murderous setup, Luciano dispatched his own team of hand-picked killers to strike first. (The team comprised four Jewish gangsters who Maranzano and his people would never recognize on sight).The hit team arrived at Maranzano's office before Luciano's scheduled arrival. They announced themselves to the secretary as government agents sent to review Maranzano's books. Tommy Lucchese, who was in the office with Maranzano at the time, pointed the boss of bosses out so the killers knew who their target was.The four disarmed Maranzano's bodyguards. Two members of the hit team held the bodyguards at bay in the outer office while the other two rushed into Maranzano's inner office and shot and stabbed him repeatedly.While Maranzano lay there dying, the four assassins and Lucchese fled down the staircase, where they met the ascending Vincent (Mad Dog) Coll who was arriving to meet with Maranzano to discuss the murders of Luciano and Genovese Informed of Maranzano's demise, Coll turned around and departed, quite pleased he wouldn't have to do anything for the $25,000 that Maranzano had paid him in advance. Maranzano died a painful death, much like his idol. Caesar was ambushed on the Ides of March by members of the Senate who stabbed him 23 times. According to his autopsy report, the earliest post-mortem report in history, only one of Caesars 23 stab wounds--which ruptured his aorta--was fatal. Caesar died of blood loss. Some would say Maranzano picked the wrong Roman. Caesar was the first of many Roman dictators to follow in the footsteps of a predecessor. (Maranzano chose the copy, not the original.) Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, commonly known as Sulla, was the first dictator in world historyusing the words contemporary definition. Sulla (138-78 BC) set the standard of dictator for generations that followed. The notion of having a dictator around to help out occasionally was something near and dear to the hearts of Romes Senators at least initially. (Ancient Rome never had anything like a police force.) Prior to Sullas seizing power, the Senate even sometimes appointed a temporary dictatorusually to quell civil unrest during slave uprisings, etc. During such emergencies, the Senate issued the proclamation: Protect the state from harm" (among the most chilling, banal, words ever spoken by a Senate) and gave it to the appointed dictator, who was empowered to ruthlessly solve the problemusually by murdering lots of people. Sulla crushed Rome's enemies all over the ancient world. Sulla did the unprecedentedmarching on Rome at the head of tens of thousands of troopstwice. He became the first man of the Republic to seize power through force, thereby establishing the template: He installed himself as dictator and executed thousands of rivals, supposedly pinning the severed heads of some of them in the atrium of his house. Among his military exploits, Sulla besieged Pompeii during the oddly named Social War, one of several consecutive civil wars that brought the Romans more than 20 years of ceaseless homicidal violence. (The Social War was named for a coalition of Italian alliesor sociithat declared war on Rome). The city walls show damage caused by projectiles hurled by the besiegers. Also, projectiles were preserved like relics inside some houses. And on the facades of some buildings are notices with written instructions for Pompeiis local militia on where to muster. Direct archeological evidence of Sulla's siege was discovered during the excavations of Pompeii. (Additional evidence continues to be found.) Sulla had a much more preferable death compared to Caesar. He sort of went out like Carlo Gambino : After resigning his dictatorship in 79 BCE, he retired to his country house, which was part of an enclave of wealthy estates dotting the Bay of Naples, where he died peacefully, in his bed. "No one did me wrong whom I did not pay back in full" was among the phrases Sulla had written to be inscribed on his tomb. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Community News Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is being criticized for his recent comments about holocaust victims at a rally in Washington. According to reports, Kennedy Jr. also uttered some unfounded conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccine saying that anti-vaxxers are treated like Holocaust victims. He said that even in Hitler's Germany, Holocaust victims were still allowed to cross the Alps into Switzerland or hide in an attic-like Anne Frank. "I visited in 1962 East Germany with my father and met people who had climbed the wall and escaped, so it was possible - many died doing it, but it was possible," Kennedy Jr. said via the Huffington Post. Robert Kennedy Jr's anti-semitic remarks were inaccurate According to CNN, Kennedy Jr's inaccurate anti-Semitic remark ignores the fact that Nazis murdered Frank and 6 million others. The anti-vaxxer was also incorrect in saying that Frank hid in an attic in Germany because she hid in the Netherlands. She was later caught and sent to a concentration camp, where she died. Kennedy Jr. also mentioned Bill Gates during Sunday's rally and linked the billionaire's 65,000 satellites to his claims about vaccines. He also accused Gates of putting in 5G to harvest data and control the behavior of anti-vaxxers like him. Kennedy Jr. added that those who are unvaccinated could also be punished from a distance, and their food supply can also be limited. Read Also: 6 People Arrested After Threatening To Kill German Gov. Michael Kretschmer; Suspects Confirmed To Be Anti-Vaxxers Auschwitz Memorial and Museum slams Robert Kennedy Jr. However, the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum slammed Kennedy Jr. for exploiting victims of the Holocaust during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also claimed that Kennedy Jr. exploited the tragedy of the people that were humiliated, tortured, and murdered during such a difficult time. Last month, Kennedy Jr. also made some shocking claims about COVID-19 vaccines when he said that this was the deadliest vaccine to have ever been made. Due to his never-ending dubious claims, Kennedy Jr. was banned or completely removed from his social media platforms to prevent him from further spreading false vaccination claims. Other anti-vaxxers' claims revisited Other than Kennedy Jr., there are several other anti-vaxxers across the United States, and the majority of them are supporters of Donald Trump. According to NPR, Trump's son, Eric Trump, previously attacked the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The day before his speech, a homeopathic doctor named Edward Group also urged the audience to drink their urine as an alternative to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Eric's fellow speaker, Carrie Madej, claimed that the vaccines contained microscopic technology designed to put another kind of nervous system inside other people. Del Bigtree, an anti-vaccine activist, also claimed that COVID-19 vaccines kill people and represent an existential threat to humanity. However, none of these anti-vaxxers' claims have proven correct. Some celebrities have also been responsible for spreading vaccine lies. Nicki Minaj previously claimed that vaccines could cause impotence. But Dr. Anthony Fauci fired back by saying that there's no proof to these claims. He said that there's no evidence that impotence can result from getting vaccinated, according to Today. Fauci also said that encouraging anti-vaxxers to get the jab has been especially challenging because of the misinformation online. Related Article: Psychology Experts Slam Scientist Who Referred to COVID-19 Efforts as 'Mass Formation Psychosis @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It's Simpsons week at Cracked. We'll have more cromulent facts for you every day. With their ultra-recognizable Duff beer brand, The Simpsons has long had a huge merchandising opportunityan opportunity they mostly declined to exploit. True, you could buy themed "Duff" beer at Universal Studios park (and maybe you'll be able to do the same at Disney World sometime), but they didn't go all the way and produce a tie-in beer for retail. Matt Groening said that would be irresponsible, since The Simpsons has always been so popular with children. So, with the show leaving that money on the table, what would happen if you stepped in and tried selling Duff beer yourself? Many different people have tried, with varying results. If you tried it in the US, you can expect lawyers to shut you down quickly. In Mexico, however, someone started selling Duff beer in 2006, got a local trademark, and expanded without any problems. In New Zealand, a brewery started making Duff beer in 1992, and this had nothing to do with the showthe owner was simply named Gavin Duff. Fox came down on him and got him to change the name of his product to McDuffs. Continue Reading Below Advertisement The strangest case came out of Germany. A company called Duff Beer UG made Duff beer, using the exact logo used in The Simpsons. In our non-expert legal opinion, this was trademark violation, a way to capitalize on the Simpsons brand. But when Fox sued, a court sided with Duff Beer UG. Fox had never trademarked "Duff" for beverages specifically, so they had no right to claim ownership of the brand. They had no competing actual Duff beer of their own, so they were losing no business even if buyers mistook the German beer for a Simpsons tie-in. The Pentagon is placing around 8,500 US troops stationed in Europe on high alert in response to President Joe Biden's directive, in order to reassure allies in the face of mounting fears of a Russian military attack on Ukraine. In connection with tensions over Russia's military buildup along Ukraine's borders, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday no final decisions had been made on deployments, which he said would only happen if the NATO alliance decides to activate a rapid-response force "or if other situations develop" US puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert In view of signals that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not de-escalating his military pressure on Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin proposed to Biden that around 8,500 troops be ordered to prepare for possible deployment to Europe, according to Kirby. Because the forces located in the United States were still being notified, Kirby said he wasn't ready to name them. According to the White House, Biden conducted a video conference with other European leaders later Monday on the Russian military buildup and possible reactions to an invasion, as per AP News. Following warnings from Western authorities that a Russian invasion of Ukraine might be imminent, the Pentagon is preparing to deploy orders. The Kremlin has stockpiled 100,000 troops along Ukraine's border. Moscow has also claimed that a number of its servicemen in Belarus are participating in war simulations. Biden has previously warned that if soldiers cross the border into Ukraine, they would incur severe economic expenses, and that if they do, they will be transferred to NATO's defenses. On Monday afternoon, the president was scheduled to meet digitally with European leaders to address the situation, which has worsened in recent days, prompting the State Department to decrease the number of staffers at the US embassy in Kyiv. In the event of "NATO's activation of the NRF or a deteriorating security environment," the Defense Department was still notifying military units it would send to Eastern Europe on Monday, but they would include "additional brigade combat teams, logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, transportation and additional capabilities," Kirby said. Read Also: Donald Trump Net Worth 2022: Did Trump Get Richer Since Leaving the US Presidency? US, NATO deploy weapons in Ukraine Austin's directive would also speed up the deployment preparations of military forces, adding to the air of urgency. In some circumstances, the time it takes for a unit to prepare for a transfer is reduced from ten to five days. As part of a lethal aid package agreed in December, Washington dispatched two weapons shipments to Ukraine earlier this month, and NATO members are also deploying ships, fighter planes, and weaponry to Eastern European sites, according to The Hill. With an estimated 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border, Russia is demanding that NATO commit to never let Ukraine join and that other moves, such as stationing alliance forces in countries that were once Soviet bloc members, be halted. The commitment to permanently prohibit Ukraine, for example, is a non-starter for NATO, causing an impasse that many worry would only lead to conflict. In response to Western charges, Russia denies that it is planning an invasion, and claims that the accusations are only a cover for NATO's own planned provocations. High-stakes negotiation that failed to produce any breakthrough and manipulation on both sides have been evident in recent days. In the Baltic Sea area, NATO said Monday it is increasing its "deterrence." In Lithuania, Denmark is sending a frigate and F-16 airplanes to join NATO naval forces; in Bulgaria, Spain is sending four fighter jets and three ships to join NATO naval forces; and in Romania, France is preparing to send soldiers. From April, the Netherlands wants to deliver two F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria, Huff Post reported. Related Article: Russia-NATO Talks on Ukraine Crisis Reach No Breakthrough as Leaders Eye More Talks; US Senate Democrats Push More Sanctions Bill @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. I've already been to some live sporting events. Yes, I plan on attending several events. I may go to one or two. I like sports but I doubt it. I'm not into sports. Vote View Results Karlie Van Anarm, left, and Cliff Black, advocating for their petition for recreational marijuana, meet with City Clerk Sarah Johnson on Jan. 24 to discuss the process of moving the measure forward toward the November election, or a special election, depending on the timing of all the steps in the process. Retired Pope Benedict XVI has admitted that he did attend a meeting in 1980 at which the transfer of a pedophile priest to his then-diocese was considered, claiming that he wasn't present was due to an editorial error. On Thursday, the authors of a report on sexual abuse in the Munich archdiocese between 1945 and 2019, which Benedict then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger led from 1977 to 1982, criticized Benedict's handling of four cases during his time as archbishop, saying that his claim he was not present at the meeting was untrue. Ex-pope Benedict met where pedophile priest discussed Benedict, who testified in a lengthy written statement, denies any misconduct. In one example, a priest was transferred to Munich to undertake rehabilitation, which was authorized by Ratzinger in 1980. The priest was permitted to continue his pastoral duties despite the fact that the church claims that the decision was taken without consulting the archbishop by a lower-ranking official. For assaulting a youngster, the priest was given a suspended sentence in 1986. Benedict's lifelong secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, said in a statement to Germany's KNA Catholic news agency on Monday that the retiring pope wants to explain that he was in fact at the January 1980 meeting of local church authorities in which the priest's relocation to Munich was considered. Benedict, he said, apologises for the error, Fox News reported. However, according to Gaenswein, the conference did not make a decision on the priest's return to pastoral activity but merely accepted his placement in Munich while he was undergoing treatment. Benedict is still carefully looking over the report, according to Gaenswein, and will take some time to finish it. He went on to say that the report will include a statement from the former pope, as well as details regarding how the erroneous claim about the encounter was made. The Vatican's in-house Vatican News portal conveyed the remark to KNA, according to Independent. Read Also: Queen Elizabeth Won't Support Prince Harry's UK Security Protection Demand; Sussexes To Turn Down Prince Charles' Plea To See Grandchildren Pope Benedict XVI admits false statement during probe testimony According to the statement, the attendants authorized a request for housing for the priest in question while his treatment in Munich. For him, they didn't make a decision on a pastoral assignment. The priest was permitted to continue his pastoral duties despite the fact that the church claims that the decision was taken without consulting the archbishop by a lower-ranking official. In the statement, Ganswein added that when he finishes analyzing the report, Benedict will explain how the error occurred. For comment, NBC News has reached out to the Vatican and Ganswein. The Catholic News Agency received a German translation of the announcement from the Vatican's in-house Vatican News portal. Benedict neglected to intervene in four incidents of sexual abuse in Germany's Munich diocese between 1977 and 1982, while he was archbishop of Munich, according to a study issued last Thursday, as per NBC News. The previous spokesperson for Benedict XVI declined to respond in advance, referring any answer to the archbishop of Munich. Even though he was instrumental for turning around the Vatican's attitude to the matter as a cardinal, Benedict's reputation as pope had already been colored by the global explosion of the sex abuse crisis in 2010. When Benedict took over at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1982, after his time in Munich, he received a worldwide and direct understanding of the problem's extent. After seeing that bishops throughout the globe were not punishing abusers, but rather relocating them from parish to parish where they might rape again, Ratzinger took the then-revolutionary decision in 2001 to take over the case processing. From 1982 until Marx took over as archbishop of Munich in 2008, Cardinal Friedrich Wetter was criticized for his treatment of 21 instances. Moreover, Pusch has stated that he is not guilty. Benedict's written replies, which have been censored to black out names, are included in the roughly 1,900-page report, which also includes annexes. It lists at least 497 abuse victims and 235 probable offenders over the years, however the authors admit that there are likely many more. According to Marx, the "catastrophic" mismanagement of clerical sexual abuse cases by the Catholic Church had led to the church's "dead end" last year, and he had volunteered to resign in an uncommon gesture, according to USA Today. Related Article: Pope Francis Criticizes Couples Who Choose Pets Over Kids as 'Selfish,' Argues That Such Act 'Takes Away Our Humanity' @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Donot Team, a threat actor operating since at least 2016, has been waging a two-year campaign of cyber espionage attacks against South Asian countries bordering India, researchers at cybersecurity company ESET reported last week. International human rights group Amnesty International has alleged that there are links between the attack infrastructure used by Donot Team and Delhi-based information security company Innefu Labs, something the company has denied. In its report on cyberattacks against a human rights campaigner in the African country of Togo, Amnesty accused Innefu Labs of playing a role in the development of spyware tools linked to Donot Team, although it said there was no technical evidence to suggest Donot Team was directly responsible for or aware of attacks against the campaigner in Togo. However, the report also suggests that Innefu Labs may not necessarily know how any third parties are using these spyware tools, and therefore there isnt sufficient evidence to prove Innefu Labs direct involvement in the attack on the activist. Innefu Labs denied the accusations, saying, Innefu has never provided any digital surveillance tools or services for the purpose of conducting surveillance of activists and human rights defenders. ESET researchers published an in-depth report into attacks carried out by Donot Team throughout 2020 and 2021; saying that the Donot Team is motivated by espionage and usually focuses on government and military organizations, ministries of foreign affairs, and embassies in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal. It has also extended its attacks to embassies of these countries in other regions, such as the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Amnesty too found that hundreds of individuals across South Asia and the Middle East, primarily in India and Pakistan, were targeted by Donot Teams Android spyware. Identity unknown In its report on the Togo case, it wrote that an attacker using an Indian phone number tried to trick the victim into installing a malicious application that masqueraded as a secure chat application to extract sensitive and personal information stored on the phone. The spyware would have enabled access to the camera, microphone, photos, and files stored on the device, and would even have read encrypted WhatsApp messages. The attempt failed. The identity of all individuals or groups involved with the Donot Team activity remains unknown. According to ESET telemetry, Donot Team has been consistently targeting the same entities with spearphishing emails with malicious attachments every two to four months. This persistence has allowed it to retain access to compromised networks, or to regain it after being ejected. Some of these emails were sent from organizations that were earlier Donot Team victims. This is possible if the attackers compromise the email accounts and email servers of their victims during earlier attacks. Nasser Fattah, North America Steering Committee Chair, Shared Assessments, an organization providing third party risk assurance, shared steps on how enterprises can avoid such attacks. There are several controls an organization can implement to protect their users from emails with malicious attachments. These include blocking document types including .doc embedded in emails, [providing the] capability to evaluate email links and attachments for malware before sending to users, and providing a noticeable email banner [] that states the email is from an external sender, to name a few. Defense in depth, having more than one control to combat a threat, is required, said Fattah. Call for audit Amnesty International has called on the Indian government to ensure India-based surveillance companies are not involved in the targeting of activists. It has also asked Innefu Labs to commission and publish an external audit into links between its spyware tools and infrastructure used in the attack against the Togo activist. Fattah of Shared Assessments said that its important for the government and private sector to convene and share not only what they are seeing when it comes to attacks, but also what can be collectively done to protect from such attacks. Working in numbers is always more successful with addressing cyberattacks versus solo. Guns for hire are usually financially motivated, though those who employ them may have their own intent. Thus, we need to anticipate that we are all open to attacks, and in some cases, depending on current affairs, we should anticipate attacks to transpire sooner than not. The UK has launched a new government council that will advise national leaders on the nations international data transfers post-Brexit. The International Data Transfer Expert Council consists of some of the worlds leading data experts and comes as part of the UK governments ambition to unlock the benefits of free and secure data flows after leaving the EU. However, whilst the opportunities of new cross-border data transfer agreements are plentiful, there are key data security, protection, and privacy implications to consider. Data transfer expert council members a diverse group The newly formed council includes global experts from civil society, academia, and industry with experience in a range of areas including healthcare, scientific research, artificial intelligence, and finance. Representatives from Google, Mastercard and Microsoft are among 20 experts attending the councils first meeting January 25. They will discuss the global opportunities and challenges for international transfers and how the UK can be a global leader in removing barriers to cross-border data flows. The council will then meet quarterly to discuss issues such as future data adequacy partnerships, the development of new data transfer tools, and how governments can work together to promote greater trust in sharing personal data for law enforcement and national security purposes. UK targets advantages of new international data transfer deals The UK government intends to strike new deals on personal data transfers with some of its key trading partners around the world as part of its National Data Strategy. Whilst organisations can use a range of mechanisms under current UK data protection law to transfer personal data to other countries, the council aims to better harness the power of data to boost economic growth, create jobs, and deliver new innovations for people and public services. The removal of barriers to international data flows will be key in here, providing more reliable, cheaper, and secure services, the government stated, adding that new data transfer agreements will build significantly on the annual 83 billion of data-enabled UK service exports. Realizing the benefits of international data flows has never been more important, commented data minister Julia Lopez. We want the UK to drive forward cutting-edge policies at home and overseas to ensure people, businesses, and economies benefit from safe and secure data flows. The government has a list of countries it will prioritize for new data adequacy partnerships to ensure data protection standards mirror the UKs. These currently include the United States, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. Kevin Tunison, data protection officer at Egress, tells CSO that more open international data sharing could unlock the potential of many businesses in the UK and abroad, encouraging innovation and lowering barriers to entry for startups. Fledgling businesses have limited resources for gathering, or purchasing access to, data. Better data sharing would enable businesses to access and make use of global information lawfully, effectively lowering one of the barriers for young businesses, particularly in tech, that need access to information. Similarly, by providing access to UK data, it would level the playing field for entrepreneurs and businesses abroad who want to enter the UK market. Security and privacy implications of UKs international data transfer ambitions The advantages of new cross-border data transfer deals offer the potential of advancement and growth in several areas, but there will be important data security/protection and privacy implications as a result, experts say. One of the most serious security implications will be understanding the impact on the supply chain, says Tunison. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recently proposed that the UK move to a purely risk-based framework for data transfers. This would include the requirement for data transfers to be lawful based on security accreditations, such as IS027001. It would mean the risk assessments may focus on the technical function rather than, in GDPR terms, the impact on everyday citizens, says Tunison. As for privacy implications, there is a need to consider the overall risk appetite for businesses, Tunison adds. GDPR is now well-established, and businesses are used to working to this framework. Some businesses will be wary of any changes and the reaction they might generate from data subjects. The council should provide guidance to businesses and help them communicate the benefits of changes to data subjects. For Tash Whitaker, global data compliance director at Whitaker Solutions Ltd, an important data protection implication is that UK data subjects will find that their data could be transferred to countries with less protection than is currently afforded to them in Europe and the UK. If the UK starts brokering agreements to send data to countries with a lower level of protection, then data subjects will lose control of their data and the way it is used, and it is likely that the European Economic Area will withdraw the UKs own GDPR adequacy agreement. Indeed, opening up data sharing between countries risks an influx of lower quality data, agrees Tunison. The council will need to consider this impact, and the measures to address information gathered via questionable or unlawful means, or data gathered with an obvious bias. Doing so will help guarantee the quality of data shared internationally, he says. Even as Connecticuts COVID hospitalizations dropped by more than 200 patients over the weekend and case rates are returning to a more manageable level, some officials say contact tracing may never be as robust as it was earlier in the pandemic. Contact tracing is very intensive, not only is it time intensive, it requires a lot of personnel to do, said Dr. Ulysses Wu, Hartford HealthCares chief epidemiologist. I don't want to say that the state slowed down contact tracing in the midst of the omicron wave, it was more that they were just really unable to necessarily have the personnel to do it. So I think contact tracing is still going on, but it is being targeted. There are signs the COVID surge, driven by the omicron variant, is loosening its grip on Connecticut. On Monday, the state announced there were 218 fewer COVID hospitalizations since Friday with the total now standing at 1,477. The positivity rate also dropped to 11.36 percent with 12,057 new cases confirmed over the weekend in 106,153 tests. But as the pandemic has evolved, so has contact tracing. On the last day of 2021, the state Department of Public Health sent a message to schools: You dont have to continue to contact trace for COVID-19. Because individual-level contact tracing is a tool that becomes less effective when community transmission levels are high, DPH recommends that schools begin to refocus the activities of health staff away from the investigation of relatively low-risk, in-school exposures and toward the identification, early isolation, and clinical management of students and staff with active symptoms that could be related to COVID-19, the agency wrote in the guidance to schools. Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, said contact tracing had not proven very valuable within school settings. There was a whole lot of community spread and we also were not finding a whole lot of positive cases as a result of the contact tracing, she said. It seemed like an awful lot of work without a lot of payoff. Its not just schools. The state has shifted its contact tracing strategy, relying instead on text alerts to residents. We are still doing contact tracing, DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani said. So, the department and local health departments are still involved in contact tracing. Just, we're recommending that it does not have to happen in schools. Juthani said, though, that the strategy should change as the disease is more of an endemic virus. People can take personal responsibility to let people know if they've been infected, and they've been around somebody else who is a friend, a loved one, anybody that they know, and just sort of let people know, she said. I think this is something that people can take responsibility for, regardless if the contact tracer is tracing down somebody who's had the illness and then exposing others. Wu used Hartford HealthCare as an analogy for the state as a whole. He said they still do contact tracing in certain circumstances, but they dont track every case. We didn't do contact tracing for every exposure, he said. We really looked at things that we needed to target whether or not there was an outbreak, a lot of patients or a lot of staff may have gotten sick, we would certainly contact trace in those situations, but we weren't contact tracing every single positive. Scott Roberts, associate director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital, said a similar shift occurred at his health network. We were contact tracing omicron maybe in mid-December, when things were still manageable, he said. And then, very quickly, within a week, it simply became unsustainable. We had even our contact tracers getting COVID and going out sick, he added. When asked if, as the latest COVID surge continues to wane, she thought contact tracing in schools would ever pick back up again, Rabinowitz said, I do not think so, though, we certainly take our recommendations from the Department of Health. Even before omicron, the transmission was negligible in schools, she said. There wasnt a lot of in-school transmission. The contact tracing was not yielding large numbers of positive cases. This is brand new to everyone. We had to go through that and find the data to understand that it did not pay off. At its height, Connecticuts contact tracing system, known as ContaCT, employed 242 tracers, 21 supervisors and 19 community outreach specialists, along with 132 volunteers. The state had initially budgeted $23.8 million for the ContaCT system, managed by AMN Healthcare and designed by Microsoft. But when cases got too high, Juthani said contact tracing became less effective and they switched gears. Particularly through this omicron wave, because there were so many cases, we started implementing a text option for the first response to when somebody tests positive to be able to help link people quickly to information that can help them navigate being positive with COVID, she said. Between the start of that text option, Jan. 1, and Jan 21, 118,221 residents have received texted health education materials, according to DPH spokesperson Chris Boyle. Boyle said Monday that between Dec. 26 and Jan. 15, 144,868 actionable cases were reported to ContaCT, 43,148 of those had a call attempt by a state or local health department contact tracer and 12,062 were successfully interviewed about as many COVID cases as were identified in Connecticut in the three days ending Monday. Contact tracing, according to Roberts, is bread-and-butter epidemiology, going back to the days of widespread bubonic plague. Contact tracing is fundamental to preventing the spread of communicable disease in the community, he said. As far back as medieval times, I know they were focusing on isolating exposed individuals and doing tracing. COVID is not the only disease being traced right now. We do perform contact tracing, depending on what the pathogen is, Roberts said. Tuberculosis and measles, for instance, we definitely try to contact trace, even if somebody is discharged to the community, just touching base with their family. But not every disease is managed that way, even if they have reached what Roberts called a state of endemicity. The big counter to that is that flu is kind of always endemic, but we don't contact trace for flu, even when levels are low, he said. If we have one flu case in the community, I'm not sure if the state contact traces a single case, like when it starts coming about in September. Roberts said he expects YNHH to restart wider contact tracing efforts when it becomes feasible again, though hes not sure if the state and schools will follow suit. I think if we see this continued trend, where the next variant is even more mild, and we don't see hospitalizations rise to nearly the same degree and we do have that established endemicity, my suspicion and hypothesis is that we will reduce our contact tracing efforts at that point, he said. NORWICH Authorities charged a man early Tuesday they said intentionally drove into an occupied police car before threatening to shoot the officer and engaging police in a car chase, officials said. Police said 28-year-old Roland Euell was taken into custody after he drove into the rear lot of the Norwich Police Department, striking several vehicles before his car became disabled. He was charged with second-degree assault with a motor vehicle while under the influence and assault of a public safety officer, police said. He was also charged with second-degree threatening, first-degree criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. Authorities did not identify the officer involved in the incident. Police said the incident began around 6:40 a.m. when Euell intentionally drove into the front passenger side of an occupied police patrol car parked on Judd Road. Police said Euell then exited his vehicle a blue Honda Accord and threatened to shoot the officer seated within the vehicle before driving away. Officers later found Euell driving on Rockwell Street and attempted to pull him over, but police said Euell engaged officers in a pursuit which continued to the area of the Norwich Police Department. The chase entered the departments rear parking lot, where police said Euell struck several vehicles, including both personal and department owned vehicles. The car he was driving became disabled in the lot and he was arrested, according to police. He is being held on $200,000 bond and is due to appear in Norwich Superior Court on Feb. 10, police said. Police said the officer involved in the initial incident was transported to Backus Hospital with minor injuries. No gun was found following the incident, and police said Euell did not display one. Canadian officials announced on Monday that unknown hackers launched a "significant" cyberattack targeting the country's foreign ministry, forcing some services to shut down last week. Authorities did not immediately release information about suspected individuals or parties that Ottawa believed were behind the attack. Officials said they detected the cyberattack last Wednesday, which was a day before Canada's signals intelligence agency said network operators of critical infrastructure should bolster their defenses against Russian-state-sponsored threats. Significant Cyber Attack The country's Treasury Board released a statement where they said that critical services were still functioning after the attack. However, they noted that some access to the internet and internet-based services were hit and were temporarily shut down. The board had overall responsibility for government operations in Canada. The agency added that there was no indication that any other government departments were affected by the hack. However, the Treasury Board said that there would be no further details released related to the issue, MSN reported. Canadian officials immediately took mitigation actions on the same day that the cyber attack was detected. However, the hack continued to cause disruptions to a host of departmental systems on Monday. Authorities said that the effects of the incident would take several days to address. The released statement also confirmed that Canada's digital defense and spy agency, the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security are investigating the incident. Read Also: US Puts 8,500 Troops on Heightened Alert, Possibly for Deployment in Eastern Europe Amid Russia-Ukraine Tension On Monday, GAC, TBS, and CSE refused to mention individuals or parties they believed were responsible for the attack. Authorities also did not reveal whether or not any classified or sensitive information or networks have been compromised during the cyber attack, National Post reported. Widespread Disruptions The situation comes as Canada has taken a strong line against Russia's military build-up on the Ukrainian border despite widespread international criticism. Furthermore, Ottawa very rarely openly speaks about hacks that have affected its systems. In one incident in 2011, officials said that a "highly sophisticated Chinese state-sponsored actor" broke into a leading research body, a statement that Beijing immediately denied. A former Canadian cabinet minister said in 2014 that Chinese operators were suspected in the hacking of the Treasury Board and the finance ministry in 2011, Inquirer reported. Canadian officials announced that they were currently investigating the incident and were unable to comment further on any specific details for operations reasons. A former national security analyst and an associate professor of international relations at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Stephanie Carvin, said that the operating theory in the security community is that Global Affairs was hacked. Last Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $120-million loan for Kyiv as it prepares for a potential war with Russia. The official also signaled more support was to be deployed as the Liberal government bolstered its tone on the threat of Russian invasion and mulls more soldier training and defensive military for Ukraine. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security last Thursday joined its counterparts in the United States and Britain in urging Canadian companies, such as electrical utilities and energy firms, to prepare for possible cyber threats from Russia, The Globe and Mail reported. Related Article: Donald Trump Protective of 'Favorite' Child Ivanka Trump, Slams Capitol Riot Panel For Targeting His Daughter @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The financial industry has seen a huge boom in technological advancements throughout the years as consumer needs have evolved. Today, financial institutions are embracing new innovations like mobile banking and electronic payments, with some even looking ahead to digital currency. However, as these technologies continue to advance, many underserved communities across the nation remain left behind. Communities that rely heavily on cash payments are overlooked due to limited access to basic banking services, resulting in sparse economic participation in these areas. Big banks also play a part in this financial gap as more and more banks close branches in different parts of the country, creating numerous banking deserts. Credit unions can help bridge the gap to a more inclusive financial system. By nature, credit unions were created to serve local communities, especially those that may have limited access to financial services. Credit unions also fully understand and address the needs of their local communities, much more than big banks, making them the best option for consumers. Above all, the credit union industry is known for its exemplary customer service. In addition, they are able to reach underserved communities through innovative financial products and services, as well as communication of helpful information about underutilized government financial incentives and programs. We have seen credit unions step up in this way many times before. Through the Small Business Administrations (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), credit unions quickly adapted to help Main Street small businesses in need, including those turned away by big banks. Many credit unions are also Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified, allowing them to provide affordable lending to help economically distressed areas gain access to capital. According to an Inclusiv report, there were 416 CDFI credit unions in 2021 that helped serve the over 15 million consumers who benefitted from the program. NAFCU has actively fought to strengthen the CDFI program, supporting legislation such as the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act, which would jumpstart economic development in underserved areas, and called upon Congress to allocate additional resources for the CDFI Fund. NAFCU also recently asked Treasury to address the current CDFI application backlog, so that more eligible credit unions can access this program to better serve their communities. These reasons exemplify why Congress should support efforts allowing all types of credit unions to add underserved areas to their fields of memberships. The NAFCU-supported Expanding Financial Access for Underserved Communities Act, currently before the House Financial Services Committee, is one example of legislation that would help achieve this goal. If passed, the bill would be an important step toward providing more financial services options to underbanked Americans. Regardless of location or socioeconomic status, everyone should have access to financial services. Credit unions stand ready and are uniquely positioned to help those who may not have immediate access. NAFCU will continue to work with Congress to help accomplish these goals and further the financial support available for underserved communities. The Great Resignation is Real We have all read about or heard about it, but how many credit unions have been affected by it? And experts are now predicting there is another surge coming sometime in early 2022. Nearly 18 million workers resigned from their employment since July 2021*, with an initial alarming peak that occurred between August and September 4.4 million workers quit their jobs in September alone (thats 2.9% of the non-farm workforce). There was a drop in October, but in November we experienced an even larger spike5% quit their jobs. Is the worst over? No one really knows for sure. *As of this writing, there is no published data yet for December 2021. The cause of this phenomenon points primarily to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus has produced many uncertainties including fear of contracting the illness, vaccination requirements and efficacy, remote work and forced telecommuting, virtual and home schooling, and the disruptions brought on by dramatic social and economic change. The pandemic has changed the way we view our lives and the world. Gender and Age Disparities Exist Based on the data gathered and analyzed by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), women are leaving work at consistently higher rates than men during the Great Resignation. This could be partially explained by an increase in at-home childcare needs. In November 2021, 3.73% of women quit their jobs, compared to 3.1% of men a gender gap of 0.63 percentage points. Age-related differences are also apparent, with resignation rates highest among mid-career employees. Employees between 30 and 45 years old have had the greatest overall increase in resignation rates. Several factors might help explain the increase in resignations by mid-level employees. First, there is greater demand for mid-career employees, which provides them with greater leverage in securing new positions. Second, many of these mid-level employees may have delayed transitioning out of their roles due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, resulting in a years worth of pent-up resignations. Additionally, it is possible that many of these workers may have simply reached a breaking point after months of high workloads, hiring freezes, and other pressures, causing them to rethink their work and life goals. Financial Services is Faring Better Than Other Industries Fortunately, the financial services sector has been among the lowest of all categories experiencing employee quits. Nonetheless, many credit unions are experiencing the effects of this trend. Credit unions are losing frontline stafftellers, MSRsthose who work the branches, whether at teller window or the drive-through. These employees are often the lowest paid and compensated credit union workers. They are also the ones who deal directly with members face-to-face. They may require vaccinations, or at least required to mask up. Their jobs are not conducive to working from home. Finding replacements for those who have quit these jobs is proving difficult for many within the industry. Some credit unions have increased hourly wages and offered additional benefits to try to keep and attract frontline staff. However, until the virus dies down, this will be a difficult area to keep staffed. According to analysis of data by Callahan & Associates, expenses to retain and attract new employees has resulted in huge increases and reduced annual growth within the industry. Compensation has risen by 10.5%, or $8,395 per employee since the start of the pandemic in 2020. These increased wage and benefit costs have chipped away at revenue growth as a result, as well. Source: Callahan & Associates Many back-office employees have also left their credit union jobs. We have spoken with many credit unions who have lost accountants, data entry clerks and compliance specialists. That said, as an industry, credit unions (and banks) have experienced some of the lowest levels of job resignations compared to other industries. That still doesnt lessen the sting, but it could be worse. Is There a Silver Lining? Losing employees due to circumstances beyond your control is never easy. But so far, the pinch pales in comparison to other industries. Nonetheless, the Great Resignation could provide credit unions with an opportunity to evaluate ways to save money and reduce expenses. Perhaps its time to explore outsourcing some of the organizations positions/functions to a lower cost model, like a CUSO provider, and possibly gain greater expertise or a deeper bench at the same time. And it may be time to accelerate the digital transition, lessening the need for as many in-branch frontline staff positions that handle transactions that can be accomplished electronically and without human touch. While purely anecdotal, at Aux we are experiencing a much higher than usual interest in our outsourced Accounting and Compliance services. Most of these inquiries are the result of the loss of talentworkers who have decided to leave their positions at credit unions. Since these back-office functions are important, if not critical, for credit unions to continue operatingmany cannot wait for or successfully find replacements, so they are turning to CUSOs like Aux, to either augment or reassign these functions. This is occurring among credit unions who had never thought of or considered outsourcing some of these critical back-office functions. They did not realize that outsourcing to a CUSO can provide clear benefitsa deeper bench of talent, broader expertise and experience, avoid the hassle of recruiting, training and compensating talent, as well as the possibility of saving money in the process. Funeral Service for Garry Dwight Knopp, age 66, of Cullman, will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. prior to the service. Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Knopp passed away on Sunday, May 1, New York City Mayor Eric Adams laid out an ambitious plan to combat gun violence on Monday, following a series of high-profile incidents of violence during his first three weeks in office. Adams looks into increasing officers on patrol and combating the influx of guns into the city, as well as encouraging prosecutors to move forward with gun charges earlier and creating jobs for high-risk residents. Following the murder of a New York Police Department officer responding to a domestic situation late last week, the plan was released. According to officials, five NYPD cops have been killed this month, with Jason Rivera being the first to die. Mayor Adams unveils plan to end gun violence With "targeted, precision policing," the strategy will use the New York Police Department to focus on the 30 precincts where the majority of the violence occurs and extend the anti-violence Crisis Management System (CMS) to treat the symptoms of gun violence. The proposal also asks for greater state and federal resources. As Adams has already stated, he intends to increase the number of NYPD police on the streets while reducing the number of cops on the desk, as per CNN. As Chief of Department Ken Corey said earlier this month, the new squads called "Neighborhood Safety Teams" will replace the uniformed Public Safety Teams in neighborhoods where shootings are the most prevalent. Additionally, Adams said the plan will involve a stronger police presence in the subway system, a move that was announced on Jan. 6 by the mayor and Governor Kathy Hochul. At a gun violence discussion in the Bronx on Saturday, Adams made his comprehensive idea public for the first time. In recent days, Adams has attributed some of the blame for the Big Apple gun violence on the federal government, in addition to committing to implement local initiatives. Five NYPD policemen have been shot in the line of duty since Adams was inaugurated as mayor on January 1. A newborn girl was shot in the face during his first weeks in office, and a mentally ill man killed a lady by putting her in front of a moving subway train. Read Also: Lottery Jackpot Winner Wins $4 Million From Using Fortune Cookie Numbers; Another Almost Missed $3 Million After Email Went to Spam New York city police shootings Officer Jason Rivera, 22, was gunned and killed on a domestic call in Harlem on Friday evening, the latest in a long line of unpleasant deaths. Wilbert Mora, a 27-year-old police officer, was still fighting for his life at NYU Langone Hospital on Sunday. According to police sources, suspect Lashawn McNeil, 47, shot the policemen with an illegal Glock handgun with an unlawful "high-capacity magazine" and kept a loaded AR-type weapon beneath his bed. Meanwhile, Hochul stated on Sunday that the first meeting of her new task group on illicit firearms will take place on Wednesday, according to NewYork Post. From the inside, as reported by The New York Times, Adams, who was formerly a police captain, was at times an outspoken critic of the department. Amadou Diallo, an unarmed Black man, was shot and murdered by cops on his front doorstep in 1999, and he even played a role in the reaction against plainclothes units. However, Adams and Keechant Sewell, the incoming police commissioner, have stated that the team would be rebranded as a "anti-gun squad" that will wear body cameras and target illicit guns and gun activities. The shooting is the latest in a series of heinous incidents that have shaken the nation's most populated city and its 36,000-strong police department. A 19-year-old cashier was shot to death while working a late-night shift at a Burger King, a lady was shoved to her death at a subway station, and a baby was gravely injured by a stray gunshot while in a parked car with her mother in the three weeks after Adams took office. Four police officers had been shot on the same day since the incident in Harlem on Friday night. Lashawn J. McNeil, 47, the guy, whom the police believe, opened fire on Friday was also badly wounded and sent to the hospital, Mail Online reported. Related Article: Police Search for New York Woman Who Spits to 8-Year-Old Child After Making Antisemitic Slurs @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ryan Anderson/Daily Citizen-News "I have no idea what 2022" will bring, but it'll likely be similar to 2021, with "headwinds and tailwinds," Julian Dossche, president of Huali Floors USA, said at Venue 208 during the Murray County Chamber of Commerce's Business Forecast Luncheon. The labor shortage shows no signs of abating, as a record number of Americans "reevaluate what they want to do and where they want to be" in what's been termed "The Great Resignation." Advertisement Gold Price Outlook: Gold prices remain elevated as volatility across a variety of asset classes sustains its push higher. Technically, gold prices have more upside into 1860/1870 in the near-term. However, the Fed meeting tomorrow could upend the technical outlook swiftly. According to the IG Client Sentiment Index , gold prices have a bullish bias in the near-term. Fed Meeting Tomorrow Gold prices briefly touched a fresh monthly and yearly high earlier today as risk appetite continues to flounder. News flow out of Eastern Europe remains concerning at best, with demand for safe havens stoked amid the prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, and US Dollar remain among the top performers in FX, an occurrence that typically gives room for stronger gold prices, too. And with the Federal Reserve rate decision due tomorrow, measures of volatility have remained elevated. There is a bit of a catch-22 for gold prices around the FOMC, however. While a more dovish Fed should theoretically undercut the US Dollar, relaxed volatility measures would ultimately weigh on gold prices. An overly aggressive FOMC, on the other hand, could keep volatility elevated, but rising US Treasury yields (and more importantly, US real yields) could cap any significant upside. Gold Volatility and Gold Prices Relationship More Normal Historically, gold prices have a relationship with volatility unlike other asset classes. While other asset classes like bonds and stocks dont like increased volatility signaling greater uncertainty around cash flows, dividends, coupon payments, etc. gold tends to benefit during periods of higher volatility. With volatility across several asset classes remaining elevated, gold prices have been able to reach for new highs. GVZ (Gold Volatility) Technical Analysis: Daily Price Chart (January 2021 to January 2022) (Chart 1) Gold volatility (as measured by the Cboes gold volatility ETF, GVZ, which tracks the 1-month implied volatility of gold as derived from the GLD option chain) was trading at 16.59 at the time this report was written. The relationship between gold prices and gold volatility has continued to normalize in recent days. The 5-day correlation between GVZ and gold prices is +0.58 while the 20-day correlation is +0.30. One week ago, on January 18, the 5-day correlation was +0.58 and the 20-day correlation was -0.29. Gold Price Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (January 2021 to January 2022) (Chart 2) Truth be told, gold prices have not made much of a significant move one way or the other since we checked in last week. At the time, it was noted, and remains valid, that with the 1835 hurdle cleared, traders may want to look higher before exploring new selling opportunities. The next cluster of resistance lies around 1860/1870, where the ascending trendline from the May 2019, March 2020, and March 2021 lows comes into play. New monthly and yearly highs confirm the near-term prospects remain bullish, from a technical perspective. Gold Price Technical Analysis: Weekly Chart (October 2015 to January 2022) (Chart 3) Nothing changes on a longer-term perspective: Its worth reminding that January is the best month of the year for gold prices according to seasonality studies, so there is a quantitative tailwind helping provide support in the near-term. It also remains the case that the weekly 4-, 8-, and 13-EMA envelope is taking on a positive slope. Alongside weekly MACD turning higher through its signal line, and weekly Slow Stochastics advancing above their median line, bullish momentum has increased in recent weeks, opening the possibility for more gains henceforth before fundamental headwinds curtail the rally. IG CLIENT SENTIMENT INDEX: GOLD PRICE FORECAST (January 25, 2022) (Chart 4) Gold: Retail trader data shows 69.96% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 2.33 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 1.07% lower than yesterday and 0.61% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 0.81% higher than yesterday and 0.37% lower from last week. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Gold prices may continue to fall. Yet traders are less net-long than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current Gold price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long. --- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Strategist By Monday afternoon, a GoFundMe campaign set up to help with the burial costs of an 8-year-old girl who was tragically shot over the weekend in Chicago had raised more than $55,000. A Chicago police officer has officially named Melissa Ortega as the teenager who was killed by gunshots in the city's Little Village neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. When Ortega and her mother were going through the neighborhood, an anonymous gunman walked up to them and started firing. According to a police report acquired by WLS-TV in Chicago, Ortega was struck in the head. Girl died of stray bullet in Chicago grocery It was about 2:55 pm. According to an internal investigations, Ortega and her mother were heading east on 26th Street near Pulaski Road on Saturday when gunshots erupted. A 26-year-old guy whom authorities identified as a member of the Gangster Two Six gang was also hurt in the incident. Based on a tweet issued by the Chicago Teachers Union on Saturday, Ortega was a student at Zapata Academy. After learning about the saddening news, Norma Sandoval, who knew Ortega and "will always remember her wonderful smile," headed the fundraiser, as per Newsweek. According to Sandoval who set up the GoFundMe campaign, Ortega and her mother immigrated to the United States from Mexico last summer and were "eager to start a new life in Chicago and pursue their American Dream." The purpose of the drive was to earn $20,000 for Ortega's funeral expenses. Read Also: Connecticut Boy Dies of Fentanyl Overdose After Bringing Nearly 40 Bags of Deadly Drug at School Investigators discovered that a guy in all black walked out of an alley around 26th Street and Komensky Avenue before firing at a 26-year-old man who was described in the report as a member of the Gangster Two Six street gang after analyzing security video. According to the allegation, the gunman continued to unload as the guy began to flee east on 26th Street. The motive for the shooting is still unknown although the victim's gang has been warring with both the Latin Saints and the Latin Kings, according to a police source. According to the story, Ortega's mother recalls racing toward a bank when she felt her daughter "become limp" after the guns rang out. She knew the child had been shot twice in the right side of her skull at that point. According to the report, the intended target, who has been jailed 13 times and convicted of two crimes, was struck twice in the back. According to the report, the gunman went south on Komensky Avenue. Investigators discovered over 13 9mm round casings, one discharged bullet, and two bullet fragments at the site. On Monday morning, Chicago police announced that extra resources have been deployed in the region and that a thorough strategy has been devised to combat the gang war that led to the girl's murder with determination, according to ABC7 News. With about 800 killings last year, it was the bloodiest in a quarter-century. According to local accounts, the boy was wounded in the head as a suspect fired rounds at a 26-year-old accused gang member who was exiting a neighboring business. The man authorities suspect was the intended target was shot in the back and is currently in serious condition at a local hospital. In connection with the incident, no one was in jail as of Sunday. According to shocking statistics, there were at least 797 killings in Chicago in 2021, up 25 from 2020 and 299 from 2019. Last year, there were over 3,500 shootings in the United States, a little more than 300 higher than in 2020. Travell Miller, a 33-year-old single father who was slain in September while driving his seven-year-old daughter to school, was one of the victims. According to police statistics, New York and Los Angeles had 300 fewer homicides than Chicago, The Sun reported. Related Article: 11-Month-Old Baby Girl Shot in Face While with Mother on a Car Parked at a Neighborhood in Bronx, New York @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. About 100,000 Russian troops are massed on the Ukraine border, poised to trigger a terrifying and unpredictable ground war on European soil. The Biden administration, led by a cognitively impaired 79-year-old incumbent, dithers and sends mixed messages about how the US might react to a Putin invasion. British businesses and consumers tremble as they work out how they will budget for rocketing fuel bills along with a monstrously ill-timed national insurance hike. These are titanic challenges, though you wouldnt think so to read much of our media, or listen to the BBC. Instead, we are invited to share in the public outrage over news that in June 2020, 30 or so Downing Street staff attended a low-key gathering with a cake presented to the Prime Minister on his birthday by his future wife Carrie. Dominic Cummings, pictured, was responsible for the most blatant lockdown lie in Downing Street We have been invited to share in the public outrage over news that in June 2020, 30 or so Downing Street staff attended a low-key gathering with a cake presented to the Prime Minister on his birthday by his future wife Carrie The event has widely been billed as a lockdown-breaching party, suggesting that guests made their way across London for a boozy session of cocktails and canapes. Rather, it was a brief gathering of staff already forced to mix because they were working together in the same building. And Boris Johnson attended for just ten minutes. Even under the draconian and badly-framed Covid regulations, it is difficult to see how the attendees could conceivably be prosecuted because they were legally in their place of work. Not that this did anything to curb the hysterical reaction to the news. Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police who appear too busy to examine rampant misogyny and even sex crimes within their own ranks launched their own investigation into Partygate. Isnt this an absurd over-reaction to what has been going on? Of course I understand that many will have been deeply offended by any breach of the rules in Downing Street. But we must surely keep things in perspective. Public breaches of Covid rules are comparatively trivial offences which merit fixed penalty notices similar to those for dropping litter or parking on a yellow line. Is it really appropriate to send in a Met investigation unit at heaven knows what cost to establish how many penalty notices should be handed out? Boriss enemies are breathless with the excitement of it all. Even though the source of most of the stories is the one person they once used to hate even more than the Prime Minister. If it were not so serious, it would be hilarious that former Downing Street aide Dominic Cummings was the self-appointed moral enforcer behind the plot to destroy Boris Johnson. Cummings, it may be remembered, told the most brazen lockdown lie of all when he claimed he had driven to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight. Nor could he get his wider story straight, first arguing he had driven from London to the north-east during severe Covid restrictions for childcare reasons, then suggesting he was anxious about personal security. Cummings is a sinister but mostly ridiculous narcissist, whom Johnson should have sacked after the frankly embarrassing Barnard Castle whopper. We should all be worried about this assault on our elected government and constitutional traditions, whatever our view of the current Prime Minister Eventually, he proved so destabilising to the Downing Street operation that he had to go. He left behind a trail of chaos and rancour and, bent on revenge, has been masterminding Johnsons demise with a chillingly determined zeal. We need to be clear about what is going on here. His drip-drip release of damaging information is part of a calculated coup against an elected government. The weaponry of choice is not hand grenades or rifles, but a cache of saved emails fed to credulous journalists who never reveal their sources. The release of emails is cunningly timed to cause maximum damage. One hesitates to blame the messenger, but these journalists, and some of the dimmer anti-Boris backbench Tory MPs, are this coups useful idiots, to borrow a phrase attributed to Lenin. We should all be worried about this assault on our elected government and constitutional traditions, whatever our view of the current Prime Minister. Certainly, Boris Johnson has been reckless, and tin-eared to those who have lost relatives they could not visit when they were dying because of lockdown restrictions. It may very well be that he does not deserve to emerge from the ditch into which he has driven. Because I have known him as a journalistic colleague for a long time though we are not close friends I hope he survives. It is worth remembering that he very nearly died of Covid two months before the so-called birthday party. Given that context, is it not forgivable that Carrie Johnson might have wanted to mark his achieving the age of 56 when she had feared he would die? Is it truly scandalous that she might choose to do so in front of a few colleagues who had also been through the Covid mill? Sadly, people who should know better are falling in line with the coup plotters intentions. An obscure Tory backbencher is so distressed by his encounters with Tory whips whose job, remember, is to protect the party and its leader whether through bullying or cajoling that he feels the police should investigate their behaviour too. One hopes he gets the appropriate victim support pamphlet after his interview with the Met. The truth is that sections of the Conservative Party are behaving like painfully woke media studies students at a third-rate university. Meanwhile, distant observers of this Westminster village pantomime are invited to join in the mass condemnation. The Guardian newspapers front-page headline yesterday spoke of outrage triggered by the cake presentation. Perhaps what really enraged them was the detail that the cake was decorated with Union flag icing. At the BBC all pretence of actually reporting the story, or putting it in its proper context, seems to have been abandoned. The presenters of Radio 4 flagship Today programme act as Puritan enforcers, obsessively clucking away and tut-tutting at the Prime Ministers alleged transgressions. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, appeared on Today yesterday morning. Perfectly reasonably, he wanted to talk about the blessedly welcome lifting of travel restrictions. But the BBC interviewer simply could not accept that listeners might wish to know whether they could take their children abroad for half term. Again and again, Mr Shapps was forced to return to speculating about what might or might not be in the report being prepared by the senior civil servant Sue Gray. The coup against Downing Street might have been motivated by personal animus, but the cause has been adopted by those who wish to reverse Brexit. This is why the Leftish, Remainer media embrace every Downing Street transgression, however trivial, however explicable on a human level. The arch anti-Brexiteer Lord Heseltine was revealing yesterday when he sought to add to the ordure being poured over the Prime Ministers head. He told Sky News that if Mr Johnson is shown to be a liar, that would open a can of worms that might lead to Brexit being reversed. His lordship can dream on about that. But such comments, from a man whose prime ministerial ambitions were sadly disappointed, revealed the real agenda of many who are flaunting their outrage today. Boris Johnson has bungled and fumbled, and squandered almost all the political capital he earned by leading his party to a landslide general election victory. But his Conservative critics should ponder deeply whether they want to reward those who seek to destroy Boris simply because they can never forgive him for Brexit. A former al-Qaeda bomb maker turned MI6 spy who said he met a 'dishevelled' Osama Bin Laden six years before 9/11 has revealed how Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden made 'huge tactical errors' when pulling out of Afghanistan. Aimen Dean, who was born in Saudi Arabia, warned British services of terror threats for eight years before his cover was blown by a US intelligence leak in 2006. In a new podcast, Conflicted, he reveals how he became radicalised and how failures of US foreign policy were key in the Taliban takeover Afghanistan. He also shared how he would never have been able to predict how a 'bunch of refugees would calculate the deadliest terror attack in world history' referring to Al-Qaeda in the 1990s. The spy, who began a career as a speaker and security consultant after his cover was blown, also revealed how Donald Trump immediately recognised the US fight in Afghanistan was a 'lost cause' because he 'had so many failed businesses' he knew when something wasn't working. He added that the controversial former President saw it as 'what it was' - a 'money- making scheme for US and Afghan corruption'. Meanwhile, he believes the Taliban saw Joe Biden as an 'old grandpa' who made serious tactical errors. Aimen Dean, who was born in Saudi Arabia, warned British services of terror threats for eight years before his cover was blown by a US intelligence leak in 2006 The podcast, which has just launched its third season, is a compelling telling of geopolitics, history or current affairs, and provides unfiltered, eye-opening insight into a topic that is often misunderstood by Western audiences. In the most recent episode, he discusses the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and why Biden's tactics were so disastrous. 'Trump is an expert at recognising lost causes because so many of his businesses have failed,' he explains on the podcast to Thomas Small, a devout Christian and former trainee-monk turned filmmaker. says in the latest episode. Agreeing, Aimen added: 'Trump realised what it really was - a money making scheme for corrupt US and Afghan officials. He thought, "Let's take them out". 'Trump and Biden were similar in that they both thought military was a last resort and they didn't think US taxpayer's money should be spent on that. 'The difference is, Trump was a bully, he could prove his willingness for power. 'Biden is a little grandpa, the Taliban thought they'd never drop the MOAB (Mother of All Bombs) on them because he's harmless. 'Trump would have dropped several MOABs on the Taliban to force them to retreat from the capital. Aimen believes the Taliban saw Joe Biden as an 'old grandpa' who made serious tactical errors. 'And the Taliban would have respected that show of force. We have a saying in Arabic, Biden would let the cat have his dinner and offer more. 'He made an error when he immediately said he was going to review the peace deal that Trump had. 'Mike Pompeo knew what he was doing when he said to withdraw around May. 'The Mujahideen are seasonal, they join during the summer and leave during winter - they swell the rank. Meaning the Taliban is only at 25 per cent over winter. 'Only around may that mobilisation starts - if you withdraw in May they don't have enough numbers. Aimen has revealed how he met a 'dishevelled' Osama Bin Laden (pictured) six years before 9/11 and would never have been able to predict how a 'bunch of refugees would calculate the deadliest terror attack in world history'. The al-Qaeda operative who spied for the British before Time magazine blew his cover: Who is Aimen Dean? Aimen Dean, born Abu al-Abbas, was brought up in Saudi Arabia. During his childhood in the 1980s, there idea of opposition to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan was a popular concept. He was just 15 when Yugoslavia broke up and Serb nationalist began their genocide on Bosnian Muslims. When his friend Khalid al-Hajj (who later to become the leader of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia) set off to join the mujahideen he joined him. After fighting in Bosnia, he was invited to Kandahar, Afghanistan to swear and oath to Osama Bin Laden. As a religious prodigy (he could recite the Qu'ran by the age of 12) his responsibility to train al-Qaeda recruits - many from Yemen - in the basics of Islamic theology. But this showed him how jihadist had very different motivations to him. He was at a training camp when al-Qaeda bombed Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in 1998. There were 12 American casualties, 240 local people died, and more than 5,000 were wounded. 'I think that is when the horror of it started to sink in. And this is when I realised that if this is the opening salvo of this war, where is the next target? Argentina, South Africa, Mozambique? Are we going to fight Americans in Africa in order to expel them from the Middle East, from the Arabian peninsula? It just didn't make sense.' he previously told BBC Four. Aged 20, he made contact with British intelligence and, from 1999 onwards, secretly worked for MI5 and MI6 as an undercover agent one of just a handful actually operating inside Bin Ladens organisation. During his time spying, he stopped suicide bombings and the use of poisons against civilians. He also gave British intelligence of a device that was intended to be used for a chemical attack on the New York subway. All the while, using the code name Lawrence (after Lawrence of Arabia), he passed on information stored in his photographic memory about routes, camps, personnel, bank accounts, networks and even Bin Ladens private phone number. It was all gold dust for the intelligence services as they struggled to play catch-up with a threat that, in those last years of the 20th century, they were only just beginning to comprehend. He was still monitoring sinister activity now more urgently than ever when, the following year, that leaked disclosure in the American Press unmasked him and abruptly ended his undercover career. A fatwa inevitably followed any one of the faithful was licensed to kill him and is apparently still in force. He has gone to ground, now makes a living as an anti-terrorist consultant, has married and lives as quietly as he can. He retains his faith, following what he calls an Islam of private contemplation, spiritual reflection and study. Advertisement He went on to say how the Biden administration say we're going to wait until September 11 meant the army was fully prepared, if they had come in May there would have been much fewer soldiers'. Aimen joined the Bosnian mujahideen as a teenager before travelling to Afghanistan, where he pledged his allegiance to Bin Laden in person. However, he began to doubt the cause when he saw a psychopathic blood lust among some of his fellow fighters that was alien to his own reading of Islamic texts, and his understanding of Islam as a compassionate faith. The slaughter of more than 200 people by suicide bombers in 1998 in an attack on the American embassy in Kenya was the final straw for him. He made contact with British intelligence and, from 1999 onwards, secretly worked for MI5 and MI6 as an undercover agent one of just a handful actually operating inside Bin Ladens organisation. 'In 1996 when he [Bin Laden] landed in Afghanistan from Sudan, we went to meet him,' he explains on the podcast to Thomas. 'We were in a camp not far from where he was, a 25 minute drive. 'He looked dishevelled like a refugee. Many people see a neat turban, nice robes, well ironed clothes with no crease. 'That's not the Osama Bin Laden, I met in August 1996. He looked like a refugee, so did his followers. 'He was in a compound with another Afghan war lord. 'When we sat with him there were 14 of us, he was asking if anyone from Saudi Arabia was around. 'He was telling us how god brought him from Afghanistan to Sudan and I thought: "Isn't it because you were stabbed in the back in Sudan"?' Aimen explained how Bin Laden started talking about Islamic prophecy and how they were going to liberate cities around the world. 'He saw bewildered looks in our faces when we suggested. He was so good a reading people.' he explained. 'If you saw them as I saw them in 1996, you would never imagine five years later this bunch of refugees would change world history and calculate the most deadly attack in world history.' Aimen had no prior knowledge of the 9/11 plot - but said when he discovered it (by watching outside a TV shop in London's Regent's Street) he knew 'immediately who the culprits were'. 'When I saw the World Trade Centre was the target, I knew even then who the most likely culprit was. 'Within 30 mins my MI6 handler called me and said to stay in London, book a hotel, because it's going to be a long weekend. When asked by Thomas how he didn't know about the plot, he added: 'Well it comes down to the fact that I began spying against al-Qaeda in 1998 when I returned to Afghanistan. 'In 1999 my duties were confined to operations and development of WMDs. 'It was so tightly controlled, the process, the planning. All the operatives were trained in separate camps. I knew three of them'. CONFLICTED is released every Wednesday fortnight. Listen on all major podcast players including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify A new documentary which tells the story of Dennis Nilsen's murders through the lives of his victims has asked whether homophobia in the 1980s led to police failings in stopping the serial killer. Airing on BBC2 last night, The Nilsen Files, explores whether the killer - who murdered at least 12 boys and men in North London between 1978 to 1983 - could have been caught sooner. It reveals untold details about the killer's second victim, Kenneth Ockenden, a middle-class Canadian tourist who was murdered aged 23 after meeting Nilsen in a West End gay pub in 1979. Despite evidence that Ockenden had previously gone home with men he'd met in pubs on two separate occasions, police came to the conclusion that the tourist was straight. The programme questions whether police were prevented from following up leads that might have led them to Nilsen, who often frequented gay pubs in the West End, because they refused to acknowledge Ockenden's sexuality. Detective Inspector Roy Davies was tasked with finding Kenneth Ockenden when he went missing in 1979 and described how he traced the tourist's movements as part of his investigation Dennis Nilsen killed up to 15 young men in North London between 1978 and 1983. BBC documentary The Nilsen Files, explores whether the killer could have been caught sooner While in 1983 it was still a libellous offence to claim that someone was gay, Nilsen's sexuality was alluded to through innuendo and the many of his victims were described as 'down and outs'. Detective Inspector Roy Davies, who had been tasked with finding Ockenden when he went missing in 1979, described how he traced the tourist's movements as part of his investigation. 'I traced his steps around England,' he said. 'There were two instances that worried me, of him going home with strangers from a pub, and then we ended up in King's CrossI thought he'd been murdered'. Davies said that despite discovering Ockenden had left a London pub with men on two occasions, he was 'keeping an open mind', and that the victim's father had been angry with the suggestion his son was homosexual. The documentary tells the untold story of Kenneth Ockenden, a middle-class Canadian tourist who was murdered aged 23 after meeting Nilsen in a West End pub in 1979 'You try and keep an open mind, it could have been a friendly guy who says, "I'll put you up for tonight", there could be another reason. 'I kept an open mind, we had to point it out to the father who was annoyed about it. I said: "We have to ask these questions if we're to find your son" and that's how it was left. 'No father wants to be told someone is gay, it's unfair to suggest anything really because he's not here to defend himself'. Despite investigations into his disappearance finding that the tourist had gone home with two men, and been last seen at a gay pub - police officers remained reluctant to believe he was homosexual. DI Steve McCusker said: 'There was no evidence that Kenneth Ockenden was gay. Nilsen had picked him up in one of the gay bars, it's quite possible Ockenden didn't know if it was a gay bar or not.' Hattie Llewellyn-Davies, who worked at the charity Piccadilly Advice Centre in the 1970s and 80s, met both Stephen Sinclair and Kenneth Ockenden Detective Chris Healey added: 'It may well have been a gay bar but I suspect Ockenden didn't know and may have just popped in there for a drink. Despite Davies suggesting Ockenden had been murdered, the investigation hit a dead end until his fingerprints were found on a guide of London inside the killer's flat four years later. Hattie Llewellyn-Davies, who worked at the charity Piccadilly Advice Centre in the 1970s and 80s, revealed that Ockenden had visited their charity in the months leading up to his death. 'He came in I would say a couple of times,' she said. 'It wouldn't have been more than a couple of times. Dennis Nilsen: The Muswell Hill murderer who slaughtered at least 12 men Dennis Nilsen killed at least 15 men over a period of six years in London in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Most of his victims were homosexual or homeless men who he would pick up in bars across London or on the street. After inviting them to his home, Nilsen would ply his victims with food and alcohol before killing then. His preferred method was strangulation. Once dead, he dismembered their bodies by dissecting them in his house. In his first address, Melrose Avenue, he buried their remains in the garden. In Cranley Gardens however he was forced to take other measures. Once arrested he told police how he boiled the heads of his victims in a large cooking pot to dispose of their brains. Nilsen (right), with a prison warden at his side, after he was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years imprisonment after being convicted of six murders and two attempted murders at the Old Bailey He would cut up the rest of their bodies and store them in plastic bin bags at the property. When the stench of their rotting corpses became stronger, he tried to flush their limbs down the toilet and drains. This caused a large blockage in the pipes. Seemingly oblivious to risk, Nilsen audaciously complained to a waste company about the blockage and asked for it to be resolved because he and other residents were suffering as a result. When a worker Dyno-Rod arrived at the property in 1983 to unblock them, he discovered what appeared to be flesh and fragments of bone when he opened a drain cover outside the property. The following day, after inspecting another section of pipe, he and his supervisor discovered what they thought were bones of a human hand. They alerted police who arrested Nilsen as he returned home from work. While in custody he admitted to killing at least 15 people. Advertisement 'I was surprised by the coverage that suggested he was a perfectly straight forward tourist. We did have tourists who came in to see us, but he was asking about survival skills and things like that. 'We were known to be sympathetic to men who were gay, women who were lesbians, we had a lot of people come in to ask questions. "What do I do if i'm a gay man? How to I come to terms with that? How do I find a hostel that won't throw me out if I bring a man home or hold my partner's hand at breakfast?". Finding places where people could be themselves.' As Nilsen continued to murder his victim's throughout the early 1980s, Hattie and her charity colleagues began hearing of numerous disappearances of young men on the street. 'We first heard on the grapevine that a number of young men had gone missing,' she said. 'When one goes missing you assume they've moved on, but when you start getting the story repeated you begin to think "What's going on?" Despite reporting disappearances to the police, she says to her knowledge neither her or the local homeless community were questioned about the missing men, 'You go to the police and they would say "Thank you very much, we've written it down, end of story". 'If you're a police man working in the west end your job is around keeping businesses safe, keeping traffic moving those sort of things. 'So it was very difficult ever to prove someone had gone missing. It's a very transitory population, one the police have no normal contact with, it's a group who for them are anonymous and almost invisible.' While working at the Piccadilly Advice Centre Hattie developed a relationship with another of Nilsen's victims, Stephen Sinclair, who was murdered in January 1983, aged 20. 'My first contact with Stephen was when he came through the door one day to ask questions about how to find somewhere to stay that night,' explained Hattie. Stephen was originally from Perth in Scotland and had travelled to London in the hopes of finding new opportunities. Hattie met him on a regular basis in the six months before his death. 'He used us well and effectively, he was quite resourceful that way', said Hattie. 'I don't think Stephen ever actively chose to end up on the streets, I think that happened and I think he couldn't find ways out.' They would have 'long conversations' about how he ended up on the streets and she felt Stephen would want to be part of 'everybody else's life, he wanted to be loved, he wanted to be respected. 'If you met Stephen when he was in a positive mood you wouldn't see him as being anything but a nice human beinghe was a real human being and that was important'. It is believed that Stephen, who had no job or fixed address, was murdered just days before the Nilsen was discovered. 'I think all of us felt an enormous sense of loss,' said Hattie.' There was a massive reaction amongst all of our callers.' Lee Mason, who was involved with prostitution for five five years in his teens opened up about his experiences in the late 70s Elsewhere in the documentary, Lee Mason, who was involved with prostitution for five five years in his teens opened up about his experiences in the late 70s. Lee said there was 'terror' in the gay community after learning of Nilsen's murders, but claimed the polices attitude towards young gay men was extremely negative. Trash, we were disgusting,' said Lee. 'We were the lowest of the low, we were. These were kids trying to survive and what other choice did they have. We were nothing youre a little puff so we dont want to aggro, if thats the life you wanna choose thats the life you wanna choose. The Nilsen Files airs on BBC2 at 9pm this evening A couple have revealed how moving from London to their dream life on the rugged cliffs of Cornwall took a toll on both their mental, physical and financial health. Former photographer, Davina Foster, 39, and builder Todd Read Bloss moved out of the capital in 2018, in order to raise their family on 3.315 acre of land they bought next to a cliff in Perranporth, Cornwall. On tonight's Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, they reveal how they live in a bubble caravan with their four children, Michael, 17 and Saffron, 15, who are Davina's children from a previous relationship, and Ruby, nine, and Harry, three. They make money by rearing pigs and chickens and working towards a self-sufficient life, with campers paying to pitch their tent on their land to make extra cash. While on the surface, the couple seem to live the good life, they admitted working the land with no training and the challenging Cornish winters have taken a toll on their bodies and minds over the years. Davina admitted the family had no savings left and while they are now financially in the clear, they have faced 'tragic' precarity over the years. She also revealed she once woke up with snow on her bed when the Beast from the East ravaged the UK in 2018. She also revealed how a bad reaction to anti-depressants after giving birth lead her to having a manic episode and being sectioned, while Todd has a slipped disk in his back which lead to him taking 12 Tramadols a day. Also living on the plot of land are Davina's older children from another relationship, Michael, 17 and Saffron, 15, who were away the day the episode was filmed (pictured in 2019, left) In tonight's episode of New Lives in the Wild, Ben Fogle travels to the Cliff of Perramporth, to meet Davina Foster, 39, and Todd Read Bloss, who moved there from London in 2018 with their four children including Ruby, nine and Harry, three The couple bought 3.314 acres of land and started a small holding, with Todd, right, teaching himself by reading self-sufficient and farming literature Meanwhile, Todd revealed he suffered from five slipped discs in his back and lost some of his mobility following a back surgery to fix the issue. In spite of those challenging setbacks, the couple do not regret their decision to move out of London, referring to their life in the city as a 'nightmare.' They said their life on the cliff's edge was beyond anything they could have imagined when they first moved to Cornwall. 'It is incomparably different,' Davina told Ben. 'We certainly didn't think when we moved to Cornwall that we would be moving this significantly. But in the end, this land came up, and we just fell in love with it so much,' she added. 'As a piece of land, we knew it would be farm with a bit of campsite, as opposed to campsite with a bit of farm. But it could never have gone more perfectly, because we would have never gone into farming as a thing,' the mother-of-four said. Davina also admitted the hard winters had been a challenge to get through, especially the family's first winter on the cliff, in 2018. 'The winds can be very depressing. they can be really, really hard. One winter, it was so muddy that we couldn't actually get onto our land. 'But what we ended up having to do was to park on the nearest street, which is still a good 10 minutes' walk away, and walk back home climbing the edge rail with the kids and we did that for that whole winter. That was when Harry was a baby, the mother-of-four added. 'The winters can be very demoralising. They can undo everything you've done in the spring and summer. But once you get the Spring and the Summer back, you're reminded why you're here. 'When we got the Beast from the East, I woke up and there's basically snow at the bottom of my bed. It was physically getting through the keyholes. Bloody ridiculous,' she said. Todd and Davina has faced financials setbacks and battled the tough Cornish winters since moving there The couple's four kids are school educated, including Ruby and Harry, and Davina admitted on the show she needs to pay for school, uniforms and clubs This was a breaking point for Davina, who said: 'I just remember thinking 'it's March, and there's snow on my bed, what the hell are we doing?'.' Asked by Ben what keeps the family in Cornwall when the winters get so rough, Davina candidly admitted the couple stay due to lack of options. 'It'd be great to leave for Winter and just be here in the summer, but this is where we live and I think we realised quite early on that if we were gonna do this, there was going to be some grit and determination. 'And I think you make a commitment to something, don't you? This is not going to work with a 'oh, if we don't fancy it we'll just leave it for a couple of months.' You have to be resilient,' she added. Listening to the mother-of-four, Ben said it almost sounded like Davina and Todd are 'prisoners on their little patch of land.' And Davina went on to say that the couple also have had to make due with precarious financial situations in the past, as well as the tough weather. 'We did once had money set aside but I can't pretend there's any of that left. I mean, financially it's been pretty tragic at times over the past few years. But we're getting there now. And the finances are stabilising,' she added. Davina said that while the couple have faced challenges since they moved to Cornwall, she does not regret her decision to live the big city 'I'm hoping in three years we'll be pretty much food sufficient. but we are a normal family who have needs. 'We don't home school the kids, clubs need to be paid for, uniforms still need to be paid for,' she added. Unlike other people who have chosen to live off grid, Davina and Todd are not trying to live cash-free. 'We're not looking to live a completely money free existence. We're looking to have a thriving, profitable business,' Davina explained. Todd echoed this sentiment when he told Ben: 'The council know exactly where they are and what we're doing.' But the builder-turned-farmer, who taught himself how to take care of his small holding, admitted it has taken a toll on his health. Todd suffered from five slipped discs two years ago, a painful back condition which occurs when the tissue between the bones pushes out and presses on the nerve. He admitted he postponed a back surgery to remedy the issue for a year before he had no choice but to go to the hospital. 'I was ploughing on with it really and it got to the point where I was in such pain I was taking 12 Tramadols a day, I was completely zombified,' he told Ben. Trampoline enthusiast Ruby attends the local school while her parents work on the farm during the day, and she livens up the farm when she comes home every night The couple live in static caravans on the plot of land and are working towards food sufficiency . Campers also pay to stay on he farm during the summer 'I ended up at home on the floor crying underneath a blanket and Davina had to call an ambulance,' he admitted. 'It was a horrible time, it was almost a year on Tramadol. They cut off some of the protruding discs. They took 4 centimetres of the base of my spine I can't lie on my front anymore,' he added. The surgery has limited his mobility, and he admitted it has been a tough time for both him and Davina. 'You always have to do all the jobs and it wasn't easy and it wasn't easy for Davina, me being out of service for so long,' he said. 'It makes me feel a bit useless because that is my role here, the physical side of it and the strength side of it. If we had to hire someone else, it wouldn't be viable,' he added. Ben admitted he was scared for the future of the farm, due to Todd's poor help and said the couple are 'skating on very thin ice.' Davina also opened up about how a bad experience with anti-depressants that saw her getting sectioned. She was prescribed with Sertraline after the birth of her son Harry, and suffered a bout of hyper mania because of it. Davina admitted the couple have faced 'tragic' financial situations since they moved to Cornwall, as well as dire winters Todd told the hard labour he does on the farm took a toll on him when he ended up with five slipped disc and ended up needing emergency surgery She told Ben that during a particularly demanding weekend when Todd was away, she did not sleep nor eat for 48 hours. Davina was eventually seen by a doctor five days later, who told her her mental health issues had been a result of a bad reaction to Sertraline, and that her anti-depressants had caused this manic episode. Davina told Ben the experience had a 'massive impact' on her and her family. 'When I think some of the things we gone through, we're lucky to be on our legs, We're lucky that keeping going is enough right now,' she said. However, in spite of these setbacks, the couple assured Ben they do no regret their decision to leave the rat race to move to Cornwall. Davina and Todd live in several static campervans put together on their land. When they bought the land five years ago, there was nothing on it, and they had to build the fencing and the other infrastructures needed to look after their farm animals. There was no running water on the land for the first few months the couple moved to the farm, but they eventually got a supply. They also explained to Ben they rely on a wind turbine and solar power in order to live. The couple look after 100 rescued chicken, ducks and pigs, and Todd told Ben he taught himself by reading books on self-sufficiency and small holdings. They make money by selling their pigs at the market, and while Todd is vegetarian, the rest of the family do eat meat, and eat their own pigs and chickens. As a mother of four mixed-raced children, Davina also talked to Ben about the institutional racism that is 'rife' in bigger cities. 'Just the fact that I've managed to get my son at almost 17 without ever being stopped and searched, as sad as it might be to say, that's enough reason in itself to come out of London,' she said. Ben asked her whether she thought that 'the darker your skin the more likely you are to be stopped?' and Davina said she did. 'I have to honestly say that things like the high level of stop and search for young black boys, even with a mixed-race son, it's not about the shade, it is about non-white and white. 'And this is the funny thing. You move somewhere like Cornwall, where there is a lot less racial diversity, but for us it's meant we've been able to escape institutional racism that seems much more rife in the cities. And north London, south east London, you know, I grew up there, I saw it, we all saw it,' she said. 'In the city you are more of a number. Here you're much more connected. Everyone knows everyone,' she added. Ben admitted he has been 'shielded' from the issues faced by Davina and her family. Todd also said he does not miss the big city life, which he said used to be a 'nightmare' for him. 'When I lived in London I had a building company, and I had to travel two hours a day to go to work. I barely saw the family really because I would leave pretty much as they got up and would come back just as they were going to bed. 'I used to never get a seat on the train, I used to take my own little folding stool on the train, it was just a nightmare,' he said. While the couple admitted they don't always agree, Davina said they have complementary personalities. 'I love that we make one whole person, or many one and a half,' she said, adding her and Todd would be 'lost without each other.' Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. A 150-year-old New York City real estate firm that's been described as 'stodgy' and 'hoity-toity' is making moves to embrace the digital age by hiring a 25-year-old TikTok star to teach its agents how to make the most of the platform. Curbed reports that Brown Harris Stevens which was founded in 1873 and has offices in Connecticut, the Hamptons, and Palm Beach has enlisted TikToker Madison Sutton (@thenycagent) to help its agents modernize the way they sell homes. Sutton, who has only been working in real estate for a few years but has found huge success on the Gen-Z-beloved app, will develop TikTok workshops and train the firm's agents to 'open a new and underutilized pipeline for business.' Brown Harris Stevens has enlisted TikToker Madison Sutton to teach agents how to effectively use the app Sutton, 25, has nearly 100,000 TikTok followers and says that all of her business comes from the app, where they posts home tours and other NYC content Brown Harris Stevens, founded in 1873, is known to cater to wealthy buyers and has offices in Connecticut, the Hamptons, and Palm Beach Brown Harris Stevens is known to cater to wealthy buyers, and a curated list of some of its 'exceptional' listings includes a $53 million triplex in Manhattan's West Village, a $39 million six-bedroom Fifth Avenue co-op, and a $35 million 11-bedroom Southampton mansion. The firm hasn't completely shied away from social media, and has pages on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Instagram is its most popular account with 31,000 followers. Sutton, meanwhile, has 98,7000 TikTok followers, an audience she built up during a short career that launched just six months before the pandemic. Sutton who describes herself as a 'real estate influencer' only had a short time in New York City real estate under her belt when the pandemic hit and business dried up as the city went into lockdown and many people moved out. But the entrepreneurial agent began posting on TikTok, sharing apartment tours as well as other New York City content. Current listings include a $53 million West Village triplex, a $39 million Fifth Avenue co-op, and a $35 million 11-bedroom Southampton mansion CEO Bess Freedman explained: 'We consider ourselves eternal students of technology and are always eager to adapt' 'What TikTok did, I couldn't have expected or planned or calculated in my entire lifetime. It's completely changed my life,' she told CNN. Her videos became popular and, according to Curbed, she was soon getting as many as 500 inquiries every day. She became busy enough that she hired two agents of her own. Now all of her business comes from TikTok, and she said her commissions have nearly doubled. Brown Harris Stevens recently reached out about finding a little of that magic for themselves. 'I was initially a little bit surprised myself,' Sutton admitted, 'but when I went to meetings everyone was so excited to learn about it.' CEO Bess Freedman explained: 'We consider ourselves eternal students of technology and are always eager to adapt. Sutton, will develop TikTok workshops and train the firm's agents (pictured) to 'open a new and underutilized pipeline for business' In addition to workshops, Sutton may do a video series or Zoom meetings to teach agents how to best translate their listings to the platform 'If you're a realtor, you should be on TikTok. No questions asked,' Sutton said 'With more and more emerging technology and social-media platforms like TikTok capturing the publics attention, Brown Harris Stevens and our agents are continually pivoting and evolving. And now, we are hiring a TikTok sensation.' In addition to workshops, Sutton may do a video series or Zoom meetings to teach agents how to best translate their listings to the platform. For example, she pointed out, most listing photos are horizontal, and agents often use wide lenses to take the pictures. But on TikTok, which nearly every user views from their phone, vertical photos have the best impact. Sutton's videos often feature tours of empty apartments with her voiceover explaining what the apartment has to offer. Occasionally, she appears in the videos herself. Sprinkled in with her apartment tours are clips showing off her outfits, tips for finding an apartment, and funny TikTok trends. Sutton's videos often feature tours of empty apartments with her voiceover explaining what the apartment has to offer. Occasionally, she appears in the videos herself. She'd only been working in NYC real estate for six months when the pandemic hit and business dried up. She began posting and was soon getting hundreds of inquiries a day Speaking of her success, Sutton admits that using TikTok can be 'intimidating,' especially for agents who've have success the old-fashioned way Speaking of her success, Sutton admits that using TikTok can be 'intimidating,' especially for agents who've have success the old-fashioned way. 'There is a level of vulnerability to putting yourself in front of millions of people,' she said. 'If youre already successful, there can be hesitation to adopt a platform like this. People may also assume they have to be in front of the camera all the time. Youre entertaining as well as providing knowledge. I have a more personal format on my platform, but thats not the case for everyone.' But she points to upsides, like her own success. She said that she's created 'long-term' relationships with people she's met on TikTok whom she may never have connected with otherwise. 'I may not have had access to these clients, or they may not have been exposed to someone like me,' she told CNN. 'If you're a realtor, you should be on TikTok. No questions asked,' she added. 'Even if a video performs poorly, it's not about the performance. If one of those people who sees that video finds their home ... I've done my job.' A young woman has slammed 'ignorant' Aussies for wanting to party on Australia Day, saying they should not 'celebrate genocide'. Activist Ella Jae spoke out against the national day on TikTok, calling for the date to be changed from January 26 to May 8. She also compared having a party on Australia Day to skipping a loved one's funeral and going straight to 'kick ons'. Activist Ella Jae spoke out against the national day on TikTok recently, calling for the date to be changed from January 26 to May 8 'If we want to celebrate Australia it should be on a day that's inclusive for everyone so that everyone can have fun,' she said in the video which has been seen 100,000 times. And before people had a chance to argue the young woman provided responses to the most common comebacks by those who supported Australia Day celebrations. She refuted the argument 'that it happened so long ago'. 'Trauma tracks down through generations, that pain is still felt by First Nation people's children, grandchildren, great grandchildren,' she said. 'And second, you do not get to decide what is offensive or hurtful to a community that you are not a part of.' Poll When should Australians celebrate Australia Day? January 26 May 8 Any date but January 26 When should Australians celebrate Australia Day? January 26 282 votes May 8 11 votes Any date but January 26 30 votes Now share your opinion She added people who choose to celebrate, not educate, are 'part of the problem'. The post attracted comments from over a thousand people many whom agreed with her sentiments. 'I celebrated Australia Day until about two years ago, I had fun and have those memories but it isn't worth it for the hurt it causes Aboriginal people,' one woman said. 'Why is it so hard for some people to understand. You did a good job of explaining so hopefully it'll reach the ignorant,' said another. Some younger people said their family's are 'racist' and force them to celebrate. 'I don't want to go but I am 13 and can't stay home by myself, so I just sit in the corner and pretend it isn't happening,' he added. Ella explained trauma can be handed down for generations - and celebrating on January 26 is not ethical 'I only found out about the racist aspect on social media, not at school or from my parents so I won't be celebrating this year,' one child said. But others were backing the retention of January 26 which marks the arrival of the First Fleet of British soldiers, convicts and settlers in Sydney to establish the first colony. 'The unarguable facts are that Australia was discovered and colonised. No woke BS can change the unchangeable,' one man wrote. When somebody responded that the hate and oppressions never stopped he answere back: 'What racism? What oppression? What hate? There is nothing of the sort to make these bs assertions.' She said people who are 'too ignorant' to stop celebrating on Australia Day are part of the problem Another woman said she hates 'woke change'. 'Why is there always a need to change what has always been certain days, certain books we shouldn't let out kids read anymore, certain names of things,' she said. But she was quickly shot down with others explaining Australia Day has not 'always' been celebrated on January 26, it only became an official thing in 1994. Others said 'because we grow and learn how to do better'. Others appeared indifferent. 'Can someone just tell me what day I can get on the bevvies and go for a float. That's all I want but no one can agree on a date.' Ella Jae's advocacy of May 8 as an alternative was part of a campaign to make that Australia Day because when said quickly it sounds like 'mate', but has no historical significance. One lucky tenant will have the opportunity to live rent-free for a whole year in a beautifully restored home with a chic modern fit-out tucked away in a quaint Sicilian village. Airbnb is taking host applications for for the '1 Euro House' located in the remote Sicilian town of Sambuca, just an hour away from Palermo, from June 30 this year. Those who are apply need to be over 18 and are asked to write a short essay on what appeals to them about Sicily, how they'd organise their life there and how they view themselves as a host. 1 Euro House got its name as it was one if the homes the City of Sambuca sold for just one euro in an effort to revitalise the town and bring in more people after declining populations. One lucky person will be able to live rent-free for a whole year in a beautifully restored home with a chic modern fit-out tucked away in a quaint Sicilian village Airbnb is taking applications for tenants for the '1 Euro House' located in the remote Sicilian town of Sambuca, just an hour away from Palermo The picturesque, three-storey home has a king-sized master bedroom with a ensuite bathroom, multiple living and working spaces, and a fully equipped kitchenette 1 Euro House got its name as it was one if the homes the City of Sambuca sold for just one euro in an effort to revitalise the town and bring in more people after declining populations The picturesque, three-storey home has a king-sized master bedroom with a ensuite bathroom, multiple living and working spaces, and a fully equipped kitchenette. It was cleverly restored to have a contemporary, colourful fit-out while preserving its rustic, Sicilian charm with arched ceilings, polished concrete floors and glimpses of the provincial town to the rolling hills. Sambuca is a small provincial village in the Sicilian countryside with a growing community of about 6000 known for its traditional wines, olive oil, sheep's' ricotta and cheeses. Sambuca is a small provincial village in the Sicilian countryside with a growing community of about 6000 known for its traditional wines, olive oil, sheep's' ricotta and cheeses It was cleverly restored to have a contemporary, colourful fit-out while preserving its rustic, Sicilian charm with arched ceilings, polished concrete floors and glimpses of the provincial town to the rolling hills With the option to work remotely or locally, the successful participant will also take in the Airbnb host earnings and live the Sicilian dream with their partner, friend or a family member The lucky tenant will have the opportunity to relocate to Sambuca and stay in the 1 Euro House rent-free for a year beginning on June 30 while listing one of the room's on Airbnb. With the option to work remotely or locally, the successful participant will also take in the Airbnb host earnings and live the Sicilian dream with their partner, friend or a family member. To be in the running, you have answer a few questions on the application form by February 18. According to US attorneys, Prince Andrew may be selling his 18 million ($24 million) ski lodge to preserve his assets rather than pay off his accuser of sex assault. After a mysterious bidder agreed to take it off his hands, sources close to the Duke stated earlier this month that the sale of the house in the prestigious Swiss ski town of Verbier is proceeding. Prince Andrew partied with Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell A debt of 6.6 million ($8.8 million) was paid to French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre, who sold it to him and Sarah Ferguson in 2014 for 18 million ($18 million) when Andrew was able to sell the house, known as Chalet Helora. As he faces a lawsuit from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleges she was trafficked to have sex with him by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, the sale led to suspicion that he would use the money to pay his legal fees. However, according to Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represented Epstein's victims, the transaction might be a pretext for Giuffre to seize the Duke's assets. Ms de Rouvre and Prince Andrew and Fergie agreed that the chalet would be paid for in installments. Miss de Rouvre said the Yorks neglected to pay their last 5 million ($6.7 million) installment, prompting her to file a lawsuit against them in Swiss courts two years ago for the sum she was entitled plus interest, totaling 6.6 million ($8.8 million). He was not allowed to sell the chalet until the dispute was resolved under Swiss law, as per Mail Online. Read Also: Queen Elizabeth Remains Silent But Might Make Brutal Choice in the Coming Days as Judge Orders Prince Andrew To Face Sex Abuse Trial Royal Palace advised to investigate Prince Andrew's staff treatment According to rumors, while in Thailand, Prince Andrew went on tours of red-light sex clubs with wealthy paedo Jeffrey Epstein and holidayed with pimp Ghislaine Maxwell. After being seen surrounded by topless supermodels partying on a boat off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, the Duke of York played up to his label of "Playboy prince." As the Queen's second son was on vacation, Maxwell and Epstein were reported to have stayed at his hotel while the latter stayed at his. When the British prince paid a visit to his topless go-go bar in Patong's red light district, the management of the business stated he was treated to a royal visit. Prince Andrew grew close to the couple around the time of the crazy holiday, which took place in New Year's Eve 2001 and just months before he allegedly sexually attacked Virginia Giuffre. Prince Andrew has angrily disputed this charge, claiming that his association with the couple - both of whom have been convicted of child sex offenses in the United States - was not inappropriate, according to Mirror In the meantime Queen Elizabeth landed at Sandringham for her first lengthy trip since Prince Philip's death on July 1, from Windsor Castle to the Norfolk estate by helicopter on Sunday. The Queen is anticipated to remain at Sandringham for a few weeks. Although she has been to Sandringham at least twice since Philip died in April, this is her first lengthy visit. Meanwhile, a former royal cop has suggested that Buckingham Palace should investigate reports that Prince Andrew, like Meghan Markle, mistreated Palace personnel. The Duke of York was accused of bullying this week as former royal aides spoke up about their dissatisfaction working under him, according to The Sun. Related Article: Ghislaine Maxwell To Request Retrial Today After Bombshell Documentary Reveals Socialite Was Prince Andrew's Lover @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. No one rocked a shoulder pad like Thierry Mugler. It's not unreasonable to suggest the iconic designer, who died this weekend at the age of 73, gave us working women in the 1980s as much of a boost as the Equal Pay and Sex Discrimination Acts of the previous decade. Best known today for his Angel fragrance, one of the all-time blockbuster scents, and as the man who dressed Kim Kardashian in her reveal-almost-all wet-look, latex-corseted dress for the Met Gala in 2019, you probably have to be a woman of a certain age to appreciate just how much he influenced our lives. But by putting power dressing on the map and thereby paving the way for reinventing how ambitious women dressed for work, it was a muted version of Mugler's spectacularly sharp and glamorous silhouette that defined the era. Of course, Mugler's catwalk staging of power dressing, with his penchant for PVC and futuristic fantasy, was never going to pop up in the office. But his avant-garde ideas, a million miles from the hippy fashions of the day, filtered through into designs that sent the 1980s office into orbit. Iconic designer Thierry Mugler gave working women in the 1980s as real boost Dress for success: Marie Helvin in an early Mugler design in Paris 1978 Cutting edge: Linda Evangelista and Helena Christiansen on the catwalk in 1990 His catwalk archetype of an Amazonian, commanding and in command, provided inspiration for a generation who wanted to be in the driving seat of life, rather than merely passengers. Mugler was the man who let women mean business. A pioneer of the theatrical fashion show, that propelled the likes of Cindy Crawford and Jerry Hall to international fame, he also helped usher in the era of the liberated supermodel who refused even to wake up for less than $10,000 a day. If, in the 1970s, a good feminist might have favoured psychedelic kaftans and peasant blouses with bell bottoms, or Greenham Common grunge in the form of dungarees, this was hardly a look that would go down well in the boardroom. Thierry Mugler's idea of the powerful woman was the opposite of folklore fashion that harked back to the past. He predicted the future, one in which women were both sexy and in control. Believe me, how women were going to dress for success was no frivolous matter. At a time when young women were starting to think of having a career, rather than a job to see them through to marriage and babies, the barriers to achieving their goals were still being manned by men. What we wore was a key weapon in our armoury to storm those barricades. Claudia Schiffer in a low-cut design in 1995 and Kate Moss at 1995 Paris Fashion Week Today, we might scoff at the idea that shoulder pads could get you places a nice little frock might not but, in those days, we were deadly serious about this particular brand of dressing for success. As editor of Cosmopolitan magazine in the 1980s, my uniform was either a shoulder-padded blazer, preferably red, with nipped-in waist and a just-above-the-knee black skirt, or a sharp-shouldered trouser suit. I owe that armour to Mugler, the man who not only defined 1980s fashion but bequeathed women a new state of mind. It didn't take long for Hollywood to mirror our new visions of ourselves. If you cast your mind back to the days of Dynasty, and that fabulously ferocious battle of the shoulder pads between Linda Evans's Krystle and Joan Collins's evil Alexis, it was costume designer Nolan Miller's creations that paid pure homage to Thierry Mugler. Black magic: Actresses Daisy Ridley (left in 2017) and Naomi Watts (in 2009) attend film premiere in sharp Mugler tuxedo And in movies, such as Working Girl with Melanie Griffith, her transformation from secretary to boss, was charted in clothes that went from downmarket mall to Mugler-inspired authority. Here was a new way to dress that left us free to get on with the job, a uniform that indicated we had style and substance. This was never about emulating men, or trying to de-sex ourselves, it was about gaining a sense of power and control. By refusing to dress in a frothy and traditionally feminine way, a way men were used to and which encouraged the kind of sexist banter we wanted to avoid, we hoped to divert their gaze from 9 to 5. Hard shoulder: Melanie Griffith in 1988's Working Girl Diane Keaton in Baby Boom, 1987, and Joan Collins in Dynasty, 1981 Sometimes it worked, sometimes not, but it helped countless women look and feel bolder. And ironically helped us gain a sexiness based on strength rather than submission. As we emerge from Covid and head back to the office, desperate to ditch our work-from-home tracky bottoms for something glamorous, Mugler's designs are looking once more both wearable and desirable. Big-shouldered blazers have been storming out of the shops in the sales, from designer through to the High Street, and now you can find hundreds of vintage Mugler jackets for sale on the internet as well as fresh interpretations from the likes of Jigsaw, LK Bennett and Zara. The King of the power suit is dead. His power suit lives on. A popular foodie has shared the affordable product she uses to get a sparkling clean barbecue after every cook. Leah Itsines, from Adelaide, uses the Ozkleen Oven Power Cleaner from the supermarket after using the BBQ and says the $4.35 product is perfect for deep-cleaning removable plates and eliminating leftover grime. It requires no scrubbing, creates no mess and doesn't have an overpowering odour. Ozkleen Oven Cleaner requires absolutely no scrubbing, creates no mess and is effortlessly easy to use Once Leah has used the barbecue she pours an entire jug of cleaner into one of the provided cleaning bags. She then places the grill plates and messy barbecue utensils inside the bag and leaves it to sit for 24 hours. 'Then just wet, you shouldn't need to scrub, and everything comes off,' Leah said. Once Leah has cooked her food on the barbecue she simply pours an entire jug of cleaner into one of the provided cleaning bags Once the plates are back on the barbecue she simply heats them up and cleans once more with a lemon to reveal a sparkling grill. However, it is recommended users to squirt a few drops of detergent and rinse with hot water to ensure all of the product has been completely removed. The affordable product works to draw out grease from the surface area, allowing baked grime to simply flake and peel off. An Australian mother has revealed how she uses trips to Bunnings to stop her daughter from throwing a tantrum. The hilarious parenting hack was shared in a TikTok, showing the tiny tot sulking by a bedroom door before immediately jumping with joy at the mention of Bunnings. 'When Bunnings can soothe your one-year-old mid tantrum,' the mother wrote alongside the clip. A TikTok user has shared their hilarious parenting hack to stop their wailiing toddler (pictured) Footage shows the toddler, known as Saskia, wailing into a bedroom door before her mum asks her if she wants to go on a trip to Bunnings. Saskia's sobs immediately turn into a smile at the mention of the hardware store, before she gleefully bounds towards the front door. 'Bunnings fixes everything,' the mum says. The TikTok left social media users in stitches describing the video as the 'most Aussie thing ever'. 'I too have this reaction to a Bunnings trip,' wrote one parent. 'There is no doubt that girl is Australian because that is the most Aussie thing ever,' added another. The mother says she uses trips to Bunnings to stop her child mid tantrum 'My two-year-old does the same thing and every time we drive pass she screams out bunnings,' added a third. The hardware store appears to be not only popular among adults but also with kids, after Bunnings themed birthday parties became a trend. Thrown both at the hardware store and in home backyards, the trend sees both boys and girls celebrating their birthdays with tool cakes, mini uniforms, sausage sizzles and red and green decor. A mum has found the perfect solution to travelling on long-haul flights with young children. Mum Misty Kingma travelled with her family from Los Angeles to Australia on a 15-hour flight and used the inflatable Flyaway Kids Bed to ensure her toddler was able to sleep soundly on the plane. In a now-viral TikTok video, Misty's son Lennox slept for 7.5hours and had a 'cosy place to play' while he was awake. 'Highly recommend! Comes with a hand pump to inflate on the plane,' she wrote in the video. But the product is rather expensive and retails for $159 USD/$222.25 AUD - and some airlines don't accept the bed as it's a 'hazard'. Scroll down for video Mum Misty Kingma travelled with her family from Los Angeles to Australia on a 15-hour flight and used the inflatable Flyaway Kids Bed to ensure her toddler was able to sleep soundly on the plane The Flyaway bed provides a comfortable place for kids to sleep on planes and can inflate in just 90 seconds. The clever design stops toys from rolling onto the floor and can be packed away in carry-on luggage as it weighs a mere 1.3kg. On the brand's website the product has also received hundreds of five-star reviews from happy customers. After just 48 hours Misty's video went viral racking up a staggering 12.5 million times, impressing thousands worldwide. 'I wish I was a baby so I could be this comfy on a plane,' one person commented. 'I wish there was an adult version,' another added, and a third wrote: 'This is genius!' The Flyaway kids bed provides a comfortable place for kids to sleep on planes and can inflate in just 90 seconds. But some airlines don't accept the bed as it's a 'hazard' But an airlines hostess mentioned the product isn't accepted on flights by certain airlines. 'Flight attendant for 25 years and counting on a major US airline here. These are NOT allowed/not FAA approved for use on our flights. Looks comfy though,' she wrote. Another person confirmed: 'Please keep in mind some airlines won't allow this on a plane because it's a hazard. The flight attendants will make you remove it.' The full list of airlines that accept the Flyaway kids bed can be viewed here. A 28-year-old mum who launched a crystal business after stumbling upon alternative healing remedies at 24 is now making over $1million per month in sales. Hayley de Angelis, from Melbourne, founded Cleanse & Co from her loungeroom after finding great strength and comfort in carrying various crystals around during a low point in her life. The business now sells crystals, crystal candles, journals, essential oils and tea and has an ever-growing team of 30 women keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes. 'We were one of Australia's first brands to incorporate crystal healing paired with aesthetically designed products for the home and now considered Australia's biggest crystal brand,' Hayley told FEMAIL. Hayley de Angelis, from Melbourne, founded Cleanse & Co from her loungeroom after finding great strength and comfort in carrying various crystals around during a low point in her life The business now sells crystals, crystal candles, journals, essential oils and tea and has an ever-growing team of 30 women keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes 'We are a community not just a brand selling products.' Hayley said the pandemic has seen massive growth for Cleanse & Co, with 2021 an enormous year for the company. 'I definitely think in the world we live in today, people have turned inwards for healing and want to turn their focus to products that really work - crystals not only help them on that journey but allow them to heal in ways that are personal to them,' she said. '2021 was a huge year for us that saw incredible sales and I am so appreciative we were able to help so many in such a tough and isolating time.' '2021 was a huge year for us that saw incredible sales and I am so appreciative we were able to help so many in such a tough and isolating time,' Hayley said Hayley knew there was a market for crystals after seeing how much they helped her so she wanted to source them from around the world and sell them to others The $100 Mystery Boxes were also a hit for the the business, with many allured by the idea of being sent a random selection of crystals 'delivered by the universe'. 'Mystery Boxes are so popular- they sell out in less than three minutes and the last sale made us over $100,000,' Hayley said. 'As well as this, Rose Quarts and Amethyst are the most popular candles and the Higher Love Journal has sold out so many times weve lost count.' Hayley knew there was a market for crystals after seeing how much they helped her so she wanted to source them from around the world and sell them to others. She sources everything from rose quartz to jade and howlite from countries including China, Brazil, Africa and Madagascar. 'I started my business by supplying my crystals to a nearby store and working out of the lounge room, I would finish my full-time job and be packing orders until 2am most nights,' she said Demand for Cleanse & Co's unique range grew quickly, and Hayley soon moved into packing orders from her garage and is now in a huge warehouse But it hasn't been an easy ride. 'I started my business by supplying my crystals to a nearby store and working out of the lounge room, I would finish my full-time job and be packing orders until 2am most nights,' she said. 'By the time I'd finish, my apartment in South Melbourne would look like a bombsite.' Demand for Cleanse & Co's unique range grew quickly, and Hayley soon moved into packing orders from her garage and is now in a huge warehouse. 'It's always been so much fun for me buying and selling crystals and making candles, so the finances and status of the business were never much of a thought in the early days,' she said. Hayley has since launched a second business SOLL. the label, selling children's clothing Hayley has since launched a second business SOLL. the label, selling children's clothing. 'I think the hard work and passion was there from starting Cleanse and Co. - I was exhausted but my drive was stronger as was and still is my passion for healing,' she said. 'This with of course my own two children and my personal love for minimal good quality items ultimately inspired the launch of SOLL. 'I found it difficult to find comfy, plain and basic clothing for kids. So, similar as to Cleanse and Co. where I saw a gap in the market - I decided to create my own label and share it with likeminded parents.' 'I found it difficult to find comfy, plain and basic clothing for kids. So, similar as to Cleanse and Co. where I saw a gap in the market - I decided to create my own label and share it with likeminded parents,' she said That's not all the businesswoman has on the horizon, however, with the super mum planning on growing her empire again this year. 'I have multiple business plans - 2022 and 2023 will be a big year for me and crucial in my career development,' she said. 'But I am also so proud of both Cleanse and Co. and SOLL we have some amazing new product launches and will continue working with major global brands on social media. 'Currently, I can proudly say - Cleanse and Co. is reaching $900,000 - $1million per month in sales which excites me and encourages us as a team to work harder than we ever have before to continue seeing amazing results and success.' A mother who had to terminate her pregnancy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer has welcomed a baby boy after her best friend offered to be her surrogate. Lorna Cattle, 35, from Chichester, Sussex, was devastated after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in November 2016 and had to make the heartbreaking decision to terminate her pregnancy. She underwent months of grueling radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and a hysterectomy, before being given the all clear in November 2017. Lorna, who works in HR, and her husband Dan, 40, had begun to look into fertility treatments when her best friend Steph Stretton, 36, offered to be their surrogate. Steph successfully fell pregnant in In February 2021, following the transfer of a frozen embryo, and gave birth to Joshua a month early in September 2021. Lorna Cattle, 35, (right) from Chichester, Sussex, welcomed son Joshua after her best friend Steph Stretton, 36 (left), offered to be her surrogate Lorna had to terminate her own pregnancy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer and undergo grueling treatments. Pictured: Lorna with pregnant Steph Lorna and her husband Dan, 40, pictured with their son, Joshua, began to consider fertility treatments after Lorna was given the all clear Lorna said: 'When I was diagnosed, I was six to eight weeks pregnant and the first thing we had to decide was whether it was a viable pregnancy which it wasn't. 'We had got married in the summer and starting a family was always the plan so this was an awful decision for us to have to make. 'But we were told if I continued, neither I nor the baby would survive. 'I'm a very optimistic person and never gave up hope on being a mum. Lorna was six to eight weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with cancer and had to terminate despite plans with husband Dan to start a family. Pictured left to right: Lorna, Steph, Joshua and Dan Lorna said she couldn't be more grateful when Steph came forward offering to be her surrogate a year after her first visit to fertility doctors. Pictured: Baby Joshua Lorna said being a mother is 'amazing' and she's extremely fortunate to have Joshua (pictured together) in her life '2019 was when we first went to visit fertility doctors and spoke about our options and in 2020, Steph came forward and said she would be our surrogate, which I couldn't have been more grateful for. 'There are no words to explain the gratitude and awe I have for her. 'Being a mum is surreal; Joshua is amazing and I feel extremely fortunate and grateful to have him in my life.' Lorna and Dan got married in Italy during the summer of 2016 and had planned to start a family later that year. However, Lorna's cancer diagnosis put their plans on hold and left the couple wondering if they would be parents. Lorna continued: 'When I was going through treatment, I was just focusing on getting better and didn't want to worry about anything else so our plans of being parents were put on hold whilst I recovered. Lorna said she and Dan put their plans of becoming parents on hold, while she focused on getting better after her cancer diagnosis (pictured) Lorna was left unable to carry a child after having an ovarian transposition and losing her cervix. Pictured: Lorna with best friend Steph Lorna said she knew that she and Dan would have a family, either through adoption or surrogacy. Pictured: Lorna and Dan with their son Joshua 'I had an ovarian transposition and lost my cervix meaning there was no chance I would be able to carry a child. 'But I always knew we would have a family one way or another, whether that was through adopting or surrogacy. 'We froze the embryos in December 2020 and did our first transfer in February 2021. 'I never expected a friend to come forward and offer to do that for us. Lorna froze the embryos in December 2020 and had their first transfer in February 2021 after Steph unexpectedly came forward. Pictured from left: Lorna, Steph and Dan Lorna said Joshua came out perfect despite the stress of Steph developing preeclampsia in the lead up to his birth. Pictured: Lorna and Dan with Joshua Joshua (pictured), who weighed 5lb at birth, has just turned 16-weeks-old and now weighs 14lb Lorna said Steph is one of her closest friends and will continue to see Joshua, despite living far away in Cheshire. Pictured: Lorna and Dan with baby Joshua Lorna (pictured) is urging all women to go for their annual smear test, saying she would prefer five minutes of embarrassment than months of treatment 'It was a stressful lead up to the birth as Stephanie developed preeclampsia, but he came out perfect.' Joshua, who weighed 5lb at birth, has just turned 16-weeks-old and now weighs 14lb. Lorna still plans on having Steph in Joshua's life. She said: 'Steph lives in Cheshire so she's far away from us but she's still one of my closest friends and we see her when we can. 'I would highly encourage all women to go for their annual smear tests and push for answers if something doesn't feel right. 'I'd rather five minutes of embarrassment than months of treatment.' Advertisement A student has revealed how she spent just 1,130 to renovate her studio apartment into a vibrant homage to the 70s. Isabella Bondo, 24, from Odense, Denmark, said she 'hated' the 'boring' grey carpet and white walls in her home when she first moved in last year. The social work student spent five months renovating her flat with bargains she found through Facebook Marketplace and local charity shops. She has decorated her home with bright oranges, bamboo furniture and floral prints, revealing: 'I just love all of the bright colours from the oranges and maroons to the yellows.' Isabella Bondo, 24, from Odense, Denmark, has revealed how she spent just 1,130 to renovate her one bed apartment into a vibrant homage to the 70s (pictured, her living room after the renovation) The social work student spent five months renovating her flat with bargains she found through Facebook Marketplace and local charity shops (pictured) The '70s enthusiast has long been fascinated with the era, and always wanted to decorate her first home with bright oranges, bamboo furniture and floral prints (pictured, her bedroom) Isabella said: 'I've always been fascinated with 60s and 70s fashion since I was young and was eager to be able to style my first home to honour that era. 'When I first moved into my flat, I already had a vision of how I wanted it to look, as I hated the boring grey carpet and white walls that came as a default. 'I followed a lot of Instagram accounts and Pinterest threads for inspiration.' She said: 'I tried to decorate my flat on a budget, so scoured thrift shops and items on Facebook to try and get cheap vintage furniture. Isabella, who has also spent thousands on her '70s inspired wardrobe of cords, flared jeans and colourful knits, was determined to transform her home The 24-year-old revealed how she had a vision of how she wanted the flat to look before she even moved in, saying she 'hated' the grey carpet and white walls (pictured left, the living room, and right, the kitchen) 'I just love bamboo furniture, as it's how I imagine most houses were furnished during the 60s and 70s. 'I got a bamboo dining table for 45 and four chairs to match off of Marketplace for 160. 'I found a tulip lamp from an independent shop on Instagram for 200, which was probably the most expensive part of the renovation, but it's beautiful and really lights up the place. 'One of my favourite pieces is the orange space age shelving unit I have underneath my television to store records and trinkets, that was 115. The student scoured the internet to look for bamboo furniture to transform her apartment and filled the space with bargains from Facebook Marketplace (left, the bedroom area before, and right, after) Among the incredible bargains Isabella found was a bamboo dining table for 45 and four chairs to match from Facebook Marketplace for 160 (pictured left, the dining room before, and right, after) Isabella revealed one of her favourite pieces in the space is the orange space age shelving unit which she has underneath her television to store records and trinkets, which cost 115 (left and right) Isabella also picked up a range of other items to add to her 70s paradise including wall plants for 4, two shag rug carpets for 100 and an orange tan couch for 250 (pictured) Meanwhile the 24-year-old explained how she got a bucket of yellow and orange paint to do a feature wall in her bedroom and the living area. She said the combined cost was around 40 (left and right) Isabella created a stunning wall feature above her bedroom using wicker baskets which she found online (pictured) 'I got a bucket of yellow and orange paint to do a feature wall in my bedroom and the living area and combined it cost about 40.' Isabella also picked up a range of other items to add to her 70s paradise including wall plants for 4, two shag rug carpets for 100 and an orange tan couch for 250. Her finishing touches include a range of floral prints and cat pictures, making her home completely unrecognisable. She has transformed her flat from drab and plain with white walls and grey carpets, to bright and interesting. Her finishing touches include a range of floral prints and cat pictures, making her home completely unrecognisable (pictured left and right) The social care student said she loves all the bright colours she has used to decorate her home because it has created an 'incredibly airy space' She added: 'All of the colours make for an incredible airy and bright space which I love. 'I added lots of plants to the space as well, which gives it that freshness and makes it smell amazing. 'I have two cats who just really fit into the space as well as they are both orange, a lot of people seem to think I bought them to match the decor! Alongside her passion for 70s decor, Isabella also has a wardrobe worth more than 1000 packed full of vintage styles and fashionable items. Alongside her passion for 70s decor, Isabella also has a wardrobe worth more than 1000 packed full of vintage styles and fashionable items (pictured) The 24-year-old said she makes an effort to be as low impact and as environmentally friendly as possible and tries to buy all her clothes from thrift stores She said: 'I try to be as low impact and as environmentally friendly as possible, so try and get all of my clothes from thrift stores. 'Thrift stores are my favourite place to get flared jeans from, which I wear daily. 'I also try and buy my tops and dresses from independent sellers, or second hand online. 'If something rips, I always try and fix it if I can. Student, 18, reveals she has only dressed in 1960s clothing since she discovered The Beatles when she was at high school A university student has revealed how she has only dressed in 1960s clothing since she discovered The Beatles when she was at high school. Connie McLean, 18, from Surrey, has even transformed her student flat into a sixties themed 'shag pad' complete with lava lamps, floor-length patterned tapestries and a rotary telephone. Connie - who has built up a following of 46k on Instagram for her groovy look - explained she even wears full psychedelic sixties attire to do a supermarket run and wouldn't be seen dead in the athleisure that most teens wear today. The fashion student, who now lives in London, admitted that some people think she's a bit 'weird' for not enjoying modern-day fashion but says her passion for the mid-to-late sixties has allowed her to live in the present. Connie McLean, 18, from Surrey, has revealed how she has only dressed in 1960s clothing since she discovered The Beatles when she was at high school Connie became enamoured with the 1960s when she was fifteen years old. After discovering the music of The Beatles for the first time, she became immediately hooked by the lure of that decade and started dressing in sixties style. 'I was in secondary school and my friend wanted us to perform a song by The Beatles for a school show. 'Obviously I had heard of The Beatles. But I thought I should get to know their music if I was going to perform one of their tracks. 'I think one of the first songs I heard was George Harrison's 'While my guitar gently weeps'. As soon as I started listening to the Beatles, I just loved it. 'Their music was so different to anything that I had listened to. It was so much more unique than modern music. 'For a whole year, I pretty much only listened to The Beatles. Then I started listening to other bands from the sixties and learning about the cultural history of that decade. But it was mainly The Beatles that got me into this!' Connie - who has built up a following of 46k on Instagram for her groovy look - explained she even wears full psychedelic sixties attire to do a supermarket run and wouldn't be seen dead in the athleisure that most teens wear today 'I started dressing in 1960s clothing and altering pieces I had to make them more vintage. I would wear miniskirts, turtlenecks and doing sixties themed make-up for school. 'Obviously, no-one in my school was dressing like this. It was fun doing what I loved but initially, it was definitely scary trying out a different look when you're a teenager. 'The most casual I dress would be a classic 1960s hippy flared trousers with a crazy pattern and maybe a halterneck top - definitely no hoodies or leggings. 'There's nothing wrong with a hoodie and leggings of course. But I love how you still look so put-together in 'casual' 1960s clothing. It just works for me. The student began dressing in 1960s clothing while at school, and started altering pieces she had in order to make them more vintage (pictured left and right, in two of her favourite outfits) 'I know some people think it's weird. But it's lovely when people approach on the street and compliment me on my style.' She explained: 'I dug my own grave when I started listening to The Beatles when I was at secondary school. 'Once I heard the amazing music of the sixties, I couldn't go back to modern fashion and I've been dressing this way ever since. 'Even on a midnight trip to Tesco, I'll be wearing a whole sixties look. 'First of all, I love the music of the era. But I also love the eclectic fashion, the decor, the pop culture and the general aesthetic of the decade. 'Of course, I know that there were bad parts to the decade and I don't want to glamourise those aspects. But I love how everything changed in the 1960s. It was a big era for social revolution. The fashion student revealed she loves feeling 'so put-together' even when wearing a more 'casual' look from her 1960s inspired wardrobe The 18-year-old said she was aware that some people think her taste in fashion is 'weird' but added it is 'lovely when people approach her in the street to compliment her style 'The sixties have brought so much to my life. When you're a teenager, you're just trying to fit in and sometimes you end up emulating what everyone else is doing. 'But I've been able to find my own identity and community. I feel so happy because of this. 'I wish I could say I don't spend hours on Instagram like any other teenager because of the 1960s! But I will say that the sixties has taught me to live in the present and plug out from technology every so often. 'I love putting some incense sticks on in my sixties inspired flat and listening to records, writing letters to people or meditating.' Meanwhile the teenager said the period had taught her to live in the present and plug out of technology 'every so often' (pictured) Connie gets a lot of her original 1960s attire from Etsy and Ebay. Her unique look has amassed her nearly 47,000 followers on Instagram and she collaborates with independent fashion companies who create pieces inspired by the decade. She also transformed her rented student flat into a 1960s interior haven - using the 1960s items and furnishings she has collected over the last few years. She explained: 'I have a twin sister and we got a flat together whilst we're studying at uni. My sister let me take over the decor of the flat and I went full sixties themed! 'Over the years I've collected vintage items from car boot sales and charity shops to get that sixties look. Her unique look has amassed her nearly 47,000 followers on Instagram and she collaborates with independent fashion companies who create pieces inspired by the decade (pictured left and right) 'I love that busy sixties aesthetic when there's a lot going on with the interior design. 'So I filled our flat with orange tapestries, lava lamps, namaste candles, a rotary telephone and of course a record player. 'As well as dressing in this style, I have a group of friends who have a similar appreciation for the decade. We go to 1960s themed club nights and dance all night. 'Some people ask if I'll ever get bored of the sixties or stop listening to The Beatles, but I don't see that happening. I've found what I love.' A woman whose health concerns were allegedly dismissed as piles because she looked 'young and healthy' is now facing the possibility of death after being diagnosed with stage-four cancer. Kasey Altman, 25, from San Diego, California, was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer in October 2020 after she claims that multiple doctors advised there was nothing wrong with her. She was left devastated when a third doctor ordered a CT scan which revealed rhabdomyosarcoma. The rare cancer usually affects children and has just a five-year survival rate of 20 per cent. Kasey Altman, 25, from San Diego, California, claims her health concerns were dismissed by multiple doctors before a CT scan revealed that she had cancer. Pictured: Kasey on night out during chemo treatment Kasey (pictured before being diagnosed with cancer) admits that she became emotional because it felt like none of the doctors were hearing her Kasey said the first doctor dismissed her without conducting an exam, while another sent her away with a suppository which would help a haemorrhoid. Pictured: Kasey in hospital The Google employee, who has taken to TikTok to share her experience and raise awareness of gender bias in the medical field, has since gone viral. Kasey said: 'I was perfectly healthy, exercising daily, eating well, I'm a former college athlete, so I take my health very seriously. 'Then I had these tumours pop up on my body, which was close to my anus, and no one would listen to me because I was young, healthy, and looked fine. 'The first doctor I saw didn't give me an exam at all, she just refused to look at it. I walked in and said: "This is what I think is a tumor on my body". Kasey (pictured before diagnosis) said she had tumours pop up on her body despite exercising daily and eating well Kasey was recommended to an obstetrician-gynecologist, who also initially tried to reassure her that her symptoms weren't serious. Pictured: Kasey with her partner Darius after diagnosis Kasey (pictured in hospital) who was diagnosed after the OBGYN reluctantly ordered a CT scan, said it was an issue for her to get taken seriously WHAT ARE RHABDOMYO-SARCOMAS? Sarcomas are rare types of cancer that develop in the supporting or connective tissues of the body. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in muscle, fat, blood vessels, or any of the other tissues that support, surround and protect the organs of the body. Rhabdomyosarcomas grow in the active muscles of the body. The most common places for them to be found are the head, neck, bladder, vagina, arms, legs and trunk of the body. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas tend to occur in older children and adolescents. It is usually treated with chemotherapy, along with surgery or radiotherapy - but it's unknown what causes it. Most rhabdomyosarcomas are diagnosed after a person develops symptoms. These may include: a lump that can be seen or felt - it may or may not be painful bleeding from the nose, vagina, rectum or throat, if the tumour is in these areas tingling, numbness, pain and loss of movement, if the tumour presses on nerves in the area Source: Macmillan Cancer Support Advertisement 'She dismissed me within two minutes and sent me on my way with a suppository which would help a hemorrhoid.' Having been recommended to an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) by her aunt, Kasey got closer to an answer but claims she still faced push-back. She said: 'The third doctor I went to was an OBGYN who looked at it and thought it was really weird. 'But she also assured me that surely I'm healthy and young and that it couldn't be anything serious. 'I started to get emotional because no one was hearing me, and this was the third time it happened in three weeks. 'She was reluctant, but did order a CT scan which then led to my diagnosis. So, I'm grateful for that but it was still considered an issue to get her to take me seriously. 'I honestly didn't really know until after posting on TikTok how many people had a similar story to me.' Brave Kasey received the heartbreaking news that she had cancer after one month of suffering with crippling pain. She was forced to replan her life around demanding chemotherapy. The soft tissue sarcoma has reoccurred numerous times since November 2021 with Kacey set to face further chemotherapy. She said: 'I think the hardest pill to swallow emotionally is that when you're in your 20s, all you do is plan for 30s and 40s and onwards. 'When you're told you probably don't have much time left, you have to make a pivot. Kasey, pictured playing volleyball before her diagnosis, exercised daily and said she took her health 'very seriously' as a former college athlete Kasey suffered one month of crippling pain before being diagnosed (pictured left) and has had to replan her life around chemotherapy (pictured right) 'For me, that was to try to find my purpose in this world because I had this sense of urgency that didn't exist before. 'There's a lot of innovative medicine and I have the luxury of having a parent advocate, my mother, who's literally the smartest person in the world. 'I'm at the point now where I'm advocating for myself now and taking an active role in my treatment. We're pursuing every option under the sun.' Kasey (pictured during chemo) said the hardest pillow to swallow emotionally is that you spend your 20s planning for the future Kasey said discovering that she may not have long to live has given her a sense of urgency to find her purpose. Pictured: Kasey and her partner Advertisement Newly unearthed photographs capture the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by their children and grandchildren on family outings to church more than 30 years ago. The snaps, taken by amateur photographer Edward Jackson in the late 1980s, show the Queen and Prince Philip with all four of their children, their partners, and a handful of grandchildren at St Mary Magdalene Church, on the Sandringham estate, in Norfolk. One photo, taken on Christmas Day in 1988, show Princess Diana, smiling over her shoulder as she walks side-by-side with Sarah Ferguson on their way out of church. Another shows the Queen speaking to her grandchildren Zara Phillips and Prince William, then aged seven and six, while Diana and Fergie chat in front of the church. A third shows the Queen beaming at the well-wishers waiting patiently along the footpath outside, her husband Philip standing close by. The discovery of the photos at Mr Jackson's home following his death in November is made all the more poignant because the Queen has this week returned to Sandringham, to seek refuge in her and Philip's beloved Wood Farm. Precious family moments: Newly unearthed photographs capture the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by their children and grandchildren on family outings to church more than 30 years ago. Pictured left to right: Sarah Ferguson, Princess Diana, Prince Andrews, Peter Phillips, Prince Charles, Prince Edward (just seen), Zara Phillips (in front), Prince Philip, Prince William (in red, in front), Princess Anne, Mark Phillips, Princess Margaret and the Queen on Christmas Day in 1988 Beaming: The Queen looks over her shoulder and smiles in a photo taken on the walk from the church to Sandringham House. By her side is her husband, Prince Philip, who shares in the moment. The photo is thought to have been taken in 1989 The people's princess: Diana, radiant in a blue and black ensemble, walks side-by-side with Sarah Ferguson after attending church on Christmas Day, 1988. Leading the way is Prince Philip, who turns back to smile at his wife the Queen (in green) The Duke of Edinburgh spent much of his post-retirement life at the bolthole, until Covid-19 forced him back to Windsor. Now the Queen will remain at Wood Farm for the next two weeks, staying in Norfolk until after the anniversary of her father's death and her ascension to the throne. The photographs were discovered in Mr Jackson's home by his family over Christmas, following his death in November at the age of 72. A keen amateur photographer, Mr Jackson lived nearby in King's Lynn, Norfolk, and regularly visited Sandringham to photograph the Royal Family. He also photographed the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations in the 1970s. Mr Jackson's family are submitting the photographs to the Kensington Palace appeal for amateur snaps of the Royal Family to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Nephew Stephen Jackson, 46, said: 'My uncle always had two cameras hanging around his neck just in case one went wrong. He was always on the lookout for a good shot. 'If Edward was still here he definitely would have sent some in. We've picked half a dozen to send through.' Stylish: Diana wore a chic black coat with contrasting aqua cuffs and lapel, and a matching hat on Christmas Day 1988 It comes after the Queen left Windsor Castle for Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where she plans to spend the next two weeks. She and Prince Philip had the idea of turning what had been the home of the Sandringham resident doctor into a weekend bolthole for Prince Charles while he was a student at Cambridge University. When Charles moved on, the Queen and Philip moved in, beginning a tradition that would continue for decades. Whenever the royal couple wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of palace life, it was usually to the unassuming Wood Farm that they escaped. Behind the lens: A keen amateur photographer, Edward Jackson lived nearby in King's Lynn, Norfolk, and regularly visited Sandringham to photograph the Royal Family. Pictured, Mr Jackson with nephew Stephen (left) and out with his camera And when the Duke of Edinburgh stood down from public duties in 2017, it was where he chose to spend his retirement until the Covid-19 pandemic saw him reunite with his wife at Windsor, where he died last April. She will remain on the estate until after February 6, accession day, which marks the 70th anniversary of the death of her father, George VI, who passed away in his sleep while at Sandringham. The date also heralds the start of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which will culminate in a bank holiday extravaganza in June. A mother who went viral with a heartbreaking picture kissing her tiny baby's lifeless body has shared new images of her 'rainbow baby' born a year later to give hope to other parents. Positive birth companion and author Justine Zampogna, 31, from Perth, shared her loss on Instagram in 2018, showing followers a picture of her kissing terminated baby Gigi, 16 weeks, who was diagnosed with anencephaly, a major neural tube defect, at 14 weeks. She's now revealed how she welcomed a rainbow baby boy, now two, a year after losing Gigi, who was born on what should have been his sister's due date if she'd survived. The term 'rainbow baby' is used to describe a baby born to a family after a miscarriage, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth. Positive birth companion and author Justine Zampogna, 31, from Perth, went viral in 2018 for sharing a heartbreaking picture of her daughter Gigi, who was born stillborn due to a brain defect. A year after, she welcomed Jagger, in an emotional home birth (pictured) This poignant image of Justine kissing Gigi, who was born stillborn at 16 weeks, made worldwide headlines in 2018 Justine, who looks after Jagger and his big brother Chase, now six, recalled how she allow herself to enjoy her pregnancy in spite of the previous traumatic experience, and that Jagger was born with the same team and home birth she had planned for Gigi. At the time, Justine's heartfelt post spread across the world, encouraging parents to open up about their own losses and feel supported by an empathetic community. 'For as long as I can remember I have always had a journal and written all of my feelings down,' said Justine. 'However, Instagram for me was only ever a space to share our awesome family beach adventures - I never went deep. 'But the moment I was confronted with having to terminate my baby girl I shared my feelings in a post and I could not believe the response from other grieving mamas. 'My words now had a real purpose and I knew that so many women suffer in silence with this type of loss. Three years on from losing Gigi, Justine is a happy mother-of-two boys, Chase, six, in her arms, and Jagger, now two, in his father's arms, left. She admitted she was uncertain about ever having another baby after Gigi's stillbirth 'My very first journal entry I shared - "my new normal" - the day after birthing Gigi, I received over a thousand private messages from women across the globe telling me that my words were healing and helping them. 'I think there is something really powerful about seeing the way you feel written by someone else - it's externalised and also knowing that you are not alone. 'Every message I read, I cried. I felt so blessed that these women felt as though they could open up to me and share their own pregnancy loss stories with me. Ty kissing terminated baby Gigi, who was diagnosed with anencephaly, a major neural tube defect, at 14 weeks Justine and Ty with Chase and Jagger when the boys were younger. Jagger was born on the estimated date of Gigi's birth if Justine had completed the pregnancy 'But the most special part of it all - these women were helping me just as much as I was helping them. 'The more messages I got - the more I wanted to share - the more I wanted to create a platform for women to feel as though they could speak.' For a short time after giving birth to Gigi, Justine was uncertain about having another baby - but soon she and her husband Ty, 32, decided to try again. 'I already so deeply knew that being a mum was such a blessing,' said Justine. 'But my loss just really intensified this to me. The family shortly after Jagger's birth in 2019. Justine revealed how she decided to celebrate her new pregnancy after losing Gigi The mother-of-two shared beautiful pictures of her home-birth as she and her son Chase welcomed Jagger into their lives 'I was scared the longer I waited, the harder it would be. So after a few months of allowing my body to heal we decided to try again.' Justine discovered she was pregnant again in December 2018 - and was surprised by the new baby's due date. 'As soon as I saw those positive pink lines, I celebrated them,' she said. 'I quickly switched my Flo app over to "pregnant" to see when this precious baby of ours would be due and - you wouldn't believe it - the exact same date I birthed Gigi. I knew she was close by.' Chase and Ty comforting Justine during her labour with Jagger in 2019. Justine revealed how her family and community supported her in her recovery from Gigi's passing Chase and Ty looking on as Justine breastfeeds Jagger for the first time in a picture taken after his birth in 2019 The family when Jagger was a baby. Justine said she received thousands of messages from women who went through similar experiences after she went public with Gigi's death WHAT IS ANENCEPHALY? Anencephaly, sometimes referred to as 'open skull', is a rare birth defect. It causes parts of a foetus' brain, scalp and skull to not form completely. The defect occurs during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy, according to Cleveland Clinic. It happens when the neural tube, a channel in the foetus that normally closes to form the spinal cord and brain, doesn't close as it should. As a result, children with anencephaly are born without part of their skull and brain. They are often blind and deaf. Babies with the defect, which strikes one in 5,000 babies each year, tend to die within weeks. There is no cure. Advertisement As Justine's third pregnancy, she was used to the morning sickness and other symptoms - but this time, there was a new poignancy to the experience. 'With Chase, my eldest, I absolutely loved pregnancy,' she said. 'I felt so blessed I was growing life and that we were starting our very own family. Yes, I still always felt a little anxious and so desperately needed that moment of him being safe earthside in my arms but it was nowhere near as heightened as the anxiety I had post-loss. 'This time round was different. We had been exposed to pregnancy loss and the heartache that comes with it. 'So there was anxiety and very mixed emotions with it - not to mention I was still healing from my loss. 'To be completely honest, pregnancy after loss is hard. It's just so different and I'm not sure it will ever be the same. 'A loss intensifies motherhood and just how unbelievably beautiful and precious it is - every single part of it. 'It also exposes you to the heartache on a much deeper level where it's only normal to feel fear, sadness, pain, regret and guilt when experiencing your next pregnancy. 'I think the most important thing was to know that it's okay to feel different - it is only normal. Justine admitted being pregnant again after losing a baby had been hard, because she suffered from heightened anxiety. Pictured with Chase and Jagger when her youngest son was a baby 'Some days were filled with pure happiness and gratitude where I felt so unbelievably connected to my bubba that I was growing. 'And other days were spent missing Gigi so intensely, days of guilt and days of fear, wishing away time, to be in that very moment of having my baby finally here safe in my arms. 'I continued to honour every single emotion. I allowed myself to feel every emotion and then I let it go... sometimes over and over each day. 'But most of all, I gave myself permission to love my rainbow baby that I was growing so much.' Justine decided to have a home birth for Jagger, as she had planned for Gigi, using the same supportive team of midwives. Justine said Chase still talks about Gigi and the family have framed the picture of Justine kissing the stillborn child, left Justine opens up about her experience with grief and pregnancy in her book Birth Book, which is designed to support and empower mothers to experience positive births through their own methods and trust in their own instincts 'During my birth, I drew so much strength from my pregnancy loss journey, having my eldest son by my side and being so close to finally having my rainbow baby in my arms,' she said. 'It was absolute magic. I went in to a whole new world, where I felt so connected to my body and to my baby and the more powerful it became the deeper I went. 'I wanted to make the most of each surge, and as weird as this may sound, after my pregnancy loss journey and that pain I felt, I really wanted to feel birth for all that it is. 'It was at this moment I knew I had to write my interactive book - "Birth Book" - and get it in the hands of all the pregnant women in the world.' Birth Book is designed to support and empower mothers to experience positive births through their own methods and trust in their own instincts. Philippine trade chief urges senate to ratify RCEP Xinhua) 08:49, January 25, 2022 MANILA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry on Monday urged the country's senate to quickly ratify the country's membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade deal. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez warned of the negative impact on the economy if the country continues to delay the ratification of the mega trade deal, emphasizing that the Philippines' economic gains have accrued under globalization and free trade agreements. "Not joining RCEP or delaying our participation will disrupt this momentum. Investments will shy away from the country not participating. There will be capital flight and lost investment opportunities," Lopez said. He told the legislature that RCEP would support the Philippines' inclusion in global chains and improve economic efficiency. "It is not just a simple trade agreement that provides enhanced market access and stable business environment. It is a strategic tool to sustain the region's economic advantage," Lopez said. The trade chief also warned that a delay in ratification would hamper job creation and economic activity, as trade and investments would be diverted from the country to competitors within RCEP. Furthermore, excluding the trade bloc would erode the Philippines' export competitiveness, he added. "RCEP is really for the future of our economy. We have to sustain our growth momentum and show to the international community that the Philippines is indeed an emerging economy open to trade and investment," Lopez said. The Philippines failed to ratify the RCEP agreement in December last year before the free trade deal took effect on January 1. In September 2021, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ratified the RCEP and brought it to the senate for concurrence. RCEP is made up of 10 ASEAN members, as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, covering about 30 percent of the world's population and its gross domestic product. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Donald Trump continues to side with Russia amid its ongoing feud with Ukraine. According to reports, Trump has a strong bond with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that's why he's confident that the ongoing tensions between the two countries wouldn't have happened under his watch. The ex-POTUS released his cryptic statement seemingly as a chide at Joe Biden's administration and the POTUS's recent claim that Russia would suffer the consequences of their actions if they launched an attack against Ukraine. But former National Security Council staffer Alexander Vindman slammed Trump for his comments. He also said that Putin's renewed aggression against Ukraine must have to do with what he saw during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. After all, Trump reportedly incited violence at the time and encouraged his supporters to flock to the US Capitol to take back what's theirs. "What's happening in Ukraine is the direct result of Trump's attack on democracy. Absent January 6th, Putin would likely not be preparing to launch the largest offensive in Europe since WWII. Putin's sense of American weakness emanates from Trump-incited hyperpolarization. Trump's fondness for Putin infected the far-right media echo chamber," Vindman said via the Huffington Post. Donald Trump impeachment revisited According to Business Insider, Trump was impeached three years ago partly because he urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden while freezing $400 million in military aid until he got the answers he was looking for. Reports confirmed that the military aid was put on hold for approximately 90 minutes following Trump's phone call with Zelensky. During their conversation, Trump also urged the Ukrainian president to launch an inquiry into Biden's son, Hunter, over allegations of corruption. Read Also: Britain Sides With Ukraine Amid Ongoing Tensions With Russia, Says Pro-Moscow Administration Could Replace Government It also took several months before the military aid was released to Ukraine, and it was only after Trump found out that a whistleblower filed a complaint against him. Donald Trump makes shocking claims about Russia, Ukraine Trump also made some shocking claims about Russia and Ukraine in the past. In 2018, he said that Crimea should belong to Russia simply because the locals there spoke Russian. A year later, Trump also rationalized Russia's desire to retain Crimea by saying that it had built a military base there. He also said that it is where they do submarine work and dock large and powerful submarines. Trump also praised Putin repeatedly before, and after he took office at the White House, so the two leaders' history goes a long way back. Joe Biden's administration dealing with several possible attacks On the other hand, the Biden administration is siding with Ukraine amid its ongoing tensions with Russia. According to CNN, Biden decided to put up 8,500 troops on alert to rush to Eastern Europe if Russia attacks Ukraine. However, this isn't the only possible attack that the United States faces right now. There is also an ongoing tension between Taiwan and China over their disputed territories. US forces are also at a base in Abu Dhabi, waiting to take action in case of an attack. The country is also placed in danger by association with the vicious war in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Related Article: Joe Biden Considers Sending US Troops to Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia To Broaden NATO's Efforts Amid Ukraine-Russia Tensions @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A driving instructor has divided opinions after offering learners desperate to beat the six-month wait for a test an opportunity to buy last minute slots for five times the usual price. Over the last two weeks, Steve Cogan, who lives in Shepherd's Bush, has repeatedly taken to Facebook marketplace claiming to have 30 'February dates' at 10 different driving test centres. The driving instructor is charging an eye-watering 212 rather than the usual 62-75, but says he is simply 'trying to do good' and help drivers beat London's six-month waiting times. The unnamed examiner who gave Steve the dates is being investigated by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Steve Cogan, (pictured) who lives in Shepherd's Bush, has been charging learner drivers up to five times the usual price of a test to beat the queue When contacted by undercover reporters, Steve boasted that he could secure test slots for as soon as three days away, despite the centres being booked up for months on the official system. The father-of-two bragged that he's been selling tests from the 'very handy' mystery examiner for 'a couple of months' and even claimed hopeful learners engaged in a bidding war over one in-demand area of London that saw the test slot go for a staggering 300. It remains unclear how the unidentified examiner is able to provide the slots to other instructors, or whether he is breaching any rules or guidelines when doing so. Self-confessed 'middle man' Steve has since told reporters he is 'just trying to do good' but admitted pocketing 10 per booking before handing the remaining profits to the examiner. Driving instructor organisations have united to condemn the unnamed examiner's actions as 'unfair' and called on him to be 'named and shamed'. Steve said: 'It's a six-month waiting list so I was just trying to help some people out. I'm sure there's people that would say it's fair and some people who say it isn't. 'I don't buy [the tests]. I'm just a middle man. If you look at the DVSA and look who has bought them, my name won't be next to it. I go through someone else. 'I've got someone who lets me know they've got these tests, then I pass them out to my students and anyone who needs them. Steve (pictured), who claims to make just 10 from each booking, said he's 'trying to do good' by helping learners in search of last-minute test slots 'I was just trying to help some people, and I only make 10 from each booking and the rest goes to the other party. 'It's not a huge amount of money. I thought I was doing people some favours by offering out the contact that I've got. 'The guy's an examiner or an ex-examiner. I didn't think it was dodgy, not really. There's hundreds of apps out there that you can get driving cancellations on. I just assumed it was one of those. 'A student got in contact with him, and then she put me in contact with him. I'm trying to do good. 'Some people will put the time in to press that refresh button and keep clicking, spending 20 hours a day doing it, and some people would rather pay someone else to do it. 'If it's not allowed then I will happily stop right now. I don't want to get in trouble and I don't want to get anyone else in trouble. I don't want to get on the wrong side of anyone, let alone the DVSA.' Steve's Facebook listing's included slots at London test centres Southall, Uxbridge, Greenford, Ashford, Mill Hill, Hither Green, Pinner, Yeading, Goodmayes and Isleworth. Aleksandrs Krasuckis, 33, is among those who think Steve is right to offer queue-jump tests at various centres (pictured), as his partner has been waiting since 2021 for a slot Driving tests cost 62 to be taken on a weekday and 75 for a weekend, but by paying an extra 150 and providing your provisional driving licence and theory pass numbers Steve says he can help jump the queue. Aleksandrs Krasuckis, 33, who lives in London, revealed his partner Korina Anderson, 29, has had to wait from September until next month to take her test three hours away from home. He believes Steve was only doing the right thing for himself, and wasn't considering the impact the scheme has on the long waiting times. Aleksandrs said: 'I was surprised and annoyed when I saw it. I thought 'what the hell'. It's just not fair. He's being selfish and taking advantage of desperate learners. 'Who is he doing the right thing for? It must be himself because he's earning money from it. When the price is that high, it's not the right thing for everyone. 'I was just p***** off with this kind of person, keeping the slots for themselves. I understand it's quicker and that's a good thing but it's too high of a price for me. 'The DVSA should be looking into it, and maybe the trainees should book the test themselves and not the driving instructor. It would cut out this kind of thing.' Steve said everyone who has paid for his fast-track test service (pictured) has been 'very thankful', while comparing himself to an airline offering priority boarding Steve, whose Facebook claims he's also a mortgage advisor, says he has been called 'kind' for providing the quick-booking tests to learners and even suggests the DVSA should begin to operate it in the same way airlines provide priority boarding. Steve said: '[The examiner] said he's got a network of instructors and he's contacting everyone saying, "If any of your students aren't ready for their tests, we can give someone the option of taking their space". 'He said the money can go to giving that person some driving lessons until they can get another slot. 'Everyone that has paid the fee has been very thankful, telling me, "It's really kind of you", and they've been over the moon that I've been able to help them'. 'It's only like airlines providing priority boarding. There's an extra cost to that. Maybe the DVSA should do something like that.' Steve deleted his initial Facebook listing after being informed of the DVSA's investigation into the unnamed examiner. However, he has since uploaded more with a similar offer. Steve (pictured) said learners might be more understanding of the price he charges, if they understood the work that goes into finding cancellations Learners have taken to social media complaining that they are unable to find available tests in their area, with one claiming to not have found slots until 2024. One of Steve's posts boasts, 'We can book you a test in a matter of one-two weeks anywhere in West/North West/South West London'. Many members replied to point out they'd messaged him privately, while he sought to reassure wary learners he wouldn't take payment until the DVSA confirmed the booking with them. One user replied: 'So a standard driving test costs 62 and you are charging 150. That is disgusting.' Steve defended his scheme, saying: 'Sorry you feel that way but I don't make the prices up and it's better than waiting six months. 'I understand it's out of budget for some people, but maybe if you understood the work that went into finding the cancellations you might be a little more understanding. 'I appreciate it's not for everyone's budget but if finding a test was easy this service wouldn't be needed. I wish you the best of luck for your test..' A DVSE spokesperson warned any tests booked outside of the official DVSA booking site could be a scam and may result in candidates not having a slot. Pictured: Steve's exchanges with a learner booking a test Other Facebook users appear to be selling driving tests slots on the platform too, with one quoting 162 to secure learners a booking as few as two days prior to the test. The DVSA encourages all pupils to use their official.gov booking website, and any available slots that become available as a result of cancellations will appear there. A DVSA spokesperson said: 'DVSA does not stand for any abuse of our customer service booking systems and are investigating. We will not hesitate in taking action if any misconduct is identified. 'We will take action against any instructor guilty of misconduct at the expense of legitimate candidates who have patiently waited for their opportunity to test. 'Any tests booked outside of the official DVSA booking site could be a scam and may result in candidates not having a test slot. 'We urge anyone to report any tests offered on social media to us.' Lynne Barrie, chairman of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council (ADINJC), said: 'There is an obvious unfairness to everyone else trying to get cancellations and earlier test slots. 'The average waiting time currently is up to six months due to Covid which is causing all sorts of challenges for candidates and ADIs. 'DVSA are trying to reduce that time but this report seems to show an abuse of the system which needs to give fair access to everyone evenly. 'The current system isn't perfect but no one should be circumventing it for their own gain. I'm sure DVSA will investigate thoroughly.' A spokesperson for the Driving Instructors Association added: 'The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) does not accept this type of behaviour from those who are supposed to be professionals in our industry. 'It brings out industry into disrepute, and undoes all the hard work and trust that the ADIs and PDIs put so much effort into building up in order to gain a working and professional relationship with their clients. 'The driving test booking system was designed for the public and driving instructors alike, to be able to freely book test appointments. These are in short supply currently, and waiting times are the highest they have been in many years. 'It is unacceptable for any individual or mechanical process to be able to buy up individual or tranches of test appointments and retail them for profit. 'The DIA has asked the DVSA to look into this problem and it has now established that there is a problem that could possibly be linked to their own staff. 'This is an investigation and the DIA must not compromise that investigation by commenting further, but it must be resolved and the names of those involved should be made known to the industry to be 'named and shamed'.' BBC podcast host Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, has said the 'trauma' of nearly dying in an acute medical emergency is still 'very raw and real' as she returned home after three weeks in hospital. 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. Earlier this month, the mother-of-two announced she had 'nearly died' in hospital, calling it the 'hardest' part of her 5-year cancer battle. Last night, Deborah revealed on Instagram she has now been discharged as an in-patient, and said it had been 'the scariest period' her life, adding: 'Two and a half weeks ago it was touch and go if I made it through the night. BBC podcast host Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, has said the 'trauma' of nearly dying in an acute medical emergency is still 'very raw and real' as she returned home after three weeks in hospital 'Today after 18 days across two hospitals I walked down the steps of the @royalmarsden discharged from life as an in-patient. 'Im not out of the woods yet, and Ill be back in soon, but Ive reach a point that seemed insurmountable weeks ago. I cried on my last IV treatment today. 'The trauma of it all is very raw and real. Im realising Ive been through a lot. 'A lot of everything - seeing my life slip away, being brought back to life, hairy moments, operations, general anaesthesia, antibiotics, pain relief, nervously awaiting blood tests, failured canulars, curve balls, tears. The mother-of-two posted a snapshot of her dog as she relaxed on her sofa at home, and confessed she felt 'shattered' Deborah shared a selection of clips as she was discharged from hospital, but said she is 'not out of the woods yet' 'Its been the scariest time of my life - of my whole families lives.' She continued: 'I dont even know where to begin to thank every single medical person who saved me, who got me through the days, the nights, who did all they can to give me more time. Thank you doesnt even touch the sides. 'Im unsure right now of my next steps, but I have options. And I have to recover first. Get some normality, see the outside world! Eat! 'But right now, Im back home, a place I left not thinking Id see it again. For that, I feel beyond greatful.' Last night, Deborah revealed on Instagram she has now been discharged as an in-patient, and said it had been 'the scariest period' her life She went on to share a series of images and clips as she was discharged from hospital, including as she was wheeled along a hospital corridor and having an IV canular removed. The mother-of-two also posted a snapshot of her dog as she relaxed on her sofa at home, saying: 'I have to say I'm shattered. Think I have weeks of sleep to catch up on. 'And I'm still taking lots of meds. Already had three naps today. And that's after waking up at 10am!' Last week, Deborah said there had been 'a lot of tears' for days while she was in hospital, saying: 'Today has been one of those days where I feel like we are going round in circles. Its the small things that break you sometimes when you are in hospital for too long.' Last week, Deborah said there had been 'a lot of tears' for days while she was in hospital (pictured) She continued: 'Its the failed canulars, being unable to move freely, not feeling like you are making progress, the daily worry about each test, the daily analytics of every bodyily function. 'Wondering if you will ever get a break. Or that golden window for me to get treatment. 'Im just in a place where Ive been able to get the big cracks together (just), but I realised as I started my day off sobbing at our lack of being able to get blood from me, that underneath Im still smashed to pieces. Earlier this week she revealed she had an 'awful night' in hospital after she was 'rushed back into theatre' Deborah, who has incurable bowel cancer, revealed how she 'nearly died' last month in an 'acute medical emergency'. She shared this photo from hospital 'Tomorrow will be a new day, and with that we will find strength to carry on.' However earlier she updated fans to say that she had been told her bloods had 'finally' improved. Last week, Deborah filmed herself walking down a hospital hallway. 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. Sharing the video on Instagram, Deborah wrote: 'Today I walked - its the first time in nine days Ive been able to try. The mother-of-two was told early on that she might not live beyond five years - a milestone that passed in the autumn (pictured) '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. 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 Posting on Instagram earlier this month, 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 Duchess of Cornwall today hosted a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of domestic violence charity Refuge. Camilla, 74, who is a longtime advocate for victims of domestic abuse, was joined by Home Secretary Priti Patel at Clarence House for the reception this afternoon. The royal also met reality star Zara McDermott, who has become an advocate for tackling sexism among young people after opening up about her experiences with sexual assault and revenge porn in a BBC documentary. Appearing alongside Refuge chair, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, and domestic abuse campaigner Erica Osakwe, the royal met Refuge ambassadors, trustees and survivors of domestic abuse. The Duchess of Cornwall met reality star Zara McDermott as she hosted a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of domestic violence charity Refuge Appearing alongside Refuge chair, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, and domestic abuse campaigner Erica Osakwe, the royal met Refuge ambassadors, trustees and survivors of domestic abuse Camilla, 74, who is a longtime advocate for victims of domestic abuse, was joined by Home Secretary Priti Patel at Clarence House for the reception this afternoon The Duchess, who delivered a speech to guests at the event, later visited a Refuge centre to see the emergency accommodation provided to women fleeing domestic abuse. Leading charity Refuge provide various essential services for women including refuges, independent advocacy, community outreach projects and the 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline. Since stepping into the public eye, former Love Island star Zara, 24, has been vocal about issues faced by young women today - recently fronting a BBC Three documentary about sexism and rape culture in Britain. She opened up about a sexual assault where she was 'almost raped' while walking home in broad daylight, only escaping when a group of adults saw the attack and came to help. The royal met reality star Zara, 24, who has become an advocate for tackling sexism among young people after opening up about her own experiences with revenge porn and sexual assault The Home Secretary appeared in high spirits as she attended the event to celebrate 50 years of the leading domestic violence charity The Home Secretary, who has been instrumental in introducing changes in UK law benefiting domestic abuse victims, was seen deep in conversation with the royal The reality star also fronted the highly-acclaimed documentary Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn in which she detailed her two revenge porn ordeals. The Home Secretary has been instrumental in introducing changes in UK law which allows victims of domestic abuse more time to report incidents of common assault or battery against them. Changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill earlier this month mean prosecutions will be able to take place six months from the date the incident is reported to the police - with an overall time limit of two years from the offence to bring a prosecution. Currently, prosecutions must commence within six months of the offence. The Duchess, who delivered a speech to guests at the event, later visited a Refuge centre to see the emergency accommodation provided to women fleeing domestic abuse Camilla has long advocated for more specialist support for victims of domestic abuse, becoming the patron for charity SafeLives in 2020 Priti Patel was in high spirits as she celebrated the charity's 50th anniversary at Clarence House this afternoon Camilla was all smiles as she met leading figures in women's advocacy while marking 50 years of leading domestic abuse charity Refuge Responding to the news that the government intends to extend the time survivors of domestic abuse have to report common assault, Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO, said the charity was 'delighted'. 'As Refuge we work with women every day who know just how hard it can be to report domestic abuse they might not yet have fled their perpetrator, they may fear repercussions, or they might not yet have processed the assault they experienced. Couple that with trust in police being at an all-time low, means the conditions for survivors to come forward is incredibly challenging.' She added: 'This amendment, when it comes into practice, will make an enormous difference to survivors of domestic abuse and will help offer much greater protection to women and girls. Camilla has long advocated for more specialist support for victims of domestic abuse, becoming the patron for charity SafeLives in 2020. Camilla was deep in conversation with reality star Zara, who has been vocal about issues faced by young women today since stepping into the public eye Camilla, pictured posing with guests at the reception, later visited a Refuge centre to see the emergency accommodation provided to women fleeing domestic abuse The Duchess, who is a longtime advocate for victims of domestic abuse, is pictured posing for a photograph with guests of the reception this afternoon The royal, who previously expressed fear that the coronavirus pandemic would have a 'horrific' impact on the levels of abuse, recently opened up about the very personal effect witnessing domestic abuse has had on her. Speaking to the Telegraph at a women's refuge in Reading, Berkshire, Camilla spoke passionately about the fact many of us across Britain will know domestic abuse victims. 'Well I think if you've known somebody then it really does hit home', she said. 'You feel "goodness, this is probably going on under my nose and I didn't know about it". 'And that makes you feel guilty, in a way, that you weren't there to help at the time you were probably most needed.' 'I've certainly known people who have suffered... suffered from it. You think "oh well, domestic abuse means that somebody's hit you occasionally when you've had a row or somebody's gone too far". 'But you've got no idea what really goes on in most relationships.' A former gymnast who was abused by convicted sex offender Larry Nassar as a teenager has revealed how she trusted him so implicitly that she didn't realize he had sexually assaulted her until 20 years later when accusations against him made headlines. Danielle Moore, 36, was just 13 when Nassar began abusing her under the guise of offering medical care often when her father was in the room, his view strategically blocked. The abuse went on for four years, but Moore like so many other victims told The Cut that she 'trusted him because he was a doctor,' assuming that the way he was touching her was medically sound. It wasn't until two decades later, when Moore was working as a therapist for sex offenders, that she learned that Nassar had been accused of sexual abuse and she suddenly realized that what he had done to her was abuse, too. Danielle Moore, 36, was just 13 when Larry Nassar began abusing her under the guise of offering medical care Moore (pictured as a teen gymnast) says she trusted Nassar so implicitly that she didn't realize he'd assaulted her until 20 years later when accusations against him made headlines Moore grew up in Michigan, where she did gymnastics and was 'treated' by Nassar, the gymnastics-team doctor at Michigan State University. She was just 13 when the abuse began. 'The first time he put his hands up my shorts at the Michigan State sports-medicine clinic, I trusted that he was performing a medical treatment,' she said. 'He was the Olympic doctor, and I was a 13-year-old kid, a freshman on my high-school gymnastics team suffering from a back injury. 'An osteopath, Nassar said that manipulating one part of my body would help another. I trusted him because he was a doctor an important doctor.' Helping her feel at ease was the fact that her father was in the room when the abuse happened, though he couldn't see what was going on. 'This was one of Nassars tactics: He would have a parent in the room and strategically block his or her view, so the child would think everything was okay,' she said. 'I remember feeling embarrassed, hoping my dad wouldnt be able to see up my shorts. Nassar treated me all throughout high school.' The abuse went on for four years, but Moore - like so many other victims - 'trusted him because he was a doctor' Moore went into adulthood not making the connection that what she had experienced was sexual abuse. In fact, decades later she was working on her postdoctorate as a therapist for sex offenders in an Illinois prison, and while she listened to these men's stories every day, she still didn't connect them with her own. During group counseling sessions, she listened to 'gut-wrenching' stories, believing some of the men could be rehabilitated and others not. It was during this time, while the way home from work, that she learned of the first public accusations against Nassar from her mother 'The instant she said it, I thought, Im not surprised. At the same time I wondered, Why am I not surprised?' she said. 'I knew.' Moore had to pull over as the realization came upon her. 'Decades later, realizing the truth, I felt numb,' she said. At first, she struggled with guilt about not being able to recognize that he was an abuser, describing how she 'spiraled' and questioned her own ability to do her job. She felt 'extremely numb, like a zombie' and reached out to a therapist, a lawyer, and the police. Moore was there in court in 2018 for Nassar's sentencing, where she read a victim impact statement 'I feel worthless because of what you did to me,' she said in court in January 2018 The stress was so bad that she developed a heart condition, and she says she also battled pain from injuries that Nassar didn't actually treat. She continued to grapple with the effects of her realization, suddenly understanding things about her own past behavior, like why she had been in an abusive marriage at 19. Eventually, she checked into a trauma-treatment facility for 25 days. Moore was there in court in 2018 for Nassar's sentencing, where she read a victim impact statement. 'He broke me. He stole my innocence,' she said in court, revealing how she'd self-harmed and had sducidal thoughts. 'I feel worthless because of what you did to me,' she said. 'Feeling worthless is a difficult emotion to describe,' she went on. 'You blame yourself for not being able to pull yourself out of the darkness.' 'All aspects of my young life was torn apart. I will never be whole againI still feel unworthy of a pain-free life,' she said. 'The past year and few months have been the most difficult and trying time of my life. Because of this, I had to resign from my job. As I fell deeper into depression, I no longer wanted to live. Moore said she has come a long way since her lowest point, but some things are still hard 'You abused your power, authority and stature to prey on others who were already in pain, helpless and without a voice. I hope that your self-pity is as dark and more terrifying than my feeling of hopelessness.' Though she described the ways he'd hurt her, she ended on a powerful note. 'You were stripped by your title of doctor, and soon you will be known by your prison number. I find this fitting because a number is what I was to you. I will no longer be known as a number. I will be known as Dr. Danielle Moore,' she said. Speaking to The Cut, Moore said she has come a long way since her lowest point, but some things are still hard. Speaking in court to the sound of 'deafening' camera shutters has stuck with her, and she now finds that sound triggering. 'There were many hurdles,' she said. 'I knew cognitively that none of this was my fault, but still, there was that feeling. 'I also had to cope with the constant reminders of Nassar in the news, which hit like little bombs.' 'With the help of a therapist, I began to figure out how to navigate these kinds of things. I learned to allow myself time to recuperate from the triggering news stories, not to beat myself up if I needed to take a day to regain my balance,' she said. Advertisement Malia Obama was all smiles as she was spotted leaving a smoke shop in Los Angeles on Sunday, just a week after she was photographed enjoying a cigarette break at work. The 23-year-old Harvard grad has reportedly scored a position on the writing staff of a new Amazon project by Donald Glover, and it looks like she is enjoying her time in the City of Angels. Malia, who has been smoking for years, was seen holding what appeared to be a Hyppe Max Flow disposable nicotine vape. The shop was located in Los Feliz, a hip LA neighborhood that celebrities like Harry Styles and Angelina Jolie call home. Malia Obama was spotted leaving a smoke shop in Los Angeles with a smile on her face on Sunday The Harvard grad is living in the City of Angels after reportedly scoring a position on the writing staff of a new Amazon project by Donald Glover The shop was located in Los Feliz, a hip LA neighborhood that celebrities like Harry Styles and Angelina Jolie call home The former first daughter was dressed casually in a baggy gray sweatsuit, and she topped off the look in the most California way possible with a pair of cozy $150 Birkenstock clogs worn with socks. The former first daughter's long dark hair was worn in loose waves around her shoulders, and she pulled her face mask down to her chin after she left the store. Malia didn't have a bag with her, and instead, she carried her belongings in her hand, including her cellphone, wallet, pack of gum, and vape. The fresh-faced writer was smiling from ear to ear as she left the store, which requires patrons to be 21 or older to enter, and hopped in a friend's car. A few days later, Malia was spotted grabbing coffee with a friend on Tuesday at Alfred, a chain in Los Angeles. The former first daughter pulled her face mask down to her chin as soon as she left the store Malia was seen holding what appeared to be a Hyppe Max Flow disposable nicotine vape when she left the shop Malia was dressed casually in a gray crewneck sweatshirt and matching sweatpants She had on a gray cropped zip-up hoodie that showed a sliver of her stomach and baggy khakis, which she paired with tan and white Nike sneakers featuring a red swoosh. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bunch with a few face-framing tendrils framing her face, and she had a MA'O Organic Farms grocery bag slung over her shoulder. The bag was possibly a souvenir from her family's recent holiday trip to Hawaii or a gift from her mother, who toured the organic farm in Waianae back in 2011 when she was first lady. Malia carried her cellphone in her hand as she walked into the coffee shop with a male companion, who was possibly a co-worker. They grabbed a seat outside where they could soak up the California sun. The Obama girls have mostly shied away from the spotlight, particularly since their father's presidency came to an end in early 2017. Malia topped off her California casual look with $150 Birkenstock clogs worn with socks Malia's long dark hair was worn in loose waves around her shoulders while she ran errands Malia didn't have a bag with her, and instead, she carried her belongings in her hand, including her cellphone, wallet, pack of gum, and vape Malia was smiling brightly, presumably at her friend who was waiting for her in the parking lot The smoke shop that she visited requires patrons to be 21 and over to enter Months after her family left the White House, Malia who had taken a year off from school enrolled at Harvard University. She graduated in the spring of 2021. She'd long shown an interest in filmmaking she interned on the set of Extant in high school and with The Weinstein Company in 2017 and is now working on an unnamed project for Amazon in Los Angeles. Last Tuesday, Malia was photographed outside in LA, dressed for relatively cool weather in a bright yellow sweater with a zipper at the top. She wore that over cropped green pants and black sandals, accessorizing her look with a pair of sunglasses and a canvas tote bag. Malia was seen at a coffee shop working on what looked like scripts before taking a smoke break. She then met up with a photographer friend, who took several photos of her with her camera. Malia has been smoking cigarettes for years and has been photographed enjoying a puff numerous times over the years Malia, who had taken a year off from school before college, graduated from Harvard University in the spring of 2021 The aspiring writer was seen hopping into the driver's seat of a friend car after leaving the smoke shop A few days after Malia stopped by the smoke shop, she was seen grabbing a coffee with a friend at Alfred The Harvard grad had on a gray cropped zip-up hoodie that showed a sliver of her stomach and baggy khakis. She also carried a bag from MA'O, an organic farm in Waianae, Hawaii, that her mom visited back in 2011 when she was first lady Her younger sister Sasha, 20, was also photographed in LA last week. Her presence in the same city may come as a surprise to some, as she was previously living in Michigan for college. A source revealed to DailyMail.com that she has transferred to a school in Los Angeles, with rumors swirling on social media that she is now a student at the University of Southern California. Sasha's parents were seen dropping her off at the University of Michigan in 2019, and several other students reported seeing her on campus. However, she appears to have made the decision to transfer at some point during the pandemic, though it is unclear if she did so for her sophomore year in 2020 or her junior year in 2021. Twitter chatter from November indicates that she may have transferred to USC. Responding to a since-deleted tweet, one Twitter user asserted: 'Sasha left Michigan for USC.' Her hair was pulled up in a messy bunch with a few face-framing tendrils framing her face Malia topped off her look with a pair of tan and white Nike sneakers featuring a red swoosh Malia and her friend grabbed a seat outside the coffee chain where they could soak up the California sun Malia was photographed enjoying a cigarette break at work in Los Angeles last Tuesday Malia's younger sister Sasha, 20, is also living in LA and is believed to be a student at the University of Southern California after transferring from the University of Michigan If Sasha did, in fact, transfer, her classmates certainly seem to be respecting her privacy, as the move has been kept fairly under the radar. DailyMail.com reached out to a spokesperson for the Obamas, who declined to comment. Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are pictured with Malia (far right) and Sasha (second from left) Sasha did appear to be on USC's campus in photos on Tuesday, which showed someone wearing a T-shirt for the school in the background. She was photographed, though, not in school spirit duds but an experimental ensemble made up of a mix of prints and colors. The former first daughter started with a light-green sleeveless top with artwork on the front, layering that with a zip-up sweater made up of a patchwork of different prints, including tie-dyes of various colors. Over that she wore a pair of oversized denim overalls, one shoulder undone and hanging open, exposing a cherry-print garment on the bottom. She didn't skimp on accessories, either, adding a printed green scarf on her head, layered multicolor bead necklaces, dangling earrings, colorful sneakers, and a rainbow tie-dye tote bag. She also seemed to recently have her nails done and was rocking long colorful acrylics on her fingers. Sasha was photographed out for a walk with Apple AirPods in her ears, but she stopped at one point to sit and use her MacBook on her lap while simultaneously looking at her iPhone. 'Snake oil' genetic tests marketed to produce 'designer babies' do not work, experts claimed today. Some fertility clinics in the US have started offering polygenic risk score tests which claim to predict genetic conditions such as heart disease and type 1 diabetes in embryos. And there are fears the technology could go on to be used to help pick out desirable traits, such as height and intelligence. The tests cost around 1,000 for a single test and upwards of 3,000 for a full round of IVF. But a consortium of European experts has slammed the practice for a lack of clinical proof, calling for them to be banned until further research is done. Embryo biopsies needed to perform the tests can accidentally damage the fertilised eggs because the process delays cell division by a few hours. This may force couples into another round of costly IVF, the panel warned. Polygenic risk testing differs from preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which is legal in the UK. PGD is used to screen for 500 diseases including cystic fibrosis that have a single gene mutation that triggers them. But most illnesses associated with DNA quirks like heart disease or type 1 diabetes are caused by multiple genes, which can also affect other areas of the body in different ways. Professor Markus Perola, a geneticist at the University of Helsinki, described the tests as 'unusable, unethical and unpractical'. Aurea Smigrodzki was the first person to be born after undergoing polygenic tests in May 2020 after her parents chose a specific embryo. 'Snake oil' genetic tests marketed to produce designer babies do not work and can cause harm to embryos, experts claimed today. Pictured: A preconception screening kit which can give couples thinking of having a baby some idea of what their offspring's predisposition to certain conditions and diseases might be Orchid Biosciences, who also provide polygenic risk score tests Professor Markus Perola (left), a geneticist at the University of Helsinki, described the tests as 'unusable, unethical and unpractical'. Dr Francesca Forzano (right), a medic at King's College London, warned prospective IVF parents in Britain not to be lured across the Atlantic for the tests More than 390,000 babies have been born with IVF in Britain since the treatment was first made available in 1991. Polygenic risk scores are not currently available on the NHS, but their legal status in private clinics remains murky. The tests are currently offered by US companies, including Genomic Production in New Jersey and Orchid Biosciences in California. It is not offered on the NHS in Britain but is not technically illegal in private practices, with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority regulator not able to prevent the treatments being given. Experts warned British couples seeking IVF treatment not to be lured across the Atlantic for the costly treatments. The warning was published in the European Journal of Human Genetics. HOW DOES IVF WORK? In-vitro fertilisation, known as IVF, is a medical procedure in which a woman has a fertilised egg inserted into her womb to become pregnant. It is used when couples are unable to conceive naturally, and a sperm and egg are removed from their bodies and combined in a laboratory before the embryo is inserted into the woman. Once the embryo is in the womb, the pregnancy should continue as normal. The procedure can be done using eggs and sperm from a couple or those from donors. Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that IVF should be offered on the NHS to women under 43 who have been trying to conceive through regular unprotected sex for two years. People can also pay for IVF privately, which costs an average of 3,348 for a single cycle, according to figures published in January 2018, and there is no guarantee of success. The NHS says success rates for women under 35 are about 29 per cent, with the chance of a successful cycle reducing as they age. Around eight million babies are thought to have been born due to IVF since the first ever case, British woman Louise Brown, was born in 1978. Chances of success The success rate of IVF depends on the age of the woman undergoing treatment, as well as the cause of the infertility (if it's known). Younger women are more likely to have a successful pregnancy. IVF isn't usually recommended for women over the age of 42 because the chances of a successful pregnancy are thought to be too low. Between 2014 and 2016 the percentage of IVF treatments that resulted in a live birth was: 29 per cent for women under 35 23 per cent for women aged 35 to 37 15 per cent for women aged 38 to 39 9 per cent for women aged 40 to 42 3 per cent for women aged 43 to 44 2 per cent for women aged over 44 Advertisement Asked if prospective parents should be aware of being duped, Dr Francesca Forzano, a medic at King's College London, told a press conference: 'This is the message. 'We do not really have any say on what individuals can do. 'There are a lot of situations when couples have moved from one country to another within Europe to have IVF practices not allowed in their country. 'This is a private market, so it is very different to what is an NHS embedded activity so it is very difficult to have a clear sense what is happening in the population.' They also claimed the murky science behind the tests is particularly ineffective for couples from non-white backgrounds, because the studies behind the tests usually used data from European groups. They argued there is currently no clinical research to support the tests' use in selecting desirable traits in embryos during IVF. Researchers currently use polygenic risk scores to study genetic diseases, but no clinical research has been done on how safe or effective it is in an IVF setting. Professor Maurizio Genuardi, president of the European Society of Human Genetics, said: 'At the current stage [polygenic test scores] cannot be used [in IVF screening]. 'The main problem is there are institutions that sell these tests to parents with the hope that this can be helpful to select better embryos designer babies. 'But the information that is provided is not accurate. 'If we consider couples as patients, it is not correct to offer these tests because they have no benefit. We are making them pay for something that has no benefit. 'If they are considered customers, the hope they will have better babies is misleading at best because there is no evidence.' Despite the lack of research, private clinics have been offering the tests to prospective parents in the US for the past few years. Experts said the tests can be risky because it is not always clear how genes that cause certain disease risks might be benefitting people in other ways. They say deliberately selecting to remove them could have bad consequences as a result. Also, the chances of being able to select for specific favourable characteristics such as musical ability or beauty are almost impossible, Professor Perola said. In a theoretical example, he explained if the chances of being of high intelligence, height and another desirable trait are all five per cent, the probability of a successful embryo having all three would be just one in 16,000. This means the IVF procedure would 'easily' need tens of thousands of embryos to be effective at selecting. Typically, between eight and 14 eggs are retrieved in a round of IVF. The proportion of all IVF cycles to patients aged 40-plus has more than doubled from 10 per cent (689 cycles) in 1991 to 21 per cent (14,761 cycles) in 2019, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) (stock image) Speaking at a press briefing today, he said: 'If you sell this kind of thing, I would say you are selling snake oil. 'Im not here to tell you polygenic risk scores do not work in research. 'Im here to tell you why they are practically impossible to use in genetic selection. 'Polygenic tests for selection are currently unusable, unethical and unpractical and pretty much any other "un" word you can think of.' Dr Forzano also called for the HFEA to be given the power to investigate and stop the practice in private clinics in Britain. Her calls were echoed by infertility charities, who slammed 'neither scientifically nor ethically legitimate' companies for providing the tests. Sarah Norcross, director of Progress Educational Trust, said the charity supports the warning to parnets not to 'waste their money' on the tests. She called on the HFEA to clarify the 'legal and regulatory status of such tests within the UK' Ms Norcross said: 'The Advertising Standards Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority should keep a careful eye on whether and how such tests are marketed to UK patients. 'It is neither scientifically nor ethically legitimate to try to select embryos using polygenic risk scores.' She continued: ' Even if for the sake of argument, and despite a complete lack of clinical evidence a polygenic risk score could meaningfully predict certain things about certain embryos, the sheer number of embryos that would be needed to make use of this test could not be achieved in a clinical setting. 'There are precious few embryos to choose from in a fertility treatment context, and so reasons for preferring one embryo over another must be grounded in clear evidence. 'Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions is evidence based, whereas preimplantation genetic testing using polygenic risk scores is not.' Advertisement Covid appears to be continuing its retreat from the United States, with cases now down five percent nationwide over the past two weeks. The latest figures also show that, for the first time this year, no US states are seeing cases double or grow by a larger proportion in recent weeks for the first time this year. The U.S. is now averaging 723,820 cases per day. Health experts have speculated that Omicron would peak soon, with Dr Anthony Fauci saying Sunday it was likely all US states would hit their peak by mid-February at the latest. The rapid transmission of the variant caused cases to skyrocket, but also made sure it quickly ran out of people to infect. Data from abroad, and specifically the UK and South Africa, showed that the variant peaks quickly, then falls quickly, once it take hold. Two weeks ago, the U.S. was recording 766,939 cases per day. Last week's totals are skewed by the Martin Luther King Jr day holiday, and lagged reporting of cases throughout the week caused lower case numbers early in the week. But state-by-state charts do show many states' infection rates are consistently trending downwards. The tri-state area - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut - became America's initial Omicron epicenter in December, but infection rates there have since gone into freefall, suggesting that predictions the variant would burn itself out quickly were correct. Despite the slowing of cases, deaths remain on the rise. The U.S. is averaging 2,122 new daily Covid deaths, up 30 percent over the past two weeks. Deaths often lag behind case by around two weeks, sparking hopes that fatality rates could also start to plunge in the same way infections have very soon. It appears that cases peaked at 806,364 per day on January 15, meaning it is likely deaths peak in the coming days as well. Dropping cases nationwide is also being reflected in state-by-state Covid figures. According to official data, not a single state in the U.S. has had its new daily cases double over the past two weeks. Only two weeks ago, every single state in the country had experienced cases jumping by more than 100 percent. States that were hit the earliest by the Omicron variant are seeing the sharpest decline as well. New York and New Jersey - the neighboring states that quickly suffered massive surges last month - are both recording two-week daily case declines of nearly 70 percent as the virus appears to subside. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a bizarre move on Tuesday despite rising cases, halting the use of monoclonal antibody treatments developed by major pharmaceutical companies like Regeneron and Eli Lilly. The agency notes the apparent lack of effectiveness these drugs have against the Omicron variant as the reason for the decision, even though Delta remains prevalent in the US, and responds well to the monoclonal drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said earlier this month that Omicron was not causing many deaths in the U.S., and instead the lingering cases of the Delta variant were causing the most harm to Americans. In the time since, the Omicron variant has almost totally overtaken Delta - accounting for more than 99 percent of active cases in the U.S. per CDC data. Monoclonal antibody drugs are highly effective against the Delta variant, and the main downside of using them is their expense and the high number of medical resources needed to distribute them. Now, recently approved antiviral pills like Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's molnupiravir will likely take over as the main treatments for people after they have been infected with Covid. The Covid vaccines are also effective at preventing infection all together - especially if a person is boosted as well - and vaccinated people generally have much more mild symptoms after infection. Official CDC data reports that 75 percent of Americans have received at least one shot of a Covid vaccine, 63 percent are fully vaccinated. Just over 25 percent of Americans have received a Covid booster shot. In the UK, daily Covid cases have begun to steady after massive falls in recent weeks. The nation was one of the hardest struck by the Omicron variant last month, with cases surging as high as 180,000 per day on average. Cases quickly plummeted after peaking in early January. South Africa, the first nation to suffer a massive surge of cases late last year after discovering the new variant in late November, has seen a rapid decline in cases over recent weeks as well. Cases peaked at over 23,437 new cases per day in mid-December, and are down to 3,110 as on Monday. While U.S. appears to be beyond its peak of Covid cases, its trend downwards may not be as rapid nationwide as it is in some of its peer nations. America is a much larger country than others, and its not very densely populated. There are also long distances between individual population centers, meaning some areas will see COVID spikes much later than others. This means that while cases will rapidly decline in individual areas, like they did in the UK and South Africa, the nationwide trends will not be as dramatic. Omicron's surge has a clear westward trajectory, and has also seemed to move beyond the Mississippi river and into the Great Frontier. Numbers may not appear to be dropping as dramatically in the U.S. as it did in other countries, but that is more the case of a clear east-west divide rather than the variant acting differently in America than it did elsewhere. Only one state east of the Mississippi river is recording more than an 85 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks, Kentucky. Every other state in the eastern portion of the nation is either reporting declining cases or smaller increases. Twenty states are currently recording either a decline in cases over the past two weeks, or a flat zero increase. Only three are west of the Mississippi river, with Louisiana - down 28 percent - being along the river itself. From Maine to Florida, nearly every state along the east coast is recording a decline in cases. New York and New Jersey are recording 68 percent and 69 percent decline respectively - a similar to drop to what England experienced after reaching its peak. Other states along the coast like Pennsylvania (45 percent), Massachusetts (44 percent) and Florida (43 percent) are also reporting massive case declines over the past two weeks. Even states out west that are experiencing rising cases are seeing the rate of daily infection increases at a lower level. States like Montana and Wyoming that were experiencing near 200 percent increases in cases last week have seen two-week case growth fall to around 65 percent each. North Dakota - also recording near 200 percent jumps last week - is the leader in national case increases at 96 percent. Rhode Island's long time lead as the U.S. leader in daily infection rates has finally ended, and the state has seen a rapid decline from more than 500 or every 100,000 people testing positive daily down to 260. The Ocean state has exited the top ten U.S. states in infection rate. Kansas is now the national leader in infection rate, with 365 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for Covid everyday. The Wheat state leads a group of seven that are averaging more than 300 daily infections out of every 100,000 residents. Three eastern states still remain among the leaders in infection rate, as some parts of the region are still at their peak of cases, or are still at the start of post-peak decline. Kentucky is recording 334 new cases per every 100,000 residents, South Carolina is logging 312, and North Carolina is at 302. Maine (56 infections per 100,000 residents) and Maryland (76) are still the only states recording less than 100 cases per 100,000 residents, as many states still have a long way to go until cases get back to controlled levels. Ohio is still the national leader in mortality rate, recording 1.3 deaths per every 100,000 residents every day. The Buckeye state is among eight state that are recording more than one death for every 100,000 residents every day. The group includes some states that are recording massive declines in cases like New Jersey (1.09 deaths per 100,000 residents), New York (1.06) and Maryland (1.04), further showing how deaths can lag a few weeks behind cases. Across the pond, the UK has seen new daily cases settle at around 90,000 per day - with the nation adding 88,447 new cases to the ledger on Monday. It is a far fall from the case peak at around 180,000 cases per day earlier this month and a surge that once looked devastating has quickly been controlled. London, like New York City, has proved to be the national pandemic hotspot in England. The city in the southwestern region of the nation was slammed early and hard by the Omicron variant, with cases skyrocketing so quickly some feared the region would have to reenter lockdowns. Cases in London quickly began to decline, though, and the new restrictions and overwhelming of hospitals that some experts predicted never materialized. The virus started to move northward and eastward afterwards, though, with cases declining in London and other nearby neighborhoods while the virus surged elsewhere. Nearly every region of the UK is experiencing case declines now, though, as it appears that the Omicron variant has run its course in the country. Only a month ago, some experts feared the nation's healthcare system would be overrun, but now its fortunes have totally reversed and the leaders are even beginning the transition to post-pandemic life. Last week, mandates put in place to combat Omicron, like work from home orders, mask mandates, vaccine checks for certain events and capacity restrictions were lifted. Requirements for travelers into the nation to test upon arrival were lifted Monday as well. Pfizer, and its partner BioNTech, have started clinical trials for a new COVID-19 vaccine that is specifically targeted at the Omicron variant, which they say could be available as early as late March. The New York City based pharmaceutical company announced Tuesday that it is recruiting 1,420 participants for a three cohort trial that will determine the safety and effectiveness of the company's shot. It has launched the trial despite CDC data showing that the fast-spreading variant already appears to have peaked in the US, meaning it could have largely disappeared by the time a shot is ready. Albert Bourla, CEO of the company, indicated earlier this month that his company expects to submit data for authorization to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March. Some of the participants are the same as those who took part in trials for the company's booster shot and all are between the ages of 18 to 55 - implying the jab will only be available to adults at first. An Omicron-specific vaccine has been sought after since the variant was first discovered by South African health officials in late-November, and early indicators were discovered that it could evade vaccine protection. In the time since, scientists have confirmed that the variant can evade vaccine immunity and while boosters can shore up protection, a jab tailored to the new strain could be the most effective at preventing its spread. But new data shows that the sheer infectiousness of Omicron may ultimately stop its spread. Pfizer has started trials for its Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine. The jab is being tested in one, two and three dose series. The company hopes to make the shot available as early as March (file photo) The U.S. is now averaging 723,820 cases per day. Health experts have speculated that Omicron would peak soon, with Dr Anthony Fauci saying Sunday it was likely all US states would hit their peak by mid-February at the latest. The rapid transmission of the variant caused cases to skyrocket, but also made sure it quickly ran out of people to infect. Data from abroad, and specifically the UK and South Africa, showed that the variant peaks quickly, then falls quickly, once it take hold. Two weeks ago, the U.S. was recording 766,939 cases per day. Last week's totals are skewed by the Martin Luther King Jr day holiday, and lagged reporting of cases throughout the week caused lower case numbers early in the week. But state-by-state charts do show many states' infection rates are consistently trending downwards. The tri-state area - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut - became America's initial Omicron epicenter in December, but infection rates there have since gone into freefall, suggesting that predictions the variant would burn itself out quickly were correct. Some experts believe the March rollout of the shots may be too late, as by then the Omicron Covid wave that is already showing signs of receding may be gone altogether. Pictured: A man in Nevada receives a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine on December 21 'While current research and real-world data show that boosters continue to provide a high level of protection against severe disease and hospitalization with Omicron, we recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address Omicron and new variants in the future,' said Kathrin Jansen, head of Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer, said in a statement. 'Staying vigilant against the virus requires us to identify new approaches for people to maintain a high level of protection, and we believe developing and investigating variant-based vaccines, like this one, are essential in our efforts towards this goal.' The trial will test three different regimens for the new vaccine. A one shot jab will be given to 615 participants, two shots to 600 participants and a three shot version for 200. Each of the participants received the Pfizer vaccine for their additional vaccine regimen. Those in the one shot group are not boosted, while those in the two and three shot groups had previously received the Pfizer booster shot. 'This study is part of our science-based approach to develop a variant-based vaccine that achieves a similar level of protection against Omicron as it did with earlier variants but with longer duration of protection.' Ugur Sahin, the CEO and co-founder of German-based BioNTech, said in a statement. The vaccine is similar to that of the existing Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine, the most popularly used shot in America and much of the rest of the world. Pfizer said in a statement that production of this new shot, if it proves to be effective, will not lead to any diminished capacity for the company to produce its basic Covid jabs. 'Vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe disease caused by Omicron. Yet, emerging data indicate vaccine-induced protection against infection and mild to moderate disease wanes more rapidly than was observed with prior strains,' Sahin said. BioNTech initially developed the mRNA used to create the vaccine, and had partnered with Pfizer to create a flu vaccine in 2018. The company's pivoted focus once Covid arrived, and developed what is believed to be the gold-standard vaccine against the virus. While Pfizer - and their competitor Moderna - may have Omicron-specific shots ready soon, not all are convinced the shots are necessary. Booster shots have shown the ability to re-establish immunity people have to Covid infection, and even people who are not boosted are still significantly less likely to suffer severe symptoms if they are vaccinated. The Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition at the World Health Organization asked earlier this month for major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer to pivot away from making vaccines that will need frequent updates, and instead to developing shots that are effective long-term. The Omicron wave is also coming to an end in some major countries - like the UK - and is showing signs of receding in the U.S. By the time March rolls around and the shot becomes available, it may not be needed - wasting time and resources that could have gone into research and development of other treatments. 'By the time we get an Omicron-specific vaccine manufactured, this wave will be over,' Peter Marks, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA, told the Wall Street Journal earlier this month. Omicron really is less deadly than Delta or prior COVID variants, new CDC research has confirmed, with deaths down 45 per cent compared to winter 2020, despite the US seeing its highest-ever number of infections. An analysis revealed that despite total cases being 386 percent higher during Omicron than during Delta, deaths actually dropped 3.6 percent compared to during the prior variant. And the difference in mortality rates was even more pronounced when compared to last winter's surge. The rate of cases is 219 percent higher during Omicron, but deaths are down a whopping 45 percent. The data adds to the growing evidence that the Omicron variant, which makes up 99 percent of new cases in the U.S., is far more infectious, but nowhere near as lethal as previous versions of the virus. Researchers at the CDC still warn that the amount of deaths being caused by the virus is still worrisome, and that Americans should get vaccinated and take other basic precautions. CDC researchers found that despite large surges in cases and hospitalizations during the Omicron Covid wave when compared to last winter's and the Delta wave, deaths did not follow. Daily Covid deaths were actually 4% lower this winter than they were last at the virus's peak 'COVID-19 disease severity appears to be lower during the Omicron period than during previous periods of high transmission, likely related to higher vaccination coverage, which reduces disease severity, lower virulence of the Omicron variant, and infection-acquired immunity,' researchers wrote. They gathered data from three hospital surveillance systems in the U.S. to compare data across the three largest waves of the pandemic so far. The highest weekly totals from each week were compared across a variety of metrics like cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and percentage of hospital beds used for Covid patients. At its peak, the CDC logged 798,976 daily cases for the Omicron wave, well beyond the 250,335 daily cases recorded during the peak of last winter's wave, and the 164,249 cases at the peak of the Delta wave. Hospitalizations were higher as well. During Omicron, a peak of 21,586 people were hospitalized with the virus, compared to 16,497 at the peak of last winter, and 12,285 over summer. This surge's hospitalization numbers could be misleading, though. Because of the high prevalence of the virus and rampant transmission combined with relatively mild symptoms, many people are carrying the virus without knowing. Many people are tested for Covid when they go to a hospital for any reason, whether an emergency situation or routine treatment. A person who tests positive in that case would still be added to the list of Covid hospitalizations despite not having a severe enough case that requires hospitalization. Health officials in Massachusetts, for example, revealed data last week that half of the nearly 3,200 'Covid patients' hospitalized in the state were actually there for another reason. This means that the officially reported hospitalization numbers for Omicron may be significantly higher than the actual number of people whose infection was severe enough to require serious treatment. By the official figures, though, hospitalizations during Omicron are up 31 percent compared to last winter and 76 percent compared to the Delta wave. '[The data] underscores the importance of national emergency preparedness, specifically, hospital surge capacity and the ability to adequately staff local health care systems,' researchers wrote. Although both hospitalizations and deaths significantly increased during the Omicron-fueled surge, deaths actually managed to decrease. Last winters Covid surge is still the deadliest, as cases soared to over a quarter-million per day before the vaccine was widely available. Without those additional vaccine fighting antibodies, many succumbed to the virus, reaching a peak of 3,422 deaths per day, according to the CDC report. Delta never reached the heights of the winter surge, as by then the vaccines were widely available in the U.S. The summer wave peaked at 1,924 deaths on a daily basis. Omicron deaths remain in line with the Delta surge despite the case peak reaching heights three times as high. The CDC research team logged 1,854 deaths per day at the peak of Omicron, down 3.6 percent from Delta and 46 percent from last winter. While Omicron's mortality rate may be lower, researchers still warn it can be deadly, and that over 1,800 deaths per day is nothing to scoff at. 'The average daily number of deaths remains substantial,' they wrote. '... Being up to date on vaccination and following other recommended prevention strategies are critical to preventing infections, severe illness, or death from COVID-19.' Dr Gregory Poland (pictured), a top epidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic, warned Covid could be with humans for so long that 'your great-great-great-grandchildren will still be getting immunized' against the virus While many Americans are beginning to look towards a life after Covid, and some experts are making optimistic predictions about the future of the pandemic, the entire scientific community is not in agreement. Dr Gregory Poland, epidemiologist for the Mayo Clinic and is editor-in-chief of the scientific journals 'Vaccine' and one of the nation's top experts on vaccination and immunology, said this week that the virus could be affecting humans for the next century. In a conversation with MarketWatch on Tuesday he gave a grave prediction that counters what some worldwide global health experts are saying. Due to the rapid transmission of the Omicron Covid variant combined with its more mild nature, experts are hopeful that it be the strain that transitions the virus from a pandemic to an endemic, meaning the pattern of the virus is stable and predictable. Poland does not share the same optimistic point of view. 'We are not yet at any stage where we could predict endemicity. We're not going to eradicate it,' Poland said. He noted that the virus has shown the ability to infect animals, meaning it can potentially circulate indefinitely as it transmits across species and continues to mutate. Poland believes the virus will circulate for so long that people will still be receiving Covid shots for generations down the line. Transmission of COVID-19 has been so rampant among the vaccinated, unvaccinated and even among animals that Poland, and other experts, fear it will be impossible to control and circulate for dozens of years down the line. Pictured: A woman in Thornton, Colorado, receives a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine on March 6, 2021 'So let me make a prediction, which will be hard for any of you to hold me to because we will all be dead by then, but your great-great-great-grandchildren will still be getting immunized against coronavirus,' 'How can I even say such a thing? If you got your flu vaccine this fall you were immunized against a strain of influenza that showed up in 1918 and caused a pandemic.' This is not the first grim prediction Poland has made, and he has been correct before. Last month, he told DailyMail.com that he believed 32,000 people would die from Covid between early December to the end of the year. '32,000 Americans who think they're going to be alive to celebrate Christmas and New Years are, no pun intended, dead wrong,' he said on December 9. 'Not one of them believes [they will die].' During that period, 31,000 U.S. Covid deaths were recorded, nearly a spot on prediction, per Our World in Data. Poland is not the only expert whose forecasts for the future of the pandemic are not as rosy as the forming consensus. Dr Anthony Fauci, America's top infectious disease expert and director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, warned last week that a new Covid strain could form that would dramatically alter the state of the pandemic - like the Omicron variant did after Delta. 'I would hope that [Covid becoming endemic is] the case. But that would only be the case if we don't get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant,' Fauci said during a Davos Agenda virtual event. Fauci has also made contrarian statements about the future of the pandemic that proved to be true in the past, predicting in August that a vaccine-resistant Covid strain was likely on the horizon due to the rampant spread of the virus among the unvaccinated. A few months later, South African officials would discover the Omicron variant during the week of Thanksgiving. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, also warned this week that it would be dangerous to assume that Omicron is the 'endgame' Covid variant. The Omicron variant caused Covid cases to explode across Europe, Africa and the U.S. after its discovery in late-November. The mutant strain did not prove to be a long lived, one, as it has already largely receded in the UK and South Africa - the countries that were hit the hardest and fastest by the variant. Even in the U.S., places like New York and New Jersey that were struck first by the variant are now recording sharp declines in cases. The variant is also more mild than other forms of the virus, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealing data Tuesday showing that Covid cases peaked 400 percent higher during the Omicron wave than they did during the summer Delta surge - though deaths were actually down four percent. Omicron's lack of longevity and generally more mild nature has many hopeful that it will be the variant that burns the pandemic out, as so many will have natural antibodies from infection it will run of people to infect. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is standing by her decision to impose mask mandates in all public spaces that do not require vaccination in the state. According to reports, a New York State Supreme Court judge recently opposed the state's mask mandate saying that the governor and other health officials do not have the power to enforce such rules without the state legislature's approval. Last month, Hochul announced that masks would be required in public spaces amid a surge of Omicron cases in New York. The mask mandate was scheduled to expire on Feb. 1, but Hochul said she would try to extend it so that more people could be protected from the virus. "My responsibility as governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately," Hochul said via the Huffington Post. Judge Thomas Rademaker suggests mask mandates are illegal However, Judge Thomas Rademaker fired back at Hochul by saying that the power to enforce mask mandates should be in the hands of state lawmakers and not the governor. But Rademaker acknowledged the fact that there is a good intention behind the mask mandate. However, their decision to have it reversed has to do with the legalities of the matter. Read Also: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Approves Changes to New York Schools After a Surge in Omicron Cases Among Students Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a vocal opponent of mask mandates, called the Supreme Court's decision a major win for students and parents. He said that the Supreme Court ruled that mask mandates in New York are illegal because the governor and the state education department have no authority to enforce the mandate. New York school districts still required to enforce mask mandates But according to ABC 7 NY, school mask mandates will continue even after the Supreme Court's ruling. In their statement, the Department of Education said that there are conflicting decisions in New York. And until they are resolved and finalized, school mask mandates will still be enforced. But at least 19 school districts on Long Island have announced that they will start making their masks optional. The districts where masks are mandatory include Jericho, Baldwin, Syosset, and all Catholic schools. The ruling also appears to be timely because there has reportedly been a massive drop in COVID-19 cases in New York within the past couple of days. COVID-19 cases in New York dropped According to NBC New York, net hospitalizations fell to 9,847, which is the lowest number since Jan. 2. The seven-day average positivity rate also dropped 10.5 percent, which is the lowest recorded number since December. On Saturday, less than 20,000 people tested positive for COVID-19. According to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Omicron wave in New York and the United States followed a similar pattern with that of South Africa, where it was first detected. The icepick pattern in the two countries featured a rapid spike higher and then a quick drop back to pre-omicron levels. Related Article: MTA Denies New Yorker's Pleas To Have Subway Barrier Doors Installed After a Woman Was Pushed To Her Death @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Unilever is cutting 1,500 management jobs globally as part of a radical streamlining of its operations and in a bid to alleviate mounting investor concerns. The consumer goods group is axing around 15 per cent of its senior managers and 5 per cent of its junior managers. Today's announcement comes days after reports that activist investor Nelson Peltz's Trian Partners has been building a stake in the world's biggest personal care products maker, which owns the Dove soap and Vaseline brands. Job losses: Unilever is cutting 1,500 management jobs globally as part of a radical streamlining of its operations Unilever said: 'Changes will be subject to consultation. We do not expect factory teams to be impacted by these changes.' The group said, going forward, it will be organised around five distinct business groups, namely Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream. It said: 'Each Business Group will be fully responsible and accountable for their strategy, growth, and profit delivery globally.' Alan Jope, chief executive of Unilever, said, 'Our new organisational model has been developed over the last year and is designed to continue the step-up we are seeing in the performance of our business. 'Moving to five category-focused Business Groups will enable us to be more responsive to consumer and channel trends, with crystal-clear accountability for delivery. Growth remains our top priority and these changes will underpin our pursuit of this.' All costs related to setting up the new organisation will be managed within existing restructuring investment plans, the company said. Billionaire Nelson Peltz (pictured) was revealed to have built a stake in Unilever through his New York-based hedge fund Trian Partners As a result of its plans for a 'leaner' business, the group is also shaking up its leadership team. Fabian Garcia, Unilever's president of North America, has been appointed President of Personal Care, responsible for skin cleansing, deodorants, and oral care. All the leadership changes will take effect from April. On Monday, the group's shares roared back to life as investors welcomed an activist hedge fund taking a stake in the company. Shares in the Hellmann's and Marmite maker jumped 7.3 per cent, or 268.5p, to 3943.5p. Shares in the group are currently down 0.37 per cent or 14.50p to 3,929.00p. The FTSE 100 giant's value swung back above 100billion for the first time since its failed takeover of Glaxosmithkline's consumer health arm. The rise came after billionaire investor Nelson Peltz was revealed to have built a stake in the company through his New York-based hedge fund Trian Partners. It is unknown how big a stake Trian has built, but it usually takes positions of between 1 per cent and 3.5 per cent. That would make the asset management firm one of Unilever's five biggest shareholders. It is believed the 6.3billion hedge fund started buying shares before Unilever's bids for GSK consumer health were revealed. But analysts said it would pile further pressure on Unilever chief executive Alan Jope, whose leadership was questioned over the failed 50billion takeover attempt. Jefferies analyst Martin Deboo said Trian's involvement will 'increase the pressure' on Jope and the board. Unilever's shares crashed as much as 10 per cent last week as analysts and investors roundly rejected the deal. Two major Unilever shareholders publicly questioned Jope's leadership over the GSK approach. Terry Smith whose Fundsmith fund owns 0.8 per cent of Unilever called the saga a 'near death' experience and raised questions over the quality of Unilever's management. Smith said Unilever bosses 'or someone else if they don't want the job' should focus on fixing the existing business before looking to buy others. And investment manager Flossbach von Storch, which owns 1 per cent of the company, also urged Jope to stick to improving performance rather than chasing costly deals. Jope has also been heavily criticised for Unilever's sales and share price growth. Trian is renowned for pushing strategic and governance changes at companies it is involved in and its involvement helped shares claw back last week's losses. Deboo said the hedge fund has a 'long and successful track record' of unlocking value at companies through splits and spin outs. Out: Amigo finance boss Mike Corcoran Amigo's finance boss resigned last night as the company battles for survival. Mike Corcoran said he was stepping down from the troubled lender immediately. The company refused to disclose the reasons for Corcorans departure. But it came after shares fell 41.9 per cent as Amigo launched a final push to get its customer redress scheme passed by the High Court. Amigo has a complaints bill of 344.4million, racked up after handing out loans to customers who should not have passed affordability checks. A fresh court hearing in April will decide how much Amigo should pay back. It said an updated scheme would see shareholders own just 5 per cent of the firm if they did not participate in a fundraising to help the business pull in more money. Fund management veteran Martin Gilbert has struck a deal to take over asset manager River and Mercantile Group. The man who set up Aberdeen Asset Management and oversaw its merger with Standard Life, has agreed to buy River through his investment vehicle Assetco. Gilbert, 66, is chairman of Assetco, a former shell company he and colleagues from Aberdeen Asset Management have used to buy stakes in businesses in the wealth management sectors. Fund management veteran Martin Gilbert has agreed to buy asset manager River and Mercantile Group through his investment vehicle Assetco He led Aberdeen through its merger with rival Standard Life in 2017, creating the company that is now Abrdn, before leaving in 2020. Gilbert also currently sits on the River board as deputy chairman. The deal will see investors receive 0.073 Assetco shares for each River share they hold valuing it at 99million. River shareholders will also receive 190million in cash from the sale of the companys solutions business to rival Schroders which was agreed in October. The proceeds of the sale take the value of the entire deal to 289million. Following the merger, expected to complete in the second quarter of this year, River investors will own over 40 per cent of the combined group. he tie-up is now subject to shareholder approval. River chairman Jonathan Dawson added that the merger offered good value to shareholders, and encouraged investors to back the deal. Assetco was left as the front-runner after rival bidder Premier Miton pulled out this month. At the time, Premier Miton boss Mike OShea said a tie-up had insufficient commercial merits. Nvidia is set to ditch its 30billion swoop on British chip designer Arm after a fierce backlash from regulators worldwide. US semiconductor giant Nvidia is understood to have conceded that the deal is unlikely to complete. Arm owner Softbank is now stepping up preparations to list the Cambridge company on the public markets, according to Bloomberg. Thwarted: US semiconductor giant Nvidia is understood to have conceded that its 30bn swoop on British chip designer Arm is unlikely to complete That could pave the way for the pioneering firm to return to the London Stock Exchange, where its shares were listed before its 24billion takeover by Softbank in 2016. But the UK faces a fight to persuade Softbank to chose the City over New York. Analysts said Britain was Arms natural home and Rishi Sunak recently vowed to make the City an incredibly attractive place for companies to list whether it is Arm or anyone else. Arm chief executive Simon Segars could be in line to get a payday well in excess of 74million if the Nvidia deal goes through, an expert told the Mail. He would still receive a bumper, though smaller, payout if the group floated. Nvidia agreed to buy Arm in September 2020. It would be the biggest-ever semiconductor industry takeover if it is successful but Nvidia faces losing a 950million downpayment for Arm if the deal falls through. The swoop has triggered uproar from Arms customers and is under scrutiny in China, the US and the EU, adding months of delays to a process that was due to complete in March 2022. In November, UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries intervened on competition and national security grounds, piling more delays on the deal. She believes it is crucial for the UKs national security to maintain reliable access to Arm technology and that there are fears the Nvidia takeover could remove this. Arms customers include Google, Samsung, Apple and Apple. Softbank licenses Arms designs to more than 500 companies who use them to make their own chips, which are used in 95 per cent of the worlds smartphones and other devices from cars to fridges that are connected to the internet. In the UK the takeover is being investigated under the Enterprise Act of 2002. That was replaced this month by the National Security and Investment Act, giving the Government greater power to intervene in the sale of sensitive firms. Even if the deal was waved through under the Enterprise Act, the new law could be invoked retrospectively to scrutinise the tie-up again. Nvidias approach came at a critical time as a global shortage of microchips is sending shock waves throughout the manufacturing sector and slowing down production lines. Arm co-founder Hermann Hauser, who spun off the company from Acorn Computers in 1990, recently said he believed Arm would be better off as an independent company listed in London than part of Nvidia. Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates, said: If they go down the listing route, the UK is Arms natural home. 'It was born here, developed here, for the nation. This is our largest tech business in an area that so many countries at looking at on a strategic level. He added: Scrutinising the deal will put off some future overseas investors in UK tech but it also says, Hey, were really serious about our industry. Arms expertise demonstrates that the UK no longer competes with Paris and Berlin. It is right up there with Silicon Valley and Shanghai. Nvidia and Arm are still pleading their case to regulators. Nvidia said: This transaction provides an opportunity to accelerate Arm and boost competition and innovation. Softbank said: We remain hopeful the transaction will be approved. Cleo Smith kidnapper Terence Kelly was a devoted grandson known by the nickname 'Junior' in his Carnavon street who was always freshly showered and spotlessly dressed but never spoke with anyone. Kelly did not play sport with the other children who lived on Crossland Street and had obvious difficulties with social interaction. 'I never heard him speak, except after his grandmother died. He was in distress and didn't want to leave the house,' his former neighbour in Carnarvon told Daily Mail Australia. Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, pleaded guilty on Monday to taking four-year-old Cleo Smith from her parents' tent at the remote Blowholes campsite south of Carnarvon in the early hours of October 16 last year. Cleo Smith was missing for 18 days until police found her alone, physically unharmed and playing with toys at Kelly's house in the early hours of November 3. An officer picked her up in his arms and asked her 'what's your name', to which she replied 'My name is Cleo'. Kelly was charged with forcibly taking a child under 16, her abduction, flown to Perth and taken to Casuarina Prison from which he appeared via video link to enter his plea before a magistrate. Kelly grew up in the coastal town of Carnarvon, 900km north of Perth, with two brothers in a house at 10 Crossland Street. All three boys shared the surname Kelly, but it was Terry who stood out as the devoted grandson. Crossland Street residents called Terry Kelly (pictured) 'Junior' and said he walked barefoot every day to the shops to buy provisions for his grandmother whose death 'devastated' him A neighbour on Crossland Street, East Carnarvon, spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia about Terence Kelly's childhood growing up along the street Terence Kelly has pleaded guilty to kidnapping Cleo Smith (above) who was missing for 18 days before police found her alive and well in Terry's Carnarvon house The family's long-time neighbour and resident of the street told how 'Penny took as good care of him as she could'. Penny Walker was a well-respected Carnarvon woman who described Terry as 'a beautiful little boy' and a gift from God with 'jet black curly hair'. The neighbour recalled Terry as an adult leaving Penny Walker's spotlessly-kept public housing home on daily trips to Woolworths to buy anything she needed. 'I'd wave and offer him a lift in the car and he'd nod, but keep on going,' she said. As his older brothers grew up, they departed from Ms Walker's house - one packing up and voluntarily leaving town. 'Terry was the only grandson left and he just stepped up and she focused on him. 'She loved him and cared for him even though she was in her 70s and she wasn't all that well. 'He was very kind to his grandmother and she was a lovely lady.' Kelly, 36, was flown to Perth and taken to Casuarina Prison from where he appeared via AVL before a magistrate on Monday and pleaded guilty to abducting Cleo from Blowholes campsite Cleo Smith (pictured) was abducted by Terry Kelly from her family's tent in the early house of October 16 last year as they slept Terry Kelly's grandmother Penny Walker bought him the blue Mazda (above) as a gift for him before her death in 2020 and he was driving the car when he was arrested for Cleo's abduction Penny Walker worked for a time as an Aboriginal liaison officer at east Carnarvon Primary School, which is now known as the Marmion Campus of Carnarvon Community College. Terry would walk into the shops and come back with three or four Woolworths bags on his arm. The 1.6km journey would take about 20 minutes each way. Before Penny Walker's death in 2020, she bought Terry the blue Mazda which he was driving at the time of his arrest last November by WA Police on the same night they rescued Cleo Smith from Kelly's house. During her later years, Penny Walker also generously gave neighbours bottles of beer and gifts for their children. Cleo Smith was abducted from her family tent at the Quobba Blowholes camping ground north of Carnarvon on October 16 (above with mother Ellie Smith in Carnarvon) A long term resident of the street who spoke exclusively with Daily Mail Australia is one of the neighbours who knew Terry Kelly and his brothers when they lived at 10 Crossland Street (pictured), South Carnarvon Police search the house on Tonkin Street, Carnarvon where Terry Kelly lived in after the death of his grandmother last year, which left him 'devastated' 'She bought him a car, paid for all the food and whatever else. That's the car you saw on the news,' the neighbour said. 'I only ever spoke to him once, when his grandma died and he was devastated. 'He stayed for a couple of weeks in the house after she passed away, but then the Department of Housing moved in on the home.' Kelly moved from Crossland Street to the Tonkin Street home where police found Kelly and his large collection of Bratz dolls which on social media Kelly posted photos to Facebook in April 2020 in his car with a doll, while other photos show him posing for selfies with Bratz dolls in the frame. 'I love my dolls', he wrote in one post, while another said: 'I love taking my dolls for drive arounds and doing their hair and taking selfies in public.' In a third, he described himself as 'mamma's little brat'. Kelly will next appear in Perth District Court on March 20 as he awaits sentencing for the abduction of Cleo Smith. Terry Smith with the Bratz dolls he enjoyed diriving around with in his car and posing for selfies with and 'doing their hair' Dolls in shelves line a wall of a room inside Kelly's house in Carnarvon after he moved there following the devastating death of his grandmother Penny Walker Felix Dean has fallen hard and fast since his days as a Home and Away child star Home and Away child star Felix Dean was using methamphetamine while he was on the long-running soap opera as a 15-year-old. Dean began smoking cannabis aged 14 and moved onto 'ice' within twelve months, at first inhaling the potent drug and then injecting it. The actor's troubled childhood was outlined in court on Tuesday as he faced sentencing for a string of bizarre crimes across Sydney. Dean was just ten when he got his big break on Home and Away, acting alongside Ada Nicodemou as her on-screen son VJ Patterson from 2007 to 2014. Central Local Court heard he had already been acting for three years before joining the program and was 'constantly surrounded' by adults, creating a 'quite different and unusual experience'. Solicitor Elliot Rowe said Dean's early fame on Home and Away had been a 'double-edged sword' throughout his childhood. His drug use had turned into 'a long-standing addiction to quite debilitating substances' and led to 'the nonsensical behaviour that he was engaging in.' Mr Rowe said Dean had first been locked up for 86 days last year before being released into the care of his mother under strict bail conditions. He had then spent 37 days at Gordon Private Hospital and afterwards was in effective home detention until his addiction got out of hand again in June. 'That's when things have really fallen off the wagon,' Mr Rowe said. Dean, now 24, has been back in prison since October after he attacked a tobacconist with a hammer - the fourth time he had been arrested in two years. Child star Felix Dean began taking ice when he was a 15-year-old working on Home and Away. Today he is locked up at John Morony prison in north-west Sydney. Dean played VJ Patterson in Home and Away from 2007 to 2014. He is pictured with on-screen mother Ada Nicodemou Felix Dean has pleaded guilty to assaulting police, affray, assault with intent to rob, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, two counts of recklessly damaging property and larceny. He has been sentenced to 19 months' prison He has pleaded guilty to assaulting police, affray, assault with intent to rob, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, two counts of recklessly damaging property and shoplifting. Mr Rowe had asked that Dean be allowed to leave jail and enter a residential rehabilitation facility but magistrate Alison Viney sentenced him to more jail time. Dean was wearing a prison green T-shirt and shorts when he appeared via video link from John Morony Correctional Centre in Sydney's north-west. Court records refer to Dean's recent addresses at Erskineville, Redfern, Randwick, Kellyville and a Harris Park rehab clinic. Dean's most recent troubles with the law began on May 23, 2020 when he booked into room 3708 of the Meriton Suites Hotel on Kent Street in Sydney. The next morning after checking out Dean drove his Subaru WRX sedan straight through an automatic security gate in the car park, causing $7,624.93 in damage. Dean, who made not attempt to report what happened to staff, pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging property and was placed on a nine-month conditional release order. When Felix Dean was last arrested on charges of assaulting a tobacconist with a hammer he was living in this row of terraces in inner-city Surry Hills . He pleaded guilty to being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence in relation to that office At that time police noted in a statement of facts Dean had faced nine previous charges for offences ranging from assault to larceny. He was living in an Airbnb and receiving $1,000 from Centrelink. Dean's next serious brush with the law came when he attacked an Uber driver and smashed another man's window early last year. By then he was homeless and staying sporadically at hotels around Sydney, while the NSW Trustee & Guardian had been appointed to control his finances and was paying him an allowance of $150 a week. That body also paid for his accommodation, while he retained an investment property at Botany which was leased and rent of $330 went into his trustee account each week. Dean had been drinking with a friend in a park behind King Street at Newtown when a resident saw him urinating outside his unit shortly before 9pm on January 6. When the resident called out, 'Come on mate, people live here, what are you doing?' Dean laughed and responded, 'Do you want a fight?' After the man dialled Triple Zero and showed the unemployed actor his phone screen, Dean picked up a bottle and smashed one of his windows. Dean's most recent troubles with the law began on May 23, 2020 when he booked into room 3708 of the Meriton Suites Hotel (pictured) on Kent Street in Sydney. The next morning after checking out he deliberately drove through a security gate, causing $7,624.93 in damage Felix Dean's recent home was the maximum security Parklea Correctional Centre (pictured) in Sydney's north-west where he has been incarcerated since October last year About an hour later Dean was standing on a footpath in nearby Erskineville Road when an Uber driver drove past and turned into Wilson Street. Dean ran in front of the vehicle, slapped the bonnet, opened the car door and began throwing punches at the driver's head and face. 'Get out of the car you f***king c***,' Dean told the driver, who kicked him in the abdomen, closed the door and drove away. The attack on the Uber driver was captured on CCTV and Dean pleaded guilty in May last year to assault with intent to rob and intentionally destroying property. Magistrate Viney described the assault upon the Uber driver as unprovoked, vicious and spontaneous. Mr Rowe said Dean was so drunk he could not remember it. Dean's next run-in with police came on the afternoon of September 18 at Paddington when he failed to comply with a Covid-19 direction. He had been drinking at a friend's home in breach of a Public Health Order and when police responded to a disturbance at the address kicked one of them in the leg. Dean entered guilty pleas to those two offences on Tuesday. After that incident Dean was granted bail on strict conditions including that he abide by a 6pm curfew and be subjected to random drug and alcohol testing. Next, Dean was arrested near the TSG Tobacconist in Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, shortly before midnight on October 11. A distinctive leg tattoo helped police identify Felix Dean as the assailant who bashed an Uber driver on a busy suburban street. The tattoo shows an attractive young woman with a heart on her cheek holding an ace of spades and a long-nailed finger to her lips in a 'shhh' gesture Dean had punched the shopkeeper in the face after stealing a mobile phone and then returned to attack him with a hammer. Magistrate Viney said it was 'a matter of good luck more than good planning I would suggest' that no one was struck with the weapon. Dean was then refused bail and has been in custody ever since. On Tuesday he entered guilty pleas to being armed with a weapon to commit an indictable offence, affray and larceny (shoplifting) in relation to the tobacconist incident. Police withdrew a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of common assault. Magistrate Viney accepted Dean had a 'significant drug and alcohol problem' and noted he had been given chances to address those issues in the past but had failed to do so. Dean was nominated for Best Young Actor at the 2008 and 2009 Inside Soap Awards For his portrayal of VJ. He disappeared from the spotlight altogether after the gig Ms Viney also found Dean was an intelligent young man who had suffered significant difficulties during his childhood and had been raised single-handedly by a supportive mother. Dean had 'well-documented mental health issues' including being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder as well as a major depressive disorder. For his violent offending Ms Viney sentenced Dean to 19 months' prison with a minimum term of 11 months, backdated to commence on July 11 last year to take into account the time he had already spent in custody. He will be eligible for release on June 10. For the lesser offences Ms Dean fined Dean $1,000 and placed him on a community correction order that he be of good behaviour for 12 months while accepting supervision in overcoming his addictions. Dean referred to himself as a 'work in progress' in a social media post made in August. 'From the good life to struggle street to finding my feet,' he wrote on Facebook. 'Underestimate me at least that makes two of us.' He was recently in Parklea prison (pictured) Dean referred to himself as a 'work in progress' in a social media post made in August, before his two most recent arrests. 'From the good life to struggle street to finding my feet,' he wrote on Facebook. 'Underestimate me at least that makes two of us.' Dean has not had an acting credit since leaving Home and Away as a 17-year-old when he was replaced in the long-running soap by Matt Little. At the time his on-screen mother Nicodemou said she viewed Dean as a 'surrogate son' after their years spent together on the show. Dean was nominated for Best Young Actor at the 2008 and 2009 Inside Soap Awards For his portrayal of VJ Patterson. He disappeared from the spotlight altogether after the gig. Ms Dean told Dean she hoped he could overcome his drug problems once he was released from prison. 'Thank you, Your Honour,' he said. Danny Masterson was spotted running errands near his wine country hideaway in California in previously unseen pictures obtained by DailyMail.com as his legal woes continue to mount. The pictures, taken in late October, show the That 70s Show alum and devout Scientologist, 45, near his Santa Ynez retreat, where he and his wife Bijou Phillips are holed up. Masterson is accused of rape by five women and is currently on $3.3million bail while awaiting trial on sexual assault charges that could see him serve 45 years to life in prison if convicted. Four of his five accusers are involved in a civil harassment lawsuit and three are part of an ongoing criminal trial. Masterson has denied all charges. Danny Masterson was seen coming out of hiding for the first time in almost six months in late October ahead of his upcoming trial on rape charges The That 70s Show alum has been on a $3.3M bail while awaiting trial on rape charges that could see him serve 45 years to life in prison if convicted The actor and his wife Bijou Phillips, 41, fled to their wine country retreat in Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County, where they own a sprawling estate, amid his mounting legal woes In a new setback for the actor, a California appeals court last week ruled that his alleged victims do not have to go through an arbitration process with the Church of Scientology, meaning their harassment lawsuit against him and other leaders of the controversial religion can go ahead. The women have accused the church of hiring people to follow them, photograph them, tap their phones and hack their emails and home security systems after they came forward with their allegations. One says the church killed her dog by leaving rat poison wrapped in raw meat on her lawn. The four women, and the husband of one, filed the civil harassment lawsuit in 2019, but the church argued that they signed agreements to settle any claims in front of a panel of Scientologists when they joined, according to the Los Angeles Times. A trial court judge had previously ruled that the women have to let the panel of Scientologists decide their harassment claims because their arbitration agreement was binding. The unearthed photos come as a California appeals court ruled Masterson's accusers would not have to go through arbitration with the Church of Scientology over their allegations, meaning their harassment lawsuit against him and other leaders of the controversial religion can go ahead Masterson appeared to have put on weight from his last public appearance, which was back in May during a court appearance in LA The actor and his wife have been seen wearing their wedding rings amid the scandal Masterson, who starred in the hit TV comedy That 70s Show, is accused of rape by five women but denies all charges The appeals court sided with the trial court, but the California Supreme Court ordered the appeals court to reconsider. In their decision Thursday, the court wrote that the women have 'a First Amendment right to leave a religion' and are not required to go through arbitration to resolve the allegations that occurred after they left the church. 'We hold that once petitioners had terminated their affiliation with the Church, they were not bound to its dispute resolution procedures to resolve the claims at issue here, which are based on alleged tortious conduct occurring after their separation from the Church and so not implicate resolution of ecclesiastical issues,' the justices wrote. 'We issue a writ directing the trial court to vacate its order compelling arbitration and instead to deny the motion.' Masterson and Phillips, 41, fled to their wine country retreat in Santa Ynez, where they own a sprawling estate, along with their only child, daughter Fianna, seven. Actress and model Bijou, who wed Masterson in 2011 and is also a Scientologist, was seen stepping out in Santa Ynez in September in green riding pants, black riding boots and a gray and blue top Phillips, seen grocery shopping in Santa Ynez in September, has been holed up with her husband and their only child, daughter Fianna, seven Masterson has been married to actress Bijou Phillips since 2011. She has defended Masterson as well as her father, John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas, against rape accusations Actress and model Bijou, who wed Masterson in 2011 and is also a Scientologist, has been wearing her wedding ring the whole time though and for his outing on October 31, 2021 her husband also wore his. He appeared to have put on weight from his last public appearance, which was back in May 2021 during a court appearance in LA. An onlooker said he greeted Bijou to pass her equestrian equipment, before he was spotted heading to an office building and later grabbing a Starbucks. A Tamil family have received a boost in their fight to remain in Australia after a federal court ruled a decision to prevent them from applying for further bridging visas was procedurally unfair. However, supporters say it is a 'hollow victory' and fear the federal government will send the Murugappan family home to be arrested and possibly tortured in Sri Lanka later this year. The Federal Circuit Court on Monday quashed Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision in late June to use his discretionary powers to prevent Murugappan family members from reapplying for bridging visas. Three of the four-strong family - parents Priya and Nades along with daughter Kopika - were later granted 12-month bridging visas by Mr Hawke, allowing them to remain in the country. A Tamil family in a high-profile battle to remain in Australia were granted 12-month bridging visas, with the exception of the youngest daughter. Pictured: Parents Priya and Nades along with daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa But a similar visa was not granted to the family's youngest daughter Tharnicaa. It ensured the family remained in community detention in Perth and were not able to return to their former home of Biloela, Queensland. The family have been living in Perth after years of detention, following the medical evacuation of Tharnicca from Christmas Island in June 2021 due to a blood infection. Supporters say they fear for the family's future when their 12 month visas expire in September. Friend Simone Cameron says the Murugappans are 'stuck in limbo' despite the court ruling. 'It feels like a hollow victory to be honest,' she told AAP. 'Really the family is still stuck in limbo. This outcome reinforces the fact that no court in Australia can save this family - it is the minister who has all the power. 'Only public pressure will bring about change. We hope he puts a stop to the madness and lets the family get back to Biloela.' The family's lawyer Carina Ford told SBS News that the Murugappans now have the option to reapply for a bridging visa and any decision to revoke them will need to be reconsidered. But Ms Cameron feared after the federal election the Morrison government would again attempt to send the family home to Sri Lanka where she claimed they would be in peril. An urgent injunction stopped their deportation mid-flight in August 2019. Pressure is mounting on the federal government to let the family stay in Australia, with politicians from across the spectrum calling for them to be allowed to return to their adopted home of Biloela in central Queensland 'It feels like deja vu, just like 2019 when a few short months after the election they tried to remove the family in a terrible way so we still hold fears that might happen again,' Ms Cameron said. 'There is a wealth of evidence out there that suggests Sir Lanka is not a safe place to travel.' Ms Cameron cited an International Truth and Justice Project 2021 report that said Tamil people are 'still being abducted and tortured' by Sri Lankan security forces. 'We have shown for nearly four years that we are not going to stop until the family returns to Biloela,' she said. 'There's over 600,000 who've signed a petition requesting the family to be returned to Biloela. 'He ( Mr Hawke) should be taking that into consideration when he makes these decisions.' Comment has been sought from Mr Hawke. Advertisement Nearly 64,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe could be deployed to the continent's eastern flank if President Biden makes such a call to counter growing Russian aggression at the border with Ukraine. The USS Harry S. Truman has already been placed under NATO command for the first time since the end of the Cold War, while 40 warships, 175 aircraft and 90 tanks situated throughout Europe could also be readied for conflict. Biden has ordered 8,500 U.S.-based troops to stand ready to deploy to Eastern Europe, while military officials have presented him with a plan to send 50,000 more if the security situation deteriorates and Russia launches an invasion into Ukraine. At the same time, the US told families based at the US embassy in Kiev to go home 'due to the continued threat' of such an attack, the State Department said Sunday. Though the number fluctuates due to changing withdrawals and deployments, the U.S. had about 175,000 troops stationed abroad as of September 2021. A total of nearly 64,000 of those service members were stationed in Europe. The U.S. has about 750 military bases across 80 countries. Command for the U.S.'s 40 warships is based out Italy, and the U.S. has already flexed its muscle to Russia by sending ships to the politically fraught Black Sea. Germany houses the largest deployment of U.S. troops in Europe, and only Japan and America have more U.S. troops based there. There are 35, 468 U.S. troops in Germany - 21,585 Army, 13,009 Air Force and small numbers of troops from the Marine Corps and Navy. As the imminent threat of war looms over Europe, it comes as: The USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group will participate in a NATO exercise in the Mediterranean until February 4; Biden said he and European leaders had 'total unanimity' about the situation in the Ukraine; The White House said NATO has emphasised a desire for a diplomatic solution; Putin discussed a 'strategic partnership' with Cuba in a phone call with President Miguel Diaz-Canel, days after fears were raised that Russia would deploy military to South America; The US and UK have begun withdrawing diplomats from their embassiesin Kiev. The USS Harry S. Truman is already being placed under NATO command for the first time since the end of the Cold War (pictured) There are 21 U.S. military bases across Germany, with the largest presence at Stuttgart, headquarters of United States European Command (EUCOM) and US Africa Command, and Ramstein, headquarters of US Air Force operations in Europe. And while Germany previously housed some 5,000 U.S. tanks in the height of the Cold War in 1989, it is now permanent home to none. The Army temporarily deploys one armored brigade at a time, each on a nine-month rotation. A typical armored brigade is made up of 90 M-1 tanks and 130 Bradley fighting vehicles plus around 18 M-109 self-propelled howitzers. But there remains a problem: Europe's aging bridges may not be ready for the 68-ton M-1 Abrams tanks. The Army has been struggling to purchase more armored bridge-layers to help these heavy vehicles pass. The M-1 Abrams has been in use in war zones since 1980, while the Bradley fighting vehicle is a heavily armed and armored troop transporter that launches fire toward enemy lines to provide cover. The Howitzer is a 30-ton gun that can hit targets up to 19 miles away. And while NATO has a presence of about 130 tanks, including the 90 U.S. vehicles, Russia, even before its recent aggression, kept about 760 tanks within striking distance of NATO's Baltic members. Ukraine shares a border with four NATO countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Italy has the second highest U.S. presence in Europe, with 12,436 troops, 4,081 belonging to the Army, 4,742 Air Force and 3,497 Navy. The Naples port is the headquarters of the Sixth Fleet, or US Naval Forces Europe-Africa. The Aviano Air Base is home to two U.S. F-16 fighter jet squadrons. The F-16 is a popular air-to-air combat jet used by 25 air forces. In the United Kingdom there are 9,576 U.S. troops, almost entirely members of the Air Force with small numbers of service members from other branches. Spain has 3,423 U.S. troops stationed there, Belgium has 1,143, Greece has 429, Portugal has 259, and Romania has 132. A handful of other nations have a U.S. troop presence smaller than 100. There are also currently more than 150 U.S. military advisers in Ukraine who have operated at a training ground near Lviv for years. It includes Special Operations forces, mostly Army Green Berets, and National Guard trainers from Florida's 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. While the U.S. intends to move its military trainers out of Ukraine swiftly should a full-scale Russian invasion occur, it's also possible some American forces could stay to advise Kyiv officials and provide frontline support, a U.S. official told the Times. However, roughly 6,000 U.S. troops are deployed to Eastern Europe on a rotating basis, including about 4,000 are currently in Poland. The U.S. Sixth Fleet, which leads European Command, is comprised of roughly 175 aircraft and 40 warships. European Command is headquartered in Germany. Biden's potential plan would see between 1,000 and 5,000 soldiers sent to NATO nations such as Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, which border Russian territory. Troop numbers could then be increased up to 50,000 if the security situation deteriorates, backed up by fresh deployments of ships and aircraft. The plan would not involve American troops deployed directly to Ukraine, with Biden thought to be loathe to enter another conflict following his disastrous withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan last year, The New York Times reports. Meanwhile the Biden administration is ordering 8,500 U.S.-based troops to stand ready to deploy to Eastern Europe, the Pentagon announced on Monday. The 68-ton M-1 Abrams has been in use in war zones since 1980 The Aviano Air Base is home to two U.S. F-16 fighter jet squadrons. The F-16 is a popular air-to-air combat jet used by 25 air forces A Russian rocket launcher fires during military drills near Orenburg in the Urals, Russia in December. With tens of thousands of Russian troops positioned near Ukraine, the Kremlin has kept the U.S. and its allies guessing about its next moves in the worst Russia-West security crisis since the Cold War The NATO Response Force is comprised of some 40,000 international troops across land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces (SOF) components. 'This is really about getting folks ready to go,' Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said during a press conference this afternoon. He said the majority of those troops would be ground forces. He said they would stand ready in case NATO activates the NATO Response Force (NRF) or in the event of a 'deteriorating security environment.' NATO meanwhile announced Monday that its members were to deploy additional ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe, to counter Russia's growing presence. Vladimir Putin has placed more than 100,000 troops at the Ukrainian border, and last week Blinken warned that Russia had the capability to double that number in short order. The drills will take place 150 miles from Ireland's south west coast, and comes amid the build-up of troops near the border with Ukraine amid fears of a war in Europe To bolster deterrence, Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is ready to dispatch four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania. Spain is deploying ships to join NATO naval forces and is considering sending four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania. France has said it is willing to send troops to Romania and the Netherlands is planning to send two F-35 fighters to Bulgaria in April. NATO's announcement came after reports that Biden was weighing sending as many as 50,000 troops to the region if the security situation were to deteriorate, backed up by fresh deployments of ship and aircraft. Since late December, the Air Force has been regularly flying RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic-eavesdropping planes over Ukraine in order to listen in on Russian ground commanders' communications, the Times reported. The Air Force is also operating ground-surveillance flights withE-8 JSTARS to track Russian troop buildup at Ukraine's border. The spy plane mission is meant to find any indications that Russia is considering deploying nuclear weapons to the border with Ukraine, a potential of which Russian officials already warned. On Sunday, Ukraine's defense minister praised the arrival of a second shipment of military aide from the U.S. 'The second bird in Kyiv!' tweeted Oleksii Reznikov. 'More than 80 tons of weapons to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities from our friends in the USA! And this is not the end.' On a conference call with reporters Sunday evening, a senior State Department official warned that that 'military action by Russia could come at any time' and urged Americans who wished to leave Ukraine to do so soon. One of the last members still standing in one of Sydney's most notorious gangs has been arrested after being repeatedly warned by police his life was in danger. Ibrahem Hamze, 29, was arrested by Queensland Police officers on the Gold Coast on Monday afternoon in relation to an ongoing investigation into the warring Hamzy and Alameddine clans in Sydney's southwest. Ibrahem Hamze has a minor criminal history but is understood to be a target based on close family links to the Hamzy network. Ibrahem Hamze, 29, (pictured) has been arrested on Queensland's Gold Coast He was approached several times by detectives earlier this month who warned the 29-year-old he could be the next victim following a string of brutal shootings. A NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement: 'For operational reasons, there is no information available at this time'. Police believe he almost lost his life last January when a would-be killer mistakenly shot the wrong person - a man who looked and drove a car similar to Hamze. Just a few months later, two gunman clad in balaclavas drove a stolen Mercedes to a North Sydney street close to where Hamze was living in August. Suspicious police officers inadvertently saved the young man's life when they intercepted the pair after recognising the vehicle as stolen. Ibrahem Hamze hugs a mourner at a burial service for his brother Bilal, gunned down outside Kid Kyoto restaurant, which was closely monitored by NSW Police in June 2021 Ghassan Amoun (centre) was gunned down in broad daylight earlier this month less than a year after police told him he was a marked man (Ibrahem Hamze is pictured second from right) Samuel John Rokomaqisa, 31, has been charged over that incident. Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said the cousin of Brothers for Life leader Bassam Hamzy should 'thank his lucky stars he's alive'. Hamze's arrest comes just weeks after his cousin, Ghassan Amoun, was gunned down outside Laser Lady beauty parlour in Sydney's South Wentworthville. He was shot dead with two bullets pumped into his head in broad daylight as he got into a late model luxury BMW around lunchtime on January 6. Police and paramedic pulled him from the vehicle but he died at the scene which was later swarmed by detectives looking for clues. Staff who were working at a massage parlour next door when the shooting occurred were 'traumatised', the owner said. Authorities are still hunting for the cold blooded killers who gunned down Amoun, who is underworld kingpin Bassam Hamzy's brother. On January 10, just five days after the shooting, Ghassan Amoun was put to rest on top of the body of his older brother Mejid Hamze who was farewelled just 15 months earlier Amoun, who is the younger brother of Brothers for Life founder Bassam Hamzy, was getting into his luxury BMW when he was shot twice in the head in Sydney's western suburbs Amoun, 35, is the latest in a growing list of Hamzy family members to be slain amid an underworld war with the Alameddine crime network. On January 10, just five days after the shooting, he was put to rest on top of the body of his older brother Mejid Hamze who was farewelled just 15 months earlier. Emotions ran high at Rookwood Cemetery as Amoun's body was carried in a green coffin to a freshly dug gravesite at Rookwood Cemetery, accompanied by two hundred mourners, mostly males. Pictured is jailed Brothers for Life gang founder Bassam Hamzy who is believed to be calling the shots from Goulburn Prison after being sentenced for murder In the Muslim section of the cemetery his body was buried around half way between the graves of relatives allegedly executed in the same gangland war which is believed to be responsible for Amoun's death. They are the graves of Salim Hamze, the so-called 'baby-faced gangster' gunned down with his innocent father Toufik just four months ago and that of Bassam Hamzy's cousin Bilal Hamze, executed in July last year. Toufik's body was, as per the 64-year-old's wishes, sent back to Lebanon for burial. In October 2020, Mejid Hamzy, the older brother of jailed gangster Bassam Hamzy, was also buried at Rookwood after he was gunned down at Connelly Park. It comes as the warring clans Hamzy and Alameddine are due to become the subject of some of the toughest police orders in the country. Police at the scene where Ghassan Amoun was brazenly shot dead on January 6 amid an underworld war with the Alameddine crime network Serious crime prevention orders were placed on both gangs in 2020 which granted police broad powers to monitor and restrict members' movements. Some have since expired with detectives preparing to re-apply for extensions in the Supreme Court and seek orders for new players, the Sunday Telegraph reports. The orders effectively confine members of the rival networks to their homes with some voicing concerns about whether this provided protection or made them 'sitting ducks'. In addition to Amoun, Ibrahem's brother Bilal Hamze was shot dead in June 2021 outside a Sydney CBD restaurant, while another relative, 18-year-old Salim Hamze, was gunned down on October. The long-running feud between the waring crime clans has been going on for years, as Bassam Hamzy continues to call the shots from his Goulburn Supermax prison cell after being sentenced for murder. Australia's Primary Joint Committee Chairman James Paterson believes that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's WeChat account was removed due to the ongoing tensions between Australia and China. According to reports, Paterson was also the one that confirmed the news to reporters, saying that Morrison's WeChat account was hacked. He added that the PM's account on the platform is now redirected to Australian Chinese New Life, which is being run by a technology firm based in Fujian Province. James Paterson spreads theory about Scott Morrison's WeChat During an interview, Paterson revealed that Morrison started having problems with his WeChat account in 2021. At the time, the Australian government appealed to the company to restore the prime minister's account. However, no action has been made until today. However, a notice from WeChat on Jan. 5 claimed that Morrison's account had been transferred to Australian Chinese New Life amid user concerns. "The account in question was originally registered by an [Chinese] individual and was subsequently transferred to its current operator, a technology services company - and will be handled in accordance with our platform rules," a spokesperson for Tencent told CNN Business. Read Also: Australia Lifts Travel Entry Ban for Skilled Workers, Students Despite Rising Omicron Cases To Help Boost Country's Economy Scott Morrison's WeChat registered under a Chinese man An employee from Fuzhou 985 Technology also said that no one knew that the telephone was connected to Morrison. And the transfer of ownership was conducted with a Chinese man living in Fuzhou, according to Reuters. Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry of Affairs, also denied Paterson's claims that Morrison's account was removed because of the ongoing Australia-China tensions. Lijian called the accusations of China's interference as an unfounded denigration and smear. The spokesperson added that they never engage in and have no interest in foreign interference. Experts react to Scott Morrison's WeChat being removed Liberal Senator James Paterson, chair of parliament's joint committee, called the matter an example of censorship and foreign interference. Fergus Ryan, a senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said that having Morrison's WeChat account registered under the name of a Chinese citizen was ill-advised. According to the Associated Press, Liberal party lawmaker and former diplomat Dave Sharma and Morrison both used WeChat to connect with Australia's Chinese diaspora. However, the social media platform is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. But Graeme Smith, a China expert at the Australian National University, said that it's still unclear who's behind Morrison's problems with WeChat. However, he also thinks that the Chinese government might have something to do with it. Scott Morrison COVID-19 response Elsewhere, Morrison has also been making headlines following his COVID-19 response. Last year, the prime minister encouraged Australians to get vaccinated and boosted. He said that once the majority of locals have already received their jabs, he will lift the country's lockdown. The lockdown was finally lifted in December, but Australia didn't expect to deal with the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. So the majority of those that booked their summer holiday were forced to cancel their plans. Morrison released a statement saying that Omicron forced the Australian government to think of new ways to manage the virus. He also said that there's a need to reset how Australians think about the pandemic, according to In Depth News. Related Article: Australian PM Scott Morrison Rejects Lockdowns, Mandates, Says Locals Should Take Responsibility Amid Rising Omicron Cases @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An Afghan refugee has been convicted of sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at Quantico Marine Corps Base following their evacuation from Afghanistan. The federal jury in US District Court in Alexandria on Friday found Mohammed Tariq, 24, guilty of abusive sexual contact. Tariq was arrested in September at Camp Upshur in Quantico after Marines observed him fondling the girl, who was not related to him, above her clothes on her private parts. Both Tariq, the victim and her family had recently been evacuated from Afghanistan and brought to the United States during the country's takeover by the Taliban. An Afghan refugee has been convicted of sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at Quantico Marine Corps Base following their evacuation from Afghanistan According to court papers, Tariq tried to explain through interpreters that his conduct was acceptable in his culture. Efforts to have his statements suppressed were rejected by the judge. Tariq could face a maximum term of life in prison, although sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. According to AP News, Tariq was brought to Virginia after working alongside US troops in Afghanistan. 'This case is indicative of law enforcement's commitment to ensure the safety of immigrant and refugee members of our community,' said Jessica D. Aber, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia whose office prosecuted the case. 'People who come to our country seeking haven from tyranny and terrorism deserve to live here in safety. 'It is the resilience and courage of the victim and her family in speaking out against this offender that is truly emblematic of the contributions refugees and immigrants make to our country.' This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Offices Child Exploitation and a Human Trafficking Task Force of FBI agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. He will be sentenced on April 26. There are renewed calls to lower the legal driving age in Victoria after a petition proposing the change gained huge support but was shut down by the government. 'How come in every state in Australia you can get your license at 17 except Victoria which is 18? Let's make a new petition,' a video posted to TikTok on Saturday by user george_bushmechanics said. Under Victorian laws a person needs to be 18-years-old to apply for their P-plates, while in other states and territories it is 17 with the exception of the Northern Territory which is 16 and six months. The video has sparked hundreds of comments with debate over whether the move would be a good idea. 'Of course this exists when I turn 18 in two months,' one person said. The age for P-platers to get their license in Victoria is 18 but in all other states an territories it is 17-years-old or even 16 and six months in the Northern Territory (file image) 'No I waited until I was 18 and so should everyone else,' argued another. 'I don't want 17-year-olds driving around,' a third agreed. 'My cousin is in Victoria and I'm in Western Australia - I got my license before him and he's older than me,' added a fourth. In 2017, the Victorian roads minister knocked back a parliamentary committee recommendation that the driving age be lowered. The push was sparked by a Change.org petition started by then teenager Khalid Issa which gained more than 30,000 signatures. 'Not being able to get your P-plates until you are 18 years old is a huge disadvantage to many Victorians,' Mr Khalid wrote. 'We cannot start working in workplaces that require personal transport, this leaves a lot of young people unable to begin their career until they are 18.' The Victorian government is also considering raising the age limit the drivers need to completed 120 hours of supervised driving from 21 to 25 (stock image) A petition (pictured) to lower the P-plate age gained 30,000 supporters but was shut down by the government Mr Khalid said he had personally met many young people who were looking for apprentice tradie work but were being refused because they couldn't drive. 'I myself am in this situation right now, I have employers contact me telling me that they cannot hire me because I don't have a drivers license.' Mr Khalid also pointed out that public transport in Victoria was 'unreliable' which would be even more so currently with Covid restrictions. The government slapped down the petition despite the parliamentary committee recommendation - which also suggested P-platers be banned from driving at night or with passengers - saying it could increase the state's vehicle death toll. A new parliamentary committee reccommendation - which is being considered by the Andrews Government - wants to raise the age limit to 25 for learner drivers to complete 120 hours of supervised driving. Currently Victorians over 21 don't need to complete the supervised hours to get their P-plate license. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) briefly suggested letting 16-year-olds drive forklifts earlier this month Last week, The Prime Minister backed down on his proposal for 16-year-olds to work as forklift drivers, following a national cabinet meeting. It was revealed on Thursday morning that Scott Morrison and the Premiers were planning to consider a push for children to drive forklifts amid Covid-related workforce shortages. Mr Morrison took the plan to today's national cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders - but the country's leaders agreed not to push ahead with it. 'We agreed to proceed no further with the issue of 16-year-old forklift drivers,' Mr Morrison said. 'We had a good discussion about (it) today and (it) is not something that we believe, collectively, that is something we should be pursuing,' he said. A frustrated customer has shared the scathing email she wrote to her gym in a last-ditch effort to cancel her membership. Ellie Waddingham, 18, shared a video where she read out the email she wrote to her Fitness First gym on the Gold Coast. She said that she tried to leave the gym before, but her cancellation was rejected. Scroll down for the video. Ellie Waddingham, 18, shared a video on Monday where she read out the email she wrote to her Fitness First gym 'Never sign into a lock-in contract at a gym,' she warned the viewers. 'I can't afford the gym anymore and they don't think that's a good enough reason (to leave).' Ms Waddingham read out the email she sent to the gym's customer service, starting with an apology for the bluntness of her message. 'I apologise in advance for the tone of this email and for whoever is going to have to deal with me because I'm honestly at my wits end with this company,' she read. She then went on to discuss the behaviour of the gym's unvaccinated patrons and how she was 'disgusted' by their views. 'Today I heard a number of members loudly expressing their anti-vax views in the gym, frankly it disgusted me,' she said. 'In times like these, I don't want to be part of an organisation that is fostering these kinds of beliefs by not mandating vaccination certificates.' Ms Waddingham then went on to explain how some male patrons added to her feeling unsafe in the gym. 'Being a woman in the gym of course I expect some unwanted attention but it's gotten to the point where I don't feel welcome in the space anymore,' she said. 'I've had men catcall me, glare and laugh at me, and invade my personal space to the point that I have to stop mid-set until they move out of my way.' She then also explained her financial situation as 'living paycheque to paycheque' and how she couldn't afford her membership anymore. Ms Waddingham said several incidents had led to her 'no longer feeling welcome in the space' and noted she had signed her contract as a minor 'I work three jobs just to be able to afford to live and study and this is a financial commitment I really cannot afford,' she said. 'I can barely afford to pay my rent let alone for this membership.' Ms Waddingham concluded her email by stating she should not be held to a contract that she signed as a minor. 'I look forward to your response and I hope we are able to come to some sort of resolution as I know Fitness First is notoriously hard to get away from,' she said. 'Even when the contracts I signed are borderline illegal as I signed them as a minor.' Several viewers supported Ms Waddingham in the comments and some said they were in a similar situation themselves. 'Please please update me - I'm in the same boat (with) my gym. Staff not wearing masks, misgendering me, I moved 1 hour away won't let me leave,' one user wrote. However not everyone was on her side and said she shouldn't have signed a contract she couldn't keep. 'Her fault for signing it,' a person said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Fitness First for statement. Two years ago to the day Australia recorded its first Covid cases: One in Victoria and three in NSW, all arriving on flights from China. Fast forward two exhausting years later, and it's a very different Australia. We've now had more than 2.25 million cases - 2 million of them just since Christmas - and more than 3,200 deaths, including more than 1,000 just since December 25. It's been a devastating journey for many. Loved ones lost, key moments in life missed, families ripped apart, lives put on hold. Two years ago today, on the eve of Australia Day 2020, the nation recorded its first Covid cases: One in Victoria and three in NSW, all arriving on flights from China (pictured Sydneysiders on Tuesday, two years after Australia's first recorded Covid case) Just a few months earlier though the streets were grim and bare as lockdown kicked in (pictured, Sydney's abandoned CBD in June) Once, not so long ago, we shook hands, we hugged. We kissed strangers. We thought we knew how to wash our hands properly or sneeze politely. 'Remote learning' was for bush kids and 'working from home' was a rare luxury. Australians could travel overseas without worrying about being allowed back home. Imagine two years ago trying to explain you would need to spend hours tracking down a test kit to swab yourself for disease before meeting others. Or being cut off from your elderly relatives in nursing homes while they died on FaceTime - and then not be allowed to go to their funeral. Or cancelling your carefully-prepared dream wedding, over and over and over again, often losing your deposit or worse. Australia has now had more than 2.25 million cases - 2 million of them just since Christmas - and more than 3,200 deaths, including more than 1,000 also just since Christmas (pictured, Covid testing in Sydney) Who would have predicted our city streets would see weekly protests and riots where conspiracy theorists, neo-fascists, religious zealots and fitness freaks would join forces? And that many of the protesters would rather risk injecting themselves with bleach or eat horse worming tablets than trust in modern medicine and proven vaccines? Just two years ago, the world was very different. In March 2020, international music acts like Hot Chip and New Order toured Australia, playing to crowds of thousands at packed venues where you only showed your ticket to get in. No QR code check-ins, no negative PCR or rapid antigen tests, no certificates of vaccination, no social distancing, no masks. Everyone singing, everyone dancing. And then just a few days later, the music stopped. Two years ago today, the World Health Organisation called on all governments to act as one as China warned of the 'grave situation' and the 'accelerating spread' of the lethal new flu emerging in Wuhan. The US reported its third, fourth and fifth cases the following day as other nations around the world also discovered a handful of Covid victims each. In Australia, the nation watched the pandemic begin to unfold across the world but largely kept the threat at bay until the cruise ship Ruby Princess docked in Sydney on March 19, 2020. Australia watched the pandemic begin to unfold across the world but largely kept the threat at bay until the cruise ship Ruby Princess docked in Sydney on March 19, 2020 (pictured) After a series of blunders, 2,700 people were allowed to leave the the ship, despite reports of infected passengers on board, many visibly coughing and spluttering. At least 900 later tested positive, and 28 died. Although it was later estimated just a further 62 people were infected by those on the boat, it was the catalyst for Australia to go into lockdown. On March 20 2020, the nation was sealed off to non-Australians, with returning Aussies forced into mandatory two week quarantine. States began to close their borders too. By March 28 2020, new daily cases had hit an early peak of 459 cases - with aged care centres hardest hit - before a national lockdown forced the numbers back down to under 20 a day by the end of April. Aussies trapped overseas had to apply for one of a handful of places to get back in and faced extortionate air fares to fly home, yet celebrities managed to regularly fly in, given special circumstance exclusions, with their bills picked up by movie moguls. A National Cabinet of state, territory and federal leaders was created to fight the virus and the government ran up eye-watering debt to bail out the nation and keep businesses alive as the country went into cold storage (pictured, Victoria Premier Dan Andrews) A National Cabinet of state, territory and federal leaders was created to fight the virus and the government ran up eye-watering debt to bail out the nation and keep businesses alive as the country shut shop. But government demands for a global inquiry into China's role and response to Covid sparked a Chinese trade boycott, smashing Australian exports and hurting the economy further. Another outbreak at a Melbourne quarantine hotel in May saw Victoria go back into a punishing 112-day lockdown which at one stage peaked with 7000 active cases. But through the combination of international isolation, localised lockdowns and strictly enforced restrictions, Australia managed to largely escape the carnage being seen overseas, as nation after nation fell victim to the deadly disease, with horrific consequences. Sydney became a city divided between families enduring a grim lockdown in the west and the sunworshipping beachgoers in the east and north (pictured, beachgoers in Bondi) When the US hit the tragic milestone of 500,000 deaths, Australia had barely 1,300 (pictured, a Covid patient in Sydney's St Vincent's Hospitsl ICU) When the US hit the tragic milestone of 500,000 deaths, Australia had barely 1,300. By the time vaccines became available, the country was complacent. Prime Minister Scott Morrison played down the need for haste in rolling out the vaccines, insisting: 'It's not a race.' Critics claim the complacency would later cost Australia dearly by not having sufficient supplies on order by the time the Delta wave hit in June 2021. Suddenly, this new highly contagious and even more deadly variant began to sweep through the nation and Australia again went back into lockdown. The federal govern,emt brought in the military to organise its distribution, led by Lt Gen John Frewen (pictured) ADF personnel took to the streets to enforce lockdowns as huge areas of Sydney were sealed off (ipctured) The vaccine rollout turned out to be a race after all. The government begged other nations for surplus vaccines and brought in the military to organise its distribution. Meanwhile ADF personnel took to the streets to enforce lockdowns as huge areas of Sydney were sealed off. Locals needed written permission to leave or enter the worst affected suburbs - and workers needed daily tests - while states battled states over whose lockdown was more effective. Sydney became a city divided between families enduring a grim lockdown in the west and the sunworshipping beachgoers in the east and north. Police checked vaccine status as some Sydneysiders outside the city's eastern suburbs relaxed on the beach through lockdown (pictured) The vaccine rollout in the worst affected states of NSW and Victoria led the country, with massive take up quickly turning a disaster into a triumph, with world-beating vaccination rates. But hardline states which had been less-affected by Covid like Western Australia and Queensland, thanks to strict and punishing border controls, lagged behind on double-vaccination and would later need to catch up rapidly. With business on its knees from the repeated lockdowns, the double-dose vaccination program finally hit the landmark target of 80 per cent of adults over 16 in NSW by mid October and the nation cautiously began to re-open. But by the time NSW hit 90 per cent in December and almost all Covid restrictions were removed, a new even more virulent strain had already hit Australia. Domestic travel was axed early in the pandemic, with Qantas putting two-thirds of its staff on leave (pictured) Aussies stranded overseas found it almost impossible to get home and faced extortionate air fares if they managed to get a ticket (Pictured, a family reunion in Brisbane Airport this week) Omicron had first been identified in South Africa and it was about to rip through Australia like never seen before - and it was largely resistant to even the double-jabbed. Suddenly there was a new race - the need to roll out the vaccine booster program. Initially only available to those who had been double-jabbed at the start of the vaccination program in June, the bar was repeatedly lowered to allow more to become eligible for a potentially life-saving shot. It's now just three months between a second vaccine jab and the third booster shot, dropped from six months in a matter of days. The new variant was highly transmissible, more than any previous variant ever seen before, and although milder, it could still be deadly - and the massive rate of infection threatened to swamp the nation's health system. The government ran up eye-watering debt to bail out the nation and keep businesses alive as the country went into cold storage (pictured, a Melbourne shopping centre in lockdown) It coincided with end of Covid restrictions which allowed it to spread through the nation like no other strain. Suddenly Australia has gone from fretting over hundreds of cases daily to facing more than 153,000 new cases a day at Omicron's peak on January 13. The numbers are further skewed by the decision to restrict PCR tests after the system was swamped by demand, and the lack of rapid antigen tests. Today, it seems the worst of the latest outbreak has now past in terms of daily new cases but deaths and hospitalisations could still rise in the two week wake of its peak. Exhausted health care workers are praying the worst is over soon. The booster program is still rolling out, with up to 250,000 shots a day, turning the tide on the latest outbreak, with the promise of yet another return to our new kind of normality. Sydney re-opened on October 11 and locals rushed to enjoy their freedoms once more in the new normal (pictured) Schools are set to return, domestic and international travel restrictions and quarantine requirements are being abandoned. It almost seems like life is set to return to normal. Experts disagree on what exactly that will be though. From an obsessive surface-scrubbing fear of the disease - and every stranger - the world has now eased into a more relaxed acceptance of Covid and the inevitability that we will now all catch it at some stage. Many are even holding Covid parties in a bid to catch the virus in the hope they can move on. The world has now eased into a more relaxed acceptance of covid and the inevitability that we will now all catch it at some stage (pictured, Sydneysiders enjoy the new normal) But some experts still have a dark view of the future. They fear the disease may yet mutate once more into a lethal, highly dangerous new form which could force us all back into lockdown and isolation. Epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman warns that only 53 per cent of the world is currently double-jabbed...and the potential is ripe for more carnage in a new strain. 'That means theres always a new chance of more variants arising,' he told SBS. 'Were seeing lots of variants but none that are really dangerous. So Omicron was an exception and therell almost certainly be another one coming. '[And] if it is to take over from Omicron, it has to be more transmissible.' NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant (pictured) warns the future will remain a halfway house of masks, restrictions and new drugs and vaccines to fight the disease and any new variants Others, like NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant warn the future will remain a halfway house of masks, restrictions and new drugs and vaccines to fight the disease and any new variants. 'All of us would just like Covid to be gone... we would like to have one more round of vaccinations, and then have it as a done deal,' she said. 'From time to time we'll need to have advice about additional strategies - indoor mask wearing, limiting your household gatherings, meeting outside. 'There will be new vaccines and technologies that come to the fore in 2022.' Others though are more optimistic. Dr Nick Coatsworth who was the face of the vaccination rollout, says 2022 will be the year our Covid hell ends. Epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman warns that only 53 per cent of the world is currently double-jabbed...and the potential is ripe for more carnage in a new strain (pictured, international travellers at London's Heathrow Airport) He predicts the disease will become endemic, future variants will be milder and far less lethal and regular Covid shots will keep the disease at bay for good. 'We will live our lives again as part of the incredibly social and incurably optimistic human species that thrives on this planet,' he wrote at New Year. 'Our community is ready and can move to a phase of living with COVID-19 as an endemic virus.' Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured) who was the face of the vaccination rollout, says 2022 will be the year our Covid hell ends He added: '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.' And even pessimistic Professor Esterman agreed - albeit on a slightly longer timescale. He added: 'Im hopeful that in, perhaps, two years time, life will be pretty much back to normal.' Judges have approved a request for a special grand jury by the Georgia prosecutor who's investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others broke the law by trying to pressure Georgia officials to throw out Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last week sought to have a special grand jury aid her investigation into the Republican leader's efforts to pressure officials in a state where he lost to Joe Biden. A Trump spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Willis last week sent a letter to county superior court Chief Judge Christopher Brasher asking him to impanel a special grand jury. Brasher issued an order Monday saying the request was considered and approved by a majority of the superior court judges. The special grand jury is to be seated May 2 for a period of up to a year, Brasher's order says. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney is assigned to supervise and assist the special grand jury. Judges have approved a request for a special grand jury by the Georgia prosecutor who's investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others broke the law by trying to pressure Georgia officials to throw out Joe Biden's presidential election victory Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last week sought to have a special grand jury aid her investigation into the Republican leader's efforts to pressure officials in a state where he lost to Joe Biden Willis wrote in her letter to Brasher that her office 'has received information indicating a reasonable probability that the State of Georgias administration of elections in 2020, including the States election of the President of the United States, was subject to possible criminal disruptions.' She said her office has 'opened an investigation into any coordinated attempts to unlawfully alter the outcome of the 2020 elections in this state.' The special grand jury 'shall be authorized to investigate any and all facts and circumstances relating directly or indirectly to alleged violations of the laws of the State of Georgia, as set forth in the request of the District Attorney,' the order says. Willis has declined to speak about the specifics of her investigation, but in an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month she confirmed that its scope includes - but is not limited to - a January 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a November 2020 phone call between U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Raffensperger, the abrupt resignation of the U.S. attorney in Atlanta on January 4, 2021, and comments made during December 2020 Georgia legislative committee hearings on the election. Willis has declined to speak about the specifics of her investigation, but in an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month she confirmed that its scope includes - but is not limited to - a January 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (pictured) The transcript quotes Trump telling Raffensperger: 'I just want to find 11,780 votes,' which is the number Trump needed to win Georgia. Trump has for months before and after the November 2020 election made false claims of voter fraud. In a statement last week, Trump called his call to Raffensperger 'perfect' and said he did not say anything wrong. Graham has also denied any wrongdoing. Legal experts have said Trump's phone calls may have violated at least three state election laws: conspiracy to commit election fraud, criminal solicitation to commit election fraud and intentional interference with performance of election duties. The possible felony and misdemeanor violations are punishable by fines or imprisonment. In a recent court filing, Willis specifically mentioned that Raffensperger, whom she described as an 'essential witness,' had indicated he would only take part in an interview once presented with a subpoena. Special grand juries, which are not used often in Georgia, can help in the investigation of complex matters. They do not have the power to return an indictment but can make recommendations to prosecutors on criminal prosecutions. Willis wrote in her letter that the special grand jury is needed because it can serve for longer than a normal grand jury term, which is two months in Fulton County. Willis wrote that her office 'has received information indicating... the States election of the President of the United States, was subject to possible criminal disruptions' after Trump reportedly put pressure on Georgia to reject Biden's victory It also would be able to focus on this investigation alone, allowing it to focus on the complex facts and circumstances. And having a special grand jury would mean the regular seated grand jury would not have to deal with this investigation in addition to their regular duties, Willis wrote. Willis' investigation became public last February when she sent letters to top elected officials in Georgia instructing them to preserve any records related to the general election, particularly any evidence of attempts to influence election officials. The probe includes 'potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local government bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the elections administration,' the letters said. A senior policeman said the arrest of a 10-year-old boy for the theft of $2,000 worth of cigarettes was 'extremely concerning'. The child was one of six people believed to be involved in breaking into a store inside a shopping centre on Bath Street in Alice Springs last weekend. Northern Territory Police are currently trying to identify the five other offenders involved. The force's Southern Region Commander, Craig Laidler, said the boy's arrest was one of a number of incidents of criminal behaviour in the town over the weekend. 'It is extremely concerning to see offenders as young as 10 engaging in this type of offending,' Cmdr Laidler said. 'Were fed up with the absolute disregard we continue to see and experience first-hand with youth and adult offenders who continue to show complete disregard and respect for our community, businesses and residences. Our members are working tirelessly to make our community safer for everyone, and despite our best efforts at the weekend our community was seriously impacted by crime and anti-social behaviour. 'It is extremely concerning to see offenders as young as 10 engaging in this type of offending,' Northern Territory's Southern Region Commander, Craig Laidler, said of the arrest of a 10-year-old boy in relation to the theft of $2,000 worth of cigarettes Three others were arrested for property offending, motor vehicle theft and anti-social behaviour across Alice Springs. They included a 16-year-old boy charged in relation to an unlawful entry at an East Side home, and two men aged 20 and 21 who broke into a home in Gillen on Sunday morning. 'Sad reality is this is really happening every day of the week, day and night,' one person commented on a post about the theft. 'When people are at work or at home makes no difference, and when they're caught, they get let off lightly if they're a youth so what's the deterrence not to do it again if the same outcome every time if caught.' NT Police statistics revealing 830 break-ins in the city in the year to August 2021, which represented a 60 per cent jump on the previous year Youth crime is an ongoing problem in Alice Springs, with NT Police statistics revealing 830 break-ins in the city in the year to August 2021, which represented a 60 per cent jump on the previous year. Alice Springs councillor and Alyawarre man Michael Liddle told ABC Alice Springs last year that he feared 'a lost generation' of kids walking around with 'no identity and no purpose'. 'We need more soldiers getting the young people to turn around and say, "c'mon, this is a better way",' said Mr Liddle, who noted crime in the town was becoming more brazen. Australia's urgent demand for rapid antigen tests is creating overnight multi-millionaires, with one entrepreneur signing a $26 million contract to supply kits to the government. Austyn Campbell, 38, who runs Motion One from a two-bedroom apartment in Elizabeth Bay, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is one of a small group of importers of the tests approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. On the Austender website detailing government contracts, Motion One signed on to supply tests produced by Chinese company Jiangsu Well Biotech until August 2022 in a contact worth $26,290,000. Jiangsu Well Biotech produces the Orawell Covid-19 Ag Rapid Saliva Test Device, which has been the subject of claims by those with orders for the test that they were diverted by the federal Health Department for the national stockpile. Austyn Campbell, 38, who runs Motion One from a two-bedroom apartment in Sydney's inner-east suburb of Elizabeth Bay, has signed a $26 million contract to supply a Chinese-made rapid antigen test in Australia The Orawell Covid-19 Ag Rapid Saliva Test Device Ms Campbell imports has been the subject of claims by those with orders for the test that they had been diverted by the Federal Department of Health for the national stockpile The documents reveal the contact was not subject to an open tender process due to 'reasons of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseen'. Ms Campbell was formerly a sales manager for Sydney car dealer Suttons Motors and a chief commercial officer for Sydney pilates franchise, Vive Active. She was also involved in promoting pastel-shaded ankle and arm weights in Australia and the Asia-Pacific by fitness brand Bala. 'Its a fusion between fashion and fitness,' Ms Campbell told the Sydney Morning Herald in August 2021. 'People like the design and the fact that they are aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. The product also lends itself to Instagram with a wide range of colours.' Ms Campbell had also sold rapid antigen tests via a local Potts Point Facebook group for $12.50 each. 'I own a pharmacy distribution company and we are the TGA sponsors of these tests,' she informed members of the Potts Pointers community page. David Panton (left), the partner of former Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop (right) runs Pantonic Health with his daughters, Sally and Laura. The company is approved by the TGA to supply CareStart RATs made by US company Access Bio Ms Campbell (not pictured) was previously known for promoting pastel-shaded ankle and arm weights in Australia and the Asia-Pacific by fitness brand Bala (pictured) Another approved supplier of test in Australia is the boyfriend of former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop. David Panton and his daughters, Sally and Laura, run Pantonic Health, which provides CareStart rapid antigen tests made by American company Access Bio. Queensland's Deputy Premier Steve Miles last week said that two batches of 34,000 Orawell rapid antigen tests ordered by Queensland Rail for its train crews had not been filled. Transport Minister Mark Bailey said he would ask the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate any connection between the Motion One contract and the failure of the tests to arrive for Queensland Rail. Mr Bailey shared a screenshot last weekend that appeared to show an agreement between the federal Health Department and Motion One for $26.29 million. 'Either the Morrison govt has commandeered the stock using emergency powers, or they've swooped in late with a big money procurement offer of $26.29 million that a supplier couldn't refuse given the massive profit margin offered,' Mr Bailey tweeted. Australia's urgent demand for rapid antigen tests saw Motion One awarded a $26million contract without an open tender process But federal Health Minister Greg Hunt denied the claim. 'I have confirmed with the Department of Health, the Commonwealth has not received and is not expecting to receive any supply from that supplier [Motion One] until at least February 7,' he said. Ms Campbell also denied tests provided by her company were requisitioned by the federal government as part of emergency stockpiling. 'We discovered through third parties that a company unknown to Motion One, a customer of one of our distributors, had notified its own customer base that the product we supply had been "recalled" on the basis of Government requisition,' she said. 'We contacted this customer as soon as the discovery was made and demanded that they issue an immediate retraction since there was no justification for a claim that there had been any recall.' Ms Campbell's company Motion One supplies the Orawell COVID-19 Ag Rapid Saliva Test Device (pictured) manufactured Chinese company Jiangsu Well Biotech 'A retraction was issued. As far as we are aware, the government has not requisitioned our product at any time.' Some Australian manufacturers continue to await TGA approval to supply RATs locally. Derek Thomson, cheif executive of Brisbane biotech company AnteoTech, said last week it had the capacity to make 12 million rapid antigen tests a year but had yet to receive TGA approval in Australia. He said ANteoTech advised the federal government in 2020 about the likely need for rapid tests during the pandemic but received little response. He said the company approached the TGA about approving its tests in September 2021 but had not yet received it. Wall Street employers are again telling New York City workers to prepare for in-person work with most setting return dates in February after companies like Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase delayed their initial plans when the Omicron surge rocked the Big Apple last month. New York City, like the rest of the country, has seen COVID-19 cases nosedive over the past two weeks. The Big Apple reported a 70% drop in average cases from 40,150 on January 10 to 12,012 on Monday, according to the New York Times. Thats nearly a 50% drop from the 24,906 cases reported one week ago. With the light at the end of the tunnel in sight, Wall Street giants began announcing new return dates for employees. Citigroup told its metropolitan-area staff to be prepared to return to the office in at least two days a week starting February 7, a person familiar with the policy told the New York Times. Citigroup has not released any information on return dates for the rest of its offices and its employees in other parts of the U.S. will still be told to work remotely, according to the source. Major NYC employers are setting February dates for staff to return to work in person, as COVID-19 cases continue dropping. Above, pedestrians walk outside a seemingly deserted Goldman Sachs building in lower Manhattan on January 18 Citigroup and BNP Paribas have both set February 7 return dates, while Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase both have February 1 return dates. Above, a man walks past a JPMorgan Chase bank in Manhattan on January 13 COVID-19 cases have been dropping across the country over the past two weeks NYC saw a 70% drop in average COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, going from 40,150 on January 10 to 12,012 on Monday Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase told employees to come back to the office starting February 1, after both delayed their return ahead of the holidays when COVID-19 cases were out of control ahead of the holidays. Goldman Sachs planned for a January 14 return date before making the change. Ahead of Citibanks return date, it will also follow through on its promise to terminate any employees who were not vaccinated against COVID-19 by mid-January. Citigroup said earlier this month that U.S. employees who were not vaccinated by January 14 would be placed on unpaid leave and fired at the end of the month unless they were granted an exemption and accommodation. BNP Paribas set the same February 7 return date for all U.S. staff after delaying its in-person work plans by about a month due to the Omicron surge. The retail banking company, which employs about 14,000 people in the U.S., will expect U.S. staff to work at least one day a week, which is similar to its policy late last year before the Omicron variant swept the nation. "With what happened with Omicron, we wanted to go back into a more conservative mode. So we only have people in the office if there's a business critical need for them to be in," Kevin Abraszek, the companys head of HR change and transformation in New York, told Reuters on Friday. Employees are required to be vaccinated to work in the office, but Abraszek said those who werent vaccinated would be permitted to continue working from home. "I think we're going to continue to look at that decision and that policy in the early part of this year," he said. Abraszek said that the company plans to fill the office at half-capacity following its February return date. "We were generally skewing around 25% to 30% late last year," he said. "We'll probably reach that level and then our hope is that over the course of the spring, and certainly into the summer, that we will get closer to that 50%." Abraszeks estimate is higher than most NYC companies, as only 16% of big employers said they currently have a daily attendance of 50% or more and an additional 7% said they expect in-person attendance to cross that threshold by the end of this month. About 75% of major NYC employers, including Citigroup (whose offices are pictured above), had to delay their plans for returning to work in person due to the Omicron variant, according to a new survey Employers were surveyed by the Partnership for New York City, a business advocacy group, between January 10 and 18. About a quarter surveyed said that they could not estimate when their in-person attendance would reach half capacity. The remaining nearly 50% surveyed said that they expect to reach half capacity somewhere between spring and early 2023. The survey also found that 75% of employers delayed their planned returns to the office due to the Omicron variants hold on the city. Meanwhile, Covid cases across the nation are also seeing the same downward decline as the Big Apple. Dr. Anthony Fauci said on ABCs This Week Sunday that Omicron cases will likely start dropping throughout the nation by mid-February as the hardest-hit cities experience infection rate dips of up to 64 percent. The nations top infectious disease expert said that the US will likely start to 'see a turnaround' in cases and hospitalizations as the highly-contagious variant begins to slow - and that it could signal a gradual return to normal. 'We would hope that as we get into the next weeks or month, we will see throughout the entire country, the level of infection get to below what I call the 'area of control,' the famously gloomy White House COVID expert told ABC's This Week on Sunday. Dr. Anthony Fauci said during an appearance on ABC's This Week that most US states could peak by mid-February 'Control means you're not eliminating it, you're not eradicating it, but it gets down into such a low level that it's essentially integrated into the general respiratory infections that we have learned to live with.' In New York - where parts of the state were paralyzed by Omicron last month - cases have dropped 58% in a fortnight, and 82% week-over-week, Johns Hopkins University data indicates. The Empire State went from having 79,777 cases January 9 to recording 27,643 cases Saturday, representing a 54 percent drop during the past two weeks, according to New York Times data. Deaths related to the virus spiked 71 percent in the past two weeks; more than 62,600 New Yorkers have died from Covid since the pandemic began. Fauci said that while the numbers are moving in the right direction for the bulk of the nation, the situation varies state-by-state. He again pushed for Americans to get vaccinated and wear masks indoors, calling the measures the best lines of defense against the variant. 'Things are looking good,' he said. 'We don't want to get overconfident, but they look like they're going in the right direction right now.' An Australian teenager trapped inside a besieged Islamic state prison has sent family members harrowing voice messages pleading for help as gunfire and explosions roar around him. The Gutweiran prison, in Hasakah in Syria's north-east, is at the centre of violent clashes between Islamic State militants and US-backed Kurdish-led forces as IS fighters try to free thousands of their members held captive inside. Since January 20, militants have surrounded the facility and have now blasted their way through a wall by detonating car bomb, killing dozens of prison workers and enabling inmates to escape. The 17-year-old boy, who has suffered a head wound in the bombardment, has sent audio recordings to his family in Sydney, obtained by the ABC, saying he is 'scared he might die'. In the recording, he describes seeing dead bodies lying in front of him as the Kurdish-led forces try to prevent the prison break and exchange fire with IS fighters outside the gates. An Australian teenager has sent family members harrowing voice messages from inside a besieged Syrian prison. Pictured: Kurdish security forces deployed in Syria's northern city of Hasakeh on January 22, 2022, amid ongoing fighting for a third day with the Islamic State group 'They're not stopping shooting,' he said,' Every little bit, they shoot. Every little bit they're hitting missiles. I don't know what to do. 'People are screaming next to me. People are scared. I really need help. I really want to come back home.' The boy is understood to have travelled back to Syria in 2015, then aged 11, with his parents and siblings shortly after the region was declared an Islamic State caliphate. When the Islamic state caliphate fell in 2019, he and his mother were transferred to a camp in the country's north-east, where they became separated. The teenager was taken to the overcrowded prison, which houses around 5000 men and 700 boys, where he has spent the past three years detained. Conditions are reportedly desperate within the facility, with detainees receiving inadequate healthcare and struggling to maintain their mental health. His mother is reportedly still alive in a nearby detention centre, while it is unclear what happened to his father and siblings. The boy travelled to Syria with his family in 2015 before becoming separated and detained in the prison (pictured) in 2019 The boy is not in regular contact with his mother and has not had any direct contact with his Sydney-based relatives since his incarceration. Kamalle Dabboussy, who is friends with the boy's family in Australia, said they were shocked after receiving the audio clips via a messaging app. He said the boy was a happy child and normal suburban kid before he left, acting as a big brother figure to the younger kids around the neighbourhood. Mr Dabboussy has been campaigning for the boy to be brought back to Australia but said the government have chosen not to act. Mat Tinkler, Save the Children's acting chief executive, said many men died or were imprisoned during the conflict with IS that ended in 2019, leading to women and children being taken to camps. According to the organisation, more than 40 Australian children are in detention across north east Syria. Mr Tinkler said his organisation has repeatedly called on the government to bring those children and women home for several years, but to no avail. There are more than 40 children and their mothers detained at camps in north-eastern Syria, according to organisation Save the Children. Syrians are pictured fleeing their homes in Hasakeh on January 22 as the town becomes the centre of an armed conflict A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said 'the primary consideration for government is what is in the interest of Australia and the Australian community'. 'Our ability to provide consular assistance to Australians in Syria is extremely limited, due to the dangerous security situation,' they said. 'A number of Australians are detained in Syria, but numbers and details are difficult to verify. 'The Government has long advised Australians do not travel to Syria due to the dangerous security situation.' New York City's new mayor on Monday vowed to end the scourge of gun violence plaguing his city - reviving a disbanded police unit, injecting cash into community projects, and vowing to dismantle weapons trafficking networks. On Friday a 22-year-old police officer, Jason Rivera, was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call in Harlem - the first officer killed by gunfire in the city since July 2017. Eric Adams, a former captain in the NYPD, who took over as mayor on January 1, said that Rivera's murder should act as a catalyst. 'We are going to do a lot more than pray. We are going to turn our pain into purpose,' he said in a City Hall press conference. 'We will not surrender our city to the violent few.' There have been 73 shootings so far this year in the city - an increase of 23.7 percent on last year. A total of 82 people have been shot, up from 67 in the first three weeks of 2021. Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, on Monday unveiled his plan to combat soaring gun crime Police recovered an illegal Glock 45 at the scene, equipped with a 'high capacity magazine.' The drum magazine gives a gun 40 additional rounds, allowing the user to fire a total of 50 rounds Adams, 61, presented what he called 'The Blueprint to End Gun Violence' - a 15 page plan to tackle violence on the streets, through the courts, and in the state and federal legislature. 'New York City has been tested to its core in the first month of 2022,' the intro states. 'These weeks have been among the most violent in recent memory, most of it caused by a crisis of gun violence that continues to plague our communities.' Adams said the NYPD would bring back plainclothes police squads, termed the Anti-Crime Units, which his predecessor Bill de Blasio disbanded in July 2020 amid anger at policing sparked by the murder of George Floyd. The units will now be known as Neighborhood Safety Teams, and will launch in the next three weeks, targeting 30 precincts where the mayor said 80 percent of violence takes place. De Blasio disbanded the unit amid criticism of their tactics: Adams, in a bid to win over critics, said the plainclothes officers would be somehow identifiable to the public as police officers, and be equipped with body cameras. 'The City will hold listening tours in key neighborhoods, truly understanding the challenges of past Anti-Crime Units and providing additional training, supervision, analytics, and risk monitoring to ensure these enhanced teams work with communities He also promised an expansion of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, the NYPD unit that goes after gun traffickers, and more police patrolling the streets, with fewer assigned to desk duties. 'We will have boots on the ground on every block in this city,' the mayor said. Adams said he would crackdown on the 'iron pipeline', allocating more resources to teams performing spot checks to prevent guns being brought in to the city. He promised to create programs for young people over the summer, with training and 'youth engagement', to win over vulnerable youths and stop them falling in to a life of crime. He also promised more federal funds for mental health care and hospital beds for those too ill to be on the streets. 'We will not surrender our city to the violent few,' Adams said. Adams has previously expressed concerns about changes to the bail law that were recently enacted, and he called on state lawmakers to make a number of changes, including to New York's bail law and to a law that altered how the state handles teenage defendants. 'I want to be clear: This is not just a plan for the future it is a plan for right now,' the mayor said. 'Gun violence is a public health crisis. There is no time to wait.' The new Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, has been criticized for declaring that he would not prosecute certain crimes, but on Monday, in response to the concerns, he said he would prosecute gun crimes, including gun possession, aggressively. 'If you're walking around Manhattan with a gun, you're going to be prosecuted and we're going to hold you accountable in what I would say is the traditional sense,' Bragg said. The Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the largest police union in the city, welcomed Adams' plan. 'Mayor Adams is absolutely right that the message on the streets is that there are no consequences for carrying and using illegal guns,' the union said in a statement. 'We saw the tragic results of that message again on Friday night. 'It has to change immediately, because we have already lost more than we can bear.' Jason Rivera (left), 22, who joined the NYPD a little over a year ago, was shot and killed on Friday night and his partner Wilbert Mora, who signed up in 2018, remains in a critical condition Police officers are pictured on the scene in Harlem, where two officers were shot and one killed The shooting is the first death of a members of the NYPD since Eric Adams took over as mayor on January 1 Adams is seen on Friday night addressing the press and crowds of police officers at Harlem hospital Yet Adams's plan, in particular his revival of the Anti-Crime Units, have not been universally welcomed. 'We can build safer, stronger communities without relying on strategies which in the past have inflicted lasting harm,' said Jumaane Williams, the city's public advocate. 'This is not a time to lose the lessons that we have learned.' Lashawn J. McNeil, 47, opened fire on the officers, and was shot in the arm and head. His death was announced on Monday. He was out on probation at the time following a New York narcotics arrest, and had four previous arrests in two other states Rivera's funeral will be held on Friday in St Patrick's Cathedral, with the mayor in attendance and the PBA calling on New Yorkers to attend en masse. The gunman who killed Rivera and seriously injured his colleague Wilbert Mora, Lashawn McNeil, 47, died of his injuries on Monday. McNeil ambushed the officers called by his mother, and opened fire with an illegally modified Glock .45-caliber handgun. The convicted felon was on probation for a 2003 drug conviction when he shot the officers, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said at a press conference Saturday. McNeil also had several arrests in other states, including a 1998 arrest for gun possession which was later dismissed and a 2002 Pennsylvania arrest for assaulting a police officer. He had two other arrests in Pennsylvania the following year for felony and misdemeanor drug charges, records show. The gun used to shoot the two NYPD officers, which was stolen from Baltimore in 2017, was illegally equipped with a high-capacity magazine that holds an additional 40 rounds. Five police officers have been shot so far this year. NATO announced on Monday that it has begun sending fighter jets and ships to reinforce eastern Europe and put troops on standby in response to Russia's increasing military force on the Ukraine border. The deployment of military equipment came after the US Department of Defense announced that it had put around 8,500 American troops on heightened alert and were waiting to be deployed to the region in case Russia pursues to invade Ukraine, per Al Jazeera. Tensions soar as Russia massed an estimated 100,000 troops along Ukraine's border, surrounding the country from the north, east, and south. Moscow denies the alleged invasion plans and denounces the moves of the US and its Western allies as "hysteria." It even said that the actions of the West are proof that Russia is the one being the target of aggression, as per Reuters. Read Also: US Puts 8,500 Troops on Heightened Alert, Possibly for Deployment in Eastern Europe Amid Russia-Ukraine Tension US, Western Allies Gearing Up To Deter Russian Aggression Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden held a secure video call conference with European leaders on Monday to campaign for unity in resolving the Ukraine crisis. According to a White House statement, Biden discussed joint measures with the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Poland to prevent future Russian aggression against Ukraine, including the implementation of enormous sanctions and heavy economic penalties on Russia. The leaders also discussed security on NATO's eastern flank. Earlier, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the series of deployments announced by US allies and remarked that NATO is ready to take "all necessary measures" to address "deterioration" of the "security environment" by bolstering "collective defense." NATO currently maintains some 4,000 troops in multinational battalions in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland, backed up by tanks, air defenses, and intelligence and surveillance units. US Troops Are Just Waiting For Orders United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued the preparation for deployment orders of the 8,500 troops at the direction of President Biden to prepare for a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine that could be imminent, according to officials. The majority of the US troops on high alert will support NATO's rapid response force, but they will also be "postured to be ready for any additional situations." Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stressed there is no final decision to deploy US troops had been made as of Monday afternoon, but the United States has decided to gear up its forces at home and abroad, "so they are prepared to respond to a range of contingencies, including support to the NATO response force if it is activated," per CNN. According to media reports, the Biden administration has already reached the final phase of identifying specific military units it would send to Eastern Europe. Previously, the US State Department urged all family members of embassy personnel and US citizens in Ukraine to flee the country as soon as possible, citing the potential of a Russian incursion owing to Moscow's force buildup on the border. The Biden administration committed to supplying Kyiv with an additional $200 million in military aid to help strengthen its defensive capabilities in the event of a Russian invasion. Over the weekend, some of the assistance, including military equipment, began arriving in Ukraine. Related Article: Joe Biden Predicts Russia Will Attack Ukraine Anytime But Vladimir Putin Will Face Stiff Price; Volodymyr Zelensky Rebukes Gaffe @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Robeks worker who was branded a 'f**king immigrant loser' and was struck with a smoothie by an irate Merrill Lynch wealth advisor said she became afraid after the financier lost his temper at the store on Saturday. 'It was kind of scary, I'm not going to lie because I'm like 'I don't know his intention or what he was going to do,' 18-year-old Gianna Miranda, who works part-time at the Robeks in Fairfield, Connecticut, told local news station WFSB. Gianna and two coworkers were the target of 48-year-old James Iannazzo's racist tirade after a smoothie he had purchased at the store, which 'contained peanut butter', caused his son to go into severe anaphylactic reaction. Iannazzo's fit of rage was recorded and posted on Tiktok by Charlie Hill, who called 911 while Gianna attempted to make Iannazzo leave the store. 'He started to call her racial slurs. He threatened to kill us multiple times,' Hill, who is 17 according to the social media platform, told WFSB. 'I understand and we are sorry on behalf of Robeks for how the smoothie was made, but it gives you absolutely no right to act out like that.' Gianna, who is demanding a face to face apology from Iannazzo, also told Channel 12 that she did not know whether the smoothie had peanut butter or not, but that nothing excused Iannazzo's behavior. 'I've seen [racism] on social media, but to experience it first-hand, like I just felt disrespected,' she told the outlet. 'Next to our register we have a thing that says to let us know if you have any allergies to nuts because we have special blenders and stuff we use for people who do have nut allergies,' Gianna added. 'I can't say it did or didn't have peanut butter in it...It could have been cross-contaminated.' Death threats were not recorded on video. Iannazzo was arrested on charges of intimidation based on bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass on Saturday, before being released. Merrill Lynch - where Iannazzo had worked since 1995, most recently as a wealth management director - terminated him after the clip was widely-shared online. Iannazzo told DailyMail.com Monday that he regretted his actions and that he lost his temper 'because [his] 17-year-old son was taken to the hospital suffering from life threatening anaphylactic shock.' In a statement he said he had been 'out of his mind with fear' when he went on the rant. 'My actions at Robeks were wrong, and I deeply regret them. They do not reflect my values or my character. I feel terrible that I lost my composure so completely,' he said. Robeks employees Gianna Miranda, 18, (left) and Charlie Hill, 17, (right) were the target of 48-year-old James Iannazzo's racist tirade after a smoothie he had purchased at the store, which 'contained peanut butter', caused his son a severe anaphylactic reaction The footage, which was posted on TikTok by @cjjbreezy, was recorded by one of the young girls working at the store, after Iannazzo stormed inside demanding to know who was responsible for adding peanut butter to his smoothie order 'I had returned to Robeks to determine what ingredients were in the smoothie that I had previously ordered. I made my regrettable comments because my 17-year-old son was taken to the hospital suffering from life threatening anaphylactic shock. He collapsed at our home while drinking the smoothie from Robeks, which contained some sort of nut product, after I had advised them of his nut allergy when I ordered his drink. 'After he started to drink his smoothie, my son lost the capacity to breathe properly; his lips and face swelled up, and he required an EpiPen shot, but it did not offer him relief. I called 911. My son then went to the bathroom, threw up and fell unconscious to the floor. He threw up again. My wife gave him another EpiPen while I called 911 again. Thank God, he is doing okay. I'd like to thank my wife and the first responders who I believe saved his life. This is the worst nightmare of every parent whose child has a similar allergy. 'I was out of my mind with fear for him when I returned to Robeks, and I wish I had not done so. I also wish they had been more careful preparing my son's beverage. I will be extending my apologies personally to the Robeks organization, particularly the staff that was working there that night.' His attorney, Frank Riccio, told News 12, that Iannazzo 'wholeheartedly regrets the incident. He said his client was not racist but his 'paternal instinct' had kicked in. 'When faced with a dire situation for his son, Mr. Iannazzo's parental instinct kicked in and he acted out of anger and fear.' 'He is not a racist individual and deeply regrets his statements and actions during a moment of extreme emotional stress.' The Robeks employees said that Iannazzo had asked for no peanut butter in the smoothie, but never mentioned an allergy. Iannazzo was arrested on charges of intimidation based on bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass after his racist tirade at a Robeks was caught in video Meanwhile, the disgraced former Merrill Lynch financier, who was ranked the 24th best wealth advisor in Connecticut by Forbes in 2021, has been slammed with one-star ratings on Google by furious reviewers. 'I would rate zero stars if I could. Enjoy being in the unemployment line while the 'immigrants' are out here actually earning their money,' a person commented online. Others called out Iannazzo and called him a 'terrible guy' for abusing his power as an adult and yelling at the young Robeks workers. 'So wish I was there to help. What a big man, yelling at 3 or 4 school girls,' one reviewer wrote. Fairfield Police say Iannazzo, who lives in a $2.64m five-bed, five-bath colonial-style mansion in South Pier, Connecticut, purchased the smoothie at the store around 1pm and left without incident. Less than an hour later, things took a turn for the worse and Iannazzo was on the phone with 911 for his 17-year-old son who was suffering from life-threatening anaphylactic shock after drinking the smoothie. He said it was the stress of that medical emergency that tipped him over the edge. Robeks haven't admitted to prepping the drink with a nut product, but Iannazzo is adamant that the drink triggered the reaction. The disgraced former Merrill Lynch financier, who was ranked the 24th best wealth advisor in Connecticut by Forbes in 2021, has been slammed with one-star ratings on Google by furious reviewers Others called out Iannazzo and called him a 'terrible guy' for abusing his power as an adult and yelling at the young Robeks workers 'Disgusting behavior,' a reviewer wrote In 2021, Iannazo was ranked the 24th best wealth advisor in Connecticut by Forbes, Blaze media reported In a statement shared with DailyMail.com, Iannazzo said: 'I had returned to Robek's to determine what ingredients were in the smoothie that I had previously ordered. I made my regrettable comments because my 17-year-old son was taken to the hospital suffering from life threatening anaphylactic shock. 'He collapsed at our home while drinking the smoothie from Robek's, which contained some sort of nut product, after I had advised them of his nut allergy when I ordered his drink.' He added: 'My son lost the capacity to breathe properly; his lips and face swelled up, and he required an EpiPen shot, but it did not offer him relief. 'I called 911. My son then went to the bathroom, threw up and fell unconscious to the floor. He threw up again. My wife gave him another EpiPen while I called 911 again. Thank God, he is doing okay.' Iannazzo then returned to Robeks and confronted employees, demanding to know the ingredients of the smoothie and who made it. According to his LinkedIn profile and public records, Iannazzo is married and lives with his wife and three children in an estimated $2.64million home in the Southport section of Fairfield Iannazzo has since been fired from his position as wealth advisor and director at Merrill Lynch Management, where he had been working since 1995 Attorney Frank Riccio, who is representing Iannazzo, said his client was not racist but his 'paternal instinct' had kicked in He was caught on camera roaring: 'I want to speak to the person who made this f**king drink. Is that you? Full rant of dad arrested and fired over smoothie shop meltdown 'I want to speak to the person who made this f**king drink. Is that you? 'You don't know who made it? Stupid f**king ignorant high school kids. I want to speak to the f**king manager. Get the f**k out of here you f**king bitch. Give it to me now.' (Hurls drink which strikes worker, prompting screams from staff and order to leave from female worker) 'F**k you, you f**king bitch. I want the telephone, right now. Shut the f**k up, you f**king stupid (inaudible). I want the f**king phone. Shut up. 'You f**king immigrant loser. 'I want the f**king telephone.' Advertisement 'You don't know who made it? Stupid f**king ignorant high school kids. I want to speak to the f**king manager. Get the f**k out of here you f**king bitch. Give it to me now.' At that point, he hurled the drink, which hit Gianna and spilled all over her, before staff told him to leave while calling the police. Iannazzo continued: ' 'F**k you, you f**king bitch. I want the telephone, right now. Shut the f**k up, you f**king stupid (inaudible). I want the f**king phone. Shut up. 'You f**king immigrant loser. I want the f**king telephone.' A Robeks spokesman has issued a condemnation of Iannazzo's behavior, but has yet to confirm that staffers had added peanut butter to the drink. The enraged man also attempted to breach the employee-only entrance to the back of the store as the young workers struggled to keep the door closed. Iannazzo left the store before police arrived but turned himself to authorities later on Saturday, police said. He was released and is scheduled for a court hearing early February. 'Our company does not tolerate behavior of this kind. We immediately investigated and have taken action. This individual is no longer employed at our firm,' the company said in a statement after the video became viral. 'I was out of my mind with fear for him when I returned to Robeks, and I wish I had not done so,' Iannazzo said afterwards. 'I also wish they had been more careful preparing my son's beverage. I will be extending my apologies personally to the Robeks organization, particularly the staff that was working there that night.' The incident happened at the 2061 Black Rock Turnpike store in Fairfield, Connecticut During his more than two-decade career at Merrill Lynch, Iannazzo had become well-known as one of the top financial advisors in the area. Iannazzo was charged with one felony and two misdemeanors and was released pending his court appearance. If convicted for those charges, he could face a sentence of up to six years in prison and $6,000 in fines. Iannazzo is scheduled to appear in court on February 7 at Bridgeport Superior Court. Gianna said in a video update to the incident that Iannazzo hadn't been charged with assault because nobody had been hurt, but that she would be pressing charges. Vengeful inmates are already threatening to kill the man accused of murdering nine-year-old Charlise Mutten as news of his alleged crimes spreads 'like wildfire' through prison cells - but his close friend insists he 'doesn't have a bad bone in his body'. Justin Stein, 31, is charged with the murder of Charlise - who was soon to become his stepdaughter - with police alleging she was killed with a single gunshot wound. He remains at Silverwater Correctional Facility in mandatory Covid isolation but is due to be moved out into a cell in the coming days. When the former Cranbrook private schoolboy was arrested, he is understood to have immediately asked his mate to call his mum and ask her to find a lawyer. Hours later, that newly-appointed lawyer urged a magistrate in Central Local Court to place Stein into protection for the duration of his stay in custody. A Sydney prison guard told Daily Mail Australia Stein sought protection for good reason as other prisoners were 'itching to get their hands on him'. The friend who made the call, and whose couch Stein had been crashing on in Sydney's Surry Hills when he was arrested on January 18, has since come out in support of his mate - saying he didn't believe he was capable of such a killing. He even pointed toward a 'mystery person' he believes may be responsible for Charlise's death. Justin Stein, 31, (pictured) is accused of murdering Charlise - who was soon to become his stepdaughter - with police alleging she was killed by a single gunshot wound. But a close mate called Jason has leapt to his defence Charlise Mutten (pictured) was allegedly murdered between 7pm Tuesday January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12 'I think there's a mystery person in the car, that no one seems to be talking about Who is it?' the man, called Jason, asked when speaking on a true crime podcast about what witnesses saw when Charlise went missing. 'The neighbours heard it, saw it go through the gate. If the neighbours heard and saw it, why didn't anyone else hear it? 'That car took the little girl Its not hard to work out.' The claims come as word of Stein's alleged crime has spread through Sydney's prison cells, and several prisoners have threatened to kill him. Inmates often find out about news and current affairs through newspapers supplied to the prisons, watching the bulletins on television or through conversations with family and friends, and threats are increasingly being made against Stein's life behind bars. Justin Stein (pictured), has been charged over the grisly death after Charlise's body which was discovered in a barrel near the Colo River near Sydney's Blue Mountains following a five day search Stein remains at Silverwater Correctional Facility (pictured) in mandatory Covid isolation but is due to be moved out into his cell in the coming days Stein stayed in a shack on the five-hectare Wildenstein property (pictured) in past years, friends said John Heffernan, a former prison boss who penned the tell-all book The Last Governor, told Daily Mail Australia this sort of dialogue is not unexpected in a case like Charlise's. 'There is no doubt some would dearly love to get their hands on [the accused] and severely injure him or worse,' he said. 'That said, their chances of them doing that are remote.' Police say Stein has so far exercised his right to silence, while his fiance - Charlise's mother Kallista - has been reinterviewed and is being treated as a witness. She suffered a medical episode during initial questioning and spent several days in hospital under medical guard before she was able to speak to detectives again. Stein faced Central Local Court the day after his arrest, still wearing his Everlast hoodie from the night before and keeping his head down. His lawyer did not apply for bail but stressed the importance of protection for the duration of his stay in custody. Charlise (pictured) had been staying at the Wildenstein property with Stein and her biological mother over the New Years-Christmas holidays when she first went missing Pictured: CCTV of a red ute - allegedly owned by Stein - with an object in the tray covered with blue tarp and towing a boat through Drummoyne toward a boat ramp. Police allege Stein drove around for hours with Charlise's body in his car Stein was arrested in this Surry Hills apartment after the grisly discovery. He was sleeping on his mate Jason's couch The plea was refused, with the magistrate explaining he did not have the jurisdiction to grant protection and that it was a matter for correctional services. His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication' that treats bipolar and psychosis. Mr Heffernan said Stein will likely be granted his protection request and will be closely monitored by staff, who are responsible for his safety. 'Some inmates would openly talk about what they would like to do [to someone accused of child murder] but most of it is just talk. 'As stated their opportunity to get to the inmate would be virtually nil and inmates would be completely aware of his housing arrangements.' Pictured: Charlise as a toddler with her mother Kallista. The youngster lived with her grandmother in Queensland CCTV of a vehicle with a boat trailer at Mardsen Park and Drummoyne - allegedly belonging to accused Justin Stein Stein's longtime friend Jason said he truly believes Stein 'doesn't have a bad bone in his body'. He couldn't remember a time in their 20-year friendship that he'd seen Stein lash out or act aggressively. 'I'll back Justin until the day I die,' he said. '[Violence] is not in his nature. Hes a lover, not a fighter. Ive never seen him get violent, he hardly even swears. Let alone hit people, let alone kill a girl, like come on.' Jason never met Charlise and it's understood this summer visit was the first time the little girl had met her mother's new partner. 'Look at how sweet and how cute she is. Oh God. If she was my daughter, mate, Id be so f**king proud. Id be introducing her to everyone when we go out,' he said. Police allege Stein murdered little Charlise sometime between 7pm Tuesday, January 11 and 10am on Wednesday, January 12. Police released CCTV of a vehicle with a boat trailer at Mardsen Park and Drummoyne as they continue to investigate Charlise's death Detectives haven't had the opportunity to ask Ms Mutten (pictured) key questions about the alleged events after she suffered a 'medical episode' at the Wildenstein estate Police allege Charlise Mutten, 9, was murdered and her body encased in a barrel which was towed for hours in a boat before being dumped on a lonely riverbank in dense bushland They released new CCTV of Stein's red ute towing a boat and a barrel draped in blue tarp on Tuesday amid a renewed plea for information about the circumstances surrounding Charlise's alleged murder. Investigators allege she died from a fatal gunshot wound and detectives are looking for a firearm. Daily Mail Australia understands Stein's arrest went about 'as smoothly as it could', with Stein handing himself over to authorities when they arrived at the front door. Jason said it was over 'real quick'. 'They just got Justin and left,' he said, adding police never tried to question him about Stein's movements or what he was doing at the unit. Nine-year-old Charlise Mutten (pictured in her school uniform) was beloved by her friends and family Stein (pictured) asked a court via his lawyer to be placed into protection while in custody Kallista Mutten (above) seen at Wildenstein after having a 'medical episode' which resulted in her being taken to Katoomba Hopsital where she remains as police wait to formally interview her about her daughter Charlise's death 'He was shocked and surprised, he just said ''get mum to ring a lawyer''.' The revelation comes as a friend of Stein's mother, Annemie, said she would do 'anything for her boys'. Annemie released a statement after her son's arrest revealing she didn't approve of the whirlwind relationship between her son and Charlise's mother. Social media posts show the pair enjoyed a rapid romance, announcing they were engaged just three weeks after meeting face-to-face. A year earlier Ms Mutten, a former ice addict who was involved in a car crash which killed her passenger, also walked free from prison. Ms Mutten, 31, is now reportedly pregnant with Stein's child. Charlise Mutten (above) is believed to have left her fulltime carer grandparents n December to holiday with her mother and Kallista Mutten's new fiance Justin Stein, who police allege murdered the schoolgirl The day after Charlise's body was found, devastated mourners held a candlelit vigil for the schoolgirl - leaving tributes outside Detectives went to Jason's Surry Hills apartment and arrested Stein (pictured), who was taken back to the Surry Hills Police Centre and charged with Charlise's murder 'You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink, or choose their partners, and sometimes it ends up in a headache like this one,' Ms Stein told the Daily Telegraph. The 56-year-old said it would be painful for any parent to have a child go through what her son was experiencing because 'parents know their children'. Ms Stein defended her privately-educated son revealing he had a 'tortured life' despite his wealthy upbringing. She also described what would have been her step-granddaughter as a 'lovely' and 'beautiful' little girl who didn't deserve to die. Charlise's body was found inside a barrel in scrub alongside the Colo River late on Tuesday night, after five days of intense searches of the Mount Wilson property and surrounds where she was last seen. Charlise (above) with her grandmother Deborah Mutten who learnt the tragic news last week that the adored granddaughter for whom she was full-time carer had died Kallista Mutten and Justin Stein (pictured) had a whirlwind romance before becoming engaged and inviting her daughter on the tragic trip to Mount Wilson Congressional ethics investigators said Monday they found 'substantial reason to believe' that Colorado Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn 'misued official resources' and improperly solicited gifts from his staff in what could be a violation of House rules. In a 19-page report, the Office of Congressional Ethics detailed how Lamborn's congressional staff helped his son through the federal job application process, threw a party for his daughter-in-law after she became a naturalized citizen and described the 'substantial' role Jeanie Lamborn, the congressman's wife, played in the office. A former Lamborn staffer explained that the chief of staff Dale Anderson made it clear to them that 'Mrs. Lamborn had precedence.' 'If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy,' Jeanie Lamborn allegedly said to the unnamed staffer, the report claims. Lamborn is accused of using his congressional staff, who are paid with tax-payer dollars, to run personal errands and work on campaign events. If that is the case, then both are a violation of House rules. Investigators also looked into allegations the congressman soliciated birthday presents for himself and his wife, which is not only a violation of House rules but of federal law. The Office of Congressional Ethics conducted interviews with three current and two former Lamborn staffers as well as interviews with the lawmaker himself. Lamborn's office denied the allegations. The matter has been referred to the House Ethics Committee for further review. Only that panel has the power to punish a lawmaker for wrongdoings in the House. 'These false and unfounded allegations have no merit. It is extremely disappointing that two disgruntled former staffers have weaponized the ethics process for political and personal purposes,' Lamborn's spokeswoman, Cassandra Sebastian, said in a statement. Congressional ethics investigators they found 'substantial reason to believe' that Rep. Doug Lamborn, Republican of Colorado, 'misued official resources' Investigators say Lamborn's wife, Jeanie, played a 'substantial' role in the office, including in hiring and firing staff Rep. Doug Lamborn, Jeanie Lamborn and their family The investigation found that staff said they were instructed by the Lamborns and Dale Anderson to throw a naturalization party for Lamborn's daughter-in-law when she became a naturalized citizen in 2020. It was held in his Colorado district office. Lamborn denied he asked staff to plan and hold the party. Staff also allege that, when one of Lamborn's four sons moved from New York to Washington D.C. in 2020, they were asked to help him in his federal job search. Lamborn also allegedly allowed his son to live out of a storage room in the basement of the U.S. Capitol for a period of weeks. That detail was revealed when Brandon Pope, a former staffer for Lamborn, filed a lawsuit against the congressman last year alleging Lamborn ignored COVID safety precautions - including mask wearing and social distancing - and created unsafe working conditions in his offices. Pope claimed he was fired for trying to implement COVID-related safety policies. In the ethics investigation report, Lamborn stated that his son, who was a veteran, 'was pursuing a job with the Pentagon and ultimately got that job.' He argued his staff didn't do anything more for his son than they would do for any of his constituents. One staffer, who is not identified by name, told investigators, that 'he spent several hours providing extensive guidance to Rep. Lamborn's son, including but not limited to reviewing his resume, evaluating federal job postings, and assisting with mock interview questions.' The staffer said those were not normal tasks he would help a constitutent with. The investigators also found it was unclear if the son was a constituent of Colorado's 5th congressional district during this time, since a public search revealed multiple addresses in New York, Virginia, and Colorado. The investigators also said they found a pattern of official staff conducting personal and campaign-related tasks for Lamborn and his wife, Jeanie, who had an official House email account, as some spouses do. Investigators said Jeanie Lamborn 'had a role in the office that exceeded what is permissible for spouses.' She regularly visited the Washington D.C. office and slept in it with her husband (many members of Congress sleep in their office instead of paying to rent an apartment). She asked staff for help moving furniture and setting up zoom calls. She was also involved in hiring, firing and promotions and had access the 'daily report' where staff had to detail their work for that day. Her company has been paid more than $170,000 by Lamborns campaign since 2015, The Colorado Sun reported. Rep. Doug Lamborn's son Mark and his daughter-in-law Oksana, who is originally from the Ukraine, according to her facebook page Rep. Lamborn with then-President Donald Trump when Trump had a Keep America Great rally on Feburary 20, 2020 in Colorado Springs Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado with wife Jeanie Lamborn (both at left) with others at a Trump rally in Las Vegas on Feb. 21, 2020 Rep. Lamborn was interviewed by congressional investigators and defended his wife, saying he didn't think she would ask staffers for help with personal errands. 'We try to follow the rules very carefully and very sincerely,' Lamborn said. 'So I don't think she would knowingly do that.' Additionally, Rep. Lamborn may have permitted his chief of staff Dale Anderson to solicit gifts on his behalf. Lawmakers are not allowed to solicit gifts from employees. It is also a violation of federal law for a federal employee to accept a gift from an employee that makes less money. Staffers said that on Christmas and birthdays, they hosted celebrations for Rep. Lamborn and Jeanie Lamborn. One staffer told the investigators 'he would receive an email from Dale Anderson before the holidays or Rep. Lamborn's birthday instructing him to provide a gift. He did not interpret it as a voluntary request.' Anderson 'instructed each office to provide gifts valued between $125 and $200 for the Lamborns, and also told them it was preferable to give gifts related to beer and food.' Anderson did not participate in the investigation. The staffers also said they hosted birthday parties with 'spreading glitter and balloons' along with cake and ice cream. In a rebuttal letter filed by Rep. Lamborn on December 16, 2021, in an early stage of the investigation, he claims the Office of Congressional Ethics is 'biased' against him. He also argues Pope, his former staffer, has a grudge against him: 'The source of the allegations of unethical behavior first surfaced in an employment lawsuit brought by Mr. Brandon Pope, a former staffer, against the office of Congressman Lamborn. Mr. Pope is seeking money damages from the government for back wages, future wages, pain and suffering, as well as attorney's fees. OCE refuses to consider that they are being used by Mr. Pope to try to secure his financial jackpot.' The OCE recommended issuing subpoenas to Lamborn and several senior members of his staff to testify on these matters. The Loudoun County School District - which has been plagued by scandal after scandal over critical race theory-inspired 'equity' lessons and transgender issues - is now at the center of fresh wave of controversy after schools prevented pupils from going into their classrooms if they were not wearing a facemask on Monday. Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin had signed an executive action within hours of him taking office on January that aimed to let parents opt out of school mask mandates. The order was supposed to take effect on Monday but confusion has swirled over the implications since then. His instructions were either interpreted differently by some districts or plainly ignored with schools continuing to keep pre-existing mask mandates in place for students. Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order within hours of entering office rescinding mask mandates for schools from Monday, but it appears the policy has been met with confusion Republican J.P. Freire, Director of Communications on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means tweeted that children were being 'punished' and kept outside classrooms or teaching Freire quickly followed up with a second tweet and a link to a local news report after being contacted by people expressing disbelief that children might be barred from lessons Some districts interpreted the order as being at odds with a state law that deals with COVID-19 mitigation in schools. The first sign something was amiss came as Republican J.P. Freire, Director of Communications on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means tweeted that children were being 'punished.' 'Just got a heads up that Loudoun County Schools are punishing kids who don't wear masks by putting them in the equivalent of a rubber room without access to instruction. Teachers insisting kids wear masks regardless of the Governor's order and saying wait until SCOTUS decision.' He quickly followed up with a second tweet and a link to a local news report after being contacted by people expressing disbelief that children might be barred from lessons. 'A lot of folks replying that this can't possibly be truelikely because it seems so unreasonable and ridiculous.' One Twitter user referenced a local news report detailing how students at one Loudoun County Public school would be removed from class if they didn't wear a face mask Students are pictured walking into school on Monday without masks at Woodgrove High School Loudoun County school district spokesperson Wayde Byard said no students were sent home on Monday morning for defying the mask order. Those who refused to wear masks were routed to school auditoriums where they could do virtual work through the school's online platform, he said. Lunch periods were adjusted to ensure maskless students would receive lunch, he explained. in Purcellville, Virginia, northwest of Washington D.C., about 30 students out of more than 1,400 refused to wear masks. They were seen entering their school chanting 'no mask Monday!' About dozen parents outside Woodgrove High School cheered them on. Four or five parents opted to pull their children. The rest stayed at the school, isolated from masked peers. He said there were angry parents at a few schools, but principals defused the situations. 'It was pretty much a non-event,' Byard said. Principal William Shipp said any student who did not wear a mask would be taken out of class and put in the school's auditorium for virtual learning. 'You will not be able to go out into the rest of the building if you do not have a mask on,' Shipp said. 'We wanted our kids to have that choice,' one mother told WTOP. 'And we fully support those that feel safest in a mask, also those that feel that the mask is impeding their learning or their health. So we're just out here in support of their decision and their choice.' Students walked out of Loudoun County public schools on Tuesday in protest against the county's handling of a rape allegation after a judge found the boy accused guilty Parents said they were simply following the executive order from the governor. 'We followed (former Gov.) Northam and his executive orders,' said another parent. 'Nobody retaliated; nobody rose up. We followed it because we are law-abiding citizens and we're doing the same thing now. We're following the new governor's orders. You cannot pick and choose because of the letter behind the governor's name. And I feel like that's what (Loudoun County Superintendent Scott) Ziegler and the school board are doing.' One mother in Loudoun County sobbed as she explained on a radio show how when her son went to school without a mask on, he was 'strong armed and intimidated by his principal.' 'We've just gotten to a point which is - unbelievable what they're doing to our kids, They wont let my son go to his classroom because he won't wear a mask, because he's exercising his rights, and they're forcing him to sit in the office. He's been strong armed and intimidated by his principal and many others,' said Loudoun County mother Megan Rafalski to WMAL. One mother in Loudoun County sobbed as she explained on a radio show how when her son went to school without a mask on, he was 'strong armed and intimidated by his principal.' He has a friend and they're sticking together and they're trying to stand up for their rights. But we are not getting any answers. I tried to call the administrative office. The principal made us stand outside in the freezing cold all morning, since 7:30am. 'All we wanted is for our kids to be able to go to class with their peers and have fun and smile and learn. And I don't know where else to turn at this point, other than to plead with people out there to stand up, because this is going to continue until we stand together and we start to make change,' Rafalski continued. Elicia Brand, a Loudoun County parent and co-founder of Army of Parents, a Virginia-based grassroots organization, opposes the mask mandates but said she is understanding for now of the fact that Youngkin advised parents to listen to local principals. 'We will hold him accountable to have our backs,' she said. 'He has to remember it was parents who put him in office.' She said she gave her own middle school children the opportunity to decide for themselves whether to wear masks, and they chose to do so, in part because they did not want to stand out. She said she observed varied responses from principals across the county in how respectfully they treated maskless children. Governor Youngkin's mask order now faces a legal challenge filed by a group of parents and another filed Monday morning by seven school boards. Youngkin has urged patience and asked parents to listen to their children's school principals for the time being. 'Listen to a principal today. And I know that there are some school systems that are doing things that are inconsistent with respecting the rights of parents. ... Lets respect it right now and let this legal process play out,' he said in an interview with Richmond radio station WRVA. In the meantime, he said parents should 'love one another, treat one another with respect and listen to principals.' Monday's legal challenge was brought by seven school boards that filed a lawsuit in Arlington County Circuit Court seeking to block the executive order. In addition to Fairfax, the states most populous jurisdiction, the school boards in Alexandria, Richmond, Hampton, Falls Church, Arlington County and Prince William County, joined the suit. Collectively, the jurisdictions represent more than 350,000 students. The lawsuit argues the state constitution gives local school boards the authority to run their districts. It also cites a state law that requires school systems to follow federal health guidelines, which include recommendations for universal masking. 'At issue is whether locally-elected school boards will maintain the exclusive authority and responsibility conferred upon them by Article VIII, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia to supervise the public schools in their respective school divisions or whether the Governor can unilaterally infringe upon that authority through an executive order,' the lawsuit states. Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said the administration was disappointed that the school boards were acting counter to parents' rights. 'The governor and attorney general are in coordination and are committed to aggressively defending parents fundamental right to make decisions with regard to their child's upbringing, education and care, as the legal process plays out,' she said in a statement. Supporters of the executive order say the state law is not in conflict with Youngkin's executive order because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only recommends mask-wearing and does not mandate it. But Fairfax County School Board Chair Stella Petarsky said the existing mask mandate has allowed the school system to maintain in-person learning throughout the school year. 'We have held transmission levels low,' she said. 'We have not had to shut a single school because of COVID. We've kept our kids in the classroom, and we're going to do everything in our power to ensure that we continue that.' Democrats commended the school boards who filed suit against Youngkin on Monday and accused the governor of using children as political pawns. 'Youngkin is quickly on his way to becoming the most divisive and authoritarian governor in our commonwealths long history,' state Senator Mamie Locke said at a news conference. Loudoun County School District was also at the center of woke school board arguments over the teaching of critical race theory, or CRT, in classrooms last summer The District also made headlines last year after they 'covered up a sexual assault on school grounds for political gain' The Loudoun County School District previous made headlines last year after they 'covered up a sexual assault on school grounds for political gain, leading to an additional assault of a young girl.' Indeed, Virginia's Loudoun County was a focal point in Youngkin's gubernatorial race against former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe after a skirt-wearing 14-year-old male high school student, identifying as non-binary, was arrested over the rape of a female student in a school bathroom. That male student was then transferred to a different school where he then allegedly raped another student. The district has been accused of covering up the crime and saw one of the alleged victim's parents arrested at a school board meeting. The student involved has been placed on the sex offenders registry for life as part of his sentence. Shelley Slebrch and other angry parents and community members protest after a Loudoun County School Board meeting was halted by the school board because the crowd refused to quiet down last June The district also made the news over the matter of Critical Race Theory. Loudon County, a Democratic stronghold in northern Virginia, became the focal point of debate over woke policies by school boards across the country. Parents voiced their frustration with the state's woke school board saying they did not want their children to be taught that they're bad or good depending on their race. The use of critical race theory, or CRT, in education has been criticized for its message that the US is built on racism with skin color determining the social, economic, and political differences between each. Advocates say its teaching is necessary to underline how deeply racism pervades society, while critics say it is divisive and paints everyone as a victim or oppressor, with multiple Virginia school board meetings making headlines after parents were filmed clashing with staff over the decision to teach it. The Loudoun County School District - which has been plagued by scandal after scandal. Pictured, a man is detained after a fight broke out during a Loudoun County School Board meeting which included a discussion of Critical Race Theory and transgender students Governor Youngkin pledged to ban CRT, seizing on the discontent of parents who had grown agitated after the Loudon County school board last April announced a $6million 'equity-training' program that parents associated with CRT. The 'equity training' which was met with strong opposition by some residents. Parents claimed that training was part of a pro-CRT push which would lead to students seeing themselves as victims or oppressors, depending on their race. Protests then reignited in September, when the school board voted 6-3 in favor of beginning a study into whether it would be appropriate to give reparations to black people after it previously ignored a landmark desegregation ruling. On the day Youngkin took office, he signed an executive order banning CRT from schools and said he would open an investigation into the Loudoun County School Board's actions. Omicron strain of Covid has seen hope diminish for many out of work locals Grave fears local economy may never recover after tourist trade was ripped out Party central Kuta's once bustling, vibrant nightlife is now just empty streets Bali's future is in dire straits, with shocking pictures revealing the once global holiday hotspot now resembles a virtual ghost town two years into the pandemic. With Indonesia heavily reliant on tourism, a continual spike in Covid-19 case numbers and a subsequent lack of overseas guests has plunged the province famed for Kuta Beach and endless bars, restaurants and shops into a shadow of its former self. A YouTube video - uploaded on January 23 - titled Poppies Lane Kuta Bali Situation 2022 / Bali Condition Now, provides a confronting, behind the scenes insight into how bleak life has become for many locals. Usually bustling side streets on the once iconic Poppies Lane I and II now feature scores of closed stores, with the video narrator stating it is a 'really sad situation' and that desperate Balinese workers 'hope to see tourists back soon.' In further depressing scenes, the four-star Grand Barong Resort, which was consistently booked out before the pandemic and is walking distance from Kuta Beach, now features endless vacant rooms and no guests from abroad. Scroll down for footage Bali's future appears grim, with shocking pictures revealing the once global holiday hotspot now resembles a virtual ghost town two years into the pandemic Usually bustling streets (pictured) are now virtually deserted, as the coronavirus continues to cripple Bali's tourism industry A You Tube video uploaded on January 23 provides a confronting, behind the scenes insight into how bleak life has become for many locals (pictured, a deserted Kuta Beach) Tourists are nowhere to be seen in some parts due to travel restrictions globally (pictured, a deserted laneway near Kuta Beach) Despite the current grim scenes, Australia is finally poised to re-commence flights to Bali direct from Melbourne on February 14. Further flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide will then depart to Denpasar in early March from carriers Qantas and Jetstar. 'We cannot wait to welcome Aussies back to Bali,' said Uday Rao, General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali. 'Aussies have always been the first to return and the last to leave.' The tourism development from Australian shores will be welcome news given the pandemic has crippled Indonesia, with at least 4.29 million reported Covid cases and 144,000 deaths. The figures are actually tipped to be much higher, with many positive cases and deaths not recorded. Up to September last year, less than 50 guests from abroad visited Bali - compared to 6.3 million in the same period of 2019. Once straining under the weight of 'overtourism', the island's villages are now deserted and countless local businesses are struggling to stay afloat with the prospect international travel might not rebound for years. In the past decade Bali was one of the top tourist destinations in the world, not just for Australians but also for Europeans, North and South Americans. Scooter hire businesses, pubs and eateries sprouted up along the tourist strips as more and more locals began relying on foreign business to make a buck. Poll Will you be visiting Bali once you're allowed? Yes No Will you be visiting Bali once you're allowed? Yes 377 votes No 485 votes Now share your opinion More than 75,000 hotel rooms were also constructed along its beaches to cope with demand as visitor numbers to Bali grew to record levels in 2019. The same year, TripAdvisor rated the island the top destination in Asia and fourth in the world. Figures released from Bali's tourism board show between 2000 and 2019 foreign visitors quadrupled to be 6.3 million in just nine months - outnumbering the local population of four million. But the arrival of coronavirus in early 2020 abruptly cut off international travel. The island eventually opened up to tourists again in mid-October last year, but required travellers to quarantine at their own expense for five days, which was later dropped to three days. Previously Kuta was a 24 hour party destination beloved by generations of Australians who flocked there for holidays Kuta, the legendary party capital of beer-swilling Australians, is now a ghost town. Its bars and clubs, like the one pictured here, are shuttered and silent while falling into disrepair The once vibrant, bustling streets of Bali now lie empty and abandoned as Covid lockdowns decimate the former holiday hotspot. Laneways like the one pictured here are normally packed with fun-seeking holidaymakers but are now empty In the first nine months of 2021 before the border was opened, just 43 foreign visitors arrived on the island - all in September and none were on tourists visas, a Bali airport spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal. When Bali and other countries such as Australia and the US finally began easing border rules, the emergence of new Covid variant Omicron then plunged the province into more chaotic times. Experts have forecast new variants of the virus could be an ongoing issue for years. The Indonesian Government said tourism accounted for more than 50 per cent of the Balinese economy and 700,000 workers have been stood down from their jobs since the Covid pandemic began. Bali has since attempted to diversify their economy into other areas such as fishing and manufacturing. Bali Governor Wayan Koster released a recent manifesto in which he called for the island to become less dependent on tourism moving forward. 'The development of tourism was pushed in an incorrect direction and didn't benefit other sectors,' he said. Australian regulars to Bali fear the island may never recover from the terrible effects Covid has had on the tourism industry Stores in Kuta (pictured) once bustling with foreign tourists snapping up cheap clothes and souvenirs now sit empty The British woman had spent the flight from Luton airport in London to Bodrum, Turkey, arguing with her partner and allegedly hitting him, according to witnesses onboard the EasyJet flight. But when a couple sitting behind asked the woman to stop and leave her partner alone, she began shouting at them (left), video shows. Her partner joined in and the pair argued against the other couple together, witnesses said. 'You take it out on him, and I'll take it out on your bird,' the woman threatened the man who had asked her to stop arguing with her partner. Earlier on in the flight, an air stewardess had asked the couple to calm down and stop arguing. But the woman 'threated to smash the air hostess's teeth in and sort her out once off the plane,' a passenger, who filmed the incident on April 18, said. The passenger said that children were left 'screaming in fear' after the incidents. Turkish police officers were seen onboard the flight at the front of the plane, apparently handling the couple's passports and passing them to an EasyJet employee for inspection. A final video shows the rowdy pair being escorted down the walkway (right) from the aircraft where they can be faintly heard arguing with the police. After being escorted by Turkish police from the aircraft, the woman was left with a five-year-ban from Easyjet whilst the man accompanying her was handed a two-year ban. A driver suffered a fractured eye socket and a broken nose when he was viciously bashed by fake policemen who stole his car. The two alleged carjackers then allegedly used this car to trick other drivers into thinking they were police and rob them too. Police allege they followed Audi driver Richard George along Brunton Avenue in East Melbourne, near the MCG, about 2am, activating the high beams on their Nissan X-Trail and flashing blue and red lights to get him to pull over. Richard George (pictured) suffered a fractured eye socket and a broken nose after an alleged assault by men pretending to be police officers. His Audi car was also allegedly stolen They allegedly asked Mr George for identification and said his car was suspected of being involved in a hit and run and pretended to call for backup. The financial consultant just assumed they were real, plainclothes detectives. 'They had gloves on and stuff, they acted like normal police officers. They had gear on, they had torches,' he told 9News. They asked for his driver's licence and if he had been drinking. 'Obviously I was complying. I wasn't really thinking I'm going to be pulled over by fake police,' Mr George said. The men then allegedly bashed him and drove off in his Audi A5. Police allege the pair later used the car to target other drivers, including another Audi. Richard George (pictured) was allegedly assaulted in Melbourne by two men pretending to be police officers One motorist was pulled over by a black sedan flashing its lights in the Melbourne suburb of Mickleham. He was forced to the ground, tied up and and his blue Audi was stolen. Five hours later, a driver in Box Hill was stopped. He said two men shouted 'show me your hands' before speeding off at 180km/h. Police tracked both of the stolen Audis to a motel in Parkdale, where they arrested a 29-year-old man earlier in January. Detectives said they found weapons and drugs inside the cars, including a gel blaster handgun, a butterfly knife, duct tape, the flashing blue and red light used to imitate a police vehicle, meth, and cocaine. Richard George's car (pictured) was allegedly stolen in Melbourne by two men pretending to be police officers The 29-year-old man was charged with impersonating a police officer, which has a maximum penalty of two years in prison. He was also charged with drug possession and assault and was remanded in custody to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court in April. His 19-year-old co-accused was later arrested and charged with aggravated carjacking, false imprisonment, impersonating police, unlawful assault, and two counts of car theft. He appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court last week and was bailed to reappear in April. The police believe there could be more victims who have not yet come forward. An increasing number of workplaces are embracing a four-day working week with a small band of bosses hailing increased productivity and mental health benefits. The University of Sydney Business School's Professor John Buchanan, who is also a co-director of the Mental Wealth Initiative, said employees working four days instead of five were often more focused on the job. 'The work-life balance is self-evident,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Iceland and Spain have trialled a four-day week but have yet to legislate it while New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured, right, with fiance Clarke Gayford) in 2020 expressed support for the idea without committing to new laws An increasing number of workplaces are embracing the four-day working week with a small band of bosses hailing the productivity and mental health benefits (stock image) The University of Sydney Business School's Professor John Buchanan, who is also a co-director of the Mental Wealth Initiative, said employees working four days instead of five were often more focused on the job New Zealand estate planning group Perpetual Guardian adopted a four-day working week in 2018 with founder Andrew Barnes embracing a system that gave full-time staff the choice of an extra day off to get chores done. Professor Buchanan, who has spent more than three decades specialising in industrial relations research, said that extra day off was good for productivity, referencing the Kiwi firm that draws up wills. 'He worked out that if he could give his workers an extra day off they'd actually be more productive on the job instead of being distracted by sick children or getting chores done,' he said. A survey of 378 employers last year, by superannuation group Mercer, found 27 per cent of them were offering the opportunity to work 38 hours over four days instead of five, up from 21 per cent in 2017. At a nationwide level, only France has legislated a four-day week during the past three decades, with the Socialist Party introducing the 35-hour policy in 1998 only for their conservative successors, led by former president Nicolas Sarkozy, voting to scrap it in 2008. 'Employers ran a hard line against them,' Professor Buchanan said. Iceland and Spain have trialled a four-day week but have yet to legislate it while New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in 2020 expressed support for the idea without committing to new laws. 'I'd really encourage people to think about that if you're an employer and in a position to do so,' Ms Ardern told a Facebook live video at the time. A survey of 378 employers last year, by superannuation group Mercer, found 27 per cent of them were offering the opportunity to work 38 hours over four days instead of five, up from 21 per cent in 2017 (pictured are swimmers at Sydney's Bondi Beach) The four-day week globally FRANCE: A 35-hour week was legislated in 1998 under Socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin, making a four-day week a reality until conservatives scrapped it in 2008 ICELAND: Trialled idea from 2015 to 2019 SPAIN: Socialist government in March 2021 accepted the idea of a trial following pressure from left-wing party Mas Pais NEW ZEALAND: Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern voiced support in 2020 GERMANY: Biggest trade union IG Metall proposed idea in August 2020 to minimise pandemic retrenchments Advertisement 'To think about if that's something that would work for your workplace because it certainly would help tourism all around the country.' Professor Buchanan said apart from a minority of 'enlightened' employers, bosses were more often reluctant to embrace a four-day week because they wanted control over their staff. 'Employers are fundamentally interested in control - that's what's driving them,' he said 'In their mind, the more control they have over people, the more efficient they are.' He said the idea of a four-day week would only work if trade unions were behind the push, noting the stonemasons in Melbourne in 1856 had successfully campaigned for shorter working hours during the gold rush. 'Australia pioneered the eight-hour day, people used to come from all over the world to see how Australia delivered on the eight-hour day. 'You can really only change working time, economy-wide, if there's either strong action from the unions or the government.' In 2020, just 14 per cent of Australian workers belonged to a union, tilting industrial relations power in favour of bosses, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed. That marked a sharp decline from 40 per cent in 1992, shortly before former prime minister Paul Keating's Labor government introduced enterprise bargaining that ended industry-wide wage negotiations. 'The bargaining power of the workforce is actually pretty compromised - the IR system has been designed to weaken the power of workers to actually improve their conditions,' Professor Buchanan said. But the pandemic has at least changed the proportion of Australians working from home. In August 2021, 41 per cent of those with a job regularly worked from home, up from 32 per cent in August 2019, official figures showed. While Australians often think of full-time work as putting in 40 hours a week, the ABS defines it as 35 hours a week. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced 9,546 new Covid cases and 11 deaths but said hospitalisations from the latest outbreak were lower than expected. The new numbers follow 10,212 new Covid infections and 13 deaths announced in the state yesterday. Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said all of the 11 fatalities were over 50 years of age, including one person in their 50s, one in their 60s, two in their 70s, three in their 80s and four in their 90s. Four of those people were unvaccinated, one person had one dose, six were double vaccinated, while none had received a booster shot. 'None of this easy, we dont want to be reporting this, but we're in a health pandemic,' Ms Palaszczuk said. There are now 928 people in Queensland public hospitals, up from 878 yesterday, including 51 patients in ICU. Dr Gerrard said international experience showed that Omicron cases rose for around a month before beginning to subside. 'We will approach our general peak in the next couple of weeks,' Dr Gerrard said. 'We do know that cases will decline in the month after the peak.' Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced 9,546 new Covid cases and 11 deaths on Tuesday Yesterday Dr Gerrard said the Omicron peak may have been reached on the Gold Coast and would follow in Brisbane around seven days later. He said Cairns should see the peak of the current outbreak in coming days and Townsville the week after. Ms Palaszczuk said hospitalisations in the state as a result of the latest outbreak were lower than expected. 'I'll be able to release more data on Queensland hospitals later this week,' she said. A woman is pictured outside a Covid vaccination clinic in Brisbane. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state's hospitals had coped well during the current outbreak due to lower hospitalisations than expected The latest statistics follow revelations half of Queensland's 118 Covid-19 deaths have been residents in aged-care facilities. The 59 people who have died in aged care came as Federal government data showed there were now Covid outbreaks in 212 of Queensland's more than 500 aged care facilities. More than 3,600 people, including residents and staff, had fallen ill with Covid-19 as of January 20, the data showed. Ms Palaszczuk revealed Queensland education minister Grace Grace has Covid-19 and she would wait until she had recovered before announcing the state's back-to-schools plan later this week. She said 26.54 per cent of 5-11-year-olds had now received one dose of a Covid vaccine. Of those over 16 years of age, 91.81 per cent had now received one dose of a vaccine and 89.18 per cent, two doses. A young woman has shared the disturbing moment she caught a 'creepy' man taking photos of her while she sunbathed at a Melbourne beach. Ruby Dow, 21, was soaking up the sun in the Bayside Area over the weekend when an unwelcome spectator pulled out his phone and started snapping. Ms Dow decided to give the man a taste of his own medicine and pulled out her phone to start recording, quickly prompting the onlooker to turn around. Scroll down for video Ruby Dow, 21, was soaking up the sun in the Bayside Area over the weekend when an unwelcome spectator pulled out his phone and started snapping Ms Dow decided to give the 'creepy' spectator a taste of his own medicine and pulled out her phone to start recording, quickly prompting him to turn away (pictured) 'I didn't pull out my camera until I realised what he was doing the second I did he turned around and left,' she explained in the comments of the video. Ms Dow told Daily Mail Australia she posted the footage to TikTok to remind other young women on the beach alone to remain vigilant. 'My intention of posting this incident was solely to remind other women to not take their safety for granted, especially when venturing out alone,' she said. Viewers were quick to sympathise with the 21-year-old in the comments while others shared their own experiences of creepy encounters. 'I hate that this happened! Some people just need to keep to themselves,' one said. 'I had one old buzzard hounding me the last time I went solo it's so s*** you can't sit at the beach and just enjoy it,' a second woman commented. 'Oh babe I'm so sorry this happened to you! This has happened to me before so I know exactly how scary it feels,' a third shared. 'Yes always be aware, someone was in the bushes at the beach taking photos of my mum,' a fourth recalled. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a surprise announcement on Jan. 15 pertaining to mask mandates in schools. But just weeks later, the boards of seven school districts in Virginia filed a lawsuit against the newly-elected governor. Earlier this month, Youngkin said that parents should have the opportunity to decide whether their children should wear masks in school or not. Glenn Youngkin faces lawsuit following his EO In their lawsuit filed in the Arlington County Circuit Court, the seven school districts accused Youngkin of unilaterally infringing upon the decisions of the local schools to enforce mask mandates for staff and students to protect them amid COVID-19. The complainants also claimed that Youngkin could not overrule a state Senate bill that requires Virginia's local school boards to follow the health and safety guidelines of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of press writing, the CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all students, staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of their vaccination status. But Youngkin believes that there's no need to enforce mask mandates because parents are the ones that know their children best. Glenn Youngkin's spokesperson says they will fight the lawsuit The governor's spokesperson, Macaulay Porter, responded to the lawsuit saying that they are disappointed with the school districts for ignoring the rights of parents to make decisions for their children. Porter also said that they would continue to defend their position as the legal process plays out, according to the Huffington Post. Read Also: Virginia Employment Commission Criticized For Trying To Take Back $9,000 Unemployment Benefit From Former Employee School districts accuse Glenn Youngkin of prioritizing Republicans But the school districts also released a statement saying that their lawsuit isn't politically motivated. "Today's action is not politically motivated. These seven school divisions would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the governor to ensure the safety and welfare of all students. This lawsuit is not brought out of choice, but out of necessity," they said via CNN. Last week, a group of parents of public school students in Chesapeake filed a lawsuit to have the executive order blocked. They cited the CDC's guidelines and the laws of the state on in-person schooling policies as their reason why they do not support Youngkin's orders. Earlier this week, a group of Virginia Democrats and parents of students also criticized Youngkin's executive order. They said the order would most likely disrupt the return to in-person learning that all parents, students, and school officials want to achieve. Sen. Barbara Favola said that the ultimate goal is to keep children safe while in school. As such, they need to follow the directives of the CDC. Sen. Mamie Locke also said that Youngkin threatened to cut money from school districts that will continue to enforce mask mandates. Locke added that Youngkin would do everything at his disposal to make sure that the mask mandate would be removed. Del. Elizabeth Guzman accused Youngkin of appeasing the extreme far right-wing of the Republican Party instead of focusing on the welfare of the children. Guzman said that she's also a parent, so she and her children know why mask mandates are necessary, according to WTOP. Related Article: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Declares a State of Emergency Ahead of Second Winter Storm; Urges Motorists To Be Careful @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The boss of craft beer maker BrewDog has been accused of inappropriate behaviour towards women and abuse of power in the workplace. More than 15 ex-staff have spoken out against chief executive James Watt with some claiming he made female bartenders feel 'uncomfortable' and 'powerless'. They were even advised by colleagues on how to avoid unwelcome attention from Mr Watt, 38, according to an investigation by BBC Scotland's Disclosure programme. The Scottish company has more than 100 bars and 2,000 staff worldwide. It is understood to be worth around 2billion. James Watt, chief executive of craft beer maker BrewDog, has been accused of 'making women feel uncomfortable', according to an investigation by BBC Scotland's Disclosure programme Katelynn Ising, who worked at a BrewDog bar in Ohio, US, said female staff would dress down when they knew Mr Watt would be in their bars. She said: 'We would make a point to warn new girls... like, 'Hey, just so you know, James Watt's coming to town. Just kind of, like, leave after your shift, don't really hang around [and] don't always do your hair and make-up that day, like don't catch his attention'.' Other former staff claim Mr Watt was witnessed by staff kissing an intoxicated customer on a roof terrace at another US bar. Mr Watt has said the allegations are false and denies behaving inappropriately. James Watt (right) with co-founder Martin Dickie (left). Mr Watt denies all accusations that he acted inappropriately towards women A lawyer for Mr Watt said that 'the only party that Mr Watt could have been present with' on the roof terrace 'has confirmed...absolutely no sexual encounter took place. She has also confirmed that far from being intoxicated, she drove herself home.' Mr Watt's lawyer added: 'At no time has Mr Watt given unwelcome attention to any female bartender.' BrewDog chairman Allan Leighton said Mr Watt had told him the BBC claims were inaccurate and based on misinformation. He said: 'James has committed to making improvements to his management style.' Last year nearly 300 former and current BrewDog staff signed a letter accusing Mr Watt of presiding over a toxic culture of fear. Mr Leighton said that since then BrewDog had 'implemented a wide-ranging action plan to address the issues raised'. He is a self-taught maestro in the kitchen with two Michelin stars for food excellence to his name. But acclaimed chef Raymond Blanc has risked cooking up a storm by praising delicious tinned and frozen food. It comes after fellow TV cook Delia Smith, 80, encouraged the use of tinned mince and frozen mashed potato. French chef, Blanc, 72, said: Delia Smith was the first TV chef to really simplify food. She was heavily criticised for using tinned and frozen food in her recipes, but she was absolutely right. Take the frozen pea. First, its delicious all the nutrients are trapped in. Not quite as good as fresh, but nobody wants to pick and pod peas. If it takes two hours, youre not going to want to eat it. Acclaimed chef Raymond Blanc, 72, has risked cooking up a storm by praising delicious tinned and frozen food. Blanc, who owns the famed Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons hotel-restaurant in Oxfordshire, has previously suggested using tinned pears in his dishes. But he admits one British staple he is still struggling with is sliced white bread. He told Radio Times: Sliced white bread is still what most people serve. All the wheat is pulverised and whitened and vitamins added. It will keep for two weeks and no wonder! Blanc is attempting to make cooking easier in his upcoming ITV series Simply Raymond Blanc. It comes after the father-of-two almost died of Covid in 2020. He was admitted to a high-dependency unit in Oxford and stayed for a month. He said he was close to terminal, adding: When you are that fragile, you come out of it and really celebrate. You want to change everything work less hard, take time for yourself. 'You appreciate how precious life is and make all sorts of promises, like meditating every day. Im trying to take time out of the torrent of life, but its amazing how the momentum of life takes over. More than 12,000 asylum seekers have been in Britain for longer than ten years awaiting removal or a final decision on their claims, the Daily Mail can disclose. Home Office data shows they are part of a staggering 54,432 cases who have been waiting at least three years for their refugee claims to be finalised. Most of the 12,429 who have been here for ten years are thought to be failed asylum seekers who have exhausted their rights of appeal and are awaiting removal from Britain. A smaller proportion of the total are waiting for a Home Office ruling or have an appeal outstanding. Home Office data shows a staggering 54,432 cases who have been waiting at least three years for their refugee claims to be finalised Data obtained under freedom of information laws shows that of the 54,432 cases, 9,800 have been here for three to four years and 9,200 for five to six years. By far the largest group is the 12,429 who have been in the UK for a decade or longer. It is not known how many of the total are receiving accommodation and subsistence from the taxpayer. The cost of the asylum system has spiralled to 1.4billion a year. Last month the chairman of the governments independent Migration Advisory Committee said comparatively few asylum seekers take up the ability to enter work. Professor Brian Bell called on ministers to grant asylum seekers the right to work much earlier, potentially after six months. Data obtained under freedom of information laws shows that of the 54,432 cases, 9,800 have been here for three to four years and 9,200 for five to six years But the Home Office immediately rejected the proposal. Home Secretary Priti Patel has described the current system as broken and says it is subject to abuse by activist lawyers who drag cases on for years. She is pushing through new laws to streamline the appeals process and make a host of other changes to the asylum system. The total number of asylum cases being dealt with by the Home Office - including those lodged more recently - is more than 125,000, according to most recent figures. Prince Andrew may be selling his 18million ski chalet to protect his assets rather than pay off his sex abuse accuser, US lawyers have said. Earlier this month, sources close to the Duke confirmed that the sale of the property in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier is 'proceeding' after a mystery buyer agreed to take it off his hands. Andrew was only able to sell the residence, called Chalet Helora, after settling a 6.6million debt to French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre, 74, who sold it to him and Sarah Ferguson in 2014 also for 18million. The deal led to speculation that he would use the money to pay his legal bills as he faces a lawsuit from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked to have sex with him by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. But Spencer Kuvin, who represented the victims of Epstein, believes the sale could actually be designed to prevent Giuffre from seizing the Duke's assets. Prince Andrew may be selling his 18million ski chalet to protect his assets rather than pay off his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre (both pictured in 2001), US lawyers have said The lawyer told the Mirror: 'If Virginia gets a judgment against Andrew, if this went all the way through to trial and she received a financial judgment in her favour, she could execute on any properties he has, the most likely being his ski chalet. 'If Andrew had properties in any companion country that would abide by such jurisdiction of the US, she can execute on those properties.' He added: 'If the Queen has transferred any property to him, anywhere throughout the entire world, they could try and execute on that property if successful in foreign courts.' Andrew and Fergie agreed with Ms de Rouvre that the chalet would be paid for in instalments. But Ms de Rouvre claimed the Yorks failed to make the final instalment of 5m, resulting in her launching legal action against them in the Swiss courts two years ago for the amount she was owed, plus interest, which came to a combined 6.6 million. Under Swiss law, he was prevented from selling the chalet until the matter had been resolved. Andrew was only able to sell the property (pictured above), called Chalet Helora, after settling a 6.6million debt to French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre, 74, who sold it to him and Sarah Ferguson in 2014 also for 18million Ms de Rouvre confirmed the payment had been made and said: 'The war is finished. It is the end of the matter. I have nothing to do with it now. That's all. 'I don't know what they are doing now. They were here at Christmas but I only know that because I read it in the press. I did not see them. 'So Happy Christmas and that's that. The end. 'It was about six weeks ago that the matter was closed. It was November. It's done. They paid the money and it was done. It is closed for me. The war is over.' A friend of the socialite said it had been a 'hugely stressful' time for Ms de Rouvre. Andrew pictured in 2001 with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and the children in Verbier - the exclusive Swiss ski resort where the chalet is located Meanwhile, a source close to Andrew previously confirmed to MailOnline: I can confirm that the legal action has been halted and that the chalet is being sold - but otherwise no comment on private financial matters. There is no completion date for the sale but property experts in Verbier claimed that it could be just a matter of weeks. Andrew is believed to have finally paid Ms de Rouvre late last year. She said: 'The war is over. He has paid the money.' The latest comments follow the Queen sensationally stripping Andrew of his honorary military roles, royal patronages, and official 'HRH' status earlier this month. 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. Social media bosses could be jailed if they fail to cooperate with regulators on protecting the vulnerable online, under updated legislation. An earlier version of the Online Safety Bill, published last year, said tech firms could be fined huge amounts potentially running into billions of pounds if they failed to abide by a duty of care. But ministers had avoided making bosses personally responsible for company failings. Now, however, senior managers will face prosecution for breaking the duty of care. It is understood Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries will outline the more draconian law in the next few weeks, amid growing concern that companies such as YouTube and Facebook are failing to take down harmful content. It is understood that Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries will outline a more draconian law in the new few weeks to make senior managers personally liable should their company fail to take down harmful content The legislation is dubbed the Nick Clegg law, as the former deputy prime minister is now vice president for global affairs and communications at Facebook. Children's charities and worried families have long campaigned for social media firms to be prosecuted if they fail to crack down on self-harm material. The calls grew louder after the death of Molly Russell, the 14-year-old who took her own life in 2017 after looking at graphic self-harm images on Instagram. However defenders of free speech are concerned the threat of criminal prosecution could cause tech companies to censor legitimate content, thus stifling public debate on important issues. Introducing criminal liability for tech bosses will increase pressure on the Government to accept recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee which scrutinised the Bill to strengthen the exemption for news publishers. The move is a huge shift in policy by the Government, which had up until now defied calls to make bosses criminally liable for their sites. One Whitehall insider said: 'It had been the sword of Damocles hanging over them. 'But now it will come into force.' Australian of the Year (AOTY) Grace Tame could not disguise her contempt for Prime Minister Scott Morrison when the pair reunited at the end of her year-long reign in the honorary position. The left-leaning activist couldn't even look the PM in the eye when they met at the AOTY morning tea for this year's finalists at the Lodge in Canberra on Tuesday. The frosty confrontation was branded 'childish' by Liberal Senator James McGrath on Tuesday, who called for her to hand back the honour. 'The important issues raised by last years Australian of the Year must continue to be addressed by all of us,' he said. 'It is a pity her behaviour and attacks on our Prime Minister are so partisan, political and childish. 'If she didnt like being Australian of the Year, she should hand back the honour.' Australian of the Year Grace Tame (pictured right) could not disguise her contempt for Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left) when the pair reunited at the end of her year-long reign The left-leaning activist couldn't even look the PM in the eye when they met at the AOTY morning tea at the Lodge in Canberra on Tuesday The awkward and tense moment followed a year when Ms Tame used her platform to criticise the Morrison government and Australian society repeatedly. Her antagonism began on the very day she was awarded the prestigious AOTY title last year. She took a dig at Mr Morrison before she'd even accepted her award last year, mocking him about climate change on Instagram. She later expressed outrage at remarks the Prime Minister had whispered in her ear. The 27-year-old was given the honour for leading a campaign for a legal change that allowed sex abuse survivors to speak out. She had been groomed and molested as a schoolgirl by one of her teachers. Having given a speech at the ceremony, she was surprised by the PM's reaction and went public with it. 'Do you know what he said to me, right after I finished that speech and we're in front of a wall of media?' the Tasmanian later told a podcast. 'I s*** you not, he leaned over and right in my ear he goes, 'Well, gee, I bet it felt good to get that out'.' Grace Tame (pictured second from right with fiance Max Heerey) looked underwhelmed as she stood alongside the PM and his wife Jenny (pictured left) Soon afterward, Ms Tame took up the cause of Brittany Higgins, a former Liberal Party staffer who said she was sexually assaulted inside Parliament House and accused the Morrison government of covering it up. When Mr Morrison later apologised to Ms Higgins for her experiences, citing advice from his wife and consideration of his own children, Ms Tame hit out at him and said 'it shouldn't take having children to have a conscience'. In tweets, she accused Mr Morrison of using a speech to the Women's Safety Summit to 'leverage his own image', and said of his appearance in a cricket commentary box that he used 'well practiced dribble' to win favourable media coverage. She had launched her attacks on the PM before she was even in the AOTY role, taking a swipe at the government's record on climate change hours before she was given the prestigious honour. The awkwardly tense moment followed Ms Tame's outrage at remarks whispered in her ear by the PM after she was awarded the prestigious title last year Before the 2021 ceremony, her then-boyfriend Max Heerey posted a video on his Instagram showing Ms Tame walking up behind Prime Minister Morrison, with the caption: 'Creeping up like climate change'. The Instagram story - which Ms Tame also later shared to her own page - included an emoji of a Santa sack full of coal, and the word 'aloha' - in reference to Mr Morrison's controversial trip to Hawaii last year at a time when bushfires raged across Australia. When the pair came face to face again on Tuesday along with this year's finalists, Ms Tame looked reluctant to even shake hands with the PM and side-eyed him as the posed for pictures. She looked underwhelmed as she stood alongside the PM and his wife Jenny and barely responded when the PM said 'Hello Grace.' Ms Tame brusquely replied 'G'day' and said 'Thank you' when the PM went on to congratulate her on getting engaged to Mr Heerey at the weekend. But she warmed to a comment from the PM's wife Jenny, flashing a friendly smile at her before posing rigidly for the group picture and then walking off. The moment sparked a row online with many backing her stance while others branded her rude. 'Don't mind me, I'm always angry.' said one. Another added: 'Tame is a mess.' Grace Tame posed uncomfortably for the group picture before walking off (pictured) One admitted: 'Im certainly not a fan of this PM and am a fan of Grace Tame but I think the office of prime minister still needs to be respected. 'The people can have their say in May but this behaviour is churlish. Stay classy Grace.' Others though were delighted by her determination to not back down on her beliefs. 'I salute Grace Tame for having the courage to flip the table when shes being used as a campaign tool by a total muffin who never did a thing for women,' said one. Another added: 'Grace Tame is all of Australia. He's lucky he lived.' Former Liberal MP turned vocal critic of the PM Julia Banks also joined in the praise for Ms Tame. 'Grace is the only person in this photo who lives her life with honesty, integrity and empathy,' she tweeted on Tuesday. 'Graces courage to speak truth to power and to call out abuse of power has earned her the enduring respect and trust of a nation.' In Ms Tame's moving 2021 acceptance speech, she relived the horror of being groomed by her teacher while she was just 15 and the awful impact it had on her life. But she was unable to speak out because of laws silencing sex assault victims, until she led a campaign to change the law. She told the Australian of the Year audience last year: 'I lost my virginity to a paedophile. I was 15, anorexic; he was 58, he was my teacher.' 'For months he groomed me and then abused me almost every day. Before school, after school, in my uniform, on the floor. I didn't know who I was. 'Australia, we've come a long way but there's still more work to do in a lot of areas.' Her fury at the PM for his comments were later used by Labor to attack the PM in Question Time who admitted: 'That is roughly my recollection. Grace Tame looked underwhelmed as she stood alongside the PM (pictured) and his wife Jenny and barely responded when the PM said 'Hello Grace' 'That was a very brave statement, that is exactly what I meant when I said that to her on that occasion.' The Australian of the Year will be announced later tonight with a slate of high-profile Aussies competing for the honour - from wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott to the parents of domestic violence victim Hannah Clarke. Eight finalists, one each from Australia's states and territories, have each been nominated for the role, ranging from campaigners and researchers and professional athletes. Victoria's nomination for the prestigious award is Dylan Alcott, a 23-time quad wheelchair Grand Slam champion and advocate for Australians with disabilities. Grace Tame (pictured), activist and advocate for survivors of sexual assault, received the title of the 2021 Australian of the Year and has since called for legal and social reform Queensland's nomination for the top honour is Sue and Lloyd Clarke - the parents of Hannah Clarke who in 2019 was killed by her ex-partner Rowan Baxter alongside their three children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3. South Australia's nomination is vaccine researcher Professor Helen Marshall, whose research into meningococcal B has had a global impact. Professor Veena Sahajwalla is the nomination from NSW in the running to be crowned Australian of the Year - put forward for her research into waste. The ACT's nomination is Patty Mills, professional basketballer, four-time Olympian and Indigenous rights advocate. From the Northern Territory, Leanne Liddle has been put forward for the top honour, for her work as the Director of the Aboriginal Justice Unit. Documentary filmmaker and journalist Craig Leeson has been nominated for the award by Tasmania for his stirring film A Plastic Ocean. And cyber safety educator and campaigner Paul Litherland is the candidate from WA, who after working as a police officer realised the dangers of the internet. The winner will be announced at 7.30pm, live on ABC TV. Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to face questions from the Whitehall investigation into whether Tory MP Nusrat Ghani was sacked due to her 'Muslimness'. Ms Ghani is believed to have privately confided in the Health Secretary shortly after she claimed the Conservative party's Chief Whip told her she was fired as a junior transport minister partially as a result of her faith. Mr Javid acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and urged her to escalate the matter, while honouring her request to keep it confidential, according to The Telegraph. It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson today insisted he is taking Ms Ghani's allegations seriously and ordered the Cabinet Office to investigate the claims. The move came after Cabinet ministers Nadhim Zahawi and Javid joined calls for a 'proper' inquiry - with others suggesting it should be fully independent. Mr Johnson told reporters on a visit to Milton Keynes University Hospital this morning: We take these allegations extremely seriously. I took them very seriously when they were raised with me 18 months ago. Very glad theres an investigation taking place now, cant say more really about it. Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to face questions from the Whitehall investigation into whether Tory MP Nusrat Ghani was sacked due to her 'Muslimness' Nusrat Ghani (pictured), the Tory MP for Wealden in East Sussex, has alleged her 'Muslimness' was raised when she was sacked as transport minister in February 2020 Downing Street announced the probe this morning, with a Number 10 spokeswoman saying: 'The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Office to conduct an inquiry into the allegations made by Nusrat Ghani MP. 'At the time these allegations were first made, the Prime Minister recommended to her that she make a formal complain to CCHQ. She did not take up this offer. 'The Prime Minister has now asked officials to establish the facts about what happened. 'As he said at the time, the Prime Minister takes these claims very seriously.' Ms Ghani alleged that chief whip Mark Spencer said her faith was partly responsible for her getting the boot in 2020 - something he flatly denies. Mr Johnson was asked this morning if Mr Spencer will remain in his role while the investigation is carried out and he replied: Just to get back to the key point, this is something I take personally extremely seriously. I took it very seriously 18 months ago. We must wait and see what the investigation produces. Ms Ghani has contradicted No10's version of events, saying the PM refused to get involved and tried to fob her off. Ghani v Spencer: Tories pick sides in 'Muslimness' row Team Ghani Nadhim Zahawi: 'There is no place for islamophobia or any form of racism in our Conservative party. Nusrat Ghani is a friend, a colleague & a brilliant parliamentarian. This has to be investigated properly & racism routed out.' Sajid Javid: 'This is a very serious matter which needs a proper investigation. I would strongly support her in making a formal complaint - she must be heard.' Caroline Nokes: 'I was very proud when Nus was the first female Muslim minister to speak at the despatch box and I thought it was evidence of how far our parliament and my party had come and to hear of the challenges that she has subsequently faced, is horrific.' Steve Baker: 'That Nus could be treated like this is completely intolerable. I value (her) as a great colleague and I'm appalled. We must get to the bottom of it.' Team Spencer Mark Spencer: 'These accusations are completely false and I consider them to be defamatory. I have never used those words attributed to me.' Dominic Raab: 'If there are any claims like this they should result in a formal complaint which allows a formal investigation to take place. As the chief whip has pointed out, Nus hasn't made a formal complaint. She was asked to do so. In the absence of doing so there will be no specific investigation into this.' Downing Street: 'After being made aware of these extremely serious claims, the Prime Minister met with Nusrat Ghani to discuss them. He then wrote to her expressing his serious concern and inviting her to begin a formal complaint process. She did not subsequently do so.' Advertisement After the announcement, Ms Ghani insisted the terms of reference for the probe must including 'all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip'. Ms Ghani said: 'As I said to the Prime Minister last night all I want is for this to be taken seriously and for him to investigate. 'I welcome his decision to do that now. 'The terms of reference of the inquiry must include all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip. 'I look forward to seeing the terms of reference.' In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Zahawi welcomed the news, but stressed he did not think the allegations had been taken lightly before. He said he personally had never 'experienced any form of racism' in the Conservative Party. The Education Secretary told Sky News: 'She has made a very serious allegation, the Prime Minister spoke to her last night and said the Cabinet Office will investigate this and look at the detail of this. 'She put out a statement last night saying actually, to be fair to her, this could be people who weren't even members of the Conservative Party, which is why we need to get to the bottom of this very quickly. 'And of course the Chief Whip (Mark Spencer) has come out and named himself as the individual and I work with both colleagues, and I think it is important that someone like a Cabinet Office senior civil servant should look at this properly, because the Chief Whip has also categorically denied this.' A thinktank has called on the Government to bring in the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate the claims. The Runnymede Trust, a race equality thinktank, says the issue is too important to be left to a civil servant-led inquiry. Chief executive Dr Halima Begum told the Guardian: 'This is an incredibly serious situation. At a bare minimum, the allegation that a minister of the crown was fired for her so-called 'Muslimness' would represent a flagrant challenge to our equalities and labour laws. 'The facts and questions about the legality of what has happened here must be urgently investigated by the very highest authority. This cannot simply be left for another civil service inquiry. If the allegations are proven to be true, Nusrat would have been subjected to grossly discriminatory behaviour. '[Her] distress will be felt by every one of the 3 million Muslims in the country, as well as every member of our religious minority communities. All of the political parties need to do more to demonstrate zero tolerance for discrimination, and to prove that religious minorities in this country are respected regardless of their faith.' Caroline Nokes, chair of the Commons women and equalities committee, described the treatment of Ms Ghani as 'appalling'. She also backed calls for the EHRC to launch an investigation and told the Telegraph: 'Her faith has never made me (or any other colleague) 'uncomfortable'. 'At the very least EHRC should have a look at this.' An EHRC spokesman stated the Commission is still examining the Conservative Party's handling of the Singh inquiry into Islamophobia complaints last year and suggested a full investigation may take place. The spokesman added: 'If we are not satisfied with progress we will review our decision [not to begin an immediate review] and do not rule out the use of our legal powers.' In a round of interviews this morning, Nadhim Zahawi welcomed news that a Cabinet Office investigation will be held The PM (pictured left running this morning) has instructed the civil service to carry out a probe after the extraordinary claims from Ms Ghani. Mark Spencer (right) has outed himself as the whip concerned, and branded Ms Ghani's comments 'false' and 'defamatory' After the announcement, Ms Ghani insisted the terms of reference for the probe must including 'all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip' Who is Nusrat Ghani? Kashmir born trailblazer was a surprise sacking in PM's 2020 reshuffle Nusrat Ghani - known as Nus - was long seen as a rising star in Tory circles. And it came as a surprise to many when she was axed as a minister in 2020. The 49-year-old was born in Kashmir to Pakistani parents and grew up in Birmingham. She worked in an investment bank, charities and the BBC World Service before entering politics. Ms Ghani is married to Sky executive David Wheeldon, with whom she has one child. She stood in the 2010 general election for the seat of Birmingham Ladywood and lost, but was elected as MP for Wealden in East Sussex in 2015. She was the first female to win the seat and the first Muslim woman elected as a Tory MP. After her victory, Ms Ghani said: 'As the nation wakes up the Conservatives look to be on the brink of returning to government.' 'We have helped put our country back on track. Our party has taken bold steps and you have put your trust in us to finish the job.' In 2015, Ms Ghani was appointed a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee. A Brexiteer, Ms Ghani in 2016 told the BBC: 'Britain has a chance to vote for a bold, positive future as an independent country in control of its own destiny. 'We have the chance to liberate our economy from a declining corner of the world and spread our wings to the whole globe.' Ms Ghani was appointed assistant whip and transport minister in 2018 under Theresa May. She was the first female Muslim to speak from the Commons dispatch box. At the time, then-Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC her promotion showed the Conservatives 'were a party of opportunity'. 'We're the party to provide the first Muslim woman minister to speak from the government dispatch box the member for Wealden,' he said.' Ms Ghani wrote on her website: 'A century after women got the vote for the first time, I hope that today young people can see that regardless of their background, faith, race, gender or sexuality, there will be a warm welcome on the green benches, and no matter where you are from you can achieve your dreams and ambitions.' In 2020, when Ms Ghani was removed from the role, she was replaced by Kelly Tolhurst. Ms Ghani has said that she was surprised at the demotion, and the shuffle was reported in that light given she had been tipped to oversee HS2 progress. Ms Ghani is a steering committee member of the backbench Covid Recovery Group which opposed the December 2020 lockdown and has voted against other Covid restrictions. Advertisement Elsewhere, a Tory MP sparked anger after he said Ms Ghani was 'hardly someone who is obviously a Muslim'. Michael Fabricant said the timing of the former transport minister's claim was 'very suspicious', and suggested it was linked to moves to get rid of Boris Johnson over the Downing Street lockdown parties scandal. Yesterday, Labour described Mr Fabricant's comments as 'shameful' and called for the Conservative whip to be withdrawn. Speaking on LBC, Mr Fabricant said: 'The timing is interesting. I think all this is because it's open season on Boris Johnson, putting pressure on him from the party trying to get him to resign. 'I think the whole thing actually stinks, the accusation being made by Nus Ghani. 'She's hardly someone who is obviously a Muslim. I had no idea what religion she is. It does seem rather a lame excuse to me that she was sacked because of that.' In response, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy tweeted: 'What an appalling, disgraceful thing to say. 'If the Tories wanted to show they were serious about tackling Islamophobia, they could start by removing the whip from Michael Fabricant.' Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds said the response of the the Tories to Ms Ghani's claims had been shameful. 'For a Conservative MP, Michael Fabricant, to go on the radio and make comments that reflect exactly the sort of unacceptable behaviour Nusrat has raised shows just how deep the problem in the Conservative Party goes,' she said. Ms Ghani has received the backing of Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Education Nadhim Zahawi, the two most senior Muslims in the Cabinet. Both took to Twitter to support her and demand a full investigation into her claims against Mr Spencer. He has outed himself as the whip concerned, and branded Ms Ghani's comments 'false' and 'defamatory'. Justice secretary Dominic Raab also lined up to defend the party, claiming she had decided not to call for an investigation at the time. But Mr Javid said Ms Ghani was 'a credit to the Conservative Party', adding: 'This is a very serious matter which needs a proper investigation. I would strongly support her in making a formal complaint - she must be heard.' His intervention claim after Mr Zahawi tweeted: 'There is no place for islamophobia or any form of racism in our Conservative party. Nusrat Ghani is a friend, a colleague & a brilliant parliamentarian. This has to be investigated properly & racism routed out. #standwithNus' . Ms Ghani, who was the first Muslim woman to be elected as a Tory MP in 2015, told the Sunday Times she was told by a party whip she was being axed in February 2020 because her status as a Muslim woman and a minister was 'making colleagues feel uncomfortable'. She also claimed she was warned that if she continued to raise the issue then her 'career and reputation would be destroyed'. But yesterday morning Downing Street revealed that Ms Ghani had complained directly to the PM in 2020. A spokeswoman said: 'After being made aware of these extremely serious claims, the Prime Minister met with Nusrat Ghani to discuss them. 'He then wrote to her expressing his serious concern and inviting her to begin a formal complaint process. She did not subsequently do so.' After that statement was released, Ms Ghani said: 'When I told the Prime Minister in June 2020 what had been said to me in the Government Whips' Office I urged him to take it seriously as a Government matter and instigate an inquiry. 'He wrote to me that he could not get involved and suggested I use the internal Conservative Party complaint process. 'This, as I had already pointed out, was very clearly not appropriate for something that happened on Government business - I do not even know if the words that were conveyed to me about what was said in reshuffle meetings at Downing Street were by members of the Conservative Party.' And Justice Secretary Dominic Raab rowed in behind him yesterday, saying that Ms Ghani would have to make a formal complaint to trigger a 'specific investigation'. Ms Ghani alleged the chief whip Mark Spencer said her faith got her the boot in 2020 A New York judge has struck down the state's mask mandate one week before it was due to expire, ruling the governor did not have authority to impose the rule without approval from the state legislature. The mandate was reintroduced by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2021, but state legislators had ruled in March that New York was no longer under a state of emergency, limiting her and the health commissioner's powers. This meant the new measures forcing New Yorkers to wear masks in all indoor spaces, which carried fines of up to $1,000 for those who did not comply, were unenforceable and are now void, Judge Thomas Rademaker has ruled. It was latest setback for executive branch officials at state and federal levels after much legal wrangling over the issue of mask mandates in different states. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court also blocked President Joe Biden's vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses. Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, vowed to fight back, saying in a statement, 'We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately' News 12 Covid cases have plummeted in New York in recent weeks after surging to record highs at the start of the month A judge in Texas last week ruled that Biden could not require federal employees to be vaccinated. Hochul, a Democrat, vowed to fight back, saying in a statement: 'We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately.' 'My responsibility as Governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,' Hochul said. She reintroduced the mandate in December amid a surge in Covid cases, forcing residents to wear a mask in indoor public spaces unless business have their own vaccine requirement. The requirements in New York state, home to around 20 million people, include wearing masks in schools, on public transit and other public indoor spaces. When Hochul imposed the rule on December 31, she called it temporary. She later extended the original expiration date of January 15 until February 1, with those not obeying risking fines and civil and criminal penalties. Disagreements and court action over mandates in a number of states have become a flashpoint of the pandemic response in the United States, often dividing Democrats and Republicans. COVID-19 cases have been dropping across the country over the past two weeks Hochul declared her own state of emergency almost immediately after the World Health Organization named Omicron as a variant of concern on November 26. At the time, New York state's seven-day average of new daily cases was around 6,400. That number rapidly rose until peaking at 73,815 on January 10. It has since fallen to about a third of that. Rademaker wrote that his ruling is not intended in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need, or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus, but that 'enacting any laws to this end is entrusted solely to the State Legislature.' Hochul's Democrats hold large majorities in both houses of the New York state legislature. The judge's ruling comes amid an ongoing nationwide row about continuing Covid restrictions and mask mandates. In the Loudoun County School District - which has been plagued by scandal after scandal over critical race theory-inspired 'equity' lessons and transgender issues - schools prevented pupils from going into their classrooms if they were not wearing a facemask on Monday. Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin had signed an executive action within hours of him taking office on January that aimed to let parents opt out of school mask mandates. The order was supposed to take effect on Monday but confusion has swirled over the implications since then. His instructions were either interpreted differently by some districts or plainly ignored with schools continuing to keep pre-existing mask mandates in place for students. Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order within hours of entering office rescinding mask mandates for schools from Monday, but it appears the policy has been met with confusion Some districts interpreted the order as being at odds with a state law that deals with COVID-19 mitigation in schools. Meanwhile earlier this month, California extended its indoor mask mandate until February 15. The original mandate came into force on December 15 last year and was meant to end in just nine days on January 15. But Californians will now be made to continue wearing masks in all indoor spaces even if they have received their vaccines. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis imposed a state ban on imposing mask mandates, but some schools defied the order. The Republican ruled only parents can decide whether or not their children wear masks to school. It comes as Dr Scott Gottlieb, former director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and current board member at Pfizer, says that the declining cases should be a signal to officials that it is time to start lifting mask mandates across the country. 'I think certainly on the east coast where you see cases declining dramatically we need to be willing to lean in and do that very soon I think as conditions improve we have to be willing to relax some of these measures with the same speed that we put them in place,' he told CNBC's The Squawk Box. 'We haven't described clear goalposts for when we're gonna withdraw a lot of these measures and the two most contentious things right now in the U.S. are the masks among children in schools and the vaccine mandates,' he said. He added that in order for people to comply by Covid rules, health officials need to 'have a flexible doctrine' that changes as the situation of the pandemic does. Andrew Neil is making a return to TV by fronting a documentary asking whether Boris Johnson has run out of road as prime minister. The veteran broadcaster, 72, dramatically quit GB News last year over the new channels anti-woke direction of travel. He will now provide the inside track on the crisis of authority which has gripped Downing Street and much of Westminster in a new Channel 4 documentary, due to air on Sunday night. The special programme, titled Boris Johnson: Has He Run Out of Road?, will examine the Prime Ministers political fight over the Partygate scandal which threatens to topple his administration. It will feature interviews with former Cabinet minister Lord Frost, who resigned in December over Covid curbs and tax rises, and former Brexit secretary David Davis, who told Mr Johnson to quit last week. Mr Neil called the Partygate drama the biggest leadership in crisis in three decades and we have a ringside seat. Andrew Neil subjected Boris Johnson to a withdering monologue in the run-up to the last General Election (above) He 'empty-chaired' the prospective Prime Minister and blasted him for failing to subject himself to a grilling Is Boris's birthday the 'killer blow'? MPs expect MORE party revelations as calls grow for PM to quit now MPs are predicting more Downing Street party revelations and saying Boris Johnson's Number 10 birthday bash with 30 guests, a Union Jack cake, Marks and Spencer's nibbles and singing 'changes things a lot' amid warnings he could lose a no confidence vote. In another huge blow to the Prime Minister's authority, ITV claims he attended a gathering organised by his wife Carrie in the Cabinet Room in No10 on June 19, 2020, to celebrate turning 56. They are said to have celebrated his birthday after his return from a visit to a school in Hertfordshire, where he had posed with his arms outstretched with children to show the importance of social distancing. On Monday night MPs lashed out at the latest party allegation, with one telling The Guardian: 'And presumably there is more being stored up for release after the Gray report just in case that hadn't dealt the killer blow.' Advertisement The PM has faced calls to resign over allegations of lockdown-busting gatherings in Downing Street, the latest being reports that No10 staff celebrated his birthday in the Cabinet Room at the height of the first Covid shutdown. Critics who have accused Mr Johnson of misleading Parliament over the scandal are waiting for the publication of a report into the allegations by Whitehall ethics tsar Sue Gray within days. Louisa Compton, Channel 4s head of news, said: With Boris Johnsons future as UK Prime Minister seemingly hanging on a knife edge, who better to examine how we got here and what could happen next than Britains leading political journalist, Andrew Neil? This timely film underlies the channels commitment to producing distinctive, thought-provoking and outstanding journalism. Mr Gilchrist said it had been a tremendous privilege' to follow Mr Neil as he covers the most extraordinary and dynamic political story of our times. He added: Its not often one gets access to the key players within a political party as it tries to decide whether or not to depose the Prime Minister. Mr Neil had worked with Mr Johnson on The Spectator magazine when he was appointed chairman in 2004 while Mr Johnson was the editor. During the 2019 general election campaign, the Tory leader repeatedly refused to commit to an interview with Mr Neil, despite other party leaders agreeing to be quizzed. Other films made by Rogan Productions, which is making the C4 documentary, include Black Power: A British Story Of Resistance, Putin: A Russian Spy Story and Freddie Mercury: The Final Act for BBC Two. Appearing on the BBCs Question Time in September, Mr Neil said more and more differences had emerged between him and station bosses at GB News and he felt he was in a minority of one about its future. He also added that the launch of GB News could not be described as a startling success. More and more differences emerged between myself and the other senior managers and the board of GB News, the broadcaster said. Rather than these differences narrowing, they got wider and wider and I felt it was best that if thats the route they wanted to take then that's up to them, its their money. The route is what I think you can see on GB News at the moment, people should make up their own minds what they want to watch. Boris Johnson at Bovingdon Primary School in Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire on July 19, 2020, the day he enjoyed a 56th birthday party at Downing Street GB News launched in June, with Mr Neil saying it would not slavishly follow the existing news agenda. In an opening monologue, Mr Neil said his show would cover the stories that matter to you and those that have been neglected and deliver a huge range of voices that reflect the views and values of our United Kingdom. A number of big names joined the channel for its launch including ITV News journalist Alastair Stewart, BBC journalist Simon McCoy and former Labour MP Gloria De Piero. It comes as Mr Johnson is facing a crisis of leadership as he fights allegations of multiple breaches of lockdown rules throughout the pandemic. Last night, No10 admitted that Mr Johnson attended an event with 30 guests in the Cabinet Room on June 19, 2020, where participants enjoyed a Union Jack birthday cake and Marks and Spencer picnic food. Just months earlier, Mr Johnson had praised Josephine, who had cancelled a birthday party just days before the first national shutdown. On Twitter, the PM said that the child had set a great example to us all by postponing her birthday party until we have sent coronavirus packing. A second brawl broke out at a family carnival just two days after a 14-year-old-girl was allegedly dragged by the hair during a clash between staff and teens at the same event. Distressing footage of the first incident at Banner Park in Brunswick Heads, in the Byron Shire, showed a vicious punch-up between high schoolers and carnival workers on Friday night. Police were called four times in five minutes from about 9.30pm, but the groups dispersed quickly when they arrived. Daily Mail Australia can now reveal that a second fight happened at the carnival at the same time on Sunday night. About ten teenagers and at least two carnival workers could be seen throwing punched (pictured) 'By the time police got (there) both groups split and dispersed' a police spokeswoman said. Police inquiries are continuing and charges have been laid. A local source told Daily Mail Australia the little sister of the 14-year-old who was dragged across the park by her ponytail tried to intervene, and was 'punched in the face'. 'Neither of these two sisters had anything to do with antagonistic behaviour,' he said. 'The younger one did grab the big guy's waist to get him off her sister, which is then when she was punched.' Pictured: The carnival in Brunswick Heads before it opened to the public in December A man is accused of dragging a teenage girl across the grass by her hair at a carnival (pictured left) Footage shows the girl kicking helplessly, as a young female voice repeatedly screamed: 'Don't f***ing touch her - she's just a little kid!' A distressed teenage boy yelled, 'get off my girl!' and jumped into the fray to avenge his girlfriend. Others allegedly continued to attack the 14-year-old and pull at her dress as she flailed on the ground, before her partner allegedly punched one of the men in the head. Carnival workers allegedly pounced on teens for throwing water bombs - which staff claim were filled with urine. 'What the f***?' horrified onlookers shouted, while others screamed in fear. Carnival owners refused to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia. One male teenager jumped into the fray (pictured) to avenge his girlfriend, who was dragged by her hair Locals say the brawl broke out because teenagers were throwing water bombs at carnival staff Locals said on social media that the fair has been running in the area for more than 65 years, and were horrified by the violent display. One woman said: 'I live close by, and was terrified by what I could hear, to afraid to step out of the gate to see what was happening.' Some blamed the melee on the teenagers and said workers never would have reacted if water bombs weren't thrown in the first place, but others disagreed. 'Regards to what the children did or didnt do, the behaviour from these adults is absolutely disgusting,' one man wrote. 'They are grown adults throwing punches at children even females and dragging them by the hair.' The carnival has been running in the area for more than 65 years. Some locals said they had been attending since they were children Pictured: The family carnival in Brusnwick Heads, in the Byron Shire. A fight broke out at the event on Friday night, and then again on Sunday Someone else wrote: 'Yes the kids were out of order, and overstepped the mark to the point they needed a bit of a wake up, but hitting a kid is never justified - let alone a young girl.' One woman pointed out that it would have been difficult for the youths to fill water bombs with urine because the balloon heads are 'too tiny'. She also dismissed the claim because there were balloon remnants on a tap near the brawl, but others thought it was plausible. 'Some people are very creative,' a man replied. NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia: 'A verbal altercation then occurred between both parties before the groups engaged in a physical affray.' Officials confirm more than 20 COVID-19-positive persons aboard an Australian military ship containing relief goods for tsunami-hit Tonga, raising fears of possible infection in the virus-free Pacific nation. Australian officials said 23 crew members of the HMAS Adelaide, which left Brisbane on Friday, tested positive for COVID-19. Tonga has only recorded one coronavirus case since the pandemic began two years ago. It has avoided any outbreaks, and until now, it is one of the few countries with zero outbreaks, per Reuters. According to Our World in Data, about 61 percent of Tongans are completely immunized. Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said that Canberra has been working with Tongan officials to keep the ship at sea and protect 105,000 citizens of Tonga from infection. However, Tongan authorities were concerned that accepting the relief goods from the ship could lead to another crisis, following the major eruption of an undersea volcano on January 14, which triggered tsunami waves that ravaged hundreds of homes and polluted water sources. It's the second time an Australian relief cargo has had at least one crew member test positive. A C-17 Globemaster military cargo plane had previously been turned around in mid-flight due to the same medical emergency, per Sky News. With the threat of the COVID-19 virus, Tonga is now facing a dilemma in obtaining much-needed supplies, especially clean water, for hundreds of thousands of its residents. Read Also: Satellite Photos Show the Extent of the Tonga Tsunami Devastation as Seen from Space Tonga Faces A Serious Dilemma As a solution to the matter, the Tongan government has agreed with Australia and New Zealand to have the supplies delivered in a "contactless" way. "We need to follow the COVID-19 protocols to keep the people in the population safe rather than us setting a system, and there's a tsunami of COVID hitting Tonga," Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia Curtis Tu'ihalangingie said in an interview, wherein he appreciated the two countries' understanding. After Tongan military personnel spent days sweeping off thick volcanic ash off the runway by hand, a New Zealand air force plane was the first to make a contactless supply delivery on Thursday at the airport near the capital Nuku'alofa. Since then, more aid has arrived in the tsunami-hit nation. Humanitarian Organizations Willing To Cooperate According to Sainiana Rokovucago, partnership and program director of the International Federation of the Red Cross, the IFRC plans to deploy a team on the ground in the following days to support the mobilized Tonga-based volunteers. "If there's a need for quarantine of the relief items, the need for quarantine of the team, we will also consider that," Rokovucago told NPR. UNICEF also expressed its willingness to abide by the Tongan government's protocols and other partner organizations to "ensure immediate response" for the affected residents. The efforts include "providing clean water and emergency health supplies for children and families affected," said UNICEF Pacific Representative Jonathan Veitch. Meanwhile, Jonathan Pryke, Pacific Island program director at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, suggests that in-person assistance delivery is not completely discarded. Pryke says the Tongan authorities will have to decide if it's worth it to invite international humanitarian groups in to help out on the ground until they better understand the entire magnitude of the destruction caused by the volcanic eruption. Related Article: Tsunami-Hit Tonga Faces Water Crisis; Underwater Cables May Take Weeks To Repair @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Advertisement Kim Kardashian was enjoyed a coffee date with former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former first daughter Chelsea as part of a new docu-series on trailblazer women. The former reality TV star was spotted with her unlikely friends at the black-owned Hot & Cool Cafe in Canoga Park in Los Angeles on Monday. The trio was accompanied by a camera crew, who are thought to be connected to Clinton's upcoming Apple TV+ docuseries Gutsy Women, TMZ reported. Kim Kardahian, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton seen shooting scenes for new Apple TV+ show featuring trailblazing women at black-owned cafe known for hiring formerly incarcerated people The trio could be seen smiling for the camera at the Hot & Cool Cafe in Canoga Park, Los Angeles The three women were spotted wearing black outfits at the vegan cafe in Los Angeles on Monday Hillary opted for a black business suit, while Kim wore a floor-length coat and neon-green boots The show is loosely based on Hillary's and Chelsea's 2019 bestseller 'The Book of Gutsy Woman: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience,' which includes portraits of trailblazing female role models. Hot & Cool was founded in 2018 and is widely known for his commitment to social impact and for hiring formerly incarcerated people, a cause Kim has been an advocate for in recent years. Owner Anthony Jolly has been recognized by Governor Gavin Newsom and LA mayor Eric Garcetti for 'providing thousands of meals to senior citizens and those negatively economically impacted by COVID-19.' According to its website, Jolly chose the area to help resident who have struggled to find healthy food options. The trio was accompanied by a camera crew, possibly to feature the cafe on the Clinton's upcoming Apple TV+show 'Gutsy Women' The show is loosely based on Hillary's and Chelsea's 2019 bestseller 'The Book of Gutsy Woman: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience,' which includes portraits of trailblazing female role models Hillary Clinton at Hot & Cool Cafe in Canoga Park in LA on January 24, 2022 During the coffee date on Monday, Kim was seen wearing a floor-length black coat and shades, while her hair was styled in a high ponytail. During the coffee date on Monday, Kim was seen wearing a floor-length black coat and shades, while her hair was styled in a high ponytail. Chelsea and her former Secretary of State mother also chose black outfits for the occasion. The younger Clinton opted for a knee-length skirt and cozy sweater, while Hillary went for a classic and infallible business suit. Hillary and Chelsea co-authored their bestseller, which features portraits of role models who inspire them, including Harriet Tubman and Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, in 2019. The show is being produced for Apple TV by HiddenLight Productions, a company founded by the two Clintons. Kim, who endorsed Hillary in 2016, has been championing prison reform in recent years, following her success with convincing former President Trump to commute the life sentence of a nonviolent drug offender in June 2018. The former Secretary of State was endorsed by Kim Kardashian when she ran for president in 2016 Chelsea and her former Secretary of State mother also chose black outfits for the occasion. The younger Clinton opted for a knee-length skirt and cozy sweater, while Hillary went for a classic and infallible business suit Hillary and Chelsea co-authored their bestseller, which features portraits of role models who inspire them, including Harriet Tubman and Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, in 2019 Mother and daughter joined former reality TV star Kim Kardashian at Hot & Cool Cafe in Canoga Park In April 2019, the mother-of-four revealed that she wanted to follow in her father's footsteps to become a lawyer. Her dedication to fulfilling her dream of becoming an attorney was proved in December when she passed her baby bar exam after failing three times. Despite the previous failures, Kim explained remained motivated as she kept her father, the late Robert Kardashian, in mind as she said if he were alive today he would have been her biggest supporter. The reality star began the post by writing a lengthy caption to her 269million followers in December which began: 'OMFGGGG I PASSED THE BABY BAR EXAM!!!!...Looking in the mirror, I am really proud of the woman looking back today in the reflection.' Passing the State Bar of California is arguably the toughest in the nation as Kim explained that since she did not complete her first year of law study in a juris doctor degree program at a State Bar-unaccredited registered law school she had to take this first exam 'with a harder pass rate.' Hillary and Chelsea will host the Apple TV+ docuseries 'Gutsy Woman' The Clinton-Kardashian coffee date comes amid conflicting reports of Hillary's possible third run for Presidency in 2024 Chelsea Clinton and her politician mother Hillary Clinton in LA on Monday Kim, who endorsed Hillary in 2016, has been championing prison reform in recent years, following her success with convincing former President Trump to commute the life sentence of a nonviolent drug offender in June 2018 Kim went on to thank many people who have helped her in her journey including friend and Emmy winning host and contributor for CNN and former special advisor to President Barack Obama, Van Jones, 'who talked me into going to law school in the first place'. Jones introduced her to Jessica Jackson and Erin Haney, who are both heads at criminal justice reform organizations Cut 50 and REFORM Alliance, for bringing her along in the courtroom as they have been with her from the very beginning. Kim began a four-year apprenticeship at a law firm in San Francisco in 2018 and has been working under Haney and Jackson to complete her law studies, according to NBC. Kim went on to honor her father, who was famously on OJ Simpson's defense team during his murder trial in 1995. In April 2019, Kim revealed that she wanted to follow in her father's footsteps to become a lawyer Her dedication to fulfilling her dream of becoming an attorney was proved in December when she passed her baby bar exam after failing three times. The show is being produced for Apple TV by HiddenLight Productions, a company founded by the two Clintons. The Clinton-Kardashian coffee date comes amid conflicting reports of Hillary's possible third run for Presidency in 2024. Sources within Clintonworld have pointed out that there's no chance she makes another run for the White House in 2024, but a Wall Street Journal op-ed penned by Doug Schoen floating her as an ideal candidate was considered a 'gift' for her rejuvenation. Former top advisor to Bill Clinton Dick Morris has also said there's a 'good chance' Hillary will run against Trump in the 2024 presidential election if the current administration loses Congress in the midterms. Bill and Hillary are reportedly sensing an opportunity to get back into the political fray as the Democrats look poised to be heading into a devastating midterm this fall. Kim began a four-year apprenticeship at a law firm in San Francisco in 2018 and has been working under Haney and Jackson to complete her law studies Bill and Hillary are reportedly sensing an opportunity to get back into the political fray as the Democrats look poised to be heading into a devastating midterm this fall Kim went on to honor her father, who was famously on OJ Simpson's defense team during his murder trial in 1995, by following in his footsteps Politico Playbook reported that the power couple believe their centrist, deal-making brand of politics could be useful as party members have tripped up President Joe Biden's agenda. They also believe that the public may have moved on from Clinton's scandalous past, as the ratings for FX's Impeachment: American Crime Story - produced by Monica Lewinsky - were surprisingly low, Playbook said. The Clintons, a bundler told Playbook, 'don't want to be pariahs anymore.' 'It's less about being kingmakers and more about being relevant and people seeing them as a net positive, not a net negative,' the source said. A beloved grandfather has died with Covid after waiting more than an hour for an ambulance, with his heartbroken family now demanding answers over his death. Derek Dewitt, 77, passed away on the floor of his Brisbane home around midnight on January 6 after reporting suffering shortness of breath and heart-attack like symptoms. He was fully vaccinated and always followed health advice, immediately calling for help when he realised he was in trouble. But despite living only minutes away from a hospital, Mr Dewitt spent his final moments waiting for paramedics who would not arrive until it was too late. Derek Dewitt, 77, (pictured with his daughters Lisa Carmichael and Mareta Dewitt) died on January 6 during a battle with Covid after spending more than an hour waiting for an ambulance His devastated daughters, Lisa Carmichael and Mareta Dewitt, have filed an official complaint to Redlands Hospital - located just 5kms from Mr Dewitt's home - arguing their father's death could have been prevented. 'He was a gentle man with a big heart, a kind soul with a humble nature,' Ms Dewitt told Daily Mail Australia. 'He was revered and loved by all that knew him.' 'He got Covid, he did everything right. He went and got tested, he quarantined, he did everything he was supposed to do - but when he needed help, there was no help for him,' Ms Carmichael told Nine News on Monday. They have also written an open letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on social media, slamming her government's claims the health system could handle the Omicron outbreak, which has significantly strained hospitals. 'You said we were prepared. You said that our health system is fine. It clearly it isn't fine. It's not okay,' Ms Dewitt said. Ms Carmichael and Ms Dewitt said their father collapsed on his bedroom floor and could not get up, prompting his wife to dial 000. 'It was the middle of the night, and we [his 3 children] live 45 minutes away,' Ms Dewitt told Daily Mail Australia. 'Our step mother was unable to move him after he collapsed, she couldnt even get him onto his side, let alone into a car [so she called an ambulance].' After paramedics had still not arrived 45 minutes later, Mr Dewitt's wife called back and was placed on hold four times before she was eventually put through to Queensland Ambulance Service. The case was upgraded from a 1B (potential time critical) to a 1A (actual time critical) emergency - but by the time they arrived, Mr Dewitt was dead. The sisters have lodged a complaint and are seeking answers from the government about the stability of the health system Ms Dewitt said she asked a policeman who attended the scene why it had taken them so long and he replied 'that is just how long they're taking at the moment'. His daughters said had they known there would be a lengthy delay, they would have tried to access alternative transportation. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said paramedics had been experiencing a high level of demand. 'QAS has undertaken a comprehensive review of the clinical and operational aspects of its response,' the spokesperson said. A spokesperson from the Department of Premier and Cabinet said: 'We offer our deepest sympathies to the gentlemans family and friends, but while the case is under review it would be inappropriate to comment.' The state has recorded more than 124 Covid deaths since the start of the pandemic, with 84 having occurred in the past week. There were 9,546 new Covid cases reported in Queensland and 11 deaths on Tuesday at the state approaches the peak of the Omicron wave. Tuesday's deaths were people aged between their 50s and 90s, none of whom had received a booster jab. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said the industry has been experiencing a high level of demand QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Tuesday said the state's hospitals are currently coping with the Omicron wave 'I know this is very heartbreaking to families...none of this is easy,' Ms Palaszczuk said from Townsville on Tuesday. 'There's people out there who are grieving and on behalf of the people of Queensland we extend out sympathies.' The latest deaths come as the number of virus cases in Queensland's hospitals increased 'significantly' to 928, compared with Monday's figures of 878. They include 51 patients in intensive care, 13 of whom are on ventilators. But Ms Palaszczuk said utilisation of hospital beds is lower than expected, with data to be released shortly. 'I just want to see how the peak goes...but at the moment where we're tracking, we will be able to cope,' she said. Anthony Albanese has vowed to reverse the Coalition's decision to strip $84million from the ABC if Labor wins this year's federal election. The Labor leader used his National Press Club address on Tuesday to promise more money for the national broadcaster if he is elected prime minister. Prime Minister Scott Morrison imposed a three-year funding freeze in 2019, which reduced the ABC's $1billion budget by eight per cent and prompted executives to lay off 250 employees the following year. 'We'll have five-year funding for ABC and SBS, and we'll restore the ABC's funding that was cut by this government,' Mr Albanese said. He announced he would also work to reduce 'massive inefficiencies' by more clearly defining the responsibilities of Australia's federal and state governments. 'We have a national cabinet where the state premiers all come and tell each other what they're doing, and then Scott Morrison announces it and pretends there's some uniformity,' he said. 'We need to do better than that. One way we need to do that is by being up-front and not saying something in the room and something different outside the room.' Mr Albanese claimed that he would not attack premiers 'on the basis of their political background', which he claimed Mr Morrison was guilty of. He also paid tribute to the sacrifices Australians had made during the pandemic and vowed to repay voters' 'generosity and bravery'. 'Pushing through this pandemic is not enough,' he said. 'We need to learn from it, we need to use what the last two years have taught us to build a better future.' The promises came as he unveiled a $440million plan to upgrade schools and help student wellbeing. Labor leader Anthony Albanese pictured with his partner Jodie Haynon. He announced he would also work to reduce 'massive inefficiencies' by more clearly defining the responsibilities of Australia's federal and state governments The host of ABC's 7.30 Leigh Sales is pictured right with colleague Laura Tingle. Prime Minister Scott Morrison imposed a three-year funding freeze on the broadcaster in 2019 Schools will be able to access grants from a Schools Upgrade Fund to improve air quality with measures such as better ventilation, building more outdoor classrooms, replacing boarded-up windows and doors and buying air purifiers. Funding will also be available for school upgrades including new and refurbished buildings and trades training centres. A Labor government would also provide schools with extra funding for counsellors and psychologists, as well as camps, excursions and other activities to improve kids' wellbeing. The United Kingdom has axed all Covid-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated Australians in welcome news for those planning a European holiday. Vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to return any negative Covid tests after the government ruled it would axe all testing and quarantine rules. British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said strict testing regimes will no longer apply to vaccinated passengers from 4am local time on February 11. 'As part of our efforts to ensure that 2022 is the year in which restrictions on travel, on lockdowns and limits on people's lives are firmly placed in the past, today we are setting Britain free,' Mr Shapps said. The United Kingdom has dropped all Covid-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated Australians in welcome news for those planning a European holiday (pictured, a tourist in London) While unvaccinated travellers will not be required to self-isolate after landing they will be asked to return a negative Covid test pre-departure and on day two (pictured, travellers arrive at Heathrow Airport earlier this month) 'With these changes today we have one of the most open travel sectors in the world ... today is a momentous moment.' The transport secretary said it was important for borders to open for people to do business and travel, as well as to reunite families separated for months. CHANGES TO THE UK'S TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS Fully vaccinated Australians: - Will no longer have to provide a negative Covid test at any point - Will not have to self-isolate on arrival - Will have to fill out a passenger locator form due to be simplified Unvaccinated Australians: - Will have to provide a negative Covid test on departure and on day two - Will not have to self-isolate on arrival - Will have to fill out a passenger locator form due to be simplified Advertisement People touching down in the UK will still be required to fill out a passenger locator form which asks if the traveller is vaccinated against Covid or not. However, the pages-long document is set to be simplified as part of the easing of Covid travel restrictions, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. While unvaccinated travellers will not be required to self-isolate after landing, they will be asked to return a negative Covid test pre-departure and on day two. There are currently no countries or territories listed on the 'red list' for travel to England, with the UK due to move towards home quarantine instead of hotel for travellers from red-listed areas. While Australia is currently recording more 2,454 cases per million people, the UK reports about 1,350 per million. Of the population aged above 12 years of age, 91.98 per cent of people are fully vaccinated Down Under compared to 83.8 per cent in the UK. At least 64.2 per cent of the population have received their booster shot with masks on Thursday no longer required except on public transport in London. Vaccine passports for large events will also be axed as the country looks to normalise living alongside the virus. Daily infections have flattened in the UK at a daily average of 90,000 while global experts predict Australia has also hit the peak of the latest Omicron outbreak. Global health chiefs have agree its 'endgame' for the Covid pandemic in Australia as case rates and hospital patients remain steady without having to lockdown. Vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to return any negative Covid tests after the government ruled it would axe all testing and quarantine rules (pictured, travellers at LAX) Experts said Victoria, the ACT and South Australia have also passed their peak while daily infections in Queensland continue to drop, again without locking down. In NSW, masks will still be mandatory in all indoor settings while hospitality venues must still operate under the one person per two square metre rule and QR code check-ins will stay mandatory. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has scrapped Covid PCR tests for returning international travellers instead opting to mandate rapid antigen tests. The new rules took effect in NSW, Victoria, QLD, the ACT and SA from midnight on December 30, with Tasmania joining on January 1. The state's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the Omicron outbreak was 'stabilising' and it's now time for people to learn to live with the virus. 'I think we need to have a sense of optimism, I'm incredibly optimistic,' she told reporters on Monday. 'It is pleasing that when we look at a range of measures, our assessment indicates that the spread of coronavirus is slowing, our situation is stabilising.' The European Union on Monday declared Down Under a 'Covid danger zone' amid surging Omicron cases (pictured, a man is tested at Sydney International Airport) It comes after the European Union on Monday declared Down Under a 'Covid danger zone' amid surging Omicron cases - meaning Australian tourists could be banned from Europe or forced into quarantine in some areas. 'New testing and self-isolation requirements may apply depending on which EU member state you're travelling to, regardless of whether you're considered fully vaccinated or not,' the EU said in a statement. As Omicron cases continue to multiply across Australia the EU noted there had been 511,267 infections in seven days at the start of January. Australia is noticeably absent from the 'white list' that recently added countries from outside the Schengen Area to travel to some EU states. The omission means citizens could be slapped with a total or partial ban from entering some European countries, with more quarantine and testing requirements. Marilyn Manson has denied shocking allegations from his ex-girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood, after she claimed he 'essentially raped' her during a music video shoot, urged her to carve his initial into her pelvis, and decorated their home with Nazi propaganda knowing that she is Jewish. Wood, 34, began her tumultuous relationship with 53-year-old Manson, real name Brian Warner, when she was just 18 and she has since accused her of grooming her and abusing her. The actress goes into more depth about the experience in Amy Berg's new documentary 'Phoenix Rising Part I: Don't Fall,' which premiered on Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival and will air on HBO in March. Manson's lawyers on Monday said that Wood's allegations of raping her in a music video were 'brazen' and easily debunked. 'Of all the false claims that Evan Rachel Wood has made about Brian Warner, her imaginative retelling of the making of the "Heart-Shaped Glasses" music video 15 years ago is the most brazen and easiest to disprove, because there were multiple witnesses,' said his lawyer, Howard King. Evan Rachel Wood, pictured in 2007 with Marilyn Manson, has accused him of raping her on the set of a music video. On Monday, he denied her allegation Woods also reveals that when she was 19, Manson allegedly raped her on camera in front of other people while making the 2007 music video 'Heart-Shaped Glasses' 'Evan was not only fully coherent and engaged during the three-day shoot but also heavily involved in weeks of pre-production planning and days of post-production editing of the final cut. 'The simulated sex scene took several hours to shoot with multiple takes using different angles and several long breaks in between camera setups. 'Brian did not have sex with Evan on that set, and she knows that is the truth.' King did not address the other allegations made by Wood. In the documentary, she says that during their four-and-a-half-year on-and-off relationship, Manson emotionally abused her, threatened her life, sexually assaulted her, separated her from her friends and family, and bombarded her with anti-Semitic symbols and messages. Evan Rachel Wood has shared more horrific details of the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of ex-boyfriend Marilyn Manson (pictured together in 2007) Wood is seen in 2017 at the Emmy Awards. She was with Manson from 2007-11 In the film, Wood describes growing up near Raleigh, North Carolina and being raised to push through things even when she was uncomfortable, according to USA Today. In one case, that meant that when she was 14, she kissed a 23-year-old man on set for the 2003 film 'Thirteen' while a room full of people looked on. 'I remember not wanting to do it, but I knew that the character needed to and so it didn't matter what Evan wanted. It just had to be done,' she says in the film. She continued to be a lost and insecure teenager, which she says made her a prime target for someone like Manson. 'I didn't know where to go, so I was the perfect candidate for somebody to pop up and say, 'Come with me,'' she says. The pair met in 2006 when she was just 18 and he 37. At the time, Manson was married to Dita von Teese, and Wood had a boyfriend but Manson struck up a conversation with her and shared an interest in working with her. It was under the guise of this professional relationship Manson told Wood he wanted her to be in a film he was working on that she went to his house one night and they drank absinthe. She recalls how he suddenly kissed her, that he 'stuck his tongue down my throat... Everything went white and I just didn't know how to respond.' Things escalated, and 'it ended with him on top of me and then it was over and I felt really weird and very icky. I wasn't even really attracted to him.' But the two did end up dating, and she describes how he would give her odd compliments attached to insults and threats of violence, like 'you're so important to me I want to kick you.' He's say other odd things, like 'I'm your vampire,' 'You are the blood in my heart' and 'I want to stay with you forever.' Over time, she says, he isolated her from her friends and family. 'He has studied this,' says Wood's mother, Sara Lynn Moore, according to the Daily Beast. 'He's studied how to manipulate people. He's a predator he's a predator.' The abuse escalated, and at one point, Wood says they each carved the other's initials into themselves. 'Scarification and branding was part of it,' she says. 'He carved an E [into his skin] and I carved an M as a way to show ownership and loyalty. And I carved it right next to my vagina to show him that I belonged to him.' Manson also began showing an interested in Nazis knowing full well that Wood herself is Jewish. Wood previously spoke out about the tattoo Manson got during their relationship, which has four Ms in the shape of a swastika. Manson is pictured in 2012 with the tattoo 'At one point, over the side of the bed where I slept, he wrote 'kill all the Jews' on our bedroom wall,' she said On Instagram, she talked about 'humiliation' and 'blackmail' and how she was given 'large amounts of drugs and alcohol' when she was under 21 She says he would paint and fill his work with swastikas and other Nazi propaganda, which he also put around their home. 'At one point, over the side of the bed where I slept, he wrote 'kill all the Jews' on our bedroom wall,' she said. He also told her that Hitler was 'the first rock star because Hitler was stylish, he was well spoken, and he knew how to manipulate the masses.' She says he made fun of her for being Jewish, and also made fun of her when she got upset about his antisemitism. Wood has spoken about his antisemitism before, and wrote on Instagram early last year how the 'he would draw swastikas over my bedside table when he was mad at me.' 'Because [my mom] converted and wasn't of Jewish decent [sic] he would say things like, 'that's better' because I wasn't 'blood Jewish,'' she said at the time. She also revealed that during the course of their relationship, he got new tattoos, including a swastika on his chest and a skull and bones on his arm that looks like a Totenkopf, another Nazi symbol. In the new documentary, Woods also reveals that when she was 19, Manson allegedly raped her on camera in front of other people. She had agreed to be in his music video for 'Heart-Shaped Glasses,' but things did not go as expected. 'That's when the first crime was committed against me and I was essentially raped on camera,' she says (pictured together in 2007) 'We had discussed a simulated sex scene, but once the cameras were rolling, he started penetrating me for real. I had never agreed to that,' she says, according to Pitchfork. 'I'm a professional actress, I have been doing this my whole life, I'd never been on a set that unprofessional in my life up until this day. It was complete chaos, and I did not feel safe. No one was looking after me. 'It was a really traumatizing experience filming the video. I didn't know how to advocate for myself or know how to say no because I had been conditioned and trained to never talk back to just soldier through. 'I felt disgusting and like I had done something shameful, and I could tell that the crew was very uncomfortable and nobody knew what to do. I was coerced into a commercial sex act under false pretenses. 'That's when the first crime was committed against me and I was essentially raped on camera,' she continues, adding that it was 'just the beginning of the violence that would keep escalating over the course of the relationship.' Woods kept the abuse to herself until 2016, when she publicly spoke about it for the first time though she did not name her abuser. Still, other women seemed to know exactly whom she was talking about and reached out with similar stories 'It was like finding out that you had dated a serial killer,' she says. Woods first discussed abused in 2016 but didn't name her alleged abuser until last year with this statement She publicly named him as her abuser for the first time in February 2021, after she began filming this documentary in 2020. 'I don't remember what it feels like to not be scared. I will never be the same,' she says. 'I'm still terrified to name Brian publicly. I want to name him, it's all I want to do. I have received a number of threatening messages saying to shut my mouth, people know where I live. 'Brian also made it clear that if I ever said anything, he would come after me. He once told me he would f*** up my whole family from the bottom up and he would start with my dad. I have a child and it's really scary.' She adds: 'This isn't about revenge, or, 'He's a monster and he needs to be punished and destroyed.' He's already destroyed. That man is not a man anymore; he is gone.' Since Wood first spoke out, multiple allegations have gone out against Manson, resulting in criminal investigations. He has also been dropped by his agents and record label. In response to the film, Manson's lawyers say he 'vehemently denies any and all claims of sexual assault or abuse of anyone.' 'These lurid claims against my client have three things in common they are all false, alleged to have taken place more than a decade ago and part of a coordinated attack by former partners and associates of Mr. Warner who have weaponized the otherwise mundane details of his personal life and their consensual relationships into fabricated horror stories,' reads the statement, which was issued in November. In her statement naming Manson last year, Wood said: 'The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years. 'I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. 'I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent.' She also posted screenshots of tweets written by Dan Cleary, Manson's former assistant in December 2020, who said that he knew Wood when she was with Manson and that by the end of their relationship, he had 'broken' her. Around the same time that she came forward, four other women Ashley Walters, Sarah McNeilly, Ashley Lindsay Morgan and a woman who gave her name only as Gabriella posted similar statements on Instagram. In their statements, they detailed 'harrowing experiences that they claim included sexual assault, psychological abuse, and/or various forms of coercion, violence, and intimidation.' The number of accusers continued to grow. Game of Thrones star Esme Bianco said he would tell her he wanted to 'murder other women' and 'sneak down to the room where I was sleeping and rape me' in text messages,' among other allegations. Crypitc messages have been left at the site where a former soldier exploded in a fiery wreck after visiting his estranged partner. The 43-year old father instantly died when the explosive vest he was carrying detonated after visiting his ex-partner in Hallam - south-east of Melbourne's CBD - on Saturday. On Tuesday, graffiti spray painted on the entrance to a nearby medical centre read: 'Dad, my soldier 4ever'. Footage captioned the moment the driver's homemade explosive vest detonated after hitting a speed bump in Hallam in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday A tribute was spray painted on the wall of a medical clinic near where the man was killed on Saturday On the other side of the entrance it read: 'Willo that was stupid'. Workers on Tuesday were in the process of removing the damaged signs and cleaning the tainted wall. Tributes have also appeared online for the deceased dad, who has not yet publicly been named. Police sources have told Daily Mail Australia the homemade bomb was either detonated by the man on purpose or he was the victim of misadventure. 'We don't believe he had plans to blow anyone else up,' the source said. It is understood the man and his estranged wife had suffered an acrimonious split. A Victoria Police spokesperson said tragedy was not being treated as suspicious. Despite earlier reports that the bomb may have detonated after hitting a speed bump, Daily Mail Australia observed no such hazard in the area or any other potholes. The explosion caused chaos for nearby residents on Saturday, with police sending the area into lockdown for more than 12 hours. 'Bomb Response Unit members attended due to explosive items located inside the vehicle and it took a considerable amount of time for the Bomb Response Unit to render these items safe,' police said. They had been called shortly before midday on Saturday morning following reports of a crash. Footage shows the dramatic moment the homemade explosive vest exploded and erupted into flames after the man hit the bump while driving along Young Road. The car continued travelling down the road for several hundred metres before it crashed into a parked vehicle at the corner of Homewood Boulevard. A nearby medical centre was vandalised in the aftermath of the tragic explosion Bomb Response Unit officers were called to the scene and blocked off the vicinity for 12 hours The car crashed into a parked vehicle near the corner of Young Street and Homewood Boulevard (pictured) in Hallam in Melbourne's south-east Police found the body of the Dandenong father inside the car. Neighbours remained in shock on Tuesday days after the shocking incident. 'I mean this is a rough area, but people exploding on the street is unheard of,' one resident told Daily Mail Australia. Another resident said it wouldn't be hard for police to track down the vandals should they be inclined to do so. 'They wrote "dad" on the walls,' the man said. Anyone with information on the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Seven U.S. military personnel were hurt on Monday when an F-35C warplane had a 'landing mishap' on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the South China Sea and the pilot ejected, the U.S Navy said. A Navy statement said the incident happened during 'routine flight operations' in the South China Sea. The status of the $94 million fighter jet was unclear. 'The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via U.S. military helicopter,' it said. 'The pilot is in stable condition. There were seven total sailors injured.' The statement said three of personnel required evacuation to a medical facility in Manila and four were treated by on-board the carrier and released. It said all the personnel evacuated were assessed as being in stable condition. The USS Carl Vinson is seen with the USS Essex behind in a January 2022 picture Sailors taxi an F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the 'Argonauts' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson on January 22 The Navy said the cause of the 'inflight mishap' on the nuclear-powered carrier was under investigation. 'The status of the aircraft is currently under investigation as are the factors involved in the mishap,' Brenda Way, a spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told The War Zone. Captain P. Scott Miller, commander of the USS Carl Vinson The F-35 jet is made by Lockheed Martin, and the USS Carl Vinson in August deployed from its San Diego base for the first time with F-35C Lightning II fighter jets and Navy CMV-22B Osprey aboard. The F-35C is the carrier version of the Joint Strike Fighter being built in three versions for the Air Force, Marines and Navy. The Navy version can fly 1.6 times the speed of sound and has a combat radius of 600 nautical miles. 'Vinson is the first carrier to accommodate a mix of 4th- and 5th- generation strike fighters, providing unprecedented lethality and survivability and ensuring the Navy team can operate and win in contested battlespace now and well into the future,' said Capt. Tommy Locke, commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, in August. An F-35C Lightning II test aircraft approaches for a landing aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower of the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, in 2015 The aircraft carriers were in the Philippine Sea, which lays east (to the right) of Taiwan and west of the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands The Pentagon said two U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Groups, led by the Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, began operations in the South China Sea on Sunday. The carriers entered the disputed sea for training as Taiwan reported a new Chinese air force incursion at the top of the waterway. The Carl Vinson is supported by more than 5,000 crew members and carries 65 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. This is only the second major mishap involving an F-35 of any kind operating from an aircraft carrier. A British F-35B Joint Strike Fighter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea in November during a failed takeoff attempt from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The pilot successfully ejected in that incident and the plane was recovered. Half of Queensland's Covid-19 deaths are nursing home residents as the virus rushes through them in a repeat of 2020. Figures to January 20 recorded 59 people who died in aged care out of the 118 Queenslanders who had died as a result of the virus. Total fatalities in the state are now 129 people, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing 11 more deaths on Tuesday. Federal government data showed there were Covid outbreaks in 212 of Queensland's more than 500 aged care facilities. More than 3,600 people, including residents and staff, caught Covid-19 in Queensland nursing homes as of January 20, quadrupling in just a week. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced 11 more Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday as the state battles an outbreak in which half of those who have died reside in aged care facilities United Workers Union aged care director Carolyn Smith said Covid outbreaks affected 1,000 aged care facilities around Australia. 'Across aged care we're expecting most facilities will have Covid in them,' Ms Smith told Brisbane radio station 4BC. She said staff were being temperature-tested rather than having access to rapid antigen tests and that additional PPE from the national stockpile was only provided once an outbreak was identified. 'Because of the breakdown in the logistics chain, it's sometimes five days or two weeks before that PPE gets to a facility that's already got a Covid outbreak,' she said. Ms Smith said aged care workers were chronically understaffed due to the number of their colleagues on sick leave. 'I have workers saying to me, 'I'm worried I'm going to kill one of the people I love",' she said. United Workers Union aged care director Carolyn Smith said aged care workers are waiting more than a week for additional supplies of PPE due to supply chain delays Emergency services have responded to 59 people who have died in aged care out of the 118 Queenslanders who had died as a result of the virus Some facilities in Queensland have used lockdowns, confinement of residents to rooms and restrictions on visitors to contain outbreaks during the latest wave. Queensland chief health office John Gerrard said there were no plans to close aged care facilities in the state. On the same day, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said she was concerned about the delay in the rollout of Covid booster jabs in aged care facilities. 'I am concerned that not all aged-care facilities have their boosters yet... I believe the Commonwealth is saying around two-thirds have already been completed,' she said. The majority of Queensland's Covid deaths in the past week were people over the age of 50, with only a couple having received a booster jab. Queensland announced 9,546 new Covid cases and 11 deaths on Tuesday but Ms Palaszczuk said hospitalisations from the latest outbreak were lower than expected. There are now 928 people in Queensland public hospitals, up from 878 yesterday, including 51 patients in ICU. The outspoken brother of the funds manager at the centre of a high profile society affair has mocked Mark McGowan and the mining giants who backed the Western Australian premier's hard border. Angus Aitken is a prominent stockbroker and the brother of Charlie Aitken, who has been in the headlines for his affair with his former business partner's wife, Hollie Nasser. Mr Aitken savaged Mr McGowan for his backflip on opening the WA border on February 5, and criticised BHP and Rio Tinto for backing him. Among the barbs Mr Aitken directed at McGowan, was that the WA premier 'should be awarded un-Australian of the Year tomorrow'. The outspoken brother of the funds manager at the centre of a high profile society affair has mocked Mark McGowan and the mining giants who backed Western Australia Premier's rigid borders. (pictured, Charlie Aitken and his former wife Ellie Aitken) Among the barbs Angus Aitken (pictured) directed at Mark McGowan, was that the WA Premier 'should be awarded un-Australian of the Year tomorrow and that he's 'a knob' Mr McGowan on Thursday pushed a back a plan to open WA's border on February 5, which was already months after the rest of Australia. He said the original reopening date had become a 'reckless and irresponsible' plan given the rise in Omicron cases in other states. That is despite evidence showing the highly contagious Omicron variant isn't usually as fatal and its spread may have peaked. He plans to wait until February to announce a new reopening plan for WA borders, but it is expected to be months until they are fully open. 'I love WA, I own a house down the coast there I cannot visit, my wife and her family are from there,' Mr Aitken wrote in a note to his clients on Tuesday. 'The only thing I hate is Mark McGowan, he is an absolute knob.' Mr Aitken gave some tongue-in-cheek investment advice to his clients, in reference to the stock trading tactic of betting something would fail. 'Best short idea? Mark McGowan bloke will be irrelevant in coming years, he should be awarded un-Australian of the Year tomorrow,' he wrote. Hollie Nasser is seen with her Children at Bondi Beach holding an ice cream this week The glamorous lawyer, wealthy funds manager, investment banker and socialite: Inside the drama-filled lives of two high society couples as a scandalous love triangle tears them apart His rant temporarily took he focus off his brother Charlie, who ended his marriage to glamorous lawyer Ellie Aitken then went public over his affair with Ms Nasser. She was married to Charlie Aitken's long-term business partner, Christopher Nasser, and best friends with Charlie's wife Ellie until the dramatic bust-up. Mr Aitken, a partner at stockbroking firm Aitken Murray Capital Partners, questioned how BHP and Rio could continue supporting McGowan's 'small-minded' policies. Fortescue Metals and Qantas questioned the WA position - which was partly based on a bizarre claim that NSW and Victoria unofficially remain in lockdown. Mr Aitken wondered if the directors of BHP and Rio were comfortable at being locked out of their WA assets. He criticised Rio as 'a bunch of old lost dogs' over the company's performance and was even more pointed in his critique of BHP. Last week McGowan pushed a back a plan to open WA's borders on February 5, which was already months after the rest of Australia. It drew criticism from some of WA's biggest players, but no criticism from Rio Tinto or BHP - which led to Angus Aitken criticising the two big miners 'BHP calls themselves the 'Big Australian' (but) how can the Big Australian support such small-minded policy like the WA Government has at the moment which makes them a global laughing stock?' He also questioned whether BHP support vaccinated Australians not being free to travel between the states. In a stinging rebuke, Mr Aitken also claimed neither BHP or Rio had been 'entrepreneurial or smart' for many years. Mr Aitken took also pot-shot at federal Labor leader in his rant. 'The only good thing for WA people from the borders being closed is that even bigger battler politician Anthony Albanese cannot come into their state,' he wrote. The Sydney stockbroker has a history as a brutally straight talker and lost his job at Bell Potter in 2016 after he was perceived to have been sexist in calling incoming ANZ chief financial officer Michelle Jablko a 'dumb appointment'. It would be ridiculous to fine NSW parents who keep their children home from school because they are concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on other health conditions, the premier says. While reassuring parents and students schools were safe environments, Dominic Perrottet promised the health department wouldn't punish those who stayed away during the Omicron wave due to existing health concerns. 'When we talk about parents being concerned and ... anxious, particularly in circumstances where their children may have underlying health conditions, we're certainly not going to be fining parents,' the premier said on Tuesday. 'That's ridiculous.' Online learning would continue but 'that will be the exception, not the rule', the premier said. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) ruled out fines for parents who let their children stay home at the start of the school term He wants parents to feel confident in the safety of schools, with twice-weekly rapid antigen testing and a mask mandate for older students. 'As has been very clearly set out, kids do better at school in the classroom. We know that,' Mr Perrottet said. 'We cannot have a situation ... that we take away the opportunity for our children to succeed in life.' Support was available for those with underlying health conditions, NSW Education Secretary Georgina Harrisson said. 'We were doing that before the pandemic ... there were times when a child going through treatment may miss a period of school and we would, of course, support them to continue their learning,' she told reporters. Students are set to return to the classroom in NSW from February 1 (pictured: a Sydney school in October) Following the Delta wave lockdown, term four attendances exceeded the average for 2019, she said. 'Our data shows parents do want their children in school,' she said. 'Obviously, we will take a sensitive and appropriate approach in working in partnership with our families at the start of this year.' Term one begins for most NSW students on February 1, with students in the state's west heading back on February 8. RAT testing is expected to run until the end of February. Seven million test kits have been delivered to the state's 3000 schools. . North Korea reportedly fired two cruise missiles on Tuesday, days after its leader Kim Jong Un announced the possible lifting of Pyongyang's self-imposed nuclear weapons moratorium. The launch was confirmed by the South Korean military, which came followed a series of missile tests of Pyongyang, as per Reuters. Pyongyang tested "tactical guided missiles," which are short-range ballistic missiles, on January 17, per CNN report. Prior to the launch, the North Korean military claimed that it had successfully conducted test-firing of short-range ballistic missiles launched from a rail car on January 14 and hypersonic missiles tests on January 5 and 11. The missiles fired Tuesday, if confirmed, would be the fifth missiles test this year by the Kim Jong Un leadership. Tensions have been rising as a result of North Korea's recent missile tests. A US effort for further sanctions was met with a furious response from Pyongyang, increasing the possibility of a return to the 2017 "fire and fury" threats. Read Also: Kim Jong Un Calls for More "Military Muscle" After North Korea Fires More Advanced Missile Test That Flies Ten Times The Speed of Sound North Korea challenges the United States According to state media KCNA, Pyongyang announced earlier that it intends to upgrade its missile defenses against the United States. It is also considering resuming its moratorium on testing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. An official of the KCNA news agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with the powerful commission of the ruling Worker's Party last week to discuss crucial policy issues. The talks included countermeasures over US policy which was described as "hostile." A few days after North Korea suggested that it may resume its development of nuclear weapons and long-range, sophisticated missiles, a substantial virtual talk between United States President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida occurred. Japan earlier slammed North Korea's recent launching of alleged ballistic missiles as it violates policies of the United Nations Security Council and poses a threat to the region. After the meeting, Biden and Kishida had established a closer union in pursuing a "free and open" Indo-Pacific to work closely on the issues of China's military aggression in the region and the North Korean nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang Won't Slow Down On Its Weapons Tests Some analysts say that Pyongyang could dramatically escalate weapons demonstrations after the Winter Olympics in Beijing set to begin on February 4. China is North Korea's main ally and largest economic partner. Experts believe the North Korean leadership could employ a big provocation to sway the Biden administration's position, which offered open-ended discussions. However, the US leadership was unwilling to ease sanctions unless Kim demonstrated concrete measures of abandoning his nuclear weapons and missile development. Last year, Kim revealed that he wanted to obtain high-tech military assets for his country like the hypersonic missiles North Korea has been testing. The other equipment on his wish list includes multi-spy satellites, solid-fueled long-range missiles, multi-warhead missiles, and underwater-launched nuclear missiles. Hypersonic weapons can fly at speeds higher than Mach 5, five times the speed of sound. Their speed and maneuverability can bring crucial challenges to missile defense systems. Since 2019, he has significantly increased East Asian country's weapons testing that involves different methods of a missile launching from a train and a submarine, as per the New York Times. Related Article: North Korea Claims Second Successful Hypersonic Missile Test; Nuclear Modernization Looms @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 2019: Australian intelligence services conclude that China was responsible for a cyber-attack on Australia's parliament and three largest political parties in the run-up to a May election. April 2020: Australian PM Scott Morrison begins canvassing his fellow world leaders for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Britain and France are initially reluctant but more than 100 countries eventually back an investigation. April 15: Morrison is one of the few leaders to voice sympathy with Donald Trump's criticisms of the World Health Organization, which the US president accuses of bias towards China. April 21: China's embassy accuses Australian foreign minister Peter Dutton of 'ignorance and bigotry' and 'parroting what those Americans have asserted' after he called for China to be more transparent about the outbreak. April 23: Australia's agriculture minister David Littleproud calls for G20 nations to campaign against the 'wet markets' which are common in China and linked to the earliest coronavirus cases. April 26: Chinese ambassador Cheng Jingye hints at a boycott of Australian wine and beef and says tourists and students might avoid Australia 'while it's not so friendly to China'. Canberra dismisses the threat and warns Beijing against 'economic coercion'. May 11: China suspends beef imports from four of Australia's largest meat processors. These account for more than a third of Australia's $1.1billion beef exports to China. May 18: The World Health Organization backs a partial investigation into the pandemic, but China says it is a 'joke' for Australia to claim credit. The same day, China imposes an 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley. Australia says it may challenge this at the WTO. May 21: China announces new rules for iron ore imports which could allow Australian imports - usually worth $41billion per year - to be singled out for extra bureaucratic checks. June 5: Beijing warns tourists against travelling to Australia, alleging racism and violence against the Chinese in connection with Covid-19. June 9: China's Ministry of Education warns students to think carefully about studying in Australia, similarly citing alleged racist incidents. June 19: Australia says it is under cyber-attack from a foreign state which government sources say is believed to be China. The attack has been targeting industry, schools, hospitals and government officials, Morrison says. July 9: Australia suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong and offers to extend the visas of 10,000 Hong Kongers who are already in Australia over China's national security law which effectively bans protest. August 18: China launches 12-month anti-dumping investigation into wines imported from Australia in a major threat to the $6billion industry. August 26: Prime Minster Scott Morrison announces he will legislate to stop states and territories signing deals with foreign powers that go against Australia's foreign policy. Analysts said it is aimed at China. October 13: Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says he's investigating reports that Chinese customs officials have informally told state-owned steelmakers and power plants to stop Aussie coal, leaving it in ships off-shore. November 2: Agriculture Minister David Littleproud reveals China is holding up Aussie lobster imports by checking them for minerals. November 3: Barley, sugar, red wine, logs, coal, lobster and copper imports from Australia unofficially banned under a directive from the government, according to reports. November 18: China releases bizarre dossier of 14 grievances with Australia. November 27: Australian coal exports to China have dropped 96 per cent in the first three weeks of November as 82 ships laden with 8.8million tonnes of coal are left floating off Chinese ports where they have been denied entry. November 28: Beijing imposed a 212 per cent tariff on Australia's $1.2 billion wine exports, claiming they were being 'dumped' or sold at below-cost. The claim is denied by both Australia and Chinese importers. November 30: Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lijian Zhao posted a doctored image showing a grinning Australian soldier holding a knife to the throat of an Afghan child. The move outraged Australians. December 12: Australian coal is added to a Chinese blacklist. December 24: China suspends imports of Australian timber from NSW and WA after local customs officers say they found pests in the cargo. January 11, 2021: Australia blocks $300million construction deal that would have seen state-owned China State Construction Engineering Corporation takeover Probuild. The bid was blacked over national security concerns. February 5, 2021: China confirms Melbourne journalist and single mother Cheng Lei has been formally arrested after being detained in August, 2020. February 23, 2021: China accuses Australia of being in an 'axis of white supremacy' with the UK, USA, Canada and NZ in an editorial. March 11, 2021: Australia is accused of genocide by a Communist Party newspaper editor. March 15, 2021: Trade Minister Dan Tehan announced he wants the World Trade Organisation to help mediate discussions between the two countries over the trade dispute. April 21, 2021: Foreign Minister Marise Payne announces Australia has scrapped Victoria's controversial Belt and Road deal with China using new veto powers. May 6, 2021: China indefinitely suspends all strategic economic talks with Australia, blaming the Morrison Government's attitude towards the relationship. The move cuts off all diplomatic contact with Beijing under the China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue, freezing discussions between key officials below a ministerial level. June 22, 2021: China tries to 'ambush' Australia with a push to officially declare the Great Barrier Reef 'in danger' September 15, 2021: Australia, the UK and the US announce the AUKUS security pact which will give the Australian military nuclear-powered submarines to counter China growing aggression in the Indo Pacific. The move is met with seething anger in Beijing. March 24, 2022: Details of a Memorandum of Understanding emerge which could allow Beijing to station warships on the Solomon Islands, just 1,000 miles off the coast of Australia. Canberra warns it is 'concerned by any actions that destabilise the security of our region'. April 25, 2022: Defence Minister Peter Dutton warns on Anzac Day that Russia and China's resurgence means Australia must be on a war-footing. 'The only way you can preserve peace is to prepare for war, and to be strong as a country,' he said. 'We're in a period very similar to the 1930s.' April 27, 2022: Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrew says China is likely to send troops to the Solomon Islands, and was using the row to derail Australia's Federal Election. She said Beijing was 'clearly very aware we are in a federal election campaign at the moment.' The sister of the NYPD 'super rookie' who took down the gunman who killed 22-year-old Officer Jason Rivera, says her family is incredibly proud of him but revealed her brother is still 'struggling' to cope in the aftermath of the shooting. Meanwhile, Rivera's grieving widow shared the heartfelt letters she and her late husband wrote to each other when they were in high school. On Monday, Harsha Sulan said her brother, Officer Sumit Sulan, 27, who has been branded a 'hero rookie' after taking down suspect Lashawn McNeil was 'trying his best.' 'It's a lot to take and it's overwhelming for him,' she said. 'He's coping. He's trying to cope, I don't want to say anything for him. He will say something when he's ready,' she told the gathered press from the steps of her Queens family home. Sumit Sulan was seen entering the family home earlier that day, wearing a face mask and hoodie. When asked if the family felt proud of Sulan, his sister answered without hesitation: 'A hundred percent. We were proud of him. He was doing a good job.' Sulan shot Lashawn McNeil, 47, as he tried to flee the Harlem residence where Sulan, Rivera and 27-year-old Wilbert Mora had been called to investigate a domestic-violence incident on Friday. After McNeil shot his two partners, Sulan returned fire. McNeil, who was out on probation at the time of the shooting on a 2003 felony narcotics charge, died on Monday afternoon from injuries sustained at the Friday altercation. Mora is still fighting for his life at NYU Langone Medical Center. Since the events, Officer Sulan cannot get what happened out of his head, his mother told the New York Post Sunday. 'His brain is stuck on the situation,' Dalvir Sulan, 60, said of her son, who emigrated from the family's home in India about 15 years ago. Scroll down for video Officer Sumit Sulan, the NYPD 'super rookie' who shot the man accused of killing 22-year-old Jason Rivera, was seen at his home in Queens on Monday His sister revealed that Sulan is still 'struggling' to cope in the aftermath of the shootout Harsha Sulan, 29, said her family was incredibly proud of her brother, Officer Sumit Sulan Harsha Sulan became emotional as she discussed her heroic brother on the steps of her family home 'I'm proud. Everyone say he did good,' Sulan's mother said. 'I feel bad for the other [officer]. He died. We really feel bad. We're sorry. We're hurt.' Sulan has only been on the job since April and at Harlem's 32nd Precinct for two months, a law enforcement source told the Post. He had been assigned just to observe Rivera and Mora in action. 'He did a great job. We're proud of him, but we're sorry for both of [the other officers],' she said. On Sunday, hundreds of NYPD officers, paramedics and emergency responders gathered in Manhattan to salute Officer Rivera's casket as it passed by. His widow, Dominique Luzuriaga, shared several touching tributes to him on Instagram and on Monday, shared a heartfelt letter he had sent her. 'Dear Dominique, I don't know where to start. You are my best friend in the whole entire school. I really love you but you never believe me when I say I love you,' the letter read. 'Every night, I always say to myself, how will life be without you...I want you to know that I will always trust you/love you...I want to be married to you...I don't know if I have told you this but I am in love with [you].' Another letter which appeared to be addressed to Rivera from his widow read: 'I hope you do good in school and you better not drop out cuz I'll kick your cake. Lmao Good luck baby! I love you just a little.' Luzuriaga also shared pictures of her and her husband on their prom night, adding that she wished she had taken more pictures with him. Rivera's grieving widow shared pictures of her and her husband on their prom night, adding that she wished she had taken more pictures with him She also shared the heartfelt letters she and her late husband wrote to each other when they were in high school Another letter which appeared to be addressed to Rivera from his widow read: 'I hope you do good in school and you better not drop out cuz I'll kick your cake. Lmao Good luck baby! I love you just a little' Officer Jason Rivera was killed in the shooting, while Wilbert Mora, 27, is still 'fighting for his life' in NYU Langone Medical Center McNeil was out on probation at the time of the shooting on a 2003 felony narcotics charge in New York City and had four arrests in other states Mora was transferred on Sunday night from Harlem Hospital to NYU Langone Medical Center, where he continues to fight for his life in life-threatening condition, reported ABC 7. He had already undergone two surgeries to remove a bullet that had become stuck in his brain. On Monday night, a candlelight vigil was held at 32nd precinct to honor Officer's Rivera ultimate sacrifice. Members of the clergy, community activists and police officers prayed for Officer Mora's recovery. Earlier Sunday, hundreds of uniformed officers in Manhattan stood silent as Rivera's body was transferred from the Medical Examiner's Office to a funeral home. Burial rites are scheduled for Friday with a service scheduled for Thursday at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Police officers, firefighters and EMS members lined the streets from the office on 30th Street in Manhattan and up along First Avenue just after 12:30pm. Hundreds stood in silence before saluting while a hearse transported his body uptown. Sulan shot and wounded the man accused of killing 22-year-old Jason Rivera and seriously injuring 27-year-old Wilbert Mora in Harlem on Friday. The suspect died on Monday Makeshift memorial for fallen officer as members of clergy, community activists and police officers held rally and prayers at 32nd precinct for officers shot in Harlem Dennis Rodriguez, President of New York Dominican Officers Organization speaks as members of clergy, community activists and police officers held rally and prayers at 32nd precinct A makeshift memorial is seen outside the apartment of New York City Police Department Officer Wilbert Mora Members of clergy, community activists and police officers held rally and prayers at 32nd precinct for officers shot in Harlem Twenty-two-year-old Officer Jason Rivera was shot and killed and Officer Wilbert Mora critically injured while responding to a domestic call A candlelight vigil was held at the 32nd precinct for officers shot in Harlem The moving sight came as his grieving widow posted a moving tribute to her husband on Instagram on Sunday. 'Fly high my beautiful angel,' she wrote, together with a picture of Rivera's locker that she took at the NYPD's 32nd Precinct in central Harlem. The pair had been married for just over three months. 'Yesterday I visited the locker room where you used to FaceTime me at during your meal time or right before you had to go downstairs to the muster room for roll call at 15:00. 'Last night was suppose to be your day 5 & you were RDO [off] for the next three days. We both waited for your RDO's to spend them together. But now your soul will spend the rest of my days with me, through me, right beside me. 'I love you till the end of time,' Rivera's grieving widow wrote. Her Instagram profile also includes photos of the newly married couple out in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Rivera's widow posted an emotional tribute to him online. 'Fly high my beautiful angel,' she wrote, together with a picture of Rivera's locker Jason Rivera is pictured together with his wife whom he had married last October The couple were married on October 9, 2021 and had some pictures taken in New Jersey 'I love you till the end of time,' Rivera's grieving widow, pictured, wrote In one posting, she describes her husband as 'my soulmate, best friend and lover from now until the end of time.' Relatives, together with hundreds of NYPD officers and Mayor Eric Adams paid tribute to Rivera as his body was moved to a Manhattan funeral home. Meanwhile, during a Sunday morning appearance on CNN, Mayor Eric Adams stressed the urgency 'to deal with the underlying issues that are impacting crime in our city and has become a stain on the inner cities across our country.' Adams said his police force would revamp a plainclothes anti-crime unit aimed at getting guns off the streets. The unit had been disbanded in 2020 over concerns it accounted for a disproportionate number of shootings and complaints. 'The symbol of that soiled coat with red blood is really what we're talking about here in not only New York City, but across America. It just really has impacted our entire city, if not the entire country. And this is coming after having five officers shot, the 11-month baby shot in Brooklyn,' the mayor said. The shooting is the latest in a string of crimes that have unnerved the nation's most populated city and the country's largest police force, with 36,000 officers. In the three weeks since Adams took office, a 19-year-old cashier was shot to death as she worked a late-night shift at a Burger King, a woman was pushed to her death in a subway station, and a baby was critically injured by a stray bullet while in a parked car with her mother. With the Harlem shooting Friday night, four police officers had been shot in as many days. Details about what led to the deadly confrontation were still emerging. Officials said a woman who made an emergency call Friday said she was ill and that her son who had come up to take care of her had become 'problematic.' Adams said the woman did not specify the problem. Authorities said three officers went to the apartment after the call came in. The officers spoke with the woman and another son, but there was no mention of a weapon, police said. NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora is transported by ambulance. Fellow Officer Jason Rivera was killed in the attack while responding to a domestic violence call between a woman and her adult son NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora is transported by ambulance to NYU Langone from Harlem Hospital, where he had been since being wounded in a shooting last Friday Police bikes could be seen leading the way as the journey was made from Harlem to NYU Langone on Manhattan's east side After Rivera and Mora walked from the front of the apartment down a narrow hallway to check on McNeil, he swung open a bedroom door and began shooting, police said. Both officers were gunned down before they could pull their weapons and defend themselves, police said. As McNeil tried to flee, Sulan, who had stayed with McNeil's mother in the front of the apartment, shot at McNeil and wounded him in the head and arm, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said. McNeil had a 2003 drug conviction in New York City. He also had several out-of-state arrests. In 1998, he was arrested in South Carolina on suspicion of unlawfully carrying a pistol, but records show the matter was later dismissed. In 2002, he was arrested in Pennsylvania on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, Essig said. McNeil had been married but the couple separated nearly two decades ago, according to Theresa Noa, who is married to his ex-wife's brother. She said McNeil had four children from that marriage. The three cops visited a Harlem address to investigate a domestic-violence call on Friday, before convicted felon Lashawn McNeil, 47, ambushed them. Above, traffic stood still as the remains of Rivera were brought to a funeral home on Sunday After McNeil shot his two partners, Sulan returned fire. He is still struggling to cope with the events, his mom told the New York Post. Above, New York City police officers and firemen stood at attention as they awaited the procession Tears were shed for slain NYPD Officer Jason Rivera as a procession took place on Sunday for him to be moved to a funeral home Police officers are pictured as they make their way from the police precinct over to Harlem hospital A makeshift memorial is seen outside the NYPD 32nd precinct near the scene of the shooting A man placed a candle at a makeshift memorial outside the NYPD 32nd precinct in Harlem Growing up in Manhattans Inwood neighborhood, Jason Rivera said he noticed tensions with police, according to a brief essay titled 'Why I Became a Police Officer' Police said the gun used in Friday's shooting, a .45-caliber Glock pistol with a high-capacity drum magazine capable of holding up to 40 extra rounds, had been stolen in Baltimore in 2017. The incident had started out as 'a normal verbal family dispute with no injuries or anything out of the ordinary', police sources added. The drum magazine McNeil had equipped to his Glock allows it to hold an additional 40 rounds to the gun's ten, giving the shooter a total of 50 rounds to fire. New York prohibits the use of magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Police said the gun had also been stolen in Baltimore in 2017. On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a multistate task force would meet Wednesday to begin work to stanch the flow of illegal guns, which she and Adams blame for gun-related violence. 'Too many lives have been lost because of illegal firearms that should never have been on our streets,' she said. More than 50 agencies from nine Northeastern states are taking part, she said. Hochul cited NYPD data tracing nearly 4,500 illegal guns as coming from out of state, most from southern states that generally have laxer gun laws. Adams, a former NYPD captain, joined the governor in calling on the federal government to do more to round up stolen guns like the one used in Friday's shooting. Rivera joined the force in November 2020. Growing up in Manhattans Inwood neighborhood, he noticed tensions with police, according to a brief essay titled 'Why I Became a Police Officer.' In that essay, Rivera wrote about how he was bothered by witnessing his brother being stopped and frisked, but his attitudes changed when he also saw how the department was trying to improve relationships with communities. 'I realized how impactful my role as a police officer would go in this chaotic city,' he wrote. Advertisement A sadistic ice junkie who raped seven women, including a 13-year-old school girl and a 22-year-old who passed away before she could see her attacker face justice, has died behind bars. Pictured: Convicted rapist Mustafa Kayirici has died behind bars Mustafa Kayirici, 31, was sentenced to 34 years in jail in August 2020 for the terrifying five-hour long sexual assault of a child which took place over 10 locations in 2016. The sickening sex monster had already been sentenced to 38 years for the rape and robbery of seven other escorts that same year. Corrective Services NSW confirmed Kayirici, who had been battling an incurable disease, died in the secure prison annex at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital on Tuesday. 'He was found unresponsive in his cell and pronounced deceased at 10.25am,' they wrote in a statement. 'Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police are investigating the incident. As he died in custody, the incident will be subject to a coronial inquest. The convicted paedophile was last year given 12 months to live after being diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been undergoing chemotherapy in prison. In August 2020, a judge at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court deemed Kayirici so evil that his last sentence wouldn't even come into effect until September 2041. Had he survived, he would not have been eligible for release until 2066 when he would have been 76 years old. Kayirici's rampage began on the morning of May 7, 2016, when he raped a sex worker at an apartment block in Sydney's CBD while threatening her with a butcher's knife. Later that afternoon, he arranged to meet another escort in Parramatta where he carried out a similar attack. She said the face-tattooed predator was 'aggressive and dominant' and called her a sl*t before he spat in her eye, beat her and brutally raped her. The sadistic ice junkie with face tattoos who raped seven women, including a 13-year-old school girl, was last year given 12 months to live after contracting a terminal illness 'I had to fight for my life,' she said. Kayirici told her he 'loved seeing the fear in people when they can't do anything about it,' she said. Just one week later he robbed another sex worker at knife point at her Parramatta apartment and then robbed another woman in her home in the same suburb on May 20. On May 27, Kayirici pulled a butcher's knife on Dasha Volnoukhin - a 22-year-old Canadian model and escort who was living in Parramatta. Eerie CCTV pictures showed him walking with her through the lobby of the Fiori Apartments in Parramatta and into the lift before his crime. Ms Volnoukhin never saw her abuser suffer the consequences of his depraved acts as she died in the months before his sentencing hearing. The cause of her death cannot legally be published. Eerie CCTV pictures show Kayirici (pictured left) walking with her through the lobby of the Fiori Apartments in Parramatta with Dasha Volnoukhin (pictured right) Kayirici (pictured right ) is seen on the elevator with Dasha Volnoukhin (pictured left) before the brutal sexual assault Within moments of Ms Volnoukhin letting him inside the apartment, he took a 'large butcher style knife' from a kitchen drawer and told her to take off her clothes. Kayirici told the terrified young woman - who screamed upon seeing the knife - to take off her clothes and then carry out sex acts on him. Dasha Volnoukhin, 22, (pictured) was brutally sexually assaulted at the hands of serial rapist Mustafa Kayirici in 2016 'The man then yelled at me ''don't f***ing scream'' (and then) ''take your clothes off'',' Ms Volnoukhin told police. 'I was wearing shorts and a tank top at the time and then started to take my clothes off as I was thinking that if I don't, I will probably die. I was so scared.' The young woman also said in her police statement that Kayirici filmed himself sexually assaulting her while asking her 'do you like being raped?' 'The man was pointing the phone at me then started to demand that I say things he was saying to me: ''Say you are a sl*t'.' The rape ended after three to four minutes, Ms Volnoukhin said, before Kayirici stole her day's earnings and left. Just three days after the brutal attack on Ms Volnoukhin, Kayirici robed and raped another sex worker at knifepoint. On June 19, Kayirici raped yet another woman in a Parramatta apartment block, calling her a 'little dog'. His crime spree would continue on June 26, when he lured a 13-year-old into his car. He then he drove the teenager to an underground car park where he forced her to undress and made her watch pornographic videos. He told her she was going to get 'raped one day or another,' before making the girl perform sex acts and threatening her with a knife when she refused. The young woman's (pictured) LinkedIn profile says she previously studied for a business and communications degree at the University of Calgary before moving to Australia Ms Volnoukhin was raped on just her second night of working for an escort agency in Sydney after securing a month-long contract with Platinum Escorts Within moments of Ms Volnoukhin (pictured) letting him inside the apartment, he took a 'large butcher style knife' from a kitchen drawer and told her to take off her clothes 'Words cannot express the shock and loss felt from all those who knew her well and those who knew her only briefly,' her modelling agency PinUp Promotions said in the week after her death Kayirici then drove the teenager to a unit block basement and forced her to perform another series of sex acts. He even tried to get her to find another young girl to join them as the pair drove 10 different locations, the Daily Telegraph reported. The pair went to a supermarket together to buy duct tape and razors and the teenager tried to make eye contact with one of the staff members, the court heard. Kayirici then scolded the girl for trying to get him caught. He then raped her repeatedly in his car before dumping her at Auburn train station. Kayirici gave the girl $5, apologised to her before threatening to release the videos he made if she told anyone. 'If you tell anyone, I will release those videos,' he said, the court was told. 'How would you like it if your dad saw that I can hold it against you.' The teenager said in a victim impact statement that the girl sometimes felt she would be 'better off dead' and felt constant fear and humiliation due to the attack. The litany of sexual assaults over the horror six-week period resulted in Kayirici being found guilty of 42 charges at two separate trials including 12 charges of aggravated sexual assault with a person under 16 and 12 charges of using a child under 14 years to produce child abuse material. SERIAL RAPIST'S SIX-WEEK SEX CRIME SPREE May 7: Kayirici raped a sex worker at an apartment block in Sydney's CBD while threatening her with a butcher's knife in the morning Later that afternoon he arranged to meet another escort in Parramatta where he carried out a similar attack. She said he told her he 'loved seeing the fear in people when they can't do anything about it.' Just days later the degenerate sex criminal robbed another sex worker at knife point at her Parramatta apartment May 20: Kayirici robbed a woman using a butchers knife in Parramatta May 27: Kayirici pulled a blade on Dasha Volnoukhin - a 22-year-old Canadian model - moments after entering her apartment in Parramatta. The young woman also said in her police statement Kayirici filmed himself sexually assaulting her while asking 'do you like being raped?' Less than two years later, the young woman's friends revealed the model had tragically died. May 30: Kayirici robed and raped another sex worker at knife point. June 19: The sadistic rapist sexually assaulted an escort while threatening her with a knife and calling her a 'little dog'. June 24: Kayirici lures a 13-year-old school girl into his car and repeatedly sexually assaults her at 10 locations over a horror five-hour period. He told her she was going to get 'raped one day or another,' before making the girl perform sex acts and threatening her with knife when she refused. Advertisement When he was eventually caught, police tried to stop him while he was driving a silver Ford sedan on Bondi Road, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on a Saturday morning. When Kayirici failed to stop, he led police through the area before crashing into a parked vehicle on Old South Head Road. Witnesses said he then ploughed through a footpath before coming to a halt when the vehicle was wedged between a brick fence and bus stop. 'The police were attempting to remove him from the car and he was putting up one hell of a fight against 20 police,' one witness said. Kayirici was arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station before being transported to St Vincent's Hospital under police guard. When he appeared at Parramatta Bail Court via video link in June 2016, Kayirici insisted he was innocent. 'They're making out I'm an evil person, like I'm a paedophile rapist predator,' he said. 'I'm all over the news and it's wrong.' Kayirici told the court he filmed the women he had sex with to prove they consented. Kayirici led police on a high-speed chase before crashing through a parked car and stopping at a bus stop in Sydney Officers pointed their guns at the Kayirici after he crashed into a parked car on Old South Head Road in Sydney Advertisement Three firefighters were killed and a fourth was seriously injured when a derelict house in Baltimore collapsed and trapped them inside while they were battling a blaze at the vacant home early Monday morning. Lieutenant Paul Butrim, firefighter and paramedic Kelsey Sadler and EMT and firefighter Kenny Lacayo died after the three-story rowhome, on Stricker Street in the city's New Southwest/Mount Clare neighborhood, collapsed and trapped them inside. Firefighter John McMaster was pulled from the wreckage immediately and taken to the hospital, where he was still in critical condition and on life support as of Monday afternoon, Chief Niles R. Ford said at a news conference. 'Fingers crossed that he's going to make it and be just fine. It's hard to know at this point,' Dr. Thomas Scalea, of Maryland Shock Trauma, told the Associated Press. Three firefighters were killed and a fourth was seriously injured when a vacant building collapsed in Baltimore early Monday morning The Baltimore City Fire Department posted a photo honoring the deceased on its Twitter page Lieutenant Paul Butrim, firefighter and paramedic Kelsey Sadler and EMT and firefighter Kenny Lacayo died fighting the blaze Baltimore City firefighters embrace at the scene of a vacant row house fire in Baltimore, Monday Firefighter John McMaster was pulled from the wreckage immediately and taken to the hospital, where he was still in critical condition on Monday afternoon. Above, firefighters embraced one another after a deceased firefighter was pulled out of the building collapse One of the deceased firefighters was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two were freed from the debris only to succumb to their injuries at the hospital, Ford said. Pictured Kenny Lacayo 'Today, Baltimore has lost three of the bravest among us. Baltimore owes them the deepest gratitude and respect that we can offer anybody,' Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. The Baltimore City Fire Department posted a photo of the deceased on its Twitter page with the caption, 'Today, Lt. Paul Butrim, FF Kelsey Sadler & FF Kenny Lacayo lost their lives in service to our city. FF John McMaster remains in the hospital in critical but stable condition. We will continue to pray for the family of those we lost.' Three firefighters were injured battling a blaze at the same location in 2015, The Baltimore Sun reported. The property owners of the derelict home were issued a vacant building notice in 2010, Tammy Hawley, spokeswoman for the city's Department of Housing and Community Development, told the news outlet. Vacant property owners must register their properties each year, though the owner of the Stricker Street home was cited in 2020 for failing to complete the registration. The property was last inspected on January 4, when an inspector found the front of the home adequately boarded and cleaned, according to Hawley. Above, an excavator is pulling debris from the three-story rowhome, on Stricker Street in the city's New Southwest/Mount Clare neighborhood, which collapsed and trapped the firefighters inside A Baltimore firefighter held balloons given to him by neighbor Darlene Cucina as a group of fire officials sit on a stoop across the street where several firefighters died in the building collapse Firefighters stood in a line near an ambulance after the deadly blaze A firefighter fights back tears as he stands with other officials during an ambulance procession, after another firefighter who died while battling a two-alarm fire 'This is a gut wrenching tragedy for our city, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and most importantly the families of our firefighters,' Scott told the Baltimore Sun. 'There are no words to describe the pain and the severity of the losses we have suffered today.' 'From this moment, we will honor those that lost their lives today for their bravery and courage,' Ford said. Asked by reporters why the firefighters made the call to enter the vacant building, Ford said an adjacent home was still occupied. 'They made the determination they could control the fire and put it out,' he said. 'It's up to those individuals on the scene to see the circumstances they have, and they did.' Pictured Lt. Paul Butrim with his wife Rachel, right, and their son, left, was killed in the blaze Firefighter and paramedic Kelsey Sadler died in the Baltimore house collapse Butrim, a 16-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department who died in the fire, was an honoree for Firehouse Magazine's annual Award of Valor after he rushed into a burning apartment, found a child in a bedroom and brought the child to safety, the Baltimore Sun reported. Lacayo, a seven-year veteran, was remembered in a Facebook post by the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad in Montgomery County, which said he was named their paramedic of the year in 2016 and was deemed a top 10 responder in 2015 and 2016. Lacayo also received a unit citation for helping save a person struck by a car in 2018. 'His exceptional skills as a firefighter and paramedic were matched by his bright smile and his unfailing good nature,' the squad wrote in the post. 'He was dearly loved by his fellow WVRS volunteers and will be greatly missed.' Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby recognized the deceased in a Twitter post captioned: 'The men and women in our Fire Department put their lives on the line every time they race to extinguish fires around our city. I am praying for the firefighters and their families, Chief Niles and the members of @BaltimoreFire.' Jacinda Ardern has banned slack Kiwi habits with face masks as New Zealand braces itself for an Omicron surge with some experts calling for masks on toddlers. The New Zealand Prime Minister will outlaw the wearing of bandanas, scarves or t-shirts pulled over the nose from February 3 in public places such as gyms and cafes. Meanwhile, one NZ expert claimed the mask changes could have gone further and mandated masks for kids as young as two. Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plans to ban a slack New Zealand habit of wearing scarves, bandanas and t-shirts as face coverings instead of proper masks as the nation braces for an Omicron surge So far NZ has seen a total of 29 Omicron cases but health officials have not managed to identified the source of the spread Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker said Kiwi pre-school children should have masks, in line with strict guidelines issued by the American Centre for Disease Control. 'At the moment, we've got a giant hole in our protection in New Zealand and that is for pre-school children,' he told the NZ Herald. 'I don't know any reason why we're not looking at masks in those age groups.' A NZ police officer demonstrates his mask, with a toddler next to him that some experts feel should also be wearing face coverings to stop the spread of Covid-19 The country recorded 62 Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, with 10 new infections confirmed as coming from the highly transmissable Omicron variant. So far NZ has diagnosed 29 Omicron cases but health officials have not managed to identified the source of the spread. Ms Ardern announced several measures in anticipation of Omicron spreading rapidly, as it has done in other countries. One measure was ordering 80 million rapid antigen tests, although initially NZ expects to continue with PCR tests to confirm positive cases. NZ has capacity to do 60,000 PCR tests a day but that is being ramped up to 78,000 a day. Ms Ardern also continued to push the need for vaccination and especially booster shots, saying 'two doses for Delta, three for Omicron'. Masks must be worn at any businesses that serve food and drink, but only when people are not eating or drinking. This includes going to the counter and the bathroom. One measure NZ is using to prepare for an Omicron surge is ordering 80 million rapid antigen tests, although initially NZ expects to continue with PCR tests to confirm positive cases Children on publicly funded school excursions must also wear masks. Workers covered by a vaccine mandate must wear surgical or N95 face masks at work, instead of cloth face masks. Although preferred, N95 masks are not recommended or even mandated for most Kiwis because they cost more. N95 masks are, however, required for high-risk settings where a vaccine mandate is in place. Any Kiwis working in health and disability, education, fire and emergency, police, defence, and corrections must have vaccines. Video footage of the exact moment a Western Australian man was seriously injured while filming a ute doing burnouts could be the key to finding the driver. The footage, released by WA Police on Monday, shows the ute doing burnouts on a gravel area on a rural property in Caraban, north of Perth, on Sunday night. Stan Sykes, a grandfather in his 60s, had been recording the vehicle when the driver struck and seriously injured him. Scroll down for the video. Video footage of the exact moment a Western Australian man was seriously injured while filming a ute doing burnouts could be the key to finding the driver Mr Sykes told 7 News he went over to the ute to tell the driver to 'cut it out' when the driver ran over his foot. 'He put his foot down and accelerated,' he said. 'His wheel went over my left foot and the momentum of the car threw me probably about 3m.' Stan Sykes, a grandfather in his 60s, had been recording the vehicle when the driver struck and seriously injured him Police say the driver of the vehicle checked on the man, who was later airlifted to hospital, but left the scene soon after Mr Sykes could be heard yelling out in pain as a young male asked 'f**k, are you alright man?' Police said the driver of the vehicle checked on the man, who was later airlifted to hospital, but left the scene soon after. Anyone who witnessed the incident or knows about the driver or ute is asked to contact police. Virginia's new Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin has set up a tip line for the parents of children being taught at schools in the state, to report any teachers that teach 'divisive' subjects. The tip line is specifically for parents to come forward and report any state schools they believe to be 'behaving objectionably'. 'We're asking for folks to send us reports and observations,' Youngkin said. 'Help us be aware of their child being denied their rights that parents have in Virginia, and we're going to make sure we catalogue it all. And that gives us further, further ability to make sure we're rooting it out.' Education issues were central to Youngkin's campaign, as he ran pledging to do away with Covid-related school closures and fighting back against critical race theory and other progressive ideologies in schools. Youngkin said that he believed the teaching of critical race theory to be a 'divisive concepts' in the classroom, although he didn't state it specifically during Monday's radio interview, Virginia's new Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin set up a tip line for parents of children being taught at schools should they be taught 'divisive' subjects Youngkin, who took office earlier this month, in one of his first orders required school districts to allow parents an opportunity to opt out of masking their children at school but the 'If there's one thing that hopefully everybody heard in November it's that it is time to listen to parents. So over the course of this week I hope they will listen to parents, because we will use every resource within the governor's authority to explore what we will do and can do in order to make sure that parents' rights are protected,' Youngkin said. Youngkin, the first Republican to win the governor's seat in Virginia in over a decade, issued a list of 11 day-one executive orders. Among them was one that promised 'to empower Virginia parents in their children's education and upbringing by allowing parents to make decisions on whether their child wears a mask in school.' Youngkin, pctured at his desk, is the first Republican to win the governor's seat in Virginia in over a decade, issued a list of 11 day-one executive orders with education at the top of the list CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States over the last year. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influence American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement Virginia is not the only state to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory - several others have already done so. Youngkin called CRT 'political indoctrination' in his executive order. 'This denies our students the opportunity to gain important facts, core knowledge, formulate their own opinions, and to think for themselves,' the order reads. 'Our children deserve far better from their education than to be told what to think.' On the matter of Critical Race Theory, a decisive issue during the Governor's race, parents voiced their frustration with the state's woke school boards who don't want their children to be taught that they're bad or good depending on their race. The use of critical race theory, or CRT, in education has been criticized for its message that the US is built on racism with skin color determining the social, economic, and political differences between each. Advocates say its teaching is necessary to underline how deeply racism pervades society, critics say it is divisive and paints everyone as a victim or oppressor, with multiple Virginia school board meetings making headlines after parents were filmed clashing with staff over the decision to teach it. Governor Youngkin pledged to ban CRT, seizing on the discontent of parents who had grown agitated after the Loudon County school board announced a $6million 'equity-training' program that parents associated with CRT. The tight Youngkin-McAuliffe race took a turn after the Republican newcomer pledged to ban CRT. 'Our schools are teaching our kids what to think as opposed to how to think. We're going to go in on day one and re-establish excellence in schools,' Youngkin said. Loudon County, a Democratic stronghold in northern Virginia, became the focal point of debate over woke policies by school boards across the country. Loudoun County School District was also at the center of woke school board arguments over the teaching of critical race theory, or CRT, in classrooms last summer Last April, the county announced that it planned to allocate more than $6 million to 'equity training' which was met with strong opposition by some residents. Parents claimed that training was part of a pro-CRT push which would lead to students seeing themselves as victims or oppressors, depending on their race. Protests then reignited in September, when the school board voted 6-3 in favor of beginning a study into whether it would be appropriate to give reparations to black people after it previously ignored a landmark desegregation ruling. Youngkin said he would ban CRT from schools and said he would open an investigation into the Loudoun County School Board. Indeed, Virginia's Loudoun County was a focal point in Youngkin's race after a skirt-wearing 14-year-old male high school student, identifying as non-binary, was arrested over the rape of a female student in a school bathroom. That male student was then transferred to a different school where he then allegedly raped another student. Youngkin, shown above on the day of his swearing-in, in day-one order promised to end the use of 'divisive concepts' in the classroom, particularly the teaching of critical race theory The district has been accused of covering up the crime and saw one of the alleged victim's parents arrested at a school board meeting. The student involved has been placed on the sex offenders registry for life as part of his sentence. On Monday, Youngkin was facing a new legal challenge over his executive action that aimed to let parents opt out of school mask mandates as his order took effect, but was ignored by some districts. Youngkin issued the order as one of his first acts after being sworn in as governor January 15, and confusion has swirled over the implications since then. Some districts have interpreted the order as being at odds with a state law that deals with COVID-19 mitigation in schools and have opted to keep pre-existing mask mandates in place for students. On Monday, some students reporting to class ignored local mandates and went maskless, but there were no reports of major issues or violent confrontations. With the order facing a legal challenge filed last week filed by a group of parents and another filed Monday morning by seven school boards, Youngkin urged patience and asked parents to listen to their children's school principals for the time being. "Listen to a principal today. And I know that there are some school systems that are doing things that are inconsistent with respecting the rights of parents. ... Lets respect it right now and let this legal process play out," he said in an interview with Richmond radio station WRVA. Monday's legal challenge was brought by seven school boards that filed a lawsuit in Arlington County Circuit Court seeking to block the executive order. In addition to Fairfax, the states most populous jurisdiction, the school boards in Alexandria, Richmond, Hampton, Falls Church, Arlington County and Prince William County, joined the suit. Collectively, the jurisdictions represent more than 350,000 students. Students are pictured walking into school on Monday without masks at Woodgrove High School. The pupils were not allowed into classrooms without masks The lawsuit argues the state constitution gives local school boards the authority to run their districts. It also cites a state law that requires school systems to follow federal health guidelines, which include recommendations for universal masking. "At issue is whether locally-elected school boards will maintain the exclusive authority and responsibility conferred upon them by Article VIII, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia to supervise the public schools in their respective school divisions or whether the Governor can unilaterally infringe upon that authority through an executive order," the lawsuit states. Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said the administration was disappointed that the school boards were acting counter to parents' rights. "The governor and attorney general are in coordination and are committed to aggressively defending parents fundamental right to make decisions with regard to their childs upbringing, education and care, as the legal process plays out," she said in a statement. Supporters of the executive order say the state law is not in conflict with Youngkins executive order because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only recommends mask-wearing and does not mandate it. New York Police Department detectives found a loaded AR-15 tucked under the mattress of the man who allegedly shot and killed Officer Jason Rivera and critically wounded Officer Wilbert Mora in an ambush in Harlem on Friday night. Lashawn McNeil, 47, is accused of opening fire at the officers with a .45-caliber Glock pistol, which was illegally equipped with a high-capacity drum magazine capable of holding up to 40 extra rounds. The recent discovery by the NYPD means that McNeils illegal pistol wasnt the only weapon he had in his bedroom when his mother called police after an argument between the two, though she has claimed she didnt know he had any guns with him. After opening fire at Rivera and Mora, McNeil was shot in the head and arm by a third officer responding to the call, Sumit Sulan. He succumbed to his injuries and died on Monday. NYPD detectives found a loaded AR-15 tucked under the mattress of Lashawn McNeil, 47, who allegedly shot and killed one officer and injured another in Harlem Lashawn McNeil, 47, is accused of opening fire at the officers with a pistol illegally equipped with a magazine capable of holding up to 40 extra rounds. Above, cops were investigating and interviewing residents outside the home of the shooting on Saturday McNeil, who was shot by a third officer, Sumit Sulan, has since succumbed to his injuries and died on Monday The NYPD posted a photo of the AR-15 found under McNeils mattress on Twitter. A day after Officers Rivera and Mora were shot in Harlem, your NYPD detectives were still on the scene executing a court-authorized search which lead to the discovery of this loaded AR-15 assault weapon under the suspect's mattress, the post read. The post came just days after New York Police posted a photo of the blood-covered illegal Glock 45 equipped with a high capacity 40 round magazine that was used to kill rookie officer Rivera and critically injure Mora. The gun was outfitted with a drum magazine, a fire arm accessory that has been the subject of controversy and are illegal in New York, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont and the District of Columbia, which all have a limit on magazine capacity. Drum magazines and semi-automatic firearms were prohibited between 1994 and 2004 when the government passed the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, a legislative effort kicked off by the 1989 Stockton, California elementary school shooting. After the ban ended in 2004, each state was free to make its own regulations on assault weapons and ammo capacity, with New York choosing to the set the capacity at 10 rounds. Following the NYPDs discovery on Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan to combat gun violence by increasing the number of officers on the streets, working with state and city law enforcement partners and introducing measures aimed at stemming the flow of guns into NYC. "New Yorkers feel as if a sea of violence is engulfing our city, but as your mayor, I promise you I will not let this happen. We will not surrender our city to the violent few," Adams said at City Hall. Patrick J. Lynch, the president of the NYC Police Benevolent Association, said the mayors plan is a good starting point. Officer Jason Rivera was killed in the shooting, while Wilbert Mora, 27, is still 'fighting for his life' in NYU Langone Medical Center Police officers, clergy and community members held a candlelight vigil at the NYPD 32nd precinct on Monday night Dominican Officers Organization president NYPD Sergeant Dennis Rodriguez spoke at a vigil in front of the NYPD 32nd precinct in honor of the officers gunned down in Friday's shooting "We need stiffer penalties, consistently imposed, for gun crimes. And we need more resources to relieve the overstretched cops on the front lines," Lynch said in a statement. "Mayor Adams is absolutely right that the message on the streets is that there are no consequences for carrying and using illegal guns." McNeil had a history of law enforcement trouble before the shooting on Friday, including a 2003 drug conviction in New York City. He also had several out-of-state arrests. In 1998, he was arrested in South Carolina on suspicion of unlawfully carrying a pistol, but records show the matter was later dismissed. In 2002, he was arrested in Pennsylvania on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, Essig said. McNeil had been married but the couple separated nearly two decades ago, according to Theresa Noa, who is married to his ex-wife's brother. She said McNeil had four children from that marriage. Details about what led to the deadly confrontation were still emerging. Officials said a woman who made an emergency call Friday said she was ill and that her son who had come up to take care of her had become 'problematic.' Authorities said three officers went to the apartment after the call came in. The officers spoke with the woman and another son, but there was no mention of a weapon, police said. Officer Sulan, the 'super rookie' who shot McNeil, cannot get what happened out of his head, his mother told the New York Post on Sunday. Jason Rivera is pictured together with his wife whom he had married last October NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora is transported by ambulance. Fellow Officer Jason Rivera was killed in the attack while responding to a domestic violence call between a woman and her adult son Sources told the Post that she had told McNeil not to come home with firearms while helping out his disabled brother, and that she did not believe he was carrying a weapon when she called police on Friday night. The incident had started out as 'a normal verbal family dispute with no injuries or anything out of the ordinary', police sources added. Sources told the New York Daily News that McNeil argued with his mother, Shirley Sourzes, about his veganism just before the shooting and had shared a controversial music video in 2014 depicting officers getting gunned down. The video shows footage of police brutality against black men as two rappers appear holding guns to the head of a stoic white officer as they sing, 'Time to start kill these coppers.' The music video, 'Hands Up' by Uncle Murda & Maino, was posted as a tribute to Eric Garner, a black man who was choked to death by a white NYPD officer and whose cry, 'I can't breathe,' became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter Movement. Along with the video, McNeil shared a slew of conspiracy theory posts and videos on his Facebook page, which warned of a coming race war, that McDonalds conducted blood sacrifices, that black people were aliens, and that the UN had established a global army to bring about a new world order. He stopped sharing the conspiracy posts by early 2015. Meanwhile, Officer Sulan, the 'super rookie' who shot McNeil, cannot get what happened out of his head, his mother told the New York Post on Sunday. 'His brain is stuck on the situation,' Dalvir Sulan, 60, said of her son, who emigrated from the family's home in India about 15 years ago. 'I'm proud. Everyone say he did good,' she added. 'I feel bad for the other [officer]. He died. We really feel bad. We're sorry. We're hurt. The other guy is critical, and we're hurt.' Sulan is a 'super rookie' who has only been on the job since April and at Harlem's 32nd Precinct for two months, a law enforcement source told the Post. Above, traffic stood still as the remains of Rivera were brought to a funeral home on Sunday Above, New York City police officers and firemen stood at attention as they awaited the procession 'He did a great job. We're proud of him, but we're sorry for both of [the other officers],' she said. Asked by the Post about McNeil, Dalvir Sulan shook her head. 'That person, he's not really good,' she said. Mora was transferred on Sunday night from Harlem Hospital to NYU Langone Medical Center, where he continues to fight for his life in life-threatening condition, reported ABC 7. He had already undergone two surgeries to remove a bullet that had become stuck in his brain. Earlier Sunday, hundreds of uniformed officers in Manhattan stood silent as Rivera's body was transferred from the Medical Examiner's Office to a funeral home. Burial rites are scheduled for Friday with a service scheduled for Thursday at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Police officers, firefighters and EMS members lined the streets from the office on 30th Street in Manhattan and up along First Avenue just after 12:30pm. Hundreds stood in silence before saluting while a hearse transported his body uptown. The moving sight came as his grieving widow posted a moving tribute to her husband on Instagram on Sunday. 'Fly high my beautiful angel,' she wrote, together with a picture of Rivera's locker that she took at the NYPD's 32nd Precinct in central Harlem. The pair had been married for just over three months. 'Yesterday I visited the locker room where you used to FaceTime me at during your meal time or right before you had to go downstairs to the muster room for roll call at 15:00. 'Last night was suppose to be your day 5 & you were RDO [off] for the next three days. We both waited for your RDO's to spend them together. But now your soul will spend the rest of my days with me, through me, right beside me. 'I love you till the end of time,' Rivera's grieving widow wrote. Her Instagram profile also includes photos of the newly married couple out in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. In one posting, she describes her husband as 'my soulmate, best friend and lover from now until the end of time.' Relatives, together with hundreds of NYPD officers and Mayor Eric Adams paid tribute to Rivera as his body was moved to a Manhattan funeral home. China's restrictive Covid border policies have seen almost every flight to Australia scrapped, with seven major airlines pulling planes from routes that once brought in billions to the local economy. It has been exactly two years since Australia reported its first case of the virus and since that time Chinese visitors Down Under have fallen from 1.4 million per year to just 2,500. There were once nine China-based carriers competing hand over fist to establish lucrative routes to Australia with new destinations like the Gold Coast and Cairns getting set up just a year or two before the outbreak. China's restrictive Covid border policies have seen almost every flight to Australia scrapped, with seven major airlines pulling planes from routes that once brought in billions to the local economy (pictured, a tourist in front of Sydney's Harbour Bridge) It has been exactly two years since Australia reported its first case of the virus and since that time Sino visitors Down Under have fallen from 1.44 million per year to just 2,500. Pictured: A China Southern Airlines Airbus A330 aircraft departs Sydney International airport on January 16, 2021 China's growing middle-class couldn't get enough of holidaying and studying in Australia and it appeared as if the gravy train worth $12.4billion in 2019, would only get bigger. But in March 2020, the Australian government shut down all travel to and from China after the mysterious virus first appeared in Wuhan, killing thousands. Shortly after, Prime Minister Scott Morrison closed the nation's borders to every country and China swiftly imposed its own tough border policy - which won't allow quarantine-free travel until at least 2023. A major diplomatic trade spat also erupted between China and Australia in April 2020, only adding to the lack of connectivity. The Australian government urged the international community to launch an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. The call for transparency outraged Beijing and tough-talking diplomats imposed a raft of arbitrary tariffs and bans on billions of dollars worth of key Australian exports. There were once nine China-based carriers competing hand over fist to establish lucrative routes to Australia with new destinations like the Gold Coast and Cairns getting set up just a year or two before the outbreak. Pictured: China Eastern Airlines cabin crew China's growing middle-class couldn't get enough of holidaying and studying in Australia and it appeared like the gravy train worth $12.4billion in 2019, would only get bigger (pictured, tourists at Sydney Opera House) Ambassador Cheng Jingye also threatened that Chinese students and tourists will no longer want to come to Australia. The ordeal saw the nine major China-based airlines that used to fly to Australia like clockwork - China Eastern, China Southern, Air China, Sichuan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, and Donghai Airlines - dropped to just two. China Eastern and China Southern are now the only operators still remaining with just a handful of flights a month. But just when it appeared as though things might be getting better, the Omicron wave struck at the end of 2021 killing all hope the Chinese tourism sector might snap back into gear. Fearing the highly contagious strain which has wreaked havoc on Australia and the rest of the globe, China has introduced strict bans on their citizens leaving the country. A major diplomatic trade spat also erupted between China and Australia in April 2020, only adding to the lack of connectivity. Pictured: Brisbane International Airport, January 29, 2020 The Authoritarian regime is also cracking down on its border as next month's winter Olympics in Beijing looms. Former tourism and airline executive Simon Westaway said it's businesses in Sydney, Melbourne and southeast Queensland which will feel the most pain. 'It's going to leave a hole. It's going to have to recalibrate,' he told the trade publication Simple Flying. 'The Chinese market did concentrate on three or four centers Sydney, Melbourne, southeast Queensland, and a bit of far North Queensland. 'In other parts of the country, if you found a Chinese tourist, they were probably lost.' A Texas woman has been arrested after she approached a mother at Walmart and tried to buy her baby. Rebecca Lanette Taylor, 49, was at the store in Crockett, Texas, when she approached the mother. The mother said that she was at the self-checkout with her baby and a one-year-old when Taylor accosted her. Taylor remarked that she liked the baby's blond hair and blue eyes, and asked how much he cost. The mother laughed off the remark, but Taylor then told he she had $250,000 in her car. Rebecca Lanette Taylor, 49, was arrested in Texas on January 18 and charged with attempting to buy a child When Taylor continued to press the matter, the mother told her to back away from her son. Taylor, however, did not and according to the affidavit said she had been wanting to purchase a baby for a long time. The mother, concerned, let Taylor and a woman she was with leave the store before exiting. But Taylor was waiting for her, and yelled across the parking lot that she would pay $500,000 'because she wanted him and she was going to take him,' The Messenger reported, citing the affidavit. Taylor approached the mother at this Walmart store in Crockett, Texas The mother went to the police, and Taylor was arrested on January 18. She has been charged with sale or purchase of a child, which is a third-degree felony in the state of Texas. She faces up to ten years in prison if convicted, and a fine of $10,000. She was released on Thursday from the Houston County Sheriff's Office on a $50,000 bond. Residents in Beijing deal with sudden local lockdowns and widespread COVID-19 testing requirements as the Chinese government attempts to avoid a coronavirus outbreak in days leading to the Winter Olympics. The strict measures are part of the government's "zero tolerance" measures that aim to manage the pandemic in preparation for the Olympics, which will begin on February 4. Now, residents are obliged to undergo COVID-19 tests in order to purchase medicines for cough, cold, fever, and other ailments. The Chinese government strictly regulates the sales of medication. Drug stores even require a doctor's prescription for medicines for the common cold or even food supplements. Purchases of medicines are tracked through a smartphone app that requires customers to input information when they buy health supplies. According to the Associated Press, anyone who had purchased any of the types of medications mentioned in the previous two weeks was required to get tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours, according to a sign placed at a Beijing drugstore on Tuesday. The notice warned that failure to comply would have a consequence on users' health conditions recorded on their phones that could hurt their daily activities. Read Also: Beijing On High Omicron Alert As Winter Olympics Approach; 'Zero-Tolerance' Policy Under Pressure Strict Measures Help Lower Cases of COVID-19 Infections In the residential community of Anzhen, around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the main Olympic Village, residents were confined to their homes from Sunday until Tuesday. One building remained under isolation. Though there were no reported confirmed COVID-19 infections in the area, residents were still required to undergo COVID-19 testing. They are also mandated to monitor their health condition two weeks after the quarantine period. The strict measures being imposed seem effective in suppressing COVID-19 outbreaks. On Tuesday, China recorded only 18 cases of local illness, five of which were in Beijing. Since January 4, no less than 3,000 people have arrived for the Winter Olympics. The number includes more than 300 athletes and team officials, plus media professionals and other participants, organizers. As per ABC, 78 people have tested positive, including one who was identified as an athlete or team official. Depending on the severity of their condition, infected individuals are sent to an isolation facility or a hospital. Despite the relatively low number of infections, the wide precautions show the acute concern of government officials in preparation for the Winter Games. Beijing city spokesperson Xu Hejian admitted that the situation in his area is "grim and complicated," but all concerned departments in the city should take swift and proactive actions. Uighur Muslims Seek Boycott of the Winter Olympics Meanwhile, hundreds of activists from China's Uighur Muslim ethnic group marched in Istanbul, pushing for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing to protest the Chinese government's oppression of the minority. Protesters gathered outside the Turkish Olympic Committee building in Istanbul on Sunday, holding blue-and-white flags of the East Turkestan Independence movement, which the Chinese communist government claims a threat to the stability of its outlying western region of Xinjiang. One Uighur housewife said that Beijing does not deserve to host the Olympics, which advocate peace and goodwill among participants. "China does not have the right to host the Olympics while committing all the torture, cruelty, and genocide against Uighurs," said Uighur housewife Munevver Ozuygur, who claims she has relatives detained in Chinese camps, per Al Jazeera. Related Article: Beijing Winter Games App Contain Security Flaws Experts Warn; Olympic Torch Relay Cut Down To Three Days @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Advertisement What were the rules at the time of Boris's birthday party? Boris Johnson celebrated his 56th birthday with a party in the Cabinet Room in Downing Street on June 19, 2020. It is alleged that as many as 30 people were in attendance. At the time, social gatherings were not allowed at all indoors, and were limited to just six people outdoors, all of whom had to be socially distanced if they were not from the same household. Social venues like pubs and restaurants were all closed. The rules were not relaxed to allow indoor gatherings between two households until the following month, on July 4. Advertisement Boris Johnsons letter to a little girl who cancelled her seventh birthday party as the UK entered the first Covid lockdown has resurfaced as it emerges the Prime Minister celebrated his 56th birthday in Downing Street while such gatherings were banned under Covid rules. The embattled Tory leader is facing a crisis of leadership as he fights allegations of multiple breaches of lockdown rules throughout the pandemic - with the Met Police today confirming their own criminal investigation into the Downing Street parties. Last night, No10 admitted that Mr Johnson attended an event with 30 guests in the Cabinet Room on June 19, 2020, where participants enjoyed a Union Jack birthday cake and Marks and Spencer picnic food. Just months earlier, Mr Johnson had praised Josephine, who had cancelled a birthday party just days before the first national shutdown. On Twitter, the PM said that the child had set a great example to us all by postponing her birthday party until we have sent coronavirus packing. In a letter sent to Josephine on March 21, 2020, Mr Johnson wrote: Happy birthday! I am glad to hear you are staying at home, though I am sorry to hear about your party. We have all got to do our bit to protect the NHS and save lives, and that is exactly what you are doing, so well done! You are setting a great example. We are working round the clock to keep people safe, and if we work together we can send coronavirus packing. And once we have done that you can DEFINITELY have a party with your friends! In answer to your question Im regularly washing my hands with soap and water for 20 seconds: the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice!. Mr Johnson then tweeted: Josephine sets a great example to us all by postponing her birthday party until we have sent coronavirus packing. Together we can beat this. In the meantime lets all wish her happy birthday (twice) whilst washing our hands. #BeLikeJosephine #StayHomeSaveLives. In another huge blow to Mr Johnsons authority, ITV News claimed that the PM attended a gathering organised by his wife Carrie in the Cabinet Room in No10 on June 19, 2020, to celebrate turning 56. Boris Johnsons letter to a girl who cancelled her seventh birthday party as the UK entered the first lockdown has resurfaced Just months earlier, Mr Johnson had praised Josephine, who had cancelled a party just days before the first shutdown On Twitter, the PM said that the child had set a great example to us all by postponing her birthday party until we have sent coronavirus packing Mr Johnson joining a socially distanced lesson during a visit to Bovingdon Primary School in Bovingdon on June 19, 2020 Now POLICE investigate Partygate: Scotland Yard chief says criminal investigation is being launched into Downing Street lockdown breaches The Partygate threat to Boris Johnson escalated dramatically today with police formally investigating - after ministers gave him lukewarm backing over a birthday bash in No10 in June 2020. Scotland Yard chief Dame Cressida Dick announced that the force has now launched a probe into lockdown breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall over the past two years. Dame Cressida said the Met had been liaising with the Cabinet Office, where top civil servant Sue Gray has been carrying out a separate inquiry. She pointed out that under guidelines police have not investigated historical allegations of lockdown breaches unless there is clear evidence and a lack of a defence. 'We have a long-established and effective working relationship with the Cabinet Office, who have an investigative capability,' she said during a hearing at the London Assembly. 'As you well know they have been carrying out an investigation over the last few weeks. 'What I can tell you this morning is that as a result of the information provided by the Cabinet Office inquiry team and, secondly, my officers' own assessment, I can confirm that the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations.' Advertisement They are said to have celebrated his birthday after his return from a visit to a school in Hertfordshire, where he had posed with his arms outstretched with children to show the importance of social distancing. The broadcaster claims guests included the interior designer Lulu Lytle, who was responsible for a six-figure revamp of the PMs official flat, who joined in with a chorus of happy birthday as the PM was presented with a Union Jack cake. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is thought to have attended for a short period of time, but sources insisted that he 'had not been invited', reports The Times. ITV News said that picnic food from M&S was eaten during the afternoon gathering lasting for up to 30 minutes, Martin Reynolds, Mr Johnsons under-fire principal private secretary, was also said to have attended. Other guests are reported to have included Jack Doyle, the director of communications, and Shelley Williams-Walker, his head of operations. A spokesman told ITV that the afternoon event was a surprise and he stayed for only 10 minutes. The broadcaster also claimed that there was a separate event later on in the PMs personal quarters something denied by No10. Human rights barrister Adam Wagner, an expert on Covid rules, said Downing Streets statement appears a clear admission of an illegal gathering and indicated it would have to be probed by the police because it ties the Mets hands. He also noted that it is the first time that No10 has admitted that the PM was at an, to me, obviously illegal gathering with no real prospect of a reasonable excuse. The bombshell comes as Scotland Yard launched an investigation into alleged lockdown breaches, after ministers gave him lukewarm backing over a birthday bash in No10 in June 2020. Met Police chief Dame Cressida Dick announced that the force has now launched a probe into lockdown breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall over the past two years. Dame Cressida said the Met had been liaising with the Cabinet Office, where top mandarin Sue Gray has been carrying out a separate inquiry. She pointed out that under guidelines police have not investigated historical allegations of lockdown breaches unless there is clear evidence and a lack of a defence. We have a long-established and effective working relationship with the Cabinet Office, who have an investigative capability, she said during a hearing at the London Assembly. As you well know they have been carrying out an investigation over the last few weeks. What I can tell you this morning is that as a result of the information provided by the Cabinet Office inquiry team and, secondly, my officers own assessment, I can confirm that the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations. Mr Johnson is awaiting the results of the investigation by Cabinet Office mandarin Miss Gray that could make or break his premiership. It is understood she was already aware of the birthday party allegations and therefore their emergence will not further delay the publication of her investigation, which is still expected this week. In another potential blow to the Prime Minister's authority, ITV News claims he hosted a gathering partly organised by his wife Carrie in the Cabinet Room in No10 (pictured) on June 19, 2020, to celebrate turning 56 They are said to have celebrated his birthday after his return from a visit to Bovingdon Primary Academy in Hemel Hempstead (pictured) Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson should resign for the good of the country, adding: This is yet more evidence that we have got a Prime Minister who believes that the rules that he made dont apply to him. And so we have got a Prime Minister and a government who spend their whole time mopping up sleaze and deceit. Meanwhile millions of people are struggling to pay their bills. We cannot afford to go on with this chaotic, rudderless government. Tory MP Tobias Ellwood also condemned the latest twist in which has been quite a horrible series of events, telling GB Newss Nigel Farage: Very sad to read these latest headlines. The nation is rightly very angry by whats happened. Were almost in a holding pattern as we wait for Sue Grays report. Im curious as to whether this was allowed to leak out in the build up to that report or whether shes going to have to require an extension indeed to include the study of this latest event. This is all a massive distraction from where we should be focusing. There are both domestic issues, huge challenges nationally, but also internationally that require attention. So its very sad to see this latest twist in which has been quite horrible series of events rolling out for the last three or four months. A woman who fled a small German town as a teenager to join ISIS in Syria will go on trial today accused of aiding crimes against humanity. Leonora Messing was just 15 when she fled her home in Sangerhausen, Germany, and became a high-profile jihadi bride. Messing reached Raqqa, then the de facto 'capital' of ISIS in Syria in 2015, before wedding fellow German national and extremist Martin Lemke, also known as Nihad Abu Yasir. Her father, Maik Messing, 49, revealed his shock at his radicalised daughter's decision to join a deadly terror group when he penned the book Leonora in 2019. He revealed that just days after she vanished he received a text message saying Leonora 'chose Allah and Islam' and had 'arrived in the caliphate'. Messing, now aged 21, is in the dock in the eastern German city of Halle on suspicion that she and her ISIS husband enslaved a Yazidi woman in Syria in 2015. The behind-closed-doors trial, scheduled to last until at least mid-May, will also try Messing on charges of membership of a terrorist organisation and weapons law violations. Her high-profile case has dominated conversations across her homeland, with Germans questioning how a teenage girl from a tiny town could fall into the hands of the Islamist cause. Pictured: A 15-year-old Leonora Messing and her father Maik Messing pictured at a wedding in 2015 just a month before the teenager would flee her home in Sangerhausen, Germany to join ISIS in Raqqa, Syria Prosecutors allege Messing (one of the women pictured above) was part of a human trafficking operation for ISIS - after her husband Martin Lemke (pictured front) also known as Nihad Abu Yasir 'bought' and later 'sold' a 33-year-old Yazidi woman for an alleged 647 Prosecutors allege Messing was part of a human trafficking operation for the Islamic State - after her husband 'bought' and later 'sold' a 33-year-old Yazidi woman for an alleged 647. After fleeing her home for the ISIS-controlled region of Syria in March 2015, the-then teenager reached Raqqa and became a high-profile IS bride. Leonora would spy on German IS women during their 'Islam lessons' in the city to then report back to their husbands about how they were settling in. And despite this, she even kept in contact with her family in Germany and often told her father about the gold jewellery she received on her wedding day, the war in Syria, the horrors of the ISIS as well as everyday things like baking bread. Leonora would later give birth to two girls, but would be detained in a Kurdish-controller camp in northern Syria following the fall of ISIS during the civil war. Leonora said she twice tried to flee but was caught each time by her husband, before admitting she made a 'big mistake' and pleaded to return to her 'old life' in Germany. In December 2020, she was controversially repatriated in one of four operations bringing 54 people, most of them children, back to Germany despite reluctance from many European governments in accepting the return of terrorists. Although she was arrested upon her arrival at Frankfurt airport, Messing was later released. Germany has repeatedly been ordered by its courts to repatriate the wives and children of jihadists. Messing, now aged 21, is in the dock in the eastern German city of Halle on suspicion that she and her IS husband enslaved a Yazidi woman in Syria in 2015. Pictured: Leonora aged 15 Messing's father, a baker from the German village of Breitenbach, only learned his daughter had converted to a radical brand of Islam after opening her abandoned computer and reading her journal after her disappearance. Pictures taken just a month before Leonora fled showed the teenager in a warm embrace with her father, Maik. 'She was a good student,' Messing told regional broadcaster MDR in 2019. 'She used to go to a retirement home to read to the elderly. She took part in carnival as a majorette. That was when a lot of the people we know saw her for the last time.' Messing had been living a double life and was visiting, apparently without her parents' knowledge, a mosque in the western city of Frankfurt that was in the crosshairs of Germany's domestic intelligence service. She is among the more than 1,150 Islamists who left Germany from 2011 for Syria and Iraq, according to government findings. Her case has attracted particular scrutiny due to her young age, and because her father agreed to be followed for four years by a team of reporters from public broadcaster NDR. As part of the report, he made public thousands of messages he continued to exchange with his daughter, offering rare insights into daily life under IS, but also eventually her attempts to break free. Leonora Messing was just 15 when she fled her home in Sangerhausen, Germany, to join the terror group in Raqqa, then the de facto 'capital' of IS in Syria in 2015. She became the third wife to fellow German national and jihadi Martin Lemke (right) also known as Nihad Abu Yasir A Berlin tribunal had demanded in October 2019 that a German woman and her three children be brought back, arguing that the minors were traumatised and should not be separated from their mother. There are an estimated 61 Germans still in camps in northern Syria, as well as around 30 people with a link to Germany, according to official estimates. A German court in November issued the first ruling worldwide to recognise crimes against the Yazidi community as genocide, in a verdict hailed by activists as a 'historic' win for the minority. The Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking group hailing from northern Iraq, have for years been persecuted by IS militants who have killed hundreds of men, raped women and forcibly recruited children as fighters. An experienced caver who thought he was going to die after he plunged from a 50ft ledge and was trapped 900ft underground for more than 50 hours will join the rescue team which saved his life. George Linnane said he feels lucky to be alive after he was pulled out of the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system beneath the Brecon Beacons by around 250 rescuers from across the UK in November last year. The 38-year-old from Bristol, who broke his ribs, arm and jaw, now plans on going back underground this year, and will join the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team that lifted him out. One of the things that I love most about caving is the sort of camaraderie and the sense of community that we have, this thing that we do, it creates quite a real kind of tight-knit bond between cavers, he told the BBC. So it doesnt surprise me that they achieved what they achieved, but for 300 people to come to my aid from across the country, all come together to achieve one thing as a team the single bloody-mindedness of it as well. There was no way they were going to let anything other than a good outcome happen. I take my hat off to them. He added: I kept flipping between two states there was Im going to fight this and survive, which became, I really dont care. George Linnane said he feels lucky to be alive after he was pulled out of the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system beneath the Brecon Beacons by around 250 rescuers from across the UK in November last year The 38-year-old, who broke his ribs, arm and jaw, now plans on going back underground this year, and will join the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team that lifted him out I kept flipping between two states there was Im going to fight this and survive, which became, I really dont care, he told the BBC Rescue workers operated in shifts, passing the man on the stretcher through the cave system - which is the third longest in the UK The Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system The caves were discovered by the South Wales Caving Club in 1946, according to Natural Resources Wales, with underground streams and waterfalls. They can only be accessed by cavers with a permit from the caving club and are the third longest cave system in the UK. The guide to the cave system is described as 'classic in the UK, with passages that provide everything from huge chambers, beautiful formations, to yawning chasms and thundering river passages. 'The routes though the cave are too numerous to mention.' It adds: 'Be aware that the mainstream and some other parts of the cave are prone to flooding, and in any event a journey down the mainstream is long and cold and wet, so go prepared.' Advertisement The first thing I knew about it was this instantaneous feeling of legs whirling around in mid-air and arms grabbing for something and this kind of feeling that something was happening. But one second I was caving, the next the world had gone mad. And the next it had all gone black, and I woke up in a very different state to when I started. He called the pain intense and really really not very pleasant at all. When I woke up I was on a slope of lying on things that hurt, so I knew I couldnt stay like that for however many hours it was going to take for the help to turn up, Mr Linnane said. So I had to move myself, so long story short that involved dragging myself by the tips of my fingers through the dirty for several metres until my head was above my legs. I was screaming and screaming in pain at that point. The rescuers had to extricate Mr Linnane from the cleft in the rocks where he was trapped, then get him to the much larger dry passages beyond. Then they would have to enter the caves long underground river tunnel and carry him for more than a mile upstream. After that, they would have to haul him on ropes up a 100ft vertical shaft, then through a labyrinth of tunnels. After that, there would be another big vertical drop and more passages, before they reached a narrow gateway on to the mountainside, the caves Top Entrance. The operation that unfolded over the next two days was enormous, involving members of eight regional cave rescue teams called in to assist their Welsh colleagues, with 254 people working underground in a series of six-hour shifts, including ten doctors. Others were on hand at the clubhouse providing hot meals and support. A huge boon, says surface controller Gary Smith, was Cave Link, a new technology that allows text messages to be sent through hundreds of feet of solid rock, so that rescuers on the surface always knew how far the cave rescuers had got. Previously speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Mr Linnane said being put on to the stretcher was one of the worst moments. They splinted my leg and asked me if I'd like some morphine. They gave me a couple of intramuscular shots but it wasn't powerful enough and the pain was still coming in waves, he said. I was getting pretty cold. My temperature was slowly falling and my vital signs did tank at one stage my pulse shot up from 70 to 140 and I felt I couldnt breathe. They started to give me oxygen and I improved. My body was getting what it needed.' Commenting on the condition of the rescued caver, the emergency services liaison officer Gary Evans said that the rescued man was 'doing remarkably well' considering how long he had been in the cave for The length of the caves and presence of features like underground rivers is likely to make the rescue particularly difficult (pictured are rescuers near the cave entrance) The Ogof Ffynnon Ddu system was discovered by the South Wales Caving Club in 1946, according to Natural Resources Wales. Pictured here is are the South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team in the caves on a training exercise Picture shows the entrance and exit hole of the cave which rescuers are using during the attempt to save a man who fell while caving At last they emerged into a cavern known as Big Shacks. There the rescuers warmed him with electric packs. At about 4.30am on the Sunday, Dr Brendan Sloan, a caver and intensive care consultant at Pinderfield hospital in Wakefield, administered tranexamic acid, which stopped his internal bleeding. He was also given more potent morphine. That woke me up because my body came out of shock,' Mr Linnane said. I was more conscious and I started to fight a bit more. While Mr Linnane warmed up, other rescuers were rigging ropes to get the stretcher past the cave's many obstacles. They knew that the river was going to be difficult, and they fitted the stretcher with a waterproof skirt enabling it to float, but many of the pools in the stream tunnel are at least chest deep. But his spirits stayed high. Many of the rescuers were his friends. Lashed to the stretcher, he became uncomfortable. At last the rescuers got him to the home stretch, Salubrious Passage, an airy tunnel. Eventually, he said, I could smell the outside world, the scent of rain and leaves. I was passed through the entrance gate and into a waiting Land Rover. An honour guard of rescuers stood clapping as he emerged. At hospital in Cardiff, he had two operations, to rebuild his jaw and his leg. His spleen has recovered, and although he developed a nasty infection in his jaw, strong antibiotics have beaten it back. Royal Mail has revealed plans to axe around 700 management jobs to try to cut costs in the latest blow for Britain's postal service. The company will make the sweeping redundancies as part of a restructuring to try to save 40million a year. But the reshuffle is expected to cost around 70million, meaning the firm's profit will plummet from 500million to 430million. Bosses said they will enter negotiations with unions over the proposed cuts, which are needed to 'streamline operations' and 'improve focus on local performance'. It comes after a disastrous few weeks for Royal Mail amid staff absences due to Covid and a pending 1million fine over delivery chaos. The company said services had been hit due to 15,000 employees being off work in early January due to the spread of Omicron. Meanwhile the firm faces the huge fine due to delivery issues that saw hundreds of thousands of families suffer weeks of delays. The company will make the redundancies as part of a huge restructuring to try to save 40million a year (file photo) After the announcement today, Royal Mail shares picked up before levelling out later in the morning But the five-day change for Royal Mail PLC shows how its shares have fallen in recent days Over the last month, amid delivery chaos the firm blames on Omicron, shares plummeted Sorting and deliveries face delays at TEN Royal Mail offices today Barking (IG11) Camberwell (SE5) Havant (PO9 and PO10) Herne Hill (SE24) Hornsey (N8) Hoylake (CH47 and CH48) Kesh (BT93) Manchester South West (M15, M16 and M32) West Norwood (SE27) Willesden (NW10 and NW26) Advertisement CEO Simon Thompson said: 'We have today entered into formal consultation on a management reorganisation to further streamline our operations and, at the same time, improve focus on local performance. 'We are committed to conducting the process sensitively, working closely with our people and their representatives. 'We have a track record of delivering change through natural turnover, redeployment and voluntary redundancy wherever possible.' He said: 'With the rise of Omicron, absence has been around twice pre-Covid levels, with around 15,000 staff off sick or isolating in early January. Thankfully, this is now improving. 'We are resolutely focused on addressing these issues which have affected our service in some parts of the country. 'Year to date we have spent more than 340 million on overtime, additional temporary staffing and sick pay, as well as providing targeted support for the offices most impacted.' Chairman Keith Williams added: 'The past few months have demonstrated that the challenge for Royal Mail is to improve both quality and efficiency. 'Looking forwards, the delivery of our transformation and modernisation plans remain incredibly important in light of the fast-paced change we are seeing and ongoing inflationary pressures.' Experts said the news was 'distressing' for workers and their families who were now 'hoping for the best but preparing for the worst'. CEO and personal finance expert at Lendingexpert.co.uk David Beard said: 'This is distressing news for employees of Royal Mail and their families.' He went on: 'Those who fear losing their jobs should hope for the best but prepare for the worst. 'Now is the time to check what redundancy rights you have and dig out any income or mortgage protection policies you hold, just in case. 'This announcement comes as a shock and seems like an odd time to cut staff numbers in the same month as Royal Mail was forced to apologise as customers experienced severe delays for deliveries.' Yet the shares over the last year show the firm is back in the green after rising over the summer The last six months during the pandemic has been a chaotic time for the company, with orders skyrocketing but services being strained Mail bosses see red after spate of POST BOX thefts spark fears crooks are stealing the iconic receptacles to sell at auctions Historic post boxes are vanishing in rural areas, prompting fears that thieves are stealing them for collectors. Nine Royal Mail boxes have disappeared from villages in Suffolk and Norfolk since January 7. The first was in Rickinghall, Suffolk, with eight others then taken over a ten-day period. Detectives say the thieves are targeting heritage-style post boxes, which are often sold at auction for thousands of pounds. Sgt Brian Calver, of Suffolk Police, said: 'We know that these are quite valuable and attractive for their antique/collectable resale value, but...they could be going for their scrap metal value as well.' Norfolk Police said their stolen boxes have the Royal Cypher 'GR' on them, indicating they were installed during the reign of King George V or George VI. A spokesman for Royal Mail said it was 'working hard to replace the missing boxes'. Sgt Calver added: 'Such thefts are a big loss of heritage and identity to the village from where they are stolen from. 'There is also the personal disruption such a theft could cause to individuals who have posted important letters and documents and, that as a consequence, are then sadly lost. Advertisement Royal Mail was one of the big winners from the coronavirus crisis, with a huge surge in online shopping and deliveries. But it revealed the high peaks of last year eased off over the Christmas period as more shops were open. It led to falls of 4.9 per cent in parcel revenues and 7 per cent in volumes in the final three months of 2021. Yet this was still well up compared with pre-pandemic levels, at 43.9 per cent in revenues and 33 per cent in volumes. Bosses said they had struggled in recent months due to staff absences brought about by people isolating with Covid. The number of staff off peaked at 15,000 over Christmas and the start of the month - making up around 12 per cent of its workforce. This figure has dropped to below 10 per cent over the last few weeks. Meanwhile the firm faces a fine of more than 1million over delivery chaos that has seen hundreds of thousands of families suffer weeks of delays. Sorting and deliveries today are disrupted at 10 offices across the country. These include many areas across London as well as the Home Counties, Manchester and Northern Ireland. Some have been suffering delays since before Christmas with customers complaining about medical results, appointment letters and even house move documents going missing. Royal Mail blames staff absences caused by the Omicron virus strain. There are also suggestions Covid samples and results are being prioritised. The firm has to deliver 93 per cent of first-class post within one working day of collection, and 98.5 per cent of second-class post within three working days. These rules do not apply in December and were dropped for part of the coronavirus pandemic. Royal Mail was fined 1.5million for missing targets in 2018 and it appears on course for further penalties. Regulator Ofcom said: 'We know how important a reliable postal service is to customers, and we can take action if Royal Mail fails to meet our annual targets. We have made it clear to the company that it must improve.' A petition to Royal Mail from residents of the SE22 postal district of London said: 'For years East Dulwich, Dulwich Village and parts of Peckham Rye have suffered with a failing postal service. 'This has led to many suffering with lost prescriptions, lost documentation, lost banking details, fraud and stress. We just want to get our mail on time.' Royal Mail said it was providing 'targeted support' to local offices and apologised to customers. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a 'strategic partnership' with Cuba in the international arena in a phone call with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the Kremlin has revealed. The two leaders reaffirmed their 'commitment to strengthen bilateral relations', just days after fears were raised that Russia would deploy their military to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the US over Ukraine escalated. It comes against the backdrop of Russia's build-up of 100,000 troops, as well as tanks and missiles, on its border with Ukraine, which has sparked fears of a war in Europe and a standoff between East and West. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a 'strategic partnership' with Cuba in the international arena in a phone call with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (right with Putin on November 2, 2018 in Moscow) Diaz-Canel said he and Putin had a 'cordial and fruitful' conversation on Monday morning, with both leaders discussing the 'excellent state of relations' between Cuba and Russia. They also spoke about the 'future development of bilateral collaboration' in various fields, Diaz-Canel said, without expanding. The call comes mere days after Cuba and Venezuela were dragged into the dispute between Russia and the West. Moscow's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he could 'neither confirm nor exclude' the possibility of Russia sending military assets to Latin America if the U.S. and its allies don't curtail their military activities on Russia's doorstep. 'It all depends on the action by our U.S. counterparts,' the minister said in an interview with Russian television network RTVI, citing Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that Moscow could take unspecified 'military-technical measures' if the U.S. and its allies fail to heed its demands. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan dismissed the statements about a possible Russian deployment to Cuba and Venezuela as 'bluster in the public commentary.' He said that 'if Russia were to move in that direction, we would deal with it decisively'. Ukrainian territorial volunteers take part in military training near Kiev at the weekend amid fears Russia could invade U.S. officials said the potential deployments to the Latin American countries have not come up during talks held between the U.S., Russia and other NATO countries. Russia has massed 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and issued a list of security demands to the US and its NATO allies. The alliance has described most of the list - including a ban on Ukraine joining and the withdrawal of troops from ex-Soviet states - as 'non-starters', though high-level talks are ongoing with the US due to provide written responses this week. America has warned Russia of a 'swift and severe' response if it invades Ukraine, which would include a dramatic escalation of sanctions against the country. The US is also thought to be considering military options to deter Putin, short of a direct confrontation between Russian and American troops. There has been a build-up of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine amid fears of a war in Europe Pentagon officials presented one plan to Joe Biden during a summit at the weekend, which would see between 1,000 and 5,000 US troops deployed to Baltic states Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, which border Russian territory. Troop numbers could then be increased up to 50,000 if the security situation deteriorates, backed up by fresh deployments of ships and aircraft. The plan would not involve American troops deployed directly to Ukraine, with Biden thought to be loathe to enter another conflict following his disastrous withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan last year, the New York Times reports. Biden could make a call on military measures as soon as this week. Russia last month warned the escalating tensions with the US over Ukraine risked repeating the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. 'You know, it really could come to that,' Ryabkov said. 'If things continue as they are, it is entirely possible by the logic of events to suddenly wake up and see yourself in something similar.' He was referring to the 1962 standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The Cuban missile crisis was triggered by the stationing of Soviet nuclear missiles on the Caribbean island and prompted the US to impose a naval blockade to prevent Moscow shipping in more. It was defused when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to dismantle and remove the nuclear weapons in return for a pledge by U.S. President John F. Kennedy not to reinvade the Communist island and remove US missiles from Turkey. Civilian volunteers who are part of the Ukrainian territorial army take part in training near Kiev at the weekend It comes as NATO chief Jens Stoltenburg confirmed yesterday that the alliance will be beefing up its own presence in the region, with additional ships and fighter jets deployed. Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and deploying F-16 war planes to Lithuania. Spain is sending ships to join NATO's standing maritime force and considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria. France stands ready to send troops to Bulgaria. Stoltenberg said NATO will 'take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies.' He added: 'We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defense.' Russia also added coal to the fire yesterday after Moscow announced the country will hold live-fire naval drills off the coast of Ireland next month. Battleships will take part in sea drills around 150 miles off Ireland's southwest coast, within the country's 'exclusive economic zone' but outside its territorial waters. Foreign Minister Simon Coveney revealed on Monday that Russia informed Ireland about the drills at the weekend, saying the warships are 'not welcome' but his country 'doesn't have the power to stop this from happening'. Under UN conventions governing the oceans, military drills are allowed within the economic zones of other states provided they do not stray into territorial waters. The drill will form part of much broader Russian naval exercises involving 140 ships and 10,000 troops from all of its naval fleets that will take place in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, North Sea and Sea of Okhotsk from January until February. A migrants made the 'V for victory' sign as up to 65 crossed the Channel today - after the total number of arrivals this month passed 1,000, compared to just 223 in January 2021. Dozens of people, including a small child, arrived at Dover Marina in Kent as part of the first group after they were picked up by Border Force early this morning. A group of adults wearing black puffer jackets and pale blue face masks were among the arrivals today - who came amid flat and calm conditions in the English Channel. One of the men held up two fingers, showing the 'peace' or 'V for victory' sign. Two further groups of migrants were intercepted by UK authorities today, taking the total so far to around 65. . The first vessel arrived in the UK shortly after 8am, carrying approximately ten people, with a dozen more migrants escorted to safety at 10am. Border Force cutter Vigilant followed shortly after, bringing around 15 more people into the Port of Dover just before noon. It comes as the number of small-boat Channel migrants who have landed in Britain since the start of the passed 1,000 two months earlier than last year. Another 87 crossed on Sunday and 67 yesterday, bringing January's total to 1,119 so far - not including today's number, which has not yet been confirmed by the Home Office. Last January saw only 223 arrivals and the 1,000 mark was reached on March 24. A group of migrants arrive in Dover after the total number of arrivals this month passed 1,000, compared to just 223 in January 2021 A group of adults wearing black puffer jackets and pale blue face masks were among the arrivals today - who came amid flat and calm conditions in the English Channel. One of the men held up two fingers, showing the 'peace' or 'V for victory' sign A child was see being carried by officials after the migrants arrived in Dover Dozens of people, including a small child, arrived at Dover Marina in Kent after they were picked up by Border Force early this morning There were a record 28,400 arrivals in 2021 and Ministers expect a 'worst case scenario' of up to 65,000 this year (pictured: Migrants arriving today) A group of adults wearing black puffer jackets and pale blue face masks were among the arrivals today - who came amid flat and calm conditions in the English Channel UK authorities have intercepted more than 1,000 migrants so far this year more than three times the 223 in January 2021. Last year 28,381 people were intercepted in the Channel in total There were a record 28,400 arrivals in 2021 and Ministers expect a 'worst case scenario' of up to 65,000 this year. Officials have denied that new migrants will be hidden from view at the Port of Dover after insiders claimed that from next month they will disembark behind a tall fence. Pictures of arrivals embarrass the Government because they show the huge numbers. 'Day after day of more and more migrants coming in by sea is not the image the Government wants to portray,' a dock worker said yesterday. 'It has promised to control our borders but the pictures show a different story.' A government source said: 'The Home Office's contract to use part of the port is coming to an end. 'Operations will move to another part of the complex but it is not correct that arrivals will no longer be visible.' Plans emerged last week to end daily updates of the number of crossings and publish the figures only four times per year. Tory MPs and campaigners attacked the move as a 'crazy' attempt to 'cover up the scale of the problem'. In total, an estimated 28,381 people crossed the Channel in 2021, more than treble the 8,400 that arrived in 2020 (pictured: Dover today) At least 28,381 migrants arrived in England after crossing the Channel in 2021 - treble the number that made the journey in 2020, despite considerable investment from both UK and French authorities to prevent crossings (pictured: Dover today) A child arrives at Dover Marina today after the number of crossings exceeded 1,000 this month In total, an estimated 28,381 people crossed the Channel in 2021, more than treble the 8,400 that arrived in 2020. What happens when someone arrives in the UK after crossing the Channel? By Rory Tingle The vast majority of people crossing the Channel in small boats claim asylum, according to the Refugee Council. At this point the process for what happens varies depending on whether they are an adult, unaccompanied minor or a family unit. ADULT 1 - Immediately transferred to a short-term holding facility dotted around the country, generally in southern England. Fingerprints are taken and they have a screening interview where they provide their name, date of birth and nationality. This registers them into the asylum system. 2 - One or two days later the asylum seekers would usually be sent to a hostel run by the Home Office, but in the last few years these have become full so officials are using hotels. 3 - Two to three weeks later they are dispersed to a town or city anywhere in the UK into 'housing in the community' - although these time scales have stretched recent years. In addition, dispersal accommodation has often been full so the Home Office has relied on rented accomodation from three private providers. The asylum seekers receive housing and 39.63 a week as a cash allowance. 4 - The asylum seekers are issued with a form called a preliminary information questionnaire (PIC) where they are asked why they have a fear of persecution. At some point they are invited to the Home Office for substantive interview where they will be asked questions based on information from their screening interview and PIC form. 4 - If the initial decision is a refusal, the applicant can appeal to an independent tribunal. Their accommodation and support would continue. 5 - If they get an initial refusal and they don't appeal or their appeal is refused they become what's known in official jargon as 'appeal rights exhausted'. The Home Office will send them a letter saying they will be evicted and the weekly support will stop. 6 - They have the option of signing up to the Voluntary Return Scheme, under which the Home Office will pay for their flights. If they don't sign up they are liable to being picked up and detained by immigration officers and perhaps forcibly removed. But they are not enough detention spaces for people in that situation so they often become homeless and destitute, the Refugee Council said. CHILD Children (under 18) are sent to a short term holding facility for a much shorter amount of time and then transferred into the care of a local authority. They are allocated a social worker and accomodation. The Home Office cannot remove minors if they have been separated from their parents. However, if their asylum claim is unsuccessful they could be given a form of leave to remain until they are 17 and a half. FAMILY The only slight difference is that if a family become an 'appeal rights exhausted' case the Home Office wouldn't evict them from the accommodation or stop their financial support. Advertisement It comes after it was reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave Home Secretary Priti Patel the green light to develop new powers that would allow male asylum seekers crossing the Narrow Sea to be held in immigration removal centres. The Government meanwhile was accused of 'cowardice' earlier this week after it was revealed that the Home Office plans to publish a running total of migrant crossings just four time a year, rather than on a daily basis. At least 28,381 migrants arrived in England after crossing the Channel in 2021 - treble the number that made the journey in 2020, despite considerable investment from both UK and French authorities to prevent crossings. The Prime Minister is said to be clamping down on the number of migrants crossing into the UK via the Channel, after it was reported that he had encouraged Priti Patel to proceed with a policy of detaining all male migrants. Though the Home Office has not published a breakdown of Channel migrants by age or gender, Miss Patel claims that seven in ten of all people who cross the Narrow Sea are single men under 40. Mr Johnson's new gung-ho attitude to border security is part of a series of populist policies which are intended to shore up his tottering premiership as the embattled Tory leader faces calls to quit over the 'Partygate' lockdown scandal enveloping Westminster. Miss Patel is working closely with Attorney-General Suella Braverman to establish what current laws would allow on detention and what new powers would be needed to be approved by MPs, according to The Times. Currently only migrants who land on the UK coast are breaking the law and can be detained, rather than those intercepted in the Channel. An announcement is due next month as part of wider plans for the Royal Navy to take over operational control of Channel crossings. These plans would be accompanied with powers to remove Channel migrants from the UK, including proposals to 'outsource' asylum claims to third countries. A Home Office spokesperson has said: 'The British public have had enough of seeing people die in the Channel while ruthless criminal gangs profit from their misery and our New Plan for Immigration will fix the broken system which encourages migrants to make this lethal journey.' Home Office officials have warned Miss Patel that 65,000 migrants could cross the Channel this year more than double last year's 28,300 record number. The Government has this month been accused of trying to 'cover up' the migrant crisis after it was reported that the Home Office will soon stop issuing daily totals of migrant crossings in favour of announcing a running total at three-month intervals. The Home Office currently issues the data after arrivals have been processed by the UK Border Force, typically on the following day, but this could stop when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) takes over operations to intercept migrants. The move has drawn criticism from Tory MPs - with one saying it 'seems more like burying bad news than being transparent about crossings. Another anonymous Conservative said: 'It just looks like covering up, and no doubt journalists will come up with their own figures based on people arriving at Tughaven [the migrant processing centre in Dover] and Freedom of Information requests.' Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK which campaigns for tougher border controls, added: 'This is a cowardly act. It just shows the Government is running scared. 'I'm very surprised at Priti Patel, and the British people deserve better from her. 'Do they really think they can hide the figures from the electorate when all this takes place in the open on our beaches and at our ports? 'The Home Office can't simply pretend this problem is not happening, and hope it will go away.' Internal Home Office documents show officials are planning for a 'worst case scenario' of up to 65,000 arrivals this year. A Chinese teenager who was reunited with his parents 17 years after they sold him as a baby has killed himself in a case that has shocked the country. Liu Xuezhou died on Monday morning at a beach in Sanya, on China's southern Hainan Island hours after posting an apparent suicide note which said he had been 'abandoned twice by his biological parents'. The 17-year-old's story went viral when he posted a video on December 6 launching a search for his biological family. But after an initially joyous reunion, the relationship turned sour before he was rejected once again by his parents - with his mother even blocking him on social media. During his search for his biological parents, Liu had told viewers that he was born in Hebei province sometime between 2004 and 2006, and had been sold by his parents to another family that adopted him. However, according to Liu his adoptive parents later died in a fireworks accident when he was just four years old. Liu Xuezhou (pictured left with a man reported to be his biological father, right) was found dead on Monday after his biological parents rejected him for a second time, after he was sold as a child. He had tracked his parents down through a search on social media He then lived with the parents of his adoptive mother, whom he referred to as his grandparents, and survived off child support given to them and relatives of his adoptive father. The teenager said on his Weibo social media page last year that he was working part-time to pay for his studies. Later in December, Liu posted to Weibo that he had been able to track down his biological parents. Local reports said police were made aware of Liu's search and were able to find the teenager's father through DNA testing on December 15. He first met his father in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei, of December 27, according to Sina News. Lui posted pictures reportedly showing him with his father on Weibo of their initially happy reunion, writing 'We have met!' and thanking people who helped in his search. However, Lui later said that his father refused to take him in, telling his son that he was already raising another family having earlier divorced his mother. The teenager was then able to track his mother down in January, finding her in Inner Mongolia. But she also rejected him, with their reunion reportedly turning sour when he asked her for financial support. Beijing News reported that she told him she just 'wanted a peaceful life,' and that she also had her own family to support. Some reports suggested his biological parents had since remarried, but had separate families in the meantime. According to the news outlet, his two biological parents then pooled their money together and paid for him to go on holiday to Sanya, which he accepted. Liu Xuezhou died on Monday morning at a beach in Sanya, on China's southern Hainan Island, according to local reports. The 17-year-old's story went viral when he posted a video on December 6 launching a search for his biological family But having been abandoned as a child, Lui reportedly wanted more from his parents, asking either to move in with them or for them to buy him a house nearby. His biological parents rejected this, cutting him off instead. His mother reportedly even blocked him on Chinese messaging app WeChat. Lui rejected the claims he had asked them to buy him a house, saying he only asked them to pay his rent so he had somewhere to live. The teenager later said he would sue his parents for abandonment, writing in a post on Weibo claiming that he would 'see them in court'. As his story gained even more attention online, Lui said people began to send him abusive messages. According to The Insider, as of Monday conversations about Lui's death, search and parents had amassed more than 150 million views. Lui himself had amassed more than 160,000 followers, Insider reported. On Sunday night, Lui posted what appeared to be a suicide note on the social media platform, sparking a panic among his followers who urged him not to kill himself. They attempted to alert local authorities to his situation, which began a search. On Sunday night, Lui (pictured) posted what appeared to be a suicide note on the social media platform, sparking a panic among his followers who urged him not to kill himself In the 10,000-word message, Lui wrote: 'In the past couple of days, there have been people attacking and cursing me on Douyin and Weibo. I have endured being called many types of curses.' He added: 'The sun shines on the sea, and I also belong to the sea. When I end my life here, I also take away the most beautiful scenery in the world.' The post recounted his life story, and said that he had now been 'abandoned twice by his biological parents' throughout his life. His aunt later confirmed that he had been found dead hours after he posted the note, with reports saying he was found on a beach in Sanya. His Weibo page has since been flooded with posts from his followers, expressing both their sympathy for Lui and anger at both the cyberbullies and his parents. 'The cyberbullying he endured was too much to bear for an adult, let alone a child,' one wrote, according to the BBC. Another said: 'I hope in your next life you find parents who protect you, brothers and sisters who love you and live a life without worries'. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123, or go to samaritans.org Advertisement Rescue crews worked throughout the night to save thousands of stranded motorists in Greece and Europe's busiest airport in Istanbul was forced to close as a snowstorm caused travel chaos for Mediterranean countries. A rare snap blizzard blanketed huge parts of Greece and Turkey on Monday night as more than 31 inches of snow fell in some areas, paralysing traffic and hamstringing services for a second consecutive day. The Greek authorities ordered all but essential public and private businesses, schools and offices shut on Tuesday, and have extended the public holiday for Wednesday as well in the wider Athens area and several other regions of Greece as members of the public were advised to limit their movements amid the adverse conditions. Parts of the city's ancient Acropolis were submerged in a thick layer of snow, while heavy machinery worked through the night to plough a path for aircraft to safely operate at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday. Thousands were left to endure below-freezing conditions in their vehicles overnight in both Greece and Turkey as highways and roads were left largely inaccessible after being battered by the snowstorm. Soldiers were drafted in to deliver food, water and blankets to motorists who were left stranded in their cars on Attiki Odos, the Greek capital's main ring-road, for up to 24 hours according to local media. Drivers were ordered to stay off the streets after cars ploughed into one another on Monday and operations were finally resumed at Istanbul Airport after 24 hours of closure as the 16 million residents of Turkey's largest city entered a second day marred by travel chaos on Tuesday. GREECE: The ancient Acropolis in Athens (including the Parthenon, pictured) was covered in a thick layer of snow after a snap blizzard struck the country on Monday TURKEY: An aerial view of the Yenikapi sea-front area of Istanbul on Tuesday after approximately 2.8ft of snow fell in the historic city GREECE: An elderly woman pictured wrapped in a blanket was trapped in her frozen vehicle for more than 24 hours on a motorway near to Athens after all major roads in the city were forced to a standstill after adverse weather conditions GREECE: Cars are abandoned on Athens' once-bustling Attiki Odos, the main ring-road into the city, on Tuesday January 25 TURKEY: Snow ploughs desperately try to clear snow after a blizzard swept through Istanbul Airport. The terminal remained suspended on Tuesday morning but would resume a small selection of flights by midday TURKEY: Two men help push a driver whose Ford Fiesta got stuck on an icy patch of road as heavy snowfall struck Istanbul TURKEY: Frustrated passengers were left to lie on the ground or perch on their seats as they anxiously awaited news of their flights at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday morning TURKEY: Red Crescent members offer food and water to stranded motorists in Istanbul on Tuesday after heavy snowfall saw a second day of travel chaos across the country GREECE: A fallen tree blocks a road in Athens after a rare blizzard caused more than 31ins of snow to fall in some areas of the eastern Mediterannean TURKEY: Hundreds of vehicles were left abandoned on Istanbul's main roads on Tuesday due to the adverse conditions GREECE: The ancient Herodes Atticus theatre is pictured with a thick blanket of snow on Tuesday morning after a winter storm in Athens TURKEY: Thousands were left to endure sub-zero conditions in their vehicles overnight (pictured) and drivers were ordered to stay off the roads in Istanbul TURKEY: Pedestrians were able to see the bright side of the surprise blizzard as they played in the snow in Istanbul on Monday evening GREECE: Rescue teams and firemen work to free a van from its icy shackles in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday morning after a snowstorm TURKEY: In an unprecedented move, Europe's busiest airport in Istanbul (pictured) grounded all flights on Monday for the first time since it replaced the city's old Ataturk Airport as the new hub for Turkish Airlines in 2019 TURKEY: Work to clean the runway and taxiways continues at Istanbul Airport where all flights were stopped overnight on Monday due to heavy snowfall An Icelandic low-pressure system is said to be the cause of the snap cold front affecting much of the eastern Mediterranean this week, according to Istanbul's Disaster Coordination Center. The storm, named Elpida, is expected to last until at least Wednesday, potentially spelling further chaos after workers miraculously escaped injury when the roof of one of Istanbul's cargo terminals collapsed under the weight of snow on Monday. In an unprecedented move, Europe's busiest airport grounded all flights on Monday for the first time since it replaced Istanbul's old Ataturk Airport as the new hub for Turkish Airlines in 2019 after up to 2.8ft of snow fell. Its press service pushed back its planned reopening hours a handful times before admitting defeat and shutting it down for the night. It tweeted an image at around 12pm GMT on Tuesday of the first flight since Monday afternoon landing from the Venezuelan capital Caracas after one of the runways was cleared to accept a few airborne flights. But, chants of 'we want a hotel' broke out as furious protestors who claimed they were left overnight without temporary accommodation gathered in the main lobby of the airport. And hundreds of passengers stuck aboard stranded flights took to Twitter to air their grievances with the airport's customer service and lack of updates. 'Not even a bottle of water offered. Zero concern for women with children,' user Chris Wiggett wrote online. 'Not even blankets for stranded passengers at night.' Images tweeted from inside the packed airport on Tuesday showed a frustrated crowd chanting 'we need a hotel'. Temporary shuttle buses struggled against the conditions on Monday as airport workers were filmed desperately tried to push the vehicles out of their snowy shackles. Horrifying video showed another near-miss in Bingol, Turkey after a woman narrowly avoided being buried underneath a mountain of snow as she boarded public transport. Storms swept through the region from Greece and across Turkey, leaving snow on the beaches of the southern resort city of Antalya for the first time in 29 years. Images taken on Istanbul's roads on Monday also showed apocalyptic scenes, with cars completely submerged in snow and left stuck on once-bustling highways. Across the country, about 4,600 people were left stranded on roads and elsewhere, and thousands had been placed in temporary housing, the Disaster and Emergency Authority said. The city's iconic 'simit' bagel shops stood empty for the second day running, while food delivery service apps were again unavailable on Tuesday. The governor's office also urged residents who abandoned their cars on highways because traffic had ground to a halt to return and take their vehicles home. 'Please, let's quickly remove our vehicles,' governor Ali Yerlikaya pleaded on Twitter. Kostas Lagouvardos, a research director with the National Observatory of Athens, told local television that this was the first time the Greek capital had witnessed back-to-back winters of snow since 1968. Uncharacteristically, snow was recorded on the Aegean Sea islands of the party paradise Mykonos, and covered parts of the villages of Andros, Naxos and Tinos. More than 3,500 people had been evacuated from Athens by early Tuesday, some abandoning their cars on foot, but around 1,200 cars remained stuck on the Attiki Odos, the capital's main ring-road, government spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou said. 'We had a very difficult night and a superhuman evacuation effort is underway on Attiki Odos,' Oikonomou told Greek television. 'We are still in a very difficult phase, as the forecasts indicate that we will face (weather) difficulties again in a while,' he said. TURKEY: Storms swept through the region from Greece and across Turkey, leaving snow on the beaches of the southern resort city of Antalya for the first time in 29 years. Pictured: A woman walks through a park in a snowy Antalya on Monday GREECE: Authorities declared Tuesday a public holiday, shutting public offices and private businesses except supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations in the greater Athens area and on some islands. Pictured: The city of Athens covered in snow GREECE: A shopowner shovels a path through to a drug store in the Cholargos suburb of Athens after a severe blizzard caused up to 31ins of snow to fall in parts of the country GREECE: Parts of the capital were also struck down by power cuts after the severe weather, with the national grid operator saying crews were working to restore electricity. Pictured: A snow plough clears a path in front of the Acropolis hill TURKEY: A group of people try and push a BMW off a patch of ice and back onto the main carriageway in Istanbul, Turkey TURKEY: Istanbul's Ortakoy neighbourhood is pictured with a light dusting of snow on Tuesday, January 25 TURKEY: Thousands were left to endure below-freezing conditions in their vehicles overnight in both Greece and Turkey as highways and roads were left largely inaccessible after being battered by the snowstorm. Pictured: A man carries essential supplies on the highway in Istanbul, Turkey TURKEY: A man shovels his own path in Istanbul, Turkey after approximately 2.8ft of snow fell during sub-zero temperatures Rescue crews worked throughout the night and early on Tuesday morning to help clear a path on Istanbul's roads Istanbul's governor's office also urged residents who abandoned their cars on highways (pictured) because traffic had ground to a halt to return and take their vehicles home on Tuesday morning Heavy snow created hellish conditions for drivers in Istanbul, many of whom were forced to abandon their vehicles or face up to 12 hours in freezing conditions on Monday Drivers were ordered to stay off the streets in Istanbul (pictured) after cars ploughed into one another due to the icy conditions on Monday Turkish authorities pleaded with drivers to move their vehicles as Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu warned that heavy snowfall was likely to persist throughout Tuesday evening. Pictured: Stranded cars in Istanbul on Monday night The snap blizzard prompted apocalyptic scenes at Istanbul airport, where airport staff were forced to desperately try and push a bus which became stuck in the snow Parts of the Greek capital were also struck down by power cuts after the severe weather, with the national grid operator saying crews were working to restore electricity. Fifteen passengers were injured when a rail transport vehicle tried to pull a train carrying about 200 passengers which had halted in heavy snow in central Greece. As temperatures plummeted overnight, soldiers were pictured distributing food, water and blankets to stranded drivers, some of whom were left in their cars for more than 10 hours. TV footage showed the road and vehicles covered in snow. Flurries are forecast to continue through Wednesday as Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu warned that heavy snowfall was likely to persist throughout Tuesday evening. Emergency rescue teams and other units worked overnight to clear snowy roads and highways but abandoned vehicles hampered their operations. A flight suspension in and out of Istanbul Airport on Monday was extended until 1pm Tuesday (10am GMT) over safety concerns, while the governor's office banned the use of private cars until the same time. Istanbul's second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, was operating limited services. 'Nothing is moving. The snow ploughs can't even reach us,' Ahmet Odabasi, 40, one of thousands of travelers stranded overnight on a highway west of Istanbul told The Associated Press by telephone. 'I have been stuck here for 12 hours now. I am lucky that I have gas, food and water,' said the motorist, who was driving to Istanbul from the city of Edirne, near the border with Greece. Greek soldiers are pictured attempting to free a trapped vehicle on the motorway in Athens after a freak snowstorm Sun-soaked groves of orange trees were met with a surprise blanket of snow outside the Academy of Athens, Greece on Tuesday A man poses for a photograph in front of the snow-covered Acropolis hill in Athens on Tuesday A group of people throw snowballs with the Parthenon temple in Athens seen in the background, during heavy snowfall caused by Storm Elpida on Monday A snowman stands outside the snowy ancient Herodes Atticus theater, in Athens, Greece on Tuesday, after Storm Elpida ripped through the country for a second day A dog walker tries to return to some sense of normalcy on Tuesday morning after a blizzard caused the ancient Acropolis hill to be covered in a thick layer of snow on Tuesday AKOM manager Selcuk Tutuncu told the AP that 40,000 tons of salt have been used since the beginning of the storm. 'Right now there are over 1,500 vehicles and over 7,000 personnel working out in the field nonstop,' Tutuncu said. On Monday, authorities in Istanbul suspended intercity bus services and blocked travel to the city from Turkey's northwestern Thrace region. The Istanbul governor's office announced that civil servants would be allowed to stay at home Tuesday, except for those employed in security, health and transportation sectors. Schools across Turkey were already closed for a winter break. Imamoglu said the municipality has provided shelter to around 1,500 homeless people. Another 1,500 people stranded at a bus terminal due to the suspension of intercity services were taken to hotels or hostels. Teams have left some two tons of food for stray cats and dogs, Imamoglu said. Rishi Sunak's political opponents have told the Chancellor he 'must explain' how he he is going to claw back billions of pounds of Covid business support lost to fraud amid a mounting backlash. Counter fraud minister Lord Agnew dramatically quit the Government yesterday while at the despatch box in the House of Lords as he criticised the Government's 'schoolboy' handling of fraudulent Covid business loans. Figures released by HM Revenue and Customs previously suggested some 5.8billion has been criminally siphoned off from furlough and other business relief schemes since coronavirus struck. Reports have suggested that 4.3billion of that cash could be written off by the Treasury, prompting a furious response from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP. Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the amount of Covid cash lost to fraud should be a 'source of enduring shame to the Chancellor'. The Liberal Democrats said the scale of Covid fraud was 'outrageous' and Mr Sunak 'must explain how he's going to get back these billions he allowed to be stolen from our schools, hospitals and police forces'. The SNP claimed Mr Sunak had let 'crooks and fraudsters... off the hook'. Rishi Sunak's political opponents have told the Chancellor he 'must explain' how he he is going to claw back billions of pounds of Covid business support lost to fraud amid a mounting backlash Business minister Lord Agnew dramatically quit the Government yesterday while at the despatch box in the House of Lords as he criticised the Government's 'schoolboy' handling of fraudulent Covid business loans How much business coronavirus support cash has been lost to fraud? Bounce Back Loans The BBL scheme was set up by the Government in April 2020 to enable smaller businesses to rapidly access financial assistance during the Covid crisis. The scheme allowed small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between 2,000 and up to 25 per cent of their turnover, with a maximum loan of 50,000. Some 1.5million loans were issued at a total value of 47billion. The Government has estimated that 17billion of that total could be lost from loans that will not be repaid. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's best guess, as of the end of March 2021, was that there were 4.9billion of fraudulent loans in the system. Lord Agnew today claimed that 'schoolboy errors' were made with the scheme which allowed 'over a thousand companies to receive bounce back loans that were not even trading when Covid struck'. Furlough The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was rolled out in April 2020 and up to March 31 2021 it had supported 11.5million jobs. HMRC estimates show that just over 60billion was paid out in furlough in 2020 to 2021. At the highest point of demand the scheme was supporting 8.9million jobs at once. HMRC has calculated that combined error and fraud relating to furlough payments was about 8.7 per cent - so just over 5billion. Self-Employment Income Support Scheme The SEISS initiative was rolled out at the end of March 2020. It enabled self-employed people who had been impacted by coronavirus to access grants. A total of 28.1billion had been paid out in SEISS grants up to October 2021, according to official Government data. HMRC estimated that 2.5 per cent of grants in the 2020/21 financial year, covering the first three award rounds, were awarded in error or because of fraud. Eat Out to Help Out Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out scheme was rolled out in August 2020 and was designed to entice people to return to restaurants. It enabled people to receive discounts on their meals, with restaurants then claiming the discounted cash back from the Government. The discounts were applied on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from August 3 to August 31. The claims service was then open from August until the end of September, with a total of 840million paid out by the Government. HMRC has estimated that the error and fraud rate relating to Eat Out to Help Out was 8.5 per cent - approximately 71million. Advertisement The Treasury has set up a taskforce to get the lost money back and so far it has managed to get its hands on approximately 500million. The taskforce is projected to have clawed back a further 1billion by the end of 2023. However, that leaves some 4.3billion - almost three quarters of the total - with reports suggesting the cash could just be written off. Lord Agnew yesterday claimed that fraud is 'rampant' across Whitehall as he told peers that 'total fraud loss across government is estimated at 29billion a year'. He said: 'Of course not all can be stopped but a combination of arrogance, indolence and ignorance freezes the Government machine.' Lord Agnew had been the minister for efficiency and transformation before announcing his resignation at the despatch box and marching out of the chamber yesterday. In a subsequent op-ed in the Financial Times, Lord Agnew said that the Government had 'failed spectacularly' by allowing dysfunctionality to continue on such a colossal scale. The resignation and the claims about fraud have prompted an angry political backlash, with MPs demanding Mr Sunak set out how he will recover the lost Covid cash. Ms Reeves said the resignation was a 'damning indictment of the Chancellor and the Government's failures on fraud'. She said: 'That the Government's own anti-fraud minister feels he is unable to defend the Government's record on billions of pounds of taxpayer cash gifted to criminals tells you all you need to know about the incompetence of this government. 'It should be a source of enduring shame to the Chancellor that he has so casually written off 4.3bn of taxpayers' money that is now in the hand of criminals and gangs.' Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Christine Jardine said: 'It is outrageous this Government has allowed fraudsters to steal billions of taxpayer's money, especially when households are facing unfair tax hikes. 'The combination of 'arrogance, indolence, and ignorance' which Lord Agnew referred to cannot be allowed to continue. 'The buck stops with Rishi Sunak. He must explain how he's going to get back these billions he allowed to be stolen from our schools, hospitals and police forces, and if he can't, he should resign.' The SNP's shadow chancellor Alison Thewliss said: 'It is unacceptable that millions of people were excluded from Treasury support through this pandemic while the UK government is prepared to write off the billions of pounds of taxpayers' money stolen by crooks and fraudsters.' She added: 'It speaks volumes of the Tory government's priorities that while ordinary people are being pushed into hardship and poverty, it lets people who have stolen public funds off the hook.' Downing Street insisted the Government had been clear fraud was 'unacceptable' following the resignation of Lord Agnew. The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said: 'We are grateful to Lord Agnew for the significant contribution he has made to Government. 'On the wider issues that he's raised, we introduced our unprecedented Covid support schemes at speed to protect jobs and livelihoods, helping millions of people across the UK, including nearly 12 million on the furlough scheme alone. 'We've always been clear fraud is unacceptable and are taking action against those abusing the system, with 150,000 ineligible claims blocked, 500million recovered last year and the HMRC tax protection taskforce is expected to recover an additional 1billion of taxpayers' money.' Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the amount of Covid cash lost to fraud should be a 'source of enduring shame to the Chancellor' Mr Sunak is pictured placing an 'Eat Out to Help Out' sticker in the window of Number 11 Downing Street in July 2020 Two fraudsters who laundered 70million scammed 10million from a government coronavirus support scheme while they were on bail. Artem Terzyan, 38, from Russia and Deivis Grochiatskij, 44, from Lithuania, were jailed for 33 years for their crimes. International fraudsters who were jailed for 33 years in total for 70million money laundering scheme stole 10million from Bounce Back Loan scheme while on BAIL Two fraudsters who laundered 70million scammed 10million from a government coronavirus support scheme while they were on bail. Artem Terzyan, 38, from Russia and Deivis Grochiatskij, 44, from Lithuania, were jailed for 33 years for their crimes. They headed an international criminal network which used fake companies to move money around to clean the dirty cash. But even after they were arrested they carried on committing offences, using the bogus firms to easily claim covid support Bounce Back Loans to the tune of 10million. They claimed up to 50,000 a time, generating over 10m in total. 3.2m of that was claimed from one UK bank alone. PIctures of unknown associates showed them showing off huge wads of cash as part of the illicit enterprise. Details of the con will be hugely embarrassing for Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who dreamt up the loans to try and help businesses during lockdown. But news of the scam comes just two weeks after the MPs on the Public Accounts Committee savaged the Government's measures to stop the scheme being abused as 'too little too late'. Labour chairwoman Meg Hillier said the Bounce Back Loan scheme 'came with colossal risks of fraud and error which are only now becoming clearer' and 17billion may never be repaid. Terzyan and Grochiatskij were rumbled after a joint investigation by the National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police Service's joint unit the Organised Crime Partnership. Advertisement The Government rolled out a range of business support schemes during the pandemic, including Bounce Back Loans, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and Eat Out to Help Out. Lord Agnew told peers yesterday that 'schoolboy errors' were made which allowed 'over a thousand companies to receive bounce back loans that were not even trading when Covid struck'. The bounce back scheme allowed small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between 2,000 and up to 25 per cent of their turnover, with a maximum loan of 50,000. Some 1.5million loans were issued at a total value of 47billion. The Government has estimated that 17billion of that total could be lost from loans that will not be repaid. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's best guess, as of the end of March 2021, was that there were 4.9billion of fraudulent loans in the system. A total of 60billion was paid out through the CJRS furlough scheme in 2020 to 2021. HMRC has calculated that combined error and fraud relating to furlough payments was about 8.7 per cent - so just over 5billion. The National Audit Office published a damning report in December 2021 looking at the Bounce Back Loans scheme. It found that controls to ensure companies were not applying for more than one bounce back loan were 'inadequate' and put in place 'too slowly'. The NAO said that by the time the Government implemented any anti-fraud measures in June 2020 a month after the scheme was launched more than 28billion had already been paid out. Other measures did not begin until September 2020 as ministers focused on getting the loans out to support businesses that were struggling during the pandemic, the watchdog said. Following the publication of the report, Parliament's Public Accounts Committee labelled the Government's counter-fraud measures as 'too little too late'. Labour chairwoman Meg Hillier said the bounce back scheme 'came with colossal risks of fraud and error which are only now becoming clearer'. One tactic employed by con artists was to revive dormant companies to use them as a front to claim money before then closing the firms and vanishing. To make a successful application under the scheme, fraudsters had to convince a lender that their company was registered before April 2020 and was still operating. That created a lucrative market for dormant firms. Left to right: Asif Hussain (who received 50,000 in Covid bounce back loans) and Ibraaz Shafique (who got two separate loans, together worth 95,000) Earlier this month, a judge demanded an investigation after two members of an organised crime gang were able to successfully apply for 145,000 in Covid 'bounce back' loans. Asif Hussain, the ringleader of an international 'chop shop' ring which exported stolen Range Rovers and other expensive cars to Dubai, was able to secure 50,000 in funding offered by the Government to help businesses struggling during the pandemic. Another gang member, Ibraaz Shafique, was able to receive two huge loans, firstly for 50,000 and then for 45,000. Both men had previous criminal convictions, Manchester Crown Court heard. Judge Anthony Cross QC said 'the most basic of checks' would have revealed the fraud as he demanded an explanation from the authorities within two weeks. The judge said it 'defies belief' that Hussain, who has 48 previous offences on his record and was previously jailed for four years for drug dealing, was given funding. Hussain, 44, of Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal; conspiracy to handle stolen goods; conspiracy to export; and fraud. Shafique, 23, of Camberwell Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods; conspiracy to export; and fraud. On January 20, Hussain was jailed for 15 years for his role in the gang, while Shafique was locked up for five years. A father-of-one who was found buried in a shallow grave was likely beaten to death after a post mortem found he had suffered devastating injuries including a broken back, a court has heard. The remains of Tomasz Dembler were found near Flatts Lane Country Park in Normanby, North Yorkshire, on April 12 last year. Mr Dembler, 39, was also found with a broken upper jaw, 15 fractured ribs, cuts to his lips and mouth and severe bruising to his head, back and chest. The post mortem found that it is likely he had been repeatedly kicked and stamped on and that the injuries to his neck may have been caused by pressure from his attacker's arm. On Monday, Teesside Crown Court heard that a Home Office pathologist's report found that Mr Dembler's injuries would likely have impaired the use of his lower body and perhaps 'impaired his ability to breathe'. The report found hypostasis had set in before Mr Dembler was buried, suggesting he was already dead, and also found that his hands were probably cut off after he had died. Five fellow Polish nationals - four men and one woman - are on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of Mr Dembler's murder. A murder trial was told it is likely father-of-one Tomasz Dembler (pictured) was likely beaten to death after a post mortem revealed he had significant injuries including a broken back The remains of Mr Dembler, 39, were found near Flatts Lane Country Park in Normanby, North Yorkshire, on April 12 last year and prosecutors say his killers left him there in a shallow grave Zbigniew Pawlowski, 41, of Newport, Middlesbrough; Rafal Chmielewski, 37, of Grangetown; Tomasz Reczycki, 37, of Grove Hill, Middlesbrough; Adam Czerwinski, 45, of North Ormesby; and Monika Solerska, 37, of Grangetown, all deny murder. The prosecution say that Tomasz was killed in the hours after 3.35am on Sunday March 21 - sometime following a phone call from a friend he answered, asking him for a lift. The father - who was separated from his partner - told his friend that he was at a party in Middlesbrough, and couldn't help her. But Peter Makepeace QC, told the court that Mr Dembler died that morning and was buried in a shallow grave near Flatts Lane Country Park in Normanby where he said it was 'a miracle' he was found. The prosecution played CCTV footage showing six separate journeys that some of the accused made between Mr Dembler's house on Edward Street and Flatts Lane which they say took place after he had been killed. The first journeys, Mr Makepeace told the jury, were reconnaissance trips to see where they could dispose of the body. Five Polish nationals - four men and one woman - are on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of Mr Dembler's murder and have pleaded not guilty. Pictured: police at the country park Mr Dembler's body was found weeks later on April 12, by two girls who were having a makeshift picnic in the woods. They saw his toes in the ground and called the police. On Monday afternoon, the court heard that some of the accused are blaming each other. Mr Makepeace told the jury that Chmielewski will claim that he saw Zbigniew Pawlowski beat Mr Dembler to death and that Pawlowski threatened him with a gun to his head, when he wanted to call an ambulance. Chmielewski claims, Mr Makepeace continued, that Pawlowski cut off Mr Dembler's hands and put them into a suitcase. The prosecution say that Chmielewski's girlfriend, Monika Solerska- the only women to be accused - claims she was upstairs in Edward Street on the night of the alleged party, and that she was unaware of anything that happened. Solerska - who the prosecution say is captured on CCTV driving her Mercedes up Ormesby Bank to the burial site on Sunday March 21, claims that the journey was a social one. Jurors heard Mr Dembler had lived in the UK for some years and had been reported as missing by friends and relatives before his body was found. Pictured: Police on scene in April last year The prosecution told a silent court that Adam Czerwinski last saw Mr Dembler in his downstairs bedroom, in the small terraced house that he shared with him and others, and that Mr Dembler was with Pawlowski. Like Chmielewski, the prosecution say that Tomasz Reczycki will claim he saw Pawlowski beat up Mr Dembler and that he was too scared to intervene. The court heard that Pawlowski's defence will say that he left Edward Street at 11pm that night and knew nothing of a murder. Tomasz Dembler moved to the UK 20 years ago from Poland. His life took a downward spiral after he split up from the mother of his child, and he moved to Middlesbrough - taking a room in Adam Czerwinski's rented terraced home - where the prosecution say he was murdered. Peter Makepeace told the court that Tomasz had grown apart from his family, who found his drinking and illicit drug use hard to accept. His last message to his mother in Poland, read 'leave me alone'. The trial continues. Partnering with an offshore call center in the Philippines can be a complicated process for first-time or inexperienced buyers. Fortunately, there is a tried-and-true roadmap that can help make the process smoother. Consider the following your ultimate service buyers' guide that will help you partner with the right provider when considering call center outsourcing to the Philippines. Before even contacting a call center in the Philippines, the first step should be to identify your organizational needs and priorities. You should feel confident that outsourcing your contact center processes will maximize value by meeting or exceeding your expectations for quality levels, service levels, cost-efficiency, and customer satisfaction outcomes. Start by evaluating your current contact center operations against key performance metrics and consider how they can be improved. Beyond that, you should take into consideration your company's business goals and the necessary capabilities required to meet those goals, especially as it pertains to call center outsourcing. Finding the right call center in the Philippines to partner with can make all the difference in your program's success, and this goes back to understanding your own requirements. For example, do you need 10 seats or 100? What type of services will you need, i.e., strictly voice-based or a combination of voice and non-voice-based services? Factors like this matter. You want to be considered a key account with your call center of choice, which means your program should be between 3-10% of the vendor's seat capacity. "Partnering with the right call center in the Philippines also means finding one that can offer you services that are ideally suited to your company's business objectives and priorities. This means ensuring that the vendor can offer domain expertise in your specific program area, which will help ensure optimal levels of service quality and cost-efficiency," says Ralf Ellspermann, CEO of PITON-Global, an award-winning call center outsourcing provider in the Philippines. Before looking for a partner, it's important to understand what defines a premium contact center. Not all contact centers are created equal and outsourcing to a low-cost vendor can end up costing more money in the long run. Therefore, it's critical to take into account more factors than just the price of services when looking for an outsourcing provider. "Premium call centers do more than just take calls. They are committed to understanding your company's culture, goals, and processes. They provide deep industry experience and offer a wide range of services, such as analytics, marketing, and eCommerce. They also utilize the latest technologies, and infrastructure capable of scaling services to meet your business goals," says Ellspermann. When outsourcing your call center, it's also crucial to consider the quality of the agents employed by the call center. In other words, don't just look for providers that can provide a large number of agents at a dirt-cheap cost. Look instead for those that can provide the ideal number of highly skilled and experienced agents to efficiently handle your specific program requirements - especially if you want to offer premium customer service. Low agent turnover is also a key factor, as a stable workforce will result in a program that delivers consistency and better quality service. When evaluating your options for outsourcing, it's also important to make sure the call center you partner with offers advanced technologies that can support your company's business goals. Doing so will help maximize the quality of the services delivered to end customers and ensure that you get accurate data to help you make informed decisions on future improvements or changes to support your business objectives. Related to this is the importance of a call center's infrastructure. A good call center outsourcing provider in the Philippines should have infrastructure and facilities that can support your program. This includes the necessary resources to be able to effectively operate such as web hosting, virtual private servers, cloud services, call center equipment like phones and computers, etc. Also, make sure the call center has access to a secure data network. The last thing you want is a lack of capacity or a poor quality experience because the call center's facilities and equipment were outdated. Scaling a call center program is a natural progression. If you partner with the right vendor and achieve success, you'll want to feel confident that the vendor can meet your future contact center needs. In this sense, it's important to work with a company that has the capability to add agents when you need them and can add new lines or channels as needed to match increases in demand. In addition, try to find a vendor that will be able to provide an upgrade path for you so they can scale and support richer features as your business evolves. After finding a provider that can meet your needs, one of the next steps you'll need to take is to establish Key Performance Indicators. One of the most important factors in call center outsourcing in the Philippines is the ability to meet or exceed your goals for service levels, cost-efficiency, and customer satisfaction outcomes. Quality control is also essential and includes customer service metrics like call abandonment rate, agent speed to answer, average handle time, etc. These KPIs will provide a means for both parties to know that goals are being met or exceeded, allow you to monitor the quality of services delivered by your call center in real-time, and make informed decisions on how to further improve your program. "Outsourcing your call center requirements should be viewed as a long-term investment and partnership, so choosing the right partner for this program is key to its success," says Ellspermann. It's important for you and your provider to work together in a shared decision-making relationship, with open communication at all times. Look for vendors that will be open and transparent with you regarding their strengths, weaknesses, programs, services offered, etc., as well as offering the ability to customize your program to meet specific needs. Call center outsourcing in the Philippines is not just about minimizing costs; it's about maximizing value by ensuring quality levels that meet or exceed the needs of your customers. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Do you know anyone involved? Would you like to pay tribute to the victim? Email tips@dailymailcom Advertisement Do you know anyone involved? Would you like to pay tribute to the victim? Email tips@dailymailcom Advertisement A woman who was brutally stabbed to death during a horrific double killing in Maida Vale yesterday was a mature student with two teenage sons, it has emerged today. Devastated relatives speaking to MailOnline confirmed that the 43-year-old woman was called Wafah Chkaifi. They said she born in the UK and came from a large family of Moroccan descent based near the scene of the incident in north-west London. Bystanders had tried to stop a knifeman after he pounced on Miss Chkaifi yesterday at around 9am, stabbing her more than ten times. But the savage attack was only halted when a passing motorist ran over the 41-year-old attacker on the pavement. He also hit the woman victim. The hero driver was arrested on suspicion of murder last night after children and parents on the school run witnessed the incident. Laying flowers at the scene of the crime today, Miss Chkaifis heartbroken aunt Haida said she was a mother to two sons aged 16 and 18. She said: She had a heart of gold, she was a beautiful, wonderful girl. She had friends from all cultures and we are still trying to understand what all this is about. The whole family is shocked. Her mother has been taken to hospital because of this. Its devastated us all. Earlier, her tearful son said: She didnt deserve to die please keep her in your prayers. Everyone who knew her knew she was a good person. Video footage shows paramedics and police battling to save the attacker and the woman. Both died at the scene. A man who claimed to have seen the attack in Maida Vale said: The driver said to me what have I done?. I told him you had to do that. The man, who did not want to give his name, added: The driver had both of them under his car the guy and the girl. Me and two geezers had to lift the car up and drag her body out. We were giving her CPR but she had stab wounds everywhere. We couldn't stop the blood. Raad Jiyad, who also witnessed the bloodbath, said: I woke up to drive my child to school and I heard some noise, someone saying Please help me, please help me. I opened the door and saw a girl in the street on the floor and a guy with a knife. People believed to be family weeping today as they lay flowers at the scene of a horrific double killing in Maida Vale A woman believed to be victim Wafah Chkaifi's first cousin is pictured laying flowers at the scene of the killing on Chippenham Road in Maida Vale, north-west London Forensic officers stand near a blue Renault as they carry out investigations in Maida Vale, West London A body bag is taken away by private ambulance on Chippenham Road in Maida Vale yesterday Police officers and emergency services cordon off the scene in Maida Vale, West London. Bystanders had tried to stop the knifeman after he pounced on his 43-year-old victim, stabbing her more than ten times The 52-year-old father of two ran out to try to distract the attacker who he said was brandishing a 4in kitchen blade. Another onlooker who tried to intervene was chased off by the knifeman. Mr Jiyad said the man sat on his victim, shouting take it and nobody come to me as he stabbed her repeatedly. Witnesses said the attacker was left pinned under the vehicle and the woman was also hit, with her coat trapped under a wheel. Do you know anyone involved? Would you like to pay tribute to the victim? Email tips@dailymailcom Advertisement Mr Jiyad said the driver's actions were heroic and described how he himself tried to save the woman: 'I tried to speak to her as she was bleeding and held her as she took her last breath. I have blood on my hand from it.' His wife, who asked not be named, added: 'The driver wasn't driving very fast but nothing could take the guy from the lady. The driver was the only one who could do anything.' Another witness, Mulugeta Asseratte, said: 'I was coming up from the bakery to Chippenham Road and suddenly heard shouts of 'stop it, stop it' and it was a girl being attacked by a gentleman. 'All of a sudden it moved to the street and no sooner than they reached the street than a driver came and hit both of them. We were all shocked and shouting.' Police arrived within minutes and were seen leading the driver into the back of a police van. Officers said a 26-year-old man was being questioned on suspicion of murder. Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood said: 'This was a terrible incident that occurred in broad daylight on a busy London street. It also appears that a number of members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack. 'A man has been arrested in relation to the case; we are not aware of any links between this man and the two deceased. 'I can also confirm we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection to this incident.' It is thought the attacker and victim were known to each other. Police said the families of the man and woman who died have been informed and that post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course. In a statement, the force said: 'Enquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances, but at this early stage it is believed the two deceased were known to each other.' Forensic tents at the scene in Maida Vale after the incident which caused five bus routes to go on diversion Forensic officers carry out investigations after a woman and man died in Maida Vale, West London Forensic officers carry out investigations after a woman and man died in Maida Vale, West London Forensics officers in Maida Vale after a woman was stabbed to death and a man was killed after being hit by a car Photographs taken at the scene yesterday showed forensic teams investigating and taking photographs amid a huge police presence with a large cordon in place that was causing five bus routes to go on diversion. Two vehicles - a Vauxhall and the Renault Clio- were in the cordoned area alongside two London buses and a lorry. Three forensic tents were set up inside the cordon as detectives in forensic gear searched for clues. Local MP Karen Buck said what happened was 'horrific' and 'devastating' for both relatives of those killed and the surrounding community. A resident said he heard 'awful screams coming from kids' attending a nearby secondary school. The incident happened on Chippenham Road which has an average house price of 497,000 and features a row of traditional townhouse terraces mostly now converted into flats as well as a park including a children's playground. Local roads were closed with buses 31, 36, 228 and 328 all on diversion. Westminster North Labour MP Ms Buck, whose constituency address is just 200 yards away, tweeted: 'Horrific events this morning in Elgin Avenue, which will be devastating for family and friends of those killed and also for the local community.' Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smithson earlier said: 'This morning an incredibly serious incident has unfolded in the Westminster area which has seen two people pronounced dead. Our officers are on scene and are working to establish exactly what has happened. 'As soon as we have more information will keep the public updated but for now we must avoid speculation and allow investigators to do their work. 'What I can say at this time is that the incident is contained and we do not believe there to be any wider threat to the community. We have spoken to a number of people already but anyone else who witnessed the incident, or who has information that could help us, is urged to make contact immediately.' Councillor Tim Roca, who represents the Harrow Road ward on Westminster City Council, tweeted: 'Just hearing about the tragic events on Chippenham road this morning. 'Absolutely awful news and fair to say the community is in shock.' A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 9.02am today to reports of an incident on Chippenham Road, W9. Metropolitan Police officers on the scene following the double death in Maida Vale, West London Detectives investigate after the double death happened in Maida Vale, West London Forensic officers look at a blue Renault as they carry out investigations in Maida Vale, West London 'We sent a number of resources to the scene, including two ambulance crews, two clinical team leaders, an advanced paramedic, two tactical response units, a medic in a car, an incident response officer, and members of our hazardous area response team. 'We also dispatched by road London's Air Ambulance. Despite our medics' efforts, two people died at the scene.' A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: 'Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on Chippenham Road in Maida Vale this morning. One car had been in collision with a pedestrian and a man was trapped under the vehicle. 'Crews released him from under the car but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Another woman was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 'The Brigade was called at 9.10am and the incident was over for firefighters by 9.47am. Two fire engines from North Kensington and Paddington fire stations and a fire rescue unit from Paddington fire station were at the scene.' The incident happened on the junction of Chippenham Road and Elgin Avenue which is located four roads away from the BBC's famous Maida Vale studios. Police said witnesses can call them on 101 quoting the reference 1496/24jan, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online The chairman of the UK's largest cat charity has stepped down after it emerged she was keeping 18 cats in her 563,000 three-bedroom house, even as she insisted they were 'happy and healthy' in her first public comments on the issue. The number of cats Linda Upson was looking after had left other staff despairing, fearful about how the charity might be viewed and 'nervous about using her as a spokesperson'. The Essex-based charity Cats Protection has itself commissioned research into the problems of multi-cat households in the past, which found that environments that do not provide enough space can cause the pets considerable stress. Guidance from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs advises that cats must have 'enough space so that they can get away from one another if they want to'. The number of cats Linda Upson was looking after had reportedly left other staff despairing and fearful about how the charity might be viewed The former charity executive lives with her more than a dozen cats in this three-bedroom house Interim chief executive Charles Darley has already resigned after an internal investigation concluded Miss Upson should keep her position only asking her to assure them she would not house any more of the pets. He disagreed with the decision, telling the Telegraph that his welfare concerns were shared by five other animal charities who were consulted over the issue. 'Make sure there's enough space for them to get away from each other': Defra's guidance for looking after cats DEFRA issued a 'Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats' to go with the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The document does not specify a maximum number of cats that can be kept in a house, but includes the following relevant sections: 'If more than one cat shares a living space, provide sufficient extra resources (e.g. toys, beds, litter trays and hiding places) and give them enough space so that they can get away from one another if they want to.' '.... many cats are happier living without other cats and can be reluctant to accept new cats. A cat may suffer if they cannot avoid other cats they do not like or has to undertake activities such as sharing food bowls or litter trays.' '... keeping too many cats together can result in a stressful and unhealthy environment, which may make it difficult for you to meet the individual needs of your animals. Advertisement In a statement released yesterday, Miss Upson struck a defiant tone and insisted she had always properly cared for her animals. 'I have today stepped down from my role as Cats Protection's chair of trustees and my role as a trustee on the board because I passionately support Cats Protection and do not wish recent news coverage to detract from the charity's vital work helping cats in need,' she said. 'Cat welfare and wellbeing have always been a paramount concern for me and I have always ensured my own cats and foster cats receive the best possible care. 'My cats are aged between nine and 19 years old. I believe they are happy and healthy as each has their own feeding bowl, litter tray and other resources. 'They are all fully vaccinated and regularly taken for veterinary consultations. I also have no foster cats at this time.' Mr Darley - who was just three months into his 12-month contract when he decided to step down previously described how Miss Upson said she 'didn't think it was a problem' when confronted with concerns over her pets' living arrangements. He said: 'I've been in and out of more than a dozen charities, and I've never encountered a position like this before. 'Many of the [trustees] are passionate cat lovers, so they may see this behaviour through a different lens from people who love cats but don't love them in quite the same way.' Cats Protection has 10,000 volunteers and 1,000 employees who help care for some 126,000 cats and kittens, and the charity receives 75million in donations each year. Several corporate sponsors are reported to have contacted the charity with their concerns after news reports first emerged of the scandal last week. Interim chief executive Charles Darley recently announced he was leaving just three months into a 12-month contract Angela Swarbrick, its deputy chairman, said: 'We would like to thank Linda for her dedication to our organisation's work on cat welfare for the past two decades. 'We realise this has been a difficult time for Linda particularly following her decision to step back from her duties as chair between mid-December 2021 and January 2022 to consider her position with the charity. 'Cats Protection takes governance seriously and our trustees follow the Charity governance code. 'The charity undertakes regular reviews and has committed to an external review of its governance procedures and processes to ensure that we are confident in delivering the next 10 years of our strategy so we can do the best for cats.' Britain will send troops to face down Russias military might if Vladimir Putin invades Ukraine, Boris Johnson warned yesterday. In a defiant message to the Kremlin, the Prime Minister confirmed the UK would contribute to any new Nato deployment to protect fellow members of the security alliance such as the Baltic states. His pledge came as others in Nato committed fighter jets and frigates to support the likes of Estonia and Latvia while the United States is considering sending 50,000 soldiers to the region. While saying he was willing to speak to President Putin in an attempt to calm current tensions, Mr Johnson also accused his counterpart of eyeing up other former-Soviet nations as well as Ukraine. What Putin basically wants is to go back to the old system of spheres of influence, and its not just Ukraine that he has his eye on, he told parliament. Russian TV yesterday broadcast images of its military might holding live firing exercises across the country, including substantial activity in Crimea, annexed by Kremlin forces in 2014 and now in a constant state of war. Moscow ratcheted up tensions by staging combat-ready checks on 6,000 troops and test-firing deadly missile systems, simulating highly-coordinated battle procedures which could be conducted for real. And Ukraine yesterday said it had already caught Putins forces inside its borders, claiming it had dismantled a group of saboteurs coordinated by Moscow that was preparing a series of attacks to destabilise the situation around the border. Warning that no one would gain from catastrophe, Mr Johnson said: The force arrayed on [Ukraines] frontier comprises over 100,000 troops far bigger than anything Russia has deployed against her before. If the worst happens and the destructive firepower of the Russian army were to engulf Ukraines towns and cities, I shudder to contemplate the tragedy that would ensue. For months Britain has worked in lockstep with the United States and our allies across Europe to avoid such a disaster. Weve sought to combine dialogue with deterrence. The British Army leads the Nato battlegroup in Estonia and if Russia invades Ukraine we would look to contribute to any new Nato deployments to protect our allies in Europe. In every contact with Russia, the UK and our allies have stressed our unity and our adherence to vital points of principle. We will not overturn [any] European security order because Russia has placed a gun to Ukraines head. If President Putin were to choose the path of bloodshed and destruction, he must realise that it would be both tragic and futile... If Russia pursues this path, many Russian mothers sons will not be coming home. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss told Parliament yesterday she is to visit Ukraine next week. Any military incursion by Russia into its neighbour would be a massive strategic mistake leading to co-ordinated sanctions, she added. It is highly unlikely any regular British troops committed to eastern Europe would deploy to the warzone itself, with the Prime Minister telling parliament: I dont believe that to be a likely prospect in the near term. Ukraine is not a member of Nato. It is likely they would bolster the existing UK and Nato forces in the neighbouring Baltic states. Putin is due to speak with French president Emmanuel Macron later this week, after ministers from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany sit down in Paris today. An invasion by the Russian troops currently stationed along Ukraines land borders would represent the most challenging military operation mounted by the Kremlin since the assault on Berlin by the Red Army in 1945. While the Russians would outnumber their Ukrainian adversaries, thanks to Western backing, the defending forces are well equipped and well organised. Ukrainian military units are also highly committed to defending their country and its democratic freedoms. Covertly deployed British and other Special Forces units would use electronic and cyber warfare to sabotage Russian military hardware and communications too. Russia expert James Sherr suggested Natos united front may have come as an unpleasant surprise to Putin. Experts also believe the timing of the Winter Olympics in China due to take place from February 4 to 20 may prove significant, as Russia would risk upsetting China if its invasion of Ukraine overshadowed the Games. It comes as the White House said last night it was working with gas and oil suppliers in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia to support European supplies and so lessen the impact should Russia choose to weaponise prices and delivery. But Joe Biden said that like Mr Johnson he could not see US forces moving into Ukraine, with them also set to stay within Natos borders. Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is set to deploy F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania, Spain is sending ships and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria, France has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania, and the Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter planes to Bulgaria from April. It came after a senior defence minister warned Russian advance troops are already operating in Ukraine ahead of a possible invasion. James Heappey said a 'significant' number of Vladimir Putin's soldiers were already operating behind the lines. Britain has already supplied Kyiv with thousands of anti-tank weapons and Mr Heappey likened the situation to the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 that triggered the Second World War. The Prime Minister told MPs that the UK 'would like to contribute to any new Nato deployment' as allies readied soldiers and sent warships and fighter aircraft to the troubled region. A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Russian-occupied Crimea. An estimated 100,000 troops have massed at the border with Ukraine Boris Johnson delivered a stark message to Vladimir Putin (left at the Kremlin last night) as he admitted that the prospects of averting a confrontation in the area were 'gloomy'. Ukrainian territorial volunteers take part in military training near Kiev at the weekend amid fears Russia could invade James Heappey said a' significant' number of Vladimir Putin's soldiers were already operating behind the lines. Ukraine arrests saboteurs 'co-ordinated by Russian special services' Ukraine says it has arrested Russian-backed saboteurs who were plotting attacks in border regions with the aim of 'destabilising' the country. The 'criminal' group was preparing a 'series of armed attacks' on city infrastructure 'coordinated by Russian special service', Ukraine's SBU security service said today. Two men, one of them a Russian citizen, were arrested during raids in Kharkiv, close to the Russian border, and Zhytomyr, in western Ukraine, today. Agents say the pair had been recruiting other men - mostly Russians with criminal histories - under the guise of a security company to take part in the attacks. Ukrainian agents say the pair arrested Tuesday were planning a series of robberies against 'urban infrastructure', including 'commercial' properties. The gang was allegedly organised by two men, one with Russian citizenship, who recruited other criminals using the guise of a security company. Raids on Tuesday targeted properties belong to both the alleged organisers, with police saying they found a bomb, guns and ammunition. Also uncovered were devices to disrupt radio communications, plans detailing the robberies, and walkie talkies to be used for communication, it is alleged. Computers and other electronic devices were also seized with 'evidence of criminal activity' on them, the SBU said. Images show officers also seized a large amount of cash, mainly in Ukrainian hryvnia notes and US dollars. Advertisement Conservative chairman of the Defence Committee Tobias Ellwood said it is not too late to mobilise a 'sizeable' Nato presence in Ukraine, utilising the alliance's power to 'make Putin think twice'. Earlier Foreign Secretary Liz Truss failed to rule out UK combat troops being sent to help defend Ukraine, telling MPs such a scenario is 'unlikely'. Conservative MP James Gray (North Wiltshire) asked in the Commons: 'Are there any circumstances under which she could see British troops being deployed in a combat role defending Ukraine?' Ms Truss replied: 'As the Defence Secretary has already said, it is unlikely that that would be the circumstance. 'But what we are doing is working very hard to make sure that Ukraine has the defensive weapons it needs, that it has the training it needs - we've trained 20,000 Ukrainian personnel - and also that it has the support of the international community; we're pushing our allies very hard to make sure they are offering similar defensive support.' Labour 'stands resolute' in supporting Ukraine's independence and sovereignty, Sir Keir Starmer has said. Responding to the Prime Minister's statement on Ukraine, the Labour leader criticised Vladimir Putin's acts of aggression in recent years. He said: 'His Russia has annexed Crimea, supported separatist conflict in Donbass and now massed over 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders. 'These are repeated and unjustifiable acts of aggression so Labour stands resolute in our support of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. 'That was made clear when our shadow foreign secretary and shadow defence secretary visited Kyiv a fortnight ago.' Writing in the Sun today, Mr Heappey aid: 'To be British is to go to the aid of others and defend those who cannot defend themselves. 'That's why we went to the aid of Poland in 1939. That's why we were one of the founding allies of Nato after the Second World War ... we are being tested again.' The United States is in talks with major energy-producing countries and companies around the world over a diversion of supplies to Europe if needed in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, senior Biden administration officials said on Tuesday. The European Union depends on Russia for around a third of its gas supplies, and sanctions over any conflict could disrupt that supply. Any interruptions to Russia's gas supply to Europe would exacerbate an existing energy crisis caused by a shortage. Record power prices have driven up consumer energy bills as well as business costs and sparked protests in some countries. 'We've been working to identify additional volumes of non- Russian natural gas from various areas of the world; from North Africa and the Middle East to Asia and the United States,' a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'Correspondingly, we're...in discussions with major natural gas producers around the globe to understand their capacity and willingness to temporarily surge natural gas output and to allocate these volumes to European buyers,' the official said. A Ukrainian soldier stands at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, as fears grow of an invasion Missile crisis II? Putin and Cuba discuss 'strategic partnership' Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a 'strategic partnership' with Cuba in the international arena in a phone call with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the Kremlin has revealed. The two leaders reaffirmed their 'commitment to strengthen bilateral relations', just days after fears were raised that Russia would deploy their military to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the US over Ukraine escalated. Diaz-Canel said he and Putin had a 'cordial and fruitful' conversation on Monday morning, with both leaders discussing the 'excellent state of relations' between Cuba and Russia. They also spoke about the 'future development of bilateral collaboration' in various fields, Diaz-Canel said, without expanding. The call comes mere days after Cuba and Venezuela were dragged into the dispute between Russia and the West. Moscow's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he could 'neither confirm nor exclude' the possibility of Russia sending military assets to Latin America if the U.S. and its allies don't curtail their military activities on Russia's doorstep. 'It all depends on the action by our U.S. counterparts,' the minister said in an interview with Russian television network RTVI, citing Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that Moscow could take unspecified 'military-technical measures' if the U.S. and its allies fail to heed its demands. Advertisement Russia has been warned it will be swiftly hit with an 'unprecedented package of sanctions' in the event of a fresh incursion in Ukraine after Boris Johnson joined Joe Biden and world leaders to present a united front to combat a feared invasion. The Kremlin today expressed concern over what it said was an 'exacerbation of tensions' by Western nations. The Prime Minister and the US President met virtually with the leaders of Nato, the EU, Italy, Poland, France and Germany last night as they hoped to avert what Mr Johnson warned would be a bloody and protracted conflict for Moscow. Downing Street said they stressed diplomatic discussions with Russia remains the first priority, but said the nation would be hit with 'swift retributive responses' if a 'further Russian incursion into Ukraine' takes place. Mr Heappey said today: 'Where we see Russian plans we will expose them, such as their ''false flag'' attacks and plots for puppet regimes. 'As I write, we are becoming aware of a significant number of individuals that are assessed to be associated with Russian military advance-force operations and currently located in Ukraine.' Under efforts to deter Russian 'aggression', Mr Biden said the leaders discussed preparations to 'impose severe economic costs' against Moscow while seeking to 'reinforce security on the eastern flank'. The Pentagon put 8,500 US troops on heightened alert, preparing them for a possible deployment to reassure Nato allies amid rising tensions. Earlier in the day, Mr Johnson warned in an interview that 'gloomy' intelligence suggested Russia was planning a lightning raid on Kyiv, as British staff and their families began leaving the Ukrainian capital. The Prime Minister warned Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in 2014 led a Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, that a fresh invasion would be a 'disastrous step'. 'The intelligence is very clear that there are 60 Russian battle groups on the borders of Ukraine, the plan for a lightning war that could take out Kyiv is one that everybody can see,' Mr Johnson said. 'We need to make it very clear to the Kremlin, to Russia, that that would be a disastrous step.' Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union until it was disbanded. A young woman walks past a World War II-era Soviet T-34 tank at an outdoor commemorative display extolling the battles and victories of the Soviet Red Army in Kyiv. He warned that the people of Ukraine would resist any invasion and 'from a Russian perspective, (it) is going to be a painful, violent and bloody business', he said. 'I think it's very important that people in Russia understand that this could be a new Chechnya.' France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Olaf Scholz, Poland's Andrzej Duda and Italy's Mario Draghi also joined the video call on Monday evening, along with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg. 'The leaders agreed that, should a further Russian incursion into Ukraine happen, allies must enact swift retributive responses including an unprecedented package of sanctions,' Downing Street said following the discussions lasting over an hour. An online meeting between the US President, UK Prime Minister and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the European Union and Nato (Jens Stoltenberg pictured) Mr Johnson, according to No 10, emphasised the need to support Ukraine's defences 'against the full spectrum of malign Russian activity'. The United States also ordered the families of all American personnel at the US Embassy to leave the country in response the the risk of an invasion. But the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: 'We are not going to do the same thing' and Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said the US decision was 'a premature step' and a sign of 'excessive caution'. Downing Street said British combat troops would not be used to defend Ukraine. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said around 30 British diplomats, including the ambassador, remained in Ukraine. The Foreign Office said: 'Some embassy staff and dependants are being withdrawn from Kyiv in response to the growing threat from Russia. 'The British Embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work.' Putin may avoid an incursion of Ukraine because it could damage his popularity, the former head of the British Army said this morning. Lord Dannatt believes 'the Ukrainians will fight and fight hard', and that would mean Russian fatalities and casualties. He told Times Radio: 'He is very powerful but he does not have universal popularity. There is quite an opposition movement to him. 'If Russian television screens get filled with body bags and casualties coming back from a bloody incursion in Ukraine, that will damage his popularity and damage his standing as opposed to boosting his position - so he has got a calculation to make.' Meanwhile Gordon Brown has said a show of strength is needed to face down Putin. The former prime minister recalled that, during his dealings with Mr Putin, the Russian leader had said he 'would not co-operate in any way'. He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'You have to be able to stand up to him. Remember the assassinations on British soil? He was going to assassinate other people if we hadn't stood up to him. The only thing that Putin understands is strength. 'Perhaps belatedly, the right thing to do is a show of strength from Nato and unity from Nato, and that is something that has got to be fought for and making it clear that we will not accept Russian incursions. 'I think it will be financial and economic sanctions that are going to have to be so severe that the Russian autocrats, the Russian oligarchs and Putin himself and his government is affected by them.' REVEALED: The 60,000 US troops already based in Europe that Biden can use to defend Ukraine against Russia: President orders extra 8,500 US-based troops to be on standby to deploy and places USS Harry S Truman under NATO control Nearly 64,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe could be deployed to the continent's eastern flank if President Biden makes such a call to counter growing Russian aggression at the border with Ukraine. The USS Harry S. Truman has already been placed under NATO command for the first time since the end of the Cold War, while 40 warships, 175 aircraft and 90 tanks situated throughout Europe could also be readied for conflict. Biden has ordered 8,500 U.S.-based troops to stand ready to deploy to Eastern Europe, while military officials have presented him with a plan to send 50,000 more if the security situation deteriorates and Russia launches an invasion into Ukraine. At the same time, the US told families based at the US embassy in Kiev to go home 'due to the continued threat' of such an attack, the State Department said Sunday. Though the number fluctuates due to changing withdrawals and deployments, the U.S. had about 175,000 troops stationed abroad as of September 2021. A total of nearly 64,000 of those service members were stationed in Europe. The U.S. has about 750 military bases across 80 countries. Command for the U.S.'s 40 warships is based out Italy, and the U.S. has already flexed its muscle to Russia by sending ships to the politically fraught Black Sea. Germany houses the largest deployment of U.S. troops in Europe, and only Japan and America have more U.S. troops based there. There are 35, 468 U.S. troops in Germany - 21,585 Army, 13,009 Air Force and small numbers of troops from the Marine Corps and Navy. The USS Harry S. Truman is already being placed under NATO command for the first time since the end of the Cold War (pictured) There are 21 U.S. military bases across Germany, with the largest presence at Stuttgart, headquarters of United States European Command (EUCOM) and US Africa Command, and Ramstein, headquarters of US Air Force operations in Europe. And while Germany previously housed some 5,000 U.S. tanks in the height of the Cold War in 1989, it is now permanent home to none. The Army temporarily deploys one armored brigade at a time, each on a nine-month rotation. A typical armored brigade is made up of 90 M-1 tanks and 130 Bradley fighting vehicles plus around 18 M-109 self-propelled howitzers. But there remains a problem: Europe's aging bridges may not be ready for the 68-ton M-1 Abrams tanks. The Army has been struggling to purchase more armored bridge-layers to help these heavy vehicles pass. The M-1 Abrams has been in use in war zones since 1980, while the Bradley fighting vehicle is a heavily armed and armored troop transporter that launches fire toward enemy lines to provide cover. The Howitzer is a 30-ton gun that can hit targets up to 19 miles away. And while NATO has a presence of about 130 tanks, including the 90 U.S. vehicles, Russia, even before its recent aggression, kept about 760 tanks within striking distance of NATO's Baltic members. Ukraine shares a border with four NATO countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Italy has the second highest U.S. presence in Europe, with 12,436 troops, 4,081 belonging to the Army, 4,742 Air Force and 3,497 Navy. The Naples port is the headquarters of the Sixth Fleet, or US Naval Forces Europe-Africa. The Aviano Air Base is home to two U.S. F-16 fighter jet squadrons. The F-16 is a popular air-to-air combat jet used by 25 air forces. In the United Kingdom there are 9,576 U.S. troops, almost entirely members of the Air Force with small numbers of service members from other branches. Spain has 3,423 U.S. troops stationed there, Belgium has 1,143, Greece has 429, Portugal has 259, and Romania has 132. A handful of other nations have a U.S. troop presence smaller than 100. There are also currently more than 150 U.S. military advisers in Ukraine who have operated at a training ground near Lviv for years. It includes Special Operations forces, mostly Army Green Berets, and National Guard trainers from Florida's 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. While the U.S. intends to move its military trainers out of Ukraine swiftly should a full-scale Russian invasion occur, it's also possible some American forces could stay to advise Kyiv officials and provide frontline support, a U.S. official told the Times. However, roughly 6,000 U.S. troops are deployed to Eastern Europe on a rotating basis, including about 4,000 are currently in Poland. The U.S. Sixth Fleet, which leads European Command, is comprised of roughly 175 aircraft and 40 warships. European Command is headquartered in Germany. Biden's potential plan would see between 1,000 and 5,000 soldiers sent to NATO nations such as Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, which border Russian territory. Troop numbers could then be increased up to 50,000 if the security situation deteriorates, backed up by fresh deployments of ships and aircraft. The plan would not involve American troops deployed directly to Ukraine, with Biden thought to be loathe to enter another conflict following his disastrous withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan last year, The New York Times reports. Meanwhile the Biden administration is ordering 8,500 U.S.-based troops to stand ready to deploy to Eastern Europe, the Pentagon announced on Monday. The 68-ton M-1 Abrams has been in use in war zones since 1980 The Aviano Air Base is home to two U.S. F-16 fighter jet squadrons. The F-16 is a popular air-to-air combat jet used by 25 air forces A Russian rocket launcher fires during military drills near Orenburg in the Urals, Russia in December. With tens of thousands of Russian troops positioned near Ukraine, the Kremlin has kept the U.S. and its allies guessing about its next moves in the worst Russia-West security crisis since the Cold War The NATO Response Force is comprised of some 40,000 international troops across land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces (SOF) components. 'This is really about getting folks ready to go,' Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said during a press conference this afternoon. He said the majority of those troops would be ground forces. He said they would stand ready in case NATO activates the NATO Response Force (NRF) or in the event of a 'deteriorating security environment.' NATO meanwhile announced Monday that its members were to deploy additional ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe, to counter Russia's growing presence. Vladimir Putin has placed more than 100,000 troops at the Ukrainian border, and last week Blinken warned that Russia had the capability to double that number in short order. The drills will take place 150 miles from Ireland's south west coast, and comes amid the build-up of troops near the border with Ukraine amid fears of a war in Europe To bolster deterrence, Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is ready to dispatch four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania. Spain is deploying ships to join NATO naval forces and is considering sending four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania. France has said it is willing to send troops to Romania and the Netherlands is planning to send two F-35 fighters to Bulgaria in April. NATO's announcement came after reports that Biden was weighing sending as many as 50,000 troops to the region if the security situation were to deteriorate, backed up by fresh deployments of ship and aircraft. Since late December, the Air Force has been regularly flying RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic-eavesdropping planes over Ukraine in order to listen in on Russian ground commanders' communications, the Times reported. The Air Force is also operating ground-surveillance flights withE-8 JSTARS to track Russian troop buildup at Ukraine's border. The spy plane mission is meant to find any indications that Russia is considering deploying nuclear weapons to the border with Ukraine, a potential of which Russian officials already warned. On Sunday, Ukraine's defense minister praised the arrival of a second shipment of military aide from the U.S. 'The second bird in Kyiv!' tweeted Oleksii Reznikov. 'More than 80 tons of weapons to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities from our friends in the USA! And this is not the end.' On a conference call with reporters Sunday evening, a senior State Department official warned that that 'military action by Russia could come at any time' and urged Americans who wished to leave Ukraine to do so soon. A wild boar turned from the hunted to the hunter after fatally biting an Italian man who had shot at it for sport. Giulio Burattini, 36, bled to death in front of his father while the pair were out hunting near the Pigelleto di Piancastagnaio nature reserve in Italy's Tuscany region last Wednesday. Giulio had landed a shot on the wild beast, which collapsed to the ground as the hunter went over the check on his prey, according to local media. But to the Italian's surprise, the boar shot to its feet and bit the top of his right leg as he approached, severing his femoral artery and killing him. His last desperate message was reportedly a warning cry to his friends through his walkie-talkie: 'Help, help I'm dying'. Giulio Burattini, 36, bled to death in front of his father while the pair were out hunting in woodland in Castell'Azzara in Italy's Tuscany region last Wednesday Forest rescue teams and the emergency services rushed to try and revive the 36-year-old, but he had lost too much blood and died in front of his veterinarian father who would require treatment for shock. The Grosseto public prosecutor office declined to investigate the case, citing the accident as being caused by a wild animal and there being no criminal implications involved in Mr Burattini's death. According to local media reports, Giulio, a seasoned hunter, was out with family when the pair tracked down and spotted a wild boar on Wednesday afternoon. Giulio (pictured) had landed a shot on the wild beast, which collapsed to the ground as the hunter went over the check on his prey. But to the Italian's surprise, the boar shot to its feet and bit his right leg as he approached, severing his femoral artery and killing him Giulio reportedly landed a hit on the animal, which sank to the ground as if it had been struck by a bullet, but was attacked as he went to check on the boar's condition. He is understood to have bled profusely from the deep wounds inflicted by the boar, and died before medics could reach him. Burattini, who came from Castell'Azzara, leaves behind a wife and a seven-year-old daughter. A version of Omicron that is harder to track is growing quickly in England and is now more common than Delta. Just a few hundred cases of BA.2 have been detected in the country so far, but the number of people testing positive for the subvariant has quadrupled in the last week. Data from the UK's largest Covid surveillance lab shows BA.2 was behind 0.8 per cent of all positive samples in the seven days to January 15 up from 0.2 per cent the week prior. It suggests around one in 125 people who tested positive for Covid in this period had the new subvariant. The once dominant Delta mutant strain, for comparison, made up just 0.5 per cent of cases last week. Delta was almost entirely pushed out following the arrival of the ultra-virulent original Omicron variant in late November, which now accounts for the vast majority of domestic cases. Unlike the original Omicron, BA.2 infections can only be confirmed through lab analysis rather than a PCR, which has made tracking its spread more difficult and seen it nicknamed a 'stealth' variant. Scientists believe BA.2 may have evolved to be slightly more transmissible than Omicron and could slowly become the UK's dominant Covid virus. There are already signs BA.2 outstripping its ancestral strain in Denmark, where it now makes up 45 per cent of all cases. The Scandinavian nation's daily cases have nearly doubled in a fortnight, despite having similar restrictions to the UK and being hit by Omicron at roughly the same time. BA.2's rise in England comes as infections start to creep back up after falling for two weeks straight, with 88,447 new cases yesterday. But Dr Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College London, said BA.2 is unlikely to be more severe. He insists it won't have a 'substantial impact' on the UK's current situation. Pictured above is the data from the Sanger Institute one of the largest Covid surveillance centres in the UK which shows BA.2 has now outpaced Delta The above shows the number of BA.2 lineages detected by the Sanger Institute one of the UK's largest Covid surveillance centres over the week to January 8 (left) and January 15 (right) broken down by local authority The above graph shows daily Covid cases per million people in Denmark (red) and the UK (green). It reveals Denmark, where BA.2 makes up 45 per cent of cases, has seen a much bigger spike in cases This graph shows the rate of Covid deaths per million people. It is higher in the UK (red) although this is a lagging indicator because of the time taken for someone who catches the virus to fall seriously ill Both Denmark (green) and the UK (red) have vaccinated a similar proportion of their populations with a booster dose. The UK's programme was also slightly ahead of Denmark's And both the UK (red) and Denmark (green) are carrying out a similar number of tests per 1,000 people, data suggests BA.2 differs from the original Omicron strain by around 20 mutations, scientists say, although only a few of these could make it better at evading vaccine-induced immunity. But it still carries the changes that made Omicron more transmissible and milder than previous strains, but it is harder to detect. The original strain has a specific alteration known as an 'S' gene dropout which meant it could be detected through PCR tests without the need for lab analysis. What do we know about BA.2? Should we be concerned? What is BA.2? This is an off-shoot of the Omicron lineage. It carries all the mutations of its parent, but also has a change that makes it harder to detect using PCR tests. Omicron's outbreak has been easy to track because it has an S gene drop out, unlike Delta, meaning it easily shows up on PCR tests. But this is not the case with BA.2. Is it more dangerous? Early analysis suggests this sub-variant is slightly more transmissible than Omicron. It is already the dominant strain in parts of India and the Philippines, scientists say, with cases now rising in the UK, Germany and Denmark. But there is no evidence to suggest it is more likely to cause serious disease. Should I be concerned? Dr Tom Peacock, one of the first scientists to warn the world about Omicron, says there is no reason to be overly concerned. The Imperial College London expert said he thinks the variant will not have a 'substantial impact' on the current wave. Professor Francois Ballous, a geneticist at Imperial College London, says people not obsessed with Covid should treat it as the same disease as Omicron. Advertisement But this does not appear to be the case with BA.2. It doesn't mean that BA.2 is undetectable by PCR, but samples will need to be sent for further analysis to confirm it is the subvariant. It is likely that anyone who has already caught Omicron has strong protection against this variant. But scientists in Denmark are investigating a handful of cases where someone who previously had Omicron later caught BA.2. Data from the Sanger Institute shows there were 300 cases of BA.2 detected in England last week, out of 38,000 samples analysed. This was up from 78 the previous week. Over the same period, Delta infections dropped from 482 to 179. Delta also carries the 'S' gene dropout. The areas with the most BA.2 infections were Brent (nine cases) and Barnet (also nine cases), which are both in London. Dr Jeffrey Barrett, former head of Covid surveillance at Sanger, said: 'An 'S' gene positive test in England (is now) more likely to be BA.2 than Delta. '(But) both are loose change compared to BA.1 (the original Omicron variant).' Britain is currently only checking around one in ten cases for variants because of the scale of its outbreak, meaning the true number of BA.2 infections every week may be closer to a thousand. The rise in BA.2 cases co-incides with the flattening off of the UK's outbreak, which has ticked up week-on-week for the last two days in a row. But schools also returned earlier this month, sparking fears from some quarters that they could trigger an uptick in infections. In Denmark, the country is currently recording 6,500 cases a day per million people, while the UK is registering 1,300 per million. Its Staten Serum Institute which monitors the country's Covid variants said it had also recorded a handful of cases where someone who caught Omicron was later infected with BA.2. Both countries have boosted around 60 per cent of their population against Covid, and are carrying out a similar number of tests. Professor Francois Balloux, a geneticist at University College London, said it was difficult to know whether Denmark's spiralling cases were fuelled by BA.2 or if it had just 'surfed' the Omicron wave of infections. He added to MailOnline: 'The high prevalence in Denmark might stem from their low rate of hybrid immunity (which is vaccines plus previous infection).' Professor Balloux said it would 'come as a surprise' if BA.2 triggered another wave of cases in the UK. Some 2,093 cases of BA.2 have been detected globally, since the separate mutant strain was first spotted in South Africa. They have been detected in 40 countries including the UK, US and Australia. In the US there have been 27 cases so far. Dr Peacock, from Imperial College London, has said on Twitter: 'I would be very surprised if BA.2 caused a second wave at this point. 'Even with slightly higher transmissibility this absolutely is not a Delta to Omicron change, and instead is likely to be slower and more subtle. 'That said, I would not be surprised if BA.2 slowly replaces (Omicron) over the coming months with a slightly more 'optimised' mutations.' He added: 'Very early observations from India and Denmark suggest there is no dramatic difference in severity compared to (Omicron). 'This data should become solid, one way or another, in the coming weeks. 'I would also agree that there is likely to be minimal differences in vaccine effectiveness against (Omicron) and BA.2. It's relatively likely.' The UK Health Security Agency last week labelled BA.2 a 'variant under investigation' last week. This category is reserved for variants that are already spreading in the UK, and are likely more transmissible and better able to evade vaccines than others. It is one step below a 'variant of concern', a title listed for mutant lineages like Omicron, Delta and Alpha. But UKHSA bosses could yet decide to place it in the highest category. Devastated owners have claimed their beloved dog became 'lethargic' and was 'foaming at the mouth' after an evening walk, amid a spate of dogs falling ill with a mystery virus in recent days. Julie Cox, from Consett, County Durham, took her four-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for an evening walk around Hownsgill Industrial estate on January 9 and noticed his behaviour seemed 'strange'. Shortly after coming back, Duke became extremely poorly with diarrhea and vomiting and also went off his food. After going to the vets for tests, he was sent home with medication - but he quickly took a turn for the worst and suffered a heart attack overnight and tragically died. There is no confirmation of what caused Duke to die but it comes amid reports of hundreds of dogs experiencing similar symptoms. Dog owners are advised to contact their veterinary practice if they spot any of these symptoms. Cases of dogs falling ill have also been reported on UK coastlines, including Hayling Island beach and Langstone Harbour in Hampshire, Fraisthorpe Beach in East Riding, Bridlington and Redcar beach. Devastated owners have revealed their beloved dog, Duke, (pictured) became 'lethargic' and was 'foaming at the mouth' after an evening walk, amid a spate of dogs falling ill with a mystery virus in recent days Julie Cox, (above) from Consett, County Durham, took her four-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for an evening walk around Hownsgill Industrial estate on January 9 and noticed his behaviour seemed 'strange' Speaking about her Duke's symptoms, Julie said: 'It was at ten past 11, he woke me up wanting to go out, and I thought it was a bit strange because he always goes for a long walk in the morning and at night. 'I took him out and he had diarrhea. I went back to bed after an hour and he woke me up again, it went on like this about every hour until the morning. He didn't want his breakfast and Duke normally really ravishes his food.' Duke was described as a 'lovely' pup who was 'everybody's best friend' and a popular visitor to Consett's Duke of Wellington pub, which his owner Alan Marshall runs. But after calling her local vet and describing Duke's symptoms, she was advised to bring him in straight away. She added: 'He managed about a 10-minute walk and when we got back as soon as I took his lead off he vomited. My daughter, Rebecca, who is training to be a paramedic, said "mam, this is not normal, it's not right". He was foaming at the mouth and he vomited about four times in ten minutes. 'I rang the vets and they told me to bring him up straight away. As we were taking him to the vets he became really lethargic.' Duke was described as a 'lovely' pup who was 'everybody's best friend' and a popular visitor to Consett's Duke of Wellington pub, which his owner Alan Marshall (pictured) runs The vets ran tests and said Duke's organs seemed to be okay - they gave him medication and told Julie and Alan to bring him back after 24 hours. But when they got him home they realised he was bleeding from his behind. The team at Westway Vets in Consett advised them go to the firm's Newcastle base to be treated overnight. But as they arrived at the West Road practice, Duke suffered a heart attack. Vets did their best to save him, but despite managing to stabilise him, he crashed again, and they were forced to deliver the tragic news to devastated Alan and Julie. The pair decided to share their story to warn others about the alleged mysterious virus. Alan said: 'They told us that this virus is going round and they don't know what to do to treat it. The vets did everything possible, they were so upset that they couldn't help. After going to the vets for tests, Duke (pictured) was sent home with medication - but he quickly took a turn for the worst and suffered a fatal heart attack overnight What are the symptoms? Gastrointestinal (GI) disease in dogs covers a wide range of symptoms - such as diarrhoea and vomiting - and is generally mild. However, in a minority of cases it can be severe. Once detected, gastroenteritis in dogs can clear up within a week - but if it doesn't seem to be getting better or you notice blood in their stool, take them to the vet for treatment. If an owner is worried about their dog it is important that they contact their vet who can give advice and further treatment if necessary. In addition, the BVA recommends that affected dogs should be isolated from other dogs to minimise the risks of onward transmission Last week, the British Veterinary Association President, Justine Shotton, claimed the symptoms of the mystery bug are similar to gastroenteritis. However the bug needs to be monitored between one and two weeks before it can be considered an outbreak. Source: BVA Advertisement 'We just don't want other people to go through this, you'd got to be careful when you take them for walks, of course, dogs are dogs, but maybe clean their paws whenever you get home.' Julie added: 'Duke was perfect. He wagged his tail all the time, he was happy all the time, he was as fit as a fiddle, we made sure we kept him healthy and fit. All the people who came into the pub loved him, he used to sit on people's laps and watch what was going on. He was my best friend. 'If we could just get the message out to people that there is this unknown virus out there and to be careful until it comes out exactly what it us.' The British Veterinary Association said last week that the illness was likely to be a virus, which results in 'gastroenteritis-like symptoms', including diarrhea and vomiting. They said they are aware of reports, but added there is currently no evidence linking walks on the beach to the bug. BVA President Justine Shotton told MailOnline: 'Were very sorry to hear about this case. Vets see gastroenteritis cases in dogs relatively commonly in practice and the vast majority are mild, with the animals just needing time or some supportive care to make a full recovery. Sadly, in very rare situations, it can lead to secondary complications or even death. 'At this time, we can't speculate on what might be causing the symptoms in the cases being reported from Yorkshire and other parts of the UK. While pet owners are understandably worried, the spike may be part of a normal increase in gastroenteritis that vets see during the colder months. 'Our advice to concerned owners is to contact their local vet for prompt treatment if their dog shows any signs of illness, such as vomiting and diarrhoea.' Although many cases are more mild, there is a risk of serious illness, as happened to Duke. Dog owners are advised to contact their vets if they spot any of these symptoms. A 15-year-old girl was targeted by a sexual predator pretending to be a Good Samaritan who took her back to his hotel room after he found her drunk and staggering in the street. The schoolgirl had been out celebrating a friend's birthday in Manchester but was ejected from a bar for being too drunk when father-of-one Mark Topps spotted her on her own. The 33-year-old took her by the hand and escorted her back to the nearby Travelodge where he sexually assaulted her. Topps, who runs a car washing business, has been jailed for five years and eight months after admitting sexual assault at Manchester Crown Court. The court heard the attack happened in September 2019 after the girl who cannot be named had gone to Manhatta, a New York inspired cocktail bar, in Manchester's Spinningfield's district. Mr Alaric Bassano prosecuting said the group of friends drank prosecco with their meal and that the girl became incredibly intoxicated, swaying while walking and not making sense. She was eventually asked to leave the premises. Pictured: Mark Topps has been jailed for five years and eight months after he targeted a vulnerable teenage girl who had been kicked out of a bar for being too drunk in Manchester He added: 'The girl was taken away by her friend and put in a taxi but the driver later stopped and removed her from the vehicle. 'She was evidently extremely drunk and in a sorry condition when the defendant approached her. 'He walked to her purposefully at a pace and he engaged her when he caught up with her. He took hold of her hand and they walked off together.' The court heard Topps took her in a taxi to the Travelodge where he walked with his arm round her up to his room, helping her to stay on her feet. Mr Bassano said: 'Throughout the rest of the night the girl's friends were trying to call her and police were called when it was discovered she had not arrived at a friend's house where she was supposed to be staying. 'The girl herself has no recollection of events from the time she was at Manahatta until the time she woke up and was shocked to find that she was naked, with a naked man whom she did not recognise lying partially on top of her. The court heard the 15-year-old girl had been ejected from Manhatta in Manchester where she was celebrating a friend's birthday and had drank prosecco with a meal in September 2019 'He observed her startled and confused demeanour and asked her what was wrong. 'She exclaimed "I've never seen you in my life, who are you?" and he faltered in his reply "Er...Josh".' Mr Bassano told the judge the victim ran from the bed and got dressed before answering an incoming call from a friend. 'She told her friend she didn't know where she was and ran out of the room. The defendant followed her and she was still on the telephone to her friend who heard her say "Go away from me, leave me alone". 'She ran down to the hotel reception and raised the alarm with the receptionist, who called the police. 'The receptionist found her shaking and in extreme distress. The defendant himself was present in the reception area, looking extremely anxious. Topps found the girl alone and staggering in the street and lead her back to his hotel room at the Travelodge in Manchester (pictured) where he sexually assaulted her while she was drunk 'He was about to leave the hotel when he was detained by the father of the girl's friend. In response he professed he had been helping her after finding her drunk talking to someone. 'He claimed he had taken her away from harm's way and took her in a taxi to the hotel. This is unrealistic and untrue. 'If he had been motivated to help he could have contacted her friends on her phone or contacted the police. He knew she was drunk and admitted he found her attractive. 'A Good Samaritan does not commit sexual assault on the person he is supposedly helping. 'He was deliberately causing a vulnerable person to accompany him back to his hotel room and he had an ulterior and sexual motive for doing so.' Topps was arrested at the hotel and later told police he had booked a room there after an argument with his girlfriend. Judge Alan Conrad QC ordered father-of-one Topps, 33, to sign the sex offenders register for life after he was jailed for five years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court (pictured) Intimate tests revealed Topps, who runs a mobile car wash business, had molested the girl whilst she lay in a drunken stupor but it is not thought they had full sexual intercourse. In a statement read out at court, the girl said she was still in 'great distress' at knowing what exactly happened that night. She described how she suffered from recurring nightmares and panic attacks and added that she no longer enjoys going out with friends. The statement added: 'I also suffer from anxiety, shame, embarrassment and what happened an an adverse impact on my education and I find it difficult to concentrate. 'My GCSE mock results were not as expected and owing to Covid, these results counted towards my final grades. 'A recent family holiday had to be cut short as the accommodation reminded me of the hotel that night and it caused me to suffer panic attacks.' In mitigation his counsel Henry Blackshaw said: 'He is saddened by the distress he would have caused to the complainant and her family. 'It resonates with him in the circumstances as he has his own daughter and he is remorseful. 'He did not believe her to be underage. He misread some physical queues from her but accepts she was significantly intoxicated.' Sentencing Topps, Judge Alan Conrad QC told him: 'She was 15 at the time and was vulnerable due to her extreme intoxication. 'She was totally unaware of what she was doing and that would have been apparent to you. 'She needed help but instead you acted in a predatory manner by taking her back to your hotel room. The effects of what happened to her are very considerable.' Topps admitted assault by penetration and was jailed for five years and eight months. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life. A student who repeatedly raped a 12-year-old girl he met on Tinder avoided jail after a judge said he was 'immature' and thought she was over 16, while his victim behaved in a 'sexually suggestive' way. Jachin Joshua Mascall, 20, met the girl on the dating app last year and travelled to London from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, to meet her. They spent two days travelling around the capital together and had sex in various locations including the car park at Westfields Stratford Shopping Centre last May. Following his arrest, Mascall admitted having sex with the girl, who was two months short of her 13th birthday, but insisting he genuinely thought she was over 16. He admitted three counts of rape of a child under 13 at Inner London Crown Court and spent seven months in custody until he was released on bail last month. Jachin Joshua Mascall, 20, met the girl on the dating app last year and travelled to London from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, to meet her Judge Freya Newbery said there was 'no suggestion' Mascall had 'any paedophile tendencies at all' - adding that he thought she was an adult because 'she had a car and a place to live'. 'What there is instead is a young man who is relatively ordinary, immature and possibly naive,' she said. Cambridge-educated judge who decided on sentence Freya Newbury sits at Inner London Crown Court as a Recorder - meaning she serves part time while still working as a barrister. According to a biography on the Middle Temple website, she attended a comprehensive school before taking the Cambridge Entrance Exam aged 16 and going on to read Law at 18. Freya Newbury After building up a legal practice, she became a Recorder in 2004 and holds a variety of other roles including that of vice-chairman of the Bar Council Equality and Diversity Committee and the head of ethics training at Middle Temple Advocacy. She also works with Lambeth Youth Offending Service. She leads ethics training for Middle Temple Advocacy. Several other cases she has been involved in have been reported in the press. In 2020, she decided not to jail a conman who had tricked rail companies out of 130,000 after hearing he was the sole carer for his 11-year-old son. Judge Newbury said that with fewer family visits allowed due to lockdown, she had to 'pass the shortest sentence I can' against Olajide Abass, 45, to avoid harming the child's welfare. And last year, she sentenced a transgender beautician to nine months in prison after she barged a grandmother to the ground. The incident happened a day after she was released from prison for shoving a police officer onto Tube tracks. She was kept in custody at Thameside men's jail. Advertisement 'You said in your interview that you thought she was an adult because she was on Tinder saying she was an adult. 'And you've explained that because she had a car and a place to live that she was of course an adult. 'In other words, you didn't know that she was 12 or that she was under 16. You were shocked to discover that she was so young when you were arrested.' The judge went on to describe CCTV footage of the pair together. 'It shows that she wasn't in distress while she was with you and at one point she seemed to act in a sexually suggestive way towards you,' she said. 'She was undoubtedly a highly vulnerable child herself. She was sexualised and active on social media, including Tinder, pretending to be an adult. 'The law does exist to protect vulnerable people like her, even from themselves.' Mascall did not groom and exploit the girl and he did not use force, she added, but because of her age she could not consent. Judge Newbery accepted he met the girl innocently on Tinder but said he should have checked her age. 'When you were communicating with her, you were hoping that you might have a relationship with her,' she said. 'What you were looking for was a girlfriend, not a victim.' She said Mascall was living in a car at the time of the offences, having been kicked out of the family home. Marion Smullen, defending, said: 'Since he has been on bail there has been absolutely no difficulty with him whatsoever. 'He has applied to Birmingham University to do a culinary arts degree. He had never come before the criminal courts before he pleaded guilty to these matters. 'He comes from a very close and supportive family. They are fully aware of the facts of this case but have continued to support him. 'There is no suggestion he will offend again.' Mascall, of Dunstable, was sentenced to a community order for three years with 200 hours unpaid work and he must pay 450 in costs. He must also complete 40 days of rehabilitation activity and 48 sessions of a programme designed to encourage maturity. The prosecution had accepted it was plausible that Mascall did not know the girl's true age as he met her on Tinder. Judge Newbery told him: 'And so it is the prosecution's case that you believed that she could consent to sexual activity with you and that it was a reasonable belief for you to have at the time. 'Not just when you first met but over the time that you were together from May 3 to 5 when these rapes were committed. Mascall admitted three counts of rape of a child under 13 at Inner London Crown Court and spent seven months in custody until he was released on bail last month 'On May 3 when you met up with her you travelled to London and met up with her late. You say that it was upon her invitation that you came to London and as best as I can see with the limited information I have, I can see that's entirely plausible. 'You were 19 and just at that time were sofa surfing. You come from a supportive and close family but at that time your relatively straight religious parents had turned you out because they perceived you had been acting wrong-headed. 'They thought you were living with a friend but you were sofa surfing and living in a car. 'Some people unfamiliar with the case might ask, why would you believe she was over 16? 'What I do know is that you were described by the first probation officer as presenting as immature even for your young age. 'This is an exceptional case where exploitation is absent.' 1. Pearls before swine - 78% (percentage of people who have never used the phrase) Meaning: You are wasting your time by offering something that is helpful or valuable to someone who does not appreciate it. The term comes from the New Testament (Matthew 7:6), as translated by William Tyndale in 1526. The phrase went on to be repeated by some of the most renowned British writers including Shakespeare and Dickens. 2. Nail your colours to the mast - 71% Meaning: to declare your beliefs firmly and openly. The phrase dates back to the 17th century, when nautical battle colours - or flags - were lowered as a mark of submission. It was also the custom in naval warfare to direct one's cannon fire at the opponent's ship's mast, thus disabling it. If all of a ship's masts were broken the captain usually had no alternative but to surrender. If the captain decided to fight on this was marked by hoisting the colours on the remnants of the ship's rigging, that is, by 'nailing his colours to the mast'. 3. Colder than a witch's tit - 71% Meaning: Cold weather, thought to originate from street slang. The suggestion is that witches were evil and cold-blooded, and therefore would not retain body heat. 4. Pip pip - 70% Meaning: Used to say goodbye in a cheery fashion. Its first known use was in 1907 and is thought to have originated by imitating the sound of a horn. The line 'Pip Pip! Cheerio!' also appears in the lyrics of 'Be Back Soon', a song written and composed by Lionel Bart for the musical Oliver! 5. Know your onions - 68% Meaning: To be experienced in or knowledgeable about a subject. Some suggest it originates from British lexicographer and grammarian C T Onions, who worked on the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1960s. But it is also claimed that its birth came four decades earlier, being published for the first time in Harper's Bazaar magazine in the United States in 1922. It was one of a set of such phrases, all with the sense of knowing one's stuff, or being highly knowledgeable in a particular field, that circulated in the 1920s. 6. A nod is as good as a wink - 66% Meaning: You don't need to be blatant with a signal if someone is willing to carry out a task. This phrase dates back to the 16th century. The longer version of the phrase is 'a nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse'. 7. A stitch in time saves nine - 64% Meaning: If you sort out a problem immediately it may save a lot of extra work later. The 'stitch in time' notion has been present in English for centuries, and is first recorded in Thomas Fuller's Gnomologia: A Collection of the Proverbs, Maxims and Adages That Inspired Benjamin Franklin and Poor Richard's Almanack in 1732. 8. Ready for the knacker's yard - 62% Meaning: In a state of ruin or failure due to having become useless or obsolete. A knacker's yard refers to a slaughterhouse for old or injured horses. 'Knackers' was also once used to mean castanets, which then saw it become a slang term for testicles. This was used by James Joyce in his 1922 classic Ulysses, in which he wrote: 'Eh, Harry, give him a kick in the knackers.' That meaning in turn led to verb to 'knacker', which originated in late 19th century as a synonym for castrate and not until about 1970 did it take on its current familiar meaning of exhaustion. 9. I've dropped a clanger - 60% Meaning: To make a very bad or embarrassing mistake. The image is of something dropping with a clang, i.e. with a loud resonant ringing sound, which underlines the conspicuous nature of the mistake. 10. A fly in the ointment - 59% Meaning: A minor irritation that spoils the success or enjoyment of something. The idiom likely has its roots in the Old Testament of the bible, in the book of Ecclesiastes. In the King James version, translated in the early 1600s, the passage reads: 'Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.' 11. Keen as mustard - 58% Meaning: Extremely eager or enthusiastic. Long queues would form in the 18th century for people to get their hands on roast beef. Richard Leveridge described this enthusiasm in his song 'Roast beef of Old England' in the year 1735. Mustard being an accompaniment was soon associated with this enthusiasm. 12. A flash in the pan - 57% Meaning: A thing or person whose sudden but brief success is not repeated or repeatable. The phrase originated sometime during the late 17th century, when flintlock muskets were used. An attempt to fire a musket that resulted in gunpowder flaring up but no ball firing was referred to as a flash in the pan. 13. Tickety boo - 57% Meaning: Everything is fine or in good order. It is thought to have been taken from a similar-sounding Hindi phrase in the 1930s, meaning 'all right'. 14. A load of codswallop - 56% Meaning: Words or ideas that are foolish or untrue. It is suggested that it originates from Hiram Codd, a British soft drink maker of the 1870s, known for the eponymous Codd-neck bottle. Codswallop was then reportedly used as a derisive term for soft drinks by beer drinkers. 15. A curtain twitcher - 56% Meaning: A nosy person who watches his or her neighbours, typically from a curtained window. 16. Knickers in a twist - 56% Meaning: To become upset about something that is not very important. The earliest use appears to be in comic strip Andy Capp by British cartoonist Reginald Smyth in 1971. 17. Dead as a doornail - 55% Meaning: Emphatically dead. It is thought the phrase comes from the manner of securing doornails that were hammered into a door by clenching them. It is also suggested it is linked to coffins being hammered shut. 18. A dog's dinner - 55% Meaning: A mess or a poor piece of work. It has been derived from 'a dog's breakfast' which occurs in Scarlet and Hyssop, by E. F. Benson. It was published in 1902. It goes thus, 'Scraps only, scraps from other places. It always reminds me of a dog's dinner,' said Lady Alston. 19. It's chock a block - 55% Meaning: Crammed full of people or things. It dates back to the mid 19th century, when, originally in nautical use, it referenced having two blocks running close together. 20. Storm in a teacup - 55% Meaning: Great outrage or excitement about a trivial matter. The basic sentiment of a tempest in a teapot and a storm in a teacup seems to have originated in 52BC in the writings of Cicero, in a phrase that translates as stirring up billows in a ladle. 21. Could not organise a p*ss up in a brewery - 54% Meaning: Completely unable to organise a simple task. Its first known use was in the Observer newspaper, as recently as 1980. In an article about the Ford car plant crisis on Merseyside, one worker was quotes as saying: 'They couldn't run a piss-up in a brewery. They can't manage the machines, let alone the men. If Henry Ford could see them at it, he'd have a fit, poor lad.' 22. Not enough room to swing a cat - 54% Meaning: A very small place or space. This expression, first recorded in 1771, is thought to allude to the cat-o'-nine-tails, or 'cat,' a whip with nine lashes widely used to punish offenders in the British military. 23. Flogging a dead horse - 54% Meaning: To keep talking about a subject that has already been discussed or decided. It comes from the mid-19th century, when the practice of beating horses to make them go faster was often viewed as acceptable. To beat a dead horse would be pointless, as it wouldn't be able to go anywhere. 24. Toe the line - 54% Meaning: To accept the authority, policies, or principles of a particular group, often unwillingly. The most likely origin of the term goes back to the wooden decked ships of the Royal Navy during the late 17th or early 18th century. Barefooted seamen had to stand at attention for inspection and had to line up on deck along the seams of the wooden planks, hence to 'toe the line'. 25. Popped her clogs - 54% Meaning: Died. Its origin is not clear, though the phrase may be explained as pawning one's clogs before death, when there is no further need for them. It has also been conjectured that the phrase is an elaboration of to pop off, meaning to die. 26. Drop them a line - 53% Meaning: To send someone a note or letter in a casual manner. The 'drop' part of the idiom 'drop a line' is a usage dating back to at least 1769 meaning 'To let (a letter or note) fall into the letter-box; hence, to send (a note, etc.) in a casual or informal way.' 27. Steal my thunder - 53% Meaning: To prevent someone from having success or getting attention by doing or saying whatever that person was planning to do or say. The idiom comes from the dramatist John Dennis early in the 18th century, after he had conceived a novel idea for a thunder machine for his unsuccessful 1709 play Appius and Virginia - and later found it used at a performance of Macbeth. 28. A few sandwiches short of a picnic - 53% Meaning: Unintelligent. The phrase is fairly recent. The first citation of it that has been documented is from the BBC's Lenny Henry Christmas Special, December 1987. In that, Henry performed I'm Mad, a spoof song and dance routine written by Kim Fuller and others. This aped Michael Jackson's 1983 hit Bad. Henry, in a straitjacket, sings 'I'm mad, I'm mad', while the backing vocalists sing: 'He's mad, mad, one brick short of a load; He's mad, mad, one sandwich short of a picnic.' 29. A legend in one's own lifetime - 52% Meaning: To be very famous while still alive. Its first known use was written of Florence Nightingale by Giles Lytton Strachey, in his well-known book Eminent Victorians in 1918. 30. Be there or be square - 52% Meaning: If one does not attend a certain event, one is not 'cool.' Its origin appears to be the jazz scene of the 1940s and it derives from the slang use of the word square, meaning conservative or conventional. 31. Fell off the back of a lorry - 52% Meaning: Acquired illegally. The origin of the phrase is thought to lie with the practice of holding 'salvage auctions' for goods that were damaged in transit and usually sold for a tiny fraction of their normal price. 32. A bodge job - 52% Meaning: A job that was completed quickly and carelessly. It etymology is unclear and confusing, as bodgers were highly skilled wood-turners, who worked in the beech woods of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire. 33. Eat humble pie - 52% Meaning: To make a humble apology and accept humiliation. The expression derives from umble pie, a pie filled with the chopped or minced parts of a beast's 'pluck' the heart, liver, lungs or 'lights' and kidneys, especially of deer but often other meats. 34. Having a chinwag - 52% Meaning: To have a friendly conversation. Its origin simply refers to the two words 'chin', which moves when conversing, and 'wag', as in to move quickly from side to side. 35. Put a sock in it - 52% Meaning: Shut up. The earliest known mention of this phrase is in a letter published by the London literary magazine The Athenum of 8th August 1919: 'Sir, The expression 'Put a sock in it,' meaning 'Leave off talking, singing or shouting,' should be included in the lists of 'Slang in War-Time.'' 36. Mad as a Hatter - 51% Meaning: Mental, originating from the mercury poisoning suffered by hat-makers. Though popularised through the Mad Hatter character in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, the origin of the phrase pre-dates it. Mercury was historically used in the making of hats and was known to have affected the nervous systems of hatters, causing them to tremble and appear insane. The use of mercury compounds in 19th century hat making and the resulting effects are well-established, with mercury poisoning is still known today as 'Mad Hatter's disease'. 37. Spend a penny - 51% Meaning: Needing to use the toilet. It refers to the use of coin operated locks on public toilets which were first introduced outside the Royal Exchange in London in the 1850s. However, its first recorded citation wasn't until 1945, when it appeared in Hilda Lewis's novel, Strange Story. 38. Cool as a cucumber - 51% Meaning: Calm and relaxed. The phrase was first recorded in a poem by the British poet John Gay 'New Song on New Similies' in 1732: 'Cool as a cucumber could see the rest of womankind'. 39. It's gone pear shaped - 51% Meaning: To go wrong or fail miserably. It is thought the phrase originated with the Royal Air Force to describe pilots' poor executions of loops in the air, ending up with pear shapes rather than a round shapes. 40. It cost a bomb - 51% Meaning: To be extremely expensive. Its origin is not entirely clear, though it is thought to have first been used during World War One. 41. Raining cats and dogs - 51% Meaning: Heavy rain. 'Cats and dogs' may come from the Greek expression cata doxa, which means 'contrary to experience or belief.' If it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining unusually or unbelievably hard. 42. See a man about a dog - 51% Meaning: Needing to use the toilet. The earliest confirmed publication is the 1866 Dion Boucicault play Flying Scud in which a character knowingly breezes past a difficult situation saying, 'Excuse me Mr. Quail, I can't stop; I've got to see a man about a dog.' Time magazine observed that the phrase was the play's 'claim to fame'. 43. It takes the biscuit - 50% Meaning: To be the most outrageous or silly in a series of things. It derives from a disparaging reference to the Roman Catholic sacrament formally called extreme unction, part of which is holy communion. If you take the wafer contemptuously the biscuit you are nearing the end of your life. 44. He's a good egg - 50% Meaning: A good guy or kind person. The expression originally came from its opposite, a bad egg, which was British public school slang from the 1800s for someone who was not nice. 45. Snug as a bug in a rug - 49% Meaning: To be in an extremely comfortable position or situation. The first known example of the phrase in print is found in the account of David Garrick's celebration of Shakespeare Garrick's vagary, or, England run mad; with particulars of the Stratford Jubilee, 1769: 'If she [a rich widow] has the mopus's [coins or money], I'll have her, as snug as a bug in a rug.' 46. Chuffed to bits - 49% Meaning: To feel happy or pleased about something. The origins of the word 'chuffed' are unclear, though it has been used in England as far back as the 16th century. 47. Have a gander - 49% Meaning: To look or glance at. The idiom dates back to the early 1900s, with the word ganger meaning 'stretch one's neck to see,' alluding to the long neck of the male goose. 48. Selling like hot cakes - 49% Meaning: To be a great commercial success. The phrase originated in the 1800s when simple cornmeal versions were sold at church bake sales and snapped up by the congregation before they went cold. 49. Pardon my French - 48% Meaning: To apologise for swearing. The phrase was originally used in England when someone used a French word when speaking to a person who may not have understood French. Due to the history of conflict between France and England, 'pardon my French' came to be a dig against the French. 50. A turn up for the books - 45% Meaning: An unexpected result. The origin is in horse racing, where the book was the record of bets laid on a race kept by a bookmaker. So when a horse performed in a way that nobody expected, so that most bets lost, it was something that benefited the book and so the bookmaker. A 'bullying' male midwife who is alleged to have taken pictures of two women having Caesarean sections without their permission and 'filmed himself performing a sex act in a hospital toilet' is facing 29 misconduct charges. Paul Johnson was a senior midwife at Hull Women and Children's Hospital, where he had worked for 18 years, and had helped to deliver more than 2,000 babies when he was suspended from his role in October 2020. He is subject of a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing in which he is accused of 29 counts of misconduct, including allegations he told a colleague she had a 'gorgeous figure' and would bring 'some glamour and youth to the team' in August 2019. Mr Johnson, one of only 50 male midwives across the country in 2018, is alleged to have taken photographs of two women during a Caesarean section without their permission, before sending the images to a colleague he was in a relationship with at the time. Barrister Raj Joshi told the panel that an investigation into Mr Johnson had found he filmed a video of himself performing a sex act in a hospital toilet before sending it to a colleague. He added: 'It was said that he was in a gymnasium in Florida, work rotas show not only was he on duty but the background related closely to the hospital site.' The midwife is also alleged to have 'behaved in a bullying or intimidating manner' towards a colleague when an investigation into his conduct began. He is accused of attending the co-worker's address unannounced, driving past her home and contacting her via email and social media. One email, on January 31, 2020, said: 'Im guessing that you have thrown me to the lions.' Mr Johnson is also accused of asking another co-worker what her favourite sexual position was and whether her husband had ever 'drank her breast milk'. The charges allege he created 'an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment' for the colleague. Paul Johnson was a senior midwife at Hull Women and Children's Hospital and had helped to deliver more than 2,000 babies before he was suspended from his role in October 2020 Hull Women and Children's Hospital, where Mr Johnson was a senior member of staff with responsibility for managing and coordinating the maternity ward The midwife was a senior member of staff within and had responsibility for managing and coordinating the maternity ward. During the hearing on Monday, expected to last four days, misconduct panel chair Derek McFaul said the charges also included poor management and decision making shown 'by making excuses not to transfer patients to the labour ward'. Mr Joshi told the panel that Mr Johnson was jokingly referred to as the 'Scarlet Pimpernel' due to his habit of disappearing while on shift without telling colleagues where he had gone. It is alleged that, during one such absence, he told a colleague he was moving his car, but subsequently messaged the co-worker he was in a relationship with that he had gone to an adult shop. Mr Joshi said: 'He was in a senior managerial position, junior staff in particular found that it would be very difficult for them to challenge his behaviour and the comments he was making. 'He had a habit of confronting peers in an aggressive or bullying manner.' Mr Johnson did not attend the hearing on Monday. With the rise of COVID-19 Omicron variant all over the world, several related scams have arisen as well. These include the sale of fake tests and phishing attacks. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid being scammed. COVID-19 Omicron Variant For those who still do not know what the COVID-19 Omicron variant is, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained that the this particular COVID-19 variant spreads more quickly than the original strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, CDC has also noted that they are uncertain about how quickly omicron spreads in comparison to Delta. This only means that even if people are not vaccinated or showed no symptoms, everyone with Omicron infection can be expected to transfer the virus to others. Moreover, infections with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is still capable of causing severe sickness, hospitalisation, and death, especially among the unvaccinated. Fortunately, the current vaccines are still able to protect people from severe infections. Breakthrough infections are more likely to arise in patients who have been fully immunized. As for what a breakthrough infection is, Hopkins Medicine explains that a "breakthrough infection is an infection with a virus, bacterium or other germ after you have been vaccinated." "This is an expected occurrence for a small percentage of those receiving any vaccine, since no vaccine for any disease is 100% effective in preventing infection in every person who receives it," Hopkins Medicine adds. Vaccines against other variants, such as Delta, have proven to be helpful in reducing severe disease, hospitalizations, and death. The new appearance of Omicron highlights the significance of immunization and boosters even more. Since Omicron poses a threat to people, especially those unvaccinated, numerous people are testing themselves at home to identify if they have the said variant. As the testing kits become even more popular, several COVID-19 scams arises as well. Read Also: UAE Bans Flying of Drones After an Attack: 3 Safe Zones To Fly Drones in UAE COVID-19 Scams to Watch Out For According to CBS News, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning earlier this month regarding online scammers who are impersonating authorized suppliers of COVID-19 testing kits. COVID-19 scams come in a number of different forms. Some scammers are posing as legitimate merchants that are selling unlicensed quick tests, while others actually have no inventory and are simply out to grab your money. Additionally, some are victimized by phishing attacks. Furthermore, in a study obtained by Helpnet Security, it showed that, between October 2021 and January 2022, the Omicron variant was responsible for a 521% increase in COVID test-related email scams. Scammers are attempting to capture the attention of prospective victims in a new way. This is by selling some counterfeit or unapproved COVID tests, as well as other medical items such as masks or gloves. They are also imitating labs, testing companies, or individual employees and distributing fake COVID test results. How to Avoid Fake Tests and Phishing Attacks 13 News reported that West Virginia officials have advised people that these websites should never ask for a credit card number or social security number. However, people must keep in mind that they should only provide their name, date of birth, and a way to contact them. On the other hand , CBS News also added that everyone should also take note of the following to know if their purchased COVID-19 test kits are legitimate. Ensure that the FDA has approved the test to be used. Look for any cautions concerning bogus products. Look at the test's expiration date to see if it is still valid. Look for some useful Instructions. Related Article: COVID-19 Clip Can Detect Virus in the Air! How it Works, Is it Available For Sale? Boris Johnson loyalist mounted a desperate rearguard action around the beleaguered Prime minister as he faced yet more damning Partygate claims. Senior Cabinet ministers including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries downplayed the seriousness of the PM attending the bash with cake and nibbles in a No10 stateroom in 2020. They insisted that the gathering of around 30 people specifically to mark the PM's 56th birthday in June 2020 could be seen as a extension of the workplace. Ms Dorries also took to Twitter today to lash out at senior Tories including former Scottish party leader Ruth Davidson, who criticised the Prime Minister in the wake of the ITV News' revelations. In a tweet, Ms Davidson had said her partner 'shares a birthday with the Prime Minister' but did not think to break any rules in 2020, to which Ms Dorries responded: 'Ruth, you were at home with your partner. The PM was working in Downing St with 100s of staff in Covid war room offices. Where/what is the comparison?' But other normally loyal ministers like Transport Secretary Grant Shapps were tepid in their backing for the PM this morning. dmitted this morning that he was 'upset' by the latest allegations that up to 30 people gathered in the Cabinet Room, presented Mr Johnson with a cake and sang to him. And other ministers said to have an eye on replacing Mr Johnson have yet to comment. Chancellor Rishi Sunak was understood to have briefly attended as the gathering was breaking up as he entered the room to attend a Covid strategy meeting. But there was also silence from Sajid Javid and Liz Truss. The Loyalists: Nadine Dorries - Culture Secretary Ms Dorries was one of the first out of the blocks to defend the PM last night afer the allegations emerged. Boris Johnson with a birthday cake earlier on June 19, 2020, which he was given on a visit to a school in Hemel Hempstead Ms Dorries was one of the first out of the blocks to defend the PM last night afer the allegations emerged. She tweeted: 'So, when people in an office buy a cake in the middle of the afternoon for someone else they are working in the office with and stop for 10 minutes to sing happy birthday and then go back to their desks, this is now called a party?' And she continued her spirited backing for the PM, taking on his internal Tory critics after former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson criticised him. In a tweet, Ms Davidson had said her partner 'shares a birthday with the Prime Minister' but did not think to break any rules in 2020, to which Ms Dorries responded: 'Ruth, you were at home with your partner. The PM was working in Downing St with 100s of staff in Covid war room offices. Where/what is the comparison?' Jacob Rees-Mogg - Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg walked out of No10 at shortly after 10.30am and straight over to cameras to vow loyalty to Mr Johnson. News of the Metropolitan Police's investigation into Partygate broke as the Cabinet held its weekly meeting in Downing Street,. Jacob Rees-Mogg walked out of No10 at shortly after 10.30am and straight over to cameras to vow loyalty to Mr Johnson. 'The leadership of this country that Boris Johnson has had, has been so brilliant that he has got us through this incredibly difficult period,' he said. 'He has got all the big decision right and we have opened up faster than any other European country thanks to the Prime Minister and I'm honoured to be under his leadership.' George Eustice - Environment Secretary Environment Secretary George Eustice (pictured today) was sent out to bat for the PM last night Environment Secretary George Eustice was sent out to bat for the PM last night. He told reporters: 'What really happened here is a small group of staff who had been working closely with the Prime Minister brought in a birthday cake at the end of the day and there was 10 minutes there around sharing a piece of cake. 'I don't think that really constitutes a party in the way some of the more serious allegations that are being investigated maybe do.' But human rights lawyer Adam Wagner, an expert on Covid regulations, said he 'can't see how it could have been lawful' if the reporting was accurate. 'It's obviously not within the rules and nobody from the Government at the time would have said for a moment it was,' he said. Wavering: Grant Shapps - Transport Secretary Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted this morning that he was 'upset' by the latest allegations Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted this morning that he was 'upset' by the latest allegations that up to 30 people gathered in the Cabinet Room, presented Mr Johnson with a cake and sang to him. Sent out to field questions, Mr Shapps was pushed on why interior designer Lulu Lytle, who had been refurbishing Mr Johnson's flat, had come down three flights of stairs and was present at the alleged party. 'You are asking me questions I can't provide the answer to because I wasn't there,' Mr Shapps said. Mr Shapps - usually one of the most loyal ministers who has been a key figure trying to quell the revolt up to now - told Sky News: 'It was his (Boris Johnson's) birthday and these are people that he worked with all the time. 'As I said, I don't seek to defend it. This is for Sue Gray to decide on whether this was appropriate, she'll make the recommendations. The minister seemed to lay the blame squarely on Mr Johnson's wife Carrie - sometimes dubbed Carrie Antoinette by critics due to her influence behind the scenes - who is believed to have organised the gathering in the Cabinet Room on June 19, 2020. 'Look, as the Prime Minister's said, where mistakes were made, even though it wasn't I mean, he would have turned up and the cake would have been there,' he told ITV's Good Morning Britain. 'He didn't know about it, and it clearly shouldn't happen. 'But Sue Gray will get to the bottom of that; the Prime Minister's already said there will be consequences falling out from the Sue Gray report, and my hope is we can get to see that very quickly.' He added: 'We know that this was a surprise, the Prime Minister obviously wasn't involved in that surprise, but we need to have a full understanding of all of that.' Quiet: Rishi Sunak - Chancellor Sajid Javid - Health Secretary Liz Truss - Foreign Secretary Nadhim Zahawi - Education Secretary Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, clashed with the PM at the weekend by calling for a probe into claims by Muslim Tory MP that she was sacked as a minister over her faith. Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, as also yet to publicly back the PM over the birthday party. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is implicated in this latest gathering, with reports he briefly attended as the gathering was breaking up as he entered the room to attend a Covid strategy meeting. A raft of senior ministers have yet to comment publicly on the latest Partygate allegations. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is widely seen as being on maneuvers to replace Mr Johnson and has previously offered only tepid, qualified support, awaiting the results of the Sue Gray probe. His is also implicated in this latest gathering, with reports he briefly attended as the gathering was breaking up as he entered the room to attend a Covid strategy meeting. Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, and Nadhim Zahawi, the Education Secretary, have also been silent so far. They clashed with the PM at the weekend by calling for a probe into claims by Muslim Tory MP that she was sacked as a minister over her faith. It forced the Pm to agree to the investigation yesterday. Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, as also yet to publicly back the PM over the birthday party. Capital cities around Australia are set to sizzle on Australia Day as thousands prepare to hit the beach while others will take to the streets to protest against the country's most controversial day. Storms in parts of South Australia, Victoria and NSW are all possible for Wednesday as a result of humid tropical air being pushed down from the north - but the rain is unlikely to hit the capitals. Northern parts of the country are also forecast to be battered with rainfall including in the Top End. Melbourne and Perth will both see a scorching hot public holiday with temperatures to soar into the 30s while Sydneysiders can also plan to soak up the sunshine. Australia Day marks a divisive day for many Aussies as calls mount for the date to be changed. While some will hit the beach or throw a barbecue, thousands will instead march against celebrating a day when Indigenous Australians were invaded by white settlers, in what many have dubbed 'Invasion Day'. Invasion Day rallies are set to kick off in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and Brisbane on Wednesday as demonstrators call for better equality for Indigenous Australians and demand the date be changed for good. Parts of Australia are set to sizzle for Australia Day as thousands plan to hit the beach while some inland areas prepare for a scorching 40C day Sydneysiders are in for a warm and sunny day with the mercury to hit 27C on Wednesday (pictured, sunbakers at Bondi Beach) Two women celebrate the national holiday last year on the back of a boat - with temperatures set to soar again on the Gold Coast Protesters in Melbourne raise their fists in the air as they call for an end to black death in custody during marches last Australia Day Regardless of how Aussies will mark January 26, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned of thunderstorms over the coming days with regional Victoria and South Australia to cop some rain on Wednesday. Melbourne is forecast to reach a sweltering 35C on Wednesday with a 40 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. BoM Meteorologist Johnathan How said that on Wednesday thunderstorms would be more widespread across Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. 'But the focus on Wednesday is across the Victorian/South Australian border,' he said. 'Here storms are likely to be severe.' Rainfall is possible for parts of Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the Top End on Wednesday Brisbane residents are likely to see some rain in the afternoon on Australia Day after a humid start A woman in an Australian pattern bikini is pictured celebrating Australia Day on the Gold Coast last year Sydneysiders will also escape the rain with temperatures forecast to hit 27C on Wednesday. The sun will be out but some clouds will be lingering throughout the day for the NSW capital. Up north in Brisbane, residents are likely to see a wet Australia Day with a 60 per cent chance of rain and thunderstorms forecast for the morning and afternoon. Temperatures in the Queensland capital will hit a maximum of 28C. Severe thunderstorms are possible in the state's west and southwest, as well as the north-east. Tasmanians celebrating in Hobart are also in for a wet day off with a 60 per cent chance of rain expected to fall on Wednesday morning and afternoon. Light winds of up to 30km/h are also expected with the day reaching a cool 21C. A couple fry up some onions over a gas barbecue on the back of a boat as they celebrate Australia Day on the Gold Coast Beaches around the country are set to be packed on Australia Day with most capital cities avoiding the rain Melbourne, Perth (pictured) and Adelaide will all have temperatures hitting the 30s on Wednesday Those in the nation's capital will enjoy a warm and sunny day with tops of 29C and a minimum of 15C in Canberra. Adelaide will also welcome the sunshine with temperatures forecast to reach a maximum of 31C. Over on the other side of the country Perth residents can look forward to a completely sunny day with the mercury possibly hitting 30C. Further up north in Western Australia there will be some heavy rainfall likely to fall in the Kimberley and central and eastern Pilbara regions. Over in the Northern Territory, Darwin is forecast to hit 33C while the 760km strip between Tennant Creek and Pine Creek will be drenched with rain. But Baldwin's lawyers say suit doesn't suggested anyone knew the prop contained live ammunition before the 'unprecedented' incident Lawyers for Alec Baldwin have appealed to have the second lawsuit brought against the actor over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins thrown out. Representatives said nothing in the allegations brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell suggested that anyone knew that the prop contained live ammunition leading up to the 'unprecedented' incident. Mitchell's complaint includes claims of assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, allegedly Baldwin 'chose to play Russian Roulette with a loaded gun without checking it.' But in documents submitted to an LA court, Baldwin's lawyers hit back at claims saying nothing in the plaintiff's allegations suggested 'that any of the defendants intended the prop gun to be loaded with live ammunition.' The fatal shooting occurred on the set of Rust, on location in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in November. Lawyers for Alec Baldwin have appealed to have the second lawsuit brought against the actor over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins thrown out Representatives said nothing in the allegations brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell suggested that anyone knew that the prop contained live ammunition leading up to the 'unprecedented' incident Mitchell's lawsuit claims Baldwin fired the weapon when it was not called for in the script of the Western. 'Nothing about the plaintiff's allegations suggest that any of the defendants, including Mr Baldwin, intended the prop gun to be loaded with live ammunition,' lawyers said, in documents shared by US media outlets. 'Moreover, nothing about the plaintiff's allegations suggests any of the defendants knew the prop gun contained live ammunition. The document also claims the 'absence of such allegations of course makes sense because the incident is apparently unprecedented in the filmmaking industry.' This statement however appears to overlook other film set tragedies, including the fatal shooting of Brandon Lee in 1994's The Crow. The fatal shooting occurred on the set of Rust, on location in Santa Fe, New Mexico , in November. Pictured: Baldwin (second from left) with fellow cast members and Hutchins (centre), who was a 42-year-old married mother-of-one Production of Rust, whose set is pictured in the aftermath of the shooting, was canned in the wake of Hutchins' death The submissions were made at Los Angeles Superior Court on January 24, court documents show. Baldwin was previously accused of playing 'Russian roulette' when he fired the gun without checking it and without having an armorer do so in his presence, by Ms Mitchell's lawyer Gloria Allred. 'Alec Baldwin should have assumed that the gun in question was loaded unless and until it was demonstrated to him or checked by him that it was not loaded,' the filing added. Mitchell and Allred echoed the allegations at a press conference in November last year. 'He had no right to rely upon some alleged statement by the Assistant Director that it was a "cold gun,"' the allegations added. Baldwin is also facing another lawsuit brought by the head of lighting on the film, Serge Svetnoy, over the incident. Baldwin and others involved in the production are also facing another lawsuit brought by the head of lighting on the film, Serge Svetnoy, over the incident 'This incident was caused by the negligent acts and omission of Defendants, and each of them, as well as their agents, principals, and employers,' Svetnoy's complaint states. Pictured: Svetnoy with killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Gaffer Svetnoy, whose role meant he worked closely with the director of photography accused the production and people associated with it of general negligence. 'This incident was caused by the negligent acts and omission of Defendants, and each of them, as well as their agents, principals, and employers,' his complaint states. 'Simply put, there was no reason for a live bullet to be placed in that .45 Colt revolver to be present anywhere on the Rust set, and the presence of a bullet in a revolver posed a lethal threat to everyone in its vicinity.' As well as Baldwin, both lawsuits name nearly two dozen defendants associated with the film including David Halls, the assistant director who handed Baldwin the gun; and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was in charge of weapons on the set. Baldwin has also been separately sued by the sisters and girlfriend of a Marine killed during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal after he called one of the women an insurrectionist'. Rylee 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 reached out to 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.' Baldwin has also been separately sued by the sisters and girlfriend of a Marine killed during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal after he called one of the women an insurrectionist'. The McCollum sisters, Roice (center) and Cheyenne (left) who are suing Baldwin after he messaged Roice saying: 'Your activities resulted in the unlawful destruction of government property, the death of a law enforcement officer...' 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 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. '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. A man accused of murdering his partner has claimed he accidentally stabbed her in the eye during a row over a sweet and sour dinner. Mother-of-two Michaela Hall, 49, was killed by Lee Kendall, 42, at her home in a small Cornish village, a jury at Truro Crown Court was told. After rowing over a dinner that Kendall 'didnt want', Ms Hall was stabbed to death in her bedroom on May 31 last year, the jury heard. Taking to the witness stand, Kendall admitted stabbing her but denied murder and claimed it was not intentional. He told the jury he 'jerked' the knife towards Ms Hall at the same time she moved towards him 'and it ended up going in her eye'. After removing the blade, he said he asked her if she was OK, before putting the knife in the kitchen sink and heading out to carry on drinking. Ms Hall's body was eventually found by her parents who had become concerned for her when they had not heard from her. Ms Hall, a former Virgin Airways senior air stewardess, met Kendall when she worked for a charity helping prisoners when they are freed from custody. Truro Crown Court heard she broke professional boundaries as his support worker and began an intimate sexual relationship before he moved into her home in Mount Hawke, Cornwall. Mother-of-two Michaela Hall, 49, was killed by Lee Kendall, 42, at her home in a small Cornish village, a jury at Truro Crown Court was told On the witness stand, Kendall told the court they had been arguing over the sweet and sour food she had prepared for them and she got upset with him when he told her he did not want to eat it, before he put it in the bin. When interviewed by police after her death, he told them Ms Hall had a small black handled knife in her hand which he took off her before she left the room and went into a small bedroom. Kendall said he did not follow her immediately but could hear she was talking to somebody on the phone. He claimed he felt hurt and angry about the call because it sounded like she was 'slagging me off'. He went into the room to find Ms Hall laid across the bottom bunk bed and said he forcefully took the phone from her and threw it across the room. He said: 'I grabbed her around the throat as she was kicking me and I took the phone.' He said Michaela managed to grab hold of a cutlery knife that was in the room as it had been used as a screwdriver for some DIY. 'We were both being horrible to each other,' said Kendall. 'Telling her to: "F**k off. Leave me alone. Whats wrong with you?". 'She was being the same towards me. She was screaming at me. She thrust the knife into my chest once.' He said he took the knife off Ms Hall by grabbing hold of the blade with his left hand while she held onto him. He added: 'As we were struggling my hand is jerked away from her at the same time she is coming towards me and it ended up going in her eye.' He claimed Ms Hall was still standing in front of him after the stabbing before he removed the knife and asked if she was OK. He said she responded to say she was but asked him for a drink of water which he got her. When he returned, he said she was sitting on the bed and then lay on the floor. He said he got her onto the bed and put a pillow under her head before he went out and carried on drinking. Asked why he did not call the ambulance, he said he thought she would 'be fine'. After the stabbing, Kendall said he threw the knife in a sink and later took it out, dried it and put it back in the cutlery drawer 'with the rest of them'. Giving evidence, Ms Halls friend Clair Basnett said she was on the phone with her when she suddenly heard screams like 'something out of a horror movie'. Former prisoner Lee Kendall has denied murder and is on trial at Truro Crown Court (pictured) Living in Gran Canaria, Ms Basnett said she kept in contact with Ms Hall via social media and calls. She said she ignored a call from her on May 31, 2021 at 10pm, but answered a second call at 10.10pm. 'Michaela was whispering,' she told the jury. 'I asked her why she was whispering. The reason I asked was because she hadnt been honest with me at that point about Lee being back in the house, which is the reason why I was cross with her. 'When I asked why she was whispering she replied "Lee is on one. I really dont know what to do". 'At which point I asked her if she was able to get out of the house. She said Lee had locked all the doors and had the keys.' According to Ms Basnett, Ms Hall told her she would need to send photographs of what he had done to her neck in the past few days 'in case anything happened to her'. 'She asked me to call the police but she said to me "Dont call them straight away because I could be in grave danger if you do so",' added Ms Basnett. 'I then heard Lee enter the room. She started telling him to stay away from her. I could hear his voice. Michaela was screaming by this time telling Lee to get off her and keep back. 'The noise was horrific, you could hear him hitting her. I could hear her screaming, him shouting. Really really hard to explain noises but literally sounded like something off a horror film.' She said she called the emergency services, eventually getting through to Crimestoppers, who she asked to place the 999 call for her. She said she tried to phone Ms Hall the following morning but got no reply and also never heard back to a message she left her on Facebook asking if she was OK. In a video of a police interview shown to the jury, Ms Hall's father said he and her mother visited her house after becoming concerned about not hearing from their daughter. They went to her landlord's house to get the keys and when inside the property they found their daughter lying on the bed with blood on the pillow. Her father said her body was cold. Kendall denies murder and the trial continues. Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Cheryl Hines has distanced herself from the wild of comments her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who linked vaccine mandates to Anne Frank and the Holocaust. Hines, 56, said the opinions of Kennedy, 68, were 'not a reflection of my own' after he suggested vaccine mandates were worse than both the Holocaust and the experience Anne Frank had in hiding from the Nazis. The nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy faced backlash on Sunday for telling a crowd of anti-vaccine mandate protesters that life was like 'Hitler's Germany.' Hines tweeted: 'My husband's opinions are not a reflection of my own. While we love each other, we differ on many current issues.' She then agreed with a social media user that nobody should compare anything to the Holocaust and said her husband was wrong. Twitter user Bradley Dlatt suggested a statement to tell her husband. He said: 'How about this? "No one should compare anything to the horrors of the Holocaust. My husband was wrong to do so."' Hines replied: 'Yes, I agree with you.' Actress Cheryl Hines (right) has tried to distance herself from her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr's (left) comments, that vaccine mandates were worse than both the Holocaust and the experience Anne Frank had in hiding from the Nazis Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at a rally and march protesting vaccine mandates on the National Mall in Washington DC on Sunday. Kennedy used an analogy to the Holocaust at the event Hundreds of anti-vaxxers attended the march, holding signs such as 'the final variant is tyranny' and 'I love someone injured by a vaccine'. Covid vaccines protect people from dying of the virus and make them less likely to catch it, which helps stop it spreading Kennedy has become one of the biggest sources of anti-vaccine misinformation and has been vocal in his fight against the coronavirus vaccination campaign. The Children's Health Defense, Kennedy's anti-vaccine group, more than doubled their revenue to $6.4million last year, according to an investigation by the Associated Press. Meanwhile, in November he released his a book called 'The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health,' which became a bestseller on Amazon. At the rally on Sunday morning Kennedy went into a conspiracy theory-laden rant, concerned for a future world where vaccine mandates, 5G technology, digital currency and low orbit satellites would be used to establish authoritarian rule. 'What we're seeing today, what we're seeing today, is what I call turnkey totalitarianism,' Kennedy told the rally. 'They are putting in place all of these technological mechanisms for control we've never seen before. 'It's been the ambition of every totalitarian state from the beginning of mankind to control every aspect of behavior, of conduct, of thought, and to obliterate dissent. None of them have been able to do it. They didn't have the technological capacity.' He then compared this future to that of Nazi Germany. 'Even in Hitler's Germany, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland, you could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did,' Kennedy said. 'I visited in 1962 East Germany with my father and met people who had climbed the wall and escaped, so it was possible many died doing it, but it was possible.' Anne Frank did hide from the Nazis but in a cramped Amsterdam attic with seven other persecuted Jews for 761 days during the Nazi regime before she and her family were found and sent to die in concentration camps. Kennedy complained 'the minute they hand you that vaccine passport, every right you have is transformed into a privilege contingent upon your obediences to arbitrary government dictats'. 'It will make you a slave,' he said. Kennedy wasn't alone in his allusions to the Holocaust, as at least one person was seen displaying a yellow Star of David, which Jews were required by law to wear as an identifier in Nazi Germany. It wasn't just Kennedy making comparisons to the Holocaust at the rally. One marcher used a star of David to show off their lack of vaccination Anne Frank famously hid in the Netherlands with her family to avoid the Nazis during the Holocaust Kenney was heavily criticised on social media for his Anne Frank analogy, including by the Auschwitz Memorial Museum. 'Exploiting the tragedy of people who suffered, were humiliated, tortured, and murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany - including children like Anne Frank - in a debate about vaccines and limitations during global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decay,' the museum tweeted. Others roasted Kennedy for his comparison. Writer Helen Kennedy said on Twitter: 'Finish the book next time. Also the attic was, and still is, in Amsterdam.' Meanwhile bestselling author Don Wislow commented: 'Your father would be repulsed by what you said today about the Holocaust. Repulsed. WTF happened to you?' The account AvengerResister pointed out Kennedy Jr. had held a party at his home requiring vaccinations: 'Just a reminder, anti-vaxxer RFK Jr. hosted a party at his house and required his guests to be vaccinated before arriving.' Kennedy blamed the party's restrictions at the time on his wife, Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Cheryl Hines. Some used his marriage to make the point that Curb creator Larry David - who introduced the couple to one another and is himself Jewish - might not be thrilled by the comparisons to Anne Frank either. Doug Heye wrote: 'I'm imagining Larry David calling Cheryl Hines to tell her she can't be on the next season of Curb: 'Sorry Cheryl, but your husband is pretty...pretty...pretty...pretty...insane.'' Kennedy is a member of the 'Disinformation Dozen' - 12 individuals who disseminate about two thirds of the anti-vaccine content on social media, according to a study conducted by The Center for Countering Digital Hate and Anti-Vax Watch alliance. Kennedy was banned from Instagram last year 'for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines,' a spokesperson for parent company Facebook explained at the time. 'While coerced submission with experimental medical products is clearly government-sponsored violence, the anti-mandates movement is committed to nonviolent resistance,' Kennedy said this week in a statement. Kennedy also likened Fauci to Mussolini, with the audience erupting into a chant of 'lock him up!' Like other Covid restrictions aimed at reining in a disease that has infected more than 70 million people in the United States, killed more than 865,000 and brought much of daily life around the globe to a stuttering halt for two years and counting, vaccine mandates have become a deeply polarizing political issue. An eco-warrior who was tricked into a two-year relationship with an undercover officer has been awarded 230,000. Kate Wilson, 41, won her landmark tribunal case against the Met and the National Police Chiefs Council after Mark Stone breached her human rights. She started seeing him after meeting in 2003 and had a 'whirlwind romance' for more than a year before they split amicably when she moved to Spain in 2005. But in 2010 she found out he was a married officer called Mark Kennedy, who had been spying on activists for the Met's National Public Order Intelligence Unit. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal yesterday ordered the Met and NPCC to pay 229,471.96 to Ms Wilson. It ruled this was 'by way of just satisfaction for the breaches' under the European Convention on Human Rights caused by Kennedy, who resigned in 2010. Kate Wilson, 41, won her landmark tribunal case against the Met and the National Police Chiefs Council after Mark Stone (pictured together) breached her human rights She started seeing him after meeting in 2003 and had a 'whirlwind romance' for more than a year before they split amicably when she moved to Spain in 2005 From a G20 Summit to Didcot power station... Mark Stone tells the Mail in 2011 how he thwarted eco-attacks: Transport for G8 Summit, Gleneagles, 2005: 'A massive anti-capitalism protest. I took on the role of transport organiser, hiring seven or eight minibuses. When the action to block roads around Gleneagles came about I could tell the intelligence unit where people were to be dropped off, which roads were to be blockaded and what sort of equipment they would be carrying. The intelligence that was passed was invaluable. I got a commendation for that. I was told information I provided was passed straight to Tony Blair's desk.' G20 Summit, London, 2008: 'Tasked with finding out what protest plans were, I fed back that no one had any strategic or specific plans to cause major disruption. People were going to rally outside the Bank of England but I had not identified any specific threat. The rally was over-zealously policed. Ian Tomlinson died. I am not party to all the intelligence the police had. The people I was tasked to talk to had no intention of violence. The police may have had other intelligence.' Stopping the Drax coal train, 2008: 'A Greenpeace-funded operation. Drax is a coal-fired power station in Yorkshire. The action was to stop a coal train going into Drax and create a media spectacle. Greenpeace asked me if I could drive protesters to a place to board the train. I hired a Transit for three days. The action went ahead, they stopped the train and dropped 77 tons of coal on the tracks. It didn't do anything. Drax has three weeks' worth of coal backed up.' Youth centre occupation, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2008: 'There was a large squatted building that was a youth centre that was due to be demolished. It had 50 to 60 people in there occupying it. I was infiltrating to find out what the security measures were. They had petrol bombs, concrete in buckets on the roof, trapdoors in the floor for cops to fall in. The information was given to the Danish police and the building was raided. However, the eviction sparked riots.' Didcot power station, 2006: 'I was asked because of my climbing ability to assist with a Greenpeace publicity stunt to hang a banner off a tower to highlight the fact Didcot was putting its ash into a local reservoir. When I got to the top, a good 150ft, the guy who was supposed to do it with me bottled out. I ended up doing it myself.' Advertisement The Met's Assistant Commissioner for Professionalism Helen Ball said: 'We recognise the gravity of the judgment in this case, which outlined a series of serious failings that allowed Kennedy to remain deployed on a long-term undercover deployment without the appropriate level of supervision and oversight. 'This resulted in Ms Wilson's human rights being breached. In entering into a sexual relationship, Kennedy's actions went against the training and guidelines undercover officers received at the time. 'However, the tribunal found that the training was inadequate and more should have been done to consider the risks of male undercover officers forming relationships with women. We accept these findings.' Kennedy had sex with up to 11 women during his deployment, including one known as 'Lisa' which lasted for six years before she found a passport in his real name. He was one of six undercover officers from the NPIOU or its 'sister unit', the Special Demonstration Squad, who Ms Wilson dealt with between 1998 and 2010. Ms Wilson brought legal action against the Met and the NPCC for breaches of her right to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, her right to privacy and right to freedom of expression. The Met and NPCC accepted Kennedy's actions amounted to a breach of those rights. But they had denied other officers - apart from Kennedy and his cover officer - knew or suspected Wilson was in a sexual relationship with Kennedy. In a ruling last September, the IPT found the Met's claims undercover officers knew sexual relationships were banned were 'materially undermined by the sheer frequency with which (Kennedy) (and other UCOs) did conduct sexual relationships without either questions being asked or action being taken by senior officers'. It also found the Met and NPCC's failure to guard against the risk of UCOs having sex with women amounted to unlawful discrimination against women. The tribunal concluded: 'This is not just a case about a renegade police officer who took advantage of his undercover deployment to indulge his sexual proclivities, serious though this aspect of the case unquestionably is. 'Our findings that the authorisations under (the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000) were fatally flawed and the undercover operation could not be justified as 'necessary in a democratic society'... reveal disturbing and lamentable failings at the most fundamental levels.' In a statement issued through the Police Spies Out Of Lives group, Ms Wilson said: 'It is important to note the IPT compensation is not about the relationship I was deceived into by Mark Kennedy. 'That was settled in a civil claim back in 2017. It is compensation for the parts of the claim that the police denied right up to the end - how complicit Mark's managers were, and the role of five other undercover officers in violating my political rights, and the fact that they dragged out those denials for 10 years. 'The finding that these operations breached the rights to freedom of expression and assembly and were unlawful amounts to a long overdue recognition that spying on protest movement is political policing and has no place in a democratic society. 'It is important, because it goes beyond the scandal of undercover officers deceiving women into intimate relationships. 'Violating our political rights was the entire reason for these deployments and thousands of people will have had their political rights violated in this way.' The NPCC said there have been 'significant' changes to undercover policing since the Kennedy affair came to light. Chief Constable Alan Pughsley, the NPCC lead for undercover policing, said: 'The training is significantly more rigorous than that during Mark Kennedy's time, both in duration and content. 'Cover officers and those supervising and managing operations are now required to complete standardised training courses tailored to their roles. 'The psychological fitness and wellbeing of undercover officers is a key consideration during their recruitment, training and deployment. 'In addition to the relevant laws, regulations and rules in place, the conduct of undercover officers is governed by a National Code of Conduct and the College of Policing's Code of Ethics. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal yesterday ordered the Met and NPCC to pay 229,471.96 to Ms Wilson over Kennedy's (pictured) actions Ms Wilson (pictured) brought legal action against the Met and the NPCC for breaches of her right to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, her right to privacy and right to freedom of expression 'Significant work has been undertaken to ensure undercover officers and those authorising their deployment understand the legal limits within which they operate, including the core concepts of deployments needing to be necessary and proportionate, and the need to minimise collateral intrusion into the private lives of others. 'Oversight of undercover deployments is maintained at a senior level. At least those of Assistant Chief Constable rank or equivalent now authorise deployments, and, for deployments exceeding 12 months, this is conducted by a Chief Constable or equivalent. 'The independent Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office is informed of and scrutinises undercover deployments. 'As the tribunal in this case acknowledged, undercover policing remains an effective and vital tactic in the fight against serious organised crime.' He added: 'Officers in these roles put themselves at great risk every day to protect the public. 'Policing will continue to review current policies to ensure tactics are used lawfully and ethically, and all officers uphold the highest professional standards.' A shamed primary school teacher who was sacked after being filmed apparently kicking and slapping a horse is being prosecuted by the RSPCA over alleged animal cruelty. Sarah Moulds, 37, is due to appear at Boston Magistrates court next week to face two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The mother-of-two, who is well known in local equestrian circles, is being prosecuted by the animal welfare charity but not the police or Crown Prosecution Service. The two offences are in connection with the kicking incident following a Cottesmore Hunt meet on November 6 last year in countryside known as 'The Drift' in Gunby, Lincolnshire. The footage of the horsewoman lashing out went viral and sparked outrage nationally and globally. Mrs Moulds has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a grey pony called Bruce by kicking and hitting it. She faces a second charge of failing to take reasonable steps to protect the pony from pain, suffering or injury. Mrs Moulds lives with her plumber husband Daniel and children and had worked as a primary school teacher. But she lost her job last month after being suspended following the outrage. Sarah Moulds, a foxhunter who was filmed appearing to punch and kick a horse, lost her job as a primary school teacher after an investigation by the school in relation to the viral video Sarah Moulds appeared to kick and repeatedly slap a horse after a hunting event organised by Cottesmore Hunt, a group based in Rutland, East Midlands Speaking on the decision to sack the popular teacher, Mowbray Education Trust Chief Operating Officer Paul Maddox said: 'I can confirm that Sarah Moulds' employment with the Trust has been terminated. 'As a Trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond.' However some social media users criticised the decision with one saying the incident was 'unrelated to teaching.' Mrs Moulds was also a director of the Knossington and Somerby Pre-School before being axed. It is understood she also lost her role with the local Pony Club branch. After anti-hunt saboteurs released the clip she received death threats and was forced into hiding with her family. At the time the RSPCA said it would 'look into complaints made about animal welfare.' A spokesperson said: 'We understand there is a lot of interest in this incident and we would like to reassure people we will always look into complaints made about animal welfare. 'However, we are unable to discuss complaints about specific people and what action may have been taken. 'We understand how frustrating that is for animal lovers but releasing information could prejudice a future prosecution.' In the footage, a white horse trots away from the back of a trailer before it is stopped by a young rider. A woman dressed in cream breeches and a navy jacket then grabs the reins of the animal before kicking its body and slapping it repeatedly as it tries to pull away. The Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs, who say they use 'non-violent direct action to save wildlife,' shared the video on its Twitter page and tagged the RSPCA. The group said that the incident took place on November 6 after a Cottesmore Hunt, one of the oldest hunts in Britain, and the incident demonstrated 'violence running through their veins.' The RSPCA described the incident as 'upsetting' and appealed for witnesses to get in touch. It is now prosecuting the former teacher Mrs Moulds was a senior leader and class three team teacher at her local Somerby School (pictured) and was also a director of the Knossington and Somerby Pre-School before her termination The Hunt said it did not condone the actions shown in the video 'under any circumstances,' adding: 'We will be reminding all of our supporters that this will not be tolerated.' Mrs Moulds' uncle David Kirkham from Bonsall, Derbyshire, previously insisted: 'She is a very upright person, a fantastic person who absolutely loves her horses.' He told MailOnline: 'I've seen the video but we don't know what the horse had been doing and if it was out of control. But we know it ran out onto the road and she told it off. 'She was reprimanding the horse. There was no malice intended. She is very well thought of and respected.' A senior Metropolitan Police officer who posed as an airline pilot and fake glamour photographer to picture up to 51 naked women has been dismissed from the force. Detective Inspector Neil Corbel, 40, took covert videos of his victims in hotel rooms, flats and Airbnbs across the London, Manchester and Brighton areas between January 2017 and February 2020. He 'used his anti-terror skills' to secretly film the women with spy cameras hidden in tissue boxes, phone charges, glasses and keys after contacting them under the guise of being an airline pilot named Harrison. Police found a total of 51 recordings, of which only 14 were deemed consensual or recorded outside the jurisdiction, while a further six were never traced. Detectives identified 31 of the women and 19 agreed to make statements. Corbel, a married father-of-two who was part of the team involved with the London Bridge terror attack in June 2017, recorded the women using multiple devices on 21 occasions. Sixteen of his victims were models booked for bogus photoshoots, while three were sex workers. They consented to sexual activity, but not to being recorded. He was jailed for three years after admitting 19 counts of voyeurism at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday. Corbel resigned from his role following the conviction, but a Met Police misconduct hearing has now ruled he would have been dismissed without notice if he had still been part of the force. Detective Inspector Neil Corbel, 40, posed as an airline pilot to book women for photoshoots before planting the gadgets in hotel rooms, flats and Airbnbs across the London, Manchester and Brighton areas Corbel pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on November 2 In a victim impact statement, one of the women cited the murder of Sarah Everard as she described the traumatic impact of one photoshoot. She said: 'Ill never get those images out of my head. When youre a sex worker, consent is vital. In this case, I absolutely did not give him permission to film me, therefore I did not give consent. It has made me feel very powerless and fearful of the same thing happening again. Following the murder of Sarah Everard this feels like a very frightening time to be a woman. If we cant turn to the police to protect us, what are we supposed to do? Model Kirsty Lee, 29, also said she was left 'disgusted' by his sick actions. She posed for a luxury hotel photoshoot in April 2017, but was shocked to receive a call from police three years later saying they had found naked videos of her changing in a luxury Westminster hotel bathroom taken that day. Ms Lee has waived her right to anonymity to share the horrifying consequences she has suffered following the 'depravity' of Corbel's acts. She said: 'He had hidden cameras on the ceiling and had secretly filmed me changing. I felt so violated and told them I hadn't consented.' 'He seemed friendly and professional. Now I know the truth, I feel disgusted knowing a high-end police officer was capable of such depravity. 'It has made me lose faith in the police force, as well as my own profession.' Fourteen victims agreed that Corbel could take nude photographs of them, but they did not agree to open leg shots or video footage. He used at least nine different types of covert recording devices such as a phone charger, tissue boxes, digital clocks, air fresheners, headphones, keys and glasses. He also used a mobile phone, a DSLR camera and a laptop. The longest single recording lasted more than five hours. Kirsty Lee, 29, from Brighton, posed for a luxury hotel photoshoot in April 2017 with a 'pilot' called 'Harrison' who claimed to have a side-job in photography. Three years later, she received a shock call from the Metropolitan Police, who told her they had found naked videos of her changing in the Westminster hotel bathroom taken that day Two of the models met Corbel twice, which prosecutor Babatunde Alabi told a court made his offending akin to 'domestic abuse'. According to the original charges, Corbel took a video with a device disguised as an air freshener lasting two minutes and 48 seconds; a clip lasting an hour and three minutes on a phone; a film lasting 30 minutes with keys; a film made with glasses lasting 10 minutes and a film lasting 30 minutes with a watch. He was caught after a model, who had agreed to pose naked, became suspicious of a digital clock at the end of a session of January 24, 2020. A subsequent police investigation saw him surrender a hard drive and investigating officers saw images of 51 women - identifying 19 who were willing to make statements. In police interview on February 21, 2020, Corbel said he had an addiction to pornography and had filmed many more models and sex workers. He found many of his victims through a freelance model network and told them he had an interest in photography. Another victim told a sentencing hearing: I feel that Ive been betrayed by Harrison. Im happy to have my picture taken but I feel he has taken my choice away. Corbel (pictured) was jailed for three years last week after admitting 19 counts of voyeurism. He resigned from the Met following his conviction, but has now been told he would have been dismissed without notice if he was still employed by the force Im far more wary of engaging in work as a model. He has taken advantage of me in a personal relation and taken advantage of me at a personal level. Edward Henry QC, who represented Corbel, told the court he had never taken a day off sick during 13 years as a police officer. The court heard Corbel suffered from a trident of obsessive compulsive disorder, workaholism and inveterate sex addiction. The detective, of Hertfordshire, admitted 19 counts of voyeurism between January 2017 and February 2020. Speaking after he was jailed on Friday, Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett said: DI Corbels offences are extremely serious and following his guilty plea we held a misconduct hearing as soon as possible. The outcome of that has been to determine that had DI Corbel still been a serving officer, he would have been immediately dismissed without notice. I am truly disappointed by DI Corbels actions which are not at all representative of the high values and standards we expect, and I am saddened by the pain and hurt that he has caused and would pay tribute to the brave women that came forward. He earlier said that the force shared the 'shock and disgust' of the public. Thousands of students could be locked out of schools and children as young as seven forced to wear masks under extreme new rules for the upcoming year floated by Mark McGowan. The Western Australia premier continues to pursue an aggressive no-Covid strategy, despite the state hitting its 90 per cent vaccination target 11 days earlier than the planned February 5 re-opening date - a target that has since been scrapped. The state's top doctor also recently admitted it would be impossible to stop the hyper-infectious Omicron strain. With 900 schools set to welcome back kids from Monday, McGowan's government have brought in a series of changes including mask mandates for all staff and secondary school students, as well as installing air purifiers in all 12,000 classrooms. Under the current plan, only staff and older students will be made to wear masks in Perth, Peel and the south-west, but the mandate will be expanded to include any children over the age of 7 when case numbers increase. Thousands of students could be locked out of schools and children as young as seven forced to wear masks under extreme new rules for the school year floated by Mark McGowan Despite the state's health minister saying on Sunday they would be looking to manage Omicron rather than eliminate it, Mr McGowan's government are pushing forward with plans to attempt Covid-zero. WA recorded just 14 new cases on Tuesday, but rules are still being imposed as if numbers were skyrocketing. Mr McGowan said schools will fully or partially close if there are Covid outbreaks, and only children younger than seven will be allowed to attend mask-free. All 900 schools have been purpose-fit to increase ventilation, including the installment of air purifiers in all classrooms. That push is contrasted by the premier's own chief health mininster, who said masks would only be needed if there were significant case numbers in the community. WA recorded just 14 new cases on Tuesday, but rules are still being imposed as if numbers were skyrocketing (pictured, diners in Perth) Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson made the surprising admission at a press conference on Sunday, as 24 cases were recorded - the largest daily leap ever recorded in the state. 'I think it's clear that we're not going to eliminate Omicron, it's now about how we suppress and manage Omicron,' she said. 'There is Omicron in our community, this is serious and high levels of testing and quarantine is our best chance to help minimise the spread and to manage this outbreak.' Mr McGowan initially said the state would reopen its border when the vaccination rate hit 90 per cent. WA is now at 89 per cent. But the state Labor government now insists it won't rely on vaccination targets any more. Mr McGowan initially said the state would reopen its border when the vaccination rate hits 90 per cent. Pictured: A health worker testing people for Covid-19 in Perth Instead, the take-up of booster shots will determine when the state finally throws its doors open, with 70 per cent triple-vaxxed the new target. But this could take several months with only 27 per cent of the state's residents having received a booster. Mr McGowan said he understands the decision will disappoint many people hoping to return home to visit family. But he insisted the controversial call was in the best interests of WA given the soaring numbers of Covid cases in eastern states. However, if WA's own Omicron outbreak takes off like those in other states, there may be no point in keeping the border closed. Embattled Chief of Staff Ron Klain suggested on Tuesday his time at President Joe Biden's side in the Oval Office could end in the near future, possibly by the end of 2022. The White House aide, 60, has been grappling with a slew of reports indicating key Democrats in Congress are unhappy with his work, and a new profile on Klain published in the Washington Post sheds light on how that divide could cost Biden even more of his agenda. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's reported frustration with Klain, stemming from his hand in negotiations over passing Build Back Better and the bipartisan infrastructure bill, could be a problem if Biden loses favor with the most powerful Democrat in Congress with less than a year before the midterm elections. And the report claims that West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin's public complains about how White House staff treated him are mainly aimed at Klain. The moderate Democrat had previously said that his treatment by White House staff was a large factor in why he killed Biden's $1.75 trillion Build Back Better bill after months of negotiations by announcing his opposition to it in a December Fox News Sunday interview. One unnamed federal lawmaker accused Klain of creating 'a monster' in Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal. His allegedly frequent conversations with the far-left Washington lawmaker have fueled complaints that she's had an outsized influence on the White House's agenda, which the Post's sources claimed had a damaging effect on the overall party. Ron Klain, 60, is an experienced White House official who's previously served as chief of staff to then-Vice President Biden and former Vice President Al Gore. But key moderate Democrats are reportedly unhappy with the way he's steering the president's agenda Klain is a longtime Biden adviser who was reportedly the first person the president looked to to be his chief of staff, simply telling aides: 'I want Ron.' But Klain hinted in his Tuesday interview that his time as a senior White House official could end as early as this year. He declined to give a timetable for his departure but the report notes he suggested he 'could only take so much.' Klain gave the examples of Bill Clinton Chief of Staff Thomas F. 'Mack' McLarty and Barack Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, both of whom left within two years of assuming the role. 'It is a grinding job, there's no question about it. It takes a lot of stamina to do it. So we'll see how long it lasts,' Klain said. The report does note that Klain has received wide public praise from the White House and other top elected Democrats, even some of his critics, and has helped drive key victories like Biden's coronavirus relief package early in 2021 and the $1.2 trillion infrastructure agreement. However, private grievances about Biden's confidante include that he's overly concerned with pleasing the progressive wing of his party and well-known complaints about his exceedingly vocal and seemingly constant Twitter presence. Klain has reportedly angered West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, who now wants the White House official to repair their relationship before Manchin can continue to negotiate with him. Meanwhile Democrats accuse him of giving Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal outsized influence on the White House And in October, Klain reportedly angered a key Biden ally in Pelosi when the president and senior White House staff all resisted moderates' pleas to push progressives to move on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. At the time the White House had effectively sided with the CPC, which wanted to wait to take action on the package until they could be sure Biden's $1.75 trillion sweeping social and climate reform agenda had enough support to also pass. The bipartisan bill ended up being signed into law in November. White House officials disputed accusations that Klain's close contact with Jayapal, the CPC leader, allowed her to influence Biden. Klain reportedly said he pushed Jayapal to immediately support the $1.2 trillion measure in one of their conversations, but that she had told him they would not have the votes. Jayapal defended herself as well, stating 'If he empowered us, it was because we were pushing the presidents agenda.' Publicly, Pelosi's spokesperson praised Klain's extensive government experience and said he has 'one of the most difficult jobs in the world.' Klain was reportedly one of the forces behind White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki's searing statement reacting to Manchin's 'reversal' on Build Back Better Biden's Build Back Better bill passed the House in late November as part of Pelosi's agreement with progressives. But it hit a seemingly insurmountable challenge when Manchin announced in a December television interview that he could not support the measure. The West Virginia Democrat's announcement allegedly stunned senior Democratic leadership and even the White House, to whom he gave only a short window of advanced notice. Klain was allegedly behind a searing statement White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki sent out soon after and Biden personally approved, in which Psaki accuses Manchin of an 'inexplicable reversal' of his word to the president. But Manchin has reportedly told allies that he holds Klain responsible for Biden's more liberal policy goals. Klain also allegedly frustrated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last year during discussions over passing Build Back Better and the bipartisan infrastructure agreement The key centrist allegedly wants Klain to 'repair' their relationship, the report notes, before he'll sit down for any more talks with Klain. A spokesperson for Manchin told the Post that they've always had a working relationship, though in his own comments Klain admitted 'points of disagreement' between them do lead to 'tension.' However he conceded that Manchin is a 'key ally' in a deep red state. 'He obviously represents a very different kind of constituency than the constituency that elected the president nationwide. And thats an inherent tension in our caucus,' Klain said. He's denied the idea that the White House has swung too far left and alienated Independents and swing voters, claiming: 'I think the challenge here is not that weve tried to do too much -- its that we still have work left to do.' Outgoing Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy disagreed, asking, 'Has he read a poll lately?' 'Hopefully were moving away from progressive aspirations and towards pragmatic results,' she said. 'I think that by and large hes making the trains run on time -- even though some of the boxcars may seem to be empty some of the time,' Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal said. White House Senior Adviser Mike Donilon said: 'Theres enormous confidence in him. And most important, he has the presidents complete trust.' And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Klain was 'accessible as could be.' The report notes that Klain's team of advisers that he meets with regularly also all praised his leadership. Hungary's Olympic champion Liu Shaoang tests positive for COVID-19 Xinhua) 10:19, January 25, 2022 BUDAPEST, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's short track speed skating Olympic champion Liu Shaoang has tested positive for COVID-19, the Hungarian Skating Federation announced here on Monday. "Liu Shaoang's Covid test came back positive," the federation said in a statement, adding that the medical staff of the Hungarian Olympic team was operating according to the international protocol. Liu Shaoang continues his training to prepare for the Olympics as he has no symptoms and can continue working under constant supervision, according to the federation. A negative test result produced for five consecutive days is the condition required for leaving for Beijing. Liu tested positive despite the fact that members of the national team have been living in a bubble for days when they are isolated in a hotel and cannot see their families. In addition to Shaoang, the relay members also include Olympic champion Liu Shaolin Sandor, American-born Olympic silver medalist John Henry Krueger, and 19-year-old Bence Nogradi and 26-year-old Alex Varnyu with the latter two to make their Olympic debuts. Liu Shaolin and Shaoang, who grabbed Hungary's first Winter Olympic gold medal four years ago in PyeongChang, are eager to defend their title in Beijing, they told Xinhua earlier in January in an exclusive interview. The Liu brothers were born in Budapest - Shaolin in 1995 and Shaoang in 1998, to a Chinese father and Hungarian mother. Both boys learned Chinese and still speak it to this day, and they also celebrate Chinese New Year with family each year. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Since it was launched to space and began its journey, James Webb Space Telescope reached its final destination. In addition to this, the said space telescope is now in a stable location. James Webb Space Telescope Finally Reaches Its Final Destination! The Verge reported that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) revolutionary new James Webb Space Telescope executed its final large course adjustment maneuver Thursday afternoon. Through this, the space telescope has placed itself into its final landing spot in space after traveling hundreds of thousands of kilometers over the last month. Moreover, the newly launched space telescope will now remain in perpetuity at a distance of around 1 million miles from Earth, providing the vehicle with a front-row view of the Universe's oldest stars and galaxies. The James Webb Space Telescope has had an eventful journey to its final destination. To further emphasize, it was too big to fly to orbit in its full shape, so it had to launch folded within its rocket. It began an exceedingly complicated routine of shape-shifting and unfurling as it reached space, which is a feat that no other spacecraft has ever attempted. Despite this complicated journey, it completed all of its key deployments on Jan. 8 and blossomed into its full configuration. Aside from this, the deployments were also fraught with tension. Since it had to go off without a glitch; one miscalculation could have compromised its entire mission. However, the Webb mission team's concern did not end with the unfolding. This only means that if the observatory did not slow down correctly today to be exact, the vehicle may end up in the wrong orbit or altogether miss its goal course. A failure of this magnitude may have jeopardized the mission's existence, making communication with the roughly $10 billion space observatory extremely difficult for scientists. Fortunately, it manuevered perfectly. Read Also: 'Witcher 3' Mod Lets Gamers Dress Geralt, Ciri, Yen as Their Netflix 'The Witcher' Series Counterparts James Webb Space Telescope is Now Orbiting Around Earth-Sun Lagrange Point The James Webb Space Telescope is now orbiting an Earth-Sun Lagrange point, which is an unseen place throughout the space. This is a region where the Sun's and Earth's gravity and centripetal forces are just right, allowing objects to remain in a "stable" location. For added context, NASA explained that the James Webb Space Telescope, also known as JWST or Webb, is a huge infrared telescope with a primary mirror measuring roughly 6.5 meters in diameter. The said space telescope was launched from French Guiana on an Ariane 5 rocket last Christmas. Webb will be the world's most powerful telescope in the upcoming years, servicing thousands of astronomers from all over the world. With regards to its mission, it will investigate every developent stage of our universe. The said investigation will include the first brilliant glows after the Big Bang through the development of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, as well as our own Solar System's evolution. Webb was previously known as the "Next Generation Space Telescope" (NGST), but it was renamed after former NASA administrator James Webb in September 2002. Webb is a NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) multinational partnership (CSA). The development project was overseen by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Related Article: James Webb Telescope Status, Update: 1 Tool to Track Webb Location, Speed, Deployment Step and MORE One of New York City's elite private schools was blasted on social media for having a guest lecturer from Planned Parenthood to educate students about reproductive health. The controversial nonprofit apparently visited the all-girls Nightingale-Bamford School - where tuition is more than $56,000 a year - on Monday as part of the academic institution's annual Health and Wellness Day. 'Nightingale has decided its their role to introduce your girls to Planned Parenthood. Wow, they arent just co-parenting with you anymore they are full on taking over,' Instagram account @nycprivateschoolwatch captioned a photo from the event. 'However, you cant complain - did you see how the private school contracts changed so drastically last year? Any mention of disagreement and you are OUT!' Planned Parenthood's visit is seemingly part of Nightingale's effort to have students 'take control of their physical, emotional and social selves.' It is unclear if participation in the Planned Parenthood workshop required parental consent. Nightingale educates girls in grades kindergarten through 12; it was unclear how old the students attending the workshop are. The school was founded in 1920 and has served as the educational home for many women, including fashion icon Olivia Palermo, writer and fashion designer Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss, political consultant Mandy Grunwald and author Cecily von Ziegesar whose 'Gossip Girl' series was inspired by her experiences at Nightingale. Alexa Ray Joel, daughter of musician Billy Joel and model Christie Brinkley, is also among the school's long list of notable alumnae. Planned Parenthood hosted a reproductive health workshop at New York City's elite Nightingale-Bamford School for girls on Monday. The nonprofit apparently visited the more than $56,000-a-year school for it's annual Health and Wellness Day The school was blasted on Instagram over it's invitation to Planned Parenthood with user @nycprivateschoolwatch accusing the school of 'taking over' parenting Nightingale hosts an annual Wellness Day for students in the Upper School, according to the school's website. Students can 'opt into workshops' on various topics including mindfulness and yoga, as well as participate in 'interactive sessions on adolescent health issues including sleep, sexuality, mental health, and consumer health.' The workshops further advance health class topics including gender and sexuality, nutrition, mental health, sleep hygiene and harm reduction around substance use. The school also teaches personal safety classes that focus on consent in relationships and intimate partner violence. 'Students gain ownership of their own health, physical and mental, allowing them to take control of their own well-being as they leave Nightingale,' the academic institution touts. During Health and Wellness Day, students can 'opt into workshops' on various topics including mindfulness and yoga, as well as participate in 'interactive sessions on adolescent health issues including sleep, sexuality, mental health, and consumer health' (Pictured: Nightingale-Bamford School for girls) Additionally, pupils are able to contribute to the wellness discussion by participating in the health and wellness committee on the student council. After the Instagram post, some people felt the school has overstepped with its health and wellness curriculum. 'Very disturbing. Sad for my old school. No longer giving my annual donation,' user @mrswyman commented on the post, identifying herself as a Nightingale alumnae. 'Sick. Not their place,' wrote @gogo_the_great 'In OUR family, we do out OWN abortion advising and are careful that our fetuses dont end up in your gatorade or vaxx (since Planned Unparenthood gets the profits)! Private schools now low rent daycare! Thanks NYS Regents!' wrote @crackerjimdandy. User @mtettamanzi applauded the program, saying: 'What a wonderful initiative.' It is unclear if the commenters are members of the Nightingale community. Nightingale, which did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment, is located on the Upper East Side and currently has a population of 674 students. Social media users responded to @nycprivateschoolwatch's post. While most slammed the Planned Parenthood visit, one personal applauded it as a 'wonderful intiative' The school is lead by Paul A. Burke, who was appointed to the role of headmaster in 2012 and reportedly had the second-largest salary of New York City headteachers in 2019. He earned $1,195,538 including a salary of $918,502 and other compensation such as housing of $219,343, according to tax filings from 2019 which were obtained by the New York Post. The head of school currently resides in an Upper East Side co-op apartment located between 5th and Madison avenues. Although details about Burke's exact unit were not readily available, other units in the building are listed between $3.5 million and $4.3 million, according to StreetEasy. His total overall compensation package placed only second to biggest-earner Thomas Kelly, who made $1,272,141 in 2019 as principal at Horace Mann in the Bronx. Burke, 48, is the seventh leader of Nightingale and the first man to assume the role. His hiring turned heads, with The New York Times even questioning his predecessor about the board's decision to have a man leading an all-girls school. Nightingale headmaster Paul A. Burke, 48, (left) earned $1,195,538 including a salary of $918,502 and other compensation such as housing of $219,343, according to tax filings from 2019. Although financial details about Burke's exact apartment (right) unit were not readily available, other units in the building are listed between $3.5million and $4.3million The father-of-three was unanimously selected to lead the school in 2012. He is the first man to serve as Nightingale's headmaster. (Burke is pictured with his wife and chidren) 'We're beyond all that, aren't we?' then-headmistress Dorothy A. Hutcheson replied in 2011. 'Paul is deeply respected as a teacher, a leader, an innovator and a speaker.' 'He has a profound sense of fairness and a fabulous sense of humor, both of which - believe me - are essential characteristics for a successful head of school.' Before leading Nightingale, the father-of-three was an American History teacher who started his career as a college counselor at the Salisbury School in Connecticut. He joined the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn in 2000, serving as a college adviser and then dean of students. Burke was elected as the head of Nightingale's Upper School in 2008 before becoming the head of the entire school in 2012. He was the unanimous choice for headmaster by the nine-member selection committee. He received his bachelor's degree from Williams College in Massachusetts and a master's degree from Teachers College of Columbia University. Police in Connecticut launched a criminal investigation Tuesday into the death of a 23-year-old college student who was killed by a lethal cocktail of drugs, including fentanyl, while on a Bumble date last month. This latest development comes after the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Monday ruled Lauren Smith-Fields's death an accident caused by acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol. Fentanyl is a highly addictive and potentially deadly synthetic opioid prescribed to treat severe pain, while promethazine and hydroxyzine are allergy medications. The new probe will try to figure out how and where Smith-Fields procured the deadly drug. The woman's Bumble date, 37-year-old Matthew LaFountain, a design engineer, has not been charged with any crime in connection with her death. He has remained mum since being questioned by cops. Lakeem Jetter, Smith-Fields' brother, was the next-to-last person to have seen his sister alive on the night she died, when he arrived at her Bridgeport home to collect a basket of clothes from her. LaFountain has claimed the brother was there to drop something off with Lauren. After seeing Jetter, LaFountain told cops Smith-Fields went to the bathroom and stayed there for at least 10 minutes, which he thought was 'odd.' Lauren Smith-Fields, 23, died as a result of acute intoxication caused by a combination of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol, and her death was rule accidental. It is now the subject of a criminal investigation by the Narcotics and Vice Division, and the DEA 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 Lakeem Jetter, Smith-Fields' brother, last saw his sister on the night of her death, when he went by her home to collect a basket of clothes. He said she seemed fine to him The woman's family previously expressed anger at the police, accusing them of failing to properly investigate LaFountain, despite his being the last person to see Smith-Fields alive, and even allegedly shielding him from scrutiny because he was a 'nice guy.' Darnell Crosland, an attorney representing the woman's family, argued that detectives now should go to LaFountain's home, and find out where the fentanyl and alcohol originated. The Bridgeport Police Department announced on Tuesday that its Narcotics and Vice Division will conduct the investigation into the fentanyl-related death o, with assistance from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. 'The Bridgeport Police Department continues to treat the untimely death of Lauren Smith-Fields as an active investigation as we are now refocusing our attention and efforts to the factors that lead to her untimely death,' Police Chief Rebeca Garcia said in a statement. Crosland also challenged the medical examiner's conclusion that Smith-Fields' death was an accident. 'Ive never seen a medical examiner conclude a mixer of drugs as an accident without knowing who provided the drugs, or how it was ingested,' he tweeted. 'Lauren didnt use drugs. 'The M.E. findings doesnt cure any of Bridgeport Police Department lack of process, in fact it makes it worse. As a result of a botched investigation this morning we are left with more questions than answers.' Crosland further suggested that Smith-Fields' death 'looks more like a manslaughter, if not a murder.' LaFountain told police he and Smith-Fields, whom he had known for just three days, spent her last night on December 11 drinking tequila, eating and watching a movie. The following morning, he found her dead on her bloodied sheets and alerted the authorities. Prior to the release of Smith-Fields' cause and manner of death, her family accused Bridgeport police of showing a lack of responsiveness and racial insensitivity in their handling of the investigation, and signaled their intention to file a lawsuit alleging civil rights violations. On Monday, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim launched an internal investigation into the police department's response to Smith-Fields' death and the agency's interactions with her family. 'There is no tolerance for anything less than respect and sensitivity for family members and their loss,' Ganim stated. 'To that end, this matter has been referred to the Office of Internal Affairs to conduct a full and fair investigation.' Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim launched an internal investigation into the police department's response to Smith-Fields' death As of Tuesday, the woman's family have not said whether they plan to carry on with the lawsuit in light of the medical examiner's revelations. The family have claimed the police took too long to notify them of Smith-Fields' death, and then asked relatives to stop calling the department for updates. Ganim announced he will be working with the Bridgeport police to update policies and practices concerning family death notifications. 'Death notifications should be done in a manner that illustrates dignity for the deceased and respect and compassion for the family,' he said. 'I support and add my voice to the family, community, and elected officials who are calling for state legislation on this issue.' Smith-Fields was found dead on December 12 at her apartment in Bridgeport, where she and LaFountain had spent the night drinking. LaFountain works as a design engineer at Connecticut-based Times Microwave Systems - 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.' Shantell Fields, Lauren Smith-Fields' mother, speaks during a protest rally in front of the Morton Government Center in Bridgeport on Sunday, which would have been Lauren's 24th birthday Family and friends of Smith-Fields gathered for a protest march in her memory in Bridgeport, demanding answers from the authorities about policing, race and victims rights Smith-Fields' family have signaled their intention to sue 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. 'They're waiting for the autopsy before questioning anyone,' Crosland told DailyMail.com prior to the medical examiner's announcement on Monday. '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 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, whom LaFountain did not see, 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. Lakeem Jetter, Smith-Fields' brother, told Rolling Stone in an interview earlier this month that he went by his sister's apartment to pick up a basket of his clothes from her. He made no mention of dropping anything off. 'I didnt know that anybody was in there,' Jetter told the magazine. 'She came out and she was out there for like 10-15 minutes and she walked back into the house. She looked normal. She didnt look sick, she didnt look tired, she didnt look drunk.' Afterwards, Smith-Fields and LaFountain 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,' 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 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 have 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. 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 fresh investigation has been launched into whether disbarred Los Angeles lawyer Tom Girardi escaped discipline for cheating clients by offering investigators private plane rides, wine-soaked lunches and Las Vegas parties while siphoning off millions from clients. On Monday, the California State Bar said its investigation will 'identify actions by anyone with ties to the State Bar that may constitute malfeasance in how complaints against Girardi were handled'. Girardi made legal headlines in December 2020, when a federal judge froze his assets, saying he had 'misappropriated at least $2 million' meant for the families of those killed in the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia in order to bankroll his glitzy Hollywood lifestyle. The allegations were made a month before his estranged wife, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, filed to divorce him which many took as a ploy to preserve whatever remaining assets the former multi-millionaires had. Girardi - who once had a fortune valued at $264 million - has been the subject of more than 100 lawsuits and multiple complaints made to the California State Bar brought by disgruntled clients who have accused him of theft, according to an investigation by the New York Times. As part of the of the investigation, it was revealed that he offered officials private plane rides, wine-soaked lunches, Las Vegas parties and free legal representation at a time when he was accused of siphoning client settlement money and other unethical behavior, the Los Angeles Times reported. Girardi, who was disbarred in August 2021, has not practiced law since December 2020. Earlier that same year, he was diagnosed with Dementia and late onset Alzheimer's both characterized as 'major neurocognitive disorders.' Girardi is currently under investigation amid accusations he 'misappropriated at least $2 million' meant for the families of those killed in the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia. On Monday, the California State Bar launched a fresh investigation into whether the disgraced legal titan offered wine-soaked lunches and other perks to investigators to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. Pictured: Girardi and estranged wife Erika Jayne pictured in 2016 above Girardi, who regularly appeared on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alongside now-estranged wife Erika Jayne, was disbarred in August 2021 and has not practiced law since December 2020. Earlier that same year, he was diagnosed with Dementia and late onset Alzheimer's both characterized as 'major neurocognitive disorders' On Monday, the State Bar of California announced an additional investigation into Girardi, which is being handled by an outside law firm, that will attempt 'to identify actions by anyone with ties to the State Bar that may constitute malfeasance in how discipline complaints against Girardi were handled.' In September, the State Bar retained the law firm of Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg to conduct the investigation. 'The State Bar board leadership and staff take very seriously the immense harm done by Thomas Girardi to innocent victims,' Ruben Duran, chair of the State Bar's board of trustees, said in the statement, adding that details of the investigation must remain confidential to comply with the law and to give this investigation the greatest chance of success. 'Mark our words: we will go wherever the evidence leads us.' The decision to disclose the investigation comes at a time when Sacramento lawmakers are preparing the annual bill that sets dues, which is a large part of the funding for the agency, the Los Angeles Times reported. For years Girardi had a well-respected reputation as a legal titan. He has a record of winning billions of dollars from drug companies, carmakers and polluters on behalf of injured and swindled clients. His landmark career victory was winning an environment pollution suit on behalf of residents of the Mojave Desert town of Hinkley against Pacific Gas & Electric about tainted drinking water that caused cancer and other illnesses, and resulted in a $333 million settlement. That case inspired the Oscar-winning film 'Erin Brockovich' in 2000 starring Julie Roberts. But along with that came a luxury lifestyle, and Girardi was known to hold extravagant holiday and Super Bowl parties with performances by Jay Leno, Burt Bacharach, LeeAnn Rimes and Penn & Teller. Girardi - who was last seen out in public on August 3 last year with a massive bruise under his eye - was placed under the conservatorship of his younger brother Rober who first petitioned in February. Tom Girardi's estranged wife Erika Jayne has repeatedly denied any knowledge of her Girardi's wrongdoing but fellow Housewives stars have reportedly said they were aware of the scandal In August, DailyMail.com revealed that Girardi is now living in a senior living home in Burbank, California after saying goodbye to living lavishly in his $13 million Pasadena mansion In June, Robert was made the permanent conservator of his estate and person after he was diagnosed with Dementia and late onset Alzheimer's both characterized as 'major neurocognitive disorders.' His estranged wife, Erika Jayne, has repeatedly denied any knowledge of her Girardi's wrongdoing but fellow Housewives stars have reportedly said they were aware of the scandal. Camille Grammer claimed she heard of her and Girardi's financial difficulties at Andy Cohen's 2019 baby shower, Page Six reported. Fellow reality star Bethenny Frankel said Girardi's woes were the 'worst kept secret' in LA, claiming he owed her late ex-boyfriend Dennis Shields $500,000. According to Page Six, Jayne remained silent when she was asked about Giradi's comments. In August last year, DailyMail.com revealed that Girardi is now living in a senior living home in Burbank, California after saying goodbye to living lavishly in his $13 million Pasadena mansion. Pricing for Belmont Village Senior Living in Burbank is said to be between $4,545 - $4,750 a month for a private suite. The facility has staff available 24/7, and boasts community chef-prepared dining with 24 daily choices of meals. Costing for the facility depends on the room type and level of care that is required. Girardi's move to the care facility followed claims from Jayne that she had been receiving death threats after it was claimed she allegedly spent $25million from Girardi's law firm on credit card purchases and fees for her glam squad. Lawyers for the trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of the Girardi Keese firm allege the company transferred the money to Jayne's EJ Global LLC, according to a letter they sent to her lawyer. The letter will be filed with the bankruptcy court as a part of the legal proceedings, a source told the outlet. Jayne had said in an episode of RHOBH that in August that the family members of the victims of the Indonesia plane crash 'are owed their money,' but that she did not know Girardi had given her $20million in loans from his law firm. In July, a judge ruled that Jayne may have to pay three other clients of Girardi that he allegedly embezzled $11million from out of her own pocket. The same month, the former couple slashed the price of their Pasadena home from $13million to $9.98million. Advertisement A double garage in Edinburgh has been put up for sale at offers over 185,000 - higher than the average price of a house in Scotland. The 'secure and spacious' site between the city centre and the west end is described as being 'well positioned' in a 'well sought after' area. The garage, which is being marketed through estate agents Savills boasts a total space 337sq.ft and the sales brochure for the Lynedoch Place Lane site states it could easily be converted to a single unit providing even more storage space for its owner. Figures last year revealed the average house price in Edinburgh sits at 293,406 while the average price for Scotland was said to be 183,000. One local said: 'It's a very nice area but it seems to be a lot of money for a double garage. Pictured: A double garage in a 'well sought after' part of Edinburgh (left) has been put up for sale at offers over 185,000 Estate agents Savills have said the garage could be converted into a single unit to create extra storage space for a new owner 'No doubt it'll get snapped up because it's in the perfect location in the west end of the city. 'Property prices are high and that is shown by the asking price for a garage.' The official sales brochure added: 'The garage presents the opportunity to be converted into one larger unit.' Ben Fox, a property agent with Savills, said: 'This is a secure and spacious double garage in the West End that would be ideal for parking or storage.' Parking in Edinburgh often comes at a premium with locals reporting cars mounting pavements across the city in a bid to park their car. The total space available at the double garage, located in Lynedoch Place Lane, in the west end of Edinburgh, is 337sq ft Residents expect the property (pictured) to be snapped up because parking is at a premium in the Scottish capital city But Edinburgh is not the only capital city where properties the size of garages are going for huge sums. A double space garage described as 'moments from Oxford Street' in London is currently on sale for 750,000. The property measures nine metres by three metres and is portered 24 hours a day. Another garage further out of London was described as a 'terraced property' in an online listing with an asking price of 25,000 - the same as a two-bedroom home in Middlesbrough. House hunters looking on the Rightmove property listing website could well have been disappointed to discover that what they thought was a very generously-priced home in Kilburn, north west London, was in fact an uninhabitable parking spot. Similar garage listings for in-demand parts of London can cost quadruple that amount - or even more if a parking space is underground. The Kilburn garage's description reads: 'The property is conveniently situated on Willesden Lane only moments away from Willesden Green Station and all the amenities.' While 25,000 is fairly typical for a parking space or garage in London, in other parts of the country buyers could own their own home for that much money. A parking space in a village in South Devon went on sale for 100k located in the upmarket riverside village of Shaldon In January this year a two-bedroom semi-detached house in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, went on the market for 25,000 - one tenth the cost of the average property in the UK, and just under half for the average semi-detached property. Elsewhere in the UK, a single space garage in an upmarket village in Devon went on sale for 100,000 in November last year. The space for one car was situated in an open garage at Royal Standard Mews, Penrhyn Pace. Just one of five parking spaces just off Fore Street in the heart of the village, it boasts security lighting and a 999 year lease which started from 2016. The space measures 4.5m x 2.84m with a height of 2.08m. An unvaccinated and gravely ill 31-year-old father-of-two has been taken off the donor list for a heart transplant by a Boston hospital because he 'does not believe' in the COVID vaccine. DJ Ferguson, who has a hereditary heart condition that causes his lungs and heart to fill with blood and fluid, was denied the life-saving organ transplant by Boston Brigham and Women's Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The hospital said it removed Ferguson from the donor list because all transplant recipients need to get the vaccine in order to 'create both the best chance for successful operation and also the patients survival after transplantation.' However, Ferguson's father, David, said getting vaccinated is 'kind of against his basic principles' and that his son 'doesn't believe in it.' 'I think my boy is fighting pretty damn courageously and he has integrity and principles he really believes in and that makes me respect him all the more... Its his body. Its his choice.' The hospital, which has a list of protocols for transplant candidates that includes a ban on lifestyle choices like smoking and alcohol, said requiring the COVID vaccine is common at many medical center's throughout the country. The mortality rate for transplant recipients who fall ill with COVID is more than 20 percent, according to UCHealth. DJ Ferguson, 31 (pictured) has a hereditary heart condition that causes his lungs and heart to fill with blood and fluid without intervention from intravenous medication. He has been denied a life-saving heart transplant because he refuses to get vaccinated against COVID-19 Ferguson's family is considering moving him to another hospital, but he may not be able to be moved in his condition Ferguson, right, is pictured with his wife, Heather Dawson, and their two children Factors that can disqualify patients from organ transplants Not being vaccinated for COVID Untreated psychological disorders, like schizophrenia, that could prevent the patient from properly caring for themselves after the transplant A high risk of abusing alcohol after the transplant Active cigarette smoking within six months of the prospective transplant Substance abuse Obesity Severe local or systemic infection Cancer in the last 5 years except localized skin (not melanoma) or stage I breast or prostate HIV/AIDS Age appropriateness (for example, heart transplant recipients should not be more than 70 years of age, according to John Hopkins University guidelines) Inability to make a strong commitment to transplantation Insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus with end-organ damage Irreversible renal failure Acute pulmonary thromboembolism Inability to pay for transplant or post-operative care Advertisement 'Its a policy they are enforcing and so because he wont get the shot, they took him off the list of a heart transplant,' David told CBS Boston. 'My son has gone to the edge of death to stick to his guns and hes been pushed to the limit.' Ferguson's family is considering transferring him to another hospital, but his wife said that he may be too weak to move. 'At this point DJ is unable to leave the hospital until he gets the heart surgery he needs. Without the surgery his lungs and heart will continue to fill up with blood and fluid (on top of everything else that's going on),' said Ferguson's wife, Heather Dawson, on Facebook. Dr. Arthur Caplan, the head of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, told CBS Boston that vaccination is a requirement for transplants because, after receiving a new organ, patients' immune systems are essentially switched off. 'The flu could kill you, a cold could kill you, COVID could kill you. The organs are scarce, we are not going to distribute them to someone who has a poor chance of living when others who are vaccinated have a better chance post-surgery of surviving,' he explained. Ferguson isn't the first patient in need of a transplant who has been denied due to their vaccination status. In October, Leilani Lutali of Colorado, 56, was taken off the transplant list at a University of Colorado Health hospital because she and her prospective kidney donor Jaimee Fougner, 45, hadn't gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. The pair were placed on a list for those who are 'non-compliant by not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.' Born-again Christian Lutali has refused to get inoculated because of the use of stem cells in developing some vaccines. 'Its a policy they are enforcing and so because he wont get the shot, they took him off the list of a heart transplant,' Ferguson's father David told CBS Boston Boston Brigham and Women's Hospital (pictured) removed Ferguson from its donor list because has not gotten the COVID-19 vaccine and said in a statement that their aim is to 'create both the best chance for successful operation and also the patients survival after transplantation' 'As a Christian, I can't support anything that has to do with abortion of babies, and the sanctity of life for me is precious,' Lutali said. Fougner, Lutali's friend and potential donor, has also denied the vaccine citing religious reasons. Cells taken from elective abortions have been used to develop effective vaccines since the 1960s including current vaccines for rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A, and shingles. None of the COVID vaccines contain aborted fetal cells, like some social media users have been falsely claiming. But they did utilize fetal cell lines in their development. Colorado woman Leilani Lutali was removed from the kidney transplant list in October because she and her donor hadnt been vaccinated. UCHealth, which operates hospitals and urgent care facilities throughout Colorado, said that the COVID vaccine was one of several measures patients needed to take to give the organ the best chance of not being rejected. The health system said the driving force behind its vaccine policy was studies showing transplant patients are more likely to die if they contract COVID-19. The mortality rate for transplant patients who get COVID is more than 20 percent, according to UCHealth. In October, Leilani Lutali of Colorado, 56 (pictured), was taken off the transplant list at a University of Colorado Health hospital because she and her prospective kidney donor hadn't gotten the COVID-19 vaccine An organ transplant is a unique surgery that leads to a lifetime of specialized management to ensure an organ is not rejected, which can lead to serious complications, the need for a subsequent transplant surgery, or even death, UCHealth told The Post at the time. Physicians must consider the short and long-term health risks for patients as they consider whether to recommend an organ transplant. Ohio man Mike Ganin, who is vaccinated against COVID, was denied a kidney transplant last October because his donor hadnt received her shot. I dont want to get the vaccine. Ive got reasons medical, religious, and also freedom, the donor, Sue George, told WKYC. The four people shot and killed in what California officials are calling a targeted attack have been identified as a woman celebrating her 20th birthday with her sister and two young male friends. Breahna Stines was celebrating her 20th birthday with her sister Marneysha Hamilton, 25, and their friends Teron Whittiker Jr., 21, and his cousin Jayden Griffin, 21, when they were fatally shot in Inglewood on Sunday. The two women and Whittiker were pronounced dead at the scene while Griffin was rushed to a hospital where he later died. One other man was also shot and remains in critical condition at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center but is expected to survive. Police responded around 1:30am to reports of shots fired at an unregulated Airbnb rental home on the 1300 block of Park Avenue, Mayor James Butts told reporters. Multiple shooters 'ambushed' the party with at least one using an assault weapon, the mayor said. Several weapons were recovered from the scene. The suspects remain at large as violent crime in Southern California continues to soar under progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon. Sisters Breahna Stines, 20, and Marneysha Hamilton, 25, were shot and killed on Sunday Cousins Teron Whittiker Jr., 21, and Jayden Griffin, 21, were fatally shot at Stines' birthday party in Inglewood over the weekend The two women and two men were shot and killed and another man was hospitalized in critical condition after the shooting in Inglewood The man who is in critical condition, admitted to being part of a gang in another city Police believe the shooting was gang-related but have not released a motive or suspects Multiple weapons were recovered from the scene leading authorities to believe there were several shooters on Sunday Distraught attendees of the party could be seen crying and comforting each other at the scene 'They both were outgoing, beautiful girls,' said the mother of the two slain sisters, Tiffney, who did not want her last name used. 'They both had futures ahead of them, and to have it taken away,' she told the Los Angeles Times. The sisters grew up in Long Beach. Their mother said Stines, who lived in Rialto, was enrolled at the United Education Institute as a nursing student, and Hamilton, who lived in Los Angeles, worked two jobs for the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the funeral and memorial costs 'as their parents and family grieve during this horrific time.' Police responded to reports of shots fired at a rental home on the 1300 block of Park Avenue Neighbors said there were about 10 people at the birthday celebration when the shooting took place. People who were in the area have reported hearing dozens of rounds of large and small caliber gunfire Sunday evening. 'I didn't hear anything but the shots,' a neighbor told CBS LA. 'I didn't hear the music or the party.' 'We hear the shots,' the neighbor said. 'At first I thought it was firecrackers but then I thought 'This sounds like war.'' The mayor had reported that the surviving victim is a known gang member in another city. Authorities are investigating if the shooting was gang related but have not revealed a motive. 'These are sociopathic killers that have to be sequestered from society,' the mayor said during a news conference. 'We will find you and prosecute you.' He described the incident as the worst single shooting crime in Inglewood since the 1990s. Mayor James Butts told reporters that it is the deadliest shooting in Inglewood since the 1990s The investigation remains ongoing as police canvassed the area looking for witnesses or surveillance footage after the shooting A memorial has been set up on the sidewalk outside the rental home where the shooting took place Officers interviewed witnesses and canvassed the neighborhood looking for possible security camera footage. 'Our entire homicide unit is working this crime,' Butts said. At least 13 people were killed in Inglewood in 2021, according to a report by the LA Times. The new year has started with a spike in violence in the city of about 100,000, ten miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, with six homicides already reported in January. Los Angeles saw nearly 400 killings last year, marking the most homicides since 2007. A Republican member of Congress on Tuesday praised three Biden administration officials who walked away from their roles on the State Department's nuclear talks with Iran. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, who served in the Middle East as one of the Army's elite Green Berets, told DailyMail.com their departure at a critical junction of the discussions is a reflection of President Joe Biden's policies putting 'national security at risk.' A State Department official confirmed that Richard Nephew, known as the architect of sanctions on Tehran, had stepped down as U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Iran after urging a tougher stance on nuclear talks. At the same time, the Wall Street Journal reported that two other negotiators had stepped aside from their positions because they wanted a harder negotiating position. Waltz joined their call on Tuesday by urging Biden to return to his predecessor Donald Trump's 'policy of maximum pressure' against Tehram's regime. 'Its good to see some officials recognize when diplomacy gets too desperate and begins to really put American national security at risk,' the Florida Republican said. 'The Biden Administration should revert back to a policy of maximum pressure that focused on holding the Iran regime accountable for their nuclear capabilities, missile development, and regional terrorism and build on Abraham Accords to counter Irans aggression.' A State Department official confirmed that Richard Nephew was no longer deputy special envoy for Iran but was still working at the State Department THE FATHER OF US SANCTIONS ON IRAN WHO STORMED OUT OF NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS Richard Nephew, the Deputy Special Envoy for the State Department's negotiations with Iran, left his role after urging the Biden administration to take a tougher stance in the nuclear talks. Widely regarded as an expert on sanctions policy, Nephew was named the Principal Deputy Coordinator for Sanctions Policy in Barack Obama's State Department in January 2013. In the role he engineered sanctions against Iran that helped forced Tehran into signing the historic JCPOA, and was involved in the talks from August 2013 to December 2014. He reportedly thought the United States was taking too soft an approach to an Iran that not only rebuffed agreements its previous government made but is also building up its nuclear capabilities at a break-neck pace. It led to a disagreement over the direction of the talks with his boss, US Special Representative for Iran Robert Malley. He'll continue to serve in the State Department albeit in a different role, according to NBC News. Before joining the Biden administration, Nephew was a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institute and a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. He also authored a book in 2017 on the role sanctions play in foreign policy, titled The Art of Sanctions. Advertisement The negotiating team's policy differences reportedly involved the enforcement of existing sanctions and even pulling out of the talks altogether. Their departures, another blow to President Joe Biden's foreign policy goals and a State Department grappling with Russian diplomats who appear poised for conflict in Ukraine, come at a critical time in talks that resumed two months ago. Western diplomats say they hope for a breakthrough in the coming weeks - but critical differences remain between the two sides and Britain on Tuesday warned of a looming impasse. Meanwhile the Biden administration has been grappling with bipartisan criticism at home that it's taken too soft a stance against Iran as the Middle Eastern nation builds up its nuclear capabilities at breakneck speed. A State Department official declined to comment on the specifics of internal policy discussions. 'The previous administration left us with a terrible set of choices on Iran,' he said. 'Maximum pressure failed, leaving Iran with a rapidly expanding nuclear program and a more aggressive regional posture. At the same time, we were isolated from many of our closest allies and partners. 'Working our way out of this crisis requires many difficult, closely balanced decisions, on which there can be reasonable disagreement.' Nephew, who wanted Biden to take a harder stance against Iran, has reportedly been avoiding the meetings in Vienna since December. That same month, senior American officials involved in the talks began pushing for an end after Iran sent in a new negotiating team that reneged on most concessions made by its previous officials, sources close to the discussion told the Journal. The result was reportedly difference of opinion within the U.S. team about whether to halt talks in the face of Iran's foot-dragging and how firmly to enforce existing sanctions. Under the terms of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, sanctions were lifted in return for limits on Iran's nuclear program. When President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions in 2018, Iran returned to enriching uranium. The Biden administration believes the best way forward is a return to the 2015 deal. Iran says it also wants a return to the deal, but has rejected talk of an interim agreement in the meantime and wants a legal guarantee that the U.S. will not walk away from the JCPOA again. The British Foreign Secretary spelled out the scale of the problem on Tuesday. 'This negotiation is urgent and progress has not been fast enough. We continue to work in close partnership with our allies but the negotiations are reaching a dangerous impasse,' Liz Truss told the British parliament. Nuclear talks resumed in Vienna, Austria, in November but have made little progress. Iran refuses to talk directly with American negotiators. As a result European diplomats have to carry communications between separate rooms but the effort has stalled The Trump administration withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, saying its destabilizing impact in the Middle East and developments in rocket technology put Iran in breach Talks on returning to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by the Trump administration resumed in Vienna last year, under the direction of Antony Blinken's State Department. However, they have been complicated by Tehran's refusal to talk directly with American officials. Instead, communications are shuttled between separate rooms by European diplomats. But with the clock ticking, Western officials fear it is only a matter of weeks before Iran obtains the material and know-how to produce enough fuel for a nuclear bomb. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Tuesday told lawmakers that negotiations were 'reaching a dangerous impasse' and told Iran it must decide if it wants a deal 'Iran must now choose whether it wants to conclude a deal or be responsible for the collapse of the JCPOA. 'And if the JCPOA collapses, all options are on the table.' Iran has been building up its nuclear capabilities at an alarming rate despite multiple attacks by Israeli operatives, including the assassination of one of Tehran's top nuclear scientists. But Iran is still ramping up its aggression against the West to test Biden's resolve. On Monday, Iranian-backed rebels launched a rocket attack against a U.S. military base in the United Arab Emirates. And a recent report from late 2021 claims that Israel's attempts to destroy key Iranian nuclear facilities have not only led to their reconstruction but also with major improvements to their technology. A top American official called it Iran's 'Build Back Better' plan, according to the New York Times. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn accused Biden of acquiescing to Iran on Tuesday after the reported setback in talks. 'Last week, Iran was the only member of the United Nations to vote against recognizing the Holocaust. The next day, the Biden administration gave Iran access to $18 million to fully re-enter the UN,' the Tennessee lawmaker wrote on Twitter. And last year Waltz led a bipartisan 140-member effort in the House to urge Biden to take a 'comprehensive' approach in dealing with Iran. Late last spring Iranians elected a new president, Ebrahim Raisi, a conservative former judge who is highly critical of the West. Raisi has previously signaled a willingness to return to the nuclear deal, though his government's expansion of its nuclear capabilities throws doubt on whether he meant it. Iran's Foreign Minister said on Monday that it was possible the nuclear talks could get to a stage where U.S. and Iranian negotiators can finally speak directly in one room. 'Reports saying that Iran and the U.S. are directly negotiating with one another are untrue,' Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said according to Al Jazeera. 'However, if we get to a stage where reaching a good deal with strong guarantees necessitates direct talks with the U.S., we will consider it.' The State Department on Monday repeated that it is open to meeting with Iranian officials directly to discuss the nuclear deal, as well as other issues. Senator Marsha Blackburn took aim at the Biden administration's handling of Iran on Tuesday after Nephew's departure Former Defence Forces soldier Lisa Smith who is accused of going to Syria to join ISIS 'encouraged her British husband to take a sniper course' Dublin's Special Criminal Court heard today. Earlier on Tuesday, the court was told the County Louth woman, 39, 'enveloped herself in the black flag' of the so-called Islamic State, as she pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of the illegal organisation. She is also accused of providing funds to benefit the group. She denies the charges. Smith left the Irish military in 2011 after she converted to Islam, before travelling to a IS-controlled region in Syria where she married Sajid Aslam, the court heard. The prosecution says her husband, a UK national, carried out 'border patrol' work for ISIS, and that he 'had done a snipers course on her advice.' Sean Gillane SC, for the prosecution, said that the accused's conduct during the period between 2015 and 2019 when she travelled to Syria could 'prove membership' of the terror organisation. He said the court would hear evidence that Smith had taken part in 'hijrah', or migration to territories controlled by the Islamic State. Lisa Smith, 39, is pictured outside of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Tuesday as she faces multiple terror-related charges 'Hijrah in this context is a central act of allegiance to this proto-State, without which the organisation cannot survive. It is the very lifeblood of the Islamic State,' Mr Gillane told the court. 'IS needed fighters but also those who could give sustenance and vitality to the group.' He said that participation in that act of hijrah was to 'self-identify as a member' of the organisation. Mr Gillane added: 'There is no duality or split between a good Islamic State and a bad one, into which one might fall through happenstance or misfortune.' He said the evidence would show that Smith willingly remained in Syria, married there and that her movements mirrored that of the terror group when they lost territories in the region. He also spoke about her 'joy' at being in Syria, that she had 'wanted jihad', that she had a desire to live under Sharia law and had a 'willingness to die as a martyr'. Smith, a former Air Corps soldier who worked on the Government jet, has been accused of being an Islamic State member and financing terrorism The prosecutor said there was a 'reciprocity' to Ms Smith's allegiance to IS, in that she had received 'protection' while in the region. 'Ms Smith specifically addressed, assessed and answered the call to migrate to territory controlled by IS,' Mr Gillane said. 'Every inch of that territory was won by a targeted campaign of violence.' Mr Gillane said the evidence would show that Smith was part of a Telegram group in June 2015 that discussed a video by the Islamic State showing the drowning of five men in a cage. He said the members discussed why they had been drowned, with Smith responding: 'OK, I understand why they were drowned. I didn't know half of the story.' The court heard that the accused had begun her trip to Syria in October 2015, and that she had lied to family members about her destination. Smith bought a one-way ticket from Dublin to Istanbul, which was paid for in cash, the court heard. From there, she crossed the border into Syria and IS-controlled territory. When she arrived, she was instructed to change the security settings on her phone, and to join another group on the private messaging service Telegram, the court was told. The court heard that Smith (pictured) began her one-way trip from Dublin to Istanbul to Syria in October 2015, and that she had lied to family members about her destination Around this time, Smith 'made clear to her family her desire to stay', the court heard. On Tuesday the court heard from the first witness, Una McCartney, from Dundalk, a friend of Smith's for between 15 and 20 years. She told the court that she and Smith had had plenty of discussions about religion around the time of her conversion to Islam around 2007. Ms McCartney described them as 'normal discussions' regarding different beliefs in Catholicism and Islam. She said Smith had discussed moving to a Muslim country because she wanted to be 'surrounded by people who were the same faith as her', but said she did not recall Smith stating any intention to travel to Syria. Under cross-examination by Michael O'Higgins SC for the defence, Ms McCartney said Smith has a troubled background. On Tuesday the court heard from the first witness, Una McCartney, from Dundalk, a friend of Smith's for between 15 and 20 years. She told the court that she and Smith had had plenty of discussions about religion around the time of her conversion to Islam around 2007 'I don't think her home life growing up was too great. Her dad was an alcoholic, I think he probably was a bit violent,' she told the court. 'We all enjoyed drinking, partying, myself included. We were probably a bit wild.' Ms McCartney added: 'Drink didn't really suit her.' The witness told the court that she believed Smith's interest in Islam would 'fizzle out' over time. 'She would go hell for leather with things in the beginning and then it would fizzle out. I thought this would fizzle out as well.' Ms McCartney agreed with Mr O'Higgins that the accused had been 'vulnerable' at the time. 'My impression was she needed help or counselling. She had burned bridges with some of her friends,' the witness said. The case received widespread attention in 2019 when it emerged that Smith (above), a former Air Corps soldier who had worked on the Government jet, had been detained in Syria over alleged links to IS Ms McCartney said the accused may have turned to Islam to find some solace. She recalled her Garda interview in which she described Smith as 'very naive and easily taken in by somebody promising her something'. The case received widespread attention in 2019 when it emerged that Smith, a former Air Corps soldier who had worked on the Government jet, had been detained in Syria over alleged links to IS. Smith was arrested at Dublin Airport in 2019 on suspicion of terrorist offences after returning from Turkey in November with her young daughter. She had travelled to Syria a number of years ago after she converted to Islam. Smith is charged under Section Six of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 which makes it an offence to join a foreign unlawful organisation. It is alleged that between October 28 2015 and December 1 2019 at a location outside the State, she was a member of a terrorist group styling itself as the Islamic State. She has also been accused of financing terrorism by sending 800 euro in assistance by Western Union money transfer to a named individual in 2015. Smith has denied the charges. Advertisement The Government's draft Online Safety Bill will not protect the media's freedom of speech because it could allow tech giants to use automated algorithms to remove journalistic reporting in error, a report from MPs has warned. The House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee said the draft legislation was a 'missed opportunity' to properly address a variety of online issues also including abuse faced by journalists. The Bill is neither 'clear nor robust' enough to tackle some forms of illegal content - and would also fail to prevent the sharing of the most 'insidious' images of child abuse and violence against women and girls, it is claimed. Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors, which represents the UK media, said the draft Bill is 'insufficient to protect freedom of expression' and had to take account of the 'fast nature of today's news process'. The group is concerned that the bill creates a duty of care for major US tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter that could prompt them to bring in new algorithms for removing harmful content from their platforms. MailOnline's official Facebook page @DailyMail has 21.4million followers and 16.6million likes MailOnline's official Twitter page @MailOnline has 2.6million followers and was created in July 2008 This would mean the companies could accidentally remove trusted journalistic content alongside posts that really are harmful unless an exemption for reputable news providers is included in the Bill, reported Press Gazette. Current rules would force tech firms to offer a fast-track way of putting media reports back online quickly if it is taken down by the algorithm something that would be enforced by the communications regulator Ofcom. Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors But there are fears within the news industry that this system could be badly maintained or overwhelmed by a huge number of appeals, therefore having a chilling impact on the media's freedom of speech. Ms Alford said: 'The Society welcomes the DCMS select committee's acknowledgement in the report that, at present, the draft Online Safety Bill is insufficient to protect freedom of expression. 'As the Society has previously outlined in evidence to the Joint Committee that has also scrutinised the bill, a broad and workable exemption for journalistic content must be included in the legislation and measures must be put in place by platforms to ensure that broad-brush algorithms do not result in the take-down of legitimate journalistic content. 'We also call on the government to look more closely at the appeals process to ensure that it works in practice and that it recognises the fast nature of today's news process.' The report said the draft Bill 'does not provide a clear legislative basis upon which Ofcom will be able to judge the efficacy of measures, systems and processes (particularly algorithms and automated systems) in mitigating or managing the risk of such content.' The committee also said the Bill 'lacks proportionality in this area' and therefore 'may result in excessive takedowns by service providers especially where their terms and conditions specify that such content should be removed prima facie in order to meet the duties' requirements to enforce their terms of service consistently and thus avoid associated penalties.' Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair Julian Knight (pictured last week) said the Online Safety Bill 'neither protects freedom of expression nor is it clear nor robust enough to tackle illegal and harmful online content' The House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee issued a report on the draft Online Safety Bill The report also claimed the draft Bill would not do enough to better protect reporters from online abuse, citing a National Union of Journalists poll which found just a third of respondents reported abuse to social media firms. Executives at tech firms that don't tackle 'online harms' could be jailed Social media bosses could be jailed if they fail to cooperate with regulators on protecting the vulnerable online, under updated legislation. An earlier version of the Online Safety Bill, published last year, said tech firms could be fined huge amounts potentially running into billions of pounds if they failed to abide by a duty of care. But ministers had avoided making bosses personally responsible for company failings. Now, however, senior managers will face prosecution for breaking the duty of care. It is understood Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries will outline the more draconian law in the next few weeks, amid growing concern that companies such as YouTube and Facebook are failing to take down harmful content. The legislation is dubbed the Nick Clegg law, as the former deputy prime minister is now vice president for global affairs and communications at Facebook. Children's charities and worried families have long campaigned for social media firms to be prosecuted if they fail to crack down on self-harm material. The calls grew louder after the death of Molly Russell, the 14-year-old who took her own life in 2017 after looking at graphic self-harm images on Instagram. However defenders of free speech are concerned the threat of criminal prosecution could cause tech companies to censor legitimate content, thus stifling public debate on important issues. Introducing criminal liability for tech bosses will increase pressure on the Government to accept recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee which scrutinised the Bill to strengthen the exemption for news publishers. The move is a huge shift in policy by the Government, which had up until now defied calls to make bosses criminally liable for their sites. One Whitehall insider said: 'It had been the sword of Damocles hanging over them. But now it will come into force.' Advertisement The study also discovered that four in five journalists said reporting abuse made no difference. The report said the survey demonstrated how victims 'have little access to recourse from service providers' - and the committee also heard testimony that women were 27 times more likely to be harassed online than men. The report also said the Government needs to address some types of content which are currently technically legal, citing examples such as the activity of 'breadcrumbing' in child abuse - where perpetrators carefully edit images to subvert content moderation to stay online - as well as types of online violence against women and girls, such as deepfake pornography. MPs said the Bill's definition of illegal content must be reframed to combat these concerns, and more should be done to define the risk around activities that fall below the threshold of criminality but nonetheless form part of the sequence for online abuse. DCMS Committee chair Julian Knight said: 'In its current form what should be world-leading, landmark legislation instead represents a missed opportunity. The Online Safety Bill neither protects freedom of expression nor is it clear nor robust enough to tackle illegal and harmful online content. 'Urgency is required to ensure that some of the most pernicious forms of child sexual abuse do not evade detection because of a failure in the online safety law. These are matters of important public debate to which we will return as the Bill makes its way through Parliament.' The recommendations come in the wake of another report by MPs and peers on the Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill - published in December - which said the draft online safety laws needed to bring more offences into scope, such as paid-for scam and fraudulent advertising, cyber flashing, content promoting self-harm and the deliberate sending of flashing images to people with photosensitive epilepsy. The Government has already suggested 'significant improvements' could be made to the draft Bill, with Culture minister Chris Philp telling MPs during a debate in the Commons earlier this month that there were a 'number of areas' where the Online Safety Bill can be 'improved substantially'. A revised piece of legislation is expected in the coming months. A DCMS spokesman said: 'We do not agree with the criticism of the committee. The Bill has been recognised as setting a global gold standard for internet safety. It has strict measures including a duty of care to stamp out child sexual abuse, grooming and illegal and harmful content. 'There are also stringent rules to make sure tech firms and Ofcom protect people's free speech and privacy, so content is not taken down without good reason. The Bill will make the UK the safest place to go online while protecting freedom of speech.' Advertisement A new 'linkage center' aimed at connecting homeless street addicts with drug rehab facilities opened in San Francisco last week - but distressing images show an open air illicit drug consumption site that is now littered with needles and crowded with addicts shooting up in broad daylight. Images taken by DailyMail.com show a woman slumped over in a wheelchair, her pants down around her ankles, preparing to inject a needle into her thigh. The woman sitting on the ground next to her has a needle to her neck. Many others are sitting on the ground among trash, empty food containers and dirty blankets, as they fumble in with drug paraphernalia in the cold weather. The center, which opened on January 18, is part of the San Francisco Mayor London Breed's Tenderloin Emergency Intervention plan introduced last year. The linkage center is located at 1172 Market Street, in the United Nations Plaza. The supervised drug consumption area is an outdoor fenced section of the linkage center - just blocks away from the city's court house, San Francisco City Hall and the Civic Center. Aerial footage of the area shows the city's Pioneer Monument overrun with homeless tents. In December, Breed declared a state of emergency in Tenderloin and announced a sweeping crackdown on open air drug use and drug dealing in the downtown neighborhood - one of the city's poorest and most drug-infested areas. The Tenderloin has long been an epicenter of homelessness and drug use, but city officials said the problem has worsened as the national opioid crisis escalated over the course of the pandemic. Announcing a crime crackdown, Breed argued that San Francisco officers should get aggressive and 'less tolerant of all the bulls*** that has destroyed our city', as she went back on her plans to defund the police. 'It's time the reign of criminals who are destroying our city, it is time for it to come to an end,' she said. 'And it comes to an end when we take the steps to be more aggressive with law enforcement, more aggressive with the changes in our policies.' But, the photos taken by DailyMail.com this week shows that streets in the area are not anywhere close to being cleaned up, and a far cry from being a safe neighborhood. A woman is slumped over in a wheelchair, preparing to inject a needle into her thigh, at a new 'linkage center' that opened in San Francisco last week, aimed at connecting homeless street addicts with drug rehab facilities A group of women sit on the ground at a new linkage center in San Francisco where hundreds of people were seen using and dealing drugs, including the woman pictured seen with a needle to her neck The center, which opened January 18, is aimed at helping connect people to services, but distressing images depict an illicit drug consumption site that is now littered with needles and and crowded with addicts shooting up in broad daylight Drone images show the site with dozens of people openly dealing, smoking and injecting drugs on the plaza. A San Francisco police cruiser rolled past but did nothing The linkage center is located at 1172 Market Street, in the United Nations Plaza, the city's largest open air drug market. The supervised drug consumption area is an outdoor fenced section of the linkage center, where many people were seen fumbling with drug paraphernalia The center is equipped to serve up to 100 people at a time who are suffering from drug use and mental health issues, connecting with long-term and short-term services like health care and housing The center, which opened on January 18, is part of the San Francisco Mayor London Breed's Tenderloin Emergency Intervention plan for a sweeping crackdown on open air drug use and drug dealing in the downtown Tenderloin neighborhood The plan came in the midst of a local, state, and national debate over whether the city should open a 'supervised drug consumption' site as a tactic for reducing drug overdose deaths A high percentage of an estimated 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco - many of whom pitch tents in the Tenderloin - are struggling with chronic addiction or severe mental illness, often both The center is equipped to serve up to 100 people at a time who are suffering from drug use and mental health issues, connecting with long-term and short-term services like health care and housing Mayor Breed and members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have advocated a supervised drug consumption site, and purchased two properties in the Tenderloin to serve people suffering from addiction The linkage center (in blue) is located at 1172 Market Street, in the United Nations Plaza in Ssan Francisco's Tenderloin district. The supervised drug consumption area is an outdoor fenced section of the linkage center. Photos taken by DailyMail.com show people on the streets in the Tenderloin district (marked in red) also taking drugs. This is happening just blocks away from San Francisco City Hall and the iconic Pioneer Monument At a press conference at the time, Breed said that the city was in 'crisis' and that the streets were 'nasty' as more crime and drug overdoses littered the streets. 'We are in a crisis and we need to respond accordingly,' she said on Friday. 'Too many people are dying in this city, too many people are sprawled on our streets. 'We have to meet people where they are.' Breed said that rapid drug intervention is needed because about two people a day are dying of overdoses, mostly from fentanyl, in the Tenderloin and the city's South of Market neighborhood. 'The work that we have in place after our assessment allow us this ability through this emergency declaration to move quickly, to move fast, to change the conditions - specifically of the Tenderloin community' she said. 'This is necessary in order to see a difference.' The move came after Breed performed a dramatic U-turn on the 'defund the police' strategy as she called for 'more aggressive policing' to replace 'bulls**t progressive policies' and said she would ask for more money to be given to the police to stamp out drug dealing, car break-ins and theft. On January 18, the day the site opened, Mayor Breed issued a list on her web site of the services available at the linkage center; they did not include a supervised consumption site The illegal supervised drug consumption site at the linkage center, where a half-dozen people were witnesses smoking fentanyl in an outdoor area on the site, and two people passed out at a table A man sits on the ground next to a fence that surrounds the linkage site in San Francisco where witnesses have seen hundreds of people dealing and using drugs Drone images show people using drugs within the fence of San Francisco's new Linkage Center, which is an essential component of San Francisco's Tenderloin Emergency Initiative aimed to link addicts to services Trash litters the area at the linkage site which opened on January 18, is part of the San Francisco Mayor London Breed's Tenderloin Emergency Intervention plan introduced last year People at the linkage center cling to one another in drone images captured just after the center opened in January Mayor Breed said that the city was in 'crisis' and that the streets were 'nasty' as more crime and drug overdoses littered the streets. Pictured are people sprawled out at the new linkage site where many have been witnesses dealing and using drugs Despite Breed's promise to crack down on rampant crime and homelessness, people are still living on the streets in the Tenderloin neighborhood The emergency declaration paved the way for the city to cut through red tape that delays the public response to deteriorating conditions in the Tenderloin and quickly provide shelter, counseling and medical care to people suffering from addiction, Breed and city officials said. There will also be more coordinated enforcement of illegal activities, street cleanups and other infrastructure improvements to make the neighborhood safer, they said. Shortly after, she announced the opening of the 'linkage center,' which is aimed at connecting homeless street addicts with drug rehab facilities. The center is equipped to serve up to 100 people at a time who are suffering from drug use and mental health issues, connecting with long-term and short-term services like health care and housing. Mayor Breed and members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have advocated a supervised drug consumption site, and purchased two properties in the Tenderloin to serve people suffering from addiction. 'Our work in the Tenderloin requires all of our City departments and community partners working together to address the major challenges we know exist,' Mayor Breed said in a release last week. 'As part of that work, this Linkage Center will help us create a space for people who are struggling with addiction and other challenges to get immediate support, and then transition into longer term care and housing. This is hard work, and I appreciate everyone joining in partnership to make a difference for the people of the Tenderloin.' But the city never approved the creation of a supervised consumption site at the linkage center and the site is in violation of state and federal laws. The blatant drug use at the site was first reported on by journalist Michael Shellenberger, who wrote in his Substack that two undercover reporters had witnessed a drug deal as well as half-a-dozen people smoking fentanyl in an outdoor area. An employee of a city contractor at the linkage center told them that two people had overdosed and had to be revived within the first week of the site opening. A high percentage of an estimated 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco - many of whom pitch tents in the Tenderloin - are struggling with chronic addiction or severe mental illness, often both. In addition to connecting people with services, the center will also help people living on the streets with access to basic things like food, water, bathrooms, showers and laundry Many people at the site were seen buying and selling drugs at the site after Mayor Breed announced a crime crackdown, arguing that San Francisco officers should get aggressive and 'less tolerant of all the bulls*** that has destroyed our city', as she went back on her plans to defund the police. An employee of a city contractor at the linkage center told Daily Mail that two people had overdosed and been revived within the first week that the the site was open Signs posted to cars near the linkage site announce 'nothing to steal' as crime continues to rise in one of the city's poorest and most drug-infested neighborhood Some people rant in the streets, nude and in need of medical help. Last year, 712 people died of drug overdoses, compared with 257 people who died of COVID-19 Drone images show dozens of people sprawled out at the linkage site, many in wheelchairs and on crutches When confronted with evidence that the linkage center housed a drug consumption site, spokespersons for Urban Alchemy and for Mayor London Breed declined to comment An employee of a city contractor at the linkage center told DailyMail.com that two people had overdosed and had to be revived within the first week of the site opening People at the site are seen using and selling drugs, slumped over, and sitting among trash that litters the area Witnesses reported seeing people take their clothes off, rant in the streets and even saw two people overdosed. Last year, 712 people died of drug overdoses, compared with 257 people who died of COVID-19 When confronted with evidence that the linkage center housed a drug consumption site, spokespersons for Urban Alchemy and for Mayor London Breed declined to comment. When the two undercover journalists visited the area just days after the site opened, there were hundreds of people openly dealing, smoking and injecting drugs on the plaza. A San Francisco police cruiser rolled past but did nothing. Last November, Mayor Breed introduced legislation to allow safe drug consumption sites in San Francisco, a goal she has pursued for years. State Supervisor Scott Weiner introduced a bill in the state legislature to legalize such sites for San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles. New York City recently established two safe consumption sites, in East Harlem and Washington Heights. The sites are illegal under federal law, but to date the Biden administration has taken no action against them. On January 18, the day the site opened, Mayor Breed issued a list on her website of the services available at the linkage center; they did not include a supervised consumption site. Signs point to the entrance of the linkage center in the Tenderloin area The center operates seven seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with limited staff due to the impact of COVID-19. However, the center will expand to operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and have the capacity to serve 100 people at a time In addition to connecting people with services, the center will also help people living on the streets with access to basic things like food, water, bathrooms, showers and laundry, according to the release Mayor London Breed launched an emergency police intervention in December aimed at curbing open drug use, brazen home break-ins and other criminal behaviors taking place in San Francisco's crime-ridden Tenderloin neighborhood Crime in San Francisco has been a serious issue in the past year. Since the start of the month, the city recorded three homicides - up from two in the same period in 2021. Meanwhile, overall crime so far this month has decreased by 21.8% compared to the same time period last year San Francisco is grappling with lawlessness that has seen the city overrun with crime over the past two years. Across the entire city last November, there were 3,375 reports of larceny theft, the majority being car break-ins, with SFPD's Central District seeing the most car smash-and-grabs, at a total of 876. This month so far, there has been a 50 percent increased in homicides with three reported between January 1 and January 23, compared to only two during the same time frame last year, but overall crime has decreased by 21.8 percent, according to crime statistics released by the San Francisco Police Department. Assault in the city has decreased by more than 10 percent from 151 cases last year at this time to 135. Larceny theft cases have also decreased about 15 percent with cases so far this month at 1,282, which are down from 1,517 from the same time last year. Robbery cases decreased about 24 percent and rape cases decreased 22 percent. A high percentage of an estimated 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco - many of whom pitch tents in the Tenderloin - are struggling with chronic addiction or severe mental illness, often both. Some people rant in the streets, nude and in need of medical help. Last year, 712 people died of drug overdoses, compared with 257 people who died of COVID-19. The linkage center operates seven seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with limited staff due to the impact of COVID-19. However, the center will expand to operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and have the capacity to serve 100 people at a time. In addition to connecting people with services, the center will also help people living on the streets with access to basic things like food, water, bathrooms, showers and laundry, according to the release. The center will also provide services like COVID-19 vaccination and testing as well as HIV and Hepatitis C testing. The center is being overseen by both the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Department of Emergency management, with assistance from city departments and several community organizations. The linkage center operates seven seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with limited staff due to the impact of COVID-19. However, the center will expand to operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and have the capacity to serve 100 people at a time The site is surrounded by a fence of the open air illicit drug consumption site that is now littered with needles and crowded with addicts shooting up in broad daylight In addition to connecting people with services, the center will also help people living on the streets with access to basic things like food, water, bathrooms, showers and laundry, according to the release A woman is seen using a water bottle to shower off outside a tent at the linkage site. A high percentage of an estimated 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco - many of whom pitch tents in the Tenderloin - are struggling with chronic addiction or severe mental illness, often both The emergency declaration paved the way for the city to cut through red tape that delays the public response to deteriorating conditions in the Tenderloin and quickly provide shelter, counseling and medical care to people suffering from addiction, Breed and city officials said A fence surrounds the open air illicit drug consumption site that is now littered with needles and crowded with addicts shooting up in broad daylight Social media star Song Ji-ah apologizes for wearing counterfeit luxury brand goods in a YouTube video clip, Tuesday. Screenshot from Song's YouTube channel By Kim Rahn Song Ji-ah, a YouTuber who rose to fame following her appearance on Netflix's Korean reality show, "Single's Inferno," has announced a halt to all online activities, after a controversy arose over her wearing of counterfeited luxury brand items on the show and in her social media clips. She posted a video on her YouTube channel, FreeZia, early Tuesday morning, apologizing for the stir she caused. "I admit all the rumors about the fake goods, and everything is my fault. I apologize for damaging the value of the brands and disappointing many people who supported me," she said in the clip. Song said that after she began to purchase counterfeit products, people liked her look with such goods, so she continued featuring them out of the desire to get more reactions from people. "I'm regretting it, and I feel pathetic when looking back on myself in the past. I should have paid more attention to my inner self, when so many people showed support, but I focused on my outer self." The social media star asked people to stop criticizing her family or acquaintances, adding that she is solely to blame. "I'll close all my social media channels to take time for self-refection. I'll take responsibility for my faults," she said. Earlier this month, another YouTuber raised questions about the authenticity of the goods Song had been wearing in many of her videos and on the Netflix dating show. Similar questions and claims have since emerged in other online communities that many of her luxury brand clothes and accessories, supposedly from Chanel, Dior, Versace, Van Cleef and Arpels, were knockoffs. Song then admitted on her Instagram, Jan. 17, the suspicions were true. She took down the clips showing the counterfeit goods from social media, including her YouTube channel, which had 1.9 million subscribers. Nicola Sturgeon bowed to pressure to axe working from home rules today as she revealed a 'phased' return tot he office for millions of Scots. She told MSPs the Scottish Government is updating its guidance to take effect from next Monday. Mr Johnson scrapped the same rules in England last week with immediate effect. Ms Sturgeon has said a requirement for two-metre physical distancing in settings where face coverings are exempt is being reduced to one metre. The change will apply to settings such as religious services and those carrying out receptionist duties. Updating MSPs, the First Minister also announced a change affecting organised activities for children. She said: 'From Friday, face coverings will no longer be required for any adult taking part in organised activities when they are directly interacting with children under the age of five.' The requirement for secondary school pupils to wear face masks will receive 'careful consideration'. Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross said: 'While some people will still want to work from home, why doesn't the First Minister leave that decision up to employers and workers? 'And what does she think this means for the many businesses who rely on workers being in the office and back in our town and city centres?' She told MSPs the the Scottish Government is updating its guidance to take effect from next Monday. Mr Johnson scrapped the same rules in England last week with immediate effect. This graph shows the cumulative Covid death rate for the four UK nations based on data from the Office for National Statistics, which counts every death certificate that mentions Covid. It reveals that despite its tough curbs Wales has the highest Covid death rate Decisions by Scotland and Wales to rely on tougher Covid restrictions throughout the pandemic may not have been 'worth it', scientists said today. As well as today's announcement, Welsh leader Mark Drakeford is refusing to lift the highly-controversial 'rule of six' for another four days. Both nations resorted to tougher Covid curbs than England early out in the pandemic, and kept people living under economically-cripping curbs for longer. But experts told MailOnline they could not see a 'huge amount of difference' in the cumulative death rates between England and the rest of the UK. And they argued Omicron waves panned out similarly across the home nations, even though Downing St slipped through on relatively few rules. This is despite Scotland cancelling New Year's Eve celebrations and Mr Drakeford accusing England of being a 'global outlier' for Boris Johnson's gamble to adopt no extra measures. Ms Sturgeon said yesterday Scotland's tougher festive curbs were 'worth it', arguing they kept infection rates below levels south of the border. Scotland has recorded 23 coronavirus-linked deaths and 8,022 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to latest figures. It means the death toll under this measurement, of people who tested positive for the virus in the previous 28 days, is 10,222. There were 1,392 people in hospital on Monday with recently confirmed Covid-19, down 43 on the previous day, with 34 in intensive care, down four. In addition, on Monday, 15 confirmed Covid-19 patients had been in intensive care longer than 28 days. So far 4,406,999 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 4,112,264 have received their second dose, and 3,263,981 have received a third dose or booster, Scottish Government figures published on Tuesday showed. More than 800 migrant children were found alone wandering along the United States' southern border during a span of two days, according to data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. U.S. Border Patrol agents last Thursday detained 336 unaccompanied minors, compared with December 30 when 150 children were found without their parents or legal guardians along the 1,954-mile border that the United States shares with Mexico. CBP stats also showed that officers encountered an additional 485 unaccompanied minors for unlawfully crossing the border last Wednesday. Spanish news agency EFE first reported. According to CBP, U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped 821 unaccompanied children at the southwestern border last Wednesday and Thursday. Pictured is a group of at least 280 children who were encountered on July 29 near Texas's border with Mexico A Border Patrol officer oversees migrants stepping out of a bus in Del Rio, Texas, on September 22, 2021 U.S. Border Patrol agents came across 171,198 children who were sent alone by their parents to the United States in 2021 The mass number of children found without their parents at the border reflects the continuing struggles that the administration of President Joe Biden has faced with getting both sides of Congress to reform the nation's immigration laws since arriving at the White House. The administration's removal of immigration policies set by former President Donald Trump saw encounters with unaccompanied minors worsen the border crisis. A new monthly report released Monday by CBP showed that 171,198 unaccompanied children were taken into custody between in 2021. However, there was a 14 percent drop in unaccompanied children encountered towards the end of the calendar year, with 13,937 reported in November compared with 11,921 in December. Migrants await to board a U.S. Customs and Border Protection bus after they were stopped in La Joya, Texas, on April 13, 2021 after crossing from Mexico without legal documents CBP reported 2,035,010 encounters with undocumented migrants who were stopped by U.S. Border Patrol agents for unlawful crossing of the United States-Mexico border between January 2021 and December 2021 CBP said agents placed an average of 352 unaccompanied children in custody in December after averaging 926 throughout November. According to the Department of Homeland Security, at least 8,525 migrant children were in custody of the Department of Health and Human Services as of Sunday. Per U.S. federal immigration laws, children taken into custody by CBP must be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement within 72 hours. The agency then places the children at shelters that it directly funds or turns the children over to parents or other adults. Overall, 178,840 migrants were apprehended attempting to enter the United States from Mexico in December, raising the total number of apprehensions at the southern border in all of 2021 to 2,035,010. In comparison, 547,777 interdictions with migrants were registered in 2020, Trump's last calendar year in office. The Republican Party quickly accused Democratic President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of having created a 'historic humanitarian crisis.' Harris, who was chosen by Biden to lead the administration's efforts in resolving the southern border plight, has visited the region only once, doing so June 26, 2021. 'On their watch, cartels and smugglers are thriving, border officials are overwhelmed, our communities are less safe,' said Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a statement. Harris is slated to visit Honduras on January 27 to attend the inauguration of President-elect Xiomara Castro. The White House said in a statement last week that Harris will be meeting with Castro "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." A murdered psychiatrist was 'beaten, tortured and left for dead' by three people while looking for gay sex in a park near Cardiff Castle, a court heard today. Father-of-two Dr Gary Jenkins, 54, suffered horrific injuries when he was attacked as he went to the park to 'explore his bisexuality' after the break-up of his marriage. However, he was brutally set upon by three attackers, including a girl aged just 16, as they targeted his bag. Opening the case on Tuesday, Dafydd Enoch, prosecuting, said the attack was 'motivated by greed, homophobia and straight-up violence'. He told the court the three defendants had been 'in search of vulnerable gay men in the park for sex' to rob. He said they set upon Dr Jenkins, who 'pleaded for his life'. Jason Edwards, 25, Lee William Strickland, 36, and the girl, who is now 17 but cannot be named for legal reasons, deny murder. They have pleaded guilty to manslaughter, robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Mr Enoch told the court how the trio laughed as they carried out the torture for some 15 minutes as Edwards said, 'Stamp on his head, stamp on his head'. The teenage girl was caught on CCTV saying 'I needed that' after the attack, jurors heard. Police rushed to the scene when the alarm was raised and found Dr Jenkins unconscious with his trousers pulled down. Mr Enoch added: 'He had been left in a humiliating state.' Doctors tried to save Mr Jenkins but he died of an 'unsurvivable' brain injury 16 days later. The court heard a witness described the teenage girl attacker as 'f***ing evil. Sadistic.' Dr Gary Jenkins (pictured), 54, suffered horrific injuries when he was brutally attacked in the shadow of Cardiff Castle in Bute Park, Cardiff, on July 20 last year Pictured: Lee Strickland, charged with the murder of Mr Jenkins Mr Enoch said: 'They were hurting Dr Jenkins for the best part of 15 minutes as he lay on the ground. It was torture pure and simple. 'Edwards says, 'Stamp on his head, stamp on his head'. There's homophobic abuse [The youth] at the end is heard saying, 'Yes, I needed that'. These defendants were indulging in sport.' Passer-by Louis Williams had been in the park when he spotted Dr Jenkins on the floor being kicked. He went to help Dr Jenkins but was also assaulted. Mr Williams described the attackers 'egging each other on' while laughing during the attack. He told police: 'I don't know why they were hurting him so much.' The court heard Mr Williams said the teenage girl was 'confident' and said she thought 'everything she was doing was just funny.' He told police: 'She clearly was no victim. She's f***ing evil. Sadistic.' The prosecutor said Dr Jenkins' activities would 'be his undoing' after he left himself 'particularly vulnerable.' He said: 'He was open about it and his colleagues were well aware of his bisexuality. Dr Jenkins was in the habit of attending Bute Park at night looking for sexual contact with likeminded men. He would often drink heavily as well.' The court heard Mr Williams saw the three 'shouting at Dr Jenkins and kicking him' as they pulled at his bag. The teenage girl, who was 16 at the time of the attack, was then heard yelling: 'Take his bag. Get his bag.' Mr Enoch said: 'They were hurting Dr Jenkins for the best part of 15 minutes as he lay on the ground. It was torture pure and simple.' Victim Mr Williams, who was also assaulted, described the three 'egging each other on' while laughing during the attack. He told police: 'I don't know why they were hurting him so much.' The court heard Mr Williams said the teenage girl was 'confident' and said she thought 'everything she was doing was just funny.' He told police: 'She clearly was no victim. She's f***ing evil. Sadistic.' Mr Enoch said: 'We ask you not to make the mistake in this case of assuming that 16-year-old was some sort of wilting flower caught up in something that was not of her making. 'The reality was a million miles from that scenario.' Officers were called to the scene after another man in the park heard shouting that became 'angrier and angrier' just after 1am. The man had previously been approached by the three defendants near to the Summerhouse cafe in the park. He had noticed that the teenage girl 'seemed completely sober' while the two men appeared 'under the influence of drink or drugs.' Prosecutor Mr Enoch said: 'We like to think as human beings we do protect each other. 'Sadly the man at the centre of this case encountered the worst traits of humankind and despite the efforts of at least one person could not find protection. Jason Edwards (pictured), 25, Lee William Strickland, 36, and a 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged with Mr Jenkins's murder Mr Enoch told the jury that Dr Gary Jenkins was a consultant psychiatrist living and working in Cardiff. He said: 'On July 20 last year in the early hours of the morning he was in Bute Park in Cardiff where he was viciously beaten, robbed, tortured and left for dead by these three defendants. 'It was a beating apparently motivated by greed, homophobia and a straightforward liking of violence.' Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard Dr Jenkins was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in the city after a witness tried to stop the attack. Doctors tried to save Mr Jenkins but he died of an 'unsurvivable' brain injury 16 days later. The court heard Dr Jenkins had met his wife at med school in London before the pair had two daughters together. But he moved back to Cardiff following the breakdown of his marriage and went on to explore his bisexuality. He added: 'He was a very easy target as he wandered about Bute Park. By it's very nature the activity he engaged in was risky.' Dr Jenkins was confronted by a 'lethal powder keg' of the three killers mixing together in the park - and he was described as 'extraordinarily unthreatening' by a fellow psychiatrist. Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch said: 'It's difficult to fathom the depths to which we can sink but the unlikely combination of these three defendants produced a lethal powder keg which sadly for Dr Jenkins detonated right in front of him. 'He didn't deserve what happened to him - he was a much-loved and admired individual. 'Not one scintilla of remorse has been shown by any of these defendants who were prepared to leave him for dead on his own in the park.' His line manager consultant psychiatrist Paul Cantrell described him as 'extraordinarily unthreatening' - and very well liked. He said: 'Gary presented in a camp and highly-strung figure sometimes associated with homosexuality and bisexuality. 'There was something extraordinarily unthreatening about Gary which made him well-liked by all those who came across him. He had a wide circle of friends within the field in which we worked. 'Gary was a very good doctor and very passionate about his job. He was one of those doctors who always went the extra mile for patients.' 'He was in regular contact with his children and a devoted father to his girls and he would go to London to see them. I understand his wife and children remained in London where he lived his marital and professional life but moved back to Cardiff six years ago. 'Part of this estrangement may have been due to his bisexuality. 'He felt a duty to his father who developed dementia and recently passed away. 'Gary was great fun when he was out - he was always the first to arrive at a party. 'I was aware from colleagues he frequented Bute Park after hours. The impression conveyed to me by colleagues was well-known that he had occasion to attend the park late at night and knew him well enough to know it was to find a male partner. We were worried about these practises and were thinking of warning him. 'He would go out and drink copious amounts of alcohol but he appeared to me a fit and healthy person, walked a lot, and was proud of his appearance. 'He had no financial difficulties and was renegotiating his contract with me. He was looking to drop working hours by half.' The court heard Dr Jenkins had left work at 5pm before going for a meal and a glass of wine. He was later spotted on CCTV at an Esso garage buying cigarettes and alcohol before last being seen at 9pm near to the park. The court heard the alleged attackers positioned themselves in the park 'to target somebody for robbery and violence.' Dr Jenkins, who had been carrying a bag, was then subjected to the brutal robbery. The trial, due to last four weeks, continues. A disgraced businessman who let himself into a couple's home and begged a woman to join him in the bedroom has been jailed for seven years. Serial pervert Arfan Ali Khan, 44, had previously knocked on another woman's front door on the evening of 28 June 2020. Bolton Crown Court heard that when she answered, Khan told her: 'I'm Khan. I'm here to have sex with you.' Khan, who is listed on Companies House as a director of Fast Couriers Ltd, is now behind bars over a string of sexual offences in Bolton, Greater Manchester. When the first woman refused to let Khan in on June 28, Khan tried to force his way past her into the house. But the court was told that she showed 'incredible fortitude' by managing to shut the door on him. Pictured: Arfan Ali Khan has been jailed for seven years for a string of serious sexual offences which included letting himself into a couple's home and asking a woman to have sex with him Khan then went to the window and again mouthed that he was there to have sex with her. Recorder Simon Killeen said of the woman, who was at home with her 10-year-old son at the time: 'She was absolutely terrified.' Following the incident, Khan targeted another nearby house. After letting himself in the back door of a woman's home, Khan made his way upstairs and confronted the homeowner in her bathroom. He grabbed her hand and blew a kiss at her, as he begged her to go into the bedroom with him. The woman screamed and her boyfriend ran upstairs to help - before throwing Khan out of the house. In August 2020, while under investigation for those incidents, Khan turned up at a storage building and asked a member of staff for sex. When the member of staff asked Khan to leave, he grabbed at the man's groin. At Bolton Crown Court (pictured), the 44-year-old was told by Recorder Killeen that he clearly had no insight into what he was capable of and denied his actions were sexually motivated The court heard that Khan was sentenced last year for another sexual assault which took place near Rivington Barn in February 2020. On that occasion, Khan made 'sexually explicit references to what you wanted to do' to two dog walkers and grabbed at one of their groins. After a trial, Khan, from Bolton, was found guilty of three counts of trespassing with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence and one offence under S4 of the Public Order Act. Sentencing, Recorder Killeen said: 'It is clear you have no real insight into what you're capable of. 'You continue to deny what is obvious - that these offences were sexually motivated. 'You continue to trivialise your behaviour. Sadly you don't really show any remorse or sympathy.' A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed on Khan. Do you know the hero driver? Would you like to pay tribute to the victim? Email tips@dailymail.com Advertisement The 'monster' knifeman who brutally stabbed his ex-wife to death had 'harassed and intimidated' her for three years after their divorce and was handed an anti-stalking order by the Met Police, MailOnline can today reveal. Yasmine Wafah Chkaifi's family members have claimed that 41-year-old Leon Mccaskie abused the mother-of-two, 43, during their two-year marriage. After their divorce three years ago Ms Chkaifi, a mature student of Moroccan descent, secured a restraining order against Mccaskie and installed a panic alarm in her flat because she was so frightened of her ex-husband, one of her sons has claimed. The son, who asked not to be named, also accused Scotland Yard of 'doing nothing' to help Ms Chkaifi in the years before yesterday's horrific murder on Chippenham Road in north-west London despite repeated warnings about Mccaskie. Responding to the allegation, the Met Police said: 'A Stalking Prevention Order had been obtained against the deceased man, as a matter of course there will be a review by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards NPTD further.' The revelation that the killer was the subject of a stalking order is the latest in a string of failures to hit the Met on a day headlines focused on Scotland Yard announcing its criminal probe into lockdown breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall. Bystanders tried to stop Mccaskie after he pounced on Ms Chkaifi at around 9am yesterday, stabbing her more than ten times. But the savage attack was only halted when a passing motorist ran over the knifeman on the pavement, also hitting the mother-of-two. Police last night said a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. 'It was a very abusive relationship which got worse after the divorce. My mother was continually being harassed and intimidated by this man. He made her life hell,' the son told MailOnline. He added: 'I was always in touch with the police but they did nothing to help here. There was even a panic alarm installed in our flat that's how scared she was of this man. He was a monster.' Ms Chakaifis son and other relatives revealed that her ex was supposed to appear in court last week for breaking a restraining order but failed to show. One said: He was ordered to keep away from her but recently had started stalking her, which got worse over the past few weeks. The whole family was worried about her ex because he could be very violent. The police should have done something when he didnt turn up to court last week. Ms Chkaifi's relatives also praised the motorist who tried to stop the attack. Her cousin Hafiza said: 'He's a hero and our family would like to meet him to express our gratitude. He was driving past, saw a woman being attacked and tried to stop it. 'This man should not be arrested but given an award for his bravery. He tried to save Wafah's life and we can never forget what he's done.' Laying flowers at the scene of the crime today, Ms Chkaifi's heartbroken aunt Haida said she was a mother to two sons aged 16 and 18. She said: 'She had a heart of gold, she was a beautiful, wonderful girl. She had friends from all cultures and we are still trying to understand what all this is about. The whole family is shocked. Her mother has been taken to hospital because of this. It's devastated us all.' Earlier, her tearful son said: 'She didn't deserve to die please keep her in your prayers. Everyone who knew her knew she was a good person.' Yasmine Wafah Chkaifi's family members have alleged that Maida Vale knifeman Leon Mccaskie was the mother-of-two's ex-husband and had 'harassed and intimidated' her after their divorce People believed to be family weeping today as they lay flowers at the scene of a horrific double killing in Maida Vale A woman believed to be Miss Chkaifi's first cousin is pictured laying flowers at the scene of the killing on Chippenham Road in Maida Vale, north-west London this morning Forensic officers stand near a blue Renault as they carry out investigations in Maida Vale, West London A body bag is taken away by private ambulance on Chippenham Road in Maida Vale yesterday A car is taken away from the scene of a double killing at Chippenham Road in Maida Vale, north-west London last night Police officers and emergency services cordon off the scene in Maida Vale, West London. Bystanders had tried to stop the knifeman after he pounced on his 43-year-old victim, stabbing her more than ten times Video footage shows paramedics and police battling to save the attacker and the woman. Both died at the scene. A man who claimed to have seen the attack in Maida Vale said: 'The driver said to me 'what have I done?'. I told him 'you had to do that'. Do you know the 'hero' driver who tried to stop attack? Get in touch Email tips@dailymail.com Advertisement The man, who did not want to give his name, added: 'The driver had both of them under his car the guy and the girl. Me and two geezers had to lift the car up and drag her body out. We were giving her CPR but she had stab wounds everywhere. We couldn't stop the blood.' Raad Jiyad, who also witnessed the bloodbath, said: 'I woke up to drive my child to school and I heard some noise, someone saying 'Please help me, please help me'. I opened the door and saw a girl in the street on the floor and a guy with a knife.' The 52-year-old father of two ran out to try to distract the attacker who he said was brandishing a 4in kitchen blade. Another onlooker who tried to intervene was chased off by the knifeman. Mr Jiyad said the man sat on his victim, shouting 'take it' and 'nobody come to me' as he stabbed her repeatedly. Witnesses said the attacker was left pinned under the vehicle and the woman was also hit, with her coat trapped under a wheel. Mr Jiyad said the driver's actions were heroic and described how he himself tried to save the woman: 'I tried to speak to her as she was bleeding and held her as she took her last breath. I have blood on my hand from it.' Scotland Yard issued this picture of Yasmine Chkaifi today His wife, who asked not be named, added: 'The driver wasn't driving very fast but nothing could take the guy from the lady. The driver was the only one who could do anything.' Another witness, Mulugeta Asseratte, said: 'I was coming up from the bakery to Chippenham Road and suddenly heard shouts of 'stop it, stop it' and it was a girl being attacked by a gentleman. 'All of a sudden it moved to the street and no sooner than they reached the street than a driver came and hit both of them. We were all shocked and shouting.' Police arrived within minutes and were seen leading the driver into the back of a police van. Officers said a 26-year-old man was being questioned on suspicion of murder. Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood said: 'This was a terrible incident that occurred in broad daylight on a busy London street. It also appears that a number of members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack. 'A man has been arrested in relation to the case; we are not aware of any links between this man and the two deceased. I can also confirm we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection to this incident.' Police said the families of the man and woman who died have been informed and that post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course. In a statement, the force said: 'Enquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances, but at this early stage it is believed the two deceased were known to each other.' Forensic tents at the scene in Maida Vale after the incident which caused five bus routes to go on diversion Forensic officers carry out investigations after a woman and man died in Maida Vale, West London Forensic officers carry out investigations after a woman and man died in Maida Vale, West London Forensics officers in Maida Vale after a woman was stabbed to death and a man was killed after being hit by a car Photographs taken at the scene yesterday showed forensic teams investigating and taking photographs amid a huge police presence with a large cordon in place that was causing five bus routes to go on diversion. Two vehicles - a Vauxhall and the Renault Clio- were in the cordoned area alongside two London buses and a lorry. Three forensic tents were set up inside the cordon as detectives in forensic gear searched for clues. Local MP Karen Buck said what happened was 'horrific' and 'devastating' for both relatives of those killed and the surrounding community. A resident said he heard 'awful screams coming from kids' attending a nearby secondary school. The incident happened on Chippenham Road which has an average house price of 497,000 and features a row of traditional townhouse terraces mostly now converted into flats as well as a park including a children's playground. Local roads were closed with buses 31, 36, 228 and 328 all on diversion. Westminster North Labour MP Ms Buck, whose constituency address is just 200 yards away, tweeted: 'Horrific events this morning in Elgin Avenue, which will be devastating for family and friends of those killed and also for the local community.' Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smithson earlier said: 'This morning an incredibly serious incident has unfolded in the Westminster area which has seen two people pronounced dead. Our officers are on scene and are working to establish exactly what has happened. 'As soon as we have more information will keep the public updated but for now we must avoid speculation and allow investigators to do their work. 'What I can say at this time is that the incident is contained and we do not believe there to be any wider threat to the community. We have spoken to a number of people already but anyone else who witnessed the incident, or who has information that could help us, is urged to make contact immediately.' Metropolitan Police officers on the scene following the double death in Maida Vale, West London Detectives investigate after the double death happened in Maida Vale, West London Forensic officers look at a blue Renault as they carry out investigations in Maida Vale, West London Councillor Tim Roca, who represents the Harrow Road ward on Westminster City Council, tweeted: 'Just hearing about the tragic events on Chippenham road this morning. 'Absolutely awful news and fair to say the community is in shock.' A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 9.02am today to reports of an incident on Chippenham Road, W9. 'We sent a number of resources to the scene, including two ambulance crews, two clinical team leaders, an advanced paramedic, two tactical response units, a medic in a car, an incident response officer, and members of our hazardous area response team. 'We also dispatched by road London's Air Ambulance. Despite our medics' efforts, two people died at the scene.' A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: 'Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on Chippenham Road in Maida Vale this morning. One car had been in collision with a pedestrian and a man was trapped under the vehicle. 'Crews released him from under the car but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Another woman was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 'The Brigade was called at 9.10am and the incident was over for firefighters by 9.47am. Two fire engines from North Kensington and Paddington fire stations and a fire rescue unit from Paddington fire station were at the scene.' The incident happened on the junction of Chippenham Road and Elgin Avenue which is located four roads away from the BBC's famous Maida Vale studios. Police said witnesses can call them on 101 quoting the reference 1496/24jan, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online A Christian electrician has been granted the right to sue the NHS for discrimination by arguing that his opposition to gay marriage amounts to a religious belief. Brian Walker, who worked at Southmead Hospital in Bristol before resigning in 2020, claims he was treated unfairly by the health service for expressing traditional biblical views to colleagues. The North Bristol NHS Trust ordered Mr Walker to undertake equality and diversity training and gave him a final written warning after a colleague said he had made comments about same sex relationships, mixed race relationships and Muslims. He resigned from his role after he was told his appeal against that decision had been rejected. Mr Walker claims that 'the attention and priority given in many sections of modern society to inclusivity and positive action in favour of non-Christian faiths, minority sexual orientations, and transgenderism, is excessive and unhealthy'. Among his other beliefs are his opposition to same sex unions and homosexual acts, as he believes 'marriage is a divinely instituted union between one man and one woman'. Walker also said he was opposed to 'the growing influence of Islam in Britain and other countries'. His belief that his conservative Christian social values and Christian sexual ethics based on the Bible are equivalent to protected philosophies will now be tested at an employment tribunal after a judge ruled his case can be heard. The NHS argued Mr Walker's claim should be struck out on the grounds his beliefs were not worthy of respect in a democratic society, were incompatible with human dignity and conflicted with the fundamental rights of others. But at a preliminary hearing, Judge Derek Reed dismissed the NHSs submission and ordered a full hearing of the case should now go ahead in the autumn. Christian electrician Brian Walker has been given the right to sue the NHS - his former employers - after arguing his conservative Christian views are equivalent to protected philosophies What are Mr Walker's 'traditional biblical' views? Brian Walker was told to undertake equality and diversity training following an argument with a female healthcare assistant in which she claimed he 'aggressively' voiced strong opinions on several topics. Here are some of the views he has since expressed and plans to defend at an upcoming employment tribunal: Opposition to same-sex unions and homosexual acts Mr Walker will argue that 'marriage is a divinely instituted union between one man and one woman' Belief that society is focusing too much on inclusivity Mr Walker said that an 'excessive and unhealthy' amount of attention and priority is paid to 'minority sexual orientations' and 'transgenderism' Anti-Islamic sentiments Mr Walker is set to criticise 'the growing influence of Islam in Britain and other countries' Advertisement The tribunal was told that Mr Walker had been employed at Southmead Hospital in Bristol for two years when he had an argument with a female healthcare assistant who complained about him in May 2018. She claimed he had been aggressive and had made comments about same sex relationships, mixed race relationships and Muslims. She said he had stated that he believed same-sex marriage was contrary to biblical teaching. In June, Mr Walker, 66, was spoken to about these matters, before he lodged a grievance with the Trust on August 1, 2018. He claimed the comments made by him were not intended to be racist or offensive but he was exercising his freedom of speech by sharing his traditional biblical values, particularly regarding marriage. Following the grievance being investigated, Mr Walker was suspended pending a full disciplinary investigation. By August 2019, the investigation against Mr Walker was concluded and he was ordered to undertake equality and diversity training as well as given a final written warning. Mr Walker was told the allegations against him included him demonstrating behaviour that was not in line with the Trust values and that he had breached the Trusts Equality and Diversity policies. He resigned in July 2020 after his appeal was rejected. The tribunal heard Mr Walker will argue his beliefs in conservative Christian social values and Christian sexual ethics based on the Bible amount to protected philosophies, as well as his opposition to the growing influence of Islam in Britain and other countries. Among his other beliefs are his opposition to same sex unions and homosexual acts, as he believes marriage is a divinely instituted union between one man and one woman. Mr Walker also claims the attention and priority given in many sections of modern society to inclusivity and positive action in favour of non-Christian faiths, minority sexual orientations, and transgenderism, is excessive and unhealthy. Employment Judge Reed ruled he could not decide whether his claim had little or no reasonable prospect of success at this stage and refused to strike out his claim. Mr Walker claims he was treated like a terrorist by NHS bosses and was forced out of the job despite telling bosses he was under severe pressure at the time supporting his disabled children through complex issues. He said the experience nearly destroyed his family. Responding to the judgment, Mr Walker said: 'I am relieved and delighted to hear the judges ruling and that the case can now proceed to a full hearing. 'Christian beliefs, and especially any expressing of them, are being suppressed in the NHS. 'The argument that my beliefs, which I believe are shared by many, are not worthy of protection under the law must end. 'This case is not about me. I am fighting it for younger generations of Christians who have mortgages to pay and careers to lose.' Mr Walker resigned from his job as an electrician at Southmead Hospital (pictured) after his appeal against a final written warning, issued to him after a colleague complained about his comments about same sex relationships, mixed race relationships and Muslims, was rejected Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre which is supporting his case, added: 'In a truly free society we must be able to question and critique each others beliefs. 'In this respect, Brian has been vindicated and the judge has ruled that he was free to question another faith and belief. 'Christian social values advocate for the freedom of the individual to live and speak out their beliefs in a free society and to seek to persuade others of their beliefs in a democratic society. 'We stand with Brian as he continues to seek justice in this case.' Mr Walker previously made headlines in February 2018 when the Scout Association removed him from his position as a youth leader for comparing a Muslim colleague, who was waring a niqab, to the Star Wars villain Darth Vader. Mr Walker, who served in the armed forces for 11 years, which included serving with the SAS, insisted he had not wanted to cause personal offence. He asked Boris Johnson, who was foreign secretary at the time and had faced an investigation by the Conservative Party for making jokes about Islamic face covering, to act as an expert witness to defend him for making what he described as a quip, light-hearted tongue-in-cheek humour. The case ended when the Scout Association agreed to settle out of court. An asylum seeker launched an horrific sexual assault on a vulnerable woman when he pulled down her top and licked her breasts while she was on the way to a shop. Jeyhun Zeynalov, 34, came across his victim - who had a learning disability - in the Shelton area of Stoke-on-Trent as she made her way to the store to buy sweets. He then led her into the grounds of St Mark's Church and assaulted her as she begged him to stop, before he tried to pull down the zip on her jeans before she fled. Azerbaijan national Zeynalov, a father-of-three who lives in the Longton area of the city and used to be a journalist in his home country where he 'criticised the party in power', has now received a suspended jail sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. He initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault in October 2018 over the attack which took place the previous summer, before admitting guilt in March 2021. Jeyhun Zeynalov, 34, was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for 18 months Zeynalov, who has no previous convictions but is now living separately to his wife after they were married for 13 years, claimed the incident was consensual. Ben Lawrence, prosecuting, told the court: 'It would be clear to anyone that she had a learning disability. She went out to a local shop to buy some sweets. 'As she was walking towards the shop, he seemed to be waiting for her. She said he was 'chatting her up'. He asked her if she wanted to go out for a drink. She said 'no', and that she was going to go home.' The court heard that after visiting the shop, Zeynalov again followed her and bought a bottle of vodka. As she left the shop, he caught up with her. Mr Lawrence added: 'He began talking to her again. He pulled her into the grounds of St Mark's Church on Broad Street. 'She was frightened and went where he directed her. He began touching her, and she said 'no' - he pulled down her top and licked her breasts. Zeynalov led the woman into the grounds of St Mark's Church in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent 'He tried to kiss her and she turned her head away. He tried to lower the zip on her jeans. When it was clear that she was not going to participate, she left.' The court heard the victim went home and told her mother what had happened. Zeynalov was arrested shortly after. In an impact statement, his victim said: 'I was upset about what happened to me. I would regularly walk to the shop - after that I felt worried about walking to the shop. 'I am worried about being around strange men in the street. After what happened my mother is very worried about me. You don't know who is going to be about. 'I am glad that I don't have to think about this anymore. When I go out, I like to wear something that covers me up.' Carl Templar-Vasey, defending, said there had been no repeated offending. He added: 'It appears to have been a one-off offence. Zeynalov was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court (pictured) but was not sent to prison 'He is an asylum-seeker from Azerbaijan - he was a journalist and criticised the party in power. He now receives 198 a week. 'He has three children and has been married for 13 years and has had recent difficulties with his wife and they are now living separately.' Judge David Fletcher sentenced Zeynalov to ten months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with a 30-day of rehabilitation requirement. He was also given a six month alcohol treatment requirement and 120 hours unpaid work. In addition, Zeynalov was placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years. The judge told him: 'You clearly on the day in 2017 took advantage of a young woman who had some difficulties which must have been obvious to you. 'You followed her and you ushered her into the grounds of a church, where you exposed her breasts. 'She made it perfectly clear that she didn't want to involve herself in any behaviour like that with you. She simply walked away and you didn't pursue her.' A retired police officer was murdered beside the Grand Union Canal by an irate boater who had seen him putting a ticket on an unlicensed narrowboat, a court heard today. Daniel Wisniewski, who lives on his own canal boat, is alleged to have launched the 'unprovoked' attack on waterway worker Clive Porter after seeing him ticket another person's barge. Jury members were told how the 46-year-old became angry and stormed off of his boat, the Captain Golden Heart, before photographing Mr Porter. Prosecutors allege Wisniewski then attacked the 63-year-old on the towpath near Aylesbury, Bucks, in April last year. Mr Porter, who was patrolling the stretch of the 137 mile-long waterway for the Canal and River Trust his retirement, died at the scene after suffering severe head injuries. A court heard Wisniewski was later found hiding in a ditch on a nearby piece of land, owned by his partner. When questioned by police he claimed he had attempted to 'save' Mr Porter from an attack by two men on the boat he had put the ticket on and that he was in fact a 'hero' who deserved a 'medal from the Queen', jury members were told. Wisniewski, listed in court as living in Wharf Road, Birmingham, denies a single charge of murder and is on trial at Reading Crown Court. Daniel Wisniewski, who lives on his own boat on the famous canal, is alleged to have launched the 'unprovoked' attack on waterway worker Clive Porter (pictured) after seeing him ticket another person's barge Prosecutors allege Wisniewski attacked the 63-year-old on the towpath of the Grand Union Canal (pictured) near Aylesbury, Bucks, in April last year Today, in the opening of the trial, Judge Justice Turner heard that Mr Porter, who had retired from the police 10 years previously, had taken up the job because of his love of the outdoors. The court heard he would cycle up and down the towpath entering boats' details on an iPad that would check their licences to moor on the idyllic canal. Prosecutor Alan Kent QC said: 'His role as a former police officer made him ideally situated for the job that he was doing. 'Before his retirement, he was a neighbourhood officer in Tring, Hertfordshire and he got satisfaction from helping people. 'He was well-liked and well respected, a quiet, unassuming and non-aggressive man.' The jury heard that as Mr Porter arrived at Broughton Lock at around 12.15pm on April 26, he saw a boat called Frosty Jack, which his iPad revealed had not had a licence to moor on the canal paid for. He then proceeded to give the boat, which was tied up in sight of the narrowboat that Wisniewski shared with his partner, an enforcement letter and that is what provoked his attacker. Mr Kent told the court: 'The enforcement letter that was put on the Frosty Jack was absolutely none of this defendant's business but he made it his business. 'For some reason, the defendant seemed to take exception to the fact that an enforcement letter was being put on this other boat and he started a row with Mr Porter about it. 'That row quickly became a physical assault by the defendant and that led to Mr Porter's death.' Detectives are encouraging anyone with information to come forward. Pictured: Forensic evidence was gathered at the scene 'A camera that was recovered from Wisniewski's boat was examined by investigators and in the deleted images section they found photos taken by the defendant of Mr Porter putting the enforcement letter on the other boat. 'From that evidence, it was clear that this defendant was interested in what Mr Porter was doing moments before he attacked him. 'The fact that the photos were found in the deleted section indicates that he had the foresight to delete these images. 'There was no reason for him to do that but he did and he did not expect the police to find them, but they did.' The court heard that after the attack, Mr Porter was found in a ditch next to the towpath mostly submerged in water and the lifejacket that he habitually wore, was inflated. Paramedics managed to pull him out of the water and worked desperately to save the 63-year-old's life. However, he was soon declared dead. Mr Kent added: 'It is quite plain that shortly after killing Mr Porter, this defendant did not hang around, he fled the scene. He was eventually arrested about 12 hours later, at 12.30am on Tuesday, April 27. 'He was arrested after he hid under a trailer on a bit of land that his partner owned. He did not want to be found, he did not expect the police to find him, but they did.' The jury was then shown a drone fly-through of the scene, including photos taken only moments before Wisniewski allegedly attacked Mr Porter. The Polish national, who sat in the dock listening to an interpreter throughout proceedings, denies that he murdered Mr Porter and instead claims that he tried to save him after he was attacked by a pair of men who came from the Frosty Jack. Mr Kent said: 'He claimed that he was such a hero that he should get a medal from the Queen. 'There were not two men who attacked Mr Porter, it was Wisniewski.' Jury members were also shown a series of emails sent by Wisniewski and his partner revealed a long-standing anger towards those working on the canal, the jury was told. Prosecutor Mr Kent said: 'On November 27, 2019, the investigation by Thames Valley Police revealed that the defendant's partner purchased a plot of land at Model Row. That is next to the canal. Mr Porter died on Monday 26 April along the Grand Union Canal. Pictured: The scene after his death 'The plan was for her and the defendant to use the area, including the land, to repair and restore canal boats. To do this they needed a commercial licence. 'However in early 2020 problems started to arise because of flooding. That gave rise to a series of emails from the defendant's partner to the Canal Trust. 'It is quite clear, although the emails were in her name, he (Wisniewski) must have been party to it. 'She complained repeatedly about the state of the canal, claiming it was horrible, neglected and wasn't worth the money. 'She said some of the staff were incompetent. Due to the flooding that occurred in early 2020, she said the land could not be used and demanded compensation for the flooding.' The prosecutor went on: 'They threatened court action, sending a series of emails for six months. Licences are required to live on a boat. In January 2021 last year the defendant paid the fees for mooring. 'The defendant made inquiries about the removal of his business licence. On Friday, April 23, he paid commercial fees. Three days later the defendant killed Clive Porter,' said Mr Kent. 'We suggest the background emails show the general frustration of the individuals. On April 26, the defendant took his frustration out on Clive Porter..' The prosecutor also took the jury through some of the witness accounts from the day of the attack. He said: 'Philip Francis was walking towards the canal path towards the Frosty Jack. 'He said he saw a man who checked the boat and removed something from his bag and fixed it to the boat. 'The witness already noticed the defendant's boat and he saw a man in that boast standing there with a camera. Wisniewski, of Wharf Road, Birmingham, denies a single charge of murder. The trial, at Reading Crown Court (pictured) is expected to last three weeks 'The defendant said to Mr Francis something along the lines of "they should be clearing the water rather than doing that," making it his business to watch what Mr Porter was doing. 'He walked along the path past the defendant and sat in his car for a while. He did not see anybody else along the towpath. 'Zachary Tennyson was walking his dog. He saw the defendant with his boat and Clive Porter was on the towpath. 'Zachary said the defendant appeared to be angry. He had a furrowed brow and a frowning-face. 'He had headphones on so didn't hear but saw the two men were talking. The only other man he saw was a male jogger. 'Patricia Card was out with her grandson. As she and her grandson walked along the towpath she noticed two men arguing. The shorter man was saying things like "I've paid for this". 'He was, from what she could tell, getting increasingly aggressive. The taller man was keeping calm. 'She later saw the shorter man, alleged to be Wisniewski and noticed his hand appeared to be red.' Wisniewski, of Wharf Road, Birmingham, denies a single charge of murder. The trial is expected to last three weeks. The hearing continues. Angry commuters threw coins and coffee at Extinction Rebellion activists who scaled a Tube train to protest about climate change, a court heard. James Mee, 37, was pulled onto the platform at Canning Tube station and kicked by enraged passengers during the morning rush-hour on October 17, 2019. Mee, an accounts administrator, and former Buddhist teacher Mark Ovland, 38, used a telescopic ladder to climb onto the train, jurors heard. They unfurled a banner saying 'business as usual=death' while a public announcement told the crowd, which had gathered below the activists, to evacuate, Inner London Crown Court heard. Edmund Blackman, prosecuting, said the pair were only on top of the train for 20 minutes but 48,000 people had their morning commutes affected. XR activists Mark Ovland (left) and James Mee (right) used a telescopic ladder to climb onto a London Tube train 'The attitude of the crowd and some of the public who were inconvenienced were angry and hostile and things on the platform got very ugly. 'People were reaching up, trying to pull the people and the banner off the train, throwing things, coffee, coins, verbally jeering.' TfL staff asked Mee and Ovland to come down but they refused. 'A lot of people had their camera phones out, recording what was going on,' said Mr Blackman. 'One of the people who was recording seems to have been there by arrangement, involved in Extinction Rebellion, recording what was going on for, presumably, publicity purposes. 'The crowd turned on him when they realised who he was and he was assaulted by members of the public on the platform.' One passenger grabbed Mee and pulled him down to the platform where he was surrounded and kicked. Another passenger climbed on top of the train and advanced towards Ovland. 'Mr Ovland was part pushed off the train, part slid down of his own volition, realising that he might be thrown off or dragged down,' said Mr Blackman. After their arrest the two protestors refused to answer police questions but Ovland's solicitor read out a prepared statement. It said: 'Today I was taking part in a demonstration to highlight the urgent issue of climate breakdown. 'Business and government are not taking it seriously, as required, therefore I have no option but to do something before it is too late. 'It is my moral and civic duty to bring the issue to the public's attention...' They were on top of the train for 20 minutes, the court heard. 'Ten trains were cancelled,' said Mr Blackman. 'The train immediately before that was stuck between platforms and there were severe delays for 43 minutes. 'TfL estimates that 48,000 people had their journeys affected by the actions of these two defendants.' Mr Blackman told the jury: 'This evidence is very unlikely to be disputed by the defence and therefore you may wonder to yourself what you are doing here. 'The answer is this. As far as the defendants are concerned their actions that day were a proper exercise of their democratic right to protest, as we all have. 'The prosecution say that was not a proper exercise and therefore they are guilty of a criminal offence.' Mee, of Filton, Bristol, and Ovland, of Keinton Mandeville, Somerset, deny obstructing engines or carriages on railways under the Malicious Damages Act 1861. The trial continues. Shocking video captured the moment an Ohio elementary school cafeteria worker forced a fourth-grade girl to eat a waffle she had thrown in the trash in a disturbing incident that led to a federal lawsuit and the firing of the lunch lady and the school's principal. The nine-year-old student, who is black, was ordered to finish her meal after the white lunch monitor, identified as Monika Sommers-Fridenstine, fished the lunch from a trash bin at Palm Elementary in Lorain - as the principal stood by and did nothing, according to the civil rights lawsuit. The footage of the early December incident was released last week by Lorain City Schools following a public records request. 'We see in this video, she throws her lunch away like thousands of students do across the country do every day,' said Jared Klebanow, the lawyer representing the girl's family. 'For one reason or another, this monitor pulls the waffle from the garbage, holds it out like she doesnt even want to look at it or see it, wipes it off with a napkin and hands it back to the student and forces her to eat it.' Klebanow, who filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on December 8, questioned whether the incident was racially motivated. 'Hundreds of caucasian children have thrown away their lunches at Palm Elementary school and, upon information and belief, have never been required to eat food pulled from the garbage,' the lawsuit states. The lunch monitor and Principal Deborah Pustulka, who is also white, were fired on December 16 after the school district investigated the incident. Scroll down for video Surveillance footage (pictured) captured the moment the food was fished from a trash bin at Palm Elementary in Lorain, about 30 miles from Cleveland, and handed back to the young black girl. Monika Sommers-Fridenstine, wearing white in the red circle, can be seen handing the food to the fourth-grade girl Former school Principal Deborah Pustulka (pictured) was fired after she watched the incident unfold and didn't intervene The unidentified girl's mother, LaTosha Williams, said her daughter simply didn't like the waffles. That wasn't good enough for Sommers-Fridenstine, who 'crossed her arms and looked at [the girl]' until she ate the waffles, her classmates looking on,' according to the lawsuit Fridenstine told her to 'go sit down' and that she 'would be required to eat the waffles dug out of the garbage,' the lawsuit added. Klebanow said that Sommers-Fridenstine 'scared' and 'intimidated' the student into eating the waffle while Pustulka was in 'eyeshot.' Ben Crump, the famed civil rights lawyer who represented the families of George Floyd, Daunte Wright and Ahmaud Arbery, retweeted the surveillance footage. Williams said that her daughter fell ill after eating the soiled lunch, and that she lost her job after taking time off to care for the girl. LaTosha Williams, the mom of fourth-grader, said her daughter simply didn't like the waffles Newly released video captured a cafeteria worker forcing a 9 yo Black Palm Elementary School student to EAT food that shed thrown away out of a trash can! The principal, who FAILED to take immediate action after the incident, & the school employee, have been fired!! pic.twitter.com/GNHp3LBMgy Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) January 25, 2022 Pustulka (pictured wearing black) can be seen looking on as the student is forced to eat the food from the garbage In a December 16 statement announcing the firings of the principal and the paraprofessional, Superintendent Jeff Graham (pictured) asserted that 'any infringement upon the dignity and respect of our students will not be tolerated' Williams said that her family is 'torn apart,' and that her daughter has lost interest in school. 'She has changed at home,' she told 19 News. 'She doesnt act the same. She doesnt even want to go to school.' In a December 16 statement announcing the firings of the principal and the paraprofessional, Superintendent Jeff Graham asserted that 'any infringement upon the dignity and respect of our students will not be tolerated.' 'Our students deserve staff members who are able to make good decisions in all situations and any staff member who is unable to deliver on that promise is unwelcome in our schools,' he said. Graham has 'been in direct contact with the family since learning of the incident,' and has 'apologized on behalf of the district.' He then 'met with the family to listen to their concerns to help address their needs moving forward.' Klebanow doesn't think that goes far enough, seeking an unspecified amount of money and an admission of wrongdoing in the lawsuit. 'Nobody else's child should ever have to go through something like this,' Williams said. Conglomerates fear NPS abusing right to file lawsuits By Lee Min-hyung Korea's state pension fund, one of the largest in the world with around 918 trillion won under management, plans to strengthen its ability to file lawsuits against corporate management officials and boards of directors in order to exercise stronger rights to intervene in the management activities of major listed firms here. The move, however, has been making businesses feel increasingly uncomfortable. The National Pension Service (NPS) plans to do this by giving its external committee comprised of officials from labor and civic groups the authority to file shareholder derivative suits against local companies. The NPS plans to discuss shifting this authority to the organization from its fund management committee, at an upcoming meeting next month. The plan has drawn strong backlash from businesses here, with industry officials arguing the move will end up destabilizing the economy and weakening the autonomy of companies. There are concerns that the labor-backed committee will file a litany of lawsuits armed with its enhanced power, which experts argue could undermine day-to-day operations at the country's biggest conglomerates. "One of the biggest fears is that the committee will file a huge number of lawsuits against companies by acting in accordance with public opinion," Sejong University professor Kim Dae-jong said. The key reason behind the establishment of the NPS is for the welfare of the public by maximizing the profitability of its fund. "But the latest move by the NPS goes against that purpose, and is feared to suffocate local companies," he said. The NPS is not an independent organization and is still swayed by government pressure, which is its key difference with major overseas counterparts, according to the expert. "Pension funds from developed countries have independent management, but this is not the case with the NPS whose leader is appointed by the government, so it is sensitive to public opinion when making decisions," he said. The NPS is an affiliated organization under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Kim says the government's intervention is way too excessive. The committee consists of nine officials, four of which will come from labor and civic groups, if the move is confirmed at the upcoming meeting. Officials at major conglomerates say there is a strong chance that more companies will end up mired in lawsuits, as the NPS' external committee does not have to care about the profitability of its fund. "The NPS' fund management committee has to think twice before deciding whether to file lawsuits against firms, as this may result in a fall in their stock prices, which will in turn weaken the profitability of the pension fund," an industry source said. "But this will not be the case if the labor-powered committee gains power over the agenda, as it would not have to care about the profitability of its fund." In response, the health ministry held an emergency press conference with the leaders of the country's business and trade circles on Jan. 20. They voiced strong opposition by issuing a joint statement. "The committee does not take responsibility for the fund's management, so regardless of its profitability, the organization is highly likely to take legal actions in line with public sentiment and its political and social interests," they said in the statement. The fund management committee, which is sensitive to profitability, should therefore decide whether to file lawsuits after calculating how much the action will affect its returns, they said. The ministry plans to decide by the end of February whether to allow the NPS to push ahead with the move. Nevertheless, the NPS has been expanding its influence over local companies. According to data from the Korea Enterprises Federation, the number of times the NPS has exercised its voting rights has been on a gradual rise in recent years. The figure stood below 3,000 before 2019, but increased each year afterwards. The NPS took part in a total of 747 shareholders meetings between January and October last year, and exercised its voting rights on 3,319 agenda items. Another industry official said the NPS should set up an internal system that prevents the committee from abusing its right to file lawsuits. "Companies will remain vulnerable without the establishment of such preventive measures," the official said. A former convict has been accused of murdering a female Tennessee sheriff's deputy and setting fire to her home, where she was discovered shot to death after failing to show up for work on Sunday. James Jackson Conn, 27, was arrested on Monday following an hours-long standoff in Smyrna and was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson for the killing of Robertson County Sheriff's Deputy Savanna Puckett. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) described Conn as 'an acquaintance' of the 22-year-old deputy. The agency has not commented on the exact nature of the relationship between the suspect and victim. A TBI spokesperson also has not disclosed a possible motive for the murder. DailyMail.com can now reveal that Conn has an extensive criminal record in Tennessee, which includes multiple convictions for domestic assault and other crimes. James Conn, 27 (left), has been charged with murder and arson for the killing of Robertson County Sheriff's Deputy Savanna Puckett, 22 (right), who was found shot dead inside her burning Tennessee home on Sunday Puckett's colleague found her home (pictured) engulfed in flames after going over there to check on her when she failed to show up for work Deputy Puckett had worked with the sheriff's office for four years, officials said. 'Words cannot express the sadness and grief that Savanna's family and her Sheriff's Office family are facing right now,' Sheriff Michael Van Dyke said in a statement. 'This is a tragedy that we are processing minute by minute.' When Puckett did not report to her assigned shift at 5pm on Sunday, a fellow deputy was sent to her home on Highway 41N in Springfield to perform a welfare check, and discovered the residence engulfed in flames, the sheriff's office said in a press release. The deputy attempted to enter the burning home, but was unable to because the fire was too intense. Late Monday morning, police in Smyrna, Tennessee, arrested a male suspect in connection with Puckett's death The unnamed man was apprehended after an hours-long standoff with police When firefighters responded to the scene, they entered the home and found Puckett's body, Fox 17 reported. According to court documented cited by WSMV, the deputy had been shot multiple times in the head and torso. TBI stated in a press release that during the investigation, agents developed information leading to Conn 'as the person responsible for [Puckett's] death and the fire at her home.' An arrest affidavit has revealed that Conn's fingerprints were found on a lighter fluid bottle that was found at the crime scene. On Monday morning, officers with the Smyrna Police Department arrived at Conn's address on Odom Street to execute a search warrant, and an hours-long standoff followed. Neighbors told The Tennessean they heard police using loudspeakers to coax the suspect out of his home. At around 11.30am, the impasse came to an end when SWAT team members arrested Conn without incident. As of Tuesday, he was being held in jail without bond pending a February 1 court appearance. Criminal records obtained by DailyMail.com indicate that Conn has had multiple run-ins with the law since at least 2019. In September of that year, Conn was arrested for domestic assault, leading to a conviction and a partially suspended sentence. Just two months later, he was charged with domestic assault and multiple counts of criminal contempt, resulting in four convictions and another partially suspended sentence. In January 2020, Conn was arrested on charges of aggravated criminal trespass and criminal contempt. He was found guilty of the trespass charge and was handed yet another suspended sentence, followed by a supervised probation. The contempt charge was dismissed. Despite her young age, Puckett was described by her co-workers as a 'mother hen' who looked after her co-workers. Puckett had worked with the sheriff's office for four years, beginning as a corrections officer in 2018. She graduated from Walter State Law Enforcement Academy in September 2020 Puckett joined the sheriff's office as a corrections officer in 2017, when she was just 18 years old, and transferred to the patrol division in May 2020. In September of that year, she graduated from Walter State Law Enforcement Academy. 'Savanna was the one who always showed up early to her shift with a smile on her face,' the sheriff's statement read. 'She was a mother hen to us all, and frequently cooked meals and baked goodies for her shift. She was tough, courageous, kind, compassionate and had an infectious personality that will always be remembered.' Tory MP Nusrat Ghani's alleged Islamophobic treatment was an 'open secret' at Westminster, a Conservative peer said today. Former party chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said her fellow Muslims were 'used to keeping their heads down' out of fear that speaking out would hinder their political careers. Ms Ghani, the MP for Wealden, has claimed the party's chief whip linked her 'Muslimness' to her sacking as a minister in 2020. Former Tory party chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi (left) said her fellow Muslims were 'used to keeping their heads down', as she discussed fellow MP Nusrat Ghani's Islamophobia claims Commenting on the scandal, Baroness Warsi told Sky News: 'What has happened to Nus Ghani is an open secret around Westminster. Me and many other colleagues have been aware of this for many months, and the way she's struggled to be heard. 'And secondly, the pattern in Nus's case is the same as I've seen in hundreds of other complaints that have been made to the party about Islamophobia. 'It's seen as far less serious as other forms of bigotry, when the issue is raised colleagues feel threatened and ostracised and feel like it's a career-ending issue, it's always pushed into bureaucracy and the onus is put back on the victim rather than those told about this dealing with the matter proactively, and no action is usually taken unless the media shines a spotlight on it. 'There are nearly four million British Muslims who are looking at government right now asking whether it's possible for a minister to lose her job simply because of her Muslimness. And it sends a shiver down their spine to think this is the kind of thing that could be happening at the heart of government.' In a separate interview with the i, she said Tory MPs knew to 'keep their heads down' and not speak on issues affecting the wider British Muslim community for fear of hindering their political careers, and that she had been warned not to 'flex your Muslim muscles' inside the party. Yesterday it emerged Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to face questions from the Whitehall investigation into Ms Ghani's claims. She is believed to have privately confided in the Health Secretary shortly after she claimed the Conservative party's Chief Whip told her she was fired as a junior transport minister partially as a result of her faith. Mr Javid acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and urged her to escalate the matter, while honouring her request to keep it confidential, according to The Telegraph. Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted he is taking Ms Ghani's allegations seriously and ordered the Cabinet Office to investigate the allegations. The move came after Cabinet ministers Nadhim Zahawi and Javid joined calls for a 'proper' inquiry - with others suggesting it should be fully independent. Mr Johnson told reporters on a visit to Milton Keynes University Hospital yesterday morning: 'We take these allegations extremely seriously. I took them very seriously when they were raised with me 18 months ago. 'Very glad there's an investigation taking place now, can't say more really about it.' Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to face questions from the Whitehall investigation into whether Tory MP Nusrat Ghani was sacked due to her 'Muslimness' Downing Street announced the probe yesterday, with a Number 10 spokeswoman saying: 'The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Office to conduct an inquiry into the allegations made by Nusrat Ghani MP. 'At the time these allegations were first made, the Prime Minister recommended to her that she make a formal complain to CCHQ. She did not take up this offer. 'The Prime Minister has now asked officials to establish the facts about what happened. As he said at the time, the Prime Minister takes these claims very seriously.' Ms Ghani alleged that chief whip Mark Spencer said her faith was partly responsible for her getting the boot in 2020 - something he flatly denies. Mr Johnson was asked this morning if Mr Spencer will remain in his role while the investigation is carried out and he replied: 'Just to get back to the key point, this is something I take personally extremely seriously. I took it very seriously 18 months ago. We must wait and see what the investigation produces.' Ms Ghani has contradicted No10's version of events, saying the PM refused to get involved and tried to fob her off. Ghani v Spencer: Tories pick sides in 'Muslimness' row Team Ghani Nadhim Zahawi: 'There is no place for islamophobia or any form of racism in our Conservative party. Nusrat Ghani is a friend, a colleague & a brilliant parliamentarian. This has to be investigated properly & racism routed out.' Sajid Javid: 'This is a very serious matter which needs a proper investigation. I would strongly support her in making a formal complaint - she must be heard.' Caroline Nokes: 'I was very proud when Nus was the first female Muslim minister to speak at the despatch box and I thought it was evidence of how far our parliament and my party had come and to hear of the challenges that she has subsequently faced, is horrific.' Steve Baker: 'That Nus could be treated like this is completely intolerable. I value (her) as a great colleague and I'm appalled. We must get to the bottom of it.' Team Spencer Mark Spencer: 'These accusations are completely false and I consider them to be defamatory. I have never used those words attributed to me.' Dominic Raab: 'If there are any claims like this they should result in a formal complaint which allows a formal investigation to take place. As the chief whip has pointed out, Nus hasn't made a formal complaint. She was asked to do so. In the absence of doing so there will be no specific investigation into this.' Downing Street: 'After being made aware of these extremely serious claims, the Prime Minister met with Nusrat Ghani to discuss them. He then wrote to her expressing his serious concern and inviting her to begin a formal complaint process. She did not subsequently do so.' Advertisement After the announcement, Ms Ghani insisted the terms of reference for the probe must include 'all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip'. Ms Ghani said: 'As I said to the Prime Minister last night all I want is for this to be taken seriously and for him to investigate. 'I welcome his decision to do that now. 'The terms of reference of the inquiry must include all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip. 'I look forward to seeing the terms of reference.' In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Zahawi welcomed the news, but stressed he did not think the allegations had been taken lightly before. He said he personally had never 'experienced any form of racism' in the Conservative Party. The Education Secretary told Sky News: 'She has made a very serious allegation, the Prime Minister spoke to her last night and said the Cabinet Office will investigate this and look at the detail of this. 'She put out a statement last night saying actually, to be fair to her, this could be people who weren't even members of the Conservative Party, which is why we need to get to the bottom of this very quickly. 'And of course the Chief Whip (Mark Spencer) has come out and named himself as the individual and I work with both colleagues, and I think it is important that someone like a Cabinet Office senior civil servant should look at this properly, because the Chief Whip has also categorically denied this.' A thinktank has called on the Government to bring in the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate the claims. The Runnymede Trust, a race equality thinktank, says the issue is too important to be left to a civil servant-led inquiry. Chief executive Dr Halima Begum told the Guardian: 'This is an incredibly serious situation. At a bare minimum, the allegation that a minister of the crown was fired for her so-called 'Muslimness' would represent a flagrant challenge to our equalities and labour laws. 'The facts and questions about the legality of what has happened here must be urgently investigated by the very highest authority. This cannot simply be left for another civil service inquiry. If the allegations are proven to be true, Nusrat would have been subjected to grossly discriminatory behaviour. '[Her] distress will be felt by every one of the 3 million Muslims in the country, as well as every member of our religious minority communities. All of the political parties need to do more to demonstrate zero tolerance for discrimination, and to prove that religious minorities in this country are respected regardless of their faith.' Caroline Nokes, chair of the Commons women and equalities committee, described the treatment of Ms Ghani as 'appalling'. She also backed calls for the EHRC to launch an investigation and told the Telegraph: 'Her faith has never made me (or any other colleague) 'uncomfortable'. 'At the very least EHRC should have a look at this.' An EHRC spokesman stated the Commission is still examining the Conservative Party's handling of the Singh inquiry into Islamophobia complaints last year and suggested a full investigation may take place. The spokesman added: 'If we are not satisfied with progress we will review our decision [not to begin an immediate review] and do not rule out the use of our legal powers.' In a round of interviews this morning, Nadhim Zahawi welcomed news that a Cabinet Office investigation will be held The PM (pictured left running this morning) has instructed the civil service to carry out a probe after the extraordinary claims from Ms Ghani. Mark Spencer (right) has outed himself as the whip concerned, and branded Ms Ghani's comments 'false' and 'defamatory' After the announcement, Ms Ghani insisted the terms of reference for the probe must including 'all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip' Who is Nusrat Ghani? Kashmir born trailblazer was a surprise sacking in PM's 2020 reshuffle Nusrat Ghani - known as Nus - was long seen as a rising star in Tory circles. And it came as a surprise to many when she was axed as a minister in 2020. The 49-year-old was born in Kashmir to Pakistani parents and grew up in Birmingham. She worked in an investment bank, charities and the BBC World Service before entering politics. Ms Ghani is married to Sky executive David Wheeldon, with whom she has one child. She stood in the 2010 general election for the seat of Birmingham Ladywood and lost, but was elected as MP for Wealden in East Sussex in 2015. She was the first female to win the seat and the first Muslim woman elected as a Tory MP. After her victory, Ms Ghani said: 'As the nation wakes up the Conservatives look to be on the brink of returning to government.' 'We have helped put our country back on track. Our party has taken bold steps and you have put your trust in us to finish the job.' In 2015, Ms Ghani was appointed a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee. A Brexiteer, Ms Ghani in 2016 told the BBC: 'Britain has a chance to vote for a bold, positive future as an independent country in control of its own destiny. 'We have the chance to liberate our economy from a declining corner of the world and spread our wings to the whole globe.' Ms Ghani was appointed assistant whip and transport minister in 2018 under Theresa May. She was the first female Muslim to speak from the Commons dispatch box. At the time, then-Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC her promotion showed the Conservatives 'were a party of opportunity'. 'We're the party to provide the first Muslim woman minister to speak from the government dispatch box the member for Wealden,' he said.' Ms Ghani wrote on her website: 'A century after women got the vote for the first time, I hope that today young people can see that regardless of their background, faith, race, gender or sexuality, there will be a warm welcome on the green benches, and no matter where you are from you can achieve your dreams and ambitions.' In 2020, when Ms Ghani was removed from the role, she was replaced by Kelly Tolhurst. Ms Ghani has said that she was surprised at the demotion, and the shuffle was reported in that light given she had been tipped to oversee HS2 progress. Ms Ghani is a steering committee member of the backbench Covid Recovery Group which opposed the December 2020 lockdown and has voted against other Covid restrictions. Advertisement Elsewhere, a Tory MP sparked anger after he said Ms Ghani was 'hardly someone who is obviously a Muslim'. Michael Fabricant said the timing of the former transport minister's claim was 'very suspicious', and suggested it was linked to moves to get rid of Boris Johnson over the Downing Street lockdown parties scandal. Yesterday, Labour described Mr Fabricant's comments as 'shameful' and called for the Conservative whip to be withdrawn. Speaking on LBC, Mr Fabricant said: 'The timing is interesting. I think all this is because it's open season on Boris Johnson, putting pressure on him from the party trying to get him to resign. 'I think the whole thing actually stinks, the accusation being made by Nus Ghani. 'She's hardly someone who is obviously a Muslim. I had no idea what religion she is. It does seem rather a lame excuse to me that she was sacked because of that.' In response, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy tweeted: 'What an appalling, disgraceful thing to say. 'If the Tories wanted to show they were serious about tackling Islamophobia, they could start by removing the whip from Michael Fabricant.' Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds said the response of the the Tories to Ms Ghani's claims had been shameful. 'For a Conservative MP, Michael Fabricant, to go on the radio and make comments that reflect exactly the sort of unacceptable behaviour Nusrat has raised shows just how deep the problem in the Conservative Party goes,' she said. Ms Ghani has received the backing of Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Education Nadhim Zahawi, the two most senior Muslims in the Cabinet. Both took to Twitter to support her and demand a full investigation into her claims against Mr Spencer. He has outed himself as the whip concerned, and branded Ms Ghani's comments 'false' and 'defamatory'. Justice secretary Dominic Raab also lined up to defend the party, claiming she had decided not to call for an investigation at the time. But Mr Javid said Ms Ghani was 'a credit to the Conservative Party', adding: 'This is a very serious matter which needs a proper investigation. I would strongly support her in making a formal complaint - she must be heard.' His intervention claim after Mr Zahawi tweeted: 'There is no place for islamophobia or any form of racism in our Conservative party. Nusrat Ghani is a friend, a colleague & a brilliant parliamentarian. This has to be investigated properly & racism routed out. #standwithNus' . Ms Ghani, who was the first Muslim woman to be elected as a Tory MP in 2015, told the Sunday Times she was told by a party whip she was being axed in February 2020 because her status as a Muslim woman and a minister was 'making colleagues feel uncomfortable'. She also claimed she was warned that if she continued to raise the issue then her 'career and reputation would be destroyed'. But yesterday morning Downing Street revealed that Ms Ghani had complained directly to the PM in 2020. A spokeswoman said: 'After being made aware of these extremely serious claims, the Prime Minister met with Nusrat Ghani to discuss them. 'He then wrote to her expressing his serious concern and inviting her to begin a formal complaint process. She did not subsequently do so.' After that statement was released, Ms Ghani said: 'When I told the Prime Minister in June 2020 what had been said to me in the Government Whips' Office I urged him to take it seriously as a Government matter and instigate an inquiry. 'He wrote to me that he could not get involved and suggested I use the internal Conservative Party complaint process. 'This, as I had already pointed out, was very clearly not appropriate for something that happened on Government business - I do not even know if the words that were conveyed to me about what was said in reshuffle meetings at Downing Street were by members of the Conservative Party.' And Justice Secretary Dominic Raab rowed in behind him yesterday, saying that Ms Ghani would have to make a formal complaint to trigger a 'specific investigation'. Ms Ghani alleged the chief whip Mark Spencer said her faith got her the boot in 2020 A 15-year-old boy has been flown to hospital after being stabbed multiple times at his school by a fellow pupil. Police said a 16-year-old boy was arrested half an hour later near a train station in Barrow, Cumbria. The teenage victim was stabbed at Walney School this morning as police confirmed they were called just after 10am. Officers and paramedics rushed to the school and the victim was airlifted to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool for treatment. Cumbria Police said his injuries were 'serious' but have since confirmed he is in a stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. In a letter to parents, headteacher Jon Richardson said: 'We are currently working with Cumbria Police following a stabbing on school premises involving two students. A 15-year-old boy has been flown to hospital after being stabbed multiple times at his school by a fellow pupil at Walney School in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria (pictured: stock image) 'The victim has been taken to hospital having suffered serious injuries and another boy has been arrested by Cumbria Police. There is no ongoing risk to other pupils. 'The whole school community is in shock at these events and all of our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family. 'The school day is now continuing while police officers remain on site as part of their ongoing investigation, which we are of course supporting. 'Support for students affected by the incident is available in school and we will provide further updates when we can.' The school opened in 2014 and has just over 500 pupils on roll A spokesman for Cumbria police said: 'Cumbria Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after an incident at Walney School this morning. Police the 16-year-old is being held on suspicion of GBH with intent while the 15-year-old's condition has been described as stable with non life-threatening injuries (stock image) 'Cumbria Police were called by NWAS at around 10.10am, reporting a pupil having suffered stab injuries following an incident inside Walney School. 'The victim, a 15-year-old boy, has suffered multiple stab wounds to their body and has been taken to Alder Hey Hospital via air ambulance having suffered serious injuries. 'A 16-year-old boy was detained at around 10.40am close to Barrow train station. He has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent. 'Police are in attendance at the school and can reassure the public and parents that there is no perceived wider threat.' Advertisement The U.S. faces a race to beat China in recovering an F-35 stealth fighter that plunged into the South China Sea on Monday after what the Navy termed a 'landing mishap' aboard the USS Carl Vinson. The pilot was forced to eject and seven military personnel in total were injured. The $100m warplane, customised for naval operations, plunged overboard - making it the second time in three months that an F-35 has been lost at sea. 'The U.S. Navy is making recovery operations arrangements for the F-35C aircraft involved in the mishap aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the South China Sea, Jan. 24,' a spokesperson for the US 7th Fleet told DailyMail.com. 'We cannot speculate on what the PRC's intentions are on this matter.' It leaves the Navy with a complex salvage operation if it is avoid its most sophisticated warplane, crammed with futuristic technology, falling into the hands of the People's Republic of China. The F-35C is the only long-range stealth strike fighter designed to operate from aircraft carriers. Sailors taxi an F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the 'Argonauts' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson on January 22 The pilot of the F-35C deployed his landing hook to catch the deck and stop his jet, but something went wrong and he ejected and skidded over the side US Navy South China Sea crash was NINTH time $100m jets have malfunctioned in past eight years June 23, 2014: A USAF F-35A had a catastrophic engine fire caused by a fractured rotor which saw it turn into a blaze as it took off in Florida. October 27, 2016: A US Marine Corp F-35B set alight mid-flight due to a fire in its weapons bay before the pilot landed safely in Beaufort, South Carolina. September 28, 2018: All operational F-35s were grounded while a probe was launched into why a fuel tube failed in flight after a horror crash at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. April 9, 2019: Parts of the tail of a Japanese F-35 were found in the sea around 85 miles east of Misawa during a training mission. May 19. 2020: This F-35 crash on landing was caused by a tired, distracted pilot and unresponsive tail glitch. September 20, 2020: A F-35 stealth fighter jet fell out of the sky and exploded on the ground after hitting a KC-130J tanker in a mid-air collision near the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. September 20, 2020: A F-35 stealth fighter jet fell out of the sky and exploded on the ground after hitting a KC-130J tanker in a mid-air collision near the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California November 17, 2021: An RAF F-35B toppled into the Mediterranean Sea after the pilot tried to abort take-off from HMS Queen Elizabeth. Early reports suggested its engine sucked in an are inlet cover. January 4, 2022: South Korea grounded its F-35s after an F-35A suffered an in-air malfunction. Its pilot made an emergency belly landing when its landing gear failed to extend. Advertisement It carries an arrestor hook - to help it land on aircraft carriers - and the expanded wingspan needed to be launched by catapult. As well as its radar-avoiding design, it is crammed with sensors that beam updates directly to the pilot's helmet. The Navy has yet to offer an explanation of what went wrong. 'An F-35C Lightning II assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, embarked aboard USS (CVN 70) had a landing mishap and impacted the flight deck and subsequently fell to the water during routine flight operations,' it said in a statement to US Naval Institute News. 'Impact to the flight deck was superficial and all equipment for flight operations is operational.' It added that the aircraft carrier had been able to resume normal flight operations shortly after. Last year, Britain appealed to the US for help in finding an F-35B Lightning II that toppled from HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Mediterranean during a failed takeoff. London asked for help amid fears that Russia would try to salvage the jet and copy the technology. It was retrieved last month during a secret operation. The US Navy jet was part of a deployment designed to bolster American presence near Taiwan after China had buzzed the island's airspace. A Navy statement said the incident happened during 'routine flight operations' in the South China Sea. 'The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via U.S. military helicopter,' it said. 'The pilot is in stable condition. There were seven total sailors injured.' The statement said three of personnel required evacuation to a medical facility in Manila and four were treated by on-board the carrier and released. It said all the personnel evacuated were assessed as being in stable condition. The Navy said the cause of the 'inflight mishap' on the nuclear-powered carrier was under investigation. 'The status of the aircraft is currently under investigation as are the factors involved in the mishap,' Brenda Way, a spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told The War Zone. The F-35 jet is made by Lockheed Martin, and the USS Carl Vinson in August deployed from its San Diego base for the first time with F-35C Lightning II fighter jets and Navy CMV-22B Osprey aboard. The F-35C is the carrier version of the Joint Strike Fighter being built in three versions for the Air Force, Marines and Navy. The Navy version can fly 1.6 times the speed of sound and has a combat radius of 1200 nautical miles. 'Vinson is the first carrier to accommodate a mix of 4th- and 5th- generation strike fighters, providing unprecedented lethality and survivability and ensuring the Navy team can operate and win in contested battlespace now and well into the future,' said Capt. Tommy Locke, commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, in August. The Pentagon said two U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Groups, led by the Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, began operations in the South China Sea on Sunday. The carriers entered the disputed sea for training as Taiwan reported a new Chinese air force incursion at the top of the waterway. The Carl Vinson is supported by more than 5,000 crew members and carries 65 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. This is only the second major mishap involving an F-35 of any kind operating from an aircraft carrier, following the loss of the British F-35B Joint Strike Fighter in the Mediterranean last year. Earlier this month, a South Korean pilot was forced to make an emergency 'belly landing' in an F-35A after suffering a malfunction in the air. The USS Carl Vinson is seen with the USS Essex behind in a January 2022 picture An F-35C Lightning II test aircraft approaches for a landing aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower of the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, in 2015 The aircraft carriers were in the Philippine Sea, which lays east (to the right) of Taiwan and west of the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands Captain P. Scott Miller, commander of the USS Carl Vinson Landing gear on the jet failed to extend but instead of ejecting, the pilot decided to land the US-made craft at an airbase on its belly. The equipment failed due to electronic issues, a South Korean Air Force spokesman said, forcing the pilot to take the unprecedented action. A military official refused to confirm if the jet suffered any damage in the incident but the pilot walked away uninjured. The 'fifth generation' fighter aircraft is the world's most expensive weapons system. Costs finally stabilized at an eye-watering $406billion, but only after the intervention of President Donald Trump. Manufacturer Lockheed-Martin agreed to cap costs after rump criticized the project and even tweeted support for a rival aircraft. America enticed its NATO and other allies into sharing the cost of the aircraft by offering input into manufacture and 15 per cent of each one is comprised of parts from British companies while some of the jets will be made in Italy. But developing and testing were bedevilled by technical issues. In a mock air battle in 2015, the cutting edge plane was defeated by an older generation F-16, a plane designed in the 1970s. In 2020 Pentagon tests found 276 different faults in jet's combat system. They included the 25mm cannon vibrating excessively and problems with the the aircraft's 'virtual reality' helmet Overheating, premature wear of components in the vertical tails and vulnerability to fire were also found to be issues. The US Air Force temporarily grounded dozens its F-35 stealth fighters while it investigated an oxygen supply issue. The Marine Corps, which operates the vertical take off and landing F-35B model, was forced to ground its planes after flaws were found in the computer system. Polarizing lawmakers like Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz and New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may cause headaches for their party leadership from time-to-time, but a new analysis shows they're also among the most popular politicians on the internet. News articles about the conservative senator and progressive representative get roughly four times more social media traffic than stories about President Joe Biden, according to a study by Axios. Cruz, known for his bombastic criticism of Biden and vocal support of Donald Trump, generated roughly 2,300 social media interactions per story about him. Far-left firebrand Ocasio-Cortez followed shortly behind with an average 1,900 engagements. Both also regularly make news on social media, with Cruz taking aim at COVID-19 health requirements and using his Twitter account as an outlet for his hawkish foreign policy views including calling for sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Ocasio-Cortez updates her supporters on social media even on sensitive topics, including delivering a personal account of her experiences during the Capitol riot last year. She's also used her handles to take shots at moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema over holding up Biden's progressive agenda The report ranks 10 high-profile politicians by how much social media engagement articles about them have gained between January 2021 and January 2022. It found that outspoken politicians who often make headlines for divisive rhetoric rank toward the top. Under Cruz and Ocasio-Cortez are Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Florida GOP Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump ranks toward the bottom of the list at number seven. He drove an average 1,000 engagements per article despite being known for his commanding grasp on social media. However, since leaving the White House and being banned from Twitter and Facebook, the former president's media appearances and reach have narrowed considerably compared to his dominance over the news cycle while in office. Biden rounds out the bottom of the list, with moderate West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin coming in ninth and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell just above him. Ocasio-Cortez and Cruz, both known for their fiery rhetoric, get the most social media interaction in news articles while Biden sees a quarter of that traffic Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the report claims, ranked under Biden and did not make the top 10 list. Politicians who are able to capture more attention on the internet could then capitalize on that buzz via fundraising and building name recognition outside of their constituencies. However, it could also serve to alienate allies in the middle, with the majority of coverage of the higher-ranking politicians being negative. About 90 percent of articles about Ocasio-Cortez analyzed came from right-wing media, while such outlets covered Taylor-Greene far less. The House Ethics Committee is probing whether Democratic Rep. Marie Newman of Illinois promised a government job to Iymen Hamman Chehade in exchange for him not running against her in the 2020 primary. If that is the case, she would have broken federal law and House rules, the ethics panel said in a 13-page report released on Monday. The panel said they had 'substantial reason' to believe Newman made such a move and recommended a further review from the Committee on Ethics. The report has a profound impact on the political futures of both. In October, Newman announced she would challenge fellow Democratic Rep. Sean Casten in the 6th congressional district after the state's redistricting process placed her ina district represented by Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia of Chicago that is nearly 67% Latino. And Chehade is running in the Democratic primary for the open seat in the newly created 3rd Congressional District. That district is Newman's old district. The ethics probe found that during the 2020 primary contest, Newman made Chehade 'certain promises about future employment in her congressional office' that were given in a written contract signed by both parties. Newman denies a quid pro quo, arguing she was not a declared congressional candidate when she signed the contract. Federal Election Commission records show her campaign paid Chehade $24,500 for foreign policy consulting in October, November and December and $29,500 in July, August and September. The House Ethics Committee is probing whether Democratic Rep. Marie Newman of Illinois (above) promised a government job to a rival - she denies charges Investigators looking at whether Rep. Newman promised employment to Iymen Hamman Chehade (above) in exchange for him not running against her in the 2020 primary The contract stated Chehade, a Palestinian-American professor of history, would have a start date of January 3, 2021 and continue as long as Newman remained in Congress. His salary would be between $135,000 and $140,000 per year. But, after Newman won the congressional election, she did not hire Chehade, who then sued her for breach of contract. Chehade claimed he didn't run in the 2020 for Illinois' 3rd congressional district, which covers the Southwest side of Chicago as well as its surrounding suburbs, because of Newman's promise to hire him as a foreign policy advisor and either District Director or Legislative Director in her congressional office. In a twist, Newman, in a motion to dimiss case, acknowledged that her contract was violative of House employment and federal contracting rules. Her legal counsel was the General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. The case was eventually settled and both of them signed nondisclosure agreements as a part of the settlement. Newman claimed she wanted to hire him because of his policy expertise. She told ethics investigators that in her 2018 primary race, which she lost, that 'one of the failures that I had personally that I'm accountable for is that I did not understand the Palestine-Israel issue very well.' But negotiations conducted over email show one of the conditions of his employment was that Chehade 'agrees not to announce or submit his candidacy' for the third congressional district. Ethics investigators noted Chehade did not cooperate, citing the nondisclosure he signed, and recommended he be subpoenaed. A federal appeals court in New York has upheld the life sentence of Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan dismissed El Chapo's claims that several members of the jury had closely followed his high-profile case throughout his three-month trial. The court also rejected several other arguments the notorious kingpin raised in seeking a new trial, including that his jail conditions were deplorable and the U.S. government selectively targeted him for prosecution. 'I'm sure Mr. Guzman will seek Supreme Court review,' the defendant's lawyer Marc Fernich said in an email to Reuters. The office of U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn declined a DailyMail.com request for comment. Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's bid for a new trial was shut down by a federal appeals court in New York on Tuesday The 64-year-old was found guilty on 10 counts in February 2019, including trafficking billions of dollars of drugs and conspiring to murder enemies as the co-founder of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel. El Chapo has been serving a life sentence at ADX Florence, the most secure federal prison, in Colorado, and was also ordered to forfeit $12.7 billion. The convicted cartel boss's legal team based its appeal on a Vice News article published one week after the verdict, where an unnamed juror said at least five fellow jurors followed media coverage of the trial, and lied about it to the presiding judge. The coverage included accusations that Guzman had drugged and raped teenage girls, which his lawyers denied and U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan refused to allow into the trial. Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman (pictured at his July 17, 2019 sentencing) was found guilty on 10 counts by a New York federal jury in February 2019 El Chapo will continue to spend his life sentence at ADX Florence in Florece, Colorado. No prisoner has ever escaped from super maximum security facility Judges in high-profile cases ordinarily instruct jurors not to follow their trials in newspapers, TV and the internet. Circuit Judge Jon Newman said the unnamed juror's unsworn, uncorroborated statements to Vice News were not 'clear, strong, substantial and incontrovertible evidence' requiring Cogan to haul jurors back for a hearing on their conduct. 'None of the allegations in the Vice News article shows that any juror was not impartial, harbored bias against Guzman, or was otherwise unfit to serve,' Newman wrote. El Chapo's is confined to a 7-by-12-foot concrete cell with double doors in a section dubbed 'Range 13' for 23 hours a day and is only allowed to leave his quarters for one hour. His lawyer, Mariel Colon, told Univision in September 2019 that he was experiencing problems with his vision and complained of a bad haircut because the barber could not communicate with him in Spanish. El Chapo is only allotted one phone call per month and can only be visited by his 10-year-old Los Angeles-born daughters. His wife, Emma Coronel, who was sentenced to a three-year prison term in November 2021 for pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges, is barred from contacting him. President Joe Biden was forced to come to terms with his humiliating loss in the Supreme Court on Tuesday when his administration formally buried its highly controversial vaccine rule for private businesses with at least 100 employees. The president's mandate faced political and legal opposition almost immediately after he announced it last fall in a desperate bid to raise the U.S. vaccination rate that plateaued over the summer. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now withdrawing the rule, which required large employers to either implement a COVID vaccine requirement or force workers to submit to weekly virus testing, which it formally issued after Biden's order on November 5 of last year. The withdrawal is effective January 26, 2022. Meanwhile Biden faced another blow to his public image this morning when a dire new Gallup poll showed a majority of American voters do not think he's a strong leader who can get the country through a crisis. His approval rating also hit 39 percent on Tuesday, a new low in Harvard/CAPS Harris' polling since they began tracking Biden's support in office in March of last year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said in the federal register that while it was withdrawing the emergency temporary standard, the rule would remain as a proposal for a permanent requirement. 'OSHA strongly encourages vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace,' the agency's statement added. Joe Biden's Department of Labor announced Tuesday it is withdrawing its extremely controversial vaccine-or-test requirement for employers with at least 100 workers after the Supreme Court blocked the rule earlier this month. The president stops for ice cream during an afternoon outing in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 OSHA 'is withdrawing the vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard issued on Nov. 5, 2021, to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers with 100 or more employees from workplace exposure to coronavirus. The withdrawal is effective January 26, 2022,' the notice on the Labor Department's website reads The worker vaccine mandates served as a bid by the administration to increase vaccination rates after it plateaued over the summer. The current adult vaccination rate in the U.S. stands at about 74% The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 850,000 in the United States and the outbreak continues to weigh on the country's economy. Biden unveiled in September several regulations aimed at increasing the U.S. adult vaccination rate, which currently stands at about 74 per cent, according to U.S. government data. Among the most shocking was instructing Labor to issue an order through OSHA to mandate that private companies track their employees vaccination status or face fines and penalties from the government. Many were perplexed when Biden announced the initiative after he claimed several times that the administration would not enforce vaccination mandates on private businesses. The proposed vaccine mandates immediately sparked legal challenges by conservative organizations, Republicans and several business groups claiming there were too many challenges to overcome with implementing such a rule. 'As small businesses try to recover after almost two years of significant business disruptions, the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges,' National Federation of Independent Business executive director Karen Harned said. The Republican National Committee lauded the 'major victory' with the reversal, calling the proposed rule 'authoritarian' The withdrawal from the mandate, however, will allow cities and states to continue enforcing their own COVID-based rules. Biden has continuously urged for separate businesses and states to implement voluntary vaccine measures for employees and customers. 'The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans' health and economy,' he said. Fully-vaccinated Nike marketing manager Dex Briggs fired from Oregon HQ after refusing to upload vaccination status on a third party site A long-time Nike employee was fired after refusing to supply his COVID-19 vaccination records to a third-party verification service used by the sportswear giant. Dex Briggs, 53, claims he was terminated from his marketing manager position at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon earlier this month after a 26-year run with the company despite being fully-vaccinated against the virus and offering to show bosses his vaccination card. Briggs, who is married with a son, says he found the company's vaccination verification process too worrying to comply with. It sees vaccination records uploaded to software created by unidentified third-party firm. That firm then has permission to share the information with others in an effort to confirm the vaccination, which Briggs - who has previously fallen victim to identity theft - found too great a breach of his privacy to endure. 'I have my vaccination card. I'm quite willing to show you that. But I'm not willing to give my personal information to this (outside) company, and any other company they want to share it with, without even telling me who they are,' Briggs told The Oregonian. Nike announced its vaccine mandate to employees in September. Although the Biden Administration's mandate ordering private firms with 100 or more workers, such as Nike, to order staff to get vaccinated has been struck down, companies can still choose to enact such a mandate themselves. Briggs said when he learned of the mandate, he wasn't initially alarmed, having already received a vaccine. 'I'm already vaccinated, so that doesn't really matter,' he thought at the time, accepting that as a private company it is Nike's right to set its own vaccine policy. However, he was frustrated when the company moved forward with the verification process without providing details about the platform that would have access to his information. Briggs, who said both he and his wife have previously been victims of identity theft, also claims Nike wasn't willing to accept his vaccination card as proof. 'What are they trying to accomplish with this policy? That should be all that matters,' he questioned. 'Why is the policy so, I don't know, so restrictive?' He also said he is sympathetic to his colleagues who declined the vaccines due to concerns of long-term health implications or religious objections. Nike did allow employees to apply for exemptions to the mandate however it is unclear how many were approved. Advertisement 'Hardworking Americans should not be forced to choose between being vaccinated and providing for their families,' RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a Tuesday statement. 'The Biden administration may have surrendered in their attempt to force their 'emergency' vaccine mandate, but the fight is not over.' 'The Republican National Committee's legal team will continue to protect workers and businesses from Joe Biden's authoritarian overreach.' The OSHA mandate for businesses with at least 100 employees was blocked by the Supreme Court earlier this month, although at the same time the court allowed a separate federal vaccine requirement for workers specifically working in healthcare facilities. A third major vaccine rule from the Biden administration required federal government contractors to get their employees vaccinated. That was blocked by a federal judge in December and last week a U.S. judge blocked a vaccine requirement for federal employees. Certain organizations have implemented their own mandates for employees including CVSHealth, McDonald's, Tyson Foods and Uber. According to Upcity, 81 percent of employers require masks to be worn in the office with 83 percent asking for proof of vaccination. However, other companies such as Starbucks and General Electric have complied with the court's recent ruling by abandoning their vaccine and testing requirements. Starbucks, which has 90 percent of its employees currently vaccinated, said that they still encourage vaccinations and booster shots. US cities, including NYC, have implemented their own COVID-related measures for businesses which require proof of vaccination before entering an establishment. NYC was the first city to announce the mandate over the summer with other cities such as San Francisco and New Orleans following in its path. In terms of statewide COVID measures, the US currently has 11 states implementing a mask mandate for indoor and public spaces with some requiring its use regardless of vaccination status. Earlier in the pandemic, many US states required the use of a mask in indoor public spaces with many bringing the mandate back due to the surge in cases as a result of new variants including Delta and Omicron. While courts have generally found the administration lacked the authority to require vaccination, mandates imposed by businesses, states and local governments have been upheld. Before withdrawing the rule, many companies had already implemented vaccination-or-testing requirements to get ahead of the mandate, which was set to go into effect earlier this month before the court struck it down. It would have impacted more than 80 million U.S. workers. The rule, as it was written by OSHA, required business with 100 or more employees to obtain proof from their workers that they were fully vaccinated meaning it had been two weeks past when they received their second or first jab, depending on which vaccine they received. Pfizer and Moderna require two shots a few weeks apart while Johnson & Johnson only requires one jab. The three COVID-19 vaccinations are the only ones allowed to be administered in the U.S. under emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. If employees cannot or choose not to show proof of vaccination, the business would then need to require the worker to submit proof of a negative COVID test at least weekly and mask up in the workplace. It wasn't immediately clear, but it seemed that the testing would be at the expense of the employee and not the business or government. Case rates of COVID-19 hit all-time highs starting in December as the Omicron variant took the nation The death-rate did not correspond with the same rate as infections as experts detailed while the new variant is much more contagious, it is not nearly as severe or deadly a case of COVID The mandate would have affected certain organizations regardless of size including nursing homes, hospitals, and businesses that house Head Start Programs. The mandate would also have accounted for all employees working at their specific organization unless they were working remotely or outdoors. However, exemptions would have been granted based on medical grounds or had an accommodation under federal civil rights law. As part of this, all cities and states would have been preempted to undergo this new mandate despite their current standing on vaccines and masks. A violation of the mandate would have cost up to $13,653 for each with repeated offenses racking up to $136,532 per infraction. About half of the states in the country opposed the order with several officials threatening to fight back such as Indiana and Texas who vowed to organize a lawsuit in response. Bidens approval rating hits a dire 39% as a majority of Americans say hes not a strong leader and dont think he cares about them, new polls suggest President Joe Biden's approval rating hit another grim record on Tuesday with a new poll placing him with just 39 percent of voters' support. Meanwhile a separate survey suggests the president has lost the faith of Americans who largely think he does not care about them and is a weak leader, both dire outcomes just a year after he took office. Biden's job approval plummeted six points from November, according to a January Harvard CAPS/Harris survey obtained by The Hill. The 39 percentage points are the lowest he's scored in Harvard's poll since it first began collecting the data in March. His disapproval rating has climbed to 53 percent, up two points from the previous poll. Of those who approve of Biden's job in office, less than half say they 'strongly' support the president while most only 'somewhat' back him. 'This is a new low for President Biden as he struggles to solve a myriad of issues from the pandemic and the economy to immigration and crime that trouble the public,' said pollster Mark Penn of the survey taken January 19 and 20. As 40-year high inflation and the enduring coronavirus pandemic continue to wreak havoc at home, the world is also looking to Biden as an increasingly aggressive Russia threatens to shake up the world order and launch a likely deadly invasion into neighboring Ukraine. It does not appear that many Americans have faith in Biden navigating those issues, according to a survey Gallup also released on Tuesday. Biden's drop to the 30s in terms of job approval comes week after the White House criticized a Quinnipiac poll that had the president's job approval at 33% as an 'outlier' Respondents were asked between January 3 and 16 whether a slate of characteristics applied to Biden as president, after being given the same statements in 2020. Of those, a whopping 63 percent indicated that Biden is not a 'strong and decisive leader.' That's a nine-point drop from September 2020, though he still had failed to grasp a majority with only 46 percent of people surveyed indicating the same. Among Democrats, Biden's leadership skills still early high praise with 74 percent backing the notion, though it's a steep decline from 86 percent agreeing in 2020. He's seen his biggest loss of confidence in the area from Independents, who were critical to his 2020 presidential victory. Among that group, then-candidate Biden was thought by 45 percent to be a 'strong and decisive leader,' while only 30 percent feel the same now. It's relatively unchanged among Republican voters, though faith in Biden's decisiveness actually climbed from six to seven points. But in a critical blow to his public image, now less than half of Americans think the president -- who ran on his personal capabilities for compassion and empathy -- cares about them. The greatest lost of confidence in Biden as a strong leader came from Independent voters, who were critical to his 2020 victory In a similar blow to his public image, just 45 percent of survey respondents said Biden was 'honest and trustworthy' Just 48 percent of respondents answered that 'cares about the needs of people like you' applies to Biden. In late 2020, the number was 55 percent. Similarly, Biden's 'honest and trustworthy' image took a seven percentage point-blow, from 52 to 45 percent. However the president did have a majority of Americans finding him 'likable,' with 60 percent, and 59 percent said he was 'intelligent.' But when push comes to shove, and as relations with Eastern Europe and China chill to historic levels, just 43 percent of respondents said Biden 'displays good judgement in a crisis' and even fewer -- 38 percent -- think he 'can manage the government effectively.' The new Gallup survey of Biden's personal traits comes at a tenuous time in American foreign policy, though at home COVID-19 cases are beginning to drop off in some places and areas that saw infections spike in a new wave late last year are finally beginning to see some relief -- while others surge. Biden met with European world leaders on Monday in a hastily-announced video call to discuss the worsening situation between Russia and Ukraine. Russia has already built up a force of more than 100,000 troops at the eastern border of Ukraine and has thousands stationed elsewhere as tensions escalate and concerns rise over a potential Russia invasion of Ukraine Annual inflation hit 7% in December, the highest 12-month increase since June 1982 Russian President Vladimir Putin has stationed more than 100,000 troops at Ukraine's Eastern border, with US intelligence reports indicating that number could double in short order. He's also made aggressive moves by Moscow greenlighting its maritime forces to conduct military exercises off the coast of Ireland next month, and British intelligence has warned Putin is reportedly looking to overthrow Ukraine's leadership in a coup attempt. While the president has stressed a diplomatic approach coupled with the threat of severe economic consequences should Russia invade, lawmakers in Congress as well as Ukraine's leaders have urged him to act now with economic sanctions and claim doing so after the fact would be useless. He also angered allies by indicating in a press conference last week that a 'minor incursion' by the Kremlin into Ukraine may result in lesser punishment. Yesterday Biden ordered 8,500 US-based troops to be ready to deploy to Eastern Europe if NATO calls for them. Advertisement Covid continues to retreat across the US as cases slump 5% in a fortnight and ZERO states experience fortnightly doubling of infections Covid appears to be continuing its retreat from the United States, with cases now down five percent nationwide over the past two weeks. The latest figures also show that, for the first time this year, no US states are seeing cases double or grow by a larger proportion in recent weeks for the first time this year. The U.S. is now averaging 723,820 cases per day. Health experts have speculated that Omicron would peak soon, with Dr Anthony Fauci saying Sunday it was likely all US states would hit their peak by mid-February at the latest. The rapid transmission of the variant caused cases to skyrocket, but also made sure it quickly ran out of people to infect. Data from abroad, and specifically the UK and South Africa, showed that the variant peaks quickly, then falls quickly, once it take hold. Two weeks ago, the U.S. was recording 766,939 cases per day. Last week's totals are skewed by the Martin Luther King Jr day holiday, and lagged reporting of cases throughout the week caused lower case numbers early in the week. But state-by-state charts do show many states' infection rates are consistently trending downwards. The tri-state area - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut - became America's initial Omicron epicenter in December, but infection rates there have since gone into freefall, suggesting that predictions the variant would burn itself out quickly were correct. Despite the slowing of cases, deaths remain on the rise. The U.S. is averaging 2,122 new daily Covid deaths, up 30 percent over the past two weeks. Deaths often lag behind case by around two weeks, sparking hopes that fatality rates could also start to plunge in the same way infections have very soon. It appears that cases peaked at 806,364 per day on January 15, meaning it is likely deaths peak in the coming days as well. Dropping cases nationwide is also being reflected in state-by-state Covid figures. According to official data, not a single state in the U.S. has had its new daily cases double over the past two weeks. Only two weeks ago, every single state in the country had experienced cases jumping by more than 100 percent. States that were hit the earliest by the Omicron variant are seeing the sharpest decline as well. New York and New Jersey - the neighboring states that quickly suffered massive surges last month - are both recording two-week daily case declines of nearly 70 percent as the virus appears to subside. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a bizarre move on Tuesday despite rising cases, halting the use of monoclonal antibody treatments developed by major pharmaceutical companies like Regeneron and Eli Lilly. The agency notes the apparent lack of effectiveness these drugs have against the Omicron variant as the reason for the decision, even though Delta remains prevalent in the US, and responds well to the monoclonal drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said earlier this month that Omicron was not causing many deaths in the U.S., and instead the lingering cases of the Delta variant were causing the most harm to Americans. In the time since, the Omicron variant has almost totally overtaken Delta - accounting for more than 99 percent of active cases in the U.S. per CDC data. Monoclonal antibody drugs are highly effective against the Delta variant, and the main downside of using them is their expense and the high number of medical resources needed to distribute them. Now, recently approved antiviral pills like Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's molnupiravir will likely take over as the main treatments for people after they have been infected with Covid. The Covid vaccines are also effective at preventing infection all together - especially if a person is boosted as well - and vaccinated people generally have much more mild symptoms after infection. Official CDC data reports that 75 percent of Americans have received at least one shot of a Covid vaccine, 63 percent are fully vaccinated. Just over 25 percent of Americans have received a Covid booster shot. In the UK, daily Covid cases have begun to steady after massive falls in recent weeks. The nation was one of the hardest struck by the Omicron variant last month, with cases surging as high as 180,000 per day on average. Cases quickly plummeted after peaking in early January. South Africa, the first nation to suffer a massive surge of cases late last year after discovering the new variant in late November, has seen a rapid decline in cases over recent weeks as well. Cases peaked at over 23,437 new cases per day in mid-December, and are down to 3,110 as on Monday. While U.S. appears to be beyond its peak of Covid cases, its trend downwards may not be as rapid nationwide as it is in some of its peer nations. America is a much larger country than others, and its not very densely populated. There are also long distances between individual population centers, meaning some areas will see COVID spikes much later than others. This means that while cases will rapidly decline in individual areas, like they did in the UK and South Africa, the nationwide trends will not be as dramatic. Omicron's surge has a clear westward trajectory, and has also seemed to move beyond the Mississippi river and into the Great Frontier. Numbers may not appear to be dropping as dramatically in the U.S. as it did in other countries, but that is more the case of a clear east-west divide rather than the variant acting differently in America than it did elsewhere. Only one state east of the Mississippi river is recording more than an 85 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks, Kentucky. Every other state in the eastern portion of the nation is either reporting declining cases or smaller increases. Twenty states are currently recording either a decline in cases over the past two weeks, or a flat zero increase. Only three are west of the Mississippi river, with Louisiana - down 28 percent - being along the river itself. From Maine to Florida, nearly every state along the east coast is recording a decline in cases. New York and New Jersey are recording 68 percent and 69 percent decline respectively - a similar to drop to what England experienced after reaching its peak. Other states along the coast like Pennsylvania (45 percent), Massachusetts (44 percent) and Florida (43 percent) are also reporting massive case declines over the past two weeks. Even states out west that are experiencing rising cases are seeing the rate of daily infection increases at a lower level. States like Montana and Wyoming that were experiencing near 200 percent increases in cases last week have seen two-week case growth fall to around 65 percent each. North Dakota - also recording near 200 percent jumps last week - is the leader in national case increases at 96 percent. Rhode Island's long time lead as the U.S. leader in daily infection rates has finally ended, and the state has seen a rapid decline from more than 500 or every 100,000 people testing positive daily down to 260. The Ocean state has exited the top ten U.S. states in infection rate. Kansas is now the national leader in infection rate, with 365 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for Covid everyday. The Wheat state leads a group of seven that are averaging more than 300 daily infections out of every 100,000 residents. Three eastern states still remain among the leaders in infection rate, as some parts of the region are still at their peak of cases, or are still at the start of post-peak decline. Kentucky is recording 334 new cases per every 100,000 residents, South Carolina is logging 312, and North Carolina is at 302. Maine (56 infections per 100,000 residents) and Maryland (76) are still the only states recording less than 100 cases per 100,000 residents, as many states still have a long way to go until cases get back to controlled levels. Ohio is still the national leader in mortality rate, recording 1.3 deaths per every 100,000 residents every day. The Buckeye state is among eight state that are recording more than one death for every 100,000 residents every day. The group includes some states that are recording massive declines in cases like New Jersey (1.09 deaths per 100,000 residents), New York (1.06) and Maryland (1.04), further showing how deaths can lag a few weeks behind cases. Across the pond, the UK has seen new daily cases settle at around 90,000 per day - with the nation adding 88,447 new cases to the ledger on Monday. It is a far fall from the case peak at around 180,000 cases per day earlier this month and a surge that once looked devastating has quickly been controlled. London, like New York City, has proved to be the national pandemic hotspot in England. The city in the southwestern region of the nation was slammed early and hard by the Omicron variant, with cases skyrocketing so quickly some feared the region would have to reenter lockdowns. Cases in London quickly began to decline, though, and the new restrictions and overwhelming of hospitals that some experts predicted never materialized. The virus started to move northward and eastward afterwards, though, with cases declining in London and other nearby neighborhoods while the virus surged elsewhere. Nearly every region of the UK is experiencing case declines now, though, as it appears that the Omicron variant has run its course in the country. Only a month ago, some experts feared the nation's healthcare system would be overrun, but now its fortunes have totally reversed and the leaders are even beginning the transition to post-pandemic life. Last week, mandates put in place to combat Omicron, like work from home orders, mask mandates, vaccine checks for certain events and capacity restrictions were lifted. Requirements for travelers into the nation to test upon arrival were lifted Monday as well. Advertisement Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen's son, Kalvin, is mourning the loss of his older brother, Hudson, the day after he was found dead in a suspected suicide in Hawaii. Kalvin Madsen, 25, was pictured Tuesday in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com on the balcony at his mother's Los Angeles home looking solemn with his head hanging down. He appears heartbroken over his brother's death and, according to a tribute posted on his Instagram account, is 'not emotionally available' to talk about Hudson's death right now. He did, however, invite his followers to message him to share their found memories of his brother. His girlfriend of two years, Lola, was also spotted arriving to the property with a suitcase and another woman, likely someone who was also close to Kalvin. Hudson Madsen, the 26-year-old godson of Quentin Tarantino, died Monday from an 'apparent self-inflicted gunshot.' He is the oldest son of actor Michael Madsen and his wife, actress DeAnna Madsen. The couple also shares a 16-year-old son, Luke. Michael has two sons - Christian, 31, and Max, 27 - with his first wife, actress Jeannine Bisignano. Michael, whose acting career spans nearly 40 years and more than 170 films, is known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs, the Kill Bill series, Thelma & Louise, the Hateful Eight and Free Willy. The famed actor made headlines in March 2019 after he was arrested by California cops when he crashed his Land Rover into a pole in Malibu. He had a blood alcohol content level of .10 percent, higher than the state legal limit of .08 percent. He was sentenced to a brief four-day stint in jail and five years of probation. He had previously been arrested for a DUI, also in Malibu, back in 2012. Kalvin Madsen, 25, (pictured) was photographed Tuesday on the balcony at his mother's Los Angeles home as he mourns the death of his older brother, Hudson Michael Madsen's son Hudson (pictured, as seen on Instagram) reportedly died of suicide from an 'apparent self-inflicted gunshot' His girlfriend Lola (right) was also spotted at the home. Kalvin (left) and Lola celebrated their two year anniversary on January 11, according to a tribute on Kalvin's social media Kalvin appeared solemn and was seen with his head hanging down Michael has said he is 'heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain' after his son Hudson was found dead in a suspected suicide in Hawaii. His family have since paid tribute to the Afghanistan veteran, saying in a statement to Metro: We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson. His memory and light will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. We ask for privacy and respect during this difficult time. Thank you.' DeAnna, 61, was traveling to Hawaii to deal with the tragedy, a source told the publication. A spokeswoman for the Department of the Medical Examiner in Honolulu said earlier: 'I can confirm Hudson Lee Madsen, 26, died by a gunshot wound to the head in a suspected suicide on the island of Oahu.' Hudson is survived by his wife, Carlie, and since August 2019 had been living in Wahiawa, Hawaii, after serving time in the U.S. Army. Lola (right) is pictured arriving to the Madsen home with luggage. She is pictured with an unidentified woman, likely someone who is close to the young couple A photograph of DeAnna Madsen's home where Kalvin was seen in mourning Tuesday Kalvin Madsen stares out from the balcony of his mother's home Kalvin posted a series of photos to his Instagram account in a tribute post to his brother. He said he is 'not emotionally available' to talk about Hudson's death right now. He did, however, invite his followers to message him to share their found memories of Hudson. In the above photos, Kalvin and Hudson are seen together at various point in life Hudson was based at the Schofield Barracks in Oahu, home to the 25th Infantry Division, and in March was promoted. Last week, on January 15, Carlie underwent surgery and paid tribute to her husband for his support. 'I just want to give a shout-out to my amazing husband!' she wrote on Instagram. 'Yesterday I had surgery to remove a tumor from one of my breasts and he was and has been so patient throughout this whole process! 'We were at the hospital for about 7 hours yesterday and while I was in surgery he went to target and got me flowers, comfy pajamas, my favorite candy and a card! He's also been amazing in helping with my recovery and I'm just so thankful! 'I also want to thank my family and friends that have reached out to make sure I'm okay and to check in on me! I love you all so much.' Hudson is seen with his wife Carlie in a photo posted to Facebook Hudson, 26, is seen with Carlie. His death has been confirmed by the Honolulu medical examiner Hudson Madsen and Carlie met in 2017, while he was stationed in Colorado with the army. They married in 2018 (pictured) Hudson Madsen, actor Michael Madsen, Max Madsen, Luke Madsen, DeAnna Madsen, Christian Madsen and Kalvin Madsen in July 2011 Hudson is pictured (right) with his father and brother Max (left) at the premiere of The Astronaut Farmer in 2007 The couple met in 2017, with the Minnesota-born Carlie commenting on Facebook to a friend, who asked if he was 'a keeper': 'He's actually in the Army and stationed down in Colorado! I met him through my best friend that lives there! And I think he's a keeper!' Hudson replied: 'I am a keeper by the way'. In June 2017, she posted a sweet black and white photo of them together, captioned: 'Miss you so much.' In June 2017, Carlie Madsen posted a sweet black and white photo of them together, captioned: 'Miss you so much' Hudson proposed in November 2017, getting down on one knee on top of Pike's Peak in Colorado. The couple were married in 2018, Carlie's Facebook says. Soon after, he was deployed with the Army. On January 20, 2019, a friend commented: 'Yo you home already Hudson Madsen?' Carlie replied: 'No, it keeps on getting pushed back' - accompanied by a crying emoji. By January 27, 2019, he was home, with Carlie posting a photo of the pair together. The couple held an 'official' wedding in June 2019 at Cheyenne Mountain state park in Colorado, 'even though we had been married for a year and half already at that point,' Carlie wrote on Instagram. 'It was one of the happiest days of my life but also very uhhh... interesting I'll say. 'We had an outdoor ceremony during a thunderstorm and no one could hear us. 'I was puking in the bathroom till about 2 minutes before I walked down the isle. 'We had to fire our DJ halfway through the reception and thankfully a different, way better, DJ showed up. 'We almost got kicked out of our reception place because people got caught sneaking alcohol in and got caught attempting to do uhhmm.. ''extra curricular activities.'' 'BUT even after all of that it was still one of the best days of my life because I got to celebrate with all our family and friends and I got to marry my best friend for the second time. 'Thank you to everyone that was able to make it and make it a day I will never forget. 'And thank you to my wonderful husband for everything you do for me and our family. I couldn't be happier to have you by my side through this crazy life. I love you more.' Hudson was promoted in March 2021, Carlie proudly noted In March 2021, Carlie revealed that they were embarking on fertility treatment, and said she was sharing their news to end the stigma They moved to Hawaii in August 2019. In May 2020 he was deployed again, this time from his new Hawaii home. 'Saying goodbye to you never gets easier,' she wrote. 'I'm already missing the s*** out of you. Please come home quickly. I'll see you in 5 months my love. I love you more.' In March 2021, Carlie revealed that they were embarking on fertility treatment, and said she was sharing their news to end the stigma. 'In the last 2 months Hudson and I found out that we can't have kids naturally and we have to do IVF,' she wrote. 'We also were told that it will probably take 2 or more times of IVF treatment for me to get pregnant. I'm only sharing this because it needs to be normalized and more talked about.' Their Facebook pages were equally full of loving comments. Carlie Madsen posted her last picture of the couple together in November, captioned: 'So in love with how these pictures turned out' Hudson Madsen is pictured with his wife Carlie, having returned from his tour of duty at the end of January 2019. He is believed to have deployed to Afghanistan Michael Madsen is pictured with Quentin Tarantino in January 2017, at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah Michael Madsen is pictured in 2011 with his son Hudson Michael Madsen (R) and sons Max Madsen, Hudson Madsen, Christian Madsen and Luke Madsen attend the 'Free Willy' 20th anniversary celebration at the Egyptian Theatre on August 17, 2013 In April 2021, when Carlie posted a photo of herself holding a huge bird, Hudson commented: 'Ayyy. Dats my wife. I love you baby.' When she posted a photo on the beach, he said: 'Dayyyuuummm gurll. You fine.' In another beach photo, he joked: 'Ooooo gurlll. Can i get yo number?' Her final photo of the couple together, in November, showed Hudson giving his wife a piggy back on a beach. 'So in love with how these pictures turned out,' she said. Dailymail.com has contacted the Madsen family's representatives for comments. Hudson is survived by his brothers Calvin, 25, and Luke, 16, and step-brothers Christian, 31, and Max, 27, from Michael's previous relationship with Jeannine Bisignano. Michael Madsen and Tarrantino have collaborated on multiple films together, including Reservoir Dogs and the Kill Bill series. Korea Trade Insurance Corporation CEO Lee In-ho, second from left, and Etihad Credit Insurance CEO Massimo Falcioni, third from left, pose after signing their MOU on supporting the two countries' green hydrogen businesses during a ceremony in Dubai, Jan. 16. Courtesy of ECI By Nam Hyun-woo Etihad Credit Insurance CEO Massimo Falcioni / Courtesy of ECI New York state education officials are telling schools to keep enforcing Gov. Kathy Hochul's indoor mask mandate even after a Long Island judge struck down the requirement on Monday. The Education Department says the state plans to appeal Monday's ruling, a step that could keep the rule in place at least until its planned expiration on February 1. 'While these legal steps occur, it is NYSED's position that schools should continue to follow the mask rule,' said department spokesperson Emily DeSantis. Judge Thomas Rademaker struck down the state's mask mandate a week before it was due to expire, ruling that the governor doesn't have the authority to impose it without approval from the State Legislature. In March, lawmakers ruled that New York was no longer under a state of emergency, limiting the governor's and the health commissioner's powers - but Gov. Hochul still re-introduced the mandate in December 2021. Judge Rademaker said that legislators' decision to declare New York no longer in a state of emergency means the new measures forcing residents to wear masks in all indoor spaces, which carry fines of up to $1,000 for those who do not comply, are unenforceable and are now void. It is unclear how many businesses, if any, have been fined for failing to enforce the mask mandate. Gov. Hochul's office and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which enforces the fines, did not immediately respond to questions from DailyMail.com. The New York State Education Department is advising schools to keep following Gov. Kathy Hochul's re-introduced indoor mask mandate. Above, students at White Plains High School in April 2021 A Long Island judge ruled on Monday that Hochul's law was 'void and unenforceable.' Above, students leave the New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math (NEST+m) school in the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan on December 21 Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, vowed to fight back, saying in a statement, 'We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately' Not all state school districts are going along with the Education Department's guidance. 'While it is certain this decision will face legal challenges, until otherwise litigated, mask wearing will be optional for students and staff in the Massapequa Schools beginning Tuesday,' the Massapequa School District, in the New York City suburbs of Long Island, said on its website. The New York City Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. Gov. Hochul's mandate 'is a law that was promulgated and enacted unlawfully by an executive branch state agency, and therefore void and unenforceable,' the Judge Rademaker said Monday. It was latest setback for executive branch officials at state and federal levels after much legal wrangling over the issue of mask mandates in different states. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said she disagreed with the ruling, and Attorney General Letitia James tweeted Tuesday that her office would challenge it. 'We're appealing last nights decision that struck down the mask mandate in New York. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect New Yorkers from #COVID19,' James, a Democrat, tweeted. Earlier this month, the US Supreme Court also blocked President Joe Biden's vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses. Covid cases have plummeted in New York in recent weeks after surging to record highs at the start of the month A judge in Texas last week ruled that Biden could not require federal employees to be vaccinated. Hochul, a Democrat, vowed to fight back, saying in a statement: 'We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately.' 'My responsibility as Governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,' Hochul said. She reintroduced the mandate in December amid a surge in Covid cases, forcing residents to wear a mask in indoor public spaces unless business have their own vaccine requirement. The requirements in New York state, home to around 20 million people, include wearing masks in schools, on public transit and other public indoor spaces. When Hochul imposed the rule on December 31, she called it temporary. She later extended the original expiration date of January 15 until February 1, with those not obeying risking fines and civil and criminal penalties. Disagreements and court action over mandates in a number of states have become a flashpoint of the pandemic response in the United States, often dividing Democrats and Republicans. COVID-19 cases have been dropping across the country over the past two weeks Hochul declared her own state of emergency almost immediately after the World Health Organization named Omicron as a variant of concern on November 26. At the time, New York state's seven-day average of new daily cases was around 6,400. That number rapidly rose until peaking at 73,815 on January 10. It has since fallen to about a third of that. Rademaker wrote that his ruling is not intended in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need, or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus, but that 'enacting any laws to this end is entrusted solely to the State Legislature.' Hochul's Democrats hold large majorities in both houses of the New York state legislature. The judge's ruling comes amid an ongoing nationwide row about continuing Covid restrictions and mask mandates. In the Loudoun County School District - which has been plagued by scandal after scandal over critical race theory-inspired 'equity' lessons and transgender issues - schools prevented pupils from going into their classrooms if they were not wearing a facemask on Monday. Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin had signed an executive action within hours of him taking office on January that aimed to let parents opt out of school mask mandates. The order was supposed to take effect on Monday but confusion has swirled over the implications since then. His instructions were either interpreted differently by some districts or plainly ignored with schools continuing to keep pre-existing mask mandates in place for students. Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order within hours of entering office rescinding mask mandates for schools from Monday, but it appears the policy has been met with confusion Some districts interpreted the order as being at odds with a state law that deals with COVID-19 mitigation in schools. Meanwhile earlier this month, California extended its indoor mask mandate until February 15. The original mandate came into force on December 15 last year and was meant to end in just nine days on January 15. But Californians will now be made to continue wearing masks in all indoor spaces even if they have received their vaccines. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis imposed a state ban on imposing mask mandates, but some schools defied the order. The Republican ruled only parents can decide whether or not their children wear masks to school. It comes as Dr Scott Gottlieb, former director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and current board member at Pfizer, says that the declining cases should be a signal to officials that it is time to start lifting mask mandates across the country. 'I think certainly on the east coast where you see cases declining dramatically we need to be willing to lean in and do that very soon I think as conditions improve we have to be willing to relax some of these measures with the same speed that we put them in place,' he told CNBC's The Squawk Box. 'We haven't described clear goalposts for when we're gonna withdraw a lot of these measures and the two most contentious things right now in the U.S. are the masks among children in schools and the vaccine mandates,' he said. He added that in order for people to comply by Covid rules, health officials need to 'have a flexible doctrine' that changes as the situation of the pandemic does. Advertisement Fallen NYPD officer Wilbert Mora was saluted by his colleagues on Tuesday as his body was taken from the hospital for an autopsy, shortly after his death was confirmed. Mora, 27, had his life support machine turned off four days after he was critically injured in an ambush attack that also killed his rookie partner. Mora had been hospitalized since being gunned down along with his 22-year-old partner Jason Rivera in Harlem on Friday while responding to a domestic violence call. They are the first two officers to be killed by gunfire in the city since 2017. Mora needed two surgeries after he was shot in the head and a bullet became lodged in his brain, but he could not be saved. He died at NYU Langone Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after being taken off life support. He was placed on life support so that his organs could be harvested for donation, according to the New York Post. 'Some lucky person got a hero's heart today,' a cop told the newspaper. The New York City Medical Examiner will conduct a full autopsy before his remains are given to his family. Mora's body is seen on Tuesday being escorted from the NYU Langone hospital on Tuesday Sirens flashed as Mora's body was transported from NYU Langone hospital in Manhattan Members of the NYPD saluted as Mora's remains were transported from the hospital Officers with the NYPD line the street as Mora's remains leave the hospital Funeral details for the 27-year-old are yet to be announced An officer is seen paying respects to Mora as his body was moved from the hospital on Tuesday Mora was given a guard of honor as he left the hospital on Tuesday Outriders are seen accompanying Mora's casket as he leaves the hospital Mora and Rivera are remembered by other members of the NYPD Mora was a four-year veteran of the department after he graduated from CUNY John Jay College for Criminal Justice in 2018. Career criminal Lashawn McNeil, 47, who was out on probation and carried out the attack, was shot in the head and arm by a third officer responding to the call, Sumit Sulan. McNeil, who had shared anti-cop propaganda and anti-government conspiracy posts on Facebook, died from his injuries on Monday. On Tuesday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said that Mora is 'three times a hero' because he helped others, served others and donated his organs. 'For choosing a life of service. For sacrificing his life to protect others. For giving life even in death through organ donation.' she said. 'Our heads are bowed and our hearts are heavy.'. Wilbert Mora, 27, (right) died on Tuesday - four days after the attack. His partner Jason Rivera, 22 (left) was killed in the shooting NYPD Commisioner Keechant Sewell announced the passing of NYPD officer Wilbert Mora NYC Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer, said he would tackle gun violence in the city as he paid tribute to Wilbert Mora McNeil, who was shot by a third officer, Sumit Sulan, has since succumbed to his injuries and died on Monday LASHAWN J. MCNEIL'S CRIMINAL RAP SHEET Lashawn McNeil, 47, was well known to NYPD officers, who were called to his family's New York City house on a domestic violence claim in August The felon has had five arrests in three different states between 1998 and 2003 1998: McNeil was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon in South Carolina Records show that the matter was dismissed 2002: He was arrested for assaulting a police officer in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he had a registered address 2003: He was also arrested twice on a felony drug charge and a misdemeanor narcotics charge in Pennsylvania That same year, he was arrested and convicted of a felony narcotics charge in New York City, which he was still serving probation for Advertisement Rivera's father was struggling to cope with the news, his neighbor told The New York Post. 'He told me, 'Oh my God, they killed my son,' ' said Inwood neighbor Jose Pichardo, 53, of his conversation with Rivera's dad on Monday. 'He said he's broken. 'He's not sleeping. He's not eating. He's not believing that this happened.' New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said that he believes 'everyone needs to see' the distressing bodycam footage of the shooting, which has been described as a 'complete execution.' 'When we talk about the dangers involved in policing, it tore me apart to see what happened to those officers and what has happened to far too many officers,' the mayor - who is a former police officer - told 1010 WINS radio on Tuesday. On Monday, he vowed to end the scourge of gun violence plaguing his city by reviving a disbanded police unit, injecting cash into community projects, and vowing to dismantle weapons trafficking networks. 'We are going to do a lot more than pray. We are going to turn our pain into purpose,' he said in a City Hall press conference. 'We will not surrender our city to the violent few.' In a tribute tweet following Mora's death on Tuesday, Adams, a former NYPD officer wrote: 'Wilbert Mora was a hero. 'He served his city, protected his community and gave his life for our safety. 'Our hearts are heavy. Our city is in mourning. 'To his family, loved ones, and brothers and sisters in the NYPD: Your city is standing with you today and always.' New York Attorney General Letitia James also sent out a statement regarding Mora's death. 'He was a hero until the end. Officer Mora and his partner, Officer Jason Rivera, showed courage in the face of imminent danger to protect New Yorkers,' James said. 'Their bravery exemplified their commitment to protecting the city they loved. 'Both will forever be remembered as heroes who dedicated their lives to making New York safer and stronger. I pray for strength and ease for their families and loved ones.' NYPD Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch said in a statement: 'True heroes never die. 'Our brother Police Officer Wilbert Mora has left us, but he will live on in the heart of every New York City police officer from this day forward. 'We are called upon to put ourselves between evil and the good people of this city. Police Officer Mora showed us what it means to carry out our mission with courage, skill and humanity. 'His sacrifice will guide us as we continue that mission, but we cannot succeed alone. We ask you once again to join us. Help us mourn our fallen heroes, and help us carry on in their name.' LiveOnNY President and CEO Leonard Achan also put out a statement thanking Mora and his family for his final act as an organ donor. 'Officer Mora's final gift was the gift of life to others in need. He was transferred from Harlem Hospital to NYU Langone Health, where we have honored the family's wishes for him to be an organ donor hero, so that he may 'Live On' while saving the lives of others,' Achan said. There have been 73 shootings so far this year in the city - an increase of 23.7 percent on last year. A total of 82 people have been shot, up from 67 in the first three weeks of 2021. On Monday, the mother of the gunman who carried out the attack on the officers, Shirley Sourzes spoke to the New York Post hours before her son's death, saying: 'I am deeply sorry.' Sourzes made the call to cops to report her son's domestic abuse on the night the killing took place and said she did not know her son was armed at the time. She now says: 'If I knew, I never would have made the phone call. I would never have called.' Police recovered an illegal Glock 45 at the scene, equipped with a 'high capacity magazine.' The drum magazine gives a gun 40 additional rounds, allowing the user to fire a total of 50 rounds NYPD detectives found a loaded AR-15 tucked under the mattress of Lashawn McNeil, 47, who allegedly shot and killed one officer and injured another in Harlem Police officers, clergy and community members held a candlelight vigil at the NYPD 32nd precinct on Monday night Dominican Officers Organization president NYPD Sergeant Dennis Rodriguez spoke at a vigil in front of the NYPD 32nd precinct in honor of the officers gunned down in Friday's shooting A makeshift memorial is seen outside the apartment of New York City Police Department Officer Wilbert Mora 'I would like to say to Mr and Mrs (Rivera) that I am deeply sorry. I know that there is not words that I can express. Your pain. Your sorrow. 'Me and my family are not proud of my son taking of life. There is nothing I can say to heal your sorrow, but God is a comforter. 'And I know that he sent your son to do his will. I don't understand it. It's not fair. My heart goes out to you and your family.' The career criminal was shot in the head and right arm by Officer Sumit Sulan moments after McNeil ambushed two officers, who were responding to a domestic dispute call from McNeil's mother at her Harlem apartment. Sources told the New York Daily News that McNeil argued with his mother, Sourzes, about his veganism. NYPD senior officials told NBC that McNeil had moved in with his Sourzes at her Harlem apartment in November 2021 and had tried to convert his family to share his beliefs. McNeil was well known to officers, who were last called to the house on a domestic violence call in August. He had previously been arrested in New York in 2003 on felony narcotic charges, and was out on probation. He also had four other arrests in two different states. In 1998, he was arrested in South Carolina for the unlawful possession of a weapon. In Pennsylvania, where his registered address was, in Allentown, he was arrested in 2002 for assaulting a police officer. He was also arrested twice in Pennsylvania in 2003 - once on a felony narcotics charge, and once on a misdemeanor narcotics charge. When the three officers arrived at the McNeil house, the mother was in a front room with another son. She said that her threatening son was in the back room, and so Rivera and Mora approached the room along a narrow 30-foot hallway. The third officer remained with the mother, Sourzes, and her other son. When Rivera and Mora got close, McNeil opened fire, shooting both officers. McNeil was wielding an illegal Glock 45 equipped with a high capacity 40 round magazine, which allows the pistol to fire 50 rounds. Police retrieved the weapon from the scene, which they said had been stolen in Baltimore in 2017. McNeil made a dash for the door, but was shot by the third officer in the right arm and head. On Sunday, hundreds of NYPD officers, paramedics and emergency responders gathered in Manhattan to salute Officer Rivera's casket as it passed by. His widow, Dominique Luzuriaga, shared several touching tributes to him on Instagram. On Monday, shared a heartfelt letter he had sent her. 'Dear Dominique, I don't know where to start. You are my best friend in the whole entire school. I really love you but you never believe me when I say I love you,' the letter read. 'Every night, I always say to myself, how will life be without you...I want you to know that I will always trust you/love you...I want to be married to you...I don't know if I have told you this but I am in love with [you].' Another letter which appeared to be addressed to Rivera from his widow read: 'I hope you do good in school and you better not drop out cuz I'll kick your cake. Lmao Good luck baby! I love you just a little.' Luzuriaga also shared pictures of her and her husband on their prom night and after their wedding, adding that she wished she had taken more pictures with him. Rivera and Luzuriaga were married on October 9, 2021 and had some pictures taken in New Jersey. The widow mourned the loss of her husband on Instagram She also shared the heartfelt letters she and her late husband wrote to each other when they were in high school Another letter which appeared to be addressed to Rivera from his widow read: 'I hope you do good in school and you better not drop out cuz I'll kick your cake. Lmao Good luck baby! I love you just a little' Twenty-two-year-old Officer Jason Rivera was shot and killed and Officer Wilbert Mora critically injured while responding to a domestic call Members of clergy, community activists and police officers held rally and prayers at 32nd precinct for officers shot in Harlem A copy of Jason Rivera's letter to the New York Police Academy about why he became an officer 'Why I became an officer': Jason Rivera's letter to NYPD Police Academy in 2020 In a 2020 letter to the NYPD police academy, Jason River wrote: 'When I applied to become a police officer, I knew this was the career for me. I would be the first person in my family to become a police officer. Coming from an immigrant family, I will be the first to say that I am a member of the NYPD - the greatest police force in the world. Growing up in New York City, I realized how impactful my role as a police officer would go in this chaotic city of about 10 million people. I know that something as small as helping a tourist with directions, or helping a couple resolve an issue, would put a smile on someone's face. 'Growing up in Inwood, Manhattan, the community's relationship between the police and the community was not great. I remember one day when I witnessed my brother being stopped and frisked. I asked myself, why are we being pulled over if we are in a taxi?I was too young to know that during that time, the NYPD was pulling over and frisking people at a high rate. My perspective on police and the way they police really bothered me. As time went on, I saw the NYPD pushing hard on changing the relationship between the police and the community. This was when I realized that I wanted to be a part of the men in blue; better the relationship between the community and the police.' Advertisement Many have made their way to the homes of Rivera and Mora to pay tribute to the fallen officers. Following Rivera's death last week, letters to the police academy about his aspirations were shared online, which revealed the 22-year-old had hopes of helping the police connect with his local community. In his 2020 letter to the police academy, Rivera wrote: 'Coming from an immigrant family, I will be the first to say that I am a member of the NYPD - the greatest police force in the world.' 'Growing up in Inwood, Manhattan, the community's relationship between the police and community was not great,' Rivera wrote in a letter to the police academy after he became a cop in November 2020. 'I remember my brother being stopped and frisked... I was too young to know that during that time, the NYPD was pulling over and frisking people at a high rate. 'Growing up in New York City, I knew how impactful my role as a police officer would go in this chaotic city of about 10 million people. 'I know that something as small as helping a tourist with directions, or helping a couple resolve an issue, would put a smile on someone's face.' Rivera said he was bothered by how he viewed the police and how they viewed him and his community, and he saw the NYPD trying to reform, and he wanted to be part of the change. 'My perspective on police and the way they police really bothered me.' 'This is when I realized that I wanted to be part of the men in blue; better the relationship between the community and the police.' A wake and funeral services are planned for Rivera at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday and Friday. Services have yet to be announced for Mora. On Monday, Harsha Sulan said her brother Officer Sumit Sulan, 27 - who has been branded a 'hero rookie' after taking down McNeil - was 'trying his best.' 'It's a lot to take and it's overwhelming for him,' she said. 'He's coping. He's trying to cope, I don't want to say anything for him. He will say something when he's ready,' she told the gathered press from the steps of her Queens family home. Officer Sulan was seen entering the family home earlier that day, wearing a face mask and hoodie. When asked if the family felt proud of Sulan, his sister answered without hesitation: 'A hundred percent. We were proud of him. He was doing a good job.' Since the events, Officer Sulan cannot get what happened out of his head, his mother told the New York Post Sunday. 'His brain is stuck on the situation,' Dalvir Sulan, 60, said of her son, who emigrated from the family's home in India about 15 years ago. 'I'm proud. Everyone say he did good,' Sulan's mother said. 'I feel bad for the other [officer]. He died. We really feel bad. We're sorry. We're hurt.' Sulan has only been on the job since April and at Harlem's 32nd Precinct for two months, a law enforcement source told the Post. He had been assigned just to observe Rivera and Mora in action. 'He did a great job. We're proud of him, but we're sorry for both of [the other officers],' she said. Officer Sumit Sulan, the NYPD 'super rookie' who shot the man accused of killing 22-year-old Jason Rivera, was seen at his home in Queens on Monday New York City could be walloped by up to two feet of snow and winds packing gusts of up to 70mph from a nor'easter forming on the East Coast this weekend. The strong storm is forecast to develop off the East Coast when a cold front moving across the Northeast hauls in a fresh blast of frigid conditions late Friday through Saturday. That combination of fresh cold air and the intensifying storm crawling northward off the East Coast sets the stage for a possible high-impact winter storm in some portions of the Northeast, including New York City, according to Accuweather. It is still not clear what track the storm will take but early models show it developing off the coast of the Carolinas, then heading northeast just off the New England shore, east of Nantucket and Cape Cod, NBC New York reported. On Friday a cold front moving across the Northeast will haul in a fresh blast of chilly air followed by low pressure off the East Coast late Friday through Saturday It is still not clear what track the storm will take but early models show it developing off the coast of the Carolinas, then heading northeast just off the New England shore A storm forecast to develop off the East Coast this weekend could bring heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding to parts of the Northeast AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty told The New York Post that New Yorkers could likely see snow accumulate and high winds beginning late Friday into early Saturday. 'The key point at this time is there's going to be a big storm, but the impact all depends on where it's going to track along the East Coast,' Douty said. Douty said it is likely the city and areas north will be hit with 1 to 2 feet of snow and winds of up to 70 mph if the storm tracks far enough to the west, 'But that's still up in the air at this point,' he told the Post. In New York City the chance of at least one inch of snow is 60 percent, while the chance of at least three inches is 35 percent and the chance of at least six inches is 25 percent, the Washington Post reported. The storm is predicted to bring up to two inches of snow to New York City but the heaviest snowfall is expected across New England, particularly in Massachusetts The storm could bring possible power outages and flooding along the New Jersey coast and into New England and could impact states as far south as North Carolina through Maine, Douty told the Post. But the heaviest snowfall is expected across New England, particularly in Massachusetts, Accuweather forecasted. In an online forecast discussion on Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service in Boston cautioned against taking early predictions as set in stone, the Post reported. 'For now, what you can do is prepare for the potential of an impactful snowfall with accompanying strong winds,' the agency wrote. This nor'easter is set to come almost two weeks after winter storm Izzy dumped a foot of snow and caused mayhem across the Eastern U.S. Snow and ice stretched from Mississippi to Virginia as Izzy slammed the Southeast, leaving more than 250,000 without power and grounded and delayed hundreds of U.S. flights. The storm system dropped a foot or more of snow in parts of New York state - with Buffalo the worst hit. Dayton in Ohio saw 15 inches, with Pottsville in Pennsylvania also covered with the white stuff through Monday morning after pummeling parts of the Southeast. A former SEAL sniper who served under controversial Navy Chief Eddie Gallagher in Iraq accused him of purposely putting soldiers in the crossfire and regrets not doing more to stop his former commanding officer from committing war crimes. Special Operator 1st Class Josh Virens served in Navy SEAL Team 7 Alpha Platoon in Mosul, Iraq under Gallagher's command in 2017. The chief had been accused of killing dozens of Iraqi civilians, including a schoolgirl and an elderly man armed with just an empty jug, during the deployment. In 2019, Gallagher was found guilty of unlawfully posing for a picture with a dead ISIS teen in Mosul, Iraq, but was acquitted on more serious charges that included shooting civilians on multiple occasions, possessing a controlled substance, torturing and killing a prisoner, and obstructing justice. However, then-President Donald Trump saw Gallagher as a 'real-life Rambo' and pardoned him in 2019. Trump also personally ensured that disciplinary action, which could have kicked him out of the SEALs, the Navy's most elite unit, wouldn't be taken and invited Gallagher to visit him at Mar-a-Lago. But in an open-letter published Tuesday, Virens shared more details about Gallagher's actions during Alpha Platoon's time in Mosul. Former SEAL sniper Josh Virens (left) has accused his former commanding officer Eddie Gallagher (right) of purposefully putting soldiers in the crossfire and trying to get soldiers killed along with other 'horrific' actions while deployed in Iraq in 2017 Gallagher (circled) was accused of war crimes by several men under his command in Navy SEAL Team 7 Alpha Platoon, which was deployed to Mosul, Iraq Gallagher was acquitted of nearly all charges in 2019 but convicted for posing with the dead ISIS teenager's body Gallagher's case drew widespread controversy with President Trump repeatedly intervening on his behalf. Gallagher (right) and his wife Andrea (second from the right) met with Trump (second from the left) and Melania (left) at Mar-a-Lago back in 2019 following his acquittal He claimed that his commander repeatedly sent men out into the crossfire and unsafe locations. He previously told CBS This Morning that Gallagher instructed the platoon to turn their GPS trackers off and ordered them behind enemy lines. Virens said that Gallagher went against instruction from headquarters and labeled anyone who did not support his plan as a coward. 'These were part of Gallaghers effort to get a SEAL injured or killed so that we would, in his words, make it a great deployment,' Virens wrote. 'Real brothers dont needlessly put their men at risk. Real brothers dont chase medals. And they certainly dont murder unarmed prisoners or terrorize civilian populations,' Virens lamented. Gallagher (pictured) made an 'effort to get a SEAL injured or killed so that we would, in his words, make it a great deployment,' Virens claimed Gallagher has always maintained that the charges brought against him were made up by six members of his platoon who wanted to force him out and did not like his leadership style Virens also claimed that Gallagher was addicted to a powerful painkiller and was popping Provigil pills to keep himself awake on long missions, which left him amped and acting like the 'Energizer Bunny.' 'The problem was one mans insecurities, greed, and addiction,' Virens noted. The former SEAL also defended his platoon, explaining that he and his other platoon members reported their chief's alleged war crimes to their troop commander and were told that the situation was being handled. 'As far as we knew, the ball was in their court and our officers would do the right thing,' Virens wrote. 'My only regret is not doing more.' Gallagher was acquitted in 2019 of stabbing to death the wounded ISIS 17-year-old after one of the SEALs, Corey Scott, who had been expected to testify for the prosecution, took responsibility for killing the boy. Naval prosecutors say he made it up to protect Gallagher after being granted immunity for his own war crimes. They pointed to texts where Gallagher allegedly told friends: 'Got him with my hunting knife' and 'there's a good story behind this', claiming those proved his guilt. Defense attorney Tim Parlatore said the trial was a 'mutiny' and that he was being set up for the murder of the young ISIS fighter in 2017 by a group of younger SEALs who did not like his tough, old-school leadership style. Since the trial, Gallagher has changed his story and now claims that he and the other SEALs intended to kill the teenage ISIS fighter. 'The grain of truth in the whole thing is that that ISIS fighter was killed by us and that nobody at that time had a problem with it,' he admitted in an interview on Apple's The Line podcast last year. 'We killed that guy. Our intention was to kill him. Everybody was on board... It was to do medical scenarios on him until he died.' He still denies stabbing the POW and has always claimed the war crimes charges brought against him were made up by six platoon members who wanted to force him out. 'I didn't stab him. I didn't stab that dude,' Gallagher said. 'That dude died from all the medical treatments that were done and there was plenty of medical treatments that were done to him. 'I mean, he was going to die, regardless. We weren't taking any prisoners.' In a podcast interview last year, Gallagher continued to deny that he stabbed the fighter He claimed that the SEALs did not treat the fighter for his injuries and jointly decided to practice medical procedures on him until he died Virens said that he and his platoon members repeatedly told their commanders of Gallagher's (pictured) war crimes but regrets not doing more to stop him It is not clear exactly what procedures were allegedly performed on the ISIS fighter, who died about 20 minutes after being brought to the US base. When he was asked why he cut the airway into the fighter's throat to insert the breathing tube, Gallagher said in the podcast: 'Just for practice. I was practicing to see how fast I could do one in.' The Navy would not comment on Gallagher's latest claims. His attorney Timothy Parlatore told military news outlet Task & Purpose that prosecutors and defense already knew that the SEALs had practiced medical procedures on the ISIS fighter before he was pronounced dead. He said prosecutors chose not to bring up the claims during his marital court trial so he did not address them. 'When the terrorist came in, they did the initial assessment and they knew that he was going to die,' Parlatore said. 'There was no way that he was surviving this thing. And, exactly what he said there: They decided ok, he's going to die anyway, let's use this as an opportunity for training. We'll just do procedures on him.' Parlatore argued that none of the procedures carried out on the fighter sped up his death. Gallagher's attorney said none of his client's recent comments made on the podcast changed his defense. 'They all knew that this is how the guy died and they made up a story after the fact,' Parlatore said. 'Everything that I said at the trial is absolutely true. 'The prosecutors chose not to make this argument at the trial because, quite frankly, it was inconsistent with their theory of the case. So they didn't want to make these arguments at the time. And I didn't need to make them at the time because it didn't matter.' Court records obtained by the Navy Times have previously indicated that the fighter's body was covered in medical devices, including a trachea tube and two tubes in his chest, when he died. The knowledge that the fighter was used for medical training was detailed as part of a defense motion filed back in 2019. 'At the time that the ISIS fighter was brought to the compound, he was at or near death and, although SOC Gallagher initially attempted to save his life, these efforts quickly proved to be fruitless,' the motion read. 'Once it was clear that the ISIS fighter was beyond saving, the platoon's medic... took over and began using the newly dead or nearly dead ISIS fighter as a training aid to practice performing medical procedures.' The court records and defense motion did not detail how much, if any, pain medication was given to the fighter while the medical training was carried out. A group of bold thieves, two of whom didn't even bother covering their faces, were caught on camera filling trash bags with cosmetics at an Ulta Beauty salon in Los Angeles County as a security alarm blared and fed-up shoppers groaned. 'When are people gonna say enough?' an exasperated bystander can be heard saying as the group of at least six shoplifters fled the store and piled into a white Dodge Challenger in the parking lot of the Azalea shopping center in South Gate. A witness to Thursday's Ulta robbery said the thieves 'knew exactly what they were doing.' 'They went straight for the perfume and cologne. Small, easy to grab and worth about $100 each,' she said. California has been plagued by smash-and-grab looters during the past year, with many blaming the soft-on-crime policies of progressive Los Angeles County DA George Gascon. Scroll down for video A group of thieves were caught filling trash bags with cosmetics from Ulta Beauty yesterday 'When are people gonna say enough?' an exasperated bystander can be heard saying as the group of at least six piled into a white Dodge Challenger in the parking lot of the Azalea shopping center in South Gate Shoplifting crew is seen carrying armfuls of products from the beauty salon The passage of Proposition 47 in 2014 also downgraded charges of property theft of less than $950 in value from a felony to a misdemeanor. Non-violent property crimes under $950 have been downgraded to misdemeanors, while two or more people conspiring to 'cheat and defraud any person or any property, by any means which are in themselves criminal' face no more The robbery at the beauty salon chain come on the heels of California Governor Gavin Newsom announcing new initiatives last week to combat the rising crime rate after packages discarded by thieves near the Union Pacific tracks in downtown Los Angeles made the site look 'like a third-world country.' than one year in county prison, a fine of $10,000 or a combination of the two. Video showed several young women loading up bags of merchandise before scampering out of the store. South Gate police say $4,000 to $5,000 worth of merchandise was taken. No one was hurt in the theft, and no arrest has been made. The location has been targeted by robbers multiple times, South Gate police. Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Jerretta Sandoz, who is also vice president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said: 'If they're caught, they're probably given the equivalent of a traffic ticket. 'So its not taken seriously.' Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon (left) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) have been criticized for their soft-on-crime policies California's Proposition 47 - lighter sentences for thieves Proposition 47 was passed by California voters on November 5, 2014. It made some 'non-violent' property crimes, where the value of the stolen goods does not exceed $950, into misdemeanors. It also made some 'simple' drug possession offenses into misdemeanors, and allows past convictions for these charges to be reduced to a misdemeanor by a court. Under California law, though, if two or more person's conspire to 'cheat and defraud any person or any property, by any means which are in themselves criminal' they can face no more than one year in county prison, a fine of $10,000 or a combination of the two. Advertisement Sandoz cited an incident in which an employee of a Rite Aid in Glassell Park was shot and killed earlier this month after he tried to stop two men from stealing a case of beer. The slain employee was identified as 36-year-old Miguel Penaloza. According to criminal defense attorney Alexandra Kazarian, Penaloza's death shows that store employees are fearful of confronting shoplifters who might use violence if someone tries to stop them. 'The employees at TJ Maxx have been told that, in these specific circumstances, its not worth it for you to go and physically attack, physically stop people that are walking out with this inventory,' Kazarian told CBS Los Angeles. 'Because these businesses have insurance.' Kazarian also disputed the notion that shoplifters who walk out with piles of goods are not getting punished. 'People who are stealing giant, giant tote bags, giant backpacks worth of inventory are not getting the same benefit of the people that are stealing food and clothing for their children,' she said. No arrests have been made in the Rite Aid shooting. The LAPD released surveillance footage showing the alleged suspects. 'If you let these criminals think that they can go in and steal merchandise and steal things, what happens when someone tries to stop them?' Sandoz said. The LAPD said it is investigating the TJ Maxx incident as well. A spokesperson for Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said: 'Once officers make an arrest or cite someone for a crime, they will present the case to our office. The Los Angeles Police Department released surveillance footage showing the thieves in action earlier this month Earlier this month, Miguel Penaloza, 36, an employee of a Rite Aid in Glassell Park, was shot and killed after he tried to stop two men from stealing a case of beer 'We make charging decisions accordingly. We do so based on the facts, the totality of the circumstances, and the law.' Gascon is one of the left-leaning leaders in California who many claim are only allowing the crime to worsen because of new policies they say are soft on crime. Last Monday, the La Verne City Council became the 24th to pass a no confidence vote against Gascon for that very reason. A spokesperson for the La Verne City Council told Fox 11 in a statement that Gascons policies are a risk to public safety. A petition to recall Gascon also launched in May, which specifically cites his refusal to seek the death penalty in any cases and his decision to drop sentence enhancements like gang affiliation. A spokesman for Gascon told ABC 7 that the no-confidence votes are nothing more than a political ploy, but did not comment further. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said it's a 'misconception' for the public to believe that the law is clear when the high court is deciding a case, and said that she and her colleagues worry about their public perception. Though the court's direct mandate is to interpret the law, Obama-appointed Sotomayor said that 'The reality is, there isn't a clear answer.' 'Most people think of the law as black and white, that there's an answer,' Sotomayor said during 'Live with Kelly and Ryan,' one of two morning TV hits to promote her new children's book. 'Most of the time when the Supreme Court takes cases, it's because the courts below that are disagreeing about the answer,' she added. 'By the time the case comes to the Supreme Court, or to any court, actually the courts below us or even the Supreme Court it's because the answer's unclear. And that can be unsatisfying to people. They don't understand why the judges are disagreeing. They don't understand why it's so hard.' Sotomayor was making the morning TV rounds to promote her new children's book, 'Just Help! How to Build a Better World.' During an appearance on The Today Show, NBC's Savannah Guthrie asked Sotomayor how much she worries about public trust in the high court. Sotomayor was making the morning TV rounds to promote her new children's book, 'Just Help! How to Build a Better World' 'I think all of us worry about [public trust],' the justice said, adding that she and her colleagues think about how they interact with each other to instill public confidence 'I know that you are not permitted to discuss any case or controversy before the Supreme Court in this interview, and I'm not even going to try it,' Guthrie said, possibly signaling that she understood the justice would not take questions on the masking controversy stirred up by NPR last week. 'Just generally, there is concern that the court as an institution, its credibility has been falling. A recent Gallup poll, just 54% of Americans have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the court. How much do you worry about that, the court as an institution and how the public sees it?' 'I think all of us worry about that,' the justice said, adding that she and her colleagues think about how they interact with each other to instill public confidence. 'We think about ways which we can comport ourselves, among ourselves to ensure that the public has confidence in what we're doing. I do need to discuss this a little bit with the public to assure them that one of the hardest things about our work is that there are no easy answers.' 'Reasonable people can disagree,' she added. The liberal justice has made headlines in recent weeks, in part due to her scathing dissent in an abortion case. She questioned whether the court would ever shake the 'stench' of politicization. During a hearing on a Mississippi law that would ban abortion after 15 weeks, Sotomayor accused the state of enacting the law to seize on the court's 6-3 conservative majority. 'Now, the sponsors of this bill, this house bill in Mississippi, are saying, 'We're doing this because we have new justices on the Supreme Court.' Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the constitution and its reading are just political acts?' Sotomayor asked. Sotomayor was also caught in the middle of a reports of bitter tensions between her and Justice Neil Gorsuch. The pair of justices issued a rare joint statement after NPR reported that Sotomayor, who is diabetic and 67, was working remotely because Chief Justice John Roberts had asked Gorsuch to put a mask on at work and he refused. '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,' Gorsuch and Sotomayor said. Some pointed out that the report had said Roberts asked Gorsuch to mask, not Sotomayor. Roberts then issued his own statement refuting the story. 'I did not request Justice Gorsuch or any other Justice to wear a mask on the bench,' he said. Boris Johnson was 'ambushed' with a birthday cake while working at Number 10, said a Tory minister tonight in comments that sparked widespread ridicule online. Conor Burns defended the Prime Minister after it was revealed he attended a gathering, complete with a Union Jack cake and singing, that was organised by his wife Carrie in the Cabinet Room on June 19, 2020. The Northern Ireland minister said Mr Johnson was working in the room before people came in and presented him with the baked treat, adding: 'He, as far as I can see, he was in a sense, ambushed with a cake.' Social media erupted with #ambushedbycake hashtags poking fun at the remark, with one picturing a Colin the Caterpillar cake alongside the caption: 'Eyes of a killer.' Another tweet photoshopped an advert of an injury lawyer holding a cake, asking: 'Have you had an accident or been ambushed by cake in your place of work?' And a third meme capturing a megaphone being stuck out of a police car towards a passerby was accompanied by the words: 'I'd be careful, Madam. There are reports of people being ambushed by cake.' A day of high drama and chaos in Westminster started this morning when Scotland Yard chief Dame Cressida Dick announced that the Metropolitan Police will finally probe alleged lockdown breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall. Senior Cabinet ministers including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries downplayed the seriousness of the PM attending the bash. They insisted that the gathering of around 30 people specifically to mark the PM's 56th birthday in June 2020 could be seen as a extension of the workplace. Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, defended the Prime Minister after it was revealed he attended a gathering, complete with a Union Jack cake and singing, that was organised by his wife Carrie in the Cabinet Room on June 19, 2020 Boris Johnson holding a birthday cake presented to him by staff during a socially distanced visit to Bovingdon Primary School on June 19, 2020 - the same day as the birthday bash The comments led to a flurry of memes on social media, with one person writing: 'Next up, Lockdown Parties with their latest single Ambushed By A Cake' Mr Burns told Channel 4 News: 'You can characterise these things in different ways. My understanding of that, from what I know of it, and I know as much as you do or your viewers at home know, the Prime Minister was out on a visit. 'He came back, he was working in the Cabinet Room. People came in and presented him with the cake on his birthday, they sang happy birthday. He was there for about 10 minutes. 'It was not a premeditated, organised party in that sense, that the Prime Minister himself decided to have sent out. 'He, as far as I can see, he was in a sense, ambushed with a cake. They came to his office with a cake, they sang happy birthday, he was there for 10 minutes. 'I don't think most people looking at that at home would characterise that as a party.' Questioned over whether his defence of the PM was 'farcical', the MP for Bournemouth West said: 'He's our leader, I support him. I want him to continue as Prime Minister. 'I want him to show the British people what we can do in government to make their lives and their communities better. 'Of course, we want to draw a line under this, and that's why we want the Sue Gray report to come forward as soon as she is ready. 'We want the Met to get on with looking at whatever they're looking at, and then to make their findings public and then the public ultimately will judge.' Told that Mr Burns had said the PM had been 'ambushed with a cake', Tory MP Andrew Bridgen replied: 'You can spin it how you want to. Downing Street has conceded staff 'gathered briefly' in the Cabinet Room following a meeting after it was alleged 30 people attended and shared cake despite social mixing indoors being banned Scotland Yard chief Dame Cressida Dick announced that the force has now launched a probe into lockdown breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall over the past two years They are said to have celebrated his birthday after his return from a visit to Bovingdon Primary Academy in Hemel Hempstead (pictured), where the PM showed children how to social distance Timeline of chaos in Downing Street 9:30am: Boris Johnson hosts weekly Cabinet meeting in Downing Street. He is aware that Dame Cressida Dick is planning to announce a police investigation into Partygate, but he doesn't reveal this to the assembled ministers beyond an 'allusion' at the end. They find out via their mobile phones. 10.10am: The Metropolitan Police Commissioner uses an appearance in front of as London Assembly committee to confirm the Met had launched a criminal probe into Partygate allegations. 12:45pm: No10 suggests Sue Gray will pause investigating or publishing any party allegations that the police are inspecting but is free to publish other matters in her inquiry. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'As the terms of reference make clear, they won't publish anything that relates to the work of the police, there are a number of events and allegations that they have looked into that the police said don't reach their threshold, which they are able to continue looking into.' 1:20pm: Boris Johnson tells MPs: 'I welcome the Met's decision to conduct its own investigation because I believe this will help to give the public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matters.' 1:46pm: The Guardian reveals that the Metropolitan Police have no objections to the whole report being published alongside their investigation. 4:10pm: No10 confirms talks are taking place between Sue Gray's inquiry team and the Metropolitan Police to decide what can be published. The Prime Minister's official spokesman insists No 10 was not trying to block publication of the report. Advertisement 'This isn't about cakes, this isn't about parties, this is about misleading Parliament and whether we can trust the word of the Prime Minister.' The MP for North West Leicestershire also said he hoped Ms Gray's report into allegations of Downing Street lockdown parties would be published tomorrow. He added that the conclusions of the civil servant's inquiry should be published 'unredacted'. The Met's decision to probe the alleged breaches, announced at a London Assembly committee, represents a step change in the seriousness of the situation facing the Prime Minister and senior staff at No10, who could face 100 fines, and, more seriously and the end of their political careers. Now it has been revealed that civil service inquisitor Ms Gray has obtained pictures of the parties, showing Mr Johnson and others close together next to wine bottles, reports Sky News. Events had descended into farce by lunchtime today as No 10 insisted that the criminal probe meant that parts of an internal report by Ms Gray would not be published until it was completed. This stance, seemingly kicking the most potentially damaging parts of the report into the long grass, was swiftly abandoned, however, after Scotland Yard said full publication would not affect its inquiries, which carry fines as the most serious punishments. Government sources insisted the final decision will be taken by Ms Gray after discussions with lawyers, and there is no 'pressure' from Downing Street. Sources tonight suggested that she could now release the full report as soon as Wednesday. That would force the Prime Minister to come to the Commons this week and could intensify efforts by Tory backbenchers to oust him from office. Ms Dorries was one of the first out of the blocks to defend the PM last night after the allegations surrounding his birthday bash emerged. She tweeted: 'So, when people in an office buy a cake in the middle of the afternoon for someone else they are working in the office with and stop for 10 minutes to sing happy birthday and then go back to their desks, this is now called a party?' And Jacob Rees-Mogg walked out of No10 shortly after 10.30am and straight over to cameras to vow loyalty to Mr Johnson. He said: 'The leadership of this country that Boris Johnson has had, has been so brilliant that he has got us through this incredibly difficult period. Boris Johnson came out fighting in the Commons today after police dramatically launched an investigation into Partygate 'He has got all the big decision right and we have opened up faster than any other European country thanks to the Prime Minister and I'm honoured to be under his leadership.' Environment Secretary George Eustice was also sent out to bat for the PM on Monday night. He told reporters: 'What really happened here is a small group of staff who had been working closely with the Prime Minister brought in a birthday cake at the end of the day and there was 10 minutes there around sharing a piece of cake. 'I don't think that really constitutes a party in the way some of the more serious allegations that are being investigated maybe do.' But other normally loyal ministers like Transport Secretary Grant Shapps were tepid in their backing for the PM this morning. On a morning media round he admitted he was 'upset' by the latest allegations. John Eastman, the lawyer who worked with former President Trump to overturn the result of the 2020 election, failed in an effort to block lawmakers from getting hold of thousands of his university emails. Instead, a federal judge indicated on Monday that he was likely to reject Eastman's attempt to halt a subpoena issued by the House January 6 committee - and ordered the two sides to begin the process of handing over information. 'The Court expects that the parties will work together with the urgency that this case requires,' said Judge David Carter in Santa Ana, California. It came after the House select committee probing last year's attack on the U.S. Capitol issued a subpoena to Chapman University for Eastman's emails. Investigators see the conservative law professor - a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas - as a key figure in the Trump effort to reject the election results. He authored memos outlining how the then president could overturn the outcome if Vice President Mike Pence refused to accept the electoral college results - what lawmakers see as the roadmap for a constitutional coup. Conservative lawyer John Eastman appeared alongside President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani at the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, D.C., on the day thousands of Trump supporters marched on the U.S. Capitol Investigators believe Eastman's memo's were central to Trump's strategy to persuade Vice President Mike Pence to reject congressional certification of the 2020 election In the event, Pence refused to bow to Trump's power and certified the electoral college results showing the Joe Biden was the winner of the 2020 election The committee directed Chapman University to turn over more than 19,000 emails relating to his work for Trump. During a court hearing on Monday, a lawyer for Eastman admitted that his client had been working for Trump during a number of key moments ahead of Jan. 6. They included being present at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., with other Trump lieutenants, and when he met with Trump and Pence on Jan. 3 to discuss blocking congressional certification of the result. 'That work was done pursuant to representation of the president,' Charles Burnham said, according to CNN. However, Eastman used his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination some 150 times during a deposition in December, according to a lawyer for the House. The House Committee also approached Chapman University for his emails, prompting the suit that ended up in California federal court. But Eastman suffered a blow to his effort to protect the communications when the university said in court that he had no right to use its servers when conducted private work for Trump, violating the universitys status as a nonprofit. At the end of the hearing, the judge set out a plan for Eastman to begin sharing information. Chapman University will give Eastman's legal team access to his nearly 19,000 emails by midday on Tuesday, so they can sort through and identify which emails they believe should stay confidential. Judge David Carter in Santa Ana, California, said he intended to rule against Eastman, who tried to block a subpoena requiring Chapman University to hand over his emails The judge or another third party will then decide which should remain secret and which are not covered by attorney-client privilege. It marks another win for the committee which has stepped up the pace of its work amid fears Republicans will retake the House in November's midterms. In the event, Pence refused to go along with the plan allegedly hatched by Trump and Pence - much to the fury of the president and the mob that ransacked the Capitol. Some chanted, 'Hang Mike Pence,' as they stormed the building. At the weekend, committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson said the investigation had spoken with former Attorney General William Barr. 'To be honest with you, we've had conversations with the former attorney general already,' he told CBS' 'Face the Nation show. 'We've talked to Department of Defense individuals. We are concerned that our military was part of this big lie on promoting that the election was false.' Former Chinese Ambassador to Korea Qiu Guohong speaks during a forum on Sino-Korea relations held at the National Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido in this Nov. 28, 2019, file photo. Yonhap By Jung Da-min The Chinese Embassy in Seoul has denied the allegation that China tried to meddle in Korea's upcoming presidential election. In a statement released to Korean journalists on Monday, the embassy expressed regret that a JoongAng Ilbo newspaper column published on the same day accused China of trying to intervene in the presidential election based on several Chinese officials' remarks. "China, like many other countries in the world, is watching the South Korean presidential election, but it has never intervened in it and will never do it," the press release reads. "China's announcing of its position and argument on China-related issues is aimed at protecting its interests and the overall development of Sino-Korea relations, and has nothing to do with the so-called interference in the Korean presidential election." The Chinese Embassy's reaction came as the JoonAng Ilbo published a column titled, "China's attempt to 'intervene' in Korea's presidential election regretful." In the article written by its chief Beijing correspondent, the journalist cited former Chinese Ambassador to Korea Qiu Guohong's "inappropriate" comments about Korea during an online international academic conference held Jan. 20. "I hope presidential candidates of Korea would not mention any sensitive issues related to China," Qiu was quoted as saying, adding he believes the bilateral relations between China and Korea should not be ruined by some politicians' remarks. The JoongAng Ilbo column presented Qiu's remarks as being disrespectful to Korea, pointing out that the former ambassador was indirectly criticizing recent remarks made by Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of Korea's main opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP). Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, speaks during a press conference on his diplomacy and security policies held at party headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps Disney has said its taking a different approach with Snow Whites seven companions, after actor Peter Dinklage slammed the studio for remaking the backward film that reinforces stereotypes. The company - which is in its third year of development for the live-action remake of the Disney classic tale - said it has been consulting with members of the dwarfism community throughout the early stages of production. 'To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community,' a spokesperson said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. 'We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.' The response comes after the Game of Thrones star blasted Disney for remaking the 1937 film and shared he was surprised by the casting of West Side Story breakout star Rachel Zegler as Snow White. Disney is taking a 'different approach' with the characters originally referred to as the 'seven dwarfs' in its remake of its classic film Snow White in an effort to 'avoid reinforcing stereotypes' 'Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White but youre still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' Drinklage, 52, told Marc Maron on his WTF podcast. 'Take a step back and look at what youre doing there. It makes no sense to me. Youre progressive in one way and youre still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing man?' Disney said the film, which is still years from release, will have cultural consultants, just like its life-action remakes of Aladdin and Mulan did. The studio also claims it has been working on reimagining the dwarf characters since its earliest production stages. Disney did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. The move comes after actor Peter Dinklage (left) expressed his displeasure towards Disney for remaking their 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He slammed Disney for remaking the 'backward' film and applauding the casting of West Side Story breakout star Rachel Zegler (right) as Snow White 'Youre progressive in one way and youre still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing man?' he said Dinklage was promoting his new movie Cyrano on the podcast with Maron where they were discussing 'wokeness' when he discussed the Snow White reboot. 'Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess Im not loud enough,' Dinklage questioned. He added he didn't know what studio was remaking Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but he recalled, 'they were so proud of it.' 'All love and respect to the actress and all the people who thought they were doing the right thing. But I'm just like, what are you doing?' he added. Disney - which is in its third year of development for the live-action remake of the Disney classic tale - said they have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community throughout the early development stages The studio also claims it has been working on reimagining the dwarf characters since its earliest production stages How Disney's classic cartoons became 'sensitive viewing' Disney in 2020 began slapping racism warnings on some of its most iconic movies, including Peter Pan and The Jungle Book, to alert viewers to sensitive scenes. The media conglomerate believes some of its older cartoons contain outdated racial or ethnic stereotypes, and now opens some films with a disclaimer. It reads: 'This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures.' Movies with warning include the 1970 musical comedy The Aristocats, 1955 canine love story Lady and the Tramp and 1960 adventure Swiss Family Robinson. In relation to The Aristocats, Disney warns viewers about a scene where one cat, voiced by a white actor, yells out stereotypical Chinese 'words' while playing the piano with chopsticks. Peter Pan viewers are warned that Native Americans Indians are referred to as 'redskins'. Disney says scenes in which Peter and The Lost Boys dance in native American headdresses are a 'form of mockery and appropriation of Native peoples' culture and imagery.' The Jungle Book has also been highlighted, namely for its depiction of the ape King Louie, which was accused of perpetuating a stereotype of African Americans. Elsewhere 1941 release Dumbo comes under fire for its references to racist segregationist laws in the deep south, as well as its use of affected African-American voices. The lead crow in the film is also called Jim Crow - a reference to the segregation laws in late 19th and early 20th Century America. Lady And The Tramp has been placed on the list due to its perceived stereotyping of Asians courtesy of Siamese cats Si and Am, while a dog pound features canines with largely ethnic names and accents Advertisement Dinklage has a form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, which affects bone growth, causing him to have shorter limbs. He said the story of Snow White can still be told, but it needs to be updated to reflect today's standards. 'If you tell the story of "Snow White" with the most f***ed up, progressive spin on it? Let's do it. All in,' he stated. The original animated film was based on an 1812 fairy tale from The Brothers Grimm, though the dwarfs in that story lived in a cottage, not a cave. Dinklage's concerns were shared by some charities, including the Restricted Growth Association in the UK. 'I very much stand with Peter Dinklage on the disappointment and irritation towards Disney for the remake of Snow White,' Rhonda Cutmore, a member of the association, told The Telegraph. 'As a 46-year-old woman with restricted growth, this story has always had a negative impact on me. Not just the physical characteristics, but the labelling of "Dopey" and "Bashful", were not helpful in the playground. She added: 'People with restricted growth are in majority born to average height parents - they never live in gingerbread houses, have little bear beds nor live in homogeneous groups together.' Dwarfism writer Steph Robson said she hoped film producers make an effort to avoid stereotypes in its retelling of the classic movie. 'It is my hope that the latest live action remake, and Disney, will, at the very least go some way to redress the decades of the one-dimensional stereotypes that our disability continues to experience, especially within arts and cultural settings,' she told the outlet. The story has also been criticized as being ableist for portraying the dwarfs with lesser intelligence and Snow White seeing them as children. Zegler will star alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen with Marc Webb directing from a script by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson. Oscar-nominated producer Marc Platt, who also worked on Disney's live-action rendition of The Little Mermaid, is set to produce the film. Meanwhile, Dinklage will next be seen in American Dreamer with Shirley MacLaine, Danny Glover, Matt Dillon and Danny Pudi, which is in post-production. He has a number of projects currently filming like Hitpig, The Toxic Avenger and Brothers. A gunman opened fire in a Bronx hospital waiting room on Tuesday afternoon in the latest shocking episode of New York City crime, shooting another man four times before fleeing. The unidentified suspect was waiting to be seen by nurses when he 'exchanged looks' with another man in the waiting room at Jacobi Hospital. Harrowing video of the shooting shows the gunman standing to look at the victim then opening fire without warning, right in front of the reception desk. He then fled, leaving the gunman standing in disbelief while blood spurted from his arm. It is unclear if it was a random shooting or if the pair knew each other. A little girl was sitting next to the man who was struck; her mother shielded her throughout the incident. The gunman remains armed and at large. The NYPD has not offered any kind of description for him. Harrowing video of the shooting shows the gunman standing to look at the victim then opening fire without warning, right in front of the reception desk on Tuesday, wounding his victim before fleeing. It was at 12.30pm The gunman started to flee, clutching his gun, while stunned onlookers watched. A mother who was with her child in the corner shielded the girl as the incident unfolded The victim, in blue, is shown holding his arm out with blood dripping from hid wound as the little girl and woman walked away The unidentified suspect was waiting to be seen by nurses when he 'exchanged looks' with another man in the waiting room at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx on Tuesday at 12.30pm Mayor Eric Adams called the shooting 'reprehensible' and said he would visit the victim soon. It remains unclear if the men knew each other The victim survived and was treated at the scene for a gunshot wound to the arm. It's unclear if anyone else was harmed or if the pair knew each other before the incident. It is the latest worrying incident in an increasingly violent city where four police officers were shot in as many days last week. After the shooting, NYC Health and Hospitals called it a 'cowardly act'. Mayor Eric Adams said he would visit the victim shortly. 'I've been briefed on this and will be visiting with the victim shortly. 'This was a reprehensible act, one made even worse by the fact that it happened in a place where New Yorkers go for safety and to heal.' On Monday, a day before the hospital shooting, Adams vowed a crackdown on gun violence, claiming he would protect New Yorkers from the 'sea of violence' currently plaguing the city. 'I won't let that happen,' he vowed. Police unions and residents say it's already too late. They are however embracing Adams, who has promised to be tougher than his predecessor. The number of shootings across New York City has soared in the last two years, thanks to a number of devastating changes to bail reform and budgets. Crime in New York City has soared over the last two years. It is up in almost every major category Soft-on-crime former Mayor Bill de Blasio encouraged the reforms and the new District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, has announced plans to be even softer on criminals. In his New York, crimes like armed robbery will be downgraded to petit larceny. He has also vowed to do away with cash bond wherever possible, following in the footsteps of crime-ravaged San Francisco. Wilbert Mora, 27, (right) died on Tuesday - four days after the attack. His partner Jason Rivera, 22 (left) was killed in the shooting Yesterday, Pat Lynch, the head of the NYC Police Benevolent Association, the largest police union, said they would embrace having an 'ally' in City Hall in Adams. 'For years, we've been calling for real solutions to our violent crime crisis. Mayor Adams has acknowledged the problem and outlined the beginnings of a plan. 'The message on the streets is that there are no consequences for carrying and using illegal guns... it has to change immediately because we've already lost more than we can bear.' Tuesday's shooting in the Bronx was within hours of a fourth cop dying from gunshot wounds inflicted in the line of duty. NYPD officer Wilbert Mora died on Tuesday morning, four days after an ambush attack where his partner, rookie cop Jason Rivera, was shot dead. Rivera and Mora are the first cops to be shot dead on the job since 2017. Advertisement A shocking photograph of Aboriginal men lined up, shackled with heavy chains around their necks, and being guarded by white men armed with rifles is just one of many confronting images captured in the late 1800s. Black and white photos have emerged showing the cruel treatment of Indigenous Australians at the hands of white settlers in the late 1900s. Other harrowing pictures depict Aboriginal men and boys chained together, standing or sitting, wearing just a cloth around their waists. Aboriginals lined up, shackled by neck chains and wearing just a pair of briefs with white men standing guard, pictured with a huge rifle is just one many chilling images that have emerged The shocking black and white photos showcase the cruel ways Aboriginal people were treated from the late 1890s Huge groups of Aboriginal men and boys are pictured chained together, standing or sitting, wearing just a cloth around their waist, as white police men and 'Aboriginal trackers' stand beside them with four rifles Aboriginal prisoners (pictured) were chained and forced to lay a railway near Derby, Western Australia, about 1897 The photos, taken between 1890 and the 1930s, show Aboriginal prisoners being captured moments after being caught committing petty crimes such as killing cattle. The raw images show rows of chained Indigenous people standing under the shade of a tree with police men and 'Aboriginal trackers' pictured with four huge rifles. Police were paid per indigenous prisoner and cruelly brought them into jail using chains. While some Aboriginal prisoners are captured working on a boat, other prisoners were forced to lay railways in Derby, Western Australia. In early Australia, incarceration was used as a tool to weaken the Aboriginal Australians and they were often arrested for petty crimes such as stealing and killing cattle. The confronting collection of photographs show Aboriginal prisoners across the country, from on board ships to working on wharf rail lines and chained to railway wagons. Police were paid per indigenous prisoner and cruelly brought them into jail using chains where they were forced to work The haunting collection of photographs show Aboriginal people chained, captioned 'Native Prisoners on N.2', in about 1930 One of the photos is captioned 'native prisoners on N2', which is believed to be a ship, shows 12 Aboriginal men lined up with chains to their necks, dressed in rags. Two white men were photographed leading one Indigenous prisoner by a chain alongside three horses and whip in hand around 1910. At least 22 Aboriginal prisoners are seen to be chained together while standing in a shallow river of water wearing a cloth around the groin region. Another image shows white man dressed in shirt and trousers holding a chain connected to two elderly Indigenous prisoners Hundreds of Aboriginal prisoners were captured and chained, forced to work on many projects including laying rails At least 20 Indigenous Australians were photographed standing in a shallow river, all chained together (pictured) Another image shows a white man dressed in a shirt and trousers holding a chain that is connected to two elderly looking Indigenous prisoners. A chilling image shows one lonely Aboriginal man standing in chains as he leans against a tree with a piece corrugated iron at the stump of the tree as well as a hat and pile of cloth. A line of Indigenous men were photographed at the turn of the century wearing chains during their transit to jail, surrounded by what appears to be white first class citizens. Australia is marking their ten year anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) One decade ago, the declaration was passed to combat the discrimination, marginalisation and human rights violations of the 370 million Indigenous people living in more than seventy countries today At least 30 Aboriginal prisoners are pictured chained together being led to Cossack Goal in Western Australia around 1902 Shocking images of entrapped Indigenous Australians serve as a reminder of the dark past and oppression that was suffered The haunting photos show the disturbing history and abuse of aboriginal people in the early twentieth century. Australia is marking their ten year anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). One decade ago, the declaration was passed to combat the discrimination, marginalisation and human rights violations of the 370 million Indigenous people living in more than seventy countries today. A decade since this landmark legislation, shocking images of entrapped Indigenous Australians emerged, serving as a reminder of the dark past and oppression that was suffered. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Tuesday he plans to run a successful campaign for reelection amid a federal investigation involving potential criminal ties to the former Soviet state of Azerbaijan. 'There is an ongoing investigation that will show there was no wrongdoing on my part,' he said in a video posted to Twitter. 'I am fully cooperating with law enforcement and committed to ensuring that justice and the law is upheld.' Cuellar, a moderate Democrat from Texas who has come after President Biden's immigration policies, is a favorite primary target of progressives. The raid comes at an inopportune time for the congressman who must fend off primary challenges on March 1. 'As an attorney, I know firsthand that the legal system is a pillar of our democracy.' 'Let me be clear: I'm running for re-election and I intend to win,' Cuellar added. 'I pride myself on being your congressman and always doing things honestly ethically and in the right way,' the congressman said. 'Nothing can distract me from being laser-focused on getting the job done for you and south Texas the way I always have.' On Friday, federal agents were seen at Cuellar's home in Laredo, photographing trucks parked outside and removing boxes, bins, bags and a computer from the house. Cuellar, a moderate Democrat from Texas who has come after President Biden's immigration policies, is a favorite primary target of progressives The FBI would only confirm that it is conducting an 'ongoing investigation', but a source told ABC News that the raid was related to a federal grand jury investigation into possible crimes related to Azerbaijan. It's still not clear whether Cuellar himself is a subject or target of the probe, and he has vowed to cooperate with any investigation. The nine-term Democrat is co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, an obscure group dedicated to furthering relations with the oil-rich nation on the Caspian Sea. In that role, Cuellar is known to have met repeatedly with Azerbaijan officials, including the country's ambassador to the US, Elin Suleymanov. Rep. Henry Cuellar (right) is seen meeting with Azerbaijan's ambassador to the US in 2013. The FBI raid on Cuellar's home is reportedly related to a probe into Azerbaijani activities in the US Cuellar is co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, an obscure group dedicated to furthering relations with the oil-rich nation. He is seen right with Suleymanov in 2013 FBI agents have been spotted conducting a 'court-authorized' investigation at the Texas home of United States Representative Henry Cuellar, who has vowed to cooperate fully Azerbaijan has been harshly criticized in the past for bribing foreign officials and diplomats to secure its foreign policy aims and legitimize dubious election results. The practice is so common in the country that it is known there as 'caviar diplomacy,' but it is unclear whether the FBI is investigating any similar allegations in relation to Cuellar. In a statement, the FBI remained tight-lipped about the reason for Friday's raid, but confirmed that it was part of an 'ongoing investigation.' 'The FBI was present in the vicinity of Windridge Drive and Estate Drive in Laredo conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity,' a Bureau spokesperson said. 'The FBI cannot provide further comment on an ongoing investigation.' Cuellar vowed in a statement at the time to cooperate with any probe. The raid reportedly came as a shock to those familiar with South Texas politics. 'Everybody in the business community [who] I'm talking to is in deep and total shock because the last person they expected to see this happen to is Henry,' Eddie Aldrete, an independent public affairs consultant who's known Cuellar for several decades, told the Texas Tribune. Cuellar in March will have to fend off Laredo attorney Jessica Cisneros, who used to intern for his but ran against him in the 2020 Democratic primary with Bernie Sanders' backing, and came within four percentage points of winning. She's back this time around with even more national support, including a recent endorsement from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. FBI agents load boxes, bins, bags and a computer from the home of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar into their vehicles in Laredo, Texas, on Wednesday FBI agents load items including a computer from the home of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, into their vehicles on Wednesday The Cisneros campaign released a tempered statement after the announcement of the investigation, but promptly used the raid in a fundraising email. 'We are aware of the news regarding Congressman Cuellar and the active FBI investigation. We are closely watching as this develops,' she said. 'In the meantime, we are focused on our campaign to deliver change to South Texas families and will not be making any additional comments at this time.' Cisneros blasted out an email to supporters highlighting the FBI investigation and the 'trash bags full of items' carried out of his house by agents. 'Congressman Cuellar will fully cooperate in any investigation. He is committed to ensuring that justice and the law are upheld,' Cuellar's office said. Since 2004, Cuellar has represented a district that extends from the U.S. border with Mexico near McAllen to Laredo, and north to San Antonio's eastern outskirts. The moderate Democrat has a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Public records show that Cuellar purchased his luxurious Laredo home in 2010. The 6,000-square-foot, five-bedroom home in a gated community is valued at $825,000 currently by Realtor.com. Cuellar, who represents much of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, has been a vocal critic of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their handling of a surge of illegal crossings at the border. Cuellar said last month that he's done trying to work with 'border czar' Harris on migration issues, as Border Patrol agents continue to record a surge in encounters with people crossing the border illegally. Federal agents were seen inside and around Cuellar's mansion in Laredo (above in a file photo) on Wednesday, where they took photos of trucks parked in the circular drive out front Cuellar, who represents much of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, has been a vocal critic of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their handling of border issues '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, he said. Cuellar was also among the bloc of moderate House Democrats who sided against Speaker Nancy Pelosi last year to insist on passage of Biden's infrastructure bill, which progressive hoped to hold back to force passage of a broader $3 trillion social spending package. The infrastructure bill succeeded with bipartisan support, but the broader package remains stuck in Congress due to the objections of moderate Democrats. Cuellar, one of the most conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives, represents a Texas district that hugs the banks of the Rio Grande River, just opposite Mexico. Clive Palmer's defamation lawsuit against the WA premier set to begin next week has been delayed, but Mark McGowan will have to attend in person when he takes the stand. It comes after an application for Mr McGowan and Attorney-General John Quigley to give evidence remotely after the extension of the state's hard border measures. Alternatively, Justice Michael Lee was asked to delay the start of the trial. Mr Palmer is suing the Mr McGowan in the Federal Court, located in Sydney, claiming public comments, including labelling him the 'enemy of West Australia', had damaged the businessman's reputation. The premier has lodged a counter-claim claiming the billionaire defamed him in several interviews. Mark McGowan will have to attend court in person in NSW for the Clive Palmer defamation proceedings During an urgent interlocutory hearing on Wednesday Justice Michael Lee agreed to delay the trial - due to start on Monday - until February 14. But he insisted Mr McGowan appear in person from February 26 to 28 to give evidence. Justice Lee earlier described video-link hearings as 'suboptimal', stressing his 'firm preference' for litigants, particularly the parties and in defamation cases, was to give evidence in person. 'I want to go back to having trials in the usual way,' he said. Mr McGowan told the court he would be able to self-quarantine on his return to WA, but had Parliament sitting days, national cabinet and other meetings with some best attended in person. He could be permitted to attend official duties, but any person he had direct contact with would also have to quarantine for 14 days, he said in an affidavit. Clive Palmer (pictured) claims the premier ruined his reputation by labelling him 'public enemy number one' 'If I were to attend Parliament during a mandatory quarantine period then each person present in the Legislative Assembly would fall within the above definition of an extreme risk contact and be required to complete 14 days mandatory quarantine,' Mr McGowan added. The premier said he did not want to ask to be subject to conditions different to those that apply to other West Australians and would not ask to attend parliament during the quarantine period. 'This is because, given the high number of COVID cases in New South Wales, I consider the risk of advertently transmitting the virus to someone in Parliament is too high and the consequences of an outbreak in Parliament would be severe,' he said in the affidavit. Mr McGowan will have to fly out of his state to attend the hearing next month Mr McGowan announced in December the hard border controls would ease from February 5, but last week delayed the opening due to concerns about the Omicron strain of COVID-19. A state government spokesperson said Mr McGowan's appearance later in February would enable him to quarantine without interfering with parliament sitting days. 'The premier welcomes this result as it allows him to carry out his responsibilities unimpeded, at an important time at which the Omicron variant and its impact on Western Australia requires the full attention of the Western Australian government,' the spokesperson told AAP. Earlier, Justice Lee said he would not deny anyone access to his courtroom because of their vaccination status. The case will be heard at the Federal Court, in Sydney (pictured), on February 14, with Mr McGowan ordered to give evidence on February 26-28 Mr Palmer's lawyers understood the court's protocols required anyone coming into the room to be vaccinated, but the businessman has revealed publicly he was not vaccinated. Justice Lee said this was incorrect. Background to the case includes claims relating to the circumstances surrounding WA legislation which prevented Mr Palmer and his company Mineralogy from suing the state for billions of dollars. Mr Palmer in October lost his High Court battle with WA over the legislation preventing him and his company Mineralogy from suing the state. He was seeking up to $30 billion from WA taxpayers, claiming legislation, introduced by the McGowan Labor government and hastily passed with the support of opposition parties, is unconstitutional. Queensland has recorded 13,551 new Covid cases and nine deaths. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the new cases on Wednesday during a press conference. The state saw a slight drop in hospitalisations in the past 24 hours, mostly on the Gold Coast, with 889 people in hospital, including 47 patients who are in intensive care and 15 people who are on ventilators. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced 9 more Covid-19 deaths on Wednesday as the state battles an outbreak in which half of those who have died reside in aged care facilities Ms Palaszuk urged elderly residents to limit their movement as the state approached its peak. Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said different regions across the state would experience their peaks at different times. 'The Gold Coast is probably going through its peak now or probably just passed its peak we can expect Brisbane to go through its peak next and probably Townsville the following week,' he said. 'Cairns interestingly is a little bit earlier, probably approaching the peak now or in the next few days so it's different in different regions.' United Workers Union aged care director Carolyn Smith said aged care workers are waiting more than a week for additional supplies of PPE due to supply chain delays Cases across Australia appear to be declining with both NSW and Victoria appearing to come off a peak. Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and former health department head Jane Halton warned large gatherings on Australia Day could put the progress at risk. She said the closer people pack together, the more likely the virus will spread. 'We don't want another peak courtesy of Australia Day when we should all be being very happy about Australia and eating those lamingtons,' she said. She stopped short of suggesting events should be cancelled, instead encouraging people to wear masks, maintain social distance and remain cautious. 'I don't think we should be cancelling things. I just think people should be courteous, thoughtful, and a little bit careful,' Prof Halton said. Children who grow up in poorer households show slower activity in key brain regions linked to both thinking and learning, a study has warned. Experts from Columbia University found that the brain development of infants in low-income families varied with the amount of financial support they were given. Scans at age one showed faster brain activity in kids whose families were given $333 (250) of support monthly compared to those given only $20 (15) per month. It is unclear if the differences in brain activity will persist as the children age, or how they might influence cognitive and behavioural growth. However, in older children, activity in the regions in question has previously been linked to the development of learning skills. The researchers are now investigating how the payments benefited the children, with possibilities including facilitating better nutrition, or relieving parental stress. Either way, they said, the results suggest that interventions designed to reduce poverty could benefit infant brain development and improve later outcomes. Children who grow up in poorer households exhibit slower brain activity in key neural regions linked to both thinking and learning, a study has warned (stock image) IMPLICATIONS FOR US CHILD TAX CREDITS According to the researchers, the larger of the two monthly sums given to the mothers in the study was similar in size to those distributed to low-income families in the US during the pandemic by President Joe Biden's child tax credit program, which ended last month. Child psychiatrist Joan Luby of the Washington University medical school was not involved in the study, but did review the paper, and told the Associated Press that the findings 'couldn't be more relevant to the current moment.' At present, the renewal of the US child tax credit scheme is still up the air. 'This study should really inform Congress about how tremendously important it is', Dr Luby added. Advertisement The investigation was undertaken by neuroscientist Kimberly Noble of New York's Columbia University and her colleagues. 'The brain changes speak to the remarkable malleability of the brain, especially early in childhood,' said Professor Noble. 'We have known for many years that growing up in poverty puts children at risk for lower school achievement, reduced earnings, and poorer health. 'However, until now, we haven't been able to say whether poverty itself causes differences in child development, or whether growing up in poverty is simply associated with other factors that cause those differences.' In the study, the researchers measured brain activity levels among a subset of 435 one-year-old children who were participating in the so-called 'Baby's First Years' trial. This randomised controlled trial into the benefits of poverty reduction has seen 1,000 low-income mothers recruited from postpartum wards in four US metropolitan areas New Orleans, New York City, Omaha, and MinneapolisSaint Paul. The mothers, who were primarily Black or Latina and not college educated, were then given a cash gift of either $333 (250) or $20 (15) per month to spend it whatever way they chose. While these results come from one year into the interventions, the trial is still ongoing, and the mothers will continue to receive the monthly cash gifts until their children are four years and four months old. Each child's brain activity was measured using an electroencephalography, or 'EEG', machine via an electrode-bearing cap that was placed on the child's head. The researchers found that children whose mothers were given $333 per month had around 20 per cent more high-frequency brain activity than those whose parents were only given $20 of support monthly. High-frequency brain activity in the frontal region has previously been linked to both the development of learning and thinking skills. Each infants' brain activity was measured using an electroencephalography, or 'EEG', machine via a cap that was placed on the child's head. The researchers found that children whose mothers were given $333 per month had around 20 per cent more high-frequency brain activity than those whose parents were only given $20 of support monthly Professor Noble explained that childrens brains naturally adapt to their experiences. 'All healthy brains are shaped by their environments and experiences, and we are not saying that one group has "better" brains,' she said. 'But because of the randomized design we know that the $333 per month must have changed children's experiences or environments, and that their brains adapted to those changed circumstances.' The 'Baby's First Years' trial into the benefits of poverty reduction has seen 1,000 low-income mothers recruited from postpartum wards in four US metropolitan areas New Orleans, New York City, Omaha, and MinneapolisSaint Paul, as depicted 'Families are all different, and the potential promise of money as a way of directly supporting families is that it allows parents to make choices about what their children most need,' said paper author Katherine Magnuson. 'Thus, there may not be just one way in which money positively affects families; money may matter in a lot of small ways. 'We hear from the mothers in our study how challenging it is to raise children without enough money. 'A few hundred dollars a month has the potential to do a lot of good for these families, and we are grateful that we will continue to learn from them about how the money has helped them meet their goals.' 'Global evidence is thin on how children are affected by cash transfers, especially with respect to very young children,' said fellow paper author and applied economist Lisa Gennetian of North Carolina's Duke University. 'This is mostly because it is so hard and expensive to objectively capture children's development. This study's findings on infant brain activity are unprecedented.' The outcomes seen, she added, 'really speak to how anti-poverty policies including the types of expanded child tax credits being debated in the US can and should be viewed as investments in children.' The full findings of the study were published in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Vodafone will start turning off its 3G network in 2023 as part of plans to improve 4G and 5G services for customers, it has announced. The firm's 3G coverage is being gradually phased out and replaced by strengthened 4G and 5G services, which offer faster and more reliable connectivity. 4G and 5G will get a coverage and speed boost from the repurposing of 3G spectrum, according to Vodafone. A move away from 3G will also reduce the firm's environmental impact, as modern 5G networks are more than 10 times as energy efficient as old 3G equipment. However, it also means many people with older phones will no longer be able to use them and will have to upgrade to modern devices. It follows the same decision from EE, which announced in July 2021 that it would be phasing out its 3G network within two years. In the US, telcos including AT&T and Verizon are planning to phase out 3G this year. Vodafone will phase out 3G in 2023, but this means many users of feature phones will have to upgrade to modern devices (stock image) VODAFONE TURNS OFF 3G: AFFECTED PHONES - iPhone 5 and earlier - Samsung Galaxy S4 and earlier If you are unsure whether your older model phone is 3G, contact your service provider. Note: Some models support 2G, which is being kept until 2033. This page is useful for Vodafone customers to check their individual phone model. Advertisement Vodafone says it won't be be retiring its 2G network anytime soon, meaning new phones such as Nokia's rebooted line will still be able to access the internet. The 3G shutdown comes 17 years after Vodafone launched its 3G network in the UK. Since then, the 3G network has handled nearly 500 billion minutes of calls, but reliance on it continues to decrease rapidly. According to Vodafone, less than four per cent of data on its network travels on 3G today, compared to more than 30 per cent in 2016. The carrier has already switched off 3G in Germany and Italy. 'We're building the UK's most reliable mobile network, and focusing on the technologies that best connect our customers and have the least impact on the environment,' Vodafone chief executive Ahmed Essam said. '3G has connected so many customers over the last 17 years, but the future is 4G and 5G. 'We're going to be focused on giving customers a faster and more reliable mobile experience, and minimising our impact on the environment by taking away a layer of our network that uses inefficient equipment.' By retiring 3G, Vodafone will be able to repurpose 3G bandwidth, meaning that its 4G and 5G networks will get a speed and capacity boost, so customers will be able to enjoy a better connection GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SWITCH OFF 2G BY 2033 Last December, Boris Johnson's government said it will switch off 2Gm as well as 3G, by 2033. 'The mobile network operators have confirmed that they do not intend to offer 2G and 3G mobile networks past 2033 at the latest,' it said. 'We welcome that some individual operators will switch off their networks, particularly their 3G networks, earlier than this date, and will announce their own plans about when and how they intend to do this.' Vodafone says it will be meeting the governments ambition to turn off its 2G service by 2033, so it wont be retiring its 2G network anytime soon. Advertisement If customers havent made the switch to 4G or 5G by 2023, and they have a 3G phone, it'll switch over to Vodafone's 2G network. Vodafone is retaining 2G because it is a 'truly universal technology', according to a Vodafone spokesperson, although telcos have agreed with the UK government to phase out 2G by 2033. 'It's present in every handset sold in the UK, and its a great fallback layer for sending phone calls and text messages,' the Vodafone spokesperson said. From today, Vodafone has kicked off a 'campaign' to make sure customers with 3G phones aren't going to be left behind. It's deliberately giving customers a year's notice to give them plenty of time to switch to a new handset. 'We start communicating to customers about this today our goal is for everyone to stay connected, and we'll be doing everything we can to make sure that's the case,' Essam said. 'During the campaign, we'll be asking customers not just to make sure that their own phone supports 4G and 4G Calling, but also to check in on friends and family. 'There are people who aren't confident with technology, and we want to ensure everyone is getting the help that they need, so that no one is left behind.' Vodafone's decision means many people with older phones will no longer be able to use them and will have to upgrade to modern devices Vodafone has a dedicated information page on its website where the public can check to see if there device supports 4G Calling when your phone stays on 4G during a phonecall so your internet doesn't slow down. Around 2 million people are still using 3G handsets across all of the UKs mobile networks, Vodafone estimates so that's including EE, Three and O2 as well as Vodafone. Three and O2 are yet to reveal plans to phase out their 3G networks, as 4G and 5G demand continued to rise. 5G provides faster connectivity and more bandwidth, meaning higher download speeds for internet users, and more capacity and connectivity for billions of devices. Twitter appears to be mimicking Instagram with its latest feature in the works, called 'Flock'. Flock will give users the choice to share their tweets with a 'flock' of up to 150 people, Rome-based mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi revealed in screenshots. Twitter users outside of this 'flock' won't be able to like, comment, retweet or even see the tweet. A Twitter developer previewed Flock last year under a different name 'Trusted Friends' although it's not known if it will definitely roll out. Flock sounds very similar to an Instagram feature called Close Friends, which lets users limit how many people can see their Instagram Stories. Flock is yet to be confirmed by Twitter, but mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi has shared supposed screenshots of how it would look HOW WOULD FLOCK WORK? Users would be able to select up to 150 people to form their 'flock'. Before users post a tweet, they'd be able to choose whether the tweet is seen publicly or just users who form their flock. Users who form the flock won't be notified if they're removed from the flock. Advertisement Flock hasn't been officially announced by Twitter, although it admitted it's always working on new features. 'Twitter is always working on new ways to help people engage in healthy conversations, and we're currently exploring ways to let people Tweet to smaller groups,' a Twitter spokesperson told MailOnline. 'We previewed this concept last year as public feedback helps shape what we build. We don't have any further details to share but more to come soon.' Twitter's comments were promoted by Paluzzi posting a screenshot of Twitter's guide to 'Flock' with a brief description of how it would work. 'Twitter continues to work on Twitter Flock by adding an explanation of how it works,' Paluzzi said. 'You can choose up to 150 people to include in your Twitter Flock Busts in silhouette. People won't be notified if you remove them from the list.' Earlier this month, Paluzzi also posted a screenshot of a label that may appear beneath tweets from users who have Flock activated. The tweets, when visible to members of the Flock, would read: 'You can see this Tweet because the author has added you to their Flock.' Plans for Flock go back to at least last summer; back in July, Twitter designer Andrew Courter shared images of how the feature might appear. At the time, the feature was referred to as 'Trusted Friends' rather than Flock. 'Concept only': Twitter designer Andrew Courter shared images of how the feature might appear A green heart symbol would denote your Trusted Friends on the platform, according to screenshots posted in 2021 by Courter INSTAGRAM COPIES SNAPCHAT WITH 'RAGE SHAKE' Instagram has copied its social media rival Snapchat with the launch of a new feature called 'Rage Shake'. Users just need to shake their phone with the Instagram app open and a little pop-up appears that lets them report an annoying technical issue. It's very similar to Snapchat's 'Shake to Report', which already lets users shake their smartphone to report a bug. Instagram's owner Meta (formerly known as Facebook) has been scrambling to emulate the success of Snapchat for years, with a number of distinctly similar features, including Stories and Screenshots. Read more: Instagram copies Snapchat with new 'rage shake' feature Advertisement Before users post their tweet, they'd be able to select the option to make a post visible to 'Everyone' or just their 'Trusted Friends', the screenshots suggest. The Twitter timeline would also show tweets from these so-called Trusted Friends denoted by a green heart symbol above other tweets. If and when it's rolled out, Flock or whatever it ends up being called could add a Facebook-like element of intimacy between friends. According to rumours last year, Twitter is also considering adding Facebook-style emoji reactions to tweets. The social network is working on five possible reactions to tweets 'Likes', 'Cheer', 'Hmm', 'Sad' and 'Haha' to complement the existing retweet capability, according to Hong Kong-based app researcher and tipster Jane Manchun Wong. Currently, Twitter users are only able to click the heart icon to 'like' and indicate their endorsement of a tweet, as well as clicking retweet. In 2021, Twitter rolled out its $2.99-a-month subscription, 'Blue,' for users in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, although it's yet to reveal when it will come to the UK. Twitter Blue gives users access to exclusive features for the monthly fee, including undoing a tweet and posting longer videos. With 'Undo Tweet', users get 30 seconds to cancel the tweet that they've just posted before it goes public, a bit like the brief opportunity Gmail offers users to cancel sending an email. Undo Tweet may reduce some of the most vociferous verbal abuse on the platform by giving users a chance to think twice before they post, although some users seemed unimpressed with the idea of paying $2.99 a month for the privilege. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (pictured) doesn't seem to be yielding to user demands to introduce an edit button for tweets Twitter has emphasised that it's not phasing out the free version of its platform and any user who isn't interested in Twitter Blue can continue using the free version of the platform. Charging money for an exclusive subscription service will help Twitter regularly turn a profit something it had consistently failed to do until early 2018. Twitter founder and CEO Jack Dorsey has focused on tweaking the product to try to attract more people and increase advertising revenue. Twitter still isn't yielding to user demands to implement an edit button, however its most-requested feature. A SpaceX rocket that blasted into space almost seven years ago is now on track to hit the moon at the beginning of March, astronomers have revealed. The Falcon 9 booster has been floating around in a somewhat chaotic orbit ever since Elon Musk's company launched its first deep-space mission by sending a space weather satellite on a million-mile trek in 2015. After completing a long burn to reach a transfer orbit, the rocket's second stage became obsolete as the Deep Space Climate Observatory began its journey to a Sun-Earth LaGrange point. The launch vehicle was high enough that it did not have enough fuel to return to our planet's atmosphere, but also lacked the energy to escape the gravity of the Earth-moon system. Now, experts say the spent rocket's orbit is on course to intersect with the moon on March 4. A SpaceX rocket that was blasted into space almost seven years ago is now on track to hit the moon at the beginning of March, astronomers have revealed The second stage of a Falcon 9 has been floating around in a somewhat chaotic orbit ever since Elon Musk's company launched its first deep-space mission by sending a space weather satellite on a million-mile trek in 2015 WHAT IS THE DEEP SPACE CLIMATE OBSERVATORY DOING? The Deep Space Climate Observatory, or DSCOVR (pronounced discover), is designed to provide advance warnings of solar outbursts that could disrupt life here on Earth. In 2015, DSCOVR spent nearly four months travelling one million miles, four times farther than the moon, to the so-called Lagrange point, a gravity-neutral position in direct line with the sun. At this lookout location, 92 million miles from the sun, it provides advance warnings of incoming geomagnetic storms that could disrupt power and communications on Earth, beginning around midsummer. Advertisement Earlier this month Bill Gray, who writes the widely used Project Pluto software to track near-Earth objects, asteroids and comets, put out a call for amateur and professional astronomers to make additional observations of the rocket. With this new data, Gray believes the Falcon 9's upper stage will likely collide with the far side of the moon, near the equator, although it is difficult to precisely predict the effect of sunlight 'pushing' on the rocket and slightly altering its orbit. 'These unpredictable effects are very small,' Gray said. 'But they will accumulate between now and March 4', he added, meaning further observations will be needed to refine the precise time and location of the impact. 'Space junk can be a little tricky,' Gray said. 'I have a fairly complete mathematical model of what the earth, moon, sun, and planets are doing and how their gravity is affecting the object. 'I have a rough idea of how much sunlight is pushing outward on the object, gently pushing it away from the sun. This usually enables me to make predictions with a good bit of confidence.' If the prediction is correct, it will allow satellites currently orbiting the moon, including NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, to collect observations about the impact crater. In 2009, NASA intentionally crashed a spent rocket stage into the moon for this very purpose. But on this latest occasion it is believed it will be the first time a piece of space hardware has unintentionally struck the lunar surface. Now, experts say the spent second stage's orbit is on course to intersect with the moon on March 4 The rocket launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in February 2015 as part of a $340 million (252 million) mission During interplanetary missions a rocket's upper stage is typically sent into a heliocentric orbit to keep it away from the Earth and moon, while for launches of near-Earth spacecraft, it is normally returned to the atmosphere to burn up. Falcon 9's second stage, which has a mass of about 4 tonnes, is expected to career into the moon at about 5,700mph (2.58 km/s). It launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in February 2015 as part of a $340 million (252 million) mission. DSCOVR replaces a 17-year-old satellite monitoring for potentially dangerous solar storms, which can disrupt GPS signals, block radio communications and impact power grids on Earth. It also has two sensors to monitor Earth to track volcanic plumes, measure ozone and monitor droughts, flooding and fires. Afghan evacuees participate in outdoor activities at the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, Oct. 23, 2021. Joint Press Corps A revised law on foreign residents in Korea took effect Tuesday, granting Afghan evacuees administrative and financial support on par with recognized refugees, the justice ministry said. A total of 390 Afghans, mostly local helpers of Korean forces and medical workers, and their families, arrived here in August after fleeing their country following its seizure by the Taliban. They were designated as "persons of special merit" and provided with long-term residency and chances to get a job under a revision to the Immigration Act. In a follow-up measure, the ministry amended the framework act on foreign residents to provide them with government support roughly equivalent to that for refugees. Under the revision, they will be granted the same level of social security benefits as citizens. Minors will receive school education, language programs and vocational training. Unlike other refugees, they will also get financial support for initial settlement, the amount of which will be determined through consultations with related ministries, the ministry said. (Yonhap) A new species of gall wasp discovered in Houston whose lifecycle involves spending 11 months of the year locked up in protective 'crypts' has been named after a pub. Neuroterus valhalla which is just a millimetre long honours 'Valhalla', the Rice University graduate student pub outside of which it was found in a live oak tree. 'It would have been a missed opportunity to not call it something related to Rice or Valhalla,' said biologist Pedro Brandao-Dias, who first collected the wasp in 2018. According to the researchers N. valhalla is the first insect species to be described alongside the publication of its fully sequenced genome. A new species of gall wasp (pictured) discovered in Houston whose lifecycle involves spending 11 months of the year locked up in protective 'crypts' has been named after a pub N. VALHALLA STATS Family: Cynipidae (all wasps) First discovered: 2018 Formally described: 2021 Size: 1 millimetre long Range: Southern US and Mexico Advertisement The study was led from the lab of Rice University evolutionary biologist Scott Egan who, over the course of eight years, have discovered just as many new species of either gall wasps like N. valhalla or their predators. 'At Rice, we emphasize learning by doing,' Professor Egan said. 'In my lab, undergraduate and graduate students share in the experiential learning process by studying biologically diverse ecosystems on the live oaks right outside our front door. 'Armed with some patience and a magnifying glass, the discoveries are endless.' According to the researchers, there are more than 1,000 different species of gall wasps all of which have a lifecycle that involves tricking their host tree into feeding and sheltering their young. When they lay their eggs, they do so along with a special chemical cocktail that makes the tree form a 'crypt', or 'gall' around the egg, which serves to both shelter the egg and also provide a source of nourishment for the larvae when they hatch. 'Once they emerge, they only live three or four days. They dont eat. Their only purpose is to mate and lay eggs,' Mr Brandao-Dias said of the tiny wasps. Galls take various forms, with some forming on the underside of leaves, some inside branches and others on the flowers of trees with latter of which is where the biology student first collected specimens of N. valhalla back in the spring of 2018. Mr Brandao-Dias and his colleagues had been collecting oak catkins while looking for an entirely different species of gall wasp known to make the flowers home but DNA analysis revealed that they had managed to catch more than expected. 'They lay their eggs into the catkins that are developing,' Mr Brandao-Dias said. 'They develop in galls on the flowers, and then they emerge. And that happens in March. But the flowers are a one-time thing each year, and by the time they emerge, there are no more flowers for them to lay eggs on. 'So they have to lay eggs on a different tissue.' In fact, many 'gallers' lay their eggs biannually and not necessarily in the same kind of places each time which is why it took almost four years for the researchers to feel comfortable publishing their description of N. valhalla as a new species. As Professor Egan explained, it is not unprecedented for alternating generations of gallers to be confused for entirely different species making genetic testing of the specimens across the different parts of their lifecycle essential. Alongside this, the team had to work out where N. valhalla was laying its eggs in March, if not in the flowers. The lucky break came in 2019, when during a trip to Florida, biologist Kelly Weinersmith of the University of Iowa and her colleagues found the 'missing' N. valhalla generation in galls on the branch junctions of a species of Florida live oak. Neuroterus valhalla which is just a millimetre long honours 'Valhalla', the Rice University graduate student pub outside of which it was found in a live oak tree. Pictured: researchers Pedro Brandao-Dias (left) and Camila Vinson (right) in front of Valhalla 'To confirm where they were going after they left the flowers, I performed an experiment where we offered the wasps a bunch of different tissues from the tree and observed them,' Mr Brandao-Dias explained. This experiment, undertaken in a petri dish, allowed the researchers to see where N. valhalla went after emerging from the catkin galls at Rice and catch them in the act of laying their eggs elsewhere. This process was made more challenging, however, by the coronavirus pandemic. 'We would go out together and collect the catkin galls and tissues for the behavioural tests in petri dishes, but [undergraduate student Camila Vinson, who lived on the Rice campus] had to go everyday to the lab to see if any bugs had emerged,' Mr Brandao-Dias said. Based on Dr Weinersmith's observations and the lab tests, the researchers were able to go back to the live oak trees on the Rice campus where they had found the first generation of the wasps to find the missing galls from the other generation. According to Mr Brandao-Dias, the N. valhalla generation that hatches in live oak catkins matures from being eggs to fully-formed adults in around 23 weeks but their successors spend 11 months growing inside the branches. 'They have to come out at the exact time the tree's flowering. If they come out at the wrong time, and there's no flowers around, they can't lay their eggs and they just die,' the biologist explained. Pictured: the life cycle of N. valhalla. Females of one generation (A) lay their eggs in live oak flowers (or 'catkins', B) inducing the formation of galls (or 'crypts', C1/2), from which a second generation hatches (D2) within 23 weeks. After maturation, these adults lay they eggs at the junctions of tree branches (E), also forming galls (F1/2) that hatch after 11 months, in time for the flowering season. The team have yet to discover a male wasp (D1) It is unclear at present exactly how N. valhalla manages to coordinate their emergence with the flowering of the trees, which can vary from year-to-year. At present, the researchers are waiting with baited breath to see how last year's winter storm in February which caused record cold temperatures across Houston and delayed the flowering of live oak trees might have affected the insects. 'The day the freeze happened I asked Pedro: "Is this going to mess up when they come out or their ability to even reproduce?",' Ms Vinson recalled. The biologist is tackling this question as part of her senior thesis, which is exploring more widely how climate change might be affecting such specialized insects. 'Our gall wasps live on live oaks from the southern United States all the way down through Mexico environments [that] are not used to the sorts of temperatures we had last February,' Ms Vinson noted. 'Those sorts of freezes are probably going to happen more and more frequently with climate change. The big question is are these populations going to be in danger, or can they quickly adapt?' The full findings of the study were published in the journal Systematic Entomology. Bayern Munich are targeting Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen to replace Niklas Sule, who looks set to depart the Bundesliga giants after rejecting a contract extension. German international Sule will leave Bayern this summer when his contract expires, despite their latest offer to raise his salary to 10million (8.3m), according to Goal. The 26-year-old is being linked with a number of high-profile clubs including the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Newcastle. Bayern Munich are chasing Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen to replace Niklas Sule Sule, who joined Bayern from Hoffenheim in 2017, has made 25 appearances this season, missing just four games following a bout of Covid and back problems. The centre-back has won four Bundesliga titles and made 37 appearances for Germany's national team. Sule is now, however, free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs across Europe with his contract expiring in five months. Bayern have joined the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid to express an interest in Danish international Christensen as they search for a replacement, with Sule expected to leave. The 25-year-old like Sule is also out of contract in the summer and free to start discussing contracts with foreign clubs. Boss Thomas Tuchel (left) has urged Christensen to show his commitment to Chelsea The Blues reportedly offered him a new deal earlier this season, but they have yet to agree on a contract extension. The Dane has made 13 Premier League appearances and has featured in the Champions League on five occasions. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel urged him to show his commitment to the club by signing on the dotted line, telling reporters in December: 'We are waiting since a long time now for confirmation. 'It is on Andreas to act how he acts on the pitch, he needs to act now off the pitch, and walk the talk because he tells us that he loves Chelsea, he tells us that he wants to stay and be a big part, because he is a big part of a big club, and I think he is a perfect fit and I think that he is not done yet here.' Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has officially joined Sevilla on loan until the end of the season. The LaLiga side have agreed to cover the Frenchman's wages though there is understood to be no option to buy him permanently at the end of the deal. A statement on the Manchester United website read: 'Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has joined Sevilla FC on loan for the remainder of the 2021/22 season. Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has completed a loan move to Sevilla The United striker landed in Seville on Tuesday to undergo a medical ahead of the deal 'The Frenchman completed a medical in Andalusia, after the two clubs agreed terms for his temporary transfer.' Martial touched down in Spain on Tuesday afternoon to complete his loan move. After posing for photographs by the club's badge at Seville Airport on Tuesday, Martial underwent a medical to complete the transfer to the team who currently sit second in LaLiga. The 26-year-old had told United he wanted to leave with Sevilla his first choice. There were tentative approaches from other clubs such as Newcastle and Tottenham but Martial was keen to go abroad. Juventus and Barcelona were also interested but did not want to take on his salary. Sevilla are challenging Real Madrid for the Spanish title with 16 games left and Martial is excited by the prospect of a new start after growing stale and frustrated at United. Martial is said to be excited about linking up with Sevilla who are challenging for the title Sportsmail revealed last month that Martial, who joined from Monaco for 36m in 2015, had held face to face talks with Ralf Rangnick about how he wanted a change of scenery. Rangnick then shockingly revealed after United's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa earlier this month that Martial had refused to link up with the squad for the Premier League clash in the Midlands, but the Frenchman denied those claims. In an Instagram post later that same evening, Martial revealed he would 'never disrespect the club and the fans' by refusing to play as he continued to deny Rangnick's allegations. Martial (middle) is set to end a nightmare spell on the Old Trafford sidelines this season Speaking after the West Ham game, Rangnick said: "I know that he is a top player - one of the best strikers in the Premier League - but we have other players in his position. "It is his wish to leave but, like I said to him, it always takes different parts to find an agreement. "The way that he trained and played when he came on (against West Ham), he showed his professionalism that I expect from everybody." Martial will officially be presented by Sevilla in a press conference at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Wednesday. The Frenchman made eleven United appearances this season, scoring a single goal - against Everton on October 2. Georginio Wijnaldum 'is open to the idea of joining Arsenal', having failed to nail down a place in the PSG side since signing as a free agent. The Dutch midfielder, who won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, is unwilling to force an exit so soon into his career in the French capital but would leave for the right opportunity. According to Sky Sports, Wijnaldum is long-time admirer of Arsenal and is eyeing a move to the Emirates. Arsenal could sign Gini Wijnaldum (right) who has struggled since his PSG move Kaveh Solhekol told the transfer show: 'The situation is Gini Wijnaldum is out injured at the moment. He's not going to come out in public and say, 'I want to leave PSG', because you wouldn't want to spoil your relationship with the fans 'But what we're being told is he would like to return to the Premier League. I'm not saying he wants to return today, this week or even in the summer, but he would like to return and we keep being told he would like to play for Arsenal. 'They're a club he admired a lot when he was growing up. It's definitely something that appeals to him. Wijnaldum joined PSG as a free agent having let his Liverpool contract expire 'If PSG were to sign (Tanguy) Ndombele on loan, would they let one of their midfielders go? 'Would Wijnaldum then become an option for Arsenal? We know Arsenal are looking for a midfielder. 'PSG have consistently said, 'we don't want him to leave'.' There is a chance that if PSG take Ndombele on loan, Wijnaldum could end up on the white side of north London in a potential swap deal. But with Mauricio Pochettino preferring Marco Verratti, Danilo Pereira, Ander Herrera and Leandro Paredes in midfield, it seems consistent game time in Paris will evade the well-rounded midfielder if he stays. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have more in common than just being brilliant players who own 20 Grand Slam titles each. They are also two masters of the art when it comes to stalling opponents and on Tuesday the former got called out for it after reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Canadian Denis Shapovalov could not contain his frustration at the slow pace of play and the breaks taken by 35-year-old Nadal as he went down in five sets. He labelled umpire Carlos Bernardes corrupt, and while he apologised for that he doubled down on the wider assertion that the top players get preferential treatment. His second point was broadly accurate, although not the first, delivered in the heat of battle. Rafael Nadal is into the semi-finals of the Australian Open after beating Denis Shapovalov Nadal raced into a 2-0 lead before being pegged back by Canadian and then winning fifth set Yet the drawsheet will only show that Nadal is just two wins away from the title and that he will play Italian Matteo Berrettini in the last four. A tournament dogged by controversy could get a late uplift, with the Spaniard as an unlikely champion and local hero Ash Barty seizing the womens crown. If officials thought the introduction of toilet-break limits and the 25-second shot clock would end arguments over stalling they underestimated the ingenuity of players in pushing the rules. After Nadals 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory, the 22-year-old Canadian expressed his frustration at waiting for his opponent in admittedly stiflingly hot conditions, including when his momentum was halted by the Spaniard taking a prolonged break for medical assessment at the end of set four. I misspoke when I said hes corrupt, admitted Shapovalov, who may now face a fine. Its definitely emotional but I do stand by my side. Its unfair how much Rafa is getting away with. Im ready to play and the clock is ticking three, two, one, towards zero. Ive been ready to play for a minute and a half and he (Bernardes) tells me hes not going to give him a code violation because Im not ready to play. Shapovalov savaged the referees and called them 'corrupt' earlier on Rod Laver Arena The Canadian appeared to argue that Nadal should have been punished for delaying his serve To me, its a big joke if somebody says that. Its so frustrating as a player. You feel youre not just against the player, youre playing against the umpires. Asked if Nadal gets special treatment, he responded: Of course, 100 per cent he does. Every other match I have played, the pace has been so quick because the refs have been on the clock after every single point. The Spaniard defended himself against charges that have rarely been laid against Roger Federer. Having contended with foot problems and Covid before Christmas, his weight of experience may now gain him an unlikely 21st Slam. We cant forget that I didnt play much tennis for such a long time. These very hard conditions are difficult for me, he said. In my opinion, Denis was wrong. I understand he just lost the set and wanted to keep playing quick. Its always in the mind that the top players get advantages and honestly on court its not true. He may also have been stretching it when he claimed, not for the first time, that he is not concerned about winning more majors than Djokovic and Federer. I dont believe my future happiness depends on if I achieve one more Slam than the others, he said. SHAPOVALOV'S UMPIRE ROWS Shapovalov: 'You started the clock like 45 seconds ago and he is not ready to play. You started the clock like so long ago and he is still not ready to play. You've gotta code him.' Umpire: 'Yeah. I code him now, now you are not ready to play?' Shapovalov: 'Code him!' Umpire: 'For what?' Shapovalov: 'He's not ready to play!' Umpire: 'Yeah but you are not ready to play, because you came to talk to me.' Shapovalov: 'Are you kidding me?' Umpire: 'I'm not kidding you.' Shapovalov: 'You guys are all corrupt! You guys are all corrupt!' Umpire: 'What do you want?' Shapovalov: 'What are you looking at?' Umpire: 'You were looking at me; there were eight seconds to play. What do you want? Why are you looking at me like I need to watch the ... you have the shot clock. So this ... it disturbs me.' Advertisement Having complained of stomach issues, he will have two days to prepare for a difficult semi-final against Berrettini, whose fearsome serve-forehand combination was too much for Gael Monfils in a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2 win. Barty is carrying the hopes of a nation and swept into the womens semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Jessica Pegula. She will now face another American, Madison Keys, who easily saw off French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova. Barty winning would be a relief for Tennis Australia after all the tournaments issues. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has appeared on the entry list for next months Dubai Tennis Championships. While this is no guarantee of him playing there, it is one of the venues which would currently allow him to play without being vaccinated. Nadal called the trainer for a stomach issue during the fourth set and needed an examination But Nadal recovered to halt his opponent's momentum and clinch the decisive fifth set When a final backhand volley drifted wide, Shapovalov smashed his racket angrily on the court Watch the Australian Open exclusively live on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport app Blanca Blanco celebrated her birthday in Beverly Hills over the weekend. The Tale Of Tails actress wore a plunging black dress with a diamond necklace as she blew out the candles to a big cake with her photos on it. This comes just after her memoir Breaking The Mold - which has become a bestseller - debuted. The book shares many details of her life like how her father use to beat her with a horse whip and how she was sexually assaulted in her 20s by a man pretending to be a movie producer. Happy birthday! Blanca Blanco celebrated her birthday in Beverly Hills over the weekend. The Tale Of Tails actress wore a plunging black dress with a diamond necklace as she blew out the candles to a big cake with her photos on it In the chapter about her sexual assault, Blanca writes that she was asked to star in a film by a small company. The Washington state native checked out the company and the man and everything seemed legitimate. So she went to meet the producer, who seemed legit and ready to work with her. But when he asked her to meet him on the film's set in a parking lot, there were no movie sets or crew members which made Blanca very nervous. She asked him where the staff was and that is when he sexually assaulted her. A nice time had by all: She was dining at the restaurant Il Cielo in the courtyard Luckily Blanca was a runner in high school and was fast enough to run away from the man but he caught up to her in her car and almost stopped her from driving away. The door shut on her leg, almost breaking it, but she managed to drive away - with dog open and leg injured from the man. Blanca went to the police and she later found out there had been other complaints about the man, but he was not caught. A fun cake: There was a film reel on top and photos all around the side in black and white She told the story in her book because she wanted to warn other young women about wily con artists who pretended to be what they were not. Blanco - who dates actor John Savage - released Breaking the Mold this year. Last year she told DailyMail.com exclusively about the release. A hot read: This comes just after her memoir Breaking The Mold - which has become a bestseller - debuted. The book shares many details of her life like how her father use to beat her with a horse whip and how she was sexually assaulted in her 20s by a man pretending to be a movie producer 'I wrote 'BREAKING THE MOLD' during the COVID lockdown, as I felt my story could help others because poverty and abuse has been increasing. I will take you on my journey from poverty to success and how I made it happen,' the Mission: Possible actress told DailyMail.com. 'I share and provide tools and techniques that worked for me,' she said about her book which is coming out from Briton Publishing. The Cannes Film Festival favorite added, 'My book is an autobiography and I share about childhood poverty, abuse, and how I overcame it. I feel it will motivate readers if they are caught in a bad situation.' Tough upbringing: The beauty's early years were a 180 where she had to suffer physical abuse from her father and also live a life of poverty in Washington state that saw her live in a garage for years The truth about her childhood: Now the star has written a memoir, titled Breaking the Mold, about her dark past and how she overcame the pain to flourish in Hollywood. The book will be out in 2022, DailyMail.com has learned exclusively She was isolated during her painful youthful, never having the support system she really needed, especially at school. 'I never told my classmates about our poverty, living in a garage, because I wanted to be treated just like them - a normal kid! No one knew, not even the teachers.' She also shared an excerpt with DailyMail.com about the abuse she endured. 'It happened when we were living in Mexico as children but the abuse continued throughout the years. The book will be out in early 2022 Her father was not loving, she said, and instead he was an 'abusive father and husband.' 'He used to beat us and used a Chicote a type of switch or whip used to control horses to beat us with,' she shared. 'He even held his gun to our mothers head and threatened to shoot her right in front of us. We were all scared of him, especially our mother. We were all crying and trying to protect our mother who he had pushed into the bed and we were surrounding her and begging him not to shoot. 'His rage and uncontrolled anger was all because she was asking him to give her money to buy us food when he suddenly snapped. 'This continued even when we were older. He went to attack me when our mother was dying but that time I squared up to him and dared him to touch me. Now I was older and not afraid of him any more. He backed down, shocked that I challenged him!' Blanco was born in Watsonville, California. At three-years old, her family moved to Southwest Mexico. Her father was a police officer there and was shot twice forcing the family to return to the U.S., to, hopefully, live the American Dream. Blanca was nine-years-old. She survived: 'I wrote 'BREAKING THE MOLD' during the COVID lockdown, as I felt my story could help others as poverty and abuse has been increasing and I will take you on my journey from poverty to success and how I made it happen,' the Mission: Possible actress told DailyMail.com exclusively A graduate... even though her father was abusive: 'He used to beat us and used a Chicote a type of switch or whip used to control horses to beat us with,' she shared. The book will be out in early 2022 'He even held his gun to our mothers head and threatened to shoot her right in front of us. We were all scared of him, especially our mother' HOW SHE COPED The star shares her tools that worked for her to deal with anxiety. She said she applied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (cbt) techniques. 'The heartbreaking part was that I lost my sweet mom while writing my book, and I share in my book, I find my self crying a few times a week but I know she is no longer suffering but sadness is there,' said Blanca. She also advises to 'trust your intuition; it's there for a reason.' And she said if you are not challenged, then there is no growth. 'Experiences shouldn't be a waste of time, walk with confidence. YOU are a diamond. 'It may seem like forever, but doors do open eventually. Move forward; it's hard to go backwards. It's ok to be an outcast. Even if you fall on your face. You're still moving forward.' 'Education is not given its earned, own it. "Are you breathing?" Be thankful you are breathing with no pain Live for Today. 'You woke up today, its already a good day' 'Haters will hate that only means that you are exactly where they wish they were - it's uncomfortable to go backwards literally.' Advertisement Her family of seven lived in poverty for her entire childhood, residing in a small garage with no hot water, no shower and no heat while facing the frigid winters of Washington State. They then moved into a tiny trailer in a small trailer park, often with unsafe water causing sickness. She attended Chelan High School where she became determined not to remain in poverty. Upon leaving school she became the schools role model for younger graduating students and made a motivational video to help them. With the help of her guardian angel, a teacher who cared, she said, she achieved 'full ride scholarships enabling her to continue on to college then to university.' She became the first Latina woman in the area to go to college working hard in order to graduate and continue her full ride scholarships, where she took an associate of science degree from Spokane Falls Community College. She then went on to Washington State University achieving a 4.0 grade average and earned a bachelors degree in psychology followed by masters degree in social work from Eastern Washington State University. Her first job after receiving her Masters in Social Work degree was working in hospice care. Deciding to follow her dreams, she moved to Los Angeles where she became an actress and studied under Gordon Hunt (Helen Hunts father). She immediately landed many roles in film and television. The star achieved a Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Melanie in the movie Betrayed. The foreword is by Edward I. Byrnes, Ph.D. Professor of Social Work Eastern Washington University. Netflix Korea has been forced to respond to backlash from international viewers over 'colourist' comments that were made on the hit dating series Single's Inferno. The show was plunged into controversy after it premiered in December when two male contestants praised a female co-star for her 'pure white skin'. Responding to the outrage, Netflix Korea's Vice President Kang Dong Han said praising fair skin is culturally acceptable in Korea. 'White and pure': Netflix Korea has been forced to respond to backlash from international viewers over 'colourist' comments that were made on the hit dating series Single's Inferno 'If you think about it, it hasnt been too long since Netflix began streaming worldwide,' he said in comments translated by Koreaboo. 'Something may be okay in South Korea, but not okay in other countries. And of course there are countless instances where its the opposite as well.' He then called the scandal a 'learning opportunity' for Netflix Korea. 'This is why studying humanities is so necessary,' he explained. 'Something may be okay in South Korea, but not okay in other countries': Netflix Korea's Vice President Kang Dong Han said praising fair skin is culturally acceptable in Korea 'It is incredibly important and I do take it very seriously. Sometimes, we do the translations, subtitles and dubbing ourselves. Other times, we do collaborate with third-party companies. 'I see this all as a learning opportunity to become even better and am soaking it in with a humble attitude.' Fair skin is a common beauty standard in Korea and dates back thousands of years. Popular: Single's Inferno has become a blockbuster hit since it premiered in December, topping the Netflix charts in Korea and Japan and also charting internationally 'White and glossy skin symbolized high class, which motivated people - men and women alike - to make their skin white,' Korea's Cultural Heritage Administration wrote in 2014. Single's Inferno has become a blockbuster hit since it premiered in December. Not only is it the number-one show on Korean and Japanese Netflix, it has also charted in the global top ten and made waves in the Western world. 'Her skin is so light!' The controversy started when Moon Se-hoon (pictured) praised contestant Shin Ji-yeon's fair skin during a conversation with one of his male co-stars Fans on social media have been in a spin ever since the series premiered, with many likening it to the Love Island franchise. 'So Korea made a show similar to Love Island Im so invested,' one fan tweeted. 'I'm sure the girls and gays will go gaga over this guy,' added another, referring to hunky contestant Kim Hyeong-joong. 'Single's Inferno gotta be one of the best things Korea did this year,' tweeted another. Agreeing with him, Choi Si-hun (pictured) added: 'Her skin is so fair' However, the show caused some controversy among international viewers due to the Korean cast's politically incorrect beauty standards. In one scene, two single men praised female contestant Shin Ji-yeon's fair skin. 'Her skin is so pale!' Moon Se-hoon gushed. 'As I saw her walking in, I was like, "Gosh!" She seemed so white and pure, that was my first impression of her.' Agreeing with him, Choi Si-hun added: 'Her skin is so fair.' 'Obsessed with white skin': These remarks outraged non-Korean viewers on social media, with some even saying they were unable to watch the show due to the fixation with whiteness 'She looks so white and pure': Some viewers were distraught over the colourist comments These remarks outraged non-Korean viewers on social media, with some even saying they were unable to watch the show due to the fixation with whiteness. 'MFs [motherf***ers] in that Netflix show Single's Inferno are a little too obsessed with white skin,' tweeted one critic. 'Started watching Single's Inferno last night some of these men are so fixated on bodies and pale skin... get help,' added another. 'I started to watch Single's Inferno and all these men are obsessed with pale skin like stfu. I hate Korean beauty standards,' a third viewer said. The Asian Love Island? Fans on social media have been in a spin since the series premiered, with many likening it to the Love Island franchise One viewer tweeted screenshots of the offending scene and wrote: 'Watching Single's Inferno and just from the first ep I know its not for me.' Following the blockbuster success of Squid Game, Single's Inferno is the latest in a growing number of Korean shows that has found an audience with international Netflix viewers. Hellbound and My Name have both been huge hits in recent months, while certain films like the horror-thriller #Alive have also gained popularity. Mark Wahlberg proved to be a doting dad as he took to Instagram on Monday to congratulate his daughter Ella on her one-year relationship anniversary. The 50-year-old actor celebrated the occasion by posting a lovely photo of 18-year-old Ella with her arms wrapped around her boyfriend James. 'Happy 1 year anniversary Ella and James,' the Joe Bell star captioned the sweet snap, adding, 'I'm so happy for you guys!' Proud dad: Mark Wahlberg, 50, took to Instagram on Monday to congratulate his daughter Ella, 18, on her one-year relationship anniversary writing, 'I'm so happy for you guys!' He went on to say, 'I couldn't be more proud of you Ella!! I love you guys.' He added a red heart emoji and a rose to his post. Ella appeared to be pleased with her dad's approval, commenting, 'love u' with four red heart emojis. Her boyfriend also chimed in, writing 'Thanks!!' and adding two heart emojis. Meanwhile fans were quick to point out James' resemblance to the former rapper. 'I thought this was a pic of you and your wife from years ago,' one wrote, while another one added, 'Mark this is your twin in this picture.' Close bond: It seems Marky Mark and James have a great relationship as the actor recently shared a video of the two working out at his large home gym Young love: Ella also marked the special occasion on her own Instagram page, posting adorable photos of the young couple, including a black and white beach snap Ella also marked the special occasion on her own Instagram page, posting adorable photos of the young couple. 'January 23 is the most special day,' she captioned the romantic series of snaps. She went on to say, 'a whole year with you, i can't wait to celebrate this day every year forever, i love you.' Sweet: 'January 23 is the most special day,' she captioned the romantic series of images where James is seen lifting her up in his arms as she takes a cute photo of them in the mirror It's serious: It appears that Ella also commemorated the special occasion with a tattoo, as another photo featured what looked like her arm with the words, 'i love you' tattooed on it One photo was a moody black and white shot of the couple relaxing on the beach, with Ella leaning back on James. While another one saw him lifting her up in his arms as she snapped a cute photo of them in the mirror. It appears that Ella also commemorated the special occasion with a tattoo, as another snap featured what looked like her arm with the words, 'i love you' tattooed on it. She also included an artistic photo of the couple's shadows as they kiss. Artistic: She also included an innovative photo of the couple's shadows as they kiss It seems Marky Mark and James have a great relationship as the actor recently shared a video of the two working out at his large home gym. The star called Ella's beau a 'great young man' then marveled at how far he'd come when it came to his daughters and dating, joking that he used to workout 'to keep the boys away' from them. The Boston native captioned the nine-second video: 'Ella is a lucky girl and I'm a lucky dad! He is a great young man,' to which she commented back 'Luv u dad.' Mom approves: Wahlberg's wife Rhea, 43, seems to approve as well as she posted a beautiful family portrait - with James in it - on November, 2021, with the caption, 'Family'; From left Mark, James, Ella, Rhea, Grace, 12, Brendan, 13, and Michael, 15 Ella is Wahlberg's eldest of four children, all of whom he shares with his wife, model Rhea Durham, 43. They also have 15-year-old Michael, 13-year-old Brendan, and 12-year-old Grace. Wahlberg's wife appears to approve of her daughter's romantic choice as well. In November, 2021, she posted a beautiful family portrait with James in it. 'Family,' she captioned the photo that featured the Wahlberg clan sitting around a dinner table at a restaurant. Jesinta Franklin, the model wife of Aboriginal AFL star Buddy Franklin, has thrown her support behind the campaign to change the date of Australia Day. The mother of two, 30, shared a post to Instagram on Tuesday telling her 374,000 followers the national holiday should not be a 'day of celebration'. 'January 26 is not a celebration for all Australians and is a date that marked the beginning of the genocide and massacres of the Indigenous population, the confiscation of their ancestral lands and banning of their culture,' the post read. Speaking out: Jesinta Franklin, the wife of Aboriginal AFL star Buddy Franklin, has thrown her support behind the campaign to change the date of Australia Day. Pictured on December 1 She shared several other posts about the Australia Day controversy, including a meme that read: 'Just a reminder. We don't celebrate genocide.' Jesinta, who represented her country at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant, added in a personal note: 'There's no excuse for anyone in this country not to know why tomorrow, January 26, is a hurtful day to celebrate "Australia Day". 'If you are still unaware, I have linked some useful slides [on Instagram] that I hope you take the time to read.' It comes after Jesinta penned a column for Stellar magazine in 2020 explaining why she refused to celebrate Australia Day on January 26. 'I have seen my husband well up when talking about his mum [Ursula] and how she used to have to run away with her siblings when they knew the government trucks were coming to take them away from their parents,' she wrote in reference to the Stolen Generations. Repost: The mother of two, 30, shared this post to Instagram on Tuesday telling her 374,000 followers the national holiday should not be a 'day of celebration' Reminder: She shared several other posts about the Australia Day controversy, including a meme that read: 'Just a reminder. We don't celebrate genocide' Having her say: Jesinta, who represented her country at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant, added in a personal note: 'There's no excuse for anyone in this country not to know why tomorrow, January 26, is a hurtful day to celebrate "Australia Day"' The Stolen Generations saw Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families and communities due to racist government policies. It was hearing painful stories from her husband's family that made Jesinta realise the importance of changing the date from January 26 - the day in 1788 when Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. 'While I had read and learnt about the horrors of Australia's past, it wasn't until I listened to the pain endured from someone close to me that I began to deeply feel the importance of changing the date,' she wrote. She added that Buddy's sisters had shared stories of their grandparents, who were 'born into a world that considered them flora and fauna'. Jesinta said the date needed to be moved to one that celebrates 'all Aussies' and 'doesn't hold so much hurt for so many people'. Protest: It comes after the mother of two penned a column for Stellar magazine in 2020 explaining why she refused to celebrate Australia Day on January 26. Pictured in 2018 Lineage: Buddy Franklin, considered one of the greatest AFL players of the modern era, is a Noongar-Whadjuk man. He is pictured here with his father and grandmother Jesinta also spoke out about the mistreatment of Indigenous people in custody on Monday. She criticised the Australian justice system in a post on Instagram after watching a hard-hitting documentary about racial injustice called Unheard. 'Tonight we started watching Unheard on Amazon Prime... The justice system in this country is broken,' she wrote. Important: Jesinta also spoke out about the mistreatment of Indigenous people in custody on Monday, after watching a hard-hitting documentary about racial injustice called Unheard 'This series is a must watch. It will make you uncomfortable and break your heart. It may even open your eyes to the racism that people face in this country,' she added. Jesinta explained: 'The first two episodes are based on Indigenous Australians. It also covers stories from Muslim women, asylum seekers, refugees and the last episode explores the story of two Australians of African decent. This is essential viewing.' Five hundred Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in custody in Australia in the 30 years since the 1991 royal commission, reports The Guardian. Cardi B emerged victorious in her federal libel lawsuit against Latasha K on Monday. The 29-year-old rapper was awarded $1 million in general damages by a jury in Georgia, along with an additional $250,000 that the 39-year-old blogger will be required to pay for medical expenses, TMZ reported on Monday. She was sued by the hitmaker for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress after claiming in videos posted to her YouTube channel that Cardi had once worked as a prostitute and had suffered from drug abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. Legal victory: Cardi B, 29, was awarded $1.25 million on Monday in her libel suit against blogger Latasha K, who falsely claimed she was a prostitute and drug addict; seen December 7, 2021 in Santa Monica The trial took a just over a week before a jury found Latasha K (real name: Latasha Kebe) liable on three counts. Cardi (given name: Belcalis Almanzar) sued the YouTuber back in 2019 for a 'campaign of slander' after she refused to take down the offending videos. Among the false claims made were that the superstar rapper had contract herpes and that she regularly used cocaine while working as a prostitute. 'None of the aforementioned statements about plaintiff are true,' Cardi's legal team replied in her lawsuit filing. 'Plaintiff was never a prostitute or a user of cocaine. Plaintiff has never, and does not now, have herpes, nor has she had herpes outbreaks on her mouth.' Shocking allegations: Latasha K was sued by Cardi in 2019 for YouTube videos falsely alleging that Cardi used cocaine and contracted herpes while working as a prostitute, all claims the rapper disputed in her lawsuit Latasha K isn't out of the woods, as the judge presiding over the trial said a hearing on Tuesday would determine what she might have to pay in punitive damages to the WAP rapper, as well as how much she would pay in attorneys fees. A courtroom observer told Rolling Stone that Cardi was in the room to witness that verdict and appeared 'elated' after winning her case. They added that she hugged her lawyers Lisa Fortune Moore and Sarah Matz, before pulling them into a 'three-way hug.' Cardi hasn't yet comment on her legal victory, but afterward she posted a throwback photo to her Instagram Stories that appeared to show her with her late maternal grandmother. 'My queen thank you for hearing my prayers,' she began her caption. 'Only you know those nights that I cried to you feeling hopeless and tired even when it seems like I have the world on my hands.' Family: Cardi didn't comment on the verdict but shared a photo that appeared to be of her maternal grandmother to Instagram later on Monday and thanked her for 'hearing my prayers' Payday: The jury awarded Cardi $1 million in general damages and $250K in medical fees, but a hearing to come on Tuesday could also see her getting additional punitive damages; seen in December in Miami Beach, Florida Earlier this month, Cardi claimed 'I wanted to commit suicide over the things' in her emotional testimony in court. 'I felt defeated and depressed and I didn't want to sleep with my husband,' she said of a period shortly after she and the Migos rapper Offset welcomed their daughter Kulture. During direct examination by her legal team, she also admitted that she felt as if she 'didn't deserve my kid.' The rapper also blasted Latasha K from the witness stand, saying 'I felt like only a demon could do that s**t,' according to TMZ. The blogger followed Cardi's 2019 suit with a countersuit alleging that the Bodak Yellow rapper had threatened that gang members would assault her, but a judge later threw out the countersuit. She also called out Cardi for allegedly calling her a 'h*e' and 'dumb a** b****' on Instagram. This photo shows a depiction of a reformed Gwanghwamun Square. Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul will reopen in July after completing over 1 1/2 years of renovation that will more than double the total area, including tripling the space for trees and other plants, the city government said Tuesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul will reopen in July after completing over 1 1/2 years of renovation that will more than double the total area, including tripling the space for trees and other plants, the city government said Tuesday. The square, located in front of the royal Gyeongbok Palace and the U.S. Embassy, has been one of the must-visit places for tourists and citizens. Since November 2020, construction has been under way to expand the square from 18,840 square meters to 40,300 square meters and turn part of it into a park, and add more historical and cultural attractions. The city government first finished expanding the one-way five-lane road in front of the adjacent U.S. Embassy to a two-way road of seven to nine lanes and opened it to traffic in March. The road on the other side of the square, in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, was turned into a new part of the square in June. The city government had planned to finish the facelift and open the upgraded square in April but postponed the opening to July to prevent possible safety accidents that could happen due to hurried construction. The project is currently about 52 percent complete. After the makeover, one-fourth of the fresh Gwanghwamun Square, or 9,367 square meters, will be a park filled with green, and waterscape facilities will be installed across the square, including a waterway displaying Korea's history and a fountain depicting the principles of the Korean alphabet, hangeul. Statues of battleships and a monument of victory will be newly installed around the iconic statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Historical artifacts and some of the sites, including the government office of inspection of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), discovered in the course of construction, will be exhibited, with the rest covered up with earth again for preservation. Other works are expected to take longer. The restoration of a Joseon-era platform that used to stand in front of Gyeongbok Palace will be completed in 2023. The platform, which was used by kings to communicate with the people, was destroyed during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. Two statues of Haechi, a mythical four-legged creature, will also be restored to their original sites by 2023, according to the city government. "(The city government) will work hard to open Gwanghwamun Square to the public in July according to the plan and manage the place so it can give rest to visitors," Yeo Jang-kwon, a senior city official in charge of Seoul's balanced development, said.- (Yonhap) Bindi Irwin and her husband Chandler Powell celebrated ten months of baby bliss with their daughter Grace Warrior on Tuesday. Posting to their respective Instagram accounts, the proud parents shared new photos of their adorable tot as they marked her latest milestone. 'Happy 10 months to our beautiful angel,' they captioned the pictures of the smiling little one. Another milestone! Bindi Irwin and her husband Chandler Powell celebrated ten months with their baby daughter Grace Warrior on Tuesday by sharing a series of sweet photos of their tot In the images, which were taken by her photographer uncle Robert Irwin, Grace is seen smiling while sitting on a picnic blanket and blowing bubbles. The sweet post comes after Bindi, 23, shared another family photo from their private album to Instagram on Monday. In the image, Bindi is seen smiling as brother Robert, 18, and husband Chandler, 25, pose in the distance, while daughter Grace appears to be sleeping in her pram. 'Grace's hat string is a tiny moustache in this photo and I love it,' Bindi captioned the photo. Bubbles baby! In the images, which were taken by her photographer uncle Robert Irwin, Grace is seen smiling while sitting on a picnic blanket and blowing bubbles Too cute: The sweet post comes after Bindi, 23, shared another family photo from their private album to Instagram on Monday It comes after Bindi showed her young daughter learning to walk on Instagram last week. At the time, the couple held their daughter's hand as she walked a few steps. 'Hello, I thought I'd do a little introduction/recap as there are a few new friends here. If you've been part of my journey for a while, thank you,' she captioned the post. Big steps: Last week, Bindi posted a sweet photo of her daughter Gracie Warrior learning to walk 'My name is Bindi Sue Irwin. My parents named me after a crocodile and the family dog, Sui. I'm a Wildlife Warrior and have dedicated my life to speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Conservation work is my life. It's not just what I do, it's who I am.' She went on to discuss her family's non-profit organisation, Wildlife Warriors, which 'funds conservation projects around the world'. 'Our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has treated over 100,000 sick, injured and orphaned patients. Our goal is to get every animal we treat back into the wild. Baby makes three! New addition: Bindi and Chandler announced their daughter's birth on March 26, just one day after she was born on their first wedding anniversary Bindi ended: 'Everything we do, we earn, we are, is for conservation. Thank you for sharing this adventure with me. I'm grateful to give you a glimpse into my family life each day.' Bindi and Chandler announced their daughter's birth on March 26, just one day after she was born on their first wedding anniversary. Eva Longoria put on a very chic display as she stepped out in the French capital on Monday. The 46-year-old actress, nailed Parisian style in a Navy wool coat and black turtleneck as she smiled for the cameras after attending a L'Oreal photoshoot. She added a casual pair of washed out charcoal skinny jeans with ripped knees and a pair of patent boots. Tres chic! Eva Longoria, 46, put on an effortlessly chic display as she channeled her inner Parisian in the French capital on Monday Eva accessorised with a classic quilted bag from the luxury french fashion house Chanel for a touch of elegance. She wore her brunette tresses in a glossy voluminous blow dry and side parting and added a feline flick of black eyeliner to complete her effortlessly chic look. Eva could be seen as she had her hair styled for a L'Oreal Paris photoshoot and worked her best angels in the studio. Glowing: She wore her brunette tresses in a glossy voluminous blow dry and side parting and added a feline flick of black eyeliner to complete her effortlessly chic look Fun! Taking to Instagram later, she later channeled her inner Emily in Paris as she posed up a storm in a longline blazer and penned: 'Eva in Paris' 'Because you're worth it!' Eva could be seen as she had her hair styled for a L'Oreal Paris photoshoot and worked her best angels in the studio Taking to Instagram later, she later channeled her inner Emily in Paris as she posed up a storm in a longline blazer and penned: 'Eva in Paris.' Eva strutted her stuff down a cobbled street as she donned a pair of light wash jeans and shiney ankle boots. She accessoried her look with stylish square framed sunglasses and a Celine crossbody handbag. The Desperate Housewives star soaked up all that the city had to offer as she enjoyed a glass of red wine after her busy day. She also made sure to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower's sparkling nightly light show as it twinkled behind her. Relaxing: The Desperate Housewives star soaked up all that the city had to offer as she enjoyed a glass of red wine after her busy day Sightseeing: She also made sure to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower's sparkling nightly light show as it twinkled behind her This comes as she is set to celebrate her heritage by executive producing and starring in the six-episode series, Searching for Mexico. 'Partnering with CNN on a culinary-driven expedition throughout Mexico is a dream come true,' Longoria said in a statement. 'I am so proud of my Mexican-American roots and can't wait to bring the hidden gems of Mexico to the world through Searching for Mexico.' On the show, the Casa Del Sol co-founder will discover how blue agave is harvested for tequila and how traditional mole sauce is cooked in Oaxaca among other 'unique and colorful cuisines.' Fredrik Eklund announced he quit Million Dollar Listing after over a decade on the series, which follows the professional and personal lives of realtors. On Monday, the 44-year-old real estate agent confirmed he would no longer appear on the Bravo series, which has documented his biggest successes and failures. 'After an amazing 11 years, I've decided it's time for the next chapter in my life,' he wrote in a text post on Monday. 'And to leave Million Dollar Listing.' Saying goodbye: Fredrik Eklund announced he quit Million Dollar Listing after over a decade on the series, which follows the professional and personal lives of realtors; seen in 2021 Eklund continued: 'I let Andy, the producers, and the executives know last week how grateful I am. Eternally grateful, I mean what an incredible run we had together.' The Swedish real estate broker went on to list the 'memorable milestones' over the past decade that appeared on the show, including meeting his husband Derek Kaplan. 'Out wedding, the miscarriages, the birth of our twins, and all the beautiful properties. I will always cherish that experience,' he concluded. 'After an amazing 11 years, I've decided it's time for the next chapter in my life,' he wrote in a text post on Monday. 'And to leave Million Dollar Listing' The news comes just a week after his former costar Josh Altman said that he 'cut' Eklund out of his life after finishing up the last season. The 42-year-old real estate agent admitted that he was done with the dad-of-two in an interview with People last Wednesday, in which he dismissed Eklund 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. Drama: The news comes just a week after his former costar Josh Altman (pictured last year) said that he 'cut' with Eklund out of his life after finishing up the last season 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.' Change of heart: Altman admitted that he never saw himself becoming a friend and ally of his old enemy Flagg. 'I didn't think we would've been able to stand in the same room together,' he said; still from MDLLA '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.' Lea Michele showed off her impeccable winter fashion on a stroll in New York City with her husband Zandy Reich and their young son on Sunday. The Glee star, 35, donned a sleek gray coat over a black shirt while she pushed little Ever's stroller. She accessorized with a pair of dark black sunglasses and gold-hooped earrings and tied her center parted brunette hair back tightly behind her head. Out for a walk: Lea Michele went on a stroll through New York City with her husband Zandy Reich and their son on Sunday Her businessman beau wore a thick black down jacket with a red-and-white patch on the left arm and dark blue jeans. He finished off his look with a pair of gray sneakers. The couple put a clear plastic covering over the front of the baby's stroller, which partially obscured their son from view. Ever was born in August of 2020, and Michele shared the first photo of his face on Instagram earlier this week. Warm and fashionable: The actress, 35, donned a sleek gray coat over a black shirt while she pushed the stroller in front of her A family full of style: Her businessman beau wore a puffy black jacket with a red and white patch on the left arm and dark blue jeans. He finished off his look with a pair of gray sneakers In it, Reich, who turned 39 on Monday, beamed on a rocky beach while holding their baby boy, whose nose and mouth were visible beneath a beanie and sunglasses. 'Greatest man, father, husband, and friend,' gushed the Bronx-born 35-year-old, who boasts 12.5M social media followers. 'I wake up every day so thankful that you are ours Z. Happy birthday! Ever and I love you so much.' Only seen the back of his head: Glee alum Lea Michele shared the first picture of her 17-month-old son Ever Leo's face in honor of her husband Zandy Reich's 39th birthday on Sunday (pictured December 25) My boys!': Lea also Instastoried a video of Zach holding hands with little Ever as they strolled down a Manhattan sidewalk Lea also shared a video of Zach holding hands with little Ever as they strolled down a Manhattan sidewalk on her Instagram Story. Michele (born Sarfati) was bundled up in a grey winter coat over a black turtleneck sweater and large shades. The Forever songstress treated Reich to a 'birthday bagel brunch' at Sadelle's on Sunday, thanking owner Mario Carbone and his publicist girlfriend Cait Bailey 'for another epic meal.' Bachelor in Paradise stars Riley Christian and Maurissa Gunn have called quits on their engagement just three months after it aired on TV. After falling madly in love on season 7 of the reality TV series, Gunn, 25, and Christian, 32, released a statement confirming the end of their relationship. 'We have decided to go our separate ways. Never did we imagine this, but we've come to a point where we both need to work on ourselves,' they told PEOPLE in a joint statement. It's over! Bachelor in Paradise stars Riley Christian and Maurissa Gunn have called quits on their engagement just three months after it aired on TV They went on to say, 'We've appreciated everyone's love and support so far throughout our journey and we just ask that you please respect our privacy as we navigate through this.' Their engagement was historic as they were the first black couple in the franchise to get engaged. There have been recent signs that all wasn't well between the two after Maurissa removed photos with Christian from her Instagram profile. Fans also pointed out that she was not wearing her engagement ring in a recent video she shared, where she wrote a telling quote, 'All that glitters is not gold.' Sad: After falling in love on season 7 of the reality TV series, Gunn, 25, and Christian, 32, released a statement saying, 'We have decided to go our separate ways' Riley and Maurissa met on the show during summer 2022. Maurissa accepted Rileys romantic proposal with a pear-shaped diamond on the beach in Mexico. 'You showed me what a real man is. You showed me literally everything Ive dreamed of my whole life. You showed me that fairytales do exist,' she said ahead of his proposal. Historic engagement: Their romantic engagement made history as they were the first black couple in the franchise to get engaged Meanwhile Riley replied, saying, 'The difficult thing about what Im searching for is that its not something that you can always see. Its the feeling of my heart beating fast, its the feeling of butterflies in my stomach, its the feeling of goosebumps on my arms, and I know that that feeling is love.' 'See, Maurissa, I love you, and Ive loved you since our very first date but I just need to be sure,' he said, then got down on one knee. They were one of three couples to get engaged during the finale. The other couples that popped the question were Mari Pepin and Kenny Braasch as well as Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt. She gave birth to her second child - a boy named Hendrix Hawkins-Wall - in October. And on Monday, Jennifer Hawkins showed off her incredible post-baby body in all-black activewear. The former Miss Universe model went for a walk in Sydney with her husband Jake Wall, their one-year-old daughter Frankie and son Hendrix, three months. Family affair: Jennifer Hawkins showed off her incredible post-baby body during a stroll with her husband Jake Wall and their children in Sydney this week, after welcoming her baby boy Hendrix three months ago Jennifer opted for a black tank top and matching figure-hugging tights for the family stroll. The blonde beauty accessorised with a black cap, as did her property developer husband Jake. She held her bub close to her chest in an animal print baby carrier, while proud dad Jake, 38, pushed their firstborn in her pram. At one stage, Jennifer worked up a sweat and opted to tie her blonde locks back into a messy bun. Doting: She held her bub close to her chest in an animal print baby carrier, while proud dad Jake, 38, pushed their firstborn in her pram Baby makes four: Jennifer and Jake announced the birth of their son Hendrix in October last year Jennifer and Jake announced the birth of their son Hendrix in October last year. 'Hendrix Hawkins-Wall. Welcome to the world our sweet boy. What a week it's been,' Jennifer wrote on Instagram shortly after his arrival. The family-of-four celebrated their first Christmas together in December, with Jennifer documenting their big day in a sweet photo while on holidays. The couple, who both hail from Newcastle, New South Wales, tied the knot in Bali in June 2013. They dated for eight years before getting married. Mum and dad: The couple, who both hail from Newcastle, tied the knot in Bali in June 2013. They share two children Influencer Jade Tuncdoruk has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, after she demanded a small business refund her $2,000 honeymoon deposit - even though their clear-cut terms and conditions said this wasn't possible. And the hosts of the Outspoken podcast, sisters Amy, Sophie and Kate Taeuber, weighed in on the controversy on Monday, saying the dispute would likely have never become a major scandal if the 26-year-old hadn't posted a 'smug' selfie on Instagram after getting her money back. The Taeubers agreed the photo 'rubbed people the wrong way' given how badly small businesses have suffered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Its quite clear that Jade is completely out of touch and really not reading the tone of 2022 and the past couple of years, because she does post things that are very inappropriate,' Kate said. Smug: Influencer Jade Tuncdoruk shared this smug selfie after a holiday rental company refunded her $2,000 holiday deposit. The hosts of the popular Outspoken podcast believe this particular post was what sparked a wave of backlash against her 'entitled' attitude 'She also posts things a lot of the time with this smug grin and this sort of attitude that really rubs people up the wrong way.' Kate continued: 'I think the real kicker is always the smug post afterwards, where she's telling her followers that she's somehow won from the situation. 'It just seems to be the same expression and it really gets underneath a lot of people's skin.' Refund request: Tuncdoruk came under fire after slamming luxury holiday rental company Weekenda on Instagram last week for refusing to refund her $2,000 deposit - after ignoring the company's clear-cut terms and conditions Tuncdoruk came under fire after slamming luxury holiday rental company Weekenda on Instagram last week for refusing to refund her $2,000 deposit. In her now-deleted post, Tuncdoruk said she'd booked her honeymoon at Meerea Park Country Estate, in the Hunter Valley, in July 2021 and planned to stay there in March 2022. But she decided to cancel the trip a month later after postponing her wedding due to Covid. 'Incredibly poor form': In her now-deleted post, Tuncdoruk explained she'd booked her stay with Weekenda last year, putting down a $2,000 deposit. After cancelling the booking due to Covid, she demanded the company refund her deposit. Weekenda denied this request In black and white: Weekenda's terms and conditions (pictured) clearly state that customers aren't entitled to a refund of their deposit if they cancel Weekenda's terms and conditions clearly state that customers aren't eligible for refunds if they cancel, but Tuncdoruk seemingly didn't think this rule applied to her and demanded a refund on her deposit. 'We requested a refund due to the pandemic, but they said the best they could do was put it back up online to be booked by someone else,' she explained. 'Six weeks out of [sic] the booking and we've asked again for a refund which they've denied. They've had months to refund us for a booking that we don't need. They're taking our money just because they can.' She added: 'It's just incredibly poor form and so disappointing that businesses are taking advantage of people in the middle of a pandemic.' Leaked e-mails obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed how Tuncdoruk threatened to take Weekenda to Fair Trading if they didn't refund her deposit. Luxury getaway: In her now-deleted post, Tuncdoruk said she'd booked her honeymoon at Meerea Park Country Estate, in the Hunter Valley, in July 2021 and planned to stay there in March 2022. Pictured: the property booked by Tuncdoruk Appreciation: After getting her refund, Tuncdoruk thanked her followers for rallying around her, saying: 'They have agreed to refund us for our stay! Thank you guys for your help' Not long after, a smug-looking Tuncdoruk shared a photo of herself smiling after announcing that Weekenda had agreed to refund her deposit. In her caption, she thanked her followers for rallying around her, saying: 'They've agreed to refund us for our stay! Thank you guys for your help [love heart emoji].' Making the most of the publicity surrounding the Tuncdoruk saga, Weekenda has since launched a competition to win the influencer's now-cancelled booking. Kate Taeuber went on to say she does have sympathy for anyone who was forced to cancel a wedding mid-pandemic. 'I totally understand her frustration in wanting to get an answer. However, I think that she hasnt taken any of her privilege into consideration here,' she added. 'She is a well paid influencer who often gets given free holidays and free accommodation. 'I dont think too many people are going to have sympathy for her blasting this small business online - even if they were perhaps in the wrong for not getting back to her.' Contest: Making the most of the publicity surrounding the Tuncdoruk saga, Weekenda has since launched a competition to win the influencer's now-cancelled booking Sophie Taeuber added: 'Its hard to see an influencer like Jade who posts so regularly about having luxury high-end new items complaining about a $2,000 deposit particularly when you consider how much she would earn from one Instagram post. 'She completely understands how damaging one negative post can be about a company. I really feel like it was a case of "punching down". 'And then to say, "Ahh well, its all worked out for them"... Im sorry but the only reason the company gained more followers is because everyone is so outraged at how disgusting your initial post was and how out of touch it was.' Regrettable: On Friday, Tuncdoruk once again made headlines when she was forced to apologise for a racially insensitive Facebook post from 2017 On Friday, Tuncdoruk once again made headlines when she was forced to apologise for a racially insensitive Facebook post from 2017. In the resurfaced post, Tuncdoruk complained to Uber Eats about their 'annoying non-English speaking delivery drivers'. After expressing regret for her post, she turned her Instagram account to private. Tuncdoruk makes a living spruiking products to her 484,000 followers and earns between $800 and $3,000 per sponsored post. Cashing in! Tuncdoruk makes a living spruiking products to her 484,000 followers and earns between $800 and $3,000 per sponsored post She sparked controversy last year when she announced the pandemic had affected her business as an influencer, but she refused to take a pay cut. 'I've collaborated / worked with a few brands over time (a long time) who as of late have asked me to work for much, much less... due to budget cuts which I understand,' she wrote on Instagram. She added: 'However when I've said no which is in my opinion completely warranted [they] have completely written off the relationship. 'These are brands I've travelled with and promoted for years who just throw the relationship away because I've refused to work for free.' Presenting duo Ant and Dec appeared to be in high spirits as they exited the London Palladium after the auditions for series 15 of Britain's Got Talent on Monday. The pair, both 46, donned suave all-black ensembles as they smiled for the cameras after a long day of filming for the popular ITV talent show. Production for the show has been underway this week after last year's series of BGT was cancelled due to the ongoing Covid pandemic. Good to be back! Ant and Dec, 46, were all smiles as they put on a suave display after a day of filming for series 15 of Britain's Got Talent auditions on Monday Ant McPartlin wore a smart knitted cardigan layered over a black T-shirt and jeans with a pair of chunky white soled trainers. Declan Donnelly opted for a suave shirt as he added a waxed coat and tan suede lace up shoes to complete his look. The pair were closely followed by judge Simon Cowell, 62, who also chose an all-black ensemble as he stuck to his usual style. Smart: Ant McPartlin wore a smart knitted cardigan layered over a black T-shirt and jeans with a pair of chunky white soled trainers Exciting: Declan Donnelly opted for a suave shirt as he added a waxed coat and tan suede lace up shoes to complete his look Duo: The pair donned suave all-black ensembles as they smiled for the cameras after a long day of filming for the popular ITV talent show Simon wore s zipped up cardigan with suit trousers and glossy patent shoes as he flashed a grin. Fellow judge David Walliams, 50, showcased his stylish dress sense in a very dapper brown suit. He teamed the trim number with a contrasting pale blue shirt and matching pocket square with polish tan loafers. Music mogul: The pair were closely followed by judge Simon Cowell, 62, who also chose an all-black ensemble as he stuck to his usual style Signature look: Simon wore s zipped up cardigan with suit trousers and glossy patent shoes Suave! Fellow judge David Walliams, 50, showcased his stylish dress sense in a very dapper brown suit Earlier in the day, filming for the show took a surprise turn as they took a trip back to the summer of 1958, the historical backdrop of hit musical blockbuster Grease. Show judge David put on a very different display as he wore a blonde wig and channeled his inner Sandra Olsson - Olivia Newton-John's iconic character from the 1978 film. David was ready for a day at Rydell High School in a signature Fifties style A-line skirt, sweet collared white shirt and cropped lemon cardigan. Grease is the word! Earlier in the day, filming for the show took a surprise turn as they took a trip back to the summer of 1958, the historical backdrop of hit musical blockbuster Grease He draped the sweater over his shoulders and added a pair of white stiletto heels and ankle socks to mimic prim and prissy Sandy in the classic Tell Me More scene. Teetering in his heels, David clutched onto a camera and showcased a full face of makeup for his innocent look. Not to be without the Pink Ladies, David hopped into the back of a white 1948 Ford De Luxe convertible car complete with silver lightning bolts outlined in red, as Amanda took the wheel. Kristen Stewart revealed that she has a friendship with Nicole Kidman on Monday during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. The 31-year-old actress made the revelation while promoting her new movie Spencer in which she portrays the late Princess Diana. Stephen, 57, noted that Kristen has been receiving critical acclaim for her performance and asked if she enjoyed the Hollywood awards season. Spencer star: Kristen Stewart revealed that she has a friendship with Nicole Kidman on Monday during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert 'Anybody you particularly enjoy hanging out with?,' Stephen asked. 'I have been friends with Kirsten Dunst for years and it's been really fun to see her a little bit more than I normally would,' Kristen said. 'And I spoke to Nicole Kidman for like 45 minutes on a Zoom call. And she sent me flowers and I was, like, ''Oh, my god!'',' Kristen said. 'She sent you flowers after the conversation?,' Stephen confirmed. Zoom call: The Los Angeles native revealed that Nicole Kidman, shown last month in Los Angeles, spoke with her on a Zoom call and sent her flowers afterward 'Because she had a great time,' Kristen quipped. 'That's a really good conversation,' Stephen joked. 'We worked together actually, years ago and she had to drop out of the movie because she injured herself but she was gonna be in Panic Room,' Kristen said referencing the 2002 film. Great time: 'Because she had a great time,' Kristen quipped about Nicole sending her flowers Critical acclaim: The 31-year-old actress made the revelation while promoting her new movie Spencer in which she portrays the late Princess Diana Kristen confirmed that Jodie Foster, 59, took over the role after she and Nicole, 54, had rehearsed for weeks. She admitted that she was 'very tiny' at the time and Stephen asked how old she was when she made Panic Room. 'Ten. I turned 11 on the movie. Jodie Foster got me a mariachi band for my 11th birthday,' Kristen said. Thriller film: Kristen confirmed that Jodie Foster, 59, took over the lead role in Panic Room after she and Nicole, 54, had rehearsed for weeks Stephen earlier congratulated Kristen for getting engaged to screenwriter Dylan Meyer and asked about her wedding planning. 'I want to have, like, a big party or something. I'm so unceremonial. I think we might just go do it this weekend or something. And then just hang out with everyone afterwards,' said Kristen, who announced their engagement in November. Spencer was released in theaters in November in the United Kingdom and the United States and is currently available on-demand. Kristen was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and also has received a nomination from the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress for her work in Spencer. Newly engaged: Stephen earlier congratulated Kristen for getting engaged to screenwriter Dylan Meyer and asked about her wedding planning Peter Dinklage is expressing his displeasure towards Disney for remaking their 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The studio has cast West Side Story breakout star Rachel Zegler as Snow White, though Dinklage, 52, blasted the studio for telling this 'backwards' story. The actor was promoting his new movie Cyrano on the WTF podcast with Marc Maron where they were discussing 'wokeness' when he discussed the Snow White reboot. Displeasure: Peter Dinklage is expressing his displeasure towards Disney for remaking their 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Backwards: The studio has cast West Side Story breakout star Rachel Zegler as Snow White, though Dinklage, 52, blasted the studio for telling this 'backwards' story 'Literally no offence to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White. Youre still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' Dinklage began. 'Take a step back and look at what youre doing there. It makes no sense to me,' Dinklage added. 'Youre progressive in one way and youre still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing man?' he added. Taken aback: 'Literally no offence to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White. Youre still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' Dinklage began Wrong: 'Youre progressive in one way and youre still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing man?' he added The original animated film was based on an 1812 fairy tale from The Brothers Grimm, though the dwarfs in that story lived in a cottage, not a cave. The story has also been criticized as being ableist for portraying the dwarfs with lesser intelligence and Snow White seeing them as children. 'Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess Im not loud enough,' Dinklage said. Children: The story has also been criticized as being ableist for portraying the dwarfs with lesser intelligence and Snow White seeing them as children Not loud: 'Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess Im not loud enough,' Dinklage said He added he didn't know what studio was remaking Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but he recalled, 'they were so proud of it.' 'All love and respect to the actress and all the people who thought they were doing the right thing. But I'm just like, what are you doing?' he added. Dinklage has a form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, which affects bone growth, causing him to have shorter limbs. So proud: He added he didn't know what studio was remaking Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but he recalled, 'they were so proud of it Dwarfism: Dinklage has a form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, which affects bone growth, causing him to have shorter limbs Zegler will star alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen with Marc Webb directing from a script by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson. Dinklage will next be seen in American Dreamer with Shirley MacLaine, Danny Glover, Matt Dillon and Danny Pudi, which is in post-production. He has a number of projects currently filming like Hitpig, The Toxic Avenger and Brothers. Remake: Zegler will star alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen with Marc Webb directing from a script by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson Rescue workers found one person trapped under rubble at the site of a collapsed apartment building under construction in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Tuesday. The unidentified man, presumed to be one of five workers still missing, was found at an upper unit of the damaged building in Gwangju, about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, as the search and rescue operation continued for 14 days. He is the second worker discovered from the collapsed building since the first man was found dead on Jan. 14. Exterior walls of the 39-story building under construction in Gwangju crumbled on Jan 11, trapping six construction workers at the site. (Yonhap) Hotel heiress-turned-reality TV icon Paris Hilton looked glamorous in a green bedazzled dress as she arrived at Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood on Monday. The 40-year-old newlywed has just returned from an eight-week honeymoon with new husband Carter Reum and proudly showed off her holiday tan as she arrived at the studios with her pet chihuahua Diamond in tow. Paris wowed in a turtleneck frock selected by stylist Sammy K featured a thigh-high slit to better showcase her long legs. Signature style: Hotel heiress-turned-reality TV icon Paris Hilton looked glamorous in a green bedazzled dress as she arrived at Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood on Monday Paris slipped her size 11 feet into a pair of nude Giuseppe Zanotti pumps and she accessorized with cat-eye shades and bedazzled fingerless gloves. Hairstylist Eduardo Ponce gave Hilton's natural shoulder-length locks a big boost with a faux-nytail partial updo and extensions. The Blonds SS/22 catwalker put a tiny white sweater on her canine companion Diamond - one of seven reported dogs sharing her 'Slivington Manor' in Beverly Hills. Leggy look! The 40-year-old newlywed's turtleneck frock selected by stylist Sammy K featured a thigh-high slit to better showcase her long legs Pantyhose alert! Paris slipped her size 11 feet into a pair of nude Giuseppe Zanotti pumps and she accessorized with cat-eye shades and bedazzled fingerless gloves Real-life Barbie: Hairstylist Eduardo Ponce gave Hilton's natural shoulder-length locks a big boost with a faux-nytail partial updo and extensions Woof! The Blonds SS/22 catwalker put a tiny white sweater on her canine companion Diamond - one of seven reported dogs sharing her 'Slivington Manor' in Beverly Hills Backstage, make-up artist Steven Tabimba made sure to fully contour Paris' complexion ahead of her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Also joining Hilton on the NBC talk show on Monday were Emmy-winning comedian Tiffany Haddish (who just got busted for a DUI) and Grammy-nominated rapper Earl Sweatshirt. 'New York state of mind,' the celebutante DJ - who boasts 52.1M social media followers - wrote on Instagram. Wearing the blue velvet dress on the show? Backstage, make-up artist Steven Tabimba made sure to fully contour Paris' complexion ahead of her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 'New York state of mind!' Also joining Hilton on the NBC talk show on Monday were Emmy-winning comedian Tiffany Haddish (who just got busted for a DUI) and Grammy-nominated rapper Earl Sweatshirt 'Backstage getting ready for @FallonTonight @JimmyFallon. Watch me talk all things #ParisInLove, NFTs, and more tonight at 11:30pm ET/PT on @NBC!' Earlier on Monday, Paris wore an entirely different ensemble as she emerged from her $4.9M two-bedroom Astor Place penthouse inside the Broadway McKenna Building in NoHo. Hilton looked preppy in a Saloni b&w-polka dot dress featuring silver bow embellishments beneath a fur-trimmed black cape and matching spike-heeled pumps. Native New Yorker: Earlier on Monday, the celebutante DJ wore an entirely different ensemble as she emerged from her $4.9M two-bedroom Astor Place penthouse inside the Broadway McKenna Building in NoHo Frozen Big Apple: Paris looked preppy in a Saloni b&w-polka dot dress featuring silver bow embellishments beneath a fur-trimmed black cape and matching spike-heeled pumps Cute! This time, Hilton dressed her precious pooch in a white hooded robe featuring a knock-off Louis Vuitton print This time, the perfume mogul dressed her precious pooch in a white hooded robe featuring a knock-off Louis Vuitton print. Paris and her mother - The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills friend Kathy Hilton - will next appear on this Friday's episode of The Drew Barrymore Show. Hilton, Rebecca Mellinger, and Unsilenced co-CEO Caroline Cole teamed up for a new docu-style podcast called Trapped in Treatment, which launches this Thursday. Promotional trail: The perfume mogul and her mother - The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills friend Kathy Hilton - will next appear on this Friday's episode of The Drew Barrymore Show Launches this Thursday! Paris, Rebecca Mellinger, and Unsilenced co-CEO Caroline Cole teamed up for a new docu-style podcast called Trapped in Treatment The Simple Life alum and her husband Carter - who wed November 11 in Bel-Air after two years of dating - will next celebrate their 41st birthdays on February 17 and February 5. Paris and the M13 co-founder - who've undergone egg extraction for IVF - honeymooned in Bora Bora, Moskito Island, Anguilla, London, The Maldives, and Dubai. Fans can stream the two-part finale of her 13-episode docuseries Paris In Love this Thursday on Peacock. Aquarians: Hilton and her husband Carter Reum - who wed November 11 in Bel-Air after two years of dating - will next celebrate their 41st birthdays on February 17 and February 5 'The perfect, last destination': The Simple Life alum and the M13 co-founder - who've undergone egg extraction for IVF - honeymooned in Bora Bora, Moskito Island, Anguilla, London, The Maldives, and Dubai (posted January 14) Zooey Deschanel seemed to be on comfortable terms with her ex-husband Jacob Pechenik when they were spotted reuniting on Monday. Jacob, 49, met up with the 42-year-old New Girl star and her boyfriend Jonathan Scott, 43, in Los Angeles as he picked up his two children with the actress, Elsie, six, and Charlie, four. Zooey rocked a comfy casual look for the meetup with a vibrant fuchsia jumpsuit that was tied tight around her midriff. Pickup time: Zooey Deschanel, 42, had a friendly reunion with her ex-husband Jacob Pechenik, 49, on Monday as he picked up their two young children while her boyfriend Jonathan Scott joined She stuck with the cozy theme by donning a dark purple cardigan with large white buttons, and she added some more fuzz to her look with gray Ugg boots. The All The Real Girls star wore her long brunette locks down across her shoulders while sporting shaggy bangs. Jacob was similarly casual in a navy blue hoodie with a gray T-shirt and black jeans, while Jonathan wore a burgundy jacket with jeans. Taking it easy: Zooey looked cozy in a fuchsia jumpsuit with a dark purple cardigan and gray Ugg boots, while Jonathan wore a burgundy jacket with dark jeans Brief romance: Jacob and Zooey married in 2015 after meeting on the set of her comedy flop Rock The Kasbah, but they separated in January 2019 and he filed for divorce later that year Both Elsie and Charlie carried round stuffed animals before loading into their father's white SUV. Zooey was glimpsed leaning down to give them a hug before spending the day on her own with her boyfriend. The actress and her film producer ex-husband first met on the set of her 2015 comedy flop Rock The Kasbah, which she starred in with Bill Murray and Bruce Willis. The two confirmed their engagement in January of that year and were married in June 2015, but they had separated by January of 2019, and Pechenik filed for divorce later in the year. 'After much discussion and a long period of contemplation we have decided we are better off as friends, business partners and co-parents rather than life partners,' the exes announced in a statement at the time. ;We remain committed to our business, our values and most of all our children. Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time.' The two now share joint custody of their young children. Motherly love: Zooey was seen hugging her children sweetly before they left. She and her ex share joint custody of Elsie, six, and Charlie, four A month before Zooey and her ex's belated announcement of their split, she began dating Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott after she and her sister Emily appeared with him and his brother Drew in an episode of Carpool Karaoke. The couple, who celebrated their two-year anniversary together in August 2021, took their relationship to the next level in December by purchasing a home together that dates back to 1938. 'We found our forever home and we are embarking on this renovation,' he said last week during an interview for Shop Today with Jill Martin. 'Our hope is that when it's done, it stays in the family forever and ever,' he added sweetly. Love at first sight? After separating (but before announcing the split), Zooey met Jonathan on an episode of Carpool Karaoke, and the two started dating shortly afterward He revealed in his brother's magazine Drew + Jonathan Reveal that the couple hadn't even planned on buying a home and were just looking at properties in the area for fun because Zooey is similarly 'obsessed with real estate.' But once they found the home, which was designed by architect Gerard Colcord, it was love at first sight. 'As we pulled up the drive, it just seemed magical,' he recounted. 'It sat on a little over an acre, and with its lush lawn and massive California sycamores, it looked like a park.' He added that it was 'refreshing' that he and the Elf star had such similar taste in renovations, as he finds it more common that couples have different goals when it comes to renovating old homes. Jonathan was by Zooey's side earlier this month as she celebrated her 42nd birthday, which falls on January 17. 'The best (birthday) dinner date,' she captioned a set of Polaroid-style photos she posted to Instagram of the two cuddling up at the party. Getting serious: The couple, who celebrated their two-year anniversary in August 2021, purchased a home built in 1938 in December Salma Hayek seemed to be enjoying herself as she sat near the shoreline on an island locale on Monday. The actress, 55, posted a picture in which she sat, drenched in salty ocean water, while wearing a blue bikini. Her brown hair was tossed over her left shoulder, her eyes closed to the sun which bore down on her already tan skin. Sitting back and relaxing: Salma Hayek seemed to be enjoying herself as she sat near the shoreline on an island locale on Monday She sat with her arms crossed on top of her knees. Her nails were painted as a bright red Hayek wore a bracelet on her left wrist. She leaned up against a boulder as the waves splashed her lower half. She captioned the photo in a mixture of English and Spanish, 'If you forgot to make your new years resolutions, its still January. I made mine but Im adding to the list Si se olvidaron de hacer sus propositos de Ano Nuevo, todavia estamos en Enero. Yo hice lis mios pero voy a anadir a la lista #dreams #mondaymotivation #mondaymood.' Beach day: The actress, 55, posted a picture in which she sat, drenched in salty ocean water, while wearing a blue bikini (pictured 2021) Family trip? While it's not clear exactly who took the picture of Hayek, it could have been her husband, businessman Francois-Henri Pinault (pictured 2021) While it's not clear exactly who took the picture of Hayek, it could have been her husband, businessman Francois-Henri Pinault. The pair got engaged in 2007 and had their first daughter, Valentina, shortly afterwards. They married on Valentine's Day in 2009. Their marriage also made Hayek the step-mother of Pinault's three children which she has from three previous relationships. A dedicated mom: Hayek is the mother to one daughter and step-mother to Pinault's other three children Big year for Hayek: The star came out with four movies last year titled House of Gucci, Eternals, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard and Bliss (pictured from Eternals) They are: 24-year-old Francois, 21-year-old Mathilde and 15-year-old Augustin. They all carry their father's last name. Hayek seemed to be enjoying her rare afternoon off from work after a very busy acting year. The star came out with four movies last year titled House of Gucci, Eternals, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard and Bliss. Earlier this month, googly eyes popped up on KFC buckets, Dan Murphy's billboards and Jim's Mowing vans across Adelaide. Now the culprits have finally been identified as none other than Nova FM's Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton. In a post shared to Instagram, the radio hosts shared a series of photos of themselves trying to stick the cartoon eyes on 'The Scotsman' - a statue belonging to Scottys Motel in Medindie, a northern suburb of Adelaide. Unmasked! Pranksters who have been putting 'googly eyes' on KFC buckets, Dan Murphy's billboards and Jim's Mowing vans in Adelaide have finally unmasked as none other than Nova FM's Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton They then addressed the prank on their radio show on Monday, with Liam saying: 'On Friday Ben, you and I revealed that it was actually us that put the eyes on Scotty.' 'Yeah we stuck some googly eyes on Scotty,' Ben agreed. Liam went on to say that the incident has been 'blown way out of proportion since then' and the motel owner has 'come out and said we damaged Scotty'. Yes, it is us! The pair confessed they were the culprit on their radio show on Monday Manager Greg Hobson told The Advertiser that the statues sporran had been damaged as a result of the prank. 'His sporran was quite freely moving in the wind and theres damage to one of the side panels of the statue (on Thursday) as well,' he said. 'I thought it was quite sweet actually until I saw the damage and its quite problematic.' 'Yeah we stuck some googly eyes on Scotty': In a post shared to Instagram, the radio hosts shared a series of photos of themselves trying to stick the cartoon eyes on 'The Scotsman' - a statue belonging to Scottys Motel in Medindie, a northern suburb of Adelaide Ben and Liam denied they touched the sporran let alone damage it, stating that they couldn't reach the top of the statue to put the eyes on and decided to photoshop the eyes instead. 'In no way did we damage the Scotsman,' Ben responded, arguing that if the pair had damaged the statue they wouldn't have admitted to attempting the prank in the first place. 'To be fair, if we gouged out a chunk of an Adelaide icon would we give it 24 hours to mull it over, then come on air and go, 'Over here guys, it was us!' Liam joked. The pair got up at 3:30 in the morning and hired a scissor lift to try and get to the top of the structure to put the eyes on but gave up when they came a metre short from the top. The actress Linda Lavin claimed in an interview published Monday that she was sexually harassed by a man in a position of power while starring in a TV movie in 1987. Lavin, 84, told Page Six that she was harassed in a 'physical' manner by a 'man on the production team' of the film Lena: My 100 Children, which aired on NBC. The longtime Alice star said that she tried to get other women on the production to report the misconduct with her, but they allegedly refused to help over fears of being fired if they spoke out. Speaking out: Linda Lavin, 84, claimed in an interview with Page Six published Monday that she was sexually harassed by a man in a position of power while filming the 1987 NBC TV movie Lena: My 100 Children; seen in December in Los Angeles Lavin's television film Lena: My 100 Children was inspired by a true story. The film focuses on a woman who cared for a large group of orphaned children whose parents were killed in concentration camps during World War II. After nursing the children back to health and providing psychological for them, she helps them emigrate to Israel to escape anti-Semitism that still plagues Poland after the war. 'There was sexual harassment by a very powerful man on the production team, and I was a victim of it, and it was physical and it was disgusting,' Lavin said of her time filming the TV movie. Although she hoped to have strength in numbers to end the harassment, some women on the production were too scared to join forces with her. 'Disgusting': 'There was sexual harassment by a very powerful man on the production team, and I was a victim of it, and it was physical and it was disgusting,' Lavin said; still from Lena: My 100 Children Culture of silence: She said she asked other women on the crew to take her complaint to their union, but they allegedly refused out of fears they might be fired for speaking up; poster for Lena: My 100 Children 'I went to the women on the crew and said, "Will you go to the union with me?" And they said, "Well lose our jobs [if we do], and so I was alone with it and I was scared,' she recounted. In addition to the 'physical' incident that left her wanting to speak out, she said that harassment on set also 'happened in more subtle ways' that she didn't think she could address at the time. Although she didn't feel secure enough to speak out at the time, a wave of women speaking out against sexual misconduct and abuse as part of the #MeToo Movement has helped her feel more confident about fighting for proper treatment on set. 'The difference is now I do [speak up] because of those women who came forward in the last few years and because I got my self-esteem back,' she said, adding that workplace 'rules are firm' and 'clarified' thanks to the struggles of other women. 'We have support and regulations,' Lavin continued. 'I come from a generation of women who brushed it off and swept it under the rug.' More incidents: In addition to the 'physical' incident that left her wanting to speak out, she said that harassment on set also 'happened in more subtle ways' that she didn't think she could address at the time; pictured in November on B Positive NBC, which aired Lena: My 100 Children, has not yet commented on Lavin's claims. The actress, who currently appears as a regular on the CBS sitcom B Positive, also spoke about the eye-opening experience of starring in the popular 1970s and '80s comedy series Alice, which was inspired by Martin Scorsese's film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. 'Alice opened up the world of social and political realities to me, and Alice spoke to those realities. Single mothers, working women in the blue- and pink-collar jobs which, by the way, are 80 percent of all the women who work in this country and raising a child, working all day long and working for a man who was paying a man more money than her,' she explained. More recently, Lavin has appeared in Aaron Sorkin's film Being The Ricardos as the I Love Lucy writer Madelyn Pugh. She actress revealed that she had close contact with the real-life Pugh, as she was the head writer on Alice for part of its years-long run, though Sorkin wasn't aware of the connection when he cast her. The Australian Below Deck spin-off Below Deck Down Under hasn't even premiered yet, but producers are already scouting for season two. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the show's production company are after 'adventurous guests' for the next season, which will start filming in April. To separate itself from the other Below Deck shows in the growing franchise, the Down Under edition will focus on underwater activities. Exciting: Below Deck Down Under is already casting for season two, despite not having finished filming season one yet Last year, Bravo's senior VP Noah Samton said that the series will feature Australia's Great Barrier Reef. 'Not only is it down under in terms of being in Australia, but a lot of the show is literally being filmed underneath the water in the sea paradise that is the Great Barrier Reef,' he said. 'Theres a lot of diving, scuba diving, snorkelling spear fishing and the cast actually gets involved in a lot of the diving excursions.' Below Deck Down Under isn't the only upcoming spin-off from the hit franchise either. Wet and wild! To separate itself from the other Below Deck shows in the growing franchise, the Down Under edition will focus on underwater activities Later this year, an icy, winter-themed version set in Norway called Below Deck Adventure will arrive. A release date for Below Deck Down Under has yet to be confirmed, but it's believed to be premiering soon. A number of Australians have starred on Below Deck over the years, including Hannah Ferrier, Izzy Wouters, Alli Dore, and Francesca Rubi. Coming soon! A release date for Below Deck Down Under has yet to be confirmed, but it's believed to be premiering soon Francesca appeared on season eight of Below Deck as a replacement for longtime chief stewardess Kate Chastain, but she wasn't asked back for season nine. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in December, Captain Lee Rosbach admitted that he was fond of the Australian stewardess and was disappointed to see her go. 'Chess had a really tough road to go down because it was the first season without Kate and expectations were so high,' he said. 'She really, really did a good job I thought and it wasn't as well received as I thought it might be,' he continued. 'Were there some things I would've done differently? Absolutely ... but that's all hindsight, that's 20/20.' hayu is your VIP ticket Below Deck! Stream every season, every spin-off, plus brand new episodes - all in one place - only on hayu. The changing of the guard at CBS' FBI: Most Wanted has come full circle, with Dylan McDermott now coming aboard as the show's new lead. Julian McMahon, who has played Special Agent Jess LaCroix since the show debuted in 2020, announced on Sunday that he was leaving the show. While no details were given for the character McDermott is playing, Deadline reports he'll make his debut on the show in April. New lead: The changing of the guard at CBS' FBI: Most Wanted has come full circle, with Dylan McDermott now coming aboard as the show's new lead Leaving: Julian McMahon, who has played Special Agent Jess LaCroix since the show debuted in 2020, announced on Sunday that he was leaving the show McMahon will film his final episode of FBI: Most Wanted this week, which will be slated to air on Tuesday, March 8. McDermott will make his debut in this current third season's 17th episode in April, though no specific air date was given yet. He'll transition to the CBS series just as his arc on NBC's Law & Order: Organized Crime, which, like FBI: Most Wanted, is also executive produced by Dick Wolf. Final episode: McMahon will film his final episode of FBI: Most Wanted this week, which will be slated to air on Tuesday, March 8 Arc: He'll transition to the CBS series just as his arc on NBC's Law & Order: Organized Crime, which, like FBI: Most Wanted, is also executive produced by Dick Wolf McDermott signed on as a series regular for a one-season deal in the first season of Law & Order: Organized Crime, which debuted in the spring of 2021. He portrayed Richard Wheatley, a businessman with ties to the mafia who served ass the nemesis of Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler. While it was initially supposed to be a one-season deal, he was so well-received by fans that Wolf and NBC approached him for a unique Season 2 deal. He ultimately committed to an eight-episode recurring arc in Season 2, which is reportedly one of the most lucrative guest-starring deals in network television. There is no indication yet as to how LaCroix will be written off the show, though the character is going through a tough time with his daughter Tali (YaYa Gosselin) leaving for boarding school in Canada. 'We are saddened to see Julian leave. His portrayal of agent Jess LaCroix has been a key factor in the success of FBI: Most Wanted. We will miss him and we wish him the best in his next chapter,' said executive producer Dick Wolf in a statement. Arc: He ultimately committed to an eight-episode recurring arc in Season 2, which is reportedly one of the most lucrative guest-starring deals in network television Written off: There is no indication yet as to how LaCroix will be written off the show, though the character is going through a tough time with his daughter Tali (YaYa Gosselin) leaving for boarding school in Canada McMahon's LaCroix debuted in a 2020 episode of CBS' flagship series FBI, which served as a back-door pilot for FBI: Most Wanted. The show airs on Tuesday nights as part of CBS' FBI lineup that also includes FBI: International. McMahon has previously starred in Runaways, Hunters and his breakthrough role in FX's Nip/Tuck, while McDermott also recently starred in the movie King Arthur. Backdoor: McMahon's LaCroix debuted in a 2020 episode of CBS' flagship series FBI, which served as a back-door pilot for FBI: Most Wanted They've been going from strength to strength since finding love on their season of The Bachelor last year. And on Tuesday, Jimmy Nicholson hinted that the couple will get married in a sweet post for his partner Holly Kingston's 28th birthday. The post featured a video montage of photos of the pair taken during their dates and trips together. Wedding bells? On Tuesday, The Bachelor's Jimmy Nicholson hinted that the couple will get married in a sweet post for his partner Holly Kingston's 28th birthday 'Happy birthday to my best mate,' Jimmy, 31, began. 'I love you more than anything in the world.' 'What a ride we have had, from declarations of love on national television to painting a mirror on our garage floor.' The handsome pilot then added that he can't wait to spend a 'lifetime' with Holly, writing, 'I love every second I spend with you and look forward to a lifetime of love and adventures with you.' Sweet: The handsome said he can't wait to spend a 'lifetime' with Holly, writing, 'I love every second I spend with you and look forward to a lifetime of love and adventures with you Earlier this month, the couple travelled up to Port Douglas to film their brand new series 100 Honeymoons. Jimmy and Holly's formed the idea for their new show after discussing their 'dream honeymoon destination'. That, combined with their love for travel and respective careers in flying and journalism and marketing led to the creation of 100 Honeymoons. Happy: Earlier this month, the couple travelled up to Port Douglas to film their brand new series 100 Honeymoons The couple's manager Benji' Hart stated that the show's concept has already had 'a lot of interest'. 'The first six episodes will be available online,' he divulged. 'But then watch this space...' Jimmy and Holly sparked a romance on the latest season of The Bachelor which aired last year. Just days after a multi-car collision in Brentwood, Arnold Schwarzenegger took out one of his old Humvee's before a bike ride. The 74-year-old Austrian native rolled his massive GMC Yukon over a Prius and onto a Porsche Taycan on Friday afternoon, with the woman driving the Prius taken to the hospital with injuries. The Terminator star was spotted out with one of his many Hummer's, which had a few bikes strapped to the back before he was seen going on a bike ride through Santa Monica. Hummer: Just days after a multi-car collision in Brentwood, Arnold Schwarzenegger took out one of his old Humvee's before a bike ride Arnold rides: The Terminator star was spotted out with one of his many Hummer's, which had a few bikes strapped to the back before he was seen going on a bike ride through Santa Monica The action icon was spotted wearing a baby blue retro Indian Motorcycles t-shirt under a brown leather bomber jacket. He wore dark sunglasses for the bike ride with black pants and white sneakers as he rode with a friend. They were both seen riding in the Hummer as they took off after the sunny afternoon bike ride. Bike ride: The action icon was spotted wearing a baby blue retro Indian Motorcycles t-shirt under a brown leather bomber jacket Arnold and friend: They were both seen riding in the Hummer as they took off after the sunny afternoon bike ride Schwarzenegger's accident happened in Brentwood on Friday afternoon, when he smashed into a red Prius, just a half mile from his home. He was about to turn left onto Sunset Boulevard from Allenford Avenue when the Prius was said to be making a U-Turn and Schwarzenegger's Yukon collided with it. His vehicle was said to have rolled over the Prius and then onto a Porsche Taycan at approximately 4:35 PM. Accident: Schwarzenegger's accident happened in Brentwood on Friday afternoon, when he smashed into a red Prius, just a half mile from his home The actor was quite concerned with the injured woman, who was treated for an abrasion on her forehead from the accident, with the actor's rep stating he was 'fine' after the accident. Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to DailyMail.com that no arrests were made and the crash did not appear to involve any form of DUI. 'Neither alcohol or drugs are suspected as a factor in this collision. All parties remained at scene. No further information will be made available,' police said in a statement. Actor: The actor was quite concerned with the injured woman, who was treated for an abrasion on her forehead from the accident, with the actor's rep stating he was 'fine' after the accident Schwarzenegger has a number of projects in the works, including the upcoming sequel Kung Fury 2, where he plays The President. He will also return alongside Danny DeVito and Eddie Murphy in a sequel to the 1988 comedy Twins, dubbed Triplets, which is in development. He is also attached to star in another Conan the Barbarian movie entitled The Legend of Conan where he will return as the aging king. Jeremy Clarkson was forced to close his Oxfordshire Diddly Squat farm shop for two months after the local council demanded its roof was replaced, but he's managed to find an alluring way to promote his products nevertheless. The petrolhead shared a photograph, from his sunshine holiday overseas, of his girlfriend Lisa Hogan wearing a 20 bucket hat embroidered with the Diddly Squat logo. 'Old lady in a hat', Clarkson, 61, wrote unflatteringly next to the picture of the 49-year-old former model and actress. 'Old lady in a hat': Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan, 49, modelled a swimsuit to promote 20 Diddly Squat bucket hat after the broadcaster, 61, closed his farm shop for two months He hasn't divulged their location, but they've previously enjoyed January holidays in the Caribbean. Hogan is known to work behind the counter at the hugely popular farm shop but, even in the summer, does tend to put more clothes on. Last month, Clarkson bid a temporarily farewell to his Diddly Squat Farm after the two-month long closure of his farm shop was announced. Fans were left heartbroken when it was recently announced the shop would be closing its doors to customers throughout January and February. Cute couple: Clarkson and Hogan have been dating since March 2017, two years after he split from wife Frances Cain (pictured in 2020) The estate has been popular with locals and those from further afield, with many rushing to the farm on New Year's Eve before its eight-week closure. Ahead of its closure, the Diddy Squat Farm posted a message to customers reading: 'Thank you to everyone who visited. Happy New Year. Hat's a good look: Jeremy managed to find an alluring way to promote his 20 hat 'See you in March. Milk machine remains open 24/7.' The closure was announced at the end of December alongside a snap of Jeremy shared to Instagram. They wrote: 'Diddly Squat Farm Shop open 9.30-4pm until 31st December. Closed January & February.' The shop describes itself as 'a small barn full of good, no-nonsense things you'll like'. Clarkson and Hogan have been dating since March 2017, two years after he split from wife Frances Cain. The former Top Gear host previously gushed over his 'ageless' girlfriend on-air and claimed he's 'never been happier'. Shut down: Clarkson was forced to close his Oxfordshire Diddly Squat farm shop for two months after the local council demanded its roof was replaced He discussed their 13-year age gap on talkRADIO and said: 'I get older and older and it makes people goy, "oh, thats a bit weird". 'But we are age and height appropriate, and we have a lovely, lovely time together on that farm, we really do. Lisa and I were at the lambing parlour and they had just been born and it had gone pretty well.' 'We were sitting there with a bottle of rose and it was a beautiful evening, and I thought "Ive never been happier at work than this".' Plans: Clarkson has been backed by fellow farmers, food producers and local Oxfordshire residents after his plans to build a hilltop restaurant were turned down by the council (Pictured: The landscape proposal for Diddly Squat Farm) Pictured: The planting proposal for the cafe which would sit just behind his current farm shop on the site Discussing her participation in his show, Clarksons Farm, he continued: 'She describes me as chaotic and brilliant in the show but she normally calls me a lot worse than that. 'Lisas role in the programme is really to roll her eyes at me.' Meanwhile, Clarkson has been backed by fellow farmers, food producers and local Oxfordshire residents after his plans to build a hilltop restaurant were turned down by the council. DON'T KNOW SQUAT? OTHER ITEMS ON SALE AT DIDDLY FARM Tractor logo T-shirt - 21.50 Birds of Diddly Squat artwork - 12.00 A Year on the Farm Book and Tea Towel - 28.99 For sale: Bobble Beanie - 22.50 Winter Spices and Seasonings - 5.80 Bobble Beanie - 22.50 Gin in a Tin - 50cl - 41.00 For sale: Wooden Spoon - 9.90 Bee Juice and Honey Dipper - 16.50 Ground Coffee - 6.95 Boll**ks Candle - 22.50 For sale: Boll**ks Candle - 22.50 Animal Tote Bag - 18.50 Apron - 19.50 Tractor Key Ring - 4.95 For sale: Bee Juice and Honey Dipper - 16.50 Diddly Squat Fudge - 4.80 Cow Juice - 1.00 Farm Gin in a Tin Box - Set of four - 26.00 Wooden Spoon - 9.90 For sale: Cow Juice - 1.00 Advertisement He bought the plot of land in 2008 and documentary series Clarkson's Farm follows the presenter's highs and lows of tackling a 1,000 acre working farm. The Amazon Prime star said he was 'very' frustrated after local officials refused his attempt to build a new restaurant and 70-space car park on the site of his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat farm near the quiet village of Chadlington, Oxfordshire. Clarkson personally attended a meeting of West Oxfordshire District Council's planning sub-committee on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to push his plans through but seven out of ten councillors voted against the plans. The Grand Tour host left the meeting saying it was a bad day for farmers and labelled one of the planning officials a comedian. But he has found support in his community among those who say council planners are dismissive of new ideas in farming. Since the Amazon show's debut last summer, hundreds of Clarkson fans from across Britain have caused traffic chaos by queueing for hours at a time to get inside the star's beloved farm shop. One neighbour even brought a legal challenge against the restaurant plans, alleging that the area was in danger of becoming a 'Jeremy Clarkson theme park'. At a meeting earlier this month, Clarkson insisted that he is simply trying to 'diversify' his business and warned that farmers will be unable to properly look after the natural environment because of their finances. 'Farmers look after the woodland, they look after the hedges, the streams and the fields, they keep it beautiful,' he said. 'Farmers are not going to be able to do that for much longer because of the farmers's state of finances. We have been told as farmers to diversify that is exactly what this proposal is.' Though councillors at the meeting were split over Mr Clarkson's proposals, local officials agreed to refuse permission. They argued that the cafe would be 'out of keeping' with the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Council planning officer Joan Desmond said: 'By reason of its siting, design, scale and location, the proposed development would not be sustainable and would not be compatible or consistent in scale with the existing farming business or its open countryside location. 'By reason of its design, scale, siting and nature of the use within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the proposed development would have a visually intrusive and harmful impact on the rural character, scenic beauty and tranquillity of the area.' Councillor Dean Temple, who represents Chadlington, told the meeting: 'With a heavy heart, I propose we reject this proposal.' And councillor Elizabeth Poskitt added: 'There are plenty of less obtrusive places where one could have a restaurant.' The TV presenter had hoped to convert a lambing shed built in 2020 after buying a new flock of sheep to expand the farm business. It has now been merged with another local farmer's flock. Documents state that the building has since been used, without planning permission, as a cafe and a bar area. Chadlington Parish Council said it held a public meeting in November to decide its view on the 'divisive and contentious' application, but a vote was inconclusive. Campaign to Protect Rural England West Oxfordshire said any new restaurant would be a 'major incursion' into the AONB and would 'spoil the rural nature of the Upper Evenlode Valley'. Mr Clarkson's representatives had already been forced to change transport plans for the scheme with a new one way system and overflow car park to try and appease the mounting number of objectors. He had also been served with a notice following complaints that the farm shop had breached original planning conditions by selling out-of-town souvenirs. The council served the contravention notice amid allegations that products sold in its shop were not grown, reared or produced on the farm, or from other local producers. If proved, that would be in contravention of a condition of the planning permission in November 2019, the council warned. Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Song Young-gil speaks during a press conference at the party's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps By Nam Hyun-woo Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Song Young-gil announced Tuesday that he won't seek reelection in the next National Assembly elections, vowing his party will also not field candidates for the by-elections taking place on the same day of the March 9 presidential election. The move is being seen as the party's desperate effort to help its presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung bounce back amid his stagnant support rate in public opinion surveys. The DPK has been facing mounting calls for the so-called "Generation 586" a term referring to politicians who are in their 50s, experienced the democratic movements of the 1980s and were born in the 1960s to let go ove their privileges as the party mainstream. "During the past nine months (after I became the chief of the DPK), the party has been making efforts for change and rejuvenation, while accepting the public's criticisms of incompetence and arrogance," Song said during a press conference. "However, the DPK's efforts for self-reflection and reform fell short of relieving the public's disappointment." In his announcement, Song made promises that he will not run for the next general election, slated for April 10, 2024, and the DPK will not field candidates for the March 9 by-elections in Jongno District in Seoul, Anseong in Gyeonggi Province and Sangdang District in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. He also pledged that the party will propose a new rule banning a lawmaker from serving more than three terms for the same constituency. Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung raises his fists during a public speech in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap Advertisement Carol Vorderman loves to put her beloved Wales in the spotlight. The TV star, 61, showed off her incredible physique and her passion for Wales in a racy Instagram snap on Monday, taken at her gorgeous Pembrokeshire home. Posting from the balcony, Carol stripped down to a red and black bikini to show her support for her home team in the upcoming Six Nations. Check out the view: Carol Vorderman, 61, showed off her incredible physique and her passion for Wales in a racy Instagram snap on Monday, stripping down to a Welsh bikini Sharing the photo on Monday, Carol looked incredible in the sporty swimwear as she snapped a selfie while enjoying the view of the stunning Welsh coastline.. Carol's main home is in Bristol but she splits her time between Bristol, Cardiff and west Wales. After travel restrictions meant she couldn't return to her Pembrokeshire coastal retreat for months in 2020, Carol gushed about her reunion with Wales in an Instagram post last year, writing: Home away from home: Carol is back at her second home on the Pembrokeshire coastline. Carol's main home is in Bristol but she splits her time between Bristol, Cardiff and west Wales 'Finally after the lockdown has been lifted slightly, I could come home. I grew up in North Wales and to see the sea and the mountains and the cows and sheep and green green grass (cue @realsirtomjones)it fills my heart to bursting point.' Speaking to Hello! Magazine in 2021, Carol admitted she hopes to one day live in Wales full time. 'I am a wanderer; I've always been a wanderer. I love making homes, but I don't want to be in them very much,' she explained. Stunning! Carol's coastal retreat features a glass balcony to make the most of the jaw-dropping views over the cliffs Nice digs: The coastal home also boasts an impressive walk in wardrobe, perfect for fashion fan Carol 'I live between west Wales, a bit of Cardiff and Bristol. I think progressively that will become all Wales. Well, soon. I am Welsh, and I love it. I want to spend much less time in London working that's a decision of mine. I'm only doing the things that I want to do.' On Sunday Carol shared snaps from another favourite haunt after enjoying one of her regular 12 day getaways last week at Juicy Oasis in Portugal. Sharing a snap from a steamy salt bath, Carol looked gorgeous in plunging white lace bra which barely contained her assets. Say cheese! Carol regularly shares photos of her Welsh retreat and it's stunning living space with floor to ceiling windows Nice legs: The star has an unusual mirror in her living room, featuring high-heeled clad legs 'Back in Juicy Oasis....@jules_sammy_sampson and I would go out early for a 7/8/9 mile walk in the freezing cold, come back for the first juice of the day and an hour in the big hot salt bath downstairs in the spa,' she wrote in the caption. 'I could spend all day in that huge pool chatting away in the dimmed light. Then we'd go out walking again for another 7/8 Miles. Then it was lunchtime juice...and on it goes.' Carol followers were quick to flood the comments section with a slew a fire emoji's and gushing comments. One fan wrote: 'Have I just landed in Heaven...' Another added: 'Steady on Vorders!!' Wow! On Sunday Carol shared snaps from her 12 day getaway at Juicy Oasis in Portugal, stripping down to lingerie to enjoy a steamy salt bath Compliments: Carol followers were quick to flood the comments section with a slew a fire emoji's and gushing comments Carol's sunny getaway comes after she revealed she thinks she has Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) due to a lack of exposure to the sun. The TV presenter took to her Instagram Stories in early January to speculate that she may be suffering from SAD, a type of depression that comes and goes, because she got such little sunlight in December. However, the Countdown star was clearly in good spirits in the clip as she told how she was back at home in Wales for a few days. She said: 'Hope you're well my lovelies. I feel like a new woman. I think I was suffering from that season affect disorder you know SAD, because of lack of light because it never got light during December. 'Anyway, a few days in Wales, boom! She's back.' SAD is sometimes known as a 'winter depression' becomes the symptoms are often more noticeable then. Symptoms of SAD include a persistent low mood, loss of pleasure in everyday activities and feeling lethargic and sleepy during the day. Daniel Craig has confirmed Knives Out 2 is expected to be released this autumn. The actor, 53, will reprise his role as private detective Benoit Blanc in the sequel to the 2019 mystery movie, and he revealed the forthcoming film is 'in the can' and currently being edited by director Rian Johnson. He told Variety: 'We did the second one this summer, in Greece, and then we filmed studio work in Serbia. It's in the can. Rian is editing now, and it'll be out, I think, in the fall of this year.' Sequel: Daniel Craig has confirmed Knives Out 2 is expected to be released this autumn Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Madelyn Cline, Jessica Henwick, and Ethan Hawke will also feature in the movie. In October, Craig admitted he thinks Knives Out 2 will be 'very different' from the original, which also starred Ana de Armas, Chris Evans and Jamie Lee Curtis. He told Empire: 'I'm so lucky to have Rian in my life. He's such a great writer. That script arrived and I was literally like, "Are you kidding me?" 'I couldn't believe that he wanted me to play it. I was going, "It says Southern accent you went here. Really?" And he's like, "Yeah?" Franchise: The actor, 53, will reprise his role as private detective Benoit Blanc in the sequel to the 2019 mystery movie, and he revealed the forthcoming film is 'in the can' (pictured in Knives Out with Ana de Armas) 'We've just finished the second one, literally weeks ago. They've just wrapped up in Serbia. Dare I say it's better? We'll see. I don't want to tempt fate. It's different, and that's the amazing thing.' The James Bond star is also excited for fans to see the new film. He said: 'It's still a Benoit Blanc mystery, but it's very different. I'm very excited about it.' He told Variety: 'We did the second one this summer, in Greece, and then we filmed studio work in Serbia. It's in the can. Rian is editing now, and it'll be out, I think, in the fall of this year' In September, Daniel admitted he could see a long future for the 'Knives Out' franchise. Speaking at a BAFTA event, he said: 'I talked to Rian the other day; we've got this crazy deal with Netflix, that's great. I said, "What's beyond that?" He said, "Do you want to do another one?" And I was like, 'Yeah, if you will.' 'As long as we get the ideas, we'll figure it out; and as long as we're excited by it, and think other people will be excited about it, we'll keep doing it.' She's one of the world's most successful models. And Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her incredibly chiselled abs in a black gym set as she attended a yoga class in Brentwood, California on Monday. The 40-year-old Brazilian model also wore figure-hugging flared leggings which had leg splits going up the front. Looking good: Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her incredibly chiselled figure in a black gym set as she attended a yoga class in Brentwood, California on Monday She teamed the bottoms with a white jacket which she later stripped off so she could soak in the sun's rays. The former Victoria's Secret model clutched a water bottle at the ready as she prepared for her workout. Protecting her eyes from the glare of the sun, she wore a pair of black sunglasses and added a pair of white sliders on her feet. Incredible: The 40-year-old Brazilian model wore a white jacket over the top of her black ensemble She appeared to go makeup free for the exercise session and swept her chocolate locks away from her face in a messy bun. It comes as Alessandra recently returned to Los Angeles from spending the holidays in her native Brazil. Her model boyfriend Richard Lee joined her for some time and they reunited after not seeing each other for more than a week when she returned earlier this month. Alessandra and Richard will soon be celebrating their one-year anniversary together. Alessandra confirmed her romance with Richard when they were spotted on a romantic dinner date in February 2021. To mark 2022, both Richard and Alessandra posted a loved up beach shoot where they coordinated in all white. She was previously involved with Italian fashion designer Nicolo Oddi who founded the brand Alanui with his sister Carlotta. The star sparked speculation she and Nicolo were no more after two years of dating as she rang in Christmas and New Years without him in 2020. Alessandra shares her two children Anja and Noah, nine, with her ex-fiance Jamie Mazur who co-founded RE/DONE. During her New Year's Eve updates on her Insta Stories the mother-of-two shared a heartwarming selfie with Anja whom she called 'My Bestie.' Alessandra shared a selfie with Richard for a post in which she wished a 'HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022' to her 10.7 million Instagram followers. Ioan Gruffudd's estranged wife Alice Evans branded his new girlfriend Bianca Wallace a 'psychopath' and made further incendiary claims about her on Tuesday. Alice, 53, confirmed her separation from the Welsh star, 48, in a series of furious tweets posted on Twitter in January 2021 - with Ioan moving on with new girlfriend Bianca, 30, in October. Alice, who has accused the pair of conducting a three-year affair, which they deny, took to Instagram to allege Bianca has boasted about the couple's sex life on a fake Twitter account and claimed Ioan had 'wiped' their daughters from Instagram and not seen them in eight months. Fresh rant: Ioan Gruffudd's estranged wife Alice Evans branded his new girlfriend Bianca Wallace a 'psychopath' and made further incendiary claims about her on Tuesday Sharing a post which she claimed was concocted by Bianca and 'her crew', Alice wrote: 'This is the type of thing I get on loser websites every day, instigated by My husbands girlfriend and her crew. 'I almost never go there, but occasionally gossip becomes truth and I look to find who started it. 'Heres the thing. These guys will never change the public perception of me because I have been around for so long and been so kind to so many. 'However its telling that the woman with whom my husband has led a double life for 2 to 3 years is so nervous and vindictive. New couple: Alice, 53, confirmed her separation from the Welsh star, 48, in a series of furious tweets posted on Twitter in January 2021 - with Ioan moving on with new girlfriend Bianca, 30, in October ( Tamika on twitter is Bianca. Read some of the horrific things.' Alice then claimed Bianca had boasted about her sex life with Ioan on the alleged Twitter account. Alice continued: 'I mean- yes. That was heartbreaking for me. But I knew it. And he chose her over me and my kids. So why was she so jealous? 'Why did he have to wipe his kids if his entire Instagram?'. However, at the time of writing the couple's daughters Ella, 12, and Elsie, eight, do appear in a post in Ioan's Instagram page from December 2018. Alice continued: 'If I met a guy who wanted me to get rid of the photos of my kids that would be my sign to call for a taxi 'What was behind her need to make SURE I knew? 'I think Bianca Wallace is a psychopath who has a kinetic ability to make rich or famous people fall in love with her.' Claims: Alice alleged that Bianca had changed Ioan from a 'warm, loving' man and that she had not seen their daughters in months In 18 months, me and my girls have seen my warm, loving Ioan change from a man with principles, who had decided to have a family and was determined to look after them to a person who apparently doesnt care about anyone at all. Adding that she was 'totally confused', she claimed Ioan hadn't seen their daughters in 8 months and 'yet that doesnt seem to bother him. She typed: '( for the record, 5-6 hours is my limit. After that I just crave them. Anybody understand? ) 'Gonna leave this now but I LOVE that all the tattlers think I so mean and selfish. !quite the opposite, sweet ladies. Quite the opposite. Post: At the time of writing the couple's daughters Ella, 12, and Elsie, eight, do appear in a post in Ioan's Instagram page from December 2018 Mailonline has contacted representatives for Ioan and Bianca for comment. The post comes after Ioan paid tribute to Bianca after she admitted to being diagnosed with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis. The Australian actress detailed her day to day life with the condition, a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, in a recent Instagram video after being diagnosed three-years ago. Taking to Instagram on Friday night to share a nine-minute long video captioned 'I think it's time,' she explained how she didn't know if she would ever walk again after being told she had the condition at the age of 25. Proud: Ioan Gruffudd has paid tribute to girlfriend Bianca Wallace after she revealed a previously undisclosed battle with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis Sharing an Instagram story that has since expired and consequently no longer present on his account, he wrote: 'I'm so proud of you.' 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: The post comes after Ioan paid tribute to Bianca after she admitted to being diagnosed with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis Old times: Gruffudd and 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.' 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 Couple: Bianca previously posted a montage of photos of her year - including a snap of her and Ioan holding hands in the south of France 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. Moving on: Evans has suspended her Twitter account after branding the photo of her estranged husband and Wallace 'sick and evil' '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!' The clip came a week after Gruffudd's estranged wife quit Twitter after slamming the actor's new girlfriend over a perceived 'lack of empathy'. 102 Dalmations star Evans announced her split from the Welsh actor in a series of angry tweets last January, with Gruffudd subsequently confirming a new romance with Bianca in October. While her Instagram page is still open, she set her Twitter page to private before deleting it over the weekend after users of the social media platform expressed their opinions on her situation. One user wrote: 'She left. She had to close her account. She went too far,' while another person claimed it was her followers who forced her off Twitter. All over: 102 Dalmations star Evans announced her split from the Welsh actor in a series of angry tweets last January Earlier in the week, Evans responded to photos posted by Bianca, which included one of Wallace holding hands with Gruffudd while on holiday in the south of France. Infuriated, she branded the snaps 'sick' and 'evil', adding that it was a 'stake in the heart' to see the images. Taking to Twitter, Evans reposted the photo writing: 'YEAH. This has been causing me quite a big amount of stress. I'm so happy for them. It's like one long holiday. It's not that they don't deserve it- I hear B only is on vacay so why should she change. 'It's the hurt - the real pain that this photo causes me.' Her third role out of drama school shot her to fame, when she was cast as Princess Anne in Netflix's global hit The Crown. But Erin Doherty has revealed she isn't chasing the spotlight, instead craving complex and flawed roles that her allow her to 'do good work' while also affording her down time with girlfriend Sophie Melville. The actress, 29, speaks out on her blossoming career and long-term love in a new interview with Porter Magazine, with an accompanying shoot showing the star in a whole new light. Wow! The Crown star Erin Doherty stars in a new shoot and interview with Porter Magazine, showing the actress in a whole new light Photographed by Elliott Morgan and styled by Natasha Wray, Erin wows in Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Balmain and Burberry for the shoot, looking worlds away from the tailoring and equestrian ensembles she wore on screen for The Crown. Erin admits in the interview that her role as Princess Anne and the subsequent fame the performance bought her 'made me assess fame really early on. I was like, "What is this weird world? What is it that I like, what do I not like? How do I want to live?" It made me realize I love acting and don't want to stop doing theater.' And when asked on whether she wants to be famous, Erin exclaimed: 'Why would you want that? I want to walk down the street!' This is me: Styled in edgy designer ensembles and posing in a fish and chip shop, Erin is worlds away from her Princess Anne look in The Crown (right) Gorgeous: Erin was photographed by Elliott Morgan and styled by Natasha Wray in Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Balmain and Burberry for the shoot Breakout role: Playing Princess Anne was Erin's third role out of drama school (pictured in season three of the Netflix hit show) Next up for Erin is a lead role in upcoming psychological drama Chloe. Her character Becky compares her life to the picture-perfect existences of the Instagram influencers who she follows, compulsively returning to Chloe's account. Erin keeps a low profile in her own life and only unveiled her own Instagram account a couple of years ago. She admits the social media world inhabited by her latest character was one she struggled to relate to. 'I'm so introverted, it's wild. I feel a bit sorry for people who grew up only on Instagram. I used to use MSN then turn off the computer and go downstairs and interact with people. Filming Chloe, I had to download Instagram and it made me depressed. I'd try and get up in the morning, then would just scroll and lose an hour,' she admitted. 'Honestly, it made me feel s**t about myself.' Low profile: 'I'm so introverted, it's wild. I feel a bit sorry for people who grew up only on Instagram,' Erin admits in the interview Instead Erin prefers to spend her down time in the London flat she shares with girlfriend and fellow actress Sophie Melville, where they binge reality TV together, including her favourite The Great British Bake Off. But the actress confessed Sophie has helped her ditch her sweet tooth: 'She's made me so healthy. I used to sit at home eating a bag of chocolates and now we have like, a kale salad.' Erin and Sophie have collaborated onstage and most recently starred together in the production of Ross Willis' debut play Wolfie at south London's Theatre503 but Erin said they try not to compete for roles, explaining: 'We understand the limits of each other's work. When a self-tape audition comes in, both of us are like, 'Let's drop everything and get it done.' To see the full interview with Erin Doherty read PORTER and/or download the NET-A-PORTER app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Advertisement Georgia Harrison was seen unwinding at a wellness retreat in Portugal after checking herself in following a 'difficult' few months. The former Love Island star, 27, looked happy and relaxed as she splashed around in the water and relaxed on the shoreline while topping up her tan. Georgia cut a sizzling figure in a blue bikini, which featured an aqua top highlighting her surgically enhanced assests, teamed with a pair of printed bottoms. Looking good: Georgia Harrison was seen unwinding at a wellness retreat in Portugal after checking herself in following a 'difficult' few months Georgia's skimpy two-piece showcased her stunning figure as she waded in the shallows of the water near the Juicy Oasis retreat in Ponte do Vale da Ursa. The Ex On The Beach contestant opted for minimal make-up and wore her blonde locks in a loose natural style. She accessorised with a straw hat and a pair of square sunglasses. Wow: Georgia cut a sizzling figure in a blue bikini, which featured an aqua top highlighting her surgically enhanced assests, teamed with a pair of printed bottoms Natural: The Ex On The Beach contestant opted for minimal make-up and wore her blonde locks in a loose natural style Georgia has just arrived at the retreat this week and has so far been documenting her stay on her Instagram page. On Monday, she uploaded a series of snaps of herself relaxing in a sauna and shared a snap of the day's schedule, which included talks, fitness and juicing. Georgia, who lost a close friend just before Christmas, captioned the post: 'Nothing takes more courage than putting yourself back together. Hot: On Monday, she uploaded a series of snaps of herself relaxing in a sauna and shared a snap of the day's schedule, which included talks, fitness and juicing Georgia, who lost a close friend just before Christmas, captioned the post: 'Nothing takes more courage than putting yourself back together' Caption: 'It's no secret I've not been in a great place over the last month or so. I decided that I needed to do something to try and find myself again and booked @jasonvale's @juicemasterretreats' 'It's no secret I've not been in a great place over the last month or so. I decided that I needed to do something to try and find myself again and booked @jasonvale's @juicemasterretreats. 'I have heard so many good things about this place. The nutrition, the healing, the yoga, the serenity but no words or pictures could truly describe just how magical juicy oasis is. 'I'm on day two and I already feel like a whole other person. I've danced, I've laughed, I've relaxed like never before. I've learnt things about yoga that after 8 years of practicing I never knew and all I've had is soup and fresh blended juices. 'I wish people would educate them self more on the magical powers of detoxing and juicing. Cutting all of the toxins from your body and just flooding it with all of the goodness mother nature has too offer is just indescribable especially in a place like this. Georgia added: 'I'm on day two and I already feel like a whole other person. I've danced, I've laughed, I've relaxed like never before. I've learnt things about yoga that after 8 years of practicing I never knew and all I've had is soup and fresh blended juices' She said: 'I wish people would educate them self more on the magical powers of detoxing and juicing. Cutting all of the toxins from your body and just flooding it with all of the goodness mother nature has too offer is just indescribable especially in a place like this' 'During the worst of my grieving I was spending two days in bed eating nothing, not wanting to get up just crying and then when I did I would just eat shit drink wine and have no motivation. 'I thought at one point I would never find the old me again but I had to drag myself out of that and start again so that's what I've done and I'm so proud of myself for having the courage to do it alone. 'I've dealt with a lot of shit this year that I never asked for and I never deserved and it's time for me too make a comeback and ride alongside the wings of karma and justice.' She is divorcing bodyguard Dan Hayhurst, after barely a year of marriage, MailOnline exclusively revealed last week. Yet newly-single Pamela Anderson appeared in high spirits as she ventured out for dinner with her son Brandon Thomas Lee and her assistant Jonathan at Nobu in Malibu on Monday evening. The actress, 54, turned heads as she arrived for dinner in a thigh-grazing grey romper, which put her toned pins on full display. Evening out: Pamela Anderson appeared in high spirits as she ventured out for dinner with her son Brandon Thomas Lee and her assistant Jonathan at Nobu in Malibu on Monday eveninh Pamela elongated her limbs with a pair of white stilettos, while she completed her evening look with a white cap and canvas handbag. Mother of two Pamela appeared to be wearing minimal make-up and wore her blonde locks swept up into a bun. It proved to be another star-studded night at the celebrity hotspot as Sean Penn and Robert De Niro were also spotted dining at the venue. Wow! The actress, 54, turned heads as she arrived for dinner in a thigh-grazing grey romper, which put her toned pins on full display Last week it was reported that Pamela and her fifth husband Dan have called it quits after just 13 months of marriage. The former Baywatch actress filed for divorce in her native Canada where she had relocated with her new hubby last year, Rolling Stone reported Thursday citing a source close to the couple. The split comes almost a year after DailyMail.com broke the news that Anderson had made it official with her bodyguard after the two fell in love at the beginning of the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Glam: Pamela elongated her limbs with a pair of white stilettos, while she completed her evening look with a white cap and canvas handbag It's over! Pamela is divorcing bodyguard Dan Hayhurst (pictured), after barely a year of marriage, MailOnline exclusively revealed last week Pamela, who has dual citizenship, had been living with Hayhurst in Canada after years of being based in Malibu, where she made her name playing CJ Carter on 90s action drama Baywatch. But she has reportedly moved out of the couple's marital home and is currently back in California spending time with her two sons. Her recent return to California was believed to be due, in part, of her support for eldest son Brandon Lee, who was launching his own clothing line, Swingers Club Capsule Collection, at the time. Glitzy: It proved to be another star-studded night at the celebrity hotspot as Sean Penn and Robert De Niro were also spotted dining at the venue Anderson and Brandon's father, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, both attended the launching event in Los Angeles. The former couple infamously married in 1995 after only knowing each other four days. The whirlwind marriage all the drama that followed are now set to be the subject of new biographical series Pam & Tommy, airing February 2. The show will feature Lily James and Sebastian Stan as the titular Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, along with Seth Rogan, Nick Offerman and Taylor Schilling, among others. Pamela has branded the show which delves into her and Tommy's infamous sex tape as 'disgusting', and refused offers to be involved. Anderson and Lee had a second son, Dylan Jagger Lee, before splitting in 1998. Uncanny: The new Disney+ series will star Lily James and Sebastian Stan (left) taking on the roles of Pamela and Tommy (pictured right in 2005) She has been married five times to four different men. In 2006 she married rock artist Kid Rock and divorced him a year later. She then went on to marry producer Rick Solomon twice - in 2007 and 2013. The first ended in annulment. In 2020, she was reported to have married Hollywood producer Jon Peters in January only to call it quits 12 days later. She later confirmed the two had split but claimed they were never legally married. Advertisement Chanel's Paris Fashion Week shows are legendary for their elaborate set pieces, which in the past have included the Grand Palais transformed into a train station, a shopping mall and a winter wonderland. And usually the grandiose runway presentation is the hot ticket of Fashion Week with the industry's biggest names both on and off the catwalk. But For Tuesdays Haute Couture runway, the muses of the late Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld were MIA, despite the brand keeping up their reputation for spectacle by sending a horse down the runway. Tuesday's show opened with Chanel ambassador and showjumper, Charlotte Casiraghi, the elder daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and the granddaughter of Grace Kelly cantering down the catwalk on her male thoroughbred Cousco, while resplendent in a Chanel riding jacket in black tweed and sequins. The new Chanel muse: Chanel's Paris Fashion Week shows are legendary for their elaborate set pieces, and on Tuesday the brand sent a real-life horse down the runway for its Haute Couture runway, instead of their usual favoured models Anna Wintour was among those with a VIP seat, sitting just feet from the the brand's four-legged model, but the A-list were missing from the audience and the catwalk. Margot Robbie, Vanessa Paradis and Pharrell Williams were among the few stars spotted making their fashionable arrivals at the Grand Palais, which was transformed into a surreal showjumping course. The temporary exhibition building in the Grand Palais was transformed by artist Xavier Veilhan for the show, with huge wooden geometric shape installations forming an equestrian course. The idea for the show's decor came from a longstanding desire of creative director Virginie Viard to work with artist and filmmaker Xavier Veilhan. 'His references to constructivism remind me of those of Karl Lagerfeld,' Viard said. 'Xavier wanted to work with Charlotte Casiraghi. His artistic universe is full of horses, and Charlotte is a skilled rider.' A touch of star power: Margot Robbie and Vanessa Paradis were some of the few Hollywood faces to make it to the show Sitting pretty: Margot sat with film director Sofia Coppola in pink and black striped tweed VIP: Pharrell Williams was seen making his fashionable arrival at the Grand Palais earlier, dressed in a colourful cardigan and baggy jeans Fashionable family: Pharrell arrived with his son Rocket Ayer Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh Style: Pharrell also wrapped up for the day in a yellow coat with a brown and gold patterned print Glamour: Sofia cut an elegant figure in her outfit, which she paired with black heels Event: Sofia and Margot also posed for a snap alongside French actress and model Carole Bouquet Radiant: Carole donned a bright red coat which she paired with a black top and matching trousers Sticking to Chanel tradition, the show ended with the appearance of a bride. The model held a small bouquet of black flowers in homage to Chanel muse Gaspard Ulliel, who died in a skiing accident on January 18. Hollywood star Margot looked stunning in a white tweed blazer and patent leather ankle boots, making for a leggy look. Concealing her lithe frame, the Birds Of Prey star shrugged an oversized boucle jacket over a lace trim dress - which was just visible at the collar. Giving her tanned and toned pins some extra lift, she donned a pair of heeled white stiletto boots. Hot ticket: The Grand Palais hosted masked industry experts around a sweeping, curved runway Model of the moment: Tuesday's show opened with Charlotte Casiraghi, the elder daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, accomplished equestrian and one of Chanel's most recent ambassador, cantering down the catwalk Parents: Charlotte is the daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover and the late socialite Stefano Casiraghi who died during a racing accident defending his 1990 Class 1 World Powerboat Championship title (pictured with Charlotte in 1986) Grandparent: Charlotte is the granddaughter of the late Prince Rainier III of Monaco and actress Grace Kelly, the parents of Caroline, Princess of Hanover (pictured in 1956) The blonde bombshell completed the look by toting a micro handbag that may have been of no practical value, but added to the chic nature of the look. Vanessa Paradis, a muse of Lagerfeld's, looked gorgeous in an embellished floral top and black satin high-waisted trousers. Pharrell dressed in a colourful cardigan and baggy jeans, topped off with Chanel's coveted mini round bag, which retails for upwards of 3k. He arrived with his designer-clad son Rocket Ayer Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh. Here comes the bride: Sticking to Chanel tradition, the show ended with the appearance of a bride. The model held a small bouquet of black flowers in homage to Chanel muse Gaspard Ulliel, who died in a skiing accident on January 18 Back in the Grand Palais: This time last year the brand was forced to go virtual for its Spring/Summer Haute Couture show In style: The Chanel show is one of 16 live runways taking place during the week, up from eight runway shows last season with COVID severely limiting which fashion houses could stage a public event Fashionable FROW: Anna Wintour was seen looking on as Charlotte and her horse opened the runway Fashion's top name: Anna was seen arriving in signature Chanel, donning a mask and her trademark sunglasses Outfit: She also sported high-waisted black trousers and let her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders Flawless: French-Romanian actress Anamaria Vartolomei looked stylish in a purple jacket and matching skirt Collaboration: Pharrell has worked with Chanel for a number of years and previously brought streetwear to the fashion house All smiles: Model Caroline De Maigret donned a black tweed coat and carried a silver clutch bag Couple: Former French Eurovision contestant Sebastien Tellier attended the event with his wife Amandine Martinon de La Richardiere Model: Pharrell has previously walked in Chanel runway shows and even wrote a song for the luxury fashion house This time last year the brand was forced to go virtual for its Spring/Summer Haute Couture show, after COVID 19 shut down the January PFW, and indeed the global pandemic has meant a marked decline in over-the-top, costly runway shows as well as the ability for international models to travel. Back in 2019 Chanel attracted names like Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones and long-time collaborator Sofia Coppola to the FROW. The heyday of a-list models strutting down the runway is long gone though, with Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber last seen on a Chanel catwalk in early 2020. Stunning: Margot let her blonde tresses fall loose down her shoulders at the star-studded event Casual: Belgian singer Angele opted for a black jacket with a sequinned detail and flared blue jeans Missing muses: The heyday of a-list models strutting down the runway is long gone though, with Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber last seen on a Chanel catwalk in early 2020 (pictured) Legs eleven! Back in 2019 the Grand Palais in the French capital was transformed into the Villa Chanel as Kaia Gerber stole the show. COVID restrictions have meant the fashion house has scaled back it elaborate sets in the past two years Remember this? The global pandemic has meant a marked decline in over-the-top, costly runway shows as well as the ability for international models to travel FROW heyday: Long-time Chanel ambassador used to be one of the FROW's guaranteed stars, as pictured at the Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 show It girls: Lagerfeld was known for his muses, propelling the likes of Gerber, Kendall Jenner and Lily_Rose Depp to super stardom in the years before his death (Depp and Lagerfeld pictured in January 2017) Chanel's latest muse: Charlotte Casiraghi Chanel's 2021 ambassador is Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco. Her mother was a close friend and muse to Karl Lagerfeld, with Charlotte following in her mother's footsteps, sitting front row at Chanel shows since she was a teenager. 11th in line to the thrown, she has dabbled in modeling, writing and producing alongside her status as a socialite. Casiraghi chose Chanel to design one of her wedding dresses for her wedding to Dimitri Rassam in 2019 As part of her new role, she has starred in the Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear collection. Advertisement Virginie Viard is the new creative director for Chanel, taking over from Lagerfeld following his death in February 2019. Lagerfeld was known for his muses, propelling the likes of Gerber, Kendall Jenner and Lily_Rose Depp to super stardom in the years before his death. In his 36 years as creative director, Lagerfeld's collaborations with models, 'it' girls and the A-list, included show staples like his 'Couture Brides' defining the runway shows he oversaw. In turn, the Grand Palais spectacles and well-known faces on the runway attracted the stars into the FROW. Meanwhile, Viard, who worked for Lagerfeld since 1987 before her rise to the top job, was described by Vogue in 2020 as 'the least famous designer in fashion at its most famous house'. In her previous position as Lagerfeld's studio coordinator, Viard built up year-long friendships and collaborations with the craftspeople behind the Maisons d'Art, the characters behind the designs instead of the beauties who were dressed in them. The Chanel show is one of 16 live runways taking place during the week, up from eight runway shows last season with COVID severely limiting which fashion houses could stage a public event. Another seven houses will stage physical and video presentations for editors and clients this year; and a further six will be purely digital displays. New approach: Virginie Viard is the new creative director for Chanel, taking over from Lagerfeld following his death February 2019, and has favoured to focus on the fashion rather than the spectacle Stunning: Viard sent models down the sweeping runway in draped silks in Chanel's signature black and white palette Edgy: Models rocked smudged black eyes alongside their voluminous dresses and classic Chanel tailoring Grand Palais: Chanel's favourite venue was dressed with huge geometric shapes and featured a curved runway Taking their bows: At the close of the runway Charlotte Casiraghi walked hand in hand with Chanel's creative director Virginie Viard and filmmaker Xavier Veilhan who created a video of Charlotte for the show Margot Robbie and Vanessa Paradis led the glamour as they attended the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 show on Tuesday. Clad in a simple yet stylish all-white ensemble, the 31-year-old Australian actress nailed Parisian chic as she settled into the FROW at the Grand Palais. Concealing her lithe frame, the Birds Of Prey star shrugged an oversized boucle jacket over a lace trim dress - which was just visible at the collar. Wow: Margot Robbie and Vanessa Paradis led the glamour as they attended the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 show on Tuesday Giving her tanned and toned pins some extra lift, she donned a pair of heeled white stiletto boots. The blonde bombshell completed the look by toting a micro handbag that may have been of no practical value, but added to the chic nature of the look. Vanessa, 49, wowed in a black, yellow and red floral blouse paired with black satin trousers as she posed up a storm. A dream in cream: Clad in a simple yet stylish all-white ensemble, the 31-year-old Australian actress nailed Parisian chic as she prepared to settle into the FROW at the Grand Palais Tres chic: Concealing her lithe frame, the Birds Of Prey star shrugged an oversized boucle jacket over a lace trim dress - which was just visible at the collar Radiant: The star wore her tresses in soft waves and sported smoky eye make-up While Margot brought some A-list glamour to the show, the muses of the late Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld were MIA, despite the brand keeping up their reputation for spectacle by sending a horse down the runway. The presentation opened with Charlotte Casiraghi, the elder daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, accomplished equestrian and one of Chanel's most recent ambassadors, cantering down the catwalk on a horse while resplendent in Chanel black tweed. However, the likes of Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner and Lily Rose Depp were unsuually not in attendance. This time last year the brand was forced to go virtual for its Spring/Summer Haute Couture show, after COVID 19 shut down the January PFW, and indeed the global pandemic has meant a marked decline in over-the-top, costly runway shows as well as the ability for international models to travel. Legs eleven: Giving her tanned and toned pins some extra lift, Margot donned a pair of heeled white stiletto boots and looked radiant as she chatted away with Sofia Coppola All about the accessories: The blonde bombshell completed the look by toting a micro handbag that may have been of no practical value, but added to the chic nature of the look Chic and cheerful: Margot waved to fans and photographers as she left the show wearing a white face mask to match her ensemble Meanwhile, although Margot is now a firm fixture in the fashion circuit, her long-time stylist Kate Young has explained just how she managed to turn the actress into a full-blown style icon. The pair worked together for the first time in 2016, with New York-based Kate dressing Margot in a glittering Tom Ford dress for the Academy Awards. 'We met a month or two before then and worked on that dress, and have worked together even since,' Kate, 45, told The Sunday Telegraph. Horsing around: The presentation opened with Charlotte Casiraghi, the elder daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, cantering down the catwalk on a horse 'She's a beach girl from Australia who is naturally beautiful. That dress, to me, was a really fancy dress the whole dress was these pieces of gold leather sewn into it but the shape of it is really unfussy, minimal. 'We wanted it to look like she'd been surfing and came in, blow dried her hair, and put on some lip gloss and this dress, and went to the party.' The glittering gown earned Robbie a place at the top of the best-dressed lists, and soon after came a string of jaw-dropping ensembles that firmly crowned the former Home and Away star as a fashion queen. Elsa Pataky and her husband Chris Hemsworth stepped out in London on Monday night as they headed to dinner together. The model and actress, 45, wrapped up warm in a black padded coat as she linked arms with her Australian beau, 38, who looked dapper in a camel coat. The couple have been in Europe for the last several weeks as Chris films Extraction 2 and they recently celebrated Christmas in Austria as a family. Out and about: Elsa Pataky and her husband Chris Hemsworth stepped out in London on Monday night as they headed to dinner together Elsa looked casually chic in her cosy coat which she teamed with black jeans and leather heeled boots. Meanwhile Chris showed off his suave sense of style in the buttoned up jacket which he wore with light blue jeans and suede boots. The pair looked happy and relaxed, with Chris putting his arm around his beautiful wife as they took a night-time stroll together. Chris and Elsa, who married in 2010, are parents to India, nine, and twins Tristan and Sasha, seven. Stepping out: The model and actress, 45, wrapped up warm in a black padded coat as she linked arms with her Australian beau, 38, who looked dapper in a camel coat It comes after the couple recently suffered another setback in their plans to build a second 'Westfield-style' mansion on a 35 hectare site in an exclusive part of Byron Bay. Daily Mail Australia revealed in August the Hemsworths wanted to build a new seven-bedroom home - each with its own ensuite bathroom - less than a kilometre from the $30million mega-mansion they call home. The new digs is expected cost the Hollywood power couple $4.4million but at the moment remains on the planning shelf. Daily Mail Australia has been told approval for the new compound has been put on hold due to a lack of expertise within Byron Bay Council. Together: The couple have been spending time in Europe recently, having been enjoying a holiday in Ibiza earlier this month 'The council has lost a bunch of their staff in recent times and there is a huge backlog in processing Development Approvals,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. 'Not much is happening with it at the moment.' The development has been plagued with issues since it was lodged earlier this year, with experts claiming the Hemsworths are 'dreaming' if they hoped to come in on their documented budget. 'The Development Approval said the estimated cost to build the two houses was $4.4m. I reckon that wouldnt put Christmas dinner on the Hemsworths table,' a building industry expert told Daily Mail Australia in August. 'The figure will be way more.' Chris purchased the land - about a kilometre from his existing Byron Bay mansion - for $4.25million in 2019. Any blowout is unlikely to dent the coffers of the Thor star and his wife, who have a combined net worth of about $200 million. Development plans were first lodged in March, with a final draft being submitted with Byron Bay Council in July. Travel: The couple have been in Europe for the last several weeks as Chris films Extraction 2 and they recently enjoyed a holiday in Ibiza with their children If the setbacks are troubling the Hemsworths, they are doing their best to hide the pain. Chris and Elsa are rumoured to be the recent buyers of an exclusive 1,312-acre oceanfront site in Tasmania called Piano Coves. The area includes eight land titles with a price guide of between $10million and $15million. The property, in the state's northeast, boasts almost 3km of ocean frontage, including beaches and coves. The sale comes after Chris and his brothers, Liam and Luke, bought several multimillion-dollar properties in NSW's Northern Rivers region. These purchases have helped 'push up house prices' in the town of Newrybar, 18km from Byron Bay. By Kang Seung-woo Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, denounced Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), Tuesday, calling him an unprepared candidate who has been benefiting from the Moon Jae-in administration's incompetence in state affairs. Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap His new Stan film Gold was no walk in the park, with the outback shoot taking place amid extreme heat and even sandstorms. But director and co-star Anthony Hayes has praised American actor Zac Efron's commitment to the project in a new interview with The Sydney Morning Herald. 'Once Zac got out there, he was just the hardest working dude you could get,' said Hayes. Committed: Gold director Anthony Hayes has praised American actor Zac Efron's (pictured last year) commitment to the film in a new interview with The Sydney Morning Herald He added that the Hollywood star never waited in his trailer between setups, even when ground temperatures reached a whopping 70 degrees Celsius. 'He didn't complain once,' the director added. In a recent trailer for the upcoming thriller, the 34-year-old American actor looks barely recognisable after undergoing an incredible transformation for the role. In the nail-biting drama, Zac plays a man who finds an oversized nugget of gold. Unrecognisable! Zac underwent a WILD transformation for the new Stan film Gold And he's soon forced to battle the harsh desert wilderness in his quest to keep his find safe, before running into a mysterious woman, played by Susie Porter. In a teaser trailer and exclusive pics, Zac can be seen with scruffy hair, a bushy beard and incredible makeup, including fake cuts, bruises, fake blood and blistered skin. After a viewing, Daily Mail Australia noted that 'Zac Efron's performance is extraordinary', and nothing quite like what he's done before. In character: In a teaser trailer and exclusive pics, Zac can be seen with scruffy hair, a bushy beard and incredible makeup, including fake cuts, bruises, fake blood and blistered skin Sensational: After a viewing, Daily Mail Australia noted that 'Zac Efron's performance is extraordinary', and nothing quite like what he's done before Gold was filmed in South Australia in the Flinders Rangers and Leigh Creek. Zac spent over a year in Australia escaping Covid-ravaged America. While Down Under, he was based in the celebrity hot spot Byron Bay and dated local influencer and model Vanessa Valladares, 26, but they have since split. They are believed to have first met in June 2020, when Vanessa was waiting tables at the Byron Bay General Store cafe. The Stan Original film Gold is available to stream now on Stan. Gemma Collins has given her pink patterned baby grand piano to a children's home, saying she is 'so happy' to be able to donate it. The former TOWIE star, 40, took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday and shared a clip of moving men hauling her piano into a truck in order to give it to the Cambian group, which looks after more than 160 children's homes around the UK. The piano was painted pink with a floral print, with Gemma captioning the post: 'Enjoy this piano as much as I did. So happy to give this to you.' Donate: Gemma Collins has given her piano to a children's home, saying she is 'so happy' to be able to donate it In the video, she also said: 'Cabian Groups Children's Home. Enjoy the piano as much as I did so happy to give you this" (sic). 'Today is the big day guys. We've got an amazing team of guys here. 'The piano is going and I hope you get so much enjoyment out of this, as much as I did.' It comes after Gemma revealed she has undergone 160 anti-wrinkle injections in her face to help make her appear more 'youthful', ahead of the impending nuptials. The Diva Forever star took to her Instagram Stories to show the process of having 'mesofiller' injections at the Orocum Clinic in Crouch End, North London. Gift: The former TOWIE star, 40, took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday and shared a clip of moving men hauling her piano into a truck She was keen to express that the injections weren't filler or Botox, instead being a non-surgical medical technique that injects 'potent molecules' into the injection points to encourage skin to tighten. She excitedly told her fans she hoped the treatment would receive a boost from the full moon and have her waking up a new woman on Tuesday. Gemma explained: 'So guys I'm so excited to have some self-love me time on the full moon. I feel like it's a full moon tonight guys, so you've just got to do everything self care. I had reflexology today... 'Everything to kind of keep you on the level when a full moon is happening.' Clip:The piano was painted pink with a floral print, with Gemma captioning the post: 'Enjoy this piano as much as I did. So happy to give this to you' She then showed her fans her glowing skin, and detailed: 'So guys, as you can see, I've been at work all day. 'What's so great about this new treatment is it's not filler, it's not Botox, it keeps you looking youthful. Which, guys, we all want that now. 'That nice, youthful look without looking pumped up, filled up. So check it out. It's a new product on the market.' The reality star went on: 'This is the new thing to have for keeping young without all the fake look. It's going to improve elasticity, firmness so when I wake up in the morning, guys, let's see what it does on top of a full moon. In the video, she said: 'Today is the big day guys. We've got an amazing team of guys here. 'The piano is going and I hope you get so much enjoyment out of this, as much as I did' She winked at the camera and added: 'I could be looking like a supermodel in the morning.' Gemma also recently admitted she was trying to kickstart her healthy New Year plan after revealing some days she feels 'ugly or not good enough'. Gemma shared more throwback videos of herself working out as she revealed it was 'time to get back to it', after the festive period. In the clips, she was wearing a printed black and white two-piece gym set, while pumping some weights and completing a gruelling work out. She wrote: 'Watching videos to motivate me. Time to get back at it. Holiday is over.' Injections: Gemma recently took to her Instagram Stories to show her followers the process of getting 'mesofiller' injections at the Orocum Clinic in Crouch End, North London Transformation: Gemma excitedly told her fans she hoped the treatment would receive a boost from the full moon and have her waking up a new woman on Tuesday Gemma also revealed she was embarking on a new meal plan with Muscle Foods as she plans to resume her fitness and healthy eating. In the next clip, she added: 'So excited to be on @mfgoalgettersuk @musclefooduk.' Gemma previously admitted she sometimes feels 'ugly' and not 'good enough', saying she regularly doubts herself despite her larger than life on-screen persona. Gemma is known as a bold and confident diva but she says she is just 'performing' when she is on television. She said, while her insecurities sometimes get her down, she is happy in her relationship with fiance Rami Hawash, 46, who she insists has changed her life. Julia Fox borrowed yet another look from her boyfriend Kanye West's ex Kim Kardashian as she stepped out during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday. The American actress, 31, sported a black head scarf and quirky shades, which echoed a look previously worn by Kim during a fragrance commercial 2011. Julia was seen sporting a pair of quirky shades and a black leather mac, which was tied around her midriff and accentuated her svelte waist. Seeing double? Julia Fox borrowed yet another look from her boyfriend Kanye West's ex Kim Kardashian as she stepped out during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday The brunette beauty opted for a full face of make-up in a rose pallet and sported a pair of gloves with a small matching hangbag. Julia, who went public with her romance with 44-year-old Kanye earlier this month, has been accompanying him in the French capital during fashion week. The Yeezy designer was once again sporting a black mask over his face, with a grey hoodie, distressed grey jeans and a pair of boots. Standing by her man: Julia, who went public with her romance with 44-year-old Kanye earlier this month, has been accompanying him in the French capital during fashion week So chic! Julia was seen sporting a pair of quirky shades and a black leather mac, which was tied around her midriff and accentuated her svelte waist The Uncut Gems actress took to her Insta Stories on Monday with a snap of the pair during Paris Fashion Week that she captioned 'Juliye' with a black heart emoji. Julia and Ye - who began dating after meeting on New Year's Eve in Miami - donned matching black sex worker-inspired ensembles to check out the Schiaparelli haute couture SS/22 presentation. The dominatrix look was similar to an outfit previously worn by Kim. Arrival: Julia looked like she meant business during her outing in the Capital Uncover: The Yeezy designer was once again sporting a black mask over his face, with a grey hoodie, distressed grey jeans and a pair of boots Connected: Julia carried her phone in her hand Meanwhile, she also replicated an iconic Matrix-inspired look, recently worn by Kim Kardashian, while celebrating her son's birthday. As she continues to take style advice from her rapper beau, Julia was the spitting image of his estranged wife as she dined at Lucien in Manhattan's East Village. Kanye is creditted with revolutionizing Kim's style, propelling her profile from reality TV star to a high-fashion trendsetter appearing on the cover of Vogue. Carrying the essentials: Kanye had a black rucksack with him Hello: Kanye pulled his grey hoodie over his head But now it appears Kanye has a new muse to style, in the shape of his latest love. Following recent appearances it looks as though Kanye has already been giving style notes to the rising star, as her wardrobe and style rapidly morphs into that of his estranged wife Kim. Julia has been spotted in a number of racy ensembles that hark back to looks recently worn by Kim, undergoing a dramatic new look that will have surely been approved by Kanye. Attack of the klone! Kanye is already styling new girl Julia like his estranged wife Kim (Pictured left in 2019) Just last month, Kim confessed in a speech that it was Kanye, who she filed for divorce from in February, that had opened doors for her in the fashion world - admitted that he had pulled strings for her. Kim noted that designers such as Ricardo Tisci and Olivier Rousteing were 'probably talked into' dressing her, after 'getting a call from Kanye,' adding: 'so thank you you know, to Kanye even for really introducing me to the fashion world.' However, now it seems that Kanye is turning his styling attention to Julia after the actress was spotted in Miami last week with a bag full of clothes from Balenciaga, the high-fashion brand that Kim has been touting for months. Makeover: Kanye has already been giving style notes to Julia as her wardrobe and style rapidly morphs into that of his estranged wife Kim Julia recently turned heads wearing a $265 Miaou thong pant as she enjoyed a date night with Kanye watching a Broadway play. The look draw striking similarities to Kim, who also rocked that look, albeit with a slightly pricier $1500 Vintage Gucci ensemble. In his own words, the rapper - who recently changed his name to Ye - has been open about how 'styling' his romantic partner is his own 'language of love.' Snap! Julia was seen on Tuesday rocking a G-string look that Kim has also been seen wearing in the past Kim did it first: The reality star is seen with a slightly pricier $1500 Vintage Gucci G-string ensemble 'I'd be styling Kim, that's a language of love for me. That how I bagged her in the first place,' he said in November last year. Adding: 'I pulled up, I had the Balmains and the jackets and stuff, I pull the jackets and the shoes.' In 2015, Kim admitted that she had 'cried' after Kanye overhauled her closet when they got together. He's certainly got a type: Both Kim and Julia have shown off the voluptuous curves "When we first started dating, he went through my closet and he had a stylist come in and they put everything he thought wasn't cool enough in a pile.' 'I walked in and it was like a pile to the ceiling of shoes, all my amazing shoes that I loved. I started crying,' she told Kelly Ripa. 'I put it all in another room and I was like, "I'll trust your opinion, but I'm not getting rid of my stuff." Then I walk in my room and there was an entire room filled of all new clothes, of all the stuff he wanted to fill back up my closet with.' Just like Kim: Julia Fox was pictured on Saturday leaving Kanye's hotel room, with a bag of Balenciaga clothes, that Kim Kardashian has famously been wearing for the past few months Putting a smile back on his face: Kanye - pictured today in New York City - appears to be happy with his new girl Julia She added: 'It was really cool new designer stuff; I hadn't even heard of some of these designers before, and it really helped me fall in love with fashion.' The same could be said for Julia, who before meeting Kanye, appeared to have a less distinctive look. Even in June last year, Julia was seen in a modest black dress as she arrived at the premiere of her movie No Sudden Move with ex Peter Artemiev and their son Valentino. Holly Willoughby gave a rare insight into her family life as she gushed over her 'amazing' daughter, Belle in a new chat. The presenter, 40, revealed that she was in awe of her 10-year-old's ability to empathise with others - a trait that appears to have been passed on by her. In an interview with Grazia magazine, she explained: 'Empathy is a lovely thing. mY daughter has it. She's amazing, you can stick her in any situation.' 'Belle is amazing': Holly Willoughby revealed her 'lovely' daughter, 10, has inherited her strong sense of empathy as she gave a rare insight into motherhood in a new chat Empathy is a trait that Holly also prides herself on, but admitted that she used to try and hide her emotions after being criticised for her outbursts in the early days of presenting This Morning. She revealed: 'I had to control it in a way - I could empathise so much that the emotion would be rising up inside me and I would just start crying. 'It took me a really long time to feel comfortable and go, why? Why do we not do that? Why are you not allowed to feel emotion.' Holly shares her daughter along with sons Chester, seven, and Harry James, 12, with husband Dan Baldwin, with the couple opting to keep their children out of the spotlight. Emotional: Empathy is a trait that Holly also prides herself on, but admitted that she used to try and hide her emotions after being criticised for her outbursts Elsewhere in her chat with Grazia, Holly admitted she 'isn't afraid' of the reaction she might get to her new wellness brand, Wylde Moon, which she launched in October last year. She explained: 'I'm not afraid of the reaction to it any more. If it doesn't fit with what your thoughts and expectations of me are, well then there's nothing I can do about it. 'I can't change that. I don't want to change that. And I'm not going to change that. This is me.' Family fun: Holly shares daughter Belle, 10 and sons Chester, seven, and Harry James, 12, with husband Dan Baldwin, with the couple keeping their children out of the spotlight Defiant Holly insisted that she has no intention of fitting into the idea that people have of her, but equally she doesn't want to 'force' any of her wellness techniques on anyone. She said: 'The moment that I launched Wylde Moon, the word 'wacky' got used a lot. I expected that. And that's fine. I can't change that. 'I'm not here to force any of this on anybody. It's not 'come and meditate with me' or 'look at the moon and play a sound-bowl'. It's please go and do that thing that makes your heart sing. Go and do you.' As well as working on her wellness brand, Holly has also been tasked with a new project, working on a series alongside Lee Mack. The presenter has been temporarily replaced by Rochelle Humes on This Morning while she takes two weeks off to film Wim 'Iceman' Hof's Superstar Survival with Lee Mack. Although Holly won't be back on the This Morning sofa until February, she will fly in from Southern Europe - where Superstar Survival is filmed - every weekend to present Dancing On Ice alongside Phillip Schofield. An Arnold Schwarzenegger fan whose car was struck by the actor's last week has spoken out about the accident which has left her in pain. Habiba Muminova, whose Toyota was involved in Schwarzenegger's multi-car crash in Los Angeles, told TMZ she initially thought she was 'hallucinating' when the action star, 74, emerged from his car following the wreck. While Muminova said Arnold is one of her favorite actors, she is now suffering from pain after his car made impact with hers. 'God bless him': An Arnold Schwarzenegger fan whose car was struck by the actor's last week has spoken out about the accident which has left her in pain; Schwarzenegger pictured 2020 'God bless him,' Muminova told the outlet of the actor, though is aware the accident is not the ideal way to meet him. The accident occurred on Friday when Muminova was doing her job, which entails her driving patients to their doctor's appointments. Muminova claims she was at a red light, waiting to turn onto Sunset Boulevard, when the actor's car collided with a Prius. She says one of Arnold's back tires hit her Toyota, resulting in a harsh jolt. The impact was so powerful she initially thought she broke her spine. Schwarzenegger was involved in a car crash on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles that involved four vehicles and left his enormous black SUV perched on top of another car, leaving one other driver with a head injury Habiba Muminova, whose Toyota was involved in Schwarzenegger's crash last week, told TMZ she initially thought she was 'hallucinating' when the actor emerged from his car following the wreck Muminova claims she had to climb out through the passenger side window as her door was blocked by Arnold's SUV. First responders met her outside the car and recommended she get a ride to the hospital. She ended up remaining on the scene with the patient she had been driving around. Now Muminova is suffering from pain in her spine and back, 'from the shoulder down her left side,' the site reports. She is going to a doctor this week. Muminova is now worried about her job, which requires her to drive patients around, now that her car is badly damaged. According to TMZ, the incident will 'make it difficult, if not impossible' for her to perform her job. The former governor was driving his GMC Yukon SUV and was about to turn onto busy Sunset Boulevard, about half-a-mile from his home in the Brentwood, when he smashed into a red Toyota Prius at 4:35pm The Prius was said to have been making a U-turn in the road when the collision occurred. The impact of the crash was so severe that the Prius' airbags deployed as a result of the collision as did those in Schwarzenegger's vehicle Muminova has contacted an attorney for legal advice. Schwarzenegger was involved in a car crash on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles that involved four vehicles and left his enormous black SUV perched on top of another car, leaving one other driver with a head injury. The former governor was driving his GMC Yukon SUV and was about to turn onto busy Sunset Boulevard, about half-a-mile from his home in the Brentwood, when he smashed into a red Toyota Prius at 4:35pm. The Prius was said to have been making a U-turn in the road when the collision occurred. The impact of the crash was so severe that the Prius' airbags deployed as a result of the collision as did those in Schwarzenegger's vehicle. The star's SUV then started to roll onto a white Porsche Taycan that was directly behind Schwarzenegger's. Schwarzenegger pictured driving to his office in Santa Monica in January 2020 It was reported last week that law enforcement were conducting a full investigation into how the accident occurred. Although no tickets have been issued, one police source said they believed the accident was the fault of the Terminator actor, who was attempting to make a left turn but did not wait for a left-turn arrow at the intersection of Sunset and Allenford Avenue. Police told TMZ that Schwarzenegger was making a left turn while the arrow for a left turn was still red. He was not ticketed by police and uninjured in the crash. He was concerned about the woman who was injured, checked on her and spoke to police officers and firefighters who were quickly on scene. Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to DailyMail.com that no arrests were made and the crash did not appear to involve any form of DUI. 'Neither alcohol or drugs are suspected as a factor in this collision. All parties remained at scene. No further information will be made available,' police said in a statement. Images posted to social media showed the tire on the passenger's side of Schwarzenegger's SUV firmly on the hood of the Prius, smashing its headlights and sending debris into the road. The female driver was hurt in the crash and was seen to be bleeding heavily from her head although her injury is not believed to be serious. She was taken by ambulance to hospital. Schwarzenegger's friend Jake Steinfeld was in the car at the time of the crash and could be seen in some of the pictures taken in the moments after the collision. He served as the chairman of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness while the actor was governor of California. In the minutes before the accident took place, Schwarzenegger was seen grabbing lunch with son Patrick, 28, and daughter Christina, 30, as they ate at R&D Kitchen in Santa Monica, less than ten minutes away from where the crash occured. One eyewitness told TMZ that it looked like a stunt from a movie. Schwarzenegger appeared to be okay and was seen standing next to his vehicle talking to police officers. A witness corroborated the account made by police explaining how the Prius appeared to be making a left turn onto Sunset Boulevard while Schwarzenegger was making a turn in the opposite direction when the two cars smashed into one another. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jennifer Nguyen has seemingly been fired by Bravo after her racist and anti-vaxx social media posts resurfaced last week. In a statement, the network said it has now 'ceased filming' with the 44-year-old reality TV personality. 'Bravo has ceased filming with Jennie Nguyen and she will no longer be a cast member of 'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.' 'We recognize we failed to take the appropriate action once her offensive social media posts were brought to our attention. RHOSLC star Jennie Nguyen is FIRED by Bravo after her racist and anti-vaxx posts resurfaced on social media: 'We failed to take appropriate action' 'Moving forward we will work to improve our processes to ensure we make better informed and more thoughtful casting decisions.' 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. Andy Cohen addressed the drama this week on Watch What Happens Live and alluded to some incoming disciplinary action for Jennie. He said: 'I've also seen all the tweets wanting to know what's being done about those posts. I just wanna say in case anyone doesn't realize it, there are many serious discussions happening right now about everything.' 'I can't address the situation right now but it will be addressed very soon," he concluded, "and thank you for your patience and the posts were very upsetting, rightfully, and disgusting. So, there you go.' Fans had already called for the reality star to be fired last Wednesday, after they slammed her over the offensive and controversial 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 last week, 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.' She's out: Bravo took no prisoners as it revealed it has now 'ceased filming' with the star Addressing the claims: Jennie admitted she had shared the offending posts in a Instagram statement last week '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.' He's facing a life sentence behind bars. But it appears EastEnders' Kat Slater hasn't been deterred by the prospect of her boyfriend Phil Mitchell being thrown in prison, as she vows to stand by him in upcoming scenes. In scenes set to air on Thursday, Phil finally admits to Kat he's facing a lengthy stint in prison, but fails to reveal he's been offered an informant deal by police. Touching: EastEnders' Kat Slater won't be deterred by the prospect of her boyfriend Phil Mitchell being thrown in prison, as she vows to stand by him in upcoming scenes Soap fans may not be surprised to learn Phil (Steve McFadden) is facing life in prison, given the Albert Square hardman is no stranger to bending the law to meet his needs. But in recent weeks the police have finally caught up with him, charging him with kidnapping his son Raymond, along with a 'steaming pile' of other crimes, according to his lawyer Ritchie. Despite Phil's attempts to break off their relationship, Kat (Jessie Wallace) vows she'll stand by him, even if he has to spend the rest of his life locked up. Will the truth come out? In scenes set to air on Thursday, Phil finally admits to Kat he's facing a lengthy stint in prison, but fails to reveal he's been offered an informant deal by police Fearing he could put her in harm's way, Phil fails to tell Kat about his informant deal with the police. It remains to be seen whether his lies will come back to haunt him, and whether Phil will be found guilty of his charges by the authorities. Elsewhere, EastEnders fans have been fearing whether rival channel ITV could 'kill off' the iconic soap after it was announced Coronation Street and Emmerdale are set to change their timeslots in March. The broadcaster has confirmed both shows will change time slots - putting them in direct competition with EastEnders - as ITV expand their news programme for an hour between 6:30pm and 7:30pm. Change: EastEnders fans have been fearing whether ITV could 'kill off' the iconic soap after it was announced Coronation Street (pictured) and Emmerdale are set to change their timeslots Coronation Street will change to three hour-long episodes a week airing at 8pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while Emmerdale will now air at 7:30pm directly following the news. The announcement left fans reeling, debating whether the BBC soap, which started in 1985, will be axed and comparing the soap to Channel 4's Brookside, which was axed following a decline in viewership in 2003. EastEnders has seen its own shake-up of late, with the news that soap icon Danny Dyer, who plays Mick Carter, has quit the soap. The BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline on whether their schedule may change as a result. EastEnders airs on Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One. Madelyn Cline is putting an end to all the rumors. In a now deleted Instagram story, the 24-year-old is setting the record straight about whether or not she will return to the Netflix hit show, Outer Banks, after season three. 'Hi so Im getting asked if s3 is my final season of obx,' the actress, who was dressed in a knitted vest from Licorne Sans Corne, captioned her selfie on Monday. An end to the rumors: Madelyn Cline is putting an end to all the rumors. In a now deleted Instagram story, the 24-year-old is setting the record straight about whether or not she will return to the Netflix hit show, Outer Banks, after season three 'I will come back for as many seasons as they will have me. I love my job and there's not a day that goes by that I'm not grateful for it, and for everyone who has watched it.' These rumors began circulating after Madelyn and her co-star, Chase Stokes, ended their relationship after one year together. After their character's on-screen romance, the couple became official in June 2020. The duo remain friends and even reunited at the People's Choice Awards in December. The co-stars: These rumors began circulating after Madelyn and her co-star, Chase Stokes, ended their relationship after one year together On-and-off screen romance: After Sarah Cameron and John B became love interests on Outer Banks, Madelyn and Chase became official in June 2020 Alongside Madelyn and Chase, 29, Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey, Drew Starkey and Jonathan Daviss star in the Netflix hit, which made its debut in April 2020. After a successful first season, Outer Banks continued to find success in its second season, which debuted in July 2021. The action-adventure, which was co-created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke, dives into the lives of North-Carolina based teenagers who search for treasure linked to a member's fathers disappearance. People's Choice Awards: The duo remain friends and even reunited at the People's Choice Awards in December Madelyn spoke to Elle in August about what she was hoping to get from her character, Sarah Cameron, in the upcoming season. 'I want her to be happy. I want to see her come into her own,' she said. 'For me, for Sarah's arc, that would be the most ideal thing to happen. I want to see her and John B have to kind of hash out what just happened. Season three: Although there isn't a release date for the newest season, Outer Banks season three was confirmed by Netflix this past December I want to see her personal relationships with her chosen family develop. Maybe we could get some backstory on her and Kie's friendship. Maybe see her try to go to Pogue high school. Maybe see her try to get a job.' Although there isn't a release date for the newest season, Outer Banks season three was confirmed by Netflix this past December. After Netflix made the announcement, some of the main stars of the show, including Madelyn and Chase, took to their personal social media accounts posting selfies with their fingers holding up the number three. Bianca Wallace has hit back at Alice Evans' claims that she used a fake Twitter account to boast about her sex life with the actress's estranged husband, Ioan Gruffudd. Alice, who shares two daughters with Welsh star Ioan, 48 - branded 30-year-old Bianca a 'psychopath' and claimed 'her crew' had been concocting fake social statements following the collapse of her marriage in 2020. Responding to her claims on Tuesday, Bianca - who confirmed her relationship with Gruffudd in October insisted she 'doesn't have the time or energy to behave in such a toxic way on social media'. Hitting back: Bianca Wallace (pictured) has responded to Alice Evans' claims that she has been boasting about her and new partner Ioan Gruffudd's sex life on a fake Twitter account Strong words: On Monday, 53-year-old Alice - who shares two daughters with Ioan, 48 - branded 30-year-old Bianca a 'psychopath' She wrote in full: 'I do not have fake Twitter accounts. I have never Tweeted or engaged with people using a fake Twitter account. 'I give permission to Twitter to provide information on my Twitter usage.' Bianca went on: 'This is the same for all social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I do not have any other social media or website accounts. 'I don't have the time, energy or good health to behave in such a toxic way on social media. I use these platforms only for positive purposes and it will always remain that way.' Response: Responding to Alice's claims on Instagram on Tuesday, Bianca insisted she 'doesn't have the time or energy to behave in such a toxic way on social media' Alice confirmed her separation from the Welsh star in a series of furious tweets posted on Twitter in January 2021 - with Ioan moving on with new girlfriend Bianca in October. Alice, who has accused the pair of conducting a three-year affair, which they deny, took to Instagram to allege Bianca has boasted about the couple's sex life on a fake Twitter account and claimed Ioan had 'wiped' their daughters from Instagram and not seen them in eight months. Sharing a post which she claimed was concocted by Bianca and 'her crew', Alice wrote: 'This is the type of thing I get on 'loser' websites every day, instigated by My husbands girlfriend and her crew. Fresh rant: Alice branded his new girlfriend Bianca a 'psychopath' and made further incendiary claims about her on Tuesday 'I almost never go there, but occasionally gossip becomes truth and I look to find who started it. 'Here's the thing. These guys will never change the public perception of me because I have been around for so long and been so kind to so many. 'However it's telling that the woman with whom my husband has led a double life for 2 to 3 years is so nervous and vindictive. New couple: Alice confirmed her separation from the Welsh star in a series of furious tweets posted on Twitter in January 2021 - with Ioan moving on with new girlfriend Bianca in October 'Tamika' on twitter is Bianca. Read some of the horrific things.' Alice then claimed Bianca had boasted about her sex life with Ioan on the alleged Twitter account. Alice continued: 'I mean- yes. That was heartbreaking for me. But I knew it. And he chose her over me and my kids. So why was she so jealous? 'Why did he have to wipe his kids if his entire Instagram?'. However, at the time of writing the couple's daughters Ella, 12, and Elsie, eight, do appear in a post in Ioan's Instagram page from December 2018. Alice continued: 'If I met a guy who wanted me to get rid of the photos of my kids that would be my sign to call for a taxi 'What was behind her need to make SURE I knew? 'I think Bianca Wallace is a psychopath who has a kinetic ability to make rich or famous people fall in love with her.' Claims: Alice alleged that Bianca had changed Ioan from a 'warm, loving' man and that she had not seen their daughters in months In 18 months, me and my girls have seen my warm, loving Ioan change from a man with principles, who had decided to have a family and was determined to look after them to a person who apparently doesn't care about anyone at all. Adding that she was 'totally confused', she claimed Ioan hadn't seen their daughters in 8 months and 'yet that doesn't seem to bother him. She typed: '( for the record, 5-6 hours is my limit. After that I just crave them. Anybody understand? ) 'Gonna leave this now but I LOVE that all the tattlers think I' so mean and selfish. !quite the opposite, sweet ladies. Quite the opposite'. Post: At the time of writing the couple's daughters Ella, 12, and Elsie, eight, do appear in a post in Ioan's Instagram page from December 2018 Mailonline has contacted representatives for Ioan and Bianca for comment. The post comes after Ioan paid tribute to Bianca after she admitted to being diagnosed with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis. The Australian actress detailed her day to day life with the condition, a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, in a recent Instagram video after being diagnosed three-years ago. Taking to Instagram on Friday night to share a nine-minute long video captioned 'I think it's time,' she explained how she didn't know if she would ever walk again after being told she had the condition at the age of 25. Proud: Ioan paid tribute to girlfriend Bianca after she revealed a previously undisclosed battle with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis Sharing an Instagram story that has since expired and consequently no longer present on his account, he wrote: 'I'm so proud of you.' 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: The post comes after Ioan paid tribute to Bianca after she admitted to being diagnosed with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis Old times: Gruffudd and 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.' 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 Couple: Bianca previously posted a montage of photos of her year - including a snap of her and Ioan holding hands in the south of France 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. Moving on: Evans has suspended her Twitter account after branding the photo of her estranged husband and Wallace 'sick and evil' '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!' The clip came a week after Gruffudd's estranged wife quit Twitter after slamming the actor's new girlfriend over a perceived 'lack of empathy'. 102 Dalmations star Evans announced her split from the Welsh actor in a series of angry tweets last January, with Gruffudd subsequently confirming a new romance with Bianca in October. While her Instagram page is still open, she set her Twitter page to private before deleting it over the weekend after users of the social media platform expressed their opinions on her situation. One user wrote: 'She left. She had to close her account. She went too far,' while another person claimed it was her followers who forced her off Twitter. All over: 102 Dalmations star Evans announced her split from the Welsh actor in a series of angry tweets last January Earlier in the week, Evans responded to photos posted by Bianca, which included one of Wallace holding hands with Gruffudd while on holiday in the south of France. Infuriated, she branded the snaps 'sick' and 'evil', adding that it was a 'stake in the heart' to see the images. Taking to Twitter, Evans reposted the photo writing: 'YEAH. This has been causing me quite a big amount of stress. I'm so happy for them. It's like one long holiday. It's not that they don't deserve it- I hear B only is on vacay so why should she change. 'It's the hurt - the real pain that this photo causes me.' Rae Sremmurd member Slim Jxmmi, whose real name is Aaquil Brown, was arrested on a battery charge in Miami this Tuesday. Brown, 31, is accused of yanking his girlfriend's hair extension off, chasing her and hurling her phone from a balcony, law enforcement sources told TMZ. However his girlfriend, with whom he shares an infant son, released a statement denying that Brown hit her and declaring: 'Dade County y'all are wrong for this.' Mug shot: Rae Sremmurd member Slim Jxmmi, whose real name is Aaquil Brown, was arrested on a battery charge in Miami this Tuesday Brown was booked at 11:27am Tuesday into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a $1,500 bond, Pitchfork reported citing online records. The incident, which appears to have unfolded during the night, allegedly began as a verbal dispute between Brown and his girlfriend about a female Twitter user he followed, NBC 6 South Florida reports citing the arrest report. Brown's music producer was supposedly with him during the initial argument, and the two men then left the residence together, saying they were off to the gym. A friend of Brown's girlfriend has allegedly said that she spied Brown and his producer drinking at a bar together after they left the apartment. Red carpet: However his girlfriend, with whom he shares an infant son, released a statement denying that Brown hit her and declaring: 'Dade County y'all are wrong for this' The arrest report then asserts that Brown came back to the residence smelling of drink, still in the company of his music producer, whereupon the spat escalated. Brown's girlfriend purportedly tried to put their baby, who had already fallen asleep, to bed - but Brown then allegedly tore out her extension. According to the arrest report, Brown then began pursuing his girlfriend through their home after she attempted to film him on her phone. She is said to have stuffed the phone into her bra, from which Brown was allegedly struggling to grab it. The arrest report states her chest had scratch marks. Family business: Brown is famous for forming part of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd with his brother Shaman Brown (left), who performs under the name Swae Lee Further, the report asserts that at one point she tried to shut herself in the bedroom only for Brown to kick in the door. Eventually he purportedly succeeded in seizing her phone and flinging it off the balcony, causing it to land in the street - where the police told TMZ they found it still in working condition. The arrest report says that Brown was afraid the footage his girlfriend took would 'destroy his celebrity status' if it were made public. Police arrived around 5am and booked Brown later that morning - but after his arrest his girlfriend issued a statement dramatically contradicting the arrest report. Allegation: Brown, 31, is accused of yanking his girlfriend's hair extension off, chasing her and hurling her phone from a balcony, law enforcement sources told TMZ 'Oh wow. This is cap. Dade County y'all are wrong for this. I told you guys he did not hit me,' she wrote on social media. 'Every officer you guys had in my face are wrong for this. No hands were put on anybody, I stated it more than once,' she insisted. 'It was a loud argument and the police were called. You guys turn nothing into something. It's our sons first birthday tomorrow, what's wrong with y'all?' Brown is famous for forming part of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd with his brother Shaman Brown, who performs under the name Swae Lee. Chinese astronauts enjoy many comforts aboard space station during a fruitful three months People's Daily Online) 13:28, January 25, 2022 Chinese astronauts (or taikonauts as theyre known locally in China) Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu have successfully completed a series of tasks including two extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks, in-space experiments, and a live science lecture from outer space, all while enjoying comfortable lives inside Chinas Tiangong space station for more than three months. Screen image taken at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the Shenzhou-13 astronauts in Chinas space station core module controlling the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft. (Photo/Xinhua) On Oct. 16, 2021, the three taikonauts blasted into space onboard the Shenzhou-13 spaceship and entered the space station for a six-month stay, embarking on the countrys longest crewed mission for space station construction. The Shenzhou-13 crew members conducted their first EVAs on Nov. 7, 2021, during which Zhai and Wang stepped out of the space station core module Tianhe while Ye assisted the EVAs from inside the station. It was the second time for Zhai to perform EVAs, following his first time 13 years ago. Meanwhile, Wang, the first Chinese woman to have boarded the space station, became the first Chinese female astronaut to walk in space, making history for female taikonauts. During their 6.5-hour long mission, they performed a series of extravehicular tasks, including installing a dual-arm connector (a device linking the space stations big and small mechanical arms) and a suspension device. On Dec. 27, 2021, the team performed EVAs for the second time, with astronauts Zhai and Ye venturing out of the space station and Wang staying inside to support her crewmates to complete their operations. It was the third time for Zhai to perform EVAs. The second round of EVAs by the Shenzhou-13 crew members lasted for six hours and was a complete success, which further tested coordination capabilities between space and Earth, along with the coordination between the taikonauts and the space station, in addition to the extravehicular spacesuits. The three astronauts delivered a wonderful 60-minute science class inside the space station to students on Dec. 9, 2021. The lecture was the first one conducted by Chinese astronauts from Chinas space station. They told students how they go about their daily lives and work on the space station and demonstrated experiments in the weightless environment while in outer space. On the first day of 2022, the trio held a video chat with students, sharing their space dreams and aspirations. During the video talk, the astronauts showed viewers on Earth around a painting exhibition inside the space station. About 20 paintings drawn by teenagers from central and western China were displayed during the exhibition. Screen image taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang waving his hand after completing extravehicular activities (EVAs). (Photo/Xinhua) On Jan. 8 this year, the Shenzhou-13 astronauts inside the space station core module completed a manual rendezvous and docking experiment with the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft. On Jan. 15, Wang made history again, becoming the first Chinese female astronaut to stay in orbit for more than 100 days. The three astronauts may have escaped Earths gravity, but one chore has nonetheless followed them into orbit onboard the space station housework, including cooking and cleaning. Thanks to a range of high-tech facilities adopted in the Tianhe space station core module, the lives of the Chinese astronauts have been made much easier. Tianhe is equipped with air conditioners to ensure that the air temperature and humidity levels are appropriate for those onboard. A fridge in the core module ensures that the astronauts can choose from many types of fresh fruits, such as apples and bananas. The air purification system inside the space station guarantees the continuous supply of fresh air for the astronauts. High-tech vacuum storage bags have also been prepared for them to safely store waste. All waste items are classified and carefully collected in a device designed for this purpose. The trio can trim their hair aboard the core module thanks to clippers that are attached to something that operates similar to a vacuum cleaner, which can collect all the trimmings while cutting hair. The taikonauts can also enjoy some leisure activities after work, like reading, listening to music, and watching episodes of various shows. Meanwhile, they can make video calls in the space station with their family members thanks to instant access to mobile terminals. (Web editor: Hongyu, Sheng Chuyi) Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, caresses a retired guide dog at the training center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 19. Joint Press Corps Presidential candidates speak up on animal rights to appeal to pet owners By Lee Hae-rin "What is dangerous for humans could also be unsafe for animals. We must work to create a safe environment for both animals and people," Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) wrote on social media, Jan. 22. Referring to the death of a horse during the filming of a KBS TV series, Yoon added that he felt deep sorrow when he heard the news of the animal's death. Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)'s candidate Lee Jae-myung, provided voiceover narration for an animal welfare campaign video uploaded on Lee's YouTube channel, Jan. 21. In the video, a caregiver of stray cats gives water and food to her feline friend on a cold winter day. "Winter is a harsh season for both people and small animals living on the streets," Kim narrates. "The DPK will work harder for coexistence with little creatures on the streets. Please hold on, spring will come." The presidential candidates or their spouses have begun to speak up on animal rights, as companion animals have become part of life for over 10 million Koreans. Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the leading Democratic Party, greets a rescue dog at the theme park of the television series, "Animal Farm," in a video uploaded on Dec. 31, 2021, on Jaekkichan's YouTube channel. / Screenshot from YouTube DPK candidate Lee Jae-myung vowed on Jan. 2 to create a comprehensive animal welfare system, including the expansion of animal-friendly facilities, the standardization of animal medical costs, and improved management of the pet food industry. Since las August, Lee has been calling for a ban on dog meat, punishment for those who abuse animals, the shutting down of dog meat farms and the expansion of vegetarian and vegan options. The former Gyeonggi governor-turned-presidential candidate, Lee unveiled a number of pet-friendly initiatives in the province, such as building dog playfields and an adoption center for rescued animals. Although vocal on animal rights, Lee himself is accused of having abandoned his own dog, which was rescued from a dog meat farm, when he served as the mayor of Seongnam City. His rival, PPP presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol, also pledged a set of measures to protect animals, including a pet registration system, installation of pet play areas in parks and the standardization of veterinary services. Yoon also visited a school for training guide dogs to assist visually impaired people and promised to improve awareness of guide dogs and their owners, as well as to support retired guide dogs in finding new families. Yoon himself is a pet owner who lives with four dogs and three cats, which appears to be appealing to animal-loving voters. Up until last October, for example, Yoon's camp ran an Instagram account for one of his dogs, named Tori. It was soon shut down as a controversy arose regarding his manner of apologizing for having made remarks about late former dictator Chun Doo-hwan. Meanwhile, Yoon is so far the only candidate who has not promised to end the dog meat trade. During the PPP electoral debate last October, Yoon said that there is another category of dogs for the meat trade, and his remarks triggered a controversy among animal lovers. Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, holds a pup at the Bom Center, an animal shelter in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 9. / Courtesy of Justice Party Sim Sang-jung of the minor opposition progressive Justice Party pledged a life-long welfare plan for companion animals, including a health insurance system, burial and funeral services and a national qualification and training system for animal behavior specialists. Sim also vowed to establish a public adoption system that provides comprehensive education and counseling for those who wish to accept a new animal member into their family. Most importantly, Sim will present a roadmap for bringing an end to the dog meat industry, animal abuse, animal slaughter and the mass production of pedigree pets. Furthermore, she will create a committee devoted to animal welfare and amend the current animal protection law to redefine animals as living beings rather than an individual's property. Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People's Party, does volunteer work at an animal shelter in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 7. Joint Press Corps Kim Kardashian denied the existence of a second sex tape with her ex Ray J after Kanye West revealed during an explosive interview for Hollywood Unlocked that he retrieved the footage and returned it to his estranged wife last year. Kanye claimed a second tape existed on a laptop, which he then procured for Kim, only for her to break down in tears upon receiving the data. The 41-year-old reality star, who shares four children with Kanye, dismissed the notion that any further sexually explicit content even existed in a statement to Page Six. Kim filmed the sex tape in 2002 with her then-boyfriend Ray J, which was released into the public domain in 2007, just as Kim and her family were getting ready to launch the first series of their E! reality show. Yikes: Kim Kardashian denied the existence of a second sex tape with her ex Ray J after Kanye West revealed during an explosive interview for Hollywood Unlocked that he retrieved the footage and returned it to his estranged wife last year. 'The computer and hard drive collected were supposed to contain the original video and any unseen footage. After review, there was nothing sexual unseen, only footage on the plane on the way to Mexico and footage at a club and restaurant on the same trip,' read the statement. 'Kim remains firm in her belief that there is no new second tape that exists. After 20 years, she truly wishes to move on from this chapter [and] focus instead on the positive things she continues to do as a mother, entrepreneur and advocate for justice reform.' Kanye recalled his grand gesture while chatting with Jason Lee in the recently released interview which was published in full-length on YouTube Monday morning. In the past: Kim filmed the sex tape in 2002 with her then-boyfriend Ray J, which was released into the public domain in 2007, just as Kim and her family were getting ready to launch the first series of their E! reality show; seen in 2006 'She cried when she saw it,' he said. 'You know why she cried when she seen it on the laptop? Because it represents how much she's been used. It represents how much people didn't love her, and they just saw her as a commodity' 'I went and got the laptop from Ray J myself that night, he said. 'I met this man at the airport, then got on a red-eye, came back [and] delivered it to her at 8 a.m. in the morning.' He added: 'She cried when she saw it. You know why she cried when she seen it on the laptop? Because it represents how much she's been used. It represents how much people didn't love her, and they just saw her as a commodity.' Conveniently, Kanye's friends with Ray J's former manager, Wack 100, who boasted in September on the Bootleg Kev podcast that he had footage that was 'more graphic and better than the first one' of the exes together. She famously spoke about the footage during an early episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians when sister Kourtney asked her why she agreed to film the video, and she said: 'Because I was horny and I felt like it.' An insider told Page Six that Kim is 'truly grateful' to Kanye for retrieving the footage, and was incredibly 'emotional' when he returned the video. Over: Kim filed for divorce from Kanye in February 2021 after nearly seven years of marriage, and filed a motion in December to legally terminate her marital status and be declared single; seen in 2019 'Kim was and still is truly grateful to Kanye for getting it back,' the source said. 'The tape caused her a lot of pain and continues to haunt her to this day. Even though they are no longer together as a couple, they remain aligned with the same concerns about how this content that continues to be used against her will affect their four young kids in the future.' Kim filed for divorce from Kanye in February 2021 after nearly seven years of marriage, and filed a motion in December to legally terminate her marital status and be declared single. The couple has four children together: North, eight, Saint, five, Chicago, four, and Psalm, two. In the same interview, Kanye let the Kardashians know that nothing will come between him and his children. '...And to participate without no noise,' he said. 'Cause they can go on SNL and make jokes. They can make jokes in the media. They can plant stories about whoever I'm dating whatever they want to do. They can block deals they could do all that type of stuff.' He added: 'But I'mma tell you straight up, don't play with my kids. 'Don't play with my kids. Whoever y'all work for, whoever y'all think the family is working for, I'm telling you right now, don't play with my children. And it's going to be all legal. It's going to be all legal, baby.' Kody Brown remains dedicated to his marriage to wife Robyn amid increasing turmoil in his relationships with his other three wives. Though the 53-year-old Sister Wives star's marital challenges with Christine, 49, Janelle, 52, and Meri, 50, have been on display throughout the current season of the TLC reality series, his union with Robyn, 43, appears to be going strong. 'He's spending all his time with Robyn,' a source told Us Weekly. Focused: Kody Brown remains dedicated to his marriage to wife Robyn amid increasing turmoil in his relationships with his other three wives. Seen in 2014 'The others are in their own world, living their own lives,' the insider continued. 'He spent the holidays with Robyn and her kids,' the source said. 'He didn't even try making plans with the others. ' It was added: 'All the wives were very much separated for the holidays, spending time with their own families.' Tension: Though the 53-year-old Sister Wives star's marital challenges with Christine, 49, Janelle, 52, and Meri, 50, have been on display throughout the current season of the TLC reality series, his union with Robyn (far left), 43, appears to be going strong. Seen in 2012 Meri was the first of Kody's wives, followed by Janelle in 1993 and Christine in 1994. Due to Arizona laws against polygamy, Kody's only legal marriage was to Meri while he has 'spiritual unions' with Janelle and Christine. However, Kody and Meri legally divorced in 2014, so Kodi could marry Robyn and give her three children from a previous marriage access to his insurance and other benefits Kody's 18 other children have with all four of his wives. Robyn's children from her previous marriage include son Dayton, 22 and daughters Aurora, 19, and Breanna, 16. She and Kody share son Solomon, 10, and daughter Ariella, six. The source told Us Weekly that Kody's choice to spend most of his time with Robyn had also impacted his relationship with his other children. Difficult: The source told Us Weekly that Kody's choice to spend most of his time with Robyn had also impacted his relationship with his other children. The insider said, 'Kody's stepkids from Robyn's first marriage worship him and are really close to him, unlike the others. 'He has really damaged his relationship with the other kids, and instead, the kids are leaning on their moms and other siblings.' Janelle and Christine also strongly objected to Kody's enforcement of strict COVID-19 protocols, which resulted in further tension in their relationships. In 2020, both Christine and Janelle opted to spend Thanksgiving apart from Kody, choosing instead to visit their children in Utah. Called it quits: Christine, who shares daughters Aspyn, 26, Mykelti, 25, Gwendlyn, 20, Ysabel, 18, and Truely, 11, and son Paedon, 23, with Kody, announced that the pair had separated in November 2021 Christine, who shares daughters Aspyn, 26, Mykelti, 25, Gwendlyn, 20, Ysabel, 18, and Truely, 11, and son Paedon, 23, with Kody, announced that the pair had separated in November 2021. On last Sunday's episode of the show, Christine packed up Kody's belongings after the family patriarch told her that he no longer 'wanted an intimate marriage' with her anymore. 'I don't want to stay in Flagstaff anymore and I want to go,' Christine told the cameras during the episode. Moving on? Janelle and Meri have also expressed doubts about their future with Kody Meanwhile, Janelle, who shares six children including sons Logan, 27, Hunter, 24, Garrison, 23, and Gabriel, 21, and daughters Maddie, 26 and Savanah, 17, with Kody expressed her own doubts about her marriage during the Sunday episode. Janelle admitted that her relationship with Kody was 'pretty strained' and she questioned whether plural marriage was still right for her with her children getting older. 'I've had to really think,' Janelle told Robyn. 'My children are almost grown and there's not a huge necessity anymore to stay. It was a wonderful way to raise children.' Meri and Kody are parents to one daughter, Mariah, 26. But as Kody has spent the majority of his time with Robyn over the past two years, Kody's first wife recently said that she feels like 'an outsider.' 'No, I don't feel like I am part of the family,' Meri told Robyn earlier this month. 'It's this weird thing, am I a sister wife when I don't have a husband? And I have a husband, technically, but do I? It's weird.' The 51st Annual Spring Powwow, organized by First Nations @ UW in April, marked the events post-pandemic return. Drawing both Indigenous people and nonnatives from across the country, the powwow is one of the largest student-run events on campus and has been an important event for Pacific N An arrest warrant was again sought on Tuesday for a former opposition lawmaker on charges of accepting bribes and violating political funding laws in connection with a massive development corruption scandal. After it was revealed his son received 5 billion won ($4.2 million) in severance pay from Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, Kwak Sang-do quit the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and ultimately gave up his parliamentary seat. Prosecutors suspect the money was a bribe to Kwak. The previously unheard-of asset management company has been under investigation over its astronomical profits from a lucrative apartment development project in the Daejang-dong district of Seongnam City, south of Seoul. The prosecution again sought a warrant for Kwak on additional charges of receiving illegal political funds after a court denied an arrest warrant request for him last month. At that time, the court cited insufficient grounds for his arrest. Investigators suspect Kwak offered business favors to Hwacheon Daeyu in the past while serving as Cheong Wa Dae's senior secretary for civil affairs and a member of the National Assembly's culture committee. The money was given to the lawmaker's son, who previously worked at the company for about seven years, as severance pay. Kwak has denied all allegations against him. Kim Man-bae, owner of Hwacheon Daeyu, has been indicted on charges in connection with the 2015 development project. The scandal has received intense media coverage amid questions about its potential impact on this year's presidential election. The PPP has claimed Lee Jae-myung, the ruling party's presidential candidate who served as Seongnam mayor in 2015, was behind the whole scheme. (Yonhap) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The ED officials have obtained charge sheets and reports submitted by the Hyderabad CCS police, Income-Tax, RBI, SEBI and NSE. Based on the reports, the ED officials have intensified the probe. (Representational Image/ DC File) Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, who arrested the Karvy Stock Broking Limited (KSBL) chairman and managing director (CMD) C. Parthasarathi in a bank fraud case, will question him in police custody in connection with the case. The court had granted five-day police custody of Parthasarathi for questioning from Tuesday. The ED officials will take him into custody from Chanchalguda Central jail. They arrested him from Bengaluru jail and shifted him to the city on a prisoner transit warrant. The ED officials had nabbed the accused in a case registered by the Hyderabad CCS police earlier. According to officials, Karvy Stock Broking Limited (KSBL) management indulged in bank frauds and diverted Rs 550 crore to other accounts. Even as a total five cases were registered by the Hyderabad Central Crime (CCS) police, the ED officials had taken up a probe into one IndusInd bank fraud case and are investigating it. The ED officials have obtained charge sheets and reports submitted by the Hyderabad CCS police, Income-Tax, RBI, SEBI and NSE. Based on the reports, the ED officials have intensified the probe. The KSBL had availed credit facilities of Rs 137 crore from IndusInd bank by pledging securities and shares and personal guarantee of its CMD Parthasarathi, by suppressing the facts that the pledged securities belong to customers. The securities were transferred into the Demat account of Karvy Stock Broking Private Limited and pledged before the IndusInd bank for margin and short term requirement in their businesses. It was also found that the KSBL management transferred Rs 1,000 crore to Karvy Realty company during the 2016 and 2019. A teacher traditionally welcomes a student upon her arrival at a school in Mumbai on January 24, 2022, after schools were reopened that were closed as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. (Photo: AFP) Mumbai: Schools resumed physical sessions for classes 1 to 12 in Maharashtra on Monday and the state government expressed hope that students would enjoy being back to their classrooms in a safe atmosphere. Last week, the Maharashtra government allowed the offline classes to resume from January 24 after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray approved a proposal to this effect that was sent to him by the school education department. Schools across the state were closed in the first week of January due to a spike in the coronavirus cases and in the wake of the emergence of the highly infectious Omicron variant. However, a number of parents, activists in the field as well as teachers had strongly opposed the move to shut the schools, saying it would adversely affect the students. In Mumbai, the local civic body had earlier announced the closure of schools for Classes 1 to 9 till January 31. But, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) assessment later indicated that the cases of Omicron infection were not on the rise, and it had said the curve was flattening. It had prompted officials to propose the reopening of schools for physical attendance. On Monday morning, Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad greeted students and parents on the reopening of physical classes. "Wishing all parents and students the very best as physical classes reopen today onwards. We hope you enjoy your day back in a safe atmosphere. #BackToSchool. @scertmaha @CMOMaharashtra @msbshse," Gaikwad tweeted. In Mumbai also, various schools resumed offline classes in the morning. Last week, BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal had said that in-person or offline classes will resume in pre-primary schools too. While allowing the schools to resume physical classes, the state government has asked them to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. On Sunday, Maharashtra reported 40,805 COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 75,07,225, while 44 fatalities pushed the toll to 1,42,115, a health department official earlier said. No Omicron case was detected in the state on Sunday, keeping the tally of those affected by the new variant to 2,759, of whom 1,437 have been discharged so far, the official said. Government Employees Association president K. Venkatrami Reddy, Bandi Srinivasa Rao, K.R Suryanarayana and Bopparaju Venkateswarlu show the strike notice that that was given to the government, at a media conference. (C. Narayana Rao/DC) Vijayawada: Government employees, teachers and pensioners who have formed an umbrella body called PRC Struggle Committee' on Monday served notice stating that they would strike work from midnight hours on February 7 to protest against the move to implement revised payscales as per recommendations of the 11th Pay Revision Commission which they were not agreeable to. The leaders of the panel wanted to meet Chief Secretary Dr Sameer Sharma and serve the notice but he was away in New Delhi. They handed over the notice to the general administration department principal secretary Sashi Bhushan Kumar. The employees main contention was that the government issued orders on 11th PRC without taking into consideration the objections and concerns expressed by all the service associations in all rounds of consultations. They said that the pay revision was detrimental and adversely impacting the earnings of employees, teachers and pensioners. They maintained that several associations had expressed their disagreement by demonstrating with a demand to withdraw the government orders implementing the PRC recommendations. With no response from the government and given its efforts to implement the pay revision unilaterally, without providing even an option to choose the effective date, the steering committee of their panel had unanimously decided to proceed with the agitation programme demanding immediate settlement of their demands. Later, AP Government Employees Association (APGEA) president K.R. Suryanarayana said that they never thought of going on a strike but were forced to do so as the government had issued the GOs on the PRC without taking their view into consideration. He said that they had discussed issues like Ashutosh Mishra Committee report, fitment, house rent allowance (HRA) and others during the roundtable meeting held on Sunday and decided to serve the strike notice. He said there were 13 lakh employees and pensioners involved in the movement, and expressed concern over the way the HRA was trimmed. He said that the struggle committee did not have any information pertaining to the government-appointed five-member committee to hold discussions on the PRC issue. APNGOs Association president Bandi Srinivasa Rao, who heads the AP Joint Action Committee (APJAC), alleged that the government was mounting pressure upon treasury employees to pay wages as per new PRC and wondered why it was hurrying when the employees were not showing interest to accept the revised scales. Srinivasa Rao demanded the government give old wages if it wanted the support of the employees. However, he cautioned the employees not to cast personal aspersions on anyone while being part of the agitation and asked them to be self-restraint. AP Secretariat Employees Association president K. Venkatrami Reddy said that the injustice being meted out to them through PRC had united employees in the Secretariat to fight for a common cause. He said they could join talks with the government if it released wages as per old norms. Amaravati APJAC chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlu opined that the government should have constituted a committee of ministers before commencing its exercise on PRC and wondered how it could do so after issuing the GOs. He said that the government resolve issues pertaining to fitment, HRA, abolition of the contributory pension scheme (CPS), regularisation of contract staff, hike in wages to outsourcing employees, regularisation of non-muster roll (NMR) staff and declaration of probation to village/ward secretariat employees. He urged the police to support them to take up their agitation without any tense situation. Chennai: Deeply concerned over the attack on Indian fishermen allegedly by Sri Lankan nationals, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday urged the Centre to take up the issue with the Lankan government in a stern manner and also register its disapproval over the island nation's decision to auction boats seized from the Indian fishermen. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stalin exhorted the Centre to register its disapproval in the "strongest possible terms at the appropriate level" and also prevail upon the Lankan government to recall the advertisement for auctioning Tamil Nadu fishing boats on which they do not have any legal rights. Also, the Central government should continue the efforts for transparent disposal of 125 Tamil Nadu boats seized before 2018. Drawing the Centre's immediate attention to yet another "outrageous incident of attack on innocent Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan nationals" on January 23, the Chief Minister said, in a separate letter addressed to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in the latest incident, three fishermen from Puspavanam village of Vedaranyam taluk in Nagapattinam district, were attacked by a group of unidentified Sri Lankan nationals while they were fishing about 16 nautical miles from Southeast of Vedaranyam coast. "They were robbed of a 300 kg fishing net, GPS & VHF equipment, 30 litres of diesel and also were physically attacked. The injured fishermen are undergoing treatment in Government Hospital, Vedaranyam," Stalin said. The continuing attacks on innocent Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan nationals are clearly aimed at keeping the Tamil Nadu fishermen away from their traditional fishing waters of Palk Bay, he said in the letter, a copy of which was made available to the media here. "I am constrained to point out that these attacks by Sri Lankan Nationals are disconcerting. This has become a matter of life and death for thousands of our fisherfolk whose livelihood is under serious threat," he said. India, the Chief Minister said, cannot continue to be seen as a mute spectator as the rights of Indian fishermen are repeatedly trampled upon. Hence, he requested the government of India to take this up with the Sri Lankan government in a "stern manner such that acts of physical assault and robbing or damaging of assets of fishermen does not take place in future." In the letter to Modi, Stalin said steps should be taken to ensure the early release of 75 boats and fishing gear seized after 2018 by the Sri Lankan navy. He expressed "a deep sense of disappointment" over the move to auction 105 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen that are in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities. The auction, slated from February 7 to 11, is an unfortunate development and has come at a time when the Indo-Sri Lankan Joint Working Group on Fisheries is due to meet again shortly, he said. This action has created alarm and distrust among Tamil Nadu fishermen who have come forward with an accommodative frame of mind to find an amicable solution for this long pending issue, he said and pointed out that following a request from the Centre, the state government had issued orders for deputing officials and stakeholders from Tamil Nadu to inspect and oversee the disposal of fishing boats and to transfer the sale proceeds to the owners of these boats back in India. "The schedule of the visit of officials to Sri Lanka for the above purpose was also communicated to the Ministry of External Affairs," Stalin said and added that while such positive initiatives are on, media reports from Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources department of Lanka has invited tenders for auctioning Tamil Nadu fishing boats berthed in various Sri Lankan harbours. Conducting an auction without consultation is bound to derail the efforts of the Indian High Commission and Tamil Nadu government aimed at providing some succour to the poor fishermen who have lost their means of livelihood, he reasoned. "It is pertinent to note that these unsalvageable fishing boats were released by various Sri Lankan courts following due judicial procedure," the Chief Minister said in the letter. PRC Struggle committee leaders and Government Employees take out a protest rally against the PRC in Vijayawada on Tuesday. (Photo:DC) VIJAYAWADA: Government employees intensified their protests against the AP government from Tuesday by holding rallies all over the state. The leaders of employee associations and unions held a rally here demanding cancellation of the 11th PRC, withdrawal of related GOs and resolving of their other issues. The leaders of the PRC Struggle Committee affirmed that they will not stop their protests, agitations and strike programme until the government accepted their demands. Rallies were held in all districts of AP demanding cancellation of the 11th PRC, implementation of old PRC, withdrawal of GO on CCA cancellation and rollback of HRA deduction. The employees, teachers, workers, pensioners and others participated in the rally from PNBS to Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada. APNGOs Association head and chairman of AP JAC, Bandi Srinivasa said 14 lakh government employees will be hit by the adverse effects of the 11th PRC. He asked the government to give fitment above interim relief. He said they will start the indefinite strike on February 7. AP Revenue Services Association president and APJAC Amaravati chairman, Bopparaju Venkateswarlu said the government employees were seeking the release of the Ashutosh Misra PRC report. He objected to the release of GOs regarding the implementation of the new PRC without considering the objections of the employees. AP government employees association president and chairman of APGEA JAC, Suryanarayana said the government created confusion over the PRC system followed by AP. He said the government must clarify whether AP is following the Central PRC or APs PRC. He alleged that the chief secretary failed to resolve their issues despite conducting talks nine times. AP secretariat employees association president and chairman of AP government employees federation, Venkatarami Reddy said that associations and unions fought independently in the past, but now they have united in the fight for cancellation of GOs regarding new PRC etc. This years Republic Day parade and celebrations may not have a foreign dignitary as chief guest, but the Narendra Modi government, known for its proclivity for attention-grabbing decisions, has pulled out a guest of honour from the past. It may sound incongruous, but many Indians believe that Subhas Chandra Bose, just Netaji to most, even in his 125th birth anniversary year, will (re)appear miraculously and messiah-like resolve every crisis and woe that shrouds the nation. Why and with what purpose in mind did the Prime Minister, who has since 2013 onward, after becoming his partys prime ministerial face, projected himself as redeemer and post-bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya, as high priest, choose to resurrect Bose and place him on a pedestal, literally, at this stage in Narendra Modis own political career? Does this have anything to do with the Prime Minister sensing a deficit in public support and thus requiring bolsters from the past, at a location where it will always be on display? This years Republic Day celebrations are not unique merely for this reason. Not only is this the 75th year of Indian independence, but on this occasion, the government has done away with two time-honoured traditions that were part of the Indian popular imagination associated with the day. The first is the solemn ritual of the President, PM and the chiefs of the three defence services visiting Amar Jawan Jyoti, till recently underneath India Gate, and paying tribute to deceased soldiers who laid down their lives to protect the countrys territory and upholding its dignity. This tradition continued for 50 years after Indira Gandhi decided to raise this structure, small in size but colossal in its imprint on public memory. The flame of course continues in name, at another site, unsurprisingly a new monument raised by this government, a process that also enabled Indians to know that not just political parties, but ceremonial flames too can be merged. The other tradition being forsaken is the decision to do away with the 19th century hymn, Abide with Me, which was played by massed bands at Beating Retreat, a practice that continued from 1950. The universal solemnity of the hymn, despite its Christian character, did not just add to the sombreness of the ceremony, but was Mahatma Gandhis favourite musical composition too for its innate capacity to enable listeners to retreat into their own selves. In its place, the replacement, Ae Mere Watan ke Logon, undoubtedly an evocative song, but it doesnt fit into the sentiments behind the Beating Retreat ceremony, of soldiers being recalled to their castle in the backdrop of the setting sun. But, the sentimental lyrics of the song are essential to promote the Modi brand of patriotic kitsch that has been parroted over the past several years. The Republic Day celebrations will complete a full circle with this song for it will henceforth now begin from January 23, with eulogies at the canopy where Boses statue will eventually be installed and get over with the song composed and first publicly sung in the aftermath of the 1962 war with China. In the BJPs handouts, Netaji was ignored by the Congress Party, a practice with Jawaharlal Nehru himself leading the side-lining of Boses memory. Advancing the start of the Republic Day festivities will henceforth provide Mr Modi with opportunity to hark on this neglect. The celebrations shall conclude with a reminder of Nehrus biggest debacle, the 1962 war, for the song was rendered by Lata Mangeshkar at National Stadium, very close to India Gate in its aftermath, as balm for a grief-stricken nation and its emotionally fraught PM. Netaji, even before the BJPs parading of him as a forsaken patriot from 2014 onwards, was a much-loved nationalist in the entire country, may be more reverentially in states like West Bengal. There is also no denying that in popular lore, only two episodes in his political career lives among the people the bitter falling out with Gandhi, and thus with Nehru in 1939, when he was re-elected Congress president at the Tripuri Congress defeating the Gandhi-backed Pattabhi Sitaramayya. The other chapter, much more serious for its grave implications on Indias security and eventual sovereignty in the event of Bose having been successful in his plans, is the period starting with his dramatic escape from Calcutta in 1941, raising the Indian National Army and culminating in his still disputed demise in 1945. Despite the reverence for Bose over his incontestable patriotism, he remains intensely problematic for the overzealous azadi at any cost path he chose and partnered with the Axis powers in hope of driving out the British. This politically injudicious move paradoxically underscored that Boses bravado was hamstrung by severe limitations about his understanding of global politics and its implications for the nation. But if this government and the BJP genuinely respect the memory of Bose, it must not any longer fan speculation over his passing. To ensure the dignified closure of his life, Mr Modi must personally lead efforts to stop the perpetuation of falsities, as his government tacitly did when the cinematic misadventure, Gumnami, was bestowed with state film awards some years ago. This however seems improbable because ideological affinity was not the reason for the BJP to embark on its Project Netaji. Contrarily, a major portion of Boses political beliefs and convictions were against the tenets of the BJPs ideology of Hindutva. Not only was Bose committed to the idea of an inclusive India, but he was also firmly convinced that religion had no public role to play in India. It becomes evident that the BJP indulged in glorification of Netaji and his legacy solely because, like other nationalist icons it has appropriated, Sardar Patel and Dr B.R. Ambedkar for instance, Bose is a tool to denigrate the Congress with. In a recent video conversation with historian Anirban Bandopadhyay, Boses awkward legacy came up and we pondered over the possibilities of how events might have unravelled in the event of Netaji returning to India alive at the end of the Second World War. Undoubtedly, that would have jeopardised the political narrative evolving under the Gandhi-Nehru-Patel stewardship. The improbable return of Netaji into Indias mainstream politics would have jeopardised the career paths of leaders of every hue, even those of Hindu nationalistic orientation. This makes it evident that the new Republic Day package is little but another questionable set of decisions to bolster a faltering political narrative on the eve of crucial state Assembly elections in five states, in which the BJP is the incumbent in four. A national anthem consists of the countrys identity, hopes, and its message to the world. Indias national anthem is remarkable for what it envisions. While Tagore had no way of knowing at the time he penned it that Jana Gana Mana would become independent Indias national anthem, the song is remarkably prescient and comprehensive in its scope. A close deconstruction reveals that Jana Gana Mana embodies a political vision for India. Based on a limited reading of history, critics have over the decades mistakenly claimed that Jana Gana Mana was an act of servitude and an ode to the British monarch. This theory exasperated Tagore himself. Tagore was apparently asked by a British friend to write a eulogy to King George V during his visit to India in 1911. But the request, Tagore says, produced a great stir in his heart. He wrote Jana Gana Mana on 11 December 1911. The song was first rendered at the Congress session in Calcutta on 28 December 1911 where subsequently, moderates in the party adopted a resolution of thanks to the monarch. On 30 December, the King visited Calcutta. Given the timeline, English-language press in Calcutta of that era erroneously reported that the Jana Gana Mana was a homage to the monarch. But Tagore was a staunch nationalist at heart, a man who had composed the tune to Vande Mataram which animated the protests against the partition of Bengal in 1905. By 1911, Tagore was also deeply spiritual in his writing, as testified by the allegories in Gitanjali published the previous year. Thus, Tagore the spiritual nationalist found the idea of praising any mortal- least of all a foreign monarch- as the purveyor of Indias destiny revolting. Tagore wrote to his editor Pulin Behari Sen in 1937 explaining the circumstances in which he had composed Jana Gana Mana. Tagore explained that the song pronounced the victory of Bharat Bhagya Vidhata who has, age after age, held steadfast the reins of Indias chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Tagore also said later that Jana Gana Mana hails the (the) Dispenser of India's destiny who guides, through all rise and fall, the wayfarers, He who shows the people the way...". In other words, in referring to Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, Tagore mocked that any mortal could claim to rule India. From its inception, Jana Gana Mana was a rebellion in verse. Language is critical to understanding a songs content. Jana Gana Manas lyrics address Indias ethno-lingual groups (Punjab Sindhu Gujarat Maratha) and not its religious or other social structures. It envisions India as a fabric with its peoples as the warp and weft. And Tagore chose to write the song in the Sanskritized dialect of Bengali called shudha bhasha, arguably well aware of Sanskrits position as a civilizational connector. The critical word in the anthem is janagan. English versions of the song often translate jana gana as multitudes. In one English translation of the song, Tagore translated Jana Gana loosely as all people. But Tagore was himself critical of his self-translations as seen in a 1915 letter to Sir William Rothenstein about Gitanjali. The reference of the multitudes deriving their authority from a divine shaper of destiny resonates with the idea of a republic. Despite being known as the land of Maharajas and Nawabs, the Indic civilizations republican credentials cannot be overlooked. Republican states in ancient India such as Vaishali were ruled by Ganasabhas, which unlike ancient republics of the West such as Athens or Rome, were not limited to a few families and consisted of all adults in the State. Republican ideals co-existed with monarchies in some parts of India. Under the Cholas, village assemblies called sabhas were governed by committees that were elected by drawing lots or by rotation. Thus, India did not need to look for a foreign word to translate republic into Indian languages in 1950. It had to only look to the Sanskrit word Gana or assembly of men, a word derived from an ancient practice of egalitarianism. The modern Hindi word for republic in both its connotations as a State viz. Ganarajya, and as a political system viz. Ganatantra, bears the prefix Gana. Tagores emphasis in Jana Gana Mana of the multitudes deriving power dei gratia from the Almighty is remarkable. At the time of Jana Gana Manas writing in 1911, hardly anyone foresaw an India outside the British umbrella. Gandhi was not yet back in India, purna swarajya was not even in the political lexicon, and even the Home Rule League was yet to be launched. In short, there was no popular consensus that India should be independent of the British crown. Around the world, other than Haiti and the United States, there was almost no example of a post-colonial republic anywhere. Even in Europe, the unification of Germany and Italy in the 19th century had only strengthened the idea of a strong nation-state under a monarch. Britain herself was a constitutional monarchy, where much was done in the colonies in the name of the Crown irrespective of the actual views of the monarch. And Australia and Canada were dominions. India then consisted of 564 princely states and its immediate past was made of monarchies such as Mughals and Marathas. It was thus a remarkable feat by Tagore to speak of agency for the multitudes. Was it serendipity or prescience? Another key word in the anthem is Adhinayak. That Tagore chose Adhinayak and not a word like Adhiraj (meaning overlord) is significant. Adhinayak can be translated as chief protagonist in Sanskrit. Thus, the song hails even the Almighty at best as the divine chief protagonist in our lives than as one who reigns over us. This acquires new meaning in the context of todays era of rising authoritarianism and hero-worship. Thus, Jana Gana Mana amounts to not just a rejection of monarchy, but to saying that leaders are not overlords. The spirit of the national anthem thus rejects placing any individual above the citizens. It amounts to declaring that those we elect to govern us are one among us, not above us. 111 years ago, this is the vision embedded in Tagores Jana Gana Mana: the Republic of India. Dutton said the Australian government was working with Tongan authorities to ensure the aid could still be delivered safely without passing on Covid to anyone on the island. (Bloomberg Image) Almost two dozen crew on board an Australian Navy ship on its way to provide relief to the Pacific island of Tonga have been diagnosed with coronavirus, potentially hampering aid efforts to the Covid-free nation. Australias Defence Minister Peter Dutton said 23 personnel on the HMAS Adelaide had been infected, in an interview on Sky News on Tuesday. The ship left from Brisbane on Friday with a 600-strong crew as well as humanitarian and medical supplies to assist Tonga in the wake of a volcanic eruption. At least three people died when the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano erupted this month, causing tsunami warnings across the Pacific and covering the Tongan capital Nukualofa in a blanket of ash. Dutton said the Australian government was working with Tongan authorities to ensure the aid could still be delivered safely without passing on Covid to anyone on the island. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Tonga has only recorded a single Covid-19 case, according to the World Health Organization. Obviously they need the aid desperately, but they dont want the risk of Covid, said Dutton, adding that some aid had already been delivered to Tonga through Australian C-17 flights to the island. Separately, one member of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force that had been deployed to deliver aid to Tonga tested positive for coronavirus, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said at a briefing in Tokyo Tuesday. The person was tested in Australia after developing a fever on Monday morning and is in a stable condition in isolation there. The Japanese airmen had been on the ground at Tongas Fuaamotu International Airport on January 22 delivering drinking water and cleaning equipment. Kishi said sufficient other personnel are available and Japans mission wont be impacted. Pacific lockdowns The outbreak onboard the HMAS Adelaide comes as a number of Pacific nations are struggling to eliminate Covid-19 in their communities, with both Kiribati and Samoa recently announcing lockdowns. Both countries recorded fewer than 100 cases combined since the start of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization, but are now seeing a steady rise in infections. On Monday, Samoa extended its lockdown until Thursday for its population of more than 200,000, with shortened opening hours for supermarkets, banks and chemists. At the same time, vaccination rates have lagged behind the rest of the region for many Pacific nations. While both Australia and New Zealand have given more than 75% of their populations two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, that rate has flat-lined at just over 60% in Samoa and Tonga. In Kiribati, less than 40% of the population have received two doses, let alone boosters, to protect against the highly-infectious omicron variant. A day after Congress listed him as a star campaigner for UP polls, RPN Singh quit the party. He is likely to join the BJP. Amit Shah, K P Maurya, other BJP leaders have arrived at BJP headquarters for the CEC meeting. In an interview with DH, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the contest in Punjab was between AAP and the rest. He was confident that the party would win 80 seats and form a majority. Meanwhile, parties across states continued to announce candidates for the elections set to begin on February 10. Stay tuned to DH for more updates... By Swansy Afonso, Indias top metal producers are searching for ways to trim their consumption of coal after sky-rocketing prices of the fuel ate into their profits. Benchmark thermal coal prices have more than doubled in the past year and could surpass Octobers record high as deliveries from Indonesia are delayed and a global energy squeeze continues. Coking coal, a key raw material in the steelmaking process, has risen by nearly a third in Dalian in the same period. Indias biggest steelmaker by value, JSW Steel Ltd., missed profit estimates for the previous quarter after expenses surged 77 per cent from a year earlier mainly due to higher power and coal prices. Total spending at billionaire Anil Agarwals Hindustan Zinc Ltd. also jumped 25% from a year earlier during the quarter. Still, the companies expect the higher raw material costs to push up metal prices, softening the blow. We are of course badly hit by the increased cost of coal but at the same time we also gained by the increased price of the metal, Arun Misra, chief executive officer at Hindustan Zinc, said in an interview. Reducing Coal Use The countrys biggest zinc producer is aiming to cut costs by as much $20 a ton from an average production cost of $1,116 in the nine months through December. This depends on how much you can squeeze the lemon. Everyday we sit down to find out more and more areas of improvement. Hindustan Zinc is looking to minimize the cost of coal through measures including by improving operating efficiencies and reducing consumption of the fuel by modifying its turbines, Misra said. Coal Soars to $300 a Ton as Asia Scrambles for Power Plant Fuel Meanwhile, JSW is bracing for a minimum addition of $25 a ton to coal costs as prices surge again this month, according to Seshagiri Rao, joint managing director at the steel producer. At the same time, the higher costs of coal and iron ore will mean steel prices will remain elevated at least in the current quarter, he said. The Mumbai-based mill expects to commission some power plants at its Maharashtra complex this quarter to reduce power expenses and is exploring blending changes in coal to reduce consumption in the coke oven, he said. Check out DH's latest videos: The initial public offering (IPO) of Vedant Fashions Ltd, which owns ethnic wear brand Manyavar, will open on February 4. The initial share sale will conclude on February 8, according to the red herring prospectus (RHP). The public issue is purely an offer-for-sale of 3,63,64,838 equity shares by the promoter and existing shareholders. The OFS comprises sale of up to 1.74 crore shares by Rhine Holdings Ltd, up to 7.23 lakh shares by Kedaara Capital Alternative Investment Fund-Kedaara Capital AIF I, and up to 1.81 crore shares by Ravi Modi Family Trust. The promoters of the company are Ravi Modi, Shilpi Modi and Ravi Modi Family Trust. Since the IPO is entirely an offer for sale, the company will not receive any proceeds from the public issue. The company, which filed its preliminary IPO papers with Sebi in September, obtained its observation letter on January 18. In Sebi parlance, its observation implies its approval to launch the IPO. Vedant Fashions' Manyavar brand is a category leader in the branded Indian wedding and celebration wear market with a pan India presence. The company's other brands include Twamev, Manthan, Mohey and Mebaz. As of September 2021, the company has an extensive retail network with 546 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs), including 58 shop-in-shops globally -- 11 overseas EBOs across the United States, Canada and the UAE, having a large Indian diaspora. In India, the company's EBO network spans 212 cities and towns as of September 2021. "We seek to grow our retail network and product reach by entering new geographies, including in Tier II and III towns and cities in India, as we believe that these markets offer significant growth opportunities for us," the company said. Axis Capital, Edelweiss Financial Services, ICICI Securities, IIFL Securities and Kotak Mahindra Capital are the book running lead managers to the issue. Watch the latest DH Videos here: The Japanese Embassy in Seoul has refused to accept South Korean President Moon Jae-in's Lunar New Year gift, claiming the gift's box bears an image of South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, Japanese news reports said Saturday. Upon the refusal, the embassy lodged a protest and repeated Japan's territorial claim to the islets. The presidential office did not make any specific comments on the issue. City-based western music prodigy Syed Fateen Ahmed and Bharatanatyam dancer Remona Evette Pereira were among the 29 children who received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar award on Monday. Fourteen-year-old Fateen, who began learning music at the age of three, is now a western classical pianist, guitarist, and vocalist trained by international teachers. Remona, 17, received the award in recognition of her achievements in art and culture. Remona has been trained in semi-classical, western, and contemporary dance styles. My mother applied for this award last year after she got to know about it from a friend. It is a great feeling and an honour to receive this award. I feel proud to represent India, Fateen told DH. Fateen takes western piano lessons from Belarusian concert pianists and concertmasters Natallia Kapylova and Liudmilla Alizarchyk. At the age of 12, in December 2020, he also became one of the youngest Indians to complete a diploma with distinction at the London College of Music (LCM). Fateens parents Asma and Syed Zameer said their son was honoured to receive the award. We read the Prime Ministers tweet about him and are touched. It is very encouraging. Studying in class 8 in Samved School in the city, Fateen wants to build a career in western music and aspires to become a sound engineer. Apart from music, he is also interested in painting, chess, and swimming. Bengaluru Urban DC J Manjunath felicitated Fateen at Kandaya Bhavan. Along with Fateen, the district administration also felicitated Uttar Pradeshs Abhinav Kumar Choudhary who won the award in the social service category. Choudhary is studying in Jawahar Navodaya School, Bengaluru Urban, according to officials. Choudhary had created an app to promote the reuse of books during the lockdown, which benefitted thousands of children in rural India. Dancing on glass shreds Remona, who started learning dance at the age of three, said she initially found it difficult to dance on shreds of glass. Many times the glass shreds have pierced through. But due to the constant encouragement from my mother, I mastered the dance. Despite financial difficulties, my mother Gladis Celine enrolled me in a classical dancing school. "I am now driven by a passion to highlight the diversity of culture in Indian classical dance to the world, said Remona, who was greeted by Narendra Modi virtually. Remona recollected how her mother had to struggle after the death of her father. (With inputs from Harsha in Mangaluru) Check out latest DH videos here Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackerays son and minister Aaditya Thackeray would campaign in the Goa Assembly elections. The Shiv Sena is contesting the elections in Goa in alliance with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and they would be fielding candidates in two dozen seats of the 40 seats of the state. Yes, Aaditya Thackeray would be campaigning in Goa, Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai. It may be mentioned, Aaditya, who is the state environment, tourism and protocol minister, earlier this month held a strategy meeting on Goa polls in a meeting in which Raut, Vinayak Raut, Uday Samant, and Anil Desai were present. Aadityas forthcoming visit to Goa assumes significance in the wake of Thackerays address to party workers during which he asked them to prepare for all elections from Gram Panchayats to Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha in same zeal and also to spread wings in other states. Check out DH's latest videos: Wrestler Babita Phogat and BJP candidate from Baghpat, Krishanpal Malik, have been booked along with around 60 others for flouting the poll code in Baghpat. They were booked on Monday under IPC sections 269, 270 and 188 and the Epidemic Diseases Act after a video, in which they could be seen holding a public rally in Baghpat, went viral. According to police, Phogat had gone to the Bali village of Badaut to campaign for Krishanpal Malik, who is also the sitting MLA from the area. Also Read -- Not opinion, opium polls: Akhilesh slams surveys predicting BJPs win in UP She addressed a public gathering at the village in which no one was wearing masks. No permission was taken from the district administration to conduct the public meeting either, it was alleged. The administration took suo motu cognisance of the alleged poll code violation after Phogat uploaded photographs pertaining to the campaign on her Twitter account. Baghpat police station inspector Harish Chandra, said, "We have booked Krishanpal Malik, Babita Phogat and 50-60 unidentified persons under various sections of the IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act, for not following Covid protocol and guidelines laid down by the Election Commission for poll campaigning. Watch the latest DH Videos here: At a time when all saints in Ayodhya wanted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Ayodhya, the chief priest of the Ram Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, has said it is good that Adityanath is not contesting from this Assembly constituency as he would have faced a lot of opposition. Das told media that he has suggested that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister should contest elections from Gorakhpur instead, as people whose houses and shops were demolished in Ayodhya due to infrastructure projects in the wake of the construction of the Ram temple, were opposing him. Acharya Satyendra Das said he advised that Yogi Adityanath should not contest from Ayodhya "after asking 'Ram Lalla' (Lord Ram)". Also Read | This Uttar Pradesh village says no to BJP leaders "It is good that Yogi Adityanath is not contesting from here. I had suggested it earlier and advised that it will be better that he contest from any Assembly seat of Gorakhpur. I speak after asking Ram Lalla. I speak with Ram Lalla's inspiration," said Das, who is the chief priest of the makeshift Ram Lalla temple, which is now being replaced by a grand temple. The 84-year-old priest added that the seers here are divided in their opinion and those whose houses and shops were demolished are against the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. "This opposition is there. He ( Yogi Adityanath) would have won from here (Ayodhya) but could have also faced problems," he said. The priest, however, added that the ruling BJP will not let go the Ram temple issue and it will remain on their agenda. "Earlier, there was Ram Lalla movement, then came the court's order and the construction of the Ram temple started. This Ram temple issue will never go away. They will say firing was opened here on karsevaks, application was moved in the court to prevent the construction -- but the temple construction is on. They (BJP) will certainly take the name of Ram temple. This will not go away," Das said. Also read | Jo Jinnah se kare pyar, wo Pakistan se kaise kare inkaar: BJP's dig at Akhilesh Yadav Das hopes to see the Ram temple completed in his lifetime. "Let us see how many days it takes for the construction to complete. Majority of those who were with me have passed away. I will serve here till my last breath," he said. Das had joined as the priest of the makeshift Ram Lalla temple in 1992, the year the Babri Masjid was demolished. When asked whether any party candidate had come to take his blessings, Das added, "Till now, wife of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Pawan Pandey has come to me. He is a strong candidate from the SP." Ayodhya will go to the polls in the fifth phase on February 27. Check out DH's latest videos Alleging that polarisation suits both the BJP and the SP to consolidate their vote bases in Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said the ruling party may end up being the largest beneficiary of this divisive rhetoric and therefore people need to be given a choice of another kind of politics that doesn't divide society on religious or caste lines. Citing that farm laws and the Lakhimpur Kheri incident caused "immense pain" to farmers, she also said the government's "indifference'' and "hostile" approach towards the farmers will play an important part in determining the outcome of the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh's western belt. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Priyanka Gandhi said her party will take a call on whether to forge a post-poll alliance once the election results are out and if and when such a situation should arise. Read more: Congress leader RPN Singh joins BJP, may contest against Swami Prasad Maurya With her party going to the polls with a focus on women and announcing that it will give 40 per cent of tickets to them, she said women are 50 per cent of the population and if they consolidate into a political and electoral force by recognising their own value and strength in political terms, they can change the politics of our nation. Asked about the key issues in Uttar Pradesh polls and whether the farm bills and the Lakhimpur Kheri incident will have an impact, she said different political parties are highlighting different issues, some of these are divisive and intended to polarise the debate along religious or caste lines. "It is a reality of politics in UP that elections are fought and often won in this manner but I firmly believe that this has to change. Elections must be fought on issues of development -- employment, job creation, health services, education -- these should be central to our discussion and debate," she asserted. The Congress in Uttar Pradesh is working on a positive and progressive agenda, Priyanka Gandhi said, adding that "we have refused to engage in a negative discourse". As far as the farm bills and the Lakhimpur Kheri incident are concerned, they have been a source of "immense pain" to farmers across the state but especially in western Uttar Pradesh, she said. "I do believe that the government's indifference, its hostile and autocratic approach towards the farmers who were protesting and those who lost their lives, will play an important part in determining the outcome of the elections in the western belt," Priyanka Gandhi said. The Centre repealed the three farm laws last year after a nearly year-long protest by farmers, including from western UP, who had camped at the borders of Delhi, demanding their repeal. Also, eight persons, including four farmers, were killed during a farmers' protest on October 3 in Lakhimpur Kheri. On divisive rhetoric and how her party plans to counter polarisation, Priyanka Gandhi said she feels that at some level, whether it is the "polarising force" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Samajwadi Party (SP), it serves the same purpose -- it suits both these parties as it consolidates their vote bases. "Ultimately, I feel the largest beneficiary of this polarisation may end up being the BJP. In order to stop the BJP actually, you need a party that changes the discourse rather than positing another pole for polarising it further," she said, in an apparent swipe at the SP. The answer to this kind of politics lies in refocusing the agenda on development, she added. Her remarks come days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the assembly polls in the state will be about '80 per cent vs 20 per cent', evoking a sharp response from the Opposition that accused him of attempting to polarise the electorate. Muslims constitute around 20 per cent of the state's population. BJP leaders have been accused of raising issues such as the Ram Temple and Kashi Vishwanath temple to polarise voters. The saffron party, in turn, has hit out at the Akhilesh Yadav-led party SP of invoking Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Pakistan to vitiate the discourse. Priyanka Gandhi said people are suffering and they have to be made to connect this suffering to the lack of governance. "Event management is not the same as effective governance. People have to be made to understand that, and demand good governance. Despite the crores it spends on advertising itself as one of the leading state governments in India, the truth is that the BJP government in UP does not know how to govern," she alleged. "Fundamentally, it has allowed the structures that sustain governance and development to be taken over by mafias and destroyed. It has done virtually nothing to build infrastructure, to improve education and healthcare, to provide jobs and reduce the massive hit that small industries and businesses have taken post-Corona," Priyanka Gandhi said. Stressing that people have to be shown that there is a choice, Priyanka Gandhi said another kind of politics is possible, and it is more beneficial to them than the politics of division which only benefits certain political parties. On her party making a strong pitch for women in the polls and basing the campaign on it, the Congress general secretary said she believes that women should vote as a separate political entity and this is a beginning in that direction. "They are 50 per cent of the population, yet they are hugely under-represented in the political space. If they consolidate into a political and electoral force by recognising their own value and strength in political terms -- they can change the politics of our nation," she said. Polling for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7 and the counting of votes will be taken up on March 10. Watch the latest DH videos: A day after Congress listed him as a star campaigner for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, senior leader RPN Singh on Tuesday ended speculation about his political future by quitting the party to join the rival BJP. Singh, who was Congress in-charge of Jharkhand, sent his resignation letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi thanking her for giving him an opportunity to serve the nation, people and the party. Hours after his quitting, Congress appointed Avinash Pande as party in-charge in Jharkhand. "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind," he tweeted, sharing the resignation letter. Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/O4jWyL0YDC RPN Singh (@SinghRPN) January 25, 2022 He is the second prominent Congress leader in UP to join the BJP after Jitin Prasada, who was made a Minister in Yogi Adityanath government. Singh along with Prasada and Jyotiraditya Scindia, who became a Union Minister and was present at the function to induct Singh into BJP, were considered close to Rahul Gandhi. "I spent 32 years in one political party. But that party has not remained the same as it was before. I will work as a 'Karyakarta' (party worker) towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dreams for India," Singh said as he joined the BJP in the presence of UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, who is UP in-charge, Anurag Thakur and Scindia among others. Congress hit back at him with party spokespersons Supriya Shrinate and Gourav Vallabh saying that there is a need for courage and commitment to ideology to fight the battle the party is lodging against the government. Shrinate said, "I don't think this (fight against the BJP) is not meant for the coward. We wish him the best." Singh (58), who was Minister of State Minister of State in Manmohan Singh government in 2009 and held portfolios like Road, Transport and Highways, Petroleum and Home Affairs, may be fielded as the BJP candidate against Samajwadi Party's Swami Prasad Maurya, a BJP Minister who had defected recently from Padrauna. Singh had represented Padrauna between 1996 and 2009 before he became a Lok Sabha MP from Kushi Nagar. However, he could not retain in the next elections and lost in 2019 too. Shrinate told reporters the kind of battle of ideology the Congress is putting across the country and especially in UP is a battle against the government's resources, agencies and its ideology. To fight a battle as strongly pitched like this, she said, one needs courage and a lot of dedication. Vallabh said those who left the party did not have the courage or commitment to be part of this "He (RPN) didn't have that commitment that the Congress workers are showing in this battle," he told reporters. Singh was UP Youth Congress president between 1997 and 1999 and an AICC Secretary between 2003 and 2006. Check out the latest DH videos here: China's deployment of J-16D jets into Taiwan's air defence zone this week marked the first sighting of the new high-tech warplanes, Taipei confirmed Tuesday, their electronic-jamming equipment posing a fresh threat to the island. Taiwan lives under the constant spectre of invasion by China, which sees the self-ruled, democratic island as part of its territory to eventually be reclaimed -- by force if necessary. The final quarter of 2021 saw a massive spike of Chinese incursions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), with the biggest single day coming on October 4, when 56 warplanes entered the zone. Read more: China targets celebrities, fan groups in new month-long clean up campaign Sunday and Monday saw a dramatic show of force as well, with 52 warplanes entering the zone over the two days, according to the island's defence ministry. Among the 13 observed on Monday were two J-16D jets, which the ministry confirmed Tuesday to AFP was the first time the high-tech warplanes had been seen in action. The new jets were first unveiled at an airshow in China in September, Chinese state-run media Global Times reported. The J-16D comes with four jamming pods and two electronic warfare pods as well as two missiles under the jet's belly, it said. "It is capable of destroying radar to suppress and damage the enemy's aerial defence capabilities," Shu Hsiao-huang, an analyst at Taiwan's Institute for National Defence and Security Research, told AFP. These radar-jamming capabilities could "pave the way for subsequent attacks", he added. "It poses a big new threat to Taiwan's air defence." The Global Times published a sabre-rattling editorial Tuesday, calling the appearance of the J-16D fighters a "self-evident" message. "PLA (The People's Liberation Army) warplanes will not only fly around Taiwan island, they could also... sooner or later fly over the island," the editorial warned. The two-day rash of incursions came on the heels of the United States and Japan carrying out naval exercises in the Philippine Sea last week, an area that includes waters just east of Taiwan. Taiwan only started regularly publicising its data on air incursions in September 2020. October remains the busiest month on record, with 196 forays into the defence zone, which extends well beyond Taiwan's territorial airspace, overlapping with parts of China's ADIZ. Sunday's 39 warplanes -- the majority of them J-16 fighters -- is tied with October 2 as the second-highest recorded number of incursions in a single day. Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen was elected president in 2016, as she considers the island a sovereign nation and not part of "one China". Last year, Taiwan recorded 969 incursions by Chinese warplanes, according to a database compiled by AFP -- more than double the roughly 380 carried out in 2020. North Korea fired what appeared to be two cruise missiles into the sea off its east coast earlier on Tuesday, Yonhap news reported citing military sources, days after a flurry of ballistic missile tests. South Korea's military is assessing the launches to determine the nature of the projectiles, Yonhap news said. The office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately have confirmation of the report. Cruise missile launches by the North are not banned under United Nations sanctions imposed on Pyongyang, which has defied international condemnation and conducted four rounds of ballistic missile tests, the last on January 17. Watch the latest DH Videos here: The United States on Monday put 8,500 troops on alert over the growing tension in Ukraine and President Joe Biden called European allies in an effort to maintain Western unity against Russian pressure. The European Union, meanwhile, urged allies to avoid a "nervous breakdown" in the face of fears that Russia could stage a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite insisting he has no intention of attacking, President Vladimir Putin has deployed some 100,000 troops close to Ukraine, where Russia already seized Crimea in 2014 and backs a separatist army in the east. In Washington, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the US force of up to 8,500 was on "heightened alert," but the troops were not yet being deployed. Most of the troops would be used to boost the NATO Response Force if it were to be activated. Also Read | Biden to talk to European leaders over Ukraine crisis "What this is about... is reassurance to our NATO allies," Kirby said. "It sends a very clear signal to Mr Putin that we take our responsibilities to NATO seriously." NATO also said it was sending jets and ships to bolster its eastern flank. The tension helped fuel steep drops in global markets, while Russia's main stock index plunged and the central bank suspended foreign currency purchasing after the ruble slumped. Moscow is demanding a guarantee that Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, never be allowed to join NATO, as well as other concessions by the United States in return for a decrease in tension. The United States and NATO have rejected the Russian demands and told Putin to deescalate, warning that a Russian attack on Ukraine will trigger "severe" economic sanctions and a beefed-up NATO presence in eastern Europe. The French government announced that Russian and Ukrainian officials would meet, along with French and German counterparts, in Paris on Wednesday to try to find a way out of the impasse. As the crisis drags on, Washington is trying to maintain transatlantic and NATO unity against Russia, which supplies about 40 percent of the European Union's natural gas. At the White House, Biden was set to hold a secure video call with the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, the EU and NATO. The White House said the talks were "part of our close consultation and coordination with our transatlantic allies." Kirby insisted "there is no daylight" between Washington and EU allies. In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after talks with US top diplomat Antony Blinken that there was nothing to suggest an "immediate" Russian attack. "You have to stay calm doing what you have to do, and avoid a nervous breakdown," he said. Both Kyiv and the EU said any withdrawal of foreign embassy personnel was premature. But Britain and Australia followed the United States in ordering diplomats' families to leave Kyiv, while France told citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told European Council President Charles Michel that it was "important to preserve the unity of all EU member states in protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Ukraine. The US-led NATO alliance said its members were placing troops "on standby" and sending ships and jets to bolster eastern Europe's defenses in response to the Russian buildup, pointing to recent decisions by Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands to mobilize forces. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg insisted the alliance "will continue to take all necessary measures to protect" members. The Kremlin accused NATO of "hysteria" and warned that Ukrainian troops fighting Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country could launch an offensive. Referring to the Kremlin accusations, Zelensky's office said Ukraine would not "succumb to provocations." The United States has warned that Moscow could manufacture a "false flag" incident in Ukraine to be able to then frame an invasion as a justified response. The European Union and the United States are trying to agree on a package of sanctions against Moscow that it hopes will deter Russia. But the 27-nation bloc faces a complex task, as members have starkly differing approaches and ties to Russia. The new government in EU economic powerhouse Germany has faced criticism from Kyiv over its refusal to send arms to Ukraine and hesitation over one of the harshest economic punishments being discussed -- cutting Moscow from the global SWIFT payment system. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock insisted any further aggression from Moscow would get a "clear response" from Europe and talked up the economic support Berlin gives Kyiv. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was preparing a 1.2-billion-euro emergency financial aid package for Ukraine. Non-NATO member Ireland meanwhile sounded the alarm over upcoming Russian military exercises off its southwest coast in the international waters of the Atlantic. Check out latest DH videos here Guatemala's highest court on Monday sentenced five former paramilitaries to 30 years in prison after they were found guilty of raping 36 Mayan women between 1981 and 1985 during the bloodiest time of the Central American nation's civil war. The trial against the former members of the so-called Civil Self-Defense Patrol, armed groups recruited by the army, began three weeks ago. During the trial, survivors and relatives of the victims of the Achi indigenous group gave testimony. "The women were subjected to continuous rape and also to domestic slavery," said Gervi Sical, one of the judges as the sentence was read. The former patrolmen "disappeared" all the men from a village in Baja Verapaz, in northern Guatemala, and then raped, tied up and threatened the women, Sical said. After being raped, they were urinated on. Pedrina Lopez, one of the victims, said they were not seeking revenge but rather justice. "We don't want this to happen again," she said. The five former patrolmen are alive and in prison. In 2016, two soldiers were sentenced for sexual violence, and sexual and domestic slavery of 15 Q'eqchi women, also of Mayan origin. Check out latest DH videos here Candidates should not try to 'buy votes' Presidential candidates of the rival political parties have gone too far in making campaign pledges they cannot keep. It is reckless and irresponsible for them to try to woo voters with unfeasible policy proposals. On Sunday, Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), promised to supply 3.11 million new homes over the next five years if he is elected president. This figure is up from his previous pledge to build 2.5 million homes to cool the overheated housing market. By increasing the figure by 610,000, he seemed to show his strong will to ensure a stable housing supply. Most of all, he has apparently sought to edge out his rival, Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) who has also vowed to supply 2.5 million new homes. Yet, Lee has failed to present a detailed action plan on how to make good on his promise. If history is any guide, it is difficult to increase the housing supply in a short period of time. Former President Roh Tae-woo provided 300,000 new homes in the early 1990s by developing two high-density residential areas near the capital city Bundang in Seongnam and Ilsan in Goyang. Then, another president, Roh Moo-hyun, pushed for a project to build 680,000 homes in other satellite cities such as Paju and Dongtan in the 2000s. However, the project is still underway, demonstrating how difficult it is to create such large-scale residential developments. Nevertheless, the candidates are tempted to promise to provide more homes because the Moon Jae-in administration has come under severe criticism for failing to keep runaway housing prices in check. The government invited the ire of the public because it has focused on cracking down on housing speculation by increasing property taxes and capital gains taxes. It has only belatedly pushed for a project to increase the housing supply. The government's failure to stabilize the housing market is serving as a stumbling block in Lee's campaigning. Apologizing for the failure, Lee has sought aggressively to offer new policy options to supply more homes at affordable prices. He has also pledged to ease the tax burden on homeowners. But his campaign pledges should be based on reality. If he continues making promises he cannot keep, he is simply telling lies to the people. No candidate should think that they don't have to keep campaign promises once elected. Opposition candidate Yoon is no better. He has promised to increase the provision of financial support for small businesses and the self-employed who are most vulnerable to the economic fallout from the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic. He has also made a proposal to drastically raise the wages of conscripted soldiers. It is regrettable for the rival candidates to engage in fierce competition through populist policies, which is tantamount to buying votes. They are blamed for paying no attention to the government's growing budget deficit and soaring national debt. Imagine what would happen if such a populist candidate becomes the next leader of our country. An Iranian court on Tuesday convicted French national Benjamin Briere of espionage, sentencing him to eight years in prison, BFM TV reported. Briere, 36, has been held in Iran 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. Briere's lawyer in France was not immediately available for comment. In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Briere's trial came as the United States and parties to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, including France, tried to revive the pact after then-U.S. President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the agreement in 2018. Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Western powers have long demanded that Tehran free their citizens, whom they say are political prisoners. Watch latest videos by DH here: Pakistan has dropped 16 spots on the global Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021 and is ranked 140th out of 180 countries, Transparency International said in a report on Tuesday, in a major blow to Prime Minister Imran Khans government which came to power on the promise of introducing a clean governance system. The report released by the Berlin-based non-profit organisation formed to combat global corruption said that corruption levels remain at a standstill worldwide, with 86 per cent of countries making little to no progress in the last 10 years. In its 2021 edition, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), drawing on 13 expert assessments and surveys of business executives. In 2020, Pakistan's CPI was 31 and it was ranked 124 out of 180 countries. According to Transparency International, the country's corruption score has now deteriorated to 28 while it is ranked 140 out of the total 180 countries on the index. Comparatively, India's score stands at 40 and is ranked 85, while Bangladesh's CPI is 26 and stands at 147th position. Explaining the causes of low score of Pakistan, the report said the absence of the rule of law and state capture were the main reasons. The report comes at a time when Prime Minister Khan is under pressure to improve the performance of his government which came to power in 2018 on the promise of introducing a clean governance system. His advisor on accountability, Shehzad Akbar, stepped down on Monday amidst reports of his poor performance to bring the corrupt elements under the law. To add to Khans woes, Justice (retd) Nasira Iqbal, Vice-Chair of Transparency International Pakistan, said that the ranking of Pakistan under the PTI government has gradually come down. In 2019, it was 120th out of 180 countries, in 2020, it was 124th and in 2021 it worsened further to 140, she said. In contrast, in 2018, during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) period, Pakistans ranking was 117 out of 180 countries. Former prime minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while addressing the media said that the report showed that the Khans government is corrupt and incompetent. This government is the most corrupt government in the entire history of Pakistan, he said, and demanded Khan step down immediately. The CPI global average remains unchanged at 43 for the tenth year in a row, and two-thirds of countries score below 50, the report said. According to the report, the top-performing countries are Denmark, Finland and New Zealand all having a corruption perceptions score of 88 followed by Norway, Singapore and Sweden, all of them scoring 85. In contrast, the worst-performing countries were South Sudan with a corruption perceptions score of 11, followed by Syria (13), Somalia (13, Venezuela (14) and Afghanistan (16). As anti-corruption efforts stagnate and deteriorate, human rights and democracy are under attack. This is no coincidence. The continued use by governments of the COVID-19 pandemic to erode human rights and democracy could also lead to sharper declines across the globe in the future, the report said. Transparency International calls on governments to act on their anti-corruption and human rights commitments and for people across the globe to join together in demanding change. In authoritarian contexts where control over government, business and the media rests with a few, social movements remain the last check on power. It is the power held by teachers, shopkeepers, students and ordinary people from all walks of life that will ultimately deliver accountability, said Daniel Eriksson, Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International. Since its inception in 1995, the CPI has become the leading global indicator of public sector corruption. The Index scores 180 countries and territories around the world based on perceptions of public sector corruption, using data from 13 external sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, private risk and consulting companies, think tanks and others. The scores reflect the views of experts and business people. Watch latest videos by DH here: Tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which has massed troops along their border, has drawn Washington and Moscow into a Cold War-style stand-off. Here is a timeline of the spiralling situation. On November 10, 2021 NATO warns Moscow about taking "aggressive action" after Washington reports unusual troops movements near the Ukrainian border. Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the West of "supplying modern weapons to Kyiv" and staging provocative military exercises. Also Read | US puts 8,500 troops on 'heightened alert' over Ukraine tensions On November 28, Ukraine says Russia is massing nearly 92,000 troops for an offensive at the end of January or early February. Moscow denies this outright and three days later accuses Kyiv of a military build-up of its own, demanding "legal guarantees" that it will never join NATO. On December 7, US President Joe Biden threatens Putin with "strong economic and other measures" if he invades Ukraine. Also Read | Russian, Ukranian officials to meet in Paris on Wednesday: Macron aide On December 16, the EU and NATO warn of "massive strategic consequences if there was a further attack on Ukraine's territorial integrity". The next day Moscow puts forward proposals to limit US influence on former Soviet states. On December 28, Washington and Moscow announce European security talks. On January 2, 2022 Biden assures Ukraine that Washington and its allies would "respond decisively" if Russia moves to invade. Three days later EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledges the bloc's full support for Ukraine. On January 8, a senior White House official says the US is ready to discuss with Russia the two countries' missile systems and military exercises. On January 10, top US and Russian officials begin a week of tense talks in Geneva. A cyberattack on January 14 briefly knocks out key government websites in Ukraine. Kyiv says it has uncovered clues Russia could have been behind it. On January 17, Russian troops begin arriving in ex-Soviet Belarus for snap military drills, which Moscow says are aimed at "thwarting external aggression". US officials say the size of the force is "beyond what we'd expect of a normal exercise." Two days later Washington announces an extra $200 million in security aid to Kyiv. On January 20, Biden says any incursion of Russian troops is "an invasion" after appearing to suggest a "minor" attack on Ukraine could invite a lesser response. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he asked Russsian counterpart Sergei Lavrov at a meeting on Friday to prove Russia is not planning to invade Ukraine. Washington promises a written response to Russian security demands the following week. The same day ex-Soviet NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- after the green-light from Washington -- say they will send anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to allow Ukraine to defend itself. Russia vows "the most serious consequences" if Washington keeps ignoring its "legitimate security concerns" over Ukraine. Russia also demands the withdrawal of NATO troops from Romania and Bulgaria. On Saturday Britain alleges that Moscow is "looking to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv" and planning for an attack. Moscow dismisses the claims as "disinformation". The next day Ukraine vows to counter Russian influence over its political and economic life. In the evening Washington orders the families of its diplomats in Kyiv to leave the country "due to the continued threat" of a Russian invasion, also warning against travel to Russia. Britain withdraws some staff and their relatives from its embassy in Ukraine on Monday, while France advises nationals against non-essential travel there. NATO allies put forces on standby and send ships and fighter jets to bolster Europe's eastern defences. Biden schedules a video call with European allies later Monday to discuss a common response. Global stock markets fall, spooked by fears of war. Check out latest DH videos here Russia faces Western sanctions "heavier than anything" seen before if it invades Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday after allied leaders held crisis talks on Moscow's threats. Johnson again warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of the likely devastation from any incursion by his forces, as he updated parliament following the call late Monday with the US and European allies. "We agreed that we would respond to any Russian attack on Ukraine in unison by imposing coordinated and severe economic sanctions, heavier than anything we've done before against Russia," he said. Asked if Moscow could be frozen out of the global Swift system for financial payments, Johnson said: "There is no doubt that that would be a very potent weapon." He noted that such a step would have to be handled by the United States, as the centre of the global financial system, adding: "We're in discussions about that." Ukrainians would be "dogged and tenacious" in resisting any Russian incursion, Johnson said, after authorising the deployment of some 2,000 British anti-tank weapons to Kyiv along with military trainers. "The ensuing bloodshed would be "comparable to the first war in Chechnya, or Bosnia, or any other conflict that Europe has endured since 1945", the prime minister said. "We cannot bargain away the vision of a Europe whole and free" that arose after the end of the Cold War in 1989, "because Russia has placed a gun to Ukraine's head", he added. But Johnson said sending NATO combat troops to Ukraine, which is not part of the military alliance, was "not a likely prospect in the near term". Watch the latest DH videos: President Joe Biden declared "total" unity among Western powers Monday after crisis talks with European leaders on deterring Russia from an attack against Ukraine and 8,500 US troops were put on standby for possible deployment to boost NATO. "I had a very, very, very good meeting -- total unanimity with all the European leaders," Biden told reporters shortly after finishing a one hour and 20 minute video conference with allied leaders from Europe and NATO. In London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office also said "the leaders agreed on the importance of international unity in the face of growing Russian hostility." Also Read | US puts 8,500 troops on 'heightened alert' over Ukraine tensions German Chancellor Olf Scholz said "it is up to Russia to undertake visible de-escalation," while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned of "severe costs" if there is "any further aggression" by Moscow against Ukraine. Also on the call were the leaders of France, Italy, Poland and the European Union. Despite insisting he has no intention of attacking, President Vladimir Putin has deployed some 100,000 troops close to Ukraine, where Russia already seized Crimea in 2014 and backs a separatist army in the east. Moscow is demanding a guarantee that Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, never be allowed to join NATO, as well as other concessions by the United States in return for a decrease in tension. Also Read | Timeline: Tracing Russia's growing threat to Ukraine The United States and NATO have rejected the Russian demands and told Putin to withdraw from Ukraine's borders, warning that a Russian attack will trigger damaging economic sanctions, as well as a beefed-up NATO presence in eastern Europe. In Washington, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said a force of up to 8,500 US troops was on "heightened alert" for potential deployment to reinforce any activation of the NATO Response Force in the region, where there are growing fears of spillover from the Ukraine conflict. "What this is about... is re-assurance to our NATO allies," Kirby said. "It sends a very clear signal to Mr. Putin that we take our responsibilities to NATO seriously." NATO also said it was sending jets and ships to bolster its eastern flank. The tension helped fuel instability in global markets, while Russia's main stock index plunged and the central bank suspended foreign currency purchasing after the ruble slumped. The French government announced that Russian and Ukrainian officials would meet, along with French and German counterparts, in Paris on Wednesday to try to find a way out of the impasse. Washington is trying to maintain transatlantic unity to build a credible threat of sanctions as a deterrence against Moscow. However, members of the 27-nation European Union have starkly differing approaches and ties to Russia, which supplies about 40 percent of the trade bloc's natural gas supplies. The new government in EU economic powerhouse Germany in particular has faced criticism from Kyiv over its refusal to send defensive weapons to Ukraine, as well as hesitating over one of the harshest economic sanctions under discussion -- cutting Moscow from the global SWIFT payments system. Echoing other US warnings, Kirby said on Monday that intelligence shows "it's very clear that the Russians have no intention right now of de-escalating." However, some European leaders are signaling less alarm. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after talks with US top diplomat Antony Blinken that there was nothing to suggest an "immediate" Russian attack. "You have to stay calm doing what you have to do, and avoid a nervous breakdown," he said. While Britain and Australia followed the United States in ordering diplomats' families to leave Kyiv, the EU and the Ukrainian government said any withdrawal of foreign embassy personnel was premature. France told citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the country. The US-led NATO alliance said members were placing troops "on standby" and sending ships and jets to bolster eastern Europe's defenses, pointing to recent mobilizations by Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands. Stoltenberg said the alliance "will continue to take all necessary measures to protect" members. The Kremlin accused NATO of "hysteria." It also claimed that Ukrainian troops fighting Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country could launch an offensive, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky's office to say that Ukraine will not "succumb to provocations." The United States has warned that Moscow could manufacture a "false flag" incident in Ukraine to be able to then frame an invasion as a justified response. Non-NATO member Ireland meanwhile sounded the alarm over upcoming Russian military exercises off its southwest coast in international waters of the Atlantic. Check out latest DH videos here Twice in the past week, Yemen's rebels have launched attacks with missiles and drones on the United Arab Emirates, a major escalation for one of the world's most protracted conflicts. The attacks underscore how the war that has ground on for over seven years in the corner of the Arabian Peninsula can flare into a regional danger. One of this week's attacks targeted an Emirati military base hosting US and British forces. Already, the conflict has killed tens of thousands of civilians and fighters in Yemen and created a years-long humanitarian disaster in the Arab world's poorest country. Also Read: Arab bloc seeks 'terrorist' designation for Yemen's Huthi rebels The war pits the internationally recognised government, backed by a coalition including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It began in September 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen. At the time with American backing, the coalition entered the war in March 2015 to support the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, whose forces and other loosely allied militias hold the south. Here's a look at the latest developments. Why has the war escalated? The Houthis blame the Emirates for significant recent battlefield losses inside Yemen, that have virtually ended their efforts to complete control of the country's north. Primarily, they are looking to retaliate after their offensive aiming to seize the crucial central Yemeni city of Marib floundered. The Houthis launched the offensive last year, and at times it looked like they might succeed in taking the city from the government. Capturing Marib would have sealed their control over the entire north of Yemen, brought the province's relative wealth into their hands and given them leverage in future peace negotiations. Also Read: US calls for de-escalation of Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen Despite suffering heavy casualties from coalition airstrikes, the Houthis reached just outside the city. The coalition stepped up ground support to the city's defenders. But the tide only really turned when Emirati-backed forces known as the Giants Brigade made a concerted push in the southern province of Shabwa this month. They pushed out the Houthis and reclaimed Shabwa, then cut off key Houthi supply lines in Marib province and are now advancing into the province. The escalation prevented Marib from falling into Houthi hands but it required some political realignments within the coalition, said Peter Salisbury, a Yemen expert at the International Crisis Group. The Saudis, he said, had to allow the empowering of Emirati-backed forces, undermining allies of Hadi, who has had a longtime rivalry with the UAE. Houthi reaction The Houthi's reply has been to fire ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones, first on Saudi Arabia and now on the UAE. On Monday, the UAE and US militaries said they intercepted two ballistic missiles over Abu Dhabi. The rebels said they targeted the Al-Dhafra Air Base, which hosts both American and British forces. Last week, the rebels claimed another attack on Abu Dhabi that targeted the airport and a fuel depot. The strike killed three people and wounded six others. The attacks threaten the Emirates' business-friendly, tourism-focused reputation. Earlier this month, the Houthis also seized an Emirati ship in the Red Sea, off the coast of Hodeida, a rebel-held port that the two sides have long battled over. They claimed the vessel carried weapons. The coalition said it carried medical equipment from a dismantled Saudi field hospital on the Yemeni island of Socotra. The coalition has threatened to attack Houthi-held ports if they don't release the vessel. The rebels also fired missiles and drones at government-held areas in Yemen, often landing on civilian facilities. In seeming retaliation, the coalition has launched intense airstrikes on Sanaa and other rebel-held areas. The strikes killed dozens of civilians, including over 80 people in a detention center in the northern province of Saada. Another coalition airstrike on a telecommunications building knocked Yemen off the internet for days before being restored early Tuesday. Raiman al-Hamdani, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the Houthis are trying to draw the UAE back into a conflict from which it has been trying to extricate itself. The fighting is an example of the lack of willingness on all sides to come to any consensus, he said. Stalled peace efforts The escalation on both sides has brought condemnation from Western powers, who have grown tired of trying to broker a peace in Yemen. Most of that frustration now seems focused on the rebels. US President Joe Biden's administration is considering reversing a decision last year that lifted the Houthi's terrorist designation. That de-listing, along with an official end to US support for the coalition, had aimed to calm tensions in hopes of boosting peace efforts and addressing humanitarian needs. Yemeni and Saudi officials have maintained that the US measures only emboldened the Houthis. The US and UN diplomatic moves failed to bring the two sides to negotiations as the Houthis pressed their Marib offensive. In July, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that the Biden administration was beyond fed up with the Houthis. The Houthis have also taken a hard line on other fronts. They have not allowed the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to visit since he was appointed in August. The rebels seized the now-closed US Embassy in Sanaa and detained dozens of local employees. They also detained two UN staffers working for the UN human rights office and UNESCO. Some speculate that Iran could be playing a role in their Houthi allies' escalations. Al-Hamdani, the analyst, is reluctant to give too much credence to the idea that Iran is pulling strings. The Houthis may owe Iran for its support, but Iran can't just order them to do something, he said. This only occurs when it's convenient for both. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Buoyed by the success in rural local body polls last year, fans of popular Tamil actor Vijay will contest the ensuing elections to urban civic bodies in Tamil Nadu as independent candidates, in what is seen as a prelude to the film stars much talked about political plunge. The fans have sought the actors permission to use the flag and name of Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (TVMI), the fans club association, during the campaign. The move by fans of actor Vijay comes as political parties in Tamil Nadu are bracing to face the elections to urban local bodies which are likely to be held in February. In the elections held to rural local bodies in nine districts in October last year, as many as 169 members of TVMI contested the polls for various posts, and 115 were elected. The performance of actor Vijays fan were significant as their victory came even as parties like Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) of actor Kamal Haasan and Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) failed to make any headway in the polls. Several fans have approached the association expressing interest to contest in urban local body elections. The 2021 model of entering the fray as independent candidates will be followed this time as well. Interested persons will file nomination papers in their respective areas, Bussy Anand, general secretary of TVMI told Deccan Herald. He said the association has sought the actors permission for the proposal by fans. He will certainly give his go-ahead like last time. Once he gives his nod, candidates will use the picture of Vijay, the associations flag, and the name during the campaign. People voted for him (Vijay) then and they will vote for him now, Anand added. Fans entering the fray as independent candidates are being viewed as baby steps by the actor who seems interested in taking a plunge into politics. Vijay is one of the popular actors of Tamil cinema, which has deep connections with the political landscape of the state. At least three Chief Ministers M Karunanidhi, M G Ramachandran, and J Jayalalithaa had an innate connection with the Tamil cinema before they ruled the state. Prof Ramu Manivannan, Head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Madras, told DH that the actor was testing the political waters through his fans. Vijay and his father (director S A Chandrashekar) are quite ambitious though they speak in different voices. Vijay is certainly testing the political waters in a gradual manner. Though he may not be directly involved, the whole business is done in his name. As a result, he has to face both direct and indirect challenges, Prof Manivannan told DH. The decision by the actors fans to jump into electoral politics in October last year surprised many with Vijay resisting temptations from his supporters to float a party. His fans had demanded that Vijay enter politics and contest the 2021 elections, but the actor never paid heed to their request. From offering a Plaque of Gratitude to the relatives of 5,000 fallen war heroes at the same time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be paying homage to the bravehearts at the National War Memorial to the Indian Army displaying the evolution of its uniform and weapons over the last seven decades there would be many firsts in the Republic Day parade in the 75th year of independence. But the few thousands present at the Rajpath would have to brave an intense cold wave prevailing in Delhi-NCR to witness the parade with the India Meteorological Department forecasting cloudy sky, shallow fog and cold wave conditions on Wednesday a day after the national capital experienced its coldest day since 2013. Six marching contingents from the Indian Army will showcase the evolution of the uniform and weapons carried by one of the worlds largest armies. Soldiers from the Rajput regiment will wear 1947 uniform and carry the 0.303 rifles while Assam regiment troops will wear 1962 uniform and 0.303s. A contingent from Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry will don the 1971 uniform while holding 7.62 mm self loading rifles. Also read: India has shown unmatched resolve during Covid-19 pandemic, says President Ram Nath Kovind The present-day uniform would be showcased by troops from Sikh Light Infantry and Army Ordnance Corps along with the homegrown 5.56 mm INSAS rifles. Finally, soldiers from a Parachute regiment will march on the central boulevard wearing the new uniform unveiled on the Army Day on January 15 and carrying 5.56 mm x 45 mm Tavor assault rifles. Members of the National Cadet Corps on Wednesday will reach the houses of 5,000 valiant soldiers who laid down their lives for the country to offer a Plaque of Gratitude on behalf of the nation for their supreme sacrifice. The plaque will be offered at the same time when the Prime Minister would be paying his homage to the martyrs at the National War Memorial. The NCC will continue with the programme till August 15 during which it will felicitate the next-of-kin to all the 26,466 fallen heroes whose names were etched at the National War Memorial, said an official. The 73rd Republic Day parade will also have several other firsts ranging from a fly past with 75 aircraft and giant hand-painted scrolls on both sides of the Rajpath and big LED screens to facilitate better viewing for the spectators. To avoid the chances of the R-day parade turning into a Covid-19 super-spreader, the Defence Ministry has decided to cut down the guest list to 5,000-8,000 invitees. Only those who are doubly vaccinated would be given entry. Check out the latest DH videos here: A day after being declared as one of the star campaigners for the party in the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, senior Congress leader and former union minister RPN Singh on Tuesday resigned from the grand old party and joined the BJP. Singh, who joined the saffron party in the presence of state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh and union ministers Dahrmendra Pradah and Anurag Thakur, said that it was a "new beginning" for him. "I am eager to make my contribution for the development of the country under the able leadership and guidance of prime minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and J P Nadda," Singh said in a post. Singh, who hails from Kushinagar district and was a minister in the Manmohan Singh cabinet, was included in the list of the star campaigners of the Congress for the state on Monday. According to sources, Singh could be nominated by the BJP from Padaruan assembly seat from where former UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who recently resigned from the BJP and joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), was likely to contest the polls. Both Singh and Maurya hailed from the same region and had also contested against each other in the past. Singh had defeated Maurya in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Kushinagar. Maurya was then in the BSP. Maurya, however, defeated Singh's mother Mohini Devi from Padarauna assembly seat from where he was the MLA and vacated after being elected to Lok Sabha. Singh lost two successive Lok Sabha polls from the seat in 2014 and 2019. Maurya had in the meantime joined the BJP and had become a minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet. Sources said that Singh had been trying to join the BJP for the past few months but Maurya had opposed his entry into the saffron party. "Maurya's resignation from the BJP paved the way for his entry," said a state BJP leader here. Reacting to Singh's induction in the BJP and the possibility of his contesting from Padarauna against him, Maurya said that even an ordinary SP worker could defeat Singh. "BJP will not gain anything from Singh's entry. He does not have any support base in the area," he added. Sources in the BJP, however, said that Singh's entry into the party might not go down well with the Brahmin leaders in Kushinagar as he could emerge as a challenger to them in local politics. Singh had been defeated by BJP's Rajesh Pandey in the 2019 LS polls. The politics in Kushinagar, which was part of the Gorakhpur division, revolved around Brahmin-Thakur and the OBCs. Several prominent Brahmin leaders from Gorakhpur division, including sitting BJP MLAs, have joined the SP in the run-up to the polls and they are likely to enter the electoral fray as the candidate of the party. Watch latest videos by DH here: A hologram monument of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Sunday was illuminated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who without naming Congress blamed the principal opposition party for making attempts to erase the contribution of many great people after independence during their four decades long stay at power in the central government. It was unfortunate that after independence, along with the culture of the country, work was done to erase the contribution of many great personalities. Freedom struggle involved the penance of lakhs of countrymen, but efforts were made to limit their history as well, Modi said at a function here on Sunday. Read More A 3D-printed rebrand logo for Facebook, Meta, and a Facebook logo are placed on a laptop keyboard in this illustration taken Nov. 2, 2021. Reuters-Yonhap Facebook parent Meta Platforms said Monday that its research team has built a new artificial intelligence supercomputer that it thinks will be the fastest in the world when completed in mid-2022. Meta said in a blog post that its new AI Research SuperCluster (RSC) would help the company build better AI models that can learn from trillions of examples, work across hundreds of languages, and analyze text, images and video together to determine if content was harmful. "This research will not only help keep people safe on our services today, but also in the future, as we build for the metaverse," the company said in a blog post. The social media company changed its name to Meta in October to reflect its focus on the metaverse, which it thinks will be the successor to the mobile internet. The metaverse, a broad term which has generated a lot of Silicon Valley buzz in recent months, refers to the idea of shared virtual environments which people can access through different devices and where they can work, play and socialize. "The experiences we're building for the metaverse require enormous computing power (quintillions of operations/second!), and RSC will enable new AI models that can learn from trillions of examples, understand hundreds of languages, and more," Meta Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook, Monday. Meta said it believed the RSC was currently among the fastest AI supercomputers running. A Meta spokesperson said the company had partnered with teams from Nvidia, Pure Storage and Penguin Computing Inc to build the supercomputer. (Reuters) The Election Commission of India has decided to send illustrated Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to newly enrolled voters via post, a senior official said on Tuesday. The service will be launched on January 25 which is celebrated as National Voters' Day, the official said. "We will start sending the voter cards directly to the recipients by post. The service will be officially launched on National Voters' Day," he said. Talking more about it, the official said that the Commission will also send a kit along with the identity cards of the new voters. The packet will contain all the information including EVM, voting method, he said. "The National Voters' Day will be observed across the country on Tuesday as an initiative of the Election Commission to raise the awareness of the voters. The theme of this year's Voters' Day is 'Empowering, Vigilant, Protecting and Informing Our Voters'," he said. Check out DH's latest videos Bharat Biotech International Limited Chairman Dr Krishna Ella on Monday said today's neglected infectious diseases could be tomorrow's global pandemic and stressed the need to have a coherent strategy to fight them. He said this during an event organised as part of the 38 foundation day celebrations by CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh. Bharat Biotech's Covaxin is credited to be India's first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine to be approved and administered to a sizeable population across the globe. Delivering this year's foundation day lecture virtually on Innovation and Leadership in Pandemic, Ella highlighted how today's neglected infectious diseases could be tomorrow's global pandemic and stressed the need to have a coherent strategy to fight infectious diseases, according to an CSIR-IMTECH statement. Also Read | WHO chief says world at 'critical juncture' in Covid pandemic During his lecture, Dr Ella highlighted how innovative technology in vaccine development is essential to solve public healthcare problems caused by infectious diseases. He said Indian pharmaceutical companies need to innovate beyond generic vaccines to be a global player in the vaccine market. He stressed the need for scientists to examine the unknowns that could be the future cause of pandemic through zoonotic and unknown viruses. A serial entrepreneur with a passion for innovative ideas, Bharat Biotech has also ventured into veterinary vaccines, food processing, and developing biotechnology infrastructure in the country. Dr Ella is also involved in shaping India's science education and policy through his association with several committees, said the statement. Dr Shekhar C Mande, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research & Director General CSIR, asked scientists to focus on microbiome therapies, which could be future game changer for treating diseases. Dr Sanjeev Khosla, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, lauded efforts of scientists and researchers for the work carried out to fight the pandemic during the challenging times of Covid-19. The CSIR-IMTECH is a national centre for excellence in microbial sciences and was established in 1984. Check out latest DH videos here The single-day rise in Covid-19 infections was recorded at 2,55,874, taking India's total tally of cases to 3,97,99,202. The death toll has climbed to 4,90,462 with 614 daily fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. Stay tuned to DH for live updates. The Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Bar Council of India, regulating body for advocates, to restrict entry of people in the profession, in order to maintain the quality of lawyers. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M M Sundresh said that the system can be improved at the entry level and it is the responsibility of the BCI to hold proper exams for it. The court stressed at stringent checks on law schools as well. The top court was hearing a plea by Bar Council of India (BCI) challenging the Gujarat High Court judgment, which allowed persons with other employment, either full-time or part-time, to enrol as advocates without leaving their jobs. Senior advocate K V Vishwanathan, appearing as amicus curiae in the matter, suggested working out a mechanism, where people coming from employment are not enrolled and given the certificate at the outset, rather they are put up on a register qualifying them to write the examination and based on the result, the enrolment would follow. He said that the person might be permitted to enrol with the Bar, after they qualify the written examination followed by a rigorous viva. The court, however, said it might not be proper to permit enrolment of a person, who continued with an existing employment. It also pointed out that when a professional enrolled with the Bar leaves the legal profession, he or she does not surrender the enrolment certificate, which is something BCI should also regulate. Senior advocate S N Bhat represented the BCI before the bench. The top court told the BCI counsel that the rigour of its exam must test knowledge and pointed out there are ample instances where people get law degrees without attending classes and cited cases where law courses are taking place in cowsheds. The bench told the BCI counsel to control entry to determine quality of people entering the profession. The court put the matter for further hearing on February 22. Watch latest videos by DH here: Tamil Nadu on Tuesday condemned the outrageous attack against three fishermen from the state by Sri Lankan nationals and asked the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with the neighbouring country. In a letter to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said India cannot continue to be seen as a mute spectator as the rights of Indian fishermen is repeatedly trampled upon. He said three fishermen from Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu had ventured out for fishing on January 23 in their FRP boat and were attacked by a group of unidentified Sri Lankan nationals around 9.00 pm, while they were fishing near 16 Nm from Southeast of Vedaranyam coast. Read | 'Will give up citizenship if Lankan captives not freed' In this attack, they were robbed of a 300 kg fishing net, GPS & VHF equipment, 30 litres of diesel, and also were physically attacked. The injured fishermen are undergoing treatment in Government Hospital, Vedaranyam, Stalin said. It is observed that continuing attacks on innocent Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Nationals are clearly aimed at keeping the Tamil Nadu fishermen away from their traditional fishing waters of Palk Bay. I am constrained to point out that these incidents of attacks by Sri Lankan nationals are disconcerting, Stalin told Jaishankar. The continued attacks have become a matter of life and death for thousands of fisherfolk in Tamil Nadu whose livelihood is under serious threat. I request the Government of India to take this up with the Sri Lankan Government in a stern manner such that acts of physical assault and robbing or damaging of assets of Tamil Nadu fishermen does not take place in future. I solicit your urgent action in this regard, he added. Watch latest videos by DH here: The Covid-19 positivity rate has climbed up to an alarming 36 per cent now in Andhra Pradesh. On Monday,14,502 new positive cases were reported from the state, when 40,266 samples were tested. The Jaganmohan Reddy government, which was leading in the country in tests conducted during the first wave, was also analysing around one lakh samples daily during the height of the second wave last year. However, the Andhra Pradesh health department has now confined the daily tests to around 45,000 only, even as the positivity rate has been shooting up at a dangerous pace in the past few days. Also Read -- With 2.55 lakh new infections, India's daily Covid-19 cases dip below 3 lakh Five days back, the positivity rate proportion of positive cases from among all the samples tested was at 24 per cent. Ten days back, on January 14, it was at 11 per cent. Speaking to DH, Dr G Hymavathi, director, public health, Andhra Pradesh had said they are following the central guidelines issued earlier this month directing the tests focus on the symptomatic people, those with comorbidities etc. While schools and other educational institutions are closed in Telangana till month-end, in Andhra Pradesh they were allowed to run as usual. The YSRCP government is however implementing a night curfew to control the virus spread. In Telangana, the new Covid-19 daily cases have remained below the 5,000 mark during the present wave till now, even when the state is conducting over one lakh tests daily. Present positivity rate is at 4 per cent only. On Monday, 3,980 fresh Covid-19 cases were recorded when 97,113 samples were tested. Five days back, on January 19, 3,557 cases came to light when 1,11,178 samples were analysed. Nevertheless, a fever survey conducted across the state last week has found that over 1.28 lakh people are suffering with Covid-19 like symptoms. Officially, there are 33,673 active cases in Telangana now, either under treatment in hospitals or in isolation. Watch the latest DH Videos here: In continuation of their agitation for better pay scales, thousands of Andhra Pradesh government employees took to the streets on Tuesday. Employees took out two-wheeler rallies and sat in protest at the collectorates in various districts, demanding the Jaganmohan Reddy government to withdraw the pay revision orders issued last week. Employees are agitated that the revisions would in actual effect reduce their remunerations, instead of offering a hike. The employee unions who had, on Monday, submitted notice to the government about their work strike from 7 February have for the second consecutive day refused to hold talks with a high level committee. The committee members include municipal administration minister Botcha Satyanarayana, information and public relations minister Perni Venkataramaiah and government advisor (public affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. The PRC struggle committee, formed by the association of various employee unions, wants the suspension of the pay revision orders, disclosure of the Ashutosh Mishra pay revision commission's report recommendations, and January month salary payments as per the old pay structure, as the prerequisite for them to join the talks. Though stating its willingness to engage in talks to resolve the matter, the government so far has remained non-committal on these demands. Meanwhile, the state finance department has issued fresh directions asking the treasury, pay and account section officials to draft the salaries, pensions bills of January month according to the new pay scales. Check out the latest DH videos here: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting to Sri Lankas decision to auction 105 fishing boats seized from fishermen belonging to the state. He urged Modi to intervene in the issue and prevail upon the Sri Lankan government to stop the auction scheduled from February 7 to 11 by recalling an advertisement published in newspapers in this regard. Referring to media reports that Sri Lankas Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has decided to auction the boats owned by Tamil Nadu fishermen, Stalin said the unfortunate development has come at a time when the Indo-Sri Lankan Joint Working Group on Fisheries is due to meet again shortly. The above action has created alarm and distrust among the Tamil Nadu fishermen who have come forward with an accommodative frame of mind to find an amicable solution for this long-pending issue, Stalin told Modi. Hundreds of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly entering the countrys water. While the fishermen are released after a few days, their boats are often withheld in the island nation. Stalin recalled that the Ministry of External Affairs had requested the state government through the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka to send a technical team to finalize the process and modalities for disposal of 125 unsalvageable fishing boats berthed in various harbours of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the state government has issued orders for deputing officials and stakeholders from Tamil Nadu to inspect and oversee the disposal of fishing boats and to transfer the sale proceeds to the owners of these boats back in India. The schedule of the visit of officials to Sri Lanka for the above purpose was also communicated to the Ministry of External Affairs, he said. The tearing hurry to conduct an auction without consultation is bound to derail the efforts of the Indian High Commission and the Government of Tamil Nadu aimed at providing some succour to the poor fishermen who have lost their means of livelihood. It is pertinent to note that these unsalvageable fishing boats were released by various Sri Lankan Courts following the due judicial procedure, the Chief Minister said. In the letter, Stalin asked India to register its disapproval in the strongest possible terms at the appropriate level and to prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to recall the advertisement published by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for auctioning the Tamil Nadu fishing boats on which they do not have any legal rights. In this context, I also request the Government of India to continue the efforts for the transparent disposal of 125 Tamil Nadu boats that were apprehended before 2018. It is also requested to ensure the early release of 75 boats and fishing gears apprehended after 2018 by the Sri Lankan Navy, he said. Check out the latest DH videos here: A Sri Lankan court on Tuesday ordered the release of 56 Indian fishermen who were detained for allegedly fishing in the island nation's territorial waters. The court in the northern Jaffna peninsula ordered the release of the fishermen who were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy in mid-December in the seas south of Mannar. Happy to learn that a Court has ordered the release of 56 #Indian fishermen, Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a tweet. Happy to learn that a Court has ordered release of 56 #Indian fishermen. @DrSJaishankar India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) January 25, 2022 Commend the work of High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and his team in securing the release, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a tweet. Both Sri Lankan officials and the Indian diplomatic sources confirmed the release and noted that with Tuesdays release there are no more Indian fishermen in the island nations custody. The court order for the release of fishermen came as the Indian authorities urged Sri Lanka to release them on humanitarian grounds in the backdrop of economic assistance talks that were going on at the time. Watch the latest DH videos: Two Bengal BJP leaders who were served temporary suspension by the party have raised serious allegations against the partys local leadership. The move puts more pressure on the BJP Bengal unit thats already facing dissent from the party MLAs representing Mathua community, who are angry at not having their adequate representation in the party's state affairs. Jay Prakash Majumdar and Ritesh Tiwari, two former state vice presidents jointly addressed a press conference in Kolkata on Tuesday to share insights. Majumdar, also a spokesperson for state BJP till he was suspended, alleged that after the 2019 election results, some leaders from the Centre and the state in the party were not keen on trusting the-then leadership. It was felt that people who brought 18 seats for BJP, short of halfway mark, could no longer be trusted. By 2021, this thought found wider ground. It was perceived that the BJP could cross over this chasm by having people from outside the state, and from other parties. Read | 'Picnic politics' of rebel leaders keeping West Bengal BJP on tenterhooks Majumdar said that after he joined the party (in 2014) he was also given the charge of political analysis and feedback, a department in state BJP, and to brief the central leadership on a regular basis. He pointed out that with this responsibility he had pointed out that such an approach is not an appropriate way and the party's structure should be trusted, but it was ignored and weakened. Outsiders - from other parties in state, and from other BJP state units were of no use, he felt. The veteran leader also claimed that in a party meet a central organisational leader, a few months prior to state elections had claimed that BJP can win the state without involving leaders who were at the helm of state affairs. None among the state leaders dared to interact with the press on the day results were declared, and on the day when senior BJP leader Mukul Roy returned to his old party, the Trinamool Congress. Majumdar claimed that Bengals politics is about fighting out the situation the on ground like Mamata does. Despite having lost seats, there was no discussion in the party, and in virtual meetings leaders willing to raise the issue were not allowed to speak, or their microphones were turned off by those handling the meeting. Instead of diagnosis, attempts were made to put everything under wraps, he claimed. In a state with around 30 per cent Muslims, the state unit has failed to find even one face for any of the posts. The states minority morcha too has been assigned to a Christian candidate from minorities, whereas nationally, the party is conscious of this inclusiveness. He added that the top two leadership roles in the state unit are with people who have a cumulative political experience of less than five years, and with this the intent is to fight with Mamata, who is considered a strategist and experienced, though she is an opponent. Watch latest videos by DH here: By Baek Byung-yeul LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK Innovation are actively responding to increasing prices of raw materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries as supply chain disruptions induced by several negative factors such as the U.S.-China trade row, the impact of the pandemic and fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Company officials said Tuesday that they have been implementing various strategies to secure a stable supply of raw materials, such as securing overseas mining rights, investing in overseas miners and adding a production base to better facilitate connections with carmakers in other countries. The officials also said they don't see any major restrictions to their business as they have already signed long-term contracts with material suppliers. "Basically, battery prices are linked to orders for EVs and battery makers have reduced risks through long-term contracts with material suppliers. When price increases are prolonged, battery makers try to hedge risks through diversification of suppliers as well," an official in the local battery industry said. They added they are able to pass on the increase in battery prices to carmakers at the moment, but battery makers are closely watching the changing situation as it will be difficult to shake off the cost burden of rising prices even if they try to reduce costs through technological innovation and improved productivity. According to data from the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation, prices of core battery materials are on a steep rise. It said the price of nickel, a key raw material for batteries, was $23,182 per ton as of Jan. 24. It is the first time in 10 years that nickel prices exceeded $20,000 since 2012. LG Energy Solution, the largest battery maker here, said it continues to increase contracts with raw material suppliers. In 2020, the company invested 57.5 billion won in Solus Advanced Materials' Europe branch to secure a supply of battery copper foil by 2025. In 2021, the company acquired a 7.5 percent stake in QPM Australia for supply of nickel and cobalt. The company also inkeda deal with another Australian mineral business, AM, for the supply of nickel. The latest deal signed for a stable supply of raw materials was with Australian lithium miner Liontown Resources in order to buy 100,000 dry metric tons of lithium spodumene. Samsung SDI is also investing in lithium producers, acquiring a stake in Chinese lithium producer Ganfeng Lithium in 2019. Last year, the company also inked a contract with Australia's QPM to receive 6,000 tons of nickel every year for a period of three to five years. SK On, a battery division of SK Innovation, also signed a contract with Swiss-based trading firm Glencore for the supply of cobalt. SK IE Technology, a battery separator maker and subsidiary of SK Innovation, is currently building its third and fourth plants in Poland to facilitate separate supply to European carmakers. Experts believe mineral-rich countries are increasingly trying to assert control over their resources, adding the government should strengthen its support to make it easier for domestic companies to secure resources in other countries. "Many countries will increasingly try to strengthen control over mineral resources due to factors like the U.S.-China trade dispute. Under the strategy of strengthening energy security, companies should be systematically supported to develop overseas resources," Park Ho-jeong, a professor at the Department of Food and Resources Economics at Korea University, said. Tourists visiting the Indo-Pak border districts Jaisalmer and Bikaner in Rajasthan will soon be able to watch the Wagha-Attari border like beating retreat without the participation of Pakistani soldiers. The initiative will commence in the form of Beating the Retreat ceremony at BSF's IB post at Babliyan from next month and would then be extended to Bikaner's Sanchu and Khajuwala border posts, BSF IG (Rajasthan Frontier) Pankaj Goomar said on Tuesday. He said every citizen of the country wishes to visit the international border and keeping this in mind, the BSF has been working on a model to develop tourism at the border posts. For this, a stadium with a seating capacity of 2,000 visitors has already been built at Babliyan post. In the beginning, we would start holding Beating the Retreat event like Atari border here from next month, he said. Pakistan, however, will not have any participation in the event like the Wagah-Attari border for now as the Pakistani post is two km away from the border in Jaisalmer. The BSF has taken this initiative in association with the state government. While fulfilling the wishes of the citizens to have a glimpse like the Wagah-Attari Indo-Pak border, this initiative is also aimed at instilling a sense of patriotism in the visitors. Check out the latest DH videos here: On January 26, India will celebrate its 73rd Republic Day. This, at a time when democracies around the world are at risk from the rise of populist and authoritarian regimes. India has been no exception, especially since 2014. The deviation from the ethical, philosophical and social foundations of constitutional governance values has endangered democracy in the hands of political elites who have risen with their extremist political ideology. This has aggravated social divisions and deepened the majority-minority construct. This binary classification is seriously problematic for a heterogeneous, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-party country like India, and for that matter for any democratic nation in the world. In this context, democratic decline is a global phenomenon, including in the advanced democracies such as the US, UK and European Union countries. The Global State of Democracy, 2021: Building Resilience in a Pandemic Era report, produced by Swedens International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance observes that countries are suffering from (i) democratic erosion, and (ii) democratic backsliding. Democratic erosion refers to a decline in the democratic quality. The report noted that what Brazil, India and the US are undergoing is democratic backsliding meaning, a more severe and a deliberate kind of democratic erosion. This claim finds merit in the observation made by the Chief Justice of India N V Ramana last year, i.e., there is a lack of quality debate in Parliament while enacting laws. Many parliamentarians expressed concern over these remarks, not to reflect on them but to charge that the CJIs remarks were beyond the scope of the judiciary and encroached upon the policy arena. This may look true when one looks at it from the viewpoint of Parliaments prerogative over law-making. However, it misses the context in which the remarks were made. The CJIs remarks need to be understood from the perspective of the increasing burden on the judiciary to interpret the law, as seen from the increase in cases involving fundamental questions that are pending before the Supreme Court. The lack of quality debate and discussions in Parliament is the real indicator of democratic functioning of the legislative organ created by the Constitution. The repeal of the farm laws of 2020 is an illustrative example and the reason why, despite any good intentions behind the laws, the law-makers were forced to repeal them, as much as the democratic spirit of the farmers who resisted these undebated laws. Such exercises in law-making always exert pressure on the judiciary, as can be seen from the pending cases before the constitutional benches the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the issue of Electoral Bonds, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Sedition law (Section 124A of IPC). These cases have been pending for two-three years and are yet to be listed for hearing. These cases assume significance from the democracy point of view and citizens fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The ordinance route to proclamation of laws, followed in such cases as the farm laws, is meant to be used only in emergency situations or in times of failure of the constitutional machinery. The farmers protests, fortunately, were indicative of democratic resistance to uphold constitutional governance in the country. In the recently concluded winter session, Parliament passed more than 60% of the bills introduced without legislative scrutiny. A crucial bill such as the one to link Aadhaar with Voter ID was passed after only 26 minutes of discussion. A closer look at the number of bills passed in the 17th Lok Sabha without referring to the parliamentary or departmental Standing Committees substantiates the democratic decline. Till the seventh session of the 17th Lok Sabha, only 13% of bills have been subjected to legislative scrutiny. It was than in the 16th Lok Sabha (25%), 15th (71%) and 14th (60%) Lok Sabha respectively. There was also, of course, the issue of the inordinate delay (more than two and a half years) in filling the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, in violation of Article 93 of the Constitution. These brief facts and figures suffice to say that the quality of debate discussions in Parliament to enact laws has substantially declined over a period of time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi once said that debates, disputes and dialogue are the soul of Parliament. However, in our experience so far, he has failed to ensure the same during parliamentary sessions. It is to be understood that Parliament has suffered a considerable decline in terms of institutional capacity. Parliamentary paralysis has seriously eroded democratic ethos and traditions, resulting in inappropriate socio-economic policies, laws and governance. In addition to the decline of Parliament as a law-making institution, some of the individual liberal values of democracy that are facing severe block-out by the current ruling dispensation are the right to freedom of expression, religion, choice of food, right to worship, right to economic freedom, and the right to dissent. The heavy handedness on civil society organisations, the media, human rights activists, researchers and progressive thinkers has diminished the long cherished democratic traditions and culture and eroded peoples constitutional rights. The robust civil society and institutions, including a free press and independency of the judiciary, are not really helping to improve the quality of debate and discussion in Parliament. Perhaps there is a need for a law to make it mandatory to gauge legislators performance, both in Parliament and in their constituencies. The voters of every constituency must play a vigilant role in holding accountable their elected representatives and officials through media and civil society. Such an appraisal of legislators periodically is critical to realise the constitutional vision of development with social justice. (The writer is a PhD Fellow, Centre for Political Institutions, Governance and Development, Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru) The Delhi High Court, which is hearing a clutch of petitions to criminalise marital rape, said last week that "too much emphasis" was being placed on the wife giving her consent for sex with her husband. Justice C Hari Shankar, part of the two-member bench hearing the case, said that Parliament had provided "some kind of rational basis" to justify the exception to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The exception protects a husband from the offence of rape if he forces his wife to have sex with him unless she is a minor and below the age of 18. "We are obfuscating this entire argument, this entire rationale, by focusing on consent, consent, consent," Justice Shankar said. However, consent, or the lack of it, is central to the whole debate on whether or not a husband can be exempted from criminal prosecution if he rapes his wife. Rather than "obfuscating" the rationale for granting him immunity from the law against rape, it starkly and emphatically clarifies why any such "rationale" is flawed and unjust. Read | 'Its time to criminalise marital rape' The question of consent is often a tricky one. It is especially so in the case of sex between two people who are in an intimate relationship, where the absence of consent may be nuanced, or may not be explicitly articulated. However, the point is that the mere fact of marriage cannot presume a spouse's everlasting consent to sexual intercourse. The consent may be revoked. And if sex without consent is defined as rape, as it is in the IPC and criminal jurisprudence the world over, a husband forcing his wife to have sex with him can hardly be regarded as a spot of harmless marital sport. Rape is red in tooth and claw an act of sexual aggression, whether inflicted by a husband or someone else. Besides, the rapist-husband usually commits the act again and again, over months and years. Rape within marriage is rape normalised, and the exception to IPC Section 375 props up and perpetuates that abhorrent normalisation. The petitioners' argument in the ongoing case is that the exception to Section 375 is unconstitutional as it violates a married woman's fundamental right to life, which includes her right to bodily integrity and sexual autonomy. It also discriminates against her on the basis of her marital status and violates her fundamental right to equality by not providing her with the same redress that is available to other victims of rape. Read | Can't immediately respond to marital rape: SC The Justice JS Verma Commission, which was set up to amend and strengthen the country's laws against sexual violence after the horrific Nirbhaya rape of December 2012, had stated in its 2013 report: "The law ought to specify that marital or other relationship between the perpetrator or victim is not a valid defence against the crimes of rape or sexual violation The relationship between the accused and the complainant is not relevant to the enquiry into whether the complainant consented to the sexual activity, and the fact that the accused and the victim are married or in another intimate relationship may not be regarded as a mitigating factor justifying lower sentences for rape." Despite the Verma Commission's emphasis on the centrality of consent in sexual intercourse between intimate partners, and hence, the clear recommendation to do away with the exception to Section 375, successive governments have baulked at it. In an affidavit filed in 2016, the Centre said that criminalising marital rape would "destabilise the institution of marriage and become a tool for harassment of husbands." The subtext of that statement is, of course, patriarchy's dearly held notion that a man has absolute power over his wife, that marriage gives him the divine right to have sex with her whether she likes it or not, and, therefore, any move to punish him for raping his wife will spark some kind of social armageddon. On Monday, the government couched its reluctance to criminalise marital rape in somewhat less anachronistic terms. It urged the Delhi High Court not just to examine the constitutional validity of the provision, but to take "a wider view of the matter" as it involved the "dignity of the woman" and "social and family issues". It sought time from the court for a "consultative process" and said it was considering the issue in a "holistic manner". However, the so-called holistic approach to marital rape really implies the unwillingness to upset the apple cart of deep patriarchy. There is only one way to look at marital rape it is committed against the woman's will and consent. The bonds of matrimony or the fact that it takes place within a family structure or any other social factor cannot airbrush it in any way. Similarly, it is specious to argue that criminalising marital rape will lead to women abusing the law en masse to victimise their hapless husbands, or that it would be difficult to prove rape in the context of marriage. Every law is open to abuse, and every crime has to be proven. Neither can be grounds for not giving women the legal remedy for the offence of marital rape. In the last few years, the Supreme Court has struck down several antiquated and egregious laws such as IPC Section 377, which criminalised gay sex, or the adultery law of Section 497, on the grounds that they were unconstitutional. Let us hope that the courts, in their wisdom, will admit the stark unconstitutionality of the exception to Section 375, and not let the pushback from the executive derail the move to strike it off the statute books. (Shuma Raha is a journalist and author) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. Political competition has curdled the simple pleasure of straightforward pride in the achievements of national icons, the latest being the controversies over who exerted what pressure and why to get the Narendra Modi government to install a temporary hologram of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on the vacant pedestal at India Gate and the "merging" of the Amar Jawan Jyoti after its removal to the National War Memorial where another eternal flame was already alight. The timing of the fights deflects attention away from the moments that deserve reflection to petty politicking. In the year of the Amrit Mahotsav marking 75 years of India's independence, the hurly-burly of celebrations ranging from rangoli and deshbhakti geet competitions and the bevvy of birth anniversaries of great national leaders, it is noteworthy that some are greater than others. It is not possible nor seemly to measure what makes some greater than others because all the great national leaders and patriots and the less noteworthy and virtually nameless others made immense sacrifices and contributed to the cause of freedom. The greats do not eclipse each other; contemporary politics does. However, the politics of greatness and appropriating legacy creates hierarchies; who gets more public attention in terms of the controversies that have erupted vis-a-vis the quieter, even if a contentious commemoration of others contributes to creating perceptions about the relative ranking of the greats. This is the year of Bose's 125th birth anniversary, as it is Sri Aurobindo's 150th. Both were ardent nationalists and contributed in their own unique ways to the fight for freedom. Both succeeded in challenging the status quo within the Congress and broke away from the party. The similarities are superficial because the impact of Bose and Aurobindo contributed to the freedom movement but did so in different ways. To pronounce, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah did that neither Bose nor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel received "due recognition, respect and importance for years" is an exercise in scoring a political point against the Congress and one set of interpretations of the history of India's freedom movement. To claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is correcting the skew and the wrong done to Bose is also part of settling scores against the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. The BJP has an axe to grind; as a party with multiple avatars but short on lineage, it still falls short of having directly supplied a galaxy of participants to the freedom movement. That explains its particular politics of appropriating the 'neglected' leaders in order to give them the respect and importance they deserved. If this were simple corrective action, the flavour of settling scores would not be quite so emphatic. Recognition, respect and importance of political legacies are not a simple matter of statues, holograms and flames. Legacies are complicated by the expectations and aspirations of the people who bequeathed their work to the nation. Bose had a specific set of prescriptions for India's future as an independent country beset by poverty, illiteracy, underdevelopment and the burden of British imperialism. So did other leaders, including Aurobindo, hailed as "the poet of patriotism, as the prophet of nationalism and the lover of humanity." Through his active participation in the freedom movement was short-lived, most historians argue that it spanned less than a decade, his influence on Indian nationalism had a long afterlife. "With Aurobindo, Indian politics crossed the Rubicon; the religious dimension became an integral part of the political scene of the country," MK Haldar wrote in his assessment of the contribution of the mystic and leader's political thoughts on the subject of freedom. The religious dimension of Aurobindo was not the Hindutva politics of the BJP-RSS. Scholars like Sugata Bose are insistent that the Uttarpara address of Aurobindo is "a speech hugely misunderstood by historians thoroughly imbued with the secular ideology of the postcolonial Indian state." In that speech, Aurobindo declared, even as he signed out of actively leading the political movement, "that this movement is not a political movement and that nationalism is not politics but a religion, a creed, a faith. I say it again today, but I put it in another way. I say no longer that nationalism is a creed, a religion, faith; I say that it is the Sanatana Dharma which for us is nationalism." Experts will probably continue to examine what Aurobindo meant by Sanatana Dharma and nationalism. For the rest, Aurobindo was a political leader. He was also a philosopher, a poet, a mystic and perhaps India's first modern-day global guru. Therefore, it is time, on the occasion of his 150th anniversary for his devotees living in and around the Ashram, as well as the otherwise disengaged citizens living in Puducherry and around the sprawling acres of the still incomplete plan for the development of Auroville and its futuristic design, to reflect on what has been achieved and what remains to be done. It is also time when the Government of India has to assess its role in developing Auroville's infrastructure and how far the project, started in 1968, has moved towards completion. The controversy around Auroville's infrastructure and development is a clash between those who live within the premises and those outside it, be it the government or the neighbourhood locals. The usual elements of a land mafia, vested interests and intrepid devotees or followers of the great leader are all part of the complicated face off. The original plan for the place envisaged a community of 50,000, "a city of relatively dense urban proportions," the progress has been slower than a slow crawl. Since the Centre is invested in the Auroville Foundation and it is public money that is being spent, there is an obligation to get on with the work and complete what has to be done to implement the plan in full. Political leaders bequeathed their legacies of work and sacrifice, vision and ideals to the nation. It is perhaps time to abandon hollow worship at the feet of imposing statues or holograms and get down to the business of accounting what independent India has done to fulfil the expectations and aspirations of the greats and the lowly who participated in the freedom movement. Common to every participant, cutting across the spectrum of ideological positions, was a simple promise to give people a life of dignity as part of a free and independent nation. That promise remains unfulfilled as hunger, poverty, discrimination, repression impact the lives of the overwhelming majority, even as the rich get richer. Claiming to have put Bose on a pedestal as a significant achievement hardly comes close to fulfilling his vision for independent India. Including yoga in the UN calendar of days celebrated globally does not fulfil Aurobindo's vision for a great and moral nation, nor is that vision fulfilled by completing the unfinished business of developing Auroville. These are distracting sideshows that divert attention from the basics of ensuring that every Indian lives a life of dignity. (The writer is a journalist based in Kolkata) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. Check out latest DH videos here While speaking at a function last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that people have been talking about rights since India's Independence while ignoring their duties, which has kept the country weak. Notably, this is not the first time the prime minister, his cabinet colleagues, or his party members have tried to pitch duties against rights. In the last few years, members of the ruling party have been attempting to invoke arguments similar to the prime minister on several occasions. But unlike previous occasions, the latest attempt to invoke duties and create a misleading binary between rights and duties looks more serious. That's because, during the speech, the PM didn't merely claim that people are ignoring their duties over rights but added that "the coming 25 years are the period of utmost hard work, sacrifice, and penance." According to him, this is a 25-year span to get back what our society has lost in the hundreds of years of slavery. Moreover, he urged citizens to do their duties, which he claimed would remove the "evils" prevailing in the society and take the country to new heights. The PM's invocation is problematic on several counts. Also Read | Why rights can't be equated with duties Firstly, it gives an impression that the people of India are not doing anything or have done nothing for nation-building. Secondly, it also overemphasises the role of citizens as if it is the primary duty or responsibility of citizens to make things work and ensure attaining the constitutional objectives of India. Such an emphasis is not just fallacious and contradictory to the values enshrined in our Constitution but can also lead to dangerous consequences if implemented. As for citizens, they already perform a range of duties such as paying taxes (not just the prosperous but also ordinary and poor citizenry in the form of indirect taxes), adhering to civil and criminal laws, paying fines and taking part in elections, etc. Hence, to claim that people are only or mainly talking about rights while ignoring their duties is untrue. It looks like the government wants to rid itself of its duties and responsibilities or shift that burden on people or private entities. In this regard, Samuel Moyn, a professor of jurisprudence and history at Yale University, draws our attention towards a vital aspect of pitching duties against rights. According to him, "The rhetoric of duties has often been deployed euphemistically by those whose true purpose is a return to tradition won by limiting the rights of others." He gives examples from Singapore, where it was invoked to "return" to "Asian values" and erode human rights, and in the United Kingdom, where it was deployed to curtail welfare schemes. It would be worth recalling that a list of 10 fundamental duties was inserted into our Constitution in 1976, during the dark era of Emergency. Another was added during the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. According to legal scholar Vineeth Krishna, "We find no evidence that remotely suggests that the framers of our Constitution seriously considered adopting something that resembled fundamental duties." We must also note the similarities between what has been witnessed in Singapore and the UK. For example, we often hear the members and supporters of the current dispensation invoking the idea and need to return to the 'swarnim Bharat', the glorious golden past. Needless to add, the idea of returning to this glorious past has more to do with the political agenda (Hindutva) of the ruling party and little to do with the wellbeing of the ordinary people of India. Similarly, the government could curtail welfare schemes or deny these by claiming it does not have money to fund the schemes. For example, in mid last year, the Centre submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that compensation of Rs four lakh cannot be paid to the families of those who have died due to Covid-19 because it is beyond fiscal affordability. Remember, it is one thing to say that we don't have money and another to deny people's fundamental rights because there is no money. If a government is committed to the welfare of its people, it can indeed find ways without anyone reminding or demanding it. It is important to note that the prime minister and his colleagues, who often like to remind us of our duties, have failed to fulfil their duties both as citizens and as people responsible for running this country. The PM and his government do not have a good record in living up to the 11 fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution. This analysis (https://thewire.in/government/narendra-modi-says-focus-on-duties-and-forget-rights-but-hes-let-india-down-on-all-11-duties) lists the occasions the PM, and his government, have fallen short of abiding by the Constitution, respecting institutions, the national flag and anthem, cherishing and following the noble ideals that inspired the freedom struggle, and upholding and protecting the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. Hence, more than the people, the prime minister and his party members have to adhere to their duties as citizens and also as people who have taken the oath to abide by the Constitution. It is high time they walk the talk. (The writer is a multilingual journalist and researcher) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. The James Webb Space Telescope has arrived at its cosmic parking spot a million miles away, bringing it a step closer to its mission to unravel the mysteries of the Universe, NASA said Monday. At around 2:00 pm Eastern Time (0030 IST), the observatory fired its thrusters for five minutes to reach the so-called second Lagrange point, or L2, where it will have access to nearly half the sky at any given moment. The delicate burn added 3.6 miles per hour (1.6 meters per second) to Webb's overall speed, just enough to bring it into a "halo" orbit around L2, 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. "Webb, welcome home!" said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. Webb will begin its science mission by summer, which includes using its high resolution infrared instruments to peer back in time 13.5 billion years to the first generation of galaxies that formed after the Big Bang. At L2, it will stay in line with the Earth as it moves around the Sun, allowing Webb's sunshield to protect its sensitive equipment from heat and light. For the giant parasol to offer effective protection, it needs the Sun, Earth and Moon to all be in the same direction, with the cold side operating at -370 degrees Fahrenheit (-225 Celsius). The thruster firing, known as an orbital burn, was the third such maneuver since Webb was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket on December 25. The plan was intentional, because if Webb had gotten too much thrust from the rocket, it wouldn't be able to turn around to fly back to Earth, as that would expose its optics to the Sun, overheating and destroying them. It was therefore decided to slightly underburn the rocket firing and use the telescope's own thrusters to make up the difference. The burns went so well that Webb should easily be able to exceed its planned minimum life of five years, Keith Parrish Webb observatory commissioning manager told reporters on a call. "Around 20 years, we think that's probably a good ballpark, but we're trying to refine that," he said. It's hypothetically possible, but not anticipated, that a future mission could go there and refuel it. Webb, which is expected to cost NASA nearly $10 billion, is one of the most expensive scientific platforms ever built, comparable to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and its predecessor telescope, Hubble. But while Hubble orbits the Earth, Webb will orbit in an area of space known as a Lagrange point, where the gravitational pull from the Sun and Earth will be balanced by the centrifugal force of the rotating system. An object at one of these five points, first theorized by Italian French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange, will remain stable and not fall into the gravity well of the Sun and Earth, requiring only a little fuel for adjustments. Webb won't sit precisely at L2, but rather go around it in a "halo" at a distance similar to that between the Earth and Moon, completing a cycle every six months. This will allow the telescope to remain thermally stable and to generate power from its solar panels. Previous missions to L2 include the European Space Agency's Herschel and Planck observatories, and NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. Webb's position will also allow continuous communications with Earth via the Deep Space Network three large antennas in Australia, Spain and California. Earlier this month, NASA completed the process of unfolding Webb's massive golden mirror that will collect infrared signals from the first stars and galaxies that formed a few hundred million years after the Universe began expanding. Visible and ultraviolet light emitted by the very first luminous objects has been stretched by the Universe's expansion, and arrives today in the form of infrared, which Webb is equipped to detect with unprecedented clarity. Its mission also includes the study of distant planets, known as exoplanets, to determine their origin, evolution and habitability. Next steps include aligning the telescope's optics and calibrating its scientific instruments. It is expected to transmit its first images back in June or July. Check out latest DH videos here Kiran Verma, who is on a 21,000-km walk to create awareness on blood donation in India reached Mangaluru on Tuesday. He had started his walk for blood awareness in India from Thiruvananthapuram on December 28, 2021. "This walk is going to be the longest blood awareness campaign ever by an individual in the world which will run for more than 2 years," said Kiran. The mission for the walk is to spread awareness about blood donation among people so that nobody should die waiting for blood in India after December 31, 2025. "Due to rising Covid cases voluntary blood donation in India has come down drastically in the last two years. This walk is to encourage people to donate blood so that blood banks and hospitals don't run dry on blood," he said. Till now he has crossed Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulum, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Mahe, Kannur and Kasaragod districts covering more than 650- km and reached Mangaluru. His next cities for his walk are Udupi, Wayanad, Coimbatore, Madurai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. Kiran Verma started 'Simply Blood' when his blood was sold to a poor family in Delhi. On December 26, 2016, he had received a call where one person told Kiran that there was a poor family from Raipur, Chattisgarh who needed blood and Kiran went to the hospital to donate blood to that family. After donating blood when he went to meet the family, he got to know that the person who called Kiran had collected Rs 1500 for the blood, which he had donated for free. He got to know that the woman who paid for his blood got into prostitution to pay medical bills. This was hard to digest for him and the same day he left his job and started the awareness campaign. Kiran Verma is a Delhi based social worker who founded Change With One Foundation under which he runs two programmes Simply Blood and Change With One Meal. Check out DH's latest videos: A 33-year-old man from Udaipur in Rajasthan was detained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel attached to Mangaluru Junction Railway Station for carrying unaccounted cash and gold worth Rs 1.88 crore. According to the police, Mahendra Singh Rao was detained by the RPF during a preventive check ahead of Republic Day while he was travelling on the Mumbai LTT-Ernakulam Duronto Express. The man was handed over to Government Railway Police (GRP), Mangaluru Central, along with Rs 1.48 crore cash and 800 grams of gold worth Rs 40 lakh. Later, the police arrested him after booking cases under the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure and Karnataka Police Act. The RPF personnel, while examining the bag of the passenger, found cash wrapped in old newspapers. According to the RPF, the passenger had informed them that he was given the cash and the gold by a person in Mumbai known to his employer Praveen Singh, who owns Shubh Gold in Kozhikode. The seized currency notes were in denominations of Rs 2000 and Rs 500. The operation was conducted under the supervision of RPF Inspector Manoj by personnel K P Sanjeev Kumar, K Chithraraj, K Shajith and Satheesh Balaji. Watch the latest DH videos: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday dismissed reports of disgruntlement among Cabinet ministers over allocation of district duties. Districts have been allocated to ministers based on a party policy that bars them from being in charge of their native districts, Bommai said. "There is no disgruntlement at all," Bommai said, adding that he had consulted all ministers before allocating district duties. "We are all united to work for the people of the state. Any reports on disgruntlement are far from truth." The government issued a notification Monday allocating districts to ministers. While two ministers - Revenue Minister R Ashoka and Law Minister JC Madhuswamy - are not on the list, no minister has been made in charge of districts where their constituency is located. Ashoka wanted Bengaluru Urban whereas Madhuswamy had sought for Tumakuru. Also Read: Karnataka CM Bommai appoints district in-charge Ministers, keeps Bengaluru urban to himself BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel also maintained that there is no disgruntlement among Cabinet ministers over allocation of districts. "There is a national rule that prevents a minister from taking charge of his home district," he pointed out. Earlier in the day, however, Municipalities Minister MTB Nagaraj said he would have liked Bengaluru Rural. He has been given Chikkaballapur. "I am familiar with Bengaluru Rural. And, since I'm hoping to contest from (Hoskote), it would have helped if I was given that district. I've told the CM what I think about this. I'll stick to whatever he decides," he said. Nagaraj, now an MLC, was earlier the Hoskote MLA. Madhuswamy said that he is not unhappy while making it clear that he wanted no other district other than his native Tumakuru. "The CM discussed the issue with me. When he asked me which district I want, I said I can't take up the responsibility of a district I'm not familiar with. There's no point in presiding over meetings in a place whose realities I won't know. Even Ashoka took the same stand," he said. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Scrolling through Instagram, you often come across many digital content creators or influencers, who cover everything from travel and fashion to finance and cryptocurrencies. A social media influencer is ideally someone who has established credibility in a specific area or industry. However, Delhi-based travel vlogger and photographer Isa Khan (32) likes to stay away from the title. I prefer being called a content creator rather than an influencer, as my job is to create content for my digital audience, he says. Previously an Economics teacher, Esa gave up his job in 2020, to focus on content creation full-time. During the pandemic, teaching was no longer a feasible career for me. Content creation provides me with better financial stability and also helps me explore my passion for travelling, he adds. Lifestyle influencer Deena Pinto (42) also found more perks in being a content creator. I used to be an investment banker and a series of events over the last decade led me to blogging and then to social media content creation, and I have never looked back. This job has given me both flexibility and financial stability, she tells DH. Similar trends have been noticed across the country, with many young people choosing content creation on platforms like Instagram and YouTube as full-time jobs. Theres been a massive increase in influencers over the last year. We are starting to see many more creators come onto platforms, especially from tier 2 and 3 cities. The branded content ecosystem is just now starting to take off in India, and will undoubtedly continue to grow, says Mrunali Dedhia, Director at a Mumbai-based influencer marketing agency. Work never ends While it looks glamorous on the outside, there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. For Sharan Nair (28), a content creator based in Kochi, vlogging has become a part of daily life. As someone who vlogs constantly, its like my work never ends because shooting my life is my main job, he says. Khan too feels the same pressure. Content creation is literally the opposite of a 9 to 5 job. While from the outside, the job might look cushy, there is a lot of planning that goes into being consistent, he explains. His weekly target is to post approximately 7 Reels, 35 Instagram stories, 3 photos and 2 to 3 videos. This is a constant cycle that I have to keep rolling to ensure consistency. If you are not consistent, there is no way you can make it big, he adds. Managing a marketing job and content creation, Diksha Sharma (29) feels digital media spares no one as it is evolving constantly. Technically I am doing two full-time jobs. As an influencer, my day involves a lot of research to keep up with everything happening online. Im constantly responding to emails, working on concepts and shooting. On top of everything, editing takes up a lot of time, she says. Deena feels an influencer needs to develop thick skin to be able to survive. On Instagram, every day there is a new trend, so you have to constantly keep up with it. Along with this pressure, there is also a barrage of hate comments and bullying. You have to constantly remind yourself to not let these comments get to you, she adds. In addition to creating content consistently, picking up editing and filmmaking skills along the way is equally important, adds Isa. As a creator, you have to constantly brush up on your editing, shooting and marketing skills, this will definitely enhance your content. Learning new skills is a part of the job, he says. YouTube a safer platform in the long run While the follower count on your social media profile does play an important role when it comes to generating income through social media, it is engagement metrics that are the deciding factor. Creators mainly focus on metrics like comments, reach and views per post. A majority of the income generated on social media platforms comes through brand associations, affiliate marketing, sponsorships and freelance projects. A social media influencer with a following of one lakh can earn between Rs 5 lakh to 15 lakh per annum, says Karan Pherwani, Director, Influencer Solutions at an Influencer marketing agency. When it comes to earning potential of a creator, it isnt just about how many followers they have its about their content category as well as their content quality and engagement. These two variables decide their income. However the earning potential also varies across platforms. For instance, Instagram does not allow its creators to earn revenue from advertisements, unlike YouTube. According to the Instagram policy in India, digital creators dont get any percentage of revenue from advertisements, which is a bit unfair. This is why I have been focussing on growing my audience on YouTube. Not only does YouTube have a safe revenue model, but it is also the best platform to ensure a long-lasting audience, Isa says. Sharan too agrees. As a content creator, you get much more value out of YouTube than Instagram. While on YouTube the audience is loyal, it is easy to be forgotten on Instagram as it is a constant race to go viral, he adds. With close to 60,000 followers on YouTube, he is now working on growing his audience by posting 3 to 4 vlogs a week. The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington is seen in this Dec. 4, 2021, file photo. The court agreed Jan. 24 to hear suits alleging that race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina are discriminatory against Asian American students. AFP-Yonhap The conservative-dominated Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a challenge to the consideration of race in college admissions, adding affirmative action to major cases on abortion, guns, religion and COVID-19 already on its agenda. The court said it will take up lawsuits claiming that Harvard University, a private institution, and the University of North Carolina, a state school, discriminate against Asian American applicants. A decision against the schools could mean the end of affirmative action in college admissions. Lower courts rejected the challenges, citing more than 40 years of high court rulings that allow colleges and universities to consider race in admissions decisions. But the colleges and universities must do so in a narrowly tailored way to promote diversity. The court's most recent pronouncement was in 2016, in a 4-3 decision upholding the admissions program at the University of Texas against a challenge brought by a white woman. But the composition of the court has changed since then, with the addition of three conservative justices who were appointed by then-President Donald Trump. Two members of that four-justice majority are gone from the court: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in 2020, and Justice Anthony Kennedy retired in 2018. The three dissenters in the case, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, remain on the court. Roberts, a moderating influence on some issues, has been a steadfast vote to limit the use of race in public programs, once writing, ''It is a sordid business, this divvying us up by race.'' The court already has heard arguments in cases that could expand gun rights and religious rights and also roll back abortion rights in a direct challenge to the Roe v. Wade ruling from 1973. Earlier this month, the justices weighed in for the first time on President Joe Biden's vaccine policies, halting a rule requiring a vaccine or testing at large businesses while allowing a vaccine mandate for most of the nation's health care workers. Anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum, founder of Students for Fair Admissions, speaks to reporters at the "Rally for the American Dream - Equal Education Rights for All," ahead of the start of the trial in a lawsuit accusing Harvard University of discriminating against Asian American applicants, in Boston, Mass., Oct. 14, 2018. Reuters-Yonhap The affirmative action case probably will be argued in the fall. Both suits were filed by Students for Fair Admissions, a Virginia-based group run by Edward Blum. He has worked for years to rid college admissions of racial considerations, and the court's new lineup breathed new life into his project. The group is calling on the court to overturn its 2003 ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger, which upheld the University of Michigan's law school admissions program. The Biden administration had urged the justices to stay away from the issue, writing in the Harvard case that the challenges ''cannot justify that extraordinary step'' of overruling the 2003 decision. Harvard President Lawrence Bacow said the Ivy League institution does not discriminate and vowed to continue defending its admissions plan. ''Considering race as one factor among many in admissions decisions produces a more diverse student body which strengthens the learning environment for all,'' Bacow said in a statement. Blum voiced hope that the high court will order an end to taking account of race in college admissions. ''Harvard and the University of North Carolina have racially gerrymandered their freshman classes in order to achieve prescribed racial quotas,'' Blum said in a statement. The Supreme Court has weighed in on college admissions several times over more than 40 years. The current dispute harks back to its first big affirmative action case in 1978, when Justice Lewis Powell set out the rationale for taking account of race even as the court barred the use of racial quotas in admissions. In the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, Powell approvingly cited Harvard as ''an illuminating example'' of a college that takes ''race into account in achieving the educational diversity valued by the First Amendment.'' Twenty-five years later, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor likewise invoked the Harvard plan in her opinion in the Michigan law school case. Now the Harvard program is under fire from opponents of race-based affirmative action. Students for Fair Admissions claims that Harvard imposes a ''racial penalty'' on Asian American applicants by systematically scoring them lower in some categories than other applicants and awarding ''massive preferences'' to Black and Hispanic applicants. Buildings in Harvard Yard are reflected in frozen water at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 20, 2015. Reuters-Yonhap Harvard flatly denies that it discriminates against Asian American applicants and says its consideration of race is limited, pointing out that lower courts agreed with the university. In 2020, the federal appeals court in Boston ruled that Harvard looked at race in a limited way in line with Supreme Court precedents. Harvard's freshman class is roughly one-quarter Asian American, 16% Black and 13% Hispanic, Harvard says on its website. ''If Harvard were to abandon race-conscious admissions, African-American and Hispanic representation would decline by nearly half,'' the school told the court in urging it to stay out of the case. NAACP Legal and Educational Defense Fund director Sherrilyn Ifill said that the court's decision to get involved in the issue was a threat to the country's ideals of equality. In addition to creating diverse student bodies that allow students to learn from each others' experiences, Ifill said, affirmative action programs address systemic barriers Black students and students of color face in higher education. ''The Court's decision today comes amidst the backdrop of widespread efforts to erase and deny the experiences of people of color,'' Ifill said in a statement. ''As our country experiences a resurgence of white supremacy, it is as important now as ever before that our future leaders be educated in a learning environment that exposes them to the rich diversity that our country has to offer, so they may be fully prepared for the many challenges ahead.'' Niyati Shah, director of litigation for Asian Americans Advancing Justice, said the suits aim to use Asian Americans as a wedge to undo race-conscious admissions policies, but the community should not be treated as a monolith. ''We have all sorts of differences in economic levels, and in recent times, as a community, we've been subjected to some really vicious attacks,'' Shah said. ''These are all things that make us uniquely us. It's really important that students of color, including Asian American students, be allowed to share their lived experiences and they cannot do that if race is not considered.'' The Trump administration had backed Blum's case against Harvard and filed its own lawsuit alleging discrimination against Asian American and white people at Yale University. The Biden administration dropped the Yale suit. North Carolina's flagship public university prevailed in a federal district court in October. U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs ruled that the school's program was intended to produce a diverse student body and had shown the benefits of doing so. The court accepted the North Carolina case for review even though it has not been heard by a federal appeals court. Blum filed a Supreme Court appeal with the hope that it would be bundled with the Harvard case so that the justices could rule on public and private colleges at the same time. Beth Keith, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications at UNC-Chapel Hill, said in a statement that Biggs correctly ruled in favor of the school's admissions process, which ''allows for an evaluation of each student in a deliberate and thoughtful way.'' (AP) Foyle MP, Colum Eastwood, has said the latest revelation about parties at 10 Downing Street must signal the end of Boris Johnsons tenure as Prime Minister. The SDLP leader was speaking after Downing Street admitted a gathering was held for Mr Johnsons birthday last year during coronavirus restrictions. He said the constant revelations around partying at Number 10 has long since descended into farce and was undermining the work of Parliament. Mr Eastwood said: As if it wasnt already clear enough that Boris Johnsons time as Prime Minister has reached its end, we have yet another revelation about gatherings taking place in Downing Street while the public abided by strict lockdown restrictions. We are currently awaiting the publication of a report from senior civil servant Sue Gray into a number of rule breaking events involving the Prime Minister and before it can even be published we learn of further incidents. The situation surrounding the Prime Minister at present would be comical if it wasnt so pathetic. While the majority of people on this side of the Irish Sea never had any faith in Boris Johnson to begin with, he has displayed his contempt for people in Britain and typical Tory arrogance in the face of the most difficult period most of us have ever experienced. Johnson and his cronies have consistently demonstrated they feel that the rules dont apply to them, well its time they learned they do he must go and the other rule breakers should follow. During the pandemic the vast majority of us did the right thing, we followed the rules, we stayed indoors, we limited contact with friends and family, no matter how difficult. People were unable to visit their elderly parents, people died alone without their loved ones for comfort and all the while the Prime Minister partied it up. Boris Johnson set the rules, he broke the rules and now he must face the consequences. His time as Prime Minister is up and if he has an ounce of decency left hell do the right thing and resign. Pupils and staff of Hollybush Primary school in Derry have donated money they fundraised to the Mayor's charity, Foyle Down Syndrome Trust. The money was raised by the school during a non-uniform day and amounted to 534.19. Mayor Warke said: "I was so pleased to attend Hollybush Primary School today alongside Foyle Down Syndrome Trust manager Christopher Cooper to receive a cheque for 543.19 that will be donated directly to FDST and will go towards their continued excellent work. "Thanks to Donal, John and Ella for presenting me with the cheque today and thanks to all the pupils and staff at Hollybush PS for their donations. "It makes a huge difference and I really appreciate your generosity and support for this fantastic local organisation." Principal of Hollybush Primary School, Teresa Duggan said: "The staff and pupils of Hollybush Primary school and Nursery Unit were delighted to welcome back Mayor Graham Warke and Christopher Cooper from Foyle Down Syndrome Trust to present a cheque of monies raised. "An impressive amount of 543.19 was presented along with some recent additional donations for the Mayor's chosen charity. "Year 6 pupils Donal Chandler, Ellie Mankoo and John Harley Baxter were on hand to greet the Lord Mayor and Christopher who extended their sincere thanks to the whole school community on raising such a substantial amount at such short notice. "This reflects the truly generous spirit of the staff, parents, and pupils in Hollybush. Well done everyone." Remember that in a spaceship, food is going to be limited, so how we make these resources last longer is paramount. As weve stated many times, space travel is hard, like incredibly hard. The human body isnt meant to be out under the stress of space travelyet. In the past few years, scientists and researchers have looked at innovative and clever ways of keeping astronauts well-fed for long periods of space travel. Remember that in a spaceship, food is going to be limited, so how we make these resources last longer is paramount. To that end, NASA has just announced that the agency will pay upto a million dollars to anyone who comes up with the most ingenious and practical way of feeding astronauts in deep space. Basically, the project requires teams to think up ways of food production that can actually be replicated on a spaceship or another planet! What's cookin'? Seriously, we want to know. Phase 2 of the Deep Space Food Challenge offers up to $1 million to teams who demonstrate food production technology for future long-term space missions, potentially benefitting people on Earth. Ready? Sign up: https://t.co/SYr3lbqkVq pic.twitter.com/zIBnnuAdKp NASA (@NASA) January 20, 2022 NASA tweets out its Deep Space Challenge In an official tweet, the agency states, Phase 2 of the Deep Space Food Challenge offers up to $1 million to teams who demonstrate food production technology for future long-term space missions, potentially benefiting people on Earth.. It is a bold plan and one that in tier words, will help streamline food production here on Earth. In a statement to the media, Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate stressed that Feeding astronauts over long periods within the constraints of space travel will require innovative solutions. Pushing the boundaries of food technology will keep future explorers healthy and could even help feed people here at home.. The real issue here is keeping food fresh and retention of nutritional value. Contestants will have to figure out how to streamline clean food production in space, all while maintaining taste, nutrition and hygiene. These technologies will also lead to a better understanding of how to manage food production here on Earth. As we race into the vast unknown of outer space, a mans still gotta eat! Also Read: Top NASA scientist says that we could terraform Mars using a magnetic shield Subscriber content preview WASHINGTON (AP) The federal government launched a revamped website Monday the first day of tax filing season to help people who were eligible for the expanded child tax credit under last year's pandemic relief bill claim the second half of the payment they were due. The site, http://www.ChildTaxCredit.gov, features a new tool that directs taxpayers to filing options, eligibility information and instructions on how to get the credit, according to the Treasury Department. Both virtual and in-person support will be provided in multiple languages. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The McDonald's turned to Chase Bank triangle, at 1953 Westlake Ave., sold for $14.4 million, according to King County records. The sellers were two LLCs associated with Meriwether Advisors, which acquired the property in 2016 for about $4 million. . . . Seven U.S. sailors were injured Monday in a Navy F-35C fighter "landing mishap" on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, the Navy said. The accident occurred while the F-35C Lightning II, a stealth combat aircraft, was attempting to land on the USS Carl Vinson during routine flight operations, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement. The pilot of the aircraft was in stable condition after ejecting and being rescued by a helicopter. Seven sailors were injured, three of whom were evacuated to Manila, Philippines for treatment, where their condition was listed as stable. Four others were treated aboard the ship, and three have been released, the statement said. No details were provided on the cause of the incident or the fate of the ircraft. The Pacific Fleet said the incident was under investigation. The Vinson and another U.S. carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, and their strike groups began drills Sunday in the South China Sea, following exercises with a Japanese naval ship in the Philippine Sea last week. (AFP) Duncan, OK (73533) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by strong thunderstorms during the afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 73F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 61F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Following the overwhelming success of last years online programme, The Bar of Irelands annual programme for Transition Year students Look into Law is underway for 2022 and promises to reach even greater numbers of TY students across the country. This programme gives TY students a comprehensive insight into the role of the legal system, courts and the work of barristers. It is open to all schools and is relevant to all students, not simply those interested in pursuing a career in law. In Louth, there are over 500 students from 12 schools (4 being DEIS schools) registered. When the Programme first started seven years ago, there were just 100 students taking part. Contributors on this years programme include the newly appointed Chief Justice, the Court Presidents, Chair of the Bar and numerous barristers, solicitors and legal correspondents sharing their journey through their careers as well as those involved in areas such as climate law and pro-bono services at the Bar. The programme also demonstrates the career paths open to students, including careers as a judicial assistant, a prison warden, or a mediator. This is the second year the programme is taking place entirely online due to the ongoing Covid-19 travel and social distancing restrictions, giving greater accessibility to students nationwide. Following consultation with a focus group of TY co-ordinators, the TY team increased the programmes content and flexibility. The two new innovations announced for this year programme are: Bite-sized chapters offering greater flexibility in accessing the programme Two live national Q&A discussion panels, between students and practising barristers. Q&A Bringing law closer to the students This year students will also get the opportunity to engage directly with a panel of barristers through the introduction of a live national Q&A panel discussion. The Bar of Ireland is inviting participating students (through their teachers) to pose any of their questions to a panel of barristers. Launching the Programme, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Maura McNally SC, said: One of the silver linings of the pandemic has been the ability to take our TY programme online and affording even more students the opportunity to gain an extensive insight into the different areas of law, the various legal professions and general knowledge about that law that govern our society. Last year saw record participation with 10,000 students, so to have a 60 percent increase with 16,000 students from every county in Ireland signed up is really exciting. "The Bar of Ireland is looking forward to welcoming students from Louth and giving many their first taste of a life in law, she added. The programme is hosted on a secure platform and schools can still sign up here. The five modules cover the following: Irish Water and Louth County Council are advising customers supplied by Greenmount Public Water Scheme, that they may experience temporary disruption to supply such as low water pressure and outages, following operational issues at the plant. Works are ongoing to resolve the issue however production capacity and reservoir levels have been reduced. Areas affected include Castlebellingham, Dunleer, Annagassan and surrounding areas. A map of the impacted area is available on the Water Supply Updates section of water.ie. Alternative water supplies in the form of intermediate bulk containers (IBC) will continue to be in place at the following locations until 9:00pm this evening. The IBCs may be offsite for short periods if refilling is required during the day; The Church Car Park, Kilsaran Car Park at the Garda station, Dunleer Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tankers and to boil and cool the water before consumption as a precautionary measure. Customers should follow HSE and government COVID-19 advice in relation to social distancing and mask wearing when collecting water from tankers. Bottled water will be provided for vulnerable customers who are registered on this supply in adherence with current HSE advice. Irish Water are asking vulnerable customers or those who have concerns to contact their customer care team, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. Michael Cunniffe, Regional Operations Lead with Irish Water, said: Irish Water acknowledges the impact this disruption has on the local community and we would like to reassure impacted customers that our operational experts are working to resolve this issue as quickly and as safely as possible. We would ask customers who have concerns to contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278. Updates area available on the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website, on Twitter @IWCare and via their customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. Lisa Smith told a woman she met in Syria that she wanted to live under Sharia law, and was prepared to "die a martyr", a prosecution barrister has told the Special Criminal Court. Opening Ms Smith's trial this morning, Sean Gillane SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions said the former Defence Forces member had "enveloped herself in the black flag of Isis" having travelled to Syria to "answer the call" from terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Al-Baghdadi, Mr Gillane said, was the leader of Isis, an illegal terrorist organisation that had seized control over a large part of Iraq and Syria and in 2014 declared a caliphate with al-Baghdadi as its leader. Mr Gillane said the terrorist group couldn't survive without those who chose to "make hijrah" by traveling to Syria and Iraq. He said Isis needed fighters and others who could give "sustenance and vitality" to the group in achieving its aims and Ms Smith had "addressed, assessed and answered the call to emigrate." In answering the call, Mr Gillane said she had "self-identified as a member" of Isis. Mr Gillane said the court will also hear that Ms Smith divorced her husband and while in Syria married another man, who was involved in patrols along the Iraq border and took a sniper course on her advice. Ms Smith (39) from Dundalk, Co Louth has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019. She has also pleaded not guilty to financing terrorism by sending 800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6th, 2015. Mr Gillane gave a detailed history of how the Islamic State was formed and gained a stronghold in parts of Iraq and Syria before announcing the establishment of the caliphate with al-Baghdadi as its caliph or leader in 2014. Al-Baghdadi's organisation, which considered itself to be adherents to the Sunni intrerpretation of Islam, beheaded, burned or buried alive those it considered to be apostates or who were members of other sects such as Shia or Yazidi, Mr Gillane said. Counsel said Isis became "notorious" in 2014 when videos emerged of journalists and aid workers in the caliphate being executed. Ms Smith had been a member of the Irish Defence Forces from 2001 until 2011. She applied for discharge, Mr Gillane said, because of inconsistencies between her faith and her professional role in the army. In particular, she had been refused an application to be allowed to wear a hijab. By then, Mr Gillane said, Ms Smith had converted to Islam and in 2012 went on the hajj to Mecca. She began communicating via Facebook in 2012 with an American convert to Islam who had moved to Egypt in 2011. They discussed what was happening in Iraq and Syria, counsel said, and Ms Smith discussed her "wish to make hijrah", which Mr Gillane said is a term that in this context means to emigrate to a territory controlled by Islamic State. Ms Smith then became an administrator of an Islamic Facebook page called, "We Hear, We Obey" in which Muslim women discussed various issues. Mr Gillane said the court will hear that Ms Smith expressed a desire to live under Sharia Law and to die a martyr. In 2013 she moved to Turkey and then to Syria where she stayed for a number of weeks. One witness, Mr Gillane said, will say that Ms Smith expressed "joy at being in Syria" and wanted to begin her "jihad" and was prepared to die. In June 2015, Mr Gillane said a video was shared with Ms Smith and others using a phone messaging app known as Telegram. The video showed a number of men in a cage being drowned to death. Ms Smith, he said, sent a message saying: "I understand why they were drowned. I didn't know the other half of the story." He said the court will also hear that at around this time Ms Smith complained that her husband wouldn't give a pledge of loyalty to Isis despite her requesting him to do so. In May 2015, Mr Gillane said Ms Smith sent e800 to a Syrian man living in Turkey. The money, he said, was for the benefit of another man who had been injured and needed the money to help with his rehabilitation. In October 2015, counsel said, Ms Smith bought a one-way ticket, paid for in cash, from Dublin to Turkey. She then crossed the border into an Isis-controlled area of Syria having lied to her family about where she was going. She arrived in Raqqa, the capital of the caliphate, where she was housed. At this time, Mr Gillane said Ms Smith "implored her husband" to join her and refused his entreaties for her to leave Syria. In 2016 she divorced her husband and in June that year married a UK national who had travelled to Syria in 2014. Mr Gillane said this man had been involved in border control in Iraq and on Ms Smith's advice, he did a sniper course. Ms Smith remained in Raqqa until February 2017 when she moved to an area near the Iraq border. In June 2017, her daughter was born. A little over a year later, Raqqa fell to allied forces and Ms Smith moved to Baghouz which was the Islamic State's last remaining stronghold until it fell in March 2019. Following the fall of Baghouz Ms Smith spoke to the FBI about her time in Syria and gave an interview to a journalist. Mr Gillane said she returned to Ireland where she was arrested and interviewed eleven times. She denied being a member of a terrorist organisation and denied doing anything to benefit a terrorist organisation. Counsel said the court will be asked to consider conversations Ms Smith had, her state of mind and her statements, when assessing the membership charge. He said membership can be inferred from conduct including acts of allegiance or a pledge of loyalty which, he said, are both present in this case. He said Ms Smith "addressed, assessed and answered the call to migrate to the territory controlled by Isis and al-Baghdadi." Counsel said that "every inch" of territory controlled by Isis was won through terrorist violence and that the "proto-state" was created by an illegal organisation. He added: "To make hijrah in this context is a central act of allegiance to this proto-state, an act without which the terrorist government can not survive." The hijrah, counsel said, was the "life blood of Isis" who needed fighters and others who could give sustenance and vitality to the group. To answer the hijrah, in this context, is to "self identify as a member of that group," Mr Gillane said. Ms Smith, he said, endeavoured to access Isis controlled territory and sought out the means by which that could be done. She subscribed, counsel said, to a reciprocal relationship of allegiance and protection and "enveloped herself in the black flag of Isis". She remained in Isis territory, married there and her movements matched the movements of Isis as it was pushed back from Raqqa to Baghouz. She was, Mr Gillane said, "running with Isis, not running away." The first witness called by the prosecution, Una McCartney, said she was a friend of Ms Smith's for many years when they both lived in Dundalk. She told Michael O'Higgins SC, for the defence, that Ms Smith was "naive and easily taken in" and was "looking for a sense of belonging" which she may have found through Islam. She also said Ms Smith's upbringing had been difficult due to her father who the witness described as a violent alcoholic. Jillian McNicoll is a Scottish woman who lives in Dundalk and describes herself as a member of the Dundalk Islamic community. She said that she met Ms Smith once and Ms Smith told her that she had a dream about the prophet Muhammad. Ms McNicoll told Mr O'Higgins that she disapproved of what she heard because to have a dream of the prophet, a person would have to be "exceptionally pious". She said there was an "arrogance about it" and she wondered why Ms Smith was telling her this when they had never before met. She also said that Ms Smith should not have travelled to Mecca because under Islamic law an unmarried woman is not allowed to travel more than 80 kilometres without a male chaperone. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Cormac Dunne at the three-judge, non-jury court. Lisa Smith told a woman she met in Syria that she wanted to live under Sharia law and was prepared to "die a martyr", a prosecution barrister has told the Special Criminal Court. Opening Ms Smith's trial this morning, Tuesday January 25th, Sean Gillane SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions said the State intends to show that Ms Smith "answered the call" to join the Islamic State, an illegal terrorist organisation that had seized control over a large part of Iraq and Syria. Mr Gillane said that Islamic State needed fighters and others who could give sustenance and vitality to the group in achieving its aims and Ms Smith had "addressed, assessed and answered the call to emigrate to the territory controlled by Isis." In answering the call, Mr Gillane said she had "self-identified as a member" of Isis. He said the prosecution intends to show that Ms Smith told another woman she wanted to live under Sharia law and was prepared to die a martyr. Ms Smith (39) from Dundalk, Co Louth has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019. She has also pleaded not (NOT) guilty to financing terrorism by sending 800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6th, 2015. The first witness called by the prosecution, Una McCartney, said she was a friend of Ms Smith's for many years when they both lived in Dundalk. She told Michael O'Higgins SC, for the defence, that Ms Smith was "naive and easily taken in" and was "looking for a sense of belonging" which she may have found through Islam. She also said Ms Smith's upbringing had been difficult due to her father who the witness described as a violent alcoholic. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Cormac Dunne at the three-judge, non-jury court. Claremont, NH (03743) Today Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain for the afternoon. High 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. In this file photograph taken on Feb. 20, 2021, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands inside a glass cell during a court hearing at the Babushkinsky district court in Moscow. Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to a list of "terrorists and extremists," as authorities further clamp down on the opposition. AFP-Yonhap Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to a list of "terrorists and extremists," as authorities further clamp down on the opposition. Navalny and a number of allies, including key aide Lyubov Sobol, appeared Tuesday in a database of banned individuals compiled by the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring (Rosfinmonitoring). The past year has seen an unprecedented crackdown on dissent in Russia, including the jailing of President Vladimir Putin's top critic Navalny last January and the outlawing of his political organizations. Almost all of his top allies including Sobol have since fled the country. According to Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation which was declared extremist and shut down last year a dozen Navalny allies were added to the list on Tuesday. They include anti-corruption investigator Georgy Alburov, lawyer Vyacheslav Gimadi and several former coordinators of Navalny's regional offices that were also branded extremist last year. The decision puts them on a par with right-wing nationalist groups and foreign terrorist organisations, including the Taliban and the Islamic State extremist group. Sobol, 34, was a lawyer for Navalny's anti-corruption foundation and producer of the opposition politician's YouTube channel. She has been wanted by Russian police since October. "Participated in elections and was fighting corruption? Extremist," Lyubov Sobol tweeted. Earlier this month, two other key Navalny aides Ivan Zhdanov and Leonid Volkov were added to the list. They mocked the "terrorist" tag on Tuesday. Volkov, who used to oversee Navalny's regional offices, said on Twitter that he was "proud to work in our team of 'extremists and terrorists'." 'Super team of terrorists' "It's great that our super team of 'terrorists' is being joined by such great people," Zhdanov, who headed the now-disbanded Anti-Corruption Foundation, said on Twitter. Last month, investigators questioned several former regional Navalny coordinators, including Ksenia Fadeyeva, who is also a lawmaker in the Siberian city of Tomsk. She was also added to the "terrorists" list on Tuesday. Navalny was detained in January 2021 on arrival from Germany, where he was recovering from a nerve agent poisoning attack he and the West blame on the Kremlin. In February, he was jailed for more than two years on old fraud charges. His poisoning and arrest sparked widespread condemnation abroad as well as sanctions from Western capitals. 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. Investigators last year launched a new extremism probe against Navalny that could see the opposition leader spend up to 10 more years in jail. Ramping up a historic crackdown on critical voices in Russia, authorities have designated dozens of rights groups, media outlets, journalists and anti-Kremlin figures "foreign agents." In December, courts ordered the shutdown of the country's most prominent rights group, Memorial. (AFP) North Andover, MA (01845) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. High 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Small village in central Chinas Henan makes a fortune through sales of tiger paintings People's Daily Online) 15:28, January 25, 2022 Wanggongzhuang, once an impoverished village in Minquan county, central Chinas Henan Province, has made a fortune in recent years by selling tiger paintings with the help of the local government. Photo shows a painting of tigers in a cartoon style created by a rural painter in Wanggongzhuang, Minquan county, central Chinas Henan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Minquan County Committee) There are now over 900 people in the locality engaged in painting and related industries, among a village of more than 1,300 people in all. Their paintings mainly focus on the theme of the tiger, an auspicious animal that is part of the Chinese zodiac. Last year, the village created over 90,000 paintings and generated a total sales revenue of about 100 million yuan (about $15.8 million). Wang Jianfeng, Party chief of the village, introduced that a team has also been established to promote the localitys paintings in order to better reach out to potential customers. By setting up a rural painters cooperative and entering into cooperative arrangements with e-commerce platforms, including holding live-streaming sessions, the village has managed to expand its sales channels for paintings, in this way boosting the growth of incomes for rural painters. After years of continuous efforts, the painting industry in the village has developed to become a thriving business, enticing over 3,000 residents from neighboring villages to become painters themselves. Photo shows the surface of a fan painted with tigers. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Minquan County Committee) Due to the booming business propelled by the tiger paintings, Wanggongzhuang has become one of the most renowned painting villages in China and a popular tourist destination. At the end of last year, a cultural scenic spot in the village was approved as a national 4A level tourist attraction, the second-best rating in a five-level assessment system for the countrys tourist attractions. Wang Jianmin, one of the pioneering tiger painters in the village, recently created a tiger painting in his home to welcome the upcoming Chinese zodiac Year of the Tiger. The farmer-turned-painter developed his own style by combining the skills of traditional Chinese realistic paintings and oil paintings, which has permitted him to make tiger paintings that are more vivid and expressive. Photo shows Zhao Quanxi, a famous tiger painter, painting a tiger in Wanggongzhuang, Minquan county, central Chinas Henan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Minquan County Committee) According to him, painters in the village have always competed with one another to improve their painting skills, thus making their paintings more popular among customers. This year, rural painters in our village will create paintings of tigers in a cartoon style to inject fresh vitality into the tiger paintings, Wang Jianfeng said, adding that the tiger painting village will have more promising prospects in this Chinese zodiac Year of the Tiger. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) President of Russia Vladimir Putin waves after he meets this time German Chancellor Angela Merkel for a summit with the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and France at the chancellery in Berlin, Oct. 19, 2016. AP-Yonhap Moscow on Tuesday accused the United States of ratcheting up tensions over Ukraine after Washington put several thousand troops on alert for possible deployment to boost NATO. The West is accusing Russia, which has massed 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border, of preparing a potential invasion of its pro-Western neighbor. The troop build-up has sparked the biggest crisis in East-West ties since the Cold War, with US President Joe Biden holding a long call with European leaders on Monday. Biden said there was "total unanimity" on how to deal with Russia, as the Pentagon said 8,500 US troops were being put on standby and NATO said it was sending ships and jets to bolster eastern Europe's defenses. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said these actions were only adding to an already tense atmosphere.' "The United States is escalating tensions," he told reporters. "We are watching these US actions with great concern." Russia denies it has any plans to invade Ukraine, where Russia already seized the peninsula of Crimea in 2014 and backs separatists forces in two breakaway regions. Moscow has instead accused the West of increasing tensions with deployments and support for Ukraine, a former Soviet republic. It has put forward a list of security demands including for a guarantee that Ukraine never be allowed to join NATO and that alliance forces pull back in Eastern European countries that joined after the Cold War. The United States and NATO have rejected the demands and told Russia to withdraw from Ukraine's borders, warning that an attack will trigger damaging economic sanctions, as well as a beefed-up NATO presence in eastern Europe. A series of talks in various European cities this month have failed to ease tensions, though US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed at a meeting in Geneva on Friday to keep talking. An Ukrainian soldier stands at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Jan. 10. AP-Yonhap The entire 1,131-acre Hawes Crossing master planned community is surrounded by Air Operations Areas that are shaded in three different colors based on the impact of flights to and from PHX Mesa Gateway Airport. Kyrgyz Republics second largest city to benefit from better waste management New waste collection vehicles delivered Upgrade of facilities and services supported by the EBRD, the EU and the EIB New waste collection machinery has been delivered to the Kyrgyz Republics second largest city of Osh as part of the international effort to improve its municipal solid waste management practices supported by the EBRD, the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The project is expected to bring major environmental relief and upgrade the municipal waste collection services for more than 370,000 local residents. Twelve new specialised vehicles were handed over to the municipal solid waste company Osh-Tazalyk in a ceremony which was attended by the mayor of Osh Almaz Mambetov, the Director of Osh-Tazalyk municipal enterprise Nurbek Ismailov, the EU Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Eduard Auer and the EBRD Regional Head of Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan Ayten Rustamova. The project is financed by parallel loans of 2 million and 3 million provided in 2020 by the EBRD and the EIB respectively. It also benefits from grant funding of 5 million provided by the EU. Upon the projects completion, Osh-Tazalyk will be able to provide uninterrupted services to the population of Osh and its suburbs. The funds will also allow the municipal waste management company to procure waste containers, modernise waste collection points and build a new sanitary landfill. To date, the EBRD has invested almost 805 million through 207 projects in the Kyrgyz Republic, with the majority of investments supporting private entrepreneurship. Over 60 million has been invested in 24 water projects across the country to date. In December 2021, the European Union adopted new programme for cooperation with Kyrgyzstan for the period of 2021-2027. It totals to EUR 62 million and covers areas such as governance, digital transformation, human development, green and climate resilient economy. In addition to this programme, the EU provided 51 million in grants to co-finance 17 water projects. EBRD 3.5 million loan for cheese maker LandOr in Morocco Loan to finance new plant in Morocco and expansion in Tunisia LandOr has been part of the EBRD Blue Ribbon programme since February 2020 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is strengthening its support for the Moroccan agribusiness sector and regional integration, with new financing for LandOr Maroc Industries (LMI), the Moroccan subsidiary of LandOr, a leading Tunisian producer of processed cheese. A loan of MAD 36.9 million dirham (3.5 million equivalent) to LMI will finance the acquisition and installation of additional equipment and the construction of a storage extension at its new cheese manufacturing plant in Kenitra, Morocco. These funds, which are the EBRDs second financial package for LandOr, will also finance the working capital needs of LMI operations. The Bank provided a 10.9 million loan package to LandOr in 2020 to partially fund the construction of a new LMI cheese plant in Kenitra that is expected to be operational early in Q2 2022. The financing will advance the EBRDs efforts to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco and integration with other economies in the Maghreb region. LandOr has been part of the EBRD Blue Ribbon programme since February 2020. The programme, dedicated to high-potential SMEs, is helping the company through technical assistance to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards as well as to increase its export potential and operational efficiency. LandOr, a Tunisian joint-stock company, is one of the leading local producers of processed cheese. The firm was created in 1994 by Hatem Denguezli and Hichem Ayed and has been listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange since 2013. LandOr Maroc Industries is the company's subsidiary, established in 2019, and manages the industrial projects of LandOr in Morocco. The EBRD places a strong emphasis on providing finance for private-sector firms in Morocco and Tunisia. To date, the EBRD has invested nearly 3.2 billion in Morocco through 80 projects. A SENIOR Government minister and Cork TD has said online abuse for elected representatives is a constant after a survey carried out by The Echo found four in 10 respondents have received death threats while two-thirds have received threatening or abusive messages. The news comes as Cabinet ministers are set to be given bodyguards and specialised cars following a review of their safety by An Garda Siochana. The review followed increased concerns about the personal safety of Government members and a number of protests outside ministers homes. The Echos survey asked Corks 111 elected representatives whether they had received death threats or threats of physical violence, either remotely or in person, whether they or a family member had ever received threatening or abusive messages, and whether they had noted an increase in such behaviour over the past two years 80 responded. Most respondents to the survey declined to comment publicly on their responses, with some who had received abuse saying they didnt wish to volunteer for more, while some who had not received abuse said they didnt want to paint a target on themselves. A spokesperson for Micheal Martin said it is policy to never comment on threats against the Taoiseachs security. The highest-profile respondent who agreed to speak on the record was Minister for Public Expenditure, Michael McGrath. While I have not had explicit threats of physical violence, I have had messages that encourage suicide and messages expressing the hope that I would come to harm, Minister McGrath said. There is a very fine line, but there hasnt been an actual threat that I felt warranted a referral to the Gardai [but] if I do get one, I wont hesitate to pass it on to the Gardai. Abusive direct messages and online comments are constant however. You try to brush it off, but we are all human at the end of the day so it is not easy. It has become part and parcel of being a public representative, particularly when you are in government, he said. I do worry that the level of abuse being dished out online will deter good people from entering public life. Minister McGrath said he believed social media platforms have a lot to answer for, and with the government setting up a regulator in this space, he would be advocating for it to have real teeth. I can live with the abuse, but I worry about other people, young people especially, and the harm it is doing to them, he said. This is developing into a huge issue across society and we need to get serious about tackling it. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Micheal McGrath: Abusive messages have become part of being a public representative. Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, said the level of abuse experienced by people in public life, particularly women, needs to be addressed. There is legislation coming through the Dail and this needs to be as strong as possible but there also has to be some responsibility on big social media companies to do more to protect users, Deputy Gould said. ANGER Cork City Councillor Kenneth OFlynn said he had received a number of death threats, and had experienced damage to his property and car. It makes me feel really angry, and scared as well, and for a long time I stayed off social media because of just how upset it made me, he said. Its very easy to be a keyboard warrior or blocked number caller, but put yourself up for election, get your head above the parapet if you think you can do better than me. One respondent noted a noticeable downward trend in simple good manners, saying social media has exacerbated this. A small number of what I call hardy perennials on social media platforms seem to think they can use words with impunity and without regard for the consequences of those words for those of us who are genuinely trying to do our best, they said. One respondent claimed that people are increasingly reluctant to run for election. We will be a nation led by headbangers if this is allowed to continue, they said. No one has sympathy for politicians and I doubt this will change before it is too late. The United States and the UK are clear examples of such. One respondent claimed to never once have received an unhappy comment, and said Ye need to come to West Cork and see how tis done right. ANXIETY One respondent spoke of suffering depression and anxiety in the wake of a death threat. I have received threats and abuse online and by phone, but the one direct threat to my life came in letter form My husband and I paid to get the gates at the back of our yard fitted with electronic sensors to open and close as I no longer felt safe at night coming in, parking and walking down to the end of our yard to close it manually, they said. SURVEY ALMOST a quarter of Corks elected representatives who took part in a survey by The Echo have received death threats, while two-thirds have received threatening or abusive messages. Over a third of Corks representatives who took part in the survey have received threats of physical violence, while three-quarters of female elected representatives said they had received threatening or abusive messages. The Echo surveyed Corks 18 TDs, three senators, four MEPs, 55 county councillors and 31 city councillors, and out of 111 elected representatives, 80 responded to the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 73%. Asked whether they had, in the course of their work, received a death threat online or by telephone, 18 of all respondents, or 23%, said they had, while 13 of those respondents, or 16% of all respondents, said they had also received a death threat in person. Asked if they had received a threat of physical violence online or by phone, 29 respondents, or 36%, said they had, while 20 of those respondents, or 25% of all respondents, said they had also received a threat of physical violence in person. Some 52 respondents, or 66%, said they had received threatening or abusive messages, while 16 of those respondents, or 20% of all respondents, said this had spilled over into family members having received threatening or abusive messages. Asked whether they had seen an increase in threatening or abusive behaviour over the past two years, 44 respondents, or 55%, said they had. Of Corks 26 female elected representatives, 17, or 65%, responded to The Echos survey, with female representatives accounting for 21% of respondents. Four female representatives, or 24% of respondents, said they had received a death threat online or by telephone, while two of those respondents, 12% of all female respondents, had also received a death threat in person. Five female representatives, or 29%, received a threat of physical violence online or by phone, while three of those respondents also received a threat of physical violence in person. Gender differentiated[female = 17 of the 80respondents] A Cork man has spoken in awe of his wifes composure after she delivered their baby in the back seat of their car when they could not reach the hospital in time. Stephen Lynch has described his wife Vicky as an absolute warrior and said he is immensely proud of the way she handled the challenging situation on Sunday. Speaking on The Neil Prendeville Show this morning, Mr Lynch said the couple called Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) when Vickys labour started to pick up on Sunday evening. Leaving their home in Frankfield at around 5:30pm, it quickly became apparent that the couple would not reach CUMH in time. Before they reached the Sarsfield Road Roundabout, baby Conor, who weighed in at 6lbs 13 oz was born - delivered by Vicky herself. Baby Conor It went from being slow and steady to very, very fast very quickly, Mr Lynch said. Vicky was an absolute warrior. I was very proud of her. Thankfully now we have another baby boy to add to the family in great health. Following the arrival of baby Conor, Mr Lynch continued on to CUMH for mum and baby to be checked out. We were after calling at 5:30pm so they knew we were on the way but I dont think they expected us to come in the way we did, he quipped. I ran in - I could barely put words together. Mr Lynch praised the staff at CUMH for their care and said Vicky and the new arrival arrived home healthy and happy yesterday afternoon. A Dubliner, who was snorting cocaine, barricaded himself into a room at a hostel in Cork and gardai from the armed response unit were called to the scene. Sergeant John Kelleher described the incident that unfolded at Sheilas hostel on Wellington Road, Cork. The sergeant said that Shane Roche of Fatima Mansions, Dublin, was observed behaving erratically at the hostel. He barricaded himself into a room. Gardai arrived at the scene but were unable to get in. They were concerned about his safety and members of the armed response unit were called. He was in possession of bags of cocaine. He admitted possession for his own use. The street value of the cocaine was 945, Sgt Kelleher said. The defendant had a conviction from Dublin Circuit Court for having drugs for sale or supply, for which he got a suspended jail term. The offence at Sheilas hostel happened before that Dublin drugs conviction. Judge Alec Gabbett said, What concerns me is that he was elevated sufficiently to barricade himself into the room. Diane Hallahan, defence solicitor, said Shane Roche did not realise the street value of the cocaine was that high and thought it was closer to 300. He is highly apologetic. He is coming before the court with three certificates of clear urinalysis and he has started counselling for his issues. He has no recollection whatsoever of the night in question (July 31, 2020). He was at a low ebb. He was abusing intoxicants. Such was the concern for him that night than an ambulance had to be called. He was very depressed. It took him some time to deal with it. He was trying to bury his head in the sand. He was highly intoxicated on the night there was white powder on his face when the gardai met him. He wants me to thank the gardai for the way they dealt with him that night. He has taken steps to turn his life around. He wants me to apologise, Ms Hallahan said. Judge Alec Gabbett imposed a six-month jail term suspended for a period of two years, noting that the accused was getting his life back together. The suspended sentence was imposed on the two charges of obstructing gardai and possession of cocaine for his own use. GARDAI are investigating the death of a toddler at a house in West Cork on Tuesday afternoon. It is understood the incident took place late in the afternoon in the Tralispeen area near Skibbereen. The Irish Examiner reports that a small boy suffered fatal injuries in an accident involving a vehicle and was rushed to Cork University Hospital after local emergency services attended the scene. Units from the local fire brigade also attended the scene. A Garda spokesperson said: "Shortly after 5pm on Tuesday 25th January 2022, Gardai from Skibbereen and Emergency Services attended at the scene of an incident near Skibbereen, Co Cork. "A toddler (male 18 months) sustained serious injuries after being struck by a car on the driveway of a house. He was taken from the scene by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he has since been pronounced dead. The local Coroner has been notified. Enquires are ongoing." For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website at ladowntownnews.com/site/privacy.html By clicking to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Danielle Walsh Ronan The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has once again called for an investigation into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) as the hospital recorded 97 patients without a bed on Tuesday. According to the INMO, it is the highest number recorded in any Irish hospital since the union began compiling trolley figures. The union has called for the Health Information and Quality Authority to launch an investigation into the continuous overcrowding issues at the hospital. Mary Fogarty, INMO assistant director of industrial relations said: Todays trolley numbers in University Hospital Limerick are extremely concerning. Time and time again, University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland. Despite major investment in capacity at the hospital, it is making no dent in the consistent overcrowding problem in the hospital. Overcrowding adds stress for staff and worsens patient care. It is high-risk in normal times, but even more so during a pandemic. The INMO is once again calling on HIQA to urgently investigate the overcrowding issue in the hospital and make recommendations, she added. The patients and nurses at University Hospital Limerick deserve better than these conditions. It has been an extremely difficult 22 months since Covid first arrived on our shores but UHL was already overstretched without being dealt with the hand of a pandemic. The staff, patients and wider community in Limerick need to be assured that the long-standing issues at UHL will be resolved. Philippines fish producers oppose plan to import 60,000 tonnes of fish Fish producers in the Philippines have expressed their objections against a planned importation of 60,000 tonnes of fish by the Department of Agriculture (DA), saying such move will impact the production of aquaculture and other stakeholders around the country. Fish industry leaders, including Jonjon Santos, president of the Association of Fresh Fish Traders of the Philippines, Jon G. Juico, president of the Philippine Tilapia Association (PTA), Mario Balazon, spokesperson and director of Taal Lake Aquaculture Inc. (TLAAI), Dave Villaluz, secretary of the IloIlo Fish Producers Marketing Cooperative Inc., and Asis Peres, convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan and former director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFR), strongly opposed the order and asked the DA to recall the fish importation order. DA Secretary William Dar earlier signed the Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) 60,000 tonnes to provide interventions to the agricultural damage from Typhoon Odette as well as the reduced fish production due to the closed fishing season. In a virtual press briefing, the industry leaders said there's enough local supply of fresh fish around the Philippines' aquafarms in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to negate the importation of frozen fish. Based on gathered data, the DA was able to import an estimated 43,000 tonnes of fish in the last quarter of 2021. Out of this, only about 20,000 tonnes have been disposed to the retail market. Adding another 60,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2022 will flood the market and drag down the prices to the detriment of local producers. There is still 20,000 tonnes that remain untouched at cold storage and another 3,000 tonnes still on the way to the Philippines, according to Jonjon Santos, president of the Association of Fresh Fish Traders of the Philippines. With the expected resumption of fishing in Palawan due to the lifting of fishing ban in January 21, Santos said more fish, including galunggong, are expected to go to the fish markets, which could result to an oversupply particularly in Metro Manila. - The Manila Times Australia funds Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea's efforts to control ASF Australia had provided Timor-Leste $180,000 and Papua New Guinea (PNG) an additional $205,000 in support of their battle to respond and recover from devastating African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks. ASF was reported in Timor-Leste in September 2019. According to Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud, between ASF and severe flooding, Timor-Leste has lost more than 100,000 of its 420,000 pigs. Timor-Leste will use funds to increase linkages between animal health extension officers and farmers and encourage the adoption of ASF-safe pig farming practices. ASF has been in PNG since March 2020. About 600,000 households in the PNG highlands rear nearly 1.8 million pigs, producing some 27,000 tonnes of pig meat annually. PNG funds will maintain essential road checkpoints, deploy field teams to respond to ASF disease reports and reinforce biosecurity messaging among smallholder farmers. The support is funded under the government's $58.6 million ASF biosecurity response package. - Australian Government German state ministers at conference to exchange info on ASF and protective measures At the invitation of German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Ozdemir, Germany's state ministers responsible for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg and Saxony recently exchanged information on the current status of African swine fever (ASF) and protective measures in affected federal states in a video conference. The meeting was also attended by State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Silvia Bender, who heads the Central Animal Disease Crisis Unit. Prior to the meeting, Ozdemir stated: "Our goal is to stop the spread and eradicate ASF. As the federal government, we will assume our coordinating role to a greater extent. A key factor is significantly reducing the number of wild boar. We are already addressing this challenge together with the federal states. We are also negotiating with the European Commission on how we can financially support pig farms in accordance with subsidies." Regarding cooperation with Poland, Ozdemir said: "Even if we have different ideas, we want to continue discussions with Poland, because the infection pressure from wild boars migrating from there is still high. I welcome the fact that the commission is also planning an EUVET mission to Poland for early 2022." One recommendation from the EUVET advisory group was to establish a coordinated procedure and uniform documentation with regard to ASF monitoring in the countries. To this end, the federal and state governments agreed on different measures as part of the federal state working group deliberations on animal disease control in early December: increased surveillance, serology and virology on carcasses, roadkill and healthy hunted animals in a radius of approximately 50 kilometers to the west around the entrances in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony (Meien district) to obtain more precise information on the westward spread of cases. Monitoring for early detection of ASF in the other ASF-free states has also stepped up. - BMEL (Germany) Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Sponsored By: St Anthony's Hospital Eric Hodel, right, then Midwest Food Banks chief operating officer and chief financial officer, explains the charitys food distribution process to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, center. On Jan. 1, Hodel became CEO of Midwest Food Bank. Jada Hoerr, Midwest Food Bank chief resource officer, looks on. John T. Shaw is the director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. Shaws monthly column explores how Illinois can work toward better politics and smarter government. Editors Note: This op-ed was distributed by Capitol News Illinois on behalf of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. The opinions expressed in this article are the authors own. The American housing market took off during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The homeownership rate or the share of housing units occupied by their owner jumped by 2.6 percentage points from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2020, by far the largest increase ever recorded. By the end of [] Chief Sector Marshal removed following social media comments A Chief Sector Marshal has been removed from his role following critical comments made on social media. Race organisers said the individuals position as an Official of the races was untenable The TTMA held an emergency Board of Directors meeting to discuss the issue. In a statement, ACU Events Ltd, race organiser of the TT Races and Manx Grand Prix, and the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association said: "The individual concerned was given the opportunity to withdraw the comments but declined. The same individual had already been in dispute with the race organisation about the new Safety Management System, introduced to ensure the maximum possible level of safety for competitors and individuals officiating on the TT Mountain Course. It is also considered unacceptable for any individual to undermine such a critical initiative." "Both the TTMA and ACUE, and the Isle of Man Government, remain grateful, and respect the commitment, from the thousands of volunteers who give up their time to officiate at any Motorsport event on the Island. However, any official, particularly one who accepts a senior position within the race organisation, is required to operate in line with protocols commensurate with the role and prestige of the event and to adhere to the ACU National Sporting Code with regard to officiating on the TT Mountain Course. " McDonald's is bringing a brand-new Chicken Big Mac to the Isle of Man McDonald's is launching a chicken version of its Big Mac. The limited-edition burger will be available on the Isle of Man from next Wednesday until the 15th of March. The fast-food giant says it follows a high number of requests from customers - and adds to its beef-based one. The burger, which was released six years ago in Australia, features two fried chicken patties instead of the normal beef in three bun slices as well as the Big Mac sauce. Tributes paid to Manx Care Non-Executive board director Manx Care has paid tribute to one of its Non-Executive board members who has died. Vanessa Walker was diagnosed with cancer in February 2021 and, since then, has fought her illness with incredible strength, grace and determination. In a statement, Manx Care said: "As a Non-Executive Director, Vanessa was a remarkable asset, bringing so many different skills and perspectives to the Board of Manx Care. First and foremost she was a nurse, with empathy and care at the centre of everything she did. Secondly, she had extensive experience of working in Local Government, specialising in governance and organisational culture, in the Isle of Man Civil Service leading the Management Advisory Service and as an elected Councillor in East Yorkshire, chairing the Health and Wellbeing Board. All of these attributes were backed up by a strong academic record, alongside her many nursing qualifications. In addition to her very impressive career, she was deeply and personally wedded to the Isle of Man with a house and family on the Island, as well as her many years spent working here so we got at least six people in Vanessa for the price of one! " "But perhaps more than all of these achievements was the value of Vanessa as a person, exuding warmth, wisdom, goodwill and a wicked sense of humour. She was also very brave and, despite serious illness, continued to play a full role in Manx Care as Chair of our Quality and Safety Committee. At a time when many people would close to shrink into themselves, Vanessa chose to travel, visit new places and thoroughly enjoy every day available to her." "The Board has lost a great colleague, the Island has lost a great friend, and we have all lost a great person." Athens, AL (35611) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low around 60F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Isaiah Thomas is a 20-year-old Amazon worker at the company's Bessemer, Alabama facility, BHM1. He is also a vocal supporter of unionizing the warehouse. In a conference with press Monday evening, he described what he believed were surveillance and retaliation by his employer, solely because of his support for collective bargaining efforts. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which has been working to represent employees at BHM1, has filed two unfair labor practice complaints with the National Labor Relations Board over the incident. In a screenshot provided by the union, a letter addressed only from "BHM1 Management" to Isaiah claims the worker was "soliciting in working areas, during working associate times." The letter concedes that these activities "may have occurred during your break time" but nonetheless contends that Isaiah was "in violation" of the company's solicitation policy. RWDSU, however, believes this action was itself in violation of "the settlement agreement the employer recently executed with the NLRB." That agreement, which was reported late last month, pertained to several instances of Amazon impeding union activity. The union filed a separate ULP, alleging that the company or its agents "created the impression Mr. Thomas was under surveillance." Amazon has been known to hold captive audience meetings meant to discourage union interest, and after one such meeting at BHM1 wherein Isaiah allegedly questioned a "labor relations manager," RWDSU states in its ULP that "Mr. Thomas observed the employer's agents circling his work area for no other purpose than to watch him work" and later assigned him to a different area where he could be "more easily observed." While RWDSU have described the letter as a "reprimand" in an email to Engadget, it's unclear if it represents a formal write-up. We've reached out for comment from Amazon. The news comes two days after the NLRB ruled Amazon had illegally fired another pro-union worker at its Staten Island facility. If that case doesn't go to settlement, the Board plans to issue a formal complaint against the company. BHM1 famously became the first large Amazon facility on US soil to hold a union vote. While the vote swung heavily in favor of the cloud-and-ecommerce giant, it was challenged on procedural grounds by RWDSU. The NLRB found merit to the challenge, ruling that Amazon had, in fact, illegally interfered with the unionization vote. Ultimately the Board determined a new vote should be held. It's scheduled to take place on February 4th (though the ballot count will not begin until the end of March.) Amazon is, beyond is preference for a non-unionized workforce, well known for its rate of employee attrition. Seemingly, the speed at which it churns through workers would disadvantage efforts to build a cohesive bargaining unit at BHM1. According to RWDSU, the current voter list at the facility it 6,143 people, just over half of which were present for the previous vote, which took place almost exactly one year ago. Canadian musician Neil Young is not pleased to be sharing Spotify's platform with podcast star Joe Rogan, according to Rolling Stone. In a now-deleted letter, Young reportedly asked his management team and record label to remove his songs from the platform. "I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines potentially causing death to those who believe [it]," he said. "They can have [Joe] Rogan or Young. Not both." The content of the letter was confirmed to The Daily Beast by Young's manager, Frank Gironda. "It's something that's really important to Neil," said Gironda. "He's very upset about this disinformation. We're trying to figure this out right now." As it stands now, his music is still available on Spotify. Spotify signed Joe Rogan to a reported multiyear, $100 million+ deal, and his The Joe Rogan Experience is now the world's most popular podcast with up to 11 million listeners on average. It's been controversial since it was launched, however, with Rogan allowing conspiracy theorists like InfoWars' Alex Jones on his show. Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, though the company presently has no misinformation policy. Most recently, Rogan hosted virologist Dr. Robert Malone, who says he's one of the creators of mRNA technology. Malone made baseless claims about COVID-19, saying a "mass formation psychosis" led people to believe the vaccines were effective. The episode prompted a group of over 1,000 doctors, nurses, scientists and educators to send an open letter to Spotify demanding that it create a misinformation policy. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has previously said that he doesn't believe the platform has editorial responsibility over podcasts. Young previously removed his music from Spotify over objections that the quality was too low at the time. The same year, he created the Pono music player designed for high-quality audio, and in 2016 announced a streaming service that adapted music quality based on your internet speed. That never went anywhere, but rival services including Apple Music, Amazon Music and Spotify have since launched both "lossless" high-definition and surround-sound audio options that significantly boost quality. Young has six million followers himself on Spotify, but noted that the Joe Rogan Experience's "tremendous influence" concerns him. "Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, though the company presently has no misinformation policy," he wrote. Samsung has revealed what it calls the "industry's first" all-in-one fingerprint security chip (IC) for payment cards. The S3B512C chip reads biometric information via a fingerprint sensor, stores and authenticates data with a tamper-proof secure element (SE) and analyzes it with a secure processor. While primarily designed for payment cards, it could also be used for "student or employee identification, membership or building access," the company said. Samsung Mainly, though, the new chip could make it easier for banks and others to make biometric payment cards. The solution performs in line with Mastercard's latest security specifications for payment cards, while also conforming to international security standards (CC EAL 6+) for "protecting high-value assets against significant risks," according to Samsung. Last year, Samsung announced that it was collaborating with Mastercard on a biometric scanning payment card with a built-in fingerprint reader. It said at the time that the tech would "adopt a new security chipset from Samsung's LSI business" rather than using Mastercard's tech, so the new S3B512C chipset appears to be what it was referring to. The chip could also allow for "faster and safer interactions when making purchases," Samsung notes. It removes the need for a PIN code and even uses anti-spoofing technology to block fraudulent methods like artificial fingerprints. It seems absurd that in 2022, people are still swiping cards and signing for purchases. Given Samsung's manufacturing chops and influence, however, the chip has the potential to make biometric payment cards more mainstream. Samsung didn't mention any launch customers or other details. 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. Vote View Results Panasonics relationship with Tesla has been a successful one. Last year, the Japanese electronics company was able to spin its $30 million stake in Tesla into $3.6 billion, but the team-up continues. A higher-capacity next-gen battery for Tesla vehicles could go into production next year, boosting EV ranges by over 15 percent. Although the battery is said to be twice as big as previous versions, it may have a fivefold increase in energy capacity. Panasonic is reportedly investing around 80 billion yen ($704 million) on new equipment to produce the 4680 cell just a fraction of that windfall. The new cell is also apparently cheaper to produce, meaning it could well affect the pricing on future Teslas in a good way. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed GOG's New Year Sale includes deals on 'Cyberpunk 2077' and 'The Witcher 3' Microsoft finally updates the original Surface Duo to Android 11 The James Webb Space Telescope arrives at its final orbit Washington DC's AG sues Google for 'deceiving users and invading their privacy' Engadget Deals: Google's Nest Hub Max is down to $169 for today only Engadget Deals: Sony's WH-XB910N ANC headphones are 49 percent off in Amazon's one-day sale Itll have a remote but only stream at 1080p. Google is reportedly developing a new Chromecast aimed at folks who haven't yet splurged on a 4K TV. According to Protocol, the low-end device will offer a maximum stream resolution of 1080p. The device, which could be named Chromecast HD with Google TV, is said to be capable of decoding the AV1 video codec (something the 4K-capable Chromecast with Google TV doesn't support at the hardware level). Given the lower resolution output, the device will cost less than the $50 Chromecast with Google TV. Continue reading. It reportedly collected "more financial data than was needed" from users. Even if you've never heard of a company called Plaid, they may owe you part of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit settlement. The company connects consumer bank accounts to services like Venmo, Robinhood, Coinbase and other apps and was accused of collecting excessive financial data from consumers. While denying any wrongdoing, it agreed to pay $58 million to all consumers with a linked bank account to any of its approximately 5,000 client apps. Continue reading. New plans will offer symmetrical 2Gbps or 5Gbps data speeds starting at $110 a month. AT&T is now upgrading its fiber-based broadband service with two new plans that top out at 2Gbps and 5Gbps. The company says its new multi-gig fiber broadband will be available in more than 70 metro areas, including Dallas, LA and Atlanta. The new 2-gig plan is set to start at $110 per month plus tax (or $225 a month for a business fiber), while the faster 5-gig plan will cost $180 per month (or $395 a month for businesses). Continue reading. Thatd line up with Google I/O. Engadget More Google rumors. There have been rumblings for years that Google has been making its own smartwatch. Talk last month suggested a Google-branded watch could arrive sometime in 2022, now the latest murmurs point to the end of May. The smartwatch is expected to have a circular face, like other Wear OS devices seen over the past few years. It will likely have a heart rate sensor and other features adopted from Fitbit, which Google bought last year. But nothings confirmed yet not even that Pixel branding. Well share more when we hear more. Continue reading. It's using the AI Research SuperCluster to develop new experiences for the metaverse. Meta has completed the first phase of a new AI supercomputer. The company believes the AI Research SuperCluster (RSC), once finished, will be the fastest AI supercomputer on the planet, capable of "performing at nearly 5 exaflops of mixed precision compute." Er, what? Well, Meta says RSC will help researchers develop better AI models that can learn from trillions of examples. Among other things, the models will be able to build better augmented reality tools and "seamlessly analyze text, images and video together." Continue reading. Weather Alert ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM CDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be 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 6 AM CDT this 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. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. * 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 will last much of Wednesday night before ending Thursday morning. Storm total amounts of 2 to 5 inches are expected. Given recent rainfall, these additional amounts may cause flooding. - 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. && It has been reported that the Home Office would not give in to Prince Harry's legal demands for police protection. For the department, the moment Prince Harry left his senior royal position, he already lost the "role and risks" that warranted such a protection. As a result of the Home Office's refusal to let Harry pay for his family's safety while in the United Kingdom, Harry has requested a judicial review of the decision made. However, the Mail on Sunday reports that the Home Office is unwilling to back down in the legal battle with the Duke, who has left the royal responsibilities and is now residing in California. "When Harry left The Firm the terms of his divorce were clear," a security source said. The source added that it is not even about money. It's not an issue of whether Prince Harry is willing to pay for his own security or not. "Like other members of the public, he and his wife are not able to hire armed cops at will - no matter how much they offer to pay," the source explained. Police protection is "depending on role and risk," according to the source. The insider added that Prince Harry should not expect the same kind of security detail his family enjoys back in the United States. Sussex's personal security team in America cannot be recreated here because the country does not even allow for people with guns to walk all over the place. The source even challenged Prince Harry, hinting that other "minor royalsccc' can manage their normal life in the UK without having armed guards. ALSO READ: Christina Aguilera Offers Brtiney Spears a Lifeline After Snub 2 Months Ago, Is This Too Late? Ultimately, the source said the Home Office is steadfast and would not "blink" over Prince Harry's demands. Harry and Meghan Markle's taxpayer-funded police protection in the United Kingdom was withdrawn following the Brexit. They pay for a private security crew to watch over their family from across the pond. The US team does not have access to UK intelligence information, which he claims is essential to their safety. This is why he wanted to shoulder the expenses of a security team in the UK. The situation may appear hopeless, but Prince Charles' latest offer offers some optimism. According to reports, Prince Charles requested the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to stay with him during their next visit to the United Kingdom because he thinks his son's tell-all memoir may criticize the Duchess of Cornwall. Regardless of his intention, this means Prince Harry might be safer in the UK if he's staying with his dad. Lilibet, the Prince of Wales' granddaughter, was born in June of last year, and Prince Harry was invited by the Prince of Wales to spend the night with him and his family at Kensington Palace. According to media sources, the offer is made amid ongoing security worries ahead of the Queen's Jubilee, which would be the first time the family has come together since Megxit. ALSO READ: Queen Elizabeth Heartbreak: Monarch Endures This the First Time Since Prince Philip Died European and Asian allies of the United States are increasingly under pressure from Russia and China. In both regions, small and middle powers face a revisionist and assertive nuclear-armed military power in possession of regional power projection capabilities. Russia and China are highly motivated to establish and protect regional spheres of influence using a broad assortment of state instruments of influence both above and below the threshold of war. At the same time, there are also clear differences between the challenges that East Asia and Europe confront: European security problems are primarily land-based, while those in East Asia are primarily maritime. In NATO Europe, the possibility of territorial losses through salami-slicing and faits accomplis, including against NATO members, remains significant. In military terms, Russia enjoys local conventional preponderance relative to the Baltic states and Poland. NATO is dependent on reinforcements to arrive rapidly to contested areas.Yet,Europe has a strongly institutionalized alliance system. It should be noted that NATOs security guarantees do not extend to non-NATO members. States such as Ukraine are therefore vulnerable to Russian aggression, as once again demonstrated by Russias military encirclement of Ukraine in late 2021 and early 2022. Aggression against non-NATO members cannot and does not reflect on the Alliance deterrence posture itself, though it does constitute a risk to the overall stability in the region. In Asia, while China threatens states around the South China Sea, especially Taiwan, it would be difficult to fundamentally change the territorial status quo without large-scale amphibious warfare. Yet, China has developed anti-access / area denial (A2/AD) capabilities to drastically raise the costs for the US to intervene and protect allies and partners in the region. The logistical infrastructure that would enable effective defense and deterrence by denial of these states is under pressure due to the military infrastructure in range of potential attacks, as well as the vulnerability of the lines of communication between these points. Nor is there an institutionalized system of alliances in East Asia or the Asia-Pacific that can address temporary shortfalls in US capabilities. Russia and China, moreover, possess unique strategic cultures, are clearly trending in opposite directions in terms of national power, and have distinct military modi operandi. By breaking down the deterrence problems in both the European and the Asian theater according to the 5Cs of clarity, capabilities, criticality, commitment, and cohesion, we can disentangle the challenges and point to possible solutions. The variations in strengths and weaknesses point to the need for an integrated approach, however faddish the term might be. The challenges that the US and its allies encounter in the European and Asia-Pacific theater are similar. In both theaters, while arguably at a regional and certainly at a global disadvantage, Russia and China can exploit local imbalances in capabilities against the Baltic states and Taiwan specifically. Given the land-based context in Europe, Russia might achieve a fait accompli which it could then exploit through nuclear threats and its A2/AD capabilities. A fait accompli would be very difficult in the Taiwan scenario due to the difficulties of amphibious operations and the narrow battle space that Chinas forces would or could be forced through. However, China could provoke the US to respond and then make a US intervention costly and slow through its A2/AD capabilities. Limited numbers of pre-positioned forces, limited military mobility, and the geographic distance between the US and the potential theater of war act as serious constraints. Russia and Chinas hybrid activities are arguably under-appreciated. Both states could accomplish a great deal of groundwork by dividing and slowing down responses by regional states and the US. There is no silver bullet to these shortfalls in either theater. Solely focusing on improving military mobility and improving access to the theater of war, or simply upping military expenditures might not only be financially unsustainable but possibly counterproductive, unless they are targeted at solving specific conventional military problems. It can heighten the risk of escalation, encourage adversaries to increasingly resort to hybrid aggressions, and aggravate disunity within the existing alliance structures over responsibilities and interests. Therefore, in both cases, the deterrence postures can only be strengthened by addressing their shortfalls in a coherent and integrated manner. Cohesion, commitment, and criticality need to be improved upon by strengthening inter-alliance dialogues and deepening the economic and political ties between the US and its allies. This needs to be accompanied by more clearly outlined and communicated red lines and consequences, particularly within the hybrid domain. At the same time, conventional capabilities need to be developed to respond proportionally to conventional acts of aggression, focused on strengthening deterrence by denial postures. Nevertheless, some differences between the two theaters persist. The Russian nuclear threat is more grave than the Chinese one due to its assertive doctrine and flexible deployment strategy, and, while Russia is weaker than China, it arguably also has less to lose. The uncertainty over the placement of US nuclear weapons on allied territory in Europe makes this a weakness that Russia could further exploit. In the Asian theater, US commitment and interests are less evident than on the European continent, as is the cohesion between regional states. Moreover, China still has better hand of cards for the long-term than Russia. As such, from a US perspective, focusing on fostering political and economic ties with its regional allies should even have a higher priority in the Asia-Pacific than in Europe. Strengthening Deterrence Against Nuclear, Conventional, and Hybrid Threats: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Insights for US allies in Europe and Asia Study by Tim Sweijs, Paul van Hooft and Philip Geurts The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies / HCSS. The Study can be downloaded here Real-estate conglomerate Embassy Group has roped in L&K Saatchi & Saatchi as its creative partner. The agency would begin its partnership with the real estate group by managing the integrated creative mandate for its premium residential portfolio Embassy Springs. Embassy Group has developed numerous spaces in the Commercial, Residential, Retail, Hospitality and Industrial Warehouse sectors for nearly three decades. Its operation spans across Indian and international markets that include Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Coimbatore, Serbia and Malaysia. Speaking on the partnership, Reeza Sebastian Karimpanal, President - Residential Business, Embassy Group said, Embassy Group has continually strived to strengthen our brand association with our consumers by relentlessly pushing the boundaries of quality construction and holistic, well-deliberated amenities. Focusing on introducing services and facilities that are beneficial, valuable and truly connects with our customers, we are pleased to onboard L&K Saatchi & Saatchi to provide creative solutions and innovative digital strategies for Embassys premium residential portfolio. Targeted at a young, aspirational and ever-evolving audience, we are delighted to be working with a partner that strongly understands our future-first philosophy, and who will enable us to establish our new age approach for this segment of homebuyers. Commenting on the win, Sharon Picardo, Sr. Vice President, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi said, We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Embassy on board. We have a deep understanding of the real estate category and have built numerous brands in this space. It is rare to see a group who adds so much value to the customers lives, and we look forward to making a difference to Embassys ambitions and partnering them in their success. Founded in 1993, Embassy Group is one of Indias largest real estate conglomerates with a broad portfolio of over 62 million sq. ft. of prime commercial, residential and industrial space in India. Across all asset classes, Embassy lays a strong emphasis on high standards of quality, delivery, world-class service environmental management and safety. Embassy has partnered with global investors including Blackstone and Warburg Pincus at the group and project levels. In many areas, Embassy has been a pioneer of new practices; Embassy was a sponsor of Indias first REIT, the largest office REIT in the Asia Pacific. As an extension of its vision to create world-class urban infrastructure, the company has also contributed to the field of education. The groups community outreach program empowers over 25,000 children across 189 schools to create a positive social impact in India. Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) In early 2020, after San Antonios Shelton & Valadez learned its longtime bookkeeper Irene M. Scott had been stealing from the law firm, she confessed but refused to disclose the extent of her embezzlement nearly $1.7 million. The following year, before she was ever charged, Scott found another job and allegedly fraudulently claimed unemployment and obtained weekly payments from the Texas Workforce Commission for about 18 months. At Scotts sentencing hearing Tuesday, her lawyer asked U.S. District Judge Fred Biery to sentence Scott to 63 months two years below the low end of the sentencing guidelines because she had accepted responsibility for her crimes while at Shelton & Valadez and had agreed to make restitution to the firm. But Biery refused to grant the request and sentenced Scott to 87 months in federal prison. She had pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. There is evidence or testimony or allegations that had you not been caught, youd still being doing the same acts now, Biery told Scott during the sentencing, which was conducted via video conference. Scott, 42, had been released on a $20,000 unsecured bond following her guilty plea. But the bond was revoked when allegations of the unemployment fraud surfaced. She appeared at her sentencing from a jail in Karnes County. On ExpressNews.com: Ex-bookkeeper who stole $1.8M from law firm agrees to court judgment Scott has a 3 year-old daughter, along with another daughter, 21, and two sons, 17 and 23. Your children are being punished by your actions, Biery said. They didnt do anything. But theyre the ones who wont have their mother around. Theyre the ones who will have the stain of a federal felon in their family. Scott apologized to Shelton & Valadez partners Mark Giltner and Wade Shelton, now retired. I know there are no words that I could say to ask for your forgiveness, but I would like to try, she said. I took the position that was given to me by you all and violated it in every possible way. I put S&V in a situation that hurt the firm, the employees and the clients. Shelton and Giltner outlined for Biery the ramifications Scotts stealing has had on the law firm. It has struggled to pay back vendors that the firm didnt know werent being paid because of Scotts schemes. Many of its vendors now require the firm to prepay invoices before they will provide a service. Others have refused to do business with the firm until the balance theyre owed is paid. Our firms reputation has been tarnished and relationships strained, but we will get through this, Giltner told the judge. The law firm spent $100,000 to pursue a civil case against Scott. Earlier this month, the parties entered into an agreed judgment that calls for Scott to repay the firm. The firm can take roughly $55,000 that Scott had in her 401(k) retirement plan at the firm, but that recovery may go to its insurer. So the firm is looking at no more than a 2 percent recovery of what Scott stole, Shelton said. Im going to recognize my own failings on this. I trusted Irene, Shelton said. She did good work. Thats the amazing thing. He added, I do pray for her. Im terribly sorry for her choices, but here we stand. I think other people need to be protected. These crimes are worse than people think. Theyre not as victimless as people think. Shelton estimated Scotts actions affected about 15 people at the law firm. Staff had to take on extra tasks in the wake of Scotts termination, resulting in some leaving the firm. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Scott worked at Shelton & Valadez from 2011 until early 2020. As bookkeeper and financial administrator, Scott prepared financial reports for the firms partners, including statements and invoices for vendors and accounts payable. She also oversaw issuing credit cards to the firms associates and employees. According to the judgment in the civil case, Scott made about $360,000 in unauthorized purchases on the firms business credit card from late 2012 through June 2016. In addition, Scott fraudulently wrote herself more than $414,000 in checks from the firm. In the firms financial records, she characterized them as vendor payments. She endorsed the checks with signature stamps used by name partner Robert Valadez and other members of the firm to sign letters. Scott also made at least $71,278 in fraudulent draws on a firm line of credit and checking account, the judgment said. In June 2016, she opened a new credit card in the firms name and used it to make about $739,000 in unauthorized purchases up until her firing. Scott also charged about $183,700 on a credit card that was issued to an employee and should have been closed when the employee left the firm. Much of the money went to her husbands outdoor lighting business. After Shelton & Valadez canned Scott, she was hired in May 2020 by Central Lighting & Energy. It conducted a background check on her, but since she had not yet been charged in the Shelton & Valadez case, there were no red flags. Johnny Leach, her employer, said his company later received a letter in the mail asking about her unemployment. When confronted about it, Scott said she was the victim of fraud, he said. Not satisfied with her explanation, Leach had his IT department track Scotts online activity immediately after that meeting. They found she had logged into the Texas Workforce Commission. Thats when we were shocked to find that she actually was receiving unemployment (compensation) for the year and a half that she worked for us, Leach said. We were blown away that she was getting that. He noted she was making almost $100,000 a year with bonuses. When Leach fired her, he said, Scott screamed, I needed the money, I needed the money. The next day, Leach learned about the criminal case against Scott. Biery ordered Scott to pay just $1.7 million in restitution to Shelton & Valadez. She also must serve five years of supervised release. pdanner@express-news.net Retired game show host Chuck Woolery, who is best known for hosting Love Connection, last year sold his 2,694-square-foot waterfront home in Horseshoe Bay for an amount likely between $800,000 and $950,000 and paid likely a similar amount the previous year for a four-bedroom, 3,229-square-foot house elsewhere in Horseshoe Bay. Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his wife recently sold their waterfront mansion in Horseshoe Bay to former Baylor University head football coach Art Briles and his wife. Woolery, 80, hosted Wheel of Fortune from 1975 until 1981 before being replaced by the seemingly ageless Pat Sajak. He then hosted Love Connection from 1983 until 1994, followed by hosting a briefly rebooted version of The Dating Game in the late 1990s. Woolery also hosted his own very short-lived national talk show in 1991. A Kentucky native who during his Hollywood years owned a home in Los Angeles Encino area and then in Venice, Calif., Woolery has spoken in the past to the news media about his love of bass fishing, which in part drew him to Texas. RELATED: Lonnie Walker pays $544K for home near La Cantera: 'He wanted to plant his roots' Woolery, who did not respond to a text message for comment for this story, came to Horseshoe Bay from California after cutting an infomercial for developer National Recreation Properties, which was selling lots on the bay. Ultimately, Woolery wound up buying the waterfront house in 2006. In 2020, Woolery listed the waterfront house for $939,000. The three-bedroom house has a kitchen with two ovens, a living room with a wooden cabinet on each side, a second-floor balcony off one of the primary bedrooms and a deck. Outside on the property are a patio, a private boat dock off a channel that connects to Lake Lyndon B. Johnson and a swing over arm for a jet ski. The house that Woolery sold is assessed at a value of just over $802,000. The four-bedroom house that Woolery bought has four bathroom, stone floors, floor-to-ceiling doors and windows, new Pella doors and windows in several rooms and a 16-foot slider in the living room that opens to the pool and backyard. The kitchen was updated in 2016 with high-end custom cabinetry, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf gas cooktop, double ovens, a Viking dishwasher and a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator. Outside are a pool, waterfall and two patios. The house that Woolery bought is assessed at a value of $850,870. Woolery's listing agent for the house he sold, Kay Lowe, declined to comment on the sale. Goldsborough is a freelance writer This story has been updated. Please see editor's note below. A luxurious Italian Renaissance-inspired estate billed as a Mediterranean masterpiece hit the San Antonio market this month. The 8,832-square-foot mansion in the ultra-exclusive San Antonio community of Estates at Champions Run is held by a trust of Raul Gonzalez Trevino, who died in 2021. The five-bedroom, six-and-half-bathroom home is selling for $2.3 million, according to a listing on the San Antonio Board of Realtors website. Bexar County property records show the home, now owned by Raul Trevinos trust, was initially purchased in 2007. The home was listed on Jan. 13. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios housing market shattered records in 2021, will stay hot in 22 The home is complete with exquisite ceiling detail and stunning hand-painted murals, according to the listing by Kenneth Henderson. The imported distressed wood, stone and marble blends seamlessly to create a level of unparalleled luxury sure to impress the most discerning buyer, Henderson wrote. Editors note: This article has been updated to clarify the ownership of the property. An earlier version incorrectly stated that it was owned by Rolando Gonzalez Trevino, a Mexican businessman who pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen goods. The Express-News regrets the error. Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net San Antonio Board of Realtors San Antonio Board of Realtors San Antonio Board of Realtors San Antonio Board of Realtors San Antonio Board of Realtors This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Marcia Argueta Mickelson took a short break during a math lesson Monday so she and her students could watch a few minutes of the American Library Associations 2022 Youth Media Awards. Thats how Mickelsons students learned that their teachers YA novel Where I Belong had been named a Belpre Young Adult Author Honor Book. It was less than two minutes, so I didnt tell them I was getting an award, said Mickelson, 48, who teaches at Cable Elementary School. They were excited for me. Where I Belong is not the only YA book by a San Antonio author to receive that distinction. Jonny Garza Villas Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun also was named a Belpre Young Adult Author Honor Book at this years Youth Media Awards, which were announced Monday in a virtual ceremony. On ExpressNews.com: S.A. writers Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun is a Latino coming-out story The Belpre Awards honor Latinx writers and illustrators for their portrayals of Latino cultural experiences. The top prize in the young adult author category went to Raquel Vasquez Gilliland for How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe. A third honor book award went to Austin author Laekan Zea Kemp for Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet. With a Belpre Award, it highlights even more the audience I wanted to reach, queer, Latinx, Chicanx teens, brown teens in queer spaces, said Garza Villa, whose book is about a gay teen. This Latinx award and honor highlights exactly what I was trying to do. The Youth Media Awards also include the Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King and Printz awards. Both of the San Antonio authors books are set in Corpus Christi, and both feature protagonists in their senior year of high school. Where I Belong is about Millie Vargas, a high-achieving Guatemalan American teenager looking forward to going to Stanford University to study marine biology. Her world is upended when a U.S. Senate candidate, for whom her mother works as a housekeeper, singles Millie out as a deserving immigrant, putting her and her family on the radar of internet trolls and others with ill intent. Lisa Krantz /Staff photographer Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun is about Julian Jules Luna, who describes himself as so deeply in the closet, I could be in Narnia by now. That changes one drunken evening when he comes out on Twitter, shattering his carefully maintained outward identity. That tweet shows him who his true friends are, as well as opening the door to some rejection and abuse. It also makes possible a very sweet romance with a guy who lives roughly 1,500 miles away in California. Mickelson drew on some of her own experiences for her book. Like Millie, her family immigrated to the United States from Guatemala when Mickelson was a child. My whole family came here undocumented, she said. Growing up, that was always something that I had a lot of mixed feelings about. I was happy I was here in the United States, but there was always a sense of shame because of how people who are undocumented are portrayed or denigrated at times. It was something I had to work through. Right around college is where I started trying to deal with those negative feelings. My feelings became more positive, knowing my parents made huge sacrifices, leaving behind their family, their culture and their language to try to make a better home for us. Millie is on a similar trajectory, she said. The book isnt autobiographical, but Mickelson aimed to capture an emotional honesty in it. I felt like I opened up my heart and spilled it out on the page, she said. On ExpressNews.com: Texas writer Stephen Harrigan recalls real-life zoo escape in The Leopard is Loose Mickelson started her career as an author writing womens inspirational fiction. When she felt she had done all she could in that genre, she turned to YA, which she was initially drawn to as a reader. Where I Belong is her second YA novel, following The Huaca, which came out in 2013. She is revising her third, The Weight of Everything, which is about a girl coping with the death of her mother. It is slated for release next year. Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun is Garza Villas debut novel. I really loved what I did with it, but I really didnt go into it with any expectation of winning an award, or being named an honor book, they said. To have it recognized like that is incredible in a way I didnt consider. Garza Villas second novel, Ander and Santi Were Here, is set in San Antonio and is slated for release in 2023. At Mondays awards ceremony, the Caldecott Medal, which is awarded to a picture book for children, went to Watercress, which was ilustrated by Jason Chin and written by Andrea Wang. The Newbery Medal, for outstanding childrens literature, was awarded to Donna Barba Higuera for The Last Cuentista. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @Deborah MartinEN This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COMFORT On a ranch just outside of this small Hill Country town stand three buildings that together represent the history of the areas residential architecture: a 140-year-old log cabin built by early settlers; a recently built limestone block home; and, also new, a contemporary cottage with tall ceilings and plenty of glass, the better to watch the passing wildlife. Hill Country Headlines: Get top stories from the region sent to your inbox The first two are connected, the third is just steps away. Together, they provide a stunning and playful contrast in styles. Owners Roy and Jessica Leslie, both in their early 70s, live in San Antonio full time. The buildings form a compound that serves as a welcome getaway when the couple need a respite from the big city. This land has been in my family since the 1880s, and being here is what Id rather be doing than almost anything else, said Roy, who, with his two siblings, owns 610 acres of ranchland given to them by their mother, who still lives on the property. Richard A. Marini /Staff The land is part of the original 18,000-acres purchased by his great-grandfather, the architect Alfred Giles, as a refuge from the cholera epidemics that swept through the region from time to time. A real estate investor, Roy grew up visiting the 7b Ranch where he quickly learned to love roughing it. Even before he could read, hed spend nights alone with friends and cousins in a long-gone, one-room cabin that was on the property at the time. It was little more than 2-by-4 studs, long-leaf pine sides and screened windows you held open with sticks, he said. There wasnt even a bathroom. It was perfect for us boys. Later, in 1971 when he was about 20, he paid $25 to Helen Shatzi Crouch, wife of the mayor of Luckenbach John Hondo Crouch, for a one-room, 16-by-12-foot log cabin built in the late 1880s that was being moved to make way for a road expansion. On ExpressNews.com: Historic King William fixer-upper used a twin house in Alamo Heights as a guide Before disassembling it, he marked each log in sequence (FR 1 for front right, first from the bottom, FR 2, FR 3, etc.) so hed be able to put it back together, with all the dovetail cuts fitting snugly. Dismantled like so many Lincoln Logs, he trucked them to a site on the ranch not far from the house where his mother lives to this day. I wanted to rebuild the cabin so Id have a place to stay when I visited the ranch, he said. I didnt want to live in my moms home. Working mostly weekends and holidays, he spent the next three years pouring the foundation, adding a covered front porch and a fireplace, and jacking up the roof 3 feet to create space for a half loft as a sleeping area. He also cut several windows to let in as much light as possible. I wasnt an architect or anything; it was all (learning) as I went along, he said. They told me to mix 1 part cement with 3 parts sand to make the chinking between the logs, so thats what I did. Jerry Lara /Staff photographer And so, for the next 40 years or so, whenever he, and later Jessica, would visit the ranch, theyd sleep in the rustic one-room cabin and walk to his moms house for meals and to use the bathroom. A retired schoolteacher, Jessica describes the place as having a warm, rocky feel. The cabin has a stone floor and fireplace, and a surprisingly steep stairway to the bedroom loft above. The interior framing is mostly salvaged wood and other materials, including full 2-by-4s and square nails. Trouble is, whenever the couple were at the ranch, they often werent alone. For the past 16 or so years, the ranch has been part of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Departments Managed Lands Deer Program, which fosters sound management of wildlife and native habitats. So parks and wildlife officials, as well as biology professors and students from Trinity University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, sometimes visited to study the property, including taking an annual survey of the deer population. At other times, close friends and family would come up to hunt deer. Evenings with these groups were often spent around a roaring fire or outside under the stars. Sleeping arrangements were often catch as catch can, Roy said, with he and Jessica usually spending the night at his mothers place. On ExpressNews.com: Mahncke Park home designed by ONeil Ford associate gets midcentury modern, Palm Springs-style renovation in San Antonio Having all those mostly male visitors sometimes got old, however, according to Jessica. When a woman walks into a room full of men, the conversation changes, she said. I wanted them not to feel uncomfortable by my being there. So a couple of years ago they decided to build two more homes, one for him, the other for her. The original plan for Roys house was to find another abandoned log cabin and place it about 10 feet from the original, with a dog run between the two. But he couldnt find the right cabin and so decided to build a house made of limestone blocks, like those settlers built once they became more established. Jerry Lara /Staff photographer The cabin was left basically untouched and serves as a living area with the sleeping loft above. The new, two-story building was constructed flush along the side of the cabin. The two connect through an old shed that was enclosed and now houses another living area with a fireplace, plus a kitchen and bathroom. The limestone building has another living area and bedroom on the bottom, plus a second floor with four beds for visiting scholars and hunters. Throughout, wildlife-related decor dominates, such as deer antlers on the walls and cowhide rugs on the floor. All told, Roys house can sleep up to seven, eight if someone takes the couch. For Jessicas house which shes dubbed Deep Space because thats the paint color she used she sketched some ideas and took them to a retired architect friend to draw up the plans. They ended up with a 900-square-foot structure with contemporary, single-slope roofs and a large outdoor deck. The inside has one bedroom and bath, a modern kitchen and living area with high ceilings. Large, shaded windows allow plenty of light to stream in. We love sitting here, either inside or on the deck, watching the wildlife pass by, Roy said. The flooring throughout is ipe, also called Brazilian walnut, which has a deep, rich brown color. In the living room, a built-in banquette makes for a comfortable bed when the grandkids visit while also providing much-needed storage space beneath. The couple say theyre satisfied with how their three-building compound has shaped up. Its all just perfect, Roy said. Jessicas got her own place for when she doesnt want to get up early or when the grandkids come to stay. And I can still put plenty of guys up in the cabin when they visit. rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate At the corner of Alamo and Commerce streets, a dumpster is packed with folding chairs, fiesta beads, a stroller, Christmas lights, a baby doll and a toy gorilla. All are covered in dried mud and silt, and all were removed from the San Antonio River downtown this week. The San Antonio Public Works Department on Monday began draining parts of the river that flow through downtown for cleaning and maintenance, digging deep to find trash that has accumulated below the surface since the last time the river was drained two years ago. The project which spans the downtown river loop, the extension and a segment of the main channel will continue until this weekend, when public works will refill the river. While the water is low, the city will check the floodgates, inspect sensors and gauges that monitor water levels, and make repairs. At the same time, the San Antonio River Authority will remove non-native invasive species, plant native aquatic plants and temporarily move native species until the project is completed. William Luther /San Antonio Express-News The River Walk area is world famous, and we feel a great responsibility to keep it beautiful and attractive to residents, as well as tourists, said Nefi Garza, assistant director of Public Works. One of the best ways to do this is to periodically drain the river. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio River fish making a comeback The biennial river draining is normally done during winter so that it doesnt disrupt more active tourist periods and to avoid the stench that would accompany warmer temperatures. Chris Vaughn, a senior aquatic biologist at SARA, said that every two years is a good frequency for biological river maintenance. The SARA team on Monday walked through the drained areas from Pearl to Lexington Avenue, looking for invasive species. Before that, SARA had moved native fish such as large-mouth bass, western mosquitofish and red shiners to undrained parts of the river for the week. This year, the team has found about 500 non-native apple snails, which they removed from the river and donated to Southwestern University. It is also looking for non-native fish, such as blue tilapia, sailfin catfish and common aquarium fish, such as suckermouth catfish. William Luther /San Antonio Express-News Zebra mussels, which are among SARAs largest invasive concerns, are not a problem yet, but the team is monitoring closely for them. Its all about control, Vaughn said. We cant really eradicate a non-invasive species like this. I mean, theres so many pockets of mud and things like that that the apple snails burrow down into this time of year, but we do try our best to keep the numbers down. On ExpressNews.com: Heres why the San Antonio River smells like it does An urban river system, such as the San Antonio river, is at a disadvantage due to reduced water quality and a greater propensity to accumulate trash, which can harm native species, Vaughn said. Meanwhile, many non-native species can survive in polluted water. Between river maintenance, the city and SARA encourage residents to keep trash out of the river. Dumping the contents of household aquariums into any Texas body of water can spread invasive species and harm the ecosystem. William Luther /San Antonio Express-News Mistakes happen, and chairs fall in there. Thats part of the maintenance that we do, Garza said. But the other thing is we really want to encourage visitors and residents to understand the natural value of the river. Elena Bruess writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. elena.bruess@express-news.net Two Texas brothers were arrested Sunday for allegedly beating their stepfather to death because they believed he was sexually abusing an underage family member, Pharr police said. Alejandro and Christian Trevino, along with their friend Juan Eduardo Melendez, all 18, were charged in connection with the death of 42-year-old Gabriel Quintanilla. Police said they found Quintanillas body, which was badly beaten, in a McAllen field on Jan. 20. Pharr Police Chief Juan Gonzalez, speaking at a press conference posted on YouTube, said an underage girl related to Alejandro and Christian Trevino made an outcry earlier that day that Quintanilla had touched her inappropriately at an RV park. On ExpressNews.com: Leon Valley man faces murder charge in brothers killing Gonzalez said the brothers became enraged when they learned about the accusations of sexual abuse and confronted their stepfather at their home. Courtesy of the Hidalgo County Jail Courtesy of the Hidalgo County Jail Christian Trevino, 18, (left) and Alejandro Trevino, 18, are charged with capital murder, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity in connection with the Jan. 20 fatal beating of 42-year-old Gabriel Quintanilla in Pharr. Christian Trevino, 18, (left) and Alejandro Trevino, 18, are charged with capital murder, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity in connection with the Jan. 20 fatal beating of 42-year-old Gabriel Quintanilla in Pharr. A physical fight ensued between the three, and the victim, Quintanilla, left the location on foot, Gonzalez said. Police believe that Christian Trevino chased Quintanilla to a nearby apartment complex, where a second assault occurred involving the three suspects, the chief said. Melendez is accused of driving Alejandro Trevino to the second assault in a red Dodge Charger. Police said the three suspects then left Quintanilla, changed vehicles to a white Ford F-150 and drove back, where they found Quintanilla walking alone and injured. The three then assaulted Quintanilla a third time, using brass knuckles and causing severe head trauma. Police believe Quintanilla was placed in the bed of the truck and dropped in a field near the intersection of McColl and Walen roads. Police believe Quintanilla was alive at that time. Courtesy of the Hidalgo County Jail On ExpressNews.com: Sixth San Antonio teen charged with capital murder in shooting of mother of two Christian Trevino and Melendez, who are accused of delivering the fatal blows, were charged with capital murder, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity. Alejandro Trevino was charged with aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity. Gonzalez said this case is complex with a lot of moving parts, including multiple scenes and jurisdictions. He did not provide details on how investigators developed their theory of the case. taylor.pettaway@express-news.net As the face of public health in Bexar County for more than two decades, Dr. Fernando A. Guerra saw the community through the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 90s, panic and uncertainty after the 9/11 attacks and humanitarian support for 30,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees brought to the city in 2005. As a pediatrician and director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Guerra worked long hours and made personal connections with families, guiding the city through crises with a steady hand. Guerra, 82, died Friday at the Village at Incarnate Word. Former Mayor Henry Cisneros, who relied on Guerra as a public health adviser and as the primary care doctor for his son, John Paul, said Guerra brought compassion, holistic approaches and firsthand experience to the role of Metro Health director from 1987 to 2010. On ExpressNews.com: Metro Health reports more than 8,700 new COVID-19 cases GLORIA FERNIZ /EN He taught us new ways to see the challenge of public health. Many lives were touched both by his personal practice, but also by his progressive look to the future on matters of public health, Cisneros said. He had pursued public health out of personal interest, out of a sense of ideals, a sense of values and beliefs, and the combination was just perfect for what San Antonio needed at that time. Guerra was born in San Antonio on Aug. 11, 1939. His father, Fernando Guerra, ran a pharmacy on the West Side he was just the second person of Mexican American descent to graduate from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. The younger Guerra was in middle school when he decided to become a doctor, said his wife, Beverly Purcell-Guerra. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1964. He served with the Army Medical Corps from 1965 to 1967 and treated the wounded as a battalion surgeon in war-torn villages of South Vietnam. The experience sparked his interest in public health advocacy. He saw things like plague and things that you would not normally see in the United States, or at least not in most parts, his wife said. Hes always said his time in Vietnam created his interest in public health. When Guerra returned to Texas, he taught at UTMB before moving back to San Antonio. He was running his own practice in 1987 when city officials asked him to take over Metro Health on an interim basis. It was shortly before Pope John Paul IIs visit to San Antonio on Sept. 13 and 14 of that year. The previous Metro Health director had resigned over fears that medical facilities and water supplies would be inadequate for the huge crowds expected when the pope celebrated Mass at Westover Hills. Guerra stepped in to oversee preparations, and the papal visit went off without major problems. His work so impressed city officials that they put him in charge of Metro Health on a permanent basis. Throughout his career, Guerra focused on child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, obesity, diabetes and health disparities. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, a former San Antonio councilman and mayor, said Guerra was a classy guy and dedicated professional who advised the city on its response to the AIDS crisis. At the time, public officials across the country were struggling to understand AIDS and address the ways it attacks the immune system, Wolff recalled. It was a struggle to accommodate those that had AIDS, he added. In a 2011 interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Guerra said there was a lot of anger about AIDS. At one point, community activists called for his resignation. His first pediatric AIDS patient was a 3-year-old with hemophilia who had been infected by tainted blood products. Yet even in those contentious times, the city maintained a supportive relationship with nonprofits that assisted people with AIDS, Guerra said. Wolff, who has played a key role in guiding San Antonio through the COVID-19 pandemic, said that under Guerra, Metro Health had to learn a lot about that (AIDS) pandemic, and that in some form or fashion probably helped us deal more effectively with the coronavirus. Cisneros spoke with emotion as he recalled the birth of his son, John Paul Anthony Cisneros, in 1987 at Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital. Guerra explained to him that John Paul had a serious malfunction that didnt appear fixable and would require a lot of time and effort getting as far as you can. It turned out to be a serious heart defect, accompanied by other medical problems. This is my dear friend. This is somebody I worked with telling me to my face, but with great pain, Cisneros recalled. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios wish list, curated by Henry Cisneros Guerra took on the care of John Paul as a personal cause and gave medical advice to the Cisneros family and referrals to other doctors for the next 17 years. John Paul overcame his childhood medical problems and now is CEO of an infrastructure investment company he and his father co-founded. Henry Cisneros said the experience reflected Guerras approach to anyone in need. He treated people affected by addiction, gang violence, depression and other societal issues with deep humanity. To bring a higher level of passion, understanding that, I think, captures the importance of the way Dr. Guerra balanced his obligations, Cisneros said. Guerra is survived by Purcell-Guerra, six children and eight grandchildren. Because of the pandemic, his family plans a public memorial service at a later date by arrangement with Angelus Funeral Home. shuddleston@express-news.net Hill Country Headlines: Top stories from the booming region, delivered to your inbox When a group of researchers at Texas A&Ms Natural Resources Institute published the first peer-reviewed study that surveyed the presence of a brightly colored Texas songbird across a huge swath of Texas, the results were astounding: The population of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler in the state was estimated to be 10 times larger than previously thought. The 2012 study did not advocate changing the species endangered status, nor did it imply that conservation measures to protect its habitat were no longer necessary, researchers said at the time. Rather, said Heather Mathewson, the lead researcher, this study is one of many necessary steps in our evolving knowledge of the golden-cheeked warbler. (It) is not intended as the final word on the matter, she added. Nonetheless, the data point without indicating whether the warblers population was increasing or decreasing in Texas has fueled an almost decadelong legal battle over the bird with a bright yellow face and striking black marks. In 2015, the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Susan Combs, a Republican state leader who had served as Texas comptroller, its commissioner of agriculture and a state representative, petitioned the federal government to remove the warbler from the endangered species list. The petition used Mathewsons study as primary evidence that the bird no longer needed such stringent federal protections. The time has come to remove the golden-cheeked warbler from the endangered species list, the petitioners argued. Delisting this species is now compelled by todays best available science. The latest lawsuit to remove the bird from the endangered species list was filed two weeks ago, part of a heated legal battle for which the 2012 study and its fundamental research question how many golden-cheeked warblers exist in Texas? have become a lightning rod. The ongoing fight comes as Central Texas faces enormous demand for new housing developments as the states population surges. The federal government, in rejecting attempts to delist the bird, attacked the research methods of the biologists. Meanwhile, the TPPF and eventually, the Texas General Land Office characterized the studys findings beyond what they actually suggested, arguing that the birds population had recovered and did not face any current significant threats. This really shouldnt be controversial, said Michael Morrison, a professor of wildlife and fisheries sciences at Texas A&M and one of the wildlife biologists who worked on the 2012 study. You would think we should be celebrating the fact that the bird is far better off than we thought. The federal government typically places the population of male warblers at about 27,000, based on a 2007 estimate by SWCA Environmental Consultants for the Texas Department of Transportation. Mathewson and her colleagues estimated the actual number is closer to 263,000. In a five-year review of the birds status published in 2014, the Fish and Wildlife Service wrote that the differing estimates underscored the need for more information. A separate assessment of the birds population conducted in 2018 by Jim Mueller, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientist, estimated that there may be about 233,000 male warblers in Texas; those results are still undergoing peer review for publication in a journal, he wrote in an email to The Texas Tribune. The current population size is much larger than was estimated, Mueller said in a comment. That is fantastic news. On the flip side, threats to the species continue, such as loss of habitat, he said. Human habitat encroaching The golden-cheeked warblers habitat ranges across a 35-county region of Central Texas from west of San Antonio up to the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. It follows and expands northwest of the Interstate 35 corridor, a rapidly growing region of Texas where the population of humans grew by 50% between 1990 and 2010. The bird was first listed as endangered in 1990; the primary considerations were the rapid decline of habitat and its small estimated population size. The migratory songbird breeds in Texas between late February and the end of April before heading south to Central America in the late summer. Its breeding range extends across 67,000 square kilometers, or roughly 25,900 square miles, of Texas, Mueller said. But, only about 4% of that area is suitable woodland habitat since the bird relies on Ashe juniper bark to nest, he added. The federal government has previously rejected Texas attempts to delist the bird based on new population estimates alone. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service argues that there isnt evidence to suggest threats to the birds existence have been reduced. In fact, the opposite has been found: Destruction of the birds habitat has only accelerated across Central Texas as suburbs expand around San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. One 2013 study found that between 2001 and 2011, the golden-cheeked warblers habitat shrunk by 29%. Scientists have found that the primary drivers of its habitat loss are rapid suburban development outside of Austin and San Antonio. The Texas General Land Office manages state-owned lands and mineral rights totaling 13 million acres, according to the agency. After the federal government rejected its first attempt to delist the bird, the Texas General Land Office joined a 2017 lawsuit to delist the bird by the TPPF, arguing that the agency leases lands to benefit the Permanent School Fund, and endangered species restrictions lowered property values. On appeal, a 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge in 2020 ordered the Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider Texas petition, stating that the federal agency had used an incorrect legal standard to evaluate whether the birds endangered status should be reconsidered. The federal agency issued another finding in July, again rejecting the attempt to begin a process that could delist the bird. These efforts represent new estimates rather than indicators of positive trends in warbler habitat and population size, and thus do not imply recovery, the Fish and Wildlife Service wrote of the 2012 population study. But Ted Hadzi-Antich, a senior attorney with the Texas Public Policy Foundation and lead counsel on the warbler case, argues to the contrary. To my mind, its pretty clear that (the population) is increasing, and that the habitat fragmentation, predation and urbanization have not been adversely impacting the warblers, he said. Hadzi-Antich said that the states General Land Office is likely the single most-impacted entity by the continued listing of the golden-cheeked warbler. For example, he said about 85% of a 2,300-acre parcel of land between Bexar and Kendall counties is considered warbler habitat; GLO estimated that the endangered species protections on that site have decreased its property value by 35%. They wanted to develop that property, but with this diminution in value, that became problematic, he said. Nobody wants to see species become extinct. The problem is, youve got palpable adverse impacts on humans from some of these requirements. The (Endangered Species Act) is intended to protect species from extinction, not protect species from the supposition that there may be a threat, he added. George P. Bush, the Texas land commissioner and a candidate for Texas attorney general, has long fought against Endangered Species Act protections that block urban development. In 2015, he led an alliance of state land commissioners challenging how species are listed. Last Wednesday, Texas and the TPPF sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service again, arguing that the federal government refused to abide by the judges instructions. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Fish and Wildlife Service said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. Conservation advocates, meanwhile, generally agree with the federal government that the threats still exist to the warblers population. Scientists from around the world are ringing the alarm bells that were in an extinction crisis, said Noah Greenwald, the endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit advocacy group. The golden-cheeked warbler challenges us to protect woodlands in an area thats being rapidly developed. Erin Zwiener, a Democratic state representative who has advocated for conservation of natural areas and represents House District 45, west of Austin which includes a large swath that serves as habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler said the increased costs to developers from the endangered species protections dont entirely block growth, and the current rules help to protect natural areas in the Texas Hill Country. Warbler habitat is largely in some of the most desirable places to build in the state, Zwiener said. We are still experiencing rapid growth despite the protections. Honestly, I dont know many people around here who would complain about development being slightly slower, she added. Science caught in the middle Evolving science better surveys, better models, more testing provided the ammunition for the hotly contested legal battle over the development of Central Texas. Morrison, the biologist who worked on the 2012 study, said hes frustrated by the way researchers and the science supporting their findings have been characterized along the way. Weve been accused by environmentalists that somehow, we as the scientists want (the warbler) to not be (on the) endangered (list), Morrison said. The Fish and Wildlife Service sought in part to discredit Morrison and his colleagues, arguing that the estimate of land occupied by the birds used in the study was not reliable and that it may have led to an inflated estimate of the total population. But Roel Lopez, director of Texas A&Ms Natural Resources Institute, said that researchers used robust methodology, the most current technology available and random sampling to determine potential habitat and the population estimate. The methods back then (in 1990, when the warbler was first listed as endangered) may not have been as robust, or there wasnt a lot of information, Lopez said. Through time, there may be an increased effort to survey and sample more, so its not uncommon for us to work on a species and through an increase in effort actually find more of them. On the other hand, the assertion by the TPPF that the birds population has ballooned since 1990 is very unlikely and not supported by research, experts said. Scientists may never know how many birds there were in 1990 or how much the population has declined since then. But Morrison said that misses the larger problem, which is how to ensure enough warbler habitat remains in Texas Hill Country. We need to be focusing on working with landowners to maintain large continuous tracts of habitat, give them tax breaks, and reasons to maintain that, Morrison said. Fighting over whether or not theres 100,000 or 200,000 (male birds), to me, is kind of not the point. Disclosure: Texas A&M University, the Texas General Land Office and the Texas Public Policy Foundation have been financial supporters of the Texas Tribune. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. A San Antonio woman has been charged with animal cruelty after she allegedly bought illegal lemurs online and kept them caged in her backyard, resulting in the death of one of the animals, court documents said. Kristy Lee Arredondo, 35, was charged with two counts of animal cruelty. In December, a Bexar County sheriffs deputy searched on TikTok for exotic animals San Antonio and found a video showing two ringtail lemurs in a residential backyard. The video, uploaded by the user @alexiss.m4, showed the lemurs in a black cage surrounded by dogs. Owning a lemur is prohibited in Bexar County. On ExpressNews.com: Tiger, bobcat found inside South Side home; 2 arrested for animal cruelty The video tagged another user called Alamo City Frenchie Cartel, a dog breeding business co-owned by Arredondo, an affidavit supporting her arrest said. When investigators from the Sheriffs Office and Animal Care Services conducted a welfare check in the 6500 block of Ithaca Forest on the Northeast Side, they found one lemur in a cage and one dead and decomposing in the alley behind the property. Arredondo told investigators that the lemurs had been fighting, leaving one injured, the affidavit said. She said she gave the lemur antibiotics meant for dogs and that it died a week later. Investigators were unable to access records to determine whether Arredondo tried to take the injured lemur to a veterinarian before it died. Arredondo said the lemur was put in the alley instead of the backyard so the dogs wouldnt dig it up, the affidavit said. The Sheriffs Office described the lemurs cage as an unsanitary and inadequate dog run with plywood for the roof and a floor that was partially covered in square stepping stones with some grass and dirt inside, the affidavit said. There was little water and old, wilting food for the lemur. Investigators said the lemur in the cage appeared to be depressed, lethargic and malnourished, the affidavit said. There were also at least 13 dogs on the property. Arredondo told deputies that she bought the lemurs just after Halloween for $3,000 from a man on Facebook Marketplace and that she thought owning lemurs was legal in Texas. The transaction took place at the San Marcos Buc-ees. On ExpressNews.com: Man arrested accused of squeezing pet hamster to death during domestic incident, officials said The lemurs were taken to Primarily Primates, a nonprofit primate sanctuary in Bexar County. Animal specialists at Primarily Primates were unable to determine the cause of death for the deceased lemur because of its advanced decomposition. They placed the time of death at about a month ago, the affidavit said. The remaining lemur, which the specialists named Luna, was underweight, severely malnourished and deeply depressed. The estimated cost of the case is expected to exceed $1,000. On Jan. 11, Arredondo appeared via Zoom for a hearing with Animal Care Services. She relinquished custody of Luna to Primarily Primates and paid restitution for her care. Arredondo was arrested Monday and was being held on $30,000 bail. taylor.pettaway@express-news.net A Steele High School student was taken into custody Tuesday morning for allegedly bringing a firearm to school. The student made no threats against the school, staff or other students at Bryon P. Steele High School, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD spokesman Eduardo Suarez said in an email to the Express-News. Just after 10 a.m., two students reported to a staff member that a student was on campus with a handgun after the student with the firearm had showed the gun to another student in a restroom. The staff member contacted the administration and school resource officers, prompting the campus to go into a hold until the student was located. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio woman arrested on animal cruelty charges after deputies find illegal lemurs at her home Officials found that the student was in possession of an unloaded handgun with the trigger lock in place. The student was taken into custody by Cibolo police, but officials did not say whether the student was charged. The safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance. We always advise our students to say something if they see something, and we commend these two students for immediately reporting this information to school personnel, Suarez said in the email. taylor.pettaway@express-news.net Every time we recognize important historical moments and commemorate their leaders, we are reminded of the ways in which legacies are often co-opted by those who would have loudly opposed all threats to the status quo. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the working class, the poor and communities of color. He always stood shoulder to shoulder with community through times of struggle regardless of whether it was politically convenient. As a first-year councilwoman, I have learned what is politically convenient is commonly against the best interest of District 5 residents, the community I was elected to serve. Politically convenient usually means defending the corporate-backed status quo. A status quo that heroes like King worked tirelessly to overcome. Politically convenient is business as usual, with a rubber stamp at the ready to approve funneling our hard-earned money up to the rich and powerful. Big business is always consulted, while working people are characterized as too naive to understand the inner workings of policy. The City Council vote on the CPS Energy rate increase is the latest example of political convenience. Numerous comments were made on the dais suggesting that as elected leaders, we should not listen to our residents who overwhelmingly said no to the rate increase. Our constituents put us in office because they trusted us to act in their best interest, and to do otherwise is insulting and anti-democratic. We can either choose to listen to our community or not and I chose to listen to District 5 residents. Our District 5 team fields hundreds of calls each month connecting residents with utility-assistance programs and case management to ensure those who have fallen through the cracks are not left out in the cold. My position and motion on the dais to delay the vote on the rate increase was an effort to ensure our residential customers would not be left to subsidize lower rates for higher-usage customers or pay for the mismanagement of our public utility. On ExpressNews.com: Bond rating agency downgrades CPS Energy debt, but lifts outlook on utilitys future Instead of making residents and small businesses bear the brunt, why not first look at restructuring rates so high-volume users pay their fair share for using more power rather than being incentivized to use more? Under the current rate structure, 54 percent of our total energy is used by commercial and industrial accounts that provide 48 percent of revenue. For example, a high-volume energy customer uses about 500,000 kWh/month, or kilowatt hours per month, which would add up to a $50,000 monthly bill if large commercial and industrial accounts were charged the same rate as residents. Instead, such a company has a special commercial rate deal, paying $17,000 per month less than 3.5 cents per kWh. Look at your recent CPS Energy bill, and you will see residential ratepayers pay about 11 cents per kWh. I argued that inclining tiered rates would promote energy efficiency and conservation. The current rate structure incentivizes large commercial and industrial ratepayers to use more energy with lower rates instead of conserving energy. Further, contributions made by those who continue to expand and stress the grid should be increased to represent a more significant contribution. The full burden for these line extensions, particularly for new developments, should be shouldered by those that benefit most. Inner-city ratepayers should not have to subsidize new developments that increase urban sprawl and place more strain on transportation, utilities, environmental sustainability and other critical infrastructure. On ExpressNews.com: City Council approves CPS Energy rate increase I voted no on CPS Energys rate increase because my constituents did their due diligence by communicating their discontent with the proposal. In the past year alone, the local median rent has soared by 29 percent. More residents will be nickel-and-dimed out of a meal, prescriptions and their homes, and CPS Energy will come back to City Council to request an additional increase to the $1.26 fuel adjustment charge, leaving San Antonio residents on the hook for the remainder of the $1 billion in disputed charges incurred during the winter storm. I was not elected to rubber-stamp deals that do not hold our public institutions accountable. I commend my council colleagues in District 2 and District 10, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Clayton Perry, for joining me. Tomorrow is a new day. I am rooted in this struggle and will continue to fight for a San Antonio that works for all of us, not just a select few. City Councilwoman Teri Castillo represents District 5. Re: High court halts Bidens shot rule, Front Page, Jan. 14; Biden clashes with Supreme Courts agenda Nation, Jan. 15; and Biden regroups after court loss on vaccines, Coronavirus, Jan. 15: These articles reported on the U.S. Supreme Court decision that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration exceeded its statutory authority by mandating that employers with 100 or more workers require vaccination or regular testing of employees for COVID-19. Most of the reported responses to the courts decision were negative, and all of the criticisms were based on policy and political considerations rather than statutory authority. The dissenting justices were reported to have opined, Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies. On ExpressNews.com: Commentary: Why the Supreme Court got it right in vaccine mandate ruling The gist of that contention is that because only health experts are competent to make decisions about public health, the authority to implement their decisions should be immune from court review since judges are not health experts. That analysis focuses on the wisdom of the policy and ignores the issue of legal authority to mandate the policy. Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University Law Center, was reported to have asserted, The conservative majority is willfully trying to make it hard, if not impossible, for the federal government to safeguard the publics health and safety and the court in a very highly partisan way, intentionally tried to handcuff the president in doing what he needs to do. Those assertions focus on partisan political considerations and ignore the issue of statutory interpretation on which the court focused. A spokesperson for the Service Employees International Union said, In blocking the vaccine or test rule for large employers, the court has placed millions of other essential workers further at risk, caving to corporations that are trying to rig the rules against workers permanently. That statement focused on the effect on public health of the courts decision and the alleged political bias that influenced the decision, ignoring the issue of OSHAs legal authority to issue its mandate. On ExpressNews.com: Stephens: Biden can still rescue his presidency In its opinion, the court stated, The challenges posed by a global pandemic do not allow a federal agency to exercise power that Congress has not conferred upon it, and, speaking for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote: The question before us is not how to respond to the pandemic, but who holds the power to do so. Those statements succinctly and lucidly identify the issue in the case and explain the basis of the courts decision. They also provide a rudimentary explanation of the function of the U.S. Supreme Court in our government of enumerated and separated powers: The court does not make policy and political choices; it determines whether the government official or agency that seeks to impose such a choice has the constitutional or statutory authority to do so. The story Biden clashes with Supreme Courts agenda, begins with this statement: The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a fresh reminder of its power to thwart President Joe Bidens agenda. A more accurate statement would be the court delivered a fresh reminder that government officials may not act arbitrarily, even if well-intentioned, but must act in accordance with law. This principle is the reason our system is described as a government of laws, not of men. That description is referred to commonly as the rule of law. The rule of law occasionally causes inconveniences and creates inefficiencies, but it always prevents authoritarian rule. Robert R. Barton is a retired district judge who lives in Kerrville. It was only a matter of time before Ron DeSantis rising star ran into the unmovable object of Donald Trumps will to continue to dominate the GOP. A spate of recent news stories has focused on the proto-feud between the past president with future ambitions and the protege who rode his endorsement to victory in a Florida GOP gubernatorial primary and has big ambitions of his own. The level of the clash shouldnt be exaggerated so far, it mostly consists of muttering from Mar-a-Lago. Obviously, its also insanely early. But the Trump-DeSantis storyline is inherently alluring, given the chances of a collision between two men who have been allies and the possibility of the subordinate eclipsing the figure who helped to elevate him. On ExpressNews.com: Lowry: Chuck Schumers Jan. 6 cynicism Whether that will happen is unknowable, yet the spat is revealing. Some version of what DeSantis represents has the greatest odds of coaxing the party away from Trump and forging a new political synthesis that bears the unmistakable stamp of Trump while jettisoning his flaws. Theres never going to be a GOP revelation in which the rank-and-file suddenly decides, It was a mistake to embrace Donald Trump, and now we want to be the party of Adam Kinzinger. There will be no Bourbon Restoration. The challenge to Trump will have to come from the Trump wing at this point, more like the Trump fuselage, wing and landing gear of the party. After Trumps presidency, the party is more populist, focused on the culture war, resistant to media narratives and skeptical of business and would it remain so if Trump retired tomorrow. Although in many ways an orthodox conservative, DeSantis covers these bases. Importantly, hes a lightning rod for criticism from the left now a major plus for Republican voters and gives as good as he gets in clashes with the media. There are few causes that light up the Republican base that he doesnt find a way to address, whether big tech or critical race theory, and he has emerged as the partys exemplar on the pandemic, with his strenuous opposition to lockdowns and mandates. This gives him credibility with Trump voters and the foundation to compete with Trump, not as a critic or scold but as someone who can do it better. In fact, it is likely that the most telling line of attack against a potential candidate Trump would come from the right. That he elevated Dr. Anthony Fauci early in the pandemic and listened to his advice for too long. On ExpressNews.com: Lowry: There never was a Republican death cult That despite all his talk of building the border wall, he didnt get it done and left intact a desperately flawed immigration system. That he rattled Chinas cage but didnt make fundamental changes to the trading relationship and was too complimentary of President Xi Jinping. And, finally, that he lost to Joe Biden, a desperately flawed candidate who only made it into the White House because Trump made himself so unpopular. Would DeSantis be audacious enough to run against Trump in 2024? The case against waiting is that its unlikely that the governor can maintain his exalted status in the party until 2028. On the other hand, the case against running in 2024 is that it involves the enormous risk of encountering the business end of the Trump buzzsaw, which could change DeSantis image in the party forever. Trump took a not-so-veiled shot at DeSantis in a recent interview, hitting unnamed gutless politicians who wont say whether theyve gotten a COVID-19 booster shot. DeSantis has been evasive on this question, and Trump was giving him a hint of things potentially to come. For the moment, though, DeSantis should take the grumbling from Trump as a compliment the master of the GOP sees a future threat arising. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Public skepticism rises when government organizations initially stay silent on controversial issues only to proclaim everything fine following a barrage of criticism. Such is the case with Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts deeply flawed border security mission that has mobilized 10,000 Texas National Guard members since May. Multiple media outlets, including the Express-News, have published disturbing stories about Operation Lone Star that illuminate an unclear mission, murky guidance, inadequate training, shoddy equipping, pay problems, bad living conditions, inadequate COVID protocols, low morale and at least four suicides possibly associated with the endeavor. Along the way, the Texas Military Department has largely stayed silent. The departments responses to media queries typically come from unnamed spokespeople speaking on background. And TMD hasnt supported journalists efforts to get firsthand accounts from deployed troops. On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: Operation Lone Star is a disgrace Thats why Fridays bizarre TMD press release, Setting the record straight on Operation Lone Star, from the departments lead public affairs officer, Col. Rita Holton, is so unconvincing. The release raises more questions that demand real answers. The statement came Friday evening, the traditional time bureaucracies release bad news, and it disputed media reports about the missions long list of problems. But the tone was wrong, and the statement was more about criticizing the media than setting the record straight. The release claimed the department has been the subject of scurrilous accusations by seemingly reputable media sources and complained that outlets have gleaned information from anonymous sources and unverified documents. But before TMD public affairs places blame, it should look in the mirror or better yet, look to its leadership, who have apparently put a gag order on Operation Lone Star. On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: End Abbotts failed border mission now The TMD noted it didnt have much time for planning or preparation because it was responding to a disaster that needed immediate action. Really? This neglects the reality that military forces pride themselves on their planning and rapid response capabilities. It continued that the TMD has fixed 75 percent of the pay problems. The bad news? There are at least some soldiers who have temporarily stepped away from their lives and livelihoods who arent being paid correctly. Thats unacceptable. The release said it has approved 75 percent of the 900 hardship requests by Guard members to not deploy for family or other reasons. Without more context on the requests, its tough to say whether that number is high or low. The TMD also bashed the reporting on four suicides that may be related to some aspect of the operation. It would be irresponsible journalism at this point in time to tie these tragedies to Operation Lone Star, the release said. Its also irresponsible to not acknowledge the possibility of a connection or to delve into why suicides and ideation are so common in the ranks. With luck, ongoing investigations will fill in the blanks. On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: Governors vax politics undermine Texas Guard The release continued: Commanders in the field have identified areas of improvement in regards to equipment and living conditions and are actively working with vendors and supply chains to execute those solutions. To which we say, prove it. The TMD has missed many opportunities for transparency on Operation Lone Star. Count this press release as another misstep. Texas leadership and the TMD have a responsibility to all Texans to prove the validity and quality of Operation Lone Star. Wheres the press conference with Maj. Gen Tracy Norris, the adjutant general, or other TMD leaders? Or how about unvarnished opportunities for media to report on the operation? The TMDs setting the record straight release is another sign that Abbott needs to end his ill-conceived border odyssey. This program is a disgrace. In one of Houstons marquee political battles this year, five Republicans are competing to represent a Texas House district in the citys affluent and diversifying western suburbs, attracting a flood of cash from conservative legal and energy industry circles. The winner of the Republican primary, likely to be decided in a May runoff, will be primed to succeed retiring state Rep. Jim Murphy in the GOP-leaning district, which covers the tree-lined suburban enclaves and clusters of oil-and-gas office buildings west of Loop 610 and south of the Katy Freeway. Among the crowded field is a trio of first-time candidates: Shelley Barineau and Mano DeAyala, two well-connected and politically active attorneys, and energy executive Will Franklin. All three have easily outpaced the fundraising haul of Houston Councilman Greg Travis, who is betting that his city council District Gs near-perfect overlap with the House seat will help him overcome an early financial deficit. STAFF GRAPHIC Travis, whose campaign account is bolstered by the remainder of his city campaign funds and $50,000 of his own money, said he would have all the money we need to run the race we need, dismissing the large money clips reported by his opponents. Three, if not all four of my competitors belong to Houston Country Club. I dont belong to a country club, said Travis, an attorney who has represented District G on City Council since 2016. If I go grab a beer, I go to Big Johns Ice House. I hang out with the people that are out here. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Through Dec. 31, Barineau and DeAyala had each raised just shy of $300,000, while Franklin reported a haul of almost a quarter million dollars, all dwarfing Travis total of $83,000. Former Councilman Bert Keller, a businessman and longtime Republican activist who represented District G in the early 2000s, raised nearly $68,000. Barineau, a lifelong resident of the district, runs an affordable housing management company with her husband and has long been active in local Republican circles, serving as a precinct chair and in other activist roles. She had loaned her campaign $175,000 at last count, leaving her with more than $400,000 heading into the year more than any of the other candidates. If elected, Barineau said she would focus on crime and human trafficking, among other issues, calling herself a very strong constitutional conservative. Still, Barineau said she counts a number of Democrats as friends and would work across the aisle in Austin, expressing dismay over how fractured our society is. As a precinct chair, Ive watched suburban women walk away from the Republican Party, Barineau said, noting she is the only woman in the race. And, you know, it doesnt really matter if youre Republican or Democrat, whatever your affiliation is, you never want your party to be losing ground. I happen to be a Republican, and I think that our bench is weak. I think that we need new, fresh candidates. DeAyala, chairman of the Hispanic Republicans of Texas, which operates a political action committee that supports GOP candidates, has served since 2017 on a nine-person board that oversees the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. On the board, DeAyala said he has been actively involved in Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts plan to jail migrants near the border on state trespassing charges, which has come under recent legal scrutiny. DeAyala, who also listed public education as a top issue, said the TDCJ role would position him to handle criminal justice and border security matters in the House. Though Murphy confirmed that he does not plan to endorse a successor in the primary, DeAyala said he has known the outgoing incumbent for years and was encouraged by Murphy to really think about running for the seat. Murphy, who chairs the House Republican Caucus, is considered one of the more moderate GOP lawmakers in Austin. My relationship with Jim is such to where he knows I would be a good successor to him to kind of pick up where he left off, DeAyala said. Not to say that he and I see eye-to-eye on everything, but you know, as far as the service part of this job and intellectual honesty of this job, I think were very, very aligned. Franklin, meanwhile, began the year with more than $300,000 cash on hand, trailing only Barineau. A managing director for Lime Rock Partners, a private equity investment firm in the oil and gas sector, Franklin has been boosted by donors from private equity circles and other parts of the Houston business community. Making his first foray into politics, Franklin said he is a lifelong conservative who has been sidelined from the political world in part by federal rules restricting campaign contributions from certain investors. He said his business background and lack of political experience have won him favor among voters in the district, which includes a large chunk of Houstons Energy Corridor. Ive spent my entire career working as a businessperson, specifically in the hydrocarbon industry, Franklin said. I believe the district is closely tied to Texass oil and gas business and that it deserves some representation with somebody who at least has that experience base. On March 1, voters will decide what is expected to be only the first leg of the primary, with none of the candidates likely to win the majority of votes needed for an outright victory. The primary would then be decided in a May runoff between the top two finishers. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said Barineau, DeAyala and Franklin are likely battling for a spot in the runoff against Travis, who has became familiar to voters particularly those who bother to show up for city council and primary elections, typically low-turnout affairs compared to November. He has it easier than them, knowing that he is a well-known figure among Republican primary voters, whereas his principal opponents are not as well known, and therefore need to spend money quickly to get better known, Jones said. One way to think about it is they have to, for all intents and purposes, introduce themselves to Republican primary voters, whereas Travis has been meeting them for the past half decade. Boosting Travis foes, however, are big-name donor groups such as Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a powerful tort-reform group that is among the top political funders in the state. The group is backing DeAyala in the primary. jasper.scherer@chron.com Construction has begun on the next phase of a high-end apartment complex at the late philanthropist Robert L.B. Tobins former Northeast Side estate. Dallas developer Rosewood Property Co. last year completed 286 units, a pool and a clubhouse at 3310 Oakwell Court. Now its building another 311 units, seven townhomes and a 4,500-square-foot fitness center at the complex, dubbed The Tobin Estates Apartments. Work is expected to wrap up in fall of 2023 and a third and final phase with around 355 units will begin after that, a spokesperson said. With the outstanding success of our initial phase at Tobin Estates, phase two is designed to build upon that success by diversifying living options and finishes, Rick Perdue, president of Rosewood Property, said in a statement. By adding even more amenities to the existing ones, phase two will offer an extension to the existing outdoor oasis. We are excited to grow this great community in north San Antonio. Rents for one-bedroom units generally start at $1,500, two-bedrooms at $1,800 and three-bedrooms at $2,450, the spokesperson said. The Tobin Estates are over 96 percent occupied. On ExpressNews.com: Dallas developer finishes first phase of apartments at former Tobin estate Tobins mansion on the property houses the Tobin Endowments offices. Courtesy of Rosewood Property Co. Tobin, heir to an aerial mapping company founded by his father, was a patron of arts and cultural institutions and a collector of paintings, designs for opera and ballet productions and other works. His original estate included 500 acres. In the 1980s, he developed Oakwell Farms, a master-planned community with upscale homes, multifamily dwellings and office buildings. Plans to sell and develop most of what was left of the estate in 2015 were opposed by many Oakwell Farms residents. The Tobin Endowment had proposed working with developer David Weekley to build more than 400 detached townhomes but residents argued it would be too dense. Citing concerns about drainage and traffic problems, they also pushed back against a plan for 956 apartments but said they would support the complex if it reflected the neighborhoods character. J. Bruce Bugg Jr., chairman and trustee of the Tobin Endowment, said developing the land would generate more property tax revenue and was in line with Tobins vision. The property was tax-exempt and selling it would generate more money for charity, he said. Seventy-four people spoke against the apartments at a Planning Commission meeting in 2015. After three hours, commissioners gave the go-ahead to the development on a 7-1 vote. On ExpressNews.com: Tobin Estate apartments approved despite protests from Oakwell Farms residents The Tobin Endowment sold about 44 acres in 2016 for an undisclosed price to Rosewood, a subsidiary of The Rosewood Corp. that has also built two apartment complexes near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Loop 1604. Some Oakwell Farms residents remain worried about traffic congestion worsening and flooding due to debris back-up, residents Beverly Alcott and Barbara Lowry said in February interviews. Multifamily development is surging in the San Antonio area. There were 16,657 units under construction locally as of the third quarter, with work on more than 10,000 more expected to begin in the next year, according to a report by ApartmentTrends.com. Investors are also buying existing complexes and vacant land, according to the report. Average occupancy at local apartments was 95 percent for the three months ended in September. Average rent per month was $1,169, up from $1,008 in the third quarter of 2020 and from $1,018 in the third quarter of 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Sales and construction are off the charts as everyone tries to get in on the action, the reports authors wrote. The current climate is reminiscent of the apartment boom that hit Austin in the 1990s, yet San Antonio has eased into this boom, as a steady city does. madison.iszler@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate REDDING Joel Barlow High Schools total enrollment numbers are projected to drop below 800 students for the 2022-23 school year, data presented to the Region 9 Board of Education show. There are 813 students enrolled at Joel Barlow this year, according to Superintendent Jason McKinnon. In fall 2022, that number is expected to drop to 795, a 9 percent decrease from the 2018-19 school year when there were 875 students enrolled. Enrollment data is projected based on factors like actual enrollment, town population, labor force numbers, housing and migration patterns. The number of students in district schools affect budgeting, state grants and staffing levels. No projection is perfect, but his [demographer Peter Prowdas] numbers, theyre pretty close, Dr. Mario Almeida, principal of Joel Barlow, said during the presentation to the Region 9 board. For the 2022-23 school year, estimates project five fewer students entering grade nine, and a smaller incoming grade 12 class of just 200 students. This spring, 213 seniors will graduate from the high school. At this time, we have not made any decisions about staff or classes because the high school is in the process of registering students, McKinnon wrote to the News-Times. We should have this information in mid or late-February. McKinnon said the district will know more about class size in the coming weeks based on enrollment. In the past decade, enrollment at the high school has decreased by 194 students or 19.3 percent, compared to a statewide high school average of 4.1 percent. Indeed, the towns population dropped by more than 4 percent in the 2020 census. Easton, however, rose by a about a single percentage point. This dip is expected to continue at Joel Barlow for the next several years, dropping by about 2 to 3 percent each year before rebounding by nearly 5 percent in 2028. Before then, however, the school is expected to hit a low of 731 students in 2027. Over the next 10 years, high school enrollment across the state is expected to drop by 10 percent. Recent census data released last summer show that the number of children living in Connecticut dropped significantly over the past decade, and the state saw one of the lowest birth rates in the country in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The states birth rate was only higher than three other states: Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. McKinnon said that Easton-Redding-Region 9 school districts have agreed to join the states stalled Open Choice program that was created to allow Danbury students to attend schools in neighboring towns. Participation in this program could bolster Joel Barlows projected enrollment in the coming years. And unlike Redding, Danbury is seeing rising enrollment, which has surpassed 12,000 students. The program is expected to be implemented during the 2023-24 school year since not enough local districts signed up for the 2022-23 school year. The coordinator of the program said neighboring districts didnt commit to the number of seats they could provide. One in 10 students from Easton and Redding currently opt for private high schools, and a combined 6.5 percent attend other public schools, are homeschooled, or attend magnet schools. The remaining 83 percent attend Joel Barlow. McKinnon said the district expects an increasing number of elementary school-aged kids to eventually supplement the drop the high school is seeing. Right now, elementary school enrollment looks strong McKinnon told the Region 9 board at a presentation on Jan. 18. Projections suggest that by 2031, Joel Barlow enrollment will be back up to 830 students. Region 9 school board chair Mike DAgostino did not respond for comment on Joel Barlows enrollment and plans. The number of hospital patients infected with COVID-19 continued its steady march downward on Tuesday, and hospital epidemiologists said that an increasing number of those patients are there for other issues like broken bones and showing little to no symptoms of the virus. Overall, daily reports published by the Department of Public Health continue to depict a drop-off from the Omicron surges mid-January peak. For example, hospitalizations declined by 31 on Tuesday, for a total of 1,446 patients, according to the Department of Public Health. Thats a decline of more than 20 percent over the last week. Across the state, an additional 3,824 cases of the virus were reported Tuesday, with a test positivity rate of 13.74 percent, though the amount of testing has also dropped off in recent weeks. One statistic that has become apparent in recent reports published by DPH is the rising percentage of infected hospital patients who have been vaccinated against coronavirus. A month ago, fewer than one-in-four patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were fully vaccinated. On Tuesday that number was nearly 45 percent. While some of that ratio is likely due to Connecticuts status as one of the most vaccinated states in the nation more than 75 percent of residents are considered fully vaccinated top hospital officials said Tuesday that the rising proportion of vaccinated patients is likely another sign that the Omicron variant is a more mild strain of the virus. Dr. Ulysses Wu, the chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said that the hospital system as seen a similar approach toward parity in the number of vaccinated to unvaccinated patients, which he attributed both to the prevalence of asymptomatic cases among vaccinated people along with the waning effects of inoculation for those who have not received booster shots. As many as one-third of Hartford Healthcares COVID-19 patients arrived at the hospital for some other reason and tested positive for the virus while there, without showing serious symptoms, according to Wu. Many of those patients, he said, are vaccinated. Meanwhile, those showing more serious symptoms from the virus tend to be unvaccinated, he said. A good part of these are not being treated for COVID at all, Wu said. And I think that number is going to increase. If Omicron is truly a more mild disease, the more that we test the more that were going to start unearthing more Omicron, because even though its more mild its more transmissible. A similar trend is unfolding at Stamford Health, according to Dr. Asha Shah, the hospitals director of infectious diseases. Of the 35 patients at the hospital Tuesday who have tested positive for COVID-19, Shah said that 34 percent are fully vaccinated, while only two had also received their booster shots. Many of those patients who were vaccinated without a booster were way overdue, having received their second dose in early 2021, Shah said. It just goes to show that the booster is really important in preventing severe disease and hospitalization, Shah said. According to statistics published by DPH, unvaccinated people are still 3.2 times more likely to contract the virus and nearly 14 times more likely to die from it. Both Shah and Wu said that their hospitals continue to report vastly different outcomes for vaccinated patients, who they said faired better fighting off symptomatic infections than their unvaccinated counterparts. Seemingly, theres a shorter length of stay, [for vaccinated patients], less severe disease, compared to prior surges, so thats been good to see, Shah said. Its the unvaccinated that are more likely to end up requiring higher levels of care, requiring mechanical ventilation and then staying here for weeks and weeks and weeks on a ventilator. Finnley, who, like other celebrities, can go just by her first name, celebrated her seventh birthday last Friday, January 21st, just days after being discharged from a Texas hospital. Last August Finnley Grace Foster began another battle, joined in the fight by her family, advancing medical technology and teams of nurses, doctors, technicians and others. After being admitted to a Kalispell facility, Finnley boarded an air ambulance for transport to Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston. Fairfields Trudy Whitmore told the Sun Times that Finnley is now in an apartment near the hospital, with her dad, while undergoing outpatient rehabilitation. Finnley is Trudys granddaughter. Medical issues will continue to be a problem for Finnley, said Trudy. But her progress in rehab occupational, physical and speech has been amazing... Finnley has been working really hard. On Friday, January 21, as we were talking with Trudy, she let us know that the family would be getting together virtually with Finnley to celebrate her seventh birthday. This latest setback came not long after Finnley celebrated her graduation from Kindergarten at Valley View Elementary in Great Falls. Ahmia Lords and Raily Gliko, seniors at Belt High School would like to help Finnley and her family. While, according to Trudy, Finnley has excellent insurance, there are always incidentals. Ahmia and Raily have planned a Cornhole Tournament, with the proceeds to benefit Finnley. The tourney is open to ages 15 and up; the cost to enter is $20 per team. It will take place on Saturday, February 12 at 10 a.m. at the Belt High School Cafeteria, located at 1 Church Street in Belt. Tourney winners will receive 20% of the proceeds from the tournament entries. In addition, Ahmia and Raily are looking for donations for a silent auction, or for donations of money. The silent auction proceeds and donations of money will go directly to Finnley and her family to be used for items such as travel expenses and miscellaneous medical expenses. Finnley has a strong connection to the Belt community. Her aunt Jessica and uncle Jeffrey Arndt live there; cousin Karson attends Belt High School while cousins Markki and Parker attend Belt Elementary. Ahmia told the Sun Times, This tournament is a fun, entertaining way to give back to a family that has been close to the hearts of many for a long time. Finnleys perseverance has touched the lives of so many people and it only makes sense to do all we can to help. I encourage everyone to either come out and enjoy some cornhole or donate if possible! Asked how the family keeps focused on Finnleys future, Trudy said, Our faith. And we follow Finnleys lead. Shes fighting it; she never gives up. Trudy said that someday, she hopes to use what she and the family has learned and turn that into a foundation to help other families that face similar circumstances. For more information, or to make a donation, contact Ahmia via email, ahmialords [at] gmail.com. Darryl is the publisher of The Fairfield Sun Times, and can be reached at publisher [at] fairfieldsuntimes.com A new drive to encourage farmers across England to plant and manage more trees has been launched today by the government. The Forestry Commission and Defra are drawing attention to grant schemes and free specialist advice available through a new campaign. Through the Forestry Commissions Woodland Creation Offer, farmers are paid to create new woodland on areas as small as one hectare. As part of it, land managers have the potential to receive a grant of over 10,000 for every hectare of new woodland created. The Offer supports the creation of a range of woodland types and sizes, including along rivers to improve the water environment and through natural colonisation. With this support, converting marginal or unproductive land into new woodland could also create additional income streams for farmers. Defra and the Forestry Commission said farmers taking part will be able to transfer to an environmental land management scheme without having to repay the current funding. Tenant farmers can receive England Woodland Creation Offer funding if both they and their landlord are content with the tree planting proposals Woodland creation is one of the options that farmers will have as part of Englands new post-Brexit agriculture policy. Todays drive follows publication of the Trees Action Plan last year, which committed to treble tree planting rates by the end of this parliament to at least 7,000ha of trees per year in England. Defras farming minister, Victoria Prentis said: Our new schemes are about supporting the choices that individual farmers and landowners make for their own holdings. These grants are available to help farmers and landowners grow and manage more trees as a profitable part of their overall business model. I would encourage them to look at that support where they feel that it is the right choice for their business. Forestry Commission chief executive, Richard Stanford added that creating woodlands can be an excellent way to diversify farms, especially on marginal land. There are exciting opportunities to grow and manage trees in a way that maximises the benefits they provide for climate, nature, people and the economy. The Chancellor has been urged to row back on a threat from HMRC which puts at risk the continued existence of ploughing matches and charity tractor runs. In his 2020 Budget speech, Rishi Sunak said the government would abolish the red diesel exemption for most sectors as it 'funds pollution'. However, the Chancellor announced that it would be retained for the agricultural industry, The move is part of wider measures to ensure the UK reaches its net zero ambitions by 2050. But organisers of ploughing matches and charity tractor runs have raised fears for the continued existence of these events due to the move. From April 2022, tractors used at matches and runs must run on white diesel instead of red diesel as the government does not regard them as 'agricultural use'. Those involved in ploughing matches and charity runs for decades now fear for the continued existence of these events. In 2008, the government tried to ban the use of red diesel in tractors which were being used to help with setting up agricultural shows but relented under pressure. SNP MP for Gordon, Richard Thomson said the government's move threatened the existence of ploughing matches and the charity road runs by tractor enthusiasts . I dont see how there can be any serious argument on the part of HMRC that ploughing matches are not agricultural work given the skills that they help develop. "I have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking him to intervene and ensure that a sensible approach is taken by HMRC so that these popular events can continue. It seems clear that this is yet another attack on rural Scotland from the UK Government who either dont know or dont care about the knock-on consequences of this ill-thought out policy. Warrenton, VA (20186) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 52F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Rumours of Mouni Roys wedding have been doing rounds for a few days now. The actor apparently confirmed the news as she replied to a paparazzi by saying Thank You when he congratulated her on her upcoming marriage with Suraj Nambiar. A video was posted on social media by a photographer on Monday afternoon. In the video, Mouni was posing for the paparazzi when a photographer congratulated her saying, Mouni ji, congratulations! Your wedding is on 27. Mouni did not respond to the message and continued posing for pictures. After she started walking towards her car, the photographer congratulated her again and this time Mouni turned and said Thank You smilingly. After she sat in the car, the other photographers also congratulated her and she replied to them and said Thank You and then waved goodbye to them. As per the reports, Mouni is all set to marry Dubai-based businessman and investment banker Suraj Nambiar in Goa on January 27. The wedding will take place in the presence of family and close friends. However, neither Mouni nor Suraj have confirmed their exact plans. The Japan Prize Foundation announced the winners of the 2022 Japan prize today. Prof. Katalin Kariko (Hungary/USA) and Prof. Drew Weissman (USA) are co-winners of the Japan Prize in the fields of Materials and Production, and Prof. Christopher Field (USA) has been awarded the Japan Prize in the fields of Biological Production, Ecology/Environment With this year's prize, Kariko and Weissman are being recognized for their pioneering research contributing to the development of mRNA vaccines, and Field is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to the estimation of global biospheric productivity and climate change science using advanced formulas based on observation. This year, the Foundation asked approximately 15,500 prominent scientists and engineers from around the world to nominate researchers working in this year's fields, and we received 208 nominations in the field of Materials and Production, and 138 nominations for the field of Biological Production, Ecology/Environment. This year's winners were selected from that total of 346 candidates. About the Japan Prize The establishment of the Japan Prize was motivated by the Japanese government's desire to create an internationally recognized award that would contribute to scientific and technological development around the world. With the support of numerous donations, the Japan Prize Foundation received endorsement from the Cabinet Office in 1983. The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and engineers from around the world who have made creative and dramatic achievements that help progress their fields and contribute significantly to realizing peace and prosperity for all humanity. Researchers in all fields of science and technology are eligible for the award, with two fields selected each year in consideration of current trends in scientific and technological development. In principle, one individual in each field is recognized with the award, and receives a certificate, a medal, and a monetary prize. Each Award Ceremony is attended by the current Emperor and Empress, heads of the three branches of government and other related officials, and representatives from various other elements of society. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005001/en/ Contacts: The Japan Prize Foundation Kiyoshi Ogura Tel. +81-3-5545-0551 E-Mail ogura@japanprize.jp www.japanprize.jp All digital flexible packaging specialist to open its third European facility near Poznan, Poland Wolverhampton, UK, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ePac Flexible Packaging is pleased to announce its third European facility, ePac Poland North, located near the cities of Poznan and Bydgoszcz. This expands ePac's network of sales and production operations across the Continent, builds on the successful launch of European sites in the UK (Silverstone) and France (Lyon), and further signals the company's intent to become the supplier of choice in local markets throughout Europe. ePac is the global leader in quick turn, short and medium run length flexible packaging orders serving brands of all sizes, and is based on the latest in digital printing technology from HP, the Indigo 20000/25000. ePac Poland North is a partnership between ePac and mFlex, and will operate from mFlex's production facility, an established flexible packaging facility that already uses digital printing. The company will be led by Managing Partners Jacek Ciosek and Marcin Kowalski; both seasoned executives in flexible packaging who will manage ePac's operations and customer relationships. Jacek says, "I'm very excited to head up the ePac team in Poland. We welcome the opportunity to help small and medium sized brands across the region grow and compete with large CPG's. Across the globe, ePac has an established presence focused on helping local entrepreneurs achieve their dreams, and to be accretive to the communities we serve. Our aim is to bring that same philosophy to Poland." Marcin adds, "I am also convinced that the synergy resulting from mFlex's experience and capabilities, along with ePac's resources and know-how, will bring great benefits to all of our customers". The state-of-the-art production facility is already fulfilling orders for local customers. Additional capacity in the form of a press and pouch lines will be added to keep up with the rapidly growing customer base, ensuring that brands of all sizes are able to have high-quality printed roll-stock and pouches delivered in 10-15 working days from approval of artwork. Johnny Hobeika, Managing Director of ePac Holdings Europe, comments, "Bringing our great business model to Poland to help local brands there is hugely exciting. These are of course very challenging times, but despite the pandemic, we have been able to continue with our plans, and together with mFlex, offer our Polish customers a local and unique solution to their flexible packaging needs. Our message is simple: we are here, and we are ready to serve!". About ePac Flexible Packaging As a leading full-service provider of multiple types of flexible pouches and roll stock for small-to-medium-sized brands, ePac offers a sustainable, integrated approach with fast time to market and the highest quality, digitally printed packaging. ePac is built on the successful digital-only print concept first launched by ePac Flexible Packaging in the United States in 2016. The company now has 23 sites across Europe, the United States, Canada, the UK, and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit? ?ePacFlexibles.co.ukor ePacFlexibles.pl Attachments Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2022) - StraightUp Resources Inc. (CSE: ST) (OTCQB: STUPF) ("StraightUp"or the "Company") announces that it has closed the first and second tranche of its non-brokered private placement announced on January 10, 2022 (the "Private Placement"). The Company raised a total of $255,000 through the issuance of 150,000 flow through common shares at a price of $0.20 per flow through share (a "FT Share") and 1,125,000 units at a price of $0.20 per unit (a "Unit"). Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.30 per warrant share for a period of two years expiring January 17, 2024 (as to 62,500 warrants) and January 24, 2024 (as to 500,000 warrants). The Company paid cash commission of $6,850 and issued 8,750 finder warrants at a price of $0.30 for a period of two years expiring January 17, 2024. All securities issued are subject to a four month hold period expiring May 18, 2022 (as to 125,000 Units) and May 25, 2022 (as to 1,000,000 Units and 150,000 FT Shares). The net proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares will be used for exploration on the Company's projects in Canada and the net proceeds from the sale of the Units will be used for the advancement of the Company's exploration assets and for general working capital. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Mark Brezer President and Director For further information, please contact: Mark Brezer President and Director mbrezer@straightupresources.com (604) 989-6275 Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release). The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Not for Distribution to United States News Wire Services or for Dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111472 As the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) kicks off today a week of deliberations in the middle of the ongoing pandemic, AIDS Healthcare Foundation calls on Member States to commit to a substantive overhaul of the global public health system that enshrines the principles of equity, transparency, accountability and cooperation in a new legally binding convention or treaty. "The pandemic is the result of decades of 'business as usual' mindset on public health at the UN and WHO. A fire alarm is useless if the firetruck doesn't show up. If the outcome of these ongoing negotiations is anything other than a fundamental reform of the global public health framework before long, we will be fighting another pandemic fire, with equally poor results," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "After millions of deaths and a devastating economic toll, the world has high expectations from our leaders to deliver change. Another half-baked, bureaucratic resolution is not going to cut it we need a Global Public Health Convention with real power to protect people and ensure equity around the world." Because treaty negotiations under the mandate of the World Health Assembly are highly dependent on reaching consensus, any legal instrument is at risk of being diluted to the least contentious, and consequently least effective language. Two such examples have already cropped up: China is objecting to a provision which would give WHO the authority to directly investigate outbreaks in countries, and a proposal to raise assessed contributions to fund the WHO has been vetoed by several countries. As the negotiations continue, decision makers must remember that a treaty is not the goal in itself, but rather a means to prevent another public health catastrophe. The world needs strong leadership and action from the WHO not watered-down consensus. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.6 million clients in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005882/en/ Contacts: US MEDIA CONTACT: Ged Kenslea,Senior Director, Communications, AHF +1.323.308.1833 work +1.323.791.5526 mobile gedk@aidshealth.org Denys Nazarov, Director of Global Policy Communications, AHF +1 323.308.1829 denys.nazarov@ahf.org Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia (ARBM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the world's largest Islamic bank by assets, Al Rajhi Bank of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), has selected Thought Machine, the cloud native core banking technology firm, to power their upcoming next-generation digital bank and strengthen their position as a leader in Islamic banking. Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia embarked on a multi-year digital transformation in 2021 and the Bank will deploy Thought Machine's core banking engine, Vault, to launch a new digital bank in 2022 with a range of sophisticated retail and SME financial services, such as savings and financing products. The unique design of the Vault platform will enable Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia to deliver on their ambitions and launch an end-to-end next-generation bank. The bank will harness Vault's Universal Product Engine to design, launch and manage a full suite of products on a single, clear architecture. Furthermore, Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia is building a full suite of Shariah-compliant products and Vault's product building capabilities will be instrumental in allowing the bank to build and offer services tailored to their customers' individual needs. Thought Machine has been selected by a number of tier one and large retail banks and the company also works with smaller, agile fintechs and challengers. Clients include JPMorgan Chase, Lloyds Banking Group, Standard Chartered, ING Bank and SEB. In 2019, Thought Machine opened its APAC HQ in Singapore and was selected by Standard Chartered Bank to power their greenfield digital banking service, Mox. Across Asia Pacific, Thought Machine has more than 50 employees and continues to execute its growth strategy to supply more banks with cloud native core banking technology in 2022. Quotes Arsalaan Ahmed, CEO of Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia: "We are launching a state-of-the-art digital bank which will be differentiated by its high levels of innovation, customer convenience and reliability. We are tapping into the vast potential in technology offered by our key partners to help advance towards our vision of becoming the #1 Islamic finance innovation bank in Malaysia. Thought Machine has demonstrated that its highly competitive services are supported by exceptional technology and engineering. We are confident that Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia's partnership with Thought Machine is a strategic decision for the future as we set out to build a digital bank unrivalled in its design and usability.'' Paul Taylor, CEO and founder of Thought Machine: "We are delighted that Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia has selected us to power their new bank. As a leader in Islamic banking, Al Rajhi Malaysia Bank has a considerable opportunity to launch an exceptional next-generation banking service and we have no doubt they will succeed. We look forward to working together to deliver on their ambitious and exciting vision." -- ENDS -- About Thought Machine Thought Machine was founded in 2014 with a mission to enable banks to deploy modern systems and move away from the legacy IT platforms that plague the banking industry. We do this through our cloud native core banking platform, Vault. This next generation system has been written from scratch as an entirely cloud native platform. It does not contain a single line of code which is legacy, or pre-cloud. We are currently a team of more than 500 people spread across offices in London, New York, Singapore, Sydney, and Melbourne, and have raised more than $340m in funding at a $1bn+ valuation. For more information visit thoughtmachine.net About Al Rajhi Banking Investment Corporation (Malaysia) Bhd (ARBM) ARBM, a wholly owned subsidiary of the world's largest Islamic Bank, Al Rajhi Bank Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was locally incorporated in October 2006. Following its official launch in 2007, ARBM became the first Arab bank to start its operation in South East Asia, as part of a Shariah compliant banking group that is instrumental in bridging the gap between modern financial demands and intrinsic values, whilst spearheading numerous industry standards and development. At ARBM, we believe that the one thing that holds the world together as people of different nationalities, races and cultures are values. Values define us, unite us, and garner trust from those we serve. Deeply rooted in Islamic banking principles and operating on the same platform as its home bank, ARBM was established on the bedrock values of Integrity and Transparency, Passion to Serve Our Customers, Solution Oriented, Modesty, Innovativeness, Meritocracy and Care for Society. ARBM continuously endeavours to expand its suite of products and services to meet the financial needs of its customers, delivering innovative Shariah compliant financial solutions across retail, corporate, treasury and investment segments. Today, ARBM operates through a distribution network of 16 branches nationwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005017/en/ Contacts: Media enquiries Asif Faruque Head of Communications, Thought Machine press@thoughtmachine.net LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Rio Tinto Plc (RTNTF, RIO, RIO.L, RTPPF), Turquoise Hill Resources (TRQ) and the Government of Mongolia have reached an agreement that will lead to the start of underground operations at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, the Anglo-Australian mining giant said in a statement. The agreement will end a long-running dispute over the expansion project for the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project. The underground operations is expected to begin in the coming days, with first sustainable production expected in the first half of 2023. As per the deal terms, Turquoise Hill will waive a $2.4 billion carry account loan to the Mongolian government. Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill have amended the Heads of Agreement signed in April 2021 to ensure they appropriately fund Oyu Tolgoi. The capital forecast for the project is $6.925 billion, including $175 million of known COVID-19 impacts to the end of 2021. Forecasted remaining undergound capital expenditure is approximately $1.8 billion. The two companies also pledge to improve cooperation with the state-owned company Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi in monitoring the underground development and enhancing environmental, social and governance related matters. The Oyu Tolgoi mine is a combined open pit and underground mining project in Khanbogd sum within the south Gobi Desert, about 235 kilometres east of the Omnogovi Province capital Dalanzadgad. The site was discovered in 2001 and is being developed as a joint venture between Turquoise Hill Resources (a majority owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto) with 66% ownership and the Government of Mongolia with 34%. The mine began construction as of 2010 and shipped its first batch of copper on 9 July 2013. Disagreement between the Mongolian government and Rio Tinto came to a head in 2013, with the government urging Rio Tinto to settle the US$340 million tax issue and the cost overruns from the initially planned US$5.1 billion to US$7.1 billion during the initial stage of the project. In July 2013, the shares in Turquoise Hill Resources dropped 20% after a dispute between Tserenbat Sedvanchig, the executive director of Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi, and Rio Tinto. Sedvanchig was fired in August and replaced by Davaadorj Ganbold, a former deputy minister and member of parliament. In the meantime, Rio Tinto cut 1700 Mongolian employees from the mining operation. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX RIO TINTO-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. 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If we come to discover, or have reason to believe, that you are 15 and under and we are holding your personal information, we will delete that information within a reasonable period and withhold our services accordingly. Security of and access to your personal data We endeavour to ensure that there are appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to prevent the loss, destruction, misuse, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or of access to your personal information. Your information is only accessible by appropriately trained staff and volunteers. We may also use agencies and/or suppliers to process data on our behalf. We may also merge or partner with other organisations and in so doing transfer and/or acquire personal data. Please note that some countries outside of the EEA have a lower standard of protection for personal data, including lower security requirements and fewer rights for individuals. We may transfer and/or store personal data collected from you to and/or at a destination outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Such personal data may be processed by agencies and/or suppliers operating outside the EEA. If we transfer and/or store your personal data outside the EEA we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient implements appropriate measures to protect your personal data. Otherwise than as set out in this Privacy Policy, we will only ever share your data with your informed consent. Your rights Where we rely on your consent to use your personal information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This includes the right to ask us to stop using your personal information for direct marketing purposes or to be unsubscribed from our email list at any time. You also have the following rights: (1) Right to be informed you have the right to be told how your personal information will be used. This Policy and any other policies and statements used on our website and in our communications are intended to provide you with a clear and transparent description of how your personal information may be used. (2) Right of access you can write to us to ask for confirmation of what information we hold on you and to request a copy of that information. Provided we are satisfied that you are entitled to see the information requested and we have successfully confirmed your identity, we have 30 days to comply. (3) Right of erasure as from 25 May 2018, you can ask us for your personal information to be deleted from our records. (4) Right of rectification if you believe our records of your personal information are inaccurate, you have the right to ask for those records to be updated. (5) Right to restrict processing you have the right to ask for processing of your personal data to be restricted if there is disagreement about its accuracy or legitimate usage. 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Lawful processing We are required to have one or more lawful grounds to process your personal information. Only 4 of these are relevant to us: Personal information is processed on the basis of a persons consent Personal information is processed on the basis of a contractual relationship Personal information is processed on the basis of legal obligations Personal information is processed on the basis of legitimate interests (1) Consent We will ask for your consent to use your information to send you electronic communications such as newsletters and and fundraising emails, and if you ever share sensitive personal information with us. (2) Contractual relationships Most of our interactions with supporters are voluntary and not contractual. However, sometimes it will be necessary to process personal information so that we can enter contractual relationships with people. For example, if you subscribe to one of our publications, or purchase merchandise online. (3) Legal obligations Sometimes we will be obliged to process your personal information due to legal obligations which are binding on us. We will only ever do so when strictly necessary. (4) Legitimate interests Applicable law allows personal information to be collected and used if it is reasonably necessary for our legitimate activities (as long as its use is fair, balanced and does not unduly impact individuals rights). We will rely on this ground to process your personal data when it is not practical or appropriate to ask for consent. Achieving our purposes These include (but are not limited to) promoting socialist policies Governance Internal and external audit for financial or regulatory compliance purposes Statutory reporting Publicity and income generation Conventional direct marketing and other forms of marketing, publicity or advertisement Unsolicited messages, including campaigns, newsletters, and fundraising appeals Analysis, targeting and segmentation to develop and promote or strategy and improve communication efficiency Personalisation used to tailor and enhance your experience of our communications Operational Management Maintenance of suppression files Processing for historical, scientific or statistical purpose Purely administrative purposes Responding to enquiries Delivery of requested products or information Communications designed to administer existing services including subscriptions, administration of petitions and financial transactions Thank you communications and receipts Maintaining a supporter database and suppression lists Financial Management and control Processing financial transactions and maintaining financial controls Prevention of fraud, misuse of services, or money laundering Enforcement of legal claims Reporting criminal acts and compliance with law enforcement agencies When we use your personal information, we will consider if it is fair and balanced to do so and if it is within your reasonable expectations. We will balance your rights and our legitimate interests to ensure that we use your personal information in ways that are not unduly intrusive or unfair in other ways. Data retention The length of time each category of data will be retained will vary depending on how long we need to process it for, the reason it was collected, and in line with any statutory requirements. After this point the data will either be deleted, or we may retain a secure anonymised record for research and analytical purposes. In the event that you ask us to stop sending you direct marketing/fundraising/other electronic communications, we will keep your name on our internal suppression list to ensure that you are not contacted again. Policy amendments We keep this Privacy Policy under regular review and reserve the right to update from time-to-time by posting an updated version on our website, not least because of changes in applicable law. We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy occasionally to ensure you remain happy with it. We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email. Third party websites We link our website directly to other sites. This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit via links on our website. Updating information You can check the personal data we hold about you, and ask us to update it where necessary, by emailing us at webmaster@marxist.com Contact We are not required by law to have a Data Protection Officer however we have a Data Protection Manager. Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report, published today by the International Centre for Nurse Migration (ICNM) in partnership with CGFNS International, Inc. and ICN titled Sustain and Retain in 2022 and Beyond, has revealed how the COVID-19 pandemic has made the fragile state of the global nursing workforce much worse, putting the World Health Organization's (WHO) aim of Universal Health Coverage at serious risk. It suggests up to 13 million more nurses will be required over the next decade, the equivalent of almost half of the world's current 28 million-strong workforce. The report provides a blueprint for what needs to be done at the national and international level to guide nursing workforce planning globally. It says countries should commit to prioritising nurses for vaccinations, provide safe staffing levels, expand their domestic nurse education systems, increase the attractiveness of nursing careers for women and men, adhere to ethical international recruitment standards, and monitor countries' ability to be self-sufficient to meet their nursing workforce requirements. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Chief Executive Officer Howard Catton, who co-authored the report, said: "The WHO's International Year of the Nurse and Midwife in 2020 and last year's International Year of the Health Care Worker were an important starting point in recognising the true value of nurses and other health workers, but it simply was not enough. This is a global health crisis, and it requires a fully funded and actionable 10-year plan to support and strengthen nurses and the health and care workforce to deliver health for all." CGFNS President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Franklin A. Shaffer, another co-author of the report, added: "We can anticipate that there will be a migration tsunami as more than ever before, countries around the world turn to the international nursing supply to meet their workforce needs. The pre-existing unequal distribution of nurses around the world will be exacerbated by large-scale international recruitment to high-income countries as they look for a 'quick fix' solution to solving their nursing shortages, which will only widen inequalities in access to healthcare globally." Lead author of the report, Professor James Buchan of the University of Technology Sydney, (UTS) and the University of Edinburgh, said: "COVID-19 has had a terrible impact on the nursing workforce in terms of the personal effect it has had on individual nurses, and the problems it has exposed within many healthcare systems. Pre-existing shortages exacerbated the impact of the pandemic, and burned-out nurses are leaving because they cannot carry on any longer. Governments have not reacted effectively to the growing worldwide shortage of nurses, and now they must respond to the pandemic, which is an alarming game-changer that requires immediate action." The report says a long-term plan is needed to stem the tide of those leaving nursing because of the additional stresses resulting from COVID-19 and to create a new generation of nurses to grow the profession to meet increased future demands of an aging global population. ICN President Pamela Cipriano said: "Nurses have been on the front lines of the pandemic for two years now. The influence they have had on the survival and health of the people they serve has been enormous. Despite enduring heavy emotional and physical burdens of providing care for their patients and communities, they have shown great resilience. But resiliency has its limits." According to Dr. Shaffer: "Ethical and properly monitored international migration will always provide individual nurses with an opportunity to develop their careers and follow their dreams. But as this report shows, governments must act quickly to ensure that people everywhere have access to nursing expertise whenever they need it. CGFNS and the ICNM can help governments to ensure that international recruitment is ethical and that both the recruiting countries and the nurses involved can benefit from the process." To download the report, please click here. The International Centre on Nurse Migration (ICNM) serves as a comprehensive knowledge resource created by CGFNS International Inc. (CGFNS) in partnership with the International Council of Nurses (ICN). For more information, please contact Frank Mortimer, Director, Marketing & Communication: fmortimer@cgfns.org Websites: www.intlnursemigration.org www.icn.ch www.cgfns.org Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment 70% of all U.S. states now using QIAcuity for ultra-sensitive wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections Over 35 QIAcuity systems shipped by end-2021 as part of a U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) supply contract for COVID-19 testing solutions QIAcuity digital PCR applications for wastewater-based epidemiology proving to be a vital early-warning surveillance tool for authorities fighting the pandemic QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced it has completed a U.S. government contract to equip public health laboratories across the country with the QIAcuity digital PCR system to monitor the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic by testing wastewater for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 pathogens. QIAGEN has shipped more than 35 QIAcuity systems to state and local health laboratories as part of a multi-million-dollar contract with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to supply COVID-19 instruments and consumables through the end of 2021. More than 70% of all U.S. states now have at least one laboratory either public health or privately-owned with a QIAcuity system for wastewater surveillance. The ultra-sensitive digital PCR platform has set new standards for delivering rapid results in two hours rather than the six required by competitive systems based on a proprietary nanoplate-based system. "This contract to QIAGEN has allowed public health laboratories to have rapid access to extraction equipment and supplies that are enabling them to do both surveillance and wastewater testing to support pandemic response," said Scott J. Becker, M.S., Chief Executive Officer, Association of Public Health Laboratories, in Silver Springs, Maryland. "This accelerated ability has enabled public health laboratories to serve communities across the country. QIAGEN was incredibly responsive to the many needs of APHL member labs and worked tirelessly to support and address public health concerns." "QIAcuity is an ideal solution to test for SARS-CoV-2 pathogens in sewage samples, and QIAGEN is ready to support public health labs in the U.S. and around the world to generate important insights to complement epidemiological data," said Thomas Schweins, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Life Science Business Area at QIAGEN. "We are ready to help public health officials set up and operate processes for this crucial tool to fight the pandemic. Genetic surveillance is proving its value these days and will prove to be a vital tool in the future. As COVID-19 is becoming endemic, testing needs will increasingly shift from detecting viruses to monitoring the spread of infectious diseases." Surveillance testing allows public authorities to collect data from broad sweeps of the population, including people who are not reflected in public-health statistics because they lack access to healthcare. It can potentially reveal dynamic changes in infections and mutations earlier than traditional diagnostic testing, providing public-health officials with near-real-time data about the presence and intensity of the disease. More information about QIAGEN solutions for wastewater testing can be found here. About QIAGEN QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Our sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare), Applied Testing (primarily forensics), Pharma (pharma and biotech companies) and Academia (life sciences research). As of December 31, 2020, QIAGEN employed approximately 6,000 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com. Forward-Looking Statement Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements contained herein relating to QIAGEN's products, collaborations markets, strategy or operating results, including without limitation its expected adjusted net sales and adjusted diluted earnings results, are forward-looking, such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations, regulatory processes and dependence on logistics), variability of operating results and allocations between customer classes, the commercial development of markets for our products to customers in academia, pharma, applied testing and molecular diagnostics; changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners; competition; rapid or unexpected changes in technologies; fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN's products (including fluctuations due to general economic conditions, the level and timing of customers' funding, budgets and other factors); our ability to obtain regulatory approval of our products; difficulties in successfully adapting QIAGEN's products to integrated solutions and producing such products; the ability of QIAGEN to identify and develop new products and to differentiate and protect our products from competitors' products; market acceptance of QIAGEN's new products and the integration of acquired technologies and businesses. For further information, please refer to the discussions in reports that QIAGEN has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Category: Corporate View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005783/en/ Contacts: QIAGEN: Investor Relations John Gilardi +49 2103 29 11711 Phoebe Loh +49 2103 29 11457 e-mail: ir@QIAGEN.com Public Relations Thomas Theuringer +49 2103 29 11826 e-mail: pr@QIAGEN.com DGAP-News: African Energy Chamber / Key word(s): Miscellaneous African Energy Chamber: Cape Town to Host African Energy Week From 18th - 21st of October 2022 25.01.2022 / 07:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Cape Town to Host African Energy Week From 18th - 21st of October 2022 Africa's premier energy event returns to Cape Town for a week of networking, deal making, and industry-advancing dialogue. Cape Town, South Africa has once again been selected as the host of the highly anticipated African Energy Week (AEW), taking place on the 18th - 21st of October 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. AEW 2022 will once again bring Africa's energy leaders and global stakeholders together for a week of intense dialogue on the African energy sector. The conference and its organizers remain fully committed to the continent, its people, and its potential, with 5000+ attendees, 175+ international speakers and 21+ Ministers from all over Africa and the world coming to Cape Town. During this year's edition, delegates and speakers can expect a strong line-up of panel discussions, investor forums, networking functions, and deal signing ceremonies covering the entire African energy sector and value chain. Extending on narratives expressed at the 2021 edition of the conference, AEW 2022 remains wholly focused on making energy poverty history by 2030. With over 600 million people still without access to electricity, the continent requires immediate action if it is to realize its socioeconomic development objectives. In pursuit of an electrified economy, AEW 2022 will introduce critical topics that cover the entire energy value chain. Regarding the upstream sector, there will be a focus on exploration, licensing rounds, and remaining competition for investment in 2022 and beyond. With emerging frontier markets such as Somalia, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda and Cote d'Ivoire gaining increased attention from regional and international players, AEW 2022 will emphasize the potential and current opportunities across Africa's emerging and mature upstream markets. On the midstream front, AEW 2022 will offer critical insight into new and existing projects - such as the $6 billion African Renaissance Pipeline Project and the proposed 1,800km Tanzania-Uganda Natural Gas Pipeline Project - introducing lucrative opportunities to investors. Finally, with the scaling up of refinery construction underway across the continent, the conference is committed to increasing investment and enhancing production across key African markets. By discussing the challenges and opportunities present across the downstream sector, African stakeholders will collaboratively discuss the future of the African energy industry. "In 2021, they said it could not be done in Cape Town and we all must go to Dubai. With massive support from the City of Cape Town, the government of South Africa IOC's and NOC's and alternative energy companies, we demonstrated that Africa is ready and capable to hold a continent-wide energy event in Africa and we held the largest event on the continent. Even in the midst of the pandemic, AEW took place, ushering in a new era of safe, accessible, and industry-focused events. This year will be huge for the African energy industry. We expect a range of investments to be made and developments to take off that will drive the continent's economic advancement," stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. "During this year's edition of AEW, an emphasis will be placed on finance, natural gas, electrification, hydrogen, upstream and a just transition as we believe these sectors have a specific role to play in Africa. By developing our gas resources, Africa can meet the growing demand for energy while reducing emissions. From AEW 2022, we will be going to COP27 to meet with global leaders and discuss African energy - from Cape to Cairo," Ayuk notes. Meanwhile, with energy representing a catalyst for sustainable economic progress, AEW 2022 aims to drive the continent into a new era of enhanced industry growth by providing the best platform for deals to be signed and relationships formed that will improve investment and development. As the continent continues to deal with reduced funding for hydrocarbon projects, AEW 2022 will offer new insights into how Africa's oil and gas projects can raise capital in a post-COVID-19, energy transition context. Accordingly, panel discussions and investor forums will place a focus on finance, enabling environments, and the role that African Energy Banks will play in financing the future of the industry. By introducing African stakeholders to innovative capital raising, AEW 2022 is committed to the growth of African oil and gas. Regarding gas, Africa is not only rich with resources but opportunities. Markets such as Nigeria, Mozambique, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, and Ghana have significant untapped resources. Already, there has been an influx in investment and development within the gas sector, and yet a range of opportunities remain, particularly within the gas-to-power and Liquefied Natural Gas space. AEW 2022, therefore, has placed a strong emphasis on the role that gas will play in electrifying Africa, driving socio-economic growth and industrialization for years to come. By introducing project profiles, highlighting key discoveries, and emphasizing how gas will drive a just transition in Africa, AEW 2022 has placed gas at the center of its program agenda. What's more, the recent move by the European Union to label certain gas projects as green is likely to usher in a new wave of investment in Africa and AEW 2022 will be the place where deals in this area will be made. Africa is in the midst of an energy transition whereby significant levels of investment are required if the continent is to realize its environmental targets. The development of resources such as gas, hydrogen and renewables will ensure Africa adheres to global climate mitigation targets while at the same time driving economic growth. With a focus on green energy, AEW 2022 will hold the transformative African Green Energy Summit - a platform for an inclusive discussion on Africa's green energy sector. During the Summit, speakers will highlight key opportunities across Africa's renewable energy space, providing insight into potential markets such as the Congo, Mozambique, the Gambia, Kenya, Angola, and Libya, all rich with renewable resources. Additionally, the Summit will emphasize the role that hydrogen will play in Africa by detailing high potential markets and projects such as Hive Hydrogen's green ammonia plant in South Africa and the $9.4 billion green hydrogen project in Namibia. AEW 2022 is the AEC's annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2022 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments. For sales related enquiries please contact sales@AEW2021.com. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. Download image: https://bit.ly/3u3cYCC 25.01.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de MELBOURNE, Australia and LIEGE Belgium, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) today announces that Raphael Ortiz has joined the Company as Chief Operating Officer for Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Raphael joins Telix with more than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in a variety of roles, including in finance, business development, marketing and sales, as well as general management in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Prior to joining Telix, Raphael worked at Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis Company, for six years, most recently in the role of Asia-Pacific Cluster Head, setting up the radioligand therapy operations in the region. Earlier in his career, Raphael worked at IPSEN, where he held several management positions, lastly serving as VP Global Marketing for Endo-Oncology. A graduate in Law from Reimsin the USA. On joining Telix Raphael stated, "Molecularly targeted radiation is progressively becoming a mainstream oncology solution. In a very short period of time, Telix has emerged a major player in this field, thanks to a very talented team, an entrepreneurial and purpose-driven mindset and a strong and diverse pipeline. I am thrilled to be joining that team as the company transitions to commercialisation, and very much looking forward to making our innovative products available in the EMEA region in order to help cancer patients live longer, better quality lives." Telix EMEA President, Richard Valeix added, "It is a great pleasure to welcome Raphael to the team at this important moment in the Company's evolution. With deep radiopharmaceutical experience and commercial know-how, Raphael is well positioned to lead Telix's EMEA operations in support of our purpose to help people with cancer and rare diseases live longer, better quality lives." About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic products using Molecularly Targeted Radiationand follow Telix on Twitter. Telix's lead product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11) injection for prostate cancer imaging, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),1 and by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).2 Telix is also progressing marketing authorisation applications for this investigational candidate in Europe3 and Canada.4 ___________________________ 1 ASX disclosure 20 December 2021. 2 ASX disclosure 2 November 2021. 3 ASX disclosure 10 December 2021. 4 ASX disclosure 16 December 2020. Telix Media Contact Dr. Stewart Holmstrom Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Director Corporate Communications Email: stewart.holmstrom@telixpharma.com Important Information This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal. The securities referred to herein have not beenandwillnotberegisteredundertheUnitedStatesSecuritiesActof1933(the"U.S.SecuritiesAct"),orunderthe securitieslawsofanystateorotherjurisdictionoftheUnitedStatesandmaynotbeofferedorsoldwithintheUnited States,unlessthesecuritieshavebeenregisteredundertheU.S.SecuritiesActoranexemptionfromtheregistration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act isavailable. This announcement has been authorised for release by Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The Telix Pharmaceuticals name and logo are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates (all rights reserved). With the exception of Telix's 68Ga PSMA-11 imaging agent in the United States and Australia, none of Telix's products have received a marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction. CoinMENA's second licence obtained after the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) license The fastest growing crypto currency exchange in the MENA region BAHRAIN, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bahrain-headquartered onshore crypto assets exchange, CoinMENA Holding LTD (CoinMENA), has obtained a second cryptocurrency license from the European Union. CoinMENA will now be able to expand to new jurisdictions in the MENA region and beyond, as well as increase the number of crypto assets and crypto financial services on the platform. Launched in 2021 by Dina Sam'an, Talal Tabbaa, and Yazan Barghuthi, CoinMENA was built primarily to address a market gap that existed for easy and safe access to crypto investing. Today, as a fully regulated, onshore crypto exchange licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, CoinMENA has not only successfully bridged the gap but also become the go-to exchange, known for its prompt transactions, a wide variety of assets, excellent customer service, and easy-to-use mobile app. In the past 7 months, CoinMENA has been the fastest growing cryptocurrency exchange in the MENA region, growing 140% month over month. During this time, they increased the number of crypto assets on the platform from 5 to 13, and plan to list several more in the coming weeks. CoinMENA currently supports five countries and allows users to trade/invest in crypto using their local currency. "Regulatory compliance is a main priority for CoinMENA. In addition to expanding our service offering, the EU license would strengthen our banking relationships with regional and global banks. This move fulfills one of our primary objectives which is to be the best and easiest platform to on-ramp and off-ramp from crypto in the region. This is just the beginning for CoinMENA as we aim to roll out additional crypto financial services built on Web 3.0 and crypto rails " - Joint statement by co-founders Dina Sam'an and Talal Tabbaa. In September 2021, CoinMENA announced a $9.5 million. CoinMENA's investor BECO Capital is a technology-focused venture capital whose well-known investments include MENA's three unicorns: Swvl, Kitopi, and Careem. Hong Kong's Kenetic is known for its investment into BlockFi, a leading crypto lending platform, and Securitize, a leading crypto asset securities firm. Arab Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., the sister company of Arab Bank plc, is a recognized Swiss Bank offering Digital Assets services since 2019. Bunat Ventures is a venture builder and VC firm focused on incubating and investing in promising regional startups. Alameda Research, owned by crypto billionaire Sam-Bankman Fried, is a quantitative cryptocurrency trading firm that provides liquidity in cryptocurrency and crypto assets markets. CoinMENA's sign-up process takes less than a minute and account verification is complete within 24 hours, and can be performed on its simple, seamless, and highly intuitive mobile app, which is designed for both beginners and professional traders. The exchange's services are currently available to residents of Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman, and will soon expand to other countries. www.coinmena.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/coinmena Founders https://twitter.com/DinaSaman_ https://twitter.com/tabbaa4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coinmena/ NOTES TO EDITORS: About CoinMENA Headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, CoinMENA is a crypto assets exchange that is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). Through CoinMENA, you can buy, sell, store, and receive crypto assets safely and securely, as well as deposit and withdraw in your local currency. Launched in early 2021 by Dina Sam'an, Talal Tabbaa, and Yazan Barghuthi. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1732398/CoinMENA_Cofounders.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Brascan Gold Inc. (CSE: BRAS) ("Brascan" or the "Company") is pleased to announce formal activation of the Alegre Gold Project (the "Project") earn-in option agreement in Para State in northeastern Brazil. Brascan can now begin exploration of the highly prospective Alegre Gold Property. Location of the Alegre Gold Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7954/111497_eefe5e42949ba941_002full.jpg Brascan will earn a 100% interest in the Project after spending exploration expenditures of $1,000,000 and making a payment of $400,000, as well as issuing 750,000 common shares to claim 100% ownership of Chapada Brasil Mineracao Ltda. ("CBM"). CBM will retain a 2% net smelter royalty (NSR), 50% of which can be purchased by Brascan for $1 million, on or before a production decision. Brascan will pay a finder's fee as permitted by the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE). The Project is located on the same gold mineralization trend as Goldmining Inc.'s advanced Cachoeira gold project 15 km. to the north and Oz Minerals' CentroGold Project 30 km. to the south (considered one of Brazil's largest undeveloped gold projects). The Alegre Gold Project is accessible by highway from the city of Belem, which, in turn, is accessible by scheduled air services. Location of the Alegre Gold Project property (yellow) between Goldmining's Cachoeira Gold Project (green) to the north, and OZ Minerals' CentroGold Project to the south, within the same structurally deformed volcaniclastic stratigraphic unit. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7954/111497_eefe5e42949ba941_003full.jpg https://www.goldmining.com/projects/brazil/cachoeira/ https://www.ozminerals.com/en/where-we-work/gurupi/centrogold The Project's significant gold potential is attested to by the occurrence of multiple active or recently active artisanal gold mines (garimpos) of significant size, that are evidently recovering gold from the weathered saprolite zone within structurally controlled shear zones. Brascan believes the saprolite (weathered zone) gold mineralization is likely to extend into the bedrock below, and that will be a focus of the anticipated exploration program. This exploration program is expected to include geophysics (magnetics and electromagnetics), surface sampling and the development of the best cooperative ways to work with the garimpeiros. Brascan expects to develop strong drill targets from this work, especially given the evidence of garimpo gold production. CBM will provide project management and field services to Brascan, subject to a Technical Committee representing both Parties, and under terms to be agreed upon by both Parties. Brascan is especially pleased to engage CBM's services, given CBM's experience in exploration and mining projects elsewhere in Brazil, and their current operation of an exploration camp and program less than an hour from the Alegre Property. Gold garimpo of significant scale on the Alegre property. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7954/111497_eefe5e42949ba941_004full.jpg Additional Brazilian Gold Targets Brascan is concurrently conducting detailed due diligence studies on two other gold projects in Brazil. One is in Goias State, about a 3-hour drive from Brasilia, where Brascan has identified "blue-sky" potential for gold along a 1.6 km. mineralized trend. It also may be suitable for bulk sampling under a Brazilian trial mining licence, while the blue-sky potential is being explored. The other Project is located in the heart of Brazil's traditional mining district in Minas Gerais State. In that area, gold mining has occurred since the times of the Portuguese empire, but exploration work suggests high-grade targets remain. Balbir Johal, Director and CEO, stated, "The Alegre Gold Project has exceeded our expectations. The potential to find an industrial grade gold resource is remarkable given the central location of the Alegre Property which is surrounded by gold resources owned by other mining companies." He continued on to state that, "Brascan is fully funded to carry out a major exploration program in February." He concluded by remarking that, "European investors have shown very positive interest in the Alegre Gold project in Brazil. They see the Brascan Gold Project business case as quite compelling given the country's poor economic conditions which may lead to a bottom plateau. Timing is everything." Qualified person Harrison Cookenboo Ph.D., P.Geo. and a QP by the standards of Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. About the Company The Company is a gold exploration issuer based in Vancouver, BC. The Company holds an option over the Vulcan Property, located in the Fort Steele Mining Division in southeastern BC and the Middle Arm Fault and Black Cat properties, located 30 km. and 40 km. south, respectively, of the town of Baie Verte, Newfoundland. Brascan Gold has recently negotiated earn-in options on multiple Brazilian gold properties including the Alegre Gold Project in northeastern Brazil. For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com. Contact Information Balbir Johal Director and CEO Telephone: 604 812 1747 Email: bjohal75@gmail.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the terms of the consulting arrangement are "forward-looking information" and in this news release statements respecting: the Company's exploration and due diligence activities in Brazil; the Company's intention to accept the earn-in option with CBM; expectations respecting drill targets and gold mineralization at the Project; potential for bulk sampling at the project being investigated in Goias State; the possibility that high-grade targets may remain at the Minas Gerais State project being investigated, the Company's hope to mobilize its exploration and unlock the Project's full potential. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111497 LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Apollon Formularies plc (AQSE:APOL)("Apollon" or the "Company"), a UK based international pharmaceutical company specializing in medical cannabis and trading on AQSE Growth Market, is pleased to release its inaugural CEO's Year in Review for 2021 letter to the shareholders from Dr. Stephen D. Barnhill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Apollon Formularies. Dear Fellow Shareholders, It is with great pleasure and excitement that I am writing to you today in my first shareholder letter since being appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Apollon Formularies plc. Last year, 2021 was a year of remarkable accomplishments for our company. Today, we are a distinctly different organization than we were when we started. I am very pleased with the progress that has been made across all parts of the Apollon business during the year and I am confident the next 12 months will see significant growth as attention now turns to increased revenue generation and a global roll out of our medical cannabis products. Indeed, this is an exciting time for a company to be in the medical cannabis business with widespread global interest in cannabinoid medicines. You may have seen some of the recent headlines in the news regarding Big Pharma's new enthusiasm for the medical cannabis industry, including: "Pfizer Bets on Medical Cannabis With $6.7 Billion Acquisition" describing their acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals published by Forbes and "Jazz Pharmaceuticals to buy GW Pharmaceuticals for US$7.2B in cash, stock" as announced by BNN Bloomberg. The increased interest by Big Pharma easy to understand. According to the Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 report, "the global medical cannabis industry generated $6.82 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $53.88 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 23.6% from 2021 to 2030". Below, I will highlight some of Apollon's accomplishments over the past year and also introduce you to some welcome additions to our highly expert team. Public Listing: In April 2021, Apollon Formularies plc was admitted for trading on London's AQSE Growth Market under the symbol APOL and successfully completed a 2.5 million funding round. This public listing was notable as Apollon was among the first medical cannabis companies legally licenced to work with full-spectrum high THC medical cannabis products allowed to be publicly listed in London. Successful Pre-Clinical Cancer Testing of Apollon Cancer Formulations: I am happy to report that Apollon has completed development of 12 proprietary medical cannabis formulations including products for use in cancer patients. These highly specialized formulations were developed, in part, using artificial intelligence techniques under the supervision of Apollon's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Herb Fritsche. Dr. Fritsche is a world-renowned Clinical Chemist and former Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Chief of the Clinical Chemistry Section at The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for 41 years. He served as an invited consultant/advisor to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Expert Panel for developing Tumor Marker Practice Guidelines for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), on the Laboratory Practice Guidelines Committee for the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB), on the Editorial Board of six international scientific journals, and as a consultant to many major international diagnostic companies. Dr. Fritsche and I have worked together for more than 30 years in artificial intelligence derived cancer biomarker discovery for personalized medicine triage in diagnostics and treatment and have published many peer-reviewed publications together. We sent nine Apollon proprietary medical cannabis cancer formulations for independent 3rd Party pre-clinical testing and validation to BIOENSIS laboratories in the United States. The results of the testing processed so far yielded extraordinary findings. Laboratory results showed a number of Apollon's medical cannabis cancer formulations, were successful in killing nearly 100% of cancer cells from 10 different cancer cell lines in 3D cell culture including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), HER2+ breast cancer4, ER+/PR+ breast cancer5, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and hormone-resistant prostate cancer6. The Company is yet to process the remaining results and will update the market of these in due course. 3D cell culture models allow researchers to recreate specific pathophysiological conditions and tumorigenic processes to identify potential biomarkers for therapeutic targeting or assessing cell response to therapies and drug efficacy.7 The improvement in 3D culture technology has led to the generation of in vitro models that can encompass more physiological and tissue-specific microenvironments with the aim to overcome the drawbacks observed in other pre-clinical models and have better predictive value for clinical outcomes.8 We were extremely pleased with these pre-clinical results. Apollon's International Cancer and Chronic Pain institute: After successfully completing the pre-clinical testing on the Apollon medical cannabis cancer formulations, the decision was made to open the first International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute ("ICCPI") in Kingston, Jamaica and in June 2021, the Company announced the signing of a long-term lease for this facility.? The ICCPI was officially opened in December 2021 for the purpose of treating private patients by physician prescription and performing human clinical trials to validate the results seen in our successful pre-clinical testing. The ICCPI has a full medical team of licensed physicians currently treating patients at the facility. As previously announced, the Medical Director of the Institute is Dr. Dingle Spence, a board-certified physician specialising in Clinical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, and Palliative Care Medicine. Also seeing patients at the facility is Dr. Anthony Hall, a board-certified neurosurgeon licensed to practice in the US and Jamaica, Dr. Al Dawes, a board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Marjorie Vassell, a family practitioner, and Dr. Jodi-Anne Mckenley-King, a general practitioner. In addition to their medical specialties, these physicians at the ICCPI are now trained and experienced in using Apollon medical cannabis products in patients. In anticipation of starting the human clinical trials at the ICCPI, Apollon announced the appointment of Dr. the Honorable Archibald McDonald, Professor Emeritus, and Former University Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies, as Director of Clinical Trials. Professor McDonald is a recipient of the prestigious Order of Jamaica (OJ) for Excellence in Academia and Public Service, Jamaica's highest civilian honour, recipient of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) and Current Chairman, Ministry of Health and Wellness Ethics Panel. Dr. McDonald was recently quoted as stating "If we (Apollon) achieve the same level of success in human clinical trials that was recently demonstrated in the independent, 3rd party pre-clinical studies, these products could greatly help cancer patients in Jamaica and internationally." We are pleased to announce that the ICCPI has welcomed the first cancer patients, including our first international cancer patient from the UK in December 2021 to be treated with Apollon's proprietary medical cannabis products. Only nine months after our IPO and we continue to be astonished and humbled by the level of interest from cancer sufferers globally enquiring about treatment at the ICCPI. This centre allows Apollon to expand the patient treatment programme, generate additional revenue for the Company, and provide the opportunity to gather invaluable patient data on Apollon's formulations. It is expected that the grand opening of the ICCPI will take place in the coming weeks. It is our goal to bring our medicine to the widest audience possible which will become a core focus as we move into 2022. Processing Facility and Production Upgrade Apollon has recently announced the expansion of our CLA-licensed state-of-the-art production facility in Negril, Jamaica. As a key part of the upgrade, the Company purchased a new high-volume pharmaceutical distiller from the US which has significantly increased Apollon's medical quality cannabis oil production capability to over 50 times its former production level to a capacity now of nearly 20 litres of distilled medical cannabis oil per day. This increased production capacity allows the Company to significantly increase its inventory for patients being treated at the ICCPI and the significant number of patients expected to enrol in our upcoming human clinical trials. The expansion also opens the path to further revenue generation opportunities to the wider domestic market and expansion to international export markets which is included in Apollon's CLA-licensed approvals. It is also important for the Company to have a large volume of properly stored inventory for much larger international clinical trials which Apollon anticipates will be in partnership with large international pharmaceutical companies entering the medical cannabis market in the near future. Retail Therapeutic Dispensary We are happy to report that our retail therapeutic dispensary is now operating at near pre-COVID levels after a significant slowdown due to the temporary halts and restrictions on travel to Jamaica by the Jamaican government in their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Upon reopening the borders, the Jamaican government required medical patient facilities to become COVID compliant. I'm very proud of our Jamaican team for achieving COVID Compliance and as a result our dual facilities in Negril and Kingston are now opened to treat both international and Jamaican patients as evidenced by taking our first UK cancer patient in late 2021. Cannabis License Authority (CLA) License Renewals We are pleased to announce that our CLA-licenses for Processing and Retail (Therapeutic) were recently renewed for an additional three years until January 2025.4 Our Research and Development license is current and does not need to be renewed until September 2022. Apollon is one of the very few companies in Jamaica with all three of these vertically integrated CLA approved licenses. The Apollon Advantage One of the competitive advantages Apollon has that sets us apart from other medical pharmaceutical cannabis companies is our full spectrum THC cannabis oil licencing regime. We are one of very few medical cannabis companies globally that is a publicly traded company, legally licenced to work with full spectrum high THC cannabis, undertake drug discovery, execute pre-clinical testing, perform human clinical trials, provide immediate direct human availability of these treatments by physician prescription, have an International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute, and are approved to export our medical cannabis products globally. It is my sincere belief that global customers, including potential partners like Big Pharma, seeking medical cannabis products and partnerships will look to companies like Apollon, that will have patent protected products, validated by pre-clinical and human clinical trial data rather than companies with random medical cannabis oils without this level of scientific rigor and intellectual property protection. The ability to undertake drug discovery in conjunction with human application and treatment is the investment framework I believe Apollon offers. This framework allows us to collect clinical data quickly and accurately on our formulations from real-life treatments at our facilities via both in-patient and outpatient care. We expect the number of patients receiving treatment at our facilities in 2022 to grow significantly. We also anticipate a substantial market for global export of our medical cannabis products. Global Expansion In preparation for global expansion, Apollon made two key executive hires in 2021. The Board appointed Stephen Barnhill, Jr., and Stene Jacobs as joint Chief Operating Officers. Stephen will focus his attentions on Jamaica, the Caribbean, and North America, whilst Stene will focus on Apollon's operations across Europe and Africa.5 Stephen was a Co-Founder and President of Apollon Formularies Inc. in the US, established in 2014. He was instrumental in the international expansion of Apollon Formularies to Jamaica in 2015, starting Apollon Formularies Jamaica Ltd and was appointed Chief Operating Officer. Once established in Jamaica, Stephen was instrumental in Apollon obtaining a suite of vertical medical cannabis licenses from the Cannabis License Authority (CLA). These licenses were key to allowing Apollon Formularies Jamaica Ltd. to become a federally legal medical cannabis operation. Stephen was then involved in the expansion of Apollon to Europe and assisted in the transformation to a publicly traded company on the AQSE Growth Market in April 2021. Stene joined Apollon in December 2020 as Head of Corporate Development where he has helped foster and develop strategic relationships within the medical cannabis arena in Europe and Africa. He has been a core member of the Apollon team in the lead up to, and post-listing on the AQSE Growth Market. We have also strengthened the Board of Directors by adding Rod McIllree as a Non-Executive Director. Rod has more than 20 years' experience running, advising, and funding public companies focused on growth in the technology, mining, international logistics and finance sectors. Rod has been a long-time advisor to, and investor in, Apollon and holds a significant interest in the shares of the Company. The Company expects to appoint further high-profile directors to the Board in the coming months to advance its growth ambitions. The Future Looks Bright Our leadership can't help but be proud of what our team accomplished over the past 12 months. Apollon is truly a unique company in the medical cannabis space. We are a publicly traded pharmaceutical company legally allowed to operate in the entire spectrum of cannabinoid medicine from CBD and other non-psychogenic cannabinoids to full-spectrum high THC medical cannabis products required for certain conditions like cancer. As a cannabinoid medicine company, Apollon is now fully established and currently treating private Jamaican and international patients by physician prescription with our outstanding medical team of licensed physicians who also have additional special expertise in cannabinoid medicine, as well as commencing our efforts to perform human clinical trials at our recently opened International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute. We now have a fully operational high-volume processing laboratory with the capacity to produce up to 20 litres of high-quality medical cannabis distillate that can be used for our commercial products, our private patients, our clinical trial patients, global export, and increased inventory for potential Big Pharma partners. The Company has completed its pre-clinical testing on our unique proprietary medical cannabis formulations for cancer and is about to embark on validating these very successful results in human clinical trials. Once completed, I believe Apollon, will have a significant database of pre-clinical, clinical, and genomic data in cancer patients treated with medical cannabis products and could become a global leader for cannabinoid medicine in oncology. As an operating business, Apollon has multiple revenue streams including both in-patient and out-patient treatments and consultations, dispensary sales of Apollon products in Jamaica, and most recently through the facility expansion, the opportunity for export of our products globally where legal import is allowed. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity in the first of what I hope will become an annual "CEO Year in Review" to thank our patients, shareholders, employees and advisors for their support and encouragement throughout 2021. The future of Apollon is bright, and I thank you for joining this journey with us. We wish you and your families a happy and healthy new year! Steve Stephen D. Barnhill, MD Chairman and CEO References: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/12/20/pfizer-to-enter-the-medical-cannabis-industry-with-67-billion-acquisition/'sh=4276b1fc6072 https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/jazz-pharmaceuticals-to-buy-gw-for-7-2-billion-in-cash-stock-1.1558328 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medical-cannabis-market-to-reach-53-88-bn-globally-by-2030-at-23-6-cagr-allied-market-research-301418361.html 4https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3089306 5https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3143086 6https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3171758 7https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.782766/full 8https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.782766/full ?https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3124077 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3351456 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3168080 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3405742 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3359427 4https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3385761 5https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3175422 For additional information, please visit www.apollon.org.uk or contact: Apollon Formularies Tel: +44 207 907 9314 Stene Jacobs stene@apollon.org.uk Peterhouse Capital Limited (Corporate Adviser) Tel: +44 207 220 9795 Guy Miller gm@peterhousecapital.com Blytheweigh (Financial PR/IR-London) Tel: +44 207 138 3204 Tim Blythe apollon@blytheweigh.com Megan Ray This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Apollon Formularies PLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685300/Apollon-Formularies-plc-Announces-CEO-Review-of-2021 BADAJOZ, Spain, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoteles Desconecta2, a five-star boutique hotel, recently officially opened in Monesterio (Spain), has received awards both for 'Best Sustainable Hotel', given by the Habitat Futura Group, and 'Tourism Entrepreneurship and resilience 2022 in Extremadura', granted by the regional government of Extremadura itself. In this way, the project has been rewarded for its commitment to sustainability in the 'Re Think Hotel' competition, which aims to promote the application of sustainability and rehabilitation criteria in hotels through the annual publication of the 10 best sustainable hotels in Spain. To this end, the hotel has won the support of Spain's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and the Ministry for Ecological Transition, as well as that of its official partner, the RTI (Responsible Tourism Institute). Similarly, Hoteles Desconecta2 has been honoured for 'Tourism Entrepreneurship and resilience 2022 in Extremadura' by the regional government of Extremadura in the framework of FITUR 2022, at which both Hoteles Desconecta2 and the government attended this year. In this way, the regional government recognises the contribution the hotel has made to tourism and hospitality in the region and to the expansion of the Extremadura brand, which at its core has the values of quality, wellbeing, innovation and sustainability. Strength, flexibility and the ability to adapt to change stand out as additional qualities for which the hotel obtained this award. Conceived in May 2018, Hoteles Desconecta2 was forced to overcome mid-project a multitude of challenges during its various phases, including the untimely appearance of the COVID pandemic. Sam Brocal, CEO of Media Interactiva and owner of the hotel has expressed his satisfaction with both awards: "It is an honour that all the work we have put in has been recognised. All of our passion and enthusiasm has gone into the process, ensuring the perfect balance in each and every detail between design and sustainability. You can see this as soon as you walk through the door: you can just feel the magic. Laura Morillo, co-owner, looks back and recalls a dream that began three and a half years ago now with the beginning of the project: "together we have managed it." A commitment to sustainability at Hoteles Desconecta2 The start of the project and the selection of the T10Team architecture studio as responsible for its design and execution saw the first foundations being laid for Hoteles Desconecta2 to be chosen as 'Best Sustainable Hotel' of 2021 in Spain. T10Team opted for the total integration of Hoteles Desconecta2 into the natural surrounding landscape, with natural stone being selected as the prominent material in the hotel's construction. Furthermore, with a desire to foster the surrounding landscape, it was decided to conserve the oak grove through the introduction of species native to the area's grassland. To take maximum advantage of natural light, the optimal orientation was identified in the building's design through the use of solar charts and pathfinders, in such a way that the different sides of the building optimally accommodate the sunlight, harnessing the natural flow of energy of the surroundings. In much the same way, the construction, design and decoration of the hotel have been carried out in accordance with the principles of classic Feng Shui, resulting in a hotel centred around its guests' wellbeing. As a result of all this, the 'Re Think Hotel' competition has rewarded Hoteles Desconecta2 for the conservation of the natural habitat and biodiversity of the land, and for its trust in local suppliers, which minimises transport emissions and also promotes the local economy. The hotel's use of ecological cleaning products, recycled paper and efficient laundry, and the implementation of systems or plans to reduce, separate and/or recycle any waste generated, were also praised. About Hoteles Desconecta2 Hoteles Desconecta2 has brought the luxury of digital disconnection with the creation of its rural five-star boutique hotel to Extremadura, in a stunning setting in the town of Monesterio, Badajoz. This is a place, far removed from the everyday hustle and bustle, where individual wellbeing and physical and emotional reconnection are nurtured and developed. Hoteles Desconecta2 is the latest business line of Media Interactiva, a multinational specialised in technology and educational content. It represents a new concept of luxury hotel in which, in addition to the highest quality standards in accommodation and cuisine, guests can enjoy all of the comforts that help boost physical and emotional wellbeing and personal growth. The building and decoration, planned with the utmost care and attention to detail, has been a central project for owners Laura Morillo and Sam Brocal, together with architects Jose Luis Perez Halcon, Ivan Garcia Borrero and Francisco Santisteban, with a total investment of 2.7 million euros, and with additional funding from the regional government of Extremadura's Department of Economy, Science and Digital Agenda and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project constitutes a clear innovation in the tourism sector, by creating a uniquely personalised experience for each guest, while simultaneously respecting nature and the unique setting. The hotel, fully integrated and in harmony with nature, occupies a building of 1,000 m2 and is set in a 30-hectare plot of land with a swimming pool area stretching more than 553 m2, constitutes a place of exclusive luxury. With only nine rooms, it focusses completely on the wellbeing and complete relaxation of all its guests. With all this in mind, its facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, spa, an exercise studio, a restaurant, and a large exterior patio with an extraordinary view of the Tentudia wetlands. Likewise, the hotel lends itself to hosting conferences and business events (product presentations, teambuilding events, training etc.) thanks to its spacious 212m2 lounge and outdoor dining area of 420 m2, as well as a variety of other events (lunches, weddings etc.) or simply for a getaway in an idyllic natural setting with quality and carefully finished interior design. For more information www.hotelesdesconecta2.com https://www.facebook.com/hoteldesconecta2 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotel-desconecta2 https://twitter.com/h_desconecta2 https://www.instagram.com/hotelesdesconecta2/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1731397/hoteles_desconecta2_hotel_boutique.jpg LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Apollon Formularies plc (AQSE: APOL) , ("Apollon" or the "Company"), a UK based international pharmaceutical company specializing in medical cannabis and trading on AQSE Growth Market, is pleased to release its inaugural CEO's Year in Review for 2021 letter to the shareholders from Dr. Stephen D. Barnhill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Apollon Formularies. Dear Fellow Shareholders, It is with great pleasure and excitement that I am writing to you today in my first shareholder letter since being appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Apollon Formularies plc. Last year, 2021 was a year of remarkable accomplishments for our company. Today, we are a distinctly different organization than we were when we started. I am very pleased with the progress that has been made across all parts of the Apollon business during the year and I am confident the next 12 months will see significant growth as attention now turns to increased revenue generation and a global roll out of our medical cannabis products. Indeed, this is an exciting time for a company to be in the medical cannabis business with widespread global interest in cannabinoid medicines. You may have seen some of the recent headlines in the news regarding Big Pharma's new enthusiasm for the medical cannabis industry, including: "Pfizer Bets on Medical Cannabis With $6.7 Billion Acquisition" describing their acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals published by Forbes[1] and "Jazz Pharmaceuticals to buy GW Pharmaceuticals for US$7.2B in cash, stock" as announced by BNN Bloomberg [2]. The increased interest by Big Pharma easy to understand. According to the Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 report, "the global medical cannabis industry generated $6.82 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $53.88 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 23.6% from 2021 to 2030"[3]. Below, I will highlight some of Apollon's accomplishments over the past year and also introduce you to some welcome additions to our highly expert team. Public Listing: In April 2021, Apollon Formularies plc was admitted for trading on London's AQSE Growth Market under the symbol APOL and successfully completed a 2.5 million funding round. This public listing was notable as Apollon was among the first medical cannabis companies legally licenced to work with full-spectrum high THC medical cannabis products allowed to be publicly listed in London. Successful Pre-Clinical Cancer Testing of Apollon Cancer Formulations: I am happy to report that Apollon has completed development of 12 proprietary medical cannabis formulations including products for use in cancer patients. These highly specialized formulations were developed, in part, using artificial intelligence techniques under the supervision of Apollon's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Herb Fritsche. Dr. Fritsche is a world-renowned Clinical Chemist and former Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Chief of the Clinical Chemistry Section at The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for 41 years. He served as an invited consultant/advisor to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Expert Panel for developing Tumor Marker Practice Guidelines for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), on the Laboratory Practice Guidelines Committee for the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB), on the Editorial Board of six international scientific journals, and as a consultant to many major international diagnostic companies. Dr. Fritsche and I have worked together for more than 30 years in artificial intelligence derived cancer biomarker discovery for personalized medicine triage in diagnostics and treatment and have published many peer-reviewed publications together. We sent nine Apollon proprietary medical cannabis cancer formulations for independent 3rd Party pre-clinical testing and validation to BIOENSIS laboratories in the United States. The results of the testing processed so far yielded extraordinary findings. Laboratory results showed a number of Apollon's medical cannabis cancer formulations, were successful in killing nearly 100% of cancer cells from 10 different cancer cell lines in 3D cell culture including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), HER2+ breast cancer[4], ER+/PR+ breast cancer[5], hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and hormone-resistant prostate cancer[6]. The Company is yet to process the remaining results and will update the market of these in due course. 3D cell culture models allow researchers to recreate specific pathophysiological conditions and tumorigenic processes to identify potential biomarkers for therapeutic targeting or assessing cell response to therapies and drug efficacy[7]. The improvement in 3D culture technology has led to the generation of in vitro models that can encompass more physiological and tissue-specific microenvironments with the aim to overcome the drawbacks observed in other pre-clinical models and have better predictive value for clinical outcomes[8]. We were extremely pleased with these pre-clinical results. Apollon's International Cancer and Chronic Pain institute: After successfully completing the pre-clinical testing on the Apollon medical cannabis cancer formulations, the decision was made to open the first International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute ("ICCPI") in Kingston, Jamaica and in June 2021, the Company announced the signing of a long-term lease for this facility[9]. The ICCPI was officially opened in December 2021 for the purpose of treating private patients by physician prescription and performing human clinical trials to validate the results seen in our successful pre-clinical testing[10]. The ICCPI has a full medical team of licensed physicians currently treating patients at the facility. As previously announced, the Medical Director of the Institute is Dr. Dingle Spence, a board-certified physician specialising in Clinical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, and Palliative Care Medicine.[11] Also seeing patients at the facility is Dr. Anthony Hall, a board-certified neurosurgeon licensed to practice in the US and Jamaica, Dr. Al Dawes, a board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Marjorie Vassell, a family practitioner, and Dr. Jodi-Anne Mckenley-King, a general practitioner. In addition to their medical specialties, these physicians at the ICCPI are now trained and experienced in using Apollon medical cannabis products in patients. In anticipation of starting the human clinical trials at the ICCPI, Apollon announced the appointment of Dr. the Honorable Archibald McDonald, Professor Emeritus, and Former University Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies, as Director of Clinical Trials.[12] Professor McDonald is a recipient of the prestigious Order of Jamaica (OJ) for Excellence in Academia and Public Service, Jamaica's highest civilian honour, recipient of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) and Current Chairman, Ministry of Health and Wellness Ethics Panel. Dr. McDonald was recently quoted as stating "If we (Apollon) achieve the same level of success in human clinical trials that was recently demonstrated in the independent, 3rd party pre-clinical studies, these products could greatly help cancer patients in Jamaica and internationally." We are pleased to announce that the ICCPI has welcomed the first cancer patients, including our first international cancer patient from the UK in December 2021 to be treated with Apollon's proprietary medical cannabis products. Only nine months after our IPO and we continue to be astonished and humbled by the level of interest from cancer sufferers globally enquiring about treatment at the ICCPI. This centre allows Apollon to expand the patient treatment programme, generate additional revenue for the Company, and provide the opportunity to gather invaluable patient data on Apollon's formulations. It is expected that the grand opening of the ICCPI will take place in the coming weeks. It is our goal to bring our medicine to the widest audience possible which will become a core focus as we move into 2022. Processing Facility and Production Upgrade Apollon has recently announced the expansion of our CLA-licensed state-of-the-art production facility in Negril, Jamaica.[13] As a key part of the upgrade, the Company purchased a new high-volume pharmaceutical distiller from the US which has significantly increased Apollon's medical quality cannabis oil production capability to over 50 times its former production level to a capacity now of nearly 20 litres of distilled medical cannabis oil per day. This increased production capacity allows the Company to significantly increase its inventory for patients being treated at the ICCPI and the significant number of patients expected to enrol in our upcoming human clinical trials. The expansion also opens the path to further revenue generation opportunities to the wider domestic market and expansion to international export markets which is included in Apollon's CLA-licensed approvals. It is also important for the Company to have a large volume of properly stored inventory for much larger international clinical trials which Apollon anticipates will be in partnership with large international pharmaceutical companies entering the medical cannabis market in the near future. Retail Therapeutic Dispensary We are happy to report that our retail therapeutic dispensary is now operating at near pre-COVID levels after a significant slowdown due to the temporary halts and restrictions on travel to Jamaica by the Jamaican government in their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Upon reopening the borders, the Jamaican government required medical patient facilities to become COVID compliant. I'm very proud of our Jamaican team for achieving COVID Compliance and as a result our dual facilities in Negril and Kingston are now opened to treat both international and Jamaican patients as evidenced by taking our first UK cancer patient in late 2021. Cannabis License Authority (CLA) License Renewals We are pleased to announce that our CLA-licenses for Processing and Retail (Therapeutic) were recently renewed for an additional three years until January 2025.[14] Our Research and Development license is current and does not need to be renewed until September 2022. Apollon is one of the very few companies in Jamaica with all three of these vertically integrated CLA approved licenses. The Apollon Advantage One of the competitive advantages Apollon has that sets us apart from other medical pharmaceutical cannabis companies is our full spectrum THC cannabis oil licencing regime. We are one of very few medical cannabis companies globally that is a publicly traded company, legally licenced to work with full spectrum high THC cannabis, undertake drug discovery, execute pre-clinical testing, perform human clinical trials, provide immediate direct human availability of these treatments by physician prescription, have an International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute, and are approved to export our medical cannabis products globally. It is my sincere belief that global customers, including potential partners like Big Pharma, seeking medical cannabis products and partnerships will look to companies like Apollon, that will have patent protected products, validated by pre-clinical and human clinical trial data rather than companies with random medical cannabis oils without this level of scientific rigor and intellectual property protection. The ability to undertake drug discovery in conjunction with human application and treatment is the investment framework I believe Apollon offers. This framework allows us to collect clinical data quickly and accurately on our formulations from real-life treatments at our facilities via both in-patient and outpatient care. We expect the number of patients receiving treatment at our facilities in 2022 to grow significantly. We also anticipate a substantial market for global export of our medical cannabis products. Global Expansion In preparation for global expansion, Apollon made two key executive hires in 2021. The Board appointed Stephen Barnhill, Jr., and Stene Jacobs as joint Chief Operating Officers. Stephen will focus his attentions on Jamaica, the Caribbean, and North America, whilst Stene will focus on Apollon's operations across Europe and Africa.[15] Stephen was a Co-Founder and President of Apollon Formularies Inc. in the US, established in 2014. He was instrumental in the international expansion of Apollon Formularies to Jamaica in 2015, starting Apollon Formularies Jamaica Ltd and was appointed Chief Operating Officer. Once established in Jamaica, Stephen was instrumental in Apollon obtaining a suite of vertical medical cannabis licenses from the Cannabis License Authority (CLA). These licenses were key to allowing Apollon Formularies Jamaica Ltd. to become a federally legal medical cannabis operation. Stephen was then involved in the expansion of Apollon to Europe and assisted in the transformation to a publicly traded company on the AQSE Growth Market in April 2021. Stene joined Apollon in December 2020 as Head of Corporate Development where he has helped foster and develop strategic relationships within the medical cannabis arena in Europe and Africa. He has been a core member of the Apollon team in the lead up to, and post-listing on the AQSE Growth Market. We have also strengthened the Board of Directors by adding Rod McIllree as a Non-Executive Director. Rod has more than 20 years' experience running, advising, and funding public companies focused on growth in the technology, mining, international logistics and finance sectors. Rod has been a long-time advisor to, and investor in, Apollon and holds a significant interest in the shares of the Company. The Company expects to appoint further high-profile directors to the Board in the coming months to advance its growth ambitions. The Future Looks Bright Our leadership can't help but be proud of what our team accomplished over the past 12 months. Apollon is truly a unique company in the medical cannabis space. We are a publicly traded pharmaceutical company legally allowed to operate in the entire spectrum of cannabinoid medicine from CBD and other non-psychogenic cannabinoids to full-spectrum high THC medical cannabis products required for certain conditions like cancer. As a cannabinoid medicine company, Apollon is now fully established and currently treating private Jamaican and international patients by physician prescription with our outstanding medical team of licensed physicians who also have additional special expertise in cannabinoid medicine, as well as commencing our efforts to perform human clinical trials at our recently opened International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute. We now have a fully operational high-volume processing laboratory with the capacity to produce up to 20 litres of high-quality medical cannabis distillate that can be used for our commercial products, our private patients, our clinical trial patients, global export, and increased inventory for potential Big Pharma partners. The Company has completed its pre-clinical testing on our unique proprietary medical cannabis formulations for cancer and is about to embark on validating these very successful results in human clinical trials. Once completed, I believe Apollon, will have a significant database of pre-clinical, clinical, and genomic data in cancer patients treated with medical cannabis products and could become a global leader for cannabinoid medicine in oncology. As an operating business, Apollon has multiple revenue streams including both in-patient and out-patient treatments and consultations, dispensary sales of Apollon products in Jamaica, and most recently through the facility expansion, the opportunity for export of our products globally where legal import is allowed. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity in the first of what I hope will become an annual "CEO Year in Review" to thank our patients, shareholders, employees and advisors for their support and encouragement throughout 2021. The future of Apollon is bright, and I thank you for joining this journey with us. We wish you and your families a happy and healthy new year! Steve Stephen D. Barnhill, MD Chairman and CEO References: 1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/12/20/pfizer-to-enter-the-medical-cannabis-industry-with-67-billion-acquisition/'sh=4276b1fc6072 2 https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/jazz-pharmaceuticals-to-buy-gw-for-7-2-billion-in-cash-stock-1.1558328 3 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medical-cannabis-market-to-reach-53-88-bn-globally-by-2030-at-23-6-cagr-allied-market-research-301418361.html 4 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3089306 5 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3143086 6 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3171758 7 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.782766/full 8 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.782766/full 9 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3124077 10 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3351456 11 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3168080 12 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3405742 13 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3359427 14 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3385761 15 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3175422 For additional information, please visit www.apollon.org.uk or contact: apollon@blytheweigh.com +44 755 499 7357 Key Points: Develop a market-based pricing mechanism for Koch Minerals & Trading to procure off-take at the Company's South West Arkansas Project Leverage Koch's global procurement capabilities to assist in sourcing key raw materials The Letter of Intent will not impact the Company's existing or contemplated arrangements with LANXESS VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 25, 2022th2021). KM&T is also expected to assist the Company with the effective procurement of key raw materials and chemical reagents by leveraging Koch's expertise, networks and global scale. With respect to future lithium chemical off-take, this does not affect any off-take arrangements existing or contemplated with LANXESS, related to the proposed future commercial plant(s) at their operating facilities. "Koch is a significant investor in Standard Lithium, and we are excited to expand on this strategic relationship. Developing a market-based pricing off-take structure with KM&T at our South-West Arkansas project will allow the Company to benefit from the projected high prices for lithium chemicals in the coming decade and beyond," said Robert Mintak, Standard Lithium's CEO. "Additionally, the ability to leverage KM&T's substantial purchasing and commodity trading capabilities to optimize the price, quality and quantity of reagents required to operate the plants in the future, which is meaningful both for financing these projects as well as their successful operation." "KM&T is focused on applying its existing trading, marketing and logistics capabilities to lithium and other critical materials of the future. These capabilities help producers optimize the sourcing of key raw materials and marketing of valuable finished products. We are excited about the strategic relationship with Standard Lithium and believe our combined capabilities will create superior value in the lithium value chain," said Jon Chisholm, vice president of KM&T business development. Standard Lithium's flagship project, located in southern Arkansas, is testing and proving the commercial viability of lithium extraction from over 150,000 acres of permitted brine operations. Standard Lithium's technology-focused approach to sustainable project development differentiates it from other lithium mining companies. Its cutting edge "LiSTR" DLE process is key to unlocking a globally significant Smackover lithium resource that is fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly. About Standard Lithium Ltd. Standard Lithium is an innovative technology and lithium development company. The Company has commissioned its first-of-a-kind industrial-scale direct lithium extraction demonstration plant at Lanxess's south plant facility in southern Arkansas. The demonstration plant utilizes the Company's proprietary LiSTR technology to selectively extract lithium from Lanxess's tail brine. The demonstration plant is being used for proof-of-concept and commercial feasibility studies. The scalable, environmentally friendly process eliminates the use of evaporation ponds, reduces processing time from months to hours and greatly increases the effective recovery of lithium. The Company is also pursuing the resource development of over 30,000 acres of separate brine leases located in southwest Arkansas, referred to as the South West Arkansas Lithium Project, and approximately 45,000 acres of mineral leases located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. Standard Lithium is jointly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the trading symbol "SLI"; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "S5L". Please visit the Company's website at https:// www.standardlithium.com . On behalf of the Board of Standard Lithium Ltd. Robert Mintak, CEO & Director About Koch Minerals and Trading KM&T is one of the world's largest trading firms, with marketing, trading and logistics management for millions of tons of product every year. KM&T's products include fuels, sulfur, wood pulp, fertilizers, metallics, paper products and other vital substances traded throughout a global network of terminals, ports, and other critical assets required to deliver product to over 50 countries. KM&T's cross-commodity resources bring scale and competitive advantage to the products traded creating superior value. https://www.kochind.com/ None of the TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) or the NYSE American accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future plans and objectives of the Company, including, without limitation, the implementation of the Option Plan and the Incentive Plan, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, accuracy of preliminary economic assessments, including net present value, internal rate of return, capital and operating costs, life of mine production, progression of the project, including to a pre-feasibility study, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, 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 does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. IXcellerate, a leading commercial data center operator and the home for hypercloud in Russia, has announced that it raised c. $190 million in financing from existing and new investors including Mubadala Investment Company, SberInvest and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund). IXcellerate already offers world-class data center facilities and outstanding connectivity level in Russia to cater to both local enterprises and global corporations across multiple industries. The company ensures 24x7 business operations continuity and easy to access services in a world of rapidly growing appetite for expanding data volumes and data storage. IXcellerate will use the proceeds of the new funding round to spearhead the expansion of its Moscow North and South campuses with the aim of building new capacities and running one of the largest data campuses in Europe which will provide exceptional capacity to an even broader customer base. IXcellerate plans to build new data centers in full compliance with the highest industry standards, offering customers better connectivity, 99.999% service availability and unparalleled performance which is essential for the success of digital-first businesses in the new economy. "As one of the largest carrier-neutral commercial data center operators in Russia, IXcellerate is enabling digitalization in Russia through unrivaled scalability and growth opportunities. With the help of this new funding, we aim to provide the type of facilities and services to our existing and future customers that are both ultra-powerful and sustainable in the long-term, while ensuring that our clients continue to benefit from our reliable engineering infrastructure, ESG compliant practices and outstanding service levels," said Andrei Aksenov, IXcellerate's Chief Executive Officer "IXcellerate has a successful record in developing and managing state-of-the-art data centers in Russia. The company is well-positioned to continue growing as a leading colocation and data center operator; directly enhancing Russia's digital infrastructure. Leading this investment round into IXcellerate aligns with Mubadala's strategy to invest in the digital economy and the sectors that support it," said Abdulla Naser Almarzooqi, Deputy Head of Russia and CIS Investment Program at Mubadala "We live in the age of big data, which is stored somewhere far away in the cloud. The data seems 'weightless', but data centers with their servers are in fact huge and city-like facilities. I have seen them in real life and they grip imagination. What IXcellerate delivers for businesses is of crucial importance. Construction of such data towns ensures uninterrupted operations of companies along with on-demand computing power, helping them not to bother where to locate IT infrastructure," said Andrey Shemetov, Sberbank Senior vice-president, Head of SberCIB "Investment in IXcellerate is part of RDIF's strategy aimed at supporting the development of digital infrastructure in Russia and will further enhance our portfolio of collocation and data centers. IXcellerate will add new facilities and increase the customer base allowing more companies to expand the scale of operations as the need for high-end affordable data storage services will keep on growing rapidly. We expect IXcellerate to further strengthen its market position and boost its leadership in the Russian commercial data centers segment," said Mikhail Kireev, Senior vice president, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) About IXcellerate IXcellerate is a leading operator of commercial data centers, ranked among the Top-3 largest players in Russia. The company offers on-demand colocation solutions to address individual infrastructure requirements. IXcellerate data centers are rated Tier III Level 3 and operate with service availability of 99.999%. IXcellerate customers are global and Russian corporations, financial institutions, hypercloud players, providers of online services IT companies, leading carriers and other organizations, processing large data volumes. Among them are Tencent Cloud, Huawei, Softline, Nestle, Refinitiv, Orange Business Services, Agricultural Bank of China and many others. Please visit the website for further details: www.ixcellerate.com About Mubadala Investment Company Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi. Mubadala's $243.4 billion (AED 894 billion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. The company leverages its deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has offices in London, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco and Beijing. For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com About Sberbank PJSC Sberbank is Russia's largest bank and a leading global financial institution. Holding almost one-third of aggregate Russian banking sector assets, Sberbank is the key lender to the national economy and one of the biggest deposit takers in Russia. The Government of the Russian Federation represented by the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation is the principal shareholder of PJSC Sberbank owning 50% plus one voting share of the bank's authorized capital, with the remaining 50% minus one voting share held by domestic and international investors. Sberbank has customers in 18 countries. The bank has a major distribution network in Russia with about 14,000 branches, while its international operations subsidiary banks, branches, and chapters include the UK, US, CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, India, China, and other countries. It holds general banking license No. 1481 dd. August 11, 2015, from the Bank of Russia. Official websites of the bank: www.sberbank.com (Sberbank Group website), www.sberbank.ru. In 2020 Sberbank underwent a rebranding, offering financial and non-financial services of the bank and Sberbank Group to individual and corporate customers. Today, the Sber ecosystem is a raft of services for life and daily assistance in handling pressing everyday issues for individual customers and businesses. The Sber ecosystem website: www.sber.ru SberInvest (Sberbank Investments LLC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sberbank of Russia and is a part of its Corporate Investment Business. It focuses on providing financial and structuring solutions through equity and mezzanine instruments for the bank's customers. About Russian Direct Investment Fund Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst for direct investment in the Russian economy. RDIF's management company is based in Moscow. Currently, RDIF has experience of the successful joint implementation of more than 100 projects with foreign partners totaling over RUB2.1 tn and covering almost all of Russia's regions. RDIF has established joint strategic partnerships with leading international co-investors from more than 18 countries that total more than $40 bn. Further information can be found at www.rdif.ru View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005915/en/ Contacts: IXcellerate: Dina Nurkaeva, Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications dn@ixcellerate.ru, tel. +7 915 234-85-30. www.ixcellerate.com Pre-Stabilisation notice January 25, 2022 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KFW) benchmark Notes due 2027 Pre-Stabilisation Notice 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: KfW Guarantor (if any): Federal Republic of Germany Aggregate nominal amount: benchmark Description: fixed rate Senior, Unsecured, Unsubordinated, due 30 April 2027, launched under the issuer's EMTN Programme Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: payment date 1 Feb 2022, denoms 1k/1k Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG Goldman Sachs Europe HSBC SG CIB Stabilisation period expected to start on: 25 January 2022 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: Frankfurt SE (regulated market) 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 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. END 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. Retailers and brands now empowered to accelerate their innovation through customer data science and cutting-edge cloud technology Customer data science experts dunnhumby have announced the next phase of their relationship with Microsoft, which will see the two organisations transforming and powering better shopping experiences for customers globally. The collaboration combines dunnhumby's data science expertise with the global reach and power of cutting-edge cloud technology, Microsoft Azure, to help retailers and brands make quicker, smarter business decisions, and allowing faster access to powerful insights that reveal what shoppers really want. This comes as dunnhumby is announced as a launch partner for Microsoft Cloud for Retail, which brings together different data sources across the retail value chain, building deeper customer engagement across all channels and delivering more relevant personalised customer experiences. Insights at scale Innovations in AI and machine learning are already reshaping the possibilities for businesses, with data forming the backbone of many retailers' and CPGs' future collaboration plans. A recent dunnhumby research paper1 showed that 80% of retail industry leaders believe collaboration will continue to grow over the next five years, highlighting the common themes of 'building for mutual growth' and 'generating efficiencies using the analytical capabilities and resources of suppliers'. The power of Azure allows dunnhumby to deliver faster report processing and data upload speeds than ever before, meaning quicker answers to business-critical questions driven by customer needs. The ongoing collaboration allows retailers and brands to unleash innovation and achieve more using the very best in customer data science and cloud technology. In working with Microsoft and dunnhumby, retailers and brands will maximise the return on their data, systems and infrastructure in a fast, secure and scalable way, allowing them to fully monetise customer first insights. A relationship built on experience With flagship products dunnhumby Shop and dunnhumby Assortment now on Azure, this relationship is already helping retailers and brands to accelerate their innovation. "Together we combine Microsoft's leadership in cloud technology with dunnhumby's leadership in building better shopper experiences." says Gianluca Carrera, Chief Solutions Officer, dunnhumby, "dunnhumby Shop allows retailers and brands to make confident, data-led decisions, and dunnhumby Assortment helps them to efficiently optimise their assortment. With both now available on Microsoft Azure, retailers and brands can access this customer insight at speed." Shelley Bransten,Corporate Vice President, WW Retail Consumer Goods Industries, Microsoft, adds: "Retailers sit on vast amounts of data but often struggle to create meaningful insights for themselves or their suppliers. Through this collaboration, retailers across the globe will benefit from the powerful intelligence that dunnhumby delivers through its tools with the scale, security and speed-to-market that has become synonymous with the Microsoft Cloud." For more information visit dunnhumby.com/Microsoft-partnership/. About dunnhumby dunnhumby is the global leader in Customer Data Science, empowering businesses everywhere to compete and thrive in the modern data-driven economy. We always put the Customer First. Our mission: to enable businesses to grow and reimagine themselves by becoming advocates and champions for their Customers. With deep heritage and expertise in retail one of the world's most competitive markets, with a deluge of multi-dimensional data dunnhumby today enables businesses all over the world, across industries, to be Customer First. The dunnhumby Customer Data Science Platform is our unique mix of technology, software and consulting, enabling businesses to increase revenue and profits by delivering exceptional experiences for their Customers in-store, offline and online. dunnhumby employs over 2,000 experts in offices throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas working for transformative, iconic brands such as Tesco, Coca-Cola, Meijer, Procter Gamble, Raley's, L'Oreal and Monoprix. Learn more at www.dunnhumby.com 1 The Future of Retailer and CPG collaboration, dunnhumby View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005073/en/ Contacts: Gavin Greene gavin.greene@dunnhumby.com EcoAct and Greenspector support France TV in the decarbonization of its new media NOWU Paris, January 25 2022 - EcoAct, an Atos company, and Greenspector, a member of Scaler , the Atos Accelerator, that supports startups in their international development and fosters customer innovation, have been chosen by France Televisions to assess and optimize the carbon impact of the website of its new media NOWU . This digital editorial offering aimed at 15-25-year-olds was designed with energy efficiency in mind, with a low-carbon strategy and the integration of eco-design principles. By combining their expertise, the two partners supported the eco-design and production of this public digital media, thanks to EcoAct's 15-year strong experience and consultancy expertise in decarbonization strategy, and to the expertise and measurement solution from Greenspector, specialist in reducing the environmental impact of digital applications. Carbon impact considered from the beginning of the project To ensure the optimization and reduction of its carbon impact, EcoAct and Greenspector established a benchmark of best practices in low-carbon media and then calculated the carbon footprint of the project. At the launch of the project, the media's carbon footprint was estimated at 74 tons of CO2 equivalent (this is, for example, 37 round trips from Paris to New York) and will be monitored over time as the service develops. Greenspector also studied the level of eco-responsibility of the media site, thanks to Greenspector's digital sobriety certificate. NOWU was the first media to achieve a good result: an eco-score of 61/100, which corresponds to the bronze level. Long-term support Thanks to these initial in-depth analyses, EcoAct and Greenspector were able to identify reduction levers for both the creation of the platform and its use, in addition to awareness-raising and training activities, combined in a concrete action plan with an ambition which was consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. "Eco-design was integrated from the very conception of the NOWU website. Right from the start, the digital team implemented best practices, including energy and resource consumption simulations which were developed according to use cases as close as possible to user behavior to detect potential overconsumption on the website. Our partnership with EcoAct has allowed us to better project the carbon impact of the project to make NOWU a benchmark in green media by design." Thierry Leboucq, President of Greenspector. "EcoAct is delighted to have been able to contribute to the implementation of a decarbonization strategy for a media that aims to raise awareness of sustainable development issues among young people. And Greenspector, thanks to its expertise in digital, has been a real support in the development and deployment of this strategy." Yann Josse, Senior Business Manager, Public Sector at EcoAct. "France Televisions is proud to respond to the need for strong commitment from the younger generation with its innovative NOWU medium, which proposes concrete solutions to act in favor of the Planet. Together with EcoAct and Greenspector, we have taken up the challenge of offering young Europeans the authentic experience of a more sober and eco-designed digital platform, which combines raising awareness of the issues they care about with reducing resource consumption and their own carbon impact."Gautier CURTIL, Director of Offerings - NOWU, France Televisions. # # # About EcoAct EcoAct, an Atos company since October 2020, is an international sustainability consultancy and project developer that supports companies and organisations by providing the most efficient and holistic solutions to effectively meet the challenges of climate change. Founded in France in 2006 by Thierry Fornas and Gerald Maradan, EcoAct has offices in 7 countries and 3 continents across the world (Paris, London, New York, Barcelona, Montreal, Munich and Embu in Kenya). With a team of more than 160 experts in decarbonisation strategy, EcoAct enables managers and their teams to transform their business model and reduce their carbon emissions while driving commercial performance. EcoAct's core purpose is to inform and lead sustainable strategies that create value and benefit its clients as well as the climate, and the environment. EcoAct is a CDP Gold Partner, a founding member of ICROA, a strategic partner in the implementation of the Gold Standard for the Global Goals and reports to the UN Global Compact. www.eco-act.com About Greenspector Member of the Atos accelerator for startups - Scaler - Founded in 2010, Greenspector is a French pioneer in digital responsibility. Its technological innovations are made available to professionals via SaaS software tools and expert services. Those technologies help reduce mobile application and website environmental impact, improve performance, and enhance the user experience. Within the company's software information, fleets of smartphones and connected objects, better purchased and better managed, see their lifespan extended, which reduces the cost of ownership and the environmental impact. About NOWU: NOWU is a media created in September 2020 as part of the France Televisions group. It is an interactive media that offers the younger generation of 15-25-year-olds the keys and tools to understand and take part in the fight against global warming. With an optimistic and guilt-free tone, NOWU's content is divided into three main areas: content to ACT, content to BE INFORMED, and content to GET INSPIRED. www.nowuproject.eu Press contacts: EcoAct Lorraine Brucker-Romac | lorraine.brucker@looksharp.fr | +33| +33 (0)1 81 80 95 14 Atos Laura Fau | laura.fau@atos.net | +33 (0) 6 73 64 04 18 Attachment - Overall share of software revenue at 73% with cloud revenue growing at 105% year on year - Recurring revenue up 30% year on year - Service Management performance up 76% year on year LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS, the global cloud enterprise software company, today announced its financial results for the full year ending December 31, 2021. The company saw a 22% growth in software revenue in 2021, with cloud revenue going strong at a 105% increase year on year despite Covid-19 headwinds. Our ability to enable our customers to deliver outstanding Moments of Service quarter after quarter has been essential for IFS in achieving sustained growth over the last two years, with a 2020/2021 CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 22% in software revenue and 36% in recurring revenue. Across industries, companies evolved their business models by leveraging digital technologies and driving innovation into their services, outcomes and/or products in a bid to differentiate and gain competitive advantage in uncertain times. The need for companies to build adaptability in their organizational set up, as well as agility in their responses to shifting customer and consumer demands became crystal clear. IFS stayed true to its commitment to accelerate its customers' time to value, and its unwavering industry focus has continued to deliver solutions that not only meet customers' needs as they navigate their new business normal, but also enable them to proactively plan and transform for the medium and longer term. Some key milestones for IFS in 2021 included: In February: The company's rebranding celebrated 30+ years of success brought together under the promise of always delivering great Moments of Service. The launch itself was acclaimed and secured multiple awards**. The company's rebranding celebrated 30+ years of success brought together under the promise of always delivering great Moments of Service. The launch itself was acclaimed and secured multiple awards**. In March: The launch of IFS Cloud, a tech rich single cloud product with embedded digital innovation that delivers a clear path to Evergreen and a lower TCO. The product also earnt the company several awards***. The launch of IFS Cloud, a tech rich single cloud product with embedded digital innovation that delivers a clear path to Evergreen and a lower TCO. The product also earnt the company several awards***. In April: The launch of IFS's sustainability strategy and pledge to become carbon neutral by 2025 as well as the appointment of Lewis Pugh as IFS's sustainability ambassador. The launch of IFS's sustainability strategy and pledge to become carbon neutral by 2025 as well as the appointment of as IFS's sustainability ambassador. In June: The acquisition of ITSM and ITOM provider Axios Systems to extend the company's service offering. The acquisition of ITSM and ITOM provider Axios Systems to extend the company's service offering. In July: The acquisition of Customerville, already used by IFS in its Voice of the Customer program, and poised to help IFS customers deliver great Moments of Service. The acquisition of Customerville, already used by IFS in its Voice of the Customer program, and poised to help IFS customers deliver great Moments of Service. In October: The company announced the winners of its first Change for Good Sustainablity Awards which saw over 35 global companies partake, as well as the launch of IFS Cloud's latest release including the new sustainability module. The company announced the winners of its first Change for Good Sustainablity Awards which saw over 35 global companies partake, as well as the launch of IFS Cloud's latest release including the new sustainability module. In November: The launch of IFS assyst 11.4 which brings digitised IT self-service to the entire organisation through a much-simplified enterprise pricing model. IFS CEO Darren Roos commented: "Four consecutive years of double-digit growth is something the entire organization is hugely proud of, particularly in view of the challenging circumstances we've experienced since 2020. He added: "in 2021, our goal to help companies deliver their greatest Moments of Service also became a reality through our M&A strategy. We successfully integrated two companies into IFS and, since our acquisiton of Axios systems in June, have increased subscription bookings for IFS assyst by 236 percent compared to the same period in 2020." Roos continued: "the numbers paint the picture of a strong and healthy business and I am particularly delighted that we are not compromising on any other metrics to achieve this level of sustained growth." IFS Chief Financial Officer, Constance Minc, commented: "The 2021 results are very important because they cement IFS's impressive performance trajectory with another year of double-digit software revenue growth while continuing to expand our margins. Our comittment to lead the industry in customer satisfaction, growth and profitabiltiy is unchanged." Throughout the year, IFS has continued to nurture its customer-first culture by strengthening its service organization and its partner ecosystem as well as maintaining an active involvement in the work delivered by the IFS Foundation in Sri Lanka, a nation that is home to over 1,500 IFS employees. Financial* and Operational Highlights for FY 2021: FY2021 software revenue was SEK bn 4,928, an increase of 22 percent versus 2020 FY2021 recurring revenue was SEK bn 4,061, an increase of 30 percent versus 2020 FY2021 cloud revenue increased 105% percent versus 2020 FY2021 net revenue was SEK bn 6,767, an increase of 14 percent versus 2020 *Note: all figures based in Swedish Krona and reported in constant currency. In line with WorkWave establishing itself as a standalone business at the end of Q2 2021, the performance reported above excludes WorkWave's contribution to the IFS Group. Performance including WorkWave saw software revenue grow at 32% YTD and the IFS Group reach $984M USD revenue in 2021. Additional highlights: IFS added 181 new logos across its core industries Gartner Magic Quadrant for Field Service Management, 2021 Forrester Enterprise Service Management (ESM) Wave, 2021 IDC MarketScape for SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Manufacturing EAM Applications 2021 IDC MarketScape for Manufacturing Field Service Management Applications, 2021 IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Manufacturing Service Parts Management Applications 2021 Constellation ShortList for Field Service Management Constellation ShortList for Product-Centric Cloud ERP Learn more at www.ifs.com/corp/company/financial-results. ** IFS branding launch - 5 Hermes Creative Awards - 4 platinum and 1 gold. *** IFS Cloud - Tech Ascension, Cloud Innovation Award & The SAMMY Technology Award. IFS Press Contacts information: MEA& APJ: Adam Gillbe Corporate Communications Email: press@ifs.com Phone: +44 7775 114 856 USA: Mairi Drysdale Corporate Communications Email: press@ifs.com Phone: +1 520 396 2155 Europe: Marie-Christin Hansen Corporate Communications Email: press@ifs.com Phone: +44 755 306 1878 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/ifs/r/ifs-delivers-another-market-beating-year-with-software-growth-at-22-,c3491413 The following files are available for download: Digital experience analytics leader grows global footprint following $500M Series E investment to support growth innovation Contentsquare, the leading experience analytics company, today announced momentous growth in 2021, almost doubling its ARR, with a +98% increase on the previous year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005649/en/ Contentsquare Delivers 98% ARR Growth in 2021 And Continues To Accelerate Innovation Market Expansion (Photo: Business Wire) Gaining momentum and making headlines in the areas of company growth, product, impact and brand awareness, Contentsquare is well poised for continued acceleration as businesses continue to shift to digital-first. The company celebrated a pivotal $500M Series E funding round led by SoftBank, accelerated geographic expansion across the globe with new offices in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lyon and Rennes, and announced key new leadership hires including Kat Borlongan, Chief Impact Officer, and John O'Melia, Chief Customer Officer. In September, Contentsquare announced it had acquired Hotjar, the leading product experience insights platform in the SMB market, allowing it to now serve the global market end-to-end, and to enable businesses of every size to deliver outstanding digital experiences to their customers. It also acquired Paris-based deep-tech company Upstride to accelerate its ambitious AI innovation roadmap. Jonathan Cherki, Founder and CEO, Contentsquare, said "What an incredible year this has been. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and vision of our fantastic team at Contentsquare. I can't wait to see how the Contentsquare team transforms the future of digital experience, helping global brands realize the value of data-led customer journeys and helping them reach new heights with their customers and brand." Other notable 2021 Contentsquare highlights include: Rapid team growth, with around 1,300 team members today and early projections that Contentsquare will recruit 1,500+ new roles over the next three years, with hundreds of positions in R&D/Product Expanded presence in North America and Europe, as well as in APAC with teams in Singapore, Melbourne, and Sydney Growing its incredible client community, including 30% of the Fortune 100 and achieving an NPS score of 46 (Retently's 2020 NPS benchmarks puts the average Saas score at 30) and being trusted by Cementing our commitment to Diversity, Equity Inclusion with the hire of Orly Lynn, Global VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Making key new hires, including Albert Nel as SVP Asia Pacific and Japan and Chip Winslow as Americas Chief Revenue Officer Expanded its Experience Partner Ecosystem which includes +100 technology integrations including Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce, Qualtrics, Optimizely, Kibo, AB Tasty, Intercom, Momentive AI, and more. It also includes +150 solution partners including Dentsu, Wunderman Thompson, THG, Gaprise, and more Continuing to enhance its privacy-first, secure, scalable, and reliable platform on which Contentsquare products are built such as Digital Find Fix, Apps, Insights and Merchandising Delivering the first cookieless solution in our industry and making privacy and Digital Trust a key pillar of our vision Joining the small list of privacy-first global organizations to have been awarded ISO 27701 certification, a new international standard of best practices for managing information security in compliance with the provisions of legal frameworks for data protection such as CCPA and GDPR Collecting 300 Billion pageviews and 15,000 Billion interactions in 2021, across sites that processed $2.25Billion in transactions daily Growing our Atomic Labs incubator to work with 16 start-ups over 2021, reaching 450 hours of mentoring and 50 hours of product, marketing, and sales workshops, and leading 7 proof of concepts, resulting in 2 integrations within the Contentsquare solution Pledging 1 Million Euros to the Contentsquare Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the digital accessibility gap To date, the company holds 11 issued patents and has another 37 pending applications, globally Receiving key industry awards including Built In Best Places to Work, the HappyIndex at Work Award, AI Breakthrough Award, Stevie, MarTech Breakthrough Award and the Marketing Excellence Award for Corporate Marketing Team of the Year. Founder and CEO Jonathan Cherki was also recognized by The Software Report (TSR) as one of the Top 50 SaaS CEOs of 2021 Forming an Advisory Board of top industry executives from Aera Technology, Dollar Shave Club, Gainsight, Marketo and Microsoft About Contentsquare Contentsquare empowers brands to build better digital experiences. Its experience analytics platform tracks and visualizes billions of digital behaviors, delivering intelligent recommendations that everyone can use to grow revenue, increase loyalty and fuel innovation. Founded in Paris in 2012, Contentsquare has since opened offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Munich, Tel Aviv, Amsterdam and Barcelona. Today, it helps more than 800 enterprises globally deliver better digital experiences for their customers. Visit contentsquare.com to find out more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005649/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Erica Ashner Erica.Ashner@Contentsquare.com - Demonstrating triple digit growth year-on-year, Darwinbox is sprinting towards market leadership in Asia. - With the new investment, the company aims to accelerate its product innovation and is looking to grow the team by 3X in the region to support growth ambitions. SINGAPORE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darwinbox, Asia's fastest growing HR tech platform, marks another milestone with a $72MN funding round led by Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV) along with participation from existing investors - Salesforce Ventures, Sequoia, Lightspeed, SCB 10X, JGDEV, Endiya Partners and 3One4Capital. The company's valuation post this round will cross the $1B mark and takes the total investment raised thus far by the company to over $110Mn. Since the last fund raise from Salesforce Ventures 12 months ago, the company has grown 300% in Southeast Asia. It is expecting higher growth this year owing to enhanced demand for digital tools in the workplace post pandemic. Founded in late 2015, Darwinbox's cloud based HCM platform caters to HR needs across the entire employee lifecycle. Their new-age product is powering digital HR for more than 1.5 million employees from 650+ enterprises across the globe. This includes fast growing unicorns (Zilingo, Zalora, Carousell, Tokopedia), leading enterprises (SBS Transit, Armstrong, EM Services, MatchMove, Funding Societies, Mitra Adiperkasa) and large conglomerates (JG Summit Holdings, Indorama, Wilmar and parts of Salim, Djarum and Century Pacific groups) in the region. They also serve leading global brands like Nivea, Starbucks, Dominos, T-Systems, AXA, Tokio, Cigna amongst others. Darwinbox currently stands as the youngest and the only Asian-origin player on Gartner's Magic Quadrant for HCM serving 1000+ employee enterprises. It is also rated the highest (4.8) globally on Gartner's customer reviews platform, Peer Insights; racing ahead of global giants like SAP, Oracle and Workday. "We get most excited investing behind visionary founders that are fundamentally transforming large industries with a highly resonant product," said Gopi Vaddi, General Partner, TCV. "I am delighted to back an outstanding team that is doing exactly that in a highly impactful, fast-evolving HR technology space and partner with them on their journey to global HCM leadership." TCV is known for its investments in disruptive tech brands like Netflix, Facebook, Spotify, Airbnb, GoDaddy and Zillow. "This investment energizes our mission to continue building technology that enables organizations to unlock the highest potential of their people. We have done this by building a product that puts employees squarely at the center and crafting meaningful experiences for them. This has especially found resonance in this rapidly evolving world of work over the last 2 years with companies having to rethink how they attract, manage and retain their talent," shared Jayant Paleti, Co-founder, Darwinbox. The new funding will supercharge Darwinbox's global expansion plan by allowing the company to accelerate its platform innovation agenda, strengthen its product, engineering and customer success teams along with scaling their go-to-market presence in multiple geos. The company is set to triple its team within a year aiming to add more than 100+ team members in SEA across its Singapore, KL, Jakarta, Manila and Bangkok offices. "Investing behind technology to manage talent has become inevitable for organizational success. Darwinbox's demonstrated ability to build agile, innovative, and user-friendly solutions along with deep customer centricity has made them a platform of choice for several leading enterprises." added Jessica Neal, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix, and a Venture Partner at TCV. 2021 represented one of the most entropic and pivotal years in defining the future of work. The result is a 3-5 year forward shift in digital-first thinking for all things talent. Darwinbox is at the heart and center of this movement. Expanding on the product investments, Chaitanya Peddi, Co-founder and Product Head of the company shares - "Building for extraordinary agility and delivering stellar employee experience have been critical in defining success for Darwinbox's customers. We will continue to invest in new and innovative technology to deliver a frictionless experience for the work-from-anywhere workforce." "In addition, this year, we will be bolstering our platform offering with a host of ancillary services and solutions that enterprises can plug and play to compose an integrated HR tech ecosystem," he added. About Darwinbox: www.darwinbox.com About TCV: Founded in 1995, TCV was established with a clear vision to capture opportunities in the technology market through a specialized and consistent focus on investing in high-growth companies. Visit https://www.tcv.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1733345/Cofoudners_Darwinbox.jpg Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Desert Gold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: DAU) (FSE: QXR2) (OTCQB: DAUGF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce results for another 72 Air Core holes completed in late December, 2021 and early January 2022. These holes were drilled to test the strike extensions of a new zone of gold mineralization at Gourbassi West North that was discovered during the Company's 2021 drill program (see October 25, 2021 news release). Drill assay results indicate that the Gourbassi West North Zone can be traced for approximately 1.6 km and is open to the north and south. Additional AC drilling and auger drilling is planned to test for extensions to the Gourbassi West North Zone and to delineate potential parallel mineralized structures. A highlights summary of the recent drill hole intercepts follows with additional details presented in Figure 1 and in Table 1 at the end of the release. 1.94 g/t gold over 30 metres 2.75 g/t gold over 12 metres 1.23 g/t gold over 27 metres 0.64 g/t gold over 9 metres 1.10 g/t gold over 37 metres 1.43 g/t gold over 10 metres 0.67 g/t gold over 36 metres 0.50 g/t gold over 26 metres 0.59 g/t gold over 19 metres * True widths are estimated at 65% of drilled length Desert Gold's President & CEO Jared Scharf commented, "The Gourbassi West North Zone now has an indicative strike length of 1.6 kms, which make it one of the longest and widest mineralized zones on the property. Combine this with gold-in-soil anomalism that continues for another 6 kilometres to the north, it really emphasizes the potential of this previously overlooked portion of the Property. Gourbassi West North is just one of several high priority targets the Company will develop this season at SMSZ which we believe demonstrates the tremendous blue sky of this regional project." Figure 1. Summary Map of Gourbassi West North and Gourbassi West Zones To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/111407_2999d6f314b409dd_001full.jpg ** Gourbassi West Resources as per Desert Gold News release January 16, 2022 Technical details The Company completed 72 air core holes totalling 2,890 metres. These holes tested an approximate 1,600 metre strike extent of the Gourbassi West North target with material gold values intersected on all of the air core drill fences (See Figure 1). This mineralized system appears to be open along strike and to depth with the bulk of the mineralization intersected to date hosted by rocks that are oxidized. Drill fences were spaced from 125 to 250 metres apart. Infill air core drilling, drill fence extensions and zone expansion test drill fences have been proposed, based on current interpretations. The recent program followed up on drill results summarized in a December 23, 2021 new release where an air core drill fence returned an interpreted combined 90 metres true thickness grading 0.96 g/t gold. (Figure 2). Results from the recent drilling have returned the best results to date with intercepts of 1.94 g/t gold over 30 metres* and 2.75 g/t gold over 12 metres* (see Figure 2) on a 125-metre step out line to the north of the original discovery drill fence (see Figure 3). The next drill fence, located another 125 metres to the north, also returned good width and grades with intercepts of 1.10 g/t gold over 37 metres, 1.43 g/t gold over 10 metres and 0.36 g/t gold over 7 metres (Figure 4). Immediately south of the discovery drill fence, the mineralized zone is interpreted to be offset to the east along a distinct magnetic linear, with the zone continuing to the south of the fault with mineralization trending toward the Gourbassi West Deposit. The wide zone of mineralization at the original discovery is interpreted to be related to the intersection of northly and northwesterly -trending structures. After re-logging of the drill chips, the Gourbassi West North zone has been re-interpreted to be hosted by a gritty, likely Birimian-age quartzite that is in fault contact to the east by a younger sedimentary sequence of quartzite, conglomerate, hydrothermal breccia and chert. Alteration includes sericitization, sulphidation (pyrite and arsenopyrite) and quartz stringers. As with the Gourbassi West Deposit, gold mineralization occurs in both the younger and older rock packages. Figure 2. Gourbassi West North discovery air core drill fence - 1,487,560N To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/111407_2999d6f314b409dd_002full.jpg Figure 3. Gourbassi West North new drilling section 1,487,775N To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/111407_2999d6f314b409dd_003full.jpg Figure 4. Gourbassi West North new drilling section 1,487,900N To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/111407_2999d6f314b409dd_004full.jpg Next Steps Guidance Based on results to date, approximately 32 follow-up air core holes have been planned with 16 of the holes dedicated to extending the drill fences where mineralization may occur and 16 holes as both infill and, testing extensions of the zone to the north (see Figure 1). Prior to this drilling, a ground magnetic survey is planned to get better definition of the northerly-, northwesterly- and northeasterly-trending structures. Concurrent with the above program, additional auger drilling is planned along the strike extensions of the Gourbassi West North Zone trend and over a series of strong, gold-in-soil anomalies, that are believed to be linked to the Gourbassi West North mineralized system (Figure 5). The auger drilling should provide clear targets that can be tested. Auger drilling is also recommended along a northwest-trending zone of anomalous gold-in-soil values located to the north of the Gourbassi East Zone (Figure 5). The auger target areas are defined by black ovals in Figure 5. Figure 5. Gourbassi West North area on color-contoured tilt-angle airborne magnetic base, drill hole summary and gold-in-soil summary To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/111407_2999d6f314b409dd_005full.jpg Outside of the Gourbassi area, geological mapping and magnetic surveys are being carried out over the Mogoyafara South Deposit and potential extensions to the north and south (see Figure 6 for property scale location map). Initial magnetic survey data displays a strong correlation between magnetic anomalies and the location of gold-bearing drill intercepts. Based on these findings, magnetic surveying will be extended to the north and south of the initial survey area. Pending mapping results, auger drilling may also be carried out over the Mogoyafara South Deposit area. An additional, exploration program consisting of approximately 17,000+ metres of drilling will be carried out subject to financing with a general work plan as follows. Model validation and exploration holes with a goal to resource expansion, have been planned over Mogoyafara South and Linneguekoto West. This drilling is proposed to commence once surface geological mapping and ground magnetic surveys have been completed over Mogoyafara South. Follow-up drilling of gold-bearing drill intercepts from 2021 and previous exploration programs is planned at the Manakoto, Kamana, Soa, Kolon, Sorokoto North, Barani East, Frikidi, Gourbassi West, Gourbassi East and Gourbassi Northeast Zones. The goal of testing these targets is to determine potential for Mineral Resources. Untested gold-in-auger anomalies have been prioritized and will be tested with a focus on anomalies >100 ppb gold. Additional auger surveys are being contemplated in the Gourbassi West North and Mogoyafara areas. Figure 6. Plan Map Mineral Deposits and Zones, significant drill hole intercepts*, soil geochem summary on color-contoured analytical signal; magnetic data To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/111407_2999d6f314b409dd_006full.jpg *All gold grades over width, with the exception of the Soa, Berola and Gourbassi prospects, represent drill holes with the true widths, for most holes, ranging from 65 to 95%. Estimated true widths for the Soa and Berola prospects are unknown. Estimated true widths at the Gourbassi Zones are estimated to range from 60% to 90%. QAQC All auger and drill samples are delivered to SGS in Bamako, Mali where they are prepped. The prepped samples, are both shipped by truck to SGS's facility in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, or remain at SGS's laboratory in Bamako, for Au determination by fire assay. Standards, assay blanks and sample duplicates, are inserted into the assay stream every 22 to 30 samples, respectively equaling one control sample for every approximately every 8 assay samples. All assay batches are reviewed for quality with re-assays requested 20 samples on either side of standards that assay more than 2 to 3 SD from an excepted value and for blanks that contain more than 10 ppb gold. Ashanti Gold drill results QAQC Procedures for the Gourbassi Zones Certified Reference Materials and Blanks were inserted into the sample stream at the rate of 1:20 samples. Field duplicates are collected at the rate of 1:50 samples. All samples have been analyzed by SGS Laboratories in Bamako with standard preparation methods and 50g fire assay with atomic absorption finish. SGS does their own introduction of QA/QC samples into the sample stream and reports them to Ashanti for double checking. Higher grade samples are reanalyzed from pulp or reject material or both. Hyundai QAQC Procedures Desert Gold does not have any information regarding Hyundai's QAQC procedures. However, based on follow-up of historic drill results in the Barani Area indicates an acceptable level of accuracy. This press release contains certain scientific and technical information. The Company is solely responsible for the contents and accuracy of any scientific and technical information related to it. Don Dudek, P.Geo. a director of Desert Gold both Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101, have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. On Behalf of the Board "Jared Scharf" ___________________________ Jared Scharf President & CEO About Desert Gold Desert Gold Ventures Inc. is a gold exploration and development company which holds 2 gold exploration permits in Western Mali (SMSZ Project and Djimbala) and its Rutare gold project in central Rwanda. In Mali, Desert Gold's SMSZ property hosts Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 8.47 million tonnes grading 1.14 g/t gold totaling 310,300 ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 20.7 million tonnes grading 1.16 g/t gold totaling 769,200 ounces. For further information please visit www.SEDAR.com under the company's profile. Website: www.desertgold.ca This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such statements. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the capital markets, the price of gold; operational, funding, liquidity risks, the degree to which Mineral Resource estimates are reflective of actual Mineral Resources, the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable, and the risks and hazards associated with mining operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at www.sedar.com and readers are urged to read these materials. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements unless required by law. 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 does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States securities act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such act. Contact Jared Scharf, President and CEO Email: jared.scharf@desertgold.ca Tel. No.: +1 (858) 247-8195 Table 1. Drill Hole Assay Composite Summary (true widths are estimated at 65% of drilled length) Hole From To Length Au g/t FR-21-AC-006 NSV FR-21-AC-007 NSV FR-21-AC-008 1 37 36 0.67 FR-21-AC-008_incl 18 26 8 1.3 FR-21-AC-009 NSV FR-21-AC-010 NSV FR-21-AC-028 34 35 1 0.54 FR-21-AC-029 NSV FR-21-AC-030 28 50 22 0.35 FR-21-AC-031 NSV FR-21-AC-032 NSV FR-21-AC-033 NSV FR-21-AC-034 NSV FR-21-AC-035 9 16 7 0.36 FR-21-AC-035 21 22 1 0.77 FR-21-AC-035 24 25 1 0.53 FR-21-AC-036 4 8 4 1.31 FR-21-AC-036 13 18 5 1.33 FR-21-AC-036 33 43 10 1.43 FR-21-AC-036_incl 37 40 3 2.91 FR-21-AC-037 7 44 37 1.1 FR-21-AC-037_incl 25 32 7 1.72 FR-21-AC-038 NSV FR-21-AC-040 NSV FR-21-AC-041 NSV FR-21-AC-042 7 16 9 0.64 FR-21-AC-042 26 30 4 0.63 FR-21-AC-043 8 13 5 0.29 FR-21-AC-043 18 21 3 0.56 FR-21-AC-043 23 33 10 0.41 FR-21-AC-044 5 7 2 0.63 FR-21-AC-044 13 25 12 2.75 FR-21-AC-044 28 30 2 0.77 FR-21-AC-045 4 34 30 1.94 FR-21-AC-046 13 26 13 0.32 FR-21-AC-054 36 45 9 0.43 FR-21-AC-054_incl 38 39 1 2.64 FR-21-AC-059 1 2 1 0.33 FR-21-AC-065 NSV FR-21-AC-066 NSV FR-21-AC-067 NSV FR-21-AC-068 25 29 4 1.23 FR-21-AC-069 26 46 20 0.56 FR-21-AC-069_incl 36 38 2 1.59 FR-21-AC-070 5 7 2 0.76 FR-21-AC-070 13 15 2 0.53 FR-21-AC-070 24 50 26 0.50 FR-21-AC-070_incl 24 29 5 1.16 FR-21-AC-076 NSV FR-21-AC-077 42 45 3 0.61 FR-21-AC-077_incl 42 43 1 1.62 FR-21-AC-078 45 47 2 1.79 FR-21-AC-079 NSV FR-21-AC-084 34 35 1 0.86 FR-21-AC-087 28 32 4 1.09 FR-21-AC-087_incl 29 31 2 2.03 FR-21-AC-091 NSV FR-21-AC-091 NSV FR-21-AC-092 2 29 27 1.23 FR-21-AC-092_incl 21 29 8 1.82 FR-21-AC-093 6 7 1 0.52 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111407 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) ("Getchell" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the results for holes FCG21-13 and FCG21-14, both stationed on the same drill pad, targeting the gold mineralization below the historic Colorado Pit with FCG21-14 additionally testing the margins of a local marble block fault unit, host to the past producing Quick-Tung Tungsten mine, at the Fondaway Canyon Gold project in Nevada. Key Highlights FCG21-13 Hole FCG21-13 intersected three major gold bearing zones: the 'at surface' Colorado, the Juniper, and the Colorado SW gold zones; FCG21-13 collared in mineralization on the Colorado zone and proceeded to intersect multiple significant gold intervals within the top 50 metres of the drill hole; The high-grade Juniper zone was intersected grading 9.3 g/t Au over 1.9m and 5.7 g/t Au over 11.6m ; and ; The Colorado SW zone was intersected with multiple intervals spanning a down-hole length of 103.5 metres highlighted by intercepts grading, 1.0 g/t Au over 19.7m, 1.9 g/t Au over 11.8m, and 1.2 g/t Au over 29.1m. FCG21-14 FCG21-14 encountered gold mineralization at surface on the Colorado zone grading 2.6 g/t Au over 18.5m including 6.8 g/t Au over 5.4m ; including ; FCG21-14 intersected further down hole a known marble block, host to the historic producing Quick-Tung Tungsten Mine; The marble unit is an isolated thin thrust sheet outcropping at surface and bounded by the major siltstone/argillite unit that is host to the targeted gold mineralization; and Due to the acute hardness of the marble unit, the drill hole was stopped prior to its planned depth; Assays are pending for holes FCG21-15 and FCG21-16. "In combination, holes FCG21-13 and FCG21-14 demonstrate that the gold mineralization envelope extends down to a depth of 250 metres starting right below our feet at the Colorado Pit and they reinforce the upside potential scale of the mineralizing system at Fondaway Canyon," states Mike Sieb, President, Getchell Gold Corp. "In addition, FCG21-14 tested the contact relationship of the gold mineralization with a local block fault marble unit providing valuable information to assist with resource modelling and with planning future drill holes in the area to target the extension of the gold mineralization." Fondaway Canyon 2021 Drill Program Update Ten drill holes, FCG21-07 through FCG21-16, totalling 3,874 metres were drilled last year at the Fondaway Canyon Gold Project. All ten holes are located in the Central Area and followed up on the 2020 discoveries of the Colorado SW, the Juniper, and the North Fork gold zones (Figure 1). The two drill holes, FCG21-13 and FCG21-14, reporting results in this news release, primarily targeted the mineralization below the historic Colorado Pit. Figure 1: Fondaway Canyon Central Area showing aerial view (above) and current 3D model (below) from the same perspective looking southeast; highlighting the 2020 and 2021 drilling. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/111483_17413dc4a484db8b_001full.jpg Figure 2: Drill Section Highlighting FCG21-13 and FCG21-14 Gold Intervals. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/111483_17413dc4a484db8b_002full.jpg Drill Hole FCG21-13 FCG21-13 stationed at the Colorado Pit and drilling steeply (-80) to the northwest (284 Az.) (Figure 2) was designed to test a series of three gold zones below the historic Colorado open pit: The gold mineralization directly under the Colorado Pit exposed at surface (the Colorado zone); The near surface high grade gold Juniper shear zone; and The Colorado SW gold zone. FCG21-13 collared in the Colorado zone mineralization and proceeded to intersect multiple intervals of mineralization within the top 50 metres of the drill hole highlighted in Table 2 and as follows: 1.7 g/t Au over 6.4m from 1.0 to 7.4m down hole distance; 2.4 g/t Au over 5.8m from 16.7 to 22.5m; and 0.9 g/t Au over 20.1m from 30.0 to 50.1m. The high-grade Juniper zone was intersected with two intervals grading: 9.3 g/t Au over 1.9m from 72.5 to 74.4m; and 5.7 g/t Au over 11.6m from 85.0 to 96.6m; This represents the fourth drill intercept of the Juniper zone through the 2020-2021 drill campaigns. Table 1 provides a summary of the three other high-grade gold intervals that have collectively traced the Juniper zone for 50 metres. Table 1: Juniper Zone Other Significant Gold Grade Intervals To view an enhanced version of Table 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/111483_17413dc4a484db8b_003full.jpg The Colorado SW zone was intersected with multiple intervals spanning a down-hole length of 103.5 metres, highlighted by the following select significant intercepts: 1.0 g/t Au over 19.7m from 170.2 to 189.9m; 1.9 g/t Au over 11.8m from 197.9 to 209.7m; and 1.2 g/t Au over 29.1m from 224.2 to 253.3m; with additional notable intervals presented in Table 2. Drill Hole FCG21-14 and the Quick-Tung Tungsten Mine FCG21-14 stationed at the Colorado Pit and drilling at -66 to the northwest (284 Az.) was designed to test the gold mineralization below the Colorado Pit and determine the boundary location of a known fault block marginal to the gold mineralization to assist with resource modelling. Immediately situated to the west of the Colorado Pit, is the historic Upper Quick-Tung Tungsten Mine hosted within an isolated fault block composed of marbleized limestone (outcropping white rock shown in Figure 3). A Tungsten bearing 1.8- to 3.6-metre-wide shear zone was discovered at this site in 1956 prompting small scale open pit and underground production through to 1962. Figure 3: Colorado Pit and Quick-Tung Tungsten Mine area. Upper photo: Aerial view looking southeast showing surface extent of marble fault block in relation to drill pad location; and Lower photo: looking West, showing interpreted geological contacts of the marble unit dipping to the south in cross section. To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/111483_17413dc4a484db8b_004full.jpg The marble unit is an isolated and relatively thin thrust sheet in a fault relationship with the surrounding siltstone/argillite unit host to the Colorado, Juniper, and Colorado SW gold zones (Figure 3). Gold mineralization is present in the adjoining siltstone/argillite both at surface to the north and east of the marble block and exists at depth below the lower contact as demonstrated by numerous historic drill holes. FCG21-14 successfully intersected the Colorado zone by collaring in gold mineralization right at surface that grades 2.6 g/t Au over 18.5m including 6.8 g/t Au over 5.4m from 12.6 to 18.0m drill depth. Shortly down hole from the above gold intersection, the drill crossed into the fault contact boundary zone and then penetrated the marble block (Figure 2). The intent was to drill through the marble unit to determine its lower contact and then test for the extension of the gold mineralization back in the target siltstone/argillite unit. However, the hole was terminated before reaching the targeted depth due to the extreme hardness of the intensely silicified marble unit effectively impeding further progress. The gold mineralization in this region remains open, discounting the isolated presence of the marble block, and a component of the 2022 drill plan will be to continue drill testing the extension of the gold mineralization to the northwest and to depth from a preferential location and dip angle. Past operators of the Fondaway Canyon gold project have noted the ancillary Tungsten potential but have yet to formerly evaluate it. Drill hole FCG21-14 was partially designed to initiate that process. Evaluation of the Project's Tungsten potential is wholly subordinate to the evaluation of the gold mineralization and will be incorporated in accordance with the overall advancement of the Fondaway Canyon Gold Project. Table 2: FCG21-13 and FCG21-14 Significant Gold Grade Intervals To view an enhanced version of Table 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/111483_17413dc4a484db8b_005full.jpg FCG21-15 and FCG21-16 The two remaining holes, FCG21-15 and FCG21-16, drilled in 2021 with assays pending are expected to be reported over the coming weeks. FCG21-15 , stationed near the canyon floor on the same drill pad as FCG21-12 and drilling almost vertical to the northeast, was designed to further extend the Colorado SW gold mineralization 30 metres down dip from FCG21-12. FCG21-16 , stationed on the canyon floor at the junction of the Fondaway Canyon and North Fork drainages and drilled to the northwest, was designed to extend the North Fork gold zone 30 metres off-section to the northwest, from holes FCG20-04, FCG21-09, and FCG21-10. Scott Frostad, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person (as defined in NI 43-101) who reviewed and approved the content and scientific and technical information in the news release. The 2021 drill core is being processed using the same methods as the 2020 drill program. The core is cut at Bureau Veritas Laboratories' ("BVL") facilities in Sparks, Nevada, with the samples analyzed for gold and multi-element analysis in BVL's Sparks, Nevada and Vancouver, BC laboratories respectively. Gold values are produced by fire assay with an Atomic Absorption finish on a 30-gram sample (BV code FA430) with over limits re-analyzed using method FA530 (30g Fire Assay with gravimetric finish). The multi-element analyses are performed by ICP-MS following aqua regia digestion on a 30g sample (BV code AQ250). Quality control measures in the field include the systematic insertion of standards and blanks. Highlighted drill intervals are based on a 0.25 g/t Au cut-off, minimum interval lengths of 3.3 metres (10 feet), and a maximum of 3.3 metres of internal dilution, with no top cut applied. All intervals are reported as downhole drill lengths and additional work is required to determine the true width. Corporate News Four hundred thousand (400,000) options to acquire shares in Getchell at $0.41 held by a Director expired December 17, 2021, unexercised. About Getchell Gold Corp. The Company is a Nevada focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the CSE: GTCH and OTCQB: GGLDF. Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a significant in-the-ground historic resource estimate. Complementing Getchell's asset portfolio is Dixie Comstock, a past gold producer with a historic resource and two earlier stage exploration projects, Star and Hot Springs Peak. Getchell has the option to acquire 100% of the Fondaway Canyon and Dixie Comstock properties, Churchill County, Nevada. The Company reiterates that its near-term strategy to advance its assets is not impacted by the COVID-19 Corona virus. The Company continues to monitor the situation and is in compliance with all government guidelines. For further information please visit the Company's website at www.getchellgold.com or contact the Company at info@getchellgold.com or at +1 647 249-4798. Mr. William Wagener, Chairman & CEO Getchell Gold Corp. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the private placement and the completion thereof and the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, use of proceeds from the financing, capital expenditures and other costs, and financing and additional capital requirements. Although management of Getchell have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111483 South Africa: SA condemns military takeover in Burkina Faso The South African government has condemned the coup detat in Burkina Faso and is calling on the military to return to their barracks and restore democracy. According to France24, a French State-owned international news television network based in Paris, a military coup has taken place in the West African country. Soldiers took to the airwaves of the State broadcaster to announce that President Roch Marc Christian Kabore had been deposed. The Constitution has been suspended, the government and parliament dissolved. Land and air borders have been shut, the channel said. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Tuesday said government agrees with the views of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) that soldiers should return to the barracks and use dialogue with the authorities to resolve all problems. There can never be a military solution to issues of this nature, dialogue and negotiation are the only means of resolving conflict and arriving at lasting resolutions, said the department. In addition, the department said the loss of lives must be avoided at all costs and that all stakeholders should commit to discussions. The South African government strongly rejects unlawful seizure of power by any group or individual as this reverses democracy and development and retards the realisation of Africas aspiration for a better Africa as set out in our Agenda 2063. Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has also denounced the takeover. I am following developments in Burkina Faso with deep concern and strongly condemn any attempt to take over a government by the force of arms. Coup leaders must lay down their arms and ensure the safety of the President and the protection of the countrys institutions, the UN Secretary Antonio Guterres tweeted on Monday. Al Jazeera is reporting that the whereabouts of President Kabore, who won a second term in the 2020 elections, remains unknown. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China's energy administration, agricultural bank sign deal to boost clean energy use Xinhua) 15:58, January 25, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) and the country's energy administration on Monday signed a cooperation deal to boost clean energy use as well as energy transformation in rural areas. In the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the ABC plans to lend 3 trillion yuan (about 473.19 billion U.S. dollars) to the energy sector, including 1 trillion yuan for the county-level energy sector, the China Securities Journal reported. China will appropriately control its total energy consumption and cut the energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product by 13.5 percent by 2025 compared with the 2020 level, according to a five-year plan on energy conservation and emission reduction released by the State Council. China has announced that it will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) has announced the release of a new e-book reader app dedicated to publications in Islamic economics and development. The app was developed in partnership with a technology firm, Koraspond Digital Marketing Agency, a subsidiary of Ethmar Advertising company based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Leveraging innovative modern technologies and the Institutes long-standing expertise in publishing of Islamic economics, the app aims to serve as a knowledge repository where users around the world can have a rich experience of reading and browsing Islamic economics and finance publications. With support for Arabic, English and French languages, the new app is a comprehensive, user-friendly mobile application currently available through the Apple Store and Google Play. A version for desktop is expected to be ready later in 2022. The app has been integrated to the IsDB Institute website (IsDBinstitute.org), thereby allowing users to purchase publications from the website, and download and read them on the e-book reader app on their devices. Various innovative features can be seen in the app including: Standard reading tools such as bookmarking, search, text highlight, in-built dictionary, ability to attach notes to selected text, and more. Fresh interface design that enhances the user experience. Sharing e-book titles and quotes through all social media channels. Ability to track user reading activity such as the number of books read, number of hours of reading, reading speed, and number of shared books. E-books are encrypted to prevent sharing, copying, and distribution. Synchronization across the users devices. App interface available in Arabic, English and French languages. In his comments on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, IsDBI Acting Director General and IsDB Group Chief Economist, said: Our objective with the new e-reader app is to bring knowledge in Islamic economics up to par. The e-book reader will serve as an innovative, interactive platform with the most modern features and capabilities for e-books on Islamic economics and finance. Mr. Bilal Saeed, Korasponds Business Development Director, said: In the next phase of our venture, we will be taking the IsDBI Reader App to other platforms, including Windows, Huawei, and Google Chrome, to create a wider accessibility. We will also integrate an AI-driven algorithm to suggest relevant books to the readers based on their response and preference. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Starting today, Spanish entrepreneurs will have access to Square's wide range of software, hardware and payment solutions to help them start, run or grow their businesses Square's Early Access Programme, which started in September 2021, allowed Spanish businesses to test Square's integrated omnichannel solutions Square, the company specialising in software, payments, and hardware solutions for businesses of all sizes, announces its arrival in Spain following a successful Early Access Programme. Starting today, Spanish entrepreneurs, freelancers and business owners will be able to use Square's ecosystem of tools; the only end-to-end solution of its kind in the country. "We've been trialing Square's suite of products both in-store and online and we love it," said Miguel Gil, owner of Hop Hop Hurrah, one of the first businesses to use Square's products in Spain. "Having a point-of-sale system with integrated payments and omnichannel solutions has transformed the way we're able to run our business, making it an easy and seamless process. We're pleased we were able to switch to Square and feel much more confident in our ability to grow, ensuring we never miss a sale, as we look towards the future." Square is part of Block, Inc. a global technology company focused on financial services, founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco. Square is currently present in nine countries, with Spain being the fourth European country and the first launched in 2022, after landing in Ireland and France last year and the UK in 2017. Square seeks to help entrepreneurs in a country where SMEs account for 99% of businesses, so that they can easily sell their products and services, both in physical shops and online, as their needs evolve. Square will also be rolling out support in Catalan over the coming months. "We are thrilled to expand Square's solutions into Spain, helping merchants to run their entire business end-to-end with integrated software, hardware and data analytics, while making it easy for them to take card payments," said Alyssa Henry, Head of Square. "Spanish businesses of all types and sizes will now be able to use our integrated ecosystem of products and services to grow, adapt, and run their businesses." Xiana Mendez, Secretary of State for Trade commented: "For a quick economic recovery, SMEs and fintech industry must go hand in hand. SMEs must evolve at the same speed as the market and thanks to fintech they can do so in an easy, swift and convenient way. The technology provided by these technological financial firms guarantees them innovative solutions in terms of payment management that can be decisive in supporting their growth. In Spain, Square will find a very thriving market!" Integrated solutions for multiple business needs With a suite of products that fully integrate with each other, Square offers one-stop solutions for a variety of business needs: from creating an online shop, accepting physical and online card payments, or managing a retailer's inventory; to keeping a busy restaurant kitchen under control, scheduling appointments, invoicing clients, managing employees, and selling electronic gift cards, among many other time-saving services for businesses. Square's full offer in Spain includes: Point of sale and payments software and hardware to suit any business : Square launches with three point of sale (POS) software products and three versatile payment terminals, offering both mobile and brick mortar businesses fully integrated POS software, reliable and secure payments acceptance, and one transparent processing rate. With no long-term commitments or subscription fees, the systems are designed for businesses and their employees to get started quickly. Square Point of Sale is the trusted solution used by business owners around the world to process payments, sell anywhere, and manage their customer base. With fast checkout flows, built-in customer management, and intuitive sales reporting, Square Point of Sale makes it easy to run a business customers love. : Square launches with three point of sale (POS) software products and three versatile payment terminals, offering both mobile and brick mortar businesses fully integrated POS software, reliable and secure payments acceptance, and one transparent processing rate. With no long-term commitments or subscription fees, the systems are designed for businesses and their employees to get started quickly. Square for Restaurants harnesses its POS expertise with an industry-specific integrated set of tools for food and beverage merchants that would ordinarily require multiple vendors, all under one umbrella. harnesses its POS expertise with an industry-specific integrated set of tools for food and beverage merchants that would ordinarily require multiple vendors, all under one umbrella. Square Appointments is an all-in-one POS for booking, payments, team management, and more. It's built for beauty, personal care, and wellness sellers who benefit from online scheduling, automatic reminders, and payment processing to run everything easily from one place. is an all-in-one POS for booking, payments, team management, and more. It's built for beauty, personal care, and wellness sellers who benefit from online scheduling, automatic reminders, and payment processing to run everything easily from one place. Square Register, Square Terminal, and Square Reader are versatile, easy-to-set-up devices. For a limited time, new Square sellers will be able to buy their first unit at a reduced price: Square Register will be priced at 299 (usually 599 ), Square Terminal will be 99 (usually 165 ), and Square Reader will be completely free (usually 19 ) all available on Square Shop. are versatile, easy-to-set-up devices. For a limited time, new Square sellers will be able to buy their first unit at a reduced price: Square Register will be priced at 299 (usually 599 ), Square Terminal will be 99 (usually 165 ), and Square Reader will be completely free (usually 19 ) all available on Square Shop. eCommerce and online payments : No matter what you sell, Square makes it easy to start selling it online. Square Online is Square's fully integrated e-commerce platform that automatically syncs inventory and orders with any Square point of sale. Square Online supports sellers across a variety of verticals: from easily enabling click-and-collect for local business, to a QR code ordering platform allowing diners to order and pay from their mobile device, to a full ecommerce website with social media integrations for retail. Square Online offers a feature-rich free plan (just pay for processing when you make a sale) as well as a variety of paid subscription plans and payment processing is competitively priced.. Online Checkout to quickly sell online via embeddable buy buttons and payment links. Virtual Terminal to use a computer to take payments remotely. Square Invoices to help businesses send professional, digital estimates and invoices and get paid faster. E-Gift cards that can be sold online and in-store, to help boost sales and attract new customers. : No matter what you sell, Square makes it easy to start selling it online. Robust business tools to power operations : Square manages the behind-the-scenes details, giving time back to merchants to focus on running their business. Tools include: Team Management, to streamline timecards and staffing. Kitchen Display System (Square KDS), to expedite kitchen operations including managing delivery orders. App Marketplace with seamlessly integrated apps to unlock even more functionality: Square integrates with ecommerce tools like PrestaShop, WooCommerce, Wix and Ecwid, as well as accounting platforms Quaderno and CommerceSync, and ordering platforms such as Deliverect. Suite of API's enabling developers to create solutions for sellers: Our APIs and SDKs enable developers to build custom applications that can seamlessly integrate with the rest of our ecosystem of products. : Square manages the behind-the-scenes details, giving time back to merchants to focus on running their business. Tools include: An Early Access Programme with applications from a broad range of industries The company's Early Access Programme, which started in September 2021 with limited places for beta testers, saw registrations from companies and self-employed people across multiple sectors including restaurants and hospitality, professional services, beauty, retail as well as health and wellness. Some of the Spanish establishments that have already been able to enjoy Square's services in advance are Pasteleria Tallon, Valentine and Hop Hop Hurrah. "At Square, our growth is directly tied to our customers' growth when they succeed, we succeed," says Jason Lalor, European Executive Director at Square. "Our Early Access Programme has been very well received by Spanish business owners and now, with the official launch, we're excited to partner with all types of businesses across Spain and continue to help them grow." Square products and services are available in Spain starting today. To learn more about getting started with Square, visit https://squareup.com/es/es *This pricing is limited to one device per merchant. T&C's apply. About Square Square helps sellers more easily run and grow their businesses with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions. Square offers purpose-built software to run complex restaurants and retail operations, versatile e-commerce tools, embedded financial services and banking products, an appointment booking platform, staff management and payroll capabilities, and much more all of which work together to save sellers time and effort. Millions of sellers across the globe trust Square to power their business and help them thrive in the economy. Square is part of Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ), a global technology company with a focus on financial services. For more information, visit www.squareup.com. Squareup International Limited, operating under the Square brand name, is an authorised entity subject to the supervision of the Central Bank of Ireland. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005134/en/ Contacts: ONA PR Ana Mohamed Angy Morales Square@onapr.es +34 699 47 17 38 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday and recovered most of the previous session's losses amid an increasingly tight supply market. Benchmark Brent crude futures climbed 1.3 percent to $86.56 a barrel, while WTI crude futures were up 1.3 percent at $84.41. Growing tension in Eastern Europe and the Middle East fueled investors' concerns over potential supply disruptions. After NATO said it was putting forces on standby and reinforcing Eastern Europe with more ships and fighter jets, Russia accused the West of 'hysteria' and putting out information 'laced with lies.' In the Middle East, Yemen's Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, launched its latest missile attack at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday. The attack targeted a base hosting the U.S. military but was thwarted by U.S.-built Patriot interceptors, according to U.S. and UAE officials. As OPEC+ struggles to reach its output target, investors now await crude oil supply data from the American Petroleum Institute and Energy Information Administration for further direction. 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. BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German business confidence improved at the start of the year as companies expect the disruptions from the Omicron variant to ease in coming months, survey results from the ifo Institute showed on Tuesday. The business climate index rose to 95.7 in January from revised 94.8 in the previous month. The reading was forecast to remain unchanged at 94.7. While companies' assessments of the current situation were somewhat less positive, their expectations improved considerably in January. The current situation index came in at 96.1, down from 96.9 in December and economists' forecast of 96.3. Meanwhile, the expectations index advanced to 95.2 in January from 92.7 in the previous month. The expected score was 93.0. The German economy is starting the New Year with a glimmer of hope, Clemens Fuest President to the ifo Institute said. With the Omicron wave likely to recede in February and March, the economy should return to growth in the first quarter, Andrew Kenningham, an economist at Capital Economics, said. The economy is expected to grow 0.5 percent sequentially. In manufacturing, business sentiment jumped significantly as companies were more satisfied with their current business, the survey showed. Also, they were more optimistic about the coming months. In the service sector, business confidence rose again after falling for three consecutive months. Pessimism disappeared from companies' expectations. However, service providers were less satisfied with their current situation. The business climate improved in trade. While companies' assessments of their current situation were slightly worse, their expectations brightened noticeably. In construction, the business climate index rose. Companies were somewhat more satisfied with their current business. The expectations indicator also rose. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Achieved industry-first 200 meter OPA range milestone Exceeded 2021 revenue guidance; 32% sequential revenue growth from Q3 '21 Increased customer count to nearly 400 and global partners to over 50 Units shipped increased >50% from Q3 to Q4 '21 Average deal size expanded: 8 deals >$150k in Q4 '21 Expanded traction in industrial automation; initial customer wins in 2021 Headcount up >35% in 2021 Quanergy Systems, Inc. ("Quanergy" or the "Company"), a leading provider of OPA-based solid state LiDAR sensors and smart 3D solutions for automotive and IoT, today provided an update on the significant progress in its technological advancements and customer solutions since the announcement of its intended business combination with CITIC Capital Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: CCAC) in June 2021. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named Quanergy Systems, Inc. and is expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol "QNGY." The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Today Quanergy has nearly 400 customers, 50 partnerships and over 130 employees worldwide. Quanergy made considerable progress on its business and technology advancements including: On June 29, 2021, the Company announced a strategic collaboration with Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST), to focus on bringing affordable, smart LiDAR and 3D perception technologies to market, with Sensata Technologies providing insights to Quanergy on manufacturability, cost reduction, sourcing, and go-to-market strategies. On July 13, 2021, the Company was selected by PARIFEX, a leading solution provider in project management for speed enforcement and smart cities, to deploy Quanergy's M-Series 3D-LiDAR sensors for highway speed monitoring and enforcement with the French Ministry of the Interior. On July 20, 2021, the Company announced that its MQ-8 LiDAR sensor and proprietary perception software QORTEX DTC had been selected to support the first V2X Smart City development in South Korea. On July 27, 2021, the Company announced a new smart LiDAR deployment automating waste plant operations for Puxiang Bioenergy, in partnership with Hunan University and Bridge Health Intelligent Technology. On August 3, 2021, the Company announced the successful driving demonstration of its S3 Series LiDAR, a true solid-state LiDAR sensor using an industry-first Optical Phased Array (OPA) technology and a scalable CMOS silicon manufacturing process for cost-effective, mass-market production, from a close proximity to a distance of 100 meters in bright sunlight. On September 28, 2021, the Company appointed Karen Francis DeGolia to its Board as an independent director. Ms. DeGolia is an experienced CEO, director and strategic advisor with a deep knowledge of corporate governance and a strong track record of successfully building companies and businesses across multiple industries, with experience serving on the Board of companies such as Vontier, TuSimple, Nauto, and Wind River. On October 28, 2021, the Company announced the release of QORTEX DTC 2.2, the latest version of its 3D perception software, designed for advanced smart city and security applications. On November 16, 2021, the Company announced the debut of its new M1 Edge 2D LiDAR sensors, which pair with Quanergy's QORTEX AWARE perception software. The M1 Edge offers 3x price/performance advantage vs incumbent solutions. On December 14, 2021, the Company announced a partnership with Securitas France to provide the security industry's first remote mobile surveillance solution with 3D LiDAR integration. The solution will utilize Quanergy's M-Series LiDAR sensors to secure temporary and remote sites like construction sites, storage areas, parking areas, and more. On January 5, 2022, the Company announced the successful demonstration of its OPA-based solid-state LiDAR technology out to a range of 200 meters. On January 13, 2022, Quanergy was selected as the winner of the "Smart City Innovation of the Year" from IoT Breakthrough awards program. On January 19, 2022, Quaunergy named Kevin Amiri Senior Vice President Operations to Maximize Long Term Growth. Quanergy exits 2021 with strong momentum: with strong business growth: Sensors units shipped increased by more than 50% from Q3 to Q4 2021; Average deal size continued to expand; in Q4 2021 the company secured 8 deals larger than $150k; Traction in Industrial Automation market continued to expand, with initial customer wins in 2021; and Talent continued to grow, with the Company's headcount growing by more than 35% since the year prior. "We have diligently executed on our business plan," said Dr. Kevin J. Kennedy, CEO at Quanergy. "We are poised for growth in the coming years as we commit to the further expansion of our portfolio of smart LiDAR solutions for the IoT and Automotive markets." For more information, visit www.quanergy.com About Quanergy Systems, Inc. Quanergy Systems' mission is to create powerful, affordable smart LiDAR solutions for automotive and IoT applications to enhance people's experiences and safety. Quanergy has developed the only true 100% solid-state CMOS LiDAR sensor built on optical phased array (OPA) technology to enable the mass production of low-cost, highly reliable 3D LiDAR solutions. Through Quanergy's smart LiDAR solutions, businesses can now leverage real-time, advanced 3D insights to transform their operations in a variety of industries including industrial automation, physical security, smart cities, smart spaces and much more. Quanergy solutions are deployed by nearly 400 customers across the globe. For more information, please visit us at www.quanergy.com. Important Information about the Business Combination and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction (the "Business Combination"), CCAC filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials, and plans to file with the SEC other documents regarding the Business Combination with Quanergy. CCAC urges its investors, shareholders and other interested persons to read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC and documents incorporated by reference therein because these documents will contain important information about CCAC, Quanergy and the proposed Business Combination. CCAC has also commenced mailing the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and a proxy card to each shareholder of CCAC as of the record date established for voting on the proposed Business Combination and will contain important information about the proposed Business Combination and related matters. Shareholders of CCAC and other interested persons are advised to read these materials (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and any other relevant documents in connection with CCAC's solicitation of proxies for the meeting of shareholders to be held to approve, among other things, the proposed Business Combination because they will contain important information about CCAC, Quanergy and the proposed Business Combination. Shareholders can also obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction without charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: CITIC Capital Acquisition Corp., 28/F CITIC Tower, 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Central, Hong Kong, Attention: Fanglu Wang, telephone: +852 3710 6888. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release. Participants in the Solicitation CCAC, Quanergy and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from CCAC's shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination. CCAC's shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of CCAC, including their ownership of CCAC's securities in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination, which was filed with the SEC on January 6, 2022. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to CCAC's shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination are set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed Business Combination are included in the proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph. No Offer or Solicitation This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of CCAC or Quanergy, nor shall there be any sale of any such 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 such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act. Unaudited preliminary revenue and cash The estimates of Quanergy's 2021 revenue and end-of-year cash and cash equivalents is preliminary and subject to completion, including the completion of audit procedures as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result, the unaudited preliminary revenue and cash and cash equivalents set forth herein reflects Quanergy's preliminary estimate with respect to such information, based on information currently available to management, and may vary from its actual financial position as of December 31, 2021. Further, this preliminary estimate is not a comprehensive statement or estimate of Quanergy's financial results or financial condition as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021. The unaudited preliminary revenue and cash and cash equivalents amounts included herein have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, Quanergy's management. Grant Thornton, Quanergy's independent registered public accounting firm, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the unaudited preliminary revenue or cash and cash equivalents. It is possible that Quanergy or Grant Thornton may identify items that require Quanergy to make adjustments to the financial information set forth herein. This preliminary estimate should not be viewed as a substitute for financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and they are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved in any future period. Accordingly, you should not draw any conclusions based on the foregoing preliminary estimate and should not place undue reliance on this preliminary estimate. Quanergy assumes no duty to update this preliminary estimate except as required by law. Quanergy expects to complete its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 subsequent to the closing of the Business Combination. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward- looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," "project," "anticipate," "will likely result" and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, including those regarding our expectations for full year 2021 revenue, our expectations for growth in the coming years including the expansion of our portfolio of smart LiDAR solutions, our anticipated market acceptance of our products, including LiDAR technology and perception software, CCAC's ability to consummate the proposed Business Combination, anticipated timing of the proposed Business Combination, and the combined company's future products and growth are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the respective management of CCAC and Quanergy and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of CCAC or Quanergy. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the proposed Business Combination, including the risk that any regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed Business Combination or that the approval of the shareholders of CCAC or Quanergy is not obtained; the inability to complete the PIPE offering in connection with the Business Combination; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; risk relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Quanergy; the amount of redemption requests made by CCAC's shareholders; the overall level of consumer demand for Quanergy's products; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence, preferences, and behavior; disruption and volatility in the global currency, capital, and credit markets; the ability to maintain the listing of Quanergy's securities on the New York Stock Exchange; the financial strength of Quanergy's customers; Quanergy's ability to implement its business strategy; changes in governmental regulation, Quanergy's exposure to litigation claims and other loss contingencies; disruptions and other impacts to Quanergy's business, as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and government actions and restrictive measures implemented in response; stability of Quanergy's suppliers, as well as consumer demand for its products, in light of disease epidemics and health-related concerns such as the COVID-19 global pandemic; the impact that global climate change trends may have on Quanergy and its suppliers and customers; Quanergy's ability to protect patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights; any breaches of, or interruptions in, Quanergy's information systems; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of electricity and other raw materials and contracted products as well as foreign currency fluctuations; Quanergy's ability to utilize potential net operating loss carryforwards; changes in tax laws and liabilities, tariffs, legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. The foregoing list of potential risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. More information on potential factors that could affect CCAC's or Quanergy's financial results is included from time to time in CCAC's public reports filed with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K as well as the other documents CCAC has filed, or will file, with the SEC, including the final amended registration statement on Form S-4 that will include proxy statements/prospectus that CCAC will file with the SEC in connection with CCAC's solicitation of proxies for the meeting of shareholders to be held to approve, among other things, the proposed Business Combination. If any of these risks materialize or CCAC's or Quanergy's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward- looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither CCAC nor Quanergy presently know, or that CCAC and Quanergy currently believe are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward- looking statements reflect CCAC's and Quanergy's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Neither CCAC nor Quanergy gives assurance that either CCAC or Quanergy, or the combined company, will achieve its expectations. CCAC and Quanergy anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause their assessments to change. However, while CCAC and Quanergy may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, CCAC and Quanergy specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing CCAC's or Quanergy's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005606/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Neal Stein Media@quanergy.com Investor Contact: QuanergyIR@ICRinc.com NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global market for decorative exterior materials is anticipated to witness a growth rate of around 5.4% over the decade. Market growth is anticipated to be attributed by rise in urbanization, growing construction sector, and growth in living standard across regions. Growing demand for window frames and exterior doors will boost the market over the coming years owing to increment in the construction of residential, institutional, as well as commercial buildings, especially in developing nations. Increase in population in the Asia Pacific region and Africa is also benefiting the consumption rate as growth in population requires more living spaces. Growth in per capita expenditure in the past few years uplifted the market. People had invested significantly in interiors as well as exteriors all over the globe. Further, this expenditure is anticipated to continue as the net income of individuals keeps rising. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted market growth to a significant extent in 2020 owing to nationwide lockdowns and restrictions in movement. This put a hold on the construction sector and also the decoration industry. Owing to standstill in the construction of residential, commercial and institutional buildings, consumption of exterior wall materials, furniture, flooring materials also decreased. Request for sample copy of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/33002 Key Takeaways from Market Study Global demand for decorative exterior materials is forecasted to reach a value of US$ 432 Bn by 2031. by 2031. North America is anticipated to remain one of the key markets accounting for around 23% of global market share. is anticipated to remain one of the key markets accounting for around 23% of global market share. The automotive exterior segment is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 5.4% over the decade. The market in India is expected to grow substantially over the next ten years. is expected to grow substantially over the next ten years. The commercial segment is anticipated to remain a key end user and account for more than 50% market share by value. "Key market participants are focusing on strategic expansions and innovations in the industry of decorative exterior materials to boost their annual turnover," says a Persistence Market Research analyst. Competitive Landscape The global market for decorative exterior materials has been identified as a fragmented space owing to substantial presence of key market participants along with a large number of small and medium players. Get customized reports as per requirement: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/request-customization/33002 Some of the key market players included in the report are LX Hausys Ltd., Klockner Pentaplast Group, OMNOVA Solutions, Inc., ERGIS S.A., AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION, Folienwerk Wolfen GmbH, Mondoplastico S.p.A., RENOLIT, AVI Global Plast Pvt. Ltd., Hanwha L&C, Fine Decor GmbH, RTP Company, Inc., Covestro AG, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings N.V., PROTECHNIC SA, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Schuco International KG, and Saint Gobain S.A. Key market participants are expected to maintain a competitive environment all over the globe. Key market participants are focusing on expansion through acquisitions, collaborations, and entering into emerging economies. They are also focusing on launching new and innovative products that are associated with low carbon emissions. In September 2021, Schuco International KG entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in facade fabricator Alufit. Conclusion The global business of decorative exterior materials is projected to witness a significant growth rate owing to the growing construction sector and increasing per capita expenditure. Rising urbanization is boosting the construction of more residential and commercial buildings, which has bolstered demand for cladding, flooring materials, furniture, doors, and windows. Further, increase in per capita income is also boosting demand for vehicles, which is enhancing the consumption of paints & coatings and laminates used in cars. Several market participants are focusing on strategic expansions and partnerships to increase their global footprint. Key players are further focusing on increasing their investments in research & development to cater growing demand from end users. Get full access of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/33002 More Valuable Insights on Offer Persistence Market Research, a research and consulting firm, has published a new market research report on the global decorative exterior materials market that contains industry analysis of 2016-2020 and opportunity assessment for 2021-2031. The report provides in-depth analysis of the market through different segments, namely, application, end use, and region. The report also provides supply and demand trends along with an overview of the parent market. Related Reports: Decorative Laminates Market Decorative Films Foils Market Decorative Concrete Market About Persistence Market Research: Persistence Market Research (PMR), as a 3rd-party research organization, does operate through an exclusive amalgamation of market research and data analytics for helping businesses ride high, irrespective of the turbulence faced on the account of financial/natural crunches. Overview: Persistence Market Research is always way ahead of its time. In other words, it tables market solutions by stepping into the companies'/clients' shoes much before they themselves have a sneak pick into the market. The pro-active approach followed by experts at Persistence Market Research helps companies/clients lay their hands on techno-commercial insights beforehand, so that the subsequent course of action could be simplified on their part. Contact Rajendra Singh Persistence Market Research U.S. Sales Office: 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York City, NY 10007 +1-646-568-7751 United States USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661339/Persistence_Market_Research.jpg Oscillate Plc - Company Update, Notice of AGM and Board Changes THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014, AS AMENDED ("MAR"). ON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE ("RIS"), THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. Oscillate plc AQSE: MUSH ("Oscillate plc" or the "Company") COMPANY UPDATE, NOTICE OF AGM AND BOARD CHANGES NOTICE OF AGM AND COMPANY UPDATE The Company is pleased to announce that Notice of Annual General Meeting ("AGM") is being posted today, convening the Company's AGM, to be held at Langton House, 81 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AQ, at 10:30 a.m. on 25 February 2022. A copy of the AGM Notice with a company update will shortly be available on the Company's website at: https://oscillateplc.com/ BOARD CHANGES The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Fungai Ndoro as a Non-Executive Director of the Company with immediate effect. Fungai Ndoro is an experienced small cap corporate financier who specialises in working with growth companies. She has worked in the City for over a decade and has spent most of her career as a corporate financier at Peterhouse Capital Limited, advising public companies and executing a broad spectrum of corporate transactions, including IPOs, acquisitions and disposals, CVAs, open offers and structural reorganisations for corporate clients on the London Stock Exchange (including AIM) and AQSE. Over her career, Fungai has executed the structuring and launch of several companies. Fungai is currently an Executive Director of AQSE quoted Quetzal Capital Limited, Non-Executive Director of Hydrogen Future Industries plc and Helium Ventures plc and is an independent consultant providing strategic guidance and advice to start-ups and growth companies, in various sectors, on corporate governance frameworks and capital market transactions. Further information on Fungai Ndoro (aged 35): Fungai Ndoro does not currently hold shares in the Company. Current Directorships Previous Directorships FN Advisory Limited Quetzal Capital plc Helium Ventures plc Hydrogen Future Industries plc V22 London Limited Except as set out above, there is no further information regarding Fungai Ndoro, that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 4.9 of the AQSE Growth Market Access Rulebook. Concurrent with the appointment of Fungai Ndoro, Non-Executive Chairman, Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi has retired his role as Director of the company with immediate effect. Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi commented, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all shareholders for their support whilst a Director of Oscillate plc. As my time as Chairman of the Company reaches its conclusion, my support as a shareholder continues. I welcome Fungai Ndoro to the Board of Oscillate, Fungai is a highly experienced and successful corporate financier and has a lot of experience in conducting Reverse Takeover transactions." The Company will look to make further board changes in the near future. Conrad Windham, Executive Director stated: "The board would like to place on record its immense gratitude to Mr Tennent-Bhohi for his stewardship of the Company, since leading the recapitalisation and restructure of the Company in June 2019, and wishes him the very best for his future endeavours." The Directors of the Company, who have issued this RIS announcement after due and careful enquiry, accept responsibility for its content. Enquiries Company: Conrad Windham (Executive Director) Info@Oscillateplc.com Corporate Adviser: Peterhouse Capital Limited Guy Miller & Mark Anwyl Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7220 9796 The off-grid solar supplier said the fact its latest finance package is denominated in local currency will help encourage African commercial banks to be more ready to back PV.English off-grid solar company Bboxx says it has secured a Kenyan shilling-denominated loan to fund enough solar products to benefit 470,000 people in the East African state over the next two years. The London-based business, which bills itself as a "next-generation utility," said the fact the KES1.6 billion (12.3 million) loan is denominated in local currency will encourage other commercial lenders in Africa to fund solar ... 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 25, 2022 / Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) is pleased to report Hannan has doubled the number of systematic channel samples collected at the Tabalosos East prospect within the San Martin JOGMEC Joint Venture ("JV") sediment-hosted copper-silver project in Peru (Figure 1). Results continue to demonstrate high grades with continuity. Highlights: Definition of a new zone of mineralization at Renaco that extends mineralization 3 kilometres further south than previously recognized, where a total of 17 channels average 1.1 metres @ 2.1% copper and 29 g/t silver . Highlights at Renaco include some of the highest grades seen on the project to date (Figure 2): CH3927: 0.4 metres @ 10.8% copper and 124 g/t silver CH243: 2.5 metres @ 2.7% copper and 61 g/t silver CH22317: 0.9 metres @ 4.4% copper and 76 g/t silver than previously recognized, where a total of . Highlights at Renaco include some of the highest grades seen on the project to date (Figure 2): Systematic surface channel sampling of the mineralized copper shale at surface has been conducted over 5 separate areas within a 9-kilometre-long by 1-kilometre-wide area that is interpreted to extend with shallow dips to the west for between 2-4 kilometres, with a target depth ranging from surface to 500 metres (Figures 2 and 3). New channel results include (Table 1): CH4321: 3.0 metres @ 3.4% copper and 36 g/t silver CH22330: 1.4 metres @ 5.5% copper and 68 g/t silver CH3917: 2.8 metres @ 1.9% copper and 34 g/t silver Across Tabalosos East, which represents only 1% of Hannan's 656 sq km of tenure at the San Martin JV area, a total of 91 channels average 1.0 metre @ 1.9% copper and 28 g/t silver using a lower cut of 0.5% copper over 0.2 metres and range from 3.0 metres @ 3.4% copper and 36 g/t silver to 0.2 metres @ 0.6% copper and 2 g/t silver. Widths and grades remain consistent with the drill discovery of the Kupferschiefer copper-silver deposits in 1957. A geophysical trial induced-polarization pole-dipole survey will commence in February at Tabalosos East with the aim to map mineralization to depth. A public participation meeting with all stakeholders, to conclude the DIA drill permitting field work component, is expected to be held in February when recently implemented Peruvian COVID-19 capacity restrictions are lifted. Michael Hudson, CEO, states "Comprehensive channel sampling provides further excitement, with average widths and grades continuing to show context with drill numbers found during the discovery of the vast Kupferschiefer copper-silver deposits. We have also extended mineralization via channel sampling a further 3 kilometres south into the Renaco area with some of the highest grades we have seen on the project to date including channeling 0.4 metres @ 10.8% copper and 124 g/t silver. With social and geophysical programs planned for February we highly anticipate moving toward our maiden drill program in this expanding mineral system around the middle of the year". At San Martin outcrop is extremely poor with <1% exposed rock in the area. Individual outcrops were located with the aid of soil samples and LiDAR surveying. Nevertheless, Hannan's detailed geological facies analysis across the project has identified the economic geological implications for high-grade stratabound sediment hosted copper mineralization that may have significant lateral continuity. Copper mineralization is located at the base of a transition between the Sarayaquillo Formation and the Cushabatay Formation. This transition has previously been recognized in the district in academic literature, but is not well documented. The mineralized zone is located in the transition between fluvial-aeolian sediments and the onset of marine sedimentation. Copper mineralization is hosted in well-sorted sediments with the main reductant consisting of carbonized plant fragments varying in size from silt to several decimetres, at the top of a red-bed unit. Furthermore, initial observations suggest that the mineralization is mineralogically very simple with the dominant hypogene copper minerals being chalcocite and minor cuprite. Overall, the mineralization is extremely sulfur poor and very little sulfides can be observed in hand specimens. Leaching of the copper mineralization by supergene processes has been observed by Hannan geologists in some zones of Tabalosos and it is possible that the mineralization will show higher grades at depth due to the absence of surface leaching. Context with the discovery of the Kupferschiefer Sediment-hosted stratiform copper-silver deposits are among the two most important copper sources in the world, the other being copper porphyries. They are also a major producer of silver. KGHM Polska Miedz's ("KGHM") three copper-silver sediment-hosted mines in Poland (the "Kupferschiefer") were the leading silver producer in the world and seventh largest global copper miner in 2020. Quoted resources in 2019 for KGHM were 1,518 Mt @ 1.86% copper and 55 g/t silver from a mineralized zone that averages 0.4 metres to 5.5 metres thickness. To provide context, Hannan's widths and grade (0.9 metre @ 1.9 % copper and 27 g/t silver) from 105 channel surface samples reported here at San Martin (lower cut 0.5% copper), within an area about 9 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, compare with those found during the initial modern-day drill discovery of the Kupferschiefer copper-silver deposits. In 1957 the discovery drillhole (Sieroszowice IG 1) intersected 2.0 metres @ 1.5% copper at the depth of 657 metres. In 1959 the Lubin-Sieroszowice deposit, based on the results from 24 drillholes contained 1,365 Mt @ 1.4% copper and 26 g/t silver in indicated resources, with a thickness ranging between 0.2-13.1 metres in an area about 28 kilometres long and 6 kilometres wide between 400 metres and 1,000 metres depth. Hannan's sampling, to date, has been confined to surface channel sampling, although mineralization at Tabalosos East is interpreted to extend with shallow dips to the west for between 2-4 kilometres, with a target depth ranging from surface to 500 metres (Figure 3). Technical Background All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Rock and sediment samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using traceable parcels. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2mm, 250g riffle split, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. The crushers and pulverizes were cleaned with barren material after every sample. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four acid digest preformed on 0.25g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN) (OTCPK: HANNF) Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by tenured area in Peru. Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. On behalf of the Board, "Michael Hudson" Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO Further Information www.hannanmetals.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary, +1 (604) 685 9316, info@hannanmetals.com Forward Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve 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 statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news. Table 1: Results from 91 channel samples from Tabalosos East reported through August 2021 to current date. Lower cut >0.5 % copper over 0.2 metres. Channel samples average of 1.0 metres @ 1.9% copper and 28 g/t silver. Grid projection WGS84 Zone 54 South ESPG:32718. Hole UTME UTMN From (m) To (m) Width (m) Cu% Ag ppm Reported date CH4321 315191 9291943 1.1 4.1 3.0 3.4 36 here CH23760 313990 9291964 0.0 2.0 2.0 4.9 62 9-Aug-21 CH3860 312531 9294550 0.0 2.8 2.8 3.3 49 20-Sep-21 CH22330 314051 9293379 0.0 1.4 1.4 5.5 68 here CH243 315635 9290654 0.7 3.2 2.5 2.7 61 here CH23999 314038 9293412 0.0 1.2 1.2 5.4 62 9-Aug-21 CH3917 312980 9294375 0.2 3.0 2.8 1.9 34 here CH207 313998 9291961 1.2 2.1 0.9 5.6 51 here CH3891 314038 9293411 0.0 1.6 1.6 3.0 34 30-Nov-21 CH3927 312083 9295880 0.8 1.2 0.4 10.8 124 here CH3803 314047 9293404 0.0 0.7 0.7 5.9 70 9-Aug-21 CH22317 315691 9290491 2.5 3.4 0.9 4.4 76 here CH211 313994 9291957 4.1 5.3 1.2 3.3 34 here CH22309 316025 9289377 0.0 1.5 1.5 2.6 29 here CH3824 313911 9291977 0.0 0.6 0.6 5.0 139 9-Aug-21 CH23764 314341 9291977 0.0 0.4 0.4 7.2 163 9-Aug-21 CH4520 315795 9290211 0.0 2.3 2.3 1.2 14 here CH49 313984 9291968 0.5 1.5 1.0 2.8 45 here CH23763 314355 9291977 0.0 0.4 0.4 6.3 152 9-Aug-21 CH101 313553 9295172 0.0 3.1 3.1 0.8 10 20-Sep-21 CH23640 312515 9294485 0.0 2.7 2.7 0.9 17 here CH4310 314136 9291859 0.5 1.4 0.9 2.7 39 30-Nov-21 CH22331 314108 9293297 0.7 1.9 1.2 2.1 24 here CH22301 313979 9291959 1.5 4.7 3.2 0.7 11 here CH3862 312531 9294540 0.0 2.0 2.0 1.1 14 20-Sep-21 CH62 314169 9291861 0.7 2.1 1.4 1.5 30 here CH43 313967 9291968 1.0 2.5 1.5 1.4 21 here CH23992 313967 9291967 0.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 19 9-Mar-21 CH4313 314296 9291961 3.5 5.2 1.7 1.2 27 30-Nov-21 CH226 315493 9290591 0.7 2.0 1.3 1.6 20 here CH3888 315286 9291745 0.0 0.8 0.8 2.3 24 30-Nov-21 CH3818 313955 9291907 0.0 1.1 1.1 1.6 28 9-Aug-21 CH3896 314034 9293427 1.8 2.8 1.0 1.7 19 30-Nov-21 CH4336 315384 9290598 0.2 1.3 1.1 1.5 27 here CH215 314070 9291932 2.6 4.2 1.6 1.0 17 here CH3823 313910 9291978 0.0 0.7 0.7 2.3 40 9-Aug-21 CH23758 313984 9291966 0.0 1.3 1.3 1.2 18 9-Aug-21 CH23778 312936 9294177 1.4 1.6 0.2 6.9 89 20-Sep-21 CH4309 314126 9291862 0.0 0.4 0.4 3.4 30 30-Nov-21 CH58 314092 9291845 1.1 2.7 1.6 0.8 17 here CH114 312053 9295650 0.5 1.1 0.6 2.2 43 30-Nov-21 CH15 315794 9290237 2.0 2.8 0.8 1.7 19 here CH3821 313970 9291966 0.0 1.8 1.8 0.7 12 9-Aug-21 CH14 314414 9291977 0.0 0.3 0.3 4.3 56 20-Sep-21 CH23781 312937 9294175 0.0 0.2 0.2 6.0 63 20-Sep-21 CH201 313987 9291952 0.7 2.6 1.9 0.6 7 here CH237 315525 9290801 0.6 2.5 1.9 0.6 16 here CH3903 313184 9295770 1.5 1.9 0.4 2.7 35 here CH23784 313497 9295279 0.0 0.6 0.6 1.8 30 30-Nov-21 CH23993 313968 9291903 0.0 0.5 0.5 2.0 35 9-Mar-21 CH24 315808 9290283 0.8 1.3 0.5 1.9 10 here CH23787 312982 9294376 0.0 0.7 0.7 1.3 13 30-Nov-21 CH3908 313566 9295040 1.0 2.5 1.5 0.6 6 here CH3806 314093 9293333 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 9 9-Aug-21 CH22321 315657 9290599 3.0 4.3 1.3 0.7 12 here CH3846 313402 9295437 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 10 20-Sep-21 CH4507 315796 9290245 0.0 0.4 0.4 2.1 29 30-Nov-21 CH3803 314047 9293404 1.6 2.2 0.6 1.4 18 9-Aug-21 CH222 314346 9291976 0.7 1.8 1.1 0.8 23 here CH4326 315289 9291745 1.9 2.3 0.5 1.8 20 here CH109 312250 9295604 0.6 0.8 0.2 4.0 36 30-Nov-21 CH3891 314038 9293411 2.5 3.4 0.9 0.9 10 30-Nov-21 CH75 315304 9291243 0.3 0.9 0.6 1.2 15 here CH23998 314033 9293426 0.0 0.7 0.7 1.0 11 9-Aug-21 CH49 313984 9291968 2.0 3.0 1.1 0.6 9 here CH23991 313966 9291966 0.0 1.2 1.2 0.5 7 9-Mar-21 CH229 315533 9290795 0.8 1.1 0.3 1.9 30 here CH3814 314335 9291976 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.7 16 9-Aug-21 CH22326 314019 9293454 0.7 1.4 0.7 0.7 8 here CH4508 314415 9291978 0.0 0.5 0.5 1.0 10 30-Nov-21 CH23791 312307 9295506 2.4 2.6 0.2 2.3 21 30-Nov-21 CH3858 312937 9294178 0.0 0.2 0.2 2.2 27 20-Sep-21 CH23775 312531 9294540 0.0 0.3 0.3 1.5 20 20-Sep-21 CH3814 314335 9291976 2.0 2.4 0.4 1.1 16 9-Aug-21 CH233 315548 9290777 0.6 1.0 0.4 1.1 12 here CH23786 313355 9295498 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.8 9 30-Nov-21 CH23790 312310 9295500 2.2 2.8 0.7 0.5 4 30-Nov-21 CH4333 315204 9291896 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.7 3 here CH23776 312940 9294179 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.6 8 20-Sep-21 CH2 313354 9295495 2.9 3.4 0.5 0.6 8 20-Sep-21 CH123 312737 9294437 3.2 3.5 0.3 0.9 11 here CH252 315586 9290719 1.0 1.3 0.3 0.9 13 here CH23778 312936 9294177 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.2 12 20-Sep-21 CH23762 314415 9291976 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.6 7 9-Aug-21 CH3853 315387 9290592 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.5 8 20-Sep-21 CH4542 313401 9295438 0.3 0.7 0.4 0.5 7 here CH129 311979 9296031 0.5 0.7 0.2 1.0 8 here CH22312 314432 9291983 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.8 11 here CH219 314092 9291926 1.0 1.2 0.2 0.9 6 here CH123 312737 9294437 1.9 2.2 0.3 0.5 6 here CH106 312988 9294371 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.8 18 20-Sep-21 SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685317/Hannan-Extends-Mineralization-by-3-Kilometres-Strike-at-San-Martin-Peru-Channel-Samples-04-Metres-108-Copper-and-124-gt-Silver The event saw participation from world-renowned Conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, who shared how corporations can drive real change in the world. P&G announced progress toward its Ambition 2030 goals at its regional Sustainability Summit. SINGAPORE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) today announced that it hosted its 2022 Sustainability Summit for the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa (AMA) region. Built on the theme "Hope for our Home", the Summit explored how corporations, non-profit organisations, governments and the wider community can work together to drive real change, bring hope to the world, and make it a better place to live. Hosted virtually, the event featured world-renowned Ethologist and Conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Circulate Capital Ocean Fund chief executive Rob Kaplan, as well as United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, who came together to address key issues surrounding climate change. At the summit, Dr Jane Goodall debunked the belief that corporations and non-profit organisations are standing at opposite sides. In a fireside chat with P&G Chief Brand Officer, Marc Pritchard, she shared that large corporations like P&G can take positive steps forward, create ripple effects around the globe, and encourage more consumers to take small, sustainable actions in their everyday lives. "With annual GDP growth seemingly more important than our grandchildren's future, the time is now to choose what sort of impact we can make. As more and more organizations like P&G drive change and join forces, there is hope. It's time to get a new mindset and to see things differently. Everything is connected, and every one of us can make a difference," said Dr Jane Goodall. During the Summit, P&G also announced regional progress made toward its Ambition 2030 Goals. With P&G President for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Magesvaran Suranjan, announcing the following progress made: In May 2021 , P&G pledged to launch 12 pilot reforestation projects in 12 months for its Forests for Good initiative. P&G has since launched more than 20 pilot reforestation projects in areas including the Jebal Ali Reserve Mangrove Forest in UAE, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range Forest in Philippines , the Embu Region in Kenya , along with other AMA countries including Uganda , Malaysia , Indonesia , and Thailand . , P&G pledged to launch 12 pilot reforestation projects in 12 months for its Forests for Good initiative. in areas including the Jebal Ali Reserve Mangrove Forest in UAE, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range Forest in , the Embu Region in , along with other AMA countries including , , , and . P&G will continue investments in programs to conserve landscapes, protect species, and improve sustainable farming practices . These include working with the World Wildlife Fund Malaysia and the Emirates Marine Environmental Group in UAE to protect the Malayan Tiger and the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle respectively. P&G established a Smallholder Farmers Program across palm plantations in Malaysia since 2018, to help improve sustainable farming practices and the wellbeing of farmers, their families, and communities. . These include working with the World Wildlife Fund Malaysia and the Emirates Marine Environmental Group in UAE to protect the Malayan Tiger and the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle respectively. P&G established a Smallholder Farmers Program across palm plantations in since 2018, to help improve sustainable farming practices and the wellbeing of farmers, their families, and communities. P&G has declared its commitment to run more than 85% of its plants across AMA on purchased renewable electricity by the end of 2022. To date, P&G has already achieved 87% with its AMA manufacturing sites. Apart from 100% of P&G's manufacturing sites being Zero Waste to Landfill, the company has also celebrated a significant milestone of having its first Zero Waste office in AMA, located in the Dubai site . P&G will progressively have more of these Zero Waste offices across the AMA region. . P&G will progressively have more of these Zero Waste offices across the AMA region. P&G has announced support for the Jane Goodall Institute and its flagship Roots & Shoots Program, which encourages and enables youth action to implement projects within P&G and in local communities that help animals and the planet. Magesvaran Suranjan said: "We are fully committed to making a positive impact in the world and creating a sustainable future for generations to come. By integrating sustainability into the way that we do business every day, all of us at P&G are empowered to make a meaningful difference for our environment." P&G AMA's Executive Sponsor of Sustainability, and Senior Vice President of P&G Japan, Standa Vecera commented: "We've already made significant progress over the past 10 years to reduce the environmental impact from our operations, and we know that we can do more. P&G has also set an ambition toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and will continue to step up with science-based targets to guide our efforts in being a Force for Good." Circulate Capital Ocean Fund CEO Rob Kaplan, and Actor, Producer and United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, also shared their thoughts on encouraging sustainable actions Rob Kaplan commented, "Nobody can stay on the side line. Sustainability is a team sport. It has to be at the core of both the company strategy and the operations in order to drive meaningful change. By working together there is hope." Dia Mirza said: "The Sustainable Development Goals are the North Star and if they are adopted and implemented everywhere we have a genuine chance of solving some of the biggest problems we face within this decade. Brands find a way into so many hearts and homes. If more brands like P&G leverage their power to drive change, there is hope for the planet." P&G is committed to accelerating action on climate change toward net zero GHG emissions by 2040. P&G has set a new ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and supply chain, from raw material to retailer, by 2040 as well as interim 2030 goals to make meaningful progress this decade. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1733310/image_809956_28945808.jpg PRINCETON, N.J. and BANGALORE, India, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indegene, a technology-led healthcare solutions provider today announced it established new Global Development Centers in Mexico, Poland and Ukraine to enable life sciences organizations accelerate their digital transformation. The life sciences industry is witnessing tremendous change with a growing focus on personalization, transformation of go-to-market models, and rapid adoption of real-world data and evidence to improve health outcomes. As life sciences organizations adapt to a digital-first operation, Indegene has emerged as a leading, specialist service provider(1) through its medical expertise, fit-for-purpose technology, and agile, global delivery model. Indegene's new Global Development Centers in Guadalajara (Mexico), Krakow and Rzeszow (Poland) and Lviv (Ukraine) build on these capabilities, support life sciences organizations nearshore and ensure business continuity. As life sciences organizations adopt agile practices to innovate and introduce life-saving products, Indegene's new centers help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations. The centers are initially focused on enabling enterprise-wide commercial and customer experience transformation, and will soon add capabilities in the medical and clinical elements of the life sciences value chain. Manish Gupta, Cofounder and CEO, Indegene said, "We are very impressed with the deep talent pool in Mexico, Poland and Ukraine. They have contemporary digital skills, great analytical abilities, and a nuanced understanding of user experience. We look forward to enhancing it with life sciences expertise and modern business process knowledge. Together, these skills open up tremendous career opportunities for a diverse, local talent community in a purpose-driven industry." Vivek Ghai, SVP, Indegene Enterprise Commercial added, "The ready availability of talent, reliable infrastructure, and the ability to serve customers in the same time zone sets our new centers up to scale quickly to about 700 team members over the next few years. As life sciences organizations balance global and local operating models, we are committed to enabling them with expertise and technology, wherever they operate around the world. The new centers get us closer to our clients and to advancing our purpose of enabling future ready healthcare." About Indegene Indegene is a technology-led healthcare solutions provider. It combines deep industry expertise with fit-for-purpose technology in an agile and scalable operating model. Many of the leading, global healthcare organizations rely on Indegene to deliver effective and efficient clinical, medical and commercial outcomes every day. From strategy to execution, Indegene enables healthcare organizations be future ready. To learn more about how Indegene delivers on its purpose, please visit www.indegene.com For media enquiries, please contact Shefali Kotnala shefali@spectrummails.com 1) Everest Group recognized Indegene as a Leader in its Life Sciences Commercial Services Specialists PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 There have been delays in mail deliveries for two years across the Lehigh Valley, but postal officials said Tuesday theyre confident residents will soon receive the free COVID-19 rapid tests they have ordered through the federal government. Test kits coming to the Lehigh Valley will probably either come from Philadelphia, or a possible site in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, said Andy Kubat, president of the Lehigh Valley Area Local American Postal Workers Union. The kits are going to be packed and shipped from those facilities and they should move through the system pretty easily. Advertisement There wont be any issues with postage; there wont be any issues with unreadable addresses. As long as the addresses are good, they should flow pretty well. President Joe Biden announced last week his administrations plan to send four free COVID-19 rapid tests to every American household. The effort, which some Lehigh Valley health experts say may be too late to ease the current surge, comes on the heels of an already strained postal system exacerbated by the pandemic. Advertisement Mail delays have been common across the region. Early last year, an audit found managers at the Lehigh Valleys main post office facility failed to process mail according to procedures and received mail from other facilities late. Then, in October, the service implemented new service standards, which caused longer delivery times for some mail. [ Heres how Lehigh Valley residents can get free N95 masks and COVID-19 tests ] The next month, The Morning Call reported the mail was so slow in Center City Allentown that one resident didnt get her mail-in ballot until after Election Day. However, Kubat said hes not seeing delays at the processing plant or at the parcel support annex, saying theyre current at both of those facilities. And, the amount of postal employees calling out sick due to the most recent surge has slowed, he said. We had our share of COVID cases within the service, as everyone else had, Kubat said. I think thats starting to wane a bit. Were getting fewer and fewer cases. Thats always a good thing. Biden announced in December the federal government would buy more than half a billion tests that it would provide to Americans free of charge. The government last week launched a website, covidtests.gov, to process orders, which are fulfilled through the U.S. Postal Service. The White House said tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering through USPS, which reports shipping times of 1-3 days for its first-class package service in the continental U.S. Dave Partenheimer, director of public relations for USPS, said carriers have begun delivery tests, and pointed to the busy holiday season to show how the agency has worked effectively to get mail delivered in a timely fashion. Advertisement USPS accepted more than 13.2 billion mailpieces and packages this holiday season with an average delivery time of less than three days during the 2021 holiday peak season, Partenheimer said. The strategies that yielded improvements to our peak season performance will allow the Postal Service to distribute test kits efficiently nationwide. These strategies, including additional staffing, an investment in new processing equipment and operational efficiencies, and an expanded facility footprint, mean test kits can get to the Americans who want them in a timely and efficient manner. Asked about reports of delayed mail deliveries, he said the service continues to address some localized delays caused by weather and other factors. Paul Smith, a Philadelphia-based spokesperson for the service, said its been an extraordinary year of unprecedented challenges given the COVID-19 pandemic. A job fair has been scheduled in the Valley in early February to reinforce the local workforce. Post offices in the Lehigh Valley area have taken steps to address issues caused by the pandemic by using additional carriers from nearby offices, authorizing overtime and continue to hold job fairs to try and staff accordingly, Smith said. Smith did not answer questions about how many days on average mail is delayed in the Lehigh Valley, how many complaints the agency has received about late deliveries across the region, and the reasons why deliveries have been delayed here. Advertisement Louis DeJoy, postmaster general and CEO, said the services 650,000 workers are ready to deliver and proud to play a critical role in supporting the health needs of the American public. 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, he said. Officials encourage residents to call 1-800-ASK-USPS with concerns or questions. Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com. We rely on the support of our subscribers to fund our journalism as we continue to cover the coronavirus crisis. If youre not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. Already a print subscriber? If you havent already, please activate your digital access. First participants enrolled in clinical trial received Omicron-based vaccine candidate as a two-dose primary series and as a booster dose NEW YORK and MAINZ, GERMANY, JANUARY 25, 2022 - Pfizer Inc. COVID-19 booster study and is part of their ongoing efforts to address Omicron and determine the potential need for variant-based vaccines. "While current research and real-world data show that boosters continue to provide a high level of protection against severe disease and hospitalization with Omicron, we recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address Omicron and new variants in the future," said Kathrin U. Jansen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research & Development at Pfizer. "Staying vigilant against the virus requires us to identify new approaches for people to maintain a high level of protection, and we believe developing and investigating variant-based vaccines, like this one, are essential in our efforts to towards this goal." "Vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe disease caused by Omicron. Yet, emerging data indicate vaccine-induced protection against infection and mild to moderate disease wanes more rapidly than was observed with prior strains," said Prof. Ugur Sahin, CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech. "This study is part of our science-based approach to develop a variant-based vaccine that achieves a similar level of protection against Omicron as it did with earlier variants but with longer duration of protection." The study will evaluate up to 1,420 participants across the three cohorts: Cohort #1 (n = 615): Received two doses of the current Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 90-180 days prior to enrollment; in the study, participants will receive one or two doses of the Omicron-based vaccine Cohort #2 (n = 600): Received three doses of the current Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 90-180 days prior to enrollment; in the study, participants will receive one dose of the current Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the Omicron-based vaccine Cohort #3 (n=205): Vaccine-naive participants will receive three doses of the Omicron-based vaccine Clinical and real-world data continue to find people who are vaccinated, particularly those that have received a booster, maintain a high level of protection against Omicron, particularly against severe disease and hospitalization. The companies have previously announced that they expect to produce four billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in 2022, and this capacity is not expected to change if an adapted vaccine is required. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is based on BioNTech's proprietary mRNA technology, was developed by both BioNTech and Pfizer. BioNTech is the Marketing Authorization Holder in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries, and the holder of emergency use authorizations or equivalents in the United States (jointly with Pfizer) and other countries. Submissions to pursue regulatory approvals in those countries where emergency use authorizations or equivalent were initially granted are planned. U.S. Indication & Authorized Use HOW IS THE VACCINE GIVEN? The vaccine will be given as an injection into the muscle. Primary Series: In individuals 5 years of age and older, the vaccine is administered as a 2-dose series, 3 weeks apart. In individuals 5 years of age and older, a third primary series dose may be administered at least 28 days after the second dose to individuals who are determined to have certain kinds of immunocompromise. Booster Dose: A single booster dose of the vaccine may be administered at least 5 months after completion of a primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) to individuals 12 years of age and older (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) to individuals 12 years of age and older A single booster dose of the vaccine may be administered to individuals 18 years of age and older who have completed primary vaccination with a different authorized COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals should check with their healthcare provider regarding timing of the booster dose WHAT IS THE INDICATION AND AUTHORIZED USE? The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has received EUA from FDA to provide: a 2-dose primary series to individuals 5 years of age and older a third primary series dose to individuals 5 years of age and older who have been determined to have certain kinds of immunocompromise a single booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have completed a primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) a single booster dose to individuals 18 years of age and older who have completed primary vaccination with a different authorized COVID-19 vaccine. The booster schedule is based on the labeling information of the vaccine used for the primary series COMIRNATY (COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA) is an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer for BioNTech. It is approved as a 2-dose series for prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older It is also authorized under EUA to provide: a 2-dose primary series to individuals 12 through 15 years of age a third primary series dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have been determined to have certain kinds of immunocompromise a single booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have completed a primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or COMIRNATY (COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA) a single booster dose to individuals 18 years of age and older who have completed primary vaccination with a different authorized COVID-19 vaccine. The booster schedule is based on the labeling information of the vaccine used for the primary series EUA Statement Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Individuals should not get the vaccine if they: had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine Individuals should tell the vaccination provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they: have any allergies have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have a fever have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects the immune system are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding have received another COVID-19 vaccine have ever fainted in association with an injection The vaccine may not protect everyone. Side effects reported with the vaccine include: There is a remote chance that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to 1 hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. For this reason, vaccination providers may ask individuals to stay at the place where they received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over the body, dizziness, and weakness If an individual experiences a severe allergic reaction, they should call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received the vaccine, more commonly in males under 40 years of age than among females and older males. In most of these people, symptoms began within a few days following receipt of the second dose of the vaccine. The chance of having this occur is very low. Individuals should seek medical attention right away if they have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine: chest pain shortness of breath feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart Additional side effects that have been reported with the vaccine include: severe allergic reactions; non-severe allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face; myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle); pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart); injection site pain; tiredness; headache; muscle pain; chills; joint pain; fever; injection site swelling; injection site redness; nausea; feeling unwell; swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy); decreased appetite; diarrhea; vomiting; arm pain; fainting in association with injection of the vaccine These may not be all the possible side effects of the vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The possible side effects of the vaccine are still being studied in clinical trials. Call the vaccination provider or healthcare provider about bothersome side effects or side effects that do not go away Data on administration of this vaccine at the same time as other vaccines have not yet been submitted to FDA. Individuals considering receiving this vaccine with other vaccines, should discuss their options with their healthcare provider. Patients should always ask their healthcare providers for medical advice about adverse events. Individuals are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the US Food and Drug Administrationor call 1-800-822-7967. In addition, side effects can be reported to Pfizer Inc. at www.pfizersafetyreporting.com or by calling 1-800-438-1985. Click for Fact Sheets and Prescribing Information for individuals 12 years of age and older Full Prescribing Information Full Prescribing Information EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers Recipients and Caregivers Fact Sheet Fact Sheets for individuals 5 through 11 years of age EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers Recipients and Caregivers Fact Sheet About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com . In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News , LinkedIn , YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer . Pfizer Disclosure Notice The information contained in this release is as of January 25, 2022. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments. This release contains forward-looking information about Pfizer's efforts to combat COVID-19, the collaboration between BioNTech and Pfizer to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine program, and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, also known as COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) (BNT162b2) (including an Omicron-based vaccine candidate and a study in adults 18 through 55 years of age, an expected multi-arm study in adults above 55 years of age, BNT162b2's potential against the Omicron variant, qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for clinical trials, the anticipated timing of data readouts, regulatory submissions, regulatory approvals or authorizations and anticipated manufacturing, distribution and supply) involving substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as risks associated with preclinical and clinical data (including the Phase 3 data), including the possibility of unfavorable new preclinical, clinical or safety data and further analyses of existing preclinical, clinical or safety data; the ability to produce comparable clinical or other results, including the rate of vaccine effectiveness and safety and tolerability profile observed to date, in additional analyses of the Phase 3 trial and additional studies or in larger, more diverse populations following commercialization; the ability of BNT162b2 or a potential variant-based vaccine to prevent COVID-19 caused by emerging virus variants; the risk that more widespread use of the vaccine will lead to new information about efficacy, safety, or other developments, including the risk of additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious; the risk that preclinical and clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including during the peer review/publication process, in the scientific community generally, and by regulatory authorities; whether and when additional data from the BNT162 mRNA vaccine program will be published in scientific journal publications and, if so, when and with what modifications and interpretations; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from these and any future preclinical and clinical studies; whether and when submissions to request emergency use or conditional marketing authorizations for a potential booster dose, pediatric populations and/or other biologics license and/or emergency use authorization applications or amendments to any such applications may be filed in particular jurisdictions for BNT162b2 or any other potential vaccines that may arise from the BNT162 program, including a potential variant-based vaccine, and if obtained, whether or when such emergency use authorizations or licenses will expire or terminate; whether and when any applications that may be pending or filed for BNT162b2 (including any requested amendments to the emergency use or conditional marketing authorizations) or other vaccines that may result from the BNT162 program may be approved by particular regulatory authorities, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the vaccine's benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the vaccine's efficacy and, if approved, whether it will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling or marketing, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of a vaccine, including development of products or therapies by other companies; disruptions in the relationships between us and our collaboration partners, clinical trial sites or third-party suppliers; the risk that demand for any products may be reduced or no longer exist; risks related to the availability of raw materials to manufacture a vaccine; challenges related to our vaccine's formulation, schedule and attendant storage, distribution and administration requirements, including risks related to storage and handling after delivery by Pfizer; the risk that we may not be able to successfully develop other vaccine formulations, booster doses or new variant-based vaccines; the risk that we may not be able to create or scale up manufacturing capacity on a timely basis or maintain access to logistics or supply channels commensurate with global demand for our vaccine, which would negatively impact our ability to supply the estimated numbers of doses of our vaccine within the projected time periods as previously indicated; whether and when additional supply agreements will be reached; uncertainties regarding the ability to obtain recommendations from vaccine advisory or technical committees and other public health authorities and uncertainties regarding the commercial impact of any such recommendations; challenges related to public vaccine confidence or awareness; uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Pfizer's business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results", as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com . About BioNTech Biopharmaceutical New Technologies is a next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. The Company exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic drug platforms for the rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals. Its broad portfolio of oncology product candidates includes individualized and off-the-shelf mRNA-based therapies, innovative chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bi-specific checkpoint immuno-modulators, targeted cancer antibodies and small molecules. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA vaccine development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline. BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global pharmaceutical collaborators, including Genmab, Sanofi, Bayer Animal Health, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Regeneron, Genevant, Fosun Pharma and Pfizer. For more information, please visit www.BioNTech.de . BioNTech Forward-looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" of BioNTech within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include, but may not be limited to, statements concerning: BioNTech's efforts to combat COVID-19; the collaboration between BioNTech and Pfizer including the program to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) (BNT162b2) (including the potential of a Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine candidate, the potential timing for the development of a Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine candidate, the testing of BNT162b2 against the Omicron variant, the effectiveness of a third booster dose of BNT162b2 to induce protection against Omicron-induced COVID-19 disease, and the timing for assessment of the effectiveness of a variant-specific COVID-19 vaccine, qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for clinical trials, the anticipated timing of regulatory submissions, regulatory approvals or authorizations and anticipated manufacturing, distribution and supply); our expectations regarding the potential characteristics of BNT162b2 in our clinical trials and/or in commercial use based on data observations to date; the ability of BNT162b2 to prevent COVID-19 caused by emerging virus variants; the expected time point for additional readouts on efficacy data of BNT162b2 in our clinical trials; the nature of the clinical data, which is subject to ongoing peer review, regulatory review and market interpretation; the timing for submission of data for, or receipt of, any marketing approval or Emergency Use Authorization; our contemplated shipping and storage plan, including our estimated product shelf life at various temperatures; the ability of BioNTech to supply the quantities of BNT162 to support clinical development and market demand, including our production estimates for 2022; challenges related to public vaccine confidence or awareness; and uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19 on BioNTech's trials, business and general operations. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on BioNTech current expectations and beliefs of future events, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the ability to meet the pre-defined endpoints in clinical trials; competition to create a vaccine for COVID-19; the ability to produce comparable clinical or other results, including our stated rate of vaccine effectiveness and safety and tolerability profile observed to date, in the remainder of the trial or in larger, more diverse populations upon commercialization; the ability to effectively scale our productions capabilities; and other potential difficulties. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see BioNTech's Annual Report as Form 20-F for the Year Ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2021, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and BioNTech undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law. CONTACTS Pfizer: Media Relations +1 (212) 733-7410 PfizerMediaRelations@pfizer.com Investor Relations +1 (212) 733-4848 IR@pfizer.com BioNTech: Media Relations Jasmina Alatovic +49 (0)6131 9084 1513 Media@biontech.de Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Silver Sands Resources Corp. (CSE: SAND) (OTCQB: SSRSF) ("Silver Sands" or the "Company") is pleased to release the first series of results from its 2021 Phase III drill program at the Virginia Project in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Drilling at Ely Central focused on the extending the silver mineralization on the 850m gap between the Ely North and Ely South conceptual pits. Highlights include: EC-DDH-008 - 88 g/t silver over 33.8 metres EC-DDH-007 - 30 g/t silver and 0.33 g/t gold (55 g/t AgEq*) over 4.55 metres EC-DDH-009 - 135 g/t silver over 2.3 metres including 290 g/t silver over 0.4 metres *Silver equivalent ("AgEq") is calculated using metal prices of US$ 1800/oz for Au and US$ 24/oz for Ag. Recoveries are assumed to be 100% as no metallurgical test data is available. The equation used is: AgEq g/t = Ag g/t + (Au g/t x 75). "The Ely Central zone appears to be developing into another potential resource area, extending the silver mineralization in the Ely vein some 2 kilometres," commented Silver Sands CEO Keith Anderson. "The length of the key intersection is impressive at over 33 metres. The presence of gold in the system is a very pleasant surprise and suggests potential gold enrichment at depth, as EC-DDH-007 represents the deepest mineralization intercepted to date at the Ely structure," he continued. "Combined with our two previous programs, we are envisaging several potential future conceptual pits developing as we continue to work towards significantly expanding the current resource base at Virginia," he concluded. Figure 1. Virginia Vein Field Phase III Drilling To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/111437_cf206a2e94a8da2b_001full.jpg https://www.silversandscorp.com/images/gallery/SAND_News_74.jpg The Phase III drilling program comprised 20 core holes (2,932m) with 14 holes for 2,437m at Virginia and 6 holes for 495m at Santa Rita, located in the north of the property package. Results reported today are for 6 holes from the Ely vein at Virginia. Table 1. Ely Vein Drill Intersections Hole ID From To Interval (m)1 Ag g/t2 Cut-off3 EC-DDH-006 144.50 145.00 0.50 81 63 EC-DDH-007 12.95 13.55 0.60 78 63 EC-DDH-007 80.60 81.05 0.45 308 150 EC-DDH-008 59.95 60.30 0.35 123 63 EC-DDH-008 66.00 99.80 33.80 88 63 including 86.60 87.40 0.80 177 150 including 95.00 95.35 0.35 165 150 EC-DDH-009 62.55 64.85 2.30 135 63 including 63.20 63.60 0.40 290 150 EN-DDH-005 44.70 45.00 0.30 69 63 EN-DDH-005 67.65 68.00 0.35 73 63 (1) Reported interval lengths are downhole widths and not true widths. (2) Reported intervals are at the stated cut-off grades of 63 g/t Ag and 150 g/t Ag. Reported intervals may include up to a maximum of two m individual section below cut-off grade and Silver grades are uncapped. (3) The intervals were selected using the 63 g/t cut-off grade used in the National Instrument 43-101 resource estimate. Drilling at Ely Central focused on extending the known mineralization to fill the 850m gap between Ely North and Ely South conceptual pits that were used to constrain the current mineral resource[1]. Over the last field season, a new 200m zone of mineralization at Ely Central was defined by holes EC-DDH-001, EC-DDH-003, EC-DDH-004, and EC-DDH-005 filling part of this gap (see news release May 17, 2021). Current hole EC-DDH-008, collared in the 120m, highly prospective gap that remained open along the structure and north of the Ely Central zone returned a broad interval of 33.8m at 88 g/t silver, closing the gap between the Ely Central zone and a well-defined area of silver mineralization previously delineated by Mirasol 2012 close spaced drilling, but outside of the current mineral. The further extension of the silver mineralization to the south, may be upgraded and help increase the resource along the Ely structure. [1] The mineral resource estimate was reported by the vendor, Mirasol Resources Ltd., in a report titled "Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina -- Initial Silver Mineral Resource Estimate" with an effective date of Oct. 24, 2014, and a report date of Feb. 29, 2016, by D. Earnest and M. Lechner. Hole EN-DDH-005 was drilled behind and underneath hole EN-DDH-001 (reported May 17, 2021) and returned 9.95m at 37g/t silver including a narrower section of 0.35m with 73g/t silver. This intersection in hole EN-DDH-005 may represent a parallel structure on the east side and not the downdip extension of the main structure intercepted in hole EN-DDH-001, which returned 7.47m with 91 g/t silver, 70m north of the Ely North conceptual pit. Hole EC-DDH-007 was targeted to depth below EC-DDH-003 (9.98m with 560 g/t silver - reported May 17, 2021) and intersected an Au enriched zone with 4.55m at 0.33 g/t gold and 30 g/t silver (55 g/t AgEq*) from 173.65m, including 1.2m at 0.63 g/t gold and 26 g/t Ag (73 g/t AgEq). This hole, the deepest mineralization encountered along the Ely structure, suggests a transition into a gold enriched zone at depth, and further may represent the downward continuity of a previously identified gold anomaly drilled in EC-DDH-003 (1.25 g/t Au from 111m), indicating a potentially continuous and separate gold mineralizing event unrelated to the principal silver mineralization. Previously, gold mineralization in the Virginia system was restricted to isolated occurrences now interpreted to represent leakage from a deeper sourced mineralizing event. Follow-up with deeper drill holes along the Ely structure is planned to test this newly identified gold potential. *Silver equivalent ("AgEq") is calculated using metal prices of US$ 1800/oz for Au and US$ 24/oz for Ag. Recoveries are assumed to be 100% as no metallurgical test data is available. The equation used is: AgEq g/t = Ag g/t + (Au g/t x 75) Hole EC-DDH-009 is located approximately 110m south of the southernmost hole EC-DDH-004 (9.6m at 639 g/t silver - reported May 17, 2021) in Ely Central, and 180m north of the border of the Ely South conceptual resource pit. This hole returned 2.3m at 135 g/t silver indicating mineralization is extending further to the south of the newly emerging Ely Central mineralization, potentially closing the gap between the Ely Central and the Ely South conceptual pit. Together, these latest results are confirming the presence of a nearly continuous zone of silver mineralization over 800m of strike length, with only 200m currently within the defined resource of the Ely North. Figure 2. Ely Central Drill Plan To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/111437_cf206a2e94a8da2b_002full.jpg https://www.silversandscorp.com/images/gallery/SAND_News_73.jpg The Company has initiated follow-up IP surveying in the northeast area in preparation for a Phase IV drill program. About Virginia Virginia is a low to intermediate sulphidation epithermal silver deposit located in the mineral-rich Deseado massif, lying within the mining-friendly province of Santa Cruz in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Through initial discovery in 2009 to four drill programs between 2010 and 2012, Mirasol Resources was able to define an initial indicated mineral resource of 11.9 million ounces of silver at 310 g/t Silver and a further inferred 3.1 million ounces of silver at 207 g/t Silver within seven outcropping bodies. This resource is documented in a Mirasol Resources technical report entitled: "Amended Technical Report, Virginia Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina -- Initial Silver Mineral Resource Estimate" with an effective date of Oct. 24, 2014, and a report date of Feb. 29, 2016. Several additional vein structures within the property package remain highly prospective, as Mirasol concentrated the bulk of its exploration effort on the resource area at the expense of continuing exploration on the underexplored additional veins. Several of these structures have highlight values in excess of 1,000 g/t silver and have a high probability of hosting additional silver resources. These veins structures continue to be the primary focus of the Silver Sands 2021/2022 exploration efforts. Silver Sands is earning a 100-per-cent interest in Virginia by issuing sufficient shares for Mirasol to end up with 19.9 per cent of the issued and outstanding of Silver Sands and completing $6-million (U.S.) in exploration over three years. Mirasol will retain a 3-per-cent net smelter return royalty with Silver Sands having the option of purchasing one-third of the royalty for $2-million (U.S.). About Silver Sands Resources Corp. Silver Sands is a well-financed, Canada-based company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in mining-friendly jurisdictions. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit. Its key asset is the Virginia silver project, located in the mining-friendly Santa Cruz state of Argentina. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director For further information, please contact: Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director (604) 786-7774 Qualified Person Statement: Silver Sand's disclosure of technical and scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P.Eng., a director of the Company, who serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. QAQC: Silver Sands applies industry standard exploration sampling methodologies and techniques. All geochemical rock and drill samples are collected under the supervision of the company's geologists in accordance with industry practice. Geochemical assays are obtained and reported under a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program. Samples are dispatched to an ISO 9001:2008 accredited laboratory in Argentina for analysis. Assay results from channel, trench, and drill core samples may be higher, lower or similar to results obtained from surface samples due to surficial oxidation and enrichment processes or due to natural geological grade variations in the primary mineralization. Forward-Looking Statements: The information in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include: changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry and to policies linked to pandemics, social and environmental related matters. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding future exploration programs, operation plans, geological interpretations, mineral tenure issues and mineral recovery processes. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Silver Sands disclaims any obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111437 HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR)(OTCQX:SLVTF) ("Silver Tiger" or the "Corporation") has intersected 3,083.4 g/t silver equivalent over 0.5 meters in the Sooy Vein in Drill Hole ET-21-287 from 105.2 meters to 105.7 meters within a broader mineralized interval of 6.6 meters 345.1 g/t silver equivalent from 104.6 meters to 111.2 meters. Highlights from the on-going drilling program include the following: Hole ET-21-287: 0.5 meters grading 3,083.4 g/t silver equivalent from 105.2 meters to 105.7 meters, consisting of 2,393.0 g/t silver, 0.03 g/t gold, 1.81% copper, 7.54% lead and 10.09% zinc within 6.6 meters grading 345.1 g/t silver equivalent from 104.6 meters to 111.2 meters, consisting of 272.8 g/t silver, 0.06 g/t gold, 0.21% copper, 0.68% lead and 0.96% zinc from 105.2 meters to 105.7 meters, consisting of 2,393.0 g/t silver, 0.03 g/t gold, 1.81% copper, 7.54% lead and 10.09% zinc from 104.6 meters to 111.2 meters, consisting of 272.8 g/t silver, 0.06 g/t gold, 0.21% copper, 0.68% lead and 0.96% zinc Hole ET-21-263: 3.0 meters grading 939.9 g/t silver equivalent from 292.9 meters to 295.9 meters, consisting of 702.0 g/t silver, 1.05 g/t gold, 0.54% copper, 1.84% lead and 1.91% zinc within 22.6 meters grading 241.6 g/t silver equivalent from 291.6 meters to 314.2 meters, consisting of 179.7 g/t silver, 0.21 g/t gold, 0.13% copper, 0.57% lead and 0.62% zinc Additional results are presented in the Drill Hole Results table below along with the details for the calculation of the silver equivalent grades. Attached is El Tigre Cross Section 5075N detailing Drill Hole ET-21-287. Also attached is a Plan Map of the El Tigre Veins and Drill Holes. A Plan Map of the 600 meter central portion of the Sooy Vein is also attached. Silver Tiger's CEO, Glenn Jessome, stated, "Hole 287 delivered high grade mineralization in the black shale horizon 175 meters north of Discovery Hole 202 and a full 75 meters north of where historic mining ended on the Sooy Vein. Drill intercepts on the Sooy, El Tigre and Seitz Kelley Veins continue to pierce quartz veins in the black shale horizon that hosts high grade silver and gold mineralization. Our understanding of these 2 geological units and how they control high grade mineralization allows our drilling to be more focused and predictive." Drill Hole Results Table Hole ID Comment From To Length(1) Gold Silver Copper Lead Zinc AgEq Total (2) m m m g/t g/t % % % g/t ET-21-263 Sooy Vein 282.3 285.4 3.1 0.09 247.0 0.12 0.59 1.05 314.3 including 283.8 284.8 1.0 0.15 424.5 0.18 0.75 2.91 567.3 Sooy FW Vein 291.6 314.2 22.6 0.21 179.7 0.13 0.57 0.62 241.6 including 292.9 295.9 3.0 1.05 702.0 0.54 1.84 1.91 939.9 including 308.1 309.6 1.5 0.06 740.0 0.56 0.33 0.59 825.8 ET-21-270 302.2 303.2 1.0 0.02 105.7 0.08 0.00 0.04 116.5 Sooy Vein 318.2 319.3 1.1 0.03 189.3 0.18 0.06 0.59 229.5 and 329.1 329.7 0.6 1.29 637.0 0.64 0.57 1.26 850.8 ET-21-273 Sooy Vein 372.1 373.5 1.4 0.04 587.0 0.67 0.02 0.06 656.5 El Tigre Vein 420.0 427.6 7.6 0.23 42.4 0.23 0.97 1.17 143.8 including 423.0 424.3 1.3 0.34 174.3 0.85 2.44 1.94 403.9 ET-21-275 Sooy Vein 237.3 238.7 1.3 0.07 95.3 0.10 0.03 0.25 118.8 including 238.2 238.7 0.5 0.05 218.0 0.22 0.03 0.61 263.9 Sooy Vein 247.3 247.8 0.5 0.02 157.0 0.15 0.06 0.59 193.8 ET-21-277 Sooy Vein 282.2 294.3 12.1 0.09 159.5 0.15 0.19 0.19 191.1 including 282.2 283.2 1.0 0.03 817.0 0.46 0.01 0.08 866.5 including 292.0 293.5 1.4 0.18 432.4 0.26 0.69 0.49 503.2 and 304.9 305.6 0.8 0.21 290.0 0.27 0.01 0.04 333.2 ET-21-280 Sooy Vein 253.8 255.9 2.1 0.21 101.4 0.20 1.00 2.15 230.9 including 253.8 255.4 1.6 0.23 113.8 0.25 1.31 2.79 278.6 ET-21-283 215.8 216.3 0.5 0.02 118.0 0.09 0.04 0.02 128.9 235.3 236.5 1.3 0.26 92.8 0.13 0.10 0.05 128.6 ET-21-284 315.6 320.2 4.6 0.19 64.0 0.07 0.59 1.31 142.5 373.5 380.5 7.0 0.02 48.2 0.05 0.04 0.17 61.9 including 377.4 377.9 0.5 0.12 207.0 0.29 0.24 0.41 263.3 ET-21-287 11.0 23.4 12.4 0.74 60.2 0.01 0.02 0.03 117.2 including 11.0 12.5 1.5 5.99 174.0 0.01 0.06 0.00 625.4 Sooy Vein 104.6 111.2 6.6 0.06 272.8 0.21 0.68 0.96 345.1 105.2 105.7 0.5 0.03 2,393.0 1.81 7.54 10.09 3,083.4 Notes: Not true width. Silver Equivalent ("EqAg") ratios are based on a silver to gold price ratio of 75:1 (Au:Ag). Copper, lead and zinc are converted using $3.66/lb copper, $0.90/lb lead, $1.26/lb zinc at 100% metal recoveries based on a silver price of $26.00/oz. Drill Hole Location Table Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Az Dip Length ET-21-263 670666 3384409.449 1964.1 90 -52 427.0 ET-21-270 670694 3384940.806 1834.7 81 -49 408.7 ET-21-273 670740 3384939.223 1851.6 90 -62 494.1 ET-21-275 670811 3385015.174 1794.3 101 -65 323.3 ET-21-277 670743 3384918.893 1862.5 90 -61 454.9 ET-21-279 670824 3385023.943 1798.7 90 -68 302.0 ET-21-280 670735 3384877.538 1864.8 90 -55 411.8 ET-21-283 670807 3385051.904 1806.6 90 -66 323.3 ET-21-284 670735 3384877.68 1864.7 90 -48 416.4 ET-21-287 670793 3385077.109 1809.4 90 -30 268.4 El Tigre Cross Section 5075N (Drill Holes ET-21- 287, ET-21-289 and ET-21-291) Plan Map of the El Tigre Veins and Drill Holes Plan Map of 600 Meters of the Sooy Vein El Tigre Resource Estimate After acquiring El Tigre, Silver Tiger drilled 12,500 meters to define the wide halo of near surface gold mineralization around the mined high-grade veins of the historic El Tigre Mine. This allowed Silver Tiger to deliver a maiden resource estimate for the El Tigre Property to a depth of 150 meters containing indicated resources of 661,000 gold equivalent ounces at 0.77 g/t (21 g/t silver and 0.51 g/t gold) and inferred resources of 341,000 gold equivalent ounces at 1.59 g/t (88 g/t silver and 0.52 g/t gold). The National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the El Tigre Project, Sonora, Mexico" effective as of September 7, 2017 and dated October 26, 2017 prepared by David Burga, P.Geo., Yungang Wu, P.Geo., Fred Brown, P.Geo., Jarita Barry, P.Geo., Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, Alfred Hayden, P.Eng. and Richard H. Sutcliffe, Ph.D., P.Geo. of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. is available on the Corporation's website at www.silvertigermetals.com and on www.sedar.com under the Corporation's profile. About the El Tigre Historic Mine District Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 25 years' experience discovering, financing and building large hydrothermal silver projects in Mexico. Silver Tiger's 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger. The El Tigre historic mine district is located in Sonora, Mexico and lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madre silver and gold belt which hosts many epithermal silver and gold deposits, including Dolores, Santa Elena and Las Chispas at the northern end. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining high-grade silver veins in the area with production coming from 3 parallel veins the El Tigre Vein, the Seitz Kelley Vein and the Sooy Vein. Underground mining on the middle El Tigre vein extended 1,450 meters along strike and was mined on 14 levels to a depth of approximately 450 meters. The Seitz Kelley Vein was mined along strike for 1 kilometer to a depth of approximately 200 meters. The Sooy Vein was only mined along strike for 250 meters to a depth of approximately 150 meters. Mining abruptly stopped on all 3 of these veins when the price of silver collapsed to less than 20 per ounce with the onset of the Great Depression. By the time the mine closed in 1930, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The average grade mined during this period was over 2 kilograms silver equivalent per ton. The El Tigre silver and gold deposit is related to a series of high-grade epithermal veins controlled by a north-south trending structure cutting across the andesitic and rhyolitic tuffs of the Sierra Madre Volcanic Complex within a broad silver and gold mineralized prophylitic alteration zone developed in the El Tigre Formation that can be up to 150 meters wide. The veins dip steeply to the west and are typically 0.5 meter wide but locally can be up to 5 meters in width. The veins, structures and mineralized zones outcrop on surface and have been traced for 5.3 kilometers along strike in our brownfield exploration area. Historical mining and exploration activities focused on a 1.6 kilometer portion of the southern end of the deposits, principally on the El Tigre, Seitz Kelly and Sooy veins. The under explored Caleigh, Benjamin, Protectora and the Fundadora exposed veins continue north for more than 3 kilometers. Silver Tiger has delivered its maiden 43-101 compliant resource estimate and is currently drilling to update its resource estimate and publish a PEA. VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation - Silver Tiger's El Tigre Project VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps. Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Corporation's website at: www.silvertigermetals.com. Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and 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 Bureau Veritas facility in Hermosillo, Mexico. Bureau Veritas crushes the samples (Code PRP70-250) and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 200 mesh (Code PUL85). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code FA630) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code MA200 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530). Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed Silver Tiger's QA/QC protocols. Qualified Person David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Corporation, is the Qualified Person for Silver Tiger as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. For further information, please contact: Glenn Jessome President and CEO 902 492 0298 jessome@silvertigermetals.com CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, the ability to convert inferred resources to indicated resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "may", "is expected to", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook" and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tiger's expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators. SOURCE: Silver Tiger Metals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685303/Silver-Tiger-Intersects-30834-gt-AgEq-over-05-meters-within-a-Broader-Interval-of-66-meters-Grading-3451-gt-AgEq-in-the-Sooy-Vein TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Talisker Resources Ltd. ("Talisker" or the "Company") (TSX:TSK)(OTCQX:TSKFF) is pleased to announce high-grade results from multiple drill holes highlighted by 55.25 g/t Au over 1.3 metres (SB-2021-090) and 23.58 g/t Au over 1.80 metres within 5.26 g/t Au over 8.90 metres (SB-2021-087) on the 52 Vein at its 100% owned flagship Bralorne Gold Project. Key Points: The drill holes in this release are located within the Bralorne East Complex. All three drill holes in this release intersected the 52 vein over a 660-metre strike length. Hole SB-2021-090 intersected the 52 vein highlighted by 55.25 g/t Au over 1.30 metres and the J vein which intersected 10.10 g/t Au over 0.55 metres. and the J vein which intersected 10.10 g/t Au over 0.55 metres. SB-2021-087 intersected the 52 vein highlighted by 23.85 g/t Au over 1.80 metres within 5.26 g/t Au over 8.90 metres . . Hole SB-2021-085 intersected the 52 vein highlighted by 14.13 g/t Au over 2.50 metres and a New vein highlighted by 7.59 g/t Au over 1.45 metres. and a New vein highlighted by 7.59 g/t Au over 1.45 metres. The previous drilling on the 52 vein returned high-grade assays highlighted by hole SB-2021-069 which returned 10.09 g/t Au over 4.35 metres and SB-2021-030 which returned 19.95g/t Au over 1.00 metres. Terry Harbort, CEO of Talisker, commented, "These three holes confirm high grade mineralization over a significant strike length, highlighting the extensive vein continunity known as one of the defining characteristics of the Bralorne deposit. We are very pleased with the consistency of the gold mineralization intercepted in this structure and see the 52 vein building to one of the important ore bodies of our upcoming resource." Six diamond drills and 1 RC drill are currently operating at Bralorne. A total of 104,162 metres (197 holes) has been completed since Talisker initiated drilling at the Project in February 2020. 26,365 samples are currently at the assay laboratory and are expected to be received by the Company shortly. Hole Descriptions: SB-2021-085 Located in the Bralorne East Block and hosted in dioritic intrusive New vein intersected from 296.25 to 299.00 m 52 vein intersected from 387.00 to 389.50 m hosting visible gold SB-2021-087 Located in the Bralorne East Block and hosted in granitic intrusive 51 BFW vein intersected from 298.50 to 300 m 52 vein intersected from 495.20 to 497.00 m New vein intersected from 659.55 to 660.80 m SB-2021-090 Located in the Pioneer Block and hosted in volcanics 52 vein intersected from 190.00 to 191.30 m hosting visible gold J vein intersected from 598.65 to 599.75 m Complete results have been received for all reported holes as outlined in Table 1 below. All major vein structures intersected and reported in this release are considered to be classic Bralorne crack-seal quartz-carbonate veins. The veins display densely banded sulphide septae, hosting fine-grained arsenopyrite and pyrite mineralization with strong silica-sericite alteration halos. All reported drill assay results are available on the Company's website at the following link: https://taliskerresources.com/bralorne-gold-project-released-drill-results/. Table 1: Bralorne Gold Project - Drill Holes SB-2021-085, 087, 090 Diamond Drill Hole Name From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone Method Reported SB-2021-085 296.25 297.7 1.45 7.59 New vein Au-SCR24 SB-2021-085 297.7 298.5 0.8 0.32 Au-AA26 SB-2021-085 298.5 299 0.5 3.72 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-085 387 387.5 0.5 7.75 52 Vein Au-SCR24 SB-2021-085 387.5 388 0.5 29.60 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-085 388 388.5 0.5 5.84 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-085 388.5 389 0.5 2.35 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-085 389 389.5 0.5 25.10 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 294.65 295.15 0.5 0.35 51BFW Vein Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 295.15 295.65 0.5 1.06 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 295.65 296.15 0.5 1.09 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 296.15 296.98 0.83 0.79 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 296.98 297.5 0.52 0.49 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 297.5 298 0.5 1.45 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 298 298.5 0.5 0.59 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 298.5 299.1 0.6 7.69 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 299.1 300 0.9 0.90 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 300 301 1 0.25 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 301 302 1 0.10 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 302 303 1 0.20 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 303 303.5 0.5 0.21 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 303.5 304 0.5 0.10 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 495.2 495.72 0.52 80.90 52 Vein Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 495.72 497 1.28 0.30 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 497 498 1 0.26 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 498 499 1 0.09 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 499 500 1 0.41 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 500 501.1 1.1 1.07 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 501.1 502 0.9 0.26 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 502 503 1 0.33 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 503 503.6 0.6 2.28 Au-AA26 SB-2021-087 659.55 660.25 0.7 8.21 New Vein Au-SCR24 SB-2021-087 660.25 660.8 0.55 0.16 Au-AA26 SB-2021-090 190 190.75 0.75 0.07 52 Vein Au-AA26 SB-2021-090 190.75 191.3 0.55 130.50 Au-SCR24 SB-2021-090 598.65 599.2 0.55 0.41 J Vein Au-AA26 SB-2021-090 599.2 599.75 0.55 10.10 Au-SCR24 Notes: Diamond drill hole SB-2021-085 has collar orientation of Azimuth 177; Dip -45. Diamond drill hole SB-2021-087 has a collar orientation of Azimuth 177; Dip -47. Diamond drill hole SB-2021-090 has a collar orientation of Azimuth 176; Dip -63. True widths are estimated at 40 - 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 Bralorne Gold 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 the 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 Bralorne project is drilled in HQ to NQ size ranges (63.5mm and 47.6mm respectively). 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 ALS Global in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and 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 (ALS code PREP-31 / SGS code PRP89). Gold in diamond drill core is analysed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of a 50g sample (ALS code Au-AA26 / SGS code GO_FAA50V10), while multi-element chemistry is analysed by 4- Acid digestion of a 0.25 g sample split with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for 48 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr). Gold assay technique (ALS code Au-AA26 / 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 (ALS method Au-GRA22 / 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 (ALS code Au-SCR24 / 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: SB-2021-085 hole location within the Bralorne East Block. Figure 2: SB-2021-087 hole location within the Bralorne East Block. Figure 3: SB-2021-090 hole location within the Pioneer Block. Figure 4: SB-2021-085, 087 and 090 cross section with vein intersections and grade. SOURCE: Talisker Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685295/Talisker-Intercepts-High-Grade-Gold-on-the-52-Vein-Across-660-Metres-of-Strike-Length B2Broker, a leading liquidity and technology provider of solutions to the Forex and financial services industry, has secured a licence from the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Mauritius, the company has announced. The licence has been acquired under the name of B2B Prime Services Limited, a member of the B2Broker Group of Companies, which as of 12th November, 2021, possesses an Investment Dealer licence (Full Service Dealer excluding underwriting /code SEC-2.1, Licence C117017139). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005241/en/ Under Mauritius regulation, the company will operate as a Prime of Prime (PoP) Multi-Asset Liquidity Provider, focusing on institutional and professional clients across the whole spectrum of the financial markets. Its core investment services consist of leveraged derivative products in CFDs (e.g. Forex, metals, commodities, shares, indices). (Graphic: Business Wire) Description of Authorised Activity As an authorised Dealer in Securities, B2B Prime Services is permitted to act as intermediary in the execution of securities transactions for clients in accordance with the country's local legislation. Under Mauritius regulation, the company will operate as a Prime of Prime (PoP) Multi-Asset Liquidity Provider, focusing on institutional and professional clients across the whole spectrum of the financial markets. Its core investment services consist of leveraged derivative products in CFDs (e.g. Forex, metals, commodities, shares, indices). About the FSC The FSC is the integrated regulator in Mauritius for the financial services sector and was established in 2001 to licence, regulate, monitor and supervise the conduct of business activities in these sectors in accordance with local legislation. The regulator is committed to the sustained development of Mauritius as a sound and competitive Financial Services Centre with the aim of promoting the development, fairness, efficiency and transparency of financial institutions and capital markets, suppressing crime and malpractices so as to provide protection to members of the public investing in non-banking financial products, and ensuring the soundness and stability of the financial system in Mauritius. About B2Broker Group of Companies B2Broker is a global brand with a solid reputation in the B2B sphere as one of the most in-demand technology and liquidity providers for Forex and crypto brokers, crypto exchanges and other financial services entities. The group helps these firms empower their businesses through building a successful, transparent and ethical environment and connecting them to the markets in a short space of time and at a reasonable cost. B2Broker offers a broad range of services including Crypto/Forex/CFD liquidity, Crypto/Forex Broker turnkey solutions, crypto payment processing (B2BinPay), MT4/5 white label solutions, B2Core (Trader's Room), B2Trader (Matching Engine) and liquidity on over 800 trading instruments across the entire spectrum of assets. Headquartered in Moscow, B2Broker has several years of operational experience with 10 offices in 8 countries across Russia, Europe, Asia and MENA. A total of 7 licences so far to its name including FCA, AEMI, Central Bank of Russia, and now FSC, allows B2Broker to serve clients across more than 50 countries, offering Forex liquidity distribution and a range of other services to the Forex, Crypto and Securities industries. The company has secured a large portfolio of well-known global clients in the financial services industry with plans to further increase company representation and visibility across the globe. CEO and Founder of B2Broker Group, Arthur Azizov, commented, "We are pleased to have added another prestigious licence to our growing portfolio. The licence ensures the reliability and transparency of all operations in accordance with the strict supervision of the FSC and adds further credibility to us as a leading global fintech player. Industry regulation is undoubtedly the best way to achieve total legitimisation of the Forex and financial services industry and our latest licence acquisition means that even more clients across the world will be able to benefit from the highest level of protection offered by one of the world's leading, multi-regulated technology and liquidity providers." The acquisition of the latest FSC licence broadens B2Broker's horizons enabling the company to secure further business in its quest to expand its global reach. Aside from this latest licence acquisition, the company currently has several other licence applications with established regulators in process which are expected to be concluded during 2022. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005241/en/ Contacts: Rosemary Barnes Head of PR pr@b2broker.net www.b2broker.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / BeMetals Corp. (TSXV:BMET)(OTCQB:BMTLF)(Frankfurt:1OI.F) (the "Company" or "BeMetals") is pleased to announce results from its 2021 core drilling program at the Pangeni Copper Exploration Project ("Pangeni Project" or the "Project"), located on the western extension of the Central African Copperbelt in Zambia. This program comprised six drill holes to test aircore copper anomalies at the D-Prospect and the Q and F targets. The Pangeni Project is located in an area where prospective extensions to the prolific Zambian Copperbelt (See Figure 1) are covered by a thin veneer of Kalahari sand units. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2021 PANGENI COPPER PROJECT CORE DRILLING Q-Target : Drill Hole Q3-C1 intersected 4.14 metres grading 0.62% copper ("Cu") : Drill Hole Q3-C1 intersected 4.14 metres grading 0.62% copper ("Cu") Including: 1.30 metres grading 1.10% Cu D-Prospect : Drill Hole D7-C1 intersected 5.00 metres grading 0.58% Cu : Drill Hole D7-C1 intersected 5.00 metres grading 0.58% Cu D-Prospect : Drill Hole D7-C2 intersected 3.37 metres grading 0.51% Cu : Drill Hole D7-C2 intersected 3.37 metres grading 0.51% Cu And also: intersected 6.00 metres grading 0.39% Cu Note: Intertek Genalysis completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Kitwe, Zambia. All analytical procedures were conducted in an Intertek Genalysis laboratory in Australia. Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. Based upon current data it is estimated true widths range between 80 to 90% of the drilled intersections. John Wilton, President and CEO of BeMetals commented, "The 2021 drilling program at the Pangeni Copper Project has delivered a new and exciting dimension to our copper exploration with drill hole Q3-C1 returning a significant copper intersection hosted in siltstones at the Q-Target. These siltstone units are interpreted to be part of the Katanga Supergroup. Katanga lithologies near basement units are known to be the setting for many world class copper deposits in the Central African Copperbelt. This first Katanga sediment hosted copper intersection adds considerable prospectivity to the Project. We are now designing a follow-up exploration campaign for the Q-Target area to focus on its relatively close proximity to the SW-Prospect and a number of untested shallow aircore copper anomalies to the west and north of the Q3-C1 drill hole intersection. Including today's results from the D-Prospect, we are also encouraged that five of six core holes completed to date have returned significant copper mineralization. The grades of these intersections are similar to producing operations in the Domes Region, such as First Quantum Minerals' Sentinel and Barrick Gold's Lumwana copper mines in the Zambian Copperbelt. Further exploration to scope the scale potential of the D-Prospect mineralization is also being planned." PANGENI COPPER PROJECT In 2021 the Company completed 1,382 metres of core drilling in six holes, 4,353 metres of shallow aircore, and a helicopter-borne electromagnetic ("EM") survey over the Project. The interpretation of the EM survey data was integrated with previous geophysical and geological interpretations of the Property. The EM data improved exploration target selection and mapping of the Kalahari sand cover units. Four priority targets were identified from the aircore program for testing with core drilling. These were related to both the D-Prospect and two standalone new exploration targets, namely the Q and F targets (See Figure 1). The core drilling program was completed in early December and the analytical results were recently received. Table 1 provides details of the drilled copper intersections from the core drilling and Table 2 provides the collar location, azimuth and dip information. Q-TARGET The intersection of 4.14 metres grading 0.62% Cu (from 92.36 metres drilled depth) is of specific interest as this zone of observed copper oxide mineralization in drill hole Q3-C1 is hosted within siltstones interpreted to be part of the Katanga Supergroup. These siltstones have been intersected in relatively close proximity to what is currently interpreted to be basement hosted copper mineralization at the SW-Prospect (See Figure 2). Many of the world class, sediment-hosted, copper deposits and mines of the Central African Copperbelt occur in this type of geological setting when coupled with favourable structural feeders for the copper mineralization. Figure 2 illustrates the location of the Q3-C1 drill hole in relation to the 2021 and previous shallow aircore drilling anomalies. Based upon the new geological results, complemented with interpretation of the geophysics for the Project, we expect the prospective target area of the structural and/or stratigraphic contact zone between the basement and the Katangan Supergroup units to be located between the Q3-Target and SW-Prospect. Figure 2 also indicates a number of untested shallow aircore targets to the north and west of Q3-C1 which now represent high follow-up priority targets for 2022. D-PROSPECT The Company first discovered copper mineralization at the D-Prospect near the end of 2019 and this area remains an important target area for further exploration. Table 1 provides details of the mineralized zones intersected in drill holes D7-C1, D7-C2 and D3-C2. These drill holes returned meaningful and multiple copper intersections ranging from 6.0 to 0.5 metres in width and 0.58% Cu to 0.32% Cu in grade (0.3% Cu cut-off grade). Figure 3 shows the recent results from the 2021 core drilling program in context with the previous core and shallow aircore data. Thus far, copper mineralization extends for at least 1.2 kilometres along the interpreted strike of the host rocks and remains completely open to extension in the southwest direction and down-dip. The aircore drilling to date to the northeast of the prospect has not identified drill targets in that direction but the relatively wide spaced drill centres at 400 metres does not rule out potential extensions in that area. Also, there is an untested aircore anomaly towards the northwestern end of the D2 line (See Figure 3). Significant copper mineralization has now been intersected in five of the six core drill holes completed at the D-Prospect. The copper grades in many of the 2021 (D7-C1 & D7-C2) and previous drill holes are similar to those for operating large-scale copper mines in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt (Examples: First Quantum Minerals' Sentinel Mine Reserves: 792.4 million tonnes grading 0.46% Cu(1) and Barrick Gold's Lumwana Mine Reserves: 538.8 million tonnes grading 0.56% Cu(2)). (1) First Quantum Minerals Ltd. website, Mineral Reserves - as at December 31, 2020, and reported based on a long-term $3.00/lb Cu price. The current depleted in-pit Mineral Reserve as at December 31, 2020 for Sentinel (2) Barrick Gold Corporation website, Mineral Reserves - December 31, 2013, Technical Report on the Lumwana Mine, North-Western Province, Republic of Zambia, Barrick Gold Corporation, Report for NI 43-101, March 27, 2014 F-TARGET Figure 1 shows the location of the F-Prospect. Drill holes F4-C1 and F4-C2 encountered interpreted basement lithologies without significant width zones of copper mineralization above 0.3% Cu. Figure 1: Location of the Q-TARGET, D-PROSPECT and F-TARGET Figure 2: Map of Q-TARGET, Q3-C1 Drill Hole Results with SW-PROSPECT Results and Aircore Anomalies (See Company's previously reported news releases dated October 16, 2019 and October 6, 2021). Figure 3: Map of D-PROSPECT, D7-C1, D7-C2 and D3-C2 with Core Results and Aircore Anomalies (See Company's previously reported news releases dated October 16, 2019, April 14, 2021 and October 6, 2021). Table 1: Selected Core Drill Hole Results from 2021 Exploration Program: Q3-C1, D7-C1, D7-C2 and D3-C2 Prospect, Target, Borehole ID & Interval From (m) To (m) Core Interval (m) Cu % Q-TARGET Q3-C1 92.36 96.50 4.14 0.62* Including: 94.70 96.00 1.30 1.10 D-PROSPECT D7-C1 Interval 1: 43.00 48.00 5.00 0.58* Interval 2: 99.76 103.26 3.50 0.38 Interval 3: 111.50 112.00 0.50 0.50 Interval 4: 127.05 132.05 5.00 0.32 Including: 127.05 129.05 2.00 0.46 And Including: 131.05 132.05 1.00 0.53 D7-C2 Interval 1: 118.09 121.46 3.37 0.51 Interval 2: 158.00 160.12 2.12 0.56 Interval 3: 178.42 184.42 6.00 0.39 Including: 178.42 180.80 2.38 0.45 And Including: 182.90 184.42 1.52 0.59 D3-C2 124.89 125.40 0.51 0.42 Note: Intertek Genalysis completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Kitwe, Zambia. All analytical procedures were conducted in an Intertek Genalysis laboratory in Perth, Australia. Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. Based upon current data it is estimated true widths range between 80 to 90% of the drilled intersections. A nominal cut-off grade of 0.30% Cu has been used to determine the boundaries of the intersections with no more than 2 metres of internal dilution of the intercept. denotes single sample. *Copper Oxide mineralization observed. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL The results reported here for this core drilling program were analyzed by Intertek Genalysis, an independent and accredited laboratory. Samples were prepared at their facility in Kitwe, Zambia and analytical work conducted in Australia. The results were determined using multi-acid, near total digest, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma ("ICP") Optical (Atomic) Emission Spectrometry ("OES"). The core sampling was conducted with a robust sampling protocol that included the appropriate insertion of standard reference material, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream. Field operations and management have been provided by Remote Exploration Services ("RES") an independent geological consulting and contracting company. The core drilling was conducted by Blurock Mining Services, of Kitwe, Zambia. Table 2: 2021 Core Hole ID, Azimuth, Dip, End of Hole Depth and Collar Coordinates and Comments Drill Hole ID Azimuth Degree Dip Degree End of hole Depth (m) Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Comments Q3-C1 290 70 272.55 173085 8584343 1163 Results in Table 1 D7-C1 310 60 249.70 177684 8601474 1305 Results in Table 1 D7-C2 290 60 286.32 177765 8601424 1304 Results in Table 1 D3-C2 310 60 175.55 179315 8600940 1259 Results in Table 1 F4-C1 310 60 191.80 175000 8600979 1313 Did not intersect significant mineralization F4-C2 080 70 206.43 174789 8601057 1301 Did not intersect significant mineralization THE PANGENI COPPER EXPLORATION PROJECT The Pangeni Project is located on the western extension of the Zambian Copperbelt, within the Lufilian Arc, underlain by Katangan Supergroup metasediments situated unconformably on basement schists and gneisses, which are covered by a thin veneer of Kalahari sands. The open pit Sentinel Copper Mine is operated by First Quantum Minerals Ltd. some 130 kilometres to the northeast of the Pangeni Project. A number of major international mining companies have identified this region of the Zambian Copperbelt to be prospective for the discovery of tier one copper mines and are also conducting extensive exploration work in this area. The Pangeni Project property is geologically prospective for the following deposit types; Basement-hosted Cu (analogues: the Lumwana Deposit, Nyungu Prospect), Sediment-hosted stratiform Cu-Co (analogues: Nchanga, Konkola, Nkana, and Mufulira Deposits), other Domes Region Deposits e.g. Sentinel, and Kansanshi and DRC Copperbelt Deposits e.g. Lonshi, Frontier, Kamoa-Kakula). ABOUT BEMETALS CORP. BeMetals is a precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on becoming a leading metal producer through the acquisition of quality exploration, development and potentially production stage projects. The Company has recently established itself in the gold sector with the acquisition of certain wholly owned exploration projects in Japan. BeMetals is also progressing both its advanced high-grade, zinc-silver-gold-copper polymetallic underground exploration at the South Mountain Project in Idaho through a preliminary economic assessment, and its tier-one targeted, Pangeni Copper Exploration Project in Zambia. Guiding and leading BeMetals' growth strategy is a strong board and management team, founders and significant shareholders of the Company, who have an extensive proven record of delivering considerable value in the mining sector through the discovery, construction and operation of mines around the world. The technical information in this news release for BeMetals has been reviewed and approved by John Wilton, CGeol FGS, CEO and President of BeMetals, and a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101.1 ON BEHALF OF BEMETALS CORP. "John Wilton" John Wilton President, CEO and Director For further information about BeMetals please visit our website at bemetalscorp.com and sign-up to our email list to receive timely updates, or contact: Derek Iwanaka Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development Telephone: 604-609-6141 Email: diwanaka@bemetalscorp.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 news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to future exploration, development and advancement of the South Mountain Project, the Pangeni project and the Japan properties, and the acquisition of additional base and/or precious metal projects. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts", "anticipates", "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. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the actual results of exploration activities, the availability of financing and/or cash flow to fund the current and future plans and expenditures, the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions of the option agreements for the South Mountain Project and/or the Pangeni Project, and changes in the world commodity markets or equity markets. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements or forward looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Please refer to the Company's most recent filings under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its business. SOURCE: BeMetals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685270/BeMetals-Intersects-Further-Encouraging-Copper-Results-from-the-Pangeni-Exploration-Project-in-Zambia MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The United States has set around 8,500 combat-ready soldiers on alert to deploy at short notice as the tense situation along the Russia-Ukraine border evolves. 'If the NATO force is activated, (Defense Secretary Lloyd) Austin's order would allow the United States to rapidly deploy additional brigade combat teams, along with units specializing in logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, transportation and more', Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said during a news conference Monday. 'As [President Joe Biden] has made clear, the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us, our allies or partners,' Kirby told reporters. The 8,500 troops are based in the United States and would be part of the NATO Response Force, if that group is activated. The American forces would be in addition to the significant combat-capable U.S. forces already based in Europe 'to deter aggression and enhance the alliance's ability to defend allies and defeat aggression if necessary,' Kirby said. NATO has not yet activated its 40,000-strong multinational Response Force. Half of it is comprised of a 'very high readiness joint task Force.' This includes a land brigade of around 5,000 troops and air, maritime and special operation forces components. 'Secretary Austin has placed a range of units in the United States on a heightened preparedness to deploy, which increases our readiness to provide forces if NATO should activate the NRF or if other situations develop,' the Press Secretary said. Kirby made it clear that 'No decisions have been made to deploy any forces from the United States at this time.' He said the United States and its allies have a good 'site picture' of the Russian moves to surround Ukraine. 'It's very clear that the Russians have no intention, right now, of de-escalating,' he said. Kirby urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to utilize time and space for negotiations to defuse the situation. In order to strengthen defenses in eastern Europe, some members of the NATO alliance, including Denmark, Spain, France and the Netherlands, are reportedly planning to send fighter jets and warships to the region. In a video conference Tuesday, US President Joe Biden and European leaders discussed their joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including massive economic sanctions on Russia and to reinforce security on NATO's eastern flank. They committed to continued close consultation with transatlantic Allies and partners, including working with and through the EU, NATO, and the OSCE. Biden said there is 'total unanimity' with European leaders over Russian military build-up on Ukraine's borders. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Polish President Andrzej Duda, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel attended the conference call. Russia has deployed around 100,000 troops near the border with its western neighbor. However, Kremlin denies reports that it is planning a cross-border attack. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de New Company Name and Vision Grounded in Market Growth and Planned Expansion Critigen, an international leader in spatial technology, today announced it has rebranded as Locana, communicating an expanded vision of location intelligence as well as accelerated plans for product and service offerings. The company's new name brings together the roots Locus-a place or locality-and Ana-a collection of information on a place, building on decades of market leadership with geospatial technologies while reflecting the company's broader mission to help clients with everything location. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005190/en/ Forrester Research estimated that 36 percent of large-and mid-size organizations are expected to deploy location intelligence software by the end of 2022, up from ten percent in 20191. In fact, industry analysts have cited the entry of a "golden age" of location intelligence2, forged from rapidly increasing data collection and capture from a myriad of sources, including sensors, employee tablets, fleet vehicles, infrastructure assets, and consumer applications. It's estimated that more than 143 million users engage with mobile navigation apps on any given day.3 "We are living in a world that runs on location data-from everyday tasks like getting directions; to strategic business decisions; to tackling the most pressing social, environmental and health challenges of our time," said Locana Chief Executive Officer Jeff Haight. "Locana has been a pioneer in putting location to work since GIS first emerged as a promising tool for managing critical infrastructure and resources. However, that was just a prelude to the role geographic science and location intelligence can play in every sector of the global economy. Our name change reflects our commitment to lead this new era." The convergence of three emerging trends is fueling the geospatial market and elevating the importance of location: new demands and use cases; the exponential growth of location data; and elevated expectations for simple, powerful, and scalable enterprise-grade applications. "These drivers mean more and more organizations are looking for partners that can help them create a cohesive and strategic view of location," said Mike Housby, Locana Vice President and U.K. General Manager. "Whether in the application of 5G, the work of an NGO in sub-Saharan Africa, transformation of global infrastructure or a utility addressing climate adaptation, there is a rapidly-growing global demand for location intelligence." While technologies such as satellites, wearables, and IoT continue to drive the creation, awareness, and demand of spatial data-artificial intelligence and machine learning provide new ways to enrich and tailor that data, making it more personally relevant to users. But the sheer magnitude of spatial data means the next generation of solutions need to make data more accessible, consumable, and actionable. Todd Slind, Locana Vice President of Technology, added, "The volume and frequency of data can be overwhelming. We help customers access the right data at the right time and turn it into information they can use to make better informed decisions." For further insight into how location-based data will reshape our world over the next decade-and Locana- please visit our "Welcome to the Future of Location" blog post. About Locana Locana, a location and mapping technology company, provides software products and services that solve the world's most pressing business, climate, and social challenges. With more than 20 years of experience, Locana is a global leader in both enterprise geospatial solutions and innovative applications using proprietary and open-source mapping technologies. By taking a location-first approach to problem solving, Locana builds, implements, and connects solutions for public and private customers, in a wide range of domains including: utilities, land and facility management, critical infrastructure, defense, conservation, international development, and technology, among others. With headquarters in Denver, Colo., the company also has major offices in Seattle and London. For further information, visit: www.locana.co or https://www.linkedin.com/company/locana-co/. 1. Adoption of geospatial analytics is growing fast. In 2019, 10% of large and mid-sized organizations had deployed location intelligence software, by the end of 2022, that number will be 36%. (Hare, Woodward, Hunter, Forecast snapshot: Location intelligence software, worldwide 2019, 2019) 2. The golden age of location intelligence has arrived. Professionals can use geospatial analytics to synchronize and optimize customer experiences, business decisions and actions using locations. (Forrester, New Tech: Location Intelligence Technologies, 2019) 3. Over 143M US users engage with mobile navigation apps on any given day. (Reuters, 2020) Editor's note: Interviews with company executives, as well as logos, are available upon request. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005190/en/ Contacts: Jennifer Dulles, APR DStreet for Locana Phone: 303-956-0001 Email: jdulles@dstreetpr.com HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Turner Valley Oil and Gas, Inc. (the "Company") ("Turner") (OTC PINK:TVOG), now doing business as Turner Venture Group, Inc., is pleased to announce the completion of the cancellation of 21,007,275 common shares. The canceled shares include restricted common shares held by former management as previously announced in the Phase 1 plan, which have been settled in exchange for Preferred B shares. "The purpose of this share cancellation is to reduce the overall TVOG share count and protect Turner investors in order to limit dilution as the Company prepares for acquisitions and future capitalization plans," said Chairman and CEO, Dr. Jordan Balencic. "Our goal is to retire (or convert to preferred stock) as much common stock as possible to enhance and strengthen our balance sheet in anticipation of additional capital funding to fund the growth of our subsidiaries and new acquisitions." New management has begun working on additional share retirements and convertible debt settlements. Should these be completed, then details will soon be announced, in addition to closing items for the Hemp Operator acquisition previously announced. The Company's capitalization structure following the completion of the aforementioned share cancellation is displayed below: Authorized Common Shares: 500,000,000 Common Shares (Prior to Cancellation) 226,426,808 Common Shares Canceled (Completed): -21,007,275 Common Shares (As of 09-30-21): 205,419,533 Authorized Preferred Stock: 4,000,000 Preferred Shares A (Issued): 1,827,000 Preferred Shares B (Issued): 1,450,000 Preferred Shares (As of 09-30-21): 3,277,000 Dr. Jordan Balencic, Chairman and CEO, also stated "This share cancellation was important to both the Company and its investors. This is a significant cancellation in the amount of 9.2% of the previously issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company." He added; "Every move we will be making now and, in the future, will contribute to the larger plan to create new and exponential value for our shareholders. Cancellation of outstanding shares is only a small part of the bigger picture." After successfully raising $125,000.00 in seed funding over the past 18 months, the Company has advanced its next round of private placements to raise $250,000.00 to support its growth strategy. This has been filed as part of a Reg D filing submitted to the SEC. A copy of this filing and any other disclosures are available upon request. Please refer to most recent website announcements for more information: https://tvoginc.com/industry-news/turner-news/ About Turner Valley Oil and Gas, Inc. Turner Venture Group (OTC:TVOG) is a public Venture Holding Company that acquires equity interests in innovative brands and companies focused on healthier living and sustainability. The Company is focused on building shareholder value through pursuing opportunities in food & beverage, hemp & CBD, household products, personal care, and consumer health technology with potential applications of blockchain and NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Turner's cornerstone acquisition of Bloomi Labs, LLC includes unique CBD Hand Sanitizer products manufactured domestically. The Company's second acquisition (currently undergoing closing steps) includes an established CBD / Hemp operator with 3 existing retail stores and a national e-commerce sales presence. Disclosures Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Key Links: OTCMarkets Profile: http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TVOG/profile Disclaimer: https://TVOGinc.com/contactus/disclaimer/ Corporate Website: http://TVOGInc.com | http://BloomiClean.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/tvoginc | http://twitter.com/BloomiClean Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TVOGinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TVOGinc/ Contacts: Dr. Jordan Balencic, Chairman and CEO Turner Valley Oil And Gas, Inc. Address: 5900 Balcones Drive, Suite 4503, Austin, TX 78731 Phone: 1-830-291-8189 Email: TurnerVentureGroupInc@gmail.com or info@TVOGinc.com SOURCE: Turner Valley Oil and Gas, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685332/Turner-Venture-Group-Announces-the-Completion-of-the-Cancellation-of-21M-Common-Shares In celebration of its new Next Generation restaurant in Salisbury Township, the Dunkin located at 3111 Lehigh St. will welcome guests with a grand opening celebration 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 26. The event will include free coffee for a year giveaways to the first 100 guests (starting at 10 a.m.), free medium hot or iced coffee from 10 a.m. to noon, $1.50 medium or hot iced coffee from noon to 6 p.m., Dunkin-branded giveaways, Dunkins mascot, Cuppy, music and more. Advertisement Free coffee for a year recipients receive a coupon book containing four free medium hot or iced coffee coupons per month for 14 months good at the location where the coupon book was issued. In celebration of its new Next Generation restaurant in Salisbury Township, the Dunkin located at 3111 Lehigh St. will welcome guests with a grand opening celebration 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 26. The event will include free coffee for a year giveaways to the first 100 guests (starting at 10 a.m.), free medium hot or iced coffee from 10 a.m. to noon, Dunkin'-branded giveaways and more. (Dunkin'/Contributed photo) Franchisee Deepak Patel, who owns and operates 28 Dunkin locations throughout Pennsylvania, will host an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Following the ceremony, Patel, alongside the Dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation, will present a check for $1,000 to the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank to further its mission to provide relief to those who are food insecure in Lehigh County. Advertisement Features of the new Allentown area location include: Modern design: The openness, colors, and materials used in the design help create an approachable, positive, and energetic environment, according to the release. A front-facing bakery case provides for a close look at the baked goods. The openness, colors, and materials used in the design help create an approachable, positive, and energetic environment, according to the release. A front-facing bakery case provides for a close look at the baked goods. Premium pours: Dunkins signature cold beverages are poured through an innovative tap system, serving a variety of cold drinks, such as iced coffee, iced tea, cold brew, and nitro-infused cold brew. Crew members also use flavor-maximizing espresso machines to make handcrafted drinks to order. Increased energy efficiency: Next Gen restaurants are designed to meet DD Green Achievement specifications. Stores that achieve DD Green Achievement status are built with sustainable and efficient elements like LED lighting, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, low-flow faucets, and more. On average, they are 33% more energy efficient compared to conventional Dunkin restaurants. Founded by Bill Rosenberg in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts, Dunkin has grown to more than 12,600 restaurants in 40 countries worldwide. The new Salisbury restaurant was built on a lot previously occupied by a Jiffy Lube shop, which was destroyed in a January 2014 fire. Another Dunkin location previously operated for decades less than a block away at 3039 Lehigh St. That location closed in 2020, and the site is now home to a used car dealership, LotOfAutos. The Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board in December 2015 paved the way for Dunkin to build a new drive-thru franchise at 3111 Lehigh St. as a replacement for the one nearby. NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Whittier Trust Company congratulates Caleb Silsby, CFA on his promotion to Executive Vice President. Caleb is Whittier Trust's Chief Portfolio Manager. Caleb joined Whittier Trust in 2006. His background ranges from fundamental equity research to credit analysis and fixed income management. Additionally, Caleb has experience in managing real estate. Caleb continues to manage portfolios for high net worth clients, foundations, and endowments. "Caleb has been a cornerstone of Whittier Trust for over 15 years. His hard work and dedication to our clients, employees and the investment process is reflected in everything he does. We're excited for him to step into this new role." - Whittier Trust CEO, David Dahl. Caleb received his MBA and a graduate certificate in Financial Analysis and Valuation from the University of Southern California. He received a Bachelor's in Economics from St. Mary's College of Maryland, Honors College. He is a CFA charter holder as well as a CFP certificant. Caleb is a member of the CFA Orange County Society, and he volunteers with Junior Achievement USA, the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness and financial literacy. Caleb is a board member of the Crystal Cove Conservancy working specifically with the education committee. For more information or upcoming events, contact Brandi J. Fields at, BFields@whittiertrust.com, or visit www.whittiertrust.com . ### Collectively, Whittier Trust Company and The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. (referred to herein individually and collectively as "Whittier Trust"), are state-chartered trust companies wholly owned by Whittier Holdings, Inc. ("WHI"), a closely held holding company. Whittier Trust is the oldest and largest private multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast. Whittier Trust works with 514 families and over 40 foundations throughout the U.S. and advises on nearly $19 billion in assets. The firm has helped individuals and families manage, grow and transfer wealth intergenerationally for six generations. The firm has offices in South Pasadena, San Francisco, Newport Beach, Reno, Seattle, and Portland. To learn more, visit http://www.whittiertrust.com . Contact: Brandi J. Fields Whittier Trust Email: BFields@whittiertrust.com SOURCE: Whittier Trust View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685320/Whittier-Trust-Promotes-Caleb-Silsby-to-Executive-Vice-President-Chief-Portfolio-Manager VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Sarama Resources Ltd. (TSXV:SWA) advises that its employees and staff are safe and that its activities in Burkina Faso have not been affected by the current political situation. In addition, the Company notes that several operational mining companies have provided updates advising that activities are unaffected. The Company continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as and when appropriate. For further information on the Company's activities, please contact: Andrew Dinning e: info@saramaresources.com t: +61 (0) 8 9363 7600 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Sarama Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685327/Sarama-Activities-Continue-in-Burkina-Faso LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC:MCOA) ("the Company"), a diversified holding company with operations and investments throughout the cannabis industry, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary cDistro has reached an agreement with dosist health to distribute its award-winning line of high concentration CBD+ formulas & products. cDistro will expand the rapidly growing distribution locations for dosist health CBD products to drive sales and further establish cDistro in the distribution marketplace. cDistro distributes CBD brands, along with smoke and vape shop-related products to wholesalers, c-stores, specialty retailers, and consumers in North America. dosist is a globally recognized, modern wellness company empowering people to naturally manage their health & happiness through dose-controlled cannabinoid therapy. dosist is best known for its targeted formulas, proprietary award-winning dose-controlled devices, rigorous testing, use of medical grade and recyclable materials, and their obsession with providing consumers with a safe, natural experience, all now available in its CBD products under the brand dosist health. dosist was named by Time Magazine as "cannabis that could replace pills", was recognized by Fast Company as a top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the health sector, and was named by LinkedIn as the #2 Top Startup on the top 50 list of hottest U.S. companies to work for. dosist health also recently won the ECRM Buyers' Choice Award for its CBD+ Vegan, Fast-Acting Gummies during ECRM's Hemp/CBD Health & Beauty Care forum held this past November. cDistro will be distributing dosist health's complete collection of high concentration CBD+ formulas & products, specifically engineered to target the need-states of sleep, calm, and relief. The dosist health collection features three performance categories including dose drop CBD+ tinctures, a full suite of CBD+ fast-acting topical solutions, and their new rapid onset gummies that are vegan, non-GMO, and made with natural flavors. "This agreement represents a tremendous opportunity for cDistro, and I look forward to working with dosist health and their award-winning product portfolio to provide industry-leading sales and service execution to some of the nation's largest and fast-growing smoke and vape shops, wholesalers, c-stores, specialty retailers and large retail chains," said Ron Russo, cDistro's President. "We are extremely excited to add cDistro to our distribution network for dosist health," stated Jason DeLand, Co-founder, and Chairman of dosist. "cDistro is well-positioned to deliver an effective distribution strategy for our wellness portfolio, that will drive continued growth and penetration of dosist health at premium retail locations across the US." DeLand was selected to both Adweek's list of "20 Most Influential People Under 40" as well as High Times "Top 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis." As the founder of the ad agency Anomaly and the popular dosist e-pen, he continues building leading brands in today's CBD marketplace. Jesus Quintero, CEO of Marijuana Company of America, Inc. said, "We are delighted to be joining forces with Jason DeLand and his impressive dosist health portfolio. We have shared values around quality products and distribution and are confident that cDistro has the expertise and experience to bolster sales and to continue to grow the CBD category. Our subsidiary cDistro identified CBD demand and did its due diligence to find a trustworthy brand capable of meeting and maintaining the high standards of quality expected at MCOA. Together we are well-positioned to supply a wide variety of retail partners the full range of dosist health CBD products." Quintero added, "This Agreement with dosist health further validates MCOA's ability to find ways to drive expansion into new areas within the Cannabis industry. This along with our acquisition of cDistro; international expansion with our premium Hemp & CBD Hempsmart products, as well as cultivation with the recent acquisition of a cannabis nursery cultivation facility in Salinas, California is both a cultivator and distributor, has positioned MCOA for expected significant growth in 2022 and beyond." About Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) Marijuana Company of America operates and invests in the cannabis sector directly. The Company's wholly-owned operations include: CDistro is one of the THC, Hemp & CBD cannabis industries' fastest growing distribution companies. hempsmart, a Premium CBD company. VBF Brands, Inc., a cannabis nursery cultivation facility in Salinas, California is a cultivator and distributor utilizing its own growing systems to produce desirable cannabis clones. The company's core mission is to leverage its experience, and access to capital to identify and invest in acquisitions with unique growth potential in the cannabis and CBD marketplace. For more information visit: www.marijuanacompanyofamerica.com. About cDistro cDistro (Retail Service / Wholesale Prices) distributes CBD brands, along with smoke and vape shop-related products to wholesalers, c-stores, specialty retailers, and consumers in North America. For more information visit: www.cdistro.com. About dosist health dosist, based in Los Angeles, California, launched in 2016 and has since become known as a disruptor in both the cannabis and health & wellness industries. dosist was named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions, was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the health sector, and was designated by LinkedIn as the number two Top Startups: Hottest U.S. Companies To Work For Now. The company launched its dosist health category in late November 2020, expanding its reach across the wellness sector with a new range of CBD+ formulas and products available through its direct-to-consumer platform and at key retailers nationwide. dosist health focuses on quality-of-life wellness solutions leveraging advanced CBD+ formulations to reclaim Sleep, Calm, and Relief through sublingual, topical, and ingestible product ranges. For more information about dosist health visit the website at dosisthealth.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements," which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs, and results of new business opportunities and words such as "anticipate," "seek," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit?www.marijuanacompanyofamerica.com?or visit www.sec.gov. Contact: info@marijuanacompanyofamerica.com info@mcoainvestments.com 888-777-4362 SOURCE: Marijuana Company of America, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685193/MCOA-Subsidiary-cDistro-Signs-Distribution-Agreement-with-dosist-health-to-Distribute-its-Award-Winning-Line-of-High-Concentration-CBD-Formulas-Products Snowline's initial drill campaign on the recently discovered Valley zone intersected the targeted sheeted vein arrays with visible gold in all four holes. Hole V-21-002 averaged 1.01 g/t Au over 136.75 m from 35.25 m downhole, within a broader mineralized zone averaging 0.85 g/t Au over 186 m. Assays to follow for 3 of 4 holes at Valley, all of which intersected similar mineralization to V-21-002. A diamond drill is currently on-site at Valley, ready to advance target in Spring 2022. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / SNOWLINE GOLD CORP. (CSE:SGD)(OTCQB:SNWGF) (the "Company" or "Snowline") is pleased to announce initial drill results from Phase I drilling at the Valley zone on its Rogue gold project in the Yukon Territory, Canada. Hole V-21-002 intersected a broad zone of gold mineralization associated with visible gold in sheeted vein arrays. The hole averaged 1.01 g/t Au over 136.75 m from 35.25 m downhole, within a broader zone of mineralization averaging 0.85 g/t Au over 186.0 m from 31.5 m downhole. These results mark the in-situ discovery of a potentially significant gold system and demonstrate the fertility of the bulk-tonnage Valley gold target. Drillhole ID Coordinates (NAD83 Zn9) Orientation (True) Interval* (metres) Grade (Au g/t) Easting Northing Azimuth Dip From To Width* V-21-002 385917 7057833 175 -70 31.5 217.5 186.00 0.85 including 35.3 172.0 136.75 1.01 including 36.8 38.9 2.10 3.49 including 50.0 50.7 0.65 9.67 including 119.0 119.8 0.80 5.48 Table 1 - Hole details and notable intervals in V-21-002. Localized hot spots of up to 9.67 g/t Au over 0.65 m were present in the mineralized interval, but overall grades are otherwise relatively consistent. *Interval widths reported; at this point there is insufficient data to reliably estimate true widths of the zone. "This is Snowline's second significant drill discovery in as many drill programs in 2021," commented Scott Berdahl, CEO and director of Snowline. "We launched the company around the idea of an unrecognized gold district hiding in a relatively unexplored package of prospective rocks here in the Yukon's Selwyn Basin. Beyond our excitement for the Valley discovery itself, we are similarly excited at the implications these results have toward validating our district-scale exploration thesis. With two discoveries in hand and many additional prospective targets, we are eager to get started on our 2022 exploration season." Drill hole V-21-002 totalled 242 m in length and averaged 0.69 g/t Au over 239 m (excluding the top 3 m of overburden which was not assayed). The hole ended in elevated to anomalous gold mineralization, with the final 6.5 m of drilling averaging 0.25 g/t Au, including 1.01 g/t Au over 0.5 m from 235.5 m. Figure 1 - Gold assay results (yellow) for V-21-002 plotted against lithologies for holes V-21-001 & V-21-002. Both holes crossed large zones of hornfels associated with the emplacement of the Valley stock, with intense silicification often obscuring original lithologies. "These results and related geochemical metal associations with bismuth and tellurium conclusively characterize Valley as a classic reduced intrusion-related gold system," commented Snowline chair and director Dr. Craig Hart, an internationally recognized expert on this deposit type. "It has lots of similarities to Kinross' Ft. Knox Gold Mine in Alaska and Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine in the Yukon, and most importantly these early results yield some very good grades. These systems are well understood, and these early Valley drill holes are in just one shoulder of the system - so there is still lots of room to follow-up." V-21-002 was collared in hornfels Ordovician siltstones of the Road River group on the edge of a newly-discovered Cretaceous-aged felsic intrusion belonging to the fertile Mayo plutonic suite. It was drilled obliquely towards the intrusion and encountered alternating zones of sediments and intrusive rocks, interpreted as dikes along the edges of the Valley stock. Gold is thought to be carried primarily in arrays of subparallel ("sheeted"), low-sulphide quartz veins present throughout the core, with the total volume of quartz in each sample acting as a control on grade. Trace amounts of visible gold was observed in sixteen veins along the hole, commonly associated with bismuthinite. Valley is a discovery-stage bulk-tonnage prospect with no estimated resources nor reserves. It is still too early-stage to determine the size of the mineralized system nor whether it will prove to be economically viable. Figure 2 - Drill hole locations at Valley atop soil, rock and magnetic surveying results. Anomalous gold in soils defines a WNW-ESE trend some 900 m in length, roughly parallel to sheeted quartz veins that span the edge of the Valley intrusion. Certain rock samples >5 g/t Au are labeled with pink haloes. High-resolution magnetic data captured by drone surveying shows a pronounced magnetic low (blue) over the centre of the intrusion, and a magnetic high (pink) owing to hornfels alteration. Holes V-21-001 & 002 targeted local structures in a hornfels roof/shoulder pendant in addition to sheeted vein arrays, whereas holes V-21-003 and 004 were drilled to target the sheeted vein arrays themselves. Figure 3 - Valley zone location map in relation to surrounding Snowline Gold Corp. projects. Valley is the westernmost in an east-west line of 3 small intrusive bodies, each of which appears to have potential to host an intrusion-related gold deposit. FORTHCOMING RESULTS Samples for V-21-002 were processed by the lab before the first Valley drill hole, V-21-001. Assays from V-21-001 are further delayed by 4 overlimit triggers (assays >10 g/t Au) across a total, non-contiguous core length of 1.9 m. As with V-21-002, all three remaining holes at Valley intersected trace amounts of visible gold in drill core along with extensive zones of sheeted quartz veins. Full results from these holes are expected in the coming weeks. UPCOMING EXPLORATION With over $8.6M CDN in the treasury, Snowline is actively preparing for a busy 2022 exploration season. The upcoming program will see at least two drills turning on an 8,000+ m program focused on the Company's Jupiter and Valley discoveries along with nearby targets. This work continues to build toward establishing North America's newest gold district in the Yukon's Selwyn Basin. The Company currently has a drill under contract and on site at Valley, overwintering for a quick and cost-effective resumption of drilling in Spring 2022. Given the scale of the associated geochemical anomaly, the extent of sheeted veins observed on surface and the potential for higher vein densities within the intrusion, a program of grid drilling is planned at Valley to establish the scale and continuity of the mineralized zone. QA/QC AND QUALIFIED PERSON On receipt from the drill site, drill core from V-21-002 was systematically logged for geological attributes, photographed and sampled at Snowline's 2021 field camp. Smaller sample lengths were used to isolate zones of interest, otherwise a default 1.5 m downhole sample length was used. Core was cut in half lengthwise, with one half collected for analysis and one half stored as a record. Standard reference materials, blanks and duplicate samples were inserted by Snowline personnel at regular intervals into the sample stream. Bagged samples were sealed with security tags to ensure integrity during transport. They were delivered by expeditor and by Snowline personnel to ALS Laboratories' preparatory facility in Whitehorse, Yukon, with analysis completed in Vancouver. ALS is accredited to ISO 17025:2005 UKAS ref 4028 for its laboratory analysis. Samples were crushed by ALS to >70% passing below 2 mm and split using a riffle splitter. 250 g splits were pulverized to >85% passing below 75 microns. An aqua regia digest with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) finish was used for 51-element analysis on 50 g samples (ALS code: Au-ME-TL44). All samples were re-analysed for gold content by fire assay with an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish on 30 g samples (ALS code: Au-ICP21). Samples with visible gold and other samples returning >5 g/t Au will undergo further processing, analysing the screen rejects to determine whether the screening process could introduce a sampling bias in current results by excluding coarse gold from analysis. Information in this release has been prepared and approved by Scott Berdahl, P. Geo., Chief Executive Officer of Snowline and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. ABOUT SNOWLINE GOLD CORP. Snowline Gold Corp. is a Yukon Territory focused gold exploration company with a seven-project portfolio covering >100,000 ha. The Company is exploring its flagship 72,000 ha Einarson and Rogue gold projects in the highly prospective yet underexplored Selwyn Basin. Snowline's project portfolio sits within the prolific Tintina Gold Province, host to multiple million-ounce-plus gold mines and deposits including Kinross' Fort Knox mine, Newmont's Coffee deposit, and Victoria Gold's Eagle Mine. Snowline's first-mover land position provides a unique opportunity for investors to be part of multiple discoveries and the creation of a new gold district. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Scott Berdahl, MSc, MBA, PGeo CEO & Director For further information, please contact: Snowline Gold Corp. +1 778 650 5485 info@snowlinegold.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company reviewing its newly acquired project portfolio to maximize value, reviewing options for its non-core assets, including targeted exploration and joint venture arrangements, conducting follow-up prospecting and mapping this summer and plans for exploring and expanding a new greenfield, district-scale gold system. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. SOURCE: Snowline Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685310/Snowline-Gold-Intersects-101-grams-per-tonne-over-1368-metres-in-First-Hole-Returned-from-Its-Bulk-Tonnage-Valley-Discovery-Rogue-Project-Yukon IP Team Grows European Presence with Strategic Industry Hire TransPerfect Legal Solutions (TLS), a global provider of e-discovery, litigation support, and IP solutions for law firms and corporate legal departments, today announced the hiring of Andre Monteiro Andrade as Director of IP Services. Andrade has over 10 years' experience in the IP space. He comes to TLS from ClarkeModet, the largest intellectual property group in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, where he was responsible for growing key accounts and developing major markets in the APAC and EMEA regions. Prior to joining ClarkeModet, Andrade managed cross-functional teams in the UK and India for IP software and services provider Clarivate, then CPA Global. Based in TLS's Madrid office, Andrade will leverage the company's GlobalLink AI and machine translation technologies to design efficiencies for IP clients. While focused primarily on IP prosecution and translation services in the EMEA region, he is taking on a leadership position within TLS's global IP products and services team, setting strategy to enable the division to better meet the needs of its global client base. TLS's IP practice group supports clients and IP law firms with comprehensive translation and technology solutions that help IP departments reduce translation costs, simplify processes, and reduce risks. The team also leverages existing patent portfolios to develop short- and long-term IP translations and filing strategies. Andrade commented, "TransPerfect Legal Solutions is an industry leader when it comes to innovative technology and translation solutions. I am looking forward to bringing my experience to the table in order to elevate our capabilities in this space and support IP owners and professionals during the different stages of the IP life cycle." TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe stated, "We are delighted to welcome Andre to the TransPerfect team. He is a true veteran of the IP industry, and his expertise will have a positive impact on our clients who are establishing and protecting IP rights across global markets." About TransPerfect Legal Solutions TransPerfect Legal Solutions (TLS) is an industry leader in global legal support. Founded in 1992, TLS offers a full suite of services, including forensic technology and consulting, e-discovery and early data assessment, managed review and legal staffing, language services, deposition and trial support, and paper discovery and production. With offices in over 100 cities across six continents, TLS is a trusted partner for every Am Law 200 and Global 100 law firm, as well as the majority of Fortune 500 corporate legal departments. For more information, visit www.transperfectlegal.com. About TransPerfect TransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. From offices in over 100 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 170+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 5,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink technology to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005499/en/ Contacts: Ryan Simper +1 212.689.5555 mediainquiry@transperfect.com OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gastops announced today the release of a major update to the ChipCHECK Alloy Library. The new library more than doubles the number of engine wear debris material types that can be detected by ChipCHECK, Gastops' at-line debris analysis system, and now covers most of the commercial aircraft engines flying today including those manufactured by CFMI, General Electric, Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney and IAE. "Having used ChipCHECK since its commercial release in 2017 as a Field Service Representative with a fleet of over 260 aircraft, representing 700 engines and over 260 APUs, this new and improved material library will build upon an already mature tool. Being able to disposition aircraft quickly will continue to prove valuable for airlines around the world" said Albert Grenier, Retired GE Aviation Field Support Representative. ChipCHECK implements Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to provide reliable at-line engine wear debris analysis in minutes, including alloy classification and particle sizes, enabling operators and maintenance professionals to identify potential failures before they occur. "We worked in close partnership with operators and maintainers around the world to expand ChipCHECK's industry-leading capabilities," said Stephane Deviault, Gastops Product Manager. "This alloy library update is a major accomplishment now covering engines from all the major manufacturers." For more information, visit ChipCHECK - Gastops Ltd. About Gastops Gastops is the world's leading provider of intelligent condition monitoring solutions for Aerospace, Defence, Energy, and Industrial applications to optimize the availability, performance, and safety of critical assets. We offer peace of mind to our customers with innovative online monitoring sensors, at-line analysis, complex modeling and simulation, world class laboratory testing, engineering, design, and MRO services that predict performance to enable proactive operating decisions. Gastops has been providing powerful insights into the condition of critical equipment since 1979. Gastops Media Contact: Ruth Kearnan, rkearnan@gastops.com, +1 (613) 744-3530 GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --usmile (a sub-brand within the Stars Pulse corporation), an Asia-based all-around oral care brand driven by the mission to enable healthier oral condition for all, today introduced its star product to the world-the Y1S, a sonic toothbrush co-developed by over 1,000,000 users. To date, this sensational product has safeguarded over 5,200,000 smiles, reaching 300,000,000 USD revenue in Asia. Watch the video to learn more. To deliver an original yet optimum brushing experience with Y1S, usmile established a cross-functional team, including dental professionals, engineers, and other top-notch experts, bringing new possibilities to this stale industry. A Toothbrush Made for You, From You "At first, there were lots of unanticipated problems: the handle was not grip-friendly enough, the waterproof technology needed an upgrade, and the cleanability could be improved, along with others," said Jake Keeter, Chief Product Manager of usmile. "So we enforced a DTC strategy, involving consumers into manufacturing process." "After its debut in Asia, we gathered more than 300 pieces of advice from 1,000,000 early-adopters, and fine-tuned the product accordingly," Keeter commented. "After 11 iterations within two years, the current Y1S became the choice of over 5,000,000 people." A Toothbrush That Resonates Having won 13 international design awards, including the German Red Dot Design Award, Y1S got its position in the stale industry with chic designs engineered for better oral care solutions. Before, most electric toothbrushes bore a resemblance to the medical industry, evoking discomfort from tooth decay. Therefore, inspired by Roman-column, Y1S integrated aesthetics with technology, surprising users with a stylish yet premium brushing experience. The handle comprises 14 golden-ratio ridges, featuring not only classic artistic, but also ergonomic mechanics to ensure a comfortable and stable grip. Additionally, this design secures the balance, allowing steady standing or laying on the countertop during the oral care routine. Besides, the self-developed mold-resistant PA/ASA material enhances its endurance to humidity while preventing mildew. Industry-leading Cleanability and Ultra-long Battery Life of Up to 180 Days One fundamental factor for selecting rechargeable toothbrushes is cleanability. Powered by a self-developed high-frequency magnetic levitation motor, with speed up to 38,000 rpm, Y1S can remove more plaque and gingivitis, compared to manual ones. With a game-changing balance of the highly-effective vibration and energy-saving motor, a fully-charged Y1S lasts up to 180 days at a using frequency of 2 minutes/time and 2 times/day, surpassing counterparts by 14-30 days of battery life on average. Other features include: 2-minute timer Travel-friendly Type-C input Gentle DuPont filament 3 cleaning modes: Clean/White/Soft usmile transcends the idea that an electric toothbrush is only a tool or decoration; it is the combination of both-vibing with personal atmosphere while dissolving the most troublesome problems. "Launching Y1S worldwide is our first step of globalization. We will keep elevating oral health for all," said Ramble Chan, Vice Present of Stars Pulse, the parent company of usmile. Shop Y1S from usmile shop, Amazon, and Shopee for healthier teeth and gums. About usmile Part of the Stars Pulse corporation, usmile offers a comprehensive line of oral care products to refine dental experience. With a dedicated commitment to deliver ultra-cleanliness through scientific oral care solutions, usmile brightens over 22 million smiles yearly. About Stars Pulse Founded in 2015, Stars Pulse focuses on blending technological advancement and innovative design to deliver integrated healthcare solutions to its customers. With a portfolio of brands, including usmile and Kitty Annie, the Stars Pulse community strives to become the global leader in health and beauty care technology. smartTrade Technologies, a leading provider of end-to-end multi-asset electronic trading solutions headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, France, has reported yet another year of success. 2021 saw the enhancement of a number of its core products and was capped by the acquisition in November of Toronto-based TickTrade Systems. Heralding a new era of M&A activities for smartTrade, the acquisition brought together two complementary technology providers whilst expanding the group presence in North America. The enlarged group share a joint commitment to innovation heralded by its AI driven analytics offering and crypto currencies trading capabilities. Throughout 2021 smartTrade continued its relentless focus on R&D, delivering support for new asset classes such as FX options, money markets and precious metals. smartTrade's flagship product LiquidityFX now supports an ever-growing number of customer needs, enabling access to hundreds of Algos and offering advanced OMS capability. In addition to creating a new DataAPI to support its customers' own data endeavors, smartTrade capitalized on its AI expertise in 2021 to release a comprehensive Analytics solution fit for traders, sales traders and heads of business. smartTrade continued to increase its global market share throughout 2021, further strengthening its senior management team. The company's remote implementation and support capabilities, coupled with the proven resilience of its technology, enabled it to continue to offer an outstanding level of service to its customers despite continued restrictions on global travel and face-to-face meetings. smartTrade achieved market recognition in 2021 in the form of industry awards for Best FX Aggregator, Best Managed Services Solution, Most Innovative Use of Open Source/Cloud Technology and Best FX Trading Solution. David Vincent, Chief Executive Officer Co-Founder at smartTrade Group, said, "The acquisition of TickTrade opened a new chapter of expansion for smartTrade. Joining forces brings new talent to the company and enables us to expand not only our product offering but also our geographical coverage. We are proud of what we achieved through innovation in 2021 and we look forward to building on this in 2022 to offer an even better service to existing and new clients across the globe." About smartTrade Technologies: smartTrade Technologies is a leading global provider of multi-asset electronic trading platforms, helping customers achieve business growth through our cost-efficient, technologically advanced secure private SaaS end-to-end solution. smartTrade in-house hosted solutions support Foreign Exchange, Fixed Income, Crypto and Derivatives asset classes with connectivity to 130+ liquidity providers, enabling tailored aggregation, smart execution, risk management, order management, analytics, payments and multi-channel distribution. smartTrade supports a variety of regulated and un-regulated Financial Institutions. To learn more, visit www.smart-trade.net. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005070/en/ Contacts: Lara Michel COS smartTrade Technologies lmichel@smart-trade.net WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The National Restaurant Association or NRA has urged the U.S. Congress to refill the Restaurant Revitalization Fund or RRF, which is expected to save more than 1.6 million jobs in the restaurant industry hit hard by the surge in Omicron Variant. In a letter to Congress, the association highlighted, based on its survey on 4,200 restaurant operators, the devastating impact so far on the industry caused by the omicron variant. It also highlighted that the initial financial help had saved more than 900,000 jobs. The funding also helped 96 percent of recipients of a grant stay in business. Sean Kennedy, executive vice president for Public Affairs at the NRA said, 'The new data show that restaurant recovery is paralyzed and nowhere near complete. The restaurant industry is at an inflection point, and we need your leadership now more than ever. Congress must act now, to replenish the RRF in the upcoming legislative package to fund the government.... The decisions you make in the coming weeks will be critical toward the future of the restaurants...' According to the Association, the RRF was a critical lifeline to many, but far more remain on the sidelines, desperately looking for support amidst continued economic uncertainty. As per the survey, nearly 50 percent of restaurant operators that did not receive RRF grants feel it's unlikely that they will stay in business beyond the pandemic without a grant. Further, 94 percent of restaurant operators that applied for an RRF grant, but did not receive funding, said a future grant would enable them to retain or hire back employees. The latest surge in Covid cases forced restaurants to reduce hours/days of operation, cut seating capacity, and shutdown, amid the deteriorating consumer confidence. This has resulted in lower sales volumes in 2021 than in the pre-pandemic 2019. As per the survey, 88 percent of restaurants experienced a decline in customer demand for indoor on-premises dining in because of the omicron variant, while 76 percent of operators report that business conditions are worse now than three months ago. Further, 74 percent say their restaurant is less profitable now than it was before the pandemic. Recently, many major U.S. cities restricted entry at indoor facilities such as restaurants, gyms, music venues and theaters only to those who are vaccinated. Earlier in October, NRA in a letter to the U.S. Conference of Mayors suggested that expanded outdoor dining was the need of the hour for the restaurant industry to sustain the winter. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de The pandemic has driven a surge in new home-based businesses and the insurance industry must keep up with their needs AXIS Insurance, the specialty insurance business segment of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited ("AXIS Capital") (NYSE: AXS), has published new researchi that reveals there is more that insurance companies and agents can be doing to help home-based businesses to thrive and protect themselves from risk. Launching a start-up from home has become increasingly attractive to millions of Americans, with home-based businesses forming a growing proportion of the U.S. economy and labor force. To understand more about the motivations and challenges facing the individuals behind this flourishing sector and the hard work that goes into running a business from home, AXIS Insurance commissioned a poll of 1,000 business owners across the U.S. The first Home-Based Business Survey from AXIS Insurancepublished today, reveals a diverse sector spanning almost every industry and consisting of individuals who are overwhelmingly positive about the outlook for their businesses. Highlights from the survey include*: Positive state of mind: Going it alone is working well for many respondents with 73% either 'very happy' or 'content' with running their home-based business. Almost a quarter (23%) felt they are making progress but still have a way to go, while 3% are less happy but remain optimistic for the future. Going it alone is working well for many respondents with 73% either 'very happy' or 'content' with running their home-based business. Almost a quarter (23%) felt they are making progress but still have a way to go, while 3% are less happy but remain optimistic for the future. Pandemic response: Since the start of the pandemic almost one quarter (23%) have seen growth in their businesses accelerate, while 30% have seen growth slow and 14% have changed their whole business model, suggesting the impact of Covid-19 on businesses has varied significantly. Since the start of the pandemic almost one quarter (23%) have seen growth in their businesses accelerate, while 30% have seen growth slow and 14% have changed their whole business model, suggesting the impact of Covid-19 on businesses has varied significantly. Growth ambitions: Almost half (48%) see 'growth' as the area in which they are excelling most, followed by 'getting new clients' (45%). However, crystallizing these ambitions is also where home-based business owners want the most help: driving sales or new business (31%) and advertising (28%) are identified as their top priorities. Almost half (48%) see 'growth' as the area in which they are excelling most, followed by 'getting new clients' (45%). However, crystallizing these ambitions is also where home-based business owners want the most help: driving sales or new business (31%) and advertising (28%) are identified as their top priorities. No "typical" home-based business: With more than 15 million home-based businesses in the U.S. ii , they are diverse in nature and span almost every industry. Among respondents to the survey the largest sectors for home-based businesses are e-commerce home crafts (24%) and professional services including consulting (16%). With more than 15 million home-based businesses in the U.S. , they are diverse in nature and span almost every industry. Among respondents to the survey the largest sectors for home-based businesses are e-commerce home crafts (24%) and professional services including consulting (16%). Different drivers: What drives home-based business entrepreneurs isn't simply financial reward. They are in it for the long-term and have very positive plans for their businesses. Pursuing a passion is the biggest motivator for starting their business (42%) followed by a desire to be their own boss (37%) and to pursue a "side hustle" (36%). What drives home-based business entrepreneurs isn't simply financial reward. They are in it for the long-term and have very positive plans for their businesses. Pursuing a passion is the biggest motivator for starting their business (42%) followed by a desire to be their own boss (37%) and to pursue a "side hustle" (36%). Insurance protection gap: These are not brick and mortar operations and require different coverage than more traditional commercial insurance, however the survey found that insurance take-up is patchy among home-based business owners. Particularly among owners whose businesses started out as a hobby or side hustle, the need for specific insurance might not be immediately clear. While 91% of owners recognize they need insurance, 44% either don't have any coverage, are unsure or explicitly do not know what they are covered for by their insurance, suggesting insurance companies and agents have not kept up to speed with what these businesses need. Jill Bryant, Head of Small Specialty Commercial at AXIS Insurance, said: "Despite the uncertain climate, home-based business owners are incredibly optimistic about the future. With almost half of all respondents confidently expanding their businesses, our research also suggests that many would welcome more support. There is certainly more the insurance industry can do to help these entrepreneurs realize their ambitions by educating business owners about the benefits of insurance and the appropriate coverages for their unique needs. "Running a business from home presents risks that are not necessarily covered in a standard insurance policy designed for small businesses. For example, while the home is at the heart of these businesses, 49% of respondents spend up to half of their time working away from the home, so they need insurance that goes with them. And, equally, those owners who have built their businesses out of a hobby or a side hustle, may not have considered that business risks from professional liability to crime risk are unlikely to be covered under their home insurance policy. "While it is pleasing that most owners would speak to an insurance agent about the insurance they need, with so many home-based businesses having no insurance in place, there is a huge opportunity for us to do more to help this thriving sector." Note to editors: *Respondents could provide more than one answer where the total percentage exceeds 100. Visit our website to find out more from our first annual Home-Based Business Survey. About AXIS Capital AXIS Capital, through its operating subsidiaries, is a global provider of specialty lines insurance and treaty reinsurance with shareholders' equity of $5.3 billion at September 30, 2021, and locations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore and Canada. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a rating of "A+" ("Strong") by Standard Poor's and "A" ("Excellent") by A.M. Best. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit our website at www.axiscapital.com. Follow AXIS Capital on LinkedIn and Twitter. i AXIS Insurance commissioned a survey of 1,000 home-based business owners in the United states in October 2021, which was conducted by IMA Home Attest Technologies. The gender split was female: 64%; male 35%. Age was split as follows: Up to 20: 2% 20-39: 58% 40-60: 33% 60+: 7% ii Small Business Entrepreneurship Council https://sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/ https://sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005248/en/ Contacts: Investor Contact Matt Rohrmann AXIS Capital Holdings Limited investorrelations@axiscapital.com (212) 940-3339 Media Contact Mairi MacDonald AXIS Capital Holdings Limited mairi.macdonald@axiscapital.com 0207 8773 809 "Shadows in Steam," is the second in Touchstone Theatre's Letters from Far series, a storytelling experience told through packages in the mail. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) From theater that comes through the mail to performances that offer food for thought, Bethlehems Touchstone Theatre has a pair of unique events in February you wont want to miss. Here are the details on both events: Advertisement Shadows in Steam The year is 1906 and a steam locomotive pulls into the station. Three passengers are dead, a foul smoke is puffing from the engine and theres no clear explanation for the rash of nightmares amongst the crew. Witness accounts of what happened aboard the train vary, with reports of mysterious meetings, strange noises and seemingly supernatural phenomena. Advertisement Its up to you to solve the mystery. Shadows in Steam A Letters from Far Story is the second installment of the Letters from Far series, which brings theater to your home through the mail. Touchstone started the innovative, interactive program last year to allow people to enjoy theater at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emma Ackerman, Touchstones general manager and an ensemble member, the reaction to last years Letters from Far was tremendous. The response was overwhelmingly positive and generous, Ackerman said. There was a real willingness to engage with the material. I was a little unsure how it was going to turn out. This year, they knew at Touchstone that with the current state of the pandemic, offering it again was important. We knew we needed to create content regardless of where people are safety- and comfort-wise, Ackerman said. I wanted to keep exploring this idea of crazy, fantastical images and story ideas that speak to now in 2022 and what were going through. Heres how this years story will work: As friends of the investigating police officer in charge of the case, you will receive an introductory letter, written statements from the survivors, and physical evidence from the investigation. The production includes six small packages, arriving to your mailbox over the course of February and March. You can follow the story along at your own pace as you dig into a pseudo-historical mystery. Tickets, info: Shadows in Steam: A Letters from Far Story begins hitting mailboxes Feb. 15; the cutoff date to register by purchasing a ticket is Feb. 1. Tickets are $45 per household/mailing address and can be purchased for any US mailing address. Tickets are limited and available by phone at 610.867.1689 or online at www.touchstone.org. Advertisement Kitchen Chronicles, a one-of-a-kind take on the powers of food and wisdom shared in the kitchen, started as a show that went directly into people's homes. This year marks its third and final installment, Feb. 10 to 20 in Touchstones black box theatre. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Kitchen Chronicles Kitchen Chronicles, a one-of-a-kind take on the powers of food and wisdom shared in the kitchen, returns for its third and final installment, Feb. 10 to 20 in Touchstones black box theatre. Mary Wright, an ensemble member of Touchstone Theatre, started the Kitchen Chronicles project in 2017. She began collecting stories told around the table, recipes shared through generations and wisdoms shared while washing dishes, all from Valley residents and friends from around the globe. Those stories became Kitchen Chronicles, the first iteration of which was shared in the spring of 2019 as small, personalized, interactive performances in peoples homes. In October 2019, Kitchen Chronicles was part of Touchstones Festival UnBound, performed with music, puppetry, and fresh-baked food in the studio kitchen at PBS39. The third and final edition brings Kitchen Chronicles to Touchstones home stage. This installment focuses a lot more on the role the kitchen can play in relationships, Wright said. Its a little less about the relationship we have with food and more about the way we operate in a kitchen and how that affects relationships. This also marks the first time Wright will be working with her daughter, Katie Willmorth, who is an equity actor. They will portray mother and daughter on stage, in a play exploring family recipes, the meaning of legacy, the miracle of Cool Whip, and why, hungry or not, we always end up in the kitchen. Advertisement Theres a lot about this show that surprised and delighted me, Wright said. Its not at all your standard kitchen drama. Theres a lot of whimsy, humor and theatrically magical moments, I am loving the writing of it and love performing it. I think this show is really unique and special. Plus, she has the rare chance to work with her daughter. This is probably one of the few times well get to do something like this together, she said. Wright has a sense of accomplishment as she nears the end of Kitchen Chronicles. The thing for me has been realizing that I am not the only person that feels theres a power in the kitchen, she said. Why do we always end in up in the kitchen? People are drawn to it and why is that? Thats what this whole thing has been about. Tickets, info: Kitchen Chronicles runs Feb. 10 to Feb. 20, with shows at 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25, with $15 tickets for students/seniors and the option to Pay-What-You-Will at the door on Thursdays. Tickets are available at 610.867.1689 or online at touchstone.org Advertisement COVID safety Ticket holders must show either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test from within 72 hours. All performers and company members are fully vaccinated. Masks are required. Info: http://www.touchstone.org/ WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Hess Corp. (HES) announced a 2022 Exploration & Production capital and exploratory budget of $2.6 billion, of which approximately 80% will be allocated to Guyana and the Bakken. Net production is projected to average between 330,000 and 340,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2022, excluding Libya. Chief Operating Officer Greg Hill said: 'In the Bakken, we plan to operate a three rig program, which will enable us to generate significant free cash flow, lower our unit cash costs and further optimize our infrastructure. In Guyana, our focus in 2022 will be on advancing our high value oil developments on the Stabroek Block, and continuing our active exploration and appraisal program.' The company projects Bakken net production to average between 165,000 and 170,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 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. Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE: SIXW) (OTCQB: SIXWF) (FSE: AHUH) ("Sixth Wave", "SIXW" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its patent-pending Accelerated Molecularly Imprinted Polymer ("AMIPs") technology has successfully detected the SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva samples, at sensitivity levels comparable to commercially available antigen tests. Low-cost, highly accurate, and simple to use testing will be extremely valuable to the global health community while high-density population areas remain susceptible to seasonal COVID-19 outbreaks and the predictable emergence of new variants. According to BCC Publishing, "the global market for COVID-19 diagnostic services was valued at $60.3 billion in 2020. The market should grow from $84.4 billion in 2021 to $195.1 billion by 2027, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.0% during 2021-2027. Working with researchers at the world-renowned Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology at the University of Alberta ("Institute"), saliva samples spiked with live SARS-CoV-2 virus in a protocol similar to established ELISA clinical tests were performed. The battery of tests produced results down to published detection levels for antigen tests. Verified by Dr. Michael Joyce at the Institute, testing conclusively showed the virus binding directly to AMIPs. The ability to detect the virus in saliva samples is a critical diagnostic tool in the battle against the pandemic. The AMIPs technology provides an opportunity for less invasive, less expensive testing, without the limiting storage and handling requirements of an antigen test. Moreover, the Company has successfully completed initial testing of Integration of the first microarray architecture into an AMIPs prototype. This advancement in the production of the polymer achieves another goal toward increased sensitivity and selectivity against other respiratory pathogens. Testing and optimization for production is ongoing. Initial viral selectivity screening experiments have validated AMIPs ability to screen between COVID-19 and other non-enveloped viruses. Additionally, Research and Markets estimate that "the molecular diagnostics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.1% during 2021-2028. The market growth is mainly attributed to an increase in demand for point-of-care devices and molecular diagnostics has wide applications in various indications such as oncology, infectious diseases, genetic testing, cardiac diseases, and immune system disorders." "We have swiftly gone from a technology that was unknown in the diagnostics space to one that rivals immunoassay technology, one of the two entrenched technologies in the in vitro diagnostic market," said Dr. Garrett Kraft, Vice President of Innovations at Sixth Wave. "The ability to detect the virus at levels comparable to commercially available antigen tests validates the usability of AMIPs, both in clinical health settings and other use cases like the environmental monitoring of air and water." SIXW is rapidly advancing additional sensitivity and cross-reactivity (selectivity against other respiratory pathogens) testing which, if they continue to show positive results, will put the Company in a position to begin preparations for independent clinical trials within the next 60-90 days. The Company is in discussions with multiple independent laboratories to perform clinical trials and provide the Company the requisite information to submit Emergency Use Authorization packages to Canada and the United States at a minimum. The Company has begun discussions with manufacturers and distributors preparing to manufacture prototypes for the clinical trials and proceed to mass manufacturing and distribution. The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its current AMIPs product has the ability to eliminate, cure, contain, at a commercial level, COVID-19 (or SARS-2 coronavirus) at this time. About Sixth Wave Sixth Wave is a nanotechnology company with patented technologies that focus on extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level using highly specialized Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs). The Company is in the process of a commercial rollout of its Affinity cannabinoid purification system, as well as IXOS, a line of extraction polymers for the gold mining industry. The Company is in the development stages of a rapid diagnostic test for viruses under the Accelerated MIPs (AMIPs) label. Sixth Wave can design, develop, and commercialize MIP solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. The company is focused on nanotechnology architectures that are highly relevant for the detection and separation of viruses, biogenic amines, and other pathogens, for which the Company has products at various stages of development. For more information about Sixth Wave, please visit our website at: www.sixthwave.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Jonathan Gluckman" Jonathan Gluckman, Ph.D., President & CEO For information, please contact the Company: Phone: (801) 582-0559 E-mail: info@sixthwave.com Cautionary Notes This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" including statements regarding the planned use of proceeds and performance of the AMIPs technologies. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future events or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In particular, successful development and commercialization of the AMIPs technology are subject to the risk that the AMIPs technology may not prove to be successful in detecting virus targets effectively or at all, the uncertainty of medical product development, the uncertainty of timing or availability of required regulatory approvals, lack of track record of developing products for medical applications and the need for additional capital to carry out product development activities. The value of any products ultimately developed could be negatively impacted if the patent is not granted. The Company has not yet completed the development of a prototype for the product that is subject of its patent application and has not yet applied for regulatory approval for the use of this product from any regulatory agency. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111513 tru.ID launches SIM-based authentication services in India to help digital banks, FinTechs and e-commerce companies prevent identity fraud and secure transactions Mobile verification platform tru.ID has launched in India to make it easy for any digital bank, FinTech or e-commerce business to implement device binding for strong user authentication, and secure payments and transactions. In addition to mobile verification capabilities, tru.ID now offers local data residency hosting in India for enhanced privacy. Businesses must address cybersecurity Since the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published its 'Master Direction on Digital Payment Security Controls' in February 2021, regulated businesses in FinTech, banking, payments and crypto are required to validate user's transactions by implementing additional authentication methods that are 'dynamic or non-replicable', such as 'device binding and SIM'. These important guidelines are designed to prevent fraud, including social engineering and other attack methods. The growing threat of cybercrime The incidence of digital fraud attempts against financial services businesses originating from India have risen 89%, according to quarterly data from TransUnion. Kaspersky reports that, in India, every second fraudulent transaction in the finance industry was an account takeover attempt. According to data presented by the Indian government, there were 1.16m cybersecurity cases reported in 2020, that's three times the year before. tru.ID: Device binding using mobile number and network SIM In response to the urgent need for a mobile-first security solution, tru.ID verifies directly with the mobile network the pairing of the mobile phone number and its associated SIM card, thereby providing strong authentication of a user's device. Unlike SMS one-time-passwords (OTP), SIM-based authentication filters out virtual numbers, is impervious to hijacking and uses the tamper-resistant, cryptographic security embedded in every SIM card. It has the added benefit of offering an uninterrupted, seamless "no need to login" user experience, just like using the mobile network itself. Enhanced data privacy with local hosting In addition to providing an authentication method for device binding and to further enhance its presence in India, tru.ID has launched local data residency hosting for added privacy, at no extra cost to using the platform. When businesses sign-up with tru.ID, neither their account data nor data from users will ever leave the region, and will be processed locally. Paul McGuire, CEO at tru.ID, comments, "With tru.ID, every business can now access the formidable authentication security embedded into every GSM mobile network. The combination of SIM security in everyone's mobile phones and simplicity makes tru.ID the most innovative authentication solution for device binding." Parth Awasthi, Head of Product at tru.ID, added, "At tru.ID, we also believe in data privacy and using the minimal data required to process verifications, which is why we've launched with local data residency hosting in India. When integrating tru.ID, businesses can be absolutely sure that their customer data stays in the local jurisdiction." About tru.ID tru.ID (https://tru.id) is a mobile authentication platform that leverages the power of the SIM card to deliver passwordless multi-factor authentication (MFA) and digital identity solutions that help businesses fight the growing problem of cybercrime. tru.ID integrates with global Mobile Network Operators to provide API connectivity for the SIM-based mobile authentication capabilities that are built into every mobile network. The platform is live in 20 markets covering 2bn+ mobile identities. To find out more about tru.ID, visit https://tru.id. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005769/en/ Contacts: Natalie Malevsky press@tru.id Increase in prevalence of chronic diseases, rise in demand for preventive diagnostic screening, and utilization of artificial intelligence and augmented reality drive the growth of the global computed tomography (CT) market. PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Computed Tomography (CT) Market by Type (Low Slice, Medium Slice, and High Slice), Application (Oncology, Neurology, Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, and Others), and End User (Hospitals & Clinic, Diagnostic Centers, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030." According to the report, the global computed tomography (CT) industry generated $5.62 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $9.91 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.7% from 2021 to 2030. For Right Perspective and Competitive Insights, Get Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2890 Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Increase in prevalence of chronic diseases, rise in demand for preventive diagnostic screening, and utilization of artificial intelligence and augmented reality drive the growth of the global computed tomography (CT) market. However, high cost of installation and maintenance, lack of adequate reimbursement, and stringent regulatory framework restrain the market growth. On the other hand, technological advancements present new opportunities in the coming years. Covid-19 Scenario According to the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the chest computer tomography (CT) among people increased in 2020. The chest CT images of patients with common symptoms of Covid-19 indicated ground-glass opacities, vascular enlargement, and lower lobe involvement. This procedure raised awareness among patients for early detection of disorders and avoiding the spread of infection in the chest. (RSNA), the chest computer tomography (CT) among people increased in 2020. The chest CT images of patients with common symptoms of Covid-19 indicated ground-glass opacities, vascular enlargement, and lower lobe involvement. This procedure raised awareness among patients for early detection of disorders and avoiding the spread of infection in the chest. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been rise in demand for computed tomography scans for detecting the infection and determining the efficacy of treatment over various disorders. Moreover, development activities of new computed tomography systems increased by large number of key players with advancements in technologies. The medium slice segment to continue its leadership position during the forecast period Based on type, the medium slice segment accounted for the highest share in 2020, holding more than two-fifths of the global computed tomography (CT) market, and is expected to continue its leadership position during the forecast period. This is due to rise in technological advancements and the detection of various diseases rise demand for CT systems. However, the high slice segment is estimated to manifest the fastest CAGR of 7.0% from 2021 to 2030, owing to the 360-degree diagnosis provided by x-ray and CT. Do You Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry Expert: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2890 The oncology segment to maintain its lead in terms of revenue during the forecast period Based on application, the oncology segment contributed to the largest share in 2020, accounting for nearly one-third of the global computed tomography (CT) market, and is projected to maintain its lead in terms of revenue during the forecast period. However, the neurology segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 7.7% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to rise in various types of cancer and increase in demand for early detection. North America to maintain its dominance by 2030 Based on region, North America held the largest market share in 2020, contributing to more than one-third of the global computed tomography (CT) market, and is expected to maintain its dominance by 2030. This is attributed to the robust infrastructure provided for research activities and the presence of key players across the region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 7.2% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to increase in new advancements in computer tomography systems, R&D activities for new product launches, and rise in investments in the healthcare sector. Leading Market Players Cannon Medical Systems Corporation Fujifilm Holdings Corporation GE Healthcare Koning Corporation Koninklijke Philips NV Neurologica Corporation Neusoft Medical Systems Co. Ltd. Shimadzu Corporation Siemens Healthineers Stryker Corporation Avenue Basic Plan | Library Access | 1 Year Subscription | Sign up for Avenue subscription to access more than 12,000+ company profiles and 2,000+ niche industry market research reports at $699 per month, per seat. For a year, the client needs to purchase minimum 2 seat plan. Request for 14 days free trial: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter "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." Trending Reports in Healthcare Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount): Vaccines Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Medical Tourism Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Catheters Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Epigenetics Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Medical Laser Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Digital Pathology Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 AI in Healthcare Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Gene Therapy Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Influenza Vaccine Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Surgical Imaging Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. 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. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): 1-800-792-5285, 1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/life-sciences Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/life-sciences-industry-research/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (JKHY) announced Tuesday that Chief Operating Officer Greg Adelson will become President and COO of the company, effective immediately. Adelson, who has been with the company for 11 years, has served as COO since 2019. As President and COO, Adelson will retain his current responsibilities and assume leadership for the company's recently created Digital and Technology Office headed by Ben Metz. Adelson joined Jack Henry in 2011 as group president of iPay and was promoted to General Manager of JHA Payment Solutions in 2014. He became COO more than two years ago with responsibility for all products and business units, including Core, Digital Banking, Lending, Payments, and Financial Crimes, among others. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX JACK HENRY & ASSOCIATES-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de MODI'IN, Israel, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Percepto , pioneering autonomous inspection by industrial robotics, announced today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for Delek US Holdings ' refineries in Tyler, Texas and El Dorado, Arkansas. Percepto drones inspected its facilities and provided visual data management and analysis. The approval makes Delek US's refineries the first to receive such an approval, and one of the first among US energy companies as well. The operational approval is one of a number received by Percepto customers, including Florida Power & Light, Verizon Skyward and at other industrial sites in Australia, Italy, Spain, Norway, Portugal and Israel. The BVLOS approval enables Delek US to operate its drones without a pilot to maintain line of sight with the drone. An operator located in the control room can easily manage and monitor pre-scheduled fully autonomous drone missions. "This approval to use autonomous drone technology is a huge step forward towards cleaner and safer refineries within the oil and gas industry," said Percepto CEO Dor Abuhasira. "Congratulations to Delek US for being pioneers in digital transformation, and implementing new procedures within an industry that has been seeking new solutions to old problems." "Percepto's end-to-end system supports our environmental, social and governance goals to deliver safe and reliable autonomous drones that can be operated remotely while in compliance with US FAA regulations," said Delek SVP, Business Transformation, Grigor Bambekov. "By working in partnership with Percepto, Delek US is gaining more effective, efficient, reliable, and profitable utilization of its assets through the next generation of Industry 4.0 drone ecosystems." Percepto drones are managed by Percepto's Autonomous Inspection & Monitoring (AIM) platform. The recently upgraded AIM 2022 includes the newest configuration of the Percepto Sparrow, the Percepto Air Max. Amongst other payload and capability upgrades, the Air Max features an OGI camera, capable of detecting gas emissions. AIM 2022 also delivers AI-powered packaged solutions for sector-specific use cases, including oil and gas plus other industries. The first industry solution to collate visual data from all third-party surveillance devices on site, Percepto's platform provides a unified view of the entire facility, delivering insights for fast and effective action. Through its change detection framework based on drone-collected data, the Tyler and El Dorado refineries leverage AIM and Air Max drones to maintain remote operations 24/7 with capability to: Automate a select set of day-to-day operations, maintenance, security, and special projects tasks Provide aerial surveillance, monitoring, and inspection of assets, equipment, machinery, materials, and supplies Enable emergency response and crisis management services Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations Keep workers safe with pre-emptive risk notifications and mitigation services About Percepto Percepto is the leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solution provider, revolutionizing how industrial sites monitor and inspect their critical infrastructure and assets. Listed in TIME magazine's 100 Best Inventions of 2021, Percepto's AIM platform fully automates visual data workflows from capture to insight, leveraging the Percepto Air drone-in-a-box portfolio, alongside other robots and visual sensors. Using advanced machine-learning and AI, Percepto AIM provides an end-to-end autonomous inspection and monitoring solution, to assess risk, minimize downtime, drive efficiency, increase safety and reduce operational costs. Percepto's solutions are trusted by Fortune 500 customers on six continents including Florida Power and Light, Koch Industries and Verizon. The company is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards including Edison Gold Award and Frost & Sullivan Global Enabling Technology Leadership Award. For more information, visit www.percepto.co . Media Contact Josh Turner Si14 Global Communications perceptopr@si14global.com US: +1-917-231-0550 Int'l: +972-54-949-6526 NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Thermic Science International Corporation, formerly known as aka ENDOCAN CORP. (OTC:ENDO) an emerging leader in traditional mergers and acquisitions, business development, and Digital HUB Integration is pleased to announce its newest client and partner American States University. The client partnership is focused on introducing one of the largest Nationwide University Scholarships Programs offered, City by City, Coast to Coast, Scholarships for education, family, and business. With the new Digital HUB software integration well underway, American States University, a Hybrid University offers the "big three" mix of online, in class, and in-field training is now accepting Pre-registration for 2022 courses and ready to grow. The University has virtually every mainstream Industry covered for Personal development and/or Business economic development through its constant and flexible Scholarship Programs. www.americanstatesuniversity.com Pre-register now! Inspire, Dream, Change It's Free to Discover! Students, Scholarships, Apprentices, Professors, Instructors, and those who wish to teach. Personal and Business Scholarships covering most areas of Industry and Services: School of Law; School of Business; School of Agriculture; School of Fine Arts, School of Health Science; School of Sustainability-Division of Alternative Energy; Certified Professionals & the Department of Advanced Technology, along with over 37 Trade Skills Courses and coveted Entrepreneurial Programs. With multiple Schools of Excellence, the University is positioned to become an Internationally recognized leader in traditional and digital hybrid mix of Degree and Certificate Programs. It will provide the financial and managerial resources needed to expand those offerings rapidly' into Communities of need and establish several new paradigms for instant non-traditional hybrid education, expanding across the country and Internationally as market conditions dictate. American States University is the only University that can provide the flexibility, affordability, and accessibility to the general public needed to provide this level of education. American States University is a unique hybrid mix of online, in class and in field education. It is a unique and creative educational brainchild of its Founder, President and Chancellor. American States came from humble beginnings; took advantage of all the opportunities offered by this great country; and is now giving back those same opportunities to his future students. The University Scholarship Apprentice Project will cover most industries and will be an ongoing University Project of mass-scale to include all industries categorized and assembled with real-time Digital access. Covering Education, Food, Medical, Agriculture, High-Tech, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Transportation, Defense Security, Aerospace, Television & Media and so much more. Job creation, business consulting, partnership opportunities, personal enhancement education, including business and personal Scholarships. Any Community, any Student, any Business, coupled with the aggressive Student Scholarship Apprentice Programs creates any job, or any company, for any Student, in any Industry, anyone that wants to join the Scholarship Apprentice Program. Scholarship Apprentices: Mobilizing large work force groups, any Industry, any Contract, even Community Clean up, Construction, Security, full University Digital HUB Integration, Mass Job creation, Apprentice Scholarship Programs, and Family Assistance Programs. American States University believes that everyone should have an opportunity to learn and earn if they want too, so we do. The University curriculum delivers hybrid foundational knowledge and real-world skills to immediately prepare you for your career. The University will provide real-time Digital Business HUB access for all its Students and Business Scholars, along with several new and existing partner companies for constant flow of jobs in various industries. The work is real as these Companies are already providing some of these services to the University and other Companies they will be listed in real-time as each job contract presents itself. This partnership supports Thermic Science International strategies in as a Global Digital Immersion HUB leader and Advanced Technology implementation expert for business consulting regard to traditional business and personal enhancement services with advanced digital Interactive real-time instant business services and information HUB servicing 100's of evolving industries worldwide. Product development, and personal services that has a vast list of traditional Business, Personal, and Financial Services Merged with Leading Digital Cloud and Crypto Capabilities to meet the New Digital ERA Emergence with Powerful Real-time Interactive DataFlow Tools.Perfect Mix for Their Hybrid, for Distressed Communities & Family Improvement Programs a Powerful Mix of Real-time Access and Tracking Tools now. American States University will dedicate a portion of its admissions to a scholarship program which will mature into apprenticeships for the Thermic Science International company projects and programs. The university will take advantage of all Thermic Science International's business and personal consulting, partnerships, and all of the acquisition networks that have merged into one Digital HUB access point for everyone to access. Client Partners and Client Companies merged, Digital Immersion HUB, Version 2.0 Program: Website update coming soon. Version 2.0, Change is now. https://www.americanstatesuniversity.com/ Version 2.0 https://cannabissciencecrypto.com/ Version 2.0 https://www.icannabinoid.com/ Version 2.0 https://livenegotiator.com/marketplace/ Version 2.0 http://edp.cannabisscience.com/ Forward Looking Statements This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing words such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs and products. The Company does not undertake any duty, nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements. Contact Information: Thermic Science International Corporation (ENDO) Omnicanna Health Solutions, Inc. www.Omnicanna.com www.ihemp.omnicanna.com Robert Kane, CFO 910.515.2917 info@Omnicanna.com robert.kane@omnicanna.com American States University www.americanstatesuniversity.com info@americanstatesuniversity.com Cannabis Science Inc. www.cannabisscience.com www.icannabinoid.com http://edp.cannabisscience.com/ Raymond C. Dabney President & CEO raymond.dabney@cannabisscience.com +1.778.288.1389 SOURCE: Thermic Science International Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/685349/Thermic-Science-Begins-Digital-HUB-Upgrading-New-Client-American-States-University-with-Full-Software-Systems-Integration-to-Expand-University-HUB-Operations-Internationally-Thermic-Wins-Big-Begins-its-University-Scholarship-Apprentice-Program-to-Hire Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) ("Southern Silver") reported today that drilling has identified a new high-grade mineral discovery on the El Sol concession, located within the Cerro Las Minitas project area, Durango, Mexico. The El Sol concession is a largely gravel covered 63ha. claim located on the northwestern boundary of the Bocona block of claims and is adjacent to the Area of the Cerro which hosts the six mineral deposits currently identified by Southern Silver on the Cerro Las Minitas claim package. Highlight Assays include: a 0.8 metre interval grading 1,760g/t Ag, 0.9g/t Au, 23.6% Pb and 1.2% Zn (2,622g/t AgEq) within a 3.5 metre interval averaging 549g/t Ag, 0.3g/t Au, 8.6% Pb and 3.6% Zn (982g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21SOL-003 Drill hole 21SOL-003 is one of five holes drilled in the Autumn of 2021 to test a series of targets defined by surface mapping, rock and soil sampling and proximity to artisanal workings. The highlight interval intersected down-dip of historic workings located on a northeast-southwest trending structure which has been traced on surface for up to 300 metres laterally before plunging under gravel cover. Drill crews have mobilized back to the El Sol concession to complete an additional three core holes before returning to the area of the Cerro for further drill testing on the North Felsite target. Two holes are planned to test down dip of 21SOL-003 and a third hole to test along strike from 13CLM-072 and an extension of the Blind - El Sol zone located in the southwestern part of the claim (see Figure 2). Rob Macdonald, Vice President Exploration, stated: "The identification of a new high-grade zone continues to highlight the enhanced exploration potential surrounding the known mineral deposits at Cerro Las Minitas. Drilling will continue on the property through early 2022, starting with follow-up drilling on the El Sol concession before transitioning back to the North Felsite target, while the company continues work on a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the known Mineral Deposits to be completed Q2-2022." Figure 1: Plan Map of the Area of the Cerro showing the distribution of the CLM deposits and the location for new drill targeting, at the North Felsite target and El Sol concession. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5344/111471_ba58a216f403d823_002full.jpg Figure 2: Plan Map of the El Sol concession showing drillhole distribution with relation to mineralized structures and surface rock sample locations. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5344/111471_ba58a216f403d823_003full.jpg Table 1: Select Assay Intervals from the El Sol Concession: Hole # From To Interval Est. Tr. Thck. Ag Au Cu Pb Zn AgEq ZnEq (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (%) EL Sol 21SOL-001 29.7 34.3 4.7 UNK 39 0.1 0.0 1.7 1.1 147 3.7 21SOL-002 332.3 333.0 0.8 UNK 52 0.3 0.0 0.9 2.3 197 5.0 21SOL-003 132.4 135.8 3.5 UNK 549 0.2 0.0 8.6 3.6 982 24.9 inc. 135.0 135.8 0.8 UNK 1760 0.9 0.1 23.6 1.2 2622 66.5 and 161.0 161.4 0.4 UNK 129 0.6 0.0 3.9 6.2 547 13.9 21SOL-004 299.6 300.4 0.8 UNK 15 0.1 0.0 0.7 2.1 131 3.3 21SOL-005 NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV Analyzed by FA/AA for gold and ICP-AES by ALS Laboratories, North Vancouver, BC. Silver (>100ppm), copper, lead and zinc (>1%) overlimits assayed by ore grade ICP analysis, High silver overlimits (>1500g/t Ag) and gold overlimits (>10g/t Au) re-assayed with FA-Grav. High Pb (>20%) and Zn (>30%) overlimits assayed by titration. AgEq and ZnEq were calculated using average metal prices of: US$20/oz silver, US$1650/oz gold, US$3.25/lbs copper and US$0.9/lbs lead and US$1.15/lbs zinc. AgEq and ZnEq calculations did not account for relative metallurgical recoveries of the metals. Ore-grade composites are calculated using a 80g/t AgEq cut-off in sulphide and 0.5g/t AuEq in the oxide gold zone Composites have <20% internal dilution, except where noted; anomalous intercepts are calculated using a 10g/t AgEq cut-off. Oro Project Update The Company's property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project located in southern New Mexico, USA, comprised of patented land, State leases and BLM mineral claims totalling 22.3 sq. km. Targeting has been finalized for a 4,000m drill program, designed to test several copper-molybdenum porphyry and copper-gold skarn targets within a broad quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration zone, interpreted to overlie an unexposed porphyry centre. Permitting and bonding are finalized and drilling is planned to commence in the first week of February, 2022. Cerro Las Minitas Project Southern Silver continues to advance one of the world's largest undeveloped silver/lead/zinc resources, the Cerro Las Minitas project, through advanced exploration, pre-production metallurgical and engineering work, and economic assessment. The CLM Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu Skarn system is well located in southern Durango, Mexico, in a safe jurisdiction, surrounded by producing companies, with easy access and strong community support. The Cerro Las Minitas project, as of Oct 27th, 2021, contains a Mineral Resource Estimate, at a $60/t NSR cut-off, of (1): Indicated - 137Moz AgEq: 42.1Moz Ag, 44Mlbs Cu,358Mlb Pb and 895Mlb Zn 42.1Moz Ag, 44Mlbs Cu,358Mlb Pb and 895Mlb Zn Inferred - 198Moz AgEq: 73.6Moz Ag, 98Mlb Cu, 500Mlb Pb and 1,009Mlb Zn The new Mineral Resource Estimate significantly increases the size of the resource on a tonnage and silver-equivalency basis making it one of the largest and higher-grade undeveloped silver-based deposits in the world. The new Resource Estimate increases silver as a proportion of the contained metals, significantly increases the NSR value of the deposits and will now form the basis for a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), which is expected to be completed by Q2 2022. A total of 180 drill holes for 81,000 metres has been completed on the CLM Project with exploration expenditures of approximately US$30.0 million equating to exploration discovery costs of approximately C$0.09 per AgEq ounce. About Southern Silver Exploration Corp. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions. Our specific emphasis is the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, Los Gatos, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold and the Hermanas gold-silver vein projects located in southern New Mexico, USA. The 2021 Cerro Las Minitas Resource Estimate as of October 27th, 2021 was prepared following CIM definitions for classification of Mineral Resources. Resources are constrained using mainly geological constraints and approximate 10g/t AgEq grade shells. The block models are comprised of an array of blocks measuring 10m x 3m x 10m, with grades for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn values interpolated using ID2 weighting. Silver, zinc equivalent and $NSR/t values were subsequently calculated from the interpolated block grades. The base case model assumed a $60NSR/t cut-off for operating, processing and sustaining costs, with an indicated resource of 12,325,000 tonnes averaging 106g/t Ag, 0.07g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, 3.3% Zn and 0.16% Cu and an inferred resource of 19,605,000 tonnes averaging 117g/t Ag, 0.12g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, 2.3% Zn and 0.23% Cu. AgEq cut-off values and NSR values were calculated using average long-term prices of $20/oz. silver, $1,650/oz. gold, $3.50/lb. copper, $1.0/lb. lead and $1.20/lb. zinc. Metal recoveries are variable as a function of deposit and concentrate and are detailed in NR-18-21, Oct 27, 2021. All prices are stated in $USD. Silver Equivalents, Zn equivalents and $/t NSR values were calculated from the interpolated block values using relative recoveries and prices between the component metals and silver to determine final values. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves until they have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for a resource's mineability, selectivity, mining loss, or dilution. The current Resource Estimate was prepared by Garth Kirkham, P.Geo. of Kirkham Geosciences Ltd. who is the Independent Qualified Person responsible for presentation and review of the Mineral Resource Estimate. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely. Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and supervised directly the collection of the data from the CLM Project that is reported in this disclosure and is responsible for the presentation of the technical information in this disclosure. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Lawrence Page" Lawrence Page, Q.C. President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp. For further information, please visit Southern Silver's website at https://www.southernsilverexploration.com or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at ir@mnxltd.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements. 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. 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 to the extent required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111471 Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased report that its partner Silver Spruce Resources ("Silver Spruce") has released an update about the status of exploration at the Diamante Gold & Silver Project in Sonora Mexico. Silver Spruce is currently earning up to 50% of the Diamante project in conjunction with Colibri as a result of a deal negotiated with a private vendor and announced in January 2021. Please see Colibri news release dated April 29th, 2021 for full details of the agreement in place with Silver Spruce. Silver Spruce Reports: Silver Spruce Resources Inc. ("Silver Spruce" or the "Company") announces that the Company has initiated its Informe Preventivo for application to the Mexican government environmental authority SEMARNAT for the Diamante drilling permit. Silver Spruce engaged Green & Ceo, Asesorio Profesional y Securidad en Ambiente, of Hermosillo, Sonora to manage the environmental permitting process. The SEMARNAT permit is expected within four to six weeks of submission. The Company also is pleased to provide high-grade results from additional historical rock sampling at several known targets with artisanal workings. Recent literature research identified reports with maps, field sampling sections and assays for seventy-seven (77) previously unreleased samples with precious and base metal values reporting up to 25.69 g/t Au, 1,360 g/t Ag, 18.2% Pb, 33.5% Zn and 1.47% Cu. The surface and U/G channel samples (to 2.5 metres) were collected from Diamante 1, the northern concession, at the La Prieta, Aguaje, El Chon, El Chon Oeste, El Chon Sur, Hacia del Oeste, La Olla, Lupita, Pillado, Pillado Sur and Pillado Grande targets (Figure 1). The highest-grade individual sample was collected from a 15cm vein in the La Prieta workings (25.69 g/t Au, 1,265 g/t Ag, 18.2% Pb, 23.0% Zn and 1.47% Cu). The Diamante gold-silver (Au-Ag) project ("Diamante" or the Property") is a drill-ready precious metal property located 5 km northwest of the town of Tepoca, and 165 km southeast of the capital city of Hermosillo, eastern Sonora, Mexico (Figure 2). Diamante offers strong precious metal tenor with a polymetallic endowment and contains multiple quality targets, limited artisanal mining and small-scale production, of particular significance for our exploration moving forward, no records of drilling on either property. Mr. Davison - VP Exploration stated, "The recent desktop research in Hermosillo contributes significantly to the project's geological and assay database. This work confirms additional vein samples with excellent polymetallic grade of the mineralization ahead of the target mapping program. The upcoming geological work will focus on several priority targets documenting detailed lithologies, mineralization, structural measurements and verification of sampling coordinates with a view to optimization of the proposed drill target depths and orientations. Additionally, the areas of alteration reported using hyperspectral imaging require authentication by ground exploration and hand-held spectral data as part of the drill target definition." Figure 1. Diamante 1 Concession Map with location of known mineralized targets and sampled surface and underground artisanal workings. Recent LiDAR analysis identified >50 surface pits and workings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/111518_figure1.png Figure 2. Diamante 1 and 2 Concession Location Map. Note adjacent El Mezquite and Jackie Concessions. Nicho mine development by Minera Alamos is located 12 km SE of Diamante. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/111518_figure2.png Historical Rock Sampling The recently acquired reports and maps contained polymetallic assays of rock samples from La Prieta, Aguaje, El Chon, El Chon Oeste, El Chon Sur, Hacia del Oeste, La Olla, Lupita, Pillado, Pillado Sur and Pillado Grande targets (Figure 2). Table 1 and 2 provides geochemical results for select samples (n=30 of 77) sorted by Au and Ag, respectively from seven target areas. Table 1. Select precious metal and base metal assays (n=11) sorted by Au (>1 g/t). Jackie To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/111518_table1.png Table 2. Additional select assays (n=19) sorted by Ag with anomalous Pb, Zn and/or Cu. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/111518_table2.png Diamante includes twelve known occurrences at La Prieta, El Aguaje, El Chon, El Pillado, La Olla, La Cruz and El Caso, Mezquite Raizudo, El Puerto, El Cumbro, Calton and the Southern Anomaly (Anomalia Sur). Sampling highlights from these areas of interest, some with artisanal mining, have reported significant precious and base metals in samples collected from historical mine dumps, small-scale processing slag and assays from vein and stockwork-style mineralization. Based on the distribution of the overall sampling (n=354), several newly renamed targets are designated, and the Diamante concessions overall comprises eighteen mineralized areas with seven under consideration for the Phase 1 drilling. These include La Prieta, El Cumbro, Mezquite Raizudo, El Chon, La Olla, Calton and Pillado. Disseminated and stockwork mineralization at Anomalia Sur and El Puerto offer bulk low-grade targets. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the La Prieta and El Chon drilling vein target areas with precious metal values by class, and artisanal pits and workings. The latter follow projected surface exposures of vein mineralization. Figure 3. El Chon drill target on LiDAR high resolution base map showing easy access from Highway 16. Au and Ag in graduated symbology. LiDAR analysis shows surface pits and workings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/111518_figure3.png Project Geology The Property is located within the west-central portion of the Sierra Madre Occidental Volcanic Complex within the prominent northwest-trending "Sonora Gold Belt" of northern Mexico and parallel to the well-known, precious metals-rich Mojave-Sonora Megashear. Exploration has identified geological features of epithermal low to intermediate sulphidation Ag-Au (Pb-Zn), high sulphidation Au-Cu, and potential transition to porphyry style Au-Cu. Precious and base metal polymetallic mineralization occurs as disseminated, stockwork and vein styles accompanied phyllic, argillic, advanced argillic and propylitic zones, with near-surface overprinting by weathering with iron oxide and oxyhydroxide staining, jarosite and relict vuggy silica. New TLALI algorithm maps for the LANDSAT 8 OLI and LANDSAT/ASTER data confirmed the spectral response for silicification and argillic alteration, including generic clay, alunite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite and silica coincident with known artisanal vein workings and disseminated gold targets. Figure 4. La Prieta drill target on LiDAR high resolution base map showing easy access from Highway 16. Au and Ag in graduated symbology. LiDAR analysis shows surface pits and workings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/111518_figure4.png Mineralization is reported visually as pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, argentiferous galena, argentite, hematite and probable metal oxides, carbonates and sulphates, including copper carbonate (malachite), copper sulphates and plumbojarosite. Structural lineaments with ENE, NE and NW orientations identified in the historical exploration correspond to known vein systems. Branching and oblique vein sets to the N-S direction were noted from the ENE veins. Project Background Silver Spruce can acquire up to 50% interest in four Diamante concessions, with a cumulative land position of 1,057 hectares, from Colibri and its wholly-owned Mexican subsidiary, Yaque Minerales SA de CV ("Yaque"). The nearby large operating mines include Alamos Gold's Los Mulatos gold mine and Agnico Eagle's La India gold mine, Agnico's Pinos Altos mine and Argonaut's La Colorada Mine. The Property is very well situated in terms of logistics for exploration and twelve to fifteen kilometres west and northwest of the Nicho deposit currently under mine development by Minera Alamos. The Property is easily accessible from Mexican Highway #16 which transects Diamante 1 and on ranch trails and dry river beds to Diamante 2. High voltage power lines are positioned along Highway #16. Geochemical Analysis, Quality Assurance and Quality Control All metal values disclosed herein by historical operators (Pan American Silver, Minera Teocuitla) are reported from grab and chip samples which may not be representative of the metal grades. The Company has reviewed the available historical property reports and copies of assay certificates from International Plasma Labs Ltd. ("IPL"), later known as Inspectorate Americas, and currently Bureau Veritas Group, and compared the grades with sampling programs and assays reported by the Vendors and Silver Spruce. IPL was an independent commercial laboratory with ISO 9001-2000 certification during the 2005-20011 period of the historical work. The Company's Qualified Person believes that the sampling, analytical protocols and data will withstand scrutiny for inclusion. Qualified Person Greg Davison, PGeo, Silver Spruce VP Exploration and Director, is the Qualified Person and is responsible for approval of the technical content of this press release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), under TSX guidelines. ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION: Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring and exploring prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company has six exploration projects of which five currently have exploration programs being executed in 2022. (1) The flagship Evelyn Gold Project is 100% owned and explored by Colibri, (2) the Pilar Gold & Silver Project (optioned to Tocvan Ventures- CSE:TOC), (3) the El Mezquite Gold & Silver Project , (4) the Jackie Gold & Silver Project, and (5) the Diamante Gold & Silver Project. 3,4, and 5 are subject to earn-in agreements by Silver Spruce Resources - TSX.V-SSE). For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements," Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, statements regarding the private placement. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of metals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. For information contact: Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, rongoguen@colibriresource.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/111518 The 47-year-old man with Lehigh County ties who police say ambushed two officers in his mothers Harlem apartment, killing one and gravely wounding the other before a third cop shot him, died Monday afternoon, a New York City police official said. Lashawn McNeil died at 1:38 p.m. at Harlem Hospital. McNeil lived at one time in Germansville, Lehigh County, with a last-known address in Allentown. Advertisement He was shot Friday night in the head and right arm by rookie officer Sumit Sulan moments after McNeil shot officers Jason Rivera and Herbert Mora. Rivera, a 22-year-old newlywed, died that night. Mora, 27, is in critical condition at NYU Langone Medical Center. Advertisement Lashawn McNeil Hes still in the hospital, Wilson Mora said of his brother on Monday. Thats all I can say. McNeil had come from Maryland in November to visit his ailing mother, Shirley Sourzes, who had recently undergone heart surgery, and his 45-year-old brother, who has lymphoma, police sources said. But McNeil argued with his mother from the moment he arrived, she later told police. At 6:15 p.m. Friday, Sourzes called 911, complaining to a dispatcher that she and McNeil were fighting. She made no mention of him being armed, but said he had threatened to physically hurt her, the police official said. McNeil was arguing with his mom about the lack of vegan food available in the apartment before the deadly shooting, police sources said. Mora, Rivera and Sulan drove to the mothers apartment. Police said McNeil ignored his mothers call to come out front so police could talk to him. Sulan stayed behind with Sourzes and McNeils brother while Rivera and Mora headed down a narrow, 30-foot-long hallway toward the bedroom. Thats when the door swings open and numerous shots were fired, striking both officers, Chief of Detectives James Essig said. McNeil, armed with a handgun equipped with a drum magazine that can hold 40 rounds, shot Rivera first, police said. Mora returned fire once but missed, a police source said. Advertisement Sulan a rookie who was riding with the officers as part of his training also returned fire, hitting McNeil in the right arm and head, said a police source who viewed body camera video. McNeils gun was stolen Nov. 20, 2017, from the home of a 44-year-old security guard in Baltimore. The security guard told police she suspected her son had stolen the gun, but no arrest was made. It is not clear how the weapon wound up in McNeils hands. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Advertisement Police are poring over McNeils cellphone records, computer search history and emails for any clues that might explain why he shot the officers, the official said. McNeill was charged in 2002 with assaulting a police officer in Pennsylvania, Essig said. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to possession of drugs with intent to deliver in Pennsylvania. He served roughly one year behind bars and was released in 2004, authorities in Lehigh County confirmed. ATLANTA (dpa-AFX) - Molson Coors Beverage Co. (TAP) announce Tuesday it has expanded its exclusive agreement with The Coca-Cola Co. (KO) to develop and commercialize a brand of full-flavor alcohol beverages inspired by the country's leading chilled juice brand, Simply. Molson Coors will produce, distribute and market Simply Spiked Lemonade as part of an agreement with Coca-Cola. The deal marks another milestone in the relationship between Molson Coors and Coca-Cola, following a successful first year for Topo Chico Hard Seltzer. This summer, Molson Coors will start by launching the Simply Spiked Lemonade variety pack, inspired by some of Simply's best-selling non-alcoholic products, including Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade and, of course, Signature Lemonade. The bold, great-tasting flavors of the Simply brand mix seamlessly with alcohol for cocktails, which inspired the ready-to-drink lineup. Simply Spiked Lemonade will be sold in slim-can 12pks as a variety pack, and 24oz standalone cans of select flavors. Simply Spiked Lemonade and the national expansion of Topo Chico Hard Seltzer mark the latest initiatives to aggressively grow Molson Coors' above premium portfolio as part of the company's revitalization plan. 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. New Identity to Reflect the Company's Purpose, Culture, and Expanded Offerings as the Brand Turns 25. GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clase Azul, Mexico's first luxury spirits brand and creator of Clase Azul Tequila and Clase Azul Mezcal, has announced its new brand identity: Clase Azul Mexico. Formerly known as Clase Azul Spirits, the change will happen on January 25, 2022-part of a year-long 25th anniversary celebration that will mark the beginning of a new era for the brand in terms of products and experiences. The new brand identity was announced today by founder and CEO Arturo Lomeli and President Juan Sanchez. "As a fully Mexican-owned and operated brand, 'Clase Azul Mexico' represents our origin and who we are," explained founder and CEO Arturo Lomeli. 'We will continue to offer the highest quality tequila and mezcal but look forward to introducing new ways of expressing our Mexican heritage." "We are honored at the opportunity to expand the world of Clase Azul by offering new experiences and products, beyond our tequila and mezcal," explained President Juan Sanchez. "Our efforts will continue to resonate with our purpose of sharing the magic of Mexican culture," he continued. Lead by Clase Azul Creative Director Miguel Hernandez, the rebranding includes a new logo, product packaging design, website, and digital assets. Due to the scope and impact of the rebrand, the new identity will be unveiled in different stages throughout the year, beginning with digital channels, followed by Clase Azul brand homes, current product Icons, and other to-be-announced brand offerings. "One of the most prominent changes will be the evolution of our brand logo," explained Hernandez. "Until now, the agave insignia has been an accurate representation of our involvement in the world of tequila and mezcal. As we transform into much more than a spirits brand, we are adopting a new emblem that offers a timeless view of a bright future full of possibilities." In 2021, Clase Azul began offering visitors to Los Cabos, Mexico, a rich and unique tasting & culinary experience, A Taste of Culture, where guests are invited to embark on a mystical journey through the world of Clase Azul. Other projects in the works include: The Clase Azul Loft, an experiential space in Dumbo, Brooklyn; an experiential space in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; and a distillery and visitor's center in Jalisco, Mexico. The company was founded in 1997 in Guadalajara, Jalisco by Arturo Lomeli, who began his journey in the spirits industry at an early age. Determined to create a product as exquisite as the land it comes from, Lomeli's dedication to Mexican culture has made Clase Azul one of the leaders in the spirits and luxury categories worldwide. Clase Azul continues to pursue its mission of sharing Mexico's exquisite traditions with the world and is now present in more than fifty countries-including Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe, the UK, South Korea, and Australia. The company, which is grounded in artisanal craftsmanship, supports Mexico's artisanal community through Fundacion con Causa Azul, a foundation which provides education and resources for underfunded, yet passionate artisans. In addition, Clase Azul has been awarded the "Great Place to Work" certification several years in a row and is a recipient of the Positive Luxury organization's "Butterfly Mark," a certificate that highlights luxury brands that are committed to having a positive impact on nature and society. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1728936/logo_Logo.jpg TALLINN, Estonia, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MyCointainer, a platform for easy yield staking, announced it has raised $6 million in a Seed Round. The event was led by Maple Block and co-led by Shima Capital & ByBit - one of the dominant cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide. Numerous high-profile angel investors also participated in the round. Among them are entities with rich portfolios comprising some of the most renowned industry brands like CoinList, Circle, and Polygon. ConsenSys, Near, 1inch, Algorand, Polkadot, dY/dX, Casper Labs, Mina, Ankr, and Enjin are also there. Most importantly, their support enhances MyCointainer's potential and pinpoints a tight-knit collaboration for future projects. The company will use the funds to develop its yield-earning platform. This way, it will improve its current B2B products and expand its reach in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of the world. Lastly, MyCointainer seeks to increase its expert team by hiring more professionals. Yield Earning on MyCointainer MyCointaineris a platform that enables customers to stake cryptocurrencies and tokens without any hassle. Users can start with as little as 1 EUR and have their pick from more than 100 digital assets, including Polkadot, Cardano, and Elrond. Anyone can use MyCointainer to generate passive income through staking. The platform allows users to buy specific tokens or transfer them into their wallets. Then, it utilizes the power of blockchain protocols to generate more coins in the users' balances as daily rewards. Furthermore, participants can earn directly from their wallets through delegations. In other words, MyCointainer works like a digital piggy bank enabling people to enjoy their lives while their money works for them. Some assets generating the best profits on MyCointainer are Cartesi, Polygon, NEM, Synthetic, and Cardano. On average, the yearly rewards are close to 15%. Polygon is one of the most prestigious projects on MyCointainer, with almost 8,000 active participants at the time of writing. Furthermore, these users' annual earnings are close to 12% on the platform. Many consider Polygon as one of the potential payment forms of tomorrow. For instance, the project revolutionizes the blockchain community and creates a hub where users can interact with decentralized products. Above all, its presence on the platform enhances MyCointainer's reliability and potential. MyCointainer's Rise in the Crypto World Bartosz Pozniak, an entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in shaping global digital products, founded and launched MyCointainer in 2018. Previously, he has worked in various industries, including investment banks, and in product teams for Barclays & Deutsche Bank in London. Pozniak built MyCointainer in its early years through self-funding and company-generated revenue. So far, the platform has generated over $3 million in rewards for its over 110,000 users. The company has a financial institution license in Estonia. Also, its most important markets include the UK, the USA, France, and Italy. In November 2021, MyCointainer joined forces with the industry-leading blockchain project Elrond and the Maiar Team. The partnership enables the trade of BTC/EGLD, EUR/EGLD pairs, and a simple proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism. Also, it covers the patronage over the Maiar application. As a result, users can complete specific tasks and receive exclusive rewards from a total prize pool of $6,000 in EGLD. Besides Elrond, MyCointainer has partnered with other important names in the industry, like Avalanche Labs, Waves & Cosmos. Also, the company worked closely with Crypto.com and many other fast and open blockchains for decentralized applications. These collaborations helped MyCointainer scale and grow its platform much further. Lastly, the MyCointainer team is growing at a remarkable speed. Today, the company employs more than 42 people and plans to expand even more with several new positions opening. Anyone interested in the available roles can visit their Careers page. About MyCointainer MyCointainer has taken the ambitious mission of providingeasy access to various rewarding crypto mechanisms for everyone. This way, everyone can benefit equally from a changing financial landscape and accelerate global crypto adoption. The MyCointainer team is available on Facebook, Telegram, and Discord, among other social media channels. Contact: admin@vp-services.org Related Images Image 1: Raised This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks closed higher on Tuesday, bouncing back from losses in the previous session, even as the mood remained cautious with investors looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement. Geopolitical concerns following Russia's troop build-up on Ukraine's border, and worries about rising coronavirus cases continued to hurt sentiment, but failed to any significantly impact market's rebound. The Fed's latest monetary policy decision is due Wednesday afternoon. The accompanying statement could hint at the first rate hike as early as the next meeting in mid-March. The pan European Stoxx 600 climbed 0.71%. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 surged up 1.02%, Germany's DAX advanced 0.75% and France's CAC 40 gained 0.74%, while Switzerland's SMI ended 0.54% up. On Monday, the pan European Stoxx 600 plummeted 3.8%. The German DAX plunged 3.8%, France's CAC 40 index slumped 4% and the U.K.'s FTSE lost 2.6%, while Switzerland's SMI ended 3.84% down. Among other markets in Europe, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey closed with strong gains. Ireland and Netherlands edged up marginally, while Greece, Iceland and Portugal ended weak. In the UK market, Ocado Group, Standard Chartered, ABRDN, BP, Shell, HSBC Holdings, Natwest Group, Polymetal International, Pearson, Baclays and Lloyds Banking Group gained 3 to 5%. M&G, Anglo American Plc, Scottish Mortgage, Rolls-Royce Holdings, ICP, Hargreaves Lansdown, B&M European Value Retail and Next also moved up sharply. Capricorn Energy soared 6.6%. In its update on its operations and trading performance, the oil & gas exploration and development company said it is very encouraged by the initial operating performance of its newly acquired Western Desert Assets in Egypt. Auto Trader Group declined by about 3.7%. RightMove, Aveva Group, Evraz, Barratt Developments, Coca-Cola, CRH, Reckitt Benckiser and Prudential also ended notably lower. In the German market, Fresenius Medical Care surged up nearly 7%. Fresenius advanced 3.1%, while Munich RE, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Telekom, HeidelbergCement, Porsche Automobil, Daimler, Henke, Deutsche Wohnen, MTU Aero Engines and Qiagen gained 1 to 2%. HelloFresh declined 2.7%. Deutsche Boerse, Adidas, Puma, Covestro, Merck and Siemens Healthineers shed 1 to 2%. In Paris, Unibail Rodamco climbed nearly 5%. Safran, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Renault, Sanofi, Technip, Orange, Thales, Credit Agricole, Veolia, Vinci and LVMH gained 1 to 2.2%. Faurecia tumbled more than 6%. Valeo shed nearly 6%. ArcelorMittal, Atos, Teleperformance and Pernod Ricard ended lower by 1 to 1.7%. Swedish telecommunications firm Ericsson jumped nearly 8% after reporting fourth-quarter core earnings above expectations. In economic releases, Germany's Ifo business climate index improved to 95.7 from 94.8 in December, reaffirming better business conditions to start the year. The UK budget balance posted its fourth biggest December shortfall on record, data released by the Office for National Statistics showed. Public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks declined by GBP 7.6 billion from the previous year to GBP 16.8 billion in December. However, this was the fourth-highest December borrowing since records began in 1993. Central government receipts grew GBP 6.2 billion from the last year, while central government expenditure dropped GBP 1 billion. In the financial year to December, the budget deficit was GBP 146.8 billion, which was the second-highest financial year-to-December borrowing since monthly records began in 1993. The UK manufacturers expect total new order growth to slow in coming three months, reflecting an easing of domestic and export demand, the Industrial Trends Survey from the Confederation of British Industry showed on Tuesday. A net 12% of manufacturers expect total new orders to grow in the next quarter. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Michelle will focus on Korean investor coverage for Antin Regulatory News: Antin Infrastructure Partners (Ticker: ANTIN ISIN: FR0014005AL0), one of the world's leading infrastructure investment firms, announces the appointment of Michelle (Min Kyung) Maeng as Investor Relations Director, effective immediately. Ms Maeng will focus exclusively on Antin's large Korean Fund Investor base and will report to Sebastien Lecaudey, Antin's Senior Partner and Head of Investor Relations. Ms. Maeng joins Antin from Mirae Asset Securities, where she was most recently a Senior Manager in the placement agent team for private capital funds. With over 15 years market experience, Ms Maeng has developed strong relationships with Korean investors and will further support Antin's outreach within the region. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Ewha Women's University in Seoul, having also studied in Jakarta. Sebastien Lecaudey, Antin's Senior Partner and Head of Investor Relations, stated: "We are excited to welcome Michelle to Antin. Much of our success is down to the trust we have built up over the years with institutional investors, notably in Korea, and Michelle's strong knowledge of that market will further build upon that trust in her home country. Edward Crowe, Antin's Head of Asia Pacific Investor Relations, added: "Michelle will help us better serve Korea, which has always been a strategic priority for us. Her extensive relationships make her a perfect addition to the team. Michelle (Min Kyung) Maeng, commented: "I am happy to join the Antin IR team, where strong emphasis is placed on recruiting from a diverse mix of cultural backgrounds to provide a deep set of local networks. There are a great deal of opportunities in the Korean market, and I look forward to helping expand our Korean investor base." About Antin Infrastructure Partners Antin Infrastructure Partners is a leading independent private equity firm focused on infrastructure investments. Based in Paris, London and New York, and majority owned by its partners, the firm employs over 165 professionals. Antin targets majority stakes in infrastructure businesses in the energy and environment, telecom, transport and social infrastructure sectors. Antin has 20.3 billion in assets under management and has made investments in 30 companies since its founding. Antin is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: ANTIN ISIN: FR0014005AL0) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125006068/en/ Contacts: Antin Infrastructure Partners Nicolle Graugnard, Communication Director Email: nicolle.graugnard@antin-ip.com Andrew Pinnington will bring his experience to Beat as former CEO of mytaxi, the leading European ride-hailing company that rebranded to FREE NOW on 2019 ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beat , one of the fastest growing ride-hailing apps in Latin America, part of the FREE NOW group, the ride-hailing joint venture of BMW and Daimler, announces the appointment of Andrew Pinnington as its new CEO to lead the team and continue the company's expansion and growth in the region. FREE NOW group's board of directors is confident that Pinnington's experience, focus and leadership style will help further develop Beat's business and drive growth in Latin America, unlocking further business potential across the region. "We're really fortunate to have Andrew, an experienced leader with gravitas and vision, as a companion to our mission, to develop seamless mobility for a safe and sustainable urban life", members of the board said. "The board and the executive leadership team are confident that Andrew is the best person to lead Beat into building mobility solutions that unlock the true potential of cities and people's lives, while continuously improving Beat's culture, making the company one of the best places to work." On his part, Beat's new CEO said he is very happy to join such a hypergrowth company, with a unique culture and mission of developing innovative mobility solutions for seamless experiences that passengers and drivers deserve. "I am thrilled to be joining Beat to lead the next phase of growth for the company across the Latin American region, especially at such an exciting time for the business. I am really looking forward to working with the team and returning to such an exciting and dynamic industry as ride-hailing," he highlighted. Andrew brings tremendous insight and experience, having served as CEO of ride-hailing business, mytaxi, whilst helping the business grow from 9 markets in Western Europe, to span across 19 countries in 2 continents, seeing revenues grow more than 8x over a two-year period, through a combination of organic and acquisition-based growth. Andrew's most recent role was CEO of the high growth, UK-based, DTC pet supplies subscription business, itch, from April 2020 through until the end of 2021, at which point the business transitioned to a new ownership structure. During his leadership, the business scaled 3x and moved from early stage startup to a more mature business, ready for rapid domestic and international scaling. Andrew has more than 30 years of experience in different capacities across the technology, retail, FMCG and consulting sectors for both public and privately backed businesses. He spent the bulk of his career at the retailing entrepreneurial success story, The Carphone Warehouse, finishing his journey there as Chief Operating Officer, being a key component of a team that had overseen rapid growth from 150m annual turnover to more than 4 billion across 11 different markets during the previous decade. Before Carphone, Andrew worked in the USA for PepsiCo in a variety of financial and general management roles, having gained an MBA at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Earlier, he gained his initial work experience with management consultants Bain & Company, having graduated from the University of Bristol. Andrew Pinnington is taking over the new role from Marc Berg, CEO at FREE NOW who also led Beat as interim CEO. WhereNext About Beat Beat creates a new ride experience by connecting thousands of passengers with nearby available drivers in real-time. Through the app, you can request a driver 24/7. Beat is more than an app that takes you from A to B. Our mission is to develop seamless mobility for a safe and sustainable urban life, becoming part of people's life by making transportation in the city more affordable, efficient and reliable, while providing economic opportunities to anyone. The company was founded in 2011 and is part of the FREE NOW group, the ride-hailing joint venture of BMW and Daimler. Beat is currently available in Greece, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, with plans to expand to more cities in Latin America, and has a Tech Innovation and Engineering Hub in The Netherlands. For more information, please visit thebeat.co . Find us on: Facebook: facebook.com/TheBeatApp Twitter: twitter.com/thebeatapp Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/thebeatapp/ Medium: build.thebeat.co/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1733330/Andrew_Pinnington_CEO_at_Beat.jpg WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices climbed higher on Tuesday, recovering after the previous session's decline, amid possible drop in supplies in the market due to growing tension in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for March ended higher by $2.29 or about 2.8% at $85.60 a barrel. Brent crude futures are up $1.69 or nearly 2% at $87.12 a barrel. After NATO said it was putting forces on standby and reinforcing Eastern Europe with more ships and fighter jets, Russia accused the West of 'hysteria' and putting out information 'laced with lies.' Yemen's Houthi movment, in alignment with Iran, launched its latest missile attack at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday. The attack, which reportedly targeted a base hosting the U.S. military, was thwarted by the U.S.-built Patriot interceptors, according to U.S. and U.A.E. officials. Lower output from OPEC and major oil producers too contribute to the jump in oil prices. Several members of the OPEC are reportedly struggling to reverse-engineer well closures, a process that can be expensive and technically complex, especially offshore or in difficult terrain. In Nigeria and Angola, production is hampered by poor infrastructure and falling investment. According to reports, OPEC will be about 700,000 barrels per day short of its quota in January, almost the same volume by which the group has raised its quota in the last couple of months. Markets now await weekly inventory reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The API's report is due later today, while the EIA is scheduled to release its inventory data Wednesday morning. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Former Lockheed Martin Chief Executive and Navy SEAL Vice Admiral to lead expansion of company's global operations SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "Teams of autonomous aircraft that train and learn to execute increasingly complex missions will give our military and allies intelligent, affordable mass. The intersection of AI, autonomy, and aircraft is transformational to the battlefield and national security - and is required to maintain global stability in an increasingly unstable world. One only needs to look at recent headlines around the world to see our relative global stability and peace is under immense threat. Shield AI has marshalled the talent, resources, and resolve to meaningfully work on these issues and is actively working with our allies to help them solve their most pressing security problems," said Bob Harward, Shield AI's Executive Vice President for International Business and Strategy. Shield AI, the defense-technology company using self-driving software to enable collaborative teams of unmanned aircraft to operate in GPS- and RF-denied environments, announced it has opened an international office headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates under the leadership of Bob Harward as Executive Vice President for International Business and Strategy. Harward joins Shield AI after leading Lockheed Martin's presence in the Middle East since 2014. During his tenure there, he was instrumental in advancing human capital development and industrial partnership initiatives as well as strengthening ties between Middle East Allies and the United States. "Bob brings a truly special energy and sense of service to everyone he engages with. I couldn't be more excited about him joining Shield AI and bringing that energy and service to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East as we expand our international operations. We aim to make all of our customers proud, and Bob will help us achieve that aim on a global scale," said Brandon Tseng, former Navy SEAL and cofounder of Shield AI. Harward is a retired United States Navy Vice Admiral (SEAL) and a former Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command, under the leadership command of General James Mattis. He served on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush and commissioned the National Counterterrorism Center. About Shield AI Shield AI is a venture-backed company built around a team of proven executives, warfighters with relevant national security experience, and world-class AI engineers. The company is headquartered in San Diego, CA with satellite offices across the United States and abroad. Shield AI's products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the US Department of Defense and allies. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Media Contact: Lily Hinz media@shield.ai Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1601183/Sheild_AI_Logo.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2022) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group" or the "Company") reports that it intends, subject to regulatory approval, to sell 3,539,823 common shares of the Company at price of US$1.695 each for gross proceeds of US$6.0 million (the "Private Placement") to existing major beneficial shareholder, Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited ("HCI"). The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement to repay in full the remaining US$3.0 million principal balance of a senior secured facility with Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP and the other lenders party thereto (the "2019 Sprott Facility"), and for general corporate and working capital purposes. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to the prior issuance of the Note Repurchase Shares (as defined below) and customary closing conditions, including stock exchange approvals. On January 20, 2022, the Company reported the execution of privately negotiated agreements with the beneficial owners of US$20 million of the Company's 6 7/8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") due July 1, 2022 under which the Company will purchase and cancel the Notes for consideration of 11,793,509 Common Shares of the Company (the "Note Repurchase Shares"), plus accrued and unpaid interest which will be paid in cash. Pricing of the Private Placement was set to be consistent with the pricing for the purchase of the Notes. The Private Placement will allow HCI to return to a near 26% interest in the Company, which it holds prior to the purchase and cancellation of the Notes. The Company's President and CEO, Frank R. Hallam, stated, "We appreciate the support of our major shareholder HCI, allowing the Company to make a final repayment of our debt. The Company will be debt free for the first time since 2015 and will be well positioned to advance its objectives for the Waterberg Project in South Africa." Securities purchased pursuant to the Private Placement may not be traded for a period of four months plus one day from the closing of the Private Placement. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of such Act. HCI is a "related party" of the Company (as defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")) and the Company intends to rely on the exemptions from both the formal valuation requirement and the minority shareholder approval requirement under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, on the basis that neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves HCI, exceeds 25 per cent of the Company's market capitalization calculated in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company will not have filed a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing date of the above transactions as it has negotiated the above transactions on an expedited basis. The Company will rely on the exemption for "Eligible Interlisted Issuers" under Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual in connection with the listing of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the Private Placement. About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and Waterberg Project Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd., Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation and Hanwa Co. Ltd. On behalf of the Board of Platinum Group Metals Ltd. Frank R. Hallam President and CEO For further information contact: Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450 www.platinumgroupmetals.net Disclosure The TSX and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management. This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the size, participation in, receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions for, and the completion and amount and use of proceeds of the Private Placement and the Note repurchases; the Company becoming free of debt; HCI's future share ownership; and the advancement of the Company's objectives for the Waterberg Project. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. 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 the potential inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and satisfy other applicable closing conditions including the completion of the Note repurchases; possible adverse impacts due the global outbreak of COVID-19; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Co.; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 20-F annual report, annual information form and other filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because 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/111576 Archive, a San Francisco, CA-based resale technology company that builds customized marketplaces for brands to incorporate secondhand into their business, raised $8m in funding. The round, which brought total funding to nearly $10m, was co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Bain Capital Ventures with participation from Firstmark and several angels including industry leaders Alex Bolen, CEO of Oscar de la Renta, Shan Lyn-Ma, Co-founder of Zola, Dawn Dobras, former CEO of Credo Beauty, designer Steven Alan, and Marigay McKee, former President of Saks Fifth Avenue. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth by: accelerating the development of new custom integrations, adding physical touchpoints to the customers journey, providing warehouse solutions for bulk inventory, and scaling the engineering and operations teams. Co-founded by Emily Gittins and Ryan Rowe, Archive offers a complete operating system for brands to power their own resale experience in a resource and capital-light way. Through each customized resale marketplace, consumers can buy and sell secondhand styles directly from their favorite brands e-commerce site alongside new inventory reflecting the integrated shopping experience of the future. Since its launch in February 2021, the company has powered the resale debuts for fashion brands including Dagne Dover (Almost Vintage), Filippa K. (Preowned), M.M. LaFleur (Second Act), The North Face (Renewed Marketplace), and most recently, luxury fashion house Oscar de la Renta (Encore). FinSMEs 25/01/2022 The Boyd Theatre at 30 Broad Street in Bethlehem. The theatre was a venue that featured live performances dating back to the vaudeville era, the Boyd became the place to see first-run movies in Bethlehem. (EMILY PAINE / MORNING CALL FILE PHOTO) Bethlehems iconic Boyd Theatre is finally coming down. Alicia Miller Karner, Bethlehems director of community and economic development, said the city will begin demolition of the long-blighted building in early February. Advertisement Serfass Construction Co. is handling the demolition and the company has already begun interior flattening of the building, clearing out asbestos and other junk before exterior work can begin. Boyd Theatre, once a staple of Bethlehems performing arts scene, has sat vacant and blighted since 2011 after severe weather damaged the building that year. The storefronts next to the theater were condemned in 2015 because of the buildings deterioration. Advertisement [ Bethlehems Boyd Theater site gets closer to being replaced with apartments after plan is trimmed from 13 stories to 6 ] DLP Real Estate Capital and Monocacy General Contracting bought the building in early 2021 with plans to transform the long-empty site into a luxury apartment complex. The Bethlehem Planning Commission approved plans for the building in October, though the developers had to scale back their original plans from 13 stories to 6 to win the citys approval. With 204 apartment units, an underground parking deck, pool and courtyard, the projects price tag is $50 million. It will be the biggest redevelopment project in downtown Bethlehem, according to Monacacy CEO Plamen Ayvazov. The six-story-tall mix-use building of the former Boyd Theatre property on West Broad Street in Bethlehem, shown in a draft rendering, won approval from the city's planning commission. Demolition is expected to take three months, according to Karner, and building construction will begin soon after that. The new complex is expected to be finished by 2023. Fans of the theaters iconic Boyd Theatre sign that has long graced West Broad Street dont need to worry about its future. Karner said the developers plan to incorporate the signage into one of the buildings courtyards. Its a once in a lifetime project, Karner said of the development. The redevelopment of that site is going to reinvigorate an area of Broad Street thats been a challenge for the city. Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at 610-820-6681 and liweber@mcall.com. Deliverect, a Ghent, Belgium-based global scale-up that simplifies online ordering for more than 20,000 locations across 40 markets, secured more than $150m (130m) in Series D funding. The round, which was led by Coatue and Alkeon Capital as well as existing investors OMERS Ventures, DST Global, Redpoint Ventures, Newion and Smartfin, brings total funding raised to date to $240m. and valuation at over $1.4 billion. Led by Zhong Xu, Co-founder and CEO, Deliverect provides a SaaS online food delivery management platform, which integrates online orders from food delivery channels (Uber Eats, Doordash, Just Eat Takeaway.com, etc.), allowing 20,000 establishments to improve operational service and increase customer satisfaction. Operating in over 40 markets around the world, the platform is used by restaurant and FMCGs such as Taco Bell, Burger King, and Unilever, as well as small and midsize restaurants and dark kitchens around the world. The company intends to use the funds to invest in engineering and technology advancements, expanding its product portfolio and scaling to serve hundreds of thousands of establishments, which now includes convenience and grocery stores in addition to restaurants. FinSMEs 25/01/2022 Dremio, a Santa Clara, Calif. based data lake transformation company, closed a $160m Series E funding round, bringing its valuation to $2 billion. The round was led by Adams Street Partners with participation from existing investors Sapphire Ventures, Insight Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, and Cisco Investments. Adams Street Partners is joined by other new investors including StepStone Group and DTCP. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its technology innovation, grow its customer-facing organization, contribute to open-source initiatives, and invest in educating and enabling a growing community of data lake practitioners. The company was founded in 2015 and is led by CEO Billy Bosworth. Dremio is an SQL engine that sits between data lake storage and end users who want to directly query that data for high-performing dashboards and interactive analytics, without the need for copying data into data warehouses, or creating cubes, aggregation tables and BI extracts. The company serves customers across industries including brands like KKR, Swiss Re, FactSet, NCR and Nutanix. FinSMEs 25/01/2022 Infravia Capital Partners, a Paris, France-based private equity firm, closed its growth equity fund, at 501M. Supported by a wide variety of investors including French and European institutions as well as Family Offices and Entrepreneurs, the fund is dedicated to investing in European B2B tech scale-ups. The vehicle will act as a lead investor in rounds of 20m to 100m with an investment capacity of between 15m and 50m per transaction. The objective is to develop around 15 European tech champions by providing strategic and operational support covering the key themes necessary for rapid and durable growth at the scale-up stage such as internationalization, improvements in structure across functions, M&A and the implementation of ESG policies. The team has already invested in 7 companies in 2021 including: Jobandtalent (Spain), Sightcall (France & US), Paysend (UK), Botify (France), Foodles (France), Ometria (UK) and Packhelp (Poland). Led by Vincent Levita, Founder and CEO, and Guillaume Santamaria, Partner, Infravia has built an experienced investment team of 10 dedicated to the strategy managing the fund. The firm manages EUR 10 billion of capital and has invested in 40+ companies across 13 European countries. FinSMEs 25/01/2022 Leyden Laboratories B.V., an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based company developing products that protect from known and new respiratory viruses, closed a $140M Series B financing, bringing its total capital raised to approximately $200M in 2021. Series A investors Casdin Capital and GV (formerly Google Ventures) led the round that included incoming investors SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Invus, and Bluebird Ventures, and existing Series A investors F-Prime Capital and Byers Capital/Brook Byers. The Board will expand to include Eli Casdin of Casdin Capital as a new member. Vali Barsan of Softbank Investment Advisers, Jeff Bird of Bluebird Ventures, and Suzanne Jung Angell of Casdin Capital join the Board as observers. The proceeds from the financing will support the development of Leyden Labs platform, product portfolio, and team. Led by Koenraad Wiedhaup, founder and CEO, Leyden Labs has developed a platform that targets commonalities of viral families to protect people from known and future viruses. Its portfolio of accessible intranasal product candidates may provide people with the freedom to immediately protect themselves from and prevent the spread of many strains of respiratory viruses, including ones in the influenza and coronavirus families. Its platform has been built on two innovative concepts: broad protection against known viruses, new variants and newly emerging viruses, and protection at the gate, in the mucosa (e.g. in the nose and throat). The company has a pipeline of mucosal protection products, including PanFlu which uses CR9114, the only human monoclonal influenza antibody that protects against influenza A and B, in-licensed from Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The platform will also support development of novel broad-protection nasal sprays for coronavirus family and other respiratory diseases. The team also includes Jaap Goudsmit (CSO), Ronald Brus (CBO), Dinko Valerio (Chair of Supervisory Board), and Suha Jhaveri, CCO. FinSMEs 25/01/2022 soona, a Denver, CO-based virtual content creation platform for e-commerce, raised $35M in Series B funding. The round was led by Bain Capital Ventures with participation from Union Square Ventures, Matchstick Ventures, Starting Line Ventures, 2048 Ventures, and Range Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand its business reach. Founded in 2019 by Liz Giorgi and Hayley Anderson, soona provides a content creation platform for brands to make professional-quality photos and videos. Clients book a shoot with soonas self-service software and choose from curated and recommended shoots or choose the option to build their own shoot. Brands can select everything from the background color to props to models, stylist or pets from its pro services network. Clients ship their products and join their shoot online in real-time via a virtual photoshoot. Brands can organize content within the platform, revisit previous shoots, and shop their past shoots for more content at any time. With the companys Shopify app, brands can then swap content into their store and product listing pages in just one click. The company has over 8,000 brand customers including Lola Tampons, The Sill, and Wild Earth, and grew more than 300% in 2021 and 400% in 2020. soona has three hubs in Austin, Denver, and Minneapolis. FinSMEs 25/01/2022 Students who had already have been admitted to Florida A&M University (FAMU) were recognized onstage during the event. Lenovo is said to be working on a new gaming phone codenamed Halo, and the specs and image of the phone has surfaced, thanks to @evleaks. This is different from the the Diablo model, which will be the successor to last years Legion Phone Duel 2, says the leaker. The image shows the phone with a punch-hole screen, 50MP AI triple rear cameras, and Legion branding on the back, which should come with a matte finish. The most important thing is that it is said to be powered by Qualcomms upcoming SM8475 4nm SoC with Adreno 730 GPU, which is said to be Snapdragon 8 Gen1 Plus since the Part Number of Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is SM8450 Lenovo Legion Halo rumoured specifications 6.67-inch Full HD+ 144Hz POLED display with up to 300Hz touch sample rate Octa Core Snapdragon Gen 1 Plus 4nm Mobile Platform 8GB / 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5 RAM with 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1) storage Android 12 with ZUI Dual SIM (nano + nano) 50MP rear camera with LED flash, 13MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP depth / macro camera, 8k video recording 16MP front camera USB Type-C audio In-display fingerprint sensor <8mm thickness 5G, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ax 2x2MIMO, MU-MIMO, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou, QZSS(L1+L5), 2 x USB Type-C, NFC 5000mAh battery with 68W wired fast charging The smartphone is expected to be introduced sometime in Q3 2022, which is between July and September. Lenovo Legion Y90 Lenovo has also been teasing the Legion Y90 gaming phone with gaming triggers and air cooling. Recent rumours revealed Snapdragon 8 SoC, up to 18GB RAM with 4GB virtual RAM, 512GB + 128GB dual storage solution for 640GB total storage and a 5600mAh battery with 68W fast charging. It is expected to be introduced in February. Source In the political world, few things are certain, but this one is: Nobody is lukewarm about Sen. Ted Cruz. When news broke that the Texas Republican is coming to the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday to stump for David McCormick, a wealthy hedge fund manager who is seeking to succeed retiring Sen. Pat Toomey, the online reaction was swift. Advertisement A flabby piece of Texas brisket, said one commenter on The Morning Calls Facebook page, excoriating Cruz for his role in the 2020 presidential election controversy that culminated in the assault on the Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. Many of the commenters referred to Cruz trip to Cancun during the massive cold-snap power grid failure in his state that left millions of his constituents shivering last February. Advertisement Maybe he can check out how electricity is supposed to work when its cold, a commenter wrote. Only a half-dozen or so of the 60 or so comments posted by 10 a.m. reflected positively on Cruz, commending his state for having low debt and for his staunch support of the pro-life movement and the Second Amendment. That Cruz is not exactly beloved, even in the Republican ranks, is no secret. During the run-up to the 2016 election in which Cruz was a candidate, former House Speaker John Boehner referred to him as Lucifer in the flesh. I have Democrat friends and Republican friends. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable S.O.B. in my life, he told Stanford University students during a talk hosted by the California schools student government group. Boehner did not abbreviate S.O.B. Cruz and McCormick will be at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in Coplay. The rally is scheduled for 4 p.m., according to a tweet from Cruz, and includes a registration link through EventBrite. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. This is our best offer! You get home delivery Monday through Saturday plus full digital access any time, on any device with our six-day subscription delivery membership. This membership plan includes member-only benefits like our popular ticket giveaways, all of our email newsletters and access to the daily digital replica of the printed paper. Also, you can share digital access with up to four other household members at no additional cost. Subscriptions renew automatically every 30 days. Call 240-215-8600 to cancel auto-renewal. Most subscribers are served by News-Post carriers; households in some outlying areas receive same-day delivery through the US Postal Service. If your household falls in a postal delivery area, you will be notified by our customer service team. The Lehigh County Authority suspended a permit last year allowing a New Jersey plastics manufacturer to dispose of industrial waste in one of its treatment plants after a two-state investigation identified the plant as the source of a likely cancer-causing chemical that turned up in New Jersey drinking water. New Jersey American Water Co. detected an industrial solvent called 1,4-Dioxane in samples of Delaware River water near its plant that produces water for four South Jersey counties in February 2020. Working with the New Jersey and Pennsylvania departments of environmental protection and the Delaware River Basin Commission, it determined the chemical was entering the Delaware from the Lehigh River, a company official said. Advertisement Testing of waste being hauled to LCAs industrial pretreatment works in Upper Macungie Township identified 1,4-Dioxane in a tanker load from West Deptford, New Jersey, plastics company Coim USA as a major contributor, according to a letter LCA sent to the company in June when it suspended the permit. Coim was required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to send waste containing 1,4-Dioxane to an incinerator in New York, according to Politico.com, which first reported on the hunt for the source of the chemical Sunday. The Lehigh County Authority wastewater pretreatment facility is seen Monday in Upper Macungie Township. Industrial waste treated at the plant was discovered to be the source of a cancer-causing chemical found in drinking water taken from the Delaware River in New Jersey. LCA has since ended its contract with the New Jersey company where the industrial waste originated. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call) CEO Liesel Gross said although the permit suspension was temporary, LCA has no intention of reinstating the permit. Advertisement Our understanding was that it was an isolated incident but I have no way of being able to verify that, Gross said. Coim USAs president did not return a phone call Monday but told Politico that the shipment of waste containing 1,4-Dioxane was mistakenly sent to LCA as the result of a one-time error. Coim USA is the American subsidiary of an Italian plastics and polymer manufacturer and first received a permit to dispose of waste at the LCA plant in 2018, Gross said. Regulators have not taken formal action in response to the release. Treating industrial waste is a significant source of revenue for LCA and allows it to make use of excess capacity at its industrial pretreatment plant on Industrial Boulevard, which was built to handle wastewater from manufacturing sites such as the Boston Beer Co. brewery. In 2021 it collected nearly $2.9 million from industries that paid to have their wastewater treated there and the money helps to defray the cost to other users, Gross said. The plant receives waste hauled from about 110 sources, although most produce sewage-type waste such as port-a-potty companies or sludge, and only three have permits to dispose of industrial waste, Gross said. According to Coims permit, it was authorized only to dispose of waste from the manufacturing of chemicals used to make polyester products and was required to monitor for dozens of chemicals including lead, benzene and cyanide and other solvents. The chemical that turned up in drinking water samples in New Jersey is not among them, Gross said. There are lots of unknown emerging contaminants that we dont necessarily test for until there is some regulatory guidance on how to handle them and how to test for them, she said. We follow the regulatory program that we are required to follow. New Jersey American Water discovered the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in the Delaware River through sampling under the EPAs unregulated contaminant monitoring rule, which requires public water system operators to test periodically for chemicals on a list published by the EPA that are suspected to be present in drinking water but dont have health-based limits under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA has identified 1,4-Dioxane as a probable cancer-causing substance and is proposing health-safety regulations for the substance. The New Jersey DEP has proposed a limit for 1,4-Dioxane in drinking water but Pennsylvania has not. The chemical is unlikely to pose an acute health risk in the amounts detected in the Delaware River, New Jersey American Water said. Advertisement Matthew F. Csik, director of water quality and environmental compliance at New Jersey American Water, said the company went to the New Jersey DEP and the Delaware River Basin Commission in February 2020 and the agencies worked with the Pennsylvania DEP to begin testing. The onset of the pandemic slowed the process, Csik said, so he went out to gather samples himself. Donning his wetsuit and driving along the Delaware River with his wife, Csik waded into the river and collected samples for testing. Lo and behold, right where the Delaware and Lehigh rivers come together, we saw it drop off, he said of the chemicals presence in the samples. The Lehigh County Authority wastewater pretreatment facility is seen Monday in Upper Macungie Township. Industrial waste treated at the plant was discovered to be the source of a cancer-causing chemical found in drinking water taken from the Delaware River in New Jersey. LCA has since ended its contract with the New Jersey company where the industrial waste originated. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call) That narrowed the source of the chemical to the Lehigh River watershed and eventually to LCAs plant. When LCA pulled the permit for Coim USA to dispose of its waste, the 1,4-Dioxane in the rivers dropped, said Csik, who was recognized by the National Association of Water Cos. for his efforts to find the source. It ceased immediately, he said. It was a discrete start and a discrete stop. The lack of a national standard for 1,4-Dioxane and other recently recognized contaminants such as perfluoroalkals or PFAS means that what is acceptable in one state may not be in another, Gross said. Advertisement Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. > Another set of standards exists for wastewater being discharged into streams and rivers. There are thousands of chemicals that we could be testing for, but we are only required to test for 130, Gross said. Thats still an awful lot of testing, but its not foolproof. Because the water and wastewater regulations are not always in sync with each other, the situation that weve encountered with 1,4-Dioxane can occur. That means that a drinking water system operator will often detect the presence of an unregulated chemical first. In that case, the cost and challenge of treating the contamination will fall to the water supplier, Gross said. Csik and Gross both praised the interagency cooperation during the investigation. We were fortunate that the Delaware River Basin Commission is an organization that helps to bring all the states together within the watershed to solve water quality issues, and LCA is an active member of the community. Our direct relationships with DRBC and the state regulators helped us to get looped in quickly and be part of the solution, Gross said. Advertisement Morning Call reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-820-6581 or peter.hall@mcall.com. Gainesville, TX (76240) Today Cloudy early then strong thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High around 80F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Going against rules set forth by the Oregon Health Authority, the Alsea School District is no longer enforcing masks in classrooms, or any school setting except for when riding on a bus. In response, the Oregon Department of Education is withholding Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief funds, additional monies for schools to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, until the district comes back into compliance with all state laws and regulations. This action puts students and staff at risk, especially those individuals who may be more at-risk to the impacts of COVID-19 and still have a right to access their education, ODE Director Colt Gill said in an email to Mid-Valley Media. ODE does not support the decision in Alsea School District. The Alsea School Board voted unanimously Jan. 13 to approve a resolution which declares the return of local decision-making regarding masks and COVID-19 protocols. The new guidance went into effect Monday, Jan. 24, according to an online note from Superintendent Marc Thielman. However, because of a recent surge in positive cases and quarantines in the community, the district closed Monday and will not reopen until at least Wednesday. This includes in-person learning and extracurricular activities. In his statement sent out to parents Friday, Thielman emphasized that there would be zero tolerance for any mask shaming moving forward. If a parent decides to send their child to school with a mask, that student will be fully supported, according to the statement. Other safety protocols will stay in place, including hand washing, social distancing and daily sanitation. I believe it will serve our school climate well by restoring confidence, reducing unhealthy mask conflict, and restoring respect for individual decision making without fear of reprisal, Thielman wrote. We are blessed to live and work in Alsea, and I look forward to seeing so many real faces again on Monday. But by Sunday, the note went out that school was canceled. "Based on our data, we will not have enough staff to safely operate until this Wednesday, January 26th, 2022," he wrote. In their email, Oregon Department of Education officials said schools that hold indoor activities without universal masking should expect rapid transmission of coronavirus, quarantines for those that come into close contact with infected individuals, which will prevent students from participating in in-person learning. Thielman, a candidate for Oregon governor, was in Corvallis on Monday, attending a luncheon hosted by Benton County Republican Women. In an interview after the event, Thielman said several school board members received angry feedback following a change in mask rules by Samaritan Health Services, which said visitors must wear medical-grade masks. N95 or KN95 masks are also acceptable, but bandanas, gaiters, face shields and regular cloth masks are no longer adequate. The teachers were also frustrated because a lot of kids just stopped wearing masks, Thielman said. On the school boards direction, Thielman said he produced a resolution for consideration that was aimed at restoring efficacy he claimed masked students have a tough time breathing and learning new vocabulary words through optional masking. He said the board's direction was to weigh scientific data with state and federal pandemic guidelines against negative impacts and whats being seen in the schools. We are not abandoning the mandate, he said. We are applying it differently because the data has changed. Noting that masks are still required on school buses under federal pandemic requirements for public transportation, Thielman acknowledged there may be times when masking is prudent. However, he said mask rules create unhealthy conflicts between teachers and students. I know it for a scientific fact that any case we have moving forward will have nothing to do with whether they were wearing a mask or not, he said. Just like every case weve gotten has had nothing to do with whether somebody was wearing a mask or not. He claimed to have this data. Oregon Health Authority, the state agency overseeing the state's response to the pandemic, does not include mask-wearing as part of its daily and weekly reports. Thielman said most of the mask-shaming happening in the school district came from students who wear masks against those who wont wear them properly. He said masking was being enforced in the school district to the best ability before the resolution was approved. Unvaccinated himself, Thielman said vaccines shouldnt be required for students and young people. He added the school board resolution puts his license in the crosshairs of state authorities, but hes prepared to defend himself and the boards decision. Only one other school district in the state the Adrian School District in Malheur County has been found willfully out-of-compliance with face covering rules, according to the state. That district has since come back into compliance after being issued a significant fine from Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division. Cody Mann contributed to this report. Joanna Mann covers education for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6076 or Joanna.Mann@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @joanna_mann_. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Thielman spoke before a crowd of around two dozen on Monday, Jan. 24, at a luncheon hosted by Benton County Republican Women. Thielman has made news as the Alsea School District superintendent who kept schools open and who is opposed to masking rules and vaccines. He covered a wide range of topics at the campaign stop. Thielman was accompanied by constitutional sheriff candidate Paul Moore, who is running in Marion County. Among the topics was a petition for a school choice measure Thielman filed in September along with the nonprofit Education Freedom for Oregon. He helped author the petition. Secretary of State Shemia Fagan rejected the petition for a 2024 ballot measure this past week, saying it was not specific to one issue. The measure would have allowed parents to pick a school for their kids as well as providing state funding for homeschool and private school. Thielman said charter school business model in Alsea compels the district to meet the needs of parents who choose it, some from significant distances. Our job is not to tell the parents to comply with everything we say because were the experts, he said. Our job is to meet the needs of every single one of our families. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times. Thielman said his campaign is getting increasing attention, including catching the eye of newly-elected Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, who Thielman said emailed him recently about arranging a meeting. Youngkin won on a platform of education hot-buttons including opposing critical race theory, opposing protections for transgender students, and supporting school resource officers. Once he started saying this is about schools and kids and parents and grandparents, he went from 13 points down to 4 points ahead by election day, Thielman said. You know why? Because both Democrats and Republicans love their children and thats how we unify. Cody Mann covers Benton County and the cities of Corvallis and Philomath. He can be contacted at 541-812-6113 or Cody.Mann@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter via @News_Mann_. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Braden Manning, Gettysburg baseball: Braden went 9-for-13 with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 7 RBI over 4 games. He also struck out 11 batters in a win over South Western. Amy Anderson, Delone Catholic softball: Amy went 5-for-12 with 6 RBI, 3 runs scored and a triple over 3 games. She also struck out 17 batters and went 2-1 in those games. Parker Sanders, Bermudian Springs Tennis: Parker won 3 matches on his way to a fourth-place finish in the YAIAA Class 2A Singles Tournament. Andrew Koons, Fairfield baseball: Andrew went 5-for-11 with 8 RBI, 4 runs scored and 2 home runs over 3 games, including a grand slam. He was also the winning pitcher against Biglerville. Ben Angstadt, Biglerville baseball: Ben went 8-for-17 with 7 RBI, 4 runs scored, a double and a home run over 4 games for the Canners. Vote View Results While a Pennsylvania woman from Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County, near Pittsburgh has received thanks for recently saving a mysterious animal, wildlife experts dont know what the animal actually is. I wasnt quite sure but its behavior, it was scared, and it was cold and all I could think about was this animal needed help, said Christina Eyth who saw paw prints outside her door, according to CNN via WPXI. Advertisement I peaked outside the door and thats whenever I noticed the animal on the left-hand side. And it was so scared and cold and shivering, she added. Eyth couldnt figure out what the animal is herself. So she gently persuaded the animal into her basement, while waiting for TJs Rescue Hideaway. Advertisement Its definitely a coyote, no its a dog, so with there being so much question, thats whenever they got the wildlife officials involved. Even Morgan Barron, a trained wildlife rehabilitator for Wildlife Works, cant figure out the animal. They transported it here and I honestly cant definitively say what it is, but to air on the side of caution, since they can carry rabies, and since it might be a coyote, we can keep it here, get genetic testing done, and go from there, Barron said. While the animal is said to be very timid, very scared and not aggressive at all, its being treated for mange and genetically tested. The testing could from two to four weeks for results. View the animal for yourself here. Gillette, WY (82718) Today Cloudy with showers. High around 50F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 38F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Teddy, a German shepherd mix, ran away from his family in Stroudsburg, only to be captured seven months later and 80 miles away, in New York's Hudson Valley. He was reunited with his owners. (Courtesy of Salvatore Della Monica) A family was reunited with their missing dog last month, after it spent seven months roaming 80 miles from Pennsylvania to New Yorks mid-Hudson Valley. Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary, based in Orange Countys Middletown, received a call Jan. 19 from a woman named Kerry who spotted a dog running on the westbound side of Interstate 84, said Becky Tegze, executive director of the animal shelter. Advertisement Tegze reached out to Nicole Asher of New Jersey-based Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery, who had received another call about a loose dog, which turned out to be the same shepherd mix pooch known as Teddy. Officials estimated that the dog had been running on the highway for at least two weeks. New York State Troopers tried to capture the dog, but he was too quick to catch. Asher spotted fresh tracks Jan. 21, and walked over a mile in the snow until she came upon a farm where Teddy was hiding in a big open barn. Advertisement According to the owner of the farm, Teddy had been there for two days but wouldnt let anyone get close. What would work to bring Teddy to safety? A trap with rotisserie chicken inside. The injured dog had a severe limp and was skin and bones. After being taken to the Catskill Animal Hospital, Tegze said everyone was shocked to learn something else: Teddy had a microchip. We immediately scanned him, and we were all stunned when it beeped, Asher said. We were like Oh my god, we thought he had been dumped. Teddy was first rescued from a kill shelter in California, where he was scheduled to be euthanized. His soon-to-be new family saw him on an Instagram post last May and adopted him without meeting him in person. The husband flew to California to retrieve Teddy and then drove to Washington, where they live. Teddy was with his new family for less than a month before he ran away through a hole in the fence during a family vacation June 19 in Stroudsburg. We were able to locate the owner and she was beside herself, Asher said. She was crying and screaming, she couldnt believe it was true. ... They never thought he would be able to survive, so when the call came in, she was in an absolute state of shock. A happy ending doesnt always happen, underscoring the importance of microchips. Advertisement Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. > Sometimes we get very lucky that there are microchips, and we are able to find the owner, Tegze said. A lot of times were not. ... Teddy traveled over 80 miles. If he was not microchipped, we would not have had a reunion like there was, because no one would have known to look [for] a family in Washington, D.C., when youre in New York. Teddy, a German shepherd mix, ran away from his family in Stroudsburg, only to be captured seven months later and 80 miles away, in New York's Hudson Valley. He was reunited with his owners. (Courtesy of Salvatore Della Monica/eyJpdiI6InBtYkd0WDdseXJDQmVZRVo4S0ZVV1E9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoicFRLV1FJRFhGa0tab0VnVmpcL001c2xTVCtxWXFoSDFDN0RqQU55d3J2bE9Oc0hrcVNoXC90ZXFTM3hmN0Y0OFl5IiwibWFjIjoiMDk3ODExMzMyMzYzYThmZDBlMTI5ODdlZWJmOGJjMTgwYTFmNGUyOWRmODFmMzY3NmFmNjFlZTkyOWFjNmE4MyJ9) Tegze also stressed the importance of keeping microchip information up to date, as they have had a number of instances in which a found dog was microchipped, but it was connected to a number that was no longer in service. Teddys owner, Salvatore Della Monica, launched a GoFundMe campaign to further support Teddy, who is suffering from a range of health issues from his time away, including severe bilateral hip dysplasia, a broken bone, bullet fragments in his hind limb, tick-borne illnesses and a fractured tooth. Its raised more than $10,000. Despite all that, Teddy is a survivor, Della Monica wrote on the GoFundMe page. Hes a miracle dog. He was tracked, saved and cared for by so many wonderful people until he was reunited with us. (c)2022 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Advertisement Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Rubios will be offering a free Baja-inspired, original fish taco with any purchase on Tuesday, Jan. 25, to celebrate National Fish Taco Day. New York, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PHI Group, Inc. (www.phiglobal.com, PHIL), a holding company currently engaged in PHILUX Global Funds (a group of Luxembourg bank funds), the Asia Diamond Exchange project (ADE) in Vietnam, mergers and acquisitions and investing in special situations, is pleased to announce that CO2-1-0 (CARBON) Corp., a subsidiary of the Company (www.co2-1-0.io), has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesia-based PT Mega Hydro Energi (PTMHE) to cooperate in a new disruptive carbon mitigation program through worldwide environmentally sustainable projects. According to the MOU, PTMHE and CO2-1-0 (CARBON) will cooperate in acquiring carbon credits from the Tunggang hydroelectric power plant project that is invested, owned and operated by PTMHE, and from other hydroelectric projects in Indonesia. Carbon credits will be digitalized into Carbon Tokens using blockchain-crypto technology and deploying IoT. The Tunggang project is located near the Tunggang village, Lebong district, Bengkulu province, Sumatra, Indonesia. This power plant is a run-off river type, in operation since December 2021, and has a total installed capacity of 10 MW. In partnering with CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP, Tunggang Hydroelectric Power Plant is estimated to generate total carbon credits of 600,000 tCO2e or equivalent to 600,000 CARBON Tokens. Choky Simanjuntak, Founder and CEO of CARBON, added: We are very happy and enthusiastic to partner with PT Mega Hydro Energi. Our carbon credit solution with blockchain-crypto technology and IoT will fuel several hydroelectric projects of PT Mega Hydro Energi and others in order to assist Indonesia to reach net zero carbon target accordingly. We encourage qualified investors to participate in our CARBON token private sale starting December 1, 2021. This CARBON token sale will nourish the new carbon credit ecosystem. Therefore, we believe our mutual cooperation with PT Mega Hydro Energi may enhance the life of many people around the world. About CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP. (www.co2-1-0.io) aims to provide a solution in disruptive decentralized new carbon market system using blockchain-crypto technology and IoT which will be empowering environmentally sustainable projects (renewable energy/ waste/ agriculture/ forestry/ etc.) starting in Indonesia, Vietnam, other ASEAN countries, USA, and worldwide. It has a clear and systematic product development roadmap, and the ultimate milestones of the products estimated to be launched in the near future. The solution, methodology, and improved TACCC (transparent, accurate, consistent, complete, and comparable) business process originally introduced by CO2-1-0 (CARBON) will bring full impact to better environment and life of millions. About PT Mega Hydro Energi PT Mega Hydro Energi is an Indonesia-based corporation specializing in the construction, operation and management of small and medium hydroelectric power plants in Indonesia. The potential for new renewable energy, especially hydropower in Indonesia, reaches over 90,000 MW and PT Mega Hydro Energi envisages itself to be one of the key players in unleashing this enormous potential in the years to come. About PHI Group PHI Group (www.phiglobal.com, PHIL) primarily focuses on advancing PHILUX Global Funds, a group of Luxembourg bank funds organized as Reserved Alternative Investment Fund (RAIF) (www.philux.eu), and building the Asia Diamond Exchange (ADE) in Vietnam. The Company also engages in mergers and acquisitions and invests in select industries and special situations that may substantially enhance shareholder value. Safe Harbor Act and Forward-looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements 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, which 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 as a result of various factors. Contact: CO2-1-0 (Carbon) Corp Email: contact@co2-1-0.io Phone: +1-714-642-0571 PHI Group, Inc. Email: info@phiglobal.com Phone: +1-714-793-2977 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. HydroGraph (CSE: HG) is pleased to announce a major step forward in achieving its operational goals with the appointment of Mr. Stuart Jara, a highly accomplished leader with proven track record in both the capital markets and in the hydrogen/hydrocarbon gas industry as Interim Chief Executive Officer. HydroGraph is also pleased to announce that Kjirstin Breure has been promoted to President of HydroGraph and is appointed to the Board of Directors. As both an engineer and MBA, Mr. Jara is a talented executive with extensive experience in the international clean energy, clean technology, industrial and chemical sectors and is known for his strong track record of innovation, execution, operational excellence and building teams that drive results. Mr. Jara has led a wide array of organizations in these sectors from mid-market, private-equity-owned entities to multinational enterprises. Most recently, Mr. Jara was CEO of US-based Transform Materials, a company that has technology to convert methane into clean hydrogen and clean chemicals. Prior to Transform, Mr. Jara spent 12 years in Private Equity where he led over a dozen companies, driving significant revenue growth and successful exits. Mr. Jara also co-founded TransCryogen, a liquified natural gas and compressed natural gas company, which was sold to a US Alternative energy company. Mr. Jaras experience and relationships in the US and other international markets will be extremely valuable to HydroGraph as the company ramps up commercial operations. HydroGraphs team, relationships, technologies, facilities and strategy are very impressive and have positioned the company to become a disruptive player in multiple exciting industries. I look forward to advancing HydroGraphs transformation into a commercial producer of graphene, other nanomaterials, and hydrogen, with their unique detonation technology, said Mr. Jara. Mr. Davidsons vision and achievements in taking the detonation technology from the lab into a scalable and commercially viable process has provided HydroGraph with a strong foundation on which we will build. I am very proud of what we have achieved at HydroGraph. In a few short years we have successfully taken HydroGraph from a private research and development organization to a public company ready to focus on sales and manufacturing. This new stage of HydroGraphs evolution is an opportunity for me to allow for a smooth transition of executive management with the right experience to lead the company into its next phase. I know that HydroGraphs future is secure with the new leadership, and I will continue to provide Mr. Jara, Ms. Breure and the rest of the team with my insights and support as a consultant, said Mr. Davidson. Ms. Breure replaces David Morris, who has stepped down as President. Mr. Morris will remain a director of the Company. Ms. Breure was appointed HydroGraphs Chief Operating Officer on October 1, 2020, and has overseen the companys research and development, investor relations, and operations. She has ten years of experience in emerging technologies and portfolio management. Ms. Breures expertise and experience will be invaluable to HydroGraphs achievement of its business and operational milestones. As Chief Operating Offer, Ms. Breure worked closely with Mr. Davidson to make Hydrographs commercial transformation possible, which, combined with her background in materials science, make her a natural fit for the role of President and director, said Mr. Jara. I look forward to working with Mr. Jara, the Board, and our industry leading team as HydroGraph takes its next step in growth. I am confident that HydroGraph will quickly become a commercial success as a manufacturer of high-quality graphene, other nanomaterials, and hydrogen, said Ms. Breure. About HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. HydroGraph is engaged in developing and commercializing a disruptive patented technology for the production of graphene, hydrogen, and other nanomaterials via the detonation of hydrocarbon gases without external heat sources as used in conventional production processes resulting in cost effective, energy efficient, green production with minimal emissions and waste. HydroGraph is also engaged in creating customized graphene solutions for specific applications such as graphene ink for printing electric circuits, functionalized graphene for use in biosensors and designer liquid dispersions. For more information, please visit www.hydrograph.com or contact: HydroGraph Investor Relations Telephone: (604) 220-3120 Email: ir@hydrograph.com Kjirstin Breure President and Director Telephone: (604) 220-3120 Email: kjirstin@hydrograph.com Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements respecting the services to be provided by HydroGraph and the consideration to be paid to HydroGraph. The use of any of the words anticipate, continue, estimate, expect, may, will, would, project, should, believe and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Although HydroGraph believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because HydroGraph can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in HydroGraphs disclosure documents which can be found under HydroGraphs profile on www.sedar.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSXV: TVC) (OTCQB: TVCCF) Three Valley Copper Corp. (Three Valley Copper or the Company) provides a corporate and operating update on its 95.1% owned Minera Tres Valles (MTV) property near Salamanca, Region de Coquimbo, Chile. Operations Update Don Gabriel The underperformance of Don Gabriel, MTVs open pit operation and primary source of ore for 2021 and 2022, has continued. The Companys previous belief was that this underperformance was temporary in nature, but Don Gabriel has unfortunately continued to deliver less ore tonnes at lower grades than forecasted. This shortfall has called into question the future economics of the Don Gabriel open pit and the immediate impact to MTV is materially lower current and forecasted cash inflows and revenues resulting in a deteriorating liquidity position. MTV has prudently decided to temporarily suspend operations and has undertaken to demobilize its contractors and place Don Gabriel into care and maintenance until management and the technical teams have completed their analysis of Don Gabriel and alternatives to the current mine plan. Papomono The initial construction of the Papomono block caving mine has been completed and has reached the stage where the caving operation can commence. This timetable is consistent with what has been reported previously and construction costs are in line with forecasted costs. However, MTV has chosen to temporarily halt the start of the block caving operation as the expected cash flows are not sufficient to fully support the ramp-up of Papomono during 2022. Increasing production input costs and the continued underperformance of its open pit operations at Don Gabriel has significantly impacted MTVs ability to generate the necessary cash flows to fund the planned ramp-up of the Papomono underground mine. MTVs management and technical teams have concluded that in the absence of taking this action, there would be a significant risk that Papomono would be destabilized if the caving operation was to start without MTV having the funds to continue its orderly ramp-up of production. Operating Guidance The Company is now retracting its revised preliminary operating outlook for 2022 and 2023. The Companys revised operating guidance for 2021 was to produce between 4,500 and 5,500 tonnes of copper cathodes. Actual production for 2021 was slightly lower than guidance at 4,209 tonnes which represents less than 25% of MTVs overall copper cathode production capacity. To further preserve liquidity, MTV has also temporarily suspended its exploration program, and suspended certain sustaining and expansion capital expenditures. Notwithstanding these actions, based on MTVs current cash flow forecast, MTV will require additional financing in the next several months. Three Valley Copper currently maintains working capital of approximately US$7 million separate from MTV but this is not sufficient to finance the expected funding gap at MTV and fund the Companys ongoing corporate requirements. Three Valley Copper is reviewing its alternatives while preserving its cash resources. The cessation of mining activities at MTV may result in one or more events of default under the amended and restated senior secured lending facility. The Company and MTV are currently in discussions with MTVs senior secured lenders and copper cathode offtake provider to determine if a continuing successful partnership can be maintained through, inter alia, bridge loan financing, additional debt financing, forgiveness or conversion of debt, waivers of operating and other covenants, deferrals of or renegotiation of repayment terms and/or renegotiation of the fixed price portion of the offtake agreement. The Company and MTV are also exploring MTVs ability to renegotiate the Judicial Reorganization Agreement (JRA) executed in August 2020. At this time there can be no assurance that any agreement can be reached with the senior secured lenders and/or offtake provider or that a renegotiation of the JRA is possible, and the Company will continue to report on the progress of such discussions. Strategic Review Process The Strategic Review Process has not yet resulted in any binding offers being received by the Company. Discussions remain ongoing but there can be no assurance that such discussions will result in any type of transaction, what the value of any transaction might be, what the terms or timing of such a transaction might be or that the Company will be able to continue as a going concern if no transaction is concluded. At this time, the Company does not expect the Strategic Review Process to result in an imminent transaction that would provide meaningful value for holders of Three Valley Coppers equity securities (including securities convertible into or exercisable for equity securities). As a result, holders of Three Valley Coppers equity securities are cautioned that trading in such securities is highly speculative. The Company will provide updates when further disclosure is required or otherwise appropriate. About Three Valley Copper Three Valley Copper, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is focused on growing copper production from, and further exploration of, its primary asset, Minera Tres Valles. Located in Salamanca, Chile, MTV is 95.1% owned by the Company and MTV's main assets are the Minera Tres Valles mining complex and its 46,000 hectares of exploratory lands. For more information about the Company, please visit www.threevalleycopper.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release, contain forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as the "Forward-Looking Statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify Forward-Looking Statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains Forward-Looking Statements pertaining to: expected cash flow and capital resources; ability of the Company to continue as a going concern; ability of MTV to comply with the terms of its existing debt facility and other material agreements; the potential outcome of the Strategic Review Process; Companys expectations for current and future exploration activities; operating guidance; development progress of the Companys mineral projects; statements with respect to the timing and production of copper at the Don Gabriel and Papomono sites; advancement of ongoing projects, including the progress and timing of completion of the inclined block-caving mining project, and the estimated capital costs required for completion. Although TVC believes that the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future results, performance or achievements. A number of factors or assumptions have been used to develop the Forward-Looking Statements, including: the availability of certain consumables (including water) and services and the prices for power, sulfuric acid and other key supplies; expected labour and materials costs and available supply; certain tax rates, including the allocation of certain tax attributes, being applicable to MTV; the availability of financing for the Company's and MTVs planned operations and development activities; assumptions made in mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates and the financial analysis based on these estimates, including (as applicable), but not limited to, geological interpretation, grades, commodity price assumptions, metallurgical performance, extraction and mining recovery rates, hydrological and hydrogeological assumptions, capital and operating cost estimates, and general marketing, political, business and economic conditions, the continued availability of quality management, critical accounting estimates, all terms of the restructuring agreement and facility agreement to which MTV and the Company are parties will be satisfied in the future including no events of default, existing water supply will continue, supplemental water availability will continue, the geopolitical risk of Chile will remain stable, including risks related to labour disputes, a partial ramp up of mining operations at Papomono Masivo without sufficient capital support could result in destabilization of the mine; the litigation and /or arbitration initiated by the minority shareholder of the Companys operating subsidiary, MTV will proceed according to the timeline provided by litigation counsel; the expected production and results from the Don Gabriel mine; and expected ability to repay the indebtedness of MTV. Actual results, performance or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Statements should assumptions underlying the Forward-Looking Statements prove incorrect or should one or more risks or other factors materialize, including: (i) possible variations in grade or recovery rates; (ii) copper price fluctuations and uncertainties; (iii) delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; (iv) risks associated with the mining industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to mineral reserves, production, costs and expenses; and labour, health, safety and environmental risks) and risks associated with the other portfolio companies' industries in general; (v) performance of the counterparty to the ENAMI Contract; (vi) risks associated with investments in emerging markets; (vii) general economic, market and business conditions; (viii) market volatility that would affect the ability to enter or exit investments; (ix) failure to secure additional financing in the future on acceptable terms to the Company, if at all; (x) commodity price and foreign exchange fluctuations and uncertainties; (xi) risks associated with catastrophic events, manmade disasters, terrorist attacks, wars and other conflicts, or an outbreak of a public health pandemic or other public health crises, including COVID-19; (xii) those risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Management" in TVCs Managements Discussion and Analysis for the period ended December 31, 2020; and (xiii) those risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" or incorporated by reference into TVCs Annual Information Form dated March 3, 2021. The Forward-Looking Statements speak only as of the date hereof, unless otherwise specifically noted, and the Company does not assume any obligation to publicly update any Forward-Looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable Canadian securities laws. Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources This news release may use the terms "measured", "indicated" and "inferred" mineral resources. Historically, while such terms were recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they were not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The SEC has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). These amendments became effective February 25, 2019 (the SEC Modernization Rules) with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements for mining registrants that were included in SEC Industry Guide 7, which will be rescinded from and after the required compliance date of the SEC Modernization Rules. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of proven mineral reserves and probable mineral reserves to be substantially similar to the corresponding Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum definitions, as required by NI 43-101. Investors are cautioned that "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. For further information: Michael Staresinic President and Chief Executive Officer T: (416) 943-7107 E: mstaresinic@threevalleycopper.com Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Joshua Lavers: jlavers@renmarkfinancial.com T: (416) 644-2020 or (212) 812-7680 www.renmarkfinancial.com United States RB Milestone Group LLC (RBMG) Trevor Brucato, Managing Director threevalley@rbmilestone.com www.rbmilestone.com Source: Three Valley Copper Corp. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Using national TV, radio, and web media campaigns, Microgen Diagnostics will be the first independent commercial lab in the U.S. to appeal directly to patients, raising awareness about much more effective DNA analysis alternatives to outdated medical diagnostic technologies like standard culture. In an age of COVID and more national awareness of lab services, MicroGenDX is appealing directly to patients who have experienced ongoing failure of standard culture to diagnose and resolve chronic infections. The media campaign encourages patients to discuss DNA diagnostics with their healthcare providers to help end the related suffering these patients have endured. The campaign, scheduled for February of 2022, includes testimonials from patients about how MicroGenDX diagnostics helped them - and in some cases saved their lives - when standard cultures failed. "The regular lab came back negative like it always did," says Jenny Stewart, "and the MicroGenDX came back with exactly the bacteria that was there, and what to treat it with." Patient Zan Campbell says: "I was a week-and-a-half away from losing my leg, to being healed. Changed my life." The campaign also features advocacy from medical experts - practicing physicians and surgeons - who use MicroGenDX diagnostics instead of culture to improve patient outcomes. "Every day I would as I would see my patients I knew I wasn't helping them, because we were limited by traditional cultures," says Dr. Timothy Hlavinka, a urologist with more than 20 years of experience. "MicroGenDX is not my 'gold standard,' it's my only standard," says Hlavinka. Other featured medical experts who rely on MicroGenDX diagnostic testing include orthopaedic surgeon and Director of Clinical research at the Rothman Institute, Dr. Javad Parvizi, and infectious disease specialist and Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America, Dr. Jason Sniffen. MicroGenDX's national campaign will be featured on a number of cable TV networks and local radio stations. It will also be available on the web here: MicroGenDX: Bringing New Hope for Patients Suffering from Challenging Infections. Please see https://microgendx.com/patients/ for more information. ### About Dr. Timothy Hlavinka, MD Timothy C. Hlavinka, MD, is a urologist at the Urology Place in San Antonio, Texas, and is Medical Director of Vidamor Health in Boerne, Texas. He has had an interest in infectious diseases since participating in a senior rotation in medical school. This engagement proved fortuitous, as a significant focus of his professional practice evolved to include patients with complicated urinary tract infections. A chance meeting with MicroGenDX personnel in June of 2017 then led to a unique symbiosis for Dr. Hlavinka's clinical practice: the discovery of a new paradigm for identifying and treating complicated infections of the genitourinary tract. About Javad Parvizi, MD, FRCS Dr. Parvizi, MD, holds the James Edwards chair of orthopedics at Sidney Kimmel Medical School in Philadelphia. He is an active orthopaedic surgeon with an interest in the management of orthopaedic infections. He has published over 800 peer-reviewed articles, numerous textbooks, and has been the recipient of grants from the NIH, DOD, OREF, and numerous other funding bodies for his work in orthopaedic infections. He serves as scientific advisor to MicroGenDX and holds equity in the company. About Jason Sniffen, DO Dr. Sniffen, DO is a physician who has practiced in the Orlando area since 2001. He is Board Certified in Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, and Hyperbaric Medicine. Dr. Sniffen has dozens of publications to his credit in medical journals, textbooks, and online, and he regularly teaches medical students, residents, and fellows in Advent Health System's many training programs. Dr. Sniffen has also served as Chief of Staff, Chief Medical Advisor, Chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and Chair of ID within the Advent Health system. About MicroGenDX Founded in 2008, MicroGenDX has become the industry leader in rapid turnaround and affordability for comprehensive Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and qPCR testing for clinical diagnostics for infections. MicroGenDX is CLIA-licensed and CAP-accredited and has been the trusted research partner for the CDC, U.S. Army, NASA, FDA, and many others. MicroGenDX has processed over 1.5 million molecular samples and its testing has been used in over 80 clinical and scientific publications that are revolutionizing medicine. Media Contact James Compagno Email: james.compagno@microgendx.com Related Images Image 1: MicroGenDX Patient Female MicroGenDX Patient Female Image 2: MicroGenDX Patient Male MicroGenDX Patient Male Image 3: MicroGenDX Using Orthopedic Surgeon MicroGenDX Using Orthopedic Surgeon Image 4: MicroGenDX Using Urologist MicroGenDX Using Urologist This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Highlights: Euro Manganese to settle the balance of the outstanding amounts due under the Royalty Termination Agreements with payment of US$1.8 million in cash and the issuance of 4,820,109 common shares valued at CAD$2,278,080 (US$1.8 million) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Euro Manganese Inc. (TSX-V and ASX: EMN; OTCQX: EUMNF; Frankfurt: E06) (the Company or EMN) is pleased to announce that, further to its announcement of May 31, 2021, it intends to issue 4,820,109 common shares ("Shares") as partial consideration to purchase and extinguish the aggregate 1.2% net smelter royalty ("NSR") interest in the Chvaletice Manganese Project. Pursuant to the royalty termination agreements (the "Royalty Termination Agreements") dated May 31, 2021, the Company agreed to purchase the NSR interest from three arms-length parties for aggregate consideration of US$4.5 million, of which US$900,000 was paid on signing of the Royalty Termination Agreements. The balance is intended to be repaid on or before January 31, 2022, by a combination of US$1,800,000 (approx. $2,278,000) in cash and the issuance of 4,820,109 Shares at a price of CAD$0.47262 per share (the "Share Consideration") valued at $2,278,080 (US$1,800,000 based on the Bank of Canadas USD / CAD exchange rate on January 24, 2022). The Share Consideration is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). In accordance with Canadian securities laws and policies of the TSXV, Shares issued as the Share Consideration will be subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period. About Euro Manganese Inc. Euro Manganese Inc. is a battery materials company whose principal focus is advancing the development of the Chvaletice Manganese Project, in which it holds a 100% interest. The proposed Project entails re-processing a significant manganese deposit hosted in mine tailings from a decommissioned mine, strategically located in the Czech Republic. The Companys goal is to become a leading, competitive and environmentally superior primary producer of ultra-high-purity Manganese Products in the heart of Europe, serving the lithium-ion battery industry, as well as other high-technology applications. Authorized for release by the CEO of Euro Manganese Inc. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) or the ASX accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contact: Euro Manganese Inc. Dr. Matthew James Fausto Taddei President & CEO Vice President, Corporate Development +44 747 229 66 88 & Corporate Secretary + 1-604-681-1010 ext. 105 Media inquiries: Ron Shewchuk Director of Communications +1-604-781-2199 E-mail: info@mn25.ca Website: www.mn25.ca Company Address: #709 -700 West Pender St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8 Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, would, could, will, intend, expect, believe, plan, anticipate, estimate, scheduled, forecast, predict and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking information or statements include, without limitation, the Companys ability to complete its obligations under Royalty Termination Agreements, receipt of TSXV approval for the Share Consideration, the payment of the cash consideration and the issuance of the Shares. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under Risks Notice and elsewhere in the Companys MD&A, as well as the inability to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner; the potential for unknown or unexpected events to cause contractual conditions to not be satisfied; unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the Company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. The Companys actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth in the Risks Notice section and elsewhere in the Companys MD&A for the year ended September 30, 2021 and its Annual Information Form. Wolverhampton, UK, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ePac Flexible Packaging is pleased to announce its third European facility, ePac Poland North, located near the cities of Poznan and Bydgoszcz. This expands ePacs network of sales and production operations across the Continent, builds on the successful launch of European sites in the UK (Silverstone) and France (Lyon), and further signals the companys intent to become the supplier of choice in local markets throughout Europe. ePac is the global leader in quick turn, short and medium run length flexible packaging orders serving brands of all sizes, and is based on the latest in digital printing technology from HP, the Indigo 20000/25000. ePac Poland North is a partnership between ePac and mFlex, and will operate from mFlexs production facility, an established flexible packaging facility that already uses digital printing. The company will be led by Managing Partners Jacek Ciosek and Marcin Kowalski; both seasoned executives in flexible packaging who will manage ePacs operations and customer relationships. Jacek says, Im very excited to head up the ePac team in Poland. We welcome the opportunity to help small and medium sized brands across the region grow and compete with large CPGs. Across the globe, ePac has an established presence focused on helping local entrepreneurs achieve their dreams, and to be accretive to the communities we serve. Our aim is to bring that same philosophy to Poland. Marcin adds, I am also convinced that the synergy resulting from mFlexs experience and capabilities, along with ePacs resources and know-how, will bring great benefits to all of our customers. The state-of-the-art production facility is already fulfilling orders for local customers. Additional capacity in the form of a press and pouch lines will be added to keep up with the rapidly growing customer base, ensuring that brands of all sizes are able to have high-quality printed roll-stock and pouches delivered in 1015 working days from approval of artwork. Johnny Hobeika, Managing Director of ePac Holdings Europe, comments, Bringing our great business model to Poland to help local brands there is hugely exciting. These are of course very challenging times, but despite the pandemic, we have been able to continue with our plans, and together with mFlex, offer our Polish customers a local and unique solution to their flexible packaging needs. Our message is simple: we are here, and we are ready to serve!. About ePac Flexible Packaging As a leading full-service provider of multiple types of flexible pouches and roll stock for small-to-medium-sized brands, ePac offers a sustainable, integrated approach with fast time to market and the highest quality, digitally printed packaging. ePac is built on the successful digital-only print concept first launched by ePac Flexible Packaging in the United States in 2016. The company now has 23 sites across Europe, the United States, Canada, the UK, and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit ePacFlexibles.co.uk or ePacFlexibles.pl Attachments Palo Alto, CA, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heads of Independent schools across the country agree: balancing an onslaught of disparate constituencies while keeping children at the center of ones practice is a busy, challenging, and all consuming discipline. It leaves little time for what the Head of School needs most: refreshing discourse and reflective meditation. And in the time of Covid restrictions, changes, and safety protocols, the swirl of anxieties can perplex the most unflappable administrator. It is the perfect time for a restorative conference designed to invite the connections and support from fellow Heads that lead to lifelong partnerships. Paid for by the Klingenstein Scholarship and held at the Teachers College at Columbia University in New York, this prestigious program selects 20 Heads of School each year for two weeks of study, fellowship and reflection. Kehillah Jewish High Schools Dr. Daisy Pellant is one of this years deserving recipients. She will be in New York in discussions, workshops, and other adventures in the city including social and cultural events, visits to a private museum, and attending a Broadway show. Dr. Pellant will visit city schools and engage in design thinking and case studies with graduate students in the field. For vibrant educators like Daisy Pellant, this is the kind of intriguing work vacation that can envigorate and refresh the commitment she has made to high school independent education. Teachers are chosen from all over the world for this scholarship by the Klingenstein Foundation. The foundations website says For more than 70 years, the Klingenstein family has made meaningful philanthropic contributions in the fields of neuroscience, education, mental health, and medicine. Recently, this particular scholarship has been generously endowed in perpetuity. https://kehillah.org/a-welcome-note-from-our-head-of-school/ Attachment Washington, DC, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Global Summit to Examine Ways to Bring Peace to the Korean Peninsula The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the Royal Government of Cambodia are pleased to announce the upcoming World Summit 2022 (Summit for Peace on the Korean Peninsula) in Seoul, South Korea. Keynote speakers and participants from 157 nations will address both an in-person audience and a global virtual audience about the prospects for the peaceful reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula. World Summit 2022 will be hosted by UPF co-founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, and co-hosted by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Summit, Feb. 10-13, 2022 (KST), will focus on the theme Toward Peace on the Korean Peninsula. Prominent speakers will examine many facets of reconciliation, starting with proposals for constructive dialogue and consensus-building measures among the major stakeholders on the Korean Peninsula. Other topics include creating joint business venture projects between the two Koreas that could also involve China, Japan, Russia and the U.S.; developing tourism projects in North Korea; and using the DMZ which, untouched since 1953, has reverted to a pristine natural environment as a monument to global peace. The Korean War began more than 70 years ago and concluded with an armistice, not a peace treaty, said UPF Chairman Dr. Thomas G. Walsh. The Korean Peninsula is populated by a people with thousands of years of common history, culture and language. Is it not possible to resolve this conflict and bring about the peaceful reunification of the peninsula? We will seek answers to these questions at the Summit, Dr. Walsh said. World Summit 2022 is part of UPFs ongoing series of peacebuilding activities, which are held under the theme of mutual prosperity, interdependence, and shared universal values. UPF, an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is known for its Rally of Hope series, the International Leadership Conference series, and, since early 2021, the Forum series of Think Tank 2022. The latter project was created to engage more than 2,000 global thought leaders on how to achieve a breakthrough for peace on the Korean Peninsula. (Details about Think Tank 2022 Forums can be found at UPF.org.) Adhering to Covid-19 safety guidelines, more than 1,000 people are expected to gather in Seoul for World Summit 2022 at the opening sessions on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Millions more will participate via a high-tech hybrid format. As part of World Summit 2022, organizers will convene several high-level sessions around the work of UPFs peacebuilding associations. These include: International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) and the International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP) International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED) International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP) International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) For media inquiries, please contact: William P. Selig | Communications Director, Universal Peace Federation Ph: 240-274-1744 | Email: wselig@upf.org | Web: www.upf.org Attachment Philadelphia, Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, Fattah Neuroscience Global Advisors LLC (FNGA), a consulting firm founded by former U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah, Sr., committed to advancing brain science and health related research efforts worldwide, and the Brain Wellness Initiative of Africa (BWI) executed an agreement for a five-year partnership. The parties were brought together through the efforts of Luminous Strategies LLC, a Pennsylvania-based government relations and public policy firm. Penned at a signing ceremony at the headquarters of the African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE, the agreement establishes a framework for FNGA to provide consulting services that will empower the BWI to fulfill its mission of elevating neuroscience research and brain health. FNGA will work with strategic U.S. and international partners, and team members, including African continental and regional bodies, and other allied organizations to advance this interest. Professor Amadi O. Ihunwo, Founder, Brain Wellness Initiative (BWI) remarked, Chaka Fattah is a proven champion of neuroscience, universally noted for his leadership in the launching of the U.S. Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. We are confident that as our strategic partner, Fattah Neuroscience with its capabilities and network of relationships will help us achieve real and measurable progress towards our goals. As we expand our footprint, the need for additional investment in Africa is a top priority. There are critical investments that need to be made to find solutions to the most pressing challenges in brain science and brain health. Our team members will work to bring resources to expand the neuroscience ecosystem in Africa, said Chaka Fattah, President, FNGA. Professor Amadi, an educator at heart, spoke to a class of science students at the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, a Philadelphia science-immersion public school located in Mr. Fattahs home neighborhood of Wynnefield, about the importance of brain science. Mr. Fattah and Professor Amadi met with Professor Adeboye Adejare, a Nigerian-born Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of Sciences. In addition to discussing Professor Adejares new book, Drug Discovery Approaches for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders: Alzheimers Disease, they discussed and agreed to collaborate on important parts of the BWI activities on a going-forward basis. Mr. Fattah and Professor Amadi recently gave a prime-time interview to Black News Channels Black News Tonight with Marc Lamont Hill. They both discussed South African scientists early discovery of the highly contagious Omicron variant of Covid-19 and how this enabled governments and health agencies around the world to get a head start on responding to its spread and therefore saving lives. As the aim of preventing, treating, and eradicating infectious diseases takes a global effort, of which African scientists have proven to be important collaborators, Mr. Fattah and Professor Amadi stated that to advance continual discoveries in the treatment and cure of brain diseases, African brain scientists and their research activities must be elevated to a global level. They further explained that Africa, wherein the modern human brain developed, and home to a unique fauna and flora diversity, is ready to drive brain science and neuro-data research. Mr. Fattah and Professor Amadi expressed that it is time to give credit to the fact that African-centered, African-controlled, and African-directed neuroscience research matters, and that its development is vital and indispensable to the success of the global brain project. Interview with Marc Lamont Hill of Black News Tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbWRhNJMqh8 Additional Photos from the Partnership Signing: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Dxw74YwtxlMhyGcqxuLLE5Sw85BZswZT?usp=sharing ### About Fattah Neuroscience Global Advisors Fattah Neuroscience Global Advisors was created to support the advancement of brain research. During his tenure as a U.S. Congressman, Fattah facilitated the creation of the Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience whose flagship project is the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, which is focused in part on developing better technologies and tools to accelerate progress in neuroscience. https://www.fattahadvisors.com/ About Brain Wellness Initiative Brain Wellness Initiative is a legacy project founded by Professor Amadi O. Ihunwo to promote African-centered brain research. Professor Amadi is the incoming Head of the School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, South Africa, where he is also a professor of anatomy and neuroscientist in the faculty of health sciences. Professor Amadi is the immediate past Secretary-General/CEO of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) and now Chair of the SONA Governing Council. Attachments China to dispatch experts of traditional Chinese medicine to Cambodia to fight COVID-19 Xinhua) 16:03, January 25, 2022 PHNOM PENH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Cambodia on Tuesday signed an agreement on dispatching a team of traditional Chinese medicine experts to help Cambodia in the fight against COVID-19. The deal was inked in Phnom Penh between Huang Luqi, visiting vice-commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), and Cambodia's Health Minister Mam Bunheng, under the presence of Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian. Speaking before the signing ceremony, Huang said the NATCM will send the team to Cambodia to carry out medical tasks at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh for one year. "During the period, the medical team will train qualified medical professionals from Cambodia's Ministry of Health, develop targeted training manual and courses for further education, and provide prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services on common diseases including COVID-19 for local people," he said. "I'm confident that this agreement will not only benefit Cambodian medical experts, but also make significant contributions to improve the well-being of Cambodian people," he added. Huang said the deal was signed in accordance with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in November, 2021. For his part, Bunheng said the pact will not only further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fight against COVID-19, but also broaden cooperation in traditional medicine field. "This agreement is crucial to help strengthen the capacity of Cambodian health experts in treating COVID-19 patients more effectively with traditional Chinese medicines," he said. In Cambodia, Chinese patent medicines, namely Lianhua Qingwen capsules and Huashi Baidu granules, have been licensed to use for treating symptoms of COVID-19 patients. "Traditional Chinese medicines are efficacious for treating patients with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, cough and fever," Bunheng said, adding that he himself always used these medicines. According to the agreement, the NATCM will send the medical team comprising of not more than 50 capable professionals in clinical service and training to deliver medical service including traditional Chinese medicine and combination of Chinese and Western medicine at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital. Cambodia has well controlled the COVID-19 pandemic after most of the kingdom's population have been fully vaccinated against the disease. The Southeast Asian nation has reported zero deaths from the COVID-19 for three weeks straight, according to the Ministry of Health. The country registered 28 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the national total caseload to 121,094, with 3,015 deaths and 117,247 recoveries, the ministry said. Cambodia has so far administered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 14.33 million people, or 89.6 percent of its 16-million population, it said, adding that of them, 13.74 million, or 85.9 percent, are fully vaccinated with two required shots. Most of the vaccines used in the country's inoculation campaign are China's Sinovac and Sinopharm. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) A 22-year-old Shillington man was arrested in Philadelphia on murder charges Monday, the day after state police said he strangled and stabbed his mother in their home. Jakob A. Murray was taken into custody without incident and sent to Berks County Prison without bail following arraignment before District Judge David Yoch on first-, second- and third-degree murder, aggravated assault, robbery and theft charges, troopers announced Tuesday morning. Advertisement Jill Murray, 47, was found dead in the home at 211 N. Brobst St. shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday by her boyfriend, who went to check on her after she didnt respond to his text message earlier that morning, state police investigators said. Troopers said that when he arrived at the home, he noticed her car was missing. He had a key to the home, went inside and saw Jill Murray face-up on the living room floor with a knife on her chest and a cut to her neck. She had no pulse. Advertisement Shillington police requested state police handle the homicide investigation. The Troop L Major Case Team and forensic services unit worked on the case along with the district attorneys office. According to investigators: Jill Murrays boyfriend said she received a call from Jakob, with whom she resided, shortly after midnight Sunday morning that prompted her to return home. When he woke up hours later, he texted Jill and didnt receive a response, so he went to check on her. On Monday, police stopped Jakob Murray in Philadelphia as he was driving his mothers car. He was transported to the state police Philadelphia station and voluntarily gave investigators a statement. He admitted to strangling his mother with the intention of killing her. When he realized after choking her that she wasnt dead, he retrieved a knife from the kitchen and cut her neck, killing her. He stole the keys to his mothers car and her credit card, then drove to Philadelphia in the vehicle to buy heroin. The pathologist who performed the autopsy in Reading Hospital determined the cause of death to be a stab wound to the neck and the manner of death to be homicide. London, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Curium has announced a technology license agreement granting access to ECZACIBASI MONROL NUKLEER URUNLER SANAYI VE TICARET A.S non carrier added Lutetium 177. Curium also announced it will be funding the associated capital investment to build a production facility of 15000 Ci per annum on its Petten site in the Netherlands. Curiums Petten assets are co-located with the worlds largest research reactor and the site is already a world leader in the production of reactor based isotopes, the addition of Lutetium 177 will build on this leadership. Earlier in the year Curium announced the initiation of its ECLIPSE phase three registration trial for its proprietary LuPSMA in the treatment of patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. John Sylvester CEO of Curiums SPECT and International businesses commented this is a major milestone in the Curiums transformation to an oncology therapy company. It builds on our philosophy of reliability of supply being the secret to success in Nuclear Medicine. In addition to serving our internal needs we have the proven global supply chain and sufficient capacity to serve the rapidly growing market for Lu-177 for therapeutic use. He went on say We are delighted with Monrol as a technology partner. After extensive benchmarking this technology gave both the highest quality product with the most efficient process. As it is already proven and plug and play in nature, the time to market will be very short. Curiums global reach and scale make them ideal partners for our world leading technology, and we are very pleased to announce them as partners commented Mr. Aydin Kucuk General Manager of Monrol. Please direct all enquires in the first instance to: ContactLondonHQ@curiumpharma.com About Curium Curium is the worlds largest nuclear medicine company. We develop, manufacture and distribute world-class radiopharmaceutical products to help patients around the globe. Our proven heritage combined with a pioneering approach are the hallmarks to deliver innovation, excellence and unparalleled service. With manufacturing facilities across Europe and the United States, Curium delivers SPECT, PET and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical solutions for life-threatening diseases to over 14 million patients annually. The name Curium honors the legacy of pioneering radioactive materials researchers Marie and Pierre Curie, after whom the radioactive element curium was named and emphasizes our focus on nuclear medicine. To learn more, visit curiumpharma.com. Sydney, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, provider of real-time news and video interviews on growth companies listed in Australia, has covered the following companies: GTI Resources Ltd (ASX:GTR) has ended the December quarter in a strong financial position raising $2 million in new capital and with $4.75 million in hand as it drives exploration at its new acquired Thor ISR Uranium Project in Wyomings Great Divide Basin. Click here Okapi Resources Ltd (ASX:OKR) is preparing to explore a portfolio of six advanced projects in a premier high-grade uranium district, the Athabasca Basin in Canada. Click here Meeka Gold Ltd (ASX:MEK) has uncovered gold mineralisation in all six diamond holes drilled at Margaret lode of the Murchison Gold Project in Western Australia, intersecting a prospective laminated hydrothermal vein typical of mineralisation discovered in the Andy Well area. Click here Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR) continued to make progress across its multi-element project portfolio during the December quarter. Click here Creso Pharma Ltd (ASX:CPH, OTCQB:COPHF) psychedelics subsidiary Halucenex Life Sciences Inc has lodged a Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) with Health Canada for a planned phase II clinical trial to test the efficacy of psilocybin on treatment-resistant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Click here Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) has moved to the third diamond drill hole site at the Needles Gold Project in Nevada, USA, with results from drill holes 1 and 2 expected in February. Click here Aurumin Ltd (ASX:AUN) had a busy December quarter, snapping up the 784,000-ounce Sandstone Gold Project, scoring high-grade assays at Mt Dimer and kicking off field work at Mt Palmer. Click here Arovella Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ALA) has welcomed Dr Mini Bharathan to the executive team to lead preclinical trials of the newly acquired DKK1 peptide targeting technology and its CAR19-iNKT cell therapy technologies. Click here Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) has made a breakthrough in the development of Battery Ink cells that generate electricity directly from interaction with moisture by achieving a 150% increase in electrical charge. Click here Euro Manganese Inc (ASX:EMN, TSX-V:EMN, OTCQX:EUMNF) is to complete the buy-back of a 1.2% net smelter royalty (NSR) in its Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic, settling the balance of outstanding amounts due under royalty termination agreements. Click here Boadicea Resources Ltd (ASX:BOA) has implemented a board succession plan to enable it to fully focus on 2022 exploration activities across its tenements in some of the most prospective regions in Australia. Click here Magmatic Resources Ltd (ASX:MAG) has capped off a diamond drilling campaign at its 100%-owned Wellington North Project in the iconic East Lachlan district of New South Wales Lachlan Fold Belt. Click here FYI Resources Ltd (ASX:FYI) has wrapped up the third successful week of its pilot plant trial with Alcoa (NYSE:AA) of Australia for the production of high purity alumina (HPA) following a three-week campaign. Click here Oar Resources Ltd (ASX:OAR) is continuing a maiden drilling program at the high-grade Douglas Canyon Gold Project in Nevada while its 2022 field season is set to begin at the Crown Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in the Julimar District in Western Australia. Click here Miramar Resources Ltd (ASX:M2R) has an airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey underway over its 100%-owned Mt Vernon nickel-copper-PGE target in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. Click here Nexus Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXM) has completed multiple work programs and metallurgical studies for the Wallbrook Gold Project in Western Australia, making broad progress across the tenure. Click here Carnavale Resources Ltd (ASX:CAV) continues to turn the soil on a series of nickel opportunities in WAs most prolific mineralised regions. Click here Krakatoa Resources Ltd (ASX:KTA) has successfully completed an extensive versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM Max) survey, defining 52 VTEM conductors of which 20 are strong, high-priority targets. Click here Brookside Energy Ltd (ASX:BRK) has started constructing the all-weather multi-well pad for drilling of the Flames Well in the SWISH Area of Interest (AOI) in Oklahomas world-class Anadarko Basin. Click here Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX:BGL) continues to make headway on its dual track exploration and production strategy, which is centred on the namesake Bellevue Gold Project in WA. Click here Thor Mining PLC (AIM:THR, OTC:THORF, ASX:THR) and Power Metal Resources PLC (AIM:POW) have agreed to a Variation of Tail Benefit as part of the sale agreement of the Pilot Mountain tungsten project in Nevada. Click here About Proactive Proactive is a unique tech-enabled platform providing companies globally with a comprehensive investor engagement solution across their business lifecycle With six offices on three continents, Proactive works with innovative growth companies quoted on the worlds major stock exchanges, helping executives to engage intelligently with investors In 2020, Proactive featured in 809 million search results, our content was viewed over 165 million times and our readers spent over 10 million hours on our websites. Proactive has produced over 300,000 articles and 20,000 executive interviews since it was established in 2006 For more information on how Proactive can help you make a difference, email us at action@proactiveinvestors.com English Lithuanian Following the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) of Siauliu Bankas AB, the European Central Bank set an additional capital requirement (P2R) of 1.6 per cent for Siauliu Bankas AB, calculated according to the Pillar II, effective from 1 March 2022. The P2R requirement did not change from the previous SREP assessment. Also, a non-binding Pillar 2 guidance (P2G) requirement of 1.75 per cent has been set, which is recommended to be incorporated into capital planning and risk management framework. In the previous SREP cycle, as a temporary measure to mitigate Covid-19 impact, no P2G requirement was set. Additional information shall be provided by Head of Risk Management Division Algimantas Gaulia, +370 37 372 837, algimantas.gaulia@sb.lt Pune, India, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global non-destructive testing market is set to gain momentum from the ongoing technological advancement in wireless sensors and IoT for generating higher accuracy in testing results. In March 2021, for instance, Zetec Inc. unveiled a scanner named ElbowFlex for detecting flow accelerated corrosion and measuring wall thickness on pipe elbows. It can be used in industrial, manufacturing, petrochemical, and oil & gas applications. This information is given by Fortune Business Insights in a report, titled, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market, 2021-2028. As per the report, the market size was USD 7,160.0 million in 2020. It is projected to grow from USD 6,300.0 million in 2021 to USD 14,800.0 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 12.98% in the forecast period. Cancellation of Commercial Aircraft Delivery to Hamper Growth The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the aviation industry negatively because of the implementation of travel bans by governments of various countries worldwide. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), for instance, declared that approximately 4.3 million air-passengers were carried globally in 2019. This number declined drastically in 2020. Also, cancellation or postponement of commercial aircraft delivery is hampering the demand for NDT. Request a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/non-destructive-testing-ndt-market-103596 Companies covered in non-destructive testing industry are: Acuren Inspection Inc. (The U.S.) Ashtead Technology (The U.K.) Bosello High Technology Srl (Italy) Eddyfi (Canada) Fischer Technology Inc. (The U.S.) Fprimec Solutions Inc. (Canada) General Electric (The U.S.) Labquip NDT Limited (The U.K.) LynX Inspection (Canada) Magnaflux Corporation (The U.S.) Mistras Group (The U.S.) NDT Global GmbH & Co. Kg (The U.S.) Nikon Metrology (Japan) Olympus Corporation (Japan) Sonatest Ltd. (The U.K.) TD Williamson, Inc. (The U.S.) YXLON International GmbH (Denmark) Segments- Ultrasonic Testing Segment Held 27.23% in 2020: Fortune Business Insights By the technique, the market is segregated into ultrasonic testing, visual inspection testing, magnetic particle testing, liquid penetrant testing, eddy current testing, radiographic testing, and acoustic emission testing. Amongst these, the ultrasonic testing segment procured 27.23% in terms of the non-destructive testing market in 2020. This growth is attributable to the surging utilization of this technique in weld inspection, mapping, pipeline corrosion, and composite applications. Report Coverage- The NDT market report aims to analyze the market by considering contributions, prospects, and growth trends. It presents detailed profiles of every key player operating in the market to analyze their core competencies in each segment. Apart from that, it ensures to help our clients better understand the competitive developments, namely, joint ventures, acquisitions, new product developments, agreements, and expansion of production facilities. Drivers & Restraints- Urgent Need to Prevent Fatal Accidents will Accelerate Growth in Future The aerospace industry has to maintain the highest quality standards regarding strength, structure, and materials as failure in checking leaks, or cracks can lead to fatal accidents. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2020, the total number of accidents reached 38 from 52 in 2019. Similarly, the accident rate of IATA member airlines was 0.83 per million flights. This showcases an improvement in the prevalence of accidents. At the same time, the availability of various methods, such as radiographic, liquid penetration, eddy current testing, ground penetration, and acoustic emission testing would drive the NDT market growth in the near future. However, workers operating NDT equipment should have various certifications and high training levels to handle complex tasks. Unavailability of these can obstruct growth. Regional Insights- Presence of Fischer Technology and Magnaflux Corporation to Help North America Dominate Geographically, North America earned USD 2,759.2 million in terms of revenue in 2020. It is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forthcoming years because of the presence of various reputed NDT companies, such as Magnaflux Corporation, Acuren Inspection Inc., and Fischer Technology Inc. in the U.S. Europe, on the other hand, is anticipated to show a remarkable growth on account of the expansion of the automobile and aerospace industries in Germany and France, respectively. Competitive Landscape- Key Players Focus on New Product Launches to Intensify Competition The global market for non-destructive testing contains various companies. Most of them are striving to launch innovative products to cater to the high consumer demand across the globe. A few others are participating in the collaboration strategy to compete with their rivals. Browse Summary of This Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/non-destructive-testing-ndt-market-103596 Below is one of the latest industry developments: January 2021: Olympus introduced RollerFORM XL scanners to enhance the inspection of composite components possessing large surface areas. It can be used in the aerospace and defense industry. 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 Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Quantitative Insights- Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market Steps taken by Industry/ Companies/ Governments to overcome the impact Key Developments in the Industry in Response to COVID-19 pandemic Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 Outbreak Global Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast 2017-2028 By Technique Ultrasonic Testing Visual Inspection Testing Magnetic Particle Testing Liquid Penetrant Testing Eddy-Current Testing Radiographic Testing Acoustic Emission Testing Market Size Estimates and Forecast 2017-2028 By Method Visual Inspection Surface Inspection Volumetric Inspection Others Market Size Estimates and Forecast 2017-2028 By Service Ultrasonic Inspection Equipment Rental Services Calibration Services Training Service Market Size Estimates and Forecast 2017-2028 By Vertical Manufacturing Oil & Gas Aerospace Public Infrastructure Automotive Power Generation Others TOC Continued! Speak to Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/non-destructive-testing-ndt-market-103596 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Fortune Business Insights Pune, India, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global solar charge controller market is likely to gain momentum by exhibiting an impressive CAGR of 15.8% during the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights publishing this information in its report, titled Solar Charge Controller Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) Charge Controller, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Charge Controller), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Utility), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026., states that increasing adoption of solar energy across the globe will surge the market to reach USD 3.59 billion by 2026, that was USD 1.2 billion in 2018. The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic. Request a Sample Copy of Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/solar-charge-controller-market-102158 We are taking continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future. List of the Companies Operating in the Market: Morningstar Corporation (USA) Easy Photovoltech Private Limited. (India) Vispra Solar (India) Luminous Power Technologies (P) Ltd (India) Beijing Epsolar Technology Co., Ltd. (China) Victron Energy (Netherlands) Sollatek UK Limited (United Kingdom) OutBack Power Technologies (USA) Xantrex Technologies (USA) Genasun (Netherlands) Wenzhou Xihe Electric Co.,Ltd (China) Phocos (USA) Steca - A KATEK Brand (Germany) Arise India Ltd. (India) A solar charge controller plays an important role in a battery-based solar mechanism. The main role of the controller is to manage the charging of the battery, avoid overcharging, and further control the rate of the current along with the voltage at which it is charging. Furthermore, a battery is rated as per its voltage capacity, while exceeding that capacity may lead to permanent damage of the battery and lose its functionality. However, a solar charge controller prevents such situation and maintain the well-being of the battery while improving its functioning capacity. Moreover, solar charge controllers are mostly available in volts ranging from 12, 24, and 48 V. What does the Report Offer? The market report offers qualitative and quantitative assessment of the various market drivers and restraints, opportunities, and challenges that the market will face during the projected horizon. Furthermore, the report provides comprehensive research into the regional developments of the market, affecting the market growth during the forecast period. Moreover, it contains an exhaustive study of the landscape comprising of key players, strategies used by them, and recent product launches for the market growth between 2019 and 2026. Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this Market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/solar-charge-controller-market-102158 Drivers and Restraints: Product Innovations to Drive the Market In March 2020, Xantrex that has successfully launched solar panels in 2019 announced its introduction of two new solar charge controllers, which are specially designed to work with Lithium Iron Phosphate. According to the company, the new 30A MPPT charge controllers are capable of allowing the solar to charge and maintain the batteries efficiently. Increasing adoption of technology is anticipated to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. Furthermore, in April 2020, Carrier Transicold, a leading transport refrigeration manufacturer, introduced new innovative solar charging system that deliver faster power to its TRU batteries. Moreover, the new solar charging system is capable to deliver 2A power delivery by using ultra-pure silicon cells combined with high-efficient charge controller. Regional Analysis: Increasing Demand for Solar Installation in Asia-Pacific to Augur Growth Among the regions, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to remain at the forefront during the forecast period. Factors such as large-scale solar installations and future planning to install more solar grids in Asia-Pacific will contribute to the growth of the market in this region. Furthermore, increasing demand from residential sector for solar installation in Asia-Pacific will bode well for the growth of the market during the forecast period. Tremendous potential in countries such as China will boost the demand in Asia-Pacific exponentially during the projected horizon. On the other hand, Europe is likely to be the second-most leading region during the projected horizon. This is ascribable to factors such as Europes EU28 green energy target. Furthermore, technological advancement and promotion of green solutions in countries such as Germany, the U.K., and Italy in Europe will contribute to the growth of the market during the forecast period. Overall, the Middle East and Africa region will gain huge momentum for the market owing to growing impetus for renewable power generation. Speak to Our Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/solar-charge-controller-market-102158 Competitive Landscape: Hyundai Introducing New Solar Charging System to Bolster Demand Hyundai Motors, a leading car manufacturer, in August 2019, announced its launch of a new solar roof charging system. The new technology will propel the vehicles to secure high electrical power in addition to improved fuel efficiency and long driving range. Moreover, the system consists of a solar panel and a charge controller that is capable of charging 30% to 60% of the battery per day, while increasing annual travel distance by remarkable 1300 kilometers. Expansion of product offering and supportive government initiatives is driving the growth of the market during the projected horizon. The companies operating in the market are string to gain maximum solar charge controller market revenue and contributing to the growth of the market between 2019 and 2026. Quick Buy - Solar Charge Controller Market: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/102158 Part II: Smart Grid Market The increasing emphasis on smart grid technology to reduce capital and operational cost is likely to spur lucrative business opportunities for the smart grid market in the forthcoming years, mentioned in a report, titled Smart Grid Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Component (Solutions, Services), By Solution (Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Smart Grid Distribution Management, Smart Grid Communications, Smart Grid Network Management, Substation Automation, Smart Grid Security, Others), By End-User (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Utility) Others and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 the increasing inclination towers clean energy sources to curb emissions is expected to boost the smart grid market revenue in the foreseeable future. Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this Market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/smart-grid-market-102157 The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic. We are taking continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future. Competitive Landscape : Announcement of Distribution Management Solution by GE Power to Aid Expansion GE Power, an American energy technology company, owned by General Electric announced it its grid solutions business developed a new Advanced Distribution Management Solution (ADMS) in collaboration with Tata Power Delhi Distribution (Tata Power - DDL) with advanced features, such as analysis, monitoring, security, and planning. The launch of the innovation management solution by GE Power is expected to accelerate the smart grid market trends during the forecast period owing to its efficiency and distribution capabilities for the supply and transmission of electricity. Moreover, in August 2019, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSU, signed an agreement to successfully install 10 lakh smart meters across India, under the Government of Indias Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP). In addition, the upgradation of aging grid infrastructure is predicted to bolster healthy growth of the market. However, the high initial costs for deployment of smart grid technology is one of the crucial factors predicted to restrain the smart grid market growth. Speak to Our Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/smart-grid-market-102157 Regional Analysis : Increasing Technological Advancement to Propel Market in North America Geographically, the smart grid market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America is expected to hold the lions share in the market owing to rising technological advancements. The implementation of AMI, smart grid distribution management, distributed management system, and distributed automation is likely to enable speedy growth in the region. The increasing government initiatives to deploy smart grid at a large scale in the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors is predicted to stimulate growth in North America. The Asia Pacific is likely to witness high demand in the forthcoming years due to owing to the wide adoption of smart grid technology and a robust progression in renewable energy sources. The integration of renewable energy for the development of smart grid projects is likely to foster growth in Asia Pacific. The Middle East & Africa is expected to exhibit a steady growth rate owing to rising investments in smart grid technology and modernization of existing grids. The Report Lists the Prominent Companies in the Smart Grid Market: ABB Cisco GE Honeywell Schneider Electric Siemens IBM Oracle Wipro Limited Landis+Gyr Tech Mahindra Pre Book - Smart Grid Market: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/102157 About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortune-business-insights Dublin, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Healthcare Smart Beds Market By Application (Hospitals, Outpatient Clinics, Medical Nursing Homes and Medical Laboratory and Research), By Country, Growth Potential, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The North America Healthcare Smart Beds Market is expected to witness market growth of 8.2% CAGR during the forecast period (2021-2027). Smart hospital beds help in monitoring the vitals and other activities of the patients. Big hospitals chain is willing to become the most developed hospitals in the area for which they are adopting smart hospital beds in their infrastructure. The deployment of smart hospital beds needs approval from regulatory authorities of the region. These beds are beneficial for the patient as well as healthcare professionals. In addition, these beds automatically transfer the real-time data through a wireless network, which enables the doctor to review the data and monitor the patient's vitals in real-time, this helps in increasing the safety of the patient. Additionally, smart beds send warnings to the medical staff about the sudden changes recorded in the patient's health and enable the medical team to take immediate actions before the patient's health deteriorates. According to the study by Harvard Medical School, the integration of heart-rate sensing technology & respiratory rate sensing technology with smart beds is expected to help in significantly decreasing the rate of code blue events. Thus, these determinants are accountable to propel the demand for healthcare smart beds over the forecast period. The adoption rate of healthcare smart beds is high in North America, as it is a developed region and nations are economically very strong. The hospitals in this region are focusing on providing better facilities that are integrated with the latest technology, which will help in the early diagnosis of the disease. As nations are highly developed in this region, their lifestyle has significantly changed. An increased number of patients with chronic disease are recorded in this region, which is giving rise to the demand for healthcare smart beds. The latest smart hospital beds are able to monitor up to 35 data points, which includes a patient's body temperature, heartbeat, body weight, and level of oxygen, pressure, and blood. This system helps in automatically updating the patient's medical record with all data. The major focus of smart beds is on improving patient's safety and comfort throughout a potentially lengthy hospital stay. Also, the latest delivery models are emerging to address growing chronic care demands in this region. Advancements in precise detection and diagnoses of disease are minimizing the cost of treating chronic conditions. The USA market dominated the North America Medical Nursing Homes Market by Country in 2020, and is expected to continue to be a dominant market till 2027; thereby, achieving a market value of $26.7 Million by 2027. The Canada market is experiencing a CAGR of 9.8% during (2021 - 2027). Additionally, The Mexico market is expected to witness a CAGR of 12% during (2021 - 2027). Based on Application, the market is segmented into Hospitals, Outpatient Clinics, Medical Nursing Homes and Medical Laboratory and Research. Based on countries, the market is segmented into U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Rest of North America. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Market Segments Covered in the Report: By Application Hospitals Outpatient Clinics Medical Nursing Homes Medical Laboratory and Research By Country US Canada Mexico Rest of North America List of Companies Profiled in the Report: Stryker Corporation Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Invacare Corporation (Johnson & Johnson Private Limited) Paramount Bed Co., Ltd. (Paramount Bed Holdings Co., Ltd.) LINET spol. s r.o. (WIBO Holdings GmbH) Joerns Healthcare LLC Stiegelmeyer GmbH & Co. KG (Joh. Stiegelmeyer & Co. GmbH) Arjo AB Volker GmbH Favero Health Projects SpA For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/zb1n11 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. English French Highlights: Expansion drilling shows continued extension along strike and at depth for the Monique gold zones B zone returned 4.2 g/t Au over 5.5 metres, 4.4 g/t Au over 15.8 metres and 6.0 g/t Au over 4.0 metres at 275, 375 and 585 metres vertical depth, respectively returned 4.2 g/t Au over 5.5 metres, and 6.0 g/t Au over 4.0 metres at 275, 375 and 585 metres vertical depth, respectively I and M zones returned 2.0 g/t Au over 30.0 metres, 23.4 g/t Au over 1.2 metres, 1.6 g/t Au over 15.6 metres and 1.7 g/t Au over 13.4 metres between surface and 300 metres vertical depth returned 23.4 g/t Au over 1.2 metres, 1.6 g/t Au over 15.6 metres and 1.7 g/t Au over 13.4 metres between surface and 300 metres vertical depth A and E zones returned 1.1 g/t Au over 22.6 metres, 1.5 g/t Au over 11.0 metres and 15.9 g/t Au over 1.0 metres between surface and 100 metres vertical depth returned 1.5 g/t Au over 11.0 metres and 15.9 g/t Au over 1.0 metres between surface and 100 metres vertical depth 9 drills active on the VDE project including 7 on the Monique Gold Trend TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Probe Metals Inc. (TSX-V: PRB) (OTCQB: PROBF) (Probe or the Company) is pleased to provide new results from the 2021 drill program on its 100%-owned Val-dOr East Monique property (the Property) located near Val-dOr, Quebec. Results from sixteen (16) holes from the 52,000-metre 2021 drilling program revealed significant, new gold mineralization along strike and at depth in the A, B, E, G, I, J and M gold zones northeast, southeast and south of the former Monique open pit mine (see figure 1). New results come from the resource expansion drill program completed last fall over the Monique gold zones. Selected highlights from the current drill results are presented below. David Palmer, President and CEO of Probe, states: The Monique deposit continues to surpass our expectations, returning thick intersections of gold mineralization that are typically above the average resource grades. The continued success on our expansion drilling program at Monique truly demonstrates that Val-dOr East is growing and has much more to offer as we advance the project through development. This year we have embarked on our largest program to date at Val-dOr East, in order to build gold ounces and increase confidence in our gold resources as quickly as possible. With nine drills turning we are in a better position to achieve our goal of growth while minimizing timelines for the economic studies and permitting. 2022 will be an exciting year for Monique, and Val-dOr East, and we look forward to more results as the drilling continues. All of the holes released today were part of the expansion drilling program at Monique. Holes MO-21-128 to -143 were designed to test the extension of the A, B, E, G, I, J and M zones laterally and between surface to locally up to 600 metres depth. All holes returned significant new gold intercepts which are open along strike and at depth. Assays from more than 100 holes from the 2021 drilling program testing the continuity of these zones are still pending. Probe has commenced the largest drill program to date at Val-dOr East totalling 150,000 metres focussed on resource conversion, resource expansion and new discoveries. All results released today will be included in an updated resource for the Val-dOr East project, which will form the basis of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) expected to be completed in 2023. The PFS is an important step in advancing the project to production and work will run concurrently with environmental studies and permitting. Selected drill results from holes MO-21-128 to 143 at the Monique Area drilling program are, as follows: Hole Number From (m) To (m) Length (m) Gold (g/t) Zone / Host Rock MO-21-128 319.7 324.0 4.3 1.5 B / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-128 351.1 361.6 10.5 1.3 I / Volcanics MO-21-128 475.0 480.0 5.0 1.8 M / Volcanics MO-21-129 51.6 52.6 1.0 15.9 E1 / Volcanics-Diorite MO-21-129 81.0 90.0 9.0 1.1 E2/ Volcanics MO-21-129 122.6 133.0 10.4 1.0 A / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-129 378.0 408.0 30.0 2.0 M / Felsic dyke-Volcanics Including 391.3 399.0 7.7 5.5 M / Felsic dyke-Volcanics MO-21-130 307.5 323.1 15.6 1.6 I / Volcanics Including 309.0 310.2 1.2 9.6 I / Volcanics MO-21-130 442.6 452.0 9.4 2.0 M / Volcanics-Felsic dyke Including 447.0 447.7 0.7 10.8 M / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-131 319.4 321.2 1.8 4.2 M / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-132 221.5 255.5 34.0 0.5 B / Volcanics MO-21-133 62.5 67.5 5.0 1.4 E / Volcanics MO-21-133 120.0 134.7 14.7 0.6 A / Volcanics MO-21-133 299.0 304.5 5.5 4.2 B / Volcanics Including 303.1 303.7 0.6 14.9 B / Volcanics MO-21-133 427.8 429.8 2.0 5.9 M / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-134 87.0 93.5 6.5 0.9 E / Volcanics MO-21-134 115.0 126.0 11.0 1.5 A / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-135 540.8 546.7 5.9 2.0 J / Felsic dyke-Diorite Including 543.4 544.1 0.7 7.7 J / Felsic dyke-Diorite MO-21-135 557.5 566.2 8.7 3.0 Ghw / Ultramafics Including 562.3 566.2 3.9 6.3 Ghw / Ultramafics MO-21-135 576.1 583.0 6.9 2.0 G / Ultramafics MO-21-136 77.7 88.0 10.3 0.5 E / Volcanics MO-21-137 28.5 51.1 22.6 1.1 E1 / Diorite Including 28.5 29.3 0.8 10.9 E1 / Diorite MO-21-137 82.8 92.1 9.3 1.2 E2 / Volcanics MO-21-138 157.9 165.1 7.2 1.6 E / Volcanics Including 161.2 162.2 1.0 8.3 E / Volcanics MO-21-138 472.0 487.8 15.8 4.4 B / Volcanics including 479.9 480.6 0.7 76.7 B / Volcanics MO-21-138 585.8 592.0 6.2 4.9 M / Volcanics-Felsic dyke Including 587.8 588.5 0.7 39.6 M / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-139 149.2 166.2 17.0 0.7 J / Felsic dyke-Diorite MO-21-139 658.3 662.3 4.0 3.0 I / Volcanics-Felsic dyke Including 658.3 659.3 1.0 9.2 I / Volcanics-Felsic dyke MO-21-139 676.3 702.2 25.9 1.1 M / Volcanics Including 690.7 692.7 2.0 7.2 M / Volcanics MO-21-140 270.1 286.4 16.3 2.8 J / Volcanics-Diorite Including 275.1 285.4 10.3 3.8 J / Volcanics-Diorite MO-21-141 38.4 49.5 11.1 1.3 New Zone / Volcanics MO-21-141 205.3 216.4 11.1 0.5 A / Volcanics MO-21-142 213.7 219.0 5.3 2.3 J / Felsic dyke-Ultramafics Including 216.3 217.2 0.9 8.4 J / Felsic dyke-Ultramafics MO-21-142 645.0 649.0 4.0 6.0 B / Volcanics Including 648.0 649.0 1.0 15.4 B / Volcanics MO-21-142 791.5 820.5 29.0 1.4 M / Volcanics Including 791.5 794.5 3.0 3.2 M / Volcanics Including 809.4 820.5 10.1 2.0 M / Volcanics MO-21-143 296.8 310.2 13.4 1.7 I / Volcanics-Felsic dyke Including 299.8 304.7 4.9 3.8 I / Volcanics-Felsic dyke (1) All the new analytical results reported in this release and in this table, are presented in core length and cut to 100 g/t Au when needed. True width is estimated between 65 to 95 % of core length. Figure 1: Surface Map Monique Gold Trend new drilling https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96e1aa60-e66f-4f66-aae7-6c8729088644 About the Monique Property: The Monique property is located 25 km east of Val-dOr, in Quebec, and consists of 21 claims and one mining lease covering a total area of 5.5 square kilometres in Louvicourt township. The property hosts a current measured and indicated mineral resource of 13,619,000 tonnes at a grade of 1.54 g/t for 672,800 ounces of gold and inferred mineral resource of 11,733,000 tonnes at a grade of 1.78 g/t for 671,400 ounces of gold (source: Probe Metals NI 43-101 Technical Report Val-dOr East Project June 2021). The Property is part of the Companys Val-dOr East Project and the consolidated land package stands at 436 square kilometres. Val-dOr East is situated in a politically stable and low-cost mining environment that hosts numerous active producers and mills. Geology Gold mineralization on the Monique property is mainly associated with three deformation zones that cross the property with an orientation of 280 and a 75- 80 dip to the north. Gold mineralization is defined by a network of quartz/tourmaline/carbonate veins and veinlets with disseminated sulphides in the altered wall rocks. A total of 16 gold zones have been discovered on the property, to-date. Some mineralized zones have been defined from surface to a depth of 600 metres and vary in width from 1 metre to up to 60 metres. Mineralized structures extend laterally up to 900 metres. Past Production The Monique open pit mine began commercial production in 2013 and ceased production at the end of January 2015. A total of 0.58 Mt of mineralized material was extracted at a grade of 2.53 g/t Au, from the surface to 100 metres depth for a total of 45,694 ounces of gold. Qualified Person: The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed, prepared and approved by Mr. Marco Gagnon, P.Geo, who is a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101, and Executive Vice-President and a director of Probe. Quality Control: During the last drilling program, assay samples were taken from the NQ core by sawing the drill core in half, with one-half sent to a certified commercial laboratory and the other half retained for future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples, which includes insertion of mineralized standards and blank samples for each batch of 20 samples. The gold analyses were completed by fire-assays with an atomic absorption finish on 50 grams of materials. Repeats were carried out by fire-assay followed by gravimetric testing on each sample containing 3.0 g/t gold or more. Total gold analyses (Metallic Sieve) were carried out on the samples which presented a great variation of their gold contents or the presence of visible gold. About Probe Metals: Probe Metals Inc. is a leading Canadian gold exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is committed to discovering and developing high-quality gold projects, including its key asset the multimillion-ounce Val-dOr East Gold Project, Quebec. The Company is well-funded and controls a strategic land package of approximately 1,500-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Quebec. The Company was formed as a result of the $526M sale of Probe Mines Limited to Goldcorp. Eldorado Gold Corporation currently owns approximately 10.9% of the Company. On behalf of Probe Metals Inc., Dr. David Palmer, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information: Please visit our website at www.probemetals.com or contact: Seema Sindwani Director of Investor Relations info@probemetals.com +1.416.777.9467 Forward-Looking 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. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the results of the PEA, including future Project opportunities, future operating and capital costs, closure costs, AISC, the projected NPV, IRR, timelines, permit timelines, and the ability to obtain the requisite permits, economics and associated returns of the Project, the technical viability of the Project, the market and future price of and demand for gold, the environmental impact of the Project, and the ongoing ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including the local levels of government. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f94e9879-329a-4aee-9386-0d0b53f99129 NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Getty Images, a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, in partnership with the Getty Family and Stand Together, a philanthropic community tackling some of the biggest challenges of our times, today announced the recipients of the inaugural Getty Images Photo Archive Grant for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The $500,000 grant will support the digitization of up to 200,000 archival photos from Claflin University, Jackson State University, North Carolina Central University and Prairie View A&M University, to help preserve the invaluable photographic history of HBCUs. Launching today on gettyimages.com, the Historically Black Colleges & Universities Collection will see thousands of images added throughout 2022. Getty Images will work alongside archivists at each HBCU and Adnet Global, a renowned post-production agency that specializes in the digitization, restoration, and discoverability of visual analog historic libraries, in the photo digitization process. A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04ad4a4d-2484-42e1-830a-4115703190be The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs were created to honor the vast history of HBCUs and their contribution to American history, said Cassandra Illidge, VP of Partnerships at Getty Images. We are committed to preserving the visual narrative of all cultures and communities to ensure these vital artifacts are accessible to storytellers around the world. Jackson State University is honored to be a recipient of the inaugural Getty Images photo digitization grant, which will provide the critical resources needed to help us create a digital archive of thousands of photographs in our collection, said Thomas K. Hudson, J.D, President of Jackson State University. Preserving the rich culture and heritage of the African diaspora found at HBCUs is an essential step in ensuring that the stories of our ancestors are accessible to share for generations to come. Thank you to Getty Images, the Getty family and Stand Together for providing this generous support. "We are enormously grateful to receive the Getty Images photo digitization Grant for Historically Black Colleges and Universities," said Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack. "This partnership will help Claflin preserve its illustrious history in photographs documenting the Universitys emergence as one of the nations premier liberal arts universities. These images provide compelling visual narratives of how Claflins dedicated and visionary administrators, distinguished faculty and staff, and high-achieving scholars made indelible contributions to Orangeburg, the state of South Carolina, and the world." North Carolina Central Universitys rich history, vibrant culture and steady growth over the past 111 years have been captured through images. The generous investment by Getty Images will offer new, technologically enhanced and advanced ways in which we, as a leading Historically Black University, can further tell our story, said Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., Chancellor of NCCU. A strategic partnership with the worlds largest visual storytelling and preservation company is one that will strengthen and elevate the importance of digitizing our important photographic collections that document the history of NCCU and other HBCUs that are institutional gems to our nation. The collaboration also trains the next generation of librarians, archivists and public historians who will work with these priceless collections. "This assistance is timely and important to the preservation of the unique history of our 145-year-old university, said Ruth J. Simmons, President of Prairie View A&M University. We are grateful to Getty Images for valuing the preservation of these images." Each HBCU will retain all copyright for their photographs and all revenue generated from the images will be funneled back into impact programs: 50 percent will go to grant recipients; 30 percent of revenue will be used for a financial donation to scholarship funds focused on furthering the education of students at HBCUs; and 20 percent will be reinvested to fund the Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs each year. The grant applications were judged by an esteemed panel which included: Dr. Deborah Willis, Academic Director, Professor & Chair at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at NAACP Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, Professor of Sociology The Lasry Family Professor of Race Relations at University of Pennsylvania Renata Cherlise, Founder of Blackarchives.co Raina Kelley, Vice President and Editor in Chief of The Undefeated Mercedes Cooper, Vice President, Public Programming at ARRAY The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs is part of Getty Images commitment to anti-racism, inclusion, and dismantling discrimination including bringing to market unseen historical content and creating revenue streams for organizations working to build a more inclusive society. It is part of the companys wider grants program, which since its inception has donated over US$1.8 million to photographers and videographers around the world. New York, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Geothermal Power Market Report 2022-2032" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06221925/?utm_source=GNW The Geothermal Power Market Report 2022-2032: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region. The Binary Cycle Power Plants Segment is Expected to Grow Significantly The water or steam beneath the soil never comes into direct contact with the turbines in binary cycle power plants. Instead, geothermal power water is pushed via a heat exchanger, where it warms a second liquid-like isobutene (which boils at a lower temperature than water). This second liquid is converted into steam, which drives the generators turbines. The first liquid is recycled through the turbine and back into the heat exchanger, where it can be utilised again, while the second liquid is recycled into the soil through the injection well. What Are These Questions You Should Ask Before Buying A Market Research Report? How is the geothermal power market evolving? What is driving and restraining the geothermal power market? How will each geothermal power submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2032? How will the market shares for each geothermal power submarket develop from 2022 to 2032? What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2022 to 2032? Will leading geothermal power markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others? How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2032 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2032? Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? What are the geothermal power projects for these leading companies? How will the industry evolve during the period between 2020 and 2032? What are the implication of geothermal power projects taking place now and over the next 10 years? Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the geothermal power market? Where is the geothermal power market heading? And how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market? What can be the best investment options for new product and service lines? What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path? C-suite? You need to discover how this will impact the geothermal power market today, and over the next 10 years: Our 407-page report provides 275 tables and 273 charts/graphs exclusively to you. The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them NOW. Contains in-depth analyse of global, regional and national sales and growth Highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors This report tells you TODAY how the geothermal power market will develop in the next 10 years, and in-line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years. Forecasts to 2032 and other analyses reveal the commercial prospects In addition to revenue forecasting to 2032, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares. You find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments. Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising geothermal power prices and recent developments. This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report. Global Geothermal Power Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Resource Type Convective Hydrothermal Sedimentary Basin Geopressured Radiogenic Solidified Hot Dry Rock Part Still Molten Magma Other Resource Type Global Geothermal Power Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Technology Ground Source Heat Pumps Direct-Use Geothermal Power Deep Geothermal Power Systems Enhanced Geothermal Power Systems Global Geothermal Power Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by End-User Residential Commercial Industrial Others Global Geothermal Power Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Power Station Type Dry Steam Power Stations Flash Steam Power Stations Binary Cycle Power Stations In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for 4 regional and 20 leading national markets: Americas Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook U.S. Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Costa Rica Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Mexico Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis El Salvador Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Nicaragua Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Guatemala Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Rest of Americas Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Europe Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook Italy Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Iceland Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Russia Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Germany Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis France Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Rest of Europe Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Asia Pacific Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook Indonesia Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Philippines Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis New Zealand Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Japan Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis China Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Rest of Asia Pacific Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis LAMEA Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook Kenya Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Turkey Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Ethiopia Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Rest of Latin America, Middle East and Africa, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations. Leading companies and the potential for market growth Atlas Copco Ansaldo Energia S.P.A BHE Calpine Corporation Chevron Corporation ElectraTherm Inc. ENEL SPA Fuji Electric Co. Ltd. General Electric Halliburton Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. KenGen Mitsubishi Corporation Ormat Technologies Inc Pertamina Terra-Gen Toshiba Corporation Overall world revenue for Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 in terms of power generation the market will surpass 16.94 GWe in 2022, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2032. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead. How the Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market report helps you? In summary, our 400-page report provides you with the following knowledge: Revenue forecasts to 2032 for Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market, with forecasts for resource type, technology, end-user, power station each forecasted at a global and regional level discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues Revenue forecasts to 2032 for 4 regional and 20 key national markets See forecasts for the Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 market in Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Costa Rica, Mexico, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies. Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market including company profiles for 20 of the major companies involved in the Geothermal Power Market, 2022 to 2032 Market. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06221925/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ MV Technologies contracts to design and install its H 2 S removal systems for four new biogas/RNG system in the US and has outstanding bids valued at approximately $3.5MM for additional systems worldwide. BROOMFIELD, CO, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources, Inc. (SEER) (OTCQB: SENR), a provider of environmental, renewable fuels and industrial waste stream management services, has recently received multiple purchase orders totaling more than $1.75MM for the design and installation of its proprietary H 2 S removal systems as part of a growing number of renewable natural gas (RNG) projects in the US. The first contract, for approximately $220,000 is for a dairy processor in Wisconsin. The processor will utilize the biogas generated from their digester to fuel their on-site boiler. The installation of the H2SPlus system will allow the dairy processor to comply with their air permit while protecting their boiler from the harmful effects of H 2 S. MVs H2SPlus System will use SEERs proprietary bioactive media (BAM) produced by SEERs, SEER Environmental Media (SEM) division based in Texas. An order for a second system, valued at approximately $470,000, was recently received by MV for a dairy farm in the State of Minnesota. This system, the first MV installation in Minnesota, will be installed at a dairy farm that has 2,000 head of dairy cows. The biogas generated from this dairy will be upgraded into RNG and injected into a natural gas pipeline. The RNG will be eventually utilized as compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicle fuel. These projects are strategic additions to the numerous agricultural biogas projects already in MV Technologies portfolio. The dairy industry continues to expand its RNG production and MVs multiple systems currently installed and operating at some of the nations largest agricultural biogas projects underscores the efficacy and success of SEERs biogas treatment technology, said Tom Jones, President of MV. While dairy-based RNG projects vary in size, scope and function, most rely on a closed-loop system that continuously recycles products, byproducts and resources on the farm for cost savings and efficiency. Since all of these new operations across the country must condition the raw biogas, this trend bodes well for MV and its proven H 2 S removal technology and medias, said Jones. MV also recently received a ~$300,000 purchase order for its technology to design and supply of equipment from one of the largest producers of 100% recycled containerboard in the USA. This is the second project MV has supplied to this corrugated packaging company. MV worked closely with a large, international waste-water engineering consulting firm to meet the needs of this customer. This system will utilize Axens AxTrap granular iron oxide media. This is the fifth system that MV has worked jointly with this engineering firm. Finally, a fourth purchase order, valued at approximately $750,000, has been recently received for MV to supply an H2SPlus System at a WWTP for an East Coast Municipality. In addition to supplying the equipment to remove the H2S, MV will design and fabricate a system to remove harmful siloxanes form the gas stream. While difficult to predict with certainty due to operational variables, it is estimated the four systems will use more than $350,000 of MVs BAM or Axtrap on an annual basis. The progress of MVs two recent Canadian orders is going well with one nearing completion and the other delayed due to Covid related issues and supply chain factors in Canada. The recent purchase orders and installations bring MVs total installed nationwide base of operating systems to well over 100 and, once again, confirm the efficacy and efficiency of the Companys proven technology. We continue to see growth in MV and are proud to have been selected as the H 2 S removal technology for these projects which reduce our nations carbon footprint, create renewable energy and have an overall extremely positive impact on our global environment, said SEER CEO, John Combs. With its many effective and successful installations of its MV technology solutions throughout North America, SEER is now well established as a growing ESG portfolio company in a rapidly growing sector. MV now has approximately $3.5MM of current and active system and media supply contracts. This increase in purchase orders and outstanding bid requests early in 2022 highlights both the success of the technology and the robust market, said Combs. About Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources, Inc. Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources, Inc. (SEER) (OTCQB: SENR), identifies, secures, and commercializes patented and proprietary environmental clean technologies in several multibillion dollar sectors (including oil & gas, renewable fuels, and all types of waste management, both solid and gaseous) for the purpose of either destroying/minimizing hazardous waste streams more safely and at lower cost than any competitive alternative, and/or processing the waste for use as a renewable fuel for the benefit of the customers and the environment. SEER has two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries: MV Technologies, LLC and SEER Environmental Materials, LLC; and two majority-owned subsidiaries: Paragon Waste Solutions, LLC; and PelleChar, LLC. For more information about the Company visit: www.seer-corp.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, commonly identified by such terms as "believes," "looking ahead," "anticipates," "estimates," and other terms with similar meaning. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements should not be construed as fact. Statements in this press release regarding future performance or fiscal projections, the cost effectiveness, impact and ability of the Company's products to handle the future needs of customers are forward-looking statements. The information contained in such statements is beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases the Company cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. All forward-looking statements in the press release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by reference to the underlying assumptions. Contact Information: ir@seer-corp.com Despite relatively high salaries, good benefits and a certain amount of prestige, the turnover rate among college presidents remains high. Although it hasnt helped matters, the academic administrator exodus predates the coronavirus outbreak. The 2017 American College President Study, conducted by the American Council on Education, found that 54% of presidents or chancellors planned to leave their current positions within the next 5 years. Advertisement In addition, the average tenure of college presidents in their current positions was 6.5 years in 2016, down from about 7 years in 2011 and an average of 8.5 years in 2006. The shelf-life of a president is often shortened by the pressures and unique complexities of the job, according to AGB Search, which conducts searches for higher education institutions. Advertisement Michael A. MacDowell (Contributed photo) Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower meets June 5, 1944, with U.S. Army paratroopers from the 101st Division in England, the day prior to the Normandy Invasion. This has been the case for a long time. Three years after World War II ended, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, the supreme allied commander, was inaugurated as the 13th president of Columbia University. During his five-year tenure at Columbia, and before assuming the presidency of the United States, Eisenhower faced many of the same issues that have, and will continue to vex most college presidents. Even though he had led thousands of troops in the greatest war of modern times, overseeing allies from different countries and cultures, while managing the likes of Patton and De Gaulle, whose egos sometimes outstripped their usefulness, he still found university leadership defied even his most capable management skills. As a five-star general, Eisenhower was certainly familiar with bureaucracies, yet he found the idiosyncrasies of selecting internal university leadership perplexing. He recorded in his diary, There is no more complicated business in the world than that of picking a new dean within the university. In his 38 years in the Army, Eisenhower was no stranger to the amount of paperwork military bureaucracies could generate. But he soon learned a university could even outpace the Army in generating administrative trivia. Trying to mitigate the seemingly endless meetings and paperwork he encountered at Columbia, Ike tried to insist that every new idea presented to him be reduced to one typewritten piece of paper. According to Eisenhower biographer Stephen Ambrose, such a request to reduce verbosity brought some Columbia professors to helpless rage or laughter. One quipped that if the president read more than one page his lips got tired. Eisenhower was no foreigner to criticism. During his 38 years of active service, he experienced many critical reviews, but few were echoed publicly by those for whom he felt directly responsible nor were they made in such a mocking fashion. Advertisement To be fair, Eisenhower knew when he accepted the position at Columbia that the culture of the academy differed significantly from that of the military. Despite these obvious cultural differences, Ike set out to do the best he could, successfully raising the visibility and funds for Columbia and managing the universitys finances very well. What he was unprepared for was the lethargic approach to problem solving within the university. His successor at Columbia, Grayson Kirk, identified the dilemma very well, saying that Eisenhowers management style was built out of his military experience. He wanted to have problems presented to him in a cogent and brief form so he could make an informed decision. He believed it better to decide rather than to postpone a decision. He found professors, on the other hand, much preferred protracted discussions to decisions. This clash of cultures was almost inevitable, for perhaps there are two no more dissimilar occupations than the military and academe. This is not to suggest that one is necessarily better than the other, although to many the efficiency of Eisenhowers management style, coupled with his impatience with procrastination, best mirrored mainstream American values. Today many university presidents are in the crosshairs. Criticized profusely for allowing students and faculty to offend the publics sense of efficiency and propriety, they are sometimes maligned for adhering to a lethargic response to undertake needed change within the academy. Advertisement Often, presidents are placed in the unenviable position of defending statements and actions they themselves find antithetical to the thinking of most Americans. A college presidents job is made even harder today by a politically divided country that often sees a college campus as the breeding ground for unpopular thinking and actions. To those who serve as college presidents it is comforting to remember one of the worlds great leaders, who not only won a war but also led a battered post-war world to rebuild in relative peace, found the job of a college president sometimes a bit overwhelming. Michael A. MacDowell served as president of Misericordia University, Luzerne County, for 15 years. AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SmallCapVoice.com Inc. (SCV) announces the availability of a new interview with technology company IIOT-OXYS, Inc. (OTC Pink: ITOX) (the Company) to discuss its operations, recent milestones and outlook for 2022. Speaking with SCVs Stuart Smith, IIOT-OXYS, Inc. CEO Cliff Emmons describes the Companys operations and use of machine learning and proprietary algorithms to provide actionable mission-critical insights for clients in a wide range of industries. Despite headwinds of the COVID pandemic, IIOT-OXYS, Inc. was able to adjust its footing and hit key growth catalysts that support its core mission. When we take a look at what we've been able to accomplish in 2021, it's very foundational, Emmons says. This was the year we found the right financing partners to back the Company so that we could be fully positioned to grow. Secondly, we have definitely been able to take the additional time that we've had since some foundational proof of concepts were created to further develop our algorithms, sharpen them up, and also use the results and develop them into excellent use cases that we can use as marketing collateral to go out and engage potential customers. The discussion also highlights the Companys performance in 2021 and how its pivot into supply chains and smart manufacturing fits into future plans. The full interview can be heard at: https://www.smallcapvoice.com/interview-iiot-oxys-itox/. About IIOT-OXYS, Inc. IIOT-OXYS, Inc. is a technology company at the intersection of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning, edge computing and manufacturing operations. We provide actionable mission-critical insights for the medical/pharmaceutical, manufacturing, agriculture, defense, structural health, and other industries. The IIOT-OXYS, Inc. edge computing open-source hardware and proprietary ML algorithms employ our Minimally Invasive Load Monitoring (MILM) technology to gather data and gain insights to monitor, scope, move from preventive to predictive maintenance, and even optimize development and manufacturing processes. For additional information visit www.oxyscorp.com About SmallCapVoice.com SmallCapVoice.com, Inc. is a recognized corporate investor relations firm, with clients nationwide, known for its ability to help emerging growth companies, small cap and micro-cap stocks build a following among retail and institutional investors. SmallCapVoice.com utilizes its stock newsletter to feature its daily stock picks, podcasts, as well as its clients' financial news releases. SmallCapVoice.com also offers individual investors all the tools they need to make informed decisions about the stocks in which they are interested. Tools like stock charts, stock alerts, and Company Information Sheets can assist with investing in stocks that are traded on the OTCMarkets. To learn more about SmallCapVoice.com and its services, please visit https://www.smallcapvoice.com/small-cap-stock-otc-investor-relations-financial-public-relations/. Socialize with SmallCapVoice and their clients at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmallCapVoice/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallcapvoice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallcapvoice/ Forward Looking Statements: This press release and the offering materials may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. They are based on the current beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the company's management regarding the future of the company's business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. When used in the offering materials, the words "aim," "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "envision," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "hope," "likely," "may," "plan," "potential," "seek," "should," "strategy," "will" and similar references to future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which constitute forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict (many of which are outside of the company's control) and could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the company, the offering or other matters, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact Information: IIOT-OXYS, Inc. Clifford L. Emmons, CEO Contact@oxyscorp.com SmallCapVoice.com Stuart T. Smith 512-267-2430 Info@SmallCapVoice.com Source: SmallCapVoice.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7a3c533-50e1-4f2f-a73f-caf8088ef204 New York, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Middle East Data Center Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06221897/?utm_source=GNW 73 billion in 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.56% during 2022-2027 The demand for cloud computing, big data, and IoT technologies will be a predominant driver for data center development in the Middle Eastern region. The Middle Eastern region witnessed data center investments from telecommunication service providers and global colocation operators. Most Middle Eastern countries government are taking initiatives by developing special economic zones and industrial parks, which provides tax exemptions for data center development. In the Middle East, more than 15 data centers have added a white floor area of around 30,000 square feet area. In addition, approximately 10 data center facilities opened and under construction in 2021 have added a white floor area between 30,000 to 70,000 square feet. The following factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the Middle East data center market 5G Deployments Fueling Edge Data Center Deployment Smart City Initiatives Drives Data Center Investments Deployment of Submarine Cables and Inland Cables Impact Data Center Investments Increase in Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources Adoption of Advanced IT Infrastructure in Data Centers The study considers a detailed scenario of the present Middle East data center market and its market dynamics for the period 2022?2027. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent ones operating in the market. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Middle Eastern countries are working towards digital transformation to attract foreign investments. 5G network deployment fuels the digital transformation, IoT, smart cities, and fourth industrial revolution. Middle East enjoys a strategic location between Africa and APAC that can easily connect both regions. This will benefit data center operators to invest in the submarine cable network passing through the country, thus will drive the MENA data center market. MIDDLE EAST DATA CENTER MARKET SEGMENTS The Middle East data center market has the following segmentation- Infrastructure IT Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Cooling Technique General Construction Geography MIDDLE EAST DATA CENTER MARKET SEGMENTATION The server market is slowly shifting from rack-based servers to blade servers to support a high-density operating environment. This is because of the increased usage of IoT, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning by enterprises across the Middle Eastern market. UPS systems are being widely adopted to provide backup power for cooling systems installed in the facility. The adoption of lithium-ion batteries is likely to increase during the forecast period as their price will continue to decline in the Middle East data center industry. Market segmentation by Infrastructure IT Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure General infrastructure Market segmentation by IT infrastructure Server Infrastructure Storage Infrastructure Network Infrastructure Market segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgear Power Distribution Units Other Electrical Infrastructure Market segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Market segmentation by Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers Other Cooling Units Market Segmentation by Cooling Technique Air-Based Cooling Technique Liquid-Based Cooling Technique Market Segmentation by General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & Commissioning Services Engineering & Building Design Fire Detection & Suppression Physical Security DCIM/BMS Market Segmentation by Tier Standard Tier I & II Tier III Tier IV GEOGRAPHICAL OUTLOOK In 2021, the UAE will be one of the preferred data center locations in the Middle East, with more than 10 data center facilities investments. In 2021, Amazon Web Services announced the development of a new data center region in Abu Dhabi, which consists of three availability zones in the UAE. It is expected to be opened in the first half of 2022. In 2021, The Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) launched a USD 18 billion plan to collaborate with local players to build a network of hyperscale data centers across Saudi Arabia. Also, in terms of investment, Riyadh and Jeddah are the preferred locations, with major investments from colocation, enterprise, and government entities. Market Segmentation by Geography UAE Saudi Arabia Israel Turkey Oman Qatar Bahrain Kuwait Jordan Other Middle Eastern Countries VENDOR LANDSCAPE HPE, Dell, IBM, Huawei, Lenovo, NetApp, and Cisco are among the major revenue generators in the market. The innovations in the IT infrastructure space will result in the launch of new solutions at an affordable cost that suits the operational business needs of enterprises. Infrastructure providers enhance their DCIM and BMS operations through automation and artificial intelligence. The construction of mega data centers with thousands of infrastructure racks will be the major revenue generators for DCIM and BMS solution providers. IT Infrastructure Providers Arista Networks Atos Broadcom Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Fujitsu Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hitachi Vantara Huawei Technologies IBM Inspur Juniper Networks Lenovo NetApp Oracle Prominent Support Infrastructure Providers ABB Airedale International Air Conditioning Alfa Laval Canovate Caterpillar Cummins Delta Electronics EAE Group Eaton HITEC Power Protection Johnson Controls designs Legrand Rittal Rolls-Royce Schneider Electric Shenzhen Envicool Technology Siemens STULZ Vertiv Group Prominent Construction Contractors AECOM Aldar Properties Anel Group Arup Ashi & Bushnag Atkins Dar Group DC PRO Engineering Deerns Edarat Group EGEC ENMAR Engineering Harinsa Qatar HATCO HHM Building Contracting Hill International ICS Nett INTLTEC Group ISG Laing ORourke Linesight M+W Group Mace Mercury Engineering McLAREN Construction Group Prota Engineering Qatar Site & Power Red Engineering RW Armstrong Turner & Townsend Prominent Data Center Investors Amazon Web Services (AWS) Bynet Data Communications EdgeConneX Equinix Etisalat Group Future Digital Data Systems (FDDS) Group 42 Gulf Data Hub Moro Hub MEEZA Microsoft Ooredoo Turkcell Zain New Entrants Infinity KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED: 1. How big is the Middle East data center market? 2. Who are the key investors in the Middle East data center industry? 3. What segments are covered in the Middle East data center market? 4. What are the factors driving the data center colocation market growth in the Middle East? 5. Which segment has the highest share in the Middle East Data Center Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06221897/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), the global association leading the business analysis community and professional standards, released the findings of its Achieving More with Data research, part of IIBAs Global Research Program. This research provides insights into how high-performing organizations realize increased ROI with data analytics initiatives by having business analysis professionals lead key business data analytics (BDA) practices. The five-part Achieving More with Data report answers the questions: How do high performing organizations build a data-driven culture? How can data analytics projects reduce failure rates? How can building analysis capability improve outcomes? IIBA is excited to share what we have been learning from our global community, particularly the increasingly critical connection between how organizations deploy business analysis capabilities internally and the success of their data analytics initiatives. We believe this helps all of our understanding around the shift to data-driven cultures and value that is achievable from analytics work in high performing organizations, said Delvin Fletcher, President and CEO, IIBA. IIBAs Global Research team conducted over two dozen interviews with executives involved in business data analytics and commissioned a survey of 300 business leaders to quantify capabilities leading to project success. The research examined the impact of business analysis in driving increased ROI and reduced failure rates across a range of BDA projects. IIBA reviewed these findings with an expert panel representing data science, global thought leaders in data management, and academia to validate the results. The research found the most successful organizations closely integrate business analysis into a team structure including technology and data science to build a data-driven culture. No amount of technology or data science will fix asking and answering the wrong business question, said Keith Ellis, Chief Engagement and Growth Officer, IIBA, and the business analysis professional knows the processes and nuance of the business and can maintain focus on how value is going to be realized. The gap is widening between high performers and industry laggards. Enterprise organizations with mature BDA practices experience three times more ROI than organizations not focused on these key areas. Companies that fail to involve business analysis professionals in leading BDA practices experience 2.8 times higher project failure. Executives have faced challenges with business data analytics and know the disruptive potential if they get it wrong. IIBAs findings narrow the problem to specific business analysis practices executives can focus on getting right, and through these practices, lead their companies through the transformation to become data driven. IIBAs research found business data analytics is critical for high-performing organizations and business analysis professionals are instrumental in helping these organizations build a data-driven culture. To preview the key findings on the impact of business analysis, access the Achieving More with Data Summary Report at IIBA.org. About IIBA International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is the professional association dedicated to supporting business analysis professionals to deliver better business outcomes. IIBA connects 30,000 Members, 120 Chapters, and 500 training, academic, and enterprise partners around the world. As the global voice of the business analysis community, IIBA supports recognition of the profession, networking and community engagement, standards and resource development, and comprehensive certification programs. For more information, visit IIBA.org About IIBA Global Research IIBA Global Research provides a broad view of topical information, insights, demographics, and trends that influence business analysis globally. As part of IIBAs Global Research, Achieving More with Data analyzes the forces shaping the use of data and analytics at companies and the strategies, including the use of business analysis professionals, for transforming to a data-driven organization. More details for media coverage can be found in the accompanying research reference guide. Ann Cain, Director, Events & Communications, IIBA (289) 275-6847 or (905) 867-4103 ann.cain@iiba.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2dfd0ea1-73fa-4708-93dd-03bfd1cd6bd2 Richmond, Virginia, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barricade Building Products will showcase Barricade Thermo-Brace Structural Insulated Board (SIB), Barricade Thermo-Brace Lightweight Sheathing, and Barricade Plus Drainage Wrap at IBS 2022 in Orlando, Florida from February 8-10. The event will host more than 90,000 attendees, making it the largest light construction trade show in the world. Barricade Thermo-Brace Structural Insulated Board (SIB) Barricade Thermo-Brace SIB, a 4-in-1 reversible structural insulated sheathing with Barricade Thermo-Brace Structural Sheathing with BASF Neopor GPS insulative foam, offers an additional energy-efficient insulative barrier against external elements and a tight, simple, and secure install for builders. Thermo-Brace SIB was a finalist for the Most Innovative Building Material Award last year at IBSx 2021. Thermo-Brace SIBs outside weather-resistant barrier (WRB) layers prevent water, moisture vapor, and mold and eliminate the need for additional outside protection, allowing homeowners to enjoy energy savings with a high indoor air quality. Mike Fields, Barricade Vice President of Sales, explains, U.S. Department of Energy confirms that insulated sheathing, like Thermo-Brace SIB, plays a key role in the success of building energy efficient homes. Barricade Thermo-Brace Lightweight Structural Sheathing Barricade Thermo-Brace Lightweight Structural Sheathing reduces labor costs by allowing builders to create an air and weather-resistant barrier on both sides in one lightweight step for better performance. Josh Elliott, Technical Director for Barricade Building Products, explains, Thermo-Brace is the best alternative to OSB. Not only is it lighter weight than OSB, but it also has waterproof WRB barriers on both sides that allow you to install your structural sheathing, WRB and air barrier at the same time. Its hard to beat a 100% American made product that saves you time on the install and provides multiple properties to achieve a more energy efficient home. Barricade Plus Drainage Wrap Barricade Drainage Wrap, with an innovative patented drainage design, offers ease of installation while providing consumers with maximum air and moisture control. The Drainage Wraps breathable membrane allows moisture vapor to pass through without becoming trapped, while the innovative non-directional drainage pattern moves water away from the homes exterior. Geoff Baldwin, President of INDEVCO North America Building Products Division said, Were excited to be back in person at IBS 2022 this year. In addition to Structural Sheathing alternatives and Drainage Wrap, well showcase our complete Barricade Building Envelope System designed to create energy efficient homes. Barricade Building Products manufactures a complete Building Envelope System with a 10-year system warranty in Doswell, Virginia, just north of Richmond. The system includes House Wrap, Structural Sheathing, Roof Underlayment, Construction Seam Tape, and Window & Door Flashing. Barricade Building Products is a member of INDEVCO North America Building Products Division. Barricade is an INDEVCO North America brand. For more information, visit Barricade Building Products website or contact: Mike Fields - VP of Sales Barricade Building Products 804-334-1379 MFields@BarricadeBP.com Michelle Barnett - Communications Specialist INDEVCO North America 804-876-9170 Michelle.Barnett@INDEVCO-NA.com Attachments MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TopLine Federal Credit Unions 23rd annual Holiday Gift Drive held during the months of November and December benefitted local non-profits Avenues for Youth, Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP), Keystone Community Services, MORE Community Services and YMCA of the North Youth and Family Services. TopLine was able to donate over 550 gifts, 185 scarves, 2 holiday trees and decorations, fulfill 4 holiday wish lists for young families, $240 in gift cards and over $600 in cash to our charitable partners to help make the holidays a little brighter for those in our communities. Employees were able to participate by donating gifts and money in exchange for a Foundation Fridays/Saturdays sticker, allowing them to wear jeans to work on specific days during the six-week program. TopLines Knitting Club also participated by knitting and crocheting scarves and hats for local foster youth at Family Alternatives. TopLine members could leave unwrapped gifts, scarves or yarn under the Holiday Tree at any TopLine location. A special thanks goes out to our employees and members who were so generous this season, said Tom Smith, TopLine Federal Credit Union President and CEO. TopLine is dedicated to giving back and every contribution helped make this holiday season bright for those that need a little extra assistance in our communities. Since 2002, TopLine Federal Credit Union employees and members have been involved in several programs each year to benefit Avenues for Youth, CEAP, MORE, Keystone and the YMCA of the North Youth and Family Services. In addition to the annual holiday donations these efforts have included drives for books, personal care items, bedding and childrens back-to-school supplies. Avenues for Youth provides emergency shelter, short-term housing and supportive services for homeless youth in a safe and nurturing environment. There are over 6,000 homeless youth in Minnesota each night. Avenues shelters in Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis help over 300 youth. Through their Holiday Gift Program, Avenues was able to fulfill wish lists for 35 youth and young families this holiday season, decorate their homes in Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis with 2 new holiday trees and donate $18,000 in gift items for families and youth in their programs. Visit www.avenuesforyouth.org to learn more. CEAP (Community Emergency Assistance Programs), serving Hennepin and Anoka Counties, is a community-based, non-profit agency that partners with other resources to assist people in need. The mission of CEAP is to stabilize individuals and families in financial distress and to maximize their ability to live independently and with dignity. Through CEAPs Toys of Joy Holiday Program, families were able to select toys and stocking stuffers for each child. CEAP was able to provide holiday gifts to 715 children, 1,000 winter coats for families and holiday food for over 1,500 neighbors in need. Visit www.CEAP.com to learn more. Family Alternatives is a youth driven agency that enhances relationships, advocates for services and supports the development of youth in foster care. Based in Minneapolis, Family Alternatives supports youth in their development by providing nurturing family environments. Family Alternatives provided handmade scarves, toys and gifts to youth at their annual holiday party. Thanks to the generosity of our community, Family Alternatives was able to boost the spirits of 125 youth this holiday season. Visit www.familyalternatives.org to learn more. Keystone Community Services is a community-based volunteer organization in St. Paul that helps thousands of low-income individuals and families in the East Metro Area. Keystones mission is to strengthen the capacity of individual and families to improve their quality of life. Through Keystone Community Services youth programs, toys and gifts were provided to the children at their two youth program sites. Keystone was able to spread holiday cheer to 135 youth this holiday season. Visit www.keystoneservices.org to learn more. MORE Community Services provides refugees and immigrants with the education and support they seek to become fully engaged members of our community. Through MORE Community Services, TopLine provided 6 families with rice cookers to help prepare holiday meals this season. Visit www.more-empowerment.org to learn more. YMCA of the North Youth and Family Services is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 165 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. YMCA of the North Youth and Family Services distributed holiday gifts, winter gear and personal care supplies to youth and adults in their Youth and Family Services programs. To learn more about the Ys mission and work, visit ymcanorth.org/youthandfamilyservices. TopLine Federal Credit Union , a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesotas 13th largest, with assets of more than $650 million and serves nearly 46,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Pauls Como Park as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com . Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members. Visit us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TopLineFederalCreditUnion. To learn more about the credit unions foundation, visit https://www.toplinecu.com/foundation. CONTACT: Vicki Roscoe Erickson Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications TopLine Federal Credit Union verickson@toplinecu.com 763.391.0872 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/834afad5-5b39-4c29-80bb-d172513fb29b NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenbacker Capital Management, LLC (Greenbacker Capital or Greenbacker), a leader in sustainable infrastructure investment, announced today that, through an affiliated fund (the Fund), it has made an equity investment in Noria Energy (Noria), a California-based solar developer. Greenbackers growth investment will enable Noria to scale its platform, while executing on and expanding its existing pipeline of solar projects. This pipeline includes both ground-mounted arrays and solar installations that float atop bodies of water. With this investment, Greenbacker enters the floating solar space, or floatovoltaics, an emerging area of the renewable energy asset class with unique environmental and power production advantages. Floating solar projects do not require valuable land area, instead making use of space otherwise left idle, like the surfaces of hydroelectric dam reservoirs, wastewater treatment ponds, or other calm bodies of water. They can also reduce algae growth and slow evaporation for the bodies of water they are installed upon. Floatovoltaic panels also experience a cooling effect from the water beneath, leading to greater and more efficient clean energy generation. The nascent floating solar industry in the United States has significant opportunity for growth. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has estimated that installing floating solar on the 24,000+ manmade reservoirs in the US could meet about 10% of the countrys annual electricity needs.1 With Greenbackers investment, Noria is poised to expand in the space, having already designed, engineered, and co-developed the nations largest floating solar array, a 4.8-MW installation at the water reclamation facility in Healdsburg, CA. Noria also offers behind-the-meter solar projectsbuilt on land or waterwhich are systems that provide solar power directly to consumers without involvement from a utility. These systems can help customers reduce power bills, capitalize on renewable energy incentives, and meet their clean energy goals, while also offering insulation from grid disruption. Greenbacker is thrilled to partner with Noria to build our presence in the floating solar market, said Ben Baker, Managing Director and Principal of the Fund. The Noria teams track record and innovation in the space, along with their overall solar development expertise, position them well to continue expanding and contributing to a clean energy future. Founded in 2018, Noria has operations in both the United States and Latin America. Collaborating with the Greenbacker team will allow us to scale and deliver creative solutions to our solar customers, said Jonathan Wank, CEO of Noria. Our mission at Noria Energy is to develop projects and solutions that lower barriers to solar adoption. Were also driving innovation by working with the Department of Energy, municipalities, and commercial/industrial customers on solar projects that can improve water quality. Greenbacker established the Fund in 2020 to invest in companies focused on sustainable infrastructure development serving high-value markets across the United States. 1 News Release: NREL Details Great Potential for Floating PV Systems | News | NREL, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, December 27, 2018. About Greenbacker Capital Management Greenbacker Capital Management LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser that provides advisory and oversight services related to project development, acquisition, and operations in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability industries. For more information, please visit www.greenbackercapital.com. About Noria Energy Noria has been dedicated to optimizing the design of solar PV systems guaranteeing affordable long-term power to customers while enabling them to transition to clean, renewable energy. Noria is currently developing 200+ MW of floating solar and ground-mount solar projects serving wastewater treatment plants, commercial/industrial customers, and hydroelectric power plants, among others. For more information, please visit www.noriaenergy.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. Although Greenbacker believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. Greenbacker undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained herein to conform to actual results or changes in its expectations. Media Contacts: Greenbacker Noria Energy Chris Larson Jairo Criollo Senior Writer & Media Communications Director of Business Development 847.313.9035 646.671.1502 c.larson@greenbackercapital.com jairo@noriaenergy.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e61fe2dd-5259-43d4-99f8-b05f12d21542 EL PASO, Texas, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DATAMARK, Inc., a global Contact Center and Business Process Outsourcing provider, recently welcomed its new Vice President of Global Operations, Shawn Ollis. He brings over 20 years of experience leading high-performing teams through periods of rapid growth and sustained performance, spanning multiple Fortune 500 organizations across numerous business functions, including financial services, BPO, human capital management, and telecommunications. Prior to joining DATAMARK, Ollis functioned as Vice President of Operations for Prudential Financial, where he was responsible for leading the overall strategy and continued growth of the El Paso, Texas, offices, performance management, business continuity, talent acquisition, employee engagement, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction. Before leading operations at Prudential, he served as the Director of Service Delivery for Comprehensive Services at ADP. "I'm very thankful for the opportunity to join the team as the new VP of Global Operations," said Shawn Ollis, Vice President of Global Operations at DATAMARK. "It's exciting to not only lead the team to continued success and excellence but to form part of an organization that is focused on providing career growth for its global employees as well as giving back to the communities in which it serves." As DATAMARK's new Vice President of Global Operations, Ollis will provide strategic-level leadership to the operations team to ensure client satisfaction, operational efficiency, and business growth across the globe. "We are excited to welcome Shawn to DATAMARK," said John Holmes, Senior Vice President at DATAMARK. "His extensive operations background and leadership skills are an outstanding addition to the company to amplify client satisfaction and accelerate DATAMARK's rapid growth in the market. We're thrilled to have him on board." Those interested in learning more about DATAMARK, its Contact Center and BPO solutions, and its career opportunities can do so by visiting DATAMARK.net. Founded in 1989, DATAMARK, Inc. is a leading mid-sized Contact Center and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company headquartered in El Paso, Texas. Small enough to care, yet big enough to serve the world's leading brands, DATAMARK serves large enterprises and government agencies from its delivery centers located in the U.S., Mexico, and India. DATAMARK offers a wide range of BPO services, including omnichannel, multilingual contact center services, document lifecycle management, loyalty program management, and finance & accounting outsourcing. CONTACT: Thom Mead 123 W. Mills Ave., Suite #400 El Paso, TX 79901 915-275-0264 thom.mead@datamark.net Related Images Image 1: Shawn Ollis - VP of Global Operations at DATAMARK This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A San Francisco federal district issued an order Saturday that the first of several civil rights wrongful death cases stemming from the botched transfer of COVID-19-infected inmates to San Quentin State Prison may go forward. The high-level California prison officials sued had asked the court to give them immunity from the lawsuit filed by the wife of former-San Quentin inmate Michael Hampton, who died from COVID-19 that he contracted allegedly from the widely condemned transfer of untested inmates to San Quentin in May 2020. United States Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler noted, The plaintiffs claims are predicated on the botched transfer of infected prisoners from CIM and the defendants refusal to implement basic safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which caused Mr. Hamptons death. At the time of the transfer, the defendants knew the risks of COVID-19. (Order, p. 3). Denying the prison officials request for qualified immunity from the lawsuit, Judge Beeler concluded, The complaint alleges known risks from a serious communicable disease. Prison officials cannot be deliberately indifferent to inmates exposure to serious communicable diseases. (Order, p. 16). The Court also denied the prison officials requests for other immunities for their actions. The Court granted the motion to dismiss the claims against former California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Ralph Diaz and against the State for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) based on a lack of facts at this time but allowed the plaintiff to file an amended complaint with additional facts to support those claims. Civil rights law firm Haddad & Sherwin LLP represents the plaintiff in this case, Hampton v. State of California, et al., CAND No. 3:21-cv-03058-LB, as well as plaintiffs in three other pending wrongful death cases, including for the family of San Quentin Prison Sergeant Gilbert Polanco, who also died as a result of the COVID outbreak at that prison. A copy of the district courts order is available upon request. Michael Haddad, one of the plaintiffs attorneys, says: This is an important ruling in these cases flowing from the very preventable deaths at San Quentin. Clearly, these officials were on notice, yet they chose to increase risks to jail inmates and staff, causing this sad debacle. This is a first step to holding these officials accountable. Similar motions remain pending in the other related COVID-19-death cases out of San Quentin. To interview attorney Michael Haddad or Julia Sherwin of Haddad & Sherwin LLP, please call or email them as listed below. The plaintiff in the present case requests that media do not contact her directly. ____________________________ The CDCR already has faced intense criticism for transferring 122 Chino prisoners from the California Institute for Men (CIM), all deemed high-risk for COVID-19, when many of them had not been tested for the virus for three or four weeks before they were transferred by busload to San Quentin. At the time of that transfer, San Quentin did not have a single case of COVID-19. Once those Chino prisoners arrived, CDCR and San Quentin officials failed to segregate them from the San Quentin population and failed to protect San Quentin prisoners and staff from the virus they recklessly introduced. Those officials also failed to follow recommendations to control the outbreak from the Marin County Public Health Officer and other experts. (https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/San-Quentin-officials-ignored-coronavirus-15476647.php). Within three weeks after that transfer, San Quentin had over 500 known cases of COVID-19, and eventually, most San Quentin prisoners and many staff contracted COVID-19. The State of California Office of the Inspector General released a scathing report about this Public Health Disaster at San Quentin. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-01/california-prisons-ignored-warnings-covid-outbreaks. Cal-OSHA assessed numerous violations against CDCR for this incident, including many deemed serious and willful-serious. https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/San-Quentin-coronavirus-violations-lead-to-15925915.php. Assemblymember Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, whose district includes San Quentin, has described this as worst prison health screw up in state history, concluding that the spread of COVID-19 at state prisons was a preventable public health disaster and a failure of CDCR leadership at the highest level. (https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article243935832.html#:~:text=California%20lawmakers%20on%20Wednesday%20called,the%20state's%20most%20explosive%20outbreak.). This civil rights lawsuit addresses that failure of California and CDCR bureaucratic leadership. A copy of the Order filed Saturday in United States District Court for the Northern District of California is available upon request. ABOUT HADDAD & SHERWIN LLP. Founded in 1998 by Michael Haddad and Julia Sherwin, Haddad & Sherwin LLP is an Oakland law firm representing people in serious civil rights, police and jail misconduct, and wrongful death cases. For more information, visit https://haddadandsherwin.com/. Contact : Michael Haddad or Julia Sherwin (office) (510) 452-5500 michael.julia@haddadandsherwin.com Tim Johnson UPRAISE Marketing + PR for Haddad & Sherwin LLP (cell) (415) 385-9537 Haddad-sherwin@upraisepr.com Jean Charest appointed to CNs Board of Directors as an independent Director Shauneen Bruder named Vice Chair Two new independent Directors to be appointed to the Board by no later than CNs 2022 Annual General Meeting MONTREAL, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR, NYSE: CNI) today announced that it has appointed Tracy Robinson as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of its Board of Directors, effective February 28, 2022. This appointment follows the previously announced retirement of Jean-Jacques (JJ) Ruest, who will depart CNs Board on February 28, 2022 but remain at CN in an advisory role until March 31, 2022 to ensure a seamless transition. Ms. Robinson, who will be joining CN from TC Energy and previously spent almost three decades at Canadian Pacific, is a well-respected and seasoned public company executive who brings more than 35 years of operational management, strategy development, and project execution experience to drive growth and profitability to CN. She has a proven track record as an extraordinary high-performing leader, for which she is highly regarded within the Canadian federal and provincial regulated natural gas industry and beyond. CN also announced several changes to its Board of Directors. The Company has appointed The Hon. Jean Charest P.C. as an independent Director. Shauneen Bruder has been appointed Vice Chair of the Board. By no later than CNs 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM), CN will appoint two new independent Directors with North American railroad experience to the Board. "We are thrilled to have Tracy join CN as President and CEO and are confident that CN has the right team to lead it into the next phase of growth. She brings more than 35 years of operational management, strategy development, and project execution experience to drive growth and profitability. I would like to thank Shauneen for leading the Search Committee through a robust process that identified the right leader to drive growth, continued operational improvement, technological advancement, and shareholder value, and attract a world-class workforce. Additionally, we are pleased to welcome Jean to the Board now and look forward to welcoming two additional Directors with railroad experience. Our strategy is well-underway, and we have made significant progress towards building the railway of the future." Robert Pace, Chair of the Board of Directors of CN I have no doubt that Tracy will be an extraordinary leader for the next phase of CNs journey and I am very much looking forward to working closely with her. I want to express my gratitude to my fellow members of the Board and Search Committee for their work in this very rigorous and thorough process and JJ Ruest for the leadership he has provided as CEO since 2018. We wish JJ all the best in his upcoming retirement. Shauneen Bruder, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of CN This is a transformational period at CN, and I couldnt be more excited about the opportunities ahead. Our focus is on building the railway of the future one that creates shareholder value by meeting the needs of our customers, employees, communities, and the economies that depend on us, safely, reliably, and efficiently. I look forward to working closely with CNs extremely talented railroaders, Board, and management team as we take CN to the next level of performance and industry leadership. I also want to say that I respect and value CNs rich history in Montreal and in Quebec, where the common and official language is French. I am excited to be returning to the wonderful city of Montreal, and I have already begun French lessons to ensure I am able to fully embrace the experience of living in Quebec and communicate with CNs valued employees and customers across the continent. Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CN Biographies of Tracy Robinson and Jean Charest Tracy Robinson will join CN from TC Energy, where she is the Executive Vice-President and President, Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines and President, Coastal GasLink. Prior to joining TC Energy, Ms. Robinson spent 27 years at Canadian Pacific, including executive roles spanning Commercial, Operations, and Finance. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Robinson has held a number of industry and private board positions, and currently serves as a member of the Board of the Business Council of British Columbia and on the Campaign Committee and the Deans Advisory Council at the Edwards School of Business of the University of Saskatchewan. She also represents TC Energy on the Board of the Canadian Gas Association, is a member of the Business Council of Alberta, and is on the Board of STARS. Ms. Robinson fully understands and respects Quebecs rich cultural and linguistic reality and distinctiveness and has made it a personal priority to build proficiency in French. will join CN from TC Energy, where she is the Executive Vice-President and President, Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines and President, Coastal GasLink. Prior to joining TC Energy, Ms. Robinson spent 27 years at Canadian Pacific, including executive roles spanning Commercial, Operations, and Finance. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Robinson has held a number of industry and private board positions, and currently serves as a member of the Board of the Business Council of British Columbia and on the Campaign Committee and the Deans Advisory Council at the Edwards School of Business of the University of Saskatchewan. She also represents TC Energy on the Board of the Canadian Gas Association, is a member of the Business Council of Alberta, and is on the Board of STARS. Ms. Robinson fully understands and respects Quebecs rich cultural and linguistic reality and distinctiveness and has made it a personal priority to build proficiency in French. Jean Charest has had a public service career spanning almost 30 years, including serving as the 29th premier of Quebec from 2003 until 2012. Under his leadership, Quebec experienced a sustained period of economic prosperity despite a global financial and economic crisis. His government also implemented a major infrastructure investment program and was a world leader on the environment and climate change. Before that, he served as the leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party. He currently serves as a Partner in the Montreal office of McCarthy Tetrault LLP. CN has entered into a Resolution Agreement with CIFF Capital and TCI (collectively TCI). As part of that Resolution Agreement, CN and TCI will mutually agree on the appointment of the two independent Directors to the Board prior to the 2022 AGM. TCI has agreed to withdraw its requisition for a Special Meeting of Shareholders, which was previously scheduled to be held on March 22, 2022, and to support the election of all CN Director nominees at the 2022 and 2023 AGMs. About CN CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canadas Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 19,500-mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as believes, expects, anticipates, assumes, outlook, plans, targets, or other similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from the outlook or any future results or performance implied by such statements. Reference should be made to Managements Discussion and Analysis in CNs annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F, filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators and available on CNs website, for a description of major risk factors. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BC Craft Supply Co. Ltd., (CSE: CRFT) (CRFT or collectively, the Company), today announced that it has filed a Notice of Intention ("NOI") to make a Proposal under the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act (Canada) (the "BIA"). The filing of the NOI has the effect of imposing an automatic 30-day stay of proceedings that will protect the Company and its assets from the claims of creditors while the Company pursues its restructuring efforts. This 30-day period may be renewed with the authorization of the Supreme Court of British Columbia for a period not exceeding six months from the date of filing the NOI. Crowe MacKay & Company Ltd., a licensed trustee, has consented to act as trustee under the Proposal of the Company. Further information about the proceedings will be available on the trustee's website at https://www.crowemackayco.ca/. The Companys day-to-day operations will continue uninterrupted throughout the NOI process while the Company undertakes to restructure and put forward a proposal to its creditors. The objective of filing the NOI is to regain the Company's financial footing although there can be no guarantee that the Company will be successful in securing further financing or achieving its restructuring objectives. Failure by the Company to achieve its financing and restructuring goals will likely result in the Company becoming bankrupt. The Company will provide further updates as to the next steps of the process when these have been determined. About BC Craft Supply Co. Ltd. BC Craft Supply Co. Ltd. is a diversified wellness company advancing cannabinoid and psychedelic innovation and psychotherapy. The Company offers a reimagined vision for craft markets through collaboration, expertise, and adaptation. Its operations include: CRFT a curator and aggregator of craft cannabis, providing advocacy and access for premium small-batch growers to Canadas cannabis market; a curator and aggregator of craft cannabis, providing advocacy and access for premium small-batch growers to Canadas cannabis market; Medcann Health Products - a cultivation and processing facility in Chemainus BC; - a cultivation and processing facility in Chemainus BC; Feelwell Brands , a successful cannabinoid brand house licensed in the state of California; and , a successful cannabinoid brand house licensed in the state of California; and AVA Pathways a pre-clinical biotech company focused on neuroplasticity and mental health applications using psilocybin and compounds derived from mushrooms. BC Craft works with local artists cross-sector and remains fervently committed to keeping the art, technique, and purity of their pursuit. Follow @BC_Craft on Twitter for the latest updates. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (THE "CSE") HAS NEITHER APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the anticipated outcomes from filing the NOI. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties. 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 the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, CRFT assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. For further information: Matthew Watters, CEO, and Director Phone: (604) 687-2038. Email: info@bccraftsupplyco.com BC Craft Supply Co. Ltd. Suite 810 789 West Pender Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1H2 MANILA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry on Monday urged the country's senate to quickly ratify the country's membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade deal. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez warned of the negative impact on the economy if the country continues to delay the ratification of the mega trade deal, emphasizing that the Philippines' economic gains have accrued under globalization and free trade agreements. "Not joining RCEP or delaying our participation will disrupt this momentum. Investments will shy away from the country not participating. There will be capital flight and lost investment opportunities," Lopez said. He told the legislature that RCEP would support the Philippines' inclusion in global chains and improve economic efficiency. "It is not just a simple trade agreement that provides enhanced market access and stable business environment. It is a strategic tool to sustain the region's economic advantage," Lopez said. The trade chief also warned that a delay in ratification would hamper job creation and economic activity, as trade and investments would be diverted from the country to competitors within RCEP. Furthermore, excluding the trade bloc would erode the Philippines' export competitiveness, he added. "RCEP is really for the future of our economy. We have to sustain our growth momentum and show to the international community that the Philippines is indeed an emerging economy open to trade and investment," Lopez said. The Philippines failed to ratify the RCEP agreement in December last year before the free trade deal took effect on January 1. In September 2021, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ratified the RCEP and brought it to the senate for concurrence. RCEP is made up of 10 ASEAN members, as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, covering about 30 percent of the world's population and its gross domestic product. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cyber security analyst Saud Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed has spoken of how his company (Technical Support Secure Websites & Electronic Accounts) stopped a potential ransom virus attack on a client's computer. Known professionally as Saud Bin Ahmed, the United Arab Emirates entrepreneur, who runs the Technical Support Secure Websites & Electronic Accounts, revealed how the team were able to defuse malicious software. His company were called into action when a client came to them, fearing potentially falling into the trap of exploitation and extortion. The UAE resident had opened a link on his computer and was surprised to find a page bearing the logo of a sovereign ministry in the country and the Investigation Department. Written under these official logos, he was warned his device would be shut down for broadcasting harmful, pornographic materials contrary to state laws. Ahmed said: "At the end of the page, he was informed his device would be unlocked within 24 hours once he paid $100 in a specific receipt numbered bank account that appears on the screen. "Within seven days, all violations would be addressed. But failing to do so, his device would be shut down again, and a case would be filed against him with the possibility of further fines." Given these levels of threats, the victim turned to Ahmed's Technical Support Secure Websites & Electronic Accounts for help. The team discovered that one of the links on the computer was hiding malicious software." Ahmed added: "If such a malicious virus is inserted into any computer, its owner cannot use it at all, even if they acquiesced to the demands contained within. Further investigation by my team enabled them to deal with the malicious software successfully. It required us to carry out formatting or an advanced deep clean of the computer." He warned: "One of the negative aspects of such a virus is that it completely disables the use of the computer. The danger of this virus is that it was professionally designed. "We solved the problem, and the security services are now following up on this incident. Anyone who received such a virus must inform the security authorities to enable them to take the necessary actions." Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today that it will withdraw the mandate requiring employers with 100 or more employees to either implement a COVID-19 vaccination policy or force employees to present a weekly negative COVID-19 test. The withdrawal of the Biden Administrations Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) comes after the Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision earlier this month that the ETS was unprecedently broad, invasive, and extends beyond OSHAs legitimate statutory authority. But the Biden Administration is not giving up; instead, it says that it will focus its resources on promulgating a permanent rule rather than the ETS. NCLA, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil liberties group, filed amicus briefs at earlier stages of the OSHA litigation arguing that an executive agency unconstitutionally exercises legislative power when it issues regulations like the ETS to resolve major questions of economic and political significance. Congress must act in such cases, and courts must not lightly read such power into general provisions. Even if Congress had sought to specifically delegate such authority to OSHA, which it did not, Congress still may not divest its legislative power to OSHA. Three JusticesThomas, Alito, and Gorsuchwrote a concurring opinion to explain that the major questions doctrine serves a [nondelegation] function by guarding against unintentional, oblique, or otherwise unlikely delegations of the legislative power. In other words, a broadly worded statutesuch as one that purports to grant OSHA powers to issue an ETS it deems necessary to mitigate a grave dangerdoes not empower the agency to resolve major policy questions such as instituting a nationwide vaccine mandate. The breadth and invasiveness of the ETS demarcate it as a regulation of vast economic and political significance. Congress never explicitly and specifically delegated such authority to OSHAnor could it. The Supreme Court acknowledged that in its half century of existence, [OSHA] has never before adopted a broad public health regulation of this kindaddressing a threat that is untethered, in any causal sense, from the workplace. Even federal agencies specifically tasked with combating infectious diseases have never made such an attempt. NCLA has filed numerous other original lawsuits against government-imposed vaccine mandates as a condition of employment, especially those imposed by executive officials without legislative inputVanderstelt v. Biden, Rodden v. Fauci, Norris v. MSU, Zywicki v. GMU. NCLA released the following statements: OSHA may be tempted to return to the drawing broad and craft a new vaccine mandate, perhaps under its non-emergency powers. That would be a mistake. The Supreme Court made abundantly clear that Congress could not have delegated to OSHA any authority to impose sweeping public health measures under the guide of workplace safety. As such, OSHA could not cure the ETSs defects by exercising its non-emergency powers to regulate workplace hazards. Sheng Li, Litigation Counsel, NCLA The Government knows that, given the Supreme Courts stay decision, it has no realistic chance of ultimate success and is effectively abandoning the mandateat least for now. We expect to see the Government take similar action with respect to the federal contractor vaccine mandate, which is even more constitutionally problematic than OSHAs vaccine-or-test requirement. Jenin Younes, Litigation Counsel, NCLA It is immoral and unconscionable for OSHA or anyone else to subject employees to the choice of a jab or a job, especially where there is no consideration of natural immunity and where the experimental vaccine in question does not appear to prevent transmission of the virus. Fortunately, the Supreme Court agreed that OSHA lacked statutory authority to issue its ETS vaccine mandate in this case. But the protection of individual rights to informed consent and bodily integrity should rest on firmer stuff than the court-invented major questions doctrine. Mark Chenoweth, Executive Director and General Counsel, NCLA ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### Gloucester, MA (01930) Today Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. High around 50F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. Low 46F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch announces her candidacy for office of Governor at Western States Envelope Company in Butler, Wis., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Kleefisch is seeking to take on Gov. Tony Evers next year in a top race for Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature but have been blocked by the Democratic incumbent. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) 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 A sticker with a photo of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen on a road sign outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, on Jan. 24, 2022. Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) LONDON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. The High Court in London decided on Monday that Assange had an arguable point of law that UK Supreme Court justices may want to consider. However, the High Court refused him permission for a direct appeal, meaning the Supreme Court will first have to decide whether it should hear his challenge. Assange's lawyers now have 14 days to prepare the application to the Supreme Court. Last month, the High Court ruled that Assange can be extradited, as it overturned an earlier judgment based on concerns about Assange's mental health and risk of suicide in a maximum-security prison in the U.S. Assange, 50, is wanted in the United States on allegations of disclosing national defense information following WikiLeaks's publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked military documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars a decade ago. He has been held at south London's high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019. Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2022 shows the Royal Courts of Justice (London's High Court) in London, Britain. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won permission from the court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) A sticker with a photo of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen on a road sign outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, on Jan. 24, 2022. Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) Last season's season finale in Abu Dhabi is causing a lot of fuss and discussion. What exactly was the problem and what needs to change? Auto, Motor und Sport has come up with a solution. Similar situation in Azerbaijan For a long time, it looked like Lewis Hamilton would become world champion, but Nicholas Latifi's crash changed the situation. Race control did not want the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to end under a safety car, so they decided to bring in the safety car for the final lap. Max Verstappen was able to overtake the Briton and became world champion. We saw a similar situation at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where a yellow flag came after Verstappen's blowout on the straight. This eventually became a red flag and then the FIA decided to run another short six-lap race. Hamilton made a mistake at the restart and lost first or second place. Now there are mostly questions about what the rules should be in the future when it comes to safety cars and finishing a race. There has always been an agreement between the teams, the FIA and the organisation around Formula 1 that races should end under green as much as possible, but after the incident in Abu Dhabi, the FIA will really have to come up with concrete rules for this kind of situation. What next? Auto, Motor und Sport has figured out what those concrete rules should be. Firstly, the race should be stopped and resumed if something happens in the last ten percent of the race. If it happens in the last two laps, the race should just end. Secondly, they argue that getting a lap back should no longer apply. If you are a lap down, you stay at the back. If there is a safety car in the middle of the race, it is better if the drivers behind do not have to pass the whole field in order to catch up. This takes too much time. Yes, it's OK to forgive the loans now No, past borrowers paid their loans, so should today's borrowers Uncertain Vote View Results Huang Luqi (L, front), visiting vice-commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), and Cambodia's Health Minister Mam Bunheng (R, front) sign an agreement in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 25, 2022. China and Cambodia on Tuesday signed an agreement on dispatching a team of traditional Chinese medicine experts to help Cambodia in the fight against COVID-19. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Cambodia on Tuesday signed an agreement on dispatching a team of traditional Chinese medicine experts to help Cambodia in the fight against COVID-19. The deal was inked in Phnom Penh between Huang Luqi, visiting vice-commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), and Cambodia's Health Minister Mam Bunheng, under the presence of Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian. Speaking before the signing ceremony, Huang said the NATCM will send the team to Cambodia to carry out medical tasks at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh for one year. "During the period, the medical team will train qualified medical professionals from Cambodia's Ministry of Health, develop targeted training manual and courses for further education, and provide prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services on common diseases including COVID-19 for local people," he said. "I'm confident that this agreement will not only benefit Cambodian medical experts, but also make significant contributions to improve the well-being of Cambodian people," he added. Huang said the deal was signed in accordance with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in November, 2021. For his part, Bunheng said the pact will not only further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fight against COVID-19, but also broaden cooperation in traditional medicine field. "This agreement is crucial to help strengthen the capacity of Cambodian health experts in treating COVID-19 patients more effectively with traditional Chinese medicines," he said. In Cambodia, Chinese patent medicines, namely Lianhua Qingwen capsules and Huashi Baidu granules, have been licensed to use for treating symptoms of COVID-19 patients. "Traditional Chinese medicines are efficacious for treating patients with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, cough and fever," Bunheng said, adding that he himself always used these medicines. According to the agreement, the NATCM will send the medical team comprising of not more than 50 capable professionals in clinical service and training to deliver medical service including traditional Chinese medicine and combination of Chinese and Western medicine at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital. Cambodia has well controlled the COVID-19 pandemic after most of the kingdom's population have been fully vaccinated against the disease. The Southeast Asian nation has reported zero deaths from the COVID-19 for three weeks straight, according to the Ministry of Health. The country registered 28 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the national total caseload to 121,094, with 3,015 deaths and 117,247 recoveries, the ministry said. Cambodia has so far administered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 14.33 million people, or 89.6 percent of its 16-million population, it said, adding that of them, 13.74 million, or 85.9 percent, are fully vaccinated with two required shots. Most of the vaccines used in the country's inoculation campaign are China's Sinovac and Sinopharm. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China will prop up the development of the sand industry as part of the country's efforts to protect and restore the desert ecosystem, according to the forestry authority. The country will utilize unique resources in sand areas in a scientific manner, promote the forestry, grassland and sand industries involving water-saving planting and environmentally-friendly services in desert zones, according to a plan on the sand industry released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. China's regional desertified land totals about 1.62 million square kilometers, and the country boasts over 15,500 enterprises in the forestry, grassland and sand industry, according to the administration. The sand sector's annual output value is estimated at about 500 billion yuan (about 94.6 billion U.S. dollars). The country has so far established a total of 98 national desert parks. 25 The technology group Wartsila has received its first order for newbuild methanol-fueled engines. A new Offshore Wind Installation Vessel (WIV) being built for Dutch contracting company Van Oord at Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard in China will be powered by five Wartsila 32 engines capable of operating with methanol. A vessel being built for Van Oord at Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard will be powered by five Wartsila 32 engines. @ Van Oord The order, which includes the methanol fuel supply system, was placed in December 2021, and it will be booked in the order book in Q1 2022. The delivery of the equipment is scheduled for early 2023. The methanol engine order extends Wartsilas leading position in support of the maritime industrys decarbonization ambitions, and in the use of the fuel. Wartsila has more than half a decades experience with methanol, having converted the first of four engines on Stena Germanica to use the fuel in 2015. The Wartsila 32 engine has been a workhorse since the 1980s, with more than 5,300 engines delivered to the marine market and more installations on land. With proven reliability and low fuel consumption, the Wartsila 32 represents an efficient solution throughout the entire lifecycle of the vessel. Given the history, Wartsila decided that the 32 engine was the natural choice for bringing the advantages of methanol fuel to these applications. Source: Wartsila Green methanol is among the potential and most promising future fuel candidates. It is made using hydrogen from renewable-sourced electricity and recaptured carbon. The benefits of methanol are that it is relatively inexpensive to produce, is widely available, and easy to store. Furthermore, the global supply infrastructure is already established. In line with its strategy to meet future development needs through collaboration with key stakeholders, Wartsila recently signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with Chinese shipyard Yantai CIMC Raffles. The cooperation is aimed at the design and development of future-proof solutions for newbuild vessels. This will include the use of future carbon-free fuels and other integrated technology solutions. During the coming few years, Wartsila will commercialize engine technologies that allow the use of all alternative fuels currently under discussion. Given the modularity of modern engines, this means that owners can already today future-proof their existing assets and plan for the use of new fuels as and when they become available. Wartsila will also supply a package of leading-edge thrusters to the Van Oord vessel for efficient station keeping. This marks the seventh order for Wartsila thrusters for WTIVs in 2021 and highlights the companys position in the offshore wind segment. NANJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ren Hua, former vice chairperson of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and a 4-million-yuan (about 630,700 U.S. dollars) fine for bribery on Tuesday. The Intermediate People's Court of Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province found Ren took advantage of her position to benefit others regarding infrastructure development contracts, business operations, bank loans, and arranging jobs between 2007 and 2020 when she successively held different posts. In return, Ren accepted money and gifts worth more than 47.15 million yuan, read the court sentence. The court decided to grant Ren a lenient sentence as she had been cooperative during the investigation, confessed her offenses, and showed repentance. All the illegal gains have been recovered. How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. The Community Announcements calendar publishes twice weekly on Thursday and Saturday. The submission deadline for Thursday announcements is noon on the previous Tuesday. The submission deadline for Saturday is noon on the previous Wednesday. Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- No empty talk, only solid work. That is the approach through which the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the Chinese people to a number of milestones over the past century, from its revolutionary victory to its success in reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. Party members and officials should keep in mind that "empty talk harms the country while solid work makes it flourish," reads the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, adopted by the CPC Central Committee in November 2021. "Empty talk harms the country while solid work makes it flourish" is a Chinese saying that has its roots in ancient Chinese wisdom. It brings to mind the historical lessons of Zhao Kuo of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), who fought all his battles on paper, or the scholars of the Western and Eastern Jin dynasties (265-420) who became ineffective as they immersed themselves in meaningless debates. Zhao Kuo, the son of a revered general in Zhao, one of the seven states during the Warring States Period, had begun reading military books as a child. Even though he had never fought a real war, Zhao Kuo believed he had a superior understanding of military strategies and was invincible. Later, he led Zhao's army in a battle against the troops of the Qin State, but ended up with a colossal defeat. "Qingtan," literally meaning "pure conversation," which was popular among the scholars of the Western and Eastern Jin dynasties, had been widely referred to by historians over the centuries as a practice that harmed the country and ultimately led to the fall of Jin. Struggle creates history; hard work makes a bright future. In requiring solid work and rejecting empty talk, the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC have succeeded in turning China into the world's second-largest economy. China's per capita GDP has risen from less than 100 U.S. dollars in 1952 to over 10,000 dollars in 2020. China has eradicated absolute poverty and has made life significantly better for its over 1.4 billion people. In pursuing development, China has accomplished, in just a few decades, what other countries have taken several hundred years to achieve. All of these milestones are a result of action and hard work. The same approach is being utilized by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC as they progress further toward the Second Centenary Goal and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military titles, royal honorifics and any illusion that his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, will stand by him in a sexual abuse lawsuit now moving forward in U.S. federal court. Assets including a chalet in Switzerland could soon be gone as well, sold off to raise cash for legal fees and the prospect of a multimillion-dollar judgment or settlement in a case alleging that he had sex with a teenager without her consent two decades ago. Andrew quietly cleared the way to sell his seven-bedroom Swiss lodge with an indoor swimming pool late last year, paying millions he owed the previous owner to remove a court claim that would have impeded putting the property on the market. The Duke of York had for years failed to pay the final $8 million installment of the $29 million purchase, citing a lack of funds, said Isabelle de Rouvre, a French national who sold the property to Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, in 2014. They finally came forward with the money two months ago, de Rouvre said, "only because they want to sell." Noting Andrew's mounting legal troubles, she said in an interview with The Washington Post, "you can see where [any proceeds] are going to go." A spokesperson for Prince Andrew declined to comment for this article "on what are private financial matters." The Swiss property is one of the few obvious sources of revenue available for a prince long accused of living beyond his means and associating with problematic elites, including Jeffrey Epstein, the American financier and convicted sex offender accused of arranging sexual encounters for Andrew. Andrew has repeatedly denied the accusations against him. But legal experts have speculated that it could cost him up to $10 million, including legal fees, to settle the case and avoid a trial that could bring humiliation for the royal family - in a year when his 95-year-old mother is set to celebrate 70 years on the throne. There is concern in Britain about where the defrocked prince would find the money, including whether the queen or even the public might somehow end up footing the bill. And questions about Andrew's financial situation have drawn renewed attention to his business financial dealings over the past three decades. In that span, Andrew sold an estate to a Kazakhstani oligarch for millions above the asking price and was linked to secret offshore accounts with a British financier. He faced criticism from members of Parliament for extravagant travel expenses while serving as an official trade representative, and was accused of using the position to advance close friends' financial interests, if not his own. "He is somebody who has famously relied upon being a royal to get subsidies, special travel and free services and arrangements," said a former senior British official who at times engaged with the royal family. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the subject, compared Andrew to the brother of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, who was often mocked for seeking to profit from his White House ties. "Andrew wasn't quite as bad as Jimmy Carter's brother, but he was going that way," the former official said. The prince was forced to step down from his position as trade envoy in 2011 as part of the early fallout from his association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, a predatory power couple whose record of abusing underage women is directly linked to Andrew's downfall. In accounts over the years and a suit filed in federal court last year, Virginia Giuffre, 38, alleges that at 17 she was trafficked to Andrew by Epstein and Maxwell, and that the prince forced her into sex acts on three occasions - at Maxwell's home in London, Epstein's mansion in New York and on the financier's private island in the Caribbean. In 2009, Giuffre received a $500,000 settlement payment from Epstein, who a decade later would die in prison of an apparent suicide while awaiting a broader trial on sex trafficking charges. She was not called to testify in the trial that resulted in Maxwell's conviction last month for grooming and coercing teenage girls who were subsequently abused. Andrew has insisted he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre. He has been unable to explain a photo, reportedly taken in 2001 at Maxwell's residence in London, that shows him and Giuffre smiling together, his hand on her waist. Legal and financial experts said it is highly unlikely that any portion of Andrew's legal bills will be borne by British taxpayers, who subsidize the royal family through annual contributions that have totaled as much as $116 million in recent years. What's known as the Sovereign Grant is earmarked for palace upkeep, the queen's official duties and official travel by members of the family. A detailed report is released annually. Andrew hasn't been listed since 2019, when the Epstein controversy forced him to give up his public role. Instead, his case is likely to create a profound dilemma for the queen. Some commentators have argued that she can't afford to risk the possible public outrage that might accompany use of her private fortune to pay off a woman who has accused her son of sexual assault. Others believe she may have little choice. "There has been speculation that it would be embarrassing to the queen if she had to pay a settlement," said David McClure, author of "The Queen's True Worth." But "it would be far more embarrassing if she didn't do something," McClure said, and failed to head off a trial almost certain to produce more shameful revelations about her son. "It's in their interests to help him," McClure said. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, referring all questions from The Post to Prince Andrew's spokesperson. Andrew's finances are so murky that little is known about whatever wealth he has accumulated, according to McClure and other experts. The Times of London reported last week that a company controlled by Andrew and used to manage his investments is more than $260,000 in debt. The move to sell the chalet certainly suggests "he is short of money," McClure said. His only known source of ongoing income is a modest $27,000 military pension from his service as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy, which included missions in the Falklands War. In the past, he has reportedly relied on largesse from the queen, with an allowance drawn from income on the Duchy of Lancaster estate, a sprawling collection of revenue-generating properties in England. Andrew and Ferguson, though divorced, live together at Royal Lodge, a property leased to the prince under terms that required him to invest in renovations but not to pay rent. Andrew's most lucrative known transaction remains one of the most controversial: the sale of Sunninghill Park, a 665-acre estate near Windsor Castle given to him as a wedding present by the queen. The 12-bedroom complex sat on the market for five years following Andrew's divorce. Then, in 2007, Timur Kulibayev, the son-in-law of Kazakhstan's then-ruler, purchased the property for about $30 million, inexplicably paying about $6 million over the asking price, according to land registry figures. Andrew defended the sale when it became public, telling the Telegraph newspaper: "It's not my business the second the price is paid. If that is the offer, I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth and suggest they have overpaid me." Kulibayev, through a spokesman, has denied use of "corrupt" funds in the Sunninghill purchase. But the transaction came under new scrutiny this past week when Kulibayev announced he was stepping down as head of a Kazakhstani business lobbying group amid allegations of corruption. In the years following the sale of Sunninghill Park, Andrew reportedly entered a series of controversial arrangements with David Rowland, a British banker and developer, who in 2010 was tapped as Conservative Party treasurer, but bowed out amid criticism he had avoided paying taxes for decades. That summer, Rowland was, according to British media reports, invited by Andrew to Balmoral, the Scottish holiday home of the royal family, for a visit that included a meeting with the queen and tea with Prince Charles. Months later, Rowland paid about $60,000 to assist Andrew in his efforts to help Ferguson clear millions of dollars in debts, according to media reports in which a spokesperson for Ferguson acknowledged contributions from "supportive friends." (Epstein, too, helped Ferguson to pay off her debts, giving about $24,000. She later said she regretted accepting the money and would return it when she could.) Andrew brought Rowland's son and business partner, Jonathan, on trips to China, Saudi Arabia and other countries he was visiting as part of his taxpayer-funded role as trade envoy, in some cases facilitating participation in meetings with potentially lucrative clients, according to a 2019 investigation by the Mail on Sunday, citing documents reporters had reviewed. Andrew has also faced questions about whether he had a secret stake in a company established with David Rowland in the British Virgin Islands. The offshore firm was called Inverness Asset Management, a possible reference to Andrew's "Earl of Inverness" title, according to the Mail report. Andrew has consistently denied he ever used his position as trade representative for personal gain. In a written statement to The Post, Forsters, a law firm representing Rowland, said Inverness "was used by David Rowland to make personal investments" and that Andrew "was never a shareholder" nor "did he have any financial interest in it at all." In response to additional questions from The Post, Forsters added, "Mr. Rowland's position is that the Balmoral visit was nothing to do with Prince Andrew, and that there was no subsequent payment." A more recent allegation surfaced that Andrew had taken out a loan of nearly $2 million in 2017 from Banque Havilland, a Luxembourg-based bank controlled by Rowland, and that the debt was paid off within days by companies associated with the financier. The alleged loan and payoff were first reported by Bloomberg News. Forsters did not respond to related questions from The Post. The firm said the Rowlands have no ongoing relationship with Andrew, and have not contributed to his legal bills. The Swiss chalet - the only known property that Andrew still possesses - is located in a mountainside village where other high-profile residents include airline and media tycoon Richard Branson. Andrew and Ferguson rented the property for a year or more before moving to buy it, de Rouvre said in an interview, in a transaction that involved a large mortgage and a later cash payment of approximately $8 million. At the couple's behest, de Rouvre agreed to delay the cash payment until December 2019 on the condition that it would be paid with interest. When they missed that deadline, de Rouvre said she filed a claim in Swiss court that placed a legal cloud over Andrew's ownership of the chalet. "I asked them three or four times through my lawyer" why they had missed their payment, "and the answer was, 'there's no money,'" de Rouvre said. It's not clear where Andrew or Ferguson got the funds to clear that debt late last year. In the end, de Rouvre said she let Andrew off the hook for less than was owed. "I didn't get my interest," she said. "I just don't want to think about it anymore." Karla Adam in London and Alice Crites in Washington contributed to this report. Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media GREENWICH Police reported a collision involving a school bus in front of the North Street School Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported, according to police, but the collision caused substantial traffic delays in the area. Google's foldable will reportedly be called the Pixel Notepad, not the Pixel Fold as previously rumored. What's more, Google hasn't given up on it and plans to have it out by the end of 2022. Apparently, Google is aiming for a $1,400 price tag for its foldable phone, which undercut the Galaxy Z Fold3 by $400. The Pixel Notebook take after the Oppo Find N rather than the Galaxy Z Fold3 in that it will be shorter and wider instead of overly tall. A word on specs - the Pixel Notebook will use the Tensor chip from the Pixel 6 series but will opt for an inferior camera selection. The main camera will be the tried-and-tested 12.2MP IMX363 sensor from the Pixel 2 through 3, 4, and 5 series. The 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor from the Pixel 6 series was reportedly dismissed because of its thickness. There will be a 12MP IMX386 ultrawide sensor and two 8MP IMX355s for selfies - likely one on the outer screen and one on the inner one. Source A new lawsuit against Google was filed on Monday by four attorneys general and led by D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine (D) that alleges Google makes it nearly impossible for users location to stop being tracked despite the users ability to control privacy information via Google account settings. The allegations cite events dating back to 2014. The lawsuit is expected to be filed in Texas, Washington, Indiana, and District of Colombia and alleges that Google uses dark patterns referring to tactics that could subtly influence a consumers behavior in a business favor using collected location data. The lawsuit also claims that Google has designed its products to nudge or pressure users to provide more location data either inadvertently or out of frustration, alleging this violates various state and D.C. consumer protection laws. Google Spokesperson Jose Castaneda offered a statement to The Washington Post in response the incoming lawsuit. The Attorneys General are bringing a case based on inaccurate claims and outdated assertions about our settings [] We have always built privacy features into our products and provided robust controls for location data. We will vigorously defend ourselves and set the record straight. Back in 2018, D.C. launched an investigation into Googles location data collection practices after a report revealed that Google continued to collect location data even after the setting was flipped off. Throughout 2019, Google introduced privacy controls such as auto deleting your location and search histories, as well as built-in incognito modes for Google Search and Maps apps. Source Yesterday we heard that the Galaxy S22 series will cost the same as last years models in Europe. Today were hearing that US buyers are facing a $100 price hike across the board. The info comes by way of @TechInsider and @chunvn8888 and is backed up by a survey that was shared on Reddit. We compiled a table below that compares the Galaxy S21 generation with the upcoming S22 models. Note that the Galaxy S22 Ultra will likely start with 8 GB of RAM instead of 12 GB like last years Ultra, although that may not be the case for the US model, given the higher price. The S22 and S22+ should keep their memory configurations the same. 2021 2022 Model Storage Price ($) Price () Model Storage Price ($) Price () Galaxy S21 8/128 GB $800.00 850 Galaxy S22 8/128 GB $900.00 850 Galaxy S21+ 8/128 GB $1,000.00 1,050 Galaxy S22+ 8/128 GB $1,100.00 1,050 Galaxy S21 Ultra 12/128 GB $1,200.00 1,250 Galaxy S22 Ultra 8?/128 GB $1,300.00 1,250 Its not clear what pre-order goodies and trade-in deals Samsung will offer this year, but they better be good to make up for that extra $100 on all three models. For the S21 series Samsung offered up to $200 credit and a free Galaxy SmartTag in the US (and Galaxy Buds Live + SmartTag in Europe). Heres a screenshot of the survey. Unfortunately, it makes no mention of pre-order goodies. A survey that seems to confirm the rumored Galaxy S22 prices The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked seems to be scheduled for February 9 (Samsung is yet to officially confirm the date). Besides the phones, it will bring the new Galaxy Tab S8 series of tablets as well. The euro pricing for those has also leaked. For the US the base Tab S8 is expected to start at under $850, the Tab S8+ at $900-$1,000 and the flagship Tab S8 Ultra at $1,100 or higher. Source 1 | Source 2 | Via | Image credit BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a summit held on Tuesday via video link to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries, and delivered an important speech. The Huawei P50 Pro and P50 Pocket have officially landed in Europe (the vanilla P50 has not). The two phones are already on pre-order in Bulgaria with the P50 Pro also appearing in the Czech Republic and Croatia. The Huawei P50 Pro can be pre-ordered from Bulgarian retailers and carriers. The SIM-free price is BGN 2,200 (1,125) with only the 8/256 GB configuration being available in Gold and Black. The pre-order period will end on February 6. The Huawei P50 Pro and P50 Pocket are now available for pre-order in Europe The foldable Huawei P50 Pocket is also available for pre-order at a price of BGN 2,800 (1,435) for an 8/256 GB unit in Ceramic White. Both phones come with a pair of FreeBuds 4 as a pre-order bonus (these are normally worth BGN 260/135). The P50 Pro also appears on the Czech and Italian sub-sites of Huawei.com with pre-orders set to start tomorrow, January 26. Neither site shows pricing yet, but considering that all three are EU countries, the differences should be fairly small. By the way, the search feature on the Italian site suggests P50 Pocket, but cant find a page for it yet check back tomorrow. The official site lists the OS for both phone as EMUI 12, so no HarmonyOS for the Old Continent yet. To be clear, the phones will rely on the Huawei AppGallery for their app downloading needs. Pacific Islanders who are 18 years and older are invited to participate in a University of Guam study on COVID-19. Volunteers will receive incentives worth up to $75. The study the UOG RADx-UP: Protecting Life Project seeks to learn more about Pacific Islanders knowledge and understanding of COVID-19 and testing, a UOG news release said. People of CHamoru and Chuukese descent account for nearly half of all COVID-related deaths in Guam, the release stated. Pacific Islanders the indigenous people of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Tonga, Hawaii and Palau collectively have among the highest morbidity and mortality rates associated with COVID-19 in the United States. Participants will be asked to complete two confidential questionnaires and have the option to provide a specimen for COVID-19 testing. They will receive gift cards worth up to $75 if they take the surveys, refer other volunteers and attend an educational session on COVID-19 prevention and testing, the release stated. Eligible participants must: Construction workers on the site of the Tsubaki Tower hotel project in Tumon, Jan. 22, 2019. A former Department of Youth Affairs employee denied punching a 12-year-old client last month. Cleo-Noni Maria Millan Lamb, 22, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault by a peace officer as a third-degree felony Tuesday afternoon at the Superior Court of Guam. Lambs charge was connected with a Dec. 5 incident when officers responded to an assault complaint at a DYA Cottage Home. According to charging documents, the 12-year-old client insulted Lamb several times when Lamb removed her belt and asked the client, You wanna try me? The client responded with no, but Lamb was accused of punching the child in the nose, resulting in a nosebleed, documents state. Lamb then admitted she punched the client because she was fed up with the disrespect. Following Lambs first appearance in court, she was released on a personal recognizance bond of $3,000 and ordered to report to probation once a week. Lambs last day of employment at DYA was Dec. 29, 2021, according to director Melanie Brennan. She was listed as a youth service worker assistant, according to staffing patterns. David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia, receives the COVID-19 vaccine in this undated file photo. Options for the government of Guam to acquire Mai Mai Road for much needed repairs was discussed by the Islandwide Beautification Task Force Tuesday. Mai Mai Road is obviously in need of desperate attention, but as we try and continue to make the effort, it seems this road is very complicated, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said. Mai Mai Road stretches from the Route 4 Cost-U-Less intersection to the Department of Corrections at the bottom of the hill. Joseph Borja, director of the Department of Land Management, said the road is on different plots of private property. Its not a public road owned by the government of Guam, which means the Department of Public Works cant make repairs. There are three methods that the government of Guam could try to obtain ownership of the road, Borja said. Dedication, in which the landowner gives their part of the road to the government for public access and the government takes responsibility for maintenance. Negotiated sale, in which the Department of Public Works makes a deal to buy the land. Judicial condemnation in the public interest. To condemn the property, approval must first come from the Legislature. Tenorio said the next step is for Land Management to reach out to the registered property owners, inform them of the three options and hold a community meeting. Roque Alcantara, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation said JJ Global Services has been hired to fix the Dededo public pool. He said the company is ready to start renovations. Work is scheduled to be completed April 19. Lawmakers continued discussions on funding for a local program to pay claims to World War II survivors and their descendants on Tuesday, and are now seeking to tie the payments to a federal source. Bill 230 would set aside $10 million to pay for war claims, but where the money would come from has been a topic of debate. The Guam War Claims Fund, established in 2019, was the original source eyed for the program, but Department of Administration Director Ed Birn told lawmakers that was no money left in that account. Speaker Therese Terlaje on Tuesday wanted to try to pull from excess money collected in the General Fund in fiscal 2021 for the claims, and to lock it away from the governors authority in the War Claims Fund. We have no idea how much this program is going to cost. And we are trying to ensure through appropriation of $10 million from the General Fund, we are going to have enough to cover the claims, Terlaje said. Sen. Joanne Brown has long disagreed with using local money to pay WWII survivors. Brown wanted the payment to be tied to Section 30 money money given to Guam from federal taxes collected on island. This is a federal obligation, we should connect it to a federal source of funding. Because really, is this what this whole issue of reparations is about? The victims are paying themselves how can that be justice? How can that be proper recognition of the suffering of our people? Sen. Joe San Agustin agreed with Brown. He added that a final audit was still pending for the $62 million in excess revenue for fiscal 2021, and between the $25 million needed for the Local Employers Assistance Program, $20 million for tax refunds, and $20 million needed to cover shortfalls in several special funds, the money could come up short. San Agustin introduced an amendment as compromiseit would use excess funds from fiscal 2021 to pay claims and reimburse that money using Section 30 money from next year, if possible. Brown was still unsatisfied, saying that Section 30 reimbursement should be a shall and not a may. Sen. Clynt Ridgell expressed that, regardless of source, war claims would still be paid with Guams money. Whether we say it comes from the War Claims Fund, whether it comes from Section 30 funds, whether it comes from the General Fund: different pockets, same pants. So, for me it doesnt matter if it says shall or may, he said. San Agustins amendment passed. Deadlines The deadline for claimants to file for payment is currently limited to a 12-month window, once filing opens up. Speaker Terlaje and Sen. Sabina Perez both sought to allow the War Claims Adjudication Committee to have more flexibility to set and extend the deadline. San Agustin objected, as the law requires survivors to be paid out before the claims for descendants can be addressed. This could go on for years, and it doesnt need to get going for years, he said. The filing window remains set at 12 months. The war claims program will pay out: $25,000 distributed to the descendants of those who died from the occupation of Guam by Imperial Japanese forces during WWII or the liberation of Guam from the Japanese, or the descendants of survivors, provided the survivor was alive on Dec. 23, 2016. Between $10,000 and $15,000 to war survivors who were injured or forced to march during World War II. The rollout plan for the war claims program lapsed into law on Jan. 7. By law, the war claims adjudication committee has 30 days after Jan. 7 to announce a deadline for claims. Senators will pick up the war claims discussion at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Guam National Guard members and Department of Public Health and Social Services personnel collect and process nasal swab samples at drive-through COVID-19 testing near the old carnival grounds in Tiyan Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Provincial-level regions across China have hosted their annual legislative and political consultative meetings in recent weeks, underlining sci-tech innovation, common prosperity, further opening up and green development, as the country works in full throttle to achieve its second centenary goal. The year 2021 was a milestone year for China, marking a fresh start. Upon completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the world's most populous country embarked on a new journey to build itself into a modern socialist country. Here are some key trends from the local "two sessions," which offer a glimpse into how China is striving to accomplish this significant goal. SCI-TECH INNOVATION How long does it take to assemble a car, which includes putting together the four doors, a bonnet and a trunk lid? Fifty-four seconds! Though it may sound impossible, the intelligent flexible manufacturing line of Guangzhou Risong Intelligent Technology Holding Co. Ltd., a producer of industrial robots, has made it achievable. The company is committed to the research, development and application of new technology and equipment in the intelligent manufacturing field, and boosts its development through technology innovation, said Sun Zhiqiang, chairman of Risong Technology, which is located in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province. China, in pursuit of stellar scientific and technological achievements, is upholding innovation as the central role in its modernization drive while making itself a country of innovators. Guangdong, a manufacturing heartland, has strengthened its strategy of science and technology and reinforced the foundation of high-quality economic development. In 2021, the province channeled over 380 billion yuan (about 60 billion U.S. dollars), or 3.14 percent of its GDP, to research and development expenditure. The number of national high-tech enterprises exceeded 60,000, according to its government work report released last week. East China's Anhui Province has also turned its attention to sci-tech innovation. This year, Anhui will strive to create more driving forces for high-quality development based on sci-tech innovation, especially intensifying the application of science and technology, stated its governor Wang Qingxian at the fifth session of the 13th Anhui Provincial People's Congress. The "last mile of sci-tech achievement commercialization" can be realized through a string of measures, such as improving the financing system, intermediary service system, and application evaluation system, as well as encouraging innovation among enterprises, said Zhou Fangqin, a political advisor in Anhui and head of the sci-tech bureau of Anhui's Huainan City. COMMON PROSPERITY Common prosperity is undoubtedly a keyword in the government work report of Zhejiang Province, as the economic powerhouse in east China has been designated as a demonstration zone for promoting common prosperity. In this year's government work report, Zhejiang noted that the per capita disposable income of the residents in 26 mountainous counties increased faster than the provincial average following a series of supportive policies. The province plans to invest more than 40 billion yuan to promote 300 "Shanhai Xiezuo" projects, namely cooperation between coastal and mountainous regions, using the advantage of developed coastal regions to help the underdeveloped mountainous areas. Zhejiang Province has drawn up detailed plans to achieve common prosperity. As per estimates, labor remuneration will account for more than 50 percent of its GDP by 2025, and the ratio of residents' per capita disposable income to per capita GDP will continue to increase during the period. "Common prosperity is not only a concept of social development, but also a social change marked by the narrowing of the gap between regions, urban and rural areas, and in people's incomes," said Yuan Jiajun, Party secretary of Zhejiang Province. The province will explore breakthroughs to build a high-quality employment and entrepreneurship system, improve the quality of social security mechanism, promote the sharing of quality public services, and aim to achieve common prosperity in spiritual life, Yuan added. OPENING UP Despite the faltering global economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shanghai, at the forefront of China's reform and opening-up, has attached great importance to attracting foreign investors. In 2021, its actual use of foreign capital reached 22.55 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 11.5 percent over the previous year. Shanghai now is home to 831 regional headquarters of multinational companies, including 60 that were newly established in 2021, according to the city's government work report. "The city remains a hot destination for foreign investment to expand their industrial chains and beef up innovation," said Gong Zheng, the mayor of Shanghai. Since the start of reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, many foreign investors have chosen Shanghai as a testing ground on the Chinese mainland. They have been the participants and beneficiaries of the groundbreaking policy and experienced an ever-opening China. Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), a subsidiary of Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas Group, entered China in 1992. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has benefited from China's favorable trade policies and a continuously improving business environment in recent years, said Zhai Jingli, vice president of APP China. "The implementation of the Foreign Investment Law, including the further shortening of the negative list on foreign investment, has indeed brought more benefits to foreign investors and provided more long-term development opportunities," she added. GREEN DEVELOPMENT One of the key characteristics of China's socialist modernization is human-nature harmony. The country has also made the commitment to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, urging local governments to vigorously seek their own path of green development. In Shanxi, a major coal-producing province in north China, twenty intelligent coal mines are expected to be built in 2022, the Shanxi Provincial People's Congress stated last week. Meanwhile, the Chinese capital Beijing will improve forest quality, formulate and implement biodiversity protection plans and wildlife habitat planning, as well as a three-year action plan for wetland conservation and restoration, with the establishment of 20 biodiversity conservation demonstration areas, the city's mayor Chen Jining said. Known as "the roof of the world," southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region is deemed the "water tower" of Asia, a climate regulator and gene pool of the planet Earth. The regional government has prioritized the building of ecological civilization in Tibet's development, showed its government work report released on Jan. 4. Ecologically functional land, such as forest land, grassland and wetlands, has been expanded to nearly 1.08 million square km, or 89.9 percent of the total area of the region, according to the latest round of land survey in Tibet. Norgyel, head of the Department of Ecology and Environment of Tibet, said that the sound ecological environment has become the economic engine in the region. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Tibet will vigorously develop tourism, plateau biology, clean energy, and other industries with plateau characteristics. Haiti - FLASH : The DR will begin delivering border resident cards to Haitians The DGM will launch and begin issuing the first border resident cards to Haitians, in the province of Pedernales on 27 and 28 January 2022 in collaboration with the Ministries Interior and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Army, Cesfront, the Directorate of Border Development, the Executive Secretary of the Dominican-Haitian Bilateral Commission, the Institute for Migration and the Organization International Organization for Migration (IOM). The purpose of this pilot document is to grant a permit to Haitian citizens who reside in the border areas and who enter the country for a period of time of one day without intention of staying, with the objective of doing small businesses. n addition, this card will allow sustainable development and better border control. With this document, Haitian citizens will be able to carry out commercial activities, since they will have met the requirements established by resolution 09-2021, of the DGM. This pilot project will issue the document provided for in the migration law 285-04, as well as in its implementing regulation 631-11, for Haitians residing in the region of the Dominican Republic, bordering Haiti, in the provinces of Pedernales, Independencia, Elias Pina, Dajabon and Montecristi. The General Directorate of Immigration specifies that holders of this document may enter Dominican territory within the perimeter of the border to carry out their commercial activities, but they must imperatively return to their country of origin every day. HL/ HaitiLibre Bill Gates wishes Chinese people happy lunar new year (People's Daily App) 17:24, January 25, 2022 Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates praised China's achievements and contributions to the world in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and wished Chinese people a happy new year in a video he posted on his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation account on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo platform. Since the pandemic, China has worked hard to contain the virus and contributed to closing the equity gap by supporting other countries with supplies including vaccines, Gates said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) RIYADH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia and Iraq signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to link the power grids of the two countries. The deal was inked by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud and Iraqi Minister of Electricity Adel Karim, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. It aims to share the electricity-generating reserves and exchange electricity between the two countries for emergency use in case of a power cut, it said. The deal will also accelerate the export and import of electricity between the two sides or with other Arab countries. The MoU is the latest of many cooperation initiatives between the two countries that reflect the major progress made in the bilateral ties in recent years. Haiti - France : Call for applications, Master 2 scholarships The Master 2 scholarship campaign from the French Government, the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) and the SOGEBANK Foundation for the 2022/2023 academic year is open until May 31, 2022. I. General calendar : All the documents requested must be submitted to the French Embassy in Haiti (Department of Cooperation and Cultural Action) - 51, rue Capois, Champs de Mars, Port-au-Prince - Tel: 29 99 90 27 Deadline for submission before May 31, 2021. Incomplete files or files submitted after this date will be systematically rejected. From June 1 to 17: analysis of files by the Cooperation and Cultural Action Department of the French Embassy and pre-selection by a joint Franco-Haitian commission; From June 20 to 24: oral interview of shortlisted candidates; candidates not invited to an oral interview may consider that their file has not been accepted; Week of June 26: publication of results; successful candidates will be contacted directly; End of August: pre-departure session. Contact : Ms. Sandra JOSEPH, in charge of scholarship monitoring and management at the French Embassy in Haiti by sandra.joseph@diplomatie.gouv.fr / 29 99 90 27 II. How to apply : These scholarships are intended for students of very good level wishing to continue their higher education at the level of the 2nd year of master's degree (M2) in a French public university. At the same time as applying for a scholarship, candidates must apply for admission to targeted training via the "Studies in France" procedure. Documents to download : The university admission application guide ("Study in France" procedure): https://ht.ambafrance.org/IMG/pdf/guide_o_etudes_en_france_2022-2023_.pdf The list of establishments connected to Etudes en France: https://ht.ambafrance.org/IMG/pdf/etablissements_adherents_a_la_convention_etudes_en_france_01.2022.pdf These scholarships will be granted in priority in the following sectors: Economy, Finance, Governance Science & Technology, Engineering Sciences Environment, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Rural Development Town planning, Land use planning Health (with the exception of clinical medical specializations) Important: Admissions obtained outside the "Studies in France" procedure to establishments connected to it will not be considered. We invite candidates not to use application applications such as E-Candidat, Ciell2 or Apoflux. This software is reserved for candidates residing in France or in countries where the "Studies in France" procedure is not present. Candidates must apply for admission through the "Studies in France" procedure and apply only to establishments connected to it. Eligibility Criteria: Be under the age of 35 on January 1 of the year of allocation; Be of Haitian nationality and reside in Haiti; Hold a university degree of at least BAC+4 level or equivalent in the field of study concerned; Not having benefited from a scholarship or internship from the French Embassy in the previous three years. Constitution of the file: Application form for 2022/2023 scholarships duly completed and signed, download : https://ht.ambafrance.org/IMG/docx/formulaire_bourses_m2_2022-2023.docx?5192/8d4cb8b3d6461363939563d35a1b905186b28dcb Certified photocopy of the diplomas or certificates obtained (do not insert originals); University transcripts; Cover letter; Detailed curriculum vitae; Photocopy of passport; Letter of recommendation from a university professor and the employer (if applicable) highlighting the merits of the approach; "Studies in France" file number (the file must be submitted and the application fees paid). IMPORTANT : you can submit a scholarship file without the definitive authorization of registration from the university (but with the documents attesting to your application procedures for the training in question). Registration authorization will be requested if your application is accepted. Features : For health professionals, the DU (University Diploma), the DIU (Interuniversity Diploma) and the certificates (CES) are 3rd cycle training. To be able to follow the practical part of this training, the interested parties must have a status allowing the exercise of a care activity (most often Acting as Intern - FFI, within the framework of a DFMS/DFMSA), under penalty of illegal practice of medicine. Otherwise, the person concerned should provide an official document from the faculty of medicine in support of their request, certifying that the training envisaged does not provide for any exercise or practical training on patients. Registration for continuing and vocational training is not permitted. Applications to business schools, certain engineering schools or Catholic institutes will not be considered (tuition fees, which are often high, cannot be covered by scholarships). III. Support Implementation : 3.1 Management : In the event that your application has been accepted, the Cooperation Service of the Embassy of France will then proceed to the instruction of the files previously selected by the joint Franco-Haitian scholarship commission in liaison with the French managing body, Campus France. , which will ensure: Liaison with the scholarship recipient's host institution; Payment of the monthly allowance; Training fee regulations; Getting started for the scholarship holder: booking and arranging prepaid plane tickets with identified travel agencies. The award of a scholarship from the French Government makes it possible to obtain a (free) visa from the consular section of the French Embassy. However, it is necessary to respect the visa delivery deadlines and to anticipate your request. A welcome notice from Campus France, containing all the useful information upon arrival in France, will be given to the scholarship holder, in particular for transfers to the provinces. 3.2 End of studies : Scholarship holders must send an end-of-stay report directly to the Cooperation Service of the French Embassy (study report with transcripts, certificate of achievement, etc.) within 60 days of the end of the study cycle. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Earthquake 24-01-2022 : 21 students admitted to hospital "This earthquake comes after that of August 14, of which the trauma is still felt in children. After today's earthquake https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35794-haiti-flash-2-earthquakes-of-magnitude-greater-than-5-provisional-report-update-3-48-pm.html , 21 students have been admitted to the Sainte Therese Hospital in Miragoane," UNICEF Haiti informed on Monday. For his part, PM Ariel Henry declared "I express my sympathy to the victims of the new earthquake which struck the Nippes and caused two deaths, several injuries and material damage. I express to them the solidarity of my government, while renewing our full support." Following the last earthquake of the last few hours, the Alliance for Risk Management and Business Continuity (AGERCA) reiterated this advice: Pa panike, rete tet fret, jis respekte konsiy yo : Pa pran asanse ak eskalye le sekous la ap pase Tann sekous la fin pase, epi desann nan eskalye selman Abrite w anba yon meb ki solid si w pap gentan soti Pa rete anba gwo miray ak fil elektrik Pataje konsiy yo Burglary at the TPI of P-au-P New case of burglary at the Court of First Instance of Port-au-Prince. The office of the examining magistrate Denis Cyprien was robbed, confirmed the dean Bernard Sainvil specifying that a justice of the peace was requested this morning to make the finding. Former Senator John Joel Joseph back in court on February 15 Former Senator John Joel Joseph (one of the suspects arrested in the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise), his wife and two children are being held in prison in Jamaica following their presentation in court last Thursday. The hearing is adjourned to February 15, according to their lawyer. No information on his possible extradition to Haiti. Extradition request for Samir Handal The Haitian government transmitted all the additional documents and information required by Turkish justice two days before the expiry of the deadline set for January 21. It was Chancellor Jean Victor Geneus who made the announcement last Saturday on his Twitter account. Arrested on November 15, 2021, at Istanbul airport, from the United States, businessman Samir Handal is an important suspect in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35720-haiti-extradition-of-handal-turkey-asks-for-more-info-and-guarantees-from-haiti.html Haiti at risk of humanitarian deterioration in 2022 According to the 2022 Emergency Watch List, a report by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela are the three countries in Latin America and the Caribbean considered to be most at risk of humanitarian deterioration during the year with a regional impact in 2022 if the humanitarian aspects are not resolved. The report highlights that these countries face humanitarian risks ranging from ongoing conflict and violence, to greater vulnerability to the effects of natural disasters and climate change, the consequences of Covid etc.... Justice : No hindrance will be tolerated "No failure or impertinence likely to hinder the proper functioning of the judiciary will be tolerated under my administration. Prosecutors have an obligation to work tirelessly to achieve good results within the framework of the Government's criminal policy," said Me. Berto Dorce, Minister of Justice. Strengthening of territorial units at the DDO-2 level As part of the implementation of a special plan to fight against armed gangs, particularly in the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets, a reinforcement of territorial units at the level of DDO-2 was carried out. The interventions of units of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) have intensified at the level of the commune in recent weeks. The objective is to restore order and allow the population to calmly go about their business. HL/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help Korean Movie | 2022 Action Crime Thriller Directed by Kim Jin-young () 93min | Release date in South Korea: 2022/03/30 Synopsis The one who tries to hide VS the one who wants to reveal A shocking scandal unfolds around the B Cut that must be revealed in order to survive! One day, a woman visits Seung-hyeon, who runs a smartphone repair and data recovery company. Actress Min-yeong, who once captivated South Korea, asks for the restoration of a B-cut, which should not be released to the world. Min-yeong's B-cut stimulates Seung-hyeon's curiosity, and he finds out that it will cause a huge scandal in Korea! The secret of the B-cut that someone wants to hide and that must be revealed is unlocked. Published on 2022/01/25 | Source New stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "Serve the People" (2020) Advertisement Directed by Jang Cheol-soo With Yeon Woo-jin, Ji An, Jo Sung-ha, Kim Ji-chul, Park Jung-eon, Woo Ju-bin,... Synopsis A melodrama about the story of Moo-gwang who dreams of becoming a model soldier of the division commander's house, conflicting between the wall of status and the temptation to escape due to his meeting with the commander's young wife Soo-ryeon. Release date in Korea : 2022/02 What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. by Lillian Banda LUSAKA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- As Zambian agribusinesses look to diversify, adding value to farm produce is increasingly becoming a venture that many are seeking to invest in. It is for this reason that meat processing training programs have become popular particularly among those involved in livestock business in Zambia. Among those spearheading this innovation is Motivational Center for Africa's Transformation, a Zambian business consultancy firm that has for nearly a decade facilitated entrepreneurial training programs in the country. Motivational Center for Africa's Transformation has since introduced meat processing masterclasses aimed at encouraging agribusinesses to diversify by adding value to farm produce using simple and affordable machinery. "This master class is perfect for those that wish to expand their business by simply adding value to fish, goats, cattle and pigs as well as chickens, said Gilbert Banda, lead consultant at Motivational Center for Africa's Transformation. Banda explained that the training program equips participants with knowledge and skills on how to start a meat processing business including investing in the right equipment. He expressed happiness at the increase in the number of people wishing to take part in the said training program, from which participants emerge with a certificate in meat processing. "The response from the Zambian community has been very encouraging. We are now set to conduct meat processing master class programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Botswana and Angola," Banda revealed. Kasumba Lupeka, one of the people that took part in the meat processing master class training program pointed out that the initiative is a worthwhile undertaking that will present more opportunities for livestock traders. Lupeka, 23, a resident of Luanshya, a town on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia commended Motivational Center for Africa's Transformation for enabling agribusinesses to create more income opportunities through value addition. "I now look forward to selling pork and other processed-meat products after about a year of trading in pigs," she said. And Chileshe Muchindika Ngwane, proprietor of Amakwataz Farms, a Zambian company known for processing and selling meat products observed that more agribusinesses in Zambia are beginning to venture into value addition. Muchindika-Ngwane, 38, explained that value addition is one sure way of diversifying the Zambian agriculture sector which has huge potential and immense economic opportunities. Montana hit a dubious milestone Monday with the state tracking map listing 5,057 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, far and away a new record for daily cases. The number of new cases dropped to 2,860 on this mornings update, still far higher than daily totals in previous surges. Officials are saying that parts of the U.S. may be past the peak of the omicron-variant driven surge, but Montana is behind the curve, still seeing large increases. Officials also say the number of cases, both new cases and active cases, is not the most important number. Those numbers are hospitaizations and deaths. That is because the variant is extremely contagious and likely to cause both reinfections in people who already have had COVID-19 and breakthrough infections in vaccinated people although vaccinated, boostered people still are less likely to get infected and are much less likely to have serious symptoms or die from the disease but is likely to be milder in symptoms for all infected. The variant still does cause serious illness and death, and with the enormous numbers of new cases are leading to crowding in hospitals around the country. Those numbers are creeping up in Montana. Hospitalizations were listed this morning at 331, up from 284 in Fridays update. Deaths in Montana rose form 2,976 Friday to 2,987 in this mornings update. Hill County reported 81 new cases from Saturday through Monday with three hospitalizations. The numbers continue to hit Havre schools as well. An update from the school district this morning said one new case in someone associated with the district was confirmed Friday and 14 more Monday. Blaine County Health Department said in its update Monday that it was notified of 59 new cases. Some new options are arising for tracking. In its update, Hill County Health Department said people can report at-home test results at its online confidential self-reporting form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7fy69WS-PbLa9esAIegD_f2MZeqSvomjr9WgTEp7RPUI0BQ/viewform or by going to the Hill County Health Department website at https://hillcountyhealth.com, clicking on COVID-19 Updates and Click Here to Report your COVID-19 Home Test Kit Results. The department release added that, due to the recent increase in cases, department staff members are working as quickly as they can to get through all of the positive tests, however, they are not able to reach everyone in one day. If you are showing symptoms and have been tested and not yet heard from us regarding your results, please stay home until you get a call from us or you have been symptom-free for 48 hours, the release said. The Havre school district said that if any person associated with the district is at risk of exposure, the Hill County Health Department or Havre Public Schools Nurse Jeri Zorn may be in contact with that person to determine a safe and appropriate course of action, adding that people who feel sick or ill still are recommended to seek out their medical provider for specific instructions. The school district may be in contact with the health department and reviewing the Centers for Disease Control guidance to complete cleaning the school and other related facilities, the release added. The other steps taken by the school district include the continuation of social/physical distancing, encouraging face coverings, and frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing. Contact the superintendent for details about these measures. School officials will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further information if and when it becomes available. Officials are urging people to take every step they can to protect themselves and slow the spread of the virus, with the most crucial getting vaccinated or a vaccine booster if they have not done so yet. The vaccines for COVID-19 have remained effective at preventing hospitalization and death throughout the pandemic and the rollout of boosters for the vaccines provide an extra layer of protection that drastically reduces the chances of people getting seriously ill. Aside from vaccination, much of the same procedures are still recommended to slow the spread of the virus, including omicron. Wearing masks while in public areas is still a key way to slow the spread of and reduce the chance of contracting the virus, with recommended masks still effective at reducing the spread of the variants of the virus, including omicron. Avoiding being in large groups of people outside of a persons household when possible also will reduce the chance of contracting the virus, as will regular handwashing and people covering their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow. In Hill County, vaccinations and booster shots are available through Bullhook Community Health Center, 406-395-4305; the Hill County Health Department, 406-400-2415; Northern Montana Health Cares Specialty Medical Center at 406-265-7831 or its Family Medical Center at 406-265-5408; Western Drug Pharmacy, 406-265-9601; Gary & Leos Pharmacy, which takes walk-ins; Walmart; and the Rocky Boy Health Center 406-395-4486. People can contact the Blaine County Health Department at 406-357-2345 and Fort Belknap Health Center, public health nurse at 406-353-3250 and pharmacy at 406-353-3104, to schedule vaccinations and booster shots. Vaccine is available in Chouteau County at the Chouteau County Health Department, 406-622-3771, and Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588. People can call Liberty County Health Department at 406-759-5517 to schedule a vaccination. On Thursday evening, cells affiliated with ISIS mercenaries launched an attack on Ghweran prison, in which thousands of ISIS fighters are being held, by detonating a car and a booby-trapped bicycle near the main gate of the prison, accompanied by a clash between ISIS cells attacking from outside and the security forces of the prison, while clashes continue around the prison perimeter. In this regard, our agency met with the Vice-President of the Joint Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Hamdan Al-Abed, who began his speech by saying, "We have mercy on our civilian and military martyrs who lost their lives during the recent events that were planned to strike the stability of North and East Syria." Hamdan Al-Abed added, "We have noticed in the past few days during the attack that targeted the prison that this is a criminal scheme. It was preceded by several attempts by the Turkish occupation state when the Ain Issa camp was evaded, and when it occupied Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad, it bombed the prison to escape these prisoners." Hamdan al-Abed stressed, "If the international community had listened to the calls made by the Autonomous Administration to the whole world and the United Nations to consider the issue of these terrorists who came from all over the world and of multiple nationalities and were arrested after the elimination of ISIS, such an attack would not have occurred." "We have made many calls to look into the ISIS file, because the threat of ISIS is not limited to the region only, but to the whole world. There are mercenaries of Arab and European nationalities who must be tried in accordance with international principles and laws in their countries, but only a few responded," he said. "The international community got rid of these terrorists, and they remained a time bomb in our areas, because Ghweran prison and al-Hol camp are the largest gathering of ISIS mercenaries in the region," al-Abed said. Al-Abed reiterated his calls for the establishment of "international courts in northern and eastern Syria to try these mercenaries or bring the terrorists back to their countries to get rid of their danger." Al-Abed pointed out, "This incident coincided with the bombing of Ain Issa and Tal Tamr district, the attack by drones, and an attack in Iraq at the same time as the attack on Ghweran prison, and they are only messages from ISIS mercenaries and its supporters with the presence of ISIS and messages to the world that ISIS still exists." Damascus' shameful statements Al-Abed said, "We regret the shameful statements of the Damascus government when he says that the SDF and the international coalition's crimes amount to war crimes," adding, "Does he not mention Sednaya prisons not mention Palmyra." "Doesn't he see the Turkish bombing of Afrin, Ain Issa and all the border areas during which civilians are targeted with the aim of displacing the people from their areas and occupying more areas," Al-Abed added. Hamdan al-Abed concluded his speech by saying, "The regions of northern and eastern Syria provided 11,000 martyrs and 25,000 wounded in defense of the whole world, not just the regions of north and east Syria." A ANHA The Revolutionary Youth Movement in the Jal Agha district will organize a sit-in to demand the freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan and the removal of the PKK from the "terror list", during which the Jal Agha district council will make a statement to public opinion, at 09:00 (photos and videos are attached). The Tabqa Council of the Future Syria Party holds its annual conference. (photos and video attached). File While the international community ignores the brutality of the Turkish occupation in the war it is waging against the Kobani canton and northern and eastern Syria, Turkey seeks to strike the symbol of global resistance in clear messages; In retaliation for ISIS mercenaries. (Pictures attached). Politics The researcher in international relations, Dr. Mustafa Salah, confirmed that the repercussions of the attack of ISIS cells will greatly affect the idea of ISIS spreading again in the Syrian regions, explaining that ISIS is trying to re-establish its influence again. (Pictures attached). The so-called settlements carried out by the Damascus government in various regions are nothing but a conspiracy to restore its control over the country, liquidate its opponents and gain time to promote itself politically before the international community. A very dangerous game." (Photos are attached). Hamdan al-Abed reminded the Turkish state of the precedents of mercenary escape when it bombed Ain Issa camp, and described the statements of the Damascus government about the Syrian Democratic Forces as shameful, and called on Damascus not to forget the crimes in Sednaya and Palmyra prisons. (photos and video attached). Analyze On January 20, a planned and organized attack was carried out on Al-Sina'a prison in Al-Hasakah, where 5,000 ISIS members are being held. Given how the attack was carried out, and if the attack had succeeded, the regions of northern and eastern Syria would have experienced a difficult and bitter period, and a dangerous stage would have begun in the Middle East and the world as well. If 5,000 extremist mercenaries are smuggled out, a second attack on Raqqa is likely. Kurdistan The brothers of detainees and martyrs stated that the goal of the Turkish occupation state in arresting and torturing militants is to extinguish the flame of freedom, and they affirmed their support and support for the prison resistance. (photos and video attached). The co-chair of the Civil Society Foundation for the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, Suad Hassan, affirmed that the PKK is not a terrorist, but rather fought terrorists in the region, and that the demand to remove its name from the "terror lists" is a duty for everyone. (photos and video attached). ANHA ANHAs agency was able to reach one of the points of the Internal Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, where some of the mercenaries who were arrested, during the past 4 days, during combing operations in the vicinity of Geweran prison, are being held. The video clips taken by our agency show 13 injured mercenaries from ISIS cells that attacked the prison, lying on the ground, after receiving treatment and healing their wounds. . According to ANHAs correspondent, quoting the official of the detention center, who refused to reveal his name, the detainees are mercenaries of ISIS cells that attacked the prison, and those who were arrested after being wounded, and their nationalities vary between Syrians and Iraqis. Since Thursday evening last week, the city of Hasaka has witnessed strong clashes between the Internal Security Forces with the support of the SDF, and the cells of ISIS mercenaries attacked from outside of prison. T/S ANHA Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. Harrisburg, Pa. Leaders of Pennsylvanias beleaguered teachers pension fund are requesting that board members sign oaths of secrecy before receiving a critical update on the botched investment calculation scandal that has led to multiple federal investigations. On Thursday morning, the chairman of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System board told members in an email that they must sign a yet-to-be-drafted non-disclosure agreement to participate in a closed-door meeting later this month. The meeting, scheduled for Jan. 31, is pivotal: Board members are poised to be presented with the findings of a taxpayer-funded inquiry into an investment calculation mistake in late 2020 that wrongly spared teachers a potential hike in their pension payments, leaving taxpayers to make up the difference over time. The calculation was later fixed, and teacher payments increased. The inquiry was conducted by Womble Bond Dickinson, a law firm hired by the board last year to conduct an internal investigation into the error as PSERS coped with the federal probes. The system has agreed to pay Womble up to $367,600 in fees for its work, with partners collecting up to $695 an hour. Open government advocates raised alarms over PSERS latest demand, saying it raises free speech concerns. They also questioned whether such an agreement by a government agency can even be enforced. There are some very significant issues that could arise with a government agency attempting to limit speech, said Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel at the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, of which Spotlight PA is a member. This is a matter of public concern, and the people who are in the meeting are often the best ones and sometimes the only ones who can expose government wrongdoing. In an email reviewed by Spotlight PA and The Inquirer, Board Chair Chris Santa Maria cited advice from outside counsel in asking board members and anyone else attending the meeting to sign non-disclosure agreements. The systems lawyers, he wrote, would draft the agreement and circulate it to board members next week. Santa Maria also asked that people attend the meeting in person, unless they show symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, though the email does not explain why in-person attendance is requested. Food and ample amounts of coffee will be provided, he said. In a statement Friday, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who serves on the PSERS board, said her office suggested the non-disclosure agreements as a possible solution in order to allow board members to participate remotely. Treasury has not pressured for NDAs to be mandated, she said. Garrity and other top elected officials, including Gov. Tom Wolf and leading candidates in the race to succeed him, have called on PSERS to release Wombles full report into the error. PSERS did not respond to requests for comment about the unusual demand for a non-disclosure agreement. The agency also did not answer questions about what would happen if a board member refused to sign the agreement but demanded to participate in the meeting. Its unclear what authority, if any, PSERS has in requiring non-disclosure agreements by its board members. The states open-meetings law, known as the Sunshine Act, is silent on the issue, Melewsky said. The law does allow public boards to hold closed-door sessions under certain circumstances, she said, but does not prohibit those who attended from later discussing what occurred. The PSERS board is made up of volunteers, including four state lawmakers, the elected state treasurer, and two school board representatives. Five members are school staff. In recent months, the agency has become increasingly upset over what it perceives as leaks about the investigation into the funds mistake and other matters being led by federal prosecutors and the FBI, as well a separate probe by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. During a closed-door board meeting last fall, Santa Maria and board member Frank Ryan, a Republican state representative from the Harrisburg area, said they were considering asking for an investigation into the disclosures. At the same meeting, they also raised the specter of non-disclosure agreements. Matt Haverstick, a lawyer who represents one of the funds senior advisors, said Friday that he believes PSERS non-disclosure agreement request is appropriate. He contends that damaging and at times inaccurate information has been divulged that has hurt the constitutionally protected reputation of people who have worked for the agency. The NDA, said Haverstick, serves the good of protecting the integrity of a $70 billion public pension fund. It is preventing the board from being unfairly criticized. And it is protecting the reputation of actual human beings. Santa Marias request is the first direct indication that the agency is looking to contain the embarrassing string of disclosures about its internal performance. This months update by Womble Bond Dickinson is expected to provide the first in-depth explanation for how the agency made the investment calculation mistake. The fund has never provided any explanation, citing the federal inquiries. Last fall, Womble attorney Claire J. Rauscher warned board members that some staff could see the findings as damaging to their reputations, although she also disclosed that her inquiry had not turned up any criminal wrongdoing. She did not identify any staff or executive officer who is named in the report. It is not clear what portion of the Womble report, if any, will ever become public. State Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery), a PSERS board member and the most outspoken critic of the agencys secrecy surrounding the error, said Friday that she was surprised by the request, given that its a public board that uses public funds. Ive never been asked to sign an NDA in my life, said Muth. Public servants shouldnt hide information from the public. Muth last year hired lawyer Terry Mutchler to represent her in trying to obtain key PSERS records, including ones related to the calculation error. In an interview Friday, Mutchler said she will ask the agencys lawyers to provide a legal basis for their NDA request, which she called problematic and antithetical to government transparency. This is a moment for PSERS to let some sunlight in, as opposed to doubling down on secrecy, she said. WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundationsand readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. THE Government has assured the nation that no houses except in extreme circumstances will be demolished as the Second Republic is committed to seeing people with requisite shelter. National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe told The Herald yesterday that as far as the central Government was concerned, there would not be any demolitions as President Mnangagwa last year gifted Zimbabweans, specifically urbanites, with title deeds. As far as we are concerned, no house will be demolished and any communication to the contrary is misleading. Indeed, anything contrary to that is fake news. That houses in Arlington Estate will be demolished was not the correct position, said Minister Garwe. This comes after Harare Metropolitan Province Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Tafadzwa Muguti, had earlier said developments in the Arlington Estate Phase 2 and Retreat areas fell in the airport red-zone and could be demolished. Last night, Mr Muguti further clarified that the Arlington development should never have been allowed, but corners were cut in the old dispensation, resulting in houses being constructed in the red zone. He said in its current state, Arlington Estate would not be demolished, but the proposed second phase, would not be accepted. I would like to set the record straight that we will not be demolishing existing structures that you see in Arlington Estate, said Mr Muguti. However, should Arlington Estate continue to be hard-headed and not cooperate with authorities, the provincial Government structures, cooperating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and cooperating with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, then it still remains the point that should they proceed with the development of Phase 2, which they have already been notified of, then those houses would likely be demolished. On the Retreat side, there are people who had been wearing party regalia, some of them forming fake cooperatives, running around pegging stands with their feet literally, and selling those stands. We have since dispatched people there and those residents of Retreat chased away Government officials with stones, so we have taken a bold stance and a position that all illegal housing developments within the red zone of the airport should be removed. This is a no-go area and we will not accept anyone who makes themselves a local authority and parcel out land. To those people who are so desperate that you are now going to build your house within the fence of an airport, you should go and get your money back because we are not going to compromise the Civil Aviation Act, we are not going to compromise national security, we are not going to compromise the safety of the aviation industry, because you have decided to break the law, said Mr Muguti. He added that some private players own land within the red zone, but they stand to be guided by the CAAZ and are supposed to build temporary structures, if it is industrial structures, so that they dont interfere with the aviation industry. In a statement yesterday, one of the property developers in Arlington Estate, Mr Eddie Charangwa, who is also the business development and marketing manager of Leengate, said the company developed properties in strict compliance with the law. The development by Leengate at the Corner of Harare Drive and Twentydales Road is being implemented in accordance with laws and by-laws of the country and is in full compliance with all regulatory bodies and has never been a contested issue. As Leengate, we bought the land directly from Ministry of Local Government and was issued with title deeds. We subsequently applied for and were issued with a development subdivision permit by the City of Harare. In addition, we were issued a consent letter by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe. The development also has an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate from the Environment Management Authority (EMA). Roads, water, and sewer approvals were done by the City of Harare, read the statement in part. Leengate followed all the laid down procedures and protocols which are in line with land acquisition and development and is in possession of all necessary documents mentioned above, said Mr Charangwa. Herald Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. THE National University of Science and Technology (Nust) is set to start manufacturing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) kits next month following delivery of a US$86 000-reagents manufacturing machine. The country has been importing PCR kits for Covid-19 tests and Government last year released funds to Nust to procure the Oligomaker reagents manufacturing machine, which should reduce test costs by at least 60 percent. At the moment, a conclusive PCR test costs around US$60, but once the machine becomes operational, it will reduce the cost to about US$20. Besides making Covid-19 testing kits, the machine can also make reagents to test for other viruses including HIV. The financial capacitation of Nust is part of the Governments efforts to ensure local higher and tertiary institutions become active players in solving national challenges through innovation at the institutions innovation hubs. Nust Applied Genetic Testing Centre (AGTC) director Mr Zephaniah Dhlamini yesterday said the machine arrived in December. A Chronicle news crew yesterday observed Mr Dhlamini and his team assembling the machine at the Nust Innovation Hub. The machine was delivered in early December and it requires certain modifications to be made in the lab for installation. It requires specialised gas networks, as it uses gases like Abrams and Nitrogen. So, we need to put that infrastructure up and it must also operate under a fume-hood. As the machine works, it will release some gases which must be extracted and released in a safe manner so the fume hood must be installed. We have engaged a local company to install that in the Innovation Hub Building. We hope by the end of February, it will be up and running said Mr Dhlamini. He said Denmark-based manufacturers of the Oligomaker machine will train staff at Nust on its usage and the training will be done physically or virtually depending on prevailing travel restrictions. Mr Dhlamini said Zimbabwe would be in a position to detect emerging diseases through DNA sequencing using the machine. There are many laboratories testing Covid-19 using PCR, but HIV tests currently available in very few labs are using rapid result tests and with this machine we will be supplying reagents or primers for PCR for different diseases and research programmes which are out there, said Mr Dhlamini. There has been no DNA synthesiser in the country and this will be the first one. We will service universities, research centres such as central veterinary labs where they use a lot of PCR sequencing to detect diseases such as foot and mouth. We will liaise with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and make as many primers and diverse primers as possible for the detection of these pathogens. He said the AGTC imports a lot of DNA kits and the procurement of the Oligomaker will see the university reducing the countrys import bill while servicing various economic sub-sectors. We have been importing these DNA testing kits and each kit costs about US$5 000, and with this, we will be able to do our own. We have organisations such as Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimpark), which want us to develop kits for identifying elephants, rhinos and identifying all animals that you may think of, and this needs these primers. So, we can design all these kits and animal identification protocols. The sky is the limit and we are excited that we have this capability now, he said. Chronicle Greenville, TX (75401) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. 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 THE Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party last night said it had cleared all outstanding issues with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) amid fears there was a sinister plot to block the new party when the nomination court sits today to verify candidates for the March 26 by-elections. This comes as Zec yesterday said there would be no by-elections in six constituencies after High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi ruled that the recall of six legislators, including Tendai Biti, by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, was illegal. According to the ruling, the MPs now linked to Chamisas party, including Biti, Willias Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Kucaca Phulu (Nkulumane), Sichelesile Mahlangu (Pumula) and Regai Tsunga (Mutasa South), are supposed to be reinstated without being subjected to any by-election. Zec on Monday reportedly demanded CCC documents including the partys constitution to be allowed to submit nomination papers, a development Chamisa said was unheard of, and a plot to frustrate them. But the electoral bodys spokesperson Joyce Kazembe told NewsDay that she was not aware of the demands that Chamisa claimed were made by Zec. Anybody who is presenting the papers before the nomination court is allowed to do so as long as the papers are right and are in order as stipulated in the appropriate Electoral Act, but whether they submitted the nomination papers, I dont know because I am in Mashonaland West now. You might need to go to the district officer for Harare, Kazembe said. On Chamisas claims, she said: Who said so? I wasnt there and I wouldnt know and you can call the head office on that. The CCC party said it had no issues with Zec and was ready for todays nomination court, where candidates would present their papers to participate in the March 26 by-elections. We have given them all the documents as required by law and we have established that we are the only party that has been registered under this name at this point. There are no other outstanding issues with Zec as far as this issue is concerned, party executive Jacob Mafume said. Chamisa unveiled the CCC after MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora claimed the MDC Alliance name and symbols, leaving Chamisa with no official party. Over 100 parliamentary and council seats are up for grabs following the recall of MDC Alliance MPs and councillors by the MDC-T. Zanu PF and the CCC have said they will use the polls as a dry run for the 2023 harmonised elections. Newsday On Sunday, I went with a couple of my family members to a baseball game in Milwaukee between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers. Everything was going well. I used my phone to get driving directions to the stadium from St. Joseph, and the Apple Maps app got us to the exact location on ST. JOSEPH Following a recent Berrien County Health Department guidance, St. Joseph Public Schools officials agreed to cut the district's quarantine and isolation times in half. The board approved the changes to the district's return-to-learn plan at a meeting and workshop on Monday. Superintendent Jenny Fee said the health department informed superintendents of the updated policy on Jan. 19. Other districts will likely follow, when their boards are able to meet and vote, Fee said. This follows the changes made earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, regarding quarantine and isolation times. BCHD Acting Health Officer Guy Miller confirmed the department has been working with superintendent for two weeks. The St. Joseph school board also approved changes to the budget that was approved on June 3, 2021. The changes dealt with incoming ESSER dollars, which will be used to fund custodial cleaning, support for disadvantaged group at the district's elementary schools, before- and after-school care, summer school programs and enhanced air filtration. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Things are finally changing for the better for Hindu Dharma. For too long, many educated Indians, including the first Prime Minister Jawahar Nehru, had accepted the biased view of the British that Hinduism is inferior to the Abrahamic religions, without realizing, that this was a clever strategy to hide the fact that Christianity and Islam are based on a must-belief story and Hinduism in contrast, is based on verifiable insights of the Vedas and a genuine enquiry into the truth. For the first time in independent India, now a postgraduate course in Hindu Dharma is included at the Benares Hindu University. It reminded me that already almost one year ago, a centre to study the practice and philosophy of Nath Panth was established at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University by Yogi Adityanath, who himself is a Nath Yogi and the Mahant of Gorakhpur Mutt, apart from being the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. A conference was held in March 2021, to which I contributed the following thoughts: Western theories dominate in Indian universities Indians generally are highly intelligent. But unfortunately, the education system does not bring out the full potential of students and is very tough on them. Firstly, due to teaching in English medium, in which the majority of students are not fluent. Secondly, mainly Western theories are taught. This may have advantages in science departments but not in humanities. Western academics may have good intentions to create an equal and just society, but wisdom is lacking and the outcome is a rather unhappy and divided society, which does not see any meaning in life. Young Indians, who study humanities through a Western lens, are in danger to become self-righteous atheists who look down on their Dharma, without knowing anything about it. They are made to believe that they are modern and not superstitious like the masses. And they can easily be used by forces who want to harm India. It is incredible that the profound wisdom, which Indians have inherited, was so far not taught to students. But why Hindu Dharma was not taught? The British realized that there was valuable knowledge in Indian heritage; otherwise, they would not have shipped thousands of manuscripts to Britain. In fact, ancient Indian texts are all over the world, in Germany, in the Vatican, in Russia, USA, China Many of those texts were taken to the West by missionaries. The British did not want to let Indians know that they had far greater scientific knowledge, and also tools for inner empowerment and self-realization. They introduced English education and labeled Sanskrit texts as religious, and primitive. Incidentally, several education ministers after Independence were Muslims who, too, dismissed the Indian tradition as worthless. This was unfortunate, because several generations of students went through higher education without getting connected to their roots. However, outside of the English education, these roots were still strong in the society and the trust in a Supreme Being was still deep. Wandering Sadhus and villagers generally know more about the meaning of life and how to be happy and compassionate, than many Oxford, Harvard or JNU professors. The crucial role of Nath Yogis The Yogis and Siddhas of Nath Sampradaya played a crucial role in keeping Indians connected to their roots and were a great solace for the masses during the difficult times when Hindus were under oppressive Muslim and British rule. Their intense tapas and the resultant supernatural powers inspired faith and devotion in common people. The incredible miracles which Nath yogis like Mast Nath, performed, gave confidence to people that they were not forsaken, that great saints were among them, that Mahayogi Gorakhnath was again among them. The tradition of Nath Panth is vibrant and alive. Its influence spreads over the whole of India, Nepal, Tibet. I feel a great affinity with Nath/ Kanphata yogis, as I had a guru from the Nath Sampradaya. I met Nath Yogis from Mangalore till Kedarnath. These Yogis contribute much more to the well-being, prosperity and uplifting of Indian society, than western academia. The wisdom of Nath Panth The wisdom of Nath Panth, is about the ultimate truth. It is about cosmology, metaphysics, philosophy, psychology, physiology and also about religion, provided religion is defined as the acknowledgement, worship and devotion for the Highest, from whom all emanates. Mahayogi Goraknath explains in great detail in the Siddha Siddhanti Paddhati, how the universe came into being, or rather APPEARS to have come into being, and what our place in it is. It explains that we are not a small person in a big world, but one with Shiva, who is ultimately unmanifest, but has, due to the stirring of his innate Shakti, manifested as all these separate forms, who have forgotten their true nature, their Shiva nature. From this follows that the goal of life is to re-discover that we are one with Sat-Chit-Ananda Brahma, with blissful awareness. If we get even a little in touch with this Divine Essence, it improves greatly the quality of our life. And if we could do the intense tapas and full control of senses of dedicated yogis, I can only guess how amazing life would be. To get in touch with our essence, sadhana and a guru are necessary. It is not only a mental or intellectual exercise. It involves ones full being body, prana, mind, intellect and Atma, all the five koshas. It is not about knowing something separate from us, but it is about becoming what we always already are. Our essence is hidden under thoughts. Thoughts are the content of our awareness or consciousness. Pure awareness is always present underneath and we need to give it space to shine through. We need to focus and explore the inner realm. It is worth it. In contrast, the West focuses exclusively outside. Even consciousness is something for them outside. Forces which try to eliminate Hindu Dharma Hindus need to be aware that their mere existence is a problem for those who have already destroyed all other ancient civilizations, like Inkas, Mayas, Mesopotamia, Egypt, or Greece. In fact, all these ancient cultures may have been connected in earlier times. The Puranas speak of kings who ruled over the whole earth. Yet today, only the Indian civilization is still standing. It has lost a lot of knowledge and a lot of influence over the last 1000 years, but it is still here and those who have successfully destroyed all other cultures, work hard to destroy the Indian culture, too. Which are those destructive forces? Christianity and Islam say it openly that the world needs to get rid of Hinduism. The far Left is supporting them. Many communists in Western and Indian universities work towards the destruction of Hinduism by giving their bias against Hinduism an academic cover. It is an agenda which has many players, and a lot of money is involved. Not only media, but also social media is part of it. The attacks on Hinduism, Hindus and especially Brahmins are unrelenting. Even ISIS gets better media coverage than Hindu groups like RSS. Why this opposition and even extreme hatred for Hinduism? The reason may be that Indias wisdom endangers those three ideologies, because it is empowering the individual and makes sense. Three important points in favour of Hindu Dharma If people of other religions come to know about the Hindu concept of One Consciousness as the essence of all, they might realize that the concept of a separate and vengeful God in Christianity and Islam is a distortion and cannot be true. If they hear of karma and rebirth, it probably would make more sense to them, than the claim by Christianity and Islam that we all have only one life, which decides if we go to heaven or hell. If they hear that the one consciousness permeates also animals and nature, they might stop this massive daily bloodbath of slaughtering our younger brothers, the animals and respect nature. True and not so true revelations However, Christianity and Islam dont allow any debate about their doctrine. They insist that only their religion is the direct, divine revelation, and they declare Hinduism and Hindus as wrong and their gods as devils. Strangely, Hindus dont question this claim about their revelation. They dont question that the so-called revelation of those two religions includes the claim that unbelievers, like Hindus, will suffer for all eternity in hellfire. Imagine, for all eternity. Can this be true? Can the Almighty be so cruel to his creation? But when I once wrote on Twitter that the Vedas are the original, divine revelation, several Hindus objected. They felt, we expose ourselves to ridicule by claiming that the Vedas are apaurusheya. They prefer to say that the Vedas have been composed and not revealed long, long ago. But why this diffidence? Have the ancient Rishis ever been proven wrong? Let us reflect: is it possible for human beings to come to the conclusion that the separate persons and objects in this world are Maya and only APPEAR as real but ultimately are in essence one with pure Consciousness? Or does this knowledge need a revelation from a higher Intelligence? Modern physics has meanwhile come to the conclusion that all is one energy. Several physicists, like Schroedinger, Heisenberg, Einstein acknowledged that they were inspired by Indian knowledge. Yet even todays scientists still dont know how to deal with consciousness, because they tend to see it as an object, which it is not. It is the one and only subject. Not only scientists, Western philosophers also built their theories on Indias wisdom and came up with the theory of idealism, which considers only ideas in the mind as real and not the objects. But their understanding of Consciousness is Kindergarten level, because sadhana is lacking and therefore a deeper understanding through the experience of pure consciousness. Indians have a better understanding because they do not see the origin from where all emanates as an abstract, theoretical concept like the Big Bang, but as a living Presence, as the great Brahman or Shiva. In India there are still yogis who are connected to this wisdom. They can guide how to realize that Yatha Pinde, tatha Brahmande (as the microcosm, so the macrocosm) and that indeed Jiva is Shiva (Atman is Brahman). Scientists need to be Yogis Now a question: does it disqualify a scientist when he or she is devoted to that Great Intelligence from whom all, including the many Devas emanate? The fact that Hindus worship many divine powers in this universe certainly does NOT disqualify them from being scientific. To be scientific does NOT mean that human intelligence must be seen as the ultimate Intelligence in the universe. Human intelligence is NOT the Ultimate intelligence. Yes, the Ultimate Intelligence is hidden within the human being. Sparks of genius can get through to the human mind. For example, the mathematical insights of Srinivasa Ramanujan were such sparks of genius. Will modern Hindus and mainstream media stand by this insight that devotion for that Supreme Brahman or Shiva is not unscientific but rather helps to have clearer scientific understanding? Or do they believe they need to be irreverent atheists, if they want to be modern? Albert Einstein once said that the scientist of the future needs to be a man of enhanced awareness. In other words: scientists need to be Yogis. If Hindu society stands by its ancient wisdom which is the foundation of modern science, India will again shine bright in the world. Source : Maria Wirth Would you like me to sweeten that for you? Out came a finger to stir your cup of coffee or STEM students at NUI Galway receive scholarships as part of Johnson & Johnsons WISTEM2D Award Programme Pictured are the ten NUI Galway students who were awarded scholarships as part of the Johnson & Johnson Ireland Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Award Programme. Also pictured is Aoibhin Sheedy, an alum of the WiSTEM2D Award Programme and founder of the NUI Galway WiSTEM Society Ten students at NUI Galway have been awarded scholarships at a virtual ceremony as part of the Johnson & Johnson Ireland Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Award Programme. This marks the inaugural year of the programme in NUI Galway. WiSTEM2D scholarship recipients will receive extensive industry mentoring and leadership training to help prepare them to pursue a career in STEM. WiSTEM2D refers to Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design. The WiSTEM2D programme underlines Johnson & Johnsons commitment to developing and implementing high-impact strategies to support female students undertaking STEM2D degree courses at NUI Galway. The ten College of Science and Engineering students to be awarded the scholarships are: Ailise Roche; Biomedical Science; Kilmurry, Co. Clare Aine Mitchell; General Science; Ballina, Co. Mayo Aisling Hanrahan; Biomedical Engineering; Liscannor Co. Clare Brenda Chanza; General Science; Swinford, Co. Mayo Karen Gillooly; Financial Maths and Economics; Williamstown, Co. Galway Luka Anna Mac Lochlainn; General Science; Moycullen, Co. Galway Rida Naseer; General Science; Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo Sabrina Kinga Szalaj; General Science; Gorey, Co. Wexford Shannon Hickey; General Science; Kilberry, Co. Kildare Thalyra Costa; Biomedical Engineering; Gort, Co. Galway Anna Rafferty, Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D University Lead and Director of Strategy, Johnson & Johnson Campus Ireland, said: At Johnson & Johnson, we recognise that women are still under-represented in the STEM workforce in Ireland. Since 2016, Johnson & Johnson has supported nearly 300 female students across Ireland through the WiSTEM2D programme. We were delighted to extend our programme to include NUI Galway for this academic year, as we continue to work at building a diverse WiSTEM2D science community and developing a talent pipeline by nurturing and mentoring our future female STEM leaders. Over the last two years, we have worked very hard to ensure that the recipients of this award have not missed out on any opportunities despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Professor Ciaran O hOgartaigh, President of NUI Galway, said: As the inaugural students to receive the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D bursaries at NUI Galway, these students are changemakers, making history and shaping the future of our university. We are very proud of our 10 Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D scholarship students in the College of Science and Engineering. By openly embracing and respecting all the talents in our society, we embrace and respect excellence. We are confident that the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D programme will empower our scholarship students to impact positively for the public good, for our society, our people and our planet. NUI Galway PhD candidate, Aoibhin Sheedy is an alum of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Award Programme, and founder of the NUI Galway WiSTEM Society. Speaking about the impact that the programme had on her career progression, Aoibhin said: I took part in the WiSTEM2D Programme during my postgraduate studies at University College Cork. The programme enabled me to complete my master's thesis at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston. It also provided me with incredible opportunities, such as touring the Janssen Microbiome Institute and DePuy Synthes whilst in Boston. I am delighted that the female STEM students of NUI Galway now get the opportunity to take part in this programme. It has been one of the most defining elements of my career so far, and I know they will get as much from it as I have. Currently, there are approximately 117,800 people across Ireland who are working in jobs that require STEM skills. However, the CSO reports that just 25% of these roles are performed by women, with just 5% in leadership roles. Whilst there has been a general upswing in the number of students choosing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects on their CAO applications, uptake among females remains low. Figures from a 2019 UCD Study reveals that over 40% of males list a STEM course versus just 19% of females. The virtual awards ceremony was also attended by Dr Anushree Dwivedi, Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D programme lead; Michael Gilvarry, General Manager, Cerenovus (Johnson & Johnson); Associate Professor, Mary Dempsey, Vice Dean, College of Science and Engineering, NUI Galway; families of the scholarship recipients; and student mentors. Recipients of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Award scholarship were also presented with bespoke framed glass artwork created by Cork-based artist, Suzanne OSullivan. Ends A team of military medics began work at Coney Island Hospital on Monday, the hospital said, promising extra support for a Brooklyn medical center that has been hit hard by the omicron coronavirus wave. The Defense Department deployment is part of a flood of medical reinforcements across the U.S. uncorked by President Biden. Another team is expected to begin work at North Central Bronx Hospital next Monday. Advertisement The Coney Island group arrived Saturday and was trained over the weekend, according to NYC Health + Hospitals, the citys public hospital system. The team is expected to remain at the hospital for at least 30 days. New York City appears to have braved the worst of the winter surge. Case and hospitalization tallies have sunk dramatically since the middle of the month, according to government data. Advertisement Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. (Google Maps) But some 2,400 New Yorkers in the city were hospitalized due to COVID entering this week, according to state figures. And high positivity rates continue to create challenges for thin-staffed hospitals. According to state data, the citys seven-day test positivity rate was still about 8% on Monday, down from 14% a week earlier, but still quite high. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > As weve seen in previous waves, hospitalization rates dont decline as early as COVID positivity rates, Svetlana Lipyanskaya, the chief executive of Coney Island Hospital, said in a statement. As such, were still very much in the thick of this wave. Today, we welcomed the @DeptofDefense's medical team to support our #HealthCareHeroes on the front lines in the continued battle against #COVID19. The DoD team is comprised of physicians, RNs, licensed practical nurses, army medics, respiratory technicians and command staff. pic.twitter.com/qjwBzPH5vC NYC Health + Hospitals (@NYCHealthSystem) January 24, 2022 Our amazing staff have been working tirelessly to care for our communities, and we welcome the opportunity to support them with reinforcements, she added in the statement. The 371-bed Coney Island facility continues to face a heavy census of patients, according to NYC Health + Hospitals. The immunity-dodging, heavily mutated omicron COVID variant has washed over much of the city and nation over the past few weeks, raising cautious hopes that a surge in natural immunity could generate a reprieve or even a close to the pandemic. But the battle is not over, and public officials pressed New Yorkers to support health care workers by completing their vaccine courses and receiving booster shots. The extra jabs are highly effective at warding off severe COVID infections that require hospital care, according to research from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Please, get vaccinated, get boosted, protect yourself and support our essential workers, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said in a statement. Pfizer and BioNTech have launched a clinical trial for a COVID vaccine that has been altered to specifically protect against the omicron variant, the companies announced in a news release early Tuesday. The emergence of the latest coronavirus mutation has forced vaccine makers around the world to reevaluate the effectiveness of their shots. Pfizer has previously said booster doses of its vaccine successfully neutralize omicron, while just two doses have proven far less effective in protecting against the variant. Advertisement We recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address omicron and new variants in the future, said Kathrin Jansen, Pfizers head of vaccine research and development in a statement. The new study, made up of 1,420 healthy Americans, will allow researchers to assess the tweaked vaccines safety and how it bolsters the immune system in comparison with the original shots. The companies plan to run three simultaneous trials in adults between the ages 18 and 55. Advertisement Pharmacist prepares a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. (Charles Krupa/AP) The first group will be made up of 600 participants, all of who have already received two doses of the current Pfizer vaccine within the last three to six months. They will get either one or two omicron-based shots as boosters. Another 600 people whove already gotten three regular doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be given a fourth dose of either the regular vaccine or the updated omicron version. The study will also enroll about 200 unvaccinated volunteers who will receive three doses of the omicron-based vaccine. Omicron was initially detected in November in Botswana and South Africa. It has since spread around the globe at an unprecedented rate, fueling a wave of infections that has retriggered restrictions and lockdowns worldwide. The variant boasts dozens of mutations, many of them on the spike protein, which relates to how the virus is spread. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 47 Rio Health secretary vaccinates young Davi Silva as part of the first group of children under 12 years of age to be part of the immunization campaign against COVID-19 on Jan. 17, 2022, at Museu do Amanha in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Davi has type 1 glutaric aciduria. (Wagner Meier/Getty Images) Because the current vaccines, developed in 2020, target the spike, it becomes more difficult for vaccine-induced antibodies to block the virus the further it mutates from the ancestral strain. The two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been fully approved for those 16 and over and is allowed under an emergency use authorization for kids ages 5 and up. A third, booster dose has been approved for anyone over 12 who already received two doses of the shot or younger children with weakened immune systems. With News Wire Services A long-time Marriott director of operations has taken up his first general manager role. Gerrit Schmitt steps up to general manager of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah as it gears up for a summer opening this year. Schmitt's time at Marriott dates back to 2004, starting out as F&B management trainee for Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg. Staying at the hotel for half a decade, he would hold positions such as assistant banquets and stewarding manager and director of banquets before moving on to Ritz-Carltons in other destinations. He later worked with Ritz-Carlton in Vienna, Abu Dhabi, Bangalore and Almaty, all within F&B operations. In 2011 he was made assistant and acting director of food and beverage for the Ritz-Carlton in DIFC. This was followed by a string of senior operational roles, starting with senior manager operations development and meeting & events discipline leader MEA from 2014 to 2016. Next he was made area director of operations and meetings and events discipline leader MEA, heading up operations of rooms, spa and retail across six countries. In 2018, he was made senior director of operations luxury - UAE, meaning he oversaw rooms, spa, retail, restaurants and bars for 30 UAE properties. This was followed by senior director of operations in the UAE, bolstered to 65 properties under his remit. Sage Hospitality, a hotel management and investment company, appointed Pierre-Louis Giacotto to GM of The Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. Giacotto brings more than 30 years of experience to his position, including a 23-year tenure with the Sofitel Luxury Hotels where he worked in all aspects of hotel operations. In his new role, Giacotto oversees all aspects of hotel operations for the historic, 335-room hotel. Before his appointment with Sage Hospitality, Giacotto held the GM position with Hotel Arista in Naperville, Ill. Giacotto is also known for his work as the first GM for Carlson-Rezidor Hotels' flagship North American Radisson Blu property, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago. He successfully oversaw the construction of the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel and participated in opening other locations during his five-year tenure with Carlson-Rezidor. Giacotto received formal European training from the Hotel Catering Schools of Grenoble and Paris in France and attended the Professional Development program at Cornell University. He is a current member on the board of the Illinois Hotel Lodging Association, and Giacotto also serves on the Triton College Community Board and the Hospitality Industry Administration Advisory Board. Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Sir Richard Branson, is pleased to welcome J. Gregor ("Greg") Doman as Chief Development Officer. Greg will be responsible for setting and implementing Virgin Hotels' global growth strategy, identifying opportunities in key markets, and structuring transactions that work for Virgin Hotels and its Owner/Developer partners. Greg will also spearhead Virgin Hotels entrance into the branded residential business. He will be working in tandem with the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee and the Development team to carry out the duties in his new role. Before joining Virgin Hotels, Greg served as Senior Vice President, Development at Accor, where he led development for North and Central America as well as the development of luxury and upscale brands in South America. Greg's tenure at Accor also included leading the global residential business. Prior to Accor, Greg led development for the Americas and the Global Residential business at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI). Greg earned his Master of Business Administration from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Gregory joined Pacifica Hotels in 2017 after serving as CEO for Saint Marc Holdings in Okayama, Japan. Prior to that, he held executive food and beverage roles at the likes of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, Hyatt Regency Orange County at Disneyland Resort, Club Med Resorts Worldwide, and numerous other luxury and lifestyle properties across the U.S. Western Region. Known as an executive senior leader, master mixologist, certified advanced sommelier, speaker, educator, columnist, consultant, competition judge and top executive in the international food and beverage community, Gregory has been the speaker and director of more than 350 winemaker specialty dinners and the moderator and host for numerous food and beverage seminars. In his new role with Pacifica Hotels, he will oversee the entire culinary leadership team along with food and beverage operations across the expansive portfolio of hotels. Preferred Hotels & Resorts - the world's largest independent hotel brand - has announced the appointment of Cheryl Williams as Chief Revenue Officer. In this newly created executive position, Williams will lead the brand's commercial efforts, working with department leaders to drive revenue to its expanding global portfolio, which encompasses more than 700 hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries.Based out of the company's corporate headquarters in Newport Beach, California, she reports to Michelle Woodley, president of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Williams' dynamic, creative leadership style, coupled with a consistent record of accomplishment, has been developed over more than 20 years of varied and progressive industry experience, both on-property and in group executive positions. In her role at Preferred, she is tasked with overseeing and fine-tuning the group's sales, revenue optimization, marketing, e-commerce, loyalty, distribution, events, and customer relations teams, working with departmental and regional leaders already in place to ensure global alignment and to support the successful execution and evolution of the company's growth plans. Prior to joining Preferred, Williams served as Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing in Hawaii for Highgate, leading an integrated sales, marketing, and revenue organization while overseeing the company's expanding portfolio of properties in the state, which includes Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection. She also held several progressive sales and marketing leadership positions for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. These included Divisional Director of Leisure Sales & Distribution, leading new business efforts with a particular focus on development in Brazil, Russia, India, and China; Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Hawaii and Tahiti, having oversight of several iconic properties such as the St. Regis Bora Bora, the Moana Surfrider - a Westin Resort, The Sheraton Waikiki Resort; and General Manager of The Royal Hawaiian - a Luxury Collection Resort. In 2007, Williams was named by HSMAI (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International)as one of the world's "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel Sales & Marketing." She was also integral to the launch of the Aloha Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and was honored with the MPI Aloha Chapter Founders Award. In 2014, she was a Pacific Business News Businesswoman of the Year finalist and in 2018, she was honored by Pacific Edge Magazine for her contributions to Hawaii's visitor industry. A Manhattan federal appeals court upheld notorious drug kingpin Joaqun El Chapo Guzmans conviction Tuesday, denying his long-shot request for a new trial over juror misconduct allegations. Guzman had argued he deserved retrial due a jurors comments to Vice News alleging that jury members ignored court orders not to discuss or read about the blockbuster case during the 11-week trial. Advertisement The 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rejected Guzmans arguments, praising Brooklyn Federal Judge Brian Cogans handling of arguably the most significant narco-trafficking trial in U.S. history. In this Jan. 19, 2017 file photo provided U.S. law enforcement, authorities escort Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, center, from a plane in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. (AP) Judge Cogan conducted the three-month trial with diligence and fairness, after issuing a series of meticulously crafted pretrial rulings, the three-judge panel wrote in a decision. The resulting judgment of the District Court is affirmed. Advertisement The Mexican crime lord was convicted in 2019 of generating billions of dollars in profits as he captained the ruthless Sinaloa cartel between 1989 and 2014. Cogan sentenced Guzman to five concurrent terms of life imprisonment plus 30 years and ordered him to forfeit $12 billion in drug proceeds. 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 respecting the courts ruling, were disappointed that substantial allegations of grave jury misconduct continue to be swept under the rug and left wholly unexamined in a case of historic proportion all, it appears, because of the defendants matchless notoriety, Guzmans attorney Marc Fernich said in a statement. Evidence showed Guzmans hyperviolent enterprise pumped at least 1 million kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana into the U.S. on superstealth aircraft, narco-submarines and railroad tankers, and via cross-border subterranean tunnels. Turncoat witnesses testified that the cartel trafficked firearms from the U.S. to Mexico via the same channels. The cartel boss plotted to bribe, torture and murder anybody who stood in his way. Evidence showed how he tortured and killed at least three poor, low-level drug dealers who worked with rival cartels. Jurors heard details of the notorious narcos incredible wealth and how he twice escaped from prison the second time via a milelong tunnel built under the shower of his prison cell. Trial testimony implicated three Mexican presidents and the former head of the Ecuadoran Army. Guzman is incarcerated at ADX Florence in Colorado, more commonly known as the Supermax prison, where prisoners are kept in almost total isolation. His wife and mother to his twin 11-year-old girls, Emma Coronel Aispuro, was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to three years in prison for aiding the narco empire. COLUMBUS, OHIO - Award-winning hospitality audiovisual services provider Mills James attributes its ongoing success and growth to one thing: SERVICE. Recently named Best Audiovisual Provider by Ohio Business Magazine, Mills James helps corporations and nonprofits connect with their audiences through relationship building and event objective deep dives. With offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Boston, the firm leverages its team of creative directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, designers, set builders, and streaming engineers to craft inspiring experiences and stories that stand out. As the meetings and events business slowly ramps back up, planners are looking for bold new ways to elevate the attendee experience, said John Watts, Mills James VP of Hospitality. This is far more than just shifting from portable AV equipment to built-in systems with a few bells and whistles thrown in. Its going to take a team of experts with broadcast energy and experience in producing live TV for messaging to resonate with attendees during these unprecedented times. Watts added, But long before an event takes place, pre-event conversations between planners and a hotels sales and AV teams and pre-visualization screenings of multiple room layouts using 3D renders, animation, and motion graphics will close the deal. Its in this pre-production sales and service phase that the success or failure of an event is determined. Five reasons why Mills James was named Best in the business: 1. Brand Ambassador Training. Mills James AV technicians care about the events they support and the people who attend them. No matter how big or small the hotel or conference center facility may be, the firms technicians seek out ways to be helpful and stay available to planners. 2. Hybrid Event and Broadcast TV Proficiency. With its roots firmly planted in video production, Mills James associates understand producing events in todays hybrid world. The same person tasked with setting up easels can operate a camera for a virtual event or broadcast equipment for a national TV spot. Few, if any, competitive AV services companies can make that claim. 3. Holistic Approach to Event Production. Mills James takes tremendous pride in bringing quality equipment to each function. The company approaches a show holistically, looking at the budget and elevating the attendee experience by upgrading gear, enhancing show content, or dedicating one of its expert show-calling producers to ensure everyone is on schedule and in the know. 4. Elevated Sales Experience. Most AV services providers focus on portable AV equipment rental thats it. Mills James sales team collectively focuses on selling the city, the property, and the meeting planner. Mills James pre-event teasers, opening/closing videos, recognition videos, and onsite happy-face videos prove to close deals and get planners to return. A true sign of a successful event keeps people talking long after theyre gone, and video is a terrific way to keep the experience top of mind even once its over. 5. One Hell of a Dedicated Team. Mills James began in a time of slide carousels, 16 mm film, and DOS. There were no laptops, no editing software, the cloud was in the sky, and pandemics were the stuff of science fiction. It was 38 years ago that Ken Mills and Cameron James came together to walk this entrepreneurial tightrope. Today, the company boasts 200 employees whose combined years of experience ensures exceptional, consistent service for every event. Event planners often think that onsite AV provided in a hotel or convention center is mediocre at best, said Mike Tyson, Mills James Director of Sales. My response to this concern is not all AV companies are alike. Our clients see the quality we produce, and they come back repeatedly. Theres proof of that in Mills James excellent retention rate and 95% Net Promoter Score. The production company does much more than just set up event space and sell AV services; they deliver experiences. Thats the Mills James difference, Tyson added. Learn more about why Greater Columbus Convention Center General Manager John Page is happy he made the choice with Mills James. A selection of hospitality clients experiencing the Mills James difference includes the Greater Columbus Convention Center (OH), Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center (OH), Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland (OH), Dayton Convention Center (OH), Renaissance Milwaukee West (WI), and the Alloy King of Prussia (PA). For more information on Mills James, visit www.millsjames.com or call Mike Tyson, Director of Sales, at 614-850-2098. ABOUT MILLS JAMES Mills James mission is to craft and deliver experiences that deepen human connections and inspire people to care and act. For 38 years, Mills James has focused on elevating experiences, starting with the production experience itself. The firm serves Fortune 500 companies, startups, and not-for-profits all over the nation with offices, production facilities, and hospitality properties in five states. More information can be found at millsjames.com. Barbara Worcester 4409305770 New Global Wellness Institute researchthe most in-depth in its historyreveals that the wellness market grew to a record $4.9 trillion in 2019 and then fell to $4.4 trillion in the pandemic year of 2020. But with a consumer values shift underway, the future of the wellness market is incredibly bright, predicted to grow 10% annually through 2025 The nonprofit Global Wellness Institute (GWI) today unveiled its much-anticipated research report, The Global Wellness Economy: Looking Beyond Covid, which provides new global market data on the overall wellness economy and for each of its eleven sectors. The 100-page report answers the big questions: How did the shock of COVID-19 impact the wellness industry? Which wellness markets fared best and worst? What is the future of the wellness economyand why? The GWI last measured the wellness industry at $4.3 trillion in 2017, and the new research reveals that it grew to historic levels in the two years before the pandemic, reaching $4.9 trillion in 2019. With the massive economic shocks from COVID-19, the global wellness economy fell 11%, to $4.4 trillion, in 2020. But with the pandemic ushering in a major shift in values for consumers, governments, and the medical worldwhere prevention and wellness take on far greater importancethe GWI predicts that the wellness market will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 ($5 trillion), and will grow at an impressive 10% annual pace through 2025, when it will reach $7 trillion. Source: Global Wellness Institute The report, released today at the Global Wellness Summit in Boston, is the GWIs most in-depth research on wellness markets ever: For the first time, it provides detailed numbers and analysis for all eleven wellness sectors: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and future growth rates; rich regional and national data; and the major trends that will impact each sector post-COVID. The report is free to download here. This research update is crucial, because 2020 is the watershed year that will forever divide historyand the trajectory of the wellness economyinto before and after COVID-19, said Ophelia Yeung, GWI senior research fellow. When we analyze how different wellness markets performed in the last year, its natural to want to compare them and label winners and losers. But there is no question that wellnessas a concept, as a lifestyle priority, and consumer valueis a big winner from the pandemic. KEY FINDINGS : Source: Global Wellness Institute The momentum for wellness is evident in the strong pre-pandemic growth rates for every sector between 2017 and 2109, where each market hit a record valuation. In those years, the wellness economy grew 6.6% annually, a significantly higher rate than global economic growth (4%). In the pandemic year of 2020, the wellness economy contracted by 11%, nearly four times more than the declines in global GDP (-2.8%). Unsurprisingly, sectors requiring a physical presence and/or full immersion for the actual experience, including physical activity, wellness tourism, spas, and thermal/mineral springs, saw the biggest pandemic declineswhile healthy eating/nutrition/weight loss, wellness real estate, mental wellness, and the public health/prevention/personalized medicine category all showed strong pandemic growth. For the first time, the research breaks down the total wellness economy for each global region. Asia-Pacific was one of the fastest-growing wellness markets from 2017 to 2019 (8.1% growth), and it also shrank the least during the pandemic (-6.4%). Conversely, North America was the fastest-growing wellness region from 2017 to 2019 (8.4%), but among the hardest hit by the pandemic (-13.4%). Asia-Pacific had the largest wellness market in 2020 ($1.5 trillion), followed by North America ($1.3 trillion), and Europe ($1.1 trillion). Per capita spending on wellness is significantly higher in North America ($3,567) and Europe ($1,236) than in other global regions. Source: Global Wellness Institute The wellness economy will grow an extremely robust 60% from 2020-2025, with most segments projected to exceed GDP growth across those years. Markets with the highest growth projections (wellness tourism, thermal/mineral springs, spas) are those that took the greatest hits in 2020. Sectors that showed positive pandemic growth, including wellness real estate and mental wellness, are forecast to see powerful, ongoing market expansion. Wellness Market Snapshots: Wellness Tourism (pandemic loser, future winner): Grew 8% annually from 2017 to 2019 (reaching $720 billion) and then took a major hit in 2020. The market shrunk -39.5% to $436 billion, while wellness trips dropped from 936 million to 601 million. The impressive 21% annual growth rate projected for wellness tourism through 2025 reflects new traveler values (a quest for nature, sustainability, mental wellness) as well as a period of rapid recovery from pent-up demand in 2021 and 2022. Thermal/Mineral Springs (pandemic loser, future winner): One of the fastest-growing wellness markets from 2017 to 2019, with revenues rising from $56 billion to $64 billion (6.8% annual growth). Hit hard by the pandemic, revenues fell -39% in 2020, shrinking the market to $39 billion. There are now 35,099 hot springs establishments across 130 countries. The downturn is temporary: Very strong 18% annual growth is expected through 2025, with 140-plus new projects in the pipeline. Spas (pandemic loser, future winner): From 2017 to 2019, the spa industry was growing at a fast 8.7% annual rate and reached $111 billion in revenues across 165,714 spaswith a big jump in hotel/resort spas (from 48,248 to 60,873). The high-touch industry got hit hard in 2020: Revenues fell by -39% (to $69 billion) and spa establishments dropped to 160,100 (with a loss of over 4,000 day spas). But the industry is expected to recover fast, with the market growing 17% annually through 2025, and more than doubling revenues (to $150.5 billion). Wellness Real Estate (pandemic and future winner): With COVID-19 dramatically accelerating the understanding of the role that the built environment and our homes play in our physical and mental health, the wellness real estate market was the #1 growth-leader both before and during the pandemic: The market grew from $148.5 billion in 2017 to $225 billion in 2019 to $275 billion in 2020 (22% annual growth). Wellness residential projects (either built or in the pipeline) skyrocketed from 740 in 2018 to over 2,300 today. Wellness real estate will continue its growth surge: The market will double to $580 billion from 2020 to 2025 (16% annual growth). Physical Activity (pandemic loser, future winner): This six-sector market grew 5% from 2018-2019 (to reach $874 billion), but revenues fell 15.5% in 2020 (to $738 billion). The fitness subsector (gyms, studios, classes) suffered a severe -37% revenue decline in 2020. Fitness technology was, of course, the bright spot, exploding 29% in 2020 to become a $49.5 billion marketwith digital apps, streaming and on-demand workout platforms surging 40%. The segments hybrid bricks-and-mortar/digital future is bright: the market will nearly doublefrom $738 billion to $1.2 trillionfrom 2020-2025. Mental Wellness (pandemic and future winner): Posted strong 7% growth from 2019-2020 (from a $122 billion to a $131 billion market), as consumers desperately sought solutions to help them cope with pandemic stresses. The largest segment, senses, spaces and sleep, grew 12.4%, while the smallest segment, meditation and mindfulness, grew the fastest (25%). The forecast: strong 10% growth annually through 2025, to reach $210 billion. Personal Care & Beauty (pandemic loser, future winner): Consumer spending expanded from $1 trillion in 2017 to $1.1 trillion in 2019, and then declined by 13% to $955 billion in 2020. In 2020, Asia-Pacific moved from being the third to the first-ranked market. Spending will bounce back post-pandemic, with 8.2% annual growth through 2025, to reach $1.4 trillion. Traditional & Complementary Medicine (pandemic loser, future winner): This market spans different holistic, indigenous, ancient therapies and products (acupuncture, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, chiropractic, etc.). It grew from $376 billion in 2017 to $432 billion 2019, but contracted to $413 billion in 2020. It will see healthy 7% annual growth from 2020-2025, reaching $583 billion. Healthy Eating, Nutrition & Weight Loss (pandemic and future winner): One of the few wellness sectors that maintained positive growth (3.6%) during the pandemic, which launched a wave of interest in home cooking, healthy food, and immunity-focused foods and supplements. The sector grew from $858 billion in 2017 to $912 billion in 2019 to $945.5 billion in 2020and is forecast to grow 5% annually through 2025, to reach $1.2 trillion. Public Health, Prevention & Personalized Medicine (pandemic and future winner): Another sector that saw positive pandemic growth (4.5%), largely because many governments and healthcare systems ramped up their public health and prevention expenditures during the COVID-19 crisis. The sector grew from $328 billion in 2017 to $359 billion in 2019 to $375 billion in 2020 (when it represented about 4% of total global health expenditures at $8.8 trillion). With painful lessons from the pandemic about the terrible costs of underinvesting in public health, the segment is forecast to grow 5% annually through 2025to reach $478 billion. Workplace Wellness (pandemic loser, future winner, with a difference): This segment grew 4.6% annually from 2017 to 2019reaching a market high of $52.2 billionbut then shrank 7% in 2020, to $48.5 billion. Companies are recognizing that a compartmentalized, programmatic approach to employee wellbeing is not particularly effective in tackling the rising challenges of stress, work-life balance, and mental health, so many are shifting to more meaningful, holistic approaches encompassing everything from changing company culture to focusing on the built environment. These expenditures cannot be measured as workplace wellness, so expenditures may decline even as the focus on employee wellbeing actually expands. Even so, the market is pegged to grow 4% annually through 2025, reaching $58.4 billion. The wellness economy will grow to $7 trillion in 2025, because the forces that have been driving it remain as powerful as ever: an expanding global middle class, an aging population, and rising chronic disease, said Katherine Johnston, GWI senior research fellow. But the pandemic has brought new shifts and a global values reset: Wellness now means far more than a facial or spin class, with a growing focus on mental wellbeing and the importance of work-life balance, social justice, environmental sustainability, the built environment, and public health. These drivers will underpin the recovery of the wellness economy; they will also shift consumer, policy and healthcare spending in new directions. About the Global Wellness Institute The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is considered the leading global research and educational resource for the global wellness industry and is known for introducing major industry initiatives and regional events that bring together leaders to chart the future. GWI positively impacts global health and wellness by educating public institutions, businesses and individuals on how they can work to prevent disease, reduce stress and enhance the overall quality of life. Its mission is to empower wellness worldwide. Its 2022, and not much has changed since 2020 as far as travelers are concerned. But behind the scenes, the work continues for companies and destinations eager to hit the ground running when the world inevitably enters its post-pandemic future. While there is still much left to the imagination, small shifts and movements are slowly determining what that future might look like. In this trend report, we highlight the forces shaping the future of travel, trends to watch as well as the exciting places where travel is headed. 5 Forces Shaping the Future of Travel 12 Destinations Pointing to the Future of Travel 5 Travel Trends to Watch The report is available to download here. About CatchOn, A Finn Partners Company CatchOn, a Finn Partners Company, is a brand communications consultancy with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. It is part of Finn Partners, a global integrated PR and marketing agency with a travel practice that consists of top PR pros in Destination Marketing, Lodging, Aviation and Cruise, F&B, Health and Wellness, Responsible Tourism, Economic Development, MICE and Trade Representation, Crisis and Image Management, Promotions and Experiential Marketing. Our 100+ person travel group spans the globe with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom/Europe and Asia. Lily Yu Account Executive CatchOn Perial to acquire nine Spanish B&Bs from Corum Paris-based Perial Asset Management has entered an agreement on behalf of one of its property funds to acquire a 480-room portfolio of five Spanish hotels for 25 million (52,000 per room), with an agreement to purchase an additional four hotels (402 rooms) in May 2022 for a further 33.4 million (83,000 per room). The seller is French investment manager Corum. The two-stage transaction, therefore, totals nine hotels with 882 rooms for a price of 58.4 million (66,000 per room). The first phase includes the 125-room B&B Valencia, 100-room B&B Viladecans, 82-room B&B Figueras, 80-room B&B Mollet and 93-room B&B Girona in Salt, Spain. The second phase will include the 100-room B&B Fuenlabrada, 96-room B&B Granollers in Les Franqueses, 100-room B&B Cartagonova and 96-room B&B Albacete. The hotels are managed by B&B Hotels under an 11-year lease. Sixth Street acquires Le Palme Hotel & Resort in Porto Cervo American investment firm Sixth Street Partners has entered the Italian hotel market with the acquisition of the 92-room Le Palme Hotel & Resort in Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition follows Sixth Streets purchase of five Spanish hotels in December last year. Eidos Partners will act as operational asset manager as the pair redevelop the 17,000 sqm property into a five-star resort, with an expected opening in 2024. Sixth Street and Eidos are in the selection process for a renowned hotel flag and property manager to create a new partnership for the co-management of the ultra-luxury hotel. Propreal sells Regent Hotel Berlin to Blackstone Geneva-based real estate investor Propreal Capital Partners has sold the 195-room Regent Hotel Berlin to real estate funds managed by Blackstone. The deal was finalised in late 2021. Propreal had owned the hotel, on behalf of one of its funds, since 2014 . The luxurious Regent Berlin has won numerous awards, including Germanys Leading Hotel in the 2020 World Travel Awards. It is exceptionally located in central Berlin next to Gendarmenmarkt, one block from Friedrichstrasse and within walking distance of the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate. Illimity and Cordifin acquire debt on two Venetian hotels Italy-based Illimity Bank and Italian conglomerate Gruppo Cordifin have acquired 50 million of non-performing debt on two Venetian hotels, from AMCO United as well as Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo and asset manager Prelios Sgr. The funds were originally lent to Proven srl, which is controlled by a group of Venetian families, as well as a small share to Cordifin. The portfolio includes the 36-room Ai Reali and the 33-room Ai Cavalieri. In 2019, the four-star portfolio of 69 rooms reported a rooms turnover of 7.9 million (114,000 per room). W5 acquires Joyn Aparthotel in Frankfurt from Across W5 Group has acquired the 100-room Joyn Aparthotel in Frankfurt from the Luxembourg-based holding company Across (EL7) Sarl for an undisclosed price. Across originally purchased the property as a forward sale, back in 2019. W5, described as a family investment office which focusses primarily on residential investment, is owned by Ralph Winter, and has offices in Switzerland and the US. The Joyn Aparthotel is located in Frankfurts city centre near the Wallanlagen and the Alte Oper concert hall. German-based Numa Group will operate the hotel. About HVS HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com. MUMBAI - Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) today announced the signing of 13 new ama Stays & Trails bungalows. With this,the brand is stepping into four new destinations Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Kanha and Kochi. It is also adding another bungalow in Lonavala. Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Sarabjeet Singh, Head ama Stays & Trails, said, IHCL is steadily increasing the expansion momentum of ama Stays & Trails. The company, with its expansive footprint across India, provides a platform for a successful partnership with home owners. We are delighted with the interest shown by them in this brand. Also, with ama Stays & Trails, our guests can explore many more destinations. ama Stays & Trails is a group of heritage bungalows, guesthouses and villas at unique locations across the country. Each homestay brings alive the local culture and heritage of the destination through authentic and immersive experiences. From British colonial style villas to Portuguese cottages, homes inspired by traditional Kerala architecture as well as contemporary homestays, each bungalow has a unique design. Guests can escape and unwind in unexplored, pristine locations while indulging in elegant homely comfort. The brand has a portfolio of 72 bungalows and villas with 32 under development. For more information about ama Stays & Trails, please visit here. About The Indian Hotels Company Limited The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj the iconic brand for the most discerning travellers and the World"s Strongest Hotel Brand and India"s Strongest Hospitality Brand as per Brand Finance 2021, SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels, Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels and Ginger, which is revolutionising the lean luxe segment. Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel - The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of 235 hotels including 59 under development globally across 4 continents, 11 countries and in over 100 locations. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is India"s largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is primarily listed on the BSE and NSE. Recent conferences and events have shown us that people are desperate to return to 2019, when everything felt like it was going right for the hotel industry. Even the mammoth amount of supply coming into the market didnt seem like a concern: demand would simply suck it up. It felt like the overdue downturn would never come. We look back with rose-tinted glasses. Whatever issues we had paled in the face of the human cost of the pandemic and, for hotels, government restrictions which forced many hotels to stop trading entirely. There is now cautious trading and hotels are learning to work with uncertainty. They can look up and start to plan, rather than be reactive. And what theyre seeing still carries shades of the threats we felt in 2019, which linger still. Airbnb has only become stronger during the pandemic, with a market capitalisation of over $110bn and over 5.6 million listings. But it wasnt seen as the threat it was before the lockdowns, because it was back operating in its leisure heartland, where it came from and where hotels particularly branded hotels felt they were safe from it eating their valuable corporate market. The news that Scotland was going to join jurisdictions around the world in potentially requiring hosts to licence their properties was greeted with great joy by hotels, which have long sought for Airbnb and its competitors to be legislated out of existence. Will Airbnb go down without a fight? No. It has an extensive legal team which is happy fighting fire on multiple fronts. When under attack it also dials up its PR machine, warning of lost earnings should it be restricted a negative impact on the hosts and local economies. The hotel sector has not learned from past experience. You cant legislate against change. You cant change evolution. This supply change is a done deal. Uber is a done deal. OTAs are a done deal. Hotels must fight their corners. Rather than hiring lobbyists, getting into letter-writing wars or complaining to their local lawmakers all of which weve seen they need to work out how to fill their beds while Airbnbs hosts fill their tree houses, yurts and the house from Home Alone. With the corporate market still uncertain and leisure shaky, we go into each hotels market and identify leisure and non-leisure sources 52 weeks of the year our revenue managers will even go and talk to construction companies. Here at Magnuson we will do the leg work to identify and capture essential travel consumers. We use our local and sector intelligence to convert branded properties from upper-economy to midscale product, raising average rate. Magnuson Hotels are repositioned with revenue strategies based on knowledge of the market, while reducing the cost of acquisition. Hoteliers need to know every aspect of their business and become human Swiss army knives. Because when everythings got upended, when every sector is upside down, those that are well equipped and can do everything will survive and outperform. No matter who opens up down the road. Click here to learn more about the benefits of joining Magnuson Hotels. Thomas Magnuson Chief Executive Officer +1 509 994 2048 Magnuson This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Halal Guys started with two brothers from Egypt, a few food carts in New York City and a dream of success. Three decades later, The Halal Guys is a chain of restaurants that continues to grow its brand internationally, with several Houston locations including and a new restaurant in Pearland. The Pearland restaurant, 10621 Broadway, Suite 109 just east of Texas 288, opened in late November and serves The Halal Guys specialty of fresh Mediterranean/American halal food. Customers have responded, according Zuhair Fatany, project manager of the Houston market, including the Pearland restaurant. People from all different ethnicities love our food, whether theyre from Pakistani, Asia or the United States, he said. Indoor dining, takeout, delivery, online orders and catering services are available for specialties like chicken and beef gyros, falafel platters and six types of gyro/sandwiches with a choice of sides like falafel, rice, hummus, tahini, olives and pita bread. The lemon hummus is a limited-time specialty, but the restaurants in-house baklava and chocolate chip cookies are year-round dessert options. Halal Guys keeps the menu simple and the food is prepared true to the halal tradition. Halal refers to rules governing food and drink for Muslims. The food must be free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming according to Islamic law and includes strict guidelines about the manner which the way an animal is slaughtered. The Halal Guys Address: 10621 Broadway, Suite 109, Pearland, TX 77584 Pearland restaurant website:https://bit.ly/3FYKmNl Halal Guys official website:https://bit.ly/3tY8aP2 Phone: 832-295-3269 See More Collapse Its just real, honest food, said Geoff Herbert, president of AYG Foods, a franchise group that owns the seven locations in Houston. When brothers Mohamed Aboueleneinand Ahmed Elsaka came to the United States in the late 1980s, they were looking for an equal playing field for success. The original Halal Guys set up a series of halal carts on the street corners of 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. Additional carts and storefronts began opening throughout New York City and eventually nationwide. The chain has 94 locations in the United States and has over 400 new restaurants in development. As a city, Houston is basically a microcosm of what the American story is about, Herbert said of the region, which was ranked the most diverse in the United States. in 2021. I think the story of The Halala Guys being immigrants is the same story that most of Houston has gone though one way or another. Its familiar to them, and we want to look like Houston. The city of Pearland, which is annually ranked in the top 10 of most diverse cities in Texas, was the perfect location to expand the chains footprint. Fatany was born in Houston, but his family, which owns the Pearland restaurant, is from Pakistan. As the child of the immigrant experience, he said he believes The Halal Guys story resonates with people beyond the menu, but its the authenticity and freshness of the food that keeps them coming back. We still have to do our job and execute, Herbert said. That means the food, prepared and cooked in house, has to speak for itself. We stay true to our roots, said Herbert. The Halal Guys began 2021 with four Houston restaurants and has added others in the area since. The chain was able to thrive through the pandemic, with the Pearland opening only briefly delayed by supply issues. According to Herbert, more Houston area locations are planned, with each restaurant employing an average of 20 people. The original concept of The Halal Guys was based on the idea that food is universal, said Herbert. Its the one thing that everybody can sit down and enjoy together, he said. Its an offering a friendship, its about being communal, and its a common language. yorozco@hcnonline.com Klein High School JROTC cadets will be looking past the sky and into the stars as the school has transformed its Air Force JROTC program to a Space Force JROTC program. The school held a ceremony celebrating the conversion Tuesday morning, attended by Air Force and Space Force officers, featuring a ceremony pinning the new Space Force lapel pins onto the schools 118 JROTC cadets and unveiling the new Space Force pennant and patch. On HoustonChronicle.com: NASAs James Webb Space Telescope reaches its final destination after million-mile journey This new JROTC program, the first of its kind in Texas, is one of 10 programs around the country selected to be converted from Air Force to Space Force, said Lt. Col. Tim Lambert, Klein High School senior aerospace science instructor. Theres so much that goes on up there (in space) that we need to have protection for our assets, Lambert said about Space Force. Because so much of what we do is up in space nowcommunications, GPS satellites. All of that is so important. They get an understanding of that, so no matter what job they go into, they understand where technological things are happening. On HoustonChronicle.com: Abbott grants $10 million to spaceports in Houston and South Texas where Elon Musk develops rockets Klein High School was one of 10 schools selected who applied to have their Air Force JROTC program converted, Lambert said, in part due to the schools location in Houston, where NASA and the Johnson Space Center are located. Other schools converted were in locations similarly situated near large space-related industries, he said, like near Orlando and Colorado Springs. What a lot of people dont fully understand about Space Force is its part of the Department of the Air Force like the Marine Corps is part of the Navy, Lambert said. It still fits, so theres some control where the Air Force does become involved as well. The JROTC program has spent time since they were officially converted last May making cosmetic changes, he said, with the curriculum still being worked out. When my cadets were learning rank structure, they learned Space Force rank structure, Lambert said about this past semester. The differences between the new program and the previous Air Force JROTC program will come down to the focus on the aerospace side of the curriculum, he explained. Air Force JROTC has two academic focuses: leadership and aerospace science, with the latter starting with the science of flight and moving into a space curriculum around the third year of the program. The Space Force will probably take a little more time with the space and technological aspects of space as far as getting more detail with cyber security and how space can be used to our advantage, Lambert said. At the moment, we dont have a curriculum thats changed. Lambert said the 10 schools would get together with the Space Force JROTC headquarters to brainstorm the new curriculum, likely beginning the space curriculum earlier than the previous program. Well spend a lot of time teaching Space Force lingo and that kind of stuff just to get our basics down before we get into real technical stuff, Lambert said. I think that will help us slowly transition. The mentality for this new JROTC program will be the same as the old one, he said, which is that it isnt a recruiting tool for the military, but a leadership course focusing on building the students into leaders. Since we do use the military background for training and teaching, it does help prepare you for service if you do decide to join, Lambert said. paul.wedding@hcnonline.com This Leon Hale column appeared in the Houston Post on Jan. 25, 1960. *** A.J. (Generous Jean) Glasco owns a hamburger and malt drive-in on U.S. 290 at Waller. Three months ago Glasco decided business wasnt what it ought to be. Maybe, he thought, some highway signs would help. So he built a pair of big signs and studied what message he could put on them to attract the hamburger-eating public. He wanted something different. Its not easy to think up a different kind of hamburger sign. Dozens of roadside stands all over the country already claim the best hamburgers in the world, or the biggest, or the most nutritious. Glasco figured that was old stuff, so he took his signs to a painter and told him to paint on an announcement that Jean Glasco served the sorriest hamburgers in Texas. Are you crazy? asked the sign painter. Glasco dodged the question. The painter shrugged and followed orders, and you can now see Glascos red signs on U.S. 290 inviting you to eat one of his sorry hamburgers. As a further stimulant to business if you want to call it that Glasco installed a oncea-week special. Each Wednesday he offers, at the reduced price of 19 cents, a ptomaine hamburger guaranteed to give the customer a case of food poisoning. To tell the truth, confessed Generous Jean, a young man with a pleasant face and searching curiosity about human behavior, I was pretty doubtful about it all at first. But Ive just been amazed at how its worked out. We used to cook 120-odd hamburgers on a Wednesday. Since I put in the ptomaine hamburger, we cook three times that many. Glasco augmented his highway signs with some newspaper advertising. A recent Glasco ad in the Waller County Record read like this: Never had ptomaine? Mercy! You dont know what youre missing. I make sure to have it every Wednesday in those 19 cent hamburgers In another ad Glasco scotched a rumor that he uses old shoe leather in his hamburgers. The rumor is by no means correct, he said, for the truth is that he only uses the best shoe leather, brand new. Glasco admits the 300 per cent increase in his Wednesday hamburger sales may be due to the reduced price. But he insists that his business has at least doubled on all other days of the week when everything sells at regular prices. Depending heavily on transient trade, Glasco has been both pleasantly amazed to discover that people will stop at his place to 1) see if the hamburgers are really the sorriest in Texas 2) meet the man eccentric enough to put up those signs 3) eat at a place, for a change, which does not claim to have the worlds best food. Having proved that the hamburger-eating public can be every bit as eccentric as he is, Glasco, you suspect, would not be at all surprised if a customer were to demand his money back on the grounds that a ptomaine hamburger did not give him food poisoning as the ad promised. Of course what Glasco has demonstrated is that people, no matter what else they are, are always curious, and that a distinctive road sign will stop them. Some even stopped to tell him he had misspelled ptomaine. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man charged in the stabbing of a Houston Police K-9 over the weekend will be questioned in the death of his father, whose body was found early Tuesday in the garage of his Memorial area home, police said. Police have not identified the man found dead at the home in the 14700 block of Carolcrest, but HPD Homicide Commander Kevin Deese said he was the father of Ryan Mitchell Smith, who faces three charges from an incident on Saturday that led to an attack on the dog. He posted bond Sunday on those charges. WANTED: Manhunt underway for 'dangerous fugitive' charged in death of Houston constable deputy Smith was back in police custody later Tuesday, captured in Waller County after eluding authorities. Smith, 26, is accused of stabbing a Houston police dog named Nate Saturday morning during a robbery pursuit. Several witnesses earlier reported seeing Smith stealing merchandise from a Memorial-area business. Smith was arrested and charged with evading arrest, interference with a police service animal and robbery bodily injury. Relatives paid for his bond and he was released from Harris County Jail, Deese said. Court documents stated he was homeless. Courtesy Houston Police Department Smith, 26, is accused of stabbing a Houston police dog named Nate Saturday morning during a robbery pursuit.. HPD After posting bond, Smith was taken to what police said they believe is his father's house. Deese said family members had become concerned about the father after not hearing from him. During a search of the home Monday, officers noticed a suspicious pickup truck parked at the end of the street and confirmed Smith was behind the wheel. Smith fled and officers chased him to Memorial Park, where he ultimately crashed and evaded officers on foot. Police found a weapon in Smith's truck. Deese said Smith's father died "from apparently not natural causes," and that he was found in a location that made his body very difficult to find. Deese said any new charges against Smith will depend on autopsy results. A tip helped police locate Smith walking along Highway 159 in Waller County, Houston police said in a Twitter post. He was arrested without incident and will be questioned about his father's death, police said. The case for the three charges in connection to the stabbing has been set for April. K-9 Nate is recovering at home with his partner after receiving emergency surgery. Police cruisers remained outside of the residence Tuesday afternoon, near the corner of Pinesap and Carolcrest drives, along with family and neighbors who gathered out on the front yard. Rex Casanover, a nearby neighbor who moved to his home on Carolcrest Drive about seven years ago, said he was saddened to hear about the incident being so close to home. We have constables that come and patrol here often, Casanover said, adding that although law enforcement have a visible presence in the neighborhood, crime can affect even the most secure areas. That was one of the reasons why we moved here but it just goes to show you the signs of the times we live in. rebecca.hennes@chron.com joel.umanzor@chron.com A man who was shot to death outside a weekend party at a Bronx warehouse was a peace-loving husband and father who was just trying to break up a fight, his grieving wife said Monday. Shamel Amos, 33, was gunned down after a clash inside the venue on E. 139th St. near the Bruckner Expressway spilled outside early Saturday morning, cops said. Advertisement Cops, responding to a call for shots fired, found Amos outside the building with gunshot wounds to his stomach and both legs. Shamel Amos, 33. (Obtained by Daily News) EMS rushed Amos to Lincoln Hospital, but he could not be saved. The gunman ran off and no arrests have been made. Advertisement Amos wife, Nickema Amos, 36, said the father of three wasnt even involved in the dispute that led to his death. This was not his beef, she said. He was breaking up something, like he always does. Hes always trying to save somebody. Hes always been a peacemaker. She called her husband of 10 years a jack-of-all trades who was a party promoter, a videographer with a film company and his own clothing line. He did a lot of stuff, Nickema said. She said she did not know if the party where he was shot was one he was promoting. Were not sure what was the whole point of him being outside, but we know that as far as what we heard was of him trying to be the peacemaker, she said. He was trying to stop two people from fighting because he knew both of them. Somebody left, came back, and they shot the place up, Detectives came to her door to confirm that Amos had died around the same time Nickema got a call from a friend to tell her what happened. Amos was the father of three kids, 15, 13 and 10. Advertisement My daughters not crying, Amos wife said. Its like shes in a state of shock. Our older son, hes been breaking down periodically. But theyre trying to stay strong for me, and Im trying to stay strong for them. Nickema Amos said she and her husband met in the neighborhood around Washington Ave. and E. 171st St. 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 knew his family before I knew who he was, initially, she said. And the first time he saw me, he was like, Thats gonna be my wife, and Im his wife, she said, gazing at a photo of him on the wall. He was a family man, he loved his children, he loved me, he was detail-oriented, he always had an idea. He was smart, he was ambitious. He had dreams. He touched a lot of people. She added her husband had a very very good heart and a good soul. He was just an all-around good guy, she said. Advertisement The distraught wife cursed the violence that has left the city with too many widows and too many fatherless children. This is a tragedy, she declared. Theres a lot of people thats hurt behind this. Hes the glue, the backbone. Hes a father figure to even people hes not a father to. We have to put these guns down, she said. Theres too many casualties. Theres babies dying, good people are out here dying for no reason. This is senseless. I would never think Id be saying this, I would never. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 Courtesy Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Houston Police Department Show More Show Less A Houston Police K-9 is safely home after he was stabbed over the weekend, and a 26-year-old man is facing charges in the incident, according to authorities. Ryan Mitchell Smith is facing charges of evading arrest, interference with a police service animal and robbery bodily injury, police said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The spray of bullets pierced the patrol window of constables deputy Cpl. Charles Galloway killing him before he had a chance to tell dispatchers about the traffic stop or that the driver had a gun, according to court records. The Precinct 5 lawman cleared a call at 12:30 a.m. Sunday before encountering a man authorities have identified as Oscar Rosales now wanted on a charge of capital murder of a police officer in a white Toyota Avalon. What prompted Galloway to flip on his emergency lights and sirens to pull the driver over remains unknown. A review of dash camera and body camera footage shows that the driver continued to drive at a slow pace before stopping in the 9100 block of Beechnut, investigators outlined in a warrant for Rosales arrest. The drivers door opened and a man stepped out with what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle pointed at Galloway before he could radio in any details about the stop such as a reason why he was pulling the driver over. Dash camera footage showed the male firing repeated gunshots in the direction of Corporal Galloway, the investigators wrote. The gunshots pierced Galloways windshield striking him repeatedly and at least once in the head. The driver returned to his car and drove away, leaving first responders to find Galloway 10 minutes before 1 a.m. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene, records show. Investigators tracked the vehicle to Rosales wife of 17 years, Reina Marquez, who, along with her brother, Henri Marquez, has been charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the car. Courtesy The siblings did not appear Tuesday in the 180th District Court as scheduled. Prosecutors asked for sufficient bail, believing that the brother and sister helped cover up Rosales role in the shooting. A magistrate set their bail at $100,000, court records show. Public defenders have been appointed to represent both defendants. The wife initially told police that Rosales took the Avalon from their home in the 5500 block of Calm Court in lieu of another vehicle he uses at midnight and told her that he was going hunting or shooting with friends. He left with two long guns from a safe that only Rosales had access to, she said. She provided police a phone number where he could be reached. Authorities next found the Avalon at an apartment complex where the brother of Rosales wife lives and on Sunday watched two people, believed to be the siblings, clean the car, according to court documents. The brother wiped down the door handles, while the brother and sister carried unspecified items out of the vehicle. Inside Henri Marquezs apartment, registered in his sisters name, investigators found cleaning supplies. The wife also told investigators that Rosales met with her brother at some point and took his cellphone. A $60,000 is being offered for information leading to Rosales arrest. Anyone who sees the 51-year-old man should call Houston police at 713-308-3600, Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or local authorities and be aware that he may be armed and dangerous. Police on Monday released a photo of Rosales, adding that Rosales may not be his legal name. His nationality and criminal history remain unclear, officials said. He has a history of changing his appearance. Prosecutors said they will ask for Rosales to be held without bail upon his arrest. nicole.hensley@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Katy ISD has allowed access to at least two websites previously blocked from student WiFi access that serve LGBTQ+ youth after a group of students began asking the district to change its policy. The school system, however, has not yet allowed access to the website for the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that offers suicide prevention programming to LGBTQ+ youth. Access to the Trevor Project is vital to the wellbeing of students, said Cameron Samuels, a Seven Lakes High School student who has been vocal about the importance of allowing access to the site, during a Monday night board of trustees meeting. It must be unblocked from this unbelievably discriminatory internet filter. In November, the Chronicle observed a student attempting to access the sites at a high school in the district. When trying to load the Trevor Projects website, a message popped up saying that there was no internet access. After reloading the webpage, another message from katyisd.org said the site is listed under a blocked category dubbed Human Sexuality. The same occurred again Monday. Students are now able to access websites for the Montrose Center, a Houston nonprofit that offers youth counseling and housing, and the Human Rights Campaign, a national organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. Both sites previously were blocked on school internet. On HoustonChronicle.com: Katy ISD blocks LGBTQ+ resources, suicide prevention websites from students Katy ISD officials on Tuesday said the the Trevor Project still is blocked because the site includes a chat function, which is meant for struggling youth to interact and offer each other support. (The Childrens Internet Protection Act) has a requirement of ensuring safe communications including electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications, said Maria Corrales DiPetta, manager of media relations for the district. The Trevor Project website has a community space to get advice and support within an international community for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24 which is available to anyone who chooses to join now. Minors communicating with adults, unmonitored, online is an area of concern for communication and chat rooms as outline in CIPA. A spokesperson for the district previously said it uses third-party internet filtering software based on predetermined categories that align with CIPA. These categories are determined by outside school-based platforms that help districts maintain CIPA compliance, Laura Davis, a spokesperson for Katy ISD at the time, in a November email. The district does not review every single domain on the internet, as there are millions. Rather, it depends on outside school-based platforms to categorize content and filter content that aligns with CIPA compliance. However, CIPA does not require schools to censor online text and does not authorize districts to block access to websites expressing ideas or viewpoints officials find controversial. In 2012, a federal judge ordered a Missouri school district to stop filtering websites related to gay and transgender issues after it was sued by the Americans Civil Liberties Union. The judge ruled the district was discriminating against the students who wanted to access those sites and was ordered to pay a settlement. Of the six other Houston-area districts that responded to a November Chronicle survey, including Barbers Hill, Fort Bend, Aldine and Friendswood ISDs, none blocked the Trevor Projects website from high school students. Officials from those districts said the website does not violate their internet use policies. Samuels and other students and advocates have said it is crucial for students to have access to sites like the Trevor Project on school internet because not every child has access to personal devices. For those that do, it may not be safe to share information about their gender identities or sexuality with their families. After Samuels spoke, several parents and community members expressed their disdain with reading materials that deal with LGBTQ+ issues a common occurrence at many school board meetings this school year. Samuels asked the board to add an agenda item to the next meeting to unblock the Trevor Project website. Discrimination should not be our legacy, Samuels said. hannah.dellinger @chron.com West Houston voters head to the polls Tuesday to select a new City Council member. The winner will replace Councilmember Greg Travis as the representative for District G, a wide swath between Interstate 10 and Westheimer that includes River Oaks, Uptown and the Briarforest area, among other neighborhoods. Travis, first elected to the council in 2015, resigned to run for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Fifteen voting sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and District G voters can cast their ballots at any of them. They include Nottingham Park, the River Oaks Recreation Center, Westside High School and the Omni Hotel Houston. To see a full list of voting locations, visit harrisvotes.com. On HoustonChronicle.com: Here's who is running in the District G special election The candidates are Mary Nan Huffman, 38, an attorney for the Houston Police Officers Union; Piper Madland, 54, a community organizer and volunteer; Duke Millard, 63, an attorney and former federal prosecutor; Raul Roy Reyes Jr., 70, a retired Houston Fire Department assistant chief; and Houshang Hank Taghizadeh, who said he works in construction. They have focused on flooding and public safety as they campaign for the seat. Huffman, Millard and Reyes are running as conservatives, and Madland is progressive. Taghizadeh did not respond to Chronicle inquiries and does not appear to be actively campaigning. If no candidate garners more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will proceed to a runoff. Travis will remain in the seat until his successor is sworn in. Off-cycle special elections typically struggle to inspire voter participation. Just over 4,100 people cast early ballots in the race, down from nearly 11,000 in the 2019 general election. There were nearly 130,000 registered voters in the district as of 2019. The citys most recent special elections for City Council seats saw between 6 and 7 percent turnout. Residents need an acceptable form of photo identification, such as a drivers license, military identification or U.S. passport, to vote. Those without an acceptable ID can sign a form and prove their identity with another supporting document. You can check your council district on the citys website. dylan.mcguinness@chron.com A Houston woman has filed a lawsuit against Rice University and her former piano instructor, alleging he sexually assaulted her for years when she was a child taking private lessons on campus. The woman, identified in court papers as I.R., said she was 10 years old when Dariusz Pawlas began his repeated abuse, according to the lawsuit filed Monday. Another student made a sexual assault complaint several years later, and Rice allowed Pawlas to continue teaching I.R. and others for months - without informing parents of the allegation, her attorney said. I feel very betrayed, I.R.s mother said in a news release. We had been with Rice for many years, and I thought we were doing right by our child the whole time, when what we were actually doing was putting her in danger. Rice University declined to comment, citing pending litigation. On HoustonChronicle.com: Rice among 16 universities accused in price-fixing cartel for financial aid I.R. had taken lessons with Pawlas for two years when he first touched her inappropriately in 2012, attorney Anna Greenberg said in the lawsuit. The Houston Chronicle does not identify victims of sexual assault. The assaults continued for several years, and included the instructor groping her inner thighs and breasts and pressing his erect penis against her back while standing behind her at the piano, Greenberg said. The girl did not fully understand what was happening to her during the lessons at Rice Universitys Shepherd School of Music, and did not tell her parents about the abuse, according to the suit. Pawlas was a longtime piano instructor at Rice who also held private lessons on campus. Meanwhile, Pawlas was sexually abusing another student, court papers show. That student, who was under 14 years old, made an complaint in May 2016, but Rice University did not fire the teacher nor inform parents about the alleged sexual assaults, I.R.s lawsuit claims. Pawlas acknowledged the sexual misconduct to police in early September, but he continued to teach through the end of the month, the lawyers said. Rice did not fire him until after he was criminally charged in that case, months after the initial complaint, according to the litigation. Without giving any explanation, Rice only informed parents at the end of September 2016 that Pawlas would be taking a leave of absence, and in November that he was no longer employed, Greenberg said. Rice University was aware of Dr. Pawlas sexual misconduct with at least one other student, knew the conduct would continue, did nothing to prevent future attacks, and chose to continue to retain him, Greenberg wrote. As such, Rice University ratified Dr. Pawlas conduct, and Rice University is therefore vicariously liable for the assault of the Plaintiff. On HoustonChronicle.com: New program addresses traumatic process of sexual assault reporting for victims at Houston colleges Pawlas was charged in November 2016 with felony indecency with a child. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison, where he is now being held in Rusk County. He has a scheduled release date of 2023 but is now eligible for parole, according to the suit. I.R., who is now over 18 years old, is suing for more than $1 million. She said she suffered anguish, emotional distress and psychological trauma as Rice remained negligent to Pawlas abuse. samantha.ketterer@chron.com Visit the official Kinney County website and you will find a call to arms. KINNEY COUNTY IS DRAWING THE LINE IN THE STAND! WILL YOU CROSS IT AND STAND WITH US? In all caps, and with a misspelling to boot, the bellowing against illegal immigration is coming straight from the Kinney County judge, Tully Shahan. A Republican, Shahan has warned that Texas is under siege as thousands upon thousands of illegal aliens invade the state. His exhortation is aimed at gathering support for Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts reelection-inspired, homemade border policy that has wasted taxpayer money and the time and effort of the Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard. Instead of thwarting undocumented immigrants, the governors $2 billion plan has transformed stretches of the border into a militarized zone and, in an absurdist twist of fate, has resulted in the release of undocumented immigrants into the United States who otherwise might have been deported. No wonder then that Shahan is almost alone among Texas elected officials along the border who support the Abbott misadventure. In a way, the county judge is heir to a family tradition of drawing lines in the sand (if not in the stand). His father, James T. Happy Shahan, lured Duke himself that would be John Wayne to the border brush country between Del Rio and Eagle Pass to make the 1960 film, The Alamo. Wayne had planned to make the movie in Mexico, until the Daughters of the Republic of Texas got wind of his sacrilege and threatened to shut down every theater in the state if it was made in Mexico. Wayne yes-maamed the strong-willed women and headed back across the Rio Grande to Kinney County. Viewers around the world were stirred by the sight of Wayne as Davy Crockett, along with every Alamo defender but one, stepping across the line drawn in the sand by British actor Laurence Harvey as Col. William Barret Travis. These days, you might say that Abbott is playing the role of Col. Travis with Shahan wearing Crocketts fringed suede jacket, with both men resisting modern-day invaders from across the Rio Grande. Abbott, pressed by two extreme-right Republicans who want the governors job, concocted a scheme that he imagined would result in mass arrests that would deter potential border-crossers. Bidding to out-Trump the former president, he even had his own wall built, a stretch of chain-link fence topped with razor wire that went up on private land. The fence provides a rationale for trespassing charges. In a Hollywood-caliber twist, though, arrested migrants are being released on bail in most border jurisdictions and allowed to remain in the United States until their charges are resolved and their requests for asylum are considered. Things are different in Shahans Kinney County, as the Chronicles Jasper Scherer reported recently. As of last week, 954 migrants were being held in two state prisons serving as local jails. All but 39 of them had been arrested in Kinney County. Three state-appointed judges in the county two Republican and one Democrat had been handling most of the trespassing cases and, like counterparts in many other border counties, had been releasing them on no-cost bail as they awaited court dates. Shahan replaced those judges in December, handling the cases himself as he hired hand-picked replacements. Shahan is refusing to release migrants unless they come up with bail money. As the Texas Tribune first reported, many are being kept behind bars for months if they do not plead guilty or post bail. This month, a state district judge in Travis County ruled that Shahan is obstructing the federal governments enforcement of immigration laws. If the ruling stands on appeal, defense attorneys for the migrants say it could lead to the dismissal of hundreds of similar cases. Texas, of course, will appeal, but its becoming more apparent by the week that Abbotts posturing and Shahans over-hyped talk of invasions are likely to backfire, leaving more migrants on this side of the border than had they kept their pistols in their holsters. Texas does need a secure border, but all Abbott and Shahan appear to be creating is a gaping loophole. Here's a Houston Chronicle editorial-page message crafted in the style that County Judge Shahan might appreciate: THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE EDITORIAL PAGE DOES NOT CONDONE YOUR OPEN BORDERS OR THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION YOU HAVE MADE WORSE! Satire aside, what Texas needs is responsible leadership on the border as anywhere else. There are ruthless cartels running drugs and trafficking people into this country. They should be stopped. But targeting desperate migrants is tackling the wrong end of the problem. As for the practical problem caused by immigrants crossing the border without documentation, the solution has been in plain sight for years. Weve long called for a federal reform, not reelection stunts. A dozen years ago, Republicans in Congress, in conjunction with their Democratic colleagues, came close to approving a comprehensive immigration-reform package that might have fixed our complicated border challenges. Tea Party Republicans in the House killed the deal, and ever since the GOP has stubbornly refused to seriously address the issue. A governor obsessed with reelection maintains that tradition. Thanks to Abbotts Operation Lone Star, its impossible to drive a quarter mile along U.S. Highway 90 through Kinney County without encountering the black-and-white SUVs of the DPS. Bored troopers dispatched to the border from around the state have little to do, beyond harassing locals over minor traffic infractions. Theyre also having to neglect their official duties back home. Even more regrettable, a DPS special agent, Anthony Salas, was killed in a traffic accident in Maverick County last week while assisting Border Patrol officers. The situation with the National Guard is even worse than with the DPS. Were basically mall cops on the border, a Guardsman told the New York Times. With no clue when theyll get back home, these citizen soldiers are coping less with border intruders and more with foul-ups involving pay and benefits, as well as periodic COVID outbreaks. Morale among Guardsmen on border duty reportedly has hit rock-bottom. At least two have committed suicide. Our governors commitment to fair, effective and humane immigration policy is about as real as John Waynes hair, which reportedly needed a toupee glued to his scalp during filming in wind-swept Kinney County. We would encourage Texans who are serious about actually addressing problems at the border to contact their elected representatives and press the Biden administration to make the issue a priority. While they are at it, they should draw a line in the stand against a governor who, for political reasons, has taken a bad situation at the border and made it worse. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judges phone lines and email inboxes have been flooded for more than a week by callers angry about a ruling last month that stripped Attorney General Ken Paxton of the authority to prosecute election fraud cases without cooperation of the local district attorney or county attorney. At least some of the calls were spurred by an automated phone message from Houston activist Dr. Steven Hotze that were sent to tens of thousands of Republicans statewide by his political action committee, Conservative Republicans of Texas. The pre-recorded message, a copy of which was obtained by Hearst Newspapers, included the phone number to the all-Republican court and urged them to call the judges. Leave a message that you want the court to restore Paxtons right to prosecute voter fraud in Texas, Hotze said. If this decision isnt reversed, then the Democrats will steal the elections in November and turn Texas blue. The group is also funding radio and TV ads on the subject, said Jared Woodfill, a spokesman and attorney for Hotze. Its Dr. Hotzes position that the electorate should be able to reach out to the officials they elect, Woodfill said. ALSO READ: A/C repairman held at gunpoint sues Hotze, group that funded bogus ballot investigation The court's general counsel Sian Schilhab on Monday said the unusual flood of communications included one email was referred to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which investigates threats against state employees. Paxton has requested a rehearing of the case, and Hotze and more than two dozen Texas Republican Congressmen, state senators and representatives are supporting him in friend-of-the-court briefs. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines have also signed briefs. Gov. Greg Abbott, who was Texas attorney general before Paxton, in a statement Tuesday offered his support as well. Texas highest law enforcement has constitutional authority to enforce that election-integrity law, he said. The Court of Criminal Appeals needs to uphold Texas law and the Attorney Generals responsibility to defend it. The 8-1 Court of Criminal appeals decision last month stemmed from an appeal of an election fraud prosecution pursued unilaterally by Paxtons office, after a county attorney referred it to him. Its unclear whether the higher than usual amount of calls and emails is part of a coordinated effort to sway the judges in the case. Callers and email writers typically identify themselves as concerned citizens, but none, to my knowledge, have identified themselves as being with a particular group or organization, Schilhab said, though she added they have all referenced the case. James Wesolek, spokesman for the Texas GOP, which also signed a friend-of-the-court brief, said the party had no involvement. We have not encouraged anyone to reach out to the judges, he said. The decision overturned more than 70 years of legal precedent allowing the office to take up cases that local prosecutors either cant or dont want to handle, critics say. The attorney generals office and Paxtons campaign spokesman did not respond to requests for comment. Paxton has publicly blasted the courts Republican judges for the decision. He and other Republicans have also suggested Democratic district attorneys will not be vigilant against election fraud. Now, thanks to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, Soros-funded district attorneys will have sole power to decide whether election fraud has occurred in Texas, Paxton wrote on Twitter at the time of the decision, referring to the Democratic mega-donor. This ruling could be devastating for future elections in Texas. Other Republicans statewide have made similar comments in pushing for reconsideration. The Attorney Generals Office must be able to defend election integrity in our great state, wrote Sen. Paul Bettencourt, one of 14 state senators who signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief, in a statement last week. We cannot allow our elections to be manipulated. The case that sparked the ruling came about when a county attorney in Jefferson County referred to Paxtons office the decision on whether to prosecute Sheriff Zena Stephens over campaign-finance allegations related to the 2016 election. Paxtons office took up the case and got an indictment from a grand jury in neighboring Chambers County. Stephens was charged with accepting two contributions in excess of the $100 limit, and with tampering with a government record by placing a $5,000 contribution in the $50 or less section of her state-required campaign contribution report. The Court of Criminal Appeals reversed a lower courts decision that had said Paxton was clearly and unambiguously able to prosecute in such cases, instead finding that the offices longstanding interpretation of the law was incorrect. Because Texas Election Code section 273.021 delegates to the Attorney General a power more properly assigned to the judicial department, we conclude that the statute is unconstitutional, read the opinion written by Judge Jesse F. McClure, a former Harris County criminal court trial judge. The timing of the opinion, which came out days after the candidate filing deadline in December, also appeared calculated and political to some Republicans. Had it been issued prior to the filing deadline, all three of the folks that are up (for re-election) would have primary opponents, Woodfill said. Now only Judge Scott Walker does. taylor.goldenstein@chron.com WASHINGTON In his first statement since the FBI searched his home and campaign headquarters last week, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar on Tuesday denied any wrongdoing and stressed he was not throwing in the towel on a hotly contested re-election effort. There is an ongoing investigation that will show there was no wrongdoing on my part, Cuellar said in a video tweeted by his campaign. As I said last week, I am fully cooperating with law enforcement and committed to ensuring that justice and the law is upheld. As an attorney, I know firsthand that the legal system is a pillar of our democracy, Cuellar said. BACKGROUND: FBI inquiry sideswipes Texas Rep. Henry Cuellars re-election campaign Its unclear why the FBI is investigating Cuellar. ABC News reported the investigation is part of a wide-ranging federal probe relating to the former Soviet state of Azerbaijan and several U.S. businessmen. The investigation comes just weeks before early voting starts in a Democratic primary rematch that pits Cuellar against progressive immigration attorney Jessica Cisneros, whom he narrowly beat in 2020. Let me be clear, Im running for re-election and I intend to win, Cuellar said in the video, filmed outside his childhood home. When I look at this house I see struggle, I see sacrifice, I see hard work, I see grit, I see Laredo, Cuellar said. This is my home, my community, and why I got into politics. Nothing can distract me from being laser focused on getting the job done for you and for South Texas, the way I always have. Cuellar is the co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus and has a long relationship with the nations Ambassador Elin Suleymanov, whom he has credited with helping to establish a partnership between Texas A&M International University and the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan. The ambassador is especially fond of the city of Laredo and has helped establish educational partnerships between TAMIU and universities in Azerbaijan, Cuellar said in a July speech on the House floor. He has visited Laredo for the Washington Birthday Celebration more frequently than any other ambassador accredited in Washington, and he has a special appreciation for Laredos own Palenque Grill. AZERI TIES: Cuellars connections to convicted Azerbaijani businessman scrutinized amid FBI probe Cuellar also has ties to a Houston-based businessman who was convicted of lying to Congress about Azerbaijans role in funding a 2013 trip to the western Asian nation for 10 lawmakers, federal records show. Kemal Oksuz, who pleaded guilty in that case, was a regular campaign donor to Cuellar and other Texas politicians and in 2015 enlisted Cuellar to establish the partnership. Cuellar and his wife had been issued subpoenas for information including records related to Oksuz and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, ABC reported Friday. The federal investigation comes at a trying time for Cuellar, a 17-year incumbent whose close call in the 2020 primary drew a flood of national money and attention. Cisneros tweeted a video statement responding to Cuellar, in which she called the FBI investigation alarming. And yet there were already serious concerns about the congressmans long history of corruption and delivering for his corporate donors instead of our voters, Cisneros said. This is our chance to cross over that finish line and win. We cannot take this moment for granted because its imperative that we win and have true representation in South Texas. Tannya Benavides, a former teacher and political organizer based in Laredo, has joined this years primary, as well, inspired in part by the success Cisneros saw in 2020. ben.wermund@chron.com China moving fast to aid Tonga: FM (People's Daily App) 17:26, January 25, 2022 China will provide three more rounds of emergency assistance to Tonga, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday. "We will send a second batch of relief supplies worth 20 million yuan ($3.2 million)," Zhao said. He made a commitment that China would deliver the supplies to Tonga as soon as possible. "Second, we will provide another batch of emergency humanitarian aid in cash," the spokesperson said. Zhao said thirdly China has assembled supplies worth 1 million yuan through its embassy in Fiji. "The emergency supplies include drinking water, emergency food, generators, water pumps and chainsaws, and have been shipped to Tonga today," Zhao said. "In light of the disaster situation and Tonga's needs, China will continue to provide every possible assistance for Tonga's relief efforts and post-disaster reconstruction," he said. (Cover image: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The owner of a construction company already facing criminal investigation for a Brooklyn scaffolding collapse that left a woman with brain damage is refusing to pay more than $275,000 in fines, the city claims in a new lawsuit. Construction company Werize run by Gazi Ali was hit with dozens of fines between 2017 and 2020 for failure to comply with city guidelines at worksites. But Ali never showed up to any of the administrative trials over the violations, the city says in the Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit filed Monday. Advertisement Damage from scaffolding that fell onto Kathleen Haley Keating at the Brooklyn bar Mission Dolores. (Court Documents) Some of the violations were issued after a tragic scaffolding collapse at a Park Slope bar on June 30, 2019, that left Kathleen Keating, then a 32-year-old accountant, with permanent brain damage. Instead of fighting the violations or paying up, Ali disappeared after transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company to himself, leaving the business insolvent and unable to pay the debts back to the city, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Werize made substantial distributions to its owner ... that improperly drained Werizes corporate funds, without retaining sufficient amounts to satisfy the expected and on-going obligations to the City of New York, lawyers for the city wrote in court papers. Photos of Kathleen Keating, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after she was hit in the head by falling scaffolding in Brooklyn in 2019. (Courtesy Kevin Keating) The Department of Buildings said that the scaffolding was not tied down to anything on the roof of a neighboring building on Fourth Ave. during strong winds, resulting in the metal beams falling into the bar, Mission Dolores, where Keating was celebrating a promotion with friends. That ended Haley as we knew her, Keatings father, Kevin Keating, said of the collapse. Damage from scaffolding that fell onto Kathleen Haley Keating at the Brooklyn bar Mission Dolores. (Court Documents) Beyond the debt to the city, Ali also faces a criminal investigation in connection with the collapse. The district attorney is looking into three companies that may be responsible, including Werize, according to filings in a civil lawsuit brought by Keatings family. Our office continues to investigate this horrific incident and anyone criminally responsible for these avoidable injuries will be held accountable, said Oren Yaniv, a spokesman for Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez. Ali and his lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As New Yorkers scrambled to get COVID tests during the spike in cases through the holidays, one lab failed to deliver on promises of next-day results to dozens of people, says a Manhattan pol. One Upper East Side resident took a test at a pop-up tent run by a lab called PacGenomics on Dec. 31 and didnt get results until nearly a week later, said Councilwoman Julie Menin. For others, the wait was allegedly as long as 10 to 11 days. Another resident said he took a test on Jan. 1 and received results nearly five days later. Advertisement It was quite stressful for me since Im actually trying to make it through this pandemic without getting infected, said the patient, Upper East Side resident Alexander Riccio. A COVID testing tent on First Ave. and E. 70th St. in Manhattan on Sunday, January 23, 2022. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News) Numerous complaints like these are leading Menin, the chair of the Councils Small Business Committee, to call on PacGenomics to stop its deceptive marketing and advertising claims. And with little government oversight of private COVID testing companies, she wants the city to start regulating the sector, too. Advertisement This is a very stressful time for New Yorkers dealing with COVID, Menin told the Daily News. The idea that you think youre going to be getting your test result the next day and you simply dont hear anything or you get it back weeks later is absolutely unconscionable. Julie Menin, Director, NYC Office of the Census. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office) PacGenomics is one of several labs operating in New York City thats come under criticism for long test result times. Last month, Attorney General Letitia James warned four businesses to stop misrepresenting turnaround times for COVID tests. PacGenomics, which is based outside Los Angeles, has run 10 or 12 pop-up testing sites in New York City since around the start of December, according to its president and CEO Dr. Lian Liu. It ships samples from New York City to California for processing, so a 24-hour turnaround time is impossible, Liu acknowledged. He promised to tell staff to stop promising next-day results. A Covid testing tent is pictured on 3rd Avenue and East 68th Street in Manhattan, New York City on Sunday, January 23, 2022. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News) . Advertisement No city agency is regulating pop-up testing sites, according to Menin. These pop-up sites are falling into a regulatory abyss. There is really not a clear regulatory structure in place to license them, she said. Given the prevalence of COVID and given the fact that unfortunately this seems to be the new normal that we live in, there does need to be some type of licensing structure that is put in place. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > She said she would pursue the issue on the Council, possibly in partnership with the Consumer and Worker Protection Committee. FILE - A worker at a COVID-19 testing clinic puts a nose swab into a tube of liquid, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (Ted S. Warren/AP) BCC to Offer Free Course for Local High School Students PITTSFIELD, Mass Berkshire Community College (BCC) will offer a free course for Berkshire County high school students called "Introduction to Interpersonal Communication," a three-credit course. The course, a hybrid of in-person and online learning, will be held Wednesdays, Feb. 9 through May 18, from 6-8 pm. The instructor is Tattiya Maruco, Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Design / Adjunct Faculty Communications. The class is designed to actively build strategies for effective interpersonal communication with a diverse audience, including conflict management and self-advocacy, by experimenting with language, non-verbal cues and the art of listening. Students should expect presentations, active projects, guest speakers and both large and small discussions in this hands-on class. In keeping with BCC's small class size, the course is limited to 22 students. The course is open to Berkshire County high school students who meet the prerequisite minimum GPA of 2.7, or who successfully achieve a college-level reading and writing placement via the Accuplacer test. Students of all high school grades may enroll, but freshmen and sophomores must qualify by Accuplacer. Students must have access to a computer and internet for assignments. Textbooks will be provided. Masks are required in all indoor spaces at BCC, regardless of vaccination status. In addition, all students taking in-person classes must be fully vaccinated as of Jan. 3, 2022. All faculty and staff are also required to be fully vaccinated. Two Named to SVHC Foundation Northshire Regional Advisory Board Bennington, Vt. Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Foundation Northshire Regional Advisory Board welcomes two new members: Regina Downer and Parker Rice. "We are delighted to have Regina and Parker join our family of compassionate volunteers," said Northshire Regional Advisory Board Chair Keith Michl, MD. "Each of them has all of the qualities we look for in a member of the Regional Advisory Boards, most importantly, a deep commitment to this community." Regina Downer, RN, MS, PNP-C, holds a master's degree in maternal-child health from Boston University and a certification as a pediatric nurse practitioner from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She works for My Community Nurse Project, a non-profit agency providing home visits, wellness/safety checks, and advocacy at no charge to seniors residing in six mountain towns. She worked in pediatric care and health education in Dutchess County, New York, for 45 years before retiring to Weston. She lives there with her husband and enjoys her three grown children and four grandchildren. "I am happy to serve on the Northshire Regional Advisory Board," said Downer. "I hope that I can offer a healthcare perspective that is unique to the mountain towns of southern Vermont. Parker Rice is a life-long resident of the Northshire and the co-owner of Equipe Sport, an outdoor sport store, which has four locations in southern Vermont. Rice graduated from Hobart and William Smith College. He lives in Manchester Center with his wife Karen and son Pearson. He has served on numerous civic boards, including the Stratton Foundation. "The quality of the health system here is part of what makes our corner of Vermont such a wonderful place to live," Rice said. "I am proud to lend my support though service to the SVHC Foundation's Northshire Regional Advisory Board." The SVHC Foundation Northshire Regional Advisory Board consists of 12 members. Members are nominated by members of the group or by the health system. Other Regional Advisory Boards represent patients from the Berkshires in Massachusetts, the Deerfield Valley area of Vermont, and Hoosick Falls and surrounding towns in New York. The SVHC Foundation's mission is to engage in development and fundraising activities exclusively for the support of the Southwestern Vermont Health Care Corporation. Gov. Hochul called on New Yorkers to continue covering their faces Tuesday as the state appealed a court ruling striking down the states COVID mask mandate, sparking confusion among schools and businesses. The state was granted a stay by Appellate Court Judge Robert Miller, keeping Hochuls mask mandate in place while the appeal process continues. Advertisement New York Governor Kathy Hochul (Mike Groll/Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul) Im encouraging parents and students to continue doing what theyre doing because the last thing I want to see is a different trend because people gave up on the masks, Hochul said at an event in Syracuse. In a statement following the stay order, the governor applauded Miller for siding with common sense and granting an interim stay to keep the states important masking regulations in place. Advertisement The governor said she expects the case to be settled shortly and stood by her belief that the Department of Health has the authority to require workers, shoppers and school kids to wear masks indoors. Earlier, lawyers for the state faced off against attorneys representing Long Island parents challenging the mandate a day after a Nassau judge deemed it unconstitutional. People gather at New York Freedom rally protesting vaccine and mask mandates before New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers her State of the State address at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink) (Hans Pennink/AP) During the hearing, lawyers for the state argued that ending the edict would allow COVID to spread more easily in public indoor settings like schools, jails and nursing homes. Disrupting the status quo like that will cause immediate and irreparable public harm, said Judith Vale, a lawyer for the attorney generals office representing the state Health Department. But attorneys for the group of parents opposed to mandatory masking in schools argued the state simply does not have the authority to make such an order. The law of the land is the law of the land, and there is no valid justification for violating it, said Chad Laveglia, arguing that the state Legislature would need to grant the Health Department the authority for a mask mandate. In December, New Yorks current mask mandate, set to expire on Feb. 1, was put in place by Hochul as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surged due to the highly contagious omicron variant. Tuesdays hearing followed Nassau County Judge Thomas Rademakers decision to toss Hochuls indoor mask mandate, ruling that such an order could only be implemented through the Legislature. Advertisement Lawmakers last year clawed back some of the emergency powers initially granted to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2020 as the pandemic ravaged New York. Rademaker ruled that without those emergency powers in place, the Health Department simply does not have the authority to make law. To be clear, this court does not intend this decision in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus, he added. Attorney General Letitia James touted the importance of masks as she called Tuesdays reinstatement a win for the state. This mandate and todays decision are critical in helping to stop the spread of this virus and protect individuals young and old, James said. We will continue to do everything in our power to prioritize the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. The states mask rules for schools were put in place last August before classes started, raising the ire of parents across the state. Hochuls December mask order superseded the earlier rule and included an initial end date in mid-January. It was later extended through Feb. 1 as COVID cases skyrocketed over the holidays. Advertisement White Plains High School students walk between classes in White Plains, N.Y. (Mark Lennihan/AP) [ Gov. Hochul mandates masks in N.Y. childcare centers amid concern kids could spread COVID ] Hochul has repeatedly emphasized the importance of masks as vaccination rates among school-age children remain low. Meanwhile, widespread confusion reigned Tuesday as some school districts told parents that masks would be optional going forward and others said they believed the state mandate remained in place while the appeal was pending. The state Education Department initially told districts Monday night that the states appeal automatically triggered a stay, and that they must continue to follow the mask mandate in the interim. Education officials shifted their message hours later, saying they were seeking to confirm whether a stay was issued, and softening their stance to say only that schools should continue to follow the mask mandate. Following the stay order, Education Commissioner Betty Rosa clarified further that the mask mandate remains in effect for schools across the state for the time being. We support Gov. Hochul and the state Department of Health as they continue with the appeal, Rosa said. We thank the members of our school communities for their patience during this process. Advertisement Long Island has become the epicenter of the anti-mask movement in recent weeks after newly elected Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman openly defied the state and allowed schools to decide whether students need to wear masks in classrooms. Blakeman, a Republican, signed an executive order earlier this month, giving Nassau school boards the ability to opt out of the statewide student mask mandate. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (Frank Franklin II/AP) On Tuesday, Blakeman said it was time for the governor to stand down. Mask decisions should be made by families and school boards who have their finger on the pulse of their communities. Not Albany politicians, he said. Nassau is normal again, and our county will continue to lead the way as an example for the rest of the state to follow. With Michael Elsen-Rooney A Nassau County judge ruled Monday the states mask mandate cant be enforced, scrapping an order reinstituted by Gov. Hochul amid concerns about a winter surge of COVID-19 cases. State Supreme Court Judge Thomas Rademaker in Mineola decided the state Department of Health didnt have the legal authority to implement the mandate, and that it was up to the state Legislature to do so if needed. Advertisement The mandate is a law that was promulgated and enacted unlawfully by an executive branch state agency, and therefore void and unenforceable, the judge ruled. Gov. Hochul (Don Pollard/New York Governor's Office) The state had initially instituted a mask mandate in April 2020 that ended last June for vaccinated individuals. However, Hochul announced in mid-December it would go back into effect for at least a month. The mandate covers businesses and venues, as well as schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and health care settings. Advertisement Earlier this month, the state Health Department said the mandate would be in place until Feb 1. My responsibility as governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, Hochul said in a statement Monday night. We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately. The ruling comes as the omicron wave that gripped New York State appears to be fading. COVID-19 infection rates for tested New York state residents have been dropping below 10% a trend hailed by Hochul on Saturday as extraordinary progress. Of nearly 300,000 COVID test results reported Friday, 9.23% were positive, state data showed. The data showed the downward trend was evident across the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also reported areas initially the hardest hit by the omicron variant including New York were seeing declining cases. With Daily News Wires Transcript from a recording of Afghan journalist Makia, who talks of her work and life in Afghanistan, and what the Taliban takeover has meant for the media community in the country. Makia is among the lucky ones to have made an escape, first to Pakistan, and now starting life anew in Canada. This has been excerpted from In their Own Words: Afghan Women Journalists Speak, a report by the International Federation of Journalists and the Network of Women in Media, India, supported by Norsk Journalistlag. I was a child. I watched TV and I watched the news program and I listened to the BBC radio and Voice of America radio with my father because my father listened to BBC and Voice of America at that time. And I liked to listen with him. And sometimes I liked that answer, Who read the news and other programs on TV? At that time, when I watched TV with my father and listened to the radio, I said to my father and mother, I will become a journalist when I grow up, and at that time, I act like a journalist or announcer. So, when I graduated from high school, my mother, my parents asked me, You must become a doctor in the future. But I dont like to be a doctor, I said to my parents, No, I want to be a journalist in the future. When I took the entrance exam, I chose journalism. And fortunately, I succeeded. I was very happy, very happy that time because I wanted to be a journalist in the future, and also an announcer. And, that time, when I graduated from the faculty of journalism, I faced difficult times because that time was war in Afghanistan and also after that, the Taliban came and that time, we faced difficult days and nights that time also. Especially in civil war, we faced difficulties. And also, when the Taliban came. After the (end of the) Taliban regime, I started my work with different media. First, I start my work with National TV and was a reporter and announcer, and I prepared different programs. Every day, I have a report. After that, I started my work with Pajhwok news agency. I was the first journalist there. I, like my other colleagues, that when Pajhwok agency started work, I worked with them as a reporter in the political section, election and parliament section, human rights and political parties. After that, I went to Internews Salam Watandar and I worked with them as news manager. And also sometimes as editor and trainer, I work with them. I worked with Internews Salam for five or six years. After that, I went to Voice of America and I worked with them and the election project- the president election project. And, I was their reporter, editor, translator. That all was my work. I worked with different sections of Voice of America until the Taliban came back to Kabul and capture Kabul and other provinces of Afghanistan. And I stopped my work, as did hundreds of journalists, because I was under threat. And, I stayed home. And also, my office doesnt want their colleagues working in Afghanistan because they are under threat and they worked with Voice of America and also before I worked with Internews It was difficult for me to continue my work during the Talibans capture of Kabul. I was the director of Women Journalists Coordination Center and in a committee of government. When the Taliban took Kabul and other provinces and they control these places, our dark days started again after 20 years because we struggle for all things We struggle for human rights, womens rights, for media. For ourselves, that we lost all things in a hurry. And we are back to 20 years ago, started our difficulties. [We had] started [with] more women journalists, women announcers, women who work in media, in different sections of media. Now, they are staying in home, they havent any work, they havent any salary, and they are facing financial problems. We lost all of our things. Its very difficult for us, and for all women, for all men, for all child[ren], that we lost our hopes. We had a lot of hope, but we couldnt after that, to reach our hopes to struggle for our hopes and to work outside the home. What we have, what we want. More journalists are under threat in Afghanistan and were under threat in Afghanistan when Taliban captured Kabul. More journalists escaped from Kabul to other countries. And more of them escaped from (provinces). They are living in Kabul, but they hide and they are facing financial problems. Those who left Kabul and went to other countries, especially neighbouring countries, are also facing financial problems. Its very sad to us. And we think when the Taliban came, we died, we died again like 20 years ago. Yes, I also left Kabul after one month or so, when the Taliban captured Kabul because I feared. I lived with fear and also I was under threat because I write about Taliban on social media and also when some of my friends like something in social media, I comment against the Taliban. My many posts were against the Taliban. And also when I was news manager, I had problems with the reports and other things that my colleagues prepared from different provinces, especially insecure provinces. And we dont want them to edit it. I want them to send the voice and text to us to cover. We will edit it and broadcast it from here. I left Kabul and I left my hopes in Kabul and Afghanistan. Because I had a lot of hopes. And I wanted to be a journalist 20 years ago or 25 years ago. I had a lot of hopes that I must complete it. I hoped to go to other provinces and other villages and prepare different reports, different clips and interviews. But unfortunately, I couldnt go there because the province was insecure. And I couldnt go there and prepare reports that I want. I wanted to go to the other province with a camera and a recorder, but I couldnt. And that is my hope [aim] which I could not reach. Me and other Afghans want to [see] one day Afghanistan liberated again. And the Taliban [to] leave Afghanistan and Kabul. And our people become free again and we can go back to our country because they obligate us now to leave our country, to leave our hopes, to leave our work, to leave our relation and friends. Its difficult for me, for all Afghans, for all women, for all journalists and for all who hope for their country. You know, when we left Afghanistan, it wasnt a good time for us. We were obligated to leave Afghanistan, we were obligated to see our hopes that died. And other countries that helped Afghanistan for 20 years must make an honest decision about Afghanistan. Our forces retreated but they were forced, obligated to retreat. Now the Taliban kill them every day, kill the human rights activists, the media rights activists, women rights activists, and other people who struggle for freedom. The Taliban kill these people every day. Its a disaster for us, and for all people. We hope, one day, we see the Taliban has left Afghanistan and we become, our country becomes, free again. Its our hope to come back to our homeland. I hope one day our girls go back to school. Our women go back to their office. Our women journalists go back to their media. And all women and youth [fulfill] their [wishes] in their countries, not other countries. We were forced to move from our sweet homeland. We never wanted to leave our country. All Afghans like me, they think this: 20 years (ago), I go to different countries, but I came back to Afghanistan because I had a lot of hope in my country. All my friends told me not to go back to Afghanistan because Afghanistan is not a safe place for journalists and other women activists or human rights activities. But I said to them, No, I could go back to my country. One day, my country become secure and better and better than today, but Id never thought the Taliban will come back to Afghanistan and capture our provinces and Kabul. We are back to 20 years ago. Our dark days have started again. I never thought that. I say this honestly, I am worried about my colleagues, about the women journalists and men journalists that are in Afghanistan. They hide from the Taliban and are facing financial problems. They are facing hard times, hard days and nights in Afghanistan. Im very worried about them. I want to tell other associations and international associations of journalists that they must help and support Afghan journalists. A lot of them are under threat. A lot of them are beaten by the Taliban and hence it is a disaster for me and all my colleagues that they are still in Afghanistan. I want to [tell] the international journalists organisations and their countries to take them, real journalists, from Afghanistan. They struggle for human rights, for our country and for their job. This article was originally published by the Network of Women in Media, India. Read the IFJ and NWMI's joint report 'In their Own Words: Afghan Women Journalists Speak' here. *Name changed for safety reasons A young gunman who opened fire on two NYPD officers in the Bronx during a desperate struggle over a firearm has been indicted on attempted-murder charges. Charlie Vasquez, 23, is accused of trying to kill Officers Alejandra Jacobs and Robert Holmes in a chaotic Nov. 24 battle. Both officers were shot and wounded. Advertisement Scores of NYPD police officers on the scene on E. 187th St. at Belmont Ave., where two police officers were shot on Nov. 24, 2021. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News) His appearance in Bronx Supreme Court Monday comes as the city mourns the death of rookie NYPD Officer Jason Rivera and prays for his gravely injured partner, Officer Wilbert Mora. Mora is clinging to life after an ex-con shot him and Rivera after they responded to a domestic violence call in Harlem Friday. Advertisement In the November incident, Vasquez was sitting on a stoop outside a home on Beaumont Ave. at E. 187th St. when the two officers arrived in response to a 911 call about a man with a gun, police and prosecutors said. Holmes opened the gate and asked Vasquez to take his hands out of his pockets but instead the suspect pulled a handgun and opened fire, firing six shots as he struggled with the officer. Jacobs fired five times, surveillance video and body camera footage show. Vasquez was shot in the stomach, chest and armpit and was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital for treatment. Holmes was shot in the left side of his chest while Jacobs was hit in the right bicep. Both officers and Vasquez are expected to fully recover, according to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clarks office. The NYPD could not immediately determine if Holmes, who was next to Vasquez when Jacobs started shooting, was hit by friendly fire. Vasquez remains held without bail, and is scheduled to return to court April 22. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Thomas Cook (India) is currently trading at Rs66 down by Rs1.65 or 2.44% from its previous closing of Rs67.65 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs67 and has touched a intraday high and low of Rs67.15 and Rs63.50 respectively. In its press release on Tuesday, Thomas Cook India Ltd. , - Indias leading integrated travel services company, in association with its group company SOTC Travel, has introduced a slew of over 50 attractive Mauritius holidays. Customers can opt for air-inclusive or land-only products starting at an unbeatable price of Rs 20,550.00*.Thomas Cook is of the view that Indians remain enthusiastic about travel amidst increased vaccine drives and declining infection rates. Mauritius has reopened and offers an exciting new destination to the Indians with a simple/convenient visa-on-arrival.Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, Indians are displaying strong pent-up demand and to speed up demand, we have launched our extensive Mauritius product line. Mauritius hassle-free visa-on-arrival and simple health protocols, along with our attractive Mauritius holiday range, offer exciting and best of beach holidays and unique experiences to appeal to every Indian traveler segment. We have curated our itineraries with experts based on our customers preferences with value additions and attractive deals/offers.Thomas Cook India and SOTCs distinctive holiday range includes budget, value to luxury itineraries, with options designed that are attractive to couples, multigenerational families, young professionals/millennials, adventure seekers, and even solo travellers.Thomas Cook India) Limited (TCIL) is the leading integrated travel and travel-related financial services company in the country offering a broad spectrum of services that include Foreign Exchange, Leisure Travel, Corporate Travel, Visa and Passport services, MICE, and Value Added Services. The author of this article is Mr. Siddharth Maurya, Resource Specialist - Real Estate and Fund Management The views and opinions expressed are not of IIFL Securities, indiainfoline.com The property market of Pune has always been a force to reckon with in the overall Indian real estate sector. This holds even truer for the citys housing market. The kind of demand, supply, and traction that Pune has seen in its residential segment over the past many years, goes on to say volumes about both its potential and performance.We look at the performance of Pune housing market over the last 5 years. We also discuss how 2022 is likely to fare in terms of housing sales and traction. We will, in the process, establish how the best is yet to come for Punes housing market.The period of 2017-2021 In 2017, housing sales in Pune saw a slight dip, as also the new launches. A slower market, demonetization, and RERA were the key factors contributing to this trend. With around 33,970 units sold in 2017, the residential market dipped 16% in H1 (January June) on a year-on-year basis. Budget and value segment houses remained the preferred option for home-buyers, while luxury and high-end market fell down. The average cost of home stood at Rs 49 lakhs.2018 saw new launches shoot up with a mammoth rise of 157% year-on-year. 33,521 units were sold and effectively, housing sales fell marginally by 1% as compared to 2017. Even the asking prices saw a moderate, downward correction of 3%.In 2019, Pune saw housing sales of 32,810 units. This was the year of consolidation as new launches were restricted to offload the inventory overhang of around 96,000 units. It was also the time of economic slowdown and again, budget houses in Rs 25 lakhs 60 lakhs price range remained the most preferred option. Western Pune saw a rise in sales on account of commercial expansion. A 5% hike in housing tax coupled with the cancellation of 4% rebate on property tax kept sales from marching up.Preferred residential pockets in central Pune were Koregaon Park and Kothrud. In the west, Hinjewadi, Wakad, and Aundh were the most popular ones, while Kharadi, Wagholi, and Hadapsar ruled the east. Up north, Moshi, Pimpri, and Chinchwad were preferred over other localities, while Undri and Ambegaon were preferred down south.2020 saw housing sales decline to 26,919 units. The COVID factor had come into the picture and sales stood well below 30,000 for the first time in 5 years. Still, Pune registered the highest sales across India in Q3 2020 at 9,412 units. New launches at 7,563 also remained the highest in Q3, which formed a matter of pleasant surprise. Other quarters saw subdued activity on account of COVID and lockdowns.In the yet-to-end 2021, new launches during H1 grew 26.3% on a year-on-year basis to 12,558 units. Sales dipped 20.6% to 16,220 units on account of the severity of the second wave of the pandemic. In a shift of preference, most buyers preferred bigger configurations than before, with 2 BHKs taking 72% and 3 BHKs taking 19% shares. The budget segment of value less than Rs 70 lakhs saw its share fall to 63%, marking a rise in sales of higher ticket size homes. Community living, thus, is being preferred over individual housing and small society living. As things stand, north-west Pune comprising of Baner, Balewadi, and Mahalunge is selling around 26% of the total housing units, followed by 23.5% in Pimpri-Chinchwad.With Rs 850 per square feet average housing price drop registered during 2017-2021, marking a 17% downward correction to Rs 4,010 per square feet, buyers in Pune have good reason to cheer. 2022 presents a golden opportunity for Pune buyers to book a house for themselves at a price that would make them smile and that too without cutting deep into the pockets of project developers.Pune can expect well around 40,000 housing units to be sold in 2022. If COVID subsides, it wont be a matter of surprise to see this number reach close to even 50,000. Still, 40,000 remains a realistic housing sales estimate for the Pune market. Value-wise, housing sales are likely to surpass the 2017-2021 expected annual average of around Rs 15,000 crore to cross the coveted Rs 20,000 crore mark across 2022.2022 is indeed likely to breach several existing Pune housing market records, as also set newer benchmarks in terms of projects, locality, neighborhood, configuration, amenities, infrastructure, connectivity, and more such options that buyers look at before purchase and developers look before investment. In case you are looking to settle down in Pune any time soon, look out for 2022 as an opportunity to exercise your decision smartly. A man who took his uncle's corpse to the post office to claim his pension claimed that he had no idea that the man wasn't alive. This Irishman named Declan Haughney claims that he was not trying to rob his deceased relative 66-year-old Peadar Doyle after he and another man dragged him for five minutes from his home to collect his pension from a Post Office in Hoseys, Ireland last Friday morning. Even though the police have not found any evidence of foul play, Haughney was humiliated by the community. He told the Irish Mirror hes now the talk of the town and has been branded a murderer in the local community ever since the sensational story emerged. Metro.co.in He said: Why would I want to rob my uncle? Im 40 years of age yeah, Im not a child, Im not a young fella. Im not an eejit to walk into Hoseys with a dead man and collect his money. Am I cuckoo? Am I cuckoo? Im not. He admitted that he had a drug problem and served two years in prison. However, now he's being accused of knowingly bringing his dead uncle in to get his pension because of his past. Daily Mail He said: Thats why theyre saying it, thats why this is all coming up now because I did it before. A bank card came through the aunts door and I got the pin code and went down for fraud and thats why this is all coming up. People know about that in the town you know. But that was 15 years ago. Im off the gear three years and Im doing well. After the incident, Declan had a black eye and injuries on the face as people attacked him after doing what he did. He says that his uncle may have been dead by the time he and another male got him under the bridge at Pollerton Road, which is less than a two-minute walk from his home but the pair continued to bring him to the post office by linking arms with him and dragging him there. Metro Officers believe he may have died around three hours before his impromptu trip to Hoseys newsagents and post office in Carlow with the men, despite the claims that he was alive. For the latest from trending, click here 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. Two pedestrians were struck and killed within a few hours of each other in Manhattan, including a kindergarten teacher who was on her way to work early Monday, police sources said. Udeshi Shruti Sundeep, 51, was crossing the street at Third Ave. and E. 76th St. on the Upper East Side just before 6:40 a.m. when an Audi sedan made a right turn onto Third Ave. and struck her, police said. Advertisement Medics took her to Lenox Hill Hospital, but she couldnt be saved. The Audis driver, Connette Bercik, 59, of Oldwick, N.J., stayed on the scene. Police charged her with failure to yield to a pedestrian and issued her a desk appearance ticket. Advertisement Police sources said Sundeep worked at a private school nearby. She lived about a block and a half away from the scene of the crash. (Shutterstock) Just over five hours later, about 11:50 a.m., a 43-year-old woman was struck and killed by a white Nissan van as its driver, 45, turned onto W. 93rd St. from Amsterdam Ave. on the Upper West Side, police said. Police sources described the woman as homeless, and said she was known to lie down in the street. Witnesses saw her lie down right before the van hit her, the sources said. Medics took her to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, but she couldnt be saved. The vans driver stayed at the scene. Cops are still investigating both fatal crashes, and havent yet released the name of the victim in the Upper West Side crash. McLean High School graduates Katie Herold and Rebecca Berkson pose on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania during their summit attempt, which they achieved Jan. 4, 2022. In the background is Mount Meru. (Photo by Katie Herold) The Monday Musings! Growing tension between Russia and Ukraine has the U.S. on alert Forty-five new captive insurance companies were licensed this past year in Vermont, making 2021 Vermonts fourth highest year of growth in its 40-year history. Vermont is now home to 620 licensed captives, consisting of 589 active and 31 dormant captives.. Vermonts 52 sponsored cell captives currently host nearly 500 cells and separate accounts, in addition to the licensed captive companies, according to the state. The new captives were licensed in 17 different industries, the main industries being healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, insurance, and transportation. At least five of Vermonts new captives in 2021 were formed by companies with international roots, including Japan, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Australia. Not only are new captives forming at a rapid rate, but fewer captives have been dissolving this year than we typically see, said Brittany Nevins, the states captive insurance economic development director. Nevins said the state issued 45 new licenses, and only 14 captives were dissolved due to mergers, acquisitions, and other business reasons. This speaks to the strength of captive insurance as a long-term risk management tool and is something we expect to continue to see with the continuation of the hard insurance market, she added. Vermont has been experiencing growth in the number of new cells within sponsored captives, at a similar pace as new company licenses, with nine of the 45 new companies formed this year being sponsored cell companies. Vermont continues to see the growth in sponsored cell captives following consistent legislative updates over the recent years, said David Provost, deputy commissioner of captive insurance. Many companies are realizing the opportunity and flexibility the cell structure provides for their company. In 2021, Vermont celebrated its 40th anniversary in the captive industry. Vermont has licensed a total of 1,242 captive insurance companies since 1981 and remains the largest U.S. domicile for captive insurance and third largest in the world. Topics Vermont Three regional cyber conflicts could lead to infrastructure attacks and damaging cyber espionage in 2022, a new report from cyber analytics company CyberCube says. The current cyber landscape, cyber hostilities between Israel and Iran, India and Pakistan, and China and Japan could spill into other regions or lead to the development of new attack vectors, according to the report titled, Global Threat Briefing: threat actor activity update and predictions for H1 2022. The report identifies four industries that CyberCube believes will be targeted by cyber criminals especially ransomware actors in 2022. These are: healthcare, education, manufacturing and utilities. CyberCube expects to see ransomware threat actors targeting software supply chains. The report said close monitoring of regional cyber conflicts was important for wider cyber security as these smaller-scale hostilities were often a breeding ground of adversarial innovations. We monitor these regional cyber conflicts for indications that the boundaries of acceptable behaviour have been pushed past historic precedent. Weve seen how this played out in the past with Russias critical infrastructure attacks on Ukraine, commented William Altman, CyberCubes principal cyber security consultant. Common activities to observe in these hotbeds include espionage, disruption and destruction. Theyre real breeding grounds for new modes of attack, he added. Espionage attacks are currently still more prevalent than destructive attacks. However, increasingly there are nation state threat actors who are financially motivated and focused on intellectual property theft as well as ransom. In particular, researchers have noted the rise in ransomware operations emanating from North Korea and Iran, he said. Russia is the source of the lions share of nation state cyber attacks observed in the past year (58%), followed by North Korea (23%), Iran (11%) and China (8%), said the report, quoting Microsoft. The report identifies four industries that CyberCube believes will be targeted by cyber criminals especially ransomware actors in 2022. These are: healthcare, education, manufacturing and utilities. CyberCube expects to see ransomware threat actors targeting software supply chains. Re/insurance Profits Threatened CyberCube noted that the global proliferation of ransomware has now reached the scale at which claims are outpacing premiums, thus threatening the profitability of the cyber insurance and reinsurance markets. Since early 2020, emerging threats such as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) have matured into systemic issues, dramatically changing the market for cyber re/insurance, said the report. The cyber market is currently being driven by a demand and supply imbalance, with the classic hard market showing little sign of abating any time soon. The report noted that ransomware actors learn from each others (often leaked) playbooks and experiences, and the chances of their success increase with each subsequent attack. This year will certainly be an active one for cyber security and the insurance industry. New levels of cooperation between nation state actors and criminal gangs will likely be emerging and new thresholds of acceptable tolerances will be tested at the nation state level, said Darren Thomson, CyberCubes head of Cyber Security Strategy. This will certainly lead to collateral damage that will impact business. The big question is: how can a company grapple with a complex threat landscape and maintain profitability amidst what is a hardening market for cyber insurance? Thomson continued. Topics Cyber This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Peak Re, Gallagher Re and the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies. A summary of these new hires follows here. Peak Re Appoints Echo Res Nowakowski as Head of Product Underwriting for P/C Peak Reinsurance Co. Ltd., a Hong Kong-based global reinsurer, announced the appointment of Piotr Nowakowski as director, head of Product Underwriting for the companys property/casualty (P/C) business. In his new role, which becomes effective in February 2022, Nowakowski will have direct responsibility for the underwriting function, including underwriting governance and controls, portfolio management, and product development for the companys global P/C business. Nowakowski will be based in Hong Kong, and report to Franz Josef Hahn, chief executive officer of Peak Re. Nowakowski was most recently chief underwriting officer, Worldwide, for Echo Re. Prior to joining Echo Re, he worked for SCOR for more than 16 years in local, regional and global positions, including nine years as general manager of SCORs Japan office in Tokyo, and head of Strategy & Development, general secretary of SCORs Global P/C business in Paris. Nowakowski holds two diplomas from Ecole National dAdministration, Paris, and a masters degree from Maria Curie-Skodowska University, Lublin, Poland. Piotr will bring more than two decades of global reinsurance experience to his new role, said Hahn, His technical expertise, international experience and underwriting capabilities will benefit Peak Res client-focused strategy. He will work closely with the co-heads of P/C, to further develop our P/C business which is built on our expertise and unwavering focus on underwriting, risk analytics and market knowledge. I look forward to working with Piotr as the company continues its growth journey. *** Gallagher Re Hires EMEA Director to Support Growth of Public-Private Initiatives Gallagher Re, the global reinsurance broker, has appointed Alex Ntelekos as a regional director in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), effective immediately. Ntelekos will be responsible for supporting the growth of Gallagher Res public-private initiatives across the EMEA region and will provide his regulatory, capital management and climate change insight and expertise to the region and beyond. Based in London, he will report to Alkis Tsimaratos, managing director, head of EMEA West & South and will also work with Dirk Spenner, managing director, across his EMEA North & East region. Ntelekos has more than 11 years of regulatory experience, having previously worked as a senior manager, insurance supervision, at the UKs Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), part of the Bank of England. Prior to joining the BofE, he worked as a senior catastrophe risk analyst at Willis Re (which is now Gallagher Re-. James Vickers, chairman International, Reinsurance, at Gallagher Re, said: Alexs modeling background and broad regulatory experience with the PRA will further strengthen Gallagher Res offering in our active public-private segment. Climate change, public-private pools, cyber insurance and regulation, and run off strategies are all growing themes which increasingly require in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements. *** Pool Res Enoizi Named Executive-in-Residence at Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies The Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies (CCRS) at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School has appointed Pool Re CEO Julian Enoizi as executive-in-residence. He will take up this advisory role as of Feb. 1, 2022. The role of executive-in-residence was created by CCRS to enable it to bring in senior executives from companies in a variety of industries to contribute their practical experience to the centres strategy of bridging theory to practice. Executives help enable selected research tracks with their unique business perspectives and outreach capabilities. A lawyer who practiced in London, Milan and Brussels, Julian joined Chubb Insurance in 1995 and AIG in 2000 before moving to CNA in 2002 as President Continental Europe in Paris. He was made CEO of CNA in 2005. In 2009 he became CEO of Argo International, he was CEO of the private equity start-up, ProSight at Lloyds, and joined Pool Re in 2013. Enoizi will be stepping down as CEO of Pool Re in the spring of 2022. We are delighted that Julian has accepted this role. His perspective as CEO of a unique organisation such as Pool Re and his in-depth knowledge of how the global insurance industry is approaching systemic risk will mean that he can provide valuable insights and advice to guide our research, commented Dr. Michelle Tuveson, executive director and chairman of the advisory board at CCRS. CCRS carries out sterling work providing frameworks for recognising, assessing and managing the impacts of systemic threats work which has never been more vital. I am looking forward to engaging with them in considering how catastrophes and their impacts ripple across an increasingly connected world, and offering advice backed by 25 years in the commercial insurance world, said Enoizi. Dr. Trevor Maynard, director of systemic risk research at CCRS, also commented: Julian will amplify our research on the benefits of managing systemic risk, and crucially, our ability to reach decision makers who connect information to investment. CCRS also recently launched a new research consortium on protecting society from future systemic risks. Funding will be provided by an international consortium of companies including Pool Re. The research will support the creation and extension of private-public market institutions and develop new risk transfer products and advisory services. About the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School The Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies is based within the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. The centre works closely with business partners in tackling complex issues of management science in risk. This policy of deep engagement has enabled the Centre to develop relevant solutions for businesses. About Pool Re Pool Re is the insurance industrys mutual for insuring terrorism risk in Great Britain. It was established in 1993 by the UK Government. Pool Re exists to correct market failure, protect the UK economy, and safeguard society and livelihoods from acts of terrorism. It offers a financial safety net for around 2.2 trillion of assets and businesses of all sizes, from shopping centres and local traders to airports and power grids, across sectors of the economy such as real estate, retail, transport, construction and energy. Topics Underwriting Property Casualty A.J. Gallagher A chemical explosion on Jan. 21 at a northern Illinois manufacturing plant killed one person and left another critically injured, authorities said. The incident occurred about 10:45 a.m. when two employees at the W. R. Meadows building materials plant in Hampshire were cleaning a tank inside one of the buildings, Hampshire Fire Protection District Chief Trevor Herrmann told the Chicago Tribune. It wasnt immediately known what type of chemicals were involved or what might have triggered the accident, Herrmann said. W.R. Meadows manufactures asphalt and concrete products for building construction, he said. The Kane County Coroners Office identified the man who was killed as Wuilmer Gavigia, 55, of Algonquin. It said an autopsy will be conducted Monday. The injury victim was taken to an Elgin hospital. All employees have been accounted for and there were no other injuries, officials said. The explosion caused significant property damage to the materials production facility where it occurred, Hampshire Village Manager Jay Hedges said. People living and working near the site were evacuated for safety reasons, and a village inspector went to the site to determine the buildings structural integrity, Hedges said. Hampshire is 47 miles (75 kilometers) northwest of Chicago. Topics Illinois Manufacturing Chemicals Great American Insurance and Assurely Offer D&O to Startup Firms The Executive Liability division of Great American Insurance Group and the insurtech, Assurely, announced an agreement to offer directors and officers liability (D&O) insurance to private companies raising capital via technology platforms or portals and the internet. The target market for the new TigerMark insurance program includes but is not limited to firms leveraging the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act via Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF). The insurance protects companies raising capital and the platforms that support them while also providing a benefit for their investors. The agreement involves Assurely acting as managing general agent for Great American. Jane Kornesczuk, divisional president, Great American Executive Liability Division, said Assurely presents an opportunity for her firm to participate in the rapidly expanding segment of small businesses that utilize technology-driven solutions for their capital raising and insurance purchasing needs. The program is not new. TigerMark has been assisting startups and businesses looking to raise capital over the internet for the past two years. However, with the Assurely announcement, Great American said it expanded the program. Companies and projects raising capital, their investors and the online platforms that support them all benefit from TigerMark, commented Assurelys co-founder and chief insurance officer, Ty Sagalow. Tractables AI Property Assesses Home Damages From Disasters Tractable, a company that has been developing artificial intelligence (AI) for visual assessment and disaster recovery since 2014, launched AI Property, a new platform that assesses damage to buildings caused by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. AI Property allows anyone with a smartphone to assess the external condition of a damaged property through a mobile-friendly, web-based app. This is done by taking photos and submitting them to Tractables AI platform, which aims to mitigate the challenge of having appraisers onsite to assess damage in the wake of disaster. The AI, which has been trained on a large database of claims and damaged property, makes an immediate assessment of the amount of damage it sees and relays this to the homeowners insurer. Tractable has been working in Japan with insurer MS&AD Insurance Group to use AI Property to help homeowners in Japan during the countrys 2021 typhoon season. The technology has already been used to process real claims from Octobers Typhoon Mindulle. After a typhoon, MS&AD policyholders can use the AI to take pictures of high frequency, wind-related damage to a fence, wall, or other outdoor area with their smartphone and send them to their insurer for assessment. In the future, MS&AD and Tractable expect to expand AI coverage to include indoor damage, such as water leakage and smoke. For now, MS&AD will use the AI only for wide-area disasters such as typhoons, and the estimates calculated by AI will be verified by humans. Pie Insurance Adds Pay-As-You-Go Feature for Workers Comp Technology-enabled workers compensation insurer Pie Insurance has launched a pay-as-you-go billing program for its small business customers. New Pie policyholders can pay for their workers comp insurance policy on their individual payroll cycle, avoiding the need for an initial deposit. Pie works with customers and their payroll providers to ensure accurate premium payments throughout a policy term. By adopting the pay-as-you-go option, small businesses can reduce upfront costs, improve overall cash flow, and simplify their workers comp audit experience, according to Pie. Pie aims to offer more affordable insurance to small business owners. Since 2017, Pie has received over $300 million in funding, grown its gross written premium to over $100 million, and partnered with more than 1,000 agencies nationwide. Topics InsurTech Tech Data Driven Startups Lt. Jordan Castro is an author and 15-year NYPD veteran who for five months last year was the platoon commander of hero slain Officers Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera on the 3 p.m.-to-11:30 p.m. shift (4x12 tour). Castro is a married father of two young children who continues to work in Harlems 32nd Precinct. Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora always stood out at roll call. Advertisement Wilbert, because he was the gentle giant of the platoon. And when it was time for Wilbert to pick a new partner, he chose Jason. Perhaps it was Jasons boyish smile his signature that sealed it. He was one of the babies, rookies whose perpetual optimism lifted us up. NYPD Officers Wilbert Mora, left, and Jason Rivera. (AP) Being a family man, the 4x12 was the worst tour. I would see my wife and kids leave in the morning and I would return at night, while they slept. Advertisement I recall entering my first 4x12 roll call as the platoon commander trying to conceal the sadness in my eyes. Then I looked up and saw the faces. They possessed bright eyes, eager to experience the action of being a cop. They would race to gun runs until the entire platoon was at the scene. Civilians always ask, Why so many of you for one person? Sometimes, we find out why the hard way. Within that group of young cops, there is a nucleus that comprises the heartbeat of the precinct. Jason and Wilbert were part of that, and they helped create a palpable energy that no other platoon has. Candles and flowers outside the 32nd Precinct stationhouse in Harlem. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News) Whether teasing Mora about his love of food or cracking on Jason about his patchy beard, the roasting was relentless. It was so energizing to be around officers who would pick each other apart ceaselessly and love each other relentlessly. They burned the candle at both ends, and it didnt matter because they were youthful, seemingly invincible and could make it to roll call on two hours of sleep. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 86 Hundreds of thousands of Police Officers from all over the country attend the funeral services for NYPD detective Wilbert Mora, posthumously promoted at his funeral on Wednesday at St. Patricks Cathedral. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News) The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Thats the beauty of young copsand these two men. Men who represented this diverse city, and their Dominican heritage, with pride. Wilbert lived in El Barrio, while Jason resided in Inwood. Jason was a newlywed who loved wifey and his parents deeply. Wilbert adored his parents, too, and was the rock that anchored the social 4x12s, ensuring that they made time to enjoy life as friends. Young kids in the prime of their lives. Unaffected by politics or the hazards of the streets. They wore the naivete of youth like an armor that shielded them from harm. NYPD Lt. Jordan Castro (Courtesy of Jordan Castro) If we could go back, to Jason approaching the desk and asking, Lieu, Im good for meal? That boyish smile puffing up his cheeks, like in the academy photo that the entire world now sees. This while Wilbert did stationhouse security, swaying to music in his head. Perhaps it was Pepas by Farruko, the song they all danced to on a recent fishing trip. Big Wil, do you want to be an NCO? Advertisement Nah, lieu. I want to make sergeant. Thats all Im thinking about. And now all were thinking about is them. Maybe the sky didnt fall on the 32. Maybe it opened up and requested two of our best angels. We need them here. But God needs them where they are. Well be broken for a long time. But, one day, well see them in the sunshine. Under a program being offered by Boston-based life insurer John Hancock, safe drivers can earn reward points towards discounts on wellness products and their life insurance premiums. John Hancock Vitality program members are eligible to earn points and discounts for achieving safe driver status through a qualified telematics safe driving program. Allstates Drivewise is the first safe driving program eligible. John Hancock, the U.S. division of Toronto-based Manulife, plans to add insurers with other telematics programs in the future. Eligible policyholders must participate in the John Hancock Vitality PLUS Program that offers education, support, incentives, and rewards designed to help customers live longer, healthier lives. The insurer points out that crash injuries are a leading cause of death globally for all age groups and auto collisions are responsible for more than four million injuries annually, many of which have long-term health impacts. Offering incentives for safe driving is in direct alignment with our mission of helping customers live longer, healthier lives, said Brooks Tingle, president and CEO of John Hancock Insurance. Preventative behaviors are at the core of the John Hancock Vitality program. Were committed to supporting our customers in proactively managing their physical, mental and financial wellbeing something that has become even more important throughout the last two years and were proud to offer this new benefit to enhance these efforts. Allstates Drivewise monitors driving in real-time, including safe speed, braking, and driving times, to provide drivers with auto insurance discounts. To qualify for Vitality Points through Drivewise, members can submit proof of safe driving status via an Allstate Drivewise cash back reward email or a recent bill from Allstate showing the safe driving discount. This announcement builds on John Hancocks existing relationship with Allstate. Last year, John Hancock became one of three carriers to offer its life insurance products through Allstate. John Hancock said the level of premium savings could be up to 25% and are cumulative over the life of the policy. The savings will vary based upon underwriting status, issue age, policy type, the terms of the policy and the Vitality Status achieved. John Hancock Vitality safe driving program is not available in New York. The Vitality program offers its members discounts on wearable fitness technologies including Apple Watches, health food, hotels and app subscriptions along with personalized health tips from experts. The safe driver benefit is only available with highest level program, Vitality PLUS. Topics Personal Auto A levee system that protects Terrebonne and parts of Lafourche from Gulf of Mexico hurricanes will receive $379 million in federal money from the infrastructure bill passed by Congress, officials said Jan. 19. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said the money is part of a $643.4 million allocation the Army Corps of Engineers will use for 21 coastal, waterway and flood-protection projects in Louisiana. The money is by far the largest federal allocation for a project three decades in the making. So far, roughly $600 million in state and local tax money has been spent to build the 98-mile system of levees, locks and floodgates. Louisiana communities have waited years, sometimes decades, to see progress on Army Corps projects, Cassidy, a lead author of the bipartisan bill, said in a news release. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package is crucial to protect our state against future hurricanes and floods. (Im) looking forward to the additional ways the bipartisan infrastructure bill will benefit our state. Among other Louisiana projects in the infrastructure bill: -$125 million for hurricane-protection work in southwest Louisiana. -$53 million for flood-protection work in the Atchafalaya Basin, including dredging the river and some of its tributaries to improve navigation and drainage. In addition, the corps will allocate more than $2 billion in hurricane-protection and related work in Louisiana as part of a supplemental government funding bill Congress passed in September. The money was intended to repair damage from recent hurricanes, including Ida, and upgrade storm protection across south Louisiana. Among projects in that bill: -$783 million for the New Orleans-to-Venice hurricane-protection system in Plaquemines Parish. -$450 million for Lake Pontchartrain levee improvements. -$162.6 million for the Atchafalaya Basin. -$125 million for the Comite Diversion Canal near Baton Rouge, which the Army Corps said will be completed by the end of this year. This disaster aid is critical in our effort to rebuild after Hurricane Ida and prevent damage from future storms, Cassidy said. There is more to do. I will continue to work for additional resources to help communities fully recover. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, said in an interview Wednesday that the allocations are welcome but the news is bittersweet. Graves said he had helped get $500 million included in the supplemental hurricane bill last fall for Morganza. But the Biden administrations Office of Management and Budget moved that money to other projects, including some Graves said are unrelated to the hurricane-protection work Congress intended the measure to address. Instead, the Morganza money is now coming through the infrastructure bill, signed into law by President Joe Biden in November. Among Louisianas six members of Congress, only Cassidy and Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, supported the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. The others, including Graves and Houma-Thibodauxs other congressman, Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, voted with most Republicans against. Among criticisms, Louisiana GOP representatives argued the bill failed to dedicate enough money to traditional infrastructure like roads and bridges. Graves said Wednesday that he would triple down on his opposition to the Biden-backed bill, adding that the measure shortchanged Louisiana, with less than 2% of its total spending going to the state. The more than $500 million allocation for Morganza that had been included in the supplmental bill, he said, would not have required matching money from state and local agencies. But the infrastructure bill allocation requires a 35% combined match. Graves said the final list of projects in the supplemental bill also raises concerns. While it is exciting to see some of these projects funded, it is also important to note some gaping holes, Graves said in a news release. The Baton Rouge area flood-control project failed to receive the additional funds needed. There is no question that $378 million for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf project is substantial, but it is far short of what Congress intended. Dredging funds for the Houma Navigation Canal, Bayou Lafourche and others are left out. This appears to confirm our fears about how the Biden administration indicated in budget documents they would discriminate against energy-producing areas. This is just wrong and we will continue to oppose these uninformed policies and fight for what is right. However, in a conference call with reporters on Jan. 19, Cassidy noted that he is continuing to push for more money for Louisiana projects. There are still other opportunities and other pots of money we can expect to receive funding from for projects listed today and for others, Cassidy said. For instance, he said, the corps disaster relief plan includes $410 million for work that has not yet been announced. Some of that money could be used for dredging projects throughout south Louisiana. And the infrastructure bill includes an additional $2.2 billion for corps coastal protection projects to be available in future years. So, its a great start, Cassidy said. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Louisiana Zenjuries, a workers compensation software company headquartered in South Carolina, announced it has raised $2.2 million in capital to grow the company and add more people to its app-based program. The company notes that it offers a smartphone app that automates some of the workers comp process and makes it easier for injured workers, employers and agents to report and manage claims. Zenjuries works with insurers, including Accident Fund Insurance Co., which offers some discounts to businesses that participate in the program, the company said. Zenjuries said it will use the capital to transition from a software-only company to one that provides personnel to help manage workers compensation insurance. The investment came from executives with insurers and reinsurers. Topics Funding Evanston Insurance Co. may yet be required to pay for damages under an excess liability policy following a 2014 fish oil plant explosion killed one man and injured others, the Mississippi Supreme Court said this week. The court reversed a trial courts dismissal of the suit by Omega Protein and remanded the case, finding that the liability policy did not necessarily exclude bodily injuries. As in a number of insurance coverage cases in recent years, the appeals court decision turned on what the court said was a poorly worded exclusion clause. Because the pollution exclusion in the insurance contract was ambiguous, it must be construed against the insurer and in favor of the insured, allowing coverage, Justice Josiah Coleman wrote for the court. Further, we find the question of whether coverage was triggered is governed by the language of the contract and that Evanston has failed to prove there could be no coverage under the excess liability policy. The opinions wording was strikingly similar to other federal and state court rulings around the country in insurance suits. Earlier this month, regarding a fireworks factory explosion in Alabama, the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals found that the insurer had a duty to defend the policyholder in court, because a liability exclusion policy was ambiguous. In 2020, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court also found that a policy excluding physical abuse was too ambiguous to bar coverage for injuries incurred in an assault. In the Mississippi case, four subcontractor employees were repairing a fish oil storage tank at Omegas plant in Moss Point, on the coast. Jerry Lee Taylor II, of Mobile, Alabama, was killed and three others were seriously injured when the top of the tank blew off, according to news reports at the time. Multiple lawsuits were filed against the Houston-based Omega Protein. The companys liability insurer, Colony Insurance, asked the Jackson County, Mississippi, Circuit Court for a declaration that the policy did not cover bodily injuries. Evanston Insurance, which had sold a $5 million excess liability policy, also argued that its policy did not cover the injuries. Colony settled one of the claims for the limits of its policy, and the circuit court granted Evanstons motion for summary judgment. Omega, which argued that it was an additional insured on the subcontractors policy, appealed. The Evanston exclusion clause barred coverage for losses arising from seepage of pollutants, including irritants and contaminants. But the Supreme Court found that the policy did not define what irritants and contaminants are, and that natural byproducts of the storage tanks included flammable gases. The pollution exclusion at issue is susceptible to more than one reasonable interpretation and, therefore, is ambiguous, the justices noted. Evanston is part of Markel Corp., based in Illinois. AM Best has given it an A (excellent) rating for financial strength. Photo: The buckled tank after the explosion at the fish processing plant in 2014. (AP Photo/The Sun Herald, Tim Isbell) Topics Mississippi A 25-year-old Black man is suing two police agencies in Nevada after he was misidentified as a white ex-felon nearly twice his age, arrested, and held for six days in jails in two Las Vegas-area jurisdictions. Shane Lee Brown claims civil rights violations, false imprisonment, negligence and other wrongful conduct by Las Vegas and Henderson police and their top officials and seeks at least $50,000 in damages. The civil lawsuit describes Shane Neal Brown, now 51, as a white man with a bushy white beard who is taller than Shane Lee Brown. Shane Neal Brown was first convicted of a felony in 1994, and was sought on an arrest warrant issued in November 2019 in Las Vegas, accusing him of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Shane Lee Brown was arrested in January 2020 during a traffic stop by Henderson police, jailed in that citys lockup and transferred in custody two days later to Las Vegas police. He remained jailed in Las Vegas until he appeared before a judge who ordered him freed. His attorney, E. Brent Bryson, accuses police and corrections officers of failing to perform any due diligence including comparing photos, fingerprints, dates of birth, physical descriptions or criminal identification numbers following his clients arrest. They would have easily determined that Shane Lee Brown had been misidentified as the person sought in the warrant, Bryson wrote in the complaint. Bryson did not immediately respond Friday to messages from The Associated Press. Shane Lee Brown repeatedly told Henderson and Las Vegas police officers and supervisors that he was not the older, white Shane Brown named in the felony warrant, his lawsuit said. Henderson police and Las Vegas police representatives declined to comment about the case, citing department policies about litigation. Henderson spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said the city attorney was reviewing the lawsuit and would address its claims in court. KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported that several days after Shane Lee Brown was released, Las Vegas police learned that Shane Neal Brown was in jail in San Bernardino County, California. Court records show that Shane Neal Brown accepted a plea deal and was sentenced in February 2020 to up to six years in prison with credit for time already served. Shane Lee Brown was not charged with a crime. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Like so many across Ireland, I listened to the Taoiseachs announcement on Friday at 6pm. I had eagerly expected this day for a while, and could not wait to hear if and what restrictions were being lifted. Our day of hope had finally come, and despite the unusual level of optimism on the RTE News, my mind wandered back to the start of the pandemic in 2020, nearly two years ago. And back to January 2021, when we had reached a whole new dimension of doom and gloom. The last two years were tough years for so many. Some lost loved ones, some were cut off from their family and friends cocooning, some lost jobs, some lost businesses, and a lot of us lost any resemblance of a normal life whatsoever. Our lives were turned upside down. Our little family of four was lucky in some ways, but also not so lucky in others. Our kids struggled majorly with a lot of the restrictions because of the changes of routine and the unpredictability of it all, and so did we. With childcare centres and schools closed, home-schooling became the norm that rarely worked well for us. The pressures of having to juggle it all while managing my return from maternity leave meant I eventually gave up my job at the start of summer 2020. A job with people and work that meant a lot to me. A job that meant we had two incomes and we would one day maybe, just maybe, no longer be renting. No more. From one day to another, one income for a family of four: not easy. A family that had additional needs for family support, additional needs for speech and occupational therapy, additional needs that were hardly ever met by the public health system. Missed Opportunity As Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy for Family Carers Ireland pointed out last week, the Government has yet again missed an opportunity to acknowledge family carers as the forgotten frontline workers that they are. Repeatedly, Family Carers have called for the 1,000 Covid bonus to be extended to all full-time family carers to show them their contribution to keep loved ones looked after during Covid-19 matters and they have not been overlooked once again. The simple fact is that an extra bank holiday will be of no help to them. In fact, it would potentially increase the burden of care as schools and day services would close, Catherine Cox said. The truth is we held up families without much else but love, cuddles and smiles in return. Dont get me wrong, those are the things I live for. But I also would like someone to acknowledge us, the majority of us being women, who had to make enormous sacrifices ever since becoming a carer, and never more so than during this pandemic. For a lot of carers, our partners salary determines the worth of our work, and whether we qualify for the slightest bit of financial aid. Any support we do receive barely covers the therapies needed for our children that the public health system sparsely provides. We deeply love those we care for, but we sometimes care for them at the expense of our own mental and physical health. The work we do is 24/7, 365 days of the year, often without much in the way of breaks or holidays. Many of us don't qualify for respite paid by the public system. God only knows why. We do it out of love and we want to do it, but acknowledge us. Please dont render us invisible and drown out our voices. Our participation in life as others know it is not made easy. Too many barriers are in place for our elderly relatives with care needs or our kids with additional needs. Inclusion and autism-friendly often just seem like trendy buzz words to me, often with little substance behind them. Actual inclusion is not as widespread and easy to come by as politicians' words make it out to be. Less words, more action, please. Oftentimes we are left entirely to our own to figure out rare diseases, complex care needs, or, for example, a new autism diagnosis. We want to understand and learn everything about the needs of those we care for. We want to do right by them and make their lives just as good as the lives of you and me. But with little support, this is a Herculean task in some cases. Too many barriers are in place for our elderly relatives with care needs. Picture: Pexels Moving on? Eventually, Lockdown 2021 ended and we could nearly feel the hope rising and shimmering in the air. The start of the well-needed summer gave people the sunshine and social interactions they longed for after a time of loss and sacrifices. Another autumn and winter followed, and by Christmas 2021 Omicron had made a dramatic entrance and things were starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day. The booster programme was frantically trying to protect people and the hospitals from being overwhelmed. Nobody was sure what was around the corner. The words mild infection and less deadly were being thrown around and I kept telling myself to keep the faith. This has to end sometime, doesnt it? Or at least become more manageable and less life-altering. After Fridays announcement of restrictions being lifted, there is a palpable sense of hope and optimism floating in the air, but my mind still cant process it all. My heart is happy and hopeful, my feet want to run to the next pub for a pint and some well deserved child-free time with the other half, my face wants to be mask-free and breathe without my glasses fogging up at every turn, but my mind? My mind is feeling anxious. Not anxious to stop living my life and be afraid forever, but anxious because two years of going against every possible human instinct to prevent infection and deaths have taken its toll. The brain is an amazing organ. Neuroplasticity means it can adapt rapidly to all sorts of circumstances and new challenges. But part of the brain is also the limbic system. The limbic system is our so-called lizard brain. It is ancient and operates on instinct mostly. It keeps us safe and is responsible for the fight or flight response. However, it can be slow to discard past experiences, even when the danger has passed. It takes time for your amygdala to regulate the stress response, even after the stressor has disappeared. The list of reasons to be anxious seems endless after the last two years, but could it finally all be over now, or are we fooling ourselves? It will take time. At last, we will dance, we will sing, we will travel. My children will get to see their grandparents abroad, finally, after a long time of no visits. I will see my dad and bawl when he gets to hold his second grandchild for the first time. Years of raising my children without my family nearby have left unerasable traces. I will eventually process these feelings, and allow myself to switch from merely existing, to living. Whatever our new life may look like now. All of us need to be able to live again, breathe, enjoy things without feeling guilty all the time. Yes, the pandemic isnt over. People are still getting sick, people are still anxious. But I am choosing to live again. Please let us have that. We need to live again. WINTER has finally arrived in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine. As temperatures dropped to below freezing last week, the soft muddy ground has begun to freeze. It is expected to drop next Friday to a daytime high of -6C and a night-time low of -10C. By the time the Winter Olympic Games begin in Beijing, on February 4, the ground in eastern Ukraine should be sufficiently frozen to allow for rapid movement of armour. The estimated 100,000 Russian forces, massed in assembly areas on the Ukrainian border, and in southeastern Belarus, can be doubled in size by divisions from bases located deeper in Russia. The US and Nato have made it publicly clear they will not intervene militarily if Russian forces move further into Ukraine. Sanctions Each interview with senior US and Nato officials such as US secretary of state Antony Blinken, US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman, and Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg includes unspecified dire consequences and economic and financial sanctions, but total silence on direct military consequences, and certainly no Nato boots on the ground. In his recent press conference, US President Joe Biden expressed his own belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin will take some form of military action against Ukraine, and indicated that minor military actions by the Russians would not provoke a heavy response. In fairness to the US, it has grown tired of being the worlds policeman. Its priority is the "tilt towards Asia", to counter the rise of China. The US has repeatedly called on European nations to increase their defence capabilities and to manage crises that arise 'in and around Europe' In recent years, the Obama administration failed to respond decisively when the Assad regime ignored Obamas red line on bombing Syrian civilians with gas canisters. Donald Trump repeatedly undermined Nato by cosying up to Putin. Last year, the Biden administrations botched withdrawal from Afghanistan left thousands of former US Afghan employees at the mercy of the Taliban. Putin undoubtedly sensed the inherent weakness in successive US administrations resolve to handle crises. Uncle Sam has lost his mojo. Russia can also take comfort from calls for appeasement in western media, including Irish, to turn Ukraine into some form of neutral state. Putin has two broad military options a limited invasion to extend his control over eastern Ukraine, or a wider intervention to seize Kiev and topple the Ukrainian government. For his military commanders, the main consideration will be the Dnieper river, which divides the country in two. It is truly a formidable river, 1,000km long, so wide that it can be described as an almost continuous chain of lakes. It is a natural defence line and any attacking force would be channelled towards only a handful of bridges. A limited invasion could be envisioned, initially with three simultaneous armoured advances, preceded by Spetsnaz (special forces) to capture key objectives. The first advance could be in the south, from Crimea, to seize the Kherson area and unblock the flow of water into the North Crimean Canal, blocked by the Ukrainians in 2014 in retaliation for the Russian invasion of Donbas and Crimea. This could be combined with a diversionary naval attack on Odessa. Confrontation In my opinion, the greatest risk of confrontation between Nato and Russian forces will be in Crimean waters, which the international community still recognises as Ukrainian waters. The second axis of a limited invasion scenario could be from Luhansk and Donetsk in Donbas, to seize Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, and their bridges over the Dnieper. The third advance would be from Belgorod in Russia to Kharkiv and Poltava to secure the northern flank of the force moving to Dnipro. A possible fourth diversionary attack from Kursk in Russia towards Kiev itself could pin down a large portion of the Ukrainian forces Belarusian forces may participate in the Russian intervention. If Putin wants to go all out and effect a regime change in Kiev, a fifth (Russo-Belarusian) advance south, from Mazyr in Belarus, continuing west of Chernobyl and down to Zhytomyr, could pivot east to attack Kiev from the west. Combined with a sixth advance by Russian peacekeeping forces in Transnistria (eastern Moldova), towards Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr, this could trap the bulk of the Ukrainian army in a pincer movement and bring the war to an end. The ball is presently at Putins feet, and there is no referee to blow the whistle. Defence analyst Dorcha Lee is a retired Irish army colonel. Ukraines leaders have sought to reassure the nation that an invasion by neighbouring Russia is not imminent, even as they acknowledged the threat is real and prepared to accept a shipment of US military equipment to shore up their defences. Moscow has denied planning an assault, but has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine in recent weeks, leading the US and its Nato allies to prepare for a possible war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late on Monday that the situation is under control and there is no reason to panic. There are risky scenarios. Theyre possible and probable in the future. But as of today... such a threat doesnt exist Several rounds of high stakes diplomacy have failed to yield any breakthroughs, and this week tensions escalated further. Nato said it was bolstering its deterrence in the Baltic Sea region, and the US ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert to potentially deploy to Europe as part of an alliance response force if necessary. The State Department has ordered the families of all American personnel at the US Embassy in Kyiv to leave the country, and said non-essential embassy staff could leave. The UK is also withdrawing some diplomats and dependents from its embassy. Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said that, as of Monday, Russias armed forces had not formed what he called battle groups, which would have indicated that tomorrow they would launch an offensive. There are risky scenarios. Theyre possible and probable in the future, he told Ukraines ICTV channel on Monday. But as of today such a threat doesnt exist. Dont worry, sleep well, he added on Tuesday. No need to have your bags packed. Russian military vehicles on the move (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP) Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, echoed that sentiment, saying the movement of Russian troops near Ukraines border is not news. As of today, we dont see any grounds for statements about a full-scale offensive on our country, he said on Monday. Russia has said Western accusations that it is planning an invasion are a cover for Natos planned provocations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday again accused the US of fomenting tensions around Ukraine, a former Soviet state which has been locked in a bitter tug-of-war with Russia for almost eight years. In 2014, following the removal of a Kremlin-friendly president in Ukraine, Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula and threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the countrys industrial heartland in the east. The fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels has since killed more than 14,000 people, and efforts to reach a peaceful settlement have stalled. Vladimir Putin (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) In the latest standoff, Russia has demanded guarantees from the West that Nato would never allow Ukraine to join and that the alliance would curtail other actions, such as stationing troops in former Soviet bloc countries. Some of these, like any pledge to permanently bar Ukraine, are non-starters for Nato, creating a seemingly intractable stalemate that many fear can only end in war. Analysts say the Ukrainian government is caught between trying to calm the nation and ensuring it gets sufficient assistance from the West in case an invasion does happen. Ukrainian authorities are trying to prevent destabilisation and panic inside the country, hence the calming statements saying there is no threat of an imminent Russian invasion, political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said. The Kremlins plans include undermining the situation inside Ukraine, fomenting hysteria and fear among Ukrainians, and the authorities in Kyiv find it increasingly difficult to contain this snowball, he added. A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll found about 48% of Ukrainians believe an invasion in the coming months to be a real threat. Putting the US-based troops on heightened alert for Europe on Monday suggested diminishing hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin will back away from what US President Joe Biden has said looks like a threat to invade neighbouring Ukraine. As part of a new 200 million dollars (150 million) in security assistance directed to Ukraine from the US, a shipment including equipment and munitions is expected to arrive on Tuesday. The US moves come in tandem with actions by other Nato member governments to bolster a defensive presence in eastern Europe. Denmark is sending a frigate and F-16 warplanes to Lithuania, Spain is sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join Nato naval forces, and France stands ready to send troops to Romania. Burma Chinese Firms Stalling on Myanmar Solar Power Projects Myanmars first solar power plant in Minbu, Magwe Region. / Facebook Myanmars military regime is not pushing enough or not pushing at all the Chinese firms who are contracted to start solar power production, despite the fact that they are several months behind schedule, said critics. In May 2020, the now-ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government invited bids for the construction of 29 ground-mounted solar projects capable of generating a total of 1 gigawatt of power under a 20-year build, operate and own contract. The minimum investment was set at US$20 million (25.8 billion kyats) per site, with each project expected to generate 30 to 40 megawatts of electricity. The proposed sites are in Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magwe, Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyitaw and Yangon regions. Chinese companies and their consortia won the bids to build 28 out of 29 solar power plants, according to the results released by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE) in September 2020. The companies were set to start operations within six months under the agreements. However, the Myanmar military seized power from the NLD government in a February coup last year while the bidders were in the final phase to sign power purchase agreements with the MOEE. The Chinese firms have since postponed signing the power purchase agreements, and only one agreement has so far been signed, according to MOEE sources. The sources suggested that the Chinese firms might have concerns because some of the proposed solar power sites are in Sagaing and Magwe regions, where clashes between junta troops and resistance groups are intensifying, while others are located in Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay and Bago regions, where there have been attacks on military regime targets. Anti-Chinese sentiment has swelled in Myanmar since the coup with many people believing that Beijing had a hand in the military takeover. The military regime has been forced to provide certain Chinese investments in Myanmar, including the Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines, with enhanced security. According to the power purchase agreements, companies are liable to pay fines of 100,000 kyats per day if they fail to launch operations 180 days after they received the letter of agreement from the relevant ministries, The companies received the agreements in October 2020, according to a power company owner from Yangon who took part in the bidding. Chinese companies are already nearly 16 months behind the agreed schedule, and it is not clear if they are paying the fines. Companies were also required to place a deposit of US$500,000 (888 million kyats) with the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank after they won the tenders. At the time of the agreements, the Chinese companies offered to sell electricity at prices between 3.5 and 5.1 US cents (45-65 kyats then) for 1 kilowatt of electricity, a rate much lower than those quoted by other regional and western companies. They prices they offered were too low [to make profits]. As their businesses cant be commercially viable at those prices, they dont want to start the businesses and thus are giving this or that excuse. And the electricity ministry has reached an understanding with them to ignore it, I think, said the Yangon businessman. The Irrawaddys calls to officials of the junta-controlled MOEE went unanswered. Earlier this month, the MOEE said there could be frequent power outages because liquefied natural gas power plants have suspended operations, because of maintenance work at the Yadanar offshore natural gas project and alleged attacks on electricity pylons. Myanmars maximum electricity capacity is 4,200 megawatts. For the time being, only two-thirds of that is being achieved, according to the MOEE. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Expands its Intelligence Operation Military Junta Administrators Quit After Armed Groups Death Threats Cambodia Forced to Put Off ASEAN Meeting as Foreign Ministers Pull Out Burma Myanmar Junta Security Minister Admits Defeat Across Region Kawlin PDF burns four trucks used for illegal logging in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region, in November last year. / KLPDF Magwe Regions junta-appointed cabinet has been recorded saying the regime has almost lost control of six of the 25 townships in the region because of attacks from the peoples defense forces (PDFs). The cabinet meeting was addressing how to persuade residents to recognize the regime as the legitimate government instead of the ousted National League for Democracy administration which won the 2020 general election. In the recording published by the Khit Thit Media group, Colonel Kyaw Kyaw Lin, the regional security minister, confessed that the juntas administration had broken down in Gangaw Districts three townships since July last year when the PDFs emerged. The junta minister said district- and township-level government offices were not functioning and most staff had left for their hometowns. He said it was similar in the three Pakokku District townships, Pauk, Myaing and Yesagyo. Yaw Defense Force, one of the resistance groups in Gangaw District, told The Irrawaddy in November that up to 80 percent of judges, police officers, firefighters and government administrators had resigned after the group told all government staff to quit by November 6. After the resignations, the junta in mid-November escalated operations in Gangaw District with thousands of reinforcements and airstrikes, according to resistance groups. However, after suffering more than 100 casualties, the junta operations were deemed a failure due to repeated ambushes and mining attacks by various resistance groups in the area. Several members of the Pyu Saw Htee militia, which is trained and armed by the military, had surrendered their weapons to resistance groups, according to the YDF. On Jan. 24, the YDF began flying its flag across Gangaw District. The regime also faces frequent attacks and ambushes in Pauk and Myaing townships and some police stations in Yesagyo were occupied and burned down by the PDFs. Col Kyaw Kyaw Lin can be heard telling the cabinet: As you all know, a government must be able to enforce its authority on the people. He added that hostile organizations which reject military rule had formed a parallel government and PDFs were working for the civilian National Unity Government. He likened the situation to the past when the military had failed to defeat the Communist Party of Burma after 1948. The PDFs are using insurgency tactics as they are based among civilians, he told the meeting. He proposed severing the rebels from access to funding, food, weapons, ammunition and recruits while the junta must also gain popular support. Meanwhile, PDFs in Sagaing Region, where the junta faces the most attacks, have claimed that most of the region, except for some towns, is now under the control of resistance forces. Sagaing PDFs are stopping illegal logging, drug dealing and trading in military-linked products, including beer, cigarettes and cement. Exception for Rakhine State, which is largely under the control of the Arakan Army, the junta is facing intense attacks from PDFs and ethnic armed groups across the country. You may also like these stories: Myanmars Most Powerful Ethnic Armed Group Ready to Fight Rival Junta Insider Wins Myanmar Migrant Contract in Thailand Myanmar Resistance Raids Two Sagaing Police Outposts About 50 police well-wishers gathered outside Harlems 32nd Precinct Monday night to voice their support for the NYPD after a rookie cop was fatally shot and his partner was gravely wounded responding to a domestic violence call. Brooklyn community activist Tony Herbert, who recently lost a longshot bid for public advocate on the Conservative Party ticket, organized the vigil honoring Officers Jason Rivera, who was killed Friday, and his partner, Wilbert Mora, who remains in critical condition. Advertisement A vigil outside Harlems 32Pct where both shot Officers Rivera and Moro were assigned. (Kerry Burke ) We respect our police officers, we understand the importance of the job they do, Herbert told the group. We want to pray for our police officers. Herbert in November called for the citizens arrest of a prominent Black Lives Matter activist and other organizers who threatened to riot if Mayor Adams revives the NYPDs anti-crime units. Advertisement We stand to say we are one New York, were never going to be separated by those who would want to say our cops look like bad guys, he said. Theyre out here trying to save lives. Burma Residents Flee After Myanmar Junta Soldiers Torch Village Smoke above Ywarzoe village in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region, on Monday. / CJ More than 2,000 villagers in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region, fled their homes as Myanmars junta forces torched their village in retribution for an ambush by peoples defense forces (PDF) on Monday. At 8:30am on Monday, three resistance groups ambushed around 200 troops between Zeephyukone and Ywarzoe villages, said the Snake Eyes PDF, which is based in Shwebo. During an hours fighting, at least 15 junta troops were killed and many others injured and no PDF casualties were reported, a resistance representative told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday. Ywarzoe village was subsequently occupied by junta forces using artillery. Around 70 villagers hiding in bunkers were detained and two were shot dead, the resistance group said. The villagers were later released before houses were burned. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify any of the reports. The Snake Eyes PDF member said villagers were told to leave their homes within an hour before troops burned the village. He said troops were still deployed in the village and were burning houses on Tuesday morning. Around half of the houses in the village had been burned, he added. The more civilian houses they destroy, the more people revolt. People who have lost everything have joined the resistance, the Snake Eyes representative said. The regime is facing attacks from PDFs and many ethnic armed groups across the country. Meanwhile, the junta continues its atrocities including arrests, torture, massacres, arbitrary killings, using civilians as human shields, shelling and bombing of residential areas, looting and burning houses and committing acts of sexual violence, especially in Magwe and Sagaing regions and Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayah and Karen states, where resistance attacks are most frequent. You may also like these stories: Chinese Firms Stalling on Myanmar Solar Power Projects Myanmar Junta Expands its Intelligence Operation Military Junta Administrators Quit After Armed Groups Death Threats Interview Myanmar Revolution Has Necessary Ingredients for Success: US Security Expert Anti-regime protesters in early March 2021 in Mandalay, Myanmar. / The Irrawaddy The Myanmar peoples fight against the military regime will prevail eventually, said Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd, a Burmese-American security expert, pointing to the large number of young and committed freedom fighters, as well as the rising number of defectors and disintegration within the military. Within 10 months of the military coup in Feb. 1 last year the young resistance fighters comprising the Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) had become very effective even without real, formal military training, she said, citing the fact that the military routinely suffers a higher number of killed in action than the PDF side whenever there is a real battle happening. She told The Irrawaddy, On the resistance side, they are learning, adapting all the time and they are innovating. Again, in the military operation, it is not the firepower that contributes to success. It is strategy; the ability to outsmart the enemy. I am very optimistic on the peoples side, because they are adapting and changing, whereas the military is very rigid and they are unable to change it. Since the coup, Myanmar soldiers defections have reached unprecedented levels. Some 2,500 have been recorded and at least another 2,000-3,000 have gone unreported, she added. Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd is a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) in Hawaii, US. She served in the US Army for 28 years after joining at the age of 18. The immigrant academic, 55, has contributed her wisdom in providing education to Myanmar military personnel, and empowerment to local women and youth, since 2012. Based on her interviews with members of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), defectors, ethnic armed organizations, PDFs and those leading the parallel civilian National Unity Government (NUG), she believes 2022 will be a turning point for Myanmar. In this exclusive interview with The Irrawaddy, Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd shared her perspectives on the current turmoil in Myanmar, the role of the international community and ways of resolving the crisis. Thousands of soldiers, mostly privates, have joined the CDM, but high-ranking military personnel are not joining the peoples movement. What can you tell from this defection pattern? Well, actually, the people in the frontline holding the guns and shooting the people are the soldiers, not the leaders. Leaders are sitting in the headquarters or in Naypyitaw. So if you no longer have, I call them trigger pullers, you cant kill people, you cant win, you cant do anything. I wouldnt discount the lower level or the frontline soldiers defecting. In fact, that is better, because the weapons dont get up and shoot by themselves. Depriving the military of their soldiers, one way is to kill them and the other way is to lay down their arms and join the peoples side. The same effect, that takes away military strength. Thats why [the regime] are now reverting to air power. Does that mean the military is disintegrating? We can say that, because they dont have any other strategy. It seems that their primary strategy is all about military strategy. When you make the military strategy as your primary strategy, and when you no longer have soldiers to fight your war, you have nothing else left. On the peoples side, they have a variety of strategies. One of the things I notice on the peoples side is they use a lot of communication strategies. In military [terms] we call it strategic communication strategy, to make sure everybody knows. All the audiences are informed of all the brutal [incidents], what the military is doing and making sure everybody inside the country understands where they are going, what the military is doing, and then informing the international community on what the military is doing and what the Myanmar people together want; you know, where they want the country to go. The military is trying to justify their brutality by blaming the PDFs and the NUG, which of course appeared after the coup. Are these attempts by the military failing? I think it is a false equivalence to say what the PDFs are doing is the same as what the military has done or is doing. It is a totally false equivalency. You cant even go there. The military shot the unarmed protesters in the headin the head, not just any other [place], its purposefully in the head. Thats no longer equitable to what the people have to do to defend themselves. If the military did not take that action, the people would not be doing what they have to do today. Has the West given up on Myanmar? There is a lack of action from the West and the US and the UN. Id not say the West has given up on Myanmar per se, because as you know we are in the middle of the pandemic A lot of governments are also grappling with the pandemic and they have a lot of domestic issues that they are dealing with, to really do anything about Myanmar. But the biggest thing, the most valuable thing the international community has done for Myanmar is to delegitimate, not accept the military regime. Even in ASEAN, the neighboring countries do not accept the Myanmar military junta. I think they are doing what they can. Meanwhile Myanmar people, I think, sometimes it is good to be bootstrapping yourself and you will value it more. If the external [force] comes in, many times the external people dont understand the actual operating environment, the complexity of the operating environment. Sometimes the external forces can make things worse. Here is organically defending yourself and for that Myanmar people as a society will be prouder and they can come up with the solution that is more sustainable and more appropriate for the environment they are facing. Many people have criticized ASEANespecially Cambodia, the current chair of the blocfor meeting the junta. Analysts say China is behind ASEANs move. What is your take on that? The ASEAN structure kind of prevents any one individual country making a decision. Right now, four or five key countries in ASEAN do not recognize the military regime at all. Even though the chair [Cambodian Prime Minister] Hun Sen went to Myanmar, that does not mean that what he is proposing will be accepted by ASEAN as a group. China has had an influential role in Myanmar for many years, so its not something new. I have heard from my China specialist that actually China prefers to deal with the civilian government, because they were predictable. Whereas they have found the military to be unpredictable. On top of this, during these 10 months the military has continued to purchase weapons and military equipment from Russia. That does not make [China] happy. They would rather Myanmar buy weapons and stuff from them. China always sees Myanmar as a part of their sphere of influence. Russia is playing [a large role] right now. Russia has provided not only equipment, but also diplomatic support. What is Russias interest in Myanmar? One, they are making a lot of money, selling arms to Myanmar. Also they are spoilers, because right now in the world, there is a contest in larger geopolitics, there is competition between the authoritarian system and the democratic system. Myanmar is, I would say, ground zero in that. Its in the frontline. Russia wants Myanmar to not be a democratic country [for the symbolic value]. Its poking in the eye of the United States. Those are the reasons the Russians are there. Does that mean China will shift its focus to the peoples side, due to the Myanmar peoples frequent protests against China and boycotts of Chinese products since the Feb. 1 coup? China does not want the entire Myanmar populace against them. In the early part of the protests, the anti-China sentiment got really high. Thats not in Chinas interest. China is also between a rock and a hard place, because they want to be on the winning side. They thought the Myanmar military will win. They went toward that. Now, China realizes that the military winning is not a foregone conclusion. You cannot look at history as an indicator of which way it will go. I think that China will make adjustments to be on the winning side. In the wake of the coup, the PDFs have emerged and the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have played an indispensable role. What will happen if the EAOs and the PDFs collaboration gets stronger? That would be the game-changer. I mean that would be the turning point if and when they really are able to, a hundred percent, coordinate and cooperate. But they are cooperating already. We have hundreds of reports of that occurring from the frontline. When the PDFs are in a jam and they need help, EAOs step in. They were able to get through some of the distrust The military for 75 years made sure the people are divided. Thats what the people are having to overcome, in the middle of the crisis. In [12] months, its amazing what has been achieved. It is also the mainland Burmese people that are starting to say things like, Oh, we really understand and empathize with the plight and suffering of the ethnic groups, over and over. Thats historic. It has never happened before. As they get better at cooperating and collaborating, thats going to be one of the indicators for the turning point that I have been talking about. How can we explain the rapid growth of the PDFs in the last eight months? Well, because of the [military] brutality. They feel like they have to provide the responsibility to protect locally. These PDFs can be considered as fulfilling the mission of responsibility to protect their people and their community. Many say at the moment that the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signed in 2015 is no longer applicable because of the coup. What do you think of the peace process that the junta is pushing based on the NCA? I think people want to negotiate with the military from a position of strength, position of power. The fact that the military is starting to talk about negotiationthey didnt want to talk about dialogue or negotiation before, now they arethat tells you that the military is in a bad position at this moment. Of course, everybody should be all for dialogue and negotiation. You also have to address simultaneously the accountability for those war crimes that were definitely committed. Therere no ifs and buts about it. If there are simultaneous war crimes tribunals going on at the same as the negotiations, I think that could be possible; the tribunals for those who actually committed, who actually pulled the triggers, and also those who supported it. If you capture one of the military personnel, you can do it internationally somewhere or in areas that the PDFs have control over. There are many pockets of control, you know, being administered by PDFs and the NUG and the local administrators. No longer the military. The military do not have access to some of those places. The military, since the coup, has not been able to consolidate its power. It cannot hold any of these areas, or one hundred percent of Myanmars area, on the ground. As a military and security expert, youve always considered civil-military relations important and a key to resolving conflicts and national security. It seems like you had a good relationship with the military. The officers you worked with were considered moderate. Were they really? Are they on the peoples side now? When we were engaging, its really that we never engaged with a large enough population within the military. When you are trying to transform an organization, you have to have a critical mass of those who have the transformative idea. But we never got there, because we have a lot of sanctions in place and so we can only touch on a handful of people. We had not reached the tipping point, the critical mass for it to change yet. So it is unrealistic for us to say it should have changed because I had a handful of people that I engaged with. Even in the handful of people I engaged with, not everybody became transformative. We needed more time or we needed to engage at a much larger level while we were doing it. There are policy and things in place that [meant] we couldnt do that. As you were working with the Myanmar military and working in Myanmar, you also witnessed the countrys transition. Did you think that the coup would happen? Were you surprised when you first heard about the coup on Feb. 1st? What was your first reaction? I was surprised when the coup occurred. But then, when I look back, pull myself back and analyze, really I should not have been surprised. Like I said earlier, we havent had a chance to reach out to a lot more senior military personnel to change their minds. But you are seeing a lot of the lower-level officers defecting, because they have different agendas. They went into the military wanting to join a professional army organization. And then when they saw what the military has turned into, the leaders have really committed suicide; for the military when they started shooting people in the head, using the brutality. ` Thats why I said in my other piece that the name Tatmadaw [Myanmars military] in the international arena has become synonymous with the organization of terror, similar to that of al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Really what they have done is they, the military leaders, have assassinated their own military reputation. What would be your suggestion if Myanmar were able to form a more collective armed forces or a Federal Army? Future armed forces need to be inclusive and diversify. No one ethnic group should have complete control of the armed forces, because thats what the Bamar did, pretty much the Myanmar military was primarily a Bamar military. They use their arms to oppress other ethnic groupsas well as, now, even the Bamar people. Also you need checks and balances, and thats where civilian control of the military is one of the checks-and-balances principles. In order for us to do that, the civilian side also needs to be educated on security studies. They dont have to wear uniforms to understand military operations. In the US, we have many civilians that are inside the Department of Defense and inside the military, because we do want that check and balance, and also bringing in the civilian perspectives into the military. You have always cared about youth and womens participation in the political, military and other sectors. In this revolution, Myanmar women have taken part not only at the forefront of peaceful protests, but as supporters, medics and fighters on the frontline and so on. What would you share with them? I think women bring a very unique and valuable contribution to the resistance or to building up democracy. Id like them to lean in and try to be in leadership positions as well. Not only at the participant level, they need to also be sitting at the decision-making table. Id encourage the NUG, NUCC [National Unity Consultative Council] to make sure to look around. If you are part of the decision-making body, look around the table and see, do you have 50 percent women? If you dont, you may have a blind spot, because you dont have everybodys perspective represented. We really need young people at the decision-making table as well, because they again bring different perspectives. And they have the creativity. Old people have the wisdom; together it is a powerful combination. How would you describe Myanmars current situation: this revolution, that has seen unprecedented defections and the peoples commitment to fight against the military dictatorship? According to studies, there are three key elements that are found in all successful revolutions. First is the peoples anger; huge amounts, huge numbers of people. Number two is international pressure, and three is defections. Myanmar has all three elementstherefore, as I said it is unprecedented. The Silent Strike on Dec. 10, that was one of my indicators. The entire country was empty. That is an indicator of the peoples commitment and anger. So, all three are [evident] in the current situation in Myanmar. This interview has been edited for length. Editors Note: The opinion presented in this interview is Dr. Miemie Winn Byrds own assessment as an expert on the subject matter. Her opinions do not represent the positions and policies of the U.S. government or any other agencies. You may also like these stories: The Revolution Will Succeed if the Myanmar People Are United Myanmar Civilian Govt Minister Dismisses Death Threat Claim as Misinformation Myanmar Junta Losing Diplomatic Battles: NUG Foreign Minister Guest Column The Rohingya Situation on Myanmar-Bangladesh Border Is Getting More Dangerous Rohingya Muslim refugees who were stranded after leaving Myanmar walk towards the Balukhali refugee camp after crossing the border in Bangladesh's Ukhia district on Nov. 2, 2017. / AFP Since Feb. 1, 2021, Myanmars peoples have looked inward, focused on the coup, the battles on the streets of Yangon and Mandalay, economic collapse, and the resumption of highland wars. Left to fester is another looming catastrophe on the western border of Myanmar with Bangladesh, where about 1 million Rohingya refugees forced out of their homes by the Tatmadaw (Myanmars military) in 2012 and 2017, wait for a cyclone to drown their camps. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi government rattles its sabers in The Diplomat, insisting that the burden on Bangladesh is unjust, and must be resolved by the refugees returning to Rakhine State. International actors often agree, pointing out that such return policies are consistent with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) policies asserting that return to the home country is preferable to resettlement in a second country like Bangladesh, or a plausible third country further afield. But in fact, Voluntary Repatriation Doctrine for refugees is too simplistic, and does not reflect complexities inherent to refugee situations. The result is long-term temporary situations like the refugee camps at Coxs Bazar, which have been opening, shutting and opening since 1978. Bangladesh does of course have a point, just like a couple dozen other countries hosting large refugee populations today. Refugee hosts do much more to protect the peace than do countries who create refugees in the first place, and those which push refugees back. But refugee host countries always only begrudgingly accept the human victims of their neighbors violent excesses. Begrudgingly too, reception countries cooperate with the UNHCR to first protect refugees from forcible repatriation, and second to seek international assistance in the name of burden sharing, which is the money needed to maintain the large camps in places like Coxs Bazar. This happens even as host countries deal with xenophobic resentment about foreigners receiving free stuff from the UNHCR. Locals ask, why are foreigners given privileges and assistance that local poor do not receive? But criticism of refugee hosts like Bangladesh risks making a bad situation even worse. Bangladesh generously allowed 1 million Rohingya to withdraw from ruthless ethnic cleansing operations in Myanmar. For this, the UNHCR passes the hat at donor meetings, seeking to compensate Bangladesh for this hospitality. The amount thrown in the UNHCRs collection hat for each refugee crisis is typically insufficient to sustain the refugees, which only exacerbates those xenophobic tensions. At which point host countries like Bangladesh threaten deportation, and talk about forcibly repatriating refugees back to the home country using military and police force. This happened most dramatically in the Great Lakes of Africa in 1996-1997, when central African militaries deported about 2 million Rwandans back to Rwanda, while hundreds of thousands fled into the Congolese jungles, where many died of hunger, disease, and violence. Not a durable solution Despite Bangladeshi rhetoric, the biggest victims are the Rohingya refugees who are pawns in a greater game which began with the Myanmar military. But their situation is sometimes made worse by insistence on quick voluntary return to Rakhine. Reviewing the Rohingya history of the last 40 years or so calls into doubt the effectiveness of UNHCR and Bangladeshi repatriation policies, which have repeatedly resulted in overly quick repatriations. The Tatmadaw forced the Rohingya out of Rakhine State in 1978 and into Bangladesh in Operation Dragon King. Some 200,000-250,000 left for Bangladesh, with about 180,000 returning later that year as a result of an agreement between the Myanmar [then known as Burma] and Bangladesh governments; 70,000 presumably disappeared into the woodwork. Then the Myanmar authorities in Rakhine in 1991-1992 conducted Operation Clean and Beautiful Nation and there was another expulsion by the Myanmar authorities from Rakhine. Again, there were 200,000-250,000 leaving and a quick return of 150,000 negotiated by Myanmar, Bangladesh and the UNHCR. Missing from the accounting were 50,000-100,000. The next mass exodus was in 2012, after which there was another call for return. The 2012 return did not occur as in the past, and fewer Rohingya went back to Rakhine, and the camps remained open. But then came the catastrophic expulsions in 2017: 600,000-800,000 more Rohingya were pushed into Bangladesh following the violent deaths of over 10,000 in Rakhine. In 2017 the situation became even worse in Rakhine. Civil war erupted when the Arakan Army carved out its own territory which it now governs, with support from the Kachin Independence Army. The Rohingya refugees are still left marooned in the dangerous coastal areas in Coxs Bazar and not volunteering for the UNHCR repatriation programs. Where in Rakhine would they go? The choice is between territories controlled by the Tatmadaw, which expelled them in the first place, or the Arakan Army, which is engaged in a war of its own. Peacebuilding Protecting and resettling refugees is one of the greatest war-prevention strategies adopted since World War II. And this is what Bangladesh is indeed contributing to the world. Withdrawing refugees from a violent situation protects them from attack from both the home country which expelled them, but also a host country like Bangladesh, which may appease domestic constituencies by relabeling the refugees as illegal immigrants, and therefore eligible for deportation. Hosting refugees is also a war and massacre prevention strategythough rarely framed as such. But hosting refugees is dangerous. Refugee camps are always near borders, and refugees are always in opposition to the home government which persecuted them. Refugee camps risk attack by the home country, radicalization of refugee youth, and the militarization of camps for armed groups. Providing safe havens to refugees may prevent war between home and host countries in the short term by permitting a cooling off period. Potential combatants include the home country, host country, third countries and the refugees themselves. But the longer-term presence of refugees also increases chances of war in the long term, perhaps making durable solutions less likely. Examples included the Palestinian refugees in the Middle East (since the 1940s), Afghanistan refugees in Pakistan (since the 1980s) and Rwandans in Congo (after 1994). Refugee camps are dangerous for the refugee victims, and risk escalation and renewed fighting for all. Long-term refugee presence can trigger new wars. Out-of-date doctrine Discourse about refugees is typically embedded in a legalistic rights-based doctrine in which rights are asserted, and fault assigned. But this oversimplifies the political, social, and even military nature of refugee situations. In the big picture, refugees are a tragic by-product of the modern state system which insists on borders, citizenship papers and an us-them dichotomy. There is a pretense that such a distinction is natural, and that humans are divisible into different species of human beings, each, like bees, with a home territory. But of course this is not natural; such categories have historical and legal origins. For example, in the case of the Rohingya, rightsand lack of rightsemerged from the detritus of colonialism in British India and British Burma, and were then leveraged by Burmese nationalists who asserted that the Rohingya could not possibly be us. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government insists legalistically that Rohingya were from Myanmar and certainly not Bangladeshi. As for the Rohingya, like refugees everywhere, they were not really consulted in the legal maneuvering which involves a game of musical chairs between Myanmar and Bangladesh in which the refugees always lose. So, the next thing you know Rakhine is ethnically cleansed of Rohingya, and a million people face an indefinite stateless status in Coxs Bazar. Sitting at the center of the fight over refugee rights is the UNHCR. The UNHCR is a calming presence at the beginning of a crisis, because they offer potential sanctuary from on-going fighting. But when the UNHCRs repatriation doctrine kicks in, resettlement in the host country and transfer to a third country are moved off the table for most refugees, and there is an insistence that the refugees go home. This is irrespective of the volatility of that home. Still host countries prefer the repatriation dogma because it appeases domestic constituencies and pretends long-term commitments can be evaded. Thus, Bangladesh assured citizens that the Rohingya foreigners will only stay temporarily and then return to Myanmar. This is what Bangladesh seemingly did after 1978, and 1991-1992. But as perhaps only the Rohingya themselves remember, this repatriation policy failed in the long run, at great cost, which is why the Rohingya are still in Bangladesh today, sitting in vulnerable refugee camps, rather than returning to Rakhine. For what it is worth, this is the same question Germanys few surviving Jews wondered about after they were rescued from Nazi death camps in 1945. Few returned to Germanymost went to Israel (where ironically they displaced Palestinians, many of whom are still refugees), or one of the victorious Allied countries. Admittedly, providing such resettlement opportunities is not a just solution; after all Myanmars generals are getting away with ethnic cleansing. Rather, at least for now, it is a best-case scenario. Sometimes, in the medium term the durable and just solution is having refugees move to a place where they can rebuild their lives in peace whether in Myanmar, Bangladesh, or elsewhere. The point is to close the temporary refugee camps. A just solution also may include an international recognition of a right of return to a future peaceful Myanmar, for those displaced from Rakhine. Oddly enough, this right was exercised by the current Bangladeshi prime minister herself after she was a refugee in the 1980s in India. Importance of refugee policy Of course, Bangladesh in its own way is right; the country is accepting a burden by welcoming refugees on behalf of the rest of the world, due to an accident of geography. Hopefully Bangladesh continues to provide haven; in the short term even lowland camps in a typhoon alley are better than returning to the unsettled territory of your nervous enemies. But the real challenge for Bangladesh, the UNHCR, and the refugees themselves is still to close the Rohingya camps as soon as possible. No one wants the temporary camps in Coxs Bazar to become more permanent. But the truth is, the international community and Bangladesh have no good quick solution to the Rohingya Problem. So policies instead need to also identify least bad alternatives. Settlement in Bangladesh and elsewhere are among the least bad alternatives, especially when return to Rakhine risks more war, and the status quo means radicalization of refugee youth in that ever risky typhoon alley. Dramatic examples of how long-term refugee situations go wrong include the stateless Palestinian refugees pushed out of what is now Israel in 1948, and who continue to be spread across the Middle East; Afghan refugees in Pakistan; and Somalis in Kenya. Less dramatic but more successful examples come to mind only slowly. After all, successful integration does not make headlines. Successfully resolved refugee flights include Syrians in Germany after 2015, Burundians in Tanzania after 1972, Indochinese in Southeast Asia after 1975, and post-World War II refugees, including Jewish victims of the Holocaust, who spread across the world. What will ultimately happen to the Rohingya refugees themselves will be responsive to the policies of outsiders, especially that of Myanmar but also the UNHCR, Bangladesh and others. These policies will not emerge from the vagueness of the UNHCRs repatriation doctrine, but the sacrifices the international community takes on behalf of the least powerful, and most vulnerable. Tony Waters is Professor of Sociology at Payap University, and Director of the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace, Chiangmai. He works with Burmese, Karen and other students in the universitys PhD program in Peacebuilding. He is the author of academic books and articles about refugee relief and development such as Bureaucratizing the Good Samaritan, and an occasional contributor to The Irrawaddy. He can be reached at [email protected] You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Lays Landmines Around Chinese-Backed Pipelines Myanmars Army of Overseas Workers Join Fight Against Junta Myanmar Junta Reports 118 Omicron Cases Ithaca, NY (14850) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High around 60F. SSW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 42F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. The Aboriginal flag may now be freely used after the Federal Government acquired the copyright for $20.05m. Luritja artist and activist Harold Thomas wanted to take a symbol of the Aboriginal land rights movement with him when attending a land rights rally in Adelaide in July 1971. That event has since evolved into NAIDOC week, while Thomas' symbol became the powerful and striking de-facto symbol for his people. In 1995 his flag was officially recognised as a flag of Australia. Thomas, as the design's sole author, allowed free use of his design to non-commercial operations that provided health, education, legal, and other assistance to Aboriginal people but charged a fee for commercial usage. He provided exclusive commercial rights to three companies to reproduce flags and to reproduce the image on objects and clothing. One of those three entities, WAM Clothing, received its license in 2018 but strongly enforced its copyright claims and issued infringement notices to organisations including the AFL and NRL sporting events, along with many small Aboriginal non-profits who had been using the design prior to WAM Clothing's license. An official Parliamentary enquiry labelled WAM Clothing's action as "heavy-handed" and noted a part-owner of WAM Clothing, Ben Wooster, previously owned a company named Birubi Art which was fined $2.3m for breaching consumer law by selling fake Aboriginal art. Nevertheless, the honour and integrity of the Aboriginal flag became a source of concern, confusion, and contention with many people unable to enjoy its usage in sporting and cultural events celebrating Australians of all backgrounds, as well as events pertaining to Aboriginals specifically. The AFL was noteworthy in 2020 for publicly refusing to pay WAM Clothing to fly the flag or paint it on the centre circle. That all changed this week with the Federal Government buying the copyright from Thomas for $20.05m and making it available to the people. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the flag had been "freed for all Australians" and was allowed to be used "in a similar manner to the Australian National flag." This includes paintings, artworks, sporting grounds, clothing, and even on websites such as iTWire where we now publicly and proudly - and legally - post the Aboriginal flag on this story. "Over the last half-century, [the flag] has grown in prominence and stands as an enduring symbol of Aboriginal strength, representing Aboriginal people and their ongoing spiritual connection to the land," said Ken Wyatt, Minister for Indigenous Australians. "Harold Thomas, a Luritja man from central Australia, gave all Australians a gift with his powerful design that helped Aboriginal Australians unite under a single flag." "From flying over the Aboriginal tent embassy in Canberra to Cathy Freeman wrapping herself in it after her win at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and being carried at countless marches for Aboriginal rights, the flag has become inextricably linked with our history and the colours and design have become iconic," Wyatt said. Harold Thomas himself said, "I am grateful that my art is appreciated by so many, and that it has come to represent something so powerful to so many. The Aboriginal flag design is my dreaming, intertwined with my wife's family and mine, our ancestral belonging. The land, and the landscape, is indelible in my make-up; it courses through my consciousness and subconsciousness." Thomas states he will use $2m of the funds to establish an Australian Aboriginal Flag Legacy non-profit organisation. WeChat has over 1.2 billion active users, predominantly in mainline China, but also throughout the world. The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was one of these until recently. The Prime Minister's Office began experiencing access issues before the account turned up as "Australian-Chinese New Life." Senior government politicians have accused China's government of foreign interference. In Australia, we all know Amazon, Facebook, and Google. It's a different story in China where the "great firewall of China" restricts parts of the Internet. Instead, Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent dominate, with Tencent's WeChat being the most prominent social media and messaging app. And, due to its prominence in China, its reach has spread worldwide so others can communicate with their Chinese friends and family - or if you're a politician, your Chinese constituents. Well, if you happen to be the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, your reach to Chinese constituents via WeChat hit an end with the PM's account allegedly taken over, then sold to a businessman who now promises to provide tips to new Australian arrivals from China. Like other social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, WeChat can distinguish an account as 'official' meaning you know it is genuinely who it says it is. For Scott Morrison to create an official WeChat page, which his office did in 2019, he needed to either tie the account to a Chinese-registered business or nominate the identity of a Chinese national who would operate the account. The Prime Minister's office chose to register his official WeChat account via a Chinese agency and a male Chinese citizen from Fujian became the official account holder named Mr. Ji. All was fine for a couple of years, but in the last months, the PM's office noted their access to the account became spotty before suddenly they could no longer log in at all. The office reached out to Tencent for support but apparently, no support was forthcoming. Instead, the PM's account turned back up as "Australian-Chinese New Life" with the message, "Thank you for your continued interest in our WeChat public account. Scott Morrison, the WeChat public account you previously followed, has moved all its operations and functions to this WeChat public account." Huang Aipeng, CEO of Fuzhou 985 Information Technology, now operates the account and states he purchased the account because he wanted a platform with lots of followers. Specifically, he says he purchased the account from a Chinese national named Mr Ji, located in the city of Fuzhou within Fujian province. Aipeng states the transaction was purely based on social media numbers - the account having 75,000 followers - and has nothing to do with politics. "I don't even know who Morrison is, I saw the account has a lot of followers, so we bought it," he said. Yet, how the account came to be up for sale and how the PM's office lost control is still unknown, at least, to the Government. On the surface, it appears the Government's own agent, Mr Ji, directly sold the account and, as the official account holder, the sale has been endorsed by Tencent. Nevertheless, the Government is incensed and senior members of parliament have accused the Chinese government of foreign interference. "WeChat is owned by Tencent, which is one of the most closely controlled, theoretically private companies in China," said James Paterson, chair of the parliamentary intelligence and security committee. "It censors the platform all over the world. It uses the platform to surveil and monitor the overseas Chinese community. It is very clearly a Chinese government action in my view." "What the Chinese government has done by shutting down the Prime Minister's account is effectively foreign interference in our democracy in an election year," Paterson said. Other government members from both sides have expressed concern and announced they will boycott WeChat until an explanation is received. The ABC has identified 12 further Australian politicians using WeChat accounts registered in other people's names in China, including government ministers. The funeral was held yesterday (24 January 2022) for Professor Juris Reinfelds, one of the landmark pioneers of computer science and the last survivor of a team that made Wollongong a global brand. Reinfelds died on 13 January. He was 85. He was the Foundation Chair of Computer Science in the Department of Mathematics, but his impact was felt far beyond UOW. Reinfelds helped establish an international reputation in the field of computer science for the University of Wollongong, with colleagues Ross Nealon and Richard Miller. While at UOW, the three academics are credited with the first port of the operating system, Unix, to Interdata in 1977 the first successful port of any operating computer system. This enabled Unix to run on cheaper and more widely available computers than just mainframe super computers. In the process, they helped democratise the operating system. He created the first Apple Macintosh lab in the world in 1984, achieving a six-month jump on North America, located in Skylab (a re-purposed portable teaching building), thereby proving all first-year Computer Science students with access to a personal computer. He also pioneered computer summer schools for primary and secondary students, again driven by a vision of providing access to computers for all students. The current head of the UOW School of Computing and Information Technology, Professor Willy Susilo, said Professor Reinfelds scientific contributions were prodigious. As a result of his work, many people in the US know the name Wollongong not from the University, but from the Wollongong Group, Inc., the company he helped set up in California to commercialise the research, he said. Born in Latvia, Professor Reinfelds earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of Adelaide in 1958, and his doctorate in mathematical physics at the University of Adelaide in 1963. He worked at a number of institutions in Europe, Australia and the United States, including stints at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Centre in 1965-1966 and CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research in Geneva Switzerland from 1973-1975. Following his work at UOW, he spent many years working in the United States, holding professorial roles at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces and a visiting fellowship at the University of Texas, El Paso. His ongoing support for student achievements at UOW are marked by the establishment of the Ross Nealon prize for second-year students in the Bachelor of Computer Science degree. He moved back to Wollongong in 2006 to spend more time with his children and grandchildren, and is survived by his wife Lauma, sister Gundega, sons Peter and Ivars, and five grandchildren. An acquaintance of the Tennessee deputy found shot inside her burning home over the weekend has been arrested following an hours-long standoff with law enforcement. James Jackson Conn, 27, is facing one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated arson in connection with the death of Robertson County Sheriffs Deputy Savanna Puckett. He was taken into custody on Monday around 11 a.m., hours after authorities attempted to serve a search warrant at his home in Smyrna, just outside of Nashville. Advertisement Another deputy went to check on Puckett on Sunday evening after she failed to show up to her scheduled shift at 5 p.m., according to a press release from the Robertson County Sheriffs Office. When the officer arrived at her home off Highway 41 in Springfield, it was already engulfed in flames. Deputy Savanna Puckett (Robertson County Sheriff's Office) Due to the extent of the blaze, the deputy was unable to gain access to the residence and called in firefighters for assistance. They found 22-year-old Puckett dead with several gunshot wounds after they managed to extinguish the fire. It was not immediately clear if the gunshot wounds or the fire caused her death. Advertisement A search of the home turned up two empty lighter fluid bottles with fingerprints matching Conns, the Tennessean reported. A .40 caliber cartridge casing was also found, the affidavit stated, though Pucketts .40 caliber service weapon was not found at the scene. Puckett had worked with the sheriffs office for four years, officials said. Words cannot express the sadness and grief that Savannas family and her Sheriffs Office family are facing right now, Sheriff Michael Van Dyke said in a statement. James Jackson Conn is charged with murder. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) This is a tragedy that we are processing minute by minute. Please keep Savanna, her family and the sheriffs office in your thoughts and prayers. Conn was booked into the Robertson County Jail late Monday afternoon where he was being held without bond. An investigation into the matter, which is being lead by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, is ongoing. With News Wire Services WikiLeaks founder and publisher Julian Assange has been given permission to make an appeal to the British Supreme Court to hear an appeal against his extradition to the US. But he did not win on all the points raised by his legal team; the High Court on Monday turned down his request for a direct appeal to the Supreme Court, but said the latter court could now determine if it would hear the challenge. One of three points raised by Assange's lawyers was granted: whether the High Court should have accepted assurances given the US Government about his treatment during a trial were he extradited. The team had asked: "In what circumstances can an appellate court receive assurances from a requesting state which were not before the court of first instance in extradition proceeding?" The High Court said it was not apparent that the Supreme Court had considered this question and granted Assange's team permission to make an application to clarify this point. On 10 December 2021, a two-bench High Court panel reversed a 4 January lower court verdict to deny the US the right to extradite Assange to try him on criminal charges in Washington. British District Judge Vanessa Baraister had ruled that Assange should not be extradited, saying the risk he would commit suicide in a US jail was too high. Assange faces criminal charges in the US for publishing classified information that was leaked to WikiLeaks by an American soldier, then known as Bradley Manning, but now, after gender reassignment surgery, known as Chelsea Manning. While Assange's partner Stella Moris painted this as a victory, WikiLeaks official Kristinn Hrafnsson described it as a partial victory. The Australian Government has washed its hands of any decision the ABC might make about compulsory logins for its iview service, saying the taxpayer-funded broadcaster has content and operational independence to do what it likes. iview is a service that allows viewers to see programs that have already been broadcast, or in some case which are yet to go to air. All content provided is paid for with taxpayer funds as the ABC is a government-owned body. A spokesperson from the Department of Communications told iTWire in response to a query about the issue: "While the Australian Government provides an overall level of funding to the ABC, the broadcaster has content and operational independence. "Parliament has guaranteed this independence so the broadcasters decisions are free of political interference. Matters relating to iview account management are the responsibility of the ABC Board and executive. "The ABC is accountable to the Parliament through annual reports, corporate plans, financial and performance audits and appearances before Parliamentary Committees." The government's views were sought after the ABC reiterated its stance that it would go ahead with making logins compulsory for using iview, with the same to be implemented during the view. It is not uncommon for the government to voice its views on ABC decisions, with many of the broadcaster's moves being criticised over the years. But on this issue, one which concerns user data and user privacy, the government has chosen to keep silent. Last year, when iTWire asked the ABC whether it shared iview user data with Google and Facebook it has agreements with both companies under the government's media laws the company was unwilling to give a definite answer. Following an FOIA request by security researcher Dr Vanessa Teague last year, it emerged that the iview user data collected by the ABC through Google Analytics was being stored in the US. George Lucas is one of history's most financially successful filmmakers responsible for the Star Wars franchise and Indiana Jones, he has been nominated for four Academy Awards for his work. The multi billionaire, visionary, film director, producer, screenwriter, and entrepreneur turns Click for more. A Colorado woman intentionally set a fire inside an apartment that spread through the entire building, killing a 5-year-old boy on the second floor, according to police. Alondra Michel, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Aurora Police Department announced Monday. Advertisement The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. Monday after what police described as a domestic violence incident. The blaze inside the unit spread to adjacent units in the three-story building. In under a minute, that whole entire building was up in flames, Jasmine Murray, who escaped from the first floor, told CBS 4. Advertisement Alondra Michel, left, has been charged with the murder of 5-year-old Abner Choco Salmeron Jr., right. Abner Choco Salmeron Jr., 5, was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was such an amazing little boy full of life and energy, a family friend wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise money for his parents. He was very playful very lovable and caring, had a funny personality. He would light up the room with just his appearance. Choco has left a big hole in our hearts. Two other people were hospitalized and 31 residents in total were displaced. Jacksonville, TX (75766) Today Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support. China to bolster sand industry amid desert ecosystem protection Xinhua) 17:38, January 25, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China will prop up the development of the sand industry as part of the country's efforts to protect and restore the desert ecosystem, according to the forestry authority. The country will utilize unique resources in sand areas in a scientific manner, promote the forestry, grassland and sand industries involving water-saving planting and environmentally-friendly services in desert zones, according to a plan on the sand industry released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. China's regional desertified land totals about 1.62 million square kilometers, and the country boasts over 15,500 enterprises in the forestry, grassland and sand industry, according to the administration. The sand sector's annual output value is estimated at about 500 billion yuan (about 94.6 billion U.S. dollars). The country has so far established a total of 98 national desert parks. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Anti-vaccination crusader Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says hes sorry for linking the plight of people who choose not to get vaccinated in the U.S. to that of Anne Frank, who died in a concentration camp during World War II. I apologize for my reference to Anne Frank, especially to families that suffered the Holocaust horrors, he tweeted Tuesday. My intention was to use examples of past barbarism to show the perils from new technologies of control. To the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry. Advertisement Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attend the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple Of Hope Gala & Auction on Dec. 12, 2019 in New York City. (Mike Pont/Getty Images for Robert F. Kenne) Kennedy, the son of slain U.S. attorney general and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, made his callous claim at a rally in Washington on Sunday, where he and other prominent anti-vaxxers railed against COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Even in Hitlers Germany, you could cross the Alps to Switzerland, Kennedy said Sunday. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did. Advertisement That statement drew condemnation from Jewish leaders, as well as his wife, Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Cheryl Hines. My husbands reference to Anne Frank at a mandate rally in D.C. was reprehensible and insensitive, Hines tweeted early Tuesday. The atrocities that millions endured during the Holocaust should never be compared to anyone or anything. His opinions are not a reflection of my own. My husbands reference to Anne Frank at a mandate rally in D.C. was reprehensible and insensitive. The atrocities that millions endured during the Holocaust should never be compared to anyone or anything. His opinions are not a reflection of my own. Cheryl Hines (@CherylHines) January 25, 2022 Twitter users reacted to Hines comments both by wondering how she could stay married to a person who holds Kennedys views and exonerating her from the actions of her spouse. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt wasnt forgiving of Kennedys position. Invoking Anne Franks memory and the mass murder of Jews by the Nazis as a comparison to the U.S. govt working to ensure the health of its citizens is deeply inaccurate, deeply offensive and deeply troubling, Greenblatt tweeted. This must stop. A portrait of Anne Frank taken in 1942. (-/AFP/Getty Images) In 2015, Kennedy, who has previously invoked Nazism in his anti-vax rhetoric, apologized after using the term Holocaust when speaking about children and vaccines. The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, said in a statement that Kennedys comparison denigrates the memory of those who survived the Holocaust and those who did not. The United States Holocaust Museum notes its hard to know how many people were murdered during the Holocaust, but that historians put the number of Jews who died including the 16-year-old Frank at around 6 million. [ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears to blame Cheryl Hines for holiday party vaccine recommendation ] Anti-vaxxers including Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have been widely condemned for invoking atrocities committed by Germanys Nazi party to score political points on the topic of vaccines. Greene apologized in June for likening having to wear a mask in the U.S. Capitol to the Holocaust then weeks later called officials promoting President Bidens vaccination initiatives medical brownshirts. Advertisement Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > A store owner in Nashville apologized in May 2021 for selling yellow stars reading not vaccinated designed to look like the patches worn by Jews in Nazi concentration camps. Executive director of the Anti-Defamation Leagues New England office, Robert Trestan, wrote in November that Hitler had, in fact, withheld vaccinations from Jews. Frank was 16 when she died after contracting typhus at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945. She kept her diary, The Diary of a Young Girl, while in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Kennedy and Hines difference on vaccine mandates became public shortly before Christmas when the couple reportedly hosted a holiday party where invites asked that attendees be vaccinated. I guess Im not always the boss at my own house, Kennedy told Politico. He also said that no vaccine mandate was imposed at his holiday party. Advertisement With News Wire Services Johnson City, TN (37604) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 77F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low around 50F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Joplin, MO (64801) Today Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to steady rain this afternoon. High 61F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 59F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. The Coast Guard is searching for survivors after a suspected human smuggling boat capsized off Florida. Its believed that 40 people were aboard. Advertisement The Coast Guard received a report Tuesday that a passerby had rescued someone from the vessel who was clinging to the side at about 8 a.m. The site is about 45 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet, which is between Orlando and West Palm Beach. #UPDATE @USCG crews are still searching. The good Sam notified #USCG Sector #Miami watchstanders, Tuesday, at approx. 8 a.m. after rescuing a man on a capsized vessel. Multiple cutters & aircraft are searching from #Bimini, #Bahamas to #FortPierce Inlet. More updates follow. pic.twitter.com/kCVQ4LCaTe USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) January 25, 2022 The survivor said the boat left Bimini, Bahamas on Saturday but ran into treacherous weather. The survivor said no one on board was wearing life jackets. Advertisement Coast Guard air and surface asset crews are actively searching for people in the water, the Coast Guard tweeted Tuesday. WORRY OVER WETLANDS WHAT: Winstanley Enterprises plan to build a one-story 819,000-square-foot distribution center on 35 Bacon Road in Enfield. OPPOSITION: Residents who live in the abutting lake communities worry about the projects effect on the propertys wetlands and wildlife. NEXT STEPS: The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency is scheduled to make a decision Feb. 1 on granting Winstanley a wetlands permit. Today Sunshine and a few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 53F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 81F. Winds light and variable. Three Baltimore firefighters died battling a blaze inside a vacant rowhome, and a fourth has been left critically injured. Firefighters were responding on Monday to a fire in the three-story home around 6 a.m. when a partial collapse trapped four members inside, Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Niles Ford said on Twitter. He noted first responders immediately encountered flames and heavy smoke once inside the building, which has been empty since 2010. Advertisement One of the trapped firefighters, identified as John McMaster, was almost immediately rescued from the building. He remained hospitalized on Tuesday in critical but stable condition. Niles said that crews were forced to remove piles of debris to free the remaining firefighters. Advertisement Baltimore City firefighters embrace at the scene of a vacant row house fire in Baltimore on Monday. (Jerry Jackson/AP) One died on the scene while the other two were rushed to a nearby hospital. They were also pronounced dead a short time later. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott identified the victims as Lt. Paul Butrim, who had been with the department for 16 years, Kelsey Sadler, a 15-year department veteran, and Kenny Lacayo, who joined the department seven years ago. Baltimore has lost three of the bravest among us, Scott said. This is a gut wrenching tragedy for our city, for our Fire Department, and most importantly, for the families of our firefighters. There are no words none to describe the pain and the severity of the losses that we suffered today. An excavator is used to pull debris off a building during efforts to retrieve the body of a deceased firefighter caught in the building's collapse while battling a two-alarm fire in the vacant row home Monday in Baltimore. (Julio Cortez/AP) Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags to be lowered at half-staff in honor of the firefighters. Our hearts are broken for the entire Baltimore City Fire Department as three of our bravest have fallen in the line of duty, he said in a statement. A fourth firefighter was critically injured and is on life support. Each and every day our firefighters and first responders answer the call and are ready to run into danger this is our worst nightmare. Five former paramilitary soldiers were sentenced to 30 years in jail on Monday for sexually abusing 36 indigenous women during the countrys civil war. We the judges firmly believe the testimonies of the women who were sexually violated, Judge Gervi Sical said in the ruling against the five former members of Guatemalas Civil Self-Defense Patrols (PAC). The group was blamed for several atrocities during the 1960-1996 war in which an estimated 200,000 people were killed or disappeared. Sical added the sentences were handed down for crimes against humanity. The five men brothers Benvenuto and Bernardo Ruiz, aged 63 and 57, and relatives Damian, Gabriel and Francisco Cuxum, all in their 60s heard the verdict via videoconference from jail in the capital where they are being held for crimes committed between 1981 and 1985 around the town of Rabinal, north of Guatemala City. The population of Rabinal was particularly hard hit by the war. A mass grave with the bodies of more than 3,000 people was discovered in the area. Thirty-six women have come forward in recent decades with accusations of sexual violence committed against them during that time. The trial began on January 5, a decade after complaints were first filed. Prior to the sentencing, some of the victims, accompanied by activists, held a ceremony with flowers and candles in a plaza at the Torre de Tribunales, in the historic center of Guatemala City. When I was 19 years old I was taken to the (military) detachment and was raped by soldiers, but those who are to blame are the patrolmen in my village, Margarita Siana, 59, told AFP. I suffered a lot at the military detachment for three months, added the woman. In addition to the assaults, some of which were perpetrated in front of family members, according to victims testimonies, many indigenous women were raped after the murder or forced disappearance of their husbands. It still hurts us, we are not telling lies, said another woman, Pedrina Lopez. Relatives of the ex-paramilitaries protested in another part of the judicial complex, denouncing what they called false accusations and demanding their freedom. Once again it has been exposed that sexual violence during the internal armed conflict was a strategy implemented by (the Guatemalan state), said Lucia Xiloj, a lawyer for some of the women. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala said on Twitter that the sentence was a landmark advance in the access to the rights to truth, justice and reparation for female victims of sexual violence during the war. hma/ag/sw/st SICAL A German woman who travelled to Syria as a 15-year-old to join the Islamic State group goes on trial on Tuesday accused of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. Leonora Messing, now aged 21, is in the dock in the eastern German city of Halle on suspicion that she and her IS husband enslaved a Yazidi woman in Syria in 2015. During the course of the trial scheduled to last until at least mid-May and being held behind closed doors, Messing will also face charges of membership of a terrorist organisation and weapons law violations. The high-profile case has prompted soul searching in Germany about how a teenage girl from a small town became radicalised and joined the Islamist cause. Third wife Messing ran away from her home for the IS-controlled part of Syria in March 2015. After reaching Raqa, then the de facto capital of IS in Syria, she became the third wife of a German national originally from that region. Messings father, a baker from the German village of Breitenbach, only learned his daughter had converted to a radical brand of Islam by opening her abandoned computer and reading her journal after her disappearance. Six days after she vanished, her father received a message informing him his daughter chose Allah and Islam and that she had arrived in the caliphate. She was a good student, her father, Maik Messing, told regional broadcaster MDR in 2019. She used to go to a retirement home to read to the elderly. She took part in carnival as a majorette. That was when a lot of the people we know saw her for the last time. Messing had been living a double life and was visiting, apparently without her parents knowledge, a mosque in the western city of Frankfurt that was in the crosshairs of Germanys domestic intelligence service. She is among the more than 1,150 Islamists who left Germany from 2011 for Syria and Iraq, according to government findings. Her case has attracted particular scrutiny due to her young age, and because her father agreed to be followed for four years by a team of reporters from public broadcaster NDR. As part of the report, he made public thousands of messages he continued to exchange with his daughter, offering rare insights into daily life under IS, but also eventually her attempts to break free. Spied on Prosecutors say Messing took part in human trafficking, after her husband bought and then sold a 33-year-old Yazidi woman. Messing, who had given birth to two small girls, wound up detained in a Kurdish-controlled camp in northern Syria. In December 2020, she was repatriated in one of four operations bringing 54 people, most of them children, back to Germany. Although she was arrested upon her arrival at Frankfurt airport, Messing was later released. Germany has repeatedly been ordered by its courts to repatriate the wives and children of jihadists. A Berlin tribunal had demanded in October 2019 that a German woman and her three children be brought back, arguing that the minors were traumatised and should not be separated from their mother. There are an estimated 61 Germans still in camps in northern Syria, as well as around 30 people with a link to Germany, according to official estimates. A German court in November issued the first ruling worldwide to recognise crimes against the Yazidi community as genocide, in a verdict hailed by activists as a historic win for the minority. The Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking group hailing from northern Iraq, have for years been persecuted by IS militants who have killed hundreds of men, raped women and forcibly recruited children as fighters. In the Gambia, Ousman Sonko was Interior Minister under ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh from 2006 to 2016. In Switzerland, he is accused of having had command responsibility in widespread abuses committed by agents and bodies under his control, including the police, National Intelligence Agency, notorious hit-squad the Junglers, and prison services. The Gambias Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), whose report was published in December, includes him as one of the individuals who should be prosecuted. It portrays him as a close member of Jammehs regime, which committed widespread abuses against civilians, including torture, extrajudicial killings, mock executions and sexual violence. Many of these crimes took place in prisons and secret detention centres falling under Sonkos authority. Arrested in Switzerland in January 2017, Sonko has been in jail ever since. His case was brought on a complaint from Geneva-based NGO TRIAL International, initially for torture, which was then requalified as crimes against humanity. To Sonkos lawyer, keeping him in pre-trial detention in Switzerland for five years while the Office of the Attorney General continues to investigate is an abuse of his rights. I can understand that in a universal jurisdiction case against a former minister from a third country, it could be considered that there could be a risk of evasion or interfering with the process. But that does not mean you can dispense with his rights, Sonkos lawyer Philippe Currat told Justice Info. He has been in preventive detention for five years without being informed of any precise charge. They say crime against humanity, but without any precision nor individualisation. Indictment this year? Switzerlands Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is notoriously slow and under-resourced on international crimes cases. TRIAL International has been critical in the past, but its director Philip Grant thinks there are now reasons to hope that the Sonko case is speeding up, with a possible indictment this year. He points to the fact that Swiss investigators have been to Gambia several times, that they have obtained cooperation from the government and from the TRRC, and that there is more court scrutiny each time prosecutors seek to renew Sonkos remand. Switzerland has a new Attorney General who took office on January 1, and might give more priority to prosecuting international crimes. They cannot just drag on for years with these cases that are so important, says Grant. There are many reasons why they should increase capacity on international crimes cases, but it will depend on the new Attorney Generals strategic vision. New evidence Grant points out that Swiss law allows for longer periods of pre-trial detention than countries like Germany and the US which have also taken Gambia cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction. Under Swiss law, suspects can be remanded in custody longer and more often than in neighbouring countries. Sonkos remand has to be approved by a court every three months, and so far the court has approved it. On September 1, 2021, the Appeals Court of Switzerlands Federal Criminal Court also pointed to new evidence in granting the prosecutors request for more time to complete investigations. It cited Gambian witnesses brought to Bern or interviewed in Gambia who spoke of Sonko as being close to Jammeh, and who said Sonko was present and aware of various serious abuses committed. Sonko, if he is finally brought to trial, will be only the second person to be tried by a Swiss civil court for international crimes. Unlike in the case of Liberian Alieu Kosiah, who was in June 2021 sentenced to 20 years for war crimes, Swiss investigators in the Gambian case have been to the country to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The Office of the Attorney General confirmed in an E-mail to Justice Info that a delegation of the OAG and fedpol [Federal Office of Police] travelled to The Gambia several times in the context of the proceedings in order to collect evidence in the context of mutual legal assistance, including to conduct interrogations. Interviewed by our correspondent in The Gambia, Ajie Adam Ceesay and Baffo Jeng, Gambian state lawyers facilitating the Swiss prosecutors visit on the advice of Gambias Justice Minister, confirmed to Justice Info that they arranged those interviews for the Swiss. We are not part of the process directly. They do some interviews at our conference room, they said. The interviews would often be through a video link, where both Sonko and his lawyers would also partake. Little information has leaked about which witnesses or possible sites the Swiss team may have wanted to see. However, based on the records of Gambias Truth Commission, witnesses might include Binta Jamba, who claimed to have been raped by Ousman Sonko; Lalo Jaiteh, who claimed to have been privy to circumstances around the murder of Almamo Manneh, a one-time ally of the ex-ruler who was reportedly murdered by Sonko and others on Jammehs orders; and witnesses in the murder case of West African migrants, since Sonko is one of the people said to have participated in a cover-up after their executions. The TRRC report found that the then Interior Minister was one of the people who planned and organized the unlawful killing of Almamo Manneh, a member of the State Guards who was accused of being a coup plotter. It also lists Sonko as one of the enablers and accomplices in the arrest, enforced disappearance, and extrajudicial execution in The Gambia of over 67 unarmed West African economic migrants who the Jammeh regime perceived as mercenaries. The report also found that the former Interior Minister was implicated in the unlawful killing of nine prison inmates in August 2012, and in the attempted assassination of lawyer Ousman Sillah. Sexual violence One of the big questions is whether Sonko could be charged in Switzerland with rape and/or sexual violence. Grant says the TRRC, although it is not a court or a prosecutors office, confirmed in its report that a lot of sexual offences were carried out by the system of which Sonko was a leading figure. Court decisions to renew Sonkos remand, which include looking at evidence gathering by the Office of the Attorney General, suggest this is already on the Swiss investigators radar. If such charges were brought, would it be for command responsibility only, or also direct rape as alleged by Binta Jamba before the TRRC? According to the TRRC report, Jamba, a member of the police, testified that Sonko sexually harassed and raped her more than 70 times after the death of her husband Almamo Manneh, as well as beating her and threatening her with a pistol. The report concludes that in view of the above, Ousman Sonko is responsible for the several rapes and torture of Binta Jamba. If and when Sonko is tried in Switzerland, it could be a powerful symbol. Given that Gambias ex-president Jammeh is in exile in Equatorial Guinea, under the protection of its long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Sonko could become the highest person in Jammehs regime brought to justice. It could be important for transitional justice in Gambia. It could also be important for Switzerlands commitment to prosecuting international crimes. A Syrian doctor accused of torture and murder while working in military hospitals in his war-torn homeland told a German court on Tuesday that he felt sorry for patients who were beaten and blindfolded. Alaa Mousa, 36, who arrived in Germany in 2015 and practised medicine in the country until his arrest, is on trial for crimes against humanity. Prosecutors have alleged that besides kicking and beating inmates, he doused a teenage boys genitals in alcohol before setting them alight and did the same to an adult prisoner. But Mousa told the court he felt sympathy for detainees. I saw the military secret service beating injured detainees. I felt sorry for them, but I couldnt say anything, or it would have been me instead of the patient, Mousa told judges at Frankfurts higher regional court. Mousa stands accused of 18 counts of torturing detainees in Damascus and the western city of Homs in 2011-12. He also faces one count of murder for allegedly administering a lethal injection to a prisoner who resisted being beaten, according to federal prosecutors. His case is the second landmark trial in Germany over atrocities committed by the Syrian regime during the countrys civil war. Earlier this month, another German court 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. Mousa denies the accusations against him but has yet to respond to them in detail. Describing his experiences at the military hospital in Homs in 2011 after Arab Spring protests against President Bashar al-Assads regime led to a brutal crackdown, Mousa said so many opposition demonstrators were brought in with injuries that it was chaos. Some of the detainees showed signs of having been tortured or beaten, he said. Inhumane But Mousa, a civilian doctor, never asked questions, having been told by his supervisor that the military secret service was in control of the hospital. On at least one occasion, Mousa said he witnessed a blindfolded patient, his hands tied behind his back, being beaten by military secret service and some of the military medical staff working at the hospital. I was very scared of the military secret service and also of the medical staff that just joined in, he told the court. He also said he thought it was inhumane to keep patients blindfolded while they were being sutured or otherwise treated. Asked whether he felt sympathy for the demonstrators, Mousa said neither he nor his family were political activists. But I also wasnt a super supporter of the regime. The anti-Assad protests started off peacefully, he recalled, but he said they quickly turned more radical. Im against violence on either side, he added. The proceedings in Germany are enabled 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 Austria, France and Norway. A German woman who moved to Syria aged 15 to join the Islamic State group went on trial in the eastern city of Halle on Tuesday, accused of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. Prosecutors in Frankfurt say Syrias military hospitals play a key role in Assads state-sponsored torture system, and that Mousa helped to perpetrate a systematic attack on the civilian population. 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 picturesque spa town of Bad Wildungen. He was arrested in June 2020 after Syrian witnesses came forward. A Syrian doctor on trial in Germany for torture and murder while working in military hospitals in his war-torn homeland on Tuesday denied setting fire to a teenage boys genitals or operating on detainees without anaesthesia. Alaa Mousa, 36, who arrived in Germany in 2015 and practised medicine in the country until his arrest five years later, is on trial for crimes against humanity. Taking the stand, he told judges at the higher regional court in Frankfurt that he felt sorry for patients who were beaten and blindfolded. He firmly denied allegations of dousing a teenage boys genitals in alcohol before setting them alight, saying he did not do that. He also said he did not strike detainees, and would never have operated on a patient without anaesthesia, as prosecutors accuse him of doing. Instead, Mousa told the court he felt sympathy for detainees. I saw the military secret service beating injured detainees. I felt sorry for them, but I couldnt say anything, or it would have been me instead of the patient, Mousa told the court. Mousa stands accused of 18 counts of torturing detainees in Damascus and the western city of Homs in 2011-12. He also faces one count of murder for allegedly administering a lethal injection to a prisoner who resisted being beaten, according to federal prosecutors. His case is the second landmark trial in Germany over atrocities committed by the Syrian regime during the countrys civil war. Earlier this month, another German court sentenced a former Syrian colonel to life in jail for overseeing the murders of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at a Damascus detention centre a decade ago. Describing his time at the military hospital in Homs in 2011, after Arab Spring protests against President Bashar al-Assads regime led to a brutal crackdown, Mousa said so many opposition demonstrators were brought in with injuries that it was chaos. Some of the detainees showed signs of having been tortured or beaten, he said. Inhumane But Mousa, a civilian doctor, never asked questions, having been told by his supervisor that the military secret service was in control of the hospital. On one occasion, Mousa said he witnessed a blindfolded patient, his hands tied behind his back, being beaten by military secret service and some of the military medical staff working at the hospital. I was very scared of the military secret service and also of the medical staff that just joined in, he told the court. He also said he thought it was inhumane to keep patients blindfolded while they were being sutured or otherwise treated. Asked whether he felt sympathy for the demonstrators, Mousa said neither he nor his family were political activists. But I also wasnt a super supporter of the regime. The anti-Assad protests started off peacefully, he recalled, but he said they quickly turned more radical. Im against violence on either side, he added. Mousa will address the other charges he faces on Thursday. Prosecutors in Frankfurt say Syrias military hospitals play a key role in Assads state-sponsored torture system, and that Mousa helped to perpetrate a systematic attack on the civilian population. Mousa left Syria for Germany in mid-2015, on a visa for skilled workers. He worked in several places as an orthopaedic doctor, including in the picturesque spa town of Bad Wildungen. He was arrested in June 2020 after Syrian witnesses came forward. The proceedings in Germany are enabled by the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows crimes of exceptional gravity to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. A German woman who moved to Syria aged 15 to join the Islamic State group went on trial in the eastern city of Halle on Tuesday, accused of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. Norway said it would press the Taliban with tangible demands during talks in Oslo on Tuesday, the last day of the hardline Islamists controversial first visit to Europe since returning to power in Afghanistan. A Taliban delegation led by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has been in Norway since Saturday for talks focused on aid to Afghanistan. The humanitarian situation has rapidly deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, when international aid came to a sudden halt, worsening the plight of millions of people already suffering after several severe droughts. The Taliban delegation met members of Afghan civil society on Sunday, followed by Western diplomats on Monday. They were to wrap up their visit on Tuesday with several bilateral meetings, including with a Norwegian political official, and discussions with non-governmental organisations. This is not the beginning of an open-ended process, said Norwegian state secretary Henrik Thune ahead of his talks with the delegation. We are going to place tangible demands that we can follow up on and see if they have been met, he told Norwegian news agency NTB. The demands were to include the possibility of providing humanitarian aid directly to the Afghan people, according to NTB. It was also to call for human rights to be respected, in particular those of women and minorities, such as access to education and health services, the right to work, and freedom of movement. Missing women activists While the Islamists claim to have modernised, women are still largely excluded from public-sector employment and most secondary schools for girls remain closed. Norway was also expected to raise the plight of two women activists who went missing in Kabul last week after taking part in a demonstration. The Taliban have denied responsibility. The Taliban were toppled in 2001 but stormed back to power last August as US-led forces began withdrawing. They view this weeks meetings held behind closed doors in a hotel near Oslo as a step toward international recognition and the unblocking of financial aid. Norway providing us this opportunity is an achievement in itself because we shared the stage with the world, Foreign Minister Muttaqi said Monday after talks with representatives of the United States, the European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Norway. No country has yet recognised the fundamentalist regime, and Norway has insisted the talks do not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban. Some 55 percent of the Afghan population is suffering from hunger, according to the United Nations. But the international community is waiting to see how the Taliban intend to govern before unblocking any aid. We cannot save lives unless all the sanctions are lifted, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, told AFP before sitting down with the Taliban. Freezing aid is hurting the same civilians that the NATO countries spent hundred of billions on defending until August, he said. A spokesman for the Taliban foreign ministry said the delegation also held bilateral talks on Tuesday with a senior French foreign ministry official, Bertrand Lotholary, and EU special representative Tomas Niklasson. Oslos decision to host a delegation has been criticised by some experts and members of the Afghan diaspora. Several protests have been held outside the foreign ministry in the capital. Among the 15 members of the all-male Taliban delegation is Anas Haqqani, a leader of the most feared and violent faction of the Taliban movement. The Haqqani network has been blamed for some of the most devastating attacks in Afghanistan, and a Norwegian-Afghan has filed a police complaint in Oslo against him for war crimes. A German woman who joined the Islamic State group in Syria as a 15-year-old schoolgirl leading a double life went on trial on Tuesday accused of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. Leonora Messing, a former high school band majorette and now a 22-year-old mother of two, is in the dock in the eastern German city of Halle on suspicion that she and her IS husband enslaved a Yazidi woman in Syria in 2015. In the trial scheduled to last until at least mid-May, Messing is also facing charges of membership of a terrorist organisation and weapons law violations. She married a German who worked for the organisation there and also worked for the IS herself, Holger Schneider-Glockzin, a representative of the federal prosecutors office, said. At times, she had an assault rifle and a firearm to demonstrate her affiliation with the IS, he added outside the courtroom as the proceedings got under way behind closed doors. The high-profile case has prompted soul-searching in Germany about how a teenage girl from a small town became radicalised and joined the Islamist cause. Third wife Messing ran away from home bound for the IS-controlled part of Syria in March 2015. After reaching Raqqa, then the de facto capital of IS in Syria, she became the third wife of a German national and known jihadist. Messings father, a baker from the German village of Breitenbach, only learned his daughter had converted to a radical brand of Islam by opening her abandoned computer and reading her journal after her disappearance. Six days after she vanished, her father received a message informing him his daughter chose Allah and Islam and that she had arrived in the caliphate. She was a good student, her father, Maik Messing, told regional broadcaster MDR in 2019. She used to go to a retirement home to read to the elderly. She took part in carnival as a majorette. That was when a lot of the people we know saw her for the last time. Messing was visiting, apparently without her parents knowledge, a mosque in the western city of Frankfurt that was in the crosshairs of Germanys domestic intelligence service. She is among the more than 1,150 Islamists who left Germany from 2011 for Syria and Iraq, according to government findings. Her case has attracted particular scrutiny due to her young age, and because her father agreed to be followed for four years by a team of reporters from public broadcaster NDR. As part of the report, he made public thousands of messages he continued to exchange with his daughter, offering rare insights into daily life under IS, but also eventually her attempts to break free. Arrested on arrival Prosecutors say Messing took part in human trafficking, after her husband bought and then sold a 33-year-old Yazidi woman. Messing, who had given birth to two small girls, wound up detained in a Kurdish-controlled camp in northern Syria. Her husband, Martin Lemke, was captured in 2019 by the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish administrations de-facto army, two of his wives told AFP at the time. In December 2020, Messing was repatriated in one of four operations bringing a total of 54 people, most of them children, back to Germany. She was arrested upon her arrival at Frankfurt airport but later released. There are an estimated 61 Germans still in camps in northern Syria, as well as around 30 people with a link to Germany, according to official estimates. A German court in November issued the first ruling worldwide to recognise crimes against the Yazidi community as genocide, in a verdict hailed by activists as a historic win for the minority. The Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking group hailing from northern Iraq, have for years been persecuted by IS militants who have killed hundreds of men, raped women and forcibly recruited children as fighters. Krispy Kreme is putting the dough in dough-nate. The national doughnut chain is giving away sweet treats to help combat the nationwide blood shortage through the end of January. Advertisement Original glazed doughnuts are sold at a Krispy Kreme store on May 5, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) People who donate blood to the American Red Cross will get a free dozen original glazed doughnuts when they show their donation sticker or confirmation of their donation through the organizations donor app. The organization which provides some 40% of the nations blood announced earlier this month that its experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade, with a 10% decrease in donations since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Advertisement Were grateful for all that the American Red Cross does for our country and we want to help them, Krispy Kremes chief marketing officer Dave Skena said with Mondays announcement. Hopefully a free Original Glazed dozen will increase awareness and even mobilize those who can give blood. We want them to enjoy the doughnuts with our thanks but also share the doughnuts while encouraging others to roll up their sleeves. People can find where to donate blood on the Red Cross website or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. The Red Cross is grateful to Krispy Kreme for helping us thank our generous blood donors who are stepping up to help restock hospital shelves for patients in need during this historic crisis, American Red Cross senior vice president of Donor Services Paul Sullivan said. Our Red Cross teams are working around the clock to meet the needs of hospital patients but cant do it alone. We hope this thank you from Krispy Kreme will help provide a dozen more reasons for eligible individuals to make and keep their donation appointments in the days ahead. Donating to other blood donation organizations will also be honored for the companys latest in-store giveaway promotion at participating locations. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company, which went public last year, has promoted COVID-19 vaccinations with free doughnuts since March 2021. According to a rep, Krispy Kreme gave away nearly 4 million doughnuts in its effort. U.S. health regulators said Monday that COVID-19 antibody drugs from Regeneron and Eli Lilly should no longer be used because they are unlikely to fight the omicron variant that is now nearly all U.S. infections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it was revoking emergency authorizations for the two drugs, which are purchased by the federal government and given to millions of Americans with COVID-19. If the drugs prove effective against future variants, the FDA said it could reauthorize their use. The regulatory move was expected, as both drugmakers said infusion drugs were less able to target omicron because of the omicron mutation. Still, the federal action could spark resistance from some Republican governors, who continue to push the drugs against the advice of health experts. Omicrons resistance to two leading monoclonal antibody drugs has upended the COVID-19 treatment regimen in recent weeks. Doctors have alternative treatments to combat early COVID-19 cases, including two new antivirals from Pfizer and Merck, but both are in short supply. A still-effective antibody drug from GlaxoSmithKline is also in short supply. These drugs are laboratory-made virus-blocking antibodies. They are designed to stop serious illness and death by delivering concentrated doses of one or two antibodies early in infection. Then-President Donald Trump received Regenerons antibody combination after testing positive for the 2020 coronavirus. The U.S. government temporarily halted distribution of both drugs in late December as omicron is racing to become the lead variant across the country. But officials resumed distribution after complaints from Republican governors, including Floridas Ron DeSantis, who claimed the drugs continued to help some omicron patients. DeSantis has vigorously promoted antibody drugs as a signature part of his administrations response to COVID-19, setting up infusion sites and praising them in news conferences, while opposing vaccine mandates and other public health measures. Texas Governor Greg Abbott also launched state-funded infusion sites. Not a Modern Healthcare subscriber? Register today. These drugs are not a substitute for vaccinations and are usually reserved for the most vulnerable, including the elderly, transplant recipients and people with conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The U.S. government has shipped enough doses of the two antibodies to treat more than 300,000 patients since early January. Both Regeneron and Lilly previously announced that they were developing new antibodies against omicron. The move comes days after regulators expanded the use of remdesivir, the first drug approved for COVID-19, to treat more patients. On Friday, the FDA expanded the approval of the antiviral drug to include adults and children with early-stage COVID-19 who are at high risk for hospitalization. Remdesivir was previously limited to hospitalized patients. An influential federal panel of experts has recommended the infused drug to avoid hospitalization. The same guidelines from the NIH panel advise against continued use of Eli Lilly and Regenerons antibody drugs because they are less effective against omicron. Still, many hospitals will face challenges in scaling up remdesivir treatment. When used in non-hospitalized patients, the drug requires three consecutive intravenous infusions over three days. For many hospitals with excess capacity facing staff shortages, this time-consuming process will not be an option. The FDAs decision was based on a study of 560 patients that showed that giving remdesivir within seven days of onset of symptoms reduced hospitalization rates by nearly 90 percent. The research predates the omicron variant, but like other antivirals, remdesivir is expected to maintain its performance against the latest variant. University of Kansas Student Body President Niya McAdoo wants to address various issues this semester, including campus fees. McAdoo would like to raise these fees, in order to provide more services for students. "The Red Sleeve Cuff" stars Lee Junho, Lee Se Young, and Kang Hoon will meet their Tawainese fans for the first time through a virtual fan meeting this February. 'The Red Sleeve Cuff' Stars Lee Junho, Lee Se Young, and Kang Hoon to Have First Online Fan Meeting "The Red Sleeve Cuff" cast members Lee Junho, Lee Se Young, and Kang Hoon garnered a huge fanbase in Taiwan from beginning to conclusion and beyond of the drama. It is one of the Asian countries where MBC's historical-romance series received a hot response from viewers. The series ranked first in friDay, Taiwan's biggest online streaming platform, for two consecutive months. It was reported on January 6 that the sageuk drama gained massive popularity in Taiwan and its stars Lee Junho, Lee Se Young, and Kang Hoon. It was also mentioned by Lee Jung Won, CEO of Lian Contents who exported "The Red Sleeve Cuff" to Taiwan, that Taiwanese fans wished to meet the cast of the drama soon. Due to high demand, the much-awaited fan meeting is finally happening on February 13, an early and exclusive Valentine's Gift of the three drama stars to the overwhelming love and support they keep on receiving from fans. In addition, apart from the lead stars, the story concept, the actors' brilliant performance, the drama was also praised for greatly continuing the Korean craze in Taiwan. The upcoming event will be hosted by friDay. Other details regarding the forthcoming fun event will be announced soon. 'Radio Star' Episode Starring 'The Red Sleeve Cuff' Cast to Air on January 26 MBC's "Radio Star" finally dropped teasers of "The Red Sleeve Cuff" cast for their special episode in the program, to be released on January 26 on primetime. The cast members who appeared together with the onscreen couple are Kang Hoon, Jang Hye Jin, Oh Dae Hwan, and Lee Min Ji. In the teaser video, everyone is seen enjoying the moment as they share some of their funny and memorable memories with each other while filming "The Red Sleeve Cuff." According to a media insider, Lee Se Young and Lee Junho also fulfilled their promise to the viewers to make a dance cover of 2PM's "My House." The two recorded the video during the show and fans are now looking forward to seeing another exciting content from the award-winning onscreen couple. Meanwhile, Lee Junho just finished his two-day online and offline fan meeting in celebration of his birthday. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. An instructor trains members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Force in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday. The 13,000 Ukrainian-Canadians who live in greater Kelowna fear a return to tyranny in their homeland if the Russians invade Ukraine. The death of a 23-year-old Connecticut college student who was found dead in mid-December after a Bumble date has been ruled accidental. Lauren Smith-Fields died of acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine and alcohol, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced Monday, according to NBC Connecticut. Advertisement Smith-Fields died on Dec. 12 after police responded to a call to her home about an unresponsive woman. There, she was found laying on her back on the floor, with dried blood in and around her right nostril, according to an incident report obtained by the Daily News. A frantic man, later identified as Matthew LaFountain, told officers that he had met her on the dating app Bumble three days earlier and had come over the night. The pair did shots of tequila, after which Smith-Fields got sick and began vomiting in the bathroom, he claimed. Advertisement Lauren Smith-Fields was found dead on Dec. 12. (Ned Gerard/AP) She returned and the pair continued drinking and playing games. At some point, he told police, her brother showed up to pick up some clothes. Smith-Fields allegedly fell asleep and her date carried her to bed and went to sleep next to her. When LaFountain woke up the next morning, he told police, she was on the floor, not breathing. She had been dead for at least an hour by the time police arrived, according to officials. Smith-Fields family was never notified about her death, but found out only after they showed up at her apartment after being unable to get in touch with her for two days. A note on her door instructed them to call the landlord, who broke the news. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Police never interviewed LaFountain, her father, Everett Smith, told WTNH, writing him off because he was a nice guy. All we keep getting is doors closed in our faces and empty promises, he said. The familys lawyer also claimed that detectives never collected evidence from the scene, including a pill used as a sedative, a condom, and a round blood stain in the middle of (Smith-Fields) bed. Smith-Fields' family has called for an investigation into policing, race and victims rights. (Ned Gerard/AP) The lawyer, Darnell Crosland, said Friday that he intends to sue the city of Bridgeport on behalf of Smith-Fields family. Advertisement Crosland did not immediately return a request for comment from The News Tuesday. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said Monday that the Office of Internal Affairs will conduct a full and fair investigation. I recognize that the family and the community is experiencing a lot of pain because of the loss of a young woman in addition to unanswered questions and concerns about the way the matter has been handled, he said in a statement. Ketchikan, AK (99901) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 49F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of light rain. Low 39F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 2 Shares Share As an attorney who negotiates physician employment agreements with hospitals on a daily basis, I have developed a healthy skepticism about mindset of hospital executives. It is painfully obvious that most executives in our hospital systems have a business school mindset, that views physicians as necessary (albeit expendable) cogs in the magnificent machine that is the hospital. Executives can hardly be blamed for this attitude. Physicians will always take care of their patients first, with little or no regard to the impact on their health or personal lives. In short, physicians do not require the upkeep or care required of expensive machinery. Although that expensive MRI machine will simply stop working if due consideration is not given to proper maintenance, a physician can be counted upon to work endless hours seeing patients, and then working late into the night keeping electronic health records pristine. As a businessperson running the business of the hospital, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the MRI. The physician not so much. From a pure business perspective, it makes sense to continually push the physicians. The physicians will not stop working (billing) until they drop. When you lose a physician, you can easily push that physicians workload onto the other physicians until such time as a replacement is found. The business perspective, however, seems to universally miss one important point. Physicians are humans. Although physician burnout does not seem to be much of a concern to the hospital community, it is very real. When negotiating a physician employment agreement, one of my major focuses is always quality of life for the physician: patient contact hours, vacation, sick leave, and other terms and conditions of the employment agreement that can grind down a physician if not properly addressed. Unfortunately, when negotiating with hospitals I am frequently forced to deal with individuals who need to explain the importance of maintaining flexibility in their workforce (a wonderful business school phrase that appropriately dehumanizes the people who are accomplishing the purported mission of the hospital to treat the sick and injured). The hospital personnel frequently tell me that limiting patient contact hours to only 32 or 36 hours per week is considered part-time. Many contend that keeping the electronic health record boxes all appropriately checked should be done on the physicians own time. I assume the hospital administrators would be pleased if a physician avoided any personal contact with the patient during whatever brief moments are allocated for a visit so that the electronic health record can be put into a condition that allows billing for the visit. Physicians, of course, spend their visits treating the patient as a human being rather than a unit on the assembly line that is their schedule. Doing so requires significant outside time polishing the record so that the hospital may bill. Hospital executives apparently view this as an inefficient use of resources, and therefore frequently insist upon 40 patient contact hours per week. All of the above has given me a somewhat jaded view of the motivations of hospital executives. Over the years, my attitude towards these individuals has gradually shifted. After about ten years or so negotiating with them, I viewed them as universally evil, soulless, and defective. As I age, I am mellowing somewhat in my attitude. I still believe that they are wrong, but many of the hospital executives I have dealt with are genuinely concerned about quality of care rendered in their institutions. Their treatment of physicians (excuse me, the workforce) just makes good business sense. Physicians have not given the hospitals reason to be concerned about their well-being. That must change, or the increasing burnout and early retirement of physicians will accelerate, and the quality of health care for us all will deteriorate. Physicians in the coming months may be required to make difficult choices they must begin to take care of themselves with at least as much concern as they have for their patients. Otherwise, we can expect hospitals to continue to ignore physician well-being to improve their bottom lines. Dennis Hursh is a physician contract lawyer. He blogs at Physicians Contracts Blog. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Long Island is getting a new area code. The states Public Service Commission officially announced that a planned additional area code for Nassau County will be 363. Advertisement (Shutterstock) Customers in the existing 516 area code requesting new service, an additional line, or a move in the location of their service, may be assigned a number in the new 363 area code beginning the second quarter of 2023. The addition was authorized due to the expectation that the long-existing 516 area code will run out of available numbers by the end of next year, according to a September 2021 petition from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator. Advertisement The new area code is expected to provide telephone number relief in Nassau County for approximately 49 years. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the county population covering the towns Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay, and the two cities, Long Beach and Glen Cove is 1,395,774. Customers will retain their current telephone numbers, and 10-digit dialing for local calls will continue. The 363-area code will be assigned to newly issued telephone numbers in Nassau once all existing 516 telephone numbers are exhausted, and will apply to all telephone numbers, regardless if land line or cellular, business or private. As a result of a robust economy and strong demand for telecommunication services on Long Island, we need to establish a new area code, newly appointed commission chair Rory Christian said in a written statement last week. With the addition of the new area code, Nassau County will be well-positioned to accommodate future economic growth and to satisfy growing consumer demand. Further, our decision will ensure local telephone service remains available. The commission made it clear that: Current telephone numbers, including current area code, will not affected; the price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the 363 area code; and all local calls will remain local calls, including calls between 516 and 363 area codes In the last year we've lost thousands of family members, friends and co-workers to COVID-19. We'd like to give you a chance to honor their memory. Share a Memory Looking to update your home? Watch the KHQ Spring Home Design Guide featuring the areas top home improvement businesses on Sat, May 7 at 4:30pm on KHQ. And click here to win a $500 VISA gift card, courtesy of our presenting partner - VPC Electric! A Texas woman was arrested last week after offering a mother hundreds of thousands of dollars for one of her children. According to Click2Houston, Rebecca Taylor, 49, approached a mother at a Walmart checkout line in Crockett, about 120 miles north of Houston, and started remarking about the womans two children who were in a shopping cart. Advertisement Rebecca Taylor (Houston County Sheriffs Office) Taylor allegedly offered the woman cash for her infant son and the woman refused. Taylor reportedly started yelling and increased her offer to $500,000 and said she would abduct the child. The woman got away from Taylor and contacted police. Taylor was charged with sale or purchase of a child, a third-degree felony, and was released on $50,000 bond on Thursday. Kilgore, TX (75662) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. It has been confirmed this morning that search and rescue services operating out of Waterford are to be retained. Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe confirmed that the Waterford helicopter base will be retained alongside the country's three other bases in Dublin, Shannon and Sligo. Recent fears that the base was in jeopardy stemmed from the publication of a tender by the Department of Transport calling for a new Air Sea Rescue Service. The terms and conditions of this tender gave scope to reduce the number of national bases to 3 compared to the 4 operating across the country at present. The governments latest decision to change the specifications for the next phase of the tender to include retention of the existing four bases has safeguarded the services future. Rescue Helicopter 117 is stationed at the base in Waterford and regularly responds to emergency incidents in Kilkenny. Assurances over the future of the South-East search and rescue base have been welcomed across the region. Kilkenny councillor Pat Dunphy previously stated that the service is 'far too vital to the region to lose'. Brexit and Covid are to blame for the delay in finishing the new public lighting at the public walk and open space at the Pococke on the Johnswell Road but the finish line is in sight according to Mayor Andrew McGuinness who wants pressure put on suppliers to speed up delivery. "Council engineers are doing all they can to get this project finished as soon as possible but unfortunately we are told that Brexit disrupted the supply chain, delaying the delivery of lanterns and Covid disrupted the manufacturing of micro chips that are also used in the lights," said Mayor McGuinness. "Once the lanterns arrive there is a three-step process between the contractor and Electric Ireland that will also take time. Engineers are confident that the delay will be rectified in a matter of weeks and the lighting will be finished and switched on. "This is something that all of the elected representatives in Kilkenny City want finished as soon as possible. I have received a lot of queries from people who use the area for walking and with the dark evenings the lighting is an absolute necessity. Along with the other members of the City Municipal District I will continue to put the pressure on until this job is complete," concluded Mayor McGuinness. ALBANY Mayor Adams plan to address gun violence in the city following the death of two NYPD officers is dividing Democrats and sparking renewed debate over recently enacted bail reforms. The new mayor called on state lawmakers to amend bail laws to make it easier to prosecute gun crimes and give judges more discretion when setting bail. Advertisement While willing to sit down with Adams to discuss the issue, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) on Tuesday maintained her stance that reforms on some level have been working and called for more time to assess the changes. We did not just wake up and say, oh we have to tinker with bail. We did the reforms because there was a disparity in treatment, she said. Advertisement New York City Mayor Eric Adams (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News) The Democratic-led Legislature approved sweeping changes to New Yorks bail laws in 2019, limiting pretrial detention for most nonviolent crimes to make the system more equitable. The overhauls were amended in 2020 to make more serious offenses bail-eligible, such as criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter. Law enforcement groups and Republican lawmakers have hammered Dems over the changes, drawing a direct link to increases in crime. Stewart-Cousins said more information is needed to assess the situation and noted that recently released data revealed only 2% of those out on bail are rearrested for a violent crime. Adams specifically called lawmakers to allow judges to consider a defendants dangerousness when deciding whether they should be detained, which was not allowed even before the 2019 changes. During a budget hearing on public safety, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks said jurists would welcome the change. Many judges, if not most of our judges who sit on criminal cases, would like more discretion when making determinations about bail, he said. Senate Majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) (Hans Pennink/AP) Progressives and criminal justice advocates slammed the idea, arguing that granting more discretion would unfairly target the very same people the overhauls were meant to help and do nothing to address gun violence. Jailing more New Yorkers without a trial is not a solution, said Marvin Mayfield, director of organizing at Center for Community Alternatives. We already know what unchecked judicial discretion looks like: the mass incarceration of Black and brown New Yorkers. Advertisement Asking judges to predict who is dangerous will only worsen racial disparities and undermine our constitutional rights, he added. Meanwhile, Moderate Dems voiced support for Adams plan and expressed an openness to revisiting bail laws in Albany. Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-L.I.), who lost a heated race for Nassau County district attorney last year after Republicans hammered him on bail reform, said hes open to revisiting the issue. I have long believed and as a prosecutor in the federal criminal justice system practiced this way that allowing judges to take a defendants dangerousness into account when determining bail is logical and appropriate, Kaminsky said in a statement. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) (John Minchillo/HANDOUT) Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) noted that every other state allows judges to consider dangerousness. So weve given them a confusing statute, and I think its important that be part of the public debate, she said during Tuesdays budget hearing. Advertisement Adams said he also wants lawmakers in Albany to reverse reforms made to the states discovery laws, requiring prosecutors to hand over evidence to defendants in a timely manner. We must allow district attorneys to move forward earlier with gun charges, he said Monday. Additionally, the mayor said he believes the states raise the age legislation, which upped the age of criminal responsibility to 18, is being exploited. He believes teens are taking the fall for gun possession charges to help others avoid jail time. Stewart-Cousins again said she is open to having a conversation with Adams, but firmly defended the criminal justice reforms enacted in Albany in recent years. We cant incarcerate ourselves out of these problems. And so we have to as a society, come together and be rational and look at the data, she said. Gov. Hochul has said she is open to amending the states bail statutes but made no mention of the issue in her State of the State address earlier this month. Advertisement Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-L.I.) used Adams call to target Hochul as he mounted the primary challenge against the sitting governor. Hochuls lack of action is an abdication of leadership and endangers police and innocent New Yorkers across the State, Suozzi said as he stood outside the 32nd Precinct in Manhattan. She has not put out a plan to comprehensively address the crime epidemic; she is silent on critical issues, such as bail reform. ALBANY The bipartisan state commission tasked with redrawing legislative and congressional lines called it quits Monday without submitting any new maps to lawmakers. Members of the deadlocked New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, meant to take the politics out of the process, pointed fingers across the aisle as they admitted defeat. Advertisement We have negotiated with our Republican colleagues in good faith for two years to achieve a single consensus plan. At every step, they have refused to agree to a compromise, the Democratic members said in a statement. The stalemate came weeks after the 10-member commission voted to send a pair of competing maps, one drawn up by Republicans and one by Democrats, to the Legislature as each side blamed the other for the partisan bickering. Advertisement Lawmakers rejected both sets of maps, giving the commission until Tuesday to reach a compromise. The Democratic commissioners, however, accused Republicans on the panel of running out the clock to prevent the commission from voting on second maps by its deadline. A voter completes an absentee ballot form at the Albany County Board of Elections building in Albany, N.Y. (Hans Pennink/AP) The five Republican members likewise charged their counterparts with intentionally stalling the process. The Democrat-appointed commissioners have no incentive to work cooperatively toward a consensus plan and, in fact, they purposely scuttled the process so that the determination of district lines would be tossed back to a Legislature controlled by Democrat supermajorities, the group said. The George Washington Memorial statue stands in front of the New York State Capitol in Albany, N.Y. (Hans Pennink/AP) The deadlock gives Democrats the upper hand as the Assembly and Senate will now oversee the creation of new congressional and state legislative district boundaries that will be in place for the next decade. Democrats hold a supermajority in both state legislative chambers and hold 19 of the states 27 current congressional seats. Based on the 2020 census, New York will have only 26 congressional seats going forward. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has endorsed Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance in the crowded Ohio Republican Senate primary race. The firebrand supporter of former President Trump called Vance a conservative warrior who would bring MAGA values to the Senate. Advertisement Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. (left) and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio J.D. Vance (right) (AP) JD Vance is the conservative warrior that the entire America First movement needs fighting for us in the U.S. Senate, said Greene, in a statement. And thats why Im proud to endorse him. Vance, a former Marine and author of the acclaimed heartland memoir, is a rising conservative star and a prolific fundraiser. Advertisement But he has struggled to gain traction in the crowded Republican primary to succeed Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) in the red-trending Buckeye state. Josh Mandel, a former state treasurer and failed 2012 Senate candidate, has led in some polls. Ex-GOP state party chair Jane Timken is also a frontrunner along with businessman Bernie Moreno and investment banker Mike Gibbons. All the candidates are portraying themselves as strong Trump supporters, even though Vance and others have had to explain away previous harsh criticism of the former president. With the GOP primary electorate firmly in Trumps corner, the endorsement of MTG is a coveted win for Vance as will help strengthen his MAGA bona fides. The winner of the Republican primary will likely face Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), a moderate and former Democratic presidential candidate. The GOP candidate will almost certainly be favored given Ohios recent swing to the right. Two Easy Ways To Subscribe! The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper. (Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription. Support local journalism Local news, sports and entertainment when you want it. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the best local news, sports and entertainment coverage. Xi advocates closer China-Central Asia ties, security cooperation Xinhua) 17:38, January 25, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair on Tuesday a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries in Beijing. This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the five countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Over the past few years, Xi has on various occasions called for promoting ties and security cooperation between China and the five countries. The following are some highlights of his remarks. Jan. 6, 2022 While exchanging congratulations with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xi said he would like to continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and jointly lift the China-Turkmenistan strategic partnership to new levels for the benefit of the two countries and their people. Jan. 5, 2022 The development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations not only benefits the two countries and their people, but also contributes to peace and stability in Central Asia, Xi said in his congratulatory message to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations, and stands ready to maintain close contact with Zhaparov and further promote bilateral ties. Jan. 4, 2022 In his congratulatory message to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said the two countries have taken the lead in building a community of development and a community of security, setting an example of jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides enjoy booming cooperation in various fields, he said, adding that their high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has also achieved fruitful results. Jan. 2, 2022 China-Uzbekistan relations have kept pace with the times and forged ahead, setting a fine example of international relations featuring harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation, Xi said while exchanging congratulations with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Xi said he stands ready to work with Mirziyoyev to jointly write a new chapter in the history of the development of the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to benefit the two countries and two peoples. Sept. 17, 2021 Addressing the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization via video link, Xi said "faced with complex and fluid security dynamics in the region, we need to pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and take tough actions against terrorism, separatism and extremism." "We should make the most of the meeting mechanisms and platforms at all levels, step up policy dialogue, communication and coordination, respect each other's legitimate concerns and promptly resolve problems that may arise and affect our cooperation," Xi said. June 2, 2021 In a telephone conversation with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Xi said China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to make their good relations even better. Xi pointed out that China and Kazakhstan are permanent comprehensive strategic partners, and their friendship enjoys a solid foundation and a strong impetus. June 15, 2019 Addressing the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Xi said building a safe and stable Asia is a common goal of regional countries. He called for dialogue rather than confrontation, and partnership instead of alliance among CICA members. To properly address various traditional and non-traditional security problems, Asian countries should stand firm in cracking down on terrorism of all forms, take all kinds of effective precaution measures and extinguish extremism from its roots, Xi said, urging CICA members to explore a regional security structure with Asian features to realize collective security and common security for Asia. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged on Tuesday to pursue a four-pronged package of federal fire safety measures after this months deadly Bronx blaze, saying that he expects bipartisan support. Standing outside the Bronx high-rise where a smoky inferno killed 17 people, mostly of West African descent, Schumer (D-N.Y.) detailed the fire safety fixes he said he intends to usher through the Senate. Advertisement U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (holding heater) speaks at a press conference addressing proposed federal fire safety legislation outside the site of the tragic fire Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Bronx, New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) The plan would include funding for sprinkler systems in low-income housing; improve data collection for federal fire probes; mandate all space heaters have automatic shutoff features; and require self-closing mechanisms on apartment doors in buildings that receive federal funding. Action on these points will definitely save lives thats what the experts tell us, Schumer said in a news conference, adding that he expects the passage of the legislation should be bipartisan, and we should be able to get the legislation passed quickly. Advertisement The blueprint builds on proposals Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) has championed after the devastating tragedy in his Bronx district. He is pushing legislation in the House. The fire struck at the 19-story Twin Parks North West apartment building after a malfunctioning door allowed smoke to billow out of a third-floor unit, according to authorities. Rep. Richie Torres (D-N.Y.) speaks at a press conference addressing proposed federal fire safety legislation outside the site of the tragic fire Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Bronx, New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) A space heater, left running for days, sparked the fire, which left a brutal imprint on a building that has long been a magnet for immigrants from Gambia, a small West African country. It was the deadliest fire in the five boroughs in more than three decades. Eight children perished. The federal government has no process in place to investigate major fires in the United States, which is a missed opportunity to learn from history, Torres said. Its a missed opportunity to prevent a repeat of the worst fires. He said the legislation that he is pushing with Schumer would empower the U.S. Fire Administration to probe fires like the Bronx blaze. 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) Torres also continued to hammer a message about the dangers of electric space heaters. The devices, which can be purchased online for under $100, can serve as a last resort for residents in poorly heated apartments. But they come with significant risks. Torres said space heaters are linked to hundreds of residential fires each year. Advertisement He joined Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) at Twin Parks North West last week to call for federal legislation requiring heat sensors in housing developments that receive federal funding. In Washington, Torres is leading a fire safety push on two fronts, calling for a freeze of payments to landlords who do not maintain self-closing doors, and automatic shutoff features on the space heaters that crop up in low-income housing complexes. People of color in places like the South Bronx often live in conditions that put them at far greater risk of losing everything their homes, their families, their own lives from a catastrophic fire, Torres told reporters. We have the tools to prevent fires and to save lives. All we need is the political will. A worker brings a self-closing door in the Twin Parks Apartment building before a press conference addressing proposed federal fire safety legislation outside the site of the tragic apartment fire Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Bronx, New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) Schumer said he could envision opposition from representatives of the real estate industry or appliance industry, but intends to push the legislation through with help from Republican colleagues. At one point, the senator held up a small, unplugged space heater, emphasizing that such a device should not be able to run continuously for days. They should be required to have a shutoff, Schumer said. A memorial for fire victims of the Twin Park fire in Bronx, New York (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) As the senator addressed reporters on Tuesday, 16 days after the fire, happy shrieks of children playing on a nearby playground echoed through the chilly January air. Advertisement There are kids who lived in that building who are never going to play in that play yard again, Schumer said. Just think about that. A domestic disturbance call in Harlem that resulted in shots fired, leaving a police officer and the gunman dead and another officer in critical condition has dramatically changed the tenor of policing in New York City over the course of just a few days, and pictured, Mayor Eric Adams on January 22, in Harlem. Mexican Ambassador Bruno Figueroa speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Mexico in central Seoul, Jan. 5. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Mexican music concert, archaeological exhibition set to be held By Kwon Mee-yoo Korea and Mexico will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties on Jan. 26. Mexico is considered Korea's gateway to Latin America, being Korea's largest trading partner in Latin America. Mexico Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bruno Figueroa described the relations between the two countries as "exceptional." "I do not exaggerate, firstly, because of the extraordinary growth of our economic relationship. Today, Korea is Mexico's fourth-largest trade partner, only after the U.S., China and Germany. Korea also is the seventh-largest investor in Mexico," Figueroa said during an interview with The Korea Times, Jan. 5. "On the other side, it's exceptional because of the speed in which we have strengthened our relationship in only 30 years. Thirty years ago, our contacts were very, very low and our trade and investments were also very, very low. So this is an exceptional success story of a bilateral relationship (built) so strong and so fast." The ambassador emphasized many similarities between Mexico and Korea, which propelled the two countries quickly to become key partners. "(Mexico and Korea have) many similarities even though we are so far away. Currently, both countries are middle powers and, in the past, we have suffered from our (geographical) closeness to great powers. In a way, I would say that we are 'dolphins among whales' no longer 'shrimp,'" he said. "I would say that Koreans are the 'Latinos of East Asia.' We are passionate, we love our families, we care about each other. There are many cultural characteristics that resonate very easily with the other country. Even our food and the way we eat our food is very similar." The Angel of Independence, which commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain, is located in downtown Mexico City. Courtesy of the Embassy of Mexico in Korea Biggest partner in Latin America Mexico is an important trading partner for Korea and the ambassador sees more room to grow for bilateral and multilateral trade. "Mexico and Korea are part of the global value chains and both are some of the largest manufacturers in the world. Since Mexico is a hub for especially large Korean global chain manufacturers, there is a very high volume of trade between both countries. So Korea exports not only final products such as cell phones, but also electronic components and semiconductors that are used for production in Mexico," Figueroa explained. "At the same time, there has been an evolution in Mexico's exports to Korea, where oil and mineral products are a lower percentage of our exports to Korea, and we see more electronics, optical components and auto parts produced in Mexico that are exported to Korea." Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, some countries have adopted nationalistic trade policies. And the tensions between the U.S. and China have been mounting. Many global companies are turning to produce in closer, safer countries to prevent possible disruptions in production. For Korean companies targeting the North American market, Mexico has a great advantage for nearshoring, as it is part of the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA). "Mexico is benefiting from that trend and we will see in the coming years more Korean as well as from other countries investments in our country. Mexico is already a large market, but it is part of the North American market, which is the largest market in the world," the ambassador said. "We want to focus more on new industries such as new mobility: electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles and all the manufacturer chains around those new vehicles, in particular, electric batteries. We produce lithium in Mexico so we are pretty much interested in building the entire production chain from lithium to batteries." Another area of great potential for cooperation is Mexico's export of agricultural and food products, such as beef and pork as well as coffee, bananas, avocados and limes. The increasing popularity of Mexican food in Korea also opens up more possibilities for Mexican produce to hit the Korean market. "You find tacos, you find enchiladas, you find burritos, but it's difficult to find more dishes. Mexico is very rich in many senses, and when tourists arrive in Mexico, they are immediately amazed to see the huge, wide variety of the Mexican cuisine," he said. "Definitely there is still too much Korean Tex Mex in Korea. So I am supporting having traditional ingredients and dishes that are more Mexican, and it's happening little by little." Figueroa also hopes to resume free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries. "We know that there is a huge potential in increasing our trade if we have a free trade agreement. So we look forward to initiating negotiations soon COVID has stopped what was started a few years ago. So we really look forward to keeping our conversations going with that goal," he said. The Mexican Embassy in Korea hosts a gala concert commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries at the Seoul Arts Center on Feb. 6. Courtesy of the Embassy of Mexico in Korea. Wolseong 1 nuclear reactor in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Korea Times file Gov't eager to shut down nuclear plants, while seeking to build many abroad By Lee Kyung-min The Moon Jae-in administration has been under constant criticism for its double standards on nuclear energy, as it shows completely different attitudes toward nuclear power plants at home and abroad, according to economists and energy analysts, Monday. While abroad, Moon has been touting Korea's nuclear plants as the world's safest and most efficiently run, urging foreign governments to adopt the country's nuclear reactors. But here at home, the Moon administration has been eager to shut down local plants, calling nuclear energy an environmentally harmful and outdated energy source, and instead stressed the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. This is a clear failure of the Moon administration's energy policies, they said, highlighted further by a rapid overall decline in industrial productivity brought on by higher energy import costs. Further complicating the issue is the ongoing criminal trials of energy ministry officials who were indicted for destroying evidence showing that the ministry sought to delegitimize the economic feasibility of its existing nuclear policy, in an orchestrated move to toe the line of the Moon administration. The experts urged the Moon administration to promptly renounce the previous drives and make a course correction to better outline the country's energy policies to limit economic fallout before it is too late. "The government policy is exhibiting clear signs of faltering," Seoul National University economist Lee In-ho said. Nuclear energy is a stable, effective and efficient energy source and the government knows it, in Lee's view. Yet, the only reason Moon and top policymakers are unable to reverse their policy is for fear of enormous political blowback, an unwanted development that could tank the legitimacy of a government grappling with an already considerably waning level of public support. "Backpedaling at this late stage means essentially forgoing all power," he added. Moon promoting the country's nuclear policies overseas is an indication of government incompetence and policy inconsistency, Lee said. The scathing opinion is backed by comments made by Moon on his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, where he said Korea's nuclear policy is "unmatched by its global peers in economic feasibility and safety." Similar comments were made during summits with his Slovak, Polish and Czech counterparts last year. Korea University professor of Resources and Energy Economics Park Ho-jeong said the government has failed to factor in how economical nuclear energy is compared to renewables. "The current nuclear technology can supply energy in a stable manner at a price lower than what's needed for renewables, a major competitive edge over solar and wind energies prone to extreme volatility in production volume due to weather conditions or hours let alone the lingering controversy over whether renewable energy is green at all," the Korean Resource Economics Association president said. Korea is feared to miss the rare opportunity to take the upper hand in the future energy market, both Lee and Park added, since it will take years for renewables to fully replace the much-lambasted nuclear technology as a stable source of energy. "Europe, a group of countries known to not mind taking years or decades to deliberate on a contentious issue, is seeking to embrace nuclear energy as part of its green investments. The move is not without opposition, but it speaks volumes as to how rash and unprepared Korea was to outright abandon nuclear energy without long-term, viable alternatives in place," Lee said. By Yoo Yeon-chul The new year has come. The first global event of this year was the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, held from Jan. 5 to 7 in Las Vegas. As the world's largest electronics show, CES showcases technologies that signal important overarching themes for the future. The show's 2,300 exhibitors, including more than 800 startups, demonstrated technologies that will drive the way we live, work and do business in the future. Along with themes revolving around the metaverse, cars and wellness, a large focus of this year's CES was on eco-friendly technology. More than 400 exhibitors from Korea have participated in CES 2022. They showcased new technologies in line with the global drive to cut carbon emissions so as to ultimately adapt to the new normal of net zero emissions. Most Korean companies' Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and Virtual Reality (VR)-inspired mobility solutions showed ways to reduce carbon footprints. In this context, 2022 CES could be called the Consumer "Environment" Show. There is no doubt that cost-competitive electrification is a climate solution which helps reduce the need for fossil fuel. It can be said that decarbonization and electrification will be the dominant themes of the coming decade. "Climate Outlook 2022: Making climate action matter," was the main theme of CES 2022. At the 2021 Glasgow Climate Change Conference last November, most countries set out ambitious targets of mitigating their own emissions. Not only countries but also companies are expected to make net-zero targets the norm and this trend will continue through 2022. Now is the time to move from target-setting to integrating climate action into strategy. The world will no longer want to hear about net-zero plans in isolation, and will want proof that countries and companies are taking climate action. 2022 will be an important year for climate action as the world picks up the pace against climate change and moves forward from the 2021 Glasgow Climate Change Conference. There will be a wide range of significant global events and agendas in 2022 for climate change and sustainable development. First, starting from February to September, three consecutive sessions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will be held. The IPCC will eventually launch its first comprehensive report, called the 6th Assessment Report (AR6), since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. The AR6 is expected to contribute to climate action by providing ways and means for net zero emissions to be achieved. Secondly, three main U.N. Environment Conferences of Parties (COPs) are planned throughout 2022. In April, the U.N. Conference on Biodiversity (CBD) will take place in Kunming, China. In May, the U.N. Conference on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in Cote d'Ivoire. In November, Egypt will host the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) on Climate Change in Sharm El-Sheikh. Thirdly, the U.N. Ocean Conference will be convened in Lisbon, Portugal, at the end of June, in an effort to address the climate emergency. Our oceans generate 50 percent of the oxygen we need and absorb 25 percent of all carbon dioxide, which is a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change. In addition, the 15th World Forest Congress will take place in early May in Seoul under the theme of "Building a Green, Healthy and Resilient Future with Forests." Finally, 2022 is an important anniversary year for global environmental conferences, which paved the way for climate debates and sustainable development. 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the U.N. Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm, which resulted in the establishment of the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP). These anniversaries will be celebrated in April and June. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. This anniversary is expected to be celebrated around September, with the initiative of the U.N. Secretary General who made the proposal of "Our Common Agenda." This agenda is a set of 90 ways to realize a "greener, safer, better" future. Through these celebrated conferences, we can examine how global environmental governance has evolved and where we stand heading into the next 50 years. In this way, 2022 will bring us twice as many meetings of environmental treaty governing bodies as we would expect during non-COVID times. Indeed, 2022 will matter for climate action. Yoo Yeon-chul (ycyoo87@gmail.com) was the ambassador for climate change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is now serving as the vice chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He also served as Korea's ambassador to Kuwait. By Robert Skidelsky LONDON As the world drifts toward a new cold war, democracies and authoritarian states must determine what they want from and owe each other in order to enable constructive cooperation. Democracies cannot simply say that time is on their side, and that they need only hold firm to their principles for authoritarian regimes to collapse. It is easier to imagine the end of the planet than the demise of authoritarian rule. The current flashpoint is Ukraine (although it easily could have been Taiwan). This "undeclared war" has been simmering since 2014, when the Euromaidan protests led to the ouster of Ukraine's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, and Russia's subsequent annexation of Crimea and occupation of the eastern Donbas region. While the West accused Russia of illegally seizing another sovereign state's territory, Russia claimed it was recovering part of the motherland. These opposing narratives reflect historical differences. Russian policymakers, and many ordinary Russians, have never inwardly acknowledged that their country lost the Cold War, because this would have meant accepting that between 1989 and 1991 the global balance of power shifted decisively in favor of the United States and its European allies. Meanwhile, Westerners are so used to discussing the Cold War as an ideological struggle between capitalism and communism, or democracy and dictatorship that they have failed to understand it in balance-of-power terms. Part of the balance was nuclear, but a large part was territorial. After World War II, Russia sought to create a buffer in Eastern Europe against the invasions from the West most devastatingly, Hitler's 1941 attack on the Soviet Union that have punctuated its history. Between 1989 and 1991, that buffer became the West's new eastern front. The non-Soviet members of the Warsaw Pact, whose inclusion in that arrangement had been far from voluntary, moved en masse toward North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance that had been established to counter the Soviet Union. This is the essential background to what is happening today in both Ukraine and Belarus. Russian officials have long feared that, with active Western encouragement, these countries would join the exodus to NATO. Russia has always regarded Ukraine as being in its sphere of influence. Until 2014, the Kremlin micromanaged Ukraine's domestic politics to ensure the country remained aligned with Russia's interests. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently declared that, "true sovereignty of Ukraine is possible only in partnership with Russia," thereby both affirming and denying Ukrainian independence in the same sentence a precedent set by the Soviet Union's treatment of its East European satellites. To be sure, there is a great deal of toska (roughly, melancholy longing) in Russia's attitude to its separation from Ukraine. But the role that Ukraine (and Belarus) play in the Kremlin's balance-of-power calculations must never be forgotten. The former British and European Union diplomat Robert Cooper argues that, for Western states, "acquiring territory is no longer of interest." But this ignores the fact that territory can be a site for missiles. Were Ukraine to become a NATO member, the alliance's eastern front would be several hundred miles nearer to Moscow. The West's thinking about international relations has followed a different historical trajectory from that of Russia. From the French Revolution onward, national sovereignty emerged as the West's core principle. As interpreted by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, this meant national self-determination. The main idea was that a world in which all peoples were free to determine their own future would not need balances of power or spheres of influence. It would be inherently pacific. In the name of this principle, all the European colonial empires were eventually dismantled. In 1795, Immanuel Kant had looked forward to a federation of democracies as a guarantee of "perpetual peace." More modestly, the United Kingdom's then-prime minister, Tony Blair, declared in 1999 that, "the spread of our values makes us safer," implying a commitment to support or bring about "regime change" when the opportunity arose. Between these two positions, safety secured by a balance of power and safety secured by democracy, there seems little scope for compromise: each seems to be the enemy of the other. Clearly, in any system aimed at maintaining a great-power balance, some countries will be less self-determining than others. But today's hybrid international system includes both balance-of-power arrangements and initiatives to "spread our values." In this rather unstable mix lies the main hope of establishing a modus vivendi that would allow democracies and authoritarian regimes to cooperate on existential planetary issues such as climate change. One way forward in Eastern Europe would be for Russia to renounce any territorial claims on Ukraine and Belarus in exchange for a Western guarantee that these states would not be allowed to join NATO. This would, in effect, create a military zone of neutrality between Russia and the West. With the NATO issue off the table, both countries would be free to develop economic and cultural ties with the EU, or to be absorbed by Russia if they chose to do so in an internationally supervised referendum. Belgium offers a useful precedent in this regard. After Belgium was removed from French control following Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, the major victorious powers incorporated it into the new United Kingdom of the Netherlands, which was intended to help check any future bids by France to expand. The Belgian Revolution broke out in 1830 in support of independence, which was granted by the Great Powers (Britain, France, Russia, Austria, and Prussia) in the 1839 Treaty of London, on condition that Belgium remain neutral in perpetuity. Although Belgium, unlike Switzerland, did not desire neutrality, its removal from great-power contention enabled the new state to benefit from a peace guaranteed by international law. Of course, no peace is perpetual. Belgian neutrality was breached by Wilhelmine Germany in 1914. Still, the agreement kept the country out of war for 75 years. Similarly imaginative diplomacy where Ukraine is concerned today offers the best hope of converting an undeclared war into a declared peace. Robert Skidelsky, a member of the British House of Lords, is Professor Emeritus of Political Economy at Warwick University. This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). A Dutch woman has pleaded guilty to promoting Nazism after she made a Nazi salute at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest death under Hitlers reign. Local police in a statement Monday said that the 29-year-old tourist, who was not publicly identified, was arrested Sunday after her husband, 30, took photos of her making the salute in front of the notorious gate, which reads Arbeit Macht Frei, CNN reported Monday. Advertisement The ill-considered joke, as the woman deemed it, was reported by Auschwitz Museum guards and though she could have faced up to two years behind bars, the woman was merely fined, a police representative told the outlet. FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2020 file photo, writing reading in German "Work Sets You Free" is seen on the gate of the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland. (Markus Schreiber/AP) The salute is associated with terrible human suffering and filled with contempt and hatred, a representative for the museum told CNN in a statement. Advertisement While it should not be present at all in the public space, using it at the site of the former camp is unacceptable, read the statement. It is disrespectful to all victims of the camp. Six million Jews died during the Holocaust and more than 1.1 million people were systematically killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau, which is now a museum and memorial site. The museum representative said they hoped the guards reaction would serve as a warning to anyone looking to make such shameful manifestations at the memorial. We cannot dismiss this as a bad joke, Michael Schudrich, chief rabbi of Poland, told CNN. Even a symbolic fine is a message for others. No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results France has officially banned so-called LGBTQ conversion therapy, the widely debunked and potentially dangerous practice of attempting to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. The law prohibiting conversion therapy is adopted unanimously, President Emmanuel Macron tweeted Tuesday. Advertisement Lets be proud, these unworthy practices have no place in the republic. Because being yourself is not a crime, because there is nothing to be cured, he added. Pride March parade in Paris on June 26, 2021. (THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images) The bill, which had been approved by both houses of the French Parliament late last year, was officially adopted on Tuesday after a final unanimous vote by lawmakers, the Agence France-Press reported. Advertisement The legislation outlaws practices, behaviors or words aiming to modify or repress [a persons] sexual orientation or identity, having an effect that alters their physical or mental health and it carries a new offense in the penal code of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 30,000 euros (around $33,900). Its done, Frances equality minister, Elisabeth Moreno, tweeted. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Conversion therapies, these barbaric practices from a different time, are definitely prohibited in our country, she continued, adding the hashtag #RienAGuerrir (Nothing to cure). A great victory for rights and equality, tweeted Frances European affairs minister, Clement Beaune, who is gay. #Droits | #TherapiesDeConversion interdites en France ! Une grande victoire pour les droits et legalite #RienAGuerir #LGBT+ Merci aux parlementaires qui ont vote cette proposition de loi, portee par la majorite ! @LaurenceVanceu pic.twitter.com/g66knvK9FC Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) January 25, 2022 Earlier this year, Canada became the sixth country in the world to outlaw the practice, after Brazil, Ecuador, Malta, Albania and Germany. France has now officially joined that list. The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for a global ban on the practice, calling it an egregious violation of rights to bodily autonomy, health, and free expression of ones sexual orientation and gender identity. Ultimately, when conducted forcibly, they also represent a breach to the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment. In the United States, the practice is opposed by prominent professional medical associations including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Advertisement According to the think tank Movement Advancement Project, 20 states and Washington D.C., as well as several counties and cities have laws in place to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangers of the practice which means that 32% of LGBTQ individuals in the country live in states with no laws or policies banning conversion therapy for minors. Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com. Just this past week, COVID deaths hit an 11-month high in the United States, surging 11% compared to the previous week. While cases are finally beginning to drop, an average of 2,200 people a day are still dying thanks to the highly contagious omicron variant, bringing total fatalities in our nation of 330 million to 868,000 and counting. Cut that any way you want: You can say its mostly the unvaccinated dying now, mostly the elderly or immunocompromised. Its still a significant and tragic number. At that rate, COVID deaths account for a full quarter of what used to be the average of American deaths per day. Advertisement But if youre Bari Weiss, a journalist and recent guest on Real Time with Bill Maher, who cares? COVID is so, like, five minutes ago. Bari Weiss, left, and Bill Maher on Real Time with Bill Maher." (HBO) In full disclosure, I know both Bari and Bill. I like and respect them both, and Im also a frequent guest on Mahers show. But the conversation they engaged in over the weekend was one of the most self-indulgent, petulant and unaware Ive heard in a long time, outside of outlets like Newsmax and kooky anti-vax rallies. Advertisement After Maher boasted that Europes decided to treat [COVID] like the flu, and therefore so should we, even though science says it is not like the flu, Weiss offered up her fresh take: Im done. Im done with COVID. Well, then. She went on to describe the great many, erm, sacrifices shes personally made, leading to her exhaustion with the deadly pandemic thats killed 5.6 million people worldwide: I sprayed the Pringles cans that I bought at the grocery store, stripped my clothes off because I thought COVID would be on my clothes. I watched Tiger King. I got to the end of Spotify. We all did it. Indeed, the boys of World War II are head-nodding in sympathy. Of course, we all did much more than that. We kept our kids home from school, we missed out on weddings and funerals, we lost jobs and loved ones, our lives were upended and put on hold. Many of us who survived got very sick and struggled with long COVID. But none of that deterred Weiss, who still had some serious complaints, and very much wanted to talk to COVIDs manager: Then we were told, You get the vaccine and you get back to normal. And we havent gotten back to normal. And its ridiculous at this point. If you believe the science, you will look at the data we did not have two years ago. You will find out that cloth masks do not do anything. You will realize you can show your vaccine passport at a restaurant and still be asymptomatic and be carrying omicron. And you will realize most importantly that this is going to be remembered by the younger generation as a catastrophic moral crime. Its hard to unpack all this, because none of it really makes an argument that we should, for any rational reason, be done with COVID as Weiss is. Its just angsty, teenage word salad that could easily have been checked by a willing moderator. If shes angry that we havent gotten back to normal, she should blame not bureaucracy, as she does, but the unvaccinated, enough of whom are still floating around to keep the virus and new variants alive and well. Advertisement None of her other grievances are arguments to stop caring about COVID either, but particularly not the way the younger generation is going to feel about this moment in history. But its a funny thing about feelings. Years ago, right-wing provocateur Ben Shapiro popularized a phrase meant to mock liberal snowflakes for their overly emotional and irrational responses to policy problems like gun violence or climate change: Facts dont care about your feelings. But in the era of Trumpism, when facts became relative, alternative and often altogether fake, its increasingly the case on the right that feelings dont care much about your facts. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > There are reams of facts available to all proving COVID is still real and not ridiculous. Its common sense to say continued mask-wearing and vaccines are the best ways to avoid getting it and spreading it. This isnt a corporate conspiracy, an assault on your freedom or political propaganda. And just because science has evolved over time, or even changed based on better information, thats not an argument to reject science as untrustworthy. Advertisement Were all frustrated, exhausted and want to go back to normal. Especially those of us who gave up more than just a few hours to binge Tiger King. We should absolutely have grown-up conversations about COVID, whats working and whats not. Those should be divorced from politics and informed by facts. And they should acknowledge the deep losses weve all suffered. No one was well-served by the child-like comments on Mahers show, which sounded more like a cheap pander to the Fox News crowd than the thoughtful commentary Weiss is capable of. Of course, her erudition on COVID remember, shes done has been met with the predictable and deserving response on social media: Her supporters are #DoneWithCovid, too. So there. If only COVID were done with them, and us. secuppdailynews@gmail.com The Northern New England Red Cross is installing smoke detectors this weekend. Do you have a fire evacuation plan for your home? How about when you are traveling? As Democrats in Congress seek a path forward on the Build Back Better bill, they should look to the example of New York City and ensure that preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds is part of the final package. This is not just because preschool enriches the lives of all children, or because it saves working families thousands of dollars a year, or because it is a critical part of any effort towards educational equity, but because the structure of New Yorks program charts a way forward for programs that can win back the faith of American people in the ability of the government to get big things done. As the leader of the effort to implement the Pre-K for All initiative at the Department of Education, I helped Mayor de Blasio make a few key decisions early on that I think offer broader lessons about what makes successful social policy. Advertisement First, for all must mean for all. Democrats have a bad habit of making a broad policy commitment and then adding complex caveats that confuse voters, stigmatize the programs customers, and limit its effectiveness. Our current federal system of child care is an example: It forces families to endure long and intrusive application processes, sorts families into the deserving and undeserving through onerous rules, and doles out care by the hour based on formulas that even long-time experts struggle to understand. The result is that families dont get what they need, services go unused, and we add to the perception that government doesnt work. Mayor de Blasio attends Universal Pre K rally on March 4, 2014. (Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News) New York CIty decided that for all meant for all: All a family needs to get in is proof they live in the five boroughs. They pick their program with an easy application, register and start attending. Thats it. As a result, before the pandemic we were serving close to 70,000 4-year-olds, and were filling seats for 3-year-olds as fast as we could create them. It took a massive effort to make that possible, but we spent that effort building out high-quality programs around the city rather than on a system to ration out or means-test care. Advertisement Second, do it fast. Democrats have another bad habit of promising big change and then laying out a 10-year plan to get there after a two-year planning period. To a voter, this is dangerously close to doing nothing. Voters need to see tangible change quickly, or they lose confidence and attention, and the funding for the effort can be cut without a whisper at the first crisis, or change in leadership. New York City set a two-year timeframe to create a high-quality seat for the family of every 4-year-old that wanted one. De Blasio took office in January 2014, and by September 2015, we had accomplished that goal. Many experts and advocates counseled against such a rapid timeline, but the go-slow approach failed in New York before. Twenty years after passage of a state law to fund universal pre-K, fewer than a third of preschool-age children in NYC were being served. Experts warned that a rapid implementation would mean low quality, but that has it exactly backwards: Success in rapid implementation gave decisionmakers the confidence to invest in the systems that build quality and as a result, the city saw quality improve even as we expanded. Finally, focus on equity. Just because a program is accessible to all does not mean it has to provide exactly the same service to everyone. In New York, we provide additional support to children with disabilities, children who speak a language other than English at home, and since the pandemic programs serving families living in the neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19. But rather than sorting families during the application process, we allow families to enroll in the program they want, and aim to make sure the services are there when they get there. This allows us to advance equity without generating as much of the backlash that often accompanies targeted programs. Democrats need a few big wins to remind Americans that government can make their lives easier and freer. In addition to provisions attacking climate change, we should aim to do one or two big things in Build Back Better, and do them simply, fast and equitably. The nations largest city has demonstrated that investing in universal pre-K has the power not only to advance childrens learning and save families money, but create political capital that Democrats can use to win other hard fights. When he was governor of West Virginia, now-Sen. Joe Manchin was a pioneer in enacting universal preschool in his state. If he is willing to replicate his success nationally, Democrats should take him up on his offer, get it done, and build the confidence in government we need to come back and move other programs forward. Wallack was deputy chancellor for early childhood and student enrollment at the citys Department of Education. Residents of the Village of Williams Bay overwhelmingly expressed a desire to maintain a small-town feel during an open forum meeting to develop a 20-year comprehensive plan. The village and its planning consultant, Vandewalle & Associates, hosted the public event to better understand what residents would like the future of the village to look like. On Nov. 15, the village launched the project with the Plan Commission and Village Board to gather input on key areas of the comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is a statutory document required by Wisconsin state statutes to be updated every 10 years and contain a 20-year look ahead that helps guide the villages future growth and desires. During the community visioning workshop, hosted on Jan. 19, residents shared what they value the most, what key issues concern them the most, some possible opportunities, and a vision for the future. Ive lived here in this area for about five or six years. I just find it a fantastic, small, community that greets its visitors very warmly. Its almost like the little sister of Lake Geneva, said Williams Bay resident Mercy Stevenson. You get to enjoy the hometown feel of Williams Bay but youre only minutes away from some fun activities not only Williams Bay but also Lake Geneva, Fontana, and even Walworth. Stevenson, who is a member of the Lionesses Lions Club of Williams Bay, shared the same values that other residents vocalized. A lot of them agreed that they enjoy the safety of the town, the natural resources, including the lakefront and parks, the school, among other things. Village Administrator Becky Tobin said, So far from listening to the conversations earlier today, the preservation of natural resources, the lake, is a top priority. Also, how to balance between economic development but trying to keep that small-town atmosphere that everybody here likes. Williams Bay resident David Harrison shared that same sentiment. Although other towns around the area seem to be growing, the people of Williams Bay do not want to see commercial growth. But Village President Bill Duncan said he has heard differing opinions and knows some want to see changes downtown. We particularly hear about vacant lots downtown. Recently the Williams Bay Business Association did a survey. I was reading the comments and we do have some divergence about keeping it the way it is, Duncan said. Many residents would prefer to see existing properties up to code and improved infrastructure. Several developments in downtown Williams Bay are under discussion. The vacant lot at the corner of Walworth Avenue and Geneva Street was sold last year to the owners of the Green Grocer Deli and Clear Waters Salon Spa, but no plans have yet been brought to the Village Board. Also, there has been discussion that the property where Cafe Calamari is located could be sold to a developer for mixed use commercial and residential, with plans for a restaurant to continue in the space. But again, nothing has yet been presented to the village and nothing is final. During the visioning session, residents brought up a desire for a two-story building max near the lakefront if there is development. Other items brought up were the need for affordable housing for young families, traffic management, the desire for a sidewalk on Theater Road, tax incentives for downtown projects, fiber optic availability, building standards and improved recreational activities. Residents also brought up a need for electric vehicle charging stations and a property maintenance ordinance. Draft reviews for the comprehensive plan occur with the plan commission and the village board during the spring, Associate Planner Ben Rohr said. The document will be brought back to the public in the summer in an open forum setting where they can hear information from the public on the draft itself and gather feedback. Adoption of the plan by the Plan Commission and the Village Board is expected to happen during the summer. Pennsylvania has thousands of old oil wells that may be polluting the land and surface waters around them, but plugging them up is a challenge. Was eggnog ever a year-round drink? What was the Eggnog Riot of 1826? How did George Washington make eggnog? We've got all the answers in this week's Milk Matters. Weather Alert ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM MDT TODAY FOR THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NORTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL PLAINS, SANDIA, MANZANO AND GALLINAS MOUNTAINS, WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, AND MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .Strong west to northwest winds developing today will shunt out low level moisture which has worked into portions of eastern NM overnight. Therefore very low humidities and unstable conditions are expected across much of central, eastern, and southern NM. Temperatures will be below normal over most of northern and western NM however elevated critical fire weather conditions are still possible. Winds taper off this evening over all and humidities increase over portions of northeast and east central NM. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands, Northeast and East Central Plains, Sandia, Manzano, and Gallinas Mountains, West Central Highlands, and Middle Rio Grande Valley from 10 am to 9 pm MDT today. * 20 FOOT WINDS...West to northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph today. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...7 to 13 percent. * IMPACTS...Outdoor burning should not be done. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. && ...AIR QUALITY ALERT... The following message is transmitted at the request of the New Mexico Departments of Health and Environment. * WHAT...Southwest transport winds will carry smoke toward the northeast during the remainder of the daytime hours today before winds shift back from the west Wednesday. Lighter wind conditions and nighttime inversions tonight will focus the greatest overnight impacts close to and down-drainage of the large fires. * WHERE...Smoke will continue to significantly impact areas across much of southern Colfax, Los Alamos, Mora, southern Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos counties during the next 24 hours. This includes but is not limited to the following communities: Espanola, Kewa Pueblo, La Cueva, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Mora, Ocate, Ohkay Owingeh, Pojoaque, Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Santa Fe, Sapello, Taos, Watrous and White Rock. * WHEN...Remainder of this afternoon through noon MDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Those with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, and heart disease will be especially vulnerable to impacts from poor air quality, as will adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women if smoke concentrations become unhealthy. * HEALTH INFORMATION...Remember, your eyes are your best tools to determine if it is safe to be outside. Use the 5-3-1 Method available at https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. If visibility is: Under 5 miles, the air quality is unhealthy for young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness. Outdoor activity should be minimized. Around 3 miles, young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness should avoid all outdoor activities. Around 1 mile, the air quality is unhealthy for everyone. People should remain indoors and avoid all outdoor activities including running errands. Unless an evacuation has been issued, stay inside your home, indoor workplace, or in a safe shelter. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affecting New Mexico and with the wildfire season underway, New Mexicans will need to take extra precautions. Smoke from wildfires may cause people to have more severe reactions if they are infected COVID-19. The best way to protect against the potentially harmful effects of wildfire smoke and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home and create a clean indoor air space. NMDOH offers tips here: https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/IndoorQuality.html and https://cv.nmhealth.org New Mexicans will also need to take steps to keep their homes cool to avoid heat-related illnesses. NMDOH offers tips here: https://nmtracking.org/health/heatstress/Heat.html. For smoke forecast outlooks from the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program please visit: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net. ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...Central Highlands, Eastern Lincoln County, South Central Highlands, De Baca County, Guadalupe County, Quay County, Eastern San Miguel County, Harding County and Northeast Highlands. * WHEN...From Noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs may be blown down. Expect strong cross winds on area roadways and locally reduced visibilities in areas of blowing dust. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && The Burger Club becomes one of the fastest growing burger QSRs in India to expand internationally New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI/ATK): India's one of the most popular burger chains, proposes to take a giant first step towards international expansion. The chain already has an existence of over 28 outlets across India especially in Delhi-NCR and is now planning to launch its first ever outlet in the Canada market. Also Read | Mumbai City FC vs NorthEast United FC, ISL 2021-22 Live Streaming Online on Disney+ Hotstar: Watch Free Telecast of MCFC vs NEUFC in Indian Super League 8 on TV and Online. Founded in 2015, burger focused chain has the fastest rollouts in the industry and is targeting to ramp up operations in the following cities - Amritsar, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Lucknow and more. Furthermore they aim to reach the 80+ mark by setting up new outlets across India by next year. Burger club embarked on its journey with the purpose to make the desired target audience aware about big, juicy New Zealand-style burgers, and put together an experience of handmade patties, freshly made buns and in-house sauces and now wants to do the same for international customer base. Also Read | Samsung Galaxy F23 5G Reportedly Spotted on Geekbench. In addition to Canada, they will be launching their outlets consecutively in other countries as well. Few of the locations they are considering comprises America, Taiwan, Middle East and more. This chain of dynamic burger joints across the nation have cemented themselves as the connoisseurs of burgers in India, earning them the title of the best burger joint according to Zomato. The Burger club wholeheartedly believes in using fresh produce in each of their burgers. Their patties are handmade and chemical-free, their sauces are all in-house blends; and they freshly bake all their buns in-house, ensuring the best quality for all ingredients going into their burgers. The expansion will help in building a strong presence across international markets and will yield innumerable growth opportunities for the brand. This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thanjavur(TN), Jan 25 (PTI) A statue of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran was on Tuesday found damaged here, with the opposition AIADMK strongly condemning the incident and called for action against the "anti-social elements" behind the vandalism. The bust of Ramachandran, the AIADMK founder who is more popularly known as MGR, at North Main Street here was found removed from the pedestal by some party workers this morning, police said, adding investigation was on into the matter. Tense moments prevailed for some time as party workers gathered at the spot. Also Read | Smartphone Sales Reportedly Grew 12% in India Last Year. The AIADMK strongly reacted to the incident, alleging the role of "anti-social elements" behind the damage to the party founder's bust. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly and AIADMK Joint Coordinator, K Palaniswami slammed any attempts to "malign Puratchi Thalaivar" (Revolutionary leader) and urged the government to quickly act on the matter. Also Read | Google Sued for Deceptive Collection of Location Data on Android Devices. In a series of tweets, he hailed the late chief minister's pro-people measures aimed at the poorer sections of the society and said he therefore was etched in the hearts of people forever. "I strongly condemn the damaging of MGR's statue in Thanjavur by anti-social elements. The government should take stringent action against those maligning Puratchi Thalaivar and attempting to disturb public peace. Further, if such mischievous incidents continue, there would be serious consequences," the former CM said. He said the party workers will not remain silent over such incidents, while asserting that these would not dent the popularity of the late leader, also a yesteryear matinee idol. Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran also slammed the incident, saying damage caused to statues of leaders in the state should be stopped, alluding to earlier similar instances of vandalism of statues of rationalist leader and Dravidar Kazhagam founder EV Ramasamy Periar. He called for stringent police action against those involved in today's incident. (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 25 (PTI) Sexual intercourse between husband and wife cannot be labelled rape and at worst such an act of wrongdoing can be called sexual abuse, and a wife cannot compel the prescription of a particular punishment against her husband to satisfy her ego, an intervenor said in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday. Counsel for the intervenor NGO, Hriday, told the court, which is hearing a batch of petitions to criminalise marital rape, that in the marital sphere, sexual wrongdoing amounted to sexual abuse which was included under the definition of cruelty under section 3 of the Domestic Violence Act and indicated any conduct of a sexual nature that abuses, humiliates, degrades or otherwise violates the dignity of woman. Also Read | Tripura Govt To Provide Free Advanced Medical Treatment to People of the State, Says CM Biplab Kumar Deb. Counsel R K Kapoor, representing Hriday, emphasized that the marital rape exception aimed to protect the institution of marriage and was not arbitrary or in violation of Articles 14, 15 or 21 of the Constitution. Parliament does not say that such an act is not sexual abuse (any conduct of a sexual nature) but has taken it on a different plane to save the institution of marriage. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Bulandshahr Riot Accused Yogesh Raj's Nomination Rejected. "Wife cannot compel the Parliament to prescribe a particular punishment against the husband to satisfy her ego. The only difference in Section 376 IPC and Domestic Violence Act is the quantum of punishment, though the act of sexual abuse in both the cases has been deprecated, the lawyer stated. Sexual intercourse between husband and wife in marital relationship cannot be a labelled as rape and at the worst it can be called a sexual abuse only, which would be clear from the definition of cruelty as defined under Domestic Violence Act 2005, he submitted. The bench of Justices Rajiv Shakdher and C Hari Shankar is hearing PILs filed by NGOs RIT Foundation, All India Democratic Women's Association, a man and a woman seeking striking down of the exception granted to husbands under the Indian rape law. The petitioners have challenged the Constitutionality of the marital rape exception under section 375 IPC (rape) on the ground that it discriminated against married women who are sexually assaulted by their husbands. In an earlier hearing, the court had questioned that when the rape law granted no exemption in case of forced intercourse with a sex worker who chooses to withdraw consent at a belated stage, why a wife should be less empowered. Kapoor submitted that any comparison between the two was an insult to the institution of marriage and there cannot be any comparison between them as there is no emotional relationship in the case of a sex worker. A perpetrator cannot claim restitution of conjugal rights against sex worker and correspondingly sex worker cannot claim regular maintenance from a perpetrator. There is no emotional relationship between sex worker and the stranger. The relationship between husband and wife is a package of a large number of mutual rights and obligations which are social, physiological, religious, economic etc. It cannot be limited to just one event of consent for sexual relationship, he said. He further said that the offences concerning marriage stand on a different footing and the wisdom of the Parliament in retaining the marital rape exception should not be doubted when there are other sufficient provisions in the IPC and other statutes to redress the grievances of a woman. The lawyer also claimed that the legislature has classified several types of sexual offences under the IPC on the basis of a number of incidental and collateral circumstances, the relationship between the parties and the age of the woman, and the retention of the marital rape exception which is based on a reasonable classification cannot be found fault with. He also said that there are limitations on the powers of the court in matters of judicial review and when legislation has given protection to the citizen in the form of the marital rape exception, the court cannot take it away and enact a new offence. The court can only make a recommendation to the Parliament if some changes are required, he said. Senior advocates Rebecca John and Rajshekhar Rao, who were earlier appointed as amicus curiae, have contended that the marital rape exception is unconstitutional and ought to be struck down. The Delhi government has told the court that marital rape was already covered as a "crime of cruelty" under the IPC. The Centre has informed that it was considering a constructive approach to the issue and holding consultations with the stakeholders. The central government, in its earlier affidavit filed in the case, has said that marital rape cannot be made a criminal offence as it could become a phenomenon that may destabilise the institution of marriage and an easy tool for harassing the husbands. The hearing in the case will continue on January 27. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 25 (ANI): Srinagar Police arrested a grenade thrower who was involved in Tuesday's terror incident at Hari Singh High Street Srinagar in which a few civilians and one police personnel got injured. "Srinagar Police arrested grenade thrower who was involved in today's terror incident at Hari Singh High Street Srinagar in which a few civilians and one police personnel got injured. The investigation is going on," Kashmir Zone Police quoted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar in a tweet. Also Read | Tripura Govt To Provide Free Advanced Medical Treatment to People of the State, Says CM Biplab Kumar Deb. Earlier Srinagar Police had informed that four civilians suffered minor splinter injuries in a grenade attack in Hari Singh High street area of Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Tuesday. The police also advised people to be vigilant in view of today's grenade attack. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Bulandshahr Riot Accused Yogesh Raj's Nomination Rejected. "All civilians are advised to be vigilant in view of today's grenade attack that caused minor splinter injuries to four locals. Please bring any suspicious movement/person to the notice of the nearest Security personnel. Let's spoil the nefarious designs of anti-social elements," the police said in a tweet. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) In the corner of Brooklyn where I grew up, there was a police officer who lived on our street. Three doors down. House near the corner. Sometimes he parked his squad car in the driveway. Advertisement Melvin Hopkins was doing community policing long before they started having seminars about it. Only, back then they didnt call it community policing. They just called it policing. Mr. Hopkins would shoot a few hoops in the rim we had hung in our driveway. Hed get a bite to eat at barbecues in the neighborhood. Advertisement Mayor Eric Adams at a vigil for two NYPD officers who were fatally shot on a domestic violence call in Harlem on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office) We didnt need a video doorbell to keep people from stealing our packages. We had Mr. Hopkins. Until we didnt have him. On Sept. 15, 1979, just after midnight, Mr. Hopkins, a husband, and father, was shot and killed outside a liquor store in Bedford-Stuyvesant. He was off duty, and helping a buddy close up for the night when someone tried to rob the place. Mr. Hopkins did what cops do, and was killed in the process. He was 39. He had been my fathers friend. NYPD Officer Melvin Hopkins. I think about Mr. Hopkins whenever a cop gets killed in the city or whenever some crime commission starts talking about community policing like its some strategy they invented. I also thought about him when Mayor Adams said cops should live in the city they are sworn to protect and serve. I want you here in the city, Adams said. I want you to go to the cleaners, I want you to go to the churches, to the supermarkets, your children to be in our schools. Just days earlier, on Jan. 21, a rookie cop, Jason Rivera, 22,was shot to death while answering a domestic call in Harlem. His partner, Wilbert Mora, 27, was critically wounded in the shooting, and died Tuesday. Advertisement Mora and Rivera were among five police officers shot in just the first three weeks of the year, part of an epidemic of gun violence that is as much a public health crisis as the pandemic that has crippled our city and our nation. Adams, a retired NYPD captain, answered back with a crime-control strategy that includes a push to require NYPD officers to live in New York City. Such a mandate would require a change in state law, which currently allows cops to live as far as 30 miles away as long as they call New York State home. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Short of a change in the law, Adams floated the idea of residency incentives, like extra points on promotional tests. .Many people dont know that a police officer is responsible for responding to crime 24 hours a day, Adams said. Theres no such thing as being off duty, technically. You see the crime. If you dont take action as a police officer, you could be held accountable for that. So why are we using our tax dollars to pay for an officer to be here for eight hours and then 16 hours hes going to one of our five neighboring counties and protecting them? That makes no sense. But any change in residency requirements is likely to get pushback from police unions which have raised valid concerns about salaries and cost of living. Crime pays. Crime protection should, too. Advertisement Not long after Mr. Hopkins was killed, there were several burglaries on what was once a quiet block. Thieves broke into the house where I lived twice in the middle of the day while I was at school four blocks away. Was there a connection, or just a change in the neighborhood? I dont know. But we sure missed that police car in the driveway. Hyderabad, Jan 25 (PTI) Telangana on Tuesday reported 4,559 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the tally to 7,43,354 while the death toll rose to 4,077 with two more fatalities. Also Read | Tripura Govt To Provide Free Advanced Medical Treatment to People of the State, Says CM Biplab Kumar Deb. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) reported the highest number of daily cases with 1,450, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (432) and Rangareddy (322) districts, a state government bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM today. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Bulandshahr Riot Accused Yogesh Raj's Nomination Rejected. The state had registered 3,980 new cases on Monday. A total of 1,961 people recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours. With this, the cumulative number of recoveries rose to 7,03,008. Active cases stood at 36,269, the bulletin said. A total of 1,13,670 samples were tested today and the total number examined till date was over 3.15 crore. The samples tested per million population were over 8.48 lakh. The case fatality and recovery rates were at 0.55 per cent and 94.57 per cent, respectively. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Moga (Punjab) [India], January 25 (ANI): Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, actor Sonu Sood on Monday said Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi should be given one more chance. "Channi sahib has done amazing work in the last few days. I want him to become CM again. He is an amazing human being. He had little time, it takes some time to adjust. But in such a short span of time, great enthusiasm and passion had been shown by him and he should be given more chance," Sood told ANI while he was campaigning in Punjab's Moga. Also Read | Microsoft Disables Series of Commands in Excel 4.0 To Protect Users From Hackers. "Congress has an edge this time," he claimed. On being asked about his sister, Malvika Sood, contesting upcoming Punjab polls from Moga, Sonu Sood said, "My mother, a professor, taught children all her life. My father was a social worker. Schools, colleges and dharamshalas here are constructed on our plots of land. So, it is in our blood." Also Read | IIIT-Agartala Student Subham Raj Bags Rs 1.15 Crore Package from Amazon. "My sister took more responsibility, maximum vaccinations in our city were facilitated by her. As far as education and helping people is concerned, she had worked in Moga on a large scale. People pushed her to be a part of the system," he added. Reacting to earlier speculation that he and his sister were joining Aam Aadmi Party, he said. "Parties do not matter, the thinking of individuals changes the society and the country. Arvind Kejriwal is still close to me and even today I am the brand ambassador of the 'Desh ka Mentor' of the country." There were talks of joining the party at the top level with Arvind Kejriwal and Raghav Chaddha. Talks were held with many parties. But right now I am very busy with my work, I am building hospitals in Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mumbai. I am very busy as an actor too. If I want to come into politics, I should come with my full heart, I am not ready for it right now, he added. "Positions are won, not demanded, there was talk with the BJP too, but I said that I have not made up my mind yet." I have refused Rajya Sabha seat twice," he stated. On the question of why his Malvika Sood joined Congress, Sonu Sood said that "Moga has a large number of people associated with Congress. We grew up with people who were associated with Congress." On people protesting against Malvika Sood contesting from Moga, he said, "Some people say that a parachute candidate has landed, but many of these people were not even born, since the time, our family has been doing social service. People are with us. Whether we will win or not, is not known, but today we are working for health and education." Referring to the IT raid conducted on his premises, Sood said that "when my premises were raided, not only the people of some parties but the whole country had supported me. My job is to connect with people." On the question of leaving the responsibility of Punjab State Icon, Sonu Sood said "I left the responsibility of Punjab State Icon because my own sister was coming to contest elections, I was neutral in such a situation. As an icon, I used to appeal to the people to vote by being neutral." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, January 25: Republic Day is celebrated every year on January 26 and marks the true spirit of independent India. A national holiday, it is marked with zest and special attention all over the nation. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it might not be possible to go out to celebrate Republic Day. Fret not, you can always honour this day at home with your family! Let's look at different ways of observing Republic Day at home. 1. Watch the Republic Day Parade The Republic Day parade is a grand event that takes place at Rajpath in the capital of India. If you are not able to go to see the parade, you can always watch it live on your TV. You will be thrilled as you see the beautiful cultural floats from the different states of India. Apart from that, school children also take part in this awe-inspiring event along with armed forces. Republic Day 2022 Celebration Details: Know Timings of January 26 Parade And Beating Retreat Ceremony; Here's When And Where To Watch Live Streaming. 2. Watch Patriotic Movies This day would be best to recall the sacrifices given by the freedom fighters of India and those who are still at the border fighting for our country's safety. You can watch a number of patriotic movies by Bollywood such as 'Raazi', 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', 'Chak De India', 'Lagaan', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Kesari', 'Border', 'Airlift' and many more. You can find all these on different OTT platforms. Patriotic Movies To Watch on This Republic Day: Border, Swades and Other Films to Re- Ignite Patriotism. 3. Listen to Patriotic Songs: Songs such as 'Ae Watan' from 'Raazi' and 'Sandese Aate Hain' from 'Border' will bring tears to your eyes as you feel the love for your country. Along with these, you can also listen to 'Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyaara Hai' from 'Roja', 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' by A.R. Rahman, 'Chale Chalo' from 'Lagaan' and 'Teri Mitti' from 'Kesari'. 5 Bollywood Desh-Bhakti Geet to Celebrate The Day With Pride (Watch Videos). 4. Decorate Your Home: Republic Day is a special day for all, so decorate your place uniquely; tricoloured! You can use wall hangings, balloons, and flowers to create your home into a tricoloured one. Apart from that, you can also use tricoloured fairy lights as well as make a tricoloured rangoli to lighten up your house on Republic day. Easy Rangoli Designs for Republic Day 2022. 5. Sing the National Anthem: Singing the national anthem of the country is a must on Republic Day. You and your family can together sing the revered song that will surely leave you feeling full of pride and belonging. This Republic Day, pay respects to the Constitution of India with your whole family and stay safe as well. Happy Republic Day! (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Port-Au-Prince, Jan 25 (AP) Two moderate earthquakes shook southwest Haiti on Monday, killing two people, injuring dozens of students and damaging hundreds of homes as it created panic in a region that was rocked by a powerful tremor that killed more than 2,000 last summer. A magnitude 5.3 quake at 8:16 am (1316 GMT) was followed by a magnitude 5.1 quake nearly an hour later. Both were centred on Haiti's southern peninsula, west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It said both occurred about 10 kilometres (six miles) below the surface. Also Read | Dangerous to Assume Omicron Will Be the Last COVID-19 Variant, More Variants to Emerge, Says WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Haiti's civil protection agency said at least two people died and dozens of schoolchildren were injured, adding that 50 people between the ages of 15 and 23 were in a state of shock and taken to the hospital. Officials said 191 homes were destroyed and 591 were damaged in one region. Yves Bosse, an elected official for the southern department of Nippes, told The Associated Press that one person died when the earthquake caused a landslide at a sand mine. He said homes were cracked and businesses shut down for the day. Also Read | Heidelberg Shooting: Several Wounded at Lecture Theatre After Shooting in German City, Gunman Dead. "People are scared to go back into their homes," he said. Sylvera Guillame, director of Haiti's civil protection agency for the country's southern region, told AP that schools in the area closed and sent children home as a precaution. Prime Minister Ariel Henry offered his condolences to the victims and said his administration would fully support those affected. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck southwest Haiti on August 14 last year, killing more than 2,200 people and damaging or destroying some 1,37,500 homes. (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 [US], January 25 (ANI): Afghan girls must be allowed to go to schools when they reopen in March, said former Afghan President Hamid Karzai as he reiterated his resolute stand on the key issue of girls and women's education. "There can not be an excuse and there must not be an excuse. No excuse is understandable or accepted. The girls of the country must return to the school," Karzai said in an interview with American news network CNN. Also Read | Dangerous to Assume Omicron Will Be the Last COVID-19 Variant, More Variants to Emerge, Says WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Women should return to work. Our religion allows it. Period...No compromise on the principles or rights. Or running the country better," he added. This comes as talks are underway in the capital city of Norway over wide-ranging issues concerning the fate of Afghanistan. Also Read | Heidelberg Shooting: Several Wounded at Lecture Theatre After Shooting in German City, Gunman Dead. A Taliban delegation, led by Acting Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with envoys of western nations in Oslo on Monday. Prior to that, the Taliban delegation also met with members of the civil society. Karzai backed these meetings, which experts believe could play a vital role in solving the problems in the country. "We have happy about the meetings that have taken place in Norway among Afghans between the Taliban government representatives and members of the civil society. We had some very constructive talks. Notes were changed," the former Afghan President said. For the good of Afghanistan, Karzai said a parallel track of two activities must happen at the same time. "We...must begin to work out a stable and peaceful Afghanistan by incorporating the opinion and aspiration of all other Afghans, by enacting a constitution, by moving forward with opening schools for girls this March," he said. While supporting the issue of girls' education, the former president said, "we all sit among ourselves and understand each other and work with one another, despite the differences we have." Afghanistan is contending with drought, a pandemic, an economic collapse and the effects of years of conflict. Some 24 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity. Reports indicate that one million children could die of starvation. According to UN estimates, more than half of the population will be facing famine this winter, and 97 per cent of the population could fall below the poverty line this year. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lahore [Pakistan], January 25 (ANI): In a classic case of justice delayed is justice denied, Lahore sessions court on Tuesday acquitted a man, Asim Aslam, of blasphemy charges after he served a 10-year jail term. Aslam was arrested following the FIR registered by Mughalpura police in 2011 on the complaint of his brother Faisal Aslam under section 295-B of the PPC, reported Dawn. Also Read | Canada-US Border Deaths: Canadian Authorities Yet To Confirm Names of Gujarati Family Members Who Froze to Death. The complainant himself admitted in the FIR that the suspect had a history of mental illness. A trial court had awarded the suspect life imprisonment on the basis of his confessional statement. Later, he challenged his conviction before the Lahore High Court in 2015. The high court in 2021 suspended the sentence and directed the sessions court to hold a fresh trial of the suspect in light of his mental health, reported Dawn. Also Read | Australia Day 2022: Know Date, History, Celebrations And Significance of The National Day. The suspect also filed an application for his acquittal under section 265-K of the CrPC. Additional District & Sessions Judge Khalid Wazir allowed the application of Aslam and acquitted him of the charge. "He be released immediately, if not required in any other case," said the order issued by the trial judge, reported Dawn. Last year, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had raised concerns about the recent surge in blasphemy cases. "HRCP believes that the state has effectively abdicated its responsibilities under international human rights law by leaving those accused of blasphemy to the mercy of mobs, or trials that are marred by glaring legal and procedural flaws," the rights group had said. They said that the police must also refrain from registering blasphemy cases so promptly, knowing full well the sensitive implications of doing so when such complaints are often fabricated and spurred on by personal vendettas. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], January 25 (ANI/Sputnik): US Secretary of Sate Antony Blinken during a virtual meeting with the EU Foreign Affairs Council vowed the United States will continue to coordinate with EU partners against Russia on the Ukraine crisis, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. "Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participated virtually in today's EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) at the invitation of EU High Representative Josep Borrell... He emphasized the United States will continue to coordinate closely on next steps to deter Russian aggression with the EU and member states, in addition to NATO, the OSCE, and Allies and partners more broadly," Price said on Monday. Also Read | Dangerous to Assume Omicron Will Be the Last COVID-19 Variant, More Variants to Emerge, Says WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Blinken also briefed European EU counterparts on his meetings with government officials from Ukraine, Germany and Russia last week, Price said. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid a buildup of forces near the border have sparked discussions of further US involvement in the European security situation, including by supplying great military aid to Ukraine as deterrence to a potential invasion. Also Read | Heidelberg Shooting: Several Wounded at Lecture Theatre After Shooting in German City, Gunman Dead. Russia has resolutely denied that it intends to attack any country and has warned NATO that its activities near Russia's borders are a national security threat while Moscow reserves the right to move forces on its territory. (ANI/Sputnik) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Miami, January 25: Bahamian authorities say a cruise ship that was set to dock in Miami this weekend remained in the Bahamas on Monday, avoiding a US judge's order to seize the vessel. Crystal Cruises had announced last week that it was suspending operations through late April, cancelling or cutting short itineraries for the Crystal Symphony and two other ships. Sgt Kareem Woods with the Royal Bahamas Police Force said the Crystal Symphony is still docked in Bimini and that authorities currently do not have plans to seize the vessel. "It will be allowed to stay in Bimini," he said, adding that he did not know if any staff was aboard the ship. The arrest warrant for the ship is part of a lawsuit over USD 4.6 million in what the suit said is unpaid fuel. The ship was scheduled to arrive in Miami on Saturday. Cruise Ship Changes Course After US Judge Orders Seizure. But a federal judge issued the warrant for the ship on Thursday, a maritime practice in which a US Marshal boards a vessel and takes charge of it once it enters US waters. Cruise trackers show Crystal Symphony currently docked in the Bahamian island of Bimini. The ship's passengers were taken by ferry to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. It is not clear how many were travelling, but passengers said there were about 300 of them. A musician who has toured on and off the ship said that between 30 and 50 crew members disembarked because their contracts had ended, while another 400 crew members did not know when they would get off. Passengers on another Crystal Cruises ship that departed Miami a week ago said the ship has had to cancel port calls at last minute, but have not been told the reason. The Crystal Serenity, now docked in Costa Rica, will stop cruising in Aruba on January 30, cutting short a three-and-a-half month expedition for about 200 passengers. Travellers were told of the change only two days after leaving Miami, and some said it would have been better to return to South Florida instead of ending unexpectedly in South America. "People are very upset, shocked and distraught because Aruba is not very convenient," said Barry Shulman, 75, a passenger from Las Vegas on the long expedition originally set to return in late May to California. "It's an absolute mess." Shulman said a few days ago, after departing from Cozumel, the ship's captain made an announcement that there was an order to impound the ship in Cozumel. "He said I am glad we got out of Cozumel before they had a chance to arrest us," said Shulman. "My eyebrows went up. If it was a joke, it was pretty inappropriate." Crystal Cruises did not respond to questions about the Crystal Serenity. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Jan 25 (PTI) An initiative from a prominent Hindu lawmaker from Prime Minister Imran Khan's ruling party to start religious tourism with India through chartered flights has the support of Pakistan's Foreign Office, well-placed sources said here on Tuesday, indicating that the proposal is now waiting for approval from New Delhi. Patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council and Member of National Assembly Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani said on Monday that he would lead a delegation of Pakistani pilgrims to India on January 29 on a special chartered flight of the Pakistan Airlines International (PIA). During their three-day stay in India, the delegation planned to visit Dargah Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi, Dargah Khawaja Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer and the Taj Mahal in Agra. Also Read | Canada-US Border Deaths: Canadian Authorities Yet To Confirm Names of Gujarati Family Members Who Froze to Death. But diplomatic sources in Islamabad told PTI that the Indian government has not formally consented to Vankwani's proposal. "It is purely a private initiative by Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, but he needs consent of the Indian government, which has not been granted as yet, according to the sources, amidst a chill in bilateral ties between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism. Also Read | Australia Day 2022: Know Date, History, Celebrations And Significance of The National Day. To a question about the approval of Pakistani authorities to the idea of Vankwani for launching religious tourism with India, the sources just said that "Foreign Office is on board" about the proposal. In New Delhi, there was no official word on the proposal from the Indian side. Vankwani, who is currently out of Pakistan, said that he would lead the group of Pakistani devotees to India as part of faith tourism between the two countries. "We have started faith tourism. Every month a flight will go from here (Pakistan) to there (India) and vice versa, he said in a voice message shared with PTI. He further explained: I have started religious tourism between Pakistan and India. I brought people from India, first on November 24 (last year) and then on January 1. Now I am taking a group of pilgrims from Pakistan on January 29 and then I will bring a group from India on February 20 and March 1. Devotees from India would come to Pakistan by Air India flight and travellers from Pakistan to India would fly by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), he said. He has not said anything about the composition of the group travelling from Pakistan. Vankwani said that for the promotion of religious tourism in the region, on February 20 an Air India flight will be operated from New Delhi to Peshawar to bring Indian pilgrims to Samadhi of Shri Param Hans Ji Maharaj, Teri temple, in Karak area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He said that a series of flights between the two countries has been started on a monthly basis. He further expressed the hope that the promotion of religious tourism could bring the people of the two countries closer. The bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have been affected badly over the Kashmir issue and India's decision to withdraw the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories in August 2019. Pakistan's support to cross-border terror attacks in India also led to a chill in bilateral ties. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], January 25 (ANI): US President Joe Biden said his virtual meeting with European leaders on the situation between Russia and Ukraine went very well and achieved a "total unity" among them. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid a buildup of forces near their border has led to a tense situation. Discussions are underway for US involvement in the European security situation, including by supplying more military aid to Ukraine. Also Read | Dangerous to Assume Omicron Will Be the Last COVID-19 Variant, More Variants to Emerge, Says WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Russia has denied accusations that it intends to invade attack any country and has warned NATO that its activities near Russia's borders are a national security threat while Moscow reserves the right to move forces on its territory. Biden's call with the European leaders lasted one hour and 20 minutes, during which time the parties consulted and coordinated on issues related to the ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine. Also Read | Heidelberg Shooting: Several Wounded at Lecture Theatre After Shooting in German City, Gunman Dead. "I had a very, very, very good meeting, total unity with all the European leaders. We'll talk about it later," Biden said during a White House event on Monday. In a video call between Biden and European leaders, the leaders reiterated their continued concern about the Russian military build-up on Ukraine's borders and expressed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The leaders underscored their shared desire for a diplomatic resolution to the current tensions and reviewed recent engagements with Russia in multiple formats," the White House said in a statement. The leaders also discussed their joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia for such actions as well as to reinforce security on NATO's eastern flank. They committed to continued close consultation with transatlantic Allies and partners, including working with and through the EU, NATO, and the OSCE. Participants in the call included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, President Andrzej Duda of Poland, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lawyers for Alec Baldwin called for a lawsuit involving the fatal shooting on the set of Rust to be tossed, stressing that the suit concedes the actor didnt intend for the prop gun to be loaded. The new filing, which Baldwins lawyers submitted Monday, describes the October 2021 shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins as a workplace accident, according to paperwork obtained by Variety. Advertisement It is completely illogical for Plaintiff to contend defendant Mr. Baldwin received a prop gun that everyone including Plaintiff and defendant Mr. Baldwin expected to be cold, while at the same time stating that Mr. Baldwins conduct was intentional in accidentally firing a live round, the filing claims. Hutchins was struck by a bullet from a firearm that was being handled by Baldwin, an actor and producer for Rust, on the movies set in Santa Fe, N.M. Advertisement Alec Baldwin (DIMITRIOS.KAMBOURIS@GETTYIMAGES.COM/Getty Images) Baldwin has said he was told the prop was a cold gun, indicating it didnt have live ammunition, when it was given to him that day. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > The lawsuit, which names Baldwin and his fellow Rust producers, was filed in November by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell. She claims she experienced pain and ringing in her ears after the gun was fired, according to Variety. She also says she experienced emotional trouble after the incident. In their filing, Baldwin said theres nothing about Plaintiffs allegations that suggests anyone named in the suit intended the Prop Gun to be loaded with live ammunition. Because all three of Plaintiffs causes of action, are based on allegations of negligence that resulted in a workplace accident, they should be dismissed because her exclusive remedy is New Mexicos Workers Compensation Act, the filing says. Officials have not charged anyone in connection with the incident, and are searching for answers for why live ammunition was on the set. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 This aerial video image provided by KOAT 7 News, shows Santa Fe County Sheriff's Officers responding to the scene of a fatal accidental shooting at a Bonanza Creek, Ranch movie set near Santa Fe, N.M. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. (AP) Los Angeles personal injury attorney Miguel Custodio, told the Daily News he believes this will be the first of many legal opportunities Baldwins defense attorneys will try to exploit. When you cumulatively factor in everything we know occurred, including insufficient training, an overworked crew and careless safety measures such as the mixing of live and dummy rounds, when you put all those things together it paints a picture of something that was done recklessly. Everything was so loosey-goosey in the production that something unthinkable was almost bound to happen, he added. Christa Ramey, co-founder of Los Angeles-based civil litigation firm Ramey Law PC, called it a typical first move. She added: Because all of these parties were on the job working at the time, workers compensation is the remedy unless its an intentional action. London [UK], January 25 (ANI/Sputnik): The United Kingdom is unlikely to send a military contingent to Ukraine amid rising tensions no matter how the situation develops, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Tuesday. "As the defense secretary has already said, it is unlikely that there will be the circumstance," Truss told lawmakers when asked under what condition the UK can send combat units to defend Ukraine. Also Read | Canada-US Border Deaths: Canadian Authorities Yet To Confirm Names of Gujarati Family Members Who Froze to Death. The UK has helped train 20,000 Ukrainian troops and is also working with its partners for them to provide the same support to Ukraine, the official added. (ANI/Sputnik) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The South Bengal Frontier Border Security Force exchanged sweets and greeting with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Tuesday on the eve of 73rd Republic Day of India at ICP Pertrapole & others Border Out Posts. A joint retreat ceremony was also organized at ICP Petrapole, said BSF. See Photos Here: BSF's South Bengal Frontier exchanged sweets & greetings with Border Guard Bangladesh on the eve of Republic Day at ICP Pertrapole & others Border Out Posts. A joint retreat ceremony was also organized at ICP Petrapole: BSF pic.twitter.com/JflaLoxpMg ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Six Army personnel awarded the Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award, including five posthumous. Naib Subedar Sreejith M of 17 Madras awarded the Shaurya Chakra (Posthumously) for killing a terrorist in an operation in July 2021 in Jammu and Kashmir while carrying out search operations. Havildar Anil Kumar Tomar of the Rajput Regiment awarded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumous) for killing two terrorists while leading a Combat Action Team in Jammu and Kashmir in December 2020. Check Twitter Thread Here: Six Army personnel awarded the Shaurya Chakra- third highest peacetime gallantry award, including five posthumous.#RepublicDay ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Just over 13 months since Liberias first case of Ebola, the West African nation Saturday was declared free of the deadly disease, 42 days after the burial of the last fatal victim on March 28. In the worlds worst outbreak since Ebolas discovery in 1976, more people were killed in Liberia than any other nation, as the disease swept through densely populated neighborhoods of the capital city, Monrovia. Amid the celebration Saturday, there was a note of caution from the World Health Organization because neighbors Sierra Leone and Guinea continue to struggle with the disease.. While WHO is confident that Liberia has interrupted transmission, outbreaks persist in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone, creating a high risk that infected people may cross into Liberia over the regions exceptionally porous borders, the organization said in a statement Saturday. After the first case in Liberia was reported in late March of 2014, the outbreak was at first limited and appeared contained. But by June, the contagious disease had hit Monrovia, the first time it ever spread to a densely populated African city. Thousands would die, and health experts feared the disease would spin out of control, and become endemic -- an awful new part of everyday life in Liberia -- before the number of infections finally began to decline in October. Advertisement Confirmed and probable deaths from Ebola have surpassed 11,000 in West Africa, including more than 4,700 in Liberia. Guinea has seen 2,387 deaths attributed to Ebola, while Sierra Leone has seen more than 3,900, according to WHO figures. Ebola first appeared in Guinea in December 2013, spread to Sierra Leone and then skipped across the border into Liberia. One reason the virus spread so rapidly was because of the large volume of cross-border traffic and the persistence of unsafe burial practices, with the touching of the dead an important part of the regions culture. People traveled across borders to attend funerals and returned home with the illness, infecting family members and neighbors. Many of those who died were health workers, community nurses and faith healers, who treated people without protection, particularly in the early stages of the epidemic. In Liberia, 375 health workers were infected and 189 died. More than 500 health workers died in the region and more than 860 were infected. The WHO said Liberias eradication of the virus was a monumental achievement in dealing with the most complex outbreak of the disease ever seen. The incubation period for the virus is 21 days, and a country can only be declared free of Ebola after twice the incubation period, or 42 days, has passed. As of May 6, the total number of suspected cases during the outbreak was close to 27,000. As the disease peaked in Liberia in August and September, the number of cases was increasing rapidly, by 300 to 400 cases a week. Patients often mistook their symptoms for typhoid or malaria and tragically delayed seeking treatment, infecting members of their families. Treatment facilities were swamped with cases, and patients often died in terrible circumstances at the gates of treatment centers because there was no room to treat them safely inside. Taxis ferrying sick passengers for treatment may also have spread the disease. Entire families were wiped out. Some orphans were left as sole survivors in their families. To help stop the spread of the virus, schools were closed and public gatherings were banned. Ambulances struggled to reach patients on time. In some cases community members left bodies in the streets; in others family members carried their loved ones to the hospital in wheelbarrows. Survivors of the disease told horror stories of the conditions inside treatment units, with people suffering and dying next to them, or mothers dying, leaving sick children behind. Other patients often stepped in to help when children were left alone in treatment centers. As late as September, the worlds response had lagged disastrously behind, and the lack of sufficient beds in treatment units resulted in a failure to avert thousands of deaths. At one point, virtually no treatment beds for Ebola patients were available anywhere in the country. With infectious cases and corpses remaining in homes and communities, almost guaranteeing further infections, some expressed concern that the virus might become endemic in Liberia, adding another -- and especially severe -- permanent threat to health, the World Health Organization said in its statement. It is a tribute to the government and people of Liberia that determination to defeat Ebola never wavered, courage never faltered. Doctors and nurses continued to treat patients, even when supplies of personal protective equipment and training in its safe use were inadequate. Local volunteers, who worked in treatment centers, on burial teams, or as ambulance drivers, were driven by a sense of community responsibility and patriotic duty to end Ebola and bring hope back to the countrys people, the WHO statement said. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said for many in the country, it will take a generation before the pain and grief heal. She referred to the slow response of the international community when she told the Associated Press that the epidemic was a scar on the conscience of the world. A White House statement urged vigilance to prevent the return of the disease to Liberia. We must not let down our guard until the entire region reaches and stays at zero Ebola cases, the statement said. The value of all the unpaid labor that North Koreans are forced to perform by their government amounts to around $975 million annually, according to a new report by Open North Korea, a Seoul-based NGO. The report, titled Sweatshop, North Korea, estimates that 400,000 people are in the lowest class of forced laborers, called dolgyeokdae. The country has a total population of 25 million. This tier of workers is made up of military-style brigades of ragtag youngsters assembled by local governments and put to work on construction sites for little to no pay. They are called on to complete major construction projects around the country, the report says, often working late into the night without safety equipment. Park Kyung-ho, a former dolgyeokdae worker who fled North Korea in 2009 and now lives in South Korea, is quoted in the report saying that his monthly earnings were 120 North Korean won per month less than $1 today, at official exchange rates, barely enough to buy two pieces of candy. We were required to do 10 years of what was effectively unpaid labor, Park said. Advertisement Dolgyeokdae workers are generally young and untrained, resulting in frequent accidents. When these accidents cause injury or death, no compensation is provided to the victim or his family, the report says. But with no financial incentive to work hard, and no room for professional advancement, what keeps North Koreans toiling away at hard, physical labor? Sweatshop says that beyond the threat of being sent to prison if they dont comply, glorifying their leader is the only motivation left to dulgyeokdae workers. The report describes how dulgyeokdae units are regularly shown on North Korean state television working outside in subzero temperatures, and are commended for their outstanding loyalty to the Supreme Leader. A step up the ladder from dolgyeokdae is North Koreas 1.2-million soldier army, which is often mobilized for work on construction projects that are unrelated to national defense, including building private villas for top officials. Another category is made up of groups of women, called inminban, who are required to carry out basic neighborhood maintenance, including polishing the monuments to North Koreas leadership that stand in every town, cleaning road and train lines, and doing agricultural work at harvest time. The report says that when such women are sent to work on construction sites, they are not paid and are required to purchase materials with their own money. But not all North Koreans live like this. The country has an elite class of government officials and businesspeople who live comfortably in modern apartments and travel abroad. There is also a class of North Koreans who earn decent livings trading goods on the black market. Visitors nowadays to Pyongyang, the capital city, come home with stories of streets full of new cars and stylishly dressed locals carrying cellphones and expensive handbags. It is difficult for North Koreans who are not born into this wealthy elite to move up the social ladder, even if they are talented or diligent. Sweatshop contends that North Koreans have no right to choose their own careers, and are instead assigned careers based on their family backgrounds. People with no government connections, or money to bribe their way into plum postings in civil service or law enforcement, typically end up in the downtrodden classes described in the report. And this reserve army of people with little upward mobility, and few other options, is called upon to complete tasks dictated by the state. Sandra Fahy, an assistant professor of anthropology at Sophia University in Tokyo, says North Koreans are accustomed to calls for collective action, however exploitative. The idea of pulling together and organizing efforts toward a goal - when the state dictates it -- is deeply familiar for North Koreans, said Fahy, author of Marching Through Suffering, a work of history based on oral testimonies of North Koreans who lived through the famine of the 1990s. The report is based on interviews with North Korean defectors who have experience being caught in North Koreas broad system of labor exploitation. The cruel picture painted in Sweatshop wont be new or surprising to seasoned observers of North Korea, but the reports authors hope that their comprehensive summary can draw more attention to the issue of forced labor within North Korea, which they say is at times overshadowed by talk of North Koreans sent to work overseas in countries including China and Russia. Human rights organizations have long been critical of North Korea for pressing its citizens to perform labor, often ahead of the major public events that the North Korean government invites the international media to cover. In May, North Korea held a Party Congress, a major political gathering, which was made possible by the forced labor that untold thousands of North Koreans are subject to as part of everyday life, said Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watchs Asia Division. North Korea has become one of the worst countries in the world in exacting forced labor from its people, but too often these abuses have remained hidden behind the vitriol of propaganda campaigns and the isolation of the North Korean countryside, where many of these rights violations take place, Robertson wrote in an email. For now, the full text of Sweatshop is only available in Korean, but Kwon Eun-kyoung, Director of Open North Korea, said by phone that she is working on an English-language translation of the report. Borowiec is a special correspondent. MORE WORLD NEWS East Aleppo turning into another Rwanda, U.N. envoy for Syria warns These boys were born the year the U.S. invaded Afghanistan. Heres what their lives are like today Iran, one of the worlds top executioners, moves closer to relaxing the death penalty for drug crimes Southwest Haiti has been struck by two moderate earthquakes, leaving at least two people dead, causing major damage to homes, and prompting authorities to close schools and businesses as it created panic. The main quake hit at 8:16 a.m. local time. It was given a preliminary rating of 5.3, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and about an hour later, came the strongest aftershock, which was rated 5.1. Both were centered about six miles below the surface of Haiti's southern peninsula, west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Quake Leaves Hundreds of Properties Damaged Nearly 200 houses were destroyed and around 600 others were damaged in the Nippes district, according to Haiti's civil protection organization. About 50 people were injured, reported by the rescue teams. One of the casualties died in a landslide at a salt mine, Yves Bosse, an elected official for the southern department of Nippes, told the Associated Press. He further stated that several homes had been broken and that businesses had been forced to shut down for the day. "People are scared to go back into their homes," he said. Haiti's civil protection agency said the second victim died when a wall collapsed in Anse-a-Veau, a small coastal town 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Port-au-Prince. The impact of Monday's earthquake seemed to be minimal, according to Jean Robert Leger, a resident of Pestel on the southern peninsula. "There isn't as much damage in Pestel," he told the Reuters news agency by phone, adding that the damaged houses beside the ocean have collapsed even more. According to the AP, residents hurried into the streets as the shaking began. Schools were closed for the rest of the day as a precaution. Even though there was no damage, children rushed out of school buildings in Les Cayes, and "everyone was terrified," according to one local. The shallow quakes sparked panic, according to Sylvera Guillame, the director of Haiti's public protection organization for the country's southern area. As a precaution, he said, schools in the region were closed and children were sent home. READ ALSO: 2 People Drown in Peru as Abnormally Big Waves Hit Coast After Massive Volcanic Eruption in Tonga Earthquakes Hit Southern Haiti In August, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck southern Haiti, destroying tens of thousands of homes and forcing families to sleep outside in severe rains. The quake occurred just 12 days after Haiti commemorated the 12-year anniversary of a magnitude-7 earthquake that killed over 200,000 people in the country, which the Caribbean island is still recovering from. The country is also struggling to recover from a long-running political dispute that was aggravated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in his home in July of last year. Since then, armed gangs have strengthened their operations on the island, resulting in a rise in murders and kidnappings. On Friday, delegates from 19 countries participated in a virtual meeting on Haiti organized by Canada. In response to the country's security situation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for "immediate action" and provided an additional $39 million in aid. A donors conference is scheduled for February, and additional funds are expected from the United States and other countries. READ MORE: More Than 170 Haitian Migrants Arrived in the Florida Keys in Overloaded Sailboat, Coast Guard Says This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Haiti Earthquake | 2 Dead, Homes Damaged as Earthquakes Hit Southern Haiti -Earth Update Twenty-seven House lawmakers have signed a letter pushing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to push forward legislation on the stock ban that would be imposed on Congress members. The legislation would refrain Congress members from owning or trading stocks, according to an Axios report. There has been a motion among lawmakers to prohibit stock trading as pressure has grown to address one of Washington's persistent financial conflicts. The letter was signed by 25 Democrats and two Republicans. The letter states that they understand that multiple bipartisan bills to ban Congress members from owning or trading individual stock have been prompted. The letter added that "handwringing" over which bill to be advanced should not be an excuse for stalling a House floor vote on the matter. The lawmakers said in their letter that the problem will not go away until it is fixed, adding that Congress should not delay when they have the power to fix it. READ NEXT: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Husband Buy Call Options for Google, Disney After Saying in a Press Conference That Members of Congress Should Be Able to Trade Stocks Congress Members Banned from Stock Trading In early December, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had spoken out against the practice of lawmakers trading stocks and assets on her Instagram. Two senators had also introduced competing bills regarding stock ban, according to a CNBC report. However, Pelosi had spoken against the possibility of a stock ban among Congress members. The House speaker noted that the country is a free market. A new poll released weeks ago found that 76 percent of voters believe that lawmakers and their spouses have an "unfair advantage" in the stock market. Conservative advocacy group Convention of States Action conducted the survey, according to a The Hill report. Just five percent of respondents approved of members trading stocks, while 19 percent gave no opinion. Mark Meckler, the group's president, said in a statement that the issue of a stock ban among Congress members has received a lot of attention. Meckler added that the data confirms that the American public wants the practice to end "once and for all." Congress Members Trading Stocks Pelosi, whose husband is a prolific trader, has been initially against the block on lawmakers from trading stocks. Pelosi said that lawmakers should be able to participate in that, adding that Congress members must follow federal laws that prohibit them from taking advantage of nonpublic information and require them to disclose stock trades. Pelosi then seemed to change that view when she said during a press conference that if members want to prohibit the practice, she's fine with it. At least 182 of Capitol Hill's most influential and highest-paid staffers have blown past deadlines to detail and disclose their personal stock trades, according to a Business Insider report in December. The tally includes aides in both the House and the Senate with high-ranking jobs such as chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communication directors. Watchdog groups noted that the number of late filings is evidence of a "far-too-lax" attitude on Capitol Hill about ethics rules. Sen. Richard Burr and others came under fire for selling securities just before the COVID pandemic impacted the market in 2020. The Securities and Exchange Commission is currently investigating Burr's stock trades. READ MORE: US Stocks Rise on Hopes of Another Stimulus Package This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by Mary Webber WATCH: Nancy Pelosi scoffs at idea of banning lawmakers from owning stocks - from CNBC Television The World Health Organization warned the public to not be complacent with hopes that the COVID variant Omicron could be the final phase of the pandemic, with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saying that the virus can mutate again. Ghebreyesus said that the ongoing spread of Omicron variant could open the door for another more infection variant, according to a Daily Mail report. The WHO chief warns that every time the virus jumps from one host to another, it starts to replicate in the person's body, which gives most opportunities for the virus to mutate. Ghebreyesus said that it is dangerous to suspect that Omicron will be the last COVID variant to spread or that the public is nearing the final phase of the pandemic. He also said that it has been near impossible to predict the course of the pandemic so far despite many thinking that Delta would possibly be its final virus strand. Ghebreyesus said that on the contrary, the conditions are ideal for more variants to emerge globally, according to a CBS 42 News report. The WHO head said that learning to live with COVID does not mean that people give the virus a "free ride," adding that it does not also mean that the public accepts almost 50,000 deaths a week from a preventable and treatable disease. READ NEXT: Dr. Anthony Fauci Warns How Unvaccinated People Could Delay the End of COVID Pandemic in 2022 COVID Variant Omicron Signifying End of Pandemic? Meanwhile, White House's top medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said that he is "confident" about the possibility of most states reaching a peak of Omicron cases by mid-February. He noted that things are looking upward. However, people should not get overconfident. He noted that the situation looks like they are going in the right direction as of now, according to an ABC News Go report. The top medical adviser said that there are states in the northeast and in the upper Midwest where cases have already peaked and declined "rather sharply." However, they noted that cases are still rising in southern and western states. Fauci said that the hope is that future COVID variants will not disrupt society or create fear of severe results that are wide. However, he said that the country should still be prepared for the worst-case scenario. The head of WHO's European region, Dr. Hans Kluge, said that the Omicron variant shows a possible hope for stabilization and normalization. However, Kluge said that their work is not yet done, noting huge disparities in access to vaccines. He also repeated concerns from other WHO officials that areas, where people are less vaccinated, would allow the virus to adapt and possibly result in new COVID variants, according to an NBC Right Now News report. Kluge said that it is almost a "given that new COVID variants" will show up and return. Fauci, on the other hand, said that they hoped that reports that booster shots will give much greater protection longevity true. Fauci said that the public may need to boost again, but they want to determine the durability before they make that decision. READ MORE: CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation Period for Health Care Workers Amid Omicron Variant This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: WHO: Omicron variant is dangerous for those who have not been vaccinated yet | World English News - from WION President Volodymyr Zelensky Monday blasted U.S. President Joe Biden after his administration ordered the U.S. embassy personnel and their families to leave Ukraine amid the growing tensions on the country's borders with Russia. A source close to Zelensky confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the Ukraine president was disappointed following the U.S.' move on Sunday, claiming that Americans are safer in Kyiv than in Los Angeles City. "The fact that the U.S. was the first one to announce this is extremely disappointing... Quite frankly, these Americans are safer in Kievthan than they are in Los Angeles... or any crime-ridden city in the U.S.," Zelensky said according to the source. The source also mentioned that the move the Biden administration announced was viewed by the Ukrainian president's office as "utterly ridiculous" and symbolic to the "U.S. inconsistency," noting that the U.S. said that it stands with Ukraine against Russian aggression, but it was the first to leave when "Russia turns up the temperature." Amid the tensions in Ukraine's borders against Russia, the source emphasized that Zelensky "does not think there's any remotely imminent threat to Kyiv." READ NEXT: U.S. Pres. Joe Biden Calls Fox News Reporter Peter Doocy a "Stupid Son of a B****" After Asking Him About Inflation Joe Biden's Order on Americans in Ukraine Zelensky's comments came after President Joe Biden ordered the families and U.S. embassy personnel and their families in Ukraine to leave the country amid its border tension with Russia. The Biden administration's order was made through an advisory from the U.S. State Department, urging the Americans to depart Ukraine on Sunday. The State Department also issued a no travel warning to Ukraine for Americans, contending that the security situation at the border of the said country is "unpredictable" and can change with little notice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also issued the same warning to Americans arguing that there is a high risk of contracting COVID-19 when traveling Ukraine. U.S. Puts Over 8K Troops on Alert as Ukraine's Tension with Russia Continues In response to the continued tension of Russia and Ukraine, the Pentagon announced on Monday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin placed at least 8,500 U.S. troops in "heightened alert," ABC News reported. Reports noted that the said troops were prepared for "rapid deployment" in case the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) needed assistance. However, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby underscored that no decision has been made on the deployment of the U.S. troops to Ukraine as of date. It can be recalled that President Joe Biden previously said that sending troops to Ukraine was "not on the table." Kirby reiterated on Monday that there is no change in Biden's words from last month. The troops were placed on "high alert" on Monday as President Joe Biden held a video call on the same day, with the leaders of the European Commission, European Council, NATO, France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, and Poland. White House noted that the conference call was made so that the said countgriers and entities could plan and "discuss diplomacy, deterrence, and defense efforts" against Russia. Joe Biden's conference call also tackled potential sanctions that can be slammed against Russia, as it continues its tension with Ukraine. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Would Only Get 36 Percent of Votes if Presidential Election Was Held Today, New Poll Finds This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Biden Considering Deploying Troops Near Russia Amid Ukraine Invasion Threat - From NBC News Steve Bannon, ex-adviser to former President Donald Trump, has claimed that President Joe Biden will be impeached in November. Bannon said the impeachment grounds would be based on the Biden administration's handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, according to Newsweek. In a recent episode of his "War Room: Pandemic" podcast, Bannon noted that Biden stood down Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. He said that is the impeachment hearing he wants to hear. Steve Bannon noted that they would bring witnesses against Joe Biden for what he "did to the country" and the southern border. The former Trump adviser also said that Biden would also face criminal charges after impeachment "for allowing this country to be invaded by your actions." Steve Bannon noted that they are not going to back down, and "this November" would be about impeaching Joe Biden to "stop this madness and to stop this illegitimate regime" from ruining the country. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden's Impeachment 'On the Table' Once Republicans Overtake the House, GOP Lawmaker Says Talks on President Joe Biden's Impeachment Senator Ted Cruz projected that Republicans would impeach Joe Biden as political payback if they win back the House this year in the midterm elections, Texas Tribune reported. He noted that he does think there is a chance of that, whether it is justified or not. Cruz said Democrats had weaponized impeachment, referring to the time that Democrats voted twice to impeach Donald Trump. The Republican senator added that Democrats had used it for partisan purposes to go after the former president because they disagreed with him. Cruz went on to say that weaponizing impeachment has real disadvantages, adding that "what's good for the goose is good for the gander." Cruz noted that impeachment should not be used as a political tool. He said the border issue is probably the most compelling grounds for Biden's impeachment. However, Cruz noted that there may be others. Rep. Bob Gibbs has been pushing to impeach Biden since September last year over the Afghanistan withdrawal of the U.S. troops. Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, said if Republicans win in November, they will "run the same play they did in 2011." However, this time it will be even more unhinged and less credible, according to Schultz. Other White House Concerns Aside from the threat of impeachment if Republicans gain important committee seats in Congress, it could also thwart the congressional investigation on the January 6 Capitol attack if it is still ongoing, Reuters reported. Rep. Matt Gaetz said they were going after the administrative state, starting with the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. A Republican congressional staffer connected to the leadership said there would be a lot of pressure on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy if he became the speaker. According to the staffer, Republican lawmakers would want McCarthy to pursue the impeachment of Joe Biden from day one, and he may not have much of a choice if he wants to retain his position. House Democrats had impeached Donald Trump twice, once over Ukraine. The second time was due to his actions ahead of the January 6 Capitol riot. The Republican-controlled Senate at the time acquitted Trump on both times. READ MORE: Sen. Mitch McConnell Says Pres. Joe Biden Won't Be Impeached Over Afghanistan, Says Hold Him Accountable at 'Ballot Box' This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Sen. Cruz's Comments on Impeaching Biden 'Being Talked About More and More': Rep. Murphy - From Fox Business Musician Eric Clapton is continuing on his anti-vax tear, his latest screed being a rambling interview in which he alleged that those who have received the COVID shot have succumbed to a make-believe syndrome known as mass formation psychosis. The interview in which he rambled about secret messages embedded in YouTube videos to hypnotize people into complying with COVID precautions was broadcast on wait for it YouTube. Advertisement I should never have gone near the needle, Clapton told Dave Spuria of The Real Music Observer, recounting his oft-told tale about a slew of adverse effects he attributed to the jab. But the propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone. Musician Eric Clapton (Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Clapton had already sworn off playing at venues that require vaccination, and shocked sensible fellow musicians with his stance. But now he has taken it a step further. Advertisement I didnt get the memo, whatever the memo was, it hadnt reached me, Clapton told Spuria. Then I started to realize there was really a memo Its great, you know, the theory of mass hypnosis formation. And I could see it then. Once I started to look for it, I saw it everywhere. The memo is a discredited but widely circulated theory festering on social media, first floated by one Dr. Robert Malone on the Dec. 31 podcast of The Joe Rogan Experience. While Malone once researched mRNA technology the basis for the Pfizer and Moderna shots he now proselytizes against the vaccines. He did so on Rogans broadcast, casting doubt on the safety of the vaccines and claiming that a large swath of the population was basically being hypnotized into believing a COVID-19 narrative cast by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, and mainstream news outlets. Malones claims were outrageous enough to generate an actual memo. Earlier this month, hundreds of doctors petitioned Spotify to address Rogans history of broadcasting misinformation. Malone has been banned by Twitter for the misinformation he spreads. At the same time, he confirmed to AP that he never worked specifically on the vaccines against COVID, and never said the vaccines should not be administered. [ Neil Young demands Spotify remove his music over vaccine misinformation - They can have [Joe] Rogan or Young. Not both ] Clapton has been using his platform to promote the bogus claims, deriding the supposed secret messages contained in various YouTube videos (which, as Rolling Stone pointed out, are probably just public-service ads urging people to take commonsense public health measures to protect themselves and their loved ones). Nearly 6 million people have died from COVID. But Clapton and his ilk including Van Morrison, with whom he recorded an anti-lockdown song, and Ted Nugent, who contracted the virus after months of declaring it a hoax insist there is a plot at work. Bit by bit, I put a rough kind of jigsaw puzzle together, and that made me even more resolute Clapton said, detailing how his creativity had been sparked by this supposed revelation. I felt really motivated, musically. It instigated something, which was really laying dormant. I was playing live gigs up until the lockdown without really being socially involved in anyway. But then these guys that were in power really started to piss me [off] and everybody but I had a tool. I had a calling. And I can make use of that. An escapee from a local county jail in Texas, who was reportedly trying to flee to Mexico on foot, was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. CBP officials said on Monday morning that the escapee from the Bee County Jail was arrested by CBP officers working at the Progreso International Bridge in South Texas. Officials said a biometric check was conducted at the port on the man on Friday, and he was confirmed to be Steven Guajardo Servantes, 40, who is wanted by the Bee County Sheriff's Office and Austin Parole Board. Texas Jail Escapee Caught After Biometric Fingerprinting Officers apprehended the Texas jail escapee after bringing him to a secondary inspection, where a fingerprint check was done. "After examining his entry documentation and taking biometric finger scans of his fingerprints in secondary, they were able to positively ascertain his identity and verify that he was the person that was wanted on the outstanding warrant from Bee County Sheriff's Office," a CBP spokesperson told Border Report. CBP officials said Servantes was wanted for violating his parole and had been detained on charges of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury. The officials noted that he was turned over to U.S. Marshals. Progreso Port Director Walter Weaver said this was a significant arrest "as it underscores the public safety impact of our border security mission." READ NEXT: 'Encanto' Song 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' Overtakes 'Frozen's' 'Let It Go' as Top Disney Animated Hit Song South Texas Port Uses Biometric Facial-Comparison Technology In February 2020, U.S. travelers entering the United States at the South Texas port of entry had begun to be screened using controversial biometric facial-comparison technology. The Progreso Port of Entry, which connects Progreso in Texas and Nuevo Progreso in Mexico, became the first in the Rio Grande Valley to start inspecting pedestrian travelers using biometric and facial recognition software. According to a CBP Progreso Port official, the technology is only being used on pedestrians, not vehicles. The technology is part of recommendations from the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission. Former CBP Progreso Port Acting Chief Sandra Cavazos earlier told Border Report that it meets the congressional legislative mandates "to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-U.S. nationals." "Our border security has improved as a result of this technology," said Cavazos, adding that it helps prevent identity theft and it streamlines travel. Officers can now compare the photo taken from the traveler to what is in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. Cavazos earlier gave Border Report a tour of the Progreso port, where it was seen that the port's authorities were requesting all tourists to present themselves for inspection and stop for a photo first. The images were processed in less than three seconds and will promptly notify officers of any possible discrepancies between the documents and the presenter. If there are any concerns, inspectors will ask the tourist more questions and may submit them to a secondary inspection. Cavazos said that approximately 3,000 to 6,000 pedestrians walk through the Progreso POE day after day. Although it is 97 percent accurate, Cavazos noted that the officers are always very diligent and vigilant in protecting the borders. Photos taken of U.S. citizens are stored for only 12 hours, and they also have the option of opting out. On the other hand, foreign nationals' photos are stored in a secure system run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency maintains a "gallery" of foreign travelers captured during earlier entry inspections, photographs from U.S. passports and visas, and photographs from past DHS encounters. READ MORE: More Than 170 Haitian Migrants Arrived in the Florida Keys in Overloaded Sailboat, Coast Guard Says This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Behind the Story: Facial Recognition at the U.S. Border- From Pulitzer Center Juan Pablo Escobar Henao, the son of the notorious leader of Colombia's Medellin Cartel Pablo Escobar, is now among the celebrities who sell personalized greetings on social media. According to Infobae, Escobar's son uses the Vibox platform to greet people who are willing to pay. Juan Pablo, who has legally changed his name to Sebastian Marroquin to escape the shadow of being his father's son, reportedly charges US$50 per one-minute greeting that is personalized for those who decide to buy it. However, if the greeting is for a company, business, or to promote a product, the price is higher, amounting to as high as 10,000 Mexican pesos or almost 500 in U.S. dollars. Los Andes reported that Escobar's son sends his video greetings with his original name and surname. Vibox works in Mexican pesos. So a video of Juan Pablo for a personal greeting costs 999 pesos, plus 50 pesos for the service, which is equivalent to a total of almost 200,000 in Colombian pesos and 50 in U.S. dollars. In his profile, Juan Pablo said part of the money would be donated to a foundation. However, he did not specify which one. Other celebrities and personalities also use the Vibox platform to connect with their fans and greet them personally for a price. Some of the notable individuals on the said platform include Colombian actor Jorge Enrique Abello, Colombian musician Reykon, and Mexican voice actor Mario Castaneda. Argentine model Romina Malaspina is also in the Vibox, charging US$25 per greeting. READ NEXT: Mexico: Reporter Shot Dead in Tijuana; 3rd Journalist Killing in Mexico This January Medellin Drug Lord Pablo Escobar and His Son Juan Pablo Escobar Henao After Pablo Escobar was shot dead in a shootout in his hometown by Colombian National Police in December 1993, Juan Pablo Escobar Henao, his sister Manuela, and his mother left Colombia. But despite leaving Colombia when he was 16 years old, the media still got its eye on Juan Pablo as he published several books recounting his experiences with his father. In a 2021 documentary entitled "Escobar by Escobar," Juan Pablo opened up about what it's like living with his father, who founded the infamous Medellin cartel in Colombia. In the documentary, Juan Pablo said that his dad gave him his first motorbike when he was four, and by 11, he already had at least 27 motorbikes. Escobar's son noted that his "father was one of the richest men on the planet." During his father's golden age, Juan Pablo said his dad had 200,000 acres planted with cocaine and earned an average income of between 50 and 70 million dollars per weekend. The now 44-year-old son of Pablo Escobar also shared his experience when his father took them with him while escaping the authorities. He said his father asked them to hide with him "because we couldn't be safe outside." Juan Pablo noted that they would go from place to place blindfolded and stay in at least six different safe houses. He said he last saw his father alive when they were in Casa Azul, where they were hiding at the time. Juan Pablo noted that his father cried when they were about to leave him after the family realized that being with the cocaine kingpin was not safe for them. "Before we left, he came towards us, hugged me, he wanted to speak, but he could not utter a word. It was the first time I saw him cry. When we were about to leave, my dad followed us in a car, he honked a couple of times and carried on his way... That was the last time I saw my father alive. It was like a final goodbye," Juan Pablo noted. Juan Pablo Escobar Henao is an architect, writer, industrial designer, and lecturer. He currently resides in Argentina. Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel in Colombia Pablo Escobar was born in 1949 in Rionegro, Colombia, and founded a cocaine cartel in the 1970s in Medellin. The Medellin Cartel supplied approximately 80 percent of the cocaine imported into the United States at its most successful stage. For seven years, Pablo Escobar's fortune catapulted him onto the Forbes ranking of global billionaires. Escobar avoided arrest after the U.S. released an extradition warrant and his men attacked officials, police, and journalists. In total, authorities assumed Escobar was liable for about 4,000 killings. His modest origins made him famous with some of the Colombians whose patronage he cultivated by spending vast sums of money and investing in Medellin's impoverished communities. From 1987 until 1993, Pablo Escobar made the Forbes list of world billionaires. He was ranked as the world's seventh-richest man in 1989. His wealth figures reportedly run as high as $30 billion at the time. Pablo Escobar was killed a day after he celebrated his 44th birthday. Colombian forces discovered his hideout in Medellin. He was fatally shot after a chase and gunfight ensued. READ MORE: Netflix Drops First Look of Sofia Vergara's New Role as Colombian Drug Lord Griselda Blanco This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Sebastian Marroquin's Reflections on Pablo Escobar - From APB Speakers A Florida woman has shot and killed a four-year-old child before turning the gun on herself inside a hotel room on Saturday, police said. The Port St. Lucie Police Department said Monday that the 32-year-old woman, together with the child and a 28-year-old man, checked into a room in the TownePlace Suites at Marriott in 10460 Southwest Village Parkway on January 19, NBC 2 reported. Police said the three individuals from Miami had no known connections to Port St. Lucie and had randomly chosen the hotel and location. According to the police department, the man went to get breakfast on Saturday morning, and when he returned to the room, the door was locked, and the woman was no longer answering. Florida Woman and Child Found Dead in a Hotel Room At around 12:15 p.m., hotel staffers called 911, and the police officers responded to the hotel. The man told investigators that he was concerned about the woman and the kid after no one answered the door. The cops found that the interior security lock was engaged when they tried to open the door. They also said that a refrigerator and sofa blocked the door. Police officers found the woman and child dead on the bed after eventually forcing their way into the room. According to investigators, the four-year-old child has been shot twice, and the woman died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police said a 9mm handgun was found in the room. At this point, the cops noted that the motive is still unknown. The names of the trio were also not been disclosed. READ NEXT: 'Encanto' Song 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' Overtakes 'Frozen's' 'Let It Go' as Top Disney Animated Hit Song Florida Sheriff Hopes 2 Deputies' Suicides Will Be 'Catalyst For Change' A Florida sheriff hopes that his two deputies' suicides will be a "catalyst for change" that will help "ease the stigma" surrounding mental health. St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara mourned the loss of his deputies, Clayton Osteen and Victoria Pacheco, who died by suicide within a matter of days. Osteen served since November 2019, while Pacheco joined the force in February 2020. According to Mascara, their department received a call about an attempted suicide shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve. Clayton Osteen was one of their members and was off-duty at the time. Investigators learned that the person who had tried to take his own life was Osteen. The sheriff's deputy was taken to a hospital after his suicide attempt. Osteen's family decided to remove him from his life support two days after his arrival at the hospital. Victoria Pacheco took her own life the next day. She was Osteen's partner, colleague, and mother of his one-month-old son. Mascara released a statement expressing their grief over the loss of the two members of the sheriff's office. He noted that deputies are "human" and often deal with "stress." READ MORE: More Than 170 Haitian Migrants Arrived in the Florida Keys in Overloaded Sailboat, Coast Guard Says This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Port St. Lucie Police Say Woman Found Shot to Death Inside Home - From WPTV News The New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) has launched a new Twitter account to improve accessibility for Hispanic New Yorkers. By following @NYSDOLenEspanol on Twitter, Spanish-speaking residents can receive the latest information on job and training opportunities, worker rights and protections, Unemployment Insurance (UI), immigration policies, and other important employment resources. @NYSDOLenEspanol will also highlight COVID-19 updates and information, as well as New York State programs and resources to ensure that Spanish-speaking families and working people have access to the information, assistance, and services they may need. READ NEXT: United States Becomes Second Largest Spanish Speaking County in the World "Social media continues to be a critical and powerful communication tool," said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "This new social media account will increase our visibility and enable us to better deliver important, life-changing services, resources, and information to more New Yorkers in real time." New York State continues to be a national leader in language access. All vital NYS DOL documents are available in 11 languages and NYS DOL's website chatbot currently communicates with New Yorkers in nine different languages. When administering the historic $2.1 billion Excluded Workers Fund in August 2021, NYS DOL launched a state-of-the-art application to enable thousands of New Yorkers to apply in 13 different languages. For more information about language access services offered through NYS DOL, visit https://dol.ny.gov/language-access-assistance. New Yorkers in need of additional language assistance can call 1-888-469-7365. READ MORE: NYS Economy Added 45,400 Private Sector Jobs in December 2021 A saucy Real Housewives star is out of a job for shamelessly celebrating white supremacy on social media. Posts supporting White Lives Matter in 2020 has caught up to Jennie Nguyen, who joined Bravos wildly popular Real Housewives of Salt Lake City in its second season. Advertisement The Vietnamese refugee, who is a medical spa entrepreneur, has been fired from the show after resurfaced Facebook entries describing protesters as BLM thugs and violent gangs resurfaced last week. She also reposted memes in support of White Lives Matter, as well as anti-vaccine content on the social media platform. Jennie Nguyen on "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City." (Natalie Cass/Bravo) The NBCUniversal-owned basic cable network announced her removal on Instagram Tuesday. Advertisement Bravo has ceased filming with Jennie Nguyen and she will no longer be a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. We recognize we failed to take appropriate action once her offensive social media posts were brought to our attention. Moving forward, we will work to improve our processes to ensure we make better informed and more thoughtful casting decisions, Bravo said in the announcement. Backlash was fast and furious for the 45-year-old married mother of three. Andy Cohen, the mastermind behind the Real Housewives franchise, called Nguyens posts upsetting, rightfully, and disgusting during his SiriusXM show on Monday. Andy Cohen (NOAM GALAI/Getty Images for Global Citizen) On Jan. 20, Nguyen issued an apology on Instagram. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > I want to acknowledge and apologize for my deleted Facebook posts from 2020 that resurfaced today, she wrote. At the time, I thought I was speaking out against violence, but I have since learned how offensive and hurtful my words were. Its why I deactivated that account more than a year ago and why I continue to try to learn about perspectives different from my own, she added. I regret those posts and am sincerely sorry for the pain they caused. According to NBC News, Nguyen continued to film the series despite calls to fire her. Jen Shah, who was caught on camera getting arrested and charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering in April 2021, spoke out against her co-star. Advertisement Jen Shah on "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City." (Andrew Peterson/Bravo) I am deeply offended by the racially insensitive posts and comments. It was infuriating to see her like and repost comments that made a mockery of and showed complete apathy toward those killed marching to bring awareness to the deep-seeded social justice issues that plague our country. I am equally disappointed by the disingenuous apology that was issued, Shah wrote on Instagram. The Real Housewives franchise, which primarily focuses on the trials and tribulations of affluent middle-aged women, has been the center of racially-charged controversies recently after the unceremonious exit of Real Housewives of Atlanta actress NeNe Leakes, and the groundbreaking casting of attorney, author and TV personality Eboni K. Williams on Real Housewives of New York the all-white flagship series. Ironically, when Real Housewives of Salt Lake City launched in 2020, it was championed as being the most diverse in franchise history, including the first cast member of Polynesian heritage (Shah) and women form various religious backgrounds. An allocation of 175,161 is on its way to Laois to the implementation of Creative Ireland initiatives in Laois. This funding is part of a 6.6 million investment in local authorities throughout the country that will support creative projects that will connect people, creativity and wellbeing in 2022. The Creative Ireland Programme is committed to the vision that every person in their community should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential. During 2021 in Laois, the Creative Ireland Culture and Creativity Team delivered 39 projects. With support from the Laois Heritage Office the Know Your Locality Course for Laois was launched to enable the people of County Laois to find out more about the heritage of their county. This free online course was delivered in September 2021 by Irish Heritage School and provided participants with the resources to paint a picture of the geological, archaeological, and historical events that happened in their community. While the course did examine examples from throughout Ireland, it also focused on the geology, archaeology and history of Laois. In 2021 Laois also celebrated the extraordinary life of Mountmellick native, Anne Jellicoe who was born in 1823 into a Quaker family. A video-mapped animation of her life was projected onto the front wall of Mountmellick Community School as part of Culture Night 2021. This animation work was created by artist Caroline Conway and illuminated the significance of Jellicoe's historical achievements and contemporary relevance to Laois. For an overview of Creative Ireland projects in Laois please go to https://www.creativeireland. gov.ie/en/laois/ Since the Creative Ireland Programme was launched in 2017, it has received investment of 21 million from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This has enabled local authorities to deliver over 5,700 community-led creative projects to support their respective Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022 along with the flagship Cruinniu na nOg the national day of free creativity for children and young people that takes place in June. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O Brien TD, announced the funding. Minister Martin said: I am very pleased to continue to support the excellent work undertaken by local authorities on behalf of the Creative Ireland Programme. Every Creative Ireland project delivered by our local authority teams harnesses the creative potential of our people and their communities. Their work is the cornerstone of the Creative Ireland Programme and brings together local expertise in arts, heritage, libraries, enterprise and community engagement in a meaningful and inspired way. "As we emerge from the last two years, I know that they will once again deliver creative programmes that can build resilience, foster personal confidence and sustain 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. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., has welcomed the lifting of social distancing rules at livestock marts in Laois and other counties. While facemasks must continue to be worn at marts for now, all other restrictions relating to Covid-19 and the marts have been lifted. Minister McConalogue paid tribute to the efforts of mart staff and farmers in keeping marts operational throughout the pandemic. This is a great day for our network of marts across the country. Buyers can now return to the ring without the previous limits on numbers, while online sales can continue as part of a blended approach. Mart managers, their staff as well as buyers and sellers of livestock have shown tremendous resilience, agility and resourcefulness during the pandemic in dealing with the challenges of Covid19 while continuing to trade online and at the ring, said Minister McConalogue. Im convinced the efforts of farmers and marts, adhering to the Covid19 measures, has undoubtedly played a role in minimising and reducing the threat of Covid19 in our communities while protecting Irelands food security, the Minister added. The HSE has appealed to the public not to attend Tullamore hospital unless in an emergency despite the fall in Covid-19 cases that has lead to the Government easing restrictions. There have been a number of similar appeals through the Omicron wave in January. This latest statement was issued by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which serves a population of approximately 800,000 people and includes hospitals in Laois, Kildare, Dublin and Offaly. "The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore is experiencing a very busy period with a significantly increased number of people requiring admission to the hospital," said the statement issued on January 25. "The hospital is reminding members of the public to consider their care options before presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). We advise that the public only attend our emergency services if absolutely essential. If you are unwell, please go to your GP or pharmacy in the first instance. It is essential that we protect our emergency services for those who require emergency care. Do not delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency," said the HSE. If you have to attend the ED in emergency situation please ensure you wear a mask, practice social distancing and ensure you tell the triage personnel if you have any signs/symptoms of Covid-19. The HSE's COVID-19 Daily Operations Update said that at 8pm on Monday, January 24 there were 10 people with the virus in the Offaly hospital. It had 12 available general beds but no ICU beds. Two critically ill patients had the virus. A man who had been drinking the night before thought he was ok to drive the next day, Portlaoise district court heard last Thursday. Zbigniew Marchewka, 63, of 8 Peppers Court, Portlaoise was charged with attempting to drive with alcohol on his breath on February 24, 2019. The court heard the reading was 51. Appearing for Mr Marchewka, solicitor Philip Meagher said that he had been drinking the night before. He had slept during the following day and had gotten up and had gone out to do some shopping. He thought he was ok to drive, but he was not. There was a lot of alcohol in his system. He was a Polish national who had been living in Ireland for a number of years. He had no previous convictions. Judge Catherine Staines disqualified him for two years, and fined him 100. The disqualification will take effect from July 9, after Mr Marchewka sought a postponement. The HSE says it is focused on reducing tackling dental waiting lists which has left nearly 1,700 Laois children getting check-ups in third year of secondary school that should have been done in national school. The executive also acknowledges that problems with the Dental Treatment Service Scheme for adults has also hit services for children with some 3,000 children in Laois and Offaly waiting for checks. The HSE's Community Health Organisation issued a statement in response to issues raised by Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley major problems with public dental services in Laois for children and adults. The HSE statement set out the state of play with school checkups. "We acknowledge that the 6th class children of counties Laois and Offaly have not yet had their regular 6th class dental examination. The HSE School Dental Scheme waiting list for children currently in 6th class Laois/Offaly is 2821 (Laois 1681, Offaly- 1140). "We aim to see the current 6th class children in 1st year secondary school. At the moment our service is targeting 1st year Offaly and 3rd year Laois. "We continue to explore all options to support children requiring services, and the HSE Dental Service in Laois/Offaly has emergency clinics available in both counties for all children, appointments are by telephone contact only. "To reduce this waiting list, we have focused our dentists in clinics where there is greatest clinical need, this is regularly reviewed and the service adapted as necessary," it said. The HSE pointed to Covid-19 as part of the problem. "We have had many staff who have been redeployed to Covid testing centres during the pandemic and the recent pressures in the last four weeks but thankfully they are returning to us as the pandemic eases," it said. The HSE added that recruitment is underway. "All staff vacancies are being filled as they arise and these staff will be focusing on reducing this waiting list over the coming months," it said. Deputy Stanley said the adult health services is in collapse due to the withdrawal of private dentists from the Dental Treatment Service Scheme in Laois Offaly and elsewhere. The HSE accepted that there are problems with the scheme that is supposed to deliver free dental care to Medical Card holders. "We note the reduction in private dentists from the national DTSS scheme, that has occurred across the country and this presents further challenges to the HSE dental service. In cases of emergency, the HSE dental service also has to provide emergency treatment for these adults. "This has a further impact on the already limited dental resources available for our children with valuable taken clinical time from our targeted school screenings. "We acknowledge the frustration felt by all parents and guardians of these children. The dental staff continue to put the patient at the core of our service, and are fully committed to providing the best clinical care in as timely a fashion as possible," concluded the statment. Unionist politicians have criticised the flying of Parachute Regiment flags in Derry and called for their removal, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. As parts of Derry city prepare to mark the anniversary, flags appeared in the Drumahoe and Newbuildings areas. They have been widely condemned by nationalist and unionist politicians. The Parachute Regiment was among those criticising the flags, saying they were totally unacceptable. I share the position of the @TheParachuteReg these actions are unacceptable and disrespectful. It is unnecessary and designed to be offensive. I am proud of our Armed Forces however the erection of these flags are not designed to mark any of those things. They should be removed Gary Middleton MLA (@Gary_Middleton) January 24, 2022 Thirteen civil rights protesters were shot dead by British soldiers on January 30 1972. Another man shot by paratroopers on the day died four months later. The DUPs Gary Middleton said: I share the position of the Parachute Regiment these actions are unacceptable and disrespectful. It is unnecessary and designed to be offensive. I am proud of our armed forces however the erection of these flags are not designed to mark any of those things. CIARA FERGUSON MLA CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF PARACHUTE REGIMENT FLAGSThe erection of British army Parachute regiment flags in areas of the city is a deliberate attempt to cause hurt to the Bloody Sunday families ahead of the 50th anniversary. https://t.co/YdIMpQ9K1Z #BloodySunday50 pic.twitter.com/PtW3jSCrYA Derry SinnFein (@DerrySinnFein) January 24, 2022 They should be removed. Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said: I have said this many times. The flying of the Parachute Regiment flag on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday is wrong. It does nothing but hurt the victims who still grieve to this day and shows a total lack of respect and compassion. Please take them down. In a tweet the Parachute Regiment replied to Mr Beattie, saying: 100% agreed. Totally unacceptable and disrespectful behaviour. 100% agreed. Totally unacceptable and disrespectful behaviour. TheParachuteRegiment (@TheParachuteReg) January 24, 2022 Sinn Fein MLA Ciara Ferguson said the flags have caused huge upset. Given this British regiments brutal history in Derry, this is a deliberate attempt to stir up tensions and hurt families ahead of the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the murder of 14 civilians by the British Army in Derry, Ms Ferguson said. I have stood with those families in recent days, they are steadfast, courageous and determined in their campaign for truth and justice for their loved ones. I am calling on all political parties and community leaders to condemn the erecting of these flags and to use their influence to have them removed immediately. Relatives of those who died and were injured on Bloody Sunday will mark the anniversary this weekend through a number of events. Bloody Sunday helped galvanise support for the Provisional IRA early in the Troubles. An image of a Catholic priest waving a bloodstained handkerchief as he tried to help a victim to safety went around the world. A public inquiry conducted by a senior judge shortly after the deaths was branded a whitewash by victims families and a campaign was launched for a new public inquiry. Relatives sought to right the wrongs of false claims that their loved ones had been armed. A fresh probe was eventually ordered by then prime minister Tony Blair in 1998. A decade-long investigation by Lord Saville concluded that the troops killed protesters who posed no threat. Olivia Munn will not remain mum over hate against Asian American Pacific Islander communities. The actress late on Monday condemned an online attack after a hacker interrupted an AAPI advocacy webinar she was hosting with racist imagery and hateful audio messages. Advertisement Olivia Munn attends the Apex for Youth 27th annual Inspiration Awards gala on April 17, 2019, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Today while hosting a gathering of AAPI women and allies in a conversation about how to stop anti-Asian hate, we were targeted by a zoom bombing of horrific, violent, racially charged images and audio, she revealed. The X-Men: Apocalypse star joined the National Asian Pacific American Womens Forum, which focuses on empowering AAPI women and girls, and AAPI organizers for the online seminar to mark beauty gurus Amy Liu and Priscilla Tsais collaboration for a special Lunar New Year skincare kit. Advertisement While it momentarily disrupted our event, we later resumed because these malicious acts will not stop the conversation, Munn shared on Instagram. We were communing to celebrate, elevate and protect the AAPI community and we were subjected to a hate crime in real time. It was a cowardly and unconscionable act. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > She didnt offer further specifics about the offensive incident. But to be clear, the conversation WILL go on, the 41-year-old first-time mom attested. An outspoken opponent of anti-Asian sentiment, the Oklahoma City native is the daughter of a Vietnamese refugee and was primarily raised in Tokyo Cheap tactics like these wont stop our quest for equality, equity and to stop Asian hate, she added. Munn also shared an infographic from the organization, which revealed that 78% of AAPI women have been affected by anti-Asian racism, with 28% reporting of being called a racial slur, while 26% said they felt unsafe walking outside. Some 18% of respondents experienced discrimination or harassment at work. Since COVID-19 began at the end of 2019, hate crimes against Asian-Americans have been on the rise, due in part to racist rhetoric by former President Donald Trump, who often referred to coronavirus as Kung Flu or the China Virus. NPR reported that more than 9,000 anti-Asian incidents had been reported since the pandemic began. A Laois electrical engineering student has won a prestigious STEM university scholarship for the second time. The award is for women who are studying for jobs still mostly taken up by men. Rosie Delaney was among eleven University College Cork (UCC) students recently presented with scholarships at a virtual awards ceremony on January 24 2022, as part of the Johnson & Johnson Ireland Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Award Programme. Rose was selected as a recipient last year as well. The Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Award Programme at UCC is open to students that are in the second, third or fourth year of their studies. A graduate of Mountrath Community School from Castletown, she will receive extensive industry mentoring and leadership training. WiSTEM2D refers to Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design. There are 117,800 people across Ireland who are working in jobs that require STEM skills. However, the CSO reports that just 25% of these roles are performed by women, with just 5% in leadership roles. There has been a general upswing in the number of students choosing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects on their CAO applications, but uptake among females remains low. The eleven students who were selected to receive scholarships following a rigorous application process and one-to-one interviews are: Celine Tan; Computer Science; Cork City Emily Whitaker; Physics and Astrophysics; Cork City Emma Sheehan; Biomedical Science; Douglas, Cork Gillian ODonnell; Data Science and Analytics; Adare, Co. Limerick Jennifer McCarthy; Biochemistry; Kinsale, Co. Cork Kate Kearney; Biological and Chemical Science; Tralee, Co. Kerry Lauren Turner; Biomedical Science; Waterford City Niamh McGrath; Financial Maths and Actuarial Science; Bandon, Co. Cork Rose Delaney; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mountrath, Co. Laois Sarah Kate Sweeney; Physics and Astrophysics; Blarney, Co. Cork Sinead Marsh; Biological and Chemical Science; Maynooth, Co. Kildare Anna Rafferty is the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D University Lead and Director of Strategy, Johnson & Johnson Campus Ireland. At Johnson & Johnson, we recognise that women are still under-represented in the STEM workforce in Ireland. Since 2016, Johnson & Johnson has supported nearly 300 female students across Ireland through the WiSTEM2D programme. Over the last two years, we have worked very hard to ensure that the recipients of this award have not missed out on any opportunities despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. We have carried our virtual mentoring sessions and site visits, and continued to help these students build vital support networks. As employers in the STEM2D industry, we are acutely aware of our responsibility to support these young women who will become future STEM leaders. Professor Sarah Culloty is Head of College of Science, Engineering & Food Sciences at UCC. We are delighted to partner with Johnson & Johnson again this year to support our female students in a range of leadership initiatives designed to empower and improve female representation in STEM. The programme really helps prepare them for leadership roles, as we are seeing in our graduates who have been part of the programme. Lauren Andrews, a University College Cork graduate, is a past recipient of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Award Programme. I was very fortunate to be awarded a WISTEM2D scholarship in the final year of my degree in UCC in 2020. I was lucky to receive support from Damien Leahy, my programme mentor, who I am still in touch with today whilst I am on the Johnson & Johnson GOLD Programme. The WISTEM2D Programme has come full circle for me, to the point where I am now doing what I can to give back and ensure that other students have the same opportunities that I have had. This years ceremony was attended by Professor Culloty, Dr Hannah Daly, School of Engineering & Architecture, UCC; Academic and Professional Services staff, UCC; Bill Walsh, Senior Operations Director, Janssen Sciences Ireland; Gillian Morgan, Business Excellence Manager, Janssen Sciences Ireland; families of the scholarship recipients; and student mentors. Recipients were also presented with bespoke framed glass artwork created by Fermoy-based artist, Suzanne OSullivan. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O Brien TD, have announced a funding allocation of 175,161 for the implementation of Creative Ireland initiatives in Kildare. This funding is part of a 6.6 million investment in local authorities throughout the country that will support creative projects that will connect people, creativity and wellbeing in 2022. The Creative Ireland Programme is committed to the vision that every person in their community should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential. During 2021 in Kildare, the Creative Ireland Culture and Creativity Team delivered 69 projects including The Connections through Literature Series which united writers and artists with Kildare audiences. This was carried out by Kildare Libraries and the Irish Writers Centre and included talks by Liam Mac Amhlaimh and Doireann Ni Ghriofa. In addition to this, Kildare also carried out The Short Grass Walls mural project (shown above). Minister Martin said about the programme I am very pleased to continue to support the excellent work undertaken by local authorities on behalf of the Creative Ireland Programme. Every Creative Ireland project delivered by our local authority teams harnesses the creative potential of our people and their communities. Their work is the cornerstone of the Creative Ireland Programme and brings together local expertise in arts, heritage, libraries, enterprise and community engagement in a meaningful and inspired way. As we emerge from the last two years, I know that they will once again deliver creative programmes that can build resilience, foster personal confidence and sustain their communities. Since the Creative Ireland Programme was launched in 2017, it has received investment of 21 million from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That funding has enabled local authorities to deliver over 5,700 community-led creative projects to support their respective Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022 along with the flagship Cruinniu na nOg the national day of free creativity for children and young people that takes place in June. 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. For an overview of Creative Ireland projects in Kildare please go to https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/kildare/ A former soldier with the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and Independent TD has weighed in on the renewed political tensions between Russia and Ukraine. It follows after the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs recently said that Ireland said that plans by Russia to host missile drills 240km off Ireland "are not welcome." Dr Cathal Berry TD, who was previously a Line Infantry officer and served for six years as the second-in-command (2IC) of the Irish Army's Ranger Wing, said that he has concerns over the potential environmental damage that Russian missiles may cause to Irish beaches, namely through fuel leakages. He also said that he fears for a possible energy crisis in Europe if tensions between Russia and America, along with the EU, escalate. In addition, Dr Berry is concerned that other countries are "appeasing" Russia, citing how "the world stood by" when Russia briefly annexed Crimea and invaded Ukraine in 2014. Dr Cathal Berry, Independent TD Dr Berry has since doubled down on his stance, when he was asked if the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) is keeping an eye on the situation off Ireland's coast. "Absolutely... and not just the UK, it is also being monitored by the US, France, Germany and Portugal at the moment," he replied. "This is an Achilles' Heel area; it is gunboat diplomacy that is taking place in what is virtually Europe's backyard," the Waterford native added. When asked about Ireland's status as a neutral country, Dr Berry said: "Ireland is pretending to be a neutral country: we may think we are, but we are not." He pointed to the fact that the US military are allowed to refuel their aircraft in Shannon Airport, but insisted that this is allowed under Ireland's membership to the United Nations (UN). "This measure was put to a vote... Russia had the opportunity to challenge (it), but it appears they didn't: if they were to complain about the presence of the US in Shannon Airport, they would only have themselves to blame." Dr Berry also noted that Ireland has three military attaches: one from the US, one from the UK and one from Russia. "This shows that Ireland is important to Russia," he added. 1.6 million in funding from the Summer Works Programme for 2022 scheme has been secured for a number of Kildare schools. The news was welcomed by Fianna Fail education spokesperson Senator Fiona O' Loughlin, who said: "I am delighted to have been able to help secure 1.6m in Summer Works funding for Kildare schools." "School communities in Kildare have done an exceptional job in adapting to the changes required to operate safely in a Covid-19 environment, and I have no doubt they will continue to provide a top-class education to all students." The Newbridge politician said that a total of seven primary schools and four post primary schools will share the allocation: "I am pleased that this announcement is timely and gives schools good lead-in time to plan and deliver the projects in summer 2022. Senator Fiona O' Loughlin "Local principals and their staff and leadership teams have taken on so much over the last two years and are doing a phenomenal job, so I emphasised the importance of allowing adequate time for them in terms of this years summer works. "I am grateful to Minister Foley and her officials for liaising so proactively on this and look forward to continuing to work with and support the school communities in South Kildare," she concluded. In related news, Senator Fiona O' Loughlin joined a number of politicians last week in welcoming the announcement that the government would bring in a St Brigid's Day bank holiday from 2023. Longford County Council is inviting locally based artists to submit proposals under a new public art project marking the county's infamous historical association with squirrels. Longford Arts Office in partnership with Longford Live & Local and Mide Arts Group are currently developing the Iora Nua (New Squirrel) project that is set to reinvigorate three town centres with an injection of artistic flair this spring. This project is part of Longford County Councils Public Art Programme, funded by Longford Arts Office, the Creative Ireland programme and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Iora is the Irish word for squirrel and many people may not be aware that it was at the grounds of Castle Forbes in County Longford where the North American grey squirrel was first released into Ireland in the summer of 1911. A number of grey squirrels were presented as a wedding gift on the lawns of the beautiful castle, but the invasive breed ultimately went on to cause a 20% decline in the numbers of its smaller cousin, the native Irish red squirrel. This Iora Nua project involves the placement of giant fibreglass squirrel sculptures in each of the three municipal districts of the county. The Mide Arts Group is looking for Longford-based artists to submit proposals for the design and rendering of the sculptures surfaces. Selected artists will be given a financial grant to cover their time, materials and venue rental in order to render their design on the sculpture. Finished works will be placed at designated sites in Longford Town, Ballymahon and Granard. This is a fantastic project, said Arts Officer Fergus Kennedy, It taps into Longfords association with the squirrel and adds some more colour and fun to towns of the county as we emerge from this pandemic. Details of the Iora Nua open call including submission forms can be found on www.republicofculture.ie or by contacting republicofculture21@gmail.com. Deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday, 31 January 2022. Hello, its lunchtime in Paris. Yannick Jadot, the environmentalist candidate, is on the campaign trail near La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast. He will attend a conference on water quality. What happened yesterday? Emmanuel Macron seemed to rule out an imminent declaration of candidacy on Monday. When asked, he replied: "I will announce my decision in due course." Why does it matter? No incumbent has declared himself a candidate so early in the past. By waiting, Emmanuel Macron is delaying the start of his campaign and taking advantage of his status as president. Its cold. Not freezing, but chilly nonetheless. Electricity bills are skyrocketing, like fuel prices, like natural gas prices. Add shortfalls and the risk of war in Ukraine, and you get the whole picture. But when presidential candidates mention nuclear energy, everything is upside down. The right speaks like the left praising the public sector (Electricite de France, known as EDF, the main actor is state-owned at 83%). The left denounces the waste of public money and a deep state made of senior civil servants plotting with engineers, whom all graduated from the same elite schools. On the right-wing, "new nuclear plant" is the energy keyword. A cure for the wind turbines they all despise with hateful rhetoric often similar to that expressed by Donald Trump. The far-right candidate Marine Le Pen (Le Rassemblement National) promised to dismantle these hideous monsters if she was elected. The breathtaking beauty of nuclear power plant cooling towers is up for debate, but the fact is that France derives about 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy. The result of a long-standing policy based on energy security and independence. The law stipulated that this share should fall to 50% in 2025, but this goal has been postponed to 2035, and nobody wants to talk about it anymore. All the right-wing candidates want new nuclear power plants. They only disagree on numbers. Eric Zemmour, a far-right candidate, sees the nuclear industry as a symbol of French grandeur. He is for ten new plants. His rival Marine Le Pen advocates six new ones, and the reopening of an old one closed three years ago (spoiler, its not doable). Valerie Pecresse (Les Republicains), the conservative candidate, spoke also about six. They all want to prevent further closure and reinitiate "Astrid," a national research program for a future generation plant to recycle nuclear waste (the Achilles heel of this CO2-free energy). It was stopped in 2019 for budgetary issues. There is only one problem. The new generation of nuclear plants (code name EPR for European Pressurized Reactor) is a running gag in France. The prototype estimated at 10 billion euros should have been ready in 2012. It won't be ready before 2023 and will cost twice as much. On the left wing, nuclear is the word that spells troubles and divisions. Or, to be precise, that adds troubles and divisions to an already deeply fragmented camp. The Communist candidate Fabien Roussel is on the same line as the right. A faithful defender of this industry rich in unionized workers, he wants six new plants, a moratorium on any closure, and a new Astrid. The leading leftist candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon (La France Insoumise), wanted, on the contrary, to close the totality of French nuclear plants. He is still for it, but is now open to letting the French people have the final say in a referendum. The environmentalist candidate, Yannick Jadot (Europe Ecologie Les Verts) advocates, as well, the end of the French nuclear program but he is ready to postpone it. The Socialist candidate, Anne Hidalgo, also wants to phase out nuclear power, but shes not giving any date because of the French delay on renewable energy. The left is not on more solid ground than the right on energy. Its bet on renewable faces big questions marks on intermittency and public acceptance. Wind turbines and solar farms face growing opposition, sometimes led by environmentalists. The current president, Emmanuel Macron, who has yet to declare his candidacy but is likely to run again, seeks a middle ground that could sum up his future strategy. He already mentioned that he favored six new nuclear power plants, using right-wing arguments. "That said" (his political trademark), he also argued for robust development of renewables, both wind and solar. According to polls, this is the wish of a majority of his fellow citizens. Quote of the day "I am not here to comment on chatters, even those of Francois Hollande" Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist candidate, seemed upset when she tried to downplay an enigmatic statement from Francois Hollande. The former Socialist president (2012-2017) said: "A former president can very well return to politics, and it has happened, to be a candidate in the presidential election." "First of all, Francois Hollande, whom I see regularly, has a great sense of humor", said Anne Hidalgo, "and I think he showed a great deal of humor" when he said that. "I am not here to comment on chatters, even those of Francois Hollande," she added. Graphic of the day Last week, the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies published its results for 2021. Life expectancy at birth is 85.4 years for women and 79.3 years for men: up from 2020, when it fell sharply due to the pandemic, but still below the level of 2019. French life expectancy is on the rise again Demographics are starting to erase the impact of the pandemic (figures for 2019, 2020 and 2021 are provisional) Source : Source : INSEE Number of the day 1,500 The Communist candidate Fabien Roussel presented his platform on Monday. He wants to raise the monthly minimum wage to 1,500 euros instead of 1,269 euros. Purchasing power is at the moment the top issue for French citizens according to polls. Fabien Roussel also advocates the hiring of 500,000 civil servants. France has one of the highest numbers of civil servants in Europe although their functions and missions vary greatly from country to country. Read the previous column : Will there still be a French Parti Socialiste in April? Countdown 75 Days until the presidential elections first round 89 Days until the presidential elections second round Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow Gilles Paris(Columnist and former Le Monde correspondent in Washington) Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. IT WAS 'easely' done by Carnane NS pupils who are celebrating success on the double in a national art competition. Boys and girls in the Fedamore school have being named both junior and senior county winners in the prestigious event called Someone Like Me. They will join over 40 other schools to compete for the much sought-after national title at an online national awards ceremony on Thursday, February 3. Someone Like Me, which is organised by the National Disability Authority, attracted more than 1,800 entries from national schools across the length and breadth of the country. The competition has been designed to be a national celebration of the things that unite children of all abilities and, over its six-year history, more than 8,000 children have taken part, creating a tangible contribution to developing more positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities. During the last school term of 2021 teachers and their pupils right across Ireland worked through special lesson plans which challenged them to respond artistically and creatively to the theme of Someone Like Me, while, at the same time, appreciating and respecting similarities and differences in people. The judges were particularly impressed with the submissions from pupils and teachers at Carnane NS, selecting them as both junior and senior (pictured above) county winners based on their insightful and inspirational responses to the theme. Congratulating Carnane NS, Minister of State with special responsibility for disability, Anne Rabbitte said that she was hugely encouraged by the growing interest in the competition which is helping to develop a shared understanding of how we should treat others in a caring, sensitive and inclusive way, and promoting a sense of belonging and connectedness. "We are exceptionally pleased with the response to this years competition which took place during challenging times not just in our schools, but right across our communities, due to the ongoing global pandemic, said Minister Rabbitte. "I am so impressed by the standard of entry and the obvious thought that has gone into each creative submission. Once again, our primary school teachers and pupils have shown their commitment to putting ability under the spotlight helping to build a more inclusive society. "While I know it will be an anxious wait for the pupils and teachers to hear which of the 48 county winners will be awarded the national title, every entry is a winner when it comes to enabling each and every single person in Ireland to feel a valued member of society," she continued. The competition, which offers a range of prizes up to the value of 750, was open to all primary school pupils from junior infants to sixth class and more than 1,800 entries were received from individual pupils, class groups and whole schools right across Ireland. Entries ranged from posters and collages to large sculptural installations and multi-media pieces. LIMERICK groups are being invited to apply for support from the hugely successful Late Late Toy Show Appeal fund. The huge generosity of viewers to the RTE Toy Show Appeal is being turned into action with groups which support children in Limerick being invited to apply for support from the 6.6 Million raised. The Community Foundation for Ireland, RTEs partner in the appeal, is beginning the process of turning the donations into grants supporting a range of local services and supports. The first year of the appeal in 2020 benefitted an estimated 600,000 children and their families as highlighted in an Impact Report. It details how, through their donations, the 1.7 Million viewers of the Late Late Toy Show last December have given vital support to local communities. Last year over 6,500,000 was raised and distributed in 58 grants to support more than 600,000 children and their family members all across Ireland. This years funding is being distributed through two rounds. The first has now opened and is inviting applications from community groups and organisations. It will provide grants of between 5,000 and 20,000. Grants will be made under three thematic pillars, the first of these relating to addressing essential needs whereby eligible organisations must demonstrate the impact of their work on a local level. After this, organisations must how that their work in communities improves wellbeing, with evident creativity and play also a strongpoint in gaining funding from the appeal. Commenting on the success of this years Appeal, RTE Director General, Dee Forbes said that she was thrilled that as a result of the public support for the appeal, many childrens lives will be improved. Some childrens lives are harder than others and we are confident that these grants will make a real difference in the lives of many children and families, in communities all around Ireland. The Community Grants Round is now open for Childrens charities and Family charities with an annual income of less than 250,000 and will close on Friday 18th February 2022 at 4pm. Plans by Russia to hold navy military exercises off the Irish coast are not a threat to Ireland or anyone else, according to the Russian ambassador to Ireland. At a press conference in the Russian Embassy yesterday (January 24), Yury Filatov downplayed the significance of the navy exercises after concerns were raised by the Irish Government, calling it a "non-story". Irelands foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney had earlier said the plans were not welcome. The artillery drills at the start of February will take place in international waters but within Irish-controlled airspace and the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ). At the press conference, Mr Filatov said: It has been hugely overblown. These exercises are part of the yearly plan of naval activity for 2022. No harm is intended and no problem is expected. All that has been communicated to our colleagues at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, he said. Mr Filatov said the real story lies elsewhere. He added: It looks like the topic of exercises fits in the ongoing propaganda campaign waged by the US and its Nato allies to create an illusion of a Russian threat to Ukraine. I think we all witness a daily drumbeat emanating primarily from Washington and London, other Nato capitals, about imminent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. I will say once again, it is a fake. Minister Coveney, who is expected to brief the Cabinet today (Tuesday January 25) said the exercises are to take place 240 kilometres (150 miles) off the Irish south-west coast. Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, the ambassador said the objections raised by Minister Coveney had been relayed to the Russian government. However, he played down Irish concerns and suggested it is unlikely the exercises will be called off. He said: Why would we do so? I dont see any reason for changing that because there are no problems actually. Mr Filatov described talks with Minister Coveney over the issue as open and productive. Calling it a small exercise involving three-to-four ships, he warned against apocalyptic overtones. He said: I think we could expect that our Irish and other European colleagues would seriously look into the ways in which the European Union could help this dialogue between Russia US and NATO on this issue, rather than whipping up tensions in the region with the irresponsible and alarmist rhetoric. Mr Filatov said Ireland is not a choice for the exercises, which he said will be held in a region of north-eastern Atlantic that has been usually the area for military training for many navies of the world, Russian included. He said: So there is no Irish connection here whatsoever. In compliance with legal requirements, Russia informed Irelands aviation authorities of the planned activities in advance. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said there would be no impact to the safety of civil aircraft operations. Minister Coveney said Ireland does not have the power to prevent the exercises. Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Minister Coveney said: I have made it clear to the Russian Ambassador in Ireland (Mr Filatov) that its not welcome. This is not a time to increase military activity and tension in the context of what is happening with and in Ukraine at the moment. Its important that I brief my colleagues on those intentions. Russia, under international law, can take military exercises in international waters, but the fact they are choosing to do it on the west borders of the EU, off the Irish coast, is something that is in our view not welcome and not wanted right now, particularly in the coming weeks. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar later echoed Coveneys comments that the Russian exercises are not welcome, and said Cabinet would discuss the issue today (Tuesday January 25). In relation to the situation with regard to Russia, Ive been briefed on that by Minister Coveney. I expect he will brief Cabinet on it tomorrow as well, he said. While the Russian military can, within the law, carry out these exercises off our waters and in our economic zone, theyre certainly unwelcome. That has been communicated to the authorities. Minister Coveney was in Brussels on Monday for a scheduled meeting with other EU foreign ministers at which the ongoing tensions on the Russia/Ukraine border are being discussed. This is an important day today for EU foreign ministers to reinforce a message of unity from the European Union in relation to Russian/Ukraine tension, Minister Coveney added. There are two very clear messages that EU foreign ministers will want to get across today. First of all, a clear message and ask of Russia to defuse tension in the context of their activities on the borders of Ukraine and give reassurance to the rest of the world in terms of their intentions. Secondly, a strong message of unity from the EU that should Russia decide to invade Ukraine militarily, that there would be very severe consequences of that action from an EU perspective in terms of sanction and restrictions that would follow very quickly, that I think would be the most comprehensive that the EU has put together in many decades. Retail sales of consumer goods reached 2.1 trillion yuan ($331.8 billion) in Anhui province in 2021, up 17.1 percent year on year, local authorities said at a press conference on Monday. The growth brought the eastern Chinese province to the fifth place in the country and the first in the Yangtze River Delta Region, said Zhang Jian, head of the Department of Commerce of Anhui Province. Anhuis foreign trade value totaled $107.1 billion last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 36.1 percent. The province saw the highest growth in the region, which consists of Shanghai and provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui. Last year, about 36,000 enterprises took part in more than 5,700 campaigns targeted at boosting consumption, with a total turnover of 30.7 billion yuan. The sales revenue of the catering sector grew 37.3 percent to 292.0 billion yuan, partly owing to stimulus activities like the Global Food Festival. The province also launched online shopping galas such as the 426 Sci-tech Innovative Products Online Trading Festival and Anhui Good Online Goods Competition. Online retail sales rose 32.9 percent. 8,103 people visited the Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street in Hefei, capital of the province, in 2021 after it was given a facelift, up 57.9 percent from a year earlier. Its sales revenue increased 17 percent to 11.45 billion yuan. In addition, the province stepped up efforts to expand foreign trade. 33 additional enterprises recorded more than $100 million in imports and exports last year, bringing the total number to 129, the official said. The underdog story of this Academy Award season centers around a yak that marks the nation of Bhutans first Oscars submission of the century. Filming Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom in the heart of the Himalayan mountain range was rife with challenges, including the use of cameras fueled by solar-powered batteries. The movie itself centers around a teacher assigned to a remote school in an area where winters are unforgiving and amenities are few. Advertisement But getting the film in front of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences became a daunting hike of its own thats been years in the making. Director Pawo Choyning Dorjis highly praised 2019 debut was initially rejected by the Academy because the Bhutanese governments Ministry of Information and Communications, which submitted it for consideration, has been stagnant for so long that it wasnt recognized by the nominations committee. Bhutans sole submission for Best Foreign Language Film had been 1999s The Cup. It did not get nominated. Advertisement Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom (Samuel Goldwyn Films) By the time Bhutanese officials were informed that Lunana did not disqualify for deliberation leading up to the 93rd Academy Awards, the news came too late for the landlocked nations organizers to put together a formal selection committee that could resubmit the movie for consideration in the U.S. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > In 2021, the newly formed National Film Commission of Bhutan Committee created a selection committee for the purpose of submitting Bhutanese films to competitions including the Oscars. That committee includes The Cup director Khyentse Norbu. Lunana was introduced once more to Academy and is believed to be on the shortlist for the 94th Academy Awards, slated to take place on March 27. Nominations will be announced Feb. 7. Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom (Samuel Goldwyn Films) Dorji told the Daily News that being nominated for an Academy Award was not on his mind while Lunana was being filmed. Absolutely not! he said by email from Bhutan. We had such challenges when making the film, we were severely limited in terms of logistics. We had one old camera body, two light mats, and classroom full of kids who had never even watched a film and a semi-domestic 700 kg yak! We had nothing but the power of the sun to charge our batteries. I was only thinking of if I would be able to finish the film. Should the Academy put his film in the running for an Oscar, Dorji said hell make the 7,800-mile trip to Los Angeles in March. Even the shortlisting is a historic first for Bhutan, he said. A nomination would also be a celebration of the possibilities for art and filmmaking, that a small film shot in the worlds most remote school, made by a first-time director, a nonprofessional crew and cast can be recognized by the Academy. The flicks honors so far include the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Prix du Public at Frances Festival international du film de Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Under new legislation, employers who reject requests from staff seeking to work from home could find themselves before the Workplace Relations Commission. Tanaiste and Enterprise Minister Leo Varadkar is to publish the heads of a bill on the right to request home or remote working today, Tuesday January 25. While it will not give workers the automatic right to work from home, it will require employers to give a good reason for rejecting requests, that can stand up to scrutiny in the labour court. Mr Varadkar said on Monday that the Government dont want things to go back to normal when it comes to office working. One thing we are concerned about happening, that we dont want to happen, is businesses and employers just returning to things the way they were before the pandemic happened he told reporters. We want to see more remote working, more home working, more hybrid working. What happened during the pandemic was very much that people had to work from home, not by choice but because of public health advice. We want to move to a situation whereby people arent working from home because they have to, but theyre working from home because they choose to. Or engaging in some form of remote or hybrid working, as a choice rather than as a public health requirement. He added: What were saying to employers is that you have to facilitate this, so long as the business gets done, so long as public services are not damaged in any way, you should try to facilitate your employees when it comes to hybrid working, home working and remote working. Mr Varadkar said the legislation will not give people the automatic right to work from home, as called for by the Labour Party. We did a lot of work on this with the with the Attorney General, he said. First of all, governments can only interfere in contracts that employers and employees have signed to a certain extent. Secondly, its manifestly the case that remote working and home working isnt always going to be possible. Its going to be very difficult to do in education, in healthcare, in manufacturing, in hospitality, for example. But what we want to do is get to a position whereby remote working and home working becomes a choice and that employers facilitate that, provided the business gets done and provided public services dont suffer. Mr Varadkar said he did not anticipate that a large number of cases could end up clogging up the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The whole purpose, really, of creating the right to request remote working is not that we would see a huge number of cases ending before the WRC, its that employers wouldnt just refuse requests, he said. There will be a requirement on them to take requests seriously, to respond within a defined timeframe and to give a good reason that actually stacks up if they were challenged. So I think what well do is change the culture and move the dial, so that employers will be more likely to say yes, for fear of being taken to WRC or to court if they say no. He said he expects the vast majority of employers to embrace the changes. Everyone sees the benefits of home working and remote working, reduced traffic, reduced crowding in office spaces, he said. Also its very much an employees market at the moment, employers are finding it really hard to hire staff and retain staff. It makes sense, I think, if youre an employer or if youre running a business, to embrace new models of working, because thats how youre going to get staff and its also how youre going to keep staff. The @hpscireland has today been notified of 3,692* PCR confirmed cases of #COVID19. In addition, on Sunday 23 January, 4,347** people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. As of 8am today, 885 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of whom 76 are in ICU. Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 24, 2022 Mr Varadkar was speaking as restrictions on office work were lifted on Monday after Government moved to end the majority of pandemic rules. He said: What well see happen over the next few weeks is thousands of people returning to the workplaces, in some cases for the first time in 680 days. Of course, some people, people who are on the pandemic unemployment payment, being able to return to work having lost their jobs or being laid off temporarily, previously. I do think we shouldnt forget that for a huge number of people who have been working at home during the pandemic, that they have been working hard and theyve had to adapt to a different way of doing business. And also, we shouldnt forget that healthcare workers, frontline workers, and essential workers in particular, have probably never, ever been busier than they were for the last 680 days, working on the frontline in the jobs that they do. A further 3,692 cases of Covid-19 were notified in Ireland on Monday. In addition to the PCR notifications, 4,347 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. As of 8am on Monday, there were 885 Covid-positive patients in hospital, with 76 in intensive care. An application by the State to jail a man who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl after befriending her over Snapchat was rejected on Tuesday by the Court of Appeal. The man, who is now 22 and cannot be identified for legal reasons, had pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amended) Act 1990, at a hearing at the District Court, Midleton, Co Cork, in December 2020. He also admitted to asking her to touch him, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, and to contacting a child for the purposes of sexual exploitation, contrary to Section 7 of the same act, at the same hearing. In February last year, he was given a two-year suspended sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Sean O Donnabhain. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later appealed the sentence on the grounds it was unduly lenient. Today, in an ex-tempore judgement delivered by Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, sitting with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, the three-judge court said it was not going to interfere in the sentence handed down by Judge Donnabhain. A full written judgement will be available at a later date, Mr Justice Edwards told the court. The assault had taken place in a secluded spot by the seaside after the girl had agreed to meet the then 19-year-old male. The man later fled the country following the incident on December 4, 2018 and had been living in England before he returning to Ireland in July 2020. At an earlier hearing, the State claimed the trial judge also erred by failing to place sufficient weight on the fact that the man must have known in advance of the offending that the injured party was underage. Seeking to evade prosecution was another aggravating factor, Donal T McCarthy BL, for the DPP told the appellate court, adding that an entirely suspended sentence in this case was not in accordance with principle. Elizabeth OConnell SC, for the respondent, said the onus was on the director to show there had been a substantial departure from the norm in sentencing. She said her client was a young man who has not walked away from this without any deterrents. The offending, Ms OConnell continued, has had a very, very severe impact on his life and he spent a month in custody after he was arrested following his return from England. But he was now in full-time employment and pulling his weight, counsel added. He had also pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, had no previous convictions prior to this offence, and has not come to the attention of gardai since, she continued. DEVELOPERS behind a complex near Thomond Park are seeking to ditch the medical centre planned as part of the project and add more student apartments. Shelbourne Medical Properties has already secured planning permission to demolish the former Hassetts Bar, and replace it with 31 student units, providing 143 bed spaces. But now, the firm is seeking permission from Limerick City and County Council to take away the medical facility in favour of 19 new spots for those studying at third level. Also planned is 12 new car parking spaces and bicycle storage. Local councillor Sharon Benson has described the move as a slap in the face to locals, 11 of whom objected to the original project, with 171 signing a petition in opposition. Their concerns mainly centered around the size and scale of the plan. Despite this, council approved the scheme. Then, An Bord Pleanala rejected the recommendation of its own inspector to deny permission and instead rubber-stamped the local authoritys decision. Id say the medical centre was what got them over the line with the planning in the first place. This now means there are no facilities which would benefit the community. Its a total change of use, said Cllr Benson. Sustainable communities are all about having proper and appropriate facilities, and proper community facilities, added the Sinn Fein member. She made the point too that the existing Thomond Student Village on the border between Caherdavin and Moyross in fact houses many families, as opposed to those at third level. When contacted by the Limerick Leader, a spokesperson for Shelbourne Medical Properties declined to comment. A number of other student facilities are planned across the city. Arguably the largest one of these, on the site of the old Dan Ryans garage in Punchs Cross will see spaces for 324 students. On top of this, the strategic development will also contain 10 one-bed apartments, 20 two-bed apartments and two three-bed apartments. Permission is being sought for two further apartment blocks off the Dock Road. The document, released by the information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and minister of state for electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar, lays out the roadmap for electronics manufacturing in India in the next four years. The report was drafted by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), the top industry body for electronics firms in the country. $300 billion of manufacturing and $120 billion of exports is a significant milestone that were setting out. We can, obviously, argue whether this is a base-level target, but it is clear that digital adoption and consumption in India is far outpacing manufacturing of digital products in India," said Chandrashekhar. It should be our endeavour to create enough momentum to bridge that and converge at some point down the road, where our consumption and production of digital products and services converge in terms of our ability to serve our own needs," he added. Vaishnaw said that the industrys concerns around dual regulation by the information technology and telecom ministries would be addressed. He added that the telecom department would not enter into mobile manufacturing regulation. It will continue to remain the light-touch regulation that is currently in place, and that regime is not going to change," he said. He also said that discussions had taken place with the labour ministry to facilitate the functioning of large factories that can hire 40,000 to 100,000 workers. He added that the government is also taking steps to create basic infrastructure for industrial zones and has identified at least three locations where this can be done. He also asked the industry to help identify more areas where such industrial zones can be created. Once we create one, Im sure all other states may compete and will try to create similar zones," he said. The primary short-term strategy must revolve around incentivization of scale in the next 1,000 days (2025-26). An increase in scale may set the stage for India to become a major value addition player subsequently. After the initial 1,000 days, incentivization of value addition may be prioritized," the document said, adding that India will have to attract global manufacturing players and create Indian champions" that will add to its share in the global manufacturing space. According to the Vision Document, Indias electronics manufacturing sector currently stands at between $67billion and $74 billion, which means it needs to quadruple in the next four years. The document asked the government to encourage manufacturing products that have high potential" other than mobile phones and IT hardware, which are covered by existing production-linked incentive schemes. The high potential segments include wearables, LED lighting, and electronics components in electric vehicles. As per a press release issued by the ministry, the roadmap, released in association with India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), is the second volume of a two-part vision document - the first of which titled "Increasing India's Electronics Exports and Share in GVCs" was released in November 2021. "This report provides a year-wise break-up and production projections for the various products that will lead India's transformation into a USD 300 billion electronics manufacturing powerhouse, from the current USD 75 billion," read the release. "Amongst the key products that are expected to lead India's growth in electronics manufacturing include mobile phones, IT hardware (laptops, tablets), consumer electronics (TV and audio), industrial electronics, auto electronics, electronic components, LED Lighting, strategic electronics, PCBA, wearables and hearables, and telecom equipment. Mobile manufacturing that is expected to cross USD 100 billion annual production - up from the current USD 30 billion - is expected to constitute nearly 40 per cent of this ambitious growth," it added. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology, congratulated and lauded the entire team of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology for their efforts in bringing out the documents and policy framework items at this remarkable speed. During the event, Vaishnaw also addressed some points raised by industry leaders during the recent interaction with him. Addressing the industry's apprehensions over the issue of dual regulations in mobile manufacturing, the Minister clarified that the telecom department is not going to enter into mobile manufacturing and the mobile manufacturing regulatory regime will remain the same. Speaking on the occasion, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State, Electronics & IT and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said that Ministry is focusing on broadening and deepening of electronics industry in India in line with Prime Minister's recent statement at World Economic Forum, where he said that India is emerging as a reliable and trusted partner in value chains. Talking about the objective of volume-2 of the vision document released today Chandrasekhar said, "New markets, new customers and being a player in Global Value Chain (GVC) is the goal and mission of the secnd phase. This volume along with the 1st Volume on electronics manufacturing, represents an excellent example of goal setting, detailed strategy making after hours of deep engagement between government and industry. He further added that the numbers in the 2nd Volume of vision document confirms that there is a real opportunity in electronics sector, driven by 2 factors: growth of digital consumption and growth and diversification of global value chains. The domestic market is expected to increase from US$65 billion to US$180 billion over the next 5 years. This will make electronics amongst India's 2-3 top ranking exports by 2026. Of the US$300 billion, exports are expected to increase from the projected US$15 billion in 2021-22 to US$120 billion by 2026. The five-part strategy to reach the US$300 billion goal, based on an "all of the government" approach, sharply focuses on broadening and deepening electronics manufacturing in India. This, by building competitiveness and scale by attracting global electronics manufacturers/brands, shifting and developing sub-assemblies and component ecosystem, building a design ecosystem, nurturing Indian champions and steadily removing cost disabilities faced by India. The US$300 billion electronics manufacturing comes on the back of US$10 billion PLI Scheme announced by the government to propel forward the Semiconductor and Display ecosystem. The government has committed nearly US$17 billion over the next 6 years across four PLI Schemes - Semiconductor and Design, Smartphones, IT Hardware and Components. The Vision Document makes a strong recommendation on the need to focus on aggregate domestic value addition in the electronics sector, as India transforms from its current state to one that is gearing to compete with the likes of China and Vietnam. It also details the importance of the key role Indian champions will play in addition to global companies - both of whom are already part of the PLI Schemes. The report seeks a competitive tariff structure on electronic components and removal of all regulatory uncertainty to put India on the path to US$300 billion electronics manufacturing. The report recommends a "winner takes all" strategy backed by economies of scale and global competitiveness, new and revised incentive schemes for some sectors, and the need to address issues of sustainability and ease of doing business. Crystal healing is an alternative medical technique in which crystals and other stones are used to cure ailments and protect against disease. Proponents of this technique believe that crystals act as conduits for healing enabling positive, healing energy to flow into the body as negative, disease-causing energy flows out. But despite the fact that crystal healing has seen an upsurge in popularity in recent years, this alternative treatment is not popular with most medical doctors and scientists, many of whom refer to crystal healing as a pseudoscience. Scientifically speaking, there is no evidence that crystal healing can be used to cure diseases, because diseases have never been found to be the result of a so-called energy flow in the body. Furthermore, no scientific studies have shown that crystals and gems can be differentiated by chemical composition or color to treat a particular ailment. "I am not aware of any [National Science Foundation]-supported studies into the healing powers of crystals," Peter Heaney, a mineral sciences professor at Pennsylvania State University, told the " Washington Post " in 2021. He goes on to explain that while crystals can be said to have energy, in accordance with Albert Einstein 's mass-energy equivalence of e=mc^2 , there is no energy transfer between crystals and human beings. Nevertheless, healing crystals remain popular at health spas and at New Age health clinics, sometimes incorporated into related practices of massage and Reiki. The use of crystals in such environments may help induce relaxation, although this effect is also not backed by scientific evidence. How crystal healing is supposed to work Crystal healing proponents believe that crystals and gemstones have properties that facilitate healing. Many sites promoting crystal healing allege that the history of this practice is ancient, dating back at least 6,000 years to the time of the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia. Ancient Egyptians are also referenced on such sites as being among the first people to have adorned themselves with crystals including lapis lazuli, carnelian and turquoise to ward off illness and negative energy. But the philosophy of modern crystal healing is based on traditional concepts borrowed from Asian cultures, most notably the Chinese concept of life-energy (chi or qi) and the Hindu or Buddhist concept of chakras, which are vortices of this life-energy, said to connect the physical and supernatural elements of the body. According to these philosophies, crystals are supposed to interact with the energy field of the body, promoting physical, emotional and spiritual healing, according to " Time ." In crystal healing, stones are assigned various properties, though healers have different ideas about which stones possess which properties. Amethyst, for example, is believed by some to be beneficial for the intestines, explains Healthline ; green aventurine helps the heart; yellow topaz provides mental clarity. Colors red through violet are associated with seven chakra points on the body. During a treatment session, a crystal healer may place various stones or crystals on your body aligned with these chakra points, roughly in the regions above the head, on the forehead, on the throat, on the chest, on the stomach, on the gut, and on the genital area. The stones used and their positioning may be chosen for the symptoms reported by the patient. This is all influenced by the healer's knowledge of, and belief in, the chakra philosophy of disease and energy imbalances a philosophy that is largely dismissed by practitioners of Western medicine. Crystal healing also involves the use of crystals and stones worn on the body or placed under pillows to ward off sickness, shed negative energy or absorb positive energy, according to Crystal Vaults , a company that sells such crystals, which it refers to as "talismans" or "amulets." How crystal healing actually works While there are no scientific studies on the efficacy of crystal healing, there is a study that suggests that crystal healing may induce a placebo effect in a patient who receives this type of treatment. Placebo effects accompany a treatment that are not directly due to the treatment itself acting on the disease of the patient, according to Christopher French, head of the anomalistic psychology research unit at the University of London. "There is no evidence that crystal healing works over and above a placebo effect," French told Live Science. "That is the appropriate standard to judge any form of treatment. But whether or not you judge crystal healing, or any other form of [complementary and alternative medicine], to be totally worthless depends upon your attitude to placebo effects." In other words, a person may feel better after undergoing crystal healing treatment, but there is no scientific proof that this result has anything to do with the crystals being used during the treatment. In 2001, French and his colleagues presented a paper at the British Psychological Society Centenary Annual Conference in Glasgow, in which they outlined their study of the efficacy of crystal healing. For the study, 80 participants were asked to meditate for five minutes while holding either a real quartz crystal or a fake crystal that they believed was real. Before meditating, half of the participants were primed to notice any effects that the crystals might have on them, like tingling in the body or warmth in the hand holding the crystal. After meditating, participants answered questions about whether they felt any effects from the crystal healing session. The researchers found that the effects reported by those who held fake crystals while meditating were no different than the effects reported by those who held real crystals during the study. Many participants in both groups reported feeling a warm sensation in the hand holding the crystal or fake crystal, as well as an increased feeling of overall well being. Those who had been primed to feel these effects reported stronger effects than those who had not been primed. However, the strength of these effects did not correlate with whether the person in question was holding a real crystal or a fake one. Those who believed in the power of crystals (as measured by a questionnaire) were twice as likely as non-believers to report feeling effects from the crystal. As French pointed out, there are many forms of treatment that are known to have no therapeutic effect other than a placebo effect. However, while these treatments might make you feel better temporarily, there is no proof that they can actually cure diseases or treat health conditions. If you're suffering from a serious medical issue, you should seek treatment from a licensed physician, not an alternative healer, French said. Despite all of this, convincing someone who believes in the healing properties of crystals can be challenging. "Its hard to argue against people who believe in the psychological effects of crystals [] Those are genuine experiences we have to respect," Zhuo Job Chen, professor in the psychology of religion at the University of North Carolina, told the Washington Post. Others feel that people moving towards so-called alternative medicine shows a growing distrust of professional doctors that should encourage more empathy within the medical professions. "The present popularity of complementary and alternative medicine is also inviting criticism of what we are doing in mainstream medicine. It shows that we aren't fulfilling a certain need we are not giving patients enough time, compassion, or empathy," Edzard Ernst, emeritus professor of Complementary Medicine at the Peninsula School of Medicine, University of Exeter, told the " British Medical Journal " in 2018. One of the concerns in the medical profession is that patients opting to partake of crystal healing might do so as a replacement for proven medical treatments. (Image credit: Molly Aaker via Getty Images) Is crystal healing safe? Crystal healers become healers by passing a certification course, often offered over the Internet from "natural medicine" universities or clinics, many of which are not accredited by any central organization. Currently, there are no state or federal laws that regulate or standardize the practice of crystal healing or the licensing of crystal healers specifically. In some states, this type of alternative treatment may fall under the category of massage or bodywork therapy. In those states, crystal healers may be required to obtain a license in order to practice their trade. Non-profit organizations such as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) also administer voluntary board certification exams for massage therapists and alternative healers. NCTMB endorses schools and businesses that offer certification to alternative healers, but only if they fulfill certain criteria established by the organization. Some medical doctors tolerate crystal healing to a limited degree, seeing it as a therapy that can induce relaxation, which ultimately is therapeutic for stress management. Those seeking a crystal healer, however, should be careful not to forgo legitimate treatment for life-threatening disease. Many parents also use Baltic amber necklaces for teething infants and toddlers, believing that the amber itself will help to take the teething pain away, similarly to the use of other gemstones to cure other ailments. According to Healthy Children, there is no scientific evidence that the amber works to subside teething pain. There are two theories that explain how the amber supposedly works: one is that a pain-relieving substance (succinic acid) is released from the amber by the heat of the baby's skin and is absorbed through the skin into the blood stream, and two, the amber stimulates the thyroid gland to increase drooling and reduce inflammation in the ears, throat, stomach and respiratory system. John Snyder, a pediatrician who wrote an article about amber necklaces on the website Science-Based Medicine, listed several claims that are made about amber necklaces and how they may help lessen pain. The only claims that Snyder said were the slightest bit plausible were that it is known that Baltic amber does contain succinic acid, that some molecules are absorbed through the skin, and that succinic acid is naturally found in the human body. The amount of succinic acid in the amber, however, exists in minuscule amounts and body heat does not release it from the amber. There is also little to no evidence that succinic acid produces a therapeutic effect. A 2016 letter to the editor published in the Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health by Alexandra Hudson, Kim Blake and Robyn McLaughlin discusses how the dangers of amber necklaces outweigh the very slim potential of benefit. The primary concerns with the necklaces are strangulation and choking, and several documented cases exist. The authors point out that both the Canadian Pediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend against using the amber necklaces and recommend that parents are properly educated about teething and the use of amber healing. Besides the potential dangers to the patients choosing crystal healing over traditional medicine there are also the dangers involved in the production of crystals to be considered. Mines in some of the poorest places in the world are where some of the gemstones are being sourced according to a 2019 report in " The Guardian ." Madagascar, for example, saw a 170 percent increase in exports of gems and precious metals between 2016 and 2017, making it one of the top producers alongside much larger countries like India and China. However, 80 percent of crystals are mined by small groups and families for little money and without regulation in regions with poor access to water, electricity or other amenities. Additional resources For some really interesting crystals we recommend you read about time crystal made inside Google's quantum computer . Alternatively, learn more about the bizarre crystals made as a result of the first nuclear bomb test in 1945. A New York City restaurant chain that gets ingredients from local farms is expanding across Orlando. Fresh&Co opened its first restaurant outside New York City at 7728 W. Sand Lake Road in Doctor Phillips on Jan. 20. Advertisement The fast casual eatery plans to open at 527 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park around March, and another restaurant at 4851 New Broad St. in Orlandos Baldwin Park neighborhood around May, said chief operating officer Alex Perez. Our goal is to have six stores [in Central Florida] by June of 2023, Perez said. Advertisement A sandwich from Fresh&Co with avocado, bacon, lettuce and tomato. Perez said Fresh&Co is working with Lake Meadow Naturals in Ocoee for cage-free eggs and antibiotic-free chicken and expects to source more ingredients from Florida farmers when they are in season. The availability of fresh ingredients nearby was one of the reasons for the Florida expansion, as well as finding a partner in local franchisee Bimal Patel. We want Fresh&Co to be a local destination, Perez said. Florida offers all the best prime ingredients you can get. The Sand Lake Road restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It employs 24 people, Perez said. The menu offers salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, soups, smoothies and breakfast. There are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Most sandwiches and salads cost around $10-$13. Fresh&Co has opened its first Florida restaurant in Doctor Phillips. (Christian Morales) Healthy food is expected to be a priority for consumers this year after they ate comfort food during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey from the National Restaurant Association of more than 350 professional chefs with the American Culinary Federation. Immunity-boosting snacks and ingredients as well as plant-based sandwiches and alternative sweeteners were expected to be top trends in 2022. This is just the latest restaurant to emphasize farm-to-table dining in Orlando. Advertisement Perez said customers are more educated today thanks to social media. He believes the Winter Park restaurants success will be driven by its proximity to Rollins College. When we toured Orlando, we really saw a need for fresh food, fresh healthy food, in the market, Perez said. afuller@orlandosentinel.com FILE - The cruise liner Crystal Symphony leaves the harbor in Charleston, S.C. on May, 21, 2013. Scheduled to arrive in Miami on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, the ship, with hundreds of passengers aboard, was diverted to the Bahamas after a U.S. judge granted an order to seize the vessel as part of a lawsuit over unpaid fuel. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith, File) (Bruce Smith/AP) MIAMI (AP) Bahamian authorities say a cruise ship that was set to dock in Miami this weekend remained in the Bahamas on Monday, avoiding a U.S. judges order to seize the vessel. Crystal Cruises had announced last week that it was suspending operations through late April, canceling or cutting short itineraries for the Crystal Symphony and two other ships. Advertisement Sgt. Kareem Woods with the Royal Bahamas Police Force said the Crystal Symphony is still docked in Bimini and that authorities currently do not have plans to seize the vessel. It will be allowed to stay in Bimini, he said, adding that he did not know if any staff was aboard the ship. Advertisement The arrest warrant for the ship is part of a lawsuit over $4.6 million in what the suit said is unpaid fuel. The ship was scheduled to arrive in Miami on Saturday. But a federal judge issued the warrant for the ship Thursday, a maritime practice in which a U.S. Marshal boards a vessel and takes charge of it once it enters U.S. waters. Cruise trackers show Crystal Symphony currently docked in the Bahamian island of Bimini. The ships passengers were taken by ferry to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. It is not clear how many were traveling, but passengers said there were about 300 of them. A musician who has toured on and off the ship said that between 30 and 50 crew members disembarked because their contracts had ended, while another 400 crew members didnt know when they would get off. Passengers on another Crystal Cruises ship that departed Miami a week ago said the ship has had to cancel port calls at last minute, but have not been told the reason. The Crystal Serenity, now docked in Costa Rica, will stop cruising in Aruba on Jan. 30, cutting short a three-and-a-half month expedition for about 200 passengers. Travelers were told of the change only two days after leaving Miami, and some said it would have been better to return to South Florida instead of ending unexpectedly in South America. People are very upset, shocked and distraught because Aruba is not very convenient, said Barry Shulman, 75, a passenger from Las Vegas on the long expedition originally set to return in late May to California. Its an absolute mess. Advertisement Shulman said a few days ago after departing from Cozumel that the ships captain made an announcement that there was an order to impound the ship in Cozumel. He said I am glad we got out of Cozumel before they had a chance to arrest us, said Shulman. My eyebrows went up. If it was a joke, it was pretty inappropriate. Crystal Cruises did not responded to questions about the Crystal Serenity. _______ Associated Press writer Danica Coto contributed to this report from San Juan, Puerto Rico. From left, David Kinyon, John Montague, Carter Kennedy, and Jeff Tracy pose with the door prize given away last night at the Place Theatre. Kennedy won a framed photo of the Flight-of-Five shot by Jeff Tracy as a door prize. James Neiss/staff photographerDennis Witkop of Sanborn prepares to donate blood with help from phlebotomist Marlene Javier during a special American Red Cross blood drive at the Dale Association this past Thursday. The Dale Association typically hosts a blood drive every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. An Bord Pleanala has withdrawn their appeal against a High Court Judges decision to quash a planning permission granted to a subsidiary of Bord na Mona to build a substantial wind farm in county Longford. Environmentalist Peter Sweetman has described the news as a good day. Also hailing it a good news day, the No to Derryadd Windfarm Group explained that as of now we have no further information but we will issue a statement in the coming days. Last October, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys granted An Bord Pleanala permission to appeal his original decision to the Court of Appeal. Previously, the judge upheld a challenge brought by Peter Sweetman against the proposal to build a 24-turbine wind farm with a tip height of 185m - Derryadd Wind Farm - at Mountdillon Peat Production Bog, near Lanesboro, in Co Longford. The judge quashed the permission on grounds including that the application to build the windfarm did not contain the level of detail required to allow the planning authority grant permission. UPDATE: Gardai carrying out searches in wake of serious Longford incident Gardai are tonight carrying out searches at a number of properties in Longford town in connection to a serious incident earlier today which left a man in hospital. Mr Sweetman's action was against An Bord Pleanala, Ireland and the Attorney General. The developer of the proposed wind farm, Bord na Mona Powergen Limited, was a notice party to the proceedings. Arising out of the judgement the board and the developer sought permission from the judge to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal. The judge said he was prepared to allow an appeal of his decision on the basis that "the practical operation of the planning system would be enhanced by the clarification of certain questions, albeit not those formulated by the board." However, this morning it has emerged that An Bord Pleanala has withdrawn their appeal. Former Defence Forces soldier Lisa Smith enveloped herself in the black flag of the so-called Islamic State, the Special Criminal Court has heard. The Co Louth woman, 39, pleaded not guilty today (Tuesday January 25) to charges of membership of the illegal organisation and of providing funds to benefit the group. Sean Gillane SC, for the prosecution, told the court that the accuseds conduct during the period between 2015 and 2019 when she travelled to Syria could prove membership of the terror organisation. He said the court would hear evidence that Smith had taken part in hijrah, or migration to territories controlled by the Islamic State. Hijrah in this context is a central act of allegiance to this proto-State, without which the organisation cannot survive. It is the very lifeblood of the Islamic State, Mr Gillane told the court. IS needed fighters but also those who could give sustenance and vitality to the group. He said that participation in that act of hijrah was to self-identify as a member of the organisation. Mr Gillane added: There is no duality or split between a good Islamic State and a bad one, into which one might fall through happenstance or misfortune. He said the evidence would show that Smith willingly remained in Syria, married there and that her movements mirrored that of the terror group when they lost territories in the region. The prosecutor said there was a reciprocity to Ms Smiths allegiance to IS, in that she had received protection while in the region. Ms Smith specifically addressed, assessed and answered the call to migrate to territory controlled by IS, Mr Gillane said. Every inch of that territory was won by a targeted campaign of violence. Mr Gillane said the evidence would show that Smith was part of a Telegram group in June 2015 that discussed a video by the Islamic State showing the drowning of five men in a cage. He said the members discussed why they had been drowned, with Smith responding: OK, I understand why they were drowned. I didnt know half of the story. The court heard that the accused had begun her trip to Syria October 2015, and that she had lied to family members about her destination. Smith bought a one-way ticket from Dublin to Istanbul, which was paid for in cash, the court heard. From there, she crossed the border into Syria and IS-controlled territory. When she arrived, she was instructed to change the security settings on her phone, and to join another group on the private messaging service Telegram, the court was told. Around this time, Smith made clear to her family her desire to stay, the court heard. On Tuesday the court heard from the first witness, Una McCartney, from Dundalk, a friend of Smiths for between 15 and 20 years. She told the court that she and Smith had had plenty of discussions about religion around the time of her conversion to Islam around 2007. Ms McCartney described them as normal discussions regarding different beliefs in Catholicism and Islam. She said Smith had discussed moving to a Muslim country because she wanted to be surrounded by people who were the same faith as her, but said she did not recall Smith stating any intention to travel to Syria. Under cross-examination by Michael OHiggins SC for the defence, Ms McCartney said Smith has a troubled background. I dont think her home life growing up was too great. Her dad was an alcoholic, I think he probably was a bit violent, she told the court. We all enjoyed drinking, partying, myself included. We were probably a bit wild. Ms McCartney added: Drink didnt really suit her. The witness told the court that she believed Smiths interest in Islam would fizzle out over time. She would go hell for leather with things in the beginning and then it would fizzle out. I thought this would fizzle out as well. Ms McCartney agreed with Mr OHiggins that the accused had been vulnerable at the time. My impression was she needed help or counselling. She had burned bridges with some of her friends, the witness said. Ms McCartney said the accused may have turned to Islam to find some solace. She recalled her Garda interview in which she described Smith as very naive and easily taken in by somebody promising her something. The case received widespread attention in 2019 when it emerged that Smith, a former Air Corps soldier who had worked on the Government jet, had been detained in Syria over alleged links to IS. Smith was arrested at Dublin Airport in 2019 on suspicion of terrorist offences after returning from Turkey in November with her young daughter. She had travelled to Syria a number of years ago after she converted to Islam. Smith is charged under Section Six of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 which makes it an offence to join a foreign unlawful organisation. It is alleged that between October 28 2015 and December 1 2019 at a location outside the State, she was a member of a terrorist group styling itself as the Islamic State. She has also been accused of financing terrorism by sending 800 euro in assistance by Western Union money transfer to a named individual in 2015. Smith has denied the charges. Business & Finance, Health & Wellness By Chris Boyle Published: January 25 2022 I was proud to join many members of the community to welcome Esplanade of Woodmere to Nassau County. County Executive Blakeman said. Recently, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman joined Town of Hempstead Clerk Kate Murray, Village of Lawrence Trustee Michael Fragin, and other officials to congratulate David Scharf and welcome the Esplanade of Woodmere to Nassau County. The Esplanade of Woodmere is a beautifully renovated vibrant senior living community that offers Kosher dining and a distinctive dementia care program for Nassau County seniors with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. I was proud to join many members of the community to welcome Esplanade of Woodmere to Nassau County. County Executive Blakeman said. This personalized senior care facility will serve as a great resource for our area, and will help create many good paying jobs for residents. Weather Alert Special Weather Statement issued May 4 at 8:47AM EDT by NWS Upton NY Fog has reduced the visibility across Long Island, particularly closer to the south shore. The visibility will average more than one mile in most areas, however quick reductions to below one quarter mile will be possible in a few spots. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty distance ahead of you. Being in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience, even if neither you nor the other parties involved appear not to have been seriously hurt. Nonetheless, you may find yourself with heightened nerves due to the adrenaline rush and you might not be thinking straight; as a result, you may find yourself wanting to leave as soon as possible. However, according to Long Island accident lawyers, staying at the scene of an accident be it either a relatively minor fender-bender or something far more serious is vital, and more importantly, leaving is illegal and can result in criminal charges and financial liability for damages. In contrast, if the other party that was involved in the accident ends up fleeing the scene themselves before police arrive or you have had the opportunity to exchange insurance and identification information, it is again imperative that you remain at the scene, as the authorities may still be able to afford you options for legal recourse. From a legal standpoint, you need to remain at the scene of an accident in order to give a statement to police when they arrive to ensure that you are able to give your version of events as they took place. Even if the other driver involved in your accident may seem like a nice person, its always best to remember that you ultimately do not know them personally, and that they have a vested interest in the accident being declared your fault. In addition, there needs to be a legal record of the accident for you to be able to file an insurance claim, and both the damage to your vehicle and possibly your injuries may end up being more serious than first impressions may suggest. No matter what your reasons may be for deciding to leave the scene of an accident especially one that resulted in injuries to other parties it will look extremely bad to a judge and jury. Remaining at the scene is not only the responsible action to take, but you also have a legal obligation to do so. New York State lists these obligations for those involved in traffic accidents online , and they include: Stop immediately at the scene of the accident but make sure you do not block traffic. Exchange drivers license number, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance information with other drivers involved in the accident. Provide personal information, including your name and address. Call 911 right away and report the accident to the police. Failing to provide the information required above could result in misdemeanor charges and fines of up to $1,000; in addition, leaving the scene of an accident could get you hit and run changes, the penalties for which can vary but typically result in fines up to $5,000 and possible jail time. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident where the other party flees the scene, it can certainly be a jarring and upsetting experience. However, there are several steps that you should immediately take in order to ensure your safety and well-being, in addition to securing possible legal recourse later on. Do not chase the hit-and-run driver, as that could put both yourself and your passengers in danger. Instead, pull over right away. Record any information and details that you can obtain at the scene. If possible, get a description and license plate number of the fleeing car, note the time and location of the accident, and see if any bystanders witnessed the incident. Immediately call the police; the responding officer will take a detailed report, covering all of the basic information about the accident If you have been injured, seek medical attention; this is vitally important, as often serious injuries may not be readily apparent right away. Contact your insurance company and inform them that you were involved in a hit-and-run accident. If you can get copies of the accident report from the police, make sure you send them to your insurer. A crash report must also be filed within 10 days of the accident; typically, the responding police officer will do so, but if you are unsure that they did so, you can submit one yourself. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notes that any submitted crash report should be available within 7 days of having been submitted. If you were the victim of a hit-and-run driver, a Long Island accident lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries and engage the services of investigators who may be able to locate the at-fault driver. And even if the driver is not found, you could get compensation through your insurance company via uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage. Gov. Ron DeSantis slammed the Biden administration Tuesday for dropping two antibody treatments for COVID-19 that he has championed, even though the drugmakers themselves concede they are ineffective against omicron. Monoclonal antibodies from Regeneron and Eli Lilly should no longer be used because they dont work against the omicron variant that now accounts for nearly all U.S. infections, federal regulators said Monday night. Advertisement The decision removed a key component from DeSantis strategy of fighting the virus through treatment instead of emphasizing preventative measures such as vaccination and wearing masks. The Florida Department of Health announced Monday night that all its antibody clinics were closing, in response to the decision that DeSantis said was pulling the rug out from under people. Advertisement Early this morning, thousands of Floridians woke up to news that their appointments to get treatment for COVID-19 infection were canceled by the administration, which revoked, outright revoked authorization for two very popular monoclonal antibody treatments at the state of Florida really pioneered over the summer, DeSantis said at a news conference in Wakulla County. DeSantis claimed the Food and Drug Administrations decision was made based on a single, non-peer reviewed, non-clinical study that was actually done by a consultant for a rival company to the other two monoclonal antibody treatments. ... Its really a reckless decision to be able to take this option away from patients. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about DeSantiss remarks at a briefing in Washington. Lets just take a step back here just to realize how crazy this is, Psaki said. These treatments, the ones that they are fighting over, that the governors fighting over, do not work against omicron, and they have side effects. That is what the scientists are saying. Asked why DeSantis did not accept the drug companies own conclusions that the drugs are ineffective, the governors spokeswoman Christina Pushaw didnt answer the question and instead pointed to the study DeSantis referenced in his remarks. Pushaw said the December study was inconclusive and more research needs to be done (independently) before drawing these kinds of sweeping conclusions that can directly harm patients. Thomas Unnasch, a distinguished professor at the University of South Floridas College of Public Health, said it would be unethical to continue administering these drugs despite evidence they dont work on the majority of cases. You dont do that. Thats like malpractice, he said. Suggesting that Im going to give you a treatment that I already know is not likely to work, that has significant side effects, and is expensive to boot, is this really making any sense? Advertisement DeSantis argued for the drugs continued use even despite their decreased effectiveness. Even if with Omicron, its half as effective or even 25% as effective, thats better than nothing for people, DeSantis said. But Unnasch disagreed. The laboratory results that are out there ... make it abundantly clear that they dont work at all, Unnasch said. Theyre not 50% successful. They are more than 99.99% ineffective. The FDA said it was revoking emergency authorization for both drugs, which were purchased by the federal government and have been administered to millions of Americans with COVID-19. If the drugs prove effective against future variants, the FDA said it could reauthorize their use. Regeneron announced in November that studies showed its antibody drug cocktail lost effectiveness against omicron, while Eli Lilly made a similar announcement about its treatment in December. Both Eli Lilly and Regeneron also issued statements Monday and Tuesday agreeing with the FDAs decision. Advertisement Omicrons resistance to the two leading monoclonal antibody medicines has upended the treatment playbook for COVID-19 in recent weeks. Doctors have alternate therapies to battle early COVID-19 cases, including two new antiviral pills from Pfizer and Merck, but both are in short supply. An antibody drug from GlaxoSmithKline that remains effective also is in short supply. The drugs are laboratory-made versions of virus-blocking antibodies. They are intended to head off severe disease and death by supplying concentrated doses of one or two antibodies early in an infection. Then-President Donald Trump received Regenerons antibody combination after he tested positive for the coronavirus in 2020. Pushaw said that the drugs were still effective against delta variant patients, and though omicron is prevalent, Delta cases still exist and those patients can be saved by Lilly or Regeneron therapeutics. However, the FDA noted in its decision that omicron accounts for more than 99% of U.S. infections, making it highly unlikely the antibodies would help people now seeking treatment. The agency said restricting their use would also eliminate unnecessary drug side effects, including allergic reactions. The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. > Thursday wastewater samples from the Altamonte Springs sewer service area suggest that 100% of COVID-19 infections in the area were the omicron variant. Altamonte Springs sewer service area includes all of Altamonte Springs, and portions of unincorporated Seminole County, Longwood, Maitland, Eatonville, and Winter Park. Advertisement The U.S. government temporarily stopped distributing the two drugs in late December, as omicron was racing across the country to become the dominant variant. But officials resumed distribution after complaints from Republican governors, including DeSantis, who claimed that the drugs continued to help some omicron patients. DeSantis has heavily promoted antibody drugs as a signature part of his administrations COVID-19 response, setting up infusion sites and lauding them at news conferences, while opposing vaccine mandates and other public health measures. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has also launched state-sponsored infusion sites. The drugs are not a substitute for vaccination and are generally reserved for people who are the most vulnerable, including seniors, transplant recipients and those with conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Since early January, the U.S. government has shipped enough doses of the two antibodies to treat more than 300,000 patients. Both Regeneron and Lilly previously announced they were developing new antibodies that target omicron. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Local News By Long Island Published: January 25 2022 Nassau County will begin to use a new 363 area code in 2023. Nassau County is officially getting a new area code. In addition to the already existing 516, Nassau County's soon-to-be area code, 363, is set to be implemented during the second quarter of 2023, according to the New York State Public Service Commission The announcement came Monday months after a petition was filed by SomosGov, Inc., following the revelation that the current 516 area code will "exhaust its supply of available numbers in the third quarter of 2023." According to the commission, existing 516 area code customers will NOT be affected. Customers will retain their current telephone numbers, and 10-digit dialing for local calls will continue, the commission said in a release. Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) Amigo Holdings PLC - guarantor loans provider - Says Chief Financial Officer Mike Corcoran steps down with immediate effect, though will support business through handover period. Amigo expects it will be able to announce his replacement in "near future". Chair Jonathan Roe says Corcoran was "instrumental in developing the financial models required in support of the Scheme of Arrangement proposals". "Since he joined the business in November 2020, Mike has made a significant contribution to the work undertaken to deal with the many issues that have arisen from historical lending at Amigo," says Roe. Corcoran's departure comes same day Amigo warned of insolvency if a new business scheme and equity raise are not approved. The scheme is being proposed to settle claims following probes from UK regulators into mis-sold loans and the way that Amigo dealt with customer complaints. Amigo said that, as detailed last month, its new business scheme proposes an initial contribution of GBP97 million, to be generated from internal resources. A significant proportion of this will be derived from the run-down of the existing loan book. It plans to raise capital within one year of the court sanction of the new business scheme. Current stock price: 3.48 pence, down 42% on Monday 12-month change: down 58% By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Rio Tinto PLC on Tuesday said it has reached agreement with the government of Mongolia to ramp up production at the massive Oyu Tolgoi copper mine. Rio said the agreement will allow the start of underground mining operations at the project, which is expected to be the fourth largest copper mine in the world by 2030. Oyu Tolgoi is expected to produce about 500,000 tonnes of copper per year on average from 2028 to 2036 from the open pit and underground combined, with 350,000 tonnes per year for a further five years. In 2021, Oyu Tolgoi produced 163,000 tonnes of copper from the open pit, which has been in operation for almost 10 years. The Anglo-Australian miner said underground operations, exploiting the most valuable part of the mine, are expected to begin "in coming days", with first sustainable production in the first half of 2023. Rio owns a majority stake - 50.8% - in New York-listed Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd, which in turn owns 66% of the Oyo Tolgoi project. The Mongolian government owns the rest of the mine. The two companies have been in negotiation with the government in Ulaanbaatar for the past two years over funding and power supply for the mine. Rio said on Tuesday that Turquoise Hill will waive a USD2.4 billion loan owed by government-owned firm Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi, which represented the amount of investment funded by Turquoise Hill on behalf of the government company to build the project to date, plus accrued interest. The capital forecast for the Mongolian project is USD6.93 billion, with remaining underground capital spending estimated at USD1.8 billion. Under an amended heads of agreement signed among the three partners, a series of funding steps will be taken. Most significantly, Turquoise Hill will conduct an equity offer of up USD1.5 billion, with USD650 million of this by no later than August 31 this year. Rio has anti-dilution rights and so can maintain its stake in Turquoise Hill as part of any share issue. It said it doesn't currently plan to buy more shares in Turquoise Hill, except as part of a share offer; however it could consider buying all the shares of Turquoise Hill, depending on market conditions, tax rules, and "other factors". Rio itself will provide a co-lending project finance facility of up to USD750 million once sustainable underground production has been achieved. The partners will aim to raise up to USD500 million in senior supplemental debt from international financial institutions at the same time. They also will seek a rescheduling of principal payments on existing project finance to reduce the Oyu Tolgoi funding requirement by up to USD1.7 billion. The partners in the project also have signed a long-term electricity supply agreement to draw from the Mongolian grid. "This agreement represents a reset of our relationship and resolves historical issues between the OT project partners," said Rio Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm. "We strongly believe in the future of this country and I am personally committed to ensuring that the people of Mongolia benefit strongly from OT along with our shareholders." Added Turquoise Hill Interim CEO Steve Thibeault: "Today is a landmark day for Turquoise Hill and a major milestone in the development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground development project." Rio shares were up 0.8% at 5,307.00 pence early Tuesday in London. By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Sharecast News) - Rio Tinto has resolved its long-running dispute with the Mongolian government over the $6.93bn expansion project for the company's Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project.Mongolia owns 34% of Oyu Tolgoi, which is one of the world's largest-known copper and gold deposits. Rio controls the remainder through its 51% stake in Toronto-listed Turquoise Hill Resources and operates the mine. As part of the deal, Turquoise Hill will waive $2.4bn in debt owed to it by the Mongolian government. Operations will also soon start on the underground portion of the project, with first production expected in the first half of 2023. The expansion will be paid for with cash, the rescheduling of existing debt repayments, and prepaid sales of copper concentrate to Turquoise Hill. Rio said the project would buy electricity from the Mongolian grid once it is able to meet supply. Rio said it will work to help add renewable power to the grid. In the meantime, the government extended an agreement to import power from China into 2023. "We will also explore additional opportunities to decarbonise the OT operations, including sourcing renewable power," said Rio Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm. The deal marks a positive development for the Anglo-Australian mining giant, which was hit last week after Serbia rejected its proposed lithium mine. (Adds detail, quotes) By Tim Hepher PARIS, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The head of a body representing global airlines waded into a high-profile dispute between Airbus and Qatar Airways on Tuesday, saying the planemaker's decision to revoke https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/qatar-airways-airbus-court-hearing-set-late-april-2022-01-20 a jetliner contract was a new and "worrying" development. Willie Walsh, head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), warned suppliers should not exploit market strength, in an apparent reference to a surprise decision by Airbus to revoke a Qatar jet order as part of a deepening row. Qatar Airways is suing Airbus for more than $600 million in compensation over erosion to the painted surface and lightning protection on A350s, and has refused to take delivery of more of those jets until its regulator's safety questions are resolved. Airbus insists the claim masks a purely financial dispute and last week revoked a separate Qatar order for A321neo jets, a hot-selling smaller model that Qatar Airways says it needs. "I would hate to think that one of the suppliers is taking advantage of their current market strength to exploit their position, and that is something we are watching very closely," Walsh told reporters. The comments by one of the best-known airline leaders marked the industry's firmest response to the row after several carriers discovered what they describe as "cosmetic" A350 surface flaws. Qatar is the only country to have grounded part of the fleet. Walsh, a long-serving airline leader who ran British Airways owner IAG before taking the helm of the industry's trade body IATA, said it was important for ties between airlines and plane giants Airbus and Boeing to return to normal. The decision to broaden the dispute by cancelling the A321neo order surprised many in the industry because suppliers generally cling onto orders unless an airline is unable to pay, which Walsh noted is not the case with Qatar's state carrier. "I think it is a new development and one that everybody in the industry will be looking at," Walsh said, adding that it was also a "worrying" step, though he also said when pressed by reporters that he was making general comments. Airbus declined to comment on Walsh's remarks. It has said it will "deny in total" Qatar's lawsuit in an English court. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by David Goodman and Jan Harvey) (Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was facing fresh allegations of breaking coronavirus rules after it emerged a gathering to wish him a happy birthday was held inside Number 10 during the first lockdown. Downing Street said staff "gathered briefly" in the Cabinet Room after a meeting, in response to a report from ITV News which suggested up to 30 people attended what it described as a birthday party. But the broadcaster suggested the prime minister's wife, Carrie Johnson, had organised the surprise get-together complete with a chorus of "happy birthday" on the afternoon of June 19, 2020, when indoor social mixing was banned. Interior designer Lulu Lytle admitted attending while carrying out the lavish and controversial work to their flat above No 11 Downing Street, but insisted she was only present "briefly" while waiting to talk to Mr Johnson. A Number 10 spokeswoman said: "A group of staff working in No 10 that day gathered briefly in the Cabinet Room after a meeting to wish the prime minister a happy birthday. He was there for less than 10 minutes." ITV news also reported later that evening family friends were hosted upstairs to further celebrate the prime minister's 56th birthday in his official residence. Downing Street said: "This is totally untrue. In line with the rules at the time the prime minister hosted a small number of family members outside that evening." Soane Britain, the luxury designer co-founded by Lytle, said she was "present in Downing Street on June 19 working on the refurbishment", which has been subject to multiple investigations over its funding. "Lulu was not invited to any birthday celebrations for the Prime Minister as a guest," the spokeswoman said. "Lulu entered the Cabinet Room briefly as requested, while waiting to speak with the prime minister." Keir Starmer said the latest revelations were "yet more evidence that we have got a prime minister who believes that the rules that he made don't apply to him". "The prime minister is a national distraction and he's got to go," the Labour leader added. It came as senior civil servant Sue Gray was working on her inquiry into a series of claims of rule-breaking parties in Number 10 as Johnson faces calls to resign as prime minister, including from some of his own Conservative MPs. The PA news agency understood she was already aware of the birthday party allegations and therefore their emergence will not further delay the publication of her investigation, which is still expected this week. Earlier on June 19, 2020, Johnson visited a school in Hertfordshire where pupils they sang him happy birthday as he posed socially distanced with them. ITV News said that picnic food from M&S was eaten during the afternoon gathering lasting for up to 30 minutes, while Johnson and Lytle presented the PM with a cake. Martin Reynolds, Johnson's under-fire principal private secretary, was also said to have attended. Social gatherings indoors were forbidden under lockdown laws at the time, with a relaxation of the regulations permitting gatherings of up to six people to take place outside. Around 17 allegations of rule-breaking events have now been levelled across Downing Street, wider government and the Tory party. Jo Goodman, the co-founder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign, said she remembers June 19 "vividly", with it being the day before what would have been her father's 73rd birthday, had he not died with coronavirus. "It was a horrible time for my family, but we stuck to the rules, not even being able to hug to comfort each other," she said. "It's completely sickening that the prime minister spent the evening sharing cake with 30 friends indoors and though we're not even surprised any more, it still brings fresh pain. Whilst dozens sang happy birthday to him, families couldn't even sing in memory at their loved ones funerals. "Regardless of any report, the prime minister clearly needs to resign. He's lost all credibility." Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, a staunch ally of Johnson, questioned whether the gathering would have broken the rules in place at the time. "So, when people in an office buy a cake in the middle of the afternoon for someone else they are working in the office with and stop for ten minutes to sing happy birthday and then go back to their desks, this is now called a party?" she tweeted. A spokeswoman for Carrie Johnson declined to comment. Former Tory party chair Sayeeda Warsi told Channel 4 News: "Anybody who was at a party where rules were broken, whether that's the prime minister, ministers, special advisers, or civil servants, should resign. "If you are in a place which makes the rules and you are seen not to be following those rules, then you should fall on your sword." Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey called for the Metropolitan Police to investigate the latest allegations to "deliver justice for millions who sacrificed so much during this pandemic". Scotland Yard reiterated its previous statement, saying if Gray's inquiry finds evidence of a potential criminal offence then officers will make a "further consideration" on whether to investigate. source: PA Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards wont reinforce the states mask mandate, despite Omicron sweeping the state. On Jan. 6, the state reported over 14,000 new cases, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. In December, the state reported over 11,000 COVID-19 reinfections, up from 565 in November. The latest seven day positivity rate, reported Dec. 29, was 27%, up from 10% the previous seven days. "We just have not ever, ever had as much COVID circulating the state as there is right now, Dr. Joe Kanter, the state health officer said at a press conference on Jan. 6. I say that in full recognition that we have said that before. While Omicrons transmissibility is much higher than previous variants, current data suggests that the variant isnt leading to as many hospitalizations and deaths. As of Jan. 6, just 60 of the over 1000 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Louisiana are on mechanical ventilators. "We have a variant that's marginally less virulent, meaning an average is making people less sick, Kanter said. On the other hand you have many more people getting it. So that's why the hospitals are still very busy." Edwards last lifted the mask mandate on Oct. 26, as the Delta surge began to die down. At that point, it had been in place since Aug. 22. At various points since Oct. 26, Edwards has told reporters that he is leaving the option on the table. Students began returning to school last week and most will not be required to wear a mask indoors. I wish more school districts would take the recommendations of the Office of Public Health around the mask mandate, Edwards said. But at this point in time, I'm not going to impose that mandate from my position as governor. LSU will reimplement its mask mandate it ended late in fall 2021 in the spring and professors will be able to teach online the first two weeks of the semester. Edwards said that the state has done its part in educating the districts. We have regional medical directors in the office of public health that are advising school districts and superintendents and so forth, and making sure that they have the best information possible, Edwards said. Edwards said that the decision of implementing a mask mandate, which both he and Louisiana Department of Health officials have recommended, will be left up to the schools or up to individual parents. Edwards pointed out that the vaccine is available to everybody 5 and older. Only 18% of Louisiana residents aged 5-17 are fully vaccinated. On Dec. 14, the states vaccination rate passed 50%. Experts advise that herd immunity requires at least 75% of a population to be vaccinated. However, those who are vaccinated on average get less sick, and the majority of COVID-19 deaths occur in unvaccinated patients. Booster shots also signficiantly increases immunity against the Omicron variant. Edwards decision not to reimplement the mask mandate also comes amidst a national shortage of rapid antigen tests. The rapid tests, which have previously been available at testing locations or to be purchased in retail stores, have been in high demand due to the Omicron variant. On Jan. 1, the LDH announced that all testing sites in East Baton Rouge Parish were out of these rapid tests. Its not clear whether the parish has been restocked. However, Kanter and Edwards said the state is working with both the federal government and the private market to get more of these tests for the state. Kanter said that the state still has a plentiful stock of PCR tests, which can only be administered at testing sites and require a one to two day waiting period for results. The LDH has issued guidance for what to do if a test is unavailable. The department recommends that if a person is symptomatic, they should consider themselves COVID positive and isolate at home. Kanter acknowledged that this guidance is not available to all workers, especially those who make a lower wage. We see this a lot with your hourly workers and many workers that unfortunately don't have paid sick leave, that they feel compelled to go to work when symptomatic, because they cant miss a paycheck and I deeply empathize with that, Kanter said. That's a policy failure on all of our shoulders that we can't find a way to better protect workers in that regard. Kanter asked that employers be flexible during this time. He pointed out that doing so would be in their best interest, as spreading the virus to other employees and customers is a bad business practice. The Associated Press reported on Jan. 7 that many governors are displaying little appetite for widespread public orders or shutdowns. Even other Democratic governors, who, like Edwards, passed mandates during earlier phases of the pandemic, are declining to do so again. Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that I think a lot of people will self-enforce and do the right thing. When asked about reimplementing the mandate at a Dec. 30 press conference, Edwards echoed a similar sentiment. I would ask that people not focus on whether there's a mandate in place, he said.The recommendation is the same, we know masks work." Still, as Edwards has pointed out, the option is on the table. The Governor will hold another press conference next week as Louisiana continues to experience new heights of the Omicron surge. Spain's Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, said on Tuesday its warships and fighter jets deployed in eastern Europe are not offensive but are focused on stability and deterrence. "These are permanent missions of stability and deterrence and in no way offensive," she said during an interview with radio station SER. Spain has deployed fighter jets in Baltic countries to contribute to NATO's air surveillance programme for a number of years. Robles said last week Spain has also sent two warships to the Mediterranean and Black Sea and is considering sending more warplanes to Bulgaria. "One Piece" is the most-searched-for anime in Florida according to new data. (Courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment) Floridians seemingly cant get enough of One Piece, the long-running anime about pirates and treasure that has been airing since the late 90s and has amassed more than 1,000 episodes to date. This data comes from CenturyLinkQuote, which recently compiled state-by-state search information to find out which anime shows were being talked about the most in each state. Advertisement The results show One Piece leading the conversation across much of the United States, with Floridians and residents from 24 other states searching for this show the most. A map of the United States shows what anime each state is searching for according to CenturyLinkQuote. (Courtesy photo/CenturyLinkQuote) Pokemon, Naruto, My Hero Academia and Death Note round out the top five shows, leading searches in multiple states across the country. Advertisement Axios reports global demand for anime content grew 118% over the past two years, according to Parrot Analytics, and Japanese-language content was the most in-demand, non-English language content with American audiences last year. This trend has caught the eye of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, who have both publicly stated their interest in hosting more anime in the future on their respective platforms. One Piece is now streaming in its entirety on Funimation and Crunchyroll. Netflix and Hulu also have part of the series, hosting the first 130 episodes, and eleven seasons, respectively. Want to reach out? Email me at akondolojy@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Gus Bottem, 6, sits in a pile of donated socks and underwear that he and his family collected and donated to Partners for Housing. The 6-year-old from Watertown came up with the idea during a vocabulary lesson on gratitude and similar words during homeschool with his mom, Libby, who is from the St. Peter area. Christian Eriksen is closing in on a return to the Premier League, with Brentford hoping to finalise a deal soon, and in the meantime he has been training with former club Ajax's reserve team to build up his fitness. In images shared online, the Denmark international, who hasn't played competitively since collapsing on the pitch at Euro 2020 last summer, appeared to be taking a full part in training. It is understood the former Tottenham Hotspur and Inter player has had offers from clubs in England, Germany and the Netherlands, but Brentford appear to be in pole position, according to various reports. Eriksen praises Ajax Former Netherlands international John Heitinga is the current boss of Jong Ajax and Eriksen has spoken on the Dutch club's website about his happiness and gratitude for the opportunity to train with them. "I am very happy to be here. At Ajax I know the people, it feels like coming home because I was here for so long," said Eriksen. "All facilities are available here and with Jong Ajax I can train at a high level in a group. That's the perfect foundation for me at the moment. "I want to be at my best again as soon as possible so that when I find a new club, I can perform well there as quickly as possible." Hello everyone and welcome along to this Tuesday's transfer market live blog, as we approach the final days of the January transfer window. We'll be bringing you all the latest rumours and done deals from the transfer market on this blog, so follow along with us. Tuesday's transfer rumours Martial to Sevilla, Newcastle join race to sign Lingard, it's the transfer window! AP This is the beginning of our transfer rumours blog this Monday, January 24, with the most recent entries the ones closest to the top. 20:30 GMT: Barcelona in talks with Kessie Barcelona are already thinking about next summer's transfer plans and, as Catalunya Radio's Xavi Campos reports, they are in 'advanced talks' to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, who is into the last six months of his contract with the Rossoneri. 19:30 GMT: Diego Carlos to stay at Sevilla Sevilla are not planning to sell Diego Carlos in the last few days of the transfer window, according to the journalist Fabrizio Romano, so it seems very unlikely that he will join Newcastle United. 18:30 GMT: Tottenham make push for Luis Diaz Tottenham Hotspur have made a bid for Porto winger Luis Diaz. Read more about Luis Diaz to Tottenham. 18:00 GMT: Jovic going nowhere Real Madrid are not planning to let Luka Jovic leave the club before the end of the transfer window, as they want him to be available in case Karim Benzema has any injury problems between now and the end of the season. It's worth bearing in mind that Benzema had to go off during the 2-2 draw at home to Elche with a hamstring knock. 17:30 GMT: Inter leading race for Gosens Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Atalanta left wing-back Robin Gosens during this transfer window, but Inter are pushing to secure the German's signature, according to Fabrizio Romano. 17:00 GMT: Vrsaljko could get renewal at Atleti Sime Vrsaljko's contract at Atletico Madrid is set to come to an end on June 30, but the way in which he has performed since Los Rojiblancos' match away at Porto has led Diego Simeone to place more trust in him, which could result in a contract extension. 16:00 GMT: Eriksen training with Ajax Christian Eriksen is training with Jong Ajax this week ahead of his expected move to the Premier League, with Brentford the favourites to land his signature. 15:00 GMT: Boye tracked by Atletico Lucas Boye is turning heads in LaLiga Santander this season, with Barcelona said to be monitoring the Elche striker's progress. Now, it is being reported by Onda Cero that Atletico Madrid are also watching the 25-year-old as they draw up a shortlist of potential replacements for Luis Suarez in the summer. The Argentine has a release clause of 25m euros. 14:20 GMT: Tottenham confident of Traore deal Tottenham believe they will be able to get a deal over the line for Adama Traore before the closure of the winter market. Sky Sports report that Wolves are holding out for a fee of around 25m euros, and that Spurs will manage to complete an astute piece of business that will bolster Antonio Conte's squad. 13:15 GMT: Valencia interested in Van de Beek Valencia have emerged as one of the clubs interested in Manchester United's Donny van de Beek, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. However, the Red Devils would only consider a loan deal without an option to buy. 12:30 GMT: Tagliafico on Barcelona's radar Barcelona are looking for left back due to Jordi Alba's advancing years, and Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico is high on their list. According to Sport and Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans' interest is genuine, and will consider an offer before the end of the January window. 11:00 GMT: Araujo rejects Barcelona contract Ronald Araujo, who contract with Barcelona ends in the summer of 2023, has rejected the club's opening contract extension offer. Talks between the player's agent and the Catalan club took place last week, but the offer put forward by the Blaugrana was swiftly turned down, although discussions were amicable and they are expected to return to the negotiating table at a later date. 08:00 GMT: Juventus consider RdT Juanfe Sanz told El Chiringuito that Juventus have made an enquiry for Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas, although his 70 million euro release clause is far too high for the Old Lady. 07:45 GMT: Juventus reach Vlahovic agreement As Sport Italia announced last night, Juventus and Fiorentina have reached an agreement for the transfer of Dusan Vlahovic, for 67 million euros plus variables. The Serbian striker is one of the most sought after players in the winter window, with a host of European clubs keen on the 21-year-old. 07:00 GMT: Azpilicueta to Barcelona a 'done deal' Cesar Azpilicueta's contract with Chelsea expires in the summer and Barcelona are keen to snap up the veteran defender. And according to Jose Alvarez of El Chiringuito, the deal is done, on a two-year deal with an additional 12 months being optional, although there is no confirmation of such a deal having been arranged. 06:30 GMT: Arsenal consider Jovic option Arsenal are determined to strengthen their frontline but with their attempts to sign Dusan Vlahovic proving complicated, they are eyeing his compatriot Luka Jovic from Real Madrid. The Gunners, according to The Sun, are considering a loan offer for the young striker, while Vlahovic looks likelier to join Juventus. 05:30 GMT: Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona in race for Endrick Endrick, the 15-year-old Brazilian hotshot who plays for Palmeiras, is being tracked by Real Madrid and Barcelona, but it is Los Blancos who are leading the race. That's according to Marcos Benito, who told El Chiringuito the teenage sensation is closer to a switch to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. In less than 10 days, the fashion industry has said goodbye to two of its greatest designers. With the passing of Nino Cerruti last week, today the fashion industry mourns the loss of Thierry Mugler, the French creator who revolutionized fashion in the 1980s. Unique in his architectural style, futuristic and unrepeatable, much in demand among the big names in the world of music, such as Michael Jackson, George Michael, Beyonce or Lady Gaga, creator of the Cirque du Soleil costumes, and of the famous 'Angel' perfume. Mugler has died at the age of 73 "of natural causes", as announced by his press officer, Jean-Baptiste Rougeot. "We are extremely sad to inform you of the passing of Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday, January 23, 2022," reads the press release posted on the designer's official Facebook account. "May his soul rest in peace," he concluded. According to Rougeot, Mugler's death came unexpectedly. The designer still had active projects and was going to announce new collaborations at the beginning of this week, he explained. About Thierry Mugler Born in Strasbourg in December 1948, few know that his first profession was a classical dancer. He was a member of the Opera du Rhin ballet company, before studying at the School of Decorative Arts. He worked as a freelance stylist and then with fashion houses in Paris, London and Milan, until he moved to Paris in 1968, and shortly after, in 1973, he created his own brand, 'Cafe de Paris'. Just a year later, he launched his company under his own name. Their structured and sophisticated silhouettes quickly became popular. His designs highlighted feminine forms: accentuated shoulders, small waists, rounded hips and wide necklines. His creations were theatrical, and he stood out for his robotic monkeys and his risky dresses, which seemed to recreate a style of science fiction. In 1978 he opened his first store and shortly after he took care of the uniforms of the waiters at Le Palace, the club where Kenzo, Karl Lagerfeld and Grace Jones spent great evenings. Mugler's death comes in the middle of Paris Fashion Week, between the end of the men's fashion presentations and the start of the Haute Couture parades. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here. Keith Bombaugh, whose resume includes stretches alongside chef Grant Achatz of the three-Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago and time at the helm of Mirabelle in Washington, D.C., has been named executive chef of AVA MeditterAegean, the latest in the Riviera Dining Group portfolio. Bombaugh is a late-game addition to the AVA team following the departure of Top Chef Season 3 winner Hung Huynh earlier this month. No reason was given for Huynhs exodus, but Bombaugh seized the opportunity when the chance to work with Michael Michaelidis, head of culinary, presented itself. Advertisement Its not often when youre an executive chef that you find someone who can really help mentor and guide you, Bombaugh told the Orlando Sentinel. Michaelidis, a 12-year veteran of the Robuchon Group, earned five Michelin stars during his tenure at two Singapore restaurants (for a total of 26 spanning an international career working for various celebrated chefs). Advertisement To go to Florida and be a part of an opening of this magnitude and do something different than what Ive done with a lot of my career, focusing on large, communal, sharing aspects rather than the tasting route, is something that really intrigued me, Bombaugh said. Its something I feel is going to be a direction in the future of cuisine where people are spending more time together at the table, sharing like you do with family, but with the highest quality of ingredients. Rack of marinated New Zealand lamb from AVA. (Courtesy AVA MediterrAegean / Courtesy photo) Locals have high expectations for AVA, which opens its doors Feb. 4 in the space formerly occupied by Luma on Park. It is now taking reservations. For Bombaugh, a career pivot from the modern toward something more classical is exciting in particular in a place like Winter Park where the scene is growing. If you look at Chicago, D.C., Boston all these cites at one point werent what youd consider culinary meccas. Winter Park looks very similar to the south shore of Boston, feels very much like home except a lot warmer in the winter, he joked, noting the crisp weather. The food scene is evolving; the culture is constantly being pushed. I think its a great environment for what were trying to do. And for a whole new roster of fresh ingredients. Bombaugh was awarded a Michelin Plate recommendation during his time at D.C.s Mirabelle for his efforts in obtaining quality foods from local farmers. In contrast with many imports from Greece to help capture the essence of the region sun-dried oregano, thyme and rosemary, feta from Sparta hes enjoying life in a growing zone where local tomatoes and strawberries present themselves in January, among other Florida-centric ingredients. Grilled haloumi with blossom honey and sesame seeds will be flambed tableside with Ouzo. (Courtesy AVA MediterrAegean / Courtesy photo) I havent had citrus comparable to what weve seen just in the farmers market here. Its incredible. Were doing a mignonette, a play on a citrus shrub, that pairs incredibly well with oysters, and using citrus in cures for our fish. And the lemons that are going to be charred and utilized in the garnish for the lamb and roasted potatoes theres just a level of vibrancy and brightness you dont get when youre tasting citrus outside of Florida. He describes AVAs Greek-inspired menu as clean. Advertisement Theres nothing confusing about it, but that doesnt mean there are fewer challenges or less beauty from a culinary standpoint. Nailing a salt-baked branzino is just as intricate as doing a molecular foam. Plus, he notes, theres nothing showy to hide behind. Its either perfectly executed or its not. The team at AVA hopes to transport guests to the Mediterranean via a communal experience and, says the website, a mantra of Parea (from Greek): A group of friends who gather to share life experiences, philosophies, values and ideas. Dining is more than the food on your plate and the beverage in your glass, says Bombaugh. Its very much about who youre dining with and thats the beauty of communal sharing. It gets people involved, talking and sharing in the food thats in front of them. Advertisement Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. A deputy shot a woman Tuesday after she wouldnt pull over for a traffic stop and then tried to enter a hospital with a gun, the Marion County Sheriffs Office said. Around 1:20 a.m. deputies were conducting a traffic stop at SW College Road, just south of Ocala, MCSO said. Advertisement A woman pulled up and refused to stop her vehicle. Deputies pursued her. During the chase the woman called 911 and told dispatch she was suicidal and trying to get to AdventHealth Ocala. Deputies reported seeing the woman pointing a gun at her head while driving, MCSO said. Advertisement The woman parked at AdventHealth, where deputies yelled commands to stop where she was. Then, the woman exited the vehicle with the gun in hand and ran toward the hospital entrance, MCSO said. Deputies continued yelling instructions, but the woman refused to comply, MCSO said. One deputy fired a shot and hit the woman. She was rushed into the hospital and remains in critical condition, MCSO said. The name of the deputy who fired the shot was not released, but the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation of the incident, which MCSO has stated it is cooperating with. If the woman is released from the hospital, MCSO stated she will face a number of charges including fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The driver was on pretrial release for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, deputies said. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, available 24/7, at 1-800-273-8255. Jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com Fort Lauderdale On Saturday night, 40 people boarded a boat from Bimini, Bahamas, and set out toward Florida. They encountered severe weather later that night, causing the boat to capsize. U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews are now searching for 39 people in the ocean as they near 72 hours in the water. Advertisement A man sitting atop the capsized boat about 45 miles east of the Fort Pierce Inlet was rescued by a good Samaritan, who reported it to the Coast Guard Miami Sector about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday. The U.S. Coast Guard Southeast said in a tweet Tuesday afternoon that several cutters and aircraft are searching the water from Bimini to the Fort Pierce Inlet in St. Lucie County. Advertisement #BREAKING @USCG rescue crews are currently searching for 39 people after their boat reportedly capsized on Saturday night approximately 45 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet. #SAR More updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/iGCJ7KRjXY USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) January 25, 2022 Petty Officer Jose Hernandez said officials do not yet know the nationality of the survivor or the others or where they were headed. It is unclear whether the survivor has been taken into custody. The survivor told authorities that he held onto the capsized vessel until he was rescued Tuesday, Hernandez said. The survivor was brought to a hospital for symptoms of dehydration and sun exposure, the Associated Press reported. The survivor said he and 39 others left Bimini on Saturday night, and no one had a life jacket, the U.S. Coast Guard District 7 said in a statement posted to Twitter. Officials said they believe it was an attempt at human smuggling. Just days ago, Coast Guard crews intercepted a boat known as a sail freighter with 88 Haitians aboard that left from the Bahamas. Sail freighters are what is commonly seen in trips that leave from the Bahamas, Hernandez said. Ventures that leave from the Bahamas often include people of many nationalities. The Coast Guard has intercepted 559 Haitians since the start of the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2021. In the last fiscal year, authorities intercepted over 1,500 Haitians, according to a news release issued last week. A total of 127 Cubans have been interdicted since the start of this fiscal year, compared to 838 in the previous year. U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching for 39 people in the water after a boat they were on capsized on Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast said in a tweet Tuesday. Several cutters and aircrafts are searching for the missing between Bimini, Bahamas, to the Fort Pierce Inlet. (U.S. Coast Guard Southeast) This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. St. Paul's VANCOUVER, BC Jan. 24, 2022 $1.5M St. Paul's $10M $3M St. Paul's Donation toFoundation enables Foundry to undertake unprecedented youth and family-driven research and mobilization of knowledge/CNW Telbec/ - In the lead up to Bell Let's Talk Day, the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership today announced adonation toFoundation in support of Foundry to continue to transform youth mental health in BC and share knowledge and best practices around Canada. The donation will help to bolster Foundry's Research team and its Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) team over the next three years to improve integrated health and social services for youth and their families and caregivers in BC and support other emerging Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiatives around the country and beyond.This increased capacity within Foundry's Research and KTE teams will enable the organization to translate and mobilize research findings as well as data and lessons learned from their 11 (soon to be 19) IYS centres and virtual services to continuously inform and improve services for youth and their families and caregivers.Funding from the partnership will also give Foundry greater capacity to continue to support emerging IYS networks, sharing lessons learned and mobilizing knowledge that will help improve access to quality, integrated care and ultimately improve outcomes for all Canadian youth.The gift is a part of the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership'scommitment to advance integrated systems of care for youth mental health across Canada through IYS. Cumulatively, Bell and the Graham Boeckh Foundation have contributed more thanin philanthropic support toFoundation, helping to forge the Foundry provincial initiative."We are so grateful for the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership's lifetime support of Foundry. As we enter our seventh year, Foundry is at a pivotal moment in our organizational life cycle, with an extraordinary opportunity to translate and share our findings and learnings to benefit not only our network of centres and virtual services, but emerging IYS models across Canada and internationally. This donation is integral in moving us closer to our vision of transforming youth health and social services. Together, we are supporting youth and their families and caregivers in living a good life." - Steve Mathias, Executive Director, Foundry "I am incredibly grateful to the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership for this gift. It will allow Foundry's research to continue to be a responsive, flexible and dynamic entity empowering youth voices to move evidence into practice quickly. With their support, Foundry's research and knowledge exchange efforts will not only be cutting edge but will continue to ensure meaningful, accountable and intentional partnerships are built alongside youth, family and communities in BC." - Dan Nixon, Youth Engagement Specialist, Foundry "The Foundry model works, and as a supporter of Foundry and the backbone organization at Providence Health Care, it's long been our goal to share it with young people across the country. Today, thanks to the Graham Boeckh Foundation and Bell, Canadian youth don't have to feel alone." - Dick Vollet, President and CEO, St. Paul's Foundation "GBF is pleased to support Foundry through the Bell-GBF Partnership. This new investment will increase Foundry's research capacity to put youth at the centre of research and ensure services continuously improve and adapt to provide young people with the care they deserve. We are also pleased that this contribution will ensure that Foundry continues to share lessons learned and best practices for youth mental health across Canada, leading to better mental health outcomes not just for youth in British Columbia but elsewhere in the country." - Ian Boeckh, President, Graham Boeckh Foundation "We're very proud to support Foundry as they continue their important work to transform youth mental health in BC. The Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership is committed to accelerating the delivery of mental health services for young people across Canada through Integrated Youth Services, so we are also particularly pleased to invest in enhancing Foundry's capacity to advance pan-Canadian collaboration with IYS networks around the country, so that more young people and their families can get access to mental health services and supports in ways that best address their needs." Advertisement Naturally, this time, once again businesses, especially the smaller ones, are also feeling the heat. "It is obvious that with these restrictions and prevailing confusion, people will spend less this year," the analyst said."In line with China's zero-tolerance policy towards COVID-19, local governments have doubled down on travel restrictions, fearing that the annual holiday mass migration might contribute to the coronavirus' spread," South China Morning Post in a report said. The frequent changes in travel rules and different cities having their COVID norms have left citizens confused.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the stringent restrictions at this stage could be damaging for China."China is still using a zero-COVID policy. But what COVID is teaching all of us is that a highly transmissible variant may be much more difficult to contain without a dramatic impact on the economy," IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said at the World Economic Forum. She added that Beijing should reassess its policy especially since the Omicron variant is less severe than the previous ones.Besides, the COVID 19 related restrictions and lockdowns in several parts of China have also given rise to fear of disruption in the global supply chain network.Many economists and policymakers have predicted that the Chinese economy could take longer to recover with these restrictions. As China gradually resets its economic policies and focuses more on boosting domestic consumption, the zero COVID approaches is turning out to be a big handicap.Source: IANS Kartik Aaryan was just like any other outsider looking for his place in the industry. He followed the conventional path and moved to Mumbai to pursue his dreams of acting. It wasnt an overnight success as he had to face countless rejections, stay in rented accommodations with other flatmates and the likes during his days of struggle. He is now a famous face in the industry and has many upcoming projects. Kartik was roped in for the Hindi remake of Allu Arjun-starrer superhit film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo Shehzada but the original producer Manish Shah has now called him out for his unprofessional behaviour. As many of Kartiks fans are looking forward to watching the movie, its sad how his unprofessional behaviour has been called out again. In an exclusive chat with India Today, producer Manish Shah revealed that Shehzada actor Kartik Aaryan reportedly threatened to walk out of the remake if the dubbed Hindi version was released in theaters. It was earlier slated to release on the 26th of January. However, it got cancelled after producer Manish Shah had a meeting with the makers of Shehzada. Shah said, "The makers of Shehzda were not keen to release the Hindi version in cinemas. Also, Kartik Aaryan said if the movie was released in theaters, he would walk out of the film, which would have caused Shehzada producers a loss of Rs 40 crores. It was extremely unprofessional of him. Manish also added, "I have known Shehzada producers for 10 years. I cannot have people who are close to me losing 40 crores, so I dropped it. By doing this, I ended up losing 20 crores. I spent 2 crores only on dubbing. I wanted this film to be bigger than Pushpa: The Rise. If I do not release the film I will lose money, so now I am releasing it on my channel. Making his stance clear, he stated, I would not have done anything for Kartik Aaryan, I only did this because of Allu Arvind. Why would I do this for a Bollywood hero? I don't know him." Shehzada is being produced by Allu Aravind (who also co-produced Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo) in collaboration with Bhushan Kumar and Aman Gill. This is not the first time that Kartik has been called out for his unprofessional attitude on the film sets. It was reported that Dharma Productions dropped him from Dostana 2 because of his unprofessionalism. Reporting the development, DNA had earlier quoted a source close to the production house saying, Dharma has decided to replace Kartik Aaryan in Dostana 2. Kartik expressed creative differences over the script of Dostana 2 after one and a half years. However, he completed nearly 20 days of shoot in 2019 after reading the same script and agreeing to it. The source also added that lack of clarity on dates by the actor was also another reason to drop him from the project. Also, lack of clarity on the commitment of dates from his agency is another reason. It has never happened in the history of Dharma Productions that an actor has shot a film for a while and then walked out alleging creative issues. Therefore, Dharma has decided to not work with Kartik Aaryan in future as well, the source said. He was also in the news after he walked out from Shah Rukh Khans Freddie because of creative differences. What do you have to say about Manish Shahs statements? Let us know in the comments section below. Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey, who started his acting career with TV, is finally making his comeback on the small screen after a gap of 8 years. The actor is turning host with Kahani Navbharat Ki which is set to get launched on Times Now Navbharat. It is a 10-part documentary series that talks about important moments that shaped India's history and its evolution towards a New India. The show premieres on January 26 with a special curtain-raiser episode at 1:30 pm on Times Now Navbharat SD and HD. The series will begin on January 30, every Sunday at 8 pm. In an exclusive chat with MensXP, Vikrant Massey talks about Kahani Navbharat Ki and his TV comeback. Here are the excerpts: MXP: You started your career with TV and later took a break from the medium to pursue films. Since you're now making a comeback on TV with Kahani Navbharat Ki, what made you say yes to the show? VM: The very idea behind it. When I met the team, when all of us sort of chatted about why we are making the show, it was very clear (that I wanted to do it). There's a lot of pride, happiness, and emotions attached to the show because we're celebrating the proud 75 years of our Independence this year. We decided this is the right time to come out with the show as it speaks about the country's rich history, culture, and proud democracy that we are today. Also, it is a very well-researched show which tells a lot of unknown and untold stories in popular history which are yet to reach the masses. All these things sort of made me realise that this is the right time, the right show for me. I've always wanted to be a part of something like this because unfortunately on TV, such informative and educational shows are not usually made. There are so many things that are amalgamated into this show hence it was a no-brainer for me to not be a part of this show. MXP: The show talks about important and untold moments that shaped India's history. Is there any particular moment/incident in your life that you consider as a turning point? VM: I think there will be many. I gave around a decade of my life to television and I learned a lot of things. There were a few special shows that'll definitely stand out, like Balika Vadhu. I'm really proud of that show. If I had not done Balika Vadhu, I might not be sitting here talking to you. And, in my film career, every project played an important part but A Death In The Gunj was one film that will always be very close to me. Because of that film, people somewhere started trusting me more. In life, every now and then, there are challenges thrown at you and it entirely depends on what you do with it. I'm glad that I took up those challenges and today when I look back, I'm kind of satisfied and happy that whatever I did, has somewhere landed at the right place. MXP: After coming from a TV background, you are finally doing films like A Death In The Gunj and Haseen Dillruba. We can say that you're finally getting your due in Bollywood too. However, is there any particular film or character that you really wanted to take up but somehow things didn't work out and had to turn it down? VM: Yes, it happens with every actor but it's kind of unfair to sort of disclose these things. But, if you ask, what are the characters that I'd love to play, I was really inspired by Aamir Khan's character in Lagaan called Bhuvan. That character really really inspired me. I remember, I went to watch the film with my family and the entire hall was like a stadium. So, these are the characters that I've grown up watching and I would love to play something like that. MXP: Your lineup includes films like Love Hostel, Mumbaikar, Forensic among others, how do you choose such a diverse range of projects? VM: The idea is to challenge yourself every now and then because complacency is something that is a strict no-no for me. I don't want to make myself feel comfortable as I believe, I've just sort of started. There are still so many things that I have to do. So, it's a very conscious decision for me to pick up varied parts. Also, at the same time, (I want to) create a sense of curiosity amongst the audiences, with regards to what I can do. But, at the same time, you want to up your game and want to get out of your comfort zone. That is exactly one of the reasons why I probably choose different and varied characters. I tried offering something new and that's what keeps me going. MXP: Coming back to Kahani Navbharat Ki, it's a new format for you since you've done daily soaps earlier. How has been your experience of working on the show so far? VM: I did feel like I'm coming back home. When you're collaborating with the largest media network in the country, there's a responsibility and pride attached to it. Overall, it has been a fantastic team effort. We're all happy with what's come out. We're really excited that the show is premiering on Times Now Navbharat on January 26. And as I said, the idea is to share interesting anecdotes with the audiences because we definitely did feel a sense of pride when we were shooting or trying to narrate these stories. I really hope that viewers feel inspired and informed about the valour of our country, freedom fighters, and of the people who made this country. MXP: Describe/sum up Kahani Navbharat Ki in just three sentences. VM: The idea is to inform, to inspire, and to intrigue people. MXP: At last, a message for fans. Why should they watch the show? VM: There are many things, I can go on and on about it. We are celebrating 75 years of our Independence this year. We're living in the largest democracies and one of the most liberal societies in the world. It's a sense of massive pride. Somewhere it's important to inform everyone about the sacrifices the country has made. It's a show that speaks about the journey and spirit of our country. We know what has happened in the last 75 years but today all of us are in a position to decide how the next 75 years are going to be. So, I hope the show inspires the countrymen to go in the right direction. Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage has blasted Disney for greenlighting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs live-action remake. It was recently announced by the studio that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be remade with West Side Story fame Rachel Zegler as the lead character of Snow White while Gal Gadot will portray the Evil Queen. Disney Reacting to the news of the live-action remake, Peter said on Marc Marons WTF podcast that while some fans have applauded Disney for racial diversity, they miss the larger picture of how the original film portrayed disability. Without mincing words, he said, I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White. Youre still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what youre doing there. It makes no sense to me. Further blasting the studio for its decision, he added, Youre progressive in one way and youre still making that f*cking backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*ck are you doing man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess Im not loud enough. MGM He also stated that he doesnt want the film to not be made but would love to see the problematic aspect of it addressed, If you tell the story of Snow White with the most f*cked up, progressive spin on it? Lets do it. All in. Peter Dinklage, a vertically challenged actor, shot to fame with his role as the fan-favourite Tyrion Lannister that made him a pop culture icon. He is currently amongst the hot favourites for a shot at Oscars for his performance in the musical Cyrano. He was also recently nominated for Golden Globes. MGM As for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it was Disneys first full-length feature film released in 1937. Besides, Snow White remake, in recent times Disney has also made live-action versions of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Dumbo & The Lion King, among others. James Iannazzo is facing charges for intimidation based on bias, breach of peace, and criminal trespass after an employee caught him using racial slurs and threatening workers at a smoothie restaurant. (Fairfield Police Dept. in Connecticut) A former Merrill Lynch employee caught on camera threatening employees and using racial slurs has been fired. Connecticut officers arrested James Iannazzo, 48, on Saturday, according to a report from the Fairfield Police Department. Advertisement The report states Iannazzo ordered a smoothie from a store called Robeks earlier in the afternoon. At around 1:40 p.m., he called emergency services for a juvenile suffering from an allergic reaction. Iannazo went back to Robeks and confronted the employees, according to the report. He demanded to know who made the smoothie, which he said contained peanuts and caused his childs allergic reaction. Employees said they didnt know who made the smoothie, which caused Iannazzo to become irate. Advertisement He threw a drink at one employee, made racial slurs, and attempted to open a locked door that led to the employees only area. One of the employees taped the incident. This video contains profanity. I've identified this man as James Iannazzo of @MerrillLynch being racist and assaulting a minor pic.twitter.com/O8Ic6jyh3p Danesh (@thatdaneshguy) January 23, 2022 An employee called the police, but Iannazzo left before they arrived. He later turned himself in to police custody, according to the report. Iannazzo told officers he was upset about his sons allergic reaction, but employees said he never said anything about the peanut allergy. He only asked that there would be no peanut butter in the drink. Naveed Jamali, an editor-at-large at Newsweek, shared a tweet confirming Iannazzo had been fired on Monday. #breaking @BankofAmerica confirms to me that #jamesiannazzo, that man arrested for Intimidation Based on Bigotry or Bias and breach of the peace, has been fired. pic.twitter.com/2tQOeh1COL Naveed Jamali (@NaveedAJamali) January 23, 2022 Iannazzo faces charges for intimidation based on bias, breach of peace, and criminal trespass. Every time a reality show starts being aired, a lot of controversies and speculations begin to make rounds and Shark Tank India is nothing different when it comes to that. A business and investment reality show, that has borrowed its concept from Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs sit and listen to interesting pitches made by contestants in hope of having at least one or all sharks invest in them, the show has suddenly become the topic of every dinner-table conversation, especially with so much conjecture around the sharks in the panel and the concept of the show itself. Siddharth Kannan And one such notion going around is whether or not the show is rigged. A question that was finally answered by one of the Sharks on Shark Tank India - Shaadi.com founder and CEO Anupam Mittal who got candid in an interview with Siddharth Kannan about the same. The businessman who was in conversation with Indian television and radio host Siddharth Kanan aspired to be as honest as he could as he was being probed with questions that werent beating around the bush in words of Siddharth Kannan. Addressing a rather popular opinion and rumour about the show being scripted, when Siddharth asked Anupam Mittal if there was any truth to it, the Shaadi.com CEO denied it point blank. Comparing the show to the likes of Bigg Boss and how reactions of contestants on the show are usually said to be rigged, Siddharth asked if the same transpires at Shark Tank too. Anupam who rubbished such rumors said that he is answering and reacting to questions just as he is and without being told differently by anyone. Sony Pictures Television Also addressing his now popular one-liner that has made him subject to a lot of memes, Anupam said that his famous dialogue Yaar kuch toh tehzeeb rakho is now going viral. He also said, Thoda toh yaar ye editorial, creative freedom lete hi hain ye log, toh aisa kardiya hai ki ye log mujhe baat nahi karne dete. Aur main hamesha kehta hun yaar mujhe baat toh karne do. So, this has become like a second meme. Sony Pictures Television When asked whether he is allowed to speak his heart out and what he truly feels, by the show and other judges, Anupam said, Poori dil ki bhadaas nahi nikalne dete, but main bhi kam nahi hun, main koi na koi angle dhund ke ghus hi jaata hun. Furthermore, Anupam Mittal was asked if he was just a judge or also producer at the show. Another claim that was denied by Anupam Mittal, for he said that he was working with Shark Tank India in just the capacity of a judge. Source: YouTube 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 After 75 years, Wendell Foster still has the same mission as day one, to empower those with disabilities, a mission that it has not fallen short of and that continues building on through every decade, according to CEO Doug Hoyt. The local nonprofit works to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its a rich history and were really proud of it, to think about how we began with Wendell and Edith Foster caring for seven children, he said. Those are just really humble beginnings, through which 75 years, we have found different ways to support people, needs that people have that they never anticipated, and weve grown into those needs. The nonprofit was founded in 1947 by Wendell Foster and his wife, Edith Foster. The couple was inspired to start the organization to provide care for individuals with cerebral palsy, inspired by their daughter Louise Foster who was born with the same condition. That was a disorder that not too many people really understood and they really didnt want to let others know that their children had a disability, so it was really common back then that they would hide their children, Hoyt said. Wendell Foster, who was drafted into World War II as a cook, was able to learn medical techniques from medics tending to wounded soldiers. He took that knowledge back to Owensboro to help his daughter and eventually opened up Wendell Foster to give that same care to other individuals and offer them a better quality of life, according to Hoyt. When they returned to Owensboro, he and Edith decided they wanted to do this as their lifes work, so they went knocking door-to-door, he said. They started the first facility with seven total children, not knowing how they were going to make it. The first building was purchased soon after his return at 815 Triplett Street, and although it is no longer standing, the current campus is located in the same place. In an oral history interview with Henry Wilson in 1984, Wendell Foster stated that he and Edith had many difficult financial times, but were always able to pull through with the help of the community. When he retired in 1977, Foster said the home had 124 children it assisted, compared to the seven it started with just 30 years prior. It had grown to offer educational opportunities, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and other services to clients. The school grew fast, he said in the interview. We went in with seven, and you know you have to be pretty careful what you pray about because you might get it. I wanted a big school, and so many children came to us for help that we almost out-growed ourselves. The outcome, Hoyt said, was a long-lasting effect on the community and the many children who needed the services that Wendell Foster has provided all these years. It was an opportunity for Wendell and Edith to be all-encompassing for those children who were previously hidden away and been left out of society and had not been given the same opportunities that somebody else had been given, he said. They gave the opportunity for those children to have a fulfilled life. Now, Hoyt said, the organization still has that same mission to empower those with disabilities, but on an even larger scale. Its kind of exciting to think about how weve grown over those 75 years and what we have become from Wendell and Edith providing therapy to their daughter Louise and six other children, to now, we have 370 employees and serving thousands of people a year, he said. Our mission today is the same mission; its to empower people with disabilities to reach their full potential. Thats what they did then and thats what we do now. Throughout those 75 years, thats never changed. Christie Netherton, cnetherton@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7360 High court wont hear pandemic proxy voting dispute WASHINGTON The Supreme Court has rejected a challenge from House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy to the proxy voting system that Democrats put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic. McCarthy had sought a declaration that proxy voting, an absent representative giving authority for someone in attendance to cast his or her vote, was unconstitutional. As is typical, the high court said nothing in rejecting the challenge Monday. House lawmakers voted by proxy for the first time in May 2020 following a House rules change. The change was intended to strike a balance between working from home during the coronavirus outbreak and honoring the Constitutions requirement to be present and voting. Lower courts had agreed the lawsuit should be dismissed because each house of Congress can set its own rules for voting. Defense: Chauvin called all of the shots when Floyd was killed ST. PAUL, Minn. Prosecutors in the trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyds civil rights accused the men Monday of standing by as fellow Officer Derek Chauvin slowly killed George Floyd right in front of them. But one defense attorney countered during opening statements of the former officers trial that Chauvin called all of the shots as the senior officer at the scene and criticized the Minneapolis Police Department for doing too little to train officers to intervene when a colleague should be stopped. Another officers attorney focused on Floyds struggle with police before they restrained him. And an attorney for the third officer said his client raised concerns about the restraint of Floyd, but was rebuffed. Former Officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are broadly charged with depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority. Ethics office says Reps. Newman, Lamborn may have broken law WASHINGTON A congressional ethics watchdog has concluded that U.S. Reps. Marie Newman of Illinois and Doug Lamborn of Colorado may have violated federal law, prompting reviews from the House Ethics Committee. Separate investigative reports from the Office of Congressional Ethics released Monday detailed a substantial reason to believe that Newman, a Democrat, promised federal employment to a political opponent and that Lamborn, a Republican, misused official resources for personal purposes. Though the ethics office conducts the initial review and makes recommendations, only the House Ethics Committee has the power to punish a lawmaker for wrongdoing. The committee said in a statement Monday that it would review the reports and investigate further. The rising number of COVID-19 cases in Owensboro has caused Junior Achievement of Owensboro to delay its annual Owensboro Business Hall of Fame luncheon from Feb. 1 to April 19. Dan Douglas, president of the organization, said, After making several calls Friday to event sponsors, table patrons, and reservation holders to ascertain our overall attendance on Feb. 1 for the event, sponsored by German American Bank, and in light of the current omicron variant surge, we have decided to postpone the event. He said JA hopes that will result in a safer event, greater attendance and more comfortableness in attending. Douglas said people can make new reservations for April 19 and current reservation holders can re-confirm their seats sand tables. The event website is https://westky.ja.org/events/2022-owensboro-busi ness-hall-of-fame. People can also email Douglas at dan.douglas@ja.org or call Junior Achievement at 270-684-7291. The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 in the German American Ballroom of the Owensboro Convention Center. Bill and Scott Jagoe, Martha Fitts Clark and the late George Greenwell will be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame during the luncheon JA created the Hall of Fame in 1997 and continued inducting people in 1998 and 2000. Then, it was dormant until 2019, when JA revived it. The money raised by the luncheon helps JA provide financial educational programs for more than 20,000 students in western Kentucky. The program teaches financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship to students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com. In a setback to developer Chris Dorworths plans to build his River Cross mega-development, a circuit court judge ruled Monday that Seminoles charter amendment establishing the countys protected rural area is constitutional. Seminole commissioners have the authority to reject a developers request to carve out property from the countys voter-approved rural boundary for development beyond the current density of one home per five acres, according to Circuit Judge Randell Rowes ruling. Advertisement Dorworth said he was disappointed by the ruling and plans to appeal. Obviously its befuddling to me. Its very obvious to me that its unconstitutional, Dorworth said Tuesday. But well work through the court and continue working through our legal options. Advertisement In his lawsuit against Seminole, Dorworth argued the language in the countys charter amendment establishing the rural boundary is unconstitutionally vague and should be voided because it doesnt define what is necessary or the procedure to remove land from the development-restricted area. According to the county charter, commissioners can remove property from the rural boundary when it is necessary. Therefore, the commissions decision to deny a request to remove property from the rural area is therefore arbitrary and capricious, Dorworth said. But Rowe disagreed and wrote that when county voters approved establishing the rural boundary in 2004, they agreed to rely on the commissions expertise. He cited several state supreme and appeals court decisions on similar cases. The fact that the word [necessary] is not defined, does not make it vague, according to the Supreme Court of Florida, Rowe wrote in his ruling. The Supreme Court of Florida has actually already determined that the word necessary does not render a statute unconstitutionally vague. < County Attorney Bryant Applegate briefly announced the judges ruling at Tuesdays commission meeting. But he asked commissioners and county staff to not comment on the ruling. Rowe not only denied the summary judgment motion but issued a declaratory judgment at the same time in favor of Seminole County finding that the charter provision pertaining to the rural boundary is not only not vague but clearly constitutional, Applegate said to commissioners. I would expect an appeal. Dorworth, a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and a lobbyist, has battled with Seminole County over River Cross since 2018. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > In February of that year, he signed a contract to purchase the 669-acre Hi-Oaks property just north of the Orange County line and east of the Econlockhatchee River from the Clayton family and proposed the River Cross development, made up of 600 single-family homes, 270 townhouses, 500 apartments and 1.5 million square feet of commercial space. Advertisement Development densities on the property are limited to one home per five acres or one home per 10 acres. After Seminole commissioners unanimously rejected the project in August 2018, Dorworth filed a federal lawsuit two months later stating that the rural boundary was segregative and violated the Fair Housing Act. A federal judge threw out the case last summer. Dorworth filed his current lawsuit against Seminole County in circuit court in May 2020 after making two more requests to remove the River Cross property from the rural boundary. David Bear, an attorney and president of the nonprofit group Save Rural Seminole, said he was pleased with the judges decision. We were confident that the developers arguments in state court were just as meritless as in federal court, Bear said. The independent judiciary has stood up to the political power of the developer, and it has now been confirmed that the county has the authority to protect its residents from unbridled growth. Dorworth has a pending development application to Seminole County, asking to remove a 67-acre tract of farmland known as Pappys Patch from the rural boundary for a residential subdivision. Commissioners are scheduled to hear that request in February. mcomas@orlandosentinel.com In February 2018, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority gave preliminary approval to Sazerac Distillers LLC for $1 million in incentives if the company agreed to a $21.2-million expansion of its Glenmore Distillery at 2001 E. Fourth St. The plan was to add new bottling lines and bulk storage tanks at Glenmore and increase processing capacity. The company, in seeking the incentives, said the expansion would create 61 jobs with an average hourly wage of $42 including benefits. The work is complete now and Amy Preske, the companys spokeswoman, said Sazerac has actually added 125 jobs at Glenmore and invested more than $30 million in the facility. And last week, the Owensboro City Commission voted to rebate to the company 1% of the occupational tax collected from the new jobs at Glenmore. That could mean was much as $25,000 a year for the next 10 years a total of $250,000. The distillery has been in Owensboro under several names since 1868. When Sazerac bought it in 2009, it employed 180 people. Glenmore, the countys fifth-largest private employer, had 425 full-time Kentucky residents as employees, the KEDFA documents said in 2018. Preske said its now around 530 employees. In April 2016, Mark Brown, president and CEO of the Louisiana-based Sazerac Co., was in Owensboro to dedicate the companys then-new $45 million, 223,000-square-foot distribution center at Glenmore. Were positioning this plant to become the premier bottling plant in the United States, he said at the time. In 2013, Diageo North America opened what was then the largest bottling plant in Plainfield, Illinois. We have them in our sights, Brown said. The local distribution center was designed to be expanded as production grows, he said. Brown said then that a new bottling line would be opened at the plant soon. Weve more than doubled our employment in Owensboro in seven years, he said at the time. Brown also said in 2016 that Sazerac planned to resume distilling at Glenmore at some point. But a date still hasnt been set. Brown also said that Sazerac plans to get Glenmore Distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at some point. That also hasnt happened yet. Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 24, 2022 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112 LANSING, Mich. - Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that the federal government has granted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's request for additional staffing assistance at a sixth Michigan hospital, Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Under the agreement, the federal government will send up to a 25-person medical team to support Sparrow Hospital's doctors and nurses as they treat COVID-19 and other patients. "As we continue facing down the Omicron variant, I am grateful to our federal partners for their continued support. They are providing critical relief to Michigan's hospitals," said Governor Whitmer. "Our health care professionals have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for nearly two years, and I urge Michiganders to do their part to keep themselves safe and help our hospitals. Get vaccinated and if you are eligible, get your booster, to keep yourself out of the hospital. Please stay home if you're sick and make sure you sign up to get free tests from USPS and/or your insurance providers. Get free, high-quality N95, KN95 or KF94 masks from your local pharmacy. Take action to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. We will get through this together." "These federal medical teams are providing much needed relief and a morale boost for our dedicated health care workers who have given so much over the past two years of the pandemic," said Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director. "We are extremely grateful for the continued support from our federal partners during this latest surge of COVID-19. We are renewing the call for Michiganders to do their part to support our state's health care workers by getting vaccinated and boosted if eligible, wearing a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status, social distancing and staying home and getting tested regularly." The team will begin treating patients Feb. 7 and provide support for the next 30 days. Five additional Department of Defense (DoD) teams have provided support at Beaumont Hospital - Dearborn, Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, Mercy Health Muskegon and Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte. In addition, a civilian Disaster Medical Assistance Team was dispatched to Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte earlier this month before being backfilled by a DoD team. "We are grateful for this assistance for our incredible Sparrow caregivers, who have been tirelessly protecting the community since this pandemic began," said James F. Dover, Sparrow Health System president and CEO. "We want to thank Governor Whitmer and the state for its help and especially Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, who has been steadfast in advocating for boots-on-the-ground support for Sparrow in combating the huge surge of COVID cases among both patients and our caregivers." Michiganders are being asked to carefully consider where they seek health care. A primary care office, virtual visit or urgent care may be the best choice as hospital and emergency departments are experiencing high demand. However, for emergency conditions such as stroke symptoms, chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant injury or uncontrolled bleeding, Michiganders should still seek emergency care. As of Jan. 21, 4,286 Michiganders are hospitalized for COVID-19. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2022 Contact: Elyse Walter, waltere@michigan.gov Gov. Whitmer Awards $5M to Bolster Michigan's Growth in the Electric Vehicle and Mobility Industry LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Whitmer joined the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to award a $5 million Michigan Revolution for Electrification of Vehicles Academy (MiREV) grant to Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) to further position the state at the center of the nation's electric vehicle and mobility industry growth by proactively preparing the talent needed. "Michiganders will play a leading role in building the future of automotive mobility and electrification; preparing them for the jobs that will drive the industry is critical," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "This grant will support Michigan workers so they can secure not only the skills needed for these high-demand jobs, but also financial security for their families and communities." SEMCA will use MiREV funds to sustain and expand employer-led collaboratives designed to develop and initiate academies focused on closing industry-based skills gaps. This will be accomplished through attracting, upskilling and reskilling a mobility workforce across Michigan and through serving historically underserved populations while creating a talent pipeline needed for the electrification of vehicles. "These future academies will ensure employers are able to address their most critical workforce needs while job seekers have access to better employment outcomes and career pathway opportunities in the mobility and electrification industry," said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO's Office of Employment and Training. "Moving forward, SEMCA will work closely with employers to make sure Michigan has the right programs and resources to fill both current and future talent needs for in-demand and emerging jobs." SEMCA will establish and expand employer-led collaboratives that support MiREV functions including developing a sustainability plan, coordinating and performing outreach events and supporting employer champions and industry experts in building, implementing and managing academies. Employers interested in MiREV employer-led collaboratives or other components of future efforts to support Michigan's vehicle and mobility industry growth, can email the department at LEO-MiREV@michigan.gov. Career seekers interested in pursuing opportunities in this industry, should reach out to their local Michigan Works! Agency to explore occupations in mobility and electrification. To find their local Michigan Works! Agency, visit Michiganworks.org. ### BIG RAPIDS The Big Rapids planning commission took no action on a proposal to make changes to the citys ordinance regulating marijuana sales and dispensing, saying they need more time to consider the issue. I am not in a hurry to make a decision about this topic, chairperson Chris Jane told the planners during a recent meeting. There have been times over the last couple of years where we thought we wish we had a do-over." During the meeting, Paula Priebe, the city's community development director, told planners that in establishing the regulations for marijuana businesses, the city had adopted a series of ordinances to allow for some types of marijuana businesses and disallow others. But when the pandemic hit a lot of that was shook up a bit," she added. Priebe and city attorney Eric Williams have been compiling a list of things that needed to be tweaked, she said. We have had a couple of years of the ordinances being in effect and could see what we got right and what we might need to tweak a little bit, Priebe said. Most of those are procedural things making sure the terminology is the same across all ordinances, however, there is one substantive change that is being proposed. Priebe explained the current ordinance, as it is written, does not allow any drive-thru, drive-up or curbside services. Those were all prohibited in the ordinance that was adopted in 2019, she said. Then the pandemic happened and every business across every sector started doing curbside pick up for the public health and safety. The state allowed it, and so the city has been allowing it, and it has been allowed for marijuana businesses to engage in curbside service. She said she has informed all the marijuana business owners that they were operating under emergency rules and at some point the city would have to circle back and address the issue in the ordinance. As the pandemic lingers, and the emergency rules are being phased out, we cannot continue to not enforce the ordinance," she said. "The ordinance as it stands does not allow curbside service. Priebe presented three options for the planners to consider: Leave the ordinance as it is and prohibit any and all curbside sales and dispensing of marijuana. Amend the ordinance to allow curbside sales and dispensing of marijuana for all marijuana retail businesses. Amend the ordinance to allow curbside sales and dispensing of marijuana for only businesses that have their own private parking spaces that can be designated for curbside service and have the curbside designation on their permit. The suggested proposal from city staff would be to amend the ordinance to read that all activities, including all sales shall be conducted inside the building and out of public view, Priebe said. The phrase drive thru and curbside service are prohibited, would be removed, and the language, curbside sales of marijuana and marijuana infused products are lawful with an approved curbside sales and dispensing designation as approved by the city code would be added. This is kind of a middle ground where some businesses, if they have their own parking that wouldnt interfere with public parking such as what we have on the downtown streets, would be allowed, Priebe said. They would have to let the city know as part of the permitting process, that they are doing this, and it would require certain regulations, such as having spaces designated and making sure there is security things they probably already do. EITHER 'BE IN OR OUT' Several planners said they were not in favor of the middle ground option because it would impact some businesses more than others, specifically in the downtown area where they do not have off street parking. I think we should either allow it or not allow it," planner Jacob Buse said. "I think the middle ground would be unfair to some businesses just because they are in a different location. I am on the side of not allowing it, because I cant go to Shooters and order five beers to go." Planner Kasey Thompson said she also did not like the middle ground option and agreed that the city should either be in or out. I am for in because I think there are far more benefits to the community if it is done right, versus not supporting them (marijuana businesses), Thompson said. I am an advocate of commerce and an advocate of this community, and if we dont evolve and we dont take steps forward, we are going to find ourselves in the situation where we have empty buildings everywhere. We will be back at square one. Thompson added she loves to see cars in the downtown area because they represent growth and energy and if all the cars go away, then other businesses will lose out, as well. Anything we can do to help keep this a driving economy, anything we can do to support (businesses) within the legal boundaries that we have, I think we should support them, she said. It is actually good for the health of the community that we help these businesses grow. It is not going to look good if we have a bunch of empty buildings and we lose that part of our economy. Jane added he is not a fan of the middle ground plan because he believed it would bring an outcry from people in the industry. We have already had two (businesses) that have given up, and we had a couple of others that gave up before they even got started, Jane said. I dont want to see that. I dont want that industry to die. Some planners said they felt the ordinance should be enforced as it stands, without making any amendments. When we were first involved in this, I would reference back to what we allow our restaurants and bars to do, because I like businesses to be treated equally, planner Rory Ruddick said. I dont think we allow curbside delivery from Grunst or any of those businesses. Planner Sarah Montgomery agreed, saying she felt that any amendments to the ordinance would just add another element that leaves the city open to criticism. I am not opposed to that (marijuana) business, she said. I just think it is more classy if the businesses have their customers come into their building. We had them meet standards of how their buildings could look, why not have a more professional stance on how they meet the needs of their customers. MEDICAL AND MOBILITY ISSUES Representatives from several local marijuana businesses weighed in with their thoughts about the proposed changes, telling the board that 20% to 25% of their total sales comes from curbside service, and that it is an important part of their business. Justin Forrest, a manager at RAIR, encouraged the board to consider the needs of the medical marijuana patients when making their decision because that issue had not been addressed. We are a medical marijuana facility. We have state licensed medical patients that have some restrictions as far as mobility that are big proponents of the curbside option," Forrest said. "They may have a disability where they are not able to exit the vehicle and come into the store and this has been a huge help for our patients and the folks that shop with us. Forrest added in response to the hustle and bustle of marijuana sales people coming in and out of the store that was mentioned in the discussion, that they try to keep it classy. When a car pulls up into the designated spot, they call us and someone greets them with an iPad, he said. It is a pretty discrete transaction, and the product is (delivered) in an enclosed bag. Joseph Stankowski, a district manager for Lume Cannabis Company, said they are also a medical dispensary, and a large percentage of their curbside business is utilized by their medical patients that may have physical or mental issues that keep them from coming inside the store. I second the notion about medical patients, Stankowski said. But Lume supports the decision the city makes no matter what direction they see fit. Andrew Labeck, a manager at Dunegrass, told the board that even though they are recreational only, they still get a lot of customers that are medical license holders and have medical issues that make them uncomfortable about coming in the store, or unable to do so. At the end of the day, we do have private parking, so if you wanted to do the private parking curbside only, that works for us, but I think that is not the best way to go because it gives an unfair advantage for some businesses over other businesses downtown, he said. We, too, will support whatever decision the city makes. Nathan Kark, director of government affairs for Skymint, echoed those same thoughts, saying that during the pandemic curbside service has become more and more popular. Everyone does a great job in this community of creating great stores that are aesthetically pleasing and we are happy to show off our stores, but we also need to be mindful of what our customers want and try to offer that, Kark said. That (curbside service) is something that has stuck around, and a lot of our customers have become accustomed to that, and it is something they have come to expect. So, I think it is important to give them those options. Planner Megan Eppley said she felt like the medical and the mobility issue was something very important for them to consider before making a decision. Jane agreed saying the curbside sales numbers is also something important to consider. I would say that it (mobility issue) moved my needle more toward amending the ordinance to continue it as it has been for the last year or so, Jane said. And 25% of sales is not nothing. That is all good information for us certainly to consider. Area resident Katie McCloud asked the board to consider a couple of other things before making a decision, referencing previous comments made about sales people scurrying in and out, and comparing the transactions to a crack house or street sales of heroin. I have never been a customer of any of these businesses, but I walk downtown daily, and I have never witnessed any scurrying, she said. It is not an illegal substance. What is happening is legal. There is nothing that I have seen that would be too heinous for my 12-year-old-daughter to observe if we walked downtown. I dont have a lot of passion either way, but what I do have passion about is that the city makes this decision based on the right reasons, she continued. If we are solving a problem that needs to be solved, that is one thing. But if we are chasing down personal feelings about whether marijuana should be legal or not, it is too late. So, I think we should support our local business and I think you should look at it that way. Jane said he thought the board would need to have additional information to feel more confident in whatever decision was made and suggested they table the issue for further discussion. Priebe told the board she would reach out to other businesses to get additional information on curbside sales percentages, and to other communities to get more information on how they are handling curbside service, and bring that information back to the commission at the February meeting. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Labor have announced they will be moving forward with next steps to expand access to truck driving jobs around the country. As part of the Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan that was announced in December of last year, the DOT and DOL are working to diversify the trucking profession as a whole, including expanding jobs to those under the age of 21. In some parts of the trucking industry, 90% of drivers turn over each year. Making sure truck drivers are paid and treated fairly is the right thing to do, and it will help with both recruiting new drivers and keeping experienced drivers on the job, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement from the department. The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program will allow people ages 18 to 20 to operate commercial vehicles across state lines under heavy monitoring by their companies. Those within this age group are currently able to drive within state lines, but the plan will expand this to include interstate routes. Those who meet safety and driving record requirements will receive a 'K' exemption on their license allowing for this interstate commercial driving, according to a notice from the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration. In an op-ed published by CNN authored by Buttigieg and Secretary of Labor Matty Walsh in July of 2021, the two detailed the existing retention issues with truckers around the country that were only worsened with the onset of the pandemic in early 2020. Truck drivers, like doctors and nurses, are essential workers and we need to start treating them that way, the secretaries stated in the op-ed. Much of the reasoning for the expansion to younger age groups in the industry is to train and retain drivers to keep roadways safer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck driving is one of the most dangerous professions in the country with over 800 fatalities in 2019 alone. As part of the pilot program, the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration will be screening motor carriers to ensure that they meet safety standards. They will also be working with motor carriers with already existing excellent safety records to participate in the program, according to the DOT. An official notice of safety requirements is forthcoming. Moving forward, the Departments of Transportation and Labor will be enacting other programs and task forces to help grow and diversify the industry. These include a Women of Trucking Advisory Board, a Registered Apprenticeship Accelerator, state funding for CDL Licensing, a Truck Leasing Task Force and studies to be conducted on detention and compensation for truckers. The Whale Tea, a bubble tea franchise, opened a new location in South Norwalk on Sunday. The franchise is originally from Nanjing, Singapore, has around 300 locations in China and has been opening locations around Connecticut. "We are very excited to be opened," said Leo Zhang, store manager of the business. The bubble tea business is located 11 N Main Street and is open Monday through Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m. Pass the salt, is a commonly heard request here and around the world. Salt is so ubiquitous that its chemical name, sodium chloride, and formula NaCl are probably the most widely-known terms from the esoteric field of chemistry. Its essential to cooks and essential for our existence. Try cooking anything without it. Used today as a seasoning for everything, it has always been a necessity for food preservation. (Think salt cod, corned beef and country ham.) Its also a requirement for the human body to function properly. Salt is so necessary that its been a reliable source of tax revenue for governments starting with the Chinese in 300 BC. Lately, salt has gone upscale. Instead of just round boxes of table salt and large sacks of industrial ice-melting rock salt, there are now salts from around the world in a range of colors, flavors and shapes. Frank Whitman / For Connecticut Media Group Kosher salt came into common kitchen use when it became known as a chefs secret. But why do they use it? Isnt plain old table salt good enough? First, kosher salt is coarse. Its chunkier grains are easier to pinch and sprinkle into a saute pan or over the surface of meat or fish, giving greater control over ad hoc seasoning. Its larger grains are easier to see for an even coating. Kosher crystal shape varies from brand to brand. Each one will yield different amounts by weight when measuring by volume. In the February 2022 issue of Fine Cooking Magazine a recipe for Preserved Lemons measures salt three ways: 1 oz. of kosher salt; cup of Diamond Crystal; or cup of Mortons. Bon Appetit magazine has taken to including two kosher salt measurements, depending on brand, in their printed recipes. You can see where this gets tricky. Fine table salt is a much denser table salt than either kosher brand. When measuring table salt, cut the amount by half if the recipe specifies kosher. Kosher salt's other selling point is that it's pure; table salt has iodine added. Mixing a tiny amount in our everyday salt beginning in the early 20th century virtually eliminated the then-common occurrence of thyroid disease. It was a public health miracle. Table salt may also contain an anti-caking agent to keep it flowing. Coarse kosher salt was originally developed to kosher meat, drawing blood to the surface of the meat in compliance with kosher law. Its popular in canning and pickling where large amounts are used because of its lack of additives. Some say that they can detect bitterness from the additives. My tastebuds, after a lifetime of use and abuse, cannot pick that up. Flavor-wise, it's all the same to me. Frank Whitman / For Connecticut Media Group Sea salt is also common in kitchens these days. Evaporated from seawater, the salt contains minerals that add flavor and color. Sea salt comes in a range of textures and shades. Fine sea salt, the same consistency as table salt, can be used in equal measure. Other sea salts may be coarse or flaky, white or gray. Fashionable pink salt is mined high in the Himalayan mountains of the Punjab. Fancy salts are usually used as finishing salts, sprinkled on a dish just before eating. Frank Whitman / For Connecticut Media Group Frank Whitman / For Connecticut Media Group Im partial to Maldon sea salt from England for finishing. The large flakes add a random crunch and an occasional salty tang for an unexpected burst of flavor. A sprinkle doesnt oversalt the food, it just adds some pizazz. I dont deny the mineral flavoring in sea salt, but I do question its use in some circumstances. Blame my tastebuds, but I dont think the delicate minerality comes through when sea salt is used to season a pot of stew. Three salts are plenty for my kitchen: table salt in the round blue box, kosher salt for sprinkling, and flaky Maldon sea salt for the finishing touch. You can agree with me, or take it with a grain of salt. Frank Whitman writes a weekly food column called "Not Bread Alone." He can be reached at NotBreadAloneFW@gmail.com. China launched its first quantum-computing global developer platform at the 2022 Quantum Computing Industry Empowerment Conference held Sunday in Hefei, Anhui Province. The platform has four moduleseducation, programming, developing tools, and applications. Its predecessor was the quantum-computing innovation and entrepreneurship platform. Now it has added an English version that will provide comprehensive services for global enthusiasts and developers. The platform promises online and offline services for global developers, who can learn quantum computing, develop projects and conduct innovative applications online, while the big data industrial demonstration park in Hefei will provide offline sites. The quantum-computing global developer platform was developed by Hefei Big Data Asset Operation Co., Ltd and Origin Quantum. It will provide solutions for algorithm development and quantum-computing applications for users in many industries, according to You Haofang, general manager of Hefei Big Data Asset Operation Co., Ltd. A border marker, between the United States and Canada is shown just outside of Emerson, Manitoba, on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. A Florida man was charged Thursday with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby and a teen, were found in Canada near the U.S. border, in what authorities believe was a failed crossing attempt during a freezing blizzard. The bodies were found Wednesday in the province of Manitoba just meters (yards) from the U.S. border near the community of Emerson. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP) (JOHN WOODS/AP) FARGO, N.D. (AP) A Central Florida man who was arrested for human smuggling after four people were found dead in a blizzard in Canada and seven more immigrants were found alive nearby in the U.S. was released from jail Monday without having to pay a bond. Steve Shand, 57, of Deltona, is charged with transport or attempted transport of illegal immigrants. He has not been charged in the deaths. Advertisement According to an affidavit, the four bodies were discovered near Emerson, Manitoba. In addition, five Indian nationals were found on foot on the Minnesota side of the border and two more were discovered nearby riding in Shands 15-passenger van. The affidavit did not explain why most of them were no longer in the van. Shand appeared via livestream Monday from a jail in Grand Forks, North Dakota. U.S. Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer of Minnesota did not order bond, but said Shand must report to a supervisor in his home state of Florida and surrender his passport or any other travel documents. Advertisement Shand must show up for all court proceedings, obey all laws and cannot have contact with any victims or witnesses in the case. He will only be allowed to travel to Florida or Minnesota, where the court proceedings will be held. Some hearings could be scheduled virtually, Bowbeer said. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Bowbeer ordered Shand to undergo a mental health evaluation within 60 days. Shand gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on whether there was probable cause to move forward with the case, said his attorney Doug Micko. The U.S. Border Patrol in North Dakota stopped Shands van just south of the Canadian border on Wednesday. Around the same time, court documents said five other people were spotted by law enforcement in the snow nearby. The group told officers they had been walking for more than 11 hours outside in frigid conditions. Officers found three bodies together a man, a woman and a baby about 33 feet (10 meters) from the border near Emerson, Manitoba. The search continued and the body of a teen boy was found a short distance away. They were all wearing winter clothing, documents show, but it would not have been enough to save them in the freezing conditions. Two of the Indian nationals were hospitalized. Its not clear what would happen to the seven survivors. U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they were not arrested by that agency and are not in their custody. This is absolutely a mind-blowing incident, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during an appearance Friday in Ottawa. American authorities allege in court documents that Shand has likely been involved in other border crossings, including two in December. CANTON A Canton man pleaded guilty Monday to one count of distribution of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. Robert Eccleston, 58, faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing, scheduled for April 19, officials said. Covert FBI personnel in two different field offices outside of Connecticut were monitoring various public groups on the social medial application Kik in 2020, according to court documents and statements made in court. In August and September 2020, Eccleston, using the Kik usernames hartfordctguy and Mowgli100, distributed numerous pornographic images and videos of children in these Kik groups, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of toddlers and prepubescent children, officials with the U.S. Attorneys office said in a release. Eccleston also served as an administrator of one Kik group and required prospective members to send him videos of child sexual abuse for group access. At the time of his December arrest, Eccleston was employed as a victim services advocate for the Hartford Superior Court, officials said. He has been detained since his arrest. This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Avon Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull, officials said. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justices Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation . william.lambert@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN The Office of the Inspector General is investigating after a U.S. marshal fired shots while attempting to arrest a man in New Haven, officials announced Monday. Law enforcement officials saw Marvin Owens, a Bridgeport man with an active felony warrant, drive a white box truck into a parking lot on Wheeler Street around 11:30 a.m. last Thursday, officials with the Division of Criminal Justice said in a release. Task Force Officers, including, Deputy United States Marshal James Masterson, drove into the parking lot and exited their vehicles. They approached Owens intending to take him into custody on the active warrants. Disregarding the officers commands, Owens got back into the white truck and started driving out of the parking lot. The Task Force Officers pursued on foot for a short distance. It was during this time that Deputy United States Marshal Masterson fired five shots in the direction of the truck. There were no injuries as a result of this gunfire and Owens continued to flee the scene in the truck, officials said. Owens drove to Bridgeport where he was arrested following a collision with another vehicle, officials noted. He is charged with a outstanding counts including first-degree assault, third-degree assault, unlawful restraint and reckless endangerment. During a court hearing Friday following his arrest, Owens voiced his concern with how the incident had unfolded. Beat me like a man, thats all I ask. They came to my work and shot guns at me, he repeatedly shouted. Inspector Robert J. Devlin has now opened an inquiry into the matter, examining whether the use of force by the Deputy United States Marshal was justified under Connecticut law, officials said. The incident also is being investigated by the Western District Major Crime Squad of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, officials said. Officials said the officers were not wearing body-worn cameras at the time of the incident and none of their vehicles was equipped with dashboard cameras. Investigators, however, located private security cameras on a building adjacent to the parking lot where the shooting occurred, officials said, which Devlin had approved for public release and can be found on YouTube. Reporting from Daniel Tepfer is included in this story. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT A Superior Court judge Monday dismissed an order by the state Freedom of Information Commission that the City of Bridgeport turn over witness statements to a convicted killer. Judge John Cordani ruled that the initial complaint by the inmate, Marlando Massup Daley, was too vague and should not have been supported by the FOI Commission. The complaint here failed to provide fair notice of the issues that were actually decided by the FOIC both because the complaint was entirely generic and because the complaint was filed before the issues existed and were capable of being decided, the judge ruled. The FOIC declined comment. We are pleased with the courts thoughtful decision and agree with it, said City Attorney R. Christopher Meyer. In 2011, Daley, a local party promoter, was convicted by a jury of murder for the July 4, 2010 shooting death of 40-year-old Roland McLennon. McLennon was found lying in a pool of blood on Edna Ave. near East Main Street. He had been shot once in the head. However, the case remained unsolved until April 2011 when police officers convinced a witness to come forward. Daley was sentenced to 40 years in prison. He is currently incarcerated at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center with a maximum release date of May 1, 2051. Fairfield lawyer Dante Gallucci represents Daley in a habeas corpus case in which they are civilly challenging his criminal conviction. He said Daley filed the FOI complaint on his own attempting to find any information that Bridgeport police have that they did not turn over to the states attorney. But according to the judges decision, procedurally he didnt get there, Gallucci said. In August 2019, the Bridgeport city attorney received an FOI request from Daley seeking to obtain the Police Departments file in his case. The city attorney later complied, but Daley complained to the FOI commission that the information he had received was heavily redacted. During a hearing before the commission in January 2020, Bridgeport Police Detective Joette Devan testified that if redacted identifiers of witnesses were released to the public, those witnesses would likely be subject to threat or intimidation. On Nov. 18, 2020, the commission ruled that the Police Department had violated the state Freedom of Information Act and ordered the disclosure of the full records to Daley. The respondents failed to prove that the identity of the witnesses whose names and other information they redacted are not otherwise known, and further failed to prove that the safety of these specific witnesses would be endangered or that they would be subject to threat or intimidation if their identities were disclosed, the commission stated. The city appealed the commissions decision to Superior Court. The Freedom of Information Act itself provides protection for witnesses in this instance, the city believes those witnesses could in fact be subject to harm, harassment, or intimidation if their identities were made known. Review of this decision by the court is in the best interest of the public and will ensure witnesses have the confidence to come forward, said Associate City Attorney Dina Scalo. But the judge based his decision not on the fears that witness information would be revealed but on what he called the vagueness of Daleys request. There is no reference to redactions, withheld records, incomplete searches or any specific issue, the judge stated. The Navy announced Saturday it completed initial flushing and testing of the water distribution lines at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. Positive test results from the system-wide flush could allow the service to begin flushing affected homes and buildings, paving the way for residents to return to their houses or begin using water from their taps. While the Navy is making progress on clearing out tainted water, the federal government and Hawaii Department of Health are seeking input from residents of military housing near base to better understand the health effects of a fuel spill that resulted in thousands being exposed to petroleum in their drinking water. Read Next: Head of Special Operations Command Tests Positive for COVID-19 The survey is being conducted by the state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. In an email sent to Military.com last week, a CDC official said the survey, which will be open until Feb. 7, "will be used to better understand the health impacts of this contamination event and determine what steps are needed to protect public health." The survey asks questions about symptoms, medical care, information sharing and logistical support throughout the crisis. Meanwhile, the Interagency Drinking Water System Team announced Saturday it has completed initial flushing of the water distribution system for 19 neighborhood zones and is awaiting results of third-party testing before launching the next phase of its cleanup plan. If test results confirm that the system water is safe to drink in the affected areas, the service will begin flushing homes and buildings, according to a press release from the Navy's Joint Information Center. But if the results indicate that contaminants remain in the water, more system flushing will be done, according to Navy officials. Thousands of military personnel and family members using the Navy's water system in Honolulu began reporting in late November that the water from their taps smelled like fuel or chemicals. They also reported health symptoms that included vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headaches and unexplained rashes -- some with symptoms so severe they sought medical care. Hawaii Department of Health officials and the Navy later confirmed that a system well was contaminated with JP-5, or jet fuel, likely related to a spill earlier in the month at the service's Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Many families were displaced, with their services providing them temporary allowances, while others have opted to remain in their homes and use water supplied from other sources, including water tanks and shower stations. The Navy began flushing the distribution lines on Dec. 20. The service tested its flushing protocol beginning with the neighborhood of Pearl City Peninsula and on Sunday released test results for the neighborhood that showed the levels for all potential contaminants, including petroleum products, chemicals and heavy metals were not detectable or at levels significantly below the screening threshold established by the state. The service now predicts that families in Pearl City will be able to return to their homes on Jan. 28 if the flushing of their homes goes as planned. But most residents will have to wait until February, under an update published by the Navy last week. The schedule had been delayed as a result of heavy rains in Hawaii over New Year's Day weekend. Move-in dates for nearly 3,000 homes have yet to be scheduled, with the service still developing their flushing plans, including Aliamanu Military Reservation, Iroquois Point and Red Hill. The Interagency Drinking Water System Team, consisting of the Navy, Army, Hawaii Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency, said the flushing and testing process of the entire system, from distribution to residential taps, should take 37 to 44 days, if all goes as planned. On the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Facebook page, residents said teams have been visiting their homes to flush them and complained that when they asked for the system results before they allowed their homes to be flushed, they were rebuffed. In a post on LinkedIn on Sunday, Vice Adm. Yancy Lindsey, Navy Installations commander, praised the response team, but also noted additional obstacles that include "multiple agendas and narratives; and a difficult media/social media environment make achieving a successful outcome about much more than science and water." Following complaints about the smell of the water, Navy officials initially said they tested their wells and found no evidence of contamination. Hundreds contacted military family advocates to complain about the pollution, and the state of Hawaii later detected a petroleum product had contaminated the water system. The service later apologized for officials' initial reaction, with Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday saying the service "stumbled" in communicating with families, adding they would be more transparent and build a "water system that they can completely trust." "I deeply apologize to each and every one of you and to the people of Hawaii that this incident may have been destructive to your lives in any way," Del Toro told families during a town hall in December. -- Staff writer Konstantin Toropin contributed to the report. He can be reached at Konstantin.Toropin@Military.com. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime Related: DoD Put Troops and Families at Risk with Slow Response to 'Forever Chemicals,' Report Finds When footage of civilians clinging to the side of a U.S. C-17 Globemaster III and falling to their deaths at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 16 surfaced on social media, it became one of the defining images of the American military's chaotic final days in Afghanistan. After human remains were found in the wheel well of the plane, the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations announced the following day that it was reviewing the incident. But five months later, there are still no answers from the service on what went wrong at the airfield. Linda Card, a spokeswoman for the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations, said in an email Tuesday that "details cannot be released at this time" regarding the inquiry into the deaths and that no timeline is available for when the branch's findings will be released. Read Next: F-35 Crash Off Carl Vinson Is the Ship's 5th Major Mishap in 2 Months Hundreds of Afghans enveloped the C-17, which had been deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to drop off cargo for the evacuation efforts. The massive crowds forced the plane to depart before the crew could begin offloading the cargo. "Faced with a rapidly deteriorating security situation around the aircraft, the C-17 crew decided to depart the airfield as quickly as possible," the Air Force said in a statement at the time. Grainy footage of the plane's departure -- which was quickly seen by millions -- showed civilians leaning on the C-17's wheel well before plummeting to the ground as the plane took to the skies, something that reminded many of what Americans saw at the World Trade Center on 9/11. While the Air Force statement circulated to the media at the time of the deaths referenced the "loss of civilian lives," to date no specific number of civilian casualties has been released by the service. A C-17 pilot involved with the evacuation mission in Afghanistan -- who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the situation -- said it was heartbreaking that Afghans died when the crew decided to depart, but hopes the airmen won't face punishment. "The crew did exactly what they were supposed to do at that moment," said the pilot, who was on the ground when the incident happened. "We did a lot of good work in Kabul, but a lot went wrong given the situation at hand." Jo-Anne Hart, a senior fellow in international and public affairs at Brown College who specializes in Middle East political change, said the image became fodder for critics of the evacuation effort. "It's very unfortunate that it ended up looking the way that it did, because critics of the war were able to seize upon the image," she said. "If the pullout had been more out of the public eye, then that image wouldn't have been as much of a touch point." Hart added that military investigations are often complex and take a fair amount of time. And while the political blowback may soften for the military and the president as the inquiry drags on, she said the release of the findings could hit during the midterm elections and still cause headaches for the administration. The Afghanistan evacuation effort saw the final U.S. casualties of the war when a suicide bomber struck at the airport's Abbey Gate on Aug. 26, killing 13 troops -- 11 Marines, a sailor and a soldier; wounded more than 20 other troops; and killed or wounded hundreds of Afghans. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Why Effort to Help Afghanistan Is Falling Short As an American, Ive had the good fortune to never have been in a country on the verge of invasion. Until now. Advertisement In 2016, after nearly three decades as an Orange County schoolteacher, I joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Ukraine. What followed was the most rewarding experience of my life. Ukrainians are so warm and welcoming, and though they are economically poor, you wont find a more generous people. But what surprised me most is that in all my travels Ive never visited a country so collectively enamored with the United States. Ukrainians are more pro-American than most Americans I know. Advertisement Glenn R. Anderson, pictured at the city center of Lviv, Ukraine, taught history at Apopka and Winter Park high schools for 27 years, and is a visiting professor at Lviv Polytechnic University. - Original Credit: Courtesy photo (Courtesy photo) For these people, the U.S. is a wondrous land of unbounded opportunities. I have met and spoken to literally thousands of Ukrainians, and the love of America is nearly universal. Ours is a country they strive to emulate in their struggle to emerge from the shackles of the old Soviet system, which kept these people in bondage to Moscow for so long. In 2020, after re-enlisting in the Peace Corps, my service was interrupted by the pandemic, resulting in the withdrawal of all 7,000 Peace Corps volunteers from around the world. I returned to the U.S., but Ukraine had gotten into my blood. When a university in Lviv, Ukraine, offered me a position as a visiting professor, I jumped at the opportunity. Now, along with my Ukrainian friends and colleagues, I wait to see if 120,000 Russian troops will come marching across the border to crush this free, democratic nation. People here are nervous, but they remain calm, having lived with the threat of Russia these past eight years, ever since Moscow ripped away Ukrainian Crimea and fomented a war in the east of the country, resulting in 14,000 Ukrainian deaths. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > These people are fiercely proud of their country and will resist. However, despite improvements to the military, they are no match for Russia. So, they wait to see if the West has a response to this naked aggression. Is this what it felt like to be in Poland in 1939, knowing that invasion was imminent, while Western democracies vacillated in the face of dictatorial warmongering? In my lifetime the U.S. has come to the military aid of nations that were, frankly, unworthy of our support. South Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan all undemocratic governments, mired in corruption, whose people never shared American values. Ukraine, however, is a free, democratic country that looks to the U.S. as a model for its future. Here is a nation worthy of our support, as they stand alone against an autocratic leader seeking to recreate the Soviet Union. Just as in the 1930s, the democracies of the West are being tested. Will we cede the future to dictators who rely on unbridled force to work their will? A while back, my university students gave me a shirt bearing a phrase with which I frequently challenged them; If not now, when? If not us, who? Advertisement These are the questions of our time. Glenn R. Anderson taught history at Apopka and Winter Park high schools for 27 years, and is a visiting professor at Lviv Polytechic University in Lviv, Ukraine. Eugene Goodman's platoon sergeant in the Army used to tell him, "Figure it out or die." That mantra was in Goodman's subconscious on Jan. 6, 2021, as the Capitol Police officer faced down rioters who had breached the seat of American democracy. In his first interview since the attack on the Capitol, Goodman credited his Army training with helping him lead the mob away from the Senate chamber, where lawmakers were still sheltering. Read Next: F-35 Crash Off Carl Vinson Is the Ship's 5th Major Mishap in 2 Months While Goodman told the "3 Brothers No Sense" podcast that he wasn't actively thinking about the military during the encounter, he said his Army experience "absolutely" helped him that day. "All the countless raids and all that stuff I've been on, nothing ever went to plan," Goodman said about his time in the Army. "Like at all. Ever. We'd end up having to sort of just wing it, you know what I mean, on the spot. ... What that taught me to do, more so than anything, especially being in the Army, was think on the fly." Goodman has been hailed a hero since a Huffington Post reporter posted video of him on social media facing down, on his own, rioters who had stormed the Capitol. In the video, Goodman is seen luring the mob away from the Senate chamber, which senators had not yet left after pausing their certification of President Joe Biden's electoral victory when the Capitol was breached. Separate video released during the Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump showed Goodman directing Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, to safety away from the rioters. After the attack, Goodman was promoted to acting deputy Senate sergeant-at-arms and escorted Vice President Kamala Harris at the inauguration. The Senate also unanimously voted to award him the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the country's highest civilian honors, though the bill that was ultimately signed into law last year awards the medal to all officers who responded on Jan. 6. Goodman was an infantryman for four years and left the Army in 2006, the service previously told Military.com. His time in the Army included a deployment to Iraq with 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), from 2005 to 2006. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal. In the podcast interview released Monday, Goodman said he made team leader two years into his Army service. "They just kind of threw me in it, you know what I mean, and said, 'Figure it out,'" Goodman recalled, adding his military experience "definitely came together for me in that moment" on Jan. 6. He also credited restraint shown by his fellow officers in preventing Jan. 6 from becoming a "bloodbath." "In any situation like that, you want to de-escalate, but at the same time, you want to survive first," Goodman said. "It could have easily been a bloodbath, so kudos to everybody there that showed a measure of restraint with regards to deadly force, because it could have been baaaaad. Really, really bad." -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: Capitol Police Officer Who Led Mob Away from Senate Chambers Is an Army Iraq War Vet If the Navy is forced to live with a yearlong continuing resolution, the service would have to cut the number of recruits it adds by nearly 10,000, prevent 37,000 moves, and stop the construction of ships it says are crucial to national security, service leaders are warning lawmakers. A continuing resolution, or CR, is the funding mechanism that keeps spending fixed when Congress fails to agree on a budget bill. Lawmakers are already three months late in delivering a new spending law, with no immediate end to the stalemate in sight. In a phone interview with reporters Tuesday, Rear Adm. John Gumbleton, the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget, followed up on the congressional testimony of his boss, the chief of naval operations, and explained the scope of the cuts the Navy is prepared to make in greater detail. Read Next: F-35 Crash Off Carl Vinson Is the Ship's 5th Major Mishap in 2 Months In a hearing with the House Appropriations Committee earlier this month, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday warned a CR would mean cutting the number of new recruits for the service to 23,000 from the 31,500 accessions originally planned, as well as halting initial special and incentive pay and selected reenlistment bonuses. Aside from slashing the number of recruits the Navy plans to take on in the next fiscal year, Gumbleton noted that a yearlong continuing resolution would also impact sailor moves. "There would be an impact where we would literally cut 37,000 moves," Gumbleton said. "If you're a second class petty officer or a lance corporal and you're stationed overseas and you thought you were going to come back stateside -- maybe we're going to defer that move until next year because we can't afford that," he added. A yearlong CR could also delay one of the Navy's top priorities, the Columbia-class submarine, Gilday testified. Gumbleton explained that the program would lose half a billion dollars in funding. "That has a very much potential to impact that [delivery] schedule," Gumbleton explained. "We know that the first boat is gonna deliver a few years out ... so hopefully, it will be an opportunity to make this up," he added. Gumbleton also emphasized the hit to maintenance and ship building that the Navy would take under a CR. "We would not do maintenance on five submarines and two aircraft carriers," Gumbleton noted. He added that the Navy would need to "reduce the flying hour counts to all our pilots, Navy and Marine Corps, by 10 or 20% in the last quarter and a half of the fiscal year." However, Gumbleton stressed that while the sea service is considering drastic cutbacks, it will not let the budget interfere with its role in the latest foreign crisis -- the standoff between Russia and Ukraine. "We're not going to let a CR impact that," he said. Instead, the Navy's budget chief said the service would "take a ruthless prioritization to maintain our forward-deployed forces at the expense" of flying hours, acquiring new ships and aircraft, as well as recruitment. The warnings from senior Navy leaders come as lawmakers are making little progress on reaching an agreement for a regular appropriations bill nearly four months into fiscal 2022. Underscoring the wide gap that remains between the two sides, Democrats and Republicans at the hearing could not even agree on whether Republicans had made Democrats a counteroffer in negotiations. The top Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Appropriations committees met for talks Jan. 13, expressing optimism about reaching a deal, but Congress left town for a weeklong recess this week without an agreement as the current CR's Feb. 18 expiration date looms. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: Service Chiefs Warn Congress: Full-Year Stopgap Spending Will Disrupt PCSs, Bonuses, Training An F-35C Lightning II fighter suffered "a landing mishap" on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in the South China Sea on Monday. It left seven sailors injured while the pilot safely ejected and was later recovered, the Navy confirmed, marking the fifth major mishap aboard the deployed carrier since late November. Between Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Carrier Air Wing 2 reported four other major incidents involving aircraft. Naval Safety Center data shows that the first incident, which occurred Nov. 22, was an in-flight engine fire aboard an F/A-18E Super Hornet that was able to land successfully. Two days later, a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter "unexpectedly" lost its sonar dipping equipment while conducting a training flight. The third incident happened Nov. 29 and involved another F/A-18E Super Hornet. That time, an issue with the plane's left engine forced its pilot to shut it down and land using the other, good engine. Finally, on Dec. 31, a CMV-22B had an engine fire while on the Carl Vinson's deck. Read Next: 8,500 US Troops Put on Alert for Possible Deployment as Ukraine Crisis Deepens None of the other four incidents resulted in any injuries or fatalities. When asked about the string of mishaps, Navy spokesman Lt. Nicholas Lingo said, "All five incidents remain under investigation, and we cannot speak to any pattern until the investigation concludes." Lingo said that the F-35, which is assigned to Carrier Air Wing 2, suffered its mishap Monday while the Carl Vinson was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea. He added that "additional details and the cause of the in-flight mishap is under investigation." According to the Navy, the pilot was rescued by a U.S. military helicopter and is in stable condition. Of the seven injured sailors, three required medevac to a medical treatment facility in Manila, Philippines, and four were treated aboard the aircraft carrier. Lingo said that two of the evacuated sailors are in stable condition; one is in critical condition. One sailor is still being treated aboard the carrier; the other three have been released, he added. The incidents come at a time when the Vinson is participating in dual-carrier operations, along with the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, that began Sunday. This is the latest of several major exercises that the carrier and its embarked air wing have participated in since arriving in the Pacific region in early September. According to Navy press releases, the strike group has joined "MALABAR 2021; MPX 2021; and several multi-carrier, multi-nation operations, including multiple allied carrier strike group operations in the Philippine Sea." The deployment is also the first time the new F-35 stealth fighter has been deployed aboard a carrier in what the Navy has dubbed "the air wing of the future." -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: Navy Making Progress Flushing Contaminated Water at Pearl Harbor as CDC Wants to Hear from Residents Read the original article on Business Insider The leader of the far-right Oath Keepers group pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to seditious conspiracy connected to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Elmer Stewart Rhodes is one of 11 defendants who were charged with seditious conspiracy earlier this month for their roles in the failed insurrection. Most of the defendants entered not-guilty pleas, with the exception of Edward Vallejo, who was not present, and James Beeks, whose lawyer declined to enter a plea and said that "we will stand silent." But assistant U.S. attorney Kathryn Rakoczy said prosecutors are engaged in discussions with some defense lawyers about if any of the defendants want to enter guilty pleas, adding that the seditious conspiracy indictment might prompt some of them to have a change of "perspective." Tuesday's status conference related to three separate cases involving the Oath Keepers: an original indictment which charged nine defendants but was later slimmed down to seven defendants with conspiracy to interfere with Congress' activities; the seditious conspiracy indictment against 11 defendants including Rhodes; and a separate indictment against Oath Keepers member Jonathan Walden, who was charged with obstructing Congress and illegally being at the Capitol. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta set an April 19 trial date for six of the seven defendants charged in the original indictment. He set a tentative July 11 trial date for the 11 defendants charged with seditious conspiracy but noted that the schedule may change depending on if any defendants decide to change their pleas. A trial date hasn't yet been set for Walden since his lawyer said they haven't yet had a chance to speak with government lawyers about his case. The 48-page seditious conspiracy indictment alleges that the defendants planned the Capitol siege in advance and accuses them of attempting to use force to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. In bringing seditious conspiracy charges, experts said, the Justice Department confirmed that it sees at least some elements of the Capitol riot as a coup attempt. The sweeping indictment alleged that Rhodes and other co-defendants conspired to "oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power." It went on to say that core members of the Oath Keepers not only forced their way into the Capitol but also extensively planned for the siege beforehand, communicating on encrypted messaging apps from December 2020 onward, keeping a "quick reaction force" on standby at a Virginia hotel, and in some cases bringing weapons to Washington, DC, on January 6. Vallejo, an Oath Keepers member accused of coordinating that quick reaction force, was arrested the same day as Rhodes and charged with seditious conspiracy. A federal magistrate judge in Phoenix, Arizona ordered last week that Vallejo remain behind bars as he awaits trial. Rhodes, for his part, repeatedly said during interviews with the right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones that he and others were prepared to take extraordinary measures to keep then-President Donald Trump in power. Shortly after the November 2020 election, for instance, he said on Jones' Infowars show that he had armed men stationed outside Washington, D.C., who were "prepared to go in if the president calls us up." And on January 20, 2021, two weeks after the failed insurrection and on the day Joe Biden was sworn into office, Rhodes again appeared on Jones' show and urged "local militias" to "get together" and fight the "illegitimate" Biden administration. The seditious conspiracy charges came a week after Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered remarks urging patience as the Justice Department conducts its Capitol riot inquiry, which Garland described as "one of the largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations in our history. "Those involved must be held accountable, and there is no higher priority for us at the Department of Justice," he said on the eve of the first anniversary of the deadly siege. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine's leaders sought to reassure the nation that a feared invasion from neighboring Russia was not imminent, even as they acknowledged the threat is real and prepared to accept a shipment of American military equipment Tuesday to shore up their defenses. Russia has denied it is planning an assault, but it has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine in recent weeks, leading the United States and its NATO allies to rush to prepare for a possible war. Several rounds of high stakes diplomacy have failed to yield any breakthroughs, and this week tensions escalated further. NATO said it was bolstering its deterrence in the Baltic Sea region, and the U.S. ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert to potentially deploy to Europe as part of an alliance response force" if necessary. The State Department has ordered the families of all American personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave the country, and it said that nonessential embassy staff could leave. Britain said it, too, was withdrawing some diplomats and dependents from its embassy. In Ukraine, however, authorities have sought to project calm and many ordinary people have expressed skepticism that there will be an invasion soon. Speaking in the parliament on Tuesday, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that as of today, there are no grounds to believe that Russia is preparing to invade imminently, noting that its troops have not formed what he called a battle group that could force its way through the border. Don't worry, sleep well, Reznikov said. No need to have your bags packed. Reznikov's remarks come on the heels of multiple reassurances from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials. On Monday, Zelenskyy told the nation that the situation was under control. In an interview aired late on Monday, however, the defense minister acknowledged that there are risky scenarios" that are possible and probable in the future. Russia has said Western accusations that it is planning an attack are merely a cover for NATOs own planned provocations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday once again accused the U.S. of fomenting tensions around the Ukraine, a former Soviet state that Russia has been locked in a bitter tug-of-war with for almost eight years. In 2014, following the ouster of a Kremlin-friendly president in Ukraine, Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the country's industrial heartland in the east. The fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels has since killed over 14,000 people, and efforts to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict have stalled. In the latest standoff, Russia has demanded guarantees from the West that NATO would never allow Ukraine to join and that the alliance would curtail other actions, such as stationing troops in former Soviet bloc countries. Some of these, like any pledge to permanently bar Ukraine, are non-starters for NATO creating a seemingly intractable stalemate that many fear can only end in war. Moscow has also accused Ukraine of massing troops near the rebel-controlled regions in the east, with the alleged aim of retaking them by force accusations Kyiv has rejected. Analysts say the Ukrainian government is caught between trying to calm the nation and ensuring it gets sufficient assistance from the West in case an invasion does happen. Ukrainian authorities are trying to prevent destabilization and panic inside the country, hence the calming statements saying there is no threat of an imminent Russian invasion, political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said. The Kremlins plans include undermining the situation inside Ukraine, fomenting hysteria and fear among Ukrainians, and the authorities in Kyiv find it increasingly difficult to contain this snowball, he added. A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll found about 48% of Ukrainians believe an invasion in the coming months to be a real threat. But with many aware of the possibility that recent moves could also be part of information warfare, 39% said they dont see it happening. The nationwide poll of 1,205 people from Jan. 21 to 22 had a margin of error that did not exceed 3.2 percentage points. Some Ukrainians are watching warily. Of course we fear Russias aggression and a war, which will lead to the further impoverishment of Ukrainians. But we will be forced to fight and defend ourselves, Dmytro Ugol, a 46-year-old construction worker in Kyiv, said. I am prepared to fight, but my entire family doesnt want it and lives in tension. Every day, the news scares us more and more. Putting U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for Europe on Monday suggested diminishing hope in the West that Russian President Vladimir Putin will back away from what U.S. President Joe Biden himself has said looks like a threat to invade neighboring Ukraine. As part of a new $200 million in security assistance directed to Ukraine from the United States, a shipment including equipment and munitions is also expected to arrive Tuesday in Ukraine. The U.S. moves are being done in tandem with actions by other NATO member governments to bolster a defensive presence in Eastern Europe. Denmark, for example, is sending a frigate and F-16 warplanes to Lithuania; Spain is sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces, and France stands ready to send troops to Romania. The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. Ukraine is about Putin's Post-Imperial Hangover, not NATO, Biden's 'Weakness,' and So On A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a disaster for Russia. It would obviously also be a disaster for the Ukrainian population, but geopolitically it is hard to see how Russian President Vladimir Putin would escape either the international isolation which would ensue, or win the war itself with manageable costs. The media's coverage of Ukraine has missed this; it has been alarmist and hyperbolic. As in the coverage of the Afghanistan withdrawal last summer, the media again has rehearsed exhausted neoconservative tropes about U.S. 'weakness' and the 'strength' of its autocratic opponents who are apparently bent on no less than global domination. The 'blob' seems particularly dazzled by Putin's strength, tactical brilliance, and so on. Just as predictions last summer that the withdrawal from Afghanistan would bring down the world order, this year's hyperventilating will almost certainly be inaccurate. NATO Expansion is Not to Blame One variation on this argument is that had NATO not expanded, Putin would not be pressuring Ukraine and other states around Russia. The Russians read NATO as a threat, and its expansion east is the reason Putin supports gangsters like Alexander Lukashenko, the repressive president of Belarus, or maintains 'frozen conflicts,' as in Georgia, along Russia's perimeter. The story goes that U.S. officials made promises to the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, that the U.S. would not expand the alliance towards Russia's borders. Whether such promises were made and how binding they were given has long been a point of contention, but this entire line of argument misses the real, geopolitical reason NATO expanded the huge demand for it in Eastern Europe and its massive advance of Western security and values (200 million people and the economies permanently joining the West). The entire Russian argument, for decades, against NATO expansion is premised on the idea that eastern European states do not enjoy full foreign policy autonomy, that they are within a Russian sphere of influence which gives Moscow some measure of veto privilege over their foreign policy choices, such as external alignment. Accepting this line of reasoning is consonant with neither the moral (liberal) values of democratic states, nor in the national interests of the NATO membership. Ostensibly, an Eastern Europe outside of NATO would have placated Russia, and Putin would behave better. But this counterfactual is unlikely and has become less and less believable over the decades, given Putin's nationalist-revanchist foreign policy and repressive domestic policy. There is no reason to think that Russia would have allowed Eastern Europe to find its own way democratically. Putin has made it clear that he thinks the Soviet Union's implosion was terrible. It is at least as plausible that Putin would have tried to bully those unallied eastern European states, as Russia had done in the past. So the argument that expanding NATO was a 'liberal illusion' misses the clear geopolitical value of expanding NATO: Russian revanchism was at least as likely as Russian restraint had NATO not expanded, and integrating Eastern Europe into the West was a huge victory for both Western geopolitical interest and its values. A Quagmire Awaits So now Putin has painted himself into a corner. He has built his foreign policy around a confrontation with NATO, but he has neither the domestic strength at home for a sustained foreign military campaign Russia's GDP is smaller than South Korea's and the country's economy is corrupt and already under sanction nor a small, pliant target, like Georgia in 2008, in Ukraine today. If Putin partially invades Ukraine through a mix of military force, support for militias, subversion and so on the war will likely degenerate into a quagmire like Iraq or Vietnam. Ukraine would indeed lose any direct battlefield contests with the Russian army, but Ukraine's large, nationalist population is almost certain to widely resist the incursion through asymmetric and guerilla action, pinning down the Russian military in a 'forever war' semi-occupation from which it could not withdraw without losing. The war would further Russia's isolation from the world economy because of the dramatically stepped-up sanctions sure to follow. Moscow will become more dependent on China, and most of Europe will turn enough more sharply against Putin. Pressure to find alternatives to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will rise significantly. Eastern European countries will increase their defense spending. U.S. troops may be stationed further east in NATO. Alternatively, if Putin tried to avoid a quagmire by actually conquering the whole of Ukraine and absorbing it in a full-scale war, Russia would be isolated from the Western economy for a generation. It would be expelled from the SWIFT inter-bank exchange system and the political support for Nord Stream 2 would disappear. NATO defense spending would explode. Even China might not back away if Russia got pulled into a major offensive war of its own choosing, complete with mass civilian casualties. The risk of outright conflict with NATO would rise. Biden is Wise to Wait U.S. power is based in America's large, dynamic economy and its skilled, power-projectable military, complemented by its many alliance relationships around the world. Were Putin to invade Ukraine, none of that would change. In fact, U.S. alliances would likely tighten as states drifted away from Russia in fear. Whether the U.S. should help Ukraine and how much is a tough policy question, but Putin's dilemma is far worse than alarmist, threat-inflating U.S. media coverage suggests. This is probably why Putin, for all his braggadocio, has not attacked. He is looking for an exit. Dr. Robert E. Kelly (@Robert_E_Kelly; website) is a professor of international relations in the Department of Political Science at Pusan National University. Dr. Kelly is now a 1945 Contributing Editor as well. This article originally appeared on 19fortyfive.com. This article first appeared in The Conversation The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 was the first change of internationally recognized borders in Europe through military force since World War II. Russia proceeded to instigate and fuel a war in eastern Ukraine that has claimed some 14,000 lives so far. Last year, Russia began massing a force of more than 100,000 troops along Ukraine's eastern and northern border and in the occupied Crimea, and taking other provocative actions. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Jan. 19, 2022, about Putin: Do I think he'll test the West, test the United States and NATO, as significantly as he can? Yes, I think he will. Ukraine as an independent state was born from the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Its independence came with a complicated Cold War inheritance: the world's third-largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. Ukraine was one of the three non-Russian former Soviet states, including Belarus and Kazakhstan, that emerged from the Soviet collapse with nuclear weapons on its territory. The U.S., in a burst of diplomatic energy and at a time of unmatched global influence, worked to prevent the unprecedented collapse of a nuclear superpower from leading to history's largest proliferation of nuclear weapons. This diplomatic activity manifested in security assurances for Ukraine embedded in what has become known as the Budapest Memorandum. With the entrance of Ukraine into the international order as a non-nuclear state, Russia, the U.S. and the U.K. pledged to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine. The memo reaffirmed their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine. The signatories also reaffirmed their commitment to seek immediate UN Security Council action to provide assistance to Ukraine if Ukraine should become a victim of an act of aggression. These assurances upheld obligations contained in the U.N. charter and the 1975 Helsinki Final Act. Ukraine, in turn, gave up the nuclear weapons within its borders, sending them to Russia for dismantling. In light of Russia's annexation of Crimea and its current threat to Ukrainian sovereignty, it's fair to ask: What is the significance now of the Budapest Memorandum? Russian soldiers guard the center of Simferopol, Crimea, Thursday, March 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Max Vetrov) Ukrainian regrets The memorandum, signed in 1994, is not legally binding. Nonetheless, it embeds and reaffirms the solemn assurances that are the hallmark of the international system. These include respect for state sovereignty, the inviolability of international borders and abstention from the threat or use of force. Ukraine's decision to give up nuclear weapons signaled its desire to be seen as a member in good standing of the international community, rather than an outlier. The decision was not just symbolic. While Ukraine did not inherit a fully fledged nuclear capacity Russia still held important parts of the nuclear infrastructure Ukraine had the necessary technological and industrial ability to close the gaps. Many in Ukraine feel that the country's 1994 decision to give up its nuclear arms was a mistake. Popular support for nuclear rearmament rose to a historic high of nearly 50% in the wake of Russia's invasion in 2014. Since then, that view has been supported by some Ukrainian public figures. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a rally marking the one year anniversary of annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula, outside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) 'No changing of borders by use of force' Russia has blatantly violated the Budapest Memorandum. And the initial response to the annexation of Crimea by the other signatories, the U.S. and U.K., was hesitant and restrained. The U.S. has committed more than US$2.5 billion in military assistance since 2014 to Ukraine, including lethal defensive arms. Legislation pending in Congress would increase military aid. The Biden administration has also threatened severe economic sanctions in the event of Russian aggression, backed by sustained efforts to build support among allies. The adminstration's resolute approach is consistent with the security assurances of the Budapest Memorandum. We are both foreign policy scholars; one of us is a former U.S. ambassador to Poland. The strong defense of the fundamental principle of the international system no changing of borders by use of force has consequence for all of Europe, for U.S.-Russia relations and for other potential flash points, including China and Taiwan. Whether the strong actions such as the promise of military support for Ukraine and the threat of sanctions on Russia, backed by diplomacy by the United States and its allies will be enough to deter Russia is uncertain and, many say, unlikely. The size and scope of Russian military buildup are deeply troubling: Shifting 100,000 troops across Russia's vast territory is a costly operation. The Kremlin is unlikely to pull back that kind of force without any diplomatic or military wins, such as closing the door to Ukraine's future membership in NATO, which the United States has ruled out. International law matters, but it does not determine what states do. Strong deterrence, diplomacy and international solidarity can influence Russian decision-making. The U.S. is also actively working with Ukraine, an essential element to a successful diplomatic and deterrence strategy. Ultimately, however, the de-escalation decision is Russia's to make. The role of the U.S., its NATO allies, and Ukraine is to make sure the consequences of Russia's decisions are clear to the Kremlin and that they can be carried out with strong and united Western backing in the event Russia chooses the path of war. Lee Feinstein, is the Founding Dean and Professor of International Studies, Hamilton Lugar School, Indiana University Mariana Budjeryn, is a Research Associate, Harvard Kennedy School Key Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements Detailed Mineral List: Chalcopyrite Formula: CuFeS 2 Reference: Sherwood, M. D., & Williams, G. A. (1998). Missouri mineral locality index. Rocks & Minerals, 73(2), 98-117. Dolomite Formula: CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 Reference: Sherwood, M. D., & Williams, G. A. (1998). Missouri mineral locality index. Rocks & Minerals, 73(2), 98-117.; Selly,T., Huntley, J.W., Shelton, K.L., Schiffbauer, J.D. (2016) Ichnofossil record of selective predation by Cambrian trilobites. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 444, 28-38. Galena Formula: PbS Reference: Sherwood, M. D., & Williams, G. A. (1998). Missouri mineral locality index. Rocks & Minerals, 73(2), 98-117. Millerite Formula: NiS Reference: Sherwood, M. D., & Williams, G. A. (1998). Missouri mineral locality index. Rocks & Minerals, 73(2), 98-117. Pyrite Formula: FeS 2 Reference: Selly,T., Huntley, J.W., Shelton, K.L., Schiffbauer, J.D. (2016) Ichnofossil record of selective predation by Cambrian trilobites. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 444, 28-38. Sphalerite Formula: ZnS Reference: Sherwood, M. D., & Williams, G. A. (1998). Missouri mineral locality index. Rocks & Minerals, 73(2), 98-117. List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts Chalcopyrite 2.CB.10a CuFeS 2 Galena 2.CD.10 PbS Millerite 2.CC.20 NiS Pyrite 2.EB.05a FeS 2 Sphalerite 2.CB.05a ZnS Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates Dolomite 5.AB.10 CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 List of minerals for each chemical element C Carbon C Dolomite CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 O Oxygen O Dolomite CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 Mg Magnesium Mg Dolomite CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 S Sulfur S Chalcopyrite CuFeS 2 S Galena PbS S Millerite NiS S Sphalerite ZnS S Pyrite FeS 2 Ca Calcium Ca Dolomite CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 Fe Iron Fe Chalcopyrite CuFeS 2 Fe Pyrite FeS 2 Ni Nickel Ni Millerite NiS Cu Copper Cu Chalcopyrite CuFeS 2 Zn Zinc Zn Sphalerite ZnS Pb Lead Pb Galena PbS References Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A) Gerdemann, P. E., and Gregg, J. M. (1986) Field trip to the Upper Cambrian Lamotte, Bonneterre, and Davis Formations, St. Francois Mts. area, Missouri, in Society of Economic Geologists in conjunction with the 1986 Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Sediment-Hosted Pb-Zn-Ba Deposits of the Midcontinent, Pre-meeting Field Trip No. 1: Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of Geology and Land Survey, 37-49. Reprinted in Hagni, R. D., 1989, Mississippi Valley-type mineralization of the Viburnum trend, Missouri: Society of Economic Geologists, Guidebook Series 5, 132-140. Selly,T., Huntley, J.W., Shelton, K.L., Schiffbauer, J.D. (2016) Ichnofossil record of selective predation by Cambrian trilobites. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 444, 28-38. Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality North America Plate Tectonic Plate This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary. Outcrops on both sides of the road. Interbedded dolomites and shales of the Davis Formation. Note the large concretion-like boulders, which are dolomitized, thrombolite bioherms. The Davis here represents a transgressive offshore or intrashelf basin facies. Mega-ripples are present at the west end of the outcrop on the north side. Saddle dolomite, pyrite, sphalerite and galena crystals found here attest to exposure to mineralizing fluids. Above the microbial thrombolites (boulder beds) is an extensively burrowed horizon that has recently been shown to record one of the earliest examples of extensive predatory activity by animals (trilobites vs. worms). Fort Madison, IA (52627) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 61F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low around 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. Killing bears without permit is wrong Many Florida residents may not be aware of House Bill 1487, proposed by District 7 Rep. Jason Shoaf. I read about this bill and am outraged. This proposal would allow any person to kill a bear without a permit if that person believes it necessary to protect him/herself on his/her private property. With Floridas record on gun safety, school shootings, mass shootings, domestic violence and on and on, this bill would make a perfect case for any trigger-happy individual to kill an innocent bear passing by. Who can authorities believe as to whether the bear charged an individual? That individual or a dead bear? Advertisement This bill is not only aggressive, inhumane and unconstitutional, it is a Neanderthal way of addressing an nonissue. Shoaf needs to let the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission do its job and withdraw his bill. Nancy Ferri Orlando Advertisement GOP avoids full telling of U.S. history As son of a Holocaust survivor, I cant let the Central Florida 100 entry of Michael Zais pass, with his febrile umbrage over Nikki Fried seeing parallels between the rise of Hitler and the attempts of Gov. Ron DeSantis to limit public assembly, punish dissident thought and ban the use in public schools of critical race theory, which has never been used in public schools. (What he really objects to is a full and complete telling of American history.) Zais says liberals comparing Republicans to Hitler is getting old, tired and predictable. Heres something else thats old, tired and predictable: Republicans comparing abortion to the Holocaust. According to a study by two Northwestern University scholars, By 1985, the Holocaust comparison had long been a staple of the pro-life movement. Politicians and pro-life leaders regularly explained their opposition to abortion by invoking the Holocaust. Zais seems fresh out of umbrage for that. Greg Dawson Maitland Dont force your anti-vaccine stance on me If you are a conservative who doesnt believe in the coronavirus, thinks its a scam, and refuses to be vaccinated, why on earth would you object to other people getting vaccinations and treatments? Is this a case of the dog in the manger, refusing to let other people have what you dont want? Susan Speicher Winter Park DeSantis idea of freedom is limited We have freedom of speech in Ron DeSantis Peoples Republic of Florida, except college professors who might testify something unpleasant for DeSantis; Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > teachers who might teach the facts of history that might make someone uncomfortable; Advertisement someone who might express crazy liberal ideas and offend the states education commissioner; women who exercise their rights to choose to do with their body and health; a county health official who might make recommendations for avoidance of illness; legitimate protesters who might draw the wrath of our governor, and then could be legally run over. So am I missing something about DeSantis claim that Florida is the freest state in the U.S.? Vincent R. Mariani Altamonte Springs The body of the 75-year-old Frenchman attempting to row across the Atlantic has not been recovered, the Portuguese navy said Sunday, a day after his support team said he had been found dead in his boat near the Azores. "The search ended at the end of the day yesterday [Saturday] without it being possible to find the victim," said a statement from the navy on the search for 75-year-old Jean-Jacques Savin. A navy spokesman explained that during the rescue operation, the team had had "strong reasons to believe that a body could be inside" the cabin of Savin's vessel, the Audacieux. A member of Savin's support team told French news agency AFP: "There has been some confusion that we are currently trying to clear up. We don't know any more. "We are waiting for information from the Portuguese authorities." The navy's statement contradicted Saturday's message from the team that was backing Savin in his trans-Atlantic bid. They said the Portuguese coastguard had located his overturned boat off the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores on Friday and that on Saturday, a diver had found Savin's body inside the cabin. Savin, an avid triathlete and former paratrooper, set off from mainland Portugal's southern tip on the 1st of January. It was just his latest adventure after crossing the Atlantic alone in a custom-built barrel in 2019, a 127-day trip followed by thousands on Facebook. He had been hoping to reach the Caribbean, in his rowing boat, which was eight metres long and 1.70 metres wide, with a rowing station at its centre. But there had been no contact with him since overnight Thursday to Friday when he activated two distress beacons. He was last heard of north of Madeira, Portuguese islands off the northwest coast of Africa, on his way to Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Shortly after leaving on January 1, unfavourable wind conditions had forced the adventurer to extend his trip by 900 kilometres. On Wednesday, he had reported "strong swell and... wind" on Facebook, adding that he had been forced to switch from using an electric water desalinator to a backup one operated by hand. 75th birthday on board Savin, who said rowing across the Atlantic was a way to "laugh at old age", celebrated his 75th birthday on Friday last week on board his two-cabin boat. He left with it packed with 300 kilos of equipment, including freeze-dried food, a spear gun to fish and a heater, as well as the two desalinators. To celebrate his birthday, he had also brought along his mandolin, foie gras and champagne. "I'm off on holiday to the open sea," he had said before leaving. "I will row eight hours a day and when the wind blows too hard, I'll close myself in." He was looking forward to an extra safety measure that he did not have during his last barrel crossing: a tracker to make him visible to the radars of passing cargo ships. (with AFP) Member of Parliament for the Yapei Kusawgu constituency, John Jinapor says the Minoritys opposition to the controversial E-levy proposal by the government is in the interest of the public. According to him, the levy will only impose hardship on Ghanaians and the Minority will do all within its powers to resist its passage in Parliament. Mr. Jinapor made the remarks during a town hall meeting on the E-levy in the Ashanti Regional capital Kumasi on Monday, January 24, 2022. We are opposed to the E-levy because this is not the time for E-levy. At this time when there is COVID, and we are advised to reduce physical interaction and do electronic transfers, this is not time to bring in e-levy, he said. Even though we are NDC, we are fighting for the ordinary people. What we are doing is legitimate and this government must listen, he added. John Jinapor said the government has failed to engage any member of the Minority or other stakeholders in consultations to discuss the proposal. Not even one single member of the minority has been contacted. All they are doing is press conferences. The NPP alone cannot be the source of knowledge. They should listen [to Ghanaians], Mr. Jinapor said. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called for consensus building, compromise, and broader consultation among the leaders of Parliament as a means of breaking away from the rancour that characterised proceedings in the first session of the 8th Parliament. According to him, the only way to navigate the difficulties associated with a hung Parliament is through the use of dialogue. Parliament will resume sittings for the second session on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Speaking at a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Workshop in Accra, the Speaker absolved himself of any blame in relation to the recent chaos in Parliament. I am the Speaker, and I do not take part in decisions, but it is my duty to enforce the rules The only way is to get the two sides to dialogue, cooperate with each other and achieve consensus. This is an imperative imposed on us by the people of Ghana. We have no choice, the Speaker said. Last week, the government said it will re-submit the Bill to Parliament, following the conclusion of extensive consultations on the controversial levy. ---citinewsroom Former President John Mahama may be facing stiff opposition for the National Democratic Congress flagbearer slot ahead of the 2024 general elections. This is because, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu says he is seriously lacing his boots to contest the former president. He maintains his desire to run for the presidency on the ticket of the NDC should not be misconstrued as hatred for Mr. Mahama because he genuinely does not have anything personal against him. The one-time Kumasi Mayor declared his intention when he appeared on Citi TVs lifestyle show, Upside Down. There is a vacancy and that is why we are all contesting the seat. It is democracy and our party believes in democracy, so we dont push people [aside for other] people to take over. We dont want that. So if one is given the chance, and he wins it, he will do the job. So it is fair we all do it. One other reason I am contesting is not that I hate President Mahama. No. What has he done to me? He was [a great President]. Mr. Bonsu, however, added that, Mr. Mahamas reputation has heavily been tarnished by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) thereby questioning the suitability of Mr. Mahama to lead the NDC. The problem is that people have lied a lot in this country about John Mahama. They put corruption on him. They have said a lot of things against him that you cant even take it off. NDC has the numbers in terms of votes, but NPP has really soiled John Mahama that I feel so sad. However, touching on the chances of the NDC with John Mahama as flagbearer, Kojo Bonsu said it will only take a candidate like him if the NDC is determined to recapture power from the NPP administration because Mr. Mahama is currently unfit for purpose. He partly blamed the NDC for doing too little to salvage the aspersions cast against Mahama which ostensibly marred the partys political fortunes. We should have redeemed him long ago, but he doesnt have a chance now. Lets bring in a fresh person so that the swing voters wouldnt have anything to say against President Mahama. I stand a better chance than Mahama because I have not been soiled, so that is where I come in. Its so sad. He is a great gentleman, speaks very well, very affable, but he has been put in the mud so much. They have tagged him with corruption, womens affairs and we the NDC have not been able to defend it and get him out of it. If the party had corrected this, we wouldnt have come to this level. If we want to win the 2024 elections, I think lets bring someone like me. I am eligible to do it. Its not an issue of fighting Mahama, insulting the former President, or doing anything but the situation, we find ourselves in, lets try someone new and see if it will work. ---citinewsroom Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called for consensus building, compromise, and broader consultation among the leaders of parliament as a means of breaking away from the rancour that characterized proceedings in the first session of the 8th Parliament. According to him, the only way to navigate the difficulties associated with a hung parliament is through the use of dialogue. Parliament resumes sittings for the second session on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Speaking at a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Workshop in Accra, the Speaker absolved himself of any blame in relation to the recent chaos in Parliament. "I am the Speaker, and I do not take part in decisions, but it is my duty to enforce the rules The only way is to get the two sides to dialogue, cooperate with each other and achieve consensus. This is an imperative imposed on us by the people of Ghana. We have no choice, the Speaker said. He pointed out that although Parliament appears divided over the passage of the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy, members of the House have to take advantage of the situation to right some wrongs Parliament was compelled to adjourn its sitting to January 25, 2022, without passing the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy of 1.75%. It came after the house reconvened on December 21, 2021, following the abrupt suspension of sittings by the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrews Asiamah, after a fight broke out during the voting on the levy. The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, prayed the sit-in Speaker, First Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei Owusu, to adjourn the house for cooler heads to prevail. Last week, the government said it will re-submit the Bill to Parliament, following the conclusion of extensive consultations on the controversial levy. Ahead of the resubmission, some members of the Minority have already threatened to kick against the bill, but the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensa-Bonsu, has challenged their threat, insisting that the Bill has already been approved and just needs backing legislation. ---citinewsroom Former Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta 25.01.2022 LISTEN A former Minister for Finance, Mr. Seth Tekper has cautioned that the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) being introduced by government would distort the countrys tax structure streamlined in the last 30 years. Speaking at one of PFM Tax Africas dialogue series on the theme: "Ghanas Economic Outlook for 2022" on Monday, January 24, 2022, he reiterated his position that government has gotten it wrong with the proposed e-levy. He argued that its implementation will mean Ghanaians will be burdened by double taxation where income that will be taxed would be taxed again when it passes through electronic channels. Aside the hardships it would bring on the ordinary Ghanaian, Mr. Seth Tekper stressed that gains made over the last three decades to streamline the tax structure for the country will also be distorted. The main issue for me is that it is distorting the tax structure that has taken us 30 years to streamline. Whether we should have tariffs, or VAT should be the main tax, or how income tax should be taxed. For me lets look at the technical side of this E-Levy because how do you tax someones already taxed income after deduction now that the person is spending what is left of it, the former Finance Minister said. Mr. Seth Tekper who is also the Founder and Executive Director of PFM-TAX Africa told journalists, If you are not proposing it as a temporary tax then it is distorting our tax structure, the very essence we brought in VAT. Lets look at the tax changes we have made and bring back the more stable ones. What we need now is a stable tax regime. According to Mr. Seth Tekper Ghanas problems are beyond an Electronic Transaction Levy. He opined that government must consider a different alternative to tackle the fiscal challenges of the country. E-Levy is not going to solve the fiscal challenges that is facing the country. In the past when we had crisis there is a temporal tax that is brought it for a specific time period. The situation we have now is equal to situations we had in the past. Now we have to look beyond E-Levy, he emphasised. Mr. Seth Tekper further proposed that Finance Minister Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta should take into consideration all recommendations that have been suggested, and settle on a compromise that will be good for everyone. It can be recalled that late last year, the Finance Minister announced plans by government to implement E-Levy to generate more revenue to propel the development of the country. WIth the proposed e-levy, the government is looking to charge a 1.75% tax on transactions carried out on electronic channels that exceed GHS100. The levy has been widely rejected by Ghanaians with the Minority in Parliament vowing to use all means to ensure it does not go through. The levy will top the agenda of parliament this week when the house resumes sitting on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) says some non-residents of Appiatse are posing themselves as victims of last Thursday's explosion to benefit from relief items. The Organisation said it had consequently set up a 17-member committee, made up of six survivors who were indigenes of Appiatse to help coordinate the distribution of relief items to the survivors. It has come to our attention so we have formed a Committee to help identify those who are not part of the survivors to ensure that items are given to those who deserve it, Mr Francis Abeiku Yankah, NADMO Coordinator for the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality, told the Ghana News Agency. He said the organisation would work closely with the committee to identify the actual residents of Appiatse before essential items were distributed. Some of them were pushing us to give them money instead of food. But we identified that some of the supposed survivors were not residents of Appiatse. We have decided that we will not give the rice to them in bulk. We will give them the quantity they will need in a day and we will make sure that it is cooked at where we are housing them, he said. About 150 survivors are currently being housed at the Saint Michael Catholic Parish Hall at Bogoso in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality in the Western Region. During a visit on Sunday, January 23, 2022, to the church, which is now being used as a temporary relief centre, some of the survivors told the GNA that some individuals from neighbouring communities were posing as survivors at the centre. They claimed that some people who had come to visit their relatives who survived the explosion queued for food and all other items that were distributed to the survivors. A lot of them are not part of us. Yesterday for instance, when I was sharing food, I identified a number of people in the queue who are from neighbouring communities and not residents of Appiatse, Madam Faustina Adjetey, a survivor and member of the 17-member committee, said. She said the committee had commenced an exercise to number all the known residents of Appiatse and separate them from the impersonators to ensure sanity in the distribution of relief items. Madam Adjetey appealed to NADMO to extend the distribution of the relief items to the various hospitals where victims were receiving treatment. The food should be extended to them. It appears that it is only those at the centre that are being fed. Those in the hospitals rely on their relatives for food, she stated. Fourteen people were killed and 179 others injured in last Thursday's explosion. Many individuals, organisations, and groups have since gone to the aid of the victims with assorted relief items and cash donations. The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo on Monday, January 24, 2022, donated assorted items, including rice, detergents, cloths and scarves to support the upkeep of the victims. The Government has assured that it would provide temporary houses for the hundreds that have been displaced among other support services. GNA The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) says it is still on strike despite the series of meetings held with various stakeholders over the demands of its members. The association says it will continue to abandon the lecture rooms until its demands for better conditions of service are met by government. The president of the University of Ghana chapter of UTAG, Dr. Samuel Nkumbaan, said the agencies responsible for ensuring that the demanded conditions of service are met are yet to take any concrete decision that will encourage them to call off the strike. Weve had a couple of meetings; one with Ministry of Education and also with Vice Chancellors Ghana and in all of these, the understanding was to seek clarity on what the demands of UTAG are and also to see how they can be able to mediate between the government stakeholders that are able to make a determination on our conditions of service and UTAG. This is in the hope to secure a deal that will get us back to the classroom. Beyond that, there hasnt been any call up for UTAG to engage government, he said. He said UTAG is willing to return to the classroom if government in the interim considers a 114% base pay and interim market premium for them as they await the labour market survey to regularize the amount. [What we want is] For government in the interim to consider the 114% of base pay currently and interim market premium, for us to be able to accept that. That is a reasonable concession that we can work with pending the completion of a labour market survey and its implementation, which is currently in the pipeline Our decision is premised on the fact that something positive comes on the side of government which improves our condition and if that is not happening, we do not see ourselves coming any time soon, he added. UTAG members on all campuses are on strike to force the government to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012. The 2012 conditions of service pegged the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42. UTAG has complained that the current arrangement has reduced its members' basic premiums to $997.84. The association has been on strike for the past three weeks. ---citinewsroom Ghana's quest to manufacture its own vaccines will soon see the light of day. President Akufo-Addo expects to sign the necessary documentation by February 16, 2022. He is also expected to meet officials of Pfizer and other vaccine manufacturing companies in February. The signature is due for the 16th. We want to be able to manufacture our vaccines here, and we are going to sign the agreement in Germany for a continental project which will involve Senegal, President Akufo-Addo said to some queen mothers from the Ashanti Region at the Jubilee House. The government has been harbouring plans to establish a vaccine manufacturing plant in Ghana in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The government met with the manufacturers of Pfizer vaccines in this regard in August 2021. The government also plans to invest $25 million as seed money towards the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to spearhead the country's efforts at producing vaccines locally. The Institute will also work towards Research & Development for vaccines in Ghana and building the human resource base for vaccine discovery, development, and manufacture. The establishment of the institute forms part of recommendations by a committee established by the government to formulate a concrete plan for vaccine development and manufacturing in Ghana. The Presidential Vaccine Manufacturing Committee has already indicated that Ghana would need $200 million to fully manufacture COVID-19 vaccines locally. The project is envisioned to be a private-public partnership arrangement. Africa is almost totally dependent on vaccine producers outside the continent, as it produces just 1 percent of the vaccines it administers. -Citi Newsroom The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, recently lost his military ranks and the right of royal patronage. This was announced by Buckingham Palace, following charges of sexual misconduct brought Against the Duke of York. How could a noble person such as Prince Andrew, who fought for his country in the Falklands, be involved in a sex trafficking case leading to the stripping of his honorary military titles? It will recall that in 2006, Jeffrey Epstein, an American businessman was accused of involving minors in prostitution. Epstein was in prison for 13 months and after concluding a deal with the investigation, he was released. However, thirteen years after his release, the deal was declared illegal because Epstein's victims were not informed about it, and on July 6, 2019, he was rearrested for human trafficking and sexual slavery. Just as the vultures always have delight feasting around carcasses, the Epstein sex trafficking case made headlines across the globe. However, a few days later Epstein was arrested, he was found dead in a prison cell. According to the investigation leading to his death, Epstein committed suicide. Many people across the globe didnt believe that the accused took his life. Till today, people think Epstein was killed to avoid mentioning the names of his friends, some people occupying high positions involved in minor sex trafficking. A dead person has no power anymore over the living but sometimes strange things happen after death. Documents and personal records of Jeffery Epstein revealed that some politicians, including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, celebrities, and Prince Andrew were involved. Left, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, and the late Jeffery Epstein And if your night should turn to day, A lot of people will run away, sang Bob Marley, Who The Cap Fit?. A dead person can neither speak nor defend himself. All the friends of Epstein involved in the sex trafficking case, including Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, and Bill Clinton denied being involved. The same Bill Clinton during his tenure as the president of the United States of America denied having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, an American activist and White House intern, then later admitted to having sexual relations with her. But one of the victims who accused Ghislaine Maxwell, the woman soliciting young girls for Epstein and his friends, said she was introduced to meet Donald Trump when she was just 14. Maxwell, 60, will be sentenced in June since her lawyers are battling for a retrial. When the sex trafficking case was uncovered, like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Prince Andrew also denied being involved. However, one Virginia Giuffres lawyers have prepared a lawsuit against the Duke of York, after she claimed he raped her when she became a victim of Epsteins sex trafficking. Pondering over this case reveals how sex and power can put people in big trouble. If this case would have happen in Ghana, believe me, it will never reach far, everything will be swept under the carpet, yet people pray for the success of Ghana under the weakest and most corrupt judiciary system in the world. Prince Andrew now preparing to face sexual abuse lawsuit. What happens next is what I cant tell. However, what I know is nobody is above the law and whatever evil a man sows on earth, he will get his payback or reward, while living not after death. The Parliament of Ghana will later today, Tuesday, January 25, 2022, resume sitting to look at key issues in the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of the ruling government. Members of Parliament last year failed to conclude the debate on the proposed budget due to controversial e-levy. The levy saw the Majority and Minority in Parliament not only engage in verbal battles but traded blows, shoving colleagues and throwing chairs at each other in Parliament. Late December, the House went on recess for Members of Parliament and staff to have the chance to spend time with their families during the Christmas period. After a month, Parliament is finally returning from the holidays with sitting expected to resume today. Among the many issues to be discussed this week is the Electronic Transaction Levy. Despite the stiff opposition from the Minority, the Majority is set to have the levy passed to help the sitting government rake in more revenues. Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin ahead of the resumption of sitting has advised the Majority to reach a consensus with the Minority on the e-levy matter. According to him, no one should blame him if the Majority in the house fails to secure the needed votes in Parliament to have the E-Levy approved. He intimated that he is not a Member of Parliament with the power to vote. TALLAHASSEE Florida lawmakers began moving forward Tuesday with a bill that would expand the ability of doctors and other health care providers to refuse to provide services based on conscience, fueling a debate about issues such as religious beliefs and discrimination in medical care. Supporters of the bill (HB 747) said it would protect medical professionals who object to providing services because of their faith or morals, while opponents contended it could open the door to discrimination and harm people such as LGBTQ patients. Advertisement Please do not allow a health-care provider to be forced to choose between their profession and their faith, bill sponsor John Snyder, R-Stuart, said before the Republican-controlled House Professions and Public Health Subcommittee voted 12-6 to approve the bill in a party-line vote. Opponents said the bill is too broad and pointed to past discrimination in medical care against people such as African-Americans. Advertisement I believe that this bill allows doctors to discriminate on the basis of conscience, Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg. And I dont know any America that everyone else lives in, but the America that my parents fought for in the civil rights movement does not give folks the right to do this. And this is a slippery slope that we are going down. State and federal laws already allow health care providers to refuse to provide some services based on conscience. As an example, Florida laws allow providers to refuse to provide abortions and contraceptives, according to a House staff analysis. But the bill would expand that in a series of ways, including saying that providers would have the right to not participate in any specific health care service that violates their conscience. That right also would apply to health insurers. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > In addition, the bill would make providers and insurers immune from civil or criminal liability for decisions based on conscience and bolster their ability to file lawsuits if they face adverse action, such as facing discipline from employers for declining to provide services. Supporters included representatives of groups such as the Florida Family Policy Council and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, while opponents included representatives of groups such the Equality Florida and the Florida Justice Association trial-lawyers organization. Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, has filed a similar bill (SB 1820), which has not been heard in committees. Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, described some arguments by opponents as a parade of horribles that are not based on reality. Physicians are not robots, they are not machines. They are men and women who took an oath to provide care to all persons to the best of their abilities. And I believe what you are trying to do with this bill honors that, it honors the oath that these physicians have taken, Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, told Snyder. Advertisement But Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said the bill could lead to transgender people being denied services because the health care provider has a moral or ethical objection to their existence and they dont want to participate. This bill is the kind of bill that divides us, Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton, said. This is the kind of bill that sows seeds of hate, and this bill is what is wrong with America. It doesnt delineate specific treatments. It does not protect against negligence. It is fully ambiguous. Workers packaging honey for sale in Mekele, Ethiopia. - Source: Photo credit should read ZACHARIAS ABUBEKERAFP via Getty Images 25.01.2022 LISTEN Three African countries' manufacturers have lost their tariff-free access to the US market this year. This follows the US decision in November last year to suspend Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The reason given for the decision was that it was in response to human rights violations and recent coups. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a trade programme designed to enhance sub-Saharan African countries' access to US markets. The programme is an exception to World Trade Organisation (WTO) principles of reciprocity and non-discrimination . Nevertheless, it's legally recognised by the Generalised System of Preferences adopted in 1968 and instituted in 1971 under the aegis of The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Under the GSP regime, developed countries can grant non-reciprocal trade preference to the world's poorest countries to increase economic growth and reduce poverty. Established by the Trade Act of 1974 (amended July 31, 2015), the US Generalised System of Preferences have allowed the US to import up to 5,000 types of products duty free from 119 designated beneficiary countries and territories. Linked to this, the US grants regional preference programs. Nowadays the US administration grants countries in the Caribbean, in Latin America and in Africa non-reciprocal trade preferences. These trade arrangements are managed under the Caribbean Basin Initiative, the Andean Trade Preference Act and the African Growth and Opportunity Act. For the sub-Saharan African region, the US administration passed the AGOA on May 18, 2000, as Title 1 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. Qualifying nations are afforded several key benefits, most importantly preferential access to US markets with zero duties for more than 6,400 products. The criteria and conditions for African countries to be eligible depend entirely on the US. Each year, Washington determines which nations qualify. And the US president grants or withdraws beneficiary status at discretion. Critics view the African Growth and Opportunity Act as an economic instrument of American foreign policy in Africa. In the past, several countries have lost their membership of the programme. Examples include Niger (2010), Madagascar (20102014), Democratic Republic of Congo (20112019), Central African Republic (20132015), Eswatini (20142016) and The Gambia (20152016). The reason in these different cases was mainly that democratic progress was threatened by political turmoil and human rights violations. Mali and Guinea have been suspended from the programme before: Mali in 2012 and Guinea in 2010. Six other former beneficiary countries remain excluded or suspended: South Sudan (since 2014), Burundi (since 2015), Cameroon (since 2019), Zimbabwe (since 2019), Mauritania (since 2019) and Eritrea (since 2004). Given the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, suspension may have important implications for the economy of country concerned. A recent study showed that this unilateral trade agreement has allowed growth in the average African beneficiary countries' exports to US. However, in my view, the suspension of Ethiopia, Guinea and Mali from the trade programme is not particularly harmful to them. The US market does not play an important role in their export growth. Despite commercial preferences granted under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, it's difficult for these countries to access the US market. Ethiopia, Guinea and Mali are among the poorest countries in the world, with a major shortage of infrastructure and logistics, and a low income and highly undiversified economy. These countries mainly export primary commodities with weak value added. In the American market, they face competition from the similar products from Latin America. The aim of preferential treatment The African Growth and Opportunity Act aims to boost trade relations between Africa and the US by: reinforcing African reform efforts providing improved access to US technical expertise, credit and markets establishing a high-level dialogue on trade and investment with US firms. Qualifying for the programme requires nations, as outlined in section 104 , to improve their rule of law, defend human rights and respect international labour standards. Currently, 39 of the 49 sub-Saharan African countries are beneficiaries excluding those temporarily suspended. Somalia and Sudan have never requested designation as a beneficiary country. Equatorial Guinea (effective in 2011) and Seychelles (effective in 2017) are no longer eligible for trade benefits under the AGOA after having gained the high-income country status. The numbers The following two figures put in perspective the potential impact of suspension. Between 1996 and 2015, using data from the UN COMTRADE database , the first graph shows four, five-year averages of global exports of goods from each of the three suspended countries. The second reports the average share of exports to the US for every $100 of goods exported. The growth in global exports in Guinea, Ethiopia and Mali between 1996 and 2015. Author, based on data from UN COMTRADE According to Figure 1, overall, the three countries experienced growth in global exports. Between the two, five-year periods 19962000 and 20012005, global exports from Guinea increased on average by 11% and from Ethiopia by 18%. Mali's more than doubled over the two, five-year periods. Subsequently, the three countries maintained the same growth trend. Global exports of each, over the period 20112015, represented more than double the average of exports during the period 20012005. Despite preferential access granted under AGOA since 2000, countries have difficulty penetrating US markets. The share of exports to the US has been declining between 1996 and 2015. As shown in Figure 2, the share of Guinean exports to the US continues to decline. For $100 of global exports, the US market contributed an average of $18.25 (before 2000). This share decreased to $12.65 on average over the five-year period following the AGOA (20012005). It decreased to $5.33 per $100 exported from 20112015. Despite the AGOA program, the US market represents less than $1 per $100 of Malian global exports, except the period 20062010. Nor were Ethiopia's exports to the US improved by AGOA ratification. The average share of the US market in Ethiopian exports fell from $6.74 for every $100 exported (period before AGOA) to $4.33 (during 20012005), then to $6.31 (during 20062010) before falling to $6.13 over the period 20112015. The figures show that, without taking into consideration likely deterioration of their diplomatic relations with the US, the suspension decision will have very little bearing on global export revenues of the suspended countries. Zakaria Sorgho does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Zakaria Sorgho, Research Associate in International Trade Policy, Universite Laval The Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng says his outfit has opened investigations into the banking and financial sector crisis. In the first term of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, goverment through the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance embarked on a clean-up exercise to sensitise the financial sector. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) revoked the licenses of universal banks and savings and loans companies in 2019. Three years later, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is set to look into the matter to ensure corrupt officials of banks that resulted in their collapse pay for their crime. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced full investigations into the banking and financial sector crisis which precipitated the collapse of some banks and financial institutions and the financial sector clean up and recapitalisation reforms, a statement signed by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has said. The Officer of the Special Prosecutor notes that the investigations target alleged corruption and corruption-related offences perpetrated by officials of the Bank of Ghana, banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions and financial holding companies. Meanwhile, the Office is calling on members of the public who have knowledge of corruption or corruption-related offences to lodge complaints with the OSP against any official in this regard. Read the statement from the Office of the Special Prosecutor below: The Ghana Police Service is mourning the death of the Policewoman who was shot and killed by unknown assailants at Bawku in the Upper East Region. The Police officer, Constable Regina Angenu, met her untimely death while off duty. She was shot in Bawku by unknown assailants while on a motorbike to Bawku Barracks on Sunday, January 23, 2022. She died at Presbyterian Mission Hospital in Bawku. The Police Service in a statement today said it is saddened by the demise of the female officer. The Police Administration, with a heavy heart, wishes to announce the unfortunate death of 11189 Constable Regina Angenu of Paga Police Station, Bawku Division, part of the Police statement reads. It continues, We extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and friends and also commiserate with them in this trying time. Meanwhile, the security agency has assured the family of Constable Regina Angenu that all efforts are being channeled into investigations to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book. We hereby urge the family to remain calm as investigation is underway to get the perpetrators of this senseless and callous murder arrested to face justice, the Police statement concludes. A suspected thief has been found dead in a gutter at the forecourt of Ashtown Baptist church in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region. The man believed to be in his early 30s was reportedly lynched after attempting to steal from the church's premises on Saturday, January 22, 2022. An eyewitness who unanimously spoke to this reporter disclosed that the deceased was beaten at the premises of the church but died in a gutter in front of the facility. "We heard the noise of some people beating the alleged thief but couldn't go forward because it was very late somewhere around 1AM in the morning. "I went to the area early morning only to see the lifeless body of a man in the gutter with bruised all over his body. "Some of us who proceeded to the premises of the church saw bloodstains fuelling our suspicion that the deceased was first lynched at the area," the eyewitness stated. Meanwhile, the security man who was on duty on the said day confirmed to police officers that the suspect was indeed beaten at the church's premises but was not there as being speculated by others. He explained that the suspected thief was caught attempting to break into a car parked at the church's premises. The Manhyia Divisional Police Command has however invited the security man to assist investigations. The Assembly member of Manhyia-Odumase Electoral Area Hon George Baafi expressed worry over the rampant robbery attacks in the area and called on security in the metropolis to take necessary actions to curb the menace. The body has been conveyed to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for autopsy. The United Nations in Ghana is committed to assisting government in transforming education during the pandemic and beyond via creative initiatives that benefit all. A press statement issued by the United Nations Ghana, copied to the Ghana News Agency said, the UN Ghana was bent on supporting government to transform its educational system. The statement is in commemoration of this year's International Day of Education (IDE). It is to acknowledge the central role of education in the development of sustainable, resilient societies and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme for this year's IDE is Changing Course, Transforming Education. The commemoration is to facilitate and celebrate initiatives led by government, educators, and organisations from global to grassroots efforts as well as partnerships that demonstrate the potential to recommit education to equity and relevance principles and to highlight commitments and follow-up actions taken to protect education. The statement said, the Government of Ghana had shown a significant commitment to ensuring that students, especially, girls and students with special educational needs, continued to learn in a secured setting. It said, government worked with the UN system via UNICEF, UNESCO, UNHCR and ILO and other development partners to provide solutions at all levels of the education system to maintain continuity of learning. The statement said, Learning Management systems (LMS) had been established at public universities and colleges of education, and students at senior high schools (SHS) had been given access to the ICAMPUSGH online platform and the IBOX offline learning platform, as well as Ghana Learning TV and Radio programs produced for primary school children. It said, in addition, learners at the primary level had benefitted from national distance learning programmes delivered via radio, which had continued to narrow equity gaps. Despite some challenges that have been encountered by students in accessing and using some of these learning systems, it is obvious that Ghana is striving to change course to transform education, and the United Nations in Ghana is delighted to partner with the government in its mission, UN Ghana said. The statement said, other notable initiatives that the UN was assisting the government to implement to make education resilient include a Rapid Risk Assessment of COVID-19's impact on the education sector and assisting in the design and implementation of interventions to mitigate the negative effects, ongoing capacity building for basic school teachers in Emergency Remote Teaching and ICT essential skills, and the development of the Ghana Open Educational Resource Repository(OER), which would eventually host over 3,000 open-source Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) materials from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). It said, approximately, 15,000 PDF's, interactive films, virtual laboratories, and other educational content now stored on the ICampus and IBox platform would be made available as OER for learners and educators to use. The statement said, the policy environment was also being strengthened by the ongoing review of Ghana's ICT in education policy, while the institutional capacity of the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS) had been strengthened by the drafting of the CENDLOS Bill and capacity building for CENDLOS staff, allowing the institution to play its role as the national entity responsible for ICT integration into education system more effectively. All these efforts have strengthened the education system with new approaches in transforming education in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, UN Ghana said. This progress by Ghana needs to be supported in a coherent and coordinated manner by partners, it added. GNA The Group Chairman of the Afro Arab Group of Companies Ambassador Alhaji Salamu Amadu has been awarded by the Muslim Group of Ghana as the Zongo entrepreneur for the year 2021. The National Coordinator of the Muslim Group of Ghana Alhaji Abubakar Galaxy in his remarks commended Ambassador Salamu for impacting and serving as a role model, mentor and teacher to the youth in the zongos. "Alhaji is a very young,vibrant, hardworking, strong guy and accomplished entrepreneur. It's always scarce to find a person of Alhaji's type in the zongo communities. He has employed many youths from the zongos to help curb unemployment". According to the National Coordinator for the Muslim Group Ghana, Ambassador Salamu always extends a helping hand to many people in the zongo's through his entrepreneurship initiatives. "Alhaji Salamu is number one when it comes to solving problems in our communities and also supporting young entrepreneurs to establish themselves. The award is not coming from me but it's the organisation through our committee which decided to award him for the unflinching support and efforts in our community, he added. Ambassador Alhaji Salamu Amadu on his part thanked the Muslim Group Ghana through the National Coordinator and also assured them of his continued support in making sure the negative perception about the zongos are rectified. GSA Director-General Director, Prof. Alex Dodoo 25.01.2022 LISTEN The Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Prof Alex Dodoo has called for the enforcement of Ghanas laws on the commercial use of motorcycles, popularly known as okada. According to him, okada is responsible for between 30-50% of the accidents that happen in the country. Speaking to Asaase Radio in an interview, Prof. Alex Dodoo stressed that politicians must stop politicising the commercial use of motor bicycles and rather focus on enforcing laws Everybody knows Okada is killing and yet people are politicising it. It is about time that we enforced our rules. You see the contribution of Okada to death, now I dont know whether we can quantify; for me, I will say its a minimum of 30, maybe 50% of all deaths can be directly or indirectly related to Okada. I will check the figures, the GSA Director-General shared. He continued, we know for a fact that Okada has moved from being number 10 in the list to like number one or two of cause of deaths and everyone knows because they are not regulated. And you only have to go to Burkina Faso, Togo or Ivory Coast and they obey the rule. Prof. Alex Dodoo further revealed that his outfit is keen on doing all it can to check the use of okada. He said the Ghana Standards Authority will soon come up with the Ghana automotive code to help ensure motorists, especially okada riders comply with regulations. Okadas are not regulated and because of this most of their drivers do not follow traffic directives. They behave as though the road is theirs; putting lives at risk. In the next few weeks, you will see us launching the Ghana automotive code. The amount of deaths attributed to Okada is too much, the GSA Director-General added. The Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu has emphasised that the Minority group will never accept the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) in its current state. The levy announced by Finance Minister Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta last year is seeking to charge a 1.75% tax on transactions of GHS100 and more carried out daily through electronic means. Although the government hoped to have the levy passed before Parliament went on recess last year, the Minority in Parliament engaged the Majority in a fisticuff in Parliament. As Parliament gears up to resume sitting today, Haruna Iddrisu who leads the Minority in the hung parliament has stressed that they are not ready to accept the E-Levy in its current form or character. The NDC Parliamentary caucus that I lead, the Minority of 137 will simply not support the E-levy in its current form, nature and character, the Tamale South Member of Parliament told TV3 in an interview on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Ghanas hung Parliament is resuming sitting today after going on recess in December for the Christmas period. Among issues to be discussed, is the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy which is expected to top on the agenda this week. Foreseeing a possible standoff between the Majority and the Minority, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has called for both sides to dialogue and reach a compromise. The only way is to get the two sides to consult and to dialogue with each other, to cooperate, to compromise, to collaborate to achieve consensus, this is an imperative imposed on us political leaders by the people of Ghana, we have no choice, the speaker said while speaking at this years Commonwealth Parliamentary Association workshop. Ghana has failed to make progress in the fight against corruption in the year 2021 with its score of 43 in the year 2020 remaining the same for 2021, according to the 2021 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by Transparency International. Ghana scored 43 out of a possible clean score of 100 and ranked 73 out of 180 countries or territories included in the 2021 index. The 2021 CPI said the country's current performance was still below 50, which was the expected average, thus "left much to be desired." The 2021 CPI, the leading global indicator of public sector corruption, focuses on Corruption, Democracy and Human Rights. A trend analysis of Ghana's CPI scores over the past decade, from 2012 to 2022, shows the country declined by two points. Ghana's performance vis-a-vis other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, with an average of 33, the lowest in the world, saw Ghana ranked below 50 with 44 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seychelles topped the Region with a CPI score of 70, followed by Cape Verde scoring 58 and Botswana 55 while Equatorial Guinea scored 17, Somalia 13 and South Sudan 11 - the lowest score in the region. The 2021 index says Botswana scored 55, Lesotho 38, Eswatini 32, Niger 31, Nigeria 24, Comoros 20 and South Sudan 11, all at historic lows. In the last decade, 43 countries in the region have either declined or made no significant progress. Since 2012, Botswana had scored a CPI score of 55, Liberia 29, Mali 29 and South Sudan 11 - a significant decline in the CPI. Only six countries in the region have significantly improved their scores over that period -Seychelles scoring 70, Senegal 43, Ethiopia 39, Tanzania 39, Cote d'Ivoire 36 and Angola 29. Ghana's score of 43 places it ninth along with Senegal out of 49 Sub-Saharan African countries on the 2021 CPI index. The CPI global average remains unchanged at 43 for the tenth year in a row, and two-thirds of countries score below 50. According to Transparency International (TI), corruption enabled both human rights abuses and democratic decline and led to higher levels of corruption, setting off a vicious cycle. TI further stated that, the global COVID-19 pandemic had opened doors for governments to further expand their executive powers, conceal information from the public and strip away rights. This year's CPI shows that 154 countries have either declined or made no significant progress in tackling corruption in the last decade with 27 countries at historic lows in their scores. Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair of Transparency International, speaking to the 2021 CPI, said: "Human rights are not simply a nice-to-have in the fight against corruption. Authoritarian approaches destroy independent checks and balances and make anti-corruption efforts dependent on the whims of an elite." She said, ensuring people could speak freely and work collectively, hold power to account, was the only sustainable route to a corruption-free society. TI's research further shows a strong correlation between anti-corruption and respect for human rights, and that a very few countries have managed to establish effective control of corruption without also respecting human rights. Out of the 23 countries that have significantly declined on the CPI since 2012, the CPI reveals that 19 also declined on their civil liberties score. This applies in the case of Ghana as the country's score on the Democracy Index has seen a decline between 2015 and 2020 from 6.86 to 6.50 (out of a possible score of 10, a similar decline in the country's CPI scores between the same period. The report said, although the government was known to have taken some measures to address the canker and abuse of public office, impunity remained a problem. Transparency International said: "corruption may be a multi-faceted problem, but it is one we know how to solve and end the vicious cycle of corruption, human rights violations and democratic decline." It, therefore, recommended that governments around the world upheld the rights needed to hold power to account; restore and strengthen institutional checks on power; combat transnational forms of corruption and uphold the right to information in government spending. GNA Professor Dickson Adomako, former Director of Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), has been appointed Deputy Director General of GAEC. Mr Adomako, also a Chief Research Scientist, lecturer, and consultant, succeeds Professor Shiloh K. D. Osae, whose tenure of office ends on January 31, 2022. This was contained in a press statement signed by Mrs Sheila Frimpong, the Director of Commercialisation and Communication Directorate, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday. The Statement said Prof. Adomako had his GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels at the Ofori Panin Secondary School and an alumnus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and graduated with Bachelor's Degree in Physics. He furthered his graduate studies, which led to his award of a degree in Master of Science in Geophysics. He was awarded a PhD in Nuclear Earth Science by the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences of the University of Ghana in 2010 after successfully completing his 3-year programme. He has worked on a variety of statutory and ad hoc boards and committees that have benefited the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Mr Adomako's research interests are in exploration geophysics, isotope hydrology, geochemistry, environmental pollution, and space science. His research works have assisted the understanding of hydro chemical dynamics in some selected areas in Ghana. He has broadly worked on mineral exploration, application of stable isotopes in groundwater resources assessment and has also facilitated the application of this technique for the sustainability of wetlands that have been exposed to anthropogenic activities and in monitoring pollution studies. He wants to collect a lot of geophysical and hydro chemical data to aid policymakers in addressing water-borne diseases and water shortages in various areas of the country. He is currently a member of GAEC's Executive Committee and General Management Committee. Mr. Adomako has worked as an internal and external examiner/assessor and has successfully supervised several MPhil and PhD students. In his field of study, he has a lot of publications. He has attended and presented research papers at numerous local and international conferences and has published over 55 local and international peer-reviewed journals. GNA Astronaut Luca Parmitano of Italy, seen on screen, flashes a thumbs up, as he controls the Space Rover, rear, which successfully picked up a rock during a training exercise of the European Space Agency, ESA, in Katwijk, near The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. (Peter Dejong/AP) BERLIN (AP) The European Space Agency has narrowed the candidate list for its next generation of astronauts, including dozens who have a physical disability. The agency announced last year that it had received a record number of 22,589 applications from people hoping to become the continents next generation of space travelers. Advertisement ESA said Tuesday it has reduced these to fewer than 1,400 29 of whom have a physical disability and hope to cut the shortlist down to several tens of candidates by the end of the year for the four to six positions on its astronaut training program. The agencys director-general, Josef Aschbacher, said the selection process would be accompanied by a feasibility study to determine the implications of choosing candidates with disabilities but, yes, we are committed at ESA to open space to everyone. Advertisement ESA has for decades relied on its Russian and American counterparts to launch astronauts into space. Currently the agency has several places booked on American commercial launches. But Aschbacher said Europe may finally get its own crewed spacecraft if ESA member states approve the idea at a meeting later this year. We are not only talking of launches, we are talking of human exploration, he said, adding that future missions would seek to send astronauts to the moon and beyond. In the meantime, the agency will continue to develop its robotic capability, including a spacecraft capable of carrying large loads to the Moon that would support joint missions with partners such as NASA. Go For Launch - Space News Weekly Fix your telescope on all space-related news, from rocket launches to space-industry advancements. > ESA is also in the early stages of working on a probe that would fly to an ice moon, such as Saturns Enceladus, to recover a sample and bring it back to Earth. It could be that theres very simple, primitive life in the water underneath the ice cover, said Aschbacher. One challenge is that with current technology, the round-trip could take decades to complete. Time is also a factor in the replacement of one of ESAs science satellites, Sentinel 1-B, which stopped functioning properly in late December. Simonetta Cheli, the agencys director of Earth observation, said the root cause of the malfunction was still being investigated and it was too soon to say whether the successor model, Sentinel 1-C, will need to be modified to avoid suffering a similar fate. Advertisement Any delay in replacing Sentinel 1-B could cause problems for scientists who rely on the satellites data for their research, including into climate change. Of course, we would need to try and look for options to launch the satellite as soon as possible if 1-B terminates its own lifetime, said Cheli. A court in Uganda on Tuesday ordered the release on bail of an award-winning satirical writer charged with insulting the country's ruling family, but barred him from speaking to the press. The chief magistrate granted Kakwenza Rukirabashaija freedom on a cash bail of 500,000 Ugandan shillings ($140/125 euros) and ordered the 33-year-old novelist to surrender his passport. Rukirabashaija -- who his lawyers say has been tortured in custody -- appeared via video link from a high security prison outside the capital Kampala. He appeared frail, and a prison guard told magistrate Douglas Singiza that Rukirabashaija was "complaining of pain" and asked to remain seated for the hearing. In granting bail, Singiza ordered that prosecutors complete their enquiries into the case by Friday and be ready to state their position at the next hearing on February 1. The magistrate also warned Rukirabashaija that if he spoke to the press before the case was completed his bail would "automatically collapse" and he would be returned to prison. Diplomats from the United States and the European Union were present at Tuesday's hearing. Outside the court, his lawyer Eron Kiiza told journalists he did not think state prosecutors would be ready to present their case. "I doubt it will go to full trial," he said. Rukirabashaija was charged on January 11 with "disturbing" veteran President Yoweri Museveni and his powerful son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in a series of unflattering Twitter posts. In one post, he had described Kainerugaba -- a general who many Ugandans believe is positioning himself to take over from his 77-year-old father -- as "obese" and a "curmudgeon". Kiiza has said that multiple scars detailed in a prison medical examination of his client were "obvious marks of torture", and that his detention in December was illegal. The United States, the EU and civil society groups have demanded his release and protection from persecution. The author won acclaim for his 2020 satirical novel, "The Greedy Barbarian", which describes high-level corruption in a fictional country. He was awarded the 2021 PEN Pinter Prize for an International Writer of Courage, which is presented annually to a writer who has been persecuted for speaking out about their beliefs. Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has urged the government to urgently crack down on persons instigating recent tensions in the Bawku Municipality. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Ayariga, said social media was being used by bad-faith actors to foment tensions in the area. For the past several months and close to a year, there has been a lot of work on social media doing everything to instigate the situation that we have today. Unfortunately, the state has not clamped down on these actors on social media, and it generates reactions on all sides and today, the situation is because of the activities of these people on social media. The tensions have led to several persons being wounded and a few deaths, including a police officer. Recent tensions can be traced to December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago. The violence resulted in a curfew being placed on the entire township, a ban on smock wearing and a ban on the use of motorbikes. For the time being, Mr. Ayariga feels these tensions are a simple law and order issue hence his call for the state to take firm action. You cannot be allowed to resort to the use of violence to try and resolve your issues in this country when you are not the state. He further suggested the use of the anti-terrorism act to prosecute the persons involved in the violence. The anti-terrorism act is very clear on some things happening in Bawku and people can be prosecuted; both those who are instigating violence through the activities on social media, on radio, on Whatsapp chat groups, the MP said. Mr. Ayariga, however, warned that the situation could escalate to levels of insecurity seen in some other West African countries, like Burkina Faso, that are battling extremists. This is especially so following the killing of the police officer. That is what happened in the eastern part of Burkina Faso because it got to a point where government institutions and state actors could not go into those areas because if you were identified, you would be killed. ---citinewsroom An Ethiopian ambassador slammed the World Health Organization's chief over his comments on the Tigray conflict, during the WHO's executive board meeting in Geneva. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus "has not lived up to the integrity and the professional expectations required from his office and position," said Zenebe Kebede Korcho, Ethiopia's ambassador to the United Nations. "He has been using his office to advance his personal political interest at the expense of the interest of Ethiopia," the ambassador told the meeting of countries serving on the UN health agency's executive board. Tedros - a former Ethiopian health and foreign affairs minister and the highest-profile Tigrayan abroad - has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the government's actions in the war-ravaged region. Earlier this month, the WHO chief described the conditions there as "hell" and said the government was preventing medicines and other life-saving aid from reaching desperate locals. Tedros investigation? Ethiopia's government, which originally nominated Tedros for the post of WHO chief, which he has held since 2017, has warned his comments threatened the organisation's integrity. It sent a diplomatic request, a so-called note verbale, demanding that the WHO investigate Tedros for "misconduct and violation of his professional and legal responsibility". The government accused Tedros of supporting the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), its adversary in the 14-month war in the country's north, and a listed terror group in Ethiopia. The fighting has displaced millions, and, according to UN estimates, driven hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation. When the UN health agency's executive board opened its week-long meeting, which will include a vote on whether to nominate Tedros to take on another five-year term, it decided not to include Ethiopia's note verbale on the agenda. Kebede Korcho was cut off before he could continue voicing his country's criticism of the WHO chief. The executive board president, Patrick Amoth of Kenya, warned him he would need to "refrain from further remarks that are irrelevant to the subject under discussion", and when the ambassador continued along the same line, his video feed was cut off. (With wires) The First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has paid glowing tribute to the first female Brigadier General of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Constance Ama Emefa Edjeanu-Afenu. The late soldier passed at the 37 Military Hospital after a short illness. Mrs. Akufo-Addo in her statement of grief said, Hers was a life of resilience and breaking barriers. She said as an icon for women, the late Brigadier General Edjeanu-Afenu has received laurels from all over, including the First Ladys Award on International Womens Day in 2019. She was a shining example of what women can do, Mrs. Akufo-Addo added. May your soul rest in peace Brigadier General and my deepest condolences to everyone whose life was touched by this great woman. The late Brigadier General Edjeanu-Afenu was the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, which is the highest position ever occupied by a female in the Armed Forces. The United Nations also appointed her as Deputy Force Commander in MINURSO in 2019. ---DGN online The Sahel region, an area made up of largely semi-arid countries below the Sahara, continues to come under attack from jihadist insurgents of various affiliations. Jihadist insurgents, broadly defined, rely on religious rhetoric to mobilize politically and use violence to achieve their goals. Groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State's West Africa Province have proven their resilience in Nigeria and parts of Niger. Other groups, such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, continue to mobilize in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. These groups are attracting the attention of the international community because of their violence. Around 500 civilians have been killed by suspected jihadists in the Sahel in 2021. Recent examples include the massacres in Niger and Burkina Faso. But this violence conceals another aspect of these groups: they design other forms of local governance in rural areas. And how they govern varies, from group to group and within groups, even if they adhere to a widespread Salafi-jihadi ideology. There is only scattered academic research on the subject. Therefore, as part of a larger study covering Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria, we reviewed existing research to examine how jihadists govern in the region and reasons why their governance differs. We found that they do not follow strict ideological models to impose their domination. Nor do they rely solely on the use of spectacular violence. They are constantly adapting their way of governing according to the internal dynamics of the factions and the pressure of state and non-state actors while being responsive to local politics. How Jihadists Rule Jihadist insurgents, like other insurgents, rule by force. But this violence can vary according to the proportion with which they decide to strike their targets selectively or indiscriminately. Subgroups of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin have generally targeted non-collaborators, government authorities and international forces, primarily in Mali. The Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, on the other hand, attacked civilians indiscriminately. Jihadist groups sometimes impose their interpretation of sharia (religious law) at the local level through harsh punishments. These same groups may exercise restraint elsewhere to avoid alienating local communities. Their transnational ideological commitments may be incompatible with local norms and the interests of those in power. Local elites, namely religious leaders and village chiefs, can play an important role in how jihadist groups exercise their authority. For example, the Ansar Dine group in Mali's Kidal region retained local sharia judges (qadis), who limited the group's strict application of sharia. Researchers have pointed to how rebel governors sometimes set up elaborate administrations, but jihadist insurgents in the Sahel appear to have developed more fluid, less formal, local institutions to maintain social control over local populations. Groups like the Katiba Macina and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara set up mobile courts to deliver justice at the local level, where they could not be permanently present. Some groups collected zakat (Islamic tax) from local people. However, based on the scant research that exists, the public services provided by jihadists in return seem quite limited. While these groups may support regional or global goals, they tend to position their governance projects according to ongoing conflicts and divides. Jihadists seek to gain a grip on local communities by allying themselves with certain groups in existing conflicts. Some have attempted, for example, to recruit Fulani herders by promising them access to resources such as pasture. They have also intervened to resolve conflicts, in order to offer a type of justice more effective than that of the State. The explanation of the different styles The role played by state and non-state actors, such as militias, vigilante groups and rival groups, is one of the factors that help to explain the differences in governance style between jihadist groups. Counter-insurgency operations can, among other things, prevent jihadists from building institutions, confining them to a more opaque style of governance. In addition, rival jihadist groups may adapt their style of governance by engaging in one-upmanship to continue to enjoy community support. Another explanation lies in the organizational structure. Jihadist groups differ in terms of their cohesion and degree of centralization. Dynamics in factions can lead to differences in governance. Leaders may not always be able to discipline sub-commanders to ensure their vision is carried out locally. Divergences in their ideological commitment may provide clues as to what can be expected from jihadist governance. However, there are no ready-made models for real Islamic governance. Group commanders and members interpret ideology while themselves being influenced by local traditions and requirements. Finally, local politics and conflict significantly influence jihadist governance. Exploiting social divisions and grievances can allow a group to impose new systems without resorting solely to violence. The group's social relationships with the local population, including ethnic affinities and clan or tribal ties, influence their eventual actions. Local actors can also organize collective resistance that challenges jihadist governance projects. Global labels, localized governance These preliminary conclusions are rich in lessons for policy makers. Sticking a label of Salafist jihadism does not tell you how to govern a group. Rather, these diverse groups need to be studied as complex political organizations emanating from local socio-political and economic contexts. The support given to the jihadists often comes from strata that feel aggrieved and see it as a way to improve their social conditions. Their rise at the local level is not limited to a question of religious appeal. The resolution of jihadist conflicts in the Sahel will require the adoption of an approach tending to treat them not only as terrorists or criminals, but also as political actors who seek to propose another form of governance. Natasja Rupesinghe receives funding from the Norwegian Research Council Mikael Hiberg Naghizadeh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Natasja Rupesinghe, Research Fellow and PhD Candidate at University of Oxford, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs And Mikael Hiberg Naghizadeh, DPhil-Candidate in International Relations, University of Oxford The anti-robbery Police squad of the Ashanti Region Police Command has mounted a special bush operation to arrest the robbery gang responsible for the killing of a gold buyer in the region. The gang of robbers attacked the gold buyer on Monday, January 24, 2022, when he was transporting the gold from Attabrakoso towards Huu. The armed gang of four after killing their victim also made away with several unspecified amounts of money together with some mobile phones and fled into a nearby bush. After taking over the case, the Police has initiated a special bush operation to bring the perpetrators to book. The Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ashanti Regional Police Command is on a special bush operation led by the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Afful Boakye Yiadom in a bid to arrest suspected armed robbers who shot and killed a gold buyer at Jacobu in the Ashanti Region and made away about 324 grams of gold, a statement from the Ghana Police Service said on Tuesday. The Police is appealing to anyone with any information on the said robbery incident to contact the Police emergency numbers 18555 and 191. Meanwhile, the Police advise gold buyers to be on the lookout for the gang when they come to sell off their booty. Also, any suspicious gold dealer should be reported to the Police for a possible quick arrest. Professor Georga Oduro of the Univessity of Cape Coast 25.01.2022 LISTEN The 24th of January 2022 marks the third International Day of Education. The day was initiated by the United Nations at the UN General Assembly on the 3rd of December, 2018, to be celebrated yearly and Ghana as a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is no exception. The aim of the International Day of Education is to help promote awareness on the significance of education, how to make it more accessible to all and why the need for people to complete their education. This years celebration is under the theme Changing Course, Transforming Education. As part of commemorating the day, Professor George K.T. Oduro looks at the theme in perspective in an interview with our Correspondent in Bolgatanga the Upper East Region. Prof. Oduro said celebrating the day, Ghana should consider how the delivery of the educational system can be transformed to ensure that the education "we provide our young ones promote inclusivity, equity and lifelong learning opportunities for all without discrimination." He stated, "We should prioritize equity strategies to ensure that the rural-urban divide, the endowed less endowed divide all benefit from the education policy we make. These are issues we, as Ghanaians, should pay attention to. Prof Oduro indicated that achieving the SDGs upheld by us as Ghanaians, depend on the quality of human capital that we develop through our education system and if these can be made real, our educational policies must be based on informed research." Professor Oduro said, he has come to the realization that, Ghanas educational policies have often been based on political interests and ideologies which lack proper evidence to support it, and that in a way, has not helped as much as a people. He advocated the need as a country to invest more in research that will help generate the needed knowledge to inform the transformation of the countrys educational system. Another educational luminary retired educationist Robert Akurugu Adjene stated that it is surprising and interesting that six and a half decades after independence, Ghana has not gripped any educational system to which one will proudly belong. The educationist lamented that the educational legacy bequeathed to us by our colonial masters is busy producing unemployable white-collar graduate from our tertiary institutions who has to go on apprenticeship again before being engaged. Mr Adjene indicated that if education is a tool for development, the crisis in Ghanas educational system we cannot have the proper type of development that we are associating it with education. He further said any good education system is all-embracing; the teacher to do the job, infrastructure with teaching and learning materials, the children or pupils and the community should be part so that the system can work well. 25.01.2022 LISTEN Nana Osei Agyekums future as GRASAG-GIJ president and a politician hangs in the balance after a string of allegations emerged in a petition in which a group of students, numbering over 70 are seeking for a vote of no confidence to be passed in him together with his vice Listowel Agyensem. A probe is currently taking place to ascertain the concerns raised in the said petition, key amongst them being the reckless handling of the association's funds and also conduct which brings their office into disrepute. The findings of that probe are being eagerly awaited as the results could even prompt the Universitys Governing Council to turn on the Nana Osei Agyekum led administration and likely dissolve the current executive committee of the GRASSAG-GIJ Chapter in its entirety. Meanwhile, information also reveals that there have been various attempts by the respondents in the petition and even some immediate past executives of the association to influence the process or possibly the outcome of the process. A move the petitioners have condemned and further assured the entire student body of their resolve to see through the constitutional process to the end. Attached is a copy of the petition seeking the removal from the office of Nana Osei Agyekum and his vice Listowel Agyensem. In a chat with a cross-section of students, they seem disappointed with the school which forces them to pay GRASAG dues, yet does nothing to monitor or regulate the conduct of that same GRASAG. One student even hinted of suing the school for abdicating their responsibility. BY Nana Yaw Sam [email protected] The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) informed its staff of the tragic news that its beloved former Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu has passed on after a brief illness in her home country of Ghana. In the message to its personnel, MINURSO said it offered its heartfelt condolences to her friends, family and to the people and Government of the Republic of Ghana who have lost one of their favourite daughters. According to MINURSO, DFC Edjenani-Afenu was the missions first woman Deputy Force Commander and served with honour and distinction from 2019-2022, focusing relentlessly on improving the conditions of service of MINURSOs UNMO personnel and working (successfully) to promote inclusiveness and to increase the number of women serving in MINURSO. Every year, she ensured that International Womens Day was celebrated throughout the Mission. MINURSO will be proud to continue this tradition in her honour, according to the message. MINURSO described Brigadier Edjeani-Afenu as a true trailblazer. " Over 41 years of service, she rose through the ranks of her national military to become the first female Commanding Officer and the first female Brigadier General of the Ghana Armed Forces. She also served in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Southern Lebanon, Liberia and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She served as a Military Observer in the UN Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo and was first female Team Leader in the UNs history. Our Constance was truly an inspiration. No one who met her ever forgot her remarkable smile and infectious laugh. She inspired and mentored literally generations of soldiers and officers. She always had time to stop to chat, to share a laugh, to encourage and offer advice, and she never passed up an opportunity to dance. She will be dearly missed by all the personnel of MINURSO and by the entire family of UN peacekeeping, the message concluded. Brigadier General Edjenani-Afenu is survived by her husband, three children and two grandchildren. The past few months in Ghana's parliamentary history will go down as some of the most embarrassing. The best example of West African democracy was drowned in regular examples of unruly behavior by honorable members of the house simply because we disagreed on issues. In the chamber from where we were previously praised for our respect for the rule of law and peaceful civil conduct even when disagreed, we are now lampooned as being the example of failed leaders. The chamber of Parliament is designed to be a place where the brightest and the best ideas find expression. It is set up with elaborate rules aimed at creating a conducive environment where the representatives of the people deliberate on issues of national interest. The previous seven Parliaments are remembered for some of the best debates, life transforming policies and tense moments. Major disagreements that ensued were resolved through various legal means such as walk-outs, counter motions, statements, public demonstrations and votes. None of them degenerated into chaos in the chamber due to a disagreement among members. Unfortunately the 8th near-hung parliament is fast degenerating into an arena where disagreements are often settled through trading of blows. I am one of those who believe that there is absolutely nothing wrong with MPs disagreeing on a matter. Indeed if we all agreed on everything, this would probably not be a robust democracy. But while it is okay to disagree with each other, it is not okay to physically obstruct Parliamentary business with violence and unruly behavior, simply because we disagree. The manner in which we are conducting ourselves is frankly shameful and condemnable. The manner in which law makers are fast becoming the most lawless group in the country is simply unacceptable. Violence and misconduct in the chamber among the Political class, have dire consequences on our national fortunes. First, it sends a dangerous signal to the populace. Not only does it say we are actually not as matured a democracy as we claim to be, but it actually encourages all levels of our society that violence is the best way to settle disagreements. Conduct like this undermines the idea that Ghana is a peaceful haven in a volatile sub-region. What will we as MPs say when the youth in our communities resort to violence to settle their disagreements? Will we have the moral rights to call them to order? Secondly, conduct like this affects global confidence in our economy and the flow of investments into Ghana. This inward flow plays a key role in helping grow our economy. Already, our international rating has suffered a dip. In the recent Fitch downgrade of Ghana's economy to B- with a negative outlook, one of the strong arguments that was made in the report was though Ghana has a percentile rank above 50 for the respective Governance Indicator, what happened in Parliament has the tendency to impact the country's credit profile and reduce investor confidence. How can we say we want to grow our economy for the benefit of the people, yet be the very ones sending signals to the global investor community that we are unable to manage our own affairs. A third challenge is the kind of precedent we set for future parliamentary conduct on how to handle disagreements. While we reminisce in the intellectual brilliance of the JH Mensahs and the Moses Asagas of previous parliaments, we must ask ourselves what sort of legacy of parliamentary conduct are we leaving for the 9th and subsequent parliaments? For me, the developments in Parliament are not even about the e-levy per se. They are about a new culture brewing in the legislature which must be condemned by all and quickly addressed. They are about the belief, that it is okay to use violence and physical obstruction to stop parliamentary business from proceeding. This new culture if not checked will spell doom for our democracy and our body politic. If not checked, this culture will characterize all other business in future parliaments. That once members disagree on a matter, violence and obstruction is the way out. We as Members have a responsibility to be civil in our conduct. Yes we can disagree. Yes we will disagree on many matters. But we must be civil in how we express our disagreements and how we resolve them. We should debate our various viewpoints and use the power of reason and persuasion to convince one another. And when we are done we must take a civil vote on which view carried the most of members present and voting. Additionally if anyone is displeased with even the procedures adopted, there are equally acceptable legal ways of raising and having that displeasure addressed. Violence, uncivil conduct and physical obstruction are totally unacceptable. We are guilty of damaging the country's image and democratic record. But we have a chance to recover as Parliament resumes sittings from today. As has been announced, we in the Majority will re-engage our collegues in the Minority and seek to reach consensus on matters we may have disagreement on. It is our expectation that both sides of the house will approach these matters in good faith and in accordance with the laid down rules and conventions of parliament. We have a responsibility to be civil, lest we bring down this democracy by our own unruly behavior. By: Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (Information Minister/ MP-Ofoase Ayirebi) After a chaotic weekend of protests and a mutiny, soldiers in Burkina Faso announced on Monday evening they had taken over the country and arrested the President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. The operation was carried out under the orders of lieutenant colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, previously in charge of anti-terror operations in the east of the country. The army statement read out on RTB national television on Monday, was issued in the name of a group previously unheard of, notably the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, or MPSR. According to the statement, written by MPSR president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Kabore has failed to unite the nation and to deal effectively with the security crisis which "threatens the very foundations of our nation". He said his movement would re-establish "constitutional order" within a "reasonable time". Hundreds gathered in the streets to show support for the military following the announcement. Behind the uprising is frustration at the government's inability to handle rising jihad violence over the past few years and the lack of resources. This has also translated into regular street protests in recent months, often suppressed by security forces. At the weekend, mutinying soldiers made several demands, including: the removal of the army's chief of staff and the head of the intelligence service, more troops to be deployed to the front line; and better conditions for the wounded and soldiers' families. Anti-terror operations According to French sources, Damiba is listed as having graduated from a Paris military school in 2017. He also completed studies in criminal science at the Arts et Metiers school (CNAM) and received a certificate in management, command and strategy. In June 2021, Damiba published an essay on terrorism entitled Armees ouest-africaines et terrorisme : Reponses incertaines ?. On the 3 December, Damiba was tasked with heading up anti-terrorism operations in the zone in the east of the country as well as in the capital, Ouagadougou. The post was created by President Kabore, who ordered a reshuffle in the wake of the attack in Inata in November, where 57 people were killed, including 53 gendarmes. Prior to that, it is understood that Damiba was involved in several anti-terror operations between 2015-2019 in the northern Sahel region. Damiba is also a former member of the Regiment of Presidential Security (RSP) a controversial autonomous military unit formed under President Blaise Compaore, who helped soldiers to stage a coup d'etat in 2015. However, Damiba said he refused a request by general Djibril Bassole to join the uprising in Ougadougou. According to several sources, Damiba spent time during his military training in the presence of Colonel Zoungrana, who was arrested two weeks ago on suspicion of preparing a coup. Future of Sahel operations Burkina Faso is now the third West African country to witness a military takeover in recent years. Guinea and Mali have had sanctions imposed on them by Ecowas to press them to return to constitutional order. Questions have been raised as to how this latest chapter of unrest will affect the management of France's Barkhane operation in the Sahel. Out of the four countries involved in the G5 project, Niger is the only one left with an elected president. The instability in Burkina Faso has "added to the difficulties of maintaining Barkhane, which is becoming politically more difficult to support. With these coups, and bad governance, nothing new can be built," says Elie Tenenbaum, director at the Centre for Security Studies and International Relations (IFRI). After nine years of anti-terror operations, France has already begun scaling back its military presence in the region, from 5,000 soldiers last year to a projected 2,500-3,000 by 2023, with an increased participation by European partners and training local troops. At present, Burkina Faso hosts French special forces as part of the Sabre operation; in charge of tracking down jihadist leaders in the region. Four of its members were wounded in a mine explosion on Tuesday last week. It remains to be seen if the coup leaders will maintain the partnership with French authorities. Burkina Faso's new strongman, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has had first-hand experience of the brutal jihadist insurgency that he cites as the pretext for seizing power. Damiba heads a junta that on Monday overthrew the country's elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who was facing public anger at his failure to stem the crisis. Since the first jihadist attacks in 2015, some 2,000 people have died, with the army, police and a civilian volunteer militia bearing the brunt, according to an AFP toll. In a country of 21 million, some 1.5 million people are internally displaced, according to the national emergency agency CONASUR. Damiba, 41, is commander of the 3rd Military Region, which covers eastern Burkina Faso -- one of the worst-hit areas. "He's an example of a good soldier, a tough commander who has been on the front line with his men," said a military source, who praised Damiba's "commitment." Before the coup, Damiba made no secret of his criticism of prevailing strategies to roll back the insurgency, publishing a book last June called "West African Armies and Terrorism: Uncertain Answers?" On Monday, he was part of a group of uniformed men who declared they had taken power, although he did not say anything, leaving the job of announcer to a captain, Sidsore Kader Ouedraogo. 'Deterioration of the security situation' Ouedraogo read out a statement signed by Damiba as president of Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR), as the junta calls itself. The statement lashed "the continuous deterioration of the security situation, which threatens the very foundation of our nation" and singled out Kabore's "clear inability to unite the Burkinabe people to tackle the situation effectively". Damiba trained at the Georges Namoano Military Academy in Po in southern Burkina. Many of its alumni served in the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), the former presidential guard of Kabore's predecessor, Blaise Compaore, who was overthrown by a popular uprising in 2014. Damiba commanded the RSP from 2003-2011, although he was also among those who opposed a coup bid in 2015 by Compaore's right-hand man, General Gilbert Diendere. As a regimental commander from 2019 to 2021, he gained first-hand experience of the problems of Burkina Faso's poorly-trained and ill-equipped security forces against ruthless and highly mobile jihadists. In November last year, the country was stunned when 53 gendarmes were slaughtered when their base was overrun by hundreds of assailants. The gendarmes had been due to be relieved several days earlier and had appealed for help before the attack, saying they were running short of food and ammunition. Kabore shook up the military and Damiba was sent to command the 3rd military Region. French ties Like many military officers in the French-speaking Sahel, Damiba has had close affiliations with France. He notably trained at the prestigious Military School of Paris. The Paris company Editions Les Trois Colonnes which published his book last year, says Damiba also earned a "master's degree in criminal science" at the CNAM academy in the French capital, and has also gained a diploma in "defence management, command and strategy". "He is part of the elite, although he has also got results on the ground -- he has led and commanded a certain number of units," said Oumarou Paul Koalaga, a local political analyst. "These are officers with brains." Editors note: Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst on Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. The article reflects the authors opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. In his visit to Kenya on January 6, 2022, Chinas Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, emphasized Chinas support for economic progress in Africa, and in particular, the Horn of Africa. Wang was continuing Chinas 32-year-old tradition of having their foreign minister begin each year with an overseas trip to Africa. In the first week of January, Wang met with officials in Eritrea, Kenya and Comoros. Both Eritrea and Kenya are located in East Africa, a region where Ethiopia, the second most populated nation in Africa, is engaged in a 14-month war to defeat an armed insurrection led by the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front. Kenya, an important ally of China, is a key nation in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Maritime Silk Road. Eliminating poverty Wang, in his press conference, focused on the number one challenge facing Africa: poverty and the extremely low standard of living affecting the majority of its 1.4 billion people. He polemically stated,If there is any trap in Africa, it is the trap of poverty and the trap of backwardness, which he counterposed to the so-called debt trap that he referred to as a speech trap created by the West. China speaks with authority, which has accomplished a modern day miracle in lifting over 750 million of its people out of extreme poverty and has pledged to help Africa do the same. A woman fills up her water jerrycan in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, January 1, 2022. /VCG Chinas approach to the current challenges in the Horn of Africa is in stark contrast to that of the U.S. Instead of punishing Eastern African nations with sanctions and economic warfare, China is promoting peace and economic development. According to Wang, China will appoint a special envoy for the region, with the goal: To support the Horn of Africa in realizing lasting stability, peace and prosperity, China is willing to put forward the Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa and support regional countries in addressing the triple challenges of security, development and governance. Emphasizing Chinas infrastructure-led economic approach, Wang encouraged nations of the region to accelerate regional revitalization to overcome development challenges, adding that the two principal axes, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, should be enlarged and enhanced with the aim of expanding to neighboring countries at an opportune moment. Wang announced that China would provide an additional 10 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to Kenya which follows President Xi Jinpings November pledge at the Forum on China Africa Cooperation conference in Dakar, to make 1 billion doses available to Africa. Chinas policy guided by development The dominant feature of Chinas relation to Africa is development, contrary to the Western geopolitical propaganda against China. The infrastructure-driven BRI has made physical improvements in African economies through the construction of railways, roads, power generation capacity, ports and airports. There is not a single Western nation that even remotely compares to Chinas level of investment in Africa. As every African leader knows well, if China were to cease offering loans for infrastructure, there would be no Western nation to address the continents huge deficit in the field, and African nations would suffer terribly. The U.S. has failed to modernize its own rail network and is incapable of building advanced transportation corridors in other countries, while China had constructed around 40,000 kilometers of high-speed rail by the end of 2021. Unlike U.S. officials who travel to African nations, Chinese representatives do not attach political conditionalities or arrogantly dictate what domestic policies must be adopted by their host countries. Instead, China is thoughtful by responding to the most critical and urgent needs of African nations. That is the elimination of poverty, which necessitates massive investments in hard and soft infrastructure. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga has once again petitioned the Bank of Ghana to investigate the alleged negative activities of Board Chairman of the Ghana Amalgamated Trust (GAT), Albert Essien and its Managing Director, Eric Nana Otoo. Mahama Ayariga has accused the two of planning to offload the trusts shares to third parties. According to the Bawku Central MP, Albert Essien and Eric Otoo were coordinating with the Ministry of Finance and the Second Deputy Governor of BoG to implement the transaction. The lawmaker has thus called on the Central Bank governor to issue a cease and desist letter to the trust to enable a fair investigation. I acknowledge receipt of the letter dated January 6, 2022, from the Board Secretary on the above-mentioned subject. I have taken note of the fact that GAT has not applied to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in their disingenuous quest to dispose of their shares in the bank to private persons. Indeed, this omission to seek your approval, which you have graciously confirmed, is the main concern of this communication. I have contended that GAT is a financial holding company by any stretch of our interpretation of the definition of a financial holding company in section 43 (2)(a) and 44(1) of the Banks and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930). As you are aware, of Section 49 of the Banks and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions Act. 2016 (Act 930) is very clear that a person will require the prior written approval of BoG before transferring any shares which affect a significant shareholding in a specialized deposit-taking institution or a financial holding company. He noted that GAT was established as a Special Purpose Vehicle with only one objective of holding shares for the government in an arrangement to take shares in certain banks in exchange for funds to enable them to meet the BoG capital requirement for banks. He further noted that any sale of GATs shares as a company amounts to a sale of GATS shares in the various banks because GAT has no other asset apart from these shares purportedly held for government. It is an undeniable fact that GAT is attempting to bypass strict regulatory oversight to sell GATS significant shareholdings in banks. W ithout BoGs prior written approval GAT is indirectly selling off the various shares in the Banks. The Ghana Amalgamated Trust (GAT) was established by an Act of Parliament to help financially resource some local banks to enable them to meet the minimum capital requirement of commercial banks during the onset of the banking sector clean-up. Read the full petition below: citinewsroom There will be no discussions on the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) in Parliament this week, this is according to Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ibrahim Ahmed. Parliament after going on recess in December 2021 for the Christmas holidays has today, January 25, 2022, resumed sitting. Prior information gathered before this week indicated that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta would be in Parliament with a revised proposal of the Electronic Transaction Levy to push for its approval this week. Speaking to Starr News, Minority MP Ibrahim Ahmed says even if E-Levy will be discussed by Parliament, it will not be this week. Let me state emphatically that clearly contrary to the expectation of many Ghanaians that the almighty E-levy, which brought fighting, commotion and chaos in our Parliament. And held the name of Ghana to public ridicule is not in the business statement of agenda in Parliament from Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip shared. He continued, If there would be any discussion at all, it would be next week. Maybe, next week because it would be on the principle that the Finance Minister and the government including our brothers on the Majority side have now seen wisdom in the advice that we gave to them. Meanwhile, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has emphasised that his side of the house will never approve the E-Levy in its current state. He insists that the Minority still holds the view that the levy is a killer one, very regressive, and would only bring untold hardship to Ghanaians. Supporters of Burkina Faso's new junta rallied on Tuesday as France, the UN and the country's neighbours condemned its latest coup. Army officers in the notoriously volatile West African state detained President Roch Marc Christian Kabore on Monday amid deepening anger over his handling of a jihadist insurgency. The poor Sahel country now lies in the hands of the Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR), the name of a junta led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Several hundred people gathered in Nation Square in the heart of the capital Ouagadougou, waving flags and sounding vuvuzela horns in a loud show of support for the junta, while hawkers nearby sold posters of Damiba. "We called for President Kabore's departure several times, but he didn't listen to us. The army heard us and understood," said Lassane Ouedrago, an activist in a grassroots group. "As far as we're concerned, it's not a coup," said Julienne Traore, a 30-year-old teacher. "It's the liberation of a country, which was being governed by people who were incompetent." "Thank you, the army," and "you are heroes," some shouted to soldiers going in out and out of a barracks opposite the square. Some demonstrators carried Malian and Russian flags -- a reference to Mali's military junta, which in 2020 also took power on the back of protests over the response to jihadist bloodshed and has recently woven security ties with Moscow. Coup leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was on the cover of Tuesday's newspapers. By OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT AFP On Monday night, a statement signed by Damiba announced the suspension of the constitution, the dissolution of the government and parliament and the closure of the country's borders from midnight. The MPSR will re-establish "constitutional order" within a "reasonable time," the statement said, adding that a nationwide 9 pm to 5 am curfew would be enforced. On Tuesday, the junta announced the resumption of air traffic while reopening land borders for vehicles carrying humanitarian, military and essential goods. Despite the political upheaval, life in Ouagadougou seemed to continue as normal. The city's main market, shops and petrol stations were open, and there was no particular military presence in the centre, an AFP journalist saw. Condemnation West Africa has been rattled by three military coups in less than 18 months, beginning with Mali in August 2020 and Guinea in September 2021. It is the latest bout of political turmoil to strike Burkina Faso, which has had little stability since gaining independence from France in 1960. Map of Burkina Faso locating the capital Ouagadougou. By AFP French President Emmanuel Macron condemned a "military coup", while the UN's human rights office said it "deeply deplores the military takeover of power." "We call on the military to immediately release President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and other high-level officials who have been detained," the office's spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, told reporters in Geneva. "We urge a swift return to constitutional order." France has committed thousands of troops to shoring up its former colonies Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali -- three of the world's most impoverished countries -- in the face of a brutal jihadist offensive. The West African bloc ECOWAS, which includes Burkina, held a special summit, issuing a statement that said it "firmly condemns... a military coup." The G5 Sahel, an anti-jihadist alliance that includes Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger as well as Burkina, issued a statement saying it "strongly condemns this attempt to disrupt the constitutional order." Kabore faced increasing criticism for his handling of the jihadist insurgency. By JULIEN DE ROSA POOLAFP The national TV channel RTB late Monday published on social media a handwritten letter that it said was written by Kabore, purportedly saying that he was stepping down "in the higher interests of the nation". The letter could not be independently verified, but ECOWAS confirmed that Kabore had resigned, and said this was "under threat, intimidation and pressure from soldiers after two days of mutiny." The whereabouts of Kabore, Prime Minister Lassina Zerbo and other senior officials are also unknown. The junta said "the operations (to overthrow Kabore) unfolded without bloodshed and without any physical violence towards the persons arrested, who are being held in a secure place with respect for their dignity". Anger Kabore's downfall came amid deepening anger at the government's failure to stem Burkina Faso's security crisis. Armed Islamists began launching cross-border raids from Mali in 2015, overwhelming the country's poorly trained and badly equipped armed forces. Around 2,000 people have died, according to an AFP tally. In a country of 21 million, some 1.5 million people are internally displaced, according to the national emergency agency CONASUR. Bloody attacks on the army, police and a volunteer civilian militia mounted throughout 2021, and accounts of negligence or indifference by top commanders sparked particular anger. On Saturday, police used tear gas to disperse banned protests, arresting dozens of people. The following day, troops began to mutiny in numerous barracks, and Kabore was toppled on Monday. Kabore was elected in 2015, pitching himself as a beacon of hope after the long reign of strongman Blaise Compaore, who came to power in a putsch in 1987. Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Paris Wednesday for talks with their French and German counterparts in a bid to defuse tensions, an aide to French President Emmanuel Macron said. The meeting, according to a statement from the "Normandy Format", will be part of a wider effort to avert war. Within this context, France is proposing "a path to de-escalation" that would include steps by both Ukraine and Russia, the aide told reporters on condition of anonymity. The Normandy Format talks ( Format Normandie in French) involve four countries - Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France - whose representatives met informally during the 2014 D-Day celebrations in Normandy, France, in an effort to resolve the war in Donbas. It has also been known as the Normandy contact group. "The president thinks there is a space for diplomacy, a path to de-escalation," the aide said, confirming that Macron would speak to Putin "in the coming days". The meeting on Wednesday will bring together one of Russia's vice-prime ministers and a senior aide to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as diplomatic advisors to Macron and German leader Olaf Scholz, the French aide said. 'Globalization of indifference' But the meeting according to the "Normandy Format" was strongly criticized in Kyiv. In a hard-hitting opinion piece in the Kyiv Post, Iuliia Mandel, a former press secretary of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, expresses shock about the willingness of France and Germany to take a softer line on Russia. In the piece, entitled, Against the Globalization of Indifference Why German and French Attitudes are Immoral and so Damaging, she recalls the shock she had during an earlier visit to Paris when she discovered the lack of knowledge among Macron's advisors on the situation in the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine where over 14,000 people died. "Despite 30 years of independence, Ukraine has not managed to establish as close a relationship with France as Moscow has seemingly been able to achieve." "Not surprisingly," she continues, "Macron called on the European Union to make its own security pact with Russia, breaking US calls for unity and action in the face of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine." 'Equal player?' Mandel also attacked Germany's reluctance to fully discontinue the Nord Stream II gas pipeline, which the US says will give Moscow strategic leverage over the EU - and recent remarks by a German admiral who had to resign after saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin "deserves respect". "The Germans and the French perceive Russia as an equal player," she writes. "Perhaps they are somehow afraid of, or genuinely respect, Putin, or perhaps they misunderstand Russia, driven by the logic of a peaceful open economy. "Whichever is true, it seems that Russian brute force is enough to make them count as equals," she adds. 'Hysteria' Her hard line is shared by the Americans. In spite of the difference in approach with the EU, US President Joe Biden said there was "total unanimity" on how to deal with Russia, as the Pentagon said 8,500 US troops were being put on standby and NATO said it was sending ships and jets to bolster eastern Europe's defences. Meanwhile, in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said these actions were only adding to an already tense atmosphere. "The United States is escalating tensions," he told reporters. "We are watching these US actions with great concern," he said, reproaching the US and its allies that their information about a potential conflict with Ukraine was filled with 'hysteria' and 'laced with lies' (With wires) After an independent investigation into more than 5,000 Covid-19 fund contracts, South Africa's Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has found more than half of the tenders are irregular and will be referred for prosecution, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday. Some 940 cases worth 800 million euros in Covid funds have been flagged. "It is unacceptable that so many contracts associated with saving lives and protecting livelihoods were irregular, unlawful or fraudulent," Ramaphosa said in a statement. South Africa is the hardest-hit country on the continent, with more than 3.5 million diagnosed infections and more than 94,000 deaths. "This investigation targeted individuals and institutions who believed they could exploit a moment of national vulnerability to enrich themselves and those with whom they colluded to abuse public resources," said Ramaphosa. The SIU, an independent law enforcement agency, has referred more than 385 cases to court, more than 220 cases for disciplinary action against government officials, and 330 will be dealt with for administrative action, which includes public contract blacklisting. Health minister debacle Fighting corruption was key to Ramaphosa's election platform after the country reeled from the abuse of funds under the Jacob Zuma administration, and allegations against Zuma himself. Included in the overall corruption charges is former health minister Zweli Mkhize, who SIU called to face criminal charges last year directly related to a 8.8 million euro fund scandal. The money, earmarked to educate the South African public about Covid-19, was partially used by Mkhize's son Dedani to purchase a Land Cruiser vehicle, according to the SIU report. His son also withdrew large amounts of cash, it added. Mkhize resigned from his post in August. The SIU did not specify how the rest of the funds were spent. Money is already in the process of being recovered in a number of cases, according to SIU. Former President John Dramani Mahama 25.01.2022 LISTEN Former President, John Dramani Mahama has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will continue to oppose the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) proposed by the ruling government. In a Facebook post, the 2020 NDC Presidential candidate argues that it is unacceptable for President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia to collapse Ghanas economy then later turn around to impose a "killer tax." The NDC remains opposed to the imposition of the numerous fresh taxes on Ghanaians at a time when Government is living large and unwilling or unable to trim expenditure, cut waste and check corruption, part of the statement on the Facebook page of John Dramani Mahama reads. According to him, the E-Levy when approved would have a negative impact on businesses and also bring suffering to the Ghanaian people. These burdensome taxes will erode business capital, especially at a time when Government has crowded out the private sector's access to credit by its voracious appetite for borrowing, the statement adds. Having joined NDC Members of Parliament for the closing session of their 2022 Caucus Retreat on Monday, Mr. John Dramani Mahama has commended the Minority for opposing efforts by the ruling government to have the E-Levy approved. Read Mahamas statement on his Facebook page below: I joined our Members of Parliament for the closing session of their 2022 Caucus Retreat on Monday. It was a good session as they prepare to resume sittings, and after a year in which they demonstrated their commitment to pushing the desires and interests of their constituents and Ghanaians generally in the House. Our MPs and the leadership have done very well in holding government accountable and on behalf of the general membership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I expressed our appreciation to them. It is important for MPs, as stressed by other speakers and the leadership, to always remember that they are representing the people and are also in the House to represent the NDC. The NDC remains opposed to the imposition of the numerous fresh taxes on Ghanaians at a time when Government is living large and unwilling or unable to trim expenditure, cut waste and check corruption. These burdensome taxes will erode business capital, especially at a time when Government has crowded out the private sector's access to credit by its voracious appetite for borrowing. The Ghanaian economy has been collapsed by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia. The debt crisis, for which there are very few tangible projects to show for, and worsening economic hardship of Ghanaians amply demonstrate the negative impact of a collapsed economy. Anti-Corruption crusader, Mr Vitus Azeem, says the Special Prosecutor's decision to investigate the 2017 to 2020 financial sector crisis amounts to double investigations as the state has already investigated the matter. He believes the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, should focus on other areas that have not been investigated. The Office of the Special Prosecutor in a recent statement said that full investigations have commenced into the banking sector crisis and that persons found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted. However, Mr. Azeem says, although the banking sector crisis is a major issue that requires his attention, Ghanaians will appreciate it if he worked on other important areas that are not being investigated by any other institution. He further called on the Special Prosecutor to update Ghanaians on investigations and prosecutions he is currently handling rather than making new promises on what he intends to do. If that [investigation] has been done, why has the Special Prosecutor decided to do the same thing especially when he is complaining of inadequate resources? Why dont you go after those areas that are not being handled? He should not be raising the appetite of Ghanaians regarding what you can do. We really want to see what he is doing and not what he can do. The banking sector thing is a very big thing and in any case, it is already being handled in court so why should that be an issue now? he quizzed. In a statement on Tuesday, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, said its investigations were targeting alleged corruption and corruption-related offences perpetrated by officials of the Bank of Ghana, banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions and financial holding companies. The financial sector clean-up started by the government in August 2017 led to the collapse of nine universal banks , 347 microfinance companies, 39 microcredit companies or moneylenders, 15 savings and loans companies, eight finance house companies, and two non-bank financial institutions. The Securities and Exchange Commission also announced the revocation of licenses of 53 Fund Management Companies. A number of these institutions were found to have varying degrees of corporate governance lapses. The total estimated cost of the state's fiscal intervention, excluding interest payments, from 2017 to 2019 was pegged at GHS16.4 billion. citinewsroom New York, US (PANA) - Following the coup announced in Burkina Faso by the armed forces on Monday, the United Nations Secretary-General says he is following the developments in the landlocked West African nation with "deep concern" Government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has launched the Appiate Support Fund. The fund will among other things provide relief items to persons affected by the explosion which occurred last Thursday, 20th January 2022 at Appiatse in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region. At the launch in Accra on Tuesday, the Sector Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, said the establishment of this Fund will also help in the reconstruction of the entire community. He subsequently called on Ghanaians to support this worthy course. Ghanaians have been known to be hospitable and compassionate, and we cannot ignore our own people who fell victim to this unfortunate event. On the instruction of the President, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has decided on the Appiate Support Fund to raise funds to among other things support the people and reconstruct the community brought down by the explosion, Samuel Jinapor said. To ensure fair, transparent, and judicious use of the funds, the government has appointed a five-member committee to manage the funds. The committee has been tasked to raise sufficient funds and supervise the disbursement of the funds in accordance with the highest level of integrity for the sole benefit of the people of Appiate. Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the committee, Dr. Joyce Aryee, said they will use their diverse expertise to help realize the objective of the fund. The Fund, which is aimed at soliciting support from individuals, corporate institutions, and well-meaning Ghanaians, will also be managed with supervision from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. The explosion has killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 100 others as well as leveling several buildings in the area. Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyni is urging the Business Committee of Parliament to invite Ambrose Dery and Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ministers of Interior and Lands and Natural Resources respectively, to brief the house on the explosion that occurred at Appiatse near Bogoso in the Western Region leading to the loss of lives and destruction of properties. According to him, it is important for these Ministers to explain to the House the measures that have been put in place to prevent the recurrence of such disaster and also how the affected victims are being catered for. The pictures and the videos we see on our screens are heart breaking and if the Ministers of Lands and Natural resources with oversight on mining, the Minister for Interior and that for environment are not prepared already to brief the House, I will urge the Business Committee to schedule them to take this as a public interest matter that the people of Ghana deserve to be briefed on, and for us to be assured of the steps that are being taking to ameliorate the suffering of the people in Bogoso, Suhuyini said on the floor of the House on Tuesday January 25. Following the explosion, the Police said its preliminary investigation established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion. Reference to our earlier emergency public notice, the Police have taken charge of the situation providing security to enable the emergency workers including the Ghana National Fire Service , NADMO and the Ambulance Service to manage the situation. The public has been advised to move out of the area to nearby towns for their safety while recovery efforts are underway.An appeal is also being made to nearby towns to open up their classrooms, churches etc to accommodate surviving victims. Meanwhile, preliminary investigation has established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion. Most of the victims have been rescued and are on admission at various hospitals and clinics within the Bogoso Municipality. Reinforcement of resources and personnel have been deployed to effectively handle the incident. We continue to urge the public to remain calm as we manage the situation. Further updates regarding the emergency evacuation of the injured will be communicated in due course, a statement said. The Police had assured that it was managing the situation. An earlier statement by the Police on Thursday January 20 said Emergency Public Notice!A huge explosion occurred this afternoon, Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Apiate between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region. The Police and other emergency service providers have activated a full emergency recovery exercise. We urge all to remain calm as we manage this unfortunate situation. 3news.com Nicolas Economou NurPhoto via - Source: 25.01.2022 LISTEN Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, offers flights to over 56 destinations in 39 countries. This should be a remarkable feat in these waning days of the COVID-19 global pandemic . Standing out among the brightly coloured aircraft on the field is the black, red, and green tail of the Kenyan flag. This aircraft livery belongs to the national flag carrier of Kenya, Kenya Airways . The airline, proclaimed The Pride of Africa under its name, was founded in 1977 following the breakup of the East Africa Community and the dissolution of East African Airways, a joint venture between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In 2019, Kenya Airways carried over 5.1 million passengers while its low-cost subsidiary, Jambojet, transported an additional 726,000. These were operational milestones to be celebrated by the airline and the country. But these cheery figures have not changed the airline's fortunes. Kenya Airway's losses tripled to $333 million in the 12 months to December 2020 as COVID-19 containment measures cut passenger levels to their lowest level since 1999. Kenya's national airline isn't alone in its struggles. Over the last two decades that I have been studying the sector, national carriers have gone to the wall in ever greater numbers. For instance, Delta Air Lines, one of the world's largest carriers, posted a 2020 annual loss of $12.4 billion. While it is helpful to keep both Kenya Airways and Delta Air Lines in mind when it comes to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on international airlines, it does not answer the larger question of why airlines seem to go from one crisis to another. To understand this issue, it is necessary to look at the nature of the airline industry, the factors that shape it, and the challenges it faces to achieve profitability. Tale of two Airlines In recent years, Kenya Airways has received a series of government bailouts, and is reported to be seeking further government support due losses linked to COVID-19. It even sought to raise funds by requesting permission to run the profitable Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. This request was blocked by Parliament, citing possible loss of jobs and public revenue. Previously, the Kenya government's decision to bring a strategic investor on board, in 1995, paid off with short-lived profitability before the airline plunged back to losses. Meanwhile, US airlines received direct bailouts for the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack of $15 billion and COVID-19 package of $25 billion. In between these bailouts, financial crisis led to the bankruptcy of all of the major US carriers that benefited from restructuring debt and pension fund bailouts. In short, the history of airline bailouts across the world is long and costly. The COVID-19 pandemic is simply the latest major setback for the industry. The International Air Transport Association, the international trade lobby group for airlines, has described the pandemic as the worst shock to air travel and the aviation industry since the second world war. In its Annual Review 2020 , it reported that global revenue per passenger kilometre declined 66% and airline operating revenue went down 60% to a post-tax industry loss exceeding $118 billion. Without government aid to airlines around the world of more than $173 billion , many of these airlines would have failed. Vulnerabilities The truth is that airlines hold a special place in the heart of people because they often carry the name and the flag of the countries they represent. But this emotional attachment isn't enough to ensure the financial sustainability of national airlines. Kenya Airways, South African Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines have survived against the odds, but the cost has been high. When the Wright Brothers first flew in 1903, it was not clear that commercial air travel would one day become a common practice. In fact, most governments had to intervene directly or indirectly with financial support to foster the development of their national airlines. Many governments owned these carriers outright while others used various subsidies to support their operations. But in 1978 major changes were triggered by the US Airline Deregulation Act . This law liberalised commercial airline industry, ending the US federal government role in setting fares, awarding routes and controlling new market entry. Internationally, the US began to push for changes as well. As a result, governments around the world began to withdraw from ownership and support roles. The market was now expected to determine the fate of airlines and it has often not been kind to the global airline industry. Major economic recessions in the early 1980s and 1990s were followed by the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the global financial crisis of 2008. In each case, the global airline industry posted record losses. Airlines went bankrupt or merged with other carriers to survive. Apart from big shock events, airlines are vulnerable for a number of additional reasons. The first is that the industry is very sensitive to economic cycles. When economic activity slows down, the airline industry is one of the first to feel the impact. Also, airlines need very expensive assets like airplanes, and highly trained personnel, including pilots, flight attendants and mechanics, to carry out safe and high quality operations. Third, airlines require a substantial infrastructure to support their activity. These include airports, air traffic systems, and facilities for training and maintenance. But those that have survived and the new ones that have taken off have done so because of rising demand across the world. According to the International Air Transport Association's Annual Review 2019 , the global airline industry carried almost four billion passengers and 64 million tonnes of cargo in 2018. The pandemic has returned the airline industry to the levels of 1999. Hard to be an airline Airlines offer the fastest and safest form of long distance travel, provide direct and indirect employment, and contribute to tourism and economic development. For these reasons, nations and regions have an interest in the health and welfare of airlines. But how many airlines is too many or too few? There is no simple answer to this question. High-income countries with large domestic traffic bases like the US can support a handful of carriers to transport the bulk of their commercial passengers. Countries without a large domestic base of traffic like the UAE must rely on attracting international and connecting traffic. But lower income countries struggle to support a single carrier. Examples of airline bankruptcy during the Pandemic include Air Mauritus, Avianca (Colombia), LATAM (Chile), and Philippine Airlines. In Africa, it may take a region to support an airline because the industry needs a large base of potential customers and sizeable investment in assets and infrastructure. In 1999 African countries signed Yamoussoukro Decision that commits members to liberalising air services. The Single African Air Transport market and the African Continental Free Trade Area expanded the vision. Liberalising air service agreements would allow airlines to draw on a larger base of potential passengers, trained workers, and government resources. Talks between Kenya Airways and South African Airways are a tangible expression of the vision of creating a regional carrier structure strong enough to weather the unpredictable winds of the aviation industry. Read more: Airline tie-up for Kenya and South Africa: possible rewards, and risks Maybe 2022 will be the year that Africa puts aside purely national aspirations and rises up to make the goal of a single sky with a few strong, safe airlines a reality. Dawna L. Rhoades, does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Dawna L. Rhoades,, Professor of Management , Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University The National Insurance Commission (NIC) has issued a statement warning the general public that it has not approved Akwaaba Insurance. This follows reports that at the end of the first quarter of 2022, there will be mandatory insurance for travelers that arrive in Ghana called the Akwaaba Insurance. The NIC in a statement dated Tuesday, January 25, 2022, has stressed that no approval has been given to any insurance company to roll-out such a product. It has come to the notice of the National Insurance Commission (NIC) that a publication on the above-mentioned product which is purported to be mandatory for all international travelers arriving in Ghana effective end of first quarter 2022 is being circulated. The NIC wishes to advise the general public that the said Akwaaba Insurance has not been approved by the Commission and as such any publication to that effect should be disregarded, the NIC statement has said. Reports indicate that the State Insurance Company PLC (SIC), together with Enterprise Insurance and GLICO Insurance Company have formed a consortium for the implementation of Akwaaba Insurance. The consortium allegedly wants to make it mandatory for international travelers that arrive into the country to be required to purchase the insurance regardless of the duration of stay and nationality. 25.01.2022 LISTEN The Members of the pressure group, Justice for Ghana, have expressed worry over a directive by the Police to deny them access to Parliament House. The pressure groups members were at the entrance of Parliament House on Tuesday to demand that the Electronic Transfer Levy is not passed into law. This is not the first time the group is registering their displeasure over the controversial E-levy bill which when passed will tax electronic transactions like mobile money transfers by 1.75%. Speaking to Citi News, the convener for the group, Bernard Mornah, said the police have breached their arrangement to have them enter Parliament House. This is not the house of Parliament, but look at where the police have blocked us. The police have become lawless, instead of them maintaining law and order, they are maintaining disorder. We had notified the leadership of parliament that we are coming to occupy the house, and you come and block us. I think thats unfortunate. If they deny citizens our rights and freedoms, we have no option but to become violent. The group has further indicated that it will picket at parliament for three days to drum home their demands We have started the picketing, but the majority of the people do not know that we have started, so tomorrow [Wednesday], we will be here. We will continue tomorrow [Wednesday], next and any day they will tell us that there is going to be an E-levy on the order paper, we will organize ourselves, Bernard Monarh added. On December 8, 2021, the group converged on the Efua Sutherland Children's Park to protest the 2022 budget. The protesters planned to end the exercise by picketing at Parliament House, but they were denied. The picketing was aimed at putting pressure on Parliament to withdraw the 2022 budget, which they say is not in the interest of the country. They also did not regard a restraining order from the police accusing them of exhibiting bad faith on their picketing. Bernard Mornah indicated that nothing will stop his team from rejecting the e-levy proposed in the 2022 budget. It has thus vowed to pitch camp at parliament until the tax policy is withdrawn. An Accra High Court has admitted in evidence the investigation caution statements of four accused persons standing trial for kidnapping two Canadian girls at Kumasi in 2019. The four; Sampson Aghalor, aka Romeo, a 27-year-old Computer Engineer, Elvis Ojiyorwe, 27, businessman, Jeff Omarsar, 28, tiler, who are all Nigerians, and Yusif Yakubu, a resident of Kumasi, had argued that their statements were taken under intimidation and torture. However, the court, presided over by Mrs Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, ruled that the accused persons voluntarily made their statements, hence overruled their objection. It said it found the allegation of the four to be rehearsed because in their evidence in chief they indicated that no statement was taken from them while in the custody of the National Investigation Bureau. But under cross examination the accused said they gave some statements to the police, the court said. After the close of prosecution's case in the trial, accused were asked to open their defence. In their evidence in chief, they held that they did not make the statement as claimed by the Police and even if they did, it was because they were subjected to beatings and torture. Prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney, Mrs Hilda Craig, said the accused persons made voluntary statements. They have been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime to wit kidnapping, and two counts of kidnapping but have denied the charges. An all-Ghanaian security operation, led by the National Security on June 11, 2019, rescued the two Canadians; Lauren Tilley and Bailey Chittey, who were abducted at the gate of their hostel at Nhyiaeso, a Kumasi suburb. The Canadians were in the country to do voluntary work. The accused persons kept them in an uncompleted building on the outskirts of the town and demanded a ransom of $800,000. The two ladies had boarded an Uber, a car hailing service, to their hostel at Nhyiaeso behind the Vienna Hotel but were accosted by the accused persons when they arrived at their destination and alighted from the car. However, on June 11, 2019, security operatives arrested Yakubu at his house and he also led them to arrest Aghalor at Aboabo. The security also arrested Orjiyorwe and Omarsa at Amoam Achaise, whilst they held on to the victims amidst exchanges of fire. Orjiyorme and Omarsa also threatened to kill the victims if the security operatives did not retreat. The two were arrested and the victims rescued. A search at the crime scene revealed items including a hand grenade, knives, pistols, and other personal effects of the victims. GNA Supporters of Burkina Faso's new junta rallied on Tuesday as the UN, France and the poor Sahel country's neighbours condemned its latest coup. Army officers in the notoriously volatile West African state detained President Roch Marc Christian Kabore on Monday amid deepening anger over his handling of a jihadist insurgency. The former French colony is now in the hands of the Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR), the name of a junta led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Several hundred people gathered in Nation Square in the heart of the capital Ouagadougou, waving flags and sounding vuvuzela horns in a loud show of support for the junta, while hawkers nearby sold posters of the new strongman. "We called for President Kabore's departure several times, but he didn't listen to us. The army heard us and understood," said Lassane Ouedrago, an activist in a grassroots group. "As far as we're concerned, it's not a coup," said Julienne Traore, a 30-year-old teacher. "It's the liberation of a country, which was being governed by people who were incompetent." Some demonstrators carried Malian and Russian flags -- a reference to neighbouring Mali's military junta, which in 2020 also took power on the back of protests over the response to jihadist bloodshed, and has recently forged security ties with Moscow. Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, thought to be close to President Vladimir Putin and suspected of having ties with the Wagner mercenary group active in Mali, said the coup was a sign of a "new era of decolonisation" in Africa. Coup leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was on the cover of Tuesday's newspapers. By OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT AFP The junta late Monday suspended Burkina's constitution, dissolved the government and parliament and closed the country's borders. The MPSR will re-establish "constitutional order" within a "reasonable time," the junta said in a statement, adding that a nighttime curfew would be enforced. On Tuesday, the junta announced the resumption of air traffic while reopening land borders for vehicles carrying humanitarian, military and essential goods. Despite the political upheaval, life in Ouagadougou seemed to continue as normal. The city's main market, shops and petrol stations were open, and there was no particular military presence in the centre, an AFP journalist saw. Widespread condemnation West Africa has been rattled by three military coups in less than 18 months, beginning with Mali in August 2020, then Guinea in September 2021. It is the latest bout of political turmoil to strike Burkina Faso, which has had little stability since gaining independence from France in 1960. UN chief Antonio Guterres lashed coups as "unacceptable", saying "democratic societies are a value that must be preserved". "The role of the military must be to defend their countries and their peoples, not to attack their governments and to fight for power," he said. Map of Burkina Faso locating the capital Ouagadougou. By AFP French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the coup and called for the immediate release of the ousted president. France has committed thousands of troops to shoring up former colonies Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali -- three of the world's poorest countries -- in the face of a brutal jihadist offensive. The West African bloc ECOWAS, which includes Burkina, held a special summit, issuing a statement "firmly" condemning the putsch. Britain and South Africa also joined the chorus of criticism. The G5 Sahel, an anti-jihadist alliance that includes Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, slammed what it called an "attempt to disrupt the constitutional order" in its fifth member Burkina Faso. Kabore faced increasing criticism for his handling of the jihadist insurgency. By JULIEN DE ROSA POOLAFP State TV RTB published a handwritten letter on social media Monday that it said was written by Kabore, purportedly saying that he was stepping down "in the higher interests of the nation". The letter could not be independently verified, but ECOWAS confirmed that Kabore had resigned, and said this was "under threat, intimidation and pressure from soldiers after two days of mutiny". The whereabouts of Kabore, Prime Minister Lassina Zerbo and other senior officials are unknown. The junta said "the operations (to overthrow Kabore) unfolded without bloodshed and without any physical violence towards the persons arrested, who are being held in a secure place with respect for their dignity". Bloody attacks on forces Kabore's downfall came amid deepening anger at the government's failure to stem Burkina Faso's security crisis. Armed Islamists began launching cross-border raids from Mali in 2015, overwhelming the country's poorly trained and badly equipped armed forces. Around 2,000 people have died, according to an AFP tally. In a country of 21 million, some 1.5 million people are internally displaced, according to the national emergency agency CONASUR. Bloody attacks on the army, police and a volunteer civilian militia mounted throughout 2021, and accounts of negligence or indifference by top commanders sparked particular anger. On Saturday, police used tear gas to disperse banned protests, arresting dozens. The following day, troops began to mutiny in numerous barracks, and Kabore was toppled on Monday. Kabore was elected in 2015, pitching himself as a beacon of hope after the long reign of strongman Blaise Compaore, who came to power in a putsch in 1987. Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday participated in a UN Security Council debate in New York, and called for action to prevent domestic inequalities that led to urban migration and the creation of fertile grounds for conflict. Dr. Bawumia was speaking on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo during a debate on War in cities: Protection of civilians in urban settings presided over by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gare Stre. Ghana became a member of the UN Security Council in January this year for a two-year term. Dr. Bawumia said: The issue of poverty which is an important element in urbanization would need to be addressed. National initiatives would need to be supported to equalize access to economic opportunities in all parts of a country. He said this would help manage the factors that drove migration, led to unplanned urbanization and nurtured the environment for conflict. Dr. Bawumia is scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guteress later on Tuesday before travelling to Washington, DC., the US capital, on Wednesday to hold discussions with the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Molly Phee, on Wednesday. They are expected to discuss the security situation in the Sahel, and political instability in West Africa whose regional body, ECOWAS, President Akufo-Addo currently chairs. Dr. Bawumia expressed concern about the threat posed to civilian populations by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Al Qaeda in the Magreb, organizations whose activities have become a growing threat in the West Africa. He said such groups scapegoat civilians in their crusades and consider them as cannon fodder. The roles played by civilians in such wars demonstrated the complex nature of modern warfare, he said. Dr. Bawumia said the world had witnessed what he called the horrific effects of urban conflicts in places like Syria, Iraq and Yemen; but also much earlier in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire where the civil wars were fought in cities, He said urban conflicts created opportunities for violent extremist groups to radicalize young people. Ghana is serving on the Security Council alongside two other African countries, namely, Kenya and Gabon. Kenya's term elapses at the end of 2022 having been elected a year earlier. In November, Ghana will take over the Presidency of the Security Council on which it is serving for a fourth tenure since independence in 1957. Among other concerns, Ghana wants to galvanize the Council's attention to address violent extremism in the Sahel and growing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. A three-member delegation from the National Assembly of Zambia in Ghana for a five-day study visit of Ghana's Parliament. The delegation, led by Madam Princess Kasune, Deputy Government Chief Whip, National Assembly of Zambia, is accompanied by Mrs. Cynthia Nkyeraa, a Senior and National Relations Assistant and a Principal Clerk. The visit is intended to deepen the relations between Ghana's Parliament and Zambia's Legislature. Mr. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, in his opening address for the House on Tuesday in the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, introduced and welcomed the delegation. He called for the necessary and related learning assistance to the delegation to make their study trip worthwhile. Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday after the legislators took a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The Second Session of the Eighth Parliament will see the passage of bills and agreements, including the contentious Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill. Parliament was compelled to adjourn its sitting to January 25, 2022, without passing the controversial 1.75 per cent E- Levy. The Bill was brought after the House reconvened on December 21, 2021, following the abrupt suspension of sittings by the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr. Andrews Asiamah, after a scuffle during the voting on the levy. GNA President Nana Akufo-Addo will, on February 16, visit Germany to inspect production facilities for COVID-19 vaccines. He will be joined on the trip by President Macky Sall of Senegal, and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. President Akufo-Addo announced this when he opened the 73rd Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana, Legon, on Tuesday. He said government was determined to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines locally and that was not beyond the capacity of Ghanaian scientists and pharmaceutical companies. Ghana should not find herself in a "situation of begging and would, therefore, take proactive decision to produce Covid-19 and other vaccines domestically to take care of her citizens, he said. The President encouraged every citizen to get inoculated since it was the only way the country could make a quick return to normalcy, noting that 80 per cent of the COVID-19 infections were among those who had not received the vaccination. He re-affirmed his commitment to implementing the "Agenda 111" where districts without hospitals would benefit to ensure access to healthcare by all, irrespective of the place of residence. He pledged government's commitment to harnessing the creativity of Ghanaian youth and create one million jobs, in the next three years, for economic dividend. The Annual New Year School and Conferences is being held on the theme: "COVID-19 and Socio-Economic Dynamics in Ghana." It brought Ghanaians from all walks of life and the diplomatic community to discuss topical national issues to help shape policy formulation and decision-making. The conference is under the auspices of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, College of Education, University of Ghana. Topics to be discussed include Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Healthcare Delivery during Pandemics, COVID-19 and Global Peace, Security, and the Gains of COVID-19 in Education. Participants will share ideas and explore ways to aid the economy to make a rebound. A communique will be issued at the end of the conference on January 27, which will capture the recommendations of participants to inform decision-making. GNA New York, US (PANA) - Libya is at a delicate and fragile juncture in its path to unity and stability, the UN Political Affairs chief told the Security Council on Monday, urging the international community to remain united in supporting national elections postponed last month The Defense Counsel for musician Samuel Adu Frimpong, popularly known as Medikal on Tuesday prayed an Accra Circuit Court to release the Musician's Ruger 9mm pistol confiscated by the Police after it was allegedly displayed on social media. Madam Alice Nimako Debrah-Ablormeti, who held the brief of Mr Paul Abaligah, made the prayer when the accused person appeared before the Court for displaying the pistol on social media. The Court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh, ordered the counsel to make the application formal. Madam Debrah-Ablormeti also informed the Court that prosecution had not served the client with the necessary processes. The prosecution pleaded for extension to file the processes, witness statement and disclosures. The Court adjourned trial to February 15, 2022. Meanwhile, Frimpong, a renowned rapper, is on a GH100,000.00 bail with a surety (should be a public officer) for allegedly displaying a Ruger 9mm pistol on social media. He has since denied the charge. Police Chief Inspector Dennis Terkpertey earlier told the Court that in September 2021, the accused person displayed the Ruger 9mm pistol on social media. The prosecution said on September 26, 2021, the video of the musician displaying the gun went viral, stating that on October 21, 2021, based on intelligence, Medikal was arrested. It said the accused person admitted the offence in his cautioned statement. GNA Independent directors of Kishore Biyani-led Future Retail Ltd have accepted the transaction with billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, a unit of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). These directors have told Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings that its offer to provide Rs3,500-crore funding was a game of smoke and mirrors, says a report. Citing a letter written by FRL on 25 January 2022, the report from Business Standard says , It (Reliances offer) helps FRL to meet almost all FRLs liabilities and in the process helps protect the investment of small shareholders and jobs of over 25,000 employees. If you were serious about providing funding to the extent of Rs 3,500 crore within the timeline (in order to repay banks and avoid NPA classification), we would have been happy to engage with you. But it is now clear that your letters were just a game of smoke and mirrors, just to serve your purpose of gaining all the media attention and create media headlines that Amazon is prepared to help, the letter says. According to the report, Future Retail has also sent the letter to the directorate of enforcement (ED), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairman Ajay Tyagi, and Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairman Ashok K Gupta. Separately, Future group on Tuesday challenged its lenders in the Supreme Court to avoid facing insolvency proceedings over missing payments, citing its dispute with partner Amazon.com Inc, says a report from Reuters Future finds itself in a peculiar position where it wishes to comply with its obligations to lenders, but the litigation with Amazon is effectively preventing it from doing so, Futures counsel Yugandhara Pawar Jha said in the filing, the report says. Earlier this month, Future Retail moved to the Delhi High Court (HC) seeking a direction to declare the ongoing arbitration proceedings by a Singapore panel with Amazon as illegal. In December last year, the CCI had imposed a penalty of Rs202 crore on Amazon and suspended its approval for the e-tailers deal with Future Coupons, seeking more information. In August 2020, Kishore Biyani and Future Group had entered an Rs25,000 crore agreement with Reliance Retail. As part of the pact, Future group was to sell its retail, wholesale, logistics and warehouse businesses to Reliance Retail Ventures. You may also want to read... While ordinary vehicle owners are made to pay money at every toll plaza on the Mumbai Pune Expressway (renamed Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway), every day more than 10,000 vehicles, including light commercial vehicles (LCV), cars, buses, trucks, multi-axle and three-axle vehicles, are travelling without paying any toll. Information published by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) on its website for December 2021, shows 330,797 vehicles passed from the four toll plazas of Khalapur, Talegaon, Kusgaon and Shedung, under the exemption and violation transaction category. Pune-based Right to Information (RTI) activist Vivek Velankar, who is also president of Sajag Nagrik Manch, says, While sharing the information, MSRDC has not specified the number of vehicles under exempted and violation category. I doubt if more than 10,000 vehicles from the exempted category like ambulances, vehicles used for emergency services or owned by members of Parliament (MPs) or members of legislative assembly (MLAs) are travelling daily on the Expressway. Further, does the data published by MSRDC mean that these VIPs and exempted category people are travelling in trucks, buses, LCVs, multi-axle or three-axle vehicles? During December, 1,850 buses, 5,193 trucks, 20,196 LCVs, 5,086 multi-axle and 2,266 three-axle vehicles used the Expressway without paying any toll. How is this possible or how can the Corporation justify it, he asks. (Source: MSRDC) In 2016, Mr Velankar had requested the state chief information commissioner to direct MSRDC to publish all the vehicular traffic and toll collection data on its website. According to MSRDC, the non-tollable count includes reuse of daily, return or monthly passes, exit trips, exemption and violations. However, even considering this, during December alone, 330,797 vehicles were allowed to pass without paying any toll on the Expressway. Since the Corporation did not provide category-wise details, it is difficult to say how many, out of the 330,797 were from the exempted category and how many have actually violated the rules (by not paying toll). Mr Velankar has sent a letter to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray requesting for direction to MSRDC to publish vehicle numbers separately under the exempted and violation category. As reported by Moneylife in May last year, 1,136 radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have been distributed to 788 members of Parliament (MPs) under the exempted category. Read: FASTag: 788 MPs Obtained 1,136 Free Tags ) Pune-based activist Sanjay Shirodkar, who has been working on the toll issue, had told Moneylife that, As per the weekly report of NHAI, as on 31 January 2021, the Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL) had issued 4,204 free FASTags to those in the exempted category. Earlier, just five to seven top office bearers like the President and the prime minister were exempted from paying toll on official duty. Now the list has increased to more than 25 categories. ( FASTag is a device that employs radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion. Read: FASTag: Commoners Are Denied Benefit of Return Journey Discounts while VIPs Grab Exempted RFID Tags ) As Moneylife reported, on 8 November 2019, the ministry of road transport and highway (MoRTH) released guidelines and standard operating procedures for issuing FASTag for the exempted category of vehicles. It says all types of vehicles included under the category of exempted from paying user fees should also be encouraged to use FASTag, adding, This will have a good demonstrative effect on all other road users and will encourage them to use FASTag for seamless movement across user fee plazas. ( Here is the information shared by MSRDC on its website The Indian government on Tuesday notified the amalgamation of Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative Bank Ltd (PMC Bank) with Unity Small Finance Bank Ltd (USFBL). Following the amalgamation, all branches of PMC Bank will function as branches of USFBL from 25 January 2022, says Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a statement. In the statement, RBI says , The scheme of amalgamation notified today envisages takeover of the assets and liabilities of PMC Bank, including deposits, by the USFBL in terms of the provisions of the scheme. USFBL is making necessary arrangements to implement the provisions of the scheme. Last week, RBI had approved the appointment of former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai as independent chairman of USFBL. In November last year, RBI had released a draft scheme for the acquisition of PMC Bank by USFBL. It may be seen that USFB is being set up with capital of about Rs1,100 crore as against a regulatory requirement of Rs200 crore for setting up of a small finance bank under the guidelines for on-tap licensing of small finance bank in private sector dated 5 December 2019, with provision for further infusion of capital at a future date after amalgamation, RBI had said. According to the draft scheme, equity warrants of Rs1,900 crore, to be exercised anytime within a period of eight years, have been issued by Unity Small Finance Bank on 1 November 2021 to the promoters to bring further capital. USFBL is set up with a capital of about Rs1,100 crore against the regulatory requirement of Rs200 crore for setting up such a bank, as per the guidelines for on-tap licensing. Unity Small Finance Bank, a 51:49 joint venture between Centrum Group and BharatPe, has commenced operations as a small finance bank from 1 November 2021. The PMC Bank scam broke after Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL), a single borrower which accounted for 73% of PMCs loan book, went bankrupt. HDIL, in collusion with PMC Bank executives, created thousands of fake customer accounts to re-route funds to itself. Earlier on 24 September 2019, RBI imposed strict restrictions on the Mumbai-based Bank. PMC Bank was also barred from carrying out most of its routine business transactions and depositors were restricted to withdraw only Rs1,000 from their accounts at that time. This limit was raised to Rs1 lakh in June 2020, with which the RBI had said that more than 84% of the depositors of the PMC Bank will be able to withdraw their entire account balance. The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to Centre and the Election Commission (EC) on a PIL against the promise or distribution of irrational freebies from public funds before polls as it shakes the roots of a free and fair election, and vitiates the purity of the election process. A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Raman and comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hima Kohli asked senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing the petitioner advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, how could this be controlled? The bench said, "We can't legislate. Yes, it is a serious issue..." The bench further noted that the freebie budget is going beyond the regular budget and sometimes, as observed by this court, freebies ensure, it is not a level playing field. "Within the limited scope, what we have done is directed EC to frame guidelines. Subsequently, I think all they did is they called one meeting of the political parties, don't know what happened in that", said the Chief Justice. The top court also pointed at its earlier judgment, where it was held that freebies offered by political parties in their manifestos would not come under "corrupt practices" and "electoral offences" under Representation of the People Act. However, the top court had directed the EC to frame guidelines on the contents of the election manifesto in consultation with political parties. Insisting on Centre's response in the matter, Singh said: "Please see ultimately whose money is promised to be given? It's people's money..." He added that every party is doing the same thing. The bench queried, why the petitioner has named two political parties in the petition? The bench observed that it is keen to know how it can be controlled. Singh suggested political parties indulging such activities should not be recognized. After hearing arguments, the bench issued notice to Centre and the EC and asked them to file their replies within four weeks. The plea sought a direction from the top court to declare that the promise of irrational freebies, which are not for public purposes, from public funds before election, violates Articles 14, 162, 266(3), and 282 of the Constitution. The plea contended that political parties' promises to lure voters in their favour is analogous to bribery and undue influences. The plea cited Aam Aadmi Party promised Rs 1,000 per month to every woman aged 18 and above, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) promised Rs 2,000 to each woman to lure them, and the Congress also promised Rs 2,000 per month and 8 gas cylinders per year to every housewife. The plea pointed out that Punjab needs Rs 12,000 crore per month to fulfil the political promises if AAP comes in power, Rs 25,000 crore per month if SAD comes in power, and Rs 30,000 crore if Congress comes to power. The petitioner added that the GST collection of the state is only Rs 1,400 crore. The plea claimed, "In fact, after debt repayment, the Punjab government is not able to pay even salaries-pensions, then how will it provide freebies? The bitter truth is that Punjab's debt is increasing every subsequent year. State's outstanding debt has increased to Rs 77,000 crore, with Rs 30,000 crore accumulating in the present financial year itself." Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Yuka Hara Yuka Hara, assistant teaching professor of Japanese in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures has won the 2022 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Anna K. Fridley Distinguished Teaching Award for non-tenured faculty member whose accomplishments with students reach beyond the classroom and the library. The award carries a $1,000 prize. Hara has taught Japanese at MSU since 1999. A native Japanese speaker who is a passionate teacher and who cares deeply about her students and their performance, Hara is beloved by her students who say her efforts to teach them Japanese go far beyond the walls of the classroom. Nominators say that her willingness to encourage her students outside of class hours is unbounded and includes her advising students who wish to study at Japanese universities or who wish to work in Japan after graduating from MSU. She is said to have played a significant role in globalizing MSU students, helping them understand the world beyond U.S. boundaries. In addition, Hara has provided free assistance with the Japanese language to members of the community. Student Jordan Jensen said that Haras classes were an intellectual refuge rather than a battlefield, reigniting Jensens passion for Japanese culture. Student Sara King said that Hara demonstrates persistence, adaptability and genuine care for her students. King said that when classes went online in spring 2020 during the COVID pandemic, Hara was able to maintain a thriving learning environment for her students, creating a community that allowed them to learn and grow. Peter Tillack, associate professor of the Asian Studies Program at MSU, said that Hara is an outstanding teacher, both inside and outside the classroom. Every semester, she has exerted a presence in the classroom that is both commanding and captivating for her students, Tillack said. I can say without reservation that (Haras) consistent efforts have not only incited students interests in taking Japanese but have also been instrumental in sustaining their interest in the study of a language that, for native speakers of English, is rife with challenges. HELENA, Mont. - Temperatures were in the 10s across northeastern Montana, with 20s and low 30s across the rest of the state, bringing with it the likely promise of snowfall. Add to it a wind chill advisory for the northeastern corner of the state that is expected to drop the temps up to -30 F below zero and the quickly following high pressure system bringing above normal temperatures after, and you've got a recipe for ice jams. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) would like to remind residents to be observant and prepared for flooding conditions. as cold temperatures increase the threat of ice jam flooding. Ice jams and subsequent flooding are common this time of year when temperatures fluctuate and drop below freezing, explained Katherine Chase, Surface Water Specialist with the US Geological Survey, in the release from DNRC. Ice jams occur when a river freezes, blocking the channel and causing flooding upstream. Waterways blocked by ice jams can cause rapid flooding, leaving home and landowners with little warning to evacuate, said Traci Sears, the Montana National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator with the DNRC. Winter recreators should also be aware that fishing accesses, roads, and hiking trails can be closed or threatened by rising waters. Historical data from the US Corps of Engineers shows that in Montana, nearly 80 percent ice jams take place between January and March, with an impressive 40 percent of those occurring in March alone. The most ice jams ever recorded in Montana in a single season was 154 in 1996. These records are available to the public at the US Corps of Engineers Ice Jam Database. The DNRC warns it is never safe to walk on a frozen river or ice jam. Thermal currents in rivers are unpredictable, and ice can become unstable in an instant, plunging you into the rapids beneath. It is imperative caregivers keep a close eye on children and pets, too. In the release, Sears encourages residents living near a river or stream to have a flood evacuation plan and consider the following steps: Purchase flood insurance. In most cases flood insurance must be purchased 30 days before a flooding event. Keep extra drinking water on hand. Flooding can compromise local water systems. Shovel or plow snow away from homes and structures. Be ready to transport valuables or, where practical, elevate them. Flooding risk also increases during breakup when the weather starts to warm and ice jams begin to melt and move, getting trapped at structures, bends, or narrower reaches of the river. The sudden breakup of ice jams can cause flash floods as the released water and ice cascade downstream. You can learn more about floodplain management and the resources available to assist with floodplain management in Montana on the DNRC site. The Montana All-Hazards Weather Monitor web site offers up-to-date information on stream flows and potential flood conditions. To learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program, visit this site. UPDATE, FEB. 2 AT 11:18 AM: Missoula County Sheriff and Coroner, TJ McDermott had identified the victim of a stabbing in Missoula as 39-year-old Angela M. Kohl. Sheriff McDermott says he is sending his thoughts and prayers to Angelas family. At this time an investigation is ongoing regarding the details surrounding the incident. MISSOULA, Mont. One woman is dead and another man is recovering after both people were found with stab wounds in a home in Missoula Monday morning. The man called 9-1-1 at around 1:15 a.m. to report his girlfriend had stabbed him on the 1200 block of South First Street West. When officers arrived, the boyfriend did not answer the door, forcing officers to break in the door, according to a release from the Missoula Police Department. When the officers got in the home, they found the woman dead in the living room area with multiple stab wounds. MPD said the man was verbally responsive in a bedroom and had multiple stab wounds. He was brought to the hospital for surgery and MPD said he is expected to recover. After getting a search warrant for the home, investigators determined the incident was isolated to the residence and no one else was involved. An autopsy for the woman is scheduled at the Montana State Crime Lab. The investigation is ongoing and there is no threat to the public. MONTANA - As the American Red Cross faces a national blood crisis with its worst shortage in over a decade, opportunities to donate are filling up in western Montana. In addition to donors, volunteers and workers are also needed to help with blood drives and collections, so the American Red Cross is limited in how many slots they can have. On top of not having enough staff, COVID-19 outbreaks and severe weather are causing drives to be canceled. To improve recruitment, the American Red Cross is increasing pay for phlebotomists. The good news is, in the past two weeks both donations and applications have picked up across the state, Matt Ochsner, Montana communications director with the American Red Cross, said. With appointments filling up, he stressed how it's important for donors to show up. Its important that if they schedule an appointment, and have to cancel for any reason, they let us know so we can open that appointment spot for someone else, because cancer patients and accident victims and so many people are counting on this blood being available when they need it, Ochsner said. To get stock back up, 160 blood donations are needed each week day in Montana. Dr. Nicole Finke, a pathologist at Community Medical Center, said their supply's been fluctuating a lot depending on need and available supply. Community Medical Center reported having somewhere between 50% and 75% of the inventory they usually have Monday morning, but it's been down to 10% at times. "Weve been very, very lucky at this point in time is what Ill say," Finke said. "Unfortunately, it just is that way, its just luck. We dont know whats going to come through the door at the next moment, whether itll be a car accident or a delivery that doesnt go as expected and theres unexpected complications. Finke explained in the past, there have been labor and deliveries that take 80 units of blood and right now there isn't 80 units available in town. While blood drives may be filling up, there are appointments available at the Missoula donation center. The need is constant and donors will still be needed in February. To make an appointment, click here. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. By Andrew Campanella For NewsUSA (NewsUSA) - Forty-three percent of moms and dads describe the process of finding a school for their child as "stressful." That's 43% too many. This National School Choice Week (Jan. 23-29), here's how to easily get started on school and scholarship applications for Augustminus the stress. As you think about the next school year, take thirty minutes to consider what the ideal learning environment would look like for your child. Would it be large or small? STEM-focused? Art-focused? Sporty? Religious? Secular? Make special health accommodations? Start with your insider knowledge about your child's needs and your family's goals. Once you've described what you need and want for your child's education, look for it. You can access the free Schools Near Me tool at schoolchoiceweek.com/schoolfinder to search more than 130,000 public, charter, magnet, and private schools. And don't forget to consider online school and homeschooling as well. If you're open- minded in considering your options, you might be surprised by what works for your child. By looking for a school based on your insider knowledge about your child -- and not just based on test scores, zones, or your neighbor's opinion -- you can likely find the school option most suited to your unique situation. Today, there are many more school options and scholarships than we adults had access to as kids. This is truly a reason for hope. For any child who is currently struggling in school, there are opportunities and alternatives available. At the end of the day, making a great school choice starts with knowing your options. Whether you're searching for a new school or happy with your current choice, you can make a difference for others this National School Choice Week (Jan. 23-29) by spreading the word about school choice. You can do this by posting about your educational experience on social media using #schoolchoice, or by telling a friend or family member about the Week. With free and affordable choices and community support, the school search process can be transformed from one that's laden with stress to one that is empowering. This School Choice Week, let's bring as much support as we can to families so they can help their children succeed. Andrew Campanella is president of National School Choice Week and the author of "The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Finding the Right School for Your Child." January 25, 2022 A 'Parthogenetic' Conflict - There Is No Russian Invasion Threat To Ukraine With regards to the completely made up story of the 'imminent Russian invasion' of the Ukraine a commentator remarked to me: What we are seeing is a 'parthogenetic' conflict/war/crisis. A first - to my recollection. Indeed - the virgin birth of a conflict in which there is no enemy. There is no threat of a Russian invasion of the Ukraine now or in the foreseeable future. Despite that today's New York Times has put no less than four 'invasion' stories at the top of its homepage. Here is more evidence that there is absolutely no indication of any Russian invasion of the Ukraine: Mujtaba (Mij) Rahman @Mij_Europe - 14:36 UTC Jan 24, 2022 Senior Elysee source tells me: There is a kind of alarmism in Washington and London which we cannot understand. We see no immediate likelihood of Russian military action. We simply want our interpretation to be taken into account before a common western approach is agreed. --- Richard Hadley @FranceVotes - 15:50 UTC Jan 24, 2022 Replying to @Mij_Europe Elysee briefed 'same' to @PhilippRicard (21 Jan @lemondefr): France, like Germany, remain puzzled by USA & UK alarmism'. A source is quoted: 'We see same number of lorries, tanks and people. We observed same manoeuvres, but can't conclude offensive is imminent from all that.' Yesterday the BBC interviewed the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov: Some of our partners contribute to panic. This is beneficial to Russia - Danilov (machine translation) Whether BBC News Ukraine asked the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov whether there is a reason for panic or whether the Russian invasion is so real today and what the Ukrainian authorities are doing. ... BBC: What is happening near the Ukrainian borders? Is the number of troops increasing, are they maneuvering? Alexei Danilov: The number of Russian troops is not increasing in the form in which many people paint today. Do they have maneuvers there - yes, but they were in them all the time. This is their territory, they have the right to move left and right there. Is it unpleasant for us? Yes, it's unpleasant, but it's not news to us. If this is news to someone in the West, I apologize. Likewise Ukraine's Defense Minister via TASS: Ukrainian defense minister sees no threat of Russian invasion in near future Alexey Reznikov said that a scenario of a Russian attack in the near future was also unlikely KIEV, January 25. /TASS/. Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexey Reznikov said early on Tuesday he had received no information so far indicating the possibility of Russias invasion of his country in the near future. "As of today, the armed forces of Russia created no strike groups, indicating they were ready to launch an offensive tomorrow," he told Ukraines ICTV television channel, adding that a scenario of a Russian attack in the near future was also unlikely. When asked about the likelihood of Russia attacking Ukraine on February 20, the final day of the Olympic Games in Beijing, the minister said the probability was "low." And this military analysis via the Kiev Independent: Center for Defense Strategies: How likely is large-scale war in Ukraine? (analysis) Editors note: This is an analysis by the Center of Defense Strategies experts Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Alina Frolova, Oleksiy Pavliuchyk. It was originally published in Ukrainian by Ukrainska Pravda. The Kyiv Independent has translated it and is republishing it with permission. How realistic is the scenario of a full-scale offensive into all or most of Ukraine in the near future? At the moment, there are not enough Russian troops on Ukraines borders and no fully formed military groups needed to conduct a strategic offensive against Ukraine. According to our estimates, supported by many of the indicators below, a large-scale general military operation cant take place for at least the next two or three weeks. As of Jan. 23, we do not observe the required formation of several hundred thousand troops, not only on the border with Ukraine, but also on Russian territory behind the front line. Besides, we do not see the creation of strategic reserve units, nor the mobilization of the necessary connections and units on the basis of the centers for mobilization deployment. Russian troops move mainly as battalion tactical groups (mechanized, tank and airborne troops) and tactical groups (artillery, multiple launch missile systems). Russia hasnt completed the formation of groups of troops in operational areas. It also hasnt established and tested its wartime administration system. If Russia was conducting preparations for a large-scale invasion, it would have been much more noticeable. Therefore, what we currently have is the military threat posed by about 127,000 Russian servicemen along Ukraines borders, in the occupied territories of eastern Ukraine, and in Crimea. This number has not increased since April, and is not enough for a full-scale offensive. ... How likely is an invasion in 2022? In general, a large-scale Russian offensive operation against Ukraine in 2022 seems unlikely according to many indicators, even judging by purely military requirements. ... The story of Russian preparations for an invasion of the Ukraine is made up from whole cloth. It was peddled in early November with cropped satellite images which pretended that equipment parked next to regular long term Russian barracks was newly moved there in preparation of a war. Based on such pictures Politico, for example, headlined on November 1: Satellite images show new Russian military buildup near Ukraine The deployments come as tension is rising between Moscow and the West. New commercial satellite photos taken on Monday confirm recent reports that Russia is once again massing troops and military equipment on the border with Ukraine after a major buildup this spring. The new images taken by Maxar Technologies and shared with POLITICO show a buildup of armored units, tanks and self-propelled artillery along with ground troops massing near the Russian town of Yelnya close to the border of Belarus. The units, which began moving in late September from other areas of Russia where they are normally based, include the elite 1st Guards Tank Army. Yelnya is 250 kilometers (150 mi) north of the nearest Ukrainian border, not 'close' to it. The piece included this picture: The picture shows parts of the regular storage area of the 144th Mechanized Division near Yelnya, Smolensk Oblast. The divisions was established in 2016-2017 on the basis of the former 28th Mechanized Brigade (Yekaterinburg). This is a large formation with hundreds of vehicles. The division's forces include i.a. two mechanized regiments, one tank regiment, one recon battalion, one self-propelled artillery regiment, one anti-tank artillery battalion as well as supplementary forces. Here is an uncropped picture of the whole area. It shows large size barracks at the top right and parking grounds for each of its subunits. The barracks roads and facilities were not built over night. The above picture was cropped to only show the lower middle part of the picture below. Another picture that was circulated widely to demonstrate that Russia is 'bolstering forces along Ukraine border' is this one: It shows parts of the 237th Tank Regiment near Soloti, Belgorod Oblast, Russia. The picture is cropped so that it does not show the troop quarters which prove that the tanks are parked next to the unit's barracks where they belong during peacetime. Here is an uncropped image from Google maps: Again - those barracks were not built over night. They are long-term facilities. The 237th Tank Regiment is stationed in Valuyki and Soloti. It has 90+ tanks, 40+ infantry fighting vehicles, 18 howitzers, 8 mortars. It consists of three tank battalions, one mechanized battalion, one sniper company, one recon company, one self-propelled howitzer battalion and one air defence battalion. All such units also have lots of trucks to carry the ammunition, fuel and other supplies they need. All together those vehicles are clearly sufficient to fill that large parking lot. The pictures that were supposed to show a 'new Russian military buildup' only showed units in their regular barracks were they have been stationed for years. None of the units seen in them is deployed in a build-up-to-war like manner. Posted by b on January 25, 2022 at 14:38 UTC | Permalink Comments next page If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Marilyn Nieves/Getty Image ALPINE An Alpine man arrested in March 2021 has been sentenced to two life sentences for aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. Damion Edward Cruz-Benavente, 30, was found guilty by a jury in Pecos in August 2021 of one count of aggravated sexual abuse by force, one count of sexual abuse by threat or fear, and one count of sexual abuse of a minor. The volcanic eruption in Tonga has attracted world attention. Pita Taufatofua, a Tongan "double Olympian," has competed in Winter and Summer Olympics. He is also the flagbearer for the Tongan Olympic team. His appearance in Tokyo inspired hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide to search the keyword "Tonga." However, after the eruption on January 14, Tonga was practically cut off from the world, and Pita had also lost contact with his family. The video is a personal narration that tells Pita's story of losing contact with his family due to the eruption and tsunami. However, Pita did not give up and actively tried to contact his family in various ways, finally getting in touch with his father. Meanwhile, Pita learned from social media and news reports that the current situation in Tonga is devastating, so he launched an online fundraising campaign to help the people in his home country. In the end, Pita expresses his gratitude to people around the world for caring about Tonga. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Midland County Records The Midland County District Attorney is not involved in the prosecution of Clinton Young In light of the recent release of Clinton Young on bail, the Midland County District Attorneys Office wishes to clarify its involvement in this case: Rackspace Gobbles Guzzle Owner Just Analytics San Antonio tech solutions company Rackspace Technology has agreed to acquire Singapore-based Just Analytics, which provides cloud-based data, analytics and AI services in the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. Just Analytics was founded in 2011 and today has more than 100 headquarters employees, plus a presence in Vietnam and India. The company's proprietary data platform Guzzle and cloud-based data and analytics services promise customers a unified view of their information assets. Just's platform automates the movement and transformation of big data from a wide array of sources to data pipelines, at scale, for production; while analysing data from critical business and operational functions for business end-users. The company is a prominent partner in the region of the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, and Rackspace says the Just brand will continue in place under its new owners. Rackspace CEO Kevin Jones (pictured) comments: 'The acquisition of Just Analytics ties into our growing professional services focus and brings market-leading cloud-based data, analytics and AI capabilities that are in demand from our customers and prospects. In addition, we will benefit from the company's strong APJ regional ties, talented employee base, and natural evolution up the IT services stack. These benefits will provide a clear tie between our services and important customer business metrics'. , Hemanta Banerjee, Founder and Chief Architect for Just Analytics enthuses: 'By combining our capabilities with the Rackspace Technology global presence, resources, and scale, we can shift our focus to solely growing our existing business while Rackspace Technology integrates business functions to help us grow'. Web site: www.rackspace.com . Physician Access Deal for China and Japan-Based Firms China-based data collection firm Holden Healthcare and Japanese healthcare researcher Seed Planning have announced a partnership enhancing physician panel access across hard-to-reach markets in the Asia Pacific region. Holden delivers market insights through a number of research services and methodologies, fueled by a proprietary panel of more than 200,000 qualified healthcare professionals spanning fourteen Asian markets. Seed Planning specializes in MR and consulting services for medical and pharmaceutical organisations in Japan, and through its subsidiary SPI Information, publishes research reports on future Japanese market trends in the global medical and pharmaceutical markets. The new partnership will provide clients with local, dedicated project management teams, as well as guidance to help them navigate local regulations and business compliance around the region. Jeffrey Kelsch, Holden's Managing Partner and Head of US Operations, will lead the collaboration, working closely with Gaku Sasaki, Senior Executive Officer at Seed Planning. The deal follows Holden Healthcare's recently announced partnership with US-based Arbittier Opinion Panel Systems (AOPS), aimed at strengthening the latter's physician data collection services in China and Asia. Kelsch says the new partnership will provide Holden Healthcare with a 'sharpened focus' on China and Japan, with Sasaki adding: 'We are seeing a great deal of interest in the Asian markets and this collaboration allows us to offer faster, scalable and more affordable research operational capabilities to well exceed clients' research goals. This cooperation with Holden Healthcare will now solidify our market presence as a trusted leader with local expertise'. Web sites: www.holdendata.com and www.seedplanning.co.jp . Muskogee, OK (74401) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 67F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. A few storms may be severe. Low 62F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 2 to 3 inches of rain expected. Horry County police on Sunday arrested and charged a 22-year-old North Carolina woman with the murder of 21-year-old De-Erica Fisher. Yunique Demesa Weathers, from Fayetteville, North Carolina, is still incarcerated at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Bond has not been set. According to a police report, an officer responded Sunday afternoon to a call for a shooting in a field near the intersection of Highway 9 and Pine Needle Drive in Longs. Upon arrival, the officer was greeted by several witnesses who were pointing out into the field, the report said. As the officer walked around a canal and into the field, he heard what sounded like yet another gunshot ring out. A woman at the scene had a gun, and the report says the officer gave loud and clear verbal commands to drop the gun, at which time it appeared as though she cleared the chamber of the weapon, tossed it on the ground, and immediately dropped to her knees placing her hands behind her back. The officer wrote in the report that it appeared the victim was deceased, and Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said in an email that Fisher had been shot several times and died at the scene. Fisher was also from Fayetteville. Horry County police are investigating and spokeswoman Mikayla Moskov confirmed that some moments prior to the shooting were captured on a Facebook Live video. HCPD is aware of a Facebook Live that captured some moments prior to the incident that resulted in the death; however, I am not aware of a video (live or otherwise) that captured the act itself, Moskov said in an email. More than 40% of students in Horry County Schools K-12 virtual program are failing one or more courses, according to HCS officials. The failure rate and other concerns have led HCS administrators to consider removing the K-12 HCS virtual option completely, beginning with the fall semester. I personally dont want to see the problem perpetuated into the next school year, HCS Superintendent Rick Maxey said, referencing the statistic showing 46% of current virtual school seniors are failing one or more classes and 42% of all students are in the same situation. If 46% of my seniors were failing one or more courses, I couldnt sleep at night. We want to see them graduate and see them be successful. The districts curriculum committee on Monday discussed how to handle the situation. Chief Officer of Academics Boone Myrick told the group they had three options: keep the program as it is, continue the program with different parameters for enrollment acceptance or dissolve the program entirely. Maxey said the recommendation of HCS administration is to dissolve the program completely beginning this fall, but no official decision will be made for at least another month after more discussion, according to school officials. The K-12 HCS virtual program began for the 2020-2021 school year after a springtime of pandemic distance learning with more than 18,000 students choosing to go the virtual route. The enrollment numbers have fallen, and parents were given the choice to move their children to virtual again this semester. About 2,100 students are currently enrolled for this springs virtual program. Other staff concerns include the lack of student opportunities for hands-on learning, labs and other specialized equipment usage, as well as low participation in state assessments, and the impact on brick and mortar schools to include rescheduling students, class sizes, teacher assignments, and more. "Students are not signing in, not doing their work. This is just not what we meant for it to be. We have got to look at this and mull over this some more and make some big decisions for Horry County Schools," said District 2 board member and curriculum committee chair Sherrie Todd. Illinois family kills it every year for Halloween We dress up my husband dresses up and we have all kinds of animatronics, and lighting, and... More cameras may be watching Morgan roads Among the dozens of bills sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the waning hours of the legislative... Photo: Flower tower Pam Haug-Ciaccio creates bouquets and corsages at All Occasions Flowers and Gifts. She was... PITTSFIELD A series of public meetings in Pike County will allow landowners and residents to learn more about the proposed Green Belt Express electricity transmission project. The first meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at Pike County Senior Center, 220 W. Adams St. Additional meetings will be in March and April, though dates have not yet been set. The Feb. 15 meeting will have an open-house format with no formal presentation. The project, a proposed long-distance transmission line that will carry "clean" electricity to Illinois consumers, has been in the works for several years. The company heading up the project has said it would be built at no cost to Illinois residents. The company has said it will invest billions of dollars in new energy transmission infrastructure via the Grain Belt Express line. The line would generate $1.2 billion in new economic activity for Illinois, 2,200 construction jobs and $33 million in payments to local governments, according to the company. Blake E. Roderick, executive director for Pike-Scott and Two Rivers farm bureaus, said he hasn't yet seen much difference between the new proposal and previous proposals and believes a lot of unanswered questions remain. "The bureau has not taken any position on the project yet," Roderick said. "I don't see much of a difference from the other proposal." The line would travel from Kansas through Missouri and into Illinois. The current proposal has two route options. The primary proposal would run through Pike County, the southwest corner of Scott County, northeast Greene County, and then Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian counties east to the Illinois line. The alternate route would head southeast through Pike County and across Greene, Macoupin and Montgomery counties. Roderick is skeptical about how the company is selling the project. "It's not utility; it's a wholesale marketer of electricity," he said. "The bureau isn't against clean energy. We just want to make sure that people's rights are protected. All they're doing is passing electricity to the east." Roderick is looking for answers about what materials would be used to create the line and how the line would travel across private land, he said. "We have quality farmland here and we don't want (the line) traveling diagonally across fields," he said. The project is owned by Invenergy Transmission, an affiliate of Illinois-based Invenergy, which has "a successful track record building clean energy projects," according to the company. Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Jessica M. Shaw, 32, of 1621 Lakeview Terrace was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:37 p.m. Friday on a charge of criminal damage to property. She was accused of going into property in Chapin and burning clothing. Jonathan P. Parrish, 38, of 710 Serenity Lane was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:55 p.m. Friday on charges of armed robbery and violating parole. Gregory C. Morrison, 66, of 34 North St., Lynnville, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:27 p.m. Jan. 18 on charges of driving under the influence and improper lane use. Jonathan L. Well, 36, of 1921 N. Highway 78 was booked into the Morgan County jail at 1:31 a.m. Monday on charges of driving while license is revoked or suspended and having no insurance and on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Stacy S. Brickey, 46, of 20 Maple Creek Estates, Woodson, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:07 a.m. Wednesday on charges of theft over $100,000 and illegal use of a credit card. Lillian D. Gaines, 24, of 604 S. Church St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 7:26 p.m. Jan. 18 on charges of armed robbery and violating probation. THEFTS, BURGLARIES Someone walked out of Walgreens at 134 W. Morton Ave. about 8:23 p.m. Sunday with a basket full of merchandise without paying. Waverly Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Derek R. Emery, 34, of 31728 Terry Park Road, Palmyra, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 1:42 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. Cass County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Rikki M. Farris, 27, of 1019 March St., Beardstown, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:23 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Billy J. Halford, 35, of 125 S. Morgan St., Meredosia, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:26 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Pike County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Justin T. Stoye, 25, of Griggsville was booked into Pike County Jail at 6:59 p.m. Thursday on a domestic battery charge. Brandy M. Wallace, 32, of Pittsfield was booked into Pike County Jail at 7:29 p.m. Thursday on a domestic battery charge and an unspecified Pike County warrant. Jordan R. Rahaman, 36, of St. Louis was booked into Pike County Jail at 1:57 p.m. Jan. 17 on charges of aggravated robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and intimidation. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer To the editor: The Republican Party has long carried on about the perils of "big government," of Washington as the enemy of freedom. Why is that, we should ask, and what are its origins? Let's start with 1818 for clues. Congress was then considering what we would today call an expansive infrastructure bill. It was the first serious attempt to link the towns and ports of the original 13 states to the mushrooming settlements and their products beyond the Appalachian Mountains. One day, a South Carolina senator, Nathaniel Macon, rose and gave emphatic voice to the underlying reason of the opposition. He warned, "if Congress can make roads and canals, it can with more propriety emancipate." There you have it, the subliminal seed of "big government" paranoia. A government with the authority to enact national modernization policy, it was feared, could just as easily emancipate slaves or (later) undertake "radical" racial reform. Those fears trumped any and all governing considerations. Transcendent fears that still bedevil us. When the Democratic Party embraced the civil rights movement in the 1960s, the Richard Nixon-led Republican Party switched its electoral hopes and allegiances to the racially enraged South, accusing Democrats of massive governmental over-reach. When a Black president was elected in 2008, the sole governing goal of the GOP establishment was to sabotage any governmental proposal that might accrue to the credit of that president and his race, all of it in the name of combating "big government." The overall well-being of the country was simply irrelevant as it was in 1818. Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare," without a single GOP vote. The ''care" part remains a relative success, but GOP pols continue touting it as the excrescent of "big government.'' Of course, their primary problem with it is the "Obama" part. In 2016, Donald Trump understood better than his GOP rivals the full extent of the racial animus that pervades the party's base. He knew the base didn't give a farthing for alleged GOP principles of limited government. And he rode the "birther" trope all the way to the White House. The most unsettling revelation to emanate from the Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt to overthrow an election result, and the subsequent tsunami of GOP voter suppression bills (aimed at Black and brown voters), is that given a choice between a democratic America and a white nationalist America, it seems many GOP voters would prefer the latter. Be not deceived and confuse "big government" fears with an authentic conservatism. It is a transparent ruse that leads to race-based autocracy, which is truly "big government" on steroids. Richard Nelson Jacksonville The city of Arnold purchased a triangle-shaped lot next to Jeffco Boulevard, which had previously been home to a Custom Cellular store and an AT&T store, for $120,000. Barbara OConnor with her husband, former Arnold Police Officer Ryan OConnor, in an area hospital emergency room on Jan. 16 before he was admitted with COVID-19 and double pneumonia. Sonora, CAOn Saturday, January 22nd, just before 9 pm, a deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle on Highway 108 near Argyle Road in Sonora. The driver, the only occupant of the vehicle who was later identified as 30-year-old Marcus Salazar, led deputies on a vehicle chase. The chase lasted nearly 15 miles toward Tuolumne City. During the pursuit, Salazar drove recklessly, running stop signs and speeding while driving into the oncoming traffic lane while crossing the double yellow lines in order to pass other motorists The pursuit came to an end in the parking lot of Black Oak Casino where Salazar hit a curb and crashed into a pole. He then got out of his vehicle and complied with deputies commands to lay on the ground. Salazar was arrested and a search revealed a small amount of methamphetamine on his person. He was booked at County Jail for evading a peace officer with disregard for safety, possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license, local misdemeanor and felony warrants, and an outside agency felony warrant. During healthcare surges, it can be challenging for hospital employees to find open beds, sometimes even taking days!! This can mean patients don't have access to everything they need and/or staff has to care for more patients at one time. View Photo Tuolumne County Public Health reports the death of a man in his 50s and a man in his 60s due to Covid-19. There are 361 new Covid-19 positive community cases identified since Friday and 119 new inmate cases. The newly reported community cases include 74 cases age 17 or younger and 67 cases age 60 or older. Tuolumne Countys active community cases decreased 235 to 785 including 11 people who are hospitalized. The state reports the 14-day average for Covid-19 hospitalized patients increased from 14 to 19. The state reports one ICU bed available in Tuolumne County out of six. Vaccination details are no longer reported, the state numbers are here. The new Covid cases by gender and age: 17 girls and 26 boys age 11 or younger, 17 girls and 14 boys age 12 to 17, 32 women and 34 men age 18 to 29, 35 women and 34 men in their 30s, 21 women and 22 men in their 40s, 26 women and 16 men in their 50s, 15 women and 23 men in their 60s, 13 woman and 12 men in their 70s, 1 woman and 1 man in their 80s and 1 woman and 1 man over 90. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports 266 currently active inmate cases. There have been 1,908 inmate cases at the Sierra Conservation Center, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports the SCC manages 3,133 inmates with 82% vaccinated including all the southern fire conservation camps. They have tested 54% of the prison population in the past 14 days. There are 99 active staff cases reporting they have Covid out of 1,160. A total of 625 staff members report they are or have been Covid positive with a 56% vaccination rate reported among the staff. The total current case rate, a 14-day average for Tuolumne County increased to 174.8 from 171.1 per 100,000 population. The case rate reached a low of 15.1 on December 17th. A total of 590 individuals were released from isolation, in all 8,121 have been released from isolation. A total of 60% of the population eligible to get vaccinated has been vaccinated. If you receive a positive test result, you will likely receive a text from a Virtual Agent to make contact and provide some information on what to do next. You can help slow the spread of COVID-19 by responding to texts, calls, or emails, and self-isolating when you have symptoms or a positive test result. Also notify any close contacts youve had from 2 days before you became ill or got tested. Any close contacts should follow current quarantine guidance and get tested 3-5 days after exposure. If you are at high risk of severe disease or hospitalization, you can contact your doctor to discuss potential treatment options. If you are not symptomatic, have not tested positive for COVID-19 recently, and are not in quarantine, get vaccinated or boosted. Calaveras County Public Health reports 230 new cases since Friday, January 21. There are 47 less active cases for a total of 107 active cases including seven Covid hospitalizations. Calaveras reports positive cases age 17 and under number 1,100 or more a specific number no longer provided. There are 23 new cases age 65 and older, in total 928 over 65 have been identified with Covid. There are 277 more counted as recovered for a total of 5,575 cases and 56.26% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in the county. According to the state, Calaveras 14-day average for Covid hospitalizations decreased one to seven and there are four ICU beds available. COVID-19 Testing Free tests can be ordered at covidtests.gov or at usps.com/covidtest. The first tests will ship by the end of January. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering through the U.S. Postal Service. USPS reports shipping times of 1-3 days for its first-class package service in the continental United States. The White House emphasized that the website is in beta testing when it made tests available for ordering for the first time today. Public health recommends scheduling an appointment to get tested 5 days after possible exposure and if you are having any symptoms, to get tested right away. The Tuolumne County State testing site schedule is 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds and will be open on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Monday, January 17th. Appointments can be made at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Testing is also available at pharmacies, at Rapid Care, and the hospital emergency department if you are experiencing any symptoms, or contact your healthcare provider. More details are here. COVID-19 Vaccine the CDC recommends people receive a booster shot if they completed a Pfizer series at least five months ago, or the Moderna series at least six months ago, or a J&J vaccine at least two months ago. Vaccine appointments for children ages 5 to 11 can also be made through myturn.ca.gov, or by calling 833-422-4255, or through local pharmacies, more details are here. For ways to manage a fear of needles or a phobia and help others with it, view the CDCs information guide here. Learn more about self-care strategies by visiting namica.org County Date New Active (Hospital) Total 2022 All Cases (All Deaths) Amador 1/21 116 627 (11) 619 4,585 (64) Calaveras 1/24 230 107 (7) 1,143 5,778 (96) Mariposa 1/24 38 70 (13) 635 2,437 (19) Mono 1/24 35 N/A 634 2,609 (7) Stanislaus 1/24 2,439 12,193 (290) 20,755 105,728 (1,521) Tuolumne 1/24 480 785 (11) 2,966 10,971 (155) Reported cases at end of 2021 and 2020 Update at 11:30 a.m.: Clean California and Caltrans District 10 Tuolumne County Dump Day was a huge success today, forcing it to end early. Originally scheduled to run until 3 p.m. today, Caltrans officials tell Clarke Broadcasting they have had to shut it as they have reached capacity at the Caltrans Sand Shed located at the intersection of Highway 108 and Soulsbyville Road. For those who missed out on todays event to unload household trash and items such as tires, mattresses, and E-waste such as televisions, radios, and cameras in addition to computer printers, screens, keyboards, hard drives, and related material, there will be a second opportunity in April. No date has yet been set, according to Caltrans officials, but they say it will be even bigger with furniture and appliances to be taken on that dump day. Original post written by Nic Peterson on Monday, Jan. 24 at 3:20 p.m.: Sonora, CACaltrans District 10 and Clean California are offering a free Household Trash Dump Day for Tuolumne County residents on Saturday, January 29th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The trash collection event will be taking place at the Caltrans Sand Shed located at the intersection of Highway 108 and Soulsbyville Road. This event is part of the Clean California program that is hoping to encourage safe and responsible trash handling practices and disposing of waste materials and property. Caltrans will have staff onsite with the California Highway Patrol to accept household waste and approved debris at no charge. This is an event limited to household trash and items such as tires, mattresses, and E-waste such as televisions, radios, and cameras in addition to computer printers, screens, keyboards, hard drives, and related material. No treated wood waste, household hazardous waste, or asbestos of any type will be accepted. The following items will be accepted on a limited basis: -E-waste (up to 4) including televisions, computer monitors and accessories, stereo equipment, microwaves, and other electronics -Automobile tires (up to 4 per household) -Mattresses (up to 2 per household) Caltrans wishes to remind motorists to properly secure and trap all cargo loads prior to driving. Tips for securing your trash load include completely covering loads with tarps or cargo nets, removing loose material before driving, not overloading vehicles, putting lighter items lower, and tying larger items to the vehicle for traffic safety. For more information on the Tuolumne County Dump Day, please contact Sam Sherman at (209) 482-2575 or sam.sherman@dot.ca.gov . A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. MERIDEN Christians worldwide have called Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, by many names. In the Dominican Republic, she is known as Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia Our Lady of Altagracia the protector of the Dominican people. As the Caribbean country observes Jan. 21 as a national holiday dedicated to her, the Dominican community of Meriden celebrated on Sunday with a special Mass commemorating Our Lady of Altagracia at St. Rose of Lima Parish. Parishioners walked through the church, carrying the image of the Virgin as the choir sang. Organizers made their way to the altar wearing a Dominican national costume. The church was decorated with flowers, highlighting the colors of the Dominican flag: red, blue and white. In a recent interview with the Record-Journal, the Rev. James Manship said people from different countries in the community bring their own expression of faith and culture. Personally, it has been an enriching experience for me, Manship said. Dominican tradition started in Meriden The church started to celebrate a special Mass honoring Our Lady of Altagracia in 2018, as it recognized the growth of the Dominican community locally, Manship noted. Denny Norwood, of Cheshire, has attended St. Rose Church for the last 15 years. Born in the Dominican Republic, she recalled her parents always had an image of Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia. Every Jan. 21, Norwood attended Mass and wore clothes with the Dominican flag colors. Later, Norwoods family used to gather at home, and sometimes family members who lived far away took advantage of the holiday to visit. She now celebrates the special day at St. Rose. She has an image of the Virgin at home that she traditionally places flowers in front of on Jan. 21. When Manship originally offered the Dominican community the option of celebrating Our Lady of Altagracia, Norwood was enthusiastic about planning the event, she said. In 2018 and 2019, the church celebrated a special Mass with food, music, and dancing. Rising COVID-19 cases canceled the special gathering after the Mass this year. Norwood participated in the community prayers last week and the special Mass on Sunday. Parishioners profess faith Denia Ortiz, of Meriden, has attended St. Rose Church for the last 25 years. She said the Virgin had played an essential role in her life, especially in recent years. She recalled that in 2019, St. Rose established that parishioners could take an image of Our Lady of Altagracia home for an entire week. Then, the image would be brought back to the church for another family to take home. She took the image home the first week. For some reason, no one took home the image the second week, so she brought it home again. She said that the image ended up spending a whole year at Ortizs home. Ortiz explained that coincidentally, her husband spent a lot of time in the room of the house were the image was. Her wish had always been to marry him through the church, but he didnt want to. Although she had lost hope, she used to ask the Virgin to intercede on her behalf to change his mind. Her husband suddenly asked Ortiz to marry him through the church. They got married in October of 2020. On their wedding day, she said she saw the Virgin image at the church and couldnt stop crying. I feel she made that miracle in my life, Ortiz said. Image and history Manship explained that in the image of Our Lady of Altagracia, Mary is contemplating baby Jesus in the manger, surrounded by 12 stars, representing the tribes of Israel, and rays of light. It just brings us to contemplate, to adore, to ponder, again this great mystery of God taking flesh in Jesus, he said. The image also presents Joseph in the background holding a candle, an important symbol to the church. Manship explained that 40 days after Jesus was born he showed up in the temple in Jerusalem, and the prophets held him up and pronounced him as the light of the world. Although it is unclear how the image of the Lady de la Altagracia first appeared in the Dominican Republic, many online publications explain that the brothers Alonso and Antonio Trejo brought it to the country from Spain in 1502. Basilica Catedral Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia is a church devoted to the Virgin, located in the city of Higuey, in the Dominican Republic. The cathedral is visited by many tourists throughout the year, especially on Jan 21. ksantos@record-journal.com203-317-2364Twitter: @KarlaSantosNews SeaWorld isn't the only place making waves in the Westover Hills area nearby foodies are also swimming in a list of new restaurants to try. Within months, the area neighboring Shamu's home has welcomed options including Filipino food, wholesome diner-style options, Caribbean cuisine, and a solid breakfast taco stop. A shopping center at 10234 State Highway 151 houses three of the four new eateries. A neighboring development at 10222 Military Drive West is also slated to be home to a new Stout's Pizza To-Go, though an opening date has not been publicized. Get a restaurant recap with the list below. Hometown Burger - opened November 2021 The San Antonio chain of classic burger restaurants added a restaurant off Highway 151 in early November. The Westover Hills-area restaurant is the newest for the company, which operates 11 locations throughout the city. The menu at the diner-style restaurants includes classic burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and shakes. Hometown Burger, 10234 Highway 151, suite 101, also serves sweet potato fries and onion rings, which can be added to any order or purchased a la carte. The burger joint is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Courtesy, Jason Risner Chef-owner Nicola Blaque started the year by reopening her lauded restaurant in a new space near SeaWorld. Blaque opened The Jerk Shack, originally a humble walk-up spot on Matyear, in 2018 with her husband Cornelius Massey. Since then the business has become a local favorite for Jamaican and Caribbean eats. National experts have also taken notice. In 2019, Eater spotlighted Blaque's business as one of the year's top new U.S. restaurants. The following year, GQ gave The Jerk Shack a similar national nod. In 2021, the chef shuttered the flagship restaurant in preparation of the SeaWorld-area location at 10234 Highway 151, suite 103. The new digs offer indoor dining and a drive-thru. The Jerk Shacks hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Madalyn Mendoza, MySA.com The new concept by husband-wife duo Camille and Adrian De Los Reyes gives diners the opportunity to explore more Filipino fare. The owners' portfolio of businesses includes a Leon Valley restaurant, Stone Oak market, and a food truck. The new supper club experience is a monthly, reservation-only dinner party-like atmosphere with a fixed menu and socializing. The first supper club night at the new restaurant will be hosted on Sunday, January 30. Sari-Sari Supper Club, 10234 Highway 151, suite 102, is also planning on hosting chef's table opportunities, which will take diners inside the kitchen while their meals are being prepared. Sari-Sari Supper Club is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a mid-day break and reopens from 5 to 9 p.m. The restaurant is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Madalyn Mendoza, MySA.com Tia's Taco Hut, which is part of the family of restaurants which includes Hometown Burger, opened its newest location near SeaWorld in January at 10222 West Military Drive, suite 103. The laid back taco joint steadily grew its location list throughout 2021. A downtown Tia's Taco Hut impressed us with its solid carne guisada with cheese taco in September. Hours of operation are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For a long time, former Miss Texas USA and The Bachelor contestant Alayah Benavidez dreamed of opening a boutique filled with home goods made by her and her mother, Cynthia. Despite the pandemic making it harder for new businesses to pop up, Benavidez found a perfect spot in a city she knows very well, Fredericksburg. Like most San Antonio natives, Benavidez, 26, frequently leaves her home in the Alamo City to visit the charming and popular Hill Country hamlet in Texas. She tells MySA Fredericksburg has become one of her favorite towns in the Lone Star State, sharing she spends a lot of time out there for wine tours, shopping and exploring the countless adorable bed and breakfasts establishments. During Black Friday weekend, Benavidez accomplished her long-time goal by opening her store called Three Bees At Home at a shop located at 355 Sunday Farms Lane, Fredericksburg. It's open every third weekend of the month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Alayah Benavidez "It gives us a chance to meet our customers and for the customers to have a chance to actually see and smell our products before committing to buying," Benavidez says. "It's been great." The Three Bees At Home shop launched online first in 2019. The store sells various home goods products, such as loungewear, candles, sugar scrubs, body butter, decor and bath bombs. Benavidez and her mother create several of the featured products by hand. She says it's everything you would need for a cozy night at home. Benavidez's new adventure comes after she joined the cast of the popular dating show on ABC Bachelor in Paradise during the summer of 2021. The spin-off show brings back contestants from previous seasons of The Bachelorette and The Bachelor for a second chance at love. Benavidez was previously part of Peter Weber's season of The Bachelor that aired in January and February of 2020. John Fleenor/ABC via Getty Images While she didn't find love on either seasons, Benavidez says she learned a lot about herself during her time on the shows. She says, "watching yourself flirt and interact on TV is definitely an out-of-body experience and makes you way more aware of how you interact with people moving forward in life, and how things you say could potentially be perceived." "It also taught me the importance of being secure in your sense of self rather than relying on others approval and acceptance," Benavidez adds. "Life is so much easier when you love who you are inside and out." Life after reality TV hasn't changed much for Benavidez. She says she still works the same job she worked before entering the ABC franchise. She says she's grown more of an online presence and gets recognized in public every so often, which she adds still is so crazy to believe. Select Studios However, she credits her background in pageants to how she's handled the adjustment so smoothly. Benavidez was named Miss Texas USA 2019. "That (the pageants) and having an amazing core group of friends and family that have been so supportive of every one of my crazy adventures I've wanted to try, Bachelor included, has helped," Benavidez says of how she handles the influencer status. Benavidez, who still lives in San Antonio, says she isn't sure if she would go back onto Bachelor in Paradise if asked. She jokes she hopefully wont be single by the time casting for the show rolls around again. "I'm not one to ever say never because you can never be sure of where life will lead you," Benavidez says. "...Right now my main focus is myself and my business, and if Mr. Right wants to come sweep me off my feet sometime that would be nice too, but I'm not trying to force anything either." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate After the Supreme Court's decision that large companies do not have to force workers to get coronavirus shots or tests, employees nationwide have wondered how the high court's ruling on the vaccination mandate from the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration would affect them. The issue bubbled up so much among employees at Carhartt, the Michigan-based workwear and other clothing company, that CEO Mark Valade emailed workers a day after the Supreme Court ruling to provide some clarity: Vaccination remained mandatory. "We put workplace safety at the very top of our priority list and the Supreme Court's recent ruling doesn't impact that core value," Valade wrote Friday, according to a copy of the email published to social media. "We, and the medical community, continue to believe vaccines are necessary to ensure a safe working environment for every associate and even perhaps their households." Valade, who noted how the private company was not changing the mandatory vaccination policy that would result in termination for employees who don't comply, added: "An unvaccinated workforce is both a people and business risk that our company is unwilling to take." While the email has been celebrated by Carhartt fans supportive of its health and safety measures, some conservatives and anti-vaccine pundits have targeted the company on social media in what appears to be the latest attempt to shame and boycott a company over its mandatory coronavirus vaccination policy for employees. The company has also faced protests from employees opposed to the vaccination policy in recent months. "Definitely should stop buying their products if you do," tweeted Elijah Schaffer, a host with the right-wing network, the Blaze. Carhartt spokeswoman Amy Hellebuyck confirmed to The Washington Post on Tuesday that Valade sent the internal email to employees "as part of our long-standing commitment to workplace safety." "Our recent communication to employees was to reinforce that the Supreme Court ruling does not affect the mandate we put in place," she said in a statement. "Carhartt fully understands and respects the varying opinions on this topic, and we are aware some of our associates do not support this policy. However, we stand behind our decision because we believe vaccines are necessary to protect our workforce." The company's stance comes on the heels of what's considered a dramatic blow to the federal government's most far-reaching initiative to combat COVID-19 and boost the country's lagging vaccination rate. The decision last week by the Supreme Court's conservative majority, which said Congress had not given OSHA the power to impose the sweeping vaccination-or-testing requirement in large workplaces nationwide, affects 84 million employees, more than half the U.S. labor force. The court did, however, allow a different and smaller policy to go forward, requiring vaccinations for most health-care workers at facilities that receive Medicaid and Medicare funds. President Joe Biden noted in a statement that he was disappointed the court ruled against the administration on the workplace rules, but has called on business leaders to "institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities." Many large companies nationwide, including The Washington Post, have already required employees to show proof of vaccination. The country is averaging nearly 724,000 new coronavirus infections a day, a rate that's declining compared with the previous seven-day average, according to data tracked by The Post. Approximately 63% of the country is fully vaccinated as of Tuesday. Although many workers are already immunized, the Biden administration had hoped the OSHA requirements would compel upward of an additional 20 million people to get the shots. Carhartt announced last year that it was instituting a requirement for employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or face dismissal. The company said it would review requests for medical or religious exemptions from vaccination and let employees know by Dec. 10, whether their exemptions would be granted, according to WEVV, a CBS/Fox affiliate in Evansville, Indiana. The company's policy was initially met with pushback from some employees, specifically a group of workers in Kentucky. In November, a handful of workers at a plant in Hanson, Kentucky, said that while they weren't against vaccines, they believed Carhartt crossed the line by making vaccination mandatory. "I think it should be a choice," Lance Gary, a Carhartt employee carrying an American flag, told WEHT, an ABC affiliate in Evansville, at the time. "But Carhartt has made it not our choice, they've made it mandatory." A similar demonstration unfolded a few days later in nearby Madisonville, about 100 miles north of Nashville. Carhartt workers waved flags, held signs and blasted songs such as Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" to shine a light on the company's vaccination policy. "All of us associates have worked completely through the pandemic. We've been loyal, we've been faithful, and now all of a sudden it's like, 'You've got to comply,' " Angela Faulk, a benefits specialist with Carhartt, told WEVV last month. "We love Carhartt, we love working for Carhartt, but we just feel like this decision is wrong." Valade wrote last week that workers in two Carhartt locations, including Madisonville, had been given extensions to the company's vaccination deadline and had until Feb. 15 to get immunized. But the attention surrounding the company's vaccination policy was amplified Tuesday after a screenshot of Valade's email was widely shared by conservative pundits, causing Carhartt to trend on Twitter all day. The workwear brand once championed by Republican politicians such as Sarah Palin and Rick Perry found scorn from conservatives online. "Went from 'Buy Carhartt' to 'Bye Carhartt' real quick!" tweeted conservative author Ashley St. Clair. Some made baseless claims that the company's policy was a form of "medical abuse," but others pointed out that Carhartt had the right to require employees to get vaccinated. "If you do not want to adhere to their policies, quit. This is a free market," wrote conservative commentator Carmine Sabia. "In the same way I do not want the government mandating what we must do, we cannot mandate what a business can do." It's not the first time in recent months that a popular apparel company has found itself entangled in an issue related to politics or public health. In August, Patagonia announced it would no longer sell its merchandise at a popular Wyoming ski resort after one of the owners hosted a fundraiser featuring Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and other Republicans supportive of former president Donald Trump. Days after the fundraiser at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Greene was again suspended from Twitter after she falsely claimed in a tweet that coronavirus vaccines are failing. Despite the conservative blowback, many on social media applauded Carhartt for sticking with its vaccination mandate, despite the Supreme Court ruling. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. recognized how angered some conservatives had to be if they were willing to let go of their Carhartt apparel during a stretch of frigid weather. "They throwing out the Carhartt in the dead of winter?!" he tweeted. "Oh they MAD mad." John Schwartz, a journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said the leaked email about employee vaccinations earned Carhartt some more business. "I've always liked Carhartt gear," he wrote. "Might be time to buy some more." Robert Barnes contributed to this report. The president of the Texas Freedom Network called on the Texas Board of Education to remove a former Texas Tech University professor who echoed conspiracies promoted by white nationalist groups. TFN President Val Benavidez says Steven Balch, co-founder of the conservative advocacy group National Association of Scholars, should be removed from the BOE's curriculum panel because he believes voter fraud conspiracies about the last presidential election and that open borders destroys "traditional America," according to a news release. The call comes as officials are banning books in public libraries and the BOE weighs how to teach climate change and sexuality in schools. "The last person Texas needs guiding what our public schools teach is someone who echoes the conspiracy rants of white nationalists," Benavidez says in the news release. "His arguments are toxic, especially in a state with so many students who are immigrants or the children of immigrants from around the world." Balch co-authored an essay in August 2021with John C. Eastman, the attorney who advised then-President Donald Trump on how to overturn the 2020 election. In the essay, Balch says President Joe Biden has "thrown open" the southern border to let immigration "destroy traditional America." Balch also called on states to assume "police powers" to seize control of international and even interstate borders. The news release says Balch's claims echo white nationalist "Great Replacement" conspiracy theorists who argue that "power seeking elites" aim to transform the country by replacing white Americans with immigrants. In a separate essay written by Balch in November 2020, he repeated claims that widespread voter fraud cost Trump the election in 2020, calling Biden's victory a "literal coup." He said Trump should "lead his followers into Americas streets and squares" to find a way to overturn the election. He also joined a collective of professors in a statement telling county and city officials to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage in 2015. TFN is an organization that has monitored the State Board of Education and opposed censorship in textbooks and public schools since its creation in 1995. MySA reached out to the Texas Education Agency for comment. Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News While spinoff events are preparing to give out free tacos and coffee to the public on Friday, January 28, the original and official Cowboy Breakfast is not happening in its usual format. MySA broke the news on Tuesday, January 18 and now organizers are revealing more about how the early morning event will benefit the city's first responders. Chuck Christian, vice chairman for the organization, reminds the public that the official breakfast, which is celebrated as a rodeo precursor, is not open to the public this year. The party typically corrals up to 40,000 people. Crowds packed the Cowboy's Dancehall parking lot in 2020, weeks before the pandemic started canceling events. This year marks the second time organizers have held back and made the event private. At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Incarnate Word High School made it a goal to re-engage, reconnect and reunite our students. Our Shamrock traditions make attending IWHS a unique and memorable experience for all of our young ladies. Despite the pandemic, IWHS has found creative ways to continue celebrating each high school milestone and keeping our traditions alive! Freshman year is exciting and nerve-wracking. At the beginning of each school year, a senior student welcomes in a Little Sister that is assigned during the Big Sis - Lil Sis Picnic. The second milestone of a Shamrock is the Little Sister Big Sister Tie Ceremony where the senior Big Sister officially welcomes her Little Sister to the community and family. Throughout the year, the Big Sister acts as a mentor and role model for her Little Sister, with all of the Big Sisters making sure all incoming freshmen are integrated to the Shamily. Yves here. In theory, spending more money on other US health care priorities, as we have with some elements of Covid response, would be desirable. But in a saying attributed to Yogi Berra, In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is. We have a bloated and fabulously inefficient health care system. Theres every reason to think that more generous funding of health care priorities, like tackling cancer or autoimmune diseases, would largely go to private equity and health care executive pay packages. The biggest thing the Feds could do is use government buying power to negotiate drug prices, as every country in the world except the US does. Stopping the price gouging on insulin (and tons of other meds like Sovaldi, Zolgensma, Acthar Gel, and Isuprel which saw huge price increases) would do more to help Americans than long-term initiatives to tackle Big Ailments, given not just the uncertainty of results but questions about whether the effort could be sustained and how to prevent it from becoming the medical version of the F-35. I wish I had a better answer. But the fact that the US has no good data about any aspect of Covid: how many have had it and what variant if so, how many have died and been hospitalized, how many have been vaccinated, and has made messaging more important than results says we arent capable of running large projects, even when the health of citizens and the economy depends on them. And I have to cringe when I hear people who have not encountered Medicare depicting it as a paragon. Its a public-private program with lots of gaps and insane complexity. Yes, its better than not having insurance, but treating it as some sort of nirvana is wildly naive. By Sonali Kolhatkar, the founder, host and executive producer of Rising Up With Sonali, a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. She is a writing fellow for the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute. Produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute There has been a Jekyll-and-Hyde quality to American health care over the past two years. The federal government under the previous administration of Donald Trump, as well as the current one of Joe Biden, has carved out what can be characterized as the COVID-19 exception, inconsistently intervening to help people avoid the virus or recover from it, while standing by as Americans struggle with other ailments. In doing so, it has exposed the vast fissures of a broken system into which millions of Americans routinely fall, some, never to emerge. For example, the Biden administration is now taking actionalbeit a year lateto ensure that Americans have a small measure of access to COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits. Without requiring congressional approval, the government launched a centralized and straightforward website for people to order free antigen testing kits. The site is stunningly easy to use, does not require any other information besides a name and address, and relies on the U.S. Postal Service for distribution. That effort came on the heels of an announcement that private health insurance companies would now be required to reimburse their patients for the cost of such tests purchased out-of-pocket. Although these policies are being enacted nearly two years into the pandemic, they are certainly better late than never. They signal that the federal government tacitly recognizes the prohibitive cost of protecting oneself from a rapidly mutating and increasingly transmissible virus for low-income Americans. The government is also providing free masksfinally. Experts recently dismissed as insufficient the now-ubiquitous reusable cloth masks, in the face of the Omicron variant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has instead recommended high-quality medical disposable masks such as N95 masks, which are very difficult to come by, or similarly protective KN95 masks, which run upward of $1 a mask. In response, the White House has announced a program to make 400 million N95 masks from the strategic national stockpile available to Americans for free through local drug store chains. Commentators are pointing out that its past time that the government offer free at-home tests and masksas if inaction on health care wasnt a standard feature. The Washington Post compared the U.S. to other nations that made such protective materials available to their citizens for free far earlier in the pandemic, and pointed out that the United States lack of universal health-care coverage contrasts sharply with other nations. In spite of arriving late to offering masks and at-home tests for free, the federal government has adopted more of an interventionist posture on COVID-19 than any other health care front, ensuring that vaccines, most testing, and treatment remain largely free of charge to Americans. Insurance companies are mandated to cover COVID-19-related costs regardless of the contours of individual plans. And, the uninsured have their costs covered by the government. The flip side of this commendable government approach to the pandemic is that it ignores those who are unlucky enough to be uninsured or underinsured and struck by any other ailment besides COVID-19. Take cancer, an illness that affects 1.6 million Americans each year and is the second leading cause of death in the nation. Studies show that cancer-related death rates are higher for those who lack private health insurance compared to the insured. Might such disparities vanish if the government considered cancer to be as worthy of intervention as the coronavirus? Peter Arno and Philip Caper, writing for Physicians for a National Health Program, asked this critical question in another way: will our first-hand experience of the federal response to the pandemic (delayed though it was) dispel the usual objections to single-payer health care? Or will most Americans conclude that the public health crisis caused by this pandemic is a one-off exception? Although the COVID-19 exception is a promising step toward federal intervention in health care, the programs to distribute vaccines, tests, and masks are still woefully insufficient or disorganizedprecisely because the United States lacks a centralized universal health care system through which to enact such efforts. Last years COVID-19 vaccine rollout was chaotic precisely because the federal government had to rely on a patchwork system of private and public health care, private for-profit drug store chains and smaller nonprofit organizations. According to Public Citizen, Countries with a more unified system are better able to roll out testing, track the spread and intervene appropriately, as they arent forced to negotiate with numerous private insurers, issue regulations or orders for multiple public insurance programs, or figure out how [to] handle testing and treatment for the uninsured. The United States is a global embarrassment when it comes to health care. The Economist magazine once described the U.S. as, The only large rich country without universal health care. The U.S. joins extremely poor nations like Afghanistan and Yemen on the list of 10 notable countries without a universal government-run health care system. According to a recent Federal Reserve report, [s]eventeen percent of adults had major, unexpected medical expenses in the prior 12 months, with the median amount between $1,000 and $1,999. The report also found that [t]wenty-three percent of adults went without medical care due to an inability to pay. These statistics are startling and yet, not shocking enough for the government to either expand the COVID-19 exception to cover all illnesses, or expand the Medicare program to cover all Americans. Either step would ensure that no Americans would forgo health care due to an inability to pay. This depressing status quo is the direct outcome of a well-funded propaganda war by corporate profiteers against expanding the existing Medicare program to all Americans. They include health insurance companies, the private hospital industry, and pharmaceutical corporations. Interestingly, the standard critics of government-funded health care are stunningly silent on the COVID-19 exceptionperhaps because they understand just how shameful it is to deny people care for a pandemic that has eclipsed normalcy and claimed over 800,000 American lives. There is a silent acceptance of the government taking responsibility for ensuring protection from COVID-19, but not from cancer, diabetes, or any other illness. The naysayers against Medicare for All are relying on Americans simply not noticing the COVID-19 exception. Yves here. This post describes how rigidities in Medicare, as in home tests not allowed, prevent the program from reimbursing Covid tests. One must ask why no one in the Biden administration has tried to fudge a rule reinterpretation and get that through the regulatory approval process. That would take some months but is better than doing nothing and letting seniors suffer.unless, as cynics allege, that is part of the plan. After the way Team Biden imposed its vax mandate rule on OSHA after OSHA had drafted a far-reaching set of workplace provisions that included a mask mandate, ventilation, and separation, one would think they could try an easier lift.particularly since its hard to see who if anyone would find it in their interest to challenge it. Oh, but wash my mouth out. All of the private insurer providing Medicare Advantage plans would be upset about giving more benefits at the same cost. Fine. If the Biden Administration had any balls (clearly not, but thats the point of going on), officials could make clear they made sure the press knew damned well which Medicare Advantage plans were out to harm senior by fighting access to tests that everyone else could get. Forgive me if I engage in a mini-rant about Medicare. While if youve been on overpriced, high deductible Obamacare plans, Medicare looks like a big step up, its thin gruel for pretty much everyone else. Lets start with the scam called Medicare Advantage, where to get in theory lower premiums (my mother didnt), you are in a narrow network and subject to HMO gatekeeping. Or Medicare Part D, which as Medicare.gov blandly warns, Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered. As I infer from the comments of readers who need expensive meds, one has to research carefully to see if the needed Rx is included. And you have to recheck every year! 1 On top of that, consistent with the Covid home est example, Medicare not only is poor on workarounds, it actually impedes them. Two of many idiocies from my caring for my mother: 1. During a Covid wave, she was due for an annual exam. Her doctor could do a telemedicine visit but, not unreasonably, wanted a blood workup. She had COPD, so Covid would be an even more certain death sentence for her than most old people. I did not want her to go into the huge outpatient clinic (remember in Alabama where even medical professionals in hospitals dont mask well/at all) and get a blood draw (she could not wear a high quality mask; normal blood ox for her was 92 and that place always makes patients wait, so there was no possibility of a fast in and out). But despite working on it for the better part of two months, including calling multiple home health agencies if they had any aides who were also licensed phlebotomists who could do the job, I got nowhere. Medicare does not allow home visits just for a blood draw, and the MD was unwilling to add other service needs to set up a limited course of nursing visits. Literally every agency that had nurses would not allow me to hire a nurse for just a blood draw, even though that was not a Medicare-covered service. They simply were not willing to see a Medicare patient unless they could bill to Medicare. 2. I had a variant of this problem when I tried hiring a physical therapist, not as a formal PT (as in working under an MD Rx) but to do some at home strength and basic balance work2 The reason for preferring a PT was trainers seldom deal with super feeble old people and would likely be unable to come up with a sufficiently basic regime (and yes, we needed an outside human; it was hard enough to get my mother to cooperate even then). Again without belaboring details, despite considerable effort, it was pretty much impossible to get someone to train her at home. I did find a licensed PT who advertised himself at the local Jewish community center as doing at home programsand as I feared, he couldnt gear down to something basic enough. Everyone else was Medicare connected and would not take a patient outside the Medicare regime.even though there was no physician Rx and therefore no providing of a Medicare service. After by sheer accident getting a very good set of PTs for my post surgery rehab, I embarrassed my mothers physician into writing an Rx for physical therapy and getting the same team for her. But that took over a year. Mind you, we were in the high class position of being able to throw some money at these problems, which is not the case for many Medicare patients. But it appears the only solution to problems like that is to opt out of Medicare B via enrolling in a concierge practice. Here the price is $3000 a year, which included as many MD visits as you need, and unlimited nurse house calls, but not specialists not in their practice and not test. 75% of their patients were elderly, so it was a de facto gerontology practice. Since my mother even in her very aged condition had needed only 3 MD visits a year, this seemed like an awfully high cost just to get access to a nurse. Outside a low labor cost state like Alabama, the rate or an old person to join a concierge practice in the rest of the US is likely to be higher. And do not let me get started on how few MDs take Medicare in high cost locales. A friend who recently left NYC had none of his NYC doctors accepting Medicare, and none of my smaller roster do either. By Michelle Andrews. Originally published at Kaiser Health News What group is especially vulnerable to the ravages of covid-19 even if fully vaccinated and boosted? Seniors. And who will have an especially tough time getting free at-home covid tests under the Biden administrations plan? Yes, seniors. As of Jan. 15, private insurers will cover the cost of eight at-home rapid covid tests each month for their members for as long as the public health emergency lasts. Finding the tests will be hard enough, but Medicare beneficiaries face an even bigger hurdle: The administrations new rule doesnt apply to them. It turns out that the laws governing traditional Medicare dont provide for coverage of self-administered diagnostic tests, which is precisely what the rapid antigen tests are and why they are an important tool for containing the pandemic. While at this time original Medicare cannot pay for at-home tests, testing remains a critical tool to help mitigate the spread of covid, a statement from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said. Medicaid and CHIP cover at-home covid tests, with no cost to beneficiaries, based on a 2021 Biden administration mandate. Medicare patients are left to seek free tests other ways, including through the administrations new website, covidtests.gov, and at community centers. The Medicare program does cover rapid antigen or PCR testing done by a lab without charging beneficiaries, but theres a hitch: Its limited to one test per year unless someone has a doctors order. More needs to be done, advocates say. The administration has changed some Medicare rules during the pandemic, including improving access to telehealth services and nursing home care, said David Lipschutz, associate director and senior policy attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy. We know that the Medicare program has significant flexibility relative to the public health emergency, and it has demonstrated it has the ability to alter the rules, Lipschutz said. We think they should find the flexibility to offer the covid at-home tests for free. Q: Why cant the Medicare program reimburse beneficiaries for the over-the-counter tests or pick up the tab at the pharmacy as commercial health plans will do? The services the Medicare program pays for are spelled out in federal law. It generally excludes over-the-counter things, said Casey Schwarz, senior counsel for education and federal policy at the Medicare Rights Center, an advocacy group. The public health emergency was recently extended 90 days, through mid-April, and the administration could yet decide to expand coverage. Some lawmakers in Congress are urging the administration to cover the tests. Demanding Medicare recipients nearly one-fifth the population of the United States to foot the bill out-of-pocket for at-home tests is unfair, inefficient, and will cost lives, said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.Y.), who has urged the Biden administration to expand Medicare coverage to include them. It may not be a simple change, as these tests appear to fall into coverage gaps. Medicare Part A covers hospitalization, and Part B generally covers provider-based services like doctor visits and lab tests. Part D covers drugs. So theres a little bit of a question of where this type of benefit would fit, Schwarz said. People in private plans sometimes pay upfront for services and then are reimbursed by their health plan. But thats not how Medicare works. The program pays providers, not beneficiaries. So thats another wrinkle that would have to be ironed out. Q: So how can a Medicare beneficiary get free at-home covid tests? There are a couple of options. This week, the Biden administration launched a website, covidtests.gov, where anyone, including Medicare beneficiaries, can order free at-home covid tests. One billion tests eventually will be available. Each residence initially can receive four tests. Four tests is a far cry from the eight monthly tests that people with private insurance can be reimbursed for. But its better than nothing, experts say, especially when preventing the spread of covid requires repeated testing over a period of days. Four tests is not a lot of tests, said Juliette Cubanski, deputy director of the program on Medicare policy at KFF. This is one of the most at-risk populations, and to not have the opportunity to buy at-home tests and get reimbursed puts this whole population on their back foot. The Biden administration is also providing up to 50 million additional free at-home tests to community health centers and Medicare-certified health clinics. But 50 million tests wont even provide one test apiece to the 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, Lipschutz said. About 4 in 10 Medicare beneficiaries are in Medicare Advantage managed-care plans. These private plans may offer free at-home tests to members, but its not required. Enrollees should check with their plans to see whether thats an option. Q: What other free covid testing options are available to Medicare beneficiaries? In traditional Medicare, beneficiaries can get rapid antigen or PCR diagnostic tests without paying anything out-of-pocket if the test is ordered by a doctor or other health care provider and performed by a lab. The federal government has set up more than 10,000 free pharmacy testing sites across the country that Medicare beneficiaries can visit as well. With the recent extension of the public health emergency, the situation is fluid, and Medicare beneficiaries may yet get coverage for at-home covid tests thats comparable to what privately insured people now have. This is all a moving target, Lipschutz said. ____ From EHealth: Medicare plans providing prescription drug coverage can select medications to include in their list of covered prescription drugs (called the formulary) and, with certain restrictions set by Medicare, change the formulary. A plans formulary may change at any time. You will receive notice from your plan when necessary. Plans often change their formularies each year. Although the plan notifies you of changes, its generally a good idea to review your plans Annual Notice of Change mailed in early fall each year to see if your medications are on the formulary for the coming year and compare your current plan to others available where you live. If you find out your stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan is planning to stop covering your prescription drug, then it may be a good idea to switch to another Medicare plan with prescription drug coverage. Remember that even though all Medicare plans with prescription drug coverage must cover the same drug categories or classes, each plan can choose which specific medications to include in each category, so a different plan may offer the prescription drug you take. 2 Going within her plan would have required an orthopedist visit and imaging, which = Covid risk, plus her HMO would have resisted at home therapy and instead wanted her to use their outpatient facility. Aside from yet more Covid risk, I had seen the programs she had gotten there is the past. They were cookie cutter with at best 40% of what they gave her suited to her needsand some exercises actually counterproductive. My Nashville Post role has evolved since 2000 when I joined the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister publication in 2008 (when I began doing some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have been managing editor of the Post since late 2011. Follow William Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today President Ram Nath Kovind will lead the nation in celebrating India's 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday (January 26). The celebrations this year are special as the Republic Day falls in the 75th year of Independence, being celebrated as 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' across the country. To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Defence has conceptualised a series of new events during the main parade on Rajpath on Wednesday and for the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony at Vijay Chowk on January 29. It has been decided that the Republic Day celebrations will now be a week-long affair from January 23-30 every year. The celebrations will commence on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and culminate on January 30, which is observed as Martyrs' Day to mark the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. The Republic Day ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying tribute to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade. As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Kovind taking the salute. It will be commanded by Lt General Vijay Kumar Mishra, a second-generation Army officer. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, will be the Parade Second-in-Command. The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards will be honoured next, including the winners of Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra. Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, and Subedar (Honorary Lieutenant) Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles, and Ashok Chakra winner Colonel D. Sreeram Kumar will follow the Deputy Parade Commander on jeeps. The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy. The Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice, but other than in the face of the enemy. Indian Army Contingents The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry led by Major Mrityunjay Singh Chouhan. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces' cavalry units. The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, 14 mechanised columns, six marching contingents and a fly past by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) of Army Aviation. One Tank PT-76 and Centurion (On Tank Transporters) and two MBT Arjun MK-I, one APC TOPAS and BMP-I (On Tank Transporter) and Two BMP-II, one 75/24 Towed Gun (On Vehicle) and two Dhanush Gun System, one PMS Bridge and Two Sarvatra Bridge System, one HT-16 (On Vehicle) and two Tarang Shakti Electronic Warfare System, one Tiger Cat Missile and two Akash Missile System will be the main attractions in the mechanised columns. A total of six marching contingents of the Army will be there, including the Rajput Regiment, the Assam Regiment, the Jammu and Kashmir Light Regiment, the Sikh Light Regiment, the Army Ordnance Corps and the Parachute Regiment. A combined band of the Madras Regimental Centre, Kumoun Regimental Centre, Maratha Light Regimental Centre, Jammu and Kashmir Light Regimental Centre, Army Medical Corps Centre and School, 14 Gorkha Training Centre, Army Supply Corps Centre and College, Bihar Regimental Centre and Army Ordnance Corps Centre will also march past the saluting dais. Soldiers' Uniform and Weapons to Showcase Evolution The theme of the marching contingents will be the display of the evolution of uniform and weapons of the Indian Army over the last 75 years. The contingent of the Rajput Regiment will be wearing the uniform of Indian Army of 1947, carrying .303 rifles. The Assam Regiment will sport the uniform of 1962, carrying .303 rifles. The Jammu and Kashmir Light Regiment would be in uniform worn during 1971 and would carry 7.62 mm self-loading rifles. The contingent of the Sikh Light Regiment and the Army Ordnance Corps would be in the present day uniform with 5.56 mm INSAS rifles. The contingent of the Parachute Regiment would be donning the new combat uniform of Indian Army, unveiled on January 15, and would be carrying 5.56 mm x 45 mm TAVOR rifles. Indian Navy Contingent The Naval contingent will comprise 96 young sailors and four officers led by Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma as the Contingent Commander. It will be followed by the Naval tableau which is designed with the aim to showcase the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy and highlight the key inductions under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The ongoing 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' also finds a special mention in the tableau. The forward part of the tableau depicts the Naval Uprising of 1946, which contributed to India's struggle for independence. The rear section illustrates the 'Make in India' initiatives of the Indian Navy from 1983 to 2021. Model of New Vikrant with LCA Navy in air flanked by models of indigenously designed and built warships will also be on display. The frames on the sides of the trailer depict the construction of Indian Naval platforms in India. Indian Air Force Contingent The Indian Air Force contingent comprises 96 airmen and four officers and will be led by Squadron Leader Prashant Swamyanathan. The Air Force tableau is titled 'Indian Air Force, Transforming for the Future'. The tableau showcases scaled down models of MiG-21, Gnat, Light Combat Helicopter and Rafale aircraft, as well as the Aslesha radar. The tableaux are titled 'Suite of Indigenously Developed Sensors, Weapons and Electronic Warfare Systems for LCA Tejas' and 'Air Independent Propulsion System' developed for the submarines of Indian Navy. Other Tableaux The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will display two tableaux, signifying the defence technological advancements of the country. It will be followed by tableaux of 12 states and Union Territories and nine Ministries and Departments, which have been prepared on various themes under 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. The tableaux will be followed by cultural performances by 480 dancers chosen through an all-India dance competition 'Vande Bharatam'. It is for the first time that dance groups, which will perform during the parade, have been chosen based through an all-India level competition. This will be followed by a motorcycle display by Seema Bhawani Motorcycle Team of BSF and Himveers of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Grand Fly Past The grand finale and the most keenly-awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past, will, for the first time, witness 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force displaying a number of formations. Vintage as well as current modern aircraft/helicopters like Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, Mi-17, Sarang, Apache and Dakota will display different formations, including Rahat, Meghna, Eklavya, Trishul, Tiranga, Vijay, and Amrit. The ceremony will culminate with the national anthem and the release of Tri-colour balloons. For the first time, the IAF has coordinated with Doordarshan to show cockpit videos during the fly past. (Natural News) Scientists from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have created a groundbreaking artificial intelligence program that uses x-rays to detect the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) faster and more accurately than standard PCR tests. The process uses x-ray technology. The patient gets an x-ray done of his or her chest. The AI program then uses an algorithm to analyze the visual imagery and compare it to a database of nearly 3,000 scans belonging to patients with COVID-19, healthy people and others with viral pneumonia. During extensive trials, the researchers found that this technique was able to detect COVID-19 with 98 percent accuracy. It was also able to detect the virus far more quickly than PCR tests, which typically take around two hours to process. (Related: The presence of a virus does NOT mean disease: PCR testing scheme EXPOSED as total science fraud.) The three-person research team was led by Naeem Ramzan, director of the Affective and Human Computing for SMART Environments Research Center at UWS. There has long been a need for a quick and reliable tool that can detect COVID-19, and this has become even more true with the upswing of the omicron variant, said Ramzan. He added that the technology could help countries that rely too much on PCR tests, especially if they are running low on them. In England, for example, there were concerns towards the end of last year about the rampant shortage of PCR tests, as availability struggled to keep up with increased demand for COVID-19 tests. The situation was alleviated somewhat earlier this month when public health authorities relaxed testing requirements for COVID-19. But the shortages remain, and people are still heavily reliant on faulty PCR tests. Several countries are unable to carry out large numbers of COVID tests because of limited diagnostic tools, but this technique utilizes easily accessible technology to quickly detect the virus, said Ramzan. It could prove to be crucial, and potentially life-saving, when diagnosing severe cases of the virus, helping determine what treatment may be required. Program could be deployed to hospitals to replace inaccurate PCR tests soon Ramzan and his team are now planning to expand the study by incorporating a larger database of x-ray images acquired by different models of x-ray machines. The goal of this expanded study is to evaluate whether this technology can be rolled out to hospitals and clinics. These healthcare facilities would then be made responsible for detecting COVID-19 in patients, rather than getting the tests and outsourcing the running of those tests to labs. Despite the groundbreaking nature of his research, Ramzan claimed that the AI program should not be considered as a substitute for PCR tests. COVID-19 symptoms are not visible in x-rays during the early stages of infection, so it is important to note that the technology cannot fully replace PCR tests, he said. However, it can still play an important role in curtailing the viruses spread, especially when PCR tests are not readily available. Milan Radosavljevic, Vice-Principal of Research, Innovation and Engagement at UWS, said that Ramzans research could be game-changing. This is potentially game-changing research. Its another example of the purposeful, impactful work that has gone on at UWS throughout the pandemic, making a genuine difference in the fight against COVID-19, he said. I am incredibly proud of the drive and innovation demonstrated by our internationally renowned academics, as they strive to find solutions to urgent global problems. Watch this video and see how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already admitted that COVID-19 PCR tests are unable to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. This video can be found on the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Learn more about newly developed methods to detect COVID-19 at Pandemic.news. Sources include: The-Sun.com News.Sky.com TechnologyNetworks.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn told host Doug Billings during the inaugural episode of The Right Side Tuesday, Jan. 18, on Brighteon.TV that Americans need to fix the election systems and processes. Weve got to focus on fixing our election systems and our election processes, and determining what happened in 2020, Flynn said. They know that they had massive fraud there. So things are going to continue to come out. And nothing is ever as fast as people want it to be particularly when it comes to investigations. But the one thing that I do know is we have to get people out to vote, said Flynn, also a former national security advisor during the Trump administration. (Related: WE NEED AUDITS: General Michael Flynn talks about why audits are necessary following the questionable 2020 elections Brighteon.TV.) Flynn urged people at the local level to get involved in their communities, become a precinct volunteer and get involved in campaigns. If you feel up to it run for elected office, get involved with the election commission at the county level. These are big issues. And these are big deals that people need to start to become awakened to, he said. And the people of this country are starting to do that. And they have been doing it for a few months now. We have all these new relationships with people around the country that are leading, and they are champions of various causes. These things are happening. These are very real. Flynn is optimistic that in the coming months and coming elections, people will celebrate the reawakening of American politics, where everybody is involved in the lifeblood of the country and making things happen to save America. Americans must get involved in their communities and vote Flynn slammed the people who said that the voting process doesnt work and are urging others not to vote. Those people, he said, are doing a massive disservice to the patriots who have sacrificed to make America one of the greatest countries in the world. We must get out there and get involved in our communities. And we must vote. The thing that I like to say now is we have to vote or youre going to have to vote, youre going to have to plan on voting. But youre also going to have to get involved, youre going to have to do more than just vote because of what we have taken for granted, Flynn said. And what we saw in the 2020 election was we just took for granted that the system was going to work and everything was going to work out fine. And what weve learned is thats not the case. And its been going on like this for a long, long time well before the presidential election of 2020. It shouldnt be that way one fraudulent vote will disenfranchise one legal vote, so one fraudulent vote is wrong. Flynn also implored the American people to shut off the voices telling them that their votes dont matter. You get in there and you make sure you can vote and participate in the process, participate at the precinct level during the presidential election or gubernatorial election on any given day. A precinct volunteer is powerful because they are making a difference in terms of whether our votes count, he said. Counties can change the election system now Flynn has filed a lawsuit requesting a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Jan. 6 House committee last December, saying that any county in America can change its election system now. You definitely dont have to wait for the federal level to tell you what to do or how to vote. Thats why we have election commissioners at the county level because they are voted in as elected officials. And then they make the decisions, they make the determinations about how to vote, how the vote is going to work in a particular county, Flynn explained. Every single county out there has the opportunity to be able to set an example for the rest of us. So lets set some examples out there in different counties and lets fix our voting system. Lets fix our voting processes. So when we do vote next, which we must do, we are ready to do it. We are ready to do it legally, freely, fairly, transparently and in a very timely manner. And you know you are able to count the vote at the precinct level. You are able to add them up to the county level. And you know at the end of the day, heres who won. You know here are the winners and here are the losers. And thats the way it should be. Thats a democracy. That is our constitutional republic as we have created. Its so important that people go out and vote. Watch the full Jan. 18 episode of The Right Side below. Catch new episodes of the program every Tuesday at 4-5 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow BigGovernment.news for more news related to U.S. elections. Sources include: Brighteon.com KTVU.com (Natural News) The District of Columbias Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) Twitter account is calling on residents of Washington, D.C., to start voluntarily rationing their food purchases at the grocery store in order to limit the fallout from the ongoing supply chain collapse. With a stamp of approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C.s HSEM issued a stark warning that it is wise to prepare for winter in this manner, this ominous verbiage presumably referring to fake president Joe Bidens infamous statements about a dark winter. If youre hitting the grocery store to prepare for winter weather, please just buy what you need and leave some for others! the tweet reads. You may have noticed empty shelves in some stores due to national supply chain issues, but there is no need to buy more than you normally would. For the time being, voluntary rationing will remain just that: voluntary. Eventually, however, it could become mandatory for people to buy only what the government deems essential in order to live. Just like face masks and lockdowns, which started out voluntary, food rationing will eventually become a requirement. And those who fail to do it in accordance with government guidelines will likely be punished for hoarding and depriving others of their bowl of soup and loaf of bread. Are you ready for bread lines, America? Bowser, who also functions as D.C.s COVID Compliance Minister, loved the tweet from D.C.s HSEM because it was apparently her idea, at least in part, to impose voluntary food rationing on D.C.s residents. What comes after the voluntary phase is the part many have been studiously preparing to avoid, reports The Conservative Treehouse. Back in the summer of 2020, Bowser issued a decree requiring that everyone in the federal territory wear a mask. Prior to this, masks were voluntary in D.C. are you beginning to see a pattern in the way these people operate? At first it was all optional. Then it became mandatory with fines and jail time looming as punishment for non-compliance. How long will it be before Americans are told that they can only purchase certain amounts of groceries per visit? I find it rather revealing that only when leftist policies are followed to their natural conclusion do you see officials in the leftist economic system they created, a system not coincidentally always based on the outcome of scarcity, asking people not to engage in economic activity, The Conservative Treehouse further added to the conversation about these latest developments. Chasing socialism always creates an outcome where the expressed intent from government is NOT to buy stuff, rationing. Socialism, or leftism in its modern form, always creates scarcity; it is the diametrically opposite outcome of a free capitalistic society. It will start in left-wing places like D.C, New York and Seattle, and eventually spread to the suburbs and into rural areas. The entire planet will eventually suffer under the crumbling house of cards. Nowhere will be safe, thanks to the interconnected nature of the global economy. When one domino falls, it hits another, which then hits another until they all fall down, by design. This is the great reset that was promised by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab. And it is all culminating on the back of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), which is being pulled out of the grenade known as the current global economic order. This will be nationwide, warned one commenter. The failure is by design, added another. The latest news about how covid is ushering in an economic collapse and great reset can be found at Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: TheConservativeTreehouse.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Family physician Dr. Vladimir Zev Zelenko joined Thrive Time Show host Clay Clark on the latters Brighteon.TV program, where he discussed his treatment protocol for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) on the programs Jan. 21 episode. A short clip introduced Zelenko, the doctor behind the COVID-19 treatment protocol based on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). He had successfully treated more than 7,000 COVID-19 patients with his Zelenko protocol, but has received daily death threats for his efforts. Despite being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, Zelenko said it matters little to him. What matters is that we can use this platform to spread the true narrative and maybe save even more lives, he said. Zelenko then explained: In March [2020], my treatment protocol was based on the use of HCQ, zinc and the antibiotic azithromycin. But what happened on March 27, 2020 [is that] the ghoul what I call [former New York] Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order blocking pharmacies in New York state from dispensing HCQ. [It] was approved for other indications and it was safe, so I couldnt understand why that was obstructed. A March 2020 Newsday report elaborated on Cuomos ban on HCQ. His executive order (EO) from that month limited prescriptions of HCQ and the related chloroquine to COVID-19 patients in state-approved clinical trials. The EO also permitted its prescription as an antimalarial or autoimmune treatment as per the Food and Drug Administrations approval. In both cases, prescriptions for both drugs can only be for 14 days with no refills allowed. I lost a few patients because of that EO [since] they couldnt get medicine. I found peer-reviewed papers about a substance called quercetin, and so I started using that. I saw really great results and I open-sourced that information. I let everyone knew about quercetin, which is over the counter, Zelenko continued. (Related: The Stew Peters Show: Vladimir Zelenkos life-saving, effective COVID-19 protocols demonized in favor of vaccines Brighteon.TV.) According to Zelenko, viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 reproduce by hijacking the metabolic machinery of cells to make copies of themselves. They make use of an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to reproduce its genetic material. However, zinc targets RdRp to prevent viral replication but it needs to be delivered to the human system through another substance. Zelenko used HCQ as it was one of the most effective, but New Yorks ban on the drug led him to use quercetin to get a favorable outcome. Zelenko: Government hiding key information about Covid treatments The two reasons people die from COVID-19 are the moronic doctor who delays care and the tyrannical government that obstructs access to life-saving medication. But now I can say: Clay, listen: Go to the vitamin shop; buy quercetin, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D; use it in the right way and youll be OK, Zelenko told the Brighteon.TV host. (Related: Dr. Vladimir Zelenko urges people to stand up against government tyranny.) The family physician pointed out a piece of information he claims the government is suppressing. COVID-19 is [actually] two diseases. Theres the viral phase, and then theres the inflammatory phase [where] your immune system comes in, destroys the lungs and causes blood clots. The key is to treat COVID-19 in the first few days of the onset of symptoms to prevent the complications from ever happening. Zelenko pointed out that the best type of COVID-19 treatment is to prevent lung damage rather than dealing with it when it happens. He continued: Its the timing thats important, and its imperative to start treatment [on the first three days]. The sooner, the better. To make this possible, Zelenko released the Z-Stack tablet that contains the four pillars of his treatment protocol for COVID-19. He formulated the tablet in response to some of his patients complaining that they were either unable to obtain the individual supplements or having a hard time getting the exact formulation. The physician also offered a prescription for those seeking a return to normality, which he borrowed from the book of Psalms. Turn away from bad, do good and live. Thats a very good prescription, and let me define the terms. Turn away from bad, in this particular case, [means] dont get into the fear. Do not put on [your] face diaper, dont listen to the mandates. Do good means if youre in the higher-risk category, take antiviral prevention. If God forbid, you do get sick start treatment within the first few days and you will live, Zelenko told Clark. Watch the full Jan. 21 episode of Thrive Time Show below. Thrive Time Show with Clay Clark airs Mondays to Fridays from 3:30-4 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. CoronavirusNutrients.com has more about the usefulness of vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc against COVID-19. Sources include: Brighteon.com Newsday.com (Natural News) Former New York Times journalist Bari Weiss lampooned the U.S. governments draconian pubic health responses to COVID, claiming that its continuous lockdowns and restrictions will be remembered as a catastrophic moral crime. (Article republished from InfoWars.com) Weiss, who resigned from the Times in 2020, forcefully condemned the COVID hysteria during a Friday appearance on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher. Im done. Im done with COVID, Weiss proclaimed, prompting the audience to erupt in applause and cheers. Weiss noted that the government hasnt rolled back COVID restrictions despite constantly assuring the public that the experimental vaccine was the key to getting back to normal. We were told you get the vaccine, you get the vaccine and you get back to normal. And we havent gotten back to normal. And its ridiculous at this point, she said. Now, she said, the continuous stream of anti-vaxxer propaganda from the media has created a chilling effect even among liberals who are also at their wits end with the COVID hysteria. I know that so many of my liberal and progressive friends are with me on this and they do not want to say it out loud because they are scared to be called anti-vaxxed or to be called science deniers or to be smeared as a Trumper, Weiss explained. She then debunked the governments main COVID talking points, including that masks work and vaccine passports protect you from the China Virus. Most importantly, that this is going to be remembered by the younger generation as a catastrophic moral crime, Weiss argued. People are killing themselves. Theyre anxious, theyre depressed, theyre lonely. That is why we need to end it. Notably, the audience applauding Weiss during her remarks further highlighted her point that even the left has had it with the governments handling of COVID. Weiss had announced her departure from the Times in a scathing resignation letter accusing the paper of constant ideological bullying, and submission to woke practices. A new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isnt a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else, she wrote. Despite other nations like the UK completely lifting COVID restrictions in the face of growing distrust by the public and mounting scientific data, the Biden administration is still pushing ahead for vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, and universal masking. Read more at: InfoWars.com (Natural News) Virginias largest school district is on the defensive after it was caught forcing children to participate in a game of privilege bingo that singled out kids for characteristics involving their race and family life. (Article by Kane republished from CitizenFreePress.com) Students at Fairfax Countys Oakton High School were asked to self-identify their privilege for an exercise that the district says was intended to provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences while building their critical thinking skills. The bingo card contained squares based on categories such as white, military kid, parents are married, mentally healthy, cisgender, have your own bedroom, Christian, and able-bodied. The district initially defended the lesson plan. Assistant Superintendent Douglas A. Tyson said that the card came from an approved Fairfax County Public Schools English curriculum lesson. After backlash from military families who viewed the lesson as a baseless attack, the district backtracked and said the activity would be revised. Fairfax County Public School District recognizes and honors the experiences of all our families, including those in service to our country in the military, a district spokeswoman told The Federalist. We have revised this activity. We apologize for any offense it may have unintentionally caused. Hundreds of military family members commute to the Pentagon from Fairfax County, which is just 20 minutes away from the military hub. Annual salaries for teachers in the school district range from $51,000 to $119,117, depending on experience level. The starting yearly salary for an enlisted member of the military is $20,340, while starting pay for a commissioned officer is just $41,724. This is over the top time for FCPS to get away from identity politics and back to teaching our kids. pic.twitter.com/WtB2DLuhgH Supervisor Pat Herrity (@PatHerrity) January 19, 2022 Read more at: CitizenFreePress.com The security agencies have warned Delhi Police that on the occasion of Republic Day Khalistani terrorists can strike in the national capital. The police have released posters of eight Khalistani terrorists. The Delhi Police have also reportedly got a few calls in this connection and they are taking the input seriously. Recently a case of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act was lodged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Jaswinder Singh Multani, a German-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) member. Delhi Police have released posters of the Khalistani terrorists from different organisations, and have urged the people to inform them immediately if they come across anything suspicious. The posters have been pasted across the national capital. Recently a number of Supreme Court advocates also got international phone calls from the Khalistani terrorists who threatened them of dire consequences if they assisted in the court hearing related to the Prime Minister security breach matter. Delhi Police had received a number of such complaints and all were forwarded to the Special Cell. The police have strengthened security measures to avoid any untoward incident. The junior police officials have been briefed by the seniors regarding a possible attack by the Khalistani terrorists. (Natural News) Dr. Bryan Ardis told ReFounding America host Dr. Peter Breggin that National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is using remdesivir to mass murder Americans. Anthony Fauci used this drug to mass murder a whole bunch of innocent Americans. Then he told you as he went on TV every night that people were dying in droves from a virus, when in fact the majority of them were being poisoned to death with remdesivir, said Ardis during the January 19 episode of ReFounding America on Brighteon.TV. And so he needed this. They needed a whole bunch of dead people to be able to report a whole bunch of deaths so that the American society would be afraid of the virus and sign up for their ultimate agenda which was the signup and volunteer ourselves for a vaccine. (Related: Did Fauci knowingly fast-track approval of drug with deadly COVID-like side effects?) The CEO of ArdisLabs and host of The Dr. Ardis Show shared that the death of his father-in-law due to an ill-advised hospital protocol and the Fauci memo he read on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website opened his eyes to the truth behind the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I didnt realize that until I watch a hospital protocol murder my father-in-law my wifes dad. When I witnessed that and then read this protocol put out by Anthony Fauci, I knew that he was about to create a massive amount of death, carnage, Ardis said. Faucis genocide of Americans I actually went into the media, hired a publicist to go out and put me in the media everywhere I could to try to warn as many people that Anthony Fauci was a liar. And he was creating genocide of Americans, Ardis said. And I knew why he was doing it. I knew exactly why he chose that drug [remdesivir]. They realized between October and November [2019] in Wuhan, China from then until May 2020 that this bioweapon they created, the spike protein, when they unleashed it on the planet the data coming in there showed that less than one percent of people were dying. Theres no way the majority of population would signup for a vaccine campaign unless people were dying in huge amounts from the virus. Ardis said Fauci chose remdesivir to be pumped into the veins of every COVID-19 patient in New York hospitals from March to April 2020, leading to the death of thousands in the state during that two-month period. More than 27,000 New Yorkers were reported to have died from March 11 to late April 2020 20,900 more than the expected deaths over the period. And they call that a clinical trial and they were pumping remdesivir into these people and these people were dying in huge amounts. And then you could sell the American people with pandemonium and fear and anxiety that this virus is deadly when in fact they were dying primarily from remdesivir poisoning, the doctor from Texas said. Remdesivir causes multiple organ failure Ardis warned that 30 percent of people treated with remdesivir are going to die from multiple organ failure, including acute kidney failure, which could lead to pulmonary edema or fluid accumulation in the lungs. He also took note of the 850,000 dead Americans and 630,000 dead Brazilians who were treated with remdesivir. (Related: COVID-19 patients should know they have the right to REFUSE treatment with remdesivir.) I have been exposing the deadly known toxic effects of this drug way before it was ever mandated. As that has come to light, more things become more disturbing as we go on. In October 2021, just three months ago, theres a journal called the Cardiovascular Toxicology Journal. They did their own review of remdesivir and found that remdesivir is so toxic, Ardis said. It has cardiotoxic effects. It actually kills cells of the heart and can lead to cardiac arrest and complete heart block. The journal even states that the cardiotoxicity or heart toxicity of remdesivir is far worse than the chloroquine cardiotoxic effects. The Brighteon.TV host added that Fauci bastardized chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine by saying that it cannot be used for COVID-19 hospitalized patients. And his excuse was it was found in an international trial that COVID-19 patients, when given hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, they developed heart disease that led to death. Well this study just three months ago from the Cardiovascular Toxicology Journal confirms that the cardiotoxic effects are heart damage effects of remdesivir, Ardis said. Fauci touted remdesivir as the drug to treat all COVID-19 cases from the beginning. Ardis pointed out that remdesivir was considered to be the only real antiviral drug in an actual research study although it was also the only one of the four experimental drugs tested with a death rate over 50 percent. Watch the full Jan. 19 episode of ReFounding America below. ReFounding America with Dr. Peter Breggin airs every Wednesday at 6-7 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow PharmaceuticalFraud.com to learn about the dangers of using remdesivir to treat COVID-19. Sources include: Brighteon.com NewYorkTimes.com (Natural News) Yesterdays headline making the rounds was that JPMorgan Chases Board had given its Chairman and CEO, Jamie Dimon, a pay raise to $34.5 million for 2021 that was 10 percent more than 2020. (Article by Pam Martens and Russ Martens republished from WallStreetOnParade.com) That headline provides an instructive lesson in what passes for breaking news today at mainstream media outlets when it comes to Wall Streets megabanks. The majority of Americans arent outraged and demanding that Congress reform Wall Street because mainstream media has overtly decided to keep the public in the dark. The real breaking news is that despite JPMorgan Chase admitting to five criminal felony counts brought by the U.S. Department of Justice over the past 7 years for rigging markets and laundering money for Bernie Madoff, the financial criminal of the century, the Board of JPMorgan Chase has not sacked Dimon, the man who sat at the helm during this unprecedented crime spree. Instead of sacking Dimon, the Board of the largest federally-insured, taxpayer-backstopped bank in the United States has made Dimon a billionaire. The Board of JPMorgan Chase seems to have adopted a compensation model based on the more felony counts, the bigger the paycheck. Consider the following: On September 29, 2020, the Justice Department charged JPMorgan Chase with two felony counts, to which it admitted, and fined the bank $920 million of shareholders money to settle its fourth and fifth felony counts since 2014. One felony count was for rigging the precious metals markets while the other was for rigging the U.S. Treasury market the market that allows the federal government to pay its bills. Rigging the U.S. Treasury market used to be a big deal with splashy headlines. But on September 29, 2020 the Justice Department didnt even hold its usual press conference to announce the charges against JPMorgan Chase and not one newspaper thought to mention that these were the fourth and fifth felony counts during the tenure of Dimon. Nor did any newspaper mention that the bank had admitted to all five criminal counts while being repeatedly put on probation by the Justice Department but continuing its crime spree. (See JPMorgan Chases unprecedented rap sheet under Dimon here.) Now heres where you need to pay close attention. Just 10 months after the bank admitted to its fourth and fifth felony counts, the Board of JPMorgan Chase gave Dimon a bonus of 1.5 million stock options, which had a value of $50 million on paper, according to a specialist cited at Bloomberg News. In its filing with the SEC announcing the stock award, the Board wrote this: This special award reflects the Boards desire for Mr. Dimon to continue to lead the Firm for a further significant number of years. In making the special award, the Board considered the importance of Mr. Dimons continuing, long-term stewardship of the Firm, leadership continuity, and management succession planning amidst a highly competitive landscape for executive leadership talent. If JPMorgan Chase had a properly functioning Board, and the Justice Department had a properly functioning criminal division, Dimon would have been forced out in 2013 when the U.S. Senates Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released a 300-page report detailing how the bank had lied to its regulators as it used depositors money from its federally-insured bank to gamble in derivatives in London and lose $6.2 billion. The FBI investigated that matter and yet the Justice Department brought no criminal charges. The JPMorgan Board had its second opportunity to fire Dimon when the bank admitted to its first two felony counts in 2014 for its outrageous handling of the business bank account of Ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff. The Board had its third chance to fire Dimon the very next year when the bank pleaded guilty to its role in a bank cartel (actually called The Cartel) that rigged the foreign currency market. Based on the banks fourth and fifth felony counts in 2020 and the $50 million bonus to Dimon from the Board 10 months later to keep Dimon at the helm for a significant number of years, its pretty clear that criminal activity is perceived by the Board of JPMorgan Chase as an accepted business model as long as the stock price keeps going up. (The outside Board members at JPMorgan Chase receive an annual stock award of $250,000 on top of other fees. In 2020, five members of JPMorgan Chases Board received over $400,000 in total annual compensation.) The words independent director appears 73 times in the most recent proxy statement that JPMorgan Chase filed with the SEC. The bank calls all non-management members of its Board of Directors independent, writing in its proxy statement year after year that they had only immaterial relationships with JPMorgan Chase and accordingly were independent directors. In October of 2020, we took a close look at those immaterial relationships some of the Board members had with the Bank. You can decide for yourself if this is a Board that you would feel comfortable calling independent. Read more at: WallStreetOnParade.com (Natural News) I warned you that things would get even worse in 2022, and that is exactly what is happening. Throughout the latter stages of 2022, I documented how basic services were breaking down all across the country, but this was a trend that was largely ignored by the mainstream media until now. Fear of the Omicron variant has taken things to an entirely new level, and at this point things have gotten so bad that even the mainstream media is full of stories about this crisis. For example, over the weekend this was one of the Drudge Reports main headlines: NATIONWIDE BREAKDOWN OF SERVICES. The following is an excerpt from that story (Article by Michael Snyder republished from TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com) Ambulances in Kansas speed toward hospitals then suddenly change direction because hospitals are full. Employee shortages in New York City cause delays in trash and subway services and diminish the ranks of firefighters and emergency workers. Airport officials shut down security checkpoints at the biggest terminal in Phoenix and schools across the nation struggle to find teachers for their classrooms. The current explosion of omicron-fueled coronavirus infections in the U.S. is causing a breakdown in basic functions and services the latest illustration of how COVID-19 keeps upending life more than two years into the pandemic. This is happening almost everywhere, and it is deeply affecting industry after industry. Last week, I wrote about how one man in St. Louis had to wait 10 hours for an ambulance to show up. I still cant get over that. And once people get to our hospitals, often they cant get treated in a timely manner because there arent enough workers. Of course hospitals are trying to hire as fast as they can, but finding qualified people is extremely difficult these days. For example, one hospital in Nebraska has been advertising for an ultrasound technician for six months and still has not received one single application Troy Bruntz runs Community Hospital, a 25-bed critical access facility in McCook, Nebraska. Hes been trying to recruit a third ultrasound technician for at least six months without getting a single application. For lower-level positions, the hospital competes with the local Walmart store, where wages are rising. He monitors the pay offered by the retailer as well as the other large local employers, a hose manufacturer and an irrigation equipment supplier. Isnt that nuts? There are more than 10 million open jobs in the United States today, but the U.S. economy only added 199,000 workers during the month of December The US economy added 199,000 jobs in December, the Labor Department reported Friday. That was the fewest jobs added in any month of 2021. That was a major disappointment: Economists had forecast jobs growth of double that number. So how could forecasts be so off again? In the old days, adding 199,000 workers would have barely kept up with population growth. But we cant really talk about population growth these days, can we? Our hospitals are being absolutely overwhelmed with the sick and the dying, but most of those same hospitals are now severely undermanned thanks to Bidens absurd mandate for healthcare workers. As a result, members of the National Guard are being forced to serve hospital duty in quite a few states An incoming tide of patients is slowly drowning UMass Memorial Medical Center, and the US militarys National Guard is working to plug the gaps. In wave after daily wave, the emergency crews pull up to the ambulance bay, dropping off patients for which there is no room. Its just the perfect storm for a nightmare here in the emergency department, says Dr. Eric Dickson, the CEO of the hospital and an emergency physician. So if you show up at your local emergency room because you are dying, you may get treated by a member of the National Guard with no medical training whatsoever. Meanwhile, our nightmarish supply chain crisis just continues to escalate. In the waning days of 2021, optimists assured us that the computer chip shortage would soon go away, but the numbers are telling us that it has gotten even worse. In fact, the wait time for chip delivery is now the longest that it has ever been Delivery times for chips jumped in December, signaling the semiconductor shortage is worsening into the new year, according to research by Susquehanna Financial Group. On average, lead times increased six days to approximately 25.8 weeks last month compared with November. This is the longest wait time since the firm began monitoring the data in 2017. And thanks to fear of Omicron, we are starting to see very alarming shortages of meat and eggs at supermarkets from coast to coast SEVERAL American supermarkets are reporting incidents of bare shelves as fears grow over an imminent meat and egg shortage amid a surge in Omicron cases. Food chains have been one of the first to be disrupted by the new super strain as workers fall ill and productivity drops. If you are a meat and potatoes kind of person, I have some more bad news for you. It turns out that there is a growing global potato shortage too Theres a growing global potato shortage a real problem for a planet addicted to french fries and chips. A number of popular items, including marmite and cream cheese, have faced scarcities amid supply chain disruptions wrought by the coronavirus pandemic and extreme weather. Potatoes are the latest to join the list, becoming unevenly available in some countries and fast-food chains because of a confluence of factors. I tried to warn everyone that this was coming. If you dont want a spoiler about where all of this is eventually headed, then definitely dont read my latest book. The economic optimists assured us that the shortages would be gone by 2022, but instead we are starting to see truly bizarre things happen. In Norway, the military is actually issuing used underwear to the troops because shortages have become so intense Coronavirus supply chain issues have hit fuel supplies, led to shortages of masks, vaccines and electronic components, and snarled up holiday gift deliveries. In Britain, truck driver shortages led to fears last summer of pubs running dry. Now, Norways military is facing a supply shortage that is particularly personal: New recruits are being asked to wear previously used undergarments including socks, bras and underwear returned by conscripts after they complete their service. Doesnt that sound fun? Unfortunately, if you are in the military you have to do what you are told to do. Of course our politicians seem to think that they can treat all of us like we are in the military these days. They just keep imposing more rules, more restrictions and more mandates. And the more they clamp down, the more our society is going to break down. 2022 is certainly off to an inauspicious start, and the weeks ahead certainly do not look very promising at all. Read more at: TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com (Natural News) Chinese health authorities have reinstated rectal swabbing to collect samples for Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) tests. The practice was earlier scrapped amid reports of diplomats being subjected to the intrusive collection method. According to a report translated by Insider, at least 27 residents of an apartment building in Beijings Haidian district underwent anal swabbing. The translated report from state-owned media outlet Beijing News said the rectal swabs were among the equipment the COVID-19 testing unit sent to the apartment complex. The article insinuated that while everyone felt nervous about the COVID-19 outbreak in the Chinese capital, they were also willing to do their part to control it even by submitting to rectal swabbing. Rectal swabbing involves the insertion of a cotton swab around one to two inches into the rectum to collect samples. The swab sample is then tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA at a laboratory. Rectal swabs are analyzed in the same manner as polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 tests, the only difference being that samples for the latter are collected from the nose or throat. (Related: China now using anal swabs to detect coronavirus.) Located in the northwestern portion of Beijing, the Haidian district is where the first patient infected with the B11529 Omicron variant lives. According to health officials in the district, the woman infected with Omicron transmitted the virus to two other individuals. In response, the infected womans home and workplace were sealed off. Authorities then collected thousands of test samples from people living or working in the same locations as the woman including the 27 apartment residents. Back in January 2021, another state-owned media outlet defended the use of rectal swabbing to track COVID-19 infection. Global Times mentioned in an article that time authorities used rectal samples for key groups of people sent to quarantine centers to increase COVID-19 testing accuracy. However, it appears that only China has engaged in rectal swabbing to collect samples for testing. Foreign nationals including diplomats decry the practice However, the practice of rectal swabbing has been decried by foreign nationals from different countries worldwide. In February 2021, a spokesperson for the State Department confirmed that China conducted rectal swabbing on U.S. diplomats. However, Beijing claimed that this was done in error and promised to exempt American diplomats from the intrusive process in the future. The spokespersons confirmation followed complaints by diplomatic staff in the communist country being subjected to the process. The State Department never agreed to this kind of testing and protested directly to the [Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs] when we learned that some staff was subject to it. [We are] committed to guaranteeing the safety and security of American diplomats and their families while preserving their dignity, the spokesperson told Epoch Times in a Feb. 25 email. (Related: American diplomats in China were FORCED to take humiliating and invasive coronavirus anal swab tests.) The spokesperson added that the ministry has assured the tests were done in error and reiterated that diplomatic personnel is exempt from this testing requirement. They said: We have instructed staff to decline this test if it is asked of them, as was done in the past. Aside from the U.S., Japan has also spoken out about the invasive practice. It called on Beijing to halt the method of sample collection immediately as it caused psychological pain. Tokyos calls to stop rectal swabbing came a month after American diplomats lodged their complaint. Katsunobu Kato, the Japanese chief cabinet secretary at that time, revealed this fact during a March 1, 2021 news conference. He told reporters: Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China that they received anal swab tests, which causes a great psychological pain. Kato added that the number of Japanese subjected to rectal swabbing was unknown. He eventually stepped down from the post seven months later in October 2021. Watch the video below of Brighteon.TV host Dr. Eric Nepute talking about rectal swabbing. This video is from the Patriots Worldwide channel on Brighteon.com. Follow Pandemic.news for more COVID-related news from around the world. Sources include: Breitbart.com Insider.com TheEpochTimes.com DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com (Natural News) Former intelligence officer Jeffrey Prather branded the January 21 interview of Ray Epps by the special House committee investigating last years Capitol riot as political theater. He [Epps] is actually before the committee today, but dont expect anything from that. This is a show again, said Prather during the January 21 episode of Prather Point on Brighteon.TV. Theyre giving you a show and then when they film Congress, its a show of actors filming actors. So nothing is going to come of this it is unimportant. Epps, a resident of Queen Creek, Arizona, was first identified days after the riot when videos emerged on social media showing him at a police barricade when it was first breached. He was seen whispering something to Ryan Samsel, who, moments later, charged through a barricade with several others. Samsel has been charged as one of the first to breach secured Captiol grounds. Photos showing Epps outside the Capitol on January 6 were also prominently posted on a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website seeking the publics help in identifying people who may have entered the Capitol on that day. Those images were removed several months later, and Epps was not among the more than 700 people facing criminal charges related to the January 6 incident. His attorney, John Blischak, confirmed that they were set for a transcribed interview over Zoom on January 21 with the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol incident. I would rather wait until that interview was completed before disclosing anything. I have nothing otherwise to hide. Its nothing Im worried about, Blischak said. Epps part of government plot to stage Capitol riot and pin blame on Trump supporters Many believe that Epps is part of a secret government plot to stage the January 6 riot at the Capitol and blame it on supporters of then-President Donald Trump. Epps was certainly a confidential source and helped plan all of that along with John Sullivan and many others, and nothing will come of that. This is just more of a show or a political theater, said Prather. Sullivan was a participant in the Capitol incident. He captured the events on video while posing as a journalist. Two Republican senators recently questioned top officials of the Department of Justice and the FBI testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee about whether Epps was actually a U.S. government informant who incited rioting at the Capitol. (Related: Resistance Chicks call Jan. 6, 2021 event a Fed entrapment Brighteon.TV.) When asked by the media about his clients involvement on the January 6 incident, Blischak said Epps was merely present that day. He did not have any agenda to go into the Capitol or cause any violence whatsoever, he said. Blischak noted that the purpose of the January 21 interview was to confirm that Epps was telling the truth. But the special House committee investigating the Capitol incident appeared to have made up its mind already even before the interview. It tweeted: Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on Jan 5th or 6th or at any other time, and that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency. For Prather, the interview serves another purpose for the enemies. I would call this [interview] an information influence operation. And Congress, having been bribed and extorted easily because of their ambitions, are now being taught how to do information influence operations, Prather said, noting that the people in Congress have always prioritized their own personal gains above anything. The Brighteon.TV host also accused Blischak of being an informal handler of Epps. Its very interesting because he [Blischak] is an ex-Maricopa FBI agent. And he says that Epps already met informally with the January 6 committee in November. So they probably have met other times as well. Theyve already talked behind closed doors thats when things really happened. This will be a show. (Related: Lets Talk America discusses FBI asset Ray Epps and his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol siege Brighteon.TV.) Watch the full January 21 episode of Prather Point below. Catch new episodes of the program every Friday at 10-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow Conspiracy.news for more news related to conspiracies involving the government. Sources include: Brighteon.com Politico.com (Natural News) A study conducted by the University of Alberta in Canada showed data from 145 countries that revealed a worrisome link between Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine rollout and the increased number of deaths. In the United States alone, COVID vaccine rollouts appear to have increased the number of COVID cases per million by nearly 40 percent. Introducing the shots during an active pandemic also increased the number of COVID-related deaths by 31 percent per million. Other countries have not fared well, either, with an estimated 145 countries experiencing an increase in total deaths per million associated with COVID-19 due directly to the causal impact of [vaccination] initiation. Countries like Taiwan, Mongolia, Cambodia and Thailand, which had the lowest numbers of COVID-related deaths at the beginning of the pandemic, now fared the worst. According to the study, the data indicated a marked increase in both COVID-19-related cases and death due to vaccine deployment. Lead author Kyle Beattie also said that the effect of the vaccines on total cases per million and its low positive association with total vaccinations per hundred signify the limited impact of vaccines in lowering cases. He went on to say that the results should encourage local policymakers to make decisions based on data, not narrative, and based on local conditions, not global or national mandates. These data, he said, should encourage them to begin looking for other avenues other than mass vaccination campaigns. (Related: The Vaccine Death Report reveals that MILLIONS of people have died from covid vaccines.) There are others that claim Beatties study has flawed reasoning and failed to properly account for confounding variables that could influence cases and deaths, such as viral variants and healthcare capacity. However, Beattie stands by his analysis, saying that the overwhelmingly positive causal impact after vaccine deployment on the dependent variables of total deaths and total cases per million should be highly worrisome for policymakers. Vaccination protection wanes over time In November 2021, a separate study found that there was a gradual increase in the risk of COVID-19 infections from 90 days after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The study was carried out by the Research Institute of Leumit Health Services in Israel. The findings confirmed that the vaccine, which provided excellent protection in the initial weeks after vaccination, suggested that protection wanes over time. Despite large-scale vaccination campaigns set to help control the spread of the virus, breakthrough infections may still occur. Examining the time elapsed since the vaccination and the risk of infection could provide important clues regarding the need for third or fourth injections and the preferred timing. The researchers acknowledge that the interpretation of findings is limited by observational design, and there is no way to rule out the possibility that other factors could affect the outcomes. Further, most medical experts no longer consider a fourth dose necessary, as it could offer less protection against omicron, according to preliminary data. The data, which came from Sheba Hospital, delivered fourth doses of vaccines to over 270 members of its staff, who previously received either Pfizer or Moderna shots. Dr. Gili Regev-Yochay, the director of the infection prevention and control unit of the hospital, said that despite the increased antibody levels, the fourth vaccine only offers partial defense against the virus. These results raised questions about Israels decision to offer a second booster shot to its over-60 population, as the government already recorded over 500,000 people receiving their second booster in recent weeks. (Related: GLOBAL ALERT: An estimated 10 million people PER DAY are set on irreversible countdown to vaccine death that could exterminate BILLIONS if not stopped in the next year.) Dr. Nahman Ash, the director of the Health Ministry in Israel said that the research findings did not mean that the fourth vaccination was a mistake, as it returns the level of antibodies to what it was at the beginning of the third dose. That has great importance, especially among the older population, he said. Watch the video below to learn more about vaccine deaths and adverse effects. This video is from the JournalTV channel on Brighteon.com. Read more at Pandemic.news. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com BMJ.com APNews.com (Natural News) The doctor who first discovered the B11529 omicron strain of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) revealed she was told to label it as a serious variant. Dr. Angelique Coetzee, the chairwoman of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), recently made this revelation. According to the physician, she explained that the panic surrounding omicron was a storm in a teacup. This did not sit well with several experts in Europe, which led her to adapt her story for the continent. According to the SAMA chairwoman, she received threats from scientists who told her not to disclose the omicron variants mild nature. I then said that omicron is a harmless disease in South Africa and a very serious disease in Europe because I had to tell European politicians that, she said. Politicians continued to pressure her to exaggerate omicrons severity even though she only followed the World Health Organizations (WHO) guidelines for the definition of a mild disease. Her story does not end there. Following Coetzees statement, Dutch virologist Jaap van Dissel dismissed her observations by saying it was really too early to tell if omicron was indeed mild. You dont know yet what new variants are going to emerge after omicron, the head of the Netherlands Outbreak Management Team told the SAMA chairwoman. The physician based in Pretoria one of South Africas three capital cities said 99 percent of people who contract the omicron strain had only developed minor symptoms. Its similar to a cold or the flu, she said. Coetzee had earlier denounced the over-the-top responses of various countries to omicron, which included travel bans to South Africa. (Related: The Dr. Ardis Show: Dr. Vladimir Zelenko says omicron variant hysteria is overblown Brighteon.TV.) These symptoms presenting in those with omicron are very, very mild compared with those we see with the far more dangerous delta variant. In overreacting to omicron, we are in danger of missing out on the benefits of a variant that could be a friend rather than a foe. Omicron holds the key to pandemics end Omicrons milder symptoms have led to claims that this strain could hold the key to ending the pandemic. With symptoms comparable to a bout of influenza or the common cold, many experts said it could bring COVID-19 one step closer to being an endemic disease. Russian virologist Dr. Anatoly Altstein said during an interview with the tabloid KP that omicrons more than 30 mutations on its spike protein work against it. Right now, there are reasons to think that the omicron variant could be less pathogenic. We already see omicron has many mutations more than 30 in a single gene of its spike protein. This is too many, and it means the virus has an unstable genome. As a rule, this sort of infectious agent becomes less dangerous because evolutionarily, an overwhelming number of mutations leads to a weakening of the viruss ability to cause disease, said Altstein. A number of health officials have expressed agreement with the Russian virologist that COVID-19 could become an endemic disease with the omicron variants emergence. WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge said in a Jan. 23 interview that Europe is moving toward a kind of pandemic endgame, with omicron possibly infecting 60 percent of the continents population by March 2022. He told Agence France-Presse: We anticipate that there will be a period of quiet before COVID-19 may come back toward the end of the year, but not necessarily the pandemic coming back. Marco Cavaleri, head of the European Medicines Agencys Biological Health Threats and Vaccine Safety Division, also shared Kluges opinion. With the increase of immunity in [the] population, there will be a lot of natural immunity taking place on top of vaccination. We will be fast moving toward a scenario that will be closer to endemicity, he said during a Jan. 11 press conference. More related articles: South African studies reveal high levels of natural immunity is the best defense against omicron. Experts say Omicron is a natural vaccine no need for any more boosters. Russian scientist claims omicron strain could end COVID pandemic. Watch the video below of Dr. Peter McCullough discussing the omicron variant with Brighteon.TV host Ann Vandersteel on Steel Truth. This video is from the BrighteonTV channel on Brighteon.com. Pandemic.news has more about the B11529 omicron variant. Sources include: FreeWestMedia.com TheSouthAfrican.com RT.com SCMP.com TimesOfIsrael.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Melissa Red Pill warned that Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros is moving to legitimize and legalize election fraud in the United States after making a surprise attack in Texas. The Freedom Force Battalion host said during the January 19 episode of her program on Brighteon.TV that she learned about the surprise attack of Soros after hearing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons interview with War Room host Steve Bannon about a dangerous court ruling in Texas that may open the door to legitimize and legalize voter fraud. The court ruling that Paxton was referring to is the decision of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to nullify the attorney generals authority to sue a criminal offender under the states election laws. The Court of Criminal Appeals has declared unconstitutional a statute giving the Texas attorney general authority to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state. They said its illegal. Its unconstitutional for the attorney general to prosecute an election fraud case, Red Pill said. She added that the court, which voted 8-1, said that the attorney general is a member of the executive branch and that prosecuting crimes is a judicial rather than an executive function. Red Pill stated that this boneheaded logic comes straight from the mouth of Soros, the legendary hedge fund manager considered to be one of the most successful investors of all time. According to the Freedom Force Battalion host, the decision of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals struck down a 1951 statute that tells the attorney general to prosecute voter fraud. She added that this will be a problem because Texas liberal counties have very liberal district attorneys that are funded by Soros are not going to prosecute voter fraud. Soros backs campaigns of elected district attorneys Soros is known to put campaign money into the purses of local district attorneys aside from putting big money into high-profile, national and state leftists bags. The billionaire philanthropist appears to have done all of this by backing the campaigns of elected district attorneys and in some way buying members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. George Soros did a little surprise attack on Texas. Its a very big deal. And we need everybody on it to understand whats going on. Its a little bit complicated. We all need to shout this from the rooftops, we need to contact our elected officials and we need to contact the Supreme Court of Texas. But bottom line, the reality is if Texas falls to Soros, then the U.S. is done. I mean, the reality is Texas has been holding the line for so long, Red Pill explained. Red Pill also named the judges who voted yes to repeal the authority of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenders under the states election laws, namely, Judge Sharon Keller, Judge Barbara Harvey, Judge Bert Richardson, Judge David Newell, Judge Mary Lou Keel, Judge Scott Walker, Judge Michelle Slaughter and Judge Jessie McClure, III. Only Judge Kevin Yeary voted no against the decision to nullify the 1951 statute. The Brighteon.TV host called for the removal of the judges who voted yes. Appeal to reverse court decision Red Pill also pointed out that district attorneys in America are doing nothing because many of them are paid shills of Soros. While calling on her viewers to help reverse the courts decision, she said that the next thing to do is hold special sessions. According to Red Pill, a statute must be made so that the citizens can file a lawsuit against the people who committed election fraud so that they will not be able to get away with cheating. She presented a video of Paxtons interview with Steve Bannon where the Texas attorney general discussed the Court of Criminal Appeals decision. Paxton said he believes that this was planned, and Soros and his group have been working on it probably for a decade by getting the district attorneys s in the right place and the right people on the criminal court of appeals. He added that this was no accident and Paxton took note of the fact that it was timed exactly after the filing deadline. Red Pill also clarified that putting the power in the hands of the district attorneys is what Soros does all the time because he wants it in the hands of a few people and not in the hands of all of the people. Watch the full January 19 video of the Freedom Force Battalion below. Catch new episodes of the program every Wednesday at 11-12 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow Soros.news for more on Soros devious plans for America. Sources include: Brighteon.com Investopedia.com EducationViews.org (Natural News) A deep analysis of VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) data shows that red states meaning those that align politically as being more conservative are getting hit the hardest by Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine deaths. In what appears to be a politically motivated genocide, the powers that be (i.e., the pharmaceutical industry and big government) are reportedly sending deadlier batches of Fauci Flu shots to conservative areas of the country. Blue areas are getting cleaner jabs while red areas are being sent the more toxic varieties, says Greg Reese from Infowars. Some red states are seeing 11-times more vaccine deaths than other states, Reese claims you can watch his video report below. On average, red states are experiencing twice the amount of vaccine deaths and injuries than blue states. This video is from channel Health Ranger Report on Brighteon.com. Check out HowBadIsMyBatch.com to learn more about which covid vaccine lots are causing the most health problems Ex-head of respiratory research at Pfizer, Mike Yeadon and researchers like Craig Paardekooper sourced VAERS data on vaccine death and injury in the United States, which currently shows more than 700,000 adverse reactions associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) injections. These jabs were deployed in different batches, or lots, that show extremely disparate rates of injury and death. Some lots are causing almost no problems while others are causing many problems. How can this be if all of the jabs are truly the same? Back-engineering conducted by Yeadon and Paardekooper uncovered the fact that not all covid jab lots are the same you can learn more about this at HowBadIsMyBatch.com (or at HowBad.info). About 0.5 percent of all the different batches are highly toxic, resulting in hospitalization, disability, and death within days or weeks of injection, Reese says. Other batches cause minimal adverse reactions and most appear to be harmless placebos. When plotted on a timeline, we can see that these three companies have been working together to quietly monitor the lethal effectiveness of specific deadly batches. Reese also says that while one company is deploying a lethal batch, the other two are deploying harmless ones. This creates a scientific environment for the genocidal eugenicists to perform dose-range finding, or the maximum tolerated dose for each specific batch of injections. The timeline shows that each lethal batch deployment is preceded and followed by a quiet period, allowing them time to establish their baseline before the next deadly batch is deployed, Reese explains. Private leaked documents from the CDC show a list of expiry dates, and only certain lots are included the very same lots found to be highly toxic in Paardekoopers database, which makes sense. There would be no reason to list expiration dates for saline placebo; only the deadly ones. The hardest-hit state in terms of toxic jab batches appears to be Montana at 11.3 deaths per 100,000, followed by Tennessee at 9.1 deaths per 100,000. In third place, however, is Minnesota, a blue state, at 9.0 deaths per 100,000. Analysis of the number of dying per 100,000 vaccinated in 50 states shows us that the overwhelming majority of vaccine deaths are happening in red states, Reese warns. Some red states are experiencing 11 times more vaccine deaths than other states. On average, red states are experiencing twice the amount of vaccine deaths and injuries than blue states. Could it be that the establishment is specifically targeting states with largest populations of people who oppose the Build Back Better (6uild 6ack 6etter) of the current regime? Is there an effort afoot to exterminate people who oppose the Great Reset? More related news about the governments covid injection genocide campaign can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: Infowars.com Brighteon.com HowBadIsMyBatch.com HowBad.info (Natural News) For the majority, Britains lifting of its Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions looks and feels like a victory for the protesters. People could say the protesters won because there are so many hardcore protests and so much activism happening in Britain, said Josh Sigurdson of the World Alternative Media. But Sigurdson was by no means happy when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on January 19 that Britain has ended COVID passports, mask-wearing and work restrictions. He was actually distraught. Sigurdson said the change of plan is actually bad news, noting that the decision could part of a grand design part of a giant psyop to gain back the peoples trust and encourage them to be subservient to the government. This is about blaming the lack of restrictions for the mass deaths from the jabs and the boosters. And the boosters, upon boosters, upon boosters, the destruction of the immune system, the heart attacks, cancer, everything will be blamed on the lack of restrictions and everything will be blamed on the unvaccinated, said Sigurdson, adding that he had predicted such a move by the government even before these restrictions were in place. Sans the restrictions, Sigurdson said, people are going to feel a breath of freed0m and release some stress. And then they are going to be grabbed by the throat. Restrictions will be reinforced with additions if theres another spike of COVID cases. And its likely to happen as the nightclubs and other large events will reopen while self-isolation of infected persons and their unvaccinated contacts will be done away with on March 24. British PM removes COVID restrictions for political survival Sigurdson said it is also likely that Johnson decided to remove COVID-19 restrictions for political survival. Theres no scientific justification for the measures and the number of cases and deaths were still rising. (Related: Great Britain MP encourages workplaces and social venues to require vaccination proof from the public.) A report by the Guardian seemed to agree with Sigurdson. No one is under the illusion that the ending of Covid restrictions in England from next week is driven by science. The prime ministers announcement on Wednesday was prompted by political desperation, not data, the report stated. The U.S. government and the Chinese government both helped create a bioweapon that failed and then they use tests to fool everyone into thinking there was an illness when there wasnt, thats what happened, Sigurdson said. And now everything is set in place. Whenever the pandemic escalates, there will always be the mandates to lean back on and the people especially the unvaccinated to blame. With their emergency pandemic powers established, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) can impose lockdowns, mask mandates and vaccine passports to the population whenever a health threat emerges. This power is prone to abuse, said Sigurdson. The point is, they will never let this go. People fell for it, they went along with it. They seem to go along with it again and again. If you just take some tension off every now and then so people feel a little bit more free. Give people a little bit of freedom back that they took away from them and then pull it back away. And then they go along with it again, they just give a little bit less freedom back each time. It is enormously evil. And it will not end, he said. The government will let the prevailing situation and condition continue. Why would a government thats based on the idea of enslaving humanity and people being dependent and obedient to them ever want to take that away from themselves? That would be ridiculous. It is in their nature to be a slave racket. Its in their nature to be a cartel, Sigurdson said. Its in their nature to govern, which is to rule, which is to control, which is to create a big collection of cattle and lead them to the slaughter usually, because if you lead them to the slaughter, theres panic, theres chaos and out of chaos becomes order. This is what this is all about. Watch the video below of Josh Sigurdsons commentary about the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in England. This video is from the World Alternative Media channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.com TheGuardian.com Physicists from the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) Collaboration at CERNs Large Hadron Collider have detected about 100 particles of a type known as X(3872) in quark-gluon plasma, an environment that they hope will illuminate the particles as-yet unknown structure. The basic building blocks of matter are the neutron and the proton, each of which are made from three tightly bound quarks, said MITs Dr. Yen-Jie Lee. For years we had thought that for some reason, nature had chosen to produce particles made only from two or three quarks. Only recently have we begun to see signs of exotic tetraquarks particles made from a rare combination of four quarks. We suspect that X(3872) is either a compact tetraquark or an entirely new kind of molecule made from not atoms but two loosely bound mesons subatomic particles that themselves are made from two quarks. X(3872) was first discovered in 2003 by the Belle experiment, a particle collider in Japan that smashes together high-energy electrons and positrons. Within this environment, however, the rare particles decayed too quickly for physicists to examine their structure in detail. It has been hypothesized that X(3872) and other exotic particles might be better illuminated in quark-gluon plasma. Theoretically speaking, there are so many quarks and gluons in the plasma that the production of X particles should be enhanced, Dr. Lee said. But people thought it would be too difficult to search for them because there are so many other particles produced in this quark soup. In the study, Dr. Lee and colleagues looked for signs of X particles within the quark-gluon plasma generated by heavy-ion collisions in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This is just the start of the story. Weve shown we can find a signal. In the next few years we want to use the quark-gluon plasma to probe the X particles internal structure, which could change our view of what kind of material the Universe should produce, Dr. Lee said. The CMS researchers based their analysis on the LHCs 2018 dataset, which included more than 13 billion lead-ion collisions, each of which released quarks and gluons that scattered and merged to form more than a quadrillion short-lived particles before cooling and decaying. After the quark-gluon plasma forms and cools down, there are so many particles produced, the background is overwhelming, Dr. Lee said. So we had to beat down this background so that we could eventually see the X particles in our data. To do this, the team used a machine-learning algorithm which they trained to pick out decay patterns characteristic of X particles. Immediately after particles form in quark-gluon plasma, they quickly break down into daughter particles that scatter away. For X particles, this decay pattern, or angular distribution, is distinct from all other particles. The scientists identified key variables that describe the shape of the X particle decay pattern. They trained a machine-learning algorithm to recognize these variables, then fed the algorithm actual data from the LHCs collision experiments. The algorithm was able to sift through the extremely dense and noisy dataset to pick out the key variables that were likely a result of decaying X particles. We managed to lower the background by orders of magnitude to see the signal, said Dr. Jing Wang, a postdoctoral researcher at MIT. The CMS team zoomed in on the signals and observed a peak at a specific mass, indicating the presence of X(3872) particles, about 100 in all. Its almost unthinkable that we can tease out these 100 particles from this huge dataset, Dr. Lee said. Every night I would ask myself, is this really a signal or not? And in the end, the data said yes! Dr. Wang added. The teams work was published in the journal Physical Review Letters. _____ A. M. Sirunyan et al. (CMS Collaboration). 2022. Evidence for X(3872) in Pb-Pb Collisions and Studies of its Prompt Production at sNN=5.02 TeV. Phys. Rev. Lett 128 (3): 032001; doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.032001 (Natural News) For multimedia personality Jim Price, selflessness is what it takes to make the world a better place. Everything depends on you. The 10 percent, the little extra you do for the world around you, makes the world a better place. Remember selflessness is what makes the world a better place, Price told America Unhinged guest host Michele Swinick during the January 21 episode of the program on Brighteon.TV. Swinick was filling in for regular host Dr. John Diamond. Selfishness is where all sin begins. So think and make sure that youre doing more for the world around you, and youll be in the right side of all this, Price said. If youre looking inward youre going to be pressed, youre gonna be selfish and God cant bless you. If youre outside of yourself, God can fill up your blessing cup and make your life amazing because Hes gonna make it what He wants it to be, not what you want to be. Swinick also shared a poem written by Price in October 2020: To be free you must practice bravery; bravery is not born in each of us; we must practice selflessness to achieve bravery; to believe and hold dear the hopes and dreams of a nation when the duty of freedom calls. Price explained that it was not just a poem but a challenge while taking note of everything happening in America, such as the say her name crap about Brianna Taylor, all the other stuff, misdirection and shiny objects. And for me, it was America, say her name, her name is America. And I actually wrote that. But we have to practice selflessness and thats so tough for us nowadays in the me culture. And you know, I want the thumbs up, I want the likes, I want the friends. And so much of us is so about looking inward and we find thats not where we need to be, Price said. Talking heads, DaVinci satellite information and more The youth pastor turned radio and television commentator also discussed what it means to be an intellectual speaker on a media platform and not just a talking head. Theyve got little talking points here and there, they can go off it but they really dont understand the research and actually have to know and go find this stuff, Price said. And thats why we call them the talking heads. Theyre just the guys that get their data up. And anybody could do that. So its very fake and false in a lot of ways. Its sad that we went to rely on those guys. Its a sad part that you have to double-check and recheck again every single thing they say. Price also told Swinick that Nations in Action founder Maria Zack will attend the Kansas State Capitol Senate hearing on February 1 to talk about voter integrity. He noted that Zack has spent 27 years of her life fighting for voter integrity. (Related: Election integrity watchdog outlines proof of election fraud straight from three whistleblowers.) The popular public speaker added that Zack has the DaVinci satellite information aside from the info on the German servers that talked about the United States election. Its not a lie and its not fictitious. She has it literally she has the real stuff, and its not hearsay stuff, Price said. She has all the emails from the Italian television company that was talking about how they were going to steal the election, how they were going to do it, what servers they were going to use she has all that. The multimedia host emphasized that Americans need to be the right person at the right time, making sure youre gonna be in the right side of things. He added that Americans need to maintain their stance, their push and their drive to be on the right side of things and counter the evil that is happening and be able to push back on them. Watch the full Jan. 19 episode of America Unhinged with guest host Michelle Swinick below. Catch new episodes of America Unhinged from Monday to Friday at 9-10 a.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow MediaFactWatch.com to read more articles about the lies propagated by mainstream media. Sources include: Brighteon.com TheJimPriceShow.com According to Audubon magazine, humans began professionally killing passenger pigeons in the 19th century, and by 1914, they were extinct. These birds are a perfect example of how people can wipe out even the most prevalent species swiftly and efficiently. But can non-human creatures drive other animals to extinction? Can Non-human Species Drive Each Other to Extinction? Most of the time, humans are involved in the extinction of other species. If people put certain animals in the wrong area and become invasive - species that cause ecological or economic harm to their non-native habitat - they can trigger interspecies extinction. For example, in the Florida Everglades, Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) from Asia can devour anything that moves. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, the python population began as freed and escaped pets. Species that cannot identify or respond correctly to a new specie in their habitat are "naive" or have ecological naivete. It's not their fault; animals don't spontaneously develop to run or protect themselves from aliens, and adaptations appear out of nowhere. Related Article: Scientists Are Studying How Better Statistical Models May Improve Conservation of Endangered Species Invasion "The primary way alien species wipe out natives is through consumption," Tim Blackburn, an invasion biology professor at University College London in the United Kingdom, told Live Science. "So, predators introduced to areas where there have been no predators before, or the types of predators that were there were different." "This offers them an inherent edge that permits them to munch their way through naive faunas [regional wildlife]." The domestic cat is Blackburn's favorite example of an invading species. "They have led to the loss of dozens of bird species," he claimed, citing the Stephens Island wren (Traversia all) of New Zealand as an example. According to the American Bird Conservancy, cats are the biggest direct human cause of bird death in the United States and Canada. In other words, pet cats pose a greater threat to American birds than guns. Humans are in charge of transporting feline hunters and enormous snakes throughout the globe. Whatever they do after that is our responsibility. But what happens when animals travel to a new place on their own According to Blackburn, animals naturally disperse to neighboring locations where species are mainly similar and, as a result, behave correctly to one another, resulting in few unfavorable pairings. Interspecies Reorganization Occasionally, land migration causes an interspecies reorganization. The Great American Biotic Interchange (about 10 million to 10,000 years ago) is a good illustration of this: tectonic plates drove North and South America closer, and species from both continents interacted across a central American land bridge. Many new creatures were brought to South America, including predators like bears and large cats, in exchange for species like ground sloths and armadillo cousins known as glyptodonts being introduced to North America. Because the diversity of animals migrating from North America to South America was greater than the opposite, South America obtained more new residents. According to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2020, this is owing to South American animals having a disproportionately greater extinction rate. In other words, during the trade, more species in South America became extinct, and fewer were able to invade North America. "Perhaps the new predators were more vulnerable to the native animals of South America," said Juan Carrillo, a paleobiologist at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and primary author of the 2020 research. One theory for what caused the asymmetric exchange is predation by North American predators. Carrillo told Live Science, "The ground sloths and the glyptodonts were certainly huge enough to evade these predators." "And that might be one of the reasons they were able to travel north, and we found them in the fossil record in various places of North America," says the researcher. While the influence of current invasive species on extinction is undeniable, the exchange offers a more complex picture. "It wasn't simply one moment in Earth's history; it spanned millions of years and had several stages," Carrillo explained. The extinctions in South America occurred during an era of climate change when the Earth was cooling, which most certainly played a role. Predator-Prey Relationship Is it still reasonable to infer that at least some prey species in South America went extinct due to the arrival of a North American predator? It's plausible, but Carrillo says it's tough to separate the causation from climate change and other things. Although animal characteristics are developed in an evolutionary struggle, this does not entail that predators rise to dominate their victims. Carrillo pointed out that if a predator eats its prey to extinction, it would starve to death and therefore go extinct as well. In principle, if a predator had several preys, it may survive the extinction of one species; however, extinctions are frequently caused by a combination of reasons. Blackburn is unaware of any natural invasions in which one species consumes another, resulting in extinction. "The natural world is fundamentally enormously convoluted," he explained, "and it takes a huge amount of effort to pluck out the processes that are normally going on." Conclusion Human activities such as overhunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of exotic species are driving species to extinction. "The fact that those impacts are so significant is practically substantial proof that these mechanisms are genuine and unlike anything else," Blackburn said. Also Read: Deadliest Mass Extinction on Earth is Also the Stinkiest Due to Toxic Microbes For the most recent updates from the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News! On Lake Michigan, stunning ice formations named after a breakfast favorite meal emerge, creating spectacular views recently along the Chicago waterfront. The current Great Lakes ice coverage is 21.9 percent, which is the highest for this date in the recent six years (tied with 2019). Lake Michigan is likewise ice-free, with a covering of roughly 20%, which is close to the norm thus far. Because of the freezing weather throughout parts of the northern US this time of year, oddities like ice pancakes, ice nibbles, and ice balls appear. But what exactly are ice pancakes, and how do they come to be? Here's all you need to know about the winter phenomena. Mother Nature is a cook. Pancake ice floating on lake Michigan. pic.twitter.com/yLOOMMsbNQ Indranil Roy (@neelroyy) January 20, 2022 According to The Weather Channel, ice pancakes start as a thin ice coating on the water's surface before collecting into circular disks with diameters ranging from one to ten feet. Ice pancakes, like its namesake, are round flat discs of ice that appear precisely as you'd expect. They're ubiquitous in the Arctic, but they usually don't show up in the Lower 48 until temperatures drop far below freezing for many days. A Rare Phenomenon Lake Michigan's ice pancakes are a feast for the eyes this time of year. : lynda_myszkowski via IG#CaptureChicagoExcitement pic.twitter.com/xpvnitF0r6 Choose Chicago (@ChooseChicago) January 20, 2022 According to the National Snow & Ice Data Center, loose ice crystals will develop into a pancake-like shape if the body of water has a turbulent current. "Raised edges or ridges on the perimeter" are typical on pancake ice, which develop when the "pancakes" collide. "Pancake ice is unique in that it requires a precise temperature to create. Andrea Vander Woude, a researcher at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, told Block Club Chicago that it usually occurs slightly below freezing and in regions with a small wave motion. They're "small little floating icebergs," she said, and they move swiftly. According to National Geographic, ice pancakes are most prevalent in frigid waters, but they may be made anywhere given the right circumstances. However, it is not the same as conventional ice. According to National Geographic, Ted Scambos, a principal scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, it's "more like a slush." Related Article: Melting of Enormous 'Mega-Iceberg' Released 152 Billion Tons of Water Into the Ocean Ice Pancakes Ice pancakes are phenomena in which discs of ice ranging in width from 20 to 200 cm are created, providing a spectacular sight. They are a somewhat uncommon occurrence in frigid seas and lakes. They are most commonly spotted in the Baltic Sea and near Antarctica, although they may also be found on the United States' and Canada's Great Lakes. They can develop in two ways and require certain exact circumstances to form. The discs are formed when waves cause growing bits of ice to hit against one other, rounding their edges as they freeze and expand in oceans, seas, and lakes. The knocking causes splashing water to freeze and join the rim, forming little rims on the edges. They are also thought to originate when river foam begins to freeze and joins together before being drawn into an eddy (a swirling movement of water) and forming into a circular shape. As further shards of frozen foam and ice collide with the growing disc, they stick to it and expand it. Ice pancakes may appear to be solid discs, but they are frequently mushy and easily break apart. Also Read: Experts Warn of Dramatic Sea Level Rise if Antarctic Volcanoes Erupt For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Old Man Winter has started a business in the Northeast, and it doesn't look like the winter is going anywhere anytime soon, as many possibilities of snow are in the forecast in days to come. Areas Expected to Receive Snow After several days of bone-chilling temperatures, storms from Canada are expected to bring snow to over 50 million people in the north-central and northeastern United States, and the East Coast could see another significant winter storm by next weekend, according to Accuweather Snowstorms are expected to sweep across the lower 48 states into Tuesday because of the southward dip in the jet stream and a series of disturbances from the northern Pacific Ocean that will allow one or more fast-moving storms with snow to reach those areas. Alberta clippers was the name given to the storm because of its fast movement and origin. Clipper-type storms tend to ride along the jet stream, where the boundary between Arctic air and comparatively mild air is located, because of the multiple waves of cold air forecast to dip down from Canada. Fast-moving storms like this can dump 1-2 inches of snow in a matter of minutes, but persistent snow bands can dump 3-6 inches of snow, which can cause major traffic jams. From central Minnesota to lower Michigan, a wide swath of accumulating snow was produced by the first Alberta clipper that passed through the upper Midwest on Saturday afternoon to early Sunday morning. Almost 4 inches of fresh snow fell in Chicago over the weekend, while Madison, Wisconsin, saw almost 5 inches, and the Wisconsin-Iowa border saw just over 6 inches of snowfall. Also Read: US Should Brace for Two More Severe Winter Storms in the Following Weeks Poor Visibility Due to Snow Storm The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation imposed a speed limit on Interstate 80 west of Harrisburg to the Ohio border as of late Sunday morning. Commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers and delivery trucks, were urged to only use the right side of the road due to poor visibility caused by a strong snow storm, which lowered the speed limit to 45 miles per hour. Through Sunday evening, snow continued to drift eastward into the interior parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, with Columbus, Ohio, reporting 1.8 inches of snow and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reporting slightly over 2 inches. West Virginia had roughly 3 inches of snow; Colliers and Benwood received 2.5 inches. Binghamton, New York's Greater Binghamton Airport also reported 0.5 inches of snowfall. In North Royalton, Ohio, about 8 inches of snow fell, while in Hinckley, Ohio, about 7 inches fell. As the clipper sped out of the region on Sunday night, it left behind a significant amount of snow, particularly in West Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Possible Travel Disruptions Cities along the I-95 corridor had some snowfall Sunday night, including New York City and Philadelphia. Clipper-related accumulation was minimal, although a light coating on highways might cause travel delays. For cities along the Interstate 80 corridor from eastern Illinois into western Pennsylvania, AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham expects a slow Monday morning commute due to the second of two clipper-type storms. During the night of Monday, most of the snow will have moved eastward, from the Midwest to the eastern Great Lakes and New England region. This storm is expected to bring 1-3 inches of fresh snow to most areas along its path, but certain areas near Lake Erie and Ontario and the highest elevations in West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains might see more than 10 inches. Related Article: Winter in US is Going to be More Intense as Cold Air Intensifies Increasing Snow For more news, updates about snow and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! A 5.3 magnitude earthquake followed by a series of aftershocks in the southwest part of Haiti and west of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, on Monday. The US Geological Survey stated the earthquake, which were followed by aftershocks ranging between 4.4 and 5.1 magnitudes, occurred near the city of Les Cayes, Nippes District, located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the capital. The first quake at 08:16 a.m. was followed by the aftershocks nearly an hour later. Earthquake Impact The Haitian Civil Protection Agency (DPC) said that the earthquake killed at least two people and injured 50 others. One person died due to a landslide in Fond des Negres and the second person killed when a wall collapsed in Anse-a-Veau. The DPC added "nearly 200 homes were destroyed and around 600 others damaged in the Nippes district." In addition, the earthquakes also resulted in the closure of schools and the shutdown of businesses on Monday. The earthquake prompted several tsunami warnings across the Caribbean region, with three to 10 feet high waves was estimated to hit Port-au-Prince following the earthquake. The tsunami warnings were later on withdrawn. Rescue operations are underway with the aim of recovering potential survivors under collapsed infrastructure. Related story: Scientists Baffled by Continuous Earthquake in South Carolina Economic Repercussions Haiti is still recovering economically when the recent earthquake happened-nearly after almost six months when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southwest Haiti on August 14, 2021, killing more than 2,200 and damaging or destroying approximately 137,500 homes. An earthquake situation report on September 7, 2021 said Haiti is facing severe damages and economic losses amounting to at least US$1.5 billion, which is equivalent to 10% of Haiti's gross domestic product at that time. Over the past decades, frequent earthquakes ranging from low to high have been occurring in Haiti and across the Caribbean region. The most extreme earthquake was recorded in Haiti on January 12, 2010, when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties. International Financial Aid The impact of earthquakes is significant in Haiti due to the country's poor infrastructure condition. As a result from past earthquakes since 2010, the World Bank provided support to Haiti through the creation of the Infrastructure and Institutions Emergency Recovery Project (IIERP), which is designed to provide support to the Haitian government during post-disaster recovery efforts. The World Bank said this support is achievable through rebuilding key institutions and infrastructure. Additionally, the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) had financed urgent relief actions and combined with capacity building, training, and reconstruction planning. Security Challenges amid Recovery Efforts The economic repercussions arising in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Haiti contributes to the country's existing struggling economy and security problems related to gang violence. Under such circumstances, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a virtual conference on January 21 and stated "immediate action" is necessary to resolve the security situation in Haiti. In February, the US and other countries are expected to make donations regarding the matter, in addition to donations for earthquake victims and their families. Also read: More Tsunami Threat? Second Massive Eruption Detected in Tonga Volcano Hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius) are conventionally known to be territorial animals and produce a 'wheeze honk,' characterized as a high-pitched wheeze sound, when communicating with other hippos. The initial wheeze is followed by several honks in a quick and loud phase, according to Maria Maust-Mohl, an associate professor in psychology at Manhattan College in New York City. It is through these sounds that hippos recognize a familiar from an unfamiliar hippo. Scientists are not aware of other responsive behavior of hippos to both familiar and stranger hippos until a new study has been published in the journal Current Biology on Monday. The study shows researchers were able to observe hippos at the Maputo Special Reserve in Mozambique release a spray of dung, also called as a poop tornado, as a means to mark their territory from the calls of an unfamiliar hippo. Unfamiliar hippos are classified as living either in the same territory, a nearby territory, or a far territorial area. The study also suggests hippos are less aggressive toward other hippos within their social group, whose members are familiar to them, compared to strangers. Also Read: Scientists Reveal How Whales Escape Drowning When They Consume Food Underwater Implications on Wildlife Relocation The findings of the recent study could help relocating the animals with the objective of reducing aggression between different groups of hippos. Nicolas Mathevon, of the University of Saint-Etienne in France, suggested "before relocating a group of hippos to a new location, one precaution might be to broadcast their voices from a loudspeaker to the groups already present so that they become accustomed to them and their aggression gradually decreases." Mathevon added this method will for reciprocity, which will allow hippos living in a particular territory to become familiarized with their new neighbors. Further Studies Expected In spite the breakthrough concerning the unusual hippo behavior, the study is still far from complete. The amount of data used by the researchers was raised as the sample size is relatively small, said Camille Fritsch, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The recent study sampled hippos from seven different groups, ranging between 3 and 22 hippos, living on the lakes at the Maputo Special Reserve. Fritsch has suggested further study must be repeated in larger groups of hippos under different habitats and time of the year, adding that the population of hippos are distributed between the rainy and dry season. Fritsch assured that further studies will be conducted to determine unexplored areas relating to hippos. Researchers in future studies are expected to learn additional information on the meaning of hippo communication and whether this communication reveal their characteristics, including hippo age, sex, or size. The recent study is just the onset on how we do not know much yet on how hippos communicate for both familiar and unfamiliar hippos. Thus, further studies surrounding hippo communication and responsive behavior are likely to continue in the coming years. Related article: New Study: Hairless Aquatic Skin of Whales and Hippos Evolved Independently According to AccuWeather analysts, snow fans in New England should rejoice, as the chances of a large blizzard during the last weekend of January are strong. The possibility is less definite in the mid-Atlantic, but meteorologists warn that the storm may deliver significant snow to the region in one scenario they're considering. "A snowfall is expected to hit the East Coast this weekend," according to Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno. Storm Incoming According to all indications, a storm is expected to form and strengthen the southern Atlantic coast later this week. As it proceeds northward into New England, the storm might grow enough to be designated as a bomb cyclone between Friday and Saturday. A bomb cyclone, also known as bombogenesis, happens when a storm's central pressure drops by 0.71 inches (24 millibars) or more in less than 24 hours. The winds speed up and rush in closer to the storm's center when the pressure drops. Winds may carry a lot of moisture with them and release it in the form of a lot of rain. Heavy snow and blizzard conditions might develop if the air temperature is low enough. "The time of year and present trend are ideal for a blizzard on the East Coast this weekend," Rayno added. Related Article: Ice Pancakes: Rare Disk-Shaped Ice Formed in Lake Michigan, Creating Spectacular Views Snowstorm Season Snowstorms are most likely in the coastal Northeast from late January to early March. A strong jet stream is frequently present, and storms usually turn northward along the Atlantic coast. Colder waters in early January and December allow storms to track in a way that increases the likelihood of heavy snow along the I-95 corridor, rather than traveling too far west and bringing rain or a wintry mix. "There have been multiple dips in the jet stream over the Midwest and Northeast this winter, including the past two weeks, and most of the storms that have developed near the southern Atlantic coast have been pushed out to sea," Rayno explained. "The late-week pattern looks a little different in that the jet stream dip will orientate in such a way that it will help guide the storm northward along the coast and not out to sea." A severe nor'easter is expected to dump a lot of snow in New England. However, forecasts are still keeping a careful eye on the storm's possible route and how close it will get to the coast, which will greatly influence the prediction for the mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians. Rayno added that "all existing information shows that the storm will be close enough for at least a significant New England blizzard." Affected Area New England and nearby portions of Canada are set to bear the brunt of the storm's ferocity in terms of powerful winds and heavy snow. The storm's winds alone could cause power outages and coastal flooding, while heavy snow and significant blowing and drifting snow could cause serious transport delays in certain locations. The storm may quickly bring regular gusts of 40 to 60 mph or more in coastal areas. However, the storm's exact path will decide not only which parts of New England will be buried under a foot or more of snow but also whether parts of the mid-Atlantic area will be buried under a foot or more of snow or face growing dry and cold winds from the storm's backside. "There is an opportunity for a more western track," Rayno continued, "which would send the heavy snow danger farther west over the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, as well as offer the prospect of a rain/snow mix or perhaps simply rain along parts of the coast." A 50-mile westward change in the storm's route may entail heavy snow and high winds for areas from the Delmarva Peninsula to much of New Jersey and southeastern New York, including New York City and Philadelphia, causing substantial travel delays. A similar track might enable rain or sleet to mix in on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Boston and Long Island, New York. A track 50 miles to the east, on the other hand, may bring a full-fledged snowstorm to Boston and Cape Cod, but very little, if any, snow to the mid-Atlantic. Snow may fall in eastern Carolinas, but the exact route of the storm as it travels offshore of the southern Atlantic coast this weekend will determine how much snow falls. Late this week, there's also a chance of scattered snow in the Tennessee Valley and the southern Appalachians. Travel Delays As the jet stream continues to dip towards the East, Nashville and Atlanta may get a slight coating of snow Thursday night into Friday. As the approaching storm displaces personnel and aircraft, flight delays and cancellations may spread outward from New England and even the mid-Atlantic to the rest of the country. Also Read: Texas Freeze Survivor Uses Tiktok to Help Others Prepare for Intense Winter For more news about the environment , don't forget to follow Nature World News! Jellyfish counts in Port Phillip Beach spiked at their highest count in two decades, according to the head of a neighborhood safety organization. Melbourne's beachfront was swamped by jellyfish that resemble reddish blossoms which could deliver severe pain to anyone who gets contact to it. Melbourn Beaches Filled with Lion's Mane Jellyfish Due To Hot Weather Owing to the hotter seasons, the lion's mane jellyfish come in massive numbers. Facebook advisories were posted by the variety of Beach Rescue group and SES post in the town's southern part. According to medical experts if the jellyfish's strands acquire grip, the sufferer may need to sought emergency help. "Most of you may have noticed the reddish-brown jellyfish, on either coastline or in murky areas, thus, kindly avoid them since they will inflict you a painful injury," stated the SES Chelsea department. Moreover, beachgoers were advised to keep their children informed as well since they are frequently attracted to jellyfish, attempting to capture them or simply hold them, but they may be difficult to notice at instances, and kids might be bitten while surfing. The venom of a lion's man jellyfish can be excruciating. From Altona to Edithvale in Melbourne beachfront, the transparent crimson lion's mane jelly has been spotted. According to Brighton Rescue Society, Sam Dimopoulos, the animals have discouraged many visitors from going at Brighton Bay. "This year's jellyfish were incredible," he remarked. Dimopoulos claims that many who has braved the sea were injured. "I've experienced it, and it's not fun," he says. Also read: Elusive Deep-Sea Creature Big Fin Squid Spotted 20,000 Feet Under the Sea Beachgoers Advised to take Extra Measures During Swimming During the interview Dimopoulos also encourage the swimmers going in teams because unless one goes individually and wind themselves in a tub full with these jellies, it may be rather frightening. The Carrum Beach Preventative Team released a photo of the critter with the precaution that "if you come into touch with one, you may experience slight skin soreness or a swollen whitish mark." The jellies are reddish brown in hue, and their tendrils may be quite lengthy and tough to notice. In over the last week, several surfers have claimed spotting the jellyfish, and several have hospitalized their young kids for painful bites. In addition, the group issued basic medical guidelines. "There was enough of it in Mornington late last night!" On the Carrum Beach Rescue Group one mother said on facebook on Weekend that, "When my kid received the whitish blister on her fingertip, I thought it was from this." Witnesses reported seeing jellyfish at Elwood, Seaford, Mordialloc, Bonbeach, Chelsea, Brighton, and now even Docklands. Anybody who has been stung by a lion's mane jelly should thoroughly rinse off any residual tendrils with saltwater or pluck them off. An icy compress or packed ice will then be administered for roughly 10 minutes, just until the discomfort is eased. Hospital treatment must be obtained for far more significant bites and if the discomfort persists. According to Pat Noble, a fish keeper at SEA LIFE Melbourne Museum, abundant nutrition paired with mild temperatures produced excellent circumstances for jellyfish reproduction. "As the water level rises over 18c, jellyfish colonies commence to strobilae, resulting in the production of young jellyfish classified as ephyra," he explained. "The ephyra develop towards mature jellyfish, of the kind that we frequently observe bursting during the summertime." Also read: These Animals Have the Longest Arms in the Animal Kingdom Whilst storms caused widespread floods in the eastern and southern U. S., during the summertime in America, a poisonous thick fog caused by Western Forest fires blew throughout significant areas of the America in 2021. Airnow, one of the agencies that monitor pollution levels, have issued warnings about harmful scenarios in the United States. Climate Change Worsen The Neurotoxins The East Coast is being warned of wildfires in the West, which are 3,000 miles away, and is being advised to remain at home. Reporters covered the direct consequences of dead civilians and residences and business damaged, while deeper subtle threats went unnoticed. Related Climate Change Calamities including wildfires and floodwaters was recognized by Handful of individuals recognize and its possibility of long-term consequences for public healthcare. A scientist and author whom investigates the associations among atmospheric influences and the genesis of pneumococcal meningitis, contributes to an increasing wealth of findings that increasingly regular natural problems may be increasing radiation doses to toxic compounds. In search for distinct ambient elements that may explain Finland's vastly higher incidence of deadly Alzheimer over the last generation, expert discovered that water contamination like aggravated by inundation, pesticide usage, and increased water degrees may be impacting cognitive performance. If safety standards to alleviate the medical hazards caused by atmospheric toxicants are not implemented, evidence shows that we could expect to see rises in a range of neurological illnesses as the chemicals grow. Numerous experts have discovered linkages involving several kinds of pollution, particularly haze from wildfires, and an elevated chance and incidence of harmful medical impacts, particularly mental diseases. Awareness, increased general understanding of ecological medical conditions, and radical involvement are the most effective approaches to reduce the hazards posed by ambient toxicants. This is due, in great portion, to the fact that entire ecosystem is infrequently addressed in clinical training, that can result in a deficiency of understanding concerning possible ecological sickness treatments. Also read: Toxic Chemical Pollution Crosses "Planetary Boundary," Exceeding Safe Limit for Humanity The Health Risks Caused By Hazardous Environmental Neurotoxins The smallest pollutants, smaller than 2.5 microns - or PM 2.5 - present a significant risk to wellness. Considering global warming might just be a cause of growing toxicants, reducing emissions and improving environmentalism are crucial for public safety. The extensive prevalence of blue-green algae in rivers stuck out. In American medical treatment, the neurotoxin link is seldom examined, and environmental dangers are frequently neglected. Ohio, a pioneer in policymaking measures targeted at reducing harmful algae growth, currently restricts cyanotoxins in water supply and instructs producers not to apply fertilizer when the soil is moist or rain is anticipated. Furthermore, prenatal and initial carbon emissions consumption has been related to an elevated risk of autistic spectrum disease in infants. Individuals who manage to identify blue-green algae may prevent bathing or canoeing around it, as well as allowing their animals to do so. Researcher researched opportunities for collaborative among ambient toxicants and associated related diseases in Finland as piece of my dissertation study. A few of these cyanotoxins, -methylamino-L-alanine, or BMAA, has been related to neurological illnesses such as ALS, Parkinson 's syndrome, and Alzheimer 's infection. Toxicants from fungus, notably ochratoxin A, can cause inflammation, which can impair cells and cognitive ability. Also read: For the First Time, Nanoplastic Particles Have Contaminated Decades-Old Polar Ice A cat with cubs was paralyzed and lost its life due to gunshot injuries. This incident prompted calls for stronger protection of endangered species. Death of the Female Leopard Following the death of a leopard in Pakistan-administered Kashmir from injuries sustained when it was shot on the banks of a river, calls for the protection of Pakistan's severely endangered wildlife have grown, according to The Guardian On Sunday, a female leopard was rescued by villagers and taken to Islamabad for treatment, but she was unable to recover from her injuries. A 12-bore shotgun had fired six pellets at it, as revealed by an X-ray. A suspect has been apprehended and a case has been filed against him, and a shotgun has been recovered, according to local police. Bail has been set for the suspect, who has been freed from custody. According to Rina Saeed Khan, the chair of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), the leopard was paralyzed by a single bullet lodged in its vertebrae. This leopard was a mother and her pups are expected to be found in the area where she was killed, Khan said. This isn't the first time authorities have witnessed individuals shooting leopards in the AJK region [Azad Jammu and Kashmir]. The diversity of species is dwindling across the country. "We have to save our wildlife." he says. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his sadness at the brutal killing in a tweet and urged the wildlife agency to take action against those who were involved. Also Read: Wild Leopard Caught COVID-19 Infection, May Have Been Caused by Human Spillover Punishment for Hunting Endangered Animals Imran Khan, Pakistan's prime leader, has ordered the creation of 12 new national parks by 2020, and he's made measures to safeguard wildlife and plants in those areas. The killing of endangered animals, such as leopards, has continued, despite efforts to stop it. People hunt leopards for two reasons, according to Rina Saeed Khan: either to sell their pelt or to safeguard livestock. Government should ensure people were properly punished for killing animals in order to stop the act, she said. Deforestation to make space for houses in places where there were once rainforests is boosting villager contact with leopards, she adds. Hunting Permit for Royal Visitors After running as an anti-hunting candidate, Imran Khan attacked the government for giving Middle Eastern royals permission to kill endangered Houbara bustards, as per The Indian Express. Imran said, "Never thought I would see the day when hunting of the endangered Houbara Bustard would become a 'pillar of our foreign policy." His decision to give special permits to Middle Eastern visitors to shoot bustards in January 2021 was roundly criticized by conservationists and activists. According to a source in Pakistan's Sindh province, up to 14 Arab dignitaries have been given permission to shoot the globally endangered houbara bustard this year. The UAE president, the prime minister of Qatar, and the king of Bahrain are among the hunted. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry reportedly issued the Sindh government "recommendations" for Falconry Season 2021-2022 (excluding protected areas) and a request for suitable licenses in accordance with Pakistani wildlife legislation, according to sources. A meeting of the provincial administration authorized the 14 names, each of which had a specific hunting area allotted to it. The Houbara bustard is one of the world's most endangered birds and is therefore protected by international law. Related Aticle: Endangered Leopard With Trap-Inflicted Wound Caught in Northern Iraq For more news, updates about leopards and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! thl advises that Action Manufacturing has today entered into a conditional agreement to purchase the business and assets of MaxiTRANS in New Zealand (MaxiTRANS) from Australia Trailer Solutions Group New Zealand Limited. The purchase price is approximately $5.7M and reflects the net asset value of the business. The purchase price will therefore be adjusted to reflect net asset value on completion. It is expected that the conditions will be satisfied in the coming weeks and that the acquisition will complete at the end of February. MaxiTRANS is a well-established business operating in the heavy transport manufacturing industry under the brands of Maxi-CUBE and Freighter, and employs approximately 50 people. With its current forward book, as a standalone business MaxiTRANS is expected to generate revenue in excess of $18M in the 12 month period ending 30 June 2022. The transaction will be funded through thl utilising the headroom in its current debt facilities. thl Chief Executive, Grant Webster, said we are excited to continue to support Action Manufacturing to grow its non-RV manufacturing activity. MaxiTRANS has a strong forward order book and the acquisition and associated synergies will enable more efficient use of Action Manufacturings physical, financial and intellectual property assets. We expect MaxiTRANS to deliver above thls internal return on funds employed target. Please see the link below for details NZX Release - thl to acquire MaxiTRANS NZ Source: Tourism Holdings Limited Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: GAS MARKET UPDATE MAY 4TH ANZ 2022 Half Year Results Documents PGW Raises Guidance Air NZ Rights Offer Period Closes and Bookbuild Commences 4th May 2022 Morning Report BIF acquires shares in ZeroJet Limited Morrison & Co completes acquisition of Infratil shares IKE Q4 and FY22 performance update Chorus amends syndicated bank facility Vector Limited Capital Bonds - Election Notice The intensity of a recent volcanic eruption that happened in Tonga was unexpected. Submarine volcanologists were caught off guard since they were not able to predict an event that would unleash a Pacific-wide tsunami. Instrument for Detecting Volcanic Eruptions One scientist described the eruption as a "once in a millennium" event. Shock waves were heard in New Zealand and reported as far away as Switzerland during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, which blasted gas and ash 39 kilometers into the atmosphere. Researchers believe the blast could be one of the loudest on Earth since the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, while an organization that monitors nuclear testing declared it the biggest thing they have ever seen. The volcano had erupted a few times in the past few years, but they were small and only caused little disruption in the surrounding area. Since there was no prior notice of such a massive catastrophe, many people are now questioning if there are any additional dormant volcanoes lurking beneath the water. Scientific instruments are used to research volcanoes and determine whether or not an eruption is imminent. Small earthquakes induced by magma movement can be detected using seismic instruments, while variations in gas concentration and temperature as magma rises from the depths can be monitored using sampling instruments and thermal cameras, according to The Conversation. Most volcanic activity on Earth, however, takes place beneath the oceans. Over seventy-five percent of Earth's magma is thought to come from mid-ocean ridges, which can be found in every major ocean. Submarine volcanoes are notoriously difficult to study because many of them are located far from land, making it impossible for scientists to see any changes using standard methods. Also Read: Scientists: Disastrous Tonga Volcano Eruption 500 Times More Powerful Compared to Hiroshima How Do Researchers Keep Track of Underwater Volcanoes? Scientists have already installed equipment that monitors vibrations on the seabed, Phys.org reported. As with volcanoes on land, this research has helped disclose the seismic antecedents of an underwater eruption - the indicators that an eruption is impending. However, the cost of installing this technology is prohibitive, and it cannot be done everywhere. Temperature changes on the volcanic surface can indicate an approaching eruption. These are more difficult to find in undersea volcanoes. Submarine volcano heat signatures can only be seen at the sea surface if the volcano is already spouting hot lava and is in shallow water. It's too late for anyone to be warned at this time. These are best viewed from a distance to get the full picture. It's a complete nonstarter. Space-Based Volcanic Surveillance Scientists are able to monitor large swaths of the ocean surface thanks to satellite images. Submarine eruptions, which may otherwise go unreported, have been linked to floating rafts of pumice by scientists on several instances, Yahoo News indicates. However, this only enables researchers to identify eruptions after they have occurred - it does not allow them to keep up with undersea volcanoes. To learn more about a long-observed phenomena near the island of Ijima near undersea volcanoes in the early 1990s, Japanese scientists turned their attention to the area. Precipitates of silicon, iron and aluminium oxides generated by underwater volcanic activity were shown to be the culprit. After further investigation, it was found that iron precipitates give a yellow-brown tint, while aluminum or silicon precipitates produce a white color. Submarine eruptions on the Japanese volcanic island of Nishinoshima prompted scientists to reassess their previous findings. Photographs taken from space show that the water takes on a variety of hues based on the amount of silicon, iron, and aluminum present. Researchers discovered that about a month prior to a submarine volcanic eruption in Japan, the color of the ocean started to change, suggesting that there could be a change in ocean colour before underwater volcanic activity. Related Article: Volcanic Eruptions Underwater Release Enough Energy to Power an Entire Continent! For more news, updates about underwater volcanoes and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! 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. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e83902fca0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e83905d5b0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e83902fca0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e83905d5b0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e83900c800)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e83905d5b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e83905d5b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e3153f8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e839036300)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e839036300)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Newburyport, MA (01950) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. High 51F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. BEIJING, Jan. 24 -- The enlarged meeting of the Disciplinary Inspection Commission of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) was held in Beijing on January 22. General Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the CMC, attended the meeting. General Zhang Shengmin, a member of the CMC and secretary of the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission, made a report on the disciplinary inspection and supervision work of the Chinese military. In recognition of the work of the whole Chinese military in this area over the past year, Gen. Zhang Youxia emphasized the need to resolutely exercise full and strict governance over the Party, constantly improve the Chinese military's legal system, and strive to fight the protracted battle against corruption. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e8386f8d80)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387db228)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e8386f8d80)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387db228)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e82e315380)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387db228)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387db228)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e315890)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8387a20d8)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8387a20d8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Launch of a wooden satellite still pending Two spacecraft comprised of wood or using wooden framing are hoping to launch this year and next. One will carry an amateur radio payload. WISA Woodsat, a Finnish spacecraft that planned to include an amateur radio payload, was forced to postpone its announced launch target from 2021 to 2022 after the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination system turned away its request to use amateur radio frequencies. I regret to inform you that IARU is not in a position to support the WISA Woodsat Coordination request, the coordinator said. The main reason is that the primary mission doesnt seem to be an amateur mission. As announced last year, WISA Woodsat was designed to accommodate multiple missions from materials science, space education, and awareness to promoting and facilitating amateur radio communication with and via satellites. No transponder was on board, but the satellites sponsors said they had the support of Finlands IARU member-society, SRAL, to use amateur radio frequencies. They are now reworking the spacecraft to use commercial radio frequencies. To our great disappointment, we cant serve the radio amateur community with the LoRa-repeater mission as we had hoped and planned. We will continue to share the pictures and data online, but the technical aspect has been diminished due to this decision, said WISA Woodsats Chief Engineer Samuli Nyman of Arctic Astronautics. Meanwhile, LignoSat, a 1U-sized CubeSat with an outside structure mainly composed of wood, has applied for IARU frequency coordination and hopes to launch from the ISS in 2023. Built by students at Japans Kyoto University, LignoSat includes a unique amateur radio payload but not a transponder. The LignoSat application for IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination in December said the CubeSat would carry amateur radio equipment that will extract call signs of amateur radio stations from uplinked FM packet signals and respond to them via the CW downlink and the senders call signs to convey thank you messages. The plan proposes UHF downlinks for CW and FM. The satellites development team, comprised of Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Company, said its aiming to harness the environmental friendliness and the economy of wood in spacecraft development. They say a satellite with a wooden exterior would burn up upon re-entering Earths atmosphere at the end of its mission, lessening its burden on the environment. The wooden framework also will permit the satellites antennas to be inside the spacecraft. A plan is under way to use an experimental apparatus on the International Space Station to hold wooden sheets of varying hardness, taken from several tree species, attached. These would remain exposed to the space environment for about 9 months to determine their deterioration. The team is headed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Tako Doi. Now a Kyoto University professor, Doi was the first JAXA astronaut to take part in spacewalks from the shuttle Columbia in 1997. He said the concept, if successful, could lead the way to allowing even children who are interested in space to make a satellite. LignoSat would be deployed from the ISS in July 2023. ANS 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. 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). Ethan Simmons is a reporter at The News-Gazette covering the University of Illinois. His email is esimmons@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@ethancsimmons). Longview, TX (75601) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. In a recent study posted to the Preprints with The Lancet* server, a large team of researchers estimated the comparative risk of hospitalization after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron and Delta variants of concern (VOCs) in Denmark. Compared to other countries, Denmark has a higher coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination coverage and an extensive free-of-charge reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test capacity. Such demographics allow the stratification of population by vaccination status, making it easier to carry out studies addressing the public health impact of the rapidly disseminating Omicron variant. In Denmark, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs is performed via extensive whole-genome sequencing (WGS) efforts and variant RT-PCR (vRT-PCR) efforts. Upon detection of new VOCs, the Test Center Denmark (TCDK) develops vRT-PCRs to survey those VOCs in real-time. For Omicron, TCDK used a 452L marker, implemented on December 1, 2021. In addition, Omicron-specific vPCR solutions were set up in eight of 10 local departments of clinical microbiology (CMDs). Study: Reduced Risk of Hospitalisation Associated With Infection With SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Relative to Delta: A Danish Cohort Study. Image Credit: NIAID About the study The present observational cohort study included samples of all RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in Denmark from 21 November-19 December 2021. The starting time point of the study coincided with the date of the first Omicron case, detected by a positive Omicron-specific variant RT-PCR (vRT-PCR) test result. The researchers used samples from cases found to be RT-PCR-positive for the Omicron variant, either by TCDK or CMD vPCR, and subsequently subjected them to WGS according to capacity, which maxed at 15,000 WGS per week. From November 24, 2021, >95% of all positive samples were screened with the TCDKs Omicron vPCR. As the Omicron cases surged, the screening was discontinued, which limited the study population to samples taken before December 20, 2021. In the study, a COVID-19 hospitalization within 14 days of the first positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test or during an ongoing hospitalization was recorded using the three data sources, the national patient register, the snapshot data, and the Danish microbiology database. The study thus only included hospitalized cases with a first positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test before and up to 48 hours after hospital admission, with the latest possible admission for COVID-19 on January 4, 2022. The researchers also included a multitude of co-variates associated with both SARS-CoV-2 infection variant and hospitalization. The basic co-variates at sampling time were sex, age, calendar week, geographical region of sampling, co-morbidities, re-infection status (a positive RT-PCR test 60 days or more after the first RT-PCR positive test), and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status based on the Danish Vaccination Register. Additional co-variates for later sensitivity analyses included test-track and ethnicity. For statistical analyses, the researchers applied a log-linear Poisson regression model with standard errors (SE) to estimate the risk ratios (RRs) of SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization by Omicron infection compared to Delta infection. While all p-values from the Poisson regression model were estimated using score-tests, the researchers evaluated differences in proportions using the Chi-square test and the difference in median age using a Wilcoxon test. Study findings With an adjusted RR of hospital admission of 0.64, the risk of hospitalization due to Omicron was 36% lower than the Delta variant as observed across unvaccinated, two-dose vaccinated, and three-dose vaccinated individuals. The risk of hospitalization among Omicron cases was lesser among the population that had received two doses and one dose with RR values of 0.71 and 0.57, respectively, compared to the non-vaccinated individuals. The finding indicates that the vaccine effectiveness declined faster for Omicron relative to Delta after the second dose of vaccine, further supporting the notion that the vaccine masks the severity after a Delta infection more than after an Omicron-induced infection. Also, no significant difference in hospital admission was observed in the first four months after the second COVID-19 vaccine dose (RR=1.20). When followed up for a longer time, Omicron cases showed reduced severity even in the population of double-vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, Omicron cases had a shorter duration of hospital admission and showed a much-reduced probability of being transferred to the intensive care unit. Conclusions The study results demonstrated an intrinsic lowered risk of hospitalization for Omicron cases following both the first and second vaccination dose compared to the risk in the unvaccinated Delta-infected population. However, the extensive spread of Omicron due to its higher transmissibility can rapidly offset any benefits of its reduced severity. These findings emphasize the importance of a fast roll-out of vaccination programs during the ongoing Omicron wave to mitigate the adverse impact on the public health care system. In addition, the observations support the need for hospital preparedness given the rapid spread of Omicron globally. *Important notice Preprints with The Lancet 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 Fort Lauderdale-based manufacturer of blood glucose testing products knowingly distributed defective test strips that delivered inaccurate results and created health problems for patients with diabetes, a federal lawsuit claims. Among the victims were two patients who lost their fetuses after relying on the test result to determine how much insulin they needed to manage their diabetes, according to the suit, which was filed against Trividia Health Inc. on behalf of the United States, 26 states and the District of Columbia. Advertisement The suit, which recently transferred to the Southern District of Florida in Fort Lauderdale, seeks damages under federal and state False Claims Acts, and reimbursement of money that it claims Trividia earned from federal and state-run health insurance programs. A whistleblower notices a pattern In the case, a former employee who worked for the companys customer service department began noticing large numbers of complaints by consumers who said that test strips made at the companys manufacturing plants on Northwest 55th Court were giving them inaccurate glucose readings. Advertisement The employee, Patricia Crocano, began working for the company in 2014 when it was called Nipro Diagnostics. Prior to that it was called Home Diagnostics. Crocano is identified in the suit as a relator, which is essentially a whistleblower. Under state and federal False Claim Acts, relators can file suits on behalf of states or the federal government, attorney Reuben Guttman said in an email. Guttman is a partner in the Washington D.C.-based firm Guttman Buschner & Brooks, one of four firms pursuing the matter. [ RELATED: New testing system could be good news for diabetics, pose challenges for Broward company ] Attorneys for Trividia did not respond to requests for comment about allegations in the lawsuit. In a motion to dismiss the case filed on Dec. 21 by Wyche P.A. of Greenville, South Carolina and the Miami office of Greenberg Traurig P.A., Trividia argued that Crocano lacked standing to file a False Claims Act suit because the company had already acknowledged, in a voluntary recall in 2016, that some of its test strips were defective. Further, the lawsuit did not cite a single example of a false claim submitted to the government for reimbursement. In late 2014 and early 2015, complaint calls averaged about 300 to 400 a day, the suit states. The most serious complaints focused on test strips sold under the brand names TRUEresult and TRUEtest. Consumers said their strips reported a low, high, or inaccurate result, or sometimes no result at all, the suit says. Crocano said she came to believe that the large number of complaints, including 70 claims that the containers were opened when consumers bought them, pointed to a manufacturing defect that exposed the test strips to humidity. Scripts to funnel complaints Supervisors directed customer service representatives to address complaints by reading from a prepared script that blamed customers for mishandling or improperly storing the strips, the suit says. [ RELATED: Lawsuit claims these popular pressure cookers burst open, scalding consumers ] Classifying complaints as caused by user error enabled the company to avoid reporting them to the Food and Drug Administration, the suit states. Advertisement It added, Crocano drafted new telephone scripts that would have enabled the company to pinpoint whether it had a manufacturing defect, but her new scripts were never used. Instead of investigating and resolving the TRUEtest manufacturing problem, Trividias modus operandi was to bury and ignore customer complaints, the suit states. Crocanos supervisor at one point asked her to edit or alter a customer report that resulted in hospitalization, and on another, forged a document and placed Crocanos initials on it, the suit states. By summer 2015, the suit states, Trividia could no longer ignore the manufacturing defect that was resulting in open TRUEtest strip vials and was forced to acknowledge the problem, but it only did so internally. By that time, it said, the problem was so severe that open-vial defects were becoming visible even to the untrained naked eye. [ RELATED: Diaper donnybrook: Family sues condo board, claim swim diaper ban violates babys civil rights ] Other allegations in the suit include: Crocanos supervisors acknowledged hiring engineers to recalibrate the packaging machine to correct the problem but they were unsuccessful. In late 2015 and early 2016, Trividia received complaints of inaccurate glucose readings responsible for fetal demise and compromised pregnancies, the suit states. The leader of a California Medicaid program for 300 high-risk pregnant women wrote that a 37-week pregnancy failed while the mother was using one of the companys glucose meters. Apparently not knowing about the test strip defects, she said she was concerned that the meter played a part and was putting providers a[t] risk of inaccurately assessing and treating patients. A Trividia clinical marketing executive logged the complaint with remarks stating it would be impossible to determine that the TRUEresult meter caused the pregnancy to fail. But the company failed to obtain samples of the testing strips used by the mother. After learning of the death of another fetus whose mother blamed the companys testing system, a supervisor asked Crocano to alter the mothers complaint to conceal the fact that the patient lost her pregnancy. Crocono refused to comply. Impending sale The lawsuit claims that the company sought to conceal the defects while negotiations were under way to sell the company to a Chinese firm, SinoCare Group. Advertisement Three senior executives received $7 million after the sale closed in January 2016, the suit states. [ RELATED: Health insurance scam made millions; victims will get a pittance ] It wasnt until June 2016 months after the FDA approved a new glucose testing product to replace the defective strips and the deal with SinoCare closed that the company issued a recall for 5.5 million blood glucose test strip lots that it acknowledged may provide incorrect low blood glucose results, according to the complaint. However, the company did not recall products made in the same plant that were sold under retailers own brand names, nor did it recall some products sold under its TRUEtest brand before April 2015, even though it knew defective products were sold prior to that date, the suit states. The timing of the suit This case was initially filed in 2017 in U.S. District Court in South Carolina but remained under seal until September 2021 while the Department of Justice investigated its claims. It was unsealed after the department stated that neither it nor the states and District of Columbia intended to intervene by assigning its own attorneys to the case. However, the government allowed the case to continue with the United States and the states named as plaintiffs. It also stipulated that the case could not be dismissed or settled without its consent and retained the right to intervene at a future date. The government can also dismiss a case but it has not done so here, Guttman wrote. Advertisement The case, now unsealed, was transferred to the Southern District of Florida in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 21 because Crocano lives in the district and Trividia Health is headquartered here as well. 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. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association and collaborating organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association for Respiratory Care, the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, continue to provide interim guidance to address the latest scientific research related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, particularly the Delta and Omicron variants. The updated "2022 Interim Guidance to Health Care Professionals for Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Adults, Children, and Neonates With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19," published today in the Association's journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, addresses the emergence of COVID-19 variants that are more transmissible than previous strains. Based on evolving epidemiology reports and emerging science, the volunteer committee comprised of more than 40 global resuscitation experts has issued new guidance for the resuscitation of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. This guidance also reflects the recommendations issued recently from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)." Comilla Sasson, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, practicing emergency medicine physician and vice president for science & innovation for emergency cardiovascular care, American Heart Association Most significantly, due to new, more highly contagious variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the guidance emphasizes the need for PPE, including respirators, gowns, gloves and eye protection. In the event initial responders are not already wearing appropriate PPE, they should immediately put on PPE and then begin CPR. As the science surrounding COVID-19 and variants evolves, health care professionals should continue to follow the most-up-to-date recommendations from the WHO, CDC and their regional health authorities and local institutions. "Health care professionals are paramount to the health of communities around the world, especially during a pandemic, and they should be protected while performing health care procedures including resuscitation," said Dianne Atkins, M.D., FAAP, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, a pediatric cardiologist and lead author of the new interim guidance. "Protecting the health and safety of health care professionals remains critical and includes ensuring the recommended personal protective equipment is available and that health care professionals are trained to use it properly." Additional updates in the guidance include: Incorporating the most recent CDC and WHO guidance: All healthcare providers should wear a respirator (e.g., N95) along with other PPE (gown, gloves, and eye protection) for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, when performing aerosol-generating procedures (AGP)s or in a setting where such procedures are regularly performed. This includes wearing appropriate PPE (including a respirator) before performing the components of resuscitation that are aerosol-generating, which include but are not limited to chest compressions, defibrillation, bag-mask ventilation, intubation or positive-pressure ventilation. Reinforcing resuscitation best practices: Cardiac arrest survival rates have decreased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of hospital cardiac arrest survival in 2020 also declined in regions/timeframes that did and did not have significant COVID infection rates. The reasons for this decline are both unclear and complex. Cardiac arrest survival is dependent on early initiation of CPR, including chest compressions as soon as it is safely possible. Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should receive the best resuscitative efforts possible. Ensuring adequate PPE supply: At this time, all healthcare providers should be following appropriate precautions and should have access to PPE in all clinical settings, regardless of the potential of encountering resuscitation events. Effective use of PPE is critical for the safety of healthcare providers performing resuscitations. Healthcare organizations should continue to secure appropriate PPE as available, ensure training regarding appropriate application and use of PPE, reinforce effective use of PPE, and create systems so that health care providers have immediate access to appropriate PPE when emergency care is required. As the COVID-19 pandemic persists and new variants arise, the American Heart Association with its collaborating professional organizations will continue to provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidance on resuscitation and supporting the health care professionals that provide these life-saving procedures such as CPR. American Heart Association guidance articles promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions. Scientific statements and guidance documents outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements and guidance documents inform the development of formal guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association's official clinical practice recommendations. A newly developed test to screen for three rare genetic disorders simultaneously in newborns was feasible, reliable and scalable, according to a new study. The research, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), reported that screening for Prader Willi, Angelman and Dup15q syndromes using the new type of test would open new avenues for earlier diagnosis and treatment, paving the way for the three chromosome 15 imprinting disorders to be added to newborn bloodspot screening programs (heel prick test) for the first time. The study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, was the first to validate the use of a low-cost, specialized screening method called Methylation Specific-Quantitative Melt Analysis (MS-QMA), developed by MCRI researchers, for these disorders at a large scale. The one-step test can be used to screen for the three conditions simultaneously, by looking at the number of chemical modifications or marks called methylation added to affected genes, which are not present at such high or low levels in children without these disorders. The Victorian State Government provided a $100,000 grant to MCRI as part of the 2018 Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund to support the development of the new screening method for the rare disorders. Medical Research Minister Jaala Pulford visited MCRI recently to see how the test worked and to learn more about its potential. The study first checked for accuracy, with the test correctly distinguishing most of the 167 samples from people who had one of the disorders. It was then tested on 16,579 newborns in Victoria with the test identifying two with Prader Willi, two with Angelman and one with Dup15q. The three disorders are characterized by varying degrees of intellectual disability, autism, behavioral problems, seizures and/or severe obesity. About 135 babies are born with one of these disorders each year in Australia, but the disorders are not included in newborn screening programs, and many go undiagnosed in the first year of life. MCRI Associate Professor David Godler said a key reason why these disorders were not included in current newborn screening programs was the lack of a test with low laboratory costs that could work at a population scale. Tests are currently only performed on those suspected of having these disorders, and only if features are recognized by a child's doctor, and subsequently referred for appropriate testing. This is not the case with newborn screening where testing is performed on all newborns before symptoms become apparent." David Godler, MCRI Associate Professor Associate Professor Godler said the study found the cost, disorder prevalence and accuracy of MS-QMA as a first-tier test were in line with other conditions currently included in newborn screening programs. The study reported that in the 16,579 newborns screened, the probability of those with a positive screening test truly having the disease using MS-QMA was 67 per cent, 33 per cent and 44 per cent for Angelman, Prader Willi and combined detection of chromosome 15 imprinting disorders, respectively. "Having a high positive predictive value is important for newborn screening as it ensures that there is lower number of false positive results that need to be repeated, leading to lower overall laboratory costs, less work for maternity services in obtaining a repeated blood sample and minimises the psychological effect on families," Associate Professor Godler said. MCRI Professor David Amor said that if these findings were replicated in future independent studies, adding these chromosome 15 imprinting disorders to newborn screening programs would allow for earlier diagnosis and using targeted interventions as they emerge, such as gene therapy for Angelman syndrome. "For Prader Willi, diagnosis in infancy allows for early initiation of growth hormone treatment to improve long term health outcomes," he said. "For Angelman and Dup15q, most infants do not receive an early diagnosis that would allow intervention in the first year of life. But such early diagnosis, if available through newborn screening, could prevent the diagnostic odyssey, reduce medical costs and the significant stress and anxiety currently experienced by the families while they await a diagnosis." Melbourne's Chrissy Cimino's son Elliott, 4, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome at 14 months. As a baby Elliott couldn't sit upright, never cried or babbled and struggled to put on weight. After searching for a diagnosis for months, Chrissy said she was relieved to finally have the answer. "There were a lot of red flags that were missed, and I knew in my gut that something wasn't right," she said. I kept persisting with medical appointments and I did my own research. It was such a relief to have that diagnosis so we could finally start medical interventions." But Chrissy said if Elliott had been diagnosed through a newborn screening program, his motor and cognitive skills wouldn't be as poor. "We couldn't get him on the NDIS until he was two and half so we missed out on years of intensive physio and speech and occupational therapies. He is almost five and he still isn't walking. If he was diagnosed earlier we could have helped him a lot sooner." Doris Hamilton-Brown's son Lewis, 2, was diagnosed with Prader Willi at four weeks of age. Doris said due to being born small for gestational age, Lewis was taken to the neonatal unit but failed to improve. "After Lewis failed to get better the doctors started to look at genetic reasons," she said. "The diagnosis was unexpected and tough to hear but getting answers meant we could intervene early." Lewis started growth hormone treatment at seven months, which will help with muscle bulk, reduce fat mass, increase physical activity levels and improve attainment of developmental and cognitive milestones. "He has just started walking and while he is non-verbal he can understand verbal cues and communicate what he needs," Doris said. She said having a test for Prader Willi and other chromosome 15 imprinting disorders on newborn screening programs would remove a lot of angst, guilt and uncertainty for parents. "We were lucky that Lewis was able to start treatments and therapies fairly early on but for many families the diagnosis can come late and intervention is delayed," Doris said. 75% of the COVID-19 survivors who were treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience physical, mental and/or cognitive problems one-year post ICU. This shows the large-scale MONITOR-IC study led by Radboud university medical center, in which the health status of ICU survivors is monitored with questionnaires up to five years after ICU admission. The study regarding long-term health problems, published in the scientific journal JAMA, was conducted among 246 COVID-19 patients (176 men/70 women) who were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) in the Netherlands. Their mean age was 61 years. Using questionnaires, they were asked how they were doing one-year post ICU. Worldwide, this is the first scientific research regarding long-term problems among COVID-19 ICU survivors. Patients in this study were admitted to the ICU during the first COVID-19 surge between March and July 2020. Majority of patients experience health problems one-year post ICU This study shows that three quarters of the COVID-19 ICU survivors experience problems one-year post ICU. These are primarily physical problems, whereby half of the patients experience feelings of fatigue. Other physical problems are e.g. a reduced condition, pain, muscle weakness and shortness of breath. Also, mental symptoms are common; one in five COVID-19 ICU survivors experience feelings of anxiety or post-traumatic stress. Furthermore, one in six have cognitive problems such as memory or attention problems. These various problems negatively affect former ICU patients' daily live. Over half of them indicate that they have work-related problems because of the health problems: they reduced their working hours; they are still on sick leave or have even given up their job. Principal investigator Marieke Zegers of Radboud university medical center: "This study shows what an incredible impact an ICU admission has on the lives of former COVID-19 patients. Even after one year, half of them is tired or experience lack of the energy to fully resume their work". MONITOR-IC: Large-scale study on the health status of ICU survivors The results are part of the MONITOR-IC study[ZM1] , a large-scale multicenter study conducted at the Bernhoven (Uden), Jeroen Bosch Hospital (Den Bosch), Amphia (Breda), Rijnstate (Arnhem), Maasziekenhuis (Boxmeer), Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital and the Radboudumc (both Nijmegen) hospitals. In the COVID-19 sub study, also patients of the Maastricht UMC+, Elkerliek (Helmond), Zuyderland (Heerlen) amd UMC Utrecht hospitals were included. Using an experimental drug, researchers were able to suppress a mutated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) gene. Studies in mice demonstrate that the therapy could show promise in treating rare, aggressive forms of ALS caused by mutations in the fused in sarcoma (FUS) gene. The study, published in Nature Medicine, was funded in part by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study models how promising gene-targeting therapies can move expeditiously from pre-clinical development to clinical testing. There is a desperate need for innovative approaches to treating ALS." Amelie Gubitz, Ph.D., program director, NINDS ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal neurological disorder that causes the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. People with ALS rapidly lose muscle strength and eventually their ability to move, swallow, and breathe. Most cases of ALS are sporadic, but at least 10% of cases are familial, or due to mutations in various genes. Mutations in the gene FUS cause severe forms of ALS, referred to as FUS-ALS, including a rare type that begins in adolescence or young adulthood. In the study, Neil Shneider, M.D., Ph.D., the Claire Tow Associate Professor of Motor Neuron Disorders and Director of the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center at Columbia University, New York City, and his team delayed the onset of motor neuron degeneration in mice by using an antisense oligonucleotide drug designed to silence FUS by blocking cells from making specific proteins. Following encouraging results, they administered the drug to a patient with ALS. Compared to normal mice, mice with a mutated FUS gene had higher levels of insoluble FUS and other ALS-related proteins in their brains and spinal cords. Mice with higher doses of mutant FUS in motor neurons experienced rapid neurodegeneration that began early in life, much like FUS-ALS patients. "The study establishes a mouse model that is highly disease-relevant," said Dr. Shneider. "In mice, we found that FUS toxicity was due to a gain of function and was dose-dependent, suggesting that we could treat FUS-ALS by silencing the FUS gene." In 2019 Dr. Shneider met an individual with ALS in search of therapies that may help her disease. Inspired by her story, Dr. Shneider teamed up with a pharmaceutical company to develop a personalized therapy designed to target the FUS mutation. In mice, injecting a single dose of the drug into the ventricles, fluid-filled spaces surrounding the brain, delayed the onset of inflammation and motor neuron degeneration by six months. The drug also knocked down levels of FUS by 50% to 80% in the brain and spinal cord. Following drug administration, insoluble forms of other ALS-associated proteins were also cleared. Under a compassionate use protocol reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Shneider administered the drug to the patient it had been designed for. The patient received repeated infusions of the drug into her spinal canal for 10 months. During the treatment, the patient's rate of motor function deterioration slowed. The patient tolerated the treatment well and there were no medically adverse effects. "The study is an example of a precision medicine, bench-to-bedside effort," said Dr. Shneider. "We began with the mouse model to establish a rationale for the drug, conducted efficacy studies in the mouse, moved the drug into a human, and collected valuable data that was ultimately used to support a larger Phase 3 clinical trial." Treatment began more than six months after clinical onset, by which time the disease had already significantly advanced. As is typical with juvenile-onset FUS-ALS, the disease progressed rapidly, and the patient died from complications of the disease. By studying the patient's brain and spinal cord tissue, researchers found that the drug silenced FUS throughout the nervous system and reversed the toxic nature of FUS and other disease-related proteins. Compared to tissue from untreated FUS-ALS patients and healthy controls, FUS protein aggregatesa pathological hallmark of this form of ALSwere sparse, suggesting that they may have been cleared by the drug. Tissue samples were provided by the New York Brain Bank of Columbia University. The protein made from the FUS gene has been shown to be important for various cellular processes. Prior studies in mice suggest that FUS mutations result in the production of an abnormal protein that forms clumps, or aggregates, leading to motor neuron damage. By targeting the faulty gene in a way that suppresses toxic FUS activity, gene silencing products like the antisense oligonucleotide drug could potentially reduce or prevent disease progression. The results were used to support a clinical trial testing the drug in patients with FUS-ALS (NCT04768972). This study was supported by grants from the NIH (NS106236), Nancy Perlman, Tom Klingenstein, and the Judith and Jean Pape Adams Charitable Foundation. A moderate amount of a peptide-enhanced, biological cancer drug goes a long way in treating breast cancers that metastasize to the bone. A study by scientists at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine demonstrated the effective treatment of such cancers in rodent models, bringing hope for new therapies to treat bone metastases. The open-access study, to appear on the cover of the American Chemical Society journal ACS Central Science, advances techniques pioneered by Rice chemist Han Xiao and his co-author at Baylor, biologist Xiang Zhang. They discovered through extensive testing that engineering "bone-homing" peptides and attaching them to a common breast cancer drug, the antibody trastuzumab, effectively targets and attacks bone tumors. The researchers reported their surprise that injecting more of the drug compound doesn't make it better. The drug contains an engineered peptide that finds and binds to bone, but worked best when a moderate amount was delivered. The negative charge of the peptide has an affinity for the positively charged bone cancer niche. We found the therapeutic efficacy is best with the antibody that has mediocre affinity. That's a really big discovery." Han Xiao, Rice chemist Xiao's lab created a library of modified antibodies for testing. As many as 40% of breast cancer survivors eventually experience metastases to distant organs, most often to the bone. Xiao noted bone tumors are notoriously difficult to treat, given the hard nature of the material and its limited vascular network. Delivering a low amount of a drug, he said, can also help tumors develop resistance. The study showed that peptide-enhanced antibodies also prevented secondary metastases from bone to other organs. The researchers hope to find collaborators to move the strategy toward human trials. Rice postdoctoral fellow Zeru Tian and graduate student Chanfei Yu are co-lead authors of the paper. Co-authors are Baylor postdoctoral fellows Weijie Zhang and Zhan Xu and postdoctoral associate Ling Wu; Rice graduate students Kuan-Lin Wu, Chenhang Wang and Yuda Chen, and Rice alumna Ruchi Gupta, now a graduate student at Yale School of Medicine. Xiao is the Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator and an assistant professor of chemistry, biosciences and bioengineering. Zhang is an associate professor of molecular and cellular biology and the McNair Scholar in the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor. The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (RR170014), the National Institutes of Health (R35-GM133706, R21-CA255894, R01-AI165079, CA221946), the Robert A. Welch Foundation (C-1970), the Department of Defense (W81XWH-21-1-0789, DAMD W81XWH-16-1-0073), the John S. Dunn Foundation and a Hamill Innovation Award supported the research. A new approach that targets the cellular machinery that viruses need to reproduce rather than the virus itself appears to stem replication of a common childhood pathogen known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), UT Southwestern researchers report in a new study. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, could offer a novel strategy to fight this virus and others, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. RSV is far and away the major respiratory pathogen in infants and children. The approach we've discovered turns the tables on this virus and potentially others in a whole new way." Jeffrey Kahn, M.D., Ph.D., Study Leader, Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at UT Southwestern, and Director of Infectious Diseases and Medical Director of Research at Children's Medical Center Dallas RSV is a leading cause of pediatric deaths worldwide, killing an estimated 160,000 children each year, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. But although 65 years have passed since its discovery, there are still no effective treatments or a vaccine. Although some promising antiviral drugs have been explored that target components of this and other viruses, explained Dr. Kahn, viruses inevitably evolve to develop resistance against these compounds. Taking a completely new approach, Dr. Kahn and his colleagues used genetic and pharmacological inhibition to search for vulnerable cellular pathways that RSV hijacks to replicate itself. Their experiments showed that inhibiting various components of a protein network known as the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway prevented RSV from replicating in human cells. They also showed that this same strategy inhibited OC43, a human coronavirus in the same viral subfamily as SARS-CoV-2. Because some of the drugs shown to inhibit mTOR components and block viral replication in this study are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration, they could offer hope for quick approval as antivirals against RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other viral infections if further research confirms their utility, Dr. Kahn said. Dr. Kahn holds the Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Other scientists who contributed to this study include HoangDinh Huynh and Ruth Levitz of UTSW, and Rong Huang of Children's Medical Center. This research was funded by UTSW's Department of Pediatrics and the Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is part of a major international study aimed at identifying causes and effects of the early stages of schizophrenia in young people, with the goal of improving early diagnosis and treatment. The mental illness is characterized by alterations in thoughts, feelings and behaviors, which may include psychosis, a loss of contact with reality. By studying young people at high risk of schizophrenia, the researchers plan to characterize the variety of symptoms that can help diagnose schizophrenia early, as well as identify biomarkers in the blood and brain that may help predict risk. Such information could help identify drug targets that have potential for treating schizophrenia early or even preventing problems, such as disordered thinking, that are associated with the disease. For the study, the researchers are seeking adolescent and young adult volunteers, ages 12 to 30, who have experienced symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions or intrusive disturbing thoughts suggesting they may be at risk for developing schizophrenia. About 100,000 young people in the United States experience a first episode of psychosis every year, and over 1 million children and adolescents experience other problems in perception, thinking, mood and social functioning that put them at risk for schizophrenia. Those problems tend to get worse over time, especially when untreated, so the goal here is to identify problems at the earliest possible stage." Daniel Mamah, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and lead investigator, Washington University clinical site The Psychosis-Risk Outcomes Network (ProNET) study is funded by a grant of more than $65 million from the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Overall, the study will recruit 1,040 young people at high risk of schizophrenia at 26 sites around the world. There are 18 U.S. sites, with other sites in Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, China and South Korea. About 50 patients will be enrolled in the study at the Washington University site. The grant is a component of an NIH public-private partnership designed to meet the urgent need for early therapeutic interventions for people at high risk of developing schizophrenia. The effort brings together the NIH, the Food and Drug Administration, and a number of nonprofit and private universities and other organizations, including Washington University. The groups involved are working toward the shared mission of discovering promising biological markers to help identify those at high risk for schizophrenia as early as possible, track the progression of their symptoms and other outcomes, and identify targets for treatment. Schizophrenia is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, but it often goes undiagnosed until symptoms have become disruptive in a person's life. Treatment delays can be associated with long-term problems, such as alcohol and drug abuse, difficulty holding a job and homelessness. "Just being at high risk of schizophrenia is increasingly recognized as a public health problem that affects adolescents and young adults," Mamah said. "To develop more effective therapies, we must characterize the substantial variations of symptoms among those at risk, as well as untangle the roots of those differences." Many experts think that by detecting schizophrenia earlier and starting treatment sooner, it may be possible to relieve, postpone or even prevent some of the long-term difficulties associated with the disorder. "Often, when doctors first see young patients who may have experienced a psychotic episode, it's not possible to know whether they are on the path to more serious problems, partly because the early symptoms of schizophrenia can vary so much between individuals," Mamah said. "By studying brain structure and function, psychopathology and cognition, genetics, behavior and other factors, this project is designed to identify patients at high risk so that when we have available treatments, they can begin receiving those treatments more quickly." Mamah is director of the Washington Early Recognition Center, a Washington University clinic that treats young people experiencing the earliest signs of mental illness involving psychosis and those in early stages of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and some forms of bipolar disorder. The study is enrolling young people who may be at risk for schizophrenia after experiencing an episode of psychosis or other symptoms for example, a young person who previously was outgoing but suddenly becomes more introverted and withdrawn, who stops doing as well in school as in the past, or who begins to behave in a suspicious or paranoid manner or seems to respond to voices that no one else hears. Young people experiencing such symptoms can be referred by doctors, parents or teachers who worry that the adolescent or young adult may be developing problems. Those under 18 must have a parents or guardians consent to participate in the study. Young men and women over age 18 who think they may qualify can refer themselves to the study. A short screening on the group's website gives young people the option to provide information if they might be interested in clinical services or in participating in the study. Researchers will follow study volunteers for two years, assessing genetic and clinical biomarkers that may be linked to hallucinations or intrusive thoughts. The researchers also will conduct imaging studies of brain structure and function and collect blood and saliva samples. In addition, subjects will be assessed for psychopathology, language, speech and cognitive ability. Medicare's new merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS) may drive new changes in practice patterns across the specialty of urology, suggests a study in Urology Practice, an Official Journal of the American Urological Association (AUA). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. Early in the rollout of the new value-based system, urologists in group practices or alternative payment model (APMs) are scoring higher in most MIPS categories and potentially earning higher reimbursements, according to the new research by Ridwan Alam, MD, MPH, and colleagues of The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore. They write, "Introduction of a new reimbursement schedule will likely result in further evolution of practice patterns in the future." Difference in MIPS performance by practice setting and region The researchers analyzed the MIPS database for performance year 2018. At that time, physicians were encouraged to voluntarily participate in and learn the new system. In 2019, MIPS became mandatory for all Medicare-participating physicians. MIPS represents "a significant paradigm shift away from the traditional fee-for-service model and toward the concept of value-based care," Dr. Alam and coauthors write. Under the new system, physicians who exceed defined performance measures earn a payment bonus, while those who underperform receive a payment penalty. Since MIPS payments are "revenue neutral" meaning that any bonuses awarded must be balanced by an equal amount of penalties "physicians may need to compete for revenue," the researchers add. The analysis included data from a total of 9,055 urologists. Overall MIPS scores were 86.9 on a 0-to-100 scale. Scores on four MIPS domains were 82.5 for quality, 88.9 for promoting interoperability, 74.4 for cost (all on a 0-to-100 scale), and 37.3 (on a 0-to-40 scale) for improvement activities. Most of the urologists were part of group practices (47.0 percent) or APM approaches (32.4 percent). Reflecting overall trends in the specialty, only 20.6 percent of urologists were in individual practice. When MIPS scores were analyzed by practice type, "[I]ndividual urologists scored significantly lower than urologists in group or APM practices across all domains except for cost," Dr. Alam and coauthors write. Younger urologists tended to have higher MIPS scores and were also more likely to practice in group settings. The study also showed some geographic differences, with urologists in the AUA's Southeastern and Western Sections more likely to be in individual practice. Group practice was more common in the AUA Northeastern Section, while APM practice settings were "dominant" in the AUA New York and New England Sections. The study provides a first glimpse into how the new value-based care approach may affect the "landscape of practice" in urology. In particular, the lower MIPS scores for urologists in individual practice may stem from fewer resources, compared to large group or academic practices." according to the authors. They also note that incorporating into a group practice or APM may not be feasible for urologists in rural or underserved areas, where the demand for physicians is "already critical." MIPS may have a comparatively greater impact on urology, which serves a large proportion of Medicare patients. The differences between individual versus group practice "may foreshadow healthcare delivery patterns in the near future," Dr. Alam and coauthors conclude. "Vigilant monitoring and adjustment of this transition will allow urologists to evolve successfully in a new healthcare environment." In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* pre-print server, a team of researchers evaluated the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among unvaccinated and vaccinated populations of South Africa and 50 other countries. The University of Maryland Global COVID-19 Trends and Impact Surveys (UMD Global CTIS) had collected more than 100,000 responses from across the world, related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms, habits, testing, and vaccination status. About the study For the present study, the researchers accessed the UMD Global CTIS data and data of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing from the global initiative on sharing all influenza data (GISAID). They removed abnormal responses of the participants who declared to have all the COVID-19 symptoms or reported unusual values (greater than 100) in the quantitative questions of the survey. To closely track the evolution of active COVID-19 cases, they derived a proxy for active COVID-19 cases using a Random Forest classifier. The corresponding results or proxy estimates were labeled Random Forest, UMD COVID-like illness (CLI), Stringent CLI, Classic CLI, and Broad CLI. They compared each proxy estimate with the estimate of active COVID-19 cases, as described by Alvarez et al., where each new case was assumed to remain active for 10 days. These last estimates were called Confirmed, and both Confirmed and the estimates using the various proxies led to time series with one estimated value of vaccine efficacy (VE) per day. Random Forest classifier was versatile and adaptive, hence researchers were able to create several models per country with this model, allowing capturing and adapting to aspects that varied over time, like the level of vaccination and the surge of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. To obtain the official test positivity rates (TPR) using our world in data (OWID TPR) dataset from June 18, 2021, to December 31, 2021, the researchers selected 20 countries that had the largest number of available responses in the UMD Global CTIS dataset along with South Africa. In South Africa, the decrease in VE was evaluated from mid-June 2021 until the end of 2021, more specifically, in three time periods of one month each i) June 18 to July 18, 2021; ii) August 9 to September 6, 2021; and December 1 to 31, 2021 (dominated by Omicron). The researchers studied the Gauteng province in South Africa separately, as it was among the most severely affected by Omicron. In all, the researchers studied 50 countries for which the UMD Global CTIS had the largest amount of data and computed the VE for two months - October and December 2021. During this time, the VE estimates were compared using the Random Forest identifier among all three vaccination groups using correlation analysis. Only non-negative VE values in a sample size of a minimum of 1000 samples, which showed prevalences P V and P U of at least 0.01, were considered. Findings The results confirmed the presence of a measurable drop in vaccine efficacy from 0.62 in the Delta period to 0.24 in the Omicron period in South Africa. In addition, these results confirmed that having two vaccine doses conferred better protection than one dose, across both periods, dominated by Delta (0.81 versus 0.51) and Omicron (0.30 versus 0.09). However, the results did not indicate the status of respondents in relation to a booster dose. By January 7, 2022, a limited number of countries exhibited a high Omicron prevalence with a high level of sequencing data supporting it. Nevertheless, upon extending the study analysis to other countries where Omicron was detected, comparing the situation in October (before Omicrons emergence) with that of December 2021 showed an average drop in vaccine efficacy from 0.53 to 0.45 among those vaccinated with two doses. In addition, a significant negative (Pearson) correlation ~0.6 between the measured prevalence of Omicron and the VE was observed. Of all the five proxies, the Random Forest proxy was the most promising, as it exhibited the highest correlation values for most countries. Of the 21 countries for which TPR values were estimated, 17 countries exhibited low TPR values of 0.1 in either official or survey-based TPR, and 11 exhibited low values for both, with 7 having values under 0.053. These findings suggested that these countries kept COVID-19 case counts relatively under control and reported data correctly. Conclusions To summarize, the present study remarkably tracked the prevalence of COVID-19 infections using daily participatory symptom surveillance data, particularly those with stronger surveillance systems and consistent TPRs. The authors cautioned that the observed reduction of VE in the Omicron period is towards COVID-19 infection and impacts Omicron transmission but does not imply a VE reduction in relation to COVID-19 severity, hospitalization, and death. Further studies should confirm these results once Omicron becomes dominant in other countries. *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. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to nearly every country in the world and caused over 5.5 million deaths. After the initial emergence, many governments were forced to enact costly and restrictive measures to reduce the transmission of the disease, which lasted until the development of multiple different vaccines. The mass administration of these vaccines allowed many to return to work, but new variants continued to emerge that showed worrying traits such as increased transmission rates and the ability to evade both vaccine-induced and natural immunity. The vaccine schemes have also been largely unequal and despite calls from scientists, many countries continue to provide their own citizens with booster jabs before providing vaccines to the developing world. Researchers from the University of London have been exploring the case-fatality rate of COVID-19 in thetop-vaccinated countries compared to the rest of the world. The researchers data can be found on the medRxiv* preprint server. The study The researchers gathered data from the World Health Organization (WHO) daily situation reports between 2020 and 2022. They chose a point 28 days after the first vaccine was approved and administered, as the cut-off for the post-vaccine period. To estimate cumulative daily reported case-fatality rate (rCFR) the scientists took the number of deaths per 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Forecasting models, automatic time series forecasting models (ARIMA) and simple exponential smoothing (SES) were used to identify the global trend of rCFR, and Mann-Kendall trend analysis was used to identify the presence and direction of trends. A generalized linear mixed model with beta distribution was developed in order to identify any relationship between the rCFR and the explanatory variables. The time series models were used to forecast trends for each 10-day interval, while the SES was used as a benchmark for the performance of the ARIMA and prophet models. The performance of the time series models was analyzed and compared with more commonly used measures to evaluate the prediction significance. Predictor variables such as population density, GDP, percentage of individuals over 65, and prevalence of obesity were gathered from the World Bank and other UN sources. The global reported CFR was estimated at 1.83 during January 2021 and it has dropped by 35.5% to 1.18 by January 20222 (in the most vaccinated country). In the rest of the world, the rCFR in January 2021 was 2.32, and dropped to 2.2 by 2022 a drop of only 8.4%. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) the rCFR increased by 0.5%. The countries with the highest rCFR by January 2022 are Yemen (19.56%), Peru (8.75%), Mexico (7.44%), Sudan (7.07%), and Ecuador (6.09%). The correlating coefficient between vaccination rate and rCFR on Jan 2022 was estimated at -0.296. The researchers present the estimated effect of each variable as relative risk (RR), with the significance shown by the p-value. They found that the COVID-19 vaccination, GDP and stringency index had been negatively associated with the COVID-19 rCFR indicating that the factors that contributed to the reduction of the rCFR were vaccination, GDP, and lockdown measures. The factor most positively associated with the COVID-19 CFR was the percentage of people aged over 65. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated by dividing the variance of the random effect by the total variance, showing a value of 0.634 showing that the spatial unit effects account for 63.4% of total variance of weekly rCFR. The ARIMA and Prophet model revealed that the rCFR of COVID-19 was declining. The ARIMA model performed better than both the Prophet and SES model, and showed a larger coefficient of determination with fewer errors. Both models forecast the ratio of COVID-19 rCFR will decrease significantly over the next 10 days. Conclusion The authors conclude that the global rCFR of COVID-19 has been steadily declining since May 2020 despite the rate plateauing or even sometimes slightly increasing as new variants of concern emerge. This was most prevalent after the Delta variant become dominant. rCFR began declining when the mass vaccination programmes in developing countries started taking effect as expected, it declined much quicker in these countries than in the rest of the world. The research the authors have undertaken could be of value to vaccine manufacturers and epidemiologists, and could potentially inform large-scale public health policies. *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 Miami Catholic priest is asking for forgiveness from his parishioners after revealing he had a lapse and fathered a child, according to church officials. Monsignor Chanel Jeanty, pastor of Saint James Catholic Church in North Miami, learned in late December he fathered a child from a relationship that ended more than a year ago, according to the Archdiocese of Miami. Advertisement Jeanty learned of the child from someone other than the mother, the Archdiocese said. Jeanty resigned as Vicar General and Chancellor in the Archdiocese, according to communications director Mary Ross Agosta. Advertisement [ Lee en espanol: Sacerdote de Miami revela lapso en la paternidad de un hijo, busca el perdon de los feligreses ] Monsignor Chanel Jeanty of Saint James Catholic Church in North Miami learned in late December he fathered a child from a relationship that ended more than a year ago, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Miami. (Archdiocese of Miami) He reached out to the mother and plans to support the child. Monsignor Jeanty has already sought Gods forgiveness, the Archdiocese of Miami said in a statement Tuesday, and he is asking for the forgiveness of his parishioners, who will be disappointed when they learn of this lapse. Monsignor Jeanty must face his parishioners and seek to regain their trust, as he continues to serve, and at the same time attends to his responsibilities to the child. Chris Perkins can be reached at chperkins@sunsentinel.com. Student activist Mary Carmen Zakrajzek, center, asks hundreds of people from the Indiana Statehouse steps to fight to overthrow Roe v. Wade. The rally drew about 450 people to Indianapolis on Jan. 24. The poll workers volunteered to help with the local primary elections on Tuesday. (Newser) Boris Johnson already was under intense pressure to resign before the latest report of his breaking his government's COVID-19 restrictions. On Monday, ITV News reported that another Johnson party, during the first lockdown, violated rules that all of England was supposed to be followinga surprise birthday party planned by his wife, Carrie. As many as 30 people attended the gathering in the Cabinet Room on June 19, 2020, which included food and cake, lasting no more than a half-hour. Another party followed that evening upstairs in the official residence, per ITV, with family and friends. Johnson's office says there was no upstairs party that evening, just an outside one with a few family members. The prime minister spent only about 10 minutes at the afternoon party, aides said. That one included Carrie Johnson leading staff members in a round of "Happy Birthday"; at the time, singing in groups was discouraged because of fear of spreading the virus, and choruses canceled their practices. Outdoor gatherings of no more than six people were allowed, per the Guardian, but no indoor gatherings were. Two weeks later, the rules were eased to allow people from two households to be in the same indoor space. Pubs, hairdressers, theaters, and most schools were shut. There was negative reaction on social media to the report, with one woman posting that she was explaining to a 6-year-old on that day why birthday parties couldn't be held. "She was brave and understood," the tweet said. A few months earlier, Johnson had commended in a post "the great example" another girl set in postponing her seventh birthday party. On the day of Johnson's party, his office had thanked the public on Twitter for "following the rules," adding: "We must keep going to keep the [COVID alert] level down." The government reported that day that the pandemic death toll had risen by 173, to a total of 42,461. (Read more Boris Johnson stories.) (Newser) "We're one step closer to uncovering the mysteries of the universe," a jubilant NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Monday after the James Webb Space Telescope reached its final orbit. "And I cant wait to see Webbs first new views of the universe this summer!" Engineers confirmed Monday that the most powerful telescope in history had reached its orbit around a million miles from Earth, a location beyond the moon called the second Lagrange Point, where the gravitational forces of the Earth and the sun balance each other out, allowing the telescope to remain in a fixed position relative to our planet while expending minimal fuel, the New York Times reports. The telescope, launched Christmas Day, had already performed a series of complicated unfurling maneuvers, but the process of getting it to its final resting place may have been the most nerve-racking for flight controllers in Baltimore, the Verge reports. If the thrusters didn't move the telescope into exactly the right place, it would have been extremely difficult for NASA to communicate with the $10 billion telescope. To stay in place, the telescope will have to fire its thrusters for a few minutes every 20 daysand its mission will end when the fuel runs out in an estimated 10 to 20 years. The Webb telescopemuch bigger and more powerful than its predecessor, the Hubblestill needs to have its instruments calibrated and its mirrors aligned before it can start making observations in June, the AP reports. "We're a month in, and the baby hasnt even opened its eyes yet," said project scientist Jane Rigby. "But that's the science that were looking forward to. When it is fully operational, astronomers will be able to look back 13.7 billion years, to when the first stars and galaxies were forming. The telescope will also search for signs of life in the atmospheres of distant planets. (Read more James Webb Space Telescope stories.) Faced with the prospect of greater restrictions on abortion access in Florida and across the nation, Democratic lawmakers and abortion rights advocates are seeking to galvanize opposition to the pending limitations and mobilize voters to politically punish those responsible for the rollback. Seven South Florida members of Congress and state lawmakers, all Democratic women, convened via video conference Monday to decry what they described as an all-out assault on womens reproductive rights. They condemned Republicans who support the changes. Advertisement In Tallahassee, the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is moving forward with a ban on doctors performing abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, a measure that received its first committee approval last week. Abortion is presently legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida. [ RELATED: Abortion rights backers demonstrate across South Florida, state ] In Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering cases that could give states approval to restrict, or even eliminate abortion by reversing or scaling back the 1973 Roe vs. Wade opinion that established a constitutional right to abortion. Advertisement Change is seen as so likely that the annual March for Life rally in the in the nations capital on Saturday was described as more of an optimistic anticipation of success by anti-abortion activists than ever before. Sunday was the 49th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. A small band of conservative extremists across the county and on the Supreme Court want to end the basic health care and reproductive rights women now possess, said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, decrying what she called a radical right-wing agenda that our mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts, must now confront. Lets face it. The days of legal and accessible abortion across the country may be numbered, Wasserman Schultz said. Democrats charge hypocrisy The Democrats said anti-abortion Republicans are being hypocritical when they champion freedom from mask and vaccine mandates that prevent the spread of COVID-19, but oppose reproductive freedom. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signaled he would sign the measure if it gets to his desk, and that he finds the restriction reasonable. Floridas governor likes to tell us as the free state of Florida except when it comes to a womans freedom to choose whats right for herself, her body, her family or their future, said Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, who represents Broward. State Rep. Robin Bartleman, who also represents part of Broward, also pointed to the governors use of the phrase. Governor Ron DeSantis likes to say that Florida is the Free State. Bartleman said she had to contemplate whether to have an abortion in 2001 when she was pregnant, and an ultrasound revealed fetal abnormalities. (The pregnancy terminated on its own as she was agonizing over what to do.) Advertisement I am a woman who never thought in a million years that I would have to make a decision about having an abortion, Bartleman said. That decision was between me, my husband, my doctor and my God. No one else belonged in that room. No one else. Several other state lawmakers, one male politician U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist of St. Petersburg, a Democratic candidate for governor and representatives of Planned Parenthood and the National Council of Jewish women were on the call. [ RELATED: Some Florida lawmakers support Texas-style abortion ban ] No common ground There is no obvious common ground between the differing camps of elected Democratic officials and elected Republican officials. Speaking last week as the Florida House Professions and Public Health Subcommittee approved House Bill 5, her legislation to ban abortions after 15 weeks, Rep. Erin Grall, a Vero Beach Republican, said the objective was saving lives. We will be saving approximately, nearly 5,000 babies a year with this bill being in place, she said. The total number of abortions is much higher, with most occurring earlier in pregnancy. A staff analysis of the legislation reported 209,645 live births and 72,073 abortions in Florida in 2020. And thats an atrocity. What about the basic human rights and freedoms of those children? What about the privilege that has been stripped away from those children? Grall said. Advertisement The Supreme Court, with justices nominated by former President Donald Trump, appears likely to approve of Mississippis 15-week abortion cutoff. Grall said her proposal would allow Florida to save as many babies as possible as soon as possible after that decision is made. The Florida Supreme Court has a current majority seen as likely to be more sympathetic to abortion restrictions than past courts. State Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, debating on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives on March 26, 2021. Bartleman said on Jan. 24, 2022, that she had to contemplate whether to have an abortion in 2001 when she was pregnant, and an ultrasound revealed fetal abnormalities. (The pregnancy terminated on its own as she was agonizing over when to do.) I am a woman who never thought in a million years that I would have to make a decision about having an abortion, Bartleman said. That decision was between me, my husband, my doctor and my God. No one else belonged in that room. No one else. Florida House of Representatives photo/courtesy. (Courtesy / Courtesy) She offered her own emotional testimony on the subject, explaining that her sister had an abortion at age 20. I love her and I am here doing this because I honor her. And because we should honor those women who had to make this terrible difficult decision. Proposed new law Grall also asserted the ban on abortion after 15 weeks is not an abortion ban. This is about 15 weeks. This is about having all of your available options. Bartleman said Monday that women often dont have the kinds of screenings that turn up fetal abnormalities before 18 weeks of pregnancy. The measure does not include an exception for victims of rape and incest. It would allow abortions after 15 weeks if a fetus is found to have a fatal fetal abnormality, which the bill defines 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 in writing that a fetus has such a fatal abnormality, something Grall said was needed to prevent the exception from being overused or abused. At the committee hearing last week, Grall said it is opponents of her legislation who deny truth and facts and science. Advertisement [ RELATED: 15-week abortion ban passes first test in Florida Legislature ] Democrats call for mobilization Wasserman Schultz, along with South Florida U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Lois Frankel called for a political mobilization in response. Its more imperative now than ever that we actually organize that we bring people to the polls and we hold every legislator accountable whos trying to suppress our will and impose their own will, Cherfilus-McCormick said. We need to register new voters like never before. There must be electoral consequences for those who would strip women of our basic right to control our own bodies, Wasserman Schultz said. If we elect Democrats to office from the State House to the White House, we can roll back and end these barbaric new laws. Wasserman Schultz said the proposed change in state law moving through the Legislature could hurt the states economy by prompting women to avoid having their families travel to the tourist-dependent state. Florida politicians need to decide if they want to unleash the wrath of women across our country those same women by the way who often decide where millions of families go on vacation, Wasserman Schultz said. She warned that high-tech and medical science companies wont want to relocate in Florida if it becomes a state where women employees must live episodes of Handmaids Tale every day. The novel and TV series depicts a world in which women are stripped of their rights and are subjected to child-bearing slavery. Advertisement Information from the News Service of Florida and the Orlando Sentinel was included in this report. (Newser) Police in Milwaukee are investigating what Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson describes as a "horrible crime." Officers said they found five apparent homicide victims, four men and a woman, after they were called for a welfare check at a home Sunday afternoon, WISN 12 reports. The medical examiner said early Monday that the body of a sixth victim, a man, was found in the home overnight. Milwaukee Police Sgt. Efrain Cornejo tells the AP that autopsy results are pending, but investigators believe the victims were shot to death and are seeking "unknown suspects." The names of the victims have not been released but the ages of three of the male victims have been given as 31, 42, and 43, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Police say they do not believe there is a wider threat to the community. In a statement, Johnson said efforts to reduce violence will continue after the "horrific" crime. "It is important not to feel numbed by the ongoing violence in our community," the acting mayor added. "A horrible crime has again occurred, and it is not a movie or a fictional account. These victims died in our city, in one of our neighborhoods." "This is ridiculous," Arnitta Holliman, director of Milwaukee's Office of Violence Prevention, said at a news conference Monday, per the Journal Sentinel. "I'm sorry, I don't know a better word to say," she said. "The community is tired. We are tired of seeing people's lives snuffed out too soon in preventable situations. This is absolutely preventable." Last year, the city had a record 197 homicides. (Read more Milwaukee stories.) (Newser) Bob Dylan has sold all of his recordings, though they're not really going anywhere. Sony Music Group's Columbia Records is the new owner, Dylan announced Monday. Columbia "has been nothing but good to me for many, many years and a whole lot of records," his statement said. "I'm glad that all my recordings can stay where they belong." Financial terms weren't announced, but Variety reports the price was between $150 million and $200 million. The deal was signed in July but not announced until now. The sale includes Dylan's 39 studio albums, the 16 "Bootleg Series" outtakes and live recordings, and various singles, per Billboard. He'd already sold the rights to his lyrics and compositions to Universal Music Group. With Dylan's recordings producing $16 million a year worldwide, the catalog would be worth at least $200 million, Billboard estimates. Dylan, 80, released his first album and signed with Columbia in 1961. Dylan and Columbia also just extended their contract. Unreleased material is part of the deal, and Sony's boss said the company is "excited to work with Bob and his team to find new ways to make his music available to his many fans today and to future generations." Sony cut a deal last month with Bruce Springsteen for his recording and publishing catalogs. Not only are Dylan and Springsteen two pillars of Columbia, per Billboard, their recordings are generating similar amounts of revenue. Famed executive John Hammond signed both of them. When Dylan performs, he's introduced as "Columbia recording artist Bob Dylan." . (Read more Bob Dylan stories.) (Newser) Saying "it's very clear the Russians have no intention right now of de-escalating," a Pentagon spokesman announced Monday that 8,500 US troops have been placed on high alert. Should Russia invade Ukraine, most of them would join a NATO response force that hasn't yet become active, said John Kirby. The rest would be dedicated to the US response, the New York Times reports. The goal of Monday's decision, Kirby said, is to reassure "our NATO allies." President Biden had received several possibilities for deployments Sunday. Without saying where the troops might be sent, per CNN, Kirby said the US "made it clear to the Eastern flank allies that we're prepared to bolster their capabilities if they need it." Until now, the Biden administration hasn't done much that Russian President Vladimir Putin could portray as threatening, per the Times. But negotiations have gone nowhere. Putin hasn't backed away, and Kirby said the Russians are still bolstering their force at the Ukraine-Belarus border. "They have not only shown no signs of de-escalating, but they are in fact adding more force capability," he said. Russia still says it's not planning an invasion. "Tensions are escalating due to concrete actions taken by the US and NATO," a Kremlin spokesman said Monday, calling the situation "informational hysteria." Most of the US units being upgraded consist of active-duty ground troops, Kirby said. The "high alert" status may mean that units that had been kept prepared to deploy in 10 days now have to be ready in five. Kirby didn't identify them but said the troops' families were being notified Monday. (Read more Department of Defense stories.) (Newser) Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful figures in state government for two decades before his conviction on corruption charges, has died in federal custody. He was 77. Silver died Monday, the federal Bureau of Prisons said, adding that the official cause of death would be determined by the medical examiner, the AP reports. Silvers supporters had said he was in failing health from multiple medical conditions. He had been serving his sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, but was in a hospital in nearby Ayer, Massachusetts, at the time of his death, the bureau said. The Manhattan Democrat, who told a judge he prayed he would not die in prison, was serving a more than six-year sentence for using his clout in state government to benefit real estate developers, who rewarded Silver by referring lucrative business to his law firm. Silvers conviction ended a nearly four-decade career in the Assembly. He first won a seat representing Manhattan's Lower East Side in 1976. He became Assembly speaker in 1994, a powerful position that made him one of Albany's "three men in a room" negotiating annual budgets and major legislation with the governor and state Senate leader. In all, Silver served as speaker during the tenure of five New York governors, from Mario Cuomo to Andrew Cuomo. He became known as an inscrutable and stubborn negotiator, blocking proposals so often he was sometimes called "Dr. No." Some of his obstructionist reputation had to do with being the lone Democrat at the negotiating table during Republican Gov. George Pataki's three terms, during which time the GOP also controlled the state Senate. He survived an early-tenure coup attempt and became adept at horse-trading to secure education funding, tenants rights legislation and other policies favored by Assembly Democrats. Over time, he became a symbol of Albanys much-maligned opaque style of governance and, ultimately, a target of federal prosecutors. Prosecutors accused Silver of trading his influence for money. In one instance, they argued that Silver persuaded a physician to refer asbestos cancer patients to his law firm so it could seek multimillion-dollar settlements in personal injury lawsuits, a secret arrangement that allowed him to collect about $3 million in referral fees. His original 2015 conviction was tossed out by an appeals court after a US Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the definition of a corrupt act. He was convicted again at a second trial in 2018 tailored slightly to conform to the high court ruling. Silver was furloughed from prison for several days in May before federal authorities denied him home confinement. (Read more Sheldon Silver stories.) (Newser) New York's mask mandate was struck down by a state supreme court judge who on Monday declared the mandate unenforceable. The judge ruled that without approval from the state legislature, and because no state of emergency is currently in place, the governor and health commissioner had no authority to enact the mandate, CNN reports. Gov. Kathy Hochul had issued a temporary order mandating that masks be worn indoors unless a business has a vaccine requirement in place, then extended it two weeks after it was originally set to expire Jan. 15. In a statement, Hochul said her office is "pursuing every option to reverse this immediately." The judge noted in his ruling that it has nothing to do with mask-wearing in and of itself: "To be clear, this Court does not intend this decision in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need, or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus," he wrote. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised the ruling, CBS New York reports. "Tomorrow morning, our school kids are going to be able to go to school and not have to wear masks," he said. Some schools do indeed plan to do away with mask mandates, News 12 reports. (Read more New York stories.) (Newser) Update: The original ending of Fight Club has been restored on a streaming service in China after an outcry over what appeared to be extremely heavy-handed censorship. On Tencent Video, a scene in which skyscrapers containing credit card records are blown up is back, CNN reports. It had been replaced with text saying authorities had foiled the plot and "arrested all criminals." The cuts, which made the 1999 film 12 minutes shorter, sparked an outcry on social media and a debate over censorship in China. The BBC notes that while it is routine for foreign films to be heavily censored in the authoritarian country, it's rare for an entire ending to be changed. Our original story from Jan. 25 follows: Fans of Fight Club are sounding off about Chinese censorship after a version of the classic film made available on Chinese streaming site Tencent Video over the weekend ended very differently than the original. The 1999 film by David Fincher (spoiler alert) ends with Edward Norton's nameless narrator shooting himself, thereby killing his dangerous alter-ego Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt. Assured all is well, the girlfriend of the narrator joins him on the floor of a skyscraper as the pair watch the surrounding buildingsholding records of credit card companiesexplode around them. It's meant to symbolize a social revolution, and it's key to "the anarchist, anti-capitalist message," per AFP. But its transformed in Tencent Video's version12 minutes shorter than the originalwhich suggests there was no revolution and the authorities prevailed. Here, the final scene ends just as the narrator shoots himself. Then English text appears. "Through clues provided by Tyler, the police rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals, successfully preventing Tyler's plan for mass destruction," it reads, per the South China Morning Post. It goes on to say that Tyler was sent to a mental asylum for psychological treatment and was released in 2012though the film has already revealed Tyler to be the narrator's schizophrenic hallucination, per Fortune. "Fight Club on Tencent Video tells us that they don't just delete scenes, but add to the plot too," a Weibo user wrote, per AFP. Another user on forum Douban noted Chinese audiences are used to seeing censored films, but to create a whole new ending "was too much," per the Post. Tencent had no comment. However, a film producer tells the Post that China's National Radio and Television Administration often instructs platforms to remove "violent and pornographic scenes" as well as those touching on "the issue of 'values', such as bad guys should not win." Scenes of homosexuality also seem to be a no-no in China. (A joke about Tiananmen Square was recently removed from an episode of The Simpsons shown in Hong Kong.) (Newser) Actor Cheryl Hines has distanced herself from her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccination viewswhich have seen him banned from YouTube and Instagramafter what the Daily Beast calls a long "loud silence." After a Twitter user demanded that the Curb Your Enthusiasm actor make a statement Sunday, following her husband's appearance at the "Defeat the Mandates" rally in DC, Hines accepted. At that rally, Kennedy suggested that Americans today have less freedom than Jewish people in Nazi Germany. "My husband's opinions are not a reflection of my own," she tweeted Monday evening. "While we love each other, we differ on many current issues." That brief statement wasn't enough for some critics, one of whom penned a different statement for Hines to make. "How about this? 'No one should compare anything to the horrors of the Holocaust. My husband was wrong to do so,'" the user wrote. "Yes, I agree with you," Hines responded. She elaborated Tuesday after being pressed by NBC News reporter Ben Collins. "My husband's reference to Anne Frank at a mandate rally in DC was reprehensible and insensitive," she wrote. "The atrocities that millions endured during the Holocaust should never be compared to anyone or anything," she added. The Daily Beast suggests Hines was finally inspired to speak out because Curb Your Enthusiasm is "one of the most culturally Jewish programs in TV history" and "populated by a cast of Jewish actors/characters, including star/creator Larry David." Hines plays David's wife, and later ex-wife, on the long-running HBO series. (Read more Cheryl Hines stories.) Does the possibility of military action against Russia by the US over Ukraine worry you? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters and members of the media after signing a bill Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla., that banned coronavirus vaccine and mask mandates. (Chris O'Meara/AP) Gov. Ron DeSantis didnt attend last Saturdays anti-vaccine protest in Washington, but he was there in spirit. A year ago, DeSantis couldnt stop talking about COVID-19 vaccines. He touted them for Floridians 65 and over. He made appearances at pop-up sites to tout the injections. For one shining moment, the governor was following the science. Advertisement These days, however, DeSantis sounds more like a vaccine denier. Hes not following the science. Hes misleading about the science on his best days and all but lying on his worst days. Last week, the governor said, You see an unprecedented amount of people getting this omicron. And, of course, most of them, you know, have been vaccinated. So its not stopping the spread like they claimed. Advertisement Randy Schultz is a Sun Sentinel columnist. (Mike Slaughter / Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun-Sentinel) DeSantis did not specify who they were. But if they are public health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci a favorite DeSantis target they never claimed that vaccinations would prevent COVID-19. Its been an ever-increasing slide toward outright vaccine denial for DeSantis. Perhaps it began last April. Appearing in Lakeland, the governor wondered why vaccinated Floridians still were wearing masks. If the vaccine is effective, DeSantis said, it doesnt make sense. Vaccinated people, he added, should act immune. In September, at a rally in Gainesville to protest vaccine/testing mandates for public employees, the governor did not contradict a woman who claimed falsely that COVID-19 vaccines alter ones RNA. A spokeswoman deflected questions. Also in September, DeSantis nominated Joseph Ladapo to be Floridas top health official. Ladapo has compared the push for COVID-19 vaccines to a religion and falsely claimed that masks dont help to reduce virus spread. Last week, announcing a program for more nursing certification, DeSantis criticized the Biden administrations vaccine mandate for health care facilities. Why force nurses, DeSantis asked, to get the vaccine? A lot of these nurses have had COVID, the governor said. A lot of them are younger. Some of them are trying to have families. The governor thus fed two myths: that contracting the virus confers lifetime immunity and that COVID-19 vaccines can make women infertile. Two recent reports show the danger of DeSantis comment. Advertisement A peer-reviewed study from Scotland in the journal Nature found that unvaccinated pregnant women who get COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized and to have babies that die after less than a month. Contracting COVID-19, another study published in Nature showed, can make men temporarily infertile. In addition, a study financed by the National Institutes of Health found no adverse connection between COVID-19 vaccines and fertility. It did find that the virus can lower the sperm count of unvaccinated men. Indeed, as evidence of the vaccines importance piles up, DeSantis ignores it. He continues to push monoclonal antibody treatments that dont work against omicron. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week that booster shots are 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 cases that require hospitalization. Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, the CDC reported, are 91% effective at preventing serious cases among 12- to 18-year-olds. Finally, an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association rebuts DeSantis contention that vaccines dont prevent infection. A study of roughly 2,000 health care workers found convincing evidence that a COVID-19 booster protects against infection, not just serious infection. Even if DeSantis wanted to argue only against vaccine mandates, his case would be weak. They work, despite scare campaigns against them. New York Citys police union predicted that 10,000 officers would quit rather than submit. The actual number was 34. Advertisement But DeSantis now seeks to discredit COVID-19 vaccines. It is beyond reckless for him to encourage behavior that endangers lives and strains hospitals and their staffs yet again. On Wednesday, the Florida Senate Health Policy Committee will hold Ladapos first confirmation hearing. Perhaps Ladapo will echo another supposed doctor, Robert Malone, who said on Saturday that COVID-19 vaccines are not working. It wouldnt matter even if he did. Senate Republicans wont embarrass DeSantis by rejecting Ladapo. Politics over public health. DeSantis wont be in that hearing room. Ladapos presence, though, means that the governor will be there in spirit. Contact Randy Schultz at randy@bocamag.com. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Bahrain Cabinet has activated a unified system for the internal auditing of government agencies. The new system ensures greater oversight over the agencies and is based on specific audit frameworks. The Cabinet also adopted the unified guide for the internal auditing of government agencies. The guide is a project of the Government Priority Framework, with the aim of further strengthening the governments internal audit capacity, assisting internal auditors to adhere to the best professional auditing standards and practices, and strengthening the public sector's internal audit framework. In this regard, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister directed the activation of the consolidated system for internal auditing and for the guide to be circulated across all ministries and government agencies. HRH Prince Salman today chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace. To mark the International Day of Education, the Cabinet commended the Kingdom's education professionals, thanking them for their efforts to best continue the education process in exceptional circumstances throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Cabinet encouraged the education sector workforce to continue supporting government programmes that will further develop the national education sector, and contribute towards the Kingdoms comprehensive development, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Cabinet condemned and denounced the Houthi attacks on civilian targets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, affirming that they violate international law. The Cabinet expressed condolences to the victims' families and wished those injured a speedy recovery. The Cabinet affirmed Bahrain's support for Saudi Arabia and the UAE as they respond to the terror attacks and implement measures to protect their national security. In this regard, the Cabinet welcomed the statement by the United Nations Security Council and the League of Arab States that condemned the attack on the United Arab Emirates. The Cabinet discussed a number of memorandums during the meeting with the following outcomes: The approval of the following memorandums: 1. A memorandum by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism regarding measures aimed at further strengthening investment and commercial activity. 2. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the government's response to two proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives. The Cabinet reviewed the following topics: 1. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance regarding the complete electronic transformation of government revenues and payment services, to efficiently provide 24-hour services to citizens and residents without the need for personal attendance at ministry buildings. 2. A memorandum by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism regarding the electronic transformation of 22 services within the Ministry's Industrial Development Sector. 3. A memorandum by the Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, regarding the latest developments in the installation of smart meters, and the completion of 100% of installations for citizens in their first residence with open accounts. Smart meters will ensure accuracy and efficiency in calculating consumption. The Cabinet then took note of Ministerial reports, regarding: the topics that were discussed during the meeting between Bahrains delegation headed by the Minister of Finance and National Economy with officials of the Hellenic Republic; and the follow-up of the implementation of Cabinet decisions from January 2021 to January 2022. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com A virtual launch of the English, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam editions of the Arabic-language book Gandhi: His Engagement with Islam and the Arab World, written by His Excellency Abdulnabi Al Shoala, will be held via Zoom at 4 pm tomorrow at the Isa Cultural Centre, Manama. Al Shoala will be joined on the occasion by the Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Piyush Srivastava, Bahrain India Society Chairman Abdul Rahman Mohammed Juma and Dr Shobhana Radhakrishna, a leading, internationally-renowned Gandhi scholar, who will be the keynote speaker. The book launch event has been organised by the Bahrain India Society. The acclaimed book, first published in Arabic two years ago and now in its third printing in the regional language, was snapped up by four different publishing houses in India. The English-language translation, published by a leading Indian company, is already in its second printing with the Indian-languages versions also ready for the international market. Al Shoala is the chairman of Dar Albilad for Journalism, Publishing and Distribution Co. B.S.C. and the founding chairman, and advisor to the board of Alfanar Investment Holding Co. B.S.C. Over his long and illustrious career Al Shoala has served as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and, later, as Cabinet Minister of State; served as a member of Bahrains Advisory Council and, also, been elected to the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Gandhi: His Engagement with Islam and the Arab World is both Al Shoala s homage to the great Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known by the honorific Mahatma (meaning venerable) and an effort seeking to address issues faced by Islam and Muslim countries in a Gandhian way. Al Shoala is no stranger to India, having studied at the fabled St Xaviers College in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His book, he said, is intended to both express his gratitude to India for the hospitality he received while a student and, also, to strengthen ties between India and Middle Eastern countries. The book makes for fascinating reading as Al Shoala revisits Gandhis intellectual heritage, reviews his appreciation of Islam and the Holy Prophet and takes an exhaustive look at the different stages of Gandhis life and the impact it had on not just Indian politics and society, but also the Arab world. Bahrain joins International Day of Education global celebration with vow to further reduce illiteracy among youth Bahrain joins International Day of Education global celebration with vow to further reduce illiteracy among youth TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain is in the process of working on digital literacy, which has become one of the Kingdoms primary sustainable development goals. Education Minister Dr Majid bin Ali Al Nuaimi has announced the construction plan that includes the establishment of 18 new schools and 24 academic buildings in various governorates, to raise the capacity of schools at various educational levels. This came as Bahrain yesterday joined the global celebration of the International Day of Education. The event is held every year on January 24. The minister referred to the ministrys efforts that resulted in reducing the illiteracy rate to less than 2.4%, according to the annual report issued by UNESCO under the title (Education for All). This was achieved by providing several evening education centres for men and women, distributed in different governorates. Dr Al Nuaimi also expressed his pride in providing appropriate education to students with special needs such as simple mental disabilities, Down Syndrome, autism, the blind and the deaf, learning difficulties, with all the support devices that help them keep up with the study of their ordinary peers. He said that the educational sectors achievements were due to the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the follow up of Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Distance learning Dr Al Nuaimi pointed out the ministrys success in ensuring the sustainability of distance learning despite the pandemic. It takes into consideration the National Medical Team for Combatting the Coronavirus directives by providing educational online content, activities, applications through the educational portal. It has reached more than 33 million visits and all levels lessons through 14 YouTube channels, including a channel dedicated to people with special needs, in addition to providing lessons through television in cooperation with the Ministry of Information Affairs. The educational sectors achievements were due to the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the follow up of Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. DR MAJID BIN ALI AL NUAIMI, EDUCATION MINISTER The Education Ministrys 2.4% efforts have resulted in reducing the illiteracy rate to less than 2.4 per cent. Teachers are technically prepared to face the challenges of online teaching The ministry has provided appropriate education to children Filipino groups to hold fishing competition TDT | Manama Pinoy Anglers Bahrain, a Filipino community organisation for fishing enthusiasts recognised by the Philippine Embassy, invites everyone to the 9th Linis Muna Bago Itcha Clean-Up Drive and Save our Seas activity. It will be held on Friday, 11 February, from 6 am to 3 pm at Nurana Island. For those who wish to take part in the event, register on or before the date of the competition. Gifts and other prizes are at stake for the participants. Interested participants may directly coordinate with Pinoy Anglers Officers for the registration. In November last year, the group also held a successful fishing competition at Nurana Island. It was part of a fun-filled beach clean-up campaign called 5th Linis Bago Itcha that aimed at encouraging fishing enthusiasts to contribute to the protection of the environment by keeping the coastlines of the Kingdom of Bahrain clean. The Philippine Embassy took part in the beach cleanup drive and fishing competition. A total of 64 Filipinos joined the clean-up day and fishing event. Fernando Hernandez took the heaviest catch, a kingfish weighing 6.2 kgs, to capture the title. Ruel Pinto came second with a 4.9 kgs catch and Jhun Rodriguez third with 4.5 kgs catch. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrains approach makes human rights a main priority, said Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal. She highlighted the steps taken by the Kingdom in implementing its reform approaches, such as expanding the application of alternative sanctions, providing rehabilitation programmes and the open prisons initiative. Speaker Zainal was speaking as she met yesterday with Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. She congratulated him on assuming the presidency of the current session of the UNs General Assembly, stressing that Bahrain has always been keen to support the UNs efforts. The Speaker affirmed that Bahrain supports efforts for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Zainal referred to the governments initiatives, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence and respect for pluralism, and the importance of integrating international stances to combat terrorism, violence and extremism. She stressed the importance of HM the Kings statement during the UNs General Assembly session two years ago, which calls the importance of cooperation to confront all challenges. Most importantly the repercussions of the pandemic. Zainal affirmed Bahrains condemnation of the attacks of the Houthi militia targeting civilians, infrastructure and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, considering these as war crimes, and a flagrant violation of all international laws. In this March 24, 2021, file photo, an unaccompanied minor looks up as he waits to answer questions from a U.S. Border Patrol agent at an intake site after he was smuggled on an inflatable raft across the Rio Grande river in Roma, Texas. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order banning state agencies from working with the federal government to house illegal immigrants in Florida, unless required by state or federal law. (Dario Lopez-MIlls/AP) What do Bishop Felipe Estevez, Father Juan Sosa, Father Jose Espino, former Sen. Mel Martinez, Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo and business and community leader Tony Argiz all have in common? They were all unaccompanied minors, part of the famed Operation Pedro Pan that assisted over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children who arrived in the United States in the early 1960s. Sixty years ago, parents did the unthinkable they sent their children alone and unaccompanied to the United States. They were desperate and 60 years later, their homeland, their beloved Cuba, is still not free; 60 years later we know that their fears were not misplaced. Sixty years ago, an Irish priest, Father Bryan O. Walsh, along with many others, did the impossible: resettling 14,000 minor children throughout the United States and eventually reuniting most of them with their parents. Advertisement In the original story of Peter Pan, Peter and the Lost Boys lived in Neverland and never grew up. The boys and girls of Operation Pedro Pan have not only grown up theyve grown old. But thanks to the freedom and opportunity provided by this great country they have also built successful careers and raised families. They embody the American dream. Thomas Wenski is archbishop of the archdiocese of Miami. So does Alberto Carvalho, outgoing Miami-Dade Public Schools superintendent, who will soon leave for Los Angeles and greater challenges there. He arrived alone to the U.S. from Portugal shortly after he graduated high school and as an undocumented immigrant worked menial jobs and learned English as he struggled to get an education. While working in a restaurant, he was befriended by Republican Congressman E. Clay Shaw, who helped him get a student visa. The Congressman told him: Ones future tomorrow is not limited by their condition today. Advertisement Sixty years after Pedro Pan, 40 years after Carvalhos arrival, there are new waves of unaccompanied minors. In fact, our Catholic Charities in the archdiocese has taken care of many of them without interruption during these last 60 years. We have a facility in Cutler Bay that can house 80 kids. Today these young people boys and girls, infants to teenagers are coming mainly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. But they are not much different from those Cuban children of 60 years ago. The desperation that has led the parents of todays unaccompanied minors is not unlike the desperation that motivated Cuban parents 60 years ago. And yes, these children do have parents. They are not abandoned street urchins. When I have celebrated Mass with them, the kids knew their prayers, they could sing the hymns. These are kids who were raised in homes where parents taught them to pray and took them to Mass. Yet now, Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to stop all federal programs in Florida that serve these unaccompanied kids as well as services to Cubans (and Haitians, Venezuelans, etc.) released by the U.S. under its parole authority. The governors executive order 21-223 is wrong, and the Legislature would be wrong to compound his error with legislation (Senate Bill 1808 and House Bill 1355) proposed by state Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach and state Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart. What they propose would hurt vulnerable populations but also would end up hurting the citizens of Florida. The conditions that produce successive waves of unaccompanied minors, the unspeakable crimes that are committed against them as they journey from their homelands to the Texas border, cry out for justice. But where is the justice in blaming and punishing the victims? Sixty years ago, Operation Pedro Pan resettled 14,000 unaccompanied minors in the U.S. Their contributions to America show that magnanimity rather than mean-spiritedness is a best practice in resolving immigration challenges. E. Clay Shaw, the distinguished, long-serving, conservative Republican Congressman from Fort Lauderdale, had it right: Ones future tomorrow is not limited by their condition today. Advertisement Why does the governor wish to deny these children a future of hope? Thomas Wenski is archbishop of the archdiocese of Miami. Japan's largest business lobby on Monday called on the government to lift the entry ban on nonresident foreigners aimed at keeping the Omicron variant of the coronavirus at bay and preventing its spread now that domestic infections are mostly being caused by the highly transmissible strain. Masakazu Tokura, chief of the Japan Business Federation, said at a regular press conference that nearly two months of border restrictions have only hampered domestic companies from making business trips and having smooth negotiations with foreign partners on tie-ups, merges and acquisitions. "It was a good decision to cast a wide net in the first place. But there is no point keeping the measure in place given Omicron has already become the dominant strain" in Japan, said the head of the business lobby, also known as Keidanren. The anti-coronavirus entry ban has been in place since Nov. 30, the day when Japan confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant, and the government extended the measure earlier this month until the end of February. The Japanese operator of the popular video-sharing app TikTok was discovered to have paid influencers to post videos on Twitter without informing the audience about the sponsored content, a practice that may have violated industry rules against stealth marketing. The undisclosed payments to influencers were "for the purpose of spreading TikTok content," a manager at the Tokyo offices of TikTok owner ByteDance told Nikkei on Monday. This arrangement started about two years ago and stopped at the end of 2021, the unit said. A manager from ByteDance's Japanese arm would offer contracts to influencers that come with compensation. The manager would then identify TikTok videos to be shared on Twitter. This was part of a promotional strategy pushed forward by the Tokyo offices. Stealth marketing campaigns present themselves as word-of-mouth buzz without disclosing the sponsorship by an advertiser. There are no Japanese laws banning stealth marketing, but guidelines from an industry group forbid the practice because it misleads consumers. Chinese startup ByteDance's Japanese subsidiary said it regrets giving consumers the wrong impression. TikTok gained a large youthful following in Japan after launching services there in 2017. Last year saw a boom in so-called "TikTok sales" of products featured in videos on the platform. Its not every day that you find a castle on stilts, let alone one on top of a rock on top of a mountain. The Japanese Samurai were a high-risk bunch, but this unique architecture was just the kind of ticket the samurai clans needed to survive and protect the daimyo and their land. We visited two of Japans top samurai castle ruins to discover their rich history and a tale of one bad*$$ female samurai queen of the castle. More history of Naegi Castle and Iwamura Castle and the woman samurai (onna-musha) that ruled these central Japan plains???? ???? Naegi Castle (, Naegi-jo) A short distance from Nakatsugawa Station in the heart of Gifu, youll find the remains of a castle perched on top of naturally occurring boulders. The castle was built some 600 years ago as the ultimate fortress for the prominent Toyama Family due to its impenetrable wooded surroundings. As the castle was built during time of war, construction was rushed and so the ingenious use of boulders helped to expedite the build. Unlike most castles in Japan, Naegi did not have white exterior walls, earning it the nickname Akakabe Castle owing to the red (aka) clay used to build its walls (kabe). The castle remained under the rule of the Toyama clan for an impressive 12 generations before being dismantled in 1871 to pay off their debts. Visitors to the ruins can climb to the top of an observatory and see how precariously the castle was perched on these massive rocks and see remnants of the castle gate, prison, and walls. If youre not a huge history buff, this Machu Pichu of Japan offers more than just a glimpse into Japanese history, but also the Kiso Valley below and Mt Ena beyond. You might also begin to understand why it gained its other nickname, The Misty Castle as it appears to float above the clouds. The architecture and stunning positioning of Naegi Castle makes it one of the most unique castles in Japan. ???????? Iwamura Castle (, Iwamura-jo) Alongside Takatori Castle in Nara and Matsuyama Castle in Okayama, Iwamura is considered to be one of Japans 3 major mountaintop castles and the highest castle in Japan. Strategically located 717m up, its easy to understand why this castle was so hard to attack. But that isnt the only interesting point to note about the castle; it's famed for being ruled by a female samurai, Lady Otsuya, the aunt of the famous samurai Oda Nobunaga. When her husband fell ill and died, she protected the castle from the Takeda clan single-handedly & after it slipped into enemy hands, she strategically remarried to gain it back. Her warlord nephew did not take kindly on this and executed her, bringing an end to his good reputation, but still their legacies live on. Lady Otsuya is said to have possessed unmatched beauty and her image has since been used in tv dramas, manga, and video games. Although all that now remains of her castle is its foundations, steep forested slopes, and a museum with a replica of its original white walls, the ruins are still impressive enough to earn it a place in Japans top 100 finest castles. Why not stop by the nearby castle town where you can pick up local award winning Lady of the Castle (onna joshu) sake and traditional Japanese snacks, too? DANBURY The days when food truck vendors fought for a spot at Rogers Park are long gone. The city is requesting proposals from vending trucks to lease one of three spaces at the park for this spring and summer season. Operators may also apply for a five-year lease to run the concession stand at Candlewood Town Park. These amenities benefit members of the public looking for a bite to eat while playing at the park or going for a swim, said Nick Kaplanis, director of recreation. Its a convenience to them, he said. Its good for those vendors because obviously theyre making a living by doing this. At Rogers Park, food trucks are permitted in the parking lot off of Lions Way near the spray park, on Memorial Drive across from the volleyball courts, and the parking lot between the softball fields behind the War Memorial, said Nick Kaplanis, director of recreation. The city has sought proposals annually from vendors ever since establishing a lease program for Rogers Park, he said. Before that, any trucks could park anywhere. Some trucks would double park in the street, causing safety concerns, he said. Theres a lot of food vendor trucks in the city and even outside the city, Kaplanis said. They would go into the park, and everyone got very territorial and they would get into arguments about whose space it was. It was a mess. The food trucks must have a vendors license from the city. Bids are sealed. Kaplanis declined to say what the spots usually go for, but the city is requesting a minimum bid of $2,000 per location. The city generally goes with the highest bidders, rather than selecting based on what food would be sold, he said. It is up to those people to determine whether they feel that what theyre offering is something that people will be looking for, he said. Milano Restaurant has run the concession stand for the last five years, while the J&E Ice Cream truck has been at Rogers Park since the beginning of the program, Kaplanis said. He was unsure if they would reapply. The concession stand lease would run from May 1 through Sept. 30 from 2022-26. The food trucks could operate from April 1 to Oct. 31. Bids are due to the city by 2 p.m. on Feb. 17. More information is available on the citys website. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate FAIRFIELD A man arrested after a now viral tirade in which he reportedly berated teenage employees of a local smoothie shop has been fired from his role at Merrill Lynch. James Iannazzo, 48, is no longer employed at the investment management firm, according to a statement Monday from its spokesperson. According to his LinkedIn profile, Iannazzo was a wealth management advisor and managing director and had been with the company for 26 years. Our company does not tolerate behavior of this kind, the company said in its statement. We immediately investigated and have taken action. This individual is no longer employed at our firm. Iannazzo is now facing multiple charges including criminal trespass and breach of peace for his alleged actions at the Robeks on Black Rock Turnpike, police said. A video of the altercation has been viewed millions of times on social media. In a statement Sunday, Iannazzos attorney, Frank J. Riccio Jr., said Iannazzo wholeheartedly regrets the incident. In a new statement Monday, Iannazzo said his actions at the smoothie shop were wrong, and again said he regrets them. They do not reflect my values or my character, he said in the statement. I feel terrible that I lost my composure so completely. Iannazzo said he returned to the Robeks to find out what ingredients were used in the smoothie. He said he made the regrettable comments because his 17-year-old son was taken to the hospital suffering with life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Iannazzo said his son collapsed on the ground after drinking a smoothie from Robeks, which he alleged contained some sort of nut product, adding he had advised the staff of his sons nut allergy when he had ordered. After he started to drink his smoothie, my son lost the capacity to breathe properly; his lips and face swelled up, and he required an EpiPen shot, but it did not offer him relief. I called 911, Iannazzo said in the statement. My son then went to the bathroom, threw up and fell unconscious to the floor. He threw up again. My wife gave him another EpiPen while I called 911 again. Iannazzo said his son is doing okay now, later adding the medical situation was the worst nightmare of every parent whose child has a similar allergy. I was out of my mind with fear for him when I returned to Robeks, and I wish I had not done so. I also wish they had been more careful preparing my sons beverage, he said in the statement. I will be extending my apologies personally to the Robeks organization, particularly the staff that was working there that night. Fairfield Police said they received numerous calls around 2:30 p.m. from employees of Robeks, who reported that an irate customer was throwing things, yelling at employees and refusing to leave. Police said a subsequent investigation showed that Iannazzo had made a purchase at the store an hour earlier. At approximately 1:39 p.m., police said Iannazzo called 911 to request emergency medical attention to his home for a child suffering from an allergic reaction. The child was later transported to a hospital, police said. Police said Iannazzo then returned to the store and confronted employees, demanding to know who had made the smoothie. Employees could not respond and Iannazzo became increasingly angry, using expletives and throwing a drink at an employee that hit their right shoulder. Iannazzo also made comments toward an employee referencing their immigration status, police said. Employees told Iannazzo to leave multiple times, but he remained inside and continued to yell insults, police said. He then attempted to open a locked door to access the Employees Only area, according to police. Though Iannazzo left the store before police arrived, he was identified shortly after, they said. Iannazzo turned himself in without incident and told police he was upset about his son having a severe allergic reaction, police said. Employees told police that Iannazzo had not told them about the peanut allergy, only requesting that no peanut butter was put in his drink. In a statement on Monday, Robeks Spokesperson Barbara Caruso said the companys priority is to protect both store team members and guests. The company and its franchisees have a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior, and we are thankful that the franchisees team members were not physically hurt, she said. We appreciate the swift action by law enforcement and the judicial system in pursuing criminal charges for this unacceptable behavior. Iannazzo was arrested and charged with second-degree breach of peace, first degree criminal trespass, and intimidation based on bigotry or bias. He is set to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Feb. 7. Riccio Jr. said in his statement that Iannazzos parental instinct kicked in during the incident, adding he acted out of anger and fear. He is not a racist individual and deeply regrets his statements and actions during a moment of extreme emotional stress, he said. joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com The University of Florida could not have deserved or suffered a greater embarrassment than the 74-page rebuke from U.S. District Judge Mark Walker over its attempts to bar professors from contradicting the ruling political party in this state. Walker compared that situation with how the University of Hong Kong, fearful of its new masters in Beijing, last month removed a statue, known as the Pillar of Shame, commemorating the pro-democracy demonstrators who were slain at Chinas Tiananmen Square in 1989. Advertisement As at Gainesville, administrators at Hong Kong said it was in the best interest of the university, Walker wrote. He also noted reports of professors there being denied tenure, promotions or contract renewals. Nothing in the legal briefs or the arguments had cited the Hong Kong example. Walker, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2012 and presently the Northern Districts chief judge, developed that appropriate analogy himself. His sharpest put-down was in a footnote. Advertisement The solution is simple If those in UFs administration find this comparison upsetting, the solution is simple. Stop acting like your contemporaries in Hong Kong. Some might say, Thats China, it could never happen here, he wrote. But it did happen here. Three UF political science professors were blocked from testifying as expert witnesses in a case against a restrictive state election law. Four law professors were prohibited from identifying themselves as such in a friend-of-the-court brief challenging a law restricting the restoration of ex-felons voting rights. A medical professor was not allowed to testify against the state concerning school face mask requirements. A Faculty Senate committee has alleged censorship of COVID-19 research. A professor of education filed a grievance over the blockage of his proposed curriculum entitled Critical Study of Race, Ethnicity and Culture in Education. He said he was warned not to pair the words critical and race. The chairman of the university board of trustees, a major financial supporter of Gov. Ron DeSantis, threatened protesting faculty in these words: Let me tell you, our legislators are not going to put up with the wasting of state money and resources, and neither will this board. No fingerprints from DeSantis or legislative leaders are directly evident in any of this. But their policies are well known as to denying racism and obstructing public health measures. The university administration admitted that it fears reprisals for any defiance. Pending a final hearing, Walker has temporarily barred the university from enforcing any conflict-of-interest policy on expert witness testimony or legal consulting. He has left in place for now some limitations on faculty filing friend-of-the-court briefs, which is a higher level of personal advocacy than being an expert witness. Before its over, Walker should dispose of that, too. Had something similar been in force in the 1960s, Manning Dauer, the founding chairman of the UF political science department, would not have been able to submit a reapportionment plan that a federal court imposed in 1967 to end decades of rural rule in the Legislature. Its leaders had everything to lose from that, yet theres no record of anyone trying to censor Dauers right of free speech. In other words, even the arrogant pork choppers didnt go as far as UF. Anticipatory obedience This time, Walker wrote, there was an all-too-familiar display of anticipatory obedience. He cited a September 2021 address to the Faculty Senate in which President Kent Fuchs warned against criticizing Floridas COVID-19 response lest it fracture the relationship between the university and the state government. He was thinking, of course, of annual state appropriations on which the university heavily depends. Advertisement Fuchs is retiring. It is no safe bet that the trustees will choose a successor any less servile to Tallahassee, so Walkers final order needs to be as forceful as his temporary injunction. Anticipatory obedience is, of course, a gentle euphemism for lack of courage. Authoritarians like DeSantis dont necessarily have to unsheathe the iron fist to have their way. Simple fear can suffice, and the perceived peril can be as bloodless as losing ones job or funding. Its as important to defy the fear as to repel the fist. Consider the costs UF is willing to bear to maintain its power to discriminate based on viewpoint, Walker explained. It is willing to suffer threats to its accreditation, congressional inquiries, unrelenting bad press, an all-but-certain hit to its rankings, and the substantial monetary cost of hiring an experienced D.C. firm to defend its policy. The only thing UF will not do, it seems, is amend its policy to make clear that it will never consider viewpoint in denying a request to testify. UFs lofty ranking could slip The threat to its accreditation is not remote. Neither is a ranking substantially lower than the fifth place among public universities that U.S. News & World Report published last year. Its judgment is based in part on how other educators esteem a school. Academic freedom must loom large in this peer assessment survey, which accounts for 20% of the total weight. This isnt UFs first moment of shame. Under pressure from the United Daughters of the Confederacy, it fired a history professor in 1911 who dared to write that the South was in the wrong in the Civil War. In the late 1950s, it not only failed to protect students, faculty or staff from a legislative committee investigating homosexuality on Florida campuses; it also provided assistance to the hunters. Advertisement In that dark chapter of Florida history, UF fired 14 faculty members, others quit, and at least 50 students left or were expelled. In 1971, following protests that UF President Stephen OConnell refused to recognize, 123 Black students withdrew from school. Earlier, more than 60 protesters had been arrested at a sit-in in his office. Theres one thing the University of Florida can be proud of, however: It educated Walker. The judge earned both his bachelors and law degrees there, making him a Double Gator. If only its administrators cared as much for its reputation as he does. 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. A little bit more from James Emmitt's autobiography and some historic facts Selected organizations will distribute the Community Services Recovery Fund to charities and not-for-profits GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 24, 2022 /CNW/ - Charities and not-for-profits are at the forefront of addressing communities' needs, especially during the COVID19 pandemic. However, many of them are struggling to recover and adapt their services to the changing needs of Canadians. Today, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, launched a call for proposals to select national funders who will distribute funding to help diverse charitable and not-for-profit organizations adapt and modernize, so they can support economic recovery in communities across Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time investment of $400 million that will help charities and not-for-profits to acquire the tools they need to modernize and adapt to the challenges the sector faces from the pandemic. The Government will select national funders based on their ability to achieve a wide distribution of funding across the charitable and not-for-profit sector, and to work collaboratively and efficiently to administer the Fund. Specifically, national funders will: set up open application portals reach out to diverse communities across Canada assess community-level needs distribute the funding The Government is inviting three organizations who meet the criteria to submit a proposal: Community Foundations of Canada, the United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross. Other organizations can also enquire about the process for selecting national funders or for submitting a proposal. Once selected, national funders will design their own application processes to select eligible recipients of the Community Services Recovery Fund's modernization and adaptation projects. The call for proposals to become a national funder is open until February 21, 2022. For details, please visit the funding page. Quotes "Charities and not-for-profits play a critical role in supporting communities across Canada, and this has especially rung true during the pandemic. Through the Community Services Recovery Fund, our government will be there to support this important sector as it strengthens and adapts to the changing needs of Canadians. The selected national funders will play an essential role in efficiently distributing this fund to organizations across the country." The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould Quick Facts The Community Services Recovery Fund builds on the successful delivery of the $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund, where the Government funded over 11,570 projects serving vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency Community Support Fund, where the Government funded over 11,570 projects serving vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. As national funders for the Emergency Community Support Fund, Community Foundations of Canada , the United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross have demonstrated their capacity to distribute funding to the charitable and not-for-profit sector in a fair, effective and efficient manner. , the United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross have demonstrated their capacity to distribute funding to the charitable and not-for-profit sector in a fair, effective and efficient manner. More than 4 in 10 charities are still facing declines in revenue and 56% of charities are struggling, putting their recovery at risk, according to the Sector Monitor survey published in August 2021 by Imagine Canada. by Imagine Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund was first announced in Budget 2021 and committed $400 million to help charities and not-for-profits adapt and modernize so they can better support the economic recovery in Canadian communities. Associated Links Follow us on Twitter SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Mohammad Hussain, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected] "Brockville offers a strategic location within North America, near US customs and our other Leclerc plants in Canada and the USA. This new facility will allow us to continue to grow our operations in full expansion," said Denis Leclerc, President of Leclerc Foods. "We firmly believe that our team members are what make us stand out from the big multinational food companies, and we look forward to welcoming Brockville residents into our family." Resulting from an investment of more than one hundred million dollars over five years (including production equipment), this latest addition in Ontario will generate over one hundred new jobs over a five-year period. In terms of production volume, this plant will be Leclerc's largest facility, which will promote the development of new markets and new product and category development. Leclerc Foods has continually invested in its Canadian facilities, (two in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, one in Hawkesbury and one in Cornwall), with stateoftheart production equipment. While these five plants are destined for growth in the near future, ongoing company success warranted this investment. This future production site will be high-tech, peanut-free certified, and devoted to cookies and bars production. RECRUITMENT With the arrival of this new plant in the city of Brockville, Leclerc Foods has several positions to fill within its team. Please send your curriculum vitae to: leclerc.ca/en/careers and we will be pleased to meet with you to discuss your options for employment with our company. ABOUT LECLERC FOODS Founded in 1905 by Francois Leclerc, Leclerc Foods has grown significantly over the past thirty years, boasting more than 1,300 employees and nine ultra-modern processing plants today. The head office and two plants are located in the Francois Leclerc industrial park in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec. There are also three plants in the towns of Hawkesbury, Cornwall and now in Brockville, Ontario. The US sites are in Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Kingsport, Tennessee and Phoenix, Arizona. The company specializes in cookies, snack bars and crackers and exports to over thirty countries. Leclerc is known as an innovative company attuned to the tastes and needs of informed consumers who care about the food they eat and like to treat themselves to life's simple pleasures. SOURCE Groupe Biscuits Leclerc For further information: Marie-Josee Massicotte, Communications Director and Brand Manager, [email protected] TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2022 /CNW/ - Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc. ("Neighbourly" or the "Company") (TSX: NBLY), Canada's largest and fastest growing network of community pharmacies, will release its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 prior to the market open on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The release will be followed by a conference call at 8:30AM ET. Participants may join Neighbourly's conference call by dialing 416-764-8650 or 1-888-664-6383 (ID: 79048623). The conference call will also be available via webcast using the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investors.neighbourlypharmacy.ca/events-and-presentations. For those unable to participate, playback will be made available an hour after the event at 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541, utilizing passcode 048623#. The webcast of the call will also be archived and available on Neighbourly's website. About Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc. Neighbourly is Canada's largest and fastest growing network of community pharmacies. United by their patient first focus and their role as essential and trusted healthcare hubs within their communities, Neighbourly's pharmacies strive to provide accessible healthcare with a personal touch. Since 2015, Neighbourly has expanded its diversified national footprint to include 170 locations, reinforcing the Company's reputation as the industry's acquirer of choice. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, the word "will" and similar expressions, as they relate to Neighbourly, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Neighbourly as of the date of this press release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, many of which are beyond Neighbourly's control, including, without limitation, the risk factors and other matters set forth in Neighbourly's filings with the securities commissions or similar securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. Neighbourly undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. SOURCE Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc. For further information: [email protected] or visit www.neighbourlypharmacy.ca. The Indian Navy held an important meeting of the three defence services last week to set up the Maritime Theatre Command under which the Navy would lead the Army and the Air Force while taking care of threats to peninsular India and the island territories of the country. Amid efforts towards establishing a joint fighting formation, the Indian Navy held an important meeting of the three defence services last week to set up the Maritime Theatre Command under which the Navy would lead the Army and the Air Force while taking care of threats to peninsular India and the island territories of the country. The representatives of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force took part in the consultations for the creation of the Maritime Theatre Command in the meeting headed by the Western Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ajayendra Bahadur Singh, government sources told ANI. The meeting was part of the study and exercise by the Indian Navy to suggest the structures of Maritime Theatre Command on the instructions of the Department of Military Affairs, they said. All three forces have been asked to carry out studies for the creation of Theatre Commands in their respective domains. Sources said the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army were represented by their officials deployed in the southern parts of the country. The Indian Air Force was represented by an Air Vice Marshal posted in Mumbai for coordinating the maritime air operations. During the meeting, the Indian Air Force expressed its reservations on the structures proposed, sources said. The Indian Air Force is in favour of the creation of theatre commands but has expressed reservations on the number of new commands to be created within the given resources and assets. The DMA under late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat had asked the three forces to submit their respective studies related to theatre commands by April this year. The Indian Army has nominated Central Army commander Lt Gen YK Dimri along with South Western Army commander Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Bhinder to conduct the study for the creation of these commands. Sources said the plan of the DMA is to create four new theatre commands which will not include the most sensitive Ladakh sector which has seen two aggressions by the armies of Pakistan and China respectively in the last two decades. The meeting in Mumbai under Vice Admiral AB Singh was the first major meeting on the issue of the creation of theatre commands after the death of General Rawat in a chopper crash. Singh being the senior-most officer in the Commander-in-Chief rank in the Navy is also likely to become the first Maritime Theatre Commander. With the studies expected to be submitted by April, sources said it is likely that the government may announce the creation of the Maritime Theatre Command by August 15 this year. NEW HAVEN When it comes to food, the city is best known for its pizza, but now a leading Connecticut manufacturing firm has begun making another type of pie in the Elm City. An affiliate of Middlefield-based Lyman Orchards acquired a trio of buildings late last year and has now moved its wholesale pie making operations to New Haven. Middlefield Real Estate Holdings LLC paid $3 million for the buildings, two in the Food Terminal on Long Wharf and a third building at 724 Grand Ave. John Lyman, executive vice president of Lyman Orchards, said the company got into the wholesale pie making business in 1996 using kitchen space in the companys Apple Barrel retail store, which opened in Middlefield in 1972. The wholesale business has grown over time, Lyman said. We never envisioned the wholesale pie making business getting as big as its gotten, he said. The company makes fruit pies for the regional supermarket chain Big Y and also for other grocery chains using the private label of its client retailers. Lyman said search for space to expand elsewhere in Connecticut began in earnest a couple of years ago. We really couldnt expand in Middlefield because we dont have access to city water or sewer, he said. The three industrial buildings Lyman Orchards has moved into in New Haven were once home to a bakery, Something Sweet, that filed for bankruptcy in 2021. Having the three buildings will allow Lyman Orchards to expand into a new pie baking line while still continuing to make fruit pies. The Grand Avenue facility will be used to make creme pies, which Lyman said includes pumpkin and custard pies. We believe that the same customers that buy fruit pies from us will be interested in buying creme pies, he said. The new product line will mean hiring more people, according to Lyman. In addition to the workforce of between 30 and 35 people making fruit pies, Lyman Orchards is hiring between 20 and 30 new employees to make creme pies, he said. Weve already hired some of the people who worked for Something Sweet, Lyman said. The creme pie making operations at the Grand Avenue facility has been operating since late December, he said, but Monday was first day that fruit pie operations had gotten underway in New Haven. Steve Fontana, New Havens deputy economic development director, said city officials have long viewed food manufacturing as an important business cluster. We have bread bakers, we have manufacturers like Hummel that are in meat business, Fontana said. This move is more really good news for us. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT City cops are calling in federal help to investigate the events that led to the death of Lauren Smith-Fields, which a medical examiner ruled Monday was the result of acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol. In a prepared statement Tuesday, Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran said the departments narcotics and vice division has launched a probe into the untimely December death of the 23-year-old at her Plymouth Street apartment. They will be assisted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Gilleran said. According to a police report, a man Smith-Fields met through the dating app Bumble called police just after 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 12 when he reported waking up and finding her on the floor and not breathing with dried blood around her nose. The man told police the two had been drinking the night before, according to the report. Medical personnel pronounced Smith-Fields dead at 6:49 a.m. The police investigation comes one day after Mayor Joe Ganim, who the family had criticized for his silence, released a prepared statement promising a full and fair internal investigation into the way the case was handled and any appropriate changes after the family said they were never notified by police of Smith-Fields death and criticized the initial police investigation. Their lawyer has announced the family intends to sue the city. The mayor stopped short of asking the state police take over the investigation of Smith-Fields death, as the family had asked. Promethazine and hydroxyzine are antihistamines Gilleran described as prescription medications, while fentanyl is an opioid. Fentanyl is a strong narcotic associated with an epidemic of opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States, Gilleran said in announcing the vice squad investigation. The city of Bridgeport is not immune to this epidemic. A separate investigation into Smith-Fields death by the police departments detective bureau will remain open as intelligence transitions to the Narcotics and Vice Division, Gilleran said. Smith-Fields family and lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday. They have not spoken publicly since hundreds of people joined them on a march Sunday from the police department to the Margaret Morton Government Center. In a tweet Tuesday morning, the familys lawyer, Darnell Crosland, said the cause of death finding doesnt cure any of Bridgeport Police Department lack of process, in fact it makes it worse. As a result of a botched investigation this morning we are left with more questions than answers, he said. Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia said in a statement Tuesday that the department continues to treat the untimely death of Lauren Smith-Fields as an active investigation as we are now refocusing our attention and efforts to the factors that lead to her untimely death. We have engaged several partners to assist with this portion of the investigation, Garcia said. Once again, we offer our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Lauren Smith-Fields and ask that anyone with information to please contact 203 576-TIPS. Part of a campaign-style graphic on Gov. Ron DeSantis' official state website promoting his legislation (HB 7 and SB 148) attacking critical race theory, which is not taught in Florida public schools. (flgov.com) Re: Will DeSantis stop pandering on race? Dream on | Randy Schultz Gov. Ron DeSantis and his supporters want to prevent schools from teaching about racism in America because so doing so may make white people and children feel uncomfortable. Advertisement Following that logic, should Germany outlaw teaching about the Holocaust because doing so makes Christian children uncomfortable? Jerry Barkan, Pompano Beach Advertisement (Editors Note: The House version, HB 7, is scheduled to be heard for the first time at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the House Judiciary Committee in Tallahassee). Election fraud myths Columnist Jonah Goldbergs essay on the myths surrounding elections is wrong on at least two points. The first is that he alleges that both Democrats and Republicans believe that if the election were run correctly, their side would have won. But I cant recall any Democrat who has publicly alleged that Trump won in 2016 because of a flawed election. We all agree for better or worse that Trump won in 2016 by carrying the crucial states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin by slim margins. The second point is that the idea of widespread election fraud itself is largely fiction. Goldberg does not discuss the fact that theres almost no evidence of fraud, yet dozens of laws are enacted nationwide to address this problem. The only evidence so far concerning Florida election fraud in 2020 are the shenanigans in a Miami-Dade state Senate race, where a ghost candidate with the same name as the Democratic candidate was allegedly paid to run by Republican operatives, and a handful of pathetic individuals in Miami-Dade and The Villages who allegedly voted twice for Trump. Goldberg might better address DeSantis proposal for an election police force. Unlike actual police, who are badly overworked these days, election police would have to find ways to occupy their time. No one could ridicule them for spending their days at Dunkin Donuts. Perhaps overwrought Republican legislators could borrow them to investigate clandestine critical race theory teaching in their districts or other imaginary problems. Its difficult to identify a bigger waste of tax dollars than an election police force. John Countryman, Plantation How many will adopt? How many people who participated in the recent March For Life in Washington will adopt babies from mothers who will be pregnant through incest or rape, or just cant afford to have a child? Advertisement Randy Lifshotz, Weston Confronting antisemitism Antisemitism is the longest-running sin in the world. Christians have persecuted Jews for close to 2,000 years; Muslims for 1,400 years. With the exception of short periods of enlightenment, Jews have never been accepted, and never as equals. They have been invited into nations, exploited and robbed and allowed to rebuild only to be robbed again. They have been thrown out whenever the rulers found it necessary. From the Romans scattering the Israelites in 70 A.D., to Muhammad beheading Jewish men and enslaving the women of Medina in the 7th century to the Crusades to the inquisition to the Holocaust and to wars of genocide launched against Israel by its neighbors, Christians and Muslims have exhibited an inexplicable cruelty toward the minority in their midst, from whom their religions emanated. Do they hate the morality of the Ten Commandments? Do they chafe at a people who seem to overcome so much cruelty only to survive and, when allowed, to give the world learning, art, medicine and creativity far beyond what their numbers would dictate? The greatest outrage against the Jews was the Holocaust. Radical Islam and academia are centers of antisemitism and must be confronted. As Elie Wiesel said, We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the oppressed. Advertisement Len Bennett, Deerfield Beach This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW HAVEN A weekly COVID-19 testing program has been set up for Afghan refugees arriving in New Haven. The New Home, New Haven program is a joint effort by Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services and the Yale School of Public Healths SalivaDirect project, according to a release. Since the start of this pandemic, SalivaDirect has worked to ensure equitable access to testing across communities and in our schools, said Leah Perkinson, manager of Pandemics, Health Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation, which is financially supporting the project. Sumaira Akbarzada, a community liaison with SalivaDirect, worked with IRIS on the program, including creating culturally competent COVID education materials, translated into Dari and Pashto, the most common Afghan languages, according to the release. The organization Elenas Light, founded by Afghan women, provides translation services. Participants are given an IRIS caseworker and a point of contact in the community. They are given help in signing the consent forms, having the tests, collection and results explained and given the chance to speak with a doctor in their own language, the release said. Akbarzada is an Afghan refugee who left the country in the 1990s. I learned this first-hand. People more readily engage in life-saving health care services when theyre culturally recognizable, she said in the release. Given all the misinformation circulating globally about COVID-19, I knew that to get maximum and frequent participation, our testing program would need to include services from people who sound and look like the evacuees themselves. SalivaDirect is a saliva-based laboratory diagnostic test developed at the Yale School of Public Health. Frequent, high-quality testing is essential to protect our communities from the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. Anne Wyllie, principal investigator for SalivaDirect, in the release. SalivaDirect enables rapid setup of affordable testing programs like this IRIS partnership for New Havens arriving Afghan evacuees. Together, were using saliva-based testing solutions to save resources, time, and most importantly, lives. Each participant will receive a free test for five weeks and the Yale Pathology Labs will process 2,000 tests. IRIS expects to support as many as 700 evacuees from Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August. These journeys are always urgent and traumatic. Yet, the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the immediacy of the mass evacuation is unprecedented, said Ann OBrien, IRISs director of community engagement. Were honored to support so many Afghan families and very thankful because only with partners like SalivaDirect and Yale are we able to mobilize so quickly and safely, welcoming these evacuees to democracy, education and equal opportunities for women in America. Constantly in transition from airports to military bases to temporary housing with visits to numerous government agencies, our evacuees from Afghanistan continue to face many exposures to new places and people, said Dr. Y Z Azar, managing partner of Genesis Medical Group and Afghan refugee advocate, in the release. Those who can be are vaccinated on arrival, yet we know weekly COVID-19 testing is the best way to protect the most vulnerable among us. Michelle Troconis attorney prevailed Monday when a Hartford judge ordered that the local states attorney respond in depth to a request for information related to two domestic violence cases filed against Kent Mawhinney, a co-defendant in the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos. While the judge had stopped short of ordering the information be turned over immediately to Attorney Jon Schoenhorn, who represents Troconis, she told Hartford States Attorney Sharmese Walcott that she had a month to detail what information she had, what she didnt and what she objected to releasing to Schoenhorn. Schoenhorns motion for disclosure comes amid a broader effort to learn whether Mawhinney, who was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the disappearance, had cooperated with authorities or been offered a deal in exchange for his testimony against Troconis, filings show. But ahead of the hearing Monday, Schoenhorn had written in court filings that Walcott had not responded to this request. Troconis also was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Both she and Mawhinney pleaded not guilty and are free on bond as their cases remain before a Stamford judge. Jennifer Dulos estranged husband Fotis Dulos died of suicide on Jan. 30, 2020, three weeks after he was charged with murder in the case. I do think you need to respond to this request for disclosure, said Hartford Superior Court Judge Hope Seeley after listening to both attorneys during a hearing on the request Monday. Seeley said she wanted Walcott to clearly state what documents she had and didnt have in her possession. If thats not in your possession, rather than argue about it, say you dont have it, Seeley said. Mawhinneys appearance Monday was for the two domestic violence charges before Seeley. The charges stem from incidents involving Mawhinneys ex-wife as the pairs divorce was pending in 2019, records show. Schoenhorn wants all arrest reports and evidence in the domestic violence cases, along with any other evidence of a deal. Schoenhorn contends he has a right to nearly all evidence in the domestic violence cases as he prepares to take his clients case to trial. Im not asking for anything that isnt being turned over to Mr. Mawhinneys attorney, Schoenhorn said. Walcott told Seeley that she felt Schoenhorn should have filed his motion in Stamford Superior Court where the conspiracy to commit murder cases are proceeding. But Walcott conceded that by law, Schoenhorn had a right to any documents or indication that a deal had been struck in her cases to gain Mawhinneys cooperation in the case against Troconis. Of course, they should be turned over, Walcott said. Jennifer Dulos disappeared on May 24, 2019, after dropping her five children off at school, police reports said. Her remains have not been found and she is presumed dead by investigators and her family. Mawhinney was already facing sexual assault charges in connection with an incident that occurred with his estranged wife in South Windsor when Jennifer Dulos disappeared, court documents show. Mawhinney was later charged with violating a protective order barring him from contact with his estranged wife. Both cases are still pending in Hartford Superior Court even though its been three years since Mawhinneys arrest on the sexual assault charges. His divorce was finalized in December of 2020. Mawhinneys conspiracy to commit murder case was placed on the trial list on Jan. 18. Mahwinney was initially held on $2 million bond for months until October 2020 when his bond was reduced to $246,000. Mawhinneys release came weeks after he was interviewed by state police about Jennifer Dulos, Schoenhorn said in court papers. He made statements to save his own skin, Schoenhorn said of Mawhinneys interview with state police. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo WEST HAVEN A former Tetlow Street school may become a commercial development after the city procured a state grant to fund the elimination of toxins in old, unused buildings. The City Council voted unanimously to call for a public hearing about the potential sale of the former Blake School. The building ceased operating as a school in the 1980s before it became administrative office space for the Board of Education; when the district moved its offices to City Hall, the building was abandoned and was later sold to the city. LOCKPORT A Falls man has been sentenced to a combined 35 years in prison for a murder he continues to insist he did not commit. If you already subscribe to our print edition, sign up for FREE access to our online edition. Thanks for reading The Henderson News. The Omaha World Herald building is seen in downtown Omaha, Neb. Newspaper publisher Lee Enterprises is asking its shareholders to help it fight off a hostile takeover offer from Alden Global Capital. The publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Buffalo News and dozens of other newspapers, including nearly every daily newspaper in Nebraska, sent a letter to shareholders Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 asking them to support its board nominees in the dispute with Alden. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Light rain this morning. Then remaining cloudy. High 59F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low 39F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Tuesday, released prophetic warnings concerning the forthcoming nati... Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Tuesday, released prophetic warnings concerning the forthcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), People Democratic Party (PDP) and the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele revealed that the convention of the APC will lead to another crisis in the party if care isnt taken. He warned the leadership of the party to handle it well to avoid more issues coming up within the party as a result of the convention. APC must be careful of their convention, if not handled well, it will cause more crisis in the party. On the PDP, the man of God warned the leaders to be careful so they wont break the party themselves. He revealed that a third force may spring up from the opposition party due to the activities of the leaders. PDP must be careful with what they are doing, they will break the party; and if care isnt taken, third force might surface from that end. He also warned Wike to be careful so he wont make the party miss their chances in 2023. Governor Wike must also be careful so he wont break the PDP. He may make PDP miss their chances in 2023 if he continues to bring setbacks in the party. The BOT of PDP should look into the matter, if not, they will miss it. Still speaking on Wike, Primate Ayodele noted that he foresees PDP governors fighting him while the EFCC will also go after his government. I also see PDP governors fighting Nyesom Wike. EFCC will also go after his government. He further warned him not to start a project he cant finish, while advising him not to run for presidency because he wont win. Wike should not start a project he cant finish in PDP. He wont become president in case he has an ambition. Continuing, Primate Ayodele spoke on the future of Iyochia Ayu, the national chairman of PDP, making it known that his duty will be hijacked and that he will be driven out of the party unceremoniously. In PDP, the duty of the national chairman will be hijacked. Ayu will be driven out of the party unceremoniously. The Federal government on Monday said there wont be any removal of fuel subsidy anytime soon as a result of perceived difficulties associ... The Federal government on Monday said there wont be any removal of fuel subsidy anytime soon as a result of perceived difficulties associated with it. Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed stated this at an interactive meeting with the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and other principal officers of the Senate. The Minister said, the Federal government was initially looking at the removal of fuel subsidy from July this year, after which they made provisions in the 2022 budget to cushion the effect but noted that the timing has become a huge challenge. The Finance Ministers disclosure was at the backdrop of concerns raised by the Senate President who pointed out that there should be caution in the event of subsidy removal so as not to deepen the economic hardships of Nigerians. Lawan said he visited President Muhammadu Buhari over plans to remove fuel subsidy and so many factors were taken into consideration but with a view to ensuring that the citizens are not at the receiving end. In her further reaction, the Minister of Finance said her ministry consulted widely and discovered that the federal government cannot go ahead with the removal plans until some steps are taken to protect the interest of Nigerians. She said: Let me start by stating that we did make a provision in 2022 budget and which means that there will be fuel subsidy from July. After consultations with various stakeholders, it became apparent that the timing became a big problem and Mr President didnt want that. We are looking at various means either putting our four refineries in order and allowing Dangote Refinery to come on stream. It means that we shall submit supplementary budget from July going forward. The Senate President had earlier said the country was confronted with the fuel subsidy liabilities but cautioned that the timing of its removal was inappropriate. He called for the cooperation of stakeholders in the Petroleum industry to cooperate with the government on any step that would be taken, should there be a need to remove fuel subsidy or not, insisting that there was no confusion in government circles. He also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to shelve their planned protest noting that any step taken by the FG with regards to fuel subsidy would be in the interest of the country. Lawan said: Admittedly the burden of subsidy is huge and massive and there is a need to do away with it. It needs the cooperation of all of us. Even though the economy is slowing. The issue of removal of subsidy should be done with utmost care and the timing should be such the impact would not deepen our woes and Mr. President needs the cooperation of all of us. The Minister of Finance is here because she is the one that will provide the money and we must find suitable time and means of getting the issue of removing fuel subsidy finally. If we are saying this is not the appropriate time, it should be agreed by all of us so that there wont be confusion anywhere. I appeal to NLC, TUC to shelve the idea of mass protest. It is unnecessary because the removal of fuel subsidy is a necessity. In attendance at the meeting were President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipreye Sylva and Chief Executive officers of Petroleum Downstream and Upstream sectors. Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, suspended the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) activities at Eyin Eyo, Church Street a... Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, suspended the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) activities at Eyin Eyo, Church Street and Idumota Bridge, in Lagos Island, indefinitely. The indefinite suspension became necessary following violence in those areas. Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka announced the suspension. Fayinka stated this at a stakeholders meeting comprising NURTW, Central Business District, CBD, and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) held at Alausa, Ikeja, to address the crisis often caused by activities of transport union members. Hot spots To prevent further acts of violence at Idiomatic, Fayinka explained that the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume work at Eyin Eyo. Fayinka further stated that the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, has been directed to deploy Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic in compliance with traffic rules and regulations. They will also enforce the suspension of the NURTW within the axis and simultaneously flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis. Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street, particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope). Fayinkaa added that the RRS, in collaboration with the State Police Command, will ensure safety of lives in the area. State security operatives are hereby put on red alert to ensure safety and security of lives and properties in Lagos Island and environs, Fayinka stated. Appreciating the position just taken by State Government, the Iya Oloja, Lagos Island, Alhaja Risikat Odumosu, expressed her displeasure at the wanton looting and destruction of their goods in shops around Idumota area. She appealed to the state government to come to their rescue, adding that we will not stand back and watch our properties destroyed by miscreants from now where. The Ekiti State chapter of the Grassroots Movement for Change (GMC), has cautioned Governor Kayode Fayemi against using state apparatus to f... The Ekiti State chapter of the Grassroots Movement for Change (GMC), has cautioned Governor Kayode Fayemi against using state apparatus to favour his choice candidate. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary will be held on Thursday ahead of the June 18 election. A statement on Monday by the GMC, noted that any attempt to subvert the wish of the people will be resisted. The Secretary, Ademola Ogunrombi, said Fayemi has enjoyed a relatively peaceful tenure and should not be involved in any act that might cause violence in the state. The scribe demanded that the people be allowed to vote their choice candidate without any fear of manipulation. This election seeks to present a fresh candidate for the first time in a long time in our electoral history. For those who seek to enslave us by collecting money to mortgage our future, be warned that Ekiti is not like every other state. The group urged stakeholders to rise and ensure that the state does not drift into anarchy due to the selfish interest of a microscopic few. The statement advised the APC national caretaker committee under the leadership of Governor Mai Buni to be fair and transparent during the primary. Earlier, Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Femi Ojudu, advised the party to ensure a credible exercise in order to produce a formidable flagbearer. Ojudu said he decided not to endorse any aspirant because he wants to be an unbiased umpire and a rallying point to settle differences that would emerge after the primary. Meanwhile, a House of Representatives member and aspirant, Femi Bamisile, has warned that the APC will collapse if the party picks its candidate outside Ekiti South Senatorial District. Bamisile commended the adoption of direct primary, saying it would remove the financial burden on contestants and tame manipulation of process. The lawmaker stressed that the people of the South can no longer tolerate the conspiracy that has ostracised them from the political equation since 1999. Governor Nyesom Wike has said the Rivers State government has through intelligence discovered a Legacy 600 aircraft owned by the state, wh... Governor Nyesom Wike has said the Rivers State government has through intelligence discovered a Legacy 600 aircraft owned by the state, which he said was flown to and abandoned in Germany since 2012 by the administration of former governor and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi. He said it was unconscionable for the immediate past administration to have surreptitiously taken a state-owned asset to Germany and abandon same there, without any documentation. The Governor revealed that the government had spent over 3 million (N1.4bn) in efforts to repair and retrieve the aircraft which had been abandoned for 10 years. This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Kevin Ebiri, who revealed that Wike had led a delegation of Rivers leaders to General Atomics Aerotec in Munich, Germany, where the aircraft had been abandoned. Speaking during a meeting with the General Manager, Business Development, General Atomics Aerotec, Markus Froetschi, Wike explained that his administration, in a bid to recover state assets, had through intelligence discovered that the Legacy 600 jet purchased by the Dr Peter Odilis administration was in Germany. He said, When we came into office in 2015, we never had an idea that our plane was in your facility. It was a matter of asking questions before we got the information that Legacy 600 belonging to our state is in RUAG, before General Atomics. We tried to make contact with you and which you obliged. So, we want to sincerely thank you for not hiding anything from us, because it is the property of the state government. This plane was bought in 2003 by the government of Dr Peter Odili, and by 2007 he had handed over to the next government which was my predecessors, now, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. While he was in office, by 2012 this plane was brought here. Reasons we do not know. Wike said there is no document indicating that the state-owned aircraft was flown to Germany and abandoned for inexplicable reasons. The issue is, why was there no documentation to let the incoming government to know that we have this facility and we sent it to RUAG for inspection? Again, I do know from experience that inspection of such facility does not take more than six months. So, if it was brought in 2012, expectantly at least, by early 2013, the plane ought to have come back for use, he said. The Governor said he had to travel to Munich, Germany, with a state delegation to prove that the Legacy 600 aircraft has been discovered and about to be returned to the state government. Those on the governors entourage included, the Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ehie Ogerenye Edison; Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor; member of House of Representatives, Hon. Ken Chikere; Rivers State chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Desmond Akawor; Chairman, Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike among others. Speaking, the General Manager, Business Development, General Atomics Aerotec, Markus Froetschi, confirmed that the aircraft was brought to Germany by the immediate past administration and abandoned since 2012. The statement continued, He expressed delight that Governor Wike took the initiative to repair and return the aircraft to Nigeria for use by the state government. According to him, his company will be done with general maintenance work and deliver the aircraft to the State government by March. The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, said he was elated that the aircraft has been recovered by the state government. According to him, state lawmakers will continue to support every effort to recover all government assets and property. Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ehie Ogerenye Edison, described the abandonment of the aircraft in Germany as administrative recklessness. We are surprised that this is more than seven years that the aircraft has been here. Their intention we cannot say for such, but it shows administrative recklessness, and worst of all, there is no proper documentation to show Rivers government as at then, meant well for Rivers people, he said. According to the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike, considering the brazen manner at which the immediate past administration sold state valuable assets to their cronies, it was obvious that the Legacy 600 was surreptitiously flown to Germany to be converted to personal use. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday, accused the Nigerian security forces of lying against its members. IPOB said cont... The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday, accused the Nigerian security forces of lying against its members. IPOB said contrary to claims by security agencies, that Eastern Security Network, ESN, is not a militant group and are not cannibals. A statement by IPOBs spokesman, Emma Powerful, reiterated that the group has no camps in Lilu, Orsumoghu in Anambra State and Mbaise, Obowo in Imo State. Powerful in a statement said, The global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wish to once again, debunk the falsehood and propaganda by the Nigeria army and police against innocent Biafran youths especially Eastern Security Network ESN operatives. The Nigeria Army Commander, as well as the Police Commissioner in Imo State, derive pleasure in dishing out fake information and falsehood to disrepute IPOB and ESN operatives. We, therefore, want to once again, declare that contrary to fabricated lies by the security agencies, ESN has no camp in Lilu, Orsumoghu in Anambra State and Mbaise, Obowo in Imo State. The claims by the Nigerian security agencies that they discovered IPOB/ESN camps in the affected communities are all lies concocted to blackmail us and justify further destruction of more Igbo communities by security agents. IPOB and ESN have no camps in these communities. We are not militants nor cannibals. Criminals can never be said to be IPOB/ESN members. We are not cultists. Our mission is the restoration of Biafra, and that has nothing to do with cannibalism and abominable things allegedly going on in such camps. Nigerian security agencies and government of Imo State created these criminals thinking they can demonize IPOB and ESN members but unfortunately they turned against innocent members of the society. The Jigawa Hisbah Board said it confiscated 1,906 bottles of assorted alcoholic drinks in its various operations in the state in 2021. Malam... The Jigawa Hisbah Board said it confiscated 1,906 bottles of assorted alcoholic drinks in its various operations in the state in 2021. Malam Ibrahim Dahiru, the state Hisbah Commander, said this in Dutse on Tuesday. Dahiru said that the drinks were confiscated during raids by Hisbah operatives at different drinking points and hotels in the state. He said 92 suspects including commercial sex workers were apprehended for immoral acts during the raids. The suspects were apprehended for immoral acts including gambling, prostitution of organising dance party during wedding ceremonies among others. The board was also able to close down brothels across the state within the period under review, he said. Dahiru, who reiterated that consumption of alcohol was prohibited among Muslim faithful in the state, urged residents not to engage in immoral acts and other vices capable of destroying the society. He added that the confiscated drinks as well as the suspects have been handed over to the police for further action. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest over petrol subsidy removal. The protests had been sc... The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest over petrol subsidy removal. The protests had been scheduled to hold on January 27 and February 2. Ayuba Wabba, NLC president, announced this to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja. He said the union decided at its national executive council meeting on Tuesday morning. The NLC president said the suspension was based on the federal governments decision to halt subsidy removal on petroleum. Earlier on Tuesday, the federal government proposed 18-month extension for the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). This means that the government will continue to cater for petrol subsidy payments Wabba said members of the NLC would be demobilised following the decision to suspend the protest. Following the reversal and reapproach by government, the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress met this morning (Tuesday) virtually to consider the new position of the government, he said. The NEC after vigorous debates took a decision to suspend the planned nationwide protest scheduled for January 27, 2022, and the national protest scheduled for February 2, 2022. South Africa: Transparency in beneficiary list prevents illegal occupation of houses The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has called for absolute transparency regarding the housing beneficiary list, to ensure that beneficiaries know their place on the waiting list. The committee highlighted this during the first day of its oversight visits in Gauteng to assess progress in the implementation of human settlements targets by all spheres of government. Committee Chairperson, Machwene Semenya, said the perpetual challenge of illegal occupation of unfinished houses can be alleviated by information and collaboration with the community. Furthermore, transparency will dispel the perception of corruption by human settlements officials. Transparency will also engender a sense of ownership among beneficiaries on the list, Semenya said. The committee visited Fleurhof Housing Project, Lufhereng Housing Project and the Diepsloot/Riverside Megaproject. Both Fleurhof Housing Project and Lufhereng Housing Project have experienced various illegal occupations. The committee appreciated the progress made on the three projects, but highlighted concerns about underperformance on delivery of targets, especially the megaprojects and Rapid Land Release Programme (RLRP). While the committee welcomes the paradigm shift from small, sporadic projects to megaprojects, the committee raised concerns that only 4 376 of 13 892 houses were delivered by 31 December. The department has also delivered 10 080 serviced sites from the targeted 14 266. While we are cognisant of the impact of COVID-19 on infrastructure development, we are disappointed that performance has been substandard. Despite this, we welcome initiatives by all spheres of government to speed up service delivery, Semenya said. The committee said the interventions towards resolving the underperformance include weekly monitoring of construction, the appointment of additional contractors to take up construction, as well as adjustment of delivery targets to accommodate delays caused by COVID-19. Hostel Redevelopment Programme The committee raised its disappointment regarding the lack of Hostel Redevelopment Programme implementation, especially in the context of in-migration to Gauteng. The committee is concerned that none of the 270 family units planned and eight hostel re-development projects has been implemented. The excuse that this is due to delays in the finalisation of procurement processes is unacceptable and the committee has demanded quarterly updates on the process to appoint service providers to implement the projects, the chairperson said. De-densifying informal settlements Meanwhile, the committee has called for the development of a discussion paper to find solutions to challenges faced by government when de-densifying informal settlements. Semenya said the committee is concerned that there is no standard approach to ensure that in the process of moving communities from informal settlements, there is no re-occupation of land causing further densification. COVID-19 impact on construction industry Regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry, the committee said it is aware of the impact to small and medium enterprises within the sector due to the slowdown of economic activity. The committee has called for the continued support of these enterprises, especially in relation to timely payment for services rendered. The committee also welcomed progress in the delivery of pre-and post-1994 title deeds, but called for strategies to expedite the programme. It further welcomed governments assurance that the current title deeds are being delivered upon completion and occupation of housing units. Despite all the progress, the committee is concerned by the slow delivery of housing for military veterans, with only 10 delivered of the targeted 416 in the 2021/22 financial year. We are aware of challenges caused by military veterans beneficiary lists and call on the Department of Military Veterans to expedite the verification process to ensure that correct beneficiaries benefit, Semenya said. The committee visited sites in the Ekurhuleni region, including Leeuwport, Johan Dube, Savanna City and Lethabong Megaprojects on Tuesday. The committee is expected to visit Bonaero Park in Kempton Park to assess progress in resolving challenges raised in a petition from the residents who have been struggling with the spillage of raw sewage in the area. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China and Russia hold joint naval drill in the Arabian Sea. /CMG On January 24, 2022, the Chinese and Russian naval forces held a joint maritime anti-piracy exercise in the northern waters of the Arabian Sea. A total of five naval vessels, ship-borne helicopters and marines from the two sides participated in the joint exercise. Themed on joint anti-piracy operations, the participating Chinese and Russian ship formations conducted drills of joint maneuvering, rescuing hijacked ships, and airlift evacuation of the wounded. The exercise has further enriched the connotation of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. Through holding the joint exercise, the two navies have accumulated useful experience to carry out combined anti-piracy missions, and improved their capabilities to jointly deal with maritime threats and safeguard the security of strategic sea lines of communication. . : FSRU The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called for calm in Burkina Faso. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is under detention b... The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called for calm in Burkina Faso. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is under detention by mutinous soldiers, led by Lt-Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. They swooped in after talks with Defence Minister, General Barthelemy Simpore failed to yield a positive result. The military personnel cited government failure to support them during a deadly insurgency as one of the reasons. Kabores ouster commenced on Sunday with gunshots near his residence in the capital, Ouagadougou. In a statement on Tuesday, the OIC expresses its concern about developments in the West African nation. The General Secretariat appealed to the Burkinabe military to prioritize the spirit of dialogue and responsibility to resolve any problem. The OIC supports the Government and people of Burkina Faso in their efforts towards security and stability in Burkina Faso, it said. The body consists of 57 countries and a population of two billion; 49 member states are Muslim-majority. Africa has now recorded mutiny in four countries Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso since August 2020. Residents of Heros Apartment, opposite Concorde Hotel, New Owerri, Imo State, were shocked in the early hours of Monday, when a mother, Mrs... Residents of Heros Apartment, opposite Concorde Hotel, New Owerri, Imo State, were shocked in the early hours of Monday, when a mother, Mrs. Eziada Chika Mbachu, who was invited by his 38 years old son, name withheld, was attacked and inflicted with several knife cuts when his alleged plans to kill the woman for ritual purposes failed. One of the neighbours, who apprehended the suspected ritualist, told newsmen that the woman who suspected foul play through the actions of the son, started screaming and raising the alarm, which prompted the people to come to her rescue. He said if not for the quick intervention of the neighbours who also suspected that the young man may be into Yahoo plus, the woman would have been dead by now. According to him, The mother was shouting and calling for help with blood stains and wounds on her body. The womans cry attracted some neighbours who came to her rescue. When the son saw many people coming, he stopped attacking the mother. The source said the bloodstains on the suspects mother also gave more insights into what may have transpired to create the suspicion of ritual killing-induced action. He said the woman has been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri for treatment because of the knife cuts. The police have arrested the boy and taken him to the station. The victim, Mrs. Mbachu, who is said to be a parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish at World Bank in Owerri, while reacting, thanked God and neighbours for saving her. She said I thank God for rescuing me. I thank my neighbours for rescuing me. I thank everybody who came to my rescue. God in heaven, I say honour to your name. It was gathered that the police in New Owerri have taken over the matter. Meanwhile, the police spokesman in the state, Micheal Abattam, said he had not been briefed and promised to call the DPO of the area where the incident happened. Yes. Gov. Hochul chose Mr. Benjamin, and she's stuck with him through the election. No. The state should have the option to remove someone under criminal indictment. Vote View Results MBABANE - The countrys low fuel prices are said to be influencing the call for a review of South Africas. Eswatini is a net importer of fuel and the country buys mainly from South Africa (SA) to boost Southern African Customs Union (SACU), revenue while special permits are sometimes issued for Mozambique imports. The general feeling in SA, it was gathered through media reports, was that it did not make sense for fuel to be expensive at the source compared to be where it is being supplied (Eswatini). Three days ago, South Africas Business Report reported that the Automobile Association (AA) had set up a petition calling for a review of the fuel prices. Providing cheaper fuel to South African citizens wont happen at the push of a button, but will require a multi-layered, multi-departmental approach with the involvement of the private sector, the AA said. Petrol 95 Unleaded currently costs around E19.61 per litre in South Africa. In Eswatini, a litre of petrol costs E17.15. The difference is E2.46. Need The AA said there was an urgent need for a comprehensive, long-term analysis of the components of the fuel prices and that all fuel price calculations needed to be reviewed to determine if theyre still relevant and appropriate to SA conditions. Retaining a pricing model because its historically the one the country has always used doesnt make sense; the question must be asked whether theres a better model available and, if so, whether SA should consider replacing the existing one, the AA said. It added that the levies for the General Fuel and Road Accident Fund (RAF) contribute significantly to every litre of fuel sold, but citizens dont see any tangible benefits from these taxes. However, several questions arise in relation to the allocation and use of these funds. For instance, the country continues to fund the Road Accident Fund (RAF) through fuel taxes, but its poorly managed and a drain on the countrys resources. Compensate Apart from poor management, there are also questions as to whether the country has explored alternatives to compensate road accident victims and, critically, whether the private sector has been consulted for their inputs, the AA said. Meanwhile, early this month fuel prices in the neighbouring country were reduced by between 68 and 71 cents/litre of petrol. Diesel prices fell by 67.8 and 69.8 cents/litre. Eswatinis new prices that were affected in early December 2021 remained the same, as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy maintained that it was not influenced by developments in SA. Watertown, NY (13601) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 56F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 38F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. MBABANE - ACC investigator Mcebo Mkhweli, who was arrested for among other charges, allegedly drink-driving, is now suing the Royal Eswatini Police Service a sum of E800 000. In his particulars of claim, Mkhweli narrated to the court that on July 16, 2019, he was arrested and detained by the Mbabane police officers under the Traffic Department. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator told the court that he was subsequently charged with four counts under the Road Traffic Act No.6 of 2007, which included a count of driving while under the influence of liquor. According to the plaintiff (Mkhweli), when he was arrested, he was not driving any motor vehicle as per the charge sheet. The police officers from Mbabane Traffic Department falsely and maliciously arrested, detained and thereafter charged the plaintiff without any reasonable and/or probable cause, reads part of the plaintiffs particulars of claim. Argument It was further his argument that when the police arrested him, they were acting at all material times within the course and scope of their employment as police officers under the command of the national commissioner of police. He submitted that during the arrest and detention, he was allegedly assaulted by the police officers such that he sustained injuries on his left ear. He recounted that he was again arrested and detained by the Mbabane police officers from the Traffic Department on July 21, 2016 and in the month of August 2019 after being waylaid at his place of residence in the city of Mbabane. During these two occasions, the plaintiff was charged with almost similar offences and was also assaulted and detained such that he sustained severe injuries on his body, stated the plaintiff. Averred The plaintiff averred that on the second arrest, he was allegedly denied his right to receive medical attention after the purported assaults occasioned by the police officers. Mkhweli submitted that he was also denied his right to call his attorney and or relatives and was further denied his right to be brought before a court of law. He argued that when the police officers arrested him on July 21, 2019 and in the month of August 2019, they allegedly did do so maliciously without any probable or reasonable cause. The police officers on both occasions of the unlawful arrest of the plaintiff were acting within the scope and course of their employment. The plaintiff was released on his own recognisance at the Mbabane Magistrates Court on the first incident of his arrest. Released He was thereafter released on bail of E1 000 and E1 200 respectively on the second and third incident of his arrest, reads part of the combined summons. It was also highlighted to the court that the arrest of Mkhweli on the three occasions was widely published in the print media such that his reputation as a law enforcement officer was tarnished. He further pointed out that despite that his arrest happened in 2019, he had not been prosecuted up to this date. As a result of the unlawful and malicious arrest of the plaintiff and unlawful assault by the police officers, plaintiff suffered damages to the amount of E800 000, submitted the plaintiff. He alleged that despite lawful demand, the defendant had allegedly failed, refused and/or neglected to pay him the damages as claimed. The plaintiff is represented by Senior Lawyer Sabelo Bhembe of Bhembe Attorneys in Mbabane. Last year when we met Laura Fisher, the veteran Girl Scout was gearing up for another season of selling cookies. As a Scout with seven years of experience under her belt, the 12-year-old developed the strategy of frequenting busy sections of the city and gathering with her fellow Scouts behind a cookie booth. It was a variation on the in-person sales model that Scouts have used for a century. The pandemic, however, forced her to modify her methods, by focusing more on social media and using a prepay/pickup selling system that called for less physical contact. Lauras brother also found a unique way to help. He has this blowup, inflatable dinosaur costume, and he would stand on the neutral ground and he would just wave a sign that said, Get your cookies here, she recalled. And people would just pull over and buy cookies from our booth. That was super fun. Laura, now 13, sold a little over 1,000 boxes last spring; together, her troop of 10 Girl Scouts sold more than 4,000. Since the 2022 Girl Scout cookie season kicked off on Jan. 14, Laura and fellow Scouts around the country are once again searching for creative ways to promote and sell cookies including a new flavor during a lingering pandemic. Cookie season, which also serves as the organizations entrepreneurship program for young women, ends on March 13. How it works Girl Scouts are currently accepting preorders for cookies by sharing personalized URLs with friends and family through email and social media. Folks who dont know a Girl Scout have a few options. They can visit www.girlscoutcookies.org or text COOKIES to 59618. Through Girl Scout USAs online cookie ordering service, customers can enter their Zip code into the cookie finder and purchase boxes from a local troop. They can also find nearby cookie booths by using the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app, which is available for free on iOS or Android devices. Boxes can be mailed to the persons home or a local charity as a donation. Gift-box options are also available. Selling strategies Building off a successful 2021 season, Girl Scout Sydni Wheeler, 14, is ready to go. Last year, the Baton Rouge resident became one of Girl Scout Louisiana Easts top sales people by selling 1,300 boxes of cookies. She credits her success to steady communication with customers, and the loyal client base that shes built over the years. Reach out to people as much as you possibly can, by emailing them and texting them, and when you see them in person, Sydni said, noting that her mothers network of friends and colleagues have shown her strong support. By having that relationship with them, I think that's a big benefit when selling cookies. Like Laura, Sydni enjoyed the social aspect of selling cookies, but she now relies more heavily on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. She points out that although using social media decreases the Girl Scouts chances of catching COVID, it makes them vulnerable to other hazards. There are a lot of scammers out there and dangerous things, Sydni said. Parents should watch out for their kids. New season, new cookie This year, Girl Scouts Louisiana East will offer the new Adventurefuls cookie, a brownie-inspired cookie topped with caramel-flavored creme and a hint of sea salt. The cookie menu also comprises such treats as Thin Mints, Caramel deLites and Lemonades, among other longtime favorites. The proceeds from each purchase benefit local troops and their council, and help power Girl Scouts leadership programming. One of our pillars in Girl Scouts is entrepreneurship, said Mona LaCombe, the internal recruiting manager for Girl Scouts Louisiana East. When the Girl Scouts participate in the cookie program, they are learning five essential skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. So I think it's really important that they continue with the cookie sales. Lauras troop will donate 10% of their cookie proceeds to NAMI New Orleans, an organization that supports individuals and families affected by mental illness. Laura said she plans to focus more on acquiring presales this year, and less on selling cookies from behind a booth. Her mother, Carrie Fisher, will play a role in making that happen. Some kids don't have social media, and they're not really supposed to put out personal information. Since they are so young, they don't really have a following, she said, explaining that Laura will instead connect with Fisher's friends. They've watched her grow up, they support her and they like to buy from her. The parents post the link and the kids just reap the benefit. Laura packs the cookie orders, but her mom helps her make the deliveries. They drive to each location, and Laura while wearing her Girl Scouts vest hops out the car for drop-offs. I'm looking forward to seeing people's faces when I tell them that I have their cookies, because that's always really fun to just see how excited they look whenever they hear that I have the cookies, Laura said. And then also, doing booths is also nice to just see people and to be able to give them the cookies then. New Orleans rowdiest, most ribald parade will be shorter this year, trimming blocks of the Marigny neighborhood from its usual route. Also, Dr. Jennifer Avegno, head of the New Orleans Health Department, whod been chosen as this years queen, has bowed out. Krewe du Vieux captain Sebastian Boegershausen said that after the parading group submitted its permit request to City Hall this year, they were informed that due to current resource shortages, the route would need to be shortened. Boegershausen said Krewe du Vieux was allowed to decide how to trim the route. Boegershausen said that, with great regret, the management of the 1,000-member group decided to cut off the start of the parade in the Marigny. While the procession of small mule-drawn floats and marchers usually lines up near the intersection of Royal Street and Homer Plessy Way, this year, the parade will start at the corner of Royal Street and Elysian Fields Avenue. Boegershausen said the decision was the least worse of our options, adding that the krewe management is aware of how much disappointment this will cause. +19 Mardi Gras 2023, Predicting where and when the New Orleans parades will roll next year Mardi Gras 2023 takes place on Feb. 21, and the traditional Carnival season starts up a few weeks earlier on Jan. 6. We know that for sure. He Overall, he said, the route was reduced from 2.9 miles to 2.2 miles. Boegershausen said that the Krewe du Vieux route changes from year to year, because the organization changes various stopping points based on the location of the annual ball, which takes place at the conclusion of the parade. This year, the parade will ramble from Elysian Fields through the French Quarter, ending at the Sugar Mill building in the Warehouse District. Boegershausen said that the route the krewe originally requested was no longer than some past parades. Boegershausen said the changes to the parade were predictable, considering that most of the city's larger float parades had been shortened for the 2022 season. City Hall has not immediately provided comment on the route change. Krewe du Vieux is known for its anatomically correct float designs and eyebrow-raising comedy. The krewe delights in mercilessly skewering city officials, so it was a meta triumph when Avegno, who led the citys efforts to suppress the coronavirus, agreed to reign as queen of the satirical 2022 event. Boegershausen said that Avegno graciously informed the krewe that she had decided not to ride as planned. In a news release, the krewe explained that Avegno withdrew because of krewe safety and other concerns. Boegershausen said that Avegno would not be replaced and her float and costume would roll in the popular procession. Shes still our queen, Boegershausen said, and in true Krewe du Vieux fashion, we plan to mock her painfully in her absence. With or without Avegno, the krewe is taking COVID-19 precautions seriously, Boegershausen said, requiring paraders to be be vaccinated, with rare exception, and encouraging them to mask. This years Krewe du Vieux theme is Vaxxed and Confused. A City Hall spokesperson confirmed Avegnos withdrawal. LJ Goldstein, spokesperson for the krewedelusion foot parade that usually follows Krewe du Vieux through much of its route, said he is aware of the changes to KDV, but is unsure how krewedelusion will be affected. Krewe du Vieux rolls at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12. Based on a map provided by Krewe du Vieux, the parade will line up on Royal Street on the downriver side of Elysian Fields Ave. It will turn left on Elysian Fields, right on Decatur Street, right on St. Philip Street, left on Royal Street, left on Toulouse Street, and right on Decatur Street. The parade will merge onto Tchoupitoulas Street, turn left on Andrew Higgens Street, and disband at the Sugar Mill building. In 2020, the Krewe of Nefertiti brought Carnival parading back to New Orleans East, after an absence of 28 years. After skipping 2021 like everyone else, thanks to the coronavirus, the Queens of the Nile will be back on Lake Forest and Read boulevards Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m., with the theme Too Legit to Quit. Co-founder Zenia Smith said she wasnt really worried that the start-up krewe might fade away in the two-year hiatus since the first parade. She said she figured that as soon as the mayor gave the go-ahead, the women of Nefertiti would be ready to roll. And she was right. If all goes as planned, the krewe's "Family Day Parade" will feature 16 floats, five bands, five marching groups and assorted other features. And everything, Smith promised, is going to have a distinct New Orleans-in-the-1990s vibe, complete with old-school hairdos, neon costumes and a bounce soundtrack, provided in part by guest DJ Jubilee. +19 Mardi Gras 2023, Predicting where and when the New Orleans parades will roll next year Mardi Gras 2023 takes place on Feb. 21, and the traditional Carnival season starts up a few weeks earlier on Jan. 6. We know that for sure. He At the founding of Nefertiti, Smith said she hoped the all-female group would parade on St. Charles Avenue with most of the citys established krewes. But there was a roadblock. The citys official Mardi Gras season, an 11-day period from the second Friday before Mardi Gras to Fat Tuesday, already had the maximum number of parades allowed by law. So Nefertiti headed east, where it would roll by itself, long before the citys official season began. In 2020, Nefertiti agreed to pay for its own police presence and post-parade cleanup. It was a sacrifice that, Smith said, turned out to be a plus in 2022. Since Nefertiti is an outlier, its been unaffected by City Halls need to shorten and consolidate routes to conserve municipal resources. Everything we do is up to us, she said. As an NOPD sergeant, Smith said shes sympathetic to the citys need to conserve. Happily, Nefertiti wont be a strain on the city, she said. With families lined up along the broad grassy route, the inaugural Nefertiti parade in 2020 had a neighborhood feel that harked back to the era when parades could be found in scattered locations across the city. According to a map provided by the Krewe of Nefertiti, the parade begins near the corner of Bullard Avenue and Lake Forest Boulevard, heads east on Lake Forest Boulevard, turns left on Read Boulevard, U-turns at Chef Menteur Highway, ending at New Orleans East Hospital. City health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno will no longer lead the Krewe du Vieux parade due to concern for public and krewe health and safety, krewe officials announced Monday. The announcement comes as the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread, though krewe officials stopped short of blaming the surge for her canceled appearance. With Avegno's guidance, Mayor LaToya Cantrell greenlit the return of parades for Carnival season, urging residents and tourists to get vaccinated and re-implementing an indoor mask mandate until further notice. Back in November as the delta variant waned, Avegno was named as the queen of the satirical parade, which rolls Feb. 12. She accepted the honor with a sense of humor, urging krewe members to make fun of her, though she also warned that if circumstances changed she would have to consider bowing out. According to krewe officials she will keep her title as the reigning monarch, but she will not be marching. A krewe official wrote on Facebook, Our queen has chosen to reign without participating in the parade. Its entirely appropriate given her chosen [Krewe du Vieux] persona shes the 'Goddess of NO!' that she had to withdraw. However, she is still our queen and Krewe du Vieux will spare no effort in making sure that her decision receives our Krewes signature treatment during the parade. The krewe will also have to largely skip the Marigny rectangle portion of its route, citing insufficient NOPD resources. They are among dozens of other krewes that have similarly and controversially been forced to modify and shorten their routes. Krewe du Vieux will start at Elysian Fields Avenue and Royal Street, then snake through part of the Marigny triangle and French Quarter. Krewe du Vieux is disappointed to miss our home neighborhood this year, but we will make every effort to have future parades in the Marigny return, wrote a krewe spokesperson. The krewes theme is, befittingly, Vaxxed and Confused. This story has been updated. A St. Tammany Parish-owned water utility that has drawn a torrent of complaints from residents of Cross Gates and other neighborhoods it serves in the Slidell area will get nearly $23 million in upgrades thanks to money from the American Rescue Plan, Parish President Mike Cooper announced Monday. The state will contribute $15.7 million from the Water Sector Program Grant Awards, Cooper said at a news conference, flanked by state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, and state Rep. Bob Owen, R-Slidell. That's in addition to the $7.1 million that the parish had already earmarked for the work. Both contributions come through the American Rescue Plan, which provided $300 million to Louisiana and $52 million to St. Tammany Parish. The Louisiana Water Sector Commission voted Friday to approve funding for 87 projects statewide, including the one in St. Tammany, Hewitt said. The commission used a scoring system, and the St. Tammany project ranked fourth on the list, which means it was viewed as one of the most critical to fund, she said. The Joint Legislative Committee on the budget will vote Tuesday to approve the funding, she said. Clean, reliable water is something residents deserve and demand, Hewitt said, adding that she has experienced frustrations with water quality and reliability in the system, which serves 8,100 people in Cross Gates, Meadow Lake and other neighborhoods. Owen said that infrastructure has not kept pace with the tremendous growth that eastern St. Tammany has experienced over 40 years. The project, which is called the East St. Tammany Water Consolidation Project Phase One, includes two elevated water towers, an additional well, 30,000 feet of new water main, two generators and a remote monitoring system, Cooper said. The system will aid in firefighting capacity and will also be more reliable during severe weather events, officials said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Cooper said the work will likely take 18 months to three years to complete. The Cross Gates system has been under fire from residents who blamed illnesses last spring on a sewer leak that coincided with low chlorine readings in the water. The Louisiana Department of Health cited the system for the low chlorine. The Cooper administration agreed to hire an engineering firm to review the system. That report found many deficiencies and recommended elevated storage and an additional well among more than 30 other items. "This gives us a big boost in providing some needed improvements," Cooper said. St. Tammany Parish Council member Mike Smith, who represents the area, called the announcement good news but added that he wants to see other recommendations in the engineering report addressed as quickly as possible. Cooper said that the fact that the parish was providing 31% of the project's funding improved its rating with the commission. Hewitt said that a second phase of improvements also received a high score from the commission but that the parish would not have been able to execute both at the same time. She said she hopes to see that phase, which will include more consolidation of smaller systems, included in next year's budget. New Orleans health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno decided not to ride as queen of Krewe du Vieux next month after unspecified threats that caused her to be concerned for her personal safety and the safety of krewe members, she wrote in a letter to the krewe. On Monday, Krewe du Vieux reported that Avegno, head of the New Orleans Health Department, had stepped down as 2022 parade queen. A letter to the krewe from Avegno indicated her reasons are fear for her personal safety and the safety of krewe members not from COVID-19 infection, but from other, unspecified threats. Avegno wrote that, because of the recent re-imposition of mitigation measures, the level of negativity and hatred" directed at city officials "has significantly increased. I do not want to create a security risk by my participation," she wrote, and so believe the best place for me this year is behind the scenes helping to continue protecting our community. The Krewe du Vieux, one of the earliest parades in the Carnival season, is known for its bawdy float designs and gloves-off political satire. So it was a coup when the krewe announced that Avegno, who had led the city in its battle with the coronavirus, had agreed to ride in the procession. At the time of her acceptance, Avegno good-naturedly said that she deserved whatever ridicule the krewe members sent her way. In her letter announcing her withdrawal from the parade, she poignantly wrote: Those of us in the public eye (whether we like it or not) know that there is an even higher honor to attain being lampooned for all to see by a bunch of smart and wickedly creative fellow citizens (its how we know you love us). Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up On Tuesday, Krewe du Vieux Captain Sebastian Boegershausen said that the krewe certainly supports Avegnos decision and respects her reasoning. But he regrets that circumstances prevent her from participating. It would have been one of those cathartic New Orleans moments, where we turn the mirror on ourselves, laugh at ourselves, and take life with a grain of salt, he said. Avegno will not be replaced, and her float and costume will still be featured in the popular procession that takes place on the evening of Feb. 12, Boegershausen said. Shes still our queen, he said, and in true Krewe du Vieux fashion, we plan to mock her painfully in her absence. Boegershausen said that the krewe does not plan to take any extraordinary security measures this year. Contacted for comment, a City Hall spokesperson said that Avegnos decision to drop out of the Krewe du Vieux does not imply that other city officials will avoid public appearances during Carnival. There are no changes of that kind, the spokesperson said. This is a developing story. Check back for more. Robert Ernest Bob Winn, a New Orleans lawyer who was a leader in the city, state and national movements opposing abortion, died Jan. 13 of pneumonia at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He was 83. Winn founded New Orleans and Louisiana Right to Life in 1970, three years before the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in Roe v. Wade, said Benjamin Clapper, Louisiana Right to Lifes executive director. From then on, Winn was a major force in the anti-abortion movement. He worked on anti-abortion legislation in the state house, and was appointed special assistant state attorney general to defend Louisianas laws opposing abortion and favoring adoption. He was a founding member of National Right to Life and served on the boards of both the city and state organizations. Without question, Bobs leadership was critical in making Louisiana a leader in the pro-life movement, Clapper said in a statement. Bobs legacy must live on through all of us. A lifelong resident of the New Orleans area, Winn was an Eagle Scout who graduated from Jesuit High School. He earned a bachelors degree in business and a law degree at Loyola University, then a masters degree in law at Tulane University. In the Army, he was a captain in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps. Winn was a lawyer at Sessions Fishman, and specialized in products liability and litigation law. He was active in the Louisiana State Bar Association, serving on its Board of Governors and as a member of its House of Delegates. He also was a founding board member and second president of CASA New Orleans, which provides free counsel for vulnerable children and families. When Winn was at Loyola, he was president of the Blue Key and Alpha Sigma Nu honorary societies and Sigma Alpha Kappa, the schools oldest social fraternity. In 1994, Loyola gave him its Adjutor Hominum Award as the outstanding alumnus that year. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In addition to being a member of the Knights of Columbus, Winn received two papal honors: He was named a knight of St. Gregory and a knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was a former president of the Lakeshore Property Owners Association and a member of Metairie Country Club, the Bienville Club, Beau Chene Country Club and the krewes of Endymion and Orpheus. Survivors include his wife, Maria Estrada Winn; a son, Robert S. Winn; a daughter, Sharon Winn Fremin; two sisters, Sharon Smetherman and Ave McNamara; and three grandchildren. A Mass will be said Wednesday at noon at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 775 Harrison Ave. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Burial will be in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A notorious New Orleans street figure from the 1990's, locked up in federal prison for more than 20 years on a life sentence, walked free this month for reasons a judge has blocked from public view. Terrance Gangsta Williams, the half-brother of Cash Money Records co-founders Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Wiliams, was dealing heroin and plotting murders when an FBI wiretap ensnared him. Williams, who is said to have helped bankroll the record label, belonged to a violent street crew called the Hot Boys, a name Cash Money later adopted for its breakout act starring Lil Wayne, Turk, Juvenile and Christopher B.G. Dorsey. The hip-hop supergroup debuted in 1997. A year later, Terrance Williams pleaded guilty to engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and solicitation for murder. He was caught plotting to kill a group of New York drug dealers in New Orleans to get paid for heroin theyd shipped by mail to an associate of Williams, court records show. The feds intercepted the package and listened as Williams hatched a murder plan. He got life plus 20 years. But U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle resentenced him last month to 27 years, records show. Williams was released on Jan. 3 at age 47, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Williams attorney, Townsend Myers, confirmed the reduced sentence but declined to comment. Attempts to reach Terrance Williams were unsuccessful. His mother said he remained in another state. Interim U.S. Attorney Duane Evans office declined to comment, citing Lemelles order sealing his reasons. Though federal law directs judges to state in open court the reasons for the imposition of a particular sentence, judges often obscure a defendants cooperation and its benefits by sealing records, hearings and transcripts. Even the fact an inmate was resentenced is sometimes absent from the public docket. Exclusive: Shrouded in secrecy, N.O. man in 'Central City massacre' has major sentence reduced, but why? The last person sentenced to death by an Orleans Parish jury is now scheduled for release from prison in seven years, thanks to a steep reduct Citing inmate safety, the federal judiciary began restricting public disclosure of judges reasons for sentences in 2001. The Bureau of Prisons also barred inmates from holding their sentencing documents, amid reports of assaults over them. More recently, a task force formed by the federal judiciary in 2016 recommended curtailing online access to plea and sentencing records across the federal court system. It hasnt yet been adopted, leaving courts to strike their own balance between inmate safety and transparency. Too often they favor secrecy, one federal judge has argued. Defendants want their cooperation secret for their safety; prosecutors want it secret so that defendants are not afraid to cooperate, U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby wrote in a 2019 article. Pity the journalist or citizen who seeks to know with certainty what happened at a particular federal sentencing. Its not unusual for the government to go to bat for cooperators in federal court. In the federal districts based in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, one in six defendants received a benefit for cooperation in 2020, about twice the national rate, U.S. Sentencing Commission data show. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Gregory 'Rabbit' Stewart, admitted 13-time killer, ends testimony in 39'ers case with talk of book project Over four unrepentant days on the witness stand in the federal "39'ers" gang racketeering trial last week and this, Gregory "Rabbit" Stewart a Court records show that Williams began helping the government after his arrest, though it didnt help him then. In 1999, prosecutors filed a 5K motion that noted his substantial assistance in securing guilty pleas from co-defendants. The defendant also provided information to the state authorities regarding a number of murders and urged persons who had witnessed murders to come forward as witnesses and contact the others, prosecutors wrote. But a co-defendant implicated Williams in two murders after his guilty pleas, and prosecutors declined to recommend a sentence drop. In handing Williams life, Lemelle found that the murders, both in 1997, were relevant conduct. Dead were Ishmael Fernandez, a 26-year-old Avondale Shipyards worker, in the 2800 block of Willow Street; and 19-year-old Colon Cains, who was shot dead in a Chevy Corsica on LaSalle Street. Williams later said hed witnessed both killings, in letters to Lemelle and the Orleans Parish district attorney, though he pinned the gunfire on others. He also wrote that prosecutors agreed to support a sentence reduction for a correctional officer that I help(ed) to have arrested. Relatives of Fernandez declined to comment on Williams release. Colon Cains mother, Gwen Morris, said he was her second son to be killed in the 1990s. It really bothered me at the time, she said. My son wasn't out there like that. He was just a child going to school. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Morris said she learned of Williams' release through a friend but was never told of his supposed role in her sons killing. I never knew Gangsta had anything to do with it, she said. He did his time, I guess. Court records suggest Williams lived up to his nickname on the streets, though they do little to settle a rumor that he bootstrapped Cash Money with $100,000 in drug proceeds. The sworn narrative backing Williams guilty pleas says he purchased cars in other persons names, told others about a substantial cash investment in a recording company, and had no legitimate source of income. Alongside the part about his purported investment, however, a handwritten note reads, Williams disagrees. His attorney for his sentencing, Arthur Buddy Lemann III, said he couldnt recall the dispute. More than 1,200 people have signed a petition for Benjamin Beales bond to be revoked, but attorneys for the person accused of killing and dismembering Julia Dardar in the Lower 9th Ward this month say there is no plan to post the $1.4 million bond. In an email, attorneys Christoper Murell and Billy Sothern said that "neither Mr. Beale nor his family plan to make this bond. Instead, as counsel for Mr. Beale, we are focusing our time and resources on unraveling the full truth behind this tragic situation." Beale would have to produce 12% of the bond amount in cash $168,000 or $1.4 million in Louisiana property as collateral in order to bond out. But those who signed the petition are concerned because they believe that it is financially feasible for Beale. He comes from a privileged, wealthy family that can pull strings, said a petition creator who used the alias Kate because she feared retribution. They could very well afford to post this bail for him. Beales father, Paul Beale, has a masters degree in geophysics from Stanford University and is senior vice president of multiple oil and gas companies, including Contour Energy E&P and Samson Exploration, according to his LinkedIn account and public records. He owns houses in Texas assessed at $1.4 million and $833,040; a house in Montana worth $339,801, and a house in Oklahoma worth $165,700, plus multiple boats, according to public records from assessors' websites. A former occupational therapy assistant and Lutheran youth pastor, Beales mother, Zeal Beale, owns multiple properties, too: a house in New Orleans assessed at $352,000, a townhouse in Los Angeles assessed at $681,991, and a house in Pensacola worth $205,816, according to public records from assessors websites. On Jan. 12, a magistrate court commissioner set Beales initial bail at $400,000, consisting of $100,000 for obstruction of justice, $25,000 for distribution of methamphetamine, $150,000 for illegal carrying of a weapon while in possession of a controlled and dangerous substance, $100,000 for creating/operating a clandestine drug lab and $25,000 for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. On Jan. 16, after an autopsy determined that Dardar had been beaten and strangled to death, another magistrate court commissioner increased Beales bail to $1,405,000, which included additional bonds of $5,000 for simple assault and $1 million for second-degree murder. Beales charges could escalate to first-degree murder, punishable by the death penalty, if Beale was found to be selling Dardar drugs at the time that he killed her. Sothern and Murell are capital punishment specialists with track records of getting their clients out of death sentences. The court would require Beale to wear an ankle monitor and be subject to 24-hour house arrest if he posted bail. He wouldnt be released until the court knew where he would be. Darrin Browder, director of strategic initiatives for Court Watch NOLA, said the bond is reasonable for the circumstances. Beale is accused of choking and beating Julia Dardar to death, dismembering her with a chainsaw and storing her body parts in a graffiti-covered school bus parked on his lower 9th Ward residence-cum-methamphetamine lab. Browder has only encountered one other defendant with the means to pay a sum that high: Robert Durst, who was held without bond because he was deemed to be a flight risk and a threat. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The creators of the petition believe Beale also poses a threat and a flight risk, and that he should be held without bond. He has threatened multiple people that I knowto cut them up, to chop them up, said Kate. She met Beale, a 34-year-old fire dancer, in 2014, when both performed at the same shows. I can think of three different women he told he would chop up on separate occasions. Kate and other petition signers who rallied at City Hall Jan. 18 to protest Beales possible release wish to invoke Gwens Law, which was signed into legislation in 2014 after Gwen Cox Salleys husband bonded out within hours of being arrested on domestic violence charges and killed her and himself. Gwens Law allows a seven-day delay in the setting of the bond, which functions as a cooling-off period for the person arrested for domestic violence, said Browder. The court may deny bail if the defendant is deemed a threat or a flight risk. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams is arguing to expand Gwens Law to any case involving victims where safety is a concern. We have and will continue to push for Gwens Law hearing for domestic violence cases, and this will allow a more informed bail hearing for domestic violence cases, Williams said in a Jan. 18 press conference. Browder emphasized that the purpose of a bond is to make sure the arrested person shows up in courtnot to fine them or lock them up preemptively. We have a problem in this country where people will believe someone is guilty because police arrested them, Browder said. The law says he is innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his peersnot because the media, police and family said he did it. I believe in the system that was created. The law says we should wait and allow the law to do its job. Ramon Vargas contributed to this report. The women who accused Rutledge Deas IV of tricking them into changing his diapers by pretending to be physically and mentally disabled man worried that sentencing him to only probation after his 2019 guilty plea in an Orleans Parish case would allow him to take advantage of more victims. It would seem their fears may have been warranted, according to State Police investigators who recently arrested Deas on similar allegations out of Jefferson Parish. Deas, 31, of Metairie, was booked Dec. 23 with human trafficking and attempted human trafficking, State Police said. Louisianas trafficking statute makes it illegal to obtain the services or labor of another through fraud or coercion. He is not a special needs person with incontinence issues, Trooper Nicole Barbe testified Friday during a preliminary hearing in Jefferson Parish Magistrate Court. Man accused of tricking women into changing his diapers says he was addressing childhood sexual trauma A New Orleans judge tore up the guilty plea of a man accused of posing as a disabled person and duping women into changing his diapers after a I believe that this is indicative of a fetish that he has, Barbe told the court, recalling images found in Deas phone during the investigation. Theres a lot of pornography involving babysitters and adults diapers pretending to be babies. In the most recent case, authorities allege Deas was in contact with a Jefferson Parish woman whom he asked to change his diapers, indicating that he was involved in alternative therapy, according to authorities. Deas had sent the woman $50 as an advance, told her he had prior emotional issues and was being cared for by family members using the same method, Barbe said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In text messages, Deas also allegedly asked the woman to help him find other babysitters, telling the victim that he looks a lot younger than he is and could pass for her son or a younger brother with special needs, according to State Police. What was the most alarming was his attempts to have her or her mother hire other babysitters, Barbe testified. In the New Orleans case, Deas pleaded guilty in December 2019 to four counts of human trafficking after State Police said he tricked four women into caring for him and changing his soiled diapers, according to Orleans Parish court records. The Orleans Parish judge sentenced Deas to five years of probation. Deas lawyers in the New Orleans case argued that he suffered from mental health and substance abuse problems. They also said his actions were in response to childhood sexual trauma. On Friday, Deas defense attorney in the Jefferson Parish case, Eugene Redmann, said it seems fair to believe that a number of people willingly take part in infantilism, also known as paraphilic infantilism, the adult desire to wear diapers and regress into baby role-play. Redmann questioned whether it would still be considered trafficking if the victim in the case had knowingly participated in the infantilism. But Jefferson Parish Magistrate Judge Patricia Joyce ruled there was probable cause to continue holding Deas on the trafficking and attempted trafficking charges. He was being held Monday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna on a $100,000 bond for those charges. But Deas was being held without bond on five counts of probation violation related to his conviction in Orleans Parish. MBABANE - There were mixed feelings from progressives over the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Cyril Ramaphosas latest statement on Eswatini. In his latest statement, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson, stated that there was a need for continuous support and monitoring of the intervention measures in the country. There is a need for continuous support and monitoring of the intervention measures agreed by SADC to ensure peace and stability in Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique, stated Ramaphosa. He said this during the African National Congress (ANC) Lekgotla closing address on Sunday. The ANC Lekgotla is a national executive committee meeting which comprises high-ranking ANC officials, including mayors, MECs and ministers. As per the past two years, the Lekgotla has been held virtually and the ANC president usually holds a closing address, which is viewed on national television. Situation In his closing address, the ANC president also made mention of the situation in the three aforementioned countries, which include Eswatini. In his last address, where he made mention of SADCs intervention in Eswatini in November, Ramaphosa and His Majesty King Mswati III held discussions on a broad range of matters relating to the political and security situation in the kingdom. According to the Office of the SA Presidency, the deliberations resolved that the Kingdom of Eswatini would embark on a process that would work towards the establishment of a national dialogue forum. President Ramaphosa and King Mswati III agreed that the SADC Secretariat would work closely with the Government of Eswatini to draft terms of reference for the national dialogue forum. These terms of reference will specify processes for the forum as well as the composition of the forum, stated the Office of the SA Presidency. When Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) President Sibongile Mazibuko was reached for comment, she said as the Political Party Assembly (PPA), they had made submissions to SADC along with the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) on two separate occasions concerning the intervention process in the country. Mazibuko said Ramaphosas noting that there was need to monitor what had been agreed upon was positive, however, it was important to highlight that SADC had not presented a report that had been made public. When SADC issued its initial report, it was handed to the King. Therefore, whatever has been agreed upon, between the King and SADC, one cannot comfortably say we are aware of, she said. Mazibuko said all they had was a communication to the effect that terms of reference shall be drafted by government and SADC and that whatever measure is instituted would be constitutional. She indicated that as PPA and a democratic movement they had expressed they wanted an independent environment for dialogue and there had to be an independent chairman as well. If he says intervention measures in the country have to be monitored, we have previously stated that the environment on the ground was hostile. Therefore, continued monitoring of this is a positive thing, she said. Comment MSF Chairperson Thulani Maseko was also reached for comment on their reaction to President Ramaphosas sentiments on Sunday night. The chairman said as MSF they welcomed, as always, the concern as mentioned by the ANC president. We recall that on the ANCs January 8 statement, the president expressed the ANCs commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Eswatini political crisis. What it means for us in the Mass Democratic Movement is that the ANC as the governing party in South Africa is ready and willing to walk with the people of Eswatini towards finding a genuine and lasting solution to our governance crisis. It means that the ANC and the Government of South Africa are committed to the process of establishing a forum towards a meaningful national dialogue, not a gimmick, said Maseko. He said they were determined to work with SADC towards a committed, genuine dialogue, and not Sibaya national dialogue. We will be impressing on SADC that we will not give credit to the Sibaya process which hasnt worked for us over the years. We will impress that there must be a clear commitment from the part of the King and government on the creation of a political climate that is conducive to a genuinely people-driven and participatory democratic process, said the MSF chair. He said fundamental on this was the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including the two Members of Parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, and the return of all exiles, including Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane and the many others who left the country many years ago. We will insist on the adoption of terms of reference that will clearly define the process under the chairmanship of an impartial chairperson, preferably the SADC. We will advise the chairperson of the Organ Troika that we have long dismissed Sibaya as a forum and venue for a genuine and meaningful dialogue process. Sibaya is a traditional setup, squarely within the domain of the King as a traditional ruler with its own rules that are inconsistent with modern democratic processes, he said. Maseko said the Sibaya National Dialogue was not the dialogue they envisaged. Supreme The dialogue process we envisage is one that is a pre-eminent political act of emaSwati towards a multiparty democratic dispensation, where no one single person or group of people will be above the supreme democratic constitution as adopted by the people, stated the MSF chairman. Director Communications in the Kings Office Percy Simelane was also reached for comment on the matter. When asked whether the measures the SADC Organ Troika chairperson was referring to was the national dialogue, he said they elected not to assume what he meant lest they contaminated it. His office is better positioned to echo his sentiments on Eswatini. We believe the envisaged dialogue in the country for peace sake is Troikas top shelf responsibility and not just duty at the moment. We, therefore, choose to take the SA president only for his word and not try to interpret it because some meanings are lost in translations and in the process the message is dashed, said Simelane. Universities across the city are preparing their classrooms for in-person learning, with students returning to campus at Tulane University and the University of New Orleans this week and Loyola and Southern on Jan. 31, following Dillard and Xavier, which have already begun their spring semesters. All are requiring masks in indoor spaces and have vaccine requirements, and most are requiring a booster shot for students who become eligible following their initial COVID-19 vaccinations, according to school websites. At Loyola University New Orleans, where classes will begin next week after two weeks of online instruction, students will be required to submit a negative test before they are allowed to move into residence halls or go to class in-person, according to an email sent to students by university President Tania Tetlow. Tulane University will begin in-person instruction Tuesday after delaying the start of the semester a week. The extra time was due to the recent surge in COVID-19 infections fueled by the omicron variant, as well as the early January arrival of resident assistants and 3,000 students in preparation for the universitys Spring Panhellenic Recruitment. Dillard University was the first in New Orleans to resume in-person learning for the spring semester on Jan. 18 but also had classes online since Jan. 14, said Eddie Francis, director of communications and marketing. As of Monday, the universitys COVID-19 dashboard reported a mere 0.5% of students are infected, and Francis said Dillard is confident in its decision to return to campus. Southern University at New Orleans started its semester online and will stay online until Jan. 31. Its website said it expects a staggered schedule beginning Feb. 1, though it noted that it is monitoring U.S. Center for Disease Control guidelines closely. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Adam Norris confirmed Monday that UNO is preceding the semester as scheduled and with its original plan, to return in-person on campus Wednesday, Jan. 26. Mark Fernandez, chair of Loyolas history department, said that professors at Loyola are getting used to pivoting, so the transition hasnt been a hassle. But he said there has been some disappointment about not being in the classroom when the semester started on Jan. 18. It boils down to a basic human need for contact, Fernandez said, adding We just kind of roll our eyes and say, Here we go again.'" Regardless, Fernandez said Loyola officials have gone out of their way to protect students and faculty, despite the difficult decisions. Adam Washington, sophomore class president at Xavier, said he has gotten mixed responses from his peers about getting back to in-person classes on campus Monday. He said most students are taking heart that illness due to the omicron variant has been less severe overall compared with previous strains of the virus, along with the school's requirement to be vaccinated and boosted. Mainly, though, Washington said he is grateful for the opportunity to return to campus. COVID-19 disrupted his senior year of high school in 2020, and he said he and his classmates are excited to have the opportunity to be together. He said that working through the struggles together is an invaluable experience to the Xavier community. I truly do believe that we're the start of a new shift in our way of life, he said. An autopsy has determined that a man who was found dead near Interstate 10 in Lakeview during Hurricane Ida last year accidentally drowned, according to the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office. When the body of 25-year-old James Hill was recovered near the I-10 and West End Boulevard hours after Ida crashed onto Louisiana's coast as a powerful Category 4 storm, the coroner's office didn't immediately classify his cause or manner of death, saying it required further investigation. The agency maintained that position after New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Hill appeared to have drowned while driving through floodwaters. And the agency did the same after Hill's father openly questioned whether there was an aspect of foul play to his son's death. +3 Uptown vape shop owner, tree-cutter from Metairie died amid Hurricane Ida in New Orleans One had just opened a vape shop in a bustling commercial stretch of Uptown. The other was a tree-cutter from Metairie whose father wondered wh Now, following an autopsy and toxicology tests, the coroner has ruled that Hill had died from accidental asphyxia due to drowning, spokesperson Jason Melancon said in a statement Monday. The information was released shortly after The Times-Picayune requested an update on the case. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up Hill attended East Jefferson High School in Metairie and worked with his father as a tree trimmer. Little is known about exactly how he died. However, a video posted on YouTube by a disaster filmmaker quoted a witness who described pulling a dead man from a vehicle submerged near I-10 and West End. The witness recounted trying to perform CPR on him and lamented, "I was too late. ... He didn't make it." More than 30 people in Louisiana died as a direct result of Ida, which made landfall on Aug. 29, exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans. Many died from carbon monoxide poisoning or heat-related illness during the extended power outages caused by the storm. Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexicos tinder-dry mountainsides, forcing the evacuation of area residents and dozens of patients from the state's psychiatric hospital as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing. The big blaze burning near the community of Las Vegas has charred more than 217 square miles. Residents in neighborhoods on the edge of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes. It's the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and is moving quickly through groves of ponderosa pine because of hot, dry and windy conditions that make for extreme wildfire danger. Forecasters are warning of extreme fire danger across New Mexico and in western Texas. Philadelphia Each year, taxpayers personal information is compromised through phishing scams or by unscrupulous tax preparers. With tax season kicking off on Jan. 24, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) wants taxpayers to be aware of tax-related fraud. Tax return preparers owe it to their clients to prepare tax returns that are complete, accurate and in compliance with the law, said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. Unfortunately, every tax filing season, we see tax return preparers who lie and cheat for a quick buck at the expense of their clients. This years tax season begins Monday, Jan. 24 and continues through Monday, April 18 for most taxpayers. U.S. taxpayers are subject to tax on worldwide income from all sources and must report all taxable income and pay taxes according to the Internal Revenue Code. Taxpayers found to be committing fraud may be subject to penalties including payment of taxes owed plus interest, fines and jail time. Tips to avoid tax season fraud include: 1. Choose a tax preparer wisely. Look for a preparer who is available year-round. 2. Ask your tax preparer for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). All paid preparers are required to have one. 3. Dont use a ghost preparer. They wont sign a tax return they prepare for you. 4. Dont fall victim to tax preparers promises of large refunds. Taxpayers must pay their fair share of taxes. 5. Dont sign a blank tax return. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for what appears on tax returns filed with the IRS. 6. Make sure you receive your refund. Your refund should be deposited into your bank account, not your tax preparers. 7. The IRS will not call you threatening legal action. If you receive a call like this, hang up. 8. Dont respond to text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to be the IRS. They may contain malware that could compromise your personal information. 9. Dont click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages about your tax return. These messages are fraudulent. 10. Protect your personal and financial information. Never provide this information in response to unsolicited text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to be the IRS. Jean Coq was sentenced to six months in federal prison for preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns for his clients. Coq filed these tax returns claiming fictitious or falsely inflated Schedules A, Itemized Deductions, for client-taxpayers. The Schedules A claimed inflated state and local income taxes paid, false or inflated gifts to charity, false or inflated unreimbursed employee business expenses, and false or inflated miscellaneous deductions. These fraudulent deductions resulted in tax refunds due to the client-taxpayers that they otherwise were not entitled to receive. Jamar White was sentenced to four months in federal prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent income tax returns. White, who previously pleaded guilty to the tax charges, created false tax returns for a number of clients while acting as a paid tax return preparer. By falsifying various deductions for things such as gifts to charity and business expenses, White was able to secure refunds for clients to which they were not in fact entitled. For more tips on choosing a tax professional or how to file a complaint against one, visit IRS.gov. Taxpayers who suspect tax violations by a person or business, may report it to the IRS using Form 3949A, Information Referral. Taxpayers can report phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov or IRS impersonation scams to TIGTA.gov. 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. Williamsport, Pa. The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., is celebrating the 11th anniversary of Take Your Child to the Library Day with special activities on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take Your Child to the Library Day is an international initiative that encourages families everywhere to take their children to their local library. Launched in 2011 in Connecticut, the event raises community awareness about the importance of the library in the life of a child, and promotes library services and programs for children and families. Join the celebration! Activities include a play area in the first-floor childrens, a family scavenger hunt, new games for the Creativity Zone, a new Lego wall in the tween/teen area, and fun book giveaways to build home libraries. Come spin a fun prize wheel for a chance to win a squishee fidget, light-up bracelet, bookmark and other surprises. Every child who comes to the library will receive a free book, while supplies last. Thanks to the Friends of the James V. Brown Library, children who stop by the Friends Favorites Bookstore on the third floor of the Welch Wing that day will also receive a free book. The event was developed to spotlight libraries as vital community resources that enrich, educate and entertain -- and to encourage families everywhere to take their children to their local libraries. Since its inception, Take Your Child to the Library Day activities have been made available to more than 39 million individuals and families across the U.S. and in countries around the globe, said Jennifer Keohane, Connecticut Library Consortiums Executive Director. "Library books and technology open up access to the world and fuel childrens curiosity and passions. And library programs provide myriad opportunities for learning, discovering, making friends, and having fun! If you want your children to become thoughtful, engaged citizens, start by bringing them to the library on Take Your Child to the Library Day or any day. 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, Pa. Weis Markets filed a lawsuit Friday in federal court against a manufacturer of disinfectant spray after the supermarket chain was forced to remove the product from shelves last month due to safety concerns. The Weis company, based in Sunbury, Pa., has more than 17,725 cases of the spray in warehouses totaling more than $649,000, according to the complaint. The sale of the Tatanka brand disinfectant spray was banned by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on Dec. 15, 2021, due to a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act. Weis alleges in the breach of contract lawsuit that the Tatanka company ignored safety regulations by importing household cleaning supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic in an attempt to make a quick profit. Tatanka Trading Co., manufacturer and marketer of the disinfectant spray, is named as the defendant in the suit as well as the SF Group, which is the importer and distributor of the product. Both are based in Medford, N.J. As part of the lawsuit, Weis is asking the federal court to issue a preliminary injunction ordering the defendants to take immediate possession of the disinfectant sprays. When the disinfectant spray was banned last month, Weis was ordered to stop all sales of the product and either return or destroy their stock. In the complaint, Weis claims that the supermarket chain cannot safely dispose of the hazardous chemicals without subjecting itself to the potential for liability. Weis has repeatedly asked the defendants to take possession or responsibility of the disinfectant sprays, which has resulted in a loss of $649,415 for the supermarket chain, according to the complaint. In November 2020, Weis placed nine orders for the disinfectant spray totaling 24,192 cases at a cost of $897,710. However, demand for the product soon changed and in February 2021 Weis attempted to cancel the rest of its order after SF Group had delivered four of the nine requested cases. The SF Group then threatened litigation. The two parties reached a settlement agreement in which Weis paid SF Group $847,048 and took possession of the disinfectant sprays as well as paper towels included in the order, according to the complaint. Evidence included in the lawsuit outlines Weiss recall policy, which explains that vendors are held accountable if the products are determined to be unsafe. Weis claims that the defendants accepted the recall policy terms when they fulfilled the purchase order. Violations against SF Group and Tatanka outlined in the lawsuit include breaching the implied warranty of merchantability, and breach of contract failure of consideration and nonconforming goods. Besides the injunction, Weis is requesting $750,000 for monetary damages. Federal judge Matthew E. Brann is presiding over the case. Weis is being represented by the law firm of Manko, Gold, Katcher, and Fox, LLC, out of Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 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. For much of the pandemic, financial relief has been focused on preventing renters from being evicted or having their utilities shut off. Now, homeowners facing hardships will be able to find assistance for their mortgage payments and utility bills. Lycoming-Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP), Inc. will be administering a mortgage assistance program in Lycoming County using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COVID funds from the Montoursville Borough Council, Jersey Shore Borough Council, and the Lycoming County Commissioners. In addition to financial eligibility rules, there are strict geographic guidelines for the program. Residents of the City of Williamsport, Borough of South Williamsport, and Loyalsock Township are not eligible; residents of all other Lycoming County areas are encouraged to apply. We have not been able to provide this level of pandemic-specific assistance to homeowners until now. They are dealing with some of the same difficulties and barriers to stability as renters, and this program should provide the help they need to recover, said Jim Plankenhorn, STEP President & CEO. Homeowners interested in applying can do so online at www.stepcorp.org/cdbg-cv, by visiting the STEP office at 2138 Lincoln Street, Williamsport, or by calling 570.326.0587 to request one by mail. Residents of the excluded municipalities may be eligible for assistance through the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, being administered by PHFA, at www.pahaf.org. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. Bloomsburg, Pa. Bloomsburg Police said a months long investigation resulted in charges being filed against two individuals on Jan. 12. Police said both Justin Charles Bozarth, 33, and Kristy Mae Shultz, 32, both of Bloomsburg were charged with several felonies after the discovery of two breaks-ins. An investigation into burglaries on April 3 and Aug. 1st led back to both individuals after finger prints were pulled from multiple items. A resident reported missing property from an apartment near the 60 block of East Main Street in Bloomsburg. The caller reported a hotspot being stolen along with, a printer, a computer, and clothes from the home. Police said a few days later the same caller reported more missing clothing, makeup, and a partial portion of her lease that contain a social security number. A second burglary was reported on Aug. 1 near the 100 block of North Street. According to the report, the apartments are used for student housing. A witness told Bloomsburg Police someone had entered an apartment without consent and left evidence of numerous sex acts being performed. Officers said they located mattresses, cucumbers with condoms on them, baby oil, and several pairs of womens jeans with the buttocks cut out. Several of the residents also reported items such as a television and Xbox missing. Shutlz told police during an interview Bozarth and her had entered the apartment and slept there over the course of several days. Shutlz said when Bozard was high on methamphetamine he dressed up in womens clothing and performed sex acts on himself inside the apartment. Shutlz was charged with several felonies that included first-degree burglary and third-degree criminal trespassing. After being arraigned by Judge Russell Lawton, Shutlz was detained at the Columbia County Prison on $5,000 monetary bail. Bozarth, whos finger prints were discovered on a bottle of baby oil after tests were returned in Nov., was charged with first-degree felony burglary and third-degree criminal trespassing. He was also charged with first-degree misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking. Bozarth was charged in two separate cases after police said he broke into both residences over the course of a few months. Bozarth and Shultz were being $5,000 monetary bail. They are both being held at the Columbia County Prison. Kristy Mae Shultz docket sheet Justin Charles Bozarth docket sheet Justin Charles Bozarth docket sheet Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. Williamsport -- Barbara J. Dos Santos, 77, of Williamsport passed away Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 at UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport. She was preceded in death by her husband Jose Dos Santos in 2013. Born April 3, 1944, in Fall River, Mass., she was a daughter of the late William E. and Beatrice Y. (Fraizer) Bowyer. Barbara retired from Dunkin Donuts in Bridgewater, Mass. She enjoyed crocheting, word search puzzles, and adult coloring books. Surviving are three sons Terry Felt of Williamsport, William Felt of Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Peter Felt of Oswego, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister Geraldine Mason of East Bridgewater, Mass.; and two nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons Richard and Michael Felt and a brother Charles Bowyer. In keeping with her wishes there will be no services. Memorial contributions may be made in Barbaras name to the American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. Arrangements entrusted to Knight-Confer Funeral Home. www.KnightConferFuneralHome.com To plant a tree in memory of Barbara Santos as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. MBABANE William Pitcher SRC President Bheka Mabuza has admitted that they unknowingly engaged a former Times of Eswatini employee, Kwanele Sibiya, to raise their grievance. The article posted by Swaziland News stated that Mabuza had said he tried to engage the Times of Eswatini in an attempt to state their side of the matter and was ignored. He further said he demanded evidence but the Times was not forthcoming with such. However, it has turned out all that he was talking to an employee who last worked in the organisation a year and three months ago. When called by The Times SUNDAY Editor yesterday and asked who he spoke to within the organisation, he named Sibiya, a reporter who has not been in the Times employment since October 2020. Mabuza said he did not know that the reporter was no longer under the Times employ. Revealed Mabuza also revealed that the first year students denied participation in the summer school camp, but also admitted that it was not possible for them as SRC to know whether they went there or not. He also admitted that such was confidential information and the students were not expected to share it with the SRC. Intentionally as individual students, they can participate because the truth is that without a revolutionary theory, there is no revolutionary action, which means they were there in their capacity as the youth of that organisation to resolve how they are going to fight as an organisation, but not as William Pitcher students. political parties have their own principles and we are saying it is good if the students participate. Students have no obligation to report their participation to SRC and yes there is a possibility that they participated if the evidence is there, but it still does not mean they represented the institution, Mabuza said. He further admitted to being aware of the CPS Summer School Camp, stating that it took 10 days. This is not to say he attended but that as the SRC president he too was aware of what was going on politically. Newberry -- Florence F. Engel, 85, formerly of Bastress and of Newberry, died peacefully Thursday evening, Jan. 20, 2022 at the Adams Rehab Center located at Riverwoods Senior Living Community in Lewisburg. Born Feb. 17, 1936 in Williamsport, she was the daughter of late Bronisiaus "Bert" A. and Frances M. Boroch Federowicz. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Richard A. Engel. Before retiring, Florence was employed for 43 years by the Tetley Tea Co. on Reach Road. She loved Christmas, shopping, and entertaining family and friends. She used her artistic talents to design and create all manner of holiday decorations, rocking horses, puzzle tables, and play houses which her husband built and she painted as gifts for her family. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church for 55 years. Florence was the last of seven siblings of the Federowicz family. Surviving are daughters Victoria Engel and husband Michael Rosner of Westminster, Md.; Karen Engel-Thompson and husband Richard Thompson of Baltimore, MD; son Mark Engel and wife Marina Engel of Laurys Station, Pa.; as well as seven grandchildren and two great grandsons. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church in Bastress and a private interment was held in Wildwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, 3301 Wahoo Drive, Williamsport, PA 17701. Arrangements entrusted to Knight-Confer Funeral Home. www.KnightConferFuneralHome.com 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. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on www.northcoastcitizen.com. The North Coast Citizen E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement. MBABANE - International Secretary of the Communist Party Swaziland (CPS) Pius Vilakati has decried the impression that students have no right to show their anger at the government system. Addressing the concerns that the Student Representative Council (SRC) at William Pitcher said their first year students did not attend the partys summer school in December 2021; Vilakati said it was up to the institution and the SRC as an organisation to interpret the attendance of the students in their own way. Request He said as an organisation they did not request for permission from SRCs to have students participate in their summer school. He stated that the SRC was not in a position to know if the students did or did not attend the summer school. Vilakati said it was the students right to fight for the liberation of the country and call for democratic reforms in their capacity as individuals. He said the students were not obligated to reveal to the SRC if they attended or not. Reiterate We encourage and we can reiterate that students did attend the summer school, which was a great success and in the same vein we want to state that students have a right to participate in politics as students as much they have rights to be part of unions after tertiary. We also encourage our participants, especially students not to disclose their participation in the summer school, in fact we even block their faces when we post pictures to conceal their identities, said Vilakati. He mentioned that as CPS they had an elaborate plan and they were going to do everything in their power to liberate the people. False This is not the first time that the Times has had to clarify a false report carried by Zweli Dlaminit on Swaziland news. Recently, Zweli tried to get the newspaper to publish false information about former MP Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane. However, during the vetting processes, the Times established that the information he gave it was false and refused to publish it, as the newspaper felt doing so would have helped Zweli fulfil the agenda he had against Gawuzela. MBABANE William Pitcher Student Representative Council (SRC) President Bheka Mabuza admitted that students could have been part of the Communist Party Swaziland (CPS) Summer School on their own volition. Mabuza said the students have their individual right to participate in the liberation of the country, but not as representatives of the institution. In an interview yesterday, Mabuza, who was in the company of members of his executive, said as an organisation, they were aware that students do participate in the struggle on their own volition as individuals. He said they encouraged the students to play their part in the struggle against the current regime because democratic education could only be attained in a free society. Fight Mabuza said students had shown a great political will to fight for the democratisation of the country so that they would achieve academic freedom. He added that the impression that students did not have the intention to participate in the fight for freedom was not true. Mabuzas comment comes after an online publication; Swaziland News, published a story that The Times SUNDAY printed an allegedly false article implicating the students in a plot to sabotage the State. In a recorded interview, the SRC president did not deny that students from the institution could have been a part of the CPS Summer School in December 2021, but said they were not representing the institution. When interviewed, The Times SUNDAY Editor Thobeka Manyathela noted that there was no insinuation in the article that the students who attended the summer school were representing the college. The article quoted a private and confidential document that was leaked from the meeting citing specifically first year students from the institution. The CPS did not deny the contents of the document either. The document specifically read: The Communist Party Swaziland (CPS) successfully held its summer school in Piet Retief Gert Street, notable attendance were the William Pitcher College first years and the following was discussed . The SRC president said he was aware of the document, when this reporter wanted to show him its exact contents. Impression Mabuza, however, said their issue was the headline which he said gave an impression that all students in the institution were a part of the plot to sabotage the state. We are saying as an SRC, students have a right and a role to play in the liberation of the country in their own individual capacity. We have been saying as a student organisation, our cry for academic freedom will remain a dream under the current government and we are hoping that a democratic government is the one that will prioritise education. The quote of only William Pitcher students in the story gives the impression that all students were there, yet we have guidelines enshrined in our constitution as students of the institution, he said. Adopt He said the guidelines stated that they must call a meeting to adopt any new strategy in the fight for liberation of the country and academic freedom. The headline read: Pitcher Student Recruited For State Sabotage, and it specifically did not mention All Students. The SRC president was made aware that the Times cannot alter the document where it referred to the name of the institution. His concern was that the Times SUNDAY could have said Some William Pitcher students or tertiary students. However, the document specifically spoke of the notable presence of William Pitcher students while the story correctly states that it was not just William Pitcher students who attended, but also those from other tertiary institutions. TO HELP: Those interested in learning more about ways to help the Afghan refugee population in and around Sioux City can contact Mercedes Dimas, the family services and refugee coordinator at the Mary J. Treglia Community House, at m.dimas@marytreglia.org. The nonprofit also is accepting monetary donations, Walmart gift cards, household supplies and furniture as it works to settle newly arrived refugees. Visit marytreglia.org for more information about the Mary Treglia House. Jason Lief, professor of biblical and theological studies at Northwestern College in Orange City, also encouraged Iowans to contact U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) about co-sponsoring a bill called the Afghan Adjustment Act. The legislation would provide permanent legal status for Afghan refugees and would help reduce a backlog of asylum applications. Lief said Ernst has signaled support for Afghan refugees in the past. I believe that politics is creational good. I know its really messy right now, and I know its gotten nasty, but politics is about human flourishing, Lief said. We can use politics to better the lives of people. NEW YORK Kohl's confirmed that it has been approached about a possible sale of the department store chain. The company said that it would not comment further, but its confirmation follows media reports that the private equity firm Sycamore Partners had approached Kohl's about a potential deal. Days earlier, a group called Acacia Research, backed by activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP, reportedly bid $64 per share, or about $9 billion Kohl's Corp., based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said Monday that its board is reviewing the offers. A spokesman at Sycamore declined to comment, while Acacia couldn't be immediately reached for comment. The reported offers come just a week after activist hedge fund Macellum Advisors released a letter urging Kohl's to explore strategic options, including a sale, if the chain doesn't take action to improve its business and increase its stock price. The investor said it planned to nominate a slate of director candidates at Kohl's shareholders meeting this year, unless Kohl's decides to embrace some changes. In April 2021, Kohl's announced it was adding three independent members to its board of directors as part of an agreement it struck with a key activist investor group that included Macellum. In addition to Macellum, the group also included Ancora Holdings, Legion Partners Asset Management and 4010 Capital. Shares of Kohl's spiked 32% or $15.29 to $62.18. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. HAMMOND Bishop Noll Institute holds an entrance exam for prospective students at 9 a.m. Feb. 5 at the school, 1519 Hoffman St. in Hammond. This is the first step in the admissions process for all 8th-graders who have not taken the entrance exam yet and are interested in attending Bishop Noll. Those who have taken an entrance exam at their Diocese of Gary grade school do not need to take this entrance exam. Parents must pre-register their child for the exam by downloading and completing Section A of the Transcript and Behavioral Report request form at bishopnoll.org and emailing it Jeff Stur, Director of Admissions, at jstur@bishopnoll.org by the registration deadline. If you have questions prior to the exam, please contact Stur. The deadline to register for the entrance exam is Feb. 3. Walk-ins on the day of the exam will not be accepted. Please be sure to keep in mind the following on the day of the exam: * If your child has recently come in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, is waiting to receive a COVID-19 test result, or is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms on the morning of the exam, please keep the child home. The school will reschedule the child's entrance exam date. * Test takers should arrive by 8:45 a.m. and be dropped off at our Door A, the main entrance. * Upon entering the building, test takers will drop off their $25 payment, check in at a table outside of the main office and proceed to their testing location. * Test takers must wear a mask in the building at all times. That is mandatory. * All test takers will be spaced out at least six feet apart during the exam. * No calculators allowed. Pencils and scratch paper will be provided. * Snacks and bottled water will be provided during the exam. * Testing will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and conclude between noon and 12:30 p.m. * Parents should pick up their children at Door A. Email Stur at jstur@bishopnoll.org or call 219-932-9058 with any questions prior to the exam. Focusing on the mind, body and soul of each student, Noll offers 27 honors, AP, ACP, and DC classes as well as more than 40 varsity sports, clubs, and academic teams. Students also participate in four class retreats (one each year) and also have the opportunity to become retreat student-leaders. Bishop Noll Institute's state-of-the-art STREAM Lab and Innovation Center opened for STEM, computer and engineering classes last year. The $1 million-plus project is the centerpiece of the schools drive to become the first elite STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) school in Indiana and was recently recognized as one of the top 12 high caliber STEM facilities in the nation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. filed a lawsuit Monday against the Lake County Board of Commissioners seeking court approval to ink contracts relating to the county jail without having to obtain consent from the commissioners. Under Indiana law, the commissioners are exclusively entitled to negotiate contacts for the county and exercise all other executive and administrative powers and duties, except to the extent that these powers and duties are expressly assigned to other elected officers. The sheriff does not claim in his lawsuit the General Assembly has assigned him independent contracting powers. But he alleges his statutory duty to take care of the county jail and the prisoners there, along with a 2008 Court of Appeals ruling relating to a jail inmate telephone contract in Marion County, constitute de facto authority for Martinez to enter into all jail-related contracts on his own. At issue is the contract to provide medical care to the approximately 656 individuals locked up in the Lake County Jail. Last month, the commissioners declined to approve the sheriff's proposed contract with Correctional Health Indiana Inc. (CHI) for 2022 inmate medical services at a cost of $6.1 million, a 5% increase compared to 2021, and 20% more than 2020. They told representatives for the sheriff that a new jail medical contract will not be signed until Martinez permits representatives from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), a nonprofit organization that evaluates health services available to jail and prison inmates, to visit the Lake County Jail and determine whether the level of medical services is appropriate for the facility. The commissioners said CHI's costs have increased exponentially over the past 10 years and an outside entity is needed to assess the services the county is receiving for the amount of money it is spending roughly a quarter-million dollars every two weeks. According to his lawsuit, Martinez signed the contract anyway, and records show CHI has continued providing inmate health care services at the jail uninterrupted. However, Lake County Auditor John Petalas has declined to pay CHI under the sheriffs contract because it wasnt approved by the commissioners. In fact, the commissioners last week only agreed to pay CHI on a month-to-month basis at its 2021 contract rates while noting Martinez has not said why he wont allow NCCHC to visit the jail. Martinez says in his lawsuit the monthly underpayment of $24,186 to CHI puts jail inmates at risk of having no medical care because CHI is entitled to immediately terminate the contact, which also would cause the sheriff to breach a separate contract with federal authorities requiring the sheriff to ensure medical care is available to the 48 federal detainees at the jail. To prevent those outcomes, Martinez is seeking court approval for his signature on the CHI contract, a directive the county auditor pay the contract, and future authorization for the sheriff to spend any funds in his office budget, particularly for jail purposes, without needing approval from the commissioners. "The Board of Commissioners does not have the authority to prohibit the sheriff from entering into contracts, and expending funds in his budget to do so, to care for the inmates in the Jail especially where those funds have already been approved by the Lake County Council, Martinez said. Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond, said in response to the lawsuit that Martinez continues to waste money this time through needless litigation. It seems the administration of this department is over his head. We look forward to an outcome that reinforces our attempts to protect the taxpayers of Lake County from his recklessness, Repay said. The sheriffs lawsuit echoes a similar case pending at the Indiana Court of Appeals where the Lake County Council is attempting to wrest control of the countys purchasing and data processing departments from the commissioners. That lawsuit originated in part due to the commissioners declining to approve the purchase of various law enforcement equipment requested by the sheriff, including a $770,060 Lake Michigan patrol boat. Separately, Martinez was indicted earlier this month by a Lake County grand jury on felony resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor reckless driving charges. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A DeMotte man made his first appearance Monday in Lake Criminal Court on charges he attacked his girlfriend's male co-worker and kidnapped her earlier this month. William R. Brittingham III, 53, was extradited to Lake County after his arrest Jan. 12 near Grand Island, Nebraska. A Lake Criminal Court magistrate entered not guilty pleas on Brittingham's behalf to two felony counts of kidnapping, two counts of criminal confinement, intimidation, pointing a firearm and a misdemeanor count of battery. The magistrate also appointed a public defender to represent Brittingham. According to court records, Brittingham became angry with his girlfriend because he suspected her of cheating on him and abducted her about 5:30 a.m. Jan. 12 after she arrived at work at a dollar store off U.S. 30 in Merrillville. Her co-worker told police she had picked him up while he was walking to work that morning. When they arrived at work, Brittingham confronted the woman, and the co-worker tried to avoid him by walking across the street to the Merrillville Meijer store, court records state. Brittingham forced the woman into his vehicle and chased the man to Meijer, where he punched the man several times, knocked him to the ground and pointed a gun at the man, court documents allege. The woman told police Brittingham left the man at the Meijer and drove her back to a residence in DeMotte, where he placed guns, ammunition, money and their dogs into a black 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. He allegedly told her they were going to Oregon, where he would "find his own peace" and take his own life. The woman told police Brittingham has an anger problem, but she was scared because his behavior had never been so extreme before. The woman alleged Brittingham placed her in handcuffs and forced her to leave her purse and belongings at the house. Brittingham allowed her to take her cellphone to call her mother, brother and a friend, but she was only permitted to tell them she was OK and not where she was located, court records state. She told police Brittingham took the SIM card out of her phone, so it could not be tracked. Police were able to ping Brittingham's cellphone as he drove the woman west on Interstate 80 through Iowa and Nebraska, records state. Nebraska State Police began loosely tracking Brittingham's truck about 6:30 p.m. and later attempted to pull him over on I-80 in Grand Island, Nebraska. He attempted to make a U-turn, became stuck in the interstate median and was taken into custody, according to court documents. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LANSING Police have arrested a woman they have identified as the primary suspect in the recent arsons at the Lansing Walmart and Highland Meijer stores, in which fires were set to create a distraction so shoplifters could get away, authorities said. Heather Weeden, a 46-year-old Ford Heights woman, was arrested on charges of aggravated arson and retail theft in connection to the Jan. 7 arson that temporarily shut down the Walmart superstore at 17625 Torrence Ave., just south of Interstate 80/94. "The fires were quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the fires were intentionally set as a distraction to commit a retail theft from inside the store," Lansing police Detective Lt. Scott Bailey said. "A similar incident occurred three days later at Meijer, located in Highland, Indiana. The Lansing Police Department, Lansing Fire Department investigators and investigators from Highland, Indiana, conducted a joint investigation and determined the two incidents were related." The Lake County prosecutor's office previously charged Jerry L. Pierson, a 35-year-old Chicago Heights man, with arson and theft in connection with the Jan. 10 arson at the busy Highland Meijer on Indianapolis Boulevard across from the Highland Grove Shopping Center. Pierson was in custody in Will County on a warrant and set to be extradited to Indiana. He identified a woman he knew only as "Six" as his accomplice in the arsons, which created a diversion while they loaded stolen items into an SUV, police said. They were spotted in surveillance video at both stores, police said. Weeden "was ultimately identified as the primary suspect in both incidents," Bailey said. Weeden also had an arrest warrant for failure to register as a violent offender in Madison County, Illinois, Bailey said. She was taken to the Cook County Courthouse and given an $850,000 bond. She has not yet been charged in Lake County for the Highland Meijer arson and theft. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Illinois driver's license facilities are open for business again this week, and one south suburban location has reopened after being closed for more than a year. Secretary of State Jesse White said in a statement all facilities will reopen for in-person transactions after being shuttered Jan. 3 because of an uptick in COVID-19 cases. Facilities that have a Monday-Friday schedule reopened Monday, and those on a Tuesday-Saturday schedule will reopen Tuesday. Masks and social distancing will continue to be enforced, according to the statement. Meanwhile, the Chicago Heights Driver Services facility at 570 W. 209th St. will reopen Tuesday after being closed for repairs following a fire that caused severe damage in summer 2020. During the closure, a temporary facility was open at nearby Prairie State College. That facility has now closed. "The people of Chicago Heights and the surrounding area deserve to have their permanent facility back in operation," White said in the statement. "While I have been disappointed with the landlord's slow progress of the repairs and renovations to the facility, I am pleased to announce its reopening." Some facilities require appointments, and those may be booked as soon as they reopen. All driver's licenses and state ID cards have had their expiration dates extended to March 31, according to the statement, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has pushed back the Real ID deadline to May 3, 2023. Online services remain available at the Secretary of State website, ilsos.gov. Those include: renewing a license plate sticker; renewing a driver's license or ID card (depending on eligibility, which may be confirmed by calling 217-785-1424); obtaining a duplicate driver's license or ID card; and filing business service documents. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The bitter winter cold continues into early Wednesday morning, with a very slight-warm up following it. However, another cold front and snowfall is yet to come later in the week. Overnight into Wednesday morning, low temperatures will be no warmer than zero degrees and could be as cold as minus 10 in spots. With wind gusts around 15 to 20 mph much of the night, "feels like" temperatures are expected to range from minus 10 to as low as minus 20. A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for all of Northwest Indiana until 10 a.m. Wednesday. Though the coldest conditions will be behind us, the afternoon hours Wednesday are not looking much better, said Matt Holiner, Lee Corp. chief Midwest meteorologist. High temperatures will only reach the low teens and wind chills will stay below zero for most. Fortunately, a warm front will arrive Wednesday night, causing Region temperatures to gradually rise during the overnight hours, Holiner said. Temperatures early Thursday morning will be in the low to mid teens and high temperatures will reach around 30 degrees Thursday afternoon. Winds will be stronger though. With gusts around 25 mph, "feels like" temperatures won't rise above the low 20's. However, Holiner said a cold front Thursday night will bring snow, with more lake effect on Friday. Several communities have responded by opening warming shelters and offerings tips on how to stay safe and warm during the cold snap. Residents should never use an oven for heat or bring charcoal or gas grills indoors, Cook County's Department of Emergency Management said. All portable heaters should be unplugged when not in use, and electric space heaters should be used with extreme caution. They should never be placed near curtains or other flammable materials, and they should be turned off before going to bed. Heat should be kept at adequate levels, and faucets should be left open with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing. Keeping the body moving can help because the body generates its own heat during physical activity. Pets should be brought inside during cold weather, and other animals and livestock should be moved to sheltered areas with drinking water that is not frozen. Residents should stay indoors, if possible, East Chicago officials said. Those who venture out should walk carefully on icy or snowy ground, avoid overexertion during shoveling, stay dry and change wet clothing frequently to prevent loss of body heat. Wear several layers of warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Signs of frostbite include the loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, earlobes and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, residents should seek medical help immediately. Signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms are detected, get the person to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, nonalcoholic beverages if conscious. Get medical help immediately. Avoid driving, if possible. If driving, inform others of your destination, travel during the day and inform others of the destination. Bring an emergency kit. If pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over pipes, starting where they are most exposed to cold. Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least 3 feet from flammable objects. The following warming shelters will be available: Cook County Bloom Township Center, 425 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The warming center is following CDC recommendations for COVID-19. Masks must be worn while indoors. Social distancing will be enforced. Pets are not allowed. East Chicago Martin Luther King Center, 4802 Melville Ave., 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Everyone entering the shelter must wear a mask. Body temperature will be checked before admission to the center. Hand sanitizer will be available. Social distancing will be enforced. Gary When temperatures are below 32 degrees, residents can board city buses and vans free of charge using code 32. Calumet Township's multipurpose room, 1900 W. 41st Ave., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for women and children only Brother's Keep, 2120 Broadway, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., men only Holy Angels School, 973-975 W. Sixth Ave., 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., overnight only, police or fire escort required for entrance after 7 p.m. Lansing Primary heating/cooling center: Village of Lansing courtroom, 2710 170th St., 708-895-7150, open 24 hours Secondary heating/cooling centers: Eisenhower Community and Fitness Center, 2550 178th St., 708-474-8552, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from September to May Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., 708-474-2447, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday Lansing Police Department, F.A.T.S. Building, 2710 170th St., 708-895-7150, open 24 hours, maximum capacity of 20 to 25 people Lansing Municipal Building, 3141 Ridge Road, 708-895-7200, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed weekends Lansing Municipal Airport, 3249 Airport Drive, 708-418-5888, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday, maximum capacity of 10 to 12 people Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MANZINI Operations of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) came to a halt yesterday. This was after students at the three campuses of UNESWA locked the institutions gates. The campuses are Kwaluseni, Luyengo and Mbabane. The chaos within the tertiary institution is said to have started at Luyengo Campus on Sunday at about 9pm. The Luyengo Campus offers programmes in Agriculture and Consumer Sciences. It is located 27 kilometres in the south-west of Manzini. Reimbursed This publication gathered that a group of students started singing political songs and demanded that they be reimbursed their money. While singing the political songs, it was gathered from impeccable sources that the students vandalised property of the institution. It was gathered that they hurled stones at the window panes of the administration block and the book shop. At the administration block, it was said after destroying the window panes, they also pulled down a portrait of His Majesty King Mswati III from the wall. The portrait was said to have been later destroyed outside the school gate yesterday. Impeccable sources said police officers were called to diffuse the situation at the institution, which resulted in the students dispersing. However, yesterday morning, the learners were said to have started afresh their quest. In the process of ensuring that the operations of the institution did not materialise, it was gathered that they locked the main entrance into the campus with their own padlock. This was said to have resulted in the institutions personnel being locked out of their place of employment. Impeccable sources claimed that in light of the havoc caused by the students, employees of the institution were instructed to return to their places of abode as a safety measure. Meanwhile, the students were said to have continued to express their discontent at the failure by the institution to refund them their residential and examination allowances. They further expressed the need for the release of their book allowances. This was done through singing and protesting within the campus. At around 10am, it was said some students descended on the sheds of the institution, where they grabbed free-range chickens and eggs. Also, it was gathered that some people suspected to be students invaded the farm of the campus and harvested maize. Thereafter, it was gathered that calm returned to the institution as the students behind the mayhem disappeared. At about 11am, the main gate to the campus was still locked with only the pedestrian gate opened. A few students were seen walking within the institution while some were seated in groups. Worth noting is that motorists and personnel of the institution, who reside within the campus, were forced to use an alternative gate to gain entry. Meanwhile, at the Kwaluseni campus, the students were reported to have locked the main gates to the campus just before 8am. This was said to have stopped staff from gaining entry into the tertiary institution. Also, students who wanted to either exit or enter the perimeters of the campus were seen by this publications reporters climbing over the two-metre high gate. The scholars were found singing and dancing to political songs near the main entrance. This was the third day of the students boycotting classes and demonstrating within the campus. Last Wednesday, Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students expressed discontent after being informed that government had completed accepting scholarship requests. This attracted the attention of other students who feared that government could be in a move to remove more courses from the list of priority programmes which it funded. Petition Subsequent to this, the students marched to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, where they delivered a petition. On Friday, it was gathered that there were no lessons that ensued at the campus. Police officers clad in riot gear and carrying guns, stun grenades, batons and shields were seen seated outside the tertiary institution watching the proceedings from afar. Yesterday, UNESWA Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Thabani Mabuza said the students had agreed that they would not engage in any curriculum activity until they were refunded. The refunds that students enrolled with UNESWA are seeking include the residential allowance and tuition allowance set to cover the costs of examinations. Mabuza said the students were seeking the refunds given that they had not sat for examinations. He said it was their belief that the cost of examinations was calculated within the tuition fee; therefore, they did not understand why they were still paying the same amount, despite not writing exams. On the issue of the residential allowance, he said on campus students had to vacate the institution when government had already paid for their accommodation. Mabuza said the number of days they did not spend on campus should be refunded as the institution charged about E25 per day for accommodation. Furthermore, the CEO said students would be having a mid-term break next week; but they were yet to get their book allowances. This, he said, meant that they were not able to buy stationery and textbooks, which they ought to use in their various programmes. He also informed this publication that the same grievances were being raised by the Mbabane campus, which had communicated that they had also locked gates just before 8am. Meanwhile, Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that police officers were deployed at the institutions. She said they were there to ensure that there was law and order. After a day of snowfall and snarled traffic Monday, a strong cold front arrived in the evening, ushering in low temperatures ranging from the low single digits in Lake County to around 10 degrees in LaPorte County. With winds still gusting around 20 mph, "feels like" temperatures will range from zero to minus 10 by early Tuesday morning. High temperatures Tuesday will only range from 10 to 15 degrees across the Region. Wind gusts will still be around 20 mph, keeping wind chills no higher than 0 degrees. Late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning will be the worst. During this time, temperatures will range from zero to as cold as minus 10 across the Region. Winds around 15 mph will cause "feels like" temperatures to range from minus 10 to minus 20. With temperatures this cold, extra layers, hats and gloves will be a must if venturing outside. Wednesday afternoon will see high temperatures reach around 10 degrees in Northwest Indiana, but wind chills will likely remain below zero throughout the day. It's possible some locations won't see "feels like" temperatures above zero again until Thursday when high temperatures will finally be closer to normal for this time of year in the upper 20s. On Monday, heavy snow caused numerous slide-offs, spin-outs and crashes Monday on Northwest Indiana roads, officials said. Indiana State Police troopers went "from crash to crash to slide-off" Monday morning, according to the Lowell post. Indiana Department of Transportation cameras showed multiple traffic issues along Interstate 80/94 in Lake County. Multiple semitrailers jackknifed on Interstate 65 in Remington, Sgt. Glen Fifield said. "Several of these crashes and slide-offs could have been easily prevented," police said. INDOT's Northwest District said its snowplows were out overnight Sunday into Monday clearing state highways, but with morning snow falling the roads remained slick. Drivers should expect conditions to deteriorate when snow falls, the department said. All lanes of U.S. 30 between Valparaiso and Wanatah were blocked Monday morning because of an overturned semi, INDOT said. A semitrailer jackknifed and went into a ditch about 2:30 a.m. on U.S. 30, east of County Road 575 East and west of the LaPorte County line, Porter County sheriff's police said. Lake, Newton and Jasper counties were under a travel advisory, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. An advisory "means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas." While Monday night was dry across Lake, Newton and Jasper counties, lake-effect snow was still expected across northeastern Porter County and LaPorte County. The snow will gradually die down in intensity before exiting the area completely by early afternoon Tuesday. Additional snowfall amounts of 0.5 to 2.5 inches are expected across northeastern Porter and LaPorte counties through Tuesday morning, with the highest totals across northeastern LaPorte County. Based on this, the winter weather advisory has been canceled for most of the Region but continues for LaPorte County until noon Tuesday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MICHIGAN CITY Demolition of the old South Shore Line station on 11th Street will mean intermittent closures for westbound traffic, the Board of Public Works and Safety decided. Dave Merkel, vice president and director of project management for Larson-Danielson Construction, said the closures would be during the week of Jan. 31. Theres no intention for debris to be falling in the public right of way, he said, but the fence is only 8 feet from the building. He wants to make sure no one is affected if a stray brick or something goes the wrong direction. Barricades at Pine and 11th streets would be put in place when the road is to be closed, and there would be a Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District flagger on site to communicate with trains. Mayor Duane Parry said Planning and Inspection Director Skyler York told him the brick behind the terra-cotta facade was unstable. It was held in place by the terra-cotta, so it was boxed in, he said. Parry asked for an immediate closure. Merkel said that he had a crew on the scaffolding pushing loose bricks into the building, so he didnt see an immediate need to close the street. The iconic terra-cotta facade was removed so it can be reused when the new station is built. City Engineer Jeff Wright said he agrees with the idea of intermittent lane closures for the demolition. Closing a lane doesnt seem to be like a big deal. We close lanes all the time. However, he wanted more details. I need more than just words and a piece of paper and an application sent to the board. I need a plan. The board approved the lane closure pending review by Wright. In other business, the city and the sanitary district will see worker compensation insurance costs jump 11%. Charlie Keene, of General Insurance Services, said that while the worker compensation program is self-funded, the city will pay $267,222.20 for insurance that protects the city form catastrophic claims and excess claims. One of the reasons for the increase is that a 2018 claim is ongoing. Another is that there are just two insurance companies who handle this type of insurance for municipalities. Then there are social trends that have contributed to an increase of claims nationally. Police and fire have a much higher degree of uncertainty in their jobs just because of the elements of their jobs theyre faced with in their day-to-day duties, he said. Underwriters are generally nervous people when it comes to police and fire. The board reelected Virginia Keating as president and elected new member Michael Vinson as vice president. Councilman Don Przybylinski, D-at large, brought up four issues: wrong-way drivers on Franklin Street in the arts district, where the road is one-way for northbound traffic; drivers blowing front tires because they cant see the traffic island when theres a snowfall; faint lane markings on Franklin; and a lack of ADA-compliant sidewalk crossings downtown. Wright said he would ride around with Przybylinski so they could see what needs to be done to address the issues. Last year, the city installed 151 of the colored plates with truncated domes that alert people with limited vision that theyre about to cross a street, Wright said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On this episode of the Utterly Moderate Podcast, host Lawrence Eppard is joined by former Republican South Carolina Congressman and current executive director of RepublicEN.org Bob Inglis. On their website, RepublicEN asserts that, We are the EcoRight. . . We stand together because we believe in the power of American free enterprise and innovation to solve climate change. Together, we encourage, embolden, and applaud conservative climate leadership. . . The age of conservative climate disputation is over. Check them out at RepublicEN.org! Eppard talks to Inglis about his intellectual journey on climate change, the work that they do at RepublicEN, how conservative principles can help solve the problem of climate change, as well as the future of the GOP. Then in segment two Eppard discusses a variety of news items, including: Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Americans like to think of their nation as a beacon of freedom. And despite all the ways in which we have failed to live up to our self-image, above all the vast injustices that sprang from the original sin of slavery, freedom not just free elections, but also freedom of speech and thought has long been a key element of the American idea. Now, however, freedom is under attack, on more fronts than many people realize. Everyone knows about the Big Lie, the refusal by a large majority of Republicans to accept the legitimacy of a lost election. But there are many other areas in which freedom is not just under assault but in retreat. Lets talk, in particular, about the attack on education, especially but not only in Florida, which has become one of Americas leading laboratories of democratic erosion. Republicans have made considerable political hay by denouncing the teaching of critical race theory; this strategy has succeeded even though most voters have no idea what that theory is and it isnt actually being taught in public schools. But the facts in this case dont matter, because denunciations of C.R.T. are basically a cover for a much bigger agenda: an attempt to stop schools from teaching anything that makes right-wingers uncomfortable. Most of us, when we looked at the government accusation, we said, Wow, he did that? he said. You see, you tend to believe in government. But he, too, was under investigation. That same month, Dr. Chen was detained for two or three hours at Logan International Airport as he returned from a trip to China, Egypt and Morocco. He answered questions from a Homeland Security agent, balking only at the end of the interview, when the agent asked for the passwords to his devices. M.I.T. provided him an outside counsel, Robert Fisher, a former prosecutor who met with him eight times over the course of the next year. Still, Dr. Chen said, he had little concern that the investigation would result in anything. My thinking is, I didnt do anything wrong, he said. So whatever they look at, they wont find that I did anything wrong. At 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 14, 2021, he was making coffee when someone came to the door. He opened it to see between 10 and 20 federal agents. He was told to stand in a corner while agents went to wake his wife and daughter. When his wife saw that he was being handcuffed and led away, she began to speak to the F.B.I. agents, and he considered calling out to her, to tell her to stop, but was afraid to speak. I didnt dare use Chinese because I spoke with her in Mandarin, right, most of the time but I didnt dare to use Chinese, he said. I regret so much, once they took me away, because I should have shouted in Chinese to her, Anything you say can be used against you. Dr. Chen spent the next few hours in custody, pacing in his cell and then doing yoga. He remembers asking the F.B.I. agents whether they had been asked to make sure he did not commit suicide, and reassuring them that he did not intend to. When he was finally released, at around 2 p.m., and was in a car on the way home, he began shaking. Three firefighters were killed on Monday after part of a vacant Baltimore rowhouse collapsed, trapping them inside as they battled a blaze, the authorities said. A fourth firefighter, in critical condition after the fire, was upgraded to fair condition on Tuesday, they said. The Baltimore Fire Department responded to a call just before 6 a.m. at a three-story home about two miles west of downtown Baltimore, Chief Niles Ford of the Baltimore City Fire Department said at a news conference on Monday afternoon. After the firefighters became trapped, crews had to remove piles of debris to extricate them, officials said. One was immediately pulled from the fire and taken to a hospital, where he remained in critical condition on Monday afternoon. Two firefighters were later removed from the fire and taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead, Chief Ford said. A third firefighter died at the scene. Image Subway passengers wearing masks in Lower Manhattan in December. Credit... Gabby Jones for The New York Times Read the latest on the ruling on a New York State mask policy. A New York State judge ruled on Monday that the states mask mandate had been enacted unlawfully and is now void, according to court documents. Gov. Kathy Hochul had renewed a rule requiring masks or proof of vaccination at all indoor public places throughout the state in December, amid a winter virus surge, and said it would last a month. The state Health Department then extended the mandate an additional two weeks, to expire on Feb. 1. In his six-page decision, State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker wrote that Ms. Hochul and state health officials lacked the authority to enact the mask mandate without the approval of state lawmakers, and that it violated the state constitution. Regardless of the well aimed intentions of state officials, such authority is entrusted solely to the State Legislature, Justice Rademaker wrote. The office of the state attorney general, Letitia James, filed a notice of intent to appeal the ruling on Monday night. Emily DeSantis, a spokeswoman for the state Education Department, said the department had informed its schools that, as the legal issues are resolved, schools must continue to follow the mask rule. Were appealing last nights decision that struck down the mask mandate in New York. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect New Yorkers from #COVID19. NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) January 25, 2022 While the ruling overturns the statewide mandate for masks in schools and public places, it does not reverse local mandates. City Hall officials, for example, said that the decision had no immediate impact on New York Citys schools since the citys education department had its own masking policies in place before the states mandate. Ms. Hochul said in a statement on Monday that her office strongly disagreed with the ruling and would be pursuing every option to reverse this immediately. My responsibility as governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and save lives, she said. The Omicron surge has been receding in New York, but it is not over. An average of about 20,000 people in the state are now testing positive for the coronavirus each day, down sharply from the surges peak of 90,000 people who tested positive on Jan. 7. The positivity rate has also fallen, by half, from more than 22 percent to 10 percent. But New Yorks daily case numbers remain far higher than at the start of the surge in early December, and hospitals are still straining to treat about 10,000 Covid patients statewide. Hospitalizations have begun declining but remain higher than at any point since May 2020. More than 130 people each day have been dying of the virus statewide. Justice Rademaker, who has run on the Conservative Party line, was elected to the Supreme Court in Nassau County in 2019. The Supreme Court in New York is the highest trial court in the state, but not the court of last resort; the Court of Appeal is the highest court. Following his ruling, some schools districts on Long Island began telling parents that masks were optional as of Tuesday morning. While it is certain this decision will face legal challenges, until otherwise litigated, mask wearing will be optional for students and staff in the Massapequa Schools beginning Tuesday, the Massapequa school district posted on its website. The Lindenhurst school district issued a similar message on Monday night, saying that it would work in accordance with the judges decision. Until otherwise directed, the wearing of masks will be optional for all students and staff members, the district posted on Facebook. We are also aware that this decision will undoubtedly result in an appeal from the state, which could result in the restoration of the mask mandate until the court issues further ruling. The ruling was applauded by some New York Republicans, including Representative Elise Stefanik, who said in a statement that it was a win for small businesses, parents, students, and the freedom of all New Yorkers. Governor Hochuls authoritarian mandates were crushing New York small businesses that already have faced unprecedented challenges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms. Stefanik said. By forcing masks on the children in our schools, these mandates have impeded the development of our next generation. If Alabama legislators do not produce and pass a new map with a second majority-Black district within 14 days, the court will appoint a special master to do so, the judges wrote. That second district would be a significant legal and political victory for Democrats, who would be overwhelming favorites to carry it. This decision is a win for Alabamas Black voters, who have been denied equal representation for far too long, said Eric H. Holder Jr., the chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. The maps dilution of the voting power of Alabamas Black community through the creation of just one majority-Black district while splitting other Black voters apart was as evident as it was reprehensible. The Alabama Republican Party chairman, John Wahl, said he was disappointed in the courts ruling and expected it to be appealed. The basic outlines of Alabamas congressional districts have remained the same for several decades and have been upheld numerous times, he said. What has changed between now and those past decisions to cause the court to act in this manner? The Alabama congressional map is the second drawn by Republicans to be struck down by courts this month. Two weeks ago, the Ohio Supreme Court invalidated a map drawn by Republicans which would have given the G.O.P. a likely 12-to-3 advantage in the states congressional delegation. North Carolinas new congressional map is also enmeshed in a legal battle, and several other states are likely to be sued over their political cartography. The three-judge panel is made up of two Federal District Court judges appointed by former President Donald J. Trump and one by former President Bill Clinton. All three signed the opinion. The panel pushed back Alabamas ballot qualification deadline from Jan. 28 to Feb. 11 for the states May primaries. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will launch its bi-annual international pension report Pensions at a Glance 2021 in the Mena region for the first time, from Bahrain. The global organisation is considered to be the worlds most prominent think-tank and research centre on pensions. They produce two bi-annual global reports on pensions: the OECD Pensions Outlook, and Pensions at a Glance. At the invitation of Bahrain-based Fintech Robos, providers of savings and pension technology, organizers of the Arab Pensions Conference and the Arab Household Savings Conference, the OECD will launch the Pensions at a Glance 2021 Report (just released last month) in a Webinar event for the Mena region. The webinar is scheduled for 11 am Bahrain time (GMT+3) on February 15. Speakers in the Webinar shall be the writers of the report, which include Maciej Lis, pensions economist, Andrew Reilly, pension analyst and Romain Despalins, OECD statistician. Pensions at a Glance is a bi-annual pension report and index that measures and compares pension systems of member states of the OECD (including G20) using 20 factors. It highlights pension reforms undertaken by OECD countries over the past two years. The edition also updates information on key features of pension provision in OECD and G20 countries and provides projections of retirement income for today's workers. It offers indicators covering the design of pension systems, pension entitlements, the demographic and economic context in which pension systems operate, incomes and poverty of older people, the finances of retirement-income systems and private pensions. Last year, the OECD and Fintech Robos launched the Pensions Outlook 2020 Report in the Mena region for the first time, from Bahrain. Our partnership with the OECD to bring their unique global pension research and learning curve to Bahrain and the Mena region is part of our thought leadership and support for forwarding thinking on pension development and reforms in the region, said the CEO of Fintech Robos and Chairman of the Arab Pensions Conference, Ebrahim K Ebrahim. Our collaborative event with the OECD next month will be a great complement to the Arab Pensions Conference 2021 held in November, and shall be open to all pension funds, social protection staff, economic planning bodies and financial industry professionals in the region, he added. TradeArabia News Service We have grave concerns about the lack of transparency in the role of Border Patrols critical incident teams, Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney of New York and Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the respective leaders of the Oversight and Reform and Homeland Security Committees, wrote to Mr. Magnus. They asked him to provide documents by Feb. 7. Despite the apparent lack of authority to investigate agent misconduct, Border Patrol appears to have created special teams of agents to investigate and collect evidence following incidents that may create criminal or civil liability, including allegations of excessive use of force, they wrote. In the separate request to the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan watchdog agency, lawmakers said they wanted to better understand the roles and responsibilities of the critical incident teams, including their authorities, activities, training and oversight. The New York Times reported this month on the rise in deaths from high-speed vehicle chases by the Border Patrol, highlighting local police reports that had noted the presence of critical incident teams at some of the scenes. Customs and Border Protection has never mentioned the teams in news releases about high-speed chases or use-of-force incidents, nor are they mentioned in any current policies that the agency has made public. In 2013, the teams were mentioned in the agencys use-of-force policy, but the reference was deleted from subsequent versions after an outside consulting group raised questions about what the teams did. Customs and Border Protection has defended the teams, saying that they collect evidence and assist with investigations by the agencys Office of Professional Responsibility into employee misconduct. But critics have described it as a conflict of interest for Border Patrol agents to help investigate their colleagues. Theres an unspoken political motivation here a hope that, by spreading the digital wealth, Khannas ideas can reduce the toxic polarization epitomized by Donald Trump. The former president seized political advantage from the anxieties about the postindustrial economy in many of the very places that Khanna wants to help. But the book is no partisan screed, and it is dense enough that when we told him we were in the middle of it, he joked, I guess youre paid to read and write. Khannas other audience is his Silicon Valley friends. And heres where Habermas comes in. Khanna studied the German philosopher, famous for his 1962 treatise on the public sphere, for insights into how to create what Khanna calls ideal speech conditions. What he found was that social media companies, while delivering on their promises to connect like-minded people all over the world, created platforms that were also rife with misinformation, disinformation and hate. I think Silicon Valley overall is an extraordinary place of innovation, of entrepreneurship, of high achievement, Khanna said. But I dont think it has lived up yet to its responsibilities in a democratic society. A philosophical blind spot Khannas book comes at a time of extraordinary pressure on the Valleys tech giants, and none more so than Facebook. In October, a trove of documents leaked to The Wall Street Journal by a whistle-blower revealed internal debates at Facebook about how to market its products to teens and children, prompting widespread public revulsion. The whistle-blower, Frances Haugen, also alleged that Facebook had contributed to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol by loosening civic integrity controls after the 2020 election, resulting in a flood of posts calling for political violence. A note from Mr. Meadows about briefings and calls about the certification of the election and related issues (2 pages) In the days leading up to Jan. 6, there was a flurry of meetings in the Oval Office. Among the most dramatic was one on Jan. 4, when Mr. Trump had a lawyer named John Eastman who had written a memo essentially saying that the vice president had immense powers to decide who won the election make the argument directly to Mr. Pence that he could delay the certification of the election on Jan. 6. (Mr. Pence later rejected the advice.) On Jan. 2, three of Mr. Trumps advisers Rudolph W. Giuliani, Peter Navarro and Mr. Eastman held a conference call with about 300 state lawmakers about election fraud. On Jan. 4, Phil Waldron, a former U.S. Army colonel who rose to prominence in Mr. Trumps inner circle after the election, said members of his team briefed some senators on foreign interference in the election. Mr. Waldron said he personally gave the same briefing the next day to members of the House. Details of meetings like those, and the planning for them, could help the committee assess whether Mr. Trumps efforts justify a criminal referral to the Justice Department on a charge like obstructing an official proceeding in Congress. A draft executive order on the topic of election integrity (4 pages) A range of outside advisers were pushing for Mr. Trump to sign executive orders to help him block or slow certification of the election. Among the most audacious was one that said Mr. Trump could use the Defense Department to seize voting machines based on false claims that there had been foreign interference in the election. Mr. Trumps first national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, and a lawyer advising him, Sidney Powell, were urging Mr. Trump to take this action. A copy of a draft executive order about seizing election machines was posted on Politicos website on Friday. But that memo is three pages, and the National Archives described a memo that is four pages. There is another memo, mentioned in a recent disclosure to the committee by the Trump ally Bernard Kerik, that could also fit this description. It was withheld by Mr. Kerik under the theory of executive privilege but was described in a log of documents that Mr. Kerik refused to turn over as, DRAFT LETTER FROM POTUS TO SEIZE EVIDENCE IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY FOR THE 2020 ELECTIONS. Handwritten notes from the files of Mr. Meadows (3 pages) As chief of staff, Mr. Meadows served both as a top aide and as a conduit for outside advisers, including members of Congress, to contact Mr. Trump and visit him at the White House. Mr. Meadows has provided investigators with hundreds of pages of documents that he had on his personal phone but has refused to sit for questioning, leading the committee to ask the Justice Department to prosecute him. His notes could potentially shed light on what Mr. Trump was hearing and saying at key moments. The White House Daily Diary a record of the presidents movements, phone calls, trips, briefings, meetings and activities (30 pages) In a letter last week seeking an interview with Ivanka Trump, the committee described testimony it had received about the pressure applied on Mr. Pence not to certify the election from Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Mr. Pences former national security adviser. The committee has also heard from other top White House witnesses, including Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump spokeswoman. Any additional documents from the White House itself could help corroborate those accounts. A Georgia district attorneys request to convene a special grand jury was approved Monday in the criminal investigation into former President Donald J. Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. Fani T. Willis, an Atlanta prosecutor, requested the grand jury last week after crucial witnesses identified by investigators refused to cooperate voluntarily. Assembling a grand jury which could issue subpoenas is the next step in an inquiry that legal experts see as potentially threatening for the former president. The special purpose grand jury shall be authorized to investigate any and all facts and circumstances relating directly or indirectly to alleged violations of the laws of the State of Georgia, stated the approval order, signed by Christopher S. Brasher, the chief judge of the Fulton County Superior Court. The grand jury would start its work on May 2 and continue for a period not to exceed 12 months, the order said. The United States has poured millions of dollars into training and equipping the military in Burkina Faso to fight insurgents in 2016 supplying what amounted to about two-thirds of Burkina Fasos defense budget with few results to show for it. The new leader, Colonel Damiba, is not well known to most in Burkina Faso. Trained at the Military School of Paris, he was previously a member of the elite force that guarded President Blaise Compaore, who ruled for 27 years until his ouster in 2014. After that unit was disbanded, he was integrated into the regular army, where he began to rise through the ranks. Last year, he published a book titled West African Armies and Terrorism: Uncertain Responses? Two months ago, Colonel Damiba was named to command one of Burkina Fasos three military regions a promotion that coincided with growing disgruntlement inside the ranks. In November, a regional U.N. envoy warned of a possible coup in Burkina Faso, and last week the authorities arrested another officer accused of planning a takeover. On Monday, even before the coup was formally announced, some residents of the capital welcomed it as a foregone conclusion. Fleets of young men on motorbikes whizzed past the headquarters of the state broadcasting service, where mutinying soldiers stood guard at the gate, honking their horns and cheering. At a nearby cellphone market, Kudougou Damiba theatrically threw himself to his knees to show his support for the incipient coup. We are saved! he declared. Roch is gone, finally The Jehovahs Witnesses, a pacifist religious group, are pursuing legal action against the German government to claim a family archive that documents the Nazis persecution of the Christian denomination. The archive comprises 31 files of documents relating to the Kusserow family, whose members were arrested, imprisoned and murdered by the Nazi regime because of their faith. It has been held by the Museum of Military History in Dresden, which is operated by the German army, since 2009 when it was purchased from a member of the Kusserow family. A German regional court rejected the Jehovahs Witnesses claim last year, saying the museum had purchased the archive in good faith and should keep it. But the religious group is appealing that ruling, arguing that the family member who sold it was not the actual owner of the archive, which had been bequeathed to the Jehovahs Witnesses in the 2005 will of Annemarie Kusserow, the family member who had assembled and maintained the documents. Even in regular times, organizing the Whitney Biennial is a high-stakes project. The show is a barometer anticipated and debated for the picture it proposes of tendencies in American art and their public relevance. Participation can turbocharge an artists career. The exhibition sometimes becomes a lightning rod for political controversy. This time around, the biennial, which opens on April 6, has the burden of responding to the crisis atmosphere, from the pandemic to social protests and political conflict, that has taken hold since the last edition in 2019. These last few years have been a very dense moment, said David Breslin, a co-organizer of this edition with Adrienne Edwards; both are senior curators at the museum. Our hope is that this show permits a taking stock, a way of seeing what were maybe not at the end of, but in the middle of, and how art can help make sense of our times. 2. Wim Wenderss Paris, Texas The first time I watched Paris, Texas was the first time I was emotional over a film. Its just aching with vulnerability. I havent seen a lot of slow-burn movies, so I wasnt expecting it to be as heartbreaking as it was. It doesnt explain itself too much. You follow Travis [Harry Dean Stanton], and you slowly peel back the layers. Every time I watch it, I forget where I am. 3. Avocado rolls I went vegetarian, and any time people asked me what my favorite food was, Im so indecisive I couldnt give them an answer. So I would say, Oh, I love avocados. And people would say, But thats not a meal. Well, I love sushi and I love avocados, and now its my go-to. You know how kids always go with chicken tenders and French fries? Those are my chicken tenders and French fries. 4. My Sony headphones I just got them. Theyre noise canceling. The sound is amazing. I never have to talk to people when theyre on because theyre big and bulky. Ive been called perpetual headphone head by multiple people because I always have them around my neck. I could not imagine walking around life all day without some sort of background music. Even just feeling the weight of the headphones on my chest brings me some sort of relief. 5. Mathieu Kassovitzs La Haine If I were ever going to direct something, it would have to be similar to this. You feel like you know the characters. It exudes life. Its three boys in Paris talking about police brutality and the struggles they go through in their days. Something that strikes me about this film is that itll always be relevant. Thats kind of unfortunate, but I think that theres something meaningful about that because of how much energy it has. 6. Radioheads OK Computer I was shooting a film called X in New Zealand, and I became really, really close friends with Jim, one of the P.A.s [production assistants] on set, who was a huge Radiohead fan. Jim had said that his favorite album was OK Computer, and he explained to me the impact that it had on him as a kid growing up. And it became pretty much the only thing I listened to. I was out of the country by myself for the very first time. I had just turned 18 so had that newfound independence. Youre slowly becoming an adult and the world becomes scarier, to be so far from home and learning to do things on my own. So I think because Im so nostalgic for that time in my life, that album will forever hold immense significance. 7. Driving I couldnt sleep because of the time difference going from Eastern Europe to the West Coast of the U.S. So I was going out every night and driving, and I realized thats probably when Im happiest. Im not talking to anybody. Im focused. I can roll down the window and taste outside. Its a freedom that I wish I could experience all the time. Thats another thing, too: You capture some insane views. You become very observant because theres nothing else to do, especially when you have nowhere really to go. The heroine of Meg Waite Claytons THE POSTMISTRESS OF PARIS (Harper, 416 pp., $27.99) is also a pilot, but her perilous missions are conducted on terra firma in the city streets and rural villages of World War II France. In an authors note, Clayton explains that her Nanee was inspired by the real-life Chicago heiress Mary Jayne Gold, a devoted Francophile who used her money, her social contacts and her American passport to aid Varian Fry, whose Centre Americain de Secours smuggled thousands of refugees to safety. Claytons title is somewhat misleading. As a postmistress, Nanee does deliver messages to those in hiding from the Nazis, but she also strikes out on her own, plotting daring rescue attempts that will take her to a notorious internment camp, then deep into occupied territory. And although Nanee has a posh Parisian apartment, much of the novels action takes place in and around Marseille, where her rented villa provides shelter to a cast of characters that includes the Surrealist icon Andre Breton and a wholly fictional photographer, Edouard Moss. Edouard is a widower haunted by the violence hes seen back in Germany and determined to protect Luki, his little daughter a noble impulse that will inadvertently result in a long, frightening separation. The tiny girl seems to have vanished while her father is stuck in a French prison camp. Already romantically drawn to Edouard, Nanee is equally attracted by his fierce devotion to his child, so unlike what she experienced with her own parents. Might she be able to reunite Edouard and Luki and somehow get them to America? Awaiting the answer to that question, and wondering about its impact on Nanees own future, enriches Claytons already suspenseful plot. Theres some caricature to the prose, but this language Side bae tryna get it, he cracks about a girlfriend isnt wholly unrealistic. It crops up all the time on social media, and routinely prompts debates over the use of Black slang by people who are not Black. In practice, its often cringeworthy, and Seans justification of his style that its meant to lure people who dont read is the most offensive thing about it. But the author is candid about that process of appropriation, more interested in the fact that it happens than whether its appropriate. Image Which isnt to say that he isnt interested in whats appropriate. His character feels hemmed in by the orthodoxies of his Swarthmore-adjacent circle and occasionally picks fights. A funny scene in this funny book describes Seans conversation about the gender wage gap with a woman hes just met. As it happens, Sean has been spending time in bed, recuperating from a complicated illness and watching lowkey red-pill videos on this subject. He ventures a taboo talking point, questioning whether the wage gap really exists. The new friendship dies immediately: Needless to say, we were no longer homies. Conroe uses the plausible deniability granted by autofiction to his advantage. Some of his trolling using the word bae as a naming convention for women can be attributed to the character. But sometimes, the text indicts its author. Sean asserts that one of the advantages of being a woman is that everyone needed moms; every woman could get paid to be a temporary mom. It reads like parody but Conroes treatment of his female characters echoes the thought: Most of them are caretakers, including derm bae, a striking dermatologist. The male relationships are more compelling, particularly that between Sean and his cousin E. When the two travel to Vermont to work on a farm together, Sean struggles with the physical labor as his body literally falls apart. (Conroe is alive to the metaphorical possibilities of skin flaking off.) Too sick to keep up, he lashes out at his cousin, using a half-baked anticapitalist critique. The scene feels true to life. This is Conroes gift. Deeply tuned into his single character, hes able to capture evocative moments in a fresh voice. It may be what attracted Giancarlo DiTrapano of Tyrant Books, who had planned to publish the novel before his sudden death last year. (Little, Brown scooped it up soon after.) Kanoo Machinery has explored potential business opportunities between Ireland and the UAE through strengthening its partnership with Combilift. Kanoo Machinery, a leading provider of world-class machinery brands for sales and aftersales in the region, recently met representatives from Combilift, one of its trusted partners headquartered in Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland, the Government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. The meeting was conducted in the office of Kanoos division in Al-Quoz. The meeting focused on how the continued partnership between Kanoo Machinery and Combilift can be strengthened further, and how Enterprise Ireland can contribute to further putting the latter on the industry map as well as boosting its international operations, specifically in the Middle East. An acknowledged leader in material handling industry, providing warehouse, bulk and long load handling solutions, Combilift is the largest global manufacturer of multi-directional forklifts and Straddle Carriers. Combilift has sold over 60,000 units in over 85 countries since its establishment in 1998. Its other brand, called Aisle-Master, manufactures narrow aisle articulated electric forklift, which are also distributed by Kanoo Machinery. Enterprise Ireland acts as a trusted source of innovation for international companies by connecting them to cutting edge Irish products and services. The organisation partners with Irish enterprises, such as Combilift, to help them start, grow, and innovate to win export sales in global markets. As Irelands national export agency, its goal is to simplify the purchasing process for customers and build long-term business relationships between international companies and Irish suppliers. Kannan Chandrasekaran, Kanoo Machinerys Country Manager for UAE and Oman also highlighted some of the divisions achievements and operations, as well as how it helps its principals like Combilift. We have established ourselves as a trusted brand because we provide 100% customer service excellence movement, which assures all our customers not just quality service, but also complete transparency in our operations. Through the ethics that we have cultivated and our good brand positioning, we get to help our principals like Combilift distribute more industrial products within the region, he said. Kamlesh, Asarpota, the divisions Sales Manager for UAE, added: Kanoo Machinery is really committed to helping this brand boost its business, and with its quality products, we definitely see potential growth for Combilift. Mahmood Mian, The Kanoo Groups Business Development Manager, meanwhile, sees potential for the partnership to help boost Irelands tourism and business development. We see there's a lot of latent upsides in this partnership, exciting potential to also strengthen our presence in Ireland. There are a lot of amazing things to discover in this country from tourism to business opportunities. I hope that in the future, this is something we can explore and dig deep further. We just need the partnership to go forward to kickstart it, he said. Nick Lojevec, the Business Development Manager of Combilift, notes that they have been exclusively dealing with Kanoo Machinery for its GCC Operations because of the divisions utmost reliability, commitment to their brands such as Combilift & Aisle-Master, well supported by Kanoo Machienrys excellent 24 x 7 after-sales support. Kanoo Machinery has been in the business for decades, and the fact that it has stood the test of time is a testament to just how stable and reliable this company is. It is extremely easy for us to work with them not just because of their ethics, but because of The Kanoo Groups established name in the industry, he said. Alan OMahony, the Senior Market Advisor of Enterprise Ireland for the Mena region noted that the meeting solidified a strong relationship between Combilift and Kanoo Group and set out a clear strategy for all enitities to work together and drive further growth for the brand in the Gulf. As a government organisation, Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting the international development of our local enterprises such as Combilift. I was really looking forward to meeting the representatives of Kanoo Machinery to get a glimpse of how we can provide more support for this company. I am confident that this partnership will further help expand Combilifts activities and grow its international sales We are here to support Kanoo Machinery in any way that we can in order to help Combilift grow further, he said.-- TradeArabia News Service Financed by Meaher and captained by William Foster, the ship had traveled from Alabama to present-day Benin, where Foster purchased slaves in defiance of federal and international bans on the Atlantic slave trade. After a perilous six-week return journey, the Clotilda arrived near Mobile with 110 Africans, who were forced to disembark, naked, under cover of night. One of them was a 19-year-old called Kossula, who later took the name Cudjo Lewis and remained in Alabama until his death in 1935; another was Sally Redoshi Smith, who lived until 1937. They were the last survivors of the last recorded voyage of a slave ship from Africa to the United States. The Clotilda itself was burned and sunk by Meaher and Foster to bury their crime. Its remains seemed lost forever until 2018. Thats when the author Ben Raines lifted a piece of wood with a large square nail from a submerged shipwreck off Twelve Mile Island in the Mobile River. A year later, archaeologists confirmed he had found the Clotilda, revitalizing efforts to memorialize the shipmates. In The Last Slave Ship, Raines reports on that discovery and its aftermath. The fast-paced narrative begins with the voyage and follows the Clotildas survivors beyond the Civil War. After emancipation, many of the captives reunited from the plantations where Meaher had divided them. They hoped to return home. When this proved impossible and Meaher refused to repay them with land, the group saved money to purchase plots from him and other former enslavers, establishing a community in Alabama called Africatown. Though much diminished today, the place survives, a monument to its founders courage. As Raines writes, They stuck together and they fought back. Even after Meaher challenged their right to vote in 1874, Cudjo, Pollee and Charlie (all naturalized citizens) eventually cast their votes at a different poll in Mobile, outwitting their former enslaver. GOLIATH By Tochi Onyebuchi In The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs describes her perfect neighborhood Greenwich Village, circa 1961. Gentrification has begun but not uprooted the working-class community that preceded it. You get a mix of old and new buildings, some cheap, some expensive, which include apartments, houses, shops, offices, restaurants, cafes. Different kinds of people live there and work there, and the variety itself sustains the new community, because at any point in the day you might have a freelancer typing away in the cafe, or a builder buying tools from the hardware store, or schoolchildren walking home, or drinkers emerging from the bar, which stays open until 3 a.m., so that the street is always busy and the residents feel safe. This is one reason she hated the suburbs empty streets. Tochi Onyebuchi credits Jacobs in the acknowledgments of Goliath, his new novel, as someone whose books did more than anything else to reshape how I think about the metropole and all the different ways a city can be occupied. The story begins with a curious echo of that Greenwich Village moment: Jonathan and David, a gay white couple, have decided to return to Earth from the space colonies. Jonathan, playing pioneer, arrives first and wants to buy a house in New Haven, which has been devastated by a series of political and environmental disasters that predate the novel. Earth and air have become radioactive and cancerous. You need a face mask to breathe safely, unless youre one of the lucky few who live in a Dome, a kind of filtration bubble. In any case, most of the upper-middle classes have been partly cyberized, augmented in ways that allow them to replace cancerous organs and even detox their systems after a drug binge. The real danger, people warn Jonathan, is gangs. Covids starkly different impact on the young and old has been one of the viruss defining characteristics. It tends to be mild for children and younger adults but is often severe for the elderly. More than three-quarters of all U.S. Covid deaths have occurred among people 65 and older. Given these patterns, it seems obvious that older Americans should be more fearful of Covid than younger Americans. Yet theyre not. Thats one of the striking findings from a new poll that Morning Consult, a survey firm, has conducted for this newsletter: Old and young people express similar concern about their personal risk from Covid. By some measures, young people are actually more worried: Ukraine diplomacy stalls as Russia holds military drills Russia on Tuesday announced a flurry of military drills across its vast territory, spanning from the Pacific Ocean to its western flank near Ukraine. They include joint drills with the Chinese fleet in the Arabian Sea. The announcement followed a series of military moves made by the U.S. and NATO this week aimed at deterring a Russian incursion into Ukraine. Russia is blaming the U.S. for the escalation and insists that it has no plans to invade Ukraine. The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, said the U.S. and NATO were orchestrating information hysteria about Ukraine by reporting lies and fakes. Military moves: Russias drills involved tanks, drones, paratroopers and ships. In a part of Belarus close to Ukraine, Russian troops disembarked heavy-duty armored vehicles and other equipment before joint drills with Belarusian forces. In Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, Russian tanks launched planned shooting exercises. U.S. troops may be deployed to Eastern Europe The Pentagon announced yesterday that it had put 8,500 American troops on high alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe, as NATO and the U.S. braced for a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its very clear the Russians have no intention right now of de-escalating, John F. Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said. Most of the 8,500 troops would take part in a NATO response force that might soon be activated, Kirby said. The remaining personnel would be part of a specific U.S. response to the deepening crisis, Defense Department officials said, most likely to provide assurance to American allies in Eastern Europe who fear that Russias plans for Ukraine could extend to the Baltics and other countries in NATOs so-called eastern flank. The Biden administration continues to insist that the U.S. does not intend to go to war with Russia over the issue. Since Ukraine is not in NATO, the alliance is not bound by its treaty to come to Ukraines defense. But Russias buildup of troops on Ukraines border and NATOs response have nonetheless raised the specter of a war that could escalate and widen. NATO: Some member countries are putting their forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe to reassure allies in the region, as Britain joined the U.S. in ordering families of diplomats out of Ukraine, citing the growing threat from Russia. When Google announced a plan to block digital tracking cookies from its Chrome web browser two years ago, the advertising industry and regulators worried that the proposal would further entrench the search giants dominance over online ads. The outcry eventually forced Google to delay its rollout by nearly two years to late 2023. On Tuesday, Google said it was scrapping its old plan and offered a new way to block third-party trackers in Chrome with an online advertising system called Topics. The new system would still eliminate cookies, but it would inform advertisers of a users areas of interest such as fitness or autos and vehicles based on the last three weeks of the users web browsing history. The Topics will be kept for three weeks before they are deleted. Googles plan to eliminate cookies by the end of next year is a potentially huge shift for the digital advertising industry, though it is not clear if the new method, which the company will start testing in the first quarter this year, will be any less alarming to advertisers and regulators. Google Chrome, the worlds most widely used web browser, is used by two of every three people surfing the internet, according to StatCounter. Google said in 2019 that it would do away with third-party trackers in Chrome through an initiative called the Privacy Sandbox. The trackers allow ad services to follow users around the web to learn about their browsing habits. The company later unveiled a plan known as federated learning of cohorts, or FLoC. It was intended to allow advertisers to target groups of users, based on common browsing history, instead of individuals. In Europe, record high prices are drawing tankers of natural gas from the United States, Qatar and elsewhere. On Tuesday, White House officials said discussions were underway to get more natural gas to the continent. Whether this will be enough to defuse the risk of an energy cutoff remains to be seen. Here is a look at some of the key issues. Why has Europe been hit so hard by the energy crunch? This winter Europe is living through an energy crisis, with soaring prices for natural gas and electricity. It started when storage levels of gas fell well below normal last year. Natural gas is trading at about five times the price of a year ago. Although prices are now about half of the peak reached late last year, they are roughly seven times higher than levels in the United States. High gas prices raise electricity costs, threaten big increases in consumers bills and have pushed some energy-hungry factories like fertilizer plants and metal smelters into temporary shutdowns. Russia has added to these woes. It has exported less gas than usual and has kept storage levels at European gas facilities owned by Gazprom, the Russian gas monopoly, at rock bottom. Such tactics have helped raise anxiety about whether enough gas will be available to make it through a cold winter. If things get really messy in Ukraine, one can only observe that Europe is in an exceptionally vulnerable position right now, said Thane Gustafson, author of The Bridge, a study of the natural gas trade between Russia and Europe. Major kitchen-appliance companies like Cosori, Ninja, Cuisinart and Instant Brands quickly introduced models of their own. Theyve added the air-fryer function to other appliances like convection and home ovens and pressure cookers. When Ms. West, the co-creator of the Easy Air Fryer Recipes group on Facebook, set out to remodel her home kitchen in Shreveport, La., she decided that a stove with an air fryer was a must, even though she already owned five models of the air fryer. Its a great device used by everyone, she said of the air fryer. All ages, all over the world. The first big sales boom for the air fryer came in 2017, and the pandemic provided another boost. Sales in the United States rose over the past year to slightly more than $1 billion 20 percent more than in the year before, said Joe Derochowski, the vice president and home industry adviser at the NPD Group, a market research firm. In 2020, about 36 percent of American households had an air fryer, but Mr. Derochowski said that number would now be higher. To understand the obsession many people have with the air fryer, it helps to look back to the mid-20th century, when food manufacturers learned that crispiness and crunch were among the textures consumers craved most, said Nadia Berenstein, a flavor historian. Those textures, which required a lot of heat and oil to achieve, had long been difficult to produce in a home kitchen for a weeknight meal. Headliner Mena Its hard to believe, said Victoria Blamey, the chef who, for years, has earned praise at places like Chumleys and Gotham Bar & Grill, and is finally opening her own restaurant. Close observers of the New York scene will also know the Chilean-born chef, 42, from her pop-ups at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, the Mayflower Inn in Washington, Conn., and Fulgurances Laundromat in Brooklyn. She describes her new restaurant, named for her great-aunt, as airy, bright and very feminine with white walls, banquettes upholstered in cobalt blue and brass fixtures. Its not easy to nail down her food, which will reflect her native Chile, known for its seafood, as well as her experiences cooking in New York, Spain and Australia. People might have no idea what to expect from Chilean food, but there will be elements of it, she said. Cholgas secas, a Chilean dried mussel dish that she prepared during her stay at Blue Hill, are on the menu. Seaweeds, which are popular in Chile, garnish several preparations, including oysters with seaweed gremolata. She is also producing dishes like Japanese sardines with mayonnaise potato and peppers, mussels with onion glaze, squab with buckwheat honey and fermented radicchio, monkfish with wakame and black quinoa, and a winter Pavlova dessert with angel hair squash, citron confit and citrus curd. Her executive sous chef, Daniel Garcia, was at Crown Shy and NoMad, and the junior sous chef, Maggie Paradis, worked with her at Gotham Bar & Grill. The wine list pays attention to organic and biodynamic producers, especially from Chile. (Opens Thursday) 28 Cortlandt Alley (Broadway), 212-466-6428. Opening Miriam Since 2005, the Israeli chef Rafael Hasid has been known for his Israeli-Mediterranean fare, including daily brunch dishes, served from his restaurant Miriam, in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Now he has copied Miriam on the Upper West Side, in a somewhat rustic setting with greenery, and indoor and outdoor seating. The menu replicates that of the Park Slope location with assorted mezze; main dishes like a falafel platter, lamb shawarma, braised short ribs and chicken schnitzel; and brunch favorites like shakshuka, challah French toast and eggs Florentine. Mr. Hasid, known as Rafi, is also an owner of 1803 NYC in TriBeCa, as well as two takeout spots, Homemade by Miriam. At his side, managing the new Miriam, is Jerry Joseph, who some might fondly remember from earlier days at Jerrys in SoHo (1987 to 2007), an artists canteen when SoHo was about the galleries, not the Guccis. 300 Amsterdam Avenue (74th Street), miriamrestaurant.com. Peasant Wine Bar The chef and restaurateur Marc Forgione inherited Peasant, a cozy den known for wood-fired cooking, from its founder, Frank DeCarlo, who opened it in 1999 and owned it for 20 years. When Mr. DeCarlo retired, he offered to sell it to Mr. Forgione, whose arm did not need twisting. Now, Mr. Forgione has converted the restaurants underground wine cellar into a wine bar that taps into many of Italys regions, with both well-known and more obscure selections. The beverage director is Scott Woltz. To accompany the wines, Mr. Forgione is serving housemade charcuterie, and pastas, with a number of dishes featuring offal, Roman-style. (Wednesday) 194 Elizabeth Street (Prince Street), 212-965-9511, peasantnyc.com. Nai This tapas spot by Ruben Rodriguez, a native of Galicia in northern Spain, is being installed on two floors in a more spacious location across the street. The menu of more than 20 traditional and inventive tapas (patatas bravas, carrots with Greek yogurt and tahini) and larger plates remains more-or-less the same. Wines are mostly Spanish. Another restaurant at 174 First Avenue (11th Street) will become Emilia by Nai next month, featuring vegetables and seafood. My mother is now nearing 80, and her health and memory are failing, though her dementia is still fairly mild. She very much needs help (her personal hygiene could be improved, she eats poorly, chain-smokes in front of the TV all day and cannot be trusted with her medications). She has an opportunity to move into a beautiful house just a few miles away that sits next door to a younger relative, who adores her despite everything and is eager to help her while respecting her boundaries. (I live across the country and cannot provide day-to-day help.) My mother would still live independently but would be far less isolated, in a safer neighborhood and in a house in vastly better condition. She would not be downsizing, would be surrounded by all her familiar belongings and have a private yard. If we hired someone to help her, the relative would be next door to keep an eye on things. She has been alone in her current house for more than 50 years, however, and its almost as if the house itself is her partner. Leaving a home is hard for the elderly, but her mental illness magnifies her anguish tremendously. I worry that if she doesnt move now, she will have to move into a senior home in the next one to three years anyway, which would be a thousand times worse for her. Is it my responsibility to honor her choice to stay in an unhealthy, isolating home or to demand that she move to the new home, which is vastly better for her and would ease the burden of care on the relative and my anxiety about her safety but may prove traumatizing for her? Name Withheld Much depends on your characterization of your mothers dementia as still mild. If thats the case, you dont have the option of demanding that she take advantage of this opportunity. Once she reaches the point where shes no longer capable of autonomous decision-making, it will be the task of whoever then has legal responsibility for her welfare to move her into the best available setting, which would not involve independent living. But for the moment, you have to address her as an autonomous person: by offering her good reasons for doing what would be best for her and by trying to dissuade her from being guided by bad reasons. This means acknowledging with her that leaving a lifelong home is, indeed, distressing in prospect and painful when it happens, while painting the right positive picture of the new home and neighborhood. Of course, the psychological reality seems to be that your mother has never been good at taking advice, however wise or loving. As we all know, it can be hard to mark the line between persuading family members to do something and pressuring them to do it by emotional blackmail of some kind. The latter, though wrong, is especially tempting when faced with someone you care about who is making terrible decisions. That it is wrong doesnt mean that theres nothing to be said for it: If it works, you will have made your mothers declining years better for her and the family. But shell have to own the decision, in some sense, if it is to have all the benefits youre hoping for. Kwame Anthony Appiah teaches philosophy at N.Y.U. His books include Cosmopolitanism, The Honor Code and The Lies That Bind: Rethinking Identity. To submit a query: Send an email to ethicist@nytimes.com; or send mail to The Ethicist, The New York Times Magazine, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018. (Include a daytime phone number.) European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday the EU is not planning any similar withdrawals. He spoke to reporters as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers, which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to join virtually. "We are not going to do the same thing because we don't know any specific reasons. But Secretary Blinken will inform us," Borrell said. Ukraine's foreign ministry noted the U.S. move but expressed displeasure. "While we respect right of foreign nations to ensure safety & security of their diplomatic missions, we believe such a step to be a premature one & an instance of excessive caution," spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko tweeted Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the United States and its NATO allies of escalating tensions. The United States and Britain also announced orders for their embassy staff and family members in Kyiv to leave Ukraine, citing the potential for Russian military action. "NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the alliance," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. "We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defense." The North Atlantic Treaty Organization said Monday its members are sending more ships and fighter jets to eastern Europe in response to Russia's military buildup along its border with Ukraine. In addition to its order Sunday for the departure of eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, the U.S. State Department also authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees, asked U.S. citizens in Ukraine to consider departing the country and reissued travel advisories warning against traveling to either Ukraine or Russia. Asked about the timing of these actions on Sunday evening in Washington, a senior State Department official told reporters they come against the backdrop of reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine. The State Department official said security conditions, particularly along Ukraine's borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea and in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice. The official said President Joe Biden has said a Russian military invasion of Ukraine could happen at any time, and if there is an invasion, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv would have limited ability to assist Americans who might want to leave the country. The State Department officials who briefed reporters declined to give any estimates of the number of Americans working at the embassy in Kyiv or of the number of Americans living in Ukraine. The State Department officials said these orders are being taken as a "prudent precaution" that in no way undermines U.S. support for the government of Ukraine, and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv will continue to operate. The State Department also asked all U.S. citizens in Ukraine to complete an online form so that the State Department may better communicate with them, saying this is especially important for citizens who plan to remain in Ukraine. Russia has massed 127,000 troops just across its border with Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, sparking fears of an impending Russian invasion. The United States and its European allies have expressed the need to use diplomatic channels to address the crisis and have said a Russian incursion would be met with massive sanctions. Russia denies it plans to invade Ukraine and has sought guarantees against further NATO expansion in eastern Europe. Earlier Sunday, Blinken warned Russia that Washington knows "all of the tactics and techniques" that Moscow can deploy to undermine the Ukrainian government but will continue to engage in diplomatic talks in hopes of easing tensions in eastern Europe. "It is certainly possible that the diplomacy the Russians are engaged in is simply going through the motions and it won't affect their ultimate decision about whether to invade or in some other way intervene, or not in Ukraine," Blinken said on NBC's "Meet the Press" show. "But we have a responsibility to see the diplomacy through for as far and as long as we can go because it's the more responsible way to bring this to a closure." In a separate interview on CNN's "State of the Union" show, Blinken ruled out the United States immediately imposing severe economic sanctions on Moscow, which it has vowed to do if Russian President Vladimir Putin invades Ukraine. "If they're triggered now," Blinken said of the possible sanctions, "you lose the deterrent factor." Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, following Blinken on CNN, accused the administration of President Joe Biden of a "doctrine of appeasement" in dealing with Russia over threats to Ukraine. "The sanctions need to be imposed now," Ernst said. "President Putin only understands strength and power. We need to have firm resolve." Honeywell, a global technology leader, has announced the launch a new production facility for oil and gas projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Located in the Royal Commission area of Jubail, the facility includes a 2,000 sq m workshop and more than 1,000 sq m in office space for handling in-kingdom projects, including manufacturing and assembling. The facility will mainly cater to the Saudi Arabian market, GCC countries and in the future it will support other projects across the rest of the world. It is expected that the facility will help create at least 20 additional jobs in the kingdom. The facility has been developed as part of a joint venture (JV) partnership (Elster Instromet Saudi Arabia) with Gas Arabian Services to provide a state-of-the-art infrastructure for manufacturing and assembly of natural gas and liquid fuel solutions. A key part of the new facility is the use of Elster precision solutions, a portfolio of Honeywell solutions that include extensive, end-to-end technologies for gas and liquid metering, as well as control applications for the oil and gas industry. Through the facility, Honeywell will offer both skids and stations solutions, along with automation and control systems. Honeywell is primarily using the new facility to service approved solutions for Saudi Aramco. This launch builds on the agreements from the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Honeywell and Saudi Aramco in May 2017, which included Honeywell undertaking commercial efforts to assist Saudi Aramco in achieving the goals of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Programme. IKTVAs aim is to achieve 70% localization of production and jobs, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The new facility will support these objectives by creating production jobs for Saudi nationals, which leads to enhanced local skills and capabilities for future developments. Honeywell has been serving the Saudi Arabian market with instrumentation, control systems and advanced application solutions for many decades. The new facility will help drive knowledge transfer and support the creation of highly skilled roles, said George Bou Mitri, vice president and general manager for Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies in the Middle East. Our solutions will support the oil and gas sector domestically and across the region by increasing reliability, decreasing maintenance costs and driving future growth. This new facility is another chapter in our 70-year Saudi Arabian history, creating new opportunities and supporting in-Kingdom manufactured and assembled solutions to advance the critical oil and gas sector. Saudi Arabia is a high-growth, strategically important market for Honeywell. We remain fully supportive of the countrys Saudization efforts and continue to invest in knowledge transfer programs as well as locally-based facilities to support the objectives of the long-term national vision, added Bou Mitri. Honeywell plays a vital role in advancing the development of Saudi Arabia's industries and successful long-term careers through the introduction of training programs, partnerships and facilities that aid the countrys transformation to a knowledge-based economy. These include working with professors and researchers from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran on new catalytic processes for producing paraxylene, and the companys Honeywell UOP University and Global TECPro initiatives, among others.-- TradeArabia News Service Lawyers for the actor Alec Baldwin and other producers behind the film Rust filed a motion on Monday seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the movies script supervisor, who was feet away from the actor on the movie set in New Mexico when he fatally shot a cinematographer. The script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, said in her lawsuit, filed last year, that she was standing nearby when the gun fired a live bullet that killed the cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and wounded the films director, Joel Souza. Mitchell then ran out of the wooden church set that had been the backdrop for the scene and called 911. The lawsuit claimed that Ms. Mitchell sustained serious physical trauma and shock and injury to her nervous system and person as a result of her proximity to the shooting. It accused Baldwin of intentionally, without just cause or excuse, cocking and firing the revolver in a scene that did not call for it. In Mondays court filing, lawyers for Mr. Baldwin wrote that he could not have intentionally shot a live bullet from the gun because shortly before it discharged, the movies first assistant director called out cold gun, indicating that the old-fashioned revolver being used as a prop did not contain any live bullets and should have been safe to handle. When the heroine in Compartment No. 6 gets into a car with a guy who has been giving her nothing but grief, you may silently shriek: What is she thinking? You may also judge her for what looks like a bad decision or damn the filmmaker for putting yet another woman in hackneyed straits. Vulnerable women and dangerous men are cliches, but theyre also turned on their heads in this smart, emotionally nuanced film that rarely goes where you expect. Set in Russia in what seems like the late 1990s the Soviet Union has collapsed and our girl uses a Walkman the film mostly takes place on a train from Moscow to the northwest city of Murmansk. Its there that Laura (Seidi Haarla), a Finnish university student, plans to see the Kanozero petroglyphs, rock drawings dating back five, six thousand years. Her reasons for going arent especially clear. Shes in Russia to study the language and expresses an interest in archaeology. Yet her focus is lasered on Irina (Dinara Drukarova), a flirt who opened her flat and bed to Laura but has stayed behind in Moscow. Travel stories are almost invariably metaphoric expeditions with multiple destinations, not all of them literal. That holds true in Compartment No. 6, which is partly the story of a young, vague womans journey of self-discovery. Laura is already on the move when you first see her, drifting through a party in Irinas apartment to the sounds of Roxy Musics Love Is the Drug. In one sense its perfect walk-on music: Laura is besotted with Irina. But theres also something off, even a bit sardonic, about the juxtaposition of Laura, a mousy little blur, and this particular song, with its louche, emphatically unromantic world-weariness. The Finnish director Juho Kuosmanen is a deft fast-sketch artist, a talent that was first beautifully on display in his feature debut, The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (2017), about a sweet boxer in love. Minutes into Compartment No. 6, you have a rich sense of people and place, and a clear bead on Laura. You see her pleasure and her discontent you clock the flickering smile and note the nervously bowed head as she wanders Irinas flat, a bohemian sprawl filled with books, objets dart and clever people being clever for one another. Laura tries to fit in, but isnt anywhere near slick enough. There was a time not so long ago when the Sundance Film Festival was in danger of being overwhelmed by swag, hype and other extra-cinematic preoccupations. One year, if I remember right, there were stickers all over its Park City, Utah, home reminding those of us in attendance to focus on films rather than parties, celebrity sightings, industry buzz and tabloid gossip. That isnt much of a problem now. For the second year in a row, Sundance isnt in Park City at all. Instead of traipsing up and down Main Street or piling into shuttle buses, the audience is exactly where it has been for most of the past two years: at home, in front of a screen, scrolling through a menu in search of something to watch. Theres a lot of film scores of features and dozens of shorts, running through next weekend and not so much festival. Im not going to argue that this is a good thing. But I will say that from the vantage point of my armchair, this Sundance has so far shown a special kind of vitality. At a time when many of us are worried about the health of movies, it offers proof of life. The kinds of films long associated with Sundance adventurous, youthful, socially aware face particular difficulties at the moment. Covid has imposed new burdens on filmmaking. Streaming has upended the already fragile ecology of independent distribution. And a bored, moody, stressed-out public may not know what it wants. Im not sure I do. Do I want to be challenged or comforted? Am I looking for movies that reflect the miserable realities of contemporary life or movies that conjure alternative realities? Is it weirder if people are wearing masks onscreen, or if they arent? What we have isnt legal rights under the law, he said. What we have is legal rights if you can afford a lawyer. The office of New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James, did not immediately respond Tuesday morning to a request for comment on the suit and to a question about whether the help Upsolve wants to offer would violate rules on the unlicensed practice of law. The New York State Bar Association, which represents lawyers, said it would not comment on pending litigation. In America, consumers are served with suits alleging failure to make payments of all kinds, whether for phone bills or fish tanks. The most common subjects of debt collection suits include medical bills, credit card balances and auto loans. Americans do not legitimately owe most of the debt they are sued for, according to consumer advocates. A 2010 report by the Legal Aid Society found that in more than one-third of debt-collection cases reviewed, the debt had already been paid or had resulted from mistaken identity or identity theft; the statute of limitations on collecting the debt had expired; or the debt had been shed in bankruptcy. ACA International, a trade group for debt collectors, did not immediately respond on Tuesday to a request for comment on the Legal Aid Societys report. Marshal Coleman, a veteran consumer lawyer in Manhattan, said that most consumer debt suits were over matters of a few thousand dollars. Typically, if a client like that comes to a lawyer, he said, a lawyers not going to be able to help them because the fees will exceed the value of the debt. There are legal aid organizations that offer free representation to low-income people, but they tend to focus their very limited resources on other matters, like domestic-violence protection orders, evictions and foreclosures. Legal Services NYC, the citys biggest provider of free civil legal services, has 450 lawyers on staff. Only one concentrates on consumer debt suits. It was a typical Monday afternoon at the Essex Card Shop, an encyclopedic stationery store in Manhattans East Village. Business had been steady. Jayant Patel, the 80-year-old manager, had just noticed a teenager wandering around, before being hustled out by an older woman, perhaps his grandmother. Now the store was empty, the dutiful manager at his post, behind the counter. Within minutes, however, Mr. Patel smelled smoke and saw flames in the back. He seized a broom and tried to snuff the fire out. It happened so fast that there was no chance to grab the fire extinguisher, he said. Soon, Muhammad Aslam, the shops owner, arrived to find his loyal friend struggling alone to put out the fire. They called 911. No one died in the two-alarm fire that destroyed the shop, a neighborhood linchpin, on Jan. 10, just a day after a tragic, smoke-choking blaze in a Bronx apartment building killed 17 people. Still, many locals were anguished, as evidenced by an outpouring of social media posts and offers to do something, anything, to keep the family business going. The impassioned neighborhood reactions have led to a fund-raising initiative, which could very well save the shop. How prevalent is the disease in New York City? Reported cases of leptospirosis among people increased fairly dramatically last year, a spike that is believed to be linked to the rise in the rat population. At the same time, reported cases of canine leptospirosis actually dropped. The city reported 15 cases among people last year, in contrast to an average of three cases a year for the previous 15 years. Health officials said that most people who were sickened had a clear history or risk factor which exposed them to an environment with a severe rat infestation. At least one of the people who was infected died. Human-to-human transmission is rare, and none of the cases was linked to a dogs infection. Among dogs, there were also 15 cases reported last year, down from a high of 29 in 2018. But health officials warned that the drop may be because providers failed to report cases as required. Between 2006 and 2020, a total of 269 cases anywhere from eight to 29 cases per year were reported to the Health Department from all five boroughs. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes on its website that the disease has been diagnosed among pets more frequently nationwide in the past few years. Dr. Fadl, who works at the Cobble Hill location of Bond Vet, said that the practice had not seen any cases there or at its Williamsburg location recently. Katy Hansen, director of marketing and communications for Animal Care Centers of N.Y.C., said the three shelters run by the organization, which together take in about 6,000 dogs a year, have not recorded an outbreak of leptospirosis either. How do I protect my dog (and myself)? Crucially, there is a vaccine. The initial dose is followed by a booster three to four weeks later, and then administered annually. Dr. Fadl generally recommends it, especially given the uptick in the rat population in New York City. If you have a private backyard, if your pet is in the parks, if your pet likes to sniff around garbage, drink from standing puddles, get a lepto vaccine, she said. John Stimmel, the superintendent of public schools in Sayville, a hamlet in Suffolk County, said that he had received hundreds of emails from people concerned about the mask policy, but that schools in his district would make masks optional. Brei DelGiudice, 44, a mother of two school children, said it was jarring for her and other families when the Plainedge Union Free School District, in Nassau County, announced mask-wearing would all of a sudden be optional starting Tuesday. She said her 10-year-old daughter and her 7-year-old son, both of whom are vaccinated, would continue to mask up in the classroom because they definitely feel safer with it on. Some parents were on social media like, Woohoo, freedom! Ms. DelGiudice said. And the rest of us were like, Wait what? What does this mean? How do we do this? The Rockville Centre school district, also on Long Island, told parents at 10 p.m. on Monday that mask wearing would be optional. By 7 a.m. on Tuesday, parents had received another email that revised the announcement and reinstated the mandatory masking policy. Rachel Price Ferrick, 43, whose children in the district are 6 and 8 years old, said that she had sent her children to school in masks but that the quick reversal had led to confusion. She said she believed her children had fallen behind on their reading and social skills in part because masks had limited their classroom interactions. At this point if you have chosen not to vaccinate yourself, thats your choice, but youre on your own, Ms. Price Ferrick said. It cant fall on the shoulders of our children anymore. We are going to do a lot more than pray we are going to turn our pain into purpose, he said before outlining an ambitious public safety plan that calls for immediate changes to deploy more officers to get guns off the streets. This is not a plan for the future it is a plan for right now, he said. He called for reviving an anti-gun unit that his predecessor, Mayor Bill de Blasio, disbanded. Adams also called for changes that he cannot order on his own, including revisions to the states bail law and to a law that controls how the state handles teenage defendants. Adams acknowledged that many of the issues behind the recent increase in violent crime were complicated, including how to treat suspects with mental health problems, and cannot be solved with quick fixes. But my colleagues Emma G. Fitzsimmons and Ashley Southall write that Adams has set the bar high for expectations. He campaigned as the candidate who could balance safety and police reform, an idea he repeated on Monday. Still, the shootings and other violence since Jan. 1, including the death of a woman who was pushed in front of a subway in the Times Square station have darkened the already downbeat mood in a city that the coronavirus pandemic continues to pummel. And about an hour after the mayor laid out his Blueprint to End Gun Violence, he announced the death of the man who the police said shot and killed Officer Rivera and wounded Officer Mora. One indication of the urgency that officials now feel came from the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, who like the mayor took office at the beginning of the year. In a shift from the approach he translated into policy in a memo he circulated on Jan. 3, which instructed prosecutors not to seek jail time for gun possession in cases that involved no other crimes, Bragg said on Monday that his office would now take a harder line on gun crimes, including gun possession. If youre walking around Manhattan with a gun, he said, youre going to be prosecuted, and were going to hold you accountable in what I would say is the traditional sense. Professor Irina Zakirova, who taught his capstone seminar, said in an emailed statement that he was a curious and passionate student who was excited about joining the Police Department and made class discussions richer with his input. He even wrote his final research paper examining the effectiveness of proactive and reactive policing in reducing crime, discussing the effects of stop and frisk, and community policing in New York City, she said. I recall discussing his paper with him, and I found him to be very knowledgeable about the history of policing and police reforms in New York City. Officers Mora and Rivera grew up during the height of stop and frisk, and were teenagers when a landmark federal ruling in 2013 declared the tactics violated the civil rights of mostly young Black and Hispanic men in the city, who were stopped and searched millions of times for weapons and drugs by officers with no legal justification. Since then, the number of stops has plummeted, and the city has developed new protocols under the guidance of a federal monitor. In announcing Officer Moras death on Tuesday, the police described his familys decision to donate his organs for transplant as a final act of service. Leonard Achan, the president of LiveOnNY, the designated organ procurement agency for the New York metro area, said Officer Moras family are huge supporters of organ donation, they wanted to make sure that their sons legacy, brothers legacy as well, would be that he saved lives in his death as well as in his life. On Twitter, Mayor Eric Adams mourned Officer Mora. He served his city, protected his community and gave his life for our safety, Mr. Adams wrote. At Officer Moras apartment complex on East 112th Street on Tuesday, two tables set up on each side of the front entrance carried bouquets of white flowers and more than nine dozen blue candles, many of them lit by other officers stationed outside. To the Editor: Re As Fears of an Invasion Grow, Diplomatic Options Remain (news article, Jan. 25): You report that there are diplomatic options to avoid war in Ukraine, but ask if there is room for compromise. Why should there be a compromise? Does Russia have any legitimate claims on Ukraine? If not and I know of none then a compromise would hand an unjustified victory to Vladimir Putin, a reward for his thuggish behavior that would encourage him to repeat it. The only compromise that should be offered is a chance for him to withdraw Russian troops with some grace. Jonathan J. Margolis Brookline, Mass. To the Editor: Re How to Retreat From Ukraine (column, Jan. 23): Ross Douthat is absolutely correct to say that the United States does not have the power to maintain an extension of NATO that includes Ukraine. What is missing, however, is the interests of the Ukrainian people. I had the privilege of visiting Ukraine as a Fulbright scholar in 2003. My hosts were fervent pro-Western Ukrainian nationalists; however, they understood that Ukraine could not be a strong united country unless the considerable segment of the population that leaned toward Russia felt included. The problem with U.S. policy over the last decade or so is that we sought to exclude the pro-Russian population and turn Ukraine into a U.S. ally. The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) is eyeing some AED8.8 billion ($2.4 billion) in trade opportunities during the Sustainable AgriCommodity Week (Non-Food AgriCommodities) 2022 at the country pavilion in Expo Dubai 2020. With a robust wood export business that generated $248.9 million last year in the Middle East alone, Malaysia is hoping its timber industry will get the boost at the Expo where it expects to meet potential buyers from around the world, said a top official. "We see Expo 2020 Dubai as an important platform to connect Malaysian timber products and services with potential local and international trade partners that will provide further growth opportunities for our timber industry," remarked Muhtar Suhaili, the chief executive of MTC, which is hosting the event along with the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC). Among the countrys top export destinations in the region include Yemen, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE where it exported some $220.1 million wood products in 2020, he noted. "In addition to seeking potential trade opportunities, we have organised this event to showcase Malaysias initiatives in sustainable practices and innovations in managing its forest resources," added Muhtar. According to him, Malaysia has always recognised the importance of managing its forest resources responsibly, balancing socio-economic progress with sustainability, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030. Its Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) system has been part and parcel of Malaysias forestry practices since 1901. The country has also firmly kept its commitment, made during the 1992 Rio Summit where nations were admonished to have at least 50% of their total land area under forest cover, he stated. Currently, 55.3% of the Malaysias land area remains under forest cover. The Malaysian Pavilion itself is inspired by the countrys thriving rainforest ecosystem, incorporating elements of interconnected canopies and a meandering river. One of Malaysias prized hardwoods, Meranti, was sustainably sourced from a Malaysian forest and used for the construction of the pavilion. MTIB Director General Mahpar Atan says Malaysias efforts to build up its timber industry at Expo Dubai 2020 is an important step in ensuring Malaysias competitiveness and in diversifying available opportunities for a wide range of its products and services. "For example, Agarwood is high on our agenda at MTIC as we seek to promote this fragrant resinous wood for the perfume industry, especially in the UAE and rest of the region," explained Atan. The Timber Board will also display wood crafting and engraving using laser-cutting technology in a bid to woo more business to these sectors, as well as highlight Malaysias advances and innovation in expanding its timber industry's manufacturing technology through digitalization, he added. During the event, Muhtar also revealed that their Expo 2020 Dubai participation will put a spotlight on the return of its highly successful Malaysian Wood Expo in Kuala Lumpur this year, an international timber-based and woodworking machinery exhibition that brings together key industry manufacturers, producers and influencers from around the world.-TradeArabia News Service This article is part of the On Tech newsletter. Here is a collection of past columns. This week, On Tech will examine the economics of what is sometimes called the internet creator economy. There are people who are so good at making online entertainment or information that they try to make it a job. Your favorite comedian on Instagram, plant forager on TikTok, or YouTube stunt performer are creators. Some of you might be thinking: That is a job? It is. These online pros are testing the internets promise of enabling anyone to earn a living from creative pursuits. We are entertained by creators work, and they influence what we buy, the music we listen to and how products are promoted. Internet professionals are also the tip of the spear of whats working and what is not with digital life as we know it. More creators are now saying they want a shot at sharing in online companies riches and we should listen. Let me back up. We mostly work for free on the internet. There is no Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or Reddit without the posts, memes and gardening groups that we make voluntarily. Some people have figured out ways to make money from online popularity, including by selling merchandise, getting paid by their fans and signing promotional deals outside the big internet sites. Alongside the coronavirus pandemic is another, lesser-known problem that has forced hospitals to temporarily close their doors and health care workers to make impossible decisions about whom to treat. The United States is running dangerously low on blood supplies, a crisis that the American Red Cross, which supplies about 40 percent of the nations blood, called its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. The nationwide emergency has already had extreme consequences within California. This month, Harbor-U.C.L.A. Medical Center, a public hospital in southern Los Angeles County, closed its trauma center for two hours because it ran out of blood for patients the first time that had happened in more than 30 years. California, along with the rest of the nation, is experiencing the most severe blood shortage in the last 10 years, Dr. Mark Ghaly, the secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency, said in a statement. Fortunately, there is hope in ending this blood emergency with a simple act of kindness many of us can take as individuals blood donation. The U.S. Coast Guard said late Tuesday that it would search through the night for 39 people who went missing days earlier after a boat carrying them from the Bahamas capsized off the Atlantic coast of Florida. Rescuers learned of the accident on Tuesday morning, when a boater, who was described as a good Samaritan, found a man clinging to the capsized vessel, the Coast Guard said. The man said he had been hanging on to the boat since Saturday night, when it left Bimini, in the Bahamas, and began heading north before running into severe weather. A photo posted by the Coast Guard on Twitter showed the man straddling the boats hull. The 25-foot boat capsized on Sunday morning about 45 miles east of the Fort Pierce Inlet, the Coast Guard said. It was not clear as of Tuesday night what type of boat it was. No one aboard was wearing a life jacket, the Coast Guard said. A vast majority of thousands of C.I.A.-trained fighters and their families have already been relocated to the United States, American officials said. But that has made the waiting for the hundreds in United Arab Emirates all the more painful, according to the former Afghan commandos. Because those Afghans in places like Humanitarian City are safe, the United States is processing them through regular bureaucratic order, officials said. As a result, they are being required to wait there until their S.I.V. applications are completed which can take many months. Requirements for vaccinations and medical tests can further slow the process. Biden administration officials were reluctant to talk about or acknowledge the C.I.A.-backed squads specifically. But they insisted that all the evacuees in Humanitarian City and other countries would be treated fairly. Were working to develop a standardized process that ensures we make good on our commitments to our Afghan allies, Emily Horne, a National Security Council spokeswoman, said in a statement. We cannot underestimate the anxiety that they and their families must feel. Those of us working on this want to alleviate that anxiety as best we can and make good on our countrys pledge to them. One official said that about 500 S.I.V. applicants a week reach a stage in the process where the State Department places them in a queue for eventual transfer to the United States, and that about a quarter of the population of refugees in Humanitarian City is now at that stage. But that official also said even for that group, it was likely to be several more months at best before those applicants would complete other steps in the visa process. Another official said it was likely to be another five months before the C.I.A. fighters and their families were able to come to the United States. The fighters are unlike most other refugees in a number of respects, not least the key role they played in working with the C.I.A. on the counterinsurgency and counterterrorism campaigns, in which they were often sent to kill or capture high-profile targets such as those in the Talibans violent Haqqani network and Al Qaeda. California will require businesses to provide workers who are recovering from the coronavirus, or are caring for infected family members, with as much as two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave, under a deal announced on Tuesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders in the state. The agreement would reinstate a benefit passed by the state in 2021 that expired at the end of September. It was sought by organized labor as the Omicron variant surged, but employers opposed it, saying the benefit would be prohibitively expensive for them. The state legislature is expected to fast-track a bill to turn the agreement into law. If it is approved, the paid leave requirement would apply to eligible absences between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 at companies with more than 25 employees. The bill would also restore some business tax credits to help companies absorb the cost of the additional paid time off. By extending sick leave to frontline workers with Covid and providing support for California businesses, we can help protect the health of our work force, while also ensuring that businesses and our economy are able to thrive, Mr. Newsom said in a joint statement with the president pro tem of the State Senate, Toni Atkins, and the speaker of the Assembly, Anthony Rendon. Follow our latest coverage of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. WASHINGTON As the United States issued warnings last month about the Russian troops on Ukraines borders and President Biden threatened President Vladimir V. Putin with sanctions if he launched an invasion, researchers noticed an uptick in social media posts accusing Ukraine of plotting a genocide against ethnic Russians. In one example, an arm of the Moscow-controlled broadcaster RT circulated a clip of Mr. Putin saying that events in eastern Ukraine resemble genocide. News Front, which the State Department has called a disinformation outlet with ties to Russian security services, followed with an article on Dec. 13 that said the United States did not consider the massacres to be a genocide. In the months since the Russian troop buildup began, Moscow and its online army of allies have pushed out old arguments about western Ukrainians being aligned with Nazism, falsely accused the United States of using proxy forces to plot a chemical attack and claimed that Russias planned military operations were intended to protect ethnic Russians or pre-empt action by NATO, according to researchers. American intelligence officials said Russia had produced a steady stream of disinformation about Ukraine since 2014. But they observed an uptick in December and January as Moscow increased pressure on the government in Kyiv. The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it was working with gas and crude oil suppliers from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia to bolster supplies to Europe in the coming weeks, in an effort to blunt the threat that Russia could cut off fuel shipments in the escalating conflict over Ukraine. European allies have been cautious in public about how far they would go in placing severe sanctions on Moscow if it invades Ukraine. Germany has been especially wary; it has shuttered many of its nuclear plants, increasing its dependence on natural gas imports to generate electricity. Many European officials have said they suspect President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia instigated the current crisis in the depths of winter for a reason, calculating that he has more leverage if he can threaten to turn off Russian fuel sales to Europe. So in recent weeks, American officials have been planning an effort that has echoes of the Berlin airlift, the attempt to keep West Berlin supplied in the face of a Soviet blockade in 1948 and 1949. That event led to the creation of NATO, the defensive alliance that Mr. Putin is hoping to undercut by massing troops along the Ukrainian border, and by demanding that NATO pull back from what he has called Russias sphere of influence. The most clear failure has been establishing an accessible pipeline for Black and Latino students, he wrote in The Daily News. In the past, gifted-and-talented programs in middle schools have been a reliable pathway. Horace Davis, a former Con Edison executive who is Black, spoke of his boyhood in East Flatbush, a working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn. He got into accelerated classes in his neighborhood school, and teachers pushed hard. His sister and best friend encouraged him to take the test, Mr. Davis said. You have four years of courses at Brooklyn Tech taught at the college level, he said. Its not just that youre surrounded by smart students; you start to think of college and your life in a different way. An Uneven Playing Field Little comes easy at a hothouse such as Brooklyn Tech. The weight of parental and teacher expectation make for much stress. Some fall to cheating; some leave. I got so much out of that school, said Zarnaab Javaid, who is of Pakistani descent and now at the State University of New York at Binghamton. What brings me hesitation is the sheer number of kids who were not happy. Alumni and students alike harbor the sense that as hard as they work, they benefit from unfair advantages. They point to college-level course offerings and a handsome moot court for the law class, and the battered robotics lab that produces students who win local and national competitions. Most private schools have more plushly appointed facilities but not public high schools. These students chafe, though, at the notion that their success can be explained away by saying, Well, Asian students test well. The defendants live in Washington, California, Nevada, Michigan and British Columbia. Lawyers listed for 14 of the 23 defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday, while another four declined to comment. Four of the defendants were still at large. Information about the remaining defendants lawyer was not listed in court records. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Washington declined to comment further on the case on Tuesday, including to say how the defendants had been initially connected to one another. According to the indictment, one of the defendants had discussed bringing a false misconduct complaint against the F.B.I. agent investigating the case. As part of that false narrative, the authorities said, that defendant would claim to the F.B.I. that his family was being threatened by the Mahdi Army, a militia group in Iraq. In total, the group staged about 14 collisions, the indictment said. In one of them, the authorities said, one of the defendants intentionally drove a Toyota Sienna minivan into an Infiniti FX35, a crossover S.U.V. carrying several other defendants, including the driver, near an intersection in Franklin County in southeastern Washington in January 2019. The minivans driver had boasted to the F.B.I. informant about the fraud scheme, investigators said. I did the insurance in the day and I hit it at night, he said, according to the indictment. In another collision, involving a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Chevrolet Traverse in September 2019 in Pasco, Wash., a city in the southeastern part of the state, two of the defendants used hammers to inflict additional damage to the Jeep before the police arrived, the authorities said. In April 2020, investigators said, one of the defendants rammed a Chevy Malibu three times into a second Chevy Malibu at an intersection in Kennewick, Wash. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso The morning after the coup in Burkina Faso, a crowd of revelers celebrating the military takeover in the dusty main plaza of the capital had two messages for the outside world: No to France, and yes to Russia. We want a partnership with Russia, said Bertrand Yoda, a civil engineer who shouted to make himself heard amid hundreds of horn-honking, cheering people gathered in a raucous show of appreciation for the new military junta. Long live Russia! Mutinying soldiers seized power in this poor West African nation on Monday, riding a wave of boiling frustration at the governments failure to stem surging Islamist violence that since 2016 has displaced 1.4 million people, killed 2,000 last year alone and destabilized perhaps two-thirds of a once-peaceful country. But now that the democratically elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, has been sidelined the military says he is being detained coup supporters have turned to remaking Burkinas Fasos foreign alliances. Their preferences were broadcast in the Russian flags that fluttered in the capital, Ouagadougou, on Tuesday, alongside blunt, hand-painted signs aimed directly at Burkina Fasos former colonial ruler. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, has signed an agreement with regional neigbour and leading oil producer Iraq for the speedy implementation of powergrid interconnection. Saudi Arabia will aim to "achieve optimal investment" in the electrical connection with Iraq, stated the kingdom's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said during a virtual signing ceremony. "This comes in implementation of the directives of the leaderships of the two countries, by taking everything that would strengthen the relations and the strategic partnership between the two countries in all fields," stated Prince Abdulaziz after signing the MoU with Acting Iraqi Minister of Electricity Engineer Adel Karim, in the presence of Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar virtually and Secretary-General of Iraqi Council of Ministers and National Coordinator of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council Dr. Hamid Naim Al Ghazi. On the deal, Adel Karim said the link-up would be completed within two years. This project comes within the framework of the kingdom's Vision 2030 and its executive programmes. Frank Dutton, whose investigations into some of the biggest criminal cases in South African history, from apartheid-era hit squads to more recent high-level government corruption, earned him a reputation as his countrys greatest police detective, died on Jan. 20 at a hospital in Hillcrest, South Africa. He was 72. Howard Varney, a longtime friend and colleague, said the cause was a heart attack following a stroke a few days before. Mr. Dutton came to prominence in the early 1990s, a fraught moment between the 1990 release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the 1994 multiracial elections that elevated him to the presidency and officially brought apartheid to a close. Mr. Dutton, who was white, and his colleague, Lwandle Wilson Magadla, who was Black, were working on a separate case when they uncovered evidence related to the 1988 killing of 11 Black South Africans in Trust Feed, a town in the province of KwaZulu Natal. MEXICO CITY A top Guatemalan court has sentenced five former paramilitary members to 30 years in prison for the rape of several Indigenous women in the early 1980s, during the nations long, bloody civil war. The sentences were handed down on Monday following a weekslong trial that resulted in convictions for crimes against humanity. The charges were based on the rape of five women at the hands of a pro-government militia fighting leftist rebels. It has been possible to establish disproportionate violence against these women, who were treated like animals, sexually violated and subjected to sexual slavery, Judge Gervi Sical said during the sentencing hearing. The authorities, called upon to protect them, forgot their obligation as guarantors and used physical and psychological force to its greatest extremes. The trial is the latest attempt by authorities and activists to seek justice for the atrocities committed during the 36-year civil war in Guatemala, which ended in 1996, during which some 200,000 people were killed or disappeared. According to a United Nations-backed inquiry, more than 80 percent of identified victims were Indigenous Maya. An accident aboard an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea injured seven American sailors and led to the pilot ejecting from his F-35 fighter jet on Monday, the Navy said in a statement, calling it a landing mishap. The combat aircraft, a F-35C Lightning II, had been conducting routine flight operations before getting into difficulties on the deck of the carrier Carl Vinson, the statement said. The cause of the accident was unclear, but the Navy said it was being investigated. Though such incidents are unusual, it comes months after a nuclear-powered Navy submarine hit an underwater seamount in the South China Sea in October, causing injuries and leading to the removal of the vessels commanding officer. In recent years, the United States has deployed more warships on routine patrols in the South China Sea, disputed waters to which Beijing is increasingly asserting claims. SEOUL North Korea began the new year by convening a meeting for the ruling Workers Party during which very little was said about the United States. That ominous silence didnt last long. Kim Jong-un, the countrys ruler, has launched six ballistic missiles in four weapons tests since Jan. 5, almost as many missiles in one month as North Korea launched in all of last year. On Tuesday, the South Korean military confirmed that the North had fired two cruise missiles in its fifth test of 2022. The message was clear: The North Korean leader feels he is being ignored and wants to push the Biden administration to re-engage and pay attention to his economically ailing nation. Individually, the tests may not amount to much they involved missiles that have already been tested or weapons that are still under development. But taken together, they signal that Mr. Kim plans to use 2022 to jolt the Biden administration out of its diplomatic slumber. At least three people were killed, and the scale of the disaster is still coming into focus, in part because the eruption cut off the nations lone connection to the internet. The outbreak on the Australian ship is stoking concerns that aid workers could inadvertently take the virus to Tonga, which reported its first case in October. Japans national broadcaster reported on Wednesday that the countrys Defense Ministry had suspended its aid mission to Tonga because several members of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force which has been delivering aid to Tonga since Saturday from a base in Australia had tested positive for the virus. Tonga requires arriving travelers to quarantine for 21 days, and about 60 percent of the countrys population has received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. The Australian ministers for foreign affairs, defense and international development said in a joint statement on Wednesday that the H.M.A.S. Adelaide had arrived in Tonga carrying helicopters, engineering equipment and medical and humanitarian supplies. They said it was undertaking an entirely contactless delivery of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies. Peter Dutton, Australias defense minister, had said at a news conference on Tuesday that the 23 people aboard the ship who had tested positive for the virus were in isolation. BERLIN The United States and its NATO allies are moving to bulk up their military commitments in the Baltics and Eastern Europe as the standoff with Russia over Ukraine deepens. Denmark is sending fighter jets to Lithuania and a frigate to the Baltic Sea. France has offered to send troops to Romania. Spain is sending a frigate to the Black Sea. President Biden has put thousands of U.S. troops on high alert. And then there is Germany. In recent days Germany Europes largest and richest democracy, strategically situated at the crossroads between East and West has stood out more for what it will not do than for what it is doing. No European country matters more to European unity and the Western alliance. But as Germany struggles to overcome its post-World War II reluctance to lead on security matters in Europe and set aside its instinct to accommodate rather than confront Russia, Europes most pivotal country has waffled in the first crucial test for the new government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. ATHENS A rare heavy snowfall in the Mediterranean had emergency services scrambling on Tuesday to rescue people stranded in their cars, some for more than 20 hours, and caused transportation chaos and power outages in Greece and Turkey. Heavy snow fell for more than 12 hours on Monday, covering the Greek capital, where the snow was a foot deep in parts, as well as several Aegean islands. Parts of Turkey were also blanketed. These areas are more used to dealing with extreme heat in the summers than snow in the winter. Though a snowstorm in Greece last February caused traffic and power problems, this weeks storm caused greater upheaval. JERUSALEM A medical panel advising the Israeli government has recommended making fourth coronavirus vaccine doses available to people age 18 and over, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday, citing what it suggested were some early signs of the effectiveness of an additional shot in helping prevent serious illness. The recommendation, which the ministry has yet to approve, comes weeks after Israel began offering fourth doses to people age 60 and over, as well as to medical workers and people with weakened immune systems, as it braced for a surge of infections from the highly contagious Omicron variant. It was the first country to offer such additional shots so broadly. The panel recommended offering a fourth shot to people age 18 and above at least five months after they recover from Covid-19 or receive a third vaccine shot. About 600,000 Israelis have already received a fourth dose. It is not the most important question regarding the international maelstrom currently brewing in Ukraine. But it is a very common question, and one that carries what some may find an unexpectedly political answer: How do you pronounce the capitals name, Kyiv? Ukrainians have a preference and it might not be the one most commonly heard or assumed. It sounds more similar to keev than the two-syllable key-EV favored by many Russian speakers, but thats not exactly it, either. Andrii Smytsniuk, a Ukrainian who teaches Ukrainian and Russian languages at the University of Cambridge, broke the word down letter by letter for English speakers in an interview on Tuesday. Its a bit hard to describe. [Follow for live updates as a report into U.K. lockdown parties is sent to Boris Johnson.] LONDON The British police have opened an investigation into parties held at 10 Downing Street and other government offices during the coronavirus lockdown, an ominous development for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is trying to stave off a career-threatening challenge to his leadership over his handling of the scandal. The commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, confirmed on Tuesday that the police are investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations. She declined to give further details. The disclosure could delay publication of the most serious findings of another crucial investigation, which is being led by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray. Mr. Johnson has appealed to Conservative lawmakers and the public to withhold judgment until the release of that report. It remained unclear when and in what form Ms. Grays report would be published though it could still emerge in the coming days. Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the flag carrier of the Kingdom, has announced a direct flight from Paris to the historic oasis of AlUla, enabling French visitors to be among the first to experience Saudis nature and culture heritage. The direct flight will depart from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport every Sunday from January 30 to March 27. After a comfortable five hours flight in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Saudia, the guests will land at AlUla airport with only a 30 minute drive to their hotel. AlUla is a perfect place for a 3 or 4 sunny-day stay enjoying all the nature and culture experiences it has to offer and a smooth entry point to other destinations in Saudi Arabia. This new flight will be inaugurated on January 27. The announcement of the special flight was made by Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Saudia Airlines and the French Agency for the development of AlUla (Afalula). This new air route provides a unique opportunity for French travellers and travellers from neighbouring countries to be among the first explorers to visit this extraordinary region. Arguably the biggest archaeological program in the world at the moment, the globally significant heritage destination also offers stunning nature and cultural experiences in exceptional landscapes. Among them, the Unesco World heritage site of Hegra, the second city of the great Nabataean Kingdom of Petra in Jordan, several archaeological sites dating back to the 1st millennium BC and a 25 km long lush oasis stretching in the middle of desert mountains and rock formations. Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Officer said: This is indeed an historic moment for AlUla and an important step forward in our ambitions to share our piece of history and our stunning destination with the world. We know that the French are intrepid travellers, always keen to be the first to experience the new. We are excited to work with Saudia to welcome the first European direct flight to AlUla and hope that many Europeans will take the opportunity to visit our heritage sites and perhaps take in some of our winter events as the flights will run till March 27. The winter events season is in full swing in AlUla with four major festivals on offer until the end of March 2022 under the events banner of AlUla Moments. Winter at Tantora, AlUla Arts, AlUla Skies and AlUla Wellness. Flagship events include musical concerts at Maraya with international and regional performers on the bill; equestrian events include The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup 2022, January 29, and the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo on February 11 12. In arts, the second edition of Desert X AlUla, the site responsive outdoor art exhibition starts on February 11. In skies, Hot Air Balloons will offer a serene birds eye view of AlUla, and Light Sky Constellations, February 27 celebrates the bright stars in the dark sky. AlUla Wellness offers many unique sensory experiences out in nature, including Five Senses Sanctuary starting March 13. There are also many immersive and exciting new dining experiences. Hazem Sonbol, Passenger Sales Vice President of Saudia Airlines stated: As the Kingdoms flag carrier, we are delighted to welcome this inaugural direct flight from the heart of Europe into the ancient city of AlUla. This is our first international direct flight to AlUla and we believe one of many as more of our guests around the world are showing an eagerness to explore our countrys history and culture. Gerard Mestrallet, Executive President of Afalula, said: " Since the intergovernmental agreement signed by Saudi Arabia and France in April 2018 on AlUla sustainable development, the collaboration between the Saudi and French economic and cultural ecosystems, led by the Royal Commission for AlUla and AFALULA, has proven to be increasingly intense and fruitful. The numerous partnerships sealed between the RCU and French companies as well as the achievements on the ground reveal the success of this cooperation. Following the access, since September 2019, to tourist visas for Saudi Arabia, the opening of a direct air route from Paris will bolster the attractiveness of this unique cultural destination. TradeArabia News Service Follow our latest coverage of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. SVITLODARSK, Ukraine The Ukrainian soldiers watch and wait, nervously peering through a periscope from an icy trench at a forward observation post in eastern Ukraine. Western governments have sounded alarms that Russia is prepared to attack Ukraine at any time. The Biden administration is considering moving troops, warships and artillery into Eastern Europe and NATO announced on Monday that member countries are sending ships and jets to the region. But how, exactly, military action might start has become an anxious guessing game for military analysts, for Western and Ukrainian officials and not least for Ukrainian soldiers, who are likely to be the first to find out. I would rather have peace, said Ihor, a sergeant who is the Ukrainian units cook and offered only his first name and rank, in keeping with military rules. I have two kids at home. Follow our latest coverage of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. KYIV, Ukraine Russias military buildup on the Ukrainian border is easy to see. Satellite images show ever-growing patches of snow-covered tanks expanding along the frontier, and a stream of Russian TikTok posts records the steady westerly crawl of trains carrying missile launchers, armor and troops. And yet despite the buildup and even with the United States warning that an attack could come imminently, and NATO forces on alert Ukraines leadership is playing down the Russian threat. That posture has left analysts guessing about the leaderships motivation, with some saying it is to keep the Ukrainian markets stable, prevent panic and avoid provoking Moscow, while others attribute it to the countrys uneasy acceptance that conflict with Russia is part of Ukraines daily existence. On Tuesday, Russia announced a flurry of military drills, from the Pacific Ocean to its western flank around Ukraine, a demonstration of the vast reach of its forces. And, wary of the threat that Russia could turn off fuel sales to Europe in the depths of winter, the Biden administration is making plans for gas and crude oil suppliers from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia to bolster supplies to Europe in coming weeks. Financing it all was expensive: Both of them consolidated their loans, repackaging them into two monsters totaling $203,000. P.S.L.F. provided a glimmer of hope, then came a crushing realization that the graduated repayment plan they had eventually chosen to better afford children made them ineligible for it altogether. So they started over in a new repayment plan in 2015. When Congress enacted one of its patchwork P.S.L.F fixes in 2018, they found themselves ineligible for it, too. It almost felt like a cruel joke, Dr. Townsend said. Late last year, they put in for the waiver and crossed their fingers. This month, Dr. Townsend got the good news. A few days later, Mr. Townsend received notice that his payments were delinquent. Just kidding, a phone rep at the loan servicer eventually told him. There was an error, and his balance had also gone to zero. A Brighter Future Everyone who spoke to me expressed gratitude for the relief. Ms. Harrington cried when she got the news. Ms. Stewarts wife also shed tears. Ms. Nuckolls reread her notification twice and then called her servicer to be sure. Mr. Negaard may have whooped. They also told me of their resolve going forward. Ms. Nuckolls, the assistant states attorney in Illinois, has her eye on a condo and hopes to become a first-time homeowner in her 50s. Ms. Stewart and her wife who moved their two daughters into a home they bought in Hawthorne, Calif., last year do not have to worry that student loan bills will derail them. Stillwater, OK (74078) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 67F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. A widower who harassed a woman he met on a dating site has avoided a jail term for this, making threats to kill and smearing his garda cell with blood. Peter McCormack (59) of Ballinakill, Moate, Co Westmeath pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to harassing Mary Farrell between March and September 2020, and making threats to kill and criminal damage of a cell in the garda station on September 9, 2020. At a sentence hearing last July, Garda Aishling Conroy told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Ms Farrell met McCormack on the dating site Plenty of Fish, and began a romantic relationship lasting a number of months, which she ended in December 2019. When McCormack got back in touch in February of the following year, she told him they were just friends and she thought he had accepted this. But soon after an anonymous letter arrived to the bank where she worked, with a copy of Ms Farrells Plenty of Fish profile and the message: She wouldnt give me a loan. Her manager reported it to security, thinking it was a disgruntled customer but Ms Farrell recognised McCormacks handwriting. Gda Conroy said McCormack left numerous voicemails over the following months, some including the sound of him talking, others with the radio playing, and others where there was silence. He also turned up outside her house, left an Easter egg to her workplace, and put a cheque for a thousand euro into her letterbox. She didnt cash it. She also found a blank check signed by McCormack attached to her car after work one day. The court heard the harassment reduced during the first phase of pandemic restrictions, but in August 2020 he turned up at her house when she arrived home from work and pulled into her driveway. Throughout that month and into September, he approached her at home or on the street, had flowers delivered to her work, and rang her repeatedly. Ms Farrell first told gardai of her concerns on August 23, but the harassment continued until McCormack was ultimately arrested at his home on September 9, 2020. Judge Elma Sheahan acknowledged that while there was no victim impact statement before the court, Gda Conroy had indicated that the woman had experienced very real fear and was disturbed by McCormacks behaviour. She accepted that McCormack was previously of good character and a productive member of society. Judge Sheahan noted from various medical reports before the court, including from his treating psychiatrist, that McCormack had a pre-existing depressive disorder which was exasperated by the death of his wife in 2018. The reports concluded that McCormack has been taking his medication and engaging with his recommended therapies and has since gained insights into his behaviour, expressing his remorse to the victim and gardai. Judge Sheahan imposed concurrent sentences totally two years and eight months, but suspended them in full for five years and six months. She said she was suspending the sentence for a significant length of time in order to ensure the protection of the victim. The sentence was suspended on various conditions including that McCormack not make any contact with the victim by any means either by messaging, calls or going to her home or work place. McCormack must also continue to attend his GP and psychiatrist and take his medication and attend for therapy as directed by his treating doctors. Judge Sheahan warned McCormack that even a text could lead to a breach of the conditions of the suspended sentence and thereby led to the imposition of the sentence. She also advised that he give permission to his GP and psychiatrist to alert the gardai if he fails to comply with the treatment as recommended. Offaly farmers are being encouraged to go on a matchmaking tour to Ukraine to find love Clare-based photographer and farmer, James Treacy, is stepping away from life in Scariff temporarily in his search for love in the Ukraine next summer. The 47-year-old has teamed up with an American Dating Tour Operator, A Foreign Affair (www.loveme.com), in the hopes of meeting his match and will be bringing 25 Irish and British men along with him, who are also hoping to find wives. He is appealing for Offaly and Midland farmers to apply as well. The group will be jetting off to Ukraine in August 2022 with the Clare man, after the success of his local dating business brought about the idea of a group trip. I personally have over 100 clients for my local matchmaking service. I have tapped into this market for lonely people and also those who want a relationship. I have done a big deal with the American Dating Tour Company with a view to getting a wife for 25 Irish and British men in Ukraine and I am planning to bring this group next year. The international matchmaking website facilitates singles trips at a hefty cost, for introductions to 100s of single Ukrainian women throughout a ten-night break. James says: Its based on a Lisdoonvarna approach. Debunking a recent article about the nature of these holidays James said: Its not as one person said it during the week; that it was modern-day slavery. The girls join by their own free will and they want to meet someone and so too do the Irish gentlemen. He went on to add: This is not a sex tour, and my job is done when I get to Dublin Airport and the guide meets us at there in Kiev. We attend social events together with all of the girls - who attend of their own free will. James has had previous success using the website on a trip to Russia, and while things didnt work out with his Russian love, hes optimistic that next years trip could result in a lifelong match. James aims to help all of the men on the trip find love but says he is really concerned and worried this time. I hope that the men will each find a wife because its quite expensive to go on the trip; its over 4,000 for ten nights. The odds are ever in their favour due to the fact that Ukraine has 13%, or approximately four million more women than men. Everyone in attendance is vetted by James, who says: I created the application process myself, so I can make sure they are going for the right reasons. Im really excited about my next venture, and finding wives for Irish, British and American men in Ukraine, and anyone can apply. However, if youre of a shy nature, this may not be the matchmaking option for you and James added: I want men to come with me who have good social skills and are able to talk to women. The application process is being done by James and anyone wishing to join the trip has to fill out a form by emailing jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. (The Center Square) Sixteen Republican state attorneys general are calling on Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to take action against China and Mexico for their role in creating a fentanyl crisis in the U.S. Chinas complete unwillingness to police the production and distribution of fentanyl precursors and Mexicos subsequent failure to control illegal manufacturing of fentanyl using those precursors, the attorneys general argue, poses a daily threat to Americans. West Virginia and Arizona are leading the effort. Joining them are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas. They say theyve witnessed an "extraordinary tide of senseless death from fentanyl in their states. Theyve also acknowledged separately that the national opioid crisis can be attributed to drug addiction stemming from doctors prescribing opioids and the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture and advertise them, according to settlements AGs have reached with opioid manufacturers and distributors in multiple states. But they also attribute the production of illicit opioids plaguing the U.S. to Chinese and Mexican criminals whose governments are reportedly aiding them. The situation today is worse than ever before, the AGs write, pointing to CDC overdose data. Nearly all the recent national increases in drug overdose deaths are due to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, with deaths from other drugs remaining flat or increasing only slightly. As more Chinese precursors feed a Mexican drug-manufacturing apparatus in which adulteration is more common, overdose can only be expected to rise further. In 2020, three out of every four drug deaths in West Virginia were attributed to fentanyl, a number nearly double that from 2019. Overdose deaths in Arizona increased 33% from February 2020 to April 2021, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl accounting for nearly two-thirds. Fentanyl related deaths in Montana increased by 116% from 2019 to 2020. In Florida, fentanyl was the leading cause of drug deaths in 2020. Alaska saw a 287% increase in the number of fentanyl overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020. These are only some of the drug death statistics among the 16 states represented in the letter. Nationally, fentanyl is the leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 45, according to an analysis of CDC data published by the nonprofit Families Against Fentanyl. China has turned a blind eye as its citizens have forged an international triangle of death with Mexico. Everyone now understands that Chinese drug producers are shipping fentanyl precursors to Mexico, where cartels make them into fentanyl and traffic it over land into the United States, the AGs write. After years of pressure by the U.S. federal government, China began taking action against illicit fentanyl manufacturing in its country in 2019, the AGs argue, pointing to reports published by the U.S. State Department. In 2019, after reaching an agreement with the Trump administration, seizures of fentanyl directly shipped from China to the United States shrunk dramatically from over 128 kilograms seized in 2017 to less than half a kilogram in 2020. But since then, most fentanyl available in the U.S. has been trafficked from Mexico across the southern border where seizures increased from approximately 1,187 kilograms in 2019 to approximately 2,939 kilograms in 2020, according to a March 2021 Department of State report. Chinese chemical manufacturers are now making and sending the raw ingredients to make fentanyl to Mexican drug cartels, which are in turn making and trafficking fentanyl at an industrial scale, the AGs write. But in the face of this evolving and significant problem, the federal government has seemed content to stand by. China isnt imposing strict enough enforcement actions on Chinese perpetrators involved, they argue, which is only part of the problem. The AGs cite a 2018 Government Accountability Office report that states, Chinas insufficient regulatory oversight of the precursor chemical industry, corruption among government and business officials, lower production costs, myriad transportation options, and illegal factories make it an ideal source for precursor chemicals intended for illicit drug production. Fentanyl and fentanyl-laced pills are being manufactured in Mexico and sent north through a network of drug and human smuggling operated by the cartels on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Some of the AGs listed in the letter have sued the Biden administration for not enforcing federal immigration law, with Texas suing seven times. Mexico must also be pressured to take swift and forceful action against the cartels that are producing finished fentanyl and trafficking this poison across the border into our country, the AGs argue. The Mexican governments negligence in permitting the erection of industrial scale manufacturing of fentanyl is inexcusable, they write. Seeking redress and correction of this cataclysmic failure of Mexico must immediately be elevated to the highest level of bilateral engagement with our Southern neighbor. Blinkens office hasnt yet replied to their letter. Last year, the White House made recommendations to Congress on how to reduce the supply and availability of fentanyl. In Bidens fiscal 2022 budget proposal, $41 billion was allocated to national drug program agencies. Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the military commander who was dismissed from his job as the head of Canadas COVID-19 vaccine rollout, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault. Bob Dylan has sold his master recordings to Sony Music Entertainment in what is reported to be a multimillion-dollar deal - the.. Sky News 25 Jan 2022 A new Indigenous non-profit organization is seeking an ownership stake in the Trans Mountain Pipeline, saying its aim is to make sure communities along the pipeline's route receive its benefits directly. Russian aggression against Ukraine will have "severe costs," the head of NATO has said after a meeting with European leaders and US President Biden. Earlier, EU foreign ministers met to agree on a joint strategy. Alexei Navalny, the jailed top critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been put on a list of banned individuals. The move puts Navalny and several of his allies on a par with extremist group "Islamic State." Watch the best shots as Rafael Nadal beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 to reach the Australian Open semi-final for the first time since 2019. Newsy 30 Jan 2022 Watch VideoThe U.S. sought to step up pressure on Russia over Ukraine on Sunday, promising to put Moscow on the defensive at the.. Former Defence Forces soldier Lisa Smith was proposed to by a man she lived with in Syria who produced propaganda for the Islamic.. Belfast Telegraph 28 Jan 2022 A lone gunman opened fire during a lecture at Heidelberg University in southwestern Germany on Monday and wounded four people, some of them seriously, police said. Police said Shawn Badlani B. G., Opalesque Geneva for New Managers: Honest Partners, a San Francisco-based concentrated, long-term, long-biased fund that invests in high-quality North American small and mid-cap equities, returned 5.6% (net) in 2021, and a total of 99% since its May 2020 inception. The largest contributors to Q4's gross performance (2.6%) were the long positions in Builders Firstsource and Dream Finders Homes. These were partially offset by detractions from Cardlytics and Green Thumb Industries. The managers did not exit or enter any new positions during the quarter, although they took advantage of some intra-quarter volatility to reallocate capital among existing positions, concentrating capital in the investments they believe currently offer the most attractive risk-adjusted return profile. The fund ended the quarter fully invested with 11 long positions accounting for 99% of the portfolio, and one short position accounting for 1%. "Regardless of the many current uncertainties in the world, we remain firm in our belief that a highly selective, company-specific, deep fundamental strategy is the most prudent approach to deploying capital," they say. Best ideas These seven positions account for more than 80% of the Fund's capital: 1. Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) continues to lead the burgeoning US cannabis market, with vertically integrated operations in 15 states. "I think it is a great time to be investing in US cannabis stocks," founder Shawn Badlani tells Opalesque. "In general, the stocks have been weak as sentiment around prospects for federal legalization of cannabis has faded. However, what actually matters far more for the companies' business operations are state by state developments, and those are progressing exceptionally well. New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Virginia are all confirmed to begin allowing sales of recreational marijuana over the next two to three years, and Pennsylvania and Ohio almost surely will do the same. When states like Illinois and Arizona made similar transitions from medical to recreational sales, it effectively quadrupled the sizes of those markets almost instantly. "So I believe the industry is set up for extremely robust growth over the next few years, and valuations have gotten quite attractive." 2. Builders Firstsource (BLDR) has realised significant synergies from its transformational merger with BMC Holdings and continues to take market share and outgrow its underlying market due to its higher-margin, value-added, prefabricated products. "I do believe it is a good time to invest in the US homebuilding market," Badlani says. "Demographics should provide a very strong tailwind for the next few years, as the largest millennial cohorts enter their prime home-buying years. On the supply side, the industry has been systematically underbuilding homes for the past 13 years since the Great Financial Crisis, creating a large deficit of new homes that will need to be constructed." 3. The Container Store, the only national retailer solely devoted to storage and organization, has a differentiated, proprietary offering, and extremely strong customer loyalty. 4. Dream Finders Homes is a homebuilder that is well positioned to benefit from the strongest parts of the current housing market, as it focuses on more affordable entry-level homes in faster-growing parts of the country (Florida and Texas). 5. Cardlytics is a digital advertising business running cashback offers inside banks' websites and mobile apps. 6. Caesars Entertainment's shares sold off during the quarter, presumably due to resurgent coronavirus fears with the omicron variant. Meanwhile, several company-specific developments are setting up a highly attractive investment outlook. 7. IAC/InterActiveCorp completed its highly accretive acquisition of the digital publishing assets of Meredith Corporation during the quarter. The transaction should provide significant synergies. "Lastly I also think it is a good time to be investing in the online gambling and sports betting industry," he adds. " The industry should experience very strong growth as more states legalize these activities, which should generate tax revenue to help combat deficits coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. Stocks of many companies exposed to this industry have pulled back recently after rallying strongly last year, creating a good entry point in my opinion." The HFRI Equity Hedge: Fundamental Value Index was up 14.7% in 2021. Related article: 29.Dec.2021 Opalesque TV: Value hedge fund gains from past experience with the great and the good With their arrivals, Ropes & Gray has added five new partners since late December. They include private equity partner Brandon Howald in Los Angeles and IP transactions partner Edward Sadtler in New York. Ropes & Gray has also hired more than 200 lateral associates and counsel, a record number in 24 months. "Each of our new partners has a practical, client-first approach to their work," said managing partner David Djaha. "They are each uniquely qualified lawyers who fit the fabric of our firm." Jennifer Graff is a highly regarded private funds lawyer, experienced in advising fund sponsors and investors, focusing on the formation, management and operation of private equity funds, credit funds, hedge funds, hybrid funds, co-investment funds and GP staking funds. Jennifer Harris is a seasoned special situations finance attorney brings a deep understanding and practical approach to the legal demands of secured lending, distressed financings and workouts of troubled finance transactions. Suni Sreepada is a leading lawyer for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures and strategic investments. She skillfully counsels clients on SEC disclosure and stock exchange compliance considerations. Israeli healthtech company MeMed announced on Monday the completion of a $93 million Series E. The round brings MeMeds total funding to date to over $200 million, including support from the U.S. Department of Defense and EU Commission. The latest financing brings together new and existing investors including Horizons Ventures, Shavit Capital, Social Capital, La Maison Partners, Touchwood Capital, Caesarea Medical Holdings, Union Tech Ventures, ClaI Insurance, Phoenix Insurance, Poalim Ottumwa, IA (52501) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High around 60F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low near 50F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MANISTEE There is a new place in Manistee that is offering services around addiction recovery and its creators are hoping to expand the services provided in the near future. Manistee joined the ranks of towns with a Harm Reduction Michigan office in December. Pamela Lynch, director of Harm Reduction Michigan, said the Manistee location offers peer recovery support, overdose education, overdose reversal drug distribution, referrals for outpatient treatment, blood-borne pathogen testing and referrals for hepatitis C treatment. WHY MANISTEE? Harm Reduction Michigan also has locations in Traverse City and Petoskey. Our offices and the services we provide at each office greatly vary depending upon the funding in that particular location and also through the community and the support that has grown up organically around this problem, Lynch said. Manistee County ranked worst in the region for fatal overdoses in 2020 and fourth for non-fatal overdoses in the first half of 2021, according to a data shared by Michigan State Police. That data shows the reported incidences and fatalities for 19 counties in the region from 2019, through the first half of 2021. Lynch has a history of working with community mental health systems and residential treatment providers in the area as well as local law enforcement and court systems. She said part of her role with Harm Reduction Michigan is to pay attention to trends such as which areas in the state are seeing more of a need for services. Manistee was one of the communities that continued to be on Harm Reduction Michigans radar because of high rates of overdose deaths and hepatitis C. Lynch said hepatitis C is a fairly common blood-borne pathogen in people with any kind of history of injection drug use. She also took note of Manistee years ago as an area that had a pretty strong representation in the client base that was accessing residential substance use disorder treatment through the courts and through the criminal justice system. Some of the residential providers in this area pull a lot of clientele from different areas of the state, she said. Another reason for a Manistee location boils down to having a "strong community support network of different service providers, Lynch said. HARM REDUCTION'S BEGINNINGS In 2009, Harm Reduction Michigan had its first big event in Traverse City after the area had seen heroin overdose deaths when it was something that had not been common previously. Lynch has been involved in overdose prevention work since 1999, and she said that overdose deaths are largely preventable. It was unfortunate that the resources and the information was not being made available across northern Lower Michigan so that we could work together to prevent more of these deaths, Lynch explained. So, we formed an organization. Though the organization had a different name, in 2016 it was formalized as a 501(c)(3) and received its first funding in 2017 for providing testing for blood-borne pathogens that are usually connected to injection drug use. According to Harm Reduction Michigans website, it is focused on helping people who are most impacted by the collateral consequences of addiction and drug use. Our charge involves re-framing and changing the field of drug treatment and mental health and related social services to address stigma-driven trauma and its effects, reads the website description in part. One stumbling block for people seeking recovery can happen when they have to travel to a different town to seek residential treatment for an addiction, but then return to a hometown that lacks those supports. This was the case in Cadillac, where Harm Reduction Michigan also has a presence. Lynch said the Cadillac services came in response to community members requests. Because of this historic pattern of people coming from more rural areas to Traverse City for residential drug treatment they come to Traverse City and they get involved in the 12-step program and then they go back to their communities and oftentimes some of these resources werent available in their communities, she said. And so we had people in Cadillac asking if we would please start distributing materials in Cadillac because their friends were dying of overdoses. Another piece with overdose deaths is that a person may be in recovery but relapse fatally after their tolerance to a drug was lowered through their previous sobriety. THE STIGMA Lynch said that often a person who is addicted to a drug, will go from one method of seeking that drug, to other routes that are more problematic. When a person is snorting it, it really isnt a very efficient way for a substance to hit their brain, Lynch said. So, oftentimes when they build a tolerance, they need to get more bang for their buck, so to speak and will transition to injection because its just a more efficient way for that drug to get administered, for it to meet the needs that the brain has now built so theyre not drug sick (with withdrawal symptoms). After a person has transitioned from injection, Lynch said that is a whole new landscape in terms of infectious disease. This brings the goal of making public health tools available, like the states syringe service program, so that people are not spreading illnesses like HIV and hepatitis C. The program ensures that people have sterile equipment. The science is on the side of syringe access in terms of it does not increase drug use, it does not increase crime in a community, and it does decrease HIV and hepatitis C infections over the longterm, Lynch said. She said that many are ashamed of injection drug use. And so theyre often not out about the fact that theyre drug injectors. And so they will often be in need of services but you cant necessarily look at somebody and (see it) A lot of times people will have medical issues that are not obvious to the naked eye, she said. This is another reason for offering blood-borne pathogen testing, she said. PLAY THE TAPE Lynch advised against the thought that some have when they question why a person with addiction would relapse after starting recovery, and ask why a person who knows better would choose to use drugs again. "With addiction, when a person is risking their life and their livelihood in addiction, its not about knowing better. Its not an intellectual decision, she explained. That person, their brain is already at a point where their brain connects addiction with the use of their substance, with their survival. And so its not knowing better that makes the difference, at that point. Lynch said at that point people need help healing their underlying issues over time and with practice. She said that means the person who then wants to change their behavior could then learn how to change their behavior and get to practice changing their behavior enough times that when life throws them a curveball they (can handle it.) She noted that addiction can come in many forms whether it is alcohol, drugs, food, gaming or shopping. (They default to) what has always made me feel better in the moment? Whether its alcohol, or going to spend $200 on a pair of boots I dont need, Lynch said. In the moment, its easy. One method that Harm Reduction asks clients to do is to play the tape all the way through and avoid short-term thinking. Stop yourself if you can, long enough to think about how youre going to feel tomorrow, Lynch said. How are you going to feel tomorrow when your boss says You didnt show up to work until 2 oclock in the afternoon, I think youve been drinking again. This approach gives people a way to learn from their mistakes and gives them practice with different ways to handle lifes challenges in a positive way. Lynch said funding and a shortage of doctors who can treat opiate use disorder is another challenge facing Harm Reduction in Manistee, and other similar organizations throught the U.S. She said she has been looking for a doctor for the Manistee office for about a year. Im excited for some of what I see coming for the Manistee area, she said, adding that she may have a lead on a potential doctor. Were hoping to begin expanding what were able to offer out of the Manistee location. Lynch said the Manistee location also needs more funding if it is going to provide more services than it currently offers. The Manistee location is open on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. More information on Harm Reduction Michigan in Manistee can be found on the organizations Facebook page and also by calling 231-493-5124. On Monday, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an opinion ruling parts of a 2018 petition law as unconstitutional, specifically a rule that people paying to circulate a petition must register with the state. A mandate that no more than 15% of signatures gathered come from any one congressional district, believed to be unconstitutional by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, was also struck down in the ruling. The 2018 petition law was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder as an effort by the Republican-controlled Legislature to make it harder to change Michigan law through petition drives, according to reporting by The Associated Press. Monday's ruling comes as a win for the League of Women's Voters of Michigan against the secretary of state attempting to change the way people can circulate petitions. But, the court did say it's OK to require circulators to indicate on a petition whether they're being paid. The League of Women's Voters of Michigan argued that both the geographic cap on signatures and the requirement to submit an affidavit to the state when circulating a petition violate people's right of free speech, association and petition under the U.S. and Michigan Constitutions by "imposing undue burdens on paid petition circulators and failing to serve any compelling state interest," according to the opinion. "A cap on how many signatures can come from each part of the state would undermine these intentions by making it more difficult and expensive to gather the required number of signatures within the time frame required by Michigans election laws, and the related enforcement provisions would effectively ensure that some voters signatures would be rendered void merely because they were obtained after the 15% cap for that district had been reached," Justice Megan Cavanagh wrote in the majority opinion. "Such disenfranchisement would weigh most heavily on those residing in more densely populated parts of the state, and it would run directly contrary to the clear intention that nothing more than a minimum number of signatures from the statewide population is necessary to propose changes to Michigans laws," she continued. My name is Mary McLaughlin. I am a senior at Dow High School and have been a Chief Science Officer for five years. Chief Science Officers (CSOs) is a program that empowers high schoolers and middle schoolers to spread STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to their community members and peers. The CSO program is a pipeline to encourage STEM-related activities and education in the community. The five years that I have been in this program have made me grow as a person and as a scholar. I have been in the program since the first pilot year in the 2018-2019 academic school year. This program has taught me how to be a leader and an advocate for STEM education. For the past four years, I have had the honor to be on the leadership council for the Great Lakes Bay Region East. As part of the leadership council, I have been able to help plan the leadership training institute, cabinet meetings, and the celebration at the end of the year. A typical year as a leadership council member starts in mid-summer with the planning of the Leadership Training Institute (LTI), where all the members of the CSO program in the eastern Great Lakes Bay Region get together to create the agenda for the year jointly. The LTI takes place at SVSU, where the program headquarters of the region is located. During these two days at Saginaw Valley State University, we learned valuable skills such as networking, action planning, working with G Suite, and teamwork. I was able to teach the CSOs this year during the two-day networking session. In this session, I was able to go over how to connect with STEM professionals in the community, how to dress for specific events, and how to introduce yourself formally. After the two days of training, the leadership council jumps into planning its first cabinet meeting. A cabinet meeting is when the whole region typically meets at a company that specializes in STEM. We usually get a tour of the business. For example, one year, we went to Michigan Sugar and toured the plant where sugar beets are turned into sugar. This year, we were able to go to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and learn what they do there and how they create and maintain roads in Michigan. We saw how they survey, engineer, and build the roads. We were also able to go inside the Zilwaukee Bridge on I-75 in Saginaw County. There was only 11 inches of pavement between our heads and the cars passing above us. For the remainder of the day, we had lunch, then we broke off and worked as a group to develop ways to improve our action plans and methods to get to know each other to work as a team with CSOs from different schools. These cabinet meetings happen every October and March. The time between the two cabinet meetings is when the action plans take place. Action plans spread STEM awareness to the community. Last year, I was able to provide at-home STEM kits to third-graders in the MPS district. This was during the time that the elementary schools were going virtual. This year, I am trying to make kits to do in-person with elementary students to get them to do a STEM-related activity. I have also been working on a bulletin board in one of the hallways at Dow High. In previous years, I have had STEM professionals from Nexteer Automotive come and speak about how they are making steering columns for autonomous vehicles. The last thing that we do is celebrate all of our accomplishments at the end of the year. We have a banquet dinner and recognize everything that the Chief Science Officers did during the year, including honoring various CSOs with specific awards. For the last three years, I have been honored to emcee the celebration. We also have STEM leaders in the community attend and speak at the dinner. The celebration signals the conclusion of the year and wraps everything up. If your school is interested in joining the Chief Science Officer program, please contact Adrianne Cole at acole@svsu.edu. Editors note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to Reporter Victoria Ritter, vritter@mdn.net. Wednesday, Jan. 26 Zehnder's Snowfest is set to begin at 8 a.m. in Frankenmuth. Professional snow and ice carvers from around the world will create dazzling sculptures. Visitors can observe exhibitions and competitions between artists and students. Snowfest will continue through Sunday, Jan. 30. For more information, visit zehnders.com. Sound Community Music Series is set for 7-9 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. This live music series features classical and jazz musicians from the mid-Michigan area.The first hour of each event is an opportunity for students, amateurs, and professionals to share musical performances. The second hour spotlights professional musicians as they perform a full-length concert. The featured artists of the evening gratefully accept financial support from the audience in the form of donations. Thursday, Jan. 27 Grape Beginnings Winery Seven-Year Anniversary - Dessert Extravaganza is set for 1-8 p.m. The public is invited to come to Grape Beginnings Winery to celebrate its Seven Year Anniversary. Enjoy complimentary small bites of a variety of desserts and cookies. The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings while the Jim Pagel Trio provides live music. This event is free to attend, small plates and drinks available for purchase. An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Sound Community Music Series is set for 7-9 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. This live music series features classical and jazz musicians from the mid-Michigan area and will be held on the fourth Thursday each month at Live Oak Coffeehouse in Midland. Friday, Jan. 28 Ike Beehr & The Blues Guise are set to perform 7-9 p.m. at Creative 360! Its that time of the year for the annual Concert and Chili series, an evening of excellent chili and even better music. Warm up a cold winter night with the soulful blues of Ike Beehr and other local musicians. Bring your own beverage, gather your friends and come ready to dance! Cost is $18 prepay, $23 at the door. Saturday, Jan. 29 Meet the Makers is set for 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. There will be 5-10 vendors every Saturday morning from December through April, picking right up when the Midland Area Farmers Market takes a break for the season. Kids Day at the Midland Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by Midland Recyclers. More than 60 companies participate in this annual event that provides kids and their families with hands-on activities, information and performances. The Midland Saxophone Quartet is set to perform 2-4 p.m. at Mi Element Grains & Grounds. Come and enjoy coffee, house brewed beer and or house baked goods while listening. Sunday, Jan. 30 Nature Book Club: Winter World is set for 1-3 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come for a book club chat and naturalist led hike! Januarys book is National Bestseller Winter World: the Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich. Register by Jan. 28 for this free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Jan. 31 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Wednesday, Feb. 2 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Feb. 3 Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org An Artist Panel featuring visual artists Rebecca Allen, David Feingold, Cynthia Keefe and Allise Noble and poet Stephanie Heit is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. These artists, currently featured in the exhibit "Breaking the Stigma: Art as a Bridge to Understanding, Empathy, & Acceptance," will discuss their journeys and take questions from the community. Admission is free, donations to NAMI Midland recommended. Comedy Night is set for 8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts' Little Theater. Join us for an evening of laughs from nationally touring comics with our monthly comedy nights, with February bringing Steve Iott, featuring Will Green! Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 the day of the event. midlandcenter.org. Saturday, Feb. 5 Meet the Makers is set for 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. There will be 5-10 vendors every Saturday morning from December through April, picking right up when the Midland Area Farmers Market takes a break for the season. Studio Saturdays - Fiber Arts is set for 10-11:30 a.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Discover basic weaving techniques as you play with pattern, texture, and color. Participants will create a small woven wall hanging that includes a variety of different materials. Workshops are perfect for ages 5-12! Cost is $15, $10 for museum members; all supplies are included in the workshop fee. midlandcenter.org Snowshoe Sampler is set for 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. It's time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNCs snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter afternoon in the snow. If snow conditions are unfavorable, the event will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC). This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Dinosaur World Live is set to perform at 2 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World in this interactive show for the whole family, ages three and up. Tickets start at $19.50. midlandcenter.org. Sunday, Feb. 6 The Clawhammer Banjo Clinic is set for 12-1:30 p.m. at Creative 360. Join Aaron Jonah Lewis of the Corn Potato String Band as they focus on the fundamentals of frailing, learn a useful new tune or two, and cover the use of drop-thumb, hammer-ons and pull-offs as well. There will also be a discussion of the role of the banjo in a jam setting as well as how to play along to a tune youve never heard before. Pre-register by Feb. 3. Cost is $35. Puppy Love Photo Sessions are set for 1-5 p.m. at Soldan's Pet Supplies in Midland. Emily Rose Photography will be present for a Valentine's Day themed photo shoot. There will be a Smooch Your Pooch Booth available for the shoot, or guests are welcome to get a cute close up - whatever your furry little heart desires. No appointments necessary. The Corn Potato String Band is set to perform 2-3:45 p.m. at Creative 360. The Corn Potato String Band has delighted audiences with their driving fiddle tunes and harmonious singing across the world. They deftly handle many different antiquated styles including ballads, hoedowns, country rags and southern gospel, specializing in twin fiddling and double banjo tunes. Cost is $15 prepay, $20 at the door for adults; $10 prepay, $15 at the door for students. Winter at the Wigwam is set for 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Drop by the wigwam to get a glimpse into what it was like for the Ojibwa people to live in a wigwam along the Pine River several hundred years ago. Guests will have a chance to see some traditional tools used for hunting and preparing wild game, learn about the fur trade and see some plants used for making cordage and baskets. If there is enough snow, visitors can play a game of snow snakes outside. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Feb. 7 Blast from the Past is set to perform 6-8 p.m. at Greater Midland Community Center. Free dancing will take place the first Monday of the month through May 2021. For more information, contact Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or 989-832-7937 ext. 2270. Tuesday, Feb. 8 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Feb. 10 A Family Snowshoe Hike is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed! We will search high and low for signs of animals as we explore on and off trails. Please bring a sled to pull younger children. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830 www.chippewanaturecenter.org Saturday, Feb. 12 Meet the Makers is set for 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. There will be 5-10 vendors every Saturday morning from December through April, picking right up when the Midland Area Farmers Market takes a break for the season. Kids Nature Art: Winter is set for 10-11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Drop in with CNC staff at The Woods Nature Play area for a blast of winter art. Stations with different projects will be set up throughout the play area to allow young artists to experience art through winter and winter through art. This self-paced experience will allow children to create many projects or work hard on one masterpiece, whatever suits them best. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org A Valentine's Day Party is set for 5 p.m. at Sanford American Legion. Dinner will be from 5-7 p.m. The American Legion Riders will be providing dinner for only $15 each. It will include a smoked chicken leg quarter, coleslaw, baked beans and a roll. Live music will be provided from7-10 p.m. performed by Kelly Beck and Gabe Couch. Mary Chwala will be on hand with jewelry for sale for your special someone or for a nice way to treat yourself to some bling. There will also be 50/50 drawingsn with the chance to win jewelry and other items. Sunday, Feb. 13 Adaptations for Winter is set for 10-11:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an Interpretive Naturalist to experience nature in winter. Visitors will explore how animals and plants survive the harsh conditions through adaptations. This program will include a 2-mile hike. this event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org An Introduction to Basket Making is set for 1-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join Jenn Kirts, program director, in creating a solid-based basket. All materials, tools and instructions will be provided for each participant to create their own basket. Masks are required for this indoor program. Pre-registration is required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Feb. 14 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Tuesday, Feb. 15 Let's Roll Together Skate Session is set for 6-7:30 p.m. at the Roll Arena. This all-inclusive skate session for individuals with and without disabilities will include wheelchair accessible lanes. These lanes can also be used by individuals who may need assistance with a non-skating support person. Admission is $10 (includes skate rental), caregivers and direct support staff are free (free admission valid for one caregiver/support staff per participant). Questions can be directed to the Roll Arena at 989-496-2900 or skating@rollerskate.com. Waitress is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Midland Center for the Arts. This uplifting and hilarious musical is the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Tickets start at $26.50. The show will also perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. midlandcenter.org. Wednesday, Feb. 16 Chippewa Nature Center's Annual Meeting is set for 3:30-5 p.m. Join CNC staff and board for its annual business meeting and a special presentation on an overview of the 10-year Master Plan, along with and a 2020 Year in Review, financial report and the election of new Board members. CNC will also bid farewell to outgoing board member Nancy Carney who has completed nine years of service at Chippewa Nature Center. CNC staff will provide activities for children ages 3-12 whose parents/guardians are attending the Annual Meeting. www.chippewanaturecenter.org A Full Moon Stroll is set for 6-7:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this months full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. We may use snowshoes if conditions permit. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Feb. 17 Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Stories by the Fire is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Drop by the Homestead and enjoy an early winter evening relaxing by the campfire, listen to tales of how settlers and animals adapt to survive a cold winter. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Friday, Feb. 18 A Winter Wanderland kicks off in Downtown Midland at 2 p.m. Wander around Main Street to enjoy over 20 different ice sculptures and games scattered throughout the sidewalks. Enjoy frozen fun games like ice plinko, shuffleboard, cornhole, chess and checkers. You can even get your picture taken on the Downtown Midland ice throne. The ice games and sculptures will be set up by 2 p.m. on Feb. 18 and left out until they melt, so come and enjoy them as soon as you can! Saturday, Feb. 19 Meet the Makers is set for 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. There will be 5-10 vendors every Saturday morning from December through April, picking right up when the Midland Area Farmers Market takes a break for the season. A Wire Tree Workshop is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Creative 360. In this fun, meditative, and mesmerizing workshop participants will create a lovely 56 copper wire tree while learning the basics of choosing wire gauge and hardness, the best tools to use, and twisting techniques for trunk, branch and root. Ages 14 and up. Pre-register by Feb. 16. Cost is $40. Sunday, Feb. 20 Snowshoe Sampler is set for 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. It's time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNCs snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter afternoon in the snow. If snow conditions are unfavorable, the event will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC). This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Tuesday, Feb. 22 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Wednesday, Feb. 23 Sound Community Music Series is set for 7-9 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. This live music series features classical and jazz musicians from the mid-Michigan area.The first hour of each event is an opportunity for students, amateurs, and professionals to share musical performances. The second hour spotlights professional musicians as they perform a full-length concert. The featured artists of the evening gratefully accept financial support from the audience in the form of donations. Thursday, Feb. 24 Adventures for Women: Snowshoe Hike is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Enjoy an afternoon hike on snowshoes as we notice birds, animal tracks and other points of interest in the woods and fields. Beginner and experienced snowshoers are welcome. Pre-register and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Sound Community Music Series is set for 7-9 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. This live music series features classical and jazz musicians from the mid-Michigan area and will be held on the fourth Thursday each month at Live Oak Coffeehouse in Midland. Saturday, Feb. 26 Meet the Makers is set for 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. There will be 5-10 vendors every Saturday morning from December through April, picking right up when the Midland Area Farmers Market takes a break for the season. Chemical City Derby Girls' 5th Annual Mardi Gras Massacre is set for 5:30-8 p.m. at Midland Roll Arena. This scrimmage will feature skaters from all over the region, mixed up and divided into two teams. For skaters: join us as the QueenCakes face off against the Punchkies. For a $25 registration fee, participating skaters receive a personalized scrimmage T-shirt, a slice or two of pizza on us, and a great bout. Visit https://bit.ly/2022MG to register. For fans: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Game starts at 6 p.m. Kids ages 5 and under have free admission with a paid adult ticket. Purchase tickets ($12 plus fees) here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../chemical-city-derby... or at the door for $15. Following the game we invite to join us in The Wheel House (attached to the Roll Arena) for the after party. Sunday, Feb. 27 Nature Book Club: World of Wonders is set for 1-3 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join us for a book club chat and naturalist led hike! February's book is New York Times Bestseller "World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments" by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Register by Jan. 28 for this free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Feb. 28 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org To the editor: The first Mobile Food Pantry by the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN) in this year was hosted on Monday, Jan. 17 in the parking lot of Dow Diamond in Midland. Because of the pandemic guidelines, our mobile food pantry events continue outside as drive-thru, no-contact distributions. This food giveaway was a partnership of Corteva Agriscience, Dow Diamond (home of the Great Lakes Loons), the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, and EFPN. Grocery carts were provided by Family Fare in Midland. The give-away of 24,502 pounds of free food was provided at no cost (i.e. federally funded) from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint. The 33 volunteers served 171 families from the counties of Midland, Bay and Saginaw, with generous amounts of bread, sweets, potatoes, onions, mixed fresh produce, cantaloupe, butter, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, milk, apple juice, assorted frozen meats, and canned beans, split peas, tomato sauce, and beef stew. A $10 gift certificate was given to each family for the purchase of other needed items at any SpartanNash grocery store. After the distribution, non-distributed food was shared with Hidden Harvest for its ministry. The Network is very grateful to the many donors of food, money, and time to the Network's mission of "always food in every home." The next drive-thru MFP is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27 in the parking lot of the Wheeler Road Church of Christ located at 1123 E. Wheeler St. (across from Plymouth Park) in Midland. Midland County residents in (financial) need of food during the year may dial 211 and request the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network for food assistance or may dial the Network directly at 989-486-9393 and press "1" to leave a message. SALLY ANN SUTTON Midland County EFPN To the editor: While reading the local responses to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on vaccine rules (Daily News, Jan. 14), I was relieved to see a local politician finally emphasize the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee's remarks are a welcome sign of community-focused, well-reasoned, science-based thinking. This type of thinking is essential for the continued development of the Midland community and the success of its top employers: MyMichigan Health, Dow and Midland Public Schools. I could not believe what I was hearing when the newsroom was sent a clip of a recent Midland Public Schools Board of Education meeting. In it, a grown adult claimed that children are forced into a school environment with other children who identify as animals, whom she dubbed as "furries." The parent, Midland resident Lisa Hansen, then further claimed that there was a litter box placed in an MPS unisex bathroom for these students and that it was a nationwide issue. I was also made aware of a student who expressed concern about furries, people who dresses up in costumes resembling anthropomorphic animals, and their presence in her school. Now, I could write about all the obvious fallacies with this claim. Like the fact that furries do not identify as animals, they merely role-play. Or that this is not a nationwide phenomenon in schools, with two minutes of Googling able to disprove both of these claims. Also, this person could have presumed that the litter box claim was an overblown prank by bullies, or merely a rumor gotten out of hand. But no, it took an official statement from Superintendent Michael Sharrow to quell the concerns by parents. But there was one phrase that Hansen said that made me particularly upset: Its part of the agenda being pushed. That, paired with the misuse of the word identify and her mention of the gender-neutral bathroom, signifies that this concern is merely a thinly veiled Trojan horse to fear-monger over transgender students and efforts to be more inclusive. The word "identify" suggests that some people might be afraid of their children questioning and exploring who they are and would rather this not be brought into school. Teaching topics related to LGBTQ+ people, or even recognizing them in the school environment, has always been tough to achieve in public school settings, with many homophobic and transphobic parents fearing a gay agenda. Just recently, a proposed Florida law was introduced that would ban discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms for kindergarten through seventh grade. Here in Midland, I have spoken to MPS students on the LGBTQ+ spectrum for a story that would explore issues related to inclusive curriculum, bullying, and sexual orientation or gender identity. From what the students told me, topics related to LGBTQ+ are not taught in school. When I asked MPS officials, they told me that curriculum is strictly controlled by the state, although state education officials claimed there was room for local districts to include LGBTQ+ topics in their curriculum if choose to. Whoever is at fault, the point is that these groups of students are not well represented in MPS schools. These students also told me that pronouns and deadnames are not well respected by teachers in the district outside of a handful of teachers. This, along with trivializing gender identities by comparing them to people identifying as different animals, can make gender dysphoria in transgender students much worse. Unfortunately, I was never able to write the story, since I could not find enough students willing to go on record, presumably because they were too afraid to make their identities public on a large platform. Is this really the kind of environment we want to create for kids? To make them scared of who they are? If you ask me, that is far worse than a school that allows furries to roam the halls. Speaking of which, I also want to point out that furries are not scary. Despite the fact that I have never had any interest in such fandom, I do not find these people scary or dangerous. Its a community of people who enjoy art, creating costumes and acting as a character of their own creation. That is the gist of it. Just because you do not understand something, does not make it scary, whether they are furries or transgender students. Exploring gender identity and sexual orientation is not only normal for teenagers, but also healthy and important. Linda Hawkins, co-director of the Gender & Sexuality Development Clinic at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said in an article for the hospital that, Exploring gender identity and sexuality is part of every childs healthy development. The article further explains that children begin to get a sense of their gender identity between 3 and 5 years old, and those whose true gender identity falls outside of the one assigned to them at birth may grow up to feel alone, misunderstood or unsupported. This could result in physical and emotional outcomes, including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, according to the article. Children and teenagers exploring who they are is not scary. It is a natural part of growing up, and of life itself. The agenda of making kids feel included is not scary, or a joke. As a community here in Midland, we should empower these students instead of creating hysteria around them. Andrew Mullin is a Midland Daily News reporter and can be reached at amullin@hearstnp.com On 18 and 19 January 2022, the World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully held its 8th series of webinars aimed at improving Customs administrations awareness of counterfeit COVID-19-related goods, in collaboration with high-level representatives from the Pfizer biopharmaceutical company. These series of webinars are among the measures taken to ensure thorough implementation by the Secretariat of the WCO Covid-19 Action Plan. The Action Plan was developed shortly after the adoption of the Resolution on the Role of Customs in Facilitating the Cross-Border Movement of Situationally Critical Medicines and Vaccines, as a temporary and overarching priority in the Implementation Plan 2021-2002 for the WCO Strategic Plan. The latest webinars were designed to provide Customs with knowledge of the essential characteristics and specifications of the Paxlovid (Pfizer) antiviral medicine to be used as an emergency treatment for COVID-19. The knowledge gained will ensure that Customs administrations are better equipped to identify trafficking in genuine and counterfeit COVID-19 medicines. This latest series of webinars, conducted in four languages, brought together some 370 Customs officials from 65 countries across the WCOs six regions: Americas and the Caribbean; Asia/Pacific; Europe; East and Southern Africa; North of Africa, Near and Middle East; and West and Central Africa. The Spanish session, in particular, was attended by over 270 participants from the Americas and Caribbean region, and several questions and comments were put forward by participants. The WCO Secretariat highlighted the fact that Customs constituted the first line of defence at Members' borders for seizing counterfeit goods and thus protecting citizens health and safety. Customs also helped facilitate the trade in genuine medicines and, to that end, cooperation with right holders was essential. The huge interest shown by participants was noted and they asked a lot of questions during each of the webinars, while actively exchanging views with the presenters in order to gain an understanding of the new medicine presented by Pfizer. In February 2022, the Secretariat will launch the 9th series of webinars on the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine. Palestine, TX (75801) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Palestine, TX (75801) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - The President of the Transition in Guinea, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, on Monday dismissed nine senior officials of the public administration, accused of embezzlement of public funds and forgery TUESDAY, Jan. 25, 2022 (American Heart Association News) -- Christina Saldivar felt well-rested and energetic when she headed to her elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, on a Monday morning in February 2020. At 26, she was enjoying her first year of teaching music at the same campus instead of bouncing around as an itinerant teacher. The morning opened with back-to-back classes to second and first graders. Using simple instruments like recorders and rhythm sticks, she taught the children tone and rhythm. Next up, she was taking kindergarteners to the gym to dance. First, she needed to use the restroom. While in a stall, she felt overcome by a headache so powerful that it felt like someone was hammering against the front of her skull. Then came waves of nausea and lightheadedness. She tried to vomit but couldn't. The next thing she knew, she woke up on the floor of the stall. The germaphobe in her wanted to jump up, but she lacked the energy. From her smartwatch, she called one of the physical education teachers. "Can you bring my class to the gym?" she had asked. "I think I'll be late getting there. I don't feel so well." "Should I send the nurse?" the PE teacher asked. "No, no. I'm OK," Saldivar answered. As she spoke, the hammering blows began spreading across her entire head. "Wait, yes, go ahead and send the nurse," she said into her watch before blacking out a second time. Her next memories are murky. A school administrator and nurse talking to each other about her. Being inside an ambulance. Waking up in the emergency room. Meanwhile, school staff had called Saldivar's partner, Brean Hicks-Bailey, and Saldivar's mother, Catherine Saldivar. Hicks-Bailey arrived at the school from their home in Hampton, Virginia, just as Saldivar was getting into the ambulance. He drove to the hospital and her mother met him there. "We had no idea what could be going on," Hicks-Bailey said. "It was so confusing." A doctor later explained that Saldivar had a ruptured brain aneurysm. Essentially, a blood vessel in her brain burst. This sent blood into the surrounding area, causing what's called a hemorrhagic stroke. Just as they were processing that devastating news, the doctor said Saldivar needed to undergo a procedure to stop the blood from flowing into the damaged area. Saldivar was treated with a technique called coiling. Coiling closes off the blood flow into the aneurysm by packing it tightly with detachable platinum coils. It is performed through a catheter from the groin extending to the brain. Recovery usually takes a couple days. But Saldivar was in the hospital for two weeks because her headaches continued. Doctors readjusted the coiling, then monitored her for several more days. Saldivar went home with virtually no physical or cognitive deficits. She also went home confused: Why had this happened to her? In the hospital, her ongoing headaches kept her from using her phone or computer. Once she got home, she felt strong enough to research it all. And soon, she had plenty of time to do it. She was released in early March 2020, days before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. After reading about strokes and aneurysms, Saldivar realized how lucky she was that things played out as they did. "I'd heard about F.A.S.T. but didn't really pay attention," she said, referring to the acronym to help people remember the signs of a stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness or Speech difficulty mean it's Time to call 911. "And I definitely didn't know someone my age could have a stroke." The question of why it happened remains a bit of a mystery. Her neurologist found no explanation. Alas, doctors are now monitoring another smaller aneurysm. She may need the same procedure done to prevent this bubble from bursting. As a young strong survivor, Saldivar struggled to find others who could understand what she's been through and the aftermath. Online supports groups have helped. So has her cat, Butter. "As soon as I came home from the hospital, he started snuggling and has literally stayed by my side," she said. "He helps with my stress level, which I'm trying to monitor." Last year, Saldivar became pregnant. She was considered high risk because of her stroke. While she delivered prematurely at 36 weeks, that was due to an unrelated cause. More importantly, she had a healthy son named Brean Jr. American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. By Diane Daniel Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity, Omar Ketti, has called on Italian companies to resume work on suspended projects and to help Libya fight illegal immigration Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Malian government has called for the withdrawal of a contingent of Danish special forces within the "Takuba" force, after having noted "with astonishment" the deployment of the troop "which arrived in the country without the agreement of the transitional authorities" Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritius and Tanzania on Monday an agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration between them in traditional sectors and paving the way for new avenues of cooperation Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) The breastmilk of nursing moms infected with COVID-19 contains COVID genetic material. However, a study found that infected mothers won't transmit it through breastfeeding. According to research published on Tuesday in Pediatric Research Journal, SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID, was not infectious even when discovered in breastmilk. About half of the total reported COVID-19 cases in young children are infants. Although most newborns and infants survive and do well in battling COVID-19, there are also cases of severe infection, disease, and even deaths in the young generational bracket. Numerous studies have supported the recommendation that nursing mothers should continue breastfeeding. This comes after the call of various health organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that advised moms to continue breastfeeding their children even after their COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Read Also: Surrogate Mom Carole Horlock Gave Away Baby Who Turned Out To Be Her Own Son COVID-19 virus in breast milk In light of the recently published research, samples from 110 women were examined by scientists from the University of California. Among recently infected mothers, a small number had SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in their breastmilk. Around 6 percent of women who tested positive in the diagnostic test or who were symptomatic had the virus's genetic material in their breastmilk. On the other hand, among women who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus's viral RNA was detected in 9 percent of them. Fortunately, there is no evidence that the breastmilk of recently-infected nursing moms had infectious viruses that might indicate potential viral replication, according to the research published in the Pediatric Research Journal. In the cultures done by the researchers, infectious virus was not detected as well as sgRNA. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material is only seldomly detected in the breastmilk samples of moms who experienced COVID. However, in cases where it was detected, the SARS-CoV-2 RNA is highly unlikely to result in COVID infection in infants and small children as the viral RNA was only transiently present in the samples. Researchers also could not replicate and culture SARS-CoV-2 from any of the samples. Mothers should continue breastfeeding even when infected with COVID-19 Since the benefits of breastfeeding are undeniable, according to the WHO and other health organizations, mothers are continually encouraged to breastfeed even when infected with COVID-19 or even after getting their COVID vaccination shots. At present, the vaccination rates among pregnant and nursing mothers are quite low. According to an investigation by the Washington Post, this is due to intensive misinformation and propaganda directed against getting jabs. Anti-vax individuals and organizations baselessly suggest that getting jabs would endanger the mother or child, resulting in a negative perception of the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations. Research shows that COVID-19 vax does not pose threats to pregnant women. According to the New York Times, hesitancy in getting vaccinated is more common among expectant parents. Although there may have been instances cited by the CDC, such as smallpox vaccines where mothers may potentially transmit the infection to their breastfed-child, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines do the same. This study is considered one of the biggest researches meant to answer speculations and questions related to the transmission of COVID to breastfed children. Hopefully, nursing mothers are assured that they will not transmit their COVID infection to their young children. However, they should still continually take precautions such as frequent handwashing and wearing face masks when breastfeeding to ensure less possibility of contracting the disease. Related Article: Silent Miscarriage: Meghan McCain Opens up About Feeling Betrayed by Her Body Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) Rebecca Shumard, a newbie mom, recorded herself crying while at her desk at work out of frustration because she was not with her baby, who is at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She posted the recording on Tiktok. She only has 12 weeks of maternity leave, but her baby is at the NICU, and it seems like she will have to stay there much longer than her paid maternity leaves. So days after she gave birth, she had to return to work to have enough maternity leave credits to spend with her baby when she got home. Baby arriving too soon Shumard was on the 27th week of her pregnancy in the fall of 2021 when she suddenly felt pressure in her lower body. At first, she just thought that she was having Braxton Hicks contraction. However, when the contractions became frequent and more intense, she immediately knew something was wrong. When she arrived at the emergency room, the medical team tried to stall her birth process a little longer, but it was not working at all. The medical staff told her that she would be having the baby in a couple of hours. She braced herself to have her little girl sooner than she expected. Eden, her baby, was born in October at 27 weeks. She weighed 2 pounds and 1.9 ounces and measured 13.5 inches long. The baby also had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a congenital condition that leaves the infant with a hole in her artery. So after birth, Eden had to be transported to another hospital with NICU to facilitate her baby's growth. Shumard initially planned to use six weeks of paid leave and six more weeks on unpaid leave. The plan was to use her leave credits at once. However, Eden will have to stay in the NICU indefinitely. Hence she decided to return to work while the baby was at NICU to "save" the remaining maternity leaves so she could take care of the baby when she finally came home. Read Also: Actress Ginnifer Goodwin Willingly Offers Husband's Sperm to Her Best Friend Maternity leave in the US There is no federal mandate on paid maternity, paternity, or family leave for employees in the US. The six weeks that Shumard referred to is the partially paid time allocated for women who have given birth vaginally in the US. For some businesses, it is covered in short-term disability insurance plans. If one gave birth through C-section, the leave would be eight weeks. These are not leave credits, however. The leave credits are the working parent's salaries protected under the plan for a particular number of weeks. However, not all businesses have this insurance. In 2020, only 42 percent of the private sector workers had access to it. On the one hand, the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) mandates that legal parents take up to 16 weeks of unpaid family leave for birth, adoption, and child foster care. However, one can avail of it if the company has 50 or more employees. As Dr. Jennifer Lincoln had said, "expectant and new parents are really caught between a rock and a hard place in the United States, because this country does not prioritize paid family leave - we rank dead last with zero weeks of government-mandated paid parental leave." Related Article: Celebrity Moms Who Had Plastic Surgery After Giving Birth Photo: (Photo : VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images) Experts from the University of Bristol have found evidence that binge-watching television for four hours straight could lead to blood clot formation in the lungs or legs, proving once again that a sedentary lifestyle brings harmful outcomes. In a study published for the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the experts noted that people who sit in front of the TV for four hours increase their risk of a potentially fatal blood clot by 35 percent compared to those who watch less than two and a half hours of TV a day. The experts delved into the health information of 131,421 adults above 40 years old who had no history of blood clots. They self-reported their TV times for a period of five to 20 years. At the end of the study, 964 of the participants developed venous thromboembolism (VTE). Read Also: How To Maintain Healthy Eating Habits for the Whole Year What is VTE? According to the National Heart and Lung Institute, VTE covers disorders like deep vein thrombosis DVT and pulmonary embolism, which basically means there are blood clot formations in the lower leg, pelvis or thighs (for DVT) and the lungs (for pulmonary embolism). VTE happens when the blood flow slows down because of likely damage or blockage in the blood vessel lining. Blood clots may be the result of trauma following surgery, an injury, or an inflammation response due to an infection. However, the NHLI also stated that not moving for longer periods could hamper the body's blood flow as a sedentary lifestyle results in a "low-oxygen environment" that could easily trap the blood in the veins. The symptoms of VTE are different for every person but it may include pain and tenderness, swelling, as well as redness or discoloration in the calf or thighs. If it's pulmonary embolism, the person may experience increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and pain when breathing. In some cases, the person may also have fainting spells, anxiety, and excessive sweating. Treating VTE depends on the case and some might not even need to take medications but change their habits and activities. Doctors may prescribe blood thinners or thrombin inhibitors while others could be a viable candidate for vena cava filter, depending on their age and situation. Take breaks when TV watching However, lead author Dr. Setor Kunutsor said that the best solution to lessen the risk of blood clot formation for binge-watchers is to cut down their TV times with a break every 30 minutes. He suggested using this break to stretch muscles or ride on a stationary bike. Kunutsor also advised against watching TV while having an unhealthy snack as combining these activities may lead to obesity or high blood pressure, which are also risk factors for blood clot formation. In the U.S. over one million people develop DVT every year and some 100,000 die from the disorder. The study authors also said that VTE risk is not linked to age, sex, body weight and physical activity because binge-watching TV for more than four hours is still unhealthy. "Generally speaking, if you sit a lot in your daily life be sure to get up and move around from time to time," the doctor said. Related Article: WHO Scientist Says COVID Boosters for Kids Not Needed if They Are Healthy Photo: (Photo : ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) California might soon scrap parental consent as a requirement for children above 12 years old if a new COVID vaccine bill is signed into law. Sen. Scott Wiener introduced the bill to the floor on Thursday, January 20, 2022, which will give the kids "the autonomy to receive life-saving vaccines" despite their parents' beliefs or busy schedules. Wiener said that children should still have access to COVID vaccines even if their parents refuse or could not make time to bring the kids to the vaccination sites. The Democratic senator also argued that removing parental consent in his new COVID vaccine bill is not groundbreaking since similar laws exist for children's vaccine for Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). If the bill is signed, California will follow states like Alabama, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., which do not require parental consent for COVID vaccines for kids. I introduced new legislation (#SB866) to lower the vaccine age of consent from 18 to 12. Unvaccinated teens are at risk, put others at risk & make schools less safe. They often cant work, participate in sports, or go to friends homes. Lets let teens protect their health. Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) January 21, 2022 Read Also: WHO Scientist Says COVID Boosters for Kids Not Needed if They Are Healthy Youngest Age Without Parental Consent in Any State California will have the youngest age of any state to allow vaccination without parental consent once the bill becomes a law. The other states' age limit is between 14 to 16 years old, except for the capital city, Washington, D.C., which allows kids above 11 years old to decide on their own COVID vaccinations. Wiener felt that it is wrong for parents to block their children's right to the vaccines because they are against the medical procedure or don't think this should be a priority. He said that vaccination matters to anyone's physical or mental health. But aside from COVID vaccines, Wiener's proposal will also cover vaccinations to protect the kids from measles and other contagious diseases. He reiterated that his proposal is not a radical idea based on various precedents. He is also not proposing a mandate but an option for children. In October 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California would mandate vaccination for kids in school. This law has yet to take effect, as the FDA has not given full approval for vaccines for kids, but the California law is open to exemptions based on religious beliefs or medical reasons. According to the Mayo Clinic, only 19 percent of children above five years old have received two doses of the COVID vaccines across the U.S. The vaccination rate in children is slow because some parents don't want their kids to get the jab. Wiener Wants to Fight Vaccine Misinformation However, Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher said that Wiener's new COVID vaccine bill is flawed. He described this as another attempt by a Democrat to "remove parents from the equation." Gallagher said that parents are vital to decisions like vaccination, and while Democrats largely dominate the Senate, Gallagher is confident that this proposal will not pass. He believes that lawmakers are parents first. Meanwhile, Wiener revealed that he had formed a workgroup with other Democratic lawmakers, such as Sen. Richard Pan, to fight vaccine misinformation. Pan, also a pediatrician, believes that children who have not yet been vaccinated are more vulnerable for as long as the virus is still present. Related Article: Anti-vax Dad Flees With Daughter To Stop Her Mom From Having Her Vaccinated Photo: (Photo : JASPER JACOBS/AFP via Getty Images) A mother from Liverpool, who has been through 16 miscarriages, experienced the joys of giving birth to miracle twins following an eventful pregnancy, where she was diagnosed with "vanishing twin syndrome." Emma White, 38, welcomed two healthy girls, Aurora Azalea and Ophelia Lili, but her pregnancy scan revealed that she miscarried six weeks before their births. However, after she was told of the miscarriage, the doctors informed her that she actually conceived quadruplets and was still pregnant. It all started when the mom and her husband, Joe White, rushed to the Liverpool Women's Hospital because she had bleeding episodes on her sixth week of pregnancy. The hospital took a blood test and asked her to return two days later for some scans. She knew that something was off because the sonographer didn't show her the screen and called for the other medical workers to the room. After some commotion, someone from the medical staff confirmed that she has an ectopic pregnancy and will need surgery to have her fallopian tubes taken out. Emma woke up from the procedure so devastated that she had lost another baby. Read Also: Silent Miscarriage: Meghan McCain Opens up About Feeling Betrayed by Her Body However, the doctors later conferred that it was not an ectopic pregnancy, but they found a blockage in her fallopian tubes. After this was taken out and cleared, they saw that she had four babies in her uterus and that her pregnancy could proceed as normal. "I still couldn't believe it as I was taken off to see a specialist in multiple pregnancies," Emma said. Then Her Babies "Vanished" However, weeks after the surgery, the mother felt something else was happening to her body, and she started bleeding again. Following a visit to the doctor, Emma was told that she "passed the pregnancy" and shared the heartache of another baby loss on Facebook with her friends and family. However, one night, Emma dreamt of her grandfather, who told her that she was still pregnant. Going by this hunch, the mum insisted to Joe that they should get another scan at the hospital. True enough, the scans showed that she was still carrying two babies in her uterus. This was on the 12th week of her pregnancy. According to the doctors, Emma experienced a rare phenomenon called vanishing twin syndrome not once but two times. She lost one baby each from a set of identical twins, leaving her with two non-identical twin babies who would survive a healthy pregnancy at 37 weeks. Emma gave birth to Aurora Azalea and Ophelia Lili in October 2021 and joined their older sister, Mollie Rose, 12 years old. What is Vanishing Twin Syndrome? According to the American Pregnancy Association, vanishing twin syndrome happens when a twin or a multiple "disappears" in the womb following a miscarriage. This pregnancy phenomenon has been recognized since 1945 and is estimated to occur in roughly 21 to 30 percent of multiple pregnancies during the first trimester. What happens in cases of vanishing twin syndrome is that the other twin absorbs the fetal tissues in the miscarriage. The syndrome's cause is unknown, but experts assume it may be linked to chromosomal abnormalities or improper cord implantation. Following some bleeding, cramping, pelvic pain, and decreasing hormone levels to indicate a pregnancy loss, the prognosis for the surviving twin and the mother's health is usually good. Sometimes, however, vanishing twin syndrome may also occur during the second or third trimester, raising the risk for both mom and the surviving babies. Related Article: Mom Gives Birth to a Healthy 14-Pound Baby Boy After 19 Miscarriages Photo: (Photo : Cindy Ord/Getty Images) In most cultures across the world, February 14 is known as Valentine's Day, a special time for celebrating love, and parents with young kids might want to spend this day teaching specific concepts about love's true meaning. Children could be curious as to why Valentine's Day feels like second Christmas if they see people giving gifts to each other or if they are asked to give cards, letters, or gifts to someone in class. However, pediatric psychologist Dr. Stevie Puckett-Perez said that explaining the concept of Valentine's Day can be an "emotionally tricky situation" since some children might also experience rejection and self-doubt if they get nothing for Valentine's Day. Read Also: Angelina Jolie Still Sends Gifts to Her Step-Children With Billy Bob Thornton Here are some ways parents can help kids understand why people celebrate Valentine's Day and how it relates to the true meaning of love: Sit Down and Discuss the Holiday Center for Play Therapy and professor Dee Ray said that it's important to sit down and discuss the holiday's origins because it's not just about romantic interests. If the kids observe this special event in school, they need to know some of the origins of certain Valentine's Day traditions. According to Romper, Valentine's Day observance started around the 1300s in Europe, and it is rooted in both pagan and Catholic beliefs. Kids should know that the holiday got its name from Saint Valentine, whose feast was celebrated every February 14. However, in some cultures, the date also coincides with fertility celebrations of families who thank their gods for the bounty or for having children. The kids might also come across the legend of Cupid, the god of Eros (love) from Greek mythology, when speaking about Valentin's Day. Cupid has a powerful arrow that makes people fall in love. However, in modern history, observing Valentine's Day means giving Valentine's gifts to loved ones. While romantic partners usually do this for each other, families and friends also engage in the tradition of gift-giving. These days, Valentine's Day is not an exclusive day for lovers and couples -- it is for everyone who wants to express love. Do a Project for Valentine's Day Parents may plan an uncomplicated Valentine's Day project with their kids to complement the discussion. The easiest thing to do is have an arts and crafts activity, where the kids could make cards or letters for a specific person. For older kids, they could prepare a meal together for a sibling, a grandparent, or another favorite relative or friend. The idea behind doing the projects is to model the values of giving and expressing love. However, emphasize to the children that Valentine's Day is not about the material stuff but that they can make feel someone else very special, which is what true love is all about. Managing the Disappointments Some children might confide to their parents that they worry or feel anxious about Valentine's Day celebrations in school because they might not get anything or be rejected by the person they express love to. Parents should acknowledge these negative feelings and also be ready to listen if their day does not turn out as expected. Take this opportunity to remind the kids that they can make every day a chance to express their feelings or to have an unexpected encounter with someone who will make them feel special. Valentine's Day is just one day, but there are still many other opportunities to give and receive love, whether it's platonic or romantic, per psychologist Susan Bartell. Related Article: Mom Says Toxic Mother-in-Law Sent Christmas Card That Was Like an Invoice for What She Spent for the Family Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) After two years of pandemic-related school closing, parents are looking forward to getting back to work and making a living. However, parents are now scrambling for child care options as they deal with limited caregivers, daycare closures, and expensive daycare services as repercussions of the safety measures imposed due to COVID-19. The stress of not having a childcare Journalist Meg St-Esprit was looking forward to reporting to work in person after two years of homeschooling. Her twins are back in public school this year while her three-year-old started daycare. Getting back to work would mean allowing her to get on with her full-time career. Lately, with the latest Omicron wave, a COVID-19 exposure led to the closure of her youngest kid's daycare center, causing her to step back from work. "I had to let several assignments go because I couldn't find any solution otherwise," she said. St-Esprit estimates that the family lost around $50,000 of income due to a lack of childcare, especially when the kids were homeschooled. Childcare has become a major problem for working parents, causing a mental and emotional toll. Read Also: Separate Sleeping Arrangement: Hubby Sleeps in Tent, Wife in Bed, but Still Happily Married Staggering Cost of Quality Childcare In 2021, Natalie Saldana, a single mom, full-time student, and health insurance agent in South Carolina, struggled to find child care even as it had reopened due to the steep price that child care entails. It has a monthly cost of $700, which Saldana says "is almost my rent." The reliability of child care is also a concern for those who could afford it. Joe Lopez, a father of three, pays $1,000 a month to send his youngest to daycare, but there are days when he needs to turn around to pick him up from school due to school shutdowns. "I wake up, log in to my computer to start work from home and then I randomly get a text from the daycare that they're shut down for two or three days," he said. Reduced enrollment and workforce When the economy opened, decreased capacities, distancing requirements, and limited workforce caused a large gap in child care centers. "If [a daycare center] was licensed for 10 [kids], they could have five," explained National Child Care Association Cindy Lehnhoff said. Most child care centers have around 30 percent of capacity utilized. The limited workforce also forces the school to refuse children as they lost a third of their workforce in April 2020. "We didn't get them back," she explained. Solutions for Child care woes Experts share this advice to help in parent's child care woes: Seek support from friends, family, community Form a group with people who share the same dilemma. Work together to help watch out for the kids, like assigning one parent to watch the kids. Work on Complimentary Shifts Adult caregivers can work on complementary shifts to take turns looking after the kids and working. Call the federal government for more childcare support According to St-Esprit, only 4 percent of the qualifying families can get a spot in subsidized child care programs. She said that allocating more government funds for child care support is the only way to address the concern. "We need to nationally subsidize child care; that's the solution," St-Esprit added. Related Article: Mono-di Twins: Mom Gives Birth to 1- Or 2-In-a-Million-of-A-kind Rare MCDA Twins With Down Syndrome The decision is the latest step in Assange's long battle to avoid a trial in the U.S. on a series of charges related to WikiLeaks' publication of classified documents more than a decade ago. The Supreme Court normally takes about eight sitting weeks after an application is submitted to decide whether to accept an appeal, the court says on its website. "Make no mistake, we won today in court," Assange's fiancee, Stella Moris, said outside the courthouse, noting that he remains in custody at Belmarsh Prison in London. "We will fight this until Julian is free," she added. The High Court in London gave Assange permission to appeal the case to the U.K. Supreme Court. But the Supreme Court must agree to accept the case before it can move forward. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Monday won the first stage of his effort to overturn a U.K. ruling that opened the door for his extradition to U.S. to stand trial on espionage charges. Just over a year ago, a district court judge in London rejected a U.S. extradition request on the grounds that Assange was likely to kill himself if held under harsh U.S. prison conditions. U.S. authorities later provided assurances that the WikiLeaks founder wouldn't face the severe treatment his lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk. The High Court last month overturned the lower court's decision, saying that the U.S. promises were enough to guarantee Assange would be treated humanely. Those assurances were the focus of Monday's ruling by the High Court. Assange's lawyers are seeking to appeal because the U.S. offered its assurances after the lower court made its ruling. But the High Court overturned the lower court ruling, saying that the judge should have given the U.S. the opportunity to offer the assurances before she made her final ruling. The High Court gave Assange permission to appeal so the Supreme Court can decide "in what circumstances can an appellate court receive assurances from a requesting state... in extradition proceedings." Assange's lawyers have argued that the U.S. government's pledge that Assange won't be subjected to extreme conditions is meaningless because it's conditional and could be changed at the discretion of American authorities. The U.S. has asked British authorities to extradite Assange so he can stand trial on 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse linked to WikiLeaks' publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents. Assange, 50, has been held at the high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019, when he was arrested for skipping bail during a separate legal battle. Before that, he spent seven years holed up inside Ecuador's Embassy in London. Assange sought protection in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. Sweden dropped the sex crimes investigations in November 2019 because so much time had elapsed. American prosecutors say Assange unlawfully helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk. Lawyers for Assange argue that their client shouldn't have been charged because he was acting as a journalist and is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that guarantees freedom of the press. They say the documents he published exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Normally, it is my husband saying squirrel to me when in mid-sentence I change gears to a new topic. But, last weekend, it was yours truly yelling at my husband to help me with a squirrel situation. The Western Area Power Administration transmission lines are seen along Riverside Drive next to the Emerald Canyon Golf Course. The lines carry hydro-electric power from Parker Dam. WAPA wants to replace the poles and lines due to their age. The La Paz County Supervisors have said they want the lines relocated to make more land available for development in the upriver area. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions 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 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 The Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, has stated that the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has allowed the private sector to innovatively use local resources to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) including nose masks, hand sanitisers to help contain the spread of the virus. He explained that this became feasible because of the boldness of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to initiate a public private partnership to embark on a massive disinfection exercise across the country. Dr. Siaw Agyepong made the observation while delivering an address at the opening of the 73rd Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. This years New Years School, which is being held at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, is on the theme; Covid-19 and Socioeconomic Dynamics in Ghana. Meanwhile Dr Siaw Agyepong has been appointed as a member of the University of Ghanas (ANYSC) Advisory Team. Despite the devastation effects of Covid, he said local resources have come handy in the production of elements which are assisting in the fight against Covid in the country. With the onset of the pandemic and in the wake of the closure of air, land and sea borders, Ghana came out with what he termed home grown measures to contain the spread of the pandemic, Dr Siaw Agyepong noted. He recounted that a total of 45 waste treatment plants across the country comprising 16 solid waste treatment plants, 16 liquid waste treatment plants and 13 medical wastes plants were currently undergoing construction. Dr Siaw Agyepong thus entreated Ghanaians to actively get involve in reviving the economy back on track. According to him, the national disinfection exercise saw the disinfection of about 2,500 markets across the country within two days, adding that it has also offered employment to some 2,500 people. over 77,000 schools, churches and mosques benefited from the nationwide disinfection operation which has helped in curbing the spread of the virus, he further said. The Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, who was the Chairperson for the opening, was upbeat that the government's Obaatanpa programme will seek to boost socioeconomic development in the mist of the pandemic. She explained that New Year School event provided a unique platform for birthing ideas for national development, stressing that it (the New Year School) has continued to birth themes which have set the tone for worth consideration, particularly the times that country has found itself. She gave the assurance that the annual event will go beyond the normal rhetoric and continue to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Police Service has arrested one of the rioters in connection with the Mamobi-Nima clash. The suspect, Farouk Dauda alias Omondi, aged 31 years, was arrested on Sunday, January 23. A statement form the Service on Monday said, "the Police in collaboration with the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), yesterday Sunday, January 23, 2022, arrested suspect Farouk Dauda alias Omondi, aged 31 years, who was part of the rioters of the Mamobi-Nima clash." According to the statement, the Farouk Dauda was arrested at his hideout in a suburb of Accra based on intelligence. The statement added that, "the suspect during interrogation admitted his involvement in the said clash where he was captured in a video footage wielding a machete as he identified himself in the said video footage." The statement added that a search conducted on him led to the retrieval of a wrapped substance suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspect is currently in Police custody assisting with investigations. The police assured that efforts were being made to arrest all other persons involved in the violent incident. Background Last Tuesday, January 18, 2022, two rival groups clashed at Nima, resulting in the firing of gunshots. Young men suspected to be members of the two rival groups were seen in a viral video wielding guns, machetes and clubs, parading the streets of Nima. The two groups, the Bombom group, led by Ali Awusi, alias Bombom, and the Kumodzi group, led by Ibrahim Hussa, said to be based at Mamobi and Nima, respectively, had been opposing each other in the past. The police subsequently arrested nine people in connection with the clash and retrieved a number of weapons. 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. Featured Video Visitors walk past the booth of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Photo by Mohamed Nasr/Xinhua) RIYADH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) announced on Monday the signing of 50 new deals with local and international companies in a bid to improve the resilience of its supply chain. The deals, signed at the 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by Aramco, cover partnership on climate leadership and digitalization with U.S.-based oilfield services company Schlumberger, and carbon fiber investment collaboration with Alfanar company engaged in manufacturing electrical construction products. Progress in the Aramco's sustainable business development is also showcased at the forum, which runs from Jan. 24 to 26 in the eastern coastal city of Dhahran. Aramco's strategic IKTVA program aims to drive domestic value creation, maximize long-term economic growth and diversification, and build a world-class supply chain that facilitates the development of a diverse, sustainable and globally competitive energy sector in Saudi Arabia, at a time when global supply chains have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, which has attracted more than 540 investments to Saudi Arabia from 35 countries, has helped establish a competitive industrial base, resulting in exports to more than 40 countries, according to Aramco. A staff member introduces a smart lighting system to a visitor during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Photo by Mohamed Nasr/Xinhua) Visitors listen to a lecture during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Photo by Mohamed Nasr/Xinhua) Visitors look at a booklet during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Photo by Mohamed Nasr/Xinhua) A visitor interacts with a robot dog during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) Visitors look at a smart lighting system during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) A staff member introduces a smart lighting system to a visitor during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) A visitor listens to an introduction at a booth during the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2022. The 6th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum and Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) kicks off on Monday and will last till Jan. 26. (Photo by Mohamed Nasr/Xinhua) An Accra High Court has struck out an application by the Lighthouse Chapel International seeking a default judgment against The Fourth Estate. The charismatic church was seeking default judgment after it claimed those associated with The Fourth Estate had failed to file their defence within the stipulated time. The Lighthouse Chapel had sued the Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Estate, Manasseh Azure Awuni; the reporter who worked on the Lighthouse story, Edwin Appiah; the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah; and the Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA), for defamation. The church filed three different defamation suits covering the three-part series, Darkness in a lighthouse, which was published by The Fourth Estate in 2021. The Fourth Estate is a non-profit journalism project of the MFWA. The lawyer for the defendants, Samson Lardy Anyenini, in opposing the application for default judgment, argued that the churchs application was premature. The application, which received wide media publicity even before a copy would be served on lawyers for the defendants, was scheduled to be argued today. But when the case was called, the lawyer for the church, Kweku Paintsil, said he was withdrawing it. He said even though a search at the court registry on January 10, 2022, indicated defence had not been filed, he was later served and he realized the four defendants had actually filed their defence earlier on January 6, 2021. Addressing Justice Joseph Adu-Owusu Agyeman, Kweku Painstil indicated that he was withdrawing the motion for a default judgment against all four defendants. The lawyer for the defendants, Samson Lardy Anyenini, said though the withdrawal was expected, the application for default judgment was premature. He argued that the defendants filed appearance on December 20, 2021, and the courts were on vacation from 23rd December and resumed on January 6, 2021. He said he had come to raise legal objection. He read Order 79 of the Civil Procedure Rules of court. The presiding judge, Justice Joseph Adu-Owusu Agyeman, struck out all three applications as having been withdrawn. The judge also ordered the church to bring a fresh writ of summons consolidating all three cases as one suit because they are materially the same. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The University of Ghana, Legon has appointed the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong to the Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) Corporate Advisory team. The team was inaugurated by the President of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo- Addo at the 73rd Annual New Year School Conference organized by the University of Ghana and tasked with the responsibility to advise on how reports of the conference will help advance Ghana's strategic growth. The team is chaired by lawyer Samuel Okudzeto (Member of the council of state) and includes Hon. Ken Ofori Attah (Minister of Finance), Dr. Ernest Addison, Prof. Olivia Kwapong, Mr. Andrews Dotse and Mrs Regina Afari Boateng. Covid-19 challenged Ghana's private sector to be innovative Speaking at the conference which is on the theme "Covid-19 and Socioeconomic Dynamics in Ghana", the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong indicated that Covid-19 as a global pandemic brought innovation into Ghana's private sector as Companies had to innovate to cope with the challenges that came with the pandemic. Dr. Agyepong pointed out that the innovations such as local production of hand sanitizers, nose masks, hand washing machines, disinfection chemicals among others were some Initiatives local companies and SMEs had to venture into to create new job opportunities. "We at the Jospong Group of Companies and Zoomlion Ghana Limited had to innovate in the areas of assembling technologies and equipment to undertake nationwide disinfection exercises. We had to learn from what the Chinese were doing and locally replicated that by designing and assembling vehicles that can undertake massive disinfection activities". Dr. Agyepong lauded the visionary leadership of President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo during the intense period of Covid-19 and his support to help local companies innovate to fight Covid-19. The President of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo- Addo in a statement as the guest speaker indicated that Ghana recorded one of the lowest Covid-19 deaths rate in the world and this was due to the prudent management of the Covid-19. He said Ghana was named alongside Korea as one of the best countries to have properly managed the Covid-19. The President noted that there were no lay off in the public sector as salaries of the public sector workers were not reduced He added that Ghana remained self food sufficient country despite the global food supply chain impact due to planting for food and jobs initiative. The Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mrs Mary Chinery-Hesse indicated that since the inception of the annual new year school and conference in 1948 it has provided a unique platform for national discourse on development issues. "National and local government agencies, academia and other stakeholders have used this platform to deliberate Ghana's strategic growth". She said the new inaugurated ANYSC Corporate Advisory team will help stimulate the economic growth of the country. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ministry of Health has developed a system, Ghana Global Standards One (GS1), that will track pharmaceuticals entering the country and also trace them to the supply value chain, including patrons. It will also help resolve the scourge of substandard and falsified medicines and medical supplies in the health system and on the market. The GS1 initiative is a global coding standard for products, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals, that provides identification, capturing of data and other mechanisms. Also referred to as pharmaceutical traceability, the system will allow for product traceability and authentication to ensure regulatory compliance among industry players, including the provision of supply chain efficiencies. It will further ensure visibility of products from the plant to the patient, promote trust in the pharmaceutical sector and healthcare system, decrease the presence of substandard and falsified (SF) medicines, enable efficiencies across the supply chain and ultimately increase patient safety. Mandate The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, who launched the system in Accra, said it formed part of efforts at delivering the core mandate of the ministry ensure the health and safety of the people. The mandate involves the use of quality health commodities. Currently, it is a fact that far fewer innovator medicines are being registered by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), compared to generics. This is so due to demotivating factors such as researchers working hard to develop new products only for unsuspecting entities to falsify their production. All over the world, a system is being adopted to curb this menace. One of them is the GS1 initiative which seeks to ensure that businesses can share information of identifying their products through the use of appropriate technology, he said. The minister called on stakeholders to help the government leverage the initiative to address challenges of data integrity and visibility of pharmaceutical products in a way that would enable healthcare workers to provide safe quality pharmaceutical products and services for clients through an identification and verification system. Significance The Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Mrs Delese Mimi Darko, said the system would help the authority rid the country of SF medicines and medical supplies to protect public health and ensure safety. It promises to be a valuable tool among other systems being used to fight the menace of falsified medical products. The FDA had, in the past, spent a lot of resources in combating SF medical products on the local market. Despite these efforts, the war against those products is still far from over, since the manufacture and trafficking of SF products is a multibillion dollar business, she said. Mrs Darko said that was why the introduction of the new system was significant, and expressed the hope that it would deliver the relief the authority had been working at over the years. If the system is comprehensively implemented, it will enable the FDA to have enough visibility into what was manufactured and brought onto the local market, with data on all imported products, and also track unwholesome products in the system, including the recall of non-conforming products, she added. The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr Francis Kasolo, commended the Health Ministry for the initiative. 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. Featured Video Ghana has recorded 277 more cases of coronavirus (COVID -19), shooting up the countrys case count to 154,891 as at last Friday. According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) website monitored by the Ghanaian Times yesterday, 147,310 people have recovered from the disease. The death toll is currently at 1,357 with 38 people in severe condition and nine in a critical state and the GHS has pegged the countrys active case at 6,224. Routine surveillance conducted indicated 57,401 tested positive out of 472,271 total number of tests conducted, while 90,905 people tested positive through contact tracing out of 979,847 total tests done. International travellers (KIA) tests showed that 6,585 people tested positive out of 747,407 tests conducted. The service, therefore, said it had so far conducted 2,199,525 tests since the outbreak of the disease in March last two years with a positivity rate of 7.0 per cent. On the regional case count, Greater Accra leads with 86,313 confirmed cases, followed by Ashanti with 22,234 cases. Western has 8, 213 confirmed cases, while Eastern has 6,943 cases. The Service also said that Central had 5,393 confirmed cases while Bono East had 2,910 cases. The Volta Region, the GHS said, had a total of 5,869 cases and the Western North has 1,094 cases. The Bono Region has a total of 2,277 cases followed by the Northern Region with 1,858 cases. Ahafo Region has 1,132 cases, Upper East 1,697, Oti, 919, Upper West, 805 cases, Savannah, 291 and the North East with 358 cases. The Service has cautioned that the non-observance of the safety protocols could cause a spike in infections across the country. The GHS has implored the entire populace to stringently adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocol, including staying at home if they had nothing doing in town, observing the social distancing protocol and avoiding hand shaking. It reminded people to mask up properly, particularly when leaving home, and washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 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. Featured Video Western Region Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, says after the near-annihilation of the entire Apiate community following last weeks massive explosion, authorities are yet to decide on relocating indigenes. According to him, the affected people will be catered for he, however, ruled out resettlement of the whole community as highly suggested. Tragic Incident Fourteen people were killed and 179 others injured in the explosion, which occurred on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Preliminary investigations by the Police indicated that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to the Chirano Gold Mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion at Apiate, a farming community between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality in the Western Region. Police Investigates A team of investigators from the Criminal Investigative Department of the Ghana Police Service on Sunday, January 23, 2022, interrogated the truck driver and the rider of the motorcycle believed to be involved in the accident. The team interrogated the two persons at the disaster site as part of measures to unravel the cause of the explosion; driver of the truck and the motor rider. The truck driver declined to engage the media after the interrogation, saying: I have been instructed not to speak. The CID team said the interrogation would help them to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident and the subsequent explosion. No Decision Yet Hon Darko Mensah, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for Takoradi Constituency, told NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie that, experts after visiting the community did not suggest relocation. Experts have not given any indication for us to relocate them, so we will take that decision into consideration and rebuild the community for now, He told host Mac Jerry Osei Agyemang. Till Further Notice In a related development, the Minerals Commission has ordered Maxam Ghana Limited, a Mines support service company in Tarkwa to cease operations following the explosion at Appiatse in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality. Mr Isaac Mwinbelle, the Western Regional Manager of Minerals Commission, who issued a prohibition notice to the company through the Manager of the site, added that "you are not to carry out any other operations till further notice." He pointed out that "even though the accident did not happen at Maxam Ghana Limited site it was from here that the materials were transported before the accident occurred. So we think that it is better to stop the source so that once we put everything in place, then operations will commence". Veep Condoles Meanwhile, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has led a Government delegation to the community on Friday. He gave assurance that Government would collaborate with the State Housing Corporation and mining companies to construct temporary housing facilities for those displaced in the explosion. 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. Featured Video Last Thursday's explosion at Apiate near Bogoso was a tragic one and though the lives lost cannot be resuscitated, the residents may however heave a sigh of relief as the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) steps in with help for them. While the State Housing Company has been tasked to revamp the community which was completely razed to the ground by the explosion, the GNPC, through its Foundation, has indicated it will take care of the students in the community. Speaking in an interview with Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Monday morning, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GNPC Foundation, Dominic Eduah disclosed that the Foundation will offer scholarship for every student from Apiate on admission into a tertiary institution or yet to be admitted. He believed this will help relieve the students' parents of their burdens in this tragic moment. ''We've decided in this town and you are in a tertiary institution in Ghana, as we speak, either you are about to begin or already have begun; we are putting you on the GNPC Foundation," he said. He further revealed that the GNPC Foundation will also assist the State Housing Company by constructing modern schools for the community. About Apiate Explosion On Thursday, January 20, 2022, the Apiate community was hit by a deadly explosion when a truck conveying explosives to a mining company crashed with a motorcycle. The entire community was reduced to nothingness as all houses and structures on the land turned into a rubble. Thirteen (13) people have reportedly lost their lives and over 170 sustained injuries. 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. Featured Video The Paramount Chief of Chirano Traditional Area has expressed his deepest condolences to the people of Apiate after a massive explosion that destroyed the entire community. The chief is a statement described the incident as unfortunate adding that, I and my elders are saddened and devastated by the heartbreaking incident that took away lives of innocent people who are breadwinners within a wink. Read below statement I express my deepest sympathy to the victims and bereaved families of the tragic incident which occurred at Apiate. I have learnt that about 14 people have lost their lives following the road accident involving an explosive-laden truck and a motorcycle at Appeatse a Community near Bogoso which has also rendered many homeless. As a Paramount Chief of Chirano Traditional Area and the Vice President of the Western North Regional House of Chiefs, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the lost precious souls and also to those who are seeking medical care a speedy recovery. I and my elders are saddened and devastated by the heartbreaking incident that took away the lives of innocent people who are breadwinners within a wink. I pray to the Almighty God to give the affected families the strength and mental fortitude to quell those painful times. I would like to also use the opportunity to thank the Management of Kinross, Chirano Gold Mines Limited for their kind gesture to support the victims of the Apiate disaster with relief items. I am, therefore, appealing to philanthropists, well-wishers to support the government as a matter of urgency to rebuild the devastated community. May the good Lord grant the departed souls a peaceful resting place in the bosom of Father Abraham. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyerematen has paid a working visit to Japan Motors high-tech and ultra-modern automotive plant in Tema that is being built to assemble the all-new Nisan Navara in Ghana. The Nissan Vehicle Assembly plant by the leading automobile dealer Japan Motors is a giant step towards the development of Ghanas automobile industry and to create the path of becoming the new center of attraction and automotive hub for the continent. The Minister was welcomed to the plant by Senior Japan Motors Executives: Assistant Managing Director, Mohammed Byrouthy; the Executive Director, Nouhad Kalmoni; and the Marketing Manager, Harriet Esi Mensah. Also present was the CEO, Silver Star Auto Ltd., Asad Nazir. Alan Kyerematen was given a tour of all sections in the brand-new plant, starting with the assembly line ending with the tester line where he also saw the unique water test facility. The Minister during the tour expressed satisfaction on works done so far which he described as impressive and truly ultra-modern. He assured of Governments support during the official commissioning and commencement of production. Addressing the media after the visit, Mohammed Byrouthy said the company was grateful for the visit by the Minister as preparations towards the official opening were underway. He proposed to see the facility and our preparations towards the official launch. Were glad hes impressed with what he has seen so far as this is not the only assembly plant hes visited in the country. We are on track to give the auto industry the most modern vehicle assembly plant in Ghana and were inviting all to join us for the official launch hopefully in March this year. The Executive Director, Nouhad Kalmoni described the visit by the Minister as very productive. His compliments have given us the confidence to do a good job and make Ghana proud. Hes realized were not taking shortcuts haven witnessed the different stages of the Assembly process. Mr. Kalmoni entreated Ghanaians to embrace their own and support the Japan Motors Nissan vehicle Assembly plant by purchasing locally manufactured vehicles. Whatever you get here is not going to be different from what is coming from Europe, Japan, or South Africa. The vehicles are the same, quality is the same, and assurances from the manufacturer in terms of warranty and after-sales from us are not going to change. We hope to make Ghana proud. Japan Motors Nissan Vehicle Assembly Plant Japan Motors, Nissans long-time distributor in Ghana, has invested US$8-million into building the assembly plant. Nissan chose Japan Motors as its local assembly partner, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Japanese carmaker and the Ghanaian government in 2018 when Nissan became the first Global OEM to commit to supporting the creation of a sustainable local automotive industry. South African engineers are working alongside their Ghanaian counterparts as they enter the final preparation phase for the official start of production. There is a considerable South African link to the plant; the Navara itself is manufactured at Nissans African Light Commercial Vehicle manufacturing hub in Rosslyn, outside Pretoria, while the 12 key Japan Motors engineers and technicians, including the plant manager-designate, all underwent their Nissan training in South Africa earlier this year. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Environmental Protection Agency Boss, Hon Henry Kwabena Kokofu has revealed that per their partial observation as an Agency, Apeatsi Community can be rehabilitated and inhabited. He said he has therefore advised the MCE for Pretsea Huni Valley and his office to officially place a request before the EPA for an environmental permit to rebuild the community. Apeatse, a mining community near Bogoso in the Western Region last Thursday witnessed an explosion when a truck transporting dynamite to a mining site had an accident. The explosion killed several residents injuring scores. Hundreds have been rendered homeless. After the incident, many stakeholders had visited the community to commiserate with the bereaved and the affected people. The Vice President of Ghana, His Excellency Dr Mahamadu Bawumia on his visit assured the community of government intentions to rebuild the community. Section of Ghanaians have raised questions about the security and health-wise of the environment after Dr Bawumias pronouncements. However, the recent remark of the EPA Boss, Dr Kokofu has come to address the concerns of these people. Hon Kokofu who arrived at the scene with his team donated 200 bags of cement to support the community. He said in the meantime, EPA would be teaming up with other sister institutions like Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, Geological Service to support the community. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Discussants at an agro-pastorism conference have urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to implement the conventions of the regional body, especially the one on the free movement of animals within the sub-region. They said when effectively implemented, that convention would help curb the persistent conflicts between farmers and herders and also boost trade within West Africa. The participants, who were speaking at the conference in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, contended that although ECOWAS had initiated some conventions over the years, they were not being implemented and domesticated by member states. The situation, they said, had resulted in the prevailing difficulty in regulating the activities of pastoralists and nomadic farmers when herdsmen and their flock moved from one place to another in search of food and water. The two-day conference is being participated by stakeholders in the agro-pastoralism sector from cross-border countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo who are dialoguing on coordinated resource management. The participants also showcased the work of the existing inter-municipal authority and the possibilities for cross-border consultation on critical issues key to the smooth functioning of the sector. The conference formed part of a project to support livestock mobility for better access to resources and markets in West Africa (PAMOBARMA) and the reinforce social cohesion in cross-border territories of Ghana and Burkina Faso (SAPSOC) programme. The PAMOBARMA is being co-financed by the European Union and the French Development Agency, while the SAPSOC is being financed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office of the United Kingdom. Both projects are being implemented by a host of governmental and non-governmental organisations within the West African sub-region. Concerns The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Livestock, Alhaji Mohammed Hardi Tuferu, expressed concern about the reluctance of some member countries to respect and implement the protocol on the free movement of animals, saying it was not good for effective regional cooperation. Some of the countries have decided not to respect the protocol, and this is not the best because we need to work together as sister countries and allow the free movement of animals across the sub-region to boost trade and ensure peace for job creation and a reduction in meat importation, he said. According to him, the government had been working to regulate the activities of nomadic herdsmen, as well as establish grazing reserves to ensure regular availability of pastures for animals to graze. The Executive Director of the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), an NGO, Mr Osman Abdel-Rahman, entreated African governments to define policies on natural resources management for the benefit of both herders and farmers. He also called for the ratification of the ECOWAS protocol on the free movement of animals and its compliance. For her part, the Programme Manager of Acting for Life, also an NGO, Ms Annabelle Powell, said it is important to remind ourselves that the knee-jerk reaction to insecurity is the reduction of obliquity - the cornerstone of agro-pastoralism. Context West African governments have engaged in various initiatives to develop a regulatory framework for pastoralists transhumance activities. Most notable among them are the ECOWAS Protocol on Transhumance (1998) and the implementation of regulations on transhumance among ECOWAS member states, Dakar, 2003, the African Union Policy Framework on Pastoralism in Africa (2010) and several national legislation on pastoralism and bilateral agreements. However, all these frameworks have not been effectively implemented. 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. Featured Video STC Chief Executive Officer, Nana Akomea has called on the State authorities to apply the country's laws to save the citizens and society. Addressing the tragic incident that occurred in Apiate at Bogoso killing more than dozens of the residents and over 170 sustaining various degrees of injuries, Nana Akomea opined that this should be a wake-up call. He noted that obedience to the laws can keep tragic incidents as the Apiate explosion under considerable control. His reason, he explained, is that there are laws governing the transportation of explosives, therefore believing the explosion could have been averted if the carrier of the explosives had complied with the laws. Speaking to Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', he asked the authorities to take a cue from the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Dampare, who to him, is setting a good example. ''Ever since Dr. Dampare came, what has he been doing? He's applying the laws, that's all! He hasn't introduced anything new. So, you can feel that Ghanaians are crying for the laws to be obeyed. That's all!...All he's doing is just to apply the laws...but we wait for things to get messy resulting in a disaster before we quote the laws. So, what has happened, it should not be in vain'', he said. He added that the Apiate explosion should serve as lessons to the nation saying ''the lesson is that, from today, if we will let the law about transport of explosives work, that will be a lasting testimony; a lasting legacy of this tragedy that's befallen Ghanaians at Apiate and not just that, let's try and make the laws work. The society will change''. 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. Featured Video Government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will be launching endowment fund to help persons affected by the recent explosion which occurred last Thursday at Apiate, a community close to Bogoso in the Western Region. The endowment fund dubbed Apiate Support Fund will be launched today Tuesday January 25, 2022, on the instructions of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The Fund which is aimed at soliciting support from individuals, corporate institutions and well-meaning Ghanaians, will also be managed by an independent body with supervision from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. It will also consolidate the individual donations to the victims. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Land and Natural Resources Minister, said the establishment of this Fund will among others, support the victims of the incident and reconstruct the Apiate township, as well as a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry to examine the entire health and safety regime of mining in Ghana. At a meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr Jinapor said the time has come for the Chamber to work closely with Government and ensure the safety of the Ghana Mining space. He also mentioned that his outfit will inaugurate a Committe to examine the health and safety issues in the Mining Sector of Ghana. On the suspension of the Maxam Company, he indicated that this suspension is total until such a time that all issues surrounding it is resolved. For his part, Eric Asubonteng, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said the Chamber will be a constructive partner to the Ministry and is also ever ready to support the fund on individual basis as well as the entity. He was optimistic that the outcome of the Investigative Committee will help fashion out ways to improve the entire Mining Industry. 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. Featured Video The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Wa West, Mr. Peter Lanchene Toobu has accused government of trying to cow the Minority Members in Parliament into submission by dragging Hon Cassiel Ato Forson to court. The Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Cassiel Ato Forson together with two others, has been dragged to the High Court on five counts of willfully causing financial loss to the state, contravening the Procurement Act, and misapplying public property. According to the facts of the case, Dr Ato Forson, who doubles as the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee of Parliament executed a contract by the government of Ghana to purchase some 200 ambulances for the National Ambulance Service when he was a Deputy Finance Minister under the erstwhile Mahama administration. Despite the granting of a medium-term loan facility of 15.8 million for the 200 ambulances, only 10 were shipped to Ghana in 2014. A post-delivery inspection of the first batch of 10 ambulances revealed that same were without any medical equipment in them. Other fundamental defects included defects on the body of the vehicles and the patient compartment of the ambulances, the writ noted. However, the Wa West MP says it's an attempt to silence the "vociferous" minority MPs. Speaking in an interview on Neat FM's Me Man Nti programme, he defended the MP "insisting he's done nothing wrong. he was a deputy minister you only take instructions from the substantive minister...this one is just an attempt to cow people; an attempt to silence the vociferous minority in Parliament. Ato Forson was a deputy Minister and took instructions from his minister..." Listen to him in the video below Meanwhile, Dr. Ato Forson has been granted a self-reconnaissance bail to the tune of three (3) million Ghana cedis.He is to file his disclosure by February 8, 2022, and return on February 15 for Case Management Conference. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a Governance Lecturer at the Central University, has slammed Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin for having a military security detail. 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. However, the Speaker and the Minority in Parliament find the withdrawal of the soldiers as unfair treatment. Speaker Fumes To the Speaker, 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 Lambasts Gov't 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 was "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. Dr. Otchere-Ankrah's Take To Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, the Speaker doesn't deserve to be protected by Military officers. He wondered why the Speaker's request was granted in the first place asking ''who granted that he should be given the four soldiers?'' He cautioned the government not to set such precedent saying ''if there is something you cannot continue, don't begin. Just don't start! We've had Speaker upon Speaker and we say none has had a Military [protection]. Why is it that just this Speaker (Bagbin) says he wants military protection? I don't agree with him that, to begin with, he would request military protection because his predecessors never had military protection''. 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. Featured Video It remains a subject of great coincidence but regardless, many conversations have already started on how it is that a number of coup detats have happened in West African ECOWAS member countries within a span of 2 years. President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos is current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, and whilst the ECOWAS, under his leadership has done significant work to deal with these coups, what specific measures were put in to tackle these unrests within the sub-region? From Niger, Mali, and then to Guinea, the latest news of the now confirmed coup detat in Burkina Faso adds up to the list while all the nagging questions remain. The latest - the Burkina Faso coup was led by Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who was the head of security in the Ouagadougou. GhanaWeb sought the experiential inputs of two security analysts on what could be accounting for all of these coups, why now, and the possible threats these could portend for Ghana as a country, particularly too because of the proximity of the latest country to have joined the growing list. Before that, we take a look at the coups that have been recently experienced in West Africa and what the ECOWAS bloc has done about each one of them: The Niger coup that lasted for 15 minutes On March 30, 2021, the Northern West African nation of Niger suffered a coup attempt just a few hours to the inauguration ceremony of then president-elect, Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum was due to be sworn-in as the next Niger leader after an election victory was disputed by his opponent, Mahamane Ousmane, with former president, Mahamadou Issoufou, leaving the reigns after serving two five-year terms. But how long did the coup attempt last? 15 to 20 minutes according to an AFP report. WHAT THE ECOWAS LEADERSHIP DID Since this coup was a short-lived one, there was no official action from the ECOWAS bloc except for the condemnations that came from within the country. Mali Coup In May 2021, Col Assimi Goita led another ousting of the president of Mali, Bah Ndaw, and Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane, over their failure in their duties and over what he described as their agenda to sabotage the country's transition. Nine months earlier, in August 2020, elements from the Malian military had taken siege of the Soundiata military base in the town of Kati in Mali. The group was said to have made their way into the armory of the base and detained senior officers of the force and subsequently headed into the countrys capital of Bamako and detained the countrys President, Ibrahim Keita, including other government officials. Ibrahim Keita was then forced to resign as president and dissolved the government over corruption-related concerns and mismanagement of the economy. Prior to that, Malians took to the streets on June 5, 2020, in protest of Keitas administration and called for his resignation. WHAT THE ECOWAS LEADERSHIP DID The ECOWAS suspended Mali's membership in response to the coup in that country, asking authorities to stick to a timetable for a return to democracy. The bloc however stopped short of imposing new sanctions after an emergency summit in Accra. Guinea Coup On Sunday, September 5, 2021, the nation of Guinea was hit with a coup. A group of men allegedly from the Guinea Special Forces claimed to have seized power from Guineas President Alpha Conde. Despite a conflicting report by the countrys defense ministry stating they had fought back the ununiformed men, a video of a captured Alpha Conde was shared across social media. The men in the shared video were captured stating they had dissolved the countrys institutions and taken over the reins of power. We have decided, after having taken the president, who is currently with us (...) to dissolve the current constitution, to dissolve the institutions; we have also decided to dissolve the government and the closure of land and air borders, one of the ununiformed men in the video said. WHAT THE ECOWAS LEADERSHIP DID The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led ECOWAS suspended Guineas membership, days after a military coup in the country that removed President Alpha Conde. The leadership of the bloc also demanded a return to the constitutional order and the immediate release of Conde, who was arrested by special forces led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos Chairmanship has no links with unrests: Security analysts, Irbard Ibrahim, and Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, both believe that for any conversations that surround the leadership of the current Chairperson of the ECOWAS bloc, it is an unfair argument to make to the effect that the Nana Addo Dankwa-led ECOWAS tenure is producing these unrests. However, while Irbard believes that this is more of a francophone trend, Dr. Antwi-Danso is of the view that it is coincidental and could easily happen in any of the countries that make up the region. I think it would be the height of unfairness to blame the turbulences within the sub-region on him. Just as weve seen, most of the turbulences weve seen within the francophone bloc: Mali, Guinea, and now Burkina Faso, its a systemic thing and leaders come and go; heads of ECOWAS, heads of governments come and go. What then do we say about 2014 when we saw the activities of ISIS within West Africa? What then would we say about Boko Haram? What then would we say about other challenges about the heads of ECOWAS and heads of governments at that time? Irbard told GhanaWeb. Dr. Valdimir Antwi-Danso agrees that unless there is a direct link, such arguments should not be advanced or even encouraged especially when these are issues of security being discussed. Absolutely not. It is lame and it is not logical to think that what is happening within the sub-region has anything to do with his chairmanship of ECOWAS. I dont see the direct link. In matters of conflict, in matters of security, you dont link such occurrences in individual countries to the community except if there is some kind of variable which we can actually pinpoint as having come from the center which is creating some hiccups within the community, he said. He also explains why the trend should not be linked only to francophone countries because any country at all within the sub-region could experience such unrests should certain things not be checked early. We need to discuss what is happening in the region with the very specificities of governance in most of the countries around. What is happening in Burkina Faso is akin to what happened in Mali in 2011/2012. If you see the soldiers demands in Burkina Faso, it is a similar thing that the Malian soldiers were demanding. We call something in terrorism, ungoverned spaces, and I have been talking about that very seriously: when you leave parts of your country to be taken over by miscreants who are the laws over there. If government does not move there: no social amenities, these are bound to happen. In Burkina Faso, this is there. In Mali, it was there and when the military are sent to, they are overwhelmed, they are killed like anything. In any country where these things are happening, these things are bound to happen so, you dont link it with Nana Akufo-Addos chairmanship Anything can happen in Nigeria, for example, because the things that are causing the things that are happening in what you label as in francophone countries, but I think it is a coincidence in the sense that similar things are happening elsewhere but the francophone specificity is that they border the Sahel and ISIs and Alkaeda movements into West Africa happens to be the areas where they are prevalent and present, he said. In the long term, the two analysts call for governments, and the ECOWAS bloc, to be more proactive in responding to the concerns of members states, while work is advanced on review the ECOWAS Charter that presently limits the punitive force of the leadership of the ECOWAS body. Source: ghannaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Mahama who was ousted from power after his shameful defeat in 2016 elections for taking Ghana to the International Monetary Fund, IMF that led to the collapsing of most businesses has turned the heat on President Akufo-Addo Bawumia government for collapsing the economy. According to Mr. Mahama, who suffered the second defeat in 2020 elections on poor policies announced by his party, claimed the Ghanaian economy has been collapsed by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, hence resorting to borrowing. He claimed the debt crisis, for which there are very few tangible projects to show, and the worsening economic hardship of Ghanaians amply demonstrate the negative impact of a collapsed economy. Mr. Mahama lamented that these burdensome taxes will erode business capital, especially at a time when Government has crowded out the private sectors access to credit by its ferocious appetite for borrowing. He made these known in a post on his Facebook page, after having a Retreat with the NDC Minority Members of Parliament for the closing session of their 2022 Caucus Retreat held on Monday at Ada, in the Greater Accra Region. He said the retreat was a good session as they prepare to resume sittings, and after a year in which they demonstrated their commitment to pushing the desires and interests of their constituents and Ghanaians generally in the House. He applauds the MPs for holding the government accountable and on behalf of the general membership of the National Democratic Congress. It is important for MPs, as stressed by other speakers and the leadership, to always remember that they are representing the people and are also in the House to represent the NDC. Mr. Mahama added that the NDC remains opposed to the imposition of the numerous fresh taxes on Ghanaians at a time when the Government is living large and unwilling or unable to trim expenditure, cut waste and check corruption. 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. Featured Video When we talk about artistes who have pushed contemporary Highlife, one name that should feature prominently is that of Ofori Amponsah. The former protege of Highlife legend Daddy Lumba, has since the early 2000s churned out hit songs including Otoolege, Emmanuella, Asew, Odwo, Alewa and has a discography that will be the envy of many a young artiste. And after 20 years of paying his dues to Ghanaian music, Ofori Amponsah has announced a concert to celebrate his achievements this year. Speaking with Graphic Showbiz about the concert, Ofori Amponsah said he deserved the celebration because he has contributed a lot to the Highlife genre. My impact in Ghanas music industry cannot be dismissed and that is why I intend to celebrate this milestone. For now, the date and venue for the event are not ready but I want my fans and highlife devotees to watch out for the 20th anniversary concert. A lot is going into this concert and I know I am going to have a great show on the day with a number of my colleagues to support me with performances, he stated. According to Ofori Amponsah, he has learnt a lot in his 20-year career which will be brought to bear at the show. At the initial stages of my career, people complained about my poor stage performances but now they can attest to the fact that it has really improved over the years. "My stage craft is top notch now since I took the criticisms in good faith and Ive been rehearsing very often, he said. As we talk now, I have more than 15 songs ready and Im still in the studio recording more to make up for not being too active in the last few years. "The fans have waited for too long but the wait is over and I am ready to serve Ghanaians with good music, he told Graphic Showbiz. Ofori Amponsah also called on Ghanaian musicians to be original and tell the Ghanaian story. We like to do too much foreign stuff which is not really helping our music industry. As we speak now, Nigerians have taken over from us musically because we left our authentic Highlife and are copying other genres, he noted. 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 Gospel artiste, Sammie Okposo, has tendered a public apology to his wife, Ozioma, for cheating on her. In a statement shared on his Instagram page, Okposo aid he met the said lady in the US in the last quarter of 2021 and got intimately involved with her. He said he is ashamed of his action and regrets it as it has caused a lot of pain to his wife and family. Okposo stated that he will be suspending all ministry works for now until he regains full restoration. He prayed for his wife to forgive him and promised to work all through his life to gather her trust back. His statement reads:- ''Dear Friends, I need to bring a very unfortunate incident to your attention as I am not proud of it but know that this is the right thing to do. On my recent trip to the USA (Late 2021), I got intimately involved with a lady, knowing that this was not appropriate as a married man and a minister of the gospel. I am ashamed and regret my actions as it has caused a lot of pain to my dear wife, Ozioma, my family and I. As I work in making peace with God, repenting and asking for His forgiveness, I am suspending myself from all ministry work until full restoration as this is what is proper and what I know I owe God and His people. To my wife, Ozioma. I am sincerely sorry I put you through this shameful and embarrassing situation. I broke your trust and disappointed you. Your forgiveness of my moral failure and poor judgement is important to me. I pray I will eventually be able to build back the trust and confidence every single day for the rest of my life. I want to take this moment and apologize to all Fathers and Mothers of the Faith and ministers of the Gospel for my behavior and moral failure. I wont be here if not for your investment and belief in what God has called me to do. I sincerely apologize for this embarrassing situation. To all that have been a part of my ministry, followed my ministry or know me personally, I am truly sorry for disappointing you. I regret any pain or disappointment that this news of my moral failure and poor judgement may cause you and I am truly sorry for disappointing you. I humbly ask that you continue to pray for me. 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 Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks while attending a conference on Taiwan affairs held in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yang, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has stressed the importance of maintaining the initiative and ability to steer relations across the Taiwan Strait. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a conference on Taiwan affairs held in Beijing on Tuesday. He underscored resolutely foiling "Taiwan independence" separatist plots and deterring interference by external forces, calling for steady efforts in promoting peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations. Wang affirmed the progress made in the work on Taiwan affairs in 2021 when the cross-Strait situation was complicated and was facing mounting risks and challenges. "The time and momentum for realizing China's complete reunification are always on our side," Wang said, calling for enhanced confidence. He pointed out the need to be firmly aware of worst-case scenarios and be prepared for various risks and challenges. The provocation from "Taiwan independence" elements and interference by external forces must be resolutely contained, and efforts should be made to shore up a strong front for opposing independence and promoting reunification, Wang said. He called for improving policies to share development opportunities with Taiwan enterprises and compatriots and ensure equal treatment for them, and urged greater efforts to facilitate the participation of Taiwan people at the grassroots and Taiwan youth in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. Support should be given to Fujian Province to explore new ways of integrated development across the Strait, and efforts be made to better explain the mainland's policies to people in Taiwan so that they would defend the greater national interests and differentiate right from wrong, Wang said. He instructed the departments in charge of Taiwan affairs to sharpen their capability of political judgment, thinking and implementation, and improve the training of relevant officials. These peaceful protesters were just two of the 40 who rallied outside Pathways Addiction Resource Centre, Sunday, March 28, 2021. Interior Health still refused to extend its contract with the local not-for-profit. Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.10 per week for 10 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. BAGHDAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court on Tuesday decided to cancel the suspension of the newly-elected parliament's speaker and two deputies after dismissing two lawsuits filed by two lawmakers. The court decision came after the rejection of the requests of two lawmakers Basim Khashan and Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who claimed legal and unconstitutional violations during the first session of parliament on Jan. 9. Under the decision, the court restored the legitimacy of Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and his two deputies Hakim al-Zamili and Shakhwan Abdullah Ahmed, who will resume their duties in the country's parliament. On Jan. 9, the Iraqi parliament held the first session of its fifth legislative term under the chairmanship of the eldest member of the parliament Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, but the session was interrupted amid heated debate and chaos. The Iraqi parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held on Oct. 10, 2021 in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services. Herve Barmasse, David Gottler call off Nanga Parbat winter climb 25.01.2022 by by Planetmountain Due to the bad weather conditions the Italian mountaineer Herve Barmasse and his German climbing partner David Gottler have called off their expedition which aimed to climb Nanga Parbat in winter. Winter this year has been ruthlessly unforgiving on Nanga Parbat, where Italian alpinist Herve Barmasse and his German climbing partner David Gottler had hoped to climb the immense Rupal face via the Schell route. In addition to enduring the intense cold, the climbers have been forced to deal with almost continuous snowfall. During the few spells of settled weather the duo, initially joined by US climber Mike Arnold, managed to ascend up to Camp 2 at 6200 meters, but then failed to make any further progress. The two climbed light, fast and without fixed ropes. High winds are forecast for next few weeks, wit the jet stream settling in at an altitude of 8000 meters bringing winds predicted to reach up to 200 km/h. Hence their decision to put an end to their expedition. The first winter ascent of Nanga Parbat dates back to 26 February 2016, when via the Kinshofer route on the Diamir Face Simone Moro, Ali Sadpara and Alex Txikon managed to summit the 8126 meter peak for the first time in the harshest season, while Tamara Lunger turned back just short of the top. Barmasse announced the decision to call off the expedition as follows: "I never regret any experience I do and certainly I will not regret this one. Believing (and still believe) that we can climb the biggest wall in the world (the Rupal of Nanga Parbat 8126 m) in winter and in a clean, light, alpine style. A style that respects the mountains and consequently mankind. Obviously, it is not easy but the limit, if there is one, is the good weather that never arrives ... And certainly are not the mental, physical and physiological abilities of humans and mountaineers who can aspire to do something better than filling up with fixed ropes our mountains that are getting full of plastic like our oceans. With David, in the few beautiful days available we climbed more than half of the face with a backpack of just over 10 kg, we felt good, more than I could have expected. Obviously, in winter it is cold, there is a lot of snow, but thanks to these characteristics, climbing is even more fascinating, beautiful and compelling. And for me, mountaineering is and will always remain this. Exploration and adventure. But now, with great bitterness, we have to say goodbye to our dream because long-term forecasts predicted the arrival of the jet stream with winds from 70 to almost 200 km/h. And as most of the times happens, after such strong winds the heavy snowfalls will resume making the wait of the last 15 days of February useless. For this reason we have decided not to postpone the end of the expedition but to keep the original program and return to Italy by the end of the month, to concentrate on the other objectives for this 2022. A special thanks to all of you who followed me, encouraged me and made me feel part of a large family, a community that loves mountains and respects them. I send you a hug from Pakistan and other posts will follow shortly with other emotions of what we have experienced in the past days." Share Tweet WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Reaches Sweet 16 January 24, 2022 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. What started with 1,982 entrants is down the final 16 following Monday's Day 3 session at the $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) Lucky Hearts Poker Open in Hollywood, Florida. Play inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino wrapped up at around 11 p.m. ET, and the remaining players will come back at noon Tuesday with their sights set on the $975,240 first place prize. Each of them is already guaranteed at least $49,825 after Ronnie Abro busted in 17th place ($40,615). WPT Player of the Year Still Standing Jake Ferro is the reigning World Poker Tour Player of the Year, but he's still seeking his first WPT title. That dream is still alive in the Lucky Hearts Poker Open. Ferro's picking up right where he left off following Season XIX in the first event of Season XX. He bagged 5,150,000 (52 big blinds) and is right in the thick of things heading into the final two days. Joshua Kay was the most dominant performer on Day 3 and finished with the largest stack at 11,825,000. He'll be seated at the same table on Tuesday as Alex Yen, who bagged the second biggest stack (11,050,000). There isn't a past WPT champion remaining, but plenty of talent advanced, including Ferro and three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Jeremy Ausmus, who shipped the $50k pot-limit Omaha event for over $1 million in November. Anton Wigg, Jake Daniels, and Daniel Lazrus also reached Day 4. Tuesday's session will conclude when the final table is achieved. At that point, the remaining six players will go home for the evening and come back at 2 p.m. on Wednesday to compete for life-changing money and a spot in the exclusive World Poker Tour Champions Club. Top 10 End-of-Day 3 Overall Chip Counts Place Player Count 1 Joshua Kay 11,825,000 2 Alex Yen 11,050,000 3 Nicholas Verderamo 9,650,000 4 Daniel Lazrus 9,600,000 5 Jeremy Ausmus 6,600,000 6 Jake Ferro 5,150,000 7 Matt Bond 4,325,000 8 Omar Lakhdari 4,300,000 9 Anton Wigg 3,650,000 10 Saber Salum Penayo 2,550,000 PokerNews will offer daily recaps from the WPT $3,500 Lucky Hearts Poker Open Main Event upon completion of play each day. *Images courtesy of WPT.com Sharelines Find out who made the final 16 of the @WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open. A containership limped into the Port of Charleston on Jan. 25 for several days of work and inspections after about 90 cargo boxes collapsed aboard the vessel while it was idling in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month. The Madrid Bridge, part of the Ocean Network Express shipping line, is docked at the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston. Crews from Charleston Stevedoring Co., the International Longshoremen's Association and other private companies plan to remove the damaged containers as well as about 900 others that were bound for South Carolina as part of the ship's normal route along the East Coast. Another 65 containers were lost overboard when the damage occurred. All of the damaged boxes contained imports for U.S. customers, so the cargo will be inspected by insurance adjusters before the salvaged goods are forwarded to their destinations, according to Dan Hall, president of Charleston Stevedoring. "Each container has to be sorted through, so it's a little more time-consuming than just taking everything out, putting it all back in and sending it on its way," Hall said. ONE Network has said that none of the damaged containers have any hazardous cargo. Hall said the position of the containers indicates they include lightweight cargo, such as apparel. Most of the damage appears to have been done to the metal boxes themselves instead of the goods they're carrying, he said. Removing them isn't as easy as simply taking them off the ship. Crews must first remove some of the intact containers that are positioned around the damaged ones to prevent further damage. Area rigging companies will then help to secure the damaged containers so they can be removed by ship-to-shore cranes. All of that is expected to take two or three days, with about 150 workers roughly 50 percent more than normal. Crews will also inspect the Madrid Bridge for damage that would need to be repaired while it is docked at the North Charleston port. And since the ship changed its route it was supposed to visit New York first containers bound for other U.S. ports will have to be repositioned. The vessel is scheduled to travel to Savannah next before heading north to Norfolk, Va., and then New York. The damage occurred Jan. 7 as the Madrid Bridge, which originated in China, was sailing from Europe. According to ONE Network, the vessel was hit with a large swell and 22-knot winds, causing the ship to roll while it was idling south of the Azores, a chain of islands west of Portugal. The ship's operator decided to do the repair work at the Leatherman Terminal because of Charleston's deep harbor and the need for a 49-foot draft. The Madrid Bridge is among the largest ships calling on East Coast ports, capable of carrying up to 13,900 20-foot containers. The latest incident follows a November 2020 accident in which a container stack collapsed aboard another of ONE Network's ships, the ONE Apus, resulting in numerous damage claims. The insurance group Allianz reported last year that the increase in containers lost at sea in 2020 and 2021 was due to larger vessels, more extreme weather, surging freight rates and misdeclared cargo weights, according to a report by the Splash 24/7 website. "There are growing questions about how containers are secured onboard ships," Allianz stated, according to the report. Listing mocktails on restaurant menus is a relatively new trend, but its one thats providing more beverage options for diners. And the appetite for booze-free drinks only seems to be growing nationwide. In New York City, alcohol-free bottle shops are making Dry January easier than ever before. Charleston will soon have that luxury when the citys first dry bottle shop debuts in 2022. Dry January participant or not, you might be looking to learn more about the non-alcoholic options in Charleston. This month, The Post and Courier Food & Dining section investigated, sampling the options and talking to the people behind the drinks along the way. Dry can be delicious Talk of Dry January has come up shortly after New Years Day more and more in the last five years. Anecdotally, participation was high in 2022 in Charleston and other parts of South Carolina. During a weekend trip to Beaufort, I tried to order a mocktail at Saltus, only to find that both of the mocktails on the menu were sold out due to high demand. While abstaining from alcohol during the month of January, Ive tested out an array of beverages during meals at local South Carolina restaurants. Sometimes I ordered a mocktail, other times I chose to get creative. Take, for instance, an afternoon at Babas on Meeting, when off-menu hot chocolate with house-made peanut milk replaced the red wine I craved to go with my cheese plate. At Chubby Fish, I sampled Ghia, a canned, ginger-based non-alcoholic aperitif that got better with each sip. Later in the month, when the Saltus server informed me they were out of the non-alcoholic apple-cran spritzer and Bay Street bellini, I opted for a pomegranate margarita, minus the tequila. It was delicious. Stoplight steals the show For a more traditional mocktail, I ventured to Chasing Sage to sample The Stoplight. The bright red drink so closely resembles a negroni that I almost think Ive broken my Dry January vow after taking a sip. According to Chasing Sage bartender Lorraine Russell, that familiar campari flavor found in traditional negronis comes from an Italian soda called Stappi Red Bitter. We feel like people want more than juice when it comes to mocktails. People really just want something that mimics the flavors that alcoholic beverages bring out, Russell said. With that particular beverage, the Stappi really does all of the heavy lifting. We like to add a little cranberry orange ice cube to soften the bitterness of the Stappi. [Subscribe to Charleston's Menu today to learn more about Charleston's dynamic food scene. With restaurant features, reviews, chef spotlights and more, it's the essential newsletter for food lovers.] Behind the bar, Chasing Sage employees are constantly coming up with new mocktails and house-made non-alcoholic drinks like its refreshing prickly pear and ginger lime sodas. Russell says they try to use ingredients they have in-house to be as sustainable as possible. Its almost like going to an episode of Chopped and they give you your basket, she said. So thats really fun. A different kind of G&T There are still a couple days left in January, so my next stop for mocktails will be downtown Indian restaurant Coterie. According to owner Jeremy Buck, there are several non-alcoholic options, including the booze-free gin and tonic, made with local Sweatmans All Natural curry leaf tonic and zero proof gin. There is also a carrot, orange and apple shrub called the Harvest Soda, nitro chai masala and, of course, a mango lassi. Parker Milner Presentation is key A Dry January downtown bar crawl has only so many options of bars and restaurants with actual listed mocktails on the menu, but one place that does it well is a favorite hotel rooftop pool hangout. Little Palm has two mocktail options that both are splendid sippers. There's the C'est La Vie with mint leaf tea, pineapple shrub, Verjus Blanc and green cardamom that is simply divine. My personal favorite, however, is the Spring Board with seedlip grove, orgeat, orange cordial, lime and seltzer. The flavor is out of this world, and both look and taste quite similar to any cocktail on the menu. "The presentation of a mocktail can add huge value to the guest's experience and make them feel included," said Little Palm general manager Sam Penton. "I mean, who doesn't want the most Instagrammable drink at the table? Zero Proof At fellow hotel bar Frannie and the Fox, there's not only a mocktail section but also a "lightly spirited" option for those who want something in between boozy and sober. Beverage operations supervisor Amanda Phelps said the Rosemary's Bambina is the most popular pick of the two no-alcohol options. It features grapefruit, citrus, rosemary and Topo Chico. "It's bright, fun and refreshing," she said. "It also pairs well with any white spirit, so anyone can enjoy it." Phelps said she sources mocktail products from Zero Proof. "GinISH" in the White No'Groni is a fun botanical that resembles a non-alcoholic gin, and it's paired with a simple syrup and orange bitters. It was actually my favorite of the two. Sour can be sweet Felix's mocktails are not for the sour averse. If you want all the flavors of a sour mix minus the splash of alcohol, then the picks for you include the Cote D'Azur with pineapple, orgeat, lemon and orange juice and a tonic or the La Cage Aux Folles with green tea, honey, lime juice, mint and cucumber with soda water. The first and most popular pick, however, is the La Vie En Rose, made of rosewater and strawberries, orange and lemon juice and soda water. They're all citrus-heavy, so you'll definitely get your Vitamin C with these mocktails. Kalyn Oyer CONWAY Calling himself a Chamber of Commerce Republican, U.S. Rep. Tom Rice met with the Conway Chamber of Commerce at the Waccamaw Shrine Club on Jan. 25 to discuss issues facing the 7th Congressional District, which spans eight counties in northeastern South Carolina. One of the topics discussed during the hourlong meeting was the proposed expansion of Interstate 73 into South Carolina, which eventually would connect Interstate 95 to Myrtle Beach. In October, Gov. Henry McMaster announced he would ask the South Carolina General Assembly for $300 million as a part of the $1.6 billion plan to start development of the project. Myrtle Beach City Council has said it wants to commit $4.2 million a year for up to 30 years, with North Myrtle Beach also pledging $1.7 million a year. Horry County Council previously shot down a proposed resolution to put up to $4.2 million annually for 30 years, or $126 million, total toward construction of the proposed interstate. Additionally, Dillon City Council has passed a resolution opposing SCDOT's preferred route. Rice, who was chair of Horry County Council before being elected to his seat in 2012, said the project was basically dead in the water when he first got to Washington a year later. He said there wasnt a permit in place for the highway, so he called the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Christy Hall from the S.C. Department of Transportation to come up with a checklist so progress could be made. It took four years, but we got a permit, Rice said. McMaster has said the $300 million is the combination of South Carolina's share of American Rescue Plan Act dollars and nonrecurring dollars from the state's projected $1 billion budget surplus for fiscal 2022. Rice said that during a meeting with the governor, he suggested that the surplus be used in infrastructure projects where future generations will get a return on it. Many of those opposing I-73 have questioned why local roads are not being addressed first. Rice spoke to a handful of protestors before he walked into the building. Noting the Carolina Forest Boulevard widening project and the S.C. Highway 31 extension, Rice said current Road Improvement and Development Effort funding, or RIDE as it is commonly known, is creating more local roads, far more than almost any other county in the state. According to Rice, the Department of Labor does a wage study in which Horry County ranks low, and bringing in the interstate will attract businesses other than tourism or agriculture. He said it makes him angry to see those born in Horry County graduating from area colleges and then moving to Columbia or Charleston, where they can earn more money. That makes me mad, and it should make you mad, Rice said. I want people to have options and thats why I fight for I-73 so hard. Greenville County Council voted Jan. 25 to join a $26 billion nationwide settlement that pays the county millions from a longstanding lawsuit against opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and three major distributors that each factored into the rise of the opioid epidemic. The decision by County Council comes just ahead of the Jan. 26 deadline for litigants to either accept the terms of an agreement or continue to press ahead with opioid lawsuits against the prescription drug industry leaders individually. The deal would give the county a share of the amount negotiated by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and attorneys general from 44 fully participating states in the settlement deal. South Carolina is set to receive 1.58 percent of the total settlement, expected to equal more than $400 million shared among more than 85 counties and cities statewide. The funds would be paid out over the course of 18 years and would be dedicated toward drug abatement, according to the terms of the settlement. The exact amount Greenville County receives is still to be decided, according to county attorneys. The final amount depends on how many other counties and cities across the state choose to participate and approve the deal by the deadline. John B. White, an attorney representing the county in the case, said Greenville County could expect to receive 85 percent of the total funds as direct payments for the first nine years, starting in 2022. Another 15 percent would go toward a statewide abatement fund. For the next nine years, the payments would be split evenly between direct payments and the abatement fund. A day after the council's finance committee used a special called meeting to recommend approval of the settlement, the full council also unanimously approves the agreement at a special called meeting on Jan. 25. The finance committee unanimously approved the agreement after discussing the details with its attorneys in an open session. At first, both the county attorneys and outside counsel recommended the committee enter executive session to discuss the financial arrangements. Council Chairman Willis Meadows said he didnt see a need to enter executive session on a take it or leave it agreement and the motion failed. Greenville County was among the first local governments to file lawsuit against a bevy of manufacturers, distributors and retailers that it identified as likely sources that led to the overuse of opioid painkillers. Over-prescription and overuse of prescription opioids, as well as illegal opioids like heroin and fentanyl, has led to thousands of deaths across the state and in Greenville County since the epidemic began in the mid-1990s. In 2019, the last year statistics are available, 876 people across the state died from opioid overdose, with 102 of those in Greenville County. Greenville Countys lawsuits against other opioid manufacturers as well as major distributors and retailers will continue separate from the settlement with manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and distributors McKesson, Amerisource-Bergen and Cardinal Health. White said a status hearing is set before 13th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Perry Gravely in February in that separate case. South Carolina, and Greenville County in turn, stand to benefit if 95 percent of political jurisdictions who have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors sign on to the agreement and forgo further rights to sue. It was unclear Jan. 24 how many would make the deadline. Meadows said Greenville County was handed the draft agreement Jan. 20. Meadows said he called a number of local jurisdictions also named as plaintiffs in the case and none of them were even aware of the impending deadline. Those include the cities of Travelers Rest, Simpsonville and Fountain Inn, he said. The state, and smaller jurisdictions, could lose out on some of the settlement money if not enough agree to the deal by the deadline, he said. White said he couldnt speak for other entities but said for Greenville County to begin receiving its share this year, it must sign the deal by the deadline. If councils going to sign on, wed better do it on or before the deadline, otherwise, we cant assure you where were going to be, White said. Fountain Inn City Administrator Shawn Bell told The Post & Courier city action wasn't required by the deadline because unlike the county, Fountain Inn never individually filed lawsuit against the manufacturers but chose to join South Carolina's lawsuit filed by the attorney general's office instead. The settlement deal would be worth about $450,000 over 18 years for Fountain Inn, Bell said. Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presides over a meeting of a leading group for the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Jan. 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on Tuesday called for new progress in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region by emphasizing major areas and key sections. Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of a leading group for the coordinated development of the region. Landmark progress was made last year in relieving Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the capital, with seven headquarters of centrally administered state-owned enterprises moved out of the city, and related work on universities and hospitals steadily carried out, according to Han. Efforts should be made to accelerate the implementation of flagship projects to relieve Beijing of such nonessential functions, build the Xiong'an New Area with a focus on high quality, and advance a series of major transport infrastructure projects, he said. The co-construction and sharing of basic public services should also be improved in the region, Han said, underlining the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures for the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Gov. Henry McMaster loves to talk about how God has blessed South Carolina with abundant natural resources, from the mountains to the sea. His 2022 State of the State address echoed this theme, as the governor zeroed in on the economic and environmental importance and increasing fragility of our coast. The coastline, he reminded legislators and a statewide audience, contains several ecosystems including marshlands, estuaries, barrier islands, tidal creeks, and beaches. The states 35 barrier islands and the surrounding marshes are natural mechanisms for absorbing energy, flooding, and storm surge. To protect that coastland, he called on lawmakers to provide his new Office of Resilience with $300 million in federal funds, some of which would be used to identify pristine coastline properties and tracts where public access may be in jeopardy of being lost, or destroyed by flooding, erosion, or storm damage. I can think of no more meritorious use of taxpayer funds than to protect our pristine natural resources for future generations of South Carolinians, he said. Assuming the office makes smart decisions about what properties to purchase, thats a worthwhile way to spend one-time money, of which we have an abundance right now thanks to the federal governments massive COVID-19 relief funding, an unexpectedly strong economic recovery and a sizable surplus borne of the Legislature's prudent budgeting. But before we go much further down this road, the governor needs to make sure our state is taking the reasonable steps it can to protect our natural resources without spending any money. That starts with shoring up support for his vision with his appointees particularly his appointees to the board of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. They seem not to be so concerned about future generations or at least not future generations of the general public. Six days before Mr. McMaster delivered his address, that board voted to allow seven homeowners to ignore a DHEC order to remove illegal sandbags from the beach in front of their property on DeBordieu Beach and allow Coastal Carolina University professor Paul Gayes to conduct an experiment to see what happens when sandbags are buried under more sand. We might not know how well those sandbags hold up over time to protect the property behind them, but we know what they do to the beach in front of them, which belongs to the public and which the DHEC board is supposed to protect: The bags are transformed from temporary emergency protective devices into a sea wall, the construction of which was banned by South Carolinas 1988 Beachfront Management Act because sea walls speed erosion of the beach in front of them and any property beside them that isnt similarly hardened. Columbias State newspaper reports that all of the property owners are from North Carolina and all bought their property in the past decade, which means they knew their property was at risk. They also knew or should have known the 1988 law doesnt allow them to replace the failing 1980 sea wall that the law grandfathered in. Well, the law doesnt allow them to replace it unless they can convince the people who are charged with protecting our publicly owned beaches to pretend that ignoring the law constitutes a worthwhile scientific experiment. And on Jan. 13 with one board member absent, one having stepped away before the vote and another not voting the DHEC board voted 3-2 to prohibit its staff from enforcing state law and instead allow this so-called experiment to go forward. We realize that DHEC board members dont answer to Mr. McMaster. As is the case with the Election Commission, the Santee Cooper board, the SLED chief and a handful of other positions the Legislature decided it needed to protect from gubernatorial interference, the governor cant remove his DHEC board members unless they refuse to attend meetings or engage in other behaviors that could subject them to criminal prosecution. Were not convinced that makes sense in all cases including this one but thats the law. We also know that most people appointed by the governor listen when he tells them how he thinks they ought to do their jobs. And we know that two of the three board members who voted to let the North Carolina property owners ignore state law Dr. Robert Morgan Jr. and Rick Lee are serving in holdover positions after their terms expired, which means the governor could replace them immediately for any reason. The term of acting chairwoman Seema Shrivastava-Patel, who didnt cast a vote, also has expired. Were not suggesting that Mr. McMaster should replace board members because of this one vote, but we urge him to make it clear to his appointees, and to the public, how he feels about making end runs around state law and the sound three-decade old state policy that three of them, along with board member J.B. Kinney Jr., just enabled. And we urge the board to reverse its decision officially if thats an option or, if thats not legally possible at this point, by not defending itself against the lawsuit that likely will be filed challenging it. The board was under absolutely no legal obligation to allow this lawlessness, and there is no way to square it with Mr. McMasters sound idea that we need to protect our pristine natural resources for future generations of South Carolinians. In his recent State of the State address, Gov. Henry McMaster said something that caught my attention. Through an executive order, the governor has asked the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate how mental health counseling services are delivered to South Carolina schools and explore private sector alternatives. Forgive me for being skeptical but as a South Carolina public school educator, I cant help but feel this is an inadequate response from our government. I agree that the state of mental health for South Carolina youth should be of the highest priority, but is privatizing these services really the best course of action? Wouldnt a shift toward the private sector make services more costly for the individual and make it virtually impossible for low-income individuals to access the resources they desperately need? It seems to me the state would be better served building upon the infrastructure already present within the Department of Mental Health rather than creating a competition between it and private businesses. Yet again, this suggestion from the governor seems to fit a pattern that South Carolinians are far too familiar with. McMaster would rather seek out private-sector solutions than provide mental health professionals, already serving within education, the tools needed to meet the reality of this moment. This is a shameful attempt at showing concern for a real problem and would only create a larger gap between the haves and the have nots in our state. SAYLOR FOX Greenville Citys predatory fines? On Jan. 6, I was attending an 11 a.m. funeral at Bethel United Methodist Church in downtown Charleston. When I arrived, there was not one car parked on the street. A city sign indicated a no-parking zone on the first Thursday of every month for street sweeping. I pulled up at 10:30 and saw the street sweeper finish its work on the block. I thought that I could park. Fortunately, a resident told me that the city ticketed and towed until 11, even if the street sweeper was done. The parking enforcement officer was strolling along the street and waiting. I had to laugh when I read the Jan. 12 editorial referring to the predatory towing of private lot owners. Is the city of Charleston not practicing the same policy? GENE POULNOT CARPENTER Mount Pleasant Follow driving rules Charleston has some of the worst drivers in the United States. After news media reports on bad weather, many drivers continue to drive the same as they do on a clear day. They will speed, run red lights, follow too close and disregard yield signs. Phones should be designed to not operate in a vehicle except for emergencies, or else be totally hands-free. It seems people do not know school bus laws. This can lead to tying up traffic and causing a more dangerous situation for students. Many drivers have forgotten where to stop for a stop sign or red light. (It is prior to the crosswalk, the painted stop line. If it is not marked, its the imaginary line from corner to corner.) Most drivers disregard pedestrians in a crosswalk. Once in a crosswalk, pedestrians have the right of way, Two weeks ago, a driver turned in front of me. I could have killed the elderly passenger in the front seat had it not been for driving skills I learned over the years. If drivers would follow a few simple rules, they would spend less money on attorneys, body shops, insurance companies and emergency rooms. VANCE OTT North Charleston COLUMBIA South Carolina has spent nearly $200,000 in taxpayer funds on outside counsel to defend the Statehouse's recently passed legislation banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Receipts obtained by The Post and Courier via a public records request show the offices of Gov. Henry McMaster and House Speaker Jay Lucas have spent more than $182,000 on outside counsel over the past year to fight a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood of the South Atlantic seeking to overturn the ban. McMaster's office is represented by conservative Charleston lawyer Christopher Mills to defend the state in that suit, while Lucas has retained Columbia-based attorney Kevin Hall, who regularly represents members of the S.C. General Assembly in court. Partners are being billed at $325 an hour, with associates and paralegals earning $200 and $175 per hour each, respectively, the records show. Mills, who represents McMaster in several cases, has to-date collected more than $60,000 in legal fees for his work on the case. Hall has collected more than $122,000 for work he performed between February 2021 and November 2021, according to the invoices. The case, Planned Parenthood of the South Atlantic v. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, is scheduled for a hearing Jan. 27 by a U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals panel. The hearing comes months after a district court judge in South Carolina put a hold on the state's law, which bans abortions after a heartbeat can be detected in a fetus, usually at six weeks of gestation. South Carolina is appealing that decision, saying the law did not aim to ban all abortions and therefore should be allowed to be enforced. The Jan. 27 hearing will decide whether that ban can go back into effect. The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed a similar ban in Texas to remain in place amid a legal challenge, signaling to some that the nations bedrock abortion protections are likely to be overturned. Opponents of the ban say if the law is upheld by the court it would effectively end all abortion care in South Carolina. Abortion supporters say many women do not realize they are pregnant at six weeks, and that the state's ban on abortions relies on faulty science regarding its definition of viability for a fetus. A Sept. 18 brief on the case filed by 14 separate medical organizations argued the laws definition of a heartbeat in a fetus "lacks any medical or scientific foundation. McMaster who was endorsed for reelection by the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List last summer has made fighting the lawsuit and enacting stricter measures around abortion a signature piece of his legislative agenda since taking office in 2017. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! He highlighted the states efforts to combat the lawsuit in his State of the State address Jan. 19, and targeted the Biden administration over its challenge to the McMaster administrations policy of preventing taxpayer dollars from going to abortion providers. We will not let the federal government violate the Constitution and dictate decisions that rightly belong to South Carolina and her people, McMaster said in his speech. The bills reviewed by The Post and Courier come as McMaster and Lucas, R-Hartsville, were named as defendants in the Planned Parenthood lawsuit. Wilson, the state's attorney general, is defending the state using in-house counsel to do the work, his office said. The Jan. 27 hearing comes amid a larger offensive against abortion access in statehouses around the country as a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court reconsiders the decades-old legal precedents outlined in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Some states, including South Carolina, are already rushing to enact anti-abortion legislation to take effect if or when those protections are overturned. South Carolina lawmakers are also moving to ban abortion through other paths. On Jan. 26, a state Senate subcommittee will take up two bills restricting abortions, including legislation to charge anyone found performing an abortion with murder. Called the Equal Protection for Unborn Babies Act, the bill would effectively outlaw abortion in South Carolina under any circumstances by treating any age fetus the same as a living person. The bill would take effect if the U.S. Supreme Court has overruled "in whole or in part" Roe v. Wade, according to the bill's text. Democrats and women's health organizations like Planned Parenthood have already criticized the process ahead of the Jan. 26 hearing. The committee announced in a Jan. 24 email it would limit the duration of the hearing to two hours, and that the committee would host the meeting in a room with a capacity of 40 and no livestream capability, despite 98 people signing up to comment. "In 2022, amidst a raging global pandemic, there is absolutely no excuse for not livestreaming a public hearing," S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson Jr. said in a statement. Republican lawmakers in the Statehouse have proposed more than a dozen bills to restrict abortion during the current session, including numerous bills criminalizing abortions and legislation that would eliminate exemptions for rape, incest or fetal anomalies. Some of those bills could have unintended circumstances, critics say, including outlawing certain types of birth control. "The past four or five years have been the most difficult," said Vicki Ringer, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood's South Carolina chapter. "But this legislative session, we have seen more bills filed than at any time that I can certainly remember." The erosion of abortion protections, advocates say, could be significant. According to pro-choice research organization The Guttmacher Institute, the average South Carolinian would need to drive an additional 130 miles to receive an abortion than under current law if Roe were repealed and South Carolina were to modify its laws. "The closest location would be North Carolina to us," Ringer said. "And that holds true only as long as (Democrat) Roy Cooper is in office, because they have a Republican legislature. It's just by a narrow margin now that North Carolina voters are safe." PROTEST: Jean Ballard, left, and Heather West join about two dozen parents gathered outside Woodgrove High School in an anti-mask protest Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Purcellville, Va. Gov. Glenn Youngkin's mask-optional order goes into effect Monday but the district's superintendent has said masks will still be required. Katherine Frey/The Washington Post Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri speaks during a live televised address in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 24, 2022. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on members of his Future Movement party to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on members of his Future Movement party to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. "We will continue to serve our people, but our decision is to suspend any role in power, politics and parliament," said Hariri in a live televised address. Hariri, a leading Lebanese Sunni politician, said he succeeded in preventing a new civil war in Lebanon but was not able to provide the Lebanese with a better life he had promised. There will be little positive prospect for Lebanon in the light of Iranian influence, sectarianism, and the collapse of the state, he added. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri speaks during a live televised address in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 24, 2022. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on members of his Future Movement party to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri is seen during a live televised address in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 24, 2022. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on members of his Future Movement party to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) It has finally happened, though it was bound to come to this eventually: University puts TRIGGER WARNING on Orwells 1984 George Orwells iconic novel 1984, written in 1949 about the horrors of censorship and the threat of authoritarianism, is being censored by a university. The University of Northampton in Orwells own England has issued a trigger warning on the book, with staff claiming that the book contains explicit material and that some student may find the work to be offensive and unsettling. Aaaannndd guess whats racist now: potholders. Im not making this up. Its in USA Today, so it must be true. How potholders got me thinking about racism, my father and the whitewashing of US history Last month, the day after Christmas, I taught two of our young granddaughters how to weave potholders. . . You know how the mind works. One thing reminds us of this, and then this, and then this. . . I thought about how too many white parents and elected officials these days dont want their white children to learn about our countrys history of racism. Is there not a single editor in the newsroom at USA Today to ask, You know, if we publish this piece, people will laugh at how stupid we are? Apparently not. Meanwhile, you may recall mention recently of M&M candies going woke. Well, apparently M&Ms arent nearly progressive enough. So says the Washington Post, so it must be true. (Actually the article turns out to be an attack on Mars candy for being so silly, but still, we waste pixels on this?) The M&Ms changes arent progressive . . . The great sin here isnt the intent to make people feel included or seen; its the hypocrisy, and the ham-handedness, too. If Im buying a pack of candy containing God-knows-what from a multinational conglomerate, Ive likely made my peace with their whole deal and would rather them keep their pseudo-progressive piffle to themselves while they loot the planet. Theyve got a business plan to stick to, and my candy canonically struggling with anxiety wont change that. Just let my chocolates be chocolates. More evidence of oppressive Baby Boomer tyranny over our culture (its in The Atlantic, so you know it must be super-true): When I read this frontpage headline in the paper edition of yesterdays Washington Post Cities look to halt deadly surge my first thought was that there is no significant surge in deaths from the coronavirus in our cities. But the Post wasnt writing about the pandemic. It was writing about murders. Yes, the Washington Post has finally acknowledged the epidemic of violent crime in America. No more emphasis on how the homicide rate is lower now than in the 1990s. It is, but that doesnt make anyone feel safe nor should it. The Posts article fails to live up to the promise of its title. Reporter Griff Witte seems uncertain as to why homicides are surging. Is it the coronavirus scars? Is it a breakdown in trust between police [forces] and the communities they serve? Is it the flood of illegal guns? These are Wittes prime suspects. Eventually, he mentions police departments stretched thin by attrition. But Witte never gets around to explaining the attrition itself. Might it stem from lack of public support for, and constant demonizing of, police officers by liberals, including those at the Washington Post? Of course. See Baltimores experience. Witte quotes the Fresno, California police chief who says stimulating interest in joining the department has been challenging. I wonder why. Much of Wittes article is devoted to suggesting that things might be turning around on the homicide front. He cites a few cities that experienced significant reductions in the number of homicides last year. Complete nationwide figures for 2021 have not yet been released. But even if they were to show a decrease from 2020 when homicides increased by nearly 5,000 from 2019 and reached a two-decade high there wouldnt be much solace in that. Witte is interested in what might have caused the decrease in homicides in the few cities he mentions. Fair enough. He cites three factors: (1) measures to improve relations between the police and the community, (2) measures to address the root causes of crime, and (3) proactive policing, including a focus on patrolling the areas where most homicides occur. As to the first factor, if relations between the police and the non-criminal community were as bad as the left has made them out to be, then its impossible to believe that, in one year, they were repaired to the point needed to affect the crime rate. As to the second, the root causes of crime cant be ameliorated appreciably in a year As to the third factor, BINGO. But does the ACLU know about this targeted policing? Does the Biden Justice Department? It wasnt long ago like maybe last week that the left was complaining that the over-policing of black neighborhoods was oppressing African-Americans and skewing the black crime rate. It wasnt all that long ago like during the Obama years that the DOJ was expressing the same concern. Are we finally over that? Maybe. But the chief of police in Columbus, Ohio says that in using data analysis, technological surveillance, and old-fashioned intelligence gathering to identify areas in need of extra policing, she is careful, in the Posts words, not to overly rely on arrests and other shows of force. Its never a good idea to overly rely on anything, but there is no good substitute for arresting criminals or else showing enough force to deter them from committing crimes. Cities probably wont be able to halt the deadly surge in homicides if they pretend otherwise. In the Twin Cities, as throughout much of the country, rising crime is a top news story. While homicides draw the most headlines, the crime that has most instilled fear in law-abiding citizens, in my area at least, is carjacking. I lived in the Twin Cities metro area for more than 40 years before, to my recollection, I ever heard the word carjacking in a local context. Now, carjackings are rampant, not only in the central cities but across the suburbs. Some carjackings are motivated by profit, while others apparently are carried out just for fun. Weapons are often used, and there have been some injuries, although I am not aware of anyone who had been murdered in the course of a carjacking. Most of these crimes reportedly are carried out by black juveniles or young adults. Last week a two-person crime wave came to an end when two suspects, St. Paul residents, were arrested. The details shed light on the current public safety crisis: Two teenagers are facing a combined 31 charges in connection to a string of carjackings, robberies, and thefts across 15 cities. St. Paul residents Kashawn Wertman, 18, and Nautica Argue, 19, are accused of perpetrating nearly 25 carjacking-related offenses in St. Louis Park, Plymouth, Richfield, Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, Edina, White Bear Lake, Roseville, Columbia Heights, Lakeville, Eagan, Little Canada, Burnsville, Woodbury, and St. Paul. Some of these were high-profile crimes that garnered significant media attention, such as a Jan. 9 carjacking outside of Wayzata East Middle School and an attempted carjacking at an Edina daycare on Jan. 12. Their crime spree began on Jan. 7 when they allegedly stole a running vehicle out of a St. Louis Park womans driveway in the middle of the day. About an hour later, they carjacked a delivery driver at gunpoint in White Bear Lake, according to the allegations made against them in criminal complaints. They stole a total of 10 vehicles and attempted to steal many more over the next several days. Carjacking is intrinsically a crime of violence, which is why it has aroused so much fear and anger. They didnt hesitate to use violence against their victims, often threatening to shoot those who resisted or punching them in the face. They snatched purses and phones along the way and often targeted multiple victims in the same attack. These young career criminals seem to have absorbed the zeitgeist when it comes to law enforcement: Upon his arrest, Wertman told police that they should be out arresting murderers, not people who steal cars. Hey, its only a property crime! Why are you getting upset? That attitude is consistent with with Black Lives Matter ideology, the defund the police movement, liberal theories of crime and punishment, and the general tolerance of lawlessness that we have seen in many American cities. It is not, however, consistent with the views of any substantial number of voters, as liberal politicians are likely to learn in November. A former Nigerian lawmaker, Ned Nwoko, has petitioned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Commissioner of Police, seeking the arrest and prosecution of Hauwa Saidu Mohammed, also known as Jaruma. Mr Nwoko wants Jaruma, a famous sex therapist who sells an aphrodisiac called kayanmata, prosecuted for allegedly defaming and libeling him and his family through peddling false allegations, claims, and hate speech. Trouble began after Jaruma hit back at an ex-lawmaker for referring to her in an official statement in December announcing the end of his marriage to his Moroccan wife, Laila Charani. In the viral statement, he denied rumours that their separation resulted from the use of a local aphrodisiac called Kayamata sold by Jaruma. The international lawyer, and husband of famous Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, said his marriage to his Moroccan wife, which produced three children, ended due to irreconcilable differences rooted in indecent conduct on the latters part which started while she was on holiday in London. According to Jaruma, the billionaires ex-wife never said any nasty thing about her husband. Rearrest Among others, Nwoko, through the petition, is requesting the Police to investigate Jarumas alleged selling of unlicensed and unauthorised love portion to unsuspecting members of the public and her claim that her portion is responsible for the collapse of his marriage to Ms Charani. He also debunked all the allegations being made by Jaruma through the media against him, his wife, Regina, and his family as criminal acts designed to soil their good reputations in the eye of the unsuspecting public. A copy of the petition, signed by his lawyer, Bryan Ukaegbu, dated January 20, was made available on Monday to Premium Times. Following the petition, Jaruma was arrested, questioned, and released by the police. After her release, she posted a video on her Instagram page claiming that the police was used to bully her. Mr Ukaegbu confirmed Jarumas rearrest, adding that the police might charge her to court. Petition Mr Nwokos petition against the love potion seller stated that Jaruma started championing a crusade based on heinous slander, libel, and prevarication, targeted at peddling lies against him. Among other demands, the former lawmaker wants the police to investigate Jarumas suspected criminal conduct, her sale of unlicensed and unauthorised love portions. He also wants the police to medically examine through blood and urine samples to establish the said illegal drugs in her system other demands. Mr Nwokos lawyer, in a telephone interview with our reporter, said his client would follow up the petition diligently to ensure that he gets justice. Jaruma, who hails from Gombe State, is touted as Nigerias most successful sex therapist. Jaruma started her business in 2010 but became famous in 2016 after a video of her educating Nigerians about the therapeutic advantages of the Azanza Garckeana plant (Silky Kola) went viral. Aniekeme Uwah, a medical doctor and the Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has called on corporate organisations and individuals to support the governments efforts to eliminate the diseases in some parts of the state. Mr Uwah made the call on Monday in Uyo, while speaking with reporters on the World NTDs Day, which is celebrated every January 30. Mr Uwah said the diseases were prevalent in many rural communities in the state. He appealed to politicians, philanthropists and well-meaning Akwa Ibom people to collaborate with the state government to stamp out the diseases. He listed the diseases to include Onchocerciasis (River blindness) with blackfly as vector and prevalent in four local government areas and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis, commonly known as intestinal worms, prevalent in all the 31 local government areas. He also identified Schistosomiasis, commonly called snail fever with water snails as vector, as prevalent in Udung Uko Local Government Area. Mr Uwah further said that Lymphatic filariasis, commonly called elephantiasis, with mosquito as vector, is common in 11 local government areas. These four diseases are commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. They are closely associated with poverty, poor housing, poor access to potable water, poor access to healthcare. They are not really reported, probably because they dont kill as fast as other diseases, like HIV, COVID-19 and the rest. And, apart from that, probably because they affect the worlds poorest, they dont get the kind of attention they should. But, unfortunately, these disease conditions are affecting our people and are endemic in the state. We have high morbidity even though the mortality is relatively low but they make our people not to live optimally and fulfill their destinies. Most times we drive on the streets and see people with swollen legs or you go to the communities and see people with swollen scrotum. We also have some, which lead to people having rashes on their skin, which you treat and treat and they just dont heal and it also leads to blindness. Mr Uwah regretted that in spite of the ravaging effect of the diseases on the people, there were no known intervention measures for free treatment for the sufferers. He, therefore, called on the media to assist in sensitising those living with the diseases to come out and access medical treatment as part of measures to eliminate the ailment. (NAN) Some suspected hoodlums on Monday attacked and killed Ayinde Odetola, the traditional ruler of Agodo village in Ewekoro local government area of Ogun State. The killing was the second attack on the Odetola family in less than three months, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. It was gathered that Mr Odetola and one other aide were killed within a month. While the monarch was burnt beyond recognition, his brother, who was also attacked months ago, was allegedly hacked to death by the assailants. The attack on the monarch allegedly happened around 11:00 a.m. on Monday. A resident of the community, who does not want to be named for security reasons, said the only possible case of the attack is the crisis bedeviling the throne of the deceased monarch. It was gathered that the tussle of who becomes the next Olu of Agodo is between the Ake and Owu dynasty in the village. Confirming the incident, a sister of the late monarch, Adenike Akintade, said their younger brother was recently killed in the same manner. I have just been discharged from hospital early this morning, only to start mourning the brutal assassination of my brother. Kabiyesi called me on Saturday, urging me to reduce my activities, saying stress could contribute to my illness. He lost his younger brother to the imbroglio some months ago; the young man was butchered by the so-called hoodlums. Today, Kabiyesi is no more, what a world. Contacted, spokesperson of the Ogun state Police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said it was only the traditional ruler who was killed. He added that the State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, was at the scene of the incident on Monday to assess the situation. Yes it is true. Only the Oba was killed, I am not aware of the other people claimed to have been killed. He was burnt in his car after he was killed. The Commissioner of Police was there today to assess the situation and as we speak the place has been deserted. But we are trailing the perpetrators and we shall bring them to book. Nigeria is currently battling a wave of crime, violence and insecurity across swathes of the country despite efforts by security agencies to stem the tide. The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has called for the urgent implementation of the approved upward review of the retirement age for health workers in the country. The association, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its president, Victor Makanjuola, said this could serve as a short-term measure to bridge the brain drain in the health sector. Mr Makanjuola said there has been a lot of delay in the implementation of approval, due to administrative bottlenecks. He said; The Federal Government through the Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, announced the approval of the upward review of the retirement age for medical doctors and other health workers some months back. However, there has been a lot of delay in the implementation of approval, due to administrative bottleneck and unnecessary bureaucracy. He noted that its implementation has become an emergency in view of mass exodus of consultants and other health workers to developed countries. Retirement age In mid 2021, the Nigerian government reached an agreement with officials in the health sector to review the retirement age of the nations healthcare workers. As of June 2,2021, the government hinted of a possible increase in the retirement age of doctors and other health workers from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had at the time said the decision will be taken to prevent further exodus of health workers from the country. We discussed the issue of retirement age for health workers, being that we want to keep our health workers here in Nigeria. A lot of people are coming here to poach and take away people we have trained at very great cost, a report on TheCable quoted Mr Ngige as saying. However, PREMIUM TIMES cannot immediately ascertain if the proposed retirement age was eventually approved by the government. Delay Meanwhile, in the associations latest statement, Mr Makanjuola said the review of the retirement age has been approved and any delay in the implementation will further disrupt health care services in the country. He called on the government and by extension the National Council on Establishment (NCE) to as a matter of urgency give appropriate circular backing for the approval of its immediate implementation. This measure will ensure the healthcare workforce is not further depleted, thus hampering service delivery to Nigerian patients. Furthermore, training of fresh graduates and resident doctors will be significantly disrupted if these experienced and highly skilled hands are not retained in service, he said. Brain Drain The issue of brain drain amongst health workers in Nigeria has been a burning issue. A 2017 survey by the Nigerian Polling organisation (NOIPolls) in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch, revealed that about 88 per cent of medical doctors in Nigeria were seeking work opportunities abroad at the time. More than 100 medical consultants have also reportedly left the country in the past 24 months. Mr Makanjuola said the over 100 medical consultants left the services of 17 tertiary health institutions in Nigeria. He said the mass exodus of medical and dental consultants to more developed countries has brought significant disruptions to Nigerias health care ecosystem. About MDCAN MDCAN is a group of medical specialists in different field of medicines and dentistry with the highest qualifications in medical practices. Their responsibilities include training medical doctors, offering specialist services to patients, and also conducting research in medical fields. Advertisements MDCAN has members in government and non-governmental hospitals, tertiary and secondary health facilities across the country. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a symposium, Jan. 25, 2022. The symposium was held to solicit opinions and suggestions from the non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliations on a draft government work report. Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed prioritizing stability in economic development as the Chinese economy continues to face downward pressure and complex domestic and international environments. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on Tuesday at a symposium over which he presided. The symposium was held to solicit opinions and suggestions from the non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliations on a draft government work report. The document will be deliberated at the top legislature's annual session in March. Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Hearing suggestions from the representatives, Li called for intensifying the implementation of macro policies to ensure stability on the six fronts and security in the six areas. The "six fronts" refers to employment, the financial sector, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment and expectations. The "six areas" refers to job security, basic living needs, operations of market entities, food and energy security, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments. Efforts should be made to carry out a combination of tax and fee cut policies and precise measures to reduce financing costs for medium, small and micro firms, as well as individual businesses and industries with difficulties, Li said. He also called for support for research and development and innovation in the manufacturing sector, urging efforts on stabilizing market expectations and deepening reform and opening-up to better unleash market vitality. Li stressed the importance of securing and improving people's livelihoods, as well as stabilizing the macroeconomy and keeping the economy running within an appropriate range. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a symposium, Jan. 25, 2022. The symposium was held to solicit opinions and suggestions from the non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliations on a draft government work report.Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a symposium, Jan. 25, 2022. The symposium was held to solicit opinions and suggestions from the non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliations on a draft government work report.Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Nigeria has dropped five places in the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking released on Tuesday by Transparency International (TI). The country, scoring 24 out of 100 points, ranked 154 out of 180 countries surveyed, falling back five places from the rank of 149 in 2020 placing as the second most corrupt country in West Africa. The report was revealed on TIs official Twitter handle, @TranperencITng on Tuesday. It is Nigerias second consecutive year of a downward spiral on the TIs CPI ranking, the countrys score having dropped from 26 in 2019 to 25 in the 2020 assessment, and further to 24 in the latest 2021 record. The CPI is TIs tool for measuring the levels of corruption in the systems of various countries around the world. The maximum points a country can score is 100 points, and the least is zero. Zero signifies the worst performing countries and 100, the best-ranked. The ranking may be an indicator that corruption in the country has gotten worse over the years. Pushback However, the Nigerian authorities, on the other hand, have always criticised any unfavourable TIs reports that point to worsening corruption in the country. It claimed last year, in reaction to the 2021 assessment, that TI was unaware of President Muhammadu Buharis administrations achievements in the battle against corruption. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had stated that the (TI-CPI) does not reflect the great strides by the country in its fight against corruption. The minister also questioned the source of the data used for the TI ranking. He said: For instance, following the release of the 2019 TI-Corruption Perception Index, the government initiated reforms to improve on Nigerias Ease of Doing Business indices. This is because we found that up to 40 per cent of the countrys corruption perception survey indices relate to business processes and general public service delivery processes. Governments swift action has led to major reforms in the processes at our ports and business process points. CSOs frown The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the national chapter of Transparency International (TI), said the CPI result does not include the assessment of Nigerias anti-graft agencies who are making commendable efforts in reducing (in the fight against) corruption in Nigeria. This, the group said, was despite the political interference they face. Rather, the CPI goes beyond the anti-graft agencies. Auwal Rafsanjani, TIs country representative, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday, further blaming the fall on the government. The CPI result, he said, comes at a time when the country is grappling with rising nationwide insecurity, high unemployment, and damning revelations about public finance management. The score, according to the organisation, does not reflect specific instances of corruption in the country, but rather the perception of corruption. CISLAC also said the failure of the anti-graft agencies to investigate high-profile corruption cases and prevent Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) by anti-corruption authorities was one of the numerous deficiencies noted by the organization as reasons for the groups drop in the CPI-TI ranking. While we commend the arrest of cybercriminals and call on the anti-graft agencies to do more, there is a need to investigate high profile political cases including those of individuals who have switched political affiliations. A case in point is the Pandora Papers revelations which is one of the biggest ever corruption leaks led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and over 600 journalists from 117 countries, including Journalists from Nigerias Premium Times. A close look at the Pandora Papers published in 2021 reveals that Nigeria tops the African continent when looking at the number of those exposed. Following the pattern of two previous leaks (i.e., the Paradise Papers and Panama Papers, which were released in 2016 and 2017, respectively), the Pandora Papers exposes systems and secrecy jurisdictions that enable and abate crime, corruption, and illicit dealings by politicians, billionaires, influential individuals, and their enablers globally. Since its release on October 3, 2021, Nigerians are yet to see any action or get answers from anti-graft agencies whose work has been made easier by the diligent reporters from Premium Times which highlighted stolen or suspiciously acquired assets to be investigated. With the elections fast approaching, and the response. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has challenged the Nigerian judiciary to be transparent and accountable in the spending of the funds allocated to it in its annual budgets. Mr Malami, who doubles as the Minister of Justice, said the federal government was not in a position to know whether the judiciarys budget allocation was inadequate due to the opacity that characterises its financial records. The AGF spoke on Tuesday at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Justice Sector Summit 2022 in Abuja. It was the first time the judiciary will be openly confronted by a top member of the executive arm of government about the age-long secrecy of its budgets. Why is the N104 billion provided for the judiciary in the budget insufficient?, the justice minister asked rhetorically. We are not in a position to answer, because their (judiciarys) books are not open, the AGF said while speaking on the theme of the summit, Devising practical solutions towards improved performance, enhanced accountability and independence in the justice sector. Querying how the judiciary applies its funds, Mr Malami noted that until the three arms of government allow the operation of an open government partnership arrangement, we can never be in a position to identify to what extent the budgetary provision made is inadequate. He said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had prioritised the financial independence of the judiciary by issuing the Executive Order 10. Towing a similar line of argument, Luke Onofiok, a member of the House of Representatives, said the judicial branch of government has transparency issues in its budget spending. Mr Onofiok cited a scenario where a federal court paid allowances to its workers under the guise of overtime during the coronavirus pandemic when court sittings were restricted. During one of our oversight functions at a federal court, we had a running battle with a federal court; we discovered that overtime allowances were paid to workers during the coronavirus pandemic when Court sittings were restricted, the federal lawmaker narrated. Also, the Chairperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owasaonye, said ghost contracts and unretired funds have tainted the judiciarys financial records, while advocating transparency. He called for more transparency in its budget spending. Backstory PREMIUM TIMES reported recently how calls for more allocations to the judiciary are not being complemented with an attitude of financial transparency and probity. For Eze Onyekpere, a lawyer and fiscal accountability expert, poor budgetary allocation to the judiciary is not a justification for the lack of transparency and probity. The National Judicial Council (NJC) would also say, we dont have enough money to run our affairs, but what about the money they gave you? What are the details? Mr Onyekpere had said. The NJC and the National Assembly do not reveal the breakdowns of their budgets to the public. Journalists and members of the public are also blocked from witnessing legislative proceedings on the judiciarys budget defence, a situation Ben Akabueze, Director-General of the Budget Office, lamented on Tuesday at the event. Not only that, the NJC, which is the custodian of the budgets of all federal courts and institutions as well as the estimates of the salaries and allowances of all state judges, ignores requests for information on its budget details and finances, despite the request being anchored on the FoI Act. The last of such letters sent to the council last August by PREMIUM TIMES was not replied to. It is a conduct that betrays the calling of an institution set up to, among other mandates, take disciplinary actions against judges that breach their oath of office by flagrantly violating the law, transparency activists say. Nigeria can no longer endure justice delay Osinbajo In a remark at the summit, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, said expeditious dispensation of justice can no longer wait. While speaking on the process of appointment of judges, Mr Osinbajo noted that candidates for judicial offices must be subjected to a rigorous process that throws up the best minds who would be entrusted with the power of life and death. The process of appointment of judges is the least rigorous in Nigeria, the Vice President said, adding, There shouldnt be a bowing-and-go of potential judges during interviews. Advertisements In the same vein, NBAs president, Olumide Akpata, said the problems confronting Nigerias justice sector were not insurmountable. He argued that Nigerian courts must be manned by not just the best hands we can find but also by incorruptible minds. Armed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided and held a vigil at the Federal High Court in Lagos in a bid to arrest a suspect holed up on the court premises, PREMIUM TIMES reports. On Monday evening, detectives from the anti-graft agency laid siege to the court premises located at the Waterside area of Ikoyi in Lagos. Armed detectives of the EFCC raided the Federal High Court at about 5:00 p.m. after most of the workers had closed for the day, a source told this reporter. Narrating the incident, another staff member of the court, who sought anonymity, said, EFCC operatives arrived the court in a commando-style; searching the entire court building for what we dont know. According to the source, The head of the Federal High Court Division in Lagos, A.O. Faji, a judge, was shocked at the conduct of the operatives who ignored the Judges enquiry as to why they were at the court after the business of the day had closed. The Deputy Chief Registrar of the division, Christy Clement-Ende, was also at the office during the invasion, and we were scampering to know why they raided our office. The armed EFCC operatives laid siege to the court till Tuesday morning, the source narrated. The chief information of the Federal High Court, Catherine Christopher, could not be reached for comments as her telephone number was not reachable. Why we were in court EFCC EFCC confirmed the development to our reporter in a text message on Tuesday. The commissions spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, explained that the agencys operatives were at the court on January 24 to take a suspect, Edrian Idida Osegie, into custody. Mr Uwujaren said the suspect, earlier ordered by a court to be released from custody, was due for arraignment in court on Wednesday January 26, 2022. The scheduled arraignment of the suspect was what informed the agencys action, Mr Uwujaren said. There was need to take him (Mr Osegie) into custody and operatives waited outside the court for this purpose. Unfortunately the suspect was holed up in court until this morning (Tuesday), Mr Uwujaren explained in the text. He, however, denied the narratives by court sources that the operatives ransacked the court building in a bid to rearrest the suspect. Past invasions Nigerian security agencies have the history of invading court premises to arrest suspects. In March 2020, EFCC operatives invaded the Federal High Court in Abuja to re-arrest a defendant, Babatunde Morakinyo, purportedly over a fresh charge filed against him, at the Lagos division of the court. Mr Morakinyo later sued the commission accusing its operatives of violating his fundamental human rights. About a year after the incident, the judge, Inyang Ekwo, awarded N50million damages against EFCC, and in favour of Mr Morakinyo. The judge ruled that the commission unlawfully re-arrested by the commissions operatives last year. He described the re-arrest, coming after a judge had granted bail to the defendant, as an abduction. In December 2019, armed operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), invaded the Federal High Court in Abuja, while Ijeoma Ojukwu, a judge was sitting. READ ALSO: The SSS operatives, in a Gestapo manner, sought to re-arrest Omoyele Sowore, a pro-democracy activist who had been granted bail by the court after he spent 124 days in the agencys gulag. The activist was earlier arrested for attempting to lead the #RevolutionNow protest against President Muhammadu Buharis regime. Mr Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, was arrested alongside Olawale Bakare in Lagos and whisked away to Abuja by the secret police for spearheading the #RevolutionNow protest, calling for good governance and accountability. Advertisements PREMIUM TIMES had reported how 15 armed officers of the spy agency, who had laid an ambush for Messrs Sowore and Bakare, invaded the court and pinned the former to the ground in Mrs Ojukwus courtroom on December 7, 2019 in Abuja. There was a commotion as the officers cocked their guns, as the judge, lawyers and litigants scampered to safety. This led to the disruption of the court sitting as Mrs Ojukwu hurriedly retired to her chamber while the court registrars, lawyers and journalists dispersed for safety. Mr Sowore had told journalists that the SSS wanted to kill him after he was admitted to bail by the court. The Bauchi State High Court has convicted one Ibrahim Abubakar for defrauding a victim of over N2.25 million under the pretext of helping him to secure a non-existing TETFund job. According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, Mr Abubakar from whom N2.25 million he took from the victim has been recovered, was jailed three years with an option of fine. The judge, M.M Abubarkar, passed the judgement after the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating. EFCC had accused him of defrauding a job seeker of N2.25 million under the guise of helping him to secure an employment at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFUND). Mr Abubakar, also known as Alhaji Sadiq Babati, was charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy and defrauding of N2, 250,000, offences said to be punishable under Sections 97 and 322 of the Penal Code Law, according to the EFCCs statement. EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who signed the commissions statement, said the defendant was arraigned alongside Hassan Lemaji (now convicted) on September 27, 2021, when he initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but later changed his plea to guilty in the course of the trial. Following the review of facts of the case by the prosecution, and the courts assessment of the available evidence, the court found Mr Abubakar guilty of the two-count charge. He directed that the N2,250,000 seized by the EFCC from the convict be paid to the victim. How fraud was perpetrated Mr Abubakar was said to have defrauded his victim under the pretext of helping him to get a job at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in Abuja. According to the EFCC, he took a total sum of N2,250,000 from the victim between March and April 2019. The victim then petitioned the EFCC. Investigations, carried out by the Gombe Zonal Command of the EFCC, according to EFCCs statement, confirmed the petitioners complaints. EFCC said it discovered that as soon as the defendant received the money, he started avoiding calls from the petitioner who waited for eleven months for the non-existent employment letter. The police in Zamfara State have paraded a fake lawyer, kidnapper and seven other suspects arrested for various offences in the state. In a statement signed by the police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Shehu, said the suspected fake lawyer was apprehended while standing for a client in a court in Gusau, the state capital. The suspect, Chukwuka Jude, was said to have stood for clients in Kaura Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Gusau local government areas in courts at different times. Prior to his arrest, the suspect deceived one of his victims who resides in Kuraje village under Damba District of Gusau LGA, by representing the victim at Higher Sharia Court III Gusau as a counsel, where he charged the sum of N100,000 for the service fees out of which he collected N23,000 as part payment. To further support the allegation, the suspect, in a bid to escape arrest and prosecution, offered the sum of three hundred thousand naira (N300,000) as (a) bribe to our court duty police officer, who instantly rejected the offer, Mr Shehu added. He said items recovered from the suspect were a fake plastic ID, Stamp and letterheads carrying his chamber titled J.N Monyei & Co. Chamber. Kidnapper, others The statement added that a suspected kidnapper, Saminu Abubakar, was also paraded. He was handed over to the command by the State Command of the State Security Service. Mr Abubakar was arrested with N479,400 cash, a Samsung tablet, Voters Card and four (4) different vehicles plate numbers, Tecno Spark mobile phone and Tecno mobile phone keypad The suspect while undergoing interrogation confessed that, sometime in 2019, himself and his other gang members now at large conspired and masterminded the kidnapping of the victim at his house located at Gada Biyu Area, Gusau, in which the sum of seven million naira (N7,000,000) was paid as ransom before he regained freedom. He further confessed that, out of the ransom paid, he was given N530,000 as his own share. The cash sum of four hundred and seventy nine thousand, four hundred naira (N479,400) was recovered from him, with other exhibits as mentioned above. Discreet investigation is in progress aimed at arresting other fleeing suspects before being charged to Court for prosecution, the statement noted. Others arrested were one Hamza Lawal for leading nine other gang members to kill one Aliyu Danbala in Tsafe market. The remaining suspects paraded specialised in criminal conspiracy, theft of motor vehicle and receiving of stolen property in Gummi local government area of the state. They were Hamza Abubakar, Sani Abubakar, Babangida Tukur, Ibrahim Mohammed, Mannir Mohammed, Bashar Dalhatu and Umma Kusari Vehicle recovered in their possession include: Toyota Corolla Black in colour, Toyota Corolla Red in colour and N500,000 as proceed of crime. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it received 524 complaints of sexual and gender-based assault against women from Kaduna State alone, in 2021. Mr Terngu Gwar, the Commissions State Coordinator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kaduna on Monday. He ascribed the increase in Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) to the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming that the pandemic restricted transportation and resulted in many people losing their employment which in turn brought about an increase in poverty, bitterness and anger in people. Mr Gwar claimed that out of the 524 complaints received in 2021, 224 are mostly about domestic violence against women, even though there are other types of violence against women and girls. He listed other forms of violence as rape, child abandonment, forced marriage, human trafficking, life threats, and child custody/access. Mr Gwar added that 233 of the reported cases have been resolved, while the other cases are currently being investigated. According to him, the commission not only receives complaints but also mediates in problems involving couples and families. The commission does community outreach, radio programs, and visits secondary schools to educate students and teachers about SGBV, Mr Gwar added. He added that more grassroots sensitisation was needed for people to be aware of the importance of protecting and enforcing their rights as well as the consequences and punishments that await any wrongdoer. Mr Gwar called for more grassroots sensitisation for people to become more aware of the importance of protecting and enforcing their rights, as well as the consequences and punishments awaiting any perpetrators. He, therefore, urged civil society organisations (CSOs), traditional authorities, and religious leaders to take the lead in combating the persistence of domestic violence. READ ALSO: Mr Gwar also urged concerned groups to place a greater emphasis on public education or knowledge of domestic abuse, as well as the application of current rules and regulations that might help to develop an accountability culture around the concerns. The NHRC headquarters in Abuja had also reported in November 2021, that it received over 139,780 complaints of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) between 2020 and March 2021. Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the commission, disclosed it in a statement when Nigeria joined the rest of the international community to mark the 2021 international day for the elimination of violence against women (IDEVW). Mr Ojukwu also attributed the rise in the number of SGBV cases in recent times to COVID-19, which he said led to lockdowns in different parts of the world, including Nigeria. Nine persons have been confirmed killed and 10 others injured in a ghastly motor accident that occurred on Monday in the Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State. The accident happened at a portion of the Kano-Maiduguri highway under repairs near Sabaru-Laraba village on the boundary between Jigawa and Kano states. The spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Jigawa, Ibrahim Gambo, told PREMIUM TIMES that a rescue team of the agency recovered the victims from the scene and took them to the hospital. The official said the accident involved a Toyota Hummer bus, with registration number, DRZ, 846, XA and a Toyota Sharon bus with registration Dal, 830, XA. Mr Gambo said one of the vehicles had lost control after dodging a pothole and collided head-on with the other. The official said 17 males and two females were on board the two vehicles. He said all the deceased victims were male, while the two females are among the critically injured. READ ALSO: Commenting on the accident, President Muhammadu Buharis new media aide, Bashir Ahmad, in a Facebook post, described it as devastating. Mr Ahmad, who hails from Gaya town, said the victims are local people from his community, Gaya, who were going on a business trip. He condoled with the Emir of Gaya, Aliyu Ibrahim, the local government chairperson, Ahmad Tashi, and the families of the victims of the incident. Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Federal Otokito, who was abducted by yet-to-be-ascertained gunmen on January 20, regained his freedom on Monday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Mr Otokito was released by his abductors on the fifth day after he was kidnapped from his Otuokpoti community residence in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. The kidnappers had established telephone contact with the paramount ruler of Otuokpoti to demand the release of the father of the kidnap gang leaders as a condition to free Mr Otokito. The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, Ben Nebolisa, and the State Director of the State Security Services, Mohammed Abdullahi, presented Mr Otokito to Governor Douye Diri on Monday evening at Government House, Yenagoa. Addressing reporters after Mr Otokitos release, Governor Diri announced the deposition of the Otuokpoti community paramount ruler, A. C. T. Wongo, and appointed Rescue Abe, in an acting capacity. The governor also announced the sacking of the Community Development Committee Chairman, Azibalua Amon, replacing him with Jerry Offor, in an acting capacity. The youth president, Emolem Igue, was also replaced with Shadrach Afiemo. According to Mr Diri, preliminary investigation revealed that all of them were complicit in the kidnap of the commissioner. Mr Diri reiterated the state governments zero-tolerance to crime and kidnapping. He warned people who see kidnapping as a business to desist as his government will not hesitate to invoke the extant laws and make the state uncomfortable for criminals. He called on all community leaders to remain vigilant and ensure that peace prevailed in their communities as the government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found wanting in the discharge of their duties. Mr Diri, who said preliminary investigation revealed that illegal refining of crude was connected to the kidnap, warned all those involved in such businesses in the state to stop forthwith. He thanked security agencies and all those who availed the government of useful information that led to the release of the commissioner, assuring that his government will continue to make Bayelsa safe for all residents. Investigation is still ongoing. So, we appeal to all in Otuokpoti to keep the peace and security agencies will keep an eagle eye on Otuokpoti and environs, Mr Diri said. It would be recalled that the governor had earlier ruled out payment of ransom to secure the release of the commissioner. The Commissioner of Police declared four people Joshua Abi, Clergy Mabinton, Gift Tebeda and Azin Azin wanted, in connection with the abduction. (NAN) The abducted mother of a Kano lawmaker, Isyaku Ali, has regained freedom after payment of a N40 million ransom. Bandits abducted Hajiya Zainab on January 12 at her residence in Gezawa local government area of Kano. Her son, Mr Ali, is a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly and is now the majority leader in the House. The lawmaker on Tuesday morning confirmed the release of his mother to Solacebase Newspaper. According to the newspaper, his mother regained freedom after the payment of N40m. The lawmaker said he and others were on their way to pick her up in Jigawa State where she was released by her abductors. The immediate past Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, on Tuesday, inspected the final parade as a police officer, taking a bow out of service. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his note of commendation, said Mr Odumosu served Lagos and the country with every mental and physical strength he is endowed with, saying it was time for the star crime buster to drop off the uniform for a post-service life. Mr Odumosus retirement from the Force followed his recent attainment of the rank of AIG, after which the statutory retirement age set in. He was enlisted in the police on March 3, 1990 and served for 32 years. The AIG took a bow at the Pull-out Parade and Valedictory Ceremony organised in his honour by the Lagos State Government at the Police Training Ground in Ikeja. The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council; representative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP); former IGP Musiliu Smith; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; wife of the Minister of Works and Housing, Abimbola Fashola; Commissioners of Police from Southwest states; Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials; and family members of the retiring officer. Mr Odumosu, nicknamed Tango One for his skill in flushing out criminals, served as first chairperson of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) and also the Commander of the State-funded Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Mr Sanwo-Olu described him as nemesis of criminally-minded elements, noting that the ex-Lagos Commissioner of Police had a deep knowledge of the nooks and crannies of the State. The governor thanked the outgoing AIG for his service to Lagos during which the State recorded receding crime rate. The governor said Mr Odumosu attended to his constitutional duties with vigour, courage and without giving excuses, adding that he led officers serving in the States Police Command from the front throughout his tenure as Commissioner. Hakeem Odumosus appointment in November 2019 as Commissioner of Police in Lagos came with much expectation, as it was believed that his arrival would bring the long-sought succour which many Lagosians yearned given the security challenges facing the State then, the governor said. These expectations came as a result of his very deep knowledge and understanding of what security architecture of Lagos should be. Tango One, as we all call him, came with wealth of experience, and new approaches to pursue effective policing. Those approaches led to an improvement in security of lives and property in Lagos. He came, he saw and he is bequeathing a well-informed and motivated police command to officers serving in Lagos. He discharged his duties with diligence and emerged as outstanding police officer. I am happy to be at this occasion, which is a deserving farewell to AIG Hakeem Odumosu out of the Nigeria Police Force. The governor said Mr Odumosu was leaving a big shoe in the Command, given his meritorious accomplishment as crime buster. He charged the new Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, to take up the gauntlet and build on the structure laid by his predecessor. It would be a disservice to AIG Odumosu if the level of policing in Lagos goes down after this moment. The least we can do is to ensure the labour of Odumosu is not in vain. I charge the new Commissioner of Police and all officers serving in Lagos Command to show renewed commitment to fight crimes and ensure security of lives is raised to the level where the State would be the envy of others in the country, Mr Sanwo-Olu said. The Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in charge of Southwest operations, Johnson Kokumo, who represented the IGP Usman Baba, said Mr Odumosu, throughout his years of service, did not fit into the description of mercantile police officer term used to portray unethical officers, stressing that the AIG was leaving a legacy of diligence, hard work and strictness in the Force. Mr Smith, who is the chairperson of Police Service Commission, said it was time for Mr Odumosu to take a rest after an accomplishing career in the police and settle down as a family man. In his valedictory speech, Mr Odumosu, accompanied by his wife, Nafisat, said he was not leaving the Force out of tiredness, but to experience civil life, having attained the mandatory retirement age. He noted that his decision to join the police was not out of joblessness but his desire to serve his fatherland after his first degree in Arts at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State. Mr Odumosu, who also holds a Law degree, two Masters degrees and Diploma certificates, advised young officers to embrace discipline, which he described as the bedrock of the Force. He said: I want to make it known that, despite challenges I faced in the course of my career, I have no regret joining the Force. The police properly groomed me to become a professional law enforcement officer that can stand tall among his peers anywhere in the world. As Lagos RRS Commander, the job toughened me to frontally confront daredevil armed criminals whose passion was robbing banks. Since then, bank robbery incidents in Lagos nosedived. Today, I am proud to say that there was no single bank robbery throughout my tenure as Commissioner of Police in Lagos. It is time for me to quit the state and continue my journey into civil life. I have played my role and delivered my line. I am retiring today, but I am not tired. Nigeria Police Force will continue to be my constituency. Advertisements Mr Odumosu thanked the All Progressives Congress leader, Bola Tinubu; Governor Sanwo-Olu; and Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for being pillars of support throughout his service years in Lagos. Deep in winter, farmers of a specialized cooperative are busy uprooting and gathering lotus roots in muddy water covering some 500 acres in Zhangduhu Street, Xinzhou District, Wuhan, central Chinas Hubei Province. Set up in 2014, the cooperative has now built up a standardized base for lotus root planting and cultivation with an annual output of over 4,000 tons, contributing in many aspects to agricultural development there, providing 150 jobs every year and increasing local farmersincome. Recently, 40 tons of lotus roots were collected daily by the cooperative to be delivered to Hubei, south Chinas Guangdong and cenral Chinas Henan provinces for the upcoming Chinese New Year season, said Xiong Renquan, head of the cooperative.(Photo by Ye Donghui and Tai Shengpeng/Xinhuanet) A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raymond Dokpesi, has appealed to the South-east region to support the former vice president, Atiku Abubakars presidential ambition in 2023. Mr Dokpesi, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and media mogul, made the appeal on Monday in Umuahia, while addressing the leadership of Abia PDP on the need for the region to rally round Mr Abubakar. Mr Abubakar was the partys presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections but lost to President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Dokpesi gave assurance that Mr Abubakar, if elected president, would be in office for only one term of four years and thereafter pave the way for an Igbo person to succeed him. He said he believed the South-east is competent and qualified to rule the country, and denied ever having a contrary opinion as erroneously reported in the media some years ago. He said the agitation for a president of Igbo extraction was appropriate, saying that the region has suffered marginalisation and needed to be given the opportunity. He said Mr Abubakar, if elected president, would work to ensure the realisation of the agitation, assuring the people that he (Dokpesi) would stake his life for the project. He said it was expedient for PDPs presidential flag bearer to come from the north in order for the zone to complete its remaining one-term, truncated by the death of President Musa YarAdua. He argued that the north had yet to complete its eight-year tenure in line with PDP zoning arrangement, hence the need for Mr Atiku to be given the presidential ticket. Mr Dokpesi said for the avoidance of doubt and fear of possible betrayal, the agreement for Mr Abubakar to stay in office for one term and handover to the South-east would be documented in black-and-white. He called for greater unity among the PDP members to enable the party to win the election in 2023. He said the party owed Nigerians the obligation to continue to show exemplary leadership at the centre. Nigeria is at the verge of total collapse and it is a duty we owe to salvage the country from the current economic difficulties and protracted security challenges, Mr Dokpesi said. He said Mr Abubakar has the capacity and competence to tackle the nations multi-dimensional challenges. In a response, the Abia PDP Chairperson, Allwell Asiforo, said the chapter would take the message home and make its position known at the appropriate time. Mr Asiforo described Mr Atiku as a great man, who has made huge contributions toward good governance and the growth of democracy in the country. Mr Abubakar was the vice president under the PDP administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. (NAN) The Bauchi Emirate Council has suspended the title of Jakadan Bauchi conferred on a former Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. The council said the decision was due to the recent crisis in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Area, where Mr Dogara hails from. Anouncing the development at a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, the Galadiman Bauchi and district head of Zungur, Saidu Ibrahim, said the Emirate Council decided to suspend his title of Jakadan Bauchi until the determination of case by the court. You may recall that on 4th January, 2022, the Emirate expressed its stand on the incidences in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa on the 30 and 31 December 2021. We condemned the incident and described it as barbaric misleading and called on the government to investigate, fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book, Mr Ibrahim said. At the recent council meeting, we reviewed the case again and expressed our dismay on one of the sons of the area, a stakeholder and our traditional titleholder who was mentioned as one misleading the people and perpetrating the incident. More surprisingly, he did not sympathise or show any signs of remorse to what happened to their royal Highnesses, the Emirs of Bauchi and Dass, the council official said. Observers view the decision of the council as political. Mr Dogara, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been having a running battle with the Governor of the state, Bala Mohammed, leading to his return to APC in 2020. Residents of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa had protested against a plan by the state government to co-host the 21st memorial lecture of Peter Gonto, a man considered a divine king by the Sayawa ethnic group in Bauchi. Before the event, youth groups from Tafawa Balewa , believed to be loyalists of Mr Dogara , organised a press conference at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Bauchi to oppose the gathering. But the state government insisted on holding the gathering which eventually ended in chaos. The convoys of Governor Bala Mohammed, the Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu, and that of Dass, Bilyaminu Othman, were attacked by angry residents in the chaos. The state government blamed Mr Dogara for the disruption of the event as a result of which the emirate council has sanctioned him. A distraught father has told how his eight-year-old daughter was killed by her kidnappers after collecting N3 million as ransom for her release. Shuaib Waalam spoke with journalists in Zaria on Saturday about the kidnap and murder of little Asmau. This is coming a few days after a school teacher was paraded by the police in Kano for kidnapping and killing his five-year-old pupil, Hanifa Abubakar. Mr Waalam said Asmau was kidnapped on December 9, on her way back from an errand. My daughter was abducted on the 9th December and when she failed to return home, I lodged a formal complaint with the police. After some days, the abductors began to call my number and demanded N15 million. But we negotiated and I gave them N2 million initial instalment. They collected the money in the Rigasa area of Kaduna. Later, they called me again and demanded another N1 million as the only condition for the release of my daughter. I did not argue but I gave the money to them. However, after paying the ransom as demanded on January 19, they called me to tell me they had killed her and they switched off the phone. From my early discussion with the abductors, I was monitoring and observing how we had been talking and doing their bidding because of the fear of losing her. Now, they have killed her. The police have not issued a formal statement on the case but Mr Waalam said they have made some arrests. READ ALSO: I know those who abducted her and killed her. They are around us. I have strong evidence. I have told the police. And they are on it. In fact, the suspects have been arrested, he said. Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the story of the missing girl had been circulating in Zaria since she was kidnapped in December. I live in Hanwa Zari and up here we heard the story and we also heard that the suspicion of the father, Mr Waalam, pointed at his neighbours. We also heard the father is working with the police to unmask those involved, Murtala Bala said. PREMIUM TIMES made efforts to speak with Mr Waalam on Monday but a family member referred us to his press briefing which was held on Saturday. The police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Jalige, did not answer several calls or respond to a text message on Monday. In a brief deliberation on Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate made yet another amendment to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The lawmakers amended the controversial Clause 84 of the bill. The clause 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 in 2021, the lawmakers prescribed that political parties use only a direct mode of primary. But President Muhammadu Buhari rejected the legislation citing 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 had promised to 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. Last week, both the Senate and the House of Representatives amended the bill. But while the Senate allowed for direct or indirect primaries or consensus as procedures for selecting candidates for elective offices, the House adopted only direct and indirect primaries. But in the harmonised version of the bill considered by the Senate, the lawmakers adopted all three modes of primaries, with a clear definition of how parties can use consensus to elect candidates. 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. While he recalled that the president withheld assent to the bill based on his observation in Clause 84, the lawmaker noted that some fundamental issues, which require fresh legislative action by both chambers, emerged on the clause. These issues, he said, necessitated a joint leadership meeting, in order to give Nigerians an enduring Electoral Act that can stand the test of time. He prayed that the Senate rescinds its decision on the clause of the bill as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration and passage relying on order 1(b) and order 52(6) of Senate Standing Order. Passage In the Committee of the Whole, the lawmakers adopted a harmonised version of Clause 84 of the bill with that of the House of Representatives. Although details of this clause were not clear at the time of this report, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, announced that the amended Clause 84 of the bill deals with the nomination of candidates by political parties. He said it is a harmonised report and the House has the same report. By passing the amendment to Clause 84 the mode of conducting primaries by parties to produce candidates, we have concluded on our task on the amendment to the Electoral Act. The Senate and House passed the bill with (a) slight difference. While the house passed the mode to be direct and indirect, the Senate passed the mode to be direct, indirect and consensus. What we have done is to give very clear and sufficient definition to each mode of primaries. And for the consensus, the two chambers have produced in this bill (a) very clear definition of how the consensus candidate will emerge, Mr Lawan explained. While he expressed satisfaction at the harmonisation and passage of the bill, he said he is optimistic that the president will sign the bill. There was no reaction or contribution from any lawmaker as the senators unanimously adopted the recommendations. After the House passes the harmonised version of the bill, it will be transmitted to the president for assent. Advertisements The House of Representatives on Tuesday rescinded its decision on the mode of primary election in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The House had last Wednesday reconsidered the bill by changing the mandatory direct primary clause in the bill. It included indirect primary but did not include the option of consensus mode of primary. On the other hand, the Senate had included consensus mode of primary election in the version it passed. When the House resumed Tuesday, the lawmakers went into a closed-door session. When it reconvened from the closed-door session, Abubakar Fulata (APC, Jigawa) moved a motion for rescission of section 84(2) and to dissolve into Committee of the Whole to consider the bill. It was unanimously resolved that the option of consensus mode of primary election be included in the bill. President Muhammadu Buhari had rejected the bill in 2021 over the inclusion of only the direct mode of primary election in the amended Electoral Bill sent to him for his assent. Committee of the Whole consideration. Explaining the provisions in the proposed amendments, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who presided over the Committee of the Whole, said the proposed amendments provide the guideline and procedure for the consensus mode of selecting candidates for election. The first relevant clause here is 84 (2) which says the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions shall be by direct, indirect primaries or consensus, Mr Gbajabiamila said during the committee of the whole. According to Mr Gbajabiamila, to prevent abuse of consensus, political parties cannot just disqualify all candidates. Section 84(9) provides the definition of consensus mode of primaries and the conditions for the ratification of consensus candidates. 84(9a) A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate. 84(9b) Where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of candidates for the aforesaid elective position. 84(9c) A special convention or nomination congress shall be held to ratify the choice of consensus candidates at designated centres at the national, states, senatorial, federal and state constituencies as the case may be. Clause 84(3) provides that qualification or disqualification must be consistent with the constitution, hence, no political party can disqualify a candidate without recourse to the constitution. The second provision is sub 84 sub 3. It talks about qualifications of aspirants and candidates and it says a political party shall not impose nomination qualifications or disqualification criteria, measure or conditions on any aspirant or candidates for an election its constitution guidelines or rules for nomination of candidates for elections, except as prescribed under section 65, 66, 106, 107, 131, 137, 177 and 187 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999. This means that no party can disqualify anybody except in accordance with the constitution, Mr Gbajabiamila said. Briefing journalists after the passage of the bill, the spokesperson of the House, Ben Kalu (APC, Abia), said the leadership of both chambers met and resolved to adopt the new position instead of setting up a conference committee to harmonise the bill. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has raised concern over forceful accessof a Security Restricted Area (SRA) and threats to Aviation Security ( AVSEC) officials by some personnel of the Nigerian Customs Services (NSC). The authority said the incident was recorded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos last Thursday. Henrietta Yakubu, FAANs corporate affairs general manager, in a statement, on Monday, said: This blatant abuse of the privilege of bearing firearms by the NCS has become a recurrent threat to the Safety and Security of our Staff and our operations. According to the statement, at about 1745hrs on Thursday, January 20, 2022, while the AVSEC officers on day duty at Gate 3 were profiling a Nigerian Aviation Handling Company(NAHCO) vehicle that wanted to access the SRA unit of the airport via gate 3, the Customs Area Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo Terminal suddenly emerged and pulled off behind the NAHCO vehicle that was being attended to. The authority alleged that CSC Agunbiade, a customs officer on the Area Comptrollers entourage later shoved aside the AVSEC Officer at the gate, forcefully took over the gate and opened the gate for the Comptroller and his escorts to forcefully access the Security Restricted Area via the gate. While accessing the gate, the armed escorts to the Comptroller threatened to beat up the AVSEC officers at the gate if they dare resist their assault and breach of security, the statement read. FAAN is a service organisation statutorily charged to manage all commercial airports in Nigeria and provide service to both passenger and cargo airlines. READ ALSO: While we keep on working to resolve all our challenges decisively, we hereby urge all stakeholders to please respect our mandate by being of disciplined and Professional conduct in the interest of national security and operational safety, FAAN said. Reacting to the development, Joseph Attah, NCS spokesperson, explained that claims that a gate is restricted to customs in an international cargo airport shows lack of understanding of NCS roles. Mr Attah expressed worry over the intention behind restricting Customs in what is by status a Customs-controlled area. Its curious that instead of engaging each other for better understanding between Government agencies, FAAN is engaging in public display of false sense of superiority, he told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview. The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed March 31 for judgement in the $9.8 million money laundering case filed against Andrew Yakubu, a former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmed Mohammed, the trial judge, fixed the judgement date, after the prosecuting counsel, Farouk Abdullah, and the defence lawyer, Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, adopted their final written addresses on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, in 2017, raided the residence of the ex-NNPC boss in Kaduna State and found $9,772, 800 and 74, 000 in a safe. Mr Yakubu was subsequently arraigned on March 16, 2017, on six counts of money laundering and other offences. But the trial court, after the prosecution rested its case, struck out two of the counts on May 16, 2019. On April 24, 2020, the Court of Appeal, in Abuja, where an appeal regarding the decision of the trial court was lodged, also struck out two additional counts, and asked the defendant to defend only the two remaining counts Counts 3 and 4. The two counts have to do with the defendants failure to make full disclosure of assets to EFCC upon his arrest, receiving cash without going through a financial institution in alleged violation of Section 1(1) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the Act. Mr Yakubu has denied the charges in his testimony while testifying for himself as a defence witness in the case, claiming that the money seized from him was an accumulation of gifts he received at different times after leaving office. Defences final address In his final submission on Monday, the defence lawyer, Mr Raji, recalled that his client had explained his own side of the story regarding the two remaining charges as directed by the Court of Appeal in a judgement delivered on April 24, 2020. He noted that EFCC made several attempts to reintroduce fresh evidence which were turned down by the court. I urge my lord to hold that he has met the prescription by Court of Appeal, he said. Asking for an order acquitting his client, Mr Raji prayed the court to direct the federal government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or any agency, to release the money seized from the defendant having satisfied his side of the story going by Paragraph 3.1 of our Reply on Points of Law. Prosecution responds But the prosecuting counsel, Mr Abdullah, opposed Mr Rajis request. He urged the court to hold that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly find Mr Yakubu guilty as charged. He argued that the application titled, Defendants Reply on Points of Law, was certainly not a reply on points of law but an attempt to re-argue his case. We urge my lord to so hold and discountenance the document, he said. On Mr Rajis application asking the court to direct the federal government to release the seized money kept in CBNs custody, he said there was an interim order by a sister court presided over by Zainab Abubakar, forfeiting the said sum to the federal government of Nigeria. The said order was challenged before Justice Abubakar and it was refused. The defendant, not satisfied with the ruling of the court, went to appeal. Expectedly, the Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the trial court. My lord, essentially, we submit that this is not the forum to make the application to release this money. We urge the court to so hold, he argued. Mr Abdullah, however, said if the court, in its judgment, ruled against the EFCC, the defendant may then wish to proceed to the appropriate court to make his application for the release of the money. Defences response But Mr Raji disagreed with Mr Abdullah, saying the reply on points of law is not in any way an attempt to reintroduce argument. Advertisements According to him, they are proper points of law raised, especially when the complainant did not refer to any portion constituting a repetition of arguments already canvassed in the written address. Finally, I submit that all his (Abdullahs) arguments on appropriate forum, are unknown to law for the following reasons: One, the money is an exhibit before this court, so it is an appropriate forum. The only court with dominion over that money is this court. Two, the interim order referred to is to abide by the final outcome of this case. Otherwise why interim, why not permanent? Mr Raji added. The defence filed and served its final addresses on November 18, 2021. EFCC filed its own on the defence on December 10. Upon receiving the prosecutions final written address, the defence filed a a reply on point of law dated December 21, 2021. The judge, after listening to the parties, fixed March 31 for judgement. The police in Jigawa State have confirmed the killings of two officers in Taura Local Government Area and the abduction of the son-in-law to a government contractor in the state, Haruna Maifata. The incident occurred at Kwalam in Taura LGA where the contractor lives. The kidnappers abducted Maaru Abubakar, the son-in-law of the contractor. The police spokesperson in Jigawa, Lawan Adam, while confirming the incident to reporters, said efforts were being intensified by the police to arrest the bandits. He identified the deceased officers as Anas Usaini, a superintendent of police, and Sunusi Alhassan, an inspector. He said the officers were shot dead close to an improvised patrol vehicle which was set ablaze by the gunmen. Residents said the gunmen invaded their targets residence after attacking a security formation and went into the town unchallenged. Residents said the latest incident occurred less than three months after Kabiru Taura, a businessman, was kidnapped and freed after reportedly paying over N20 million ransom. Jigawa is a relatively peaceful state in the troubled Nigerian North-west region, but residents have called for more security attention to ensure the situation there ,too, does not deteriorate. The state has witnessed much fewer attacks by armed persons compared to other North-west states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi where thousands of people have been killed or kidnapped in the past year. The Ebonyi State Government on Tuesday declared a former member of the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie, wanted. The government accused Mr Okorie of making inciting comments on Facebook which it said contributed to the beheading of Ebubeagu operative in Ivo Local Government Area two weeks ago. Mr Okorie, who represented Ohaozara, Ivo and Onicha federal constituency from 2011 to 2019, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a critic of Governor Dave Umahis administration. The Commissioner for Information in the state, Uchenna Orji, who informed reporters of the government declaration, said the decision was taken after a report on the crisis in Ivo was presented to the State Security Council by security agencies. The council noted the report on the issues and the revelations contained in that report and therefore resolved to declare wanted Hon Linus Okorie for the publication of inciting statements, some of which were posted on Facebook that were traced to be part of the inflammatory publications that really incited that very tension that led to the beheading of the Ebubeagu official, Mr Orji said. Mr Orji said some other persons were accessories to the gruesome murder. He said the council urged security agencies to expedite action on the investigation with a view to bringing to book all those involved. The Security Council meeting was chaired by Governor Umahi and attended by heads of security agencies in the state. The former federal lawmaker, Mr Okorie, in his reaction, said declaring him wanted was a ploy by Mr Umahi to silence opposition in Ebonyi. He said the state government was planning to use Ebubeagu to eliminate him on the excuse that he was evading arrest. He also said the government was planning to close down an event centre in Abakaliki owned by him. It is also a ploy to distract attention from the carnage that Ebubeagu has been wrecking on the people of Ebonyi State as symbolised by the riots and killings in Akaeze in the past few days. Governor Umahi is simply looking for a high profile scapegoat to take attention away from the many lives lost to Ebubeagu operatives across the state, and he has chosen me using his State Security Council, the former lawmaker said. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced Tuesday it has suspended its proposed nationwide protest action over petrol subsidy removal. The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, made this announcement on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja. NLC had in December fixed January 27 and February 2 for its protest across 36 against the subsidy removal. The Nigerian government through the Minister of Finance had on Monday announced a reversal of its plan to remove subsidy. The government said it will retain fuel subsidy indefinitely and will work on amending the 2022 budget to provide funds for that purpose. According to the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, the Nigerian government realised the timing of its planned removal of petrol subsidy is problematic, and will worsen the suffering of Nigerians. Speaking with journalists, Mr Wabba said the union decided at its national executive council meeting on Tuesday morning. He said the decision to suspend the protest was based on the suspension of the proposal to stop the subsidy on petrol by the federal government. Following the reversal and re-approach by the government, the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress had an emergency virtual meeting this morning to consider the new position of the government, Mr Wabba said. READ ALSO: After vigorous debates, the NEC decided to suspend the planned nationwide protest scheduled for 27th January 2022 and the national protest in Abuja scheduled for 2nd February 2022. He noted that the leadership of the Congress has communicated its decision to its civil society allies who have stood behind Nigerian workers in its quest for social and economic justice for workers and the downtrodden people of our country. Going forward, we will continue to engage with the government on the very critical issues of ensuring local refining of petroleum, creation of sustainable jobs and provision of petrol at an affordable price for Nigerian workers and people. Finally, we commend the Nigerian workers and people, particularly our civil society allies, for their unwavering solidarity and support during this struggle. We sure are stronger together, he said. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The ability to follow social norms has long been commended as propriety in China, as is reflected in the Chinese idiom "Ke Ji Fu Li," which means restraining one's words and deeds to comply with social norms. Proposed by ancient philosopher Confucius (551-479 B.C.), the term is recorded in The Analects, a collection of teachings and thoughts of him. It is the fundamental method that Confucius recommended for achieving benevolence, a key idea in his thoughts. Confucius' disciple Yan Yuan once asked him about benevolence. "To restrain yourself and practice propriety is benevolence," Confucius replied. Confucius' thoughts have had a profound influence on later generations in China and some other Asian countries. In modern days, littering, spitting, cursing, cutting in line and smoking in public venues are considered uncivilized and contradictory to the Confucian doctrine of practicing propriety to conform to social norms. The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed March 9 for a former Governor of Adamawa State, Muritala Nyako, and his co-defendants to open their defence in the N29 billion money laundering case filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This came about a week after the Court of Appeal, in Abuja, ordered the defendants to return to the trial court to enter their defence. In compliance with the Court of Appeals judgement, the trial judge, Okon Abang, had scheduled the case to continue Monday. But, after the defence appealed for more time to prepare for their case, the judge, on Monday, postponed the proceedings till Tuesday. On Tuesday, Mr Nyakos defence team led by Edidiong Usungurua asked for further adjournment. Mr Usungurua represented the lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who was absent from the Tuesdays proceedings. On his part, the prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, noted that the defence was taking the court for granted. But he opted to leave the issue of granting another adjournment at the courts discretion. Commenting on the matter, the judge , who is currently on transfer to the Warri, Delta State division of the court, said he would only adjourn the matter until a date that he had scheduled to return to hear his pending cases in the Abuja division. The matter will be adjourned to a date convenient for the court, Mr Abang said. Mr Abang also ruled out any grounds for seeking any undue adjournment of the case in future. He said the court would not entertain any other application for adjournment in the matter again. If the lead counsel has another matter on the date the matter will be adjourned to, the counsel is at liberty to attend to the other matter but must provide a legal representative, Mr Abang said. He cited a Supreme Court decision which he said supported his position that no lawyer must insist on handling cases personally. The judge recalled that he had, on Monday, given the defendants 24 hours to begin their defence or have their case foreclosed, and judgment delivered against them. Mr Abang asked for the cooperation of all parties, and then adjourned the matter until March 9,10 and 11. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on July 7, 2015, charged Mr Nyako, his son, Abdul-Aziz Nyako, and other co-defendants with 37 counts of money laundering and abuse of office involving about N29billion, offences they allegedly committed while Mr Nyako was Adamawa State governor. The co-defendants include two companies, Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd, through which the money was allegedly laundered. The rest of the defendants are: Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd. Backstory After the prosecution finished calling its witnesses, the defendants filed a no-case motion, requesting that the charges against them be dismissed since the prosecution failed to link them to the alleged offenses. In the absence of any prima facie case brought against them by the EFCC, the defendants asked the court to dismiss the charges. Mr Abang, the trial judge, however, on July 19, 2021, dismissed the no-case submission. He ruled that contrary to their claims, the evidence led by the prosecution linked them to the alleged offences, therefore they must provide answers to the charges against them. Advertisements Displeased with Mr Abangs decision, they filed an appeal against it. But, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on January 18, 2022, upheld Mr Abangs ruling, and ordered the defendants to return to the trial court to defend themselves in respect of the charges levelled against them. Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has said that the security outfit, Ebubeagu would not be disbanded, despite the alleged involvement of some of its officials in extra-judicial killings. Ebubeagu was set up by the Ebonyi State Government to complement the job of the police and other security agencies in checking the rising crime rates in the state. Violent protest erupted recently in a community in the state over the alleged torture and killing of a man by members of the security outfit. An official of Ebubeagu was recently beheaded, while another was killed and his remains set ablaze. It is important to note that Ebubeagu is a security outfit backed by law and it will not be disbanded but any Ebubeagu member that violates the law will go in for it, Mr Umahi said on Monday when visited the troubled Akaeze community in Ivo Local Government Area. The law on Ebubeagu is very clear, just like there are bad elements in other security forces and within the society, there may be bad eggs in Ebubeagu but my position is that the bad eggs in Ebubeagu must be identified and removed. Mr Umahi said Ebubeagu is doing a beautiful job, helping the police and the army to fight crimes in the state. He advised members of the security outfit to act within the limit of the law by promptly handing over suspected criminals to the police. You are not even permitted to torture them not to talk of killing them but you have the right of self-defense and the evidence must be there and overwhelmingly and so what happened here did not make me happy. Two wrongs must never make a right, the seven people that masterminded this must be arrested and prosecuted, I am not the governor of one party, I am the governor of all parties, and most importantly I am accountable to God, Mr Umahi said. The governor directed the demobilisation of all gun-carrying non-security persons in the area. Let me warn all the youth to be very careful about taking laws into their hands, if they commit a murder case and it is before me, I will sign their execution, he added. The controversy around the activities of Ebubeagu in Ebonyi has energised the argument against the agitation for state police in Nigeria. (NAN) The Nigerian government has announced plans to integrate routine childhood immunisation at various COVID-19 vaccination sites across the country. The executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, made this known at the National COVID-19 weekly briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. Mr Shuaib said the integration is to ensure that preventable childhood diseases are not neglected in the face of the response against the pandemic. He said; In this phase of COVID-19 mass vaccination, the campaign would be integrated with childhood immunisation and other primary health care services. What this simply means is that alongside the COVID-19 vaccines, childhood vaccines will also be available at COVID-19 vaccination sites. The childhood vaccines protect against polio, whooping cough, measles, yellow fever, tetanus, tuberculosis, and other childhood preventable diseases. He urged parents or guardians with children aged zero to 23 months to take them along to the vaccination sites. COVID-19 vaccination Mr Shuaib said over 14 million eligible persons in Nigeria have received the first shot of COVID-19 vaccines. He also said over five million eligible Nigerians have taken their second dose making them fully vaccinated against the virus. Our record as of today, Tuesday, January 25 2022 shows that 14,093,873 eligible persons have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria while 5,252,406 eligible Nigerians have been fully vaccinated, he said. Mr Shuaib, however, said these results are not evenly distributed across the states of the federation. He said a deep dive into state performances reveals that Nasarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Ogun, and Kwara have remained the top 5 performing states on COVID-19 vaccine uptake. It is noteworthy to mention that Jigawa and Lagos have each vaccinated about 1.5million eligible Nigerians with the first dose, while FCT, Nasarawa, Lagos and Delta are leading on second dose administration with more than 10 per cent of eligible populations in each of the states already vaccinated, he said. He said this information will serve as an encouragement for the states in the vaccine uptake, going forward. More cases Mr Shuaib said the holiday season came with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country. He said several unvaccinated individuals were migrating from the cities to the rural areas and back to the cities. He said; Globally, we saw the emergence of new variants such as IHU variant in France which is said to have 46 mutations, Deltacron in Cyprus and the Omicron variant still being highly infectious with a BA.2 subvariant rapidly spreading. More of our citizens were coming down with the infection. Luckily for our vaccinated population, those who came down with the infection had mild symptoms which they managed at home due to the immunity the vaccination provided them. The NPHCDA boss added that new variants are emerging because there is still a large proportion of the eligible population yet to be vaccinated. He noted that vaccination prevents people from severe disease, hospitalisation, and deaths related to the virus. He encourage Nigerians to utilise the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign across the country to get fully vaccinated. He said; It is important that we protect ourselves and our loved ones by getting the jab. Our vaccination exercise was expanded to enable all eligible persons to have easier access. All vaccination sites are open to eligible persons, 18 years and above for first, second and booster doses. We call on Nigerians to avail themselves of this opportunity in the ongoing mass vaccination exercise to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Advertisements In his remarks, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria Representative, Peter Hawkins, said more and more Nigerians are getting vaccinated against COVID-19 on a daily basis. Mr Hawkins said about 200,000 Nigerians get vaccinated against COVID-19 everyday. He said this is a great achievement compared to where the country started from. He said this figure can further be extended to 300,000 daily to meet the countrys target of 2022. Mr Hawkins urges state governments to revitalise their efforts to ensure vaccines are not only available but the people get vaccinated. He also said Nigeria has so far received about 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The convocation ceremony was held at the popular J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium. When the auditorium was being built, General Yakubu Gowon, as the Head of State of Nigeria and Visitor to UNILAG, had arranged for Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia to be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree during his 1972 State Visit to Nigeria. The auditorium was named after the Emperor and the Library of the University of Lagos was named after his host as Yakubu Gowon Library. For two reasons, I returned to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), on January 20, in an official capacity after almost 29 years, to participate in the 52nd Convocation of the great University, that is, according to President Muhammadu Buhari and many of us, the University of First Choice and the Nations Pride. I left Unilag as a Senior lecturer in the tumultuous year of 1993, on a leave of absence to work at the United Nations as part of the peace support operation in Somalia. I had thought I would be away for only six months but it turned out that I was away for 23 years and 10 months. Of course, I am a proud Akokite, having obtained a Bachelors degree in Political Science (1976) and another Bachelors in Law (1990) from UNILAG. More importantly, however, UNILAG paid for my training for a PhD at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in the United States, thanks to the visionary leadership of Professor Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi of blessed memory. I returned within four years and served for over a decade more than the four years expected of me under the training agreement I signed. The convocation ceremony was held at the popular J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium. When the auditorium was being built, General Yakubu Gowon, as the Head of State of Nigeria and Visitor to UNILAG, had arranged for Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia to be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree during his 1972 State Visit to Nigeria. The auditorium was named after the Emperor and the Library of the University of Lagos was named after his host as Yakubu Gowon Library. Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia a.k.a Ras Tafari and The Lion of Judah, had led the Ethiopian resistance to the brief Italian colonisation of 1935-1941, from his exile in England during the Second World War. His resistance only received British support after Italy joined the war on the side of the Axis Powers, in the spirit of the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Haile Selassie mediated, without success, during the Nigerian Civil War. He had played a pivotal role in realising the May 25, 1963 creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the African Union (AU). In addition, a Jamaican religious and political movement had seen the coronation of Emperor Selassie in 1930 as the prophesised arrival of the Holy Messiah who would redeem the black people from slavery and return them to Zion, where there would be utmost freedom in a paradise on earth. They called themselves Rastafarians, from the Emperors coronation name. Bob Marley and others popularised the Rastafarians through reggae music and the call for black people to redeem themselves from mental slavery. But in his country, the Emperors rule was under a feudal system that impoverished his people. Starvation was rife. So, little wonder that the Ethiopian military overthrew the Emperor in September 1974. Murdered or dead from neglect on August 27, 1975, he was buried under a toilet to avoid continued veneration by his supporters, until his body was found in 1992 and properly reburied. The initially much loved Yakubu Gowon reneged on his deadline of 1976 to relinquish power in Nigeria and thereby reinstate the civilian rule. This led to the enigmatic Tai Solarins treatise that was titled, The Beginning of an End. Of course, like Wole Soyinka, he was incarcerated. But alas, power is transient. Yakubu Gowon was overthrown on July 29, 1975, while attending an OAU Summit in Kampala. He was toppled by the head of his trusted Brigade of Guards, Colonel Joe N. Garba, as he then was. The management of the University of Lagos repossessed the names of the Library and the Main Auditorium and subsequently and rightly granted J.F. Ade Ajayi, an Omoluabi, the honour of living on in recognition of all he did to transform UNILAG beyond Eko for Show, as it was once derisively referred to. My official return to UNILAG on January 20, was to represent Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola, the vice-chancellor of Chrisland University, who was unavoidably absent. She had to receive a National Universities Commission (NUC) Verification Panel on the College of Law, signifying a major legacy in the growth of Chrisland University. My task, like that of 15 other visiting vice-chancellors, was to deliver a congratulatory message encapsulated in a scroll to Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, the vice-chancellor of UNILAG. It was also an opportunity to reconnect with some of my friends, the principal one being Professor Duro Oni, in whose office I donned the Chrisland academic gown, a beautiful purple colour, as a variety to the many red and maroon colours of UNILAG. The auditorium was full, and the ceremony was presided over by Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, the Shehu of Bornu, in his capacity as the chancellor of Unilag. The pro-chancellor and chairman of the Council of UNILAG, Prince Dr Olanrewaju Adeyemi Tejuoso, (a Great Akokite), was there with the registrar of the university, Oladejo Azeez, Esq., who also as a Great Akokite constantly reminded us of our being in the best university in the universe. Almost all on the chancellors first row stood up in recognition of Dr George Asuelinmen and had photographs with a role model that would, in saner climes, have been conferred with a national honour. Alas, in Nigeria, the national honour is largely reserved for politicians, thieves of the national patrimony, as well as friends of the president and governors of states. D. Joy Chinyere Umudu, in Pure Mathematics, obtained the Overall Best PhD thesis and many prizes, as a result. Present was Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Ikubabayeye, the Alaafin of Oyo. His ancestors ruled over a vast Oyo Empire and decided the life and death of many Yoruba, with the exception of the Ijebu, who were never defeated in any war until the British Maxim guns subjugated them in 1892 at Magbon. The Alaafin, in spite of his enormous powers, was under Yoruba democracy, put in check by the Oyo Mesi, the council of king-makers, who were also the king-unmakers for tyrants, as they had the power to instruct a tyrannical Alaafin to commit suicide (by drinking from the poisoned calabash) and he had no choice but to comply. This time, he was accompanied by only three of his many beautiful wives. I do not know the exact number of his wives, but he is no match for his father, who reputedly had 200 wives. He was at the ceremony in a dual capacity: As the chancellor, University of Maiduguri, and as a proud father who came to witness the conferment of a Masters degree on one of his children, Ms Adedoja Adeyemi. Without the official task, I would, like Ikubabayeye, have been at UNILAG to witness the admission of my resilient cousin, Dr Titilope Olorunyomi, nee Koya, to a PhD in Guidance and Counseling at age 51. Titilope, like her father, Otunba C.O. Koya, the patriarch of my maternal family, had obtained her Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of First Choice. I am very proud of Titi, as we fondly call her. I know that it has not been easy to combine the general hardships of Nigeria, demanding responsibilities of work in the Ministry of Education, where she is an assistant director; teaching Biology at Kings College, Lagos; as well as jointly with Segun Olorunyomi, bringing up children, including Ms Funmilayo Olorunyomi, who bagged a Bachelors in Economics two days before Titilope was conferred with a PhD. A firm but approachable teacher, Titi enjoys working with teens and sees her work not just as a career but a calling. The title of her dissertation corroborates her passion: Effects of Activity Schedule and Anticipation Training Therapies in Alleviating Psychosocial Premenstrual Syndrome among Female Secondary School Adolescents in Lagos State. The study was based on the survey of a sample of 105 female adolescents. There were many other side shows, with one being the conferment of a PhD in Engineering on 70-year-old George Asuelinmen, a retiree. There was a lot of excitement about this stellar achievement which, goes to show that its better late than never. Almost all on the chancellors first row stood up in recognition of Dr George Asuelinmen and had photographs with a role model that would, in saner climes, have been conferred with a national honour. Alas, in Nigeria, the national honour is largely reserved for politicians, thieves of the national patrimony, as well as friends of the president and governors of states. D. Joy Chinyere Umudu, in Pure Mathematics, obtained the Overall Best PhD thesis and many prizes, as a result. I thought there were too many speeches than really necessary. I paid particular attention to two: Those of the vice-chancellor and that of the Visitor. Professor Ogundipe, in what he described as his last convocation address, detailed the achievements of UNILAG under his leadership. In a laconic manner, he acknowledged his victory, nay victory for the rule of law, over his purported removal from office by the immediate past pro-chancellor and subsequent reinstatement. He asserted the fairness of President Muhammadu Buhari as the visitor, when he noted that the president, ensured that the University of Lagos navigated a turbulent period untainted. The visitor, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Dr Chris Maiyaki, deputy executive secretary of the NUC, equally noted the unnecessary challenge to the claim of UNILAG being the University of First Choice and the Nations Pride, as a result of the turbulence of 2020 that unnecessarily delayed the conferment of degrees and subjected the university to ridicule. I am on the side of due process and appreciate the Federal Governments intervention that confirmed the violation of due process and rightly restored Professor Toyin Ogundipe as vice-chancellor. The visitor needs to urgently release the findings of the Panel of inquiry and vindicate Professor Ogundipe or confirm the several allegations on his management of the University of Lagos. However, I am disappointed that President Buhari said nothing about the White Paper Committees to address all findings from panels set up to look into what happened or is happening in many federal universities, including UNILAG, with a view to apportioning blames as necessary. The tardiness over the release of the outcome of the entire inquiry into UNILAG resulted in the claim by ThisDay newspaper on September 13, 2021, that the former pro-chancellor had been vindicated and the vice-chancellor indicted. This claim was immediately and unequivocally denied by Mr Ben Bem Goong, director, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, in a press statement issued on September 17, 2021. I am on the side of due process and appreciate the Federal Governments intervention that confirmed the violation of due process and rightly restored Professor Toyin Ogundipe as vice-chancellor. The visitor needs to urgently release the findings of the Panel of inquiry and vindicate Professor Ogundipe or confirm the several allegations on his management of the University of Lagos. Returning to the speech of the visitor, the president lost me and many other listeners when he made Dr Maiyaki boldly tell us that his administration has done well in the fight against corruption, improved security, and stimulation of the economy. He should have told that to the Marines. I am Yoruba to the core. Yoruba culture does not allow me to write that a man old enough to almost be in a position to give birth to me is telling lies. Maybe I can try to be smart like the respected civil rights leader in America, Andrew Young, who told the world that he never met the late Yasser Arafat. As the Permanent Representative of the US to the UN, with the policy guidance of the Carter Administration, he knew he was not to meet the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). Those days, American administrations regarded the PLO as a terrorist organisation. When shown the proof of his meeting, he was asked why he told a white lie. He responded that he did not tell a white lie but merely shaded the truth grey. PMB has shaded the truth grey on his achievements at the helm of affairs in my country. We all know that Nigeria is worse off than when President Buhari came to power in 2015. There is general apathy in the presidentPs fight against corruption. Compliance with the UNs Convention Against Corruption that we signed on to has been thrown overboard by his Attorney-General, who has acted like his predecessor on that issue. Of course, I know he would tell me he set up a committee on implementing UNCAC in 2017. What has happened to that Committee four years later? Corruption at all levels has graduated from being endemic to being a pandemic sharing the status of the coronavirus in the continued decimation of our lives. Impunity continues to reign supreme in our lives. Of course, small kids who are not politically relevant get punished for corruption. How many high-level corruption issues have been swept under the carpet by the Buhari administration? A visitation on Panama, Paradise, and Pandora papers would be very instructive. Insecurity has spread beyond the North-East, even if Boko Harams physical control of territories has been reduced in that part of our country, as they have switched to setting up fiefdoms in the North-Central. On peace and security, Nigeria is worse than Buhari found it. The vociferous separatist cries, herders/farmers clashes, the spate of kidnappings for ransoms, etc., all support my claim. I am not saying that Nigeria would have been better off if President Goodluck Jonathan had won the 2015 election. His trajectory with the rapacious stealing under him was not salutary. But President Buhari, in my assessment, has not performed any better when one considers many indices, including the unbridled rapacious stealing of the national patrimony as if there is no tomorrow, as well as the reduced levels of human security. On the economy, Nigerians are unable to feel the impact of the success of Sai Baba at the marketplace, in spite of the fake rice pyramids we are being shown. I will pause in order to live to talk about the Buhari administration another time when I can better absorb the emotional stress involved in discussing the pathetic situation of Nigeria. For now, my purpose is to congratulate the University of Lagos and the newly released academic giants. Babafemi A. Badejo is a former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Somalia and currently a professor of Political Science/International Relations, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Nigeria. That thing that Satan is telling you that you may never get is eventually coming to your hands in surplus. Stay on your lane. You will never be late. Everybody is doing it. I will also do it comes with a ticket just like I was given a ticket. And a ticket signifies punishment. For some people, the ticket might be longer years in the wilderness of life. For some people, the ticket might be unanswered prayers or shut doors. For some people, the ticket might be a complete loss of focus and vision. To Have Your Testimony, You Must Pass Your Test Years back, while I was in Europe, a close friend of mine, a very sound believer in Christ, was experiencing some very severe financial crisis. He had no job, despite his impressive academic qualifications. Life was very tough, and all he could survive on was a menial job. During the heat of this terrible experience, he got introduced to a leading female personality in our city, who promised to help him secure a job. An appointment was fixed between both of them, only for my friend to discover that the lady needed him to work with her very closely as a sex partner. The monthly salary was huge. My friend turned it down without hesitation. Today, my friend is a top executive of a major multinational corporation, without going to Sodom. Greed Is A Major Destroyer! When the roll call of generational failures in the Bible is made, Lot could easily climb to the top of the list. The background to the destiny-truncating migration of Lot to Sodom was largely shaped by his covetousness and lack of spiritual sensitivity. Lot grew up under one of the best models of leadership in the Bible Abraham, the father of faith. Lot was mentored, shaped, guided, and tutored by Abraham for many years. Abraham gave Lot a platform to thrive, and helped him to discover and maximise his potential. And true to his expectations, Lot grew in leaps and in bounds to the extent that his animal husbandry business became the talk of the town. Sadly, Lot voluntarily and covetously left his place of safety and protection, under the mentorship of Abraham, and walked his way into Sodom, in an act that was the final nail to his coffin. Covetuosness Can Make Us Miss Out On Gods Plan What paved the way for Lots descent into this abyss of failure was his lack of honour for Abraham. Abraham had given Lot the platform he needed to excel and thrive, but familiarity and his failure at giving honour that was due to his uncle blinded him from noticing that he was standing on the threshold of history, as the worlds first generational failure. Sadly, a lot of us are cooling off in Sodom today because we ignorantly fired ourselves from the mentorship of someone whose platform shaped us. We felt like, I have now arrived. I can always take care of myself. We promoted ourselves before we completed our course works. That was what ruined the life of Lot and sent him to the land of Sodom. Sodom is the biblical synonym for everything evil in this world. The journey to Sodom is the journey into the abyss of sin. Sodom typifies compromise. Sodom typifies greed and covetousness. When Lot foolishly chose Sodom, he thought he was making the best choice of his life. Why? Deal With Anything That Wont Allow You Fullfil Your Destiny The land of Sodom looked so fertile and green from the outside (Genesis 13:10). And that is always the case, Sodom always looks green until men taste Sodom. A lot of us walked our ways right into Sodom. Many Sodoms have been erected by Satan to capture the hearts of humanity at this critical hour. Some have been captured by the Sodom of Adultery. Adultery always appears sweet from the outside, until you taste its bitter pill, only to later discover that it is poison to the soul. Sexual immorality always appears sweet from the outside, until its consequences start to fall in. May you never be captured by the Sodom of Adultery. You only need to ask those who have been captured by it to tell you what their experiences have been. Stay With God, It Always Pays Sodom always look very green and attractive from the outside until men taste its bitter pill. Dear Man of God, why should you go to Sodom because your church and ministry have not grown? You have begun to lift up your eyes like Lot, courtesy of bad ministry friends who have tasted Sodom, and have vowed never to crash alone, and are now luring you with a bait to come and join them in their Sodom of manipulation, heretic teachings, lies and occultism. The grass of Sodom always looks greener on the other side until you experience it. Yes, Sodom will give you fame, large crowds, international invitations and recognitions. But eventually, Sodom will destroy you. Is it not better to pastor one person faithfully, and make it to heaven rather than trade your dignity and faithfulness for the sweet promises of Sodom? Are Sharp Practices Really Worth It? Or perhaps, you are a Christian business person. You actually began your journey with God as a faithful, loyal and focused businessman who would never take or give a bribe. You would never compromise your Christian values and ideal for anything on earth. You were a beacon of light to many people, until your business began to experience turbulence, and now you have considered going to Sodom, because the grass seems greener there. You have been introduced to the movers and shakers in government and in politics, who have promised to help you blow up your business, if only you could join their secret societies. That is Sodom calling on you. It will destroy you and send you to hell. Run from it! The Wrong Route Is Usually Destructive Or maybe you have been married for a long time with no fruit of the womb to show for it, but one of the citizens of Sodom has been calling on you to come over to their side. Sodom is doing a green card programme, and you are considering applying to become a citizen. The grass seems greener on that side. With a little sacrifice, with a little enchantment and obeisance to your family deity, you would become pregnant and give birth to a set of twins. You have suddenly begun to consider a trip to Sodom. Nobody has ever gone to Sodom and come back the same. Sodom is a destroyer of destiny. Sodom is a destroyer of marriages. Sodom is a destroyer of resources. Nothing good has ever and will ever come out of Sodom. The Consequences of Sodom By the time Sodom was done with Lot, he had lost his properties; he had lost all his money; he had lost friends; he had lost his wife; and eventually, he lost is dignity, becoming the worlds first progenitor of bastards. And sadly, Abraham did all he could to help Lot. But no one enters Sodom and comes out without a scar. Dont go to Sodom for any reason on earth. Can You Be Stagnated With God? That grass that Satan is making you to see as green is actually a poison to your soul. Stay with your wife. Take your eyes away from other women. Stay with your husband. Dont abandon him because he is poor. It is better to stagnate with God than to progress with the devil. A stagnant God is a whole generation ahead of a progressive devil. In a matter of time, you will be the envy of the progressive devils, just a matter of time. Sodom is never and must never be your option. The Result Of a Quick Fix Recently, and for the first time in seven years, I was pulled over by the Police, and handed a very painful ticket. How could I have done this? Oh my God! I sat in the car with my wife, utterly upset with myself, and the audacity I dispensed to attract this ticket. I was racing on the highway to meet up with a very urgent appointment. Apparently, there was a long traffic ahead of me. But when I looked to the right lane, it was quite very free. But it wasnt the legally allowed portion of the road for vehicles in active movement to ply. It was a road for cars in emergency situations. I saw dozens of cars switching to this lane, and I felt like, nothing is really wrong if I join them. Afterall, I am not the only one doing this. Every other car passed and went away smoothly. But when I switched lanes to use this emergency road, I was stunned to see through my rear-view mirror, the blazing siren of the Police. I was stunned! Whats going on here?, I asked my wife. The Police are after us. That was the day I knew that I dont belong to the crowd. Others may do it and get away with it. If I do it, I wont get away with it. I was pulled over and handed a ticket of $200. What a lesson I learnt on that fateful day. You know what? The next time I passed on that road, and the same experience of long traffic repeated itself, I stuck to the long lane of traffic. I had learnt my lesson in a very hard way. Others may be doing it. Because I am a kingdom diplomat, a man under the surveillance of heaven, a man under assignment, a man with a mandate from heaven. God will not allow me to get away with it. A lot of us have joined the multitudes to ruin our destinies. We thought we could circumvent Gods plan by joining the multitudes to do evil because the multitudes, many of whom are our friends, do these things and get away with them. Dont do it! If you have to wait for God for twenty years till he moves on your behalf, so let it be. Waiting on God is not wasting your time. It is better to be stagnant with God than to be fast with the devil. We Are In a Word Of Compromise Have you ever been pushed to the wall of compromise, and youve considered walking out of the boundaries of your kingdom conviction to do what others are doing? We live in a world of compromise. Compromise has become the most fashionable option for many in Gods kingdom, for as long as it produces results. I have read about the stories of many people who used false passports to travel from Africa to Europe. Its called impersonation. Every other person will be doing it. For the man and the woman under the surveillance of heaven, you cant do that and get away with it. I am referring to the groups of Christians who have submitted themselves to the lordship and rulership of Christ as instruments in his hands for a unique assignment on earth. I am talking about the believers who have discovered their callings in various spheres of life. Advertisements They may be called into the world of the academy or medicine or engineering or ministry. It doesnt matter. As long as they have yielded themselves to their assignments on earth, they are drafted into the surveillance network of heaven. Others may be compromising; they dare not compromise. Others may decide to look for children from the devil because to them God is too slow. These groups of kingdom diplomats dare not touch that with a long pole. Others may be adding occultism to their ministry. These groups of people dare not do that. If they try it, they will be severely disciplined by God. Others may be sleeping around with different people. These groups of people dare not toe that route. The day they sleep with the first person outside of their marriage is the day the judgement of God will come on them to straighten them up and out. My Visa Experience I can vividly recall my experience with obtaining a visa to travel outside of Nigeria many years ago. For some reasons I cannot explain, I found myself trapped in the hands of someone who wanted to make fake visas for me. That was Sodom! The offer was so juicy. The money to do it was available with me in surplus. But the Lord told me clearly, Why are you looking for what is not lost? Others may be doing it and may be getting away with it. If you try it, your journey will be long in the wilderness. I declined the corrupt route of travelling out to the U.K. Today, I dont need visa to travel to more than one hundred and forty countries on earth including the same U.K. That is what Satan wanted to rob me of. Dont Join The Bandwagon A lot of us have joined the multitudes to ruin our destinies. We thought we could circumvent Gods plan by joining the multitudes to do evil because the multitudes, many of whom are our friends, do these things and get away with them. Dont do it! If you have to wait for God for twenty years till he moves on your behalf, so let it be. Waiting on God is not wasting your time. It is better to be stagnant with God than to be fast with the devil. If you are in Christ and are genuinely rooted in Christ and in his assignment for your life, you are a marked person. God takes special interest in training and mentoring you. Dont compromise. Dont join a multitude to sin. That thing that Satan is telling you that you may never get is eventually coming to your hands in surplus. Stay on your lane. You will never be late. Everybody is doing it. I will also do it comes with a ticket just like I was given a ticket. And a ticket signifies punishment. For some people, the ticket might be longer years in the wilderness of life. For some people, the ticket might be unanswered prayers or shut doors. For some people, the ticket might be a complete loss of focus and vision. Had I left Nigeria that year, I would never have found my way into ministry. And I can guarantee it that I would have married a wrong person! The consequences of going to Sodom are too dire. Stay in your matter. You will soon matter. Its only a matter of time Ayo Akerele, a leadership and system development strategist and minister of the word, writes from Canada and can be reached through ayoakerele2012@gmail.com. Thirteen students from Chibok, who completed an intensive programme under the New Foundation School (NFS), were among those who took the traditional Community Oath of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) on Monday, January 24. The 13 young women from Chibok joined other new students from all the 36 states of Nigeria, Rwanda, Niger Republic, and Cameroon, to participate in the colourful Spring 2022 Semester Convocation and Pledge ceremony along with parents, friends, and relatives. The President of the university, Margee Ensign, presided over the ceremony. She extolled the merits of the American-style liberal arts education offered at AUN, which she pointed out is purposefully designed to develop solutions to local, regional, national, and global problems. Last October, 57 Chibok students from AUNs New Foundation School (NFS) were admitted into AUNs undergraduate programmes. They have since begun their academic journey in Public Health, Law, Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Communication, and Multimedia Design, among other exciting and life-changing programmes offered at AUN. The Chibok students enrolled in the AUN New Foundation School (NFS) programme on the scholarship of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Under the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs guardianship, AUN has mentored them into vibrant, curious, and ambitious young women ready for university life and careers after graduation. Ms Ensign explained to the freshers the American style of education and how it can help them and Nigeria. The American style liberal arts education offers small classes so that everyone can interact, can ask questions; discussion groups so that everyone can test their ideas, bounce them off others; research papers so that everyone can ask new questions and search for new answers, and faculty office hours, so that everyone has a chance to discuss course materials more deeply, one-on-one, with the professor. The American-style of education inculcates critical thinking and problem-solving skills and prepares students for leadership and service. That is why we have community serviceso that everyone can take what they learn on campus and leave the campus and test what they have learned in the real world, to see if it really applies. President Ensign said AUN has made a tremendous impact in the region and on Nigeria as a whole and remains a reference point for quality and innovative learning and a catalyst for development. READ ALSO: Based on the US model of engaged university learning, our students have for many years been involved in the community development of many kinds. Our faculty have been at the forefront of cutting-edge development research. Our graduates have gone on to help change the world. Our Atiku Institute is making a massive difference in our community, state, and region. The ceremony ended with a community oath emphasising diligence, honesty, and service. The extremist Boko Haram sect had on April 14, 2014, abducted 276 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok. A presidential committee said 57 of the girls immediately escaped from their abductors. Some of the girls who either escaped from the terrorists or were released later arrived at AUN and were admitted for a foundational programme specially created for them by the university. When the President Muhammadu Buhari administration came to power in 2015, it began negotiation with the Boko Haram sect. That yielded the release of 21 of the girls in October 2016 and another 82 in May 2017. Not much has been heard of the remaining 112 girls, although the Federal Government says it is still working on getting them released. The Consolidated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has elected a new executive to lead its members for the next three years. The election, conducted on January 19 at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, saw Uwem Ekoh of the Spokesman newspaper emerge as Chairman. Other elected officers are Unyime Etim of Ibom Nation, Vice Chairman; Abigail Isaac of Daily NewsWire as Secretary; Mfon Utip of The Point, Financial Secretary; and Otobong Ufot of the Explorer, Auditor. The State Chairman of the NUJ, Amos Etuk, who is a member of the Consolidated Chapel, was present and cast his vote in the election. The election was supervised by the state council of the NUJ, led by the Secretary, Dominic Akpan, assisted by Mfon Hanson, assistant secretary, and Anietie Esu, auditor. Mr Akpan, who spoke on behalf of the NUJ chairman, charged the new leadership of the chapel to pursue the welfare of members as a cardinal objective. He said the new executive must work hard towards achieving its agenda. He urged them to remain united for the progress of the chapel. Mr Akpan said the peaceful election indicated that a new dawn is here for the chapel and its members. The new Chairman, Mr Ekoh, in his acceptance speech, described the task ahead as enormous and pledged to give the chapel an inclusive and effective leadership. A police post and a magistrate court were among the properties destroyed on Sunday by protesting youths in Akaeze community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, according to the police. The youths were protesting the alleged torture and killing of a man, Anyim Akpoke, by the operatives of Ebubeagu security outfit in the area. The police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Loveth Odah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the rampaging youths destroyed the police post, magistrate court, and a building belonging to the Ebubeagu. The youths also razed a house belonging to the Chairperson of Ivo Local Government Area, Onyebuchi Ogbadu. Eleven people have so far been arrested over the torture and killing of the man, the police spokesperson, Ms Odah, said. The Commissioner of Police has also visited the community and a combined team of the police and military personnel has also been deployed to the area. Investigations have commenced. I assure you, normalcy has returned, she said. Governor Dave Umahi, while reacting to the destruction in Akaeze, warned the youths against violence and brigandage. The governor issued the warning when he made an on-the-spot assessment visit to the troubled community. I feel so sad over the couple of incidents that happened in this place. In the first place, I condemn the viral video making the rounds where somebody was using an axe on a fellow human being. My position is that life is sacred and all those perpetrators of the attacks must be prosecuted immediately, Mr Umahi said. (NAN) The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested a 23-year-old serial burglar in the state and recovered 16 iPhones and two laptops among others. The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ngozi Onadeko made this known in a statement by the commands Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso on Tuesday in Ibadan. Ms Onadeko said the police operatives attached to Felele Division, arrested the suspect on Saturday in connection with a case of burglary and stealing which occurred at about 2000hrs, on December 28, at Choice Plaza, Challenge area, Ibadan where mobile phones and accessories worth N2,000,000 were allegedly stolen. She said the painstaking and diligent investigations, through the swift deployment of intelligence and tactical assets led to the arrest of the suspect. The CP said the suspect was tracked and apprehended in possession of the stolen items which included, 16 iPhone mobile phones, a white earpiece, one unbranded white-coloured earpod, a Sony Vio laptop, one Dell laptop and a black shuttle bag. Ms Onadeko said that preliminary investigations and voluntary confessions made by the suspect revealed that he broke into the mobile phone and accessories shop at Choice Plaza, Challenge, Ibadan with the intent of stealing and reselling the items. She said that efforts were on top gear to break into the suspects criminal network. The CP urged the good people of Oyo State to cooperate with the command by providing credible and timely information that would help maintain the relative peace and tranquillity enjoyed in the state. (NAN) Americans are more concerned about North Korea conducting missile tests than about a possible invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a poll suggests. In the poll of 1,001 American voters on Jan. 16-19 by Fox News, 68 percent of respondents said they are concerned about North Korea conducting missile tests, compared to 62 percent who worry about the standoff between Russia and Ukraine. Thirty-one percent ticked they are "extremely concerned" about North Korea's missile tests and 37 percent "very concerned." Twenty-five percent said they are "not very concerned" and a mere seven percent "not concerned at all." MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia is deeply concerned about recent U.S. actions that are fueling tensions around Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday. "We are watching the actions of the United States with great concern," TASS news agency said, citing the spokesman. The U.S. Department of Defense announced Monday that some 8,500 U.S. troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment due to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, with no decision on formal deployments. When asked about this possibility, Peskov noted that these claims will not affect the current negotiations on Moscow's security guarantees. Russia "needs to get the written response from the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization" to the recent security proposals, the spokesman said, hoping that this would happen this week. The police in Ekiti State on Tuesday said adequate security had been put in place to forestall the breakdown of law and order ahead of primaries for the governorship election in the state. The commands spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, said this in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress party (APC) primaries are scheduled for January 26 and 27, respectively. Mr Abutu restated the commands readiness and deployment of adequate personnel to all voting centres and other relevant places across the state. He said the states Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo, confirmed an approval and deployment of additional manpower from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for the election. Mr Abutu assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the elections. He said the Commissioner charged the personnel deployed to be professional and avoid all forms of corrupt practices while discharging their duties. The Commissioner warns against all forms of electoral malpractices and violence throughout the period of the election. He also called on all stakeholders, party leaders, party members and members of the public to maintain the peace and conduct themselves in accordance with the electoral guidelines and principles, Mr Abutu added. (NAN) The police in Lagos have arrested two officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) suspected to be behind Fridays clash on Lagos Island. The Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the police command in Lagos State, Olayinka Egbeyemi, made the disclosure on the commands Twitter handle monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Mr Egbeyemi said that one Kunle Poly and Tafa Sego were arrested on Monday where NURTW officials were meeting with some transport stakeholders. We arrested two principal suspects this evening, who have been in constant clashes in Idumota and its environs which has intermittently crippled commercial activities in the area, he said. NAN reports that the latest clash on Friday, which left two persons dead, paralysed commercial activities in the area for hours until a police team restored peace. A source told NAN that the two suspects and others have been transferred to Zone II Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, for further investigation. (NAN) The Lagos State Government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the Idumota area of Lagos Island following the violent clash between members of the union in the area. The ever-busy Lagos Island market became a ghost town last Thursday as the crisis crippled business activities especially at the Idumota, Kosoko, Tom Jones and Balogun areas of the market. The Special Adviser to the state governor on transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, on Tuesday, in a statement signed by ministrys spokesperson, Bolanle Ogunlola, said the operations of the union workers at the Eyin Eyo, Church street and Idumota bridge area of Lagos Island have been suspended indefinitely. The decision leading to the suspension was made at a meeting comprising some members of the NURTW, Central Business District (CBD), and the Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General Folashade Timubu-Ojo and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island, Risikat Odumosu) held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre. Henceforth, the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume at Eyin Eyo, Mr Fayinka said. On Tuesday, the police said two people had been arrested in connection with the clash. Mr Fayinka said the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) will station an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota bridge in collaboration with the police to restore sanity in the area, adding that they would also flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis. Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope), the statement read. State Security Operatives are hereby put on Red Alert to ensure Safety and Security of lives and property in Lagos Island and environs. Mrs Odumosu, while appreciating the decision reached by the government, said they would not stand back and watch their properties destroyed by criminal elements. Migrants line up on the border of the United States, foreground, and Canada, background, at a reception center for irregular borders crossers, in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, Canada, Wednesday Jan. 12, 2022, in a photo taken from Champlain, N.Y. They are crossing the U.S.-Canadian border into Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, where they are arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and then allowed to make asylum claims. The process was halted for most cases after the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19, but the Canadian government changed its policy in November, allowing the process to continue. (AP Photo/Wilson Ring) LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Apollon Formularies plc (AQSE: APOL) , ("Apollon" or the "Company"), a UK based international pharmaceutical company specializing in medical cannabis and trading on AQSE Growth Market, is pleased to release its inaugural CEO's Year in Review for 2021 letter to the shareholders from Dr. Stephen D. Barnhill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Apollon Formularies. Dear Fellow Shareholders, It is with great pleasure and excitement that I am writing to you today in my first shareholder letter since being appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Apollon Formularies plc. Last year, 2021 was a year of remarkable accomplishments for our company. Today, we are a distinctly different organization than we were when we started. I am very pleased with the progress that has been made across all parts of the Apollon business during the year and I am confident the next 12 months will see significant growth as attention now turns to increased revenue generation and a global roll out of our medical cannabis products. Indeed, this is an exciting time for a company to be in the medical cannabis business with widespread global interest in cannabinoid medicines. You may have seen some of the recent headlines in the news regarding Big Pharma's new enthusiasm for the medical cannabis industry, including: "Pfizer Bets on Medical Cannabis With $6.7 Billion Acquisition" describing their acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals published by Forbes[1] and "Jazz Pharmaceuticals to buy GW Pharmaceuticals for US$7.2B in cash, stock" as announced by BNN Bloomberg [2]. The increased interest by Big Pharma easy to understand. According to the Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030 report, "the global medical cannabis industry generated $6.82 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $53.88 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 23.6% from 2021 to 2030"[3]. Below, I will highlight some of Apollon's accomplishments over the past year and also introduce you to some welcome additions to our highly expert team. Public Listing: In April 2021, Apollon Formularies plc was admitted for trading on London's AQSE Growth Market under the symbol APOL and successfully completed a 2.5 million funding round. This public listing was notable as Apollon was among the first medical cannabis companies legally licenced to work with full-spectrum high THC medical cannabis products allowed to be publicly listed in London. Successful Pre-Clinical Cancer Testing of Apollon Cancer Formulations: I am happy to report that Apollon has completed development of 12 proprietary medical cannabis formulations including products for use in cancer patients. These highly specialized formulations were developed, in part, using artificial intelligence techniques under the supervision of Apollon's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Herb Fritsche. Dr. Fritsche is a world-renowned Clinical Chemist and former Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Chief of the Clinical Chemistry Section at The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for 41 years. He served as an invited consultant/advisor to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Expert Panel for developing Tumor Marker Practice Guidelines for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), on the Laboratory Practice Guidelines Committee for the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB), on the Editorial Board of six international scientific journals, and as a consultant to many major international diagnostic companies. Dr. Fritsche and I have worked together for more than 30 years in artificial intelligence derived cancer biomarker discovery for personalized medicine triage in diagnostics and treatment and have published many peer-reviewed publications together. We sent nine Apollon proprietary medical cannabis cancer formulations for independent 3rd Party pre-clinical testing and validation to BIOENSIS laboratories in the United States. The results of the testing processed so far yielded extraordinary findings. Laboratory results showed a number of Apollon's medical cannabis cancer formulations, were successful in killing nearly 100% of cancer cells from 10 different cancer cell lines in 3D cell culture including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), HER2+ breast cancer[4], ER+/PR+ breast cancer[5], hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and hormone-resistant prostate cancer[6]. The Company is yet to process the remaining results and will update the market of these in due course. 3D cell culture models allow researchers to recreate specific pathophysiological conditions and tumorigenic processes to identify potential biomarkers for therapeutic targeting or assessing cell response to therapies and drug efficacy[7]. The improvement in 3D culture technology has led to the generation of in vitro models that can encompass more physiological and tissue-specific microenvironments with the aim to overcome the drawbacks observed in other pre-clinical models and have better predictive value for clinical outcomes[8]. We were extremely pleased with these pre-clinical results. Apollon's International Cancer and Chronic Pain institute: After successfully completing the pre-clinical testing on the Apollon medical cannabis cancer formulations, the decision was made to open the first International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute ("ICCPI") in Kingston, Jamaica and in June 2021, the Company announced the signing of a long-term lease for this facility[9]. The ICCPI was officially opened in December 2021 for the purpose of treating private patients by physician prescription and performing human clinical trials to validate the results seen in our successful pre-clinical testing[10]. The ICCPI has a full medical team of licensed physicians currently treating patients at the facility. As previously announced, the Medical Director of the Institute is Dr. Dingle Spence, a board-certified physician specialising in Clinical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, and Palliative Care Medicine.[11] Also seeing patients at the facility is Dr. Anthony Hall, a board-certified neurosurgeon licensed to practice in the US and Jamaica, Dr. Al Dawes, a board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Marjorie Vassell, a family practitioner, and Dr. Jodi-Anne Mckenley-King, a general practitioner. In addition to their medical specialties, these physicians at the ICCPI are now trained and experienced in using Apollon medical cannabis products in patients. In anticipation of starting the human clinical trials at the ICCPI, Apollon announced the appointment of Dr. the Honorable Archibald McDonald, Professor Emeritus, and Former University Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies, as Director of Clinical Trials.[12] Professor McDonald is a recipient of the prestigious Order of Jamaica (OJ) for Excellence in Academia and Public Service, Jamaica's highest civilian honour, recipient of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) and Current Chairman, Ministry of Health and Wellness Ethics Panel. Dr. McDonald was recently quoted as stating "If we (Apollon) achieve the same level of success in human clinical trials that was recently demonstrated in the independent, 3rd party pre-clinical studies, these products could greatly help cancer patients in Jamaica and internationally." We are pleased to announce that the ICCPI has welcomed the first cancer patients, including our first international cancer patient from the UK in December 2021 to be treated with Apollon's proprietary medical cannabis products. Only nine months after our IPO and we continue to be astonished and humbled by the level of interest from cancer sufferers globally enquiring about treatment at the ICCPI. This centre allows Apollon to expand the patient treatment programme, generate additional revenue for the Company, and provide the opportunity to gather invaluable patient data on Apollon's formulations. It is expected that the grand opening of the ICCPI will take place in the coming weeks. It is our goal to bring our medicine to the widest audience possible which will become a core focus as we move into 2022. Processing Facility and Production Upgrade Apollon has recently announced the expansion of our CLA-licensed state-of-the-art production facility in Negril, Jamaica.[13] As a key part of the upgrade, the Company purchased a new high-volume pharmaceutical distiller from the US which has significantly increased Apollon's medical quality cannabis oil production capability to over 50 times its former production level to a capacity now of nearly 20 litres of distilled medical cannabis oil per day. This increased production capacity allows the Company to significantly increase its inventory for patients being treated at the ICCPI and the significant number of patients expected to enrol in our upcoming human clinical trials. The expansion also opens the path to further revenue generation opportunities to the wider domestic market and expansion to international export markets which is included in Apollon's CLA-licensed approvals. It is also important for the Company to have a large volume of properly stored inventory for much larger international clinical trials which Apollon anticipates will be in partnership with large international pharmaceutical companies entering the medical cannabis market in the near future. Retail Therapeutic Dispensary We are happy to report that our retail therapeutic dispensary is now operating at near pre-COVID levels after a significant slowdown due to the temporary halts and restrictions on travel to Jamaica by the Jamaican government in their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Upon reopening the borders, the Jamaican government required medical patient facilities to become COVID compliant. I'm very proud of our Jamaican team for achieving COVID Compliance and as a result our dual facilities in Negril and Kingston are now opened to treat both international and Jamaican patients as evidenced by taking our first UK cancer patient in late 2021. Cannabis License Authority (CLA) License Renewals We are pleased to announce that our CLA-licenses for Processing and Retail (Therapeutic) were recently renewed for an additional three years until January 2025.[14] Our Research and Development license is current and does not need to be renewed until September 2022. Apollon is one of the very few companies in Jamaica with all three of these vertically integrated CLA approved licenses. The Apollon Advantage One of the competitive advantages Apollon has that sets us apart from other medical pharmaceutical cannabis companies is our full spectrum THC cannabis oil licencing regime. We are one of very few medical cannabis companies globally that is a publicly traded company, legally licenced to work with full spectrum high THC cannabis, undertake drug discovery, execute pre-clinical testing, perform human clinical trials, provide immediate direct human availability of these treatments by physician prescription, have an International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute, and are approved to export our medical cannabis products globally. It is my sincere belief that global customers, including potential partners like Big Pharma, seeking medical cannabis products and partnerships will look to companies like Apollon, that will have patent protected products, validated by pre-clinical and human clinical trial data rather than companies with random medical cannabis oils without this level of scientific rigor and intellectual property protection. The ability to undertake drug discovery in conjunction with human application and treatment is the investment framework I believe Apollon offers. This framework allows us to collect clinical data quickly and accurately on our formulations from real-life treatments at our facilities via both in-patient and outpatient care. We expect the number of patients receiving treatment at our facilities in 2022 to grow significantly. We also anticipate a substantial market for global export of our medical cannabis products. Global Expansion In preparation for global expansion, Apollon made two key executive hires in 2021. The Board appointed Stephen Barnhill, Jr., and Stene Jacobs as joint Chief Operating Officers. Stephen will focus his attentions on Jamaica, the Caribbean, and North America, whilst Stene will focus on Apollon's operations across Europe and Africa.[15] Stephen was a Co-Founder and President of Apollon Formularies Inc. in the US, established in 2014. He was instrumental in the international expansion of Apollon Formularies to Jamaica in 2015, starting Apollon Formularies Jamaica Ltd and was appointed Chief Operating Officer. Once established in Jamaica, Stephen was instrumental in Apollon obtaining a suite of vertical medical cannabis licenses from the Cannabis License Authority (CLA). These licenses were key to allowing Apollon Formularies Jamaica Ltd. to become a federally legal medical cannabis operation. Stephen was then involved in the expansion of Apollon to Europe and assisted in the transformation to a publicly traded company on the AQSE Growth Market in April 2021. Stene joined Apollon in December 2020 as Head of Corporate Development where he has helped foster and develop strategic relationships within the medical cannabis arena in Europe and Africa. He has been a core member of the Apollon team in the lead up to, and post-listing on the AQSE Growth Market. We have also strengthened the Board of Directors by adding Rod McIllree as a Non-Executive Director. Rod has more than 20 years' experience running, advising, and funding public companies focused on growth in the technology, mining, international logistics and finance sectors. Rod has been a long-time advisor to, and investor in, Apollon and holds a significant interest in the shares of the Company. The Company expects to appoint further high-profile directors to the Board in the coming months to advance its growth ambitions. The Future Looks Bright Our leadership can't help but be proud of what our team accomplished over the past 12 months. Apollon is truly a unique company in the medical cannabis space. We are a publicly traded pharmaceutical company legally allowed to operate in the entire spectrum of cannabinoid medicine from CBD and other non-psychogenic cannabinoids to full-spectrum high THC medical cannabis products required for certain conditions like cancer. As a cannabinoid medicine company, Apollon is now fully established and currently treating private Jamaican and international patients by physician prescription with our outstanding medical team of licensed physicians who also have additional special expertise in cannabinoid medicine, as well as commencing our efforts to perform human clinical trials at our recently opened International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute. We now have a fully operational high-volume processing laboratory with the capacity to produce up to 20 litres of high-quality medical cannabis distillate that can be used for our commercial products, our private patients, our clinical trial patients, global export, and increased inventory for potential Big Pharma partners. The Company has completed its pre-clinical testing on our unique proprietary medical cannabis formulations for cancer and is about to embark on validating these very successful results in human clinical trials. Once completed, I believe Apollon, will have a significant database of pre-clinical, clinical, and genomic data in cancer patients treated with medical cannabis products and could become a global leader for cannabinoid medicine in oncology. As an operating business, Apollon has multiple revenue streams including both in-patient and out-patient treatments and consultations, dispensary sales of Apollon products in Jamaica, and most recently through the facility expansion, the opportunity for export of our products globally where legal import is allowed. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity in the first of what I hope will become an annual "CEO Year in Review" to thank our patients, shareholders, employees and advisors for their support and encouragement throughout 2021. The future of Apollon is bright, and I thank you for joining this journey with us. We wish you and your families a happy and healthy new year! Steve Stephen D. Barnhill, MD Chairman and CEO References: 1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/12/20/pfizer-to-enter-the-medical-cannabis-industry-with-67-billion-acquisition/?sh=4276b1fc6072 2 https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/jazz-pharmaceuticals-to-buy-gw-for-7-2-billion-in-cash-stock-1.1558328 3 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medical-cannabis-market-to-reach-53-88-bn-globally-by-2030-at-23-6-cagr-allied-market-research-301418361.html 4 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3089306 5 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3143086 6 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3171758 7 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.782766/full 8 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.782766/full 9 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3124077 10 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3351456 11 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3168080 12 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3405742 13 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3359427 14 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3385761 15 https://www.aquis.eu/aquis-stock-exchange/for-investors/announcements?view_news_id=3175422 For additional information, please visit www.apollon.org.uk or contact: apollon@blytheweigh.com +44 755 499 7357 SOURCE Apollon Formularies Plc SANAA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition launched multiple airstrikes on military camps controlled by the Houthi militia in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Tuesday early morning, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The airstrikes hit several camps in and around Sanaa, said the television without providing further details. The airstrikes came after the militia claimed responsibility for explosive-laden drones and ballistic missile attacks on sites in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On Monday morning, the Houthis announced their responsibility for the cross-border attacks on what it said "military sites" in the areas of Sharurah and Jazan in Saudi Arabia, as well as in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE. This is the second of such cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE claimed by the Houthi militia in nearly a week. The UAE is a key part of the Saudi-led Arab coalition that has been supporting the Yemeni government army against the Houthi militia since March 2015. The Houthi militia has recently lost several strategic districts in the oil-rich provinces of Shabwa and Marib in central Yemen after deadly fighting against the Yemeni army. Hosted virtually, the event featured world-renowned Ethologist and Conservationist Dr Jane Goodall , Circulate Capital Ocean Fund chief executive Rob Kaplan, as well as United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, who came together to address key issues surrounding climate change. At the summit, Dr Jane Goodall debunked the belief that corporations and non-profit organisations are standing at opposite sides. In a fireside chat with P&G Chief Brand Officer, Marc Pritchard, she shared that large corporations like P&G can take positive steps forward, create ripple effects around the globe, and encourage more consumers to take small, sustainable actions in their everyday lives. "With annual GDP growth seemingly more important than our grandchildren's future, the time is now to choose what sort of impact we can make. As more and more organizations like P&G drive change and join forces, there is hope. It's time to get a new mindset and to see things differently. Everything is connected, and every one of us can make a difference," said Dr Jane Goodall. During the Summit, P&G also announced regional progress made toward its Ambition 2030 Goals. With P&G President for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Magesvaran Suranjan, announcing the following progress made: In May 2021 , P&G pledged to launch 12 pilot reforestation projects in 12 months for its Forests for Good initiative. P&G has since launched more than 20 pilot reforestation projects in areas including the Jebal Ali Reserve Mangrove Forest in UAE, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range Forest in Philippines , the Embu Region in Kenya , along with other AMA countries including Uganda , Malaysia , Indonesia , and Thailand . , P&G pledged to launch 12 pilot reforestation projects in 12 months for its Forests for Good initiative. in areas including the Jebal Ali Reserve Mangrove Forest in UAE, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range Forest in , the Embu Region in , along with other AMA countries including , , , and . P&G will continue investments in programs to conserve landscapes, protect species, and improve sustainable farming practices . These include working with the World Wildlife Fund Malaysia and the Emirates Marine Environmental Group in UAE to protect the Malayan Tiger and the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle respectively. P&G established a Smallholder Farmers Program across palm plantations in Malaysia since 2018, to help improve sustainable farming practices and the wellbeing of farmers, their families, and communities. . These include working with the World Wildlife Fund Malaysia and the Emirates Marine Environmental Group in UAE to protect the Malayan Tiger and the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle respectively. P&G established a Smallholder Farmers Program across palm plantations in since 2018, to help improve sustainable farming practices and the wellbeing of farmers, their families, and communities. P&G has declared its commitment to run more than 85% of its plants across AMA on purchased renewable electricity by the end of 2022. To date, P&G has already achieved 87% with its AMA manufacturing sites. Apart from 100% of P&G's manufacturing sites being Zero Waste to Landfill, the company has also celebrated a significant milestone of having its first Zero Waste office in AMA, located in the Dubai site . P&G will progressively have more of these Zero Waste offices across the AMA region. . P&G will progressively have more of these Zero Waste offices across the AMA region. P&G has announced support for the Jane Goodall Institute and its flagship Roots & Shoots Program, which encourages and enables youth action to implement projects within P&G and in local communities that help animals and the planet. Magesvaran Suranjan said: "We are fully committed to making a positive impact in the world and creating a sustainable future for generations to come. By integrating sustainability into the way that we do business every day, all of us at P&G are empowered to make a meaningful difference for our environment." P&G AMA's Executive Sponsor of Sustainability, and Senior Vice President of P&G Japan, Standa Vecera commented: "We've already made significant progress over the past 10 years to reduce the environmental impact from our operations, and we know that we can do more. P&G has also set an ambition toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and will continue to step up with science-based targets to guide our efforts in being a Force for Good." Circulate Capital Ocean Fund CEO Rob Kaplan, and Actor, Producer and United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, also shared their thoughts on encouraging sustainable actions Rob Kaplan commented, "Nobody can stay on the side line. Sustainability is a team sport. It has to be at the core of both the company strategy and the operations in order to drive meaningful change. By working together there is hope." Dia Mirza said: "The Sustainable Development Goals are the North Star and if they are adopted and implemented everywhere we have a genuine chance of solving some of the biggest problems we face within this decade. Brands find a way into so many hearts and homes. If more brands like P&G leverage their power to drive change, there is hope for the planet." P&G is committed to accelerating action on climate change toward net zero GHG emissions by 2040. P&G has set a new ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and supply chain, from raw material to retailer, by 2040 as well as interim 2030 goals to make meaningful progress this decade. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1733310/image_809956_28945808.jpg SOURCE Procter & Gamble LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GoWithFlow, a sustainable mobility start-up headquartered in Portugal, will bring its European decarbonisation experience to the US as part of a successful coalition aiming to transform the Metro Memphis economy under the Biden Administration's Build Back Better programme. The coalition - led by the University of Memphis - was announced on 13th December as one of 60 finalists in the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, one of the U.S. Economic Development Administration's American Rescue Plan programmes. As a result, the coalition will receive a $500,000 grant to further develop its proposal and plans, with the aim of securing a full implementation grant. The successful proposal, titled "Digital Delta", leverages the existing industry strengths of the Memphis region, strategically improves workforce in key areas, and enables the transformation of the regional economic landscape by building the most connected urban-rural innovation district in the United States. GoWithFlow's role in the coalition is focussed on one of five key areas in the plan Electric and Sustainable Mobility Development. The project will address final mile logistics and business fleet electrification, micro mobility options such as e-bikes and scooters, as well as shared and public transportation that serves businesses, commuters, visitors, and citizens alike. The project will also establish a regional perspective on mobility for the community by creating a plan for implementation of charging infrastructure, addressing barriers to creating economies of scale, and connecting urban, suburban and rural constituents through Sustainable Mobility programmes. Jane Hoffer, GoWithFlow CEO and American expat said "We couldn't be more excited about the news of the coalition's status as a finalist, which comes after months of preparation. The coalition's plans will transform the area and serve as a world-leading example to others in the U.S. and beyond where this type of infrastructure and connectivity is also needed." Since 2010, the team behind GoWithFlow have been helping organisations manage fleet transition towards low- or no-emission vehicles and providing Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and Electric Mobility Service Providers (EMSPs) with technology and the crucial support they need to deliver their own products and services. With unrivalled experience and expertise, and financially backed by Portugal's Galp Energia (January 2022. Market Cap: $7.43 Billion), GoWithFlow is now taking its technology to key geographies across Europe, LATAM, and the United States. About GoWithFlow GoWithFlow and its Mobility Change Platform (MCP) help enterprises manage the transition of their fleet to low- or no-emission vehicles while reducing overall fleet and energy costs. Flow's MCP provides an integrated view of vehicle and energy data, enabling fleet and facilities managers to plan and operate a network of combustion and electric vehicles along with managing fuel and electricity consumption. Named Portugal's top cleantech startup in 2020. Flow's majority shareholder is Galp, one of Europe's energy companies leading the transition into renewable energy and sustainable fuels. For more information, visit https://gowithflow.io. For more information please contact: Paula Elliott C8 Consulting Email: paula@c8consulting.co.uk Call: + 44 (0)7894 339645 SOURCE GoWithFlow Escalating demand for healthcare services from an aging population, utilization of artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and technological advancements in meningitis imaging systems drive the growth of the global meningitis imaging market. PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Meningitis Imaging Market by Product Type (Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Disease Type (Bacterial Meningitis, Viral Meningitis, Fungal Meningitis and Others), and End User (Hospitals & Clinic, and Diagnostic Centers): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". According to the report, the global meningitis imaging industry generated $164.7 thousand in 2020, and is anticipated to generate $243.72 thousand by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.0% from 2021 to 2030. For Right Perspective and Competitive Insights, Get Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/15369 Prime determinants of growth Escalating demand for healthcare services from an aging population, rise in prevalence of meningitis disease, utilization of artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and technological advancements in meningitis imaging systems drive the growth of the global meningitis imaging market. However, high cost of installation and maintenance and high cost of installation and maintenance hinder the market growth. On the other hand, growth opportunities in emerging markets present new opportunities in the coming years. Covid-19 Scenario The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on the growth of the global meningitis imaging market. Computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the most effective tools being used to identify the infection and to monitor the efficacy of the treatment for meningitis with covid-19. Implementing appropriate preventative safety measures, optimizing chest CT protocols, and developing a consistent reporting system based on pulmonary findings in this condition have improved the clinical value of CT. Thus, rise in number of Covid-19 cases has given way to the usage of computed tomography scan, which in turn, drives the meningitis imaging market growth. The viral meningitis segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on disease type, the viral meningitis segment held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for more than half of the global meningitis imaging market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Moreover, the bacterial meningitis segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 4.6% from 2021 to 2030, owing to rise in various types of meningitis disease and rise in demand for early detection. Do You Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry Expert: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/15369 The hospitals & clinics segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period Based on end user, the hospitals & clinics segment accounted for the largest share in 2020, contributing to nearly three-fifths of the global meningitis imaging market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Moreover, the same segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 4.1% from 2021 to 2030, owing to increase in demand to determine efficacy of treatment. North America to maintain its dominance by 2030 Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue 2020, accounting for more than half of the global meningitis imaging market. This is attributed to the robust infrastructure provided for research activities and presence of key players across North America. Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. This is owing to increase in new advancements in computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography imaging system, growing R & D activities for new product launch, and rise in investments in the healthcare sector. Leading Market Players Accuray Incorporated Canon Medical Systems Corporation Fujifim Holdings Corporation GE Healthcare Koninklijke Philips N.V Neusoft Medical Systems Positron Corporation Samsung Electronics Co.Ltd. Shimadzu Corporation Siemens AG Avenue Basic Plan | Library Access | 1 Year Subscription | Sign up for Avenue subscription to access more than 12,000+ company profiles and 2,000+ niche industry market research reports at $699 per month, per seat. For a year, the client needs to purchase minimum 2 seat plan. Request for 14 days free trial: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter "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." Trending Reports in Healthcare Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount): Surgical Imaging Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 Near Infrared Imaging Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Bioreactors Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Lateral Flow Assays Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 Enteric Softgel Capsules Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 Veterinary Medicine Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 Cell Culture Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 Tissue Engineering Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 Antibiotics Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 Healthcare Chatbots Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. 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. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): 1-800-792-5285, 1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/life-sciences Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/life-sciences-industry-research/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research Increase in need for cargo transportation through ships, technological advancements in marine vessel engines, and increase in international seaborne trade drive the global shipbuilding market. PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Shipbuilding Market by Type (Oil Tankers, Bulk Carriers, General Cargo Ships, Container Ships, Passenger Ships and Others), and End Use (Transport and Military): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". As per the report, the global shipbuilding industry was pegged at $142.52 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $195.48 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2021 to 2030. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities Rise in demand for cargo transportation through ships, technological development in marine vessel engines, and gradual rise in international seaborne trade have boosted the growth of the global shipbuilding market. However, environmental concerns regarding marine vessels and fluctuating transportation & inventory costs hinder the market growth. On the contrary, surge in marine safety norms and trend of automation in marine transportation are expected to open new opportunities in the future. Download Report (219 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures) at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/8876 Covid-19 scenario: The Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged lockdown across several countries hampered the manufacturing sector. The shipbuilding companies suffered heavy losses during the first and second quarter of 2020, due to disrupted supply chains and production schedules. The pandemic led to disruptions for shipyard operations such as development of new buildings and repair and conversion projects. The bulk carriers segment dominated the market By type, the bulk carriers segment held the largest share in 2020, accounting for more than one-third of the market. However, the general cargo ships segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. Request for Customization at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/8876 The military segment to manifest the highest CAGR through 2030 By end use, the military segment would showcase the highest CAGR of 7.1% from 2021 to 2030, due to rise in investment and inclination toward the marine defense sector. However, the transport segment held the largest share in 2020, contributing to more than 90% of the market, due to rise in trading activities between different countries. Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the largest share By region, the market across Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the lion's share in 2020, accounting for more than four-fifths of the market, due to cheaper wages, growing seaborne trade, and strong government backing. However, the market across Europe would showcase the highest CAGR of 5.4% from 2021 to 2030. Interested to Procure the Data? Inquire here at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/8876 Major market players BAE Systems PLC Fincantieri group Damen Shipyards group Huntington Ingalls industries General Dynamics corporation Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Samsuung Heavy Industries Oshima Shipbuilding co. ltd Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Schedule a FREE Consultation Call with Our Analysts to Find Solution for Your Business at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/8876 Similar Reports We Have on Shipping Industry: Ship Repair and Maintenance Service Market by Vessel (Gas Carriage, Oil & Chemical Tankers, Bulk Carriers, General Cargo, Container Ship and Passenger Ship) and Application (General Services, Dockage, Engine Parts, Electric Works and Auxiliary Services): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Connected Ship Market by Ship Type (Commercial, Defense, and Cargo), Application (Vessel Traffic Management (VTM), Fleet Operations, Fleet Health monitoring, and Others), Installation Type (Onboard, and Onshore), and Fit (Line fit, and Retrofit): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Autonomous Ships Market by Level of Autonomy (Semi-autonomous and Fully-autonomous), Ship Type (Commercial, Passenger, and Defense), Component ( Hardware and Software) and Fuel Type (Carbon Neutral Fuels, LNG, Electric, and Heavy Fuel Oil/Marine Engine Fuel): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030. Digital Shipyard Market by Shipyard Type (Military and Commercial), Digitalization Level (Partially Digital, Semi Digital and Fully Digital), Capacity (Small Shipyard, Medium Shipyard and Large Shipyard), Technology (Cloud Computing, Block Chain, Artificial Intelligence, Big, Data Analytics, Augmented & Virtual Reality and Others), and Process (Training & Simulation, Design & Engineering, Research & Development, Maintenance & Support and Manufacturing & Planning): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Electric Ships Market by Ship Type (Ship Type), Power Source (Fully Electric and Hybrid), Operation (Manned, Autonomous and Remotely-Driven), and End Use (Line-Fit and Retro-Fit): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Ship Winch Market by Product Type (Electric Ship Winch and Hydraulic Ship Winch), End User (Commercial & Merchant Ship and Travel & Leisure Ship), and Application (Marine Engineering, Hoisting Freight, and Fishing): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030. About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP invites local organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 22. Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, diversity and inclusion, and more. Now in its sixth year, the program is part of AARP's nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live. "By 2030, one out of every five Americans will be 65 or older, but many communities may not be ready to support the needs of residents of all ages and abilities," said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. "The AARP Community Challenge has proven that by supporting local leaders and organizations' efforts to strengthen their communities, we can improve the quality of life for the very young, the very old and everyone in between." This year the program will include a special focus on helping communities leverage funding available under new federal laws like the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $9.3 million to over 800 projects through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program provides direct support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities with a special focus on the needs of those 50 and older. Previous projects have enabled long-term progress by garnering additional support from public and private funders, encouraging similar improvements throughout the community, advancing local policy, and generating engagement among residents and local leaders to advocate for change. AARP will prioritize proposals that are inclusive, address disparities, directly engage volunteers, support residents age 50 and older and aim to achieve one or more of the following outcomes: Support communities' efforts to build engagement and leverage funding available under new federal programs through laws like the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and more. through laws like the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and more. Create vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities. that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities. Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements. that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements. Support a range of housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices. that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices. Ensure a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion while improving the built and social environment of a community. while improving the built and social environment of a community. Increase civic engagement with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion. with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion. Other community improvements; including health services, community development, and coronavirus pandemic recovery. The Community Challenge is open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. ET, March 22, 2022. All projects must be completed by November 30, 2022. To submit an application and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. About AARP AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media. SOURCE AARP JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP Mississippi invites local organizations and governments across the state to apply for the 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 22, 2022. Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more. Now in its sixth year, the grant program is part of AARP's nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live. "AARP Mississippi is excited to kick-off the Community Challenge again in 2022 to continue helping communities across Mississippi become great places for people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages, especially people 50-plus," said AARP Mississippi State Director Kimberly L. Campbell, Esq. "The program has proven that quick-action projects can lead to long-lasting improvements right where Mississippians live." AARP will prioritize proposals that are inclusive, address disparities, directly engage volunteers, support residents age 50 and older and aim to achieve one or more of the following outcomes: Support communities' efforts to build engagement and leverage funding available under new federal programs through laws like the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and more. through laws like the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and more. Create vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities. that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities. Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements. that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements. Support a range of housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices. that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices. Ensure a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion while improving the built and social environment of a community. while improving the built and social environment of a community. Increase civic engagement with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion. with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion. Other community improvements; including health services, community development, and coronavirus pandemic recovery. Since 2017, AARP has awarded over 800 grants 11 in Mississippi through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program provides direct support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities. Previous projects have enabled long-term progress by garnering additional support from public and private funders, encouraging similar improvements throughout the community, advancing local policy, and generating engagement among residents and local leaders to advocate for change. The Community Challenge is open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects. The application deadline is 4:00 p.m. CT, March 22, 2022. All projects must be completed by November 30, 2022. To submit an application and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. AARP Mississippi works in collaboration with communities across the state, bringing people together, and providing resources and expertise to help make Mississippi's counties, towns and cities great places to live for people of all ages. About AARP AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media. MEDIA CONTACT: Ronda Gooden 601-898-5417 or 601-209-1812 SOURCE AARP Mississippi NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Domain Money , an innovative wealth-building platform founded by Adam Dell, the former Head of Product at Marcus by Goldman Sachs, launched today. The new platform, developed by members of the team behind Marcus, gives serious investors more control and access to trading of both stocks and crypto, along with actively managed investment strategies, real-time market intelligence, a proprietary social sentiment tool, and live customer agents. Domain Money empowers investors of all levels of expertise to generate better outcomes through access to the emerging crypto revolution, by providing both self-directed trading and turnkey actively managed investment strategies. Built with bank-grade security and a design aesthetic that is both beautiful and seamless, Domain Money finally gives investors an experience that allows them to better control how they build their wealth across asset classes. Domain Money's actively managed investment strategies comprise both stocks and crypto and are managed by an expert investment team that comes out of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bridgewater Associates. "Domain Money's mission is to build our customer's wealth," said Mr. Dell. "Our team utilizes time-tested investment strategies to build diversified growth-oriented portfolios for new and seasoned investors alike." "Investors are looking for access to diverse asset classes, along with security, transparency, and the power to be in control of their finances. We developed Domain Money to provide investors a sophisticated, intuitive, and holistic platform to invest in crypto, not as a novelty, but as a core component of their portfolios," said Mr. Dell. Domain Money is advised by a team of industry-leading experts, including Christopher Giancarlo, former Chairman of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Niall Ferguson, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution; and Do Kwan, founder of Terra Network. Concurrent with the launch, Domain Money announced that it has raised $33 million from prominent investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, Maveron, RRE Ventures, SV Angel, Marc Benioff, Joe Lonsdale, and Elisha Wiesel. About Domain Money Domain Money is a comprehensive and secure wealth-building platform that empowers retail investors to take control and get serious about investing across both stocks and crypto. Founded by Adam Dell, former Head of Product at Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Domain Money provides access to the emerging crypto revolution with both self-directed trading and turnkey actively managed strategies. The platform also offers real-time market intelligence, a proprietary social sentiment tool and live customer agents. Domain Money is supported by industry-leading, expert advisors including Christopher Giancarlo, former Chairman of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Niall Ferguson, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution; and Do Kwan, founder of Terra Network. It is backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Maveron, RRE Ventures, SV Angel, Marc Benioff, Joe Lonsdale, and Elisha Wiesel. Domain Money is available on the App Store and at domainmoney.com . Media Contacts: Marc Karasu, CMO Domain Money [email protected] Or Ryan Dicovitsky / Zach Kouwe Dukas Linden Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Domain Money CRANBURY, N.J., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), the leading multimedia peer-reviewed journal dedicated to issues in managed care, is pleased to announce that it has published its 11th Annual Health Information Technology (IT) Special Issue. The issue covers research on the expansion of digital care offerings due to COVID-19 and the integration of tech solutions to track performance under value-based contracting. Several articles in this issue discuss the use of health IT to mitigate the effects of social determinants of health and ensure equity in predictive models and patient-facing technologies. Dori Cross, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, served as the guest editor of this special issue. "Digital advancement is not the end goal but instead a strategic approach to organizational learning, care process optimization and data-driven outcomes improvement," Cross wrote in an editorial in the special issue. "The areas of research focus in this special issue, and specific insights offered by authors' analyses, help us chart a path forward to integrating and realizing value from our continued commitment to digitally enabled health care." "We are so pleased to announce the publication of the 11th Annual Health IT Issue," said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, parent company of AJMC. "The findings within this issue focus on the advancement of digital care offerings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to several other relevant and timely topics within the managed care industry. A special thank you to Dr. Cross for serving as guest editor for this issue." Several articles in the issue explore how health IT can be used to advance the goal of health equity. A research article by Walker et al describes the key components of cross-sector data sharing between a medical center and a food bank. A Trends From the Field article by Tan-McGrory et al covers efforts to alleviate virtual care disparities for patients with limited English proficiency. A research article by Nong et al explores ways to incorporate equity into predictive models. A research article by Vest et al discusses the feasibility of using structured data elements to evaluate social risk. To read the articles in the 11th Annual Health IT Special Issue, click here. About The American Journal of Managed Care The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) is a multimedia, peer-reviewed, MEDLINE-indexed journal that keeps industry leaders on the forefront of health policy by sharing digital research relevant to industry decision-makers. Other brands in the AJMC family include The American Journal of Accountable Care and Evidence-Based Oncology. These comprehensive multimedia brands bring together stakeholder views from payers, providers, policy makers and other industry leaders in managed care. AJMC is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels. Media Contact Alyssa Scarpaci, 609-716-7777 [email protected] SOURCE The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American College of Education, a leading provider of education, leadership, business, healthcare and nursing programs, today announced that former provost and president Jeri Nowakowski, Ed.D., will serve as the new chairperson of the college's Board of Trustees. Nowakowski will follow and build on the legacy of former chairman Don McAdams, Ph.D., who retired after 15 years of service on the Board. "We are excited to continue delivering our high-quality programs in the new year under Jeri's leadership as Board of Trustee chairperson," said Shawntel Landry, Ed.D., President of American College of Education. "Her expertise and deep understanding of both the field of academics and American College of Education allows us to make an even bigger impact on students and alumni and their careers." Comprehensive Education Career Nowakowski received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from Arizona State University and a Doctor of Education degree from Western Michigan University. Her career in education began in the classroom as a high school English teacher. Following her EdD and postdoctoral work at Northwestern University, she became a tenured professor in research and evaluation at Northern Illinois University. Subsequently, Nowakowski was recruited as Executive Director of the North Central Region Educational Laboratory. Under her leadership over the next decade, the lab increased in size and capacity. In 2009, she transitioned to the private sector, joining Voyager Expanded Learning as Executive Vice President of Curriculum and Evaluation and directing the development of their successful reading programs. She also worked with Academic Partnerships on strategies to support university professors around the country effectively move their courses online. Nowakowski joined American College of Education in 2008, first as provost and then as president, where under her leadership, the College was accredited, transitioned to fully online programming and added a substantial number of new programs. In addition to her roles with American College of Education, Nowakowski serves as an education consultant, applying her demonstrated success in higher education management and course development, research and evaluation, and curriculum development in educational publishing. American College of Education is a fully online university committed to its vision of providing high-quality, affordable education that opens new doors for its graduates in education, healthcare, nursing and business. More about the American College of Education can be found here . About American College of Education American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, 100% online university specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. Headquartered in Indianapolis, ACE offers more than 70 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, master's or bachelor's degree, along with micro-credentials and graduate-level certificate programs. In addition to being a leader in online education, ACE is a Certified B Corporation. Certified B Corporations are leaders of a global movement to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Media Inquiries: Catherine Masri [email protected] 214-886-5870 SOURCE American College of Education BEIJING and HONG KONG and TOKYO and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Asia Alternatives, one of the largest independent Asian private equity fund-of-funds, today announced the final close of US$2 billion in new commitments across Asia Alternatives Capital Partners VI, LP and several fund vehicles (the "Funds"). The Funds are focused on building a diversified Asia private equity portfolio with an emphasis on top-performing local Asian fund managers. Over 85% of committed capital came from pre-existing relationships. "We are especially grateful for the ongoing support from our limited partners, and pleased to complete the largest raise in our over fifteen-year history," said Melissa Ma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Asia Alternatives. "Our extensive experience investing through market cycles and the lasting relationships we have forged with leading fund managers across Asia provide an unique perspective and the ability to take advantage of the opportunities market volatility has created. Those relationships, along with our track record, have positioned Asia Alternatives as one of the leading private equity investors in Asia." The largest of the Funds is Asia Alternatives Capital Partners VI, LP which, along with its parallel funds (together "AACP VI"), closed on US$1.1 billion of committed capital, exceeding their combined target of US$1 billion. AACP VI is the successor fund to Asia Alternatives Capital Partners V, LP ("AACP V"), which closed in September 2017. Earlier funds include Asia Alternatives Capital Partners IV, LP ("AACP IV"), which closed in April 2015, Asia Alternatives Capital Partners III, LP ("AACP III"), which closed in July 2012, Asia Alternatives Capital Partners II, LP ("AACP II"), which closed in September 2008, and Asia Alternatives Capital Partners, LP ("AACP I"), which closed in May 2007. "Our relationships with leading private equity and VC managers across Asia allow us to be exceptionally selective in deploying capital and grants our LPs access to the attractive opportunities in each region," said Rebecca Xu, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Asia Alternatives. "We are excited to get to work investing this fund, and maintain a strong commitment to China, where we continue to see both short- and long-term opportunities underpinned by fast-evolving and growing consumer demand, together with impressive development in technological innovation." "We have remained focused on expanding our relationships and expertise across Asia, utilizing our local presence to gain access to opportunities within different markets and strategies. While China continues to be our largest single country exposure, our partnerships with buyout firms in Japan have also become significant sources of performance in recent years," said Akihiko Yasuda, Managing Director of Asia Alternatives. Investors in the Funds represent a global pool of private capital sources, such as state and corporate pension funds, foundations, university endowments, insurance companies and family offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Asia. Institutional investors across the Funds include The Boeing Company, Cathay Life Insurance Co., Comprehensive Financial Management, The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited, Florida State Board of Administration, Intermountain Healthcare, Jasper Ridge Partners, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, McKnight Foundation, Minnesota State Board of Investment, New York State Common Retirement Fund, Public Schools Retirement System of St. Louis, San Francisco City and County Employees' Retirement System, and Virginia Retirement System. Stacy Jennings, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Intermountain Healthcare, and a returning Limited Partner, said, "The past two years have reinforced why there is no substitute for a local presence and why we've invested with Asia Alternatives. In our experience, Asia Alternatives has exceptional investment talent, a strong commitment to the region and a differentiated approach that have delivered positive investment outcomes for Intermountain." Asia Alternatives is one of the first independently formed Asian private equity fund-of-funds. The firm also received the first Limited Partner QFLP (Qualified Foreign Limited Partner) license in China, which allowed Asia Alternatives to invest in selected, qualified RMB-denominated private equity investments. Eaton Partners, LLC and Diamond Dragon Advisors Limited acted as placement agents for Asia Alternatives and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel. About Asia Alternatives Management LLC Asia Alternatives is a 16-year old solution platform dedicated to helping institutional investors make investments in private equity across Asia. The firm currently manages approximately $16.5 billion of regulatory assets under management. Asia Alternatives invests with top performing private equity fund managers across Asia primarily in Greater China (Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong), Japan, Korea, South East Asia, India and Australia. The firm builds portfolios that are diversified across buyout, growth and expansion, venture capital and special situations funds, as well as direct co-investments and secondaries. Asia Alternatives currently has over 50 professionals across offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.asiaalternatives.com. This press release does not constitute the offer of advisory services or offer of a security or the solicitation of an investment. For More Information: Investor Contact: Melissa Ma Asia Alternatives Management LLC [email protected] Media Contact: Steve Bruce/Taylor Ingraham ASC Advisors LLC Tel: (203) 992-1230 [email protected]; [email protected] Media Contact for Asia Ex-Japan: Richard Barton Finsbury Glover Hering Tel: +852 9301 2056 [email protected] Media Contact for Japan: Minako Hattori Finsbury Japan Tel: 070-7484-7703 [email protected] SOURCE Asia Alternatives Management LLC BEIRUT, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were attacked earlier Tuesday on a routine patrol in the country's southern village of Ramyah, reported the National News Agency. One UNIFIL soldier was wounded as the peacekeepers' vehicles were intercepted and two of them were destroyed, Andrea Tenenti, a UNIFIL spokesperson, was quoted as saying. He added that the Lebanese Armed Forces at the scene managed to calm the situation. Tenenti stressed that "the peacekeepers were not on private property, but on a public road where they were doing their duty of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and maintaining stability in southern Lebanon." Under Resolution 1701, UNIFIL enjoys full freedom of movement within its area of operations, he said. "Attacks on men and women who serve the cause of peace are considered crimes under Lebanese and international laws," said the spokesperson, calling on the Lebanese authorities to investigate this crime and prosecute those responsible for it. "We're really fortunate to have Andrew, an experienced leader with gravitas and vision, as a companion to our mission, to develop seamless mobility for a safe and sustainable urban life", members of the board said. "The board and the executive leadership team are confident that Andrew is the best person to lead Beat into building mobility solutions that unlock the true potential of cities and people's lives, while continuously improving Beat's culture, making the company one of the best places to work." On his part, Beat's new CEO said he is very happy to join such a hypergrowth company, with a unique culture and mission of developing innovative mobility solutions for seamless experiences that passengers and drivers deserve. "I am thrilled to be joining Beat to lead the next phase of growth for the company across the Latin American region, especially at such an exciting time for the business. I am really looking forward to working with the team and returning to such an exciting and dynamic industry as ride-hailing," he highlighted. Andrew brings tremendous insight and experience, having served as CEO of ride-hailing business, mytaxi, whilst helping the business grow from 9 markets in Western Europe, to span across 19 countries in 2 continents, seeing revenues grow more than 8x over a two-year period, through a combination of organic and acquisition-based growth. Andrew's most recent role was CEO of the high growth, UK-based, DTC pet supplies subscription business, itch, from April 2020 through until the end of 2021, at which point the business transitioned to a new ownership structure. During his leadership, the business scaled 3x and moved from early stage startup to a more mature business, ready for rapid domestic and international scaling. Andrew has more than 30 years of experience in different capacities across the technology, retail, FMCG and consulting sectors for both public and privately backed businesses. He spent the bulk of his career at the retailing entrepreneurial success story, The Carphone Warehouse, finishing his journey there as Chief Operating Officer, being a key component of a team that had overseen rapid growth from 150m annual turnover to more than 4 billion across 11 different markets during the previous decade. Before Carphone, Andrew worked in the USA for PepsiCo in a variety of financial and general management roles, having gained an MBA at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Earlier, he gained his initial work experience with management consultants Bain & Company, having graduated from the University of Bristol. Andrew Pinnington is taking over the new role from Marc Berg, CEO at FREE NOW who also led Beat as interim CEO. #WhereNext About Beat Beat creates a new ride experience by connecting thousands of passengers with nearby available drivers in real-time. Through the app, you can request a driver 24/7. Beat is more than an app that takes you from A to B. Our mission is to develop seamless mobility for a safe and sustainable urban life, becoming part of people's life by making transportation in the city more affordable, efficient and reliable, while providing economic opportunities to anyone. The company was founded in 2011 and is part of the FREE NOW group, the ride-hailing joint venture of BMW and Daimler. Beat is currently available in Greece, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, with plans to expand to more cities in Latin America, and has a Tech Innovation and Engineering Hub in The Netherlands. For more information, please visit thebeat.co . Find us on: Facebook: facebook.com/TheBeatApp Twitter: twitter.com/thebeatapp Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/thebeatapp/ Medium: build.thebeat.co/ SOURCE The Beat App Previously, Ramirez was the senior group manager, product public relations at Hyundai Motor North America responsible for communicating the attributes of Hyundai's entire product lineup to traditional and digital media throughout the country, including auto show strategy, new vehicle launches and ongoing content creation for Hyundai vehicles. Ramirez also spent 13 years leading product development, market launches and lifecycle management for Hyundai's lineup of cars, CUVs and alternative-powered vehicles. He has extensive multicultural experience serving as the chair of Hyundai's internal "Amigos Unidos" employee group, which is tasked with community engagement and raising culture awareness at Hyundai. Ramirez received his Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of San Diego. Ramirez starts in his new role on Jan. 24 and reports to Hyundai Motor North America chief communications officer, Dana W. White. Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Contact Michael Stewart (714) 887-2495 [email protected] SOURCE Hyundai Motor America HONG KONG, Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) today announced that the BSN Decentralized Digital Certificate (BSN-DDC) Network (https://ddc.bsnbase.com), an infrastructure dedicated to Non-Fungible Token (NFT) adoption in China, has soft-launched with eight platform operators along with seven Open Permissioned Blockchains (OPBs), most of which are converted from public chains including Ethereum, Cosmos/IRISnet, and EOS. To differentiate from NFTs outside China that are traded on public chains with cryptocurrencies (banned in China), NFT is renamed as Decentralized Digital Certificate (DDC) by BSN. "NFT/DDC technology is a digital certification and distributed database technology that can be applied in any scenario where digital proof is required. We anticipate billions of DDCs issued annually in China in the future. The biggest market for DDCs lies in certificate and account management for all types of businesses", said Yifan He, CEO of Red Date Technology and Executive Director of BSN Development Association. In China, the BSN-DDC Network offers the most diverse, transparent, credible, and reliable environment for DDC-related business platforms to mint and manage their DDCs in a one-stop-shop. Gas fees are paid in fiat currency via BSN-DDC portals, and the minting fees can be as low as 0.05 yuan (0.7 US cents), which is significantly lower than public chains. To ensure the decentralization, transparency, authenticity, and long-term stable operation of the BSN-DDC network, its nodes will be jointly operated by multiple organizations. The BSN-DDC network has integrated ten OPBs where all official DDCs will be minted and stored to comply with Chinese regulations. The OPBs based on Ethereum, COSMOS/IRISnet, Corda, EOS, and FISCO BCOS are in operation. Cross-chain services will be enabled among all OPBs on the BSN-DDC network, as well as one-way transfers from OPBs to the Ethereum mainnet and other public chains. The platform partners announced today include Rong Bao Zhai Auction, EY Blockchain, Sumavison, Baiwang, Digital Art Fair Asia, and Hainan International Culture and Artworks Exchange Center. BSN will announce all twenty-six founding partners, disclose future roadmaps, and outline the governance structure of the network at the official launch ceremony and press conference in Nanjing, China, in late March. SOURCE BSN "We can build long-term relationships by keeping our name in front of our customers at all three levels with CARFAX products," said Tracy Affrunti, Sales Manager at Walker Ford in Clearwater, Florida. "Being a CARFAX Lifetime Dealer allows us to plaster our name all over CARFAX Reports and keeps us in front of our customers via alerts for maintenance. It brings our customers back to the dealership. CARFAX is a trusted brand, so the opportunity to partner with CARFAX is a huge value for us." "CARFAX Lifetime Dealers stand out in today's competitive and crowded marketplace," said Gregg Cleary, CARFAX Vice President of Dealer Business. "Consumers can shop, service and sell with more confidence with CARFAX Lifetime Dealers. It's fueled by our trusted brand and data. These are dealers who partner with CARFAX to provide reliable information at every turn in a car's life. They can be confident they're paying the right price with CARFAX History-Based Value. Then, count on Car Care alerts to keep their vehicle well-maintained and boost its value when it's time to get their next car." CARFAX Lifetime Dealers are being recognized starting today, Jan. 25. These dealers will receive premium branding and recognition across CARFAX including the Vehicle History Report, Used Car Listings, Business Directory, and Car Care. Editor's note: Interviews with a used car expert from CARFAX are available at any time. Please contact [email protected]. About CARFAX CARFAX, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides exclusive services like CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell Show me the CARFAX. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions. SOURCE CARFAX To understand more about Market Dynamics. Download our FREE sample report According to the recent market study by Technavio, the Coding and Marking Equipment Market is expected to increase by USD 1.45 billion from 2020 to 2025, at an accelerated CAGR of 7%. The report provides a detailed analysis of drivers & opportunities, top winning strategies, competitive scenario, future market trends, market size & estimations, and major investment pockets. APAC will register the highest growth rate of 41% among the other regions. Download FREE Sample: for more additional information about the key countries in APAC Coding and Marking Equipment Market Value Chain Analysis The end-to-end understanding of the value chains is essential in profit margin optimization and evaluation of business strategies. The value chain of the Coding and Marking Equipment Market includes the following core components: Inputs Inbound logistics Operations Outbound logistics Marketing and sales Aftermarket and service Industry innovations Technavio report has further elucidated on other innovative approaches being followed by manufacturers to ensure a sustainable market presence - To know more download a free sample! Vendor Insights- The Coding and Marking Equipment Market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as focusing on product delivery through multiple distribution channels to compete in the market. Danaher Corp. - The company offers Coding and marking solutions for date and batch coding of products and packaging through its subsidiary, Linx. Find additional highlights on the vendors and their product offerings. Download Free Sample Report Regional Market Outlook The Coding and Marking Equipment Market share growth in North America will be significant during the forecast period. China and Japan are the key markets for coding and marking equipment in APAC. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in the MEA and South American regions. With the presence of a large number of counterfeit manufacturers of electrical and electronics goods in APAC, there is an increasing need to ensure product authenticity and quality. This will facilitate the coding and marking equipment market growth in APAC over the forecast period. Download our FREE sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries. Latest Drivers & Trends Driving the Market- Coding and Marking Equipment Market Driver: Increasing need for product traceability: The key factor driving growth in the coding and marking equipment market is the increasing need for product traceability. Product traceability is one of the most important features in supply chain and logistics operations, especially in industries such as food and beverage, healthcare, retail, automotive, and aerospace. Packaging companies are integrating technologies such as barcodes, RFID, QR codes, and Data Matrix codes for tracking and tracing products. Data Matrix codes enable manufacturing companies to automatically identify and track products, such as cars, trucks, and bikes, throughout their life cycle. Thus, codes and marks play a crucial role in various industries such as food and beverage, aerospace, healthcare, retail, and automotive. Product traceability enables manufacturers to keep products safe and secure, from the manufacturing stage to the delivery stage, by tracking and tracing. Thus, the increasing need for product traceability will accelerate the demand for coding and marking equipment. Coding and Marking Equipment Market Trend: Equipment leasing business model: The equipment leasing business model is another factor supporting the coding and marking equipment market share growth. High running costs act as a constraint for organizations investing in coding and marking equipment. Hence, organizations are deploying coding and marking equipment through lease options to save on capital costs. Leasing the equipment simplifies the coding and marking process for a company as it reduces running costs, such as maintenance cost, servicing cost, and disposal cost. The popularity of the equipment leasing model among SMEs is rising as it does not require direct investments in equipment, preserves working capital, and frees up cash flow for other business activities. Many vendors in the industry are offering leasing business solutions due to the growing demand for equipment leasing. Find additional information about various other market Drivers & Trends mentioned in our FREE sample report . Didn't Find What You Were Looking For? Customize Report- 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. We offer USD 1,000 worth of FREE customization at the time of purchase. Speak to our Analyst now! Related Reports- Industrial Robotics Market -The industrial robotics market share is expected to increase by 145.02 thousand units from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 6.62%. Download a free sample now! CANbus Keypad Market -The CANbus keypad market share is expected to increase by USD 1.13 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.13%. Download a free sample now! Coding And Marking Equipment Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of almost 7% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 1.45 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.82 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 41% Key consumer countries China, US, Germany, UK, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Danaher Corp., Domino Printing Sciences Plc, Dover Corp., Hitachi Ltd., Inkjet Inc., Matthews International Corp., Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG, Pro Mach Inc., REA Elektronik GmbH, and SATO Holdings Corp. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK and LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP has been recognized among the top law firms for Private Equity deals by Mergermarket in 2021. In a year where Dechert advised on some of the private equity industry's most important and complex transactions, the firm had a strong showing in the "Global & Regional League Tables 2021 Legal Advisors" report, ranking #5 for U.S. Buyouts and #10 for Global Buyouts by deal value. These recognitions come after Dechert has worked on some of the private equity industry's top transactions of 2021, including: Blackstone Tactical Opportunities in connection with the US$490 million sale of Diamonds Direct USA , a direct-to-consumer destination retailer, to Signet Jewelers, the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. in connection with the sale of Diamonds Direct , a direct-to-consumer destination retailer, to Signet Jewelers, the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. Cerberus Capital Management in connection with various transactions, including the strategic investment in Lighthouse Autism Center, a leading provider of center-based autism behavioral health services for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. in connection with various transactions, including the strategic investment in Lighthouse Autism Center, a leading provider of center-based autism behavioral health services for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Certares Management Limited in connection with a number of transactions, including as the lead investor in a consortium that sponsored the US$5.3 billion combination of American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and special purpose acquisition company Apollo Strategic Growth Capital (APSG). in connection with a number of transactions, including as the lead investor in a consortium that sponsored the combination of American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and special purpose acquisition company Apollo Strategic Growth Capital (APSG). Court Square Capital Partners in connection with numerous transactions, including the US$1.2 billion sale of Getaroom, B2B-focused distributor of hotel rooms, to Booking Holdings, Inc. in connection with numerous transactions, including the sale of Getaroom, B2B-focused distributor of hotel rooms, to Booking Holdings, Inc. CVC Capital Partners as the lead investor in a consortium that sponsored the combination of Worldwide Express, LLC and GlobalTranz Enterprises, LLC to create an industry leader with unique technology capabilities and market-leading solutions for the freight and parcel markets. as the lead investor in a consortium that sponsored the combination of Worldwide Express, LLC and GlobalTranz Enterprises, LLC to create an industry leader with unique technology capabilities and market-leading solutions for the freight and parcel markets. GIC , the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore , in connection with a number of transactions including as part of an investor group's acquisition of a majority stake in medical supply company Medline. With a reported enterprise value of US$34 billion , this was the second-largest buyout since the financial crisis and one of the biggest healthcare buyouts ever. , the sovereign wealth fund of , in connection with a number of transactions including as part of an investor group's acquisition of a majority stake in medical supply company Medline. With a reported enterprise value of , this was the second-largest buyout since the financial crisis and one of the biggest healthcare buyouts ever. Graham Partners in connection with a number of transactions, including its investment in BrightSign, LLC, a provider of purpose-built media players, cloud-based networking solutions, and systems software for the worldwide digital signage market. in connection with a number of transactions, including its investment in BrightSign, LLC, a provider of purpose-built media players, cloud-based networking solutions, and systems software for the worldwide digital signage market. MiddleGround Capital on several transactions, including three acquisitions in three months: the acquisitions of Lindsay Precast, a designer and manufacturer of engineered precast concrete structures for water/wastewater, utility, solar, transportation, and government end markets; Plasman Holdings, a single-source solutions provider to automotive original equipment manufacturers for exterior products and systems; and Arrow Tru-Line, an independent manufacturer and supplier of overhead garage door hardware components, selling into residential and commercial markets. on several transactions, including three acquisitions in three months: the acquisitions of Lindsay Precast, a designer and manufacturer of engineered precast concrete structures for water/wastewater, utility, solar, transportation, and government end markets; Plasman Holdings, a single-source solutions provider to automotive original equipment manufacturers for exterior products and systems; and Arrow Tru-Line, an independent manufacturer and supplier of overhead garage door hardware components, selling into residential and commercial markets. Nordic Capital in connection with its sale of Itiviti, a leading provider of trading technology and services to financial institutions worldwide, to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., a global fintech leader, in a transaction valued at 2.143 billion. in connection with its sale of Itiviti, a leading provider of trading technology and services to financial institutions worldwide, to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., a global fintech leader, in a transaction valued at 2.143 billion. One Equity Partners in connection with numerous transactions including its acquisition of a majority interest in Rosboro, a leading manufacturer of glued laminated timber, from Wynnchurch Capital. in connection with numerous transactions including its acquisition of a majority interest in Rosboro, a leading manufacturer of glued laminated timber, from Wynnchurch Capital. Ridgemont Equity Partners in connection with a number of transactions, including the acquisition of Agape Care Group, a leading provider of hospice and palliative care in the Southeast US. Dechert's global private equity practice saw significant growth in 2021 with the additions of partners Soo-ah Nah , Ani Ravi and David Passey in New York, Mark Thompson and Sam Whittaker in London and Dominik Stuhler in Munich. As part of the firm's strategic expansion in California, fund formation partner Sonia Gioseffi rejoined Dechert in the San Francisco office while M&A partner Jonathan Stott relocated to San Francisco from the firm's Philadelphia office. Dechert recently announced a new class of lawyers from around the world who were elected to the partnership and who also focus their practice on private equity matters, including: Paul Bennett IV, Philadelphia, M&A; Claire Bentley, London, Private Funds; Andrew H. Braid, Philadelphia, Employee Benefits; George Davis, New York, Global Tax; Mark Dillon, Dublin, Private Funds; J. Ian Downes, Philadelphia, Labor; Cyril Fiat, Paris, Private Funds; Timothy Goh, Singapore, M&A; Elizabeth Ann Guidi, New York, Global Tax; Carina Klaes-Staudt, Munich, M&A; Angelina X. Liang, New York, Global Finance; Ross L. Montgomery, London, M&A; Daniel S. Mozes, Philadelphia, M&A; Anna Tomczyk, New York, Capital Markets; and Lindsay Trapp, New York, Private Funds. Mergermarket produces standard-setting industry insights and reports, and the publication's "Global & Regional League Tables" report ranks firms based on transactional deal value in the tables' respective geographies. About Dechert Dechert is a leading global law firm with 22 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients. SOURCE Dechert LLP This strategic agreement is a stamp of approval for all EGM utility monitoring technology & products throughout the US. Tweet this Dr. Alex Levran, CEO of EGM, Inc. reported, "This strategic agreement is a stamp of approval for all EGM monitoring technology and products throughout the United States." Levran stated, "The partnership with IEC, and other utilities globally, will allow us to introduce more innovative, grid modernization products for smart cities in the near future." Based on its experience with the EGM Meta-Alert system, IEC concluded that EGM monitoring hardware and software improves the reliability of the grid. It provides early indications for grid failures, reduces the frequency and duration of power failures, prepares the grid in Israel for future integration of large-scale renewable power plants, and provides an addition of storage -as highly anticipated- for the growth of electrical vehicle (EV) chargers and charging stations. About IEC Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) is the largest supplier of electrical power in Israel. The IEC builds, maintains, and operates power generation stations, sub-stations, as well as transmission and distribution networks. The company is the sole integrated electric utility in the State of Israel. For more information, please visit www.iec.co.il. About EGM Electrical Grid Monitoring (EGM) Ltd.(www.egm.net) is the leading technology company with innovative T&D grid monitoring products that include sensing, communication, and analytics. Meta-Alert the EGM Monitoring System, delivers useful information to manage both overhead and underground utility grids. The Company is headquartered in Israel with its U.S. based subsidiary centered in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.egm.energy. Contact Information: Rebecca Kelly 770.401.4044 EGM MARKETING SOURCE Electrical Grid Monitoring The four-day hearing will begin on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in a Sargon hearing via Zoom before the Hon. Judge Amy D. Hogue for the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles and conclude on Friday, February 4 (Court is dark on February 3). Also known as "Science Day" or "Science Week" the 4-day Sargon hearing allows the legal teams for the plaintiffs and the defendants in a lawsuit to present their experts and educate the court on the science that underpins their arguments. Sargon is the name of a California Supreme Court case that encourages trial courts to act as the gatekeeper for what scientific evidence will be admissible or precluded from trial. Judge Hogue decided that only the plaintiffs will present their experts before the court. The defense may present their experts at a later date, if necessary. The hearing is the next step toward trial for Noah Cantabrana, a seven-year-old boy from Southern California with autism and ADHD. His parents filed the first lawsuit in the nation against baby food manufacturers alleging toxic heavy metals from baby food caused their son's neurological injuries. They allege design defects, failure to warn and negligence, among other allegations: Nurture, Inc. (Happy Family Organics and HappyBABY) Beech-Nut Nutrition Company Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth's Best Organic) Gerber Products Company Plum PBC (Plum Organics) Walmart, Inc. (Parent's Choice) Sprout Foods, Inc. R. Brent Wisner and Pedram Esfandiary of Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman, based in Los Angeles, represent the Cantabrana Family. They are the same lawyers from Baum Hedlund that successfully tried the first three Roundup cancer cases against Monsanto, resulting in historic verdicts for the plaintiffs. "We believe these companies continue to show callous disregard for the health of vulnerable young children, all in the name of maximizing profits," says attorney Pedram Esfandiary. For more details on the toxic baby food experts and the lawsuit allegations, read more here. Media Contact: Robin McCall (310) 207-3233 [email protected] SOURCE Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective January 10, 2022, Fatih Ozdemir, formerly of Liberty Mutual Insurance, joined Falvey Insurance Group as Vice President. Ozdemir has been appointed to develop a new, companion product for the Group focused on transportation and logistics liability. Prior to joining Falvey, Ozdemir oversaw underwriting in marine liability at Liberty for nearly seventeen years. As a specialty MGA, Falvey Insurance Group is prepared to expand its offerings by underwriting new products that are an extension of its existing portfolio in the marine and transportation markets. Mike McKenna, Chief Underwriting Officer for Falvey Insurance Group, explains, "Fatih's background in the marine logistics and transportation liability space makes him the ideal fit for this role. With this newly acquired expertise, we are proud to announce that we will be materially broadening the product offering to our policyholders and distribution partners." Ozdemir comments, "I am very excited for the opportunity to join Falvey and build a product from the ground up. The organization is already growing an impressive amount, and there is a great opportunity in the marine and transportation liability space." Ozdemir will be based in New Jersey and joins 23 new hires who were added to Falvey's staff since 2021. About Falvey Insurance Group Falvey Insurance Group began as a single division, Falvey Cargo Underwriting, opening its first office in 1995 in Wakefield, RI by the company's founder: Mike Falvey. After 25 years, the company has evolved into Falvey Insurance Group, comprised of four divisions: Falvey Cargo Underwriting, Falvey Shippers Insurance, Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance, and Falvey Insurance Services. "The Specialized Insurance Experts" underwrite on behalf of Lloyd's of London, C.V. Starr, Nationwide, Beazley Insurance Company, Hiscox, Ascot Group, and State National. The flexibility, World-Class customer service, claims processing excellence, and comprehensive knowledge and expertise that Falvey companies are known for is unparalleled in the insurance industry. Falvey was also named Insurance Insider's MGA of the Year in 2020. www.falveyinsurancegroup.com Media Contact: Megan Bell (401) 214-5600 [email protected] SOURCE Falvey Insurance Group The company has well-articulated net-zero targets for its direct and indirect carbon emissions, but its efforts toward downstream decarbonization remain fairly nascent. In an industry that is as exposed to transition risks as it is to safety incidents, health and safety has been a key focus for the company, with below-average injury and fatality rates for a few years. In addition, Fortescue invests heavily in communities through hiring and sourcing contracts, and engages actively with local indigenous people, in line with its vision to generate lasting socio-economic benefits where it operates. Finally, Fortescue's governance reflects its high transparency and reconciles the strong rule of law in Australia, which is its country of incorporation and operations, with the company's large revenue exposure to China, which has less established governance standards. Fortescue is well prepared to remain resilient to disruptions, especially the energy transition, given the board's acute understanding of material risks in the industry, coupled with its extensive investments in green and renewable energy. Fortescue is the fourth-largest iron ore producer globally, with 182.2 million tonnes shipped from its three mining hubs in the Pilbara region of Western Australia during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. In that year, the company generated 90% of its revenue from China and employed 10,164 people. What Is An ESG Evaluation? S&P Global Ratings' ESG evaluation is a cross-sector, relative analysis of an entity's capacity to continue to operate successfully. It is grounded in how ESG factors could affect stakeholders, potentially leading to a material direct or indirect financial impact on the entity. Our definition of stakeholders for a particular entity goes beyond shareholders to include employees, the local community, government, regulators, customers, lenders, borrowers, policyholders, voters, members, and suppliers. 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S&P Global Ratings, 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041 SOURCE S&P Global Ratings SANAA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen launched multiple airstrikes on a military camp controlled by the Houthi militia in the Yemeni capital on Tuesday midnight, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. It was the second consecutive day of airstrikes by the coalition that hit the al-Siyanah maintenance camp in central Sanaa, al-Masirah said without providing further details. The explosions smashed windows of nearby houses and sent a fire which could be seen from downtown. The airstrikes came after the militia claimed responsibility for explosive-laden drones and ballistic missile attacks on sites in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday morning. This was the second of such cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE claimed by the Houthi militia in nearly a week. The UAE is a key member of the Saudi-led Arab coalition that has been supporting the Yemeni government army against the Houthi militia since March 2015. The Houthi militia has lost several strategic districts in the oil-rich provinces of Shabwa and Marib in central Yemen this month after deadly fighting against the Yemeni army. TITUSVILLE, Fla., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GenH2, a premier provider of hydrogen infrastructure, announced today the company is a platinum sponsor at the 2nd American Hydrogen Forum, an annual energy industry event, being held February 17 18, 2022 in Houston, Texas. The company's CEO and founder Cody Bateman will also speak on the conference's main stage on February 18, 2022 at 9:30am. The American Hydrogen Forum provides a platform for relevant stakeholders from the government, research, technology and service sectors to join a clean energy debate and collaborate in searching for sustainable hydrogen economy solutions. Bateman is widely recognized as a visionary leader in the field of hydrogen infrastructure research and development and is an outspoken advocate for the Hydrogen Economy. At the conference, he will address "Future Prospects for Large-Scale Production and Storage of Liquid Hydrogen." The conference follows a major industry announcement that will further hydrogen infrastructure development. This fall news broke of a DOE-funded consortium of public, private and academic experts , led by Shell International Exploration and Production, Inc., which is pioneering an ambitious path forward to enable large-scale liquid hydrogen (LH 2 ) storage for international trade applications. Shell and the consortium partnersincluding GenH2, McDermott's CB&I Storage Solutions, NASA's Kennedy Space Center and the University of Houstonhave been selected by the DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office to demonstrate that a large-scale LH 2 tank, with a capacity ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 cubic meters, is both feasible and cost competitive at import and export terminals. "Partnerships like this consortium are key to supporting hydrogen's role in the U.S. because partnerships inspire action," said Bateman. "As demonstrated by increased participation at the 2nd American Hydrogen Forum, the energy industry is embracing hydrogen as a serious energy source." Developing systems using patented technologies and licenses, GenH2 is building efficient manufacturing capabilities and repeatable processes to mass produce standard products for hydrogen production, liquefaction, storage, and transfer. For more information, please visit www.DiscoverHydrogen.com. Find information on the Second Hydrogen Conference at https://www.ushydrogenforum.com. To schedule an appointment to speak with GenH2 team members, stop by booth #1 or email them at [email protected]. About GenH2 GenH2 is an industry leader in hydrogen infrastructure solutions. The Titusville, Florida-headquartered technology company was founded by Cody Bateman, who is widely recognized as a visionary and expert in this industry. The GenH2 team includes former NASA researchers and developers who possess decades of experience researching, engineering, and producing hydrogen solutions. GenH2 is focused on the mass production of infrastructure equipment necessary for the transition to a clean energy economy. GenH2 technology will allow safe onsite production, storage, and distribution of pure liquid hydrogen, making the product accessible for everyday use. GenH2's innovative approaches include filling station solutions and servicing systems to make clean hydrogen readily available on-site for a host of end-use applications; the company has plans to deliver its product to hundreds of locations across the country in the coming years. Learn more about GenH2 at www.DiscoverHydrogen.com. Media Contact: Melissa Perlman BlueIvy Communications 561-310-9921 [email protected] SOURCE GenH2 SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gluware, Inc., the leader in intelligent network automation for the enterprise, today announced the appointment of Ernest Lefner as Chief Product Officer, a newly-created C-suite position at Gluware. Lefner's appointment comes on the heels of a banner year for Gluware, where it was recently recognized as the only leader and outperformer in the GigaOm Radar for NetDevOps. 2022 is starting on a high note for the company as it sets the stage for continued innovation, particularly in AI and security, as the leading intelligent network automation provider for modern enterprises. With modernization and digital transformation, the mismanagement of enterprise networks and the growing number of devices, domains, and clouds they are composed of can be a significant source of business risk. According to Gartner, network downtime costs enterprises $300,000 per hour on average and up to $560,000 per hour in worst-case scenarios. Facebook's outage in October 2021 reportedly cost the company as much as $100 million. Other major service providers, such as Google Cloud, have suffered similar operational disruptions due to glitches in network configurations that have resulted in the downstream interruption of customer operations as well. Gluware delivers the industry's most intelligent network automation suite to de-risk enterprise networks' inherent complexity and chaos as cloud adoption and digital transformation continue to accelerate and create these increasingly widespread issues. "Most automation solutions on the market overpromise and under deliver. This leaves organizations susceptible to business disruption and security risks and forces their reliance on brittle DIY scripting, workflow UIs with hidden DIY, and legacy tools like NCCM," said Jeff Gray, CEO and co-founder, Gluware. "Gluware's Intelligent Network Automation suite was created as a counterpoint to this status quo - to alleviate the costs, risks, and inefficiencies present in heterogeneous networks today. We've been innovators from the get-go, as recognized most recently by GigaOm. Now with Ernest, Stanislav, and Tim on our team, we're primed to continue leading the industry as intelligent network automation becomes increasingly essential to enterprise IT operations." Ernest Lefner brings a wealth of industry experience to his role as Chief Product Officer that helps build on the momentum Gluware accumulated throughout 2021. He co-founded ONUG in 2012 to help the user community take control of and accelerate network transformation while holding high-profile executive positions overseeing network transformation programs at Bank of America and EY. At Gluware, Lefner will lead the company's product strategy and be responsible for directing the rollout of the company's latest innovations that include forthcoming capabilities for network robotic process automation (RPA), AIOps, and enhanced network security. "I've been in the trenches training teams and building networks for nearly two decades. I've learned that a paradigm shift in the way networks are managed, updated, and maintained is necessary to accommodate the performance, scale, and security needs of modern enterprises," said Ernest Lefner, Chief Product Officer, Gluware. "Automation is essential, but the market is flooded with tools that only deliver broken promises, false claims of low-code automation, single-purpose playbooks, and never-ending scripting needs that strain already tapped IT resources. I've benefited from watching users succeed with Gluware where many other solutions have failed. Joining the team to have a hand in developing the next generation of intelligent network automation capabilities is an incredibly exciting prospect." Gluware also announced the appointments of Stanislav Miskovic, Ph.D., as VP of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Tim Silverline as VP of Security. Stanislav joins Gluware from Splunk, where he served as a principal data scientist and was instrumental in securing the company's leadership role in the big data industry. Before that, he helped build Symantec's Unified Security Framework and made countless contributions to the industry sitting at the intersection of big data analytics and network systems. Stanislav will be responsible for architecting Gluware's AI and AIOps initiatives to help customers integrate machine learning into their network automation strategies. "The performance and operation of enterprise networks are bound by the limited capacity of IT teams and all-too-often impacted by human error. The only way to match the velocity and scale of high-performance business is automation," said Stanislav Miskovic, VP of AI, Gluware. "Gluware already delivers the most intelligent network automation capabilities in the industry, and our path forward will put AI at the center of our intelligence to deliver true AIOps and self-operating networks." Tim Silverline joins Gluware from Sycomp, where he oversaw security operations for the global IT solutions provider as their CISO. At Gluware, he will ensure secure network automation continues to be at the core of Gluware's mission with multiple game-changing security innovations in development and work with its customers to tackle emerging risks and threats that impact network operations as domains converge. "The network is the heart of the modern enterprise. Its health is critical to the operations of the businesses that rely on it," said Tim Silverline, VP of Security, Gluware. "The protection of the network is paramount to achieving the agility, performance, and scalability that the Global 2000 enterprises that make up Gluware's customer base depend on." Gluware's latest executive appointments were made following one of the best years to date for the company where it announced several new partnerships and major product updates that included new applications for vulnerability reporting, config drift and audit, and syslog messaging; the Gluware Lab IDE and out-of-the-box low code automation capabilities; Data Explorer for unparalleled visibility into network data; and intelligent network automation for Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco Meraki, and public cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS). The company started 2021 by announcing that it had won the prestigious TechTarget Network Innovation Award for enabling enterprises to enhance agility and manage complex, multi-vendor, multi-domain brownfield networks. Gluware was also recognized by several other key industry awards, including Light Reading's Leading Lights award, The Cloud Awards, Intellyx's Digital Innovator Award, The Stevie American Business Awards, and the Globee IT World Awards. Gluware empowers IT teams with the insights and tools necessary to execute safe and compliant network automation and operate unencumbered by the limits of lesser tools and solutions. The latest enhancements to Gluware's Intelligent Network Automation suite, alongside its growing list of industry recognition, helped propel the company to its leadership position and is on track to continue its 400% ARR growth rate. This momentum culminated in its recent $43 million growth funding investment led by Bain Capital, validating its growth strategy, product innovation, and ability to simplify how multi-domain enterprise networks are discovered, analyzed, updated, and maintained. For more information on Gluware and the latest innovations included in the Gluware Intelligent Network Automation suite, please visit www.gluware.com. About Gluware Gluware is the leading intelligent network automation suite for the cloud era, trusted by Global 2000 enterprises, across industries, from Pharma to Finance. Gluware automates the networks of the world's largest and most complex enterprises by simplifying how multi-domain enterprise networks are discovered, analyzed, and maintained. The company's code-free, intent-based approach to network automation reduces the business risk of unplanned outages and downtime while elevating the performance of people and systems. Media Contact Dex Polizzi Lumina Communications for Gluware [email protected] SOURCE Gluware Related Links http://www.gluware.com NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GoWithFlow, a sustainable mobility start-up headquartered in Portugal, will bring its European decarbonisation experience to the US as part of a successful coalition aiming to transform the Metro Memphis economy under the Biden Administration's Build Back Better program. The coalition - led by the University of Memphis - was announced on December 13 as one of 60 finalists in the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, one of the U.S. Economic Development Administration's American Rescue Plan programs. As a result, the coalition will receive a $500,000 grant to further develop its proposal and plans, with the aim of securing a full implementation grant. The successful proposal, titled "Digital Delta", leverages the existing industry strengths of the Memphis region, strategically improves workforce in key areas, and enables the transformation of the regional economic landscape by building the most connected urban-rural innovation district in the United States. GoWithFlow's role in the coalition is focussed on one of five key areas in the plan Electric and Sustainable Mobility Development. The project will address final mile logistics and business fleet electrification, micro mobility options such as e-bikes and scooters, as well as shared and public transportation that serves businesses, commuters, visitors, and citizens alike. The project will also establish a regional perspective on mobility for the community by creating a plan for implementation of charging infrastructure, addressing barriers to creating economies of scale, and connecting urban, suburban and rural constituents through Sustainable Mobility programs. Jane Hoffer, GoWithFlow CEO and American expat said "We couldn't be more excited about the news of the coalition's status as a finalist, which comes after months of preparation. The coalition's plans will transform the area and serve as a world-leading example to others in the U.S. and beyond where this type of infrastructure and connectivity is also needed." Since 2010, the team behind GoWithFlow have been helping organizations manage fleet transition towards low- or no-emission vehicles and providing Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and Electric Mobility Service Providers (EMSPs) with technology and the crucial support they need to deliver their own products and services. With unrivalled experience and expertise, and financially backed by Portugal's Galp Energia (January 2022. Market Cap: $7.43 Billion), GoWithFlow is now taking its technology to key geographies across Europe, LATAM, and the United States. About GoWithFlow GoWithFlow and its Mobility Change Platform (MCP) help enterprises manage the transition of their fleet to low- or no-emission vehicles while reducing overall fleet and energy costs. Flow's MCP provides an integrated view of vehicle and energy data, enabling fleet and facilities managers to plan and operate a network of combustion and electric vehicles along with managing fuel and electricity consumption. Named Portugal's top cleantech startup in 2020. Flow's majority shareholder is Galp, one of Europe's energy companies leading the transition into renewable energy and sustainable fuels. For more information, visit https://gowithflow.io. For more information please contact: Paula Elliott C8 Consulting Email: [email protected] Call: + 44 (0)7894 339645 SOURCE GoWithFlow BOSTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidesly, the first platform connecting a network of trusted guides to the world's anglers, recently closed its seed round of funding, raising $4 million from over 30 investors. This investment led by Stevenson Family Investment Limited Partnership, (SFILP) which is led by Howard and Andrew Stevenson along with new institutional investors Greycroft Partners and Elysian Park Ventures, will help Guidesly further scale in vertical SaaS and continue to grow their reach in the outdoor recreation community. "Guidesly has done a phenomenal job of creating a delightful user experience for both small business owners and their customers. They are streamlining payments on both sides of a complex, multi-step transaction, and they are bringing innovative technology to the SMB ecosystem," says Will Szczerbiak, Greycroft Partners. Continuing to invest in vertical SaaS has been a priority for Guidesly. The second half of 2021 saw a 300% increase in SaaS guides using the Guidesly platform. Vertical SaaS will continue to be at the forefront of the Guidesly business as new offerings will be rolled in the early parts of 2022. "Vertical SaaS solutions continue to accelerate, focusing on providing impactful real-world solutions for the outdoor recreation marketplace," said David Lord, CEO, Guidesly. "Companies offering unique vertical SaaS solutions save costs, increase revenue, and offer small business owners the ability to deliver leading customer experiences. Guidesly focuses on providing the technology to enable our clients to leverage the platform and deliver world-class guided experiences." The key to Guidesly's business has been, and always will be, the guides on the platform. Part of this investment will be dedicated to growing the guide roster, which is quickly expanding. With a 100% increase in guides during Q3 and Q4, Guidesly is confident they will be able to provide high-quality fishing experiences in all major markets. "Our firm is committed to backing companies helping to shape the future of sports, and Guidesly is a great example," said Pete Vlastelica, Elysian Park. "The Outdoor Recreation business, as we know it, needs a better technology platform to become more guest-centric, responsive and deliver lower cost, higher revenue solutions. We are excited by what Guidesly is building and look forward to helping them realize their vision." Guidesly has grown quickly, nearly doubling in size since June of 2021. This momentum was evident through its high-profile roster of investors and will continue into 2022 with new product releases and offerings to both guides and consumers. Guidesly connects anglers and guides to create memorable fishing experiences. By vetting potential guides, Guidesly ensures quality experiences with up-to-date guide schedules, fishing reports, and an integrated billing process. Anglers can find the type of trip and guide that fits their desires all in one place. Learn more at guidesly.com. About Guidesly Guidesly, Inc. is a technology company building a marketplace for the outdoor recreational industry. Guidesly connects outdoor enthusiasts with trusted guides through leading-edge consumer experiences and guide tools that improve the guest experience. By starting in fishing, Guidesly is connecting fishing guides and charter captains with anglers seeking fishing trips with a seamless experience between the web site and mobile applications. Guidesly targets the 51 million Americans who are searching for guided fishing experiences. From their local river to far-flung bucket list trips, Guidesly provides a journey for all anglers. Headquartered in Boston, Mass, Guidesly is run by a team that includes veterans of mission-driven consumer tech companies, award-winning designers, and proven experts in building cloud-based software platforms and businesses. For more information, visit guidesly.com. SOURCE Guidesly ELBA, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hecate Energy announced today that the application for its proposed 500-megawatt Cider Solar Farm in the towns of Elba and Oakfield, New York has been deemed complete by the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES). If approved by ORES, Cider Solar Farm would be the largest solar project permitted and constructed to date in the State of New York. Established by Section 94-c of Executive Law, ORES is the newly established state office charged with implementing timely consolidated review and permitting for major renewable energy facilities in New York State. Its acceptance of the Cider Solar Farm application is the first time ORES has deemed a renewable energy application complete. "This is the first 94-c application to be deemed complete by ORES, which is a significant milestone for renewable energy in New York," said Harrison Luna, Cider Solar Farm's project developer. "The establishment of ORES and the 94-c permit process underpins the state's commitment to support sustainable power, and we're fortunate to be in position to use it to bring clean, homegrown electricity to Genesee County. We are encouraged both by the transparency brought to the permitting process by ORES and the comprehensiveness of that process, and we believe this project will be an excellent addition to the next generation of sustainable power supply in New York State." The completed permitting application for Cider Solar Farm was extensive and comprehensive. It included 6 bound volumes and more than 96,000 pages of detailed analysis of data from studies assessing the proposed project's effect on the host communities. Surveys were commissioned regarding a wide range environmental, cultural, land use, and socioeconomic considerations such as wetlands and streams, wildlife habitat, nearby traffic patterns, cultural resources, noise and vibrations, visual effects from nearby areas, site security and other potential concerns. If approved by ORES, Cider Solar Farm would be built on nearly 3,000 acres in the towns of Elba and Oakfield in Genesee County. It is expected to create over 500 construction jobs and will be capable of supplying 920,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year enough to power over 120,000 average New York households. Clean energy from Cider Solar Farm is expected to offset 718,694 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, which according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is equivalent to the annual emissions from 141,794 passenger vehicles. "For years people have talked about bringing economic development to upstate New York. This milestone is a very positive sign to other developers who are considering bringing their investment, jobs and sustainable energy projects to this region," said Luna. "The New York State Legislature, Governor Hochul and ORES are to be commended for following through and making this happen. Together with the renewable energy industry, we are finally bringing long-term, sustainable economic development to the upstate region." To learn more about Hecate Energy and the proposed Cider Solar Farm, visit the project website at www.CiderSolarFarm.com. Or contact Harrison Luna, project developer, at [email protected]. About Hecate Energy Headquartered in Chicago, Hecate Energy is a developer of solar power plants, wind power plants, and energy storage solutions. Founded in 2012 by a team of energy industry veterans who have worked together for more than 20 years, Hecate Energy has 40+ GW development pipeline of projects, including several projects in New York and the Northeastern United States. Media Contact Harrison Luna [email protected] SOURCE Hecate Energy HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Heim, Payne & Chorush lawyers have prevailed at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) against an attempt by Volkswagen Group of America to invalidate patented technology owned by Arigna Technology Limited. It was a rare victory for a patent owner in a challenge that focused on the PTAB's evolving definition of what constitutes a "real party in interest" in an inter partes review (IPR) petition. In a Jan. 21 decision, PTAB judges agreed with Heim, Payne & Chorush lawyers that Volkswagen should have included Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH which supplies radar sensor modules at the heart of the infringement claim as a "real party in interest" in its IPR petition. Based on that, the petition was rejected because Conti had previously challenged the patent's validity in federal court. The ruling hinged on arguments that Volkswagen had filed an IPR that Conti itself could not file, which would have allowed Conti and Volkswagen to jointly mount parallel attacks on Arigna's patent in two different forums. The dispute stems from patent infringement litigation against Volkswagen filed last year by Arigna in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Conti was added as a defendant in the litigation after Conti sought a declaratory judgment regarding the validity of Conti's patents in a Virginia federal court. The PTAB's decision means that any questions about the validity of Arigna's patent will be decided in federal court and not through an IPR proceeding. Arigna was represented before the PTAB by Heim, Payne & Chorush partner Mike Heim and associate Chris Limbacher. The case is Volkswagen Group of America Inc. v. Arigna Technology Limited, IPR2021-01263. The definition of a real party in interest in IPR disputes has become a hotly debated issue in patent litigation as defendants in patent infringement disputes increasingly seek ways to challenge a patent's validity simultaneously before the patent board and in civil courts. In May 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that IPR decisions cannot be appealed to U.S. courts. "It's been extremely difficult for any patent owner to prevail," said Mr. Heim. "The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been reluctant to deny petitions for failure to identify a real party in interest." Heim, Payne & Chorush, LLP, represents plaintiffs and defendants in litigation across a broad range of technologies and business sectors. Firm attorneys handle all facets of intellectual property litigation for some of the largest energy and technology firms, as well as individuals and smaller companies. Ranked among the very best firms in Texas for patent litigation by Chambers USA and among the most active and top-performing firms in matters before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board by Patexia Insights, Heim, Payne & Chorush takes pride in its ability to partner with other attorneys and firms to bring the best possible trial team together for the benefit of the client. To learn more about the firm and the work it does, visit http://www.hpcllp.com . Media Contact: Robert Tharp 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE Heim, Payne & Chorush HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Health Department (HHD) announces minority-owned, Houston-based media and creative business firm 9thWonder Agency as its partner to help move the needle for the COVID-19 vaccine. The partnership will launch with a creative campaign to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations among hesitant populations by providing clarity on misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine in fresh and approachable way. The campaign is anticipated to kick off Q1 2022. "Minority populations continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19," said Scott Packard of the Houston Health Department. "Many people are hesitant to receive the vaccine due to misinformation and skepticism of its efficacy. Building trust and ensuring access to vaccines among these groups is crucial in order to save lives and slow the infection rate here in Houston." 9thWonder will utilize its geo-based data platforms to pinpoint minority cohorts and unvaccinated populations in the greater Houston area. Strategic cross-cultural messaging and digital implementation will follow in order to build trust and awareness among the vaccine-skeptical population and slow the spread of COVID-19. "As a Houston-based minority-owned business, we care deeply for our community and the city of Houston, and we are honored to partner with the Houston Health Department for such an impactful campaign that impacts those right in our backyard," said Josh Okun, President of 9thWonder. "As COVID-19 cases rise in Houston, the time to act is now. Minority groups have been the most vulnerable during the pandemic, and it's our job to support safe vaccine distribution and accessibility for all." Reports show that multicultural audiences experience vaccine hesitancy and barriers for complex reasons, including mistrust, conspiracy and misinformation, lack of access, and complacency. According to a study by Kaiser Family Foundation: 51 percent of unvaccinated adults say that the number of cases is currently so low there is no need for more people to get the vaccine 53 percent of unvaccinated adults believe the vaccine is too new and are worried about the side effects 61 percent of unvaccinated adults are worried the vaccine won't be effective against new coronavirus strains "Our goal with this campaign is to provide a personal moment of truth for individuals and the city of Houston," Okun said. "We hope to inspire clarity and help Houston establish a future completely free from the fear of COVID-19." The addition of the Houston Health Department to 9thWonder's roster of clients further defines the agency's deep bench of public health experience. 9thWonder has previously worked with leading organizations including Stand Up For Cancer, The American Heart Association and Memorial Hermann Health System, and Nemours Children's Health System and others to build out their health and wellness practice. For more information on 9thWonder, please visit 9thwonder.com. To learn more about Houston Health Department's COVID-19 testing sites, vaccination sites and resources, visit: houstonhealth.org or call 832-393-4220. About 9thWonder 9thWonder is a minority-owned independent marketing agency comprising diverse thinkers committed to harnessing the power of difference. 9thWonder has offices spanning North America, South America and Asia, with capabilities including: brand strategy, media planning, creative, research, digital strategy and development, public relations, social media and more. With clients across a wide-range of industries, 9thWonder knows how to market to a diverse America and generate real marketplace results. Contact: Abbey Leach [email protected] 321.626.4037 SOURCE 9thWonder DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is fighting for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect by seeking to change a flawed law that the industry claims provides blanket immunity to these facilities due to COVID-19 even when a case has nothing to do with the virus. North Carolina nursing home residents and their families are currently being denied access to justice due to legislation intended to protect healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. "This law was passed to protect healthcare workers. Unfortunately, it is deeply flawed, and its flaws put our elderly in nursing homes at great risk. Under the law, facilities are getting a pass for situations that have nothing to do with COVID and everything to do with neglect," said attorney Elizabeth Todd, who leads the nursing home law practice at James Scott Farrin. The firm urges everyone to sign the petition located here. Pleas Fall on Deaf Ears at Governor's Office, Legislature; Law Used as a Basis of NC Law Repealed Despite outcry from families that their loved ones were injured by neglect and not COVID-19, there has been no effort to repeal the law or any part of it. The Emergency Disaster or Treatment Protection Act, signed into law in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, was essentially imported from New York, where it has since been repealed. "During the early months of the pandemic, the Legislature granted healthcare facilities broad corporate immunity, stripping grieving families of their right to seek proper legal recourse and potentially incentivizing nursing home executives to cut corners. Now knowing that we would lose over 13,000 nursing home residents to COVID-19, we have a duty to right this wrong and fully repeal the remaining protections," said New York legislator Alessandra Biaggi in 2021, as their immunity law was repealed. Unfortunately, the law is still in effect in North Carolina. Courts Bound by Letter of the Law as Tragedies Continue The effects of the law are not unknown. Several news articles have detailed the stories of families whose elderly loved ones have died under tragic, avoidable circumstances. Families seeking answers and help have been rebuffed by Governor Roy Cooper, and no movement has been made to correct the flaw in the legislation. ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES SCOTT FARRIN The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina and has helped over 50,000 injured people since 1997. Operating from 16 offices in NC and one in SC, many of the firm's 50+ accomplished attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. The firm focuses on providing quality legal services to as many people as possible in the following practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, workers' compensation, nursing home abuse, whistleblowing, defective products, eminent domain, mass torts, class actions, and Social Security Disability. Offices in Durham (main), Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, NC and Greenville, SC. Attorney J. Gabe Talton: 280 South Mangum St., Suite 400, Durham, NC. Contact Information: David Chamberlin 280 S. Mangum Street Suite 400 Durham, NC 27701 866-900-7078 https://www.farrin.com/ SOURCE Law Offices of James Scott Farrin WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alfredo Ortiz, president and CEO of Job Creators Network, released the following statement in response to the Biden administration withdrawing its emergency employer vaccine mandate and ending litigation efforts in the Sixth Circuit: "Job Creators Network and American small businesses have defeated the Biden administration's illegal vaccine mandate that threatened to burden job creators with new costs and exacerbate the historic labor shortage. JCN was first to petition the Supreme Court to block the rule, and we're pleased that the Biden administration has followed the court's ruling and JCN's requests and scrapped this destructive mandate. This is a great victory for American small businesses who can now focus on bringing the economy back." JCN ran a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal calling on the Biden Administration to withdraw the mandate, click here to view the ad. SOURCE Job Creators Network NEW DELHI, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The study undertaken by Astute Analytica foresees a phenomenal growth in revenue of the Global Laboratory Robotics Market from US$ 270.7 Mn in 2021 to US$ 494 Mn by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. The growth in the revenue for the Global Laboratory Robotics Market is attributed to surging investments of R&D in the pharmaceutical industry and the growing demand for process automation for various industrial verticals. Lab automation makes it easier to use laboratory equipment for repetitive operations like labelling tubes and sample verifications, as well as lowering and limiting the physical strain caused by manual tasks, which saves money and space in the lab. However, a high initial cost, restricted adaptability, and a lack of institution for tackling tough or esoteric problems are challenging the growth of the laboratory robotics industry. Request a Sample Report of Gallium Laboratory Robotics Market: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/laboratory-robotics-market Biological laboratory robotics segment has the highest market share in 2021 The biological laboratory robotics segment is estimated to have the highest market share of 34.5% in 2021. The market growth can be primarily attributed to wide adoption of robotics in various application. The pharmaceutical companies employ robots to move biological or chemical samples around to synthesize novel chemical entities or to test pharmaceutical value of existing chemical matter. Drug discovery segment has the highest market size of US$ 103.1 Mn in 2021 The drug discovery segment contributed the major share of 38.2% in the global laboratory robotics market in 2021. The growth in investments and spending on pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) coupled with the increasing pressure on healthcare providers to reduce healthcare cost is expected to propel the segmental growth. However, the proteomics solutions segment is projected to grow at the fastest-CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. Request Customized Copy of Report @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/laboratory-robotics-market Environmental Testing Laboratories segment has the fastest CAGR during the forecast period Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are under mounting pressure to develop and introduce new products through the pipeline faster, therefore, the market share of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies' segment is the highest in 2021. However, the Environmental Testing Laboratories segment is expected to project the CAGR of 8.4% in the global Laboratory. North America dominates the Global Laboratory Robotics Market in 2021 North America holds major share of 38.7% in term of revenue in the global laboratory robotics market in 2021. North America is the dominating region in the laboratory robotics market owing to an increase in technological advancements and investments by the market leaders. With the increase in the number of players in this region, the market in this region is witnessing enterprise collaborations and partnerships to achieve a technological breakthrough in the field of robotics, which is also boosting the focus toward technology. Additionally, with the increased R&D activities by the biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms in this region, as well as the increased adoption of lab automation by most of the hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs are driving the growth in the lab robotics market in the region. Mexico is growing at the fastest CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Impact of COVID-19 Laboratories employ robots and automation extensively to increase quality and production at a reasonable cost. The healthcare sector, including pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies are demanding laboratory robotics to accelerate the diagnosis and research activities for drug discovery and vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, since the virus's spread, the governments are forcing pharmaceuticals and biotechnological companies to opt robotics instead of human beings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 infection among the professionals. Therefore, this ongoing pandemic has further increased the demand and supply of laboratory robotics throughout the world. A glance at the competitors Aurora Biomed Inc. is a Canada -based company that offers advance technology and solutions for various industries such as healthcare, pharmaceutical, veterinary, agriculture, food safety, environment, and others. -based company that offers advance technology and solutions for various industries such as healthcare, pharmaceutical, veterinary, agriculture, food safety, environment, and others. Tecan Group is a Swiss company, headquartered in Mannedorf, that offers high-tech solutions for various industries. The company offers a wide range of products and solutions such as laboratory instruments and solutions, liquid handling solutions, mass spectrometry, biomarkers, and others. Thermo Fisher Scientific has a large product portfolio in laboratory reagents and consumables, analytical equipment and instruments, science software and services for research, discovery, analysis, and manufacturing (including pharmaceutical and diagnostic products). Siemens is a technology company based in Germany and established in 1847. It is a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation, and digitalization. The company's primary divisions include Industry, Healthcare (Siemens Healthineers), Energy, and Infrastructure & Cities. and established in 1847. It is a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation, and digitalization. The company's primary divisions include Industry, Healthcare (Siemens Healthineers), Energy, and Infrastructure & Cities. Yaskawa Electric Corporation is a Japan -based company that offers high-tech products and services for different industries to cater to the needs of the customers. The company provides various products and solutions such as robotics, AC drivers, controllers, system engineering, motion control and others. It offers services to various clients in various industries such as food, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, industry 4.0, automotive, and others. -based company that offers high-tech products and services for different industries to cater to the needs of the customers. The company provides various products and solutions such as robotics, AC drivers, controllers, system engineering, motion control and others. It offers services to various clients in various industries such as food, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, industry 4.0, automotive, and others. PerkinElmer Inc. company established in the year 1937 and headquartered in Waltham , United States . It has a wide range of products and solutions such as automated and liquid handling, consumables, informatics solutions, reagents, software, instruments, and others. Segmentation Overview of the Global Laboratories Market The Global Laboratories Robotics Market is segmented based on type, product, and region. These segments are further sub-divided to get a holist picture of the market. Following are the different segments of the Global Laboratories Market: - By Type Segment of the Global Laboratories Market is Sub-Segmented into: Low-Cost Laboratory Robotics Biological Laboratory Robotics Pharmaceutical Laboratory Robotics Molecular Laboratory Others By Application Segment of the Global Laboratories Market is Sub-Segmented into: Drug Discovery Clinical Diagnosis Microbiology Solutions Genomics Solutions Proteomics Solutions By End User Segment of the Global Laboratories Market is Sub-Segmented into: Clinical Laboratories Research Laboratories Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical companies Hospitals and Diagnostic Laboratories Research and Academic Institutes Forensic Laboratories Environmental Testing Laboratories Food and Beverage Industry By Region Segment of the Global Laboratories Market is Sub-Segmented into: North America The US 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 APAC Middle East & Africa & UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of MEA South America Argentina Brazil Rest of South America Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/laboratory-robotics-market For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail Us At: [email protected] About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact us: Aamir Beg BSI Business Park, H-15,Sector-63, Noida- 201301- India Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4251598 (Rest of the World) Email: [email protected] Website: www.astuteanalytica.com Follow US: LinkedIn | Twitter SOURCE Astute Analytica China's top legislator Li Zhanshu, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over a symposium for a group of NPC deputies to hear their opinions and suggestions on a draft work report of the NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu on Tuesday urged efforts to carry out the work of the people's congresses with high quality. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presided over a symposium for a group of NPC deputies to hear their opinions and suggestions on a draft work report of the NPC Standing Committee. Acknowledging the work of the NPC and its standing committee during the past year, the deputies put forward their advice on revising the work report and improving the work of the people's congresses. Li stressed upholding the overall leadership of the Party as the top political principle, noting that the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans should be thoroughly implemented in the work of the people's congresses. He also called for carrying out the work based on people's aspirations and strictly following the provisions of the law. BOSTON and NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LexShares , a tech-enabled leader in litigation finance, today announced the oversubscribed closing of LexShares Marketplace Fund II (LMFII), a $100 million fund dedicated to investments in commercial legal claims. LexShares' deployment of the fund will be overseen by new chief executive officer, Cayse Llorens, who joined the firm's senior leadership team in 2021. Investment in the fund was led by Titan Advisors , a $4.5 billion alternative investments firm, with additional participation from several institutional investors and select family offices. "Over the past eight years, LexShares has become one of the most active litigation funders in the market." Tweet this "We are excited about our participation in LexShares Marketplace Fund II and our relationship with LexShares," said Rob Wilson, Titan Advisors' Director of Insurance Dedicated Funds. "We feel LexShares' increasing prominence in an industry with multi-decade growth potential supports the objectives we share with our investors. We believe in LexShares' mission to use technology to source high-quality investment opportunities and, more broadly, to use capital to empower litigants with valid claims to fully access the promise of the civil justice system." The successful closing of LMFII follows another major milestone for the litigation funder. In 2021, LexShares received a majority investment from Brockhurst Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on specialty finance. As part of the investment, Brockhurst's founding partner, Mr. Llorens, was named LexShares' CEO. An accomplished technology entrepreneur and investor, Mr. Llorens will guide the firm's strategic direction while spearheading LexShares' deployment of LMFII. Before founding Brockhurst, Mr. Llorens was a venture capital investor at Invest Detroit Ventures, OCA Ventures, and Hyde Park Venture Partners. Previously, he led software engineering teams through the $240 million IPO of R1 RCM, the $1.8 billion acquisition of Coyote Logistics by UPS, and the $400 million acquisition of BSwift by Aetna. Mr. Llorens graduated summa cum laude in computer engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned his MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Mr. Llorens joins the LexShares management team and board of directors alongside the firm's co-founders, president Jay Greenberg and chief investment officer Max Volsky. "Over the past eight years, LexShares has become one of the most active litigation funders in the market, using technology-driven insights to help our team source more than 140 investments," said Mr. Llorens. "From the start, LexShares has sought to facilitate greater participation in the legal system while expanding access to a growing asset class. Backed by this fresh capital, we will continue to explore new applications of technology where it meets the law, strengthening LexShares' position as a leader in the middle market of commercial litigation finance." About LexShares LexShares is a leading technology platform for litigation finance, with an innovative approach to originating and financing high-value commercial legal claims. LexShares funds litigation-related matters, primarily originated by its proprietary Diamond Mine software, through both its online marketplace and dedicated litigation finance funds. Founded in 2014, the company is privately owned with principal offices in Boston and New York. For more information, visit lexshares.com . About LexShares Marketplace Fund II LexShares Marketplace Fund II (LMFII) is the company's second discretionary fund dedicated to providing access to a portfolio of litigation-related assets. LMFII has retained Seward & Kissel LLP as its legal counsel, BDO USA, LLP for tax and auditing services, and SS&C Technologies Inc. as its fund administrator. This release may contain "forward looking statements" which are not guaranteed. Investment opportunities posted on LexShares are offered by WealthForge Securities, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA / SIPC. LexShares and WealthForge are separate entities. Investment opportunities offered by LexShares are "private placements'' of securities that are not publicly traded, are not able to be voluntarily redeemed or sold, and are intended for investors who do not need a liquid investment. Investments in legal claims are speculative, carry a high degree of risk and may result in loss of entire investment. CONTACT: Alec Shirkey, Marketing Manager, [email protected] , 877 290 4443 SOURCE LexShares FALLS CHURCH, Va., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer and operator specializing in premier rental communities across the U.S., today announced the upcoming additions of three new restaurants from Happy Endings Hospitality (HEH) Group to Founders Row, a luxury mixed-use community situated in the heart of Falls Church. Founders Row, located at the intersection of West Broad and North West Streets approximately 10 miles west of Washington, D.C., has signed leases with Chasin' Tails, Nue and Roll Play Vietnamese Grill, three distinct restaurants that will share the same kitchen. The three-in-one concept will occupy approximately 7,500 square feet of retail space, and each will feature ample outdoor seating. This accompanies the prior announcement of Ellie Bird, from Michelin-star award-winning chefs Carey and Yuan Tang. All four restaurants are scheduled to open in early fall 2022. "We have taken a disciplined approach in selecting high-quality retail tenants for Founders Row, and the HEH Group certainly meets and exceeds those high standards," said Joe Muffler, managing director of development for Mill Creek Residential. "We are eager to welcome these three restaurants to the community and are enamored by the creative three-in-one concept. We believe these restaurants, in conjunction with others soon to join the retail landscape, will elevate the Founders Row experience and complement our initial vision for the development." The three-in-one model of Chasin' Tails, Nue and Roll Play Vietnamese Grill is a unique and inventive concept, and each restaurant will have its own storefront and front of house. Founders Row represents an opportunity for HEH Group to kick-start a rebranded "2.0-version" of its restaurant offerings. Chasin' Tails will offer fresh, authentic Cajun cuisine served in family-style fashion, and will be relocating from its current location in Arlington, which borders Falls Church to the east. Nue will serve as an upscale-but-casual Vietnamese kitchen and bar, and Roll Play Vietnamese Grill will offer a fast-casual dining experience that reinvents traditional healthy-and-fresh Vietnamese cuisine. "We're thrilled for the opportunity bring our signature brand of creative Asian food recipes and warm hospitality to Falls Church," said Tuyet-Nhi Le, co-owner and chief creative officer of HEH Group. "While our guests can anticipate a vintage HEH experience, each of our restaurants will be unique in their own right and each will offer something a little different. We're eager to create a unique, contemporary ambience at each location and join the vibrant scene at Founders Row." Founders Row, which features approximately 80,000 square feet of retail space overall, includes Modera Founders Row, containing 322 market-rate apartment homes and a wide variety of contemporary amenities, along with Verso Founders Row, a distinct 72-home age-restricted community dedicated to individuals 55 years and older. If interested in leasing available retail space at Founders Row, please contact Chris Wilkinson at [email protected] or 301-657-7321. About Mill Creek Residential Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC is a national rental housing company focused on the development, acquisition and operation of rental communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida proactively develops, acquires, constructs and operates communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern California, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of September 30, 2021, the company's portfolio is comprised of 111 communities representing over 30,500 rental homes that are operating and/or under construction. For more information, please visit www.MillCreekPlaces.com. Media Contact Stephen Ursery LinnellTaylor Marketing [email protected] 303.682.3945 SOURCE Mill Creek Residential The Mississippi legislature received $1.8 billion in ARPA funding for allocations from now through December 2024. Tweet this The Helping Mississippians Afford Broadband Act will alleviate one barrier to broadband access by providing direct broadband subsidy to those in need. Access to broadband is a necessity, not a luxury. Every day, Americans rely on broadband to work, play, live, and learn. However, over 40 million Americans lack access to broadband, and almost one in four Mississippians lack access to home broadband. This digital divide particularly harms persons of color, rural residents, and socioeconomically disadvantaged Americans. Lack of access compounds the many challenges these groups already face. Another bill addresses pay for pandemic workers, including social workers. "As a licensed professional social worker, it is very humbling to help and advocate for families on the front lines during a time of the COVID -19 pandemic and to walk away from each client knowing that you have met one of your NASW ethical principles of service. With support and resources, we can truly serve far beyond the pandemic as a profession," said Dr. Gwen Bouie-Haynes, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers Mississippi Chapter. "These workers put their lives on the line every day so others can continue their lives, and they deserve compensation for their sacrifices." Senator Derrick Simmons (D-Greenville) has introduced SB 2902, which will justly compensate these workers by providing them a one-time bonus of $1,500 in hazard pay. "By nearly any metric, America trails its developed counterparts in caring for mothers and babies, particularly women of color and their children," said Vangela Wade, President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice. "For over six decades, Black women have died from child birth at three to four times the rate of their white counterparts. This is an injustice that must be made just. Mississippi must invest in its human infrastructure." Representative Robert Johnson (D-Natchez) has introduced HB 998, which will expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 3 months to 12 months which will help all Mississippi mothers, especially those with heightened health disparities due to the pandemic. "The Southern Poverty Law Center is proud to partner with the Mississippi Advocacy Network for Change on addressing issues affecting millions of vulnerable Mississippians through these bills before the Mississippi legislature," said Waikinya Clanton, State Director of the Southern Poverty Law Center. "The bills allow for us to close the gaps of inequity by providing common sense solutions to looming issues faced by Mississippians daily. Passage of these bills will assist in ensuring more fair and equitable life experience for all of us." These four bills address important issues facing Mississippians. While the Mississippi Advocacy Network for Change stresses that more work needs to be done, especially in the realm of voting rights and equal pay, it fully supports these bills that will swiftly make a positive impact on the lives of many Mississippians. The Mississippi Advocacy Network for Change (MAN-C) is a newly formed coalition of statewide Mississippi organizations dedicated to social justice and improving the lives of all Mississippians. Member organizations have spent over a century fighting for these causes. The Network combines the strength, knowledge, and experience of its members to work toward its common goals, including the passage of these critical bills. Contact: Priscilla Clarke, [email protected], 240.476.9643 SOURCE Mississippi Advocacy Network for Change (MAN-C) "Why would anyone want to manage hundreds of vendors, sign in to different websites, and buy at inconsistent prices? If we can delight users and bring order to their purchasing workflow while saving them money, it's a no brainer," said Jay Po, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Stage 2 Capital. "From our first investment 2 years ago, we've been so impressed by the Order team and what they've built. From their integrated payments and financial services to the modernization of their purchasing tools, every team that buys anything for their business needs this." "MITIMCo is impressed by the first principles and mission-driven approach Order has taken to solve a large and acute pain point in business purchasing," said Seth Alexander, Chief Investment Officer at MIT Investment Management Company. "In partnership with Stage 2, MITIMCo is thrilled to be a long-term investor supporting Order's work in streamlining business purchasing." Founded in 2016, Order leverages embedded fintech to deliver tailored solutions up and down the entire buying process, beginning at the point of purchase. Order's approach blends software and predictive applications to upstream pain points faced by finance, operations, and procurement teams when buying things for their business. "When you're a business, the seemingly simple act of buying a pen is unnecessarily complex - a number of workflows need to take place across a number of systems and departments. And a business is obviously buying much more than just a pen," said Zach Garippa, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Order. "If you can intercept this process at the point of purchase, you can radically simplify buying for businesses without needing to reinvent the wheel. You can, though, make it less excruciating for them to turn." Order operates in a new wave of business known as SaaS+. In addition to a base subscription fee, they also employ embedded fintech as a secondary model. "SaaS+ businesses are uniquely positioned to solve complex customer problems because the incentives are perfectly aligned with the customer," said Garippa. "In order for a business to increase revenue per customer, they need customers to receive value quickly with increasing value over time. When done correctly, you can follow in the footsteps of companies like SportsEngine and Shopify who have massively high net dollar retention, high revenue predictability, and a rapid - and impressive - product deployment cycle. This perpetuates an amazing flywheel of increased value, increased revenue, and accelerated product innovation." Order's revenue and spend figures have grown between 200%-300% annually, with net revenue retention above 200%. "Our net revenue retention has been the key to consistent growth," said Tom Jaklitsch, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Order. "We're constantly optimizing for customer value along every step of the ordering experience. This has resulted in a product that customers rarely leave and that customers trust with more and more of their spend." Order's recent funding will be used to continue accelerating their payments business in addition to advancing product development and innovation. About Order Founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York City, Order is a guided B2B marketplace with a mission to simplify buying for businesses. Powered by predictive applications and embedded fintech, Order sits at the intersection of a business, their vendors, and their payment methods to deliver tailored solutions up and down the entire buying process. With nearly half a billion in annualized spend, hundreds of finance, operations, and procurement teams across customers like WeWork, SoulCycle, Lume, and High Level Health rely on Order to guide their company's growth. For more information, visit order.co . Media Contact Ali Sardinia Chief of Staff [email protected] SOURCE Order The HIMSS Digital Imaging Adoption Model, which has stages from 0 to 7, helps to evaluate the maturity of IT-supported processes in medical imaging and supports healthcare organizations in advancing digital environments. We are honored to be the world's first to achieve DIAM Stage 6, leveraging the new enterprise imaging criteria. "Nicklaus Children's is committed to optimizing patient care outcomes and efficiency through our use of IT solutions. We are honored to be the world's first to achieve DIAM Stage 6, leveraging the new enterprise imaging criteria. This is truly emblematic of our commitment to combining clinical and digital excellence," said Dr. David Seo, Chief Information Officer and Vice President. To achieve the recognition, Nicklaus Children's teams developed IT processes and workflows to support the management and sharing of digital images within the radiology, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery service lines. The focus was to ensure that key stakeholders can access and share images in a safe and protected environment. In the DIAM, stages 0 to 4 include sequential compliance goals. Organizations must meet the requirements of lower stages before they can advance to stages 5 to 7. The highest three stages are non-hierarchical and show different options for making use of advanced software-related features in imaging. Nicklaus Children's has a longstanding tradition of utilizing the HIMSS maturity model adoption road maps. Most recently, the hospital received HIMSS Stage 7 recognition for both inpatient and ambulatory services on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) and Outpatient Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (O-EMRAM), respectively. About HIMSS HIMSS is a global advisor and thought leader supporting the transformation of the health ecosystem through information and technology. As a mission driven non-profit, HIMSS offers a unique depth and breadth of expertise in health innovation, public policy, workforce development, research and analytics to advise global leaders, stakeholders and influencers on best practices in health information and technology. Through our innovation engine, HIMSS delivers key insights, education and engaging events to healthcare providers, governments and market suppliers, ensuring they have the right information at the point of decision. About Nicklaus Children's Hospital Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians, including more than 390 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org For more information: Rachel Perry Bixby - 305-663-8476 [email protected] SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Hospital SINGAPORE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Metaverse Blockchain Fusion NFT company, Coinllectibles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cosmos Group Holdings, Inc. (OTC: COSG) is pleased to announce that the Hybrid- NFT (h-NFT) for the New Gold Penny of Henry III was successfully bid at GBP18,000 at the auction conducted by Spink & Sons on 23 January 2022. At the same auction, the physical coin was also successfully bought for GBP 648,000. Following the media release dated 22 January 2022, the "Non Fungible Penny" h-NFT is the First Ever Collectible NFT Coin ever auctioned by Spink & Sons, a renowned collectors' auction house dating back to 1600s, in a first cross-over collaboration with Coinllectibles. It is the first ever numismatic NFT sold by an international auction house. Starting bid price for the h-NFT was GBP 5 (USD 6.70 or COTK 2,900 based on then applicable exchange rates) and was bought at GBP 18,000. COTK holders also eagerly took part in this auction, with the highest bid coming in at COTK 3m. The specially-commissioned virtual moving graphic commemorates that unique moment, as the Hemyock soil is finally removed after 765 years to unearth the most important single coin find made in Britain for over a decade, and the first time a new coin of this type has been placed in the archaeological record for almost 260 years. The successful bidder of the h-NFT will now hold the digital ownership title (DOT) to the private and commercial licences described therein with respect to the video Mp4 4k UHD file of the New Gold Penny of Henry III. These licences, together with a contractual obligation not to issue another identical h-NFT (meaning that this h-NFT is one of a kind), are minted into the h-NFT and uploaded onto the blockchain for full authenticity and transparency - details can be found on the www.coinllectibles.art website. Proceeds from the auction will be split over charities chosen by the vendor and Spink, specifically The Rodney Cook Memorial Fund and the Himal Foundation. "Minting has always been at the heart of Spink's business over the centuries. It is through medals minting that we received our first Royal warrant from H.M. Queen Victoria. Whilst embedded in a long tradition we pride ourselves in being one of the most innovative international auction house, and hence we thought it would be very fitting to be the first one to mint a Numismatic NFT. I am very happy we chose to collaborate with Coinllectibles in this project, as their expertise was a perfect complement to ours, but the passion for history and innovation was clearly shared. After fierce bidding, the NFT went to a good home, or should I say now a "good wallet,"says Olivier D. Stocker, CFA, Chairman and CEO Spink & Sons Ltd. Commenting on the successful partnership with Spink on the auction, Toby O'Connor, CEO of Coinllectibles said, "We are honoured to be working with Spink on their inaugural NFT offering, and are most certainly proud to be a part of this significant event. The hybrid-NFT reflects our continued innovation and collaborative approach to partnership as we bring an increasingly diversified and exciting offering to our ecosystem." Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "look forward to," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future business activities including the expansion into the decentralized financing space. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include uncertainties associated with operating a business in Singapore and Hong Kong, risk of interference by the PRC government, ability to compete, that financial resources do not last for as long as anticipated, and that COSG is a holding company that may not realize the expected benefits of NFT's offered by Coinllectibles. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in COSG's regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its current report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2021. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. COSG undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For media queries, please contact: Ms Rachel Lim Director, Marketing & PR [email protected] About Cosmos Group Holdings Inc Cosmos is a business group that operates in two business segments: Arts and Collectibles Financing Through CoinllectiblesTM, the group provides authentication, valuation and certification (AVC) service, sale and purchase, hire purchase, financing, custody, security and exhibition (CSE) services to art buyers through traditional channels, as well as through leveraging blockchain technology through the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). With subsidiaries licensed under Hong Kong's Money Lenders Ordinance, the group currently primarily provides unsecured personal loan to private individuals, with a small portfolio of mortgage loans. The group is integrating the two business segments by offering secured financing services to prospective art and collectibles purchasers to provide a one-stop arts and collectibles purchasing and financing experience. About the Company Coinllectibles Coinllectibles is an ACT (Arts and Collectibles Technology) company, which is redefining how the world thinks about art and collectible ownership in the digital age. Their minted curated Fusion NFTs, capture all the rights and independent valuation and ownership of physical arts and collectibles securely underpinned by smart contracts stored on the blockchain. Coinllectibles Fusion NFTs bridge the physical and virtual dimensions of the arts and collectibles market, providing a pleasurable, transparent, and frictionless experience to customers from all walks of life. Website: www.coinllectibles.art Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coinllectibles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coinllectibles/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coinllectibles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coinllectibles Telegram: https://t.me/Coinllectibles About Coinllectibles Fusion NFT Coinllectibles prides the Fusion NFT as the industry "Gold Standard". Being a Gold Standard, a Fusion NFT contains the following on the blockchain (1) a sale and purchase agreement reflecting the purchase, by the person minting the Fusion NFT, of the underlying asset at a fair value with all rights and restrictions clearly detailed, (2) bailment terms governing the rights to possession whilst the underlying asset remains with Coinllectibles, (3) a transfer deed reflecting the transfer of the ownership of the underlying asset (together with all rights and restrictions) by the transferor to the holder of the Fusion NFT, (4) ownership title deed written into the description of the Fusion NFT and (5) the unequivocal identification file of the underlying asset, whose ownership is reflected in the title deed represented by the Fusion NFT. In summary, a Fusion NFT is a Digital Ownership Title (DOT) to the physical collectible it represents. About Spink Spink is the world's leading auctioneer of Stamps, Coins, Banknotes, Medals, Bonds & Shares, Autographs, Wine & Spirits, Books and Handbags & Accessories. Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holder of royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offers an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide. Headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland, Spink holds over 70 auctions a year. Catalogues can be accessed through the Spink website ( www.spink.com ), Spink Live online bidding platform (www.live.spink.com) or via the Spink App for mobile phones and tablets. SOURCE Cosmos Group Holdings Inc. TREVOSE, Pa., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Noritz Corporation, the leading manufacturer of tankless water heating equipment worldwide, and ServiceWhale, a software platform company focused on automating quoting of big-ticket home improvement projects, recently unveiled a joint solution designed to improve the overall customer experience for online purchasing of tankless water heaters. ServiceWhale's consumer-facing quoting technology, available through Advanced Profiles, addresses customer inquiries regarding their water heater replacement. The efficiency of the technology expedites the quoting process, allowing customers access to custom quotes from the contractors of their choice in a mere two minutes. This revolutionary online buying method also eliminates the need for traditional face-to-face interaction, providing both time and cost savings. Enhanced customer experience offers insight In offering this solution, Noritz seeks to improve the customer experience for consumers and plumbing contractors who want to transact online for tankless water heater replacements. Not only does this collaboration acknowledge evolving consumer behaviors, it also allows Noritz new visibility into the interactions and transactions between their end consumer and contractors through data captured by ServiceWhale's platform, helping the manufacturer cater to their online plumbing and HVAC customers. Improved Contract Directory offers online storefront In addition, ServiceWhale has rebuilt Noritz's contractor directory from the ground up. Within the new Noritz Contractor Directory, every contractor received a brand-new profile or "online storefront," where they can showcase company information, online reviews, projects photos and videos, and industry certifications. Noritz contractors can also deploy ServiceWhale's quoting technology to their native websites and social media pages, helping them convert more of their website traffic into actionable leads. "At Noritz, we wanted to lower the barrier to entry for the end-user to get quicker and better service to install tankless. At the same time, we were trying to provide more qualified leads for our most loyal contractors. The partnership with ServiceWhale felt like a good fit and the next step that would benefit everyone," explains Andrew Tran, Director of Marketing at Noritz. "In the age of Yelp, Instacart, and Doordash, we feel like the next generation of homeowners expects more convenient and quick service," he continues. "The Noritz partnership with ServiceWhale will help to keep us up to date with the more savvy and tech-oriented consumer of today." "Enterprises are beginning to seek out more and more ways to help support their contractors and help them grow their businesses, especially in ways that address how the consumer shopping experience is evolving. ServiceWhale's platform enables enterprises to meet the growing customer demand for a touchless online shopping experience," says ServiceWhale founder Dmitri Saveliev. To create a free contractor profile, click https://contractorfinder.noritz.com/listbus . To learn more about ServiceWhale's enterprise solutions, visit www.servicewhale.com SOURCE ServiceWhale Inc. SOUTH BEND, Ind., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business today announced plans to create a new online certificate in ethical leadership to help emerging leaders navigate the complex challenge of ethical decision making and leadership in an increasingly complex workplace and society. "In an era of fraying public trust in government, commerce and society, leading with integrity, character and ethics has never been more paramount in the world of business than it is todaybut too often, it goes untaught and unrecognized," said James Otteson, professor of business ethics at Mendoza College of Business and faculty director of the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, which is located within Mendoza. "The practice and theory of ethical decision making is an essential framework for aspiring leaders as they seek to provide the capableand compassionateleadership needed in today's complex and connected workplace." More information about the certificate, including how to register, will be available when the program launches in summer 2022. Designed for students to complete through a series of courses, the online, short-form certificate will provide leaders with an understanding of how ethical decision-making applies to complex business challenges. To create this new online offering in ethical leadership, Mendoza College of Business selected independent instructional design firm iDesign , which has worked with more than 100 colleges and universities to design, build and support award-winning online courses and programs. A team of Mendoza faculty experts will work with iDesign to develop the six online courses for the program. The ethical leadership courses will feature faculty subject matter experts from Mendoza College of Business and the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, with diverse teaching and research interests that reflect the wide range of applications for ethical leadership in business. "At a time when we need ethical leadership to guide our society forward, maybe more so than any other time in history, Notre Dame is paving the way for a new generation of thoughtful, caring, and moral leaders," said Whitney Kilgore, Chief Academic Officer at iDesign. Each course in the new ethical leadership certificate will employ cutting-edge course design coupled with professional video production. The courses will be offered in a fully-online and asynchronous format through Coursera, the largest provider of open education courses that serves more than 82 million learners annually. About Mendoza College of Business: The Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame is a premier Catholic business school whose mission is to develop leaders who contribute to human flourishing, cooperate with others in solidarity and compete toward becoming the best version of themselves through serving others. A leader in values-based education with the message of Grow the Good in Business, the College offers an academic experience that integrates experiential learning, integral leadership development and a community of mutual advancement. Mendoza degree programs include top-ranked Undergraduate Studies, which offers six majors accountancy, finance, business technology, business analytics, management consulting and marketing. The College offers doctoral programs in management and analytics; 11 graduate degree programs and several dual-degree graduate programs. Classes are held at two locations the main campus in South Bend, Indiana, and the Notre Dame classroom space in downtown Chicago. Mendoza.nd.edu About iDesign: iDesign partners with colleges and universities to build, grow and support online and blended programs. We are passionate about helping faculty harness the potential of emerging technologies to design courses and degrees that make an impact, whether they are fully online, flipped, blended, adaptive, or competency-based. Our unbundled, fee-for-service model is rooted in a commitment to flexibility and institutional autonomy, while our analytics platform supports continuous improvement through rigorous measurement of student engagement and course quality. From statewide university systems to private colleges, our custom solutions pair instructional design with technologies to enable great teaching. To learn more, please visit www.idesignedu.org . SOURCE idesignedu.org CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peak Support is excited to announce that it has hired its first Chief Information Officer, Stephen Lowe. Stephen brings more than 25 years of technology and security experience to Peak Support, much of it within the business process outsourcing industry. In his role as Chief Information Officer, Stephen will be responsible for leading Peak Support's internal technology and security functions. "I am honored and beyond excited to be joining the amazing team at Peak Support," Stephen said. "When I first spoke with the leadership team, I was struck by the outstanding culture of the company as well as its massive growth curve. My entrepreneurial and BPO background will allow me to add immediate value to Peak Support and its clients." Prior to his role at Peak Support, Stephen served as Global Vice President of Information Technology and Security for ResultsCX, a customer experience partner based in Florida. Before his time at ResultsCX, Stephen was the North American Director of IT and Security for Arvato Bertelsmann. Stephen also co-founded PCS Partners, which was the first wireless dealer in the nation to sign with MetroPCS in 2001 and had over 60 locations in the US. "I am thrilled to bring a technology and security leader of Stephen's caliber to Peak Support," said Jonathan Steiman, Peak Support's CEO and founder. "He has deep experience in the business process outsourcing industry, but he's also an excellent fit with our people-first, entrepreneurial culture." "Protecting our clients' data is our top priority," said Hannah Steiman, Peak Support's Chief Operating Officer. "Stephen brings the skills and experience we need to ensure that our technology and security functions are second to none." "Stephen brings a wealth of experience in the BPO space. We are delighted to have him leading our technology and security functions as we move into our next phase of growth," said Chief Financial Officer, Danny Guterriez. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Peak Support is a rapidly growing services provider dedicated to providing exceptional support to high-growth companies. We offer a wide array of services including customer support, sales operations, and business process outsourcing. Our global delivery model enables us to provide service from the Philippines and the U.S. We hire the best agents in the business and we are relentlessly dedicated to helping our clients succeed. In the last year, Peak Support surpassed 1,000 employees across the U.S and the Philippines and reached number 1,035 on the Inc. 5,000 list. Peak Support has been certified as a Great Place to Work, and was recognized as a Top Global BPO by Clutch. Company Name: Peak Support Address: 678 Massachusetts Ave #901 City: Cambridge State: MA Zip Code: 02139 Phone Number: (866) 620-5538 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Peak Support CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Physical Security Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Component (Systems (PACS, PSIM, PIAM, Video Surveillance, Fire and Life Safety) and Services), Organization Size (SMEs and Large Enterprises), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market size is expected to grow from USD 102.7 billion in 2021 to USD 140.0 billion by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2021 to 2026. The presence of various key players in the ecosystem has led to competitive and diverse market. Physical security is the practice of managing field activities, including physical assets, associated workforce, and equipment using software, workflows, and communication solutions. Physical security market solution consolidates and captures the data related to mapping and scheduling, location data, and time and expense tracking under one platform and helps in efficient utilization, visualization, tracking, and management of assets on the field. Browse in-depth TOC on "Physical Security Market" 329 Tables 51 Figures 334 Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1014 By Services, managed services segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period Modern business environments require proficient handling of their business processes by implementing tested solutions across organizations. The increased time consumption, the lack of resources, and the overhead costs involved in managing in-house services force organizations to outsource certain processes. Managed service providers not only ensure the security of critical business information but also ensure the smooth functioning of business operations. Managed service providers help customers and keep their physical security systems, solutions, hardware, and software updated with the latest available enhancements. The in-house capabilities of customers are enhanced, as MSPs safeguard physical and IT system assets. In vertical, retail to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The retail vertical is a part of the country's economy and deals with selling goods to customers through various shops, small grocery stores, supermarkets, large department stores, or the internet. The retail and eCommerce verticals are one of the largest verticals across the globe. This vertical includes many entities, such as online and offline retailers, manufacturers, distribution channels, and consumers. Earlier CCTV surveillance was a major security measure in retail stores, which was used for only video surveillance to prevent theft issue. However, now, this surveillance system is being combined with strong video analytics systems. Modern video analytics can count people and also create heat maps. These maps will help show which parts of the store generate the most foot traffic. According to this product placements can be optimized and in-store traffic flows to encourage sales. These insights will help the retail industry to not only secure the premises but also to enhance the profitability. Speak to Research Expert: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=1014 In region, APAC to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period In APAC, the physical security systems are becoming rapidly popular because of the increasing crime rate in the area. The concerns related to security have risen especially in China, India, Australia, and India. It is not about just crimes such as homicides and thefts but also terrorist attacks. Hence, to handle this situation, the government in many of these countries is supporting the deployment of physical security systems. APAC is home to 60% of the world's cities. The region is witnessing the large development of smart cities. Countries such as China has invested heavily in smart city programs. It is planning to spend USD 39 billion on smart cities. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chains, increased distributed terrorist threats, and imposed travel restrictions. Cities integrating smart technologies need to overcome the challenges of physical security infrastructure. As smart cities are growing in popularity day by day, how to provide perfect security solutions to citizens in smart cities is still a challenge. Planners and developers are considering new networks and systems to capture high-quality video, which can be monitored from one location. This CCTV network can be connected to emergency services, such as police stations and used to stop crime. This network allows police forces and law enforcement to have 'eyes' where they did not before. Smart cities can reduce significant rate of crime with virtual policing and home security systems. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=1014 Market Players Key and innovative vendors in Physical SecurityMarket are ADT (US), Cisco (US), Honeywell (US), Johnson Controls (Ireland), TELUS (Canada), Anixter (WESCO) (US), Genetec (Canada), Bosch Building Technology Solutions (Germany), HID Global (US), Pelco (US), Hikvision (China), Gallagher (New Zealand), SECOM (Japan), Allied Universal (US), Zhejiang Dahua Technology (US), STANLEY Security (US), Axis Communications (Sweden), Hanwha Techwin America (US), Teledyne FLIR (UK), Hexagon AB (Sweden), General Dynamics (US), BAE Systems (UK), Huawei (China), NEC (Japan), Qognify (US), SmartCone Technologies (Canada), Verkada (US), IOTAS (US), and Cloudastructure (US). Browse Adjacent Markets: Information Security Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Public safety and security Market by Component, Solution (Critical Communication Network, Biometric & Authentication System, Surveillance System, Emergency & Disaster Management, Cyber Security), Service, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Solutions (Sensors & Video Surveillance Systems), Services, Organization Size, Deployment Type, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/physical-security-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/physical-security.asp SOURCE MarketsandMarkets AMMAN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that a record 62,000 work permits were issued to Syrian refugees by Jordan in 2021. These include a record high of 31,000 flexible permits, which allow refugees to move between similar jobs in the same sector, and among employers and governorates, according to a statement by the UN refugee agency. The UNHCR praised Jordan's efforts in opening its labor market to more Syrian refugees. Syrian refugees have been permitted to work in several sectors of Jordan's economy since 2016, after the international community committed funding and expanded trade facilitation under the Jordan Compact, an initiative to improve access to education and legal employment for Syrian refugees, according to UNHCR. Home to more than 750,000 refugees, most of whom are Syrians, Jordan is the world's second host country of refugees per capita, according to the agency. NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Radancy, the global talent technology leader, is pleased to announce its plans to acquire Firstbird, a global leader in SaaS based employee referral programs. Based in Vienna, Austria, Firstbird offers a comprehensive software solution to digitize and streamline the employee referral process. The acquisition of Firstbird is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including certain regulatory approvals. This strategic acquisition combines Firstbird's innovative referral technology with Radancy's unified talent acquisition platform. Together, they will provide global clients with enhanced touchpoints along the entire candidate journey, connecting people to careers and companies with qualified candidates to solve their most critical talent acquisition challenges. "From the first meeting I knew Firstbird checked every box for us. The people, the technology and the opportunity to expand Radancy's reach within the DACH market made this a perfect match," said Michelle Abbey, President and CEO of Radancy. "I'm excited to integrate their technology into our global unified platform and continue to transform talent acquisition for our customers." "At Firstbird, our mission has always been to be the global standard for employee referrals," said Arnim Wahls, CEO of Firstbird. "With Radancy, we can now provide our customers with highly experienced local teams and service excellence across the world. Together, our combined products provide us with a unique offering to enable enterprises to attract and hire the talent they need." The company will operate as Firstbird, a Radancy Company, and be led by its current Chief Executive Officer Arnim Wahls. Radancy is a portfolio company of Gemspring Capital. About Radancy Radancy is the global talent technology leader intelligently solving the most critical challenges for employers and delivering results that strengthen their organizations. Radancy's unified platform, augmented by rich data and deep industry expertise, is revolutionizing how employers attract and hire the talent they need. For more information, visit www.radancy.com. About Firstbird Firstbird is the global leader in SaaS based employee referral programs for enterprise companies. With Firstbird, employees become brand ambassadors and referrals become a company's most successful recruiting channel. With significant expertise implementing employee referral programs in enterprises around the world such as McDonalds, Arvato Bertelsmann and Deloitte, Firstbird offers the technology, the strategic advisory and the service in all areas that influence the long-term success of a referral program. For more information, visit www.firstbird.com. About Gemspring Capital Gemspring Capital, a Westport, Connecticut-based private equity firm with $1.5 billion of capital under management, provides flexible capital solutions to lower middle market companies. Gemspring partners with talented management teams and takes a partnership approach to helping drive revenue growth and value creation. Target companies have up to $500 million in revenue and are in the aerospace & defense, business services, consumer services, financial and insurance services, healthcare services, industrial services, software and tech-enabled services, or specialty manufacturing sectors. For more information, visit www.gemspring.com. SOURCE Radancy Launched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, RX Delivered Now sought to bring digital solutions to community pharmacies during restrictive shelter-in-place policies to allow them to serve their patients seamlessly. The pandemic highlighted the need for modernization in pharmacy protocol and logistics to ensure efficient pharmacy-patient communication and effective and timely prescription delivery. Millions of Americans experience delays in medical treatment due to outdated pharmacy systems, contributing to the $600B in annual healthcare cost to the US healthcare system. In addition, local community pharmacies struggle to effectively compete with big-box retailers given the lack of access to scalable digital platforms. For example, Rx Delivered now just launched an e-commerce initiative with their local community pharmacy partners to deliver rapid antigen tests same-day within the Greater Los Angeles area. Patients can order a test online here and receive it same-day. This will help increase access to COVID-19 testing and support community pharmacies. RX Delivered Now enables pharmacies to 'complete the last mile of care' and help patients receive necessary medication. Founded by Dr. Anthony Do, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with over a decade experience in the industry, and software developer and Michael Nguyen, a product manager with over 20 years experience in tech, RX Delivered Now's mission is to develop B2B and D2C digital healthcare integration to community pharmacies. By providing an automated digital platform for prescriptions, logistics and delivery, RX Delivered Now ensures compliant and timely delivery of much-needed medication to patients, real-time updates through consumer-friendly apps for prescription delivery, and data-led insights for pharmacies to optimize logistics and provide personalized care for their patients. Rx Delivered Now is focused on building a new pharmacy technology ecosystem to bring transparency, compliance, and communication to all healthcare entities. You can follow their mission here : Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn CONTACT: Aileen Pham, [email protected] SOURCE Rx Delivered Now PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Shipbuilding Market by Type (Oil Tankers, Bulk Carriers, General Cargo Ships, Container Ships, Passenger Ships and Others), and End Use (Transport and Military): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". As per the report, the global shipbuilding industry was pegged at $142.52 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $195.48 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2021 to 2030. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities Rise in demand for cargo transportation through ships, technological development in marine vessel engines, and gradual rise in international seaborne trade have boosted the growth of the global shipbuilding market. However, environmental concerns regarding marine vessels and fluctuating transportation & inventory costs hinder the market growth. On the contrary, surge in marine safety norms and trend of automation in marine transportation are expected to open new opportunities in the future. Download Report (219 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures) at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/8876 Covid-19 scenario: The Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged lockdown across several countries hampered the manufacturing sector. The shipbuilding companies suffered heavy losses during the first and second quarter of 2020, due to disrupted supply chains and production schedules. The pandemic led to disruptions for shipyard operations such as development of new buildings and repair and conversion projects. The bulk carriers segment dominated the market By type, the bulk carriers segment held the largest share in 2020, accounting for more than one-third of the market. However, the general cargo ships segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. Request for Customization at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/8876 The military segment to manifest the highest CAGR through 2030 By end use, the military segment would showcase the highest CAGR of 7.1% from 2021 to 2030, due to rise in investment and inclination toward the marine defense sector. However, the transport segment held the largest share in 2020, contributing to more than 90% of the market, due to rise in trading activities between different countries. Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the largest share By region, the market across Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the lion's share in 2020, accounting for more than four-fifths of the market, due to cheaper wages, growing seaborne trade, and strong government backing. However, the market across Europe would showcase the highest CAGR of 5.4% from 2021 to 2030. Interested to Procure the Data? Inquire here at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/8876 Major market players BAE Systems PLC Fincantieri group Damen Shipyards group Huntington Ingalls industries General Dynamics corporation Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Samsuung Heavy Industries Oshima Shipbuilding co. ltd Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Schedule a FREE Consultation Call with Our Analysts to Find Solution for Your Business at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/8876 Similar Reports We Have on Shipping Industry: Ship Repair and Maintenance Service Market by Vessel (Gas Carriage, Oil & Chemical Tankers, Bulk Carriers, General Cargo, Container Ship and Passenger Ship) and Application (General Services, Dockage, Engine Parts, Electric Works and Auxiliary Services): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Connected Ship Market by Ship Type (Commercial, Defense, and Cargo), Application (Vessel Traffic Management (VTM), Fleet Operations, Fleet Health monitoring, and Others), Installation Type (Onboard, and Onshore), and Fit (Line fit, and Retrofit): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Autonomous Ships Market by Level of Autonomy (Semi-autonomous and Fully-autonomous), Ship Type (Commercial, Passenger, and Defense), Component ( Hardware and Software) and Fuel Type (Carbon Neutral Fuels, LNG, Electric, and Heavy Fuel Oil/Marine Engine Fuel): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030. Digital Shipyard Market by Shipyard Type (Military and Commercial), Digitalization Level (Partially Digital, Semi Digital and Fully Digital), Capacity (Small Shipyard, Medium Shipyard and Large Shipyard), Technology (Cloud Computing, Block Chain, Artificial Intelligence, Big, Data Analytics, Augmented & Virtual Reality and Others), and Process (Training & Simulation, Design & Engineering, Research & Development, Maintenance & Support and Manufacturing & Planning): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Electric Ships Market by Ship Type (Ship Type), Power Source (Fully Electric and Hybrid), Operation (Manned, Autonomous and Remotely-Driven), and End Use (Line-Fit and Retro-Fit): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030. Ship Winch Market by Product Type (Electric Ship Winch and Hydraulic Ship Winch), End User (Commercial & Merchant Ship and Travel & Leisure Ship), and Application (Marine Engineering, Hoisting Freight, and Fishing): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030. About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | SOURCE Allied Market Research HAMILTON, N.J., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As restaurants struggle to keep afloat, Strictly Restaurants offers its top-tier accounting and consulting services to restaurants nationwide in a bid to revive one of the largest industries in the United States. In a new national survey of restaurant operators, research reveals that business conditions in the restaurant industry are deteriorating immensely in recent months, so much so that restaurateurs believe recovery from the pandemic will be prolonged well into 2022. As a business support partner for many of the top restaurants in the United States from coast to coast, Strictly Restaurants and Hospitality Services has a rich history of successfully growing restaurants to the next level of optimum business performance. Jeffrey Lavelle, President, and CEO of Strictly Restaurants With years of experience and diverse business backgrounds, the Strictly Restaurants staff provides a unique blend of experience in accounting, consulting, and hospitality services. Created to maximize profitability and growth for restaurants nationwide, Strictly Restaurants specializes in Finance Management and Business Operations, thus offering the complete package vital in keeping restaurants alive and thriving through the pandemic and beyond. Strictly Restaurants is the client's entire back office, manage all the accounting functions from A-Z, payroll, profit and loss spreadsheets, bank reconciliations, sales taxes, daily sales, overall finance management. They provide an outside perspective from the customer point of view, which sometimes can be lost when you are involved in a business from day-to-day. Strictly Restaurants take a step back to look at the overall industry with a sharp lens. The company also has a strong team of professionals with many skills. "Whether you're looking to make a profit, increase your customer base, or take your restaurant to the next level of successful management, Strictly Restaurants is there for you," says Jeffrey Lavelle, President, and CEO of Strictly Restaurants. "As the pandemic continues to stall recovery among the restaurant industry, now is the time to let us help your restaurant not only keep afloat but thrive well beyond the next few months so that you can focus on running your business without having to worry about all the financial and marketing intricacies." Clients + Partners Strictly Restaurants and Hospitality Services is the business support partner for many of the top restaurants in the US from coast to coast. Their impressive portfolio of clients is comprised of Michelin Star Restaurants, fine dining, casual style dining, and fast food. For a list, go to www.strictlyrestaurants.com About Strictly Restaurants The philosophy of Strictly Restaurants is to build long-standing, trusting relationships with their clients. They seek to offer more than just the "facts and figures" and strive to treat every client with the individualized attention they deserve. With years of experience and a diverse variety of business backgrounds, Strictly Restaurant's staff brings a unique blend of experience to accounting, consulting, and restaurant marketing services. During the business consulting process, they will help you clarify your financial goals and objectives and create a plan that will enable you to rise to the next level of business performance. Year after year, Strictly Restaurants remain one of the top restaurant accounting businesses, as evidenced by their countless professional referrals and client testimonials. For more, visit https://www.strictlyrestaurants.com/. Media Contact: Stacey Bender (973) 650-1218 [email protected] [1] Source: National Restaurant Association, national survey of 4,000 restaurant operators conducted September 7-15, 2021 SOURCE Strictly Restaurants IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunwest Bank, a leading entrepreneurial business bank, is pleased to announce it has opened an LPO and will soon be opening a branch in Sarasota, Florida. The branch will be Sunwest Bank's first office in Florida, joining their existing 13 locations across Arizona, California, Idaho and Utah. "I'm proud to announce Sunwest Bank has expanded into the Florida Market," said Chad Campbell, Sunwest Bank President, Florida. "My Sunwest Bank team and I have deep roots in the communities we serve and a passion for helping our clients achieve their financial goals. Sunwest Bank's financial strength, entrepreneurial spirit, and highly experienced team make a winning combination that will serve the Sarasota community well." Founded in 1969, Sunwest Bank has served local entrepreneurs and small-medium sized businesses for over 50 years. The opening of the Sarasota branch will continue its mission of helping entrepreneurs achieve their American dream and give back to the communities it serves. "The Florida expansion represents Sunwest Bank's continued growth and success as we move into 2022," said Carson Lappetito, Sunwest Bank President. "With Chad and his team's wealth of experience and leadership skills, I am confident Sunwest, and the Florida team will bring an entrepreneurial banking experience and positive impact to the Sarasota community." To learn more about Sunwest Bank, visit https://www.sunwestbank.com/. About Sunwest Bank Founded in 1969, Sunwest Bank is a privately held commercial bank with more than $2.0 Billion in assets. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, with operations in California, Arizona, Idaho, and Utah; Sunwest is an entrepreneurial business bank with a long tradition of providing excellent service to entrepreneurs, privately held corporations, family offices, small-medium sized business and real estate developers throughout the Western United States. Sunwest Bank is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Media Contact Info: Interdependence PR for Sunwest Bank Laura Waldron, VP Public Relations [email protected]; 949-777-2485 SOURCE Sunwest Bank PRAGUE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The digital era has compelled every business to make customers' demands their topmost priority, amidst the pandemic chaos across the world. With the current crypto market expansion, competition among brokers and trader empowerment have become more formidable than ever. Swiss Crypto Bank is one among the few crypto brokers today that have managed to level up its customer assistance with a live chat feature. "We see that thousands of aspiring traders globally are showing interest in our products, and with our growing clientele, the demand for on-the-spot service is increasing," stated Anthony Barone, spokesperson for Swiss Crypto Bank. "Although we offer telephonic and email support 24/5, with the growing requests from clients every day, we decided to launch our brand-new live chat feature, for faster and easier communications with the team. Garnering a satisfied client base through our dedicated assistance has been our aim right from the beginning." Assisting customers throughout the journey Swiss Crypto Bank is an established crypto-centric broker that boasts optimal trading conditions with ultimate security. Besides its new live chat widget , the brand offers a diverse range of financial instruments like forex, commodities, indices,cryptocurrencies and shares to help traders expand their investment portfolios. In addition, the broker also provides competitive spreads, low margins, attractive commissions, and dedicated customer support. "As a business with years of experience in the online trading market, we always make sure to stay one step ahead of our rivals. That's why we are also pioneers in providing a fully managed account with crypto staking. Add that to our advancement of the live chat widget, and you'll see why we are confident our brand takes trading to new levels," explained Barone. About Swiss Crypto Bank To offer a safe trading environment, Swiss Crypto Bank protects its clients' funds in segregated accounts and carries out trades under high encryption. Moreover, traders can enjoy the various account types that present a minimum of 1:200 leverage and up to 25% margin loan, including ADA, XRP, XLM, CRO, and BNB staking. Beginner traders can utilize the brand's knowledgeable resources like its Trading Academy, daily market news and signals, portfolio progress reports, and live stream webinars. Furthermore, all traders also get access to trading assistance in the form of personal account managers sessions with certified accountants, and portfolio managers for a seamless experience. SOURCE Swiss Crypto Bank LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Today, carbon offset ratings provider, Sylvera, announced it has raised $32.6M in Series A funding to accelerate its mission to become a source of truth for carbon markets. The round is co-led by Index Ventures - which also led the Seed round - and New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners, with participation from Salesforce Ventures, LocalGlobe and angel investors. This brings Sylvera's total funding to $39.5 million since being founded in 2020. Sylvera Logo The demand for carbon credits is growing exponentially and is expected to be worth $100 billion by 2030. While companies are working to reduce carbon emissions as fast as they can, today full decarbonization is technically impossible in most industries. As such, many companies rely on carbon credits to offset emissions that they are unable to eliminate in the short to medium term. The carbon credit market, however, has been rife with controversy, and many people do not trust the accuracy of the claims surrounding carbon offset projects. Sylvera has set out to solve this problem. Sylvera provides a critical missing link: independent, in-depth and up-to-date assessments of carbon projects. Sylvera's team of experts leverages proprietary data and machine learning technology to produce the most comprehensive and accessible insights and market intelligence on carbon projects, which are delivered through an online platform. Sylvera is also partnering with leading researchers at UCLA, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, and University College London to expand its proprietary methods for evaluating carbon performance. Dr. Allister Furey, co-founder and CEO of Sylvera said, "The market is one of the world's most powerful tools against climate change. But we need reliable data to determine the quality of carbon offsets, in order to incentivize people to invest in the projects that are actually doing good - and to reward the project developers doing good work.That's why we're building the most accurate ratings for the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). We'll use the funding to expand our coverage so that, with our ratings, corporate sustainability leaders, carbon traders, and policymakers will have clarity, confidence and choice when evaluating and investing in carbon projects. This is how you move billions of dollars into carbon abatement, sequestration and removal." Unlike recent market entrants in the carbon offset marketplace, Sylvera does not sell carbon offsets. This ensures that Sylvera's ratings are free from conflicts of interest that have hindered the development of the market to date. Sylvera's ratings are available to its customers through a web application and via API. Carlos Gonzalez-Cadenas, partner at Index Ventures and Sylvera board member said, "We won't stand a chance of reducing the world's carbon emissions without a well-functioning carbon offset market. Billions are spent on carbon offsets every year, yet there is a lack of transparency and accountability and, therefore, a lack of trust. Trust is absolutely essential to reach the scale required to address the climate emergency. As an independent data provider, Sylvera has seen exponential growth in demand from some of the world's largest companies, governments, and other entities. It highlights how critical their work is, and we're excited to expand our partnership with Sylvera." "We've seen incredible growth in the carbon offset market, but until recently, it's been difficult for the companies that buy these offsets to measure their impact," said Deven Parekh, Managing Director at Insight Partners. "Sylvera's advanced technology allows corporations to monitor the performance of nature-based offsets in real time. Sylvera has quickly become a leader in the industry with a growing list of Fortune 500 clients. We're excited to partner with Sylvera as they continue to scale up." "We believe transparency builds trust and leadership. As we work to a net zero future for aviation, it's important that we have access to the best data available to ensure we're making an impact," explained Stephanie Zhu, Delta Air Lines General Manager of Sustainability and one of Sylvera's customers. For more information about Sylvera, visit the company's website . About Sylvera Sylvera's mission is to be a source of truth for carbon markets by 2024. We help corporate sustainability leaders, carbon traders and policymakers confidently evaluate and invest in the best carbon credits by providing comprehensive and accessible insights on carbon projects. We partner with leading researchers at UCLA, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, and University College London. We are backed by renowned investors like Index Ventures, Insight Partners, LocalGlobe and Salesforce Ventures. About Delta Air Lines Delta committed to being the first carbon-neutral airline globally, starting March 2020. It has a longstanding commitment to sustainable air travel and through its inaugural ESG report highlights its intention to be a catalyst for global change and its role in growing empathy, respect and care for the planet and the people within it. Delta was the No. 1 airline named among America's Most Sustainable Companies by Barron's in 2020. It was the only U.S. airline included in the 2021 S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. It has received the Vision for America Award by Keep America Beautiful and Captain Planet Foundation's Superhero Corporate Award. For more information, visit Delta.com/sustainability . About Index Ventures Index Ventures is a venture firm investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs from seed to IPO. We partner with founders with bold dreams that challenge the status quo to build enduring companies. With offices in San Francisco & London, Index backs entrepreneurs all over the world. Generational Index-backed companies include Adyen, Datadog, Discord, Figma, Revolut and Roblox. About Insight Partners Insight Partners is a leading global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Founded in 1995, Insight Partners has invested in more than 400 companies worldwide and has raised through a series of funds more than $30 billion in capital commitments. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with practical, hands-on software expertise to foster long-term success. Across its people and its portfolio, Insight encourages a culture around a belief that ScaleUp companies and growth create opportunity for all. For more information on Insight and all its investments, visit insightpartners.com or follow us on Twitter @insightpartners. About LocalGlobe LocalGlobe is a UK-based venture capital firm that focuses on seed investments. Seeding ambitious UK founders since 1999 including TransferWise, Zoopla, Improbable, Citymapper, Algolia and Robinhood. About Salesforce Ventures Salesforce is the global leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), bringing companies closer to their customers in the digital age. Salesforce Ventures, the global investment arm of Salesforce, invests in the next generation of enterprise technology that extends the power of the Salesforce Platform. Salesforce Ventures is building the world's largest ecosystem of enterprise cloud companies and extending that technology to customers. Portfolio companies receive funding, strategic advisory, and operating support, and can easily join Pledge 1% to make giving back part of their business model. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 400 companies, including DocuSign, GoCardless, Guild Education, nCino, Twilio, Zoom, and others across 22 countries since 2009. For more information, please visit www.salesforce.com/ventures. SOURCE Sylvera OLATHE, Kan., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Terracon has announced its first-ever refresh of brand visual assets and related collateral to better reflect its alignment with today's client needs. As a leading national consulting engineering firm comprised of engineers, scientists, architects, facilities experts, and field professionals who thrive on turning big ideas into reality for partner clients, employees and the world, Terracon's brand now invites clients to "Explore with us." As an employee-owned firm with a long history of providing excellence in consulting services, Terracon has continued to evolve to provide clients with the best experience, on-time, quality earth-to-sky solutions, from dedicated partners. The brand is focused around meeting clients where they are in their project journey from the time a site is selected, to the design and construction, to maintaining the life of the structure. "After more than 55 years in business, it was time for our brand to better reflect who we are and where we're headed in the future," said Gayle Packer, Terracon chair, president and CEO. "Our refreshed brand respects our history while also pointing the way to the exciting future with our employee-owners and clients." Key elements of Terracon's refreshed branding include: A modernized logo featuring a layered strata representing a comprehensive set of services from earth to sky; A new tagline representing the desire to explore together with clients to deliver innovative quality projects faster; A compelling company story told authentically through the experiences of our employee-owners; Website navigation and graphics, signage, advertising and other visual assets. The refreshed Terracon brand was created through a year-long process to align how the company meets client needs, which began with identifying opportunities to better sync Terracon's strategic plan with how the company presents itself externally. More than 600 Terracon employee-owners at various levels participated in this deliberate, thoughtful process. Since its founding in 1965 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as a geotechnical engineering company, Terracon has grown to a thriving multidiscipline engineering consulting firm with more than 175 locations throughout the U.S., and more than 5,000 employees. The company's successful growth strategy has included organic growth and innovation as well as the acquisition of more than 60 firms with specialized capabilities. A focused and uncompromising dedication to safety has been integral to all operations, particularly over the past 10 years. About Terracon Terracon is an employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 5,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com. SOURCE Terracon DALLAS, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Bitcoin Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has launched to fund and disseminate interdisciplinary research and education about the social and economic impacts of Bitcoin. The Texas Bitcoin Foundation is nonpartisan and does not engage in political advocacy or support political candidates. Rather, it focuses on building a shared record of buildable knowledge in history, political theory, the social sciences, computer science, and other disciplines. The Foundation will partner with educational institutions, think tanks, research labs, and independent scholars to fund an evolving program of research touching on the future of human civilization. The Foundation will also ensure that new generations of Texans have their choice of educational and career pathways to further build out the Bitcoin ecosystem and generate economic opportunity for Texas. A key pillar of that objective is supporting a robust Bitcoin open-source developer community in Texas and beyond. The Founding Board of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation includes Natalie Smolenski, Chairman of the Board of the Texas Blockchain Council; Lee Bratcher, Founder and President of the Texas Blockchain Council; Joseph Kelly, Co-founder and CEO of Unchained Capital; Tuur Demeester, Founder of Adamant Capital; Avik Roy, Founder and President of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP); and Dan Hughes, Founder of Learning Machine. Natalie Smolenski, Founder and Executive Director of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, explained the rationale behind its creation: "The global adoption of Nakamoto consensus (Proof of Work) has profound implications for the future of capitalism, the nation-state, democratic governance, next-generation energy generation and distribution, financial inclusion, and many other social issues. In order to ensure that our responses to Bitcoin as a society generate human flourishing, these larger questions must be addressed in a rigorous, scientific way." Tuur Demeester, a leading theorist of Bitcoin-informed political economy, added: "Texas is the Friendship State, and at the same time its people are fiercely proud of personal liberty ("Come and take it!"). I see the same promise of both inclusivity and self-sovereignty in Bitcoin, and for that reason I'm excited to be a part of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, where we'll pursue long-term oriented education and research." "I'm delighted to join the board of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation," said Avik Roy, President of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity ( FREOPP.org ). "FREOPP's mission is to expand economic opportunity to those who least have it. Bitcoin has the potential to improve the lives of all Texans by attracting innovative entrepreneurs to our state, by growing the number of high-paying blue-collar jobs, and by ensuring that Texans' hard-earned savings preserve their value over time." To learn more about the Texas Bitcoin Foundation and donate to support its initiatives, visit www.txbitcoinfoundation.org . For press inquiries, please reach out to [email protected] . SOURCE Texas Bitcoin Foundation In this role, Sfondeles will develop effective communication strategies for issue-oriented public relations and public affairs campaigns, using her experience covering Illinois and national politics and government to drive meaningful conversations in media outlets across Illinois. "We are excited to welcome Tina to our team," said Ryan McLaughlin, President and CEO of Mac Strategies Group. "Her deep familiarity with the media landscape as well as state and national politics will further our ability to communicate complicated and nuanced subjects, allowing us to more effectively tell important stories and secure successes for our clients." Sfondeles will be based in Chicago, where she began her career in journalism, starting as a transportation reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times before eventually being elevated to political reporter. Sfondeles covered numerous elections and administrations, including the historic two-year state budget impasse. She has been a frequent guest on television and radio, providing expert commentary to help the public easily understand the complex issues and personalities driving public policy. In 2020, Sfondeles moved to Washington where she covered Joe Biden's presidential campaign as a politics correspondent for Business Insider. In 2021, she joined Politico as a White House reporter and co-author of the influential West Wing Playbook, a newsletter about the people and power centers in the White House. An advocate for mentorship and professional development, Sfondeles has also served as an adjunct professor at her alma mater Loyola University Chicago, teaching students about essential writing skills, professional and business speaking and reporting. "After a whirlwind experience in Washington, I'm so proud to be returning home to Chicago for my next adventure. I'm looking forward to working with Ryan and the Mac Strategies Group team to help drive conversations on important public policy issues that affect many people," Sfondeles said. "As an added bonus, I get to work alongside Monique Garcia, a former competitor turned close friend whose personal and professional skills I have admired for years." Founded in 2008 by McLaughlin, Mac Strategies Group has a proven track record of conducting widely successful media relations and communication programs, earning more than thirty industry awards and becoming one of the most effective agencies for directing successful issue advocacy campaigns. The firm secures consistent earned media for clients, while also providing strategic counsel to meet goals and objectives. As Mac Strategies Group continues the expansion of its capabilities with the addition of Sfondeles, Monique Garcia has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Public and Media Relations. A former Chicago Tribune Statehouse reporter, Garcia joined the firm in 2018 and helps lead its operations in Springfield. The firm's roster of talent also includes Matt Butterfield, a Peabody Award-winning Chicago broadcast journalist, as well as Matt Murphy, former deputy leader of the Illinois Senate, and Anne Schaeffer, who previously managed a multi-state government affairs practice for a global Fortune 500 company. Murphy and Schaeffer lead the firm's government affairs practice. About Mac Strategies Group Mac Strategies Group is an award-winning, full-service strategic communications, public affairs and government relations firm with offices in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois. Our clients include Fortune 100 companies, issue-advocacy coalitions, trade associations, units of government, public policy organizations, and non-profits seeking to enhance their profile and impact public opinion on the local, state and federal levels. Our team is bolstered by our combined experience having served in a variety of high-profile roles in governmental, public affairs and the media arenas, including positions inside newsrooms, the state legislature, Capitol Hill and prominent trade associations. SOURCE Mac Strategies Group DAMASCUS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday issued a presidential decree on pardoning military deserters, reported the state news agency SANA. The amnesty covers the desertion-related crimes of military personnel who fled their positions to areas inside or outside Syria, the report said. The pardon covers the desertion activities that took place before Jan. 25, according to the decree. Assad has issued several pardons during the nearly 11-year civil war in Syria, aiming to allow the Syrians who broke certain laws to return to normal life. SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, Calif. and IRVING, Texas, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Univfy, a global leader in using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to personalize counseling and increase access to fertility care, announced today a strategic partnership with PracticeHwy's electronic medical records solution, eIVF, a pioneer in the fertility industry and a portfolio company of Atlantic Street Capital "ASC". The goal of the partnership is to bring a higher level of insight to fertility care by making fertility treatments more affordable, predictable, and successful, while supporting growth of the fertility market. Univfy's highly scalable AI/ML platform delivers validated IVF success prediction models using each fertility center's own data to support more effective patient counseling. Patients counseled with the Univfy Report are 2-3 times more likely to use their doctor's recommended treatment, maximizing their chances of having a healthy baby. The partnership with eIVF will support data transmission between the Univfy AI Platform and the EMR, enabling easy and automated generation of the Univfy PreIVF Report and suite of Univfy AI/ML-assisted tools. "This partnership with eIVF will accelerate and automate generation of Univfy reports at the point of care, making the reports accessible to many more fertility patients," said Mylene Yao, CEO and Cofounder of Univfy. "Providers have been asking for the Univfy AI/ML products to become a standard part of patient care. Patients and providers value having transparency, personalization, and accuracy regarding their IVF success rates, so that they can make the best decisions about their treatment." "PracticeHwy's collaboration with Univfy furthers our commitment to clients to grow eIVF's suite of offerings with innovative partners," said Nimesh Shah, PracticeHwy CEO. "We are excited that our partnership will create a streamlined experience for eIVF's growing network of fertility centers by providing an easier and more efficient workflow for physicians and their teams." One in eight, or 7 million, reproductive age couples in the US and more than 80 million couples worldwide struggle to conceive on their own. IVF is the most effective treatment for most women and couples, but it is vastly underutilized, most likely due to financial risk and physical and emotional stress. The Univfy AI Platform is designed to meet the medical, emotional, and financial needs of fertility patients. Last month, Univfy announced that it raised $6 million of its Series B funding round, which will enable expanded access of Univfy AI/ML services to more patients through fertility centers, employers, benefits programs and health plans. About Univfy Univfy makes fertility care more affordable, successful, and predictable for women and couples navigating their family-building options. Combining technology and expert client support, we provide our scientifically validated AI platform, actionable business insights and financial modeling to help fertility centers grow. Univfy's transparent and personalized counseling reports empower patients with personalized information and counseling to inform smarter spending and decision-making. Based on proprietary technology developed at Stanford University, Univfy uses a rigorous scientific process to develop and validate prediction models to support patient counseling at fertility centers. Our methods have been published in top, peer-reviewed research publications. Univfy's personalized prognostics enables fertility centers to offer patients value-based pricing programs that cap financial risk for patients and make multiple IVF cycles more affordable. Univfy is commercialized in the US, Canada, and EU. Univfy's compliance includes HIPAA and GDPR. We have a global IP portfolio. The Univfy PreIVF Report is CE-marked as a medical device software in the EU. Visit www.univfy.com for more information. About PracticeHwy PracticeHwy is a leader in healthcare software which serves over 140 fertility practices and clinics worldwide. In 2002, they launched eIVF, one of the first electronic medical record (EMR) platforms focused on Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) practices. Since then, eIVF has supported data entry for over a million cycles. Known for its pursuit of excellence in the fertility industry, PracticeHwy.com has seen a consistent growth trajectory throughout the years by continuously developing innovative solutions which support all aspects of a fertility center's operations. For more information on eIVF, visit www.eivf.org. About Atlantic Street Capital ASC is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle market companies poised for the next level of growth. The firm targets entrepreneurial management partners and fundamentally sound companies between $4 million and $25 million of EBITDA that will benefit from capital investment and ASC's value-added strategic and operational support. As a result, ASC works closely with management to unlock their business' underlying value and help them succeed. For more information, visit www.atlanticstreetcapital.com. Contact Univfy Investors: [email protected] Media: Heather Holland Director of Communications Tel: +1 (646) 400-2745 [email protected] Contact eIVF Media: Jera Sangworn Director of Marketing and Communications Tel: +1 (469) 472-9891 [email protected] SOURCE Univfy Inc. "Vendavo maintained a 97% retention rate as our clients continue to value our innovation and exemplary client support" Tweet this Additionally, Vendavo earned numerous awards and accolades in 2021. Of note, its platform was named a technology leader in the 2021 SPARK Matrix for CPQ Technology, it was named a visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Configure, Price, and Quote Application Suites and a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide B2B-Focused Price Optimization Applications 2021 Vendor Assessment. Of note, Vendavo was also named a 100 Best Places to work in Colorado for the 3rd year in a row by Built In. "Vendavo maintained a 97% retention rate in 2021 as our clients continue to value our innovation and exemplary client support," said Bruno Slosse, CEO, Vendavo. "Our 2022 mission is clear, to expand upon our B2B SaaS offerings that will help our customers continue to achieve industry-leading ROI and outstanding bottom-line benefits." Vendavo expanded its global footprint with the addition of over 120 new positions in 2021 including 40 in the Czech Republic and anticipates increasing the total number of employees by 20% in 2022. As part of its community support initiatives, Vendavo donated to the Boulder Wildfire Fund and Food for Thought Denver. About Vendavo Vendavo provides leading-edge pricing and sales solutions to empower global manufacturers and distributors to digitally transform their commercial operations in order to unlock value, grow margins and accelerate revenue. These solutions, combined with its value consulting services, enable Vendavo to deliver outcomes that are not only predictable but unrivaled. Please visit http://www.vendavo.com for more information. SOURCE Vendavo BALTIMORE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VisibleThread, a language analysis platform company, will host a free webinar with Cherokee Federal on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, at 11 am EST. Marcia Watson, Senior Director of Proposal Operations, and Mona Lee, Proposal Manager at Cherokee Federal, will join Kyle Peterson, VP of Customer Success at VisibleThread, for an engaging webinar to discuss the strategies for successful proposal management that have worked for Cherokee Federal. What will be discussed? Attendees of this webinar will learn how Cherokee: Prepare for success and optimize their win rate Analyze their key strengths and weaknesses in any RFP Optimize Red and Gold Team reviews Integrate VisibleThread seamlessly into their processes Successfully support a pipeline of $2B Register today for practical advice on how Cherokee execute their proposal process, insights into the success strategies that help them support a pipeline of $2 billion, and how to successfully coordinate business development teams with capture and proposal management functions. Who are our speakers? Marcia Watson has over a decade of experience in proposal management and is Senior Director of Proposal Operations at Cherokee Federal. This system of people, processes, and technologies supports the 30+ companies that comprise Cherokee Federal, a division of Cherokee Nation Businesses. She leads a nationwide team of proposal managers to support Business Development teams with Capture and Proposal Management best practices. Mona Lee has over 20 years of experience selling business services and hiring management software. She has been a Proposal Manager at Cherokee Federal a division of Cherokee Nation Businesses for four years, primarily in the Defense Health Capability area. About VisibleThread VisibleThread is a language analysis platform that helps organizations improve the efficiency, clarity and compliance of RFPs, contracts, and mission-critical business writing with quantifiable metrics. For more information, visit www.visiblethread.com. SOURCE VisibleThread HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weidai Ltd. (the "Company" or "Weidai") (NYSE: WEI), a leading auto-backed financing solution provider in China, today announced that it will change the ratio of its American depositary shares ("ADSs") representing its Class A ordinary shares from one (1) ADS representing one (1) Class A ordinary share to one (1) ADS representing five (5) Class A ordinary shares. The effect of the ratio change on the ADS trading price on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") will take place at the open of trading on January 26, 2022 (U.S. Eastern Time). This change supersedes the original plan of three-to-one ADS ratio change as disclosed in the press release issued by the Company on January 13, 2022. For Weidai's ADS holders, the change in the ADS ratio will have the same effect as a one-for-five reverse ADS split. There will be no change to the Company's Class A ordinary shares. ADS holders of record on the effective date will not be required to take any action in connection with the ADS ratio change. The exchange of every five (5) then-held ADSs for one (1) new ADS will occur automatically with the then-held ADSs being cancelled and new ADSs being issued by the depositary bank, in each case as of the effective date for the ADS ratio change. Weidai's ADSs will continue to be traded on the NYSE under the symbol "WEI". No fractional new ADSs will be issued in connection with the change in the ADS ratio. Instead, fractional entitlements to new ADSs will be aggregated and sold by the depositary bank and the net cash proceeds from the sale of the fractional ADS entitlements (after deduction of fees, taxes and expenses) will be distributed to the applicable ADS holders by the depositary bank. As a result of the change in the ADS ratio, the ADS price is expected to increase proportionally, although the Company can give no assurance that the ADS price after the change in the ADS ratio will be equal to or greater than five times the ADS price before the change. About Weidai Ltd. Weidai Ltd. is a pioneer and leading auto-backed financing solution provider in China supported by sophisticated and effective risk management system and technology. The Company transforms used automobiles, a type of "non-standard" collateral, into investable assets, to provide accessible credit for China's small and micro enterprises, and connects the borrowers with institutional funding partners through its platform. For more information, please visit http://weidai.investorroom.com/. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "confident" and similar statements. Weidai may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Weidai's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited the following: Weidai's goal and strategies; Weidai's expansion plans; Weidai's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Weidai's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its solutions and services; Weidai's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with borrowers, investors and financial institutions and other platform participants; general economic and business conditions; Weidai's assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing regulations and governmental policies relating to the online consumer finance industry in China; its ability to comply with existing or future laws and regulations related to data protection or data security; and Weidai's ability to meet the standards necessary to maintain listing of its ADSs on the NYSE, including its ability to cure any non-compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria; litigation and negative publicity surroundings China -based companies listed in the U.S.; and the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, including the emergence of COVID variants, and its potential impact on the Company's business and financial performance. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Weidai does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Christensen Mr. Rene Vanguestaine Tel: +86-10-5900-1548 E-mail: [email protected] In US: Christensen Ms. Linda Bergkamp Tel: +1-480-614-3004 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Weidai Ltd. In partnership with unCommon Construction a nonprofit organization that works with high school apprentices to build houses and gain technical, professional and personal skillsWolverine is launching a special-edition collaboration collection to benefit high school students interested in pursuing careers in the skilled trades. The initiative is part of Wolverine's Project Bootstrap program, which has celebrated and supported those choosing to pursue a path in the skilled trades through a variety of efforts including scholarships and educational awareness initiatives since 2014. As the skills gap continues to grow, the demand for trades workers has never been greater. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1, marketplace demand for skilled trades will continue growing through 2030, resulting in nearly 400,000 new jobs. However, according to a new Wolverine survey , the pipeline of new trades professionals doesn't align with the demand. While almost three-quarters (72%) of current high school students believe it's important to consider alternative options to a traditional 4-year college, just 30% of students have considered vocational/trade schools. More than half (51%) say "I don't know enough about it" as their reason for not considering enrolling. At the same time, four in five (79%) of students said they believe vocational skills should be taught in high schools, indicating interest in learning more about the skills needed to fulfill careers in the trades. "It's imperative we reach students in more relevant ways so they can learn more about the skilled trades and consider them as a potential future path," said Tom Kennedy, global brand president for Wolverine. "Organizations like unCommon Construction introduce kids to the rich opportunities to be found in the trades that they aren't learning about in school." As part of this initiative, the unCommon Construction apprentices collaborated with the bootmaker to develop a new unCommon Construction boot, designed after months spent wearing boots on the job, learning practical trade skills and building houses in New Orleans. "At unCommon Construction, we see first-hand the interest and excitement young people experience learning about the opportunities they have in the skilled trades," said Aaron Frumin, founder and executive director of unCommon Construction. "It's rewarding to continue to partner with a brand like Wolverine that also recognizes the value of raising awareness of the trades while giving students the tools and access they need to be successful." The expanded Project Bootstrap initiative is targeted directly to high school students who are still trying to decide on post-high school plans, knowing that the only way to close the skills gap is by connecting with future members of the skilled workforce. The program includes: unCommon Collection & Funding Scholarships : The Wolverine x unCommon Construction boot and apparel collection is available starting today on Wolverine.com, and a portion of proceeds from each pair of boots or full collection kits will go toward funding new apprenticeships for the unCommon Construction program to further trades education for young people. : The Wolverine x unCommon Construction boot and apparel collection is available starting today on Wolverine.com, and a portion of proceeds from each pair of boots or full collection kits will go toward funding new apprenticeships for the unCommon Construction program to further trades education for young people. unCommon Educational Speaker Series : Aaron Frumin will speak to high schools to highlight the value of the skilled trades and how organizations like unCommon Construction are paving the way for high school students to be inspired by the opportunities available in the trades. Students and educators can request additional information on having Aaron speak at their high school by visiting Wolverine.com/ProjectBootstrap. : will speak to high schools to highlight the value of the skilled trades and how organizations like unCommon Construction are paving the way for high school students to be inspired by the opportunities available in the trades. Students and educators can request additional information on having Aaron speak at their high school by visiting Wolverine.com/ProjectBootstrap. Digital Awareness Campaign: Wolverine will launch an awareness campaign targeted toward high schoolers featuring opportunities within the skilled trades. Social influencers across key platforms (TikTok, Instagram) will post their experiences and the brand will share content featuring unCommon Construction Apprentices further amplified with paid media directly to the high school audience. Wolverine will launch an awareness campaign targeted toward high schoolers featuring opportunities within the skilled trades. Social influencers across key platforms (TikTok, Instagram) will post their experiences and the brand will share content featuring unCommon Construction Apprentices further amplified with paid media directly to the high school audience. Trades Education Resources: Students, parents and educators can access a virtual toolbox of resources about pursuing a rewarding career path within the skilled trades at Wolverine.com/ProjectBootstrap. Step up to help build the next generation of trades workers, by visiting Wolverine.com/ProjectBootstrap to find more resources to help young people explore the trades and purchase the Wolverine x unCommon Construction Collection. ABOUT WOLVERINE Wolverine, the 138-year-old boot and clothing company, is on a mission to honor the spirit and tenacity of the American worker and build the next generation of skilled trades people. Wolverine has contributed more than $1.3 million over the last 5 years to organizations in support of the skilled trades. For more information, visit www.wolverine.com. Wolverine is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) ABOUT UNCOMMON CONSTRUCTION unCommon Construction is a nonprofit that uses the build process to empower youth to lead the workforce after high school or college. Through unCommon's high school apprenticeship program, students from different schools apply to join a diverse team to earn hourly pay and school credit for building a house together. Revenue from each project is used to match apprentice earnings with an "Equity Award" scholarship for further education, training, or the tools they need for a full-time job. With more than 100 hours of work-based learning experience per semester, unCommon Apprentices graduate with the skills, network, resources, and experience to build a successful career and life. To learn more, follow @uCCNOLA on Facebook and Instagram and visit www.unCommonConstruction.org. 1 Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/home.htm Data from a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Wolverine from December 16 to December 21, 2021, with a panel of 2,000 American high school students. SOURCE Wolverine ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WOWorks, the holding company of better-for-you restaurant brands, Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, is introducing 12 new limited-time-only menu items across all its restaurant brands to kick off the new year. From wraps to acai bowls, each restaurant brand is introducing three new menu items from late January to early May. All 12 new WOWorks' limited time offers are designed to evoke the sustenance and joy provided by comfort foods that fill the body, as well as the soul. While comfort foods are often associated with decadence, WOWorks brands believe that nourishing ingredients can be equally as satisfying. The LTOs are also a celebration of global flavors and adventurous spices that guarantee to turn up the heat for the new year. The new limited-time-only menu items are packed with superfoods, such as blueberries and pomegranate; hot spices, such as harissa and jalapenos; as well as fortified with nutritious proteins, whole grains, and vegetables. Saladworks' new menu items will be available from January 17 through May 8, and are intended to create a warm and adventurous experience. They include: Warm Braised Beef Taco Fiesta Customizable as a Wrap, Warm Grain Bowl or Salad, this menu option features braised beef, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, corn, tortilla strips and salsa ranch dressing. Customizable as a Wrap, Warm Grain Bowl or Salad, this menu option features braised beef, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, corn, tortilla strips and salsa ranch dressing. Mexican Meatball Soup This traditional Mexican style albondigas soup is made with flavorful vegetables, hearty beef and pork meatballs, and garnished with spicy peppers, zesty lime juice, and cilantro. This traditional Mexican style albondigas soup is made with flavorful vegetables, hearty beef and pork meatballs, and garnished with spicy peppers, zesty lime juice, and cilantro. Braised Beef Quesadilla This online-only menu item is made with braised beef, shredded cheddar cheese, and either white or wheat tortillas. Frutta Bowls' new menu items will be available from January 17 through May 15, and are intended to create a flavorful, immune-boosting experience. They include: Cacao- Berry Bowl This acai bowl is made with an acai base and topped with blueberry flax granola, strawberries, blueberries, honey, dried cranberries, and cacao. This acai bowl is made with an acai base and topped with blueberry flax granola, strawberries, blueberries, honey, dried cranberries, and cacao. Pom-Berry Smoothie This smoothie is made with pomegranate juice, strawberries, blueberries, and honey. This smoothie is made with pomegranate juice, strawberries, blueberries, and honey. Cran-Cacao Protein Bites These protein bites are made using blueberry granola, almond butter, vanilla whey protein, honey, cacao, and dried cranberries. Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh's new menu items will be available from January 24 through April 30, and are intended to create a zesty, smoky experience using global flavors. They include: Harissa Orange Chicken Customizable as a Stuffed Pita, Gyro, Salad or Plate, this build-your-own item features chicken made with a spicy Harissa sauce and orange juice marinade. Customizable as a Stuffed Pita, Gyro, Salad or Plate, this build-your-own item features chicken made with a spicy Harissa sauce and orange juice marinade. Harissa Hummus This dip is made by blending harissa with traditional hummus. This dip is made by blending harissa with traditional hummus. Harissa Sauce This sauce is made by blending harissa and orange juice. The Simple Greek's new menu items will be available from January 24 through April 30, and are intended to create a spicy, citrusy experience. They include: Spicy Citrus Chicken Customizable as a Gyro or Bowl, this build-your-own item features chicken made with a spicy citrus sauce and orange juice marinade. Customizable as a Gyro or Bowl, this build-your-own item features chicken made with a spicy citrus sauce and orange juice marinade. Spicy Citrus Hummus This dip is made by blending spicy citrus sauce with traditional hummus. This dip is made by blending spicy citrus sauce with traditional hummus. Spicy Citrus Sauce This sauce is made by blending harissa and orange juice. "We wanted to introduce a variety of comfort food experiences with our new WOWorks menu items using a mix of heartening and invigorating ingredients and flavors, such as seasonal berries, braised beef, harissa and citrus," said Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks. "In a time when many people are trying to eat healthier, we wanted to make sure we could broaden their options of exciting, flavorful menu options that fulfill the body, as well as the soul." Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks' brands all share a core DNA based upon fresh, flavorful and healthy food along with a heart for hospitality served through convenient business channels, which appeals to Millennial families and Gen Z guests. Between all of its brands, WOWorks has 253 locations across the United States and Canada. Saladworks alone grew by 42 units in 2021, entering markets such as Arizona, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Nevada. Non-traditional presence within locations, such as ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail, hospitals, and universities, have proven a huge avenue of growth for the brand, with even more planned in 2022, including a massive deal with Ghost Kitchen Brands. The Simple Greek currently has 19 locations, Saladworks has 165 locations, Frutta Bowls has 39 locations, and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh has 30, with aggressive growth expected for both Frutta Bowls and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh in the coming year, including co-branded restaurants. For more information about WOWorks brands and each restaurant's limited-time-only menu offers, visit www.saladworks.com, www.fruttabowls.com, www.eatgarbanzo.com, and www.thesimplegreek.com. ABOUT WOWORKS: WOWorks was formed in 2020 with a mission to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals along with first-rate hospitality. Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks' portfolio consists of: Saladworks , the nation's leading fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls , a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, protein bites and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; and most recently, The Simple Greek, which offers a fresh and healthy take on traditional Greek recipes in a fast-casual setting. WOWorks seeks to drive explosive growth across all of its brands through a variety of channels, both traditional and non-traditional, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail and more. SOURCE WOWorks The study will measure the impact and implementation effectiveness of advising tools in helping students discover CTE pathways TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Xello, the award winning K-12 college, career and future readiness program, and MDRC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization, today announced Xello's participation in an upcoming research project titled, "CTE Advise: Advising Tools in Secondary Education." The study aims to measure the effectiveness of technology-based advising tools to understand whether and how they influence student thinking about career options, choice of relevant career and technical education (CTE) coursework and work-based learning options, and decisions about CTE concentration in available pathways and programs of study. As popularity around CTE programming continues to grow in secondary schools, ensuring equitable outcomes requires that information about available career options is accessible to students of all backgrounds, abilities, and aspirations in a holistic and meaningful way. Technology-based advising tools are designed to empower schools and districts to expand the reach of their programming and drive student agency by helping students identify the interests, skills, and personality traits that could make them successful in a variety of careers, including those they may not have otherwise been aware of or identified as areas of interest. The "CTE Advise: Advising Tools in Secondary Education" study will focus on understanding how programslike Xellocontribute to more equitable student outcomes by examining ninth-grade student outcomes at select schools using "Xello for High School." Tool effectiveness and outcomes will be assessed using de-identified student-level data collected from districts in the 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2024/25 school years, including: Results from assessments that uncover students' interests, personalities, learning styles and career matches. Student attendance, indicators of grade-progression and progress towards graduation, and course-taking data. Demographic data such as race, gender, individualized educational program status, and English language learner status. Student surveys and interviews, and any other reports or measures that provide students with advice about college and career opportunities. "As a company dedicated to supporting all students, all pathways, we're honored to partner with MDRC and the schools participating in the study," said Matt McQuillen, Xello Co-Founder and CEO. "This provides an amazing opportunity to better understand the effectiveness of career development tools like ours in helping students identify and pursue CTE and career-based opportunities, particularly in schools with limited career counseling services. This is a longer-term study, with interim reports scheduled to be released, and we're looking forward to sharing the findings and taking the learnings to further enhance our program and practices." Xello's participation in the study will be active over a three-year time-frame, but the evaluation of the schools participating in the study will continueand is fundedthrough 2025. MDRC anticipates having their full list of participating schools confirmed by spring 2022. For more information on the study, please click here. Xello is used in over 9,000 schools across North America, and has earned a reputation as a high-quality college and career planning solution for K-12 school districts. Xello has won numerous awards, including an EdTech Award for best career planning solution. To learn more about Xello's strategies and implementation options, districts can contact Xello's team of Education Consultants . About Xello Xello's mission is to help anyone, anywhere in the world create a successful future through self-knowledge, exploration and planning. With more than 20 years in the education software industry, the team at Xello has helped millions of educators and millions of students become future ready with its suite of online platforms. Based in Toronto, Canada, Xello's award-winning future readiness programs are used globally by nearly eight million students and educators. Learn more about Xello at www.xello.world . About MDRC MDRC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, is committed to finding solutions to some of the most difficult problems facing the nationfrom reducing poverty and bolstering economic mobility to improving public education and college graduation rates. MDRC designs promising new interventions, evaluates existing programs using the highest research standards, and provides technical assistance to build better programs and deliver effective interventions at scale. For more info: www.mdrc.org SOURCE Xello Inc. "I am thrilled to announce the launch of Martha's Chard in partnership with 19 Crimes," said Martha Stewart. "The world didn't need just another chardonnay, so I created one that is clean, crisp, and flavorful without being too heavy or oaky. It pairs perfectly with my delicious recipes or can be enjoyed on its own. I hope you love it as much as I do!" 19 Crimes tells the true story of heroes who overcome adversity. This spirit lives on today through innovators like Martha Stewart, a self-made icon who turned her passion into a thriving business empire that has made her a household name around the world. Martha's new wine breaks the mold not only as 19 Crimes' first California Chardonnay, but also as a disruptor in the category. Martha worked side by side with 19 Crimes to create a wine that breaks preconceived notions of California Chardonnay approachable and simultaneously as bold as her personality. Martha's Chard joins two previous California launches from 19 Crimes partner Snoop Dogg, 19 Crimes Snoop Cali Red and Rose, in addition to a portfolio of Australian wines including the signature Red Blend that started it all. John Wardley, Treasury Wine Estates Vice President Brand Marketing, Americas shares his excitement, "The release of 19 Crimes Martha's Chard comes as the brand has experienced explosive growth, delivering the Number 1 US Wine Innovations in both 2020 and 2021 for our first California wines with global icon, Snoop Dogg. Just like her creative collaborator and friend Snoop, Martha Stewart also embodies the spirit of 19 Crimes disruption and culture creation. We couldn't be more excited to welcome another absolute icon of modern American culture to the 19 Crimes family." Follow 19 Crimes on Instagram @19Crimes for the latest updates on 19 Crimes Martha's Chard, as well as www.19Crimes.com . For further information and additional images, contact: Ellie Farrell, PR Manager, 19 Crimes T: +18052802990 or [email protected] Erin Jaffe, Assistant Vice President, Nike Communications T: +16466543404 or [email protected] ABOUT 19 CRIMES 19 Crimes turned convicts into colonists. In 18th-century Britain, criminals guilty of at least one of the 19 Crimes, were sentenced to live in Australia, rather than death. For the rough-hewn prisoners who made it to shore, a new world awaited. As pioneers in a frontier penal colony, they forged a new country and new lives, brick by brick. Today, 19 Crimes wines celebrate the rebellious spirit of the more than 160 ,000 exiled men and women, the rule breakers and law defying citizens that forged a new culture and national spirit in Australia. You can download the Living Wine Labels app from the Apple app store and Google Play Store . To learn more about 19 Crimes, please visit 19Crimes.com and follow us on Facebook 19crimes , on Instagram @19crimes and on Twitter @19crimes ABOUT MARQUEE BRANDS Marquee Brands is a leading global brand owner and marketer. Owned by investor funds managed by Neuberger Berman, one of the world's leading employee-owned investment managers, Marquee Brands targets high-quality brands with strong consumer awareness and long-term growth potential. Marquee Brands seeks to identify brands in various consumer product segments with the goal of expanding their reach across retail channels, geography, and product categories while preserving the brand heritage and enhancing the ultimate consumer experience. Through its global team of professionals and partners, Marquee Brands monitors trends and markets in order to grow and manage brands in partnership with retailers, licensees, and manufacturers through engaging, impactful, strategic planning, marketing, and e-commerce. www.marqueebrands.com. In 2019, Marquee Brands acquired the Martha Stewart brand, which reaches approximately 100 million consumers across all media and merchandising platforms each month. Martha Stewart is the Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and America's most trusted lifestyle expert and teacher. Her branded products can be found in more than 70 million households and have a growing retail presence in thousands of locations. SOURCE Treasury Wine Estates 300 Patients Treated Worldwide with dNerva Targeted Lung Denervation therapy MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuvaira, a developer of novel therapeutic strategies to treat obstructive lung diseases, announces two treatment milestones. 200 patients have been treated in the AIRFLOW-3 pivotal trial, the first interventional COPD trial to target reduction in COPD exacerbations as a primary endpoint. Worldwide, 300 patients have received dNerva Targeted Lung Denervation (TLD) therapy across five clinical trials. dNerva TLD is a bronchoscopic procedure that disrupts pulmonary nerve input to the lung to reduce the clinical consequences of neural hyperactivity. Mechanistically similar to anticholinergics (the principal class of COPD drugs) taken daily to manage symptoms, the one-time dNerva procedure has the potential to reduce exacerbation risk, improve symptoms, and stabilize lung function. The 300th dNerva TLD treatment occurred this month. Dr. Gerard Criner, Chair and Professor, Thoracic Medicine and Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University has treated 20 patients in the AIRFLOW-3 trial. "If we can help patients stabilize their COPD symptoms and keep them out of the hospital, that will benefit patients, their caregivers, and reduce burden on the healthcare system as well" he said. COPD exacerbations represent approximately two-thirds of the total cost of COPD care, estimated at $49B annually in the U.S. This month also marks a critical treatment milestone in the AIRFLOW-3 trial. Prof. Pallav Shah, Consultant Physician at the Chelsea & Westminster and Royal Brompton Hospitals in London and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College is the leading enroller in the trial. He performed the 200th AIRFLOW-3 procedure in a patient with moderate-to-severe COPD, high symptom burden, and a history of COPD exacerbations despite optimal medical management. "Many COPD patients suffer from poor quality of life due to repeated COPD exacerbations" he said. "The AIRFLOW-3 trial is an exciting opportunity to evaluate a one-time outpatient procedure that may durably reduce COPD exacerbations and improve clinical stability." The Company recently secured an additional $50 million commitment of debt and equity financing with Innovatus Capital Partners, LLC, which will be used to complete the AIRFLOW-3 trial and achieve U.S. FDA approval. About Nuvaira Nuvaira is a privately held company headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. The company's proprietary dNerva Targeted Lung Denervation System addresses airway hyper-responsiveness, a pathophysiologic underpinning of both COPD and asthma, with a one-time, outpatient bronchoscopic procedure designed to reduce the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations. The dNerva TLD system is CE Mark approved and is under clinical investigation and not commercially available in the USA. Nuvaira and dNerva are registered trademarks of Nuvaira, Inc. Please visit www.airflowtrial.com and www.Nuvaira.com. Innovatus Capital Partners, LLC Innovatus Capital Partners, LLC, is an independent adviser and portfolio management firm with approximately $1.7B in assets under management. Innovatus adheres to an investment strategy that identifies disruptive and growth opportunities across multiple asset categories with a unifying theme of capital preservation, income generation, and upside optionality. The firm has a dedicated team of life sciences investment professionals with deep experience in healthcare, including life sciences. Innovatus and its principals have significant experience providing debt financing to medical device, diagnostics, and biotechnology companies that address unmet medical needs, improve patient outcomes, and reduce overall healthcare expenditures. Further information can be found at www.innovatuscp.com. SOURCE Nuvaira NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Olivia Ruth Hill, a highly-successful and awarded 25-year employee of Vanderbilt University who was forced file to file a Federal lawsuit against the University for discrimination and retaliation on the basis of sex, gender identity, and disability, has settled her lawsuit. Ms. Hill and her attorneys filed suit alleging that the University failed to follow its own internal procedures regarding fair treatment of LGBTQ employees. The settlement is confidential, but Ms. Hill is very happy with the results, which hopefully will prevent such unconscionable treatment of any other LGBTQ employees in the future. "It is my hope that this resolution assures that no transgender person at Vanderbilt will ever have to go through the living hell that I endured," said Hill. "I loved Vanderbilt and devoted myself to the University for 25 years. I am pleased that we were able to resolve this matter." Hill, who was hired by Vanderbilt in 1996 to work in the University's Facilities Plant, and her legal team filed suit September 2021 on nine counts, based on the University violating Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and based on Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Tennessee Human Rights Act. "This case exposed the stunning hypocrisy of Vanderbilt in claiming to have such forward-thinking policies to protect LGBTQ staff and then treating the first person who actually transitioned to such horrible, unnecessary treatment. Vanderbilt cannot 'talk the talk' but not 'walk the walk,'" explained lead attorney Abby Rubenfeld of Rubenfeld Law Office PC. "We believe that justice has been served and that Vanderbilt got the message loud and clear." Hill was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in late 2017 and began her medically-necessary transition from male to female in February 2019. Hill followed University procedures and notified University administrators in mid-2018 that she would be working full time as a woman and undergoing transition-related medical care at the recommendation of her physician. Over the course of the next 18 months, Hill continued to be subjected to discrimination and harassment before she was placed on administrative leave in December 2019, while none the men who engaged in the behavior had any repercussions, the lawsuit said. When her immediate supervisor, the Plant Manager, announced his retirement in April 2021, Hill applied for the job but was told she would not get it, with no explanation and after she was forced to interview with some of the named individuals who had harassed her. During her tenure at Vanderbilt, Hill, a disabled combat veteran of the U.S. Navy, has held every position at the Vanderbilt Power Plant and helped write the Standard Operational Procedures for all equipment within it. In 2019, then-Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos presented her with the Vanderbilt Chancellor Heart and Soul Award for "going far beyond her job expectations while carrying out the spirit and mission of Vanderbilt in all they do." She was never disciplined in her entire 25-year career. Hill was represented by Nashville attorneys Abby Rubenfeld and John Nefflen and by Thomas Mew of the Atlanta firm Buckley Neal. Rubenfeld was one of the attorneys who successfully went to the U.S. Supreme Court for marriage equality for same sex couples in 2015, and Mew was one of the attorneys who successfully went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020 to ensure that the employment discrimination protections of Title VII applied equally to the LGBTQ community. Nefflen is a highly accomplished Tennessee trial attorney. Hill was also assisted by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the premier national legal organization fighting against anti-LGBTQ treatment. SOURCE Rubenfeld Law Office PC GENEVA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- As the first rotating President of the Conference on Disarmament in 2022, China on Tuesday said it will actively fulfill its duties, play a constructive role, and enhance coordination with other rotating presidents and member states to contribute its share to revitalizing the conference. Upon the opening of 2022 session of the Conference on Disarmament Tuesday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a written message, extending congratulations and best wishes on the opening of this plenary. "China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development, and is committed to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order," Wang said in the message. He further pointed out that the world today is experiencing the combined impacts of major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, and the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation system stands at a critical crossroads. Facing the new circumstances and challenges, the international community needs to vigorously advocate peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, which are common values of humanity, commit to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security at the global level, and resolutely uphold the authority and sanctity of the United Nations, he said. The state councilor argued that the international community should advance steadily the reform of the global security governance system and the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation processes, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind that enjoys lasting peace and universal security. As the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, the conference has achieved important outcomes including the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Chemical Weapons Convention, making important historical contribution to global peace and security, he noted. Wang added that in the new era, the status and role of the conference as an important platform for global security governance have become more prominent, and the international community has high expectations on its work. "China calls on all member states of the conference to have in-depth discussions on the traditional agenda items and emerging challenges under the principle of mutual respect and consensus, and to make efforts to revitalize the conference, seek proper solutions on the basis of undiminished security for all, and achieve universal, sustainable and common security," he concluded. STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A.D.A.M., (Advanced Development of Additive Manufacturing, Inc.), a leading-edge 3D implant manufacturing biotech company recently named as one of the "emerging technologies to watch in 2022" by The Economist, has announced the appointment of Carlton G. Savory MD as Chief Medical Officer. A.D.A.M. was launched to disrupt the surgical implant industry currently dominated by costly and more invasive titanium implants. The biotech startup specializes in 3D printed bone implants made using biopolymers and bioceramics. Engaging Dr. Savory as CMO is a key milestone for the company, as he is a well-respected expert in orthopaedic surgery. A Special Operations Surgeon and orthopaedic specialist, Dr. Savory served a long and decorated career in the military, before retiring in 1987 and working in private practice at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1967 and served in the Vietnam War as a Platoon Leader. Following the war, he graduated Medical School at Arizona University, and completed his surgical internship and orthopaedic residency at Letterman Army Medical Center and Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in San Francisco. Dr. Savory served as Chief of Orthopaedics at Womack Army Hospital in Fort Bragg, NC, went on to be appointed as the first Delta Force surgeon, and later the first Command Surgeon of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). In 1983 Dr. Savory attended John Hopkins and completed a Fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery, following which he served at Walter Reed as Assistant Chief of Orthopaedics. After a period in private practice, Dr. Savory was recalled to active duty in 1990 for the first Gulf War, serving in the 274th Forward Airborne Surgical Team. Following this time, he returned to practice at the Hughston Clinic, and retired in 2016. Since retiring from active practice Dr. Savory has served as a consultant to his former Clinic and the Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital. He is also the Vice Chairman of National Infantry Museum and is the Advisory Board member for Mercer Medicine Harris County. CEO Denys Gurak shared his excitement of Dr. Savory's appointment; "Dr. Savory's credentials and experience are truly outstanding. The collaboration between his knowledge, and A.D.A.M.'s technology, is set to revolutionize the future of orthopaedic solutions." Dr. Savory joins A.D.A.M. at a propitious time, as the company successfully launched an equity crowdfunding campaign in late 2021, and is set to publicly announce partnerships with medical organizations in early 2022. For more info about A.D.A.M., visit their StartEngine page or website. Media Contact: Denys Gurak 203-252-8696 [email protected] SOURCE A.D.A.M. LONDON and TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Amp Energy, a global Energy Transition Platform, and renewable energy developer, today announces Europe's two biggest battery storage facilities with its 800 MW battery portfolio in central Scotland (the "Scottish Green Battery Complex"). The portfolio is due to be operational in April 2024 and will be comprised of two 400 MW battery facilities, each providing 800 MWhrs of energy storage capacity. Following consultations with stakeholders and local councils the two sites received planning consent from the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit on the 5 th January 2022 . . The 400 MW batteries will be the two largest grid-connected battery storage facilities in Europe . . Amp X, Amp's proprietary AI-powered digital energy platform, will be used to optimize dispatch of power from the batteries to the electricity grid. The projects will provide reliable grid stability services and power management across the central belt of Scotland including Glasgow and Edinburgh . including and . By storing and managing the dispatch of renewable energy generated from Scottish windfarms, the projects are future-proofing the UK's electricity infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of expensive transmission upgrades. Setting the standard for energy storage globally, the projects, located in Hunterston and Kincardine, provide an important step forward for the UK towards achieving its net-zero target. Following the recent ScotWind offshore wind announcement for the planned addition of 25 GW of new renewable generation capacity, the requirement for large-scale energy storage that can shift power and provide grid stability services is even more critical. Over the coming years, Amp's Scottish battery facilities will enable up to 1,750 GWhrs per year of additional renewable energy to be generated in Scotland and transported to other regions of the UK, equivalent to enabling approximately 500 MW of new offshore wind deployments. "With these ground-breaking projects Amp is making a significant investment in vitally needed green infrastructure as the UK transitions to a fully decarbonized grid. Our projects not only support the growth of renewable generation in Scotland but also provide an alternative to costly transmission upgrades for consumers" said Ben Skinner, Vice President Global Markets at Amp. The Hunterston and Kincardine projects are also participating in National Grid's Scottish Stability Pathfinder 2 tender, which seeks to address voltage and stability issues faced by the UK electricity grid. Amp's facilities will deploy state-of-the-art grid-forming inverter technology alongside two new Synchronous Condensers installations which also assist with grid stabilisation. "The UK electricity grid is in the process of transitioning to a greener net-zero market", according to Amp's Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer, Paul Ezekiel. "This has only been accelerated with the recently awarded addition of 25GW of offshore wind licenses as part of the ScotWind offshore wind leasing program. Amp's development of strategically located, transmission-connected utility-scale batteries is helping the GB transmission network operator to provide UK citizens with a stable and secure carbon free electricity system." This investment continues Amp's expansion into Europe which includes development and ownership of solar and wind with large-scale energy storage facilities in Spain and the UK, alongside active development of several green hydrogen projects that complement its Asia-Pacific green hydrogen development activities. The Scottish Green Battery Complex will be optimized and dispatched by Amp X, Amp's proprietary AI-powered digital energy platform. Amp X relies on its proprietary and already bankable transactive-ready system architecture and cloud-hosted state-of-the-art advanced analytics. Operating autonomously, the Amp X platform provides solutions to grid constraints, providing flexibility and enabling the end-to-end energy transition. "With our global scale and the disruptive innovation that we are deploying with our Amp X platform, we are at the forefront of the global energy transition." Paul said. "The deployment of Green Hydrogen and utility-scale energy storage, such as the Scottish Green Battery Complex, is critical to our continued rapid growth and long-term strategy." About Amp Amp is a global energy transition platform. We develop, own and operate clean energy assets throughout our core markets around the world. Alongside Amp X, our disruptive grid-edge technology platform utilizing proprietary artificial intelligence expertise, we are reimagining the grid and leading the Energy Transition. The company is headquartered in Toronto with global operations throughout North America, Australia, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic, and the UK. Founded in 2009, Amp is a high-growth disruptor at scale, backed by major investments from institutional capital partners including most recently Carlyle, which invested US$374 million for a minority stake in the company in late 2020. For more information, please visit amp.energy SOURCE Amp Energy NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) recently named Curriculum Associates' i-Ready Assessment as an approved universal literacy and dyslexia screener for the 20222023 school year. With this approval, schools across the state can use the online Diagnostic and offline literacy assessment tasks to screen for risk factors associated with dyslexia. This dyslexia screening process is part of Arizona's Move on When Reading policy, which is designed to provide students with evidence-based, effective reading instruction in order to position them for success as they progress through school, college, and career. "As a longtime partner to the Arizona education community, Curriculum Associates developed dyslexia screener items specific to the needs of Arizona students as required by state law," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "This recent approval by the ADE reinforces the power and validity of our assessment in identifying potential risk factors for dyslexia, which is necessary so educators can provide the specialized supports students need to succeed." According to the ADE, Arizona students in Grades K3 will be given a universal literacy and dyslexia screener within the first 45 calendar days of the school year and will also be screened during the winter and spring benchmark periods. Each benchmark data set will then be submitted to ADE's Move on When Reading team during specified dates throughout the school year. i-Ready, which was approved by the ADE after a comprehensive review, supports educators in screening for potential risk factors associated with dyslexia. The combination of the Diagnostic and the additional tasks leverages the most current research on dyslexia screening and adheres to recommendations of the International Dyslexia Association. Districts can use the program as a screening tool to help educators determine if further assessment and specialized reading intervention may be appropriate for individual students. More about i-Ready i-Ready makes the promise of differentiated instruction a practical reality for Grades K12 teachers and students. It combines powerful assessments and rich insights with effective and engaging instruction in reading and mathematics to address students' individual needs. The program's Diagnostic provides educators with actionable criterion-referenced and normative data to deliver impactful, equitable learning experiences. Teachers administer the Diagnostic at the beginning of the school year to chart a course for their instruction and to personalize i-Ready instructional paths. A midyear and end-of-year Diagnostic help students and teachers measure growth and engage together in data chats. Teacher-led and personalized instruction continues throughout the year to help students address unfinished learning and access grade-level content. All i-Ready district partners have ongoing access to Curriculum Associates' award-winning customer service. This includes dedicated support via the company's Customer Service team, professional development experts, account managers, sales representatives, and Technical Support team, as well as access to the free customer service portal. Today, the award-winning i-Ready program serves more than 10 million students and 25 percent of all students in Grades K8 in the United States. To learn more about i-Ready, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/i-Ready. About Curriculum Associates Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students. Contact: Kati Elliott Charlotte Fixler KEH Communications Curriculum Associates (410) 975-9638 (978) 901-6066 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 10th Annual Workplace Benefits Study, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) finds that self-reported overall health among American workers declined last year, with most employees saying their companies need to do more to support their mental, physical, and financial well-being. The study, entitled Mind, Body, and Wallet, also reveals a sharp disconnect between employer and employee perceptions, with most companies believing they are doing a good job in supporting well-being, and most employees disagreeing. "The disconnect between employee and employer perceptions is particularly striking," says Chris Smith, Head of Guardian's Group Benefits business. "Employers have a real opportunity to close the perception gap by revisiting how they support employee well-being and helping their workers more fully utilize the benefits they already provide." To monitor how Americans feel about their overall health and well-being, Guardian created the Workforce Well-Being Index in 2016. The index measures the self-reported well-being of working adults. This latest report confirms the overall decline in workforce well-being since the onset of the pandemic, with COVID-19 (50%) as well as money and finances (46%) being the two leading causes of stress in workers' lives. Mental health has experienced a significant drop-off in 2021 from the previous five years, which can be directly tied to the pandemic and worsening financial wellness. The study notes that employees' need for mental health support is particularly acute, as 21% of people in the US (or more than 52 million) are living with a mental health condition an increase of 1.5 million individuals since 2019.1 As a percent of total disability claims, mental health-related claims have doubled in the past decade from 7% to 14%. The study also confirms that benefits make a true difference in employees' lives. Nearly half of working Americans, for example, believe they would face financial hardship if they didn't have access to the benefits they receive through work. At the same time, however, less than a third (28%) of employees strongly agree that their employer does a good job of educating them about the benefits that are available to them and how to use them. For their part, only 32% of employers say that tailoring benefits communication and enrollment for their various employee segments is extremely or very important. "Providing benefits and helping employees use them not only promotes well-being but also enables companies to address priorities such as employee retention and productivity," notes Smith. "Our study, for example, found that companies that have invested in mental health benefits saw increases in both retention and productivity recovered for employees who utilized those benefits." About Guardian Every day, Guardian provides Americans the security they deserve through our insurance and wealth management products and services. Since our founding in 1860, our long-term view has helped our customers prepare for whatever life brings whether starting a family, planning for the future, or taking care of employees. Today, we're a Fortune 250 mutual company and a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits for individuals, at the workplace, and through government sponsored programs. The Guardian community of over 9,000 employees and our network of over 2,500 financial representatives is committed to serving with expertise when, where, and how our clients need us. Our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which at year-end 2020 included $9.5 billion in capital and $1.7 billion in operating income. For more information, please visit guardianlife.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact: Email: [email protected] Unless otherwise noted, the source of all information is from the 10th Annual Guardian Workplace Benefits Study "Mind, Body, and Wallet" Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, investment, or medical advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice. Links to external sites are provided for your convenience in locating related information and services. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees expressly disclaim any responsibility for and do not maintain, control, recommend, or endorse third-party sites, organizations, products, or services and make no representation as to the completeness, suitability, or quality thereof. GUARDIAN and the Guardian Logo are registered trademarks of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Copyright 2020 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, N.Y. 2022-132538 (Exp. 1/24). 1 State of Mental Health in America Report, Mental Health America (MHA), 2020 SOURCE Guardian OGDEN, Utah, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AvantGuard Monitoring Centers is proud to announce they have received the Top Workplace Award from the Salt Lake Tribune for a third consecutive year in the Midsized Company category for the state of Utah. AvantGuard also received the Best-in-Class Employer Award from Gallagher recognizing employers who excel in supporting their employee's physical, emotional, career, and financial wellbeing for better organizational outcomes. These awards signify the amount of effort and dedication AG's leadership team puts into building a company culture where employees feel engaged, appreciated, and put in a position to succeed. Regarding both awards, Clint Halverson, CPO for Becklar parent company to AvantGuard and Freeus said, "Our outperformance as a business is largely attributable to our amazing team and our powerful culture that puts caring for each other, our dealers and their subscribers at the center of all that we do. Our people are at the core of our amazing culture." When asked how AvantGuard creates such a strong company culture, Director of HR, Floribel Duran stated, "Having a strong culture starts with defining your core values, and embedding each of those into the fabric of the culture. Our We Care FIRST core values keep us focused on our purpose internally and externally. Core values guide how we make decisions and are always at the forefront of each change we make." AvantGuard is honored to receive these awards and is dedicated to instilling a culture of service, teamwork, and trust both internally and externally with their customers. This can't be achieved without operators and dealer specialists that take great pride in being the absolute best, and a leadership team that helps facilitate that success. AvantGuard is a premier provider of wholesale alarm monitoring, offering professional monitoring services, cloud monitoring and hybrid partnerships. They utilize the most advanced monitoring technology with three state-of-the-art, hot-redundant call centers, along with skilled operators who respond promptly and compassionately. AvantGuard proudly meets or exceeds all industry standards of excellence. Contact: Jonathan Knoder Content Manager at AvantGuard Email: [email protected] Related Links www.agmonitoring.com SOURCE AvantGuard Monitoring DALLAS, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a momentous announcement, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) congratulates Founding Partner David Berry on his retirement and transition to Partner Emeritus of the firm. For 41 years, David has been a preeminent attorney and visionary in immigration at BAL, helping to grow the firm from a two-attorney practice to an award-winning global powerhouse. "David has been a mentor, leader, partner and friend. He's been a role model to all who have been fortunate enough to work with him. We wish him all the best in his next chapter," said Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge. "We will miss David's daily presence, but his legacy endures in the mission and values of the firm he helped build," said Frieda Garcia, a Partner who began her career at BAL over 20 years ago. David founded the firm in San Francisco in 1980 with fellow solo immigration attorney, Jeff Appleman. Warren Leiden joined as a name partner in 1996. Over the years, the firm flourished along with the global economy and now serves corporate clients in nearly every country in the world. "It's been an amazing four decades filled with so many fond memories. I'm proud to have been part of an area of law that has had and continues to have a profound impact on individual lives and the face of our country," David said. He looks forward to spending more time with his family, hiking and biking in the mountains, and serving as a board member for organizations focused on healing the world. David leaves the firm in capable hands, with Jeremy at the helm for the past nine years, backed by one of the most diverse groups of partners in the legal industry. By passing the torch to this next generation of leaders, the firm will continue to have a positive impact on millions of lives around the world: BAL represents the future of immigration, with an aggressive growth trajectory and new U.S. office openings planned, while its industry-leading proprietary technological tools continue to delight clients and attract top immigration professionals to its thriving practice. About Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) BAL, the world's leading corporate immigration law firm and the Best Lawyers "Law Firm of the Year" in U.S. Immigration Law for 2019, ranks #1 on the Diversity Scorecard by The American Lawyer (2020 and 2021), #1 on Law360's Diversity Snapshot (2020 and 2021), and the #1 Law Firm for Women according to the National Law Journal (2019, 2020 and 2021). BAL's Cobalt digital immigration services platform won the 2020 CODiE Award for Best Legal Tech Product, the prestigious CIO100 award for Innovative Use of Intelligent Automation in Immigration Services, and Legalweek's Most Innovative Law Firm Operations Team of 2021. BAL is singularly focused on meeting the immigration challenges of corporate clients around the world in ways that make immigration more strategic and enable clients to be more successful. Established in 1980, BAL has consistently provided immigration expertise, top-notch information security and leading technology innovation. The firm entered into a strategic alliance with Deloitte UK to create the world's first global immigration service delivery model. BAL and its leaders are highly ranked in every major legal publication, including Best Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, and Who's Who Legal. See website for details: https://www.bal.com SOURCE Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Petersburg College (SPC) announced today a partnership with Bank of America to increase economic mobility in the Tampa Bay region and address the needs of employers in key industries. Bank of America awarded SPC a $1 million grant to support the job placement of students who are near the end of their educational pathway with a focus on students of color and those struggling financially to achieve their career goals. Over the next three years, SPC is projected to place a minimum of 500 students into high-wage, in-demand careers by building a sustainable talent ecosystem for the future by: Developing a concierge-based service delivery model to place students from across the region into employment opportunities targeting information technology, business, and finance and professional services industry sectors Creating a centralized alignment office that serves as the primary source of information and translation between business and education across the Tampa Bay region "SPC is excited to collaborate with Bank of America to strengthen the workforce in the Tampa Bay region by better connecting the talent supply with industry demand," SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams said. "We know that by working together we will help students prepare for - and transition into - higher paying jobs that result in economic prosperity, especially for those with limited means." Bank of America last year announced a $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity. The bank's support of organizations like SPC is a direct result of this commitment, which focuses on direct action in communities of color where systemic, long-term gaps have existed, and significant change is required to achieve sustainable progress. "We recognize the importance of connecting young adults with meaningful employment opportunities," said Bill Goede, President, Bank of America Tampa Bay. "Through our partnership with SPC, we are helping to build a stronger pipeline of diverse talent, contributing to a thriving Tampa Bay community." SPC will lead this collaboration among regional education institutions, businesses and other sector partners taking part in the initiative. SPC is committed to serving the region by helping to improve job placement outcomes for students and improve the speed and efficiency of talent acquisition for employers. Bank of America At Bank of America, we're guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We're delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It's demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. For more Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. St. Petersburg College St. Petersburg College alumni rank 1st in the state of Florida for possessing the most valuable job skills among two-year colleges. Founded in 1927, SPC is Florida's first two-year college and the first to offer bachelor's degrees. We offer more than 110 degree and certificate programs, including many high-demand, high-skill industry-recognized workforce certifications. Our career-focused curriculum is created with input from industry experts to give students the skills they need to meet the needs of today's employers. Reporters may contact: Matthew Daily, Bank of America Phone: 1.404.607.2844 [email protected] Rita Farlow, St. Petersburg College Phone: 1.727-302-6526 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global basin, bowl, and cup market size is expected to reach USD 504.1 million by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 13.9% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing reimbursement for surgeries and favorable government initiatives, along with increasing geriatric population, are driving the market. Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the industry has witnessed rapid expansion in recent years. This is due to the expanding number of hospitals around the world, which will result in the high adoption of basins, bowls, and cups because they are cost-effective and time-saving. Key Insights & Findings from the report: By product type, the cup segment held the largest revenue share in 2020. This is due to the growing pediatric and geriatric population and their reliance on medicines, which is one of the major causes driving up the use of medicine cups Based on the material type, stainless steel held the largest revenue share in 2020. Stainless-steel basins are becoming increasingly diverse and diversified in their applications and usage. Stainless-steel basins are easy to clean and can be autoclaved, making them suitable for hospitals and operation centers, which is anticipated to boost the demand for basins, bowls, and cups Asia Pacific led the market in 2020 and is expected to maintain its lead over the forecast period. This is owing to the region's vast population, particularly in China and India , as well as the expanding healthcare infrastructure in emerging countries Read 110 page market research report, "Basin, Bowl, And Cup Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type (Basin, Bowl, Cup), By Material Type (Stainless Steel, Plastic), By End User, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research The market growth is projected to be restrained by an increase in the use of reusable bowls, basins, and cups, which can be a source of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), particularly when infectious microorganisms are transmitted between surfaces or other areas such as the facility's water, which may contain pathogens or a patient's personal goods which are exposed to pathogens. This may act as a restraint and lower the demand for basins, bowls, and cups. Technological advancements such as single-use or disposable ones are replacing conventionally used stainless basins and bowls. A significant reason for this shift from stainless steel basins and bowls to disposable ones is to reduce cross-contamination risk. The use of disposable basins and bowls helps in controlling the infection spread. As a result, advanced technology is expected to fuel the growth of the market. Market Segmentation: Grand View Research has segmented the global basin, bowl, and cup market on the basis of product type, material type, end user, and region: Basin, Bowl, And Cup Product Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Basin Emesis Basin Solution Basin Others Cup Medicine Cup Urine Cup Iodine Cup Others Bowl Lotion Bowl Sponge Bowl Procedure Bowl Solution Bowl Others Basin, Bowl, And Cup Material Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Stainless steel Plastic Others Basin, Bowl, And Cup End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Hospitals & Clinics Long-term Care Facilities Homecare Settings Others Basin, Bowl, And Cup Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Spain Russia Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Colombia Middle East and Africa (MEA) and (MEA) South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE List of Key Players of Basin, Bowl, And Cup Market Medtronic Narang Medical Limited IndoSurgicals Private Limited Advin Health Care Key Surgical Cardinal Health GPC Medical Ltd. Medegen Medical Products Med-Vet International DESCO MEDICAL INDIA Sunflower Medical Ltd. The Vollrath Company, LLC Check out more studies from Grand View Research's market report portfolio on the Global Medical Devices Industry: Mechanical Ventilator Market The global mechanical ventilator market size was valued at USD 5.79 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2022 to 2030. The unprecedented dawn of COVID-19 boosted the demand for mechanical ventilators by leaps and bounds in 2020. The global mechanical ventilator market size was valued at in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2022 to 2030. The unprecedented dawn of COVID-19 boosted the demand for mechanical ventilators by leaps and bounds in 2020. Dermatology Devices Market The global dermatology devices market size was valued at over USD 12.5 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% over the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of skin cancer and other skin diseases is contributing largely to the high product demand. The global dermatology devices market size was valued at over in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% over the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of skin cancer and other skin diseases is contributing largely to the high product demand. Capnography Devices Market The global capnography devices market size was valued at USD 565.3 million in 2021 and is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% from 2022 to 2030. Technological advancements, the prevalence of respiratory diseases, and supportive government initiatives are anticipated to boost the market growth over the forecast period. 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. PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Battery Materials Market by Battery Type (Lithium Ion, Lead Acid, and Others) and Application (Automobile Industry, Household Appliances, Electronics Industry, Other): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". According to the report, the global battery materials industry generated $45.6 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to generate $80.5 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.9% from 2021 to 2030. Prime determinants of growth Expansion of electric vehicle market, increase in use of consumer electronics such as smartphones and laptops, and collaborative development between miners & battery manufacturers drive the growth of the global battery materials market. However, environmental concern related to mining of metals hinders the market growth. On the other hand, demand for new consumer electronics present new opportunities in the coming years. Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/12203 Covid-19 Scenario The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the growth of the global battery materials market. The pandemic had disrupted the global mining industry due to shortage of workforce, especially during the initial phase. This led to demand supply gaps, thus hampering the battery production. During the pandemic, crude oil prices dropped significantly. Low oil prices reduced the economic viability of the EV adoption as compared to combustion vehicles. This factor affected the global battery materials market growth to some extent. The lithium ion segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on type, the lithium ion segment held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for more than half of the global battery materials market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Moreover, the same segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.1% from 2021 to 2030. This is attributed to wide usage of metal in battery production. Get Detailed COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Battery Materials Market @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/12203?reqfor=covid The electronics industry segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period Based on application, the electronics industry segment accounted for the largest share in 2020, contributing to more than half of the global battery materials market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. The automobile industry segment consists of the use of batteries in carrying out various electric functions in a vehicle as well as electric vehicles. However, the automobile industry segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 6.2% from 2021 to 2030. Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, to maintain its dominance by 2030 Based on region, Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, held the highest market share in terms of revenue 2020, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global battery materials market. Moreover, the same region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, owing to the presence of abundant battery metal reserves in China, India, Australia, and other Asia-Pacific countries. Leading Market Players Albemarle China Molybdenum Co. Ltd. Gan feng Lithium Co., Ltd. Glencore PLC Livent Corporation Norlisk Nickel Sheritt International Corporation SQM Targray Technology International Inc. Teck Resources Tianqi Lithium Vale S.A. Interested in Procuring This Report? 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Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter Get more information: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access Similar Reports: OLED Materials Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023 Lightweight Materials Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022 Carbon Black in Lead-Acid Battery Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027 Battery Metals Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. 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. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: 1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on: LinkedIn Twitter SOURCE Allied Market Research HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Healthcare Systems, a leader in compliance and regulatory solutions for payers, partnered with a regional Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to launch the new Beacon Enrollment Manager (BEM) module for Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollment and membership processing. As a result, BEM enabled the plan to improve efficiency by 92%. Beacon implemented BEM at the plan prior to the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) on October 15, 2021. The automated solution vastly improved productivity, helped ensure CMS compliance, and enhanced the MA member and broker experience. Beacon's passion for partnership extends through product launches and implementations that are recognized for their commitment to schedule and budget. "We were especially pleased to partner with this client as this was our second product launch with them," said Ken Stockman, chief executive officer of Beacon. "The input we receive from our plan partners during product design on BEM and other modules is vital to unequivocally solve payer challenges." "Our partner plan's senior management calls BEM a 'game-changer,'" said Dick Warren, vice president of product and industry enrollment expert. "Before BEM, it took the plan nearly an hour to process a new application, including manually generating required correspondence. Using BEM reduced that time to less than 5 minutes, even with any plan-required manual validations and a newly added Option Supplemental Dental Benefit (OSB) for the 2022 plan year." Beacon's Enrollment Manager helped the plan wrap up AEP successfully and called BEM "a vast improvement" and "very impressive." Members, sales associates, and brokers have been delighted with the enhanced communication, application tracking, and overall timeliness, especially during the recent AEP. Automated from App to Approval Digital automation allows applications to flow seamlessly from intake to CMS and downstream to vendors like print and fulfillment. Processors only need to act on submissions that do not pass automated validations. Beacon's Enrollment Manager integrates directly into a plan's core and downstream systems for real-time Medicare membership updates and includes real-time connectivity with CMS to verify Medicare eligibility (BEQ BIC). Automated CMS file transmissions use state-of-the-art APIs plus best practice workflows to ensure secure end-to-end application handling and completion. "Historically, the application process for Medicare Advantage and Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs) has been labor-intensive," said Warren. "So, we have automated enrollment from receipt of the application from any source to CMS acceptance, including generation of member correspondence. Staff time to process a clean application is eliminated. Human intervention is only needed when data is missing or rejected. Processing timeliness and accuracy are vastly improved with less significantly manual work effort." About Beacon Healthcare Systems Beacon Healthcare Systems streamlines the business of healthcare through reliable, innovative SaaS technology delivered by industry experts. With a focus on appeals, grievances, compliance, enrollment, supplemental benefits, and analytics, Beacon HCS is the first-place health plans turn when looking for a trusted, experienced partner that can help them reduce costs, grow revenue, and achieve their strategic goals. Founded in 2011, Beacon HCS is a privately held California-based company. Beacon is hiring! beaconhcs.com/careers Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12902101 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Beacon Healthcare Systems NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- High coffee prices in the global market in 2021 saw Kenya earn more from the crop despite a decline in the quantities exported, the government statistics agency said in a report on Tuesday. The east African nation earned 24.2 billion shillings (213 million U.S. dollars) in the period January to November 2021, with the value surpassing the entire 2020 earnings that stood at 196 million dollars, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) said. During the 2021 trading period, Kenya's coffee prices ranged from 4 dollars to 6.3 dollars, up from 2.5 dollars to 5.9 dollars in 2020, according to KNBS. However, despite the rise in earnings, the quantity of coffee exported declined as production continued to dwindle for the second consecutive year. Kenya exported 35,163 metric tons (MT) of coffee in the first 11 months of 2021, a decline from 40,980 MT in a similar period in 2020, according to KNBS. KNBS said that with the country exporting an average of 2,500 MT of coffee a month, the export quantities in 2021 would not surpass the 2020 figures. Kenya's coffee production has been on a decline as many farmers take to other crops in particular avocado and macadamia while others sell their farmlands to real estate developers due to various challenges. Kenya is the fifth largest producer of coffee in the Afrian continent, coming after Ethiopia (7.38 million 60 kg bags), Uganda (5.62 million bags), Cote d'Ivoire (1.78 million bags) and Tanzania (913,000 bags). The country produces an average of 800,000 bags of coffee annually, according to the International Coffee Organization. Rick Ware, team owner, commented, "We had a great season with Biohaven, Nurtec ODT and Cody this past year. The company and brand values align perfectly with Rick Ware Racing, and we could not be more excited to have them as a primary partner in 2022. Heading into this season, we are looking forward to elevating our on-track performance and continuing to support our racing fans, including people with migraine and the military community through our Military Salutes Program." Cody, a Greensboro, North Carolina native, has competed within all forms of motorsports throughout his career including NASCAR, INDYCAR, IMSA, Asian Le Mans Series and Motorcycles. In 2021, Cody made his NTT INDYCAR Series debut at Road America, as well as competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Rick Ware Racing. "I am thrilled to be back behind the wheel of the No. 51 Nurtec ODT car, which holds personal meaning for me as a person with migraine," said Cody Ware. "With the new cars this year and the Ford alliance, I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the Rick Ware Racing team. Nurtec ODT has been a great partner this past year, helping to raise awareness of migraine among NASCAR fans, and 2022 looks to be another promising year of racing!" Nearly 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from migraine and the World Health Organization classifies migraine as one of the 10 most disabling medical illnesses. Migraine is characterized by debilitating attacks lasting four to 72 hours with multiple symptoms, including pulsating headaches of moderate to severe pain intensity that can be associated with nausea or vomiting, and/or sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) and sensitivity to light (photophobia). Takuma Sato, two-time INDY 500 Champion, joined the No. 51 team in December to compete full-time in the 2022 NTT INDYCAR Series. Vlad Coric, MD, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, commented, "We continue to pursue innovative partnerships, like this one with Rick Ware Racing, to help us reach more people about the debilitating burden of migraine disease and the importance of effective treatment. Our goal this year is to further increase the conversation about migraine and the benefits of Nurtec ODT, which can both treat and prevent migraine attacks. We look forward to the 2022 season with the Rick Ware Racing team and Cody and Takuma as our drivers." Throughout 2021, Rick Ware Racing and Nurtec ODT participated in thirty-five (35) military base visits across the United States, including a trip to Hawaii in December for the 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. During these visits, the team interacted with service members through mock pit stops, driver Q&As and photos. Over the course of the year, the Military Salutes program allowed for over 1,200 service members to be honored in May, and over $150,000 in funds donated to service members and first responders charities in partnership with Nine Line Apparel. Heading into 2022, the team plans on continuing the efforts to give back to those who continue to serve. Rick Ware Racing and Biohaven Supports Military Salutes Program As part of the NASCAR season, Rick Ware Racing and Biohaven plan to extend its participation in the established Military Salutes Program and visit military bases across the country in a show of support and thanks to our troops. Active-duty service members and veterans experience high levels of stress due to the challenges of their service, which can trigger migraine attacks. In addition, more than 430,000 veterans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, which can result in migraine due to the changes in the brain. Coric added, "Veterans like Greg Peterman, a retired Green Beret who served seven combat tours, know firsthand the disabling impact of migraine from traumatic brain injury. We can help honor their service to our country and elevate their voice in raising awareness of migraine." For additional information on Nurtec ODT, visit www.nurtec.com . Follow Rick Ware Racing, by visiting www.wareracing.com , and be sure to follow along on social media ( Facebook , Twitter and/or Instagram ). About Biohaven Biohaven is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, best-in-class therapies to improve the lives of patients with debilitating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, including rare disorders. Biohaven's Neuroinnovation portfolio includes FDA-approved NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine and a broad pipeline of late-stage product candidates across three distinct mechanistic platforms: CGRP receptor antagonism for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine; glutamate modulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia; and MPO inhibition for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. More information about Biohaven is available at www.biohavenpharma.com . About NURTEC ODT NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) is the first and only calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist available in a quick-dissolve ODT formulation that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. The activity of the neuropeptide CGRP is thought to play a causal role in migraine pathophysiology. NURTEC ODT is a CGRP receptor antagonist that works by reversibly blocking CGRP receptors, thereby inhibiting the biologic activity of the CGRP neuropeptide. The recommended dose of NURTEC ODT is 75 mg, taken as needed, up to once daily to treat or every other day to help prevent migraine attacks. For more information about NURTEC ODT, visit www.nurtec.com. The most common adverse reaction was nausea and abdominal pain/indigestion. Avoid concomitant administration of NURTEC ODT with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4, strong or moderate inducers of CYP3A or inhibitors of P-gp or BCRP. Avoid another dose of NURTEC ODT within 48 hours when it is administered with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4. Indication NURTEC ODT orally disintegrating tablets is a prescription medicine that is used to treat migraine in adults. It is for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine. It is not known if NURTEC ODT is safe and effective in children. Important Safety Information Do not take NURTEC ODT if you are allergic to NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) or any of its ingredients. Before you take NURTEC ODT, tell your healthcare provider (HCP) about all your medical conditions, including if you: have liver problems, have kidney problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. NURTEC ODT may cause serious side effects including allergic reactions, including trouble breathing and rash. This can happen days after you take NURTEC ODT. Call your HCP or get emergency help right away if you have swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat or trouble breathing. This occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with NURTEC ODT. The most common side effects of NURTEC ODT were nausea (2.7%) and stomach pain/indigestion (2.4%). These are not the only possible side effects of NURTEC ODT. Tell your HCP if you have any side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 or report side effects to Biohaven at 1-833-4Nurtec. Please click here for full Prescribing Information and Patient Information. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's business and product candidate plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in the "Risk Factors" section of Biohaven's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2021, and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2021. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and Biohaven does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NURTEC and NURTEC ODT are registered trademarks of Biohaven Pharmaceutical Ireland DAC. Neuroinnovation is a trademark of Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. Biohaven Contact: Vlad Coric, M.D. Chief Executive Officer and Chairman [email protected] Media Contact: Mike Beyer Sam Brown Inc. [email protected] 312-961-2502 Rick Ware Racing Contact: Kate Fegley [email protected] SOURCE Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. NEW YORK and LONDON and MADRID, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) today announced the live availability of a new Spanish issuer "golden copy" event notification and vote execution service for the Spanish market. The service, delivered in collaboration with Santander Investment S.A., the leader in Shareholder General Meeting services in Spain, provides a fully automated solution with market-wide coverage. The launch of the service in Spain is the latest market-ready extension to Broadridge's fast-growing Direct Market Solutions (DMS) product suite, which focuses on streamlining traditional voting processes by directly connecting investors and issuers. The service is set to improve market error rates, expand voting windows and facilitate vote confirmations. It will enable custody banks, brokers and wealth managers operating in Spain to enhance their service offering to their underlying clients while reducing their operating costs. The collaboration will also allow all Spanish financial intermediaries to obtain a one-stop-shop SRD II compliance solution without the need for major integration or change of operating models. "Our collaboration with Broadridge will transform the voting process for the Spanish market through a more direct end-to-end chain of communications between issuers and investors," said Luis Antonio Perez, Executive Director of Corporate Trust Services, Santander Investment. "By removing avoidable steps from the overall lifecycle, the proxy process will become more efficient and less prone to the risks associated with multiple break points. "We are delighted to be partnering with Santander in this innovative market solution designed to improve efficiency and deliver the highest standards of corporate governance in Spain," said Demi Derem, GM, International Investor Communication Solutions at Broadridge. "This is the latest in our ongoing series of local market innovations that focus on industry leading partnerships aimed at improving the overall voting ecosystem. Broadridge recently announced its expanded coverage for proxy processing and extended voting windows for 20 sub-custody markets in 2021, with more markets to follow in 2022 and 2023. This complements Broadridge's existing leading global voting solutions that already provide 100% coverage across 100+ markets. About Broadridge Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with $5 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance, and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than $9 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 13,000 associates in 21 countries. For more information about us, please visit broadridge.com. About Banco Santander Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC LN) is a leading retail and commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain. It has a meaningful presence in 10 core markets in the Europe, North America and South America regions, and is one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. Its purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising over 120 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2025, as well as financially empowering more than 10 million people over the same period. At the end of the first half of 2021, Banco Santander had 1.1 trillion in total funds, 150 million customers, of which 24.2 million are loyal and 45.3 million are digital, 10,000 branches and 190,000 employees. Investors: W. Edings Thibault Investor Relations + 1 516-472-5129 [email protected] Media: Gregg Rosenberg Corporate Communications +1 212-918-6966 [email protected] SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. EATONTOWN, N.J., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CDS, the leading provider of Multi-Vendor Services (MVS) for data centers worldwide, today announced highlights of a record 2021 year. CDS achieved its highest annual revenue ever on 21 percent revenue growth compared with 2020, significantly improved profitability, expanded relationships with its OEM partners, and more than 600 new enterprise customers added during the year. In a year that began with the launch of its new Raytrix MVS platform, CDS redefined what it means to be a true MVS provider and expanded its offerings throughout the year. With pressure on IT organizations ranging from supply chain disruption and delayed shipments of new infrastructure products, to talent shortages and hiring challenges, CDS has stood out for its ability to extend the useful life of installed technology and maintain storage, server and network environments in close partnership with OEMs. Daniel Newton, CEO of CDS, said, "2021 was a remarkable year for the CDS team, our partners and the data center professionals around the world who rely on us. Our differentiated model is resonating with OEM partners and their major customers as distinctly superior to traditional TPMs (third-party maintenance companies). Our deal sizes are larger and our global footprint keeps expanding." Key 2021 milestones for CDS included: The launch of the new CDS Raytrix MVS platform, a comprehensive set of capabilities that extend the useful life of storage, server and network infrastructure running mission-critical workloads in hybrid cloud environments of the new CDS Raytrix MVS platform, a comprehensive set of capabilities that extend the useful life of storage, server and network infrastructure running mission-critical workloads in hybrid cloud environments The introduction of CDS RapidStart, the industry's fastest service on-boarding process, as well as Warranty+, CoverageNow, and DiscoveryNow services to help customers cost-effectively manage change during their data center lifecycle of CDS RapidStart, the industry's fastest service on-boarding process, as well as Warranty+, CoverageNow, and DiscoveryNow services to help customers cost-effectively manage change during their data center lifecycle The new CDS Commit channel program , aimed at helping solution providers bring the most advanced, comprehensive and complementary infrastructure services to their enterprise customers on a global basis , aimed at helping solution providers bring the most advanced, comprehensive and complementary infrastructure services to their enterprise customers on a global basis Expansion into two new regions: India and South America and The introduction of the AI-based Nebula engine to streamline the global sparing process based on historical parts data engine to streamline the global sparing process based on historical parts data CDS was named "Multi-Vendor Services Provider of the Year" at the annual Storage Awards, known as the "Storries" at the annual Storage Awards, known as the "Storries" The debut appearance by CDS on CRN's MSP 500 list as a "Technology Pioneer" Sandi Rygwalski Fryer , CDS Vice President of OEM & Channel Sales, was recognized among CRN's Women of the Channel , CDS Vice President of OEM & Channel Sales, was recognized among CRN's Women of the Channel Sarah Zambrano was appointed Vice President of Customer Success, reporting directly to Chuck Cwirka , COO was appointed Vice President of Customer Success, reporting directly to , COO John De Sousa was appointed Vice President, Global Supply Chain, also reporting directly to Cwirka CDS and its Raytrix MVS platform extend a full suite of capabilities to a wide range of different OEM hardware platforms, from midrange and high-end storage systems to the most popular server and networking products. CDS partners with the leading data center infrastructure providers to deliver MVS on a global basis in a complementary fashion rather than competing against them the way TPMs do. About CDS CDS is the leading provider of multi-vendor services (MVS) for data centers worldwide. Its Raytrix MVS software platform offers a range of mission-critical data center hardware maintenance and support for high-end storage, server and network equipment. CDS offers post-warranty support services through OEMs and channel partners, servicing a diversified customer base throughout the Americas, EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Japan. The company's maintenance and support services are designed to extend the useful life of its clients' IT infrastructure, further increasing return on investment for these systems. CDS employs highly skilled, industry-certified engineers and dedicated account managers globally. Partnering with the leading data center infrastructure providers to deliver MVS on a global basis, CDS is assisting more than 700 customers in 45 countries to unlock spend in the data center across enterprise IT infrastructure with diverse maintenance needs and cost containment requirements. Media Contact: Carissa Ryan, CTP for CDS [email protected] SOURCE CDS Following a strict evaluation process based on four general metrics, content management, creative design, communications strategy and user experience, in addition to one metric specific to each company, 68 companies with 118 creative entries were selected to become the winners of 15 awards in three categories for their outstanding leadership and achievements in terms of employer branding. 6 companies have won the "Employer Branding Award 5th Year Winner" award. These winners become leading companies with their continuing influence and achievements in Employer Branding. At the same time, Bytedance has won the "Best Workplace Social Media Marketing Award" by its highest score at Employer Branding Measurement tools, created by aTalent and Employer Branding Institute. Employer branding pioneer Richard Mosley, a global famous employer branding professionals Ali Ayaz, global leader in data modeling for employer Barbara Zych, WINGs founder Ocean Fu, Bloomberg Businessweek China executive chief editor Steven Fan, Mercer global partner and China general manager Steven Yu, Havas China managing director & chief creative officer Ben Sun and Emlyon Business School global HR & Organization Innovation Center co-director Anson Tang were invited to join the judger team. The Dean of Employer Branding Institute and Founder of WINGs Ms. Ocean Fu said, "This is the fifth year of the employer branding creativity award, and we have been very pleased to see that more and more companies begin to pay attention to build their employer brands and have made great achievements both internally and externally. The core of a company's competition is the competition of talents, which also means that the company's employer brand building must be combined with their business strategy to meet the multi-dimensional requirements of environmental protection, social value, and corporate governance. New trends such as digital transformation and Metaverse, have also brought new challenges to build the employer brand. Of course, this also brings new opportunities for employer branding professionals. I hope that we can work together and take advantage of the situation." These awards recognize the top-level creative employer brands. As one of the most authoritative and trusted events in the industry, the 2021 Employer Branding Creativity Awards showed Chinese companies the power of employer branding and helped expand the visibility of best employers while promoting the award winners. Employer Branding Institute looks forward to more excellent employers to participating in the future and jointly showing the powerful power of employer brand to the Chinese workplace. About Employer Branding Institute Employer Branding Institute is a global networking and learning platform for HR professionals to share insights and industry best practices among peers. This institute aims to transform employer branding from a concept to an actionable goal in order to help organizations develop a world-class employer brand. It also leverages on intelligent data to provide organizations with accurate insights into future trends and analyses the performance of employer branding campaigns. SOURCE Employer Branding Institute BEIJING, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common pathogens associated with gastric and extra-gastric disorders. H. pylori infection affects around half of the world's population, yet its prevalence varies across the globe. A primary reason for treatment failure is antibiotic resistance among H. pylori, which has rendered the conventional proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy ineffective. The dramatic rise in antibiotic resistance has warned clinicians to adopt new strategies for treating H. pylori infection. Researchers explore the efficacy of various treatment regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection Researchers explore the efficacy of various treatment regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection In this context, researchers reviewed recent advances in H. pylori eradication. In a review published on February 5, 2020 in Chinese Medical Journal, they outline various therapeutic strategies and offer prospects that will assist in the eradication process. Prof. Nong-Hua Lu, from the Department of Gastroenterology at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in China, who is the corresponding author of the study, says, "As we enter a new era of resistance, we need new and smart ways to deal with these H. pylori strains." The researchers underscored the significance of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, which has been found to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated. Next, they examined sequential, hybrid, and concomitant treatments, all of which had different drug administration sequences. Sequential treatment yielded unsatisfactory results, whereas hybrid and concomitant therapies were recommended as safe choices if the dual resistance rate of H. pylori was not high. They revealed that high-dose dual therapy and Vonoprazan-based therapy produced positive results. However, the researchers emphasize that these therapies must be tested on larger populations. They also looked at susceptibility-guided therapy, which is regarded to have a high success rate. As this therapy is time-consuming and costly, the researchers advocate it depending on the availability of susceptibility testing and the efficacy of local empiric therapy. In addition, they investigated the efficacy of probiotics and vitamins in the eradication regimen. Although both showed favorable results, the effect of probiotics could be strain-specific, and the dosage and frequency of vitamins need to be investigated further. The review also suggests future measures to aid in the eradication of H. pylori. Prof. Lu adds, "Designing novel anti-H. pylori drugs to combat anti-microbial resistance is the need of the hour. Furthermore, building an H. pylori database will allow researchers to address the real-time information of H. pylori management." We hope that further research will soon result in a universal therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this disease. A video summary of the research article is available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/dsG6bjavBPE Reference Titles of original papers: Recent progress in Helicobacter pylori treatment Journal: Chinese Medical Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/cm9.0000000000000618 Contact: Peifang Wei 86-10-51322170 [email protected] SOURCE Chinese Medical Journal BANGALORE, India, Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Chlor Alkali Market is Segmented by Type (Caustic soda, Chlorine, Soda Ash), by Application (Soaps & Detergents, Textiles, Glass, Water Treatment, Metallurgy, Pulp & Paper) and Geography Global Forecast up to 2027. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Chemicals Industry Category. The global Chlor-Alkali market size is projected to reach USD 94200 Million by 2027, from USD 76090 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.1% during 2021-2027. Major Factors driving the growth of the Chlor alkali market are: Increasing demand for Chlorine, Caustic soda, and Soda ash is expected to drive the growth of the Chlor alkali market growth. The chlor alkali process involves the electrolytic breakdown of salt (sodium chloride) produces chlorine and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) at the same time. Get Your Sample Today: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Othe-4R145/Global_Chlor_Alkali_Market TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF CHLOR ALKALI MARKET: In the chemical industry, Chlor-alkali products such as chlorine, caustic soda, and soda ash are essential. These items are essential raw materials for many chemical industries, as well as being used in a variety of industrial and manufacturing value chains. Some of the applications where chlorine, caustic soda, and soda ash are used include glass, alumina, paper & pulp, and end-user industries such as construction, automotive, and others. Thus the steady increase in demand across various end-user industries is expected to drive the growth of the chlor alkali market. The Chlor-alkali market is predicted to be driven by rising industrialization in emerging economies such as China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina over the next five years. The United States, China, India, and Germany, among others, lead the plastics market. The Chlor-alkali market in Brazil, China, South Africa, and Argentina, among other rising countries, has tremendous growth potential. Growing glass demand from construction, automotive, packaging and other industrial applications is also expected to boost the market growth as soda ash forms an essential component of glass products. Membrane cell technology is used to subdue the Chlor alkali production technique. However, the mercury cell technique is still used in many manufacturing facilities. Mercury is a highly dangerous element, and lawmakers have been forced to impose strict environmental laws on such procedures due to environmental concerns. As a result, manufacturers are switching from mercury cells to more environmentally friendly membrane cells. On the back of increased environmental concerns, many plants in Europe converted their technologies, and the same is likely to happen in other areas of the world in the future years. This in turn is expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the chlor alkali market players. Rising Demand for Vinyl Polymers to Augment Chlor Alkali Market Growth. Vinyl manufacturing necessitates the use of a lot of chlorine. Chlorine is used to manufacture a variety of downstream chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC usage in numerous end-use sectors is rapidly rising, presenting profitable growth prospects for Chlor alkali market participants. For example, PVC tapes and cases are healthily used in electrical applications due to their unique properties. The emergence of electric vehicles in the developing world is likely to boost the consumption of PVC and chlorine used in vinyl. Thus, healthy demand from end-use industries is expected to drive the market. Browse The Table Of Contents And List Of Figures At: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-4R145/global-chlor-alkali CHLOR ALKALI MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS: Glass is expected to be the most lucrative segment in the chlor alkali market. Soda Ash accounts for the largest share: Soda ash is a necessary ingredient in the production of glass. Glass is made by melting silica soda ash and calcium compounds, as well as coloring additives and metallic oxides (about 15% of the total weight of the glass). Based on region, Asia-Pacific is expected to be the most lucrative region. The largest Chlor-alkali market in the world, with the highest demand, is China due to the presence of emerging markets, the availability of raw materials, and reduced labor costs. Key Companies: Olin Solvay Tata Chemicals Occidental Petroleum (OXY) Axiall AkzoNobel Formosa Plastics Hanwha Chemical Tosoh Nirma Tronox Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical. Inquire for Chapter Cost: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Othe-4R145/Global_Chlor_Alkali_Market Buy Now for Single User + Covid-19 Impact : https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Othe-4R145&lic=single-user SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. SIMILAR REPORTS: Click here to see related reports on Chlor Alkali Market ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. 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CONTACT US: Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports LinkedIn - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports SOURCE Valuates Reports Created in 2007, UEBT brings together companies who wish to engage in ethical sourcing of their ingredients of natural origin. Partner of the United Nations Convention for biological diversity, this international NGO promotes best practices and encourages each of its members to do even more in sourcing supplies that respect biodiversity and people. Respect of ethical criteria This initiative of Clarins with UEBT began at the end of 2019. Becoming a member firstly supposes demonstrating that a company like ours respects the ethical criteria of a fair relationship, in particular through the sharing of benefits, a sustainable socio-economic commitment and the preservation of ecosystems. An action plan to do even more This required minimum is just a starting point: being a member of UEBT also and above all means being committed to doing even better tomorrow. To confirm its member status, in 2021 Clarins defined an action plan which will be reviewed every three years. On the agenda are different measures which will ensure continued progress in human and environmental ethics : sustainability and conservation of biodiversity, the fair and equitable sharing of value, the respect of people's rights and socio-economic sustainability, etc. Our Responsible Sourcing Charter and 2025 commitment to 100% sustainable sourcing are naturally at the heart of our initiative with UEBT. This membership is a step. By accepting us, UEBT recognizes the attention we give to the quality of our sourcing. But above all, it requires us to continually do even more. And luckily we happen to share this goal of continued progress in sourcing that respects people and the planet. There is no approach more coherent with the double promise of Clarins We Care : care for people, care for the planet . Virginie Courtin Clarins, Deputy Managing Director of Clarins Group More information about UEBT : www.ethicalbiotrade.org Press contacts : Amelie Lavie, Clarins France Press Relations : [email protected] Olivia Berthier, Clarins Corporate Communication : [email protected] About Clarins Clarins is a family-run French multinational cosmetics company, which was founded Paris in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins. In addition to manufacturing and selling skincare and makeup products, the company is also a major player in the spa and well-being sector. Clarins operates in over 150 countries [2] with the Clarins and My Blend brands, and is Europe's number one luxury skincare brand*. Although more than 95% of its products are exported worldwide, they are formulated and designed in Clarins Laboratories in France. Clarins promotes responsible beauty and is committed to taking long-lasting action for a better future. Its raison d'etre, Making life more beautiful, passing on a more beautiful planet , is integral part of the company's articles. *NPD Beauty Trends, marche selectif du Soin marques prestige, ventes en valeur, sur la periode cumulee de Janvier a Decembre 2020, total 3 pays (France, Italie, UK). Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1732391/Clarins_CSR_Strategy.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1732390/Clarins_Logo.jpg SOURCE Clarins DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading business consulting firm Clarkston Consulting announced today the promotion of Aaron Chio to Associate Partner. In his new role, Chio will continue to provide his expertise of forward-looking growth strategies, transformational capabilities, digital strategies, digital transformations, commercial due diligence, and consumer-driven innovations to serve our clients. Chio is a recognized leader in strategy and innovation services, with more than 15 years of experience advising Fortune 500 consumer products, retail, and life sciences companies. "Over the past several years, Aaron has consistently delivered for our clients, helped us establish both our Management and Operations Consulting practice, and is helping us further evolve our digital strategy and consulting capabilities. He has a proven track record of innovating new solutions and brilliant client service, while internally serving as a leader and mentor for our stewards," said Clarkston Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Tom Finegan. Aaron Chio, Associate Partner Aaron has extensive experience in strategic planning, market assessments, and consumer insights having led dozens of workshops with global companies across the US, Latin America, and Europe to help brands uncover new growth opportunities. He previously worked in PwC's management consulting practice and has worked with a wide range of global brands in the consumer products, retail, and life sciences industries. Aaron is an economist with an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. He has received executive education from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico, and he is fluent in Spanish. "Clarkston is extremely pleased to announce the promotion of Aaron Chio. As our Strategy and Innovation Services Leader and a client solutions executive, he has been instrumental in the governance of the firm and delivering brilliant client service to our global clients. I have no doubt that he will continue to greatly improve Clarkston's ability to serve our clients, our stewards, and our business successfully in his new role of Associate Partner," said Clarkston President Paul Garrison. About Clarkston Consulting Businesses across the life sciences, consumer products, and retail industries partner with Clarkston Consulting to enhance strategic decision-making, improve operational efficiency, implement new technologies, and promote business growth and market diversification. Leveraging deep functional and industry expertise, our people discover, design, and deliver solutions that fit your business, your goals, and your future. At Clarkston Consulting, your purpose is our purpose. SOURCE Clarkston Consulting "As a fully Mexican-owned and operated brand, 'Clase Azul Mexico' represents our origin and who we are," explained founder and CEO Arturo Lomeli. ''We will continue to offer the highest quality tequila and mezcal but look forward to introducing new ways of expressing our Mexican heritage." "We are honored at the opportunity to expand the world of Clase Azul by offering new experiences and products, beyond our tequila and mezcal," explained President Juan Sanchez. "Our efforts will continue to resonate with our purpose of sharing the magic of Mexican culture," he continued. Lead by Clase Azul Creative Director Miguel Hernandez, the rebranding includes a new logo, product packaging design, website, and digital assets. Due to the scope and impact of the rebrand, the new identity will be unveiled in different stages throughout the year, beginning with digital channels, followed by Clase Azul brand homes, current product Icons, and other to-be-announced brand offerings. "One of the most prominent changes will be the evolution of our brand logo," explained Hernandez. "Until now, the agave insignia has been an accurate representation of our involvement in the world of tequila and mezcal. As we transform into much more than a spirits brand, we are adopting a new emblem that offers a timeless view of a bright future full of possibilities." In 2021, Clase Azul began offering visitors to Los Cabos, Mexico, a rich and unique tasting & culinary experience, A Taste of Culture, where guests are invited to embark on a mystical journey through the world of Clase Azul. Other projects in the works include: The Clase Azul Loft, an experiential space in Dumbo, Brooklyn; an experiential space in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; and a distillery and visitor's center in Jalisco, Mexico. The company was founded in 1997 in Guadalajara, Jalisco by Arturo Lomeli, who began his journey in the spirits industry at an early age. Determined to create a product as exquisite as the land it comes from, Lomeli's dedication to Mexican culture has made Clase Azul one of the leaders in the spirits and luxury categories worldwide. Clase Azul continues to pursue its mission of sharing Mexico's exquisite traditions with the world and is now present in more than fifty countriesincluding Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe, the UK, South Korea, and Australia. The company, which is grounded in artisanal craftsmanship, supports Mexico's artisanal community through Fundacion con Causa Azul, a foundation which provides education and resources for underfunded, yet passionate artisans. In addition, Clase Azul has been awarded the "Great Place to Work" certification several years in a row and is a recipient of the Positive Luxury organization's "Butterfly Mark," a certificate that highlights luxury brands that are committed to having a positive impact on nature and society. SOURCE Clase Azul Mexico BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CleanSlate Centers a leading, national medical group that provides physician-led, office-based treatment for individuals suffering from mental health, substance and alcohol use disorders and that has served over 110,000 patients since its inception in 2009 announced four new hires to its team: Roger Anderson, Senior Vice President of Financial Operations, Crystal Fuller Morley, MBA, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Teresa Sosa, MBA Candidate, Digital Marketing Director, and Samantha Elder, MPA, Director of Communications. "CleanSlate is proud to be an organization that hires and retains the best talent who allow us to move forward with our mission to transform the healthcare experience for people suffering from opioid and alcohol addictions," said Greg Marotta, Chief Executive Officer of CleanSlate. "Our employees are the backbone of our organization and why we are able to help people recover and reclaim their lives." Joining CleanSlate Centers (CleanSlate) as Senior Vice President of Financial Operations, Roger Anderson supports CleanSlate's mission to transform the healthcare experience of those suffering from mental health, substance and alcohol addictions. His responsibilities include leading operational and key performance indicator improvement strategies, supporting de novo activities and bridging individual centers with centralized finance and revenue cycle management functions. Anderson brings over 30 years of public accounting and healthcare experience, holding executive roles in multi-site diagnostic testing, durable medical equipment and physician practice management companies. "I am excited to be working at CleanSlate as their Senior Vice President of Financial Operations as the organization helps patients achieve the lives they want and deserve" said Anderson. "I am eager to support the organization's operations and de novo activities that will allow us to grow and ultimately reach more patients where they are." Another addition to the CleanSlate team is Crystal Fuller Morley, who was appointed to lead the marketing and communications team. As Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Crystal oversees all patient engagement, public relations, system-wide media relations and orchestrates communication strategies that effectively reinforce and build access to quality care and the brand image. Crystal has 15+ years of serving in executive roles in healthcare I.T. and behavioral health and is a member of multiple professional associations, including the Healthcare and Information Management Systems Society, American Marketing Association and the Nashville Technology Council. "I am privileged to lead the marketing and communications team for CleanSlate as this is an opportunity to continue efforts to remove the stigmatization surrounding mental health and addiction treatment. Our country saw over 100,000 overdose deaths last year alone, so it's important that we educate our communities about mental health and addiction and the epidemic of overdoses further exacerbated during the pandemic." CleanSlate also recently welcomed Teresa Sosa as Digital Marketing Director of the organization. Sosa brings over two decades of experience in the field of marketing and advertising, specializing in digital tactics. In her new role of Digital Marketing Director, she is responsible for overseeing CleanSlate's digital presence across its 80+ centers to fulfill its mission to provide help and hope to those dealing with mental health and substance use disorders. "It is an honor to bring my experience in marketing and digital media to the CleanSlate team," said Sosa. "This role is an opportunity to use my skill set to help reach patients where they are, both online and offline, to let them know help and hope is available. It's more important now than ever to ensure our message is heard and that no one seeking treatment is left behind. The effects of untreated addiction are felt not only by those who suffer, but for generations to come. Stopping that cycle makes a huge impact." As the newly appointed Director of Communications of CleanSlate, Samantha Elder is directing and developing internal and external communications for all of the organization's centers across the United States, working to execute strategic marketing and public relations content in order to engage patients, and industry leaders and policy makers. Prior to joining CleanSlate, Elder served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS), leading the organization's communications, media, and community partnerships and key initiatives. "We are continuing to see an increase of fentanyl across the country, which many are unaware they're consuming as it is mixed with illicit drugs to increase its potency," said Elder. "I am eager to help educate the nation on important issues such as this one through effective advocacy and communications to help protect and save lives." In addition to these four new hires, the organization continues to seek and promote talent amidst the pandemic in several markets to meet the growing demand of patients. Media inquiries for CleanSlate Centers can be made by contacting Sophie Formela at [email protected] or at (617) 599-7567. About CleanSlate Centers CleanSlate is a national medical group that provides physician-led, office-based treatment for individuals suffering from opioid and alcohol use disorders. Founded in 2009 in response to the growing opioid epidemic, CleanSlate has grown to become an industry leader in high-quality, evidence-based care, providing medication-assisted treatment and related therapies to those suffering from the chronic disease of addiction. CleanSlate's large footprint of centers is growing rapidly to meet the demand for its medical services in states struggling with the opioid crisis throughout the country. To learn more visit www.CleanSlateCenters.com . Media Contact: Sophie Formela The TASC Group Phone: 617-599-7567 Email: [email protected] SOURCE CleanSlate Centers JUBA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Inter-communal violence in South Sudan's Jonglei State has claimed 32 lives, local officials said on Tuesday. Tuong Majok Deng, acting governor of Jonglei State said gunmen from the neighboring Greater Pibor Administrative Area launched an attack on Monday, leading to death and maiming of civilians. Majok said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that the attackers also razed homes and businesses besides driving away a large herd of cattle. "The state government and Jonglei communities are and still are appalled that this shocking news on this atrocity attack led to 32 innocent lives taken, 24 people wounded, one missing, 2,600 cattle raided and a number of immovable properties destroyed or burnt," Majok said. He said security forces were pursuing the gunmen even as South Sudan grappled with a spike in inter-communal violence specifically in Jonglei and Lakes states. WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition to Heal Invisible Wounds (Coalition) announces two new members will join the organization in its efforts to create a comprehensive advocacy agenda to address the invisible wounds of war. The Navy SEAL Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation will join current national Coalition members New York-based Cohen Veterans Bioscience (CVB), the Montana chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness, and the Military Veterans Project of Topeka, Kansas. The Navy SEAL Foundation will partner with Cohen Veterans Bioscience as coalition co-chairs. Coalition members share a passion for reducing the rates of suicide among active-duty service members and Veterans by advancing Federal policies and reforms aimed at research to address such invisible wounds of war as post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as to address significant comorbid conditions such as pain and substance use disorders. All of these are known to dramatically increase the risk of suicide among Veterans and service members. Although suicide continues to be a scourge among Veterans and active-duty service members, the Coalition has been making considerable progress since its founding five years ago. The Coalition launched the "100 Days Faster" initiative to improve the start-up times for sponsored clinical trials at the VA from 265 days to the industry-standard of 145 days; improvements garnered by this effort were key to fast-tracking recent COVID studies launched in early 2020 by the VA. The Coalition was also instrumental in ensuring that four important provisions related to Veterans brain health were included in the recently enacted Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. "Suicide is at a crisis level among our service members and Veterans, in part due to undiagnosed and untreated invisible wounds. We need an all-hands on deck approach to rally the investments in research urgently needed to effect solutions" said Magali Haas, CEO and President of Cohen Veterans Bioscience, the Chair and founding member of the Coalition to Heal Invisible Wounds. "We are excited to welcome the Navy SEAL Foundation and Green Beret Foundation to the Coalition as we know they bring important leadership, advocacy experience and insights that will help advance the Coalition's advocacy agenda." "Since the attacks of 9/11, the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community has been at the tip of the spear in the fight to defeat our nation's enemies. The high operational tempo, coupled with intense training and back-to-back combat deployments, has taken a huge toll on these warriors and their families. Our organization has been working for many years to address complex issues, including suicide, related to service in NSW. Our annual impact forums and warrior health initiatives are moving the needle in the right direction for our community. Joining the Coalition is a natural 'next step' for us as we continue to create positive impact for those we support," notes Robin King, CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation. Brent Cooper, Executive Director of the Green Beret Foundation, states, "At the Green Beret Foundation, our objective is to ensure that every Green Beret and Green Beret family member suffering from mental health challenges has access to all necessary avenues of treatment and care. Working together within the coalition on these critical initiatives will greatly enhance our ability to effect change within the Special Operations community." About the Coalition to Heal Invisible Wounds Established in 2017, the Coalition to Heal Invisible Wounds (Coalition), brings together leading non-profit organizations to advance a comprehensive research-focused advocacy agenda that addresses the invisible wounds of war and other significant comorbid conditions known to contribute to the suicide epidemic among Veterans and servicemembers. The Coalition advocates for reforms to how the federal government prioritizes, manages, and funds brain health research, focusing on four key priorities: developing high-quality brain trauma therapies for Veterans and servicemembers, adopting collaborative research roadmaps to guide the science, increasing the body of evidence on emerging therapeutic solutions, and ensuring full implementation of important mental health legislation. To learn more, visit www.healinvisiblewounds.org. About the Navy SEAL Foundation The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) provides critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) through a comprehensive set of over 30 programs under five Pillars of Support: Strength, Resilience, Health, Education, and Community. NSF is a high-performing organization committed to excellence. Charity Navigator has awarded it a 4-star rating since 2009 and a perfect score of "100" since 2014 for financial health, accountability, and transparency. The Foundation ranks higher than 99.9% of over 160,000 charities nationwide with ninety-three cents of every dollar donated directly funding its programs or being retained for future mission use. NSF is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit charitable organization with TAX ID 31-1728910. It is not a part of the Department of Defense, or any of its components, and has no official affiliation with any federal entities. To learn more, visit www.navysealfoundation.org. About the Green Beret Foundation The Green Beret Foundation (GBF) provides U.S Army Special Forces Soldiers and their families with emergency, immediate, and ongoing support. GBF assists over 5,000 Special Forces families each year. Since its inception, GBF has invested 84%, or 84 cents of every dollar, into its programs and services, which has totaled over $16 million that has directly supported the Regiment and its families. GBF is the only non-profit solely dedicated to supporting Green Berets and their families that has achieved a 4-Star Rating with Charity Navigator. Also, GBF is the sole Special Operations nonprofit organization that is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of disability claims. For more information, visit greenberetfoundation.org SOURCE Cohen Veterans Bioscience Ms. Boden Holland was selected following a nationwide search by CST's private equity owners, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS). She has demonstrated a strong track-record of success in growing mission-oriented businesses. Most recently, Ms. Boden Holland served as President of the Medical and Healthcare Group within Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE ). In that role, she helped grow the organization while also expanding margins and improving student outcomes. Prior to that, Ms. Boden Holland focused on developing and scaling new lending products as Executive Vice President at Elevate Credit (NYSE: ELVT ). Other previous roles include Vice President at Legg Mason Wood Walker and President of RLJ Financial LLC. "I am excited to take on this new opportunity," confirmed Ms. Boden Holland, "The CST team has a strong track record of growth and history of over-delivering on both the social and financial measures of success. I see significant opportunity for continued growth in the ignition interlock business and further expansion into related products and services that add value for all of our stakeholders." Ms. Boden Holland began working with outgoing CEO, Kimberly Williams, in December 2021 to transition duties. Kimberly Williams remains a member of the CST Board of Directors while in her new role as CEO of Absorb Software Inc. "We are thrilled to have Kathy leading CST in this next phase of the business. She brings deep, relevant experience and is a strong cultural fit for the organization," said Mike Donovan, Head of Technology Group & General Partner at WCAS. "Kimberly led CST through significant growth and market share gains even during the last 18 months of COVID. I am pleased that we will be able to leverage her experience going forward." About CST Holdings Co. CST Holdings and its family of brands have been making communities and roads in the United States safer for more than 30 years. CST provides consumers and monitoring authorities with products and services to effectively deter impaired driving and support individuals as they navigate the license restoration process. CST Holdings has helped millions of individuals to live and drive responsibly. By delivering exceptional customer experiences, CST has had an average annual revenue and EBITDA growth of 29 percent for the past five years. Intoxalock is the #1 ignition interlock brand in the US, and along with its associated brands, operates in all 50 states and has the largest and most convenient service center network with over 4,500 locations. Breathe Easy Insurance Solutions offers low-cost high-risk and other insurance solutions to customers in 42 states. New Directions, acquired in 2021, offers assessment services for alcohol, substance abuse, and other mental health or behavioral issues. CST Holding Company is a portfolio company of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. SOURCE Intoxalock A Los-Angeles-based brand founded on the core ethos of utilizing revolutionary, proprietary technology to create vehicles equipped with both dominating performance and iconic design, Czinger's first production car, the 21C, represents a radical transformation of the manufacturing sector and the future of human-AI design and sustainable systems. First deliveries of the 21C are set for 2023 and production is limited to 80 cars, each with a price tag of $2 million. The model represents just the first in a diverse series of exclusive performance vehicles coming from the informed imagination of the Czinger team and created using its groundbreaking methods. The alignment signals an enhanced focus on media relations and communications as the pathbreaking 21C comes to market. "The 21C is the result of years of development and design, and serves as a realization of our proprietary technology," said Czinger Founder and CEO Kevin Czinger. "As we sought out a communications partner, we knew we needed a firm not only highly skilled and connected in the ultra-luxury and automotive spaces, but a team who innately understands how to effectively reach some of the most discerning collectors in the world. Shamin Abas Communications knows this very unique space well and has a proven track record of success." As a specialist in the Ultra-High-Net-Worth arena, with a deep understanding of the mindset and passions of this often hard-to-reach individual, the ultra-luxury brands that have entrusted the New York-based firm to assist with growth in this space include Ferrari North America, Triton Submarines, Riva, Lift Foils, Steinway & Sons, Dom Perignon, EDEN Singapore, Burgess, Bell Flight, NetJets, Ferretti Yachts, MB&F and others. President and CEO Shamin Abas is also a co-founder of The Bridge, a by-invitation classic car exhibition held annually in the Hamptons, that draws some of the most prolific collectors in the world, alongside a host of global ultra-luxury brands as sponsors. Said Abas, "Czinger represents the future of automotive design manufacturing. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to align and with our customized, tailored approach, to share their story to further their objective of becoming one of the enduring brands of this century." About Shamin Abas Communications for Ultra-Luxury Brands Founded in 2005, Shamin Abas Communications works solely with ultra-luxury brands that cater to Very-High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High-Net-Worth individuals. Unlike brands whose products and services serve a much wider audience and pursue maximum exposure in mainstream consumer media outlets, the firm's carefully curated list of clients instead seek a fully customized approach, tailored specifically to reach their ideal customer. For more information on Shamin Abas Communications for Ultra-Luxury Brands, please go to www.ShaminAbas.com About Czinger Established in 2019 by Founder and CEO Kevin Czinger, Los Angeles based Czinger is an industry-disrupting performance vehicles brand pioneering a new era in the automotive space by fundamentally changing the way cars will be designed and manufactured for generations to come. Built around a core ethos of utilizing revolutionary, proprietary technology to create vehicles equipped with both dominating performance and iconic design, Czinger's first production car, the 21C, represents a radical transformation of the manufacturing sector and the future of human-AI design within an environmentally sustainable system. For more information, go to www.Czinger.com. Contact: Kelly Downey Shamin Abas Communications for Ultra-Luxury Brands [email protected] +1-517-231-7775 SOURCE Shamin Abas Public Relations and Special Events, LLC In terms of acquisitions, Dalfen acquired four properties in December, totaling over 1.9 million square feet. They are located in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Charleston, Baltimore, and East Bay's Central Valley. All of these properties were chosen due to their last mile location, good labor pools, high tenant demand, and population growth. Some notable transportation hubs in close proximity to the acquired properties include both Union Pacific and BNSF Railroads, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport , Dallas Love Field Airport , and the Ports of Charleston , Baltimore , and Stockton . "The purchases epitomize our strategy of acquiring and developing high quality urban infill fulfillment centers that cater to both the metro markets as well as the millions of others in the surrounding areas," said Sean Dalfen, President and CIO. On the development front, in December, Dalfen also acquired over 186 acres of land for development in the Charleston, Miami, and West Palm Beach markets. They will be building three buildings totaling over 1.8 million square feet of industrial space with all of the amenities modern e-commerce tenants demand. In addition to major interstates, highways and railroads, notable transportation hubs near these developments include the Charleston International Airport, the Port of Charleston, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, PortMiami, and the Port of Palm Beach. "In many markets, the cost to build a new, top-of-the-line industrial facility can be less than the cost that existing older, less functional assets are trading for," said Dalfen. "With tenant demand that continually outpaces supply, our experience shows that developments in these markets will be highly sought after, frequently receiving RFPs from tenants before the building is even finished." Over the past 12 months, Dalfen closed $2.4B in acquisitions and developments. About Us Dalfen Industrial is one of the nation's largest buyers of industrial real estate and is a leader in the last-mile property sector. Their investment focus is on strategically located urban infill warehouses and distribution buildings. Dalfen currently owns and operates millions of square feet of premier industrial properties throughout the United States. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Dalfen Industrial NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman, a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager announced that Daniel Hanson, CFA, joined the firm today and will become Head of the U.S. Sustainable Equity team effective April 1, 2022. Mr. Hanson brings more than twenty-five years of experience as a pioneering environmental, social and governance (ESG) investor and thought leader, bolstering the firm's current, industry leading ESG efforts. Ingrid S. Dyott and Sajjad Ladiwala, CFA, Co-Portfolio Managers for the Neuberger Berman Sustainable Equity Fund (NBSLX)("Fund"), have announced their intentions to retire from the firm. To ensure a smooth transition, Ms. Dyott and Mr. Ladiwala will work with Mr. Hanson until their respective retirement dates of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Mr. Hanson will become Senior Portfolio Manager for the Fund and group head with investment discretion and full fiduciary responsibilities on April 1, 2022. He will be supported by the current U.S. Sustainable Equity team, consisting of seven professionals with average industry experience of 17 years, deep domain expertise and long-standing experience in ESG investing. The team also leverages Neuberger Berman's Global Equity Research Department of 51 analysts and its ESG Investing team of 13 individuals. The U.S. Sustainable Equity team manages $5.5bn (as of December 31, 2021). Joseph Amato, President and Chief Investment Officer, Equities, Neuberger Berman said, "Dan has been an acknowledged leader in sustainable investing and has a long history of strong investment performance. We thank Ingrid and Sajjad for all they have done for this franchise and for our clients. They have been great partners and have been instrumental in making Neuberger Berman the recognized ESG leader that we are." At the start of 2023, Ms. Dyott will continue her 25-year association with the firm by joining its ESG Advisory Council. Ms. Dyott remarked, "I'm looking forward to this next stage in my career, focusing on philanthropic endeavors to fuel my passion for sustainability and impact." Doug Kramer, Head of Institutional Equities & Multi-Asset Class, Neuberger Berman added, "We are excited to have Dan Hanson assume leadership responsibilities for our U.S. Sustainable Equity franchise. We've known Dan for many years given our mutual engagement in the ESG industry and have a common vision for the future. Dan will lead the franchiseone which helped pioneer the modern ESG industry even before this Fund's inception in 1994." Mr. Hanson spent 10 years at BlackRock where he managed the firm's first large, fundamental active ESG strategy, the BlackRock Socially Responsible Equity strategy. Hanson joins Neuberger Berman from Waddell & Reed, Inc. and Ivy Investments, where he was Chief Investment Officer, responsible for $75 billion in client assets. He previously served as Head of Impact Investing for JANA Partners. Prior to that role, he was Partner and Head of U.S. Equities, and Co-Chair of the Investment Strategy Committee overseeing $30 billion in assets with Jarislowsky Fraser Global Investment Management. He also was an investment banker at Bear Stearns earlier in his career. Mr. Hanson is a founding board member of the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board ("SASB") in 2011 and pioneered the SASB Materiality Map(R) in 2012. Mr. Hanson served on the faculty at the University of California-Berkeley Haas School of Business, where he taught sustainable investing from 2016-2019, and he has been a member of the Northwestern Kellogg Impact & Sustainable Finance Faculty Consortium since its founding in 2018. Mr. Hanson is a recipient of the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRCi) research award and has served as a judge for the Moskowitz Research Prize, recognizing outstanding quantitative research in sustainable and responsible investing. Mr. Hanson received his bachelor's degree in Economics and French from Middlebury College, and earned an MBA, Accounting and Analytic Finance, from The University of Chicago. He is a CFA charterholder. Mr. Hanson said, "I'm honored to assume portfolio management duties from Ingrid and Sajjad and look forward to continuing with them throughout the year, along with the terrific team in further building this franchise. We will continue to manage the strategy for the long term, seeking high quality, sustainable businesses, and authentically integrating ESG through our own bottom-up analysis. Neuberger Berman's commitment to ESG leadership and engaged ownership is highly aligned with my own investment philosophy and stewardship approach. I'm excited to join a firm that truly believes in the role of ESG as a material driver to performance. I'm also looking forward to joining Neuberger Berman's ESG Committee and contributing to the industry-leading NB Votes initiative, as well as executing on our firmwide Net Zero pledge." About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 25 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,400 professionals. For eight consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). In 2020, the PRI named Neuberger Berman a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The PRI also awarded Neuberger Berman an A+ in every eligible category for our approach to ESG integration across asset classes. The firm manages $460 billion in client assets as of December 31, 2021. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com . The year 2020 represents the first year that asset managers became eligible for PRI Leader designation, which formerly included asset owners only. The new designation was awarded to only 20 of the 2100+ investment manager PRI signatories. The Leaders' Group showcases signatories at the cutting edge of responsible investment, and highlights trends in what they are doing. PRI uses signatories' reporting responses and assessment data to identify those that are doing excellent work in responsible investment across their organizations and with a focus on a given theme each year. The 2020 theme is climate reporting. Information about PRI Leader is sourced entirely from PRI and Neuberger Berman makes no representations, warranties or opinions based on that information. This material is being issued on a limited basis through various global subsidiaries and affiliates of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Please visit www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for the specific entities and jurisdictional limitations and restrictions. The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. 2022 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved. Media Contacts: Alex Samuelson, Neuberger Berman, 212 476 5392, [email protected] SOURCE Neuberger Berman TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Daylight Automation, Inc . and Proof Data Technology, Inc announced today that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Daylight will acquire Proof, a digital platform designed to modernize government processes. Proof's proprietary cloud-based platform instantly tracks approvals and routes paperwork digitally across departments in a secure manner. Proof's current client portfolio includes the Government of Canada. Following its Series A funding announcement in September 2021, Daylight's acquisition of Proof will propel the company's growth and enhance overall domain expertise. Proof's co-founders, Ben Sanders and Wesley George, will be taking on leadership roles at Daylight as Vice President of Business Development and Vice President of Solutions Engineering, respectively. Sanders, who also co-founded Clearco (formerly Clearbanc) in 2015, brings a wealth of knowledge with start-up and growth-stage organizations and will help Daylight forge partnerships with companies across all verticals. George, a software architect and computer security specialist, has led teams at some of Canada's top start-ups. He will lead the team of solution engineers at Daylight and will be responsible for championing expansion features on the Daylight platform. "Proof was one of Daylight's first partners and has continued to maintain a strong, long-term partnership given the similarities in talent, knowledge, and expertise in the industry," said Sanders, Co-Founder of Proof and Vice President of Business Development at Daylight. "We are delighted to join the Daylight team and further our common goal to quickly deliver accessible data collection solutions for both internal and external processes across multiple lines of business, all while protecting privacy and respecting ownership of data," added George, Co-Founder of Proof and Vice President of Solutions Engineering at Daylight. The acquisition will also allow Daylight to allocate dedicated resources to strategic clients as it accelerates its operational expansion into the U.S. Daylight will continue to serve its enterprise customers, including BMO Financial Group, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Allianz Global Assistance, in building digital solutions designed to provide personalized experiences for customers, while streamlining data collection and exchange across various business processes. "The acquisition of Proof complements our capabilities and expertise in digital transformation," said Art Harrison, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Daylight. "Utilizing Proof's talent and expertise will allow us to increase our knowledge depth and resiliency as we experience further growth in 2022 and expand into the U.S. market." Proof's existing client contracts will end by March 31, 2022 and the company will rebrand to Daylight. The terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. About Daylight Automation Daylight empowers teams to build simple, intuitive digital journeys in just days. Our low-code process automation platform enables teams to improve the overall efficiency of legacy processes, automate data-intensive workflows and eliminate paper-based processes by creating personalized digital experiences for any internal or external process. Build new solutions or improve existing processes faster and in harmony with your existing IT landscape. For more information, please visit: www.daylight.io SOURCE Daylight SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diagenta and Trinity Wellness Recovery have entered into an agreement. The agreement is the first of its kind to launch the DiaBag platform into the Plastic Surgery Aftercare market. "I am very excited to be working with Trinity Wellness Recovery and together, we are going to take telemedicine to the next level to provide their clients with pre-op assessment and hospital-grade patient monitoring after elective surgeries," says Dr. Gelena Lifchitz, CEO Diagenta. Erion Taylor, CEO of Trinity Wellness Recovery states, "Our partnership with Diagenta will allow us the opportunity to provide a higher level of care to our clients, ease of communication with their surgeons, and a continuity of care for our nurses. For my company, this has been an unparalleled service. This platform is the most effective tool to interface with surgeons and quickly send reports and video conferences in situations that require an immediate response." Diagenta works with individual clients as well as with providers and businesses, offering its telehealth services and devices via a variety of flexible payment models. To learn more about the DiaBag platform, visit diagenta.com. About Diagenta Diagenta (formerly TealHeal), founded in 2017 in San Diego, CA specializes in hospital-grade care at home. We equip visiting nurses and doctors with portable point-of-care diagnostic solutions (lab and imaging), telemedicine, and integration with electronic health records. Diagenta's leading telehealth products and software suite allow physicians to remove the burden of in-person office visits from their patients by performing remote observation visits. Founder and CEO Dr. Gelena Lifchitz is an internal medicine doctor, healthcare management specialist, and entrepreneur. Her co-founder, David Aron, is a software architect and aerospace engineer with over 20 years of experience in software and hardware development. Diagenta About Trinity Wellness and Recovery Trinity Wellness and Recovery, is a true concierge nursing service that strives to be everything between your "before and after". Trinity offers complete hotel aftercare packages in luxurious environments, providing all the comforts of home. In addition to hotel aftercare packages, Trinity can fully customize packages to include post-operative appointment coordination, medication pickups, transportation, private duty nursing, and room only accommodations to meet all of the needs. Trinity has a seasoned team of medical professionals specifically trained in post-operative care to ensure the best service possible. Since 2014, Trinity provided aftercare for their clients in the San Gabriel Valley area, and currently operate out of our second location in Westwood, CA. To learn more about Trinity Wellness Recovery contact CEO Erion Taylor at [email protected] Media: Teresa Sunder Prince [email protected] SOURCE Diagenta BATON ROUGE, La., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Disaster Resource Group (DRG), the leading provider of damage assessment and custom, turnkey basecamp solutions to give utilities and industrial customers the safest, most efficient path to rapid recovery and restorations, is pleased to announce the promotion of Rod Alsop to the role of President, and the hiring of Michael Willems as Vice President of Operations. Rod Alsop has been elevated to the President role to continue DRG's growth trajectory and enhance its service offering to the Utility and Power Industry, as well as broaden DRG's reach into new markets. Over the last seven years, Rod has successfully led nearly 50 client initiatives and has cultivated a balanced team of experts at DRG to take on complex client challenges. Asked what he feels is one of his best accomplishments, Rod credited his team, saying "the key has been to recruit and retain an experienced group of restoration site leaders and provide them with best-in-class equipment and appropriate support personnel. We are prepared to address any emergency incident we are tasked with, and we expect to produce the most efficient and effective results in the business." Michael Willems joined DRG as the Vice President of Operations on January 1, 2022. Michael brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and overall understanding of Emergency Preparedness Logistics. During his 30 years of service at one of the largest utilities in the Country, Michael managed over 75 restoration incidents including tropical storms, hurricanes, ice storms, fires, oil spills and tornados from California to the Northeast and Puerto Rico while supporting over 30 utility companies. He served as the Logistics Section Chief for the Hurricane Maria restoration in 2017-18 which involved directing and coordinating the efforts of various utilities, FEMA, PREPA, and Army Corp of Engineers. Wayne Stabiler, CEO of DRG, says "Rod has been instrumental to the success of our Company, and there is no one else I would trust more to lead us forward. Additionally, adding Mike Willems and his deep experience has continued to position us as the best-in-class team in the country." DRG continues to invest in resources and assets to keep pace with the increasing demand of disaster restoration and logistics while staying true to its strong core values of integrity, teamwork, reliability and loyalty. Please contact www.disasterresourcegroup.com or [email protected] SOURCE DRG BOSTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Syndic8, the provider of cloud-based and collaborative, digital product distribution solutions, announced that Genesco Inc. has signed on to use its Product Content Management platform. This client acquisition marks another keystone retailer joining the expanding family of companies that utilize the Syndic8 platform. Genesco Inc. is an American owned specialty retailer of branded footwear and accessories, and is a wholesaler of branded and licensed footwear out of Nashville. Through various subsidiaries Genesco operates over 1,400 retail stores all across the United States. Following their core values of integrity, respect and trust Genesco has been able to create and curate leading footwear brands that represent style, innovation, and self-expression, as well as being the leading destination for consumers favorite fashion footwear. Chris John, Co-Founder and CEO at Syndic8 stated "Syndic8 is very excited to have Genesco Inc. select and implement Syndic8. Genesco Licensed Brands has a well thought out digital strategy and we are glad to play a role in making the strategy a reality. Our clients are communicating digital product content to more partner destinations than ever before. The ability to communicate this quality digital content in high velocity is the new norm and key to expanding sales". Syndic8's user-friendly platform will enable Genesco Inc sales executives to easily curate and deliver product to their retail e-commerce partners. With the growing importance of the digital channel, the ability to consistently connect with an ever-expanding network of e-commerce destinations is now critical. Syndic8 optimizes e-commerce sales by getting products on the digital shelf sooner and with greater accuracy. Syndic8 is extremely pleased to have Genesco Inc. on our client list and look forward to a long and beneficial partnership assisting with their expansion into the digital channels. For further information about this announcement, please contact: Syndic8 Trisha Sweeney- Executive Vice President of Sales Linkedin Genesco Inc. Taylor Pierce- Sr. Manager, Marketing and E-commerce Linkedin SOURCE Syndic8 DMS, LLC BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corporation ("Encompass Health" or the "Company") (NYSE: EHC), a national leader in integrated healthcare, offering facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and home health and hospice agencies, today announced that it has received the required consents (the "Required Consents") from holders of its 4.500% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes"), 4.750% Senior Notes due 2030 (the "2030 Notes") and 4.625% Senior Notes due 2031 (the "2031 Notes" and together with the 2028 Notes and 2030 Notes, the "Notes") to certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, dated December 9, 2021 (as amended on December 16, 2021, January 12, 2022, January 18, 2022 and January 20, 2022, the "Statement") to the indenture governing the Notes (the "Indenture"). The solicitation of consents from the holders of the Notes (the "Consent Solicitation") expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on January 24, 2022 (the "Expiration Date"). On January 24, 2022 (the "Consent Effective Time"), the Company, its subsidiaries party to the Indenture as guarantors, and the indenture trustee executed a supplemental indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") in respect of the Notes in accordance with the Statement. The Supplemental Indenture will become effective upon its execution at the Consent Effective Time and payment of the First Consent Payment (as defined in the Statement) and is binding on all holders of the Notes, even those who did not deliver a consent at or prior to the Expiration Date, but the Proposed Amendments will become operative only if the Company makes the Second Consent Payment as defined and described in the Statement. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC were the solicitation agents in the Consent Solicitation and Global Bondholder Services Corporation served as the information and tabulation agent. Persons with questions regarding the Consent Solicitation should contact Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (toll free) +1 (800) 558-3745 or (collect) +1 (212) 723-6106 or by e-mail at [email protected] and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC at (toll free) +1 (800) 828-3182 or (collect) +1 (212) 902-5962 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Requests for the Statement should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation, at (toll free) +1 (855) 654-2015, (banks and brokers) +1 (212) 430-3774, by facsimile (for Eligible Institutions only) at +1 (212) 430-3775/3779 or by e-mail to [email protected]. This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The Consent Solicitation was made solely by the Statement referred to above and related materials and is subject to the terms and conditions stated therein. Neither the Statement nor any documents related to the Consent Solicitation have been filed with, and have not been approved or reviewed by, any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Statement or any documents related to the Consent Solicitation, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. About Encompass Health As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 145 hospitals, 251 home health locations, and 96 hospice locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high quality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, Encompass Health, through its senior management, may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties about Encompass Health's business plans and strategies, and actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its latest annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. Media contact: Casey Winger | 205-970-5912 [email protected] Investor Relations contact: Mark Miller | 205-970-5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least one fisherman was killed, 190 houses were flooded and 60 tour and fishing boats were swept away by heavy rains and strong winds in Tanzania's Zanzibar, an official said on Tuesday. Makame Khatib, the director of the Zanzibar Disaster Management Commission (ZDMC), said the fisherman died in Uroa coastal village after his boat capsized after it was hit by strong winds in the Indian Ocean. He said the heavy rains and the strong winds hit the Zanzibar Islands on the Indian Ocean on Saturday and Sunday. Khatib said most of the houses that were flooded were located in flood risk areas that have been prohibited for construction of houses. Khalid Salum Mohamed, the State Minister in the Second Vice-President's Office responsible for Policy, Coordination and House of Representatives, urged people to stop building houses in flood-prone areas. NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Enigma, a data science company that provides comprehensive intelligence about the financial health and identity of every U.S. business, announced today they have partnered with Tamr, Inc., the leading cloud-native, machine learning based data mastering company. By working together, Enigma and Tamr will provide companies with a rich, unified view of small and medium businesses. Enigma's proprietary machine learning algorithms combine hundreds of public and private data sources to provide a holistic view into the financial health of more than 30 million small and medium businesses. Tamr, another leader in machine learning, uses ML models to consolidate highly-variable data sources and enable their customers to scale data mastering at unprecedented speeds. "Our customers getting the most value out of their data rely heavily on external sources. Our partnership with Enigma will give customers a seamless experience for enriching their internal data with accurate, complete company data, so they have a trustworthy picture of their customers or suppliers. We're excited to go to market together and make it even easier for companies to transform their data into an asset.", said Andy Palmer, Tamr co-founder & CEO. Enigma's best-in-class small and medium business data will help power Tamr's data mastering solutions for a range of sectors. Tamr customers will also be able to access Enigma's rich firmographics about more than 30 million small and medium businesses. "Tamr's commitment to helping companies unlock the value of their data makes them a natural partner for Enigma. We're excited to provide Tamr customers with rich intelligence about the companies they do business with," said Enigma co-founder and CEO Hicham Oudghiri. About Enigma Enigma provides comprehensive intelligence about the identity and financial health of every small and medium business across the United States. By engineering better data from hundreds of public and third-party sources, we aim to tell the complete story of every business, so that companies of every size can access the financial services they need to grow and thrive. Financial organizations from the world's largest banks to ground-breaking startups use Enigma's data to better serve their small business customers. About Tamr, Inc. Tamr is the leading data mastering company, accelerating the business outcomes of the worlds' largest organizations by powering analytic insights, boosting operational efficiency, and enhancing data operations. Tamr's cloud-native solutions offer an effective alternative to traditional Master Data Management (MDM) tools, using machine learning to do the heavy lifting to consolidate, cleanse, and categorize data. Tamr is the foundation for modern DataOps at large organizations including Industry leaders like Toyota, Santander, and GSK. Backed by investors including NEA and Google Ventures, Tamr is transforming how companies get value from their data. SOURCE Enigma Technologies, Inc. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Enigma, a data science company that provides comprehensive intelligence about the financial health and identity of every U.S. business, announced today they have partnered with Tamr, Inc., the leading cloud-native, machine learning based data mastering company. By working together, Enigma and Tamr will provide companies with a rich, unified view of small and medium businesses. Enigma's proprietary machine learning algorithms combine hundreds of public and private data sources to provide a holistic view into the financial health of more than 30 million small and medium businesses. Tamr, another leader in machine learning, uses ML models to consolidate highly-variable data sources and enable their customers to scale data mastering at unprecedented speeds. "Our customers getting the most value out of their data rely heavily on external sources. Our partnership with Enigma will give customers a seamless experience for enriching their internal data with accurate, complete company data, so they have a trustworthy picture of their customers or suppliers. We're excited to go to market together and make it even easier for companies to transform their data into an asset," said Andy Palmer, Tamr co-founder & CEO. Enigma's best-in-class small and medium business data will help power Tamr's data mastering solutions for a range of sectors. Tamr customers will also be able to access Enigma's rich firmographics about more than 30 million small and medium businesses. "Tamr's commitment to helping companies unlock the value of their data makes them a natural partner for Enigma. We're excited to provide Tamr customers with rich intelligence about the companies they do business with," said Enigma co-founder and CEO Hicham Oudghiri. About Enigma Enigma provides comprehensive intelligence about the identity and financial health of every small and medium business across the United States. By engineering better data from hundreds of public and third-party sources, we aim to tell the complete story of every business, so that companies of every size can access the financial services they need to grow and thrive. Financial organizations from the world's largest banks to ground-breaking startups use Enigma's data to better serve their small business customers. About Tamr, Inc. Tamr is the leading data mastering company, accelerating the business outcomes of the worlds' largest organizations by powering analytic insights, boosting operational efficiency, and enhancing data operations. Tamr's cloud-native solutions offer an effective alternative to traditional Master Data Management (MDM) tools, using machine learning to do the heavy lifting to consolidate, cleanse, and categorize data. Tamr is the foundation for modern DataOps at large organizations including Industry leaders like Toyota, Santander, and GSK. Backed by investors including NEA and Google Ventures, Tamr is transforming how companies get value from their data. SOURCE Tamr, Inc. OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware is among the top one percent of franchise business opportunities in the world, according to Entrepreneur magazine's annual "Franchise 500" for 2022. Ace ranks 12th out of 1,177 franchise businesses analyzed and of 500 ranked, according to Entrepreneur. The Irvine, Calif.-based publisher has produced the storied ranking for 43 years, since 1979. Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 is the oldest and most comprehensive franchise company ranking in the world, assessing unit growth, financial strength, stability, and brand power. It scores 150 data points, with the highest cumulative scores becoming its Franchise 500 ranking. "We are honored to be ranked highly in Entrepreneur's 43rd annual Franchise 500," said John Kittell, Vice President of Retail Operations and New Business at Ace Hardware. "Helping locally based entrepreneurs to independently own profitable businesses, often in the neighborhood in which they live, supported by our trusted global brand, industry leading products and services is the backbone of our company." "Recognition by Entrepreneur is really a testament to our retailers around the country that live our brand promise every day by serving their communities," he said. Ace ranked first in the Franchise 500's "Miscellaneous Retail Businesses" category. Overall, it improved its ranking from 23rd overall in 2021. "The companies named to this year's list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship." said Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. Earlier in January, New York-based Incisiv ranked Ace Hardware as tops in the home improvement category for online-offline consumer experience, citing its "omnichannel prowess." In December, Redwood City, California-based Reputation ranked Ace Hardware as the second most beloved retailer in America. The firm analyzed 3.7 million Google reviews to calculate a "Reputation Score" for each; Ace Hardware scored highest for "consumer sentiment" and "shopper engagement." In November, Quebec-based Orckestra's fifth annual study of omnichannel capabilities ranked Ace Hardware as third overall of 100 retailers considered. It scored highest in the home improvement category, ahead of The Home Depot, Tractor Supply. Co and Lowe's About Ace Hardware Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,500 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 70 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, IL., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com. Contact: Jeff Gooding [email protected] SOURCE Ace Hardware Corporation ATLANTA, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Equifax (NYSE: EFX) announced the international expansion of its industry-leading verification services, powered by the company's multi-year investment in the Equifax Cloud. Verification Exchange, a secure, automated cloud-based service that streamlines the process of verifying employment and income information, is now available in Australia and the United Kingdom - rapidly following the service's rollout and success in Canada and the availability of Equifax employment verification services in India. "Equifax has a deep expertise in verification services. Over the past 25 years, The Work Number database has become the gold standard for verifications of employment and income in the United States across key verticals including mortgage, talent solutions, government, and more," said Mark W. Begor, CEO of Equifax. "Our $1.5 billion investment in the Equifax Cloud is driving innovation, giving us the scalability to quickly build our verification services leadership and accelerate new product innovation for the benefit of U.K. and Australian lenders, consumers, employers and government agencies with more international markets to follow." Similar to how The Work Number service operates in the U.S., Verification Exchange helps increase access, reduce fraud, support compliance, and mitigate risk throughout the verification process using automated systems designed in accordance with a country's regulatory framework. It's a "one-stop shop" for quicker, more confident decisioning, and a model that has already seen significant success in Canada, where Equifax partners with top payroll processors and large multinational employers to provide instant verifications of employment and income with consumers' consent to leading financial institutions, government ministries, and background screeners. Those verifications can support consumers with more efficient processes as they seek mortgages, government benefits, new jobs, auto loans, and more. "With the Equifax Cloud, we can build something once and then deploy it in any of our 24 markets, with market specific customizations that require very little engineering. This speeds our delivery timelines dramatically, while also lowering the costs to our customers," commented Bryson Koehler, Chief Technology, Product and Data & Analytics Officer at Equifax. "Our single data fabric completely changes our approach to data management and revolutionizes the products that we can provide as well as the speed with which we can develop them." Verification Exchange partners directly with employers as well as payroll and software companies to receive encrypted employment and income data that are updated every pay cycle. Consumers can authorize verifiers to obtain the data, facilitating faster and easier access to the important credit and financial services they need. Employers contributing to the exchange are relieved of the administrative burden of manually responding to verification requests for both current and former employees. "Income and employment information are at the heart of most lending decisions, and at the center of our Equifax Workforce Solutions Data Hub. Today's consumers expect a quick and efficient process when applying for a mortgage, a car loan, or even social service benefits," added Begor. "I'm confident that Verification Exchange will quickly become as critical a part of the credit and lending processes in Australia and in the U.K. as The Work Number is in the U.S. We will continue to look at other international markets to expand our industry-leading verification services leveraging our new cloud capabilities." Verification Exchange follows the principles of privacy by design as well as globally recognized best practices in data security management. Consumers can request a copy of their report on Verification Exchange at any time to review and dispute information, if necessary. Verification Exchange is currently available in the U.K. , Australia and Canada with Equifax employment verification services available in India . More information on The Work Number in the U.S. can be found at Equifax.com . ABOUT EQUIFAX INC. At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com FOR MORE INFORMATION Daniel Jenkins for Equifax [email protected] SOURCE Equifax Inc. MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian Muslims have been looking for a way to enter into the stock market in an ethical, Sharia-approved way. Australian Islamic finance company Hejaz Financial Services is on a mission to equip them with the knowledge and resources to do so. Hejaz COO Muzzammil Dhedhy weighs in with the golden rules for Halal investing. Halal home loan expert Hejaz Financial Services advises both aspiring and seasoned investors to pay close attention to the financial cycle and hold steady through market lows. According to the Sharia loans provider, investments will experience both lows and highs - this is normal and are advised not to get rid of their stocks as soon as they start to dip. Instead, waiting for them to rise again will ensure investors do not lose the money they initially invested. Hejaz Financial Services urges investors to pay attention to this cycle of ups and downs; eventually, experienced investors will find dips much less daunting. Hejaz Financial Services advises investors that two of the most important parts of investing are investing regularly and diversification. Diversifying an investment portfolio spreads out the risk across different asset classes, geographical regions, companies, managers and markets. This strategy has been proven to yield higher returns over time. In order to remain Sharia compliant, Hejaz Financial Services reminds investors to invest their money in ethical industries such as telecommunications, infrastructure, healthcare, utilities and technology. While diversifying a portfolio, investors are warned not to chase last year's winners; rather, they should look for new investment opportunities that seem likely to yield good returns. Along with quality investment advice, Hejaz Financial Services also offers Halal loans, superannuation and a range of other financial services. Hejaz Financial Services is on a mission to provide Muslim Australians with the education, tools and resources to make ethical and informed financial decisions. Contact them to find out more today. SOURCE Hejaz Financial Services Exro recognizes the importance of intellectual property, actively protects its own IP and respects other companies' valid IP rights. Exro takes exception to ePropelled Inc.'s unmerited patent infringement lawsuit and its inaccurate statement that Exro did not respond to ePropelled's inquiry to Exro concerning ePropelled's patent. Exro will investigate the allegations set forth in the complaint, and vigorously defend its technology. CALGARY, AB, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ Exro Technologies Inc. (TSX: EXRO) (OTCQB: EXROF) (the "Company" or "Exro"), a leading clean technology company that has developed a new class of power electronics for electric motors and batteries, is issuing the following statement in response to the press release issued by ePropelled Inc. on January 24, 2022, concerning a patent infringement lawsuit it filed against the Company on January 21, 2022. As a technology company, Exro recognizes the importance of intellectual property ("IP"), and actively strives to protect and maintain its IP rights, which includes securing patents covering its technology both in the United States and internationally. Exro also steadfastly respects other companies' valid IP rights. Contrary to allegations made by ePropelled, Exro diligently investigated and promptly responded to ePropelled's inquiry. Based on Exro's response, ePropelled clarified that it was not accusing Exro of infringement and stated that it had not conducted an infringement analysis. ePropelled made no further communication with Exro prior to filing suit. "Not only does Exro respect other companies' intellectual property rights, but we are also incredibly confident in our ability to defend our technology," said Exro CEO Sue Ozdemir. "While we are disappointed in both the unmerited patent infringement lawsuit and the false claims made by ePropelled, we are thankful for the support we have received from the Exro community. We will continue focusing on our business strategy that demonstrates how Exro's ability to continuously innovate will solidify its position in the electric mobility market. As it did in response to ePropelled's inquiry, Exro will investigate the allegations set forth in the complaint, and vigorously defend its technology. About Exro Technologies Inc. Exro is a clean technology company pioneering intelligent control solutions in power electronics to help solve the most challenging problems in electrification. Exro has developed a new class of control technology that expands the capabilities of electric motors, generators, and batteries. Exro enables the application to achieve more with less energy consumed. Exro's advanced motor control technology, the Coil DriverTM, expands the capabilities of electric powertrains by enabling intelligent optimization for efficient energy consumption. Exro is working with many partners from all over the world to bring their technology to the electric mobility industries and beyond. For more information visit our website at www.exro.com. Visit us on social media @exrotech. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, including the Company's annual information form for the financial year ended December 31, 2020, and financial statements and related MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Exro Technologies Inc. SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 24, 2022 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis. Joining him will be Scott Stubbs, Executive Vice President and CFO. During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability. To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call: Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time. Domestic: 855-791-2026 International: 631-485-4899 Conference ID: 1815029 Conference Call Playback: Domestic: 855-859-2056 International: 404-537-3406 Conference ID: 1815029 The playback can be accessed beginning on February 24, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. ET through March 3, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will also be available for 30 days on the Company's website. Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's website at http://ir.extraspace.com immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. For those without Internet access, the earnings release will be available by mail or fax, on request. To receive a copy, please call Extra Space Storage Investor Relations at (801) 365-1759. About Extra Space Storage Inc. Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned and/or operated 2,096 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 1.5 million units and approximately 160.9 million square feet of rentable storage space offering customers conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage properties in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States. For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com. SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc. DETROIT, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Purpose Jobs, the Midwest's largest startup and tech community, named TiiCKER, the world's first shareholder loyalty and engagement platform, to its list of Midwest Startups and Tech Companies to Watch in 2022. Companies were evaluated based on recent funding, significant employee growth, impactful product launches, office expansions, recent IPOs and upcoming exits. Detroit-based TiiCKER is inventing shareholder loyalty by delivering perks and rewards for America's 130 million everyday investors and connecting public companies to their most loyal affinity audience owners. "Michigan continues to be one of the top growing tech ecosystems around the country, and TiiCKER is leading the way with a team and platform that represent another win for the tech hub of the Midwest, Detroit," said Ryan Landau, founder and CEO of Purpose Jobs. A combination of university talent pipelines, growing startup ecosystems and growing venture capital funding has Detroit topping lists as one of the best places to start a tech company. This is coupled with the state of Michigan posting the highest growth in VC funding over the last five years --- 800 percent of any state in the country according to CrunchBase. "We are proudly founded and funded in Michigan and fired up to be recognized for our momentum," said TiiCKER founder and CEO Jeff Lambert (Tii:JEFE). "We are on a quest to create a new industry shareholder loyalty and to connect everyday consumers and investors with the brands they love and shop." TiiCKER went live in July 2020, followed by its iOS app launch in November 2020 and Android launch in November 2021, and has since created a new industry direct-to-shareholder marketing. As the world's first intelligent software platform that engages, verifies and rewards retail shareholders, TiiCKER makes it easy for investors and the brands they love to connect through a simple verification process that links directly to investors' online brokerage accounts or allows new investors to trade for free. "Brands offering rewards for loyalty and discounts on products and services is on-trend, but most investors searching for stock perks don't know how to access them," Lambert said. "Likewise, companies lack the ability to directly market toor directly communicate with, their retail investors. That's where our platform comes in. TiiCKER safely and securely links and verifies all major online brokerages so retail investors can view their investments and perks in one place." To learn more about TiiCKER or to discover and claim shareholder perks and rewards, please visit TiiCKER.com or download the apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. About TiiCKER Launched in 2020, TiiCKER invented verified stock perks and direct-to-shareholder marketing through its web-based and iOS mobile app software platform that provides consumers and investors a revolutionary way to engage with the brands they love. For America's 130 million retail investors, TiiCKER provides unique access to shareholder perks, commission-free trading, and custom article and content to help consumer shareholders discover and connect with the brands they love. For its public company brand partners, TiiCKER enables companies to engage, verify and reward everyday shareholders to better serve and understand their investors and maximize the Shareholder Lifetime Value of their retail investors. For more information, please visit TiiCKER.com . Media Contact: Devon Bradley [email protected] (517) 474-1573 SOURCE TiiCKER Speaking about his return, Don said, "While it was an honor to serve our country and lead the US Marshals Service, it is a pleasure to return home to my colleagues at Jones Walker. I look forward to collaborating with our team and being able to use some of my recent experience to enhance the exceptional client service we provide to our clients." During his service leading the nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency, he developed and established key agency priorities and strategies and oversaw the operations of nearly 5,500 US marshals, deputy marshals, criminal investigators, detention enforcement officers, and administrative staff. He led the storied agency through multiple operations to address the rise in violent crime, the turbulence of civil unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic occurring in the United States and its territories, while protecting the federal judiciary, witnesses, and courts. Bill Hines, managing partner of Jones Walker, said, "We are very proud of Don's leadership of the US Marshals Service, and we are pleased to have him as our partner again at Jones Walker. He is a respected member of our law firm and the greater legal industry, and I am certain that his most recent role and past experience in the US Attorney's Office will bolster our ability to provide excellent client service and train the next generation of Jones Walker litigators and other attorneys." Earlier in his career, Don served as US Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana from 2001 to early 2010. As the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Louisiana, he led federal investigations and trial teams as well as prosecuted cases involving criminal and civil violations of federal law. While with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), he held a number of leadership positions, including on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee; the DOJ-sponsored Executive Committee for Federal Prosecutors, State Attorneys General and District Attorneys; and the DOJ's Terrorism, Controlled Substances, and Native American Issues committees. About Jones Walker Jones Walker LLP (joneswalker.com) is among the largest 125 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm is committed to providing a comprehensive range of legal services to major multinational public and private corporations, Fortune 500 companies, money center banks, worldwide insurers, and emerging companies doing business in the United States and abroad. Contacts : Mary Margaret Gorman 504.582.8207 [email protected] Savannah Kirk 225.248.3435 [email protected] SOURCE Jones Walker LLP Despite industry-wide challenges caused by the pandemic, Four Seasons outlook for 2022 builds upon the success of the past year, including the addition of highly anticipated new hotels, resorts and residences in key markets, and the extension of its standalone residential collection with new properties opening last year in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Supporting this growth, the company's longstanding shareholder, an affiliate of Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (Cascade), closed this month on its acquisition of a majority stake in Four Seasons from its long-term investment partner, an affiliate of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC). The transaction marks a pivotal point for the company, further demonstrating Cascade's commitment to provide Four Seasons with resources to accelerate growth, support the company's properties and owners and expand its strategic goals. KHC retains a 23.75% stake in Four Seasons and remains strongly dedicated to the company's considerable opportunities. "2022 marks an important moment in the evolution of Four Seasons as we sharpen our development focus in key markets, strengthen our leadership position as an iconic luxury brand and capitalize on new opportunities that will continue to drive and diversify our growth," says John Davison , President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "Realizing these opportunities means investing in our greatest competitive advantage our people. For more than 60 years, the strength of Four Seasons has been grounded in our unmatched commitment to service excellence. As we grow with intention, so too do the opportunities for our people, ensuring we create an environment in which they can flourish." Davison continues, "Thriving employees ultimately deliver an exceptional guest experience. And as we adapt to the pandemic with innovations such as our Lead With Care health and safety program, the deep connection between the success of our employees and the service delivered to our guests has never been more important to Four Seasons long-term success." Elevating Four Seasons Global Portfolio Four Seasons is building on the momentum of its successful 2021 openings in strategic markets, including in Napa Valley, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Taormina, Italy. The company continues to accelerate expansion plans worldwide with four openings planned for 2022, including exciting new developments in Tamarindo, Mexico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Along with the accelerated pace of new openings, the high valuations and increasing demand for existing Four Seasons properties managed on behalf of owners speaks to the strength of the Four Seasons brand. Four Seasons has more than 50 new projects under planning or development, including in Italy, Spain, China, Japan, Colombia, Belize and across key markets in the US, all of which will add to the company's existing portfolio of 122 hotels and resorts and 48 residential properties in 47 countries around the world. "Four Seasons has a strong, strategic growth trajectory an extensive pipeline of projects that will open in key global destinations, with visionary development partners who share our commitment to excellence," says Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "Our residential business in particular is a key pillar in our growth plans, with a five-year pipeline of USD 7 billion in gross sales value comprising more than 30 projects worldwide." Carnahan continues: "Our continued growth in residential, a space in which we've been a leader since 1985, speaks to our deep understanding of the luxury consumer those who want to live and experience the Four Seasons lifestyle. With our development partners, we continue to capitalize on the right opportunities in markets that are relevant to luxury consumers, elevating our residential offering and ensuring that Four Seasons is the address of choice in every location where we operate." New standalone Private Residences, developments not connected to a hotel or resort, set to open in the coming years include Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai at Jumeirah a project that fully sold out before public sales began Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin and Four Seasons Private Residences Marrakech at M Avenue. These new standalone developments join the company's current collection in London, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Other upcoming residential developments connected to an existing or soon-to-open Four Seasons property include Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Nashville, Mumbai, Cartagena and Belize. As Four Seasons extends its portfolio globally, the company does so with consideration for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities. Four Seasons is committed to sustainable hospitality, including reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, eliminating waste, and sourcing responsibly. To further its commitments to address waste and protect local ecosystems, the company aims to remove all single-use plastic from the guest experience by the end of 2022. Four Seasons has a long history of employee care, community support and philanthropy. Central to Four Seasons employee experience and social impact programming is the company's commitment to supporting cancer research, and the advancement of diversity, inclusion, equality and belonging at Four Seasons corporate offices and properties worldwide. Enhancing the Guest Experience Last year, Four Seasons announced the appointment of Marc Speichert as the company's first Chief Commercial Officer with the goal of driving key commercial initiatives to enhance brand value and market share, accelerate revenue growth and deliver on an ambitious vision: affirming Four Seasons as the most guest-centric, digitally-driven luxury brand. To better understand the drivers of guest satisfaction the company is embarking on a journey to rethink how processes, data and technology fit together to truly enable a holistic guest view. In doing so, Four Seasons will be able to deliver much more personalized experiences and establish a new industry standard for guest satisfaction and service excellence. This personalization and guest-focused lens extends to Four Seasons digital ecosystem, and investments in technology across these platforms continue to roll out globally, focused on gaining deeper insights to enhance the guest experience. The evolution of the company's digital capabilities, driven by Four Seasons award-winning App and Chat and FourSeasons.com, will further personalize every touch point of the guest journey. With usage growing by nearly 300% since 2019, the App's industry-leading technology empowers guests and residents to control their Four Seasons experience, engaging with real Four Seasons employees on property who deliver curated service characterized by personal connections and emotional intelligence. New App and Chat features to be rolled out also include the introduction of a mobile key and mobile payments, as well as enhancements to the restaurant and bar digital experience. To view more images, please click here. About Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opened its first hotel in 1961, and since that time has been dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. Currently operating 122 hotels and resorts, and 48 residential properties in major city centres and resort destinations in 47 countries, and with more than 50 projects under planning or development, Four Seasons consistently ranks among the world's best hotels and most prestigious brands in reader polls, traveller reviews and industry awards. For more information, visit fourseasons.com. For the latest news, visit press.fourseasons.com and follow @FourSeasonsPR on Twitter. Contact: Michele Mendelson [email protected] SOURCE Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts CAIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his visiting Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune discussed on Tuesday the means of boosting bilateral relations as well as the latest regional developments. "The consultations reflected the common political will toward strengthening and promoting the distinguished relations between the two countries," the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. The two leaders exchanged views on common challenges, including achieving comprehensive development, confronting external interference in the region, and combating terrorism and extremist ideology, it said. They agreed to push forward cooperation in the economic, investment and trade fields, and further intensify exchanges in the area of combating terrorism in all forms, it said. They called for adopting a comprehensive approach by the international community to confront terrorism, defeat any attempt to attract or recruit new terror elements, and eliminate sources of financial support to extremists, said the statement. The meeting also touched upon the latest developments in the Arab arena and efforts to advance the joint Arab action, so as to preserve Arab national security and protect the unity and sovereignty of the Arab countries. On Libya, the two leaders reached consensus on the necessity of holding presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya simultaneously and withdrawing all foreign forces, mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country without exception within a specific time frame. During the meeting, Tebboune praised Egypt's efforts to reach a comprehensive and equitable agreement on the rules of the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which has caused a tense dispute between Ethiopia and two downstream countries of the Nile river, including Egypt and Sudan. CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of its one-year anniversary in the U.S., Europe's #1 coffeehouse, Tchibo (CHEE-bo) has announced its expansion to the Southeastern United States. Distributed by Rainmaker Food Solutions, a distribution partner renowned for bringing better food choices to the consumer in a responsible, honest, contemporary and sustainable manner, Tchibo coffee will soon be available this spring at your favorite retailers throughout the Southeast, including partnerships with our major national wholesalers such as SuperValu/UNFI. "Momentum in the coffee aisle is strong. After continued growth and success with java drinkers in the Midwest, the time is right to introduce Tchibo to another region of the U.S.," said Chris Mattina, CEO, Rainmaker Food Solutions, LLC. "As a record number of consumers continue to drink coffee at home, it's essential to keep retailers replenished with a vibrant, premium brewing option. We are excited to meet this demand by offering Southeast residents a heritage brand like Tchibo." Tchibo first entered the U.S. market in 2020 in eight Midwestern markets, and soon dotted the shelves of major retailers including Meijer, Jewel-Osco, and Spartan Nash stores such as FamilyFare and Buschs, totaling close to 2,700 distribution points. Disrupting the highly competitive coffee market, Tchibo brings over 70 years of experience mastering the art and science of coffee freshness, from bean to cup. Tchibo is arriving in the Southeast with many consumers already aware of and asking for the brand. Consumers in the region received a taste of Tchibo earlier this year, following the brand's sampling program, Million Bag Giveaway. The innovative marketing initiative was designed to "spill the beans" about the brand with coffee connoisseurs around the country and provided 250,000 consumers with 4 free bags of Tchibo coffee. Now they'll be able to find it on the shelves of retailers in their own backyard. "What sets Tchibo apart is its commitment to a cleaner, sustainable and fresher coffee experience, and it is our goal at Rainmaker Food Solutions to continue our expansion in the Southeast and country at large. We're thrilled to bring Tchibo to new markets, and become a real part of the community," added Mattina. Coinciding with the Southeast launch, Tchibo has donated over 100K bags of coffee to first responders, including fire departments in Birmingham & Montgomery AL, Tampa & Miami FL, Savannah GA, New Orleans LA, Raleigh & Charlotte NC, and Chattanooga TN. The Tchibo story in the U.S. is not complete without its bean-to-brew, no-waste coffee machine. Also available for consumers seeking a sustainable option, this award-winning, high-tech machine produces an aromatic and customized cup in seconds. Now available at Tchibo.com and Amazon , it will soon join the Tchibo ground and whole bean coffee options at retailers across the country. For more information on Tchibo, and to find a local store, visit Tchibo.com . About Tchibo Founded in 1949, Tchibo has been delighting coffee connoisseurs for over 70 years, becoming the #1 coffeehouse in Europe. Now available in the U.S. and carried throughout Europe, Tchibo is the roasted coffee market leader in several European countries. In addition to coffee products, Tchibo operates a wide range of non-food businesses in Europe with a large retail arm operating in more than 900 shops, 24,300 outposts at third-party retail outlets, and online stores. Tchibo has 11,450 employees worldwide, and generated revenues of over $3.6 billion in 2019. The Tchibo difference is grounded in the concept of ROST FRISCH, redefining what it means to be fresh. From growing and harvesting to roasting and packaging, every step in the Tchibo process is 'fresher by design' and dedicated to creating exquisitely fresh coffee for consumers to enjoy at home. Tchibo recognizes that it is imperative to have a healthy planet to achieve the freshest and most sustainable coffee. With global headquarters in Hamburg, the family-owned business has been recognized with multiple awards for its sustainable, fair-trade practices, including the award for Corporate Ethics and the Environmental Logistics Award and the European Union's CSR Award. In 2016 Tchibo was awarded Germany's most sustainable major enterprise. Learn more at Tchibo.com ; follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Contact: Sabrina Christiansen [email protected] 801.836.0789 SOURCE Tchibo USPI's partnership with GI Alliance offers patients best-in-class gastroenterology care through a collaborative approach. Tweet this GAB Endoscopy Center serves greater San Antonio and is accredited by The Joint Commission. The facility is located in the heart of San Antonio's medical district. South Plains Endoscopy Center serves Lubbock and its surrounding West Texas communities. The facility has an Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) designation. "These endoscopy centers have a great reputation providing high-quality gastrointestinal surgeries and procedures, with convenient access for patients in both Lubbock and San Antonio," said Jim Weber, M.D., CEO of GI Alliance. "This alliance allows our existing physicians to focus on giving exemplary care in an outpatient setting." In San Antonio and Lubbock, GI Alliance serves nearly 60 physicians from 24 practices. "USPI's partnership with GI Alliance offers patients best-in-class gastroenterology care through a collaborative approach," said Brett Brodnax, President and Chief Executive Officer of USPI. "We look forward to furthering our mission together with GI Alliance and our physician partners." About GI Alliance GI Alliance is a physician-led and majority physician-owned GI services organization supporting the needs of more than 665 independent gastroenterologists operating in Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington. Practices that are part of GI Alliance focus on providing the highest-quality care to their patients. In addition to providing operational support for practices, GI Alliance is working to unite gastroenterologists nationwide by aligning interests and improving patient care. About USPI United Surgical Partners International (USPI), a subsidiary of Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC), operates the largest ambulatory platform in the country. With more than 430 facilities across the United States, the company serves patients in ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals. For more information, please visit www.uspi.com. Contact: Dee Dee Brooks GI Alliance 214.998.3434 [email protected] Ashley Cantwell [email protected] SOURCE GI Alliance DUBLIN, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: Size & Forecasts with Impact Analysis of COVID-19 (2021-2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides an in depth analysis of the global 3D Intraoral Scanner market by value, by type, by modalities, by end user, by region, etc. The report provides a regional analysis of the 3D intraoral scanner market, including the following regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The report also provides a detailed analysis of the COVID-19 impact on the 3D Intraoral Scanner market. With the help of intraoral scanner, dentists can create a accurate 3D surface model showing the teeth and gingiva's geometry with the help of in-built imaging sensors and CAD/CAM software installed in the computer. 3D intraoral scanner has revolutionized the dental industry and made dental prosthesis easier than before and evidently proven to be less time consuming than conventional method. 3D Intraoral scanner benefits include effective infection control, better communication between patient and the dentist, simplified procedure, better logistic management, more accurate results, and decreasing dental implantation time from 1-2 weeks to 2-3 days. 3D Intraoral Scanner can be used in treating unknown lingual brackets and invisible aligners, and partial prostheses and obturators. 3D Intraoral Scanner can be segmented by type, by application, by modalities, and by end-users. By type segmentation includes Powder-Free intraoral scanner and Powder-based Intraoral scanner. By application segmentation includes prosthodontics and orthodontics. By modalities segmentation includes Portable and Standalone. And, By end-user segmentation includes Hospitals, Dental Clinics and Others. The global 3D Intraoral Scanner market is projected to grow significantly during the period of 2021-2025. The global 3D Intraoral Scanner market is expected to increase due to improved earning capacity, aging population, rapid urbanization, precise results and easier procedures, surge in oral diseases, and favorable government policies. Yet, the market faces some challenges like high prices of intraoral scanners and shortage of skilled professionals. The report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall global 3D intraoral Scanner market has also been forecasted for the period 2021-2025, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends. The global 3D intraoral scanner market is moderately fragmented with several market players operating worldwide. The key players of the 3D intraoral scanner market are Align Technology, Inc., Dentsply Sirona, 3Shape, and Medit Corportation. are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 2.1 3D Intraoral Scanner: An Overview 2.1.1 Usage of 3D Intraoral Scanner 2.1.2 Advantages and Limitations of 3D Intraoral Scanner 2.1.3 Brief about the Working of 3D Intraoral Scanner 2.1.4 Intraoral Scanner Applications in Various Dentistry Field 2.1.5 Comparison between Digital and Analog Impression 2.2 3D Intraoral Scanner Segmentation: An Overview 2.2.1 3D Intraoral Scanner Segmentation 3. Global Market Analysis 3.1 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: An Analysis 3.1.1 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market by Value 3.1.2 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market by Type (Powder-Free Intraoral Scanner and Powder-Based Intraoral scanner) 3.1.3 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner market by Modalities (Portable and Standalone) 3.1.4 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market by End User (Hospitals, Dental Clinics and Others) 3.1.5 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market by Region (North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World) 3.2 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: Type Analysis 3.3 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: Modalities Analysis 3.4 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: End User Analysis 4. Regional Market Analysis 4.1 North America 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: An Analysis 4.1.1 North America 3D Intraoral Scanner Market by Value 4.2 Europe 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: An Analysis 4.3 Asia Pacific 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: An Analysis 4.4 Rest of the World 3D Intraoral Scanner Market: An Analysis 5. Impact of COVID-19 5.1 Impact of COVID-19 5.1.1 Impact of COVID-19 on 3D Intraoral Scanner 5.1.2 Decline in Dentist Income 5.1.3 Post COVID Scenario 6. Market Dynamics 6.1 Growth Drivers 6.1.1 Improved Earning Capacity 6.1.2 Aging Population 6.1.3 Rapid Urbanization 6.1.4 Precise Results and Easier Procedures 6.1.5 Surge in Oral Diseases 6.1.6 Favorable Government Policies 6.2 Challenges 6.2.1 High Prices of Intraoral Scanners 6.2.2 Shortage of Skilled Professionals 6.3 Market Trends 6.3.1 Rise in Dental Service Organizations 6.3.2 Growth in Digital Dentistry 6.3.3 Rising Number of Dental Restorative Procedures 6.3.4 Adoption of CAD/CAM system 7. Competitive Landscape 7.1 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market Players: A Financial Comparison 7.2 Global 3D Intraoral Scanner Market Players: Features Comparison 8. Company Profiles 8.1 Business Overview 8.2 Financial Overview 8.3 Business Strategy Align Technologies, Inc. Dentsply Sirona 3Shape Medit Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rcfb9v Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Download the Sample Report Now! Key Blister Packaging Sourcing and Procurement Report Highlights: Market growth 2022-2026: USD 8.3 Billion Growth momentum & CAGR: Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.24% Top Pricing Models: Cost-based pricing, and Unit pricing Key consumer countries: North America , Europe , and APAC Supplier Selection Criteria: Technical specifications, Operational requirements, Acceptance criteria, and Evaluation criteria Top Suppliers: Amcor Plc, Honeywell International Inc., and WestRock Co Know More About This Market: Request for a Free Sample Report Now! Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers: Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Blister Packaging market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Blister Packaging pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as Unit-based pricing, and Bundled pricing, category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives. For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/blister-packaging--sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth: The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers. Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. Identify favorable opportunities in Blister Packaging TCO (total cost of ownership). Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes. Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities. To know more about various other market drivers, trends and challenges. Download our free sample report Smart Procurement Starts Here SpendEdge's procurement intelligence platform is the go-to tool for companies looking to access latest procurement research insights and supplier data on an easy to use platform. STARTER PACK o Get 6 Full Reports, View 800+ report samples, Pre-order upcoming reports, Pre-order upcoming reports. Subscribe Now for FREE Want to know about various other Subscription packs? Click here Get the Details That You Are Looking for: Buy our detailed market analysis report to uncover: Changing market landscape with yearly forecast till 2025. Analyze the market's competitive and vendor landscape. How much marketing budget to set aside for geographical market expansion? Understanding the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries. Download the FREE sample Report Now! Table of Content Executive Summary Market Insights Category Pricing Insights Cost-saving Opportunities Best Practices Category Ecosystem Category Management Strategy Category Management Enablers Suppliers Selection Suppliers under Coverage US Market Insights Category scope Appendix About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. Contacts SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global G Suite technology services market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 19.7% between 2022 and 2032, from USD 449 million in 2022 to USD 2,723 million in 2032. The increasing cloud migration across industries, as well as a growing emphasis on the use of corporate productivity tools, are projected to fuel the G Suite technology services market. Furthermore, small and medium businesses are implementing cost-effective business solutions and identifying collaboration tools that can help boost staff productivity. The last ten years have seen a wide range of digital transformations, which has fueled the rise of the G Suite technology services market. The worldwide search for enterprises to build a linked environment has aided market expansion by 1.3X. The availability of dashboards and central control nodes has created new opportunities in the G Suite technology services industry, which is expected to promote market growth. For Critical Insights On This Market, Request For More Info https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2242 Businesses and organizations are implementing G Suite technology services to boost corporate productivity while also improving employee happiness. Furthermore, the use of these services creates a smarter, more centralized, and more flexible working environment that is beneficial to employees. All of these variables are expected to boost market demand by about a 2/5th of what it is now. G Suite technology services are being used by a variety of industries, from food to healthcare, and by both large and small enterprises, to digitalize their workplaces, and this has resulted in higher corporate valuation. In 2017, for example, the introduction of G Suite increased Barry's cocoa business and chocolate value in more than 30 nations. The market is divided into small and medium businesses and large businesses based on the size of the company. Large businesses now account for 54.6% of global market share. This is due to a higher priority placed on employee happiness, as well as the availability of classroom and virtual training and support services. Report Attributes Details Base Year Value (2021A) USD 384 Million Estimated Year Value (2022E) USD 449 Million Projected Year Value (2032F) USD 2,723 Million Global Growth Rate (2022-2032) 19.7% Key Takeaways: North America region to contribute over 25.7% of the global G suite technology services market share. region to contribute over 25.7% of the global G suite technology services market share. By end-use industry, the retail segment to account for 18.6% of the global market share. By organization size, small and medium enterprises is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% by 2032. Growth Drivers: The G suite technology services market is predicted to grow as a result of ongoing industrial transformations such as cloud migration, digitalization, and the adoption of cognitive AI solutions at premises. To learn more about G Suite Technology Services Market, you can get in touch with our Analyst at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=2242 Competitive Landscape: Since there are so many local and regional companies, the worldwide G Suite technology services market is highly fragmented and competitive. Key players use a variety of marketing techniques, including mergers & acquisitions, expansions, collaborations, and partnerships. Leading organizations also use new product creation as a strategic way to expand their market presence among consumers. As a result of these measures, advanced G Suite technology services have been implemented. In 2021, Google Inc. declared that everyone will be able to use its G Suite workspace. Consumers with free Google accounts will be included as well, allowing for user collaboration. It also launched Google Workspace Individual, a subscription version aimed for small business owners that offers enhanced features. SADA Systems, a business and technology consulting firm, got the Google Cloud Reseller Partner of the Year Award in 2020. In the Google Cloud partner ecosystem, SADA provides a variety of Google Cloud Services such as cloud platform migration, enterprise consulting, workplace transformation, transition and change management, and more. This award has been given to SADA for the past three years in a row. Key Players in the G Suite Technology Services Market Include: Google Inc. Agosto Inc. Capgemini SE Maven Wave Partners LLC Perpetual West Inc. SADA Systems Coolhead Tech Cloudypedia Dito LLC BlueRange Technology More Valuable Insights on G Suite Technology Services Market Fact.MR provides an unbiased analysis of the G suite technology services market, presenting historical demand data (2016-2021) and forecast statistics for the period from 2022-2032. The study divulges compelling insights on the global G suite technology services market with a detailed segmentation on the basis of: By Service Type : Advisory Services Migration Services Change Management Services Training & Support Services Integration Services Design & Deployment By Organization Size : Small & Medium Enterprises Large Enterprises By End-Use Industry : Retail Industry Manufacturing Industry IT & Telecom Industry Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry Government Industry BFSI Industry Education Industry Real Estate & Construction Industry Transportation and Logistics Industry Media and Advertising Industry By Region : North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia Oceania MEA Key Questions Covered in G Suite Technology Services Market Report The report offers insight into the G suite technology services market demand outlook for 2022-2032. The market study also highlights projected sales growth for G suite technology services market between 2022 and 2032. G suite technology services market survey identifies key growth drivers, restraints, and other forces impacting prevailing trends and evaluation of current market size and forecast and technological advancements within the industry. G suite technology services market share analysis of the key companies within the industry and coverage of strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations or partnerships, and others. Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Technology Domain Network Access Control Market Forecast - Network access control (NAC) has gone a long way, and a number of industry leaders have developed solutions to help it continue to evolve throughout the years. With an ever-increasing number of major and small and medium-sized businesses, North America will continue to be the most attractive market for network access control. Big Data Technology and Services Market Scope - The growing importance of big data technology in Internet of Things is the most recent trend gaining pace in the big data and service business (IoT). As a result, several industries are adopting big data services in order to handle enormous amounts of data and generate useful insights. Hybrid Flash Storage Market Analysis - Due to the shift of the enterprise computing environment brought on by the development of hyperscale cloud service providers, the hybrid flash storage industry has matured significantly in recent years. The hybrid flash storage market to be driven by the rapid development of a wide variety of storage and memory advancements. SD WAN Managed Services Market Trends - SD-WAN Managed Services demand is expected to expand at a moderate to high CAGR in the coming years. This rise is expected because many sectors and software companies are exhibiting interest in SD-WAN Managed Services in the current environment (MS). About Fact.MR Market research and consulting agency with a difference! That's why 80% of Fortune 1,000 companies trust us for making their most critical decisions. We have offices in US and Dublin, whereas our global headquarter is in Dubai. While our experienced consultants employ the latest technologies to extract hard-to-find insights, we believe our USP is the trust clients have on our expertise. Spanning a wide range from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare & retail, our coverage is expansive, but we ensure even the most niche categories are analyzed. Reach out to us with your goals, and we'll be an able research partner. Contact: Mahendra Singh US Sales Office 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583 E: [email protected] SOURCE Fact.MR DUBLIN, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Medical Specimen Tracking System Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Software, Consumables), by Technology (Barcode, RFID), by Type, by End User, by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global medical specimen tracking system market size is anticipated to reach USD 1.77 billion by 2030 The market is expected to grow at a lucrative CAGR of 10.3% from 2022 to 2030. The key factors driving the market growth include the technological advancements by market players and increasing product adoption for reducing errors in patient diagnosis. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of specimen tracking solutions was less. However, due to the pandemic, the demand for these systems skyrocketed, which positively influenced the market growth. Most market players, such as Labcorp Drug Development, Agilent Technologies, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, experienced positive growth from 2019 to 2020 in their segment-specific revenues as well as annual revenues. For instance, Labcorp Drug Development experienced 21% growth and Thermo Fisher Scientific experienced 26.1% growth from 2019 to 2020. On the other hand, Zebra Technologies Corp. experienced a decline of 3.6% in its Asset, Intelligence, & Tracking segment's revenue and a 0.8% decline in its annual revenue from 2019 to 2020. Therefore, the overall market was not negatively impacted due to the pandemic. Using barcoding and tracking systems for specimen testing decreases the incidence of errors. According to GA International, the adoption of a medical specimen tracking system reduced the number of errors from 11 to 14 slides out of 10,000 to 0-1 out of 10,000 in the Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. The study also demonstrated that a 62% reduction in case misidentification was reported in Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. These factors are anticipated to increase the product adoption, thereby boosting the market growth. Many companies specializing in medical specimen tracking systems hold a significant share of the market. Key players are involved in increasing their market share through R&D, product launches, geographical expansions, partnerships, and other strategies. For example, in November 2020, TrakCel completed the proof-of-concept phase for its technology integration with U.K. NHS partners. The project is part of the development of the MW-ATTC initiative and is funded by the U.K.'s public innovation agency to facilitate the integration of orchestration software into pan-national healthcare IT systems. Medical Specimen Tracking System Market Report Highlights On the basis of product, the software segment dominated the market in 2021 due to the increased number of market players dealing in a specimen tracking software The patient testing type segment accounted for the maximum revenue share of the global market in 2021 This growth was attributed to the increased product adoption for patient testing purposes Rising technological advancements contributed to the dominant share of the barcode segment in 2021, within the technology segment The pathology laboratories end-user segment is estimated to record the fastest growth rate from 2022 to 2030 This growth can be credited to the growing automation of pathology laboratories and rising product adoption in these labs Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope Chapter 2 Executive Summary Chapter 3 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market Variables, Trends & Scope Chapter 4 COVID-19 Impact Analysis Chapter 5 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market: Segment Analysis, By Product, 2017-2030 (USD Million) Chapter 6 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market: Segment Analysis, By Type, 2017-2030 (USD Million) Chapter 7 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market: Segment Analysis, By Technology, 2017-2030 (USD Million) Chapter 8 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market: Segment Analysis, By End User, 2017-2030 (USD Million) Chapter 8 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market: Regional Market Analysis 2017-2030 (USD Million) Chapter 10 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market-Competitive Analysis Chapter 11 Medical Specimen Tracking System Market-Company Profiles RMS Omega Technologies VisionID GAO RFID Inc. TrakCel Quick International Courier Cryoport Systems, LLC Lab Connect Taylor Data Systems, Inc. BioIT Solutions, Inc. Brooks Automation, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kz1rp3 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 DUBLIN, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Powered Agriculture Equipment Market: Focus on Equipment, Application, and Country Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2019-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global powered agriculture market was valued at $57.39 billion in 2021, which is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.02% and reach $73.32 billion by 2026. Powered Agriculture Equipment The powered agriculture equipment market encompasses a wide array of solutions such as tractors, combines, planters, sprayers, and other equipment such as tilling equipment, haymaking equipment, and balers. Farmers across the globe are increasingly adopting powered agriculture equipment to improve yield, soil fertility, operational efficiency, and profitability. The powered agriculture market includes agricultural machinery manufacturers that provide vertically integrated farm equipment solutions. The growth of the powered agriculture equipment market has been considerably extensive. However, there is still a significant share of the population unaware of the numerable benefits of these equipment and the extent of government support to the agriculture industry. In the past two decades, next-generation agriculture techniques and technologies have also been adopted by farmers across the globe to increase crop yield, shrink wastage, and ensure food security. Impact of COVID-19 As the COVID-19 pandemic forces countries to close their borders, the agricultural sectors are facing major challenges. Even in regions and countries that are unlikely to face food crisis, such as those in North America and Europe, there is also a lack of labor as new challenges keep unskilled workers out. Also, COVID-19 travel restrictions across countries have led to an immediate shortage of seasonal farm labor due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has had a heavy impact, especially in the ongoing harvest season and the upcoming planting season across the world. Market Segmentation Powered Agriculture Equipment by Equipment Type The powered agriculture equipment comprises a wide range of solutions such as tractors, sprayers, planters, combines, and other equipment such as balers and tilling equipment. Farm tractors account for the largest share in the market, followed by combine harvesters, planters, and sprayers, in that order in 2021. The adoption of powered agriculture equipment is increasing among farmers to improve yield, operational efficiency, soil fertility, and profitability. Powered Agriculture Equipment by Region In 2021, Asia-Pacific and Japan led the global powered agriculture equipment market, with a large market concentration in India. Trends such as high population growth, increasing disposable incomes, and booming urbanization in the Asia-Pacific and Japan region have resulted in a robust evolution in the consumption patterns amongst the population of the region. Hence, farmers of the region are focusing on increasing crop yield and having an all-year-round supply of agricultural produce to meet the escalating demand. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis The companies that are profiled in the report have been selected based on the selective pool of players, primarily Tier-1 (holding 50-60% of the market), mid-segment players (comprising 30-40% share), and small and emerging companies (holding the balance 10-20% share), based on various factors such as product portfolio, annual revenues, market penetration, research, and development initiatives, along with a domestic and international presence in the Powered Agriculture industry. Key Questions Answered in the Report What is the estimated global powered agriculture market size in terms of revenue for the forecast period 2022-2026, and what is the expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period 2022-2026? What are the key trends, market drivers, and opportunities in the market pertaining to powered agriculture and equipment? What are the major restraints inhibiting the growth of the global powered agriculture equipment market? What kinds of new strategies are being adopted by the existing market players to expand their market position in the industry? What is the competitive strength of the key players in the powered agriculture equipment market based on an analysis of their recent developments, product offerings, and regional presence? How is the competitive benchmarking of the key powered agriculture equipment companies in the agriculture market based on the analysis of their market coverage and market potential? Which type of players and stakeholders are operating in the market ecosystem of powered agriculture equipment, and what is their significance in the global market? Which are the leading consortiums and associations in the global powered agriculture equipment market, and what are their roles in the market? How does the regulatory landscape differ in different regions for powered agriculture equipment? Recent Developments in Powered Agriculture Equipment Market In September 2021 , Deere & Company acquired the Brazilian-based private company in business for sugarcane harvesters. , Deere & Company acquired the Brazilian-based private company in business for sugarcane harvesters. In September 2021 , Deere & Company acquired the bear flag robotics to accelerate autonomous technology. , Deere & Company acquired the bear flag robotics to accelerate autonomous technology. In February 2021 , AeroVironment, Inc. had acquired Arcturus UAV, so as to accelerate and expand the UAS market segment. , AeroVironment, Inc. had acquired Arcturus UAV, so as to accelerate and expand the UAS market segment. In February 2021 , AeroVironment, Inc. acquired the ISG from Progeny Systems Corporation that works in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomy technologies. Market Report Coverage - Powered Agriculture Equipment Market Segmentation Equipment Type: Tractor, Combine Harvesters, Planters, Sprayers, and Other Equipment Application: Harvesting, Sowing and Planting, Spraying and Fertilizing, and Other Applications Regional Segmentation North America : U.S., Canada , and Mexico : U.S., , and Europe : Germany , France , Italy , Spain , and Rest-of- Europe : , , , , and Rest-of- U.K. Middle East and Africa and China Asia-Pacific : India , Japan , South Korea , Australia , and Rest-of- Asia-Pacific : , , , , and Rest-of- South America : Brazil , Argentina , and Rest-of- South America Market Growth Drivers Rising Global Food Insecurity Rising Demand for Autonomous Equipment Increasing Government Initiatives for Sustainable Food Production Market Challenges High Initial Investment Cost Lack of Technical Knowledge and Awareness Market Opportunities Rising Opportunities in Developing Countries Adoption of Drones and Robots in Agriculture Integration of GIS in Agriculture Technology Business Strategies Product Developments and Innovation Market Developments Mergers and Acquisitions Partnerships, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Alliances Key Companies Profiled Deere & Company Kubota Corporation AGCO Corporation AeroVironment, Inc. CLAAS Group CNH Industrial N.V. ISEKI & CO., LTD. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Robert Bosch GmbH Trimble Inc. SDF Group Parrot SA Harvest Automation PrecisionHawk Inc. Tirth Agro Technology Private Limited Kinze Manufacturing Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd ZETOR TRACTORS a.s. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gkt9cj Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Precision Agriculture Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Applications, Products and Country-Wise Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2020-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global precision agriculture market is expected to reach $10.93 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period 2021-2026. The growth rate in the market is because of the increased government initiatives around the world for precision agriculture services, as this leads to an increase in agricultural production to cater to the growing global food demand. Precision agriculture techniques are being adopted by farmers across the globe to increase crop yield, shrink wastage, and ensure food security. This has led to an increase in the growth of the global precision agriculture market. Precision Agriculture Market Precision agriculture Market is defined as the practices adopted to make farming accurate and precise. The techniques may include the use of artificial intelligence, a wide array of technologies such as sensors, drones, robotics, automated hardware, telematics, software, and autonomous vehicles. For instance, GPS is used to receive location data from satellites and control the farmer's tractor based on coordinates of the field. Impact of COVID-19 on Precision Agriculture Market The precision agriculture market experienced a dip in the year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictions in movement. Globally nations had lockdown imposed because of which the supply chain also got disrupted, resulting in shortage of equipment and other inputs required for farming. This has brought the companies' attention toward the use of remote sensing and other agriculture management tools, which can lead to a boost in the adoption of precision agriculture practices. Market Segmentation Precision Agriculture Market by Application Precision irrigation is an innovative method to evaluate the crop's water requirement and implementation of advanced systems to encourage the health of the crop and to reduce the nutrient, chemical, and water waste. It involves scheduling irrigation based on the data collected through sensors and drones. It also involves providing the right amount of water to the plants/crops at the right time and place without wasting the available land resources. Precision Agriculture Market by Farm Produce Field crops comprise the mainstream traditional farm produce that the agriculture industry majorly focuses on for its daily revenue generation. These crops are grown for large-scale consumption purposes. While the production of fruits and vegetables requires handpicking by manual labors and individualized care, field crops are generally processed in bulk. Precision Agriculture Market by Technology The guidance technology majorly comprises the global positioning system (GPS) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technologies which are applied in the agriculture industry for navigation purposes. The navigation is done via satellites which send signals to the receiver/user to provide them with accurate information about the location on the farm. Such equipment enables efficient crop monitoring. GPS/GNSS equipment and software service can be used for automated record keeping, vehicle navigation, and inter-vehicle communications, and other applications. Precision Agriculture Market by Solution Hardware systems of precision agriculture solutions are broadly classified into automation and control systems, sensing and navigation systems, and other equipment like smart sprayers and sprinklers. The hardware solution comprises different types of tools and devices, such as displays, GPS/GNSS devices, and handheld mobile devices. Precision Agriculture Market by Region North America has been one of the early adopters of the new technologies to meet the growing food demand across the globe. North America has most of the market leaders and contributors to the advanced precision agriculture industry, with the U.S. being the heartland of precision agriculture technologies. Over the last two decades, precision farming methods have been progressively adopted by the regional farmers to make their farm operations easy and to produce high-quality crops. The farmers of the region are being well-trained to make them open toward the adoption of technological innovations. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis The companies that are profiled in the report have been selected based on the selective pool of players, primarily Tier-1 (which hold 50-60% of the market), mid-segment players (comprising 30-40% share), and small and emerging companies (holding the balance 10-20% share), based on various factors such as product portfolio, annual revenues, market penetration, research, and development initiatives, along with a domestic and international presence in the Precision Agriculture industry. Key Questions Answered in the Report What is the expected global precision agriculture market size in terms of value during the period 2021-2026? What is the expected future scenario and revenue to be generated by different types of solutions including software and platform, hardware, and support services? What is the expected future scenario and revenue to be generated by the technology segment, including guidance technology, sensing technology, variable rate application technology, and data analytics and intelligence? What is the expected future scenario and revenue to be generated by different applications for precision agriculture solutions, including precision irrigation, field monitoring, precision spraying, precision fertilization, precision planting, and data management? Which region is the largest market for the global precision agriculture market? What is the expected future scenario and revenue to be generated by different regions and countries in the global precision agriculture market such as North America , South America , Europe , the U.K., China , Asia-Pacific and Japan , and Middle East and Africa ? , , , the U.K., , and , and and ? What is the competitive strength of the key players in the global precision agriculture market based on the analysis of their recent developments, product offerings, and regional presence? Which are the different consortiums and associations present in the global precision agriculture market, and what are their roles, focus areas, and key functions in this market? Where do the key precision agriculture companies lie in their competitive benchmarking, compared on basis of market coverage and market potential? What does the technology ecosystem of precision agriculture solutions constitute? How This Report Can Add Value This report covers major regions with established precision agriculture market. Government Initiatives and Regulatory Frameworks are provided for various regions. Market Share Analysis has been done for analyzing the competition in the precision agriculture market business. Extensive competitive benchmarking of the top 15 players (including OEMs and equipment providers) has been done to offer a holistic view of the global precision agriculture market landscape. Market Report Coverage - Precision Agriculture Market Segmentation Application: Precision Irrigation, Field Monitoring, Precision Spraying, Precision Fertilization, Precision Planting, Data Management, Other Applications Farm Produce: Field Crops, Permanent Crops, Others Technology: Guidance Technology, Sensing Technology, Variable Rate Application Technology, Data Analytics and Intelligence, Others Solution: Hardware, Software and Platform, Support Services Market Growth Drivers Increasing Support from Government and Regulatory Bodies Increasing Demand for Global Food Production Need of Technologies to Combat Climate Change Market Challenges High Initial Investment Threat to Data Security and Privacy Lack of Awareness and IT Infrastructure in Developing Regions Market Opportunities Integration of Emerging Technologies with Existing Practices Scope of Growth in Asia-Pacific and Japan Region and Japan Region Integral Offerings with Horizontal Integration in Farming Key Companies Profiled AGCO Corporation CLAAS Group CNH Industrial N.V. John Deere Hexagon Agriculture Kubota Corporation TeeJet Technologies The Toro Company Topcon Corporation Yanmar Co. Ltd. Microsoft Corporation AGRIVI BASF SE Granular Inc. IBM Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/70qxzd Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets TORONTO, Jan. 25, 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 the second of the three required regulatory approvals from the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), namely the approval from the Ministry of Commerce ("MOFCOM"), 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 MOFCOM is the second of three PRC approvals required for the Transaction. Following the receipt of MOFCOM and the previously announced National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") approvals, Chifeng has submitted 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 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 apply to 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, 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$4.1 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; Golden Star ceasing to be a reporting issuer and the timing for such an application; 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. PUYALLUP, Wash., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC , the premier learn-to-swim franchise concept, has announced a signed franchise agreement in Washington that will bring a new Goldfish Swim School to Puyallup in Q2 of 2023. Site selection is well-underway as the new facility will join two open and operating schools across the state, in Redmond and Shoreline, extending the brand's reach to teach water safety to even more children and families in the area. Behind the newly signed agreement is husband-wife team, Mitch and Corri Hastings, who have teamed up with existing Goldfish Swim School franchisee, John Higgins. The Hastings are United States Military Academy West Point graduates, and Corri swam on the varsity team where her passion for swimming and water safety was solidified. The Hastings recently moved to Washington from Wisconsin, and were in search of a premier learn-to-swim provider for their four-year-old daughter. Disappointed in the lack of availability, they began pondering opening their own facility. Formerly enrolled in lessons at Goldfish Swim School Brookfield, WI, the Hastings started their due diligence in exploring the Goldfish franchise opportunity. "As former members of Goldfish, we knew the brand had established itself as an industry leader with a purpose-driven mission that goes above and beyond in customer service, while providing extraordinary results with a proven learn-to-swim curriculum," said Corri. "As we dug into the details of the franchise opportunity, we knew we found our perfect match. Goldfish has a proven business model, solid systems and a talented support team. This, paired with the knowledge and expertise we'll gain from partnering with John, gave us full confidence in our investment decision. We're eager to make a significant impact in our new community by teaching water safety and drowning prevention with the premier brand in the industry," added Mitch. To build off this successful momentum, Goldfish Swim School has set an aggressive expansion goal to open 17 schools in 2022 as it continues to seek franchise partners throughout the United States and Canada. Goldfish Swim School's proven performance coupled with its exceptional leadership team and world-class franchise office support has resulted in eager and sophisticated entrepreneurs flocking to the franchise opportunity . "Washington is an ideal state for our continued expansion as we look to further develop in the Seattle area and beyond," said Chris McCuiston, CEO & Co-Founder of Goldfish Swim School. "We've built an incredible culture and as we remain focused on the continued growth of this brand, we aim to expand our footprint with franchisees like Mitch, Corri and John who believe in our mission and vision, and are committed to making an impact in their communities." The success achieved by the brand has not gone unnoticed as the franchise industry has honored Goldfish with several recent award wins: ranking No. 53 and the top swim school franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2022 Franchise 500, named a Top Franchise for 2021 by Franchise Business Review , earning a spot on the 2021 Inc. 5000 Midwest Regionals list , claiming a 2021 Breakout Retailer Award by Chain Store Age and making an appearance on the 2021 Franchise Times Top 400 . Consistently outranking its competition, Goldfish Swim School continues to prove itself as a top-rated and most established swim school franchise in the space. Its ability to go above and beyond to nurture a culture that provides a GOLDEN Experience! is unmatched by its competition. Goldfish Swim School's core values extend from its members to its franchisees, as the Franchise Office Support team is committed to going above and beyond with every detail. It is this level of best-in-class support that drives prospective franchisees to continuously choose Goldfish. Riding this wave of success, the company is looking for qualified and engaged individuals seeking multi-unit opportunities who are involved with their community, have a passion for water safety and are hungry to dive into the world of franchising. Today, with 125-plus locations open and more than 130 in development, the brand is on track for strategic franchise expansion across North America. Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years, teaching children how to be safer in and around the water. Each school offers swim lessons and programs using a proprietary philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. Each school's number one focus and main priority is always the same educating children on water safety while teaching them how to swim and respect the water. For more information on Goldfish Swim School and its franchise opportunity, please visit https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/franchise-opportunities/ or call 248-801-1850. About Goldfish Swim School Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. Recently, the brand was recognized by Entrepreneur in its Franchise 500 ranking, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious List, and Inc. Magazine's Top 5000. Goldfish Swim School is currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with more than 125 schools open, and an additional 130+ in development in more than 30 states and Canada. Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, [email protected] SOURCE Goldfish Swim School JAKARTA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia, the world's largest crude palm oil (CPO) producer and exporter, started on Monday the implementation of a stricter rule for CPO exports as an attempt to control a surge in domestic cooking oil prices. Under the new rule, which will be applied for six months ahead, palm oil exporters are required to declare how much CPO, refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) Palm Olein and Used Cooking Oil (UCO) they have sold, or plan to sell, to domestic market in order to obtain permits for their export. The exporters are also required to show their sales contracts, which include their export and domestic selling plans for six months ahead. If they fail to fulfill the requirements, the Indonesian Ministry of Trade will hold their export approval documents, the ministry's Director General for International Trade Indrasari Wisnu Wardhana told reporters on Monday. Before the new rule, exporters were only required to do customs declarations for shipments. This new temporary rule is applicable to all palm oil exporters including those that have never supplied domestic markets before and are not affiliated with cooking oil producers. The ministry is currently trying to bring down cooking oil prices, which have risen about 40 percent from a year earlier, following the soaring global palm oil prices. Goya's Culinary Arts Scholarship is available on a competitive basis to students entering an accredited two-year or four-year institution. Scholarships are in the amount of $5,000 awarded per academic year starting in Fall 2022 and are renewable for up to three additional years provided the student remains eligible to receive funding. Four students will receive a total of $20,000 each. "As the leader in Latin American food, our culinary scholarship is one of our educational pillars, essential to the fulfillment of our mission to celebrate, nurture, and preserve Goya's diverse heritage and future," says Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods. "We pride ourselves on authenticity, high-quality, and culinary traditions and want to provide students the opportunity to pursue their passion in the culinary arts and food sciences." Applicants of the Goya Culinary Arts Scholarship will be selected based on the standard requirements established under the Goya Gives program and administered by Scholarship America including academic achievement, leadership, community service and financial need, as well as an evaluation of an essay explaining how Goya has enriched their family traditions. For more information and to apply, please visit: goya.com Applications are due no later than March 21, 2022. About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; the combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com About Scholarship America: Scholarship America mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed $3.1 billion in scholarship assistance to 2 million students, funding both entry-level and multi-year scholarships and emergency financial grants. More information is available at www.scholarshipamerica.org. For more information, contact: Natalie J. Maniscalco 845.659.6506 / [email protected] SOURCE Goya Foods, Inc. BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from Guidehouse Insights reviews the energy service company (ESCO) market size and projection as annual revenue from long-term contracting models and provides information on regional markets, customer segments and technology types. ESCO markets have been undergoing significant change in the past years, as the definition is expanding to include more solutions. Although energy savings performance contracting (ESPC) continues to dominate the market, other types of performance contracting are becoming a larger part of the ESCO business. These include EaaS, sustainability and decarbonization advisory, offsite renewable energy procurement, and resilience through onsite distributed energy resources (DER). According to a new report from Guidehouse Insights, the global ESCO performance contracting marketincluding guaranteed savings performance contracts, shared savings performance contracts, and EaaSis expected to grow from $18.9 billion in 2021 to $43.2 billion in 2030. "The ESCO business model and the ESPC financing structure maintains its reputation as a valuable way for global organizations to realize sustainability mandates while meeting operational, financial, and human capital goals," says Sasha Wedekind, senior research analyst with Guidehouse Insights. "However, most of market growth is anticipated to come from EaaS solutions rather than traditional ESPC models." Despite ESCO market changes and a positive forecast, multiple barriers to growth exist. Contract complexity and length, as well as energy price volatility, continue to be a challenge. Additionally, a lack of customer awareness of EaaS solutions is stalling growth. Finally, limited ESCO capabilities in DER, sustainability advisory, renewable energy supply, and other emerging solutions are acting as barriers in the market., according to the report. The report, Market Data: ESCO Performance Contracting, analyzes the ESCO market size and projection as total revenue generated annually from long-term contracting models with performance guarantees. The report is primarily focused on the North American market but also provides information on how the ESCO business model is developing in Europe and Asia Pacific. This report's ESCO revenue forecast is split into two segments: guaranteed savings performance contracts and other financing mechanisms (which include shared savings, EaaS, and other contracting tools with performance guarantees). The estimate is additionally segmented by six customer segments and by seven technology types. An executive summary of the report is available for free download on the Guidehouse Insights website. About Guidehouse Insights Guidehouse Insights, the dedicated market intelligence arm of Guidehouse, provides research, data, and benchmarking services for today's rapidly changing and highly regulated industries. Our insights are built on in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The team's research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research, and demand assessment, paired with a deep examination of technology trends, to provide a comprehensive view of emerging resilient infrastructure systems. Additional information about Guidehouse Insights can be found at www.guidehouseinsights.com. About Guidehouse Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public sector and commercial markets, with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. By combining our public and private sector expertise, we help clients address their most complex challenges and navigate significant regulatory pressures focusing on transformational change, business resiliency, and technology-driven innovation. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and digital services, we create scalable, innovative solutions that help our clients outwit complexity and position them for future growth and success. The company has more than 12,000 professionals in over 50 locations globally. Guidehouse is a Veritas Capital portfolio company, led by seasoned professionals with proven and diverse expertise in traditional and emerging technologies, markets, and agenda-setting issues driving national and global economies. For more information, please visit www.guidehouse.com. * The information contained in this press release concerning the report, Market Data: ESCO Performance Contracting, is a summary and reflects the current expectations of Guidehouse Insights based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report's conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Guidehouse Insights nor Guidehouse undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report. For more information, contact: Jennifer Peacock +1.404.575.3859 [email protected] SOURCE Guidehouse Insights Mr. Conder brings significant experience in cannabis-related operations, technology and brand development. Tim entered the cannabis industry in 2015 when he founded Blackbird, a technology and logistics company that now operates in 20 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces. Recently acquired by HERBL, Blackbird is the largest independent B2B2C cannabis distributor in Nevada and a strategic technology partner for multi-state operators across the country. Tim now serves as the President of Blackbird, and as the Head of Technology Strategy at HERBL. Tim also serves on the Board of Directors at publicly-traded TILT Holdings. "HelloMD helps solve the crucial problem of building trust with a broader cross-section of cannabis consumers, something so central not only to the future health of the industry but also to the challenges of consumer acquisition that retailers and brands face every day, said Mr. Conder. I'm thrilled to join a team that understands cannabis, community, and the needs of the new cannabis consumer. Larry Lisser, CEO of HelloMD said, We are so fortunate to welcome Tim to our Board of Directors to help power the next stage of our growth. From the day I met Tim in 2015 I have always viewed him as a trusted, scrappy and very big-thinking entrepreneur who clearly sees the future of cannabis. His experience in scaling businesses that, like ours, deliver value both to the cannabis consumer and business ecosystem will be especially important as we execute on our plan. About HelloMD HelloMD's data-driven platform empowers medical and recreational consumers to better understand cannabis, find products they can trust, and make intelligent dosing decisions that help them reach their wellness goals. HelloMD launched as the first telehealth and education platform for cannabis consumers in 2015, establishing itself as an industry leader. The company provides services to consumers across the United States and Canada alongside solutions to strategic partners, including Shoppers Drug Mart the largest pharmacy in the world to be distributing medical cannabis. For more information about HelloMD, visit www.hellomd.com. Media Contacts Pamela Hadfield E: [email protected] T: 415-370-2850 (texts) SOURCE HelloMD RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that it has welcomed Insurance Consultants of Central Florida (ICCF) to its portfolio, adding to the company's growing presence in the Florida region. The transaction became effective December 31, 2021. Based in Winter Park, Florida, ICCF is a full-service broker, providing clients with a range of products including individual, group, and commercial insurance solutions. Agency Principal John O'Donnell and his team of insurance professionals will join the Hilb Group's Florida regional operations. "Joining the Hilb Group is an important step for our business and those we serve, as we are excited to expand the innovative offerings we provide our clients," said John O'Donnell. "We look forward to delivering the same local, trusted service to our customers in conjunction with greater resources from our new colleagues nationwide." "We are pleased to continue our growth with the right partners and opportunities that build on our capabilities to serve clients in key markets," Hilb Group CEO Ricky Spiro said. "The addition of ICCF allows us not only to enhance our offerings and services, but importantly to continue our expansion and ongoing growth strategy in the state of Florida." About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 125 acquisitions and now has over 100 offices in 22 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com. Media Contact: Peter Lobred 804.548.4629 [email protected] M&A Contact: Ryan Havermann 804.414.6508 [email protected] SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC In this way, the project has been rewarded for its commitment to sustainability in the 'Re Think Hotel' competition, which aims to promote the application of sustainability and rehabilitation criteria in hotels through the annual publication of the 10 best sustainable hotels in Spain. To this end, the hotel has won the support of Spain's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and the Ministry for Ecological Transition, as well as that of its official partner, the RTI (Responsible Tourism Institute). Similarly, Hoteles Desconecta2 has been honoured for 'Tourism Entrepreneurship and resilience 2022 in Extremadura' by the regional government of Extremadura in the framework of FITUR 2022, at which both Hoteles Desconecta2 and the government attended this year. In this way, the regional government recognises the contribution the hotel has made to tourism and hospitality in the region and to the expansion of the Extremadura brand, which at its core has the values of quality, wellbeing, innovation and sustainability. Strength, flexibility and the ability to adapt to change stand out as additional qualities for which the hotel obtained this award. Conceived in May 2018, Hoteles Desconecta2 was forced to overcome mid-project a multitude of challenges during its various phases, including the untimely appearance of the COVID pandemic. Sam Brocal, CEO of Media Interactiva and owner of the hotel has expressed his satisfaction with both awards: "It is an honour that all the work we have put in has been recognised. All of our passion and enthusiasm has gone into the process, ensuring the perfect balance in each and every detail between design and sustainability. You can see this as soon as you walk through the door: you can just feel the magic. Laura Morillo, co-owner, looks back and recalls a dream that began three and a half years ago now with the beginning of the project: "together we have managed it." A commitment to sustainability at Hoteles Desconecta2 The start of the project and the selection of the T10Team architecture studio as responsible for its design and execution saw the first foundations being laid for Hoteles Desconecta2 to be chosen as 'Best Sustainable Hotel' of 2021 in Spain. T10Team opted for the total integration of Hoteles Desconecta2 into the natural surrounding landscape, with natural stone being selected as the prominent material in the hotel's construction. Furthermore, with a desire to foster the surrounding landscape, it was decided to conserve the oak grove through the introduction of species native to the area's grassland. To take maximum advantage of natural light, the optimal orientation was identified in the building's design through the use of solar charts and pathfinders, in such a way that the different sides of the building optimally accommodate the sunlight, harnessing the natural flow of energy of the surroundings. In much the same way, the construction, design and decoration of the hotel have been carried out in accordance with the principles of classic Feng Shui, resulting in a hotel centred around its guests' wellbeing. As a result of all this, the 'Re Think Hotel' competition has rewarded Hoteles Desconecta2 for the conservation of the natural habitat and biodiversity of the land, and for its trust in local suppliers, which minimises transport emissions and also promotes the local economy. The hotel's use of ecological cleaning products, recycled paper and efficient laundry, and the implementation of systems or plans to reduce, separate and/or recycle any waste generated, were also praised. About Hoteles Desconecta2 Hoteles Desconecta2 has brought the luxury of digital disconnection with the creation of its rural five-star boutique hotel to Extremadura, in a stunning setting in the town of Monesterio, Badajoz. This is a place, far removed from the everyday hustle and bustle, where individual wellbeing and physical and emotional reconnection are nurtured and developed. Hoteles Desconecta2 is the latest business line of Media Interactiva, a multinational specialised in technology and educational content. It represents a new concept of luxury hotel in which, in addition to the highest quality standards in accommodation and cuisine, guests can enjoy all of the comforts that help boost physical and emotional wellbeing and personal growth. The building and decoration, planned with the utmost care and attention to detail, has been a central project for owners Laura Morillo and Sam Brocal, together with architects Jose Luis Perez Halcon, Ivan Garcia Borrero and Francisco Santisteban, with a total investment of 2.7 million euros, and with additional funding from the regional government of Extremadura's Department of Economy, Science and Digital Agenda and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project constitutes a clear innovation in the tourism sector, by creating a uniquely personalised experience for each guest, while simultaneously respecting nature and the unique setting. The hotel, fully integrated and in harmony with nature, occupies a building of 1,000 m2 and is set in a 30-hectare plot of land with a swimming pool area stretching more than 553 m2, constitutes a place of exclusive luxury. With only nine rooms, it focusses completely on the wellbeing and complete relaxation of all its guests. With all this in mind, its facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, spa, an exercise studio, a restaurant, and a large exterior patio with an extraordinary view of the Tentudia wetlands. Likewise, the hotel lends itself to hosting conferences and business events (product presentations, teambuilding events, training etc.) thanks to its spacious 212m2 lounge and outdoor dining area of 420 m2, as well as a variety of other events (lunches, weddings etc.) or simply for a getaway in an idyllic natural setting with quality and carefully finished interior design. For more information www.hotelesdesconecta2.com https://www.facebook.com/hoteldesconecta2 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotel-desconecta2 https://twitter.com/h_desconecta2 https://www.instagram.com/hotelesdesconecta2/ SOURCE Hoteles Desconecta2 RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) physicians are encouraging families in the region to vaccinate their children (ages 5-11) against COVID-19 as cases continue to surge across the state. The health plan is supporting access to the vaccine for Inland Empire families through sponsorships of child-friendly vaccine clinics across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. IEHP physicians are encouraging families in the region to vaccinate their children (ages 5-11) against COVID-19 as cases continue to surge across the state. The health plan is supporting access to the vaccine for Inland Empire families through sponsorships of child-friendly vaccine clinics across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Members who receive their first COVID-19 vaccine are also eligible to receive a free $50 gift card at IEHP-sponsored clinics listed on the health plan's website. IEHP is also providing fact-based information for parents and guardians on their website and across the plan's social media accounts. "IEHP is joining forces with several partners to ensure the community has access to vaccines and clinical information to stay healthy," said Dr. Priya Batra, IEHP's Senior Medical Director for Family and Community Health. "Vaccinating children who are eligible can protect unvaccinated younger siblings and family Members who are vulnerable to COVID-19. The risk of hospitalization and health complications is greatly reduced in children who are vaccinated." According to the CDC, the approved complete Pfizer dose for children aged 5-11 is 20 micrograms (a third of the 60 micrograms for adults) administered at 10 micrograms per dose 21 days apart and has undergone rigorous testing to prove it is safe and effective. "It's no secret the vaccine is effective in dramatically reducing contraction of COVID-19 and symptoms requiring hospitalization," said Dr. Takashi Wada, IEHP's Chief Medical Officer. "Providing our children that protection is essential, especially as our communities continue to open and try to return to normal operations. Vaccinating children will encourage and allow the safe return of all our children's favorite sporting activities, play dates, school functions and more." To learn more about where to receive COVID-19 vaccines for you and your child, visit iehp.org. About IEHP With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. In its 25th year, IEHP is supporting more than 1.4 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medicaid or Cal MediConnect Plans and has a growing network of over 7,300 providers and nearly 2,500 Team Members. Through dynamic partnerships with Providers and Community Organizations, paired with award-winning service and a tradition of quality care, IEHP is fully committed to their vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. For more information, visit iehp.org. SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) ~The TV channel and website are set to become the chosen destination for the LIVEStream of the 5 upcoming state elections in India~ ~Khabar, Apni Mitti Ki, Apne Ghar ki, and Apne Bharose ki! ~ NEW DELHI, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading news channels of India, Aaj Tak, and India Today TV are now available in the US as digital LIVE Feeds. The audiences can watch the Live updates on their website, mobile site, and social platforms as the Indian news scenario gets supercharged with the upcoming election in 5 states -UP, Uttrakhand, Punjab, Goa, & Manipur in India. Aaj Tak is India's most-watched Hindi news channel and India Today TV offers news updates and perspective from across India in English. The channels are popular among viewers for authentic information and sharp analyses. The Live streams from these channels were earlier unavailable on the internet in the United States as they were exclusively available on cable networks for a fee. It is for the first time India Today Live TV and Aaj Tak Live TV will be available free of cost to digital audiences in the US. The special election coverage includes ground reports from the 5 states, detailed analyses of the election campaign, exit poll, and extensive coverage of the polling days and the results day. The extensive coverage of the state election can be watched on India Today TV and Aaj Tak channels websites, www.indiatoday.in and www.aajtak.in. respectively. Aajtak is India's No.1 Hindi News Channel- BARC (Wk 1-39'2020, HSM, 15+ NCCS All) and UK's No.1 Indian News Channel- BARB (WK 24-49'2021, UK, Adults). It is also the Number 1 Hindi News Website. (Comscore Mobile Metrix, Custom-defined list of Hindi News/Information Entities, November 2021, India) and Number 1 Hindi News Video Publisher (Source: Comscore, VMX Multi-platform, Custom-defined List of Hindi News YouTube channels, 18-34 Yrs, Reach'000, October 2021, India). Even on Social media, it is the most subscribed Hindi news brand across Social media Platforms which includes YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. It is the No.1 News Channel on YouTube with 48.8 million subscribers Website - https://www.indiatoday.in/ Media Contact: Venkatesh Somayaji +919711306713 [email protected] SOURCE India Today Group HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP), the largest training provider of allied health education across Texas, has been named as a national Top Workplaces USA winner. Top Workplaces awards are based entirely on employee feedback, making it one of the world's most objective and credible employer recognition programs. "The challenges of the past year have again demonstrated the ability, flexibility, and compassion of our faculty and staff as they work to help our learners successfully navigate a constantly changing world and succeed in their careers," said Eric Bing, chancellor of CHCP. "This award, first and foremost, highlights the commitment and passion of our team. Our faculty and staff deserve a standing ovation for their dedication to our students and the health of our communities." CHCP's faculty and staff, over two-thirds of whom are nonwhite, reflects the diverse population of learners it serves. CHCP offers flexible pathways for learners that take advantage of blended, online and hybrid learning approaches, helping learners to balance complicated lives. Rooted in its support for learners, CHCP students' stories continue to be highlighted nationally for the role of its faculty and staff, including Mika Thibeaux who went from experiencing homelessness to earning a career. "We are overjoyed to be recognized for the engaging and inclusive culture we have built at CHCP, " said Irma Arguijo-Rivera, Chief People Officer at CHCP. "As we continue to navigate the impact of the past two years in Texas and across the country, this recognition will fuel our efforts to uplift and help students on their way towards graduation and onto successful careers." The award comes on the heels of the release of a study by Rice University on CHCP's Impact on Hispanic learners. The report found that the cohort of Hispanic graduates, which represented over 50 % of its student body in the time period studied, had graduation and job placement rates well above the national average and significantly increased their economic mobility. About CHCP As a leader in healthcare education and training, CHCP helps students develop the skills they need to meet the demands of today's healthcare industry. Founded by physicians, CHCP is focused on healthcare education and training and its accredited programs have been developing healthcare professionals for 30 years. CHCP faculty have real-world, on-the-job experience and are committed to helping students succeed. Just as importantly, CHCP's on-campus, blended, online and hybrid program offerings give students flexible options to learn on their schedule. CHCP offers continuing education nationwide for medical imaging and emerging healthcare technologies through the Medical Technology Management Institute (MTMI). For more information, visit www.chcp.edu . SOURCE College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) "I am thrilled to join The Aspen Group at such a pivotal moment in time for healthcare," said Jeri Doris, Chief Human Resources Officer for TAG. "TAG is revolutionizing the consumer healthcare model by empowering local offices, doctors and teams to meet people where they are in their communities. The organization's focus on career development, training, collaboration, and mentorship closely aligns with my commitment to developing a workplace environment where our teams thrive and deliver on our vision." POWERING GROWTH BY FOCUSING ON PEOPLE As Chief Human Resources Officer, Jeri will play a critical role in building, shaping and implementing people-centric structures and processes to better serve TAG team members, and support team growth strategies that are rooted in company values. She will also work with HR leaders across TAG's four businesses Aspen Dental, WellNow, ClearChoice and Chapter to develop a consistent HR vision across the organization. "Fundamental to our values is this idea of expanding access to care and that starts with listening to our team members, learning what's happening on the ground, and understanding how we can grow our teams to meet those needs," said Bob Fontana, chairman and CEO of TAG. "With a deep passion for helping organizations grow and scale, Jeri has a proven track record of leveraging talent, creating systems that empower people to lead from every seat, and fostering a culture that drives innovation." DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE Jeri joins TAG from Delivery Hero, the world's largest local delivery platform that serves millions of customers daily in more than 50 markets across 18 brands. She served as Chief People Officer for the organization, where she helped to multiply their workforce sixfold while leading global corporate communications, corporate social responsibility, and people strategies, and playing a critical role in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Prior to her time at Delivery Hero, Jeri served in HR leadership roles at other national and global brands including Groupon, Rakuten USA and MuleSoft. LOOKING AHEAD TO CONTINUED EXPANSION Over the last year, TAG served more than 8 million patients nationwide, added to its new lines of business in dental implants, medical aesthetics, and urgent care, and grew its nationwide team to more than 18,000 employees. In 2022, TAG will continue to advance its mission to bring accessible, consumer-focused healthcare to underserved communities by adding jobs across all brands, opening new offices, providing high-level training to employees, introducing new technologies, and building on its charitable giving efforts, including its Overseas Outreach Program and the annual Day of Service providing free dental care to veterans. For more information about The Aspen Group and its team members, visit: https://www.teamtag.com/. ABOUT TAG - THE ASPEN GROUP TAG was built on the simple idea of bringing better healthcare to more people. TAG and the independent healthcare practices it supports operate more than 1,100 locations in 45 states through its four healthcare support companies: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice, WellNow and ChapterSM. Combined, the companies serve more than 30,000 patients a day and more than 8 million patients each year. TAG is headquartered at 800 W. Fulton Market in Chicago. For more information, visit teamtag.com. SOURCE TAG - The Aspen Group KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Kansas City Life Insurance Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share on January 24, 2022. The dividend will be payable on February 9, 2022, to stockholders of record on February 3, 2022. Kansas City Life Insurance Company (OTCQX: KCLI) was established in 1895 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's primary business is providing financial protection through the sale of life insurance and annuities. The Company operates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.kclife.com. SOURCE Kansas City Life Insurance Company JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A joint team of policemen and customs officers has seized 150 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 20,000 pills of Happy 5 in Indonesia's westernmost province of Aceh, a police officer said on Tuesday. Six people were arrested during the operation on Jan. 22, Aceh Police's Chief Inspector General Ahmad Haydar said in the province's capital of Banda Aceh. The suspects are members of an Indonesia-Malaysia network, he said, adding that the contrabands were sent from the Malacca Strait to Aceh. If found guilty, the suspects will face the punishment of at least five years in prison with the maximum of death penalty under Indonesia's law on narcotics, he said. "Reface. Replant. Rejoice," is the title of the remodeler's tree planting reforestation mission created in partnership with the NFF. The campaign begins with Kitchen Magic donating five trees on behalf of every customer to replenish a forest in need. "We continue to receive positive feedback from our customers regarding the program," says John Lamberti, Director of Marketing, Kitchen Magic. He adds, "Millions of acres of trees are destroyed every year by logging, natural disasters, weather and deforestation". For more than 42 years, Kitchen Magic has specialized in cabinet refacing, which uses 75% of a kitchen's existing material, making it a highly ecofriendly method to remodel a kitchen, creating a more sustainable alternative to a total cabinet replacement. The company product strategy focuses on USA Made and sustainable products whenever possible and are themselves a US Manufacturer, all contributing to a reduced carbon footprint. The cabinet refacing process requires less than one tree to remodel an entire kitchen. THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT "The ongoing lumber shortage and increased tariffs on lumber continue to drive the importance of sustainable building and remodel practices," says Lamberti. "Sustainability has always been a pillar of our foundation, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to protecting the environment." Due to climate change and wildfires, deforestation has been a challenge across the globe, construction projects can have a particularly large impact and costs present and additional challenge. For example, tariffs on Canadian softwoods were recently raised from 8.99% to 17%, doubling the tax on wood resources for remodeling and construction. MAKING A DIFFERENCE The firm sources a majority of its products and materials from US suppliers and uses 100 percent domestic North American wood sources. To learn more about Kitchen Magic's "Reface. Replant. Rejoice." mission, visit https://www.kitchenmagic.com/trees. ABOUT KITCHEN MAGIC Kitchen Magic is a kitchen remodeling company with headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Nazareth, PA. Kitchen Magic has been family-owned and operated since 1979. Kitchen Magic has transformed nearly 60,000 kitchens using an exclusive cabinet refacing process. Today, Kitchen Magic serves CT, DE, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, and R.I. Kitchen Magic is recognized by Qualified Remodeler as #1 in kitchen remodeling nationwide 8 times, an 11-time Angie's List Super Service Award winner, a 10-time Best of Houzz winner for service & design, and an 8-time winner of The Morning Call's Top Workplace Award. PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT Linda Fennessy Public Relations Manager 610.217.0964 800.237.0799x 4155 [email protected] SOURCE Kitchen Magic, Inc. MIAMI, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study from the Knight Free Expression (KFX) Research Series shows that most college students in America strongly value free speech and recognize its importance to democracy, even as high-profile incidents continue to fuel debate about allowing problematic speech on campus. However, the percentage of students who say free speech in America is secure today has fallen sharply, along with the share of students of color who feel the First Amendment protects them. The report "College Student Views on Free Expression and Campus Speech 2022" builds on nearly two decades of Knight research into students' views of free expression, and represents the most authoritative accounting of the state of campus speech available today. Its findings are based on a nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 students, conducted by the public opinion research firm Ipsos. The results reinforce that college students express strong belief in free speech principles, mirroring recent Knight findings on the views of the broader American public. An overwhelming majority of college students (84%) say free speech rights are extremely or very important in our democracy. say free speech rights are extremely or very important in our democracy. A similar majority of students (83%) believe the First Amendment protects people like them. However, just 5% of Black students feel that the First Amendment protects people like them a great deal, a drop of 20 percentage points since 2019. However, just 5% of Black students feel that the First Amendment protects people like them a great deal, a drop of 20 percentage points since 2019. More than half of students (59%) say colleges should allow students to be exposed to all types of speech even if they may find it offensive or biased. Republican students (71%) and white students (65%) are more likely to say this than Independent, (57%), Democrat (55%), Black (47%) or Hispanic (45%) students. Though they place a high value on free speech principles, college students are increasingly uneasy about the state of campus speech. Less than half of students (47%) say speech rights are secure, a share that has fallen every year since this question was first asked in 2016. This includes a drop of 12 percentage points between 2019 and 2021, driven primarily by declines among Republican students. a share that has fallen every year since this question was first asked in 2016. This includes a drop of 12 percentage points between 2019 and 2021, driven primarily by declines among Republican students. A majority of students (65%) agree strongly or somewhat that their campus climate prevents some people from saying things they believe because others might find the remarks offensive. This majority has risen 11 percentage points since 2016. that their campus climate prevents some people from saying things they believe because others might find the remarks offensive. This majority has risen 11 percentage points since 2016. Just half of students say they feel comfortable voicing disagreement with their instructor (49%) or peers (52%) in class. "College campuses are robust environments of change, learning and conversation," said Alberto Ibarguen, president of Knight Foundation. "If we are to have a vibrant First Amendment, it has to be embraced by succeeding generations. Tracking student reaction and interpretation of media and events produces critical data for anyone who wants to understand where we're headed as a society." The KFX Research Series provides essential insights to help educators, policymakers and private companies understand how Americans' views of free expression are shifting in an era of great social change. As a Foundation with strong roots in local journalism, free speech and press freedom are central to Knight's mission of fostering informed and engaged communities. "Our latest findings reinforce that college students have diverse experiences with speech that are informed by their unique backgrounds," said Evette Alexander, Knight's director of Learning and Impact. "To create campuses that serve all students, college leaders must understand those differences and anticipate how students' perspectives are evolving in a post-2020 world." Later this year, Knight will release the next KFX Research Series study with updated data on how American high school students view free expression issues insights that Knight has collected since 2004. For interviews about this Knight study, please contact Nick DeSantis at [email protected]. Visit kf.org to learn more about the KFX Research Series. About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation We are social investors who support democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and in the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once had newspapers. Learn more at kf.org and follow @knightfdn on social media. SOURCE Knight Foundation SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lakewood-Amedex Inc., a privately held, clinical stage pharmaceutical discovery and development company advancing a broad portfolio of first-in-class antimicrobial and antifungal therapeutics called Bisphosphocins, today announced that two new directors have been appointed to its Board. Thomas Pfisterer, who holds a senior management role at WILD Group Management AG, heading the Direct Investments activities of the WILD Family Investment Office since the beginning of 2015, has been elected to the Board of Directors. Mr. Pfisterer also serves on the boards of several biotech companies, including ADC Therapeutics, InSphero, Imvax, and Sermonix Pharmaceuticals. Previously, Mr. Pfisterer worked in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley Bank AG in Frankfurt, focusing on M&A and capital market transactions for German healthcare clients. Douglas Manion, M.D., recently joined Arena Pharmaceuticals as Executive Director of Research and Development. Pfizer recently announced that it will acquire Arena Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Manion served as CEO of Kleo Pharmaceuticals, a private biotechnology company focused on innovative small molecule immunotherapeutics, from 2017 until its acquisition by Biohaven Holdings in January 2021. Previously Dr. Manion was Senior Vice President, Head of Specialty Development and Head R&D Japan and China at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). During his 11-year tenure at BMS, he held leadership roles overseeing global clinical research, clinical development, pharmacovigilance and biostatistics, across various therapeutic areas, including virology, immunology, neurology, cardiology, metabolic diseases, genetically-defined diseases and fibrosis. Dr. Manion's previous biopharmaceutical experience includes progressive leadership roles at GlaxoSmithKline, DuPont Pharmaceuticals, and DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Peter B. Corr, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented, "It is important to have world class directors of the stature of Thomas Pfisterer and Doug Manion join our Board to help the company reach the next major stage of development. I look forward to both providing their expertise and insights to the Board of Directors." Steve Parkinson, President and CEO of Lakewood-Amedex, said, "We are very pleased to welcome Thomas and Doug to the Board, and we look forward to working with them as we rapidly advance the company through the next important clinical trials over the next 18 months." About Lakewood-Amedex, Inc. Lakewood-Amedex is a privately held, clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of first-in-class antimicrobial and antifungal therapeutics called Bisphosphocins. The company's products and technology are covered by an extensive patent portfolio consisting of granted and/or issued patents and pending patent applications covering many major pharmaceutical markets. The company's lead therapeutic candidates are novel synthetic broad-spectrum antimicrobials proven to be effective in killing a wide range of Gram-positive, Gram-negative and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and all fungal strains tested. Nu-3 has already completed a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers. For more information, https://lakewoodamedex.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "expects," "potential," "suggests", "may", "will" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements regarding our business, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" that involve risk and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Contacts Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. Investors Lisa Sher [email protected] Media Dave Schemelia [email protected] SOURCE Lakewood-Amedex Inc. WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vaccination against COVID-19 did not affect fertility outcomes in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a new study has found. The findings, which were published in Obstetrics & Gynecology (the Green Journal), add to the growing body of evidence providing reassurance that COVID-19 vaccination does not affect fertility. Investigators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Icahn Mount Sinai), New York City, and Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (RMA of New York) compared rates of fertilization, pregnancy, and early miscarriage in IVF patients who had received two doses of vaccines manufactured by Pfizer or Moderna with the same outcomes in nonvaccinated patients. "This is one of the largest studies to review fertility and IVF cycle outcomes in patients who received COVID-19 vaccinations. The study found no significant differences in response to ovarian stimulation, egg quality, embryo development, or pregnancy outcomes between the vaccinated compared to unvaccinated patients." said Devora A. Aharon, MD, first author of the study. Dr. Aharon is a fellow in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Icahn Mount Sinai and RMA of New York. "Our findings that vaccination had no impact on these outcomes should be reassuring to those who are trying to conceive or are in early pregnancy." The study involved patients whose eggs were collected from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory, creating embryos that were frozen and later thawed and transferred to the womb, and patients who underwent medical treatment to stimulate the development of eggs. The two groups of patients who underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfer214 vaccinated and 733 unvaccinatedhad similar rates of pregnancy and early pregnancy loss. The two groups of patients who underwent ovarian stimulation222 vaccinated and 983 unvaccinatedhad similar rates of eggs retrieved, fertilization, and embryos with normal numbers of chromosomes, among several other measures. The authors of the study anticipate that the findings will ease the anxiety of people considering pregnancy. "By leveraging science and big data, we can help reassure patients of reproductive age and enable them to make the best decisions for themselves. It will give people comfort to know that the COVID-19 vaccine does not affect their reproductive potential," said senior author Alan B. Copperman, MD, FACOG, division director and clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at Icahn Mount Sinai and director of RMA of New York, which is recognized internationally as a leading center of reproductive medicine. The patients in the study were treated at RMA of New York between February and September 2021. Patients undergoing IVF treatment are closely tracked, enabling the researchers to capture early data on the implantation of embryos in addition to pregnancy losses that might be undercounted in other studies. The publication of the new study coincides with the surge of the highly contagious Omicron variant. Previous studies have found that COVID-19 vaccination helped protect pregnant peoplefor whom COVID-19 substantially increases the risk of severe illness and deathfrom severe illness, conferred antibodies to their infants, and did not raise the risk of preterm birth or fetal growth problems. "In Vitro Fertilization and Early Pregnancy Outcomes After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination" by Devora Aharon, MD, Matthew Lederman, MD, Atoosa Ghofranian, MD, Carlos Hernandez-Nieto, MD, Chelsea Canon, MD, William Hanley, BA, Dmitry Gounko, MA, Joseph A. Lee, BA, Daniel Stein, MD, Erkan Buyuk, MD, and Alan B. Copperman, MD; Obstet Gynecol 2022;139 DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004713 Contact Information: Megan Christin, ACOG: [email protected]; Stacy A. Anderson, Mount Sinai: (347) 346-3390 or [email protected]; Pamela Pearlman, RMA of New York: [email protected]. About Obstetrics & Gynecology Obstetrics & Gynecology is the official publication of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Popularly known as The Green Journal, Obstetrics & Gynecology has been published since 1953. Then as is now, the goal of the journal is to promote excellence in the clinical practice of obstetrics and gynecology and closely related fields. To do so, the journal publishes articles on a variety of translational and clinical topics. Obstetrics & Gynecology reaches more than 45,000 members and nonmember subscribers. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai advances medicine and health through unrivaled education and translational research and discovery to deliver care that is the safest, highest-quality, most accessible and equitable, and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,300 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 415 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of the top 20 U.S. hospitals and is top in the nation by specialty: No. 1 in Geriatrics and top 20 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Children's Hospitals" among the country's best in four out of 10 pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools," aligned with a U.S. News & World Report "Honor Roll" Hospital, and No. 14 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding. Newsweek's "The World's Best Specialized Hospitals" ranks Mount Sinai Heart as No. 1 in New York and No. 4 globally, the Division of Gastroenterology as No. 3 globally, and the Division of Pulmonary as No. 6 globally. Newsweek's "The World's Best Smart Hospitals" ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally. For more information, visit their website or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. About RMA of New York RMA of New York is widely recognized as a global leader in state-of-the-art reproductive medicine, and serves as the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Led by an integrated team of physicians and scientists with extensive reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and embryology training, RMA of New York is renowned for its pioneering research in the field and for delivering high IVF success rates. For the past 20 years, the physicians of RMA of New York have consistently been distinguished as top doctors and super doctors by Castle Connolly and New York Magazine. Headquartered in midtown Manhattan, RMA of New York has fertility clinic locations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, Long Island, and abroad in Mexico City. For more information, please visit their website, or find RMA of New York on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. SOURCE Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Laurel Road, a digital banking platform of KeyBank with specialized offerings for healthcare and business professionals, announced today it has engaged Aja Evans, a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in New York City, as a Financial Therapist to offer existing and prospective members guidance and resources for building 'mental wealth,' which speaks to the specific impact finances have on mental health and overall wellness. Through this partnership with Aja Evans, LMHC, Laurel Road will provide its members a knowledgeable guide for understanding and pursuing the principles of sound mental health and financial wellbeing. The addition of Aja Evans comes just two months after Laurel Road launched its Mental Wealth Survey, which found that a striking 72% of Americans under 40 say managing their finances is a strain on their mental health. The survey also unveiled that through building financial literacy, the strain can be alleviated as 79% would feel less stressed about their financial situation if they were further educated on how to achieve financial wellness. Financial therapy, by definition, is a process informed by both therapeutic and financial expertise that helps people think, feel, and behave differently with money. Financial therapy takes similar practices of traditional therapy into account but is specifically focused on how people interact with money and how that consequently impacts feelings and behaviors. "Time and time again, we've heard about the stressors our members are faced with when it comes to managing debt and personal finances. At Laurel Road, our mission is to be a partner, rather than just a bank, as this allows us to deliver financial peace of mind at every stage of one's financial journey," said Alyssa Schaefer, General Manager & Chief Experience Officer at Laurel Road. "Working with a financial therapist like Aja allows us to leverage her deep expertise in the field of psychology and financial planning, which will ultimately help us better understand what our members need to achieve mental wealth, giving them a more positive and hopeful outlook through a mindful approach to their financial situation and helping to inform our future product development." Aja Evans will serve as Laurel Road's Financial Therapist and will be available to members through advice-driven content to be posted to its website and social channels as well as upcoming Q&As and live streaming events. Her content will explore how an individual's upbringing, life experiences and beliefs about money impact financial wellbeing. Laurel Road members can expect to experience a glimpse of her approach as a financial therapist, helping those who struggle with financial wellness, or want to improve it in general, to shift the mindset they have about money to improve their relationship with it. "As a licensed therapist, I've seen first-hand the benefit greater financial education, resources and planning have on someone's mental wellbeing," said Aja Evans, LMHC and Financial Therapist for Laurel Road. "For me, it's incredibly rewarding to support people in their journey to having more financial literacy and to building a better relationship with money. I'm thrilled to partner with Laurel Road as they share these values, recognize the explicit link between financial wellness and mental wellbeing and are taking action on it." To learn more about Aja Evans and her financial wellness offerings, visit ajaevenscounseling.com or follow her on Instagram (@ajaetherapy). To learn more about Laurel Road's commitment to mental wealth, its growing digital banking offerings, and how its supporting members with financial literacy, visit (laurelroad.com/resources) or follow @laurel_road on Instagram. About Laurel Road Laurel Road is a digital banking platform and brand of KeyBank that provides tailored offerings to support the financial wellbeing of healthcare and business professionals. Laurel Road's banking and lending solutions, including Laurel Road CheckingSM, Laurel Road High Yield Savings, Laurel Road Student Loan Cashback Card, student loan refinancing, loans, and more, provide our members with a simplified, personalized experience that helps them better navigate their financial journey and achieve life's goals. Additionally, Laurel Road has reimagined banking and financial management for physician and dentists through Laurel Road for Doctors, a tailored digital experience made up of banking, insights and exclusive benefits to provide the financial help and peace of mind they need through each career stage. Since 2013, Laurel Road has helped thousands of professionals with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees consolidate and refinance more than $7 billion in federal and private school loans. For more information, visit http://www.laurelroad.com. Laurel Road is a brand of KeyBank National Association. All products offered by KeyBank N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS # 399797. Equal Housing Lender. 2022 KeyCorp All Rights Reserved. Laurel Road is a federally registered service mark of KeyCorp. About KeyCorp KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $186.3 billion at December 31, 2021. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC. Media Contact: KWT Global for Laurel Road 610-908-9874 [email protected] SOURCE Laurel Road Cash flow lending is becoming increasingly important in helping business owners manage their cash flow cycle or make the most of new opportunities. Generally, cash flow loans are suited to businesses that have gaps in their working capital cycle such as needing to pay for expenses before they receive customer payment. Cash flow lending allows a business to borrow funds against expected future revenue for business purposes. Whether it's to replace or invest in equipment, temporarily cover wages, or access inventory to meet customer demand, it may be worth exploring the cash flow loan options available. Cash flow loans come in many shapes and sizes and can also offer repayment flexibility to suit business needs. They can be secured by property, but there are also options that don't require mortgage security. Choosing a loan from Liberty could provide your business with the support it needs to grow. From a line of credit to secured and non-mortgage secured business loans, Liberty has cash flow solutions to suit eligible businesses of all shapes and sizes. By taking a tailored and free-thinking approach to the credit assessment process, Liberty can help more Australian businesses secure the right business loans for their needs. For those looking to invest in commercial property or buy an operating space, Liberty also has a competitive offering of commercial loans. Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 872 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial. Contact Heidi Armstrong Group Manager Communications P: +61 3 8635 8888 E: [email protected] This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Liberty Financial As one of the leading UK biomedical research organisations, the NIHR Cambridge BRC maintains a secure source of fully consented clinico-genomic data from patients with chronic diseases and cancer. This biomedical data holds huge potential for health researchers to unlock discoveries on disease, supporting recent breakthroughs such as the development of clinical algorithms to guide precision cancer treatments . With the launch of CYNAPSE, the NIHR Cambridge BRC joins a growing number of research organisations who are standing up TREs that make use of Lifebit's pioneering federated technology, designed to take researcher's computation and analysis to where the data resides, to make sensitive biomedical data securely accessible. Other examples include Genomics England and the Hong Kong Genome Institute . This news comes in the wake of an announcement of the DARE UK consortium effort between Genomics England, NIHR Cambridge BRC, Eastern AHSN, Cambridge University Health Partners and Lifebit that will see Lifebit's unique federated technology bridge the TREs of these leading organisations. "Lifebit is proud to be delivering this next generation federated research platform, which will allow NIHR Cambridge BRC researchers to more effectively collaborate at scale and drive a new wave of connected data here in the UK and globally, accelerating research impact and advancements in patient care." said Thorben Seeger, Lifebit CBDO. For the full release, click here . About Lifebit Biotech, Ltd. Lifebit builds enterprise data platforms for use by organisations with complex and sensitive biomedical datasets. Lifebit's patented federated technology securely unlocks access to biomedical data. From providing Trusted Research Environments for national precision medicine programmes to enabling pharmaceutical companies to discover new drug targets faster, Lifebit empowers customers to transform how they leverage sensitive biomedical data. About NIHR The mission of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by: Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care; Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services; Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research; Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges; Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system; Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries. NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government. About NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre Based within the most outstanding NHS and University partnerships in the country, the Biomedical Research Centres are leaders in scientific translation. Located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, they receive substantial levels of funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to translate fundamental biomedical research into clinical research that benefits patients and they are early adopters of new treatments. SOURCE Lifebit Biotech FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- loanDepot, the nation's second largest non-bank retail lender, and its Executive Vice President of National Joint Ventures Dan Pena, are supporting the development of young talent through an innovative program at Northern Arizona University's (NAU) W.A. Franke College of Business. The multifaceted Professional Selling Program prepares students for day-one success in sales or other marketing and business careers. The program focuses on career readiness and includes a concentration in sales as part of the marketing major, as well as a sales club that sponsors a speaker series. Participation in local, regional and national sales competitions rounds out the student experience. The program has been recognized as one of the top 15 of its type by the Sales Education Foundation. Pena, who graduated from NAU in 1992 with a BSBA in Business, has been invited to speak to students as a visiting classroom lecturer, and also serves on the school's Sales Advisory Council. Comprised of alumni and local business leaders, the council provides industry feedback and insight to the faculty about how the curriculum and other experiential learning experiences can best prepare students for strong and early success in sales and other careers. Pena's involvement in the program is just one of many ways he works to develop a strong pipeline of talent for his team. "There are so many sales skills that can only be honed through practice and experience," said Pena. "I know this was true for me, as I found my way into the business naturally and built a career in mortgage sales after graduating from NAU. The remarkable set of curricular and co-curricular experiences these students receive is a true differentiator and really propels them to the top of the candidate list when they're competing for their first jobs. I look back on my own college career and wish I'd had something like this, so it's a real joy for me to be able to engage with these hungry and talented students as they embark on building their careers." loanDepot's financial support also enables the school to fund a scholarship for a deserving student to continue their education and prepare for a future in the business sphere. "Our program is strongerand able to drive outstanding outcomes for our studentsthanks to the active engagement and participation of business leaders like Dan," said Jana Carpenter, sales program coordinator and instructor in the W.A Franke. College of Business. "We're grateful for loanDepot's support." About loanDepot: loanDepot (NYSE: LDI) is a digital commerce company committed to serving its customers throughout the home ownership journey. Since its launch in 2010, loanDepot has revolutionized the mortgage industry with a digital-first approach that makes it easier, faster and less stressful to purchase or refinance a home. Today, as the nation's second largest retail mortgage lender, loanDepot enables customers to achieve the American dream of homeownership through a broad suite of lending and real estate services that simplify one of life's most complex transactions. With headquarters in Southern California and offices nationwide, loanDepot is committed to serving the communities in which its team lives and works through a variety of local, regional and national philanthropic efforts. Media Contact: Jonathan Fine VP, Public Relations (781) 248-3963 [email protected] SOURCE loanDepot, Inc. WILMINGTON, Mass. and Atlanta, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. ("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN) (OTCQB: LDDFF) (FRANKFURT: LD2), a leading technology provider of concealed weapons and threat detection solutions, is pleased to announce that it has signed a collaboration agreement (CoA) with a major Hindu organization to beta test HEXWAVE at its temple outside Atlanta. Places of worship face increasing security threats in today's world. HEXWAVE walkthrough security screening can provide rigorous detection without compromising guest experience. The high throughput system can be used indoors and outdoors to provide security screening at multiple entry points and at the perimeter for a layered defense approach. As a global Hindu religious and social organization with 3,300 temples around the world, the organization has a number of temples located throughout North America and is the first house of worship to sign on with Liberty to test HEXWAVE. "Places of worship are a key customer segment for Liberty Defense, and we look forward to working alongside one of the largest Hindu temples in the United States to understand the challenges of providing better detection while maintaining a welcoming environment for its members," said Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense. "Visitors and worshipers should not have to worry about safety and security, and we plan to work closely with the temple's security operations to make sure that is the case." HEXWAVE uses 3D imaging and Artificial Intelligence to detect metallic and nonmetallic concealed threats, providing an early warning to security staff before the threat is carried out. "I contacted Liberty Defense to better understand their HEXWAVE technology and how it can fit into our Hindu temples for minimizing the risk of attacks," said Dixit Suthar, security system administrator for the temple. "We have thousands of visitors each year, and unfortunately, it is more prevalent today that places of worship have become a target. There are several types of detection technologies out there, however HEXWAVE strongly caught my attention with its ability to detect metallic and nonmetallic objects. We work closely with our partners to evaluate their products and recommend improvements to work within our operation. We are excited to team with Liberty Defense to see how we can make HEXWAVE a success." This beta testing phase is a key part of HEXWAVE's development process. The incremental testing of the system in customer facilities can help to ensure that the product is aligned to market requirements. Beta testing is expected to begin in Q2 2022. On Behalf of Liberty Defense Bill Frain CEO & Director About Liberty Defense Liberty Defense (TSXV: SCAN, OTCQB: LDDFF, FRANKFURT: LD2) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty's HEXWAVE product, for which the company has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, provides discrete, modular, and scalable protection to provide layered, stand-off detection capability of metallic and non-metallic weapons. Liberty has also recently licensed the millimeter wave-based, High-Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body scanner and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions. Learn more: LibertyDefense.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. Swain will lead the firm's new office where he will be responsible for sourcing and directing build-to-suit and speculative development projects in the Midwest. He is the latest new hire to join Mohr Capital's growing development division, following the 2021 recruitment of Senior Vice President Tom Theobald, National Director of Land Acquisitions Lee Loftis and Analyst Carson Horn. The firm now maintains development offices in Dallas, Phoenix and Indianapolis with plans to open an additional office in another Southeast market. "We're pleased to welcome Doug to the firm," said Mohr Capital Chief Development Officer Gary Horn. "He joins our development team at a pivotal time in the industrial market when demand continues to exceed supply. With millions of square feet of industrial development under his belt and long-held relationships with users and brokers in the region, we're excited to have him head up our Indianapolis office and continue to grow Mohr Capital's presence in the Midwest." Swain has more than 30 years of commercial real estate industry experience, including work on speculative and build-to-suit developments, redevelopments, land acquisitions, property acquisitions and dispositions, and portfolio management. Over his long and successful career, he has been involved in millions of square feet of industrial development and millions of dollars in commercial transactions. "Mohr Capital is an established player in industrial development, and I'm pleased to join such a dynamic and well-respected team," said Swain. "Being with a developer with a single source of capital, I now have the bandwidth to pursue any development and make swift decisions that positively impact a development, fulfill the needs of a user or potential user, and work with local governments to forge strong and lasting relationships." Prior to joining Mohr Capital, Swain served as vice president/general manager of The Opus Group's Indianapolis office where he led the development of over 10 million square feet of industrial product, including a 1.5-million-square-foot build-to-suit for ConAgra and multiple developments in Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati and Louisville. Prior to that, Swain was with DHL/Exel Supply Chain as its senior director of North America real estate solutions; First Industrial Trust as Indianapolis regional director and, later, vice president of operationscentral region US; and Heitman Properties as leasing director. Swain is actively involved in the NAIOP Development Association, where he serves as current governor and trustee of the NAIOP Research Foundation. He previously served as president and founder of NAIOP's Indiana chapter and was a past member of its National Board of Directors. Swain is also actively involved in the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from The Ohio State University and is a licensed real estate broker in Ohio. Mohr Capital develops speculative and build-to-suit office, industrial and retail properties for users across the nation. The firm's largest development to date is Mohr Logistics Park a 475+ acre master-planned, industrial park in Whiteland, Indiana. When complete, the Park will boast an estimated 6.3 million square feet of industrial space. About Mohr Capital Mohr Capital is a privately held real estate investment firm specializing in the acquisition, development and value enhancement of office, industrial and retail assets throughout the U.S. The Mohr Capital team has decades of experience in commercial real estate and has completed more than $1 billion in transactions. Guided by a value-driven strategy and an entrepreneurial spirit, the company relies on strong, long-term relationships and possesses keen market insights needed to capitalize on undervalued or underperforming properties. With its family office structure, Mohr Capital can close quickly and has a proven track record of delivering the highest risk-adjusted returns. For more information, visit www.mohrcap.com or follow Mohr Capital on LinkedIn. SOURCE Mohr Capital WELLINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- As schools are preparing for return for the first term of this year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins on Tuesday announced 5,000 air cleaners have been ordered for New Zealand schools. "As we know, along with vaccination, testing, good hygiene and physical distancing, good ventilation is important in minimizing the risk of airborne transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19," Hipkins said in a statement. Schools have done a good job keeping fresh air moving through their classrooms, but opening doors and windows to get fresh airflow won't always be practical, he said. The first 500 air cleaners are expected to arrive in March and the remaining 4,500 are to be delivered by June. These will be used in targeted areas within some schools in the coming months, said the minister. "To help schools identify classrooms and other spaces which get good levels of fresh airflow and those that don't, schools will receive a ventilation self-assessment toolkit with a portable CO2 monitor they can use to help identify areas of concern and the right approaches to improve ventilation," he said. These 2,500 portable CO2 monitors are in addition to more than 8,000 internal environment monitors which are already in, or will soon be deployed, in schools early this year, he added. Early observations of a joint study between New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research and the Ministry of Education support opening windows and doors as the best way to boost the flow of fresh air in classrooms. The study says that good ventilation removes air from the inside and replaces it with clean air from outside, preventing the build-up of potentially contaminated air. The level of CO2 in a space is a good indicator of the freshness of the air. "This aligns with the advice and views of international experts -- there is no substitute for fresh air flow," Hipkins said, adding there were also days when opening doors and windows were less effective, when there was no outdoor breeze, or when it rained and schools were not able to open windows and doors as often. The ministry is exploring simple systems to assist air quality and natural ventilation in schools, he said. SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neumont College of Computer Science is currently accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) to offer baccalaureate programs specializing in computer science. As of July 23, 2021, Neumont is also a candidate for accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The College is seeking initial institutional accreditation from NWCCU. The Northwest Commission has scheduled an accreditation visit to Neumont's campus in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 4-6, 2022. Neumont College President and CEO Dr. Aaron Reed stated, "Neumont has a longstanding history of positive and productive relationships with accrediting agencies. We are optimistic about our ongoing relationship with ACCSC as well as the prospect of initial accreditation with NWCCU. We are also confident that our affiliation with both organizations will have a lasting, positive impact on Neumont College and its constituents." Remarks related to Neumont College's qualifications for initial accreditation must be received no later than April 4, 2022, and can be directed to: NWCCU 8060 165th Avenue NE, Suite 200, Redmond, WA 98052 Related Links http://www.neumont.edu Contact: Rob Duane [email protected] SOURCE Neumont College of Computer Science CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Health Affairs is happy to announce the appointment of two new members to its Community Health Affairs Board of Directors . In addition, Susan Fuehrer, president of The MetroHealth System's Institute for H.O.P.E. , has been named chair, replacing Al Matyas, vice president of ambulatory operations and business development for Southwest General Health Center , who led the board since 2018. Comprised of hospital, academic and community leaders in Northeast Ohio, the Community Health Affairs Board supports the organization in addressing healthcare needs and issues to improve health and wellness throughout the community. Serving on the Community Health Affairs Board of Directors through Dec. 31, 2023, are: Shannon Fogarty Jerse , deputy general counsel, chief compliance officer, Sisters of Charity Health System , deputy general counsel, chief compliance officer, Claude L. Jones , DO, MPH, MSc, president & chief executive officer, Care Alliance Health Center "I am delighted to welcome these two distinguished leaders to our board," said Fuehrer. "The wealth of knowledge and experience they bring to the table will be valuable to our collaborative work aimed at serving our community." The Community Health Affairs Board of Directors governs the 501(c)(6) Ohio nonprofit corporation and subsidiary of The Center for Health Affairs. The diversity of organizations represented on the board signifies the scope of factors comprising social determinants of health and illuminated through the collaborative community health needs assessments as well as HealthyNEO.org . "Our team welcomes and thanks Shannon and Claude for stepping up to serve our board, and we are pleased to introduce Susan as our new chair," said Brian Lane , president & CEO of The Center for Health Affairs. "I'm always impressed by the dedication and excellence of the leaders throughout our community. We're delighted that Shannon, Claude and Susan have agreed to give their time and expertise to serve in these leadership capacities and support the critical work of our member hospitals and their partners who are focused on impacting the health of our community." About The Center for Health Affairs The Center for Health Affairs, the nation's first regional hospital association, has served as the collective voice of Northeast Ohio hospitals for more than 100 years. Together with its business affiliates, CHAMPS Group Purchasing and The Essentials Group, The Center continues the legacy of its founders, working collaboratively to increase the efficiency of healthcare delivery, providing insightful healthcare information to the public and undertaking initiatives aimed at improving the health of the community. For more information, visit www.neohospitals.org. PRESS CONTACT: Tracy Wise, 2162553695, http://www.neohospitals.org SOURCE The Center for Health Affairs BUSAN, South Korea, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a time of market volatility and increasing risk, organizations are choosing to diversify their product lines in an attempt to build resiliency. Part of this diversification also includes reevaluating the company's organizational structure. But does the organizational structure affect a company using multiple suppliers to make multiple products, especially when one considers exclusive contracts with the suppliers? A new study conducted by Pusan National University Scientist says yes. New Study by Pusan National University Scientist Makes Choosing Organizational Structure in Vertically-Related Markets Easier Have you ever seen Coca Cola and Pepsi served at the same restaurant? No? That's because both companies tend to prefer "exclusive dealing," a business relationship in which suppliers can only supply a specific customer and vice versa. An important question to consider, from the point of view of economics, is how exclusive dealings would impact organizational forms. Two common organizational forms are the unitary (U) form and multidivisional (M) form. As their names suggest, the U-form features a single central management unit that coordinates different departments while the M-form consists of multiple decentralized semi-autonomous units. A U-form company, with its single managerial unit, might provide incentives on overall profits, whereas an M-form company might instead incentivize its divisions by making them compete against each other. In vertically-related (niche) markets, the choice of organizational form becomes critical, and it is worthwhile to ask how it can be optimized. In a recent study published in the Journal of Economics, Professor Kangsik Choi of Pusan National University, Republic of Korea, explored this question, accounting for exclusive dealings. "Based on observations of real-world examples, it was evident that including exclusive dealings into Cournot competition would yield interesting results, not only on the organizational forms of competing firms, but also on social welfare," says Prof. Choi. "Cournot competition" refers to an economic model that describes a market where companies compete based on their total output. For his study, Prof. Choi developed a model in which two suppliers provided two types of parts to two downstream companies, such that each use the parts to make two different products. Using game theory, he then analyzed the performance of each company under three conditions: binding exclusive dealing, in which suppliers and companies choose the price of parts to maximize joint profits, non-binding exclusive dealing, in which only suppliers choose the price, and partial exclusive dealing, in which one of the parts is provided exclusively to the downstream company and the other is not. He found that the U-form was the dominant strategy under partial and binding exclusive dealing, whereas the M-form was preferred for non-binding exclusive dealing. Moreover, he observed that there was greater social welfare and consumer surplus within the U-form model under partial exclusive dealing and vice versa. "My new method allows for better decisions on organizational forms, which enables firms to take better actions regarding industrial organization in a vertically-related market compared to the existing methods," explains Prof. Choi. "Theoretical studies such as this one can help us better understand the platform market." The new model based on the extension of exclusive dealings has manifold applications in a variety of industries, including technology, aeronautics, automotive, beverages and more. Reference Title of original paper: Delegation in multiproduct downstream firms with heterogeneous channels Journal: Journal of Economics DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s00712-021-00752-w Lab website address: https://sites.google.com/site/kangsikchoi/home ORCID Id: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0918-7022 About Pusan National University Website: https://www.pusan.ac.kr/eng/Main.do Contact: Na-hyun Lee +82 51 510-7928 [email protected] SOURCE Pusan National University DALLAS, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: NREF) ("NREF" or the "Company") announced today that it has closed its previously announced underwritten public offering of $35 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the "Additional Notes"). The Additional Notes were issued at a price of 100.875% of par. The Additional Notes were an additional issuance of the Company's existing $135 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the "Existing Notes") and the Additional Notes were issued under the same indenture as the Existing Notes, were treated as a single class of debt securities with the Existing Notes and had the same terms as the Existing Notes, other than the issue date and offering price. The Company intends to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to its operating partnership, NexPoint Real Estate Finance Operating Partnership, L.P. (the "OP"), in exchange for OP units. The OP intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to acquire several pipeline investments which are expected to close in the foreseeable future. These investments consist of multifamily, life sciences and hospitality debt and preferred positions offering attractive risk adjusted returns supported by strong, experienced, and well-known sponsors. Raymond James acted as sole book-running manager for the offering. The Company made this offering pursuant to a shelf registration statement that became effective on March 31, 2021. This offering was made solely by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained from Raymond James & Associates, Inc., 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716, telephone (800) 248-8863, email: [email protected] or through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. About NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. is a publicly traded REIT with its shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NREF." NREF is primarily focused on originating, structuring and investing in first mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity and alternative structured financings in commercial real estate properties, as well as multifamily commercial mortgage backed securities. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management's current expectations, assumptions and beliefs. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds. They are not guarantees of future results and forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including the ultimate spread, duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effectiveness of actions taken, or actions that may be taken, by governmental authorities to contain the outbreak or treat its impact, as well as those described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements and are encouraged to review NREF's other filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of risks and other factors that could affect any forward-looking statement. The statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and except as required by law, NREF does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Contact: NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. Investor Relations Jackie Graham [email protected] 833.463.6697 SOURCE NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. JUNO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) has posted its fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 financial results in a news release available on the company's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults. Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, Rebecca Kujawa, executive vice president, finance and chief financial officer of NextEra Energy, and other members of the company's senior management team will discuss the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET today. The listen-only webcast will be available on NextEra Energy's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults. Also discussed during the investor presentation will be financial results for NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP). A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the same link as listed above. NextEra Energy, Inc. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is a leading clean energy company headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. NextEra Energy owns Florida Power & Light Company, which is the largest vertically integrated rate-regulated electric utility in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, and serves more than 5.7 million customer accounts, supporting more than 11 million residents across Florida with clean, reliable and affordable electricity. NextEra Energy also owns a competitive clean energy business, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from seven commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. A Fortune 200 company, NextEra Energy has been recognized often by third parties for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry on Fortune's 2021 list of "World's Most Admired Companies," recognized on Fortune's 2021 list of companies that "Change the World" and received the S&P Global Platts 2020 Energy Transition Award for leadership in environmental, social and governance. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com , www.FPL.com , www.NextEraEnergyResources.com. SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc. BALTIMORE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA) hosts TFA Exchange, which occurs January 26 and January 27, 2022, where up to 800 TFA registered representatives or investment advisor representatives will attend. This event is an opportunity for new and existing representatives to learn about new products and services and improve their leadership skills. The meeting opens with keynote speaker Nicole Malachowski. She is a 21-year United States Air Force veteran (Colonel, retired) and the first woman to fly as part of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds. She will share her significant experience and outstanding leadership expertise with attendees. Malachowski has successfully forged a path through some immense cultural changes within the military and significant adversity in her personal and professional life. She offers an inspiring story of the power of determination and the drive of a truly indomitable spirit. "The TFA Exchange event is focused on bringing together TFA representatives from across the U.S. to connect and learn from each other," said George Chuang, President of TFA. "Additionally, we want to inspire our advisors and teach them they can scale their business beyond themselves to a growing business concern. Bringing in Nicole Malachowski as keynote speaker will inspire our representatives, and the lessons she imparts can benefit all TFA representatives, their teams, and the entire organization." About Transamerica With a history that dates back more than 100 years, Transamerica is recognized as a leading provider of life insurance, retirement and investment solutions, serving millions of customers throughout the United States. Recognizing the necessity of health and wellness during peak working life, Transamerica's dedicated professionals work to help people take the steps necessary to live better today so they can worry less about tomorrow. Transamerica serves nearly every customer segment, providing a broad range of quality life insurance and investment products, individual and group pension plans, as well as asset management services. In 2020, Transamerica fulfilled its promises to customers, paying more than $49 billion in insurance, retirement, and annuity claims and benefits, including return of annuity premiums paid by the customer. Transamerica is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, with other major operations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Denver, Colorado. Transamerica is part of the Aegon group of companies. Based in the Netherlands, Aegon is one of the world's largest providers of life insurance, pension solutions and asset management products, operating in more than 20 markets worldwide. For the full year of 2020, Aegon managed over $1.1 trillion in revenue generating investments. For more information, please visit www.transamerica.com. About Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA) is a broker-dealer and registered investment advisor located in the United States that's in the business of helping people. TFA is a part of Transamerica, a company with over 100 years of history, and is recognized as a leading provider of life insurance, retirement, and investment solutions. TFA's representatives strive to serve people from all backgrounds and encourage clients to think differently about their future in pursuit of their financial success. Properly licensed representatives may offer securities and investment advisory services through Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA), Member FINRA, SIPC, and Registered Investment Advisor. To learn more, go to https://www.tfaconnect.com/ Media inquiries: [email protected] Erin Yang (303) 383-5295 Julie Quinlan (303) 383-5923 SOURCE TRANSAMERICA NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Outlier.org , an online education platform built with a mission to increase access to higher education, has today announced it is included in the GSV EdTech 150, a list of the world's most transformative growth companies in digital learning curated by female-led, multi-stage venture capital firm GSV Ventures. Founded by the co-founder of MasterClass, Aaron Rasmussen, Outlier.org was chosen from over 3,000 venture capital and private equity-backed private companies revolutionizing the world of education technology for its cinematically stunning for-credit courses, purposefully priced to combat the student debt crisis. GSV estimates that together, these 150 companies reach roughly 3 billion people -- almost half of the global population -- and generate approximately $20 billion in revenue. GSV launched the list of education technology leaders in 2020 with the EdTech 50. Due to rapid growth in the sector, necessitated by a global pandemic and continued remarkable technological evolutions, the list increased to 150 in 2021. In 2022, the sector shows no signs of slowing down with the 150 companies selected for this year's list collectively experiencing revenue growth in the high double digits. Learn more about the GSV EdTech 150 and the selection process here . "We're honored to be a part of the GSV EdTech 150 as access to affordable education continues to be a critical issue that is solvable," said Outlier.org CEO & Founder Aaron Rasmussen. "What we are trying to accomplish is a massive undertaking, and it would not be possible without our investors, our team, our instructors, the University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, and everyone who has put in effort and help along the way." "Today, we announce the annual GSV EdTech 150," said Luben Pampoulov, Partner at GSV Ventures. "As the global pandemic continues to drive learners online, more and more companies are innovating in the digital learning space making it increasingly competitive for companies to make the top 150. We evaluated over 3,000 companies globally this year. The way GSV sees it, Ed is on The Edge, and increasingly more companies have the ideas, know-how, and talent to transform the world and provide all people equal access to the future. We know these companies are well-equipped to help us achieve that goal, and we look forward to watching them do so." To arrive at its listing, GSV evaluated more than 3,000 venture capital and private equity-backed private for-profit companies that met the following criteria: VC or PE-backed companies in Digital Learning, excluding public and nonprofit companies Companies that have achieved meaningful scale, and primarily, but not exclusively, those that are post-Series A in their development Companies experiencing strong, organic top-line growth The final selection is determined by GSV's proprietary scoring system, which applies scores across several KPIs such as revenue scale, revenue growth, active learner reach, international reach, and margin profile. The GSV EdTech 150 is distributed across three major sectors: Life-Long Learning, Higher Ed, and K-12. Life-Long Learning (inclusive of Workforce Learning and Adult Consumer Learning) is the leading sector with 42% of the GSV EdTech 150 falling within the category, with an additional 5% of companies serving the Life-Long Learning and Higher Ed blend and another 3% serving both K-12 and Life-Long Learning. Together K-12 and Early Childhood account for 27% of the list, while companies in the Higher Ed sector account for just 5% and 9% of the GSV EdTech 150 serve a blend of the two. Excitingly, more companies are serving all sectors than ever before, with 9% of the GSV EdTech 150 serving all three major sectors. North America specifically the United States is the most represented region accounting for 56% of the GSV EdTech 150. 11% of the GSV EdTech 150 hail from India, whose market is experiencing explosive growth with five EdTech unicorns that include BYJU's, Eruditus, Unacademy, Upgrad, and Vedantu. Europe, Africa, and the Middle East represent 17% of the listing, with several high-quality, fast-growing companies such as OpenClassrooms, Multiverse, and Photomath. Asia, Australia, and New Zealand account for 11% of the list, while China experienced a significant decline in representation due to increased government regulation. Latin America represents 5% of the list and shows strong growth trends, with companies like Hotmart, Descomplica, and UOL EdTech leading the way. See the full GSV EdTech 150 at www.asugsvsummit.com/edtech-150 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.org, Photomath, Quizizz, Lead School, Brightchamps, and ClassPlus, among others. About Outlier.org Created by the Co-Founder of MasterClass, Outlier.org offers beautiful, effective online courses that earn students transferable college credit for a fraction of the cost. In addition to featuring cinema-quality lectures, Outlier.org courses are taught by some of the most charismatic figures in academia, including instructors from Yale, MIT, and Columbia, and are transcripted by the University of Pittsburgh, a top 60 school. Students enjoy a top-quality learning experience that includes access to 1-on-1 tutoring for math courses, AI-proctored assessments, dynamically-generated problem sets, and cutting-edge, active learning materials. In keeping with the company's mission to increase access to top-quality higher education and reduce student debt, each course is priced at just $400. For Media Relations contact: [email protected] SOURCE Outlier.org "Back in 2007, we made it a part of our mission to plant a tree or native plant with every 10 bars, or 5 gallons of soap sold. While we've planted nearly 775,000 to date, we were never able to confirm that we'd reached our goal of offsetting over 100% of our products' carbon emissions. Now, due to our partnership with the Carbonfund.org Foundation, we're able to accomplish this in a concise, verifiable way." - Gregg Arnell, President of Oregon Soap Company "Due to our partnership with Carbonfund.org, Oregon Soap Company was able to accomplish our goal of offsetting over 100% of our soap products' carbon emissions." Oregon Soap Company worked with WAP Sustainability , the organization that performed a complete, cradle to grave, Life Cycle Assessment of all of their products. By using the internationally recognized methodology outlined in ISO 14040/14044, they calculated the amount of CO2 created by the growing, processing, and transporting raw materials to their facility. They then looked at all of the energy required to manufacture, package and transport the finished goods to consumers. Carbonfund.org invests in carbon reduction projects such as wind turbines, rainforest conservation and truck stop electrification. The Carbonfree Product Certification program is proud to be part of Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly Program . About Oregon Soap Company: Oregon Soap Company was founded in 1993 by Gregg Arnell, with a vision of creating meaningful work for himself and his employees. They manufacture a wide range of USDA NOP certified bar and liquid soaps for both wholesale and retail eco-conscious markets. They specialize in private label soap, contract manufacturing, and direct sales to consumers. To learn more, visit www.oregonsoapcompany.com , or get a virtual tour . How Oregon Soap Company contributes to making the world a better place: About Carbonfund.org: Carbonfund.org is leading the fight against climate change, making it easy and affordable for any individual , business or organization to reduce & offset their climate impact . Carbonfund.org administers America's first carbon neutral product label, Carbonfree Certified. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Carbonfund.org HELSINKI, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Outokumpu Oyj Press release January 25, 2022 at 9.00 am EET Outokumpu publishes Financial statements release 2021 on February 8, 2022 Outokumpu will publish its Financial statements release 2021 on February 8, 2022 at approximately 9.00 am EET. A combined live webcast/conference call for investors, analysts and media will be arranged online on the same day at 3.00 pm EET at https://outokumpu.videosync.fi/2022-02-08-q4, hosted by President and CEO Heikki Malinen and CFO Pia Aaltonen-Forsell. To participate via conference call and to ask questions, please dial in the call 510 minutes before the beginning of the event: Finland: +358 9 8171 0310 United Kingdom: +44 333 300 0804 United States: +1 631 913 1422 PIN: 46423952# The webcast materials, a link to the event, and later the recording of the event are all available at www.outokumpu.com/en/investors. For more information: Investors: Linda Hakkila, Head of Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 071 9669 Media: Paivi Allenius, VP Communications, tel. +358 40 753 7374 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/outokumpu-oyj/r/outokumpu-publishes-financial-statements-release-2021-on-february-8--2022,c3491772 SOURCE Outokumpu Oyj HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An" or the "Group, HKEX: 02318; SSE: 601318) announced that Ping An Public Welfare Foundation and Shenzhen Project Care Foundation have jointly launched a one-year welfare campaign to promote conservation of the South China Tiger. The Group, together with Ping An Bank, Ping An Life Insurance, Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance, Ping An Puhui and other subsidiaries, will be involved in the project, demonstrating its determination to practice sustainable development and help protect the South China Tiger. The campaign will be conducted with the support of the Management Office of the North Guangdong South China Tiger Provincial Nature Reserve. Being a native species to China, the South China Tiger is one of the top 10 most critically endangered species in the world with only 250 such tigers left in captivity in China. Almost no trace of the tigers can be found in the wild. The protection of the South China Tiger is of great importance and breeding of the species in captivity is a necessity to help conserve the species. The South China Tiger conservation campaign is being launched with social and corporate donations, with Ping An initially donating RMB 1.5 million. The funds raised will be used in four ways: 1) improve the living conditions of tiger cubs by enhancing food nutrition and helping expand, rebuild and upgrade existing infrastructure, 2) carry out research into tiger breeding with a view to expanding the tiger population in the area, 3) transform the drinking water project for the South China Tiger by improving water facilities and ensuring water sanitation, and 4) helping popularize science programs associated with the South China Tiger. The project will aim to upgrade educational facilities in the South China Tiger Provincial Nature Reserve and help create a superior research and study platform, thereby boosting the popularity of South China Tiger conservation. In addition to fundraising, volunteers from Ping An Group and subsidiaries will engage in a variety of voluntary activities in the South China Tiger Provincial Nature Reserve. They will launch the South China Tiger conservation initiative through international platforms raising global awareness of the importance of protecting tigers and protecting them with multiple measures. Ping An has actively participated in a number of corporate social responsibility activities to enhance biodiversity conservation. In 2021, Ping An established China's first "carbon neutral" charitable trust supporting biodiversity conservation. The first phase of the trust's work has been completed involving conservation projects focusing on giant pandas, Northeast tigers and Amur leopards. Ping An has also launched The Nujiang Gaoligong Mountain, The Sound of Ping An Exhibition Center in the Nujiang Baihualing Lisu Music Town in Yunnan Province. Last year, the Ping An Public Welfare platform secured a license for online fundraising. With over 225 million retail customers and nearly 634 million internet users, Ping An aims to leverage its crowdfunding platform to generate awareness of public welfare, unleashing the potential of financial philanthropies. To watch the video of the South China Tiger: Click here About Ping An Group Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An") is a world-leading technology-powered retail financial services group. With over 225 million retail customers and nearly 634 million internet users, Ping An is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. Ping An focuses on two over-arching domains of activity, "pan financial assets" and "pan health care", covering the provision of financial and health care services through our integrated financial services platform and our ecosystems in financial services, health care, auto services and smart city services. Our "finance + technology" and "finance + ecosystem" transformation strategies aim to provide customers and internet users with innovative and simple products and services using technology. As China's first joint stock insurance company, Ping An is committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate reporting and corporate governance. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Ping An ranked 6th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2021 and ranked 16th in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2021. Ping An also ranked 49th in the 2021 WPP Kantar Millward Brown BrandZTM Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands list. For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn - PING AN. SOURCE Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. DHAKA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's economic policy-making body Tuesday approved 10 development projects worth over 46 billion taka (about 535 million U.S. dollars). The projects were approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After the meeting, the country's Planning Minister MA Mannan told reporters that 10 projects were approved at the meeting. According to the minister, the projects include Establishment of Urea Formaldehyde-85 (UF-85) plant, road infrastructure development, construction of office buildings of Passport Department and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and Development of Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management System. Of the total cost of the development projects, he said 30.55 billion taka will be financed from the government funds, while the rest amount from the respective project assistance. According to the minister, Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Ministry of Water Resources will implement the mega Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program with a cost of 18.03 billion taka by December 2025. He said the project is aimed at providing assistance to improve the standard of life, alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth of the people affected by erosion along two rivers -- Jamuna and Padma. He said the government will also develop integrated management to prevent river erosion and increase sustainability in the project areas. (1 U.S. dollar equals about 88 taka) BOSTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pixability (www.pixability.com), the only provider of software and insights for video advertising on YouTube, YouTube on TV, Roku, Hulu and Amazon Fire TV today announced that 2021 was a record year for revenue and profitability, with revenue growing 64% YOY. Revenue grew across all product lines, most notably with Connected TV revenue up 228%. Pixability's unique CTV offering delivers more reach than any other provider in the industry, including 99% of ad-eligible viewing hours, while also effectively driving lower funnel results. In 2022, the company ran an award-winning cross-platform CTV campaign for Saucony that drove over 6,000 purchases, including 65% of the purchases tracked on Amazon coming from new customers to the Saucony brand. "While we've been best known for leveraging data to maximize performance and ensure brand suitability on YouTube, we have also become a go-to partner for brands and agencies when it comes to CTV reach and performance," said David George, CEO of Pixability. "We're thrilled to see our CTV, YouTube, and Brand Suitability businesses all growing so rapidly globally, and we're expecting that momentum to accelerate further in 2022." "Pixability has clearly established itself as an industry leader for YouTube, and now CTV. With incredible growth accelerating on both platforms, Pixability continues to benefit from this momentum, providing their valued customers access to brand suitability targeting and insights the market is looking for," said Sach Chitnis, Partner at Jump Capital & Pixability Board Member. 2021 was not only successful for Pixability from a financial standpoint, but also in terms of accolades for the company as PixabilityONE was named the Best Buy-Side Programmatic Platform by Digiday. In addition the company partnered with the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) to launch a landmark study on YouTube Brand Suitability that has become an industry standard resource for agencies and brands. To support business growth, the Pixability team also grew 42% in 2021, with notable key hires in the UK and in key management positions . About Pixability Pixability is a technology and data company that empowers the world's largest brands and their agencies to maximize the value of video advertising on YouTube, YouTube on TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Hulu. The company's industry-leading optimization and insights solutions are independently verified by the YouTube Measurement Program, DoubleVerify, Oracle Data Cloud's Moat Measurement, Integral Ad Science and other third parties. Pixability's suite of solutions are used by the top media agencies and brands including Dentsu-Aegis, Havas, Interpublic Group, Omnicom, Publicis, and GroupM, as well as Swatch, Bose, KIND, Hilton, Jack in the Box, and Puma. For more information about Pixability, please visit www.pixability.com . SOURCE Pixability MERIDEN, Conn., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Financial Group, LLC, parent of national mortgage lender and servicer Planet Home Lending, LLC and Planet Management Group, LLC, continued to post higher-than-market gains during 2021. Its subsidiaries' gains included a 51% increase in the servicing portfolio, 46% growth in total origination volume and a 63% rise in assets under management. Planet Financial Group, LLC CEO and President Michael Dubeck "The Planet Financial Group family of companies, which includes Planet Home Lending and Planet Management Group brands, bested the overall market in 2021," said Michael Dubeck, CEO and President of Planet Financial Group. "We established a solid infrastructure of people, technology and process that led to an expansion in originations, servicing and asset management, demonstrating the value Planet creates for investors and borrowers." Servicing and Asset Management Planet Home Lending's servicing portfolio ended the year at $49.7 billion, up 51% from $33.0 billion at year-end 2020. Total units rose to approximately 211,000, increasing 39% from approximately 152,000 at year-end 2020. The average loan size in the portfolio was $235,570 at year-end, up about 10% from $214,889 at year-end 2020. The company's overall third-party sub-servicing portfolio expanded significantly during 2021. It ended the year with approximately 37,000 active assets valued at just over $10 billion, including interim serviced loan. Planet Management Group (PMG) ended the year with 13,751 assets under management up 48% from 9,279 at year-end 2020. By volume, PMG's assets under management grew to $3.1 billion in 2021, up 63% from 2020's $1.9 billion. "Planet's revolutionary monetization engine attracted new clients as well as more assets from existing clients in 2021," Dubeck said. "The monetization engine allows investors to responsively alter their asset management strategies when markets or business objectives shift." Originations Planet Home Lending's total origination volume reached $28.5 billion in 2021, up 46% from $19.5 billion in 2020. Correspondent volume rose to a record $23.4 billion in 2021, up 63% above 2020's $14.4 billion. Planet continued to offer competitive products and pricing, which led to an increase in correspondent lending partners and rising volume from existing partners. Planet Home Lending is now the No. 5 government correspondent lender and No. 13 overall at year-end. Total retail direct originations were $5.1 billion in 2021, increasing slightly from 2020's $5.0 billion. Retention originations increased to $2.6 million in 2021, up 13% from 2020's $2.3 billion. The company's Distributed Retail channel originated $2.5 billion in home loans in 2021, staying relatively flat compared to the $2.7 billion the channel originated in 2020. The channel's momentum increased during the second half of 2021, as Planet onboarded nine branches and 57 mortgage loan officers, an increase of 44% in sales professionals. Planet Home Lending's distributed retail recapture rate for refinances and purchases is 62.2% (TTM) for 2021, more than three times the industry average of 18% reported by Black Knight, Inc. About Planet Financial Group, LLC Planet Financial Group, (PFG) LLC, Meriden, Conn., is a fully integrated family of companies delivering innovative origination, servicing, and asset management solutions. Through this synergistic ecosystem of products, services, and technologies, PFG provides best-in-class experiences for investors pursuing value maximization and borrowers seeking streamlined end-to-end loan lifecycle support. PFG is the parent of Planet Home Lending, LLC and Planet Management Group, LLC, which also does business under the name Planet Renovation Capital. About Planet Home Lending, LLC Planet Home Lending, LLC, Meriden, Connecticut, (NMLS #17022) is an approved originator and servicer for FHA, VA and USDA, as well as a Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Seller/Servicer, a full Ginnie Mae Issuer and approved sub-servicer and a Standard & Poor's Global Ratings- and Fitch Ratings-rated special and prime residential servicer. Planet Home Lending, LLC has been assigned a corporate family rating by Moody's Investors Service viewable at www.moodys.com. Its correspondent division offers a full suite of government, agency and niche home loans. Planet Home Lending, LLC is also a special servicer managing diverse investor portfolios. Its customized servicing solutions maximize asset recovery and optimize performance through active management at the portfolio and loan levels. Planet Home Lending, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about Planet Home Lending, LLC, please visit https://planethomelending.com. For more information about Planet Home Lending's Correspondent offerings, please visit https://phlcorrespondent.com. About Planet Management Group, LLC Planet Management Group, LLC, Melville, N.Y., maximizes the value of diverse investor assets through active management. For more information about Planet Management Group, please visit https://planetmanagementgroup.com. Press Contacts: Dona DeZube Charlyne H. McWilliams Vice President, Communications Media Contact Planet Home Lending, LLC for Planet Home Lending, LLC [email protected] [email protected] (443) 263-2832 (301) 933-5567 SOURCE Planet Financial Group, LLC BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Coinstar, LLC, the global leader in self-service coin counting, today announced the planned installation of Coinstar kiosks at approximately 200 PLS Financial Services Centers in 12 states. PLS selected Coinstar's industry-leading, turnkey service as its new coin counting solution. "After a successful pilot, we are excited to roll out Coinstar kiosks at our centers," said Robert Fisher, senior vice president, support operations at PLS. "The Coinstar kiosks improved the customer experience with fast and highly accurate transactions. At PLS, we believe our customers deserve better and we are committed to providing financial solutions with transparent, convenient, respectful service." Coinstar provides an easy to use, highly accurate coin-counting service that consumers trust. PLS customers can conveniently process their loose change at the kiosk and receive cash in minutes. Financial centers like PLS and other retailers value the Coinstar turnkey service because it takes the coin handling and machine trouble-shooting responsibility away from employees so that they can serve customers. In addition, Coinstar kiosks are networked to ensure optimal uptime and timely reports. "PLS offers a wide variety of financial services that consumers depend on, and we're proud to be a partner that supports their commitment to make life easier for people," said Jim Gaherity, CEO of Coinstar. Coinstar kiosks are now being installed in PLS centers and will be fully operational in approximately 200 locations by March. About Coinstar, LLC Coinstar is the global leader in self-service coin counting with 24,000 kiosks in North America, Europe, and Japan. More than 800 billion coins have been processed since Coinstar's inception in the early 1990s. In the United States, consumers can convert their change to cash, a no-fee eGift card, or donate to charity at supermarket, mass merchant, drug store, and financial institution kiosk locations. Expanded cash services at Coinstar kiosks include purchasing cryptocurrencies and adding money into digital accounts. For brand advertisers, Coinstar now offers adPlanet, which enables lead generation on the interactive kiosk screen and a flexible digital advertising platform that sits atop Coinstar kiosks at select grocery locations. For more information on Coinstar or kiosk locations, visit www.coinstar.com. About PLS PLS, headquartered in Chicago operates over 200 community financial services centers across the country. PLS believes that customers deserve better than the existing services available in the marketplace to meet their critical financial needs. PLS financial service centers offer free money orders, check cashing, Xpectations! Visa Prepaid cards, money transfer services, and bill payments. Some PLS locations offer auto insurance, and vehicle license and registration services. The PLS brand also includes automobile dealerships located in Indiana and Texas. PLS employs over 3,000 team members from the neighborhoods it serves. PLS does not offer any lending products. Visit PLS at www.pls247.com for additional information on products and services. SOURCE Coinstar NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global oil and gas pumps market is expected to reach USD 10,800 million by 2032, increasing at a CAGR of 4.9% between 2022 and 2032. In 2022, the global oil and gas pumps market will account for 11% of the global industrial pumps market. During the forecast period of 2022-2032, the global market is expected to generate an absolute $ opportunity of USD 4,100 million. According to the International Energy Agency's (IKEA) Oil Market Report, oil demand is expected to rise by more than 110 million b/d by 2022. During the evaluation years of 2022-2032, the increased oil supply from Russia and Saudi Arabia is predicted to generate profitable prospects for oil and gas pump manufacturers. According to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), demand for OPEC crude oil is predicted to rise by more than 40 million barrels per day by the end of 2040, fueling global energy demand. Furthermore, refinery additions are projected throughout the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America in the next years. Fuel demand for oil and gas pumps will increase by 2.1X as a result of this. For More Valuable Information on Market Dynamics, Request a Report Sample https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2435 With increased gas production in the United States, it is expected to be piped or exported as LNG to national and worldwide markets. During the assessment years of 2022-2032, this is expected to increase demand for oil and gas pumps by about 24%. Centrifugal pumps are widely utilized in a variety of applications and are frequently favored for processes that require low viscosity and high flow rates. Because of their increased use in upstream segment and multi-phase pumping applications, demand is predicted to increase by 1.7X. Due to its ability to act as a water and oil separator, demand for submersible pumps under centrifugal pumps, reciprocating pumps, and rotary pumps has increased by 1.3X in the oil and gas industry. Additionally, manufacturers offering advanced monitoring systems are expected to introduce oil and gas pumps with pressure sensors, magnetic sensors, chemical sensors, and other sensors throughout the assessment period, which is expected to support market growth. Report Attributes Details Base Year Value (2021A) USD 6,400 Million Estimated Year Value (2022E) USD 6,700 Million Projected Year Value (2032F) USD 10,800 Million Global Growth Rate (2022-2032) 4.9% Key Takeaways: Centrifugal pumps segment holds 35.1% of the oil & gas pumps market share. Middle East & Africa (MEA) region is expected to hold 32.7% of the oil and gas pumps market. & (MEA) region is expected to hold 32.7% of the oil and gas pumps market. Onshore use of oil & gas pumps holds 56.1% of the overall market share. Growth Drivers: Rising demand for oil & gas worldwide to propel the oil & gas pumps market growth. Innovation in oil & gas pumps with new technology is expected to spur the demand forward. Key Restraints: Rising emission levels globally has resulted in governments across countries imposing strict emission regulations in the oil & gas industry, hence hindering the market. To learn more about Oil and Gas Pumps Market, you can get in touch with our Analyst at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=2435 Competitive Landscape Due to the presence of several local and regional companies, the worldwide oil and gas pumps market is extremely fragmented and competitive. Key players use a variety of marketing techniques, including mergers & acquisitions, expansions, collaborations, and partnerships. Alfa Laval received a supply contract in 2020 to deliver Framo pumping systems for two Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels operating outside of Brazil's coast, which includes marine pumping systems for seawater and firewater lift service. coast, which includes marine pumping systems for seawater and firewater lift service. Weir Oil & Gas Dubai was awarded a three-year contract to repair and service motors and pumps by a national oil company in the UAE in 2020. Key Companies Profiled by Fact.MR are: Oil sandsXylem GRUNDFOS Weir Group Flowserve Corporation KSB SE & Co. KGaA Sulzer Ltd. Nikkiso Trillium Flow Technologies Halliburton Baker Hughes Company Groman-Rupp EBARA Corporation Tsurumi Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Gemmecotti More Valuable Insights on Oil and Gas Pumps Market Fact.MR provides an unbiased analysis of the oil & gas pumps market, presenting forecast statistics for the period from 2022-2032. The study divulges compelling insights on the global oil & gas pumps market with a detailed segmentation on the basis of: By Product Type : Centrifugal Pumps Single Stage Multi-Stage Axial and Mixed Submersible Seal less and Circular Reciprocating Pumps Piston Plunger Diaphragm Rotary Pumps Gear Vane Screw Lobe Progressive Cavity Pumps Piston Peristaltic By Capacity : Small (Up to 500 gpm) Medium (500-1,000 gpm) High (More than 1,000 gpm) By Pump Characteristics : Engineered Pumps Standard Pumps Special Purpose Pumps By Deployment Type : Onshore Offshore By Region : North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia Oceania MEA Key Questions Covered in Oil and Gas Pumps Market Report The report offers insight into the oil and gas pumps market demand outlook for 2022-2032. The market study also highlights projected sales growth for oil and gas pumps market between 2022 and 2032. Oil and gas pumps market survey identifies key growth drivers, restraints, and other forces impacting prevailing trends and evaluation of current market size and forecast and technological advancements within the industry. Oil and gas pumps market share analysis of the key companies within the industry and coverage of strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations or partnerships, and others. Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Industrial Goods Domain Oil Refining Pumps Market Trends - Rising power demand and a heavy reliance on oil in developing nations has led to the construction of oil refineries, which has boosted sales of oil refining pumps. Oil refining pumps integrated with new technology are expected to gain popularity in oil refineries. Reciprocating Pumps Market Forecast - The market for reciprocating pumps is expected to rise significantly. The global need for oil and gas, particularly in the petrochemical industry, is influencing the expansion of the reciprocating pumps market. Canned Motor Pumps Market Scope - Due to interrupted operations in end-use sectors, demand for canned motor pumps has decreased dramatically. In the worldwide canned motor pumps market, reverse circulation canned motor pumps had the majority of the market share. Because of its capacity to treat highly volatile fluids including LPG, LNG, Liquid Ammonia, and refrigerants, these pumps are widely utilized in oil and gas and industrial applications. Rotary Pumps Market Insights - In most developing countries, increasing access to water and the importance of sanitation is creating various chances for rotary pump market players. Furthermore, rising consumer disposable income is causing an increase in discretionary expenditure, particularly on chemicals and fuel, which is driving up demand for rotary pumps in developing countries. About Fact.MR Market research and consulting agency with a difference! That's why 80% of Fortune 1,000 companies trust us for making their most critical decisions. We have offices in US and Dublin, whereas our global headquarter is in Dubai. While our experienced consultants employ the latest technologies to extract hard-to-find insights, we believe our USP is the trust clients have on our expertise. Spanning a wide range from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare & retail, our coverage is expansive, but we ensure even the most niche categories are analyzed. Reach out to us with your goals, and we'll be an able research partner. Contact: Mahendra Singh US Sales Office 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583 E: [email protected] SOURCE Fact.MR "Gov. Holcomb exemplifies steadfast leadership in fostering the development of Indiana's trails so they may deliver powerful economic and quality-of-life benefits to all Hoosiers. He truly values the impact that trails have in our lives and our communities. He also understands that their impact grows exponentially as trails are connected to each other, within communities, and between towns, cities and states," said Ryan Chao, president of RTC. "The governor has done more than simply believe in trails. His commitment by way of creating dedicated state funding for trail projects large and small is what sets him apartand is a model for the nation." The impact of Indiana's fast-growing trail system extends beyond the state. Indiana hosts 215 miles of the Great American Rail-Trail, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's signature project and ambitious initiative to connect more than 3,700 miles of multiuse trails across the country. In a recent interview with Rails to Trails magazine about his recognition as the 2021 Rail-Trail Champion, Gov. Holcomb commented on why it is important to fast-track trail development to maximize the potential of these trails and meet demand from Hoosiers statewide. "When you look at vibrant communities, one thing in commonthe common denominatoris outdoor amenities. People want to work where they want to live. Trails were that X-factor," said Gov. Holcomb. "We're fully committed to continuing to build these trail connections throughout our entire state," he added. Gov. Holcomb's Rail-Trail Champion award comes during "Indiana's Year of the Trails," which he proclaimed in October 2021. The year-long celebration runs from Oct. 23, 2021, through Oct. 23, 2022, to recognize that "connecting trail segments is a powerful tool for economic and community development that should be actively facilitated." Indiana's Year of the Trails creates an opportunity to bring trail users, business owners, nonprofits, local and state elected officials, and other stakeholders together to experience Hoosier trails and share the value of walking, biking and other nonmotorized infrastructure for all Indiana residents and visitors. Advocates are leveraging the year-long celebration and focus on trails to call for permanent funding for trail connectivity and maintenance under the Next Level Trails program at $10 million annually. Since 2011, the Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions Award has honored individuals who have made significant contributions to the rail-trail movement through their hard work, volunteerism and supportin short, those who have gone above and beyond in the name of trails. The award is named in honor of the late rail-trail philanthropist Jeffrey L. Doppelt. Learn more about the nation's Rail-Trail Champions: rtc.li/trail-champions. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the nation's largest trails organizationwith a grassroots community more than 1 million strongdedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Contact Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Patricia Brooks, [email protected], 202.351.1757 Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb: Erin Murphy, [email protected], 317.618.7635 SOURCE Rails-to-Trails Conservancy NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Stone Equity Partners LLC ("Red Stone Equity" or the "Company"), a privately-owned real estate finance and investment company specializing in affordable multifamily residential funds and financings, announced today that 2021 marked the most successful year in the Company's history in terms of fundraising activity. Among other notable accomplishments in 2021, Red Stone Equity closed its twelfth and thirteenth national multi-investor Low Income Housing Tax Credit ("LIHTC") funds, and fourth California-only LIHTC fund offering, helping the Company finish the year with $7.6 billion in tax credit equity raised since the firm's inception. Red Stone Equity raised $1.12 billion of tax equity from 35 different LPs in 2021, comprised of $1.07 billion of affordable housing tax equity and $46 million of renewable energy tax equity. Within its affordable housing vertical, Company-sponsored investment funds invested in 71 LIHTC properties developed by 48 different developer partners and containing more than 5,500 affordable rental homes located in 24 different states. Additionally, the creation or preservation of these 5,500+ affordable homes will provide an estimated 6,900 jobs as well as direct and indirect community revitalization and other economic benefits. As part of its 2021 LIHTC fundraising and investment activities, Red Stone Equity closed on nearly $575 million of tax equity in single-investor (a/k/a proprietary) LIHTC fund format and on approximately $500 million of tax equity in multi-investor LIHTC fund format. Within its multi-investor LIHTC product line, the Company closed on three new LIHTC fund offerings throughout the year, which included its largest national and California-only investment funds raised to date. "There is an affordable housing crisis playing out across America, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to help bring much needed affordable housing to individuals and families, Red Stone Equity is pleased to have raised more than $1.1 billion in tax credit equity in 2021, which is a result of strong relationships with our developer and investor partners who work alongside the more than 85 dedicated Red Stone Equity employees to make it all happen. We look forward to continuing and expanding upon these partnerships in 2022 and beyond," said Stephanie Kinsman, Red Stone Equity's Managing Director of Investor Relations. Since the firm's inception in 2007, Red Stone Equity-sponsored investment funds have financed the construction and/or rehabilitation of 589 LIHTC properties containing more than 50,000 units of affordable housing and 932 megawatts of solar energy installations. Red Stone Equity's President, Ryan Sfreddo, noted, "The need for affordable and supportive housing has been exacerbated by the pandemic, and it is essential that we take the necessary steps to ensure every American has a roof over their head. Our 2021 investment activities were made possible by our dedicated investor and developer partners, as well as by our talented and resilient team. Red Stone Equity hired 15 new employees in 2021 to help us meet the critical need for affordable housing across the nation. This incremental staffing will help support our efforts to provide best-in-class service to our investor and developer partners, while enhancing our ability to execute on multiple fund offerings and expanding the Company's investment activities and footprint." About Red Stone Equity Partners LLC Red Stone Equity Partners LLC ("Red Stone Equity") is a leading real estate investment firm specializing in the syndication of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Renewable Energy Tax Credits to facilitate the development of affordable multifamily rental housing and renewable energy projects, respectively. Red Stone Equity prioritizes environmental, social and governance "(ESG") factors in all aspects of business and our company. Red Stone Equity builds upon long-lasting relationships with investors and developers as it acquires, structures, and provides long-term asset management services to its institutional clients. Since inception, Red Stone Equity has raised over $7.6 billion of tax credit equity. These funds have been used to finance the construction and/or rehabilitation of more than 50,000 units of affordable housing in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Red Stone Equity has offices in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, and San Diego. For more information, please visit us at rsequity.com and on LinkedIn or Twitter. SOURCE Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans is excited to announce that registration is now open for a unique mission to Israel from July 12-18, 2022. Visit www.louisianatoisrael.com for mission information and to register. By expanding its traditional cultural exchange mission to include a multi-sector trade and business development mission, the 2022 Federation Mission will strengthen Louisiana's economic ties with Israel by helping to increase exports to the country, build strategic relationships and explore new business opportunities. Registration is open for the July 12-18 Louisiana Trade Mission to Israel. Learn more at www.louisianatoisrael.com. Tweet this Learn more about this mission at louisianatoisrael.com. The trade mission includes an all-star lineup of partners including: Jones Walker LLP, Ochsner Health, NFP, Tulane University, the New Orleans Business Alliance, the World Trade Center New Orleans, GNO Inc., Louisiana Economic Development, and the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. The mission will feature a traditional Jewish culture and history track ("Explore Israel"), as well as four industry tracks in sectors for which Israel is among the world leaders in business and innovation: Medicine/Biotechnology/Healthcare Energy/Water Management/Engineering Transportation/Port/Maritime Cybersecurity/Innovation The mission will include visits to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and industry-specific places of interest for each of the four business tracks. The delegation will be comprised of approximately 200 business, community, educational and government leaders. Participants will also enjoy an exclusive opportunity to take part in the Opening Ceremonies of the Maccabiah Games, the third largest sporting event in the world. Information sessions will be held on Zoom on February 8 and 10, 2022. Those interested in learning more about each track can register for each session at www.jewishnola.com/israelmission/webinar: February 8 | 11:30am - Medicine/Biotechnology/ Healthcare | - Medicine/Biotechnology/ Healthcare February 8 | 1:00pm - Energy/Sustainability | - Energy/Sustainability February 8 | 7:00pm - Explore Israel | - Explore Israel February 10 | 11:30am - Transportation/Port/Maritime | - Transportation/Port/Maritime February 10 | 1:00pm - Cybersecurity/Innovation "Israel is known as the 'Startup Nation'," said Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans CEO, Arnie Fielkow, "and this upcoming trade mission presents a unique opportunity for Louisiana businesses to gain access to this major international hub of innovation and technology." "We are honored to be a part of this trade mission to Israel and are always happy to support opening economic development doors for the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans," said Jones Walker Managing Partner, Bill Hines. "We greatly look forward to exploring and expanding the economic relationships between the private and public sectors in Israel and the private and public sectors of our city and state." The United States is Israel's single largest trading partner. Since signing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1985, U.S.-Israel trade has grown eight-fold. Nearly all non-agricultural trade tariffs between the United States and Israel have been eliminated since 1995. In 2017, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) real growth increased by 3.4 percent over 2016. Israel's GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2017 was $334.6 billion. Israel has a strong economy, led by an export-oriented high-tech sector and a spirit of innovation that continues to attract U.S. companies. The market is primed for U.S. manufacturers of high-end equipment with technology advantages over competition and for components that can be integrated into Israeli systems, either for domestic use or for re-export. Key target sectors for U.S. exports include safety & security, healthcare, information and communication technologies, and defense. Small businesses may apply to receive reimbursement on registration and travel expenses related to the trade mission through Louisiana's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) . Reimbursements are subject to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) funding availability. In the unlikely event that Israel closes its borders to travel due to COVID-19, participants will receive a full refund. Visit the mission website for more information on the cancellation and refund policies. SOURCE Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Reimagine Care, an innovative provider of technology-enabled services that supports oncologists in delivering high-quality, home-centered, value-based cancer care, today announced it has completed a $25 million capital raise led by Sante Ventures, Martin Ventures, and LRVHealth. The funding will be leveraged to further develop and commercialize the company's first-of-its kind technology-enabled services platform, launch the virtual care center, and expand the patient care team. Several strategic investors joined the financing round including the CU Healthcare Innovation Fund, a strategic healthcare fund affiliated with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network; McKesson Ventures; and Sable Investments. "The potential for home-centered cancer care has been obvious for some time, but Reimagine Care is the first company to fully take on this important clinical and business imperative," said Doug French, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Sante Ventures, who formerly served as President and CEO of Ascension Health, as well as Founder of Ascension Ventures. "This critical shift is now happening and it's quickly becoming a key indicator of which health systems will lead the new path forward for cancer care and which slow movers will struggle to compete with early adopters who are no longer facilities-bound." The Series A Funding comes as costs for cancer care continue to rise significantly, making up a large and rapidly growing portion of commercial and Medicare costs. In 2020, the total cost of cancer care in the U.S. was $175 billion, and over 1.8 million patients were newly diagnosed with the disease. Those costs are projected to rise to $246 billion by 2030. These cost concerns are elevated by the shift towards delivering more patient-centered care and accommodating patients' increasing interests in home care options. According to a recent survey, 95 percent of patients preferred receiving chemotherapy and supportive cancer treatments at home as opposed to facility-based care. According to Devin Carty, CEO of Martin Ventures and Co-founder of Reimagine Care, the high cost of care isn't the only challenge. "Companies are simply tinkering around the edges of care transformation unless they address healthcare's fundamental design flaw and align providing an exceptional patient experience with achieving lower costs and better outcomes. This isn't an easy problem to solve but Reimagine Care is different in its holistic, tech-driven approach. By partnering with health systems, physician practices, and health plans, Reimagine Care can redesign and reinvent cancer care for the benefit of patients while also financially rewarding providers for delivering high-quality cancer care, in safe and convenient settings, which can include the home." Recent surveys have confirmed not only that patients would prefer to receive cancer care at home, but also that a growing number of health systems support providing home-centered treatment options. A recent survey of healthcare executives found that 66 percent of executives agree that that home-centered oncology care is gaining traction and represents a real opportunity for growth. Even more significantly, 60 percent of surveyed executives expressed concern that their organizations may fall behind if they don't make the shift to home-centered cancer care in the very near future. "We're honored to partner with these experienced financial and strategic investors who share our belief that the time is now to move away from the status quo way of delivering cancer care which hasn't adapted to a virtual, digital world and move towards providing a better experience for the millions of patients who deal with this horrible disease each year," said Aaron Gerber, MD, Co-founder and CEO of Reimagine Care. "We're eager to accelerate the commercialization of our tech-enabled services platform to help health systems to provide high-quality, home-centered care, increase profitability, and enhance the patient experience while also differentiating themselves from competitors who fail to take this important leap forward." Kimberly Muller, Executive Director of CU Innovations echoes these sentiments. "The pandemic has been a catalyst for a shift that was already happening as more healthcare moves into the home and patients and health systems seek out strategies that improve the patient experience while also improving costs and outcomes. We're excited to help Reimagine Care to bring home-centered cancer care to patients and help health systems to see that innovation can make this seemingly daunting change both possible and inevitable," she said. With the Series A funding round, French will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Reimagine Care, alongside board members Gerber, Carty and Keith Figlioli, Partner at LRVHealth. Harlan Levine, MD, President of Strategy and Business Ventures at City of Hope will also be joining the Board of Directors. About Reimagine Care Reimagine Care provides technology-enabled services to support health systems and oncologists in delivering high-quality, home-centered, value-based cancer care. The company's holistic approach addresses the clinical, operational and financial challenges in healthcare today that make it challenging for healthcare providers to make the transition to home-centered, value-based care and empower them to innovate and deliver these important, much-needed services for their patients at scale. Please visit https://www.reimaginecare.com/ to learn more. Media Contact: Lisa Chernikoff Canton & Company for Reimagine Care [email protected] (734) 678-5513 SOURCE Reimagine Care CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A promising new research study published today in the Public Library of Science (PLOS) ONE demonstrates that a newly developed computerized adaptive assessment for suicide risk severity can be used among military veterans to accurately predict suicidal outcomes at baseline and at 6- and 12-month marks. Based on research conducted at the Veterans Health Administration by study lead author, Lisa Brenner, Ph.D., Director, Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center Aurora, CO, Vice Chair of Research, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Professor of PM&R, Psychiatry, & Neurology, University of Colorado and Robert Gibbons, Ph.D., Blum-Riese Professor at the University of Chicago, the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT-SS) assessment tool, developed by Adaptive Testing Technologies, demonstrated added value over current suicide risk prediction practices in predicting future suicidal ideation and behavior. Specifically: Unlike current tools, it draws from a much larger set of symptomatology that includes depression and anxiety symptoms that are precursors to the development of suicidal ideation and behavior. CAT-SS scores outperformed history of suicide attempt in the past year as a predictor of future suicide-related thoughts and behaviors. Computerized Adaptive Test-Suicide Scale (CAT-SS)1* is an adaptive measure, comprised of 111-items, which dimensionally measures suicide risk severity on a 100-point scale with 5 points of precision. The scores are also thresholded to yield categories of low, moderate, and high risk. In the United States, suicide rates are rising among military personnel, Veterans, and civilians. In fact, according to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the veteran suicide rate rose from 23.3 to 31.6 suicides per 100,000 and the non-Veteran rate rose from 12.6 to 16.8 between 2001 and 2019.2 According to work by Ahmedani, nearly 30% of individuals who die by suicide had a healthcare visit within the previous week, and therefore could have been screened for suicide risk. While additional work is required to evaluate where the CAT-SS could be implemented in clinical settings, study findings suggest that if implemented in the electronic medical record, the CAT-SS would be expected to rapidly facilitate precise and personalized screening and assessment of suicide risk severity. Specifically: The baseline CAT-SS demonstrated predictive accuracy for all outcomes at 6-months, and similar results were found for baseline and all outcomes at and through 12-months. The CAT-SS measured suicide risk severity using an average of 10 items in under 2 minutes. Analysis showed that for every 10-point change in the CAT-SS there was a 50-77% increase in the likelihood of suicide-related outcomes (outcomes were active ideation with plan and intent; attempt; interrupted, aborted or self -interrupted attempt, or preparatory acts or behaviors; and all outcomes combined). The clinical gold standard for predicting future suicidal ideation and behavior is a prior suicide attempt in the past year. The CAT-SS outperformed this gold standard for all suicide outcome measures in terms of predictive accuracy. "The findings from this study extend previous work to include suicide risk assessment among Veterans," said Lisa Brenner, Ph.D., Director, Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center Aurora, CO, Vice Chair of Research, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Professor of PM&R, Psychiatry, & Neurology, University of Colorado, and lead author of the study. "Results suggest that this tool can be administered in an extremely timely manner and that CAT-SS scores are predictive of suicide-related outcomes at 6 and 12 months." Adaptive Testing Technologies' Computerized Adaptive Diagnostic (CAD) and Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT-MH) assessment tools, including the CAT-SS tool, are based on algorithms and research validated over 20+ years by Robert Gibbons, Ph.D., Blum-Riese Professor at the University of Chicago. They are validated for use with a variety of mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, substance use disorder, suicidality, ADHD, and assess Social Determinants of Health. They use a unique algorithm based on multidimensional item response theory and machine learning to adaptively select an optimal set of questions for each person, tailored to that person's level of severity at that point in time, thereby increasing the precision of measurement and accuracy of diagnosis. The tests are cloud-based, HIPAA compliant, administered remotely or on-site, self-guided, and can easily be integrated into electronic health records for immediate review by health care providers. The same group of researchers published another study in July 2021 in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, demonstrating that two newly developed computerized adaptive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment tools - CAD-PTSD and CAT-PTSD - were equal to or outperformed diagnostic accuracy of standard tests and significantly reduced patient and clinician burden among military Veterans. "To address the pressing public health problem of suicide, efforts must be aimed at validating measures that can be used to evaluate suicide risk in both primary and specialty care medical settings; can be rapidly administered via an electronic platform; and be personalized to individual patients," said Professor Gibbons. "Among Veterans seeking care at a VAMC, the CAT-SS assessed suicide risk severity with a median of 11 items in under two minutes. We believe this is enormously important for our nation's public health and the health of our Veterans and active military. The future of mental health measurement will be based on adaptive screening and measurement to provide more accurate diagnoses and severity measurements that benefit patients, their providers, and the overall health care system." About the Study The study included 305 military veterans who completed the CAT-SS, the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SRSS), a clinician-administered interview used to evaluate suicidal ideation (including intensity) and suicide-related behavior, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5) Research Version, a valid semi-structured interview used to diagnose Axis I psychiatric disorders in clinical and research settings, and the Rocky Mountain MIRECC Demographic Questionnaire, a survey used to gather demographic information. All measures were administered at baseline, and again at 6- and 12-month appointments. About Adaptive Testing Technologies Adaptive Testing Technologies (ATT) is the leader in the design, testing, and implementation of large-scale, cloud-based mental health assessment tools based on Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) and Computerized Adaptive Diagnostic (CAD) technologies. These tools are utilized by health professionals to assess a variety of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, PTSD, substance use disorder, suicide risk, ADHD, and assess Social Determinants of Health. The CAT-MH and K-CAT represent the first and only validated, comprehensive, multidimensional item-response-theory-based adaptive screening and measurement systems in the world. They provide levels of precision and accuracy that is far beyond what can be achieved using traditional fixed-length mental health assessment scales and can be administered anywhere at any frequency, in or out of the clinic, to any sized population. ATT's tools are currently being utilized in emergency departments, psychiatric and primary care clinics, telemedicine, student health clinics, perinatal medicine clinics, child welfare settings, substance use disorder programs, federal and state mental health programs, employee assistance programs, and the judicial system. The tools are available worldwide and are currently being used in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, India, and Chile. MEDIA CONTACT: Dawn Maniglia TogoRun [email protected] 917.862.5444 Hannah Wulczyn, MPA Adaptive Testing Technologies [email protected] 312.878.6490, Ext. 505 *Measures administered at baseline, and 6- and 12-month follow-up appointments 1 Gibbons RD, Kupfer D, Frank E, Moore T, Beiser DG, Boudreaux ED. Development of a Computerized Adaptive Test Suicide Scale-The CAT-SS. J Clin Psychiatry. 2017;78(9):1376-82. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.16m10922 2 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2021, from https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2021/2021-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-9-8-21.pdf SOURCE Adaptive Testing Technologies WALLDORF, Germany, and BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) and Icertis today announced an expanded partnership for enhanced contract management to help companies increase efficiency, minimize risk and realize the full intent of their agreements. The partnership, which includes a financial investment from SAP in Icertis, will lead to a joint product road map and deeper technological integration to deliver enterprise-wide value, including faster negotiations, greater compliance and AI-powered business insights and automation. "The expanded cooperation with Icertis will help our customers take advantage of market-leading innovations for contract management from Icertis while managing core business processes with SAP solutions," said Christian Klein, CEO and member of the Executive Board, SAP SE. "This partnership is a great complement to our portfolio, with multiple touchpoints to SAP systems across ERP, finance, procurement, sales and HR." This expanded partnership builds on the existing relationship between SAP and Icertis, which began in 2020 to transform the source-to-pay and lead-to-cash processes through the integration of Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) with SAP Ariba and SAP Customer Experience solutions. The enhanced partnership further leverages each company's technology to deliver even more value to a growing list of joint customers. Customers will have the opportunity to benefit from ICI capabilities for smart contract creation, online negotiation, AI-assisted risk identification, obligation management and contract-driven insights for decision support while operating their core source-to-pay and lead-to-cash processes within SAP solutions. "With this partnership, SAP and Icertis customers will be able to derive end-to-end value across the enterprise, so the intent of every contract is correctly memorialized and fully realized," said Samir Bodas, CEO of Icertis. "Partnering with SAP to bring our AI-powered, best-of-breed contract intelligence to the market is another affirmation of Icertis' strategy to become the contract intelligence platform of the world. It is also a testament to SAP's forward-looking vision for the intelligent and networked enterprise." As part of the expanded partnership, Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) for SAP Ariba solutions and ICI for SAP Customer Experience solutions are now SAP Endorsed Apps, premium certified by SAP with added security, in-depth testing and measurements against cloud operations best practices. "SAP's focus on the intelligent enterprise has enabled many organizations to move into the digital-first world, and the contracting process in SAP Ariba solutions has done much for the buying community," said Mickey North Rizza, Program Vice President Enterprise Applications and Digital Commerce, IDC. "Icertis is named a leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Contract Life-Cycle Management Software for Corporate Legal 2021. With Icertis' flexible platform and enhanced CLM capabilities, SAP can now manage the trading partner relationship for the enterprise in a much more integrated, innovative and tailored manner." Contracts are the foundation of commerce, governing the rights and obligations between parties. Traditional contract management is often manual and siloed, creating inefficiency and risk while leaving value unrealized. ICI helps structure and connect data within contracts across an enterprise, enabling businesses to increase efficiencies, identify and mitigate potential risk, and drive bottom-line value throughout the contract lifecycle. Icertis solutions including ICI for SAP Ariba solutions and ICI for SAP Customer Experience solutions are available in SAP Store, the digital marketplace for solutions from SAP and its partners. SAP Store provides customers with real-time access to more than 1,800 innovative solutions from SAP as well as partner solutions that complement and extend their SAP applications. About Icertis With unmatched technology and category-defining innovation, Icertis pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM). The AI-powered, analyst-validated Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) platform turns contracts from static documents into a strategic advantage by structuring and connecting the critical contract information that defines how an organization runs. Today, the world's most iconic brands and disruptive innovators trust Icertis to govern the rights and commitments in their 10 million+ contracts worth more than $1 trillion, in 40+ languages and 90+ countries. About SAP SAP's strategy is to help every business run as an intelligent enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: SAP customers generate 87% of total global commerce. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers' businesses into intelligent enterprises. SAP helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people's lives. For more information, visit www.sap.com. This document contains forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to materially differ. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors section of SAP's 2020 Annual Report on Form 20-F. 2022 SAP SE. All rights reserved. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) Please consider our privacy policy. If you received this press release in your e-mail and you wish to unsubscribe to our mailing list please contact [email protected] and write Unsubscribe in the subject line. SOURCE SAP SE SUVA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Samoa reported on Tuesday six more COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of active cases of the coronavirus in the Pacific island country to 26. According to newspaper Samoa Observer, the Samoan government press secretariat said in a statement on Tuesday evening that the six new cases were passengers on board a flight from Brisbane, Australia to Samoa last Wednesday. They are all held in quarantine currently. On Monday, Samoa recorded five COVID-19 cases who were the frontline workers supervising the first 10 passengers on board the same flight who tested positive on Wednesday last week. Last Saturday, Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa announced a 48-hour nationwide lockdown. Samoa extended on Monday the lockdown by 72 hours. Currently, Samoa continues its Alert Level 3 in response to COVID-19 since last Saturday. Samoa reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in February last year. WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, is celebrating National Mentoring Month by highlighting the significant impact SCORE's 10,000 volunteers have on small businesses throughout the nation. National Mentoring Month. More than 569,000 unique clients took advantage of SCORE's mentoring and educational services last year, and entrepreneurs who received more than three hours of mentoring reported higher revenues and increased growth. "Mentoring makes a difference," said SCORE Vice President of External Relations Betsy Dougert. "SCORE is incredibly grateful to our volunteer mentors who share their time and talents with America's small business owners." How SCORE mentors help small businesses SCORE mentors have years of business experience and many are themselves successful small business owners. Mentors volunteer through SCORE to help other entrepreneurs in their community, providing guidance by sharing real-world knowledge and expertise, as well as practical tools and resources. "SCORE mentors are like cheerleaders for their clients because, most of the time, SCORE mentors will see what the clients don't see in themselves," explains SCORE Chicago Chair Hannah Fernandez. What to expect in a SCORE mentoring session SCORE mentoring sessions are collaborative, confidential meetings between small business owners and a mentor, either in-person or remotely via phone, email, video or online chat. During these sessions, entrepreneurs can share their business goals, challenges and questions. SCORE mentors will offer advice, resources and insights to guide business owners in their next best steps. "I find myself sharing a lot about my journey with my clients and it's always appreciated," said SCORE Raleigh mentor Patti Williams. "They know that I've been there." Visit www.score.org/find-mentor to request a mentor. If you'd like to become a SCORE mentor and help make a difference in your community, visit: www.score.org/volunteer . About SCORE: Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs to start, grow or troubleshoot a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services to 1,500+ communities nationwide. In the past five years, SCORE volunteers have helped start 186,685 businesses and create 378,550 non-owner jobs. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact: Betsy Dougert SCORE 800-634-0245 [email protected] SOURCE SCORE NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Exterran Corporation ("Exterran" or the "Company") (NYSE: EXTN) in connection with the proposed merger of the Company with Enerflex Ltd. ("Enerflex") (TSX: EFX). Under the terms of the merger agreement, Exterran shareholders will receive 1.021 shares of Enerflex common stock for each share of Exterran common stock that they hold. The proposed transaction is valued at approximately $1.5 billion. If you own Exterran shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/extn Or please contact: Joshua Rubin, Esq. WeissLaw LLP 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York, NY 10007 (212) 682-3025 (888) 593-4771 [email protected] WeissLaw is investigating whether (i) Exterran's board of directors acted in the best interests of Company shareholders in agreeing to the proposed transaction, (ii) the merger consideration adequately compensates Exterran's shareholders, and (iii) all information regarding the sales process and valuation of the transaction will be fully and fairly disclosed. WeissLaw LLP has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected] SOURCE WeissLaw LLP NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 Shoptalk, the leading U.S. event for the retail industry, has announced the creation of The Shoptalk ATLIS Awards, a program to recognize retailers' achievements in transformation, leadership and impact on sustainability. Bain & Company, the global management consulting firm and longtime sustainability leader, is partnering on the program creation and selection of winners in 2022. Twenty five U.S.-based retailers will be recognized as finalists at Shoptalk 2022 (March 27-30, Las Vegas) across five categories, with an overall winner selected in each category. The categories are: waste reduction, carbon emission reduction, fair sourcing, consumer health and wellness and diversity and inclusion. Judges include Luciana Batista, Partner, Bain & Company; Boma Brown-West, Director, EDF+ Business, Environmental Defense Fund; Jordan Chamberlain, Climate Solutions Director, Persefoni; Andrea D'Arcy, Partner, Bain & Company; Sasha Duchnowski, Partner, Bain & Company; Cate Hight, Expert Partner, Sustainability & Carbon Transition, Bain & Company; Dr. Yu Ma, Associate Professor, McGill University; Fernando Martins, Expert Partner, Bain & Company; Elyse Rosenblum, Founder & Managing Director, Grads of Life; Louis Roy, CEO, Optel; and Aditya Siroya, Co-Founder, rePurpose Global. "The retail industry has a pivotal role to play in making the world a better place by setting new standards for sustainability, customer health and wellness, and diversity and inclusion," says Rebecca Sausner, general manager, Shoptalk and Groceryshop. "Shoptalk is eager to shine a light on the impressive achievements retailers' are making in these areas, with hopes of showcasing role models for transformation for the entire industry." The awards will recognize initiatives launched or results achieved in the past two years. Video submissions that outline the goals of the program, how it was executed and its achievements will be accepted through February 18, 2022. Finalists will be invited to attend an awards ceremony and ATLIS breakfast at Shoptalk 2022, and their videos will be showcased for all attendees at the event. The ATLIS awards program fulfills a core mission of Hyve Group plc, parent company of Shoptalk, to promote ESG values both in its own industry and in the communities it serves with market-leading events like Shoptalk. "Our events have a unique opportunity to spark conversations and build momentum around important topics such as sustainability and inclusion. Our customers are doing amazing work and the ATLIS awards will not only celebrate those projects that are making a difference, but also inspire others within the Shoptalk community to lead the change," says Nikki Griffiths, ESG Director of Hyve Events. The retail industry has made significant strides in its efforts to address issues like waste reduction, emissions reduction, fair sourcing and diversity and inclusion. But there is much more work to be done. "Bain & Company is thrilled to be the inaugural partner with Shoptalk on its ATLIS Awards," said Bain & Company senior partner Luciana Batista, the firm's global lead for ESG in Retail. "Sustainability and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion have been longtime pillars of our consulting work, and we are proud to support a program recognizing the transformational initiatives retailers and CPGs are implementing." For more information on Shoptalk's ATLIS Awards, please visit https://shoptalk.com/atlis About Shoptalk A Hyve Group plc (LSE: HYVE:LN) event, Shoptalk is widely known for organizing retail's best and fastest growing events, and bringing together thousands of industry changemakers to collaborate at unparalleled scale across a broad range of online and offline use cases and innovative new formats, including Tabletalks, Hosted Meetings and Meetups. For five years, Shoptalk has defined the retail industry's community of innovators by bringing established retailers and brands together with direct-to-consumer and tech startups, large tech and Internet companies, venture capital investors, real estate developers, equity analysts, media and others. For more information, visit www.shoptalk.com and www.shoptalkeurope.com . About Bain & Company Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 63 offices in 38 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a gold rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 2% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry. SOURCE Shoptalk COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SNIPR BIOME ApS, a leading CRISPR and microbiome biotechnology company, has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SNIPR001. SNIPR001 is the company's first development candidate targeting E. coli in patients with hematological malignancy at risk of neutropenia. This announcement comes only a few weeks after the FDA approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application paving the way initiating the first clinical trial in humans. "At SNIPR BIOME, we are extremely proud to have been granted Fast Track designation by the FDA. It underlines SNIPR001's potential to be a game-changer for hematological cancer patients at increased risk of life-threatening bloodstream infections caused by E. coli" says Dr. Christian Grndahl, Co-founder & CEO and continues, "E. coli was recently highlighted as one of the leading pathogens associated with anti-microbial-resistance (AMR) and death in a systematic review published by the scientific journal The Lancet, so there is an urgent need for new medicines targeting E. coli." Fast Track is an FDA process designed to facilitate the development, and expedite the review, of potential therapies that seek to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. A drug candidate that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for more frequent communication with the FDA throughout the drug development process and a rolling and/or priority review of its marketing application if relevant criteria are met. Dr. Milan Zdravkovic, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at SNIPR Biome, adds: "With the FDA's Fast Track designation, we have reached yet another milestone and we are very pleased, that the FDA shares our view on the need to target AMR. Now, all our attention is directed towards initiating our first clinical trial, which is expected in H1 2022." SNIPR001 is being developed in collaboration with the non-profit organisation CARB-X. The aim is to target E. coli bacteria in the gut, and thereby prevent translocation of these bacteria from the gut into the bloodstream, while leaving the commensal bacteria in the patient's microbiome unaffected. This precision medicine approach is harnessing a novel application of SNIPR BIOME's proprietary CRISPR/Cas technology, hereby potentially transforming the way E. coli infections are prevented and treated, especially in the cancer ward. Today, there are no approved therapies for prophylactic therapy in this setting. For more information, please contact: Christian Grndahl, Dr.Med, Co-founder and CEO E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: +45 20202747 www.sniprbiome.com Twitter @sniprbiome About SNIPR BIOME SNIPR BIOME is a leading CRISPR and microbiome biotech company incorporated in Copenhagen, Denmark. SNIPR BIOME is engaged in the discovery and development of CRISPR/Cas-based medicines deploying its proprietary and patent-protected CRISPR/Cas platform. The company applies its CRISPR technologies to selectively target microbial pathogens and remodel the microbiome to address important unmet medical needs. SNIPR BIOME is pioneering a novel use of CRISPR/Cas technology to selectively and precisely eradicate target bacteria, while leaving the rest of the patient's microbial community intact. SNIPR BIOME was recently awarded a grant by CARB-X of up to 10.2m USD for CRISPR-based treatment of haematological cancer patients at risk of neutropenic fever and life-threating infections (SNIPR001). In addition, SNIPR BIOME and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has a strategic collaboration agreement to advance new CRISPR-based microbiome therapeutics to reduce immune-related adverse events (irAE) in patients being treated with combined immune checkpoint inhibitors. The company also develops proprietary technologies for in situ production of therapeutics in the human microbiome. SNIPR BIOME and Novo Nordisk recently entered into a research agreement on an undisclosed target to evaluate this technology for gene therapy of the microbiome i.e., in situ production of therapeutics in the human microbiome. SNIPR BIOME holds an extensive portfolio of granted patents protecting CRISPR modification of microbiota as an adjunct to cancer therapy, vaccine therapy and other immunotherapies. In March 2019, SNIPR BIOME closed a $50 million Series A financing by Lundbeckfonden Emerge (Copenhagen), Life Sciences Partners (Amsterdam), North-East Family Office (Copenhagen) and Wellington Partners (Munich). For more details, please visit: www.sniprbiome.com and follow us on Twitter @sniprbiome About CARB-X CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is a global non-profit partnership dedicated to supporting early development antibacterial R&D to address the rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria. CARB-X is led by Boston University and funding is provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the US Department of Health and Human Services; the Wellcome Trust, a global charity based in the UK working to improve health globally; Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); the UK Department of Health and Social Care's Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) funded by the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and with in-kind support from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the US Department of Health and Human Services. CARB-X is investing up to US$480 million from 2016-2022 to support innovative therapeutics, preventatives and rapid diagnostics. CARB-X funds only projects that target drug-resistant bacteria highlighted on the CDC's Antibiotic Resistant Threats list, or the Priority Bacterial Pathogens list published by the WHO, with a priority on those pathogens deemed Serious or Urgent on the CDC list or Critical or High on the WHO list. CARB-X is headquartered at Boston University School of Law. https://carb-x.org/. Follow us on Twitter @CARB_X Disclaimer Research reported in this press release is supported by CARB-X. CARB-X's funding for this project is sponsored by the Cooperative Agreement Number IDSEP160030 from ASPR/BARDA and by an award from the Wellcome Trust. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/snipr-biome-aps/r/snipr-biome-announces-u-s-food-and-drug-administration-grants-fast-track-designation-for-snipr001-fo,c3492121 SOURCE SNIPR Biome ApS WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters today formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will provide aviation education and training for members of the union and their families along with Teamsters scholarships for those who are eligible. "This is an important partnership where we have the opportunity to change the lives of so many people," said Rob Polston, Chief Executive Officer at Spartan College. "Both of our organizations enjoy a rich history serving industry. Spartan's approach to career-oriented aviation training stands on pillars of technology, safety, and practicality which aligns closely with Teamsters' education welfare mission. Furthermore, we are excited to co-develop training products for Teamsters that anticipate the future needs of the aviation industry." "This signed agreement enshrines a collaboration that is critical to meeting the needs of the airline industry," said James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "Spartan College is a well-recognized educational institution in the field of aviation that continues to invest in their student experience and innovative programs. I'm excited the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology is offering incredible educational opportunities to Teamsters and their families." The power of this partnership comes from the ability to scale. Since 1903 the Teamsters Union has grown to represent over 1.4 million workers in a wide variety of industries, and its Airline Division has over 90,000 members across trades such as aircraft maintenance, piloting, customer service and more. Established in 1928, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has trained over 100,000 pilots and technicians. Prior to this relationship, some Spartan graduates have gone on to become Teamsters members. This collaboration facilitates a path for future aviation professionals. About Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Spartan's campuses are located in the following areas: Tulsa, OK; Los Angeles, CA; Inland Empire, CA; and Denver, CO. Spartan students have come from across the United States and over 40 countries. Spartan offers programs in the areas of Aviation Flight, Aviation Maintenance Technology (Airframe & Powerplant), Aviation Electronics Technology, Nondestructive Testing Technology, and Quality Control Management, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Management. (Programs vary by location). Tulsa and Broomfield locations are separately accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Both California locations are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Riverside is a branch of the Inglewood Campus. Spartan Education Group, LLC, is the parent company of Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. About The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. FOR MORE INFORMATION Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Starboard Realty Advisors is pleased to announce the sale of The Metro - which occurred on December 9th, 2021. This 200-unit apartment community is located in northwest suburban Atlanta, Cobb County, GA. Mike Kemether, and Travis Presnell of Cushman & Wakefield represented Starboard in the transaction. Located at 1500 Parkwood Circle, the property was 96.5% leased at the time of sale. The Metro contains a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom units featuring granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and patio/balconies. In addition, the community boasts luxury amenities including a saltwater swimming pool, dog park, coffee & tea bar, fitness center with yoga studio, game room, and car charging stations. The 13.1 acre community is situated in the Platinum Triangle office district that is home to 125k jobs and 4 Fortune 500 firms. "The prime location of The Metro in such a thriving economy ensured consistent occupancy of the property", said Steve Carlton, Starboard's Chief Operating Officer. Through the sale of this multifamily property, Starboard provided a 128% return to investors and the opportunity to engage in tax-deferred 1031 exchanges. About Starboard Realty Advisors, LLC Starboard Realty Advisors, LLC, headquartered in Irvine, California, acquires, manages, and operates multi-family, multi-tenant retail shopping centers and QSRs. Starboard is a privately held, fully integrated real estate firm, whose principals have more than 30 years of hands-on, cycle-tested experience in acquiring, developing, leasing, repositioning, managing, financing, and disposing of retail, multifamily, office and industrial real estate during which they have developed a network of relationships with brokers, sellers, retailers, and an array of other tenants. For more information, please visit www.starboard-realty.com. Contact: Bill Winn CEO (949) 420-9300 [email protected] SOURCE Starboard Realty Advisors SEATTLE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- STS Capital Partners Managing Director Shamil Hargovan led the team that assisted Wohlers Associates in its sale to ASTM International, announced at the recent Standards Forum at the Formnext conference in Frankfurt, Germany. Terry Wohlers and his company are internationally recognized as experts in 3D printing and additive manufacturing (AM). ASTM International is a leading global standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems and services. In making the announcement Wohlers said, "Thank you to STS Capital Partners. This company helped put this together. Without Shamil and the team, we wouldn't be here right now." He added, "The people there (at STS) really took the bull by the horns and did a great job at uncovering many candidate organizations, several of which were a good fit for our business. Over time, we narrowed It down and began to negotiate with a few of them." The sale of Wohlers Associates to ASTM speaks to the importance 3D Printing will have in the future of manufacturing, giving ASTM a greatly enhanced capability to set standards for this rapidly emerging technology. "We were happy to provide the expertise that made this extraordinary exit happen, resulting in great benefits for both parties," Hargovan said. "Wohlers Associates was able to realize their required and preferred outcomes in the sale, but more importantly we reached out to a wide range of nontraditional possible acquisition partners, and garnered an ideal home that plans to build upon their great legacy in this rapidly growing industry. As a result of this experience with Wohlers Associates, we have identified a whole range of companies In the AM industry who are capable, willing and interested in acquiring strategic value assets for their enterprises. We welcome hearing from business owners who want to explore the many opportunities available to them to realize an extraordinary return as they exit and sell their business." Along with Wohlers Associates, ASTM International acquires the Wohlers Report, the premier publication for the AM industry, along with intelligence briefs, specialized reports, training in design for AM, and consulting services. "We are thrilled to welcome Wohlers Associates to the ASTM family," Katharine Morgan, ASTM International president said in an announcement sent from ASTM's headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pa. "Wohlers has been a trusted source of intelligence and analysis for the AM community for more than 30 years, and I am excited to see what our two trusted and credible brands can accomplish together for this industry." Formnext is the premier additive manufacturing and 3D printing conference, attracting more than 8,000 participants from around the world who are the leaders in their technology and business marketplaces At the conference Hargovan spoke about the mergers and acquisitions trend in the industry on a panel he hosted with Wohlers and Brian Meincke, vice president of Global Business Development and Innovation Strategy at ASTM International. He explained that at STS "our massively transformational purpose is to generate billions in new philanthropic and impact capital through M&A." As Managing Director at STS Capital Partners, Hargovan co-chairs STS' "Success to Significance" pillar focusing on social impact and maximizing true legacy potential. He also serves as CEO of Altruvest Charitable Services, a global nonprofit organization affiliated with STS, that provides leadership, training and tools to improve the governance of community-based charities. Hargovan is a featured speaker and thought leader in the areas of Industry 4.0, blended physical-digital experiences, augmented reality and the future of retail and e-commerce. In 2016, he was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree In Manufacturing and Industry -- and again in 2017 to the Forbes 30 Under 30 All-Star list. He has also been featured as one of Inc. Magazine's "50 Emerging Global Entrepreneurs to Watch." Prior to joining STS, Hargovan co-founded Wiivv Wearables and as CEO grew the company to become one of the world's largest suppliers of custom 3D-printed footwear. He drove an award-winning commerce experience and led commercial partnerships with international governments and sports, athleisure and wellness brands, including Dr. Scholl's and Lululemon. Wiivv pioneered state-of-the-art digital manufacturing in the U.S. and Canada based on measurements captured from a smartphone or retail scanner. In 2020 Hargovan exited his stake to a private, strategic capital group. Hargovan spent several years at HP Inc. on the executive team defining the company's additive manufacturing strategy, which ultimately led to the formation of its 3D printing business unit. He also managed several highly profitable product lines, while directing major cross-functional customer experience and business transformation initiatives across the $60 billion printing and personal systems global business. Before working at HP, he was a management consultant at Clarkston Consulting. He started his career at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute), incubating new ventures and strategic programs. Hargovan holds a B.A. in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) from Claremont McKenna College. His volunteer experience includes serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations and other community work, which has been recognized by Rotary International with Paul Harris Fellowships for his contributions to international service. He has lived in North America, Africa and Australia, currently residing in Seattle, Wash., with his family. About STS: STS Capital Partners is a different kind of global M&A firm creating billions of dollars in new philanthropic and impact capital. STS stands for Success to Significance through Selling to Strategics. STS expertly guides entrepreneurial business owners toward Extraordinary Exits with a focus on supporting their legacy. The STS global relationships and world-class team bring international strategic buyers to the deal process. The result is highly competitive, multi-bidder, soft auctions that achieve maximum value. To learn more about STS, please visit www.stscapital.com. STS is also growing globally and recruiting talented individuals that share a passion for enabling Extraordinary Exits. To learn more, please visit www.stscapital.com/join-our-team/. Contact: Alan Hermesch, (202) 210-6262, [email protected]. Photos: https://www.prlog.org/12901804 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE STS Capital Partners At SuperMeat's Tel Aviv restaurant The Chicken , the world's first dining venue to serve cultivated meat meals and site of the SuperMeat production plant, leading culinary figures including MasterChef judge Michal Ansky gathered to judge the side-by-side tasting. Each participant received ground cultivated and traditional chicken without any seasoning, processing or flavor overlay and were split in their responses, finding it very challenging to pick which chicken was which showcasing how similar the samples were in taste, texture and substance. Michal Ansky, the MasterChef judge who was surprised when the cultivated chicken was ultimately revealed, having guessed the opposite, was reported saying, "I'm extremely happy I was wrong, for one of the first times in my life. This kind of breakthrough has been a long time coming. As someone who loves chicken and incorporates it into family meals regularly, it's inspiring to see a more sustainable future can be achieved via cultivated meat." SuperMeat believes that transparency should lead the food industry's journey to a more just and sustainable system. To help fulfill this goal, it was the first company to open its pilot production plant to the world, providing an unfiltered end-to-end view of its manufacturing, from the plant floor to the open kitchen serving cultivated meat dishes. Hosting the world's first blind tasting of cultivated meat was another important step in this mission, providing a professional, third-party assessment of 100% cultivated meat compared to its traditional counterpart. "Now that we've shown that cultivated meat and traditional meat can be indistinguishable, the potential impact on how companies develop and produce meat products today, and consequently potential impact on our planet, is monumental," said Ido Savir, SuperMeat CEO. For more information on the company, visit www.SuperMeat.com . About SuperMeat: SuperMeat, headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, is a food-tech company working to supply the world with high-quality meat grown directly from animal cells. Our products offer a delicious meat experience and a high-quality nutritional profile, while being manufactured in a sustainable, slaughter-free way. SuperMeat's proprietary cultivated meat platform allows food companies to be at the forefront of the emerging cultivated meat industry and manufacture a wide range of products containing cultivated meat inside. SuperMeat is the first B2B company to address the entire category of poultry meat from fat to muscle, providing a complete solution to cultivated meat production. The company has been showcasing the versatility of its meat platform in various events at its pilot production plant, The Chicken , the world's first farm-to-fork facility for local meat production, and is planning to host additional events in the near future. SOURCE SuperMeat JERUSALEM, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael David Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center and Museum in Jerusalem, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. He has dedicated his life to combating antisemitism. Evans was a victim of antisemitism who was strangled by his own father at 11 years old when he attempted to defend his Jewish mother. Mike Evans with the pope and Late president, Shimon Peres Dr. The nomination was submitted by Bobby Brown, Senior Vice President for Ariel University in Israel. He said "The reason I nominated Mike Evans is because I know of no living person doing more to combat antisemitism." Sunday, January 31, 2022, is the last day for the submission of a nominee for this year's award. The late ninth president of Israel, Shimon Peres, was the founding international chairman of Friends of Zion. He commissioned the Friends of Zion award that has been given to 22 world leaders, including two U.S. presidents, George W. Bush and Donald J. Trump. Mike Evans said, "It's a great honor being nominated, but I consider combating antisemitism an even greater honor. The key to happiness is committing your life to a cause greater than yourself. I have such a cause." On Mike Evans' birthday on June 30, 1984 Mr. Evans was informed by the ATF that , Richard Wayne Snell, a white supremacist and Jew-hater, was headed toward Evans' home to kill him in Colleyville, Texas. Snell had already killed an Arkansas State Trooper on the way. "I know of no person who has done more in my lifetime to combat antisemitism, and especially someone who has been a victim of antisemitism," Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, a survivor of the Poway synagogue mass shooting, said of Evans. "Mike Evans is a fighter for freedom in a world of darkening and narrowing horizons. In his devotion to Israel, Mike has consistently demonstrated the moral clarity that is necessary to defend Israel against the lies and distortions of its enemies, and championed the Jewish people's claim to the Land of Israel." Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu For inquiries, contact Tal Marom, Spokesperson for FOZ, [email protected] SOURCE Friends of Zion TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (the "Company" or "TGOD") (CSE: TGOD) (OTC: TGODF), a sustainable global cannabis company is pleased to announce the appointment (the "Board Appointment") of Chris Schnarr, ICD.D to the Board of Directors ("Board") effective today, subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals. Chris Schnarr is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of board experience across a range of industries, including cannabis, biotech, and health care. A graduate of the Director's Education Program at Rotman School of Business and holder of the ICD.D designation, Mr. Schnarr's board experience spans 10 public companies and three private companies. He has extensive committee experience, including Audit, Governance, and Compensation, having chaired Canopy Growth Corporation's audit committee for four years. Mr. Schnarr will be joining the Board's audit committee. "Chris has excellent governance acumen and extensive board experience, making him a valuable addition to the TGOD Board," said Angus Footman, Chair of the Board. "The addition of Chris to the Board underscores TGOD's ongoing commitment to bring fresh perspectives into the boardroom. We look forward to working with Chris and having his perspective as we execute our strategy and create further value for stakeholders," added Footman. In connection with the Board Appointment, the Company has granted Mr. Schnarr options (each, an "Option") to purchase an aggregate of up to 500,000 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"). Each Option is exercisable into one common share at an exercise price of $0.10 per Common Share. The Options are granted in accordance with the Company's share option plan adopted by the board of directors of the Company on May 12, 2021 (the "Option Plan"). The Option Plan is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. About The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (CSE: TGOD) (USOTC: TGODF) is a sustainable cannabis company with a focus on innovation, quality, consistency, integrity and transparency. The Company is committed to cultivating a better tomorrow by producing its products responsibly, with less waste and impact on the environment. In Canada, the Company serves the recreational market with a brand portfolio including The Green Organic Dutchman, Highly Dutch Organics, Ripple by TGOD and Cruuzy, and the medical markets in Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Germany. All cannabis utilized in products for The Green Organic Dutchman and Highly Dutch Organics brands is grown through a certified organic process, which includes living soil, filtered rainwater, sunlight, and natural inputs. The Company's Common Shares and certain warrants issued under the indentures dated December 19, 2019, June 12, 2020, October 23, 2020, and December 10, 2020, trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the symbol "TGOD", "TGOD.WS", "TGOD.WR", "TGOD.WA", and "TGOD.WB" respectively. The Company's Common Shares trade in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "TGODF". For more information on The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd., please visit www.tgod.ca. Cautionary Statements This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements about creating further value for shareholders and statements regarding the future performance of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "should", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties (including market conditions) and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including those risk factors described in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Neither the CSE nor the CSE's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of CSE) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. SUVA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Fiji reported 11 new COVID-19 deaths in the latest update, pushing the death toll in the third wave to 84. According to the Fijian Health Ministry, the new COVID-19 deaths were reported from Jan. 13 to Jan. 23, including a four-month-old baby and a 14-year-old unvaccinated boy. Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said on Tuesday that two of the people who died were below 18 years old and had pre-existing conditions from birth, which contributed to the severity of their sickness and deaths. The remaining individuals were at a higher risk of severe disease due to their ages or underlying medical conditions. He said that five of the dead were not vaccinated, one had only received the first dose, three were fully vaccinated and two were not eligible for vaccination. Meanwhile, Fong urged Fijians to take responsibility for adhering to the COVID-19 transmission suppression protocols on an individual basis, as well as on a collective basis in all community settings they engage in. Fiji, with a population of around 900,000, started its booster program in November for frontline health and essential service workers, which was later opened to everyone aged 18 and above. JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly published report titled "Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market By Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Covid-19 Analysis, Revenue (US$ Millions) and Forecast Till 2030." features in-depth analysis and an extensive study on the LBP and Microbiome manufacturing industry, exploring its significant factors. According to the latest market research report by InsightAce Analytic, the Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing market size was valued at US$ 41.8 Mllion in 2021, and it is expected to reach US$ 635.9 Million in 2028, record a promising CAGR of 47.54% from 2021 to 2030. Request Sample : https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/1152 Microbiome research has advanced in recent decades, and it has emerged as a promising area for new medicinal treatments. Microbiome research, in addition to human health, offers a foundation for a broad range of applications. The microbiome, which includes microbes that reside in and on the human body, is critical for practically every aspect of human health. The importance of microorganisms in human health and different disease is increasingly recognized, and evidence is mounting that a new class of live biotherapeutics based on modified microbes could treat specific disease pathways. Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP), or bugs-as-drug, are a new therapeutic modality being developed by several biotech and pharmaceutical businesses across the globe. Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) (s), a new type of live-bacteria-based medicines, show promise in treating difficult illnesses. In comparison to the earlier period, the number of new pharmaceuticals licensed for sale increased by 60% between 2010 and 2019, reaching a high of 59 new drugs approved in 2018. Increasing research and development activities and a growing pipeline of microbiome-targeting therapies anticipated to treat an extensive range of severe diseases are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. Continued innovation and technological advancements for the new drug development and clinical trial activities for disease treatment are boosting the market growth. Increased R&D budget for drug development and rise in government funding is expected to witness significant growth opportunities during the forecast period. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drive the growth of the global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) and microbiome contract manufacturing market. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused various disruptions in the healthcare industry, as well as a significant influence on clinical trial execution around the world. However, specific requirements for the development of engineered live bacterial therapeutics, lack of infrastructure, and uncertainties related to product approval and regulatory review are some of the other significant factors impacting the market. Preview for Detailed ToC: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-live-biotherapeutic-products-and-microbiome-contract-manufacturing-market-/1152 The prominent players in the Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing industry include: Quay Pharmaceuticals, Cobra Biologics Limited, Cerbios-Pharma SA, List Biological Labs, Inc., Arranta Bio, BacThera, Luina Bio Pty Ltd, 4D pharma plc, Paras Biopharmaceuticals Finland Oy, Capsugel, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, Paragon Bioservices, UAS Labs, Biose, Cobra Biologics, Cerbios, Inpac Probiotics, BJP Laboratories, S-Biomedic, Meteoric Biopharmaceuticals, BiomX, Universal Stabilization Technologies, Assembly Biosciences, Wacker Biotech, Chung Mei Pharmaceutical and Other Prominent Players. Key Industry Developments from Leading Players: In Nov 2021 , Bacthera and Seres Therapeutics announced a collaboration to manufacture SER-109, Seres' lead product candidate for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Under the terms of the agreement, Bacteria is establishing a dedicated facility for commercial manufacturing in its new Microbiome Center of Excellence, a manufacturing site dedicated to the production of s located on Lonza's Ibex campus in Visp, Switzerland . The agreement between Bacteria and Seres Therapeutics aims to expand upon Seres' initial commercial manufacturing supply chain Bacthera and Seres Therapeutics announced a collaboration to manufacture SER-109, Seres' lead product candidate for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Under the terms of the agreement, Bacteria is establishing a dedicated facility for commercial manufacturing in its new Microbiome Center of Excellence, a manufacturing site dedicated to the production of s located on Lonza's Ibex campus in Visp, . The agreement between Bacteria and Seres Therapeutics aims to expand upon Seres' initial commercial manufacturing supply chain In May 2021 , Bacthera's drug product facility in Basel, Switzerland , and by the Danish Medicines Agency at Bacthera's drug substance facility in Hrsholm, Denmark , both facilities had been granted manufacturing licenses by the respective national health authorities. The permit will allow the Company to fulfill the scope of bringing innovative Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) to patients with unmet medical needs Bacthera's drug product facility in , and by the Danish Medicines Agency at Bacthera's drug substance facility in Hrsholm, , both facilities had been granted manufacturing licenses by the respective national health authorities. The permit will allow the Company to fulfill the scope of bringing innovative Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) to patients with unmet medical needs In Nov 2019 , Arranta Bio has received an US$82 million funding round and a strategic partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific.Through this partnersship with Thermo Fisher , Arranta has access to the company's a wide range of product portfolio and services and provided materials to Thermo Fisher for use in gene therapy production Arranta Bio has received an funding round and a strategic partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific.Through this partnersship with , Arranta has access to the company's a wide range of product portfolio and services and provided materials to for use in gene therapy production In Oct 2019 , 4D pharma plc announced research collaboration and option to license agreement with MSD, the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc. to discover and develop Live Biotherapeutics ("s") for vaccines. Through this agreement, 4D's proprietary MicroRx platform will be paired with MSD's expertise in developing and commercializing novel vaccines to discover and develop s as vaccines in up to three undisclosed indications 4D pharma plc announced research collaboration and option to license agreement with MSD, the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc. to discover and develop Live Biotherapeutics ("s") for vaccines. Through this agreement, 4D's proprietary MicroRx platform will be paired with MSD's expertise in developing and commercializing novel vaccines to discover and develop s as vaccines in up to three undisclosed indications In April 2019 , Chr. Hansen Holding A/S and Lonza AG equally shared approximately 90m ( $101.5m ) to establish a CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) for biotherapeutic products. The investment was in two phases, bagan with an update to Lonza's existing facilities in Hrsholm, Denmark , for cGMP production of drug substances (anaerobic bacteria). It also equiped new facilities in Basel, Switzerland , for drug product development and manufacturing. Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Regional Analysis: North America dominated the global market, contributing for the majority share of the market in 2021. On account of rising R&D spending and the high adoption of new technology, the Region is likely to lead the global market during the forecast period. Intense research and a commercial base for live biotherapeutic and microbiome products and the presence of biopharmaceutical Contract manufacturers are factors contributing to the regional market's growth. Asia Pacific is also projected to expand at the significant growth over the forecast period. Due to key market players' increasing research and development activities, Europe is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/enquiry-before-buying/1152 The Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Segments The Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2022 to 2030 based on Product Manufactured APIs FDFs The Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2022 to 2030 based on Type of Formulation Solid Formulations Oral Liquids Injectables Others The Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2022 to 2030 based on Scale of Operation Preclinical Scale Operations Clinical Scale Operations Commercial Scale Operations The Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2022 to 2030 based on Company Size Small-sized Companies Mid-sized Companies Large Companies The Global Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2022 to 2030 based on Region Europe North America Latin America Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa North America Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2022 to 2030 U.S. Canada Europe Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2022 to 2030 Germany France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2022 to 2030 India China Japan South Korea Australia & New Zealand Latin America Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2022 to 2030 Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America The Middle East & Africa Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBP) And Microbiome Contract Manufacturing Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2022 to 2030 South Africa GCC Countries Rest of the Middle East & Africa For Customised Data @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/customisation/1152 Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic: Global Microbiome in Skincare Market Global Animal Microbiome Market Global mRNA Synthesis and Manufacturing Services Market About Us: InsightAce Analytic is a market research and consulting firm that enables clients to make strategic decisions. Our qualitative and quantitative market intelligence solutions inform the need for market and competitive intelligence to expand businesses. We help clients gain a competitive advantage by identifying untapped markets, exploring new and competing technologies, segmenting potential markets, and repositioning products. Our expertise is in providing syndicated and custom market intelligence reports with an in-depth analysis with key market insights in a timely and cost-effective manner. Contact Us: Priyanka Tilekar InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. Visit: www.insightaceanalytic.com Tel : +1 551 226 6109 Asia: +91 79 72967118 Email: [email protected] Follow Us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/2tBXsgS Follow Us On Facebook @ bit.ly/2H9jnDZ SOURCE InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd MILWAUKEE, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has selected Mortenson as the construction manager for the MCW Cancer Research Building. This announcement comes just months after selecting CannonDesign as the architect on the MCW-led project team. The team at Mortenson's Milwaukee office and CannonDesign first joined forces over 15 years ago; and most recently, when Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin expanded its Center for Advanced Care. With a portfolio of biomedical projects, including experience working on MCW's Milwaukee campus, Mortenson brings extensive knowledge of what's needed to successfully build on an academic medical center in this region and address the unique needs of the community. The selection of Mortenson as the project's construction manager comes at a timely point in the design planning phase for the new MCW Cancer Research Building where input into the cost and feasibility of design decisions is critical. When completed, the MCW Cancer Research Building will be Milwaukee's only cancer-dedicated research facility to support research aimed at improving clinical outcomes for all patients. "The new Cancer Research Building will enable our scientists and physicians to accelerate discoveries that will help eradicate the cancer burden in Wisconsin," said Joseph E. Kerschner, MD, provost and executive vice president of the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the Julia A. Uihlein, MA, Dean of the MCW School of Medicine. "Mortenson shares our vision of developing and building a space that will have significant, positive impact on the advancement and availability of cutting-edge cancer treatments for all people in our community." The design phase for the new MCW Cancer Research Building began in Fall 2021 and will continue into 2022. Funding for the project has been secured by a bond issuance. SOURCE Medical College of Wisconsin OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Permanente Federation today announced that it will host a new series of live PermanenteDocs chats on Facebook starting this Thursday, January 27. The Federation is the national leadership and consulting organization for the eight Permanente Medical Groups, which, together with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, comprise Kaiser Permanente. What and who: The live, 20-minute PermanenteDocs chats will focus on topical issues in the health care industry and will be hosted by Alex McDonald, MD, family medicine physician with Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Why: Attendees will gain insights and learn about best practices from Permanente physicians and others on a range of hot topics for the health care industry. Upcoming chats will focus on health equity, physician wellness during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and changes to cardiac care. Later in the year, chats will explore topics including women in medicine, climate change and global health, the nurse-physician relationship, and how physicians talk to patients about mental health. Upcoming chat details: Thursday, January 27 , 5 p.m. Pacific time : Health equity issues emerging from the pandemic and lessons learned with Shari Chevez , MD, pediatrician with Southern California Permanente Medical Group and a physician lead on equity, inclusion and diversity; and Lindia Willies-Jacobo, MD, senior associate dean for Admissions and Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine Health equity issues emerging from the pandemic and lessons learned with , MD, pediatrician with Southern California Permanente Medical Group and a physician lead on equity, inclusion and diversity; and Lindia Willies-Jacobo, MD, senior associate dean for Admissions and Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine Thursday, February 10 , 1:30 p.m. Pacific time : Physician wellness during the ongoing pandemic with Ashley Zucker , MD, psychiatrist with Southern California Permanente Medical Group Physician wellness during the ongoing pandemic with , MD, psychiatrist with Southern California Permanente Medical Group Thursday, February 24 , noon Pacific time : Cardiac care updates during American Heart Month with Ameya Kulkarni , MD, cardiologist with Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Where: All chats stream live on the Permanente Medicine Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PermanenteMedicine. Follow our page for updates. Who should attend: Physicians, medical students, policymakers and anyone interested in timely topics facing health care in America. To learn more about the Permanente Medical Groups, visit permanente.org. About the Permanente Medical Groups The Permanente Medical Groups are self-governed, physician-led, prepaid, multispecialty medical groups composed of more than 23,000 physicians. We are dedicated to the mission of improving the health of our patients and communities. Together with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, we are Kaiser Permanente an award-winning health care system that delivers Permanente Medicine to more than 12.5 million Kaiser Permanente members. We work collaboratively, enabled by state-of-the-art facilities and technology, to provide preventive and world-class complex care in eight states from Hawaii to Maryland and the District of Columbia. About The Permanente Federation The Permanente Federation LLC (the Federation) is the national leadership and consulting organization for the eight Permanente Medical Groups (PMGs), which, together with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, comprise Kaiser Permanente. The Federation works on behalf of the PMGs to optimize care delivery and spread Permanente Medicine medicine that is person- and family-centered, compassionate, evidence-based, technology-enabled, culturally responsive, team-delivered and physician-led. The Federation, based in Oakland, California, fosters an open learning environment and accelerates research, innovation and performance improvements across the PMGs to expand the reach of Kaiser Permanente's integrated care delivery model and to lead the nation in transforming care delivery. SOURCE The Permanente Federation CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- High-performance pharmacy refrigerators and freezers from Thermo Fisher Scientific, already certified for lab- and clinical-grade storage, are now among the first to be certified to the NSF International/American National Standards Institute (NSF/ANSI) 456 Vaccine Storage Standard. The certification provides further validation to customers of reliable thermal performance across all potential storage locations and under varying loads and uses. All Thermo Scientific TSX Series refrigerators and freezers and TSG Series undercounter refrigerators, now deployed globally at clinics, pharmacies and vaccine sites to support the massive roll-out of temperature-sensitive COVID-19 vaccines, meet the strict NSF/ANSI requirements to maintain 5C +/- 3C. Thermal performance also remain stable with routine door openings. "A vaccine is only as good as the refrigerator or freezer used to store it, as many require highly specific temperatures to remain effective," said Chris Champlin, vice president and general manager of laboratory equipment, Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Our entire line is designed for clinical- and laboratory-grade storage, and this level of performance and assurance is now expected across healthcare as the world relies heavily on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines." The Thermo Fisher line of certified refrigerators and freezers is available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different volume requirements at vaccine distribution and inoculation sites globally. Volume planning is important to reduce vaccine waste, a concern also addressed by the NSF/ANSI 456 standard. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 50 percent of vaccines are wasted globally each year largely due to temperature control, logistics and shipment-related issues.1 In alignment with Thermo Fisher's commitment to mitigate its impact on the environment, including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the company's entire line of refrigerators and freezers is equipped with V-drive technology that ensures temperature uniformity, providing significant energy savings by adapting to the clinical environment. The entire series has also completed the Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) Environmental Impact Factor Label process, providing scientists and procurement specialists with third-party verification of environmental impact and helping customers meet their sustainability goals. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of approximately $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 100,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com Media Contact Information: Mauricio Minotta Phone: 760-805-5266 Email: [email protected] Jessika Parry Phone: 419-266-4016 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DALBAR congratulates the winners of the 2021 Financial Intermediary Service Award celebrating those financial services organizations providing industry-leading support to the financial professional community. This award looks specifically at the overall quality of telephone support on existing business provided to financial professionals and their staff. Of the 18 organizations tested, only three rose to DALBAR's exacting standards to earn this distinction, they are (listed alphabetically): Goldman Sachs Pacific Life Park Avenue Securities All firms serving the financial professional community are encouraged to check on their own performance, as measured by DALBAR, by visiting award winner page. DALBAR has long been working with and advocating for the financial professional community, helping them provide a superior standard of care to their clients and, in the case of this award, ensuring that they receive a superior standard of care from the companies whose products they sell. To determine which providers were delivering best-in-class service, DALBAR performed a year-long audit of actual interactions with financial professionals which were scored against comprehensive service standards and industry best practices. DALBAR Director Brendan Yeager elaborates, "It is hard to overstate how important receiving quality support on existing business is for financial professionals. Having easy access to knowledgeable representatives and knowing that every transaction will be accurately processed means they have one less thing to worry about. Considering how frequently these financial professionals interact with service providers, having someone who is friendly and supportive makes their days more pleasant. Finally, one thing that sets the best financial service providers apart is that they value the financial professional's time, providing great service quickly and efficiently which frees them up to focus on building relationships and better serving their clients." DALBAR, Inc. has a 45-year history and is recognized by industry and government as an independent third-party expert in the business of providing audits, evaluations, ratings, and due diligence. DALBAR certifications are recognized as a mark of excellence in the financial services community. SOURCE DALBAR, Inc. DOVER, Mass., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TRZMO today announced the launch of its free flagship app, unifying travel itineraries and critical logistics details that travelers previously juggled using multiple apps. TRZMO presents all this information seamlessly with AI-driven recommendations and special offers that pertain to your specific trip, making it the ultimate travel app. The free TRZMO app unifies travel itineraries and critical logistics details that travelers previously juggled using multiple apps. TRZMO presents all this information seamlessly with AI-driven recommendations and special offers that pertain to your specific trip, making it the ultimate travel app. TRZMO is available on the Apple App store and Google Play store. It works like a travel wingman, organizing everything you need in one easy dashboard. No more wasting time navigating from your airline's app to the ground transportation app to time zone, weather, local food, and shopping apps as you attempt to make the most of your journey, arrive at the right places at the right times and maximize various rewards points. Due to increasingly common airline delays, changes and cancellations, it's more important than ever to stay updated. TRZMO CEO and Founder Myank Jain said, "TRZMO was developed with the unmet needs of travelers in mind. It is an easy-to-understand dashboard which keeps track of all travel details, from real time flight changes, to ground transportation and food recommendations, to remembering to pick-up duty-free gifts and determining where to buy them at the best price. TRZMO AI platform helps with all of this - saving time, delivering intelligence to travel decision-making in real-time and bringing joy and ease to travel in the current challenging scenarios." Travelers in 2022 feel a sense of urgency to hit the road due to the pandemic, as cited in the recent CNBC coverage, "The biggest travel trend of 2022: Go big, spend big". Stephanie Papaioannou, Vice President at luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent said, "Guests feel they have lost two years, and older clients are concerned about having fewer healthy years left to travel." Expedia calls 2022 the year of the GOAT, "greatest of all trips". TRZMO uses AI to make custom recommendations to users enroute, showing where the best prices are for duty free items they want, and where to find specific cuisines at their destination, whether that's vegan breakfast or fine dining outdoors. First-generation travel apps fall short because they're single purpose focused, leaving travelers to assess information across multiple apps to make smart "on the go" decisions; a process that's cumbersome, unreliable, and frustrating. Additionally, loyalty programs are ubiquitous, but each has their own app, so managing them is unwieldy and their value is unrealized. Today, travelers demand a better experience and TRZMO is the first AI based app that delivers real-time, personalized information and recommendations to make traveling fun and easy from planning and booking to in-transit and concierge services in-country upon arrival. About TRZMO TRZMO is the ultimate travel app, available free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It presents flight itineraries, ground transportation recommendations and logistics, local weather, time, currency, and duty-free shopping recommendations on your route in one dashboard. TRZMO automatically pulls flight itineraries from your calendar, facilitating trip management without data entry like first-generation apps. TRZMO notifies you of real-time flight changes automatically, and the app shows you the best duty-free prices and shopping offers at locations along your route to be sure you get what you want at the best place, time and price with one search. TRZMO also manages loyalty cards so you can earn points, maximize value, and spend time enjoying travel instead of navigating a myriad of single-function apps. Follow TRZMO on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Press Contact: Jackie Lucas Vera Voce Communication 978-255-1159 [email protected] SOURCE TRZMO WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TYGES, a leader in manufacturing/supply chain and behavioral health recruiting, was recently named as one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Virginia. The annual list of the Best Places to Work in Virginia was created by Virginia Business Magazine and Best Companies Group. This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in Virginia, benefiting the state's economy, workforce, and businesses. The 2022 Best Places to Work in Virginia list is made up of 100 companies. To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements: - Be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity; - Be a publicly or privately held business; - Have a facility in the state of Virginia; - Have at least 15 employees working in the state of Virginia; and - Be in business a minimum of 1 year. Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in Virginia. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Virginia and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final ranking. The final rankings will be announced via the February pages of Virginia Business Magazine as well as on virginiabusiness.com in February. About TYGES TYGES is an executive and professional search firm placing leaders at all levels. We are guided by our core values: integrity, respect, accountability, determination, and courage. Our proven process, THE TYGES WAY, will bring your organization the talent you need while developing and motivating your people. When you entrust your talent search to us, you are forming a partnership that we take seriously. We are confident that working with TYGES will be an exceptional experience. Learn more at www.tyges.com and on LinkedIn, and Facebook. For more information on the Best Places to Work in Virginia program, visit www.BestPlacesToWorkVA.com. SOURCE Tyges HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project (JCAP) at the University of Houston Law Center today announced its first corporate partnership with CenterPoint Energy. CenterPoint Energy's legal department, as well as outside counsel, are working with JCAP on a on pro bono juvenile record-sealing program. The program's goal is to improve the lives of young individuals so that they no longer encounter barriers when they apply to college, enlist in the military, obtain financial aid, secure housing, request other public benefits, or seek employment. "As a leading advocate for juvenile justice in the Houston area, JCAP extends its gratitude to CenterPoint Energy for its incredible support of this critical work," said Katya Dow, founder and legal programs director, JCAP and professor of practice at UH Law Center. CenterPoint Energy's legal team includes attorneys Monica Karuturi, Shane Kimzey, Pooja Amin, John Price, Stephanie Bundage, Mickey Moon, Shannon Terry, Darrell Williams and several staff members who are providing pro bono juvenile record-sealing services for families in Harris County. CenterPoint's outside counsel, Cynthia Mabry and Rob Shearer of Akin Gump; Christy Ho, Brooksie Boutet, Xperanza Uviedo, Joel Montgomery, and Tien Hunter of Shipley Snell Montgomery; and Jim Barkley and Tyler Murray of Baker Botts are also providing support to represent juvenile clients referred by JCAP and Houston Volunteer Lawyers. CenterPoint Energy's legal department also provided funding for the development of education and outreach tools to enhance JCAP's ability to increase its impact in the greater Houston area. Visit this link for more information about the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project at UH Law Center. About the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project Since 2014, the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project at UH Law Center has devoted its energy to passionately advocating for juvenile justice. JCAP's mission is to reduce juvenile crime and delinquency and improve the long-term educational success rates and life outcomes for socially and economically disadvantaged juveniles. JCAP is a notable presence in the Houston community, celebrating strong alliances with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, the Harris County Youth Collective, Harris County Public Defenders' Office, and the Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition. JCAP also has a seat at the Texas Supreme Court Children's Commission Dual Status Task Force. About the University of Houston Law Center The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. About the University of Houston The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 47,000 students. UHLC media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected] ; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, [email protected] . SOURCE University of Houston Law Center The distillery is continuing this momentum as it also announces today the release of its long-awaited new packaging containing whiskey 100-percent distilled, aged and bottled by Uncle Nearest, as well as unveils its 2022 slate of whiskeys which uses four different recipes. In addition to its current portfolio of core and distillery exclusive whiskeys, this year Nearest Green Distillery will release Uncle Nearest Rye, Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye, and a new more widely available Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey. "Since the inception of our brand, everything in our bottles was blended to perfection by our master blender, Victoria Eady Butler, but the whiskey was sourced. Our own whiskey began fully maturing last year, and what we have in our bottles now is what we believe is the best whiskey we've ever released," said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO. "Some call Uncle Nearest a straight bourbon whiskey, some call us straight Tennessee Whiskey. We don't care, as our whiskey meets the legal requirement of both distinctions. What we do care is that you call us super-premium whiskey as that is what our namesake made, and it is what our team and partners have been working nonstop to make each and every day." Among the greatest change to the new packaging is the replacement of the sketch of the property where Nearest originally distilled by the insignia of Nearest Green Distillery, which boasts a dram of whiskey encased by a horseshoe, signifying its iron Tennessee roots. Victoria Eady Butler, fifth-generation Nearest Green descendant, who has been named Master Blender of the Year by Whisky Magazine, VinePair, and The Spirits Business, has also added a note and her signature to the front of every newly released bottle. "Our first-generation Uncle Nearest bottles shared the history of my great-great-grandfather and his significance to the Tennessee Whiskey coming out of the hills and hollows around Lynchburg," said Eady Butler. "Our new generation of bottles reflect the future of our brand and our Shelbyville distillery being what cements his legacy for my family and every future generation of whiskey lovers. This is 160 years in the making and damn it if we didn't figure out how to perfect it! Nearest has always deserved this." Last week, the company revealed via social media their plans to turn all their original bottles into collector's items, encouraging buyers to "clear the shelves" of the "prelude" Uncle Nearest bottles and make way for the new editions. "The packaging we used since our inception is no more as of 2022," said Katharine Jerkens, Chief Business Officer. "If you walk into any retail store from coast to coast, you will notice something familiar empty Uncle Nearest shelves. We waited for our Whiskey Family to completely sell us out, and now we are restocking with the bottles that will permanently cement the legacy of Nearest Green, the world's first known African American master distiller." The seven bottles in their 2022 whiskey slate will first be released at the 323-acre Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, with 1884 Small Batch Whiskey debuting last weekend and cases beginning to ship into markets across the country today. In December 2021, the company released the first new bottles of its Master Blend Edition whiskey exclusively at the distillery, which has already been met with rave reviews from both critics and consumers. About Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world's first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. The portfolio is the Most Awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon of 2019, 2020 and 2021, with over 380 awards and accolades since the brands 2017 launch, including 46 Best in Class honors. Uncle Nearest is currently available in all 50 states and 12 countries, and is sold in more than 25,000 stores, bars, hotels, restaurants, as well as at its 323-acre distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn. For more information, please visit the Uncle Nearest website, and follow on Instagram and Facebook @unclenearest. About Nearest Green Distillery Nearest Green Distillery is the world's first distillery to commemorate an African American. Dubbed as "Malt Disney World," and recognized by Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, ESSENCE, Lonely Planet, and more as a must-visit distillery, the 323-acre property has become known as a full-blown destination for whiskey lovers, history enthusiasts, and families. Every bit of the $50 million build-out is a master class in storytelling and history-making, paying tribute to the three things Tennessee is most known for: Tennessee Whiskey, Tennessee walking horses and Tennessee music. For more information or to book a tour, please visit unclenearest.com/distillery , and follow on Instagram @unclenearest. SOURCE Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UPL (NSE: UPL, BSE: 512070, LSE GDR: UPLL), a leader in global food systems and sustainable agriculture technologies, announces today that it is appointing Mike Frank as President and Chief Operating Officer UPL Crop Protection. Mike brings deep industry knowledge and extraordinary 'end-to-end' expertise, gleaned from his years at Monsanto and most recently at Nutrien, where he served as Executive Vice President and CEO, Nutrien Ag Solutions. Jai Shroff, Group CEO of UPL, said, "Agriculture is one of the only systems on the planet that has the ability to reshape and reverse the effects of climate change. Mike's global perspective, entrepreneurial style and hands-on approach, coupled with a deep understanding of global food security challenges and driving passion for environmental and economic sustainability, makes him an excellent cultural fit to take UPL to the next level." Mike Frank said, "I'm very impressed with UPL's leadership in sustainability and the OpenAg 'Reimagining Sustainability' platform, which takes a unique approach at bringing together the various stakeholders in the food and agriculture ecosystem, focusing on helping farmers, advancing new and more sustainable technologies and feeding a growing planet. It's an honor to join this dynamic team." Carlos Pellicer, Chief Operating Officer, continues his long association with UPL and will be working with Mike Frank for a handover of responsibilities to him on 1st April 2022 with the start of the new financial year. Carlos will drive UPL group's growth strategy, leading multiple projects under OpenAg, including UPL's post-harvest business, carbon and digital projects, as a member of the Group Executive Committee to enhance farmer resilience. On behalf of the Board of Directors of UPL, Jai Shroff commended Carlos for his extraordinary contribution. He said, "He has been a key architect in transforming UPL from a products company to a global leader in sustainable agriculture technologies and solutions. A farmer himself, Carlos is passionate about understanding customer's pain points and finding innovative ways to resolve their challenges. The originator of our OpenAg purpose, his commitment to a purpose-led strategy has brought new energy and focus across our entire operation, creating a 'one team' mindset that is powering our growth trajectory." In closing Carlos Pellicer said, "The potential for UPL to create new value is incredible. The organisation is uniquely positioned to become the new no. 1, at the cross-point of sustainable ag and sustainable food systems. With a fantastic team around the world, I believe Mike Frank is the right person to take UPL and OpenAg to the next level and unleash its full potential. The world needs it." UPL Group is reimagining sustainability across the breadth of its operations, powered by its OpenAg purpose to create sustainable growth for all. About Mike Frank Most recently, Mike was Executive Vice President and CEO, Nutrien Ag Solutions at Nutrien from 2017 to 2021, which is the world's largest agriculture retail organization. Previously he spent 25 years at Monsanto, with his initial years in sales, marketing and business strategy roles. He then had several general manager roles, including leading the Monsanto business in China as well as the global crop protection business. In 2011 he was chosen to lead Monsanto's Global Manufacturing Operations with 90 sites in 24 countries. In 2013 Mike led all operations for Monsanto's international business and then from 2014 2017, Mike served as Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer of Monsanto, leading their global commercial operations. Mike has managed significant complexity and has led multiple change initiatives, consistently delivering superior results. Having lived in China, Canada and United States and successfully leading global P&Ls of meaningful size, he is a well-rounded global leader. Mike's broad background in sales, marketing, innovation and supply chain lends him credibility as an extraordinary talent in the industry. Further, his exposure to investors during the Monsanto and Nutrien days, positions him as a known and respected figure on Wall Street. Mike holds an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University and a bachelor degree in agricultural engineering from University of Saskatchewan. About UPL UPL Ltd. (NSE: UPL & BSE: 512070) is a global provider of sustainable agriculture products & solutions, with annual revenue exceeding $5.2 billion. We are a purpose-led company. Through OpenAg, UPL is focused on accelerating progress for the food system. We are building a network that is reimagining sustainability, redefining the way an entire industry thinks and works open to fresh ideas, innovation and new answers as we strive towards our mission to make every single food product more sustainable. As one of the largest agriculture solutions companies worldwide, our robust portfolio consists of biologicals and traditional crop protection solutions with more than 14,000 registrations. We are present in more than 130 countries, represented by more than 10,000 colleagues globally. For more information about our integrated portfolio of solutions across the food value chain including seeds, post-harvest, as well as physical and digital services, please visit upl-ltd.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook For further information, please contact: Reina Roets, Global Head of Marketing and Communications, UPL Ltd. [email protected] SOURCE UPL Ltd. ISLAMABAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was killed by unknown militants in an attack on a polio eradication team in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, police sources said. The policeman was deployed with the team for security when he was targeted and killed in Kohat district of the province, the sources told Xinhua. Two militants, riding on a motorbike, launched the attack and fled the scene, the sources said. The victim's body was shifted to a nearby hospital and a search operation is underway, the sources added. The anti-polio team was safe while its mission to administer polio vaccines to kids has been suspended following the attack, the sources said. Attacks on anti-polio teams and the policemen escorting them often happen in the province. MADISON, Wis., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Venture Investors Health Fund, a leading Midwestern venture capital fund, has announced Jenni Le as their newest Associate. Jenni will assist the firm in expanding its market coverage of university ecosystems and supporting its investments in breakthrough early-stage Midwestern companies. See her bio at https://ventureinvestors.com/people/jenni-le/ "Jenni is an excellent addition to our team, and we look forward to working with her," said Scott Button, Managing Director, Venture Investors. "Her experience working with early-stage University start-ups aligns well with our mission to catalyze Midwestern innovations that profoundly impact human health. Jenni's skillset is a great fit for Venture Investors as we continue to grow our team." Jenni previously served as the Managing Director for gener8tor Madison, a nationally ranked startup accelerator. She was also the Director for gBETA Madison, a pre-seed accelerator that focused on growing startups with ties to Madison, Wisconsin. During her time at gener8tor, she mentored and advised forty companies, mostly based in Wisconsin, helping them grow and raise capital. Jenni is also a former fellow for Bascom Ventures. "I am very delighted to join Venture Investors," Le said. "This is an amazing opportunity to continue to be a part of the Midwest startup ecosystem while working alongside an incredibly respected and experienced team." About Venture Investors Venture Investors is a venture capital firm focused on funding early-stage breakthrough healthcare innovations emerging from the vibrant university ecosystems in the Midwest that have the potential to become the global standard of care. Venture Investors currently manages over $275M in capital and has invested in more than 80 companies. The firm invests in seed and early-stage companies in Medical Devices and Diagnostics, Biopharma, Therapeutics and Vaccines, with Digital Health integrated across all of these areas. With over 100 years of combined investing experience, entrepreneurs gain access to our deep network of advisors and partners to assist in scaling their businesses. Venture Investors has offices in Madison and Milwaukee, WI and Ann Arbor, MI. For more information, please visit VentureInvestors.com Follow Venture Investors on Twitter @VI_FUNDS. Contact: Linda Olson +16084412713 [email protected] SOURCE Venture Investors DALLAS, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominent defense attorney Barry Sorrels and long-time law firm partner Stephanie Luce Ola have launched Sorrels Ola, a new criminal defense firm in Dallas with a team-oriented approach to defending individuals facing federal white-collar charges, including health care and corporate fraud, and state and federal felony and misdemeanor criminal charges. "Stephanie and I understand that every case is important," said Mr. Sorrels. "Our clients are dealing with some incredibly difficult challenges in their lives. Not only do we see them through, but we also know that the result is always going to be meaningful and we fight for the most successful possible outcome." The two co-founders have been practicing together for more than 10 years. A former prosecutor with extensive courtroom and crisis management experience, Mr. Sorrels has represented individuals, corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities facing high-profile investigations and criminal charges. He is a frequent media commentator and legal analyst and has been featured by national media outlets including CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, CourtTV and most local DFW media outlets. A past president of the Dallas Bar Association, Mr. Sorrels has won acquittals for clients facing charges as serious as complex federal fraud and first-degree murder. He is one of a handful of criminal defense attorneys who has obtained a jury verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Ms. Ola's expertise includes felonies and misdemeanors in state and federal court, including driving while intoxicated, drug offenses, theft, assault, sexual assault, criminal mischief, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, securities fraud, and many other state and federal crimes. She has obtained favorable outcomes for clients from judges and juries, as well as pre-indictment jury presentations. She has worked with the Innocence Project of Texas and has proven herself to be a skilled advocate for her clients. "I am honored to continue practicing criminal defense alongside Barry," said Ms. Ola. "Over the last several years working together, we have actively pursued and analyzed every single preparation strategy for our clients, and I am excited to continue that path. Our approach goes beyond the courtroom and we make a dynamic team." About Sorrels Ola Dallas-based Sorrels Ola is a criminal defense firm committed to the zealous representation of individuals facing federal white-collar charges and state and federal felony and misdemeanor charges. From pre-indictment investigation through jury trial, the firm's lawyers are guided by the principal that "victory loves preparation." To learn more, visit https://sorrelsola.com/. Media Contact: Alyssa Woulfe 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE Sorrels Ola IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, today announced the opening of its newest office, in Brazil, located at Rua Florida 1703, Conjunto 62, Sao Paulo, SP, 04565-001. The new office brings the total number of Ware Malcomb offices across the Americas to 25. Andres Galvis photo download: http://www.kcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Galvis-Andres-scaled.jpg Matt Brady photo download: http://www.kcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Brady-Matt-scaled.jpg Andres Galvis, Regional Director, Latin America, for Ware Malcomb will lead the office and the overall growth and management of the company's operations in the region. To this point, he has been responsible for the firm's Mexico City office and all Latin American projects. "We are pleased to announce the opening of Ware Malcomb's new office in the dynamic Brazilian market," said Galvis. "We've had excellent, rewarding client partnerships in Latin America over the years, and we look forward to new partnerships in Brazil." "Our company's growth and expansion into South America is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication," said Matt Brady, Executive Vice President, Ware Malcomb. "We are pleased to open this office to continue serving our clients in the region with innovative, high quality design solutions to maximize their real estate portfolios." Ware Malcomb has conducted significant work in Latin America since 2003 for clients including Prologis, Emerson, DHL, GLP and LOG, among many others. The firm's international work includes a wide range of projects spanning five continents including industrial, office, interior architecture and design, healthcare, retail, science & technology, public/institutional facilities and renovations. About Ware Malcomb ( waremalcomb.com ) Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a contemporary and expanding full service design firm providing professional architecture, planning, interior design, civil engineering, branding and building measurement services to corporate, commercial/residential developer and public/institutional clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of commercial office, corporate, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, retail, auto, public/institutional facilities and renovation projects. Ware Malcomb is recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company and a Hot Firm by Zweig Group. The firm is also ranked among the top 15 architecture/engineering firms in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms and the top 25 interior design firms in Interior Design magazine's Top 100 Giants. For more information, visit http://waremalcomb.com/news and view Ware Malcomb's Brand Video at youtube.com/waremalcomb. Ware Malcomb Irvine 10 Edelman Irvine, CA 92618 p. 949.660.9128 Ware Malcomb Sao Paulo Rua Florida 1703, Conjunto 62 Sao Paulo, SP, 04565-001 p. +55 153 500 8440 CONTACT: Maria Rodgers, Public Relations Manager, 949.660.9128, [email protected] Maureen Bissonnette, Associate Principal, Marketing, 949.660.9128, [email protected] SOURCE Ware Malcomb VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Xebra Brands Ltd. ("Xebra") (CSE: XBRA) (OTCQB: XBRAF) (FSE: 9YC), a cannabis company, is pleased to announce that it has satisfied all conditions pursuant to its agreement with New Age Nanotech, to license its clinically-backed, patent pending cannabinoid emulsion technology, Solutech; to transform cannabis extracts into shelf-stable clear and odourless, water-soluble forms, ideal for the infusion of beverages, edibles and topicals. Many options were evaluated globally for cannabinoid delivery IP, and Xebra identified only one that has undergone human testing - Solutech. Solutech is one of the fastest-acting, most bioavailable and comprehensively studied delivery systems for cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, uniquely differentiated by the completion of a pioneering Phase-I human clinical trial. Xebra believes that as the cannabis industry develops, that consumers will demand better and safer products, and that claims about characteristics such as absorption, homogeneity, bioavailability, and shelf-life will be more closely scrutinized by regulators. Xebra is aiming to utilize Solutech in the launch of its Vicious Citrus THC Lemonade in Canada, which is planned for the Spring of 2022. Xebra is also planning to outfit a facility in Mexico to produce Solutech, a market where Xebra holds the exclusive licence. Xebra's license is also exclusive in Colombia, and non-exclusive in Europe and the rest of the Americas, including Canada, but limited to California in the United States. Xebra has fully paid the consideration for the right to produce and use Solutech. The agreement is effective immediately with an indefinite perpetual term, unless terminated under specific circumstances. ABOUT SOLUTECH Infusing cannabis into products presents three major challenges: limited shelf-stability, poor absorption, and inconsistent dosing. Solutech addresses these issues, and is also clear, pharmaceutical-grade, bioactive, and low-cost to produce. Solutech can be produced in water soluble, water-free and dry formats and contains safe, vegan, kosher, allergen-free ingredients. Solutech also complies with all the main safety and testing protocols, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and The Global Safety Food Initiative (GFSI). Solutech may be the only cannabinoid infusion technology that has undergone Phase-I human clinical trials for relative oral bioavailability and absorption, and it includes both major cannabinoids THC and CBD, and their metabolites. The Phase-I, Health Canada-approved study, was led by KGK Science, a premier clinical research organization. Solutech demonstrated dramatically increased speed of absorption and elimination (fast onset and offset of effects), peak blood levels and rate of absorption, along with a consistent and desirable consumer experience. The Phase-I trial is complete and the results are expected to be published before April. ABOUT XEBRA Xebra is an absolute first mover in the Mexican cannabis sector, for hemp, CBD and CBG. Xebra has also been selected by the Dutch government, out of a competitive pool of applicants, as one of only five companies to compete for two exclusive licenses to cultivate THC medicinal cannabis in the Netherlands, with an initial six-year guaranteed government contract for each successful party, estimated at ~CDN$100 million. In Canada, Xebra plans to launch it's Vicious Citrous THC Lemonade in the spring of 2022. In Colombia, Xebra is completing agronomical evaluations, to fully register cannabis seed varieties, in anticipation of commercial activities with THC in 2022. ABOUT NEW AGE NANOTECH New Age Nanotech is enabling the world's most innovative, clinically-backed, and consumer-focused products to improve health and wellness through Solutech, the company's flagship water-soluble delivery technology for cannabinoids. Solutech offers a fully characterized pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile for consumer products to champion safe & effective use. New Age Nanotech offers Solutech to CPG brands for the development and commercialization of innovative, convenient, and controlled-dose products that speak to the evolving needs of their consumers. For inquiries about Solutech: (800) 210-9809 or [email protected]. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: Rodrigo Gallardo President For more information contact: +1 (604) 418-6560 [email protected] Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, these include, without limitation, statements regarding Xebra Brands Ltd.'s (the "Company") expectations in respect of: the Mexican Federal Circuit Court enforcing the Mexican Supreme Court's final decision granting the Company's wholly owned subsidiary an injunction (the "Injunction"), receipt of all authorizations relating to the Injunction, the Company obtaining a first mover advantage in connection with the Injunction, other companies cultivating or commercializing cannabis in Mexico and the timing and processes thereof, the possibility that the majority of North American industrial scale cannabis production activity occurring in Mexico, or expectations related to Xebra's operations; the legalization of cannabis and its derivatives in Mexico; the potential for increased industry wide cannabis production in Mexico and the timing thereof; exportation of cannabis products from Mexico; its ability to successfully execute its business plan or business model; its ability to provide economic, environmental, social, or any benefits of any type, in the communities it operates in or may operate it in the future; its ability to be a first mover in a country, or to obtain or retain government licenses, permits or authorizations in general, or specifically in Mexico, Colombia, Canada, the Netherlands, or elsewhere; its ability to successfully apply for and obtain trademarks and other intellectual property in any jurisdiction; its ability to be cost competitive; its ability to cultivate, grow, or process hemp or cannabis in Mexico, Colombia, Canada, the Netherlands, or elsewhere and related plans; financial, operational, or any other term relating to the Company's participation in the Dutch trial medicinal cannabis cultivation; its ability to manufacture cannabis beverages, wellness products, or other products; its ability to commercialize or sell cannabis beverages, wellness products, or other products, in Mexico, Colombia, Canada, the Netherlands, or elsewhere; its plans for a facility in Mexico to produce SolutechTM; its ability to commercialize or to sell Vicious Citrus Lemonade in 2022 or at any time, in any jurisdiction, including the use of SolutchTM; its ability to commercialize or to sell Elements wellness products in any jurisdiction at any time; its ability to create wellness products that have a therapeutic effect or benefit; plans for future growth and the direction of the business; financial projections including expected revenues, gross profits, and EBITDA (which is a non-GAAP financial measure); plans to increase product volumes, the capacity of existing facilities, supplies from third party growers and contractors; expected growth of the cannabis industry generally; management's expectations, beliefs and assumptions; events or developments that Xebra expects to take place in the future; general economic conditions; and other risk factors described in the prospectus of the Company dated September 30, 2021. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking information and statements. The words "aim", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "intends", "continue", "plans", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", and similar expressions identify forward-looking information and statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Xebra as of the dates of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the inability of Xebra to generate sufficient revenues or to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plan; changes in government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in various countries; risks associated with agriculture and cultivation activities generally, including inclement weather, access to supply of seeds, poor crop yields, and spoilage; compliance with import and export laws of various countries; significant fluctuations in cannabis prices and transportation costs; the risk of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; inability to identify, negotiate and complete a potential acquisition for any reason; the ability to retain key employees; dependence on third parties for services and supplies; claims made on third party products, supplies or services; non-performance by contractual counter-parties; general economic conditions; the continued growth in global demand for cannabis products and the continued increase in jurisdictions legalizing cannabis; and the timely receipt of regulatory approval for license applications. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Xebra undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of the foregoing except as required by law. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies could affect Xebra's actual performance and cause its actual performance to differ materially from what has been expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Xebra. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those set out in such statements. SOURCE Xebra Brands Ltd. Zhong is also a doctoral supervisor in integrated Chinese and Western medicines, as well as an academic and technical leader of Sichuan Province enjoying special allowance of the State Council. "The research was carried out in November 2020, when TingHua started to work with the West China School of Pharmacy at Sichuan University to conduct effect and mechanism experiment, proving that the liquor triggers saliva generation by causing increased expression of certain receptor in the salivary glands," said Liu Lingxiao, one of the researchers. "Based on the traditional liquor brewing method of solid fermentation, TingHua baijiu makes a step further in the refining technique to achieve softer taste and saliva-generating effect," said Zhang Xuefeng, designer of TingHua baijiu. Based in the Shipan Industrial Park in Yibin City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, the Chinese liquor producer TingHua is located in the best latitude zone for liquor brewing in China's "golden triangle" area of baijiu production. By introducing cutting-edge scientific achievements to the liquor brewing industry, the company strives to make breakthroughs in reforming the traditional brewing techniques of Chinese liquor. Reference: https://wh.cnki.net/article/detail/SPZH202118044 See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/326158.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road Living in Chinese mainland today, you can experience 5G internet access, high-speed rail travel, online shopping and mobile payments. These are ways of life that people in Chinese mainland take as a matter of course, but which are new to many people. The communications industry in Chinese mainland has gone from being a toddler in the 2G era to being a world leader in the 5G era. On May 27th, 2020, China Mobile built a 5G network at the Everest Advance Camp at an altitude of 6,500 metres. At that moment, the history of mobile communications in the world was rewritten by China. Nowadays, people can book tickets, call taxis and make hospital appointments through various online platforms, as well as shop online and order take out. After one click payment, the courier will soon deliver to your door. When shopping at convenience stores and supermarkets, I am no longer afraid of forgetting my money. Taking out mobile phone to "scan and pay" has become my daily life. You think that's all? When you drive, the mapping software helps you avoid traffic jams; when you wear a smart watch, your health is always monitored; when you clean, the cleaning robot helps you free your hands; when you walk into a bank, you can quickly withdraw money with face recognition. I may say that Artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies are improving the lives of people in Chinese mainland in every way. China's high-speed railway, with a speed of over 350km/h and a 38,000 kilometers "eight vertical and eight horizontal" railway network, has become a "Chinese miracle" that the world has marvelled at. With Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games coming soon, people will be taking the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway to experience the culture of ice and snow and the charm of the Winter Olympic Games. In the latest high-speed railway plan of the Chinese mainland, by 2035, I will be able to travel back to Taipei from the Chinese mainland by high-speed rail. How's that? Pretty impressive, right? While people's life quality is advancing to a high level, China is taking concrete actions as a major and responsible country in the world. What are the specific extraordinary things that China has done? Stay tuned for our next episode, and I'll tell you more! Yuan Yuan's Journey to Chinese Mainland Episode II - Better Life http://news.china.com.cn/txt/2022-01/24/content_78007167.htm SOURCE China.org.cn With so many businesses competing for customer attention online, Zib Digital says now is the time to improve digital marketing strategies and online presence. Zib Digital recommends businesses start by assessing their current positioning and develop a plan from there. According to Zib Digital, it's important for businesses to understand who their customers are and the problems their products or services are solving for them. The first step in understanding a business' target audience is to gather information on existing customers and look for similarities. Understanding the audience will enable the business to refine key messaging and deliver better returns on investment from the digital marketing efforts. Zib Digital explains that it's also critical for a business to evaluate what their competitors are doing online and why. By conducting thorough competitor analysis and keeping an eye on industry trends, businesses can cut out some of the trial and error in their digital marketing efforts. Once the research and analysis stages are complete, Zib Digital says businesses can focus on using that information to help stand out from the crowd and speak to potential customers. With a reputation as the premier digital marketing and SEO agency Melbourne, Zib Digital is well versed in helping businesses improve their digital marketing. Boasting a talented team of designers, content creators, SEO and PPC specialists, Zib Digital can help businesses to clearly define their brand and visual identity to create a cohesive online presence, easily recognisable by the target audience. Zib Digital's objective is to ensure every aspect of a business' digital presence is working to help them achieve their business goals. To find out more about the leaders in digital marketing and SEO Melbourne wide, contact Zib Digital today. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Zib Digital Spectra Systems Corporation (AIM:SPSY) CEO Nabil Lawandy tells Proactive it was awarded three more contracts that will generate revenue US$700,000 additional revenue this year, and thus it has adjusted its 2022 profits up 6%. The banknote authentication specialist said its largest central bank customer increased the size of an order for covert materials by 20%, while also almost doubling the value of its sensor service contract. This service contract will continue through the deployment of new sensors currently being developed and will overlap with an anticipated service contract specific to the new generation of sensors, said Spectra. MyCelx Technologies (AIM:MYXR) has seen its shares bubble up after a successful US trial of its water treatment technology. The trial, at an industrial site in Newburgh, New York, showed its remediation system could reduce contamination from man made toxic chemicals - perfluoroakyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) - to an undetectable level. The company estimates the annual PFAS remediation cost in the US to be in excess of US$8bn. Chief executive Connie Mixon said: "This test result is an important step forward in progressing towards our first commercial contract for PFAS remediation in the United States." The company's shares are up 12.95% at 78.5p. 2.33pm: Ten Lifestyle boosted by UK wealth management deal Ten Lifestyle Group (AIM:TENG) has continued its winning run of new business this year with a new contract with one of the UK's largest wealth managers. The company operates a global concierge platform for the world's wealthy assisting them to organise and book travel, dining and live entertainment. The new contract will see Ten initially launch its services in spring 2022, making concierge and lifestyle services available to a segment of the client's wealth management customers in the UK. It has also agreed a number of other deals. These include a multi-year contract with existing client St. James's Place, renewing an existing large contract with a major UK private bank and having its digitally-enabled concierge services added to Barclays' Travel Plus Pack product. Chief executive Alex Cheatle said: "[This new contract] is a significant development for Ten in the UK, our most mature market." Ten's shares are up 4.11% at 116.08p. 12.20p: IQE says results will be in line with November's reduced guidance IQE PLC (AIM:IQE) saw its shares slump in November after warning that weakening demand for smartphones would hit its sales. But the latest update from the firm, which supplies semiconductor wafer products and advanced material solutions, has had a more positive effect, given there appears to be no more bad news. It said full year revenues were expected to be in line with November's guidance of around 164mln at constant currency, subject to an external audit review. New chief executive Americo Lemos said: Having joined the business in January I am pleased we have delivered revenues in line with our November 2021 trading update. I have been very impressed by the calibre and commitment of the colleagues I have met during my first weeks with IQE as well as the quality of our world-leading innovation. I am very excited about the potential growth associated with macro technology trends and IQEs position at the heart of these future products. Its shares - which dropped from more than 50p to 38p after the November warning - are up 7.18% today to 31.35p. 10.56am: Caspian Sunrise climbs after positive drilling update Shares in Caspian Sunrise PLC (AIM:CASP) are shining after a positive drilling update. The Kazakhstan-based company said initial production from Deep Well A8 on the Airshagyl structure at its flagship BNG Contract Area had been 120 barrels of oil per day for several days. It said work continued to establish the full potential of the well. Chairman Clive Carver said "The early results from Deep Well A8 are encouraging. With international oil prices in excess of $85 per barrel the Company is set for a good year." Caspian has climbed 6.67% or 0.25p to 4p. 10.23am: Yu Group shrugs off energy industry woes to see revenues surge With consumers facing soaring costs and suppliers going bust, it's safe to say the energy industry is in a volatile state. But Yu Group PLC (AIM:YU.) has sparked up after saying full year profits would significantly beat market expectations. The supplier of gas, electricity and water to the UK SME and corporate business sector said it had seen record quarterly bookings in the final three months of the year despite the problems facing the sector. So full year revenues are expected to be up 50% to more than 150mln, driven by continued organic growth and the integration of Ampower It said there was strong order visibility for 2022, with 156.5mln of contracted revenue, up from 93mln for 2021. Its shares are up 11.71% to 310p. 9.24am: N4 Pharma boosted by link-up with government-funded innovation centres N4 Pharma PLC (AIM:N4P) is looking healthy after an update on Nuvec, its delivery system for cancer treatments and vaccines. After positive results on its effectivenes in inhibiting tumour growth, the company has begun work on further studies with the government-funded Medicines Discovery Catapult. The company said the costs of all current and planned work would come from existing resources, and it remained well funded for 2022. Chief executive Nigel Theobald said: "The oncology, gene therapy and protein replacement markets are very large and attracting significant and varied interest. Based on our current data, these markets provide the company with the quickest route to bring products into clinical trials, far quicker than using it for vaccines. With our vaccine work now continuing through Material Transfer Agreements, our primary focus is on these studies with Catapult and advancing our data set to a meaningful inflexion point in the coming months." N4 is up 8.07% at 3.35p. 8.56am: Staffline (AIM:STAF) sees profits ahead of market expectations Staffline (AIM:STAF) is in demand after a positive trading update. The recruitment group said full year revenues were expected to rise 1.6% to 942.7mln after a strong second half. Operating profit is forecast to more than double from 4.8mln to around 10mln, some 11% ahead of market expectations despite the pandemic and the widespread labour shortages. It withdrew from a number of lower margin contracts, but gained new customers and further business from existing clients. On the down side, its PeoplePlus business was restructed in 2020 but the discovery of incomplete records relatin to 2019 mean it will have to repay 2mln of revenues. As for the the outlook, it said; "[The] momentum is expected to continue into 2022, supported by a strong new business pipeline, a lower overhead cost base and the expected post-COVID-19 recovery of historically strong Staffline (AIM:STAF) recruitment sectors, such as automotive, manufacturing, aerospace and travel. The board remains confident in the growth prospects for the Group in the medium-to-long-term." Its shares have jumped 11.71% or 6.5p to 62p. Also heading higher is Learning Technologies Group PLC (AIM:LTG). The digital learning and talent management business said full year revenues were expected to jump from 132.3mln to 254mln. Adjusted earnings are forecast to climb from 40.3mln to at least 53.7mln, driven by organic growth as well as contributions from acquisitions completed in the first half of 2021, Reflektive, PDT Global and Bridge. The purchase of GP Strategies was completed last October, andit has seen a swifter than expected improvement in operational performance. The company has climbed 6.33% to 157.8p. Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM:BHL, OTCQB:BHL) sure did hit the ground running at the beginning of 2022. Before January was even three-quarters over the company had announced the exercising of its option to acquire the Burro Creek assets in Arizona and their subsequent re-naming, positive metallurgical results from what is now known as the Basin project, the arrival of a couple of new investors on the share register with notifiable interests, the commencement of trading on the OTCQB market in America, and the results of geophysics programmes from the Eureka project in Nevada. Oh, and along the way, the share price more than doubled, before dropping back a little to its current levels of around 12p. All this from a company that listed only around six months ago. So, whats the secret. First off, although the company is fairly new on the market, the assets had already been well teed up when the shares did start to trade. The people behind Bradda Head are no mere newcomers to the market finding their way. On the contrary, the board of Bradda Head is about as heavyweight as you could possibly find on any junior mining company. For a start, theres Jim Mellon, whose been a major financial force in mining for years. Then theres Ian Stalker, a veteran of the industry, and partner with Mellon on several prior successes and ongoing ventures. Mellon fellow-traveler Denham Eke is handling the financial side, while the chief executives role is filled by Charles FitzRoy, an ex-army man with a good chunk of corporate finance expertise on his CV, as well as memberships of various august geological societies. Is it surprising then, that a company put together by these men hit the ground running? And the momentum shows no sign of letting up either, as FitzRoy explains. First off, Bradda is cashed up, following the recent sale of a royalty over Burro Creek (as then was) and the Wikieup project, which collectively make up the part of Braddas lithium portfolio thats hosted in sedimentary rocks. A total of US$8mln will eventually make its way into the Bradda cash pile, ring-fenced for use in the development of the sedimentary assets. Were funded to get the sedimentary assets to an early-stage technical study, says FitzRoy. In the immediate term, the plan is to update the resource at Basin East before the end of the current quarter, and to deliver a maiden resource at Wikieup not too long after that. But thats not all. There are also hard rock and brine assets inside the Bradda portfolio. The company plans to drill at the San Domingo hard rock project in Arizona in the coming months, and if that works out well, theres every possibility that San Domingo could leap ahead of Basin in terms of a production timeline, because mining hard rock is a much simpler proposition. Meanwhile, Bradda will also do further exploration at the Wilson and Eureka brine projects in Nevada. Recent geophysical results from Eureka demonstrated the potential presence of both brine and clay deposits there, encouraging enough results for Bradda to stake more ground in the immediate vicinity. That news also allowed the company to subtly remind the market of the potentially strategic location of its assets. Not only Basin, San Domingo, Eureka and all the rest located comfortably inside of an America thats becoming increasingly concerned about security of supply, but they are also not too far as the crow flies from Teslas Gigafactory in Nevada, likely to be one of the largest consumers of lithium in the Western United States, if not the largest. Will Braddas supply marry up with Teslas demand? Thats probably a question for another day. The pertinent point though, is that the Bradda portfolio is about as close to the centre of the action as you could want it to be. It was with that strategic factor partly in mind that potential investors in the US had been asking FitzRoy how they could invest. The new OTCQB listing has provided them with an easy way, and it surely wont be surprising to see more Americans appearing on the register as the newsflow continues to pour out of Nevada and Arizona. Some interesting milestones might also be passed on the way. We could have more resources than Arizona Lithium by the end of the quarter, muses FitzRoy, as he tots up the potential additions to the resource base the pending updates are likely to deliver. There are a lot of moving parts involved in that off-hand remark, but if he turns out to be correct, investors cognizant of Arizona Lithiums A$300mln-plus market capitalization on the Australian Securities Exchange will start to wonder what sort of valuation to put on Bradda Head. At the moment, Bradda is valued at just under 40mln on the London market. Thats quite a value gap, and one that may very well close, sharpish. WELLINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand reported 25 new COVID-19 cases in the community on Tuesday, including 10 Omicron cases, bringing the total tally in the country's current community outbreak to 11,541. Among the 10 Omicron cases, one is a household contact of a previously reported case in Nelson Tasman and was already isolating when tested positive, and one reported in Palmerston North is in the same situation. Two cases reported in Tauranga are in the same household and are isolating at home. Case investigations are underway but, at this stage, there are a limited number of exposure events associated with these cases, according to the Ministry of Health. Public health officials are continuing to manage Omicron cases in the community through rapidly isolating cases and contacts, contact tracing, and testing in order to slow the spread. To date, there are 29 community cases of COVID-19 associated with the January Omicron cluster, including Tuesday's 10 new Omicron community cases, all in isolation, the ministry said. Among the 25 new infections reported on Tuesday, 18 were recorded in the largest city of Auckland, two in Bay of Plenty, two in the Lakes region, one in Northland, one in the MidCentral region, and one in Nelson, according to the ministry. There are 10 COVID-19 patients in New Zealand hospitals, but none at the intensive care unit. The country has recorded 15,312 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. To date, about 93 percent of the eligible people in New Zealand are fully vaccinated with at least two doses, said a ministry statement. More than 1.05 million boosters, or the third doses, have now been administered, it said. Almost 95,000 5-to-11-year-olds have now received a first dose, according to the ministry. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Sunday that his country is moving into red light settings due to Omicron cases detected in the community. According to the Red Light settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework, gatherings will be limited to 100 people in places where COVID-19 vaccine passports are used. Oracle Power's CEO Naheed Memon answers shareholders questions. These include the roadmap with dates and milestones to achieve this year, with ways to get more shareholder value. Other questions include, is CPEC still committed to work specifically with Oracle on the Thar Block 6 project and an update on the Dubai Expo2020 and whether or not there was any foreign with to green hydrogen. Most recently the firm signed an agreement with an integrated gas company majority-owned by the Pakistan government to explore the joint development of a synthetic natural gas (syngas) project utilising coal from Thar. Nvidia Corp, the US chipmaking giant, is set to abandon its attempt to buy the UKs ARM Holdings, according to reports today. The US company does not expect the US$40bn deal to buy ARM from current owner Softbank to complete, sources from within told Bloomberg. Japanese tech investor Softbank meanwhile is preparing to float ARM as an alternative way to realise all or part of its investment. Competitors have been vocally critical of the deal, which they argue will give Nvidia a stranglehold of several key areas of development in the mobile phone and laptop markets. ARM supplies power chips to virtually all of the worlds mobile phone groups and the purchase is under regulatory scrutiny in the US, European Union and the UK, where a potential risk to national security has also been raised as a reason to look into the deal. A change in management at the US Justice Department Antitrust Division meanwhile is likely to mean more deals being blocked than allowed with changes as in previous cases. Arm said it looked at an IPO last year but concluded this would hinder its progress its chief executive said at the time. To what extent is Rio Tinto PLC (LSE:RIO) in control of its own destiny? Within the space of a few days the company has been summarily ejected from one country in which it was having considerable difficulties Serbia and welcomed back into the fold in another Mongolia. How much of any of this is really business, and how much pure politics is an open question? But then, can business ever really be separated from politics? Rio poses all the existential questions. Anti-Rio Tinto feeling isnt hard to find. Theres been plenty of it around for years, and that was before the company deliberately courted an ESG PR disaster by dynamiting ancient aboriginal burial sites in Australia. The original Rio Tinto, the area in Spain from which it all sprang, remains an apocalyptic post-mining landscape to this day, and over the years there have even been proposals to mine the Gulf of Seville because of the amount of waste that Rio Tinto historically has flushed into the Mediterranean. But whether Serbian politics or Mongolian politics are that much more noble is an open question. The great Serbian hero-of-the-hour, Novak Djokovic, has been backing anti-Rio protests for some time. And it may not be coincidence, given Rios extensive Australian interests, that Djokovics summary eviction from the Lucky Country was followed fairly swiftly by the ejection from Serbia of a major player in the Australian economy. Is Rio Tinto really Australian? According to Wikipedia its Anglo-Australian, but for what its worth it has more mines in Australia than it does in the UK, not to mention an Australian listing, although the Australian representation at board level is thinner than you might expect. Either way, eviction from Serbia, whether on spurious or meaningful grounds, is not a good look for a company thats been in searching vainly for a major PR success for years. So it was very handy that just in the nick of time negotiations with the Mongolian government over the funding for a major expansion programme at the huge Oyu Tolgoi mine were suddenly resolved. By 2030, and assuming completion of the expansion plans, its expected that Oyu Tolgoi will be the fourth largest copper mine in the world, so were not talking small potatoes here. Nor are we talking small potatoes when it comes to the terms of the settlement. Various complexities obscure its true nature, but it looks as though the Mongolians will be forgiven a previously agreed debt of US$2.4bn as part of the conditions that will allow development work to be completed. Judging the fairness of these terms is almost impossible from the outside, but this looks like a victory for the government rather than Rio Tinto. Even Rios language was muted. Its a major relief, said Rio chief executive Jakob Stausholm. As to what really unjammed the logs? well probably never know. It could be that Rio was nervous about community relations falling apart in yet another country of operations. Or it could be more mundane than that. The expansion at Oyu Tolgoi is already suffering from significant cost overruns. Billions of dollars have already been spent on it, and the coppers no good to the government or the Oyu Tolgoi joint venture partners if its still in the ground. Whats more, most analysts expect a relatively strong copper market for at least a decade. After that, it gets hard to forecast. The smart move is to get on and get this thing built. As to who ends up paying for it, that was a matter of who blinked first. In the latest phase of this ongoing saga, it looks like that was Rio. Welcome to the first of our weekly crypto updates with eToro market analyst Simon Peters. Each week, Peters will assess what is happening in the crypto, blockchain and NFT spaces and, when relevant, what the news means for investors. Cryptoassets plunge The cryptoasset market has plunged amid a wider global sell off in growth and tech assets. Bitcoin (BTC) is now trading at its lowest level since July 2020 and has fallen some 50% from its all-time high (ATH) above $69,000 which it reached in November 2021. The worlds largest cryptoasset began the week trading above $42,000 but began falling heavily on Thursday as bond yields in major economies spiked. It is now trading just under the $35,000 level. Likewise, Ether is now trading around similar levels to July 2020 and has lost some 50% of its value since ATH in November. The cryptoasset began the week above $3,200 but has traded down severely to just under $2,400 now. Fed launches CBDC review The US Federal Reserve has launched a review of a potential Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The Fed launched a discussion paper looking at the pros and cons of a potential US CBDC. It is now asking for respondents to comment on how the CBDC could improve US domestic payments systems. Fed chair Jerome Powell commented: "We look forward to engaging with the public, elected representatives and a broad range of stakeholders as we examine the positives and negatives of a central bank digital currency in the United States." The Fed wants to look at key issues such as preserving monetary and financial stability within a digital system, how to complement existing payment systems and the privacy of citizens while still retaining the ability to police illegal financial activities. This announcement is a major step as the US is the largest economy in the world, which would have the potential to transform global finance with the adoption of a CBDC. But it is behind other nations in terms of research, planning and execution of a digital currency. Twitter launches NFT profile pictures Social media network Twitter has launched NFT profile photos for users. The feature will be instantly recognisable for anyone with an NFT profile picture as instead of a typical round profile photo, the picture frame will instead be hexagonal. Twitters NFT launch will support crypto wallets including Argent, Coinbase Wallet, Ledger Live, MetaMask, Rainbow and Trust Wallet. To use the feature, users will have to be using an iOS phone and be signed up for the $2.99 Twitter Blue subscription. Twitter Blue offers premium features to customers, including now NFTs and others such as undo tweets. The premium subscription is still being rolled out and is currently only available in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Intel to enter BTC mining Computer chipmaker Intel is set to unveil a chip to mine bitcoin. The so-called Bonanza Mine chip will be launched at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) which begins on February 20. This announcement does not mean, however, that Intel will begin mining BTC itself - rather it is now going to produce technology to facilitate mining. The firms current biggest rival in this market is Bitmain. Demand exists for bitcoin-specific mining chips as normal graphics processing units (GPUs) are not designed to solve complex hashes and as such mine BTC very inefficiently, in both terms of time and energy spent. Euro Manganese Inc (ASX:EMN, TSX-V:EMN, OTCQX:EUMNF) is to complete the buy-back of a 1.2% net smelter royalty (NSR) in its Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic, settling the balance of outstanding amounts due under royalty termination agreements. The royalty buyback includes payment of US$1.8 million in cash and the issue of 4,820,109 common shares valued at C$2,278,080 (US$1.8 million). In May last year, the company agreed to purchase the NSR interest from three arms-length parties for aggregate consideration of US$4.5 million, of which US$900,000 was paid on signing of the royalty termination agreements. The buy back will be completed on or before January 31. The share consideration is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). Under Canadian securities law, the shares will be subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period. About Euro Manganese Euro Manganese is a battery materials company whose principal focus is advancing the development of the Chvaletice Manganese Project, in which it holds a 100% interest. The companys vision for the project is to reprocess a significant manganese deposit hosted in mine tailings from a decommissioned mine, strategically located in the Czech Republic. Euro Manganese aims to become a leading, competitive and environmentally superior primary producer of ultra-high-purity manganese products in the heart of Europe, serving the lithium-ion battery industry, as well as other high-technology applications. Needles has numerous old gold workings on epithermal gold veins. Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) has moved to the third diamond drill hole site at the Needles Gold Project in Nevada, USA, with results from drill holes 1 and 2 expected in February. Drill hole 2 Astro completed drilling hole 2 (21ND_002) on January 11, 2022. The drill hole reached a total depth of 464.8 metres, was surveyed, plugged and abandoned in accordance with Nevada State requirements. The hole intersected 80 metres of andesite between 306 metres to 386 metres containing generally 5% to 10% of pyrite and a further 33 metres of brecciated andesitic volcanics containing up to 10% to 20% pyrite between 386 metres to 419 metres. Brecciated unit in hole 21ND_002 showing altered andesite clasts within a pyrite-rich matrix from 352 metres to 354.8 metres. Within these pyritic intervals, propylitic alteration intensity was generally moderate to strong, with argillic and /or phyllic alteration encountered in the deepest intersections. The hole then passed into a strongly broken zone of clay and rock fragments of andesite and of dolomite from the underlying basement between 419 metres to 421 metres. Seismic Section A-A looking west, with chargeability anomaly overlain, interpreted faults (black), major sub-horizontal break (blue dashes), and conductive zone (pale blue patterned). The first two drill holes on this section that have been completed are shown in red. The strong pyrite content of both holes is consistent with the strong DC/IP chargeability anomaly. However, until the assays are received, Astro cannot determine whether there is gold mineralisation within the target zone. The rig has been moved to drill site 21ND_003 and has commenced drilling. Astro expects initial assay results of priority samples from drill holes 21ND_001 & 21ND_002 to be received during February. Well funded for exploration Astro recently 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. 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. Western Australian portfolio 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 also 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. Meeka Gold Ltd (ASX:MEK) has uncovered gold mineralisation in all six diamond holes drilled at Margaret lode of the Murchison Gold Project in Western Australia, intersecting a prospective laminated hydrothermal vein typical of mineralisation discovered in the Andy Well area. Diamond drilling at Murchison resumed in early January as planned, targeting the Margaret lode in the Andy Well area as well as Turnberry Central. The Margaret lode remains open at depth and along strike to the north and south. Potentially very high-grade orebody The laminated hydrothermal veins observed in the drill core from Margaret are typical of the style of mineralisation observed at Andy Well, which can be very high-grade, Meeka Gold CEO Tim Davidson said. Importantly, the mineralisation has not been closed off and remains open at depth, and to the north and south. We also know from observations at Judy that tenor and strike of mineralisation improved with depth following the initial discovery of the orebody. We will process this core and have it at the laboratory for assay in quick succession before planning the next phase of drilling targeting the Margaret lode. This phase of drilling at the Margaret lode is now complete and the drill has been moved to Turnberry Central to target mineralised extensions below the planned open pit mine outlined in the December 2021 scoping study. READ: Meeka Gold takes first step toward putting Murchison Gold Project back into production with strong scoping study results About Meeka Gold Meeka Gold is a junior gold explorer with a portfolio of exploration projects across Western Australia. Meekas flagship Murchison Gold Project has a combined 343 square kilometres landholding in the prolific Murchison Gold Fields of Western Australia and hosts a large, high-grade 1.1-million-ounce mineral resource. In addition to the Murchison Gold Project, the company owns the Circle Valley Gold Project in southern WA. Circle Valley sits in the Albany Fraser Mobile Belt which hosts the Tropicana gold mine (3-million-ounce past production). Gold mineralisation has been identified in two separate locations at Circle Valley and presents an exciting greenfields exploration opportunity which Meeka is aggressively pursuing. Latrobe Magnesium Limited (ASX:LMG) has made broad progress developing its magnesium demonstration plant in partnership with Mincore engineering consultants, completing early site works and continuing to dial-in the design and engineering aspects with the help of Mincore and the CSIRO. Alongside aiding in the design of the plant, Mincore has commenced the tendering of the smelter equipment package to the market, entering discussions with five pre-approved companies. Engineering works Mincore and LMG have awarded early site works for fencing, surveying, the reinstatement of electrical works and the refurbishment of the administration building at 320 Tramway Road. These works have now all been completed. Mincore has been supporting LMG alongside CSIRO as the company tests new technologies to improve the existing processes, build prototypes and complete plant trial runs with varying operating parameters and conditions. Company funding During the last quarter, Latrobe reduced the capital cost estimate of its 1,000 tonne per annum demonstration plant to $39 million. The project finance facility has a $3 million standby facility should the capital cost exceed the estimate. The remaining cost also includes a $3 million contingency. The extra funds will be used for working capital and to assist with the financing of the studies required for the 10,000 tonnes per annum and 100,000 tonnes per annum plants. In the quarter LMG received a research and development tax rebate of $814,413. The company also raised $14.5 million over two heavily oversubscribed placements, leaving the company with just over $10 million in cash and about seven quarters worth of available funding. China supply squeeze On September 17, 2021, Chinese authorities ordered the closure of 18 magnesium plants in Shaanxi, with a further 30 other plants reduced to 50% capacity from September 17 to the end of December 2021. Shaanxi produces approx. 65% of the worlds production, meaning that the supply of magnesium to the rest of the world was severely affected. Consequently, the magnesium price trebled, and magnesium users have been looking for alternative major suppliers, which currently do not exist. Due to this situation, LMG has opted to bring forward the development of its 100,000-tonne-per-annum plant using ferro nickel slag as its feedstock. Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) made strong progress during the December quarter and is well-funded with $4.54 million in hand as it readies to lead the charge amidst looming supply shortages of high-grade kaolin and silica sands both in Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region. During the quarter, the companys Pittong hydrous kaolin operations in Victoria produced 7,219 tonnes of refined kaolin products with sales topping at 6,355 tonnes. Encouragingly, this marks the third consecutive quarter where Suvo has generated positive operating cashflows and demonstrated growth in production of its refined kaolin products. Exploration activities On October 12, Suvo announced a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate for its Nova Silica Sand Project reported in accordance with the 2012 JORC Code guidelines. The maiden resource estimate includes 216 million tonnes of inferred mineral resource comprising silica glass sand (132 million tonnes), silica flour (60 million tonnes) and coarse silica sand (24 million tonnes). On the back of the resource estimate and drilling campaign, scoping study works have been commissioned with Primero and metallurgical test-work has since commenced to produce samples for immediate shipment to potential offtake partners and clients with flowsheet definition and product development works underway. Test-work has shown that the various sands can be suitable for use in glass manufacturing, foundry applications and as a filler or for wellhead cement additives. After successful completion of the White Cloud Kaolin Scoping Study that demonstrated very robust economics, Suvo engaged Primero to commence a pre-feasibility study (PFS). In addition to the PFS, a series of other project-related studies have commenced which include flora and fauna, dust and noise, cultural heritage, hydrology and hydrogeology. Furthermore, test-work on Trawalla refined clay continues to show significant concentration of halloysite up to 32.4% Financial summary Suvos Pittong Operations generated unaudited EBITDA of $442,000 for the December quarter with total unaudited EBITDA of $2.77 million generated in the first year of operations Positive operating cashflows generated of $230,000 with receipts from customers totalling A$3.58 million for the quarter. Events after reporting period On January 12, Suvo extended a major supply agreement with Norske Skog Boyer until December 2024. The agreement covers supply of the companys hydrous kaolin products for up to and above 25,500 tonnes over the term. During the period, Suvo had also adopted an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework focusing on key ESG metrics and disclosures based on leading global ESG standards . Furthermore, the company had proposed acquisition of mining tenement E70/4981, a highly prospective silica sand project near Muchea, north of Perth, Western Australia. Boris Johnson announced that Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for fully vaccinated people arriving in the country is set to be scrapped in what is a boost for the airline industry. Campaigning from airlines and falling Omicron cases are behind the easing of the travel testing rules, with Plan B restrictions also set to be scrapped altogether in England from Thursday. "Although we have to be cautious, we are now moving through the Omicron wave, and you can see the figures are starting to get better, said Johnson. Since the outbreak of the Omicron variant, many of the low-cost carriers (LCC), such as easyJet, saw the amount of passengers on flights fall in December following some months of recovering numbers. Ryanair was forced to slash its profit guidance last month after it forecasted a fall in traffic in both December and January due to COVID-19. Shares in LCCs fell again, though this was more likely to due to the sell everything mentality on a terrible day for the market overall. Wizz Air shares are down 4%, with easyJet down nearly 5% in afternoon trading. Current passenger numbers at Heathrow are still less than half of pre-pandemic levels, with December seeing just over 3mln passengers, though todays news left the boss of easyJet optimistic that a busy summer is ahead. "We commend the government for removing all testing. easyJet plans to return to near 2019 levels of flying this summer and so we can't wait to welcome our customers back onboard." Johan Lundgren, easyJet chief executive said to Sky News. The confirmed date for the rule change has yet to be announced, though the Travel Secretary is set to confirm the change later. SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least four civilians including two women were wounded Tuesday in a grenade attack in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The grenade was hurled towards government force personnel at Hari Singh High Street market in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. Police said the grenade missed the intended target and exploded with a bang on road, leaving civilians wounded. "Militants today lobbed a grenade towards police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel here, which exploded wounding four pedestrians including two women," a police official said. "All of them have suffered splinter wounds and were immediately removed to hospital." The attack triggered panic in the market and people were seen running away from the spot for safety, eyewitnesses said. Soon after the incident, police contingents rushed to the spot and launched a manhunt to nab the attackers. The attack came a day before India's Republic Day celebrations when security has been heightened across the region. A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. The militants often target government force personnel with grenade attacks or resort to firings. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Mandalay Resources is a junior gold exploration and production company focused on Sweden and Australia Research Capital has repeated its Buy rating on Mandalay Resources Corp as the company released more positive results from ongoing drilling at its Bjorkdal underground gold mine in Sweden. In a note to clients, the analysts maintained its Buy rating and $5.75 per share target price, based on the continued use of a 1 multiple to the net asset value. The analysts noted: The company turned its attention to the Central Zone area and has drilled another 17 holes comprising 7,253 meters (m), resulting in the intersection of mineralization at least 350m from the current workings and the addition of 16 new veins to the 21 known ones. They added that mineralization also remains open at depth and is said to be getting richer down plunge. Research Capital analysts also noted that the drilling continues: Visible gold and stacked veining remain distinguishing characteristics of the Bjorkdal system. The buy rating and target prices are, the analysts said, based on our long-term prices of US$1,850 per ounce (oz) gold and US$6,600 per tonne antimony (vs a reported Q4/21 average price of US$13,221/t). Our NAV(5%) includes US$125M for exploration upside. Mandalay Resources is a junior gold exploration and production company focused on Sweden and Australia. The company is currently operating one underground mine in each country having the potential to produce over 100,000 oz of combined production per year. Contact Ritika at ritika@proactiveinvestors.com "We launched the company around the idea of an unrecognized gold district hiding in a relatively unexplored package of prospective rocks here in the Yukon's Selwyn Basin," said Berdahl Snowline Gold Corp. (CSE:SGD) said it has uncovered a potentially "significant gold system" with the first hole of a four-hole program at its Valley bulk-tonnage gold target at the Rogue project in the Yukon. The hole averaged a grade of 1.01 grams per ton (g/t) gold over a width of 136.75 metres (m) starting from a depth of 35.25m. That was within a broader zone of mineralization averaging 0.85 g/t of the precious metal over 186m starting from 31.5m downhole. "This is Snowline's second significant drill discovery in as many drill programs in 2021," said Scott Berdahl, CEO of Snowline, in a statement. "We launched the company around the idea of an unrecognized gold district hiding in a relatively unexplored package of prospective rocks here in the Yukon's Selwyn Basin. Beyond our excitement for the Valley discovery itself, we are similarly excited at the implications these results have toward validating our district-scale exploration thesis. With two discoveries in hand and many additional prospective targets, we are eager to get started on our 2022 exploration season," he added. Dr Craig Hart, Snowline chair, added that Valley was interpreted as a "classic reduced intrusion-related gold system". "It has lots of similarities to Kinross' Ft. Knox Gold Mine in Alaska and Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine in the Yukon, and most importantly these early results yield some very good grades," he added. Snowline is exploring the flagship 72,000 hectare Einarson and Rogue gold projects in the Yukon and is preparing for a busy 2022. An upcoming program will see at least two drills turning on an over 8,000m program focused on the company's Jupiter (Einarson) and Valley (Rogue) discoveries along with nearby targets. The work continues to build toward establishing North America's newest gold district in the Selwyn basin. Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com Highlights from the results include intercepts of 15.6 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 2.25 metres and 3.21 g/t gold over 10 metres Scottie Resources Corp. (TSX-V:SCOT) has reported encouraging new drill results from the Blueberry zone on its Scottie Gold Mine project in British Columbias Golden Triangle. Highlights from the results include intercepts of 15.6 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 2.25 metres and 3.21 g/t gold over 10 metres. Vancouver-based Scottie told shareholders that the Blueberry Zone has become one of the most significant areas of deposit growth on the property and has more than quadrupled its strike length in the past nine months. Blueberrys strike length now exceeds 650 metres, according to the company. "Blueberry continues to deliver consistent results with these near surface hits, illustrating the grade continuity of the primary structure," CEO Brad Rourke said in a statement. "We believe that this expanding zone could be a major production centre for the area. The untested potential of the andesitesiltstone contact leaves tremendous upside as it remains open at depth and along strike where our geologists have mapped it hundreds of additional metres to the south before it becomes hidden beneath the overlying historic lakebed sediments." Scottie conducted a 14,500-metre drill program during the 2021 season. Blueberry is located north-northeast of the past-producing high-grade Scottie Gold Mine, 35 kilometres north of the town of Stewart, BC. Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas Washington, Jan 25 : The US Department of Defense has announced that nearly 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment due to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, but there is no decision on formal deployments. John Kirby, the Defense Department's spokesperson, said on Monday during a press briefing that putting US forces on heightened alert is to ensure that the US will get ready to respond to a possible decision by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to deploy its 40,000-strong multinational response force known as NRF, which could be shored up on short notice. "This is really about reassuring the eastern flank of NATO," Kirby said, adding the order, which came from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the direction of President Joe Biden, was about "proving how seriously the US takes our commitment to NATO" and to the alliance's collective defense commitment, Xinhua news agency reported. "All told, the number of forces that the Secretary has placed on heightened alert comes up to about 8,500 personnel," the spokesperson said. Kirby stressed that no decision has been made on deploying US forces, and that the troops on high alert include "additional brigade combat teams, logistics personnel, medical support, aviation support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance." The spokesperson also reiterated Biden's position that the US will not be sending its troops into Ukraine in the event that war breaks out between Kiev and Moscow, but that the West is still determined to deter the Kremlin from launching an invasion through the threat of sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. The Pentagon's prepare-to-deploy order came one day after the State Department authorised the voluntary departure of US government employees at the US Embassy in Kiev and required their family members to leave Ukraine. Berlin, Jan 25 : A gunman wounded several people at Germany's Heidelberg University, according to local police. The incident took place on Monday. The perpetrator, who was dead, used "a long gun to injure several people in a lecture hall," the police said on Twitter. Local television NTV quoted police as saying that one of the four injured was in serious condition. Police are conducting further searches in the area, Xinhua news agency reported. Identities of the injured and the perpetrator are not immediately known. Addis Ababa Jan 25 : At least 20 people were killed after a passenger bus veered off a cliff in northern Ethiopia, local media has reported. Authorities are investigating what caused the accident, which also injured six others on Sunday in the Amhara regional state, Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported on Monday. Traffic accidents are fairly common in Ethiopia, many blamed on bad roads, reckless driving, and lax enforcement of safety rules, Xinhua news agency reported. London, Jan 25 : Britain has begun to withdraw staff from its embassy in Kiev, the country's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has said. Some embassy staff and dependents are being withdrawn from Ukraine, but the embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work, it added. "The FCDO advise against all travel to Donetsk oblast, Luhansk oblast and Crimea. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Ukraine," it said. Britain's move came after the US Department of State on Sunday ordered eligible family members of staff at its embassy in Ukraine to leave the country, Xinhua news agency reported. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it considered the US decision "premature and a manifestation of excessive caution." Meanwhile, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told reporters on Monday that "we are not going to do the same thing because we don't know any specific reasons." Brussels. Jan 25 : The European Union (EU) is prepared to defend against any possible Russian cyber-attacks or hybrid threats if it invades Ukraine and is "very well advanced" in its preparation for a response to any aggression, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in Brussels. He told journalists on Monday following a meeting of the EU member states' Foreign Ministers that the bloc was united in its approach. "The Russian military build-up in and around Ukraine and Russia's attempts to recreate dividing lines on our continent undermine the core foundations and principles on which European security is built and bring back dark memories of the spheres of influence, which do not belong to the 21st century," Borrell added. He said that the EU has reaffirmed its full and unquestionable support to Ukraine and that any military aggression against Ukraine will have serious consequences and massive costs for the perpetrator, Xinhua news agency reported. He added that the Foreign Ministers had a long exchange with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the way ahead. Borrell said that collective diplomatic efforts will continue to convince Russia to take the path of dialogue "even though the Russian rhetoric does not aspire a lot of confidence." He urged Russia to continue engaging with its international partners to explain and debunk disinformation, the "dangerous narratives that are being spread." "Should diplomacy fail, we are very advanced in our preparation for a response for any Russian aggression. Certainly, it will be a quick and determined action not only within the EU but also internationally," he added. Asked about the lack of details about the potential sanctions against Russia, Borrell said that there was "no reason for worry" and added that "the measures will be implemented at an appropriate moment if it comes." Earlier on Monday, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU Executive wants to provide Ukraine with a new financial aid package to help it overcome the current crisis with Russia. The first tranche will be 1.2 billion euros ($1.36 billion) in loans and grants. It will require the approval of the EU Council and the European Parliament, according to a Commission statement. Relations between Ukraine and Russia deteriorated recently, with both sides deploying large numbers of military personnel and equipment in their border areas. The US, Ukraine, and NATO have accused Russia of having assembled heavy troops near the eastern border of Ukraine, with a possible intention of "invasion." Russia denied the accusation, saying that it has the right to mobilise troops within its borders to defend its territory as NATO's activities constitute a threat to Russia's border security. Tunis, Jan 25 : Nadia Akecha, the Chief of Staff of Tunisian President Kais Saied has announced her resignation from the post. "Today, I made my decision to submit my resignation to the President of the republic, after two years of work," Akecha said in a Facebook post on Monday. "I had the honour of devoting myself to the service of the best interest of my country," she said, adding that because of "fundamental differences in viewpoints related to this best interest, I consider it my duty to leave my position." Akecha was appointed as Head of Saied's presidential office on January 28, 2020, Xinhua news agency reported. Ayodhya, Jan 25 : At a time when all saints in Ayodhya wanted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Ayodhya, the chief priest of the Ram Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, has said it is good that Adityanath is not contesting from this Assembly constituency as he would have faced a lot of opposition. Das told media that he has suggested that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister should contest elections from Gorakhpur instead, as people whose houses and shops were demolished in Ayodhya due to infrastructure projects in the wake of the construction of the Ram temple, were opposing him. Acharya Satyendra Das said he advised that Yogi Adityanath should not contest from Ayodhya "after asking 'Ram Lalla' (Lord Ram)". "It is good that Yogi Adityanath is not contesting from here. I had suggested it earlier and advised that it will be better that he contest from any Assembly seat of Gorakhpur. I speak after asking Ram Lalla. I speak with Ram Lalla's inspiration," said Das, who is the chief priest of the makeshift Ram Lalla temple, which is now being replaced by a grand temple. The 84-year-old priest added that the seers here are divided in their opinion and those whose houses and shops were demolished are against the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. "This opposition is there. He ( Yogi Adityanath) would have won from here (Ayodhya) but could have also faced problems," he said. The priest, however, added that the ruling BJP will not let go the Ram temple issue and it will remain on their agenda. "Earlier, there was Ram Lalla movement, then came the court's order and the construction of the Ram temple started. This Ram temple issue will never go away. They will say firing was opened here on karsevaks, application was moved in the court to prevent the construction -- but the temple construction is on. They (BJP) will certainly take the name of Ram temple. This will not go away," Das said. Das hopes to see the Ram temple completed in his lifetime. "Let us see how many days it takes for the construction to complete. Majority of those who were with me have passed away. I will serve here till my last breath," he said. Das had joined as the priest of the makeshift Ram Lalla temple in 1992, the year the Babri Masjid was demolished. When asked whether any party candidate had come to take his blessings, Das added, "Till now, wife of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Pawan Pandey has come to me. He is a strong candidate from the SP." Ayodhya will go to the polls in the fifth phase on February 27. Indian paramilitary troopers take part in a parade during India's Republic Day celebrations in Nagaon district of India's northeastern state of Assam, Jan. 26, 2022. (Str/Xinhua) NEW DELHI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of India's 73rd Republic Day celebrations, authorities have tightened security across major cities, police said on Tuesday. The move has been taken to thwart any possible attempt by militant or terror groups to disrupt official celebrations. Police have intensified checking and patrolling at metro stations, railway stations, airport and bus terminals as part of the security arrangements. In view of Republic Day celebrations, adequate security arrangements are in place in New Delhi and elsewhere to ensure that celebrations are conducted without any disruption, a senior police officer of New Delhi said. The Republic Day parade will be held at Rajpath in New Delhi on Wednesday morning. According to the state-run broadcaster All India Radio, over 27,000 policemen have been deployed in the capital for the Republic Day celebrations. Strict anti-terrorist measures have been adopted since last two months and active monitoring along border areas of the capital is being done, the broadcaster said. "Armed battalions are deployed and drones and other technologies are being used. Along with Delhi Police teams, 200 teams of other agencies have been deployed for anti-sabotage checks." Police have fortified areas in and around Rajpath with multi-layer security cover, besides installing Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) and over 300 surveillance cameras. A senior police officer told a local news agency that FRS and surveillance cameras were installed to strengthen security for the Republic Day. "We've installed FRS at 30 locations including six entry points for frisking. The FRS has a database of 50,000 suspected criminals," the officer was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, reports said interstate police security meetings were also held to prevent any untoward incident. "In the last two months, we have intensified anti-terror measures across the capital because like every year, Delhi is a target for any terrorist or anti-social element," Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana told a media briefing on Sunday. "This year too, our forces are alert with everything from vehicle checking, labor and tenant verification being undertaken." Asthana said that in the last 15 days, they have increased checking at border points and counter drone technology will also be used in order to secure the airspace. According to guidelines issued by the police, it is necessary for visitors to have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and people have been asked to bring the vaccine certificate with them. The Republic Day in India marks adoption of the constitution of India. Every year the day is celebrated on Jan. 26. The main function is held in New Delhi, where India's armed forces display their skills and military might. Indian women paramilitary troopers take part in a parade during India's Republic Day celebrations in Nagaon district of India's northeastern state of Assam, Jan. 26, 2022. (Str/Xinhua) Indian paramilitary troopers take part in a parade during India's Republic Day celebrations in Nagaon district of India's northeastern state of Assam, Jan. 26, 2022. (Str/Xinhua) Oslo/Kabul, Jan 25 : A visiting Taliban delegation and representatives of the US and seven other nations and region held talks in Oslo which mainly focused on Afghanistan's economy, humanitarian aid to the war-torn country, security and healthcare, according to media reports. According to the Taliban Foreign Ministry's spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the meeting, set to last for three days, started on Monday and the remaining representatives were from the UK, Norway, Germany, Italy, France, Qatar and the European Union (EU). In a tweet, Balkhi said: "The meeting focused on discussions on economy, humanitarian aid, security, central bank operation, health & other relevant issues. The discussions are in progress, full report will follow." A day before the meeting, the US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West on Sunday evening said that Washington and its allies were seeking ways to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, reports TOLO News. "As we seek to address (the) humanitarian crisis together with allies, partners, and relief organisations, we will continue clear-eyed diplomacy with the Taliban regarding our concerns and our abiding interest in a stable, rights-respecting and inclusive Afghanistan," he said. Political analysts believe that such meetings could play a vital role in solving the problems in the country. "There is a need to take a constructive step inside Afghanistan for the formation of an inclusive and sustainable government," said professor Sayed Baqir Mohseni. Earlier on Sunday, the Taliban met with members of the civil society of Afghanistan, including women, and discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. The delegation, headed by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, landed in Norway on Saturday night. This is their first visit to Europe after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021. Although the visit comes on an official invite by Norway, the government in Oslo has said it does not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban. Bengaluru, Jan 25 : The Karnataka Police have nabbed a 34-year-old former call centre employee on charges of cheating engineering graduates and job aspirants in the pretext of getting them a placement in a top software company in Bengaluru, police said on Tuesday. The police have seized 40 fake appointment letters from the accused and are investigating the matter. The accused has been identified as Sanjeev Gangaram Gurkha, a resident of Chinchanwad, Pune in Maharashtra. The accused gave advertisements on social media and other platforms announcing recruitment to a top software company based in the Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru. He has also opened eight bank accounts to receive money from gullible candidates, said the police. When job aspirants contacted him, he conducted online interviews. The accused after announcing that they have got through the interview, would ask them to deposit money towards laptop and other equipment. He would tell the victims that they will have to work from home. He took Rs 1.5 lakh from each job aspirant, according to police. The accused had sent appointment letters to as many as 40 such job aspirants. The preliminary investigation has confirmed the accused receiving money from four candidates. The police are contacting other candidates and say that the accused may have cheated hundreds of gullible job aspirants. The cheating came to light when victims approached the company headquarters with fake appointment letters. The company HR manager subsequently filed a complaint with Sampigehalli police on January 13. The investigation has revealed that the accused worked at the call centre unit at Pune run by the same tech firm. While on job he had collected a few letters from the HR department and created fake logos and letterheads to carry out fake racket. Prayagraj : , Jan 25 (IANS) Swami Avimukteshwaranand, a prominent saint, has kicked up a storm by stating that a saint cannot and should not be a chief minister as after taking the oath of secularism as a constitutional dignitary, he cannot remain 'religious'. In an apparent reference to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the seer said, "No man can abide by two pledges. A saint can be a 'mahant' but not a chief minister or prime minister. This is possible in the 'khilafat' system of Islam in which the religious head also happens to be the king." The seer, who is attending the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, also expressed concern over the alleged mismanagement in organising the annual event this year. "The Magh Mela has been greatly ignored this year. Some saints have gone to the extent of threatening fast and self-immolation too. If the leaders are busy in elections, can't the government officials properly manage the fair?" he asked. He also questioned the sudden rise of water level in the Ganga which has inconvenienced the saints and devotees. Swami Avimukteshwaranand asked, "Why is the water level not being controlled when the government has the mechanism to regulate the flow in rivers? Owing to the sudden rise in the water level, many people had to shift their tents." On the alleged interference of politics in religion, the seer accused all political parties of making transgression into religion. He said all parties have transgressed into politics and the trend is no longer limited to merely having ties with saints and seers but they are installing their men on key religious positions. He said political parties are seeking to occupy the religious positions with their votaries to advance their views. "Some people in the country want religious gurus to speak in their language and that is why the people propagating religion, following its 'old books', are irritating them and a policy to remove such people is at work. Commenting on the ongoing UP Assembly elections, the Swami said, "The people should elect the right man and right party so that they are not left repenting after the formation of the government. The people must not commit the same error in the elections ahead." New Delhi, Jan 25 : Knowing the importance of women voters for winning the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls for the second consecutive terms, the BJP is holding a 'Mahila chaupal' and 'kirtan' across the state. The saffron party believes that women voters will play a crucial and decisive role in next year's poll as they constitute nearly half (46 per cent) of the total electorate of state and their participation has increased over a period of time. In the last 2017 Assembly polls, over 60 per cent women cast their vote, more than the men. The BJP women wing is organising 'Mahila Chaupal' and 'Kirtan' at block and village levels in Uttar Pradesh along with other reach out programmes in which they interact with the beneficiaries of government schemes and appeal to vote for the party in Assembly polls. BJP Mahila Morcha national vice president Rekha Gupta told IANS that the party is reaching out to the women voters through 'Mahila Chaupal' and 'Kirtan'. "We are organising a series of programmes to reach out to women voters and 'Mahila Chaupal' and 'Kirtan' are two of them. In chaupal, all the attendees are beneficiaries of the government schemes. Similarly, we are reaching out to women through kirtan mandali (group). These programmes are done at village and block levels," Gupta said. According to Gupta, office-bearers of the mahila morcha interact with the beneficiaries following the Covid protocols and guidelines led by the Election Commission. "We tell them the people are with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for tremendous work he has done in the last five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We explain that no government has done so much work in this short span of five years. We appeal to them to elect the BJP government to take Uttar Pradesh to a new height of development under a double engine government," Gupta said. Women voters played an important role in the BJP victory in 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and ensured the return of the Modi government at the Centre in 2019. Knowing that they will also play an important and decisive role in this poll, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to win their support. 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. London, Jan 25 : The Dutch consumer watchdog has announced to penalise Apple 5 million euros (nearly $5.6 million) per week for failing to make necessary changes in its App Store policies regarding payment systems for dating app providers. Last week, Apple made updates to its app store policies in response to an earlier order by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) but the watchdog found it to be unsatisfactory. "This means that Apple now has to pay ACM the first penalty payment of 5 million euros," it said in a statement late on Monday. ACM informed Apple that if it fails to adhere to its order, it will have to pay each week a penalty payment of 5 million euros up to a maximum of 50 million euros. Stressing that Apple must adjust its conditions for access to the Dutch App Store for dating-app providers, the Dutch antitrust authority said that in the App Store, dating-app providers must also be able to use payment systems other than Apple's payment system. "In addition, dating-app providers must have the ability to refer to payment systems outside of the app," said the ACM. The first ACM order came in August 2021 and in December, the court ruled that this part of the order could be published. The Dutch watchdog said Apple has failed to satisfy the requirements on several points. "The most important one is that Apple has failed to adjust its conditions, as a result of which dating-app providers are still unable to use other payment systems. At the moment, dating-app providers can merely express their ainterest'," said the ACM. In addition, Apple has raised several barriers for dating-app providers to the use of third-party payment systems, it added. Apple last week said it will let dating app developers offer alternate payment options in the Netherlands, in compliance with a ruling by the Dutch regulator. The tech giant also decided to appeal against the ruling in a higher court. Apple has faced anti-trust investigations by the European Union and the US Federal Trade Commission over its app store policies. In India, the Competition Commission of India has ordered a thorough anti-trust investigation into Apple over its App Store business practises. Lucknow, Jan 25 : They are children of political leaders, who have served as quintessential backroom boys when their parents contested the elections. Now these backroom boys are yearning to take to the centre stage of UP politics by contesting elections and their parents are lobbying for their tickets. Neeraj Singh, the younger son of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, had managed the campaign of his father along with a dedicated team of workers in 2014 and 2019. Neeraj is now aspiring for a ticket for himself from Lucknow while his elder brother Pankaj is already seeking re-election from his Noida seat. Lobbying for Neeraj is being done very discreetly in Delhi. BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi has been very vocally lobbying for a ticket for her son Mayank Joshi, who had managed her campaign in the 2017 Assembly polls and then the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He gave up his job in the UK to help his mother in her political career. Rita Bahuguan Joshi is wanting the Lucknow Cantt seat that she won in 2017 for Mayank and has even offered to quit her Lok Sabha seat if the 'one family, one ticket' rule applies in the party. Aditya Yadav, son of Shivpal Singh Yadav, is another son who is aspiring for an electoral debut in these elections. Shivpal Singh Yadav is contesting his Jaswantnagar seat and Aditya is eyeing another seat. The normally reticent Aditya Yadav is slowly taking the centre stage in politics. Apart from managing his father's campaign, he is also meeting party workers from all over the state and addressing issues related to the party. SP sources said that Akhilesh Yadav is averse to fielding family members in these elections in order to demolish the nepotism charge and Aditya may finally not get a ticket. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal is also trying for a ticket for his son Abhishek Pal from Siddhartha Nagar district while BJP MP Kaushal Kishore is another father aspiring for a ticket for his sons, Vikas and Ayush, from rural constituencies of Lucknow. At least two Governors, Kalraj Mishra of Rajasthan and Phagu Chauhan of Bihar, are also trying for tickets for their sons. Kalraj Mishra wants his son Amit Mishra to contest from his home district Deoria and Phagu Chauhan wants a ticket for his son Ram Vilas Chauhan from Mau. BJP MP Satyadev Pachauri is seeking a ticket for his son Anup Pachauri from Govind Nagar seat in Kanpur while Speaker Hriday Narain Dixit wants to field his son Dilip Dixit from Purwa seat in Unnao district. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya is also said to be keen on a ticket for his son who has been active in politics since the past two years. Talking to IANS, a senior party leader said: "It is natural for parents to seek tickets for their children. Most of the leaders who are seeking tickets for their children, are past their prime and want their children to get established in politics. However, the party does not wish to become a dynastic destination like other parties and will think twice before giving tickets." New Delhi, Jan 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to an accident near Selsura in Maharashtra. The Prime Minister has also announced an ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims. In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister's Office tweeted, "Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident near Selsura in Maharashtra. In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured are able to recover soon: PM." In another tweet, the PMO said, "PM @narendramodi announced that Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the accident near Selsura. Those who are injured would be given Rs. 50,000." At least seven medical students, including the son of a BJP legislator, were killed in a major road accident on the highway in Wardha district of Maharashtra early on Tuesday. According to a police official, the accident took place when they were travelling in an SUV from Yavatmal to Wardha. At one stretch as the SUV sped on a bridge near Selsura, the driver lost control over the vehicle and it plunged into the river below. All the victims were students of the Sangavi Medical College. Ouagadougou, Jan 25 : Amid ongoing unrest and a coup in Burkina Faso, a tweet was sent out by President Roch Kabore's official account calling on the army to lay down arms and to safeguard democratic achievements. "Our nation is going through difficult times. At this precise moment, we must safeguard our democratic achievements. I invite those who have taken up arms to lay them down in the higher interests of the nation. It is through dialogue and listening that we must resolve our contradictions," read the tweet posted on Monday. Earlier on Monday, Burkina Faso's Army said that it had ousted President Kabore, suspended the Constitution, dissolved the government and the national assembly, and closed the country's borders. Kabore has been detained and taken to a military camp following the mutiny, a security source has confirmed. Also in the day, the ruling party of Burkina Faso, People's Movement for Progress (PMP) announced that the President survived a "failed assassination attempt". On Sunday, a nationwide curfew was imposed in Burkina Faso, following reports of gunfire in some barracks in the morning. Another statement, from the Minister of National Education, announced the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday. Gunshots were heard early Sunday morning in barracks in the capital Ouagadougou and other cities. The government confirmed the gunfire but had denied reports on social media about an army takeover. UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the coup and called on the military to "ensure the protection and the physical integrity" of Kabore. The African Union and regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States, have also condemned the forceful takeover of power, with the latter saying it holds the soldiers responsible for the deposed President's well-being. The coup camea week after 11 soldiers were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow Kabore. Burkina Faso is now the third West African country to witness a military takeover in recent years. Guinea and Mali have had sanctions imposed on them by Ecowas to press them to return to constitutional order. Lucknow, Jan 25 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday lashed out at the Samajwadi Party leaders and said that they were not 'Samajwadi' but 'tamanchawadi' and followed the gun culture. In a tweet, he slammed Akhilesh Yadav's 'Jinnah' comment and said: "Those who do not think Pakistan is an enemy, Jinnah seems to be a friend. What can be said about his education and vision? They call themselves socialists, but the truth is that 'gun culture' runs in their veins." Yogi Adityanath had earlier slammed the SP for naming Nahid Hasan as a party candidate for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. "Yahi unka samajik nyay hai (this is their social justice)," he had said. UP MLA Nahid Hasan was arrested by the police in Shamli in a case filed against him under the Gangster Act. He was then sent to jail. Yogi Adityanath also slammed the opposition , saying that the parties were good for only showing off when the election nears. Shimla, Jan 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted the people of Himachal Pradesh on its statehood day. "I wish that the state nestled in the lap of nature moves ahead continuously on the path of progress and also plays a significant role in the country's development," Modi tweeted. It was on this day in 1971 that Himachal Pradesh was conferred the status of a full state -- the 18th in the country. ULAN BATOR, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Mongolian government and Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto have settled a long-running dispute over underground expansion for the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project, allowing the mine's underground mining construction to commence, the Mongolian government's press office said Tuesday. "I believe that the commencement of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mining construction demonstrates to the world that Mongolia can understand and negotiate with investors, work together in a sustainable manner and be a trusted partner," Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene said during the commencement ceremony of the underground mining operations. Within the framework of the government's new revival policy for economic development, Mongolia is ready to work actively and mutually beneficially with global investors and partners, Oyun-Erdene added. The Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine deal between the Mongolian government and Rio Tinto was signed in 2009, with its financing arrangement revised in 2015. However, the underground expansion of the Oyu Tolgoi project had been hit by frequent disputes and delays over geotechnical difficulties, costs, the COVID-19 pandemic and others. The mine is Mongolia's biggest ever investment project, and is located in the country's South Gobi Desert. When the underground mine becomes fully operational in 2023, Mongolia will have the world's fifth-largest high-tech underground mine and become one of major players in the international copper market, the Mongolian government said, adding that mine's benefits to the country's economy and state budget are expected to be at least tripled. It is expected to produce 430,000 tons of copper and 425,000 ounces (about 12,050 kg) of gold annually for 20 years. The Mongolian government has a 34-percent stake in Oyu Tolgoi while the Rio Tinto-controlled Turquoise Hill Resources owns the remaining 66 percent. Beijing, Jan 25 : Lenovo has announced that it will launch its new gaming smartphone 'Legion Y90' soon and now a new report has claimed that the device may come with 22GB of total RAM, 18GB of which will be true physical RAM as well as 4GB virtual. According to reliable tipster Pandaisbald, the device may come with 640GB, made possible by actually combining two separate 512GB and 128GB sticks, reports GizmoChina. Lenovo Legion Y90 will feature a 6.92-inch E4 AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and 720Hz touch sampling rate. The panel supports HDR content, and the smartphone will come with a dual-engine air-cooled system for sustained performance, reports GSMArena. The smartphone is rumoured to come powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 flagship SoC that will be paired with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The phone is promoted to come with a "Double Engine Air Cooling". As the term implies, the machine will have built-in dual cooling fans. Lenovo Notebook product manager Lin Lin recently revealed that even after playing games at 122fps for 20 minutes, the phone managed to keep its cool. Hyderabad, Jan 25 : 'Uppena' fame Vaisshnav Tej is all set to appear as the hero in an upcoming movie titled 'Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga'. The makers of this upcoming movie released the first look teaser along with the title announcement earlier. The couple is seen in traditional attires in one of the posters released, as Ketika Sharma and Vaisshanv Tej play Radha and Rishi respectively. The first look teaser of 'Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga' has Vaisshnav Tej and actress Ketika Sharma, as it features a kiss scene between the duo. Helmed by Gireeshaaya of 'Aditya Varma' fame, the movie is billed to be a romantic entertainer with youthful elements. As for Vaisshnav Tej, he plays a doctor in 'Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga', while his role is described as a perky and entertaining one. "Get Ready for a Romantic Entertainer #PanjaVaisshnavTej & #Ketikasharma in a brand new love story #RangaRangaVaibhavanga", the director wrote on his Twitter, as he shared the first look teaser from 'Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga'. Produced by BVSN Prasad under Sri Venkateshwara Cine Chitra LLP banner, the movie has the music of sensational composer, Devi Sri Prasad. The shooting of 'Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga' is currently underway and the makers are yet to update on the other details. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 : With Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleague State Higher Education Minister R.Bindhu facing serious charges in Kerala Lokayukta, an Ordinance diluting its powers has been sent to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. Apparently, the amendment to the Ordinance was cleared by the Vijayan cabinet, last Wednesday, when he appeared online from his hospital bed in the US taking away all its powers and leaving it a mere recommendatory body. Terming the move the "biggest" hypocracy, former Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala told the media here on Tuesday that once the Left party was in favour of a Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption besides issues of the government and others holding public office. The Central Committee of the CPI-M for long has been batting for more powers in the Lokpal Bill. "After every Cabinet meeting, there comes a list of the decisions taken. Last Wednesday, list contained this important decision. This is how Vijayan works. He says one thing and does just the opposite," said Chennithala. In 2021 April, soon after the Assembly elections, the Kerala Lokayukta ruled the then State Higher Education Minister K.T.Jaleel had violated his oath of office and had appointed his relative following which Jaleel had to quit. "Vijayan has been accused of misutilising funds from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund and a petition is before the Lokayukta. So is my petition against Bindhu. They know that both these petitions have merit and are hence scared of an adverse remark. This is their new ploy to get away from it. We all wish that Khan does not give assent to this and moreover the Assembly session is just round the corner and the reason for this undue haste is clear," added Chennithala. Justice(rtd) Kemal Pasha said it has come to a situation where Vijayan acts like the erstwhile kingdom chief's where whatever they decide is law. "Strange things are happening under the 'king'. His appears to be the last word and tweaking the powers of the Lokayukta is an issue of concern. Under Covid things are being taken forward and the people also are quiet," said Pasha. So all eyes are on Khan and the way he approaches it. Hyderabad, Jan 25 : Actress Sai Pallavi, who appeared in the role of Maitreyi aka Rosie, a devadasi from Bangladesh, in Nani-starrer 'Shyam Singha Roy' pens an emotional note thanking her team. As the actress shares BTS pictures from 'Shyam Singha Roy' on her Instagram, the post becomes viral. Sharing a bunch of adorable pictures of the reincarnation story- 'Shyam Singha Roy', Sai Pallavi penned a note of thanks. "Dear team, I'm not just thankful for the success of the film, but also for getting to watch you cinephiles (wish I could find a term more intense) in action. Thank you for the memories," she captioned the photos. Sai Pallavi's pictures from the movie have now become viral, as her adorable poses have attracted the attention of her fans and followers on Instagram. Some of those pictures, Sai Pallavi credits to Neeraja Kona, her costume designer, who clicked those special pictures for her. The 'Premam' actress also indicates that the movie 'Shyam Singha Roy' has clocked one month since the release in theaters. Both the actors, Nani and Sai Pallavi have been receiving heaps of praise for their roles in the film.Nani, on the other hand, played the titular role as a revolutionary writer based in West Bengal. Now streaming on Netflix, 'Shyam Singha Roy' continues to garner much praise for the whole team. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the movie was released earlier during Christmas. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seoul, Jan 25 : North Korea seems to have test-fired at least two cruise missiles from an inland area, in what would be Pyongyang's fifth known round of missile launches this year, a South Korean official said on Tuesday. "We still need to conduct a detailed analysis (on the launches)," Yonhap News Agency quoted the military official as saying to reporters. "But I want to say that should such a missile be launched southward, our detection and interception systems have no problem countering it." The official did not offer details, including origins and targets. The North conducted the last known test of a cruise missile in September last year. At the time, it claimed to have fired a "new-type long-range cruise missile", calling it a "strategic weapon of great significance". A cruise missile test does not run afoul of UN Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology. The North fired what it called two tactical guided missiles on January 17, just three days after its purported test-firing of two other missiles by its railway-borne unit. It also shot what it claimed to be hypersonic missiles on January 5 and 11. Pyongyang on January 20 threatened to lift its yearslong self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests. New Delhi, Jan 25 : The pandemic has resent equations everywhere, moving digital learning ahead by years and has seen Oxford University Press, one of the prime players in the educational publishing space, strengthening a key learning solution that today caters to more than 150,000 students and over 7,000 satisfied teachers through its comprehensive suite of aids. "The Covid-19 pandemic reset all equations everywhere, including in educational publishing. It has moved digital learning in education ahead by years. As a direct result, there has been a sharp increase in the adoption of our digital resources, which has helped us to continue supporting the teaching and learning needs of teachers and learners, as well as improving access to knowledge for researchers," OUP-India Managing Director Sumanta Datta told IANS in an interview. The company has focused its efforts on strengthening its "blended learning products and in trying to help as many teachers, educators, parents, and students as possible to adapt to the 'new normal'. Our steadfast effort has been to ensure that teaching and learning are not hampered, even though we may have sold fewer books", he said. "We invested in strengthening Oxford Advantage, which is our integrated learning solution that provides schools with a comprehensive suite of educational materials and services. It today caters to more than 150,000 students and has over 7,000 satisfied teachers," Datta added. The company has also trained teachers extensively to help them cope with the newer tools and modes of teaching. "In the last one year alone, OUP in India has conducted over 1,100 such trainings and workshops and helped more than 100,000 teachers to navigate the transition to online teaching with a sharp focus on pedagogy and methodology. We conducted several pan-India surveys with teachers across the country to understand how they felt about this transformational phase. The insights we gathered will now inform all our product designs moving forward," Datta explained. With a fresh surge of Covid cases and the resumption of full in-class academics seemingly in doubt for the next few weeks, if not months, how does he see the year 2022 panning out? "Over the last two years, there have been many learnings for us all in the publishing world. We are now better prepared to steer through tough times. Teaching and learning will always be fundamental needs of the world, and no matter what form or shape they take, OUP will always deliver to that," Datta maintained. The publishing industry started significant recovery in 2021 from the immediate effects of the pandemic, "and we believe that recovery will continue in a graded manner into 2022 as well. India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has emphasised the need to review the existing curriculums and focus on new-age blended learning tools and solutions, which we believe is the future of education", he said. To this end, the company has reviewed and aligned most of its existing titles to the NEP framework and now has 142 new titles that align with NEP 2020. "We are also preparing to make further amendments to our titles once the revised National Curriculum Framework is released. At OUP India, we will continue to channel our efforts in strengthening our blended learning products and introduce new ones," Datta asserted. This year, the company is also preparing to relaunch its holistic, standardised assessment, Oxford STAR, that empowers educators and students by diagnosing scholastic and behavioural learning needs of the students "as they deal with the transition of returning to the schools. In our higher education vertical, we expect our titles for emerging technologies and professional skills to be in the spotlight", he added. Speaking of some of the titles that OUP has planned to publish in 2022, Datta said: "Continuing to refresh most of our titles in alignment with the NEP 2020, we have already revised some of our flagship titles, and are now preparing to publish many more in 2022. Some of them include those for exam preparations, such as Civil and State Services Examinations, UGC-NET, NRA-CET, etc., the fourth edition of the Oxford Student Atlas for India, revised editions of bestseller titles for Python Programming and Technical Communication". The company, he said, regularly updates its lexical content (Oxford Dictionaries) based on evidence from one of the world's largest language research programmes, "which helps us to create and curate quality content for non-native speakers of the English language or learners with English as their second language". "Several world-leading academic institutions, enterprising start-ups, and technology giants such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft, have embedded our lexical content at the cutting-edge of language research and global communications to power programmes and products that are equipping communities around the world with authoritative, evidence-based content of the highest quality," Datta added. OUP India publishes dictionaries in 12 India languages - Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and Hindi. "Over the last few years, these dictionaries have helped millions of language learners to hone their English language skills, and in the process improved their employability. OUP is at the forefront of supporting initiatives taken by various state governments to introduce English-medium education in government schools, under learning initiatives and schemes run by the Education and Social welfare departments," Datta pointed out. "Since 2019, OUP has collaborated with the Telangana government for the Compact English-English Telugu Dictionary customised to suit the modern-day needs of the learners. Our most recent collaboration is with the Government of Andhra Pradesh where OUP once again customised the Compact English-English Telugu Dictionary for students of Classes VI-X, enrolled in government schools across the state," Datta concluded. (Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in) Seoul, Jan 25 : A revised law on foreign residents in South Korea took effect on Tuesday, granting Afghan evacuees administrative and financial support on par with recognised refugees, the Justice Ministry said. A total of 390 Afghans, mostly local helpers for South Korea and their families, arrived here in August 2021 after their country was seized by the Taliban, reports Yonhap news Agency. They were designated as "persons of special merit" and provided with long-term residency and chances to get a job under a revised immigration act. In a follow-up measure, the Ministry amended the framework act on foreign residents to provide them with government support roughly equivalent to that for refugees. Under the revision, they will be granted the same level of social security benefits as citizens. Minors will receive school education, language programs and vocational training. Unlike refugees, the special contributors will also get financial support for initial settlement, whose amount will be determined through consultations with related ministries, the Ministry added. New York, Jan 25 : More than 616 million students remain affected by full or partial school closures, a Unicef report on Tuesday said marking the International Day of Education. Even as the Covid-19 pandemic nears its two-year mark, in the report Unicef shares the latest available data on the impact of the pandemic on children's learning. "In March, we will mark two years of Covid-19-related disruptions to global education. Quite simply, we are looking at a nearly insurmountable scale of loss to children's schooling," said Robert Jenkins, Unicef Chief of Education, in a statement. Children have lost basic numeracy and literacy skills. In low- and middle-income countries, learning losses to school closures have left up to 70 per cent of 10-year-olds unable to read or understand a simple text, up from 53 per cent pre-pandemic, the report said. In Ethiopia, primary school children are estimated to have learned between 30 to 40 per cent of the math they would have learned if it had been a normal school year. In several Brazilian states, around three in four children in grade 2 are off-track in reading, up from 1 in 2 children pre-pandemic. In South Africa, schoolchildren are between 75 per cent and a full school year behind where they should be. In India, 80 per cent of adolescents between 14-18 years, reported learning less due to extended closure of schools. Learning losses have been observed even in developed countries like the UK, US and Australia. In addition, school closures have also impacted children's mental health, reduced their access to a regular source of nutrition, and increased their risk of abuse. A growing body of evidence shows that Covid-19 has caused high rates of anxiety and depression among children and young people, with some studies finding that girls, adolescents and those living in rural areas are most likely to experience these problems. Further, more than 370 million children globally missed out on school meals during school closures, losing what is for some children the only reliable source of food and daily nutrition, the report said. While the disruptions to learning must end, just reopening schools may not enough, Jenkins said. "Students need intensive support to recover lost education. Schools must also go beyond places of learning to rebuild children's mental and physical health, social development and nutrition," he added. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Beirut, Jan 25 : Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on members of his Future Movement party to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. "We will continue to serve our people, but our decision is to suspend any role in power, politics and parliament," said Hariri in a live televised address. Hariri, a leading Lebanese Sunni politician, said he succeeded in preventing a new civil war in Lebanon but was not able to provide the people with a better life he had promised, reports Xinhua news agency. There will be little positive prospect for Lebanon in the light of Iranian influence, sectarianism, and the collapse of the state, he added. Bengaluru, Jan 25 : The Karnataka unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has asked Muslim students and parents not to participate in "Surya Namaskar" on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day as the ritual is against Islam. Dr. Muhammad Saad Belgami, JIH President told IANS on Tuesday that, "Surya Namaskaar" is against Islam. We don't prostrate before our prophet and we believe in oneness of the God. "Surya Namaskar" is not allowed for Muslim students," he said. "We also strongly advice Muslim parents and children not to participate in this idolatrous practice. This should also be an occasion to make children understand the concept of oneness of God and its demands. We urge the management of schools and institutions to respect this diversity and freedom of choice," he explained. The central government has issued instructions on the 75th Republic Day celebrations that special programmes to perform "Surya Namaskar" with musical instruments should be held across the country. The plan is to achieve a target of 75 crore "Surya Namaskar" across 30 states, 30,000 institutes by involving three lakh students. "We wish to say that "Surya Namaskar" is devotional Yoga practice involving prostration to the Sun and chanting of hymns. Islam strongly prohibits any act of worship or devotion to any of the creation," he said. "Islam strictly recommends that is permissible only to the creator of the entire universe - Allah. Muslims are not allowed to prostrate even to the beloved personality of Prophet Muhammad. We have been asked not to perform Namaz, including prostration at the exact time of dawn or dusk to avoid any doubt of resemblance to sun worship," he explained. Hence it will be an infringement on the fundamental and constitutional right of Muslim children to expect or ask them to participate in this respect. The government should not enforce religious practices of one community on others since it is a violation of the secular principles and against the spirit of equality, justice and liberty, he said. The hijab row in Udupi College has resulted in resentment and a standoff between the Muslim girls and the management. The girls continued to be excluded from the classes till date. The right choice of dress, practice of one's religious belief is a fundamental and constitutionally guaranteed right which cannot be denied to any individual, he said. Hijab has never been an obstacle to identity and progress. To deny the same to the girl students at Udupi and as a result deny them dignity and right to education is highly deplorable. The issue should not be politicised and the matter should not lead to polarisation and hatred between the communities, he demanded. LONDON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- All testing measures for eligible fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Britain will be scrapped from next month, as the government goes one step further to reopen the travel sector. From 4 am (0400 GMT) on Feb. 11, all testing requirements will be removed for eligible fully vaccinated arrivals, with only a Passenger Locator Form now required, according to a statement released Monday by the British government. Arrivals not recognized as fully vaccinated will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the country. "This final step in our stable and safe full return to international travel is a major boost for UK tourism, setting Britain free ahead of the crucial half term and spring holiday season," British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in the statement. The country is also set to recognize vaccine certificates from 16 more countries, including China and Mexico, bringing the recognition total to more than 180 countries and territories worldwide, according to the statement. Official figures on Monday showed Britain added 88,447 COVID-19 cases in the latest 24 hours, bringing the total caseload to 15,953,685, and a further 56 deaths, taking the national death toll to 153,916. More than 90 percent of people aged 12 and above in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine, more than 83 percent have received both shots, and more than 64 percent have received booster jabs. Chennai, Jan 25 : An indication on reduction in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate on health insurance, giving infrastructure status to healthcare facilities, hiking tax deduction for insurance premium are some the budget wishes listed out by the insurance sector. Senior industry officials also urged the government to take steps to increase the insurance penetration in the country. Even though the GST rates does not form part of the union budget, insurers want an indication towards slashing of the rates on insurance premium in the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech. "Health insurance is an essential commodity and needs to be slotted in the five per cent GST tax slab to make it more affordable to access quality healthcare," said Anup Rau, MD & CEO, Future Generali India Insurance A significant reduction in the GST on all personal lines of products-from the existing 18 per cent to five per cent will encourage more people to buy health insurance. For senior citizens, it should be exempted. According to Rau, increasing the tax deduction limit in Section 80D of the Income Tax Act - from Rs 25,000 to Rs 150,000 - can further help in penetration of health insurance. "The rising medical costs and the increase in the incidence of critical illnesses make it an unmanageable expense for middle-income and lower-income groups. So, a higher tax deduction limit for health insurance plans is the need," he argued. Given the under-penetration of insurance in India and the need to bring a wider gamut of population under the safety net, small ticket size insurance products like micro-insurance, sachet products, etc. can be exempted from GST, Rau added. The services by the healthcare providers don't fall under the GST radar while at the same time buyer of the health insurance product pays the same given a large portion of the coverage is directed towards the cost of hospital bills, remarked Yogesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, Onsurity, an insurance-health tech startup. "In the upcoming union budget, we request the Government to intensify steps towards increasing insurance penetration in the country, since even today a large part of the population in the country still remains underinsured or uninsured," Roopam Asthana, CEO & Whole-Time Director, Liberty General Insurance said. Citing the 2020-21 annual report of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) Asthana said, the insurance penetration in India stands at 4.2 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) as against a global average of 7.4 per cent. Asthana said as of March, 2021 the non-life insurance penetration in India stood at barely one per cent and urged the government to slash the GST from 18 per cent. "Further even though GST is not covered under budget, however policy makers' should also look towards exempting or lowering GST rates on life insurance products and these should ideally be classified under essential product category," Tarun Rustagi, Chief Financial Officer, Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance said. According to Rustagi, life insurance premium should be given a separate deduction limit of Rs 100,000 under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Also, pension products should be given parity with NPS in tax incentives. Further, for annuity products, deduction for principal component should be allowed and only the interest accretion should be taxed similar to fixed deposits. Suitable changes should also be made under section 10(10D) to allow exemptions for all Life Insurance products where life insurance coverage is present which may be on the basis of policy term and sum assured ratio. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that all 'Panna Pramukhs' (head of each page of voter list) of the BJP should make an effort to know each and every member (voter) present in their panna (page). Modi interacted with 'Page Samiti' (Page Committee) members from Gujarat and party workers from across the country via NaMo App. "Pehle Desh, Phir Dal (nation first then party), this has always been the mantra of BJP for all our Karyakartas (workers). All Panna Pramukhs from the state should make an effort to know each and every member present in their panna and treat them as their family whether there is an election or not," Modi said. Congratulating the people of India on National Voters' Day, Prime Minister Modi said, "Today is the National Voters' Day. I especially congratulate the millennials on this day. India's Election Commission is a benchmark for the entire world today. Our efforts must be to encourage people to vote." While interacting with BJP workers, Prime Minister Modi asked them, "Can we take a pledge that in this 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', we ensure at least 75 per cent voting, in every booth?" He discussed a barrage of topics with the BJP workers that includes vaccination coverage, technology related issues, Solar power projects and development of Kutch. Interacting with Shailesh Panchal from Vadodara district, Prime Minister said that he was aware that BJP karyakartas were helpful during corona times. He also asked him about the use of technology. Replying to this, Panchal said, "We are active on social media and we have made different whatsApp and messaging groups for different areas to fulfil their particular needs. "The Prime Minister urged all 'Panna Pramukhs' to sit together and listen to 'Mann Ki Baat'. He also asked one of the workers to get the photo clicked of all Panna Pramukhs listening to 'Mann Ki Baat' and share it with him on social media. The Prime Minister has requested Panna Pramukhs for micro donation, to donate small amounts of money to the party fund. "The 'Kamal Pushp' is an innovative campaign on the NaMo App. I urge the Panna Pramukhs to collect inspiring stories of the Karyakartas who have served the society," he said. The Prime Minister also stressed on the need to reduce malnutrition and steps to be taken to eradicate this and other related problems. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Hyderabad, Jan 25 : A travel agency owner from Mumbai and eight others have been arrested here for human trafficking in the guise of marriage, police said. The man from Mumbai was allegedly trying to buy a minor girl from her family for Rs 3 lakh. Syed Althaf Ali and eight other accused, including the 14-year-old's mother and grandmother have been arrested by police. According to police, the girl's mother Ashira Begum and grandmother Chand Sultana through other accused had struck a deal to sell her to 61-year-old Althaf Ali. Seven out of the nine accused are women. The arrests were made by Balapur police on Sunday night under the limits of Rachakonda Police Commissionerate after they were tipped off by locals. According to police, Althaf Ali had divorced his wife about six years ago and had been looking for someone to take care of him. He found the 14-year-old through autorickshaw driver Akeel Ahmed (34) from Balapur who was introduced to him by common friends. Ahmed along with Zareena Begum, Shabana Begum, Shameen Sulthana, Nasreen Begum, Zahaid Bee, all from Balapur and Bandlaguda areas in Rangareddy district had initially offered Rs 5 lakh to the girl's mother and grandmother to send her with Ali. However, the deal could not be struck Althaf as Ali refused to pay more than Rs 3 lakh. However, the girl's mother and grandmother recently agreed to strike the deal for Rs 3 lakh as the family had financial problems after the girl's uncle met with an accident. Alerted by the locals, Balapur sub-inspector B. Srikanth along with SHE team conducted a raid at a house in Balapur and arrested the accused when the deal was being struck. The accused were booked under IPC sections 370, 370 (A) r/w 511, Section17 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Section 3 and 5 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention Act). All the accused were remanded to judicial custody. New Delhi, Jan 25: At a time when more and more countries are announcing the lifting of Covid 19 restrictions, China's approach of adhering to zero-tolerance has surprised a large section of its citizens, many of whom were gearing up for the Chinese New Year which starts on February 1. On January 23, the country reported less than 100 new cases though the figure was 140 in Hong Kong. Travel restrictions including mandatory quarantines are already in place in many cities though Beijing lifted a month-long lockdown in Xi'ian, home to 13 million people. Typically spends expand significantly during this time of the year. Many are not able to visit their families for the celebrations which is denting consumption and overall sentiment. According to data collation portal Statista, revenue of retail sales in China during the Lunar New Year celebrations stood at 821 billion yuan which is about $160 million. Besides, in 2021, the tourism industry generated over 300 billion yuan during the Chinese New Year travel season in the country. Though the figures are lower than the pre-pandemic phase, "these were substantial," said an analyst. Naturally, this time, once again businesses, especially the smaller ones, are also feeling the heat. "It is obvious that with these restrictions and prevailing confusion, people will spend less this year," the analyst said. "In line with China's zero-tolerance policy towards Covid-19, local governments have doubled down on travel restrictions, fearing that the annual holiday mass migration might contribute to the coronavirus' spread," South China Morning Post in a report said. The frequent changes in travel rules and different cities having their own Covid norms have left citizens confused. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the stringent restrictions at this stage could be damaging for China. "China is still using a zero-Covid policy. But what Covid is teaching all of us is that a highly transmissible variant may be much more difficult to contain without a dramatic impact on the economy," IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said at the World Economic Forum. She added that Beijing should reassess its policy especially since the Omicron variant is less severe than the previous ones. Besides, the Covid 19 related restrictions and lockdowns in several parts of China have also given rise to fear of disruption in the global supply chain network. Many economists and policymakers have predicted that the Chinese economy could take longer to recover with these restrictions. As China gradually resets its economic policies and focuses more on boosting domestic consumption, the zero Covid approach is turning out to be a big handicap. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Damascus, Jan 25 : As many as 3,500 families have so far fled their homes in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah amid US airstrikes and clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Islamic State (IS) terror group. The airstrikes and the clashes have been escalating following the jailbreak of IS inmates from a Kurdish-controlled prison in the Gweiran neighbourhood in Hasakah on January 20, Xinhua news agency. Following the prison break, the SDF engaged in fierce battles with IS militants inside and outside the prison while the US-led warplanes kept on targeting residential areas where the fugitives could have reached. Earlier on Monday, the warplanes struck a university campus in Hasakah and destroyed the university's parking lot, as part of their manhunt for the escaped inmates. Such a situation has pushed thousands of families to flee their homes close to the clashes sites in Kurdish-controlled areas. Local media reports have said the displaced families reached the government-controlled areas in Hasakah and settled in temporary displacement shelters, as the Syrian army opened safe corridors to secure the fleeing families. Director of Social Affairs Ibrahim Khalaf said in a statement that due to the increase in the number of displaced families, two new temporary shelters were opened, bringing the number of centres to five in the city. Khalaf pointed out that the work is underway to equip the sixth centre in light of the continued influx of people from the southern neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry on Monday held an urgent meeting of representatives from the international organisations operating in Syria to address the crisis in Hasakah. Hasakah province is largely controlled by the US-backed SDF, while some certain areas, particularly in the city of Qamishli, are still under the control of the Syrian government. New Delhi, Jan 25 : A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendant has escaped from a hotel in Toronto, Canada, Samaa TV reported. Waqar Ahmed Jadoon was an attendant on flight PK-781 from Islamabad to Toronto, according to PIA officials. But he was not part of the crew when the plane was returning to Pakistan on Sunday. A missing person complaint has been filed with the Toronto police and disciplinary action has been initiated against him, the report said. Jadoon was in contact with other crew members till January 22, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez said. The attendant was, however, not in his room before the take-off. Hafeez added that all crew members submit their passports to the management upon arrival in a foreign country and Jadoon's passport is also with the airline. To prevent such cases, Hafeez said, the crew members sign an indemnity bond and one of their relatives submits an undertaking that they will not escape, the report said. However, this is not the first time a PIA flight attendant has gone missing in Canada. In the past five years, nine such cases have been reported. "One reason why these incidents happen in Canada is that it is the only country which grants asylum post-arrival," said Hafeez. He added that this also appears to be a case of asylum. Chennai, Jan 25 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene for a transparent disposal of 125 fishing boats apprehended by Sri Lanka. In a letter to Modi on Monday, text of which was released to the media, Stalin strongly urged that the Indian government should prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to recall the advertisement published by its Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Government of Sri Lanka for auctioning the Tamil Nadu fishing boats on which they do not have any legal rights. "In this context, I also request the Government of India to continue the efforts for the transparent disposal of 125 Tamil Nadu boats that were apprehended before 2018. It is also requested to ensure the early release of 75 boats and fishing gears apprehended after 2018 by the Sri Lankan Navy," Stalin said. Expressing his deep sense of disappointment at the auctioning process by the Lankan government, Stalin said the unfortunate development has come at a time when the Indo-Sri Lankan Joint Working Group on Fisheries is due to meet again shortly. The Lankan action has created alarm and distrust among the Tamil Nadu fishermen, who have come forward with an accommodative frame of mind to find an amicable solution for this long pending issue, Stalin remarked. According to Stalin, the Ministry of External Affairs, had requested the state government, through the High Commission of India to send a technical team to finalise the process and modalities for disposal of 125 unsalvageable Tamil Nadu fishing boats berthed in various harbours of Sri Lanka. "Accordingly, the Government of Tamil Nadu had also issued orders for deputing officials and stakeholders from Tamil Nadu to inspect and oversee the disposal of fishing boats and to transfer the sale proceeds to the owners of these boats back in India. The schedule of the visit of officials to Sri Lanka for the above purpose was also communicated to the Ministry of External Affairs," Stalin said. The tearing hurry to conduct an auction without consultation is bound to derail the efforts of the Indian High Commission and the Government of Tamil Nadu aimed at providing some succour to the poor fishermen who have lost their means of livelihood, he said. "It is pertinent to note that these unsalvageable fishing boats were released by various Sri Lankan Courts following due judicial procedure," Stalin pointed out to Modi. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Los Angeles, Jan 25 : Actor Jason Bateman has combined the roles on 'Ozark' and he's explained the appeal of acting and directing the Netflix crime drama series. The 53-year-old star, who plays the part of Martin 'Marty' Byrde on 'Ozark', said: "It's more efficient for me to be playing a character in something, because that's one less person I need to direct. "I don't have to have any sort of creative negotiation with that actor. Especially when I'm the lead character, I can just adjust my own performance to motivate a different performance out of the other actor." "I can get them to speed up or slow down or trick them by being more emotional." Despite this, Bateman doesn't consider himself to be a control freak, reports femalefirst.co.uk. He told the Guardian newspaper: "I had a very fortunate first experience. My first big job, 'Little House on the Prairie', had Michael Landon as the director, actor, producer - and sometimes writer. "There's this theory that you need to scream at people to get them to work their hardest. I saw by example there that the opposite is true." Meanwhile, Bateman previously said to being inspired by the UK version of 'The Office'. The Hollywood star watched the hit comedy series before shooting 'Arrested Development', which also featured the likes of Will Arnett and Portia de Rossi. Asked whether his English mother exposed him to British comedy, Bateman replied: "Absolutely. That dry, sarcastic sense of humour makes me laugh the most. My favourite is 'The Office'." "That was something that Will Arnett and I watched a lot while we were filming Arrested Development. I guess we were hoping that something would rub off." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text London, Jan 25 : The Omicron variant of Covid is highly contagious but is known to cause less severe disease than Delta. This is after being better at escaping immune protection by vaccinations and previous infections. However, the reasons for this have so far remained elusive. Now, a new study has shown that Omicron variant viruses are particularly sensitive to inhibition by the so-called interferon response, an unspecific immune response that is present in all body cells. The study, led by researchers from the University of Kent and the Goethe-University Frankfurt, provides the first explanation of why Covid-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant are less likely to experience severe disease. "This is due to Omicron, in contrast to Delta, does not effectively inhibit the host cell interferon immune response," said Prof Martin Michaelis, School of Bioscience, University of Kent. The Omicron variant, first detected in late November, has swiftly spread to 171 countries so far. It has also outrun Delta variant to become the dominant strain in many countries. However, studies have shown it to cause only mild disease with less risk of hospitalisation and death. The cell culture study also showed that Omicron viruses remain sensitive to eight of the most important antiviral drugs and drug candidates for the treatment of Covid-19. This included EIDD-1931 (active metabolite of molnupiravir), ribavirin, remdesivir, favipravir, PF-07321332 (nirmatrelvir, active ingredient of paxlovid), nafamostat, camostat, and aprotinin. "Although cell culture experiments do not exactly reflect the more complex situation in a patient, our data provide encouraging evidence that the available antiviral Covid-19 drugs are also effective against Omicron," said Prof. Jindrich Cinatl, Institute of Medical Virology at the Goethe-University. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Tashkent, Jan 25 : Uzbekistan on Tuesday decided to cancel the mandatory Covid-19 rapid test for all visitors upon arrival, according to the Health Ministry. "If visitors have a negative result of the PCR test for coronavirus infection taken within 48 hours, no express test is needed," said the country's special commission on Covid-19. Earlier this month, Uzbekistan was tightening pandemic restrictions as the first case of the Omicron variant was confirmed in the country, Xinhua news agency. Starting from January 15, all visitors to Uzbekistan were required to pass a rapid test at airports, train stations and border checkpoints in spite of their PCR test results. Uzbekistan has so far registered 216,186 Covid-19 cases and 1,545 deaths. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) COPENHAGEN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the interim government of Afghanistan and a group of Afghans from various sectors of society called on all Afghans to work together for better outcomes in the war-torn country, according to a joint statement released on Tuesday after a meeting in Oslo of Norway. "The participants of the meeting recognized that understanding and joint cooperation are the only solutions to all the problems of Afghanistan," said the statement on the official website of the Norwegian government. All the participants, according to the statement, with one voice, declared such meetings to be in the interest of the country. "The participants affirmed that Afghanistan is the common home of all Afghans, and emphasized that all Afghans need to work together for better political, economic and security outcomes in the country," it added. The meeting, taking place on Jan. 23, was hosted by Norway. Norway has invited representatives of the Taliban to Oslo on Jan. 23-25 for meetings with the Norwegian authorities and representatives of the international community, as well as with other Afghans from a range of fields within civil society. The Norwegian foreign ministry said that one of the key principles underpinning Norway's peace and reconciliation efforts is the willingness to talk to all parties. Norway has been in dialogue with the Taliban for many years. "These meetings do not represent a legitimization or recognition of the Taliban. But we must talk to the de facto authorities in the country. We cannot allow the political situation to lead to an even worse humanitarian disaster," said the ministry in a statement before the meetings. Meanwhile, the Taliban delegation hailed the Oslo meeting as "a major breakthrough." "We have had very fruitful conversations in Norway ... We have not negotiated, but have had interesting exchanges of views on the situation in Afghanistan," Norwegian national broadcaster NRK quoted an anonymous representative of the delegation as saying on Monday. "The fact that Norway arranged for us to come here and share the stage with the international community is a major breakthrough," he added. Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) described international sanctions imposed on Afghanistan since the Taliban took power as "devastating." "The sanctions are holding us back. We cannot save lives without lifting the sanctions. They are harming the same people that NATO spent billions of dollars on defending until August," Egeland told Norwegian news agency NTB on Tuesday. Hastinapur : , Jan 25 (IANS) The "Hastinapur" factor in Uttar Pradesh elections has existed for decades but it is now more pronounced than ever and this has made the electoral battles here even more intense. Hastinapur, a reserved seat, first became a talked about constituency when the Congress fielded model and actor Archana Gautam and faced flak when Gautam's bikini clad photographs went viral on the social media. As the controversy died its natural death, other aspects of Hastinapur started emerging. "The party that wins the Hastinapur seat, gets to form the government. This has happened for decades but no one talks about it," said Prakhar Gupta, a local businessman, and adds, "You can see the history of this seat since 1957 to 2017." He also adds that the people of Hastinapur are bound by Draupadi's curse which led to the downfall of the ruling Kauravs. "Any party that rules, faces a downfall from Hastinapur," he explains. In 2007, Yogesh Varma of BSP had won and Mayawati formed the government. In 2012, Prabhu Dayal Valmiki of Samajwadi Party won the seat and Samajwadi Party formed the government and in 2017, Dinesh Khatik of BJP won and Yogi Adityanath government was formed. Prior to this too, the trend has remained unchanged. It is this factor that has made the seat being fiercely contested. The BJP has fielded its sitting MLA Dinesh Khatik but another BJP leader Gopal Kali is opposing his candidature. The party unit in this Assembly segment is divided between the two leaders. The Samajwadi Party has fielded Yogesh Varma who is the RLD-SP joint candidate on this seat. Varma's wife Sunita Verma is the Mayor of Meerut and this tilts the balance in his favour. "The people of Hastinapur are constantly yearning for a change. Since the constituency has not seen any major development in the past decades and remains unattended, the voters keep changing parties and candidates in the hope of a better future. This trend has consolidated and now turned into a belief that whoever wins Hastinapur, forms government in Lucknow," said Rakesh Mani, a veteran journalist. Amaravati, Jan 25 : The stand-off between Andhra Pradesh government and employees over pay revision continued on Tuesday as the latter turned down another invitation for talks and intensified their protest. The employees' unions rejected the fresh offer of talks by a five-member committee constituted by the government to hold talks to resolve the contentious issue. A day after PRC Sadhana Samithi, an umbrella group of employees' unions, served strike notice, the government extended a fresh invitation for talks. However, employees' unions ruled out any talks till the government rolls back the Government Order (GO) for implementation of pay revision. The apex body of agitating employees made its stand clear after a meeting called to discuss the fresh invitation for talks by principal secretary, general administration, Shashibhushan Kumar. The official had invited the leaders of employees' unions to come to the state secretariat for talks with the committee at 12 noon. Leaders of the employees' unions decided to write a letter to the government panel to repeal the GO. They also reiterated the demand that the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) report be made public. Meanwhile, the employees' unions have intensified their protest to demand repeal of the GO. They have already decided to go on strike from February 7 to press for their demands. A day after serving the notice, the unions organised dharnas and took out rallies across the state. Protesting the government's stand, they staged a sit-in at the offices of district collectors. Demanding that GO with regard to the pay revision be rolled back, the employees took out two-wheeler rallies at few places. The protesting employees took out a rally in Vijayawada. Some participants were half-naked to lodge their protest. The unions conveyed to the government on Monday that all the employees will go on strike from midnight of February 6. The leaders alleged that the GO was issued without taking the views of the employees. They said the implementation of GO will result in loss to the employees, teachers and pensioners. The government on Monday constituted a committee to hold talks with the employees. The committee comprises ministers Botsa Satyanarayana, Perni Nani, Buggana Rajendra Prasad and government advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. Chief Secretary Samir Sharma will be the member convenor. However, leaders of employees' unions made it clear that they have two pre-conditions for talks - they should be given a report of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and salary for the current month be paid as per previous pay scales. The employees say that there will be downward revision in their salaries under the new pay scale implemented as per the GO issued recently. They have been protesting for more than a week to demand the government to withdraw the GO. PRC Sadhana Samithi leaders claim that 13 lakh employees and pensioners will go on strike. Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced 23 per cent pay revision earlier this month. A GO issued to implement the same sparked protest by employees who alleged that revised pay scales would result in reduction of their present salaries. The employees' unions are demanding that the government pay their salaries as per 27 per cent interim relief which was announced pending implementation of the new PRC report. However, the government maintains that there will not be downward revision of salaries. It claimed that with the payment of DA arrears since 2019, the gross salary will go up. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Homegrown technology OEM (original equipment manufacturing) brand Smartron on Tuesday said it has secured $200 million from Global Emerging Markets (GEM) investment group, that will help support the company's future growth and potential public listing plans. Under the agreement, GEM will provide a share subscription facility of up to $200 million, to be drawn at the option of the company. Hyderabad-based Smartron was founded with a vision to offer AIOT and EV brands powered by tronX, its own AIOT platform, and a wide range of devices. "Over the next 3-5 years, Smartron will be focused on driving growth by targeting primarily smart Home, Smart Infra, EV, and Energy verticals powered by tronX platform, manufactured by tworks, and cared by tlife," said Mahesh Lingareddy, founder and chairman, Smartron Group. A former Intel veteran, Lingareddy co-founded chip design company Soft Machines in the US in 2006, and reportedly sold it to Intel for $300 million. The tronX platform from Smartron is being offered as a B2B service to companies that are targeting various AIoT applications. Smartron said it is positioned to benefit from huge opportunities across the India-US corridor thanks to the ongoing global supply chain challenges and (re)alignments. Over the last five years, Smartron has developed a big HW portfolio from smartphones to laptops to wearables to smart home hub to smart things to ebikes to battery packs to IoT modules, all powered by tronX, its own AIOT SW platform built on deep technologies such as 5G, AI/ML, IoT, Robotics and Web3. New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a plea seeking an interim relief to allow the continuation of FCRA licenses of nearly 6,000 NGOs, which were only valid till September end last year. The Centre's counsel wondered why a Houston-based association is interested in this matter. Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing the US-based NGO Global Peace Initiative, submitted that there are thousands of NGOs, which are doing good work for the society. Global Peace Initiative, an organisation incorporated in the US, has an office in India and Dr. K.A. Paul, represents the organisation here. A bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre whether he has got instructions in the matter? Mehta pointed at the time limit for the renewal, and added that nearly 11,000 NGOs applied for Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licenses renewal within the cut-off date and it has been extended. He said the government is well aware of the situation and wondered what is the purpose of this PIL. Mehta said: "Why a Houston-based person is so interested in Chhattisgarh. We are here for them..." Hedge added that nearly 6,000 NGOs have not applied. The bench, also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and C.T. Rajkumar said: "If those 6,000 NGOs have not applied under the present regime, they have chosen not to continue in the current regime," Mehta reiterated, "How is the Houston-based association concerned?" The bench said that the petitioner can move a representation before the authorities concerned, with suggestions and the authorities may consider it. The bench, in its order, said: "In the light of this stand taken by the authorities, we don't intend to pass any interim order as prayed. If the petitioners have any other suggestion, they may file a representation before the authorities which may be considered on its own merits by the authorities". The petition, filed by the NGO and others, challenged the Central government's decision to refuse renewal of FCRA licenses of close to 6,000 NGOs. The plea has stated, "The work done by these NGOs helped millions of Indians. The sudden and arbitrary cancellation of FCRA registration of thousands of these NGOs violates the rights of the organizations, their workers as well as the millions of Indians who they serve. This is especially relevant at a time when the country is facing the third wave of the Covid-19 virus." The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha on September 20, 2020, which amended FCRA Act, 2010. The Act regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution by individuals, associations, and companies. The plea claimed the FCRA Amendment Act, 2020 significantly hampered their activities and operations. Tokyo, Jan 25 : A member of Japan's Self-Defense Force (SDF) unit that was dispatched to provide aid to disaster-struck Tonga has tested positive for Covid-19, public broadcaster NHK said on Tuesday. According to the Defence Ministry, a member of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) tested positive for the virus after getting a fever on Monday and taking an antigen test, reports Xinhua news agency. The ASDF member belongs to a unit currently based in Australia and took the test there, NHK quoted the Ministry as saying. As a result, the infected individual is now in quarantine along with 21 other SDF personnel who are suspected of having close contact with the individual. The Ministry said that the infected member, along with all the other personnel dispatched to provide assistance to the disaster-stricken Pacific islands nation, all took polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests before they departed from Japan. Tonga, which is currently free from Covid-19, was rocked by a powerful undersea volcanic eruption on January 15, triggering a devastating tsunami. On Monday, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) dispatched a transport vessel with more aid to help the disaster-hit Pacific islands nation. The Defence Ministry said the vessel was carrying 60,000 litres of drinking water as well as 60 high-pressure washers. The high-pressure washers will be used to help remove a thick blanket of volcanic ash left in the wake of the massive undersea volcanic eruption. The Ministry said that the unit's delivery of drinking water and other emergency supplies to be delivered to Tonga, will not be affected by the Covid-19 incident. It also said that along with two CH-47 transport helicopters, two hovercrafts and trucks, 300 personnel would also join the mission as part of Japan's ongoing relief operation to Tonga. The latest dispatch followed two transport planes loaded with drinking water and other emergency supplies sent by Japan. According to the Tonga government, the falling ash and the tsunami have affected more than 80 per cent of its population. Japan's first dispatch on January 20 of supplies and aid to Tonga arrived on January 22. Canberra, Jan 25 : A new survey on Tuesday revealed that 51 per cent of Australians disapproved the federal government's handling of the Omicron spread amid surging cases of the highly-transmissible Covid-19 variant. According to the survey published by the Australian Financial Review (AFR), the people said the handling of the Omicron outbreak and a shortage of rapid antigen tests (RATs) for coronavirus has diminished their view of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's federal government, reports Xinhua news agency. Almost 50 per cent of respondents rated Morrison's pandemic response as either poor or very poor compared to 27 per cent who approved him. While 49 per cent said governments have not found the right balance between opening up the economy and the surge in Covid-19 infections. Australia on Tuesday reported more than 40,000 new locally-acquired coronavirus infections and 76 deaths - 29 in New South Wales, 29 in Victoria, 11 in Queensland, five in South Australia, and one each in Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, according to health department figures from states and territories. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that now there have been 74 Covid-19 deaths in South Australia, 70 of which have occurred since the state reopened its borders on November 23, 2021. According to the federal Department of Health, there were 5,173 cases being treated in Australian hospitals, including 404 in intensive care units, 146 of which were on ventilators. Currently, 2,285,286 cases are confirmed in the country with 3,225 deaths. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bengaluru, Jan 25 : A 25-year-old student has accused Bengaluru police of inaction over her complaint of rape. She has alleged that police are not arresting her Facebook friend who raped her as he is a man of influence, even six days after lodging a complaint. The victim, a fashion designing graduate, had lodged a police complaint with Madanayakanahalli police station in the outskirts of Bengaluru on January 19. She complained that one Harsha Gowda, a local youth had raped her in his car, took her nude videos and photos. She has further alleged that, if she opened her mouth, her sister would also meet the same fate and the victim's nude photos would be made viral on social media. However, the police after registering the complaint are yet to arrest the accused. Condemning the delay in making arrests, the victim had even staged a protest in front of the Madanayakanahalli police station on Monday. When contacted, Madanayakanahalli police stated on Tuesday that they have taken up the investigation. "The victim has to make her statement before the judge. The complaint was lodged on Jan 19. She is demanding an arrest. We will take him into custody soon," the police maintained. In her complaint, the victim explained that she came to know about the accused Harsha Gowda in 2014 through Facebook. They started chatting and later the accused proposed to her. After being forced, the victim stopped communicating to him. Since the accused's father provided bus services to garment factories, the girl contacted the accused on January 16 on Facebook and asked him for a job opportunity. The accused agreed to meet her near Virus Bar and Restaurant. When the victim went there, he was in the car and asked her to come inside. The accused told her they can talk about jobs later but first they have to discuss his love proposal to her. The victim alleged that he forced her to drink beer and tried to hug her. He told her he has a private room nearby and they should go there. The accused also told her that he wouldn't allow her to leave till morning. When the victim started screaming for help, the accused told her no one will hear her cries as the car is sound proof. No one will be able to see as the vehicle has tinted glasses. Victim alleged that the accused pulled her seat back, slapped her and stripped her. He took videos and photos. The victim alleged that when she tried to cover her face with hands, he slapped again and moved her hands off her face and shot videos. She alleged that accused dragged her to back seat and raped her. Later, he gave back her clothes and threatened that if she opened her mouth her sister would meet the same fate and her nude videos and photos would be put up on social media. The accused also told she should come whenever he wishes. The police have registered the case under IPC section 342, 323, 354, 376, 504 and 506. The victim had the support of Kannada and women's organisations. Madanayakanahalli police are investigating the case. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader R.P.N. Singh on Tuesday joined the BJP here. He joined the BJP in presence of Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Anurag Thakur and Jyotiraditya Scindia, deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya, state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh and party national media head Anil Baluni at party headquarters here. Welcoming Singh in party, Pradhan said, "Election process is on in Uttar Pradesh and BJP has been continuously winning the confidence of Uttar Pradesh for the last eight years. Once again we are goinig with the issues of development, better law and order, welfare schemes to seek people's support. Singh has joined to make Uttar Pradesh number one state. Many times I told Singh that he is the right man in the wrong party. Today, I welcome him in BJP." Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party leadership for inducting hime in the BJP family. "I worked hard for 32 years in Congress but it is no longer what it used to be. Many asked me to join the BJP for a long time, but I can only say 'Der aaye durust aye (better late than never)'. I will work as a 'Karyakarta' (worker) towards fulfilling Prime Minister Modi's dream for nation building," Singh said. The former Union minister said that the way the BJP government has worked hard to improve the law and order situation in the state is commendable. "I will do everything that is assigned to me as a small party worker for the development of Uttar Pradesh and country," Singh added Before officially joining the BJP, Singh tweeted, "This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation building under the visionary leadership & guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP President Shri @JPNadda ji & Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah ji." Earlier in the day, Singh resigned from the primary membership of Congress a day after being named as one of the party's star campaigners for Uttar Pradesh. Tweeting his resignation letter, Singh said, "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind." The former Union Minister of State for Home, Singh has been MLA and MP from the party and also was in-charge of the party in Jharkhand. The Congress has been facing a major exodus of its leaders in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, three candidates named by the party switched sides to other parties. Singh will be a high profile exit from the Uttar Pradesh Congress after Jitin Prasada, who quit the party and now is a minister in the Yogi government. Singh is an influential leader in his area, but could not win two consecutive elections on the Congress ticket. Sources said that he is likely to be fielded on a BJP ticket from the same seat against Samajwadi Party's Swami Prasad Maurya, who recently left the saffron party. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Jan 25 : History sheeter and notorious don, Padappai Guna who is an accused in 25 criminal cases including murder, surrendered before the Madras High Court on Tuesday. Police were on the lookout for him for a long time. Guna is involved in murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and extortion in several cases in Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts of Tamil Nadu. Recently the Kancheepuram police had held a meeting with the industrialists at Sriperumbadur and told them not to succumb to pressure from gangsters for protection money. The Tamil Nadu police in a bid to showcase the state as an investment destination do not want complaints from a place like Sriperumbudur where several Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) have set shop. Several small units and micro industries were facing trouble from gangsters like Guna who tried to extort money from them. Tamil Nadu DGP C. Sylendrababu had constituted a special team of police officers led by ADGP, Velladurai considered an expert in cracking high profile criminal cases, to catch Guna and bring him before the law of the land. Velladurai is himself being named as one of the tough police officers of Tamil Nadu and is being seen in the criminal circles of Tamil Nadu as an encounter specialist. He was also in the team of TN police officers who had killed forest brigand Veerappan in 2004. He was also part of the Tamil Nadu police team that had gunned down gangster Veeramani in 2003. Sources in the police told IANS that the constitution of the new police team under ADGP Velladurai had sent shock waves across the criminals in and around the state and the surrender of Padayappa Guna before the Madras High Court is seen as a move to protect himself from the ire of the police officer who is considered as a no-nonsense taskmaster and goes for the kill. New Delhi, Jan 25 : After a bloodbath in the Indian equity segment on Monday due to continued selling-off pressure by foreign institutional investors, the market on Tuesday recovered its losses, though marginally. Sensex settled 0.6 per cent or by 366 points higher at 57,858 points, whereas Nifty is 0.8 per cent up or by 128 at 17,277 points. Barring Nifty IT index, all the others traded in the green during the intra-day trade. Nifty bank, auto, media, PSU bank, and realty indices rose the most, NSE data showed. On the stocks front, Maruti Suzuki India, Axis Bank, SBI, Indusind Bank, and UPL were the top five gainers, rising 7.4 per cent, 6.5 per cent, 3.9 per cent, 3.6 per cent, and 3.5 per cent, respectively. Wipro, Bajaj Finserv, Titan, Ultratech Cement, Tech Mahindra were the top five losers during the session. "After a week-long consolidation, domestic indices took a breather supported by low-level buying. Western markets also supported staging recovery following correction in oil markets, and as uncertainties over Fed policy and geopolitical tensions eased," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services. "However, volatility is expected to linger as investors await the Fed's final policy statement, providing clarity on the timeline of rate hikes. If the statement is as hawkish as anticipated, we cannot ignore a bounce in the market." LONDON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Children living in poorer households in England who receive free school meals carry their inequalities into adult life, said a study published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the executive office of the United Kingdom's (UK) Statistics Authority, on Tuesday. The ONS examined the earning outcomes of people aged 25 years who received free school meals as kids. The result showed that just 23 percent of them were earning above the Living Wage by the age of 25. This compares with 43.5 percent of children who did not receive free school meals, the survey revealed. The ONS report also showed that female recipients of free school meals were less likely than male recipients to earn above the Living Wage at the age of 25. Just 18.2 percent of women were paid above the Living Wage at 25, compared to almost 40 percent who did not get free school meals. "Across England, all regions saw a broadly similar difference between free school meal recipients and non-recipients earning above the Living Wage. Similarly, the differences between women and men were consistent across regions, with a higher proportion of men in both groups earning above the Living Wage than the women in each group," the ONS said. A spokesperson for the ONS said being a recipient of free school meals is commonly used as a proxy measure for socio-economic disadvantage, including household income deprivation, during childhood. New York, Jan 25 : Amid the heightened Russia-Ukraine border tensions, the US' Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned that critical infrastructure and local government networks are at a "very high risk" of a mega cyber attack sponsored by the Russian government. First reported by CNN, the DHS notice said that Russia "maintains a range of offensive cyber tools that it could employ against US networks -- from low-level denials-of-service to destructive attacks targeting critical infrastructure". "We assess that Russia would consider initiating a cyber attack against the Homeland if it perceived a US or NATO response to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine threatened its long-term national security," the notice further read. DHS has sent the memo to state governments, local governments, and operators of critical infrastructure. Despite the US tensions with Russia over Ukraine, the DHS assesses that Moscow's threshold for conducting disruptive or destructive cyberattacks on the US homeland "probably remains very high". The US Department of Defense has announced that nearly 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment due to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, but there is no decision on formal deployments. US President Joe Biden last week stressed that the country would respond with its own cyber attacks if Russia continues to target Ukrainian government websites. Russia-sponsored hackers earlier hit Ukraine with a massive cyber-attack, shutting down several government websites. As a result of the cyber-attack, the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of other government agencies went down. Russia has repeatedly been accused of cyber-attacks against Ukraine amid escalated tension between them. The European Union (EU) is also prepared to defend against any possible Russian cyber-attacks or hybrid threats if it invades Ukraine and is "very well advanced" in its preparation for a response to any aggression. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Several new initiatives have been planned during upcoming Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26 which include the launch of 'Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman' programme by National Cadet Corps; a grand flypast by 75 aircraft and helicopters of the Indian Air Force; cultural performances by 480 dancers selected through a nationwide Vande Bharatam dance competition; display of ten scrolls each of 75 metres prepared during the 'Kala Kumbh' event and installation of 10 large LED screens for a better viewing experience of spectators. A drone show by 1,000 indigenously developed drones has been planned for 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony, along with projection mapping. Parade Time change The parade at Rajpath will start at 10:30 a.m., instead of the earlier timing of 10 a.m. to provide better visibility to the parade and flypast. Digital registration Special arrangements have been made keeping in view the current COVID-19 situation. The number of seats for spectators has been significantly reduced and people are being encouraged to register on the MyGov portal to witness the live celebrations online. They will also get to vote for best marching contingent and tableau in popular choice category. COVID safeguards Only fully vaccinated adults and one dose vaccinated children of 15 years and above will be allowed entry at the parade. Children below 15 years of age will not be permitted. All social distancing norms will be followed and wearing of mask is compulsory. No foreign contingent will be participating this year in view of the pandemic. Special arrangements have been made to give opportunity to those segments of society which usually do not get to watch the parade. Some sections of auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers, safai karamcharis and frontline health workers will be invited to watch the Republic Day Parade as well as the 'Beating Retreat' ceremony. Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman On January 26, a nationwide flagship programme of NCC 'Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman' will be launched to honour the supreme sacrifices of the fallen heroes in defending the nation. Next of Kin (NOK) of approximately 5,000 fallen heroes will be presented with the Plaque of Gratitude by NCC cadets all over the country, at about the same time as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage to the country's bravehearts at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The programme will continue till August 15, 2022. During the period, the NCC cadets, accompanied by NCC Officers and Permanent Instructor of State Directorates, will felicitate the NOKs of all 26,466 fallen heroes whose names were etched at the National War Memorial. Kala Kumbh -- Huge Scroll paintings to adorn Rajpath Ten scrolls each of 75 metres in length and 15 ft in height will be displayed along the Rajpath during the parade. They were prepared during the 'Kala Kumbh' event jointly organised by Ministries of Defence & Culture. The scrolls were painted in two phases - at Bhubaneswar and Chandigarh - by over 600 renowned artists and young aspirants from across the country. Inspiration was drawn from the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle showcasing the rich cultural heritage of indigenous & contemporary visual art practices. Vande Bharatam Nritya Utsav For the first time, dancers who perform during the cultural programme at the parade have been selected through a nation-wide competition 'Vande Bharatam', jointly organised by Ministries of Defence and Culture. The competition that began at the district level with the participation of nearly 3,870 dancers in 323 groups progressed to state and zonal levels over a period of two months in November and December. Finally, 480 dancers were selected. They will showcase their talent during the parade at Rajpath. Veer Gatha -- Stories of Valour from school children In another first, Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Ministry of Education organized nationwide 'Veer Gatha' competition to motivate school students to do projects on gallantry award winners. More than eight lakh students from around 4,800 schools across the country participated and shared their inspirational stories through essays, poems, drawings and multimedia presentations. After several rounds of evaluation, 25 were selected and declared as winners. They will receive cash prize of Rs 10,000 and witness the R-Day parade. Static Band Performance by CAPF Before the commencement of the parade, the contingents of Central Armed Police Forces will undertake static band performances in the seating enclosures at Rajpath. LED Screens For a better viewing experience at the parade, 10 large LED screens - five on each side of Rajpath - will be installed. Curated films combining footages of previous Republic Day Parades, short films on the Armed Forces and stories related to various events in the run-up to the RDC 2022 will be screened before the parade. Thereafter, the screens will show the live event. Beating the Retreat Ceremony Apart from military bands performing martial tunes, some new activities have been planned during Beating the Retreat Ceremony on January 29, 2022 at Vijay Chowk. These include a drone show and projection mapping. Drone Show A novel 'Drone Show' has been conceptualised, designed, produced and choreographed within the country. The 'Make in India' initiative has been organised by a startup 'Botlab Dynamics', supported by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Department of Science & Technology. The show would be of 10 minutes duration involving around 1,000 drones fabricated through indigenous technology. Synchronised background music will also be played during the drone show. Projection Mapping Projection mapping show to commemorate 75 years of Independence for a duration of around 3-4 minutes would be showcased on the walls of North and South Block before the end of the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kochi, Jan 25 : The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal against the Single Judge order that rejected a plea challenging the photograph of Prime Minister being affixed on the Covid-19 vaccination certificates issued to citizens. The Single Judge had also imposed a cost of Rs one lakh on the appellant. Agreeing with the decision of the Single Judge, a division bench headed by Chief Justice S. Manikumar while dismissing the appeal, noted that a photo is not an advertisement. It posted the judgment in the matter for a later date. The appellant reiterated that the Covid vaccination certificate issued in his name, with personal details and record of a medical event, is his personal space and the insertion of a photograph with a message without his consent when objected to, is violation of the Fundamental Right of Freedom of Speech and expression under Art 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India. But the Division bench found no reason to interfere with the order of the Single Judge and also maintained a silence on reducing the cost imposed on the appellant. New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) on Tuesday issued a notice to Delhi Police in the brutal gang rape of an eight-year-old girl. The Commission received information about the incident which took place in Delhi's Shastri Park through its Women Helpline Number on January 24. The Commission was informed that the survivor girl went outside her home at around 4 p.m. in the evening and when she returned, she complained of severe stomachache and her private parts were badly injured and she was bleeding profusely. Due to her critical condition the girl was immediately rushed to a government hspital where she went through a surgery and her condition continued to remain critical. She is currently being treated in the ICU. Rape was established in her medical examination. DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal seeing the gravity of the matter has now issued a notice to the Delhi Police. Through the notice, the Commission has sought complete details regarding the FIR and the accused persons arrested in the matter so far. The Delhi Police has been given 48 hours by the Commission to produce a detailed action taken report in the matter. Maliwal said that the girl has been brutally raped and is in unimaginable pain as she is battling for her life in an ICU due to severe damage caused to her private parts. "The people gang raping an 8-year-old are not humans. Strongest punishment needs to be given to the guilty. I have issued a notice to Delhi Police giving them 48 hours to produce a detailed action taken report in the matter along with complete details of the FIR and accused(s) arrested," she said. Bhopal, Jan 25 : The house of a Dalit bridegroom was attacked and abuses hurled at his family members allegedly by a group of upper caste people in Madhya Pradesh late on Sunday, the police said. The incident occurred in a village in Sagar district where a groom going in a wedding procession took a round of his village on horseback, which did not go down well with some people belonging to the upper caste and they pelted stones at the groom's house. Police said that it was the first time that a Dalit groom rode a horse in Ganiyari, a village dominated by upper caste Lodhi Thakur community. The groom's family was aware that a Dalit bridegroom riding a horse may not be tolerated by the upper caste people in the village and therefore, the bridegroom had asked the police to provide security during the procession. The groom rode on the horse in the presence of the police in daytime. After a few hours when the bridegroom left for the bride's home in Katni district, some members of the Lodhi Thakur community allegedly attacked his home by pelting stones. They also allegedly assaulted family members, police said. Police said an FIR has been registered at Bunda police station and six people have been arrested. The FIR names eight people and lists 15 others unnamed. "Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident," Town inspector, Bunda police station, Manas Dwivedi, said. However, the police also claimed that a clash broke out between two families over electric wires. "A few members of the Thakur community objected to the crossing of wires from their area and attacked Dilip Ahirwar's home in an inebriated state," Inspector Dwivedi added. Devendra Ahirwar, the groom's father, told the police that members of the upper caste community threatened that no other man from the Ahirwar community will ride a horse again. On Tuesday, state home minister Narottam Mishra told the press that he has directed the Sagar district police to investigate the matter and take strict action against those guilty of pelting stones at the groom's house. New Delhi, Jan 25 : President Ram Nath Kovind will lead the nation in celebrating India's 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday (January 26). The celebrations this year are special as the Republic Day falls in the 75th year of Independence, being celebrated as 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' across the country. To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Defence has conceptualised a series of new events during the main parade on Rajpath on Wednesday and for the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony at Vijay Chowk on January 29. It has been decided that the Republic Day celebrations will now be a week-long affair from January 23-30 every year. The celebrations will commence on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and culminate on January 30, which is observed as Martyrs' Day to mark the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. The Republic Day ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying tribute to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade. As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Kovind taking the salute. It will be commanded by Lt General Vijay Kumar Mishra, a second-generation Army officer. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, will be the Parade Second-in-Command. The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards will be honoured next, including the winners of Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra. Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, and Subedar (Honorary Lieutenant) Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles, and Ashok Chakra winner Colonel D. Sreeram Kumar will follow the Deputy Parade Commander on jeeps. The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy. The Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice, but other than in the face of the enemy. Indian Army Contingents The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry led by Major Mrityunjay Singh Chouhan. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces' cavalry units. The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, 14 mechanised columns, six marching contingents and a fly past by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) of Army Aviation. One Tank PT-76 and Centurion (On Tank Transporters) and two MBT Arjun MK-I, one APC TOPAS and BMP-I (On Tank Transporter) and Two BMP-II, one 75/24 Towed Gun (On Vehicle) and two Dhanush Gun System, one PMS Bridge and Two Sarvatra Bridge System, one HT-16 (On Vehicle) and two Tarang Shakti Electronic Warfare System, one Tiger Cat Missile and two Akash Missile System will be the main attractions in the mechanised columns. A total of six marching contingents of the Army will be there, including the Rajput Regiment, the Assam Regiment, the Jammu and Kashmir Light Regiment, the Sikh Light Regiment, the Army Ordnance Corps and the Parachute Regiment. A combined band of the Madras Regimental Centre, Kumoun Regimental Centre, Maratha Light Regimental Centre, Jammu and Kashmir Light Regimental Centre, Army Medical Corps Centre and School, 14 Gorkha Training Centre, Army Supply Corps Centre and College, Bihar Regimental Centre and Army Ordnance Corps Centre will also march past the saluting dais. Soldiers' Uniform and Weapons to Showcase Evolution The theme of the marching contingents will be the display of the evolution of uniform and weapons of the Indian Army over the last 75 years. The contingent of the Rajput Regiment will be wearing the uniform of Indian Army of 1947, carrying .303 rifles. The Assam Regiment will sport the uniform of 1962, carrying .303 rifles. The Jammu and Kashmir Light Regiment would be in uniform worn during 1971 and would carry 7.62 mm self-loading rifles. The contingent of the Sikh Light Regiment and the Army Ordnance Corps would be in the present day uniform with 5.56 mm INSAS rifles. The contingent of the Parachute Regiment would be donning the new combat uniform of Indian Army, unveiled on January 15, and would be carrying 5.56 mm x 45 mm TAVOR rifles. Indian Navy Contingent The Naval contingent will comprise 96 young sailors and four officers led by Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma as the Contingent Commander. It will be followed by the Naval tableau which is designed with the aim to showcase the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy and highlight the key inductions under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The ongoing 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' also finds a special mention in the tableau. The forward part of the tableau depicts the Naval Uprising of 1946, which contributed to India's struggle for independence. The rear section illustrates the 'Make in India' initiatives of the Indian Navy from 1983 to 2021. Model of New Vikrant with LCA Navy in air flanked by models of indigenously designed and built warships will also be on display. The frames on the sides of the trailer depict the construction of Indian Naval platforms in India. Indian Air Force Contingent The Indian Air Force contingent comprises 96 airmen and four officers and will be led by Squadron Leader Prashant Swamyanathan. The Air Force tableau is titled 'Indian Air Force, Transforming for the Future'. The tableau showcases scaled down models of MiG-21, Gnat, Light Combat Helicopter and Rafale aircraft, as well as the Aslesha radar. The tableaux are titled 'Suite of Indigenously Developed Sensors, Weapons and Electronic Warfare Systems for LCA Tejas' and 'Air Independent Propulsion System' developed for the submarines of Indian Navy. Other Tableaux The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will display two tableaux, signifying the defence technological advancements of the country. It will be followed by tableaux of 12 states and Union Territories and nine Ministries and Departments, which have been prepared on various themes under 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. The tableaux will be followed by cultural performances by 480 dancers chosen through an all-India dance competition 'Vande Bharatam'. It is for the first time that dance groups, which will perform during the parade, have been chosen based through an all-India level competition. This will be followed by a motorcycle display by Seema Bhawani Motorcycle Team of BSF and Himveers of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Grand Fly Past The grand finale and the most keenly-awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past, will, for the first time, witness 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force displaying a number of formations. Vintage as well as current modern aircraft/helicopters like Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, Mi-17, Sarang, Apache and Dakota will display different formations, including Rahat, Meghna, Eklavya, Trishul, Tiranga, Vijay, and Amrit. The ceremony will culminate with the national anthem and the release of Tri-colour balloons. For the first time, the IAF has coordinated with Doordarshan to show cockpit videos during the fly past. Mumbai, Jan 25 : With the Hindi release of 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' getting cancelled to accommodate the Kartik Aaryan-starrer 'Shehzada', there was speculation hinting at the Bollywood actor being the reason behind the same. The makers of 'Shehzada' have now clarified that it was the producers' call and Kartik never asked the makers to intervene or he never threatened to leave the film. The producer Bhushan Kumar said: "We, the producers, felt that 'Shehzada' should release in theatres first and not the Hindi version of 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo', hence we requested Goldmines not to release the Hindi version, and release of the film is always the producers decision and not actor." He said: "I have known Kartik since the beginning of his career. We have done multiple films together. He is one of the most professional actors I have worked with." Director Rohit Dhawan said, "Kartik's intent and excitement for 'Shehzada' is unquestionable. It's been a joy working with him. As director and actor, we share a solid bond and nothing can come in the way of our love for the film." Producer Aman Gill said: "After finding out about the Hindi Version release of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo we the producers on our own requested Manishji (Shah) to not release it. "Kartik is going all out for 'Shehzada' as an actor and only discusses how he can contribute to make this the biggest film for everyone involved, he is one of most dedicated actors in the industry." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bhopal, Jan 25 : The Madhya Pradesh government has asked the state police to register an FIR against officials of e-commerce giant Amazon and its owner for allegedly selling products having the Indian National Flag imprinted on them. "It has come to my notice that our national flag is used on products being sold by the online e-commerce platform Amazon. It is intolerable that even it has been used on shoes," said the state Home Minister Narottam Mishra during a press conference here on Tuesday. Mishra said that prima facie, it is a violation of the 'National Flag Code' and therefore he has directed the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) to register an FIR against Amazon. "I have directed DGP to file an FIR against Amazons officials and owner," Mishra added. This is not the first time that the Madhya Pradesh's Home Minister has directed the police to file an FIR against Amazon. In November 2021, Mishra had ordered the filing of an FIR against officials of Amazon over the suicide of a youth who allegedly obtained poisonous sulphas (used as an agricultural fumigant and is poisonous) tablets through the e-commerce site. Similarly, in another incident the police in the Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district had registered an FIR against unnamed officials of Amazon India after busting a gang that allegedly supplied ganja under the guise of selling stevia (a natural sweetener) through the e-commerce portal. Dakshina Kannada, Jan 25 : A man from Rajasthan was arrested on Tuesday on charges of transporting unaccounted Rs 1.48 crore worth gold and Rs 40 lakh cash in Mangaluru, Karnataka. During a preventive check ahead of Republic Day, personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) attached to Mangaluru Junction Railway Station nabbed Mahendra Singh Rao, a resident of Udaipur, while he was travelling on the Mumbai-LTT-Ernakulam Duronto Express. The 36-year-old accused has been handed over to the Government Railway Police, Mangaluru Central, along with the gold and money. The currency found is in the denominations of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500. The man was caught when RPF personnel checked his bag and found the cash wrapped in newspapers. The accused claimed that he received the gold and cash from a person in Mumbai referred by his employer Praveen Singh. Singh allegedly owns Shubh Gold in Kozhikode. Further investigation is on. Patna, Jan 25 : The Bihar government has informed the National Human Rights Commission that it has given compensation to Muzaffarpur shelter home victims to a tune of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, an official said. It said that 49 victims lodged in the Muzaffarpur shelter home called Sewa Sankalp Ewam Vikas Samiti were given compensation followed by adequate accommodation at other places. The officials further informed the commission that 20 persons including shelter home founder Brajesh Thakur were charge sheeted in the respective courts of law. The Supreme court of India had held the accused guilty of the heinous crime and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Muzaffarpur shelter home gang rape case appeared in May 2018 and first FIR was registered on May 31, 2018. The minor girls lodged in the shelter home called "Sewa Sankalp ewam Vikas Samiti, alleged that they were gang raped by visitors. A total 34 out of 42 minor girls alleged that they were sexually abused and assaulted by visitors several times. Besides, others also alleged that they were sexually abused by the care takers and visitors. They have alleged that the NGO founder Brajesh Thakur was involved in the crime. During investigation, the CBI established the political links of Thakur. A cabinet minister (woman) of Nitish Kumar government during his third tenure, resigned from her post as her name also came up in the case. WARSAW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Poland has started construction of a 186-kilometer barrier along its border with Belarus, the Polish Border Guard said on Tuesday. The project will cost 1.6 Polish billion zloty (395 million U.S. dollars). Work started near the Mielnik Border Guard post. The Polish construction company Budimex has been contracted to erect a 105.5-kilometer stretch of the barrier, while Unibep, another firm, is to build the remaining 80.7 kilometers. The barrier will consist of five-meters-tall steel posts holding concrete slabs with electrified barbed wire on top. The barrier is being built on the basis of a law on border security, which entered into force last October. It was voted through Poland's Parliament in reaction to large numbers of migrants attempting to cross into Poland from Belarus. The barrier is scheduled to be completed by the end of June. January 25 : Katrina Kaif has shared a series of new pictures today from her Maldives vacation. While she shared a couple of them on her Instagram page, she posted a bunch of videos on her Instagram stories as well. Katrina took to Instagram and shared two new pictures of herself, in which the Sooryavanshi actress can be seen in blue and yellow swimwear, layered with a white shirt. She accessorised her look with a neckpiece. Sharing the post, Katrina wrote, "Seas the day." The actress also shared a series of videos on her Instragram stories, where she can be seen excited as she fed a bunch of little birds on her hand. "My Morning," she captioned one of the videos. In the video, the actress can be seen in a pink T-shirt with a pair of black leggings. She tied her hair in a high ponytail. Image Source: Instagram/katrinakaif Katrina feeds parrots during Maldives trip On Monday as well, the actress had shared a bunch of her happy pictures from Maldives. It is speculated that the pictures are from her honeymoon with Vicky Kaushal in the Maldives. The actress tied the knot with Vicky on December 9 last year. Sharing three pictures of herself on Instagram, Katrina captioned them as, #myhappyplace." In the photos, the actress can be seen wearing a dark green and white printed beachwear. As soon as the actress dropped the pictures, fans started asking her to share pictures with Vicky from their honeymoon. A fan had commented, Honeymoon ki pics mein Vicky paaji kahan hain? Saath ki pics daliye na (In the honeymoon pics, where is Vicky? Share pictures with Vicky). Post their wedding, Vicky and Katrina went for a short honeymoon to the Maldives. On returning to Mumbai, both resumed their work. However, they celebrated one month of their wedding and Lohri together in Indore, where Vicky was shooting. Meanwhile, on the work front, Katrina announced a new film Merry Christmas with Sriram Raghvan. Katrina also has Phone Bhoot, Tiger 3 and Jee Le Zaraa in the pipeline. Chitradurga, : , Jan 25 (IANS) A man has lodged a complaint against his father-in-law and other relatives for allegedly forcing to him convert to Christianity in Hosadurga police station of Chitradurga district in Karnataka, police said on Tuesday. Marappa, a resident of Budga Jangam Colony in Aravind Nagar near Hospet, alleged that he is not being allowed to see his new born baby and his wife. He said he was being threatened, blackmailed and assaulted by the wife's family members to get converted to Christianity. The complaint has been lodged against Vasanthkumar, his father-in-law, Ramachandrappa, his wife's grandfather, relatives Sudhakar, Manjunath, Sankappa. The case has again sparked debate on the religious conversions in the region. Local BJP MLA Sudhakar has raised the issue in the Assembly session and later the ruling BJP brought in the Anti-conversion Bill. In his complaint, Marappa said on July 6, 2020 while getting married, he was forced to take a dip in the holy water and declared that he is now converted to Christianity. The accused had torn and burnt Hindu Gods' photos asking him not to worship them. The accused told him that the Hindu goddesses Sunklamma, Maramma, Durgamma are nothing but "evils" and that he would go to hell if he worshiped them. The complainant had sent his wife Sarala during pregnancy to her parents house on December 2, 2021. Marappa mentioned in the complaint that he had come to know about the newborn baby from others. When his brothers Doddahusseni, Sana Hussaini, Karthik, Chandru went to see the baby, the accused abused and did not allow them inside their residence, police said. The police stated that the complainant was told that if he followed Christianity, only then he could see his newborn kid and wife and he could also take them to his house. On questioning them, his brothers were assaulted. Marappa has demanded that the police initiate action against the accused for hurting his religious sentiments and send his wife and kid with him. The matter has come to the notice of Hyderabad Karnataka Alemari (nomadic) Budga Jangam Jagruthi Samithi and the complainant has met the local BJP MLA Goolihatti Shekar asking for justice. The police are investigating the case. Itanagar, Jan 25 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Union Home Ministry and Arunachal Pradesh government to submit action taken report within six weeks against alleged racial profiling of the Chakma and Hajongs tribals and their relocation from the state. The NHRC has also directed both the MHA and the Arunachal government to "ensure that human rights of the Chakma and Hajong tribals are protected by all the ways. Responding to a complaint filed by the Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI), the NHRC's Deputy Registrar K.K. Shrivastava on Monday in a letter, which is available with IANS, to the MHA Secretary and Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh government, communicated the commission's direction to send the action taken report to the Commission within six weeks. The CDFI earlier in a letter to the NHRC sought the rights' panel intervention against "racial profiling of 65,000 Chakma and Hajong tribals of Arunachal Pradesh through illegal census for their deportation or expulsion or relocation from the state". The CDFI in a statement on Tuesday claimed that out of the 65,000 Chakma and Hajong tribals, about 60,500 are citizens by birth, thousands casting votes while citizenship applications of 4,000 migrants are yet to be processed. The NHRC had earlier approached the Supreme Court to protect the lives and liberties of the Chakma and Hajong tribes in October 1995 and in January 9, 1996, the apex court pronounced its judgement by declaring the Chakma and Hajong as citizens of India and directing the Central and state government to process their citizenship applications, the statement said. It said that as the matter was not sorted out, another petition was filed by the 'Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakma of Arunachal Pradesh' seeking implementation of the Supreme Court's January 9 (1996) judgement. On September 17, 2015, the Supreme Court once again pronounced its order directing the Central and state government to process their citizenship applications within three months. However, not a single application has been processed so far, the statement said. The CDFI complaint to the NHRC had stated that on August 15 last year, state Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced that the Chakma and Hajong tribals would be relocated outside the state and it was confirmed by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju. "In order to implement the state government plan, on November 26, the Deputy Commissioner of Changlang district notified that "Census of Chakma and Hajong ribals 2021" be conducted in all the Chakma and Hajong tribals inhabited areas under his jurisdiction for report to the Government and that is an act of racial profiling," the CDFI said. The statement said that instead of complying with the Supreme Court judgments, the state government had initiated their racial profiling while the Union Law Minister had been repeatedly advocating their forcible relocation to other state. The NHRC's order is a significant step to bury such unlawful measures and further, the direction to MHA and the state government to protect human rights of the Chakma and Hajong tribals by all means is an absolute necessity, the CDFI founder Suhas Chakma stated. San Francisco, Jan 25 : In a possible huge blow to Big Tech, graphics chip maker Nvidia is reportedly preparing to abandon its $40 billion acquisition of British chip designer Arm amid anti-trust probes in the US and Europe. Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that the US-based chipmaker has told partners "it's not expecting the (Arm) deal to be finalised". "We continue to hold the views expressed in detail in our latest regulatory filings -- that this transaction provides an opportunity to accelerate Arm and boost competition and innovation," a Nvidia spokesperson told CNBC. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last month sued to block Nvidia's $40 billion acquisition of Arm from Softbank on antitrust grounds. The deal faced scrutiny from regulators since it was announced last year. "The proposed vertical deal would give one of the largest chip companies control over the computing technology and designs that rival firms rely on to develop their own competing chips," the FTC said in an announcement. Arm is a core supplier of architecture technology to most semiconductor companies. Its Arm instruction set is at the core of nearly all mobile processors powering smartphones, including those made by Apple and Android devices that use Qualcomm chips. But the company's role in the chip industry was historical as a neutral supplier, raising concerns that Nvidia could cut off competitors from essential Arm technology. Some of Nvidia's processors also use Arm-designed cores and its Arm architecture, although the company is best known for graphics processors, which use different architecture. "The complaint alleges that the proposed merger would give Nvidia the ability and incentive to use its control of this technology to undermine its competitors, reducing competition and ultimately resulting in reduced product quality, reduced innovation, higher prices, and less choice," the FTC said in its statement. FTC Chair Lina Khan, who was appointed by President Joe Biden to lead the agency shortly after her confirmation to the agency earlier this year, has signalled an interest in more robust antitrust enforcement. Regulators in the UK and the EU declined to approve the transaction in Phase 1 of their reviews on competition concerns. The European Commission in October opened an in-depth investigation to assess the $40 billion acquisition of Arm by Nvidia. Chandigarh, Jan 25 : As Amritsar conjoined twins, Sohan Singh and Mohan Singh, fondly known as Sohna-Mohna turned 18 in 2021, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Karuna Raju on Tuesday handed over two separate electoral photo identity cards (EPIC) to both of them to mark the 12th National Voters' Day. Special arrangements will be made for Sohna and Mohna so that they can vote separately for the February 20 assembly polls, while ensuring that their privacy could be maintained, the CEO said. Born on June 13, 2003, in Delhi, they were abandoned by their parents and adopted by an orphanage in Amritsar. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had considered Sohna and Mohna as separate voters and decided to give individual voting rights to both of them. The CEO has also symbolically handed over five more EPIC cards to the first-time voters during the state-level function organised at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) here, while Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers, who joined the event virtually, handed over the EPIC card to first-time voters in their respective districts. A video message of Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra was also played on the occasion. Raju also unveiled the poster of 'Know Your Candidate' mobile application, using which electors can know the particulars and criminal antecedents of any candidate. He also launched a demo video of the mobile app and urged the voters of the state to download the app. He said the mobile app has been developed to provide wide publicity and greater awareness regarding criminal antecedents of contesting candidates to ensure transparent elections. Dharamsala, Jan 25 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday enjoyed the snow-capped Dhauladhar range on a bright sunny day from the balcony of his official residence in McLeodganj -- a small and quaint hill station on the suburbs of Dharamsala overlooking the Himalayas and Tibet. The spiritual leader, known for his simplicity and jovial style, has been staying at home ever since the Covid-induced lockdown was first imposed in March 2020. Officials at his private office told IANS that in his early years, the Dalai Lama used to regularly take hikes to Triund, a ridge below the Dhauladhar range and above McLeodganj hills. Enroute, he was occasionally seen interacting with the local Gaddi tribe. His office shared photos of the spiritual leader relishing a brief respite in the form of bright sunshine after several days of rain and snow. The Dalai Lama is the leading spiritual figure bringing Buddhist teachings to the international community. Responding to the Dalai Lama gazing the long look homeward, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Penpa Tsering said, "It is nice to see His Holiness enjoy the winter morning sunshine after a few days of snow and gloomy weather over the Dhauladhar range." The photos were captured by Tenzin Jamphel, the official photographer. The spiritual leader on Monday wrote on his Facebook page that he is now 86 years old, and at the age of 16, he took responsibility for Tibet at a difficult time and in so doing he lost his freedom. "I am now 86 years old. At the age of 16 I took responsibility for Tibet at a difficult time, and in so doing I lost my freedom. At the age of 24 I lost my country and became a refugee. I have met all kinds of difficulties, but as the Tibetan saying goes: 'Wherever you are happy, you can call home, and whoever is kind to you is like your parents.' "I lost my country, but I've been happy and at home in the world at large. Living a meaningful life is not about acquiring money and other facilities; it's about dedicating your life to helping others as much as you can," the spiritual leader said in the Facebook post. The Dalai Lama, who along with many of his supporters fled the Himalayan homeland and took refuge in India when Chinese troops moved in and took control of Lhasa in 1959, believes in three commitments: The promotion of inner values as the source of real happiness, the fostering of inter-religious harmony, as exemplified in India, and the preservation of Tibet's language, culture and environment. The Nobel Peace Laureate views himself as a simple Buddhist monk. "I feel that is the real me. I feel that the Dalai Lama as a temporal ruler is a man-made institution. As long as the people accept the Dalai Lama, they will accept me. But being a monk is something which belongs to me. No one can change that. Deep down inside, I always consider myself a monk, even in my dreams. So naturally I feel myself as more of a religious person," the Dalai Lama had said. He is optimistic that he will be able to return to Tibet. "China is in the process of changing. If you compare China today to 10 or 20 years ago, there is tremendous change. China is no longer isolated. It is part of the world community. Global interdependence, especially in terms of economics and environment make it impossible for nations to remain isolated. "Besides, I am not seeking separation from China. I am committed to my middle-way approach whereby Tibet remains within the People's Republic of China enjoying a high degree of self-rule or autonomy. "I firmly believe that this is of mutual benefit both to the Tibetans as well as to the Chinese. We Tibetans will be able to develop Tibet with China's assistance, while at the same time preserving our own unique culture, including spirituality, and our delicate environment. "By amicably resolving the Tibetan issue, China will be able to contribute to her own unity and stability," the Dalai Lama wrote on his website. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 : For the first time, the number of daily Covid cases crossed 50,000 in Kerala on Tuesday even as State Health Minister Veena George said there is no need to panic. The test positivity rate (TPR) touched 49.40 per cent indicating that almost one out of two persons who got tested are positive for the coronavirus. A total of 55,475 people turned Covid-19 positive when 1,12,281 samples was tested in the past 24 hours taking the TPR to 49.40, an all time high. Across the state there are 2,85,365 active cases. Speaking to the media here, George said figures point out that there has been no increase in hospital admissions as compared to the previous wave and call centres have started functioning in the state-run Medical Colleges. "Those who are in hospital and are positive continue to be in the range of 3 per cent and across the state compared to Monday there has been a slight decrease, as 42.7 per cent of the beds are now under occupation in state run health centres," said George. She went on to point out that there is an increase in positive cases in the age group 20 to 30 and since Wednesday being a public holiday there will be a massive public campaign through the social media platforms on Omicron. "There is a concern on medical professionals turning positive and to see that spread is kept to the minimum, an infection control system is put into place to keep a tab on this," said George. George also pointed out that by now 84 per cent of the people have been vaccinated fully and 68 per cent in the age group 15 to 18 also have been vaccinated and now we want these figures to go up at the earliest. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chandigarh, Jan 25 : In a reprieve to senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia from arrest in a drugs-related case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted protection against the arrest for three days. Majithia, the brother-n-law of SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, is in fray for the February 20 assembly polls from Majitha, near Amritsar. With this, he can approach the Supreme Court for challenging the high court order dismissing his anticipatory bail plea. Justice Lisa Gill said the protection would be only for three days. She said the court did not find ground to afford one week as prayed for. Earlier in the day, a team of Punjab Police conducted a raid at the residence of Majithia in Amritsar after dismissal of interim anticipatory bail by the high court on Monday. Majithia had moved the high court after a Mohali court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act registered on December 20. In a 49-page FIR filed by the state police Crime Branch at the Mohali police station, the SAD leader has been booked under sections 25, 27A and 29 of the NDPS Act. Majithia's case was argued by senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, while the Punjab government's case was represented by former Union Minister P. Chidambaram. "It is more than apparent that the present FIR has been registered against the petitioner keeping an eye on the forthcoming elections. The petitioner's fundamental rights are at stake," said the petition. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Tuesday urged the Centre to take immediate action against e-commerce company Amazon for allegedly insulting the Indian national flag. As per CAIT, Amazon allegedly sold various products having the national flag imprinted on them on its platform. In a communication, CAIT urged the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate action against the e-commerce company. The traders' body further requested the Centre to ban the company besides taking strict actions as per law. "In its letter to Amit Shah, the CAIT said has drawn his attention towards blatant violation of Flag Code of India, 2002, by foreign funded e-commerce company Amazon by using the National Flag on T-Shirts, Mugs, Key-Chains and Chocolate Wrappers which are being sold on its e-commerce website, which stands in utter violation of Section 2 (1) (iv) (v) of the Flag Code of India,2002," the body said in a statement. As the country gears up to celebrate its 73rd Republic Day, e-commerce giant Amazon is facing backlash on micro-blogging site Twitter for selling products having the Indian National Flag imprinted on them. With the Tricolour imprint products, including clothing, face masks, keychains, etc., available on the platform, several users took to Twitter to share their outrage for disrespecting Indian sentiments. According to CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, Amazon is an "habitual offender known for violating the law, misrepresenting facts to the government and government agencies, involved in mischievous dealings and frauds". "Amazon was also caught facilitating the sale of 'marijuana' (ganja) by Madhya Pradesh Police a couple of months through scrupulous business dealings. It is a known fact that Amazon treats India as a banana republic and the laws & rules of the country as weak," Khandelwal said, adding this act by the e-commerce firm has tarnished the sanctity of the national flag. Patna, Jan 25 : The protest in Bihar against the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) move to hold two exams intensified on Tuesday, with aspirants blocking rail tracks in various parts of the state. After protesters blocked the tracks at the Rajendra Nagar Terminal in Patna and Arrah, a large number of students assembled at many railway stations in Nalanda, Muzaffarpur Buxar, Patna, and Vaishali on Tuesday and blocked the lines. Due to massive protests, the railway operation in Bihar was completely paralysed on the second day of the protest. The protests are against the fresh notification of Indian Railways wherein it has finalised two examinations. "There was only one examination in the earlier notification in 2019, now RRB has issued a fresh notification as well and given a provision of two examinations. The officials have also been involved in irregularities with candidates having 50 marks being passed in the examination while many candidates having 80 to 85 marks have failed," alleged Satyendra Choubey, a protesting student in Nalanda. The agitators have held the station master hostage in Muzaffarpur for over an hour. He was released after the intervention of the district administration. A large number of students also assembled at Fatuha railway station in Patna district and stopped a goods train. "Due to lathi (baton) charge and tear gas shelling, more than two dozen students have sustained injuries and are admitted in different hospitals of Patna. We want adequate treatment for them. Besides, we want to cancel the result as the officials have been involved in the irregularities. It is a scam of the Central government... if it does not roll back the result, we will intensify the protest across the country," said another student Raman Singh, in Fatuha. WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- After traveling nearly 1.5 million kilometers, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope arrived at its destination in space on Monday. Webb fired its onboard thrusters at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (1900 GMT) for nearly five minutes to complete the final postlaunch course correction to its trajectory, according to NASA. This mid-course correction burn inserted Webb toward its final orbit around the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point (L2). Webb will orbit the Sun, in line with Earth, as it orbits L2, according to NASA. "Congratulations to the team for all of their hard work ensuring Webb's safe arrival at L2 today," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "We're one step closer to uncovering the mysteries of the universe. And I can't wait to see Webb's first new views of the universe this summer!" Webb's orbit will allow it a wide view of the cosmos at any given moment, as well as the opportunity for its telescope optics and scientific instruments to get cold enough to function and perform optimal science, said NASA. Webb's primary mirror segments and secondary mirror have been deployed from their launch positions, and engineers will begin the sophisticated three-month process of aligning the telescope's optics to nearly nanometer precision, according to NASA. Webb was launched from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, on Dec. 25 last year to probe structures and origins of the universe. Webb is NASA's largest and most powerful space science telescope ever constructed. With a 6.5-meter primary mirror, the large infrared telescope will study every phase of cosmic history -- from within the solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe, said NASA. New Delhi, Jan 25 : In a crackdown, Delhi Police have busted several illegal arms supply syndicates that may have emerged as a security threat in the national capital ahead of Republic Day celebrations. In just past five days, police have arrested 6 notorious arms dealers who used to supply illegal arms and ammunition to the gangsters of Delhi, out of which the last was been found to have illegal financial links with subversive modules based abroad. In the first operation, the Special Cell on January 21 announced arrest of a wanted arms dealer who supplied weapons to conspirators, who plotted to kill a Delhi-based Kashmiri Pandit. The accused, identified as Haji Shamim alias Shamim Pistol, was a notorious illegal arms supplier and had been supplying illegal arms for more than 15 years. First arrested in an illegal arms case in 2007, he deals in sophisticated arms including foreign-made arms. The dconspiracy to kill the Kashmiri Pandit social activist was hatched by a person named Randeep, who has been absconding since 2014 and is hiding abroad. It was learnt that he runs an international drug cartel and enjoys the support of Pakistan. In this whole conspiracy, weapons were arranged by Shamim. The second operation was conducted on January 22 in which an illegal arms factory that was manufacturing around 1,000 weapons per year was busted by the Delhi Police in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh district and one man was apprehended in this connection. The details about the arms factory were revealed during the interrogation of notorious arms supplier Shakil alias Sherni, who was arrested earlier that week after an encounter with the Special Staff of Outer North district. The apprehended accused, identified as Ravi Mahor, was making illegal arms in a shop being used as a manufacturing unit. "Several raw materials used in the manufacturing of arms were recovered such as barrels, triggers, the body of arms, etc along with Khairat machine, bits used in the machine, Bhatti, Okhli, gripper, etc were recovered," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer North district, Brijendra Kumar Yadav had told IANS. In the third operation, two notorious arms suppliers of the infamous Neeraj Bawana and Tillu Tajpuriya gang were arrested by the Special Cell. The accused were identified as Manish, 25, a resident of Bawana, Delhi and Shokeen, 38, a resident of Shamli, UP. It was learnt that the Delhi gangsters were procuring illegal arms and ammunition from these weapons suppliers. A total of 27 illegal firearms and live cartridges were recovered from the accused persons at the time of their arrests. According to the police, in the past year, accused Manish has supplied more than 30 illegal firearms along with ammunition to different members of the Neeraj Bawana and Tillu gang. Both Neeraj Bawana and Sunil Mann alias Tillu Tajpuriya are dreaded gangsters currently lodged at different jails in the national capital. In the latest operation, just one day ahead of Republic Day, the Special Cell said they have busted an interstate illegal arms racket and arrested its two key members. Notably, the racket was having illegal financial links with terror modules based abroad. The arrested accused were identified as Ravi Khan, 40, a resident of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, and Rahul Singh Chhabda alias Rahul Sikhligar, 23, a resident of district Dhar in Madhya Pradesh. A total of 25 semi-automatic pistols were recovered, with their mobile phone and SIM cards used in the offense. According to DCP, Special Cell, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Chhabda and his associates were supplying illegal weapons in UP and Delhi NCR from the areas of Khargone, Dhar, Badwani, and Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh. Chhabda used to procure illegal pistols from suppliers of his village and nearby areas and further supply the same to criminals of Delhi, UP, Haryana and Rajasthan directly himself or through co-accused Ravi Khan and others. Upon further interrogation of the accused persons, it was also revealed that accused Chhabda was having links with some foreign-based modules, who were involved in subversive and Hawala activities. It was also revealed that he had received huge money from such modules through illegal channels. (Ujwal Jalali can be reached at ujwal.j@ians.in) Geneva, Jan 25 : With the current funding model, the World Health Organisation (WHO) "is set to fail", warned the global health body chief. Addressing the 150th session of WHO's executive board, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed on the need for a paradigm shift in the way the global health body is funded. "If the current funding model continues, WHO is being set up to fail," he said. "The paradigm shift in world health that is needed now must be matched by a paradigm shift in funding the world's health organisation," he added. Ghebreyesus said that in the last two years, since Covid pandemic began, almost 350 million cases have been reported, while more than 5.5 million people have lost their lives. While these are official figures, "we know these numbers are an underestimate". He noted that Covid has proven that health is not just a national issue. "It's an international issue...and the scale of challenges we face is immense, and is reflected by the breadth of your agenda this week. "On average, last week, 100 cases were reported every three seconds, and somebody lost their life to Covid-19 every 12 seconds," the WHO chief said. The WHO relies on voluntary funding from member states and charities, which forces it to focus on priorities set by funders, and makes it less able to criticise members when things go wrong, the Guardian reported. A proposal by the WHO's working group on sustainable financing calls for members' mandatory contributions to rise gradually to account for half the agency's $2 billion core budget by 2028, from less than 20 per cent now. "For far too long, health has been compartmentalised and deprioritised, nationally and internationally. It's time to recognise that if we fail to invest in health, we fail to invest in the future," Ghebreyesus said. Addressing long-term concerns over the performance of the organisation, he said that members were within their rights to expect higher standards from the organisation, including "enhanced governance, efficiency, accountability and transparency", saying that included "zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment". The reference to sexual abuse appears to be a reference to a damning report last year that found that 21 employees working for the UN global health body were among perpetrators of serious sexual abuses during the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the report said. Ghebreyesus also urged member states to "ensure the quality and quantity of investments" in line with expectations. He also asked world countries to "work together to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to outbreaks and other health emergencies". Hyderabad, Jan 25 : Hyderabad-based technology startup Darwinbox has turned unicorn with the raising of $72 million funding in the latest round for global expansion. With this round, the company's valuation will cross the $1 billion mark and take the total investment raised thus far by the company to over $110 million. Darwinbox, an enterprise HR Tech company, has grown 200 per cent since the last fund raise a year ago. Darwinbox, a Cloud-based HR technology platform which caters to an organisation's HR needs across the employee lifecycle, was founded by IIM/IIT/XLRI alumnus with work experience across leading firms like McKinsey, Google and EY. The three co-founders, Chaitanya Peddi, Jayant Paleti and Rohit Chennamaneni, who hail from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, came together in November 2015 to build a world-class technology product. The company got its first round of funding and support from Endiya Partners, a Hyderabad-based early-stage VC fund, which focuses on disruptive technology startups. Darwinbox has 12 global offices with 700+ employees, and it is expecting to expand the headcount and its global presence rapidly. "We started with a mission to build smarter and better technology for the modern-day employee," said Jayant Paleti, Co-founder, Darwinbox. "In the last six years, we have grown from a three-member team to a 700-large organisation serving 650+ customers globally. A growth that wouldn't have been possible without the great work by all the employees who believed in the vision and joined the journey early on. As we scale further and aim for global leadership, we will be looking to add great talent and hire exponentially across all geographies," he said. The latest funding round was led by Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV) along with participation from existing investors Salesforce Ventures, Sequoia, Lightspeed, Endiya Partners, and 3One4Capital. The co-founders said the new funding will supercharge their global expansion plan by allowing the company to accelerate its platform innovation agenda, strengthen its product, engineering, and customer success teams along with scaling its go-to-market presence in South Asia, South East Asia, Middle East and North Africa. The company is also setting up to launch in the US in 2022. New Delhi, Jan 25: Two US aircraft carrier groups are conducting training drills in the South China Sea (SCS) even as the Chinese flew 39 aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defence Zone. US Navy's aircraft carriers-USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by other battleships began exercises in the SCS on Sunday. A statement by the US Navy said that the carrier groups "will engage in joint operations to include enhanced maritime communication operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations and maritime interdiction operations to strengthen maritime integrated-at-sea operations and combat readiness". The statement by the Department of Defence said that the training will be conducted in accordance with international law in international waters. The two aircraft carrier groups had earlier conducted naval exercises in the Philippine Sea with the Japanese Navy. These exercises were conducted southeast of the Japanese island of Okinawa. In an apparent reference to China, a senior commander at the US Department of Defence said that the exercise was to reassure allies and demonstrate resolve to "counter malign influence". The US has been routinely sending its navy ships to the SCS islands to challenge China's claims on the waters and to keep the Indo-Pacific waters free for navigation without fear of coercion. US President Joe Biden also made it clear to allies in south-east Asia that they can count on US support. In an act of intimidation, China has been regularly flying fleets of aircraft over Taiwan. It is also part of its efforts to challenge the US in a region it considers its backyard and area of influence. By sending its navy, the US too has been trying to assure its allies-Japan, Taiwan and south-east Asian countries-that it will be there to balance China and its intimidation. Beijing has militarised islands and coral reefs in the region and has been pressing upon countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and others to give up their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in favour of China. Just a fortnight back, the US had refuted China's historic claims that it owns almost all of the SCS and said that China's assertion over the region gravely undermines the rule of law. The SCS abounds in resources with oil and gas fields as well as rich fishing grounds, besides a heavy quantum of international trade that sails through the area. With this show of force in the SCS, the US has signalled to China that it should keeps its hands off Taiwan. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Chennai, Jan 25 : The Chennai police have put in place a five-tier security net ahead of the Republic Day celebrations with around 6800 police personnel being deployed to ensure a peaceful parade at Kamarajar Salai. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi will hoist the Tricolour at the flag post near the Gandhi statute in Kamarajar Salai on Wednesday. The police have been deployed at airports, railway stations, bus terminus, beaches, bus stops, commercial complexes, religious places like temples, mosques and churches. With Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announcing that the tableau rejected by the Union government would be on display during the Republic Day parade in Chennai, the focus will mainly be on this. Three floats on the theme, Tamil Nadu in Freedom Struggle, will feature Tamil icons such as Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi, V.O. Chidambaranar, Rani Velu Nachiyar who is credited to be the first woman freedom fighter to raise a sword against the British much before the Rani of Jhansi. The tableau will also feature the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers who were executed by the East India company on charges of fighting in the War for India's Independence. Due to Covid-19, there will not be any presentations from government departments as well as performances by school and college children. Chennai, Jan 25 : The return of a 12th century CE bronze idol of Lord Nataraja, after a long drawn legal battle, to Tamil Nadu from London, had created a sensation at the time. Archaeologist R. Nagaswamy, who passed away in Chennai on Sunday, was the main witness in the case in the London court and it was the first time that a state had won a case like this in a foreign court. The testimony of R. Nagaswamy is considered one of the major factors that led the court to conclude in April 1989 that the Chola era bronze idol was stolen from the Kashi Vishwanath temple at Pathur in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The idol was found to be smuggled from India in 1976 and was in possession of a Canadian company which testified before the court that it had bought the idol in 'good faith' from a dealer in 1982. Scotland Yard, the premier police agency of the United Kingdom, subsequently seized the idol from the Canadian company that sued Scotland Yard for illegal seizure, and a protracted legal battle commenced. Scotland Yard, in association with the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, had to establish that the idol was stolen from the temple. Interestingly during the argument, it was found that termites had used the soil from Pathur in Thanjavur to build their nests at the bottom of the idol. The evidence provided by the termites in the British court could not be countered and established the origin and identity of the idol as one belonging to Pathur. During the argument, the British judge Ian Kennedy had described Nagaswamy as an unequalled expert in his subject and also an acknowledged expert on Chola bronzes. In May 1991, the House of Lords, the highest court of appeal in Britain, refused the Canadian company leave to appeal against the judgment of the court. In August 1991, the bronze idol of Lord Nataraja was formally handed over to the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa at Fort St George by the then Indian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, L.M. Singhvi. Nagaswamy was honoured on the occasion. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had on Monday paid tributes to Nagaswamy on its social media handle. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Former Punjab Chief Minister and Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) founder Amarinder Singh is an exhausted and spent cartridge, incumbent Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi told IANS in an exclusive interview, in which he also talked about the infighting within the Congress in the poll-bound state. Here are some excerpts from the interview. Q. How much will Amarinder Singh's claims about Navjot Sidhu hurt the Congress? A. Amarinder Singh is a defused bomb. He has stabbed people in his own party, as well as farmers and the people of Punjab in the back. No one is taking him seriously now." Q. Are Amarinder Singh's statements weakening the Congress? A. It is his democratic right and everyone can express his/her views. The Congress is united in Punjab and it is fighting the elections under a collective leadership. Q. Is the Congress fighting the elections against the opposition or the leaders from within the party? A. There may be disagreements among the leaders, but the Congress is united in Punjab. Q. Will the ruling Congress suffer due to the incidents of sacrilege just before the elections? A. No harm will be done. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is facing criticism over the sacrilege incident (of 2015), even asked people to forget about it. Everyone knows who were behind the dastardly acts, and Amarinder Singh as the Chief Minister formed an alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP and gave them shelter. After I became the Chief Minister, I formed an SIT to probe the sacrilege incident. People will get justice. Q Is this election Channi vs Bhagwant Mann? A. No, I don't see anyone as our opponent, we compete with ourselves. I represent the common man, middle class and every Punjabi. Secondly, the people of Punjab are not taking Bhagwant Mann seriously, that is why the Aam Aadmi Party chief delayed in declaring him as the CM face of his party, as Arvind Kejriwal could not convince anyone because Punjabis don't like him. Q. Will people give chance to Kejriwal this time? A. The Aam Aadmi Party is a party of thugs. They will not be able to fool the people of Punjab with their agenda. Q. How many seats will the Congress get in Punjab? A. I don't believe in numbers game. People will decide and everyone will come to know after the counting of votes (on March 10). But yes, people liked my four months of work and I am sure the Congress will win with a thumping majority. We will form the government again. Q. Who will be the Chief Minister if your party wins? A. It is the prerogative of the party leadership to decide. Whatever deisions are taken, I will support them. Q. If Sidhu insists on being the CM, will you agree? A. If somebody wants to be the Chief Minister, it is not wrong. I am a staunch Congressman and will support the decision of the party high command. Q. Why is there so much confusion about Sidhu's manifesto and Congress manifesto? A. All Congress workers are working for the welfare of Punjabis and betterment of Punjab. Q. Whose manifesto will Congress take to the public? A. This is the prerogative of the party and the high command will release the manifesto soon. Q. Do you think Kejriwal will be able to woo the people of Punjab with his freebies? A. The people of Delhi are already fed up with Kejriwal's dubious claims, and now he is trying to fool Punjabis with freebies. But he will not succeed. Punjabis will teach him a lesson. Mumbai, Jan 25 : Lori Forte, executive producer of "Ice Age: The Adventures of Buck Wild", the sixth film of the 'Ice Age' franchise, has described the character of Buck as "charismatic, funny and eccentric". Shedding light on the character, Forte said: "He's an explorer and adventurer who has been on his own in the Lost World for so long, that he has a tentative relationship with reality at best." Delving into the character's social skills, she added: "His only real relationships are with inanimate objects such as pineapples, boulders or tree stumps, and he couldn't be happier. He even adopted a baby pumpkin named Bronwyn." "Ice Age: The Adventures of Buck Wild" follows the adventures of the one-eyed, dinosaur-hunting weasel Buck Wild, voiced by Simon Pegg. Buck Wild was first introduced in "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs". "Ice Age: The Adventures of Buck Wild" will be streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from January 28. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Indian fishermen, who were released earlier, have been repatriated to their homeland via the Wagah border crossing, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said on Tuesday, Express Tribune reported. "The government of Pakistan has released 20 Indian prisoners (fishermen) who have been repatriated via Wagah Border to India on 24 January," the Foreign Office said in a statement. The fishermen were arrested for "illegally entering Pakistani waters" and fishing without permission. They were in Karachi's Landhi Jail but were released a day earlier by the government on a "humanitarian basis", the report said. "The issue of prisoners is of humanitarian nature and Pakistan expects the government of India to reciprocate the gesture in the same spirit," it said. The fishermen were released from the District Prison and Correctional Facility, Malir in Karachi on Sunday. They were brought to Wagah on Monday and were handed over to India's Border Security Force in the evening after meeting the legal formalities, the report said. New Delhi, Jan 25 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said that India is better placed today to meet the challenges of the future and hailed the country's vaccination drive against Covid-19. Addressing the nation on the eve of 73rd Republic Day, he said that the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has shown an unmatched resolve. He noted that the vaccination drive is progressing at a quick pace and during the pandemic, India has reached out to several other countries with vaccines and other medical help and its contribution has also been appreciated by international organisations. Noting that unfortunately, the virus makes a comeback with new mutations, the President cautioned that as the pandemic is still widespread, people must remain alert and not let their guard down. He emphasised that in the fight against Covid, it has now become a sacred national duty of every citizen to follow the precautions suggested by scientists and experts and "we have to discharge this duty till the crisis is behind us". Kovind said that each one of us can remember Gandhiji's advice and help improve the world around us, exuding confidence that inspired by this spirit of universal brotherhood, India and the entire global community will move towards a more equitable and prosperous future. Appreciating the role of leadership, policy-makers, administrators, and others at the Central and state levels for making timely interventions, he also said that the economy is on the move again. It is a testimony to India's spirit in the face of adversity that the economy is projected to grow at an impressive rate in this fiscal, after going through contraction last year, he said, adding that this shows the success of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan launched the previous year. Noting that small and medium enterprises have played an important role in providing employment to people and imparting impetus to the economy, the President said: "Our innovative young entrepreneurs have set new benchmarks of success by making effective use of the startup eco-system." Referring to the National Education Policy, he said: "To reap the demographic dividend, the government has created the right environment with the National Education Policy that makes a perfect blend of traditional values and modern skills." He also said that it is gratifying to note that India has found a place among the top 50 innovative economies. About the country's sportspersons who brought cheers last year as they made their mark at the Olympics and their self-confidence, he said that they will inspire millions of youngsters. The President said that in recent months, he has witnessed remarkable examples of people strengthening the country and the society through their commitment and action in diverse areas. "The dedicated teams of the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Ltd have built indigenous state of the art aircraft carrier IAC Vikrant which is to be inducted into our Navy," he said, adding that due to such modern military capabilities, India is now counted among the world's leading naval powers. "This is an impressive example of moving towards self-reliance in the field of defence." The President said that today, it is our soldiers and security personnel who carry on the legacy of national pride. He said, when a brave soldier dies on duty, the entire country feels sad. Last month, in an unfortunate accident, the country lost one of the bravest commanders - General Bipin Rawat, his wife and many other brave soldiers and the entire country was deeply saddened by the tragic loss, he said. Highlighting that India will cross a milestone when it completes 75 years of Independence, the President said that the country has been celebrating this as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. "It is a great opportunity for not only the next generation but all of us to reconnect with our past... our freedom struggle was an inspiring chapter in our splendid saga. In this 75th year of Independence, let us re-discover the values that animated our glorious national movement," he added. Kovind also said that all had, on January 23, observed the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who had adopted the energising salutation of 'Jai Hind' and his quest for independence and his ambition to make India proud "inspire all of us". Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX's upgraded Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down Monday off the Florida coast, marking the return of the company's 24th contracted cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The unmanned spacecraft carried more than 4,900 pounds (2,225 kg) of valuable scientific experiments and other cargo back to the Earth, according to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the experiments to NASA's Space Station Processing Facility at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, allowing researchers to collect data with minimal sample exposure to the Earth's gravity, according to NASA. The spacecraft was launched on Dec. 21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, arriving at the ISS less than 24 hours later. The spacecraft delivered more than 6,500 pounds (2,950 kg) of hardware, research investigations and crew supplies to the ISS. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Newly-appointed ISRO chairman S. Somanath on Tuesday said that there had been a delay in the timeline of space mission Gaganyaan because of the Covid and other constraints but now, things have again fallen back on track and all the systems needed for the first unmanned mission are getting realised. He was updating Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh during a meeting discussing the status of 'Gaganyaan' as well as other space missions lined up for the near future. Following the first unmanned mission, the second unmanned mission "Vyommitra" will carry a robot and this will then be followed by the human mission, he told the minister. The minister was also informed that the Indian astronauts have successfully undergone generic space flight training in Russia. A dedicated ad-hoc astronaut training centre has also been established at Bengaluru for Gaganyan specific training. The preparations for the human mission, said the ISRO Chief, involve in-flight demonstration of Crew Escape System functioning in the lower atmosphere (less than 10 km). The exercise recovery of the crew module after impacting in sea is also being worked out. In 2022, ISRO will also have the distinction of launching GSAT-21, the first fully funded satellite of NSIL (New Space India Ltd), and will be owned as well as operated by NSIL. This communication satellite will meet the DTH (Direct to Home) application needs. The ISRO Chairman presented at brief about the forthcoming missions during the next three months. He mentioned a RICAT-1A PSLV C5-2 scheduled for February, OCEANSAT-3, INS 2B ANAND PSLV C-53 to be launched in March, and SSLV-D1 Micro SAT in April. New Delhi, Jan 25 : India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), late General Bipin Rawat, has been posthumously honoured with the second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day. General Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 12 armed personnel were killed in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021. Others who have been honoured with Padma Vibhushan include Prabha Atre (Art), Kalyan Singh (Public Affairs, Posthumous) and Radhyashyam Khemka (Literature & Education, Posthumous) On January 14 this year, the Court of Inquiry constituted to probe the military chopper crash ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident. Sharing preliminary findings of the tri-services Court of Inquiry report, the Indian Air Force said the chopper crash was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. The inquiry team analysed the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident. Gen Rawat was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Nilgiri Hills to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course. Hyderabad, Jan 25 : The Covid-19 situation in Telangana does not warrant imposition of night curfew in the state, the state government informed the High Court on Tuesday. Director of Public Health Dr G. Srinivasa Rao said the Covid spread in the state is not to the level that requires restrictions like night curfew. In a report submitted to the High Court, he said the Covid positivity rate in the state is only 3.16 per cent while as per the guidelines issued by the Centre, night curfew should be imposed when the positivity rate exceeds 10 per cent. The court was hearing petitions relating to Covid situation in the state. Srinivasa Rao also informed the court that positivity rate has not exceeded 10 per cent in any of the 33 districts. The highest positivity rate is in Medak district at 6.45 per cent while in Greater Hyderabad, which has been recording bulk of the daily cases, positivity rate stands at 4.26 per cent. The court was informed that orders prohibiting public gatherings are in force in the state till January 31. It was also told that for last one week, the state health authorities have been conducting more than a lakh tests every day. Srinivasa Rao said fever survey was on across the state and in the first three days, 1.78 lakh home isolation kits were distributed among people with Covid symptoms. He also informed the court that 59 per cent of the beneficiaries in 15-18 age group have been vaccinated. So far, 2.16 lakh beneficiaries have taken the precaution dose. However, counsel of the petitioners submitted to the court that identification of 1.70 lakh people with Covid symptoms during fever survey indicate the severity of Covid situation in the state. The court noted that Covid-19 safety precautions like wearing of masks and maintaining social distance were not being followed. It directed Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and police to strictly implement Covid rules. It also asked the Director of Public Health to be present during the next hearing on January 28. Meanwhile, the daily Covid count in the state mounted to 4,559 on Tuesday. Authorities conducted 1,13,670 tests during the 24-hour period ending 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday. GHMC reported highest number of cases at 1,450 followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (432), Rangareddy (322), Hanamkonda (201), Khammam (145), Nalgonda (138), and Karimnagar (112). The state also reported two deaths during the period. The active cases rose to 36,269. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Jan 25 : With an aim to prevent drug smuggling in the country, the government has sanctioned over 1,600 posts of various levels to effectively expand the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Further, it has been learnt that the government has also given nod to set up a specialised cyber wing to track and crackdown on the drug smuggling activities through Darknet and crypto currency. NCB sources said that the agency had sent a proposal to the government in October 2021 for sanction of over 3,000 posts for the long-awaited expansion of the organisation and to set up around 18 zonal and sub-zonal offices across the country. As per expansion plan, the NCB mulls to set up more zonal offices, to be headed by Deputy Director General level officers in all states for effective control against the drug menace in the country. The officials in the bureau also said that NCB's proposed cyber-wing will be headed by a separate Deputy DG level officer, and will coordinate with other agencies including the intelligence agencies in the country, a senior official said. It will have cyber-forensic capabilities like retrieval of deleted data from laptops, mobile phones and servers, and various tools to decrypt the codified messages, he added. The officials also said that the zonal office will be set up in a phase manner in each state to be headed by a Zonal Director. The NCB is also planning to have an intelligence wing of 100 officers. Initially officers will be hired from the states' police and para-military forces on deputation basis. Similarly, a team of sniffer dogs to detect drugs and contrabands during the raid will be included. For the purpose, dogs from K9 and other Indian breeds will be adopted by the bureau. Currently, the NCB has five Deputy DG level officers who report to DG NCB. Soon, more Deputy DG will be deputed to look after the zonal offices and it is expected that by the end of the year at least two Deputy DGs will start heading the two different zonal offices, the officials said. New Delhi, Jan 25 : In a surprise move, the Narendra Modi government on Tuesday conferred the Padma Bhushan to Congress leader, and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for public affairs. Azad is also a former Union Minister and till recently, was the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Hailing from Jammu & Kashmir, he started his political career working as the Secretary for the Block Congress Committee in his hometown Bhalessa in 1973. After two years, he was appointed the President of the Jammu and Kashmir Youth Congress. In 1980, he was appointed President of the Youth Congress - a coveted post at that time - and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Maharashtra in 1980. He was appointed a junior Minister for Law, Justice and Company Affairs Ministry in 1982. Parliamentary Affairs and Civil Aviation Minister during the P.V. Narsimha Rao government, he was Urban Development Minister (2004-05) in the first UPA government, J&K Chief Minister from 2005 to 2008, and then Union Health Minister in the UPA-II. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Not many years ago, when Madhur Jaffrey, unarguably the First Lady of Global Indian Cuisine, visited India for an international food event here, the audience was informed that the Queen had made her a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004. Many had then wondered why a Padma award had eluded the celebrated actress -- the only Indian to be named best actress at the Berlin Film Festival award (for "Shakespeare Wallah" in 1965) -- and the most authoritative voice on Indian food. On Tuesday, her legions of readers and admirers celebrated the announcement that President Ram Nath Kovind had bestowed upon her the Padma Bhushan for her contributions to the culinary arts. Radiating light and energy at 88, Jaffrey is still very much in the public eye, her most recent appearance being in the "Sex and the City" spinoff "And Just Like That", starring Carrie Bradshaw, as the mother of the Sarita Choudhury character, an Indian American New York realtor. And she still manages to look every inch the princess she played in the 1975 Ismail Merchant-James Ivory film, "Autobiography of a Princess". In her "Instantly Indian Cookbook", published in 2019 (46 years after "An Invitation to Indian Cooking" established her as the foremost writer on her country's cuisine), Jaffrey also proved to the world that, as in acting, she's never out of touch with metamorphosing global trends -- because she doesn't believe in resting on past laurels. In the "Instantly Indian Cookbook", she presented recipes customised for the Instant Pot, the electric pressure cooker that had become an instant hit, especially when the world was locked down because of the pandemic and had to cook at home. It's really been a long and eventful journey for Madhur Bahadur, the daughter of an elite Kayastha family of Delhi -- the street in the capital's Civil Lines where her sprawling ancestral home stood is named after her late grandfather, Rai Bahadur Raj Narain. That bungalow -- No. 7, Raj Narain Marg -- provides the backdrop to Jaffrey's much-loved memoir, "Climbing the Mango Trees" (2005). Jaffrey read English Literature at Miranda House, joined All India Radio (AIR), where she hosted a western music programme every evening and also met her first husband, Saeed Jaffrey, acted in plays on AIR written by Ruth Praver Jhabvala, her Civil Lines neighbour much before Ismail Merchant and James Ivory signed her up as their screenplay writer, and joined Unity Theatre, a repertory company that Jaffrey had founded in Delhi. The protagonists of Jhabvala's first novel, "To Whom She Will"(1955), are said to have been inspired by Madhur and Saeed. The marriage, of course, did not last, even as both became independently famous, and when Madhur Jaffrey last visited her former home city, she was accompanied by classical violinist Sanford Allen, with whom she has been married since 1969. Remembering her days with the celebrated trio -- Merchant, Ivory and Jhabvala (in fact, Merchant and Ivory met at her home in New York) -- Jaffrey recalled with a twinkle in her kohl-lined expressive eyes: "Ismail could make you do anything. He would call you for a meal and then step outside to buy groceries. He would invite you to a party at Cannes and make you shop and cook for him. But we wouldn't mind. He would persuade you to do a film then and pay you very little. We would do it because we loved him." Although it was Merchant, an avid cook himself, who made her famous in the culinary world, Jaffrey, out of desperation, honed her kitchen skills when she was a student at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1955. Remembering those dreary days, she said during her Delhi visit: "I was so miserable that my mother started sending me airmails with recipes for simple dishes such as 'aloo jeera'." If Merchant was responsible, along with Ivory, in shaping Jaffrey's acting career, he was also behind her culinary stardom. As she recalled: "In New York, it was Ismail's idea to invite (the famous) 'New York Times' food critic Craig Claiborne to profile me as an actress who cooks." Jaffrey borrowed "a friend's home" for the meal that she served on that occasion. The result was a piece that "put me on the path of food forever: Indian Actress is a Star in the Kitchen Too". On the subject of how she went about writing her cookbooks -- "An Invitation to Indian Cooking" was published in 1973 -- Jaffrey said: "I have yet to write a recipe that I haven't cooked or tasted myself. Even now, whenever I call people home in New York, I am my own shopper, cook, cleaner." What gratifies her today is that "Indian food is far more evolved now internationally than it was." As she put it: "When I wrote my first book I had to leave out things like asafoetida because my publisher said no one would understand this. By the second book, I decided to stick up for what I thought was right, otherwise things would never change." If they have -- and how! -- we have Madhu Jaffrey to thank in ladlefuls. Kolkata, Jan 25 : Former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, on Tuesday refused to accept the Padma Bhushan award conferred upon him by the government of India on the eve of the country's 73rd Republic Day. Bhattacharya was given the award for his contribution in the field of Public Affairs. A statement issued by the veteran CPI-M leader read: "I don't know anything about the Padma Bhushan award, nobody told me about it. If I were awarded the Padma Bhushan, I would reject it." Minutes later, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri confirmed the statement. Bhattacharya, 77, who is suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), hardly gets out of his house for the past few years now. Even during last year's Assembly polls in Bengal, the veteran leader did not campaign for his party. He was hospitalised twice in the last six months. According to sources in the CPI-M, the party "does not believe in such awards" and hence the CPI-M as well as Bhattacharya has decided to refuse it. A senior CPI-M leader said, "Earlier, the name of another former Chief Minister of West Bengal and CPI-M stalwart, Jyoti Basu, was proposed for the Bharat Ratna by then UPA government, but Basu also refused the award as Communists do not believe in these types of awards. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya also did the same. It was expected of him." Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 : A scientist, an exponent of a traditional martial art, a physically challenged social worker, and an acclaimed author were the four Keralites awarded the prestigious Padma awards for 2022. Sosamma Iype (Animal Husbandry), Shankaranarayana Menon Chundayil (Sports (Kalari)), K.V. Rabiya (Social Work), and P. Narayana Kurup (Literature and Education) have been conferred the Padma Shri. A former professor at the Kerala Agricultural University, with expertise in Animal Breeding and Genetics, Iype initiated the process of rehabilitation and conservation of the nearly extinct Vechur cow in 1988, along with other indigenous breeds of Kerala, such as Kasargod and Cheruvally cattle and Attappady goats. Rabiya, 55, is a physically challenged social worker from Malappuram, who rose to prominence through her role in the Kerala State Literacy Campaign in Malappuram district in 1990. Kurup, 87 is a poet besides a popular literary critic and has authored several significant works on satire, criticism and travel memoirs, among others. Reacting to the Padma Shri award, he said even though it has come late he has no complaints at all. Same was the reaction from 92 year old Chundayil, more popularly known as Unni Gurukal, known for his in-depth knowledge of Kalaripayitu - the traditional martial art practised and hugely popular in the yesteryears here. "People say I should have got it long back, but nevertheless, it has finally come. I thank all and dedicate this to my profession. I am extremely happy," said the renowned exponent of the martial arts and a master trainer over the years. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Victor Banerjee had burst on the silver screen in 1977 as the hookah-smoking Madr-ud-Daula, 'prime minister' of Awadh, in Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', and he maintains that it was the biggest break of his career that has seen him appearing in English, Hindi, Bengali and Assamese language films, working with marquee directors such as David Lean, James Ivory, Roman Polanski and Ronald Neame, and closer home, with Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal and Ram Gopal Verma. A winner of the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for 'Ghare Baire', also directed by Satyajit Ray, he is the only Indian film personality to have won the National Film Award in three categories -- the other two as Cinematographer, for his documentary 'Where No Journeys End', and as Director, for his documentary 'The Splendour of Garhwal and Roopkund'. In fact, 'Where No Journeys End', in competition with 3,100 entries from 27 countries, won the Gold Award at the Houston International Film Festival. It's been quite an eclectic journey for Banerjee, who was born in a zamindari Bengali Hindu family and is a descendant of the Raja Bahadur of Chanchal (now in the Malda district of West Bengal) and the Raja of Uttarpara (in Hooghly district). He turned down a scholarship to Dublin's Trinity College, which had offered to admit him as an operatic tenor, but later he became the lead tenor in the Calcutta Light Opera Group production of 'The Desert Song', and also played Jesus in the Bombay Theatre's first-ever musical production, 'Godspell'. Schooled at Shillong's St Edmund's School, Banerjee graduated in English Literature from Kolkata's St Xavier's College and obtained a Master's in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University. In 1984, Banerjee portrayed Dr Aziz Ahmed in David Lean's 'A Passage to India', which brought him to the attention of western audiences. He was nominated for a BAFTA award for the role in 1986, and won the Evening Standard British Film Award and NBR (US National Board Review) Award for the same film. In April 1985, at a special event in Louisiana, where John Travolta and American TV actress Loretta Swit were also honoured, Banerjee received the 'Show-a-Rama Award' from the Motion Picture Association of America as 'New International Star'. There have been other memorable roles too, for instance in Merchant-Ivory's 'Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie's Pictures' and in Mrinal Sen's 'Mahaprithibi'. And, as one known to speak his mind, Banerjee, on the sets of 'Gunday' (2014) starring Priyanka Chopra, is reported to have snapped: "I have a kitchen to run" and "all work is a challenge and therefore fun". Banerjee has also appeared in numerous Bollywood movies, notably 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' (2007), 'Apne' (2007) and 'Sarkar Raj' (2008). Other significant appearances include 'Protidan' (1983), 'Byabandhan' (1990), 'It Was Raining That Night' (2005), 'Delhi in a Day' (2011), 'Dev Bhoomi' (2016), 'Biporjoy' (2017) and 'The Answer' (2018). There have also been forays into politics. Banerjee unsuccessfully contested the 1991 Lok Sabha election in Calcutta North West on the BJP ticket. He garnered 89,155 votes and came in third. As an active member of the BJP, he was critical of the then Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's suggestion that the karsevaks who had stormed the Babri Masjid prior to its demolition should have been shot. He has also been highly critical of what he termed Punjab Congress politician Navjot Singh Sidhu's pacifist attitude to terrorism exported from Pakistan. Born on October 15, 1946, Banerjee is only 75, young by today's standards, and one sincerely hopes the Padma Bhushan will spur him on to greater heights. Itanagar, Jan 25 : Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday appealed to people to carefully make statement about missing Arunachal Pradesh teenager Miram Taron, who was reportedly kidnapped by Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) a week ago from the Indian territory. The minister in a statement said : "We are constantly following the case from day one. I appeal to everyone to be cautious in making statements which are not based on facts because the safety and safe return of our Young Arunachal Pradesh youth is the priority." "Miram Taron (19) of Jido Village in Upper Siang district, was found missing on January 18 at Shiyung La in Bishing Area. Some people reported that Chinese PLA had taken him into their custody," a statement released on his twitter handle said. He said that since the individual was missing from an area close to LAC (Line of Actual Control), Indian Army immediately approached Chinese side on January 19, asking for assistance in tracing and return of the individual, in case he had strayed into the Chinese territory or PLA has taken him in their custody. "Chinese side assured that they would search for the individual and return him as per established protocol. Later on January 20, the Chinese side intimated that they had found a boy on their side and requested for further details to establish the identity." "To assist the Chinese side in corroborating the identity, personal details and photo of the individual has been shared with the Chinese side by the Indian Army. Response from the Chinese side is awaited," the statement reads. The Arunachal Pradesh government had also sought the Defence Ministry's intervention to ensure the safe return of the youth. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu earlier said that the Defence Ministry through diplomatic channels took up the matter with the Chinese authority. "I am hopeful that the youth would be released and return to his village soon," the Chief Minister had told the media in Itanagar. The Chinese Army reportedly abducted Tarom from the Indian territory where China had constructed a 3-4 km road in 2018. His friend, who managed to escape, reported the matter to the authorities and brought it to the notice of Tapir Gao, a BJP MP from the Arunachal East parliamentary constituency. Gao had tweeted about the it last week. In September 2020, the Chinese PLA had reportedly kidnapped five boys from Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district before releasing them after about a week. The villagers in the region have to trek through the remote mountainous areas due to the lack of proper roads. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,080-km border with China. WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated Tuesday that there is no intention in his administration or within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to send troops into Ukraine, but that Russia will face serious economic consequences if it invades the former Soviet republic. "We have no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine," Biden told reporters when he was at a store in Washington buying gifts for his wife and grandson. "But I said there are going to be serious economic consequences if (Russian President Vladimir Putin) moves" Russian troops into Ukraine. Biden's remarks came one day after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin placed some 8,500 U.S. troops to be on "heightened preparedness to deploy" to Europe, citing "Russia's continuing provocations along its border with Ukraine." Biden told reporters that the ready-to-deploy action is a "NATO operation" rather than "a sole U.S. operation," and that it is a manifestation of Washington's commitment to NATO's Article VI collective defense obligation. Biden said if Putin "continued to build up" Russian forces along Ukraine's border or if he "was to move" the troops into Ukraine, the United States will be "reinforcing" its troops. Asked whether he is considering sanctioning the Russian president personally if he orders the invasion of Ukraine, Biden said: "Yes, he would receive that." The president didn't give a definitive answer to whether the possibility of Russia invading Ukraine is increasing, decreasing or steady, saying what's in Putin's mind remains vague, and that "it all comes down to his decision." Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called a Russian invasion of Ukraine "imminent." "But again, we can't make a prediction of what decision President Putin will make. We're still engaged in diplomatic discussions and negotiations," she said during a press briefing at the White House. New Delhi, Jan 25 : After former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya on Tuesday refused to accept the Padma Bhushan bestowed upon him the government of India on the eve of Republic Day, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has taken a jibe at party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan. Ramesh tweeted on Bhattacharya's refusal to accept the award, saying: "Right thing to do. He wants to be Azad not Ghulam." The comment was indirectly aimed at his party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan in the field of Public Affairs. Azad is also a former Union minister and till recently, he was the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Azad was one of the first in the Congress to stoke the leadership issue in the party. Former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, on Tuesday refused to accept the Padma Bhushan award conferred upon him by the government of India. Bhattacharya was given the award for his contribution in the field of Public Affairs. A statement issued by the veteran CPI-M leader read: "I don't know anything about the Padma Bhushan award, nobody told me about it. If I were awarded the Padma Bhushan, I would reject it." Minutes later, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri confirmed the statement. Bhattacharya, 77, who is suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), hardly gets out of his house for the past few years now. Even during last year's Assembly polls in Bengal, the veteran leader did not campaign for his party. He was hospitalised twice in the last six months. New Delhi, Jan 25 : Air India's cabin crew union has objected to the company's new rules mandating pre-flight -- Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight -- checks by "grooming associates". The All India Cabin Crew Association conveyed its objections to the airline's 'Inflight Services Department'. On January 20, 2022, the Executive Director of ISD, through an internal communication, informed cabin crew members about the new rules of checks on a quarterly basis. The guidelines were introduced so that the crews are in line with laid-out norms in the uniform regulations. According to the communication, the cabin supervisor of the flight will be responsible to ensure the required guidelines are followed. "...it will be the responsibility of the cabin supervisor of the flight to ensure that her/his set of crew are well turned out and follow complete uniform regulations," the communication sent out by the airline said. The bone of contention between the union and the airline was that the latter wants these checks to be conducted by doctors in the privacy of medical clinics instead of "grooming assistants". "Furthermore there is to be dignity and privacy during the conduct of such medical checks, and ladies may only be treated/checked by a female practitioner," the union said. Besides, the newly-mandated compliance may disturb cabin crew members mentally ahead of their flights, it said. "This stressful BMI check during a reporting at 'CCMCO' is bound to disturb crew mental preparation through giving rise to flight safety issues, pre-departure when cabin crew are required to conduct rapid review and briefings," the union added. The new rules could be in violation of the 'Share Purchase Agreement' between the government and Air India and Tata Group -- the new owner of the national carrier awaiting formal handover, the union said in the letter to the ISD. The union may seek legal remedies if the new rules are not withdrawn, it said. "Respectfully, we thus would call upon you to amend the impugned circular and reissue it without the offending clause of 'BMI Check/BMI Management' failing which AICCA may be compelled to seek legal redressal which may also extend to the issuance of a directive and/or contempt, none of which we desire at this stage," it added. New Delhi, Jan 26 : Meghalaya will honour the contributions of women-led cooperative societies and self- help groups (SHGs) through its tableau during the Republic Day parade on Rajpath on Wednesday. The tableau will showcase bamboo and cane handicrafts and Lakadong turmeric. The success and popularity of these products are testimony to the relentless efforts of the women-led cooperative societies and SHGs; and their contribution to the state's economy. Notably, Meghalaya is currently celebrating its 50 years of statehood. The front part of the tableau will depict a woman weaving a bamboo basket and the several bamboo and cane products of Meghalaya. The bamboo and cane handicrafts in the state once declined due to the availability of cheaper mass-produced plastic alternatives. Determined to revive this craft, women across several villages in Meghalaya came together to form cooperative societies and SHGs, which now cater to demands from across the globe, thus improving the livelihoods of numerous artisans. The rear portion of the tableau depicts the traditional farming and processing of Lakadong turmeric. Lakadong turmeric, renowned for its high curcumin content, attained global-fame due to the efforts of women-led cooperative societies and SHGs from Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya. The entire value-chain is driven by women-led cooperatives and SHGs. The rear portion also shows the commemorative logo of Meghalaya's 50th year of statehood. Gandhinagar, Jan 26 : As per the list from the Home Ministry's Padma Awards for this year has been announced, a total of seven Gujarati persons have been selected by the Ministry, including Swami Sachidanand who will receive the Padma Bhushan award. Swami Sachidanand is a social reformer, humanitarian, philosopher and a welfare activist belonging to no "panth". His religious work has been with an aim to uplift the human values and the whole society. Apart from him, six noted Gujarati personalities have been selected for the Padma Shri award. Savjibhai Dholakia, a noted diamond businessman from Surat, owns an empire with a turnover worth Rs 6,000 crore annually. He has been known for his corporate social responsibility activities. The other Gujarati is Ramilaben Gamit, a member of the Taparwada gram panchayat in Gujarat's Tapi district, who has also received the Swachh Shakti Puraskar from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making her village open defecation free. The noted Gujarati literateur, Khalil Dhantejvi will be receiving the Padma Shri award posthumously. Born in 1935 in his village Dhantejvi, on which Khalil took his pen-name, Khalil Dhantejvi, died on April 4, 2021, at Vadodara. Another noted Gujarati to receive the Padma Shri is Maljibhai Desai, who is known for his decades of service in water conservation. Lata Desai from Society for Education Welfare and Action-Rural will be receiving the Padma Shri for services in rural community health. Jayant Vyas will also receive the Padma Shri award as per the list announced by the Union Home Ministry. New Delhi, Jan 26 : A total 384 Indian armed forces soldiers will received gallantry and other defence decorations, including 12 Shaurya Chakras, on the eve of 73rd Republic Day celebrations on January 26. These gallantry awards include 12 Shaurya Chakras, 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Yudh Seva Medals, three Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals, 122 Vishisht Seva Medals, three Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 81 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 40 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), and 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty). Out of the 12 Shaurya Chakra awardees, six Indian Army officers were honoured with Shaurya Chakra for counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeastern states. Out of the six, five were posthumously awarded. Naib Subedar Sreejith M. of the 17th battalion of Madras Regiment has been honoured posthumously for counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. On July 8, 2021, Sreejith as Quick Reaction Team commander while carrying out search in densely forested and rugged terrain observed movement of two to three terrorists. He tactically deployed his team and engaged the terrorists with effective fire, denying them to break contact and escape. Amid the intense firefight, he observed two terrorists trying to break the cordon. He crawled to the flank and brought down effective fire, eliminating one terrorist. The other terrorists retaliated with a grenade launcher fire and hand grenades in which, Sreejith sustained multiple injuries and started bleeding profusely. Undeterred and regardless of his grievous injuries, he refused to get evacuated and continued to fire before succumbing to his injuries. Anil Kumar Tomar of the Rajput Regiment has been honoured Shaurya Chakra posthumously for counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. On December 25, 2020, Tomar was leading a combat action team for the operation. He was directed by the mission leader to readjust the cordon. While moving for the task, he came under heavy fire from the terrorists and sustained bullet injury in his thigh. Despite that, he responded with accurate fire and neutralised a terrorist. Then he pursued the second terrorist, injured him and cornered him inside a house. When the mission leader decided to address the house using an excavator, Tomar, despite being injured, volunteered. When the house was being addressed, the injured second terrorist emerged from the house firing indiscriminately. He engaged the second terrorist and neutralised him but succumbed to his injuries. Kashiray Bammanalli of Engineers Corps also received Shaurya Chakra posthumously. Bammanalli was a combat action team leader and laid a cordon towards likely escape route along the orchards at a village in Pulwama district. At 11:15 pm, the terrorists tried to flee by lobbing grenades and firing indiscriminately in the direction of Bammanalli. He responded with fire and pushed the terrorists back inside the house. At 11:50 pm, in yet another desperate attempt to break the cordon, the terrorists lobbed grenades and brought heavy fire on Kashiray. Despite sustaining injury on his chest, he eliminated the terrorist. Sensing danger to his flank, he crawled forward to a vantage position and accurately engaged three other terrorists from close range, thereby saving the lives of other troopers. The terrorists were subsequently neutralised. Pinku Kumar of Jat Regiment has been honoured with Shaurya Chakra posthumously. On March 27, 2021, Kumar was part of the inner cordon during an operation in Kashmir. Kumar along with Sepoy Sushil Rathi were covering the most likely escape route of the terrorists. At approximately 8:15 pm, in a bid to escape, two terrorists rushed out of the target house towards the street while firing indiscriminately and lobbing grenades. Kumar tactically re-oriented his position, engaged them with accurate fire and instantly eliminated one terrorist. In the ensuing exchange of fire, the second terrorist took a detour and hid behind the wall of a house. Mindful of the risk to own life, Kumar stealthily moved towards the house and engaged him in a close combat. In the exchange of fire, Kumar injured the terrorist, but sustained grievous gun shot wound on his head and later succumbed to his injuries. Sepoy Maruprolu Jaswanth Kumar Reddy of 17th battalion of the Madras Regiment has been honoured with Shaurya Chakra posthumously. On July 8, 2021, Reddy as scout number two while carrying out search in densely-forested and rugged terrain observed the movement of terrorists and immediately engaged them. Reddy blocked the most likely route to escape. He displayed raw courage and eliminated a terrorist. While he crawled forward to engage the other terrorists, he saw his team commander severely injured in terrorist's fire. He immediately lobbed grenades to pin down the terrorists and swiftly pulled his commander to cover. In doing so, he came under heavy fire from the terrorists and sustained grievous injuries, but disregarding his personal safety, he continued to engage the terrorists before succumbing to his injuries. Rifleman Rakesh Sharma of 5 Assam Rifles has also been honoured with Shaurya Chakra for counter-terror operation in Asssam. Sharma was part of an ambush after receiving information about movement of insurgents for extortion and killing of civilians at a village in Assam on May 23, 2021. The operational contact was established at 2 am and a firefight with the column had confirmed neutralisation of four insurgents. At 4 am, Sharma, sensing a gap in the ambush, reorganised his location along with his rifleman Robinson. They drew heavy fire from the tail-end of the ambush. Sharma spotted two insurgents fleeing the ambush in the cover of dense foliage. He immediately pursued through woods under covering fire from Robinson and closed in to cut off the escape route. Sharma shot dead a fleeing insurgent but being out of cover, he drew heavy fire from the second insurgent. He crawled to take cover under a fallen tree. Showcasing superlative combat shooting, he gunned down the second insurgent as well. Kolkata, Jan 26 : West Bengal IPS officer Nagendra Tripathi, who told Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that he would "not let any black spot on his police uniform", along with two IAS officers and another IPS officer of the state, were on Tuesday conferred the National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices for 2021-22 for their efficiency in conducting the Assembly polls last year. Tripathi, who was posted on special duty for the polling at Nandigram where Trinamool Congress Chairperson Banerjee was pitted against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari had made the statement to her when she complained of rigging in several booths. Apart from him, District Magistrate, Howrah, Mukta Arya, North 24 Parganas DM Sumit Gupta, and SP East Burdwan Kamanasish Sen, who was SP, Baruipur police district during the polls, were awarded at the NVD programme organised by Election Commission in New Delhi. Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju was present at the programme as the guest of honour while Vice President Venkaiah Naidu attended virtually. At the state level programme held at Bhasa Bhavan, three District Magistrates received awards from Chief Secretary H.K Dwivedi who was the Chief Guest. DM, Nadia, Shashank Sethi was felicitated for his role in electoral roll cleansing, DM, Bankura, K. Radhika Aiyer for her role in voter awareness activities and DM, Jalpaiguri, Moumita Godara Basu for online registration. The Chief Secretary lauded the CEO's office and the entire election machinery for ensuing a high percentage voting in West Bengal than most other states where the overall vote percentage is around 55 per cent. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the voter turnout in Bengal was 82 per cent - far ahead than major states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh that had 64 per cent and 59 per cent voting, respectively, in their last Assembly polls. London, Jan 26 : British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons that he welcomed a police investigation into alleged parties at Downing Street during the national lockdown. Johnson faced calls to resign from opposition politicians during an urgent debate on Tuesday following the announcement by the Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, that a police investigation has been launched into "a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19." "I welcome the Met's decision to conduct its own investigation. I believe it will give the public the clarity it needs and draw a line under matters," Johnson told the lawmakers. The Prime Minister said he had commissioned an independent inquiry into a series of events at Downing Street, which "involved sharing information with the police continuously." Senior civil servant, Sue Gray is conducting the said inquiry into these alleged lockdown parties at Downing Street, though the date for its release has yet to be announced, Xinhua news agency reported. During the debate about the police investigation, politicians from the main opposition Labour Party, the minority Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party called on Johnson to step down as Prime Minister. Liberal Democrats leader, Ed Davey told lawmakers that the government was in meltdown, adding: "We can't go on with this chaotic government." He called on Johnson to "do the right thing and resign." Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan also welcomed the investigation into the Downing Street parties by the Metropolitan Police. "The public rightly expect the police to uphold the law without fear or favour, no matter who that involves. The public must be able to expect the highest standards from everyone, including the Prime Minister and those around him. No one is above the law. There cannot be one rule for the government and another for everyone else," Khan said. Ulan Bator, Jan 26 : The Mongolian government and Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto have settled a long-running dispute over underground expansion for the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project, allowing the mine's underground mining construction to commence, the Mongolian government's press office has said. "I believe that the commencement of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mining construction demonstrates to the world that Mongolia can understand and negotiate with investors, work together in a sustainable manner and be a trusted partner," Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene said on Tuesday during the commencement ceremony of the underground mining operations. Within the framework of the government's new revival policy for economic development, Mongolia is ready to work actively and mutually beneficially with global investors and partners, Oyun-Erdene added. The Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine deal between the Mongolian government and Rio Tinto was signed in 2009, with its financing arrangement revised in 2015, Xinhua news agency reported. However, the underground expansion of the Oyu Tolgoi project had been hit by frequent disputes and delays over geotechnical difficulties, costs, the Covid-19 pandemic and others. The mine is Mongolia's biggest ever investment project, and is located in the country's South Gobi Desert. When the underground mine becomes fully operational in 2023, Mongolia will have the world's fifth-largest high-tech underground mine and become one of major players in the international copper market, the Mongolian government said, adding that mine's benefits to the country's economy and state budget are expected to be at least tripled. It is expected to produce 430,000 tons of copper and 425,000 ounces (about 12,050 kg) of gold annually for 20 years. The Mongolian government has a 34-per cent stake in Oyu Tolgoi while the Rio Tinto-controlled Turquoise Hill Resources owns the remaining 66 per cent. Ankara, Jan 26 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has filed criminal complaints against two lawmakers of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) for "insulting" him, the daily Milliyet has reported. Filed by Erdogan's lawyer to the Chief Prosecutor's office in the Turkish capital Ankara, the petition argued that the comments by the CHP lawmakers, Engin Ozkoc and Aykut Erdogdu, on Tele1 broadcaster on January 14 "violated personal rights and reached the level of slander and insult." Their remarks "exceeded the limits of freedom of expression," said the petition, calling for a public lawsuit. Officials from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) also filed criminal complaints against the two CHP lawmakers, Xinhua news agency reported. On January 22, Turkish journalist Sedef Kabas was arrested for "insulting the President" with her remarks on the same show attended by Ozkoc and Erdogdu. "There is a very famous proverb saying that a crowned head becomes wiser. But we see that it is not true," Kabas said on live television, adding that "a bull does not become king just by entering the palace, but the palace becomes a barn." A week later, the Turkish journalist posted the remarks on her Twitter and Instagram accounts which prompted her detention. Turkey's media watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK), fined Tele1 for Kabas' remarks and suspended the program. "Politics, opposition and journalism all have morals. A so-called journalist is blatantly insulting our President on a television channel with no goal other than spreading hatred," Fahrettin Altun, the Presidential Communications Director, tweeted on January 21. Beirut, Jan 26 : Visiting Syrian Energy Minister Ghassan al-Zamil has said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ordered to provide all needed assistance to facilitate the transfer of electricity from Jordan to Lebanon through Syria. "President Assad is keen to ensure the implementation of this project which would pave the way for increased Arab cooperation in the near future," al-Zamil was quoted as saying in a statement on Tuesday released by Lebanon's Presidency, following the Syrian Minister's meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace. On Wednesday, a signing ceremony for an energy deal among Lebanon, Jordan and Syria is scheduled to be held at the Lebanese Energy Ministry in the capital Beirut, Xinhua news agency reported. The Syrian Energy Minister noted that the rehabilitation of his country's power network had been completed by the end of 2021 to allow the transfer of electricity from Jordan to Lebanon. The deal will provide Lebanon with up to 250 megawatts of electricity during the day and 150 megawatts at night, equivalent to a total of two additional hours of power, according to Lebanon's Energy Minister Walid Fayad. The agreement, which came amid Lebanon's severe power outage, is part of the government's wider efforts to increase the daily power supply to eight hours from just two hours now in most parts of the country. The Lebanese government is also preparing to sign an agreement later this year to import gas from Egypt through the Arab Gas Pipeline and boost Lebanon's electricity output. OTTAWA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Canada has decided to withdraw its diplomats' family members in Ukraine, according to a statement issued by the Canadian Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday. "Due to the ongoing Russian military buildup and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine, we have decided to temporarily withdraw Canadian embassy staff's children under 18 years of age and family members accompanying them," said the statement. On Monday, Canada updated its travel advisory suggesting any non-essential Canadians should leave Ukraine. The Canadian decision came after the United States and Britain began withdrawing embassy and diplomatic staff from Ukraine over the weekend, amid heightened concerns of a potential Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Educationally-minded travelers yearning for faraway places can now immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the ancient Chinese capital of Nanjing without ever leaving home. The Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism is pleased to announce its new Virtual Study Abroad YouTube series which launched on January 11. Each week through February 15, a new video will be released that that shows one of the destinations signature attractions through the eyes of a foreigner. After viewing each video, participants will be invited to take a quiz on Instagram Stories @GoToNanjing to test out their knowledge and learn even more. Ready to review the syllabus? Here are the subjects that will be covered: Chapter 1: Qinhuai River Scenic Area, the Mother River of Nanjing and the destinations tourism hub Chapter 2: Niushou Mountain, a sacred Buddhist site with a spectacular underground palace Chapter 3: UNESCO World Heritage-designated Ming Tombs located on Purple Mountain Chapter 4: Nanjing City Wall, the worlds longest circular city wall Chapter 5: Nanjing Confucius Temple, originally constructed in 1034 Chapter 6: Grand Baoen Temple, a high tech reimagination of one of Nanjings ancient wonders Recognized as one of the four great ancient capitals of China, Nanjing has served as the capital city of 10 Chinese dynasties and regimes for a total of more than 1,800 years and is home to some of the countrys most significant historical sites. More information on the destination can be found at http://www.GoToNanjing.com. About Nanjing Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, is situated in the Yangtze River Delta area 190 miles northwest of Shanghai. Recognized as one of the four great ancient capitals of China, Nanjing has served as the capital city of 10 Chinese dynasties and regimes for a total of more than 1,800 years. A sophisticated metropolis and a modern center of history, education, and culture, Nanjing is home to some of the countrys most significant historical attractions such as the Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Dr. Sun Yat-sens Mausoleum; The Presidential Palace; and a City Wall that dates back more than 600 years. Popular attractions also include Chinas oldest public library and one of the countrys first museums, the Nanjing Museum. Nanjing is accessible by Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) with daily flights from North America. Three train stations Nanjing Railway Station, Nanjing South Railway Station, and Nanjing West Railway Station connect Nanjing to all of Chinas major cities, including Shanghai, which is a 90-minute ride via bullet train or three hours by car. For more information on Nanjing, visit http://www.GoToNanjing.com or follow the destination on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube @GoToNanjing. "Our new online identity reflects our values, showcases our capabilities, and allows our clients to fully understand who we are as an organization." - BayWoods Director of Business Development, Jim Harrington BayWoods of Annapolis, a Maryland based continuing care retirement community (CCRC) announced an online brand refresh. They unveiled a new website to reflect the organizations wide range of services and to showcase their core values. BayWoods of Annapolis is a unique retirement living option located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. As a full-service continuing care retirement community (CCRC), BayWoods is structured as a for-profit housing cooperative (co-op) for seniors aged 60 and over. Their mission is to provide seniors with unsurpassed service, healthcare and hospitality in a maritime setting with the benefits of Resident ownership and governance. BayWoods of Annapolis is most notably known for giving its citizens a voice in the community allowing them to express their needs and desires with respect to the day-to-day activities. Our organization has excelled well beyond what our online identity depicts. We invested considerable time searching for a marketing firm that aligned with our core values, and one with a proven track record. After meeting with CC&A Strategic Media we quickly realized their team could help us achieve our goals. Our new online identity reflects our values, showcases our capabilities, and allows our clients to fully understand who we are as an organization. We couldnt be more pleased with the outcome of this project. said BayWoods Director of Business Development, Jim Harrington. BayWoods expertise and team of dedicated staff are committed to their mission of pursuing vibrant and active lifestyles in the community. The BayWoods team has left their mark throughout the region by offering a unique retirement living option. Residents are a self-governing entity and they have a direct hand in the future of the community. BayWoods is an organization dedicated to excellence. After our first interactions we quickly realized the level of expertise within their organization is unmatched. While working through the process of building a new online identity, we experienced firsthand their extensiveness knowledge and capabilities. It is extremely impressive to see their success, and I have no doubt that success will continue for many years to come. Stephen Taormino CEO of CC&A Strategic Media For more information, visit http://www.baywoodsofannapolis.com. Please direct all media inquiries and requests to Lauren Aversa at 410-931-6717 or by email at LAversa@cca-mail.com. Laser Skin Care Center Our team is passionate about our patients and caring for the skin health of the people in our community. It is an honor to combine our services with the larger offerings of West Dermatology, said Drs. Bryna Kane and Edward Glassberg. West Dermatology and Laser Skin Care Center (LSCC) today announced that West Dermatology has acquired Laser Skin Care Center, an established dermatology practice in Long Beach, CA. The acquisition of this exceptional team of dermatology providers and support staff will expand West Dermatologys footprint and its ability to provide excellent dermatology patient care in the California market. There are numerous dermatology providers in the market, but we believe few compare to the high-level of care and clinical excellence that Dr. Bryna Kane, Dr. Edward Glassberg, and their team provide to their patients. Laser Skin Care Center is an impressive clinic that provides a mix of medical, surgical, and cosmetic care and is a welcome addition to the West Derm family of practices, said Brian Stern, CEO of West Dermatology. The first step in building a great dermatology group is getting the right team together. Ive personally known Bryna since we were residents together at UCLA and I could not be more excited to work together again. Bryna and Edward assembled a remarkable team of providers and staff that have experience not only in patient care, but also in educating future dermatology providers and giving back to their community through various charitable organizations. LSCC is a special group and we are thrilled to have them with us, added Dr. Mitchel Goldman, Medical Director of CA. LSCC is delighted to join Team West! said Drs. Bryna Kane and Edward Glassberg. Our team is passionate about our patients and caring for the skin health of the people in our community. It is an honor to combine our services with the larger offerings of West Dermatology. Well-known in Long Beach, CA, and the region for over 3 decades, Laser Skin Care Center serves the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and greater Orange County communities with services including medical, surgical, cosmetic, and dermatopathology. In addition to the founders, the practice is home to board-certified dermatologists including, Hadas Skupsky, MD, Hong Nguyen, MD, Sandy Kuo, MD, Young Kwak, MD, and Benjamin Farahnik, MD. Additional providers include Physician Assistant, Veronica Chang; RN, Melanie Dominguez; and aestheticians Nikki Destra and Joy Gostin. As part of the West Dermatology family of practices, LSCC will receive world-class business support services at every level. The LSCC providers will continue to make the treatment decisions and provide clinical excellence for their patients. About West Dermatology West Dermatology is committed to providing comprehensive dermatology services and education to patients, so they have Healthy Skin for Life. Committed to clinical excellence, the providers at West Dermatology have decades of experience across the dermatology space and all the doctors are board-certified. Recognized as the clinical leaders in dermatology in the country, West Dermatology continues to expand its footprint and service offerings to best care for the patients in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Newport, CA, the company offers access to medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology services in Arizona, California, and Nevada. West Dermatology also has an industry leading research department and a best-in-class dermatopathology lab. West Dermatology continues to grow and is always looking to add great providers and top talent to its family of practices. Patients interested in being seen at one of the many West Dermatology locations can schedule appointments directly on the West Dermatology website, where they will find additional information on the West Dermatology providers, locations, and the conditions they treat, WestDermatology.com. Were committed to ensuring that our patients have access to lifesaving medications, said Gary Robb, VP and Chief Pharmacy Officer at UnityPoint Health. Were confident that TailorMeds technology and vast network will enable us to ease the financial burden of care. TailorMed, a leading financial navigation technology company that helps healthcare organizations and patients remove financial barriers to care, today announced it is partnering with UnityPoint Health, a premier network of hospitals, clinics, and home care services in Iowa, western Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. UnityPoint Health selected TailorMed after performing substantial due diligence on available financial assistance partners in the market. UnityPoint Health will leverage TailorMeds innovative platform, as well as its extensive network of providers, pharmacies, foundations, and life science companies, to help secure vital financial resources for patients at its infusion centers. A recent study revealed that nearly 13 million American adults per year skip or delay filling needed prescriptions due to costs. UnityPoint Health established its Medication Assistance Program (MAP) to help patients secure financial support for their medication needs. The UnityPoint Health MAP and pharmacy teams will utilize TailorMeds platform to proactively identify patients at risk of financial distress, then match and enroll them in resources such as: co-pay assistance, free and replacement drug programs, community, state and federal resources, assistance from disease-specific foundations, and more. TailorMeds technologyincluding its Financial Navigation, Pharmacy, and Financial Insights solutionswill empower UnityPoint Health to address patients financial needs at the point of care, thereby reducing out-of-pocket responsibility and the likelihood of prescription abandonment. UnityPoint Health will also benefit from TailorMeds broad reach and market leadership. With its recent acquisition of the financial assistance platform Vivor, TailorMed has created the largest network of provider, pharmacy, and life science companies on the market. In partnership with 900 healthcare facilities, the companies together have provided more than $1 billion in funding assistance for patients, from over 5,000 funding programs covering more than 1,000 specific chronic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, COPD, and cancer. Were committed to ensuring that our patients have access to lifesaving medications, regardless of their financial circumstances, said Gary Robb, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at UnityPoint Health. Were confident that TailorMeds cutting-edge technology and vast network will enable us to amplify our efforts to ease the financial burden of care. Were thrilled to be working with UnityPoint Health, a leading healthcare organization that lives up to its mission of providing the best outcome for every patient, every time, said Srulik Dvorsky, CEO and co-founder of TailorMed. With patients and healthcare systems facing unprecedented financial pressure, its more important than ever to remove barriers to care. We look forward to partnering with UnityPoint Health to help more patients access the cost-saving resources they deserve. ## About TailorMed TailorMed is a healthcare technology company founded to help patients and healthcare organizations remove financial barriers to care by making it easier for patients to afford the cost of treatment. TailorMeds financial navigation platform is used by over 900 healthcare facilities nationwide including leading health systems, pharmacies, and clinics. Learn more at https://tailormed.co/. About UnityPoint Health UnityPoint Health is one of the nation's most integrated health systems, providing care to both metropolitan and rural communities across Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, UnityPoint Health has relationships with more than 450 physician clinics, 20 regional and 19 community network hospitals, 7 community mental health centers, 4 accredited colleges and home care services throughout its 9 regions. UnityPoint Health entities employ more than 32,000 employees who are dedicated to making it easier for people to live well. More at unitypoint.org. Saving through a Penelope 401(k) is the first step to becoming an investor, for your own retirement and for the next generation, said Jean Smart, CEO and Founder of Penelope. On a mission to enable every small business to build bright financial futures for their owners and employees, Penelope today announced the launch of its 401(k) platform, giving small business owners an affordable and accessible way to help their employees plan and invest for retirement. Ted Benna, widely known as the father of the 401(k) who pioneered its mass adoption in the late 1970s and is an advisor to Penelope said, Ive helped a lot of small businesses in my lifetime, as well as running my own business, and for many of them, the idea of offering a 401(k) was out of reach, expensive and confusing, filled with jargon and too time consuming. Now there is a better way. Penelope provides plans that are easier to understand and economically make sense for small businesses and startups. One in four Americans have no retirement savings and, amongst those who do, many are not saving enough for retirement. With Social Security projected to be depleted by 2034, there is a crisis brewing for many Americans. California, Illinois and Oregon now mandate that small businesses offer a qualified retirement plan, with several states introducing similar legislation. As the daughter of immigrant business owners, I watched my parents work tirelessly to provide for our family and their employees. Their sacrifices over several decades enabled us to participate in the American dream, but there were still many barriers for them to invest in their retirement, said Jean Smart, CEO and Founder of Penelope. After spending my career in financial services, I wanted to take what I learned about savings, retirement products and generational wealth building to disrupt an outdated model that doesnt work for most people. Saving through a Penelope 401(k) is the first step to becoming an investor, for your own retirement and for the next generation, said Jean Smart, CEO and Founder of Penelope. A low-cost 401(k) subscription model, Penelopes technology platform automates employee investing, streamlines costs and paperwork, and provides practical savings tools for employees. Built specifically for micro and small businesses, Penelope eliminates the hidden fees and complexity of a traditional employer 401(k) plan. As a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP), multiple small businesses can join forces, decreasing fiduciary liability and reducing the administrative burden. Penelope aims to revolutionize generational wealth building at scale, initially focused on companies with less than 100 employees, and over time the goal is to broaden our product features and serve larger companies, individuals and solopreneurs. Penelope has created a scalable solution to create accessible retirement savings vehicles for millions of Americans who own or work for small businesses and startups. Their new fintech product serves a largely untapped segment of the market that is growing and trying to build the assets they need to be able to retire, says Austin Clements, Managing Partner at Slauson & Co, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage startups driven by its mission of economic inclusion, and an early investor in Penelope. About Penelope: Penelope is the retirement savings platform for small businesses and the 60 million Americans who work for them. A low-cost 401(k) subscription model, Penelope provides affordable and streamlined savings vehicles for small business owners and their employees without hidden charges, hassle or unnecessary jargon. Penelopes intuitive technology platform automates employee investing, streamlines costs and paperwork, and provides learning tools for employees. For more information, visit http://www.Penelope.co. Media Contact: Liang Zhao lz@vansary.com 505-720-6933 HAI Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Malaspina We are proud that AM Best had once again rated our companies as A (Excellent) with a stable outlook. Throughout the years, we have continued to show growth and progression, and having AM Best recognize our achievements is extremely rewarding. HAI Group, the nations leading member-owned property-casualty insurance company for the affordable housing industry, is proud to announce that AM Best has affirmed their Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) of a+. The outlook for both the FSR and ICR continue to be stable. The rating includes the following companies under the HAI Group brand: Housing Authority Risk Retention Group, Inc. (HARRG); Housing Authority Property Insurance, A Mutual Company (HAPI); Housing Enterprise Insurance Company, Inc. (HEIC); and Housing Specialty Insurance Company, Inc. (HSIC). In AM Bests letter affirming the ratings, they categorize HAI Groups balance sheet strength as strongest, operating performance as adequate, business profile as favorable, and enterprise risk management as appropriate. Further noting that the Risk-adjusted capitalization is at the strongest level as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) even when stressed under normal catastrophic and terrorism loss scenarios. The letter continues, In the last five years, HAI Group has seen significant surplus growth which is a direct result of premium growth, expense management and savings, favorable loss development, and appropriately applied rate actions and deductibles for a strong renewal book of business. Loss activity reported reflects favorable loss development on prior accident years and expenses that continue to be in line with the companys plan as it exercises prudent expense management while making significant investments in technology platforms and infrastructure. We are proud that AM Best had once again rated our companies as A (Excellent) with a stable outlook, said HAI Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Malaspina. Throughout the years, we have continued to show growth and progression, and having AM Best recognize our achievements is extremely rewarding. The diligence put forth by our employees can be seen by our strong underwriting results and highest level of customer service for our members. About HAI Group HAI Group is the nations leading property-casualty insurance company founded by and dedicated to affordable housing. While we are recognized as a pioneer of affordable housing insurance programs, insurance is not our only strength. We protect, preserve, and promote the sustainability of affordable housing with a wide array of products and services that support the challenges housing organizations face. Besides insurance, they include research, advocacy, and training relied on by more than 1,500 housing organizations nationwide. Headquartered in Cheshire, Connecticut, HAI Group was recognized as a Top Workplace in 2020 and 2021. For more information, please visit http://www.housingcenter.com. About AM Best AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, please visit http://www.ambest.com. The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) joined the Alliance for Connected Care and other organizations in writing to Congress and urging the reinstatement of a policy that permits pre-deductible coverage of telehealth services for those in high-deductible health plans. To provide relief for individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020. The CARES Act has a provision that allows high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to temporarily cover telehealth and other remote care services at little to no cost, even before the plan subscriber reaches their deductible. This provision expired on December 31, 2021. According to the letter circulated by the Alliance for Connected Care, this telehealth provision provided for a meaningful expansion of healthcare access for 32 million Americans during the pandemic, particularly those with limited incomes who may otherwise have avoided care due to out-of-pocket costs. Jamie Callahan, chair of the AONN+ Policy & Advocacy Committee, said, Telehealth availability helps to keep immunocompromised patients at home, and offers more flexibility to those who need to travel long distances for care otherwise. This proposed change would help address financial barriers to care our patients experience to telehealth care. I would like to add that HDHP-HSA plans affect a large percentage of post-treatment cancer survivors, said Deborah Lefkowitz, a new member of AONN+. According to study results published in JAMA Network Open, 44 percent of privately insured adult cancer survivors were enrolled in HDHP-HSA plans between 2013 and 2018.[1] Thus, continued access to telehealth supports affordable access to care for a large number of post-treatment survivors. High-deductible health plan (HDHP) has lower premiums and higher deductibles than a traditional health insurance plan; HDHP plan subscribers need to pay more of the healthcare costs before the insurance plan starts to pay. An HDHP plan can be combined with a health savings account (HSA), allowing subscribers to pay for certain medical expenses with money free from federal taxes. The Alliance for Connected Care is a non-profit organization with members from across the healthcare and technology spectrum, representing insurers, retail pharmacies, technology and telecommunications companies, and healthcare entrepreneurs. Reference 1. Association Between High-Deductible Health Plans and Disparities in Access to Care Among Cancer Survivors. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2767589. The full letter can be viewed here: January 13, 2022 The Honorable Ron Wyden Chairman Committee on Finance United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Richard Neal Chairman Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Mike Crapo Ranking Member Committee on Finance United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Kevin Brady Ranking Member Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Crapo, Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady: Thank you for your ongoing leadership to expand access to virtual care. As you know, virtual care and telehealth have been lifelines for millions of Americans throughout the pandemic and will continue to be essential tools to ensure access to quality health care even once the pandemic ends. We write today to encourage you to reinstate the recently expired, bipartisan policy changes that allowed 32 million Americans in the employer market with high-deductible health plans coupled with Health Savings Accounts (HDHP-HSAs) to receive telehealth benefits from their employer or health plan pre-deductible.[1] As you know, this safe harbor flexibility unfortunately expired on December 31, 2021. Given the ongoing pandemic and recent surge in variants of concern including Omicron, as well as the related behavioral health and chronic disease management challenges, it is critical that Congress reinstate this flexibility so more Americans can access telehealth pre-deductible. Americans with HDHP-HSAs must meet minimum deductibles defined in statute before the cost of telehealth can be covered by their employer or health plan. Congress took swift bipartisan action as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-136) to ensure that employees could receive covered telehealth services before their deductible is met by allowing employers and health plans to provide pre-deductible coverage for such services. This commonsense policy helped ensure that families could access vital telehealth services including virtual primary care and behavioral health services prior to having to meet their deductible. In fact, according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), about 96 percent of employers adopted pre-deductible coverage for telehealth services as a result of this provision.[2] The ability to offer pre-deductible telehealth services for employees is a meaningful expansion of health care access for 32 million Americans. Notably, according to unpublished estimates from EBRI, over 50 percent of individuals with an HSA live in zip codes where the median income is below $75,000 annually. Reaching the deductible threshold of at least $1,400 for an individual and $2,800 for a family can be a financial strain. The safe harbor enabled important expansions of access to care during the pandemic for individuals who may otherwise have avoided care due to out-of-pocket costs. The undersigned organizations strongly urge you to reinstate the virtual care provisions in the CARES Act retroactively for individuals with HDHP-HSAs in the upcoming appropriations package in February. This is especially important given plan year 2022 has already begun and many individuals have already selected this form of coverage. There is also bipartisan, bicameral legislation before your committees to extend this flexibility.[3] As the pandemic continues, particularly in light of the surge in cases due to the Delta and Omicron variants, individuals need continued access to these vital services. We strongly encourage you to consider reinstating this provision to allow employers and health plans to offer telehealth pre-deductible. Thank you for your consideration of this important request. References 1. HSA-Eligible Health Plans Embrace Changes to Better Serve Americans with Chronic Health Conditions. https://www.ahip.org/wp-content/uploads/202109-AHIP_HDHP-Survey-v03.pdf 2. Employer Uptake of Pre-Deductible Coverage for Preventive Services in HSA-Eligible Health Plans. https://www.ebri.org/docs/default-source/ebri-issue-brief/ebri_ib_542_hsaemployersur-14oct21.pdf 3. Top legislation addressing this need includes S. 1704 / H.R.5981 - Telehealth Expansion Act of 2021, H.R.5541 - Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act, and S. 2097 TELEHEALTH HSA Act of 2021. About the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+) The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+), is the largest national specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. The organization, which has more than 8900 members, was founded in 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services in order to better manage the complexities of the cancer treatment process. http://www.aonnonline.org. About The Lynx Group The Lynx Group (TLG) is a premier medical communications and education company acutely focused on oncology and rare disease states. TLG specializes in market access to and with advanced practice providers, patients, and their caregivers. With more than 100 years of combined senior leadership experience, TLG continually creates award-winning medical education and cultivates strong relationships within proprietary brands serving patients and their caregivers, physicians, payers, nurses, pharmacists, navigators, and practice managers. Currently, TLG partners with more than 50 of the top pharma and biotech companies globally. http://www.thelynxgroup.com. The insurance market has accelerated significantly over the past few years and our partnership with Origami Risk offers tremendous opportunities, said Lori Frank, President, and CEO of Argos Risk. Argos Risk, a leading provider of Third-Party Risk Intelligence (TPRI) services for managing and monitoring the financial viability and overall business health of third-party relationships, enters a strategic partnership with Origami Risk. Origami Risk is the industry-leading risk, safety, and insurance Software as a Service (SaaS) technology firm that streamlines how data is collected, analyzed and shared. Origami provides integrated SaaS solutions designed to help organizations transform their approach to manage critical workflows, leverage analytics, and engage stakeholders. Their platform of products includes Risk Management Information Systems (RMIS), safety, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), claims, analytics, and underwriting tools. Partnering with Argos Risk adds one more essential component to our integrated insurance, risk, compliance, and safety solution, said Earne Bentley, President of Risk Solutions at Origami Risk. We are excited as our offering will expand to include easy to understand third-party credit risk intelligence, added Bentley. AR Surveillance encapsulates key metrics and assigns risk scores to a companys third-party relationships. It automatically generates and sends alerts about significant changes, including lawsuits, liens, mergers, acquisitions, key executive changes, and other material news and events. AR Surveillance provides key information into a companys operations, incorporating financial viability, current trade payment behavior, business health, industry outlook, and much more. The insurance market has accelerated significantly over the past few years and our partnership with Origami Risk offers tremendous opportunities, said Lori Frank, President, and CEO of Argos Risk. Our team is very excited to work with Origamis dynamic and strategically focused team to help their clients risk management professionals respond to todays challenge of mitigating risk, added Frank. About Argos Risk Argos Risk is a leading provider of Third-Party Risk Intelligence solutions. Over the past decade, Argos Risk has fulfilled a need for timely and comprehensive risk mitigation knowledge with third-party risk intelligence. Argos Risk provides innovative and affordable subscription services to help companies manage the risk associated with their third-party relationships in Supply Chain Management, Vendor Management, ACH/RDC origination, and Direct and Indirect Lending. For more information, visit https://www.argosrisk.com or contact Argos Risk at info@argosrisk.com. About Origami Risk Risk Solutions Origami Risk provides integrated SaaS solutions that simplify risk, insurance, compliance, and safety management. Origami delivers its highly configurable RMIS, GRC, EHS, and healthcare risk management solutions from a secure, scalable platform that includes tools for centralizing data, automating critical workflows, and providing insight into risk and safety initiatives. A singular focus on client success underlies Origamis approach to developing, implementing, and supporting their innovative, award-winning software. Visit https://www.origamirisk.com or contact Origami at info@origamirisk.com. BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy, a CarepathRx company and the leading independent specialty pharmacy in the United States, today announced that capecitabine, a generic oncology medication, is ready to ship to patients within 24 hours of receiving a complete physician referral. BioPlus is the only specialty pharmacy to guarantee that capecitabine is ready to ship in 24 hours. Until now, no other pharmacy has ever eliminated the excess waiting period the time from diagnosis to starting therapy that oncology patients have historically experienced when prescribed treatment. When patients have been diagnosed with cancer but have to wait long periods to begin treatment, their clinical outcomes and emotional burdens are impacted in ways that should be avoidable, explained Angie Houck, Senior Vice President of Sales Operations at BioPlus. This is why our specialty pharmacy has invested in the systems and processes needed to have their capecitabine ready to ship in 24 hours. With our enhanced operational process, we reduce wait time and stress for patients and their providers. Clinical Studies Show That Time Matters When Initiating Treatment Numerous studies indicate that timely access to cancer treatment can make a significant difference for patients. Time to treatment initiation (meaning the length of time from diagnosis to first treatment) in patients newly diagnosed with cancer correlates with outcomes, in terms of both survival and quality of life. Time matters. When patients start their medications faster, its possible to add precious time and quality to their lives, added Houck. Delays in time to treatment initiation, according to an analysis of a large patient population tracked by the National Cancer Database, found that each additional week of time to treatment initiation is associated with an increase of mortality ranging from 1.2-3.2% per week for early-stage breast, lung, renal, and pancreatic cancers, and 0.5% per week for colorectal cancer. Similarly, in other research, longer wait times to treatment initiation affected long-term survival for any cancer, as measured by 5-year and 10-year survival rates. BioPlus knows that timely care is critical, especially in oncology. Keeping things moving through the steps from diagnosis to prescription fulfillment is why we are committed to being faster than other pharmacies, said Mark Montgomery, CEO and President of BioPlus. This is the heart of our 2 Hour, 2 Day, 2 Click promises. And, for capecitabine, think of it as hope delivered in 24 hours. Fast Capecitabine Therapy Initiation Begins with the Power of 2 The oncology patients medication journey begins with a long-standing program at BioPlus that serves all patients: the 2 Hour Patient Acceptance Guarantee ensuring notification to physician offices in less than two hours whether a referred patient is accepted for treatment or not. BioPlus patient financial assistance department helps ensure that financial issues dont delay or interrupt patient treatment. In addition, it takes patients with qualifying BioPlus prescriptions only two clicks to refill online. When time matters, referring a capecitabine prescription to BioPlus means that patients medications are guaranteed to be ready-to-ship within 24 hours of the pharmacy receiving the complete referral (excluding weekends). About BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy Meet the only independent, national specialty pharmacy to back up fast & easy with the Power of 2. Part of the CarepathRx family of pharmacy and medication management solutions, BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy offers a 2 Hour Patient Acceptance Guarantee so physician offices quickly know whether a referred patient is accepted for treatment. Then prescriptions are on their way with our 2 Day Ready 2 Ship. Medication refills are an easy 2 clicks away for qualifying prescriptions. Ranked #1 by both patients and prescribers, BioPlus provides a complete range of specialty pharmacy services for cancer, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and other complex, chronic conditions. BioPlus also offers concierge-class infusion services and expertise. For every referral received, BioPlus provides a life-saving antibiotic through our partnership with OneWorld Health. Its part of our global vision to heal the world 2gether, helping to ensure patients across town and around the world have access to life-saving and life-sustaining medications. Dunn&Co., a leading branding, advertising and production agency, today announced that a new international client has joined its roster: the Tourism Corporation of Bonaire in the Leeward Antilles, off the coast of Venezuela. Dunn&Co. was named AOR after a several-months-long review process, besting 22 other global agencies from the US and Europe, to win the chance to promote the wonders awaiting on Bonaire. The agency will assist them in re-branding the island, followed by a global creative campaign supported by production and media planning and buying, and a new website. Bonaire has a uniquely eco-centric mission, exceptional scuba and snorkeling opportunities, and a culture of friendliness and hospitality. A top diving destination, Bonaire boasts more than 85 official dive sites, with 54 of them being accessible by shore. Among these waters, divers can explore more than 350 species of fish and 57 species of coral. For the 28th consecutive year, Bonaire has been voted the top shore diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic region by Scuba Diving Magazines Readers Choice Awards. Bonaire is the first Caribbean island to have a marine park, which has been protected for over 41 years. A culture that has always lived with and from the ocean, Bonaire is championing a Blue Destination certification program that encourages seaside destinations to put sustainability, economic development, and culture at the forefront of all operations. The program works in tandem with the Global Sustainable Tourism Councils (GTSC) Green Destination certification program. Bonaires values-based mission, ownable brand positioning, and natural beauty serve as the perfect foundation for my team to think big, said Troy Dunn, president and CCO. Its a dream come true for an agency rooted in big ideas, attention-grabbing activations and award-winning design. We look forward to the day we get to share the work that is born of this partnership. About Dunn&Co. Dunn&Co. (http://www.dunn-co.com) is a branding, advertising and production agency with offices in Tampa and the United Kingdom. They provide award-winning creative solutions for clients worldwide, including GE Healthcare, Tampa Bay Lightning, Trivago, Baxter Healthcare, Checkers, Florida Orthopedic Institute, Grow Financial, State of Florida, Abbvie, Smokey Bones, Ashley Furniture, Dali Museum, IMG Academy, The Florida Aquarium, Cru Hospitality, World of Beer, Sabal Trust, Arrmaz and Connectwise. The U.S. suspension of some Chinese flights is irresponsible and unreasonable, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian at a press briefing on Monday. Produced by Xinhua Global Service CloudApp Announces $9.3M Series A Fundraising Round The future of the workplace came faster than any of us ever expected, said Scott Smith, CEO of CloudApp. Its remote, its async, and businesses are seeing an explosion in demand for tools 100x pre-pandemic levels to help their teams collaborate and communicate wherever they are." CloudApp, a visual work communication tool that helps teams share information faster through instantly shareable videos, gifs, and screenshots, announced an $9.3 million Series A fundraising round, led by Grayhawk Capital and Nordic Eye. The round will also include previous investors Kickstart Fund, Cervin Ventures, New Ground Ventures, Bloomberg Beta, and new entrants Peninsula Ventures & Forward VC. The round features CloudApp customers Peter Kazanjy, CRO of Atrium, and Derek Andersen, CEO of Startup Grind and Bevy. CloudApp, used by more than four million professionals, will use the capital to invest further in its workplace tools and business growth. The remote workplace has created its own pandemic: an exhausting wave of Zoom calls, Slack messages, and emails. At the same time, many organizations are understaffed, strapped for time and resources, and need better ways to communicate effectively and efficiently to maximize their employee's valuable time and energy. Instead of scheduling another call or writing another email, CloudApps screen recording software lets users create simple, shareable, interactive videos to communicate their message. Think of it as a visual voicemail that can be read at any time, without disrupting workflows. The future of the workplace came faster than any of us ever expected, said Scott Smith, CEO of CloudApp. Its remote, its async, and businesses are seeing an explosion in demand for tools 100x pre-pandemic levels to help their teams collaborate and communicate wherever they are. With this new capital, we're excited to invest more deeply into our customers, their needs, and to continue to make CloudApp the best solution: one that is deeply-integrated, secure, and fast. Since its founding in 2015, CloudApp has built a customer network of tens of thousands of businesses, with more than four million total users. CloudApp's team has grown user retention by 51%, has 130% net revenue retention, a NPS over 50 in the workplace, and has driven usage to over 91% of the Fortune 1000. Mandeep Arora, Partner at Nordic Eye Venture Capital, is excited about CloudApps potential in the digital workplace market, which is expected to grow to $72 billion by 2026. What attracted us to CloudApp was its relevance, Arora said. Text is now a mode of communication that feels like a thing of the past. Video is what we humans crave. With CloudApp, we are resurrecting easy, simple connections through video so businesses can bridge communication gaps in hybrid work environments, and people can be people. Brian Smith, Managing Director at Grayhawk Capital, echoed Aroras thoughts. At this point, Zoom fatigue is a very real thing, and email feels cold, Smith said. Businesses need high-value, meaningful communication. CloudApp is making remote and hybrid work a reality with asynchronous video messaging: giving a face to a name for team members and customers. Its an app that once you have, you cant live without. Dont just take it from us Innovative companies use CloudApp to improve their operations across sales, customer support, and product development. According to a recent survey of 400+ sales managers, 74% expect to grow their teams in a distributed fashion over the next 12 months, said Kazanjy, who uses CloudApp with Atrium, a data-driven sales management software company. They are going to need tools like CloudApp to be effective in the remote workplace. Adobe, the digital experience software company, is also a customer and previous investor in CloudApp. I use CloudApp a dozen times a day to share with my coworkers, my friends around the world, and my family, said Khoi Vihn, Principal Designer at Adobe. CloudApp is an indispensable tool because its easy and fast to share anything from my computer. About CloudApp CloudApp is a productivity and collaboration platform for the modern workplace. CloudApp enables visual team collaboration through short, instantly-shareable screen captures and screen recordings.Through integrations with Slack, Atlassian, Asana, AdobeXD, Jira, Zapier, and others, CloudApp records and shares quick videos and screenshots on its easy-to-use platform for teams. Trusted by its over four million loyal users at Fortune 500 organizations including Adobe, Zendesk and Salesforce, CloudApp customers are able to communicate effectively and asynchronously in an increasingly remote work landscape. Visual communication for every team. Connect with CloudApp today at https://www.getcloudapp.com About Grayhawk Capital Grayhawk Capital invests primarily in B2B disruptive software solutions across a variety of verticals. Grayhawk has made more than 50 investments in companies with 26 acquisitions and 6 public offerings. For more information, visit https://www.grayhawkcapital.us/ About Nordic Eye Nordic Eye is a Danish venture capital firm based in Copenhagen. Nordic Eye invests in tech companies in Northern Europe and US that have established and proven its product/market fit and is ready to scale-up. For more information, visit https://nordiceye.com/ Media Contact Kate Campbell York IE kate@york.ie or Press@GetCloudApp.com CRB Monitor, the nations leading provider of cannabis corporate intelligence, has partnered with Tier1 Financial Solutions to leverage its Alessa solution to deliver a comprehensive anti-money laundering and cannabis compliance solution for financial institutions to enhance compliance workflows and monitoring. The industry growth of cannabis-related businesses (CRB) has been nonstop. We are excited to bring best-in-class cannabis compliance solutions to Alessa clients including banks and credit unions by providing the intelligence and analysis needed to manage CRB portfolio risk exposure and meet regulatory expectations effectively, said Steven Kemmerling, CEO and founder of CRB Monitor. The new alliance will combine CRB Monitors independent, third-party validation and monitoring database with Alessas transaction monitoring and AML compliance capabilities, delivering more seamless access to industry-leading data and expertise to reduce cannabis-related risks. Were excited to help financial institutions more effectively identify and manage risks and opportunities associated with cannabis businesses, said Andrew Simpson, Chief Operating Officer at Alessa by Tier1 Financial Solutions. Without the proper monitoring and data solutions, its very difficult for financial institutions and CRBs to maintain suitable compliance protocols. Once a financial institution has the right information, it can perform sufficient due diligence and develop a risk profile that can outline the types of services it may or may not offer to a business." Though marijuana remains federally illegal in the United States, numerous states have legalized the sale and use of marijuana. Depository institutions face several risks associated with banking with a business that engages in federally illegal activity, such as the sale of marijuana, even if legalized at the state level. Those risks include potential enforcement actions, criminal liability or losing their charter, which could leave members without services. To serve the industry, depository institutions need robust cannabis-specific policies and common-sense procedures to stay in line with existing banking regulations. Also, institutions choosing not to knowingly serve the industry must effectively identify unknown marijuana-related accounts among their customer base. As a result, depository institutions are increasingly seeking to understand the potential implications of banking marijuana-related businesses (CRBs). The legal status of marijuana in states determines the level of regulatory oversight exercised on a financial institution providing services to a CRB. CRB Monitor has developed the largest database of cannabis-related businesses (CRBs), licenses, and ownership. Today, leading financial institutions rely upon CRB Monitor and its independent data as a regtech solution to effectively monitor cannabis businesses to meet regulatory expectations and requirements. As of September 2021, CRB Monitors banking clients had more than $3 trillion in assets. As an industry-recognized compliance software solution, Alessas anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud prevention solutions are used by financial institutions worldwide, including banks, credit unions, money services businesses (MSBs), casinos and fintechs, and fraud preventions solutions. # # # About CRB Monitor CRB Monitor empowers financial institutions and cannabis industry participants to better manage and monetize cannabis-related risks and opportunities. Known for its breadth, depth, and integrity, CRB Monitor has become the industry standard for cannabis-related market intelligence, with daily coverage of over 54,000 Tier 1 CRBs, 98,000 cannabis business licenses, 81,000 beneficial owners, and 1,600 cannabis-linked securities. CRB Monitor was founded in 2014 and is led by a team of banking, investment management and corporate intelligence veterans. CRB Monitor is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Learn more about CRB Monitor at http://www.CRBMonitor.com. and on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Alessa by Tier1 Financial Solutions Alessa by Tier1 Financial Solutions is a compliance, controls monitoring, and fraud prevention solution for banking, insurance, fintech, gaming, manufacturing, retail and more. With deployments around the world, Alessa allows organizations to quickly detect suspicious transactions, identify high-risk customers and vendors and decrease fraud risks that reduces profitability and increases costs. To learn more about how Alessa can help your organization ensure compliance to regulations, detect complex fraud schemes, and prevent waste, abuse, and misuse, visit us at https://tier1fin.com/alessa/ and on LinkedIn and Twitter. Media contact for CRB Monitor: Daniel Delson Daniel@magnitude-growth.com Media contact for Alessa by Tier1 Financial Solutions P.J. Kinsella +1 973-255-7153 pj@paragonpr.com Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Sierra Pacific Industries, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Sierra Pacific Industries violated the California Labor Code. The Sierra Pacific Industries class action lawsuit, Case No. S-CV-0047802, is currently pending in the Placer County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. The complaint alleges Sierra Pacific Industries failed to compensate employees for all the time they were under Defendant's control. Employees were from time to time allegedly required to work longer than four hours without being provided their ten minute rest periods. Additionally, employees were allegedly required to work for more than five hours without receiving an off-duty meal break. Cal. Lab. Code 226 states that employers shall provide employees with accurate itemized wage statements showing, among other things "gross wages earned and all applicable hourly rates in effect during the pay period..." The lawsuit alleges that Defendant allegedly violated this California Labor Code by allegedly failing to provide accurate itemized wage statements. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Sierra Pacific Industries, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** Exults Digital Marketing Is Attending the International Builder's Show 2022 Exults executives will be exhibiting at the International Builders Show 2022, booth #W6491, to showcase their digital marketing services and ongoing support for the residential construction industry. The International Builders Show (IBS) will take place February 8-10th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida. The event is organized and managed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and serves as a place for professionals to showcase their products and services in the residential construction industry. IBS brings these professionals together to learn about the latest innovations, technologies, and industry practices. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from a long list of leading industry professionals who will be speaking on a wide range of topics. Specialty Topics Include: Best Practices Business Management & Operations Codes and Safety Standards High-Performance Homes Economics Legal Issues Millennials Multifamily Housing Manufacturers/Suppliers Trends Technology Women in Building Attendees will have the opportunity to attend various workshops, seminars, classes, and immersive demonstrations throughout the event. IBS also serves as a chance for organizations to form business partnerships with other professionals in the industry The exhibit floor will open from 9 am to 5 pm on all three days. There is an extensive list of exhibitors expected to attend, including contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, technology specialists, and more. Exults Digital Marketing Agency is excited to announce that they will be one of many organizations exhibiting at IBS Orlando. Exults has been providing a full line of internet services for businesses in the residential construction industry for over a decade. The NAHB is committed to reshaping the housing agenda and enriching communities across the country. The organization represents over 140,000 members and is dedicated to making housing a priority in the United States. Learn more about NAHB's mission, how to join, and or to offer industry support on the NAHB website. More About Exults Digital Marketing Exults is a results-driven internet marketing agency that provides their clients with the tools and services to meet their unique business goals. Exults Premier Service List Includes: Digital Branding Project Management Software Sponsored Search Website Development eCommerce Development Search Engine Optimization Social Media Marketing Digital PR Metaverse Development Contact Exults today if you are interested in rebranding your company for the digital world, sparking meaningful engagement, and generating increased sales. Visit Exults online or call 866-999-4736 for more information. Dr. Amanda Kelly I am so honored to have been appointed to lead this incredible organization. Firefly Autism has been my home for the last nine years and I am so excited to take the reins and continue to drive our mission forward. Firefly Autism announces that Amanda Kelly, Ph.D., BCBA-D, has been appointed new CEO and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization. An experienced leader in Applied Behavior Analysis, Dr. Kelly will succeed Jesse Ogas and assume responsibilities going forward. Born and educated in Ireland, Dr. Kelly decided to take her expertise in Behavior Analysis, Relational Frame Theory, Staff Management, Organizational Behavior Management, Interpersonal Skills, and Training Delivery to Denver, Colorado. She has been with Firefly Autism for over nine extraordinary years, actively aiding individuals on the spectrum, from toddlers to adults. Dr. Kellys selfless work earned her current position, leading Firefly Autism as it continues to expand its services beyond Colorado. I am so honored to have been appointed to lead this incredible organization. Firefly Autism has been my home for the last nine years and I am so excited to take the reins and continue to drive our mission forward. There is something very special about this organization. It is filled with the most incredible people who care so deeply about the children, adults, families, and community members that we serve. Meeting everyone where they are at, celebrating individuality and differences, and encouraging meaningful growth is at the heart of what the Firefly team does every day. I get to see this in every interaction I encounter, from administrative duties to direct care its all about the mission to positively impact and transform lives, states Dr. Kelly. Firefly Autism has always been a visionary and is focused on transforming the lives of children and adults with autism by partnering with families and creating life-long relationships through thoughtful, innovative, empirical learning treatment programs. Dr. Kellys knowledge of child development, the principles of applied behavior analysis, and the importance of functional applied skills will help continue to guide their programming decisions. It is an incredibly exciting year ahead for us our annual event Laugh Yourself Blue is taking place on April 14th and promises to be the biggest and best yet! We have just secured a partnership with the Chickasaw Nation to provide remote behavioral health services to its members, which provides the ability to reach far and wide with our services to individuals who may be vastly underserved, states Dr. Kelly. Another exciting event we are delighted to be involved in is the Colorado Womens Ride, which will see a world record attempt of women riders across 22 states. In addition to all of this we continue to offer our excellent, individualized care for all of our clients in our two Centers (Lakewood and Colorado Springs), Home-Based Services across the entire Metro and Southern Colorado areas, adult groups, social skills groups, sibling groups, summer camps and much more! About Firefly Autism Firefly Autism is a nonprofit organization with a vision of a world where the lives of children with autism, their families, and communities, are transformed through learning. Firefly Autism is Colorado's leader in the treatment of families living with autism since 2003. Firefly Autism not only continues to support the Colorado community with an array of services but also focuses on changing the narrative of what autism is and what autism isn't. If youre interested in learning more, please visit http://www.fireflyautism.org contact Nicole Abunassar at nicole@nkgroupe.com. The originality and creativity of young artists is so inspiring. Jencap appreciates the time and effort that each participant put forth and we congratulate the three winners of this contest, said Kathryn Smith, Managing Director of Marketing at Jencap. Who says the insurance industry isnt artistic and creative? While Jencaps work as one of the nations largest insurance brokerages involves constant underwriting metrics and data analysis, creativity is the key ingredient to their success. Jencaps marketing team blended two elements that are critical to the insurance industrys future into one contest package: up and coming young talent and innovative thinking. They invited art students across the country to participate in a digital art contest to showcase Jencaps key areas of expertise in a unique and innovative way. After a two month long contest, Jencap selected three winners, all of whom received cash awards to invest in their futures as artists. Our company is committed to investing in young talent - whether that be the next generation of brokers or the next generation of creative talent that will showcase our strengths in unique ways. The art students we invited to participate in this contest were given very little guidance by design and the outcome was incredible, said Kathryn Smith, Managing Director of Marketing at Jencap. The originality and creativity of young artists is so inspiring. Jencap appreciates the time and effort that each participant put forth and we congratulate the three winners of this contest. Please review the brilliant work of our contest winners below and on the Jencap website at JencapGroup.com/StudentArt. Congratulations to the winners! Student Artist 1: Jane McIlvaine School: School of Visual Arts, New York City, NY Major: Illustration Expected Graduation: May 2022 Ive always loved to draw, ever since I was very young, and my father has always been a big inspiration to me since he is an artist himself. I plan to continue pursuing a career in art. I want to be a professional illustrator, and do many different types of narrative art, like editorial, comic, and/or concept illustration, said Jane McIIvaine. About the Ad: Janes clever illustration shows the power of Jencap, as we offer insurance coverage for every stage of a commercial risk; whether it be the ground-up construction stage of a large commercial project or the finished mixed use retail and commercial office building. Student Artist 2: Poonya Tunkakutiya School: Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA Major: Interactive Design and Game Development Expected Graduation: November 2022 Art used to be just one of my hobbies, but as I grew up, I realized it can also become something I do for the rest of my life. My plan for the future is to be an environment artist for games. I find it fascinating to bring an environment to life in whichever way I want. I am also falling in love with creating illustrations, so being a concept artist is another goal that I would like to achieve, said Poonya Tunkakutiya. About the Ad: Jencap has industry-leading expertise in construction, which inspired Poonyas imaginative submission. Its hard for insurance clients to imagine the worst, but Jencap is always one step ahead and places the comprehensive coverage needed to insure the best and worst days for a business owner. Student Artist 3: Mika Dawson School: Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO Major: Painting Expected Graduation: Spring 2024 Art is something I have definitely been interested in as early as I can remember; as soon as I learned that art schools existed it was what I knew I wanted to do. All I really hope for in the future is to continue to have my own space for self-expression. No matter what professional field I end up in, I will find a way to incorporate art into it. The process of making art has always been rewarding enough, stated Mika Dawson. About the Ad: Mikas fantastical illustration quickly lets you know that Jencap has you covered journeying from the unexpected to protected. After all, you never know when a Godzilla-sized penguin might threaten to take over the city. About Jencap Group, LLC Jencap is one of the largest wholesalers in the U.S. with notable industry-leading expertise in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and program management. Its specialized divisions and affiliate organizations provide niche underwriting prowess, broad market access, and nationwide influence. Headquartered in New York, Jencap leverages its collective power to exceed the expectations of more than 17,000 independent agency partners. For more information, visit JencapGroup.com. Retail Regional Vice President - Jeremy Smith It means everything to me to be able to put originators in the position to succeed. Jeremy Smith, having held positions in prominent mortgage associations in State and National levels is a proven leader in building dynamic and productive retail mortgage organizations. He seeks team members who are problem solvers, leaders in their area of expertise, and have the desire to make a difference. It means everything to me to be able to put originators in the position to succeed - not just with their clients, but also with their referral partners, expressed Smith. In 2021, AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation funded more than $36 billion in total loan volume, a 49% increase from 2020. Theres no better platform, right now, or in the future, than what AmeriSave has and is building, said Smith. "We are honored that a leader of Jeremy's caliber has chosen to join the team. Jeremy has proven that he can succeed at the highest levels. I believe his best work is yet to come, said Leif Boyd, Chief Production Officer of the Retail Division. To learn more about AmeriSave, please reach out to Peter Schwartz at pschwartz@amerisave.com / 916-770-0053 About AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation Founded in 2002, AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation is a leading mortgage lender best known for pioneering the first truly digital mortgage experience to borrowers. For more information, visit https://www.amerisave.com/. NMLS ID #1168. Equal Housing Lender. Corporate Office: 3525 Piedmont Rd NE, 8 Piedmont Center - Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30305. Additional licensing information may be found at https://www.amerisave.com/licensing. Licensed in 49 states and DC. Not licensed in NY. Heart Hugs: from Gods Heart to Mine... from My Heart to Yours: a creative selection of writings based on the authors faith. Heart Hugs: from Gods Heart to Mine... from My Heart to Yours is the creation of published author Jo-Ann Thompson-Mack, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who has served as a Sunday school teacher, womens Bible study leader, and nursing home volunteer and who aided her beloved husband on the family farm. Thompson-Mack shares, Do you (or someone you know) need a spiritual uplift? This book, with its poems, scriptures and writings may just be the book for you. It contains Assurance, Comfort, Encouragement, Hope, and Inspiration along with some Heart-Healthy Humor. Proverbs 17:22, A merry heart doeth good like medicine. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Jo-Ann Thompson-Macks new book will engage the spirit and encourage believers in their faith. Thompson-Mack shares in hopes of helping others find and nurture a strong sense of faith within their day-to-day lives. Consumers can purchase Heart Hugs: from Gods Heart to Mine... from My Heart to Yours at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Heart Hugs: from Gods Heart to Mine... from My Heart to Yours, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Foundation Course to Optimize Your Conscience When you serve the Wisdom of the Conscience, the joy and solutions you seek will find you. When you fail to serve the Wisdom of the Conscience, the joy and solutions you seek cannot find you. - Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev) Yoga Scientist and American Meditation Institute founder Leonard Perlmutter will teach a new six-session Foundation Course for Optimizing the Conscience February 19 through March 26, 2022 from 1:30 to 3:30pm ET on Zoom. This one-of-a-kind program is open to the general public, and has been certified by the American Medical Association to provide attending medical physicians 18 CME (Continuing Medical Education) credit hours. Taught continuously since 1996, this unique and time-tested course of study teaches individuals how to relieve stress and burnout, enhance creativity, strengthen the bodys immune system, and experience increased security and self-confidence, while establishing a rewarding work-life balance. Perlmutters Foundation Course curriculum is both comprehensive and entertaining. The six-week syllabus incorporates Holistic Mind/Body Medicine principles, an AMI Meditation procedure, meditation-in-action, easy-gentle physical exercises, breath as medicine, an understanding of Ayurvedic medicine, the practical power of prayer, and supportive elements of Yoga Science, Philosophy, and Psychology. Each weekly session combines the best of ancient Eastern wisdom with the practicality of modern Western medical science. Mr. Perlmutters books, YOUR CONSCIENCE, as well as The Heart and Science of Yoga have been endorsed by medical pioneers Dean Ornish MD, Bernie Siegel MD and Larry Dossey MD. Leonard has taught workshops on the benefits of the Conscience, mantra 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. According to recent course graduate, Internist and Pediatrician, Kristin Kaelber, MD, PhD, FAAP, FACP, The AMI Foundation Course literally changed the direction of my career as a physician. Practicing the tools that I learned in the course has transformed my work as a physician and helped me eliminate the burnout I was experiencing. I am practicing as a lifestyle medicine physician and am much happier in my work. The tools are practical and help me to serve my patients better. Physicians! I urge you to prescribe this course to yourself so that you too can rid yourselves of burnout and frustration and create a happier, healthier life and career. -30- 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 bi-monthly journal of Yoga Science as holistic mind-body medicine. Call 518.674.8714 a mail or email subscription. Media Contact: Robert Washington 60 Garner Road, Averill Park, NY 12018 Tel: 518.674.8714 Fax: 518.674.8714 Cheyenne Santiago, RN, MSN, MCG Managing Editor "As an Alabama native, I recognize the unique opportunities and challenges in providing quality care in the rural setting. I am humbled and thrilled to be asked to speak alongside so many other healthcare leaders at this years conference." - Cheyenne Santiago, MSN, RN, MCG Managing Editor MCG Health, part of the Hearst Health network and an industry leader in technology-enabled evidence-based guidance, announces that Managing Editor, Cheyenne Santiago, MSN, RN, will present at the 35th Annual American Hospital Association (AHA) Rural Health Care Leadership Conference on February 6-9, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. This conference brings together top practitioners and thinkers to share strategies and resources for accelerating the shift to a more integrated and sustainable rural health system. Conference sessions cover operational, financial, and environmental challenges that impact rural hospitals and their communities and present innovative approaches to transforming health care delivery models and business practices. Ms. Santiago will present the session, Clinical Governance: Best Practices for Creating Consistency of Care and Reimbursement, on Monday, February 7, 2022, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. As rural hospitals experience significant impacts from unexplained variations in care and inefficient use of resources, clinical governance is a vital component to help drive high-quality care delivery. Ms. Santiagos session will share practical guidance on strategies that support effective governance and quality improvement of healthcare outcomes. I am humbled and thrilled to be asked to speak alongside so many other healthcare leaders at this years conference, said Santiago. As an Alabama native, I recognize the unique opportunities and challenges in providing quality care in the rural setting. My hope is that everyone who attends will take away with them at least one actionable recommendation to improve the health of their community. Ms. Santiago oversees MCGs research, guideline writing, and content development related to Medicare national and local clinical policy. Before joining MCG in 2018, she was the Clinical Lead at WPS Government Health Administrators, a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), where she led clinical operations, and prior to that, she developed and implemented national provider training programs and managed medical review operations for multiple Medicare jurisdictions. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Ms. Santiago received her masters degree in nursing from the Capstone College of Nursing and is a registered nurse (RN). For those interested in attending the AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, registration details and additional information can be found at: https://ruralconference.aha.org/. About MCG Health MCG, part of the Hearst Health network, helps healthcare organizations implement informed care strategies that proactively and efficiently move people toward health. MCGs transparent assessment of the latest research and scholarly articles, along with our own data analysis, gives patients, providers, and payers the vetted information they need to feel confident in every care decision, in every moment. For more information visit http://www.mcg.com or follow our Twitter handle at @MCG_Health. About Hearst Health The mission of Hearst Health is to help guide the most important care moments by delivering vital information into the hands of everyone who touches a persons health journey. Care guidance from Hearst Health reaches the majority of people in the U.S. The Hearst Health network includes FDB (First Databank), Zynx Health, MCG, Homecare Homebase, and MHK (formerly MedHOK). Hearst also holds a minority interest in the precision medicine and oncology analytics company M2Gen. Follow Hearst Health on Twitter @HearstHealth and LinkedIn @Hearst-Health. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China will take stronger measures to cut fees and taxes to support market entities this year with a combination of fiscal incentives, the Ministry of Finance said Tuesday. The measures will be more precise and sustainable to meet the needs of market entities, said Xu Hongcai, vice minister of finance. Incentives will be given to support the high-quality development of the manufacturing sector, such as tax deductions for research and development expenses of enterprises to aid technological advancement, Xu said. The country will also extend the tax and fee cuts due at the end of 2021 for small, micro and individual businesses to further ease their operating pressure. The central government will step up transfer payments to local governments to ensure sufficient funds for local tax and fee cuts, Xu said. On the basis of 7.6 trillion yuan (1.2 trillion U.S. dollars) of tax and fee cuts over the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), China cut another 1 trillion yuan in taxes and fees in 2021, which helped mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on market entities. Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. This program is the first of its kind, designed to enhance workforce development to those traditionally left out of the equation, support income equality, and create social equity. MentorWorks Education Capital, Inc. (MentorWorks) announced a novel apprenticeship program in partnership with Blue Ridge Bank, N.A., (the Bank), the national bank subsidiary of Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (NYSE American: BRBS). This program will offer hands-on learning opportunities for individuals from low-income and underserved backgrounds in Virginia. This will be a first of its kind paid apprenticeship opportunity aiming to reduce the wealth gap and create social equity while giving banks the ability to receive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) benefits. Candidates will get the opportunity to build their resume and industry-applicable skill sets under the direction of committed advocates for workforce development programs. MentorWorks provides access to education and careers pathways in IT, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Customer Service, Sales, among others. We are proud of this program which is designed to support low income and underserved individuals to get access to experiential learning opportunities from a great employer like Blue Ridge Bank. said the CEO of MentorWorks, Karthik Krishnan, This program is the first of its kind, designed to enhance workforce development to those traditionally left out of the equation, support income equality, and create social equity. This is also a great opportunity for employers, including the bank and its business partners, that are seeking access to diverse and skilled talent. It makes all the difference to an individual from an underserved background to have such an opportunity. Such individuals lack easy access to social capital - this includes all the advice, career support, and networks to jobs and internships that individuals from well-off families naturally possess, Krishnan continued. BRB is a true leader in the financing space, and now is showing its leadership in the community development and workforce development space. This initial program will start with the banks own talent needs and will subsequently be offered to business partners of the bank. Banks are the center for commerce in their community, and given this position, it makes sense that they can also become a repository for talent for the local business community. During this unprecedented time, recruiting has become more challenging than ever, said Steve Farbstein, Chief Revenue and Development Officer of Blue Ridge Bank. We are proud to partner with MentorWorks on this apprenticeship program and are hopeful to not only provide these workers with opportunities to engage in comprehensive training and upskilling but also to develop strong talent pipelines for the future. About Blue Ridge Bank, N.A.: Blue Ridge Bank, N.A., is the wholly-owned banking subsidiary of Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, Blue Ridge Bank provides a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking, payroll, insurance, card payments, wholesale and retail mortgage lending, and government-guaranteed lending. Visit mybrb.bank to learn more. About MentorWorks: MentorWorks Education Capital, Inc. (MentorWorks) funds and supports low income and underserved students to get an education and access pathways to careers. MentorWorks Income Share Agreement (ISA) programs, which enable college and non-traditional students to complete their education without incurring up-front tuition costs. ISAs are alternatives to traditional fixed installment loans with which approved students will have their tuition paid and once employed, will make payments calculated to a fixed percentage of their income, for a set period of time, up to a maximum cap, without accruing interest. Uniquely, MentorWorks also provides career development support, mentoring and access to employers through their online and asynchronous Talent Accelerator Platform (TAP). MentorWorks is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. MentorWorks is the only institution offering an ISA program that has the CDFI designation. MentorWorks ISAs are issued by Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. To learn more about MentorWorks, please visit: https://mentorworks.com or reach out to Micha Sabovik, COO, at micha@mentorworks.com. Follow MentorWorks on LinkedIn at http://linkedin.com/company/mentorworksisa Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. Media Contact: Michelle Simon, Director of Corporate Communications & PR, Blue Ridge Bank. N.A. michelle.simon@mybrb.bank Follow Blue Ridge Bank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-ridge-bank-virginia/ Our life on earth is short in comparison to the expanse of time. Live each day as if its your last but dont forget to save for your future as well. Joseph DuRand Jr.s new science fiction horror story Chronicles of the Wisp (published by Archway Publishing) follows a new and evil predator as mankind battles for survival through history into the near future. It is 1950 as a beautiful yet fierce woman, formerly known as Dr. Susan Blackmare, enters a heavily-guarded bunker hidden away under a California lake. Inside is a command station and various labs. After Susan hears what she perceives to be a twisted version of history, she enters a cavern and dons special glasses that allow her to see something she has no idea is about to take over her life. Unfortunately, sinister creatures known as Wisps, have returned to Earth to possess and transform humans by ridding them of their humanity and controlling their every action. Since the beginning of mankind, Wisps have controlled the destiny and future of Earths society. Now as Wisps begin to populate Earth again, a battle begins as their victimsthat include Susandesperately fight against them in a valiant effort to save humanity. As the future hangs precariously in the balance, will they manage to find a way or perish trying? Our life on earth is short in comparison to the expanse of time. Live each day as if its your last but dont forget to save for your future as well, DuRand says. We can only control our own actions and reactions, not others, not circumstances, not events, not nature. Chronicles of the Wisp is available for purchase online at the Archway link above, from Barnes & Noble and on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Wisp-Joseph-DuRand-Jr-ebook/dp/B09GB5QKC3. Chronicles of the Wisp By Joseph DuRand Jr. Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 552 pages | ISBN 9781665708340 Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 552 pages | ISBN 9781665708326 E-Book | 552 pages | ISBN 9781665708333 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Joseph DuRand Jr. has always been a fan of horror, science fiction and fantasy. In a life full of diverse experiences, he has been a foreign exchange student in Japan, an international flight attendant with United Airlines, and is now an ICU registered nurse who holds a masters degree and post-masters certification. DuRand is married with three children. Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957. Evive's releases key findings from its annual National Employee Journey Study As the hybrid workplace reshapes work, employers will need to identify new ways to align their strategy, culture and talent to ensure everyone is working toward achieving common goals and driving business success. Ninety-four percent of U.S. employers felt they were doing a good job of communicating with employees. Yet, only 61% of employees agreed, according to a new study released today from Evive, the leader in digital engagement and communication technology. Evives annual National Employee Journey Survey included a representative sample of 1,000 responses, including 500 full-time employees and 500 human resource representatives and senior leaders across many industries and positions in the U.S. The survey offers employers key insights and a critical reality check on perception versus reality regarding employee engagement throughout the employee journey. According to the study, there is a deep divide when it comes to whether employers truly care about their employees well-being. Ninety-three percent of employers felt their company prioritized employee well-being compared to 60% of employees. The truth lies in the data. More than 17% of employees reported stress every day and more than 33% felt stress every week. The disconnect between employers and employees in the workplace provides unprecedented opportunities to create meaningful, lasting change, said Prashant Srivastava, founder and CEO of Evive. When employees feel heard and respected, you empower them to deeply engage with your company and its culture. They feel a strong sense of pride and belonging, improving job satisfaction and employee retention, especially important during this period of historic turnover. Key findings that highlight the differences between employees and employers as well as opportunities to improve the work environment for better health and increased productivity include: Onboarding: Ninety-six percent of employers were satisfied with their onboarding process, while only 70% of employees felt the same way. Similarly, only 45% of employees felt their employer provided a personalized onboarding experience but that number rises to 85% when you ask employers. With 4.2 million employees quitting their jobs in October, personalized onboarding is critical to fill vacant roles as the Great Resignation continues. Personalizing the experience by delivering relevant and useable resources to the right person at the right time on the right device shows new employees the company understands their needs, building trust and establishing a strong relationship from the start. Career Development: Ninety-five percent of employers said their company provides resources and opportunities for employees to develop professionally and advance their careers, but that number falls among employees to 66%, including 58% of baby boomers, 64% of Generation X, 74% of millennials and 50% of Generation Z. While resources might be available, are they promoted and shared with employees? Personalize the opportunity by letting departments know about available skill-growth and career resources to support employee development and growth as well as increase participation and utilization of these resources. Learning to Lead: Ninety-three percent of employers felt their organization provided the right amount of training for new leaders compared to 49% of employees. The transition from individual contributor to team manager is never seamless. Surveys are ideal for identifying and measuring leadership potential in employees. Then use personalized LMS resources to support manager development and growth. Healthy Household: Employees would find it helpful if employers sent health screening reminders (61%) for themselves and their spouse (51%). More than 72% would like personalized recommendations on what health plan to pick. Employee benefits are often underutilized because employees are unaware of the benefits or dont understand how to use them. Personalizing benefits communications improve utilization and engagement and help guide employees on what benefits to use at the right time, saving time, money and increasing well-being. Succeeding Financially: Only 15% of employees said their organization offered financial planning benefits, yet this benefit ranked as the third most desired (25%), behind a four-day workweek (56%) and flexible hours (34%). Other financial benefits employees want to see include student loan assistance (24%) and pet insurance (23%). Employee financial wellness benefits are now a requirement. Employers must support employees by offering financial benefits that help employees reduce financial stress, live better lives and maximize financial opportunities. Offboarding: While nearly 87% of employers felt their employees would be good future advocates for the company, only 43% of employees agreed. Maximize offboarding by personalizing the process to thank departing employees for their contributions. Strategic offboarding aids in employee advocacy, creates a network of alumni advocates to provide future referrals and welcomes back boomerang employees. As the hybrid workplace reshapes work, employers will need to identify new ways to align their strategy, culture and talent to ensure everyone is working toward achieving common goals and driving business success, said Srivastava. By creating and sustaining alignment across the employee journey, organizations can increase revenue, improve staff performance and gain a competitive advantage. Are you interested in exploring the data further? Visit here to download an executive summary of the study. Circles of different sizes representing the number of times a topic arose in focus groups. After two years of community work, we are pleased to share The Roadmap which summarizes the perspectives of diverse stakeholder groups and outlines their vision for the future of aquaculture in Maine, said Sebastian Belle, Executive Director of the Maine Aquaculture Association. On behalf of the Maine Aquaculture Hub, Maine Sea Grant and the Maine Aquaculture Association today released The Maine Aquaculture Roadmap, 2022-2032, a ten-year plan that proposes four major goals and identifies over $15 million in estimated resources needed to strengthen Maines aquaculture sector and working waterfronts over the next decade. Maines aquaculture sector has been steadily growing in recent years, and its total economic impact has nearly tripled - from $50 million in 2007 to $137 million in 2014 - according to the latest Maine Aquaculture Economic Impact Report. Sustainable aquaculture has tremendous potential to bolster our coastal economy, providing good jobs, local food security, and diversification opportunities for working waterfront families. Our aquaculture industry is a vital and growing part of our states coastal economy, supporting millions of dollars of economic value and thousands of jobs from Eastport to York, said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. The Roadmap will provide critically important guidance for an industry that represents a key to the future prosperity of Maines coastal communities. The Roadmap was developed with feedback from approximately 150 stakeholders representing nearly 100 different organizations and companies operating in Maines marine economy. As we deal with climate-driven change to wild-caught fisheries, Maines aquaculture industry is crucial to the resilience of our coastal economy, said Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher. There is great opportunity for continued development in this industry, and The Roadmap will ensure that its growth is guided by expertise, insight and ideas from the wide array of stakeholders. Four goals are outlined in The Roadmap: 1. Develop a streamlined licensing and permitting process that balances the rights of an applicant and the public 2. Increase integration and understanding of aquaculture in Maines coastal communities 3. Expand and promote the Maine seafood brand 4. Make Maine a leader in triple bottom line sustainable aquaculture: social, economic, environmental Each goal includes specific action items, which detail suggested organizations to undertake the actions and estimated funds required to accomplish them. Together, the 23 action items request over $15 million and require support from 24 full-time employees over the next ten years. After two years of community work, we are pleased to share The Roadmap which summarizes the perspectives of diverse stakeholder groups and outlines their vision for the future of aquaculture in Maine, said Sebastian Belle, Executive Director of the Maine Aquaculture Association. The Roadmap means a lot to my family because it provides a framework for aquaculture for generations to come. Aquaculture is clearly a priority for Maine, and we needed a forward-looking, research-driven plan to responsibly sustain Maine's marine farming sector. Now we have one that supports Maine's farm families and the future of the working waterfront, said Fiona de Koning, shellfish farmer and owner of Acadia Aqua Farms in Bar Harbor. This Roadmap will help guide the next decade of sustainable aquaculture development in Maine, focusing on both use and conservation of coastal resources in order to sustain thriving coastal communities and ecosystems, said Gayle Zydlewski, Director of Maine Sea Grant. The Roadmap also complements economic development initiatives in the state, giving us one more tool to help collectively prepare for a sustainable future. The report was developed by the Maine Aquaculture Hub, a network of organizations that includes Maine Sea Grant, the Maine Aquaculture Association, the University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute, the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, and Coastal Enterprises, Inc. and is designed to complement the Maine Economic Development Strategy 2020-2029; Maine Wont Wait, A Four-Year Plan for Climate Action; the Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine (SEAMaine); and other statewide planning initiatives. At the time of this reports publication, implementation of several action items are already underway. The full Roadmap can be viewed online here. About Maine Sea Grant Maine Sea Grant (MSG) is a federal-state partnership program based at the University of Maine and one of 34 NOAA Sea Grant programs throughout the coastal and Great Lakes states. MSG receives funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is matched by the state of Maine and other non-federal sources. Since 1971, MSG has promoted science and education for the sustainable development, management, and stewardship of Maines marine and coastal resources. MSG continues this mission today by supporting marine and coastal research, education, and outreach via a marine extension team with individuals located in coastal communities from Wells to Eastport. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram About the Maine Aquaculture Association The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) est. 1978, is a nonprofit trade association that advocates for Maines finfish, shellfish, and sea vegetable farmers. MAAs mission is to support the states aquatic growers in developing economically and environmentally sustainable business practices, to promote the benefits of aquaculture in the local food system, and to preserve Maines heritage of a vibrant working waterfront. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn PrestigePEO, one of the nations largest professional employer organizations (PEO) offering large-company employee benefits and HR services to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), announced today it ranked 16th on Crains New York Business Largest Privately Held Company List for 2021. This marks improvement as the Company moved up from its 2020 ranking of 18th. Each year, Crains, a local publication focused on New York area business, ranks local privately held businesses by annual revenue. The 2021 list includes 125 New York-area companies. This recognition is exciting for the Company as it demonstrates the tangible growth we have achieved. Our steady progress and growth can be attributed to market expansion, key partnerships, broadening our offering, and perhaps most importantly, the hard work put forth by each PrestigePEO employee. Every PrestigePEO employee goes above and beyond to continue serving our clients, which is reflected in our growth and corporate culture, said Andrew Lubash, PrestigePEO founder and chief executive officer. About PrestigePEO Melville, N.Y.-based PrestigePEO, also known as Prestige Employee Administrators LLC, provides integrated, end-to-end human resources (HR) solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for managing all integral human resources operations. This includes support for employee benefits management, payroll administration, workers compliance, and HR guidance, among others. PrestigePEOs full spectrum of HR services and solutions helps SMBs lower employee benefit costs, reduce administrative workloads, and manage critical HR functions. PrestigePEO is among only 1% of PEOs accredited by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC), certified (CI) through Workers Comp Risk Management and classified as a Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) by the IRS demonstrating financial stability and strict adherence with a diverse range of regulatory and security standards. To learn more, visit http://www.prestigepeo.com and follow PrestigePEO on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. While the pandemic shined a light on the importance of instructional audio solutions, schools and districts for decades have experienced consistent and continued benefits for both students and educators, said David Solomon, CEO of Lightspeed. Lightspeed, a leading provider of powerful instructional audio solutions, announces that research shows instructional audio solutions benefit all student groups and educators beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to intelligible, clear audio has never been more important with educators and students back in classrooms. With mask mandates and social distancing in place around the nation, instructional audio solutions play a critical roleprojecting educators voices and ensuring every student can hear and understand whats being asked of them. Pandemic-related changes presented new challenges for schools and districts. Though necessary to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, face masks muffle soundincreasing the difficulty for educators to relay information and for students to hear and understand their teachers. However, decades of research, including the Mainstream Amplification Resource Room Study conducted and certified by the US Department of Education, note that a variety of student groups benefit from instructional audio, including students with learning loss, students in the back of classrooms, students with learning differences, non-native English speakers and more. While instructional audio solutions gained traction in education due to the pandemic, instructional audio solutions are beneficial to all students and educators, beyond the pandemic. At Simi Valley Unified School District in California, educators using instructional audio solutions reported ease of speaking and greater vocal enduranceas well as decreased fatigue and greater voice clarity. Some of the districts more soft-spoken educators reported an increase in energy because they were no longer straining their voices to be heard. Its important educators make the most of their face-to-face time with students, said David Solomon, CEO of Lightspeed. Instructional audio solutionslike Lightspeedensure students hear their teachers voice, understand instructions and are set up for success. While the pandemic shined a light on the importance of instructional audio solutions, schools and districts for decades have experienced consistent and continued benefits for both students and educators. Instructional audio solutions allow educators to focus on instruction, added Merri Bragg, Director of Educational Partnerships at Lightspeed. Educators have so much on their platesmaking sure their students can hear them shouldnt be one of their concerns. To learn more about Lightspeed, please visit https://www.lightspeed-tek.com/ or visit the Lightspeed team at booth #2141 during the FETC 2022 conference. About Lightspeed Lightspeed is on a mission to help every student hear every word. To that end, the company has brought powerful instructional audio solutions to K12 institutions around the globe for more than 30 years. Each product inspires communication and collaboration by delivering crystal-clear, low-volume and highly intelligible sound. Lightspeed offers solutions for several learning environments, including whole- and small-group, distance and hybrid instruction. Passionate about its culture of service, Lightspeed remains dedicated to improving the lives of educators and students through its products, research and partnerships. To learn more, visit https://www.lightspeed-tek.com/. IL Best Weather 2022 Living in a place where the climate suits, simply makes a person happier." Climate is one of the most critical considerations for retirees choosing where to settle overseas. In International Livings 2022 Annual Global Retirement Index, the countries that score the best in the climate category are those that offer a true variety of optionsfrom hot beach areas to highland spots with year-round spring-like temperatures. Lots of folks looking for good-value getaways overseas seek to escape the extremes of weather at homewhether its the bitter cold in a place like Minnesota or the unbearable heat in a spot like Arizona, says Jennifer Stevens, Executive Editor, International Living. Living in a place where the climate suits, simply makes a person happier. If you love hot, sunny days and you dream about living at the beachwell, in the right spots abroad, the average person can afford to do that. On the other hand, if youre somebody who likes to throw a light sweater over the shouldersand youd love to be able to do that year-roundno snow storms, no 100-degree days, well in the right spots abroad, you can find that spring-like weather, too. The countries that score best in the climate category of our Global Retirement Index this year are places where you have options. In a country like Colombia, for instance, you can be on the ocean at sea level and soak in the heat or you can go up into the hills at 6,000 feet and find temps in the upper 70s to mid-80s year-round, few bugs, and the ability to keep your windows open year-round. Each year, International Living relies on its network of editors, correspondents, and contributors all over the world to provide the on-the-ground input and recommendations needed to put the Index togetherranking and scoring each of the 25 countries in the Index across 10 categories, climate among them. The five countries that scored the highest marks for Best Climate in the World in this years Annual Global Retirement Index 2022 are... #3 Mexico With 86 points out of 100, Mexico takes third place in the Climate Category of International Livings Annual Global Retirement Index 2022. Climate-wise, Mexico has something for everybody. From hot and steamy jungles and rainforests in the far south of the country to dry deserts on the Baja California peninsula, which only get a few days of rain a year. Those are the extremes. But within the borders of this country, which is about three times the size of Texas, the variety of landscapes and elevations leads to different weather patterns. On the coasts, along the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and much of the central and southern Pacific, you have warm and humid weather year-round, although it does cool off a bit in the winter months. Its no wonder that this is when thousands of snowbirds descend upon these areas, to towns like Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Merida, Progreso, and Huatulco, among others, says Jason Holland, IL Roving Latin America Editor. This is when these places have the best weather, with blue skies and no rain. Think of a climate very similar to Florida. On the flipside, the heat of summer can be very hotwith plentiful rain, especially in the afternoon. The place with what expats often consider the bestclimate in Mexico is around Lake Chapala, which is about an hour south of Guadalajara, one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Mexico. Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico and the town of Chapala is one of the longest-running expat havens in the country. Expats live in small towns and villages along the northern shore, which is surrounded by mountains. The high elevation has led to a unique microclimate where it never gets too hot or too cold. (Peru, Colombia and Ecuador are all tied for second place in the Annual Global Retirement Index 2022 Climate Category with a score of 87.) #2 Peru With a mixture of desert, high mountains, jungle, and everything in between, retirees are almost guaranteed to find a climate tailored especially for them. Peru can deliver any combination of weatherthe cool Andes Mountains, chilly Pacific Ocean, arid deserts, and humid Amazon junglemaking it one of the worlds top 10 most biodiverse countries. Those looking for year-round sunshine and a temperate climate will discover that the southern city of Arequipa ticks all their boxes. When Steve and Nancy LePoidevin moved to Peru in 2016, this was their first stop. Steve says, We had to start somewhere, and Arequipa seemed like a good choice to begin with. We arrived in July and didnt see a cloud in the sky until the end of December. By the middle of March, the skies were cloudless again. In the small coastal town of Huanchaco, located 350 miles north of Lima, you can enjoy all of this along with copious amounts of sunshine for much of the year. And this is only one of Perus 28 climates on offerthe entire world only has four more choices! #2 Colombia Colombia has long been a favorite retirement destination. Imagine a country where you can find practically any climate to suit your tastewarm, tropical Caribbean beaches; mild, spring-like mountain air in the Andes; a dry, arid climate in the Tatacoa desert; or the hot and humid Amazonian rainforest. There is even a snow-capped mountain just 25 miles from the shores of the Caribbean Sea. In fact, Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world. Because Colombia is so close to the equator, it has an equal 12 hours of daylight and darkness with very little variation during the year. Medellin, Colombias second-largest city and fastest-growing expat haven, sits at 5,000 feet above sea level. The climate at this altitude gives Medellin its nickname City of Eternal Spring, with daytime highs in the upper 70s F to mid-80s F and evening temperatures that dip to the mid-60s F every day of the year. Ive lived in Medellin since 2012, says IL Colombia Contributor Nancy Kiernan. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there are no thermostats in any of the buildings. There is no heat, and in most cases, no one has air conditioning. If you are hotopen a window. If you are coldclose the window. #2 Ecuador In Ecuador, its not too hot, not too cold; the weather is just right. Largely due to both the altitude and its proximity to the equator, Ecuador provides near-perfect weather no matter where folks choose to live. Ecuador has four distinct geographical areasthe La Costa (Pacific coastal plains), the Sierra (mountains), the Oriente (eastern rainforests), and the Galapagos Islands. And because Ecuador lies directly on the equator, the entire country enjoys 12 hours of direct equatorial daylight 365 days a year. Ecuadors capital, Quito, lies between the Andean Mountains eastern and western ridges. The equator is less than 20 miles north of the city, yet at an altitude of 9,250 feet, the climate in Quito is spring-like year-round: 50 F at night and 69 F during the day. Most expats choose to live in the sierras, either in large cities such as Quito or Cuenca, or in smaller towns such as Cotacachi in the north or Vilcabamba in the south. Im an outdoorsy girl, says Donna Stiteler, IL Ecuador Correspondent who lives in Cuenca, so temperate weather was top of my checklist for where I wanted to live. The summers had gotten so hot in Florida, that the only times I got outside were early in the morning and late at night. My car heated to 140 degrees during summer, hot enough to scramble eggs. It was time to find a place where I could actually walk outside, every day, all year round. In Ecuador I can enjoy being outside, which allows me time to hike, walk the dogs, go shopping, and eat at outdoor restaurants any time I want. #1 Portugal For the second year running, scoring 88 points, Portugal takes the top place in the Climate category of the Annual Global Retirement Index 2022. Portugal has some of the best weather in all of Europe. Whether you are a cold weather person, love the intense heat of summer, or prefer a year-round, spring-like climate, Portugal has something for everyone. Take the city of Evora as an example, says IL Portugal Correspondent, Terry Coles. Typically summer reaches highs of 100 F or more while winters bring a freezing chill accompanied by gusty winds. But come springtime, the surrounding fields bloom into a colorful array of wildflowers. Cork oak and olive trees bloom and the first leaves can be seen sprouting on the grapevines. Springtime temperatures range from the mid-40s F to 60 F. The coldest part of the country is the North Coast from the Spanish border to the city of Porto. Summer temperatures range from 70 F to the mid-80s F, with low humidity and plenty of sunshine. During the fall temperatures drop into the 50s F and 60s F with some rain showers. This is the perfect time to get out for some leaf-peeping before the winter rains set in. In December, the heavy rains come and last through springtime. Snow in Portugal is only found in the mountain range of Serra de Estrela, where there is even a ski resort. What Portugal lacks in size it makes up for in its variety of weather that changes with just a short drive. Summers in Lisbon, the capital city, tend to be a bit warmer than the Silver Coast, with highs reaching the mid-70s F to 85 F. Winters bring rain, like the rest of Portugal, with cooling temperatures of 40 F at night, reaching into the 50s F during the daytime. Again, the humidity here can make it feel colder than the thermometer says, especially in the coastal areas. Sintra, just a 30-minute drive from Lisbon, is microclimate frequented by fog and mist, says Coles. But when it burns off, the fairy tale castles glisten. In the famed Algarve region, and the temperature changes yet again. While summertime temperatures remain spring-like in the center of the country, for those that can take the heat the southern regions offer summertime highs averaging 85 F. Cool sea breezes and milder nights in the high 60s F make it perfect for sleeping. So, whether folks consider themselves as a warm or cold weather person, there is something for everyone here in Portugal. More details on the top five countries in the Climate category of International Livings Annual Global Retirement Index 2022 can be found here: The World Best Climate Editor's Note: Members of the media have permission to republish the article linked above once credit is given to Internationalliving.com Further information, as well as interviews with expert authors for radio, TV or print, is available on request. Photos are also available. For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact PR Managing Editor, Marita Kelly, +001 667 312 3532, mkelly@internationalliving.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalliving/ Twitter: @inliving https://twitter.com/inliving?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/International.Living/ About International Living Since 1979, InternationalLiving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment. Rodeo Drive 2.0 Fashion Tech Backpack Timm Fenton, VP of Design and Development says, Our consumers have told us that their needs are shifting. They demand from us the latest in innovative solutions that are attractive and extremely functional for their digital lifestyle. Ricardo Beverly Hills, the Washington-based global luggage and travel accessories leader, announced today the launch of their new Rodeo Drive 2.0 lifestyle collection of soft-sided bags. Luxury meets versatility with this new lifestyle-focused group. In modern silhouettes such as the backpack and carry-on duffle, these contemporary styles address the way digital nomads are exploring their world now. Timm Fenton, Vice President of Design and Development at Ricardo says, Our consumers have told us that their needs are shifting. They demand from us the latest in innovative solutions that are attractive and extremely functional for their digital lifestyle. These new styles are designed to address the needs of todays consumers. For instance, the roomy tote is crafted from durable, water-resistant microfiber and has an easy access zippered front pocket. The backpack features a zippered mesh pocket, adjustable, and sport-mesh ventilated padded straps. Interior details on all of the styles include padded laptop and tablet interior pockets, a zippered stash pocket and the mini LED flashlight on key leash with replaceable battery. The soft-sided weekend bag is crafted from Nanotex water-resistant finish fabric and features modern, chrome-plated finish hardware. Fenton, says, Inspired by automotive design details, the Rodeo Drive collection represents a modernized evolution of a Ricardo Beverly Hills classic. All of the styles in the collection integrate custom design detailing with luxurious materials throughout. The 5-piece collection is available in black with crimson red and tan interior finishes. Prices range from $99 for the shoulder tote to $139 for the 20-inch carry-on duffle. They are available exclusively at http://www.ricardobeverlyhills.com. About Ricardo Beverly Hills: Ricardo Beverly Hills, Inc. is a global leader specializing in the design, innovation, and marketing of luggage and travel accessories. The company is committed to delivering the best in luggage design through its core brands - RICARDO BEVERLY HILLS, SKYWAY LUGGAGE, STEPHANIE JOHNSON, AMERICAN EXPLORER - and private label brands. With a world-class global distribution spanning five continents and over 40 countries, the brands are available at major department stores, specialty stores, and online retailers in the United States and worldwide. For more information, visit us at http://www.ricardobeverlyhills.com. Keep up with the ways Ricardo Beverly Hills is reimagining the travel landscape and be sure to follow us on social media. Christian, My Son: What God Spoke after the Death of My Child: a heartrending exploration of a mothers grief. Christian, My Son: What God Spoke after the Death of My Child is the creation of published author S.M. Alvarez, who serves in the Anchored Hearts ministry at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs in Diamond Bar, California. Alvarez shares, Christian, My Son takes you through the journey of one womans immense grieving over the loss of her only son, Christian, and everything that God spoke to her during that time. From the day of her son's tragic passing to over a year after his death, she chronicles how God spoke to her each step of the way in her grieving. Taken through moments of hope and encouragement, to times of defeat and exhaustion, she shares how God was there through it all and taught her many great truths. There were questions. There were answers. There were many occasions of despair but also numerous incidents of being challenged to live out the faith she believed in. The author shares candidly about the thoughts and feelings she experienced after the loss of her beloved son and includes real journal entries in hopes that other hurting hearts will know they are not alone in what they may be feeling. Based on the truths of God found in the Bible, this true story offers comfort to readers, that there is a hope and a future for those who choose to seek after Jesus. Christian, My Son is an emotional read, but one full of truth and hope. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, S.M. Alvarezs new book will pull at the heartstrings and offer a sense of hope for those faced with similar losses. Alvarez presents an engaging and inspiring look back on the heartache that led to healing following the loss of her beloved son. Consumers can purchase Christian, My Son: What God Spoke after the Death of My Child at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Christian, My Son: What God Spoke after the Death of My Child, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. A Souls Reflections: a powerful reminder to pursue spiritual rejuvenation through a vibrant fellowship with God. A Souls Reflections is the creation of published author Sheila G. Evans, a native of Houston, Texas, who is also an entrepreneur and CEO of Inspired Pen LLC, a resource for Christian-themed theatrical scripts. Evans shares, Today is the day to experience and rediscover the beauty, majesty, power, and love of God anew and afresh! Why? Because life can bring about stagnancy, slumber, and drought; but the Holy Spirit desires to stir, awaken, and rejuvenate the heart to a deepened passion for the Divine Creator God! It's time to fall in love with God again! A Soul's Reflections a compilation of inspirational prose, poetry, and anecdotes is a wonderful accompaniment to personal Bible study, prayer, and devotional periods. Throughout its pages the Holy Spirit breathes uniquely expressed and profound revelations of God, that the soul may inhale God's breath, be spiritually revived and Live. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Sheila G. Evanss new book will encourage believers to seek an impassioned fellowship with God and deepened sense of purpose. Evans shares in hopes of encouraging others by regenerating their sense of wonderment regarding God and His rich promises. Consumers can purchase A Souls Reflections at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, Barnes and Noble, or ReaderHouse. For additional information or inquiries about A Souls Reflections, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. What is China's whole-process democracy, and how does it help communities address the real issues that matter to them? Find out in our three-part documentary about democracy in China. In episode one, our guest presenter notices there is more than meets the eye to a village bulletin board in Anhui...#GLOBALink Latino Business Action Network (LBAN), in collaboration with the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI) at Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), recently completed the State of Latino Entrepreneurship Research Report (SOLE), which found that Latino-owned businesses are more likely to be asked for collateral when securing funding despite having similar credit characteristics as white-owned employer firms. Our previous research has shown that Latinos are creating companies faster than all other groups. Our goal with this research is to identify opportunities and challenges and use real data to build programs, start conversations and find solutions, said Arturo Cazares, CEO, LBAN. LBAN will present key findings and trends at the SOLE Forum Jan. 28, virtually. The 2021 SOLE Report examines survey data from 15,000 business owners including 7,500 Latino-owned employer businesses and 7,500 Non-Latino, White-owned employer businesses. Among its findings, the report shows Latinos were more likely to tap into their personal savings, max out credit cards and take out home equity loans to weather the pandemic. This use of multiple debt sources creates greater risk for the Latino entrepreneurship community. Wells Fargo, a longtime supporter of LBAN, continues to fund research and other programs empowering Latino entrepreneurship in the U.S. We are committed to enabling entrepreneurship across all sectors of the economy. Working with LBAN over the years has allowed us to better understand the challenges Latino entrepreneurs face and help accelerate opportunities for these businesses to grow, said Jenny Flores, head of small business growth philanthropy at Wells Fargo. According to the report, business owners are optimistic about their ability to rebound post-pandemic, and PPP funding provided a greater lifeline for Latino-owned businesses despite challenges accessing it. During the forum, a panel of Latino entrepreneurs will discuss COVID-19s continued impact. Other topics include technology, proactivity, the quality of jobs created by Latinos, and financial viability of Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. The presentation will be on the record. To confirm attendance and schedule interviews, register as media. The SOLE report, in its entirety, will be provided by request. About Latino Business Action Network LBAN works to make America stronger by empowering Latino entrepreneurs to grow large businesses through entrepreneurship research, education, and networks. Victor Arias, Jr. is Chairman of the Board, Professor Jerry I. Porras, Chairman Emeritus, and Arturo Cazares, CEO. Learn more: http://www.lban.us About Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative Research Program SLEI operates a research program that explores and expands knowledge of the Latino entrepreneurial segment of the U.S. economy through research, knowledge dissemination, and facilitated collaboration. The program, jointly supported by LBAN and Stanford GSBs Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, conducts an annual national survey to assess the current state of U.S. Latino entrepreneurship and is curating a significant panel of Latino entrepreneurs to enable longitudinal research to understand trends over time. About Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Education Scaling Program SLEI also operates an education program (SLEI-Ed) as a collaboration between Stanford GSB Executive Education and LBAN. It is an opportunity designed for U.S. Latino business owners who generate more than $1 million in annual gross revenues or have raised at least $500,000 of external funding. This eight-week immersive program provides business owners with education, enhanced networks, personal mentorship, and a better understanding of accessing and managing capital to scale their businesses. The program has almost 900 SLEI-Ed Alumni from 39 states and Puerto Rico who collectively generate over $5.4 billion in annual gross Dr. Charlotte M. Farmer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Dr. Farmer brings a breadth of expertise, experience and empowerment to EWA and her recent move to Underwriters Laboratories is evidence of her extensive background and leadership excellence," commented Larraine Segil, Founder, Chair and CEO, Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation. The Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation (EWA) announces that after interviews with multiple candidates, Dr. Charlotte M. Farmer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Underwriters Laboratories Inc., has been selected as a Fall 2021 EWA Awardee. Dr. Farmer recently joined Underwriters Laboratories, where she is responsible for leading operations and building out a global infrastructure of partners. She guides strategic growth and drives enterprise excellence. Her expertise and experience will help ensure organizational health, further positioning Underwriters Laboratories as a world leader in fundamental and applied safety science research. Prior to joining Underwriters Laboratories, Dr. Farmer served as Director, Operations and Integration for MITRE, where she led operational strategies and implementation for MITREs global workforce and technology programs. With B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering, an MBA, and a Ph.D. in Engineering Management, Charlotte has led and served on multiple executive boards, including the International Council on Systems Engineering, American Society of Quality, and the United Way. Her expertise at linking strategy to action has driven transformational outcomes at Fortune 500 companies and federal agencies including the VA, NASA, DOD, Treasury, and CMMS. Dr. Farmer brings a breadth of expertise, experience and empowerment to EWA and her recent move to Underwriters Laboratories is evidence of her extensive background and leadership excellence. We are delighted that she has joined our Exceptional Women Awardees," commented Larraine Segil, Founder, Chair and CEO, Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation. "She adds significant expertise in STEM and a commitment to our mission that will stand as a role model for all." We are thrilled that the EWA Foundation has recognized Dr. Farmers long history of operational excellence and strategic leadership success with this award, Underwriters Laboratories President and CEO Terrence R. Brady said. We deeply admire the exceptional abilities and energy Charlotte brings to UL, and we extend warm congratulations on her award. Dr. Farmer has received numerous professional accolades, including the White House 551st Point of Light, becoming a member of the Fierce Women Initiative, 2021 Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International and was included in Savoy Magazines listing of Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America in 2020. Additionally, Dr. Farmer is an outspoken advocate who has been recognized for her impact and commitment to initiatives in STEM, leadership, and ethics by West Point Military Academy and other notable institutions. Dr. Farmer currently serves as Board Chair of Mobility Unlimited Technology Worldwide, a nonprofit startup that performs research and data collection to safely adapt spaces for wheelchair users, blind citizens, and mobility aid users. She also holds board membership or advisory roles with HireVue, Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, and The National GEM Consortium. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is dedicated to advancing the UL public safety mission through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. They conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide the safe commercialization of evolving technologies. The organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being. They fund their work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of their wholly owned subsidiary, UL Inc., which advances their shared mission through testing, verification and certification, training and advisory services, data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world. Learn more at ul.org The Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation (EWA) selects high potential, high level Exceptional Women from multiple industries, develops and mentors them with guidance and career redesign advice to propel them to sustainable success - one woman at a time. Their year-long program enables the EWA to be connected for life to their ever-expanding EWA global network, as their fellow women leaders move into positions of significance. Learn more at exceptionalwomenawardees.com The Home Design and Remodeling Show will be kicking off 2022 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from February 4th-6th amid November reports of Broward Countys average home sale price of $485,000, according to the Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors. That's a 14.1% increase in median sale price year-over-year. The red-hot housing market in Broward County isnt showing any signs of slowing down from the holiday season and as we enter into 2022. Houses are being scooped up almost as quickly as they are listed and homeowners are seeing an increasingly great return on investment. As snowbirds and northerners continue to make the move to Florida, the Home Design and Remodeling Show is the perfect one-stop marketplace for homeowners to meet hundreds of experts, become inspired, shop, and get quotes. Leading the way in home design innovation for over 40 years, the Home Design and Remodeling Show is the perfect one-stop shop destination for all home products and services like interior design, flooring, home automation, security, kitchen remodeling, custom closet design, home decor, impact windows, solar, landscaping, patio furniture, outdoor bbq kitchens, pools; the list goes on. Celebrity guest, Craig Conover, will be among the attendees representing a fan-favorite from Bravos hit reality series. Home Show attendees will also be able to meet Craig and his team at Sewing Down South to shop and discover their latest pillow designs as they will have a booth display within the event all weekend. Other features include the Designer Show House where interior designers Reginald W. Dunlap, Founding Partner and Principal Interior Designer of Reginald Dunlap Interior Design, Joseph Fava, the visionary behind Fava Design Group, and the KJ Design Collective duo, Janine Rivero and Karina Gonzalez. The Show provides a unique opportunity to learn the latest design trends directly from local experts, and this year, attendees will receive a commemorative poster celebrating art from award-winning watercolor and oil artist, Eileen Seitz. Recognized as the largest home improvement and design marketplace in Florida, Home Show Management Corporation proudly serves to boost not only sales and leads for participating businesses from its Shows, but also exposure and brand recognition from its long-standing local reputation. # # # About the Home Design and Remodeling Show: For more than 40 years, Home Show Management Corp. has been bringing together industry-leading professionals from the entire spectrum of home renovation products and services in South Florida. With home renovation shows in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach every year, the Home Show always features the latest trends and brands in the home improvement industry. Due to its regular interactions with the local market, Home Show Management Corp has established strong relationships with many of the best companies in the area to allow home improvement events to consistently meet impressive standards in terms of quality and size. Learn more at homeshows.net. Wavicle Data Solutions celebrates significant momentum in 2021 Throughout 2021 the pace of business exploded and the Wavicle team showed their commitment to consistently innovating and problem solving to meet our clients rapidly growing needs. Chicago-based Wavicle Data Solutions, a leading data analytics firm offering cloud migration services and data management consulting, announces a strong finish to 2021 with impressive gains in new clients, employee growth, and industry recognition including almost 2,400% growth over the last five years. Despite the challenges that remain from the pandemic, Wavicle emerged with a strong performance, hitting a variety of milestones that include: New and expanded client roster: Driven largely by a growing demand for cloud engineering and data analytics solutions, Gartner has estimated that spending on public cloud services will account for about 10% of corporate IT spending in 2021. As a result of that increased demand, Wavicle tripled its client base in 2021 across a variety of industries such as retail, education, travel, and distribution. In addition, the company grew its existing business with national brand clients by 200%. Bolstered strategic partnerships and competencies: Wavicle continued to emphasize key technology alliances throughout 2021. The most notable being Wavicle entering the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Sector Partner (PSP) Program. Wavicle, an Advanced Tier AWS Consulting Partner, joined this collaborative community in space, healthcare, financial services, government, education, and nonprofit. Wavicle also ended 2020 as one of the first to earn the AWS Travel and Hospitality Competency status. Additionally, Wavicle was recognized by Talend for its work with Vyaire Medical in its Talend Data Masters Awards in the category of Data for Exponential Growth. Wavicle also achieved Microsoft Gold status, became a Talend Premier Partner, achieved Snowflake Select Partner stats, and strengthened partnerships with companies such as Databricks and ThoughtSpot. Matured existing and added new dedicated practice areas: Wavicle continued to add critical areas of focus to its roster by launching two new practice areas in 2021. In August, Wavicle rolled out its comprehensive AWS Solutions Practice, focusing exclusively on building, enhancing, selling and delivering AWS solutions. The company also announced its Emerging Technology practice area that focuses on identifying new technologies and potential partnership opportunities with emerging players in the data and analytics space. Additionally, key practice area leaders were hired to drive the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, Insurance) and Retail/CPG practices. Expanded competency centers of excellence: In an effort to constantly grow and deepen the skill sets of its teams, Wavicle introduced a new Cloud Competency focused on optimizing emerging and popular database architectures, platform integrations, data governance and MDM capabilities, and refining DevOps. The company also rolled out its Project Management Center of Excellence (PM CoE). The PM CoE is laser-focused on ensuring delivery of solutions that align with client business priorities. The PM CoE gives special attention to defining and promoting best practices and priorities throughout the company and building project management and agile skills among teams. New technologies and accelerators: Throughout 2021 Wavicle continued to innovate and launch new solutions and accelerators that helped its clients realize faster returns on their investments in data analytics, data management, and cloud migrations. In July, Wavicle announced Augment, the companys new data management platform. The company also announced its ETL Glue Converter designed to reduce the time and cost of migrating to AWS Glue. Wavicle also continued to make enhancements to its existing accelerator solutions including ActiveInsights, PII Compliance, and AI ML to enable text/voice/video. Key leadership hires and explosive headcount growth: Wavicle continued to scale to meet growing client needs and demand leading to explosive headcount growth. Employee headcount increased by almost 200 people, including notable additions to the domestic and global leadership team such as new directors of HR in both the U.S. and India, a new head of talent acquisition, a new project management lead, and a new vice president in the companys India location. And to support this expansive growth and hiring effort, the company opened a new location in Montreal. New STEM scholarship and educational offerings: The company launched a new Chicago technology scholarship program offered to Chicago-area students of need in a technology-related field and to women who are seeking certifications, classes, or degrees to help them achieve financial security as they leave abusive relationships, through a partnership with Wings Program, Inc. And to further its commitment to the development of future data and analytics leaders, current Wavicle employees host a 12-week bootcamp for recent college hires with computer science or related technical degrees. Upon the completion of this program, the new hires will be assigned a full-time data engineering, data science, or data visualization role within the company. Recognized for honors regionally and nationally, including as a Chicago Top Workplace: Wavicle continued to rack of an impressive list of awards and recognitions including being named the 8th fastest growing company in Chicago by Crains Chicago Business, honored as a Top Workplace for the second year in a row by the Chicago Tribune, and being ranked on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for third year in a row. Additionally, Wavicles work in technology and innovation were recognized with a Bronze Stevie Award in the Big Data Solution category and as a finalist in the The Cloud Awards in the Best Cloud Consultancy or MSP category. Wavicle was also pleased to receive MBE accreditation from National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). Throughout 2021 the pace of business exploded and the Wavicle team showed their commitment to consistently innovating and problem solving to meet our clients rapidly growing needs, said Naveen Venkatapathi, president of Wavicle Data Solutions. We are looking forward to an even stronger 2022, continuing to build long-term client relationships and introducing more groundbreaking solutions for our diverse client base. Wavicle offers cloud, data, and analytics solutions for a variety of industries including manufacturing, retail/CPG, financial data analytics, insurance, healthcare data analytics, hospitality and restaurants. For additional information on the company, its technologies, and industry solutions, visit https://wavicledata.com. ABOUT WAVICLE DATA SOLUTIONS Wavicle Data Solutions is a cloud, data, and analytics solution specialist. From data integration services and cloud consulting to dashboard development and data analytics consulting, Wavicle employs a team of professionals who enable and empower data-driven enterprises. Wavicle combines its expertise in data engineering and architecture with artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts to help enterprises imagine new ways of managing costs, increasing sales, and becoming more efficient. Wavicle was recognized as an Inc. 500 company on its 2019, 2020, and 2021 lists of fastest-growing private companies in America, by Crains Chicago Business to its Fast 50 list of fastest growing companies in Chicago two years in a row, and a 2020 and 2021 Chicago Top Workplaces award from the Chicago Tribune. For more information about Wavicle Data Solutions offerings, please visit https://wavicledata.com. Gilbane is proud to play a part in moving this project forward and providing world-class medical facilities for U.S. service members overseas, said Heidi DeBenedetti, Executive Vice President. Zublin-Gilbane Germany Joint Venture has signed a contract to build the largest U.S. medical center on foreign soil - a significant step forward in the Rhine Ordnance Barracks Medical Center Replacement (ROBMCR) project. When complete, the 985,000-square-foot hospital will include nine operating rooms, 120 exam rooms, 68 beds, and a surge capacity of 25 additional beds at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Germany. The German Construction Administration, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District and the U.S. Defense Health Agency, awarded this 859 million contract approximately $969 million USD to Zublin and Gilbane, leading construction firms in Germany and the U.S. respectively. The completed ROBMCR project will serve as the only forward-station evacuation and treatment center for injured U.S. service members, civilians, and contractors serving in Central & Southwest Asia, Europe, and Africa. The facility, located strategically in southwest Germany, will provide medical support to an estimated 200,000 military personnel across seven combat stations and employ approximately 2,500 people. Construction is slated for completion in 2027. Gilbane is proud to play a part in moving this project forward and providing world-class medical facilities for U.S. service members overseas, said Heidi DeBenedetti, Executive Vice President and Gilbane Federal Division Leader. Our service members and their families deserve access to the best available care, which this hospital will be able to provide with a modern facility. We look forward to the construction process, and to bringing this important project to fruition. The new hospital will replace the 1953-era Landstuhl Regional Medical Center infrastructure and retrofit existing space with modern medical equipment. Although the hospital itself is the most significant phase of investment, the project also includes almost $200 million in recently completed assets, including a new Access Control Point (ACP) main entrance gate, bridge, utilities, and roadways. This partnership between German and American companies and governments will provide unique perspective across quality, scheduling, and cost requirements. The German government is contributing more than 151 million approximately $180 million USD for design and construction management. The new hospital is part of the U.S. governments continued investment in Germany. About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane Building Company provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, close-out, and facility management services for government clients worldwide. A family business founded in 1870, Gilbane has active participation from the 4th, 5th, and 6th generations of the Gilbane family. Gilbane has more than 45 office locations around the world. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com. In all of her novels, Ruta Sepetys focuses on a lost chapter in history. Her newest book, I Must Betray You, pulls back the curtain on life in Cold War Romania, the most closed-off nation in the Eastern Bloc that was ruled for more than two decades by the corrupt dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Her protagonist, 17-year-old Cristian Florescu, is forced by the secret police to become an informant and to collect information about both the American ambassador (for whom his mother cleans) and also his own friends and family. Cristian is seized with a desire to rebel against this regime that echoes the dissident rumblings of a nation on the precipice of revolution. PW spoke with Sepetys about what inspired this novel, how she conducted her research, and the many interviews that informed her characters and plot. What drew you to set this novel in Romania and to choose to do so in 1989 right before its revolution? When I was on tour in Romania for my first book Between Shades of Gray, I was sitting outside with my interpreter, publisher, and a few other people. We sat down at a table and one of the women immediately reached into the center of the table to grasp the ashtray and turned it over to look beneath it. And she saw me looking at her in shock and she apologized and said, Im sorry, habit. She was looking for a recording device, and she told me, they were listening, you know, always listening. I asked who was listening and she said the blue-eyed boys [the secret police]. And this history started to unravel of collective trauma, mass surveillance, and this atmosphere of fear beneath this maniacal dictator. I realized in that moment that there are so many different faces and brands of communism, and I knew I wanted to write about it and to peel back the layers on the story of Romania. Can you imagine this world in which your nutrition is controlled, a womans body belongs to the state, your electricity and water is rationed, and everything you do is watched? It sounded so dystopian, but it was real. In all my books, I write about young people who are fighting for change. In Romania it was the young people who made the revolution [in 1989] happenthese defiant young people who had a dream of freedom that couldnt be stopped. How did you research the history of a country that was so cut off from the rest of the world? As always, it was a journey that took multiple years. When I decided that I wanted to write about Romania I began to research right away, which for me, always begins with nonfiction. My historical fiction stands on the shoulders of the nonfiction of academic texts, historical papers, and, of course, personal testimony of the true witnesses. When I told my Romanian publisher [Epica] I wanted to write about this, they said well help you. Over the many years in my research I took many trips to Romania. When I was on tour in other countries, I met with people from the Romanian embassy because in all of my books there is this intersection between the United States government and the regime or country that I am writing about. The most exciting part was meeting with the true witnesses themselves, these innocent young people who lived in this dark world of enforced obedience. For each book, I do probably 75 to 100 interviews. I noticed that there were common stories. For example, the way people described the black market and the Kent cigarette economy amazed me. If you had to go to the dentist, youd better be armed with a carton of Kents. They even had to bribe their schoolteachers. The Romanians had to keep a certain stock in reserve for emergencies, whether it was vodka, perfume, or cigarettes, to have when the only option was to bribe a taxi driver to get you where you needed to go. It became clear that the movies making their way in from the West made a huge impact. One historian told me those [movies] were loading the guns that eventually killed Ceausescu. When Romanians saw movies like Pretty Woman or others that were big during the 80s, they thought it was all a fantasy world. That people drove these cars, could choose where to live and what kind of job they wanted, or turn on a faucet and hot water rolled out. What was most painful was to hear the Romanians speak of their hungerto see someone open a refrigerator full of food, this was fantasy. I interviewed Irina Margareta Nistor, who secretly dubbed more than 3,000 movies from the West into Romanian. The films were illegal and they would hold these video nights where 50 people would pack into a small flat and stay up all night watching. She was risking her life knowing the difference that [these movies] could make and yet having to keep it secret from everyone who knew her. By far the most important research to inform my character was my interview with Nicoleta Giurcanu, who was 14 at the time of the revolution, and who took to the streets as many of these young people did. They had no weapons. They were attacking tanks with their bare hands. The regime began to gun down the students and she was arrested and endured the horrors I describe in the book. I was wrecked after that interview. She was crying, I was crying, and in my bald ignorance I felt like how can I not know this story? If you read my early drafts, you would understand what a messy writer I am. I dont want to miss anything. My first drafts are full of info dumps, and thats just a guide telling myself I want to incorporate this information here. Then I challenge myself to go back and ask how can I make this part of the character development. How can I make the history human? If I dont, the reader is not going to walk with that character for 300 pages holding their hand and feeling their fear. My mantra is, make it human. What made you decide to place your hero in the ominous role of an informer, and how did you go about crafting this suspenseful and oppressive atmosphere? I interviewed my childhood hero, [Olympic gymnast] Nadia Comaneci, who underscored that the book had to center on an ordinary Romanian, an ordinary citizen, not someone like herself who traveled to different countries. And that this ordinary Romanian would show the endurance of the Romanians. During my initial research, I read an article that documented that the regime had recruited children and teenagers as informers and this was Ceausescus method to control the population. One in 10 people were informers and as a result, no one knew who could be trusted. Young people were often recruited in their schools. Thats when the scene really came to life for me. Youre walking down the hallway and the school director flags you and says, go to the office and youre thinking maybe it has something to do with your family, your parents. And theres an officer of the secret police who blackmails you. Some of these people [I interviewed] who were recruited as informers, they described how listening devices were so prevalent. They were listening through your light fixtures, through window frames. One U.S. diplomat said he found a listening device in his shoe. When they brought these young people in, they had so much background information on their lives, on their emotions, and on what their hopes and fears were to use to blackmail them. I thought that was particularly evil. But I believe in the strength and power of young hearts and young students, and I thought wow, what a situation. These young people are smarter than you could ever imagine. And what if this security officer goes face to face with this young dissident heart? Whats your next project? Through my years of touring, I realized that every human being has a story to tell. But not everyone feels equipped to tell that story. So, I have written a book called You, The Story: A Writers Guide to Craft Through Memory that helps unpack all of the building blocks of story, including plot, character development, setting, voice, all through memories of personal experience. It breaks down how to fictionalize, or tell a story as memoir. The book comes out in May 2023 from Viking. There are so many stories that need to be told, and I want to encourage people because the world needs their stories. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. Philomel, $18.99 Feb. 1 ISBN 978-1-984836-03-8 HarperCollins Childrens Books has become the master trade publisher in the U.S. and Canada for the Smurfs, under a licensing agreement with the propertys Belgian licensor, IMPS. The program will kick off with a picture book, How Much Farther, Papa Smurf?, which will release in the U.S. on April 26, in plenty of time for Fathers Day 2022, followed by a Level One I Can Read! reader, Meet the Smurfs, in May. The two companies had been talking off and on for years at trade shows and during the Smurfs teams visits to New York. When we started ramping up our licensing program about five years ago, we identified the Smurfs as the kind of feel-good, timeless, evergreen property we wanted to work with, said Rich Thomas, v-p, director of publishing at HarperCollins Childrens Books. He noted that the propertys themes of empathy and the natural world, along with its hint of fantasy and magic, were also appealing. Another selling point was the art style of the new TV series, which recently ended its first season on Nickelodeon. It looks spectacular, he said, adding that the show also increased the amount of licensing and marketing activity around the brand. The publishing effort will take its cues from the entire world of the Smurfs, including the original comics created by Peyo, refreshed versions of previously published titles, TV tie-ins, and wholly new concepts. It is likely to appeal to a wide age range, from preschool up through adults, Thomas said. The focus initially will be on core formats such as board books, I Can Read! titles, 5 Minute Storybook Collections, and, for TV tie-ins, mass market formats such as 8x8s with stickers and special effects. Further down the line, unique novelty and gift formats will be added. Harper does not hold rights to the coloring and activity book or most comic book categories, but it will be publishing some titles in its new I Can Read! Comics series. The plan is to publish one to two Smurfs titles per season. The picture book is the cornerstone of the program, Thomas said. How Much Farther, Papa Smurf?, written by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Melanie Demmer, features a stylized picture book style similar to that in the duos The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin Elementary and Parks and Recreation: Leslie for Class President!, published by Little, Brown in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The picture books title is a phrase that is well-known to fans of the property. The Harper team is having nostalgic fun creating the new program, Thomas said. Its bringing us all back to Saturday mornings in the 1980s. To find justice, writes former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in his new childrens book, Justice Is: A Guide for Young Truth Seekers,ask all kinds of people to join your search. Justice needs to hear every side of the story. And in this picture book follow-up to his bestselling memoir, Doing Justice: A Prosecutors Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law, he encourages children to explore the concept of justice and hear the stories of those who fought for it. Including profiles of John Lewis, Nelson Mandela, Harvey Milk, Ida B. Wells, and Malala Yousafzai, among others, Bharara reminds readers that it is never too early to begin discussing fairness and offers children inspirational figures in the battle for a just world. We spoke with Bharara about the impetus for this work, his thoughts on the timeliness of its focus, and his advice for those who are seeking justice in their own communities. Why did you decide to write a book on justice for children? First I wrote a book about my experiences in the world of justice as the U.S. Attorney, and Ive always been inspired by young people and thought we dont give them enough credit. At a very young age, children will talk about fairness in their interactions with their family members, and let you know when something is not fair. So, I dont think you can start too early giving children examples of heroic figures, some of them children themselves like Malala Yousafzai and Elizabeth Eckford [of the Little Rock Nine], who were courageous and worked hard to make sure that their country, their world, was fair and just. When Random House and I talked we thought about creating a work that would allow parents to introduce their children to some really significant figures, modern and historic, both in America and the world at large. In Doing Justice you talk about your background as an immigrant from India. What role did that play in this book? I think my status as an immigrant has encouraged me to give back to the country that adopted us years ago and I chose to do that through the law. I devoted most of my adult life to issues of justice and fairness. I went to law school for that purpose and wrote Doing Justice about those issues, and this childrens book is a natural extension of that focus, but reducing it to its simple essence for young people. How did you narrow down which justice warriors to incorporate in this book? Some of the figures in this work I have spent a lifetime admiring. I was born in India and my dad would tell me stories about Gandhi and Indian independence. In the book we wanted to make sure we had a good mix of people, from different countries, age groups, and backgrounds. Each and every one of them in some way advanced the cause of truth and justice, whether it was John Lewis, who was with us very recently, or Sojourner Truth, a former slave. To understand justice, you have to understand and appreciate and confront injustice, so we do reference some bad things that happened in the world, such as the Japanese internment camps, slavery, and the like. Why do you think this book is so necessary today? I think discussions about what makes society, what makes institutions, fair and just are undervalued, underappreciated, and dont happen enough. Were often consumed with the language of rules and statutes, and constitutions, as we should be, but then we lose sight of the fact that if you dont have good people who are brave and courageous, who will stand up for the principles embodied in those rules and in those constitutions, you get injustice. No rule of law or constitution is going to do the work and safeguard rights if the people are not willing to do it. So, this book tries to introduce young people to a wide array of people who did the work by being careful moral voices and role models. Take Malala Yousafzai as an example, just the fact that she continued to fight for the rights of young girls to be educated after being shot herself at the age of 15 is proof of what a young person can do and inspire on the world stage. And I think more young people need to be exposed to stories like hers, perhaps creating a higher chance that some of them will choose that path themselves. We are at a time when there are some people in this country who want to whitewash history, to take books off of the shelves. You cant understand justice unless you have some understanding of what the opposite is. Japanese internment happened, slavery happened. Furthermore, I think we underestimate the need for young people to have inspirational figures in their lives. So, the book is in some ways a springboard to further conversations and reading and learning for young people whose parents care about the country and their futures. Whats your advice to young justice fighters who may be frustrated by what they are seeing in the world today? Theres a feeling of dread on the part of some people that we are mixing up our values and were not being true to what the country is supposed to be about. We see a lot of people in the world today who fail to do the right thing because they want to maintain power or political favor. The common story of all of the people in the book is how much they had to suffer to do the right thing. As the book says, justice can be slow; justice can be dangerous, or denied for a while, but it is worth it in the end. Justice Is...: A Guide for Young Truth Seekers by Preet Bharara, illus. by Sue Cornelison. Crown, $17.99 Jan. 25 ISBN 978-0-593-17662-7 Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, attends a meeting of the EU member states' foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 24, 2022. The European Union (EU) is prepared to defend against any possible Russian cyber-attacks or hybrid threats if it invades Ukraine and is "very well advanced" in its preparation for a response to any aggression, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said here on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) BRUSSELS. Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is prepared to defend against any possible Russian cyber-attacks or hybrid threats if it invades Ukraine and is "very well advanced" in its preparation for a response to any aggression, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said here on Monday. He told journalists following a meeting of the EU member states' foreign ministers that the bloc was united in its approach. "The Russian military build-up in and around Ukraine and Russia's attempts to recreate dividing lines on our continent undermine the core foundations and principles on which European security is built and bring back dark memories of the spheres of influence, which do not belong to the 21st century," Borrell said. He said that the EU has reaffirmed its full and unquestionable support to Ukraine and that any military aggression against Ukraine will have serious consequences and massive costs for the perpetrator. He said the foreign ministers had a long exchange with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the way ahead. Borrell said that collective diplomatic efforts will continue to convince Russia to take the path of dialogue "even though the Russian rhetoric does not aspire a lot of confidence." He urged Russia to continue engaging with its international partners to explain and debunk disinformation, the "dangerous narratives that are being spread." "Should diplomacy fail, we are very advanced in our preparation for a response for any Russian aggression. Certainly, it will be a quick and determined action not only within the EU but also internationally," he said. Asked about the lack of details about the potential sanctions against Russia, Borrell said that there was "no reason for worry" and added that "the measures will be implemented at an appropriate moment if it comes." Earlier on Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU executive wants to provide Ukraine with a new financial aid package to help it overcome the current crisis with Russia. The first tranche will be 1.2 billion euros (1.36 billion U.S. dollars) in loans and grants. It will require the approval of the EU Council and the European Parliament, according to a Commission statement. Relations between Ukraine and Russia deteriorated recently, with both sides deploying large numbers of military personnel and equipment in their border areas. The United States, Ukraine, and NATO have accused Russia of having assembled heavy troops near the eastern border of Ukraine, with a possible intention of "invasion." Russia denied the accusation, saying that Russia has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as NATO's activities constitute a threat to Russia's border security. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, arrives for a meeting of the EU member states' foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 24, 2022. The European Union (EU) is prepared to defend against any possible Russian cyber-attacks or hybrid threats if it invades Ukraine and is "very well advanced" in its preparation for a response to any aggression, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said here on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, arrives for a meeting of the EU member states' foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 24, 2022. The European Union (EU) is prepared to defend against any possible Russian cyber-attacks or hybrid threats if it invades Ukraine and is "very well advanced" in its preparation for a response to any aggression, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said here on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) iHeartMedia has announced a lineup for the 2022 iHeartCountry Festival. ADVERTISEMENT The company said in a press release Tuesday that Thomas Rhett Maren Morris and Carrie Underwood will perform at the music festival May 7 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. TV and radio personality Bobby Bones will host the event. Other performers include Zac Brown Band, Dustin Lynch, Jimmie Allen, Scotty McCreery and Cody Johnson. "Country music fans across the country look forward to the iHeartCountry Festival each and every year," iHeartCountry EVP of programming Rod Phillips said. "We are thrilled to have such an incredible lineup perform at this year's show and are especially excited to bring our nationally-recognized event to the new Moody Center in Austin for the first time." The festival will broadcast live on iHeartMedia's country music radio stations May 7 at 8 p.m. EST. Morris will release the new album Humble Quest in March, while Rhett will release the album Where We Started in April. Underwood released her eighth studio album, My Savior, in March 2021. iHeartMedia's second annual iHeartRadio Living Black concert will take place Feb. 23 and feature performances by Lizzo, Big Sean, H.E.R., Ari Lennox, Moneybagg Yo and other artists. Julianna Margulies will host new TV specials in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. ADVERTISEMENT The 55-year-old actress will host two primetime specials for CBS and MTV this month. Undeniable: The Truth to Remember will air Saturday at 8 p.m. EST on CBS and also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. The special follows five Holocaust survivors as they share their stories with a group of students from Hastings High School in Houston, Texas, a school that does not traditionally teach the history of the Holocaust. Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, who recently went viral on TikTok alongside her great grandson, will also be featured. The Hate We Can't Forget: A Holocaust Memorial Special will air Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST on the Smithsonian Channel and Jan. 31 at 10 p.m. on MTV. The special will also see the survivors share their stories with students from school districts that don't teach the history of the Holocaust. Margulies will explore the impact and legacy of the Holocaust on a new generation of Gen Z and millennials. "We must never forget the systemic persecution and murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust, and we must remain vigilant against the forces of hatred and antisemitism that created it and still persist today," CBS president George Cheeks said in a press release. "Hearing directly from these survivors puts the atrocities they experienced in sharp focus and should inspire us to fight against all forms of hate and bigotry in the future." FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Both specials are executive produced by Matthew Segal, John Green, Tom Werner , Jessie Surovell, Taye Shuayb, Jarrett Moreno and Mike Vainisi. Margulies is known for playing Carol Hathaway on ER and Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife. She most recently starred in Season 2 of the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show. Taylor Swift called out David Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz fame on Twitter after the musician said that Swift did not write her own songs. ADVERTISEMENT Albarn's comments appeared in an interview that was published recently by the Los Angeles Times. Interviewer Mikael Wood mentioned Swift to Albarn who said she didn't write her own songs. Albarn, after told that Swift also co-writes some of her tracks, denied that she did. "That doesn't count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing. I'm not hating on anybody. I'm just saying there's a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes," Albarn said. Swift then responded to Albarn on Twitter Monday. "@DamnAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You don't have to like my songs but it's really [expletive] up to try and discredit my writing. WOW," Swift said. Albarn tweeted back an apology shortly afterwards. "I totally agree with you. I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand - Damon," he said. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Swift was recently named the first-ever Record Store Day Global Ambassador. Record Store Day, which celebrates independent record stores, takes place on April 23. Swift will be offering a special release in honor of the event. The opening nights of the University of Georgia Performing Arts Centers 25th anniversary season will take place this Thursday and Friday. After a year and a half of online events with little to no audience members, two groups will perform live at Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. People gathered in Harmony Parking lot in Brattleboro on Friday, April 22nd for a street festival and parade in celebration of Earth Day. According to Nancy Braus of 350 Brattleboro, the goal was to celebrate the ways in which the community is working towards climate justice and to empower Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy with occasional showers. High 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. Pottsville, PA (17901) Today Cloudy skies with a few showers this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 51F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Defense attorneys say the former political opposition leaders right to a speedy trial is being ignored. Kem Sokha, former leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, waves to his supporters outside the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 25, 2022. Cambodian prosecutors played several videos of Kem Sokhas past speeches as evidence against him in his treason case on Tuesday, as defense attorneys for the former leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party criticized the court for allowing the long-delayed trial to extend for so long. The short videos played during the hearing at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court showed Kem Sokha, 68, speaking as opposition leader in Cambodia and abroad, including a demonstration in the capitals Freedom Park, where he called for a higher minimum wage for in Kampong Cham province. Prosecutors in the trial, which resumed on Jan. 19 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, showed videos of the speeches to try to prove that Kem Sokha colluded with the United States to seize power in Cambodia after the 2013 election. A group of about 50 of Kem Sokhas supported waited outside the courthouse while the trial was in session, though there were no incidents. The court agreed to a request from deputy prosecutor Plang Sophal that the trial be resumed on Feb. 2. Kem Sokhas defense team opposed the delay and urged the court to speed up the trial by holding hearings more than once a week. The case has been delayed for nearly two years, Ang Udom, one of Kem Sokhas defense lawyers, told RFA. Kem Sokhas right to a fair trial has been violated. We are disappointed with the court. We want the process to be sped up. We want the case to be finished at the soonest, he said. Kem Sokha was arrested in September 2017 over an alleged plot backed by the United States to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for more than 35 years. Kem Sokha spent a year in jail before being released under court supervision. After his arrest, Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in a move that allowed Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party to win all 125 seats in Parliament in a July 2018 election and drew U.S. sanctions and the suspension of trade privileges with the European Union. When his trial resumed on Jan. 19, Kem Sokha called for the treason charges against him to be dropped. He and his supporters say the charges are politically motivated. Ang Udom said that the prosecutor had mocked the defense team by saying that if a speedy end to the trial was the goal, then the ex-politician should just confess. This is wrong. It is against all the law. He didnt commit any crime. There is no justice. It is fake [and] cannot be accepted, Ang Udom said. Ang Udom said he would not try to negotiate a plea bargain because his client did not commit a crime. His innocence might also keep Kem Sokha from accepting a post-conviction amnesty from King Norodom Sihamoni, Ang Udom said, although he added that he could not speak for the former CNRP leader on the matter. Neither the Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman nor government attorney Ky Tech could not be reached for comment. Soeung Sengkaruna, spokesman of the human rights organization Adhoc, who has been monitoring the trial, said that the prosecution should not try to force Kem Sokha to plead guilty without any real evidence against him. This shows that the court prosecutor is incapable of convicting Kem Sokha so they are pushing him to confess, he said. Hun Sen may not allow Kem Sokha to be freed any time soon since the autocratic leader is grooming his son, Hun Manet, to take over, social and political commentator Kim Sok said. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. The group could be forcibly repatriated to China, where they are already being targeted by state security police. Members of the Shenzhen Mayflower Church are shown in exile on South Korea's Jeju Island in an undated photo. Dozens of Christians on South Korea's Jeju Island are facing forcible repatriation to China after their asylum applications were rejected by multiple courts. The 60 members of the Shenzhen Mayflower Church fled to Jeju in 2019, braving language barriers and lack of access to medical care in a bid to ensure their children didn't have to undergo the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s "patriotic education" and anti-religious propaganda in school. Mayflower pastor Pan Yongguang said church members have also been targeted after he co-signed a letter protesting against the government's new guidelines on the "management" of religions, which ushered in a crackdown on religious activities across the countries. "Our church would educate our children about our religious beliefs, and the police would come along and force them to enroll in school so they could be brainwashed," Pan told RFA. "They didn't want us to teach our children the Bible, and children are banned from attending church." "This went against our faith and our consciences," he said in an interview on Jan. 24. Some 30 Mayflower Church members who stayed behind in Shenzhen have been continually targeted for harassment by the state security police, Pan said. "One of our sisters wasn't able to remain in Shenzhen, but had to go back to her hometown ... in Guangdong province," Pan said. "Sometime in April or May 2021, the state security police tracked her down and charged her with 'subversion of state power', confiscated her Christian books and cell phone, and placed her under surveillance." "She isn't allowed to leave [China]," he said. Pan himself faces multiple charges if he returns to China, while his mother, sister and brother back home have repeatedly been threatened by the local state security police. "I have been charged with subversion of state power, colluding with anti-China foreign forces and human trafficking," Pan said. "[That's because] I took these believers out of China, so now I'm suspected of trafficking or smuggling them." "Just one of those charges would be enough to send me to jail for a very long time," he said. Difficulty adapting Pan said the group has had difficulty adapting to life in Jeju, given that none of them speaks Korean and the children aren't currently in school. "Fortunately, we have all been given free COVID-19 vaccines, and nobody in the church has gotten infected so far," he said. "But the only industries are agriculture and tourism, and a lot of people can't find jobs." "All they can do are odd jobs, like picking tangerines," he said. Meanwhile, Chinese diplomatic staff on the island have been harassing church members, according to Pan. "We have received many calls from the consulate," he said. "If we become illegal immigrants here, then the South Korean government can't offer us ... protection, and we are in danger." The Mayflower asylum claims are currently due to be heard by the High Court, after being rejected by lower courts. "If we don't get asylum approved, we will have 14 days to remain in the country legally, and after that we will be here illegally," Pan said. "It is very likely that the South Korean government will want us to leave. We may not necessarily have to go back to China, but we will have to leave." The asylum-seekers have also been seeking diplomatic assistance from the U.S. Consulate in South Korea. The Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told the group it is unable to assess their status at its Seoul office. South Korea 'too wary of the CCP' Bob Fu, president of the U.S.-based Christian rights group ChinaAid, said Seoul is likely seeking to avoid conflict with Beijing over the fate of the Mayflower group. "The current government of South Korea is too wary of the CCP," Fu told RFA. "Only 0.4 percent of asylum applications from Chinese nationals have been successful in the past." "South Korea is effectively being held hostage by the CCP." An employee who answered the phone at the Jeju Island branch of South Korea's Immigration Bureau declined to comment on the reasons for the rejection of the Mayflower applications when asked about the case by RFA. "We can't tell you the reasons; we can only tell the people concerned," the employee said. "It's not yet clear whether they will be repatriated." A lawyer for the group surnamed Zheng said South Korea requires asylum applicants to show that their lives or health would be in danger if they returned to China. "The refugee application process is complicated, the likelihood of being rejected again is quite high, and it is a huge headache right now," Zheng said. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. An F-35 fighter jet had a 'landing mishap' on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, Navy officials say. A fighter jet takes off from the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 2, 2022. Seven servicemen were injured in a fighter-jet accident aboard an American aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy said. The landing mishap occurred aboard the USS Carl Vinson on Monday but the pilot safely ejected from his plane and was recovered by a U.S. military helicopter, the U.S. Pacific Fleets public affairs office said in a statement issued from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Three of the injured sailors from the Carl Vinson were rushed to a hospital in Manila where they were in stable condition, while four were treated on-board by medical personnel, it said. The statement also listed the pilot as being in stable condition. An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, had a landing mishap on deck while USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea, Jan. 24, the statement said. It said the cause of the in-flight mishap was being investigated. Additional details were not made public. The Carl Vinson is among two U.S. carrier groups that have been conducting maneuvers this week in the contested South China Sea amid tensions between China and Taiwan. In Manila, a Philippine official who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak about the incident said the U.S. had not contacted the Philippine military about it. If the American aircraft carrier was operating in the South China Sea, it likely was sailing outside Philippine territory, the source said. The U.S. Embassy in Manila could not immediately be reached for comment. Freedom of navigation The U.S. Navy and Air Force periodically conduct freedom of navigation operations, or FONOPs, to challenge Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea. Beijing has criticized these operations and accused Washington of provoking conflict. On Sunday, China dispatched 39 military aircraft into Taiwans air zone, the same day that the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Abraham Lincoln launched a FONOP in the South China Sea. Taiwan said it scrambled fighters and issued radio warnings while air-defense missile systems were deployed to track the Chinese aircraft incursions, the largest since October 2021. That occurred as the U.S. Navy was conducting joint drills with British and Japanese ships near Okinawa. The Chinese military sent 145 fighter planes to Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting the Taiwanese minister of defense to say cross-strait tensions were at their worst in 40 years. Also in October 2021, three aircraft carriers and other warships from the U.S., joined by ships from the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands sailed on the fringes of the South China Sea. The Philippines has supported a new U.S.-led defense pact with the U.K. and Australia that it hoped would address a military imbalance in Southeast Asia despite concerns aired by Malaysia and Indonesia. China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have claims to territories in the South China Sea. While Jakarta does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing does claim historic rights to areas overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. China has kept up pressure on Taiwan by dispatching for the first time into the islands Air Defense Identification Zone its latest electronic warfare aircraft designed to disrupt radar systems, analysts said. Taiwans Ministry of National Defense said in a statement that a total of 13 Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, including eight J-16 fighter jets, a Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, two H-6 bombers and two J-16D electronic warfare aircraft, entered its ADIZ on Monday while two U.S. aircraft carriers were conducting joint operations in the South China Sea. Another two Chinese aircraft entered the ADIZ on Tuesday, it said. An ADIZ is an area where civilian aircraft are tracked and identified before further entering into a countrys airspace. The J-16D is Chinas most advanced electronic warfare fighter jet. It was unveiled at an airshow only last September and entered combat training in November. The deployment of this kind of special electronic warfare aircraft is a threat to both Taiwan and the U.S., said Jyh-Shyang Sheu, a military expert at the Taiwan's Institute for National Defence and Security Research. Like other observers, he said Mondays flight appeared to be first time those aircraft had entered the Taiwan ADIZ. The aircraft can be used for jamming the Taiwanese Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Air Defense systems; as well as in air combat, said Sheu. Meanwhile, the Global Times the hawkish sibling of Chinese Communist Partys mouth-piece Peoples Daily claimed in an editorial on Tuesday that it has become normal for PLA warplanes to fly around Taiwan and approach the island for patrols. The opinion piece ended with a chilling warning that the PLA flight routes have been like a noose tightening around the neck of Taiwan secessionists, making them feel breathless and should Taiwan continue to challenge the "one-China" principle, the noose will become tighter. Photo of the USS Carl Vinson with F-35C fighters on the deck during a joint exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Dec. 10-19, 2021. Credit: US Navy Large-scale exercise The J-16D Howling Wolf is China's state-of-the-art electronic warfare anti-radar aircraft, developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is designed to seize control of the electromagnetic field and disrupt radar systems, as well as hostile missiles. Equipped with jamming pods and anti-radiation missiles, the J-16D is also said to be capable of neutralizing enemy radar systems. The Chinese J-16D still has a capability gap comparing with the U.S. EA-18G, noted Sheu, the Taiwanese warfare expert. The new generation electronic warfare pods for the U.S. Growler could generate its own electricity but it's not clear if the Chinese system could also have the same efficiency, Sheu said. But whats more important is if the electronic warfare systems mature enough and well integrated with the whole systems including other combat aircraft and even maritime assets, he said, adding: The PLA Air Force is certainly trying to develop more capabilities. The J-16D deployment came one day after the PLA sent 39 aircraft into Taiwans ADIZ in a move seen as a response to the ongoing drills by the U.S. and its allies in the region. It was the largest number of Chinese warplanes documented since Oct. 4, 2021, when the PLA sent a record 56 military aircraft to near the island. On Sunday, two U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Groups began a joint operation in the South China Sea. Before that, they took part in a joint exercise with the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, the USS America Expeditionary Strike Group and Japanese Navy helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga in the Philippine Sea. The number of PLA sorties on Tuesday reduced to only two but as long as the U.S. Navy is still conducting exercise nearby, the PLA will still send aircraft to counter it, Sheu said. The USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups with over 14,000 sailors and Marines were still in the area on Tuesday. It was reported that a U.S. F-35 jet crashed on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, injuring seven including the jets pilot. The U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement that the pilot was conducting routine flight operations when the crash happened. The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via U.S. military helicopter. Three injured sailors have reportedly been released, the other four are in stable condition. The compensation to villagers who will lose land in the deal has yet to be worked out. Lao government officials have cleared a Chinese firm to dig for rare earths on farm and grazing land in a northeastern province of the country, with compensation for displaced villagers not yet settled, Lao sources say. An agreement signed Jan. 21 by the Lao Ministry of Plans and Development gives the Tong Lee Seung Industrial Development Company permission to excavate a 3 square kilometer area in Xieng Khouang provinces Phaxay district. Another 25 square kilometers of area land may now also be explored, the agreement says. Much of the land concerned is already in use for farming and grazing cattle, though, sources say. We dont know yet what will be done about the villagers land, a Lao official told RFA on Jan. 24, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the project. The Chinese are still conducting a survey and havent begun excavating yet. Another Lao official told RFA, however, that company representatives are now negotiating compensation for villagers who will lose valuable land to the project, but that the number of affected families is still unclear. They are still in talks with the local villagers, and when the survey is finished in 12 months, they will sign a separate contract to do excavations, he said. One affected villager said that the Chinese companys project has now encroached on 6 hectares of his grazing land. I dont know whether I will get compensation for this or not, but the project will negatively impact more local families in the future, especially those who raise cattle for a living, he said. Another villager agreed that though some villagers will now lose farmland to the project, those most seriously affected will lose grazing land. We dont know what minerals the Chinese will be digging for, and we dont know who to talk to about compensation, he said. Attempts to reach the Tong Lee Seung Company for comment were unsuccessful this week, but an official from the Lao Ministry of Minerals and Mines told RFA that his ministry will soon draft a new decree to control the excavation of rare earth minerals in Laos in order to protect villagers from the projects negative impacts. The decree will come out this year after we finish drafting it. We are still waiting for a government meeting on this issue, and the process will start after that, he said. Rare earth minerals are important in the production of high-end technology such as cell phones, computers, and satellite and aerospace technology, with much of the international trade in the minerals controlled by China. Laos last year also signed agreements with 19 companies to explore for minerals such as gold and silver in provinces across the country, according to Lao government sources. Foreign-invested farming, mining, and development projects in Laos have sparked friction over cases of environmental pollution and land often taken without proper compensation, leaving villagers fearing retaliation if they speak out. China is Laos largest foreign investor and aid provider, and its second-largest trade partner after Thailand. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Written in English by Richard Finney. The statement from Washington comes after Phnom Penh confirms sand dredging at the site. The U.S. government on Monday called for full transparency from Cambodia about Beijing-backed refurbishments at its Ream Naval Base following confirmation by Phnom Penh of sand dredging activities at the site. In an emailed statement, Chad Roedemeier, the spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, told RFAs Khmer Service that Washington is aware of independent reporting that China is engaged in a significant, ongoing construction project at Ream Naval Base, located outside Cambodias main port city of Sihanoukville. We encourage Cambodian authorities to be fully transparent about the intent, nature and scope of this project and the role the [Chinese] military is playing, which raises concerns about the intended use of the naval facility, Roedemeier said. The embassy statement came a day after a Cambodian Defense Ministry official confirmed sand dredging activity at the base to increase depth to 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) from 2 meters (7 feet). Yes, in fact there is sand dredging activities it appears they are creating a pass [for ships to dredge], the head of the Ream Naval Base Modernization Project, Gen. Chao Phirun, told RFA of the Chinese activities at the base on Sunday. It is the Ministry of National Defense that sent people to help pump and dredge the sediment to make way for access, but the area is very shallow, and the ships might not make it. If [we] want to dredge, well have to spend a lot of money because the water is only 2 meters deep. Chao Phirun one of two senior Cambodian military officials sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury and State Departments in November for conspiring to illicitly profit from the project at Ream said it is unclear when the pumping will be completed because only one dredging barge is operating at the site. He acknowledged that workers and technical staff from China are working at the base but said no military personnel had been sent by Beijing. Chao Phirun spoke to RFA in response to a Jan. 21 report by the influential U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, which cited satellite imagery as showing two large dredging barges in operation at the Ream Naval Base. Secret agreement U.S. officials have voiced alarm for more than two years over the China-backed refurbishment of Ream Naval Base, following a 2019 Wall Street Journal report on a secret treaty granting the Chinese navy use of the base for 30 years. The claim was quickly denounced by the Cambodian government as fake news, but suspicions remain. During a June visit to Cambodia, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman warned her hosts that a Chinese base in Cambodia would negatively impact relations with the United States. The November sanctions against Chao Phirun and Ministry of Defense Tea Vinh were announced in conjunction with a Commerce Department advisory warning U.S. businesses of the potential exposure to entities in Cambodia, such as the Cambodian military, that engage in human rights abuses, corruption, and other destabilizing conduct. The arms embargo covers not just conventional weaponry, but also so-called dual-use equipment, which are items that could have both commercial and military or national security applications. Accusations denied Speaking to RFA on Monday, Chao Phirun called claims about refurbishments at the Ream Naval Base accusations, and denied that China would use the site in the future. There are no Chinese military officials, only technicians and engineers. They came to help study, survey, determine which plan to follow, because we dont have many naval experts, he said. It isnt a military force, it's a labor force. They are workers from a company that was successfully tendered by the Chinese Ministry of Defense. At the end of their jobs, they will go back home. They come in groups of 10 to 20 people. [But] there are no troops camping there. When the project is completed, he said, the Cambodian navy will be able to use the site to repair its small ships, which previously required towing to neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. He said that the Chinese military is not welcome to use Ream Naval Base because doing so would violate Cambodias constitution but added that Cambodia is entitled to receive training and military assistance from abroad as it sees fit. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Critics say the real goal is to further weaken political opposition, not clean elections. The decision by Myanmars ruling junta to charge more than 2,000 former government officials and election workers with voter fraud is just another form of political revenge against the National League for Democracy-led government the military overthrew early last year, analysts and observers say. The plan announced on Jan. 14 by Khin Maung Oo, a member of the new Election Commission set up by Myanmars military rulers, already affects 422 people held under arrest and will include 2,489 others, including the chairmen of state and divisional election commissions. Among those already charged are former president Win Myint and former state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, Khin Maung Oo said. Both are now serving prison terms following conviction on other charges widely regarded as politically motivated. Khin Maung Oo did not give details of the charges against the 422 persons already serving jail terms or awaiting trial from detention. Myanmars military overthrew the democratically elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy on Feb. 1, 2021, saying voter fraud had led to the partys landslide victory in the countrys November 2020 election. The junta has yet to provide evidence for its claims, however, and has violently suppressed nationwide protests calling for a return to democratic rule, killing at least 1,493 protesters and other civilians, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. One former chairman of a district election commission confirmed to RFA he has been charged for failing to provide proper oversight of the election. They say that we exercised weak oversight, but we actually toured the townships ourselves to oversee the proceedings. So how can they say we didnt provide proper supervision? he asked. An NLD polling station representative who worked in the capital Naypyidaw during the election said he had carried out his work within the correct legal framework. He said that he had escaped after learning that other polling officials were being arrested and has been on the run ever since. They want to disband the NLD and are chasing all party-affiliated people, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. About a month after the coup, some were already under arrest and others had died. Another party member who was arrested and later freed said the junta had moved to arrest chairmen and members of township-level election sub-commissions who were close to NLD executives, while those without these personal connections were only fined and then released. Civilians in supporting roles Commission secretaries placed in charge of voting booths during the election were often former army officers, however, with the civilians now being charged serving only in supporting roles, said one former commission member now also under indictment. The secretaries did the actual work, and now they are the ones who are accusing us of irregularities, he said. Though some shortcomings could be seen in the November 2020 voting, no level of fraud could be found that would have changed the final election results, said Sai Ye Kyaw Swa Myint, director of the Peoples Movement for Elections, which oversaw the November election. The legal framework needs to be reconsidered, as we have suggested, rather than prosecuting thousands of people for any wrongdoing under the election law, he said. Taking legal actions like this will not produce better elections. The prosecutions now under way are aimed only at removing the NLD and everyone associated with the party from the political scene, said political analyst Than Soe Naing. In my view, the 2020 election was full of fraud. But they are making widespread arrests not only of NLD members but also those in charge of the election process itself, so they can suggest to the world that the fraud in the election was a coordinated effort, he said. In fact, those now being accused are honest people, Than Soe Naing said, adding that he feels sorry both for the country and for the NLD. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Richard Finney. Helchem Pazil is one of five women from the same family who were sentenced in 2019. An elderly Muslim Uyghur woman serving a long jail sentence for participating in religious gatherings in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region is being held in a womens prison in the town of Sanji (in Chinese, Changji), detention center officials said. Helchem Pazil, 78, is one of five women from the same family in Korla (in Chinese, Kuerle) who have been imprisoned for religious activities in which they participated in 2013, according to a verdict issued in April 2019 and recently seen by RFA. They all were retroactively sentenced after China criminalized such activities in 2018 when it issued de-extremification regulations targeting Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic minorities in Xinjiang, purportedly, to prevent extremist violations and ensure social stability. RFA reported Monday that Helchems daughters, Melikizat and Patigul Memet, are incarcerated in the same prison, serving sentences of 20 and seven years, respectively. Melikizat was convicted of providing a venue for religious observance and taking part in it, while Patigul was convicted of collectively bringing social disorder by attending the services. Another daughter, Zahire Memet, and a daughter-in-law, Bostan Ibrahim, were convicted of disturbing public order and inciting ethnic hatred and for hearing and providing a venue for illegal religious preaching, according to the verdict, though it is not clear where they are serving their sentences. The verdict did not mention the length of the sentence given to Helchem by the Korla Municipal Court. A day after RFA confirmed that Melikizat and Patigul were being held at the Sanji Womens Prison, calls to the detention center confirmed that Helchem Pazil was serving her lengthy sentence there as well, though she was placed in a different cell block. Melikizat is housed in cell block No. 3, while Patigul is in cell block No. 6. After RFA gave the prison official Helchems national identification number, the person confirmed the womans age and said she was serving a 17-year sentence. She is in cell block No. 4, the official said. Prior to her arrest, Helchem, a widow with a primary school education, lived in Korlas Chilanbagh Street neighborhood, according to information in the verdict. She spent her days taking care of her seven children and grandchildren, said Halchigul Memet, whom the document says led the women in religious discussions and is now living in exile. She spoke to RFA from Turkey. Helchem was charged with inciting ethnic discrimination, disturbing public order, providing a venue for religious preaching, and attending religious gatherings in a second-floor room of a hotel in Korlas old bazaar. Halchigul also told RFA that Helchem visited Turkey in 2015 or 2016 while performing the hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim who can must make at least once in his or her lifetime. Translated by the Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Raman Pratasevich, a Belarusian journalist who was detained in Minsk last year after the commercial flight he was on was forced to land, says he is no longer under house arrest. Pratasevich said in an interview on January 25 with the YouTube channel of Dzmitry Belyakou, director of the pro-government Systemic Rights Defense Center in Belarus, that he was allowed to leave the place where he had been staying. Countries around the world have condemned Belarus's authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka for the "state hijacking" of the passenger aircraft to arrest Pratasevich and his Russian girlfriend, Sofia Sapega. The flight was en route to Vilnius from Athens on May 23 when it was forced to make an emergency landing in the Belarusian capital because of a bomb threat that several countries have called a hoax. "I just left the place where I was under house arrest," Pratasevich said, adding that it has been difficult for him to socialize and adjust to life after seven months under house arrest. Pratasevich did not say when exactly he had been released from house arrest, adding that he had no specific plans other that that he would work on media activities at the Systemic Rights Defense Center. He is also going to restart his Telegram channel Sprava, he said, as the investigation into his case continues. Pratasevich faces charges in connection with civil disturbances that followed a disputed presidential election in August 2020, an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. He was a key administrator of the Telegram channel Nexta-Live, which covered the mass protests denouncing the official results of the August 2020 election. After about a month in jail, Pratasevich and Sapega were moved from the separate prisons where they were being held to house arrest amid calls by the opposition and rights activists for their immediate release. Before being transferred to house arrest, Pratasevich made several appearances on Belarusian state television that prompted the opposition and Western officials to accuse Lukashenka's regime of extracting video confessions under torture and call for his and his girlfriend's immediate release. Belarusian prosecutors said last month that they had filed final charges against Sapega, adding that she was charged with inciting social hatred, damaging information security, mishandling private data, and threatening law enforcement. If convicted, Sapega could face up to six years in prison. Pratasevich did not talk about Sapega in his YouTube appearance on January 25. In a report released on January 17, a fact-finding team set up by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to probe the incident concluded that the bomb threat was "deliberately false." The U.S. Justice Department then charged four Belarusian government officials with conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy in the forced landing of the flight. In an indictment filed on January 20 in a New York federal court, prosecutors said the officials conspired to fake a bomb threat that forced the Ryanair flight to make an emergency landing in Minsk while the plane was flying over the countrys airspace. The Belarusian military scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to ensure the crew complied with the orders of flight controllers, who the indictment says were under the control Belarusian security agents. The United States has warned the regime of Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka it would also face a decisive response if it assists ally Russia in invading their neighbor Ukraine. "We've also made clear to Belarus that if it allows its territory to be used for an attack on Ukraine, it would face a swift and decisive response from the United States and our allies and partners," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on January 25. "If an invasion were to proceed from Belarus, if Russian troops were to permanently station on their territory, NATO could well have to reassess our own force posture in the countries that border Belarus," he added. Alarms have been sounding throughout Western capitals about the danger of a new major conflict after Russia massed what Ukrainian intelligence estimates to be 127,000 troops along Ukraines borders and deployed a sizable force in Belarus for what Moscow and Minsk say will be snap military exercises. The United States and NATO fear the military buildup could be preparations for a potential invasion, something Moscow has denied, and warn that a Russian attack would trigger damaging economic sanctions, as well as a beefed-up presence of the Western military alliance in Eastern Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed Lukashenka in its standoff with the West over a disputed presidential election in August 2020 that handed the Belarusian leader a sixth consecutive term in office. The official election results triggered a wave of protests, with Lukashenka responding with a brutal crackdown on dissent that has seen thousands detained and most opposition politicians leaving the country in fear for their security. Earlier this month, Lukashenka said that joint Russian-Belarusian military maneuvers will be held in February close to the country's borders with Ukraine as well as eastern NATO member states. He said the drills would focus on a scenario in which his country's military is forced to "resist forces coming from the West." With reporting by AFP and Reuters The prime ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia met on January 25 in the Bulgarian capital in a new attempt to defuse tensions between the two neighbors that have threatened to stall Skopjes bid for European integration. "We are here because we are not afraid of crises and because we believe that we can solve them," Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said after the Sofia talks, which came after he met with his counterpart form North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, last week in Skopje to discuss historical differences. Petkov said that both leaders sensed "a new level of enthusiasm" in the talks. Kovacevski said he hoped the talks would "restore political dialogue" toward North Macedonia's membership in the EU. Petkov lauded the creation of joint working groups that will meet monthly to discuss joint projects on economics, infrastructure, European Union cooperation, culture, and history. There are currently no air or rail links connecting the two Balkan neighbors. "Issues that were sidelined in the last years will be approached," the Bulgarian prime minister said. "We have to catch up a lot, but I hope that this will happen fast." The two countries have sparred for decades over language and historical issues. The row peaked in 2020 when EU member Bulgaria vetoed the start of membership talks with North Macedonia. Sofia argues that North Macedonia has failed to honor agreements it made in a 2017 bilateral friendship treaty. Bulgaria has also called on North Macedonia to end purported "discrimination" against its ethnic-Bulgarian minority, to eradicate "hate speech" in the media, and to make changes to the country's history textbooks. Skopje previously had to settle another long-running historical dispute over the use of the name "Macedonia" with its southern neighbor, Greece. Under that settlement, Skopje agreed to change the name of the country from Macedonia to North Macedonia. With reporting by AFP, dpa, and AP 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 A senior U.S. envoy working to revive the Iran nuclear deal has left the negotiating team amid a report of differences of opinion on the way forward as the attempt to restore the deal intensifies. Richard Nephew is "no longer serving" as deputy special envoy for Iran, a senior State Department official said in a statement e-mailed to RFE/RL on January 24. The official did not give a reason for the change, saying, We are not going to get into specifics of our internal policy discussions. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Nephew left after differences of opinion within the U.S. negotiating team. The newspaper said he had advocated a tougher posture in the current negotiations. The State Department official said personnel moves were very common a year into an administration and said Nephew was still a highly valued State Department employee. The departure comes at a critical time in the talks, which resumed almost two months ago in Vienna. The United Staters and European allies last week said there were just weeks left to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Irans nuclear expertise has advanced significantly since the United States withdrew from the deal, and diplomats have said that the longer Iran remains outside the deal, the more knowledge it will gain. The Biden administration and its partners in the U.K., France, and Germany have made clear that advances in Irans nuclear program will soon make it impossible for us to return to the deal, the senior State Department official said. But we have not quite reached that point, and until we do, [we] are going to continue urgent negotiations to get back into the JCPOA. State Department spokesman Ned Price repeated on January 24 that the United Staters remains open to meeting with Iranian officials directly after Iran's foreign minister said Tehran would consider direct talks with Washington. "We have consistently held the position that it would be much more productive to engage with Iran directly on both JCPOA negotiations and on other issues," Price told reporters. Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on January 24, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian rejected reports that Iran and the United States already are directly negotiating in the European-mediated talks in Vienna. But he added that if we get to a stage where reaching a good deal with strong guarantees necessitates direct talks with the United States, we will consider it. The 2015 deal, which lifted crippling Western economic sanctions in exchange for curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions, began to unravel in 2018 after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States and reimposed the sanctions. That led Iran to start rolling back its commitments and restart some uranium enrichment activity, pushing the deal to the verge of complete collapse. Negotiations to restore the agreement began last year but were put on hold in June to allow for Irans presidential election, which brought an ultraconservative government led by President Ebrahim Raisi to power. U.S. negotiators have participated in the talks indirectly, with European mediators shuttling between them and Iranian negotiators. After eight rounds of talks, key issues remain the speed and scope of lifting sanctions on Tehran, including Irans demand for a U.S. guarantee that it will not violate the agreement again. The U.S. envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, said on January 23 that it is unlikely that Washington would strike a nuclear agreement unless Tehran releases four U.S. citizens. "Even as we're conducting talks with Iran indirectly on the nuclear file, we are conducting, again indirectly, discussions with them to ensure the release of our hostages," Malley said. Price said the United States had not made the release of the Americans a condition for reaching an agreement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on January 24 that the release of prisoners could not be a precondition, although he left open the option of a prisoner swap. With reporting by Reuters A court in Iran has sentenced a French tourist to eight years and eight months in prison on charges of espionage and propaganda against the Iranian Islamic system, his Paris-based lawyer said, denouncing the trial as a masquerade. France's Foreign Ministry on January 25 called the verdict against Benjamin Briere "unacceptable," adding that it was in regular contact with Briere, who was arrested in May 2020 after flying a drone in the desert near the Turkmenistan-Iran border. His family has insisted that he is innocent and that he was being used as a political pawn. Rights groups accuse Iran of using foreign detainees as bargaining chips for money or influence in negotiations with the West. The 36-year-old is one of more than a dozen foreign nationals or people with dual Iranian citizenship held in Iran, though he is said to be the only known Western detainee who does not also hold an Iranian passport. Brieres lawyer in Paris, Philippe Valent, said in a statement that his client was tried behind closed doors in the Revolutionary Court in the northeastern city of Mashhad and that he "did not have a fair trial in front of impartial judges." He said Briere was given an eight-year sentence for alleged spying as well as an additional eight months for propaganda against Iran's Islamic system as a result of a purely political judicial process. The lawyer said Briere was "more and more weak" from a hunger strike that he began in December 2021 to protest against the lack of progress in his case. One of the Frenchmans Iranian lawyers, Saeid Dehghan, told Reuters that his client was shocked by the sentence, which he said was harsher than expected and included an additional charge of cooperating against Iran with hostile states. "His sentence is based on a different legal clause than the earlier one.... He has been convicted for cooperation with hostile states against Iran, which carries a longer sentence than his previous one," Dehghan said. "He was not informed about this new charge and our defense in the past 20 months while he was in jail did not address it," he said, adding that the verdict would be appealed within 20 days. Brieres family says he is an innocent tourist who set out in 2018 in his camper van on a road trip that began in Scandinavia before heading overland toward Iran. France has warned Tehran that the way it is handling the cases of French nationals held in Iran could sour ties. The verdict comes as Iran and world powers are seeking to reach agreement at talks in Vienna on reviving the 2015 deal over the Iranian nuclear program. With reporting by AFP and Reuters From the moment Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev became Kazakhstan's acting president in March 2019, many believed he was president in name only and that his predecessor -- Nursultan Nazarbaev -- continued to run the country. In early January, Toqaev used force to put down massive nationwide protests that severely threatened his rule amid allegations that Nazarbaev supporters also wanted to oust him. In the nearly three years that Toqaev has officially been president, some have wondered if such a veteran politician would govern differently if he was not standing in the shadow of Nazarbaev. After purging the government offices of Nazarbaev family members and loyalists and taking many powers away from his influential predecessor, Toqaev now has a chance to show how he will rule. But his government's drastic actions in the first weeks of 2022 may have irreparably damaged his credibility with the people of Kazakhstan. 'Shoot To Kill' The peaceful nationwide anti-government protests that grew out of a single demonstration against a fuel-price hike in western Kazakhstan on January 2 were hijacked in some cities by unidentified armed groups. It was the start of what some in Kazakhstan are calling "Qandy Qangtar," or Bloody January. The authorities responded to the initial protests by turning off the Internet and announcing a state of emergency and strict overnight curfew. By January 5, there was shooting in several cities across the country and, in the biggest city -- Almaty -- administrative buildings were being torched and stores looted. Toqaev also announced that day that he had accepted the government's resignation. In a national address on January 7, Toqaev said he had given security forces an order to shoot to kill without warning. That evening in Almaty, 73-year-old Kuat Bitkenbaev and his 64-year-old wife, Gulzifa Kulsultanova, were heading home after visiting relatives. They were still driving after the 11 p.m. curfew came into effect and their vehicle was hit by bullets without warning and caught on fire, killing them. Their tragic deaths were just one case of many reported at the time. Earlier that evening, Babakhan Zholbaryskhanuly, 21, and his neighbor were taking their garbage out from their Almaty apartment building in the early evening when three police cars pulled up and uniformed men jumped out and opened fire. Zholbaryskhanuly was hit and died. On January 8 in Taldyqorghan, some 225 kilometers northeast of Almaty, Nurbolat Saytkulov, his wife Altynai Yetaeva, and their 15-year-old daughter Nuray were driving home when they were shot dead in their car, allegedly after a new, earlier curfew had been imposed. Archaeologist Erlan Zhagyparov left his Almaty home on January 6 to check on events at a nearby square. He called a friend before 8 p.m. to say he was being detained by National Guard soldiers. But there was no sign of him for days afterward despite an exhaustive search by his friends and relatives. On January 12, a morgue called and said they had Zhagyparov's body. His brother went and said Erlan had signs of having been beaten and that he was still handcuffed with a bullet wound to his chest. Similar stories such as these continue to emerge each day and point to a heavy-handed approach to putting down the demonstrations. The authorities so far say they have information about 227 people who died during the unrest, including 149 civilians and 11 members of law enforcement bodies just in Almaty. More than 10,000 were detained during the unrest and there are reportedly several hundred still in custody. Among those who have been released, many say they were beaten in custody, like Kyrgyz jazz pianist Vikram Ruzakhunov, who was also forced to make a videotaped confession shown on state television saying he was unemployed and came to Kazakhstan after being offered money to participate in anti-government meetings. Ruzakhunov recanted the alleged confession after he was released and said he had been badly beaten while detained. Another Kyrgyz citizen, Cholponbek Sydykov, who worked in Almaty, said he was beaten violently when he was detained, suffering multiple fractures. Others have told similar stories or said they were tortured while in custody, such as activists Aset Abishev and Kuat Shamuratov, who suffered a concussion. There are also reports of police and security forces coming to hospitals and taking away suspects, who in some cases had recently undergone surgery. Interior Ministry representative Nurdilda Oraz said on January 24 the ministry was checking into seven reported incidents of torture among people detained in the January unrest. '20,000 Terrorists' Toqaev's "shoot-to-kill" order was made because he said the violence that broke out was being instigated by foreign-trained terrorists, although this description changed to foreign terrorists or, more vaguely, people who spoke non-Kazakh languages, presumably meaning not Kazakh or Russian. He also put the country on a red alert for terrorism. Toqaev said some 20,000 of these terrorists had gathered in the area around Almaty and was the basis for his order to shoot to kill. He didn't offer any proof of the claim. Many protesters were angered that they were being deemed terrorists and held small protests to vent their displeasure. The "terrorist" threat was also Toqaev's official reason for appealing to the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for help to restore order. An external force was threatening Kazakhstan and the country needed help to repel it, he claimed. The CSTO agreed for the first time in its 30-year history to send troops to a member country to fend off a foreign force, with some 2,000-3,000 soldiers, mostly from Russia, coming for about two weeks. Some analysts felt the CSTO force was not sent to restore order but was instead a sign of the Kremlin's support for Toqaev in an alleged power struggle with Nazarbaev supporters. But the deployment caused resentment among many in Kazakhstan, who felt Toqaev was damaging the country's sovereignty by bringing in foreign troops. In hindsight, it is difficult to see why the foreign troops, who had all departed Kazakhstan by January 19, were needed at all. Toqaev quickly stopped referring to thousands of terrorists being on the loose in Kazakhstan, and while officials continue to claim terrorists were involved, they are not providing any numbers. With some 711 people nationwide still in detention as of January 24, it seems there never were thousands of terrorists in the country. Subjects Of Public Ire Go Unpunished By the time the peaceful protests in western Kazakhstan had made their way across the country, they were about much more than the cost of fuel. "Shal ket," or "get out, old man" had become a common chant during protests in the days after Toqaev first became president and it was heard around the country during the peaceful protests in January. The old man is Nazarbaev, the 81-year-old former president who is also known as "Elbasy," or "leader of the nation" -- a term Nazarbaev himself seems to prefer being called. Constitutional amendments made in the early 2000s granted Kazakhstan's first president broad powers, even after he officially stepped down from office, and the post of secretary of the powerful Security Council was given even more powers just before Nazarbaev finally left as president and was appointed head of the council. It was easy to see why many could not see any difference in the way the country was run or who was running it after Toqaev formally assumed the role of president. But "Shal ket" was directed not only at Nazarbaev, but more generally at the system of government he created that benefited Nazarbaev's family and friends, many of whom are now billionaires. Toqaev removed Nazarbaev as Security Council secretary on January 5. Nazarbaev's three sons-in-law all abruptly vacated prominent posts in major Kazakh companies and organizations shortly thereafter. Nazarbaev's nephew, Samat Abish, was also dismissed as the deputy chairman of the Committee for National Security (KNB). Toqaev also announced the creation of a special fund and said those who had enriched themselves during Nazarbaev's years as president would be expected to contribute to it. This implies it will be possible for those who have skimmed off the profits of the country for 30 years to pay back some of what they have taken to stay out of prison. Although members of Nazarbaev's family seem to be taking a financial hit in the wake of Toqaev's victory in the intra-elite fighting, there is no indication they will be investigated or held responsible for their years of avarice. In fact, constitutional amendments from some 20 years ago prohibit the investigation of Nazarbaev or his immediate family members. Nazarbaev himself is without a state position for the first time in the country's history and in his videotaped January 18 message to the nation he described himself as a pensioner. While the turn of events is undoubtedly a huge blow to Nazarbaev's ego, there is no hint that "Elbasy" will be facing any punishment for the money he is alleged to have moved into foreign bank accounts and holdings, or more serious crimes in which he is alleged to have been involved. A New Era? So Toqaev is finally unshackled from Nazarbaev and seemingly free to chart his own course as president. But he does so after giving law enforcement bodies the green light to use whatever force necessary against the country's citizens to restore order and creating a fictitious threat to justify it. He's also in debt to the Kremlin for sending in troops to prop him up when his position as president seemed precarious. And it appears Toqaev has no intention of bringing to justice Nazarbaev's family members or supporters who the people of Kazakhstan believe have cheated and stole from them for 30 years. There are also all the socioeconomic and political reforms some people have been demanding he make since Toqaev first became president but have not been made. So although Toqaev has recently promised that changes are coming, the first days of his solo presidency will long be remembered as the blackest days of Kazakhstan's independence. The United States and its allies are stepping up pressure on Moscow as Russia kicked off military drills near Ukraine involving thousands of troops and dozens of warplanes amid persisting fears that Moscow would invade its neighbor. The West has been taking steps to counter Moscow's buildup of an estimated 100,000 or more troops near the border with Ukraine, with U.S. President Joe Biden consulting with allied European leaders and the Pentagon announcing it was putting a force of up to 8,500 U.S. soldiers on "heightened alert" for potential deployment to reinforce NATO's presence in the region. Several members of the alliance, including Denmark, Spain, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands, are sending fighter jets and warships to Eastern Europe to bolster defenses in the area. Speaking to reporters on January 25, Biden said he has "no intention" of sending U.S. troops into Ukraine, but again warned Russia of severe sanctions if Moscow orders an attack. Asked whether he would consider imposing economic sanctions personally targeting President Vladimir Vladimir Putin, Biden said: "Yes. I would see that." The U.S. president said Russia continues to build forces along Ukraines border, and an attack would be the largest invasion since World War II given the massive troop presence near the border. Such an event would "change the world," he added. Earlier, senior U.S. administration officials said the United States and allies were discussing banning exports to Russia of certain software and technology critical for artificial intelligence, quantum computing, defense, aerospace, and other key sectors. The export control options we're considering alongside our allies and partners would hit Putins strategic ambitions to industrialize his economy quite hard, one official said. In London, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament that sanctions against Moscow would be "heavier than anything we've ever done before." Live Briefing: Ukraine In The Crosshairs 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. In a show of European unity in Berlin,, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron called for an easing of the crisis. We...expect clear steps from Russia that will contribute to a de-escalation of the situation," Scholz said. Macron, who said he would talk with Putin by phone on January 28, reiterated that if there is aggression, there will be retaliation and the cost will be very high. The Russian military earlier said it had launched exercises involving some 6,000 troops and at least 60 fighter jets in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions near Ukraine and in the Moscow-annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea. Russian news agencies quoted Russia's Southern Military district describing the live-fire maneuvers as a combat readiness check shortly after spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "the United States is escalating tensions" and warned that the Kremlin was watching "these U.S. actions with great concern." There was no indication of how long the Russian exercises would last. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged his compatriots in a televised video address to stay calm and said work was under way to bring about a meeting between himself and the leaders of Russia, Germany, and France. "There are no rose-colored glasses, no childish illusions, everything is not simple.... But there is hope," he said. Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told parliament that as of today, there are no grounds to believe that Russia is preparing to invade imminently, saying that its troops have not formed what he called a battle group that could force its way through the border. No need to have your bags packed, he said. Meanwhile, Canada said it was withdrawing the families of its diplomats stationed in Kyiv because of "the ongoing Russian military buildup and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine," following similar moves by the United States and Britain. "We have decided to temporarily withdraw Canadian Embassy staff's children under 18 years of age and family members accompanying them," the Foreign Ministry said. The United States and NATO have told Putin to withdraw from Ukraine's borders, warning that a Russian attack will trigger damaging economic sanctions, as well as a beefed-up NATO presence in Eastern Europe. A U.S. administration official said Washington was working with Brussels and other partners to create contingency plans should Russia decide to cut off gas to Europe. Russia supplies about 35 percent of Europes natural gas needs, which are especially acute during the winter months. European natural gas prices are already near record highs amid tight supply. A Russian cutoff could have a severe impact on the European economy. The United States is speaking with countries in the Middle East and North Africa about sending more supplies to Europe, another U.S. official said. The United States is also seeking to ramp up shipments of liquefied natural gas to Europe, the official added. However, members of the European Union have starkly differing approaches and ties to Russia, with Germany's new government coming under particular criticism from Kyiv over its refusal to send defensive weapons to Ukraine. Germany, the EU's strongest economy, has also been hesitating over one of the harshest economic sanctions under discussion -- cutting Moscow from the global SWIFT payments system. Speaking at the joint press conference with Macron, Scholz said: "Weexpect clear steps from Russia that contribute to a de-escalation of the situation, and we all agree that military aggression would have serious consequences." The French government earlier announced that Russian and Ukrainian officials would meet, along with French and German counterparts, in Paris on January 26 to try to find a way out of the impasse. Russia, which seized Crimea in 2014 and is backing separatists in eastern Ukraine, denies any intention of invading the former Soviet republic and accuses the United States and its allies of stoking tensions. The Kremlin has used its menacing troop buildup to issue a list of demands to redraw the security architecture in Europe. Four rounds of high-level diplomacy this month between Russia and the West failed to reach a breakthrough. Moscow wants NATO to abandon any prospect of Ukraine one day joining the alliance and seeks a major pullback of the alliances forces from Eastern Europe. Washington and its allies say many Russian demands are nonstarters, but they have shown a willingness to discuss arms control, missile deployments, and confidence-building measures. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- Russian authorities have detained a Turkmen citizen who is wanted in Ashgabat on a controversial "extremism" charge. Lawyer Olga Tseitlina told RFE/RL on January 25 that Ahmet Jumadurdyev was detained by police in the city of St. Petersburg "to check his documents." Jumadurdyev studied at a university in the town of Ivangorod near St. Petersburg from 2013 to 2017. In 2017, authorities in Turkmenistan added him to a wanted list, accusing him of "religious extremism" after Jumadurdyev started writing in social networks about Turkmen citizens who had received lengthy prison terms after returning to Turkmenistan from Russia. Jumadurdyev, who rejects the accusations by the Turkmen authorities, was arrested in St. Petersburg at Ashgabat's request and spent one year in a detention center. His brother was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Turkmenistan in an "extremism case." Eleven Turkmen who studied in Russian universities were added to the wanted list at the time. Two of them were sentenced to 15 years in prison after they came back home from Russia. In 2019, Russian officials rejected Jumadurdyev's claim for refugee status. His request for asylum in Estonia was also rejected. Last summer, Jumadurdyev tried to illegally cross the Russian-Estonian border but was stopped by Estonian border guards and sent back to Russia. Russian authorities then banned his presence in the country until July 1, 2055. However, in October 2020, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Jumadurdyev cannot be deported to Turkmenistan until it makes a final ruling on his case. RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. The Live Briefing presents the latest developments and analysis, updated throughout the day. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Here Are The Latest Developments The EU has unveiled plans to ban Russian oil imports until the end of the year and slapped more banking sanctions against Moscow as neighboring Belarus ordered sudden large-scale military exercises. to ban Russian oil imports until the end of the year and slapped more banking sanctions against Moscow as neighboring Belarus ordered sudden large-scale military exercises. Slovakia and Hungary say they will not support sanctions against Russian energy, including on oil imports. against Russian energy, including on oil imports. Moscow deployed 22 battalions near Izyum, an eastern city, in a bid to push into the Donbas region, the British Defense Ministry said. 22 battalions near Izyum, an eastern city, in a bid to push into the Donbas region, the British Defense Ministry said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced further military aid for Ukraine on May 3 in an address to the parliament in Kyiv. on May 3 in an address to the parliament in Kyiv. A British intelligence estimate said Russia's elite forces have suffered such large casualties that it will take years to replenish them. Why Is Russia's Donbas Offensive Not Going Exactly As Anticipated? Russias ongoing attack in the Donbas is anything but a blitzkrieg offensive that will decisively defeat Ukrainian forces. Why that is and what it means for the course of the war-- is the subject of intense speculation. Read Mike Eckel's analysis here. How Fast Can The EU Cut Its Reliance On Russian Gas? And Will Putin Move To Cut The EU Off First? The European Union says it can drastically cut Russian natural gas imports this year and end them well before the decade is out. How realistic is that and what if Russia moves to create economic havoc by cutting the EU off even earlier? Read the story by Todd Prince here. First Ukraine, Now Moldova? Is The Kremlin About To Expand Its War? A series of explosions over recent days in Transdniester, a breakaway region of Moldova has raised fears the Kremlin may be set to expand its war. But facing a fierce fight already in Ukraine, is that realistic? Read the article by Tony Wesolowsky here. Can the Russian Military Overcome Its Manpower Problems In Ukraine? Margarita Konaev, a fellow at Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology, explains how difficult it will be for Moscow to occupy Ukrainian territory and why Russia will begin to feel the pressure of declining manpower and depleted equipment. Read the interview by Reid Standish here. Strategist Questions Russian Forces' Ability To 'Act Like A Western Army' A leading U.S. naval strategist says the Kremlin appears unwilling to allow time for Russian forces to "reset and reform," but that the new commander of the Ukraine invasion needs to "fill the gaps" and "fix his armor" in light of "huge losses." Read the full interview here. Can Western Weapons Help Ukraine Stop Russia's Donbas Offensive? Garvan Walshe, a former security adviser to Britains Conservative Party and CEO of the consultancy group Article 7, explains how Western military equipment can tilt the fight in Ukraines favor and why logistics could decide the next phase of the war. Read the interview by Reid Standish here. More And More Russian Soldiers Reportedly Refusing To Fight In Ukraine Among the many problems Russia has run into since it invaded Ukraine in February is a growing number of servicemen refusing to participate in what Moscow calls its special military operation. By one estimate, up to 40 percent of troops recently withdrawn from Ukraine are refusing to go back. Read the story by Rob Coalson here. What Strategic Choices Are Ukrainian, Russian Military Leaders Facing In The Donbas? Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at King's College London, explains why heavy weaponry will be crucial for the next phase of the war and how Russia could still get bogged down in the east. Read the interview by Reid Standish here. Is Russia Fascist? Experts Say 'No.' Leading Western experts on fascism agree that Putin's Russia is an aggressive, dangerous dictatorship that shares some characteristics with fascist regimes. But, they say, it is not fascist itself. Read the full story by Robert Coalson here. Is Russia Committing Genocide In Ukraine? David Simon, a professor of political science and director of the Genocide Studies Program at Yale University, gave RFE/RL his take on whether Russias war on Ukraine and the actions of its soldiers there constitutes genocide. Read the interview by Todd Prince here. Is Russia Likely To Use Nuclear Weapons In Ukraine? Three days after invading Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russias nuclear forces on "special combat readiness." Western officials took heed, though privately they said they werent all that worried. Still, the implicit threat has renewed focus on a nagging question: Would Putin do it? Read Mike Eckel's report here. If Moscow goes ahead with an invasion of Ukraine, Russian naval ships and marines could launch amphibious assaults to cut the country off from the Black Sea. Security analyst Mykhaylo Samus says blocking maritime trade would be a "total disaster" for Ukraine's economy, leaving it essentially landlocked. Shawn Cox was arrested on Jan. 21 and charged with first degree rape of a victim under 12 years of age, first-degree sexual abuse of a victim under 12 years of age, and incest with a victim under 12 years of age or serious physical injury. Roanoke Rapids, NC (27870) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Rutland, VT (05701) Today Rain likely. High 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Danvers, MA (01923) Today Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. High 53F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. A battle between wealthy Del Mar property owners over a literal line in the sand could go to the ballot box in November. Serial investor Rick Thompson, who made his fortune founding and growing video game companies, has drafted a citizens initiative that would change the formula used to calculate the maximum total floor area allowed in new beachfront homes. Thompson, who owns a $22 million home, one of the largest in the citys beachfront area, says the goal of his initiative is to protect the beach for everyone. Hes also said the initiative would help avoid mansionization, a term often used for building large new homes on small older lots. But his critics say that idea is hypocritical because Thompsons recently remodeled home is one of the largest mansions on the coast. Some of his neighbors say he is simply trying to limit the size of a house to be built next to his on a lot thats been owned by the same family for 90 years. Advertisement The dispute is over how to calculate the percentage of a beachfront lot that can be covered by development. Last year, for the first time, the Del Mar Planning Commission decided to include in the calculation something called the shoreline protection area, a narrow strip of land just east of the mean high tide line. That would allow larger homes to be built. Thompsons initiative would exclude the shoreline protection area and keep the mean high tide line as one boundary, as it was for his more than 7,000-square-foot home. His initiative also could reduce the size of his neighbors proposed home and make some existing homes non-conforming, so that if anything such as a fire, earthquake or flood happened to them, they could never be rebuilt to their present size. Del Mar residents established the shoreline protection area with the passage of Measure D in 1988. It limits development, vehicular travel and other activities in a north-south strip of sand just above the mean high tide line, but does not prohibit anyone from owning the land. San Diego Countys smallest city, Del Mar has a population of a little more than 4,000 residents. An initiative needs a minimum of only 309 signatures, or 10 percent of the citys registered voters, to get on the ballot. Thompson turned in a petition with 462 signatures to the city clerk on June 25, and this week officials were still working to verify the minimum number of names. The sand squabble is hardly unusual in Del Mar, where attorneys representing wealthy property owners frequently face off over seawall disputes, land-use policies, dog-leash laws, and who gets free use of the community center. Thompson is a relative newcomer to Del Mar who bought his six-bedroom Camino del Mar abode in 2012. Some residents say he has widely misrepresented some facts to collect the signatures needed to place his initiative on the ballot. For example, paid solicitors allegedly claimed the initiative was supported by the city attorney and mayor, who are required by law to remain impartial. Other residents say theres no need to change the floor-area formula. We have lived with the mean high tide (standard) for many years, longtime beachfront resident Kim Fletcher told the City Council at a meeting Monday night. I think it would be wise to maintain that. The initiative proposed is a neighbor-versus-neighbor situation, Fletcher said, adding, Its rather self-serving, and it certainly doesnt serve (other) people who have their homes on the beach. Council members said that, even if mistakes were made, the citys choices are limited. If enough valid signatures were collected, the council must either approve the initiative as written or place it on the ballot. In a lot of ways, our hands are tied, said Councilman Dave Druker. If there are errors, it still has to go on the ballot. The council voted unanimously Monday to request an independent objective analysis of the initiative, which delays a decision until the analysis is complete. The council has until Aug. 10 to place the initiative on the November ballot. Thompson and the owner of the property next to him, Sandra Naftzger, both attended Mondays meeting with their attorneys. Thompson asked the city to adopt his initiative, saying it is wrong for the city to use the sandy beach in its floor-area calculations, and that the initiative prevents a taking of public trust lands by beach owners. His attorney, Taiga Takahashi of the San Diego firm Latham and Watkins, said the initiative really just makes sure that the (municipal) code is clear to everybody. Residents have said at previous public meetings that Thompson is simply trying to preserve the view from his home across the vacant lot next door. He did not return a phone call left Tuesday at Menlo Park-based Signia Venture Partners, where he is a partner. Thompson also is a chairman and co-founder of Idle Games and Dogtime Media, and is a board member of Super Evil Megacorp, a videogame developer. Naftzger, who lives in the Los Angeles-area community of Pacific Palisades, said she has been negotiating for months with Thompson and his wife, Rhona Thompson, on the design of her new home. I spent two years going through various city channels to confirm my buildable lot area, working with the city attorney, city manager, and ultimately the Planning Commission, Naftzger said in a letter to the council. I then presented a home that met all city requirements and was well below the maximum size allowed. At every step, the Thompsons have strongly opposed my proposed home, she said. And at every step, I have tried to respond thoughtfully and make meaningful revisions. I reduced the size of the house and worked directly with Thompsons architect, making almost every change they asked for. She has redesigned the house twice, increased the setbacks, reduced three bedrooms from two stories to one, and moved a guest room, she said. While it has been a difficult journey, I am undeterred, Naftzger said. My family is perhaps your longest-term beachfront owner, 90 years. Four generations have enjoyed our home at 2902 Ocean Front, now owned by my sister. I co-own my property with my three sons (ages 24, 23, and 20), who spent every summer of their lives on the beach in Del Mar. The City Council proposed its own ordinance last month that would have changed the floor-area calculation, then decided to drop the idea. Lee Andelin, an attorney representing several beachfront property owners, told the council that his clients support the citys study of the citizens initiative. There are a number of procedural and substantive problems with this ballot measure, Andelin said. This has nothing to do with protecting the beach. It is targeted at a specific project that the proponent wants to stop, he said. We do not think it would survive a constitutional challenge and, at best, can expect legal challenges. The independent study is expected to be finished as soon as July 16. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl NASA reported that the James Webb Space Telescope arrived at its new home on Monday after traveling over a million miles. The arrival of the spacecraft completes another difficult step as scientists on Earth prepare to spend at least a decade studying distant light from the beginning of time with the observatory. The $10 billion truck-size telescope reached a position in orbit above the sun where it will operate for the life of its mission, NASA said soon after 2 p.m. ET Monday. According to the agency, the gravitational forces exerted by the sun and Earth at that region, known as Lagrange 2 (L2), balance out a spacecraft's orbital motion, allowing it to stay in a certain spot close to our planet. NASA James Webb Space Telescope Smoothly Parked At L2 Thankfully, JWST executed this final move smoothly. Bill Ochs, the JWST project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a statement that JWST had achieved extraordinary success. Ochs commended all the people who worked many years if not decades, ensuring mission success throughout the previous month. JWST arrived at its ultimate destination this afternoon in a short amount of time. When JWST arrived, it fired its onboard thrusters for around 5 minutes. JWST completed the third of three-course correction burns, slowing the spacecraft sufficiently to place it into a highly accurate orbit in space. ALSO READ: James Webb Space Telescope Could See These 3 Amazing Things in Space JWST is now orbiting an Earth-Sun Lagrange point, which is an intangible place in space. It's a magical region of space where the Sun's and Earth's gravity and centripetal forces are exactly perfect, allowing things to remain in a somewhat "stable" location. "There's a little tug of war going on where [gravity] balances out perfectly," Jean-Paul Pinaud, the ground operations delta-V lead at Northrop Grumman, the primary contractor of JWST, told The Verge. Here's What's Next For JWST According to NASA (via Wall Street Journal), Webb utilized as little fuel as possible during the course adjustments to save as much as possible for routine operations, such as doing tiny movements every 21 days or so to keep the observatory in its planned orbit. Keith Parrish, Webb's observatory commissioning manager at NASA's Goddard site, said Webb might last some decades. Before the telescope can begin its mission, it must align its mirrors and calibrate its onboard equipment, among other things. NASA estimates that routine scientific activities will begin in around five months. The telescope is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, with a 21.5-foot-wide golden primary mirror and infrared sensors, and is meant to capture views of stars and galaxies. Monday's achievement was the latest in a high-stakes mission that involved the unfolding of Webb's mirrors, which were folded up like origami in the rocket's nose cone during launch. Webb was built by a team led by Northrop Grumman Corp. and features 344 discrete "single-point failure" components that might have derailed the mission if any of them failed. RELATED ARTICLE: NASA James Webb Space Telescope Is Now Fully Deployed! Here's What To Expect Next Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times. Recent studies show that what was considered water on Mars' cold south pole might be nothing more than a dusty illusion. According to researchers from the University of Texas in Austin, the south pole of Mars lacks the conditions to preserve water in a liquid form, and the radar reflections are similar to those of volcanic plains. Bright reflections were discovered under the Martian south pole in 2018. They hypothesized that they saw water, raising the possibility of stable liquid water on the planet's surface. However, experts refuted the notion in a study, "The Basal Detectability of an Ice-Covered Mars by MARSIS." Lake Below Mars' South Pole Is Just a Dusty Illusion According to new research by experts at the University of Texas in Austin, the reflections found on Mars south pole are more likely from volcanic rock buried beneath the ice. Researchers said the current temperature and pressure on the planet's surface render stable liquid water implausible. Lead author Cyril Grima, a planetary scientist at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG), said per Independent: "For water to be sustained this close to the surface, you need both a very salty environment and a strong, locally generated heat source, but that doesn't match what we know of this region." When scientists overlaid an imagined global ice sheet on a radar image of Mars, the south polar illusion vanished. The researchers discovered that the fictitious ice depicted how the Earth might seem if viewed through a mile of ice. ALSO READ: Martian Meteorite In Antarctica: New Study Debunks NASA, Bill Clinton's Claim Over Organic Compound in Mars They were able to compare characteristics throughout the whole globe to those found beneath the polar cap due to this. Grima detected dazzling reflections distributed around the globe, similar to those observed near the south pole. Mineral Deposits on Mars South Pole Possible Iron-rich lava flows on Earth may leave behind rocks that similarly reflect radar; therefore, this is a good possible explanation. According to other recent investigations of these shimmering mirages, mineral deposits in dry riverbeds are another possibility. Isaac Smith, a Mars geophysicist at York University in Canada, said the brilliant radar fingerprints are a type of clay formed when rock erodes in water. Smith discovered in a 2021 investigation that Earth-based clays emit strong radar reflections similar to those mistaken for water in 2018. "I think the beauty of Grima's finding is that while it knocks down the idea, there might be liquid water under the planet's south pole today, it also gives us really precise places to go look for evidence of ancient lakes and riverbeds and test hypotheses about the wider drying out of Mars' climate over billions of years," he said per Cosmos Magazine. The research, according to Smith, is a sobering lesson in the scientific procedure that is as applicable to Earth as it is to Mars. He said that science isn't always correct the first time, which is especially true in planetary research because we're looking at locations no one has ever been and depending on sensors that perceive things from afar. Grima and Smith are now working together on a proposal to use radar to identify water on Mars as a resource for potential human landing sites and to look for indications of a previous life. RELATED ARTICLE: Life on Mars? NASA Perseverance Rover Captures What Looks Like a 'Human Skeleton' and 'Animal' Buried on the Red Plant Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times. After completing a resupply mission to the International Space Station, an unmanned SpaceX Dragon capsule splashed down off the coast of Florida, according to NASA (ISS). According to Space.com, the Dragon CRS-24 cargo ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean on Jan. 24 around 4:05 p.m. EST off the coast of Florida near Panama City. "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed, completing SpaceX's 24th resupply mission to the space station," SpaceX wrote in a Twitter update. Splashdown of Dragon confirmed, completing SpaceXs 24th resupply mission to the @space_station! SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 24, 2022 NASA: SpaceX Dragon Successfully Arrives on Florida NASA said the Dragon, carrying scientific equipment and blood samples from the ISS crew, undocked from the orbiting station on Sunday. According to the space agency, the SpaceX cargo ship returned more than 2,200 kilograms (almost 5,000 pounds) of research to Earth. Some items include "cytoskeleton" that investigates cell signaling in humans and a 12-year-old light imaging microscope that had been deactivated after more than a decade in orbit. The crew delivered the blood samples, which included US astronauts Kayla Barron and Thomas Marshburn, as well as German astronaut Matthias Maurer, as part of medical tests investigating the effects of long-term space flight on people's eyesight. ALSO READ: Falcon 9 Rocket's Second Stage Will Likely Impact Moon's Equator After 7 Years of Floating Through Space Those tests, as well as others, will be transported to scientists at NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida, according to a statement from SpaceX. The Dragon spacecraft was supposed to return to Earth on Friday. Still, NASA had to postpone the mission due to poor weather in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket delivered hardware, research materials, and supplies to the astronauts on the International Space Station. NASA's First Tourist Trip to Space Postponed Meanwhile, NASA's first tourist trip to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed, according to TweakTown. Axiom Space's Ax-1 mission, the first private astronaut flight to the International Space Station, will have a revised launch date. Originally, Axiom Space intended to launch three amateur astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) around February, but NASA and Axiom are now aiming for the end of March. Ax-1, the first ever private astronaut mission to the @Space_Station, is now targeting a March 31 launch due to additional spacecraft preparations & space station traffic. The multinational crew will conduct science, outreach, & commercial activities during their 8 days on ISS. pic.twitter.com/s9qsnS7gE8 Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) January 20, 2022 The private mission is part of NASA's and Roscosmos' efforts to market the International Space Station to raise finances while also boosting access to space for private persons, albeit the extremely affluent. According to Digital Trends, the reason for the delay is "extra spacecraft preparations and space station traffic," implying that there will be another spacecraft flying to the ISS towards the end of February, producing "traffic." Mark Pathy, a Canadian financier and philanthropist, Larry Connor, an American entrepreneur, and Eytan Stibbe, a former Israeli Air Force pilot, will be among the three amateur astronauts who will go to the International Space Station. RELATED ARTICLE: NASA To Pay $1 Million For Those Who Could Feed Future Astronauts With Nutritious Meal For Their Long-Term Missions Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times. A state appeals court on Monday upheld a San Francisco tenant-protection law that bars property owners from sidestepping the citys limits on evictions by imposing huge, bad-faith rent increases to force renters to leave. The case tested the limits of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a California law backed by the real estate industry that banned local rent control on apartments built after February 1995 and on all single-family homes and condominiums. It did not limit a city or countys authority to restrict tenant evictions, but the issue before the court was whether San Franciscos eviction rules were a form of rent control. The city ordinance, passed in January 2019, prohibited property owners from increasing rents in amounts so large that they were clearly not intended to recoup the owners costs but were instead meant to displace the tenant, either voluntarily or by a suit for nonpayment of rent. In deciding whether the rent was being raised in bad faith, city officials were to consider whether the amounts were substantially above market rates and whether the increase was imposed within six months of an attempt to evict the tenant. A lawsuit filed a month later by the San Francisco Apartment Association and other groups claimed San Francisco was effectively controlling rents, in violation of Costa-Hawkins. Superior Court Judge Charles Haines disagreed in 2020, and his ruling was upheld Monday by the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco. Costa-Hawkins does not protect a landlords right to use a pretextual rent increase to avoid lawfully imposed local eviction restrictions, Justice Stuart Pollak said in the 3-0 ruling. He said the purpose of the ordinance was not to restrict lawful rent increases, but to deter landlords from trying to attempt to avoid local eviction rules by imposing artificially high rents in bad faith. City Attorney David Chiu praised the ruling. When a tenants rent is doubled or tripled, that is just an eviction by another name, he said in a statement. We cannot allow unscrupulous landlords to circumvent our local laws and unlawfully evict tenants. The decision was also welcomed by the sponsor of the 2019 ordinance, Supervisor Hillary Ronen. Jacking up the rent to force a tenant to move is clearly harassment, and we are not about to tolerate that in San Francisco, she 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. The owners organizations saw it differently. The San Francisco ordinance undermines Costa-Hawkins and puts landlords at the mercy of local regulation with respect to the setting of rents in an area where the Legislature expressly intended to preclude local regulation, said Christopher Skinnell, lawyer for the San Francisco Apartment Association, which could seek review in the state Supreme Court. The local law is over-protective, said Curtis Dowling, attorney for the California Apartment Association. Doubling or tripling a tenants rent to secure an eviction would go too far, he said, but under the wording of the San Francisco law, any increase on these units can get dragged into a litigation dragnet. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Deep in the mountains of Mendocino County, nearly 200 acres of old-growth redwoods, chronically threatened by logging, have long stood on a plot known as Andersonia West, well beyond the reach and awareness of most Californians at least since Native Americans lived there. Today, in a story that goes full circle, this ancient grove of trees has garnered permanent protection and the land is back in the hands of those who call it home. The deal, announced Tuesday, was orchestrated by San Francisco conservation group Save the Redwoods League. The organization purchased the wooded swath two years ago and last month transferred its ownership to the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council, which represents tribal nations with historical ties to the area. Covenants on the property ensure the forests preservation. This is an extraordinary effort by the tribes and the Sinkyone Council to regain and begin the process of recovering their stewardship of their traditional territory, said Hawk Rosales, a former executive director of the council. This is an important victory. The remote property is nestled between Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and privately owned forest lands in an area commonly called the Lost Coast, about five hours north of San Francisco. The land is accessible only by narrow, mountainous private roads. The property is marked not only by the 200 acres of towering old-growth redwoods but also fog-shrouded stands of Douglas fir, tan oaks and second-growth redwood trees, encompassing a total of 523 acres. It includes a meandering creek that feeds the south fork of the Eel River and supports coho salmon and steelhead trout. The land itself is profoundly beautiful and remarkably powerful, Rosales said. Max Forster/Save the Redwoods League Before becoming a bastion of logging over the past century and a half, the Lost Coast was the hunting, fishing and ceremonial grounds of the Sinkyone people. The villages of Indigenous communities flanked the region for thousands of years. With European settlement, however, the native residents were largely killed off or forced from the land in a dark chapter of Californias past. The Sinkyone Council, established in 1986, has sought to reconnect descendants of the Sinkyone people to their historic territory. The organization advocates for protection of forests and streams along Californias North Coast and maintains its own preserve, the 3,845-acre InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness. The groups new property, which is being renamed Tcih-Leh-Dun meaning fish run place in the Sinkyone language is only a few miles northwest of its flagship preserve. This land fits within the objective of nurturing a mosaic of lands along the Lost Coast and hopefully much farther, Rosales said. The Sinkyone Council intends to work with Save the Redwoods League, which retains an easement on the property, to care for the land and restore its natural character. There is no plan for public access, though tribal members may visit in the future for cultural purposes. Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League, said donating the plot to the Sinkyone Council was not only a smart thing to do to meet his groups objective of responsibly stewarding the land but also the right thing to do. 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. This is an opportunity to heal both the forest itself and the culture of the landscape, he said. Save the Redwoods League is part of a loose consortium of state and federal government agencies and nonprofit organizations that has collectively protected about 180,000 acres of forest on the Lost Coast. Some of the land consists of old-growth redwoods. Only about 5% of the age-old trees still stand across their historical range from Central California to southern Oregon. The property recently donated was acquired by Save the Redwoods League in July 2020 for $3.55 million from a family that had sparsely logged the area. The purchase was paid for with funding from Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s mitigation program, a fund set up to offset impacts from the utilitys electric grid. The recent donation follows a similar land deal a decade ago. Save the Redwoods League transferred a 164-acre property north of Tcih-Leh-Dun, known as Four Corners, to the Sinkyone Council in 2012. Its absolutely the goal to have it happen more, Hodder said. It is a positive on so many levels. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander As the sun set in Sunnyvale on Monday, city parks worker Erick Delgadillo stood in the plaza downtown and flashed a green laser into the trees that line the square. The green dot grazed the treetops, and in that instant Sunnyvale got what its mayor has long desired: Branches shook, dead leaves tumbled to the ground, and dark, fluttering silhouettes soared into the sky. Crows that had taken over the public square that night as they have every night for years finally had met their match. The lasers, along with a handful of bird effigies hanging upside down on city trees, are part of a strategy that Sunnyvale kicked off Monday to spook the 1,000-plus corvids that have taken over Plaza del Sol, across the street from the citys Caltrain station. Every day at dusk, like clockwork, the crows arrive by the hundreds, cawing loudly to their hearts content and leaving sidewalks, cars and benches coated in a stinky white sludge. Every evening, residents and workers near Sunnyvales Plaza del Sol bear witness to Crowchella, as one resident called it a dazzling spectacle hosted by the swirling crows that in recent years has grown in its intensity, leaving Mayor Larry Kleins inbox full of complaints. It looks so pretty, but its a problem, said Sandra Zuniga, manager at the Dons Deli, a sandwich shop in the plaza. Its not just 10 birds. Its like tons. After years of unsuccessful attempts to get the crows to roost elsewhere, the bird problem needed innovative solutions, Klein said. Mondays actions were perhaps the most unusual strategy yet: City staff hung fake dead crows around the plaza and pointed a $20 green laser purchased from Amazon at the treetops, all in the hopes of getting the birds to scatter. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The goal is not to harm or get rid of the crows entirely, Klein said. The idea is that the lasers and fake birds will act as deterrents to the crows enormous nightly gatherings by making downtown Sunnyvale unpleasant for them. Were just trying to get them humanely to disperse, Klein said. We want the birds in our neighborhoods, but we dont want them flocking to one location year-round, which is what its become. While the crows typically quiet down at night, they can be extremely vocal around sunset and sunrise. Residents described the noise as a ruckus and a cacophony. And in large quantities, the crows poop can be hotbeds for bacteria and fungi such as Histoplasma that could make people sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The city spent thousands of dollars last year power-washing poop-coated surfaces around the plaza in order to mitigate those health hazards, Klein said. Past attempts to diffuse the birds from hiring a falconer to using light reflectors have been expensive or simply havent gotten the job done. It makes sense to just go ahead and try it, Klein said of the new strategies, which the Humane Society of the United States lists as possible solutions to problematic urban crow roosts, calling them humane harassment. Other cities such as Rochester, N.Y., Klein said, have tried the laser approach with some success. He said that as Sunnyvales crow predicament has received national media attention, he has received emails from people across the country offering suggestions, many of them recommending the lasers and effigies. But locally, the crows appear to have a soft spot for Sunnyvale specifically. Spokespeople for other Bay Area cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, Fremont and Richmond told The Chronicle that they have not seen the crow population boom that Sunnyvale has in recent years. Zuniga was glad to hear that the city was taking action against the crows because they were starting to disrupt business downtown, she said. One of her delis regulars brought his girlfriend to eat in the plaza one day, only to have her become the victim of a crows aerial bowel movement. A couple of residents told The Chronicle that they have learned to look for covered parking downtown, or park elsewhere, because of how much crow poop can end up on their car after just a few hours. At the chic Loft House Apartments beside the plaza, the crows have started taking over the pool area. Its kind of scary sometimes, said Jonathan Turner, a Loft House leasing consultant, comparing the daily arrival of the crows to Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds. It can be a little creepy. But for some residents, despite the mess and the noise, the crows have become a part of their citys downtown identity. Roommates Shivani Kavuluru and Kamyab Mashian said they love watching the crows, but understand the citys decision to try to spook them. I get it, Mashian said. But, personally, Im going to miss them. The strongest opposition to the lasers, though, has come from the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, whose staff worry that the lasers could blind the birds. Shani Kleinhaus, an environmental advocate with the group, said she is skeptical that the lasers will be effective in the long term. Crows, one of the most intelligent bird species, can learn to adapt to certain challenges in their environment. They might be alarmed by the flashing green lasers at first, but they are likely to get used to them over time, Kleinhaus 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. If the city wants the crows to leave downtown for good, she said, it must address the conditions that have made the area so appealing for the birds in the first place, like the bright lights that offer protection from predators and the plazas relative abundance of food in trash bins or on the ground, especially as outdoor dining has flourished during the pandemic. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle She also worries that the birds will just invade other neighborhoods if they are forced to flee downtown. They will most likely not move very far, Kleinhaus said. Who will complain next? But with resident objections to the crows mounting in the past two years, Klein said he has found himself in a tough spot. We have the Audubon Society complaining that we dont harass or hurt the birds, and then for the other solution like spray washing, we have residents saying, How dare you spray wash the sidewalks when were in the middle of a drought? Klein said. Were just trying to make our city better for its citizens. Kleinhaus argued that the best thing for both residents and the crows would be for the city to simply leave the crows alone. Yes, the birds are loud and make a mess, but what Sunnyvale has in the local crow population is special, she said. They should celebrate it! They should think: We have the smartest birds on Earth in the thousands coming to visit us and who sing to us and make these beautiful flight formations, Kleinhaus said. Its unbelievably beautiful. They have something nobody else has, in Sunnyvale. Why is that a problem? she quipped. Just clean it up a little. Andy Picon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate San Francisco saw a more than sixfold increase in reported hate crimes against its Asian American Pacific Islander communities in 2021, according to statistics released Tuesday by the citys police department. Reported hate crimes targeting AAPI individuals rose to at least 60 victims in 2021 a steep jump from 9 reported in 2020, and 8 victims in 2019, said Police Chief Bill Scott, who released the data at a news conference in Chinatown Tuesday morning. That is significant, said Scott, who was joined by AAPI community leaders and Mayor London Breed outside of the Lady Shaw Senior Center. That is concerning, and that is alarming. Scott said police suspect that a single person arrested last August was responsible for at least 31 of the 60 reported incidents last year. The person, whom Scott did not name, faces hate crime enhancements for all of those alleged incidents. If anybody thinks that San Francisco is an easy place to come in and terrorize our Asian communities, youre sadly mistaken, said Scott. You will be held accountable, and you will be arrested, and you will be charged. The department is ramping up patrolling and its arrests of those perpetrating hate crimes against the AAPI community after a rash of hate crimes that saw a national surge and skyrocketed in the Bay Area last year. The national coalition Stop AAPI Hate documented at least 931 hate incidents in the Bay Area. At the press conference, police officials touted several arrests of people suspected of committing racially motivated crimes. Patrick Thompson, 54, was arrested in May for allegedly stabbing two elderly women at a downtown bus stop, although District Attorney Chesa Boudin later said he would not charge Thompson with a hate crime because it was unclear that the victims identities was what motivated the crime. In September, OSean Garcia, 20, of Oakland, was charged with committing at least six robberies dating back to March 2021 that allegedly targeted Asian females. Breed said she was heartbroken, frustrated and embarrassed about the continuing stream of violence against the citys AAPI communities, and particularly its older residents. When I was growing up in some of the most challenging circumstances in San Francisco it would have broken my heart to have my grandmother be attacked in the way that we see so many of our seniors in the AAPI community being attacked, said Breed. But that did not happen because as a community, we protected each other. Anti-AAPI hate crimes have increased more than any other hate crime demographic in San Francisco, according to police data. From 2020 to 2021, anti-Jewish hate crimes in San Francisco increased by 60%, to 8; anti-Black hate crimes increased by 27%, to 14 and anti-LGBTQ hate crimes increased by 50%, to 15, according to the departments hate crime victim demographics report. Hate crimes against Arabs or Muslims, whites and Hispanics all saw decreases over the last year, according to police data. 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. Community leaders at Tuesdays event also emphasized the need and value of the citys senior escort program, which Breed made possible through $30,000 in emergency funding, said Anni Chung, executive director of Self-Help for the Elderly. The program has now expanded to all over the city beyond just Chinatown and services seniors who may want additional security on their way to medical appointments, or to the bank, or just for a walk around the neighborhood. I think that the requests for senior escorts have proven that seniors are living in fear and a lot of anxiety, caused by the pandemic, said Chung. In anticipation of the Lunar New Year, Scott advised older adults to avoid anyone asking for money or jewelry; blowing a whistle in the event of trouble and making a plan with family members before withdrawing large sums of money at a bank. And though there has been a lull in crimes against AAPI communities as of recently in the Bay Area, fear still permeates and has not let up, said Dean Ito Taylor, executive director at AAPI Legal Outreach, saying bank tellers have told him customers still blame them for the pandemic and that some restaurants only offer take-out through a locked door for fear of violence. Our communities have suffered years of racial violence, said Ito Taylor. But we will not be silent. This is not an AAPI community problem, this is Americas problem. Annie Vainshtein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avainshtein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annievain The conservative-led Supreme Court has agreed to consider an action that voters in liberal California took more than a quarter century ago: banning affirmative action in university admissions. In 1996, 55% of the states voters approved Proposition 209, which prohibited any consideration of race in state and local government programs, including the University of California, where Black enrollment immediately plunged. In November 2020, while Democrat Joe Biden was trouncing Donald Trump in California by nearly 2-1, more than 57% of the voters rejected Prop. 16, a legislatively approved measure to repeal Prop. 209 and reinstate affirmative action. On Monday, the Supreme Court granted review of two cases accusing Harvard and the University of North Carolina of racial discrimination by giving favorable consideration to applicants who are Black or Latinx. If the court strikes down the Harvard program, it would go further than Prop. 209 by banning affirmative action in private universities, such as Stanford and USC. The court upheld consideration of race in university admissions, under tight restrictions, in 2003 and 2016, but has become more conservative on a number of issues since then. The justices will hear the case in the term that starts in October, with a ruling due by June 2023. The cases have significant relevance in California, particularly for private schools in the state, since the current ban applies only to state actors, said Sarah Wake, a Chicago attorney who has represented universities in civil rights cases. If the Supreme Court rules that affirmative action violates federal law ... then private institutions that receive federal funding must also comply, said Anthony Lising Antonio, an associate professor of education at Stanford. Other responses carried reminders of the debate over Prop. 209, whose sponsors labeled it the California Civil Rights Initiative, infuriating mainstream civil rights organizations. Attorney Daniel Morenoff, an opponent of affirmative action, said evidence over the past two decades shows that schools could do away with race-conscious admissions and increase the diversity of the student body. Morenoff represents the California Equal Rights Foundation, part of the successful campaign to defeat Prop. 16 in 2020 and retain the ban on affirmative action. In a Supreme Court filing supporting the challenge to the Harvard and North Carolina programs, he wrote, These same veterans of the fight to preserve Californias bar against racial discrimination in college admissions are similarly invested in the outcome of the current case. Thats a familiar tactic, said Eva Paterson, a longtime San Francisco civil rights attorney and president of the nonprofit Equal Justice Society. She said she was one of 32 Black students who entered UC Berkeley Law School in 1972; in 1997, the year after Prop. 209 passed, she said, only one Black applicant was admitted. The right wing is brilliant at messaging, Paterson said, recalling that many people she spoke to after the Prop. 209 vote thought they were supporting affirmative action by backing the measure that banned it. She noted that a leading financier of the current university lawsuits is Edward Blum, who sponsored the legal campaign that persuaded the Supreme Court to strike down the Voting Rights Acts key enforcement provision in 2013. One of Blums groups represents two Asian American students who sued Harvard after being rejected for admission. The issue has also divided the Asian American community according to Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a Bay Area advocacy coalition, 70% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders support affirmative action. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Filipa Ioannou/The Chronicle A man was killed after being stabbed repeatedly during an altercation in a Mission District bar Friday night, San Francisco police said Monday. The incident happened just before 2 a.m. closing in a bar on the 3000 block of Mission Street. The Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office charged a 16-year-old with murder, alleging the teenager sold fentanyl to a 12-year-old San Jose girl who died after taking the drug. On Nov. 14, 2020, the victim was with two other teens when she contacted the suspect and bought an M-30 pill, which she thought was a Percocet pill, according to Santa Clara County prosecutors. Once it was purchased, the girl then crushed and snorted portions of the pill while other teenagers took a video, prosecutors said. The girl then passed out and showed symptoms of a fentanyl overdose, prompting the teens to take her to the Regional Medical Center where she was declared dead. She became the youngest person to fatally overdose in the county in 2020, the District Attorneys Office said. The San Jose Police Department arrested the teenager who allegedly sold the 12-year-old the pill the same day. The names of the teenager and the 12-year-old victim were not released. Authorities said they found the alleged dealers Google Photos account, which contained screenshots of public service warnings over fentanyl overdoses. After thousands of deaths, everyone should know that fentanyl is a deadly poison, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. Santa Clara County prosecutors have issued public health warnings about M-30 pills. In 2019, an official with Rosens office alerted county residents about a major uptick in fatal fentanyl overdoses, some of which involved round, blue pills with a large M engraved on one side and a smaller 30 on the other. 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. Last August, a 14-year-old Concord High School student died at home after authorities suspected they ingested an M-30 pill. This is the second time an alleged drug dealer has been charged with murder after an overdose in Santa Clara County. A San Jose man was charged in the death of an 18-year-old after allegedly selling the victim an fatal opioid over Snapchat in 2020. Ryce Stoughtenborough is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ryce.stoughtenborough@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rstoughts Bay Area air quality regulators are seeking to crack down on the unregulated release of harmful gas emissions at the Valero oil refinery in Benicia. Back in 2019, officials at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District sent the refinery a notice of violation for not reporting significant emissions to the agency, said Damian Breen, the air districts senior deputy executive officer of operations. Since then Valero has reduced unregulated emissions, but they werent able to stop them completely, said Breen. On Monday, the air district announced it was requesting an abatement order that would force the refinery to further clamp down on emissions and likely levy a fine on the petroleum company. The air district has been working with Valero since May 2020 to lower the emissions, but the abatement order would serve as a permanent fix to the problem, he said. Breen said they believe Valero has been emitting more than 4,000 pounds per day of emissions containing toxic contaminants such as benzene since 2003. Facilities are required to not release any emissions from a single source that are more than 15 pounds per day per the air districts regulations, according to Breen. Were very concerned about the serious nature of the emissions (at Valero), Breen said. This is the air district putting violators on notice that this is the manner in which we will pursue these open emissions violations going forward, he said, adding that the air district is expected to announce actions against other Bay Area refineries and facilities in the coming weeks. Paul Adler, a spokesperson for Valero, in a statement told The Chronicle that the Benicia refinery discovered its hydrogren unit had trace contaminants. Valero took immediate steps to address the issue and has been working cooperatively with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to develop a project as part of its long-term corrective action, Adler said. As a result, Adler said Valero and the air district agreed to an abatement order. 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. Breen said they were working with Solano County health officials to determine how the release of emissions may have affected the health of nearby communities. Valero will also be expected to pay a penalty, according to the air district. Breen did not say how much the refinery would have to pay due to the ongoing investigation. The public is encouraged to participate at the public hearing, which has not been scheduled. The air district plans to post a link on its website once the meeting is scheduled, or you can sign up for updates at www.baaqmd.gov/contact-us/sign-up-for-information. The air district has also contacted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether Valero violated any federal laws. Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores After last years depressing Lunar New Year, Bay Area restaurants and bakeries are rolling out loads of holiday specials, from dumpling sets to banquet feasts. Of particular note this year, however, is the bounty of special sweets available to ring in the Year of the Tiger. Lunar New Year starts Tuesday, Feb. 1, and celebrations last for weeks but the most important dinners typically take place on the evening of Jan. 31. That said, given its a Monday, many Bay Area families will probably start celebrating this coming weekend. And sure enough, many of the one-off specials are scheduled for Jan. 29-30. In some cases, like with Little Swan Bakery or Washington Bakery & Restaurant in San Franciscos Chinatown, the specials are traditional, such as nian gao, a chewy Chinese cake made from glutinous rice. Several of the Bay Areas newer Asian American bakeries are also getting in on the festivities with modern spins on classics, as with a Taiwanese pineapple cake injected with caramelized pineapple jam and pastry cream, or simply playing with Asian flavors like black sesame and green tea. Here are 12 restaurants, bakeries and pop-ups offering special treats for Lunar New Year. Theyre listed in alphabetical order and spread across San Francisco, the East Bay and the South Bay. Pre-orders are often recommended. B. Patisserie San Francisco bakery B. Patisserie is always a destination for Lunar New Year, with a new menu of 10 cant-miss sweets. This years offerings include mandarin orange tarts ($7), almond gelatin with fruit cocktail ($7), milk tea-flavored cakes ($7) and the bakerys famed kouign amanns filled with black sesame paste or pineapple and lychee ($4.75). Pre-ordering will be available but isnt required, though these items tend to sell out early. Feb. 1 to 13. 2821 California St., San Francisco. www.bpatisserie.com Provided by Bake Sum Bake Sum In Oakland, this modern Asian American bakery is rolling out a slew of specials for the entire month of February. A few might be available as early as Friday, Jan. 28, such as red bean and pineapple milk bread buns with crispy tops ($5). But those seeking the full assortment should wait until the first weekend of February. Think black sesame buns made with flaky croissant dough and lined with kumquat marmalade, plus lychee-rose macarons and lyche-rose baked butter mochi (prices not yet determined). Through February. 3249 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.bakesum.com Butter& San Francisco custom cake bakery Butter& is offering a special Lunar New Year cake with a brown sugar base and layers of black sesame buttercream and red bean paste. Theres a range of sizes, from a personal-size cutie ($30) to one capable of feeding 14 people ($105), and a gluten-free option is available. Butter& can deliver to homes in most of the Bay Area, though fees can rise to a steep $57. Alternatively, check the website Pastel for pickup opportunities in other cities. Pre-order at least two days ahead for pickup or delivery Thursday, Jan. 27, to Feb. 6. 615 22nd St., San Francisco. https://butterand.com Din Ding Dumpling House To celebrate the Year of the Tiger, this popular dumpling restaurant in Union City is serving buns that look like adorable tigers. These steamed buns which are even outfitted with little pink tongues come stuffed with a taro and yogurt filling. Available now through Feb. 15. 1779 Decoto Road, Union City, dindingdumplinghouses.com Mike Kai Chen/Special to The Chronicle 2021 Dragon Papa Despite closing its doors in San Franciscos Chinatown at the start of the pandemic, Dragon Papa has still found ways to sell its hand-pulled dragons beard candy on a limited basis. For Lunar New Year, the Chinatown Community Development Center set up a website to make it easier to buy from a few Chinatown businesses, including Dragon Papa. The feathery, cotton candy-like treats come either filled with traditional peanut ($12) or special options like mango or green tea ($13). Pre-order for pickup Saturday, Jan. 29, at iCafe Bakery, 133 Waverly Place, San Francisco. https://www.spotlightchinatown.com/support-small-businesses Droo the Baker This San Jose baker collaborated with pop-up Jason Bakes SF for a Prosperity Set with the latters Taiwanese-style pineapple cakes. Unfortunately, those sold out almost instantly. But you can still get Droo the Bakers smaller set ($38) with buttery almond sable cookies, crumbly black sesame cookies and matcha cookies packaged in a bamboo steamer with a lucky red envelope. Pre-order for pickup Saturday to Sunday, Jan. 29 to 30, at Vans Bakery. 1824 Tully Road, San Jose. www.desserts-by-droo.com Provided by Jason Bakes SF Grand Opening Melissa Chou, the former pastry chef at Mister Jius, is reimagining the traditional eight treasures rice pudding dessert as a special holiday treat. Instead of loading sticky rice with dried fruit and nuts, her pop-ups Eight Treasures ($88-$98) is a pastry-lined cake with black sesame frangipane and kumquat-apricot marmalade plus four kinds of nuts and rose. Grand Openings bake sale on Sunday, Jan. 30, also promises to be full of Lunar New Year pastries available a la carte. Pre-order for pickup Friday to Sunday, Jan. 28 to 30, at Mister Jius. 28 Waverly Place, San Francisco. www.grandopeningbakery.com iCafe San Francisco Chinatown bakery iCafe has a lengthy menu of Lunar New Year specials available for pre-order. There are boxes of pineapple cakes ($16.88), sesame balls ($8.88) and steamed cakes flavored with brown sugar ($8.88), plus several traditional Chinese New Year rice cakes. Flavors include brown sugar-ginger ($19.88), coconut ($16.88) and jujube ($21.88). Call to pre-order or use the Chinatown Community Development Centers website for a more limited selection. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Pre-order by calling 415-391-8088. 133 Waverly Place, San Francisco. Little Swan Bakery Part of the Chinatown Community Development Centers website aimed at supporting small businesses in San Franciscos Chinatown, Little Swan is selling Portuguese egg tarts with burnished tops ($2.50) and slices of layered crepe cake in flavors such as sesame ($7.50) and durian ($7.80). Pre-order for pickup Saturday, Jan. 29. Little Swan Bakery. 1249 Stockton St., San Francisco. www.spotlightchinatown.com/support-small-businesses Provided by Stonemill Matcha Stonemill Matcha This popular matcha cafe and bakery in San Franciscos Mission District is putting together a $60 box of treats. Festive offerings include black sesame financiers, linzers filled with orange marmalade, vanilla-orange madeleines in a shiso-orange glaze and Chinese almond cookies. Of course, there is also matcha, in the form of mini matcha-yuzu pound cakes and a matcha souffle tart filled with red bean paste and raspberry. If youre outside of San Francisco, you might be in luck: Stonemill is also working with Pastel to deliver to select cities. Pre-order for pickup Saturday to Sunday, Jan. 29 to 30, at 561 Valencia St., San Francisco. www.exploretock.com/stonemillmatchasf/ Sunday Bakeshop Order a whole box of small pastries from this Oakland Asian American bakery ($45, with $5 donated to Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate) or get a large matcha citrus tart ($45), which features tangerine marmalade, tangerine chiffon cake and matcha cream. A mini version of that tart is also in the box alongside seven other treats. Highlights include an eclair filled with a milky strawberry custard that nods to Lunar New Year lucky candy; a pineapple cake filled with jam and pastry cream; and a croissant-muffin hybrid filled with chestnut honey cream. Pre-order by Wednesday, Jan. 26, for pickup Friday to Sunday, Jan. 28 to 30, Feb. 1 and Feb. 4 to 6. 5931 College Ave., Oakland. San Francisco pickups are also available pending the date at 699 22nd St. and 4100 Third St. thesundaybakeshop.com Provided by Sunday Bakeshop Washington Bakery & Restaurant Find traditional Chinese sweet and savory cakes at this San Francisco Chinatown staple. The classic Chinese New Year cake known as nian gao gets a chewy texture from glutinous rice flour. Its a symbolic choice for the holiday: gao sounds like the word for tall in Chinese, so eating the cake symbolizes growing in the coming year. Get a small cake for $12.80 or large for $15.80. More savory turnip cakes, taro cakes and water chestnut cakes are also available. Unlike some other one-off options, these cakes are around through the end of February. Pre-order two days in advance by calling 415-397-3232 or online. Delivery also available on DoorDash. 733 Washington St., San Francisco. www.wbrsf.com Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The winter omicron surge appears to have peaked in most parts of the Bay Area but a few counties are still at a plateau, indicating the region is not entirely out of the most meteoric phase of the pandemic. The seven-day average of daily coronavirus cases reported on Monday across the Bay Area was down about 34% compared with Jan. 17, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. That follows a statewide trend, with average daily cases down nearly 23% week over week. Despite the downturn, the rate of infection in terms of case numbers remains at a pandemic high. Were confident that the crest of the omicron wave is behind us, Dr. Matt Willis, health officer for Marin County, said Monday. What remains unknown is what will be the shape of our decline. Our rates of transmission are still higher than they ever were. Health officials cautioned that the widespread use of rapid antigen tests at home, the results of which are not submitted to county databases, combined with staffing shortages and processing delays at public testing sites, may be skewing the overall numbers. Mayor London Breed last week declared that San Francisco was past its peak and on track to follow patterns that are playing out elsewhere in the U.S. and world, where the highly infectious omicron variant swept through populations but then rapidly dropped. Other Bay Area counties are not yet ready to declare victory over an unpredictable foe. While there are promising signs that cases may be leveling off and test positivity may be in decline in parts of the Bay Area, we are still processing a large volume of backlogged cases that will change our case counts as they are processed, Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa Countys public health officer, said Monday. We are hopeful, but these processing delays make it difficult to conclude that we have already hit our omicron peak. We expect to have a clearer picture at the end of the week. Most Bay Area counties are seeing falling case numbers, an inexact marker of pandemic trends. San Francisco reported an average of 171 cases per 100,000 residents on Monday under half the number of cases it logged in the second week of January. Santa Clara County reported an average of 204 cases per 100,000 residents, down about a third in the same period. While slipping downward, case numbers are still at a strikingly high level, especially in Marin, Sonoma and Solano counties, where the count appears to have stalled over the past few days. Willis said that trends from other areas reflecting omicrons dramatic rise and fall are cause for optimism, but key indicators in the Bay Area including positive test rates and wastewater samples point toward evidence of a slower decline. We definitely dont want to get the sense of false reassurance that were out of the woods, Willis said. The virus is still very active in Marin. Coronavirus hospitalizations remain at or near record highs in some counties, though they may be starting to stabilize across the region. About 2,060 people were hospitalized with the virus in the Bay Area as of Sunday, the most recent data recorded. While hospital numbers are not as high as they were during the last winter surge, they are still high for this time period, Santa Clara Countys health department said in a Monday statement. The county had an all-time high of 552 people hospitalized with the coronavirus on Sunday. San Francisco also saw a pandemic peak of 278 patients, while Marin County had 53 hospitalized more than double the number recorded two weeks ago. The hospitalization numbers reflect both patients admitted for COVID and those who test positive for the virus while in the hospital for other reasons. We expect our hospitals to peak in the coming week, said Jayleen Richards, public health administrator for Solano County. Bay Area health officials are still working to assess the damage with many still feeling overwhelmed by the rapid spread of the highly contagious omicron variant, which in just over a month went from making up less than 8% of all cases in the U.S. to 99.5%. Local officials echoed the sentiment of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the senior White House medical adviser, that the rate of new cases going in the right direction is encouraging, but the virus has surprised health experts before and avoidance of overconfidence is in order. 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. While it appears San Mateo County may have peaked for this current surge, the level of disease in the community is still very high compared to other surges, so it is important we all remain diligent with all the mitigation strategies, especially vaccination, said Marc Meulman, the countys director of public health, policy and planning. Californias rate of positive coronavirus test results, which is now at 20.4%, remains near the pandemic high of 23.5% reported in early January. Our data suggest Contra Costa County may be past the peak of the omicron surge, but our hospitals are heavily impacted, the countys health department said in a statement on Monday. The seven-day average case rate is about 28% lower than a week ago, but we have 302 COVID-19 patients currently in county hospitals, which is up 43% from the same period. If the trend continues, we would expect fewer cases and hospitalizations in coming weeks, but currently, our numbers remain much higher than they were in December. For now, health officers are warning residents to stay on guard. Im optimistic, Willis said. But were seeing evidence of a plateau and a longer tail. If you think about it, we could end up with many more cases over the decline than the period of rise. Thats what Im looking at most closely now. Chronicle staff writer Erin Allday contributed to this report. Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com UPDATE: Studies reveal new stealth omicron variant is 30% more transmissible. Should California be worried? The winter omicron surge appears to have peaked in most parts of the Bay Area but a few counties are still at a plateau. California legislators will soon debate a proposal that would require all students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to attend schools, eliminating the states existing personal belief exemption. A new report suggests the pandemic housing frenzy heightened racial and economic inequality in housing across California and the rest of the U.S. Latest updates: Rate of infection for unvaccinated Santa Clara County residents is 1,000 per 100,000: Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara Countys health officer, said during a virtual town hall event on Tuesday that the rate of infection among unvaccinated people is close to 1,000 per 100,000. Cody described that figure as very, very high compared to the rate of infection for boosted people, which is around 100 per 100,000 people. So, there is about a 10-fold difference on just for rates of infection, Cody said. When you look at rates for hospitalization, its also, you know, a huge, huge difference. The vaccine is very, very, very protective as far as hospitalization and extremely effective at preventing you from dying of COVID. Santa Clara County relying more on wastewater surveillance for coronavirus activity: As more people rely on at-home COVID-19 tests, Santa Clara County public health officials will rely more on wastewater surveillance as we go forward. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara Countys health officer, said most counties in California have been dependent on tracking coronavirus cases in online trackers, but said positive at-home test results are not counted in the countys case counts. Case counts become a bit less reliable in helping us track where were going, Cody said. We are lucky here in that we have a wastewater surveillance epidemiology and so wed actually track the levels of virus in the wastewater. It tracks extremely well to the case counts and I think its something that well be relying on more as we go forward. False positives for rapid at-home tests very, very low, Santa Clara County health officer says: People who test positive using a rapid at-home test can assume that they have COVID-19, should isolate and do not need to seek a separate PCR test, said Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara Countys health officer. Cody said there is actually a higher rate of false negative with at-home tests because you need a certain amount of virus present in order to turn one of those tests positive, adding that at-home tests are not likely to pick up an early infection. PCR tests pick up infection earlier, Cody said, and added that at-home tests have a narrower window for detecting a COVID-19 infection. The biggest challenge now is us, Santa Clara County health officer says: As the coronavirus pandemic nears another anniversary, Santa Clara Countys health officer Dr. Sara Cody said that the next biggest challenge now is us because there is a level of exhaustion, a level of trauma with everything that everyone has been through. Cody said during a Facebook live with Rep. Ro Khanna that there is still a lot of uncertainty, specifically around when the next coronavirus wave will strike, pointing to five local waves the county has experienced. I think its the greatest challenge for all of us is that we cant quite see around every corner, we dont know whats going to come and were quite tired, Cody said. And so, this is when we have to pull together and rededicate ourselves to be adaptable and flexible and prepared. Cody said distributing high-quality masks and tests is crucial to prepare for future coronavirus waves, saying that having big stockpiles of supplies would be helpful. Santa Clara County recently provided free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests for county residents, county employees and students studying at Santa Clara County schools. Santa Clara County seeing reprieve in hospitals after omicron surge: Santa Clara County has passed the peak of the omicron variant surge, county health officer Dr. Sara Cody said during a Facebook live with California Congressman Ro Khanna on Tuesday evening. Cody said that the surge likely happened between Jan. 7 and Jan. 10, adding that the county is just beginning to see early signs that our hospitals may be seeing a little bit of a reprieve. Cody said it has been an extraordinarily difficult several weeks, but I think the spread is beginning to come down. Cody added that the omicron variant is still the dominant variant, with more than 95% of the countys coronavirus cases being omicron. We have just a handful, maybe a pair of cases, that are a new sub-type of omicron, Cody said, saying that public health officials dont really know what that means yet, but well be learning that in the days and weeks to come. State forecast shows hospitalizations falling by half in the next month: With Californias positive test rate edging down 15% from earlier this month, the states projection model shows the number of hospitalizations will fall by half in another month. There were 15,248 people hospitalized with COVID statewide as of Monday. An ensemble forecast shows that number dropping to 7,640 by February 24. The number of patients in intensive care unit beds is also expected to fall from 2,602 to 1,118 in the same period. However, deaths will continue to climb, with an additional 5,436 COVID fatalities bringing the states cumulative pandemic toll to 83,534 and rising. Sonoma County struggles with high case rates: Sonoma County residents are living with tougher COVID restrictions than other parts of the Bay Area, as stubbornly high case rates hang on. Latino residents continue to be hardest hit by both illnesses and the economic ramifications of the pandemic. The number of coronavirus-positive patients in hospitals is near a pandemic high. Requests from county residents for economic help have skyrocketed. Read more about the COVID situation in this Wine Country county. Post-pandemic planning bubbles up: Two weeks after the omicron surge appears to have crested in the Bay Area, coronavirus hospitalizations also are leveling off, and health officials said Tuesday that they are starting to plan for what pandemic life might look like on the other side of the winter wave. Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations remain very high across the region, with nearly 15,000 new cases reported each day on average and 2,014 people hospitalized with COVID in the Bay Area as of Monday just shy of last winters peak patient loads. Health officials said they anticipate at least three more weeks of high case rates and tremendous pressure on hospitals. Read the full story here. State officials warn of fake COVID test sites: California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Tuesday put out an alert warning people of an uptick in fake COVID-19 testing locations and websites. He said many pose as legitimate clinics to scam people out of money and personal information. Throughout California, fake testing sites are sprouting up to exploit families and individuals seeking COVID tests, he said. It is important to recognize the signs of sham testing sites to protect both your money and personal information, Bonta suggested state residents use official state resources, including the California Department of Public Healths website, to find verified COVID-19 testing sites. Omicron sub-variant found in Santa Clara County: Two cases of the BA.2 variant a descendant of omicron that may be even more infectious were identified in Santa Clara County this week, health officials said. The variant has been found in several countries and is on the rise globally, according to the World Health Organization. California has identified 11 cases of BA.2 so far, state officials said Tuesday. San Mateo County to distribute rained-on safety equipment: The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will give a stockpile of safety equipment to dozens of nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The surplus gowns, goggles and cleaning materials, which were initially purchased for COVID-19 protection, were part of the $7 million worth of supplies stored at the San Mateo Event Center and left outdoors during a rainstorm. Most of these non-medical-grade supplies were individually wrapped in plastic inside the boxes that got wet and were not damaged, county officials said in a statement. The Boards direction at todays meeting authorizes County staff to begin distributing the still-usable equipment to organizations in need. County Manager Mike Callagy added, While we deeply regret the damage that occurred during last falls rainy season, we are grateful the vast majority of the supplies are still usable and can support purposes including wildfire clean up, disaster relief and other emergency response efforts. Omicron has wiped out delta in the United States: The omicron variant of the coronavirus accounts for 99.9% of COVID-19 infections in the United States as of Jan. 22, according to data published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In less than two months, the highly contagious variant has crowded out the once dominant delta variant, which now accounts for less than 0.1% of the remaining cases nationwide. The US reported 4,215, 852 new cases last week, including 1.15 million in children a pandemic high. Stealth omicron sub-variant could spread even faster: A sub-variant of the omicron coronavirus strain, known as BA.2, has been detected in at least 40 countries, the World Health Organization says. The agency is asking scientists to monitor the mutation. Some scientists call it a stealth variant because it may spread faster than the parent omicron strain and be harder to detect. More than 400 cases of the BA.1 variant have been identified in the UK and it already accounts for more than half of the positive test results in Denmark. Early analyses suggest an increased growth rate compared to BA.1, however, growth rates have a low level of certainty early in the emergence of a variant and further analysis is needed, according to a UK government report. The Washington State Health Department has confirmed two cases of the sub-variant. Its too early to tell if we are going to see more cases, Shelby Anderson, a department spokesperson told KOMO on Monday. So far, fewer than 100 confirmed BA.2 cases in the U.S. have been reported. Biden administration pulls vaccination requirement for large companies: Following the Supreme Courts decision to block President Bidens vaccinate-or-test mandate for large corporations, the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Tuesday it will lift the temporary measure for companies with over 100 employees. The agency said on its website that it was lifting the rule as an enforceable emergency temporary standard, but added it was not withdrawing it as a proposed rule. It added, The agency is prioritizing its resources to focus on finalizing a permanent COVID-19 Healthcare Standard. Elton John is infected, postpones farewell tour: The British pop singer postponed his upcoming concerts in Dallas after testing positive for COVID-19, according to a statement from American Airlines Center. It is with great regret that the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour dates in Dallas set for Tuesday, January 25 and Wednesday, January 26 must be postponed due to Elton recently testing positive for COVID-19, the venue said in a statement. Fortunately, Elton is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is experiencing only mild symptoms. Fans should hold on to their tickets as they will be honored at the rescheduled dates to be announced soon. Elton and the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour look forward to returning to the stage shortly. Hospitalizations hold steady, but a smaller proportion need ICU: San Mateo County currently has 142 hospitalized COVID patients, roughly the same as last week, county health officials told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. But the proportion of hospitalized patients who need ICU-level care is lower than last winters surge. Of the 142 people hospitalized, 31 are in the ICU. Neil Young demands Spotify remove his music over vaccine misinformation: In a now-deleted post that appeared on his website on Monday night, Neil Young asked his managers and record label to remove his music from Spotify because he did not want to share a platform with people who spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines namely Joe Rogan. I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform, the 76-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriter said in a post verified by Rolling Stone. They can have Rogan or Young. Not both. Young added that the streaming service is spreading fake information about vaccines potentially causing death to those who believe this disinformation spread by them. 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. Cases plateauing, still at the top of a mountain in San Mateo County: We are starting to see the horizon beyond the spring surge, with cases starting to plateau in the last week, albeit at very high levels, still higher than other earlier phases of this pandemic, San Mateo County chief of health Louise Rogers told county supervisors Tuesday. Its as if were still at the top of a mountain having to climb down it before we can rest. The experience of other parts of the country harder hit earlier suggest we still have a few difficult weeks ahead with tremendous strain on hospitals. The county is reporting 213 new daily cases per 100,000 people sightly lower than last weeks 217 per 100,000 people. About 500 omicron cases at San Quentin: Approximately 300 to 400 inmates have omicron COVID at San Quentin State Prison, with an additional 100 cases among staff. None have required hospitalizations outside of the prison, Marin Countys Health Officer Dr. Matthew Willis told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. He said high vaccination and booster rates, 92% and 82%, respectively, among inmates, have prevented the most severe outcomes. Thats the single-most-important factor in terms of whats protecting them, Willis said. The risk for outbreaks is built into the environment itself, and I dont think we should falsely reassure that measures that we put in place, mask-wearing, et cetera, while important, are sufficient. In an old setting like that the architecture and ... 500 men close together under one roof with a shared ventilation system it is virtually impossible from an infectious disease standpoint to prevent outbreaks when they occur. Marin County lifts capacity limits, outdoor mask mandate at schools: Marin County health officials on Tuesday lifted a pair of temporary health orders aimed at controlling the spread of the omicron coronavirus variant in schools. The county will no longer require schools to limit the capacity of indoor gatherings for extracurricular activities, including sporting events, to 50 spectators. Marin also lifted an outdoor mask requirement for schools when social distancing was not possible, downgrading it to a recommendation. The move is an effort to ensure an environment where students can thrive, including both in school and also extracurricular activities, Dr. Matthew Willis, the countys health officer, told the Board of Supervisors N.Y. judge kicks out states mask mandate: A New York state judge ruled on Monday that the states mask mandate was enacted unlawfully and is now void, according to court documents cited by the New York Times. The rule requiring masks or proof of vaccination at all indoor public places, ordered by the governor and state health officials and was set to last for the rest of the month. State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker wrote that the officials lacked the authority to enact the mask mandate without the approval of state legislators, and that it violated the state constitution. Pfizer, BioNTech begin study of vaccine tailored to omicron variant: Drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech said Tuesday they had launched a clinical study of a COVID-19 vaccine specifically aimed at the omicron variant. The vaccine will be tested in healthy adults between 18 and 55 years of age that will be divided into three groups, the companies said: One group will have received two Pfizer vaccine doses, one group will have received three Pfizer doses and the final group will be unvaccinated. EU relaxes travel rules for European travelers: The EU recommended Tuesday that people traveling within the unions 27 member nations should not be subjected to additional COVID-19 restrictions, such as additional testing or quarantine periods. Instead, European travelers moving through the EU will be able to move freely across member nations with a digital certificate of vaccination, proof of a recent recovery from a COVID infection or a negative PCR test result obtained no more than 72 hours before traveling. Federal rollout of free N95 masks begins: A handful of major retailers said they were prepared to begin handing out free N95 masks to help protect against the spread of the omicron variant as part of the federal governments recently announced plan to distribute 400 million masks from the Strategic National Stockpile. The Washington Post reported that the grocery store chains Meijer and Hy-Vee said they had received masks and could begin distributing them immediately. Walgreens said it expects to have free N95s in stores by Friday. Heres where in the Bay Area omicron is still surging: The winter omicron surge appears to have peaked in most parts of the Bay Area but a few counties are still at a plateau, indicating the region is not entirely out of the most meteoric phase of the pandemic. Read the full story here. Who did the Bay Areas COVID housing boom leave behind?: As the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic upended life in the Bay Area, an unexpected housing boom emerged, shattering price records from Wine Country to Oakland to the Silicon Valley suburbs. But a new report by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition suggests that the pandemic frenzy also heightened racial and economic inequality in housing across California and the rest of the U.S. Read the full story here. Santa Clara Countys home-test giveaway a hit: Santa Clara County said Monday that its free coronavirus home-test kits were snapped up in one day, and more are now available. After the 15,000 antigen kits flew out the door on Friday, county officials said the another batch was offered Monday. People who live or work in the county must make an appointment, however, to pick the kits up. On Monday, 7,650 appointments again were offered through www.sccfreetest.org. Now people can get 4 home-test kits per person, along with an N95 mask. The first batch of home tests was limited to one per person. 1.15 million child COVID cases reported last week: There were 1,150,543 child COVID-19 cases reported in the U.S. from Jan. 13 to 20. Children represented more than a quarter of all the weekly reported cases nationwide, according to data published Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Childrens Hospital Association. Among states reporting, children represented a smaller percent of hospitalizations, ranging from 1.7%-4.4% of total cumulated hospitalizations. Last weeks cases mark a dramatic increase from the 164,289 reported during the same period in December. Bill would eliminate COVID-19 vaccine personal belief exemption for California students: California legislators will soon debate a proposal that would require all students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to attend schools, eliminating the states existing personal belief exemption. The bill would add COVID-19 to the list of vaccines that students must get to enroll in public or private schools, starting Jan. 1, 2023. It would apply to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Read the full story here. Regarding A blunt but necessary solution (Editorial, Jan. 23): I taught for over 30 years at Lowell and Galileo high schools. Over these years I have seen many San Francisco school boards come and go. However, I have never experienced the vitriol that is being directed at the current board, the most representative ever. Gabriela Lopez is the first bilingual teacher elected to the board. This is important to me as my sons attended dual-immersion Dolores Huerta (Fairmount before being rightfully renamed). Faauuga Moliga is the first Pacific Islander on the board. Alison Collins, an African American, speaks strongly for the interests of Black students who face many struggles in our schools. There are things that the board has done that I disagree with; this is true for every board I worked under. The next school board election is only nine months away. If I think someone can do a better job, I will vote for her. Mayor London Breed wants the recall so she can pick replacements for the school board. Sounds like a power grab to me. I believe in my right to vote for school board members, so I oppose all the recalls. Rick Girling, San Francisco S.F. cops need Tasers Regarding AG to probe shooting at SFO (Front Page, Jan. 22): The fatal shooting by police officers of a man at San Francisco International Airport could have been avoided if the officers had a less-lethal force option beside a beanbag round, which failed to stop the suspect. San Francisco remains the only major U.S. city where its police officers are not issued or allowed to carry Tasers. If New York City can issue Tasers to its 36,000 police officers, why wont San Francisco trust its 2,000 police officers with the same less-lethal option that has been proven countless times to preclude law officers from using deadly force? Many law-enforcement professionals attribute San Franciscos refusal to approve Tasers to a politically appointed civilian police commission empowered to make major policy decisions that should be the responsibility of the chief of police. Gary Gee, San Francisco Jails arent hospitals Regarding Objections stall ruling on accord over jail (Bay Area & Business, Jan. 22): The critics objections to the proposed court settlement regarding Alameda Countys Santa Rita Jail are right on point: people dont get well in a cell. Fortunately, there is an alternative: real mental health care in the community. The proposed taxpayer money should go to providing adequate crisis stabilization and long-term supportive housing. There is only public crisis care center in the county, John George Psychiatric Pavilion. On many days, there is no place for people with mental illness people but the jail. California closed most of its mental hospitals in the 1960s, saying that they were inhumane and ineffective. Unfortunately, it seems that they have been replaced by county jails. Tom Bates, Berkeley Probe not profiling Regarding Racial profiling taints U.S. ideals (Open Forum, Jan. 22): Not to put too fine a point on it, but if the goal of an investigation is to uncover Chinese economic espionage, doesnt it make sense to look for people who can communicate with Chinese government operatives, that is, people who can speak Chinese? Is it surprising that most Chinese-speakers in the U.S. are of Chinese descent? Why is it considered racial profiling, then, that 90% of the people investigated under the act are Chinese or of Chinese descent? Id be willing to bet that 90% of the people investigated are economists or intellectuals, too, but thats not considered profiling. When investigating anything, it makes sense to look where the object of the investigation is most likely to be found, and its not profiling to look there. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Vietnamese American man who was beaten with a bat two years ago in Chinatown sued the San Francisco District Attorneys Office and the city for what his attorneys said was a failure to ensure the mans rights as a victim in a racially motivated attack. Anh Le, 69, said prosecutors failed to inform him of plea bargaining discussions with the man convicted of attacking him and failed to notify him about hearing dates where he could read a victim impact statement before agreeing to a slap on the wrist plea agreement, the suit states. The San Francisco District Attorneys Office allowed the adult male attacker to plead to a misdemeanor with one year probation, restitution to the victim and (a) criminal protective order, Le said in a news conference Tuesday in Chinatown. They did this without consulting me, without any input from me at all, and in violation of my rights as a victim. His voice cracking, Le called the attack the most brutal, terrifying and humiliating experience of my life. In his suit, Le said he was out for a walk in Chinatown on Nov. 2, 2019, when he was attacked by defendant Jimmy Tanner and his teenage son. Tanner, Le said, threatened to kill him and attacked him with a glass bottle, while the son beat him with a baseball bat. Les lawyers said it did not appear that the son was charged with a crime. Tanner pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge. Rachel Marshall, a spokesperson for District Attorney Chesa Boudin, said a number of AAPI-centered services were introduced under Boudins watch, and said the office was proud of our Victim Services Divisions hard work on (Les) case, which has been mischaracterized by this blatantly political lawsuit. Les attorneys said the allegations against Boudins office amount to a violation of Marsys Law, also known as the California Victims Bill of Rights Act, which seeks to provide victims of crimes with rights, including that they be kept apprised of court proceedings and are protected from the defendant. Les attorneys filed their complaint in federal court, but said they also plan to file another suit against Tanner in San Francisco Superior Court. Tanners public defender in the criminal case, Sliman Nawabi, said Tanner never attacked Le and that the bat used by the son to strike Le was plastic. Nawabi said Tanner is a severely disabled man who was traveling in his wheelchair at the time of the incident, accompanied by his wife and young children. The children were riding their bikes when Le berated them for being on the sidewalk, Nawabi said. Out of fear for his safety, Mr. Tanners 11-year-old son took out his plastic baseball bat and swung it at Mr. Le, Nawabi said. Mr. Le refused medical attention that day and had no visible injuries from the plastic baseball bat. Mr. Le was never attacked by Mr. Tanner nor was a glass bottle used as a weapon against Mr. Le. Quyen Ta, an attorney for Le, said his legal team believed the federal lawsuit was the first of its kind to be filed against a prosecutors office. We are doing so to ensure that Marsys Law victims rights are going to get enforced fairly against our community, she said. San Francisco was the site of several high-profile attacks on Asian Americans, in a spate of violence that some say is racially motivated. Among the most shocking local crimes was the killing of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, who died after allegedly being pushed to the ground by a 19-year-old suspect, and the stabbing of a 94-year-old woman in Lower Nob Hill. In a statement provided to The Chronicle, spokesperson Marshall said Boudin has been a steadfast advocate for improved victim services and support for the AAPI community, and has presided over programs including a historic expansion of victim services, new policies to improve language access to the courts and the addition of numerous multi-lingual victim advocates to the DAs Office. Marshall added that the office recently promoted AAPI community advocate Kasie Lee to Chief of Victim Services. On Tuesday the District Attorneys Office launched an AAPI Elder Abuse Steering Committee to address the gaps in services for AAPI elderly victims. 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. DA Boudin has consistently sought additional funding to support victims, Marshall said. We will not stop fighting to ensure that every victims needs are met. Through his lawsuit, Le seeks a formal declaration that his victims rights were violated and for the D.A.s office to implement a host of programs for victims, including language support, a release of hate crime statistics and a mental health services referral system for the victims of Asian American hate crimes. Jen Kwart, a spokesperson for the City Attorneys Office, said the city, including all its departments, stands strong against Asian hate. We are reviewing the complaint and will work with the District Attorneys Office to respond in the litigation. Les case is being handled pro bono by attorneys at the international law firm King & Spalding. Attorneys handling Les case said the lawsuit was part of the Alliance for Asian American Justice, a nationwide initiative that includes 90 law firms committed to standing up for victims, and preventing future acts of anti-Asian hate, according to the groups website. The San Francisco Police Department released figures Tuesday showing that reported hate crimes involving anti-Asian bias motivations soared from nine victims in 2020 to 60 victims in 2021, a more than sixfold increase. The number of hate crimes targeting members of our AAPI communities is alarming, but its important to remember that San Francisco police officers have made arrests in the majority of these cases, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said in a statement. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy A San Francisco police officer charged with unnecessarily striking a man with a baton has asked a judge to dismiss the case against him, claiming that the District Attorneys Office withheld incriminating evidence from police that justified his use of force. Officer Terrance Stangels motion, filed last week in San Francisco Superior Court, claimed the DAs office committed misconduct when prosecutors allegedly withheld from police an interview with a witness who said that the man Stangel struck, Dacari Spiers, was assaulting his girlfriend before officers approached him. Under these circumstances, defense attorneys said that Stangels use of force was reasonable. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin filed felony battery and assault charges against Stangel in late 2020 stemming from the October 2019 incident at Fishermans Wharf. Stangel and another officer were responding to a 911 report of domestic violence when they approached Stangel, touching off an altercation in which Stangel hit Spires with his baton at least once while Spires was on the ground. In announcing the charges, Boudin said Stangel unnecessarily escalated the situation, and then violently (beat) a Black man whom he had no legal basis to even arrest. Stangels attorney, Nicole Pifari, told The Chronicle in a 2020 interview that her client stepped in to protect his partner after seeing Spiers toss the other officer around like a rag doll. The incident was only partially captured by police body cameras. Jury selection for the trial began on Monday. While the motion to dismiss was available through court records, a judge has placed a gag order on the case, meaning neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys can comment on it publicly. Pifari claimed that an investigator with the District Attorneys Office failed to inform the police department of a follow-up interview they conducted with a witness who claimed they saw Spires assaulting his girlfriend, and lied about it when providing an update on the investigation. The follow-up interview was consistent with what the witness told police and the DA in earlier interviews, Pifari said. The case triggered investigations into the actions of Spiers and the officers. The District Attorneys Office is required to investigate police use-of-force cases involving shootings, in-custody deaths and serious injuries. As far as the defense knows, the DA never told SFPD that they had obtained damning evidence against Spiers that would support his prosecution for (domestic violence), the defense motion states. Although it has the authority to do so, the DA itself never filed charges against Spiers for (domestic violence). On Sept. 17, 2020, police recommended that the domestic violence investigation into Spiers be deemed open/inactive pending further investigative leads and/or additional corroborating information, the defense motion states. Spiers has additionally filed a lawsuit against the city, which is pending in federal court. The suit claims that Spiers and his girlfriend were engaging in a loving embrace when San Francisco police officers suddenly attacked Mr. Spiers. Attorneys for Spiers said the beating resulted in a broken leg, a broken wrist and a laceration to his other leg that required stitches. 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. Danielle Harris, a San Francisco managing public defender who has represented dozens of people with police-inflicted injuries but is not involved in the Stangel case, called the defense motion confusing, in a variety of respects, and said the DAs office appears to have fulfilled its duty to disclose the evidence in question to Stangels defense team. Harris, who reviewed the motion, said I don't see anything that suggests Stangel has been deprived of the opportunity for a fair trial. The DA and police are not doing a tandem investigation when it comes to police misconduct, Harris said. An independent investigation of the police force is exactly what the public deserves. Pifari alleged that the prosecution of her client was politically motivated by Boudin, who ran a campaign on a platform of reforming the criminal justice system and prosecuting police for excessive uses of force. While Boudin filed the charges against Stangel in late 2020, the allegations against the DAs office investigator occurred both before and just after Boudin took office in January 2020. The District Attorneys Office is prosecuting six officers in five separate use-of-force cases. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy Political newcomer and state Assembly District 17 candidate Bilal Mahmood is under fire from some opponents for his sparse voting record. Voting records show Mahmood a scientist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and the youngest candidate in the race at 34 has voted in only six elections. They include the general elections in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2020, and the special election for the governors recall in 2021. By comparison, Mahmoods three contenders for the vacant Assembly seat representing the eastern side of San Francisco have long track records of voting in primaries and generals for local, state and national elections in the city, where they have all held elected positions. Mahmoods voting record was first reported by Mission Local. While Mahmood has lived in San Francisco since 2014, he was registered to vote in Santa Clara County at his parents home address until August 2020, according to the San Francisco Department of Elections. Four of his ballots were cast in Santa Clara County and two in San Francisco. That means he missed the primary election in March that year for the most recent race of David Chiu, whose shoes he hopes to fill in the Assembly. He did vote for Chiu in the 2020 general. Mahmoods only political experience is working for half a year in the Obama administration, but critics point out he didnt vote in Obamas 2008 primary. Mahmood said that win activated him, in college at the time, into politics. Mahmood, who is running on a platform of bringing innovation to government, called the attacks an example of political gatekeeping by more established opponents who are threatened by his run. He said like most Americans and San Franciscans he focused on presidential elections prior to becoming more politically engaged in the pandemic. Like other political newcomers who have similar voting history and challenge the status quo, I dont have a perfect voting record, he said. Similar attacks were made against outsider candidates and now U.S. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, he added. New York voting records show Ocasio-Cortez voted in Obamas primary in 2008, but otherwise cast a ballot only in general and presidential elections until the year before running for office. Bowman didnt vote in primaries until two years before running. But some of Mahmoods opponents say his minimal voting record matters as he aspires to an important higher office. Voting is our most basic civic duty and fundamental to democracy, said Supervisor Matt Haney in a statement. Voters expect that candidates for elected office regularly vote. ... Its really the bare minimum. Haney, 39, has voted in 22 elections spanning state, local and national races, records show. City College Trustee Thea Selby said Mahmoods record was disappointing. We expect people to be civically engaged prior to having the desire to run for office, she said. She brought up that Mahmood has put $300,000 of his own money into the campaign so far, saying, You can gain name recognition by working hard in the communities and getting to know people and listening for years and trying to make a difference, and you can gain name recognition by spending a lot of your own money. 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. Mahmood previously responded to criticism that his wealth could put him out of touch with voters by pointing to the fact that he was raised by immigrant parents who built their lives from the ground up. On his personal spending, he told The Chronicle he will do whatevers necessary to win. Selby, 58, pointed out that even before she entered elected office later in life, she voted regularly. Shes cast a ballot in 41 elections in San Francisco. David Campos, 51, has also voted in 41 elections. When asked to respond to criticism about Mahmoods voting record, Campos said his campaign is focused on building a coalition to advance the change California desperately needs, citing health care, climate and homelessness as priorities. Mahmood said he would continue to run a positive campaign. Were above that and should be focused on the issues, he said. Theres a pattern of political outsiders that make outsized change, and thats what we want to see. Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench San Franciscos Department of Building Inspection, an agency riddled with scandal and tarnished by a federal corruption investigation, will be led by a department veteran who has spent the past two years trying to restore faith in the beleaguered bureaucracy. On Friday, the citys Building Inspection Commission voted in closed session to appoint Patrick ORiordan to serve as the director of the Department of Building Inspection. The appointment was announced Tuesday by Mayor London Breed. ORiordan, a former carpenter and general contractor who joined DBI in 2000 as a field inspector, has been interim director for two years. He replaced Tom Hui, who resigned in March of 2020 after being suspended for allegedly accepting inappropriate gifts from property developer Li Zhang and permit expediter Walter Wong. From 2013 to 2020, ORiordan served as chief building inspector, overseeing 5,000 building inspections DBI performed monthly. I want to thank Patrick ORiordan for serving as interim director for the past two years, and I look forward to continuing working with him as we build on the progress we have made to further advance departmental reforms, said Breed. I know that Patrick will continue to lead and work with the city to restore public trust in our institutions. The appointment comes a week after City Attorney David Chiu released a report on alleged favoritism within the leadership at DBI. The report found no wrongdoing by ORiordan, who in May of last year introduced a reforms package to address past public integrity issues and improve training, oversight and transparency across the department. The reforms have resulted in expanded electronic plan review, which allowed more DBI customers to obtain permits online and put in place a remote queuing system aimed at cutting down on wait time for those seeking permits. As a result of these and other efforts, in the final three months of 2021, 60% of all over-the-counter permit applications were processed in just two days, according to Breed. But the appointment likely will face criticism from DBI critics on the Board of Supervisors who have introduced a charter amendment that would reform the Building Inspection Commission, which oversees the department that manages and enforces building, housing, plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes for San Franciscos more than 200,000 buildings. The charter amendment would strip the commission of its power to hire and fire the DBI director. Instead, the commission would recommend the director but the mayor would have final say on appointments. Under the proposed charter amendment, seats on the commission designated for specific industries or stakeholder groups such as the building industry would be eliminated. Supervisor Aaron Peskin, one of the sponsors of the commission reform charter amendment, said that it didnt make sense to appoint a new permanent DBI leader just a few months before voters weigh in on reforming the commission. He said that ORiordan may well be a good pick to lead the department but that the appointment was premature. 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. Its pretty unfortunate in my opinion it would have been so much cleaner if they had waited for the new commission, said Peskin. I dont think there is a soul in this town who doesnt realize that profound reforms need to be brought to the Department of Building Inspection. The ongoing corruption investigation at DBI has led to the indictment of former Building Inspection Commission president Rodrigo Santos, who has been charged by federal prosecutors with bank fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. In addition, former DBI senior building inspector Bernard Curran is facing a wire fraud charge. In addition to Peskin, the ballot measure was authored by Supervisor Myrna Melgar. Supervisors Hillary Ronen and Rafael Mandelman are co-sponsors. The entrenched web of corruption affecting our building permitting and inspection services has undermined public trust and endangered residents across The City, Ronen said in a statement when the measure was introduced. Unfortunately, there are people out there who are looking to take advantage of any loophole to make a quick buck. J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen The San Francisco Unified School District is overhauling the way it assigns new elementary students to schools. The biggest change to the system is in its zone-based structure families can apply only to schools within their designated zones instead of all district schools, which is possible under the current policy. At the crux of this change is that unconstrained choice allowing families to apply to all SFUSD schools resulted in unintended consequences, according to the district: Schools are segregated and some are underenrolled and disconnected from surrounding communities. The district believes the new changes will work to reverse some of these patterns. In December 2020, the Board of Education approved the new policy, set to take effect for kindergarten applicants for the 2024-2025 school year. Until then, SFUSD staff and a board subcommittee will finalize details including, most critically, drawing zone boundaries. The board will then vote on the final design in May. The systems for placing students in middle schools and high schools are separate from the elementary school process, and will not be changing. Under the current policy, families of new elementary students submit a ranked list of all the district schools to which they would like to apply. A computer algorithm then tries to place all students into their first-choice school. If there are more student requests than there are available seats at a school, the algorithm admits students based on a set of criteria: whether a student has an older sibling at the school, attended the associated preschool or lives in a neighborhood with low average test scores or in the schools attendance area. Students who qualify for these so-called tiebreakers are more likely to get into their higher-ranked schools. At the end of the process, some students remain unmatched with any school they requested. These students are automatically assigned to their neighborhood school or the closest school that has an opening. When the current system was approved back in 2010, the board hoped increased choice would reduce racial segregation within schools. In 2008, the district found that about a quarter of its schools were racially isolated at least 60% of its students were of a single race or ethnicity. But fast forward over a decade later, and the district has even more racially isolated schools. In the 2020-2021 school year, 28% of district schools had 60% or more of its students of a single race or ethnicity. This is despite having a diverse districtwide population 32% of SFUSD students are Hispanic, 30% are Asian, 14% are white and 7% are Black. When the district analyzed its data in 2016, it discovered that the current policy actually leads to more segregation than if students were simply assigned to their neighborhood schools. Of the 58 schools analyzed, they found 14 were racially isolated under the current assignment system. But when they ran a simulation where students were assigned to their neighborhood schools, they found eight fewer racially isolated schools. Our choice patterns are incredibly segregated. And under our current system, weve seen even more and more isolation, said Orla OKeeffe, the districts chief of policy and operations, at a Jan. 20 committee meeting. Youre more likely to have more diverse enrollment, even with the residential segregation, with a proximity-based system than you are with a choice-based system thats so filled with biases and racially isolated applicant pools. Parallel patterns play out when it comes to income. In the same school year, 50% of SFUSD students qualified for free or reduced lunch, but few schools reflected this district average. Of the elementary schools with at least 100 students, about a quarter had less than 30% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, with the smallest share (12%) at Clarendon Alternative Elementary. At the other end of the spectrum is Hillcrest Elementary, where 89% of students qualified for free or reduced lunch. One reason for increased segregation is the burden the current system places on families to shop for schools. The district has more than 70 elementary schools. Parsing through each schools materials and attending open houses is a daunting task, and families with more resources time, transportation and access to information are often better equipped to navigate the process. Under a zone-based approach, the number of schools to which a student can apply drops significantly. According to initial plans presented at a subcommittee board meeting on Jan. 20, each zone will include between 10 and 12 schools. According to Joseph Monardo, the project manager for the districts policy redesign, another issue with the current system is how students are categorized as living in a low test score area one of the tiebreakers that can get a student into one of their higher-ranked schools. To determine if a student is in a low test score area, the city looks to which census tract they live in (census tracts are areas of 2,000 to 8,000 people). Students living in the 20% of tracts with the lowest average standardized scores get a leg up. Neighborhoods with the benefitted tracts include Western Addition, the Mission, Bayview-Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley and Treasure Island. But while census tracts are geographically small and contain relatively few people they are not always racially and socioeconomically homogeneous. Therefore, using a single average for the tract may lead to some affluent students benefiting from the algorithm, while low-income students of color whom the process is intended to help may not be prioritized. To understand just how varied residents of a tract can be, we compared demographic characteristics of residents in each tract with those of smaller geographic units called census blocks. (Census blocks in San Francisco tend to look like city blocks.) We used data from the 2010 decennial census, and not from the more recent 2020 census, because of possible data quality issues with the 2020 block-level data. Our analysis found several highly segregated tracts. For instance, census tract 229.01 in the Mission District near Garfield Square shows 60% of residents identifying as Hispanic. But among the 19 blocks that make up the tract, one has 19% of residents identifying as Hispanic, while another just south of it has 98% Hispanic residents. 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. Its a similar case in tract 163 near Alamo Square Park in the Western Addition neighborhood. Of the 4,300 residents in the tract, 19% are Black. But the most northwest census block has 74% of residents identifying as Black, while a block at the other end of the tract has just 3% Black residents. The new policy addresses these issues by using block-level data when considering diversity-related criteria. Within zones, each city block will be assigned one of three diversity categories, depending on race, income, and the English-learner and special education status of district students. The new algorithm will then fill schools with students from blocks of different diversity categories, ensuring that enrollment reflects the school neighborhoods diversity. Along with increased diversity and closer community ties, San Francisco Unified anticipates the changes will also offer more transparency and predictability. Families that move into the district will now have a better idea of where their children will enroll, said OKeeffe. Like past assignment systems in the district, its possible the new policy may lead to unintended consequences and controversy. During the Jan. 20 subcommittee meeting in which SFUSD staff and board commissioners received feedback from the public, parents voiced concerns about how schools changing demographics would affect Title I funding grants given to schools with low-income students. Others urged the committee to consider diversifying teachers to reflect the student body and include diversity, equity and inclusion training for staff and students. But while some parents may balk at having fewer school choices, OKeeffe suggests the change and resulting benefits may actually encourage more families to enroll. (F)amilies (are) more likely to enroll in SFUSD and invest and have stronger connections with our schools if there is this predictability and proximity in the sense of community connection between schools and neighborhoods, said OKeeffe at the Jan. 20 committee meeting. Decreased student enrollment is one of many pandemic-related setbacks facing the SFUSD board. In less than a month, three of its commissioners face a recall election. If recalled, replacements will be appointed by Mayor London Breed before the next regular election in November of this year. Nami Sumida is a San Francisco Chronicle data visualization developer. Email: nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @namisumida halbergman/Getty Images/iStockphoto The San Mateo County Coroner's Office said Tuesday that the man who was shot and killed by police at the San Francisco International Airport on Jan. 20 was 37-year-old Nelson Waynezhi Szeto. Szeto, whose city of residence is unknown, died after a confrontation with police near the BART station entrance at the airport's International Terminal. Initial reports from officials said Szeto was armed with two handguns, but an investigation by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office later revealed that he had two airsoft guns. Google Street View The Tuolumne County District Attorney's Office filed murder charges Monday against a retired East Bay police officer in connection with the death of a 27-year-old Modesto woman in a head-on crash on State Route 49 in the California Sierra foothills. Theodore Young, 63, a former sergeant with the Pleasanton Police Department who lives in Sonora, was charged with the murder of Rebekah Gall, District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke wrote in an email to SFGATE. Young was also charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing brain injury with a prior DUI conviction and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher causing brain injury with a prior conviction. Jacom Stephens/Getty Images A Bay Area woman who was reportedly kidnapped and assaulted at gunpoint escaped from her alleged captors Sunday. Shortly after her escape, the two alleged sex traffickers, 33-year-old man from San Francisco and an 18-year-old woman from Stockton, were arrested in South San Francisco, police said in a statement Monday. The stench of decay made it difficult to breathe when the health inspector reached the Butchertown slaughterhouse. Animal parts were left forgotten on the cutting room floor, while blood dripped down to the shallow bay tides below. The building, like others in the area, stood on stilts over a creek that flowed into the bay, with trap doors for disposing of scraps and animal waste. As he continued to the bottom level, he was shocked to find hundreds of hogs squealing in filthy pens. They barely noticed his entrance, too busy eating discarded meat thrown down by the workers above. The inspection was part of an 1888 crackdown on San Franciscos slaughterhouse district, a stinking marshland south of the city. San Francisco was a filthy place in its early years, as laws and infrastructure struggled to keep up with the population boom. But of all the disgusting places in the young city, Butchertown was the worst. The neighborhood was the outcome of early zoning wars, when butchers and hog farms were forced to the outskirts of town. Once there, the butchers were generally ignored unless they caused a health crisis (or could be used as a scapegoat for one). One of those crises was in 1888 when a diphtheria outbreak focused the citys attention on slaughterhouse conditions. Inspectors sent by the health department werent prepared for what they found. San Francisco Public Library There is next to no water under these houses, and the foul and decaying refuse thrown out of them lies there exposed to the sun and air, and creating a most offensive and dangerous nuisance, Dr. Clinton, chairman of the committee assigned to investigating conditions in Butchertown, told The San Francisco Examiner. Close up to the front of these slaughter-houses we saw the bloated and rotting carcass of a dead sheep, half-buried in the mud, and which had evidently lain there many days. ... The stench arising from this magazine of festering and rotting animal matter all along Fifth avenue is simply horrible, and the air is laden with germs of disease and death. Dr. Clinton described the pens where the hogs were kept as loathsome dungeons and recommended that butchers be banned from keeping pigs under the slaughterhouses. He added that all unusable viscera be collected underneath the houses on nonabsorbent material and disposed of at the main channel between Alcatraz and Black Point. The motion was unanimously adopted, but did little to change sanitation practices in the neighborhood. --- OpenSFHistory / wnp36.03756 In 1847, the year before gold was discovered in California, San Francisco was a 450-person settlement; at the end of 1849, it was a lawless shantytown of 25,000. Within 20 years, 150,000 people would call the city home. Pigs and raw sewage both ran freely in the streets. Newly minted barons built great stone buildings downtown, while cholera, fire and vigilante mobs periodically swept the tents and wooden shacks around them. Seeing pigs, cows and mules in dense urban spaces was pretty typical of a lot of 19th-century environments, but the rapid pace at which San Francisco urbanized made it particularly visible, said Andrew Robichaud, assistant professor of history and the director of undergraduate studies at Boston University. As a newly empowered city government sought to bring order and sanitation to the city, slaughterhouses were one of the earliest battlegrounds in the zoning wars. OpenSFHistory / wnp36.01433 The sounds of death and suffering are hard things to encounter, said Robichaud, who wrote about Butchertown in his book Animal City. These are very unpleasant places, and they clash very much with an emerging urban culture that is seeking cleanliness and refinement. In 1853, a group of slaughterhouse owners requested permission to consolidate their operations to an area so remote from the inhabited part of the city that they couldnt be a public nuisance Mission Bay. They built their new abattoirs on stilts over Mission Creek, which ran through the city, allowing workers to dump gore through trap doors and let daily tides wash it into Mission Bay. The arrangement worked well enough that, in 1859, the city forced the rest of the abattoirs and tanneries to move there, too. As the city kept growing, though, residential areas soon pushed up against the industrial wasteland, with its bay full of rotting corpses and animal waste. In 1869, the city once again ordered Butchertown to pick up shop and move south, this time to an 80-acre plot of marshland eventually known as Bayview. The butchers built their slaughterhouses on stilts over Islais Creek, the primary outlet for city sewers, to wash directly into the San Francisco Bay. Hog ranches, too, were banished to Bayview. Rats and street dogs soon followed. When the pollution of the abattoirs washed up at Chinese shrimp farms in nearby Hunters Point, city officials were quick to pick a side. I look at the ways in which these are really about social relationships and relationships of social power, Robichaud said. Shrimpers are forced to shut down to accommodate the butchering industries, which are mostly entirely white. --- Pushing the butchers out of town may have hidden conditions from city dwellers, but it certainly didnt improve the sanitation practices. The worthless portion of animal bodies, said one observer in 1881, if not dumped into the bay, are fed to hogs, which, in turn, yield to the same knife, wrote Robichaud in Animal City. A year after Dr. Clinton shared his appalling report of the slaughterhouse conditions and its surroundings, Butchertown made headlines when the San Francisco Examiner reported that tainted meat from diseased cows was being sold throughout San Francisco in 1889. According to the story, shop owners who wanted low-cost goods often purchased the infected meat from various sellers in the early hours of the morning to avoid suspicion from inspectors. The meat from these places is distributed in all of the poorer quarters of the city and sold to that class of people who desire to get their food as cheaply as possible, the San Francisco Examiner reported. It is taken by the jobbers at the earliest possible hour in the morning to the different butcher shops ... where it is stored in little back rooms by the retailer in pieces so small that its diseased condition will pass unnoticed. OpenSFHistory / wnp26.2041 San Franciscos butcher owners quickly responded that the meat must have come from Oakland, but one leading San Francisco meat buyer told the paper that after 13 years of sourcing meat from Butchertown and Oakland, he found that meat from Oakland kept well for two to five days longer than that of San Francisco. You bring me two pieces of meat and I can tell simply from the appearance which came from Butchertown and which from a clean slaughter-house, the shopkeeper told the paper. To settle the matter, a reporter from the San Francisco Examiner went undercover in 1889 to investigate one of the abattoirs and reported seeing tuberculosis-ridden cow intestines on the floor, covered with tubercles varying in size from a pea to a walnut. --- California State Library For decades, unsanitary conditions provided fertile grounds for an enormous population of rats. As the tide rose, the bay rushed in under the shacks to sweep away the offal, wrote Marylin Chase in her book The Barbary Plague. At high tide, it was a floating banquet for rats who swam up to dine. Fans of rat-baiting, the sport of betting how many rats a dog could kill at once, prized Butchertown rats for their size and viciousness. But at the turn of the century, plague came to San Francisco, turning rats from an unsightly truth of urban life to public enemy No. 1. Rupert Blue, a federal public health expert, led the eradication efforts, with a particular focus on Butchertown. Between 1900 and 1907, California officials spent about $2 million to trap and kill rats in San Francisco and Oakland. Some of the butchers tried to placate the federal doctors by staging a theatrical cleanup, Chase wrote. Before a crowd of invited reporters, the butchers unleashed a gang of boys to beat on their wooden walls with sticks, driving grey herds of rats out into the open, where men poured boiling water on the animals. Whether the Butchertown rat crusade had any effect on the plague, given its distance from the city, it certainly put the spotlight on conditions in the slaughterhouses. Days before the earthquake, the city council proposed banning the butchers from dumping offal into the bay. San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library But the earthquake put any decisions on hold because all of the slaughterhouses collapsed into Islais Creek. Fires, meanwhile, razed the remaining structures. In the aftermath, the city dumped rubble from the entire city into Islais Creek, reshaping the neighborhood and turning much of the marsh into buildable land. Some butchers and stockyards reopened (indeed, the last slaughterhouse didnt leave the city until 1971), but other industries came to dominate the area. During World War II, the neighborhood was used as a shipyard by the Navy, with a predominantly Black labor force. That work contaminated the ground with radiation a problem that plagues residents to this day. There's a really sort of dark history there in the ways racism plays out in this landscape for what people in power in San Francisco deem to be undesirable to the city, Robichaud says of the Bayview. There's very troubling history there. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apologized Tuesday for invoking Anne Frank to imply Jews had more freedoms during the Holocaust than unvaccinated Americans do today - remarks that drew a public backlash and criticism from Kennedy's wife. Kennedy had referenced Frank, a child who died in a Nazi concentration camp, while speaking in front of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday at an anti-vaccine rally. "Even in Hitler's Germany, you could cross the Alps to Switzerland. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did," said Kennedy, a longtime opponent of vaccines who has spread unsupported claims about shots shown to protect against covid-19. On Tuesday, after intense criticism, he tweeted that to "the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry." "I apologize for my reference to Anne Frank, especially to families that suffered the Holocaust horrors," wrote Kennedy, the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., and nephew of President John F. Kennedy. "My intention was to use examples of past barbarism to show the perils from new technologies of control." Even before the pandemic, Kennedy's statements on vaccines and support for conspiracy theories put him at odds with family members, health professionals and historians. Some social media platforms have banned him. But his speech Sunday drew especially strong condemnation. The Auschwitz Memorial expressed anger at his comments in a tweet without naming him. "Exploiting . . . the tragedy of people who suffered, were humiliated, tortured & murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany - including children like Anne Frank - in a debate about vaccines & limitations during global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral & intellectual decay." The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum released a similar statement. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted that the statements were "deeply inaccurate, deeply offensive and deeply troubling." Kennedy's wife, actress Cheryl Hines, also distanced herself from his remarks. "My husband's opinions are not a reflection of my own," she tweeted. "While we love each other, we differ on many current issues." David Nasaw, a retired history professor who wrote a book about Kennedy's grandfather, said Kennedy was cordial, down-to-earth and intelligent when he met him in person in 2011. Nasaw said he gave Kennedy the benefit of the doubt when the son supported the release of his father's killer or when he backed inaccurate views about vaccines. "But it is beyond the pale," Nasaw said about Kennedy's remarks on Frank in a phone interview. "Was the speech scripted? Did he write it? Or is it because he saw that '60 Minutes' had done something recently about Anne Frank?" he added, referring to the CBS news show's airing of an investigation about who might have turned Frank and her family in to Nazi authorities. In a statement a Kennedy spokeswoman sent to the Associated Press on Monday, he said he "compared no one to the Nazis or Adolf Hitler." "I referred to Anne Frank's terrible two year ordeal only by way of showing that modern surveillance capacity would make her courageous feat virtually impossible today," Kennedy said. It was not the first time Kennedy invoked the Holocaust in reference to vaccines. In 2015, he said of vaccinations: "They get the shot, that night they have a fever of a hundred and three, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone. This is a holocaust, what this is doing to our country." For years, Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and author, has publicly supported the baseless claim that vaccines cause autism. They do not. In 2005, Kennedy incorrectly wrote in an article published in Rolling Stone and Salon that an ingredient in some new vaccines, thimerosal, was dangerous and that the government was hiding its links to autism. Rolling Stone issued several corrections. Salon retracted the story from its website. Kennedy expanded the article into a book published in 2014. Such views have invited rebukes from other family members, including one from niece Kerry Kennedy Meltzer, an internal medicine resident physician. In an opinion piece for the New York Times in December 2020, when coronavirus vaccines were first being rolled out, Meltzer said she loved her uncle. "But when it comes to vaccines, he is wrong," she wrote. In a 2019 opinion piece for Politico Magazine, Kennedy's siblings and a different niece noted how President Kennedy had signed the 1962 Vaccination Assistance Act, to highlight that Kennedy Jr.'s inaccurate statements on vaccines were worsening a measles outbreak in the country at the time. Barbara Perry, director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia's Miller Center and a Kennedy family scholar, said she suspected Robert Kennedy Jr.'s opposition to vaccine mandates came from his work as an environmentalist. He has campaigned against pollutants, such as mercury, that contaminate food sources, Perry said in an interview. "Clearly he doesn't want people poisoned in the environment by pollutants," she said. "In his mind, I guess, it's a pretty easy step to [think] not poisoning the body through vaccination." - - - The Washington Post's Hannah Knowles contributed to this report. By Jesse Bedayn CalMatters Bradley Fisher, a 62-year-old retired mechanic, lived in a Bay Area nursing home for 14 years. Entering at age 39, Fisher had been partially paralyzed when bone spurs severed tendons in his spine. After a few years of rehabilitation, Fisher said, he could have lived at home with proper care. "You don't need to be here," Fisher remembers a certified nursing assistant telling him around 2005, seven years in, as he sat in his wheelchair in the facility's cafeteria. "You got all your faculties." "Yeah," Fisher replied, "but I don't know how to get out." While elder care advocates sound the alarm about patient "dumping" by some California nursing homes - kicking out their mentally ill or bereft patients who need stable housing and care - a parallel dilemma is also threatening vulnerable residents: how to get out of a nursing home. The vast majority of people admitted to California skilled nursing facilities stay for less than three months to rehabilitate a broken limb or recover from a stroke or other ailment, according to the California Association of Health Facilities, an industry trade group. After these short-term stays, residents typically return home. But for thousands of poor nursing home residents, like Fisher, a temporary stay can become indefinite. Saddled with hefty Medicare copayments that can reach $5,000 a month - and later stripped of Social Security income, diverted to pay ongoing nursing home costs - they are often unable to hang onto their former housing. They become effectively stranded, with Medi-Cal and Social Security paying for housing and daily living in the facility. COVID has only intensified the urgency some residents feel to leave their nursing homes, where more than 73,000 have been infected and 9,522 have died as of Jan. 17, according to the California Department of Public Health. The department and Gov. Gavin Newsom have faced criticism of the state's nursing home oversight as the public health crisis deepened and the death count climbed. "Everybody wants out right now," said Karen Stuckey, who has been transitioning residents out of nursing homes and into the community for 11 years with the nonprofit Choice in Aging. "They're just there because they have no place to go." Over 9% of California nursing home residents, an estimated 37,000, have low-level care needs and could potentially live in the community, according to a 2017 estimate by the American Association of Retired Persons. In the organization's 2020 long-term services scorecard, which analyzed the quality of life, living options and nursing home transitions in every state, California ranked 35th in "effective transitions." Federal regulations require nursing home staff to ask residents four times a year about their health and welfare - including whether they would like to speak to someone about leaving the facility. The requirement was adopted in 2010 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which regulates nursing homes that receive federal money. At the state level, the California Department of Public Health is tasked with ensuring that homes meet both federal and state rules. If residents answer "yes" to the question of leaving - or ask to leave without any prompting - they are supposed to be referred to a program that can fund and organize their moves back into the community. But thousands of residents' appeals for help moving out have gone unanswered. In 2020, California nursing home residents made nearly 14,500 requests to learn about moving back into the community, according to data from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Only a third of those requests were fulfilled, the federal data show. And, CalMatters found, there are few consequences for nursing homes who fail to ensure residents' requests are granted. The California Department of Public Health does not penalize facilities that fail to follow through on residents' requests. Nicole Howell investigates nursing home complaints as the Contra Costa County ombudsman, part of a statewide program that assists residents in long-term care facilities. "You would be shocked by the number of residents who could live in a much less institutional level of care," she said. "Unless an ombudsman comes across it and knows to ask, people just end up languishing there." The California Department of Public Health declined CalMatters' request for an interview. In an unsigned email response, the department wrote: "Our goal is to ensure that any nursing home resident that wishes to return to the community has the ability to do so. This is not always possible to achieve." The department said it enforces all applicable regulatory requirements and ensures residents' rights are protected. Deborah Pacyna, spokeswoman for the California Association of Health Facilities, said the issue "is not on our radar. "There are so many more important issues surrounding life and death matters, especially more recently," she said of the devastation caused by the pandemic. "We need to be doing a better job, I mean, that's the bottom line." The association represents some 900 of the state's 1,223 nursing homes, which care for about 400,000 residents a year. After CalMatters' interview with Pacyna, the association sent a letter to its 7,000 members reminding them of the transitions program. "Eligible individuals of all ages with physical and mental disabilities have an opportunity to participate in (the transition program)," the association said in the June 10 letter. Transitions deemed a civil right The idea that nursing home residents should be able to transition back home -- and get help in doing so -- isn't just on somebody's wish list. It's a civil right. In 1999, a U.S. Supreme Court decision gave people with disabilities living in nursing homes the civil right to live in the community, if they are able and want to do so. The court's reasoning was that "unnecessary institutional segregation... severely diminishes individuals' everyday life activities," wrote then-Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After the ruling, the federal government founded Money Follows the Person in 2008, a program that helps pay for residents to leave facilities and find housing. (In California, the federal program is called California Community Transitions.) California has 18 transition programs charged with finding affordable housing; paying for a resident's deposit, first month's rent and furnishings; and organizing in-home care. Nationally, the program has moved nearly 100,000 nursing home residents back into the community since 2008, including some 4,000 in California. Though an average of $8,000 is needed to transition one resident, that person's Medi-Cal costs drop from $85,000 a year to $18,000 on average, once outside the nursing home, according to the state Department of Health Care Services, which manages the program in California. "Nobody gets up in the morning and goes, 'Bucket list, I hope I break my hip today and go to a nursing home for the rest of my life,'" said Karen Jones, ombudsman in San Luis Obispo County, "and yet we have a huge expense to make people have that bucket list item." Those seniors who do make it out report a higher quality of life and are estimated to have saved California taxpayers hundreds of millions in Medi-Cal costs, according to a 2017 report to congress. The program is some clients' only hope for life in the community again, said Stuckey, who has had clients burst into tears on their first steps out of the facility. But in California and elsewhere, the number of residents whose requests are being neglected is most likely a "gross underestimate," said Kelly Bagby, vice president at the AARP Foundation Litigation Team. Bagby's team is suing states for failing to protect residents' right to live outside a facility. "When a state knows that it's not working, that only a small fraction of people are even aware that they have this right," she said, "then the state has failed." Stuck in the 'poverty pipeline' In 2019, Virgil Steele was walking in Oxnard when he tweaked his neck and his right arm went limp -- "like rubber," he said. Ever since a camper shell dropped on Steele's neck two decades earlier, small neck injuries required surgery and rehabilitation. At the time, the 62-year-old disabled mechanic was living out of his Volkswagen Bug, parked at the shop where he helped repair motorcycles from his wheelchair. Now he needed hospitalization. On that day, Steele entered what elder care advocate Karen Stuckey calls the "poverty pipeline." As she describes it, this is a common scenario where people are injured, then shunted from the hospital to a nursing home where copays and required shared costs drain their coffers. After a week in the hospital, Steele was discharged to an area nursing home. There, Medicare covered Steele's bill -- but only for the first 20 days. After that, Medicare reduced its payment to 80% and Steele, like all nursing home residents, was responsible for the remainder -- which can reach $5,000 a month. Already short on funds, Steele qualified for Medi-Cal, the state's low-income insurance, which picked up the 20% copayment. After three months of rehabilitation, a patient's status becomes long-term care and Medicare stops paying altogether; now Medi-Cal foots the entire bill. But Medi-Cal, the ostensibly free insurance, has a price. Once in long-term care, every cent of a nursing home resident's Social Security Income, save for a $35 monthly allowance, is taken to help pay for the daily costs of living in the nursing home, such as food, housing and utilities. Steele couldn't pay rent for space to park his car on $35 a month. Eventually, his Volkswagen was towed, along with all his belongings, to pay off the rental debt. "I lost everything," he said. Failure to pay rent is the leading reason nursing home residents lose their housing, according to several transition organizations. By July 2020, the nursing home's social worker linked Steele with a transition program called LIFE Incorporated in Camarillo, north of Los Angeles. But as preparations began to move him, medical dividers were raised in the facility's hallways, staff donned PPE suits, and bodies were carried past him in blue bags. "I was tempted to run," Steele said. "I was trapped there and the COVID was coming to get me." Just before that Christmas of 2020, he was infected with the virus. On Christmas Day, his adult children called, but he couldn't bring himself to tell them his diagnosis. That evening, the staff gave him peppermints and a Christmas card. Steele, now 64, survived and was moved to an apartment in Oxnard a few months later. Though he's thankful to be outside the facility, his life's belongings are gone. "When I left the (facility) I didn't have anything anymore," he said, "I don't have anything now." No penalty for transition failures In California, the Department of Public Health does not regulate how quickly a facility should refer a resident to a transition program. And it doesn't cite or fine a home for failing to refer. In 2020, two-thirds of California residents' requests weren't referred at all, according to federal data. "The obligation to make the referral is explicit," said Bagby, referring to the mandatory survey. But without a state regulation spelling out a timetable, she said, "the state can't sanction facilities that don't make the referral." Representatives of several California transition programs said the lack of consequences leaves residents at the whim of nursing homes. A 2016 report by the U.S. Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights found that most nursing homes "never ask, or nearly never ask" residents the question about their rights and living options. The federal investigation concluded that nursing staff weren't properly trained and misinterpreted the quarterly survey's instructions. The agency recommended that nursing homes invite California Community Transition programs to present to residents and staff every six months. Representatives of eight transition programs in California, which cover more than 700 nursing homes, told CalMatters that only three facilities had ever requested a presentation. DeAnn Walters, a former nursing home administrator who is now at the California Association of Health Facilities, said she doesn't recall the federal report and recommendations. The California Department of Public Health, which routinely issues "All Facilities Letters" about new requirements or regulatory changes, did not address the report's findings and recommendations. In its unsigned email response to CalMatters, the department wrote: "Recommendations by any entity do not mandate the issuing of an All Facility Letter." Advocates worry it can be a conflict of interest for nursing homes to be responsible for referring residents out of their facilities. A Medicare resident brings a facility substantially more in federal money than the state provides through its Medi-Cal program for low-income Californians. To even be eligible for transition services, a resident must qualify for Medi-Cal. Once nursing homes understand that California Community Transitions won't likely move their more lucrative Medicare patients, said Stuckey, "They love what we do, and they want to refer." Jules Boddie, a 69-year-old retired state clerk who entered a Sacramento nursing home in 2018, said he lost his housing while awaiting transition help. "It's just like being put in a box and forgotten," he said. Boddie said he repeatedly asked for help returning home but waited more than a year and a half before getting any assistance. The facility's former director of nursing told CalMatters that, to her knowledge, Boddie never relayed such requests to staff. She produced quarterly assessments showing that Boddie had declined offers to receive help moving out. Boddie, who is on Medi-Cal, said he has no memory of this. But help eventually came. In the fall of 2020, he said, a new social worker came on board and quickly referred him to Choice in Aging, which placed him on a waitlist for affordable housing. One week before Boddie moved into temporary housing, he was infected with COVID-19. As he gasped for air in the hospital, his new room was given to the next person on the waitlist. He said he cautioned other residents: "You have a life outside the nursing home. Don't give up on it." He was moved out of the facility and into shared housing in Sacramento on July 30. 'The most peaceful I've ever been' Even with the urgency of a pandemic, transitioning just one resident takes seven months on average, the Department of Health Care Services told CalMatters. Transition program workers say they face a gantlet of state regulations, reams of paperwork and affordable housing waitlists that can stretch five years. "It's such a process," said Stuckey, "that unless they already have housing, we really have no control over it." The U.S. Supreme Court determined that, for patients hoping to transition, states must provide enough affordable housing so the waiting lists move at a "reasonable" pace. The Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends states keep wait times below two years, but in California, the average wait time is more than 2 and 1/2 years. The governor's Master Plan for Aging, released in January 2021, includes initiatives to expand affordable housing for seniors with $250 million in proposed funding. That could shorten waitlists for nursing home residents who've lost their housing. Funding for Money Follows the Person ended in 2018, and Congress has passed five short-term extensions. The latest will keep the program running until 2027. With funding shaky, nationwide transitions between 2018 and 2019 plummeted to 5,000, dropping below 10,000 for the first time since 2012. California reduced its transitions to under half of its 2014-2016 transitions, according to a 2020 report by the Community Living Policy Center. Last year, the California Department of Health Care Services received a $5 million federal grant to help identify nursing home residents eligible to transition, like Bradley Fisher. Over Fisher's 14 years in the Bay Area facility, staff never asked him if he wanted to move out, he said, and did not inform him of his civil right to do so. The facility's administrator told CalMatters in an email that records of Fisher's quarterly surveys aren't available. Fisher said he began taking antidepressants while inside the home. "I felt like I was stuck," he said. "I even thought that playing bingo would get me out of this funk, but it never did. Nothing would." In 2012, a fellow resident told Fisher about a woman named Karen Stuckey, who was organizing that resident's move out of the nursing home. "She can get you out, too," Fisher remembers him saying. Months later, Fisher was moved to a shared apartment in Antioch. Initially rocked by anxiety after leaving his home of 14 years -- and hospitalized twice with panic attacks -- Fisher stuck it out. "It's the most peaceful I've ever been," he said. "I feel like a knot in my gut has been removed." This story originated with the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley, with SCAN Foundation funding. Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. By Lorraine Gabbert San Jose Spotlight South Bay schools are facing increased challenges with student and staff absences as the COVID-19 omicron variant spreads. Despite that, it's unlikely schools will close like they did at the start of the pandemic. State law requires schools to continue with in-person learning or face funding cuts. Maria Clayton, spokesperson for the California Department of Education, told San Jose Spotlight in order to get state funding, public schools must provide in-person instruction. The state's provision for distance learning expired on June 30, 2021. Last year, lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 130, allowing students to complete their academics outside the classroom through independent study. But school districts can't just shift students to independent study due to staffing shortages, said Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County superintendent of schools. Under state public health guidance, as well as the education code, schools are expected to provide in-person learning, she said. "The goal is to be the least disruptive to children," Dewan told San Jose Spotlight, "so children can continue to come to school." She said studies showed that during distance learning, students suffered negative impacts such as social isolation, lack of learning and engagement and a negative impact on their social relationships. Some parents and students of Pioneer High School in the San Jose Unified School District said they prefer in-person learning. Parent Genet Afewerki said having her three children learning from home was difficult and fraught with interruptions. She said they benefit emotionally from being able to socialize with friends. "Last year was the worst," Afewerki said. "This year is much better in person." Student Roma Smith agreed, saying she finds herself much more engaged in the classroom setting. COVID in local schools San Jose Unified School District is averaging more than 200 positive COVID-19 cases per day, according to spokesperson Jennifer Maddox. From Jan. 14 to Jan. 24, the district has had 1,746 reported infections from students and staff -- roughly 6 percent of the total population of students and staff of approximately 30,500. "Our schools remain open and would only close due to COVID if ordered to do so by the public health department," the district said in a statement. Although the school district requires masking, a high number of positive cases is "significantly straining" its ability to cover employee absences, especially for teachers and instructional assistants, the district said in a statement. To address staffing absences, school districts must place substitutes, principals and other qualified staff in classrooms. In Palo Alto, some parents are volunteering to help fill absences. SJUSD is offering COVID PCR testing at schools and is distributing home antigen test kits. A negative result is required for students and employees to return after five days of isolation, along with no fever for 24 hours and improving or no symptoms. As of Jan. 6, the school administered more than 2,000 PCR tests to students and employees and sent home almost 17,000 antigen test kits. East Side Union High School District Superintendent Glenn Vander Zee said during distance learning the district saw a learning loss and an impact on mental health. He said the district will continue to follow guidelines and do whatever it can to keep students safe, including masking, encouraging vaccinations, ventilation, close contract tracing and quarantine. "We're seeing increased rates with the omicron variant, but are continuing to take measures as a community to stay safe," he said. "We take this all very seriously." East Side Union High School District reported 27 of its 2,167 staff and 397 of 22,042 students tested positive for COVID-19 from Jan. 14 to Jan. 24, lower than previous weeks. Hilaria Bauer, Alum Rock Union School District superintendent, said the school district has not considered returning to distance learning. "Our students need the ability to learn in the school environment," Bauer told San Jose Spotlight. "In-person learning is the best way to learn." Students are also safer in school with responsible individuals monitoring them, she added. "Some students are left at home to care for younger siblings," Bauer said, "or left alone altogether if parents have to work. Many students end up in the community at the store or in the streets without adult supervision and become infected." About 25 percent of Alum Rock Union School District students are currently absent, compared to its usual 96 to 97 percent attendance, she said. To fight COVID-19, the school district has increased the amounts of KN95 masks for all staff, as well as access to rapid testing and pool testing at all sites, Bauer said. "We are following all the guidelines to be able to confront the surge in infection," Bauer said, "as well as to keep our schools open." Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. San Jose gun owners could be required to purchase liability insurance and pay an annual fee on their weapons under an ordinance the city council is expected to approve this week. The proposed ordinance would require gun owners to pay an annual fee of roughly $25 as well as administrative costs to the city. Gun owners would also be required to maintain liability insurance in the event their gun is used for violence or a crime. Mayor Sam Liccardo, who introduced the two proposals last June after a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employee killed nine of his co-workers and himself, likened the insurance requirement to motorists having car insurance. Caltrans officials will host a public Zoom meeting Tuesday to discuss the possible widening of State Route 37, which stretches between U.S. Highway 101 in Marin County and Interstate Highway 80 in Solano County. Caltrans officials say the two-lane highway has become a critical commuter corridor over the years and its infrastructure has not changed to adjust to the heavy traffic. The Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project will cover 10.4 miles of road that are currently subject to congestion, flooding, sea level rise, extreme weather and ecological issues, according to Caltrans officials. The Concord City Council will decide Tuesday whether to allow a cannabis storefront retail operation to move into the Park & Shop strip mall. Santa Barbara-based Coastal Retail wants to occupy 1847 Willow Pass Road, becoming the third retail cannabis storefront operation in Concord. The city adopted an ordinance in 2020 to allow three such adult-use only establishments in the city, along with manufacturers, non-storefront retail, distributors and microbusinesses. The city received 21 proposals for their limited storefront permits. Coastal was one of three chosen, along with Authentic Concord and Culture Club Corporate Enterprise. A strike involving more than 1,600 essential Santa Cruz County workers was averted late Monday evening, union officials said. After almost eight months of negotiations and an all-day effort Monday, the workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 521 and the county reached a tentative agreement. Workers will vote on the agreement in the coming week and then it will go before the Board of Supervisors to be ratified. A 22-year-old man from Stockton was found guilty last week in connection with a scheme to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars from a church in Stockton, San Joaquin County prosecutors said. On Jan. 21, Ashton Stombres was found guilty of conspiracy and grand theft charges and received an aggravated white-collar crime enhancement for causing a loss of more than $500,000. Stombres along with his co-defendants Elizabeth Stombres, John Wood and James Wood had embezzled funds from Eastside Church of Christ of Stockton after the church building was sold. At the time, John Wood was pastor of the Eastside Church of Christ of Stockton and his son and daughter, Elizabeth and James, sat on the Board of Trustees. The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Monday evening include: Three dozen COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at Santa Rosa's Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter this month, with more than 120 residents at the shelter exposed to the virus, according to the city. City officials and Catholic Charities, which operates the city-owned shelter, confirmed the first two positive cases on Jan. 4. Since then, 121 residents have been exposed and 36 have tested positive, as of Thursday. The most recent positive test was Tuesday, according to the city. None of the infected shelter residents have been hospitalized. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted a concerned-shareholder resolution to the RH Company on Monday, requesting clarification about the sourcing of down feathers for its products. PETA said it owns stock in the home furnishing chain RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, and the animal welfare group would like to see "more transparency" behind the company's claim that it only uses "responsibly sourced" feathers, as it claims on its corporate website. The PETA resolution calls for greater sourcing transparency so that both PETA members and RH customers can be assured that there are no animal welfare violations happening in RH's supply chain, PETA spokesperson Robin Goist said. Police in Richmond are investigating after a Vallejo man was fatally shot Saturday afternoon. The shooting was reported about 1:30 p.m. in the 500 block of Duboce Avenue, a residential street a few blocks from Shields-Reid Park. The victim, identified as Stephen Espadron, 38, was found with multiple gunshot wounds, said Richmond police Sgt. Aaron Pomeroy. Emergency crews responded, but Espadron died at the scene. A 50-year-old man was shot to death Monday afternoon outside a liquor store in Antioch, police said. Numerous people called 911 at 2:16 p.m. to report that gunshots had been fired outside Super Wine and Liquor at 2958 Delta Fair Blvd. People also told dispatchers that a person was on the ground in the parking lot, according to police. The person on the ground appeared to have been shot and was in critical condition, police said they were told. The California Highway Patrol reopened the westbound lanes of Interstate Highway 80 at the Carquinez Bridge in Vallejo early Tuesday, more than seven hours after the lanes were closed due to police activity. The CHP closed the westbound lanes shortly before 6 p.m. Monday and reopened them at 1:27 a.m. Tuesday. No further information was immediately available about the incident. A new policy at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office will encourage employees to take language classes in order to better serve crime victims who speak a language other than English, District Attorney Chesa Boudin said on Monday. Under the policy, starting this week, staff members who regularly work with crime victims, witnesses and survivors will be allowed to take language classes at City College of San Francisco during their work hours. Boudin said the new policy is needed since, according to city data from 2019, 42 percent of San Franciscans speak a language other than English at home. He said the policy will ensure that these people can better navigate the legal system. The Colorado Fire in Monterey County was 40 percent contained late Monday evening, Cal Fire officials said. The fire started Friday evening in Palo Colorado Canyon in Big Sur and had consumed 700 acres as of about 8 p.m. Monday. One structured has been damaged by the fire. It has not injured or killed anyone, according to Cal Fire. State Highway 1 is closed from Garrapata Creek to Point Sur. Two people were arrested Sunday morning in South San Francisco following the discovery that a young woman had been kidnapped and trafficked, police said Monday. Clifford Lawrence, 33, of San Francisco, and Ayda Elshawa, 18, of Stockton were arrested following a welfare check on the victim who allegedly escaped from her captors. Officers responded at 6 a.m. to South Airport Boulevard and Wondercolor Lane to conduct the welfare check on a 22-year-old woman. She was physically assaulted by a person armed with a gun, according to police. Silicon Valley's unemployment rate as of the middle of last month was on par with the rate just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Bay Area, according to Joint Venture Silicon Valley's Institute for Regional Studies. Last month's unemployment rate was 2.9 percent, down 2.8 percentage points from January 2021 and 9.2 percentage points from April 2020, just after the pandemic took hold in the region. Since then and the associated job losses, Silicon Valley has added 184,000 jobs, while 42,600 were still unemployed as of mid-December. The National Weather Service forecast for the San Francisco Bay Area calls for mostly sunny skies Tuesday, with daytime highs expected in the high 50s to low 60s, with overnight lows for most areas in the low to mid 40s and dipping into the high 30s in the East Bay's interior valleys. Dry and mild weather will persist until Friday, when temperatures begin to cool. The next chance of rain will be near the end of the month into early February. Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Succeeding as a contestant on "Jeopardy!" requires a breadth of knowledge that spans from ancient history to the latest pop culture. One might then think that the best contestants would be those who have studied a wide range of subjects, masters of none whose college years were defined by a grab bag of liberal arts courses. There have undoubtedly been countless "Jeopardy!" champions with liberal arts degrees (Brad Rutter, Julia Collins and Matt Jackson come to mind), but it turns out that many of the shows winningest champions, including current champ Amy Schneider of Oakland, werent collecting abstruse elective credits in college but rather studying a topic that rarely comes into play when standing on stage: computer science. In addition to Schneider (who told SFGATE in November that shed just switched back from a managerial position to writing code), the list of CS champions is long and distinguished. Matt Amodio, who held the second-longest winning streak until Schneider surpassed him Monday night, is pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science from Yale University. Andrew He, a software engineer from San Francisco, won five straight games in November of 2021. Roger Craig, who held the highest single-day winnings for nearly 10 years, has a Ph.D. in comp sci from University of Delaware. The person who broke Craigs record, James Holzhauer, didnt study CS, but his mathematics degree is close enough to mention. And of course, Ken Jennings, winner of 74 consecutive matches and current host of the show, worked as a software developer during his epic streak. Though correlation doesnt necessarily mean causation, its something that fans of the show have often observed Its definitely something that Ive noticed, says Andy Saunders, who runs the website The Jeopardy Fan. Theres two advantages. From the computing and analytics side of things, if you consider clues and responses to be bits of data, [computer engineers] are already used to processing large amounts of data. That can carry over in terms of the best way of betting, and wheres the Daily Double likely to be, that in itself is kind of an advantage a computer person would have when it comes to Jeopardy! Its also how an engineers brain works, he continues. Often, engineers are very curious about how things work the way they do in the world. That natural curiosity about the world is well-suited to learning and appreciating information in general. The way an engineering-minded brain always looks to understand the root of a problem might also give them an edge, since theyre not just remembering a discrete fact but have made a series of connections that increase likelihood of recall (this is also a key to remembering internet passwords). Another person with some theories as to why computer scientists make such natural champions is J. P. Allen, a University of San Francisco professor who holds a Ph.D. in computer science and appeared in the "Jeopardy! Professors Tournament" in the fall. I dont think its the content of computer science, says Allen. Theres not that much computer science content on Jeopardy! And you saw Matt Amodio miss a question about the Turing Award, which is sort of the Nobel Prize of computer science, so its not about that CS knowledge. The way they write the clues, its kind of a puzzle to solve. Its not just fact recall necessarily. Because they give you a lot of little clues along the way. You can see it a lot more with Matt Amodio, but also with Amy, they buzz in and then they think they should get it, and you see them for a second or two solving the puzzle and figuring out the answer rather than just recalling it from their brain. Armando Fox, a CS professor at UC Berkeley who hasnt yet been on Jeopardy! but who did compete on a similar trivia show in the 1990s called Win Ben Steins Money, agreed with Allen. CS tends to attract people who enjoy deep diving into a problem. They enjoy keeping a lot of different bits of information in their heads simultaneously as they navigate how to solve a hard problem, Fox points out. I think those same people also get sucked into things like reading. My colleagues in CS certainly have a reading range thats incredibly wide, but its also deep. They find something theyre interested in and go at it with laser focus. Fox went on to describe the immense amount of reading required when researching computer science topics. Youre sort of building up this corpus of knowledge in your head, and at some point, youre like, Oh, those two pieces could go together in that way. Nobody thought of that. And thats what I think computer science mostly is. Fox also astutely points out that the cataloging of information is one of the biggest practical applications of computer science (Google states that its company mission is to organize the worlds information). Additionally, Fox said he feels that computer scientists are always fighting against certain stereotypes of being single-minded or detached from popular culture, leading to an overcompensation. If youre in a technical field, and youre not culturally conversant with the highlights of history, of literature, of the fine arts, youre seen as something of a Philistine. Youre one-dimensional, youre great at computers or math, but youre not well-versed. All three experts had fairly strong theories as to why computer science is such a valuable skill in a Jeopardy players toolbox, but it doesnt mean that liberal arts dont matter: The GOAT himself, Ken Jennings, holds both a computer science and English degree. According to Allen, thats part of what made Jennings, as well as Schneider (who has an extensive theater background), such dominant champs. Jeopardy is generalist trivia, not specialist trivia, says Allen, so the people who have mastered the two basic areas, on one hand, math and logic, the numbers, then on the other hand, something about the written language, since wordplay is such a big part of Jeopardy! as well ... I feel like its the killer combination. Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. SHELTON The citys police union has elected a new executive board ousting the previous leadership, all of whom were officers terminated from the department in 2020. Officer John Giordano was elected president, Officer John McMahon vice president and Officer Chris Brosz treasurer on Monday during the union meeting. The trio defeated the former executive board, Dave Moore, John Napoleone and Caroline Moretti, respectively, all of whom ran again. I look forward to the change and having our officers focus on police work on behalf of the city, Chief Shawn Sequeira said. Union representative Mike Lewis, who was hired by the former executive board in 2020, said he has no worries about Giordano as president. Lewis said Giordano served as vice president back when Lewis, a retired Shelton officer himself, was union president. Id be more concerned on those that will try to turn the union into a company union, Lewis said. Lewis then said he was resigning his union rep post. I will no longer have any involvement other than testify on whatever continued labor issues are still going forward but nothing new, Lewis said. Moore had been president and Napoleone vice president last year, only months after both were terminated, along with then-Officer Michael McClain, for alleged dereliction of duty in July 2020. Moretti was terminated for allegedly lying and for conduct unbecoming a police officer in connection with photos posted on the police unions Facebook page, which appeared to show officers changing their clothes outside, Police Chief Shawn Sequeira said. Each of the officers as well as the others terminated in connection with the internal investigation into the photos of officers allegedly changing clothes that were posted on Facebook has filed grievances with the state labor board. The union bylaws allow for terminated officers who are grieving their cases to remain on the executive board to prevent the chief and mayor from firing people to eliminate a strong union board, according to Lewis. You can be a member in good standing even if they fire you provided you are actively pursuing a grievance, Lewis had stated last year. brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com Try out LudingtonDailyNews.com for only 99 per month for the first 3 months, $9.99 a month after. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Zendesks landmark annual research has highlighted the potential for businesses to drive business success with a focus on customer experiences as 94% of Indian consumers report making purchase decisions based on the quality of customer service they receive. The global Zendesk Customer Experience (CX) Trends Report 2022 shows that a majority of Indian businesses surveyed (88%) agree that there is a direct link between customer service and business performance. Despite this, many Indian consumers (84%) feel like customer service is an afterthought for businesses, indicating a gap between consumer expectation and company actions. Customer expectations grew over the past year as 88% of Indian consumers say their customer service standards have increased over the last 12 months. CX is a determining factor for retention and loyalty as 85% of Indian customers are willing to switch brands after one bad experience. Indian businesses recognize the need for having a standout customer service team, with 61% saying that it has an impact on retention. It is perhaps why 65% of Indian companies expect funding for their customer service teams to rise by 25% in the next 12 months. Businesses cannot afford to take a transactional approach to their relationships with their customers. Customer service is now a key differentiator, but this years report reveals some gaps exist between expectation and delivery, said Adrian McDermott, Chief Technology Officer, Zendesk. Customers are noticing this gap and voting with their business - and thats perhaps the clearest signal to businesses that change needs to happen, and fast. Businesses need an institution-wide shift where investments into tools and processes that enhance CX become a priority. The insights are clear on the competitive advantage and scalability that Indian businesses can achieve through these investments. All thats required now is for businesses to take action on these insights to unlock the returns that positive customer experiences can deliver, said Vasudeva Rao Munnaluri, Regional Vice President India & SAARC, Zendesk. The report draws on input from customers, agents, customer service leaders, and business leaders from across 21 countries. Data was also gathered from more than 97,500 Zendesk customers who participated in the companys Benchmark program. As customers call out increased expectations and the readiness to switch after just one bad experience, the need to close the gap between these expectations and the customer experience delivered has never been more urgent. The opportunity cost for many is nothing short of revenue loss and missed opportunities for growth. Details of the study are as follows Consistent Truths - Customer Service Can Drive Growth A majority of Indian businesses surveyed (88%) see a direct link between customer service and business performance compared to their counterparts in Korea (57.7%), Japan (59%), Singapore (66%) and Australia (76%). Most businesses in India (85%) estimate that customer service has a positive impact on business growth. The opportunity is not simply to deliver a single solution-based interaction with the consumer, but to use that point of engagement as an opportunity to deepen the relationship. Customer engagement is up 14% globally from the previous year, with 69% of Indian companies saying that it presented more opportunities for cross-selling. This cuts both ways though, and the insights reveal that customer expectations can drive or stifle growth plans. As consumers spend more online, a majority say that their customer service expectations have increased in the past year. Channels play a big part in meeting these increased expectations and particularly, being where the customer is. However almost half the companies surveyed did not have a strategic plan for customer service over the immediate to medium term. Key insights: 94% of Indian consumers say a positive customer service experience makes them more likely to make another purchase 99% of consumers are willing to spend more money on businesses that offer personalized and streamlined experiences 73% of Indian companies report having a three-year strategic plan for customer service 98% of Indian consumers say they are willing to spend more to buy from companies that offer them the chance to find the answers they need themselves Nearly half of Indian companies (46%) view CX as a revenue-generating engine for growth, while only 28% view CX as a cost centre. The Agent X Factor Increased expectations leads to increased pressure on agents, who act as the front line. In fact the research found that 90% of Indian organizations agree that customer service agents are essential to retaining customers. When it comes to resolving issues, almost half the consumers surveyed worldwide are looking for agents who are helpful and empathetic. And customers will parlay this goodwill in a positive experience to being open to recommendations from service agents. Many businesses, though, have yet to recalibrate their view of customer service as a cost center. This has meant that investments in optimizing the function have not kept pace with growth, let alone with increasing customer expectations. So while a majority of businesses acknowledge customer service agents as being pivotal to driving sales, a very small number of those same agents are extremely satisfied with their workloads. Nearly half of consumers say that helpful and empathetic agents are what matters most when they want to resolve a customer service issue. 73% of APAC consumers are open to product recommendations from service agents. On the other hand, only 59.7% of agents in India are extremely satisfied with their workloads. Agent empowerment is a clear focus area for 2022, as agent burnout continues to be a challenge. Nearly half (49%) of agents in India are extremely satisfied with the quality of training they receive compared to agents in Australia (10%), Japan (2.5%), Singapore (12%) and Korea (12.2%). Pair this with the fact that 89% of customers in India, 50% in Australia, 46% in Japan, 69% in Singapore and 37% in Korea feel that businesses need to improve agent training, and you have the first case for investing in what agents need. These also include better performance metrics, clear advancement opportunities and, fundamentally, more respect. Key insights: 48% of Indian company leaders expect an increase in the amount of training offered to agents by a great extent 69% of Indian businesses expect to focus training their agents in providing service across multiple channels 68% of Indian companies plan to develop flexible work team to resolve specialized problems Closing Gaps and Mapping Paths To Growth Eight in ten Indian businesses view customer service as a critical business priority and only 29.5% report that its not owned by the C-suite. Indian businesses fared better in identifying customer service as a board-level priority compared to companies in Australia (44.9%), Japan (55.3%), Singapore (40.3%) and Korea (54.9%), where it is not owned by the C-suite. While the insights clearly indicate a business case for investments in customer experience, this isnt necessarily being followed through with executive sponsorship or the right tools or programs, such as training for agents. Alongside this is the need for customer service metrics to be mission critical and reviewed with the appropriate frequency and gravitas. 60% of leaders say ROI has been positive over the past 12 months. However, only 23% strongly agree that customer service spending has kept pace with company growth. The future hinges on AI and Conversational Experiences Customers want on-demand service that's available when they need it. 100% of Indian customers surveyed say they are willing to spend money on businesses that offer them the freedom to communicate over whatever channel they choose and dont want to waste valuable time getting agents up to speed on their order or issue. Key insights: 90% of Indian customers expect AI to save time when contacting a company 88% of Indian customers expect AI to keep them from having to repeat themselves after contacting a company for support 87% of Indian customers expect a majority of customer service interactions to be automated at the same time increase the quality of service This means that businesses looking to drive and sustain growthboth now and in the futureneed to focus on two emerging customer service capabilities: artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, and conversational customer service. More than half (56%) of Indian business plan to speed up adoption of AI in customer service, while 43% have already implemented conversational customer service and 38% plan to implement it in the future. The business case for customer service is clearer than ever and getting buy-in from the top is a critical first step. Getting this engagement relies on evolving the key metrics - look beyond CSAT and identify the broader business impact that can tell a compelling story, McDermott adds. This years findings bring into sharp focus the need for there to be a more concerted effort across the organization - including better integration of systems and a regular review of metrics. In short, let the insights lead you. Zendesks customers in India include ITC Foods, Ola, 1MG, DevFactory, Dream11, Slice, Magicbricks.com, etc. For more information, download the report, CX Trends 2022 here Access the interactive report here Methodology Zendesks 2022 CX Trends Report surveyed more than 3,511 consumers and 4,670 customer service leaders, agents and technology buyers from 21 countries and organizations ranging from small business to enterprise during July and August 2021. Results from each survey were weighted to remove bias from the survey samples. Zendesk Benchmark product usage data came from over 97,500 Zendesk customers worldwide who participate in the Zendesk Benchmark. Zendesk Benchmark data is based on product usage from July 2020 to July 2021. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Our richest Australian, iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart, was among the corporate sector recipients of Australia Day Honours this year with the committee lauding her service to the mining sector and philanthropic efforts. But her successful sports patronage may have been the clincher. Mrs Rinehart, who oversees the Hancock Prospecting mining empire that helped deliver a fortune estimated at $31 billion last year, and extensive cattle and pastoral interests, has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia. Gina Rineharts empire spans mining, energy and agriculture. Credit: Her extensive support to Swimming Australia, and more recently to the swimmers themselves through direct funding, was crucial to our recent success at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics said one of the people who should know: Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell. I dont say this lightly, but Gina Rinehart saved swimming, she told The Australian Financial Review after the Tokyo Olympics. Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm says a deal to cancel $US2.4 billion ($3.3 billion) in debt owed by the Mongolian government will settle years of disputes and delays that have plagued the mining giants plans to enlarge the Oyu Tolgoi copper project. The Anglo-Australian miner and its subsidiary Turquoise Hill Resources on Tuesday announced they had formalised an agreement that would reset their strained relationship with the developing nations government by increasing the financial benefits for the people of Mongolia. The deal has enabled the $US6.9 billion expansion, one of Rio Tintos most important growth projects, to begin underground mining operations in coming days. The open pit at the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine in Mongolia. Credit:Bloomberg The deal marks a positive development for Rio Tintos efforts to expand its output of commodities that will be needed in increasingly vast quantities to build green energy technology as the world decarbonises after the Serbian government last week revoked its licences to build Europes biggest lithium mine. Mr Stausholm, who was elevated to chief executive after Rio Tintos destruction of Aboriginal rock shelters in Western Australia forced the resignation of his predecessor, has made a top priority of forging closer ties with governments and stakeholders around the world. He has visited Mongolia twice in recent months in a bid to address deepening concerns in the country that the economic benefits of the project for Mongolians were being eroded. Its been a ten-year-long and difficult gestation, but Rio Tinto has finally given birth to a workable agreement with the Mongolian government to progress the massive $9.7 billion copper project, Oyu Tolgoi. Glib as this might be, Rio can only be thankful that Mongolia is not home to an unvaccinated tennis star who was denied the opportunity to play in the Australian Open. Rio chief executive Jakob Stausholm needed a win. He got one in Mongolia Credit:Trevor Collens Last week and just days after Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia the Serbian government tore up Rio Tintos licences for a $3.3 billion lithium project. The tennis stars deportation seemed to be a straw for the Serbian government which is facing an election and a tide of public opposition to the lithium projects environmental risks. The Serbian public appeared equally outraged by the Australian governments treatment of its national tennis treasure. Jennifer Thompson, 24, started her career as a primary school teacher in Melbourne during the coronavirus pandemic after looking for a job where she could make a difference. Starting my career during a pandemic definitely brought challenges, but I am so thankful for the support of my team and am inspired by the incredible students and colleagues around me, she said. Jennifer Thompson, 24, started her career as a primary school teacher in Victoria during the coronavirus pandemic after looking for a job where she could make a difference. Perhaps more than ever, its so important we have caring, compassionate and determined teachers to help navigate the future normal. For anyone leaving school or university who wants a career where they can really make a positive difference, Id encourage them to consider teaching. Research conducted for the Victoria governments Teach the Future campaign on what young Victorians aged 16-25 are looking for in their future careers found that when it comes to their aspirations, almost two thirds (64 per cent) care more about finding a role that has a positive impact, since experiencing lockdowns. The survey of 500 people aged 16 to 25 living in Victoria was conducted in December by research company Antenna. David Finchers 1999 Fight Club is at the centre of a social media firestorm in China after a new version of it replaced the original ending with a terse message saying all criminals were apprehended and the authorities triumphed. Tencent Video subscribers mocked the newly abridged and altered ending for distorting the original films message and intent. Based on Chuck Palahniuks book by the same name, Fight Club culminates in the unnamed narrator killing off his alter ego Tyler Durden and setting off a chain of explosions destroying all bank and credit records, resetting the economy. None of that is present in the new Chinese version, which treats the movies Project Mayhem undertaking as a thwarted and misguided attempt at criminality. Through the clue provided by Tyler, the police rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals, successfully preventing the bomb from exploding, the Tencent Video version tells viewers, before adding its own creative twist: After the trial, Tyler was sent to lunatic asylum receiving psychological treatment. Sometimes Bridget Everett, the actress, comedian and self-proclaimed cabaret wildebeest, wonders what would have happened if she had never left Kansas. She has a pretty good idea. Id probably live in Kansas City, or Lawrence, she said. I would probably work in a restaurant and have two DUIs and sit on the couch a lot in my underwear. This was on a Monday afternoon in mid-December at John Brown BBQ, a purveyor of Kansas City-style barbecue in Queens, which is to say the closest that a person can get to Kansas within the New York City limits. (Not very close, as it turns out, though Everett said that the sides were delicious.) She was joined by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, the creators of Somebody Somewhere, a wistful Kansas-set half-hour HBO comedy screening on Fox Showcase. Bridget Everett, actress, comedian, self-proclaimed cabaret wildebeest and now star of dramedy Somebody Somewhere. Credit:Krista Schlueter/New York Times Everett, 49, stars as Sam, a woman whose biography parallels her own, to a point. After years of bartending in a big city, Sam has returned to her hometown. She has a soul-eating job at an educational testing centre and various family obligations a father (Mike Hagerty) with a struggling farm, a mother (Jane Brody) with addiction issues, and a sister (Mary Catherine Garrison) with a wobbly marriage and an Instagrammable approach to evangelical Christianity. Sam sits on the couch a lot in her underwear. Most superannuation fund members saw a big improvement in their retirement savings in 2021, with returns four times higher than the previous year, when sharemarkets took fright over the potential economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by a resurgence in equity prices, a typical balanced super fund where most workers have their retirement nest eggs invested returned 13.4 per cent in 2021, up from just 3.3 per cent during 2020. David Elia, chief executive of top-performing super fund Hostplus, says the fund invests with a focus on net returns to members. Credit:Jesse Marlow Figures from SuperRatings show that giant industry fund Hostplus had the best-returning balanced investment option, not only during 2021 but also over the past 7 and 10 years. Hostplus Balanced heads the 2021 performance league table with a return 19.1 per cent. Qantas Super Gateway Growth was next best with 18.5 per cent followed by Sunsuper For Life Balanced, with 16.5 per cent. While he doesnt expect the date of Australia Day to change any time soon, Les Daniels can sense something stirring in the Australian population. After performing a traditional smoking ceremony with fellow members of the Koomurri Aboriginal dance troupe at dawn on Wednesday, Mr Daniels said he detected a growing recognition of the importance of Aboriginal history and culture among non-Indigenous Australians. Koomurri performer Les Daniels in front of a projection of artwork by Pitjanjara artist David Miller on the sails of the Opera House on Australia Day. Credit:Kate Geraghty Without downplaying the atrocities of the past and difficulties of the present, it gives him hope for the future. People are starting to have more awareness of being on Aboriginal country, Mr Daniels said. It is really good to see that change is coming. As the Koomurri dancers held their WugulOra - or one mob - ceremony at Barangaroo, the sails of the Opera House sails lit up with a spectacular artwork by Pitjantjatjara artist David Miller depicting the giant perentie lizard that prowls the desert in central Australia. It was the second consecutive year in which a painting by a distinguished Aboriginal artist was projected onto the nations most famous building to mark the start of Australia Day. Mr Daniels regards January 26 as a day of invasion and genocide, a view shared by the crowd that gathered later in the morning at the steps of Town Hall steps for an Invasion Day rally and march. NSW Police estimated that 4000 people participated in the march, which proceeded peacefully through the city centre before ending at Victoria Park next to the University of Sydneys Camperdown campus. Read the full story here. Police say nine-year-old Charlise Mutten was shot dead before her body was dumped by the banks of the Colo River. Her mothers fiance, 31-year-old Justin Stein, has been charged with murder, accused of killing the girl between January 11 and 12 while she was visiting his familys remote Mount Wilson estate in the Blue Mountains. Police have released footage of a red ute towing a boat as investigations into Charlise Muttens alleged murder continue. Credit:NSW Police The primary school students body was found about an hour from the property on January 18 following a five-day search. Homicide squad Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said a post-mortem had revealed Charlise was killed by a gunshot wound. NSW has exceeded 1 million COVID-19 cases as an expert warns about a potential spike in infections from Australia Day celebrations. The state recorded 21,030 new COVID-19 infections and 29 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the states total number of cases since the pandemic began to 1,015,495. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has extended restrictions for another month.CREDIT: Credit: James Alcock More than half a million of those infections have been recorded in the past 15 days. There are 2794 people in hospital with the virus, down from the record 2943 on Tuesday. Of those people, 175 are in intensive care units. Police have begun searching a south-west Sydney park as they continue to investigate the murder of underworld figure Mejid Hamzy and hunt for two men accused of killing him. Investigators believe the gunmen may have hidden firearms in Deepwater Park, Panania, and are confident of uncovering items of interest in the search. Mr Hamzy, 44, was gunned down outside his home in Condell Park by two black-clad men about 7.30am on October 19, 2020. He is the brother of Brothers 4 Life boss Bassam Hamzy. A 38-year-old man has previously been charged with Mr Hamzys murder, accused of helping organise the killing and drive a getaway vehicle in the ambush. A suspected sex offender was shot dead by police in a Sydney pub when he reacted with extreme violence and stabbed a detective who was attempting to lawfully arrest him, a coroner has found. Nick Newman, 33, was shot at least seven times by two officers at the Maroubra Junction Hotel on January 26, 2018, after he attacked Detective Sergeant John Breda with a double-edged tactical knife and left him with critical injuries. Suspected child sex offender Nick Newman, 33, was shot dead in 2018. After Newman was shot, he fell to the ground still holding the knife and responded f--- you when he was told to drop it. He then attempted to cut his own throat. In findings on Tuesday, Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan said there were shortcomings in the decisions made by the officers involved in the attempted arrest, however, they were not of a systemic nature. The campaign, across TV, radio, social media, and newspapers would be translated into 41 languages, urging Victorians with mild symptoms to stay at home, rest, hydrate and take pain relief medication if they can, instead of going to hospital. Health authorities estimate only 0.7 per cent of the 550,000 Victorians who contracted coronavirus this month required hospital care. However, the sheer volume of cases meant hospital admission numbers still posed a significant challenge. Health Minister Martin Foley said patients would be supported through the governments COVID Positive Pathways program that was launched in October and seeks to monitor virus patients during their time in home isolation. Under the program, COVID-positive Victorians were assessed via a survey and linked to community health services, GPs and other providers, depending on the level of care they require. With case numbers stabilising and a surge in infections predicted after school starts next week, Mr Foley said the time was right to take the program to a new level. This has stabilised, historically speaking, at extraordinarily high levels, he said. The notion that we are out of this is well and truly premature. Victoria recorded 14,836 COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths on Tuesday, ending a run of declining daily case totals. The people who died were aged in their 30s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. As of Tuesday morning, there were 1057 Victorians infected with coronavirus receiving medical care in hospital. Of those, 119 were in intensive care and 45 on a ventilator. The states case numbers and hospitalisations from COVID-19 had fallen for four consecutive days before Tuesdays result, but both figures were higher than those recorded on Monday, when there were 11,695 cases and 998 in hospital. Mask mandates have been extended for another month in NSW with Premier Dominic Perrottet saying it was necessary to maintain a cautious approach. Other restrictions that had been due to lift this week will also stay in place. NSW reported 18,512 new cases of COVID-19 and 29 deaths on Tuesday. Tuesday also marked two years since Australia recorded its first case of COVID-19 involving a man from Wuhan who had flown to Melbourne from Guangdong on January 19, 2020. The case was picked up by Victorian health authorities and prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to recommend Australians not travel to Wuhan and Hubei Province. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton tweeted about the two-year anniversary of the first case in Victoria on Tuesday. Its been extraordinarily disruptive and difficult since that time; hard to imagine what the world would go through and the awful loss of life, he wrote. But so much more to do third doses, kids getting vaxxed, reaching the unreached. There are currently 183,154 active cases of COVID-19 across Victoria. Of the new infections reported by authorities on Tuesday, 6297 came from PCR tests, while 8539 were self-reported from rapid antigen tests. Of the people who self-reported from rapid antigen tests, about 65 per cent took their tests on Monday, while about 17 per cent took their tests on Sunday. The remainder of people took their tests over the previous five days. The Chief Health Officers update warned the states system for self-reporting positive COVID test results would be down for about three hours from 8.30pm on Tuesday while it underwent a routine upgrade and maintenance work. If this means you have to report the result the following day, your isolation period wont be extended because you are required to isolate for seven days following the date of your test, not the date you report, the update said. Loading Health authorities in Victoria remain optimistic the latest wave of Omicron infections could have peaked last week, leading to a drop in community transmission. Hospital and intensive care admissions are expected to reach a high in the next two weeks before stabilising. However, authorities within the World Health Organisation have warned against assuming the worst of the pandemic is over, with the organisations director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus telling the agencys executive board in Europe on Monday that conditions were ideal for new variants to emerge. There are different scenarios for how the pandemic could play out and how the acute phase could end, but its dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant or that we are in the endgame, he said. WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said that while signs out of South Africa and Europe were encouraging, it was too early to talk about an end to the pandemic. Loading What we are entering is certainly a different space ... were seeing it rise very rapidly when we see the enormous number of cases. But sadly, 50,000 people also lost their lives last week. So, were still in the middle of a really, really terrible outbreak, she told radio station 3AW. Dr Harris said figures out of South Africa showed Omicron surged rapidly to create enormously high peaks before plummeting, but that trend wouldnt necessarily be replicated in other countries. However, she remained optimistic things would improve in the near future, adding humanity had handled the pandemic better than any other outbreak of a novel virus in history. Weve developed vaccines within a year of knowing this existed, and also knowing that weve struggled to develop good vaccines against previous members of this [virus] family, she said. Monday marked the final day of a four-day vaccination blitz across Victorias state-run clinics. It saw more than 100,000 Victorians immunised, a 38 per cent increase on the previous weekend. Government clinics delivered more than 28,000 doses of the jab on Monday alone, taking the total number of triple-vaccinated Victorians to 1.7 million. Mr Foley said there were 4 million people eligible to get their booster after the government slashed the waiting time between the second and third dose to three months. What this shows is that theres still a lot of people out there that need to come forward and get that third dose; a third dose that keeps them protected, their family and their community, he said. Mr Foley said the vaccination clinic at the Royal Exhibition Building had its busiest week since the program started, with almost 3500 doses delivered on Sunday. Dandenong Plaza also experienced one of its busiest periods with double the usual number of doses delivered. About 19,500 children were booked to get the vaccine over the past week, with 4500 second-dose appointments recorded in the system. There are more than 230,000 vaccination appointments available for the next month, including just under 70,000 for children aged five to 11. A Melbourne monument depicting Captain James Cook was doused in red paint overnight as part of an Australia Day protest. The statue, located near St Kilda beach, was defaced and its base was papered with flyers proposing the abolition of Australia Day celebrations. The vandalism attracted a small group of curious locals to Catani Gardens on Wednesday morning before the paint was hosed off by council workers. The red paint is cleaned off the Captain Cook statue in St Kilda. Credit:Diego Fedele/Getty Images Port Phillip detectives are investigating the incident and have urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the police. City of Port Phillip mayor Marcus Pearl said the council hired security to watch the foreshore on Tuesday night, which was a hot and busy night in the district. Hot-takes were written quickly, tweets were dashed off even quicker. It was a bit like the public commentary-equivalent of that guy (we all know one) who cries, Smile, love! It cant be that bad! at random women walking down the street minding their own business. Except that Tame is now a very public figure. The incident was the perfect denouement for her tenure as Australian of the Year, which has now ended. Her time in the role has been marked by the fierceness of her advocacy for sexual assault victims, her strong critiques of the Prime Minister and his government, and her posture of defiance. This defiance, presumably, has helped her deal with the shame and trauma of being victimised by a paedophile, and having an entire system protect him and apologise for him. It is the same defiance with which she has urged victims to heap the shame for sexual abuse at the feet of its perpetrators. Some say Tame has wrongly politicised her platform, but its a weak argument she is not appointed by the government and no one has ever defined the role as non-political. Perhaps she has been divisive her snubbing of the man she calls Scott (in protest of Morrisons habit of calling young female assault survivors by their first name) was certainly cringe-making. Many people will be alienated by it, and perhaps, by extension, the cause they see Tame as representing. Former Australian of the Year and anti-violence campaigner Rosie Batty told the Herald/Age this week that she felt a bit sorry for [Morrison], actually, after one of Tames criticisms. On Tuesday, Morrison did seem to have the fixed-smile freeze of a man who knows hes in for it and has no idea how to cope. But this is a bloke who knuckle-crawled his way up through the NSW Liberal Party, knocked off a rival for pre-selection, and ran Australias notoriously tough offshore detention system. He has probably seen worse than a lip-curl from a lady-activist. Tames critics have a hard time accepting that she doesnt care what they think, which in turn exposes their insecurity in a changing world. They have a hard time accepting her generations model of activism, which is predicated on the stance that it is not the job of a victim/survivor to disguise negative emotions so the powerful feel comfortable. They also seem to have a hard time remembering their history, which has shown time and again that activists and revolutionaries tend to prioritise messages over manners. Loading It was probably very rude of suffragette Emily Davison to ruin the Derby at Epsom racecourse in 1913 by jumping in front of the kings horse. It was traitorous of Muhammad Ali to refuse the draft for Vietnam. And the activists who established the Aboriginal Tent Embassy showed up at Parliament House in 1972 without any invitation at all. Just imagine! Twitter: @JacquelineMaley A magnificent stone castle built in 1546 has been listed for sale in the country town of Leuchars in Scotland. Earlshall Castle is an enchanting, albeit imposing structure that boasts a rich and colourful past in the annals of Scottish folklore. Earlshall Castle, a 16th century castle that legend has it is haunted, is up for sale. Credit:Savills Constructed for Sir William Bruce, the castle was designed to welcome Scottish and British aristocracy and defend against armed incursions, hence its completely walled-off perimeter. According to the propertys listing, the castle hosted a plethora of nobles over the years, most notably Mary Queen of Scots and James VI and I, King of Scotland and England. Ouagadougou: More than a dozen mutinous soldiers have declared on state television that a military junta had seized control of Burkina Faso after detaining the democratically elected president following a day of gunbattles in the capital of the West African country. The military coup in a nation that was once a bastion of stability was the third of its kind in the region in the last 18 months, creating upheaval in some of the countries hardest hit by Islamic extremist attacks. Captain Sidsore Kaber Ouedraogo said the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration has decided to assume its responsibilities before history. The soldiers put an end to President Roch Marc Christian Kabores presidency because of the deteriorating security situation and the presidents inability to manage the crisis, he said. Activist Mamadou Drabo, leader of the Save Burkina Faso movement, announces to the crowd gathered Place de la Nation that Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba has taken the reins of the country. Credit:AP It was not immediately known where Kabore was, and the junta spokesman said only that the coup had taken place without any physical violence against those arrested, who are being held in a safe place, with respect for their dignity. PHILIPSBURG:--- WIB has decided to issue a press release to clear up misleading information regarding its bank Covid entry protocols. Management of the Bank stated that it has been brought to its attention that rumors have been circulating of the Banks intention to require clients to present vaccination proof or proof of negative Covid results to enter the Bank. This statement is false. An internal memo to the Staff of the MCB Group has been inadvertently circulated in the public forum and appears to have been misinterpreted. WIB Management reassures all that regular Covid protocols apply for the general public entering the Bank. Clients are required to wear a mask, sanitize and maintain 2 meters distance inside the Bank. The Bank apologizes for any inconvenience caused and continues to welcome clients in a safe environment. ~ Roadblocks will remain intact.~ MARIGOT:--- The property belonging to Rudy Webster has been sold by auction on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022. The information was provided to the Webster families on Tuesday afternoon. According to Rudy Webster, he said he was told that his property was sold for Euros 557.000.00. Protestors on the location on Tuesday afternoon were very emotional with how low the sale price was, they said that one of the buildings on the land costs over a million euros. Even more disturbing is that the Webster families that are occupying the land did not get the opportunity to participate in the auction on Tuesday. Rudy Webster said in an invited comment that he was informed by the Secretary-General of the Prefecture of Saint Martin. Webster was very emotional on Tuesday afternoon after being officially informed of the sale. He said the entire affair has been unjust and he was not granted justice by the judicial system while the local government did not protect his rights in any way shape or form. The Websters began a protest on Monday morning where they blocked the main road to vehicular traffic on Monday which remained in place on Monday evening and throughout the day on Tuesday. The family that is backed by local residents on St. Martin said they will escalate the protest because what was done to them is unfair because the land that was sold by auction was purchased legally and is registered in their fathers' name. The process started by a branch of family members that claimed that they too are heirs to the property in Saint Martin and that no one was supposed to sell the property because it is succession land.'So far, no one has said anything about notary office on Saint Martin that conducted the sale of the property. 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 Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. The Pentagon says that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has put about 8,500 troops on heightened alert, so they will be prepared to deploy if needed to reassure NATO allies in the face of ongoing Russian aggression on the border of Ukraine. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) The four gas giants of our solar system are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are collectively known as Jovian planets, meaning Jupiter-like. Gas giants are large planets composed mostly of gases, such as hydrogen and helium, with a relatively small rocky core. The gas giants of our solar system Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune together make up a group known as the Jovian planets, according to the University of Colorado at Boulder. The term Jovian means Jupiter-like and although our exploration of the solar system has revealed that gas giants such as Uranus and Neptune are very different from Jupiter, the descriptive term Jovian still exists. The label is also used to describe Jupiter-mass exoplanets found beyond our solar system according to Swinburne University of Technology. The solar system's four gas giants reside in outskirts, past the orbits of Mars and the asteroid belt. But the worlds are quite distinct from one another. Jupiter and Saturn are substantially larger than Uranus and Neptune, and each pair of planets (Jupiter and Saturn, vs. Uranus and Neptune) has a somewhat different composition. Although there are only four large planets in our solar system, astronomers have discovered thousands outside of it using numerous telescopes on Earth and in space. These exoplanets (as they are called) are being examined to learn more about how our solar system came to be, and to compare the formation of our solar system to those planetary systems that might be quite different. Gas giants' importance It appears that one of the first uses of the word "gas giant", to refer to a large planet, arose in a 1952 science fiction piece by author James Blish. At the time Blish wrote, no planet had yet been discovered outside of our solar system, nor were any spacecraft yet lifting off from Earth. This meant that in his era, everything we knew about the planets came from telescopic observations, astronomical theories and datasets just beginning to be parsed by the emerging computer models available at the time. It would take decades before more information came to light. The first flyby of Jupiter took place in 1972 with Pioneer 10, while the first exoplanets were discovered around pulsar PSR 1257+12 in 1992. The field of gas giant research has rapidly diversified and widened in the decades since. "The study of gas giants' behavior has acquired an increased importance since the detection of many gaseous exoplanets," wrote the peer-reviewed science journal Nature in a summary of research to date in 2016. An artist's depiction of zodiacal light at the surface of the planet Kepler-1229 b. (Image credit: SHAO/Yue Xu) Elements of research that caught scientists' attention in recent years included discussions of gas giant rings, and figuring out the source of auroras. Furthermore, Nature argued, gas giant research will be rich ground for different types of scientists to meet and share their knowledge. "As many gaseous planets discovered around other stars exhibit significantly different characteristics from the ones in our solar system, science on giant planets has a huge multidisciplinary potential as a meeting point between the planetary and exoplanetary communities," Nature said. Even since that era, the 2020s have been rich in discoveries thanks to the growing integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence to pursue datasets, not to mention the number of new telescopes seeing first light. Big observatories of the 2020s include the James Webb Space Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope, both of which are expected to contribute to studying exoplanets. Already, too, we have a wealth of exoplanet data from observatories such as NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the agency's retired Kepler space telescope and the High-Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher on the European Southern Observatory's 3.6-meter telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile. NASA says more than 4,000 exoplanets have been found by early 2022, a large proportion of them gas giants. An artist's depiction of the TESS spacecraft and some of the exoplanets it has spotted. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Gas giants in our solar system Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It has a radius almost 11 times the size of Earth and many dozens of moons either confirmed or waiting to be confirmed. The planet is mostly made of hydrogen and helium surrounding a dense core of rocks and ice, with most of its bulk likely made up of liquid metallic hydrogen, which creates a huge magnetic field. Jupiter is visible with the naked eye and was known to the ancients. Its atmosphere consists mostly of hydrogen, helium, ammonia and methane. We've also rounded up Jupiter's unanswered questions to get a sense of future research, such as how it got enriched with heavy elements. Saturn is about nine times Earth's radius and is characterized by large rings; how they formed is unknown. It has several dozen moons discovered and being confirmed. Like Jupiter, Saturn is mostly made up of hydrogen and helium that surround a dense core and was also tracked by ancient cultures. Its atmosphere is similar to Jupiter's. We've also looked at some of Saturn's unanswered questions, such as how long a day is on the planet. A multitude of swirling clouds in Jupiter's dynamic North Temperate Belt is captured in this image from NASA's Juno spacecraft. (Image credit: NASA) Uranus has a radius about four times that of Earth's and is the first gas giant to be discovered using a telescope, as Jupiter and Saturn have been observed by the naked eye since ancient times. Uranus is the only planet tilted on its side, and it also rotates backward relative to every planet but Venus, implying a huge collision disrupted it long ago. The planet has dozens of moons, and its atmosphere consists of hydrogen, helium and methane. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1781 and only one spacecraft, Voyager 2, flew by it in 1986. Some weird things observed at Uranus include its unexplained cold temperatures, and its complex atmosphere. Neptune also has a radius about four times that of Earth's. Like Uranus, its atmosphere is mostly made up of hydrogen, helium and methane. It was discovered in 1846 and had a single spacecraft fly by, which was Voyager 2 in 1989. There are more than a dozen confirmed moons at the planet. We've also looked at some of Neptune's biggest mysteries, such as its ultra-high wind speeds. Scientists are also hoping to put together a mission to visit both Uranus and Neptune in a few decades. Artists rendition of TOI-561, one of the oldest, most metal-poor planetary systems discovered yet in the Milky Way galaxy. (Image credit: W. M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko) Gas giants outside our solar system Super-Earths: Scientists have found a multitude of "super-Earths" (planets between the size of Earth and Neptune) in other solar systems. There are no known super-Earths in our own solar system, although some scientists speculate there may be a "Planet Nine" lurking in the outer reaches of our solar system. Scientists are studying this category of planets to learn whether super-Earths are more like small gas giant planets or big terrestrial planets. It is also unclear whether these planets can host life, and how much water would be on their surfaces. Hot Jupiters: These are Jupiter-sized or larger planets that orbit very close to their parent stars. How they got there is still being studied, but the two main theories (simply put) say they either migrated to that orbit from further away, or that they formed essentially in place. These exoplanets were the first to be found because they are so massive and so close to their parent stars that they induce large "wobbles" in the star's gravity, which made them relatively easy to spot with observatories of the 1990s, according to NASA. An artist's depiction of a hot Jupiter. (Image credit: NASA, ESA and G. Bacon (STScI)) Formation and chances for life Astronomers think Jovian planets first formed as rocky and icy planets similar to terrestrial planets. However, the size of the cores allowed these planets (particularly Jupiter and Saturn) to grab hydrogen and helium out of the gas cloud from which the sun was condensing, before the sun formed and blew most of the gas away. Since Uranus and Neptune are smaller and have bigger orbits, it was harder for them to collect hydrogen and helium as efficiently as Jupiter and Saturn. This likely explains why they are smaller than those two planets. On a percentage basis, their atmospheres are more "polluted" with more complex chemical compounds such as methane and ammonia because they are so much smaller. Gas giants are unlikely to host life as we know it, as they are huge balls of gas with no substantial surface. That said, there is a possibility of finding microbial life at their various icy moons, or perhaps there are other possibilities of life that science has not yet considered. But as of 2021, even smaller, Earth-sized planets we have found are very unlikely to host life, a major study concluded. An artist's depiction of an exomoon orbiting exoplanet Kepler 1708 b. (Image credit: Helena Valenzuela Widerstrom) Gas giant's moons There are dozens of moons around the giant planets in our solar system. Many formed at the same time as their parent planets, which is implied if the planets rotate in the same direction as the moons close to their equator (such as the huge Jovian moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.) But there are exceptions. One large moon of Neptune, Triton, orbits the planet opposite to the direction Neptune spins implying that Triton was captured, perhaps by Neptune's once larger atmosphere, as it passed by. And there are many tiny moons in the solar system that rotate far from the equator of their planets, implying that they were also snagged by the immense gravitational pull. A subset of moons, called icy moons, might have conditions for life as we have found evidence for energy and liquid water that could sustain microbes. NASA's Europa Clipper and the European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) are both planned for the 2030s to learn more about several moons' potential for life. There are also hopes to have a landing mission at a Jovian moon (or at some other icy moon elsewhere in the solar system) later in the century to see the surface up close. As of early 2022, the astronomical community hasn't definitely confirmed a detection of an exomoon, a moon orbiting an exoplanet. But they are getting closer. To detect an exomoon, we need to see not only the dip in brightness caused when a planet passes in front of a star, but also a distinctive dip from the moon. Moons are relatively tiny and difficult for our current observatories to spot. But telescope technology is fast improving so astronomers might soon be lucky. NASA has picked SpaceX's heavy-lift Falcon Heavy rocket to launch the Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter's icy moon. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Ongoing research With so many active missions in progress or in planning for these various worlds, not to mention telescope studies and computer models, the science of gas giants can change rapidly in a matter of weeks or months. We will point here to general research directions, along with Space.com pages where you can stay up to date on the latest findings from the various gas giants in and out of the solar system. Jupiter: NASA's Juno spacecraft arrived at the planet in 2016, adding to numerous other studies by spacecraft and the Hubble Space Telescope. It has studied the planet's rings, which is difficult to achieve otherwise since they are far subtler than Saturn's. The probe delves into the auroras of Jupiter to learn about their source and differences from other planets, and dives deep into the atmosphere to learn about clouds within the planet's atmosphere. Researchers are also fascinated with the behavior of the Great Red Spot, a persistent storm system in Jupiter's Southern Hemisphere, which appears to be shrinking. Keep up to date on Jupiter research here. Saturn: The Cassini spacecraft wrapped up more than a dozen years of observation at Saturn in 2017. But the science Cassini performed is still very much in progress, as scientists analyze data collected during its many years at Saturn. Its rings have been used to probe the planet's gravity, and scientists are quite interested in the various icy moons around the planet that may host life. Keep up to date on Saturn research here. Uranus: The storms of Uranus are a frequent target for both professional telescopes and amateur astronomers, who monitor how they evolve and change over time. Scientists are also interested in learning about the structure of its rings, and what its atmosphere is made of. Recent studies have focused on aspects such as weather in its atmosphere, and Trojan asteroids surrounding the planet. Keep up to date on Uranus research here. Uranus in X-rays. (Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXO/University College London/W. Dunn et al; Optical: W.M. Keck Observatory) Neptune: Storms on Neptune are also a popular observing target, and in 2018 those observations again bore fruit; work from the Hubble Space Telescope showed that a long-standing storm is now shrinking. The researchers noted the storm is dissipating differently than what their models expected, which shows that our understanding of Neptune's atmosphere still requires refinement. Exoplanets: Our search for exoplanets is really just beginning, but as the dataset grows ever larger, NASA aims address these big-scale questions: What is an exoplanet? Is there life on other planets? How many exoplanets are there? Finally, where can we find exoplanets and can we predict their locations? And as mentioned earlier, the search for exomoons continues. Stay tuned to Space.com for exoplanet news and also review our 2021 biggest exoplanet discoveries for more information. Additional resources: Learn more about gas giants and Jovian planets in more detail with NASA. Read about how supercritical fluids could help us understand the interior of giant gas planets with this article published in The Conversation . Explore the outer planets with this informative resource from the educational website Lumen Learning . Bibliography "Gas Giant." NASA. (2021, March 22.) https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/what-is-an-exoplanet/planet-types/gas-giant/ "Gas Giant." Science Fiction Dictionary. (2020, Dec. 16). https://sfdictionary.com/view/52/gas-giant "The Search For Life." NASA. (2020, Dec. 8). https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/search-for-life/big-questions/ "Advances in Planetary Science." Nature. (2016, Oct. 4). https://www.nature.com/collections/bphtvvsswf/gasgiants Trifonov, Trifon, et al. "Two Jovian planets around the giant star HD 202696: A growing population of packed massive planetary pairs around massive stars?." The Astronomical Journal 157.3 (2019): 93. Jones, M. I., et al. "Four Jovian planets around low-luminosity giant stars observed by the EXPRESS and PPPS." Astronomy & Astrophysics 646 (2021): A131. Welcome To SpoilerTV We bring you a comprehensive and up to date spoiler service on all the major US TV shows and Movies. You can find specific show content by clicking the menu system at the top of the screen. We scour the Internet for spoilers as well as posting our own exclusive spoilers (Scripts, Casting Calls, Set Photos etc) as well as recaps and other fun articles and polls. We hope you enjoy your stay. Quito, Ecuador, Jan 26, 2022 (SPS) - Within the framework of the twenty-seventh anniversary of its creation, the Technical University of Cotopaxi (UTC) yesterday signed an Inter-institutional Cooperation Agreement with the Embassy of the Saharawi Republic ( SADR), in the city of Latacunga, approximately 110 kilometers from the Ecuadorian capital.SPS 125/090/TRA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Pennsylvania-based industrial property developer has been selected to turn a 150-acre vacant property that straddles Waterbury and Naugatuck into an Amazon distribution facility that state and local officials say has the potential to create up to 1,000 new jobs if the plan comes to fruition. The Bluewater Property Group was selected from a request for proposal process launched last July, said Thomas Hyde, chief executive officer of Naugatuck Valley Regional Development Corp., which is representing the two communities in the process. The selection of Bluewater Property Group and its involvement with Amazon was announced Tuesday morning at Waterbury City Hall at an event attended by Gov. Ned Lamont. This project, if approved, has tremendous upside for Waterbury, Naugatuck, and residents throughout the region, Lamont said. This has the potential to create up to a thousand new jobs and go a long way in supporting these communities in their broader revitalization efforts. We are seeing real momentum in our state as more and more companies are choosing to invest and grow here. Hyde said the next step in the process is for Bluewater Property Group to perform its due diligence on the property, which the company has up to six months to do. At the same time, he said, Naugatuck Valley Regional Development Corp. will be crafting a sales agreement to sell the property. Those two things would be going on at the same time, Hyde said. Before any deal could be completed, it would have to get the approval of the aldermanic board in Waterbury and the board of burgesses in Naugatuck. If this fall through, we woud go through the process again, but at this point were fairly confident this is something that is going to happen. Hyde said the size of the distribution center has not yet been determined. But he described it as a first-mile where they store a lot of products. The products would go from there to what they other centers where they would be loaded on to smaller vehicles for the final mile of delivery, he said. Hyde said the location is what attracted Bluewater Property Group and Amazon to the property. The largest portion of the property, 105 acres, is located off of South Main Street in Waterbury with easy access to Route 8, Interstate 84 and near rail service. Hyde said Bluewater Property Group has developed several distribution facilities for Amazon and has one under construction for the e-commerce giant in Fishkill, N.Y. Waterbury Mayor Neil OLeary said while more work remains to be done in order for the project come to fruition, it could be an amazing win for our region and the entire state. Alexandra Escamilla, head of development for the Blue Water Property Group, said the company is excited at the opportunity to proceed to the next step. As of August 2020, Amazon had more than 3 million square feet of distribution space in 10 communities across the state. More recent data was not immediately available Tuesday. David Cadden, a professor emeritus at Quinnipiac Universitys School of Business, said Amazons continued growth in Connecticut is a double-edged sword. Any time there is an opportunity to create jobs, of course politicians are going to latch onto it, Cadden said. But the big issue here is the quality of the jobs and are they really worth it. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Democrat Hubert Delany won the special election for the state Houses 144th District seat, which opened up after Caroline Simmons was elected the citys mayor in November. According to unofficial results, Delany, a 28-year-old U.S. Army public affairs adviser and member of Simmons transition team, defeated Republican Danny Melchionne, a 33-year-old registered respiratory therapist and personal trainer, 56 percent to 44 percent. We won! a jubilant Delany yelled to his supporters as they gathered at the Stamford Democratic City Committee headquarters. I know that I was able to win the seat, but we were only able to do it with everybody together, Delany said. We did it in peoples living rooms by talking to them. We did it by knocking ... on hundreds of doors. We did it in the cold. We were doing this in the rain every hour of every day. And we did it with every single person. As an Army journalist, we have a saying that to tell a soldiers story, you have to fight by their side, which basically means that to be able to represent somebody, you need to be willing to get in close and put in the work. And thats what I promised to do. The work. I promise that Im going to run my office the way that we ran this campaign: By treating people with dignity and respect, by leading with integrity and by fighting by their side, Delany said. Thank you so much, everybody. Melchionne conceded the election to Delany about 8:40 p.m. and called to congratulate him. Despite the concession, Melchionne said that it might not be the last time Stamford voters hear from him. I have a lot of love for my home town, and I want to make a change, he told The Stamford Advocate. Results from Tuesdays vote came in shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m. By 8:20 p.m., Delany had arrived at Stamford DCC headquarters, shaking hands and giving hugs to family and supporters. The Republicans had gathered at the Belltown Fire Department to wait for results. The room was quiet while those in attendance, including Melchionne, watched the votes as they were totaled up. It looks like were falling short on the machines, said Patrick Sasser, Melchionnes campaign manager, about 8:15 p.m. Based on the number weve seen throughout the week, I dont (think) theres a way forward. You should be proud, buddy, Sasser told a subdued Melchionne while looking at the machine ballot numbers. This was a hell of a campaign. Depending on the political landscape come November, Melchionne said he might run again, but either way, hell be out rallying votes for his candidate of choice. State Sen. Ryan Fazio, R-36, had gathered with Republicans Tuesday to wait for results. Hes a good candidate, a good man and he cares about Stamford. ... All the people who turned out to vote for him in an overwhelmingly Democratic district shows that the issues he ran on, the issues Republicans care about, like cost of living, like taxes, like crime, are things that voters care about, Fazio said. In terms of registered voters in the 144th District, Democrats outnumber Republicans almost two to one. However, the Democratic registrants are about equal to the unaffiliated voters, according to data provided by the Stamford Registrars of Voters office. Its a pretty purple district, Sasser said, looking at Tuesdays turnout. Voting had been steady throughout the day; at Turn of River Middle School, where about 280 people had voted by 3 p.m. at the District 18 polling place. The middle school was also the polling location for District 16. About 320 people had cast votes just down the hall from the room for District 18 voters as of 3 p.m. Delany will have to mount another campaign later this year to keep the seat. That election will be held in an updated version of the 144th District, reflecting changes a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers made to Connecticuts district lines in light of the 2020 Census. While a special election usually doesnt get a large turnout, those who voted Tuesday said they felt it important to cast a ballot. Rick and Robin Mattice said their votes went to Melchionne after reading a mailer about the election. I feel its an important role, Robin Mattice said about coming out to vote. Lifelong Stamford resident Linda DeMott said she learned growing up that voting was a citizens responsibility. She didnt wish to share for whom she voted Tuesday. Years ago, we were actually taught not only about American history but about politics and how its supposed to work, the 65-year-old said. And we were often told, in every grade, that the government is by the people and for the people, and when its not by the people, its not going to be for the people. Its gonna be for people who are in power. Phyllisann and Ira Bernstein said they were voting for Delany because Simmons was backing him. She just impressed us as being sincere and real, Phyllisann Bernstein said about Simmons. City Rep. Phil Berns, D-16, also voted for Delany. I met him. Hes an awfully nice guy. We spoke about the issues, Berns said. Mr. Melchionne never reached out to me, so I really dont know all that much about him. And then Im concerned about the direction that Republicans in general are going in. I know theres many good and honorable ones, but the party seems to be going off the rails. Earlier in the day, Delany stopped by Turn of River Middle School to meet with voters. I think that, from the beginning of this, Ive been working under the assumption that the heart of the fight of this race has been in front of peoples doors, which means that the candidate that wins is the candidate that puts in the most effort, he said. And I have nothing but respect for anyone who gets involved in this process, but I believe in my team, and I believe in what weve been doing. People have been responding while weve been knocking on doors, and hopefully thatll be enough. Its going to have to be. A couple miles away, at the District 13 polling spot at Rippowam Middle School, about 450 people had voted as of 4:30 p.m. Its important for Stamford to be represented on the state level, Kori Meyers said outside the polling place. Editors note: This story has been updated to remove a statement that Ryan Fazio did not say and to clarify that Patrick Sasser said the quote pretty purple district, not Fazio. Information about voter registration has also been added. brianna.gurciullo@hearstmediact.com STAMFORD For many Stamford parents and students, the school districts plan to implement a block schedule across all three high schools this fall continues to get a failing grade. Kim McGowan, a freshman at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering, the smallest of the citys public high schools and one that already has a block schedule in place, created a change.org online petition calling on the school district to scrap its plans to put a different type of block scheduling in place. In a few days, the petition had garnered more than 1,700 signatures. If all these people are signing, that means all these people dont want it to change, McGowan said. So (district officials) should be asking us Why? Many students and parents, like teachers, have said they would rather the district implement the current schedule at AITE across all high schools. At AITE, every class is offered in an A/B model with four periods every day. That means a student attends four classes one day, followed by four different classes the next day. McGowan said she would like to see AITEs schedule untouched. I feel like were not really having problems with the schedule now, McGowan said. I dont see why theyre changing it. Reaction to the block schedule has been overwhelmingly unfavorable among Stamfords high school educators. Getting a sense of how parents and students feel is trickier, but comments on social media sites have mostly skewed negative. Lisa Butler, the parent of a Stamford High School junior, called the planned schedule a logistical nightmare, and said she believes the decision to implement it was rushed. I hope they can at least postpone it for a year to really think through the steps, Butler said. But the reaction hasnt been all negative. Some parents have sent emails of support to district officials. One of those people is Jeff Herz, the father of a student who will be attending Stamford High School next year and another student who is expected to graduate this year. Herz said he has faith in Amy Beldotti, associate superintendent for teaching and learning, and Superintendent Tamu Lucero to do whats right for Stamford students. I dont believe that they are seriously going to propose a plan that is not right for Stamford public schools, he said. Further, he said the block schedule would likely help prepare his son for college. As to why Herz believes so many have been vocally opposed to the plan? People dont like change, he said. When McGowan posted her petition, the school district had announced that it would implement a 4x4 schedule for the high schools to begin in the fall. The new schedule called for four periods of 90-minute classes each day, with courses lasting for only one semester. A student could take four classes in the fall, followed by four different courses in the spring, for example. But by last week, the plan was changed. The current plan, described by the administration as a hybrid four-by-four, would keep the four periods, but certain classes would be offered in a full-year model. Those classes which include Advanced Placement courses, band, journalism and agricultural science, among others would operate under an A/B model: the class will meet every other day for the duration of the school year. But that presents a different scheduling issue, since students will have an open period on the days when that class does not meet. In order to solve that, students could choose another class in the A/B schedule to attend on those days, or choose to attend a study hall, for example. All other courses will run in a four-by-four model, which means they will last for only one semester and will be offered daily. The end result is that students can build a schedule in a variety of ways: Choosing a schedule that allows some to take eight and some to take six and some to take four and really developing a personalized schedule, Beldotti said during a pop-up webinar for parents and students. We feel this is the best one for all of our students to be able to make those choices. During the webinar, Beldotti said the district didnt choose to implement AITEs current block schedule because eight classes per semester would be too much to manage for some students and could lead to burn-out. And, Beldotti said, the district wants all high schools to be implementing the same schedule moving forward. One of the drivers for the new move was adjusting to the states requirement that high school students have 25 credits to graduate, starting with the freshman class of 2019-20. By the next school year, all high school students will need the 25 credits. The new schedule would give students at Westhill and Stamford High more opportunities to gain the 25 credits, which administrators say they hope will result in more students graduating. Under the new schedule, students can earn up to 32 credits over four years. Currently, students at Westhill High School and Stamford High School take seven 48-minute classes each year which translates to 28 credits over four years. In her online petition, McGowan criticized the decision to have certain classes meet every day for 90-minute periods. I cant imagine having to sit in the same classes for 90 (minutes), (five times) a week, for a whole semester, she wrote. Its going to be extremely repetitive and we are going to lose any interest we have in learning. Helene Neigler, a parent of a graduating senior at AITE and two incoming freshmen who applied to AITE, said she was furious when she heard of the districts planned schedule change. She remains concerned that students will go months without instruction in certain subjects because of the condensed nature of classes in the four-by-four plan. In some cases, she said, a student could go the entire summer and the following semester without any instruction in a subject. Lori Rhodes, the director of curriculum, instruction and assessment at the secondary level for Stamford schools, said research shows that learning loss under the block schedule is not as much of a concern. What we just keep finding is that there is no evidence of greater learning loss over the eight months, she said, during the webinar. Neigler said shes not convinced. I feel like as a parent who has kids, just getting back into the swing of things after the summer break is difficult, she said. Over the summer they lose, so how can you say over eight months they dont? Neigler called for the district to conduct a parent and teacher survey. I want to support the teachers because they support my students, she said. ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com STAMFORD Mayor Caroline Simmons, who is expecting to give birth Wednesday, took the time before starting her own maternity leave to let residents know about maternal health services in the area. Simmons said the city will launch a diaper drive in the coming weeks, with businesses and residents both welcome to make donations. We all know how expensive the cost of diapers are and how important they are to the health and wellness of a new baby and also just the peace of mind it provides for new parents to have an adequate supply of diapers, Simmons said during an online forum Monday. So far, the Ferguson Library, the Yerwood Center and the Stamford Police Department have agreed to have drop boxes stationed at their locations, she said, and the Salvation Army is set to help with pickups and distribution. Simmons, who is expecting to give birth and start maternity leave Wednesday, already has two boys: Teddy, 3, and Jack, 1. She said Monday that she and her husband, Art Linares, a former Republican state senator, have decided on a name for their third son and would announce it later. We couldnt be more excited but admittedly also a little scared of being outnumbered with three kids, said Simmons, who gave birth to Teddy and Jack while serving as a Democratic state representative for Stamford. But I also want to recognize that Ive been so blessed and privileged to have had such excellent prenatal care and to have gotten to give birth at Stamford Hospital twice already and to just have that support network in place, Simmons added. And I want to make sure that were making sure every single mom has that support network and has resources in place during what is such a joyful time of life but can also be such a difficult and demanding time as well. It may be especially difficult for families today, Simmons said, with the cost of living on the rise and the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing. She said her administration also is well aware of disparities in health outcomes for women of color We know specifically that the risk of maternal and infant mortality and pregnancy-related complications can be reduced substantially by increasing access to quality prenatal and postnatal care, she said. Simmons was joined during the forum by Barbara Carr, the director of the Womens and Childrens Service Line at Stamford Health, and Kathy LiVolsi, Stamford Healths clinical operations director for Maternal and Child Health. They noted that Stamford Hospitals Whittingham Pavilion is home to a labor and delivery floor, mother-baby units and a Womens Specialty Center. Carr and LiVolsi also highlighted Stamford Hospitals Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Stamford Health Medical Groups pediatric centers and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Childrens Institute. Leslie Sexer, the chief program officer at Family Centers, also spoke during the forum, noting that the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood awarded the nonprofit a grant last year to expand its free Parents as Teachers program, which supports first-time and second-time parents living in Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien. Following Sexer was Alice Knapp, the head of the Ferguson Library, who spoke about the Friends of the Ferguson Librarys Books for Babies program, and then Edith Presley, the new president of the Stamford Cradle to Career partnership, who talked about a child development app called Sparkler created for children as old as 5 and their families. Simmons said she hopes to hold more forums on maternal and childrens health in the future. brianna.gurciullo@hearstmediact.com Milton, PA (17847) Today Rain diminishing to a few showers this afternoon. High 68F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) marks Human Trafficking Awareness Month with the launch of a new app that will help prevent sexual violence while connecting survivors in northeast Ohio to local services. The Ashtabula office, pictured here, 5021 State Road, offers survivors of rape and sexual abuse in Ashtabula County an option to access services including counseling, victim assistance and support groups close to home. This is archive content that is no longer updated. Go to the up-to-date statistics page. Published: 25 January 2022 County elections 2022, result of the preliminary calculation The result based on the preliminary calculation of the votes cast in the County elections 2022 has been published in the database tables. The final data of the County elections according to the confirmed result based on the control calculation will be made public on 1 February 2022. Support for parties in County elections 2022, % Source: County Elections 2022, preliminary data, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Sami Fredriksson 029 551 2696, Jaana Asikainen 029 551 3506, vaalit@stat.fi Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala Publication in pdf-format (364.6 kB) Updated 25.1.2022 Referencing instructions: Statistics: County elections [e-publication]. 02 2022. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 4.5.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/alvaa/2022/02/alvaa_2022_02_2022-01-25_tie_001_en.html Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (471) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (93) The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) says that the grievances of the workers of the Bucharest Transport Company (STB) are "legitimate and in line with the interests of Bucharest residents who use public transit." "The threats with the termination of employment contracts are manipulative and ridiculous, because STB cannot find such a large number of professionals on the domestic market willing to work for a salary below the market level (...). STB efficiency does not make sense to be made by eliminating workers, but by improving productivity and getting efficient management. AUR is strongly opposed to outsourcing services to political party companies, and we will block any attempt to do so," said George Simion, AUR's co-chairman, on Tuesday, according to an AUR press statement after a meeting with STB trade unionists at the Parliament House. At the same time, AUR proposes a raft of measures to de-escalate the situation at STB and prevent the occurrence of similar instances, Agerpres.ro informs. The leader of the STB union, Vasile Petrariu, said on Tuesday, after meeting AUR MPs at the Parliament House, that work stoppages for the period immediately ahead are out of the question, but he is waiting for the start of negotiations over a new employment contract; depending on the outcome, "people will probably decide what to do next." Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu says that "we are currently witnessing intensifying anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and Holocaust distortion." He participated on Tuesday in a commemoration of the Bucharest Pogrom victims and the observance of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day organised by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice at the Choral Temple in Bucharest. "We cannot passively witness the spread of anti-Semitism, and we are under an obligation to the victims of the Holocaust and to future generations in this country to fight against this phenomenon. "We will continue to publicly condemn, without hesitation, any attempt to deny or distort the Holocaust. "We will continue to use concrete tools we have to defend the Romanian society," said the head of the Romanian diplomacy. He said Tuesday's event honoured the memory of 6 million people who fell victim to a repressive regime just because they were Jews. "Today's event, however, has a double commemorative significance: we also remember the victims of the Bucharest Pogrom. "81 years ago, in and around Bucharest, more than 1,000 people were arrested and tortured, and more than 120 lost their lives. "It was just a first episode of the Holocaust in Romania, a dark page in the history of Romania, which we have a duty not to forget," Aurescu said. He added: "The Holocaust in Romania, which made hundreds of thousands of victims among the Jewish community and tens of thousands of victims among the Roma community in Romania, took place amidst growing anti-Semitism manifested throughout Europe. "It is our responsibility to remember the victims of these tragedies and to make sure that such tragedies will not happen again," Aurescu said. He added that in 2021, on the 80th anniversary commemoration of the Bucharest Pogrom, he drew attention to the worrying rise of anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial and distortion, including online. He added that the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued to get involved in developing policy proposals for preventing and combating anti-Semitism in Romania, as well as in promoting worldwide initiatives that would allow us to fight against this scourge. Thus, within the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Combating Anti-Semitism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the drawing up of a first national strategy for preventing and combating anti-Semitism, xenophobia, radicalisation and hate speech and an action plan for the implementation of the strategy, in May 2021. The minister also said that Romanian diplomats have been involved and have significantly contributed to the development and adoption of important instruments at an international level, such as the first European Union strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, adopted on October 5, 2021; updating the European Commission's recommendations against racism and intolerance in combating anti-Semitism, of July 1, 2021, as well as Council of Europe's draft recommendations on combatting hate speech. In terms of bilateral diplomatic relations, Aurescu said: "We have continued to promote cooperation with Israel, the United States and France in the areas of Holocaust education, research and remembrance, and we have maintained an intense dialogue with partners in Ukraine and Moldova identifying and carrying out projects in the field of Holocaust research and remembrance." He said that another objective pursued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the past year was the identification of cultural and religious assets of the Romanian Jewish community that had arrived illegally abroad and their repatriation. With support from the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv, a document of great cultural and historical value, belonging to the Jewish community in Timisoara was handed over to the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania. "This success was both a diplomatic success and a concrete example of the results of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' partnership with the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania," Aurescu said. "Romania will continue to act to prevent tragedies such as the one we are commemorating. "We will promote tolerance and mutual respect as fundamental values of a democratic society, including through our foreign policy action," said Aurescu. January 27, 1945, marks the release of prisoners from the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp and the international commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. According to UN General Assembly Resolution 60/7 of 2005, nations are encouraged to commemorate Holocaust victims and to develop Holocaust educational programmes. The Bucharest Pogrom took place between January 21-23, 1941, Agerpres informs. Senate President Florin Citu believes the IT industry needs a simple and clear fiscal framework, so that Romania becomes the most important player in the European Union. "One of the most productive industries in Romania, the IT industry, needs efficient solutions to prevent and combat the Brain Drain phenomenon and for access to finance. Another basic pillar for the IT industry is the need for a simple and clear fiscal framework, so that Romania should become the most important player in the European Union," Citu stated on Tuesday, according to the Senate's Facebook page, Agerpres.ro informs. According to the post, Florin Citu met on Tuesday with the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dan Vilceanu, and with the representatives of the Employers' Association of the software and services industry. "We discussed solutions to the problems facing the Romanian IT industry. The solutions identified together with ANIS representatives will encourage innovation and research, strengthen the small and medium business ecosystem in the field, help companies to have access to financing sources and human capital," added Citu. A new regulation of the energy and gas price would mean a violation of European legislation and would lead to a direct conviction of Romania at the European Court of Justice, said on Tuesday, Claudiu Dumbraveanu, General manager of the energy market and prices directorate within the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE). "All household consumers will benefit from this ordinance on offsetting bills, but the offset scheme should not be for everyone. I, for example, do not need to be supported. Vulnerable consumers should be identified," he told the conference titled "Energy Crisis - Solutions to the Problems of the Moment," organized by DC News. In his view, this ordinance suspends the retail market and discourages consumers from changing their supplier. "It also discourages suppliers from managing their procurement and optimizing their operating costs, discourages efficient consumption, and ultimately consumers must participate in this market. Prolonged support of bills from the state budget will create the illusion of low prices and will lead to the allocation to consumption of some state resources that should be used for development," maintained Dumbrveanu. He believes that a strategy should be adopted during this period, in which consumer support measures are implemented from the state budget. Asked what the state should do after March 31, he replied: "I have some ideas about what should not be done. It is a personal opinion and I have arguments. In my opinion, we should not move to regulated prices under any circumstances. Regulated prices stand for a socialist market model, which worked very well when all markets were regulated. When the rest of the markets are free, having a regulated energy market is anachronistic, it is deeply illegal and profoundly violates European law and the free movement of goods, because barriers are being created", Agerpres informs. Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu said at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels that the critical humanitarian situation in Syria may generate new negative effects, with an impact on the stability of the region and the security of the European Union, and reconfirmed the support for maintaining the EU's position of principle (EU involvement in the process of reconstruction of the country according to the implementation, by the Syrian leadership, of concrete steps to move forward in the political process under UN Security Council Resolution 2254). "On the other hand, the Romanian Foreign minister considered that it is necessary to make the EU position more flexible with the objective of facilitating the unblocking of the Syrian file, in close coordination with the UN Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, and the United States of America. In this way, the EU could become an actor in the dossier, beyond its already consistent involvement in the provision of humanitarian assistance. Also, Minister Bogdan Aurescu called for a coordination between the EU and the League of Arab States in identifying ways to solve the crisis. He stressed the importance of increased support for the Syrian population, including through involvement in early recovery projects for the direct benefit of local communities and the most vulnerable. The minister also recalled in the context the role of the Romanian Embassy in Damascus," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. During the debate on the situation in Libya, the European Foreign ministers analyzed the ways to unblock the current situation resulting from the postponement of the elections originally scheduled for December 24, 2021. The discussion focused on conveying unified messages from the EU for an assumed and Libyan-led political process, in the direction of fulfilling the priorities agreed in the Paris Conference in November 2021, as well as the mediation process led by Stephanie Williams, the UN GSC Special Adviser in Libya. "The discussions on Mali have confirmed the political support of the member states for supplementing the EU measures to sanction those responsible for delaying the democratic transition, in line with the decisions of the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS) on 9 January. Regarding the Indo-Pacific region, the discussions approached the ways of implementing the EU Strategy for the region, in the perspective of the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific (Paris, February 22nd), in which the Romanian diplomacy chief will also participate, as a sign of support for starting a rapid implementation of the EU Strategy for the region," the press release reads. France's Ambassador to Romania Laurence Auer said on Tuesday, in Zalau, at an event dedicated to the commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust, that the facts regarding the killing of Jews during World War II remain, and the six million victims cannot be wiped off. "The facts remain, no matter how much some try to erase them, and sooner or later they are discovered and shared with the rest of the world. The six million victims cannot be wiped off. 150,000 Jews, 80% of the Jewish population in Transylvania lost their lives, were then deported to the Auschwitz death camps and other places. What remains? Of course, the memory of these people remains, but above all we must dedicate ourselves to the education of future generations, so that they can carry on the lessons that we and they also learn," said Laurence Auer. She participated in the international conference "The Last Station", an event organized on Tuesday by the Jewish Community of Zalau, together with the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania - the Mosaic cult, to mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Laurence Auer also congratulated the Romanian state for harmonizing national legislation, which stipulates that Holocaust education should be part of the national curriculum, given that a recent study shows that one in 20 Europeans has not heard of this tragedy, Agerpres.ro informs. The conference in Zalau was attended by local and county officials, representatives of the Jewish community and foreign embassies in Romania, and students in Zalau. "A report released yesterday by the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization shows that anti-Semitic acts reached in 2021 the highest level in the past ten years, with more than ten incidents a day worldwide. That means more than half a century since the Holocaust we need to remain vigilant and steadfast in the fight against anti-Semitism, intolerance, extremism, and populism. Events like the one today have the role of reminding us of what the Holocaust meant, so that such tragedies do not happen again. For the same reason, the history of those times must be known by future generations," said the Prefect of Salaj county, Dari Toma. In memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust, several candles were lit by officials attending the event. National chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Florin Citu said on Tuesday that if the Ministry of Justice issues a favourable opinion on the draft ordinance on energy regulations, the ordinance will pass at the government's meeting the same day. "There is a discussion about what happens after this ordinance expires, whether we move on with a regulation for six months or a year, both options that will have to be discussed with the European Commission. And so we have suggested that we can extend the capping and offsetting of energy prices. So, the ordinance that the government will issue today will be extended throughout summer. Of course, these are decisions that the government has to make, but I will recommend them to the prime minister if we do not have the time or do not have a decision from the commission. (...) The ordinance being extended throughout summer depends on what happens and what we want to do from April 1. There are talks underway, but the ordinance will be issued today (...)," Citu said at the Senate on Tuesday, Agerpres.ro informs. He said that no one inside PNL is opposed to the energy bills being offset in January as well, "but the question is whether you can do something retroactively." "It all hinges on the opinion of the Ministry of Justice, but we [PNL] are endorsing it. We have always agreed. Let the Ministry of Justice rule on this draft ordinance; if it is constitutional, it will certainly pass at the government's meeting today," added Citu. The PNL leader pointed out that an investment plan has to be discussed that ensures Romania's energy security by 2026. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Monday officiated a Te Deum service at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, marking the 163rd anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. At the end of the service, the Patriarch reminded that on January 24, 1859, the works of the Electoral Assembly of Muntenia, which elected Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza of Moldavia as Prince of Wallachia, took place on the famous Metropolitan Hill, in a building of the Metropolis of Wallachia, accordind to basilica.ro. Before the election, the members of the Electoral Assembly swore on the Holy Gospel and the Holy Cross, before the icon of the Holy Trinity, that they would vote for the Union of the Romanian Principalities, the Patriarch of Romania said January 24. Today, at the Te Deum service in the Patriarchal Cathedral, we prayed to the Most Holy Trinity, the eternal Source of unity and communion, to help us preserve and permanently cultivate national unity, peaceful coexistence and dignified cooperation with other peoples for the welfare of the Romanian people and of Romania, His Beatitude noted. The event was attended by representatives of state authorities, including Vasile Dincu, Minister of National Defense, and Victor Opaschi, State Secretary for Religious Affairs. In his speech, the Patriarch of Romania underlined the essential contribution of the Church in the process that culminated with the Union of Romanian Principalities: Through hierarchs, priests, monks and lay theologians, the Romanian Orthodox Church contributed to this fundamental act of our history both in Moldavia and in Wallachia. The contemporaries of the event called January 24, 1859, The Great Day of the Century, Patriarch Daniel recalled, adding that they understood that the Union of Romanian Principalities was the cornerstone of the new Romanian unitary state. I have often stated that the Union of January 24, 1859, must be considered the Basic Union, not the Small Union because it was the basis for the formation of the Romanian unitary state in 1862, called Romania. This holiday is a day in which we thank God and commemorate with gratitude all those who contributed to the Union of Romanian Principalities, thus showing the importance of our unity and national dignity in the context of present and future international cooperation. After the thanksgiving service, wreaths were laid at the statue of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza near the Patriarchal Cathedral. On January 24, 2022, a Te Deum service was held in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate. The bells of all churches rang for one minute. PNL (National Liberal Party) leader Florin Citu on Tuesday stated that he has no worries related to the notification by USR (Save Romania Union) of the Venice Commission regarding the project on the abolition of the Section for Investigating Magistrates (SIIJ), as there is already an opinion on this topic. "It was already notified, even if without the consent of the Prime Minister. I closed my eyes then. I know that this bill takes into account the opinion of the Venice Commission, which we received then. I have no worries. I trust the solutions of my colleagues (...). We need to see if this project meets the recommendations of the CVM. If it does, we will move forward. So far it did. The version that the Ministry of Justice proposed will be presented to our European partners who wrote the CVM and made the recommendations. if they approve this versions it means that the topic is closed," Citu stated in the Senate, Agerpres.ro informs. USR leader Dacian Ciolos appreciates that the project to abolish the SIIJ, initiated by the Minister of Justice, Catalin Predoiu, leads to a "re-establishment" of the Special Section. According to Ciolos, a request from the USR was adopted in the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), so that the Venice Commission will be notified to issue a point of view on the independence of magistrates from Romania after the exclusion from the judiciary of judge Cristi Danilet and the publication of the new project to abolish the SIIJ. President Klaus Iohannis welcomes the decision of the Council of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to launch accession negotiations with Romania. "I warmly welcome today's OECD decision to open accession negotiations with Romania. I thank Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and the member states for supporting Romania's candidacy! We remain committed to achieving the goal of joining the OECD with energy and determination," the President wrote on Facebook on Tuesday, Agerpres.ro informs. The Government also welcomed the decision of the OECD Council to launch accession negotiations with Romania, stressing in a press release that through this decision, our country is significantly closer to achieving one of its strategic foreign policy objectives, unanimously shared and constantly committed to higher level of the state, respectively obtaining the status of member of the Organization. Romanian Design Week will be up and running for its 10-year anniversary between May 13 - 22 in Bucharest, the organizers - The Institute - inform in a release. They go on to note that throughout this period, the multifaceted event has contributed to the growth of the Romanian design scene and industry, promoting cooperation and partnership inside and outside the guild by growing a professional community of well-established designers and architects and contributing to the city's change for the better, especially through the cultural event venues. "Ten years ago we started RDW out of a desire to prove how the talent and minds of valuable designers put together can bring about a change for the better in everybody's life - communities, cities, countries, social or business entrepreneurs, by organizing exhibitions, conferences, award events, online platforms and channels dedicated to this universe. We believe that the integration of design in the Romanian society, as level of understanding and consumption, use in projects and business, way of thinking and considering things, will lead to the modernization of the Romanian society and economy. This is the mission we continue to take on," said Andrei Gavrila-Bortun, initiator of Romanian Design Week & CEO of The Institute. Gracing the festival under the hashtag #forward will be organizations, designers, initiatives and events with online and offline presence that will emphasize the importance and contribution of creative industries in designing a future that looks with respect at sustainability, inclusion and state-of-the-art. In addition, the theme also reflects the opening of a new chapter for the mission of Romanian Design Week: encouraging the consumption of design and architecture-generated products. The central space of the festival will be the Plastic Fund Combine, which is home to a valuable and effervescent artistic community and which will host exhibitions, events, conferences, workshops and an outdoor area fitted out especially for RDW visitors who will be able to enjoy a design-themed leisure time for 10 days. Through a partnership with the Bucharest Order of Architects, RDW will also propose a special program that will be hosted by the "The I.C. Bratianu Heritage Ensemble". For the third consecutive year, the Design Flags program will feature a series of international design exhibitions to encourage dialogue between the Romanian and the international market, as the festival aims to contribute to the development of local creative industries in a global context. Romanian Design Week will celebrate the creative communities and local hubs through the Design GO program that comes up with a host of satellite events and special design routes through Bucharest, but also in the Creative Quarter. The program of RDW's 10th anniversary edition will also reflect the results of the strategic partnerships of The Institute with the Representation of the European Commission in Romania, the Romanian Cultural Institute, the Bucharest Order of Architects, the Union of Fine Artists, the Plastic Fund Combine, and the 'Baza' Association, Agerpres informs. Senior official with Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE) Daniela Gitman attended a meeting of EU ministers and secretaries of state for European affairs in Brussels on Tuesday, the first ministerial meeting of the General Affairs Council (CAG) under the French Presidency of the EU Council. Gitman welcomed the objectives set for this semester among the priorities of the French Presidency of the EU Council unveiled at the meeting and gave assurances regarding Romania's support for France's efforts to advance the European agenda in a consensual manner, Agerpres.ro informs. In relation to the substance of the priorities, the Romanian dignitary welcomed the maintenance of the fundamental values of the European Union in the centre of the preoccupations of the French presidency, as well as the continuation of the annual dialogue on the rule of law. She also highlighted the importance of steps towards post-crisis economic recovery and the consolidation of the European economic and social model, and pointed to the need to advance the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans. Gitman also mentioned the importance of continuing efforts on green and digital transition, insisting on the need for balanced, fair and sustainable solutions in order to avoid deepening economic and social divisions within the EU. At the same time, she mentioned the role of natural gas and nuclear energy in ensuring energy security and economic stability during the green transition. At the same time, the Romanian dignitary voiced support for the objectives of the French Presidency pertaining to the protection of the EU's external borders, reiterating Romania's legitimate objective of joining the Schengen area. In terms of advancing EU's external agenda, the Romanian dignitary underlined the need for the European Union to continue its enlargement efforts and to hold intergovernmental conferences with Albania and North Macedonia. She also highlighted the need to maintain the Eastern Partnership as a priority on the EU's agenda and the importance of strengthening the transatlantic relationship, while appreciating the French Presidency's focus on relations with Africa. With regard to legislative proposals aimed at strengthening democracy and the integrity of elections, Gitman voiced support for them in principle, underscoring the need for an in-depth analysis of the content in relation to the internal timeline for approval at the level of EU member states so that these provisions can be applied before the 2024 European election. As part of an exchange of opinions on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gitman called for a coordinated approach at EU level in putting forth measures based on epidemiological data and forecasts, and welcomed the adoption by GAC of a recommendation on free movement within the EU. At the same time, she emphasised the importance of maintaining a balanced approach in ensuring the free movement of persons on COVID digital certificates. Regarding relations between the European Union and the UK, Gitman thanked the European Commission, particularly Vice-President Maros Sefcovic, for the efforts to ensure that the interests of the European Union are properly reflected in its relations with the UK. She called for further dialogue with the UK in order to find solutions within the limits set by the Northern Ireland Protocol that would be in the interest of the European Union and European citizens. The Romanian dignitary also thanked the European Commission for keeping the issue of citizens' rights on the agenda of dialogue with the UK, reiterating the importance of solidarity and unity at EU level in managing the relations with the UK. Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu welcomed the inclusion of the situation generated by Russia's aggressive actions in the vicinity of Ukraine and the Black Sea region on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and the adoption of the latter's conclusions, in Brussels, informs a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sent on Monday evening. At the same time, the Romanian official proposed examining the possibility of holding a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Kiev, as an expression of EU solidarity with Ukraine, and reiterated the importance of supporting the strengthening of Ukraine's resilience as well as that of other Eastern partners and increasing EU involvement in finding political solutions to protracted conflicts in the Black Sea region. "In this context, he recalled Romania's main positions on this issue, with an emphasis on maintaining the EU's strong support for the principles underlying the current European security architecture, as well as current conflict resolution formats, and rejecting the use of the concept of 'spheres of influence', the need for a concrete de-escalation on the ground of the security situation and continuing to prepare firm and credible measures to discourage Russia. Thus, he reiterated the need for the EU to speed up the preparation of restrictive measures (sanctions), sectoral and individual, against Russia, both in order to deter and to prepare an appropriate, proportionate response in the event of further escalation of tensions. He stressed the need to continue close coordination with the United States on the preparation of sanctions and, more broadly, on the file, as well as with the other like-minded partners," the cited source states. "Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu (...) highlighted the importance of close EU-US consultation on preparing a package of firm and credible measures to sanction Russia. Minister Bogdan Aurescu also reiterated Romania's thanks for the announcement of US President Joseph R. Biden on the increase of the US military presence on the Eastern Flank, including in Romania, in case of a deterioration of the security situation, showing that the US commitment is of special importance for the Euro-Atlantic security as a whole, of which the Black Sea region is part. He emphasized that the process of strengthening NATO's defence posture on the Eastern Flank was needed as soon as possible, having in itself a significant deterrent effect. He also referred to the forthcoming Russia-US ministerial meeting as a follow-up to last Friday's Geneva meeting and welcomed the continuation of the dialogue, stressing the importance of continuing the dialogue under the NATO-Russia Council format, with a responsible, positive response on the Russian side needed. (...) At the same time, in this context, he reiterated Romania's thanks for France's willingness to participate militarily in NATO's forward presence in Romania," the cited source also states. The Bucharest Transport Company's (STB) employee dismissal procedure is not simple and does not provide for direct termination, but requires certain steps to be followed; each case will be discussed separately in the Disciplinary Investigation Commission, depending on the accusations brought against the public transport workers who joined the strike, the Bucharest Transport Company's union leader Vasile Petrariu said on Tuesday. "We don't have any concrete information yet, only the general manager's statements on TV. But it's good for everyone to know that this dismissal procedure is not that simple, it doesn't just happen as soon as one announces it on TV. There are specific disciplinary inquiry procedures, certain steps must be followed. (...) Depending on the accusations brought, each case will be discussed separately in the Disciplinary Investigation Commission which is the decision-making body. Our rules of procedure do not provide for direct dismissal. There are several articles in our rules of procedure that can be interpreted and the sanctions range from warning to dismissal," said Petrariu when asked if workers will be let go following their spontaneous protest. The union leader underscored that the employees were aware right from the beginning that they would lose money for the unworked days and asking for payment did not even cross their minds. Vasile Petrariu also stated that the representatives of the Board of Directors undertook to examine in the next period the activity of the general manager from a professional point of view and will take a decision regarding the employees' claim to have him dismissed. STB general manager Adrian Crit announced at a press conference earlier in the day that STB's bus driver job announcement posted on Monday on the site received a lot of applications. "60 applications came in on Tuesday alone, yesterday at the end of the day there were 230 of them. At the moment there are 290 applications," said the STB general manager. The employees of the Bucharest Transport Company announced on Tuesday morning their decision to suspend their protest and resume service after five days during which the Bucharest public transport has been blocked, Agerpres informs. Bucharest General Mayor Nicusor Dan says that the talks will continue so that things from the Bucharest Transport Company (STB) "improve within the limits of the possible, depending on the available budgets". "The strike at the STB is over. The discussions last night with the employees and trade unions from STB were successful, and today morning almost all the public transport that was scheduled went out on the route. The discussions will continue so that things at the STB improve within the limits of the possible, depending on the available budgets," the mayor wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday morning. He thanked "all those who were involved in solving the crisis" and expressed regret that "the people of Bucharest were deprived for 5 days of the public transport service at the surface". The employees of the Bucharest Transport Company decided to suspend the protest action and resume the activity after five days in which the public transport in Bucharest was blocked. On Monday evening, Nicusor Dan told private broadcaster Digi24 that more and more drivers and operators had understood that "this adventure" needs to end. "I hope there is the rational decision following the discussion that is taking place this evening [Monday - ed.n.], so that the strike can stop tomorrow and all the discussions which are absolutely legitimate, of a union nature, can take place in a civilized framework, without Bucharesters suffering," the mayor also said. Nicusor Dan explained that, according to the collective labor agreement, the union workers cannot ask for the resignation of the STB director, nor the other way around. On the other hand, Vasile Petrariu, the leader of the STB Union, stated, after negotiations at the City Hall, that he believes the Administration Council of the STB did not understand the crisis situation that should have been already solved. "Unfortunately, we lost so much time with the hope that the Administration Council will assume a decision that would resolve this conflict. They did not understand the crisis situation in which we are and which should be resolved, because the problem now is not necessarily with us, as employees, the problem is with citizens. Citizens expect the resumption of activity and we do not have these guarantees." Asked if workers will resume activity on Tuesday, Petrariu said he will relay the result of discussions and they will decide. He stated that the employees are not opposed to reforms, but want to be paid reasonably, for the Social Dialogue Law to be respected, as well as the Collective Labor Agreement and the Labor Code. As regards the resignation of the general director, Petrache specified that the company is led by the Administration Council, not by executive directors, who only execute and can be dismissed by the Administration Council, just as they were appointed. USR (Save Romania Union) leader Dacian Ciolos reproached President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca for not informing the population about the way Romania is preparing for a possible armed conflict in our vicinity. He told a press conference held on Tuesday at the Palace of Parliament, at the end of the meeting of the National Bureau of USR, that concerns were growing on this topic. "Concerns are growing now, especially as there is a risk of an armed conflict arising not far from the Romanian border. You see that we are getting information from heads of state elsewhere, from officials in countries other than Romania. But I never heard an official from Romania, like President Iohannis or Prime Minister Ciuca addressing the matter or explaining how Romania is preparing for this possible conflict. I know about a CSAT (Supreme Council for Country Defence) meeting being convened, but that will only happen on Wednesday. The President of Romania, who is the commander of the armed forces, should come out and tell us how Romania is preparing for this conflict. And I am obviously talking now about that information that can be made public, for the Romanian society, the people need to be informed, they need to know how we stand and how we prepare," Ciolos said. He said that President Iohannis could address the issue in a public statement or at the beginning of the parliamentary session. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to "sow distrust" among EU member states and "destabilize" them. Ciolos also criticized AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians) for electing an honorary president who has "a declared pro-Russian position." "We see Russia's aggression - or Putin's aggression, in particular. It has long been his intention to use all means to destabilize the EU and to sow mistrust among EU partners. He does this openly, even more covertly. But we can also see how, not that far away - let me insert a brake here - we can see how AUR now has a pro-Russian honorary president with a pro-Russian speech. So this is what Russia brings us and what brings tension to Romania," he said. On the other hand, Ciolos recalled the commitments of the NATO member states in case of an armed conflict, Agerpres informs. A young Afghan, who had illegally crossed the border between Romania and Ukraine, was found by the northern Botosani border police in a state of hypothermia, the spokesperson for the Botosani Border Police (STPF), Minodora Racnea, announced on Tuesday. According to the quoted source, the young man was identified near the town of Racovat, following an information exchange with Ukrainian authorities. Shortly after being identified, he was transported to the Dorohoi Municipal Hospital. "The Border Police within the Dorohoi Border Police Sector have identified an Afghani citizen, who tried to illegally cross the border into Romania. Due to extremely cold temperatures, the young man was in a state of hypothermia and was taken to the hospital for special medical care. (...) The person was stopped in the vicinity of Racovat, but because of his health condition, medical support was requested, the citizen being taken to the hospital in Dorohoi," Racnea specified. The border police say that the young man illegally crossed the Romanian border, from the desire to find a job. The Afghani citizen is being investigated for the crime of illegally crossing state border and will be taken over by the Ukrainian authorities, based on the readmission agreement. 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 St. Louis attorney Jerry Schlichter is two for two at the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled Monday that lower courts must consider a suit that Schlichter's firm brought on behalf of Northwestern University employees, who alleged that their retirement plan charged excessive fees. A lower court had dismissed the case, ruling that Northwestern had met its fiduciary duty by offering some low-cost investment options alongside the high-cost funds in its 403(b) retirement plan. The Supreme Court rejected that argument. "If the fiduciaries fail to remove an imprudent investment from the plan within a reasonable time, they breach their duty," the high court ruled in an opinion written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The ruling was a unanimous 8-0 decision. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who served on the federal appeals court that previously heard the case, did not participate in the decision. Schlichter's firm also won a unanimous Supreme Court decision in 2015 in a case brought by workers at Edison International, a California electric utility. Like the Northwestern employees, the Edison workers said their retirement plan charged excessive fees. In the Northwestern lawsuit, workers allege that the university failed to seek competitive bids for managing its 403(b) plan, resulting in overpayments of at least $3 million. They also allege that the plan contained many high-cost retail mutual funds, even though it was large enough to obtain lower-fee institutional versions of the same funds. The Schlichter Bogard & Denton firm has been suing employers over retirement-plan fees for 15 years and has won settlements totaling more than $500 million. The investment industry had been watching the Northwestern case closely. The Investment Company Institute, a mutual fund trade group, filed a brief in support of the university's position. AARP and the U.S. solicitor general were among parties submitting briefs on behalf of the workers. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Is going to college still a good investment? Your field of study, career goals and personal life all play a role in the answer as does your familys income. Amid the ongoing national discussion about the value of a college education, a new study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that, in general, the return on investment of a college degree for students from low-income families tends to be less than the return on investment for other students. Return on investment, or ROI for short, is a term that refers to the ratio of an investments net profit to its overall cost. The ratio is one way to measure the total value of an investment. In this case, Georgetowns researchers define ROI as the earnings of a student over time minus the students cost of attendance. A Student Loan is a smart way of covering your college costs. There's no shortage of expenses in college life. Get the help you need with a Student Loan. Click on your state to find out more today. The researchers found that ROI for low-income students across all degrees and majors is $756,000 over 40 years. For all students, that number jumps up to $822,000. The report considers students whose families earn less than $30,000 per year a group that comprises more than a third of all college students to be low-income. So while college does generally pay off for this group, the returns are higher for students from higher earning families. The researchers offer a few explanations for the phenomenon. First, the ROI calculations are based on all students who attend a college, and as the authors note, graduation rates for low-income students tend to be lower than graduation rates for other students, in part because the financial stresses of college (which for lower-income students are more likely to include the demands of full-time work and childcare) are more extreme. And second, students who come from low-income families typically earn less as adults than their peers. Public schools generate the highest ROI for low-income students In general, the researchers found that lower-cost public schools tend to produce the highest earnings and ROI for low-income bachelors students. The 40-year ROI on a degree from a public institution for a low-income student is $951,000, the report found. The ROI on a bachelors degree from a private nonprofit school, on the other hand, is $863,000 a difference of $88,000 over the 40-year timeframe. Here are the public colleges with the highest 40-year ROIs for low-income students, according to the report. Maine Maritime Academy: $2.2 million Colorado School of Mines: $2.1 million California State University Maritime Academy: $1.9 million Georgia Institute of Technology: $1.9 million University of Virginia: $1.8 million SUNY Maritime College: $1.8 million College of William & Mary: $1.7 million University of California-Berkeley: $1.7 million University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: $1.7 million University of California-Los Angeles: $1.6 million Of course, many private schools also generate outsize returns for low-income students. The 40-year ROI for a degree from Georgetown is $3.3 million, the report found, while the ROI at both Stanford University and Harvard University is $3 million. The report notes, however, that these private schools often enroll significantly fewer low-income students than their public counterparts, as measured by the share of their students receiving Pell Grants, which are awarded by the government to low-income students. About a third of undergraduates nationwide received Pell Grants for the 2018 school year, according to the report. Many of the colleges with the highest ROI for low-income students enroll relatively small shares of Pell Grant recipients, Anthony P. Carnevale, the director of the Center on Education and the Workforce, said in a statement. ROI is important, but students wont get that ROI if they cant go to these colleges. Money Classic To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we've combed through decades of our print magazines to find hidden gems, fascinating stories and vintage personal finance tips that have withstood the test of time. Dive into the archives with us. More from Money: Copyright 2021 Ad Practitioners, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Moneys full disclaimer. FESTUS The fire chief here died Monday after being hospitalized for weeks with COVID-19 and its complications. Mayor Sam Richards said in a statement Chief Kevin Cremer, 48, was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially his city of Festus family and his brothers and sisters within the fire service, he said. Firefighters on Jan. 9 held a prayer vigil for Cremer outside Mercy Hospital in Jefferson County where he had been admitted to the ICU. Cremer was a 29-year veteran of fire service, working for 13 years at the Hematite Fire Protection District in Jefferson County before starting at the Festus Fire Department in September 2005, according to a city news release. He had been chief for four years. He is survived by his wife, Tonya Cremer; children, Ashley Nolen and Jacob Cremer; and grandchildren, Cooper Nolen and Marcella Nolen. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Mahn Funeral Home in Festus, according to the city. Cremer's passing will be counted as a line of duty death because he died from complications related to COVID-19. COVID case and hospitalization rates are showing early declines in parts of the St. Louis region. Deaths, however, are still elevated locally and statewide. On Monday, St. Louis-area hospitals reported 1,236 confirmed virus patients, down from the record 1,444 patients reported one week earlier, on Jan. 17, but still well above last winters peak of 962. Area hospitals reported 24 COVID deaths on Monday. The seven-day average was 19, compared with a peak last winter of 23. The state has reported, on average, 13,448 new cases each day over the past week, down from 15,130 in early January, and an average of 61 daily deaths, the highest since February, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis. Annika Merrilees of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Health officials are working to determine how four people contracted Legionnaires disease while hospitalized last year at Phelps Health in Rolla, the state health department announced Tuesday. The four patients were hospitalized between May and December of last year, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said. The health department said it is advising health care workers and the public who might have had contact with a water source at the hospital about the cases out of an abundance of caution. Legionnaires disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by inhaling small water droplets containing legionella bacteria. It is generally not spread from person to person. The health department is collaborating with Phelps Health to prevent additional infections and ensure early detection of cases, Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist, said in a news release. Phelps Health is also working with its water monitoring company for continued testing of its water system, and is contacting providers about the possibility of legionella transmission. At Phelps Health, the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff are our top priorities, Phelps Health President and CEO Jason Shenefield said. We will continue collaborating with our partners to help investigate these cases. Nearly 10,000 women traveled from out of state to have an abortion in Illinois in 2020, a roughly 29% increase compared with the previous year, according to the most recent Illinois Department of Public Health data available. State health statistics show 9,686 out-of-state women terminated a pregnancy in Illinois in 2020, comprising about 21% of all 46,243 abortions performed statewide. This was over 2,000 more than the 7,534 women who came here from another state in 2019. State data from 2021 was not available. The rise in travelers was anticipated by reproductive rights advocates and opponents of abortion alike, attributed largely to nearby states with increasingly stringent abortion laws, including those mandating waiting periods, gestational limits and more regulations on clinics. Reproductive freedoms are increasingly under fire in much of the country, particularly many Midwestern states that surround Illinois as well as southern portions of the nation. The U.S. Supreme Court by midyear is expected to rule on one of the most influential abortion cases in decades: Dobbs v. Jackson will determine the legality of a Mississippi law that bars abortion past 15 weeks gestation. The case could also dictate the fate of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that established the right to terminate a pregnancy nationwide. If Roe were to be overturned or significantly curtailed, the matter of abortion rights would be resolved at the state level. Experts predict that roughly half the nation would ban or severely restrict abortion, including every state adjacent to Illinois. At the same time, Illinois has ensconced abortion rights in state law. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act, which established terminating a pregnancy as a fundamental right for women in Illinois. Ameri Klafeta, director of the Womens and Reproductive Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said the 2020 Illinois abortion numbers reflect two undeniable realities. First, Illinois has taken steps through the Reproductive Health Act to assure (access) to reproductive health care, she said. The other truth is that this time period has been marked by escalating activity in many other states including many in the Midwest to choke off access to such care. Banning abortion and other reproductive health care in these surrounding states does not erase the need for access to critical health care despite the magical thinking of anti-abortion politicians inside and outside Illinois borders. It is hopeful and helpful that some number of those affected by these regressive laws are able to get care in our state. The number of women crossing state lines to come to Illinois for the procedure has risen every year since 2014. Former state lawmaker and prominent abortion opponent Peter Breen called the trend disturbing. When you look at the way Illinois has legislated, it makes sense that folks from out of state would stream into Illinois to get abortions, said Breen, vice president and senior counsel with the Chicago-based nonprofit public interest law firm the Thomas More Society. I dont think the people of Illinois wanted our state to become known as the abortion capital of the Midwest, but our legislators and government have decided to move us in that direction. New abortion clinics had also recently opened near state boundary lines: An 18,000-square-foot Planned Parenthood facility opened in 2019 in Fairview Heights right by the Missouri border and another Planned Parenthood opened in May 2020 in Waukegan near the Wisconsin border. Another factor might have been several states that intermittently halted abortion services in 2020 citing the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving patients scrambling to find an appointment elsewhere. The Chicago-based American Medical Association had decried these temporary bans as government intrusion in medical care. While many physicians and health care workers are on the front lines in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unfortunate that elected officials in some states are exploiting this moment to ban or dramatically limit womens reproductive health care, labeling procedures as non-urgent, the organization said in a March 2020 written statement. Overall, the total number of abortions in Illinois decreased slightly during the same period, from 46,517 in 2019 to 46,243 in 2020. There was a decline in the number of Illinois residents who terminated a pregnancy, from 38,756 in 2019 to 36,174 in 2020. Breen pointed out that the national birthrate also declined during that same period, which might account for the decrease in in-state abortions. The number of births in the U.S. decreased from more than 3.7 million in 2019 to about 3.6 million in 2020. National abortion figures have not been released for 2020. Nationwide, 2019 saw a slight increase in terminated pregnancies compared with 2018, after many years of decline, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Experts on both sides of the abortion debate predict the number of out-of-state travelers will continue to rise in the future. Last month, Pritzker signed a law repealing parental notification requirements for minors seeking an abortion in Illinois. Supporters of the change say repeal was needed to protect the rights and health of vulnerable young people, particularly those from unsafe households. Opponents, however, were alarmed that parents could be kept in the dark about the health care decisions of their children. Breen predicted that the repeal will draw more minors from other states to Illinois, since every state surrounding Illinois has some form of a parental notice requirement. Minor girls will be brought to Illinois by the thousands in order to avoid notifying their parents of their pregnancies, Breen said. The Food and Drug Administration in December permanently eased previous restrictions on shipping abortion pills via mail; this allows patients in Illinois and some other states to get a prescription through a telemedicine visit and then get the medication shipped to their home, another means to access abortion services. Illinois abortion providers say they expect more women will be traveling here from other states for reproductive health care in the future. As Illinois continues to break down barriers to health care, we will remain a needed haven in the Midwest, said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. We are planning for Illinois out-of-state numbers to continue to increase as long as other states are allowed to enact harmful and unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions. Last week, two abortion providers in southern Illinois opened a new resource for out-of-state travelers called the Regional Logistics Center, where designated case managers will help patients book transportation, find lodging and connect them with funding resources to help pay for the procedure and other associated costs. The center which is inside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Fairview Heights is a joint project by Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City. In September, a Texas law went into effect barring abortions as early as about six weeks gestation, before many women even know theyre pregnant, all but banning the procedure in the second-largest state in the nation. Dr. Erin King, executive director of Hope Clinic for Women, told the Tribune her clinic now sees several patients who travel from Texas each week. She described one recent patient who found out she was pregnant on a Wednesday, made the appointment on Friday and flew in on Saturday to have a medication abortion. King recalled that the patient flew back to Texas that same day, and that trip had been her first time on an airplane. The volume of patients fleeing to Illinois will only grow, said Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, at the centers opening. If Roe is overturned, we expect to see 14,000 patients from outside our service area in the first year. But to foes of abortion, the role of Illinois as a reproductive rights oasis in the Midwest has long been considered a disgrace. Illinois is drastically out of step with the rest of the Midwest, said Kevin Grillot, executive director of March for Life Chicago. The last five years, Illinois legislators have prioritized the abortion industry over the people that they represent. Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, added that theres nothing inevitable about the rise of Illinois as a major abortion state. As we continue to see the impact of the governments aggressive expansion of abortion in Illinois, especially abortions performed on minors from out of state, we may see more willingness on the part of voters to rein in this abortion license, he said. On Jan. 25, 1942, a mob attacked the jail in Sikeston, Mo., and seized a Black prisoner named Cleo Wright, who had been accused of assaulting a white woman. The mob dragged Wright behind an automobile through the Black neighborhood, and then burned his unconscious body. The following night Gov. Forrest C. Donnell ordered an immediate searching and thorough investigation of the lynching of Cleo Wright. Donnell said Scott County Prosecutor David E. Blanton had suggested that a grand jury be called to investigate the lynching, and that he "fully concurred" in the suggestion. "Every possible effort must be made to bring to justice all who took any part in this cruel violence," Donnell said in a prepared statement.' "I am confident the prosecuting attorney will use every effort to that end." Terming the Sikeston lynching "a disgraceful blot on the State of Missouri," the Governor said: "Regardless of how guilty a person may be, he is entitled to a fair trial. Cleo Wright was not an exception to this rule." "It is my earnest desire that a searching, an thorough investigation be ' immediately made, that an indictment of every person whom the grand jury shall deem to have had any part, whether great or small, in this mob violence be returned, and that prompt trial of each and every such person shall be had." ''Remember Pearl Harbor, But Don't Forget Sikeston'' was the theme of a demonstration in St. Louis a week later. Wright's killing received national attention and led to the first ever Department of Justice investigation of a lynching. But, a grand jury refused to indict the alleged perpetrators, and no one was ever convicted. Here is our original coverage from the Jan. 26, 1942, coverage from the Post-Dispatch. An investigation was begun by State and city officials today to identify members of the mob which took a wounded Negro from the Sikeston City Hall yesterday, dragged him behind an automobile through the Negro residential district, then poured gasoline on the body and set it afire. The victim, Cleo Wright, 30-year-old cotton mill worker, had been arrested early yesterday after he had severely slashed Mrs. Dillard Sturgeon, wife of an Army sergeant, in what officials said, was an attempted criminal assault, and later cut the Sikeston police officer who arrested him. One of the chief objects of the investigation will be to determine why Wright, who had been moved from his house to the City Hall for protection at his wife's request, was left in a women's wash room. The crowd demanded the key to the washroom door, which was locked with a heavy padlock, but was told the key was in the possession of Assistant Police Chief Harold Wallace, who was out to lunch. The crowd then smashed a glass and thin wood panel in the door and dragged the unconscious Negro through the three-foot aperture. Police officials said it was necessary to put Wright in the wash room because it had bunks with mattresses. The steel-barred jail was only 50 feet away, but the jail bunks were too hard for the Negro, who was virtually unconscious from his wounds, they said. Mrs. Sturgeon, her 8-year-old son, James, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. John Sturgeon, were asleep in their residence, about a mile from the Negro district, when they were awakened early Sunday by the sound of a window being raised. Mrs. John Sturgeon ran to a neighbor's for help, returning to find Mrs. Dillard Sturgeon lying on the floor, slashed in three places. She was taken to Sikeston General Hospital where her condition was said to be grave today. Sikeston police and members of State Highway Patrol Troop E, which has headquarters here, began searching for the Negro. About a half mile from the Sturgeon home, Patrolman Hess Perrigan found Wright, who had bloodstains on his trousers. Perrigan arrested Wright, took a knife from him and got into a rear seat with him. Wright, however, produced another knife from his shoe and slashed at Perrigan, cutting an artery under his tongue. Perriean drew his revolver and shot Wright twice in the abdomen and once in the arm. Other officers took Perrigan and the Negro to the hospital. Perrigan is unable to talk, but his condition is considered satisfactory. Wright was taken first to his home and later, at the taken first to his home and later, at the request of his wife, move to the City Hall early Sunday morning. By 9 a.m. a crowd of about 500 people augmented by people on their way to church, had gathered in front of the building. Blanton heard of the near riot when he returned from a hunting trip and hurried to City Hall. "I tried to reason with them," Blanton told a Post-Dispatch reporter, "but members of the mob kept shouting, 'What are we waiting for. Leet us have him.' "I recognized a relative of Mrs. Sturgeon's in the crowd, pleading with them not to seize Wright. "They backed the officers against the wall of the building, pushed me to the ground, and surged into the building." Wright was then taken outside and tied by the feet to the rear bumper of an automobile. He was dragged to Sunset, the Negro residential district about three-fourths of a mile away. The driver of the car observed all traffic regulations, coming to a full stop at two traffic lights. Later police were given five different license numbers, including one Canadien license, all said to be that of the automobile. By the time Blanton and officers reached the scene, the mob had dumped the body on the dirt street, poured gasoline over it and set it on fire. The crowd then dispersed quietly, although additional State Highway patrolmen were sent to the city to prevent a race riot, which officials feared might occur if Mrs. Sturgeon died. Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Mark C. Milton is a tax attorney. It says so on the website of the Milton Law Group, which cleverly has a phone number that ends in 1040, the name of the Internal Revenue Service form that most of us will soon be filling out as we file our yearly taxes. Milton used to be one of those guys at the Department of Justice who went after tax scofflaws. Then he switched to the other side, representing businesses and individuals who do battle with the IRS. So, why is a tax attorney joining hands with Attorney General Eric Schmitt to file lawsuits against public school districts in the St. Louis area that have adopted mask mandates? Its a good question. You might have read about the lawsuits, 45 of them in total, against many, but not all, of the school districts in the state that have continued to require mitigation measures including masks to protect students, teachers and other staff members from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Last August, Schmitt tried and failed to sue all the school districts with mask mandates. Now, while hospital systems in Missouri are overwhelmed with patients, he is at it again, this time, with a twist. Hes soliciting parents to join along, and hes asking a select group of private attorneys, none of whom appear to have particular expertise in school district or public health law, to represent those parents. Back to the question: Why is a tax attorney joining forces with Schmitt in this politically motivated quest? The answer appears in the records of the Missouri Ethics Commission, where Milton is the treasurer of nine political action committees. He ran seven others, but they have been terminated. These are committees with conservative sounding political names: Patriot PAC, Freedoms Promise PAC, Pro-Life Pioneer Fund, Mighty Missouri. As treasurer of the committees, Milton solicits or accepts funding from various donors, and then passes the money on to politicians, or other donors, sometimes moving the money among his various PACs so taxpayers and voters cant really see who the money came from when it gets to its final recipient. He is paid for his services, about $500 a month from each of the PACs. The most recent political action committee Milton started is the BB Freedom Fund. In its paperwork, the PAC says it exists to support the candidacy of Ben Brown, who is running for the state Senate. Milton set up that committee on Jan. 13. A few days later, Schmitt sent an email to public school parents in a variety of school districts in the St. Louis area, asking if they would like to join the states lawsuits. In the email, he told the parents their personal lawyer would be Milton. Schmitt included Miltons email address. So what does this have to do with Brown? When hes not running for the state senate, Brown is the owner of Satchmos Bar & Grill in Chesterfield, one of the businesses that last year was involved in a lawsuit against the state Department of Health and Senior Services, arguing that the department had no authority to grant local health departments the ability to impose health orders during a pandemic. Schmitt, in his role as attorney general, was representing DHSS in that lawsuit. He lost, perhaps on purpose. Then he refused to appeal the ruling, which was dubious at best, according to health care law experts. Now Schmitt is spending a tremendous amount of time seeking to enforce the ruling, specifically through lawsuits against cities, counties and, now, school districts. He will likely lose most, if not all, of them, as he did when he previously sued the school districts, and as he did last week against St. Louis County. But thats not really the point. Schmitt isnt trying to make a point about the law, or dead school principals, or kids in the ICU. He is trying to get his face on Fox News. By the time any of these lawsuits would actually make it before a judge, the COVID-19 surge caused by the omicron variant will likely have dissipated, some schools will have dropped their mask requirement, and those lawsuits will become moot. But before that happens, lets slow down and connect the dots: Missouris attorney general, who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on an anti-mandate platform, lost a lawsuit to Ben Brown, refused to appeal it, then solicited parents to join a different lawsuit against their school districts, with Browns political fundraiser as their personal attorney. Thats some questionable lawyering, at the very least. But the end result is that taxpayers are now on the hook, both for Schmitts expenses as he files frivolous lawsuits, and for the school districts as they battle Schmitt in court for the right to keep our children and their teachers safe from a deadly virus. It makes me wonder: Is there a way for a taxpayer to deduct those expenses forced upon us by an overly ambitious state attorney general? If only Milton would return my phone call, I could ask him. From City Hall to the Capitol, metro columnist Tony Messenger shines light on what public officials are doing, tells stories of the disaffected, and brings voice to the issues that matter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS The Missouri Court of Appeals at St. Louis on Tuesday upheld a judges ruling against the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office for failing to respond to a lawsuit that alleged violations of the states open records law. The appeals courts unanimous ruling said Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners appeals had no merit. She had challenged St. Louis Circuit Judge Christopher McGraughs ruling and $5,000 penalty for refusing to produce records and respond in time to a January 2020 lawsuit filed by conservative journalist John Solomon. Based on this whole record, we hold the trial court did not err in finding (Gardners) failure to file a timely response to (Solomons) amended petition was not the result of an unexpected or unavoidable hindrance, accident, or mishap, but was instead the result of (Gardners) carelessness, inattention, and deliberate disregard, the court said. Gardners office tweeted on Tuesday: We are disappointed with the Courts decision, and intend to investigate and pursue the Offices right to have the decision reviewed. Solomon, a former Fox News contributor who runs the website Just the News, sought all of Gardners contacts with staff and other key players in the 2018 criminal investigations of then-Gov. Eric Greitens. Those people include Missouri Times publisher Scott Faughn, Clayton lawyer Albert Watkins, billionaire mega-donor George Soros and former state Reps. Stacey Newman and Jay Barnes. Government transparency is crucial for a self-governing society, said Solomons lawyer Dave Roland of the Freedom Center of Missouri. So in this particular situation, Kim Gardner is the top law enforcement official in the city of St. Louis, and citizens absolutely needed to be able to know what her office was doing and why it was making some of the decisions it was making. It was shocking and offensive that she wasnt going to turn over anything, Roland said. The appeals court ordered Gardners office to provide a list of responsive documents, produce them to the court and pay Solomons attorney fees. Solomons lawyer has filed a request for about $22,000 in legal fees and expenses. Roland estimated an additional $25,000 in legal bills to defend Gardners appeal. And unfortunately, the taxpayers are going to foot the bill for her violations of the law, Roland said. In 2020, McGraugh faulted Gardners office for reckless, dilatory and intentional refusal to timely file a responsive pleading after giving the office an additional 30 days to do so. McGraugh also fined Gardners office $5,000 for violating the law and ordered the office to pay Solomons attorneys fees. During oral arguments Sept. 14, David Luce, a lawyer for the Circuit Attorneys Office, apologized to the appeals court, Solomon and his lawyer for the mistakes that were made in the handling of this case. Luce blamed an assistant prosecutors errors for failing to respond to the lawsuit in time in the spring of 2020 and life-altering work conditions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID was on us already that week when (the prosecutor) was preparing her response, Luce said. Luce also claimed that all of the records Solomon sought would have been closed records because the criminal cases against Greitens had been dropped. Roland disputed the claim that the requested records would have been closed, arguing in September that Gardners office misconstrued his clients broad request for communications between Gardner and others. He said Solomon sued only after the Circuit Attorneys Office failed to respond for months and that Gardners office then intentionally disregarded a court order to respond to the suit. When it became apparent over the course of many months that they were delaying at every possible opportunity, we felt like we had to go ahead and claim the default, he said. He also reminded the appeals court that McGraugh found the assistant prosecutors explanation about failing to respond to be not credible. Had the Circuit Attorney simply filed a timely answer we would have been able to fight that out in the courts and were confident that we would have been able to show that their excuses were just that excuses, Roland said. Solomons suit is among three lawsuits against Gardners office alleging violations of the Sunshine Law. A judge in April 2019 ordered Gardners office to release to the Post-Dispatch records of her offices contracts with various vendors stemming from a lawsuit filed by the newspaper in 2019. The office provided redacted versions of the contracts with multiple consultants, law firms and therapists for diversion programs and a nearly $200,000 office surveillance system. The Post-Dispatch reported in September that Gardners office had spent less on salaried lawyers and more on contracted consultants. In June 2020, St. Louis lawyer Joe Jacobson sued Gardners office alleging her offices failure to provide records of case statistics, dismissal data, staffing totals and other material. The suit is pending. The Sunshine Law, Missouris open records law, requires governments to respond to requests for access to public records within three days. The law requires that its exemptions from disclosing public records must be strictly construed to promote a policy of openness. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS One of five teens police say escaped from a juvenile detention center north of downtown St. Louis has been certified to state court on multiple charges. Takabren Warlick, 15, was charged Saturday in St. Louis Circuit Court with charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, armed criminal action, escape from the Missouri Department of Corrections, property damage, stealing and misdemeanor assault. Charges say he was among five boys who escaped the evening of July 3 from the Hogan Street Regional Youth Center at 1839 Hogan Street. Police said the teens overpowered unarmed staff members, forcing their way out of the building and taking two cars belonging to staff members. Charges say Warlick, with others, smeared bleach in one staffers face and made harmful contact with another. One of the staffers said that during the escape, the five boys rushed him, assaulted him and obtained keys in order to get out of the facilitys dorm room. Warlick and others used a fire extinguisher to smash windows at the detention center in order to escape, charges said. Another staffer at the Hogan Street facility told police in September that when he escorted Warlick to a bathroom, Warlick swung a shank at him and tried to punch him several times. At the time of the escape, two of the boys were 15 years old, police said. One was 14, one was 16 and one was 17. On Monday, a St. Louis judge ordered that Warlick remain detained without bail. Police said they later recovered a Chevrolet Cruze and Nissan Altima taken during the escape. The Hogan Street center is a 30-bed facility that houses boys one of four secure Division of Youth Services facilities in the state. A Jan. 21 court order from Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer certifying Warlick to state court said Warlick has a 2019 aggravated assault charge in Tennessee and a 2020 robbery case in St. Charles County. The order said that on Dec. 1, Warlick caused property damage at the Hogan Street facility, flourished a weapon and assaulted a police officer there, which show a continuing and repetitive pattern of offenses involving secure juvenile facilities that further exhibits that he is beyond rehabilitation within the juvenile justice system. Warlick did not have a lawyer yet, according to court records. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS A Green Park man facing charges of murdering a chef in St. Louis County in 2018 has been sentenced in St. Louis for the gunpoint robbery of a teenager in the citys Central West End neighborhood. Jessie M. Kelley, 41, pleaded guilty Monday in St. Louis Circuit Court to charges of first-degree robbery, kidnapping and armed criminal action. Circuit Judge Joseph P. Whyte sentenced Kelley to a 12-year term with credit for more than three years of jail time served. Kelley admitted robbing and kidnapping a then-17-year-old man at gunpoint on Sept. 6, 2018. Charges said the teen was sitting in a vehicle in the 5100 block of Westminster Place when Kelley got in, pointed a semi-automatic pistol and demanded the teen drive to get cash from an ATM. The teen told the man he didnt know how to use an ATM but said he could go to Straubs grocery at Kingshighway and Maryland Avenue to get money. The teen drove to Straubs, and the man told him You have 60 seconds to get the money or else Im coming in blazing, charges said. The teen got $100 cash and gave it to Kelley, who ran off. Fifteen hours later, authorities said, Kelley fatally shot Alexander Marley, 29, a chef at Andres Banquets & Catering, in the parking lot of a Walmart at 3270 Telegraph Road in south St. Louis County. Kelleys lawyer did not immediately have a comment Tuesday. Kelley was arrested the next day in St. Clair County after police broadcast surveillance images of Kelley wearing a red bandana. Kelleys father called police after seeing pictures and identified his son to detectives. Kelleys murder trial is set for Dec. 5. Kelley lived in the 10900 block of Suanis Court in Green Park. In May 2016, Kelley pleaded guilty to setting fire to a building, at 7955 Manchester Road in Maplewood, and stealing an explosive device, Sarnacol 2170, which is used for roof repairs. Kelley admitted in federal court that on Jan. 31, 2015, he poured the material onto a warehouse floor before setting it on fire. Security spotted the blaze and called firefighters. Surveillance video showed Kelley and a friend walking toward the business, then walking away after the fire, an assistant U.S. attorney said in court. The adhesive roofing material was found on Kelleys pants, prosecutors said. Kelley was sentenced to 18 months and ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution for the theft of the explosive material and damage to the warehouse, court records said. His sentence also included three years of supervised release, with a list of conditions including the defendant shall not possess a firearm, ammunition, destructive device, or any other dangerous weapon. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS Two women who tried to cover up a fatal carjacking in 2019 were sentenced Monday to prison. Robyn Harrison, who helped clean the car belonging to the victim, Jessica Vinson, of St. Louis, was sentenced to two and one-half years in prison. Tyeishia Adail, who removed Vinson's license plates after the murder and replaced them with temporary tags, got four years. Adail pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in June to being an accessory after the fact to the carjacking. Harrison pleaded guilty to the same charge in April. The man who fatally shot Vinson, Anthony D. Jones, of Northwoods, is likely to receive a 30-year prison sentence after pleading guilty last month to carjacking resulting in death, a gun charge and two counts of witness tampering. He admitted shooting Jessica Vinson on May 4, 2019, before stealing her 2015 Dodge Charger. The two had met early that morning outside of a club. Jones gave Vinson's key to someone who burglarized her house. After she fell asleep in the front seat, he drove to an alley in the 5300 block of Vernon Avenue, in the city's Visitation Park neighborhood, then shot her and dumped her body out of her car. The day after the murder, Jones asked Harrison if she would clean up the car. She agreed, hoping she'd be paid with drugs or money. Jones claimed the blood in the car was his, from being shot, but Harrison knew the truth, her plea says. She started the cleaning, began to feel ill and could not continue, her plea says. Adail, who was in a relationship with Jones, replaced Vinson's license plates to help prevent Jones from being caught. She helped burglarize Vinson's house, her plea says. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WENTZVILLE A national campaign to ban books with themes dealing with race and gender scored a victory Thursday when the Wentzville School Board voted 4-3 to pull The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison from the districts high school libraries. The board rejected the recommendation of a review committee of district staff and residents who said banning the book would infringe on the rights of parents and students to decide for themselves if they want to read this work of literature. The book is not part of the district curriculum. Across the country, the push to restrict teaching about race and gender equity includes library books that conservative parents and lawmakers say are divisive and serve to indoctrinate students with a leftist ideology. The Bluest Eye tells the story of a young Black girl growing up during the Great Depression who longs for blue eyes because she feels ugly and oppressed because of her skin color. Morrison, who died in 2019, said she wrote the book in the late 1960s to show the psychological damage caused by racism. The novel, which includes passages about incest and child rape, frequently lands on the American Library Associations annual list of most commonly banned books. Wentzville School Board member Sandy Garber said she did not consider her vote against The Bluest Eye equivalent to banning but protecting children from obscenity. By all means, go buy the book for your child, she said at the board meeting. I would not want this book in the school for anyone else to see. Amber Crawford, a Wentzville parent who filed the challenge against The Bluest Eye, posted advice for challenges in other districts to the St. Charles County Parents Associations Facebook group, including links to excerpts so they wont have to read the whole garbage book. At least two conservative groups with chapters in Missouri Moms for Liberty and No Left Turn in Education have led the campaign against diversity and equity initiatives in schools. No Left Turn in Education features more than 75 books on its website that it deems inappropriate because they demean our nation and its heroes, revise our history, and divide us as a people for the purpose of indoctrinating kids to a dangerous ideology. Nearly every book on the list features either Black or LGBTQ characters. Free speech organizations, including state and national library associations, describe the current push to ban books as the biggest such assault in decades. In my twenty years with the (American Library Association), I cant recall a time when we had multiple challenges coming in on a daily basis, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the associations Office of Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement last month. The National Coalition Against Censorship denounced the attacks on the books in a December statement signed by hundreds of authors and groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, People for the American Way, the National LGBTQ Task Force and the National Black Justice Coalition. While the book ban in Wentzville is unique in the St. Louis area, several other local school districts have encountered recent challenges to library books. Last month, the Lindbergh School Board voted to keep Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe in the high school library, and a review committee in the Rockwood School District rejected similar challenges to Gender Queer and five other books. After a challenge to the memoir All Boys Arent Blue, the Francis Howell School Districts review committee voted 11 to 1 in November to keep the book in school libraries because it shared a positive message of hope for individuals in society. Local school districts have rules allowing parents to restrict their childrens library privileges based on individual books, authors or themes. The policies for book challenges are similar, involving a review committee and subsequent vote by the school board. The challenges are related to proposed bills in Missouri and dozens of other states that would restrict the teaching of critical race theory and other divisive topics on race and gender, said Heather Fleming, founder of the Missouri Equity Education Partnership and a Francis Howell parent. The whole point and purpose of this is to have a chilling effect on equity and equity education in our schools, Fleming said. We know this is about a story about a Black woman instead of scenes that are too mature, because were not banning Shakespeare. George M. Johnson, who wrote All Boys Arent Blue, said in December at a virtual forum on free speech that critics are taking our work completely out of context by focusing on objectionable passages instead of the work as a whole. I wrote the book that I wish that I could have read when I was a young adult, struggling with my identity, struggling with trying to figure out why I was feeling the way I was feeling, Johnson said during the forum. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Stay up to date on life and culture in St. Louis. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Lifted by Democrats, a congressional map that preserves Kansas City U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleavers safe Democratic district advanced out of the Senate Redistricting Committee on Tuesday. With three conservative GOP hard-liners withholding support, a coalition of Republicans and two Kansas City Democrats Sens. Barbara Washington and Greg Razer provided the necessary votes to send the proposal to the Senate floor for debate. The plan advanced on a 9-5 vote, with St. Louis-area Democratic Sens. Brian Williams and Steven Roberts voting with the conservative Republicans against the map. Without Razer and Washingtons support, the map, which narrowly won approval in the House last week with only Republican support, would have failed on a 7-7 tie vote. The affirmative vote keeps alive the 6-2 map likely to send six Republicans and two Democrats from Missouri to the U.S. House even though Democrats have pushed for a 5-3 map that gives the party three seats. I think Missouri has a 60-40 electoral split, so I think a fair map would have three Democrats and five Republicans, Williams said at the hearing. After the hearing, Razer told the Post-Dispatch that he wasnt committing to supporting the plan once it hit the Senate floor. Weve got to get it out of committee and get this to the floor, Razer said, adding well see when asked if he would vote for the plan on the floor. Asked if this was the best deal Kansas City voters can get, Razer said the map keeps Kansas City together. The 6-2 map shores up Cleavers district for the Democrats, making it more compact than under the current congressional boundaries. Hard-line Republicans have proposed dividing Kansas City voters into separate congressional districts in an effort to send seven Republicans and one Democrat to Congress. Im definitely not a yes on a gerrymandered 7-1 map that puts my district God-knows-where, Razer said. He said I dont know what would happen when asked if he thought a 7-1 map would gain momentum if Democrats killed the 6-2 plan. Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, suggested a successful court challenge to a 7-1 map would result in a worse outcome for Missouri Republicans. The notion that this (court challenges) should not be a part of the equation when we talk about how to draw this map is unfounded, Rowden said. The conservative hard-liners dismissed concerns over possible legal challenges. Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, said Josh Hawley, then the Missouri attorney general and GOP nominee for U.S. Senate, only narrowly won the proposed 2nd Congressional District in 2018 in his victory over then-Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat. He has said the current map, proposed by Rep. Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, would lead to three Democrats in Washington this decade. But other Republicans worried a 7-1 configuration would be the plan that eventually sent more Democrats to Congress. Weve been in sweep elections the last 10 or 12 years, where the numbers are just crazy, said Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lees Summit. Someday well return to the norm. And if that happens in 2024, 2026, with that 7-1 map, we could easily lose three seats. And thats what worries me. The idea that a stable 7-1 map cannot be drawn is just not the case, Eigel said in an interview last week. GOP activists vocal opponents No one testified in favor of the legislation, but a line of Republican Party activists urged the GOP to vote down the plan, including Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life, who continued her push for a 7-1 map. Noreen McCann, who said she was a volunteer with the Missouri Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, said, Picking the district maps so they reflect the majority views of the state is an important power. McCann said Democrats in other states had been using bare-knuckle politics to pass maps that take away Republican representation. We see the Democrat Party becoming increasingly radical, no longer representing the average Democrat voter in Missouri, she said. Those of us at home, the voters reading the news, cannot comprehend how after going door-to-door and working so hard for our Republican majorities, we are seeing you hand us a 6-2 map, which is predicted accurately I believe to be a 5-3 map in short order, McCann said. We are on the brink of war with a nuclear power, with targeted nuclear weapons, McCann said. We need to send as many level-headed, commonsense Americans to Congress, and that means a 7-1 map. Im worried because, you know, that pushback and the bare-knuckle mentality is the same mentality that we saw when folks stormed the Capitol, when they didnt get their way in the 2020 election, Williams said. Theres nothing level-headed about that. McCann also sparred with Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, R-Sikeston. The Missouri Constitution directs U.S. congressional districts to be composed of contiguous territory as compact and as nearly equal in population as may be. What our requirement is is to follow the constitution, Rehder said. And so I hope that as members of this body, that that is what we are doing, that we are not concerned about the public pressure, because my votes for nine years show that Im 100% pro-life. To say that based on what happens in this room or on this map makes you not pro-life is absurd, Rehder said. It is also against the Bible to bear false witness against your neighbor. I dont think any senator here is advocating for violating the Missouri Constitution, McCann responded. I dont think that Republicans who would vote for a 6-2 or 5-3 map are not pro-life, but I do think theyre in the wrong job. Outside the Missouri Capitol, former Gov. Eric Greitens and U.S. Rep. Billy Long, Republicans who are both running for U.S. Senate, have also pushed for a 7-1 map. Originally posted at 3:22 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25. Updated at 7:20 p.m. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY A federal judge has turned down a request to dismiss Medicaid fraud charges filed last year against a Republican state lawmaker from southwest Missouri. In a decision issued Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Wimes agreed with a December ruling by a federal magistrate that Rep. Patricia Derges request for a dismissal was illogical and frivolous, as well as disjointed. Derges attorney, Albert Watkins of Clayton, had sought a dismissal alleging a witness in the case, U.S. Attorney Shannon Kempf, had directed a Medicaid fraud unit. In recommending the court reject Watkins claim, U.S. Magistrate David Rush said Watkins motion was unclear and unsupported, given the inclusion of irrelevant facts and hyperbole, as well as the lack of clarity and sufficient legal analysis. Given the meandering factual allegations and arguments in her brief, it seems that defendant is attempting to weave an elaborate (and largely, unsubstantiated) narrative, implying that Mr. Kempf (and relatedly, the government) targeted defendant for some nefarious purpose, likely politically motivated, given the timing of her candidacy announcement, swearing-in ceremony as state representative, and the filing of the charges against her, Rush wrote. He also said Watkins request was sorely lacking in legal analysis and organization. The loquacious Watkins is known for defending his clients in the media, delivering streams of soundbites that can have an eyebrow-raising effect. In addition to Derges, other recent Watkins clients include the QAnon Shaman Jacob A. Chansley, St. Louisans Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who made international news when they waved guns at protesters, and the ex-husband of former Gov. Eric Greitens ex-lover, who in 2018 sparked the scandal that led to Greitens downfall when he released audio he said was his then-wife detailing her relationship with Greitens. The rejection comes as Derges, who resides in Nixa, faces a 23-count superseding indictment issued in March, just three months after she was sworn into her first term as a state lawmaker. Prosecutors say Derges administered amniotic fluid, which she falsely claimed contained stem cells, as a treatment to patients who suffered from various diseases, including erectile dysfunction, Lyme disease and urinary incontinence. A trial is set for June 6, which is about three weeks after the current legislative session is scheduled to end. Derges has faced calls from the Houses GOP leadership to resign. They have moved her office to a broom closet, stripped her of her committee assignments, booted her from the Republican caucus and transferred her seat on the House floor to the outcast corner. House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, had been the first in House leadership to call on Derges to resign. She responded with a lengthy email to him last year refusing to quit. Originally posted at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Lawmakers and the Department of Conservation have resumed their protracted tug of war over who gets to control the states Conservation Commission. A House committee heard testimony late Monday on a proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would increase the size of the commission and require its members to stand for election. The Conservation Commission is currently composed of four members appointed by the governor. No more than two of the members can be from the same party. The commission makes spending decisions for the departments $170 million annual operating budget, controls regulatory decisions and appoints the director of the Department of Conservation. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Chris Dinkins, R-Annapolis, would create an eight-member commission, with each member representing one of the states congressional districts. Members would be elected beginning in November 2024, eventually to serve staggered six-year terms. Dinkins told the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee that increasing the number of commissioners and requiring them to represent different areas of the state would ensure representation of areas that currently feel ignored. Many in favor of the bill expressed a lack of faith in the commissions commitment to issues in their area. Several residents of Shannon County, in the Ozarks of southeast Missouri, came to speak on the issue of clear-cutting on conservation land in the area. The Conservation Department, through the terrible practices in about, at least, five, six, seven counties down through there in our part of the country, have completely lost the trust of the citizens, said Leon Michel, a Shannon County resident, describing the process of clear-cutting as raping the land. We are pretty much in a position where weve got to do something to make change, Dinkins said. And the only way we I feel like we can do it is by expanding the commission. Sarah Parker Pauley, director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the department does its best to engage with residents and make the best choices in the long view. The citizens more than 80 years ago demanded less politics and special interests influencing decisions impacting our public trust resources because such interests had led to devastating results, Pauley said. So now why would we pivot to a different system with elected commissioners, who likely will need to campaign on the interests of areas, individuals, groups or parties versus considering the science of sound wildlife management? Pauley asked. Elected commissioners would have a responsibility to the interests of their districts, not to the resources or the citizens as a whole. Several members of the committee voiced concern about the potential politicization of the commission. Im not sure that I really want more national groups in our elections, said Rep. Paula Brown, D-Hazelwood, referencing the amount the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, and the Humane Society had spent in elections per year. Thats what Im afraid of. I do think it sounds like we all liked the idea, said Rep. Bridget Walsh-Moore, D-St. Louis. Its just everyones a little worried about if we open up an election, wheres the money going to come from. Testimony filed by the Conservation Federation of Missouri argued the amendment is a clear attempt by the House of Representatives to seize power over the forestry and wildlife resources of the state. If lawmakers approve Dinkins proposed constitutional amendment, it would appear on the November 2022 ballot. Dinkins has put forth similar proposals in the past, following a number of clashes between the commission and the Legislature. In the last year, among other disputes, the Legislature attempted to negate the commissions ability to purchase land, which the Conservation Commission successfully challenged in court, and the commission refused to use funds budgeted to process feral hogs as directed by lawmakers. The House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee previously advanced the proposal last year after several new committee members were added, boosting the votes in favor of the amendment. The legislation is House Joint Resolution 107. Originally posted at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25. Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the members of the current Conservation Commission are nonpartisan. Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com CLAYTON St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on Monday hired a new chief of staff and filled two other top administrative roles. Cal Harris will serve as Pages new chief of staff, starting Jan. 31. Harris, who has been spokesman for the city of Baltimore since February, is a St. Louis-area native who has worked in communications, lobbying and advisory roles to Democratic electoral campaigns. He replaces Winston Calvert, chief adviser and chief strategy officer. Calvert is leaving the county at the end of this month to become chief executive officer of The Equity Network. Andria Nelson Roberts, county director of transformation, left the county last week to join Calvert at the same foundation, Page spokesman Doug Moore said Monday. The county has hired Stephanie Lewis, vice president of the public relations firm FPM Communications, to replace Roberts in the role as chief transformation officer. Lewis begins the new role Jan. 31. And in a third new hire, Karen Aroesty will become director of the county Department of Administration, filling a seat left vacant since former director Tod Martin retired in June. Aroesty chairs the countys Human Relations Commission, an advisory panel, and is co-chair of the U.S. Attorneys Hate Crimes Task Force. Aroesty is a former longtime regional director for the Anti-Defamation League. In another change to the executive branchs daily operations, Harris will serve as the lone direct report to Page. Calvert and two other top advisers Chief Administrative Officer Deanna Venker and Chief Policy Adviser Cora Faith Walker had all reported directly to Page since September 2020. Venker, Walker and Moore will report to Harris, Moore said. Moore said the change was meant to make the executive branchs organization and communications more clear. Harris was hired from a handful of finalist candidates that had included some current members of Pages administration, Moore said. Harris was previously a spokesman for the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, a regional communications director for Mike Bloombergs presidential campaign, and a senior adviser to Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloways unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in 2020. Returning home to serve in the Page administration and impact policy for a community I love is truly humbling, Harris said in a written statement. I believe in Dr. Pages principled approach towards governing and vision for St. Louis County, and I cannot wait to get to work, Harris said. In an interview, Harris, added that he grew up in north St. Louis and in Ferguson, and he graduated from Christian Brothers College High School. Harris said he sought the county role in part to follow his romantic partner C. Renee Vaughn, who moved to the St. Louis area in 2019 to become staff vice president of Enterprise, Innovation, and Commercialization at Clayton-based Centene Corp. Centene was among the largest corporate donors to Pages 2020 election campaign to complete a two-year term vacated by Steve Stenger. Harris said Vaughn was a health care nerd with no connection to politics. Moore denied the Centene connection could pose a conflict of interest. Dr. Page didnt hire his wife, he hired Cal, Moore said. Harris also previously was a co-founder of a lobbying firm, Pine Street Strategies, along with former Democratic state representative Don Calloway, of St. Louis. The firm, based in Washington, D.C., has lobbied for clients including Anheuser-Busch InBev and the National Bankers Association. Harris said he cut all ties to the firm in 2019 before going to work for the city of Baltimore. Harris received a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. His starting salary as Pages chief of staff will be $156,000. Lewis, the countys new chief administrative officer, is a board member of the nonprofit St. Louis Area Resources for Community and Human Services and a member of the Annie Malone Historical Society. She was previously vice president of human resources for Peoples Health Centers, a consultant at Gateway Management Group and a director of human resources and diversity for Office Depot. Her starting salary for the county will be $135,012. Aroesty, director of the department of administration, will be paid a $129,064 salary. In a statement, Page said he was excited to welcome the three new hires. Each of them has a unique skill set and tremendous capabilities that will add to the strong team we have assembled to lead county government through 2022 and beyond, Page said. Calvert and Nelson are the latest top county officials to leave Pages administration in the last seven months. Mike Chapman, former chief operating officer, left the administration in July to become deputy director of the Housing Authority of St. Louis County. Venker has assumed Chapmans former responsibilities over seeing most county departments, Moore said Monday. Chapman followed another top Page staffer, former deputy human services director Shannon Koenig, to the authority. Koenig left Pages administration in January, 2021 to replace longtime authority director Susan Rollins, who retired. Gerard Hollins, former director of revenue, left in October to work for Green Street, a Clayton-based real estate firm. Erica Savage, deputy to Hollins, has served as acting director of the department since. Andrea Jackson-Jennings, who had been director of the Department of Human Services since 2011, left the county in September to lead the Regional Response Team, a coalition of nonprofits. She was replaced by Howard Hayes, former director of the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment. Yusef Scoggin, a former director of the departments family and community services, left in October to become the City of St. Louis human services director. Each case was an official deciding on their own to pursue other opportunities, Moore said. Dr. Page certainly didnt ask any of these people to leave and he was very happy with all of them, Moore said. But they saw other opportunities they wanted to pursue, and he fully supported that. Originally posted at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. But he testified in November he also resigned, in part, because Gatewood constantly questioned him and he had to make decisions with her reaction and its effect on morale in mind. A city spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit. He said the city does not comment on pending litigation. It was unclear Tuesday afternoon whether the Thursday meeting would go forward. The Missouri Senates redistricting commission failed to submit a plan to the Secretary of States office by the constitutionally mandated Dec. 23 deadline, thus handing over responsibility for drawing the Senates district lines to a panel of appellate judges. Instead of choosing the district lines themselves, the judges should hand that part of their task to a citizens assembly on redistricting essentially a supersized jury. Most judges care a great deal about their reputation and the judiciarys for impartiality. A sure way to damage that reputation is by appearing to approve partisan redistricting lines. The reputational problem stems from judges blatant conflict of interest when making statehouse friends and enemies. Many judges are heavily dependent on state legislators for their appointment, retention or promotion. Many even won judgeships partly because of their track record as reliable partisans. To act on that perceived self-interest is to risk their own and the courts legitimacy. A citizens assembly on redistricting would mitigate the conflict-of-interest problem by allowing judges to delegate redistricting map selection to a representative sample of average citizens. A citizens assembly is selected randomly like a conventional jury, except it is much larger to represent a better microcosm of the public. Like convening a jury, judges have an inherent power to convene such an assembly. Like a jury, too, judges moderate the assembly process and explain the relevant law to the assembly members. The task of the assembly is not to draw maps but choose among them. As with all redistricting maps, any map chosen by the assembly is subject to review by the U.S. and Missouri supreme courts. What is new is that for the first time in Americas decennial redistricting history, the machine-readable datasets, algorithms and evaluation models needed to efficiently implement this type of mapmaking process already exist. Consider one possible implementation: The assembly would consist of 544 members randomly selected from registered voters but stratified so that each of Missouris 34 Senate districts is represented by eight men and eight women, and the overall assemblys composition mirrors the partisan composition of registered voters. To reduce cost and inconvenience, assembly members would remotely attend the statewide redistricting trial via their local courthouse. The judges would instruct the assembly in redistricting law (e.g., districts must be contiguous and population-equivalent). To dramatically reduce the burden of choosing among many maps, assembly members would choose based on simple quantifiable criteria covering the entire state. For example, assembly members could choose based on a combination of rankings for individual components, such as one gauging compactness, or an overall components score, such as the Princeton Gerrymandering Projects competitiveness score. Assembly members would only seriously consider maps that can be easily replicated and evaluated by others because they are drawn from publicly accessible databases and transparent algorithms. Democratic and Republican legislative leaders could submit maps along with any principle-based algorithms that generated them but so, too, could a citizen whose map was backed by at least 100 petition signatures. The judges could appoint special masters to validate and mathematically score all submitted redistricting plans. The assembly would meet for a minimum of two days before voting. A citizens assembly on redistricting would untie redistrictings Gordian Knot: the rampant conflicts of interest when either legislators or judges control redistricting maps. Unlike other potential solutions to this conflict-of-interest problem, this one requires no new statutes or constitutional amendments. The judicial branch could implement it immediately because it has always had the inherent power to convene such a supersized jury. At long last, it also has the requisite technology at its fingertips. A citizens assembly on redistricting would not be a perfect solution to the gerrymandering problem, but it would be a significant and politically feasible improvement over the status quo, in my opinion. If the appellate judges fail to implement an impartial redistricting process, this would be a good reason for voters to call a state constitutional convention when they have the opportunity next November. If ever there was a tailor-made issue for a convention to wrestle with, its fixing Missouris gerrymandering problem. The unique democratic function of Missouris constitutional convention process is to address reform issues, such as legislative gerrymandering, where both public, inclusive deliberation is desirable and a legislatures interest collides with its constituents. J.H. Snider edits The State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse and writes about the most difficult democratic reform problems. In an era in which everyones a media critic, Nina Totenberg has been getting some exceptionally rough reviews lately. NPRs veteran Supreme Court watcher last week reported that conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch refuses to wear a mask while sitting next to liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is diabetic, thus causing Sotomayor to participate remotely in the courts deliberations. To the delight of the right, a detail in Totenbergs story that Chief Justice John Roberts in some form or other, asked the justices to mask up for Sotomayors benefit, and that Gorsuch defied him is in dispute. The sound and fury around that one word, asked, is blurring what seems to be the bigger question: Is Gorsuch really refusing to wear a mask to the point of driving his colleague out of the room? That particular question remains conspicuously unanswered. Gorsuch and Sotomayor issued a joint statement denying that Sotomayor had asked Gorsuch to mask up. But, in fact, Totenbergs story didnt claim that Sotomayor had personally made such a request. More problematic is Roberts public statement asserting that he did not request that justices wear masks. It was a terse, short statement without elaboration, and Totenbergs defenders were quick to point out that it didnt preclude the possibility that Roberts encouraged mask use with something less than a specific request (suggest? hint? indicate?). Indeed, the tentative wording in Totenbergs report indicates she herself wasnt clear on whether this was a directive, a request, or something milder. But, notably, the underlying central claim of the story that Gorsuchs refusal to mask has forced Sotomayor to distance herself from her colleagues hasnt been specifically disputed by anyone. All thats clear is that Sotomayor is now participating in the court remotely, and of the eight remaining justices appearing in public together lately, Gorsuch is the only one who hasnt been masked. Is it possible everyone has the cause-and-effect backward? That is, that Sotomayor preemptively decided for her safety to work remotely, regardless of whether her colleagues were masked, thus leading Gorsuch to decide it wasnt necessary to wear one? That would be the most benign explanation. But if thats the case, why didnt Gorsuch and Sotomayor just say that in their joint statement, rather than letting this storm rage for the past week? Their silence on that point suggests this may well be the familiar scenario that too many Americans are seeing in their workplaces: the stubborn refusenik who thinks his right to make a point about not being told what to do supersedes a coworkers right to breathe. If thats not the case, Sotomayor and Gorsuch should say that, if only for the sake of the publics already-diminished esteem for the court. And if that is the case well, the public deserves to know that as well. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has ramped up his war on the states public schools, filing a flurry of lawsuits against dozens of districts across the state over their mask mandates. Many of those districts have struggled to keep schools open due to staff shortages caused by the coronavirus. Now they must use their already strained resources to fend off these self-serving attacks from their states top legal official. Schmitts legal rampage is predicated on his argument that mask mandates violate students rights and are ineffective in curtailing coronavirus transmission. The first part of that argument ignores the fact that generations of school children have been required to get vaccinated for numerous childhood diseases, a far more intrusive requirement than masking. The second part flies in the face of science. Mainstream medicine is virtually unanimous in asserting that masking is invariably better than not masking, which is why no sane patient would consent to surgery if the surgical team refused to wear masks. One recent study in Michigan found that schools without mask mandates saw 62% more viral spread. But Schmitt, a U.S. Senate candidate, is more concerned with signaling to the Republican base that hes on their side the side that views mainstream medical expertise with suspicion and disdain. To drive that point home, Schmitt recently sent threatening letters to school districts based on an unrelated court decision limiting the authority of state health officials (not elected school boards). Now hes raining down lawsuits on districts that are already buckling under the strain of infected teachers and students. As the Post-Dispatchs Blythe Bernhard reported this week, Schmitts targets from Fridays all-out offensive included at least 19 districts from the St. Louis area, with additional suits filed on Monday. He cannot possibly be unaware of the context under which he is saddling these districts with this new burden: Some 12% of school districts around the state have already had to close for at least one day because of pandemic-related staff shortages. As a statement from one of Schmitts targets, the Francis Howell School District, aptly put it: The lawsuit filed by Schmitt is a waste of taxpayer money on both sides. Thankfully, most of the districts under attack by Schmitt are resisting. But some have preemptively surrendered. At Wentzville schools, a record 150 students tested positive for the coronavirus early this month, dozens of teachers were home sick, and substitutes were available for fewer than half their classes. Yet the school board declined to adopt a mask policy recommended by the district superintendent, with at least one board member specifically citing the risk of litigation. Schools today need all the help they can get. Schmitt is doing everything he can to worsen their plight while endangering lives all for the sake of a Senate seat. Voters must not allow this cynical campaign strategy to succeed. Mayor Tishaura Jones is using various public forums to assert that her policies are behind St. Louis decline in homicides. Experts discount that any single policy or strategy is responsible, but if Jones believes hers are behind the decline, she owes it to crime fighters everywhere to outline specifically which of her sometimes divergent policies have worked, citing examples rather than broad generalities. If any one program deserves to be touted, its the Cure Violence initiative championed and introduced long before Jones took office by her primary political rival, aldermanic President Lewis Reed. But that only partially explains the 26% decline in 2021 over 2020 homicide rate. The 2020 level of 263 homicides was the highest in the citys history on a per-capita basis and worst in the nation. Even excluding 2020 homicides, the citys rates for 2021 and the four years preceding 2020 affirmed St. Louis status as the murder capital of the United States. So it only raises false hopes for the mayor to be quoted in publications like The Washington Post as touting some kind of victory that doesnt quite match the reality. Another argument that belies Jones assertions of success is that deploying fewer cops on the streets and reducing the recruitment budget somehow translates into fewer homicides. The 2020 murder rate came at a time when police pulled back from street patrols, largely because of coronavirus-prompted manpower shortages. The far lower visibility of officers that St. Louisans reported in all parts of the city clearly did not lead to a statistical reduction in violent criminality. Jones enjoyed strong support in her election campaign from defund-the-police advocates, and one of her first actions in office was to chop $4 million from the police recruitment at a time when officers were quitting in droves. Her rationale at the time was that more police doesnt prevent crime. She reversed herself last summer during a spike in violence when her administration decided to boost the police presence downtown. In other words, she put more police on the streets to prevent crime. So its not quite clear which policy Jones credits with reducing the homicide rate. In May, barely a month after she took office, then-Acting Health Director Fredrick Echols credited Cure Violence as a major driver of lower gun-related homicides and violent crime. He based that assertion on specific crime levels in the four Cure Violence neighborhoods Wells-Goodfellow, Hamilton Heights, Walnut Park East and Dutchtown that had dropped significantly since the program was introduced. The $7 million, three-year program involves training workers from those neighborhoods to reduce conflicts before they escalate into violence, plus providing aid to households in financial distress. If Jones were to give credit where its due to Reed and other Cure Violence proponents for their successful crime-reduction strategies that truly would be worth national headlines. Winter isn't over, neither is COVID-19 or staffing shortages, so if you're planning to fly somewhere during the coming months, you need to know exactly what your airline owes you if it cancels or delays your flight. What you get is specified in the fine print of each line's contract of carriage. This Part 1 covers "flight irregularities" due to weather or some other force majeure contingency. Beyond the obvious weather possibilities, airlines generally post a broad range of events that constitute force majeure. Here's a typical list, from Delta: "Riots, civil unrest, embargoes, war, hostilities, or unsettled international conditions; Strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, lockout, or any other labor-related dispute; Government regulation, demand, directive or requirement; Shortages of labor, fuel, or facilities; or Any other condition beyond Deltas control or any fact not reasonably foreseen by Delta." Clearly, that list includes a lot of contingencies Delta actually bears some responsibility to foresee. What the Airlines Promise With a problem caused by weather or other force majeure event, every airline owes you a cash refund on the value remaining on your ticket, including fees, or a seat on the airline's next available flight to the same destination at no change in fare. Some airline contracts say little else, but a few are more specific: Airlines that serve multiple airports in a city or region consider all those airports as a single destination. If you're ticketed to Miami, for example, an airline can fulfill its commitment by getting you to Ft. Lauderdale or West Palm Beach. Alaska accommodates you on its next available seat in any class; American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Sun Country, and United rebook you only in your original class; Avelo, Breeze (temporarily), Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit don't have multiple classes. Alaska, Avelo, Delta, Hawaiian, and United, at the airline's sole direction, will put you on another line's flight or on ground transportation. On Alaska, when a cancellation or delay occurs at a connecting point on an outgoing itinerary, Alaska returns you home at no extra cost and refunds the full cost of your ticket. No other airline treats this possibility. Although some airline contracts say the airline will assist you, none will arrange or pay for hotel accommodations in an overnight weather delay. What You Can Do You have to decide whether to accept the next seat or get a refund. If you can live with a delayed arrival, accepting the next seat may be your best option. But beware that on some low-fare airlines the next available seat may be two or three days later, and you could face a long wait even on a giant line. If the next seat doesn't work, you can possibly dicker with an airline to fly you to some other destination without paying a big fare differential. On one trip, when all Washington flights were canceled, I managed to get on a flight to Newark, where I could catch Amtrak to Washington. Overnight delays are especially knotty. In weather or force majeure situations, no airline promises to arrange or pay for hotel accommodations. And if the next available seat doesn't allow enough time for you to arrange a hotel room and get a reasonable sleep time, no line says you can take a later flight, although you can often arrange to do that. If you take the refund and fend for yourself; you can buy a ticket on some other airline, take the Amtrak (if it runs where you want to go), or even rent a one-way car. Over the years, I've done all three, depending on the urgency of the trip. But it's your nickel. Instead of a refund, an airline may offer a voucher for future travel. The refund option is a no-brainer: No voucher is worth as much as the equivalent amount of cash. You might bargain for a bigger voucher, but I'm not aware that airlines are offering bonus vouchers. If the flight is canceled because of an airline responsibility you have a lot more coming. I'll cover that in Part 2. (Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Eds new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com.) LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Flutter and Aston Martin shine ahead of US Fed Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - 12:48 Stock prices in Europe and Asia were lower on Wednesday, as markets prepared for the largest US interest hike in over two decades, but Wall Street itself was more upbeat, pointed to open higher, having closed up on Tuesday. In the meantime, attention in London was on a batch of company updates, with Flutter Entertainment leading large-cap shares after hailing the success of its betting business in the US, while car maker Aston Martin also was in favour after changing drivers. The Federal Open Market Committee will conclude its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday and announce its decision at 1900 BST. This will be followed by a press conference with Fed Chair Jerome Powell at 1930 BST. Following a quarter-point increase in the benchmark lending rate in March, Powell and other US central bankers have said a half-point increase could be announced. It would be the first time since 2000 that the Fed has raised rates by 50 basis points at one meeting. The FTSE 100 index was down 42.08 points, or 0.6%, at 7,519.25. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index was down 253.43 points, or 1.2%, at 20,267.62. The AIM All-Share index was down 7.33 points, or 0.7%, at 1,006.19. The Cboe UK 100 index was down 0.4% at 748.55. The Cboe 250 was down 1.4% at 17,897.41. The Cboe Small Companies was up 0.1% at 15,125.24. In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris was down 0.5% and the DAX 40 in Frankfurt was down 0.2%. A half-point interest rate hike by the Fed is widely expected, AJ Bell's Russ Mould noted. Given the quantum of the raise is almost an open secret at this stage, all the attention will focus on any guidance around the pace of future increases and whether the recent surprise dip in US GDP has any impact on the Fed's thinking. In the FTSE 100, Flutter Entertainment was the best performer, up 6.5%, after the gambling operator reported a positive start to 2022 with its US business particularly strong. For the three months that ended March 31, revenue rose 5.4% to 1.57 billion from 1.49 billion in the first quarter last year. Average monthly player numbers increased 15% to 8.9 million from 7.7 million. In the US, the FanDuel business delivered another excellent performance, Flutter said, with 2.4 million customers and revenue of $574 million during the quarter. FanDuel remained the number one US sportsbook with a 37% online sports betting share, Flutter said. Flutter said it launched its FanDuel sportsbook in New York and Louisiana in January and expanded into Ontario in April. FanDuel set new records in the quarter, with Super Bowl Sunday the single biggest day ever for new customers with 1.5 million active customers on the day. Ladbrokes betting chain owner Entain was the second-best blue-chip performer in London, up 2.4%, in a positive read-across. In the FTSE 250, Aston Martin Lagonda was the best performer, up 10%. The luxury carmaker said its first-quarter performance was in line with expectations as it confirmed the appointment of a new chief executive. For the three months ended March 31, revenue was 232.7 million, up 3.7% from 224.4 million the year before. However, its pretax loss was 111.6 million, widened from 42.2 million in the first quarter last year. The carmaker said the revenue increase was driven by strong pricing dynamics throughout its core portfolio and Valkyrie programme deliveries of 14 vehicles. Looking ahead for 2022, Aston Martin still expects an 8% rise in core volumes and a 50% improvement in adjusted core earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation. Promisingly, retail sales outpaced wholesales in the first quarter, the company said. Aston Martin also confirmed a report by the Financial Times that Chief Executive Officer Tobias Moers will leave the board immediately and the company at the end of July. The Gaydon, Warwickshire-based firm confirmed the appointment of ex-Ferrari boss Amedeo Felisa as its new CEO, with Executive Chair Lawrence Stroll saying the company needs to enter a new phase of growth and development. Moers's dual role of CEO and chief technology officer will be split, with another former Ferrari executive, Roberto Fedeli, brought in to be CTO. Fedeli was at Ferrari for 26 years. Aston Martin said he is considered the creator of Ferrari LaFerrari, the Modena, Italy-based company's first hybrid supercar. Chair Lawrence Stroll said there is a need for the business to enter a new phase of growth with a new leadership team and structure. At the other end of the mid-caps, Direct Line was the worst performer, down 6.9%, after the insurer said gross written premiums for the first quarter fell. The Bromley, London-based firm said total gross written premium & service fees fell 2.4% in the first quarter to 734.3 million from 752.3 million the year before. Drops in Motor, Home, and Rescue of 5.4%, 9.9% and 2.2% respectively, were slightly offset by a 12% gain in Commercial premiums. In Home, the insurer said UK Financial Conduct Authority's price reforms hit its trading performance, as customer retention was offset by lower new business volumes. JD Wetherspoon was down 2.4% after the pub chain said virus woes have been replaced by considerable pressure on costs as a new source of concern. Wetherspoon reported a 4.0% decrease in sales on a like-for-like basis in its financial third quarter, the 13 weeks that ended April 24. In its financial year to date, like-for-like sales were down 6.2%. On AIM, boohoo Group was down 13% after the online fashion retailer said profit slumped and costs soared as it struggled to get to grips with difficulties caused by the pandemic. Pretax profit for the 12 months to the end of February plunged to 7.8 million from 124.7 million the year before, as distribution costs rose and customer demand fell. Boohoo expects high costs to persist throughout the rest of this year but said it has a series of cost-cutting initiatives in place to manage the business. Despite the cost-cutting, prices for products could also rise, with the company only committing to mitigate where possible before passing prices on to consumers. Sales were up 14% on the year to 1.98 billion and remain well above pre-pandemic levels, as high streets closed and shoppers turned to online. Rival fashion retailers Superdry, ASOS and Quiz were down 6.3%, 5.3% and 1.4% respectively in a negative read-across. The dollar was mostly subdued ahead of the Fed decision. The pound was quoted at $1.2510 at midday on Wednesday, unmoved from $1.2511 at the London equities close Tuesday. The euro was priced at $1.0522, lower against $1.0535. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP130.01, little changed from JP129.97. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a plan for the EU to stop Russian oil imports by the end of the year, as part of the bloc's latest round of sanctions against Moscow. Brent oil was trading at $108.65 a barrel Wednesday at midday, higher against $106.12 late Tuesday. The ban is to maximize pressure on Russia, von der Leyen told a debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday in Strasbourg, France, adding the move will not be easy. The proposal to deprive Russia of a significant revenue stream comes after weeks of negotiations as EU member states wrestled with the economic fallout of an oil embargo. The plan gained momentum after Germany, a huge importer of Russian energy, announced it would support a ban. The ban is to be managed in a phased approach to preserve the bloc's economic stability and global oil market prices, von der Leyen said, with the aim to minimize collateral damage to us and our partners. Crude oil imports are to be phased out first within six months and the bloc is to remove refined products by the end of the year, von der Leyen said. The OPEC+ group, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, meets on Thursday to consider its production targets. The expectation is that global crude flows will re-work around the EU ban, with more Russian oil heading to China and India while more crude from the US and the Middle East making its way to Europe, commented Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management. Still, the likelihood is that there will be a downswing in Russian production that will tighten the global market, keeping a floor on prices at least for 2022. Gold stood at $1,870.05 an ounce, down slightly from $1,873.30 late Tuesday. New York was pointed to a higher open ahead of the expected Fed rate hike. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was called up 0.3%, the S&P 500 up 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite up 0.3%, based on futures trading. The stock indices had closed up 0.2%, 0.5% and 0.2% respectively on Tuesday. Coffee house chain Starbucks late Tuesday reported second-quarter earnings growth despite margins coming under pressure. Revenue for the second quarter ended April 3 rose 11% to $7.64 billion from $6.67 billion year-on-year, with global comparable store sales up 7%. Diluted earnings per share rose 3.6% to $0.58 from $0.56. Starbucks grew earnings despite its operating margin contracting to 17.1% from 19.3%. The stock was up 6.0% in pre-market trade in New York. Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: CETY), a clean energy company focusing on products and solutions in the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability market, announced today CETY has received subscriptions under its offering under Regulation A+ in the amount of $786,000 at a price of $.08 per share. The capital will be used for a minority investment in a natural gas pipeline project that is estimated to supply up to 50 million cubic meters per year to a region with a population of approximately 130k people, and a focus on industrial use. The management of CETY believes that this investment will better position the company to execute its strategic plan and business growth it has planned in China for 2022, including executing projects, increasing sales efforts, and propelling its efforts through strategic partnerships in the $120+ Billion Chinese Natural Gas market. As announced on 11/29/21, CETY has established a joint venture with Shenzhen Gas, a major Chinese Natural Gas A-Share company valued at an estimated $3B. The joint venture is expected to contribute approximately USD 12 million in net income annually to CETY by 2024, with the Company owning a 49% stake in the joint venture. The joint venture is already evaluating and in the due diligence phase with multiple acquisitions. Kam Mahdi, Chief Executive Officer said We are grateful for the strong support from our institutional investors that believe in our ability to execute. The new capital infusion is important in giving us the ability in converting the opportunities we have in front of us in China natural gas industry and we expect that the returns will contribute to our efforts to develop our biomass and heat recovery solution markets in North America. These investments are critical aspects of our clean energy growth strategy to bring additional revenue to the company and expand in multiple verticals. We also expect the additional capital to fuel our projected rapid growth in key clean energy markets in China and continue to develop new revenue channels for the company. About Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY) Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, Clean Energy Technologies (CETY) a low carbon energy company delivers power from heat and biomass with zero emission and low cost. CETY designs, produces, and markets clean energy products & solutions focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Companys principal product is the Clean Cycle magnetic bearing heat recovery generator, offered by CETYs subsidiary Clean Energy HRS, or Heat Recovery Solutions. The Clean Cycle system captures waste heat from a variety of sources and turns it into electricity that can be used or sold back to the grid. CETYs proven, reliable technology allows municipal, commercial, and industrial users with heat sources, such as from biomass, industrial processes, or energy production, to boost their overall energy efficiency with no additional fuel, no pollutants, and little ongoing maintenance. CETYs common stock is currently traded on the OTC Market under the symbol CETY. For more information, visit www.cetyinc.com or www.heatrecoverysolutions.com. DISCLAIMER This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to achieving corporate objectives, developing additional project interests, the companys analysis of opportunities in the acquisition and development of various project interests and certain other matters. These statements are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. Contacts Investors: [email protected] Contact: Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. Kam Mahdi, CEO 949-273-4990 x814 Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. 2990 Redhill Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.273.4990 main 949.273.4990 fax www.cetyinc.com SOURCE Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. Related Links http://www.cetyinc.com NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for over 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced Callinex Mines Inc. (TSX-V: CNX; OTCQX: CLLXF), a mineral exploration company advancing a portfolio of copper and zinc rich mineral deposits located in Canada, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Callinex Mines Inc. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market. Callinex Mines Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol CLLXF. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Callinex is pleased to begin trading on the OTCQX and broaden the investor universe that can invest in the Company as it aggressively expands the high-grade copper, zinc gold and silver Rainbow deposit. Rainbow is located within a mineral lease, less than 200m from a high-voltage hydroelectric power-line and 500m from a historic shaft with direct road access to processing facilities in Flin Flon, MB, Max Porterfield, Callinex President and CEO, stated. O'Neill Law LLP acted as the companys OTCQX sponsor. About Callinex Mines Inc. Callinex Mines Inc. (TSXV: CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is advancing its portfolio of base and precious metals rich deposits located in established Canadian mining jurisdictions. The portfolio is highlighted by the rapidly expanding Rainbow Discovery at its Pine Bay Project located near existing infrastructure in the Flin Flon Mining District. Additionally, Callinex has emerging near-surface silver discoveries at its Nash Creek Project located in the Bathurst Mining District of New Brunswick. A 2018 PEA on the Companys Bathurst projects outlined a mine plan that generates a strong economic return with a pre-tax IRR of 34.1% (25.2% post-tax) and NPV8% of $230 million ($128 million post-tax). 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 our regulated OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems, the Company connects a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower 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 we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com. Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed Media Contact: OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, [email protected] VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WPD Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company or WPD) (CSE: WBIO) (FSE: 8SV1), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amended and restated sublicense agreement (the Sublicense Agreement) with Moleculin Biotech Inc. (Moleculin). On December 20, 2021, WPD Pharmaceuticals Sp. z o.o. (WPD Poland), the Polish subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amendment of its February 2019 sublicense (as amended previously in 2019 and 2021) from Moleculin of certain intellectual property rights, including certain rights to Moleculins Annamycin, WP1066 and WP1122 portfolios to research, develop, manufacture, use, import, offer and sell products derived from these portfolios in the field of human therapeutics (Products) in 29 countries, including some countries in Europe (the Territories). In consideration of the Moleculin sublicense, WPD agreed that it must use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize Products in the Territories. The amended agreement provides that, in respect of commercially reasonable development efforts (CRDE), WPD must spend at least USD$2,500,000 during the first 4 years of the agreement on the research, development and commercialization of Products and at least USD$2,100,000 in each of the 5 years thereafter (previously USD$1,000,000 in each of the 4 years thereafter). Accordingly, the total minimum required CRDE is now USD$13,000,000, amended from USD$6,500,000. The Company also announced that it has entered into a consent agreement (the Consent) dated December 19, 2021 with Moleculin, WPD Poland, and LPC Enterprises, LLC (LPC), whereby Moleculin consented to the potential assignment (Assignment) by WPD Poland to LPC of WPD Polands rights, and the assumption of LPC of the duties and obligations of WPD Poland, under the Sublicense Agreement. The Consent was granted by Moleculin in connection with a convertible promissory note (the Note) issued by WPD Poland to LPC in the principal amount of US$1,380,000. Moleculin is not a party to the Note. The Note bears interest at a rate of 10% per year, has a maturity date of November 15, 2022, and will be funded as follows: USD$600,000 on December 5, 2021; USD$200,000 on January 5, 2022, USD$200,000 on February 5, 2022, and USD$200,000 on April 5, 2022. LPC may convert the principal amount and all interest into shares of WPD Poland based on a conversion formula which includes a valuation cap of WPD Poland at USD$8,000,000. Upon a qualifying event of default under the Note, the Sublicense Agreement would be assigned by WPD Poland to LPC. Moleculin has the right under the Assignment to acquire the Sublicense Agreement in the event of default. About WPD Pharmaceuticals WPD is a biotechnology research and development company with a focus on oncology and virology, namely research and development of medicinal products involving biological compounds and small molecules. WPD has licensed in certain countries 10 novel drug candidates with 4 that are in clinical development stage. These drug candidates were researched at institutions, and WPD currently has ongoing collaborations with Wake Forest University and leading hospitals and academic centers in Poland. WPD has entered into license agreements with Wake Forest University Health Sciences and sublicense agreements with Moleculin Biotech, Inc. and CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., respectively, each of which grant WPD an exclusive, royalty-bearing sublicense to certain technologies of the licensor. Such agreements provide WPD with certain research, development, manufacturing and sales rights, among other things. The sublicense territory from CNS Pharmaceuticals and Moleculin Biotech includes for most compounds 30 countries in Europe and Asia, including Russia. On Behalf of the Board Mariusz Olejniczak Mariusz OlejniczakCEO, WPD Pharmaceuticals Contact Investor RelationsEmail: [email protected]Tel: 604-428-7050Web: www.wpdpharmaceuticals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that contemplate activities, events or developments that the Company can develop effective drugs against cancer and possibly viruses. Factors which may prevent the forward looking statement from being realized include that competitors or others may successfully challenge a granted patent and the patent could be rendered void; we may be unable to raise sufficient funding for our research; we may be unable to expend sufficient funds on research to keep our sublicense rights; our grant applications may not be successful or if successful, we may not meet the requirements to receive the grants awarded; that our drugs dont provide positive treatment, or if they do, the side effects are damaging; competitors may develop better or cheaper drugs; and we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for any drugs we develop; the filing of the next annual general meeting information circular containing the executive compensation disclosure. Readers should refer to the risk disclosure included from time-to-time in the documents the Company files on SEDAR, available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, they should not be relied upon and there can be no assurance that any of them will prove to be accurate. Finally, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update them except as required by applicable law. Source: WPD Pharmaceuticals El SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ad Age released its Best Places to Work 2022, an annual ranking of the top 50 companies that did a standout job over the past year based on workplace factors ranging from pay and benefits to corporate culture and leadership. Wpromote has been named one of the top two digital agencies on the prestigious list, which is among the most important and influential awards of the year in the marketing and advertising industry. 2021 was a particularly challenging year as the ad business rebounded, the talent pool tightened, and the specter of COVID-19 remained omnipresent at work and at home. Wpromote's flexible work policies, investment in employee support and development, and unique emphasis on work-life balance all contributed to the strong showing this year. "I'm extremely proud of the way our teams keep rising to new challenges year after year, and a lot of that is because we have always taken a fundamentally different approach to our people than most agencies," notes Founder and CEO Mike Mothner. "From the beginning, we have prioritized helping people build a great life and a great career, because that is how they will be empowered and excited to do great work for our clients. The key is to keep listening and make sure your employees have a voice in the room when it comes to shaping the policies and priorities that will affect their lives." Ad Age's scoring system factors in employee responses on topics including pay and benefits and seven other core focus areas (75% of the score) and a company's policies and practices on areas including pay and benefits, work/life balance, recruitment, training and development (25% of the score). "The advertising business saw a healthy comeback and ad tech firms and health care agencies thrived, making 2021 a decidedly strong year for the industry," said Dan Peres, associate publisher and editor-in-chief, Ad Age. "The pandemic continued to impactand permanently changehow we work, and this year's Ad Age Best Places to Work winners created the right culture and opportunities for their teams." Wpromote differentiates itself in the talent market by offering benefits and implementing policies like a permanent 4.5 day workweek and unlimited PTO that are more frequently associated with Silicon Valley than Madison Avenue. The continued evolution of the agency is informed and driven by employee feedback, recently adding new benefits like 100% paid parental leave to make sure the organization is keeping pace with the needs of its most important competitive differentiator: its people. Ad Age produced Best Places to Work 2022 in partnership with Best Companies Group, a research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work. The competition was open to agencies, ad tech firms, brand or corporate marketing departments or groups and in-house agencies of marketers. See this year's full list of Best Places to Work at AdAge.com/2022-best-places-to-work. About Wpromote Wpromote is a digital marketing agency that helps our clients Think Like A Challenger: from enterprise brands to fast-growing digital disruptors, we believe that the right marketing strategy can help every business connect with customers and drive profitable growth. With 6 offices across the United States, we help leading brands like Whirlpool, TransUnion, Zenni, Adobe, and Frontier Airlines achieve not just performance increases but success against overall business objectives by taking a holistic approach that combines best-in-class expertise and proprietary technology. As the top Performance Marketing Agency in the latest Forrester Wave, we're proud we don't answer to anyone's interests but our clients. For additional information, visit wpromote.com. Contact: Jessica Bright, [email protected], (310)321-4434 About Ad AgeCreated in 1930 to cover a burgeoning industry with objectivity, accuracy and fairness, Ad Age continues to be powered by award-winning journalism. Today, Ad Age is a global media brand focusing on curated creativity, data and analysis, people and culture, and innovation and forecasting. From vital print editions to must-attend events and innovative platform offerings, Ad Age's industry-leading content includes the coveted A-List & Creativity Awards, the Ad Age Next conference series and proprietary data including the Leading National Advertisers Report from the Ad Age Datacenter. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ad-age-names-wpromote-a-best-place-to-work-2022-301466953.html SOURCE Wpromote TICKERS: LIO; LOMLF; LLO; LY1 Source: Streetwise Reports (1/25/22) Lion One Metals' infill drilling at its Tuvatu gold project in Fiji, in an area earmarked for early production, has defined "exceptionally high-grade mineralization." Gold isn't the first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think about the South Pacific islands of Fiji, but its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire places it in an area noted for large gold mines, including Porgera and Lihir in Papua New Guinea, and Vatukoula in Fiji. Lion One Metals Ltd. (LIO:TSX.V; LOMLF:OTCQX; LLO:ASX; LY1:FSE) is aiming to open Fiji's next gold mine at its 100%-owned Tuvatu project. According to Lion One, the company "envisions a low-cost high-grade underground gold mining operation at Tuvatu coupled with exciting exploration upside inside its tenements covering the entire Navilawa caldera, an underexplored yet highly prospective 7km diameter volcanic edifice of alkaline affinity." This geological structure is not unlike those seen at Porgera, Lihir and Vatukoula. Since last June, Lion One has been conducting a near-surface infill drill program at Tuvatu, aimed at filling in the database gaps in an area earmarked for early production. So far, as part of this program, the company has drilling 6,735 meters in 35 holes, out of a planned total of 8,000 meters. Assays of 10 of these holes were just released, and they returned some eye-popping grades, such as 359.8 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 1.8 meters, including 1,616.0 g/t over 0.4 meters, and 295.5 g/t gold over 0.3 meters. Needless to say, management likes the new assay results. Sergio Cattalani, Lion Ones senior vice president of exploration, comments, Exceptionally high grade mineralization has been defined in the near-surface portion of the deposit. High grade mineralization is showing to be more consistent and appears to form wider zones with good continuity than what had been previously modelled. The company plans to start mining on a relatively small scale and expand from there. As Cattalani explains, Our objective remains clear: to work toward a near-term modest production start, concomitant with an aggressive exploration program aimed at the continued expansion of bonanza-grade resources both near-surface and along defined feeder conduits at greater depths, for the eventual scaled-up development of a larger and more valuable resource. "I am increasingly confident that once underground mining is underway, the average head grade of the ore earmarked for early production will be higher than previously modelled," Cattalani states. The additional data generated by the infill drilling and resampling programs currently underway are indicating that portions of the orebody return higher grades over multiples of minimum mining widths that were not defined by the current, yet now increasingly outdated, resource model. The most recent preliminary economic assessment, released in September 2020, estimated 274,500 ounces of gold in the Indicated category and 384,000 ounces Inferred. Indicated resources are based on sufficient sampling that results in an estimate of the resource that can be used to evaluate economic viability and mine planning; Inferred resources are estimates based on more limited sampling and have a lower level of confidence than Indicated. Lion One boasts an experienced management team. Chairman and CEO Walter Berukoff has owned or operated over 20 mines in seven countries and has a track record of building mining companies, including Northern Orion, Miramar Mining and La Mancha, creating more than $3 billion in shareholder value along the way. Other senior executives have decades of experience in exploration and mine building. Technical advisor Dr. Quinton Hennigh, a well-known name in exploration circles, also serves as chairman and president of Novo Resources Corp. The company has the advantage of owning its own diamond drill rig and operating its own on-site lab in Fiji, allowing it to sidestep the delays experienced by many explorers. Core samples are sawn in half, and pulp duplicates of samples returning values greater than 0.5 g/t gold are sent to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for third-party evaluation. Lion One has approximately 156 million shares outstanding, 167 million fully diluted. Among its high-profile investors are Donald Smith Value Fund (12.09% ownership), Franklin Templeton Precious Metals Fund (9.58%) and CEO Water Berukoff (13%). Analyst Akin Akinwale of Eight Capital covers the company. [NLINSERT] 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. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Lion One Metals. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 3) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 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 Lion One Metals, a company mentioned in this article. (Tribune News Service) March Air Reserve Base in California is the Air Forces top choice to house the next generation of Air Force tanker planes, an assignment that could shield the historic base from closure and protect a major economic engine for the Inland Empire. The Air Force announced Monday, Jan. 24, that March is the preferred destination for 12 KC-46A Pegasus tankers. The planes, which serve as airborne gas stations for other aircraft, will replace Marchs KC-135 Stratotankers, which are part of its 452nd Air Mobility Wing. A final basing decision will follow an environmental impact study thats expected to be done in fall 2023, the Air Force said in a statement. Similar studies will be conducted at two alternate sites Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana and Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. While the announcement leaves open the prospect of Grissom or Tinker getting the tankers, theyve never ever (made an announcement) like this and a base has not gotten the aircraft, said Jamil Dada, board president of the March Field Air Museum and a local representative for the Air Mobility Command Civic Leader Program. March, which is just south of Riverside and Moreno Valley, was one of six locations that made the final cut in spring to become the tankers new home. The others were Grissom, Tinker, Beale Air Force Base in Northern California, Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington in Maryland and Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base in New York. The KC-46As were highly sought after because the base that gets them will have one less reason to be on the chopping block should the military do another round of base closures. March was an Air Force base until it was downsized to an air reserve base in 1993, costing the Inland region thousands of jobs. Getting the new tankers BRAC-proofs us for 40 years, Dada said. BRAC stands for the Base Realignment and Closure process. In an emailed statement Monday, Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, said the Air Forces decision will ensure that March ARBs contribution to our national security will continue with a new generation of tankers Our region and the defense department have made critical investments in and around March ARB, putting it in an excellent position to play a vital role in the defense of our country well into the future. Tanker planes are used to refuel other military aircraft in mid-air, extending their time in flight and eliminating the need to refuel on the ground. Made by Boeing and based on a commercial airliner design, the Pegasus refueling pole can dispense more fuel per minute than the KC-135, and the KC-46A is a more capable nighttime refueler, according to a Boeing video. The KC-46A also features robust defensive systems and cockpit armor protection, the video added. Dada, who has flown on board a KC-46A, said the Air Force ordered 278 of the new tankers, but only 50 have been delivered because Boeing is behind schedule amid problems with the Pegasus refueling system. The KC-135s were supposed to be phased out this year, but will remain in use until all the KC-46s are delivered, Dada said, adding the KC-46As could have a $100 million impact for March with the need for new hangars and new equipment. Southern California members of Congress from both parties united to bring the tankers to March. Last September, Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, penned a letter to the secretary of the Air Force making the case for basing the KC-46As at March, citing its optimal location and community support. Eleven House members signed the letter, including Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, whose district includes March. Calvert has repeatedly communicated that March ARB would be ideally suited for the KC-46 because of its strategic location and the fact it is the only (Air Force Reserve) candidate location with reservists, guardsmen, and active duty from all branches of the military present on the base, Jason Gagnon, the congress members spokesperson, said via email. Takano said in an emailed statement that locating the tankers at March would bring jobs to Riverside County and solidify the bases standing as an unmatched military destination. March ARB is fully capable of hosting the tankers and has much to offer the Air Force in terms of continued mission excellence. 2022 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit pe.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The U.S. Navy began drills in the South China Sea over the weekend that brought together two aircraft carriers, numerous warships and thousands of sailors and Marines in a potential hot spot. Aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Carl Vinson, along with their respective strike groups, began training on Sunday that included anti-submarine and air warfare drills, deck-to-deck aircraft transfers, and at-sea refueling and resupplying, according to a Tuesday news release from U.S. 7th Fleet. Operations like these allow us to improve our combat credible capability, reassure our allies and partners, and demonstrate our resolve as a Navy to ensure regional stability and counter malign influence, Rear Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander of the Abraham Lincolns strike group, said in the release. The exercises exact location was not disclosed, but 7th Fleet spokeswoman Cmdr. Hayley Sims said in a Tuesday phone call that it took place in international waters. The exercise was marred Monday when a Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter jet crashed while attempting to land on the Carl Vinson. Seven sailors, including the pilot, were injured, according to the Navy. Four were treated aboard the carrier, and three required medical evacuation. All seven were in stable condition, the Navy said in a Monday statement. In addition to its aircraft contingent, Carrier Air Wing 9, the Abraham Lincoln strike group includes guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald, USS Gridley, USS Sampson and USS Spruance and the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay, according to the news release. However, Sims said, the Sampson was in Tonga on Tuesday providing disaster relief in the wake of a Jan. 14 volcanic eruption and tsunami, and the Fitzgerald was visiting its former homeport at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. The Carl Vinson strike group includes Carrier Air Wing 2, the guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale and USS Chaffee, the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain, the fleet replenishment ship USNS Yuko, and the cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers. The ships represent a force of more than 14,000 sailors and Marines, according to 7th Fleet. Sundays operations started just a day after both strike groups completed a five-day exercise alongside the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga on Saturday near Okinawa, according to the Self-Defense Forces official Twitter account. The 7th Fleet routinely exercises in the South China Sea, a stage for increasing tensions between the United States and China. The regions last multicarrier operation took place in October near Taiwan in the Philippine Sea and involved the Carl Vinson, the USS Ronald Reagan and the United Kingdoms HMS Queen Elizabeth. Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its territorial waters, including numerous contested island chains also claimed by other nations such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan. China frequently condemns the U.S. and its allies for military actions in the region, while the U.S. maintains it abides by international law. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not commented on either exercise as of Tuesday. Meanwhile, China on Monday dispatched 39 military aircraft toward Taiwans air defense identification zone, the most in one day since late last year, The Associated Press reported Monday. Taiwan, on the northern limit of the sea, is considered a renegade province by Beijing, which seeks its reunification, by force, if necessary. The Chinese flights are considered a means of wearing down its air force. The guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson is continuing to assist with disaster assessment and relief efforts for the remote islands of Tonga ravaged by a volcanic eruption and tsunami. The ship arrived in the vicinity of Tonga on Wednesday, five days after the eruption, Capt. Kyle Raines, a spokesman for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said in an email Monday. Over the weekend, an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from the Sampson assessed damage to the isolated islands of Niuafoou, Fonualei, Ofu and Fonuafoou, Raines said. The destroyer has joined ships and aircraft from France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and others in delivering water, food and other relief to Tonga. The undersea eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean and a massive amount of ash into the air. The eruption was larger than any nuclear detonation ever recorded, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, which monitors atomic tests, said over the weekend. The tsunami severed the only fiber-optic cable that connects Tonga to the rest of the world. A layer of thick, volcanic ash covered many of the 169 islands that make up the Kingdom of Tonga, which lies about 1,000 miles east of Australia. Only 36 of those islands are inhabited, with roughly 70% of the Polynesian nations population of 105,000 living on the main island of Tongatapu. The Sampson is part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which deployed from San Diego early this month. At the time of the eruption, Sampson was at American Samoa, about 600 miles northeast of Tonga. The Navy and Marine Corps have until April to launch a study into how facial hair affects gas mask functionality, one of several efforts the Navy secretary has directed to help improve diversity in the force. As part of the study, the services must also identify potential alternatives for service members with beards, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in a memo detailing several diversity and inclusion efforts. Del Toros memo, issued in November, was the basis for a court filing Monday asking a judge to halt a lawsuit over Navy forced shaving policies that four sailors say violate their religious freedoms. In the suit filed last April in federal court in Washington, D.C., the four petty officers say the Navy has been insisting that sailors on sea duty not be granted religious shaving waivers because a beard supposedly reduces safe and effective wear and operation of protective equipment such as gas masks and respirators. A federal judge had granted an urgent request by one of those sailors, an electricians mate aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, to temporarily block his command from forcing him to shave his beard. In the latest filing, both sides have asked judge Timothy James Kelly to halt the court proceedings until Del Toros directives can be implemented, including requirements that the Navy and Marine Corps review and update uniform regulations and grooming standards. The results of the gas mask study should be used to guide changes, Del Toro said in the memo. The Army began requiring frequent clean-shaves just before World War I, where chemical weapons would pose a serious threat. But the Navy didnt begin banning beards until 1985. In recent years, officials with several services have responded to calls for looser shaving standards by continuing to cite the possibility facial hair would prevent gas masks from functioning properly. But Del Toros memo has already forced the naval services to reconsider some facial hair policies. He gave them until next Monday to update grooming standards related to pseudofolliculitis barbae or razor bumps a condition that causes inflammation on the face and neck when curly beard hair curves back into the skin after a shave. The condition primarily affects Black men and is treatable, the Navy has said, but it cited the fact that whiskers can hinder the effectiveness of breathing devices when it stopped issuing permanent shaving waivers for it in 2019. The Navy secretary is now directing the services to make updates that provide service members with relief from undue burdens as they deal with this medical condition. The Marine Corps has already said its policy will change next week to make the skin condition no longer grounds on its own to boot Marines from the service or issue them reprimands. The services also have until the end of February to study and propose changes to their uniform rules to better allow for racial, ethnic, religious or gender differences, Del Toros memo says. The lawsuit sprang up after Petty Officer 3rd Class Edmund Di Liscia got an order to shave daily while on a deployment aboard the Roosevelt, despite earlier being granted a no-shave chit to accommodate his orthodox Jewish beliefs. His attorney, Eric Baxter with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, argued that such an order could only be imposed in the face of an imminent threat. The three other sailors involved in the suit are Muslim and say they also have religious reasons for growing out their beards. One of them also had a medical waiver because of razor bumps, but was being pressured to undergo electrolysis or laser hair removal, their initial court filing said. The sailors have argued that unless the Navy can show it has valid concerns that cannot be resolved by measures less restrictive than requiring shaves, its policies violate the First Amendment. A proposed court order filed Monday along with both sides request to halt the suit would require the Navy to update the judge March 4 and every 60 days thereafter on its progress toward completing the efforts Del Toro outlined regarding grooming, uniforms and gas masks. The Navy secretarys memo also directed several other efforts unrelated to grooming, aimed at increasing diversity in senior civilian pay grades, revising how ships are named, and addressing a lack of minorities in some military specialties and civilian career fields. The combat system for the Navys newest and costliest warship, the $13 billion Gerald R. Ford, has yet to demonstrate that it can effectively defend the aircraft carrier from anti-ship missiles and other threats, according to a new assessment by the Pentagons testing office. Mixed performance by missile interceptors, radar and data dissemination systems on a testing vessel limited the ability to destroy replicas of incoming weapons even though sensor systems satisfactorily detected, tracked and engaged the targets, according to the report obtained by Bloomberg News in advance of its release. The carrier built by Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. is still dogged as well by the poor or unknown reliability of its aircraft launch and recovery systems, according to the five-page report. And recent shock tests to assess the vulnerability of key systems identified several design shortfalls not previously discovered, the testing office said. It said the Navy has already identified several survivability opportunities to improve the four-carrier class of ships against underwater threat engagements. The persistent shortcomings undercut the Navys hope to showcase the Ford as the first in a new class of nuclear-powered carriers that can project U.S. power globally and are more combat-capable, reliable and affordable to operate then the Nimitz class its replacing. The latest assessment raises new questions for Pentagon officials and lawmakers about how fully the Navy will demonstrate improvements before the Ford is deployed in mid-September on its first patrol with aircraft and escort vessels. The report, which contains unclassified and controlled unclassified information and has been circulated to the Navy, found that only a limited assessment of the combat systems effectiveness is possible at this point. It said Nickolas Guertin, the new head of the testing office, plans to send Congress an interim report on the Fords self-defense capabilities by Sept. 30. The Naval Sea Systems Command said in a statement that it welcomed the opportunity to review and provide comment on the assessment draft. Overall, it said, recent post-delivery testing of the Ford indicate the risk of system reliability impacting mission accomplishment is decreasing. Chinese challenge Answering concerns about the Fords defense system with its dual-band radar, data fusion and other advanced capabilities takes on added urgency as China increases its inventory of patrol boats, frigates, cruisers and conventional submarines with advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. The Navys three tests so far of the Fords self-defense system on board a specialized vessel designed to evaluate performance were not adequate to assess the combat systems capability against supersonic antiship cruise missiles and subsonic maneuvering missiles, and there were no future test events planned against threats that could provide additional data, according to the testing office. The vessels Gatling gun-like system experienced numerous reliability failures that in several cases prevented the system from executing its mission, the test office said. After a series of additional evaluations and exercises with the Fords air wing, the plan is for the carrier to to visit multiple theaters of operation with multiple allies by the end of summer, Rear Admiral James Downey, the Navys program executive officer for aircraft carriers, told reporters Friday. He said the Navy is confident in the vessels combat systems. Shes been engaged against her required threats and weve done those tests at sea, theyve been evaluated and shes achieved her certification in the combat systems area, Downey said. Lingering questions The testing office said the Ford is unlikely to achieve its goal for the number of sorties it can launch over a 24-hour period, saying its based on unrealistic assumptions. It also said that during 8,157 takeoffs and recoveries through last year, the carriers new electromagnetic catapult system made by General Atomics demonstrated a reliability of 272 launches between operational mission failure, or well below its required 4,166. Similarly, its system to snag landing aircraft demonstrated a 41-landing reliability rate well below the requirement of 16,500, the testing office said. The Naval Sea Systems Command said that during the Fords recent at-sea phase, the carrier completed all required testing, accomplished work ahead of plan, improved system reliability for new technologies and served as an East Coast platform for conducting pilot carrier qualifications for over 400 newly qualified and requalifying pilots. More than 8,100 launch and landing operations highlighted the Fords increasing capability and provide growing confidence that a fully trained Ford crew and embarked air wing will achieve the required sorties generation rate, the command said. The U.S. Navy recently moved sailors aboard its newest base, a strategic installation in northern Poland that will support NATOs European missile defense system. Personnel completed their move Thursday from off base into a $50 million multipurpose residential building at Naval Support Facility Redzikowo, U.S. 6th Fleet said in a statement Friday. NSF Redzikowo, located about two hours west of Gdansk on the Baltic Sea coast, supports the Aegis Ashore missile defense system. It integrates the systems of Navy destroyers based in Rota, Spain, and the Aegis capabilities at Naval Support Facility Deveselu, Romania, the Navy said. We have to get the base sailors situated first, and then Aegis Ashore will come in, activate the site and continue with their mission, said Capt. Michael Smith, commanding officer of NSF Redzikowo. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers renovated the former German air base before turning it over to the Navy in September 2020. The two-story multipurpose facility was built by the Corps of Engineers and completed in June 2020. It includes a gym, barracks, a galley, medical facilities, a Navy Exchange and a recreation center. Rooms house up to four sailors and include dorm-style accommodations, such as a microwave and refrigerator. Citing operational security, the Navy would not say how many personnel were assigned to the base or provide further details about the installations size or structure. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. CHARLESTON, S.C. It was another especially awful day inside the COVID-19 unit at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Another patient was dying from the coronavirus, and now another health care worker had to make the dreaded call. Alan Hawes, a registered nurse who made the leap into nursing in 2011 after more than two decades working as a newspaper photojournalist, clutched his camera as the inevitable came into focus. He watched from across the room last fall as his colleague in the medical intensive care unit, Andrea Crain, picked up the phone and told a patient's wife that she needed to get to the hospital. Her husband was dying from COVID-19, and there was nothing more they could do. She needed to come quickly. She needed to come say goodbye. This is the devastating reality of the coronavirus pandemic in South Carolina. Hawes said he just wanted the public to be able to see it. On Tuesday morning, both Hawes and his photographs from inside MUSC's COVID unit made their national TV debut in a story that aired on "CBS Mornings." "This whole pandemic affects all of the medical workers that work in these conditions and it's not just, you know, about the PPE (personal protective equipment) and the high patient load, but it's the emotional load that we carry as well," said 52-year-old Hawes. "I want the world to see." After Crain hung up the phone that day, she burst into tears. Hawes had watched the entire scene unfold and captured the moment when his colleague broke down at the nurse's station. She wept for Joel Croxton, a 72-year-old patient who was fully vaccinated and boosted but still succumbed to the virus on Sept. 14. Crain had been calling his wife, Sandy. "That day, she told me she was so tired of seeing all this death," Hawes said. The photograph of the weeping nurse is just one of the images Hawes has taken since he began documenting the human toll of the coronavirus. But it is his vantage point from inside the hospital that gives the public a rare glimpse into how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting patients, the people who love them and the people who are trying to save their lives. "Nurses are broken right now, emotionally," Hawes told CBS News correspondent David Begnaud. "Are you?" he asked. "I feel like I am, yes," Hawes responded. Before the segment aired, Hawes told The State newspaper he had hoped that these photos and this story on a national news network would save some lives. "And I hope that they don't cause pain," Hawes said, as he thought about the family members who might see images of their loved ones broadcast across the country. "But if I can get the word out and hopefully save some lives with these pictures, then that will cause a lot less pain." He thinks back to 72-year-old Croxton, the patient who Hawes said did everything right. He got vaccinated. He got his booster shot. And Croxton was also one of the first patients to sign a waiver and participate in this photo project. "He just had a weakened immune system. So someone had to have given it to him. You don't just get COVID from living, so at some point it was transmitted to him," Hawes said. In one of the photos Hawes took, Croxton is sitting in a hospital bed with a BiPap mask across his face to help him breathe. But Hawes can't forget his eyes. "He's just looking into the camera. He just looks scared to me, and it's almost like he knows there's nothing he can do," Hawes said. "He's just looking into the camera like, 'Help me.' But there was nothing we could do. We knew he wasn't going to make it." A few days later, Croxton died. His wife made it in time to say goodbye, to hold his hand, to pray with him with a hospital chaplain over an iPad being held by his nurse. "That was a really hard picture for me to look at," Hawes said, his voice catching in his throat. Hawes said it took a year and a half to convince the hospital to greenlight the photography project. He told CBS News that they finally said "yes" when he sent his request with the subject line "Public Service Project." "His images showcase the harsh reality of COVID-19, and it is a privilege for Hawes to represent MUSC to a national audience," said Carter Coyle, a hospital spokesperson. But the images have also been a morale boost, too. Unlike his photojournalism days, Hawes said family members, patients and his fellow health care workers are grateful when they see him snapping pictures in the intensive care unit. "Thank God someone's here to show what's going on," people have told Hawes on multiple occasions. The photo project, like the pandemic itself, is far from over. With the omicron variant sending more patients back to hospital intensive care units and emergency rooms, Hawes said he has picked up his camera again. As of Monday, the number of COVID-19 inpatient hospitalizations at MUSC's downtown Charleston campus was 161. On Dec. 21, there were just 13 inpatient hospitalizations for COVID. But Hawes said he will be there, documenting whatever comes next. (c)2022 The State (Columbia, S.C.) Visit The State (Columbia, S.C.) at www.thestate.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Russian President Vladimir Putins decision to mass nearly 100,000 Russian troops on the Ukrainian border has raised tensions in Europe to levels not seen since early in the Cold War. To forestall this attack, the G-7 nations have issued a stern warning that Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response. The allies have threatened a punishing set of financial, technological, and military sanctions that would come into effect immediately after a Russian invasion. Additionally, Senate Democrats have introduced the Defending Ukrainian Sovereignty Act, which would impose crippling sanctions on the Russian banking sector and senior military and government officials. Putin has responded to these threats by mobilizing additional Russian army units in the Crimea as well as in Belarus, which has alarmed NATO members bordering that country. Putins objectives remain unclear. Is his troop deployment a way to pressure NATO into negotiating a new security arrangement for Europe, or even withdrawing NATO forces from Eastern Europe? Or does he believe he can present the West with a fait accompli by invading and installing a regime in Kyiv favorable to the Kremlin before the West can respond? We do know one thing, however: An outright invasion promises huge consequences, a lesson Soviet leader Joseph Stalin learned in 1950 when he approved Kim Il Suns plan to invade South Korea. Kim had assured Stalin that the North Korean army would quickly capture Seoul and unite the country in only a few weeks, well before the United States could mount a response. Instead President Harry S. Truman immediately ordered units from the Eighth Army stationed in Japan to the Korean Peninsula as well as a massive bombing campaign to slow the North Korean advance. The invasion galvanized the West and transformed U.S. national security strategy, resulting in a massive mobilization, a decades-long nuclear arms race and a permanent militarization of the Cold War conflict. Though the Cold War had begun several years before the North Korean invasion, American strategic planners considered military force a deterrent and saw the true field of battle as taking place in the realm of political and economic warfare. This was true even of NATO. When it was created in 1949, American policymakers believed that a public U.S. commitment to defend Europe would alone be sufficient to prevent a Soviet attack. The United States possessed a monopoly on the atomic bomb, and even more important, a vast economy that had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to outproduce its wartime rivals. As George Kennan argued in 1948, the events of the past two wars have demonstrated that unless a European aggressor can be sure of dealing a decisive blow to the North American military-industrial potential in the initial phase of his effort to dominate the European continent, he can never be sure of final victory. U.S. planners concluded that the Soviet Union would not launch a war but instead would continue to subvert Europe through its massive political warfare campaigns that had already led to the collapse of democracy in Czechoslovakia in February 1948 and was wreaking political and economic havoc in France and Italy. When the United States Senate debated the NATO treaty, Secretary of State Dean Acheson assured concerned senators that no American combat forces would be permanently stationed on the European continent, and none were deployed after the treatys approval. Instead the United States would limit its role to aiding Europe in rebuilding its own military capabilities. The Harry Truman administration applied this strategic model to Korea, believing that Stalin would not sanction an invasion but would support North Koreas growing efforts to spark an insurgency to overthrow the South Korean government led by Syngman Rhee. According to historian Bruce Cumings, the South Korean government suffered a lack of legitimacy because of its inclusion of those who had collaborated with the Japanese during Koreas years under occupation. This was in stark contrast to North Koreas Kim, who was a recognized leader of the resistance to Japan. By summer 1950, the South was consumed by a nationwide insurgency. Even then, however, American intelligence doubted that Stalin would approve a military attack until it was clear that the insurgency would fail. Instead the communists used the insurgency as part of their invasion strategy. Why? Because Stalin and Kim already had ample reasons to doubt that the United States would intervene if they did. In a speech before the National Press Club on Jan. 12, 1950, Acheson outlined Americas defense perimeter, which included Japan and the Ryukyus islands but not Korea. Seeing this as a green light, Kim planned a three-day military operation to capture Seoul, which he envisioned would result in the collapse of the Rhee government and the unification of the country within weeks. Stalin approved the plan in April and supported Kim with substantial military assistance. On June 25, 1950, 200,000 North Korean troops armed and trained by the Soviet Union poured across the 38th parallel, a demarcation line created by the United States and the Soviet Union after Japans defeat in World War II. The invasion shocked many in the West who had expected the Kremlin would seek to unify the peninsula through a communist-inspired insurgency. Only days before the invasion, the CIA issued an intelligence estimate warning that the Norths primary objective was to extend its control over southern Korea by continuing and increasing its support of the present program of propaganda, infiltration, sabotage, subversion, and guerrilla operations. Stalin and Kim badly misjudged U.S. resolve as well as the Truman administrations desire to demonstrate to its new European allies its will to fight against Soviet or Soviet-inspired military aggression. Instead of a three-day march on Seoul, the invasion sparked a three-year war that devastated the Korean Peninsula, resulting in millions of casualties, including 150,000 Americans. The United States eventually deployed more than 350,000 troops and launched a relentless bombing campaign against the advancing North Korean - and later Chinese - armies, including the use of firebombs that would incinerate much of the peninsula. The Truman administration also exploited the Soviet boycott of the United Nations (to protest the refusal of the Security Council to seat a representative from the new communist government in China) to gain council approval for its military intervention. The war led to a manifold increase in defense spending as the U.S. defense budget surpassed 15 percent of GDP, and the deployment of hundreds of thousands of American troops to Europe as the core of a powerful NATO army backed by a rapidly increasing nuclear stockpile, crystallizing a global military confrontation that would last for the next four decades. Many consider the costs of this arms race a key factor in the Soviet Unions eventual demise in the 1980s, while in his epic work The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, historian Paul Kennedy had warned that a continued arms race would undermine Americas leading position in the world. The Biden administration has reiterated that the United States will not deploy forces to defend Ukraine, but is contemplating sending U.S. forces to reassure the Baltic nations regarding Americas commitment to their defense. This underscores the lesson of the Korean War, that attempting a fait accompli is a risky operation and that a similarly large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia could instead create a dramatic strategic backlash, leading NATO to expand its military capabilities and firm up its defense commitments to exposed NATO allies in Eastern Europe, plunging Europe into a cold-war style arms race. Just as the Korean War led to the permanent positioning of U.S. military forces in Europe and a multi-decade nuclear arms race, Putins gambit could undermine Russian security, leaving it an economic pariah with a remilitarized NATO on its borders, the exact circumstances Putin hopes to avoid with his power play against Ukraine. - - - Gregory Mitrovich is the author of the award-winning book Undermining the Kremlin: American Strategy to Subvert the Soviet Bloc, 1947-1956. He is currently writing a book on the rise of the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. An F-35 pilot is in stable condition after ejecting from the aircraft during a landing mishap on the deck of an aircraft carrier Monday in the South China Sea that injured six other sailors, the Navy said Monday. The F-35C Lightning II fighter jet, assigned to Carrier Air Wing 2, was landing on the USS Carl Vinson during routine flight operations, the Navy said in a statement. The pilot ejected and was recovered by a U.S military helicopter. Six other sailors were injured during the crash, said the Navy, which did not provide details on how they were injured or where they were during the mishap. There were seven total Sailors injured; three Sailors required MEDEVAC to a medical treatment facility in Manila, Philippines, and four were treated by on-board medical personnel, the Navy said. Three of those treated on board have been released. The sailors who were evacuated are listed in stable condition, the Navy said. The cause of the crash is under investigation, the Navy said. The Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups began dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea on Sunday, according to a Navy news release. The planned joint operations include enhanced maritime communication operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations and maritime interdiction operations, the Navy said. Among the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 2 embarked on the Carl Vinson is the F-35C Strike Fighter Squadron 147, known as the Argonauts. CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea A pair of projectiles fired by North Korea on Tuesday morning are presumed to be cruise missiles, a South Korean military official told Stars and Stripes soon after they were launched. U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies detected the projectiles, according to the military official, who spoke on the customary condition of anonymity. Further details, including flight distance and altitude, were not immediately available. North Korea last fired a missile on Jan. 17 when the communist regime launched a pair of guided missiles toward an island target off its eastern coast. Those launches were the fourth and fifth by Pyongyang so far this month, including one it claimed was a hypersonic missile. Following the Jan. 17 test, the state-run Korean Central News Agency signaled it would immediately bolster its military program due to the United States hostile moves. All the facts clearly prove once again that the hostile policy toward [North Korea] will exist in the future, too, as long as there is the hostile entity of U.S. imperialism, KCNA said in a Jan. 20 statement. The U.N. Security Council sanctions North Korea and bans it from conducting ballistic missile tests, but not cruise missiles. The Security Council convened last week after eight nations proposed to slap additional sanctions against five North Koreans suspected by the U.S. to have been contributing to the Norths unlawful weapons programs. However, China and Russia, two permanent members of the Security Council, reportedly blocked the proposal behind the closed-door meeting on Jan. 21. The two countries previously campaigned to loosen existing sanctions in November, according to a draft of the resolution seen by multiple news agencies. [North Koreas] unlawful behavior is a threat to international peace and security, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a joint statement on Jan. 21 with her counterparts from Albania, Brazil, France, Ireland, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. These launches demonstrate the regimes determination to pursue weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs at all costs, including at the expense of its own people. The U.S. Treasury Department on Jan. 12 imposed sanctions against six North Koreans, a Russian and a Russian company for procuring goods for Pyongyangs weapons program. choi.david@stripes.com Twitter: @choibboy Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. TOKYO The rapidly expanding number of COVID-19 infections in Japans capital city blew through another one-day record Tuesday, climbing to 12,813 new cases, according to public broadcaster NHK. Thats 1,586 more infections that the previous one-day record set on Saturday, according to metropolitan government data online. Meanwhile, the national government was prepared Tuesday to extend a quasi-emergency across another 18 prefectures for 34 of Japans 47 prefectures, NHK reported. Tokyo and the surrounding Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures have been in a quasi-emergency since Jan. 19. Emergency measures encourage bars and restaurants to close early and refrain from selling alcohol. The emergency may also extend to Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures, where public health emergencies were declared even earlier as the sixth wave, the omicron phase of the pandemic, took hold in December. The state of emergency would expire Feb. 20, beyond the original Jan. 31 deadline set last week. Japan reported 44,663 new COVID-19 infections nationwide on Monday, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, a drop from the record 54,411 on Saturday. U.S. Forces Japan on Tuesday reported 202 new cases of the coronavirus respiratory disease at 16 installations, with one individual awaiting confirmation. On Monday, the command reported 246 infections from the preceding day along with 15 unconfirmed cases at 16 installations. Although numbers have fluctuated, new infections reported by USFJ on a daily basis have fallen from 810 cases on Jan. 12. None of the U.S. military cases are seriously ill or hospitalized, according to USFJ. The U.S. military population passed another day of a three-week isolation period scheduled to end Monday. The stay-at-home order keeps more than 55,000 service members, plus civilian employees and family members mostly restricted to their military installations or their homes off base. The order, first imposed Jan. 10 for two weeks, was extended another week on Friday as case numbers across Japan rapidly multiplied and emergency measures in 12 prefectures went into effect. Although the omicron variant, so far, comes with less severe illness, it is more easily transmissible, resulting in many more infections. Tokyo on Monday reported 36.7% of the hospital beds set aside for COVID-19 patients are occupied, along with 2.4% of beds for severely ill patients. Yokosuka Naval Base, homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet, confirmed 56 new cases, the highest among U.S. bases, according to USFJs Tuesday update. Yokota Air Base, USFJs headquarters in western Tokyo, came next with 35; and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 25 miles south of Hiroshima, reported 24. Four Marine Corps bases on Okinawa and the Corps Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji southwest of Tokyo reported no new cases of COVID-19, according to USFJ. Okinawa prefecture on Tuesday said it had another 1,175 new COVID-19 infections in its population and 50 among the U.S. military population on the island, according to the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care. Kadena Air Base on Okinawa on Tuesday said it has 343 active cases in its population, according to an update on the base website. Stars and Stripes reporter Mari Higa contributed to this report. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea Health authorities recorded a record-high of 8,571 new coronavirus cases in South Korea on Monday, mostly in the province where the bulk of U.S. military forces are stationed. Thats 7,848 more infections than the previous record set on Dec. 15, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Tuesday. Roughly 34%, or 2,917, of the latest cases were reported from Gyeonggi province, home of Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base overseas. Around 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in the country, most of them at Humphreys in Pyeongtaek city. The U.S. military population throughout the country accounted for 379 newly infected individuals for the week ending Monday, according to U.S. Forces Korea. Thats a few more than half of the 602 cases from the previous week. Throughout 2020, Seoul and its 9.7 million residents accounted for most new cases of the coronavirus respiratory disease. Gyeonggi and its 13.5 million residents in recent weeks has surpassed Seouls caseload, prompting provincial health officials to reevaluate its mitigation response. South Korean President Moon Jae-in in public remarks Monday said the highly contagious omicron variant is now the predominant variant in the country. His comments came one week before the country observes the Lunar New Year holiday from Monday to Feb. 2, when much of the population is expected to travel. I entreat the people to join omicron responses such as participation in vaccination, wearing face masks, restraint from movement and gatherings during Lunar New Year holidays, Moon said. Pyeongtaek officials implemented more stringent policies earlier this month and required South Korean citizens who work on U.S. military bases to be tested for COVID-19 by Wednesday, regardless of their vaccination status. Around 47% of the city's positive cases between Jan. 3 and 16 were people affiliated with the U.S. military, a city official told Stars and Stripes. While the latest figure reported by USFK marks the second straight week of declining case numbers, South Koreas record-high infections on Monday brings renewed concern for the command. USFK reported a weekly high of 1,599 cases between Jan. 4 and 10, roughly three weeks after South Korea recorded its own pandemic high in mid-December. USFK spokesman Army Col. Lee Peters attributed the commands surge to increased testing and contact tracing. The majority of our recent cases are local cases and not arrival cases which is consistent with the trend of increased positive cases witnessed in South Korea in December, he said in a statement on Jan. 12. Earlier this month, USFK elevated its health-risk level and enacted additional social distancing restrictions, including a ban on dining in at restaurants and visits to shopping malls. Visits to Seoul are limited to official duties and those who live in the capital city. Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. The Air Force in England is still deciding whether to change its coronavirus policies after the British government ends a mask mandate and relaxes other rules beginning Thursday. Mask-wearing in crowded open-air and indoor public spaces, such as subways and shops, will be recommended but not required, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Jan. 19 in an address to the House of Commons. Social distancing requirements, limits on gatherings and a legal mandate that people show a National Health Service COVID-19 pass or its equivalent for entry to venues will also end. These changes apply to England only, and local government legislation may vary in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Detailed information is available at http://www.gov.uk/coronavirus. Though some coronavirus policy updates are expected, there havent been any yet at RAF Mildenhall, 100th Air Refueling Wing spokesman Capt. Tyler Whiting told Stars and Stripes. Guidance may change in the future shortly, Whiting said. Our leaders are constantly evaluating the policy. A Jan. 7 command memo applying to all RAF Mildenhall airmen states that U.S. personnel are required to follow U.K. guidance, unless the rules in the memo are more restrictive. The rules include wearing masks and continuing to maintain a social distance of 6 feet when indoors and outdoors for those who havent been fully vaccinated, with few exceptions. Guidance also remains the same at RAF Lakenheath, where masks are required at the post office, dining and lodging facilities and at the fitness center, except for people who are actively exercising. During his speech to parliament, Johnson also said his government would stop encouraging employers to have nonessential employees work from home. They would also drop the legal requirement to self-isolate for people infected with the virus when quarantine regulations expire March 24. STUTTGART, Germany Thousands of U.S. troops are now on heightened alert for a possible NATO mission in Eastern Europe, but one potential obstacle stands in the way: all 30 alliance members must agree to the deployment. The Pentagon said Monday that roughly 8,500 troops based in the U.S. are ready to mobilize on short notice should NATO activate its quick-reaction force. I want to stress, particularly with the NATO Response Force, it has not been activated, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. It is a NATO call to make, but we have contributions to that response force, as do other nations. Kirbys comments made it clear that the Pentagons preference is that any large troop mobilizations from the U.S. to Eastern Europe be done in conjunction with the rest of NATO. Other nations are going to have to contribute as well, he said. That means pressure will be on the rest of the alliance, most notably Germany, to come to a quick consensus on moving forces for a reassurance mission inside eastern member countries should Russia launch a new invasion into Ukraine. Germany, the economic powerhouse of Europe, is already at odds with some allies over its refusal to provide defensive weapons to Ukraine, which has received arms shipments from the U.S., the U.K. and the Baltic states. Berlin also opposes threatening Russia with severe economic sanctions on Russian banks, which could have a ripple effect on the German economy. In addition, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has wavered on whether Germany will cancel Nord Stream 2, a pipeline for Russian gas that has yet to go into operation, if Moscow escalates the conflict in Ukraine. But Germany and other allies could be put on the spot by the U.S. to ramp up NATOs military presence in the East, where the Baltic states, Poland and Romania are looking for military reassurance. For NATO, activating the force of 40,000 troops for a large-scale security mission in Europe is unprecedented. Established 20 years ago, the force includes high-readiness air, land, maritime and special operations units. Its never been used in response to a Russian threat. After Russias initial intervention in Ukraine in 2014, the NATO Response Force sat on the sidelines while the U.S. and other allies acted on their own to reinforce the Baltic states. Some security analysts have said failure to mobilize the response force a second time around would be a blow to alliance solidarity. Putting the unit into action is at the discretion of NATOs highest decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, which is made up of leaders from all member states. Once it is activated, the forces fall under the command of NATOs supreme allied commander, currently U.S. Gen. Tod Wolters. Given disagreements over how best to deal with Russia and its military buildup around Ukraine, unanimous agreement on mobilizing the force will be a test of alliance cohesion. To date, the force has been activated only a handful of times, with small numbers of troops for relatively small missions. Most recently, several hundred troops from the NATO Response Force helped with evacuations from Afghanistan in August. A group of pro-democracy hackers calling themselves Cyber Partisans said Monday they had infiltrated the Belarusian rail network in an effort to disrupt the movement of Russian troops into the country as tensions over a potential renewed invasion of Ukraine grow. The hacktivists, who announced the cyberattack in posts on Twitter and Telegram, said that they had encrypted some of the railroads servers, databases and workstations because it facilitates the movement of occupying troops to enter our land. The group said it would return the network to normal mode if 50 political prisoners in need of medical care were released and Russian military personnel were barred from Belarus. The Belarusian Defense Ministry said Monday that Russian troops were already arriving in the Kremlin-aligned country, which borders Ukraine and Russia, ahead of a February training operation. That exercise has raised fears in the West that it would place Russian troops and equipment along Ukraines northern border, near the capital, Kyiv, further encircling the country. As of early Tuesday, customers were not able to use parts of the Belarusian Railway website for booking tickets. An error message said the site is temporarily unavailable, come back later. Cyber Partisans said it did not intend to affect passenger service and was working to fix the problem, the Associated Press reported. A spokesperson for the group, which said it did not target security and automation systems so as to avoid creating an emergency, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry did not immediately return a request for comment. Franak Viacorka, an adviser to the exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, told Bloomberg News that the hack was a massive action that could paralyze the railroad infrastructure. Cybersecurity experts said the hackers could keep their grip over the rail network indefinitely if Minsk did not maintain backup servers. Critical infrastructure, in Belarus and around the world, represents something of a soft target for ransomware attacks, said Andrew Reddie, a professor at the University of California at Berkeleys School of Information. But he added that it was still too early for cybersecurity researchers to definitively confirm the attack. Zachary Peterson, a computer science professor at Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, said railway networks, like other critical infrastructure, are often legacy systems, built long before [cyber]security was a serious consideration. It was a natural step, Peterson said, for a hacktivist group to repurpose an attack . . . created for financial extortion to a tool for political purposes. Through a previous series of hacks over the past two years, Cyber Partisans, a set of self-taught hacktivists, gathered records that included tapped phone calls and internal documents that exposed government efforts in Belarus to crush dissent. The effort was among the most organized and sweeping hacks by opposition activists against a government, analysts said at the time. The group was fairly well known and tied to pro-democracy protests over the past couple of years in Belarus, Reddie said, noting that the use of ransomware to coerce a government actor rather than pursue financial gain . . . is fairly unique. Minsk did not comment on the cyberattacks last year, but no Belarusian official has publicly challenged the authenticity of Cyber Partisans posts. At least one top Belarusian security official has acknowledged that opposition groups have waged hacking efforts. The conflict over Ukraine intensified Monday as NATO said it would move more military equipment into Eastern Europe and the Biden administration put 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to the region. The United States has ordered families of diplomats to evacuate Kyiv, and the State Department has encouraged American citizens to leave Ukraine. Britain has also asked some diplomats and their families to leave. When it comes to assessing the risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, there is a major geopolitical divide. The United States, along with its ever-close foreign policy ally Britain, has warned that Russian troops massing on the border of Ukraine suggest that Moscow could start a major conflict on European soil. And yet even with this risk, some European nations closer to the action remain skeptical. Germany has been particularly resistant to the prevailing wisdom in Washington and London. Berlin has ruled out supplying Ukraine with defensive weapons so far; British Royal Air Force planes even avoided German airspace when delivering antitank weapons to Ukraine, instead taking a longer route over the North Sea and Denmark. There are many reasons for the divide, but one key difference is in views of the Russian president and his intentions, according to Liana Fix, an expert on Russia at Berlins Korber Foundation. Many in Europe think Vladimir Putin is bluffing, she said. In Europe, the perception was that Russia is building up the military threat to gain concessions, Fix, currently on a sabbatical in Washington as a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told me. Whereas, the perception here seems to be that military escalation is perhaps the most probable path ahead. The stark difference was highlighted in remarks Friday by Germanys navy chief, who asked a think tank panel in New Delhi if they thought Russia was interested in having a small and tiny strip of Ukraine soil under its control? No, this is nonsense, Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schonbach said, before adding that Putin is probably putting pressure on us because he can do it. Western nations should respond by giving the Russian leader the respect he craves and deserves the German naval leader continued. Schonbach offered his resignation Saturday after an international outcry. Such views are not as isolated as you may think. There are plenty of officials and experts who believe that Russia does not seek a conflict and its military buildup is a ploy designed to force concessions from the West. However, there is disagreement on whether his demands, which include an end to the eastern expansion of military alliance NATO, should be met. Historian and military strategist Edward Luttwak wrote on Twitter last week that Putin was bluffing on Ukraine as invading the country would start a war that it cannot afford to fight. To invade Europes largest country with less than 200,000 troops would not end the crisis victoriously for Russia, Luttwak wrote, adding that even if no European country will send troops, they will send weapons. Russia has surprised everyone and began major international aggression before under Putin Chechnya from 1999, Georgia in 2008, Syria from 2015 and even not-so-covertly in breakaway regions of Ukraine from 2014 and still frequently engages in lower-level international acts. But a full-scale invasion of an enormous country - which borders the European Union, is well-supplied with Western arms and has a largely hostile population may be a very different proposition. Russian officials have capitalized on this uncertainty, accusing the United States and its allies of hysteria on Monday. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said last week that Russia would not take any aggressive actions at all. We will not attack, raid or invade Ukraine, he told Russian media. And some European officials appear to have doubts about the U.S. and U.K. accounts, too. Speaking after meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels, the European Unions top foreign policy official said countries need to avoid a nervous breakdown in their reactions to the situation. We know very well what the degree of threats are and the way in which we must react, and no doubt we must avoid alarmist reactions, Josep Borrell said Monday. But others believe exactly the opposite: That it is the offers of diplomacy, not the threat of war, that is the bluff. Writing for the website War on the Rocks on Monday, Michael Kofman argued that Russias demands simply could not be met by the United States and its NATO allies. By publicizing its demands and refusing to unbundle them in ways that might achieve compromise, Russia has made its diplomatic effort appear more performative than genuine, wrote Kofman, director of the Russia studies program at the think tank CNA, later adding: Perhaps Moscow is just fishing for what it can get, but the political demands do not align with the military side of the equation. In December, U.S. officials said they were seeing signs that Russia was preparing for a military offensive against Ukraine involving up to 175,000 troops. Since then, troops have been seen moving through neighboring Belarus, and Britain has warned of Russian plans to install a pro-Moscow government in Kyiv. While we cant get into the mind of President Putin, we are seeing the preparations that theyre making at the border, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a Monday briefing. Despite denying it was planning any military action, Russia has made a series of unilateral demands that would forestall Ukraine entering NATO and effectively limit NATO forces to the military blocs 1997 borders, before its eastern expansion. The country has drafted agreements with the United States and NATO, with deputy foreign minister Ryabkov saying Monday the demands werent a restaurant menu that could be chosen from. To many, the scope of those drafts suggests a lack of seriousness. Few serious negotiations begin with one side drafting, let alone publishing, an entire agreement, Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, recently wrote for The Post, adding that Putin appeared to not be negotiating but offering an ultimatum. And ultimatums, as we know from history, are often pretexts for annexation or war. Bluffs are made to be called. That could put Putin in the position of being the man who bet it all and came away from the table with nothing. Is he really willing to let that happen? By backing away from a military escalation, Putin would risk being accused of failing to secure serious concessions on Ukraine or from NATO. He would be seen as a man who talks a lot and threatens but, when faced with a tough response from the other side, eventually backs down, British historian Timothy Ash wrote for the Atlantic Council this week. Others agree. Fiona Hill, formerly a top Russia official for President Donald Trumps National Security Council, has said roughly the same, telling Puck News that Putin believes it can extract concessions from Biden as he cares more deeply about Ukraine than Trump. If we call his bluff, he has to do something, because otherwise none of his threats are credible, Hill said. Even the top U.S. leader apparently believes the same. My guess is he will move in. He has to do something, Biden said during a news conference last week. And the problem of credibility cuts both ways. The president of the United States is not going to be blackmailed, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said in an interview with CNN this weekend. If he were to do that, every other country would start to try to blackmail the president. If an attack does happen, those who thought Putin was bluffing will have been shown to be wrong. Historically, countries like Germany had hoped that closer economic integration and dialogue with Russia would ensure peaceful relations. As Fix put it: This is a litmus test for Germanys approach toward Russia. MOSCOW Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday blamed the United States for building up tension over Ukraine, as Russia launched new military exercises in the west of the country involving short-range ballistic missile units. Peskov said Russia was closely watching U.S. moves, including the Pentagons decision to put 8,500 troops on high alert Monday for possible deployment to Europe. We are observing these actions of the United States with profound concern, Peskov said, speaking to journalists Tuesday. Russias Western Military District announced the exercises Tuesday, releasing video of Iskander short-range ballistic missile crews entering field positions, the latest in a rapid-fire series of drills that Russia has run in recent weeks, increasing pressure on NATO and Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry also announced the arrival of Pacific Fleet forces in Belarus on Tuesday, ahead of a major military exercise with that country next month, fueling Western alarm over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian officials have denied that they have plans to attack. Altogether, Russia has massed military equipment and more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine and continues to move troops into place. The moves come amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts to find a way out of the crisis, but the United States and NATO have firmly ruled out Moscows core demand against further NATO expansion, raising fears that Russia could use the failure of diplomacy as a pretext for the military-technical response that President Vladimir Putin has threatened. Russian officials blame Western aggression for the crisis, repeatedly warning that Moscow will accept nothing less than an end to NATOs long-standing open-door policy for new member countries. Peskov said that Russia was awaiting a written response this week from Washington and NATO to its security demands, including that Ukraine and other countries be barred from NATO membership, and that the alliance remove troops and equipment from Eastern Europe. He added that Putin would speak to French President Emmanuel Macron before the end of the week, after French officials said Paris would present a de-escalation plan to the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Paris is set to host talks between political advisers Wednesday in an effort to reinvigorate the stalled Normandy Format peace process, involving France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, designed to settle the conflict in the two Russian-backed separatist regions of eastern Ukraine that has been running since 2014. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden sought to show a united front with European allies Monday after cracks emerged in recent weeks over which sanctions against Russia should be on the table in case of an attack, and over the supply of defensive weapons to Ukraine. Germany and Sweden have ruled out supplying Kyiv with weapons. Biden insisted there was total unanimity among European leaders on Mondays video call. The leaders including Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and top NATO and European Union officials spoke of their shared desire for a diplomatic resolution to the current tensions, according to a White House readout of the call. They also discussed preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia, as well as moves to reinforce security on NATOs eastern flank. The Western alliance said Monday it was moving more military equipment into Eastern Europe, sending additional ships and fighter jets, just as the Biden administration put the U.S. troops on heightened alert for potential deployment. Macron said during the virtual meeting that de-escalating the situation would require strong, credible warnings to Russia and constant coordination among European partners and allies. Paris has a tradition of pushing for European diplomacy to be more independent of Washington. But Macrons expressed desire to strengthen E.U. involvement in the crisis comes as some Baltic states push for greater U.S. involvement and support. The biggest deterrence to Russia is an American flag, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told the Financial Times of London newspaper in an interview published Monday. Tensions in the Baltics are intensifying in tandem with the Ukraine crisis, as Moscow has issued a demand for the removal of all NATO military infrastructure installed after 1997 in Eastern European countries that are now members of the alliance. In Belarus, which borders Ukraine, a group of hackers calling itself Cyber Partisans said Monday they had infiltrated the railway network of the Kremlin-aligned state to disrupt the movement of Russian troops. The group, announcing its intrusion in posts on Twitter and Telegram, said it had encrypted the railroads servers, databases and workstations to disrupt its operations because it facilitates the passage of occupying troops. Minsk said Russian troops continued to arrive in the country ahead of the training exercise next month. Video surfaced on social media Monday showing Russian military convoys and trains with military equipment moving across southern Russia and Belarus. Cyber Partisans said it would return the network to normal mode if 50 political prisoners in need of medical care were released and Russian troops were barred from Belarus. As of Monday evening, parts of the Belarusian Railway website were down, showing an error message that the site is temporarily unavailable, come back later. Meanwhile, Canadian officials said Monday that hackers had launched an attack on the countrys Foreign Ministry last week, around the time Ottawas cyberdefense agency was warning of Russian-backed threats. Canada is a NATO member, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been vocal in his opposition to Russias massing of forces on the Ukrainian border. The Treasury Board Secretariat, which is responsible for Canadian government operations, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Russian actors were responsible. Critical services for Canadians through Global Affairs Canada are currently functioning. Some access to Internet and internet-based services are not currently available as part of the mitigation measures and work is underway to restore them, the Treasury Board said in a statement. Amid the escalating tensions, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., requested that the Biden administration brief members of the upper chamber on the Russia-Ukraine situation, a person familiar with the matter said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has requested a similar bipartisan briefing. Even as the administration seeks a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine crisis, the United States and some Western allies have begun to take the kind of dramatic steps typically reserved for the eve of anticipated armed action. Britain pulled some diplomats and their families out of Ukraine on Monday, a day after the United States ordered families of diplomats to leave Kyiv and authorized the departures of nonessential embassy staff. In an interview with the ITV network, British leader Johnson said intelligence indicates Russia is planning a lightning raid on Kyiv, as he warned the Kremlin that an incursion would be a disastrous step that could lead to a lengthy conflict with casualties on both sides. Pannett reported from Sydney. The Washington Posts Bryan Pietsch in Seoul, Amanda Coletta in Toronto and Ashley Parker, Missy Ryan and Karoun Demirjian in Washington contributed to this report. MOSCOW - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov Tuesday blamed the United States for building up tension over Ukraine, as Russia launched new military exercises in the west of the country involving short-range ballistic missile units. Peskov said Russia was closely watching U.S. moves, including the Pentagons decision to put 8,500 troops on high alert Monday for possible deployment to Europe. We are observing these actions of the United States with profound concern, Peskov said, speaking to journalists Tuesday. Russias Western Military District announced the exercises Tuesday, releasing video of Iskander short-range ballistic missile crews entering field positions, the latest in a rapid-fire series of drills that Russia has run in recent weeks, increasing pressure on NATO and Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry also announced the arrival of Pacific Fleet forces in Belarus on Tuesday, ahead of a major military exercise with that country next month, fueling Western alarm over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian officials have denied that they have plans to attack. Altogether, Russia has massed military equipment and more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine and continues to move troops into place. The moves come amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts to find a way out of the crisis, but the United States and NATO have firmly ruled out Moscows core demand against further NATO expansion, raising fears that Russia could use the failure of diplomacy as a pretext for the military-technical response that President Vladimir Putin has threatened. Russian officials blame Western aggression for the crisis, repeatedly warning that Moscow will accept nothing less than an end to NATOs long-standing open-door policy for new member countries. Peskov said that Russia was awaiting a written response this week from Washington and NATO to its security demands, including that Ukraine and other countries be barred from NATO membership, and that the alliance remove troops and equipment from Eastern Europe. He added that Putin would speak to French President Emmanuel Macron before the end of the week, after French officials said Paris would present a de-escalation plan to the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Paris is set to host talks between political advisers Wednesday in an effort to reinvigorate the stalled Normandy Format peace process, involving France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, designed to settle the conflict in the two Russian-backed separatist regions of eastern Ukraine that has been running since 2014. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden sought to show a united front with European allies Monday after cracks emerged in recent weeks over which sanctions against Russia should be on the table in case of an attack, and over the supply of defensive weapons to Ukraine. Germany and Sweden have ruled out supplying Kyiv with weapons. Biden insisted there was total unanimity among European leaders on Mondays video call. The leaders - including Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and top NATO and European Union officials - spoke of their shared desire for a diplomatic resolution to the current tensions, according to a White House readout of the call. They also discussed preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia, as well as moves to reinforce security on NATOs eastern flank. The Western alliance said Monday it was moving more military equipment into Eastern Europe, sending additional ships and fighter jets, just as the Biden administration put the U.S. troops on heightened alert for potential deployment. Macron said during the virtual meeting that de-escalating the situation would require strong, credible warnings to Russia and constant coordination among European partners and allies. Paris has a tradition of pushing for European diplomacy to be more independent of Washington. But Macrons expressed desire to strengthen E.U. involvement in the crisis comes as some Baltic states push for greater U.S. involvement and support. The biggest deterrence to Russia is an American flag, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told the Financial Times of London newspaper in an interview published Monday. Tensions in the Baltics are intensifying in tandem with the Ukraine crisis, as Moscow has issued a demand for the removal of all NATO military infrastructure installed after 1997 in Eastern European countries that are now members of the alliance. In Belarus, which borders Ukraine, a group of hackers calling itself Cyber Partisans said Monday they had infiltrated the railway network of the Kremlin-aligned state to disrupt the movement of Russian troops. The group, announcing its intrusion in posts on Twitter and Telegram, said it had encrypted the railroads servers, databases and workstations to disrupt its operations because it facilitates the passage of occupying troops. Minsk said Russian troops continued to arrive in the country ahead of the training exercise next month. Video surfaced on social media Monday showing Russian military convoys and trains with military equipment moving across southern Russia and Belarus. Cyber Partisans said it would return the network to normal mode if 50 political prisoners in need of medical care were released and Russian troops were barred from Belarus. As of Monday evening, parts of the Belarusian Railway website were down, showing an error message that the site is temporarily unavailable, come back later. Meanwhile, Canadian officials said Monday that hackers had launched an attack on the countrys Foreign Ministry last week, around the time Ottawas cyberdefense agency was warning of Russian-backed threats. Canada is a NATO member, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been vocal in his opposition to Russias massing of forces on the Ukrainian border. The Treasury Board Secretariat, which is responsible for Canadian government operations, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Russian actors were responsible. Critical services for Canadians through Global Affairs Canada are currently functioning. Some access to Internet and internet-based services are not currently available as part of the mitigation measures and work is underway to restore them, the Treasury Board said in a statement. Amid the escalating tensions, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., requested that the Biden administration brief members of the upper chamber on the Russia-Ukraine situation, a person familiar with the matter said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has requested a similar bipartisan briefing. Even as the administration seeks a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine crisis, the United States and some Western allies have begun to take the kind of dramatic steps typically reserved for the eve of anticipated armed action. Britain pulled some diplomats and their families out of Ukraine on Monday, a day after the United States ordered families of diplomats to leave Kyiv and authorized the departures of nonessential embassy staff. In an interview with the ITV network, British leader Johnson said intelligence indicates Russia is planning a lightning raid on Kyiv, as he warned the Kremlin that an incursion would be a disastrous step that could lead to a lengthy conflict with casualties on both sides. Pannett reported from Sydney. The Washington Posts Bryan Pietsch in Seoul, Amanda Coletta in Toronto and Ashley Parker, Missy Ryan and Karoun Demirjian in Washington contributed to this report. DAYTON, Ohio (Tribune News Service) Michael Imhoff plans to retire from the Air Force Museum's fundraising arm at the end of the month. Imhoff served as chief executive for the Air Force Museum Foundation since 2014, a tenure that included the planning and opening of the fourth building of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. "We are grateful for Mike's dedication, passion and superior leadership and for the strong business relationship he has established between the foundation and the museum," Pam Drew, chair, Air Force Museum Foundation board of trustees, said in a statement. "It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as CEO of the Air Force Museum Foundation," Imhoff said. "I want to offer my sincere thanks to our employees, board and donors around the world whose commitment and generosity enabled us to achieve so much." "His work not only allowed us to open a fourth building featuring our Space, Research and Development, Presidential and Global Reach galleries, but also enabled the (foundation) to pursue a variety of new initiatives," said David Tillotson III, museum director. The foundation's goal is to find a successor with the "vision to continue making the museum a place that inspires and amazes," the foundation said. Inquiries may be made at hiring@afmuseum.com. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts on more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space, drawing about a million visitors from around the world each year. (c)2022 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio) Visit the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio) at www.daytondailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A jury has found a former Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier guilty of killing an Army veteran after the two spent a night of partying together in rural Washington state. Raylin James, 22, was found guilty of murder in the first degree in the death of Leroy Joseph Scott III, whose body was found April 25, 2020, off a rural road in Kittitas County. Sentencing is set for Feb. 14, and the states guidelines in such convictions recommend a minimum of 20 years in prison. Another former soldier, Joshua Gerald, 22, has also been charged with murder in connection to Scotts death and his trial is scheduled to begin next month. I am happy with the verdict, [and] just waiting now for the sentencing and the other trial to begin so we can put this behind us, said Leroy Scott, the victims father. All three men served together in JBLMs 555th Engineer Brigade, according to service records provided by base officials. Scott, who was known to his family as Trey, left the Army in December 2019. James and Gerald were active-duty soldiers when they were arrested in May 2020 in connection to Scotts death. They both were listed Tuesday as inmates in Kittitas County Jail, according to online jail records. Both men are no longer soldiers, said Col. Joey Sullinger, spokesman for JBLM and I Corps. Gerald was separated from the Army in November 2020 and James in January 2021, he said. The jury in James trial heard six days of testimony during the eight-day trial. They reached a guilty verdict Thursday, said Craig Juris, lead prosecutor for Kittitas County. I believe that the jury just looked at the evidence that we presented to them and came to the conclusion that we believe the evidence pointed at, Juris said Monday during a phone call. There was pretty important DNA evidence. There was a jacket found in the back of Mr. James' car that was his jacket that had blood and Mr. Scott's DNA on it. Cellphone records showed the three mens phones were together at an apartment in Ellensburg, Wash., the night Scott died, according to evidence presented in court. The gathering was a 20th birthday party for Scott in a town about 130 miles east of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Records show at about 1:10 a.m., cellphones belonging to Gerald, James and Scott left the apartment. They all arrived about 17 minutes later at the location where Scotts body was found about 10 miles outside of town. At about 1:55 a.m., records show Gerald and James phones traveling back toward Ellensburg. Scotts phone was found submerged in water near his body, according to evidence presented. The autopsy determined Scott died from sharp and blunt-force trauma to his head, the prosecutors said during the trial. They described in detail that Scott had been badly beaten and doused in gasoline in an attempt to burn his body. Paul McBride, James defense attorney, countered in his opening statement that much of the evidence against his client was circumstantial. While the family is relieved to have one trial behind them, they still do not have a motive for why Scott was killed, said Demetrick Carter, who is Scotts uncle. They discussed motives, plural. But I dont think they really nailed a motive, he said. We just want to know why. WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) A new Department of Homeland Security bulletin warns that Russia could launch a cyberattack against U.S. targets on American soil if it believes Washington's response to its potential invasion of Ukraine threatens its long-term national security. DHS blasted out the memo Sunday to U.S. critical infrastructure operators and state and local governments around the country, warning that " Russia maintains a range of offensive cyber tools that it could employ against U.S. networks" that make everything from planes to hospitals to dams and bridges operate. Separately, a well-respected private cybersecurity firm leader warns that while "cyber espionage is already a regular facet of global activity, as the situation deteriorates, we are likely to see more aggressive information operations and disruptive cyberattacks within and outside of Ukraine." "The crisis in Ukraine has already proven to be a catalyst for additional aggressive cyber activity that will likely increase as the situation deteriorates," wrote John Hultquist, vice president of threat intelligence for Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm that provides services to private enterprises, governments and law enforcement agencies worldwide. "At Mandiant, we have been anticipating this activity, and we are concerned that, unlike the recent defacements and destructive attacks, future activity will not be restricted to Ukrainian targets or the public sector," Hultquist wrote in his Jan. 20 online report. Paul Rosenzweig, a former senior Homeland Security official, said the DHS Intelligence and Analysis bulletin underscores how even U.S. efforts to help avert a potential military conflict thousands of miles away has the potential to cause real harm to Americans here at home. "In a globally connected world, conflicts are no longer geographically isolated. As DHS is warning, Russia may respond to U.S. actions in support of Ukraine by using offensive cyber tools against U.S. networks," Rosenzweig told USA TODAY. "We have seen how vulnerable American systems are think of the criminals who disrupted gas pipelines and meat packing last year. Now imagine that an angry Russia decides to take it to the next level wastewater treatment; agriculture; transportation are all potential targets." If Russia were to launch such a cyberattack against U.S. targets, Washington would likely retaliate with defense or even offensive cyberweapons of its own. And that could trigger a potentially dangerous escalation that could threaten to draw the United States directly into the conflict between Russia and its neighbor Ukraine. "That's why the Russian attack on Ukraine is so dangerous," Rosenzweig said. "It seems quite possible that the conflict will spin out of control both on the ground and in the cyber universe." In its memo, DHS said Russian government cyber actors have spent years targeting and gaining access to critical infrastructure in the United States. In one particularly alarming campaign, Russian hackers have compromised U.S. energy networks since at least 2016, conducted network reconnaissance and collected the kind of information needed to gain control of those systems if they wanted to, it said. "Separately, Russian state-sponsored cyber actors have successfully compromised routers, globally, and U.S. state and local government networks, according to a CISA alert and a joint US- UK report," the new DHS memo said. Despite those capabilities, the DHS memo said U.S. intelligence officials believe that Russia's threshold for conducting disruptive or destructive cyber attacks in the homeland "probably remains very high," in part because Moscow hasn't engaged in such confrontational behavior in the past. In a statement issued late Monday, a Department of Homeland Security official declined to elaborate on the intelligence bulletin, but said that DHS regularly shares threat information with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials and the private sector to help ensure their safety and security. "We have increased operational partnerships between private sector companies and the federal government to strengthen our nation's cyber defenses, including through CISA's newly established Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative," or JCDC, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. "The JCDC brings these partners together to help us understand the full threat landscape and enable real-time collaboration to empower our private sector partners to gain information and take action against the most significant threats to the nation." The DHS bulletin is just the latest indication that the U.S. government is worried about Russian cyberattacks, even as Washington says it's ready to deploy military and intelligence assets to the region in anticipation of a Kremlin military incursion. A joint Cybersecurity Advisory authored by CISA, the FBI and the National Security Agency was sent out nationwide on Jan. 11 in an effort to prepare state, local and private sector officials of Russian cyberattack capabilities, including "commonly observed tactics, techniques, and procedures." It also included detailed instructions on how potential victims could response to such cyberattacks and reduce their exposure. And a month earlier, on Dec. 15, the Homeland Security cyber agency sent out another report with the ominous title, "Preparing For and Mitigating Potential Cyber Threats" that warned of sophisticated threat actors, including nation-states like Russia and their proxies, that have proven their ability to compromise U.S. networks and develop "long-term persistence mechanisms" that can lurk in their systems even after the most intensive efforts to root them out. Officials warn that efforts to stop such cyberattacks on U.S. targets are virtually impossible, given their sophistication and the relatively lax security protocols that most U.S. companies use. Many, if not most, elements of U.S. critical infrastructure are also vulnerable, and have been victimized by Russian cybercriminals in recent years. There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on U.S. security, including the economic well-being and health and safety of Americans. Last year, Russia-based cybercriminals were behind two of the most destructive cyberattacks in recent history, including a ransomware attack that caused the operators of the massive Colonial Pipeline to shut down in May 2021, leading to widespread gas shortages. Soon after, hackers linked to Russia targeted the meat supplier JBS. In both cases, the companies paid millions of dollars in ransom in order to get their systems up and running again. Russia was also responsible for one of the most devastating hacks involving U.S. government agencies in late 2020. Known as the SolarWinds breach, U.S. officials say Russian-backed cybercriminals gained access to 10 U.S. government agencies including DHS and the Department of Commerce. And Russian military intelligence assets have launched devastating cyberattacks against Ukraine's power grid for years, succeeding in shutting down elements of it and knocking out power to millions of people. In recent months, Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of being responsible for another cyber outage afflicting many government websites. ___ (c)2022 USA Today Visit USA Today at www.usatoday.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON The United States could send more troops to Eastern Europe in addition to the 8,500 already placed on high alert in response to Russias military buildup along its border with Ukraine, chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday. Kirby made an announcement Monday that roughly 8,500 troops based in the U.S. have been told to be ready to deploy within five days if called upon to join NATO forces in response to Russian troop amassing around Ukraine. But he said Tuesday that plans are still in flux and more troops could be called upon for a possible deployment as the U.S. remains in active consultations with allies and partners about capabilities they might need and might desire. I'm not going to rule out the possibility that there will be more such direction given to additional units at home or even abroad in terms of their readiness posture, Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon. Tensions have been simmering as Russia has spent weeks sending more than 100,000 troops to its western border with Ukraine and last week into Belarus for what it claims are military exercises. We have seen a consistent accumulation of combat power by the Russians in the western part of their country around the borders with Ukraine and Belarus, Kirby said, noting the climb in the number of Russian troops there has been steady. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he wants NATO to bar Ukraine from membership in NATO, a concession to which the U.S. will not agree, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week. The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday said it also wants the West to withdraw troops and military equipment from countries added to the alliance in the past 25 years, such as Bulgaria and Romania. But Biden last week said the U.S. will increase troop presence in Poland, in Romania, etc. should Russia invade Ukraine. The Pentagon has yet to name the units placed on high alert as the notification process remained ongoing Tuesday. Kirby said the Defense Department must wait until all troops have been notified and allow time for them to inform their family members before telling the public. The U.S. military does upgrade alert statuses from time to time, though publicly announcing such a change is not common. Kirby said thats why it is taking the Defense Department time to release the unit information. Its not typical that we talk about [changing ready-to-deploy timelines] as much as we've been talking about it, so usually units have a little bit more time to make those notifications, he said. The bulk of the already announced 8,500 troops would be dedicated to the NATO Response Force, which consists of about 40,000 troops from multiple NATO countries, Kirby said. It includes land, air, sea and special operations forces that the alliance can deploy on short notice, wherever needed. A portion of the 8,500 U.S. troops might be used independently outside of NATOs control to support partner countries in the region, but no decisions have been made, Kirby said. As for any movement unilaterally by the United States to bolster the defensive capabilities of a NATO ally, that would be the result of individual conversations that we would have with those allies and partners, he said. To date, the U.S. has not sent troops to Ukraine to assist against a possible Russian attack, according to Kirby, though more than 100 Florida National Guard special operators are in the country on an advise-and-assist mission to help train Ukrainian troops. Additionally, the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group is participating in a NATO exercise in the Mediterranean Sea until Feb. 4. It marks the first time since the Cold War that a full U.S. carrier group has come under NATO command, according to NATO statement Monday. Other NATO members have recently announced upcoming deployments to the region. Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands each plan to send sea and air support to the region, while France "has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania under NATO command," according to the NATO statement. Though the Defense Department is readying troops for possible deployment, President Joe Bidens administration remains hopeful for a diplomatic end to the tensions without having to send in troops, Kirby said. We still think there's time and space here for diplomacy and dialogue to work, he said. Theres going to be at least another round of talks here and I think it's important to not forget that the fact that we placed troops on heightened alert in and of itself is not the silver bullet that's going to solve this. For example, the State Department this week is crafting a written response to Russias military buildup on the Ukraine border that could address the potential for progress on reciprocal steps that the countries could take, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday. Biden and his administration also continue to speak with allies and partners regarding the developing situation, most recently speaking with the European Commission and European Council presidents, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the German, French, Italian, Polish, British leaders via video call Monday afternoon. The leaders discussed their joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia for such actions as well as to reinforce security on NATOs eastern flank, the White House said in a readout of the call Monday. (Tribune News Service) A year ago, Stuart Scheller fully intended on serving in the Marine Corps for another four or five years. Now the former Marine officer, who spent years at Camp Lejeune, is on a media tour following a months-long gag order he was under after he publicly decried the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan last August. "There's been a narrative run about me that I didn't have the legal ability to counter," Scheller said in a recent interview with The Daily News. "All along, I felt like what I did was right I felt like there are ways I could have delivered it better, but it was a very tough and challenging situation for me." That's why months after legal proceedings prompted by remarks calling out senior leaders over the withdrawal, the former lieutenant colonel still wants accountability. From platoon commander to battalion commander, Scheller served with six different Camp Lejeune units throughout his nearly two-decade-long career. The Camp Lejeune area is home to Scheller, but the base where he spent most of his adult life was also his place of prosecution. Scheller's evolution from being a fairly unknown Marine officer to the subject of national news stories began on Aug. 26, 2021. As U.S. troops were on the ground conducting a non-combatant evacuation operation in the Afghanistan capital of Kabul following the Taliban's takeover, 13 U.S. service members 11 Marines, a Navy corpsman and a soldier were killed in an attack at the airport, among them Sgt. Nicole Gee of Camp Lejeune. After the attack, Scheller recorded and later posted a video of him in uniform speaking about the incident and blasting military leadership over the debacle, primarily calling for accountability over the withdrawal. "People are upset because their senior leaders let them down and no one is raising their hands and accepting accountability, saying we messed this up," Scheller said in the video. The following day, he was relieved of his command of the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Geiger. Two days later, he published another emotion-filled video in which he resigned his commission and stated "follow me and we will bring down the whole ... system." Scheller continued posting, and on Sept. 27 was placed in pretrial confinement at Camp Lejeune, where he spent nine days. On Oct. 4, Scheller was charged with violating six articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which he pleaded guilty the following week before being sentenced to a reprimand and $5,000 fine. In an unsworn court statement, Scheller acknowledged his actions were "potentially damaging to the Marine Corps' reputation" but said that he "felt the conversation and need for change outweighed the potential negative bad press." "I did what I did because I thought it was in the best long-term interest of the Marine Corps," Scheller told the judge during his court martial, which included defense testimonies from members of Congress and comrades. "I have always wanted to make the Marine Corps better. Not damage the Marine Corps." In late December, Scheller was officially separated from the Marine Corps by general discharge under honorable conditions. "I felt like I needed to accept accountability," Scheller said of the guilty plea. "I feel like I broke some rules (but) I don't think everything in that charge sheet was legit." As he ponders his next moves, Scheller has already done interviews with TV personalities Lou Dobbs, Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly. Scheller said he now has the ability to speak his side and bring Afghanistan, an issue he feels the media had forgotten about, back into focus. "I got painted as like a violent extremist, far-right wing extremist, and that's not me at all," Scheller said. "I am conservative, but I am like somewhere in the center I think the extremes on both parties are what is ripping the country apart." Now as a civilian, Scheller said he plans "to influence the election cycle with candidates" he believes "have the leadership qualities to make a difference." Scheller has also launched an official website AuthenticAmericans.com with a discussion forum and is releasing a book titled "Crisis of Command: How We Lost Trust and Confidence in America's Generals and Politicians." "That website is meant to be a place where we can have healthy dialogue and not have people attacking each other," Scheller said. "It's a place where they can donate to the Disabled Veterans' PAC, which I have partnered with to fund candidates that we think have the leadership skills to go and fight for some of the things that I'm talking about." Two candidates Scheller has publicly endorsed so far are former Navy SEAL Latham Saddler, a Senate candidate from Georgia, and Jay Collins, a retired Green Beret seeking to represent Florida's 14th Congressional District. Scheller intends to make an impact on the political side of things, but he hasn't given up on the key issue that led to his recognition the demand for accountability from military leaders over shortcomings in the Afghanistan withdrawal. "The whole point of this was to address failures and accountability, and we haven't received those yet," Scheller said. "My mission is to make sure that the American people understand where the breakdowns were, because the military is not addressing them. "The bottom line is I am invested in America and I want to see America succeed, and I think it takes leadership to do that, so I can't just sit on the sideline and not do anything. I've spent my whole life devoted to this cause of America and democracy, and I am going to continue fighting for it." cshomaker@gannett.com (c)2022 The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) Visit The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) at www.jdnews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Tribune News Service) Jonathan Williams has received the U.S. Navys most prestigious civilian award for his work to bring the USS Iowa to the Port of Los Angeles and establish it as a Navy-licensed museum. Williams, president and CEO of the Pacific Battleship Center and president of the L.A. Fleet Week Foundation, received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Department of the Navy earlier this month during the Surface Navy Associations 34th National Symposium in Arlington, Va. Its really a capstone on a lot of years, Williams, 46, said of the award that was publicly announced on Monday, Jan. 24. I think about all the people and supporters and friends and the community and the crew everybody involved. Im embarrassed at some level to receive it because really its a collective effort. But Im deeply honored. The award was presented to Williams by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro on Jan. 12. It is the Navys highest award for non-military civilians. Williams helped bring the ship to the Los Angeles waterfront in 2012 and has worked to grow its stature. Jonathan has transformed the historic ship into a world-class museum that brings history to life, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Mike Shatynski, chairman of the Board of the National Museum of the Surface Navy, and has made it a community platform that provides programming that gives back to the public through education, veteran and community programs. Williams has overseen the Battleship Iowa and taken it from a floating tourist attraction to full museum status with educational and veteran outreach programs nationwide, and helped establish it as the host of the annual LA Fleet Week. The Navy recognized him for the leadership and vision he provided for the efforts from July 2008 to 2021. The National Museum of the Surface Navy will formally open on Oct. 13, 2025, on the 250th birthday of Americas Surface Navy. Williams became involved in early efforts to salvage the World War II battleship, which had been languishing in storage in Northern California, and bring it to the Port of Los Angeles for preservation. He then established the USS Iowa as a Navy-licensed national museum that provides direct and indirect support to the Navy and has become a top tourist attraction in Los Angeles. According to the award citation, it is due to his extraordinary vision and leadership that the Battleship Iowa Museum and LA Fleet Week have become the example for ship museums and fleet weeks in recognizing the U.S. Navy and its critical role in serving our country and the world. Long-term plans for the Iowa include a possible move for the ship, from its current berth near the World Cruise Terminal to a spot in the Southern Pacific Slip about a mile south and closer to the new waterfront development, West Harbor, due to open next year. This years LA Fleet Week will offer some new attractions, tying the event more closely to its LA location, with some new links to Hollywood. This years event will be held on Memorial Day Weekend concurrent with New York Fleet Week. The Los Angeles event, which previously has been held on Labor Day weekend, began in 2016. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka added his praise for the award. Its a recognition of his hard work over the past decade to create a popular and meaningful historic attraction, Seroka said, his talent in curating the Battleship Iowa experience and his commitment to bring a National Museum of the Surface Navy to the LA Waterfront. Past recipients of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award include legendary actor Tom Hanks for his work in various films, including Greyhound; Sybil Stockdale for her support of POWs and their families during the Vietnam War; and Joe Rosenthal for his iconic photo of Marines raising the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. 2022 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit dailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Stillwater, OK (74074) Today Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 67F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. A bird more threatened than most Kiwi species has made an appearance in the Waikato. A young Australasian Bittern was found in the backyard of Cambridge couple John and Jude Bowen last week. The wetland species population is estimated to be less than 1000 individuals and are classified as threatened-nationally critical due to introduced predators and loss of habitat. The Department of Conservations said they have the same threat classification as kakapo and are more threatened than most species of kiwi. The Bowens arrived home on the afternoon of January 17 to find a juvenile bittern on their St Kilda property. Jude went into the garage and on glancing out the window she saw an unfamiliar object lurking in the backyard and raced inside to inform husband John. Jude came back into the house and told me she found something outside, John says. I went into one of our bedrooms and opened the ranch slider to get a better look. And there it was. Jude took a few photos of the elusive, yet uncharacteristically bold, bittern, which appeared to be striking a pose for the camera. We were excited because we didnt know what it was Id never seen anything like that before, John says. We watched it for a few moments because it had its neck straight up, in camouflage mode. We could see its eyes moving around, watching us. A Google search revealed the bird's breed, and they were directed to call the DOC. We continued to watch it for a few moments. Jude put some drinking water out as it was a hot day, but the bittern didnt move, John says. They left it alone but when they went to check on it again, it had disappeared. DOC science advisor Emma Williams, a wetland bird specialist, says the bittern is a juvenile, which could explain why it was so curious. So, much like human teenagers, they're a little prone to getting into trouble and turning up in places they shouldn't be, she says. It's a great sign that breeding is happening in this area though - the locals should be very proud a bird as threatened as the kakapo is interested in checking out what Cambridge has to offer. She says there have been young bitterns in urban areas previously which have been severely underweight and suffering from starvation. It's a common problem with bitterns. They feed off small fish and eels, with the latter also being endangered. Also, the chicks need areas of shallow, clear water with lots of prey to learn to forage. Many of our waterways are severely degraded, with water being of poor quality and clarity, and channelled into deep inaccessible drains. This makes it difficult for bitterns, who rely on being able to see their prey, to feed. People can help save the bitterns by making sure there are plenty of wet areas for bitterns to feed in throughout the year. They like shallow water with plenty of reed or rush-like vegetation. Raupo and Juncus plant species are good plants to encourage. Helping create and restore wetlands within your local area. Bitterns have lost 90 per cent of their habitat and the remaining 10 per cent is degraded and under threat. And also controlling predators in and around any sites that bitterns may visit. -Stuff. The Ministry of Health is reporting two Omicron cases in Tauranga. "Both cases are in the same household and are isolating at home," says a statement from the Ministry of Health. "Case investigations are ongoing but, at this stage, there are a limited number of exposure events associated with these cases." To date, there are 29 community cases of Covid-19 associated with the January Omicron Cluster, all are in isolation. "Amongst these cases, today we are reporting an additional 10 community cases." These include: One case in Nelson Tasman that is a household contact of a previously reported case and was already isolating when they tested positive. One case in Palmerston North that is a household contact of a previously reported case and was already isolating when they tested positive. As well as the two Tauranga cases mentioned above. Six Omicron cases in Auckland All these cases have been linked, directly or indirectly, to a family event and other associated events in Auckland on the weekend of 15 and 16 January, says the Ministry. "The number of cases and contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron and as we learn more from case interviews. "In addition, the Ministry wants to thank the Nelson-Tasman family associated with this cluster for coming forward and getting tested when they became symptomatic. "Their cooperation has been instrumental in identifying locations of interests, additional contacts, and cases, all of which helps slow the spread of Omicron in our communities. At this stage, it is believed the family became infected while in Auckland, not in the Nelson-Tasman region. "As part of our collective preparations for Omicron, please check your details are up to date with your regular healthcare provider and in the Covid-19 Tracer app. "We also continue to urge anyone with symptoms, or anyone who has been to a location of interest at the times notified, to isolate immediately and get tested promptly." Second family event associated with Omicron cases A case from the January Omicron cluster also attended a second private event in Auckland during their infectious period. The exposure occurred on the evening of (Sunday) 16 January at the Pukekohe Indian Hall in Auckland. More detail can be found on Ministry of Health Locations of Interest. Auckland Regional Public Health Service believe a large number of people attended this event. Anyone at this location at the relevant times is asked to get tested immediately, and self-isolate until a negative result has been returned, says the Ministry. "Please also record your visit online on the Locations of Interest website, or by contacting Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453. Further information, isolation and testing requirements will be provided by contact tracers. "Further locations of interest have been identified across Auckland and the Nelson Tasman region and will be published on the Ministrys website as they are confirmed. We are encouraging everyone in these regions to check the locations of interest and follow the public health advice. "There will be people from outside of these regions who may have visited those locations at the same time period, so it is important for anyone who has been in these locations over the past week to check the website and see if they are included in that time the case was there." It is also a timely reminder to all potential close contacts of a case to either call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or record their visit online to a location of interest and follow advice from a health professional, as this is advice is specific to an individual and the exposure event. A reminder that there is a Section 70 notice in place which puts a legal requirement on all people who were at locations of interest at the relevant times to follow the instructions regarding isolation and testing. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to $4000 or imprisonment for up to six months. See below for a full breakdown of today's numbers: COVID-19 vaccine update Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): first doses 3,997,561 (95%); 3,913,001 second doses (93%); 37,159 third primary doses; 1,053,055 booster doses Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,224 first doses; 1,861 second doses; 469 third primary doses, 14,400 paediatric doses; 56,788 booster doses. Maori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 509,673 first doses (89%); 481,252 second doses (84%). Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 275,866 first doses (96%); 267,333 second doses (93%). Paediatric vaccines administer to date (percentage of 5-11-year olds): 94,976 first doses (20%) 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 (95%); second doses (92%) Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (92%) Lakes DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%) Hawkes Bay: First doses (96%); second doses (93%) MidCentral DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%) Wairarapa DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%) Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (97%) Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (95%) Nelson Marlborough DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%) Canterbury DHB: First doses (99%); second doses (97%) Hospitalisations Cases in hospital: 10; North Shore: 5; Auckland: 2; Middlemore: 1, Rotorua: 2, Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (1 cases / 14%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (0 case / 0%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (5 cases / 71%); unknown (1 case / 14%). Average age of current hospitalisations: 62 Cases in ICU or HDU: 0 Cases Seven day rolling average of community cases: 29 Seven day rolling average of border cases: 38 Number of new community cases: 25 Number of new cases identified at the border: 37 Location of new community cases: Northland (1), Auckland (18), Bay of Plenty (2), Lakes (2), MidCentral (1), Nelson Marlborough (1) Number of community cases (total): 11,541 (in current community outbreaks) Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8,793 Number of active cases (total): 470 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered) Confirmed cases (total): 15,312 Contacts Number of active contacts being managed (total): 5,458 Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 80% Percentage who has returned at least one result: 78% Tests Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 12,687 Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 13,814 Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 5,713 Wastewater No unexpected results. NZ COVID Tracer Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,277,105 Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 56,950 My Vaccine Pass My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,909,476 My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 15,941 Todays cases We are reporting new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, MidCentral, and Nelson Marlborough. 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. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are regularly updated and to follow the advice provided. Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website. Please also continue to check for any updated Locations of Interest and appropriate health advice, updated regularly on the Ministrys website. Northland There is one case to report in Kaitaia, Northland. The case is linked to a previously reported case. Auckland There are 18 cases to report in Auckland today. Health and welfare providers are now supporting 665 people in the region to isolate at home, including 164 cases. Lakes There are two cases in Rotorua to report. The cases are known contacts of previously reported cases. Bay of Plenty There are two cases to report in Tauranga. Health officials are investigating recent travel to Auckland as the source of their infection, and whole genome sequencing is underway to determine the variant. MidCentral There is one case to report in the MidCentral region who is a household contact of previously reported Omicron case. They were already isolating when they tested positive. Nelson Marlborough As outlined in the Omicron update above, the Nelson Tasman case reported today is a household contact of a case that is part of the January Omicron cluster. They were already isolating when they tested positive. Get website access for only 99 per month for the first 3 months, then $8.50 a month after. Cancel anytime! Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. 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Chance of rain 90%. 2 to 3 inches of rain expected. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. You are here News & Events International Business Leaders Conversation January, 2022 A Radical Turn: A Virtual Conversation to Focus on the Role of Business in Society An upcoming online event is co-hosted by Trinity Business School and the University of Notre Dames Mendoza College of Business and will present a new way of thinking about the role of business in society. Net Positive: How courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take will take place at 5 pm (IST) February 3 (Thursday) via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public. Featured guests include Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and co-author of the book,Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take"; and Sanda Ojiambo, executive director of the United Nations Global Compact, a non-binding UN pact to encourage businesses and firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. The special event forms part of the Trinity Business Ethics Speaker series and is co-hosted with the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership. Polman, CEO of Unilever from 2009 to 2019, has been an active leader in seeking cooperation among companies to implement sustainable business strategies and drive systemic change. He served as chairman of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum, a member of the B Team and sits on the board of the UN Global Compact. He has been closely involved in global discussions on action to tackle climate change and the Post-2015 development agenda. Ojiambo has more than 20 years of experience in the public, multilateral and private sectors including as head of Sustainable Business and Social Impact for mobile network Safaricom PLC in Kenya; and capacity development work in CARE International and the United Nations Development Programme Somalia. Throughout her career, she has cultivated and managed relationships with key business entities and civil society organizations and led the implementation of several public-private partnership initiatives. Visit the registration page for more information about Net Positive: How courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take and to register for the webinar. Media Contacts: Sandra Rafter, PR and Communications Officer | srafter@tcd.ie govindremesh BHPian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Rotterdam/TCR Posts: 180 Thanked: 817 Times Airbus cancels A321neo order from Qatar Airways! An year later, you've had enough and you take the manufacturer to the court. The manufacturer decides they've had enough of you and decide to cancel the big order for the cars you have booked, that are very crucial to your fleet and have an extremely long waiting period! Yikes! While this might have not happened in the car world, it has in the aeroplane world. Qatar Airways and Airbus have been at loggerheads over the paint quality issue on the A350 and the Qatari civil aviation authority issuing a grounding of the fleet. In return, Qatar airways refused to take deliveries of the remaining aircrafts. Airbus reiterated that the paint quality had nothing to do with the airworthiness of the aircraft, and a similar conclusion was drawn by EASA, when Lufthansa and a few other airlines (Cathay Pacific, Etihad et.al.) reported similar issues. Qatar Airways dragged Airbus to court in December 2021 and Airbus has retaliated by cancelling Qatar's order for A321neo which have a huge waiting list. The said order was placed back in 2011 and amended in 2017. What do you think of this situation? Was Airbus right in cancelling a customer's order because of an ongoing dispute? Related links: Reuters news report on the cancelation Paint quality dispute explanation video Imagine that you're a car fleet owner and are not satisfied with the service support from a certain manufacturer. You raise hell in the media over the fact that your car's paint is peeling off earlier than expected. The manufacturer pushes back and tries to reason with you but you're adamant in not taking deliveries of the new cars that you have pending in your order. Other customers and the consumer forum have observed the issue but haven't raised a dispute, not at least in public.An year later, you've had enough and you take the manufacturer to the court.The manufacturer decides they've had enough of you and decide to cancel the big order for the cars you have booked, that are very crucial to your fleet and have an extremely long waiting period!Yikes!While this might have not happened in the car world, it has in the aeroplane world.Qatar Airways and Airbus have been at loggerheads over the paint quality issue on the A350 and the Qatari civil aviation authority issuing a grounding of the fleet. In return, Qatar airways refused to take deliveries of the remaining aircrafts. Airbus reiterated that the paint quality had nothing to do with the airworthiness of the aircraft, and a similar conclusion was drawn by EASA, when Lufthansa and a few other airlines (Cathay Pacific, Etihad et.al.) reported similar issues.Qatar Airways dragged Airbus to court in December 2021 and Airbus has retaliated by cancelling Qatar's order for A321neo which have a huge waiting list. The said order was placed back in 2011 and amended in 2017.What do you think of this situation? Was Airbus right in cancelling a customer's order because of an ongoing dispute? In a nutshell: Nvidia's protracted and troubled $40 billion acquisition of Arm could soon be abandoned by the graphics giant after repeated attempts to convince governments and regulatory boards to green-light the deal. If it does fall through, the process will have cost Nvidia over a billion dollars -- the penalty fee it agreed to pay SoftBank if the takeover failed. Bloomberg's sources say that Nvidia has told its partners that it doesn't expect the transaction to close, and current owner SoftBank is now preparing for an Arm IPO, an alternative that was rumored in July last year. It was back in September 2020 when Nvidia confirmed it would be acquiring Arm for $40 billion. The company noted it would take up to 18 months to complete and that a multi-national deal of this size would require regulatory approval from the UK, China, the European Union, and the United States. But the purchase has been beset with problems from the beginning. It attracted the attention of the UK's Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) watchdog, which launched an investigation before the country's government also intervened. There were also the vocal demonstrations from much of the tech industry, including Qualcomm, Google, and Microsoft; even Arm's co-founder, Hermann Hauser, said the deal would be a disaster. There have been problems in the US, too, where the FTC sued to block the purchase over fears it would stifle competition, while China threatened to block the acquisition even if others didn't. An extended EU antitrust investigation in October brought more talk of trouble and an Arm IPO, which now seems even more likely. "We continue to hold the views expressed in detail in our latest regulatory filings -- that this transaction provides an opportunity to accelerate Arm and boost competition and innovation," Nvidia spokesman Bob Sherbin said. "We remain hopeful that the transaction will be approved," a SoftBank spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg. A failed deal will hit Nvidia in the pocket. SoftBank and Arm are entitled to keep the $2 billion Nvidia paid at signing, including a $1.25 billion breakup fee, no matter what happens. Apple is now allowing more COVID-19 vaccination cards and test results on the Health and Wallet apps of both the iPhone and Apple Watch. The digital integration of the COVID-19 Vaccine Cards aims to keep the records right on one's device, without the need to bring the physical copy that may sometimes not fit one's wallet or cardholder. Apple Wallet, Health: How to Add Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card Apple offers the Wallet and Health apps to be the ones to hold your COVID-19 vaccination cards, and it brings an ingenious way to do it, as it remains right on one's pocket for daily use. It is also available for the Apple Watch, particularly in watchOS version 8.1, to better feature the proof of getting the jab and not taking out the smartphone to showcase it. The feature is essential now, especially as vaccine mandates for specific dine-in establishments and going in stores require proof of immunization. Moreover, it helps keep a digital copy that bookmarks it as a card of its own and does not get lost on one's gallery or files. Nevertheless, Apple made it possible to keep it in the said apps to help people store it securely, without the need to get the physical copy. Apple is best known for recognizing the QRs from verified websites only, adding a layer of security to avoid counterfeits or fake vaccine cards from getting a showcase from the app. Read Also: Apple Stores Walk-In Customers To Be Allowed in UK | Some Locations No Longer Need Appointments See Eligible Vaccination Card for Wallet, Health App Apple provided the eligibility of different health institutions on its support website whose QR codes are eligible for storage in the Wallet and Health app. The eligibility is important to store the cards on one's device, and it will determine if the proof of vaccination and test results are available for storage. The Cupertino giant offers the eligibility list for regions including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States only. It is important to note that Apple provided an asterisk on the health care providers in the list to know those who support sharing a patient's health record data directly from the website or database. How to Add Your Vaccination Card to the App? Vaccination cards and test results that offer a QR code on their fine print are part of the eligible ones for the Health and Wallet app, but it is essential to check the list above for confirmation. Users need to scan the QR code and have it prompt into a website that shows the proof of vaccination. Next, users can click on the "Add to Health" or "Add to Wallet" prompt that will pop up on the screen to lead them to the said apps. Then it will be automatically available in the apps to access and use when needed, especially when showing the vaccination card to establishments requiring it, for verification of their immunity against COVID. Related Article: Apple Rumors: Fall 2022 Event to Bring its Largest Event Soon, Featuring iPhone, Mac, and MORE This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tonga's internet cable under the Pacific Ocean could reportedly take over a month to repair, shortly after it was severed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in recent history. The underwater fiber optic cable is what supplies the small island nation with internet; basically connecting it with the rest of the world. But as per a recent statement by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via BBC), repairing the 31,000-mile long cable is no easy feat. What this basically means is that the country's 110,000 residents will be basically cut off from the world for a while. To deal with the temporary internet outage, a much slower 2G connection has been reportedly established on the mainland. The connection is courtesy of a satellite dish owned by the University of South Pacific. But while the majority of internet services are still being worked on, most phone lines have been restored in the country, according to Reuters. The reconnection was due to the efforts of local telco Digicel, who says they've already brought back international calls. Tonga literally only relies on a single fiber optic cable running under the waters of the South Pacific ocean. According to The Verge, this lone cable cannot be repaired by ordinary equipment, which is why the restoration of internet services on the island will take a while. Compared to more developed countries like the UK, which has around 50 cables supplying data, Tonga's lone cable is relatively meager. This news comes after the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano erupted last January 14th. It was considered as one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recent times, with a plume of volcanic ash reaching an insane 35 miles above the Earth's surface, reports the BBC. That distance is roughly halfway through to the Karman line (the internationally recognized boundary of outer space), which is over 62 miles up. Read Also: Fiber-Optic Communications: How Quantum-Enhanced Receivers Can Boost It How Will Tonga's Internet Cable Be Fixed? Considering it is an underwater cable, Tonga's internet cable requires a bevy of specialized equipment that cannot be procured at a moment's notice. That is one of the reasons why repairs (and full restoration of internet services) could take more than a month to complete. As per the original BBC report, the nearest cable repair ship, The Reliance, is located 2,900 miles away in Papua New Guinea's Port Moresby. Sending the ship to the repair area is also no simple feat, since experts will first have to see whether the area is actually safe for the vessel and the crew. Once the ship is there, it will send either a remote-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) or a grapnel to get the broken end of the cable onto the ship. There, technicians will reconnect the cable to a fresh segment on board. They will repeat the process for the other broken end. Underwater internet cables actually break down every two weeks (via WIRED), so a repair process like this is not unprecedented. It's just the time-consuming nature of these repairs that pose a problem, especially to an island nation that only relies on one. Related Article: Japanese Researchers Break Internet Speed Record Using Optical Fiber-How Did They Do It? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. WiFi 7 technology can reportedly render faster speeds than WiFi 6, according to the latest demo by Taiwanese semiconductor company MediaTek. The initial test also proved that it can go toe-to-toe with Thunderbolt 3's speed. MediaTek Shows How Fast is WiFi 7 According to a report by The Star, WiFi 7 has reduced latency by allowing more signals to be transmitted over bands. This also prevents any interference during the transmission. Based on the demo, the next-gen wireless technology boasts 2.4 times, which means that it is faster by all means than the WiFi 6. MediaTek saw that this discovery could one day replace all the existing traditional wired Ethernet connections so businesses and households would stay more connected and stronger. From the WiFi 7 "Filogic" technology demonstration, IEE 802.11be can also achieve faster speeds by adding 4K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) support and expanding channels to 320 Mhz. As of press time, WiFi 6 has the potential to handle up to 9.6Gbps, but still, it's not even close to what WiFi 7 can offer, per Wi-Fi Alliance. It was indicated that it could possibly hit at least 30 Gbps. It could reach its max peak at 40Gbps. Related Article: Asus Launches Faster Wi-Fi 6 Network Card On November 24 WiFi 7 vs Thunderbolt 3 In another report by Apple Insider, WiFi 7 was also compared to the capability of a Thunderbolt 3 connection. As far as the latter is concerned, it could reach up to 40 Gbps. However, the new wifi technology showed a promising outcome since it could offer the same speed as Thunderbolt 3. The only difference is it could reach the same speed wirelessly. Using multi-link operation (MLO) technology, MediaTek was able to test various frequency bands. They could be used by a connection simultaneously which blocks any band congestion from occurring. "The rollout of Wi-Fi 7 will mark the first time that Wi-Fi can be a true wireline/Ethernet replacement for super high-bandwidth applications," Alan Hsu, the MediaTek's Intelligent Connectivity arm VP said. Hsu also believed that this breakthrough could bring more desirable results to AR/VR applications especially to 8K streaming and cloud gaming. Last 2021, Razer unveiled Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma with an additional laptop stand Chroma Version 2. According to Tech Times, it is compatible with Thunderbolt 3. This year, we reported another article about communication technology that specifically tackled China's plans to launch a 6G connection. While the 5G technology has not yet been entirely launched, Chinese-sponsored lab Purple Mountain Laboratories revealed its move to create a 6G speed through the collaboration with Fudan University and China Mobile. Based on the article, the team managed to reach a speed of 206.25Gbps for the very first time, as part of their 6G wireless venture. The experts said that this would be 5G's successor in the future. At the moment, the lab has not yet mentioned any roadmaps about this wireless technology. Huawei and Ericson anticipated that its release could be around 2027 or 2030. Read Also: SpaceX Falcon 9 First 2022 Launch Sends Starlink Internet Satellites to Orbit This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pavel Durov isn't exactly a name as recognizable as, say, Tim Cook or Mark Zuckerberg. But once you learn that he is the founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, those bells will definitely start ringing. Durov founded Telegram as a direct competitor to other free messaging apps like WhatsApp. According to Forbes, he is also the creator of the Russian Facebook clone VKontakte, which basically led people to consider him as the Russian Mark Zuckerberg. Telegram, as of this moment, has more than 500 million users all over the world, making it among the most wide-reaching messaging apps to date. But while the app technically does not make money, according to StartupTalky, they have been making plans to start making revenue next year to "keep the business afloat." This didn't stop Durov from becoming a multi-billionaire, however. He made his fortune primarily through VKontakte, which he founded when he was only 2022. He sold a 12% stake in the company in 2015 for roughly $300 million. Three years later, Pavel and his brother Nikolai created the blockchain system called TON, which is actually based on Telegram. The brothers raised a total of $1.7 billion from investors, and are now considered big players in the cryptocurrency business. To date, Durov's net worth is estimated at $17.2 billion, placing him at 112th place on Forbes' real-time billionaires' list. Read Also: Telegram to Release 'Inexpensive' Subscription Model to Remove Ads on the Platform A 'Free Speech Haven' Telegram, according to Politico, is considered a free-speech haven due to how it conducts its business. It allows people to broadcast to a wide range of audiences all, while allowing users to stay anonymous if needed. To do so, the platform offers end-to-end encryption, among other features, which is normally not found in other messaging apps. One might say that a billionaire creating a totally anonymous messaging platform might be weird, but this is actually on-brand with Durov. That's because he himself has gotten into trouble with authorities in the past with regards to user privacy and free speech online. Russia has been known (or infamous, rather) for its internet censorship drive, to which the Telegram CEO and VKontakte founder seemed to be staunchly against. There were massive protests connected to this back in 2018, wherein Durov was a high-profile participant, writes DFRLab on Medium.com. Telegram was largely used to organize mass protests at the time, all in opposition to the alleged internet crackdown by the country's Roskomnadzor (Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media). Despite numerous attempts to block Telegram in the country, Russian authorities couldn't stop the people from organizing more protests using the app. This is what gave it its reputation as an anonymous and secure messaging platform, which is why so many people around the world use it now. As of August 2021, the app has already surpassed 1 billion downloads, basically catapulting it over WhatsApp. What Pavel Durov Does These Days After losing control of VKontakte, it seems like Durov's current focus is on blockchain and cryptocurrency. As previously mentioned, he and his brother Nikolai founded the Telegram-based blockchain TON, which literally means The Open Network, in 2018. TON was designed with the hope of creating a so-called mass-market blockchain platform, according to CoinDesk. The project didn't materialize, however, and was rebranded to Toncoin-a cryptocurrency completely independent from Telegram. He still remains a vocal critic of Russia's digital policies, evident by his comment on the proposal of the country's Central Bank to ban cryptocurrencies. In a report by Bloomberg, Durov said that the ban could potentially "drive out" IT professionals and slow down the development of blockchain technology. Related Article: Every Telegram Bot You Should Know to Make Life Easier and More Convenient This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Microsoft is launching an update for the original Surface Duo. What makes this update rather interesting is that it is not really some massive upgrade but rather something that the company has promised for a long time. Specifically, it is the Android 11 upadte. Microsoft Original Surface Duo Update Microsoft is finally bringing the "original" Surface Duo up to date in order to keep up with the times, aaccording to a report by Engadget. This, however, is quite relative since the update is just an Android 11 upgrade that is already widely being used by other devices. Per an article by 9to5Google, the company has finally released the Android 11 for the dual-screen smartphone after promising it for a long time. The official release can be found on Microsoft, but the new inclusions might not be enough to blow one's mind away. New Operating System Features The newer operating system is technically the main draw, but users will still be able to find a number of different Surface Duo-specific improvements. A story by Yahoo Finance has listed a number of features that are expected to come to the original Surface Duo after the update. One interesting feature that is expected to be added is to the device is one that allows users to finally be able to play Xbox Game Pass cloud titles through the use of an on-screen controller. Another feature worth noting is that OneDrive also has its own "enhanced" dual-screen interface for both viewing and editing photos. Other Android 11 Features There are certain revised app drawer and folder designs that come along with better drag-and-drop support while the company feed and Start widgets also got their own updates as well. Users will also be able to get a Surface Duo that will automatically span certain apps through both screens. Aside from this, users will likewise be able to set their preferences for answering certain phone calls whenever the device is being folded. Should users prefer certain handwritten memos, users can still click on the top button on a paired Slim Pen 2 in order to open the OneNote. The new upgrade will most likely be a welcomed one should users actually be tired of living with the previous Android 10 for over a year now. Read Also: Google Moves Away from Legacy Chrome Apps to Progressive Web Apps with Calculator Why Android 11 and Not Android 12? At the same time, however, users may wonder why the update is for Android 11 instead of Android 12. The Android 12 has already been available for a number of different phones for the past few weeks and even months. Although it's understandable that the updates for certain unique phones would take some time, this may not really be much consolidation for users who have been hoping to keep up with what is current. As of press time, there is still no word as to if and when the Microsoft Surface Duo will be getting an Android 12 update in the future. Related Article: Apple AirPods Used to Call 911 to Save Woman's Life After Hitting a Metal Pole This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google could be developing a new Chromecast that is aimed at those who do not want to splurge on the uber-expensive 4K TVs. Instead, the company is releasing a budget 1080p Chromecast that comes with Google TV. 4K TV Compared to 1080p High-Res TV Although 4K TV is starting to become a norm for most people, not a lot of people feel like they want to spend a huge amount of money in order to purchase a high-resolution TV. Instead, some buyers are still concerned about the price and could be looking for a cheaper 1080p option instead. Google is now reportedly trying to develop a brand new Chromecast that is aimed at certain people who are unwilling to splurge on a 4K TV. In addition, an article by Protocol says that the low-end device will be harnessing the Google TV interface and will even include a remote. Chromecast HD with Google TV What makes the budget Chromecast so exciting is that although it may be more affordable than the rest, it will still be able to have a maximum resolution of 1080p. It is being said that the device could be named the Chromecast HD with Google TV. According to the story by Engadget, the Chromecast HD with Google TV is also said to be capable of decoding AV1 video codec. This is actually something that the 4K-capable Chromecast with Google TV currently does not yet support at the hardware level. $50 Chromecast with Google TV It looks like, given the lower resolution output, the device will be costing less than the $50 Chromecast with Google TV. It has been over three years ever since Google has unveiled its third-gen 1080p Chromecast. The previous Chromecast was available for $30 but it did not come with a remote nor was it able to offer native apps. Read Also: Google Moves Away from Legacy Chrome Apps to Progressive Web Apps with Calculator Google to Compete with Roku and Amazon Since Roku and Amazon sell their 1080p streaming devices for just under $50, it is also probably time that Google did the same by introducing a lower-end Chromecast that comes with Google TV UI, a remote, and even potential Stadia compatibility. It is also the first time that a Chromecast dongle with a codename Boreal has arrived. According to a report by 9to5Google, the company was working on a device with that name but there were no specs released. As of press time, it is also not yet clear as to if or when Google is planning to release the new Chromecast HD with Google TV. It should also be emphasized that the aforementioned name is likewise not yet final. Per Engadget, the budget TV may or may not even be part of the products that Google will showcase at its annual fall hardware event. Related Article: Apple AirPods Used to Call 911 to Save Woman's Life After Hitting a Metal Pole This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. RTX 3050 price hikes have seemingly popped up everywhere in the world, even if NVIDIA's latest entry-level Ampere GPU hasn't even hit the market yet. VideoCardz reports that a triple-fan, Gigabyte Gaming variant of the 3050 just got listed on a Lithuanian retailer's site, and it costs an insane 492 EUR (roughly $550 US) at the time of this writing. This is around double the MSRP set by Team Green, which is $249. Considering the expected performance of the desktop 3050, this is really bad pricing. It seems like you'll be paying a premium only for DLSS and ray tracing support with the 3050, since the similarly-performing GTX 1660 Ti (which doesn't have DLSS and RT) can be had for a relatively cheaper 459 EUR ($519 US). This news comes after it was determined that supplies of the RTX 3050 appear to be "very good," specifically in relation to how bad NVIDIA's previous launches were. Normally, low supplies drive the price of graphics cards up, as dictated by basic economics. But that's not even the only place where RTX 3050 price hikes have been spotted. According to Tom's Hardware, a retailer in Peru just listed a Palit RTX 3050 Dual OC for a crazy $453. This is basically reaching scalped price territory, and already putting the 3050's current street pricing on-par with scalped RX 6500 XTs from AMD. The 6500 XT (which has been lambasted by tech reviewers for its incredibly weak performance) costs between $400 to as much as $600 on eBay as of this moment. With this pricing, there are far more powerful cards on offer (granted, they're still overpriced). NVIDIA is scheduled to release the RTX 3050 on January 27th, but it seems like this launch will be just like any other-sky-high prices, scalpers, and little to no availability. Read Also: ALL AMD, Nvidia GPUs With Ray Tracing Feature: Which One is Best for Gaming? RT Feature Explanation and More Why The Early RTX 3050 Price Hikes? There are numerous reports saying that supplies of the RTX 3050 are quite good. NVIDIA even stressed that gamers will get GPUs this year, saying last year that inventories are "very lean." But with the street prices of the 3050 already spiking, it looks like Team Green's claims are a bunch of hot air. The same old supply chain issues could still be plaguing their inventory, given that the global chip shortage has technically slowed down. When they announced the desktop 3050 at CES 2022, they specifically touted it as a "budget-friendly" card. Well, there's nothing really budget-friendly about entry-level hardware priced the same as a mid-range or even high-end model, which will likely leave a bad taste in PC gamers' mouths. If you want a timeline, NVIDIA actually gave one: the shortage is not expected to fully end until next year, as per a report by TechRadar. Until then, you'll just have to rely on the 3050's apparently weak crypto mining performance to ensure that future RTX 3050 price hikes will no longer happen. Because things will only get worse for PC gamers if crypto miners basically "join forces" with scalpers to further drive prices up. Related Article: Ray Tracing Explained: Demystifying This Gaming Generation's Biggest Buzzword This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google Drive is now blocking text files that contain either the number 1 or the number 0 in it, flagging for allegedly violating "copyright infringement." Google Drive Blocks Text Files Containing '1' As such, some Google Drive users were left wondering why some of their nearly empty text files have been flagged by the detection systems of the tech giant, accusing it of infringing copyright. The algorithm of Drive turns out to be targeting nearly empty files on the platform, thinking that the harmless text file violated the terms of service of the tech giant. According to a report by Torrent Freak, the filtering algorithm of Google Drive fails to provide a way to defy the claims of the automated detection system. Google Drive Copyright Infringement '1' As per a news story by Bleeping Computer, a Google Drive user shared that the file storage and synchronization platform called out a file, which contained nearly nothing other than a single digit "1." The user, Dr. Emily Dolson, is an assistant professor from Michigan State University. She shared that Google Drive flagged one of the files she uploaded on the platform. To her surprise, it was a text file that was harmlessly empty at all, except for the number "1." Dr. Dolson went on to share that the flagged file on Drive goes by a generic and seemingly harmless name, "output01.txt." But still, Google, or the detection algorithm of Drive, ruled out that the file violated the platform's terms of service, blocking the option to share publicly. The warning from Google says that "your file 'output04.txt' contains content that violates Google Drive's Copyright Infringement policy." The note further added that "a review cannot be requested for this restriction." But it turns out that the case of Dr. Dolson is not exclusive to her account. Instead, all other text files with "1" are being flagged for violating "copyright infringement. Read Also: Google Workspace 'Request a Review' Update Allows You to Download Wrongly Restricted Drive Files Google Drive Says '0' Infringes Copyright Too On top of that, Torrent Freak added in the same news story that they have also tried to go beyond number one. The online outlet further tried uploading a file that only contained the number zero on Google Drive. Like the first case, the online storage service also decided that it violated its terms of service. The team behind Google Drive responded to the post of Dr. Dolson, assuring that they are already working on it. Related Article: Google Inactive Account Manager's Guide: How to Activate Gmail's Self Destruct Feature and Why It's Important This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vaccine misinformation seems so all-encompassing these days that it might cause a rock legend to pull his music from Spotify. That rock legend is Neil Young, who has recently stated that alleged anti-vax claims on Joe Rogan's podcast will make him pull his music from the massively popular streaming platform, reports the BBC. Young wrote a letter to his management and record label, where he stated that Spotify "can have Rogan or Young, not both." The letter was also temporarily posted to his website called Neil Young Archives until it was eventually taken down. In it, the musician seemed staunchly against the reported vaccine skepticism on Rogan's podcast. His exact words were as follows: "I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform." Young continues by saying that the music streaming platform, which paid $100 million to host Rogan's podcast, "is spreading fake information about vaccines." He argues that by spreading this disinformation, the platform is potentially causing the deaths of those who believe in them. The rock legend says that the reach of Rogan's podcast is mainly to blame. It is estimated that the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast averages an insane 11 million listeners for each episode, which gives it tremendous influence. If Young's requests are honored, it will not be the first time Spotify will remove controversial content from its platform. It is also not the first instance that the music streaming service has been involved in misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine, writes Billboard. A group of scientists, medical professionals, and science communicators penned their own open letter to Spotify on the same grounds. In it, they requested that the company implement its own misinformation policy to fight back against the false claims made by Rogan and his guests on the JRE podcast. Spotify or Rogan himself hasn't commented on this issue as of this writing. Read also: US Army COVID-19 Vaccine Completes Phase 1 Trial | How Effective is SpFN Vax Against Coronavirus Variants? Joe Rogan And His Alleged Vaccine Misinformation Rogan is considered the most popular podcast host on Spotify, which is likely why Neil Young is up in arms about his alleged anti-vax stance. However, the color commentator has claimed once that he is not an anti-vaxxer. In a report by the BBC, Rogan stated that he believes vaccines are safe and encourages people to take them. However, he also suggested before that those young and healthy "don't need" to take vaccines, which drew ire from people and even US government officials. He is also a proponent of using so-called "alternative" COVID-19 treatments, such as taking Ivermectin. Ivermectin is classified as an anti-parasitic drug, which renders it useless against the coronavirus. A viral and parasitic infection are two completely different things. Spotify remains mum about implementing a policy against COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on their platform, despite the constant clamor for it. Only time will tell if the company will finally relent. Related: COVID Vaccine Mandate for Workplaces Blocked by Supreme Court, Deemed Not an Occupational Hazard This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Twitter is currently working on a feature that will give users a way to share tweets that can only be seen by their selected friends. In July 2020, the social media company revealed that it is considering letting users be designated "trusted friends" so some tweets would only be visible. The feature is similar to the Close Friends feature on Instagram, letting users select friends to share their Instagram stories with. Twitter's Flock Feature Alessandro Paluzzi, a developer and reverse engineer was able to get evidence that the feature is currently in development and that Twitter calls it Flock. However, if the feature gets officially released, it might be called differently. Twitter told The Verge that Flock is a placeholder name. Paluzzi stated that the current iteration will allow users to add up to 150 followers to their list and that they will be the only ones who can view and respond to the tweets sent to the group. Also Read: Twitter Video Subtitles to Automatically Play When Clips are Muted, Rolls Out for Android and iOS Any tweet sent to Flock will have a notice attached, telling the user's close friends that they can see it because they've been added to the group. The group can be edited anytime, and Twitter said that people wouldn't be notified if they were removed. When the social media company first revealed that it is considering adding a trusted friends feature, it also presented another concept that would allow users to take on different personas within one account. However, it is not clear if the social media company stopped working on that version of the feature. Twitter is also testing a feature called Communities that allows users to create a dedicated space for users with similar interests. Flock, on the other hand, was created with the user's real friends in mind, just like Instagram's Close Friends feature, according to MacRumors. In a statement posted by TechCrunch, Twitter said that it is always working on new ways to help users engage in healthy and positive conversations, and it is currently looking for ways to let users share tweets privately. Twitter Pictures and Videos Twitter is obviously adding features that can already be seen on other social media sites like Instagram and TikTok. Last month, Twitter announced that it is working on a feature called "Quote Tweet with Reaction" where users can embed a copy of a tweet into a picture or video instead of only replying to it with text. The social media company said that the feature is being tested on iOS. You will see a "Quote Tweet with Reaction" button on the retweet menu. When you use the feature, you will be taken to a screen to take a picture or video to put the tweet on top of your camera roll. Some users have expressed concern that these reaction quote tweets could be a vector for harassment. Although it is easy for the platform to moderate the quote tweets, it is more difficult to scan the contents of a picture or video. Some of Twitter's other features include limiting who can reply to your tweets, or opting out of photo tagging. Related Article: Twitter To Add Facebook-Like Emoji Reactions - But One Expression is Missing This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The new Omicron-specific Pfizer vaccine is now preparing to start its clinical trials. The upcoming laboratory tests of Pfizer and BioNTech are expected to observe and confirm the efficiency and safety of the modified medicine. Recently, Pfizer explained that it is working on a redesigned version of its COVID-19 vaccine so that the new Omicron variant can be neutralized. After confirming the development of this new medicine, the giant health firm provided its estimated arrival date. Tech Times previously reported that the redesigned Pfizer vaccine might arrive around March. This health innovation is currently essential, especially since Omicron is just one of the latest variants of COVID-19. The other one is Deltracron, which is a combination of Omicron and Delta strains. Omicron-Specific Pfizer Vaccine's Clinical Trials According to NBC News' latest report, Pfizer is planning to enroll 1,420 health individuals who are around between 18 to 55 years old. Also Read: Vaccine Information Could Make Rock Legend Neil Young Pull His Music From Spotify The medical company announced that the clinical trials would evaluate the safety of the new vaccine and its capability to generate a strong immune response against the new COVID-19 virus. Aside from this, Pfizer also explained that the participants would be divided into three groups. These include vaccinated, unvaccinated, and fully vaccinated who received booster shots. Once the laboratory tests for Pfizer's new vaccine begin, health experts will use the gathered information to know if the individuals in each group need to have one, two, or three doses of the modified medicine. Pfizer Vaccine for Kids Still Not FDA Authorized As of the moment, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids below five years old is still not authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the current White House Chief Medical Advisor, hopes that the FDA will soon allow this COVID-19 medicine. "My hope is that it's going to be within the next month or so and not much later than that, but I can't guarantee that," said Fauci via CNBC. He added that it will still depend on the FDA's final decision that Pfizer's vaccine will be used for children below five years old. For more news updates about Pfizer's vaccine and other COVID-19 related topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: US Army COVID-19 Vaccine Completes Phase 1 Trial | How Effective is SpFN Vax Against Coronavirus Variants? This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Elon Musk is trying to convince McDonald's to accept Dogecoin, and he promises a big advertisement opportunity if the restaurant chain relents. The eccentric multi-billionaire promises to "eat a happy meal on TV" if McDonald's starts accepting the popular meme coin of which he is a vocal proponent of, reports The Independent. Considering Musk's high-profile status, this could be a massive opportunity for the fast-food chain to further promote its brand. As a result of his proposal, the price of Dogecoin increased by a meager amount. This, however, doesn't seem to faze the tech mogul who has repeatedly caused the cryptocurrency's value to spike just by his tweets alone. This is also not the first time McDonald's has been urged to accept Dogecoin. The restaurant tweeted this image of french fries last January 20th, to which Billy Markus, the meme coin's co-founder, responded: hey #dogecoin fam lets make sure this tweet response of McDonalds is their highest engagement one https://t.co/9nZPRy8p53 Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) January 19, 2022 As per The Street, Markus (who goes by the name Shibetoshi Nakamoto on Twitter) was hoping that the more people got involved with the so-called "petition," the more they'll be seen by the McDonald's Corporation. Eventually, the restaurant actually responded to a user who said that they'd go to eat there more often if they accepted Dogecoin as payment: I stopped eating at McDonalds a long time ago, and there's one right next to my house. If you guys accepted Dogecoin payments I would go more often Misha Aleksandrov (@GlasnostGhost) January 20, 2022 As you can see in the tweet, the official Twitter profile for McDonald's said that they "appreciate" the interest and are continuously evaluating the payment experience. But there is no obvious confirmation that the restaurant chain will start accepting the cryptocurrency anytime soon. This news comes after Musk's EV company, Tesla, announced that they'd start selling merchandise for Dogecoin, as reported by The Verge. Among the merchandise is a special belt buckle, which costs 835 DOGE (roughly $118 at the time of this writing). Read also: Elon Musk, Billy Markus Talks About How Cryptocurrency Has Changed In the Past Years, NFTs Elon Musk And Dogecoin: A Rather Curious Pairing A quick look at Dogecoin may make you think it is not that impressive to gain the obvious support of a multi-billionaire. But despite its low value, the meme coin is still constantly on Elon Musk's (digital) lips, judging by his most recent announcements involving it. For instance, he announced last year that his EV company Tesla would actually accept DOGE as a payment method. This is after the EV maker previously ditched Bitcoin payments, even if Bitcoin is technically the superior cryptocurrency in value and acceptance. The tech mogul has also gone on record to say that Dogecoin is the "People's Crypto," saying that even ordinary people can have a stake in it, unlike other more popular cryptocurrencies. Musk said that this is one of the main reasons why he supports the meme coin, despite its low value and not-so-serious origins. However, if McDonald's does start accepting DOGE, it won't be the first big-name business to do so. It joins the likes of the luxury resort company Kessler Collection, the Latvian airliner AirBaltic, and even the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, among others, according to NewsWeek. Related: Elon Musk Believes in Dogecoin Supremacy; Says Bitcoin Isn't a 'Good Substitute' For Transactional Currency This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Department of Homeland Security claimed that Moscow could deploy cyberattacks against the United States if the Russian government thinks that the actions of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization or Atlantic Alliance) will affect its long-term national security. Right now, Russia and Ukraine are currently facing some tensions against one another. As the Russian government sends its troops to the border near Ukraine, NATO is preparing its fighter jets and ships, which are still currently on hold. Because of this, the DHS thinks that NATO's involvement in the alleged Russian invasion might also affect the United States. Homeland Security Warns About Russian Cyberattacks According to USA Today's latest report, the Department of Homeland Security released a memo on Sunday, Jan. 23. Also Read: Venmo, Robinhood Among Services Affected by Plaid; Now Settling Lawsuit-How to Get Claims? In its latest bulletin sent to the United States, the government agency claims that state and local governments and some critical infrastructure operators in the U.S. might be targeted by Russia. "Russia maintains a range of offensive cyber tools that it could employ against U.S. networks," said DHS. The government department added that the possible Russian security attacks could affect the systems used in hospitals, dams, bridge operations, as well as commercial flights. Russian Cyberattacks Against U.S. Likely To Happen CNN Politics reported that some DHS analysts checked the chances of Moscow deploying security breaches against the United States. Based on their observations, the likeliness of destructive cyberattacks of Russia against the U.S. homeland is still very high. However, Homeland Security's researchers added that they did not detect direct cyberattacks against the U.S. critical infrastructure operators. If you are worried about the warning of DHS, the best thing you can do right now is to wait for the government department's further announcements. In other news, potentially harmful Instagram posts are now being minimized. Meanwhile, Jetpack claims that outdated WordPress plug-ins and themes might be used to distribute security backdoors. For more news updates about Russian cyberattacks and other security threats, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: U.K. Students Found Guilty of Launching DDoS Attacks Against School Networks This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Entrepreneur Library at the Kentucky Innovation Station has expanded from eight books to take up almost an entire book case. The books focus on business and entrepreneurship for those who own or are wanting to start their own business. Ada, OK (74820) Today Cloudy early then strong thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High around 75F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low 62F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. James Finn writes for The Advocate as a Report For America corps member. Email him at JFinn@theadvocate.com or follow him on Twitter @RJamesFinn. To learn more about Report for America and to support our journalism, please click here. Judge Beau Higginbotham's lawsuit against his 19th Judicial District Court colleagues and several former judges over how much seniority he has was thrown out Tuesday by a retired special judge who said the defendants are immune from being sued for their administrative actions. Higginbotham's attorney and sister, Whitney Higginbotham Greene, objected to ad hoc Judge Emile St. Pierre's ruling from the bench, an indication that a state appeals court will be asked to review the decision. Lawyers for six of Higginbotham's 19th JDC colleagues and one of his former colleagues had filed a motion last week raising the issue of judicial immunity. "Judges are immune from suit except in very narrow circumstances, none of which are present in the instant action herein," the lawyers wrote. A majority of the 19th JDC judges have refused to allow Higginbotham to move from the criminal bench to the civil bench, despite his contention that his overall seniority on the Baton Rouge state court gives him the right to make that move. "This suit merely questions the propriety of the decision, not the authority of the judges to make the decision," attorneys for Judges Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts, Don and Ron Johnson, Tarvald Smith, Trudy White, Wilson Fields and former Judge Janice Clark wrote last week. Greene's court-filed response to that argument was that judicial immunity is not absolute and does not exist "to allow judges to shirk responsibility for their actions." Steve Irving, a lawyer for Foxworth-Roberts, argued at a hearing Tuesday that the 14 judges and three former judges sued by Higginbotham last summer were sued for actions they took in their official capacities as judges, and so they are immune from being sued. Higher courts told a Baton Rouge judge to sue his colleagues. He did, and here's why Baton Rouge criminal court Judge Beau Higginbotham, who claims he was unlawfully passed over for a seat in civil court despite his seniority, Greene countered that the judges' actions should not be allowed to interfere with Higginbotham's "rightful place on the civil bench." St. Pierre noted that a majority of Higginbotham's colleagues decided administratively to award Clark's former civil seat to someone other than Higginbotham. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "I don't think that's enough to pierce judicial immunity," said St. Pierre, who was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to preside over the lawsuit. Don Johnson declined comment as he left the courtroom, saying the case is now on appeal. Irving said the judge had decided the case correctly. "I think he's clearly right," he said. Judges sued by colleague use $170K in court funds to pay private lawyers but is it legal? A Baton Rouge criminal court judge who is suing 14 of his colleagues and three former judges in an attempt to use his seniority to move to the Higginbotham's lawsuit alleged that some of his colleagues ignored the 19th JDC's seniority rule and unlawfully passed him over for a seat on the court's civil bench. The judges maintain they did nothing wrong or unlawful. Higginbotham was elected to the 19th JDC Division M seat in 2014, then to the Division C seat nearer to his home in 2019. Both seats are criminal divisions. When Clark retired at the end of 2020, Higginbotham claimed he was "next in line" based on seniority to move to the civil bench. But a majority of Higginbotham's colleagues decided he lost his seniority on the court when he switched criminal divisions, and lost his right to lay claim to Clark's old civil seat. Higginbotham claims there was "no gap" in his service on the court and that he has a "rightful claim to the civil bench." His lawsuit says that at a Dec. 9, 2020, meeting of the 19th JDC judges, he formally moved to be assigned to the civil bench, and Judge William Morvant seconded the motion, but it did not pass. Don Johnson then offered a motion to assign the civil spot to Ron Johnson, his twin brother, and the motion was approved. +3 Judge Higginbotham presses his claim to the civil docket. Could it be a stepping-stone move? Baton Rouge state Judge Beau Higginbotham told a special judge Monday that a majority of his 19th Judicial District Court colleagues ignored t Nine of Higginbotham's 19th JDC colleagues told Welborn's office in a Jan. 4, 2021, order to allot the civil cases that formerly would have gone to Clark to Ron Johnson, who was elected in 2019. A week later, a second order from 10 of the court's 15 judges informed the clerk's office that Ron Johnson and fellow 19th JDC Judge Kelly Balfour would evenly share those civil cases while also splitting a criminal docket. Higginbotham is the son of former state 1st Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Toni Higginbotham and ex-19th JDC Judge Leo Higginbotham. Higginbotham initially sued only Clerk of Court Doug Welborn in December 2020 but was told by St. Pierre that he also needed to add his 19th JDC colleagues as defendants because they are indispensable parties to the case. St. Pierre later dropped Welborn as a defendant. The leaders of Louisiana's two teacher unions Tuesday called Gov. John Bel Edwards's $1,500 teacher pay raise proposal a start, but the chief of a third group blasted the plan as wholly inadequate. Edwards said Monday his 2022 spending plan will include about $148 million to boost teacher pay by $1,500 per year and $750 for cafeteria workers and other support personnel. "It is a start and we are continuing to move in the right direction, which is what we requested from the very beginning," said Tia Mills, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators. "We also know as educators that this is nowhere near enough to pay us because there are other states around us that are making concerted efforts to go even higher." Teachers in Louisiana are paid an average of $51,566 per year, which is 12th of 16 states measured by the Southern Regional Education Board. Teacher pay trails most of the region; governor has vowed to end the gap A new survey shows average teacher pay in Louisiana is 12th of 16 states in the South, which raises doubts on whether Gov. John Bel Edwards wi The SREB average is $55,205 in the latest snapshot, leaving a gap of $3,639. The U.S. average is $64,133 per year. Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, acknowledged that a $2,000 per year raise, which is also being discussed, would be one of the largest in years. "It is still not enough to get us to the Southern regional average," Carter said. "We hope and we would like to see a $2,500 pay raise this year and next to get us back to being very competitive in the Southern region." Teacher pay in Louisiana reached the regional average in 2007 after the Legislature approved a $2,375 per year hike. The LFT and LAE are teacher unions and both are longtime Edwards allies. The leader of a teachers association, the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, or A+PEL, issued a blistering statement to his group denouncing the governor's plan. "If there was any year to expect a significant and competitive raise for all educators and school employees it would be this year yet we are once again facing a proposed state raise that does not do you justice," Keith Courville, executive director of the group, said in an email to members. "Everyone at the capitol loves to talk about how much they care and appreciate teachers but refuse to make any significant action mirroring those raises of our neighboring states," he said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "Louisiana politicians only offer empty words," Courville said. "Those empty words don't put food on your table, those empty words don't fill your tanks with gas, and those empty words surely won't send your children to college, or fund a well-earned vacation." Teacher pay was increased $800 per year in 2021. Edwards told reporters Monday the state has never invested in education to the level or consistency needed. "The state of Louisiana cannot afford not to pay teachers more," he said. Louisiana's teacher shortage is raising alarms: 'Fewer teacher candidates than ever' Louisiana's teacher shortage is getting worse with retirements on the rise, the number of new teachers plunging and superintendents finding it increasingly difficult to fill classroom jobs. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said he was gratified to see the governor's proposal. "I shared my desire to increase teacher pay with the administration, so Im extremely pleased that it has been included in the executive budget," Brumley said in a statement. "Beyond today, we must continue exploring ways to provide additional compensation for teachers in high need schools, those with high demand certifications like math or science, those who are teacher-leaders or those who have exceptional student performance." Senate Education Committee Chairman Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, said the governor's proposal is a step in the right direction. "I think the $1,500 is wise and I think if additional revenue is recognized I think the governor will be more aggressive," Fields said. Edwards said that, if as expected the Revenue Estimating Conference recognizes more money for state spending in May, he will recommend that the $1,500 raises be boosted another $500, or $2,000 in all. +2 Aspiring teachers down 30% in Louisiana as state faces shortage, lack of diversity in classrooms Louisiana's teacher workforce is suffering from a variety of ills, including a 30% drop in the ranks of aspiring teachers, a glut of educators "We are losing teachers by the droves," Fields said. "We have to attract teachers and we have to pay them." House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, said teachers undoubtedly deserve a pay raise, but he wants to make sure the state can sustain it in future years so any hike this year is not a onetime bonus. The issue will be debated during the regular session, which begins March 14. Legislators put aside proposed rule changes they had asked for to strengthen river pilot qualifications and were sold as a way to open up the cliquish professional ranks while guaranteeing safety on the Mississippi River. The joint House and Senate Commerce committees Monday joined 87 pilots and Board of Louisiana River Pilot Review and Oversight in rejecting the proposed measures on the argument that they would negatively affect minorities trying to break into river piloting. When you dont have a father to steer you. When you dont have relatives to vouch for you. You have to rely on yourself. And you have to hope that the system will be fair, testified Lee Jackson, one of the few licensed Black pilots in the state and the third member of the panel that made the proposed rule changes at the insistence of legislators. He opposed the changes that the other two members of the panel adopted. As the rules stand today young potential Black applicants can control his or her fate by completing maritime (academy courses) and then theyre one step closer to qualifying for the pilot developer program. But if the proposed changes become the rule, they would have to come out and hope the system would be fair, Jackson said, adding the handful of Black candidates already in the pipeline under the old rules would be knocked out of consideration, if the rules changed, despite their work so far. Were trying to open up some avenues and doors and create inclusivity and transparency and fairness, Captain Casey Clayton, who is president of the three-member regulatory Board of Examiners that proposed the rules. She is one of the first women to pilot vessels on the Mississippi. Her father was a river pilot. As river pilots announce new minority recruitment push, internal battle erupts among one group Following decades of tepid attempts to diversify their ranks, the group of pilots that shepherd cargo up and down the Mississippi River announ Claytons board took a look at the basic education, experience levels and training demanded of river pilots around the country. She noted that qualifications in Louisiana have been reduced during the past 10 years to the point that the experience requirements for those navigating the Mississippi are among the lowest in the country. We felt it was a necessity to increase our requirements, she said. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The Board of Examiners for New Orleans and Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River proposed amending the qualifications for the pilots who navigate oceangoing vessels from the mouth of the Mississippi River to their industrial destinations through New Orleans up to Baton Rouge. Under existing rules, wannabe pilots graduate from a maritime academy with diploma and are allowed to apply for work and for a pilots license. The proposed requirement would give applicants a third mates license upon graduation, then require 360 days of work to qualify for a second mates license, from which the applicant could seek a pilots license. Much of Mondays debate revolved around access to the lucrative pilots jobs, which pay more than $500,000 annually depending on how many trips the pilot takes. For years, the pilots have been a relatively closed organization usually open to family members and friends. Recently, the pilots have agreed to bring in more minorities and expand their numbers, concessions that will increase the number of trips allowed on the Mississippi, which raises worries about safety. Eighty-seven of the 120 the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association, or NOBRA pilots opposed the new regulations. I dont see where its going to help African Americans, said Capt. Eric Moorman, one five Black NOBRA pilots. Change needs to be made. How we make that change is the Rubiks cube. The joint legislative committee rejected the rules without objection. State Rick Ward III, the Port Allen Republican who chaired the panel, said after the hearing that legislators want to spend more time on the issue of how to open up more posts, making it easier for minority candidates, while still addressing safety concerns. Its a question of balance: whether to rely more heavily on experience part of it or the education part, where is the consensus, Ward said, adding that issue will come up when the Legislature reconvenes for its general session on March 14. Thank you to The Times-Picayune for continuing to publish official notices. What an unpleasant surprise to read on Nov. 26, 2021, that the Cit The NSW government has no plans to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with Indigenous leaders saying displaying it 19 times a year does little to acknowledge First Nations history. Despite a long campaign for the flag to be a permanent fixture on the bridge, which has now gained support from federal Liberal MPs, a spokesman for Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Tuesday it would continue to be flown only on select days. The Aboriginal flag flies atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Australia Day 2021. Credit:James Brickwood The federal government this week confirmed the Aboriginal flag would be transferred to public hands for the first time after it reached a $20 million settlement with its creator to permanently acquire the copyright. A spokesman for Mr Perrottet said all states and territories followed the federal government in matters of flag protocol. It is not rude to protest. But there is a reason, as excruciatingly correct behaviour expert Miss Manners once quipped, why it is called civil disobedience. There was nothing civil about Grace Tames last performance as Australian of the Year; it looked more like childish disobedience. Much as I am fond of quoting feminist historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrichs observation that well-behaved women seldom make history, there is nothing inherently history-making in being merely ill-behaved. 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame sends a message to Scott Morrison, as she poses with her partner Max Heerey and Jenny Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The photographs of Tames exit interview at the Prime Ministers residence are awkward. Tame stands angled away from the Prime Minister and his wife Jenny, scowling. They beam warmly, like the parents of a surly teenager doing their best to capture a nice moment with their recalcitrant child. Twitter went wild with approval for Tames act of defiance. Someone with an anonymous profile summed up the mood by tweeting in solidarity that we are all Grace Tame right now. But thats Twitter and, as Joe Bidens campaign strategist told the media after winning the US election, the secret to his success was very simple: We turned Twitter off. Have you ever felt that feeling of awe, when you step up to the edge of that ancient escarpment, on to that broad golden beach, through the thin valley mist or around an omnipresent red rock in the heart of an ochre sea the awe you feel when your eyes behold that special place and you cannot help but wonder at the beauty and abundance of this country? I have felt it. And when I do, it is always followed by a feeling of sorrow. I feel sorrow because to look at these special places, it is obvious what a wonderfully happy life my people lived before the First Fleet arrived with its deadly cargo of settlers on January 26, 1788. The answer to what should be done about January 26 can be found in a key proposal in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Credit:James Brickwood Over millennia, my people learnt to live with the land how to move with her seasons rather than claw at her skin and poison her in defiance. My people had developed practices and laws for sustainability. We ensured we never outgrew and displaced other living things, because all living things had a place: the land and the plants and the animals were us and we would become them our totems and our teachers. In our laws, we didnt own the land as much as the land owned us. And, we were masters of dispute resolution. Take the Yolngu process of Makarrata in which people come together in a closer relationship after a struggle. A 40-year-old man has been charged with murdering his wife and six-year-old daughter in a stabbing attack in suburban Melbourne. Victoria Police on Tuesday confirmed they had charged Prabhal (Raj) Sharma with two counts of murder. They said he remained under police guard in hospital. Poonam Sharma. Police allege Mr Sharma stabbed his 39-year-old wife, dental nurse Poonam Sharma, and their six-year-old daughter, Vanessa, at a home on Kellaway Crescent in Mill Park in Melbournes north-east about 7.50pm on January 13. Homicide squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said earlier this month Ms Sharma fled to her neighbours house for help, allegedly pursued by her husband. She left blood on the neighbours door in her futile search for safety and later died. Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting chief executive Scott Veenker backed the councils push calling for an early February return-to-work date for office staff. Once we get over the Australia Day weekend, then people return from annual leave and schools obviously return, so I think early February should look to be the target that we should be aiming for, he said. Gerard Kelly, owner of Queensmith cafe in Melbourne said the citys legal precinct is deserted. [Rapid antigen tests] will be more freely available also and the booster appointments available too, so those factors should result in people being more comfortable with returning to the office. However, property industry lobby group the Property Council believes while a February target is a noble ambition, the return to Melbourne offices is unlikely to happen for a few months. We saw through our office occupancy data over the last two years that it really takes about three to four months for people to come back in any real numbers after a lockdown, executive director Danni Hunter said. Ms Hunter, who contracted COVID-19 over the summer, said there was a different psyche for those who have recovered from the virus and were not worried about returning to the city. Property Council executive Danni Hunter predicted it will take two to three months for office workers to return in significant numbers. Credit:Joe Armao For those who had it really mildly, theyve come through it, they feel more protected because theyve been vaccinated and theyve got the immune response from having the virus, she said. The Property Council called for proactive language from the state government encouraging workers to come back to the office and for masks to be removed in offices as soon as it was safe to do so. The requirement to wear masks indoors has been a disincentive for many office workers but Health Minister Martin Foley said on Tuesday that it would remain in place. Weve seen masks play a really important role over the last two years now, he said. Theyre low impact on people but high impact on the virus and we dont have any plans to change that. MYOB chief executive Greg Ellis has been into the companys Richmond office only twice since the pandemic began. Credit:Eamon Gallagher When office workers do return, it is unlikely to be for five days a week, with Victorian public servants due to return with a default starting position of three days a week in the office. Major employers including ANZ and accounting platform MYOB had planned to have staff start to return next month on a hybrid basis, but an ANZ spokesman said the bank was closely monitoring government advice and office staff would remain working from home until that changed. MYOB chief executive Greg Ellis said the return date was more likely to be mid to late February and staff would start with one day a week in MYOBs Richmond office, with employees unlikely to ever return five days a week. From a business point of view, were coping fine with working remotely, but we as a company said to our staff that we really believe in collaboration and we really believe in human contact, he said. A lot of our staff really want that face-to-face interaction again. Professor Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University. Credit:Jason South Epidemiologists Professor Catherine Bennett and Associate Professor James Trauer both said a delayed return to the office was preferable. If its feasible to hold off for a month or three weeks, then I think were in a much better position to see whats happening with the case numbers, Professor Bennett said. Then you can have the plan built around where were going rather than having a bit of uncertainty coming up over the next few weeks as we change things around. Loading Associate Professor Trauer said a February return was a bit too early. The sequence that Id like to see is schools going back and then workplaces a good couple of weeks after that, he said. In the meantime, workplaces are having to balance the demands of staff eager to get back in the office and those who are reluctant to return. Collingwood-based start-up Linktree has always operated a hybrid workplace model with zero obligations for employees to come into the office, but founder Alex Zaccaria said some employees were happy to continue to work from home while others could not wait to return. A COVID-19 outbreak has hit the HMAS Adelaide, causing 23 cases so far as the navy supply ship makes its way from Australia to Tonga to help with disaster recovery. HMAS Adelaide is carrying recovery equipment and personnel to help repair damage from a tsunami that swept the across the Tongan archipelago and blanketed the ground in ash after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano erupted just 65 kilometres from the capital, Nukualofa. Soldiers entering the HMAS Adelaide at the Port of Brisbane on Thursday last week, before departing for Tonga. Defence Minister Peter Dutton told Sky News the ship would continue its journey and work with Tonga, which is currently free of the coronavirus, and has strict protocols to deliver aid in a COVID-safe way. Well work with the Tongan authorities to keep that vessel at sea to make sure theres no threat. Obviously the Tongan government is discussing that at the moment, Mr Dutton told Sky News. They need the aid desperately, but they dont want the risk of COVID. The number of foreign buyers snapping up Australian property has taken a significant hit, new figures show, but those that are buying here are much more likely to stay for the long term. New Foreign Investment and Review Board figures reveal overseas spending on Australian homes dropped from $8.5 billion in the 2017-2018 financial year to $6 billion between in 2019-2020, after three challenging years for Australias property market. Foreign home buyers are expected to return to cities like Melbourne later this year. Credit:iStock Foreign investment rule changes, the Financial Services Royal Commission and the pandemic all impacted buyer numbers, but experts say the market should turn around this year as Australias borders reopen and international students and new migrants return. While total investment fell in financial terms, FIRB figures also revealed the number of property transactions dropped from 10,491 in 2017-2018 to 7482 in 2019-2020. London: Allegations multiple parties were held at Number 10 Downing Street during lockdown will be investigated by police, the head of Scotland Yard has announced. Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the criminal investigation, saying it would help draw a line under the matter. Police had until now declined to investigate the alleged breaches of lockdown rules, despite multiple media reports of various events held at the Prime Ministers official work residence. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick addressing the London Assemblys Police and Crime Committee on Tuesday. Credit:YouTube/Screengrab This was despite protection officers, who guard the building and its residents, being interviewed by Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, who is conducting an inquiry that Johnson ordered. The Prime Minister has been told to resign by the opposition and even some of his own backbenchers. Russia has repeatedly denied that it has plans to invade Ukraine and said it is Russia whose security is threatened by NATO exercises near its borders and weapons shipments to Ukraine. Analysts say Russia has a rich repertoire of tricks that make it all but impossible to guess a first move. It demonstrated that with its first incursion into Ukraine in 2014. At the time, masked, mysterious soldiers appeared in Crimea in a military intervention that Russia initially denied but later acknowledged. Russian soldiers said to be vacationing or volunteering turned up in eastern Ukraine later that year. A nation prepares: civilian participants in a Kyiv Territorial Defence unit train on a Saturday in a forest in Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit:Getty In fact, nearly every Soviet and Russian military intervention of the past half century, from the Prague Spring to Afghanistan to the war in Chechnya, has begun with an operation of disguise or misdirection, intended to sow confusion. A limited incursion might also serve Moscows goal of dividing NATO allies, with some countries seeing the action as insufficient cause to sanction Russia and others disagreeing. US President Joe Biden last week hinted at potential divisions within the Western alliance over how to react to a provocation that falls short of an invasion comments that the US then tried to walk back after a backlash from Europe. For soldiers in the East, where Ukraine has been fighting Russian-backed separatists for nearly eight years, the lack of clarity has made for a nerve-racking time. Maybe it will happen here, said Lieutenant Sergei Goshko, who is responsible for civilian affairs on this part of the front line and was thus authorised to provide his full name. Maybe it will happen south of here. Loading But we cannot know everything, he added. Its a game of chess where you cannot see the moves in advance. Who will do what to whom? We dont know. In one ominous hint of how Russia might justify an invasion, its ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Konstantin Gavrilov, said on Sunday that Moscow would respond if its citizens were threatened. Russia has granted citizenship to tens of thousands of people on the separatist side of the eastern Ukraine conflict, any of whom might suffer in an escalation. We wont tolerate it if they attack our citizens, Gavrilov said. There wouldnt be another warning, he said. Only dogs bark. A wolf bites, and that is it. Ukrainian officials and American diplomats have focused on one possibility in particular in the region: an accident at one of the most dangerous industrial sites in eastern Ukraine, an ammonia gas factory in separatist-held territory a few kilometres from the Ukrainian front lines. Ukrainian soldiers walks at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels near Katerinivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Credit:AP Ammonia is a component of fertiliser but can be lethal in high concentrations. A chemical leak releasing a toxic plume is one prime possibility, potentially poisoning soldiers and civilians on both sides of the front, officials say. It might justify, for example, a Russian deployment of emergency cleanup crews with an escort of soldiers. In December, Russias defence minister, Sergey K. Shoigu, said, without providing evidence, that American mercenaries had brought unspecified chemicals into eastern Ukraine. That suggested he might be laying the groundwork to blame a poisonous gas leak on the Western-backed Ukrainian government. Loading Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have publicly warned that Russia shipped canisters of gas to the factory site, adding to vast stockpiles already there. The sprawling, rusty factory is poised for an accident, they say. With both Russia and Ukraine now talking about chemical leaks in this area, local authorities have plans to sound a siren to warn civilians, though it is unclear how they might protect themselves other than closing windows. But a gas leak is just one possibility. Causes for escalation in eastern Ukraine along the front abound, said Maria Zolkina, a Ukrainian political analyst, including the possibility of a limited advance by the separatists to seize disputed infrastructure such as waterworks or power plants. Hostilities could also start with a naval clash in the Azov Sea, where Ukrainian and Russian vessels operate in proximity or a so-called false flag attack that would target Russian-speaking citizens in separatist areas. Analysts say a purely political casus belli could also arise, such as a Russian claim that the US, Britain and other NATO countries are providing weapons to Ukraine that pose a risk to Russian security. Loading A limited action might exert political pressure on the Ukrainian government to accede to Moscows terms for a settlement in eastern Ukraine, which would require admitting figures from the Russian-backed separatist movement into Ukraines Parliament. Or it could presage a wider intervention: Russian airstrikes, amphibious landings or a tank assault across the border from Belarus, a Russian ally. At the Ukrainian position on this section of the Eastern front, the surrounding landscape is an open, snowy steppe. Soldiers keep watch for infantry or tanks. Mindful of the ammonia factory 10 kilometres away, they also keep gas masks ready, though they do not carry them every day, said Stepan, the commander. One of Broadway's most affable and mesmerizing stars, James Monroe Iglehart stole the spotlight by originating the role of the Genie in Disney's Aladdin, winning the Tony Award for his unforgettable turn. Now, after having also starred in such hit shows as Memphis, Hamilton, and Freestyle Love Supreme, Iglehart has stepped into the iconic role of smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn in the long-running hit Chicago opposite Bianca Marroquin and Charlotte D'Amboise. TheaterMania recently spoke to Iglehart about finally playing the role, how race has affected his long career on Broadway, and his upcoming role as host of the star-studded event 50 Years of Broadway at the Kennedy Center. James Monroe Iglehart. ( David Gordon) This is your 15th year on Broadway. Is this the career you imagined, especially as a person of color? James Monroe Iglehart: Not really, but I was always hoping and dreaming and praying that it would work out this way. When I originally left sunny California for snowy New York, it was always the plan just to make a living as a performer, or I would never have moved. But to have had this kind of career, it's partially because I was lucky that so many of the parts I've gotten to play, including Billy, have nothing to do with race. Mitch in Spelling Bee could have been any race; the Genie didn't have to be African-American; and all the roles in Hamilton can be done by anyone. I am so blessed not to have been pigeonholed by my race. Was Billy on your bucket list? James: No, but at the end of my run in Hamilton, I was talking to my co-star Mandy Gonzalez, and she says, "Is there a role on Broadway right now you really want to play?" I mentioned the Phantom, because I thought that would be sexy and I'm never seen that way. So, when the Chicago folks called and offered me Billy, I thought, "Hey, I am sexy now!" The other thing that is so exciting about doing this role is I am now part of a real fraternity of special guys who have played this part, from Norm Lewis to Tom Wopat to Jerry Orbach, without whom we wouldn't have Billy. I am such a Broadway nerd that when I got to rehearse this part in the theater on 50th Street that is named after him, I started to tear up. Billy sings one of the greatest songs ever written about show biz, "Razzle Dazzle." Is it cynical, or is it accurate? James: What makes this show and this song so fantastic is that they're both timeless. And what "Razzle Dazzle" is talking about is how desperately some people try to keep their fame no matter what, and that is so true right now. Today, people with so much talent are killing themselves not to get overshadowed by those people whose only talent is that they can post on social media. So, the song is true and cynical at the same time and it has some very dope rhymes by the late, great Fred Ebb. I think he and John Kander are really underappreciated. James Monroe Iglehart originated the role of the Genie in the Broadway production of Disney's Aladdin. ( Cylla von Tiedemann) In some circles, you will always be the Genie. Is that a blessing or a curse? James: Honestly, while some people think it should feel like a curse, I think it's the best blessing in the world. You spend your life as an actor hoping that someone remembers you for what you've done. OK, maybe 20 percent of actors just do it for the art, but most of us do it because we wanted to be "cool." And I know you can act for years and years, and you can still be Mr. Cellophane, and I'd rather not be that person. Plus, I am such a Disney nerd, every day I felt I got paid for being at recess. You will host a special concert event, 50 Years of Broadway at the Kennedy Center, in February. How excited are you for this gig? James: I am so excited! My ultimate dream is to host the Tonys, but the fact that I get to introduce all these incredible stars and I may even be performing is amazing. When I was in California, I used to go all these amusement park shows, and whenever there was a host, I knew I could do that if someone would let me. If my 17-year-old self could see what's about to happen, he would flip out. No way home: All current departments in Academic Building to be relocated by summer 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. The interior of the dome of the Pennsylvania Capitol where the state lawmakers meet is shown in Harrisburg, Pa., in this March 22, 2021, file photo. Instant unlimited access to all of our E-Editions and content on thechronicleonline.com. The Chronicle E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Batavia, NY (14020) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High around 55F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low 39F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. This is the temporary subscription pass for users returning from the Vision Data subscription process. Your subscription will be updated within 24 hours, after your information is verified. Please click the button below to get your pass. UNION SPRINGS - Leonard L. Beers, 90, formerly of Norwich and Otego, passed away Jan. 18, 2022. A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 6, in Evergreen Cemetery in Otego. Arrangements are with Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta. Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. Forest City, NC (28043) Today Sunshine and a few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 56F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. A Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft sits on the tarmac at Tonga's Fua'amotu International Airport, near Nuku'alofa, on Jan. 22, 2022 to deliver aid after an undersea volcano eruption. (Japan Joint Staff Office via AP) 4 Japanese Planes Fly More Aid to Tonga After Volcanic Blast CANBERRA, AustraliaFour Japanese aircraft left Australia on Monday to deliver more vital aid to Tonga as the Pacific nation deals with the aftermath of a volcanic eruption and tsunami. The two Japanese Lockheed C-130 Hercules and two Kawasaki C-2 left the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Amberley in Queensland state to make the 3,300-kilometer (2,050-mile) journey east to the islands that were devastated by the Jan. 15 twin disasters, the Australian Defense Department said in a statement. Australia proudly joins Japan and other Pacific Island countries working alongside the people of Tonga, the statement said. Aid flights from Australia, Japan, and New Zealand also carried food, water, medical supplies, and telecommunications equipment to Tonga over the weekend. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Beijing was providing an additional $3.1 million in assistance to Tonga. The Chinese Embassy in Fiji has already sent drinking water, food, generators, water pumps, and other goods to help in the relief effort, Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. Because of the COVID-19 risk to a nation that has not had a local outbreak, aid flights are landing, offloading supplies, then leaving without contact with locals on the ground. The goods are left for 72 hours to reduce any infection risk before they are unpacked. The main airport runway has been cleared of ash spewed when the nearby Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai volcano erupted. The explosion set off a Pacific-wide tsunami that smashed boats in New Zealand and caused an oil spill in Peru. Cleanup efforts were going smoothly, with the Tongan government and military officials working together, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja said on Sunday. Ships from the United States and Britain were on their way. HMAS Adelaide, an Australian navy ship with helicopters on board as well as engineers and a 40-bed hospital, is expected to reach Tonga by Friday. The ship can generate electricity and purify water. A lack of clean water was a priority because local supplies have been damaged by layers of volcanic ash and salt water. Red Cross teams on the ground reported widespread stagnant pools of salt water that were dumped by the tsunami, polluting the clean drinking water sources of tens of thousands of people, said Katie Greenwood, the Pacific head for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. On Jan. 22, the Japanese government said a Self-Defense Forces C-130 aircraft arrived in Tonga with three tons of drinking water. That followed another Japanese flight on Friday. The death toll has been limited, with only three deaths confirmed in Tonga so far. Three of Tongas smaller islands suffered serious damage from tsunami waves. The majority of Tongans live on the main island of Tongatapu, where about 50 homes were destroyed and coastlines strewn with debris. U.N. humanitarian officials reported that about 84,000 people80 percent of Tongas populationhave been impacted by the eruption. The tsunami severed the single fiber-optic cable that connects Tonga to the rest of the world, leaving many unable to connect with loved ones abroad. Since then, satellite communications have improved and Tongas telecoms operator, Digicel, said it had been able to restore international call services to some areas. By Rod Mcguirk Antifa Shuts Down College Event as Administrators Blame Republican Students Republican students at a New Hampshire Ivy League college say the schools administration has deserted them and has made false and embarrassing allegations against them in order to avoid bad publicity by canceling an event under heavy protest by far-left extremist group Antifa. The live event scheduled at Dartmouth College was called Extremism in America and was to feature conservative personality Andy Ngo, who has been violently attacked by Antifa in the past. Antifa and its sympathizers made several threats against the event, including offering money to anyone who assaulted Ngo. A local group known as Dartmouth Anarchists also posted violent insinuations about the event on social media. So long as we stand, Dartmouth will never be a safe space for [right-wingers] to spew their misinformation. Wear black to show your solidarity and hide your identity! one member of the group wrote on Twitter. The event was hosted by Dartmouth College Republicans. Club President Griffin Mackey told The Epoch Times that local and state police were well prepared for any violence from the group and had a SWAT team in place before the event began. Moore Hall may have been the safest place in all of New Hampshire, Mackey said. Just hours before Ngo was about to take stage, school administrators ordered the live event to be transitioned to a virtual-only event. The university later issued a statement blaming the move on failures by the College Republicans. In light of concerning information from Hanover police regarding safety issues, similar concerns expressed by the College Republican leadership, and challenges with the student organizations ability to staff a large public event and communicate effectively (including dissemination of the visitor policy and a prohibition of bags in the building), the College has requested that the Extremism in America panel be moved online, the university said in a statement. However, emails exchanged between Anna Hall, senior assistant dean for student life at Dartmouth, and the College Republicans show that the student group had sent out emails to registered attendees days before that emphasized that backpacks wouldnt be allowed at the event and that student ID would be strictly required. The group also posted notices on the colleges online bulletin and around campus, the emails show. Mackey told The Epoch Times that he believes the real reason the college canceled the event was to avoid bad publicity and any potential fallout from it. Chloe Ezzo, vice president of the Dartmouth College Republicans, noted that Hall made an arbitrary last-minute request for the group to provide additional staffing, as if she was trying to create reasons to cancel the event. After the cancellation, members of Dartmouth Anarchists took to social media and declared victory. By going virtual on such a short notice, they seriously disrupted our event, embarrassed our organization, and created a roadmap for derailing these kinds of activities, Mackey told the Epoch Times. New Hampshire State Police, Hall, and other college administrators didnt respond to requests for comments. In a 2021 evaluation of free speech on college campuses, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), gave Dartmouth College a C in Free Speech. Despite protests, the school didnt cancel a scheduled live appearance in 2021 by Madison Cawthorn, who would later become the youngest U.S. Congressman to be elected. During his speech, the Democratic Socialist Club at Dartmouth College chanted obscenities at police. However, Antifa and its sympathizers made it clear that it was prepared to wage an aggressive protest against Ngo. A couple of days before the event, the Green Mountain John Brown Gun Club posted on social media that it had called up reserves of Antifa super soldiers to be present for it. And in a Twitter post just a few days earlier, Antifa member Jonathan Dylan Chase offered money to anyone who managed to assault Ngo during his Dartmouth appearance. Chase is a member of the Portland, Oregon-based Rose City Antifa, charged with violently attacking Ngo in 2019. In a video captured by a local reporter, a group of demonstrators can be seen dousing Ngo with a milkshake, punching him, and yelling at him in an unprovoked attack. Terence Darrell Kelly boards a plane after being taken into custody by members of the Special Operations Group at Carnarvon airport in Carnarvon, Australia, on Nov. 5, 2021. (Tamati Smith/Getty Images) Australian Admits Abducting 4-Year-Old Girl From Family Tent PERTH, AustraliaA man pleaded guilty Monday to abducting a 4-year-old girl from her familys camping tent on Australias west coast last year. Police found Cleo Smith alone in a house in Carnarvon, a town of 5,000 people, 18 days after she went missing last October. The search for her had captivated Australians, and the police who found her wept with relief when she told them, My name is Cleo, when they asked her identity. Police have said the man arrested soon after Cleos rescue was a stranger to the girl and her family, but they have given little other information about why he was a suspect. Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, admitted to the abduction during a brief court appearance in Carnarvon in a video link from a Perth prison, 900 kilometer (560 miles) to the south. He faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison on a conviction of forcibly taking a child aged under 16. He will next appear in a Western Australian state District Court in Perth on March 20. Kelly has not entered a plea to other criminal charges he faces, including assaulting a public officer. Those charges have been adjourned to a later date. WeChat app is displayed in the App Store on an Apple iPhone on August 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Australian Prime Ministers WeChat Account Sold to Chinese Businessman Prime Minister Scott Morrisons WeChat profile has been sold to a Chinese businessperson following revelations the Australian leaders social media team lost control of his account earlier this month. According to the Daily Telegraph, the accounts name was changed from Scott Morrison to Australian Chinese New Lifestyle. A search on WeChat for an account under the name Scott Morrison by The Epoch Times also yielded no results. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) found that the CEO of an information technology firm, Huang Aipeng, had purchased the prime ministers account from a Chinese national only known as Mr. Ji. Read More Australian PMs WeChat Account Hijacked and Rebranded Ji was part of the agency hired by the prime ministers office to run his WeChat accounta practice common among politicians and organisations keen to communicate with Chinese-speaking communities in China or overseas (Australia has around 1.2 million ethnic Chinese). WeChat, however, limits the use of public accounts on its platform to Chinese nationals only, forcing overseas groups to rely on contracting third parties or agents. Search results for the words Scott Morrison in WeChat on Jan. 24, 2022. (Screenshot by The Epoch Times) According to Huang, who is the leader of Fuzhou 985 Information Technology, he purchased Prime Minister Morrisons account because it had over 76,000 followers. He [Mr Ji] didnt tell me who was using the account, Huang told the ABC. I dont even know who [Scott] Morrison is; I saw the account has a lot of followers, so we bought it. Huang revealed that he would delete the content previously posted by the prime ministers team and promote his own material. WeChats parent company Tencent has denied any hacking or third-party intrusion occurred regarding the prime ministers account, according to a statement obtained by AAP. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a media conference in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) Based on our information, this appears to be a dispute over account ownershipthe account in question was originally registered by a PRC (Peoples Republic of China) individual and was subsequently transferred to its current operator, a technology services companyand it will be handled in accordance with our platform rules. Tencent is committed to upholding the integrity of our platform and the security of all users accounts, and we will continue to look into this matter. Federal Liberal Party MPs have stood behind a boycott of WeChat in reaction to the prime ministers deplatforming. Gladys Liu, the member for Chisholma multicultural electorate in Melbournes eastcalled the incident with Morrison deeply disappointing and that it raised concerns of political interference. It is a matter of record that the platform has stopped the prime ministers access, while (Opposition leader) Anthony Albaneses account is still active featuring posts criticising the government, she said in a press release on Jan. 24. In an election year especially, this sort of interference in our political processes is unacceptable, and this matter should be taken extremely seriously by all Australian politicians. Because of these concerns, I will no longer be using my official or personal WeChat accounts to communicate until the platform explains itself, she said. Albanese told 2GB earlier on the day that he would welcome a discussion with the prime minister on the issue. Im certainly of real concern about any national security implications by any interference by any government in the process, but I do note we havent heard anything from the prime minister himself about these issues, he said. Simon Birmingham, finance minister, encouraged Australians to reconsider using WeChat. This sort of political distorting of a communication platform obviously deserves condemnation and shows that WeChat as a communications platform cannot be trusted, he told Sky News Australia. Police officers stand guard during a demonstration against the Belgian government's restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Brussels, on Jan. 23, 2022. (Johanna Geron/Reuters) Belgian Police Fire Water Cannon, Tear Gas to Disperse COVID-19 Protest BRUSSELSTens of thousands of people protested in Brussels on Sunday against COVID-19 restrictions, some clashing with police who fired water cannon and tear gas to disperse them near the European Commissions headquarters. The rally drew about 50,000 people, Belgian police said. It was peaceful at first as protesters chanted and filled streets, waving placards and balloons with slogans like: We want to be free again and No COVID slave ticket, a reference to vaccine passes required for certain activities. Trouble flared later, with a building housing the European diplomatic service and a sandwich shop broken into, a Reuters journalist said. Police said more than 60 people were arrested, with three officers and 12 demonstrators taken to hospital. Belgium announced a slight easing of coronavirus restrictions on Friday, but also said people must have booster shots after five months to keep passes for bars, cinemas, and many other public spaces. Im angry about the blackmail that the government is doing, said protester Caroline van Landuyt, who had herself been vaccinated. Her children did not want to be inoculated but had to so as to travel and play sport, she said. Some protesters let off fireworks as police advanced into a park. Riot officers ringed the water cannon. Im not an anti-vaxxer, Im anti-dictator, read another placard. Some 89 percent of Belgian adults are fully vaccinated and 67 percent have now also received a booster shot. Biden Administration Is Withdrawing OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced Tuesday it will formally withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private businesses with 100 or more employees on Wednesday. The agency issued an announcement in the Federal Register that it will withdraw its rule, known as an emergency temporary standard (ETS), which required companies to make employees either get a COVID-19 vaccine or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing while wearing masks in the workplace. It comes after the Supreme Court on Jan. 13 issued a 63 opinion blocking the rule, saying that challengers to the order, including large trucking companies, were likely to prevail in court. Published Tuesday (pdf), OSHA said that this agency action becomes effective immediately both because there is good cause and because the action removes a requirement on the regulated community. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the Vaccination and Testing ETS, OSHA continues to strongly encourage the vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace, OSHA continued. At the same time, the agency said it is moving forward with a proposal to make the emergency temporary directive a permanent standard. The agency added that more public comments on the mandates withdrawal would be impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest because it would unnecessarily delay the resolution of ambiguity for employers and workers alike. According to the document, the rule that formally withdraws the vaccine-or-test mandate will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, Jan. 26. The Supreme Court described OSHAs rule as a significant encroachment into the livesand healthof a vast number of employees across the country. Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly, the court ruled. At the same time, the Supreme Court upheld the vaccine mandate that applies to health care workers who were employed at Medicaid- or Medicare-funded facilities. Days later, a Texas federal judge halted the Biden administrations vaccine mandate for federal employees. This case is not about whether folks should get vaccinated against COVID-19the court believes they should, Judge Jeffrey Brown wrote on Jan. 21. It is instead about whether the president can, with the stroke of a pen and without the input of Congress, require millions of federal employees to undergo a medical procedure as a condition of their employment, the order said. Following the Supreme Court decision, a number of large companies halted their respective vaccine mandates. Among others, Starbucks said last Tuesday that it respects the Supreme Court ruling and will comply with the order. Some states recently demanded OSHA withdraw the vaccine-or-test mandate. Both the Supreme Court and the American people have spoken, and they have loudly said the Biden administrations attempts at forcing this mandate on Americans and businesses are not only wrong, but also unconstitutional, said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, in a Monday statement. Following the Supreme Courts decision, Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh said he was disappointed in the courts decision. OSHA will be evaluating all options to ensure workers are protected from this deadly virus, Walsh said at the time. According to data published by Johns Hopkins University, COVID-19 has a U.S. mortality rate of about 1 percent. He added, OSHA will do everything in its existing authority to hold businesses accountable for protecting workers, including under the COVID-19 National Emphasis Program and General Duty Clause. The Epoch Times contacted OSHA for comment. A Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner taxis past the Final Assembly Building at Boeing South Carolina in North Charleston, S.C., on March 31, 2017. (Randall Hill/Reuters) Boeing Invests $450 Million in Flying Taxi Developer Wisk Wisk Aero, a U.S. electric air taxi developer, has secured $450 million in new funding from Boeing, according to a Jan. 24 press announcement. The California-based Wisk is working on the development and certification of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for future pilotless flying taxis. Wisk has invested much in software and technology that make its air taxis capable of autonomously flying themselves. Boeing, which owns an undisclosed majority stake in Wisk, hopes that the developer will be the first autonomous passenger-carrying vehicle to be certified in the United States. Wisk was formed as a joint venture in 2019 between Boeing and U.S. electric aircraft developer Kittyhawk, an air vehicle firm launched by Google co-founder Larry Page. The aerospace partners formed Wisk for the purpose of developing and certifying an all-electric passenger air taxi. The two firms intend to leapfrog a generation of eVTOL aircraft operated by pilotswhich are already being developed with an estimated service date of 2024but would begin service later than its competing rivals. Boeing declined to give a date for what it terms the sixth-generation Wisk passenger vehicle, but it is expected to be presented for certification around 2028. The new eVTOL technology has the potential of bringing flying cars to the mass market. Small, electric air taxis are quieter than helicopters, and coupled with falling costs and improvements in flight control software, may open the market to widespread, short-haul air mobility. As we enter this next stage of our growth, this additional funding provides us with capital while allowing us to remain focused on our core business and our number one prioritysafety, said Wisk. We are incredibly fortunate to have Boeing as not only an investor but a strategic partner. The funding will also support the company as it enters an intensive growth phase over the next year, its preparations for the launch of scale manufacturing, and the companys go-to-market efforts, according to Wisk. Wisk has been developing a prototype called Cora that has a range of 22 nautical miles (40km) and a speed of about 87 nautical miles/h (161km/h). The company has so far completed more than 1,500 test flights of its full-scale aircraft. Wisk says the advanced state of its autonomous flight technology gives it a lead on its piloted competitors. Within five years of certification, Wisk says it intends to have one of the industrys largest air taxi fleets with operations of 14 million annual flights in 20 cities. Boeing has placed major hopes on Wisk and the future of intra-city electric air taxi transportation. The U.S. aerospace giant has also expressed interest in co-developing self-driving flying cars. Boeings investment in the company could yield improvements that could be applied across its portfolio, including bringing autonomous technology to its own large commercial aircraft designs. Our view is that is the big strategic advantage of Wisk, going straight to a self-flying aircraft, building those principles in at every level of the design and development, said Marc Allen, Boeings chief strategy officer, to Reuters. We are reconfirming our belief in Wisks business and the importance of their work, said Allen. Allen said that there could be other partnerships within Boeings core aerospace activities in the near future. Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a statement on the Ukraine in the House of Commons, Westminster, London, on Jan. 25, 2022. (House of Commons/PA) Boris Johnson Promises Contribution to NATO Deployment as Russian Military Affiliates Are Already In Ukraine The UK is prepared to send troops to support NATO deployment and protect the alliances east flank if Russia invades Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday. The promise came as Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told MPs that there were individuals already in Ukraine linked to the Russian state in ways that are not conventional and that should give cause for concern. But Johnson resisted the more hawkish proposal of sending NATO troops into Ukrainea non-NATO statemaintaining economic sanctions remain the real deterrent of a potential Russian invasion. Making a statement in Parliament on Tuesday, the prime minister told MPs that more than 100,000 Russian troops are arrayed at Ukraines eastern borderfar bigger than anything Russia has deployed against Ukraine before. He said the British army leads the NATO Battlegroup in Estonia and if Russia invades Ukraine, while Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic and four fighter jets to Lithuania, France is prepared to deploy troops to Romania, and the United States is preparing to increase the number of its NATO combat troops in Europe to 8,500. We would look to contribute to any new NATO deployments to protect our allies in Europe, Johnson told MPs. According to Johnson, who hosted a virtual meeting on Monday, leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, NATO, and the European Union agreed to accelerate an extensive sanctions package in order to deter an escalation from the Kremlin. We agreed that we would respond in unison to any Russian attack on Ukraine, in unison, by imposing coordinated and severe sanctions, heavier than anything we have done before against Russia, he said. And we agreed on the necessity of finalising these measures as swiftly as possible, in order to maximise their deterrent effect. Johnson also said the UK will not hesitate to ramp up its own sanctions against Russia in response to whatever President [Vladimir] Putin may do, adding that Parliament can expect an update from Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in the coming days. Responding to Defence Committee Chair Tobias Ellwood, who urged the government to liaise with the United States and mobilise a sizable NATO presence in Ukraine, and utilise the superior hard power the Alliance possesses to make Putin think twice about invading another European democracy, Johnson said he doesnt believe its a likely prospect in the near term as Ukraine is currently not a member state of NATO. What we can do and what we are doing is sending troops to support Ukraine by training Ukrainian troops and seeding defensive weaponry, Johnson said, calling the steps vital in stiffening Ukrainian resistance. But I think the real deterrent right now, Mr. Speaker, is that package of economic sanctions, he said. That is what will bite, that is what will hurt Putin, and that I hope is what will deter him. Shortly after Johnsons statement, Wallace told Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee: We are becoming aware of a significant number of individuals that are assessed to be associated with Russian military advance force operations that currently are located in Ukraine. Wallace also told the committee that any crossing into Ukraine, whether small or large, will be seen as an invasion, adding, You cant be half-pregnant, you are either invading a country or you are not. Canada Withdrawing Diplomats Families From Ukraine OTTAWACanada said on Tuesday it is temporarily withdrawing the families of its diplomats in Ukraine because of the Russian military build-up on the borders of the Eastern European country. The U.S. State Department announced on Sunday it was ordering diplomats family members to leave Ukraine, saying military action by Russia could come at any time. Due to the ongoing Russian military buildup and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine, we have decided to temporarily withdraw Canadian embassy staffs children under 18 years of age and family members accompanying them, the Canadian foreign ministry said in a statement. The statement gave no further details. Canada, which has taken a hard line with Moscow since Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, said last week it would offer Ukraine a loan of up to C$120 million ($95 million). By David Ljunggren Canadas Languishing Military Reflects Lacking Federal Leadership Commentary One good thing about having an atrophied military, youd think, is at least it would be easy to staff. But youd be wrong, in Canada anyway. The Canadian Press noted blithely the other day that were about 12,000 short of our feeble target strength of 100,000. Not to mention the 10,000 unavailable through illness, injury, or lack of training. So hey, lets ask them to do everything including deliver COVID shots. I shouldnt have to point out here that with a major crisis brewing over Ukraine, and the Chinese Communist Party pondering invading Taiwan during this distraction, it might be helpful to be able to fight. But in Canada sometimes it seems that it is. So allow me to mention that Putin has about 100,000 troops massed on Ukraines border alone, out of his one million heavily armed active service and two million reserve personnel. Some may say yes, well, Russia is big and rich while we are small and poor. But they would be drivelling. Geographically, Russia is twice as large as Canada. And its population of 144 million is bigger too, but just over three times ours. So why should their military be 30 times bigger? As for its GDP, at US$1.71 trillion nominal it is smaller than our $2.016 trillion. Its bigger by purchasing power parity, which suggests that GDP is hocus pocus. But not that we cant afford a military a third their size rather than a 30th. As the CP story observed, its not as though we decided to get rid of the armed forces because we didnt need them anymore. Rather the Canadian Armed Forces are struggling with a growing shortage of personnel even as the military faces more and more demands at home and abroad. What demands exactly is unclear since weve withdrawn from peacekeeping and dont fight. But were not getting wherever it is because, believe it or not, we closed recruiting centres and halted training due to COVID. You probably do believe it, because Epoch Times readers know the core function of government in Canada is to preserve socialized medicine, not safeguard the lives and liberties of citizens. But its bungling even that job badly too. And more. Periodically I am tempted to write columns that simply round up the weeks blazing government incompetence. Like pausing new invitations for badly needed skilled immigrant labour because the paperwork is so backlogged we cant cope. Or the one where Public Services and Procurement Canada tries to recruit influencers to make our inability to build military ships on time or on budget sound like an achievement, including sizzling sample lines like, The NSS (National Shipbuilding Strategy) has resulted in many social and economic benefits, from creating and sustaining more than 16,000 jobs annually to showcasing the innovations applied to shipbuilding for these chumps to post and hope nobody smells a bureaucrat. That ultrarich social justice warrior, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, would accept a free $1,895 chair then promote it online without realizing hed be snagged for an obvious ethics violation suggests he might land that gig when his party realizes hes a sanctimonious dud and flub it too. Which brings up something larger that amazes me, over and over: how the newspaper is filled with tales of farcical state ineptitude cheek-by-jowl with stirring demands for the government to solve all our problems like some caped and mustachioed superhero. OK, that ones the latest propaganda for Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, not our shipbuilding program. But were not much less ridiculous. On the military front alone we cant even buy sidearms, let alone icebreakers or, heaven forbid, a warship. As for cyberdefence, hoo hah. And our vaunted integration of women produced not serried ranks of Amazons but an epidemic of sexual harassment we apparently cant even try to stop, as in the RCMP. As someone recently noted, the feds cannot so much as renovate the prime ministers official residence, uninhabitable for six years now. Yet a startling number of Canadians think they can solve the national housing crisis they, um, caused, all while raising kids better than parents could. Though they cant stop themselves from spending recklessly and printing money at a frantic pace to hold down their interest obligations, while the armed forces rot and the supply chain breaks down, along with socialized medicine, public universities, and even public schools, where dissent is crushed and test results are in freefall. Solve the housing crisis? Wed be lucky to get the snow cleared. As for the core state function of protecting our lives, liberties, society, and system of self-government from foreign attack, well, we forgot to recruit an army or equip it. We were too busy taking selfies, commemorating rubbish international days of social justice, and spending money we didnt have on things we didnt know how to do. I mean, what could go wrong? Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. CDC Adds 15 More Countries to High Risk Travel List The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named 15 more destinations as Very High COVID-19 risk on Monday, including several popular Caribbean island destinations. The agency said that Americans are recommended against traveling to Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Kuwait, Mongolia, Niger, Peru, Romania, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Those destinations were classified as Level 4, meaning there are more than 500 COVID-19 cases reported per 100,000 people over the past 28 days. Do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated, a CDC advisory said. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself from severe disease, slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the number of new variants. CDC encourages you to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if you are eligible. People who are not fully vaccinated should follow additional recommendations before, during, and after travel. The CDC now classifies about 116 countries under its Level 4 designation, including Canada. The warning does not prohibit travel to anywhere in the world, and it merely serves as a recommendation. As the COVID-19 situation around the world changes, CDC is monitoring COVID-19 risk in destinations around the world and making travel recommendations, the agency also wrote. Most European countries have remained lodged in the CDCs Level 4 designation for weeks, including the United Kingdom, Greece, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France. The CDC on Monday also added 10 countries to its Level 3 designation, including Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, India, Japan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Republic of the Congo, and Senegal. The new slate of designations come weeks after the agency increased the risk of cruise ship travel to Level 4, saying it should be avoided in the midst of COVID-19 outbreaks on ships. On Monday, the CDC did not revise its guidance. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, the CDC cautions on its website. On Jan. 20, the CDC added 22 countries and territories to the Level 4 list, including Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bermuda, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Egypt, Grenada, Guyana, Israel, Panama, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sint Maarten, Suriname, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Uruguay. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. CDC Plans to Pivot the Language on Vaccination: Walensky Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said that her agency is looking to change the language regarding COVID-19 vaccines. When asked about why the health agency is not changing the definition to include whether one is fully vaccinated with a booster dose or not, Walensky told reporters the CDC is working to pivot the language to make sure that everybody is as up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as they personally could be, should be, based on when they got their last vaccine. So, importantly, right now, were pivoting our language. We really want to make sure people are up to date, she said during remarks on Jan. 21. That means if you recently got your second dose, youre not eligible for a booster, youre up to date. If you are eligible for a booster and you havent gotten it, youre not up to date and you need to get your booster in order to be up to date. Previously, Walensky and other federal officials said that the government would not change the definition of what it means to be fully vaccinated. Currently, being fully vaccinated, under the CDCs recommendation, entails having two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. CDC data suggests that about 210 million Americans are considered fully vaccinated, and 83 million have received a booster dose. The CDCs rules on what it means to be fully vaccinated are significant because, in some areas, a persons vaccination status is tied to their employment or whether they can enter certain businesses such as restaurants. A growing number of businesses and institutions have started to mandate that employees or students get a booster shot. In December, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters that the state might soon change the definition to require a booster, which may impact the employment statuses of state workers. At some point we may have to determine that fully vaccinated means boosted as well, and well give people a sufficient time frame to make that happen, she said on Dec. 19. Im just sending out the message now: Prepare for that. And about a week ago, officials in Hawaii told The Epoch Times that the state is mulling mandating a booster shot in order for a person to be considered fully vaccinated. It means that those who try to enter the archipelago may have to show proof theyve received the extra dose. Hawaii is not requiring booster shots as part of the states Safe Travels program. However, that requirement is under consideration. Stay tuned, Brooks Baehr, administrative assistant for COVID-19 and pandemic response for the Hawaii Department of Health, said on Jan. 19. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Border Patrol agents apprehend and transport illegal immigrants who have just crossed the river into La Joya, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Children Crossing Border Alone Hit All-Time High in 2021 DEL RIO, TexasBorder Patrol agents encountered a record number of unaccompanied children who crossed the southern border illegally and without a parent or guardian in 2021. From January through December, agents apprehended more than 169,000 children under the age of 18a record that more than doubled the previous all-time high in 2019, according to Customs and Border Protection data. The troubling trend is continuing into 2022, according to Jason Owens, the Border Patrol chief for the Del Rio sector in Texas. From Friday to Sunday, over 70 unaccompanied children have been found traveling alone or with complete strangers. Many tell us they have no idea where their parents currently are! Owens wrote on Twitter earlier this month. In some cases, children have been found wandering alone and lost in remote areas of the border after being abandoned. Many had a phone number or address of a contact in the United States written on their hand or on a piece of paper. In one case, a Texas rancher found five abandoned children on her property. Border Patrol agents found an 8-year-old boy wandering alone in the New Mexico desert. Two toddlers were dropped over the border fence by smugglers. A 6-month-old baby was tossed from a smuggling raft into the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. Border Patrol prioritizes the transfer of minors (under the age of 18), who cross the border illegally without a parent or guardian, to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), a subset of Health and Human Services. Currently, on any given day, about 10,000 unaccompanied children are in ORR custody. In April last year, ORR had more than 22,000 children in its care at one time as the border crisis hit a new peak. The volume got so high, emergency shelters were set up in convention centers in Dallas, San Antonio, and San Diego; and California foster parents were asked if they could take in any children from Central America. The ORR spends about $60 million a week to house the current volume of minors, the vast majority of whom are aged between 15 and 17. The agency works to place a child with a sponsor within a few weeks, who are also most often in the country illegally. In more than 80 percent of cases the child has a family member in the United States. In more than 40 percent of cases that family member is a parent or legal guardian, according to a Health and Human Services email that contains the daily statistics. The children then go through immigration proceedings where they are able to present an application for asylum or other protection under the law. Essey Workie, director for the human services initiative at the Migration Policy Institute, said the unprecedented surge in unaccompanied minors in 2021 wasnt related to President Joe Bidens relaxation of border security policies. I think the influences or increased arrivals really arent dependent on the administration or the party thats in power in the United States at the moment, Workie told The Epoch Times. She previously worked as a regional spokesperson for the Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. Workie said unaccompanied minors are coming to the United States due to economic factors, crime, and climate change in their home countriesmostly from Guatemala, Honduras, or El Salvador. However, she did acknowledge that 80 percent of them having a parent or close family member in the United States was also a pull factor. Most of the sponsors and their household members are without immigration status in the United States, Workie said. Mark Morgan, former acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner, blamed the Biden administration for the record volume of illegal crossings at the border and for not taking steps to resolve it. Almost Nonexistent Vetting Morgan said the current volume of unaccompanied minors is so high that its impossible for ORR to thoroughly vet sponsors before placing children with them. They have reduced their vetting to almost nonexistent, he told The Epoch Times. Theyll basically do a quick NCIC check with respect to a sponsor to make sure they dont have a criminal record. Thats it. The NCIC is the FBIs National Crime Information Center, which logs crimes committed in the United States, but not those committed by foreign nationals overseas. They do not check a sponsors immigration status in this country. So you could be a sponsor thats in the country illegally. You could have been one of those 600,000 gotaways. You could have a criminal record in your home country, Morgan said. He referred to the 600,000 illegal immigrants that Border Patrol detected in 2021 but failed to apprehend. Morgan said undoubtedly children are being sent into dangerous situations, including being trafficked. Theres no doubt in my mind thats happening, he said. Open border policies are not only jeopardizing every aspect of our nations public safety, health, and national security but also open borders policies are the most inhumane thing that we could do for the migrants themselves. You will have overall an exponential increase in human trafficking because as theyre being smuggled, many of them are being trafficked at the same timethey just dont know it yet. They dont know it until theyve been released in the United States. The ORR didnt respond to requests for information regarding the number of children who were placed with sponsors in 2021, as well as the number of children the agency was unable to reach post-placement. A report by Axios in September 2021 suggests the number of children that HHS fails to reach within 30 days of placement is more than 30 percent. Under current laws, minor children from contiguous countries (Mexico and Canada) can be sent back, but those from all other countries cannot be returned to their home country. Its ridiculous. It makes no sense, Morgan said. The majority of the minors apprehended by Border Patrol in 2021 were from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, or El Salvador. Most are between 15 and 17 years. A Vietnamese coast guard ship shows a Chinese coast guard vessel (R) sailing near China's oil drilling rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea on May 14, 2014. (Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP via Getty Images) Chinas Maritime Expansion in South China Sea Has No Coherent Legal Basis: US State Department The expansionary claims of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) throughout the South China Sea have no legal merit, according to an interdisciplinary team of experts who recently conducted a study on the issue. In the name of enforcing its expansive and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, the PRC is interfering with rights and freedoms, including navigational rights and freedoms, that are due to all states, said Constance Arvis, acting deputy assistant secretary for oceans, fisheries, and polar affairs. Arvis said that there was no coherent legal basis for the PRCs claims of sovereignty over vast portions of the South China Sea. Further, the Chinese regime efforts to draw baselines through international territory and undersea were inconsistent with numerous internationally recognized laws and norms. The comments came as part of a briefing by the State Department following the publication of a study that examined the legality of Chinas maritime claims. The latest in the Limits in the Seas series, ongoing since 1970, which examines coastal states maritime claims and boundaries and the legal basis for them. An international tribunal in 2016 already rejected the vast majority of Chinas claims over the South China Sea, a body of water that is also claimed by several other Southeast Asian states. The U.S. study follows years of efforts by the PRC to forcibly eject other nations from sections of the South China Sea, including efforts to build artificial islands to expand its alleged borders and the increased use of maritime militia units to harass and intimidate smaller nations. According to the study, the PRC asserts four separate categories of maritime claims in the region, including sovereignty over underwater features, the drawing of baselines that close off swathes of open sea, the use of maritime rather than land-based zones for measuring borders, and rather and so-called historic rights to the region. The United States unequivocally rejects these unlawful claims and any such interference, Arvis said. To that end, Arvis added that the Beijings expanding presence in the region would draw resistance from the United States and its allies. We are taking several actions to continue to push back against the Chinese activities in the South China Sea, Arvis said. We definitely are not accepting a fait accompli and are calling on the PRC to change its behavior to conform its maritime claims and to cease its unlawful course of activities. Relatedly, reports said that two U.S. aircraft carriers entered the region for drills, following an incursion of 36 Chinese military aircraft into Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone. PRC South China Sea Claims are Not Legal The study on Beijings maritime claims and their legality continues a long trend in the State Department of publishing technical legal works for informing public policy on international maritime issues. Notably, it attempted to reconcile Chinese thinking on maritime policy with that of the greater international community. It was roughly two years in the making, said Robert Harris, assistant legal advisor for the Office of the Legal Advisor. We tried to understand the PRC claim as best we could by going to primary sources: Chinese laws, regulations, formal utterances, and then trying to see what was the relevant international law. That research, according to Harris, included an exhaustive analysis of 23 coastal countries with historic or customary claims to various areas of ocean. According to that analysis, the study concluded that the PRCs alleged historic right to the region was not well-founded. As a matter of international law, there are certain requirements that must be met for there to be a rule of customary international law, including a general and consistent practice of states, Harris said. The Chinese regime has not met those requirements, he added, noting that the PRCs insistence that its so-called nine-dash-line that demarcates the space between it and Taiwan and other nations, simply did not lend to a valid claim to sovereignty over the region. When one talks about countries operating in the South China Sea, its important to realize that countries have sailed in the South China Sea for centuries, and simply sailing in the South China Sea is simply exercising those rights and freedoms that are set out in international law and have been protected for many centuries. Many, many countries are operating in the South China Sea and theres nothing provocative about doing that. Undermining Rule of Law Jung Pak, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, underscored that the Chinese regime did not only lack a legal basis for its historical claims to the South China Sea, but that it was actively violating the rights of other nations. Its actions in harassing other nations ships and attempting to artificially inflate its territory gravely undermine the rule of law on the oceans, she said. These PRC actions represent a systemic and calculated effort to interfere with the rights and freedoms, including the navigational rights and freedoms, that all countries enjoy under international law, Pak said. The United States stands with southeast Asian claimant states seeking to defend their sovereign rights and interests, consistent with international law. To that end, Pak affirmed that the United States would continue to support allies and partners such as Taiwan and Japan in maintaining a presence in the region and continuing the flow of international trade and maritime traffic through the South China Sea. The U.S. stands with the international community in defense of freedom of the seas, and the U.S. will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, Pak said. Of course, we welcome our allies and partners to do the same. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) speaks after reviewing the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in the South China Sea on April 12, 2018. (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP) Chinas New Generals Reveal Xi Jinpings Anxiety About the Military: Expert Xi Jinping promoted seven military and armed police officers to the rank of general on Jan. 21. An expert believes that Xi is focused on building his loyalists, rather than high caliber military personnel. The seven newly promoted officers cover the Northern Theater Command of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the Central Theater Command of the PLA, the PLA Army, the PLA Navy, the PLA Rocket Force, and the Peoples Armed Police Force. Since Xi took power, the Chinese military has gone through a large-scale anti-corruption campaignremoving several high ranking officers, including two former vice chairs of the central military commission (CMC)and military reform. Consequently, the Chinese military is filled with many young generals. Those newly promoted generals were all born in the 1960s. Since 2012, Xi has promoted 67 military officers to the rank of general. The PLA qualifications for promotion to the rank of general include serving at least four years at the rank of a lieutenant general or at least two years in military region commander-grade positions. The promotion ceremony usually takes place around Army Day on Aug. 1. This routine has changed in recent years. The promotion in military rank now occurs before the person has served the requisite time in a certain rank. This personnel arrangement has rarely been reported. Chinese affairs expert Shi Zangshan believes that Xi Jinping is very worried; not about how many officers he can control, but how many of his loyalists are eligible for promotion. Shi said: First of all, Xi himself has no military background. There are probably very few he can trust. This can be seen from the frequent replacement of officers at various ranks in recent years. The key is whether or not Xi can trust them. Secondly, Xi cant find a leader qualified for modern war. By Shis analysis, military reform involves becoming information-based within the PLA. That means a general should be familiar with modern combat, not just the forces of army, navy, and air, but also satellites, rockets, information-based operations, electronic operations, mechanization of the army, and the missile force. He explained that those who are familiar with modern warfare and tech are around age 40, but those eligible for promotion to CMC are closer to 60 years old. Thats 20 years of difference. Those who have been trained by the National Defense University over the years are about 40 years old, Shi stated. However, theres no place for those young officers at the CMC. It will continue to be members of the same group of old people who fill the spots at the CMC even though those old cadres wont know anything about an all-out modern war. What Xi can do now is just occupy the seats with the people who are absolutely reliable, Shi said. Day laborers hold signs advertising their skills as they wait to get hired for renovation work in Shenyang, China on March 27, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Chinas Urban-Rural Income Gap Keeps Widening, Challenging Xis Common Prosperity Recently, authorities and experts in China have acknowledged that income inequality between urban and rural areas is increasing and that it presents a tremendous challenge for achieving common prosperity. Common Prosperity is a propaganda slogan coined by Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. It promises economic stability to all Chinese citizens and is at the same time a vital prerequisite for cementing Xis continued leadership during the coming years. At the 2022 Tsinghua Forum on the Three Rural Issues held earlier this month, Wei Houkai, director of the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that the income inequality between urban and rural residents continues to rise. According to Wei, the rural per capita disposable income in 2020 was about 17,000 yuan ($2,703), and is behind that of urban households by 11 to 12 years. His conclusion was similar to the data published by the National Bureau of Statistics, which listed the 2020 annual per capita disposable income of rural households as being 17,131 yuan ($2,703), and the absolute difference between urban and rural households was about 27,000 yuan ($4,259). Notably, in 2010, this absolute income difference was only about 10,000 yuan ($1,578). Chen Xiwen, director of Chinas Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, acknowledged that narrowing the urban-rural income gap is the most difficult task in pursuing common prosperity.' Common Prosperity According to a recent report, Common Prosperity (IV): Urban-Rural Differences, published by the investment firm Ping An Securities on Sina Financial, the urban-rural income ratio in China was 2.6:1 for the year 2020. In comparison, developed countries like the United Kingdom and Canada have a ratio of about 1:1, while some low-income countries, such as Uganda, have a ratio of about 2.3:1, the report said. The report also emphasized that a multitude of differences exist between rural and urban areas, ranging from production and transportation to public services, such as education, social security, and health care. With regard to social security, Chinas rural populationabout 56.6 percent of total recipientsreceives only about 5.9 percent of the total payments granted under the system, Cai Fang, the director of the Institute of Population and Labor Economics said during his speech at the Tsinghua Forum. Disparity Hard to Improve In the book, The Myth of Chinese Capitalism: The Worker, the Factory, and the Future of the World, award-winning journalist Dexter Roberts stated that China had about 285.6 million rural laborers in urban areas by the end of 2020. However, these migrant workers were treated as outsiders and second-class citizens and received no social benefits from local governments. Zhang Sutian, a Chinese political commentator, believes that the increasing income inequality between urban and rural areas is the result of the Chinese Communist Partys policies over several decades. From the Peoples Commune between the 1950s and 1960s that deprived farmers of their land, to the various restrictions imposed in the 1980s to control food prices, to the forced migrations due to urbanization in the post-2000s, farmers were always sacrificed, Zhang told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times. Those rural Chinese farmers who dont own the land have no way to compete with the opportunities available to urban dwellers; its hard for them to increase their income and raise their social status, Zhang said. Zhang added that its unlikely there will be any improvements made in the foreseeable future to change the discrepancy in China between urban and rural prosperity. Jennifer Bateman Follow Jennifer Bateman is a news writer focused on China. Brandon Straka, founder of the #WalkAway Campaign, speaks at the CPAC convention in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 28, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Conservative Activist Brandon Straka Sentenced to Home Detention and $5,000 Fine A conservative activist has been sentenced to three months of home detention and a $5,000 fine. Brandon Straka, 45, of Nebraska, was sentenced on Monday for his participation in the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol building. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich accused Straka of abusing his online platform to encourage people to attack on Jan. 6 and defend the events that unfolded on that day. Election challenges are fought in the courts, not by storming the Capitol, Friedrich said, calling Strakas use of social media deeply disturbing. Straka, a Democrat-turned-Republican, pleaded guilty in October to a disorderly conduct charge, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment. Straka founded the WalkAway movement, which encourages disenchanted Democrats and liberals to move right. The former hair stylist in 2018 posted a video titled Why I left the Democrat Party, which went viral. He told the judge he and his social media followers dont condone violence. Straka said his relationship with his fans and followers isnt just about politics, its about love. Its not who they are, and its not who I am, which is why they love our movement, he said. Straka didnt enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 although he was charged with doing so. According to court documents, he was also charged with impeding law enforcement when he joined in chants encouraging protesters to take a police officers shield. Both charges were dropped after the judge reviewed video evidence of the incident. Read More The Ordeal of Brandon Straka Straka in a statement said he joined in chants after he observed others yelling to take a U.S. Capitol Police Officers shield, and told the judge he was deeply sorry and ashamed, the Huffington Post reported. Even if he didnt personally engage in violence or property destruction during the riot, Straka encouraged and celebrated the violence of that day, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed wrote in a court filing. WUSA-9 reported that the judge was skeptical about the defendants statements. He wants me to believe he was there completely oblivious to what was going on around him, that he was just a peaceful protester, and its very hard to believe that based on his conduct and his statements, Friedrich was quoted as saying by the news outlet. Strakas attorney, Bilal Essayli, accused prosecutors of attacking Strakas First Amendment rights and attempting to make a public example of a prominent Trump-supporting influencer. However, Friedrich said Straka wasnt being punished for his political views or personal beliefs. None of the criminal conduct to which Mr. Straka has admitted is covered by the First Amendment, the judge said. The Epoch Times has reached out to Straka and Essayli for comment. Read More 6 People Present at Scene of Ashli Babbitt Killing Still Not Arrested by the FBI, Family Seeks Identities The Department of Justice said on the one-year anniversary of the Capitol breach that more than 725 people had been arrested so far. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An internal medicine resident sits in a waiting area before receiving a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Aurora, Col., on Dec. 16, 2020. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) COVID Hysteria Degrades Public Discourse Commentary Our public health agenciestogether with their cronies in mainstream media, Big Pharma, and Big Techhave been conspiring for almost two years to keep you very afraid , Dr. Al Sears, a Florida-based doctor, wrote on Jan. 16. One way they have been keeping you scared is by vastly inflating the number of deaths that are actually attributed to the virus. Its a story you wont hear about from most media outlets. Still, countries across the globe are quietly lowering the number of deaths caused by Covid. Take Italy, for example. A couple of weeks ago, Italys National Institute of Health (ISS) made a shocking revelation. They admitted their countrys official number of Covid-19 deaths had been greatly miscalculated. And they revised the numbers to reflect that 97% of reported Covid deaths were probably not due to Covid after all. It turns out that of the 130,000 deaths that were registered as official Covid fatalities, only 3,800 were directly attributed to the virus. The others died with Covid, but not from Covid. Its a distinction our government hierarchy refuses to accept. Think about it. Italys National Institute of Health revises down the official number of COVID-19 deaths by 97 percent. Thats a significant fact. But I would bet a significant amount of money that you have heard not a whisper of it. A toxic combination of political correctness, Big Tech censorship, and crony capitalist special pleading has effectively twisted the public dialogue about COVID-19 in a fashion that heightens hysteria and public fear. Government officials want to intimidate you into ceding your freedom and autonomy. Big Tech social media companies block irresponsible viewpoints because they fear political retribution. For example, social media firms have received treatment in Russia and China, which provides a forward-looking perspective on what reasons these corporations are afraid. Pharmaceutical companies understandably are keen to continue making windfall profits on vaccines and COVID-19 treatments. Back-of-the-envelope calculations show that the companies behind the most successful COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna, are making billions and billionscombined profits of $65,000 every minute. Bear in mind that vaccine producers arent selling their products on the market. They are just filling orders. As Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, told the Harvard Gazette: It is better to think of the vaccine, not like a new product coming to market but rather more like a government purchase, like buying a rocket for NASA or a tank. The incentives that pharma companies have to cultivate the terror of COVID-19 are too obvious to require much elaboration. Hence, the unsurprising declaration from the scientist who created the AstraZeneca vaccine. She said that it was increasingly obvious (at least to her!) that this pandemic is not done with us. Dont get me wrong. The vaccines represent an amazing scientific achievement, and they are obviously a blessing to everyone whose lives they saved. Still, the purveyors of vaccines are subject to crony-capitalist temptations, every bit as much as are the makers of rockets or the newest version of the Abrams super tank. In this case, they have a vested interest in scaring you about the dangers of the COVID-19 virus. Of course, determining the cause of death is an art of which coroners (more appropriately, medical examiners and sometimes forensic pathologists) are justly proud. The history of coroners is intimately tied to the governments interest in profiting from the death of individuals or criminal proceedings. The earliest coroners came into being soon after the Norman Conquest. The office of coroner was formally established in England in September 1194. Initially, the motivation for establishing the office of coroner was fiscal. The coroner was a crown official who traveled the countryside, conducted investigations, held court, settled disputes, and levied fines. The coroner served as a check on sheriffs and bailiffs. In due course, the coroner became responsible for determining the cause of death of an individual or more than one person when people died together. Their duties include visiting crime scenes to examine a body, transporting the body to the morgue, and conducting an internal and external examination of the body to determine the actual cause of death. That kind of rigor wasnt extended to distinguish persons dying with COVID-19 from those killed by COVID-19. Early in the pandemic, I read a fascinating argument advanced by two doctors in California, drawing attention to the slippery statistics that overstated deaths from the pandemic. They argued that anyone who died after testing positive for COVID-19 was added to the COVID tally, quite apart from whether COVID-19 was reasonably implicated as the cause. Thus, a COVID-positive pedestrian run over by a bus would be counted as a COVID-19 victim. That sort of nonsense underscores the importance of genuine freedom of speech. Its more difficult for the authorities to frighten the public into ceding their freedom. The hope for informed civic discourse depends on circumventing political controls on thought. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A low number of tourists are seen at Taj Mahal amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Agra on March 16, 2020. (Pawan Sharma/AFP via Getty Images) COVID Pandemic Crippling Indias Tourism Industry JAIPUR, IndiaThe travel and tourism industry in the worlds second-most populous country is in crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a crippling blow to the industry, which accounts for around nine per cent of Indias gross domestic product (GDP). Indias GDP in 2020 was estimated at $2.66 trillion, the sixth largest economy in the world. This is one of the worst crises ever to hit the Indian tourism industry impacting all its geographical segments: inbound, outbound and domestic; almost all tourism verticals: leisure, adventure, heritage, meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions, cruise, corporate, and niche segments, according to the Confederation of Indian Industry, a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group. People paddle in boats on Dal Lake near the city of Srinagar, in Kashmir, India, on Sept. 17, 2018. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) In a report the confederation noted that the slow down, mainly due to lockdowns being imposed due to Covid-19, was initially expected to affect revenue streams till October 2021. The arrival of Omicron has changed those expectations with visitors cancelling bookings. Hotels that reported some better days after the end of the second wave of COVID-19 in late June have again started to see a lean period due to the new variant. Occupancies are hovering around 40-50 per cent on an average and the worst hit are small or budget hotels. The confederation report noted the entire value chain linked to travel and tourism is likely to lose around $65.57 billion, with the organized sector alone likely to lose $25 billion. It said the figures are quite alarming and the industry needs immediate measures for survival. In India the tourism season runs mainly from October to the end of March but for the past two years this period has been the worst hit. Inbound tourism was almost nil and the industry was more or less surviving on domestic tourism, which now has been affected badly by Omicron. Director of travel agency Rajputana Holiday Makers Sanjay Kaushik said, Before Covid Indias tourism sector was flourishing as tourists from all over the world were visiting the country in large numbers. And all of a sudden the pandemic came and everything stopped, it came to standstill and the industry suffered a lot. Kaushik said large numbers of people involved in tourismsuch as guides, taxi drivers, tour operators, hoteliers, even hawkerslost their jobs as thousands of restaurants and hotels were forced to close. The tourism sector provides employment, direct and indirect, to around 44 million people. With lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic the sector is looking at job loss of roughly 30 percent to 40 percent of the total workforce. Tourism fraternity was anxiously waiting and expecting some kind of relief announcements from the government but nothing has happened so far, Kaushik said. In short it has been a very tough time for the industry. Till December there was a ray of hope as hotels started to report good occupancies thanks to domestic tourists then came Omicron and cancellations started to come in and now the situation is almost as bad as it was during the first and second wave of Covid, Kaushik added. Members of an Overseas Adventure Travel tour group visit a spice market in India. (Courtesy of Grand Circle Corp) However Himmat Anand, founder of Tree of Life Resorts and Hotels, disagreed and said that the past two years would mean different things for different segments in hospitality and tourism. Tree of Life Resorts and Hotels is a city based chain across India. For the large city hotels it would mean time spent trying to survive. Their much-touted selling points of being in the city centre with large banquet halls have been shunned by the travellers. For those resorts with a limited number of rooms, low overhead expenses, large open spaces, slightly away from city centresbusiness has been, I would say, not bad. And in all of this domestic travel for India has come out as the knight in shining armour. This segment has always been the backbone of travel in Indiajust that it never got the recognition it rightfully deserved. By the last count, some 900 million Indians travel within the country every year. Yes, most of this is religious travel on an extremely low budget and visiting friends and relatives. However, even if one were to take just 20 per cent of this as middle-class and upwards travel, we are looking at close to 200 million well-heeled travellers! Compare this with the 12 million overseas tourist arrivals which India claims to get annually and it is not difficult to understand where the focus should be, he said. Covid-19 has brought back that focus, Anand added. Sounding optimistic, he said, I believe that domestic travel will come back in full strength by early Marchprovided there is no fourth wave! Medical tourism is one other sector, that has been affected by Covid-19. Dr Balwant Singh, vice chairman of the Darwin Platform Group and head of Darwin Platform Pharmaceuticals said, Given the cascading effects of Covid-19, the government now needs to take pending decisionssuch as granting grant infrastructure status to the hospitality sector, stimulus package, tax incentives. The government also needs to act fast on a draft national strategy for medical tourism. From its current level of $5 billion to $6 billion Medical Value Travel was expected to grow to $13 billion by 2022with an adequate policy push. However, with Covid-19 around it now seems difficult, Singh said. India primarily receives most of its medical tourists from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nigeria, Kenya and Iraq. There is a huge potential to attract medical tourists from other parts of the world including Europe and the Americas. Singh said that the government needs to allow a bilateral travel bubble with the countries from where India gets tourists seeking medical help. Covid Vaccines Might Not Work as Well on New Sars-Cov-2 Variants Three new, fast-spreading variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 can evade antibodies that work against the original form that sparked the pandemic, new research shows. With few exceptions, whether the antibodies were produced in response to vaccination or natural infection, or were purified antibodies intended for use as drugs, researchers found they needed more antibody to neutralize the new variants. The findings, from laboratory-based experiments, suggest that COVID-19 drugs and vaccines developed thus far may become less effective as the new variants become dominant, as experts say they inevitably will. The researchers looked at variants from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Were concerned that people whom wed expect to have a protective level of antibodies because they have had COVID-19 or been vaccinated against it, might not be protected against the new variants, says senior author Michael S. Diamond, professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. Theres wide variation in how much antibody a person produces in response to vaccination or natural infection. Some people produce very high levels, and they would still likely be protected against the new, worrisome variants. But some people, especially older and immunocompromised people, may not make such high levels of antibodies. If the level of antibody needed for protection goes up tenfold, as our data indicate it does, they may not have enough. The concern is that the people who need protection the most are the ones least likely to have it. Viruses Are Always Mutating The virus that causes COVID-19, known as SARS-CoV-2, uses a protein called spike to latch onto and get inside cells. People infected with SARS-CoV-2 generate the most protective antibodies against the spike protein. Consequently, spike became the prime target for COVID-19 drug and vaccine developers. The three vaccines the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized for emergency use in the USmade by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnsonall target spike. And researchers selected potent anti-spike antibodies for development into antibody-based drugs for COVID-19. Viruses are always mutating, but for nearly a year the mutations that arose in SARS-CoV-2 did not threaten this spike-based strategy. Then, this winter, fast-spreading variants were detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, and elsewhere. Sparking concern, the new variants all carry multiple mutations in their spike genes, which could lessen the effectiveness of spike-targeted drugs and vaccines now being used to prevent or treat COVID-19. Researchers gave the most worrisome new variants the names of B.1.1.7 (from the UK), B.1.135 (South Africa), and B.1.1.248, also known as P.1 (Brazil). To assess whether the new variants could evade antibodies made for the original form of the virus, Diamond and colleagues, including first author Rita E. Chen, a graduate student in Diamonds lab, tested the ability of antibodies to neutralize three virus variants in the laboratory. The researchers tested the variants against antibodies in the blood of people who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection or had received the Pfizer vaccine. They also tested antibodies in the blood of mice, hamsters, and monkeys that had received an experimental COVID-19 vaccine, developed at Washington University School of Medicine, given through the nose. The B.1.1.7 (UK) variant could be neutralized with similar levels of antibodies as were needed to neutralize the original virus. But the other two variants required from 3.5 to 10 times as much antibody for neutralization. Then, they tested monoclonal antibodies: mass-produced replicas of individual antibodies that are exceptionally good at neutralizing the original virus. When the researchers tested the new viral variants against a panel of monoclonal antibodies, the results ranged from broadly effective to completely ineffective. Continual Antibody Screening Since each virus variant carried multiple mutations in the spike gene, the researchers created a panel of viruses with single mutations so they could parse out the effect of each mutation. Most of the variation in antibody effectiveness could be attributed to a single amino acid change in the spike protein. This change, called E484K, was found in the B.1.135 (South Africa) and B.1.1.248 (Brazil) variants, but not B.1.1.7 (UK). The B.1.135 variant is widespread in South Africa, which may explain why one of the vaccines tested in people was less effective in South Africa than in the US, where the variant is still rare, Diamond says. We dont exactly know what the consequences of these new variants are going to be yet, says Diamond, also professor of molecular microbiology and of pathology and immunology. Antibodies are not the only measure of protection; other elements of the immune system may be able to compensate for increased resistance to antibodies. Thats going to be determined over time, epidemiologically, as we see what happens as these variants spread. Will we see reinfections? Will we see vaccines lose efficacy and drug resistance emerge? I hope not. But its clear that we will need to continually screen antibodies to make sure theyre still working as new variants arise and spread and potentially adjust our vaccine and antibody-treatment strategies. The study appears in Nature Medicine. Additional coauthors are from the University of Texas Medical Branch and Washington University in St. Louis. Funding came from the National Institutes of Health, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, the Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund at Vanderbilt University, the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation, the Sealy & Smith Foundation, the Kleberg Foundation, the John S. Dunn Foundation, the Amon G. Carter Foundation, the Gilson Longenbaugh Foundation, the Summerfield Robert Foundation, the American College of Gastroenterology, the EPA Cephalosporin Early Career and Teaching Fellowship, and the Townsend-Jeantet Charitable Trust. This article was originally published by Washington University in St. Louis. Republished via Futurity.org under Creative Commons License 4.0. A statue of Themis, the Greek God of Justice stands outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Australia. (Dave Hunt/AAP Image) Crime and Corruption Watchdog Chairman Resigns One Month After Damning Report Alan MacSporran has resigned as the chair of Queenslands Crime, and Corruption Commission (CCC) after a damning report released in December made his role untenable. MacSporran, who was a Queens Counsel and criminal barrister for four decades before joining the Australian states corruption watchdog, said he wrote to Attorney-General Yvette DAth, tendering his resignation effective Jan. 28. In a statement on Jan. 15, he said he found himself in a position where his honesty and integrity had been questioned for the first time in his 40 year career. It is clear to me that the relationship between myself and the PCCC has broken down irretrievably, MacSporran said. This saddens me deeply. In early December 2021, the bipartisan Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee (PCCC) handed down a report that found the watchdog did not act independently and impartially in laying fraud charges against the former mayor and councillors of the City of Logan. The Logan councillors were charged with fraud in 2019, but prosecutors later withdrew the charges due to a lack of evidence, after which the Local Government Association of Queensland lodged a complaint against the corruption watchdog. Meanwhile, MacSporran said he had never, ever let extraneous irrelevant considerations enter his thinking about a decision relating to the proper exercising of powers in proceedings as a Queens Counsel criminal barrister or as CCC Chairperson. Investigating corruption and major crime is inherently complex, he said. Those who are the subject of allegations and subsequent investigations can be persons with a high public profile. They frequently hold positions of power, and the consequences of charges, let alone conviction, can be particularly grave. MacSporran said that both he and all of the watchdogs officers understood this, but that the Queensland community rightly expects the CCC to do its statutory job, which involved making very complex, tough, and independent decisions as an investigative agency. As Chairperson, I was willing to make, and support my staff making, those independent decisions, he said. MacSporran said the top job at the corruption watchdog was challenging but that he was privileged to have led it. The CCC is greater than the sum of its parts, and I wish the agency every success in the future while it continues its essential role of combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of all Queenslanders, he said. Queensland Liberal-National Party Opposition Leader David Crisafulli welcomed the decision while taking a swipe at Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who had not publicly stated whether MacSporran still had her support after the report was released. The LNP said the position of the CCC chair was untenable following the damning PCCC report, he said on Twitter. The Premier refused to do the same. Alan MacSporran has shown the integrity that the Premier could not. The LNP said the position of the CCC chair was untenable following the damning PCCC report. The Premier refused to do the same. Alan MacSporran has shown the integrity that the Premier could not.#qldpol David Crisafulli (@DavidCrisafulli) January 25, 2022 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Sept. 16, 2021. (Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo DeSantis Blasts Medical Authoritarianism After FDA Revokes Emergency Use of Monoclonal Antibodies Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is hopping mad over the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) decision to effectively pull emergency use authorization of monoclonal antibody treatments and has vowed to fight back. On Jan. 25, more than 2,000 Floridians woke up to emails and text messages telling them their appointments to receive monoclonal therapies were canceled due to the FDAs decision, the governors office reported. This brought ire from the governor and prompted him to speak out. Without a shred of clinical data to support this action [President Joe] Biden has forced trained medical professionals to choose between treating their patients or breaking the law, DeSantis said in a press statement. There are real world implications to Bidens medical authoritarianismAmericans access to treatments is now subject to the whims of a failing president. He said in a press conference on Jan. 25 that this is not how you help people. The government is going above and beyond to deny access to people, DeSantis continued. Now [patients] are being told that it would be illegal for a provider to give it to themall based off one observational non-peer reviewed study. In his statement he demanded that the Biden administration reverse its reckless decision to revoke EUA for Regeneron and Eli Lilly monoclonal antibody treatments. Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Md., on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Monoclonal antibodies are described by the FDA as laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune systems ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses, like SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 is another name for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19. The FDA, citing a National Institutes of Health panel, which in turn cited two non-peer reviewed papers, said two of the monoclonal antibody treatments do not work against Omicron, a recently-emerged variant of the virus. The FDAs announcement included estimated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the Omicron variant is responsible for more than 99 percent of the cases in the United States. Therefore its highly unlikely that COVID-19 patients seeking care in the U.S. at this time are infected with a variant other than Omicron and these treatments are not authorized to be used at this time, the statement from the FDA said. The statement went on to say that withdrawing the treatments would avoid exposing patients to side effects, such as injection site reactions or allergic reactions, which can be potentially serious, from specific treatment agents that are not expected to provide benefit to patients who have been infected with or exposed to the Omicron variant. The federal government had contracted to purchase the monoclonal treatments. In the contract it bars other entities such as hospitals and doctors offices as well as states from purchasing in what DeSantis has called the governments cornering the market on the treatment. In the 2021 state budget DeSantis set aside $1 billion to go towards purchasing COVID-19 treatments, personal protective equipment, and any other related expenses associated with the pandemic. Gov. Ron DeSantis (L) announced Floridas new surgeon general Dr. Joseph Ladapo on Sept. 21, 2021. (Courtesy of Governors Press Office) The FDA suggested other therapies such as paxlovid, sotrovimab, remdesivir, and molnupiravir. According to the drug administration, these treatments are authorized and approved to treat patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms who are at high risk for progression to severe disease and who may end up hospitalized or dead. It also advises the authorized treatments are not a substitute for vaccination and boosters are recommended. Data has clearly demonstrated that the available, safe and effective vaccines can lower your risk of developing COVID-19 and experiencing the potential associated serious disease progression, including hospitalization and death, the FDA website went on to say. However, DeSantis said the majority of people infected with the Omicron variant are vaccinated. Yet theyre still infected and many of them are high risktheyre pulling the rug out from under people on a single, non-peer reviewed, non-clinical study. The states Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladapo said the FDAs action came without advance warning. In our field of medicine when someone comes to you seeking a treatment that could save their life it is essential to have treatment options to ensure health care providers can make the best decisions for their patients, Ladapo said in a press release. Ladapo went on to say that the FDA has failed to adequately provide the United States with adequate treatment options for COVID-19. Now they are scrambling to cover up a failure to deliver on a promise to shut down the virus, he said. A Regeneron monoclonal antibody infusion bag. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) The governors office said it believed the abrupt decision by the Biden administration was made with unsupported clinical data to support such a decision. DeSantis believes the decision made by the administration was deliberate, as the announcement was made via a press release. They had months and months and months to stockpile this, and they chose not to do it, DeSantis said at the press conference. I think part of it is theres politics at place. He added, part of it is they dont have enough treatments to go aroundthey realize that it would look very bad to be able to admit they so instead they are saying this is revoked. This prevents states and health care providers from making real-time operational decisions that save lives, DeSantis said. The governor went on to say that during the pandemic that scientist and researchers from across the United States have worked hard to bring treatments that are both safe and effective. One of these treatments has been monoclonal antibodies, he said. This treatment has saved thousands of lives in Florida and across our nation. An Iowa familys beloved dog became their biggest hero after she saved their lives during a carbon monoxide scare at home. It happened just five days before Christmas. Brad Harbert, from Ankeny, Iowa, was woken at around 12:45 a.m. by the family dog, Roxy, licking his face and howling. Roxy was jumping on and off the bed, shaking, howling, and shivering, Harbert, 37, told The Epoch Times. I awoke to the loud chirping of the carbon monoxide detector going off. It had taken almost 20 minutes for the noise to rouse him from deep sleep, he surmised; their 7-year-old husky-coon hound mix helped stir them awake. I shot up from bed, said Harbert. I opened my sons door, and Roxy jumped up on his bed, made sure he was alive, and licked his face. I woke him up to get his slippers and coat on, as we needed to get out of the house. Harbert then rushed to his 69-year-old dad asleep in the basement, Roxy following downstairs, jumping on his bed, and howling. Harbert then checked the familys carbon monoxide detectors and called 911, before the trio hurriedly put on their shoes. Hed purchased the detectors years earlier, after hearing news of a family whod died in their sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning. Already lightheaded, Harbert knew they needed to exit the house fast. (Illustration Zigmar Stein/Shutterstock) He raised the garage door and found that Ankeny Fire Department crews had already arrived. Upon inspection, they found high levels of CO coming from the fireplace, Harbert said. MidAmerican Energy was then called to do a retest with their own specially calibrated equipment, and they confirmed the presence of the poisonous gas. After shutting off the fireplace, Harbert bid farewell to emergency crews, before he, Jaxon, and his father retired back to bed to sleep off their near miss. The dad gives all the credit to Roxy. We might have been dead because of this. Shes a hero dog, and we owe her our life, he said. We couldnt imagine life without her she just is a wonderful dog, companion for my son, and our shared family pet between all of us. He and his family hope others will learn from their close call and install detectors for odorless, tasteless CO gas in their own homes. Offering a few words of caution, the dad advises others to also get their fireplaces inspected frequently, change the batteries in their smoke detectors, and make sure they have a working CO detector. It saved our life! he added. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Bright newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter DES MOINES, IowaSometimes the greatest levers of change do not operate in courtrooms and parliaments, but on stage in colorful costumes. It was real estate investor Kim Hiscoxs third time at Shen Yun. She described her feeling while watching as exuberant and celebratory. As for the pandemic, she said: Dont let fear interfere with the enjoyment of this performance. Shen Yun is known for its bright colors and imaginative dance pieces inspired by the 5,000 years of Chinese culture, but it has as part of its missionto raise awareness of religious persecution in todays communist China, particularly of the peaceful meditation practice Falun Dafa. Chinas rich history has been under attack by the communist regime, which has systematically destroyed, distorted, and supplanted the traditional culture with its own. I was very glad that they added the Falun Dafa piece, said Ms. Hiscox. I think Americans need to know more about whats going on in China with the organ harvesting, so I want to support this sort of thing to get the word out. She did just that a few years ago when she hosted a Chinese student in her home. Her parents told her not to see thisher dad was a former governor and he did not support the idea of her seeing this, but I told her, come be my guest. If something that offends you we can leave, but she loved it, so she told her friends, she recalled. We want the Chinese people to know that Americans support them in their protest against the oppression of communism and that all people should be having the right to express their religious feelings in whatever way they feel in their hearts, she said. To those who have heard of Shen Yun but have not attended yet, Ms. Hiscox urges: Dont miss it! Its a one of a kind and its different every yearthis is the third time Ive seen it and its spectacular! You Cant Just Stop Living Dentist Maria Fuller and respiratory therapist David Fuller also felt no deterrence to attend Shen Yun. You cant just stop living, said Ms. Fuller. You have to do the things that you feel like you should do and want to do, and thats part of that freedom. David and Maria Fuller at the Jan. 23, 2022 matinee of Shen Yun in Des Moines, Iowa. (Stacey Tang/Epoch Times) Shen Yun incorporates classical Chinese dance pieces as well as ethnic dances and story-based dances. After the performance, the two reflected on how Shen Yun is able to perform in the United States but not in China. They were moved by the dance story where religious persecution rocks a family to the core, though they were not expecting to be victims of it. That was a powerful one for me, said Ms. Fuller. And I thought that it was really interesting with the freedoms that the Chinese continue to strive forof culture, belief of religion, everything, added Mr. Fuller. Reporting by Kerry Qin and Stacey Tang. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Dr. Peter McCullough in an interview with NTD's Capitol Reports program during "Defeat The Mandate" rally in Washington D.C., on Jan. 23, 2022. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) COVID-19 Can Be Stopped Without Massive Vaccination: Dr. Peter McCullough COVID-19 can be stopped without massive vaccination, renowned cardiologist and epidemiologist Dr. Peter McCullough told NTDs Capitol Report program during the Defeat the Mandates march in Washington D.C., on Jan. 23. According to McCullough, early treatment and natural immunity are safe and effective against COVID-19, but federal health agencies have ignored these in a push for vaccines, the broad use of which is not needed. The government has certainly been in an oblivion in terms of early treatment, he said. Thousands of people turned out to march in protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandatesone of the largest U.S. events against the mandates since the start of the pandemic. Our CDC, FDA, and NIH have had no effective messaging on early treatment, even the emergency use authorized monoclonal antibodies, which are safe and effective, McCullough said. And even on the new Merck and Pfizer drugs, which theyre basically absent in terms of the media, despite being recently distributed across the United States. Early effective treatment of any disease can help avert progression to more serious illness, with an additional benefit of reducing the burden on health care systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on its website that according to the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), current clinical management of COVID-19 consists of infection prevention and control measures and supportive care, including supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support when indicated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one drug, remdesivir (Veklury), to treat COVID-19 in hospitalized patients, the CDC continued. On Monday, the FDA announced that it is restricting the use of two monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19, saying data show such treatments are highly unlikely to be active against the Omicron variant. A crowd gathers at Lincoln Memorial for the Defeat the Mandates rally in Washington on Jan. 23, 2022. (Lynn Lin/NTD) McCullough said that highly qualified doctors have done the research and have shown that early treatment can end this pandemic by reducing the intensity and severity of disease and reducing the chances of hospitalization and death in our highest risk seniors. This basically means that the vaccines broadly used arent needed. And in fact, we have seen far too many vaccine injuries and now vaccine failures. With the Omicron variant, theres effectively no coverage of these vaccines against the newest form of the virus, McCullough said, adding 22 studies showed vaccines ran out of efficacy after six months. McCullough gave the example of how ivermectin, a Nobel prize-winning, FDA-approved drug that many studies and doctors claim is effective in treating COVID-19 patients, was dismissed by federal health agencies. The FDA has been saying the drug was approved to treat internal and external parasites, and currently no data shows its effectiveness against COVID-19. McCullough also claimed that the federal health agencies have ignored natural immunity, which is robust, complete, and durable in terms of the lethal strains of the virus. It was only until it got to the Omicron variant, which there was a breakthrough, and individuals who are previously immune could get a mild Omicron syndrome. But natural immunity is the end of the pandemic, McCullough continued. Remember, as we all become naturally immune, COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our lives. And the failure of our governmental agencies to recognize natural immunity has basically created unnecessary suffering, unnecessary testing, unnecessary masking and social distancing. Unnecessary compliance with all kinds of measures that are designed for the susceptible. Those who are naturally immune are no longer susceptible to fatal disease. McCullough expressed doubt about the claim that COVID-19 vaccines could reduce hospitalization and deaths. All we have at this point of time is bias-confounded, and I think invalid hospitalization data. The U.S. agencies still make the claim that the vaccines protect against hospitalization, whereas we see no evidence of that in the UK, Germany, South Africa, and the rest of the world, McCullough said. And I can tell you, the United States is not that different than the rest of these countries. Something is wrong. And I can tell you something is wrong with an incorrect, invalid claim that the vaccines reduce hospitalization. I dont think its supportable. On Jan. 19, the CDC published a study showing that people who had not gotten a vaccine but did have a prior infection, also known as natural immunity, were less likely to land in a hospital than the vaccinated without natural immunity. The Epoch Times has contacted CDC for additional comment. Last month, President Joe Biden announced new measures to battle COVID-19, the top three of which are boosters for all adults, vaccinations to protect kids, and expanding free at-home testing. Biden did talk about the new treatment, saying that if and when any new COVID-19 treatment pills have been found to meet FDAs scientific standards, they are equitably accessible to all Americans. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Harry Lee Follow Harry Lee is a New York-based reporter for The Epoch Times. Contact Harry at harry.lee@epochtimes.com Drop Boxes Can Be Used in Upcoming Wisconsin Primaries: Appeals Court A Wisconsin appeals court ruled this week that drop boxes can be used in next months primary elections, blocking a lower court that concluded that election officials lacked the authority to allow the ballot containers. The parties appealing the ruling have more than the mere possibility of success on the merits, a three-judge panel on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled. Factors weighing in favor of blocking the lower court order include the Feb. 15 primaries already being in progress, the panel said, siding with the Wisconsin Elections Commission and intervenors like Disability Rights Wisconsin. Forcing the commission to withdraw its guidance to election clerks to put out drop boxes could easily lead to confusion, the panel said. Nearly 8,400 mail-in ballots have already been sent out, and there could be voters who have already deposited them in drop boxes or given them to a family member or friend to mail in. If the current guidance is withdrawn at this stage of the election process, there is significant uncertainty as to whether these votes would be counted. Given this situation, the risk of confusionand possible disenfranchisementis compelling, the panel concluded. Disability Rights Wisconsin cheered the decision, as did Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat who said the ruling will stop new barriers to voting from being imposed, and almost certainly prevent some Wisconsinites from being disenfranchised, in the upcoming February elections. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which is representing the plaintiffs in the case, did not respond to a request for comment, but noted the ruling on its website. Plaintiffs argued in their case that drop boxes and ballot harvesting are illegal under state law and the elections commission lacked the authority to issue its guidance in 2020. That argument convinced Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren, who issued a summary judgment that neither practice is permitted by law. The decision prompted an appeal, in which the commission said that without the appeals court stepping in, Bohrens order would lead to voter confusion while the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and other groups said in a separate filing that people unable to travel to polls would be disenfranchised without a stay. Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty lawyers said in a response brief that defendants and intervenors didnt meet the threshold to establish a stay and that their clients would be harmed by a stay because it would mean the primaries would include votes cast in violation of state law. The idea that numerous voters around Wisconsin will be disenfranchised if drop boxes are removedwhich were not even an option until recentlydefies belief, they said. Exploring History of the Book of Revelation in Search for Its Meaning Today: Film Producer An investigative documentary that explores historical circumstances surrounding the Book of Revelation was produced with an intention to reflect on the books meaning for the people of today, said Tim Mahoney, executive producer of The 7 Churches of Revelation: Times of Fire. Filmmaker Christophe Hanauer went to Patmosa Greek island in the Aegean Sea where John received a vision and wrote the Book of Revelationto investigate on-site the circumstances of that biblical event, Mahoney said on EpochTVs Crossroads program. To investigate an event, you need to find out where that is, go there, examine it, and then look at what other evidences are related to that, the producer said. The Book of Revelation was written as a letter to be circulated among the Christian churches at seven important cities in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Hanauer, inspired by Mahoneys prior investigative documentary also focusing on Biblical events, investigated the first three of these churches in addition to Patmos and they both turned the investigations into their first feature film, the producer said. The location where John was believed to have received his vision in the 1st century AD was preserved well because people for the last 2,000 years had reverence for it, the producer said. You can enter into that cave. Mahoney said he believes that John was one of the last of the disciples of Christ and was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. I think that the idea that there was this potential savior of the world or this king that would cause a political change in the world of the Roman Empire was threatening, and so they put John on the island of Patmos. When Hanauer went to Patmos and places where the three churches were located, he questioned a lot of scholars about whether there was a real place of the biblical event, what happened there, how the event unfolded, Mahoney said, so the film is really this sort of connecting, interlinking things with history and archaeology that supports this Book of Revelation. Investigating Three Churches Mahoney believes that the purpose of the Book of Revelation being in the form of a letter to churches was to evaluate in what regards those churches were doing well and in what regards they were not doing well. The message of the Book of Revelation is: Are they [the seven churches] going to be ready for the return of Christ, Mahoney explained. There are different kinds of churches in each century that are doing really well, and in some ways, theyre being persecuted, and some persecuted to death, Mahoney continued. Yet there are other churches that are blending in with the culture. theyre getting along with everybody, he noted. The message that the letter conveys is an admonition to the churches, that if they do not do well, there will be consequences, the producer said. Mahoney said that people should watch this film regardless of whether they believe it because youre going to learn an awful lot about a very important time in history. The Book of Revelation tells us about what could happen in the future, and some of the events described in prophecies in the Bible have happened, Mahoney said. [The] film that doesnt get off into all sorts of speculation, but basically deals with what was happening back then. And then you can ask the question, Well, what does that mean for me today? In Ephesus, where a Biblical riot took place, you can actually go and see that stadium where this event happened, Mahoney said. In Smyrna, you can learn about how the Bishop of Smyrna Polycarp was persecuted to death for his faith and how he stood faithful, Mahoney continued. In the city of Pergamum, the filmmaker learned about the connection between Satan and an altar to Zeus, an ancient Greek god, where great ritual sacrifices were made. Many believed that Satan lived in Pergamum, Mahoney said. Whats fascinating is this connection, because when Hitler and the Germans learned about this altar, they were fascinated by it, and they brought that archeology back to Germany. If you dont believe in any of this, this film is an amazing historical look at what we believe is a true event. Ive used the technique, a pattern of evidence for the historical truth and reality of the Book of Revelation. When you watch this film you ask yourself: well, what does it mean for me today? There are multiple metaphors within the fire referenced in the films title Times of Fire, Mahoney said. One is the fire of persecution that occurred in this ancient time of the Book of Revelation when the letters were going out to the churches. But we also see a fire today, that people, like never before, in different countries, are being persecuted for their faith. Theres a third fire, which is more or less the fire of Gods presence and spirit pouring out on people. Mahoney thinks that the film is important because its revealing ancient peoples courage to have faith while living in the Roman culture. Youre going to understand the Roman culture in a new way like youve never seen it before and youre going to understand what it meant to be a follower of Christ in that culture. Mahoney said that the Book of Revelation is like a report card given to each of the churches the letter was sent to. The church of Ephesus, for example, was so dogmatic about doing things the right way that they lost the love, Mahoney said, adding that it could be the love for Christ, the love for one another too. A Christian person can be preaching more judgment or following the rules, and theres no love in their message. The letter does not say anything bad about the church of Smyrna, but it tells it: Dont be afraid about what youre about to suffer, Mahoney said. It says that the devil is going to put some of you in prison and test you, and youll be persecuted. And some will be put to death. Mahoney said that the message from the letter may be relevant to todays church because there are people that maybe are following the rules, but they have no love. There are other people that are out in other parts of the world that are actually being put to death [for their faith]. The message for the third church, the church of Pergamum, may mean that they were following certain false teachings, the producer continued. The convicting part of this film for me is: how compassionate am I to other parts of the world, to other people who are suffering? Its easy to just be thinking about your own little world and not be considerate of what is going on in the greater body of the world and people who are being persecuted for their faith. What had happened to the early church, now Im more sensitive to people in other parts of the world that are going through persecution as well. Religious persecution occurs in many parts of the world, and it is especially severe in Chinawhere Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Uyghur Muslims, the Falun Gong, and others are persecuted for their beliefs, according to the U.S. State Departments report on international religious freedom in 2020. Ella Kietlinska Reporter Follow Ella Kietlinska is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on U.S. and world politics. Fallout From Wrong-Headed Pandemic Approach Will Be With Us for Years Commentary Its become something of a cliche for those who have opposed COVID restrictions during the pandemic to say that the cure has been worse than the disease. At the early stages, it might have seemed like a flippant remark in the face of a peculiar contagion that proved to be unpredictable, but now the veracity of this view is undeniable. Recently released data regarding hospitalizations and deaths inarguably suggest that the worst of the pandemic is behind us and that we should now begin preparations to treat the virus as endemic. However, the social and psychological impact of the lockdown measures and the environment it has created is going to stick with us for years to come. The extremes to which things can go has been on full display lately as the country discusses what to do about those who have not yet received a dose of the COVID vaccine. The prime minister has already pondered in front of a live audience whether Canadians should tolerate these people, describing the vast majority of them as extremists, racists, and misogynists who are science-denying rubes. Sadly, a notable portion of Canadians has professed their agreement with this sentiment. As a recent Maru poll indicates, 37 percent of Canadians would agree with the unvaccinated being denied publicly funded health care. Going further, another 27 percent said they would agree with the unvaccinated receiving a short jail sentence for endangering others/overwhelming the healthcare system. Additionally, another 61 percent said they would also agree with forcing the unvaccinated to pay a monetary healthcare surcharge on their taxes of up to $150 per month. The Quebec government has already expressed its intention to go down the road of an unvaccinated tax, with such actions being buttressed by cultural elites promoting a culture of suspicion and surveillance. A recent episode of the talk show La Semaine des 4 Julie included a segment in which vaccinated children were asked their opinions on what to do about the unvaccinated. They uniformly claimed that we should call the police, to much applause from the studio audience. Whatever ones position on the vaccine question, such spectacles are unnerving and using children in any shape or form to further ones position is simply reprehensible. On one hand, there is a subset of extremists among the unvaccinated who have done their own share to muddy the discourse on COVID, including their mindless protests at hospitals. However, the tendency is to lob anyone, even those with innocent intentions, in with these types in order to justify the dehumanization that has gripped the body politic in recent months. After 19 months of putting up with restrictions, the impatience many feel over not getting back to normal quickly enough is understandable, as is the impulse some have to find a scapegoat. But alienating friends and family over their decisions regarding their health is, needless to say, not worth it and not even backed up by data. If the vaccines had proved to be the ultimate tool for eradicating COVID in the way health officials dishonestly promoted them, perhaps this approach would at least make sense to some degree. Unfortunately, they have not and have, as vaccines usually do, only served as a valuable tool for preventing serious disease and death. As physician Norman Doidge put it in an insightful piece in the Globe and Mail, health officials and politicians misguidedly framed the pandemic as a war, which led them to put their entire focus on narrow positions and outcast those who questioned them, thereby preventing any valuable scientific debate. In so doing, they have done much to undermine confidence in the vaccines and other measures by providing fodder to their opponents. This has led to one feature of the pandemic that has been both humorous because of its absurdity and dangerous because of its real effects on society. That is, how the pandemica very complex challenge that requires nuance and honest debatebecame just another source of political and social identity for people and a way to ostracize others. Our politicians and health officials have too much personal stake now in being right and wont risk collapsing the sense of moral superiority they have developed over the last 19 months. The division and alienation this brings will be long-lasting and continue well after the pandemic is over. Getting past these social ailments has to be part of our recovery as well. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. FDA Restricts Use of 2 Monoclonal Antibody Treatments The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Jan. 24 it is restricting the use of two monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19, saying data show such treatments are highly unlikely to be active against the Omicron variant, currently the dominant strain in the country. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-created proteins that mimic natural antibodies the body produces to fight off harmful pathogens, such as the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as the novel coronavirus. The agency revised its emergency authorization for the two COVID-19 treatments that come from Regeneron and Eli Lilly. Their use is now limited to when the COVID-19 patient is likely to have been infected with or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to these treatments. Read More Frontline Doctor Highlights His Preferred COVID-19 Treatments Because data show these treatments are highly unlikely to be active against the Omicron variant, which is circulating at a very high frequency throughout the United States, these treatments are not authorized for use in any U.S. states, territories, and jurisdictions at this time, the FDA stated. In the future, if patients in certain geographic regions are likely to be infected or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to these treatments, then use of these treatments may be authorized in these regions. The Omicron variant, which started spreading in the United States in late November 2021, is estimated to account for more than 99 percent of cases in the country as of Jan. 15, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rationale The move to revise the emergency authorization avoids exposing patients to side effects, such as injection site reactions or allergic reactions, which can be potentially serious, from specific treatment agents that are not expected to provide benefit to patients who have been infected with or exposed to the Omicron variant, the FDA stated. The move was recently recommended by the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Dec. 23, 2021. At the time, the panel said the Omicron variant is predicted to have markedly reduced susceptibility to several COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies, especially bamlanivimab plus etesevimab and casirivimab plus imdevimab. Eli Lillys monoclonal antibody treatments offers bamlanivimab and etesevimab, and Regeneron offers casirivimab and imdevimab. The drug Bamlanivimab. (Courtesy of Eli Lilly via AP) The panel added that GlakoSmithKlines (GSKs) and Vir Biotechs antibody treatment, sotrovimab, appears to retain activity against the Omicron variant. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Dec. 23, 2021, temporarily halted distribution of Regenerons and Eli Lillys antibody therapies, leaving sotrovimab as the only available treatment at the time. Distribution was resumed after complaints from governors, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who asserted the two monoclonal antibody treatments continued to help some COVID-19 patients. At the time, Omicron was circulating but the Delta variant was still the dominant variant in the United States. The federal government has, since early January, shipped enough doses of the two monoclonal antibody treatments to treat more than 300,000 patients. Following the FDA revision of the emergency authorization, Regeneron said it continues to progress next generation antibodies that retain potency against Omicron, Delta and other variants of concern. The company is working urgently and collaboratively with the FDA to determine how to bring additional safe and effective monoclonal antibody treatments to patients as quickly as possible. Pending regulatory discussions, new therapeutic candidates could enter the clinic in coming months, the company said in a statement on Jan. 24. Lilly had no immediate comment but pointed to its statement from December 2021 saying its newer antibody candidate, bebtelovimab, maintains neutralization activity against all known variants of concern, including Omicron. The company said earlier this month it is urgently working with the FDA to make bebtelovimab available under an emergency use authorization, with a decision expected before April. Patients wait for their treatment inside the Regeneron Clinic at a monoclonal antibody treatment site in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on August 19, 2021. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) Both companies previously announced they were developing new antibodies that target the Omicron variant. Other Treatments The revision in emergency authorization comes days after the FDA on Jan. 21 expanded approval of the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat more COVID-19 patients. Remdesivir was the first government-approved drug for COVID-19 and was previously limited to treat hospitalized patients. It is now authorized for use in adults and children aged 12 and above early in a COVID-19 infection if the patient faces a high risk of ending up in hospital. The agency said its move was supported by a study run by the drugs developer, Gilead Sciences, results of which showed that the drug reduced the risk of hospitalization by 87 percent among COVID-19-positive people. The FDA didnt cite any independent studies. The FDA in its statement on Jan. 24 pointed to several other therapies that are expected to work against the Omicron variant, intended for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 to prevent progression to severe disease. They include sotrovimab, remdesivir, as well as two new antiviral pills from Pfizer and Merck, Paxlovid, and molnupiravir, both of which are in short supply. GSK and Vir Biotech are boosting production of their sotrovimab to help meet demand in the United States. Remdesivir has been linked to kidney disease, gastrointestinal symptoms, and other severe side effects, according to some researchers. According to the FDA, some adverse events associated with remdesivir include allergic reaction, generalized seizure, rash. The WHO in late 2020 recommended against the use of remdesivir for COVID-19. Pfizers Paxlovid is not recommended in those with severe kidney disease, according to the FDA. The agency also warns that caution should be exercised in giving Paxlovid to people with pre-existing liver diseases. Meanwhile, some experts have expressed concerns about how Mercks molnupiravir attacks the CCP virus, saying the pill has the potential to contribute to the development of cancer or cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Separately, the FDA warned that sotrovimab may trigger a range of allergic reactions following infusion. The agency also noted, It is possible that sotrovimab could interfere with your bodys own ability to fight off a future infection of SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, sotrovimab may reduce your bodys immune response to a vaccine for SARSCoV-2. Specific studies have not been conducted to address these possible risks. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Reuters contributed to this report. Voters exit after casting their ballots at a polling station setup in the fire department in a file photo. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Federal Judges Reject Alabamas Bid to Use Newly Proposed Congressional Map in Upcoming Elections A federal court on Monday rejected Alabamas bid to use a newly proposed Congressional district map in upcoming elections over concerns it provides fewer opportunities for racial minorities to elect representatives of their choice. In a 225-page ruling (pdf) on Monday, the three-judge panel said that the state should have two districts, instead of one, in which black voters make up a sizeable portion of the electorate. The Alabama Legislature last year approved congressional district lines that maintain one majority-black district. Mondays ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed in November last year on behalf of Greater Birmingham Ministries, Alabama State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and black registered voters in Alabamas First, Second, and Seventh Congressional Districts. Judges said the newly proposed Congressional district map, put forward by Alabamas seven-member congressional delegation, likely violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act which prohibits voting practices that discriminate on the basis of race and color, among other things. The states seven-member congressional delegation is made up of six Republicans and one Democrat. The map put forward by the state has one single majority-black district, District 7, which includes part of Birmingham and some of the Black Belt in Alabama, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama. While Black people are about 27 percent of Alabamas population, they are represented in only one of seven (14 percent) congressional districts, ACLU said. Black voters have less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice to Congress, the judges wrote in their ruling, adding that the plaintiffs will suffer an irreparable harm if they must vote in the 2022 congressional elections based on a redistricting plan that violates federal law. Judges said that the plaintiffs are substantially likely to prevail on their claim under the Voting Rights Act, and because of this, the appropriate remedy is a congressional redistricting plan that includes either an additional majority-Black congressional district or an additional district in which Black voters otherwise have an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. The federal judges subsequently blocked use of the newly-drawn map and also stayed the candidate qualification deadline with political parties for two weeks to allow the state to draw up another map. Based on the evidentiary record before us, we are confident that the Legislature can accomplish its task, judges said. As the Legislature considers such plans, it should be mindful of the practical reality, based on the ample evidence of intensely racially polarized voting adduced during the preliminary injunction proceedings, that any remedial plan will need to include two districts in which Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it, the judges wrote. If the state legislature does not meet the Feb. 11 deadline to pass a remedial plan, the court will provide an eminently qualified expert to draw on an expedited basis a map that complies with federal law for use in Alabamas 2022 congressional elections. A spokesperson for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall told The Epoch Times that his office strongly disagrees with the ruling and would appeal the decision in the coming days. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the opening of a monoclonal antibody site in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on Aug. 18, 2021. (Marta Lavandier/AP Photo) Florida Shuts Down Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Sites After FDA Revokes Authorization All state-run monoclonal antibody treatment sites in Florida are being shut down after U.S. drug regulators revoked emergency use authorization for the two most widely used monoclonals. The Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) move banned, at least for now, the use of monoclonals produced by Regeneron and Eli Lilly. The regulator said the most recent information and data showed the treatments are highly unlikely to work against the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus and the drugs can only be used on patients who are likely to have been infected or exposed to a different variant. Because Omicron is dominant nationwide, the antibodies cannot be used anywhere in the United States at this time. The FDA did not provide citations for the data in a press release, updated fact sheets for health care providers, or letters to the companies. An agency spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment and a call went straight to a voice mailbox that was full. The agency in its release pointed to a National Institutes of Health panel recommendation against the two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that cited two studies, a preprint and an unedited manuscript, that indicated they werent as effective against Omicron. The Florida Department of Health said that the abrupt decision means all state-run monoclonal antibody treatment sites will be closed until further notice. Florida disagrees with the decision that blocks access to any available treatments in the absence of clinical evidence, the agency said. To date, such clinical evidence has not been provided by the FDA. Florida officials called for President Joe Bidens administration to reverse the decision. In our field of medicine, when someone comes to you seeking a treatment that could save their life, it is essential to have treatment options to ensure health care providers can make the best decisions for their patients, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said in a statement. The Federal Government has failed to adequately provide the United States with adequate outpatient treatment options for COVID-19. Now, they are scrambling to cover up a failure to deliver on a promise to shut down the virus. A vial of Regenerons monoclonal antibody treatment sits on a medical table next to a patient at the Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Center in Sarasota, Fla., on Sept. 23, 2021. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) Patients wait for their treatment inside the Regeneron Clinic at a monoclonal antibody treatment site in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on Aug. 19, 2021. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) Officials pointed to a different study in which researchers said that despite observing differences in neutralizing activity with certain mAbs, it remains to be determined how this finding translates into effects on clinical protection against B.1.1.529, or Omicron. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-created antibodies designed to protect recipients against the CCP virus, which causes COVID-19. According to earlier studies, they are one of the most effective COVID-19 treatments. Florida has heavily promoted monoclonals since they became available in 2020. Monoclonal antibodies made by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Technology are still authorized for use in the United States, and U.S. health officials recommend the treatment as well as Gilead Sciences antiviral remdesivir, and separate antiviral pills made by Pfizer and Merck. Researchers who worked on two of the three studies either work for or have other competing interests related to Vir Biotechnology or have received funding or consulted for GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, or COVID-19 vaccine makers like AstraZeneca and Moderna. One author formerly worked for Regeneron. A spokesperson for Eli Lilly told The Epoch Times in an email that Lilly and the FDA agree that it is not medically appropriate, at this time, to treat patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 with bamlanivimab and etesevimab together in the U.S. Evaluation of both pseudovirus and authentic virus confirm that they are not effective at treating the currently predominant Omicron variant. Authorization status will change as needed, depending on prevalence and trends of variants of concern, it said. Analysis of a separate antibody therapy shows it is potentially effective against all known CCP virus variants of concern, including Omicron, and Eli Lilly is working with the FDA to get that treatment, bebtelovimab, emergency clearance, the spokesperson added. Regeneron said in a statement that the company continues to progress next generation antibodies that are active against Omicron, Delta (B.1.617.2) and other variants of concern and is working urgently and collaboratively with the FDA to determine how to bring additional safe and effective monoclonal antibody treatments to patients as quickly as possible. The new therapeutics could be available in the coming months, pending regulatory clearance, the company added. A helicopter drops water on the Windy Fire burning in the Trail of 100 Giants grove of Sequoia National Forest, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Forest Resilience May Translate to Fewer Trees: Study Scientists studying forest density in the Sierra Nevada have found that trees there were scarcer but physically larger in 1911 than in 2011, meaning resilient forests might be remarkably thin by todays standards. Our findings suggest forests need to be treated more intensively than is often done when just reducing fuels, particularly greater reductions in density, Malcolm North, a professor at the University of CaliforniaDavis, and lead author of the study, told The Epoch Times in an email. He said the findings could be applicable to many forests across the Western United States. The study, published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management, comes at a time when environmental resilience has become a hot topic, including among lawmakers. The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in November 2021 allocated billions of taxpayer dollars to various forms of resilience and resiliency efforts, including a reported $50 billion for climate resilience and weatherization, according to CNBC. Forest resiliency has started to attract attention and capital as well. In October 2021, the nonprofit World Resources Institute, the U.S. Forest Service, and several other organizations launched one of the first Forest Resilience Bonds as a means of funding the protection and post-fire restoration of Californias Tahoe National Forest. Recent devastating wildfires in California have also brought renewed attention to the complex relationship between forest fires and forest health. The blame for those fires has been pinned on a variety of factors. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has attributed them to climate change as well as poor forest management practices. North and his co-authors argue that frequent forest fires, common in the Sierra Nevada and other regions before people started suppressing them, helped to remove competition among trees, yielding more vigorous individual specimens and more resilient forests. The researchers defined resilience in terms of a forests capacity to persist or thrive when under pressure from insects, fire, drought, or other characteristic stressors. The term resilience is useful for communicating across disciplines and developing shared goals, but in that usage isnt concrete enough to have scientific rigor or to be operationalized. The paper develops a definition that is specific to dry western frequent-fire forests, and once grounded in that context, becomes more concrete and can be assessed using stand density index, North wrote. Stand density index (SDI) allows foresters to assess how well-stocked a forest is; forests with higher SDIs are denser. The scientists calculated the SDIs of forests from 1911 using data gathered through a pair of timber inventories taken that year. Their 2011 data came from a dataset known as F3, which relies on U.S. Forest Service forest inventory and analysis (FIA) data and satellite data, along with the forest vegetation simulator. The scientists emphasize that their investigation was correlational and observational, not a controlled experiment. Many commercial foresters have come to similar conclusions about forest density and the role of fire. Healthy, wildfire-resilient, and late-successional forests have adequate space between trees. When forests are overly densethat is, overstocked and filled with too many trees in a given areathe trees in that forest have to compete for more limited resources, a spokesperson for the National Association of State Foresters told The Epoch Times in an email. Prescribed fire is an invaluable tool for forest and habitat management. A spokesperson for the Federal Forest Resource Coalition wrote as part of a statement on the Forest Services new 10-Year Strategy on Wildfires: We cannot reverse the current pattern of loss and devastation solely with drip torches or by clearing brush near homes. We must manage forested watersheds to restore them to health. In their paper, North and his co-authors wrote that their findings suggest much lower SDIs than even many foresters advocate: Instead of 35 percent representing a minimum stocking level, our analysis suggests that it may more appropriately represent a maximum stocking level. North told The Epoch Times that small, commercially nonviable trees could be removed through a mechanical thinning process involving chainsaws. The small trees could go to biomass facilities that generate electricity and/or heat, but there arent many of those plants in the western U.S., and the economics limit the haul radius to no more than about 50 meters (54.7 yards) from a facility. This would also be accomplished with both prescribed and managed wildfire. Another View Not all scientists agree with North on the danger of overstocking forests. Ecologist George Wuerthner has written about tree density before, arguing that foresters concerns about it have more to do with the economics of the wood and paper sector than with ecosystem health. Many fire researchers believe that many forest stands were always dense, Wuerthner told The Epoch Times in an email. He referred to a 2014 study based on Forest Inventory and Analysis data from the U.S. Forest Service as well as other data; the authors concluded that unlogged mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forests in the American West were very dense a century or more ago. He also cited the work of Robert W. Cermak, who has turned to 19th-century diaries from California to argue that forests in the area were quite dense rather than open. Forest health has been defined by the timber industry and their allies in forestry schools. These entities prefer green forest because that makes the best trees for logging, Wuerthner wrote. According to North, Wuerthners view is a fringe position. About 98 percent of fire and forest scientists do not share this point of view and feel it is agenda-driven since it does not square with almost all of the data that has been collected over the last 100+ years, he wrote. John Durham speaks at a conference in New Haven, Conn., on Sept. 20, 2018. (Courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut) Durham Keeps Active Criminal Investigation Into Former Clinton Campaign Lawyer, Court Records Show The U.S. governments criminal investigation into former Perkins Coie partner and Clinton campaign attorney Michael Sussmann isnt over yet. This was revealed in Jan. 25 court filings from special counsel John Durham, whos investigating the origins of the Russia probe that cast a shadow over the presidency of Donald Trump. According to Durham, Sussmann worked with a group of individuals to devise allegations regarding a purported secret communications channel between the Trump Organization and Russias Alfa Bank. Sussmann pleaded not guilty on Sept. 17, 2021, to a single-count charge of lying to the FBI. Durham said on Jan. 25 that the government also maintains an active, ongoing criminal investigation of the defendants conduct and other matters. His filing was made in response to objections by defense attorneys about the timeliness of him providing discovery materials. With the trial set for May 16, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the government on Dec. 14, 2021, to provide all unclassified discovery to Sussmann by Jan. 28 and all classified material by Feb. 11. Durham told the judge in his filing that his office is working hard to make those dates. Nevertheless, because of more than two dozen broad and detailed written discovery requests the Government also continues to collect, process, and review certain discrete and limited categories of materials that may yield further discoverable information, the filing reads. Accordingly, while the Government has complied diligently with its discovery obligations, it respectfully requests permission from the Court to produce any residual discovery materials resulting from its ongoing reviews by March 18. Durham said the defense counsel is fine with a delay in receiving all material by Feb. 11as opposed to getting the unclassified records early. But the defendant objected to receiving the material by late March. The special counsel attached in his filing an email from defense counsel Michael Bosworth, laying out the defenses position on the matter. Receiving potentially tens of thousands of documents six weeks before trial, two weeks before the exhibit deadline, and less than a week before motions in limine are due would impose an unreasonable burden on Mr. Sussmanns defense, Bosworth wrote on Jan. 21. Consenting to such an extension would hamper our ability to appropriately review those materials and prepare for trial, or potentially force us to move back the trial date, when Mr. Sussmann is entitled to a speedy trial and has repeatedly emphasized his desire for a quick resolution of this matter. Noting the defenses objections, Durham asked Cooper to nevertheless grant him a time extension on discovery. He said his staff has been working to produce hundreds of thousands of pages of materials. In particular, the Government to date has produced more than approximately 133,000 pages of materials in classified and unclassified discovery, the filing reads. The Government expects to produce approximately 492,285 additional pages of materials later this week. The end of Durhams filing reiterates his request for an extension to March 18. The Government also will consent to the filing by the defense of any additional or supplemental motions that are based on, or prompted by, the Governments residual discovery, the filing reads. Finally, and as it has done throughout the discovery process, the Government will update the defense (and the Court as appropriate) regarding its progress on all of the above discovery issues. Correction: A previous version of this article misstated Sussmanns plea on a charge that he lied to the FBI. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Georgia Prosecutor Granted Grand Jury to Investigate Trumps Alleged Election Interference A special grand jury will be impaneled to help a prosecutor in Georgia investigate alleged interference in the 2020 election by former President Donald Trump and some of his associates, according to court documents. A majority of Fulton County Superior Court judges agreed to a request for the grand jury from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat, according to Chief Judge Christopher Brashe. The grand jury will be drawn and impaneled with the goal of starting their work on May 2. The grand jury will work for no longer than 12 months, Brashe said in a two-page order, though certain periods of time will not count, including times when members cannot meet for safety or other reasons. The special purpose grand jury shall be authorized to investigate any and all facts and circumstances relating directly or indirectly to alleged violations of the laws of the State of Georgia, he said. Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney was named to supervise and assist the grand jury. Willis asked last week for the grand jury to help with her investigation, which is based on information that indicates a reasonable probability that the 2020 election in Georgia was subject to possible criminal disruptions. She said the grand jury was required because a significant number of witnesses and prospective witnesses have refused to cooperate with the investigation absent a subpoena requiring their testimony. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Florence, Ariz., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger gives an update on the state of the election and ballot count during a news conference at the State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 6, 2020. (Dustin Chambers/Reuters) As an example, she noted that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has said during a recent television appearance that he would not participate in an interview or otherwise offer evidence unless he was presented with a subpoena. Because Trump or others being probed contacted other agencies that could have investigated the matter, such as Raffenspergers office, the investigation is being carried out by Willis and her office. Trump called Raffensperger in December 2020, though that call was misrepresented by the Republicans office to news outlets, resulting in a slew of corrections months later. Trump asked the secretary of state during the call to probe potential voter fraud. Raffensperger declined, noting the state did several re-tallies of the vote count. Trump and his Save America PAC did not return a request for comment. Trump said last week that I didnt say anything wrong in the call, made while I was President on behalf of the United States of America, to look into the massive voter fraud which took place in Georgia. He noted that Georgia just started probing illegal ballot harvesting in the 2020 election before adding: What this Civil Special Grand Jury should be looking into is not my perfect phone call, but the large scale voter fraud that took place in Georgia. Then they would be doing a great job for the people. No more political witch hunts! Georgia Senate Bill Would Eliminate All Government Requirements for Vaccination A bill introduced Monday in Georgia state Senate would abolish any requirements for any vaccinations by any government entities, including required vaccines for children to attend public school. Under SB 345, state and local government agencies, including school districts, are banned from issuing any form of vaccine passport, nor can they create any rules or regulations to force any individuals or private businesses to do so. No agency shall require proof of any vaccination of any person as a condition of providing any service or access to any facility, issuing any license, permit, or other type of authorization, or performing any duty of such agency, the latest version of the two-page bill reads. The bill was sponsored by five Republicans when it was first filed for the 2022 legislative session. It now has 17 sponsors in the state Senate, including Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller, who is running for lieutenant governor in this years gubernatorial race. If the bill passes the Republican-majority state legislature and is signed into law by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, it would make Georgia the first state to eliminate vaccination requirements for entering schools. All 50 states currently maintain at least some school entry requirements for vaccinations, according to National Conference of State Legislatures. Georgia Department of Public Health currently requires all children entering a school or childcare facility operating in the state to be vaccinated against 13 diseases, including measles, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. While Kemp has yet to signal whether he will sign SB 345, the measure appears to be in line with his resistance against the idea of public health-related government mandates. In May 2021, Kemp issued an executive order which prohibits state agencies, state service providers, and state properties from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. While I continue to urge all Georgians to get vaccinated so we continue our momentum in putting the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview, vaccination is a personal decision between each citizen and a medical professionalnot state government, Kemp said. In a separate executive order issued in May, Kemp declared that school districts in the Peach State could no longer use his COVID-19 emergency declaration as a source of authority to require students or staff to wear a mask at school. But the order was not worded strongly enough to straight out ban school mask mandates. More recently, Kemp filed a lawsuit to challenge the Biden administrations Head Start vaccine and mask mandate, which requires all Head Start staff and certain contractors and volunteers be fully vaccinated by Jan. 31, 2022, and that masks be worn by all children participating in the program. This is just the latest and most egregious in a growing list of overreaches by this President, Kemp said in December. It is all the more troubling and inexcusable, given this mandate directly impacts and impairs our children. Judith Johanna Pawelke poses with a COVID-19 test in her interior design store, which is currently being used as a COVID-19 test station in downtown Munich, Germany, on Jan. 19, 2022. (Lukas Barth/Reuters) German Government Extends COVID-19 Curbs BERLINGermany on Monday extended its current pandemic measures as the experts panel appointed by the government has warned the Omicron coronavirus variant could bring critical infrastructure in Europes biggest economy to a breaking point. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he had agreed with the heads of the federal states to extend restrictions such as limiting private gatherings to 10 ten people and requiring proof of booster vaccination or a negative test at restaurants. Now its time to stay on course, said Scholz after a meeting on Monday. The government will reconsider relaxing or tightening the measures in case of a very steep rise or decline in infection numbers, Scholz added. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said earlier this month he expected the infection wave to peak in mid-February. Scholz and the heads of states also agreed to prioritize the use of COVID-19 PCR testing and to increase testing capacity to cope with rising infections. However, subsidized PCR tests will be only applied for vulnerable groups and staff in clinics and nursing homes. In Berlin, where the rate of cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 7 days hit 1,465second-highest in Germanycompulsory school attendance will be suspended until the end of February, to accommodate parents worried about sending their children to classrooms amid rising infections, Mayor Franziska Giffey said. The next meeting with states leaders to discuss possible coronavirus measures is scheduled to take place on Feb. 16, the chancellor said. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., speaks at a news conference held by members of the House Freedom Caucus to complain about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. and masking policies on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 29, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) GOP Reps. Introduce Bill to Ban Vaccine Religious Exemptions Database House Republicans have introduced a bill that would block federal agencies from tracking religious exemption requests for mandated vaccines after an obscure federal agency announced a pilot program for such a database in early January. In September 2021, President Joe Biden imposed the most sweeping vaccine mandates in U.S. history. Originally, Bidens mandates would have required that around 100 million Americans be vaccinated, including military servicemen, federal employees, and private sector workers. The private sector mandateby far the most contentiouswas struck down by the Supreme Court in mid-January. But others, including a mandate for all healthcare workers and federal workers, remain in place. Under constitutional law, employees still subject to the mandates may request an exemption on religious grounds. However, the federal government raised eyebrows after an obscure agency announced a pilot program to track and register these requests. Earlier this month, the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) announced a pilot program that would record personal religious information of employees with religious accommodation requests for religious exception from the federally mandated vaccination requirement. An investigation by the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation discovered that 19 federal agencies had already implemented, or were considering implementing, the PSA system to keep tabs on those who had requested, or had received, a religious exemption from Bidens vaccine diktat. A further review by The Epoch Times found an additional six agencies who are interested in or are actively using the system. Historically, the PSAs job was to gather information and make recommendations about newly arrested defendants in the federal criminal system. Some have been left scratching their heads about why Biden would choose such a little-known agency to run the pilot program. The Heritage Foundation speculates that the system is a test run for a nationwide database of all religious exemption requests made by federal workers. The system, they wrote in a blog post, will likely serve as a model for a whole-of-government push to assemble lists of Americans who object on religious grounds to a COVID-19 vaccine. 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. Now, Republican lawmakers in the House, led by Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), are looking to block the system, which they say opens Americans up to retribution for practicing their faith. Their bill, nicknamed the Religious Freedom Over Mandates Act, would do just that by barring the use of federal funds for any such database. No Federal funds may be used to establish, operate, maintain, or support any system of records on religious accommodations requested by, or granted to, an employee, detailed, contractor, consultant, intern, applicant, volunteer, or any other person with respect to any COVID-19 vaccination requirement, reads the text of the bill. Speaking to Fox News about the legislation, Norman said, The ability for individuals to openly practice their faith without fear of retribution is a precious right we must guard closely. As if overreaching government vaccine mandates arent bad enough, it is highly inappropriate for federal dollars to be used to collect information about someones religious beliefs, Norman argued. The only way to prevent this information from being abused is to prevent its collection in the first place, and I thank Rep. Hinson for joining me in this effort. Hinson also commented on the legislation. Any form of database tracking religious beliefs flies in the face of our First Amendment, observed the Iowa Republicans. U.S. citizens are guaranteed the right to make their own medical decisions without fear of government reprisal. Given the current makeup of the House, the bill has little chance to go far. Since the beginning of Bidens presidency, congressional Democrats have largely walked in lockstep with the administration, particularly on COVID policy. To become law, the legislation would need to get through committee, come to the House floor for a vote, pass the Senate, and be signed by Biden. But Democrats in Congress have given no indication that they intend to abandon Bidens COVID regimen anytime soon. Without substantial support from Democrats, including a handful of defections in the House and at least 10 in the Senate, the bill will not be able to pass. Even if it overcame these hurdles, it is all but certain that Biden would veto the legislation. Though the legislation is doomed to failure in Congress, states may try to challenge the tracking program on their own authority. Over the past year, more than half of the Union has challenged federal COVID diktats. If the federal government tries to double down on the program, Biden may find himself facing steep opposition from the states and the courts once again. Alice Giordano contributed to this report. A courageous police officer in San Antonio placed her own life on the line to save a woman trapped inside a burning car. In the early hours of Jan. 13, Officer Bianca Garcia and two of her fellow colleagues were dispatched to a car that had just crashed and caught fire in a Starbucks parking lot at West Hildebrand Avenue and Fredericksburg Road. Harrowing footage from Garcias bodycam and dashcam shows her pulling up at the scene in the darkness of early morning to witness the orange blaze glowing ominously in front of her. Knowing the car could explode at any time, the 27-year-old officer threw on a pair of gloves and, nevertheless, rushed toward the car. (Courtesy of San Antonio Police Department) The driver had already escaped the vehicle, but bystanders informed Garcia that a woman passenger was still trapped inside. The officer first tried prying open the passenger side door but to no avail. So, Garcia rushed to the drivers side and upon opening the door was confronted by billowing flames and smoke. I was like, If this things going to blow, let it blow, but Im going to continue to try to get her out, she later told CBS. Ive seen plenty of vehicle fires to know tires start to burst. But I knew one way or another I was going to get her out. I absolutely couldnt see her at first, all I saw was a bunch of smoke and fire. Garcia saw that the woman was unconscious but found her hand and kept pulling until her body was finally freed from the inferno. With the help of her fellow officers, she pulled the woman to safety. After the incident, the San Antonio Police Department took to Facebook and lauded the officers for their heroism. They also posted Garcias bodycam footage showing the nerve-wracking rescue. Officer Garcia credits teamwork by fellow SAPD Officers Jesse Armendariz and Robert Pompa in helping her bring the woman to safety, the police department captioned. You can always count on San Antonio Police to respond in any way we know how. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Bright newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter A 2006 file image of a Vietnamese policeman stands watch outside the Phuoc Co jail on the outskirts of the southern coastal town of Vung Tau. (Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP via Getty Images) Imprisoned Activist in Vietnam Secretly Sent to Psychiatric Hospital, Says Family Member Vietnamese human rights defender Nguyen Thuy Hanh, who was arrested for spreading information opposing the state, was taken to a psychiatric hospital without her familys knowledge, her husband claimed in a Facebook post on Monday. Hanh was arrested on Apr. 7, 2021, for making, storing, or spreading information, materials or items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, without any access to a lawyer and her family. The activist was known for her creation of the 50k Fund in 2017, which raises money for the families of unjustly detained persons across the communist-ruled country. Her husband, Huynh Ngoc Chenh, claimed that Hanhs health status appeared to be kept secret by authorities as her family has yet to receive any information regarding her health condition. At least four patients at Hanois Central Mental Hospital No. 1 contacted Chenh to inform that Hanh had been admitted to the psychiatric hospital, and a contact at the hospital has also confirmed the information, according to Chenhs Facebook post. Hanh was diagnosed with severe depression prior to her arrest and was treated at France-Vietnam International Hospital in Saigon, but her condition has since improved, Chenh told Radio Free Asia. Thanks to this specialist, her health had improved a lot. However, I havent had any information about her health since she was arrested in April 2021, he said, claiming that Hanh was sent for a one-month-long of mental health evaluation after her arrest. Chenh also claimed that authorities prevented Hanhs defense lawyers from meeting with her. The investigation agency said in cases related to national security, lawyers are not allowed to meet with their clients until the investigation is complete, he added. Activist Nguyen Thuy Hanh was taken away this morning by a group of unidentified men, probably security police, says her husband. Unclear what shes been accused of. #Vietnam #civilsociety pic.twitter.com/KkmimOPywM Nga Pham (@ngahpham) April 7, 2021 According to Amnesty International, Hanh previously ran as an independent candidate for Hanoi in the 2016 National Assembly election. Her bank account, which contains monies to support the family of a village leader killed by security forces in Dong Tam village, has also been frozen. It is a travesty that Nguyen Thuy Hanh is being targeted for her humanitarian work in support of unjustly detained prisoners. She should be celebrated and supported for this worknot punished, Amnesty International said in a statement. The Lawyers Right Watch Canada (LRWC) also wrote to the government of Vietnam in July 2021 to call for the immediate release of Hanh and urged the Vietnamese authorities to end their harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, and political activists. LRWC said that it received several reports indicating that Hanh was repeatedly targeted by Vietnamese authorities for harassment, arbitrary detention, and assault. LRWC has expressed grave concern with Vietnams persecution of its citizens, largely for exercising their rights to freedom of speech and association in violation of Vietnams international legal obligations under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam acceded in 1982, it stated. A vehicle burns in the street after a blast ripped through a minivan in the city of Herat, Afghanistan, on Jan. 22, 2022, in this screenshot taken from a video obtained by Reuters. (Reuters) ISIS Claims Responsibility for Attack in Herat, Afghanistan CAIROThe ISIS terrorist group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on Saturday in the western Afghan city of Herat, it said in a post on Telegram on Sunday. At least six people were killed when a blast ripped through a minivan in the city, officials said. Since the Taliban terrorist group took over in August, a series of blasts and attacks, some claimed by ISIS, have taken place across Afghanistan. Israeli Panel Recommends 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for All Adults An Israeli expert panel on Tuesday advised a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to everyone aged 18 and above if the individual has received the third dose or has recovered from the disease at least five months prior to getting the fourth shot. In a Jan. 25 statement, the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the recommendation was made given preliminary data showing the fourth shot is able to increase protection over three times against serious COVID-19 and double the protection against infection compared to those who have received three doses. The MOH noted in a separate statement that this data was according to a preliminary analysis performed by a team of researchers from the MOH, the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Technion, the Hebrew University, and the Gartner Institute at Sheba Medical Center. Israel, which was among the first countries to roll out the shots about a year ago, is already offering the second booster to people older than 60 or those at higher risk of contracting the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, such as immunocompromised people and health care workers. The implementation of the latest measure must still be approved by the health ministrys director-general, the MOH said. It was not immediately clear when that might happen. Total active cases in the country have risen to nearly 550,000, of whom 856 are currently hospitalized and seriously ill, figures from the MOH show. The advisory board recommending the fourth dose for all adults comes amid Israel reporting more than 83,500 positive cases on Monday, the largest rise in infections since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago. Health authorities said they hope the fourth shot will blunt a wave of infections driven by the Omicron variant of the CCP virus, but some Israeli researchers have found that a second booster shot of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine may not be able to increase antibodies to a level high enough to protect recipients against infection from Omicron. Much of Israels COVID-19 vaccination program uses the Pfizer jab. A vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is seen in a file photograph. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Two weeks after administering the fourth vaccine, we see a good increase in the antibodies, higher than after the third dose, but not high enough against Omicron, lead researcher at the Sheba Medical Center, Prof. Gili Regev-Yochay, told reporters in an online briefing. Israel, which has already about half of its citizens jabbed with a third dose, has seen case rates skyrocket after the emergence of Omicron and is leading the world in new daily cases per capita, according to Jan. 20 data. Eran Segal, a biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science, verified this data, explaining that after comparing the numbers of each countrys seven-day running average, Israel is at the top, The Times of Israel reported. Omicron has proven better at evading antibodies induced by COVID-19 vaccines than earlier strains and has infected millions of vaccinated people around the world, sparking a renewed effort by many countries to get people boosted. From NTD News Krispy Kreme Offering Free Doughnuts to Blood Donors Amid Worst Shortage in More Than a Decade Krispy Kreme announced on Monday that it has teamed up with the American Red Cross and will be giving free doughnuts to anyone who donates blood between now and the end of the month. The announcement comes during National Blood Donor Month and shortly after the Red Cross said it was facing a national blood crisis and the worst shortage it has seen in more than a decade. In a press release, Krispy Kreme announced that it will give anyone who donates blood a dozen free Original Glazed doughnuts from Jan. 24 to 31 which the company hopes will help the American Red Cross increase awareness of the urgent need for more blood. Were grateful for all that the American Red Cross does for our country and we want to help them, said Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer. Hopefully a free Original Glazed dozen will increase awareness and even mobilize those who can give blood. We want them to enjoy the doughnuts with our thanks but also share the doughnuts while encouraging others to roll up their sleeves. Were also encouraging all of our employees who can donate to do so. To get their hands on a free dozen, customers simply need to donate blood anytime between now and the end of the month then visit their local Krispy Kreme store where they will need to show proof of donation and the date they donated via their donor band or stick, or the Red Cross blood donor app. Customers who donate to other blood donation organizations and not the Red Cross will also qualify for the free dozen of doughnuts, Krispy Kreme said. All types of blood are needed, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, the company said. The announcement comes after the Red Cross said it was facing its worst blood shortage in over a decade, which poses a risk to patients and has left doctors forced to decide who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more supplies become available. Due to the shortage the Red Cross, which supplies 40 percent of the nations blood, said it has had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. The group estimates that on certain days, up to a quarter of blood needs at hospitals arent being met. The shortage has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Red Cross noting a 10 percent decline in the number of people donating blood since the start of the pandemic. Ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations have also created further stress, while the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, has seen low donor turnout. Nearly 7 million people donate blood in the United States every year, according to the Red Cross. As well as putting out a call for urgent blood donations, the Red Cross also said it was in need of volunteers to support critical blood collections across the country by greeting donators, registering them, and answering their questions during the process. Blood transportation specialists volunteers are also needed to help deliver blood to hospitals in communities across the nation. The Red Cross is grateful to Krispy Kreme for helping us thank our generous blood donors who are stepping up to help restock hospital shelves for patients in need during this historic crisis, said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Donor Services for the American Red Cross. Our Red Cross teams are working around the clock to meet the needs of hospital patients but cant do it alone. We hope this thank you from Krispy Kreme will help provide a dozen more reasons for eligible individuals to make and keep their donation appointments in the days ahead. People receive boxes of KN95 masks during a back to school event offering school supplies, COVID-19 vaccinations, masks, and other resources for children and their families at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 7, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) LA Students Ordered to Wear Non-Cloth Masks at All Times on Campus Los Angeles school students must now wear non-fabric masks at all times on campus, both indoors and outdoors, as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Effective Monday, students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) must wear well-fitting, non-cloth masks with a nose wire only, including during sports. The district announced the new policy in a letter to families, noting that employees will be required to wear surgical grade masks or higher. Our in-school [coronavirus infection] rates have dropped but we are continuing to be diligent and agile in creating the safest learning environment, district spokesperson Shannon Haber told the Los Angeles Times. The updated policy comes after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) released guidance (pdf) noting that medical masks should be worn to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 as they are more effective in doing so. PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR CUSTOMERS FROM OMICRON Upgrade Your Mask! the guidance is titled. The COVID-19 Omicron variant is very contagious! Starting January 17, 2022, all employers must provide well-fitting medical masks or respirators to employees who work indoors and in close contact with other workers and/or customers. This is to provide additional protection from COVID-19 infection, the guidance states. It states that N95, KN95, and KF94 masks offer the greatest protection, while double masking, or wearing a surgical mask together with a cloth mask, ranks second. A non-fitted or fitted surgical mask also offers better protection than cloth masks, the guidance notes. A spokesperson for LAUSD told Fox News that the district will adhere to the latest guidance from health department. This guidance ensures that our schools are safe as possible for students and employees, the spokesperson said. We monitor school conditions daily. The district said it will provide students and employees with masks at no cost if needed. Some exceptions to mask rules are allowed for students who have a disability, medical, or certain mental health conditions. The second-largest school system in the United States will also require students and employees to take COVID-19 tests weekly, regardless of vaccination status. A negative test result is required to enter campus. While we are starting to see small decreases in case numbers, thousands of students and staff test positive every day at schools across the country, LACDPH told several news outlets in a statement. Well-fitting and high-quality masks add an important layer of protection. A person carries items collected from the train tracks as a Union Pacific locomotive passes through a section of Union Pacific train tracks littered with thousands of opened boxes and packages stolen from cargo shipping containers targeted by thieves as the trains stop in downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Lax Prosecution Contributing to LA Cargo Theft Surge, Experts Say In recent weeks, national attention became focused on photos and videos showing Union Pacific rail tracks littered with discarded cartons and boxes following organized looting just east of downtown Los Angeles. Many of the packages that hadnt been stolen or damaged would head toward Chicago or Canada before they finally reach the doorsteps of their recipients, including one that contained a picture of a family dressed in festive attire. Many factors are said to be behind the cargo theft surge in Los Angeles, including the supply chain bottleneck that causes trains to pause longer on tracks, a lack of Union Pacific special agents patrolling along the tracks, the presence of homeless encampments near rail lines, andaccording to several experts who spoke with The Epoch Timesthe lax prosecution policies under Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon. Between October and December of 2021, Union Pacific special agents and other law enforcement agencies made at least 100 arrests along the tracks in Los Angeles, according to a company statement. The Union Pacific Police Department has primary jurisdiction over crimes committed on the companys rail tracks. Its special agents have arresting powers and work with local law enforcement agencies, such as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, and California Highway Patrol. Shredded boxes, packages, and debris are strewn along at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo) Police can arrest people on tracks for trespassing, but not theft, often due to lack of evidence. Theft is hard to prove unless you actually catch them in the act, John Jay College of Criminal Justice adjunct professor Joseph Giacalone, a retired detective sergeant, told The Epoch Times. If you did not catch them in the act, they say, Well, I found this on the street. How do you prove or disprove that? However, trespassing is one misdemeanor that Gascon has ordered his office to no longer prosecute. On Dec. 7, 2020, his first day in office, Gascon told his staff to stop prosecuting a group of misdemeanors including trespassing, disturbing the peace, loitering, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest. While each district attorney has the discretion to deviate from Gascons new policy, they must consult with a supervisor, document their reasoning in writing, and record the supervisors determination in the case file. Most of the 100 arrests made by Union Pacific and other agencies during the past three months didnt go anywhere. Fewer than half of those arrested were booked, according to a Union Pacific spokesperson. Gascons misdemeanor policy does not permit prosecutors to file trespass or loitering in most situations, Kathleen Cady, a former Los Angeles prosecutor, told The Epoch Times. Without these tools, criminals can trespass, loiter, steal, get arrested, get released, and repeat over and over again. Giacalone thinks Gascons policy invites more people to commit crimes. The problem that comes into this now is that people who would normally not partake in this type of behavior look at it and say, There is really no risk to this. If I get caught, Im just going to get let go. No big deal, he said. In 2021, Gascons office received only 47 cases from law enforcement in which Union Pacific was a victim. That number was 56 in 2020, according to the office. Contract workers Adam Rodriguez (C) and Luis Rosas pick up vehicle tires from among the shredded boxes and packages along a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo) However, in 2021, Union Pacific saw a 160 percent increase in criminal rail theft in Los Angeles County compared to 2020, according to a company statement. John Jay College of Criminal Justice emerita professor Dorothy Schulz thinks that one of the reasons behind the drop in the number of cases brought to prosecutors in 2021 was a demoralized police force. When prosecutors just wont prosecute, after a while it becomes not sensible for police to continue to bring those cases to them, Schulz told The Epoch Times. Out of the 47 cases, 27 were charged by Gascons office, including both felonies and misdemeanor offenses alleging burglary, theft, and receiving stolen property. Ten cases were declined for filing because of a lack of evidence. Another 10 were declined because Gascons office deemed the alleged offenses unfit for prosecution, such as a homeless person being within 20 feet of the tracks and simple possession of drugs for personal use, according to Gascons office. The Epoch Times reached out to Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office for comment, but didnt receive a reply by press time. In a public letter to Union Pacific, Gascon said the railroad company had done a poor job of securing containers and had lowered the number of agents patrolling the area in 2021. We can ensure that appropriate cases are filed and prosecuted; however, my office is not tasked with keeping your sites secure and the District Attorney alone cannot solve the major issues facing your organization, Gascon said. Union Pacific just transferred more special agents to the Los Angeles tracks, according to an email to The Epoch Times. The company also added drones, fencing, and trespass detection systems. California Gov. Gavin Newson plans to send $255 million to local law enforcement agencies to hire more officers to combat theft-related crimes, as part of his Real Public Safety Plan. Arctic offshore patrol ship components are seen under construction at the Irving shipbuilding facility in Halifax on March 4, 2016. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press) Man Accused of Trying to Spy for China Willing to Be of Paramount Service to Chinese Authorities: Documents From Halted Prosecution Documents from a halted prosecution detail how a Canadian man accused of trying to spy for China was willing to be of paramount service to the Chinese authorities. The criminal proceedings against naval engineer Qing Quentin Huang for allegedly attempting to spy for China were halted by Ontario Superior Court Justice Michael Dambrot on Dec. 15, 2021, ruling that Huangs constitutional right to be tried within a reasonable time guaranteed has been breached. Huang, who worked for Lloyds Register Canada, was arrested in Burlington, Ontario, by the RCMP in November 2013 for allegedly trying to offer classified Canadian shipbuilding information to the Chinese embassy in Ottawa. Lloyds specializes in engineering and technology for the maritime industry. Huang was charged under the Security of Information Act with attempting to communicate secrets to a foreign power. Police said the information related to elements of the federal shipbuilding strategy, which includes patrol ships, frigates, naval auxiliary vessels, science research vessels and ice breakers. Huangs criminal trial, however, was never heard in the years after 2013 as legal tussles over disclosure of information in the case played out in the Federal Court of Canada, the venue for deciding how much sensitive material can be kept under wraps. On Jan. 14, the end of a 30-day deadline for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) to file a notice of appeal to overturn Dambrots ruling, the PPSC confirmed to the Toronto Star that the agency would not seek to do so. The Crown prosecutor applies the jurisprudence in determining when to appeal, as reflected in PPSC policy, the spokesperson said. It did so here and concluded that this was not an appropriate case to appeal in all the circumstances. The PPSCs decision not to appeal, however, lifted the publication ban on Ontario Court of Justice Robert Bigelows May 2015 reasons for sending Huangs case to trial. His 11-page ruling, obtained by the Toronto Star, included transcripts of Huangs calls to the Chinese embassy, which have never before been made public. Im willing to be of paramount service to the Chinese government, Huang said during one of two calls to the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, unaware the line had been wiretapped by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, reported the Star on Jan. 20. Bigelows ruling stated that Huang started working in the Burlington office of Lloyds in 2006. At the time of the alleged offences, he was still hired as a plan appraisal surveyor. During his employment, Lloyds was a subcontractor to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. with the task of appraising and approving designs for Canadian vessels to be built under the Canadian National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). As the NSPS project consists of handling controlled goods in certain plans, surveyors in Lloyds are required to obtain security clearance. Controlled goods are defined by the government as goods that include components and technical data that are crucial to military and national security. Bigelow wrote that Huang did not apply for security clearance despite numerous requests by his employer. The judge also noted that Huangs employment with Lloyds was in jeopardy when the management approached him in mid-November 2013, telling him that some clients had complained about him missing deadlines. Bigelow added that Huang had asked for a few days to respond to the complaints. During that time, the engineer downloaded about 6,000 files from the companys internal network, including two documents labelled as controlled goods. When Huang eventually applied for security clearance on Nov. 20, 2013, his management decided not to process his application until his employment status with the company was decided, the judge wrote. According to Bigelows ruling, Huang made two calls to the Chinese embassy in Ottawa five days after downloading the 6,000 files. During those calls, Huang identified himself as a senior structural specialist who appraised designs in Lloyds and his employer was working on Canadian military vehicles. He added that he was a Chinese national who had worked outside China for many years and was now a Canadian citizen. He told the embassy that he felt mistreated by Lloyds, alleging the company had refused his security clearance on grounds of racial discrimination. Thats why right now Imif Im being, being treated by them with such, such treatmentI really, Im ready to risk everything, I, I may disclose the highly confidential military information to the Chinese government, Huang said. Im serious, Im ready to risk everything. What information I have, everything I have, Im willing to be of paramount service to the Chinese government. Seriously if the Chinese government is interested in (sic) requires my assistance, I wont hesitate at all, I will, for the sake of the Chinese people, everything about Canadian military vessels. Please phone me, phone me as soon as possible. I really willing to be of service to you, and then you may train me how to go about it, he added. In an interview with the Toronto Star, national security expert Aaron Shull said the ruling by Dambrot to stay the prosecution means the case will never be heard on the merits and that just sends all the wrong signals. What message does this send when we cannot successfully prosecute a case where the evidentiary record is strong, where the guy is basically caught red-handed attempting to pass secrets to a foreign power, said Shull, who is also a lawyer and managing director of the Centre for International Governance Innovation. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Massachusetts Bill Would Give Pro-Life Taxpayers an Opt-Out for Abortion Funding Republican state Rep. Joseph McKenna would like to make Massachusetts the first U.S. state to give pro-life taxpayers the option to ask that any taxes they pay not go toward the funding of abortion services. Under the Taxpayer Conscience Rights proposal, the states taxpayers would be able to indicate on their state tax returns that they want the portion of their income tax liability currently used to finance tax-funded abortion services to be redistributed to the states Baby Safe Haven program, which provides immunity to parents who voluntarily give up their newborns for adoption. If the measure is enacted, the state would have to determine the portion of taxes that taxpayers who are opting out paid toward funding abortions during the prior tax year. Massachusetts would then be required to redistribute the money to the adoption program. The program currently receives no taxpayer funding. McKenna told The Epoch Times the bill brings long overdue fairness to taxpayer abortion funding and points out that there are already existing conscience laws in Massachusetts that allow doctors to refuse to perform abortions if that conflicts with their moral beliefs. This bill does not seek to change the underlying laws around abortion services in Massachusetts, said McKenna, a lifelong Catholic who opposes abortion. I think its only fair to have those with moral opposition to abortion to have the option to not pay for it. The state steers roughly $2 million in taxpayer funds annually for state-funded abortions, according to Pat Stewart, executive director for Massachusetts Citizens for Life. Under McKennas bill, some of that would be redirected to a special fund for the adoption program. This is more of a fairness bill than an abortion bill, Stewart told The Epoch Times. The legislations immediate fate rests with the Bay States Democratic-controlled Joint Committee on Revenue, which will decide whether it can advance to the full House. In October, both the American Conservative Union Foundation and the Conservative Political Action Conference identified Massachusetts as the most liberal state in the United States. Spokespeople from the state and the Center for Reproductive Rights didnt respond by press time to requests from The Epoch Times for comment. According to a recent study by the organization, more anti-abortion laws were passed in 2021 than in any year since the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 ruling in Roe vs. Wade. Six people spoke in favor of McKennas bill at a recent hearing, including state resident Mariah McCarron, who is the New England regional coordinator for the national pro-life group Students for Life of America. No pro-choice organizations spoke in opposition to McKennas proposal. McCarron said that the proposed tax deduction is consistent with existing law in Massachusetts that protects a doctors choice not to perform abortions based on their moral or religious beliefs. It is greatly concerning that no such conscience protections exist for Massachusetts taxpayers, she said. Legislation similar to the Massachusetts proposal was introduced in Congress last year; it would require states to report all payments made through Medicaid to abortion providers. The measure remains in committee. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 19, 2022. (Abaca Press) McConnell Deconstructs Biden Commentary The art of deconstructing an argument by refutation and holding a person accountable for previous statements that the person now contradicts was once an honored tradition. It has now mostly gone the way of other traditions in favor of sound bite statements formulated in political party meetings and used to confuse the public. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) unpacked this once great technique when he responded to some of President Bidens outlandish claims over his first year in office that included his inaugural address and remarks made at his news conference last week and in an Atlanta speech about minority voting rights. McConnell said the Biden on display at these events was not the Biden he has known for decades. Anyone who has known or observed Biden during his 50 years in politics would have to agree. McConnell began his Senate floor speech by recalling Bidens promise in his inaugural address to unite the nation. Instead, said McConnell, that very same man delivered a deliberately divisive speech that was designed to pull our country further apart. One year ago, said McConnell, Biden said we should not see ourselves as adversaries, but as neighbors. Now he calls millions of Americans his domestic enemies. McConnell noted a year ago the president called for lowering the rhetorical temperature, but now says, if you disagree with him, youre George Wallace. If you dont pass the laws he wants, youre Bull Connor. And if you oppose giving Democrats one-party control of the country, well, youre Jefferson Davis. He might have mentioned that these, as well as many other elected officials who opposed civil rights legislation, were Southern Democrats and that it was mostly Republicans, beginning with Abraham Lincoln, who supported racial equality. McConnell went on to recall that Biden has said disagreement must not lead to disunion, but then invoked the bloody disunion of the Civil War to demonize Americans who disagree with him. He compared a bipartisan majority of senators to literal traitors. How profoundly unpresidential. McConnell said he has known, liked and personally respected Joe Biden for many years. I did not recognize the man at (his news conference). The president acts as if he has a mandate for all the far-left policies he has been pushing, but McConnell noted the 50-50 Senate and the bare majority Democrats hold in the House: the narrowest majorities in over a century and that he did not get a mandate to transform America or reshape society. McConnell said the president did get a mandate to do one thing: bridge the political divide, lower the temperature, and end the perpetual era of crisis in our politics. He has done the opposite. He called Bidens rant incoherent, incorrect and beneath his office. The president again mentioned Jim Crow 2.0 to assert Republicans are attempting to make it more difficult for minorities to vote, which is untrue. As McConnell noted there are more ways for people to vote in Georgia than Bidens state of Delaware. Jim Crow laws, it should be noted, were also created by Democrats, a fact the major media regularly ignores. There is much more in his remarks. His entire 16-minute address can be viewed here. Too many of todays journalists sound like shills for the Democratic Party, crafting their questions and writing their stories as if they are channeling that partys talking points and worldview. McConnell did their job for them in his deconstruction of recent remarks by the president. Polls show Biden voters are expressing buyers remorse. They can be expected to reverse course in November. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Members of a forensic team walk near at the crime scene where a Mexican journalist Lourdes Maldonado was shot dead outside her home in the northern border city of Tijuana, Mexico, ON Jan. 23, 2022. (Jorge Duenes/Reuters) Mexican Reporter Killed, Had Told President She Feared for Her Life MEXICO CITYA Mexican reporter who told the president three years ago that she feared for her life was shot dead on Sunday, the second journalist killed in the same area in a week and underscoring the countrys status as one of the deadliest for journalists outside a war zone. Lourdes Maldonado, a local journalist with decades of experience, was shot dead in her car in the Santa Fe neighborhood of the bustling border city of Tijuana, just south of San Diego, California, the attorney generals office of Baja California state said in a statement. Asked at his regular morning news conference about the latest journalist slaying, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pledged a full investigation. What happened is very regrettable, said Lopez Obrador, adding that investigators still had to determine a motive and evaluate any possible links to a labor dispute Maldonado was involved in. A member of the National Guard looks on at the crime scene where a Mexican journalist Lourdes Maldonado was shot dead outside her home in the northern border city of Tijuana, Mexico, on Jan. 23, 2022. (Jorge Duenes/Reuters) Maldonado appeared at Lopez Obradors morning news conference in 2019, pleading for help because she feared for her life. A source with knowledge of the case said Maldonado had been registered in the states protection program for journalists, which included some police surveillance of her home. From 2000 to 2021, human rights group Article 19 has registered 145 killings of journalists in Mexico, with seven deaths last year. The killing of Maldonado occurred less than a week after officials reported that Mexican photojournalist Margarito Martinez, 49, died after being shot in the head outside his home in Tijuana. Maldonado was the third journalist killed this year in Mexico. By Lizbeth Diaz Six years had passed since Amanda Flores had lost her cat, Monkey Face. Flores, who had given up on finding her missing pet, was skeptical when she received a phone call from San Antonio Animal Care Services, Texas. The shelter informed her that Monkey Face had been found. She didnt believe it. It had been so long. Public relations and outreach manager Lisa Norwood told The Epoch Times that Flores agreed to come to the San Antonio Animal Care Services shelter and see for herself after assurances that Monkey Faces microchip guaranteed her identity. The reunion took place on Nov. 26, 2021, just after Thanksgiving. When Flores saw her cat, skepticism melted quickly into laughter and tears of joy. She was holding her pet again after half a dozen years. San Antonio Animal Care Services has to do a lot of detective work, Norwood said. She told staff she couldnt believe that Monkey Face had been found after all this time. It was apparent she was thrilled to be reunited with her cat. Norwood said Monkey Faces response was typically feline-like, a little tepid at first. But, she was purring when she left that day in the undeniable arms of her owner. Reunions like this one dont happen by chance, she said, adding that these are part and parcel of the hard work done by local animal shelters every day. The hard work that brought Flores and her pet back together again involved a good dose of persistence and some plucky investigative skills. Norwood said Monkey Face was first located on Nov. 14, 2021, near the entrance of a neighborhood in West San Antonio. Animal Care officer Adan Perez responded to a call about an injured cat and found Monkey Face breathing laboriously and unable to walk or stand. It appeared that she had been hit by a car. As part of the procedure, Officer Perez scanned Monkey Face for a microchip to see if she had an owner. Microchips are currently a requirement by law for all cats and dogs in San Antonio. Using the microchip against the Animal Care Services database, Officer Perez found an address and an owners name: Amanda Flores. Amanda Flores, however, was not at the address. When Officer Perez knocked on the door, the man who answered said no one named Flores lived there. Further, he did not know anyone by that name, and there was no one in the home who owned a cat. Officer Perezs pursuit had dead-ended. He took the injured cat back to the shelters clinic for evaluation and treatment. When a microchip is not registered or linked to updated contact information, Norwood says that Animal Care Services has a few options to try in order to track down an owner. One option is to wait for the owner to come to the shelter in search of the pet. However, Norwood says this is less common with cats, due to their natural tendency to roam. A cat being gone for a few days would likely seem less unusual than a dog being missing, she said. In these cases, where a microchip cannot facilitate an immediate reunion, San Antonio Animal Care Services has to do a lot of detective workbut instead of being a missing person, its a missing pet. And so, its option two: the investigation begins. The San Antonio Animal Care Services staff use their internal database and work with numerous microchip providers and their databases to follow a trail of leads. They ask questions, match data, and cross-reference phone numbers, addresses, utility records, and the like, in order to finally reconnect lost pets with their owners. In Monkey Faces case, it took about two weeks to do that detective work until we got a hit, Norwood said. It was just in time, too. Upon being picked up, Monkey Face had been treated with pain medication and put on cage rest. Four days later, she was able to stand and walk again. When Animal Care Services located her owner, a recovering Monkey Face was waiting at the cat kennel. The sweet scene of Flores and Monkey Face meeting each other again after six years reminds Norwood why the San Antonio Animal Care Shelter pushes to help animals in their community. Norwood said that the shelter, a municipal shelter for the city of San Antonio, is one of the largest animal shelters in the country, and it is an open admission facility that brings in close to 30,000 animals annually. Their placement rate has been over 90 percent for the last five years. Their mission: to do everything we can to ensure San Antonio is a safe place for pets and people. Norwood encourages readers to visit www.saacs.net to learn more about San Antonios shelter, to see pets in their care, or to donate and help foster more reunions like the one between Flores and Monkey Face. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Bright newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman transiting the Arabian Sea on March 18, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Brandon C. Cole) NATO Takes Control of US Aircraft Carrier for First Time Since Cold War NATO took control of a U.S. aircraft carrier group this week as part of a preplanned military exercisefor the first time since the Cold War. Allied ships from the NATO Naval Striking and Support Forces Command and the U.S. Sixth Fleet initiated a series of patrolling activities across the Mediterranean Sea, within the framework of Neptune Strike 2022, NATO said in a statement on Jan. 24. Neptune Strike is a long-planned effort. It will be carried out until 4 February, and features the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier aircraft carrier, along with its carrier strike group and air wing. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group entered the Mediterranean Sea on Jan. 21 in the midst of growing tensions with Russia along the Ukrainian border, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby announced. He said that the strike group will participate in coordinated maritime maneuvers, anti-submarine warfare training, and long-range strike training, describing the war games as something that had been long-planned and werent in response to Russias military buildup near Ukraines border. The Harry Truman is accompanied by American cruiser San Jacinto and destroyers Bainbridge, Cole, Gravely, and Jason Dunham. We constantly look at exercises and training and ask ourselves do we really need to do it now? Should we speed it up? Should we shorten it? Kirby also said Friday. There was due consideration given about tensions right now about our exercise posture and after all that consideration and discussion with our NATO allies, the decision was made to move ahead. On Monday, the Pentagon announced it would place about 8,500 troops on alert who will also be ready to deploy in case the crisis escalates. Western states have accused Russia of plotting a new attack on Ukraine, which the country invaded in 2014. But the Kremlin has denied any such plan but said it will take unspecified military action unless NATO and Ukraine meet its demands, including a NATO promise to never admit Ukraine into the alliance. Ukrainian leaders on Tuesday, meanwhile, sought to reassure the Eastern European nation that Russia does not plan to invade the country in the near future. It came two days after the State Department ordered the families of all American personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave the country, and it said that nonessential embassy staff could leave. Britain said it, too, was withdrawing some diplomats and dependents from its embassy. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that as of today, there are no grounds to believe that Russia is preparing to invade imminently. Dont worry, sleep well, Reznikov said. No need to have your bags packed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Wilmington, Calif., on July 29, 2021. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) New Bill Would Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for All California Schoolchildren All California school students would be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 under legislation proposed Monday. The proposed bill, titled the Keep Schools Open and Safe Act, would eliminate a personal belief exemption in school-based COVID-19 vaccination requirements. State Sen. Richard Pan, a Democrat, introduced the legislation during a news conference at a Los Angeles school. Pan, a pediatrician, said the law is needed to ensure that children are educated. Families across the state and country have faced disruption, anxiety, and trauma from this pandemic for now almost two years. Confidence and certainty are things we all long for, said Pan, who represents parts of Sacramento and Yolo counties. The legislation would build on a 2015 law that eliminated the personal belief exemption for all other childhood vaccinations required for schoolchildren. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in October announced the nations first coronavirus vaccine mandate for schoolchildren. But it likely wont take effect until later this year and allows exemptions for medical reasons and personal beliefs. According to Pan, only the Legislature may remove the personal belief exemption. Assemblyman James Gallagher, a Republican, immediately announced he will oppose Pans bill. The government doesnt want your family to have a choice. Government is in control. Either get vaccinated or get kicked out of school, he said in a statement. The proposed legislation comes after another bill was put forward that would allow children aged 12 and above in the state to be vaccinated without parental consent. Currently, California children aged 12 to 17 can only be vaccinated with parental permission, unless the vaccine prevents a sexually transmitted disease. Vaccinations are an integral part of keeping our school communities safe and our commitment to health and safety remains a top priority, Megan K. Reilly, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said on Monday of the proposed bill. We should be having conversations about whats best for our children and whats best for the safety of schools, Pan said. We need to make sure schools are safe so that all parents are comfortable sending their children to school, added Pan. And we want to keep schools open. Stefanie Fetzer, founder of Parents United 4 Kids, told the Los Angeles Times that Pans new bill shows just how out of touch he is, both scientifically and politically. Fetzer noted that countries around the world are now moving to drop restrictions, eschew mandates, and are accepting that COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, is becoming endemic. The Epoch Times has contacted Newsoms office for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. New COVID-19 Sub-Variant Being Investigated, Detected in US A new COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant known as BA.2 has been detected in the United States, officials said, coming after officials in the United Kindom and Denmark published reports on the strain in recent days. There is still uncertainty around the significance of the changes to the viral genome, and further analyses will now be undertaken, the UK Health Security Agency said in a news release. UK researchers said an early analysis suggests BA.2 is more transmissible than the first Omicron strain, which was named as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization in November. However, the team said that they have not been able to find a meaningful difference between the original strain and BA.2. There have been about 400 confirmed BA.2 cases in 40 countries. The first was confirmed in December, the UK agency said. So far, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether BA.2 causes more severe illness than Omicron BA.1, but data is limited and UKHSA continues to investigate, Dr. Meera Chand, COVID-19 incident director at the UK Health Security Agency, said in a statement. It is the nature of viruses to evolve and mutate, so its to be expected that we will continue to see new variants emerge as the pandemic goes on, Chand continued. Our continued genomic surveillance allows us to detect them and assess whether they are significant. Officials in Denmark said that nearly half of the COVID-19 test samples they sequenced are BA.2. By the second week of January, its share had risen to about 45 percent of total cases. During the same period, the relative frequency of BA.1 has dropped, said a statement from the Statens Serum Institut, a Danish health agency, referring to BA.1the name of the initial Omicron COVID-19 variant. BA.1 and BA.2 have many differences in their mutations in the most important areas. In fact, the difference between BA.1 and BA.2 is greater than the difference between the original variant and the Alpha variant. An initial analysis of BA.2 cases suggests there is no difference in hospitalizations, compared with the BA. 1 sub-variant, the health agency said. Its not clear if current vaccines are effective against it, either. Other than the UK and Denmark, Norway, France, India, and Sweden have also reported cases of the Omicron offshoot, according to media reports. The subvariant has also been detected in the United States in Washington state, officials said. The Washington State Health Department confirmed two BA.2 cases earlier this month, reported KOMO News. Its too early to tell if we are going to see more cases of this variant, Washington health department spokesperson Shelby Anderson told the local channel. So far, fewer than 100 confirmed BA.2 cases in the U.S. have been reported. And at least three cases have been detected at Houstons Methodist Hospital, officials told the Washington Post. The good news is we have only three, James Musser, director of the Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research at Houston Methodist, told the outlet. We certainly do not see the 5 percent and more that is being reported in the UK now and certainly not the 40 percent that is being reported in Denmark. The award-winning movie Unsilenced is in selected theaters across New Zealand from March 31, 2022. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times) New Movie Unsilenced Brings Hope to Southern Californians PASADENA, Calif.Cheers accompanied tears from the audience at Pasadenas Laemmle Playhouse 7 after a recent screening of the award-winning film Unsilenced, the true story of how a group of carefree young people with promising futures at a top university in China became outlaws, risking their lives to expose a series of government propaganda and lies when the brutal persecution against Falun Gong began in 1999. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice with meditative exercises and moral principles based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. According to official estimates, there were 70 million to 100 million adherentsmore than the number reported to be members of the ruling Communist Partybefore the persecution began. Millions have since been detained inside prisons, labor camps, and other facilities, with hundreds of thousands tortured while incarcerated, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center. According to the films director, Leon Lee, making a movie like Unsilenced is difficult due to the Chinese regimes influence on Hollywood. The Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2022. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times) Audience members who watched the film on Jan. 21, the first day of its screening, said they found inspiration and hope. Edgar Avendano congratulated the filmmakers for their achievement, and said the movie is uplifting and inspiring. The mission of the film is to make you feel somewhat hopeful that there is redemption. At the end of the day, there is some hope if we fight for whats right, he told The Epoch Times. Avendanos friend, Veronica Flamenco, said her eyes were full of tears while watching the movie and that she saw the same things happening in the United States. We live in the U.S. and do not recognize the similarities [to what happens] in China. Its already happening in the U.S. as well, Flamenco said. You can see the correlation very clearly if youre aware of whats going on with freedom of speech, because every single totalitarian regime starts [with] censoring people. By censoring people, [they are] suffocating the truth. Veronica Flamenco (R) and Edgar Avendano (L) were in an interview with NTD after the theatrical release of Unsilenced, an award-winning movie based on true events in the persecution of Falun Gong in China, at Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2022. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Craig Walterscheid said he came to learn more about the persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China, and hoped to see more movies on similar topics. Lies just lead to suppression of justice, of freedom. Lies are on the side of the oppressor, at home and in the larger part of society and in our government, he said. The screening was also attended by many Falun Gong practitioners living in Southern California, some of whom had undergone persecution in China before coming to the United States. They saw their experiences illustrated in Unsilenced. The movie reminded me of what I had to go through when the persecution just took place in China, said Waylon Guo, a former math professor who taught at a university in Shanghai. Guo was sentenced to four years in prison for practicing Falun Gong and was constantly harassed by the police. My wife and I were monitored by the police 24 hours a day. I was also facing tremendous pressure from my family, work, and community. My supervisor talked to me every day, trying to brainwash me with the propaganda created by the Chinese Communist Party, Guo told The Epoch Times. Eric Zhang, a graduate of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing Institute of Technology, was sentenced to five years in prison for practicing Falun Gong. He told The Epoch Times that he met the archetype of the movies main character, Wang, when they were both detained in jail over 10 years ago. [The movie is] very moving and very real. When the Chinese Communist Party started the persecution against Falun Gong, I was in Beijing, Zhang said. I have had a lot of similar experiences with Wang. What we did was also similar, and that is to clarify the truth to people [about the persecution]. Jennifer Zhang, a college student who began practicing Falun Gong with her parents at age 3, said Unsilenced is a thought-provoking movie and tells the real story of whats happening in China. It really touched me when I saw those young people risking their lives for justice and holding on to their faith as they encounter all kinds of oppression from the communist regime. Whats more important is that its a real-life event that has happened and is still taking place in modern China, Zhang told The Epoch Times. Zhang said she went through similar situations in China like the characters in the movie, as she was taught by her elementary school teacher that practicing Falun Gong could be harmful, which was clearly CCPs propaganda. As simple as meditating in a park or reading a book that teaches people how to stay truthful, compassionate, and tolerant could make you suffer months, if not years, in prison or a labor camp, she said. Another practitioner, Emily Huang, told The Epoch Times that shed seen the movie twice already, and that she planned to bring her friend to see it again in the coming week. Unsilenced is directed by Peabody Award-winning director Leon Lee, who also directed the acclaimed documentaries Letter From Masanjia and Human Harvest. Selected from over 6,000 entries, the film won the Audience Award at the 2021 Austin Film Festivalthe largest gathering of screenwriters in the United States. Unsilenced is now screening in selected theaters in 30 cities across the country. For more trailer and ticket information, please visit UnsilencedMovie.com. New York City Mayor Unveils Plan to Stop Shootings New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday released a plan to end shootings in the metropolis, which has recorded significant increases in crime since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat the problem, the New York Police Department (NYPD) will ramp up efforts to patrol neighborhoods and seize illegal guns, while improving partnerships with state and federal agencies like the FBI, according to the blueprint (pdf) from Adams, a Democrat who took office on Jan. 1. Adams also wants to launch a summer youth employment program, which he says will help deter youth from turning to guns and violence; expand mental health care programs; and force all city agencies to name an anti-gun violence liaison to communicate with the mayoral administration, health care providers, and the NYPD. Another prong is reducing the social distancing requirement in courtrooms from six feet to three feet so jury trials can begin hearing cases and try to clear the backlog of thousands of cases that have built up during the pandemic. On the state level, Adams wants lawmakers to pass updated legislation that makes the bail process fairer, smarter, and more targeted. That should include letting judges detain accused criminals who pose a threat to the community, the mayors office says. This is a pivotal moment for our city and my team is focused on this issue, focused on the challenge thats in front of us. With the right leadership this can be a safe city, Adams, a former police officer, told a briefing at City Hall. New York, like virtually every other major city in the country, has struggled with a spike in violence in the past two years. Shootings soared nearly 100 percent in 2020 versus the year before, and murders jumped 44 percent to 462. That was much lower than the crime-ridden 1980s and early 1990s but shootings and murders rose again in 2021, along with other violent crimes like assault, with the number of killings coming in at the highest since 2011. So far this year, five police officers have been shottwo on Jan. 21and through Jan. 23, five murders had been recorded. A New York police officer is taken by ambulance to a hospital in New York City on Jan. 23, 2022. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) Adams won a contested Democratic primary and then the general election in part because he promised to crack down on crime, a contrast to some opponents who back efforts to cut police funding. The mayor blamed the rise in crime on a small population of individuals and reiterated his call for President Joe Bidens administration and Congress to help New York authorities deal with the number one threat in our city, which he described as a crisis of gun violence. Until that happens, though, the blueprint will help drive crime rates down, Adams said. The mayor said his message to police officers was theyre going to get help from their mayor and also said hed work on making sure officers followed rules like wearing body cameras and keeping them on at all times. We want to rebuild trust in the police department and the civilians, he said. Patrick Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association, the citys largest police union, told The Epoch Times in an email that the union has been calling for years for solutions to the rise in crime. Mayor Adams has acknowledged the problem and outlined the beginnings of a plan. Now that police officers and crime victims have an advocate in City Hall, the real work begins, Lynch said. In addition to the measures proposed today, we need an immediate rollback of the entire policy regime that penalizes police officers for proactively confronting lawbreakers. We need stiffer penalties, consistently imposed, for gun crimes. And we need more resources to relieve the overstretched cops on the front lines. Mayor Adams is absolutely right that the message on the streets is that there are no consequences for carrying and using illegal guns. We saw the tragic results of that message again on Friday night. It has to change immediately, because weve already lost more than we can bear, he added. Adams announcement came a day after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced an interstate task force focused on illegal guns plans to meet on Wednesday. The group includes officials from nine states, including Adams. We have a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight the scourge of illegal guns on our streets, Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement. Too many lives have been lost because of illegal firearms that should never have been on our streets. By convening law enforcement officials from across the region, we can share intelligence and strategies that stem the flow of illegal guns and keep New Yorkers safe. Masked students line up in the morning at Yung Wing School P.S. 124 in New York City on Sept. 27, 2021. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) New York Judge Blocks State Mask Mandate, but Education Department Has Other Plans After a state Supreme Court judge struck down New Yorks mask mandate on Monday evening, the states Department of Education said that schools have to continue to follow the mandate. It is [the departments] understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling, the Education Department said in a statement to local media outlets. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule. The agency pointed to conflicting rulings in other lawsuits that resulted in judges upholding the states mask mandate. A spokesman with the New York City Department of Education told PIX-11 that students need to attend New York City schools with masks on Tuesday. Mandatory masking has also been DOE policy since before the state adopted its mandate, so this decision has no immediate impact on New York City schools, the spokesman said. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said her administration is planning to appeal the decision, according to a statement from her office on Monday. New York Attorney General Letitia James office filed a notice of appeal in the case, according to papers that were filed in court on Tuesday morning. The Epoch Times has contacted the Department of Education and an attorney representing plaintiffs in the case for comment. 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) In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, Michael Demetriou, one of the plaintiffs wrote that students dont need to wear a mask while they may appeal and any [attorney], mom or dad should slap them with a suit immediately. He added: A school board, the [Department of Health] and certainly not some bestfriend of a leader in the Dept of Ed has this authority to do this for the unelected proxy in Albany, referring to Hochul, who took over after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in August 2021. On Monday evening, New York Supreme Court Judge Thomas Rademaker wrote (pdf) Hochul doesnt have the authority to impose such a mask mandate for schools and other public spaces because the state legislature would have to approve laws requiring masks. Neither the governor nor the state health commissioner had the authority to enact the mandate without the state legislature because Governor Hochul no longer has emergency powers, Rademaker wrote in his order, while adding that the rule is null, void, and unenforceable. There can be no question that every person in this state wishes, wants, and prays that this era of COVID ends soon, the Long Island-based judge added, and they will surely do their part to see that is accomplished. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. L: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 16, 2019. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) R: President Joe Biden delivers remarks about the CCP virus at the Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington, Del., on March 12, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Newsom and Biden Conspire to Implement Open Borders Commentary The United States is facing the highest level of illegal border crossings in its history, with likely more than 2 million such crossings since President Joe Biden took office. In the midst of the crisis, California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced that, thanks to a newfound budget surplus, California will expand free health care to all illegal immigrants regardless of age, criminal record, or how or when they entered the country. Why would Newsom provide such an enticement amid this crisis? Because he and Biden are implementing the far-left dream of open borders. The idea of abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was once considered a fringe left idea endorsed only by The Squad in Congress. But the fringe is now mainstream in the Democratic Party. The Biden administrations lax border controls, combined with Californias offer of free health care to those who come, prove that the party has now fully embraced open borders. It wasnt that long ago when Democrats such as Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Republicans such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) worked together to try to find a reasonable solution to deal with Americas massive illegal immigration problem. The solution always revolved around a combination of ensuring that U.S. borders were secure and providing certain rights and a pathway to legal status for those already here. Immigrants captured by border patrol agents are transferred to a hotel in Indio, Calif., on Oct. 18, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Such a balance was considered critical, since naturally, the pathway would be a lure to new immigrants. But that was then. Democrats are now opening the borders wider than ever and luring them at the same time. Theyve pulled this off without any measurable support from the American people or approving a single law. Immigrants have been taught to no longer attempt to evade Border Patrol, but rather to turn themselves in and seek asylum in the United States. This was a rare occurrence until word got out during the Obama administration that the United States was allowing these seekers to remain in the country while their case was being processed. The vast majority didnt qualify for asylum, which is limited only to those who can establish that race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion was or will be at least one central reason for persecuting the applicant in their country of origin. Fleeing poverty or crime, as most at our southern border are, doesnt meet the standard. But that doesnt matter, because under President Barack Obamaand now again under Bidensimply seeking it was a ticket into the United States, where they could remain for years as their case was processed through the overwhelmed U.S. immigration system. And, of course, while Europeans and other international travelers were barred from entering the country due to COVID-19 concerns, no such ban applied to those wading across the Rio Grandenot even a test or vaccine requirement! The Trump administration wisely put a stop to this by requiring such seekers to remain in Mexico while they awaited their hearing. It also implemented the sensible rule that asylum-seekers must seek asylum in the first country to which they flee, which is now most often Mexico, rather than the United States. A migrant encampment in Tijuana, Mexico, on April 22, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) On his first day in office, Biden reversed these policies through executive order. It was no doubt drafted by a member of the far-left progressive staff put in place under his power-sharing deal with Sen. Bernie Sanders, which was cut during the campaign. The Supreme Court ruled that Bidens reversal of the policy failed to follow proper administrative rule-making procedures. But the administration has moved at such a snails pace to comply with the ruling that its flirting with being held in contempt of the high court. The Mexican drug cartels have been the biggest beneficiaries of the policy. No one makes it to the U.S. border without paying the cartels, often as much as $10,000 per person. Very rough math puts cartel human trafficking profits at about $10 billion under Biden. Now, along comes Newsom to add the additional carrot of free health care to anyone who can make it across, a plan that will cost $2.2 billion. Where did he get the money? From the Biden administration, of course! Newsom was able to proudly report a budget surplus because California received $27 billion under the COVID-19 pandemic relief law Biden signed in March 2021. This allotment was by far the largest for any state; almost twice that of the next closest. Why so much? Because Congress used state unemployment numbers as the basis for determining the amount of aid. California has the nations highest unemployment rate, because of its anti-business regulations and strict COVID-19 lockdowns. The $27 billion came at just the right time, allowing Newsom to sweep under the rug the $20 billion his administration blew on fraudulent unemployment claims that it failed to catch. So the word is now out, not just about the U.S. open border, but that its largest state, which happens to border Mexico, treats illegal immigrants as if they were taxpaying citizens in good standing by now providing both free education and free health care. The move is especially galling considering that California is failing to provide its legal residents with the most basic services expected from the government. Crime is up dramatically under Newsom, while the state is at the bottom in student-to-teacher ratios and on student proficiency tests. Its road conditions and traffic problems rank among the worst in the country. It leads the country in both homelessness and unemployment. But these problems are too small to interest Newsom. His focus is on saving the planet through green energy laws and redistributing Californians earnings to all international travelers willing to pay a drug cartel to bring them to our border. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. View of the "AdBlue" logo at the Transport Robineau company in Soulitre, western France, on March 12, 2013. (Jean-Francois Monier/AFP via Getty Images) No More AdBlue Shortage as Australian Government Ramps Up Supplies The Australian federal government has considerably ramped up supplies of diesel exhaust fuel, a vital anti-pollutant fluid, in a move to ensure the operations of the freight and logistics sector. Under an agreement with the federal government, fertiliser manufacturer Incitec Pivot has boosted the local production of AdBlue, a type of diesel exhaust fuel, by 800 percent to cope with the domestic shortage. Angus Taylor, the federal energy minister, said that Incitec Pivots output could already reach more than three million litres (about 790,000 gallons) of AdBlue a week, which can satisfy 75 percent of Australias demand. While Australia currently has sufficient volumes of AdBlue to meet its needs, this local production will help restore normal national stock levels, he said in a statement. According to Taylor, a small number of sites across Australia may experience an AdBlue shortage from time to time; however, he has confidence that supply issues would soon be resolved as Incitec Pivot set up a distribution facility providing 24-hour delivery in Brisbane. Minister for Energy Angus Taylor at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 2, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images) Meanwhile, the Australian government is also seeking to obtain extra AdBlue supplies from international sources. To ensure stocks can be replenished across the country, I continue to encourage industry to purchase stocks only when needed and at normal levels, Taylor said. Last December, Incitec Pivot consented to increase urea production, a key AdBlue ingredient. At that time, the countrys stockpile could only last for about seven weeks due to Chinas export ban of the chemical. Taylor said on Jan. 24 that Incitec Pivot would soon start experimenting on manufacturing technical grade urea with an additive purchased in Germany. The government response to bring the industry together and support additional domestic production has improved the supply situation, and we will work with government to review purchase limits in place across the industry as we move forward, Matt Halliday, the managing director and CEO of Australian petroleum company AMPOL, said. A child wears a face mask as they attend an online class at a learning hub inside the Crenshaw Family YMCA during the Covid-19 pandemic in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 17, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Non-Cloth Masks Now Required on LAUSD Campuses LOS ANGELESStudents at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) are required to wear higher-grade, non-cloth masks starting Monday, Jan. 24. Students must now wear well-fitting, non-cloth masks with a nose wire at all times, indoors and outdoors. All employees were already required to wear surgical-grade masks. District officials said they will continue to provide masks to students and employees at school sites, as needed. And, as with the previous masking requirements, the mask requirements do not apply to people with mask exemptions. The district has also extended weekly COVID-19 testing, regardless of vaccination status, through the end of February. The weekly testing for students and employees was previously going to be required through the end of January, then required only of unvaccinated people. But it will now continue for everyone through February. For more details about LAUSDs COVID-19 guidelines, visit https://achieve.lausd.net/spring2022. Not Only Russia, but China Is to Blame for Threats Against Ukraine Beijing is coordinating with Moscow and backing it economically News Analysis Any Russian invasion of Ukraine will depend upon economic depth in China, and diplomatic appeasement by Germany and France. Beijing is likely encouraging Moscow to invade, which serves the purposes of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). While NATO should be pivoting to address the China threat, Russia is using 100,000 troops on the border with Ukraine to pressure NATO for legally binding security guarantees that Ukraine will not join the alliance. Moscow seeks the withdrawal of NATO military infrastructure to 1997 positions, when the two powers signed an agreement. These are impossible demands that would mean rolling back democracy in Eastern Europe, and the expansion of Beijing and Moscows illiberal influence globally. If NATO appeases Russia by abandoning Ukraine today, China will double down on its demand for Taiwan tomorrow. Giving into a bully only encourages the others. Already, some Eastern European countries are vetoing the European Unions measures against Beijings human rights abuse and territorial aggression, including in the South China Sea. Germany and France, which are weaker on China and Russia than is President Joe Biden, are looking for diplomatic escapes that require throwing Ukraine under the bus. For example, Germany opposes letting Estonia gift Soviet-made artillery pieces to Ukraine, because they were based in East Germany at reunification, from which they were sent to Finland, and then Estonia. As noted by The Wall Street Journal, Germanys refusal could be read by Moscow as another sign of division in the Wests ranks. This is not the time for division among democracies. Estonia should hand the howitzers over to Ukraine anyway, accompanied by a speech about Germanys cowardice. Russias military buildup is already visibly distracting and disuniting NATO alliance members. Biden mistakenly revealed that NATO members recently disagree on the proper response to various types of Russian invasion. But sanctions, at least, are sure. Any deeper border incursions past what Putin already tookCrimea and effectively, the Donbass region of Eastern Ukrainewill turn Vladimir Putin and his cronies into not just the leaders of a rogue state, as currently, but into absolute pariahs. Even democratic allies that are not being tough enough on Russia and China are losing esteem. A Washington Post editorial by historian Katja Hoyer has a title that says it all: Germany has become a weak link in NATOs line of defense. Hoyer argues that Germany cannot be depended upon when it comes to imposing sanctions on Russia. Sanctions will send Russia deeper into Chinas cold embrace, which has swallowed so many countries after they egregiously break international law, for example, through genocide or the invasion of neighboring countries. Thereafter entirely dependent upon trade with China to evade Western sanctions, they all but lose their sovereignty. Burma (commonly known as Myanmar), North Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Venezuela, and increasingly, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Russia are falling into Beijings orbit through too much illiberal trade. A redirection of Russian trade from the United States and Europe to China is already occurring, and provides evidence for Russians and the world that Beijing stands behind Moscows aggression. People walk past a wall decorated with a mural of Moscows Red Square, in Beijing on Dec. 8, 2021. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images) In 2021, according to a report by Dimitri Simes in the Nikkei Asia Review, annual trade increased between Russia and China by over 35 percent, to a record of over $146 billion. The two countries plan to add another $200 billion in trade by 2024. But Russias economy is approximately one-tenth that of China, and its trade with the country is lopsided, giving Beijing the upper hand economically and, therefore, politically. While approximately 40 percent of Russias trade has over the years been with the European Union, this has not yielded similar political influence for Europe because democracies shy away from economic bullying. The CCP, on the other hand, is a checkbook diplomacy impresario. Putin is already showing his fealty to Beijing by attending its disgraced Winter Olympics, dubbed the Genocide Games by human rights advocates. The Biden administration is wisely instituting an Olympic diplomatic boycott, honored by many of our most important allies. There are unfortunate exceptions. The Polish president is one of the few U.S. allied heads of state to fink and attend, putting into question his allegiance to democracy over profits to be made in China. Xi Jinping is coercing Putin to ski the same fake slopes, by delaying high-profile deals for signature in Beijing, including the final contract for a natural gas pipeline, called the Power of Siberia-2, that will further connect the two illiberal behemoths. As noted by Simes, Analysts say the standoff between Russia and the West over Ukraine, which could bring new sanctions against Moscow, is likely to tighten the Kremlins bond with Beijing even more. Nikkei quotes international relations professor Artyom Lukin, at a university in Russia, as saying that Putin likely received some guarantees from Xi that if a crisis erupts over Ukraine and the West imposes major sanctions against Russia, then China will stand shoulder to shoulder with Russia. Chris Devonshire-Ellis, of an Asia investment advisory firm, told the outlet, If further trade sanctions are placed on Russia, Moscow will need to increase Russias sourcing capabilities elsewhere, with China being one avenue. Russia has, since 2010, increasingly depended on China for energy exports, including through two pipelines costing $80 billion, and a $13 billion gas processing plant. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a signing ceremony for a monumental, multi-decade gas supply contract in Shanghai on May 21, 2014. (Alexey Druzhinin/AFP via Getty Images) If Russia invades Ukraine, U.S. and allied sanctions should be immediate and tough, including against Putin, his closest associates, Russias biggest business people, all of their immediate families, the countrys sovereign debt, access to the SWIFT international banking system and U.S. technology, the top Chinese companies doing business in Russia, and the Nord Stream-2 energy pipeline to Germany. Germany bears special responsibility in avoiding a war, and if it does not stop dragging its feet on Russia, it should face economic repercussions. As noted by Hoyer, everything depends on Berlin. If Germany continued to trade with Russia while other NATO nations applied sanctions, the economic bite would be much reduced. That would force Germanys Western allies to either escalate the situation with military intervention or to step back, allowing Putin yet another land grab. To extricate itself from the moral morass that is its relationship to Moscow, Germany should spend the money necessary to rid itself of its environmentally destructive habit: dependency on Russian gas. This can be achieved by returning to cleaner nuclear energy. Germany should also seek layered energy security by tripling its port and storage facilities for American and allied liquified natural gas to replace the 1.7 billion cubic meters it currently buys from Russia. Germanys defense posture is also too weak. [Olaf] Scholz is no more willing to shoulder a share of the weight of collective Western security than his predecessor Angela Merkel was, according to Hoyer. And Germany wants talks with Russia to follow the Normandy format, which includes just Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France. That would essentially break up NATO on the eve of an invasion against a fellow democracy seeking admittance to the alliance. France has also been weak on Russia, proposing that the European Union negotiate separately with Moscow, fracturing the NATO defense against its belligerence. Germany and France, two of the worlds most powerful democracies, are thus eliciting an ethically unforgiveable and strategically short-sighted cowardice in the face of threats and potential bluffing by Russia. If Germany and other allies do not do their part in containing Russia, protecting the new and democratic state of Ukraine, and shoring up democracy globally, economic repercussions should be considered against not only China and Russia, but against our free-riding allies as well. No democratic ally should be able to shirk its duty of robust defense expenditures and a unified opposition to the worlds dictators and their aggression against fellow democracies. If Germany and France really wish to tread that crumbling path of alliance disunity, they could pull an unwilling but tough America with them onto an autocratic landslide. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken on April 10, 2020. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/Reuters) Novavax Vaccines to Become Available In Australia Late February Australia is set to roll out its first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine from Feb. 21, with federal Health Minister Greg Hunt saying that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) had given the government the go-ahead for the countrys fourth COVID-19 vaccine. Hunt said that Australias first shipment of the vaccine would undergo a detailed batch testing process performed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). If the batch passes the safety testing, the vaccines will be rolled out to the public. For some who may have had contrary indications or reactions with regards to other vaccines, this will provide an additional opportunity for them, as well as those who for whatever reason have not taken up the program so far, he said. But I do want to encourage everybody unless theres a contrary indication, please continue to come forward and take the existing vaccines. The health minister noted that Australia had purchased 51 million doses of the vaccines, which ATAGI has noted has shown to be highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in adults by clinical trials that involved over 45,000 participants. Novavax will be available for those aged 18 and older, and ATAGI has declared that the vaccine can be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women and those who have already had COVID-19. The vaccination process will include two doses that must be taken at least three weeks apart. However, ATAGI stated that the vaccination process should include three doses for severely immunocompromised people. GPs Under Increasing Pressure To Rollout Vaccinations The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed the upcoming availability of Novavax but has called on the federal government to provide extra support for general practices, who are under increasing pressure from the childrens COVID-19 vaccination rollout. General practices participating in the vaccine rollout are doing a tremendous job, but we are under enormous pressure, RACGP President Dr Karen Price said. GPs and their teams will carry on and get as many doses into arms as possible, but we need more help, and that needs to happen right now. GPs are still reporting doses not arriving on time or insufficient stock being delivered. So general practice teams then have the unenviable task of ringing families and telling them that their childs appointment must be cancelled, Price said. This is causing a lot of stress and anxiety and, unfortunately, some people are once again taking their frustration out on exhausted nurses and receptionists. Practices are also struggling to absorb the cost of taking part in the rollout. General practice teams did not sign up to make money, but at the end of the day, they must make ends meet, and that is proving very difficult, Price said. She said that since late last year, practices were given an additional $10 per booster shot, the new vaccines magnify the task of general practitioners who therefore require greater financial assistance. Price said that more funding would enable GPs to deliver more weekend and after-hours vaccinations. President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi depart following a meeting with the Democratic caucus at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Oct. 28, 2021. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) Pelosi Asks for All-Member Briefing on Ukraine Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has requested an all-member briefing on the evolving Ukraine situation as fears of a potential Russian invasion ramp up. In recent weeks, Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops on its western border with Ukraine, including infantry, tanks, and other armored vehicles, as well as sea forces. In response to this troop buildup, President Joe Biden is considering sending U.S. troops into the east European nation, setting the stage for a potentially massive war between the two superpowers. Biden has been in negotiations with the Kremlin for weeks, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued his troop buildup along the Russia-Ukraine border. This precarious situation led the United States to, out of an abundance of caution, order the evacuation of family members of its diplomatic staff from Kyiv, while approving voluntary departure for non-essential staff. After the State Department announcement, the United Kingdom ordered the evacuation of some of its staff and envoy families. Now, Pelosis request could increase Congresss involvement in the budding crisis, and has reportedly requested an all-member briefing on the developing situation in Ukraine. In recent decades, Congress has taken an increasingly hands-off approach to armed conflict, leaving the president and military staff to make important military decisions largely on their own. While Congress has, from time to time, granted the president use-of-force authorizations, or given opinions on military action, the modern commander-in-chief has nearly unilateral control over military affairs. Pelosis request indicates that Congress may not be happy to allow this status quo to continue if the United States goes to war with Russia, and that Congress will seek a more active role in foreign policy. Asked about Pelosis request, White House Press Sec. Jen Psaki told reporters, We have been in close consultation with members in leadership from the beginning. I am sure we are working to meet the request and needs of members, Psaki added. Though Congress has been able to agree on little over the past year, a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and Republicans have spent the past few weeks indicating support for an armed conflict with the Eurasian superpower, and several have opined on what the United States next steps should be in responding to Russias troop buildup. One of the most popular options proposed ahead of an invasion has been increased sanctions. Though the United States has had sanctions on Russia since its takeover of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, which did little to persuade Putin to return the territory, Democrats are gathering around a far more restrictive sanctions bill. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendezs mother of all sanctions bill would, in addition to putting new sanctions on the Russian banking and financial sectors, put sanctions on individual high-level Russian government and military leaders. It is far beyond the typical sanctions we leverage, Menendez said during an MSNBC appearance. He contended that the bill could be enough to force a Russian drawdown ahead of an invasion but urged for it to be passed before, not after, Russia invades. The effort here is to deter Russia from going in, Menendez explained. In addition, the bill would authorize around $500 million of military assistance for Ukraine, a provision in line with demands from Senate Republicans. After Biden suggested that the United States may not take action if the Russian attack is only a minor incursion, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called on the president to arm Ukraine. I hope Vladimir Putin doesnt misunderstand the message: No incursion into Ukraine is acceptable, McConnell said during an appearance on Fox News. Specifically, McConnell called on the United States to supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons and ground-to-air missiles. Job number one is to make sure that Ukrainians have the tools to inflict severe damage on any Russian troops coming in, McConnell explained. Theyre testing us to see whether we will do anything of consequence to keep them from gobbling up part of another sovereign country, McConnell said. That hasnt happened since World War II. I dont think Vladimir Putin understands sovereignty. The first shipment of assistance recently directed by President Biden to Ukraine arrived in Ukraine tonight. This shipment includes close to 200,000 pounds of lethal aid, including ammunition for the front line defenders of Ukraine. [1/2] pic.twitter.com/YeYanK0Px6 U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) January 22, 2022 One lawmaker, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) went so far to suggest that the United States should be open to a nuclear first strike on Russia if it invades Ukraine. We dont rule out first-use nuclear, Wicker, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Fox News. Wicker and other Republicans have criticized Biden for contributing to the crisis, in part through his controversial decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan. After two decades of conflict in the faraway desert nation, Bidens sudden withdrawal order led to the fall of the American-allied democratic government to the Taliban terrorist organization. What we did in Afghanistan sent an unwelcome, unwanted signal to China and other adversaries that the United States would not defend its allies, Wicker argued during a TV appearance. Pfizer Begins Study Evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine That Targets Omicron Variant Pfizer and its German partner on Tuesday launched a clinical study that will evaluate an updated version of their COVID-19 vaccine. The updated formulation targets Omicron, a variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Omicron became dominant in the United States last month; the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has proven much less effective, especially against infection, versus the strain. The study is enrolling up to 1,420 healthy adults aged 18 to 55. The participants will be divided into three cohorts. One group had already received two doses of the vaccine and will get one or two doses of the Omicron-based shot; another had already received three shots of the current vaccine and will receive one dose of the current vaccine or the Omicron-based jab; the third has not received any shots and will get three doses of the Omicron-based vaccine. While current research and real-world data show that boosters continue to provide a high level of protection against severe disease and hospitalization with Omicron, we recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address Omicron and new variants in the future, Kathrin Jansen, senior vice president and head of vaccine research and development at Pfizer, said in a statement. Vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe disease caused by Omicron. Yet, emerging data indicate vaccine-induced protection against infection and mild to moderate disease wanes more rapidly than was observed with prior strains, Ugur Sahin, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, added. This study is part of our science-based approach to develop a variant-based vaccine that achieves a similar level of protection against Omicron as it did with earlier variants but with longer duration of protection. The study will take place in the United States and South Africa, a Pfizer spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email. Results are expected by the third quarter and we will share updates as we are able to, the spokesperson said. Originally, the Pfizer shot and other COVID-19 vaccines were promoted as being highly effective at protecting against infection, severe disease, and death. However, that effectiveness drops as time goes on, especially against the Omicron variant, prompting the push for boosters, or additional shots. Early data on boosters against Omicron indicates much of the lost protection is restored but that the protection against both infection and severe disease drops within weeks. Pfizers CEO Albert Bourla said last week that he hopes the companys vaccine will be strong enough to only need application once a year, as opposed to booster doses being administered every four or five months. Pfizer is ready to file for authorization from U.S. drug regulators for the Omicron-based vaccine provided the study shows the tweaked shot is safe and effective, he added. A Pacific Gas & Electric sign is displayed on the exterior of a PG&E building in San Francisco, on April 16, 2020. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo) PG&Es Criminal Probation to End Amid Ongoing Safety Worries SAN FRANCISCOPacific Gas & Electric is poised to emerge from five years of criminal probation, despite worries that nations largest utility remains too dangerous to trust after years of devastation from wildfires ignited by its outdated equipment and neglectful management. The probation, set to expire at midnight Tuesday, was supposed to rehabilitate PG&E after its 2016 conviction for six felony crimes from a 2010 explosion triggered by its natural gas lines that blew up a San Bruno neighborhood and killed eight people. Instead, PG&E became an even more destructive force. Since 2017 the utility has been blamed for more than 30 wildfires that wiped out more than 23,000 homes and businesses and killed more than 100 people. In these five years, PG&E has gone on a crime spree and will emerge from probation as a continuing menace to California, U.S. District Judge William Alsup wrote in a report reviewing his oversight of the utility. While on probation, PG&E pleaded guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter for a 2018 wildfire that wiped out the town of Paradise, about 170 miles (275 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco. Now PG&E faces more criminal charges in two separate cases, for a Sonoma County wildfire in 2019 and a Shasta County fire in 2020. PG&E has denied any criminal wrongdoing in those fires. Even more potential criminal charges loom. California regulators already have linked PG&E to the massive Dixie Fire last year, when a tree is believed to have hit the utilitys distribution lines in the Sierra Nevadapart of a sprawling, often rugged service territory covering 16 million Northern Californian customers. During its probation, PG&E also plunged into bankruptcy for the second time in less than 20 years. Before emerging from bankruptcy last year, PG&E reached settlements of more than $25.5 billion, including $13.5 billion earmarked for wildfire victims that may fall short of doling out the amount initially promised. PG&Es conduct prompted its court-appointed monitor, Mark Filip, to raise alarms about the utilitys wildfire prevention efforts, though he applauded the sustained and substantial improvements in its natural gas operations. We doubt anyone would seriously contend PG&Es performance has been adequate, or that substantial improvement is not still imperative, Filips team wrote in a report filed with Alsup late last year. PG&E, a 117-year-old company, generates about $20 billion in revenue annually while serving a 70,000-square-mile (181,300-square-kilometer) service area in the northern and central part of California that includes farmland, forests, big cities and the worlds technology hub in Silicon Valley. Alsup, who repeatedly excoriated PG&E during its probation, last year signaled he was interested in keeping the utility under his watch. But he dropped the idea earlier this month after the U.S. Attorneys Office filed documents saying it didnt plan to seek an extension of PG&Es probation, citing the unique history and circumstances of the case. We have tried hard to rehabilitate PG&E, Alsup wrote in his final report. As the supervising district judge, however, I must acknowledge failure. Alsup declined an interview request from The Associated Press to elaborate on his concerns about PG&E. Catherine Sandoval, an energy professor at Santa Clara University and a former California power regulator, believes Alsup was far too hard on himself, although she agrees PG&E hasnt proven it should be freed from supervision. She blames federal prosecutors for backing off an attempt to extend PG&Es probation because there appears to be no binding case law on this point, according to the U.S. attorneys report. If there was ever a test case for whether a companys probation can be extended, PG&E is it, Sandoval asserted during an interview. She also unsuccessfully fought to hold a hearing to extend the utilitys probation in 58-page brief filed with Alsup earlier this month. Noah Stern, the federal prosecutor handling PG&Es probation, didnt respond to a request for comment. While acknowledging its problems, PG&E claimed in a report to the judge that its electricity grid is fundamentally safer now than in January 2017. It also defended the roughly 40,000 employees and contractors who maintain its operations. Vilifying them and threatening to criminalize the exercise of professional judgment or the making of honest mistakes serves neither safety nor fairness, and instead severely detracts from PG&Es efforts to bring the skills of the best and brightest to bear on stopping wildfires, PG&E lawyers wrote. We are all in this together. Eric England, right, searches through a friends vehicle after the wildfire burned through Paradise in Calif., on Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) As signs of its progress, PG&E cited the more than 3.3 million trees near its equipment that were either trimmed or removed in the past two years. The utility says it now spends $1.4 billion annually to trim or remove trees, up from $400 million annually in 2017. But Alsup estimated PG&E still has a seven-year backlog of high-risk trees that need trimming or removal. The company also cited a sweeping overhaul of its board and management, including bringing in Patricia Poppe as its new CEO last year. Poppe, a former Michigan utility executive, became PG&Es fifth CEO in five years, part of an unusually high turnover rate that the companys federal monitor said makes reform more difficult. We know there is more to do, PG&Es lawyers told Alsup in their final probationary report. These are not just words on a page or a poster, they are a commitment to make it right and make Californians safe. PG&E declined further comment about the end of its probation. Sandoval, who was among the regulators overseeing PG&E as a commissioner for the California Public Utilities Commission from 2011 to 2017, accused PG&E officials of being mired in a pattern of cognitive immaturity and lazy thinking that should require its executives and board to submit to counseling. PG&E, the corporation, needs the training an individual criminal defendant would have received in prison to break the cycle of criminal thinking that endangers public safety, Sandoval wrote in her in brief to Alsup. In his separate report, Filip suggested California consider regulatory changes or new approaches to keep PG&E in check. The federal monitor cautioned that in PG&Es service territory, the consequences of a single misstepa missed hazard tree, the failure to replace corroded hardware on power linescan be death and destruction. By Michael Liedtke A screenshot taken from Koninklijke Philips NV in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on July 2020. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Philips Registers 10 Percent Comparable Sales Decline in Q4 Koninklijke Philips NV reported a fourth-quarter FY21 sales decline of 5.6 percent year-on-year to 4.9 billion ($5.56 billion). The company attributed the comparable sales decline of 10 percent to headwinds caused by global supply chain challenges, postponement of equipment installations in hospitals, and consequences of the Respironics field action. The comparable order intake rose by 4 percent, with double-digit growth in the Diagnosis & Treatment businesses, partly offset by a double-digit decline in the Connected Care businesses. Comparable sales for Diagnosis & Treatment businesses were in line with Q4 2020, with double-digit growth in Image-Guided Therapy, offset by declines in Ultrasound and Diagnostic Imaging. The comparable order intake for the Diagnosis & Treatment businesses increased 10 percent, with double-digit growth in Image-Guided Therapy and mid-single-digit growth in Ultrasound. The adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 100 bps to 16.2 percent. The comparable sales in the Connected Care businesses declined 32 percent Y/Y due to pandemic induced demand correction. The adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 1,510 bps to 16.3 percent. The Personal Health businesses recorded a comparable sales decline of 3 percent Y/Y due to the supply chain crisis. The adjusted EBITDA was nearly flat at 24.6 percent. Philips Respironics raised the field action provision by 220 million ($250 million), mainly due to the higher volume of registered devices eligible for remediation. It recorded an adjusted EPS of 0.57. The adjusted EBITA contracted 590 bps to 13.1 percent due to lower sales associated with supply chain headwinds. The adjusted EBITDA contracted 580 bps to 18.3 percent. Philips generated 720 million ($817 million) in operating cash flow. It held 2.3 billion ($2.6 billion) in cash and equivalents. As we announced on January 12, 2022, sales were impacted by several headwinds, namely supply chain challenges, postponement of equipment installations in hospitals related to COVID-19, and the consequences of the Respironics field action, CEO Frans van Houten said. Looking ahead, the company expects to resume its growth and margin expansion trajectory in the course of 2022. By Anusuya Lahiri 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Proposed State Law Would Make It Illegal to Request a Persons Vaccine Status A newly proposed South Carolina law would make it illegal for certain institutions to ask a person for their COVID-19 vaccination status. The government has no place in making you or telling you to take the vaccination or threatening your livelihood if you dont, said state Rep. William Chumley, a co-sponsor of the bill, known as H.4848. A representative of a public, private, or nonprofit entity who asks about a persons COVID-19 vaccination status should be fined more than $14,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, according to the text of the bill. South Carolina didnt want to get in this fight, Chumley told local media outlets. It was brought to us by the federal government. The bill is currently being discussed in a state House committee. Lawmakers who sponsored the bill said they support the measure because it can serve as a bulwark against government coercion. Its about protecting people from being forced or coerced into getting a vaccine for purposes of employment, admission to schools, or government services, state Rep. Wayne Long, a Republican, told Channel 2 News. I get calls from people literally every week begging the legislature to take some kind of action to protect peoples rights, to protect their privacy, and to keep them from being forced or coerced into getting a vaccine that they frankly dont want to get, Long added. And even for people who have gotten the vaccine, Ive spoken with many of them, its really a privacy issue. South Carolina labor law attorney Jeremy Summerlin told local media that he believes the bill would be very difficult to implement. You put employers in an impossible position, Summerlin remarked. Youve got a (proposed) state law now that says that if you ask about that, and try to comply with federal law, then you are going to jail, he added. What if you ask your coworker about their vaccination status, and you are just having a conversation? he said. What if you are a nurse, and you ask a fellow nurse about it? Do you want the local law enforcement to go in and arrest them because of this law? The proposed law comes two weeks after the Supreme Court, in a 63 majority opinion, blocked an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emergency temporary standard that required employees at companies with 100 or more workers to either get the vaccine or submit to weekly testing. And on Tuesday, OSHA published an announcement saying it would formally withdraw the rule Wednesday. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk looks on at a press conference at Parliament house in Brisbane, Australia, on April 1, 2021.(Jono Searle/Getty Images) Queensland Education Minister Has COVID-19, Back-to-School Announcement Delayed The Queensland government has delayed the announcement of its back-to-school plan because Education Minister Grace Grace has contracted COVID-19. We wish her a speedy recovery, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters in Townsville on Tuesday. As soon as she is back on deck, the Education Minister and I will make that announcement. I think people can understand that Id like the Education Minister to be here for that announcement, she said. The start of the 2022 school year, originally set for Jan. 23, was delayed until Feb. 7 amid rising concerns that COVID-19 case numbers would surge to emergency levels at the end of January and into early February. That said, Palaszczuk said she was heartened to see the predictions didnt reach the peak levels her government was expecting. Were going to wait to see what happens over the next one to two weeks. The peak and the utilisation of hospital beds is actually are lower than what we were expecting, Palaszczuk said. Many school transport services commenced on Jan. 24, when the children of essential workers were allowed back to school before the rest of the cohort. Some 11 new routes have been announced in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, and Bribie Island. It is estimated that around 30 million school trips will be taken in 2022. The safety and comfort of all students when travelling is a priority for us, which is why planning ahead and being prepared is important, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said in a release that included the 11 new routes. Knowing where and when they need to be to catch their school bus will help immensely, he said. Students, parents, and guardians can plan their journeys using TransLinks School Service Finder or Journey Planner or by visiting local operator websites. Its important for students to remember to be patient for the first few weeks of the school year, as the network is monitored and changes may need to be made to services where demand requires it, Bailey said. Masks are also mandatory on all public transport, and we encourage students to social distance onboard where possible. The state also expanded its definitions of essential workers to include those in beverage manufacturing, disability care, aged care, and telecommunications. Workers in these industries, deemed critical, will be allowed to continue to work if they are declared a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case. These changes mean more clarity for employees and employers on what a critically essential worker is and what they are able to do, Health Minister Yvette DAth said in a release. A critically essential worker is only able to attend the workplace as a close contact to perform a critically essential role when both employer and employee agree. For these critically essential workers to perform their jobs, they must have no COVID-19 symptoms, be fully vaccinated, and test negative on a rapid antigen test provided by their employers every two days. Russia Adds Jailed Kremlin Critic, Top Allies, to Terrorist and Extremist Registry The Russian government on Tuesday added the jailed Kremlin critic, Alexei Navalny, along with several of his top allies to an official list of people considered terrorists or extremists. Rosfinmonitoring, the countrys state financial monitoring service, updated its terrorist listing on Jan. 25, with Navalny and some members of his teamincluding top aides Lyubov Sobol and Georgy Alburovadded to the registry. Alexei Navalny, Lyubov Sobol, Vyacheslav Gimadi, Georgy Alburov, Ruslan Shaveddinov were included in the list of terrorists and extremists, Navalnys team announced on Telegram. Those who are added to the listing are subject to limits on bank transactions and need to seek approval every time they want to use their accounts. Sobol, one of the faces of Navalnys popular YouTube channel, told Ekho Moskvy radio that Russian President Vladimir Putin was declaring anyone he didnt like to be a terrorist. Opposition figure Lyubov Sobol walks away from a court building after being handed a one-year community service suspended sentence in Moscow, Russia, on April 15, 2021. (Dimitar DilkoffI/AFP via Getty Images) Chief of Staff of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Leonid Volkov speaks during an interview with AFP, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on March 2, 2021. (Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images) Leonid Volkov, Navalnys chief of staff who fled Russia to avoid arrest, also commented on the situation in a statement on Facebook, saying he is proud to work in our fine team of extremists and terrorists.' By devaluing the meaning of words and turning their meaning inside out, the Kremlin is digging a deeper hole for itself. Its doing all it can to make those who still believe Putin stop believing him, said Volkov. Also on Tuesday, local news agencies reported separately that the federal prison service had demanded that Oleg Navalny, the brother of imprisoned Kremlin critic Navalny, be given a jail term in place of a one-year suspended sentence handed to him last year. Oleg was among several prominent opposition figures to be charged with violating CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions after he attended large unauthorized protests against government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions in January 2021, calling on supporters to take to the streets. Oleg Navalny, the brother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, stands in front of Omsk Emergency Hospital No. 1 where the opposition leader was admitted after he fell ill in what his spokeswoman said was a suspected poisoning, in Omsk, Russia, on Aug. 21, 2020. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images) Navalny, Putins most determined political challenger, was arrested in January 2021 upon his return from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlinaccusations that Russian officials reject. He was handed a 2 1/2-year prison sentence one month later for violating terms of a suspended sentence stemming from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that he denounced as politically driven. Putin, 68, has been in powereither as president or prime ministerfor more than two decades. He pushed through constitutional changes last year that enable him to run again in 2024 when his current six-year term ends. The changes would allow him to potentially hold onto power until 2036. Putin earlier this year signed legislation barring members of groups deemed extremist, including allies of Navalny, from running for office. The move, critics say, was designed to stamp out opposition to United Russia. The Kremlin denies the crackdown is political. Reuters contributed to this report. From NTD News San Diego Metro Transit Systems First Private Security Officers Begin Patrols SAN DIEGOThe San Diego Metropolitan Transit System announced on Jan. 25 that it has begun onboarding private security officers with Inter-Con Security to provide security services on trolleys, buses, and on the transit systems properties. The first officers began on New Years Day and by the end of the month, the transit system expects to have 190 Inter-Con officers ready to join its 80 code compliance inspectors. The safety of our riders and employees is a top priority at [the Metropolitan Transit System], said Monica Montgomery Steppe, chairwoman of the transit systems Public Security Committee and San Diego City Council President Pro Tem. We are confident Inter-Con officers will be a great addition to our security teams. We are excited to have these officers on board to advance many of the reforms weve implemented over the past few years and look forward to working with them to serve the public, she added. In July, the transit systems board of directors approved a $66 million contract with Inter-Con. The contract is for three base years with an option to extend an additional two years. We want to provide a safe and secure experience for all [Metropolitan Transit System] riders and employees, said Nathan Fletcher, the transit systems board chairman, and chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. This new team can help us ensure we meet our obligation to protect the public, our [Metropolitan Transit System] team members, and anyone who engages with [the transit system] in a safe and professional manner. In January 2021, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System named Al Stiehlerwho most recently served as chief of field operations for New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the nations largestas director of transit security and passenger safety. Since July 2020, in the wake of national protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the changes in the transit systems security policies and procedures include the following: Many of the principles in the 8 Cant Wait campaignwhich calls for more restrictive use of force by police officers nationwidehas been adopted as a guideline for the transit systems use-of-force policy. Carotid restraints and choke holds are banned, including the prohibition of applying knee pressure on the neck, throat, or head. A duty to intervene has been adopted, which requires the transit systems security officers to intervene when witnessing excessive force used by another employee. A fare citation diversion pilot program helps riders caught without a fare avoid court fees and criminal citation. The transit systems security policies and procedures will be reviewed by a third-party peer review, which includes a community-based steering committee to assist with recommendations. We have been working diligently to adopt principles, guidelines, and improve our officers training to a more sensible approach to security and safety enforcement, Stiehler said. Inter-Con presented an impressive work plan that aligns with our mission and is backed by the use of technology to track training and certifications. The Metropolitan Transit System service area covers 570 square miles, 62 stations, and 53 miles of double-tracked railway. Officers are responsible for conducting fare inspections, acting as system ambassadors, supporting bus and rail operations and other employees in need, and helping with lost and found items, among other tasks. Last July, the board of the transit system also extended its Fare Evasion Diversion Program to Aug. 31. This pilot program reduces fines, offers a community service option in lieu of payment, and a new appeal window for fare violators. The transit system is extending the pilot to get a better understanding about success factors, a board statement read. The COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to fully analyze the program thus far, but an extension is intended to allow additional time to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and identify if any changes are necessary. A man runs next to a discarded mask at the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach, Calif., on Aug. 22, 2020. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images) San Francisco Bay Area Doctors Petition to End COVID-19 Restrictions SANTA CLARA, Calif.In an open letter and petition to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state officials, a group of Bay Area doctors called for an end to COVID-19 restrictions, saying that the strict policies are harming professional and personal lives and that children also need normalcy in schools again. The doctors called on officials to acknowledge the endemic nature of COVID-19 after the Omicron surge and immediately shift our public dialogue toward defining a path for removing all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in public schools. The Childrens Health DefenseCalifornia Chapter voiced its support for ending COVID-19 restrictions as well. Alix Mayer, the chapters board president, told NTD Television that it has been tracking the psychological and medical health effects on children during the lockdowns and restrictions. A month ago we got a call that a fourth grader had died of a heart attack. And then five minutes later, I got a text saying that a 14-year-old had died while they were sledding in Minnesota from masking and having had a shot recently, and these calls come in all day long, Mayer said. The open letter was signed by Jeanne Noble, director of COVID-19 response for the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco (UCSF) Parnassus Emergency Department; Jennifer Nguyen, a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland; Vinay Prasad, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF; Jarrett Moyer, a surgeon at UCSF; and Laura Chinnavaso, a registered nurse with the Alameda County Disaster Relief, COVID-19 Response. The doctors wrote in the letter that the policies are negatively affecting professional and personal lives without clear benefit nor any end in sight. Present policies have driven thousands of people from this state and from our public schools, and we will continue to lose many great minds, great businesses, great families and great individuals if current policy is not righted, the letter reads. We have very low rates of COVID in California, very low rates of hospitalization, a very high vaccination rate, and so at some point you just have to say, is this working or is it not working? Mayer said. Among the 17 things that the doctors are asking state officials to do are to acknowledge that most people are vaccinated, that theres an educational crisis, and that children and teens are suffering from an ongoing mental health crisis due to isolation. Theyre asking the officials to make masks optional indoors starting on Feb. 24 and to use cost-benefit analysis for all COVID restrictive policies to ensure that benefit always outweighs harm. Earlier this month, Newsom said it was critical to keep reopening schools a top priority. The petition on Change.org has more than 11,000 signatures as of Jan. 25. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler testifies before a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee oversight hearing on the SEC on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) SEC Chair Gensler Maps out Potential Overhaul to Agencys Cyber Rules WASHINGTONThe U.S. securities regulator is considering extending cyber risk management rules to third-party service providers, and beefing up public company disclosures when they experience a breach, the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said on Monday. Gary Gensler, in an address to securities industry professionals, mapped out a sweeping overhaul of SEC cyber rules, including changes to how stock exchanges and clearinghouses mitigate, and report on cyber risk under the Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity (SCI) aimed at reducing systems issues and improving resilience. Gensler added that new cybersecurity rules could extend to registered firms third-party service providers, including fund administrators, index providers, custodians, and others not currently registered with SEC. These new rules could include a variety of measures, such as requiring certain registrants to identify service providers that could pose such risks; holding registrants accountable for service providers cybersecurity measures and protecting against inappropriate access and investor information. This could help ensure important investor protections are not lost and key services are not disrupted as financial sector registrants increasingly rely on outsourced services Gensler said. The agency could also make changes to rules around how companies disclose cybersecurity practices and cyber risk, including an update to how they must notify investors when cyber events occur. Analysts said Genslers outline comes at a time of growing concern about how cyber security issues could affect markets and investors. President Joe Bidens administration has also ratcheted up its focus on the issue after a recent series of high-profile cyber attacks on U.S.-based companies. By Katanga Johnson People watch a television news broadcast showing file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on April 14, 2020. North Korea fired several suspected cruise missiles on April 14 towards the sea, according to the South's military, with analysts saying Pyongyang was demonstrating the breadth of its arsenal. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images) Seoul Says Investigating 2 Likely Cruise Missiles in 5th North Korean Launch This Month The North Korean regime fired two apparent cruise missiles on Tuesday, South Koreas military said, marking the fifth reported missile launch this month. The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the missiles were launched into the east sea on Tuesday, but it has not yet been able to provide any specifics because the launch is still being examined. Cruise missile launches by the North are not banned under U.N. sanctions imposed on Pyongyang. The missile launch comes just days after Pyongyang vowed to immediately develop more powerful physical means to overpower the hostile moves of the United States, according to North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). On Jan. 17, North Korea fired two tactical guided missiles from Pyongyang, which the regime boasted had precisely hit an island target in the East Sea of Korea. Pyongyang claimed that two missile tests performed on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 were hypersonic missiles, which prompted the United States to impose sanctions on six North Koreans involved in procuring goods for North Koreas weapons programs from Russia and China. The United States subsequently requested to the U.N. security council that five of those individuals be subjected to a U.N. travel ban and asset freeze, but represenatives from China and Russia blocked the proposal, claiming that additional time and proof were required to support it. During a Politburo meeting of the ruling Workers Party last week, the North Korean officials unanimously admitted that Pyongyang must be more fully ready for a long-term confrontation with U.S. imperialism, KCNA reported. Kim Jong Uns socialist regime assessed the U.S. hostile policy and military threat have reached the line of danger that can no longer be overlooked, the state media mouthpiece claimed. It stated that the Politburo committee has therefore ordered a reconsideration of confidence-building measures and examining resuming all actions which had been temporarily suspended. The U.S. ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, issued a joint statement on Jan. 20 on behalf of eight countriesthe United States, Albania, Brazil, France, Ireland, Japan, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdomthat urged the Security Council to be unified in condemning Pyongyangs unlawful behavior. They called on the council committee to support the U.N. sanctions against those who aid Pyongyangs weapons programs, warning that failing to do so would be tantamount to giving Pyongyang a blank check. Lee Sang-min, a military expert at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said the missile volleys this month look to be aimed at building geopolitical tensions and to push the Biden administration and its hostile policies towards the North Korean leaders demands. Cruise missiles are slower than ballistic missiles and so are regarded as less of a threat, but they hit targets with high precision, something North Korea would continue to develop, Lee said. Reuters contributed to this report. US Fighter Jet Has Landing Mishap in South China Sea, 7 Injured: Navy Seven sailors were injured after a fighter jet had a landing mishap in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy announced. The F-35C Joint Strike Fighter jet had a landing mishap on deck while USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was conducting routine flight operations on Jan. 24, according to a statement from the Navy. The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via U.S. military helicopter, according to the statement. The pilot is in stable condition. There were seven total Sailors injured. Three of the sailors were evacuated to a medical facility in Manila, Philippines. They are now in stable condition. Four other sailors were treated on board, three of whom have been released. Additional details and the cause of the inflight mishap is under investigation, the Navy said. The Pentagon said two U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Groups, led by the Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln began operations in the South China Sea on Sunday. The carriers entered the disputed sea for training as Taiwan reported a new Chinese air force incursion at the top of the waterway. Reuters contributed to this report. South Australian Teachers Strike on First Day of School Term a Possibility The majority of South Australian teachers who are members of the Australian Education Union (AEU) have voted to strike on the first day of the school term due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns. School and preschool teacher members were balloted, with almost two-thirds supporting industrial action via a full day stoppage on Wednesday, Feb.2, if COVID-19 safety concerns are not addressed, AEU SA Branch reported on Tuesday. This comes as the number of active COVID-19 cases in South Australia currently stands at 27,991. Under the Governments back-to-school plan, Jan.31 will see the return to school of the most vulnerable students, as well as children of essential workers. Then on Feb.2, pre-school and reception, along with years 1,7,8, and 12 will return, while other levels will start back face-to-face on Feb.14, after two weeks of online learning. Meanwhile, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 will be extra preparation days for teachers to get briefed and prepare for online teaching. This plan is all about balancing the learning needs of our kids, while also ensure they stay safe, Premier Steven Marshall said. Since the vote was put to members, the AEU and South Australian Department for Education (DfE) has been engaged in negotiations on whether the proposed return-to-school measures make the environment safe for staff and students, whether they will slow the spread of Omicron, and whether they are consistent across all sites. In addition, there is the question of whether or not the measures will address wellbeing and mental health concerns and how the measures will impact workloads. According to AEU, while some of their concerns have been addressed, others need further discussion. The Government and the Department have an obligation to ensure that all learning spaces are safe for children, students and staff and that all reasonable and practicable measures to create safe learning environments have been implemented, the report said. The AEU noted that while the health sector has the benefit of full PPE, including N95 masks and face shields, educators will operate in classes of up to 29 students with measures that include at best N95 masks in some situations; social distancing, which will be impossible for many; hand sanitiser; cleaning; and, weather permitting, open windows or the option of conducting classes outside. On Tuesday, AEU Executive will weigh up the progress made in the negotiations with DfE so far. If Executive believes sufficient progress has been made then members will be re-balloted to postpone the action, the report said. Conversely, if Executive is dissatisfied then the action will remain on foot pending any timely additional progress in discussions. Meanwhile, Premier Marshall said at a press conference on Tuesday that the government has listened to the experts since day one, and he was hopeful that Tuesday afternoons meeting between SA Chief Health Officer Nicola Spurrier and the AEU will go a long way to addressing the unions concerns. Were in respectful negotiation, the union put I think 18 or 19 issues that they wanted to address with us, he said. We responded to them earlier in the week, theyve got that information now. I know theyve got that ballot result there, but of course, that ballot was open well before all of the issues had been finalised, so Im hopeful that this afternoon we can have a successful meeting and provide them with all of the information that they require. Marshall also said that the state government would be doing everything possible to avert the strike, and noted that not every teacher in the state voted on the unions ballot. The reality is, we have been working with the union for days and days since the ballot opened, and I think that if they balloted again, they would get a different position, he said. When asked about issues that Prof. Spurrier will need to address to prevent a strike, Marshall said the main issue is there has been pressure to have surveillance rapid antigen testing. Theres just no medical reason for this in South Australia, whatsoever, he said. This has been borne out by the advice we have received from the AHPPC (Australian Health Protection Principal Committee). So look, well go through the reasons why having rapid antigen tests can give a false sense of security unless theyre carried out in a really, sort of controlled way, and well provide that information to the union. State Issues Warning to NYC Restaurant After It Starts Selling 25-Cent Cocktails to Customers New Yorks State Liquor Authority has issued a warning to a restaurant after it began selling 25-cent martinis and Manhattans to customers in an effort to lure them in. Antons Cafe and Wine Bar in the West Village announced earlier this month that it was reintroducing 25-cent martinis and Manhattans for customers every weekday lunch during January. Not a typo. Actually $0.25 for a full cocktail. And stay tuned for the imminent return of bottled cocktailsdelivery and take away. Cheers! the wine bar said on Instagram. However, the discounted drinks offer was apparently in violation of a State Liquor Authority (SLA) law that prohibits businesses from serving free alcohol or discounted drinks priced at under half of their original price. On Saturday, Antons chef and co-owner Nick Anderer said that the discounted drinks offer had come to an abrupt end after he was made aware of the violation. Due to an obscure NY State liquor law, of which we were completely unaware, and for which we received no warning or notice, we can no longer offer 25 cent Martinis and Manhattans, Anderer wrote on Instagram. Starting next week, and for the remainder of the month, as per mandate from a State Liquor Authority official, we will be offering $9 Martinis and Manhattans for lunch, the chef said. Apparently, special prices on liquor/wine cannot be offered any lower than 50 percent of an establishments regular pricing. Wish us luck as we battle through a pending SLA casejust when we thought all the bureaucratic hurdles were behind usAnd pls dont cancel your lunch reservationslaissez les bons temps rouler! Anderer said. According to state law, licensees are prohibited from selling, serving, delivering or offering to patrons an unlimited number of drinks during any set period of time for a fixed price, or from creating drink specials which, in the judgment of the Authority, attempt to circumvent the law. This includes offerings of free drinks, or multiple drinks for free or for the price of a single drink, or for a low initial price followed by a price increment per hour or other period of time. An SLA spokesperson told The Epoch Times that it issued the restaurant with a warning. The SLA did not bring charges against this licensee. Following complaints about 25 cent martinis, SLA Investigators reached out to the licensee to issue a warning and remind them of their obligations, the spokesperson said. In order to prevent over-service, the ABC Law prohibits licensees from offering unlimited drinks. The SLA has long considered drink specials that are priced lower than one-half of the businesses regular price for the same drink to constitute the type of offering the law prevents. The Alcoholic Beverage Control law was enacted in 1934 for the purpose of fostering and promoting temperance in their consumption and respect for and obedience to law. The SLA has long considered drink specials that are priced lower than one-half of the businesses regular price for the same drink to constitute the type of offering the law prevents. Following complaints about 25 cent martinis, SLA Investigators reached out to the licensee to issue a warning and remind them of their obligations, the SLA spokesperson said. Antons Cafe did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Update: This article was updated with a statement from New Yorks State Liquor Authority. Queensland Symphony Orchestra's belief in preserving classical music is keeping them going during challenging times. (QSO/Supplied) Symphony Orchestra Optimistic Despite COVID One of Australias premier symphony orchestras is looking forward to a more promising 2022 despite a rocky chapter of cancellations and staff departures during the past two years of the CCP virus pandemic. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) has unveiled a season of concerts and events, featuring a throwback to their first concert 75 years ago, world premieres, orchestral classics, and new compositions. For the past two years, Queenslands largest performing arts company has seen many staff losses such as former music director, Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra, as well as several managerial departures. Were also interviewing for the chief executive role later this month, Matthies told AAP. This is a period of transition and renewal. One work the orchestra will be playing is Strausss massive Alpine Symphony, which is a poetic experience of eleven hours spent climbing an Alpine mountain. Strausss symphony requires 100 musicians on stage, so itll be a wonderful showcase for our orchestra, director of artistic planning Tim Matthies said. Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser Johannes Fritzsch also promised that the program will take audiences on a stirring journey. Along this musical journey, our audiences will meet soloists and conductors who will serve as tour guides, pointing out musical sights and sounds. We believe in the power of live performance to create beautiful, life-affirming experiences, Fritzsch said in a media release. The 2022 season will start with QSO Favourites, where concert-goers get to decide what classics the orchestra plays. When it debuted last year, four out of ten of its audience members had never been to one of its concerts previously. Thats a great statistic were keen to repeat, Matthies said. The orchestra will also play Hungarian March, from The Damnation of Faust, which QSO performed at its debut in Brisbane City Hall on March 26, 1947. In great news for the musicians of tomorrow, French horn player Vivienne Collier-Vickers will host Sounds Like an Orchestra to help younger audiences learn about different instruments. We did a variation of this last year, and afterward we had audience members telling us it reminded them of Leonard Bernsteins childrens concerts with the New York Philharmonic when they were growing up in New York, he said in a media release. Thats exactly the type of experience we want for Brisbane. Its high-quality but done in a friendly, open, and accessible way. China criticizes the United States as irresponsible after Washington blocked a number of China-bound flights. But the outcry comes after Beijing halted a number of U.S. flights before the first of the year. Chinas WeChat kicks the Australian prime minister off its platform. Now, his account and its 76,000 followers have been rebranded as an information site for Chinese Australians. Almost 40 Chinese aircraft entered Taiwans air defense zone this weekendthe largest incursion in four months. COVID-19 has reportedly found its way into Beijings Olympic bubbledespite strict isolation measures for everyone involved in the Winter Games. Some Chinese citizens are saying enough is enough. Some have started standing up against the communist regimes pandemic rules. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China. For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter. Taiwan Vice President William Lai speaks to the media at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan on Jan. 25, 2022, before leaving for Honduras. (Ann Wang/Reuters) Taiwan Vice President Travels to Honduras Amid Concern of Losing Another Ally to China TAIPEI, TaiwanTaiwans Vice President William Lai left for Honduras on Jan. 25 amid a possibility that the Central American nation would drop diplomatic ties with the island in favor of the Chinese regime. Lai is scheduled to attend the inauguration of Hondurass President-elect Xiomara Castro on Jan. 27. Currently, Honduras is one of Taiwans 14 remaining diplomatic allies as Taipei has lost eight allies to Beijing since 2016. Honduras and Taiwan have been diplomatic allies for 80 years as of 2021. Yet the relationship is now on shaky ground after Castro said during her campaign last year that she would immediately open diplomatic and commercial relations with mainland China once becoming president. Lais overseas trip is currently under close scrutiny because there is a chance that he will meet with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is heading a presidential delegation to attend Castros inauguration. The United States is currently Taiwans biggest arms supplier despite the two sides not having a formal diplomatic relationship. As President Castro prepares to promote new policies, Taiwan will uphold the spirit of pragmatic diplomacy and mutual assistance, deepen cooperation with Honduras, and overcome various difficulties to benefit both countries peoples, said Lai during a press briefing just before he boarded his flight. As a sign of Taiwans determination to deepen ties with Castros government from the get-go, Lai said he would bring supplies to help Honduras combat COVID-19. Aside from meeting Castro, Lai said she would have interactions and exchanges with leaders, deputy leaders, and representatives of allies and friendly countries. He did not name Harris or anyone else. The trip will show the world that Taiwan will bravely shoulder the heavy responsibility for the stability of regional and even international order, Lai said. He added, The international community will understand that Taiwan is a trustworthy friend and Taiwan has the ability to help the international community. According to Taiwans government-run Central News Agency, Lais delegation will have a stopover in Los Angeles before arriving in Honduras. They will return to Taiwan on Jan. 30 after stopping over in San Francisco. China does not want to see Lai and Harris having any interaction in Honduras. When asked about the possible interaction by the two leaders during a briefing on Jan. 20, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry, said China firmly opposes any official exchange between Taiwan and the United States. Zhao also disapproved of the U.S. decision to allow Lai transit through U.S. cities. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sees self-governing Taiwan as a part of its territory that must be united with the mainland, by force if necessary. As a result, Beijing opposes anything that might suggest Taiwans de facto nation-state, such as Taipei becoming a member of international organizations, foreign government officials visiting the island, or Taiwanese government officials transiting through countries that have formal ties with Beijing. The eight diplomatic partners that Taiwan has lost to Beijing since 2016 are: Nicaragua, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, Sao Tome and Principe, Panama, Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador. Nicaragua is the most recent country to change diplomatic recognition when it broke ties with Taipei in December last year. Beijing has boasted that it will continue to wrest away Taiwans diplomatic partners. Le Yucheng, Chinas vice foreign minister, said on Jan. 18 that it was a matter of time before [the number of] Taiwans diplomatic allies is zero. In November 2021, a U.S. State Department official told reporters in a telephone briefing that the United States would like to see Honduras keep its diplomatic relations with Taiwan. On Jan. 21, Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) took to Twitter to say that he spoke to Harris and asked her to meet directly with Lai in Honduras. Reuters contributed to the article. The Royal Hobart Hospital in the CBD of Tasmania's capital city, Hobart, on Tuesday, November 16, 2020. (AAP Image/Chris Crerar) Tasmania Shortens Booster Intervals to Three Months The Tasmanian Government has brought the interval forward for booster shots from four months to three months, following advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI). The Tasmanian Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff, said that this change will take effect from Feb. 1 and will mean that about 66,000 more Tasmanians will become eligible for a booster shot and be able to increase their immunity against COVID-19. Currently, more than a third of Tasmanians aged 18 and over have had their booster shots. However, the minister reminded Tasmanians that there are still 60,000 people aged 50 and over who havent had their booster, leaving them more vulnerable to the potentially serious effects of COVID. Weve seen from the experience in other countries and across the world that the booster is the best way to strengthen your immunity and continue protecting yourself, your family and the community against the Omicron variant, Rockliff said. In the last two weeks, pharmacies and GPs have delivered 55,000 vaccinations, the highest number for the state since the start of the rollout. However, Rockliff urged Tasmanians not to get complacent. I want to encourage all Tasmanians to check when they had their second dose of the vaccine and when that three-month milestone arrives, I urge them to please book that booster. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced on Dec. 24 that the federal government would be bringing forward eligibility for booster shots to 4 months effective Jan.4 and 3 months as of Jan. 31, following advice from the ATAGI. Hunt said the changes would open a new cohort. That means that we will go from about 3.2 million people who are eligible today to approximately 7.5 million who will be eligible as of 4 January, Hunt said at the press conference. That means that the cohort has expanded. It will be expanded again on 31 January to three months, and that will take it out to 16 million Australians who will be eligible at that point in time. And as weve said all along, eligibility is the beginning of access. Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said that the best evidence the ATAGI has got for protection is for between three to four months. Tasmania has shortened the booster shot interval following South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland. Additionally, the Australian Captial Territory made similar adjustments last week. Western Australia (pdf) and the Northern Territory are still administering booster shots at four month intervals. Effective Jan. 25, there have been 643 new cases in Tasmania with 35 hospitalisations. The Tesla logo is seen outside of their showroom in Wash., on Aug. 8, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Tesla Countersues JPMorgan, Claims Bank Sought Windfall After Musk Tweet NEW YORKTesla Inc. on Monday fought back against JPMorgan Chase & Co over a disputed bond contract, countersuing the bank for seeking a windfall following Elon Musks notorious 2018 tweet that he might take his electric car company private. In a filing in Manhattan federal court, Tesla accused JPMorgan of bad faith and avarice for demanding $162.2 million after the bank had unilaterally changed the terms of warrants it received when Tesla sold convertible bonds in 2014. JPMorgan pressed its exorbitant demand as an act of retaliation against Tesla both for it having passed over JPMorgan in major business deals and out of senior JPMorgan executives animus toward Mr. Musk, Tesla said. By changing the terms of the warrants, JPMorgan dealt itself a pure windfall after receiving a multibillion-dollar payout from Teslas soaring share price, Tesla added. Musk is Teslas chief executive, and according to Forbes, is the worlds richest person. Tesla CEO Elon Musk gestures as he visits the construction site of Teslas Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin on Aug. 13, 2021. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via Reuters) JPMorgan spokesman Brian Marchiony said in an email: There is no merit to their claim. This comes down to fulfilling contractual obligations. The countersuit escalates the battle between the largest U.S. bank and worlds most valuable car company, which have done little business with each other since the disputed contract. Warrants give holders the right to buy company stock at a set strike price and date. In its Nov. 15 lawsuit, JPMorgan said the Tesla warrants let it lower the strike price to counteract any economic impact from significant corporate transactions involving that company. JPMorgan said Musks Aug. 7, 2018 tweet that he might take Tesla private and had funding secured, followed by his reversing course 17 days later, was such a transaction because it made Teslas share price more volatile. The bank accused Tesla of defaulting because it failed to hand over shares or cash when the warrants expired in June and July 2021, by which time Teslas share price had risen about 10-fold. Musks tweets resulted in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission civil lawsuit. It ended with Musk giving up Teslas chairmanship, and he and Tesla each being fined $20 million. Teslas lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. By Jonathan Stempel The CCP Cover-up of Religious Genocide and Repression Commentary On Dec. 4, 2021, Chinese leader Xi Jinping gave his first public speech on religion in five years, blandly reemphasizing his Sinicization policy of actively guiding religions to adapt to the socialist society. In practice, Xis policies toward religious groups are far more wrathful. Documents leaked to The New York Times include Xis private speeches in which he called for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cadres to balance the demographics in Xinjiang and show no mercy toward its minority communities of Uyghur and other ethnic Muslimsa directive realized in the ongoing Uyghur genocide that features brutal birth prevention measures, mass internment, forced labor, and cultural destruction. With the other legal religions of Catholics, Protestants, and Buddhists, Sinicization is enforced through a strangling web of administrative restrictions aimed to quietly turn their institutions into mere instruments of CCP indoctrination, surveillance, and control. Beijing goes to great lengths to hide this religious repression from the rest of the world. It enforces strict censorship and bars independent human rights investigators. It deceptively explains Xinjiangs vast network of concentration camps, documented by Western satellites, as vocational training centers to end poverty and terror. To reports of Uyghur women being forced to undergo abortions and sterilizations, Xis ambassador in Washington retorted in a tweet that China promotes reproductive health, to liberate women from being baby making machines. The CCP is also intensifying its infamous policy of punishing domestic human rights reporters, critics, and defense lawyers. These dissidents perhaps constitute Chinas largest group of prisoners of conscience, after religious believers and practitioners, themselves. Ahead of the Olympic Games, Beijing even preemptively rounded up two well-known Chinese rights activists. Religious freedom defense lawyer Xie Yang and free speech advocate Yang Maodong were detained separately, both on inciting subversion charges. Astonishingly, Chinese nationals who dissent and report on abuses from ostensibly safe havens overseas are increasingly being hunted out by the CCP for intimidation and punishment. According to a new report by the Spanish NGO, Safeguard Defenders, Beijing has forcibly repatriated some 10,000 Chinese nationals by extrajudicial means, since 2014, many, if not most, being regime critics. Under government operations Fox Hunt and Sky Net, the CCP uses kidnapping and intimidation to force dissidents back to China, the report finds. Last summer, the Associated Press interviewed Wu Huan, who reports that she was kidnapped and held in a CCP secret or black jail in Dubai. Now seeking asylum in the Netherlands, she was forced to denounce her Chinese fiance who had criticized Beijings policies. In the jail, she met two Chinese Uyghur Muslims. The Uyghur Human Rights Project documented 1,327 Uyghurs detained or deported to China from 20 countries, since 2014. Beijing also issues red notices, international arrest alerts through Interpol, to extradite Uyghurs and others abroad. Uyghur rights advocate Idris Hasan, for example, is awaiting deportation from Morocco, having lost his extradition case in December 2021, despite a plea for him from the United Nations Committee Against Torture. China is currently working to place its own security officer on Interpols policy committee to gain greater control over the international police. Expat Uyghurs, such as Gulbahar Haitiwaji, report being lured back to China for punishment. Living with her family in France, she was persuaded to visit China by a man who telephoned, saying he was with her former employer, an oil company in Xinjiang. Upon her arrival in Xinjiang, she was shown a photo of her daughter at a Paris protest against Xinjiang repression. Gulbahar was then given the identity of Prisoner Number 9 and incarcerated in a concentration camp for three years, where she was prevented from praying, indoctrinated for 11 hours a day, slapped, and forcibly sterilized. Gulbahar Haitiwaji and her husband. (Courtesy of Haitiwaji) Chinese dissidents overseas are commonly reported to be spied on, threatened, bullied, and beaten in an attempt to silence them by CCP agents and supporters. In November 2021, former Hong Kong Legislative Council member and pro-democracy leader Nathan Law, now in refuge in the United Kingdom, accused the CCP of organizing clandestine United Front operations in London. He called for a probe into a pro-Beijing rally, after rally participants beat up pro-democracy counter-protesters from Hong Kong and rewards were offered on social media for doxxing Law by revealing his home address. In December 2021, Purdue University president Mitch Daniels warned the university community of an atmosphere of intimidation aimed at Purdues Chinese students critical of Beijing, and banned attempts to deny students rights or to collude with foreign governments in repressing them. A Purdue grad student who supported the 1989 Tiananmen protests online had been harassed by other Chinese students and reported to Chinas state security, which paid a visit to his family in China. Confucius Institutes have also been linked to Beijing and cited for unwanted influence in American schools and campuses, by the U.S. Secretaries of State and Education, in 2020. While the harshest treatment is reserved for its Chinese national critics, Beijing will take reprisals against non-Chinese who oppose its religious repression, as seen with recent financial sanctions against the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the State Departments religious freedom ambassador, and several Congressmen. American chipmaker Intel was pressured to remove a posting of its letter to suppliers, prompted by Uyghur forced labor concerns, that it would not use Xinjiang-sourced goods. Athletes should be wary using the China-required Olympic app, which Canadian Citizens Lab proved is not secure and is coded to flag for hackers the words Xinjiang and Hong Kong. The CCP cover-up is making it harder to know the full extent of its religious and other repression. But the sheer scale of abuse and the undaunted courage of Chinese dissidents ensure that its tyranny will continue being exposed worldwide. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Weakness of Chinas Economic System Beijings centralized approach is less impressive than it looks on the surface Commentary Under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, China has hardened its centrally directed approach to economics. Without siding with Xi, many Western media outlets and businesspeople have praised this centralized approach as superior to Americas seemingly chaotic market-oriented system. Some have even forecast the ultimate triumph of the Chinese model. But for all this praise, the seeming strengths described by many are really weaknesses. This and subsequent contributions to this space will explain what Beijing and many of Western media outlets and businesspeople have missed. A recent white paper from the Asia Society Center on U.S.-China Relations and the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategys 21st Century China Center frames the issues well. It describes three essential elements to Chinas economic system. First is Beijings control of the economy through large-scale interventions to move toward the planners preferred goals. The second element is an openness to foreign investments so long as they serve the developmental goals identified by Beijings planners. The third element is the marshaling of Chinas financial resources to serve these centrally determined goals. This highly concentrated and purposeful approach often impresses visiting journalists, government officials, and businesspeople. The planners decide, for instance, that China will have high-speed rail. These visitors are awed by powerful locomotives set on an impressive array of rails going in all directions from an urban center. Everything looks so much more efficient, clean, and organized than in the West. Port facilities look larger than life. Whole cities rise seemingly overnight in what were once fields, replete with rows of apartment blocks and urban transport systems. Journalists and businesspeople observing all this come home and look disapprovingly of the seeming inability of democratic processes to decide on an economic direction, much less conjure the means to pursue it. They look disapprovingly on the high metabolism of the market-based economy in which ideas and firms rise and fall, and fail without any overall direction or guidance. But for all the awe Chinas approach creates in some, that countrys system is less efficient than it seems and extremely wasteful. The problem is that not even Chinas planners can see the future. They choose directions that seem highly appropriate on the morning when they are announcedartificial intelligence, for instance, or electric vehicles. They choose the firms, usually state-owned, to pursue those directions. In one decision, then, planners settle not only on the economys major goals but also the technologies, practices, and organizations that will achieve them. That is a lot of crystal ball gazing. After all, what seems on the mark today often becomes passe in relatively short order, while the applied technologies become outdated that much faster. But even as such facts become clear, Beijing, once its plan is set, makes few, if any midcourse corrections, and those it does make are seldom complete and often implemented late in the process. And such common mistakes create great waste. The Evergrande fiasco is a case in point. The company ran up huge debts not because its management was flamboyant, which it was, and not because lenders were less than prudent, which they were. Evergrande was able to run up huge debts because Beijing emphasized housing for years. In concert with Evergrande and other developers, Beijing and local governments raised cities out of nothing and clearly did so with little reference into what Chinese people wanted or where they wanted to live. Now it seems that 20 percent of Chinas housing stock is unoccupied. Even if China now razes these excess structures, the debts will remain. Evergrandes debt overhang is a part of this more general picture. Nor is housing the only area where central planning has missed the mark and created great waste. There are for instance rail links to nowhere and roads that serve few. It speaks to how frequently this approach has missed the mark and why overall debt in Chinaboth public and privatenow exceeds 275 percent of the nations gross domestic product (GDP), much of it connected to planned projects that are unable to discharge their financial obligations. A partially removed company logo of China Evergrande Group is seen on the facade of its headquarters, near a traffic light in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, on Jan. 10, 2022. (David Kirton/Reuters) Of course, market economies have no special ability to see the future either. Their efforts create plenty of mistakes and waste. Markets, however, have two distinct advantages over Chinas centralized approach. First, they seldom marshal national economic and financial resources as thoroughly as Chinas approach does. Mistakes accordingly occur on a smaller, less wasteful scale than in China. The few times America has suffered a scale of waste comparable to Chinas almost always has resulted from a concerted government push, as for instance when Washington pressured banks to lend mortgage money to lesser credits, fostering the dubious financial practices and overbuilding that culminated in the 200809 financial crisis. The second advantage of market systems is that they embrace an array of participants, each of which makes efforts to capture future needs in different ways. Most miss the mark and fail. But those that hit the mark succeed wonderfully, enriching their investors as well as the whole economy. This diverse approach, though much less organized than Chinas centralized system, is much more likely than is Chinas concentrated effort to hit on the elusive future need. Chinas openness to foreign investors would seem to be a way for its system to co-opt the advantages of more diverse market economies. Especially coupled with Beijings insistence that foreign investors share their technologies and business secrets with a Chinese partner, the approach does open China to others innovations. But such coercive technology transfers also ensure that China at best will be taking todays and more likely yesterdays technology, both of which, given the speed at which technology changes, will soon be superseded by something new. This reliance on copying or what is effectively theft is the innovative approach of a less developed economy. None of this is to discount what China has accomplished in the past few decades. Nor is there any attempt here to ignore Chinas apparent strengths and advantages. The country has a large, intelligent, well-educated, and disciplined population, what for any economy is a jewel of infinite worth. It has natural and geographic resources, and an impressive national spirit. But recognizing all this should not blind peopleChinese and foreign aliketo the weaknesses implicit in Chinas centralized, top-down directed system or the dangers to China implicit in Xis seeming determination to harden it. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Mayor of the City of Torun Michal Zaleski at a Shen Yun Performing Arts performance in Torun, Poland, on Jan. 20, 2022. (NTD) TORUN, PolandAfter attending Shen Yun Performing Arts evening performance on Jan. 20 in CKK Jordanki Concert Hall, mayor of the City of Torun, Michal Zaleski, said Shen Yun dancers are world-class. We are happy to host this [Shen Yun] performance in our city in Torun, a city full of monuments, but at the same time full of love for artistic values, for ballet, theater, opera, [and] everything that can be found and seen in our city. Mr. Zaleski said. Commenting on his citys response to New York-based Shen Yun Mr. Zaleski said, Torun residents and also numerous guests who came here to see this performance in our city watched with admiration the thousand-year value of dance, the dance that was brought from China. New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. According to the website, through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking the audience on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Each dance was different, each performance was different and each was compelling, interesting, and it really would be too audacious to single out any of the great parts of this performance, he said. He was impressed with the orchestra. Fantastic musicmusic that was played professionally, with exceptional precision, accurately. The coordination of the movements on the stage and the coordination of the beauty of the music made the stage appear to be floating in the air. The artists who presented the beauty of the arts of China, historical China, found their way to the hearts of the audience [and] to our hearts. We were able to watch with joy the origins of the beautiful Chinese culture from thousands of years ago, he concluded. Nun Praised Purity and Beauty of Shen Yun Performance Catholic nun, Sister Barbara Rybus who was also in the audience this evening said that she could not wait to see the performance. Fantastic, wonderful. You can see in all dances the purity of souls of those performers who dance. Artists just want to give their best on stage to convey the beauty to others, she said. Sister Barbara Rybus attended Shen Yun Performing Arts in Torun, Poland, on Jan. 20, 2022. (NTD) Shen Yun artists believe that cultivation of the heart is the way to create art that is truly sublime, according to the company website. Although Sister Rybus knew a little bit about Eastern arts because she used to work for many years in Siberia, Russia near Mongoliawhich borders Chinaand during that time she had met Chinese people but the Shen Yun performance surpassed her expectations. Wonderful music, wonderful colors, costume colors [were] beautifully chosen, beautiful dance, Sister Barbara Rybus said. She especially liked the dance with long, flowing sleeves. I am fascinated by their performance and I will certainly look forward to seeing their new repertoire next year. Each year the company presents a whole new program, with changes to choreography, stories, music, and costumes. If a man lives in harmony with God, with nature, with another man [then] he has inner peace. This inner peace emanates from our face, our eyes, [and manifests itself] in contact with other people. It seemed to me that even [Shen Yun] songs conveyed that we should keep going towards the good, the beauty of this Sunas God is, the sister said. Sister Rybus explained that what some people describe as Sun or a Higher force for her that is simplyGod, Creator of Heaven and earth. Shen Yuns mission is to revive 5,000 years of a divinely inspired culture that flourished in the land of China but was nearly lost. I did not even expect that what is ancient is so tightly connected to what is modern. Amazing, beautiful experience. I can only suggest to everyone who wants to see [this performance] that its worth it, she said. Sister Rybus was thrilled by how the artists performed what was unearthed from five thousand years of civilization and how it was transposed to the stage to show it to todays people. I think that this [artistic] expression is a Mission, it is simply conveying to the modern man that only in harmony with that Beauty that is in human nature, with the rightcan we create something in the worldsomething good. Ancient Chinese sought harmony between Heaven, Earth, and humankind, and followed the course of nature. If we will feed on this good, beauty, these aesthetics, the goodness that should emanate from us will grow in us, and [then] we will continue to go towards this good, towards this perfection, so nothing could separate us from God and we would simply live in one great harmony with God and with people. CEO and Business Owner Impressed by Shen Yun Music and Backdrop CEO of an international information technology company Wiktoria Jaros-Susicka and business owner Karol Susicki were both glad to attend and were impressed by Shen Yuns music and backdrop. Ms. Jaros-Susicka mentioned, We are glad that we were able to see a little bit of the world during this pandemic time. For me, it was an amazing experience, because it was the first time I saw such blending of contemporary instruments with the Chinese ones, Ms. Jaros-Susicka said. Karol Susicki and Wiktoria Jaros-Susicka at a Shen Yun Performing Arts performance in Torun, Poland, on Jan. 20, 2022. (Haiying Wang /Epoch Times) Shen Yuns orchestra uses the Western orchestra which serves as a foundation, accentuating the distinct sound of Chinese instruments. Mr. Susicki liked the sound of the Chinese instrument called erhu sometimes called the Chinese violin. Though it has only two strings, it can convey a wide range of emotions, according to the Shen Yun website. It was a beautiful instrument, I did not think that it was two strings, Mr. Susicki said. Our daughter plays the cello, my son plays the guitarthese instruments have more stringsand I did not think that you can bring out such beautiful and deep sounds from a two-stringed instrument. Ms. Jaros-Susicka said that she was very impressed with this dance, especially with all somersaults. I liked mens somersaults a lotall of them in general, she noted. She also liked the difference between the male dance, which was so strong, and the female dance, which was so gentle. Shen Yuns digital backdrop also caught the couples attention. The company uses its digital designs to complement and synchronize all aspects of the performance, the website said. Shen Yuns special background-stage performance interaction, now legally patented, allows performers to travel back and forth between the stage and the animated backdrop. The transitions [between the stage and the backdrop] were great and amazing when they jumped on and suddenly , Ms. Jaros-Susicka said. They appeared on the screen [or] the other way around, Mr. Susicki added. Next year, we would like to come with our daughters, three little onesages: 10, 10, and 14, Mr. Susicki said. I would say that it is worth coming to see traditional Chinese culture, as it is rarely possible, that is, you cannot see it anymore, Ms. Jaros-Susicka said. It is especially so relevant in our times, and I think this encounter with this tradition is very unique and valuable. Reporting by Agnieszka Iwaszkiewicz, Haiying Wang, and Ella Kietlinska. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Environmental activist Kate Wilson, who was deceived into a nearly two-year relationship with an undercover officer, and has won a landmark tribunal case against the Metropolitan Police for breaches of her human rights, poses for photos outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Feb. 27, 2020. (Stefan Rousseau/PA) UK Activist Deceived Into Relationship With Undercover Officer Awarded 230,000 An environmental activist who was deceived into a nearly two-year relationship with an undercover officer has been awarded almost 230,000 compensation after winning a landmark tribunal case against the Metropolitan Police for breaches of her human rights. Kate Wilson, 41, began a relationship with Mark Stone shortly after first meeting him in 2003 and had a whirlwind romance for more than a year before they split amicably in 2005, when she moved to Spain. In 2010, Wilson found out he was a married police officer called Mark Kennedy, who had been sent to spy on activists as part of the Mets National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPIOU). On Monday, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) ordered the Met and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) to pay a total of 229,471.96 (approx. $310,000) to Wilson by way of just satisfaction for the breaches under the European Convention on Human Rights. Helen Ball, the Mets Assistant Commissioner for Professionalism, said: We recognise the gravity of the judgment in this case, which outlined a series of serious failings that allowed Kennedy to remain deployed on a long-term undercover deployment without the appropriate level of supervision and oversight. This resulted in Ms. Wilsons human rights being breached. In entering into a sexual relationship, Kennedys actions went against the training and guidelines undercover officers received at the time. However, the tribunal found that the training was inadequate and more should have been done to consider the risks of male undercover officers forming relationships with women. We accept these findings. Kennedy had sexual relationships with as many as 10 other women during his deployment, including one with a woman known only as Lisa which lasted for six years before she discovered a passport in his real name. He was one of half a dozen undercover officers from the NPIOU or its sister unit,, the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), with whom Wilson came into contact between 1998 and 2010. Wilson had brought legal action against the Met and the NPCC for breaches of her right to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, privacy, and freedom of expression. The Met and NPCC accepted that Kennedys actions amounted to a breach of those rights, but they had denied that other officers, apart from Kennedy and his cover officer, knew or suspected Wilson was in a sexual relationship with Kennedy. In a ruling last September, the IPT found the Mets claims that undercover officers (UCOs) knew sexual relationships were banned were materially undermined by the sheer frequency with which (Kennedy) (and other UCOs) did conduct sexual relationships without either questions being asked or action being taken by senior officers. The IPT also found that the Met and NPCCs failure to guard against the risk of UCOs entering into sexual relationships with women amounted to unlawful discrimination against women. The tribunal concluded: This is not just a case about a renegade police officer who took advantage of his undercover deployment to indulge his sexual proclivities, serious though this aspect of the case unquestionably is. Our findings that the authorisations under (the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000) were fatally flawed and the undercover operation could not be justified as necessary in a democratic society reveal disturbing and lamentable failings at the most fundamental levels. The NPCC said there have been significant changes to undercover policing since the Kennedy affair came to light. Chief Constable Alan Pughsley, the NPCC lead for undercover policing, said: The training is significantly more rigorous than that during Mark Kennedys time, both in duration and content. Cover officers and those supervising and managing operations are now required to complete standardised training courses tailored to their roles. The psychological fitness and wellbeing of undercover officers is a key consideration during their recruitment, training, and deployment. In addition to the relevant laws, regulations, and rules in place, the conduct of undercover officers is governed by a National Code of Conduct and the College of Policings Code of Ethics. Significant work has been undertaken to ensure undercover officers and those authorising their deployment understand the legal limits within which they operate, including the core concepts of deployments needing to be necessary and proportionate, and the need to minimise collateral intrusion into the private lives of others. Oversight of undercover deployments is maintained at a senior level. At least those of Assistant Chief Constable rank or equivalent now authorise deployments, and, for deployments exceeding 12 months, this is conducted by a Chief Constable or equivalent. The independent Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office is informed of and scrutinises undercover deployments. As the tribunal in this case acknowledged, undercover policing remains an effective and vital tactic in the fight against serious organised crime. Officers in these roles put themselves at great risk every day to protect the public. Policing will continue to review current policies to ensure tactics are used lawfully and ethically, and all officers uphold the highest professional standards. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick appears before the Police and Crime Committee of the London Assembly, in London on Jan. 25, 2022. (PA) UK Police to Investigate Downing Street Parties During COVID-19 Lockdown British police are investigating allegations of breaches of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Downing Street and Whitehall, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed. For weeks, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been mired in a political crisis fuelled by a series of alleged violations of lockdown rules in Downing Street during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. Talking to the London Assemblys Police and Crime Committee on Tuesday, Metropolitan Police chief Dame Cressida Dick said her force has a long-established and effective working relationship with the Cabinet Office, which has been carrying out its own investigation into the so-called partygate allegations, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray. What I can tell you this morning is that as a result of the information provided by the Cabinet Office inquiry team and, secondly, my officers own assessment, I can confirm that the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of COVID-19 regulations. Britains Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacts during his visit to Milton Keynes University Hospital, north of London, on Jan. 24, 2022. (Adrian Dennis/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Dick said the Met is only looking at the most serious and flagrant type of breach where individuals knew they were committing an offence or ought to have known. She said several other events that appeared to have taken place in Downing Street and Whitehall had also been assessed, but they were not thought to have reached the threshold for criminal investigation. A Cabinet Office spokesman said: The investigation being carried out by Sue Gray is continuing. There is ongoing contact with the Metropolitan Police Service. The prime ministers official spokesman said that Sue Gray will pause investigating or publishing any party allegations that the police are inspecting, but is free to publish other matters in her inquiry. The Met has come under intense political and public pressure to explain how the gatherings were able to take place at a site with a heavy police presence. Dick said the officers on duty were there to provide protective security but refused to be drawn on anything they may have seen or heard. The main opposition Labour Party welcomed the police investigation. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said, With Boris Johnsons Downing Street now under police investigation, how on earth can he think he can stay on as prime minister? She called Johnson a national distraction and called on Conservative MPs to stop propping him up so that he should finally do the decent thing and resign. PA Media contributed to this report. A worker extracts a sample of molten metal during a government organised tour at a Tiangong International plant, makers of high quality steel and tools, in China's eastern Jiangsu Province on Oct. 12, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) UK Sanctions on Cheap Steel Imports From China Are Under Review The UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) announced on Jan. 25 that it has initiated a review into whether Britain should drop anti-dumping sanctions against steel producers from China. The new post-Brexit trade agency is set to investigate whether the imports of cheap heavy steel plate from China did harm to UK industry, and whether it would cause harm if the import duties were no longer applied. It is reviewing tariffs applied throughout 2021 on a series of non-alloy and alloy steel products made in China, excluding stainless steel, silicon-electrical steel, tool steel, and high-speed steel. The steel in question is typically used in the manufacture of construction, mining and logging equipment, in oil and gas pipelines, and for shipbuilding and construction of bridges and buildings, said the TRA. The period of investigation for the review is Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021, with the entire injury period being Jan. 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2021, according to the TRA. The steel tariffs were first put in place in 2016, when the UK was a member of the European Union, following a decision by the European Commission (EC), with duties ranging as high as 73.7 percent. The ECs investigation confirmed that the Chinese products had been sold in EU member states at heavily dumped prices. The dumping of cheap steel imports from communist China at the time put UK-based producers under pressure, but the measures failed to prevent damage within the domestic steel industry. British authorities maintained the anti-dumping measures following the UKs exit from the EU in 2020. Since then, British Steel fell into administration and was bought by Jingye, a Chinese steel company, in late 2019, three years after the first tariffs were put into place. The TRA last year took over the review from the Department for International Trade, which inherited it after Brexit. The trade agency said it had initiated a transition review of an anti-dumping measure on heavy steel plate from China to determine if the measure is fit for purpose in the UK. The steel tariffs are one of 44 trade measures carried over into UK law from Britains time in the EU bloc, and the TRA said it would review the dozens of other trade measures carried over from the era. This measure is one of a number which the UK transitioned from the EU systemthe TRA is reviewing them to make sure they are still suitable for the UKs needs, said the agency. The TRA said that it would decide whether duties are still needed to offset dumping of these imports in the UK, adding that its job was to make sure [sanctions] are still suitable for the UK. These measures and actions were carried out by the European Commission on the countrys behalf before Brexit. The trade authority said that it could put anti-dumping tariffs on goods being imported to Britain that were cheaper than the domestic market price. The TRA could act if imported goods were being subsidized, or if it wished to avert floods of excessive imports, which is allowable under World Trade Organization rules. Meanwhile, the review comes as the UK and U.S. governments recently began formal negotiations to remove U.S. tariffs on imports of British steel. The U.S. steel tariffs had reduced UK steel exports to the United States by nearly 50 percent. We hope the UK government can put its new independent trade powers to full use, building on the terms of the EUs deal and delivering the best possible outcome for UK producers, said UK Steel, a trade body, on Jan. 19. The White House had reached an agreement in October 2021 to allow a limited amount of EU-made steel into the United States duty-free. The Trump administration, in 2018, imposed 25 percent tariffs on foreign steel imports, irking allies in Europe and in the UK, amid its trade war with China. The EU implemented retaliatory tariffs on American whiskey and other products, which have now been reduced. Businesses affected by trade with China are being asked by the TRA to contribute to the review by registering on the agencys online case platform. Workers unload a shipment of military aid delivered as part of the United States of America's security assistance to Ukraine, at the Boryspil airport, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 25, 2022. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo) Ukraine Appeals for Calm, Says Russian Invasion Not Imminent A top Ukrainian official has appealed for calm as he reassured the nation that an invasion from neighboring Russia was not imminentdespite officials acknowledging there is a real threat as NATO allies have ramped up defenses in the Baltic Sea region this week. Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraines Minister of Defense, said on Monday that at this time, there are no grounds to believe that Moscow is preparing an invasion very soon and there is no need for citizens to have [their] bags packed. Dont worry, sleep well, he said, adding that there are risky scenarios. Theyre possible and probable in the future, though at this time such a threat doesnt exist. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also told the nation that the situation is under control, while Reznikov affirmed Russia had not formed what he called battle groups, which would have indicated that tomorrow they could launch an offensive. Reznikovs and Zelenskys statement in a bid to project calm in order not to destabilize the situation and avoid panic comes as another multi-million dollar shipment of U.S. military equipment arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday. Ground crew unloads weapons and other military hardware delivered by the United States military at Boryspil Airport near Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 25, 2022. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Our partners are increasing the amount of military assistance. And today we are meeting the third aircraft from the United States government as part of this assistance, the defense minister said at a press briefing before the aircraft loaded with defensive aid totaling about $200 million landed at an airport in the capital of Ukraine. Several rounds of high-level talks earlier this month failed to achieve any breakthroughs, with a probability tensions might increase after NATO on Jan. 24 announced its placing extra forces on standby and sending more warships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe. Moscow has repeatedly denied intentions to invade Ukraine, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the West is showing hysteria and is putting out information laced with lies. Peskov on Tuesday again accused the U.S. of fomenting tensions around Ukraine, a former Soviet state that has been locked in a conflict with Russia for almost eight years. The Biden administration has vowed that the United States would initiate a swift and severe response if Russias military enters Ukraine. The United States has been Kyivs most powerful supporter in trying to avert a new attack by the Kremlin. In this photo taken from a video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Jan. 25, 2022, the Russian armys Iskander missile launchers take positions during drills in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) In this photo taken from a video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Jan. 25, 2022, a Russian soldier fires a mortar as he attends a military exercise at a training ground in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Since 2014, the United States has committed over $2.7 billion in training and equipment to help the country preserve its territorial integrity, the State Department said in a statement. Ukraines pledges for calm also come days after the State Department ordered family members of government employees at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave Ukraine, and authorized the voluntary departure of nonessential civil servants. The United Kingdom on Jan. 24 also started to withdraw some of its embassy staff and dependents from Kyiv amid growing tensions on the RussiaUkraine border. During this months high-level talks in Europe, Russia requested several security guarantees from the West, demanding NATO to never admit Ukraine as a member and that the alliance would curtail other actions, such as stationing troops in former Soviet bloc countries. Some of these, like the membership pledge, are nonstarters for NATO, creating a seemingly intractable stalemate that many fear can only end in a war. Western concern over Moscow planning an invasion of its neighbor started after tens of thousands of Russian troops massed near the RussiaUkraine border. In 2014, Russia used its military forces to annex the Crimean Peninsula, a move that drew sanctions from then-President Barack Obama. The fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels has killed over 14,000 people, and efforts to reach a peaceful settlement have stalled. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News U.S. Air Force personnel preparing supplies inside plane in Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Jan. 24, 2022. (Reuters/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) US Air Force Prepares Weapons Shipment Bound for Ukraine The U.S. Air Force on Monday prepared a shipment of ammunition, weapons, and other equipment headed to Ukraine. Washington has said it would continue to support Ukraine amid concerns in Kyiv and among its Western allies over the tens of thousands of Russian troops amassed on its border. Russia denies planning a military offensive. The United States has provided over $2.5 billion in military aid since 2014, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, coastal patrol boats, Humvees, sniper rifles, reconnaissance drones, radar systems, night vision, and radio equipment. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators last week promised further supplies that could include Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, small arms, and boats. Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago and former chief of staff in the Obama White House, testifies during a confirmation hearing before Senate Foreign Relations Committee at Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill Oct. 20, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) US, Japan Face a Critical Juncture, New US Ambassador Says The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, on Monday touted the U.S.-Japan alliance and said that the two nations would not shy away from any challenges and adversaries undermining democratic values. Emanuel, who arrived in Tokyo with his wife on Sunday, conveyed his greetings to the Japanese people through a video message released on his Twitter account on Monday. We face a critical juncture, but our nations can confront common challenges, united in the belief of our shared values, our shared interests, and our shared goals, he said. This work, our work will determine the destiny of the democratic example. Describing the U.S.-Japan alliance as a beacon of endless possibility and promise, Emanuel said that the partnership promoted peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 60 years. Our two nations will not shy away from any challenge or any adversary who undermines [democratic] values. What we do in partnership over the next three years will decide Americas and Japans posture for the next 30 years, he said. His remarks came after President Joe Bidens virtual talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last week, during which the two leaders vowed to push back against Chinas attempts to alter the status quo in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. China has built up its military presence in the South China Sea and has made numerous incursions into the East China Sea, where the Senkaku Islands are located. Japan has mostly administered the Senkaku Islands since 1895, but Beijing began asserting its right over the islands in the 1970s and called the islands the Diaoyu Islands. The White House noted that Biden affirmed the United States unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan, using its full range of capabilities, including the application of the 1960 Japan-U.S. security treaty. The two leaders discussed the growing tensions caused by Russias amassing tens of thousands of troops along its border with Ukraine. Kishida pledged that his country would be fully behind the United States on taking strong action in response to any attack. They also condemned North Koreas recent missile launches as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and committed to maintaining close coordination on the issue, including with South Korea. Emanuel, 62, is a former member of the House of Representatives and was the first White House chief of staff when President Barack Obama was president and Biden was vice president. He also served as the Mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019. He was sworn in as the U.S. ambassador to Japan on Dec. 22 last year, filling a vacancy left by William Hagertys resignation in July 2019 to run for the Senate. Reuters contributed to this report. People arrive to be vaccinated at the New South Wales Health mass vaccination hub at Homebush in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 23, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) Vaccine Scrutiny Dies Where Institutional Indifference Reigns Commentary A recent trip to a local hairdressers shop exposed the tensions that are straining the bonds of social cohesion and institutional trust in todays Australia. Working in a salon in Western Australia, the chatty, young hairdresser paused to flex an aching arm before unleashing a torrent of discontent. She said her arm was killing her; she felt awful and wished she was home in bed. She hadnt wanted the jab but succumbed to keep her job. She had disliked the frosty treatment received at her local medical centre. Her equally hesitant sister accompanied her and was feeling similarly unwell 48 hours after their shots. Just four or five days later, I encountered a mate from my distant undergraduate past during an evening commute. I hadnt seen him in over two years. He seemed glad to see me, knowing I teach university students about the safe use of medicines for a living. Whats going on in your neck of the woods, he asked, and whats the story with these vaccines? He then recounted some unpleasant experiences endured by people in his downtown office after their COVID-19 vaccine shots, with one requiring hospitalisation for cardiac symptoms and another losing an unborn infant. Flu vaccines dont do stuff like this. Why are the mRNA vaccines still in use? he asked. A researcher works on a vaccine against the new coronavirus COVID-19 at the Copenhagens University research lab in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 23, 2020. (Thibault Savary/AFP via Getty Images) After 35 years of conducting research and teaching toxicology within universities, the same question has entered my own mind more than once. The adverse effects profile of currently available COVID-19 vaccines has certainly lowered the bar on what we institutionally recognise as acceptable treatment-induced side effects in perfectly healthy people. Its as if weve shredded the toxicology handbook that guided the pharmaceutical innovation sector since the 60s thalidomide disaster and thrown its remains to the four winds. Perhaps people seek me out because the sign over my office door reads toxicologist in residence, but I have heard many troubling stories from trustworthy people in my extended circle involving nasty experiences after their COVID-19 shots. Those involving symptoms suggestive of neurotoxicity or temporary disruption of key brain functions are of special concern. Intense, crippling headaches that confine people to their beds for days are not uncommon, while others report temporary vision disturbances, hearing disruption and even difficulties in initiating speech. According to the classic toxicology handbooks Ive long relied upon in my daily work, experimental drugs that elicit such overt neurological symptoms as severe headaches during Phase 1 testing in healthy volunteers should promptly be sent to the trash can. Or at least back to the medicinal chemistry lab for a structural re-design. Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds a vial of AstraZeneca vaccine Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 12, 2021. (David Caird/Pool/Getty Images) But many thoughtful Australians are troubled by the nihilistic mindset that so swiftly swamped our public life during the COVID-era. This outlook simply lacks the insight or willingness to engage in a public discussion concerning possible harms hastily developed vaccines have inflicted on some unfortunate people. We Aussies dont do the critical self-evaluation thing well, but I am reminded of a punchy conversation I participated in about a decade ago while attending a major conference of the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX), held in Seoul, Korea. Toxicology, of course, is the branch of science that concerns itself with understanding and minimising the harmful effects of chemical substances on humans and other species. IUTOX is the major global body that attracts toxicology researchers worldwide to discuss scientific responses to the complex challenges posed by modern economic activities, which potentially expose humans and other species to thousands of synthetic chemicals. My highlight of the Seoul gathering involved an opportunity to represent Australia at the IUTOX General Assembly. Held under conditions that mimicked formal proceedings at global bodies such as the U.N. or WHO, delegates from many national toxicology societies were present. There were six chairs at the table containing the sign Australia, yet other than the one I occupied, the others were painfully empty of delegates. It was simultaneously the proudest and most humiliating moment of my unremarkable academic career. During a break in proceedings, I was approached by a giant in global toxicology, a gruff Midwesterner whose personal list of scientific publications resembles a phone book and who authored several textbooks that make my office bookshelves groan. It was a little like a rural priest from the outback Parish of Australia being approached by the Pope while snapping selfies at Saint Peters Basilica during a Rome vacation. It sure is nice to someone from Down Under at IUTOX, he growled. But why do we never see Aussies at toxicology conferences anymore? Why isnt toxicology considered an important field in your country? What sort of country is Australia becoming? He didnt stick around to let me answer his questions, yet Ive been revisiting them often since the COVID-era exposed the problem of institutionalised Australian indifference towards potential harms caused by compulsory vaccines to a wider view. If you spend an hour or two perusing the websites of Australian universities, youll be hard-pressed to find any professors of Toxicology, Departments or Schools of Toxicology, or even institutions offering Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral degrees in Toxicology. Many people struggling with vaccine side effects are reaching similar conclusions to the intuitions of the elderly U.S. professor, namely that modern Australia is a country that invests little scientific or clinical resources and intellectual energy to understanding or mitigating the harms accompanying the human use of synthetic substances, and especially mRNA vaccines. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. WHO Director-General Says Dangerous to Assume Omicron Is Final COVID-19 Variant The World Health Organizations head on Monday warned against assuming Omicron is the last variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, asserting conditions are ripe for more strains to appear. There are different scenarios for how the pandemic could play out and how the acute phase could end. But its dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant or that we are in the end game, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the body, commonly known as WHO, told a WHO executive board meeting. On the contrary, globally, the conditions are ideal for more variants to emerge, he added. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says that new variants of the virus are expected to emerge, alleging getting more people vaccinated will slow their emergence. According to some experts, the more the virus spreads, the higher the chances new variants will come into play. The vaccines, though, have proven increasingly weak against CCP virus infectionsome of the most vaccinated countries in the world have set case records in recent daysand arent as protective against severe disease caused by the Omicron virus variant, according to emerging data. The growing body of evidence showing little protection against infection has driven calls to develop vaccines that specifically target Omicron as well as vaccines that can protect against all coronaviruses. WHOs advisory group said earlier in January that COVID-19 vaccines that have high impact on prevention of infection and transmission, in addition to the prevention of severe disease and death, are needed and should be developed. For now, though, officials are continuing to push the current vaccines, with Ghebreyesus claiming that if countries collectively help get more of the worlds population vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, and focus on expanding access to COVID-19 treatments and tests, then we can end the acute phase of the pandemic this year. Vaccines alone are not the golden ticket out of this pandemic. But there is no path out unless we achieve our shared target of vaccinating 70 percent of the population of every country by the middle of this year, he said. That may be difficult, considering the current figures. Dozens of WHO member-states, many of them in Africa, havent even vaccinated 10 percent of their populations, and 86 member-states have not reached 40 percent coverage. While Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, the previous dominant strain in many countries, it also causes less severe disease, according to real-world data and studies. Some experts have said they expect future variants to be even less of a threat, especially since more people will have some level of protection from vaccines or prior infection or both. Ghebreyesus also told the meeting that we will be living with COVID for the foreseeable future while urging countries not to give this virus a free ride and accept deaths caused by the illness, which he described as a preventable and treatable disease. Svenja Schulze, Germany minister of economic cooperation and development, sounded a similar theme in a joint briefing with WHO officials Monday, saying nobody should assume that Omicron will be the last variant of the virus. Nobody should feel a false sense of security because vaccination rates in their own country are already higher. No, nobody is safe until we are all safe. We are one world, and this pandemic has clearly shown us all that. That is why investments in the global vaccination campaign are investments in all of our interests, she added. World Health Organization (WHO) European Director Hans Kluge speaks at a press conference on COVID-19 in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 27, 2020. (Ida Guldbaek Arentsen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images) WHO Suggests Europe Will Experience Quiet COVID-19 Period After Current Cases Subside The World Health Organization on Monday suggested that Europe will experience a quiet COVID-19 period before the virus returns toward the end of the year, albeit without a full pandemic. WHO Regional Director of Europe, Hans Kluge, told Agence France-Presse that the highly infectious Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, could infect 60 percent of Europeans by March before tapering off for some time thanks to global immunity and increased vaccinations, among other things. Omicron cases are sweeping throughout several European countries, and the EU health agency, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) says that the overall level of risk to public health is very high. ECDC said earlier this month that it expects more cases to emerge in the coming weeks, driven by the Omicron variant, and warned of increased worker shortages among health care and other essential workers, and potential difficulties with testing and contact tracing capacities in many EU member states. However, once the number of cases across Europe subsides, there will be for quite some weeks and months a global immunity, either thanks to the vaccine or because people have immunity due to the infection, and also lowering seasonality, Kluge said. So we anticipate that there will be a quiet period before COVID-19 may come back towards the end of the year, but not necessarily the pandemic coming back, he said. Kluges comments come after White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci on Sunday said that hes as confident as you can be that most of the United States will reach a peak in Omicron infections in the middle of February. If you look at the patterns that weve seen in South Africa, in the UK, and in Israel and in the northeast and New England and upper Midwest states, they have peaked and [are] starting to come down rather sharply, Fauci told ABCs This Week. While there are still some Southern and Western states that continue to see case numbers rise, if the pattern follows the downward trend seen in other places, such as the Northeast, the United States will start to see a similar turnaround throughout the entire country, Fauci said. However, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases cautioned against being overconfident when it comes to the virus and its potential effects across the nation. He also noted that those areas of the country that havent been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or received booster shots may still see a bit more pain and suffering with hospitalizations. Kluge on Monday also cautioned that it was too early to forecast the virus becoming less severe and endemic, noting that new variants could still emerge. There is a lot of talk about endemic but endemic means that it is possible to predict whats going to happen. This virus has surprised [us] more than once so we have to be very careful, Kluge said. The WHOs comments come as a growing number of European countries have rolled back their COVID-19 restrictions citing declining hospitalizations and data suggesting Omicron cases have peaked. Beginning Jan. 27, people in the United Kingdom no longer have to wear masks in public or show proof that theyve been vaccinated to enter some venues, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced. Fully vaccinated people arriving into the UK will also no longer face testing requirements as of Feb. 11. French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday the country will start to roll back restrictions within weeks, pointing to an improvement in the countrys COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also told reporters on Jan. 10 that he wants the European Union to consider approaching COVID-19 in the same way it approaches flu. The situation is not what we faced a year ago, Sanchez said in a radio interview with Spains Cadena SER. I think we have to evaluate the evolution of COVID to an endemic illness, from the pandemic we have faced up until now. However, Austria is moving closer to implementing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for most adults after Parliaments lower house on Thursday voted in favor of the proposal. An American Airlines plane is seen at sunrise parked on the tarmac of the Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Va., on April 22, 2021. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images) Why This BofA Securities Analyst Is Cutting Airline Price Targets The underlying fundamentals in the airline sector remain challenging. Against this backdrop, investors should focus on quality names such as Delta Air Lines, Inc., rather than those with higher operating and financial leverage like United Airlines Holdings Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc., according to BofA Securities. The Airlines Analyst Andrew Didora reiterated a Buy rating for Delta Air Lines, while reducing the price target from $48 to $47. The analyst maintained an Underperform rating for United Airlines Holdings and American Airlines Group, while lowering their price targets from $42 to $40 and from $10 to $8, respectively. The Airlines Thesis While CASM-ex (cost per available seat mile ex-fuel) in the airline sector is likely to remain under pressure in 2022, the consensus estimates seem high, and demand will continue to be driven by the consumer with corporate travel accelerating as offices re-open in 1H22, Didora said in the note. Similar to DAL, which expects a 60-day delay in the recovery due to Omicron, AAL and UAL both expect near-term headwinds before a strong rebound in March through the summer, he added. The analyst reduced the 2022 estimates for Delta Air Lines from earnings of $2.09 per share to $1.13 per share, United Airlines Holdings from earnings of 96 cents per share to a loss of $1.83 per share, and American Airlines Group from a loss of 46 cents per share to a loss of $2.28 per share. By Priya Nigam 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Bulk coal scoop conveyors and coal stockpiles at the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. (Harlz/Adobe Stock) Worlds Largest Coal Port Unaffected By Chinas Trade War The worlds biggest coal exporting terminal, located in New South Wales (NSW) Australia, has managed to bounce back and break records, despite the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) halting all coal imports from Australia for 18 months. Even with the added impact of a global supply chain crisis and pandemic, the Port of Newcastle saw a record $31 billion in exports in 2021revealing that Australian goods, and coal, in particular, remained high in demand globally. In all, 2021 saw the port handle 2266 ship movementson average more than six each dayand a total of 166 million tonnes of cargo, which included both coal and other commodities. Of the $31 billion in exports, $28 billion came directly from coal, with Australia ramping up exports to Japan and Taiwan and expanding to new markets, such as Thailand and India. This is in spite of Beijings decision to stop all coal imports from Australia in April of 2020 as part of an attempt to drive Australia to its knees after the nation called for an inquiry into the origin of the CCP virus. The value of coal exports had also been fuelled by a sharp rise in coal priceswhich increased five-fold over the span of one yearin addition to Beijings decision to re-accept Australian coal in October after the communist nation experienced a severe energy shortfall. But port acting executive manager for business development, Matthew Swan, highlighted that trade in 2021 had also grown more diverse, including with wheat exports which had surged by 900 percent compared to the previous year. Wheat loaded onto a ship at the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. (Port of Newcastle) Many people dont realise that the port handles 25 different cargoes through its deepwater global gateway, only one of which is coal. We have seen increased demand for diversified trades across the board, including wheat, fertiliser, steel, cement, fuels, project cargo and aluminium, Swan said. The three biggest exports apart from coal included iron ore and other mineral concentrates ($1.7 billion), aluminium ($300 million), and wheat ($840 million). Destination for Australian ores went primarily to the Philippines, Japan, and China; aluminium had largely been bought up by Japan and Korea; and most of the wheat stock had been shipped to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Italy. And despite placing bans or tariffs on a plethora of Australian goodssuch as on coal, wine, barley, beef, lobster, timber, and cottonBeijing had also been forced to import millions of tonnes of Australian wheat as supply fell worldwide. The latest data comes as the port prepares to continue diversifying trade away from coal, a resource for which some estimate will dwindle in demand as more nations work to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. With a deepwater shipping channel operating at 50 percent of its capacity, significant port land available, and enviable access to national rail and road infrastructure, in 2022 Port of Newcastle will see a range of projects and initiatives come to fruition that will support the further diversification of our trade. Connecticut has long been known as the land of steady habits. But the new head of one of the states most-prominent business-development organizations wants to see it forge a reputation for inventiveness. Onyeka Ony Obiocha has been named the new executive director of CTNext, a state-backed agency that develops programs and provides funding to help startups and early-stage businesses grow in Connecticut. Drawing on his experience building and supporting new firms, Obiocha sees the opportunity for CTNext to play a key role in Connecticut becoming a major hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. As a Connecticut native, Ive always said that Connecticut has everything it needs to be successful, Obiocha said in an interview. Ive always been excited about the potential here. Providing opportunities for businesses to blossom is something I could not say no to. Obiocha, 32, a New Haven resident and Windsor native, has joined CTNext after serving as director of the Heron Foundations Integrated Capitals and Learning program, playing a key role in managing a $350 million endowment. The University of Connecticut alumnus previously worked as managing director of the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale, where he focused on the development of programming and resources for students to launch and grow businesses across the country. In addition, he co-founded A Happy Life, a New Haven-based coffee company, and founded Sharelogical, an e-commerce platform. Connecticut is so much more than an in-between of Boston and New York, Obiocha said. We have our own culture, people and ecosystem. As the new executive director, Obiocha takes over an agency with a current-year budget of about $14 million; that funding comes from state bonding. He succeeds Glendowlyn Thames, who concurrently served during the past two-and-a-half years as deputy commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Ony brings both leadership insight and the necessary experience to cultivate vibrant innovation ecosystems throughout Connecticut, Revell Horsey, CTNexts board chairman, said in a statement. We have a number of programs at CTNext that have the ability to scale and succeed. Ony embodies the entrepreneurial mindset in action and spirit, and has the skillset required to enhance current programming and maximize impact for the entrepreneurs we support. While he will report to the CTNext board, Obiocha will also work with officials at Connecticut Innovations, the state-chartered venture capital organization. CTNext is a wholly owned subsidiary of Connecticut Innovations. Ony is going to critically examine all the investments weve made across the board and come up with a plan, Connecticut Innovations CEO Matt McCooe said in an interview. He has a really terrific opportunity. Hes a highly charismatic and very smart young man who wants to have a big impact and make a difference. Among his top goals, Obiocha said he wanted to further develop CTNexts flagship program, Innovation Places, a multiyear initiative to foster technology and entrepreneurship in Connecticuts urban centers. The program has allocated $7.7 million to New Haven, $6.5 million to Hartford, $6 million to Stamford and $2.5 million to the New London area. Innovation Places is an amazing program, Obiocha said. Thats a program Im really focusing on because it keeps in mind all of the primary economic drivers including insur(ance)-tech in Hartford and fin(ancial) tech in Stamford. But it also thinks about what does it mean to create an ecosystem. Obiocha said he also wants to expand CTNexts network of partners. I think a part of my job is to capture hearts and minds, Obiocha said. Im hoping my enthusiasm and pure delight for this job and Connecticut is contagious because I want all those folks who havent been at the table to come join me. Obiocha said he is bullish about Connecticuts economic prospects in large part because of the students and young professionals in cities such as New Haven, Stamford and Hartford. He believes the states demographics position it well to learn from successful economic development in other states and countries. Ive had the opportunity to travel and look at other entrepreneurial ecosystems whether its in Budapest or Barcelona or Chicago or Detroit, Obiocha said. We live in a global economy, so why cant Connecticut operate at that scale? pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; Twitter: @paulschott H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media The latest wave in the COVID-19 pandemic showed further signs of easing when the state reported Monday a drop in the positivity rate and 200 fewer hospitalizations through the weekend. On Monday, the state said the weekends positivity rate was 11.36 percent with 12,057 new COVID-19 cases among 106,153 tests. The positivity rate was the lowest since right after the Christmas holiday. A bill bolstered by U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes to automatically enroll veterans with federal benefits has passed the House of Representatives. The bill, which would automatically enroll some 58,000 veterans across the country, including 4,160 veterans in Connecticuts 5th Congressional District, is designed to alleviate the stress veterans face making the transition to civilian life by ensuring they have access to Veterans Administration benefits and care, according to a release. Hayes wrote an amendment to the bill requiring the VA to inform veterans through multiple methods, including physical mail and ... electronic mail of their enrollment and eligibility for federal benefits, the release said. Veterans often postpone or forgo critical treatment to address everything from mental health to toxic exposure simply because they are unaware of their eligibility, Hayes said in a prepared statement. These serious conditions demand immediate treatment and those suffering cannot afford even the slightest delay in care. U.S. Rep. Mark Takano agreed, saying the Ensuring Veterans Smooth Transition Act would save lives. We know that the months following a transition out of the military can be very stressful and particularly risky for new veterans in terms of mental health, said Takano, the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, in a prepared statement. One of the most glaring gaps in accessing high quality VA healthcare is the enrollment process - with EVEST, we can eliminate that gap. The EVEST Act is supported by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans Health Policy Institute, and the American Psychological Association, among others, Takano said. Hayes amendment follows a hearing she convened in November as chair of the House Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations to discover why 60 percent of eligible veterans do not receive federal food benefits they need. Veterans face many hurdles when transitioning from military to civilian life, said Hayes, a two-term Democrat who represents greater Danbury and west-central Connecticut. Honoring our veterans means doing everything to ensure they have access to the care and services they have earned. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Gov. Ned Lamont can see the end of school mask mandates and other COVID-mitigating strategies in sight. But, he said Monday, weve been here before. The end isnt calendar-related, its infection-related, Lamont said during a gathering at Bridgeports Blackham School. I thought we were near the end in November. But if the (positivity rate) trend keeps up, I think we could be nearing the end. Lamont spent about an hour touring the school and speaking with Superintendent Michael Testani, Principal Marcie Julian and numerous classroom teachers. The visit came just days after the school distributed self-test kits to all students and KN-95 masks to staff members. We distributed 1,085 test kits, two tests per kit, Julian said. Our staff was waiting for the masks. The teachers are feeling more safe with the new masks. Lamont touted the COVID-19 safety measures, including mask mandates and the air purifiers running in the schools classrooms, with driving down the viruss positivity rate. Currently at 11 percent, Lamont said, the rate is much higher than it was in November, but half what it was two weeks ago. Testani said he appreciated any state help Lamont could provide. We all know we face challenges here in Bridgeport, he said. For example, hiring and retaining teachers is an ongoing problem, he said. We do have plenty of vacancies, he said. We have the greatest kids in the world, but unfortunately, we face many challenges. For example, compared to neighboring suburban districts, Bridgeports financial constraints mean teachers end up leaving for better-paying jobs in the suburbs, Testani said. Forty percent of our staff is in their first six years, he said. Teachers reaching six years on the job typically are at an age where they are considering buying a home and starting a family, and tax credits and mortgage assistance could be tools to encourage they to stay in the city rather than seek jobs in other districts where the pay scale could be easily five figures higher, said Eric Marshall, the Connecticut Education Associations Bridgeport representative. COVID magnifies the problem, Marshall said. In an urban district, that just created such a strain with things like social distancing, and when we went full-remote in March of 2020, we had kids that dont have (internet) service. They dont have problems like that in Westport or Darien, he said. Between pay, working conditions and newer facilities, it was no wonder teachers tend to head for the suburbs after a few years, Marshall said. Kate Dias, the CEA president, thanked Lamont for the allocations of funds and equipment for Bridgeport schools, and said his visit was a chance to double down on supporting education in the city. Bridgeport is an exciting, vibrant community that deserves to be celebrated, she said. For his part, Lamont agreed the state should look at ways to create incentives for teachers to remain in urban school districts. He acknowledged the class sizes at Blackham at around 28 were too high, but added that the city school was an illustration that students could safely attend schools in person. The classrooms are crowded, but I love that theyre filled with kids, he said. Were doing everything we can to give people confidence that we can keep schools open safely. Still, he and Testani both expressed a desire to return to the pre-pandemic schools where students could go unmasked. Lamont said he would be amenable to allowing communities to set their own mask policies if the positivity trends continued to decline. The (COVID data) will tell us something pretty soon, he said. By early to mid-February, we ought to have a good idea where we stand. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK Kyle Turner thought hed given himself enough time to get to class. He boarded the train in Stamford and headed to the South Norwalk Metro-North station. When he arrived, Turner didnt anticipate the 20- to 30-minute wait for his bus to arrive to take him to Norwalk Community College. I had to text my friend Liam that I would be late, said Turner, 28, explaining further that he has some instructors who lock their doors if students dont arrive to class on time. NCC students and staff gathered at the West Campus bus stop on Tuesday afternoon to protest the Norwalk Transit Districts proposal to eliminate the Norwalk Commuter Shuttle that brings students from the train station in South Norwalk to the college with fewer stops than other routes. The shuttle has been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is another obstacle thats in the way of trying to get an education. This really should not be one more thing, said Lexi Kleinman, president of the NCC Student Government Association. While in service, the commuter shuttle would depart from the train station three times from the train station between 7:30 and 9 a.m. The shuttle service catered to riders coming in on three New Haven-bound trains, three New York-bound trains, and one train from Danbury. The NCC Committee for Active and Responsible Environmental Sustainability and the Norwalk Transit District collaborated in 2009 to establish the shuttle, with service beginning in spring 2010. Nearly a quarter of the 5,083 students enrolled at the school rely on public transportation to get to class. Its important to make sure that the needs of students who are present at the college, as well as future students are being looked after because building an educated electorate is a long-term process, and being able to get students to and from their place of education is foundational, Kleinman said. Currently, these students and some staff who also take public transportation to the school may have to wait up to 40 minutes for the alternate Route 11, Route 13 or Connecticut Avenue evening shuttle buses to arrive. The Route 13 bus makes no stop at either of the citys Metro-North train stations, instead running between the community college and Wheels Hub on Burnell Boulevard in Norwalk. The transit district has stressed these lines will remain active in the event the commuter shuttle is shuttered. Norwalk Transit District CEO Kimberlee Morton attended the demonstration and spoke with a few students about their experience. She mentioned she was having trouble finding students who relied on the commuter shuttle. Since the shuttle has been suspended for two years, many of the students in attendance at the protest were not taking classes when it was in service, professor Robert Emigh, who chairs NCC CARES, told Morton. Other students who attended could drive or walk to the school but wanted to show their support to their peers who have no other way to get to class other than the bus. I dont think its fair they have to wait 40 minutes, said Angenee Spencer, 19, who lives close to the school. They should have something that they can rely on to get to school. Her friend Catherine Lino, 18, who drives in from Danbury also wanted to show her support for those who need the service. They should have the same opportunities to come to school, Lino said. Morton informed students about another proposal to boost service on the routes to and from the college during peak times. But Emigh argued that such a proposal would still result in long wait times for riders. He also mentioned the importance of the shuttle to students who needed reliable transportation for work or family commitments. Many students balance their school work with a full- or part-time job or have children to take care of, he said. We have these students who have responsibilities. They have work. They have children. I have so many students who tell me theyre working full time and going to school full time. For them coming in, having to wait 40 minutes for a bus and having to catch another, its just too much, Emigh said. The Norwalk Transit District board postponed its monthly meeting on Thursday to next month. NCC CEO Cheryl De Vonish and several of the schools deans have met with Morton. The two sides plan to meet again on Friday at the invitation of Mayor Harry Rilling, who also attended Tuesdays demonstration. Rilling spoke about his own time studying at the community college. He was joined by state Sen. Bob Duff, who sent a letter to Morton last month saying he was disheartened by the transit districts suspension of the shuttle that is an essential means of transportation for NCC students, faculty and staff. State Rep. Lucy Dathan, whose district includes the college, also attended the demonstration to support her constituents. She added that providing more public transportation options is the right thing to do for the environment, to decrease congestion and to minimize the carbon impact. Its an easy win in my opinion, Dathan said. emily.morgan@hearstmediact.com WESTPORT With the surge in COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant believed to be waning, Westport schools are relaxing mitigation factors. Beginning on Jan. 31, the schools will make changes to policies regarding visitors, desk shields and lunch. Given the steadily decreasing infection rates, we will continue to relax additional measures, Superintendent Thomas Scarice said. Last week, the schools removed the requirement for masks to be worn during outdoor recess and restarted before- and after-school programs across the district. Now, Scarice said school visitors will be welcome back onto the buildings. We will return to the provisions prior to the omicron surge, he said. All visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test administered 72 hours prior to the visit. Sacrice said it is expected that the vaccination and negative COVID test requirements for employees will be revisited at the state level. We will consider revisions based on those expected changes, Scarice said. Other mitigating measures that the schools have relaxed include removing desk shields at Staples High School. At the elementary and middle schools, desk shields will be removed at the end of the upcoming week. Lunch in all of the schools will also return to the pre-omicron practices. As of Monday, Jan. 24, 84 students and staff have tested positive for the virus between Jan. 17 and Jan. 23, according to the schools COVID-19 dashboard. That number is down from 182 cases recorded the previous week. The decrease in positive cases is also a trend seen around the state and town. During the reporting period between Jan. 2 and Jan. 15, 353 COVID-19 cases were reported in the first week and only 178 cases were reported in the second week in Westport, according to the state Department of Public Health. As of Jan. 20, the rate per 100,000 is 133.1. Last Friday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the states daily positive rate is 13.69 percent. Several weeks ago, that percentage stood at nearly 25 percent. Although we are not out of the woods yet with the pandemic, it is becoming increasingly clear that we are about to turn a corner, much like last year at this time, Scarice said. As we do, I eagerly look forward to joining together as a school community to move forward beyond the pandemic, to a bolder and aspirational vision for our students and schools. serenity.bishop@hearstmediact.com NORWALK A local man was charged Monday after a two-year-long investigation into child sexual abuse imagery, according to police. Thomas Finn, 55, of Coachmans Court, was charged with first-degree possession of child pornography and promoting a minor in an obscene performance. The charges stem from an investigation that began in January 2020. Lt. Terry Blake said the departments Special Victims Unit was contacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about an interception of suspected child sexual abuse imagery on the messaging application Kik. The Homeland Security agents told Det. Kristina LaPak that the suspected image was uploaded from an IP address in Norwalk, Blake said. LaPak, through a series of court orders, found that the imagery was uploaded from Finns home. A search warrant was served at Finns home in September 2020, and several devices were seized, including an iPhone, Blake said. An arrest warrant was issued for Thomas Finn and on January 24, 2022, Finn was arrested at his home by Special Victims Unit Detectives and members of the Norwalk Police Emergency Service Unit. Sgt. Nate Paulino, the investigative supervisor in the Special Victims Unit, forensically examined the devices and found numerous media files with child sexual abuse imagery on the iPhone and several conversations in the Kik messaging app, Blake said. He said the app contained messages discussing sexual abuse acts with minors. Paulino learned Finn was the sole user of the iPhone at the time the images were uploaded and throughout the conversations found in the Kik app, Blake said. Finn was held on a $250,000 bond and was expected in court on Tuesday. Mark Sherman, the Stamford-based criminal defense attorney representing Finn, declined to comment on case specifics, but insisted that his client will aggressively fight these charges. This is a father and husband with no criminal history whatsoever and from what I know about the investigation so far, the forensics that led to this arrest beg more questions then answers, Sherman said. EDWARDSVILLE The Edwardsville Rotary Club recently presented a check for $5,000 to the Chispa Project. Through book donations, teacher development, and international volunteer projects, Chispa Project works with Honduran educational institutions to spark a passion for learning that will grow and be nurtured within the local communities. Over the last several years through volunteer efforts, approximately 35,000 books have been brought to more than 65 different schools to create library programs. Chispa Project has a unique approach in bringing books directly to schools in a community-driven development approach. Library programs are implemented together with a schools library committee made up of teachers, parents, and students to manage the library. The committees create a plan of action and guide the direction and layout of their library space and activities offered. Books are donated and school communities trained to create mobile library networks, classroom libraries, and school libraries in programs custom-designed to best fit each community. The focus is on childrens books in the students native language. Teacher development workshops for educators teach creative reading activities, learning styles, and classroom management to make the best use of their new libraries. Activities range from reading aloud to engaging learners in critical thinking and integrating storybooks with relevant curriculum. Chispa Project collaborates with Honduran and international volunteers to find creative and effective projects that benefit both local communities and volunteers through intercultural exchange of knowledge. COLLINSVILLE - Good Shepherd Lutheran School is inviting the public to an open house Sunday, Jan. 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. at The school, located at 1300 Belt Line Road in Collinsville, is enrolling students from kindergarten to 8th grade. The school offers a Christian-based education in small classes, sports, music, band, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple, PhD, has appointed Terrence S. McTier Jr., PhD, as the Interim Dean of Students, effective Monday, Jan. 24. The search for a permanent Associate Vice Chancellor/Dean of Students will launch in February. The Dean of Students role is critical to the institution, serving as an advocate and resource for students and their families, as well as a compliance specialist who ensures student adherence to campus policies that impact health, safety and participation in our educational mission, Waple said. I am confident Dr. McTier will help advance this important work, and I appreciate his commitment to SIUE. Im elated to be serving in a capacity that contributes to the success of SIUE students and the division of student affairs. It is an honor and privilege that I do not take likely, said McTier. McTier is an adjunct professor in SIUEs Department of Educational Leadership. Prior to joining SIUE, he served as the inaugural director of the Prison Education Project at Washington University in St. Louis. McTier was previously an assistant professor in higher education at Ohio University (OU), where he served as a faculty conduct hearing officer, and taught a variety of courses, including Legal Issues in American Higher Education, Policy Perspectives in Higher Education, Diversity in Higher Education, and Campus Environments. An active teacher-scholar, McTiers research examines the experiences of college students with criminal records and the various factors that affect or impact their transitions into traditional higher education settings. His research has been published in various academic journals and used by the U.S. Department of Education 2021/2022 Rulemaking Session for Affordability and Students Loans committee and for the Federal Pell Grants for Incarcerated Students sub-committee. McTier was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to serve as a non-federal negotiator for both committees and was responsible for crafting rules for the reinstatement of Federal Pell Grants for Incarcerated Students, which take effect July 1, 2023. McTier is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and is involved in the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison (AHEP), and the National Association of Student Personnel Administration (NASPA). McTier holds a bachelor's in communication from Kennesaw State University, a masters in educational administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a doctorate in educational policy and evaluation from Arizona State University. He replaces Kara Shustrin who is pursuing new endeavors after having served the University for 28 years. EDITORS NOTE: The Intelligencer requests briefs be submitted at least 10 days prior to the desired publication date. Due to the volume of community-submitted briefs, the content may be published within 10 days of submission. Holidays and weather forecasts may impact some events. The Intelligencer cannot guarantee that submission will be published. True Crime Book Club 6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join other armchair detectives to discuss the shocking details and events found in this popular non-fiction subgenre. I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara. Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774 Wednesday, Jan. 26 Percy Jackson Book Club 4 - 5 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. This month theyre reading Book 4, The Battle of the Labyrinth." Once you register, stop by the Youth Desk to get your free copy of the book. Registration Required. Roxana HCE Meeting 12 p.m. at Rox-Arena in Roxana Park. HCE (formally Home Bureau) meeting. Light lunch is served. Open to the public. For more info contact Vi at 618-803-2795. Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne 5:30 6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires Registration Tai Chi Class 7 p.m. at Main Street Community Center, 1003 North Main St. The Southern Illinois Tai Chi Association of Edwardsville will begin a new class session of Tai Chi. $100 for a fourth month session. Contact Terry Staebel at 618-939-4731 to register or for further information. Thursday, Jan. 27 Movie Matinees 12 p.m. at The Edwardsville Public Library. The library hosts Movie Matinees for adults in their meeting room. Bring a brown bag lunch and theyll provide drinks and popcorn. The library is not able to publicize movie titles. Call (618) 692-7556 for details. NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Preschooler Story Time 10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S Kansas St. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and dont forget, bubbles. Ages three - five. Registration required. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 Adult Zumba with Aimee 6 - 7 p.m. through the Glen Carbon Library. This program has been changed to a virtual program for January due to Covid-19 positivity rates in the area. Log in to Zoom for a fun night of Zumba from the comfort of your own home with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Registration required. Friday, Jan. 28 Fish Fry Every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774 Fish Fry 4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051 Saturday, Jan. 29 74th Annual Sausage Supper 1-7 p.m. at Salem United Church of Christ, 1117 West North St., Alhambra. Drive thru only. Fresh homemade pork sausage, sauerkraut, potatoes, green beans and applesauce. $12 donation. Meat sales preorders can be picked up on Thursday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. - noon. For order forms go to salemuccalh.org or call 618-488-3216. Beginner Knitting Group with Greta 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. via Zoom through the Glen Carbon Library. Experience how easy it can be learning to knit through a structured, interactive social knitting group. Perfect for true beginners or those looking for an easy refresh project. Different intermediate skills will be introduced on a project-by-project basis. Set up as a 2-day class with homework in between. Registration Required. Sunday, Jan. 30 Scams and Frauds You Encounter Every Day 1-3 p.m. at the Maryville Community Center, 500 East Division St. Presented by Steve Baker, an International Investigations Specialist for the BBB. In-person and virtual sessions available. Attendees are asked to social distance and wear masks. The Zoom session can be opened with Zoom ID: 850 8666 4733; Pass Code: 236771 or mobile number: +131262667799. Part of the Maryville Parks & Rec 16th annual Discovery Sunday Series, check the Village of Maryville website for changes. Tuesday, Feb. 1 Cribbage Club 6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618) 978-1664 for more information. Toddler Time 10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration Required. (Jan 18-Apr 26) Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday 3-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774 Wednesday, Feb. 2 Blood Drive at St. Johns 1-6 p.m. at St. Johns United Methodist Church, 7372 Marine Road, Edwardsville. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in donor turnout, the cancellation of blood drives and staffing challenges, leading to the worst blood shortage in more than a decade. To schedule, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROS (1-800-733-2767) Thursday, Feb. 3 PFLAG Edwardsville Meeting 7-8:30 p.m. online. Contact Amy for a link, 618-977-5078 or pflagedwardsville@outlook.com. PFLAG Edwardsville offers support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ people and their allies. There will be a speaker from Alton Pride to discuss their new youth group. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Friday, Feb. 4 Book Sale 9 a.m.-noon at the Tri Township Library, 209 South Main, Troy. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Book donations are accepted during the book sale and on Tues. from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. If the Triad Unit 2 School District is closed on the day of the book sake then the book sale will be canceled. Fish Fry Every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774 Fish Fry 4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051 Ongoing Events Al-Anon For information call 618-463-2429. For more information, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org. Winter Reading Challenge Begins Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 at the Edwardsville Public Library. Read books, earn badges and be entered into prize drawings on Beanstack. This challenge is for all ages, 0-109. To register visit www.edwardsvillelibrary.org. Take Home Crafts Pick up a take-home craft bag at the Edwardsville Public Library with all the materials to make the project. A new craft will be available each month at the Youth Desk. We have seen an appalling increase in law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty this past year. Its a tragedy that deserves much more attention than its getting. Seventy-three officers were murdered in the line of duty in 2021, the highest annual number since the 9/11 attacks, and the equivalent of one officer murdered every five days. Its heartbreaking to realize how many officers left home to protect and serve but didnt return to their loved ones. Law enforcement officers are dealing with a wide range of threats at a time when the job is, in many ways, more dangerous than ever. Many of the officers killed last year died in ambush-style attacks. The dangers are very real. In the area of Illinois covered by the FBIs Springfield Field Office, we lost five law enforcement officers last year in the line of duty. On May 19, Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim was shot while responding to a domestic disturbance call. On Aug. 4, Brooklyn Police Officer Brian Pierce, Jr. was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle. On Oct. 26, Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmins was shot while investigating a stolen vehicle. And in a 24-hour period from Dec. 29-30, Wayne County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Riley was shot and killed after responding to assist a motorist, and Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic was shot while attempting to locate the owner of dogs left in a car. The FBI too experienced loss in 2021. Miami Special Agents Laura Schwartzenberger and Daniel Alfin were killed while performing the difficult job of investigating crimes against children, and FBI Task Force Officer Greg Ferency of the Terre Haute, Indiana Police Department was ambushed and killed outside his FBI office. Each law enforcement officer killed last year was a son or daughter, and many were mothers and fathers. All were beloved community members who sought to serve their fellow citizens. Each paid the ultimate price, giving their last full measure of selfless devotion to duty. We should also remember the scores of other law enforcement officers who were injured in the line of duty and survived, but whose lives are forever changed. As we continue to mourn the loss of these brave law enforcement officers, we ask ourselves how we can make this tragic and senseless loss of life count for something. How can we honor their sacrificetheir braverytheir legacy? We do this by continuing the fight to keep violent criminals off our streets, and by ensuring there are resources, equipment, and training available to continue to do the work of law enforcement as safely as possible. But most importantly, we need to ensure the brave men and women in law enforcement know the communities they serve have their backs. As we look back on 2021, lets honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting us. Lets commit to working together because we know it takes all of us to keep our communities safe. Salida, CO (81201) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 54F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 34F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on thenewsguard.com. The News Guard E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) South Hill, VA (23970) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), on Monday, lamented that the education crisis in Nigeria is grossly affecting children across the country, saying Nigerian childs rights to education is far from being actualised. Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, in a message to celebrate the International Day of Education, decried report that a full one-third of Nigerian children are not in school, and one in five out-of-school children in the world is Nigerian. Hawkins noted that all Nigerian children deserve a fighting chance, no matter who they are or where they are and that this must include education. In his words, It is not only their right it is the smartest and best way to secure the future of Nigeria as a whole. He noted that at least 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria and that number is the highest rate in the world. He recounted that in 2021, there were 25 attacks on schools. 1,440 children were abducted, and 16 children were killed. He further disclosed that in March 2021 alone, no fewer than 618 schools were closed in six northern states (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Niger, and Yobe) over the fear of attack and abduction of pupils and members of staff, stressing that the closure of schools in these states significantly contributed to learning losses for over two months He said: A full one-third of Nigerian children are not in school, and one in five out-of-school children in the world is Nigerian, it decried. Nigerians are particularly not happy that the All Progressive Congress (APC) led Federal Government which lavishly promised Nigerians change and were voted to provide good and qualitative leadership; elected to bring the nations economy out of the woods and were chosen to bring democracys dividends to the people. But, instead of providing the lavishly promised and highly expected leadership, they visit the masses with cluelessness and utopia. Instead of reviving the comatose economy, they threw it further down into recession and instead of bringing dividends of democracy, they democratized poverty, institutionalized unemployment and governmentalized hopelessness and frustration. They are not authentic leaders but political demagogues. It is therefore expected that after about eight years of unfulfilled change, the electorate should be excused if they enter 2023 with a new dream on their minds, and head to the polls with a different mentality from what they had in 2015 and 2019 respectively. The new orientation would be shaped by recent fiscal, sociological, political and communal happenings in the country; coupled with the pockets of ethno-religious upheavals and misgivings from one region against another or powerful personalities against each other. It can also be safely deduced that many different strata, sectors, and sections of the country will be looking up to 2023 as a year to settle various scores both idealistically and holistically. Recently, the talk has been about making a point and calling for a change to the current dispensation through mild aggression, in the form of protests, rallies, sit-at-home and heated public comments. Though 2023 will again accord Nigerians the chance to make a change through a legitimate and democratic means, tension is already up and has again heightened by the realization that the nation is still being governed by people who do not feel the pinch the common man is made to endure, or that the leaders have simply chosen to be compassionate by proxy. In fact, a glance at the PDP communique further lends credence to assertion. It reads in parts; Mr President is unwilling, from his recent comments discountenancing the proposals for state policing, to participate in reviewing the structural problems of tackling insecurity in Nigeria. While urging Mr President to reconsider his position and consider decentralization and restructuring of the security architecture as the most viable solution, together with proper arming, funding and training requirements for Security Agencies, the PDP Governors noted that the management of our Oil and Gas resources, the administration of Federation Account remittances have remained opaque, confusing and non transparent. In addition, the transition to NNPC Ltd under the Petroleum Industry Act has not been properly streamlined to ensure that the interests of all the tiers of Government are protected, consistent with the 1999 Constitution. Today, it is no longer in doubt that the political leaders have fractured our nations geography into polarised ethnosyncrasies and idiosyncrasies, all of which have led to agitations of different sorts and capacities. These have disjointed the amalgams of the country and made the nation that was once called The Giant of Africa now be referred to by friends and foes as a wobbling tripod. Also, these developments have made 2023 a year with history in that its a year of elections, a year for another session of politicking when elections into various offices from the Presidency down to the state Houses of Assembly are billed to hold. Most importantly, 2023 is bound to be a year in which the peoples action and decisions will shape their political destiny and determine their socioeconomic future. Obviously, the year will be pregnant with high hopes and has equally necessitated the need for electorates to develop an objectified oneness as well as an action plan that will aid them in taking whole. Its a year for the masses and youths, in particular, to team up and fight the common enemy called bad leadership and its proponents. If the masses can achieve these, every other thing including restructuring shall be added unto it. This role is pivotal because the strength of a nation is a direct result of the strength of her leaders. Everything rises and falls on leadership. This remark is visibly evident in the qualities of leaders the nation have unfortunately blessed herself with since May 2015. The result of these political miscalculations led us to rhizomes of excuses thereby turning the country into a nation of narrative rather than action. The score cards of the present crop of leaders have visibly advertised them as being clueless, lacking in creativity and outright lack of propensity to perform. To exit this vicious circle of mal-performance, the people need reprogramming of their mind- set as once the mind is enslaved, the body can never be free. To make the reorientation work, early preparation is key as once remarked he that arrives first and take a position is at ease while he that arrives late labours. 2023 may be far but viewed from political pragmatism, it is just a stone throw. So, this is the time for the citizens to start asking solution-providing questions as well as perform the agenda setting roles. This is not the time to start waiting for the visitors called politicians whose visits occur once in four years and that are the electioneering period. Also, the masses have in recent elections voted based on vanity without recourse to their consciences. To arrive at the Nigeria of our dreams, it is time to say no to this illicit incentivizing by these politicians now that the nation prepares for another round of political ultimate search come 2023. Voting based on pecuniary inducement or stomach infrastructure should be discouraged. To make 2023 bear the anticipated political result as proposed, the people need the moral force to activate a shift in paradigm. Part of this needed strategy is the admission of the youths into their political school and calculations. The youths have watched for too long the political drama involving their nation from the political gallery. Again, enthroning upright personalities as our leaders is important as leadership is about vision and is also about creating a climate where the truth is heard and brutal force confronted. My imagination tells me that all we have been having were not leaders but sets of opportunists that appear from the political moon, feed us with what we want to hear, win the election and that ends the political oratory and relationship till the next election year. We obviously need to take this step as we have previously seen some of our elected officers become the reality to worry about as they became visibly determined to work across purpose with us while some of them consumed by the vertical pursuit of self-aggrandizement. Allowing this trend and expecting a different result is tantamount to insanity. For us, as a people, to break out from this vicious circle of worries and poverty, the time to cause a real change is now. Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), A Lagos-Based Non Governmental Organization (NGO). He could be reached via [email protected]/08032725374. Nigerian Government has condemned the military overthrow of a democratically elected government of President Roch Marc Kabore in Burkina Faso. It calls for the release of President Marc Christian Kabore and other members of his government being detained, as well as an immediate return to the status quo ante. Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, in a statement, said the government received with grave concern the report of a coup in the Republic of Burkina Faso. This unfortunate development not only subverts the constitutional order of the country, but also seeks to further destabilise the peace efforts in the ECOWAS sub-region. Nigeria, therefore, calls for the immediate release of President Marc Christian Kabore and other members of his government being detained, as well as an immediate return to the status quo ante, the statement read in part. The Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Monday hosted a protest at the national secretariats of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in Abuja. The organisation appealed to both parties to zone their presidential ticket to the South, saying this would guarantee sustainable peace, national unity and strengthen the nations democracy. Bassey Williams, the CCSG President, speaking during the rallies, said that since the inception of democracy, the nation has witnessed a rotational presidency between the North and South just to keep the polity stable. In his words, We are convinced that power should naturally rotate between the Northern and Southern regions of the country. We also believe that it is by the avowed commitment to this arrangement that we can stop the current ethnographic-religious division being experienced in the country. Our visit today is to lend our voice in support of the call for power shift to the southern part of Nigeria. We hereby urge the great men and women of the PDP and APC to heed this patriotic call. It is on the strength of this that we march here today in our thousands to submit our position on the imperatives of a presidential candidate of southern Nigeria extraction come 2023 on the platforms of the PDP and APC. On power rotation, we stand. My attention has been drawn to some online reports of an alleged media briefing by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, after what appears to have been a state security council meeting; in which he was reported to have announced that the Security Council declared one Linus Okorie wanted; an impugning that I am the one so declared wanted. I wish to alert the world that this is another of the artful schemes of Governor Umahi to silence all opposition voices in Ebonyi state by criminalizing its high profile leaders, use Ebubeagu to kill me on the excuse that I was evading arrest and also a veiled excuse to close down CitiHub event centre which has long been the desire of the governor and his close Aides and family members. It is also a ploy to distract attention from the Carnage that Ebubeagu has been wrecking on the the people of Ebonyi state as symbolized by the riots and killings in Akaeze in the past few days. Governor Umahi is simply looking for a high profile scapegoat to take attention away from the many lives being lost to Ebubeagu operatives across the state; and he has chosen me using his State Security Council. If, indeed, such a decision was arrived taken by the Security Council, one would doubt that the police and other security agencies were represented at such a meeting. This is because it is the duty of the Nigerian Police to investigate crimes and invite all named suspects for interrogation and even when a suspect fails to honor an invitation, there is a clear procedure that must be followed before such a person can be declared wanted by the police and not any security council meeting. Let it be known that I have never been invited to answer to any allegations by the Nigerian Police or other security agencies any where in Nigeria. Two, without so inviting by the police, I cannot lawfully be declared wanted by any authority for such an alleged crime by the police or any other authority under the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Again, going through the excerpts of the media briefing, I find no particulars of the allegation leveled against me to warrant the defamatory declaration by the said state security council. For the avoidance of doubt, the law demands that before making a Wanted Declaration on a public platform or any other for that matter, the police ought to obtain a warrant of arrest duly signed and endorsed by a competent court. The said warrant must also be presented at the point of arrest and in it, the particulars of the arrest ought to be spelt out. Where a person sought to be arrested makes a run for it or evades arrest, then a declaration informing the public of the accused persons status may be made. By implication of the above, where such an accused declared wanted is seen, the public (especially the Ebubeagu boys) is to assume that such a person is not just a wanted criminal, but also a potentially dangerous one. In effect, this declaration is an authority by the state government for Ebubaeagu to shoot me at sight, on the excuse that I made a run for it. The serious implication of this presumptions makes every deviation from the above process, as exemplified by this reckless declaration by the state security council, an abrogation of lawful processes, a clear indicator that the said agency (the State Security Council) seeks to appropriate to itself powers vested singularly in the courts and also a gross disrespect of the my dignity of self, especially as I am neither on the run, in hiding nor have any knowledge of the summon, invitation or intended arrest. Why impute that I am on the run or evading the police when the police had extended no formal invitation to me? Even a new recruit in the employ of the police force can fault this spurious action of the Security Council in declaring me wanted just to create the opportunity for the Ebubeagu agents to attack and kill me on the excuse of executing an illegal declaration. In summary, I have never been invited for questioning by the police for any crime at all. Even if I were so invited and had failed to attend, there is a lawful procedure through the courts to comply with before I could be declared wanted by the police, and not any security council meeting. Importantly, the media pronouncement of the declaration contained no particulars of the allegation against me so the public can make an informed assessment or I could offer a response. Accordingly, I see in this wild declaration a plot by the state government to not only close my lawful business in the state, but a ploy to unleash Ebubeagu operatives to kill me in the excuse that I was running away from arrest. These are all channeled towards silencing the opposition in the state by dealing a fatal blow on the major voice calling attention to the failings of the state government; especially the Ebubeagu security outfit. Given all the inconsistencies of the so called declaration by Uchenna Orji, I can only alert the world that my life is in extreme danger from Governor Umahis l Ebubeagu operatives. Should anything happen to me going forward, all fingers must point back to Gov David Nweze Umahi. Just as the dust of the recent crisis at Magodo Phase 2 is trying to settle down, it seems the Nigerian police is at its game again in another area of Magodo. This time it is at Magodo GRA Phase 1, Gateway Zone where some negative elements within the police force are actively backing Mr. Jamiu Oloto and Mr. Ola Oladugba to take over parts of the estate under the guise of illegal road construction. In the words of Ayo Fasugba, the chairman of the Magodo GRA Phase 1 Gateway Zone Community Development Association (CDA), This should have ordinarily been an issue between the land grabbers and the government because their target is a huge gorge or marshland (wetland), that has been declared inhabitable by environmentalists, but it is an irony that we are now the ones confronting a very vicious group that seems to have the active support of some top law-enforcement officers, Magodo Phase 1, Gateway Zone, in Lagos State has always enjoyed remarkable tranquility and good security until a group of land grabbers generally referred to as Omonile started invading and infiltrating the Estate under the guise that they need another access road to a wetland space they claim they want to sell or develop. Their attraction for access through Gateway Zone is due to the level of infrastructural developments championed by the CDA. Residents of the estate claim that sometimes, these illegal land grabbers storm the estate with law enforcement police officers in uniform. The attention of relevant Government parastatals had been drawn to the issue after several invasions from the Land Grabbers. Despite several letters from various state government agencies affirming the right of the estate, the threats and attacks had persisted. One of the most violent attempts took place a few months ago, in November 2021 when the suspected Land Grabbers led by Mr. Jamiu Oloto and Mr. Ola Oladugba, with deception and impersonation forcefully gained access into the Estate. They also brought an Excavator-Bulldozer into the estate. They moved the equipment to the perimeter fence at the end of Ayo Fasugba Road, the major road on the estate, and demolished the walls at that point, claiming that the part demolished was the access or road to the gorge where the plots of land they want to develop are located. All efforts to stop them from further demolition by the Residents available proved abortive as a mammoth crowd of hoodlums, numbering over 30, came in through the gorge and started chasing residents with different harmful weapons, like knives, cutlasses, daggers, axes, evil bracelets, and charms. It was the prompt intervention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) that salvaged the situation while the excavator operator and one of the leaders of suspected Land Grabbers were arrested as others took to their heels. Shockingly, the dispersed hoodlums later re-grouped in the evening to challenge the security persons positioned to protect the porous border. The hoodlums were quite boastful, claiming that they have the support of a certain Deputy-Inspector General of Police and the Lagos State Assembly, so no one can stop their illegal exploits. Petitions have been written to the Commissioner of Police, NTDA, Lands, and other Government Agencies to register the unlawful act of willful damage by Land Grabbers who invaded the Estate. According to Ayo Fasugba, the CDA Chairman, It is so worrisome and the situation and apprehension are so heightened that our residents are now very uncomfortable about these criminal elements next moves. We just hope the Inspector-General will call all his men to order on this issue to absolve the police of any complicity. We want the perpetrators of the dastardly act to be arrested and prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force and we are seeking Police protection while we make efforts to rebuild the segment of our fence that was demolished by the hoodlums. New York, January 25, 2022 Authorities in Burkina Faso should ensure that journalists can report freely, safely, and without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Sunday, soldiers at the Sangoule Lamizana military camp outside Ouagadougou, the capital, briefly held freelance reporter Henry Wilkins and Associated Press reporter Sam Mednick, according to both journalists, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app, and Wilkins comments on Twitter and to the BBC. The journalists were photographing and filming the camp when some soldiers aimed their guns at them and others fired into the air. The soldiers confiscated their equipment, took them inside the base, and then released them and returned their equipment, according to Wilkins and Mednick, who said that the incident lasted about 30 minutes. On Monday, members of the military announced on state broadcaster RTB that they had suspended the constitution, disbanded the government, and closed the countrys borders. People in Burkina Faso and around the world are only able to know what is happening in the country if journalists are permitted to do their jobs without fear of arrest or harassment, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Attacks on the press are never justified, and authorities should maintain internet access and ensure reporters can work safely and distribute the news without fear. Separately, Ibrahim Compaore, a reporter with the local La Chaine au Coeur de lAfrique (LCA) broadcaster, was struck in the arm by a teargas canister while filming protests on January 22, according to the journalist, who spoke to CPJ over the phone, a post on LCAs Facebook page, and local media reports. Compaore told CPJ that the canister broke his left arm and he had received medical attention. The same day Wilkins and Mednick were held, local and international media and the digital rights group Access Now reported internet disruptions in the country, following similar disruptions in early January and in November 2021. A journalist working in Ouagadougou, who asked to remain anonymous due to security concerns, told CPJ via messaging app Monday that angry mobs have harassed and chased journalists to prevent them from recording events on the street. As soon as you step out with a camera mobs will form, the journalist said. Local journalist[s] and foreign alike People will start chasing you, with sticks. One guy was about [to] throw a rock at me today. CPJ was unable to immediately determine authorities to contact for comment on events surrounding the coup. Reached via messaging app, Guy Herve Ye, director of communication and public relations of the Burkina Faso gendarmerie, told CPJ he was not aware of the specific circumstances involving Compaores case, but said that journalists filming demonstrations were at risk of teargas being deployed to disperse crowds. He said journalists should remain farther back from protests to avoid being caught between security forces and demonstrators. Previously, in April 2021, Spanish journalists David Beriain and Roberto Fraile were abducted in eastern Burkina Faso and killed. In late November 2021, security forces and protesters also attacked and harassed journalists working to cover demonstrations over insecurity and calling for a change in national leadership, according to a statement of condemnation by the Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso. Journalists in Burkina Faso can consult CPJs safety tips on reporting amid civil disorder and internet disruptions. Phuket Wittayalai suspends classes over COVID concerns PHUKET: Phuket Wittayalai School in Phuket Town has suspended on-site classes from Jan 26 to Feb 4 due to concerns of COVID-19 infections spreading throughout the school. COVID-19Coronavirushealth By The Phuket News Tuesday 25 January 2022, 06:26PM all students must fill out the timeline form, confirming their presence at which locations in the school at which times, and submit the form to their teachers for assessment, the notice said. Image: Phuket Wittayalai School Classes will be conducted online while the school is closed, Phuket Wittayalai School said in an announcement earlier today (Jan 25). No online classes on Monday (Jan 31) due to the Chinese New Year for students to learn about the local culture and join activities with family," the announcement read. All students and school personnel identified as at risk were to undergo ATK tests, the school confirmed. Normal classes will resume on Monday, Feb 7, under strict public health measures, teh school added. While classes are being conducted online, all students must fill out the timeline form, confirming their presence at which locations in the school at which times, and submit the form to their teachers for assessment, the notice said. Students were warned to not conceal any information about their whereabouts in the details provided reported on the form. According to the announcement, the school requires the participation of parents, students, teachers and personnel to carefully adhere to public health measures in order to ensure that the schools operations are in line with the goals and that all parties are safe. In the basket on the far left you can see black bearded durum wheat, triticum wheat , larned wheat, turkey red wheat, and oats (used only for decoration). Next you can see a traditional straw doll with hair made from sisal. The four designs in the front are all traditional weaves. You can see a seven straw weave, a six straw weave, a four straw weave (called a compass knotalso used by the Boy Scouts), and a three straw weave which is the same as a hair braid. The small cone shaped piece is a witchs hat which belongs to a kitchen witch (who according to Danish folk lore is a good witch who protects your kitchen). The star-shaped one is a Christmas star. The small pieces are called spreuers. The cork with a needle in it is used as a pedestal when weaving small flowers. The white ruler-looking-tool is called a bone folder and is used for smoothing and burnishing. The egg is a Polish Easter Egg called a pansky. You can also see in the picture, wheat that Douglass has dyed in various colors. Salem, MO (65560) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low around 55F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch. THE SHORTHORN is accepting applications for summer & fall 2022 for: Writing and editing Photo and design Ad sales and marketing Web development Support staff Apply online & view job descriptions at: www.theshorthorn.com/jobs Current UTA students enrolled in at least six credit hours during the semester of employment and in good academic standing are eligible to apply for these paid positions. Some qualify for internship credit. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High around 16C. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 4C. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Today Cloudy. High 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 61F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tomorrow Variable clouds with strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. [Editors note: Candidates for elected offices can send their announcements, of 500 words or less to sgreene@thesuntimes.com. Announcements are free. Paid political advertisements throughout the year can be sent to jmaples@thesuntimes.com.These reelection announcements are arranged alphabetically, along with an not-seeking reelection announcement at the end] GLEN CARBON All her life, Joyce Williams has been a student of history. This week, readers throughout the area can enjoy the benefits of that lifelong knowledge while reading a new book, Glen Carbon, part of Arcadia Publishings Images of America series. The new pictorial book consists primarily of photographs from the collections of the Glen Carbon Heritage Museum, but Williams also includes contemporary photographs to contrast the old with the new. Many of the modern-day photographs were taken by Williams grandson, Eli Burns-Irvin. Woven among the images of Glen Carbon coal mines, railroads, families, and businesses is the story of Glen Carbon. It was a thriving village with a population of 1,200 in 1900 that fell to just 300 residents when the coal mines closed during the Great Depression. Glen Carbon families, including the Yanda, Primas, Wieduwilt, Pizzini, Harris, and dozens of others, persevered so that Glen Carbon could become the community it is today. In 2007, CNN Money named Glen Carbon to their list of Best Places to Live. Williams comes from a family of southern Illinois coal miners who arrived in Glen Carbon in 1911. At that time, work was plentiful in the coal mines that attracted men of numerous ethnic groups from across the country. Another early industry that employed hundreds of men was the St. Louis Pressed Brick Company. It too, was gone by the 1930s. Williams and her family have been active in efforts to preserve the history of Glen Carbon and Madison County for many years. She is a member of the Glen Carbon Historical Commission and is a past president of the Madison County Historical Society. She was a co-author of the Centennial History of Glen Carbon in 1992 and before her retirement was a staff archeologist at Southern Illinois University. Her husband, Bob, and her father, LeRoy Harris, led efforts to restore the Yanda Log Cabin in Glen Carbon. Glen Carbon is available at local stores including Books-a-Million and Walgreens. Signed copies are available at the Madison County Archival Library in Edwardsville where MCHS members can purchase copies at a discount. Due to COVID-19, a schedule of in-person book signings will be released at a later date. EDWARDSVILLE A Springfield judge has granted a temporary restraining order halting the implementation of new judicial subcircuits in Madison County. The order issued Tuesday morning came in response to a lawsuit filed Jan. 21 by Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine filed on behalf of the county challenging the constitutionality of the subcircuit legislation approved Jan. 5 in the General Assembly and signed Jan. 7 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. On Monday, Judge Ryan Cadagin of Illinois Seventh Judicial Circuit issued the ruling after an in-person hearing in Springfield. The four-page order prevents Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Elections and the Clerk of the Illinois Supreme Court from taking any steps to enforce or institute the Judicial Circuits Districting Act of 2022. Specifically, it orders the Clerk of Supreme Court to recertify the original vacancies of the Honorable David Dugan and the Honorable Richard Tognarelli, as they were before the passing of the Act. It also mandates that, any petitions collected on or between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 for a subcircuit election (for the vacancies) shall be accepted by the State Board of Elections for the reinstated county wide residency election. It also states the order shall continue in full force and effect until the court conducts a hearing on the plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction. That hearing is set for Feb. 15. I recommend everyone read the text of this important order, just released this morning," Haine said. "We are very happy that, as requested, this binding TRO preserves Madison Countys at-large judicial elections for the time being. "This is not a partisan issue; it is a Constitutional issue," he said. "I appreciate the judges diligent work in allowing our Madison County judicial elections to go forward without being burdened by this seriously flawed subcircuit law, which has many constitutional issues." Haine said his office will formally move for a preliminary injunction in the coming days asking the court to continue the order past Feb. 15. Haine said the order was a team effort and praised the work of John Hanson and Emily Johnson in his office. Haine filed the suit on Jan. 21 seeking to stop the state from dividing the Third Judicial Circuit into four subcircuits as directed in the recently-enacted House Bill 3138. The county was joined in the lawsuit by Christina Wiley of Bethalto, a pro se plaintiff (a person not represented by a licensed attorney). Defendants include Gov. J.B. Prtizker, Illinois Supreme Court Clerk Cynthia Grant and the Illinois State Board of Elections, which includes Tonya Genovese On Jan. 13, following a special Madison County Board meeting on the new subcircuits, Haine indicated the lawsuit was imminent. At that meeting the board voted 21-2, with five absent, to condemn the state law signed Jan. 7 by Pritzker that divides the Third Judicial Circuit into four subcircuits. The bill, amended and passed within hours on Jan. 5 by both houses of the General Assembly, required candidates for one of the new Madison County subcircuits to begin circulating nominating petitions on Thursday, Jan. 13. Current judges Amy Sholar and Christopher Threlkeld, both Republicans, had previously announced they would seek retention in the November election that originally included the entire circuit. Because of the new law, within a week both established new residencies inside the newly created Subcircuit 1, a heavily Democratic region, so they could seek to continue their positions. The suit states the act's "ambiguity and inconsistency place an undue burden on Madison County to interpret and successfully implement new subcircuits for the 2022 elections." The suit argues Madison County "will sustain substantial, irreparable harm by forcing the application of an unconstitutional law suddenly drafted and immediately applied here (but not other places in Illinois) without adequate review which will risk confusion and defects in the upcoming 2022 judicial election. The suit also states the act is unconstitutional, ambiguous, and poorly-drafted and required to be implemented immediately with no time for a cleanup, clarification, or judicial review. The acts ambiguity and inconsistency place an undue burden on Madison County to interpret and successfully implement new subcircuits for the 2022 elections. Wiley, in her filing, asks that implementation of the new law be stayed "until the many confusions" in the law are clarified. "...All of the voters of Madison County should be able to vote to select their judicial candidates as they always have," her suit states. It notes that Madison County is the only county required to immediately implement subcircuits where they formerly did not exist. The new law created four judicial subcircuits effective immediately. The circuit has nine judges. Madison County's subcircuit change would begin with the June primary and November elections in Subcircuit 1 a strongly Democrat area. Ensuing elections would depend on vacancies and their subcircuits, meaning some Madison County residents may not get to vote for a judicial post for many years. The suit states that the licensed Madison County attorneys in Subcircuits 2 and 3 will not be able to file candidacy petitions or appear on the ballot, and be elected to a subcircuit judicial vacancy, until at least 2024 "but more than likely 2026 or beyond." The suit also states that Madison County's Geographic Information System site contains an initial representation of the boundaries of Subcircuit 1, but it "does not have proper resolution," nor does it correspond to the precincts and census blocks listed in the law. Instead, it uses information from the Democrats Redistricting Committees' Google map. The suit states the county will have to create new ballots for the June primary and November election because the current ones are based on old precincts. It states a complete redrafting, reformatting and reprocessing of voter registration cards will be necessary because of the law. The law also created new subcircuits in the Seventh Judicial Circuit which includes Morgan, Sangamon, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin and Scott counties. Those changes, however, do not take effect until 2024. House Bill 3138 originally dealt with court security and was introduced in the House in February 2021 by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville. It was originally sponsored in the Senate by state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon. Stuart and state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, voted for the legislation while Elik and state Reps. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville; Charles Meier, R-Okawville; and Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, voted no on the bill. Crowe voted yes on the bill, as did state Sens. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, and Chris Belt, D-Swansea. Voting no were state Sens. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, and Steve McClure, R-Springfield. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Be prepared to walk back in time to Germany in the 1930s when the world was on the edge of war. The cars, costumes and sets will make you feel like you are there. Munich the Edge of War is a political intrigue film. It is very loosely based on a true story although the names have changed. There is something about being around a bunch of fascists that puts my teeth on edge! Even though this takes place over 80 years ago, so much of it seems relevant today. In 1932 three best friends Hugh Legat, (George McKay), Paul von Hartman, (Jannis Niewoher) and Lenya, (Liv Lisa Fries), celebrate at a party at Oxford University; they are supposedly best friends forever with their entire lives in front of them. Six years later, in the autumn of 1938, Adolf Hitler is preparing to invade Czechoslovakia. Neville Chamberlain, (Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons), is desperately seeking a peaceful solution to stymie Hitlers aggression. He goes to Munich and gives Hitler Czechoslovakia without a fight. Legat, an undersecretary to Chamberlain, and von Hartmann, a German diplomat, meet again in Munich where the two estranged friends find themselves involved in a political deception and very real danger. Sandra The acting is superb. You can feel the tension in almost every scene. George McKay and Jannis Niewoher are wonderful. The interaction between the actors heightens the tension. The screenplay was written by Ben Power based on the book Munich by Robert Harris. I was intrigued by the script. Although I thought it dragged briefly in several places, I enjoyed the movie and wanted to know if the two friends survived their dangerous trek. The screenplay is very sympathetic to Chamberlain even though history has labeled his actions at best naive at worst ignorant. Usually, Chamberlain comes off as a wimp. He doesnt in this film which is refreshing. Director Christian Schwochow does a terrific job making the audience feel they are in Munich participating in the tension and pathos. If you are a history buff you will love this film. It brings out details that most history books gloss over or dont mention at all. If you want to see this on the big screen, it is now showing at Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis. If not, it can be seen on Netflix. I give it 4 stars. Westerly, RI (02891) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 49F. Winds light and variable. Nearly 200 companies listed on the London junior market now regularly pay a dividend to shareholders, new analysis has found. Well-known tonic water maker Fevertree Drinks is one of the 195 AIM-listed companies that hands cash back to investors through dividends, but there are also some less-known names that do so. Language translation specialist RWS, kettle safety control firm Strix and insolvency company Begbies Traynor are just some of them. More than one in five AIM-listed companies have paid dividends to shareholders The Alternative Investment Market is a huge one, with 867 stocks listed, around 22 per cent of which are paying a dividend. The average yield of these 195 dividend-paying shares stands at 2.5 per cent, according to analysis by wealth manager Bowmore. Language translation specialist RWS is one of the AIM's less-known dividend payers, with a yield of 1.8 per cent and a dividend cover of 2.3 times. Dividend cover indicates the capacity of a firm to continue paying dividends - or how many times the dividend is covered by profits - and it is considered healthy when it is 2 or more. Kettle safety control group Strix, with a yield of 2.8 per cent and a cover of 1.8, is another pick, along with engineering infrastructure business Renew Holdings, which has a yield of 2 per cent and a cover of 3.1. Kettle safety control group Strix has generated a dividend yield of 2.8% ID verification company GB Group features among some of the top dividend-paying AIM companies, with a yield of 1 per cent and dividend cover of 3.9. Insolvency companies Begbies Traynor and FRP Advisory, both of which have benefited by the doom and gloom of the past couple of years, are also among the AIM companies paying dividends. The former stock generates a yield of 2.3 per cent with a cover of 2.2, while the latter has a yield of 3.1 per cent and a cover of 1.7. Software firm Ideagen, which floated on AIM in 2014 and has often been indicated as a winner by stock pickers, has a yield of 0.1 per cent and dividend cover of 16.8 per cent. Meanwhile, Cambridge-based life science company Abcam - another top pick - yields 0.2 per cent and has a dividend cover of 4.7. Over 60 shares have generated a dividend yield of 3 per cent or higher. But investors should be wary of high-yielding stocks, as there is a risk that the payouts are unsustainable. Robinson, a manufacturer of sustainable plastic and paper packaging that counts Reckitt Benckiser and Unilever among its customers, has a dividend yield of 5.9 per cent and dividend cover of 1.8. Mark Incledon, chief executive of Bowmore Wealth Group, said: 'The relative lack of dividends among AIM companies used to mean they werent a great choice for older investors who want income to play a bigger role in their portfolios. 'With so many AIM shares now coming with a good yield attached, that is no longer the case.' A 5billion testing and certification firm looks set to fall into foreign hands following a swoop by Singapores sovereign wealth fund. Element Materials Technologys wide-ranging work includes testing Rolls-Royce plane engines, checking how corrosive oil and gas pipelines are and evaluating how resistant the cladding on buildings is to fire. Temasek has been a minority investor in Element since 2019. It is planning to buy the rest of the company from private equity group Bridgepoint. Sold: Element Materials Technology's wide-ranging work includes testing Rolls-Royce plane engines (pictured) and checking how corrosive oil and gas pipelines are But the proposed deal could attract the interest of ministers who have been given powers to block foreign takeovers. HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) DIY investing platform and stocks and shares Isa Bridgepoint began exploring a sale of Element late last year. Groups including Cinven and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board were also thought to be interested in the business. Temasek was keen to pre-empt a formal sales process, Bloomberg reported. Temasek oversees around 210billion in assets and has investments in British groups such as Prudential and Standard Chartered, as well as groups such as Blackrock and Dell. Element was founded in 2010 from the management buyout of the testing division of the Netherlands-based Stork Engineering Group, with backing from private equity firm 3i. It traces its history back to 1827 from Storks in-house materials testing and product testing laboratories. When Element launched in 2010 it had 860 employees and 27 laboratories worldwide. The company was involved in the testing Concorde, the first supersonic airliner, and the largest planes that are in service today, the Boeing Dreamliner and the Airbus A380. Bridgepoint, which bought it from 3i in late 2015, backed the takeover of rival group Exova in June 2017. This doubled the companys size and it now has more than 7,000 scientists and a network of 200 laboratories in 30 countries. It is one of the worlds leading providers of testing, inspection and certification services. The companys expertise means it could fall under the remit of the Governments National Security and Investment Act, which came into force earlier this month. The law is aimed at preventing takeovers of companies in a range of strategic industries whose loss could compromise Britains national security, as well as to secure greater protections for firms that do get sold. Shares in Bridgepoint fell 3.8 per cent, or 14.5p, to 371p on the back of the news. The private equity giant went public in London in a bumper float last year. Founded in 2000 by David Shaw and William Jackson after a management buyout from Natwest Equity Partners, it raised 300million when it listed at 3.7billion. But a recent share tumble means it is worth 3.2billion. Capricorn Energy shares jumped by over 6 per cent on Tuesday as the FTSE 250 oil and gas company revealed production at its recently-acquired facilities in Egypt has exceeded forecasts. The Edinburgh-based group said its Western Desert Assets pumped out roughly 36,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day on average from the time it completed the acquisition from Shell in September to the end of 2021. It now expects to deliver an average of 37,000 to 43,000 barrels each day in 2022, and for production to expand throughout the year and exit rates to surpass the high end of its forecast range. Forecast: Capricorn Energy expects to deliver an average of 37,000 to 43,000 barrels each day in 2022 from its Western Desert Assets in Egypt compared to 36,000 at the end of last year Around $90million to $110million has been pencilled in by the firm for production and development at its Egyptian assets this year, while about a third of that amount has been set aside for exploration purposes in the country. It hopes to spend about $40million more on UK infrastructure-led exploration projects, mainly on the Jaws and Diadem wells in the North Sea, and has allocated another $30million to $35million for exploration in other nations, such as Mexico. Chief executive Simon Thomson said: 'We are very encouraged by the initial operating performance of our newly acquired Western Desert Assets in Egypt, with production growth ahead of expectations. We look forward to accelerating cash flows from the assets whilst reducing their emissions profile. 'We are actively pursuing opportunities to grow our producing asset base within our strict capital allocation criteria.' In addition, the company said it should earn an estimated windfall of $76million (56million) in the second quarter from the 334million sale of its stakes in the North Sea's Catcher and Kraken fields to Waldorf Production. Capricorn Energy, known as Cairn Energy until last month, observed that total production from the Catcher and Kraken locations was about 18,300 barrels per day, which was towards the top end of its previous guidance. Value of shares: Capricorn's share price tumbled in March 2020 before recovering to pre-pandemic levels, though it remains far below its high point in the early part of the last decade Further bonus payments from this sale are expected between this year and 2025, conditional on achieving specific production volumes from these sites and the average price of Brent Crude oil. After plummeting in March 2020 following a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, the emergence of Covid-19 and the imposition of travel restrictions, oil prices have recovered steadily over the last year to reach their biggest level in seven years. Capricorn's share price also tumbled in March 2020 before eventually rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, though it remains far below its high point in the early part of the last decade even after shares closed trading 6.6 per cent up at 1.99 on Tuesday. However, the group is due to receive a $1.06billion refund from the Indian Government's tax authorities sometime soon and is planning to give back up to $700million of these proceeds to its shareholders. Subject to investor approval, $500million of this amount is due to be handed through a tender offer of shares while up to $200million is scheduled to be returned in the form of a share buyback scheme. 'With balance sheet strength and financial flexibility, Capricorn enters 2022 positioned to make another significant capital return to shareholders with the company having concluded all required steps to enable payment of the India tax refund,' Thomas added. Capricorn Energy's announcement comes a couple of days after research from law firm Mayer Brown found that private equity funds bought 11.9billion of European oil and gas assets in 2021 despite increasing worries about climate change. Lex Greensill once boasted he was the only boy from Bundaberg to have an office at 10 Downing Street. Now the disgraced Australian financier who charmed his way into former prime minister David Camerons affections and sparked the biggest lobbying scandal in a generation, has returned to his humble roots in rural Queensland. Since his supply chain finance empire Greensill Capital imploded last year with debts of more than 2.5billion, the 45-year-old has been laying low with his English doctor wife and two sons at their converted, eight-bedroom Georgian vicarage in the picturesque village of Saughall, Cheshire. Disgraced Australian financier Lex Greensill (pictured with his wife and mother collecting his CBE in 2019), has returned to his humble roots in rural Queensland But he is now more than 10,000 miles away in Bundaberg, a rackety country town best known for the ginger beer and fiery dark rum which bears the towns name. It will only be a fleeting visit back home, according to business newspaper the Australian Financial Review, and there are no immediate plans for the Greensill family to move to Australia. But the trip will at least afford him the opportunity to enjoy his 2.3million five-bedroom holiday home in Bargara, a coastal outpost of Bundaberg just a few miles out of town. Dubbed The Glass House, it is located a few doors down the road from his brother Peter and a few minutes drive from where his parents Judy and Lloyd live. Like many Australian expats, Lex Greensill has been locked out of his own country for almost two years after the Australian government shut its borders to keep out Covid. But the recent easing of border restrictions has enabled citizens living abroad to return. As well as reuniting with his parents and two brothers Peter and Andrew, Lex will be able to check up on the familys farming business. While Greensill Capital has folded, the farm has expanded rapidly in the area and has become a dominant force in sweet potatoes. Local farmers have complained that the Greensills have ruthlessly under-cut them, driving some growers out of business. Holiday home: Greensill's 2.3m five-bedroom property in Bargara, a coastal outpost of Bundaberg, has been dubbed The Glass House The Greensill name is very unpopular in Bundaberg, one farmer told the Mail. Lex, however, has been careful to distance himself from the farming business in an apparent bid to shield it from creditors. While his financial empire was creaking he removed himself as a director, later offloading stakes in farming entities to companies run by close associates before it collapsed. The farming operation, which has always maintained it is entirely separate from the failed financial business, is more crucial than ever for the Greensill family fortunes. Though Lex may not be getting his hands dirty. Lex wouldnt know one end of a tractor from another, one local farmer said. Bundaberg plays a central role in the folksy narrative that Lex Greensill carefully cultivated around his supply chain finance empire. His parents grew cane and melons on a farm started by their grandfather Roy at the end of WW2. Greensill said the family struggled to make ends meet as his parents had to wait often for months to get paid for their produce. He would later say that the inspiration for Greensill Capital came from the adversity that my parents, our family, endured being farmers in country Queensland. After moving to London, Lex become an investment banker at Morgan Stanley where he befriended the late Jeremy Heywood, a Whitehall mandarin who was on a secondment in the private sector at the time. After setting up Greensill Capital, Heywood who by then had been elevated to Cabinet Secretary would make the fateful introduction between his Australian friend and Cameron, who was prime minister. Cameron promptly appointed Greensill as a senior business adviser, giving him an office in Downing Street and access to the corridors of power in Whitehall. Lex hired Cameron in 2018 as a part time adviser, reportedly on a salary of around 720,000 a year. The former prime minister proceeded to bombard ministers and former colleagues with text messages and phone calls to promote his new paymasters business. And when Greensill Capital was fighting for survival, Cameron pleaded with Chancellor Rishi Sunak for emergency loans established to help firms weather the Covid pandemic. His requests were denied and in March last year Greensill Capital collapsed into administration, triggering a string of investigations and a probe by the Serious Fraud Office. A parliamentary inquiry concluded Cameron broke no lobbying rules but had showed a lack of judgement. As administrators pick over his business empire, the Boy from Bundaberg stands accused of far worse. 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 Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com. The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) remaining of SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Kingsport, TN (37660) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 78F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 51F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY The statewide mask mandate imposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul was struck down in a ruling issued by a state Supreme Court justice on Long Island who determined the administration had overstepped its authority. The governor immediately pledged to appeal the ruling. "My responsibility as governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives," Hochul said in a statement. "We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately." The ruling, in a case filed in state Supreme Court in Nassau County, was issued by Justice Thomas Rademaker in response to the revived mask mandate that Hochul's administration issued on Dec. 10. Rademaker determined the state improperly issued the mandate through the state Department of Health and its then-acting commissioner, Dr. Mary T. Bassett. Rademaker said that if the Legislature was to pass a mask mandate, it would likely meet constitutional muster. The options Hochul had to put forward a mask mandate, the judge said, were limited because the state Legislature had walked back some of the emergency powers that it had authorized for former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo at the onset of the public health crisis. The commissioner of the health department, the judge said, does not have the "authority to make law." The ruling suggested that type of administrative authority could lead to chaos. In his ruling, Rademaker said the mask mandate from the health department should similarly be handled like the "issue of bail reform ... one of many agendas for former Gov. Cuomo." "The issue was resolved in the form of an overhaul of criminal statutes by the state Legislature," the ruling says. "Most certainly, bail reform was not done by rules enacted by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision commissioners." The ruling was celebrated by Republicans, who have fought the continuing mandates that they have claimed are an overreach of government. "The overreach of this statewide mask mandate that relies on partial science rather than all of it has been very widely and adversely felt throughout New York," U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-Long Island, said in a statement Monday. Zeldin is running for the Republican gubernatorial ticket and has campaigned, in part, against Hochul's coronavirus-related mandates. Despite Zeldin's statement on the science behind the mandate, the judge's ruling states: "To be clear, this court does not intend this decision in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus." Instead, he said, the court's ruling is to determine whether the rules were "properly enacted and if so, whether same can be enforced." Many counties and businesses have refused to enforce the governor's mandate, which Hochul's administration enacted as the highly contagious, but less-lethal omicron variant of COVID-19 began spreading. ALBANY - City police are investigating after a man was shot in the face Monday afternoon. Police said they received a shots fired call around 4:20 pm. on Central Avenue between North Lake Avenue and Quail Street. Times Union ALBANY A Gloversville man who police shocked with a Taser during a police stop that revealed he was carrying 31 methamphetamine pills, crack cocaine and a loaded .380 handgun pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Monday. Kent Tucker, 24, who has prior convictions for burglary in New York and attempted robbery in North Carolina, admitted before U.S. District Judge Mae D'Agostino that he possessed the drugs and weapon on Aug. 21, 2020, with intent to sell them. The gun, which was to protect his drug proceeds, had been stolen a month before from a local gun dealer, according to federal prosecutors in Albany and court documents. ALBANY Though a judge has struck down the state's mask mandate, the state Department of Education is urging school districts to continue following the mask rule while an appeal is contemplated by the governor's office. Several local school districts said state education officials sent a notification after Thursday's state Supreme Court ruling, noting an appeal "will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule. Districts were contemplating their legal obligations and urging parents and others to give them time to examine the decision and further legal action. For some parents, the issue of children wearing masks in school has been controversial. "Our sincere hope is that everyone will be patient today as the many discussions and actions that will be taken in response to the courts decision unfold," Ballston Spa Central School District Superintendent Ken Slentz wrote in a letter to parents and others. "We ask that you not put our faculty, staff, and building administration in a position of confrontation when they are following the directions that they have been given by the district and doing their respective jobs. Any disruption to that work due to an action taken less than 24 hours ago will simply not be helpful in keeping our children focused on learning." On Monday, a Long Island-based justice struck down the statewide mask mandate imposed in December by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Justice Thomas Rademaker said Hochul had overstepped her authority when the state Department of Health instituted the mandate last month. The mandate took effect as coronavirus cases fueled by the omicron variant were surging in New York and much of the country. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. The options Hochul had to put forward a mask mandate, the judge ruled, were limited because the state Legislature had reined in some of the emergency powers that it had authorized for former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo at the onset of the public health crisis. The judge wrote it was likely a mask mandate would pass constitutional muster if passed by the state Legislature. Hochul said her administration was examining legal options to reverse the judge's decision. ALBANY An appellate court justice issued a stay Tuesday that will temporarily place on hold a ruling by a state Supreme Court justice that a day earlier had struck down New York's mask mandate as unconstitutional. The appellate justice's ruling will place the lower court's action which found the state health department commissioner does not have authority to set law on hold until the case is argued before a full appellate panel, which is scheduled to hear arguments Friday. Robert J. Miller, an associate justice in the mid-level appellate division's second department, heard arguments in the case on Tuesday as the state attorney general's office scrambled to block the lower court ruling, which had thrown into limbo the mandate requiring masks in public spaces statewide. The second department includes Nassau County, where the case is pending, Judith Vale, an attorney for the attorney general's office who is representing the state health department in the case, argued that Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration had the authority to issue the mandate because it was emergency in nature and designed to stem the spread of COVID-19 as the omicron variant began to surge here late last year. Vale said blocking the state's health commissioner, Mary T. Bassett, from invoking public health law to impose the mask mandate in indoor spaces would "radically disrupt" efforts to control the infectious disease and potentially imperil the public. "DOH has ample statutory authority to issue this regulation," Vale said, adding that the health department's authority in imposing directives stretches back decades involving multiple public health crises. Chad Laveglia, an attorney for the plaintiffs who filed the case challenging the constitutionality of the mask mandate, said they do not question the science behind the use of masks to prevent spread of infection. But he said the case centers on the administration's constitutional overreach in creating laws that have not been authorized by the state Legislature. "They have no check or balance whatsoever," Laveglia told the judge. "It can be issued at any time and there's no limitation, and that's without the people's consent and without the peoples elective representatives taking part in the decision-making." At one point during the oral argument, Miller interrupted the state's attorney as she detailed the science that she said supports mask wearing; the judge directed her to "just focus on the authority." "The (state Supreme Court) judge below essentially concluded that you were making laws, rather than rules, and that this is a big controversial issue ... best left for the Legislature," the judge told Vale. Many counties and businesses have refused to enforce the governor's mandate, and following Monday's ruling striking down the directive that groundswell of defiance began to expand across New York. A Capital Region gym chain informed its members in an email late Tuesday: "Due to the ongoing uncertainty of the state government's policy regarding the current mask mandate, we have decided that mask wearing will be left to our members' individual discretion as they consider their own health and the health of others." The ruling that was the subject of Tuesday's hearing was issued by state Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker, who determined Bassett had improperly issued the mandate by invoking Public Health Law statutes. Rademaker said that if the Legislature were to pass a mask mandate, it would likely pass constitutional muster. "To be clear, this court does not intend this decision in any way to question or otherwise opine on the efficacy, need or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus," the judge added. Instead, Rademaker said, the court's ruling determined whether the rules were "properly enacted and if so, whether same can be enforced." The options Hochul had to put forward a mask mandate, the judge said, were limited because the state Legislature had walked back some of the emergency powers that it had authorized for former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo at the onset of the public health crisis. The commissioner of the health department, Rademaker said, does not have the "authority to make law." The ruling suggested that type of administrative authority could lead to chaos. "The overreach of this statewide mask mandate ... has been very widely and adversely felt throughout New York," U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-Long Island, said in a statement Monday in response to the lower court ruling. Zeldin is running for the Republican gubernatorial ticket and has campaigned, in part, against Hochul's coronavirus-related mandates. The Nassau County judge's decision prompted attorneys in a similar case filed in U.S. District Court in Albany to file a motion Tuesday seeking an injunction preventing the state from enforcing its mask mandates in schools. U.S. District Senior Judge Lawrence E. Kahn had previously declined to grant the motion, which was filed on behalf of a group of parents who oppose New York's regulations requiring children to wear masks in schools and on buses. In their legal papers, attorneys for the parents have asserted the rules are a violation of the state's Constitution and their children's First Amendment rights, and are causing them physical, psychological and sociological harm. "The masks have made the children sick, stunted their intellectual and social growth and most importantly violated their freedom of speech and association," the complaint states. "While the virus may no longer be fatal to our health, it poses an existential danger to our liberty." The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of nine children and five of their parents, including Jeffrey N. Thomas, a Knox resident who founded a Facebook group called Unmask New York School Children Now that has thousands of followers. Thomas, who has a child in kindergarten and another in second grade, said he started the Facebook group in June after his daughter complained that she no longer wanted to wear a mask in school. Thomas had said that if the federal lawsuit goes forward they intend to provide expert testimony and reports on the alleged physical and long-term harms that he and others in the case contend are being caused by making schoolchildren and their teachers wear masks. The lawsuit asserts that there is no "scientific consensus on the short-term and long-term medical and psychological impact on the public from large scale forced prolonged use of face coverings," likening the mandate to an unauthorized medical experiment being performed on human subjects without their consent. John E. Sweeney, a former congressman who is one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, noted that attorneys for the state had argued in an unrelated case challenging New York's vaccine mandates that "masks don't work. So why the hell are they requiring our kids to wear masks?" The federal lawsuit seeks to have a judge declare the state's mask mandate in schools is unconstitutional and to ban its enforcement. It also seeks $1 in "nominal damages" for each plaintiff, as well as legal fees for the cost of bringing the case. Jorge A. Rodriguez, an assistant attorney general, filed a letter memorandum with the court on Tuesday urging Kahn to deny the motion, saying the plaintiffs' arguments had already been denied and they are seeking a "third bite of the apple." They are seeking to "rehash the arguments made during their two prior applications for preliminary relief that masking is ineffective at preventing the spread of COVID-19," Rodriguez wrote. Plaintiffs submission references studies and commentary that purportedly show that cloth masks are ineffective at preventing the transmission of COVID-19 and that the omicron variant poses less health risks to the public than previous variants. ... Plaintiffs already presented for the courts consideration materials from five experts to bolster their claims that masks and face coverings were ineffective and detrimental to the health of students." Another plaintiff is the parent of a Saratoga County boy who has "autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, epilepsy, conductive hearing loss, speech delay, and other learning disabilities." The lawsuit says the boy encounters "great difficulty" when he and others around him wear masks, making it harder to communicate and forcing him to now attend school virtually. Joshua Solomon contributed reporting for this story. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY The chef Elliott Vogel, who since taking over the kitchen of Jack's Oyster House in fall 2020 brought an institution long coasting on its reputation back into the top tier of regional dining with creative, delicious and beautifully presented food, has parted ways with the 109-year-old restaurant. In a phone interview Tuesday, a week after his final shift, Vogel declined to specify a reason for his departure, saying only that it was a mutual decision. "Jack's is so close to my heart," he said. He added via text message, "We were a very good team together and accomplished more than anyone believed was possible in the time we spent working together. The great things we did will always be known and we are very proud of that." Managing partner Joshua White, who is acquiring a financial interest in the restaurant and runs it on a daily basis, confirmed Tuesday that Vogel was no longer employed by Jack's. He too said the decision was mutual. "There was a difference of opinion as to the direction we should be going in," White said, "We all think Elliott is a phenomenal chef, and I'm not going to be the guy to slow him down." White said he is a actively looking for the next executive chef for Jack's. He said he intends to continue the level and style of food and service established by him and Vogel over nearly a year and a half. White acknowledged that the menu, which under Vogel often featured new dishes multiple times a week, likely would evolve more slowly until a new chef takes over. Jack's had foundered in the years before Vogel, to the point that Susie Davidson Powell, in a 2015 review for the Times Union, wrote, "I've looked around at other guests and wondered if they, too, have peered glumly at their plates and asked themselves or each other if this is really it the best Albany has to offer before picking up the hefty tab." She concluded, "Jack's may boast a venerated history and iconic style, but without quality food to justify the high prices, it's riding on the coattails of its heyday. For Albany, Jack's must do better." When the pandemic shutdown prompted the departure from Jack's of veteran area chef Larry Schepici after nine years, a revitalization plan was begun by third-generation owner Brad Rosenstein, whose eponymous grandfather founded Jack's in 1913, and White. They started with the hiring of Vogel. Together Vogel and White transformed Jack's, including physical renovations like building an actual oyster bar in the dining room and delivering wowing food. Powell's visits last year resulted in a review with a headline that described a "glorious return to excellence." After raving about bison consomme with savory custard topped by sturgeon caviar and 24-karat gold leaf, Powell wrote, "Courses read like they're from a French royal court, with bison giving way to rare elk striploin sliced against buttery, tightly layered potato pave, forest chestnuts and a bacon-Brussels ragout. A seared scallop with caviar rests on silky parsnip puree. Toasted almond butter and orange is its own thing, but butter and citrus bring to mind a swanky meuniere, its hue matching the salmon-pink Vidal-Fleury rose." Customers responded. Vogel said weekend nights would draw from 60 to 110 customers, with as many as 15 ordering the seven-course tasting menu, and holidays attracted 200 to 300 or more. (His numbers generally match what White has described in earlier conversations.) "We always tried to top what we did the previous week. That was the mantra," said Vogel. "If it's not better than before, stay home." Vogel said he hopes to find a senior kitchen position in the Capital Region, as he and his wife own a home locally and would like to stay in the area. Immediately prior to Jack's he was executive chef of Savoy Taproom in Albany. Before that he was founding chef of Daley's on Yates in Schenectady. Fishermen who plan to peacefully disrupt Russias military exercises off the coast of Ireland have been warned by the Tanaiste not to put themselves at risk. Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, said some of its members plan to hold a protest against the military exercises next month. The artillery drills at the start of February will take place in international waters but within Irish-controlled airspace and the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Mr Murphy said the area is very important for fishing and they want to protect biodiversity. Yesterday (Monday January 24), the Russian ambassador to Ireland said plans to hold navy military exercises off the coast of Ireland are a non-story. Yury Filatov downplayed the significance of the exercises, after concerns were raised by the Irish Government. Irelands foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said they were not welcome. When asked about the fishermens plans, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said today (Tuesday January 25): I havent had the chance to speak to any of the fishermen operating in that area. I suppose I would just say to them that these are military vessels. Whatever they choose to do in terms of any protests, just make sure that they dont put themselves at risk. Mr Varadkar said that the military exercises are happening outside Irelands territorial waters, leaving Ireland with no power to prevent them from happening. But we have made it very clear that these exercises are not welcome, particularly in the current context, when tensions are rising in relation to Ukraine, Mr Varadkar added. Thats being communicated to them very strongly. There are no plans to send Irish troops to Ukraine, that hasnt been discussed. Mr Varadkar said the Cabinet received a comprehensive briefing from Mr Coveney over fears that Russia will invade Ukraine. It is very serious, there is a real fear that we could see a land war on the continent of Europe, the Fine Gael leader added. We havent seen that for a very long time. Aside from the humanitarian impact, it could have an impact on us economically as well. We got a comprehensive briefing on that today. Were co-ordinating our response, of course, with our European partners and our UN partners. The Russian exercises off the coast of Cork and Kerry, while not illegal, are not welcome. We dont believe that theyre connected to the events in Russia and Ukraine, but we certainly would prefer that they were not happening. In compliance with legal requirements, Russia informed Irelands aviation authorities of the planned activities in advance. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said there would be no impact on the safety of civil aircraft operations. The charges haven't been backed up by data by the Sheriff. In fact, the jail has been surprisingly forthright in sharing their COVID protocols. TKC is posting this link in order to advance the discourse HOWEVER we warn that this story is UNCONFIRMED . . . Again, only posting because there's a political angle to this kind of pandemic advocacy . . . In fact, activists across the nation have used COVID as an excuse to "liberate" suspects who would have otherwise been kept in jail . . . For instance, this story from across the state has sparked outrage . . . Suspect wanted for assault released from St. Louis jail after positive COVID-19 test ST. LOUIS - In an exclusive interview with FOX 2 News, a woman scalded by hot soup in an alleged Jan. 4 domestic assault, called for drastic change in the City of St. Louis' jail policies. The suspect, Mac Payne, 36, was released within three hours of his arrest because he tested positive for COVID-19, she said. Read more about the local angle via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . Dire pandemic news persists but this time around there's just a bit more skepticism or at least a realization that permanent lock down is impossible amid a faltering economy. In fact, there are a lot of reasons to doubt the fate of the new airport and pandemic probs aren't the biggest concern. Nevertheless . . . There's no denying that COVID has fundamentally changed the airline industry and the impact will be long lasting. So far there's nothing but happy news about New KCI but the upcoming debut will be in a world that has been completely transformed by plauge. A quote from a lesser blog about the latest . . . American Airlines eliminated 48 flights at the Kansas City International Airport this month, Kansas City Business Journal reported. This round of cuts comes after American Airlines canceled 77,000 flights from its 2022 roster in November. The ongoing cuts are largely due to the omicron-fueled COVID surge, which has negatively impacted workers and travel. Despite these cuts, American is offering 200 more flights in March from KCI than it did at this time last year. Even with these schedule adjustments, American continues to offer the most departures in the month of March among the major U.S. carriers, American Airlines representative Brian Methan told the Business Journal. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . Airline bosses call for end to Covid travel restrictions in letter to Government The chief executives of the UK's largest airlines have written to the Government to demand an end to coronavirus-related travel restrictions. In the letter, they ask that restriction-free travel is restored "at the very least" for those who are fully vaccinated. The US has suspended 44 China-bound flights by Chinese airlines in a spat over COVID-19 rules The US DOT has suspended 44 March flights operated by Chinese airlines from LAX and JFK. The announcement came after China suspended 44 flights operated by American, Delta, and United. Chinese authorities said it was because some travelers had tested positive after flying the routes. Airlines to supermarkets: Living with Covid is tough in gridlocked economy Read more about Airlines to supermarkets: Living with Covid is tough in gridlocked economy on Business Standard. The surging omicron variant is complicating the recovery for a world economy that continues to be wracked by supply chain chaos, worker absenteeism and faltering assembly lines First, COVID sick calls, now 5G rollout: Travelers face more flight cancellations 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. Airlines 'pay price' over COVID surge with 15-20% drop By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net Bahamian domestic airlines have "paid the price" for the recent Omicron-led COVID case surge with a 15-20 percent drop in passenger numbers, an industry executive has revealed. UK to lift travel test requirements for the vaccinated British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says his government will remove coronavirus testing requirements for vaccinated people arriving in England LONDON -- The British government announced Monday that it is scrapping coronavirus travel testing requirements for the vaccinated, news hailed by the travel industry as a big step back to normality. Developing . . . In a FAILED palace coup last year, Mayor Q might have inadvertently diminished his power in picking the new Kansas City Chief of Police. More to the point . . . THE KANSAS CITY STAR HAS APPOINTED URBAN LEAGUE LEADER GWEN GRANT TO PICK THE NEXT CHIEF BECAUSE MAYOR Q NOW HAS WASTED INFLUENCE ON THE POLICE BOARD!!! Remember . . . Just last year all of the other police commissioners signed on to a letter saying the Chief Smith was "in good standing" in order to thwart the 12th & Oak rumor mill claiming that the police honcho was forced out. Even worse . . . Mayor Q is gearing up for another police budget lawsuit fight after losing his last argument for a sketchy slush fund. And so a trusted insider shares an important perspective . . . "It's ironic but Chief Smith might have more influence over the selection of a new candidate than Mayor Q and that's despite his vote on the Police Board. The mayor has alienated himself from the other commissioners with his political double dealing. He doesn't have their trust. And so, activists are trying to make waves to drum up donations but the reality is that the police commissioners alone are responsible for making the decision. They could do the whole thing behind closed doors if they wanted. But what's for sure is that the mayor's input will be minimal." Developing . . . A quick comment sent our way deserve some consideration because it's brilliant . . . Just a bit of background first . . . Remember that Kansas City "progressives" have flipped the Northland upside down in order to stop GOP progress in the suburbs and ratchet down political organizing . . . Wishes of Northland leaders ignored in new KC city council lines Northlanders thought they had ducked a bullet. But by one vote, the council ignored the wishes of Northland leaders in drawing new city council lines."But apparently none of them know anything about the Northland," Northland Neighborhoods Deb Herman A panel adjusting council districts to reflect census changes, proposed two full Northland districts. Meanwhile, Democratic Party leaders across the nation are shouting at the top of their lungs over a similar split underway in the Dotte . . . One Kansas congressional redistricting map would divide Wyandotte County Kansas lawmakers are still working on new congressional district maps. One map that was passed by the Kansas Senate would divide Wyandotte County in half.On Monday, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids visited a small business in Merriam, which is part of her job as the representative for the Third District.Right now, her district includes Merriam. Accordingly, here's the word . . . "You can't have it both ways. If it's wrong to divide Wyandotte County then it's wrong to turn the Northland upside down in Kansas City, Missouri. I see a lot of people getting indignant about what's going on in Kansas but totally ignoring the fact that Mayor Lucas and his allies on the council did exactly the same thing December in the name of equity." You decide . . . Or once again for the cheap seats . . . PANDEMIC SLAP FIGHTING PERSISTS IN THE HEARTLAND!!! We don't claim to understand the science but the political gamesmanship will undoubtedly worsen as the midterms get closer. One example out of many involves KU Med doctors rebuking the Missouri Attorney General. Here's the word . . . Some had criticized Schmitts action after Friday, pointing out that the district his children attend wasnt among the districts sued. But, that district is among those added today. As weve made clear from the beginning, the power to make health decisions for their children should be in the hands of parents, not bureaucrats, Schmitt said in a news release today. Many believe the lawsuits are politically motivated. Schmitt has announced a run for US Senate later this year. The retort . . . I think its the Missouri Attorney General again playing politics, said Dr. Steve Stites with the University of Kansas Health System. Do they have the training to critically review studies, to critically analyze data, understand all the caveats associated with that? asks Dr. Dana Hawkinson with the University of Kansas Health System. I'm not sure there are many agencies in the United States that are epidemiologists, or physicians, or trained PhDs in those certain statistics and numbers. This is the most high profile fight but disputes like this one have created serious divisions about public health messaging across the nation. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . MO AG Eric Schmitt sues 9 more school districts, but some question his scientific analysis and motivation KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Monday afternoon, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed lawsuits against nine more school districts over their mask mandates. These are in addition to the 36 districts he sued last week. Some had criticized Schmitt's action after Friday, pointing out that the district his children attend wasn't among the districts sued. Local lawsuit dispute on the Kansas side of the metro . . . 'You are done': Woman sues Olathe school leaders after public comment cut off OLATHE, Kan. - Free speech or a personal attack? That question is headed to court following public comment during Olathe Public Schools' January board meeting. Jennifer Gilmore, who ran and narrowly lost her race to the school board last year, has filed a lawsuit against members of the district. Finally, another look at local numbers . . . Kansas City COVID data dashboard FAQ 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. Developing . . . KCPD asks for help from the community after the latest local murder. So far this year the rate of killing in KCMO is down from record highs but still trending along the same upward trajectory of the past 5 years. Here are the deets of this story . . . The shooting happened at 27th Street and Prospect Avenue on Jan. 18, with the victim, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, dying five days later. On Monday, the Kansas City Police Department released a video taken outside of a gas station, in which a woman in dark clothing can be seen walking along the sidewalk outside of the store. Police said they believe the woman may have information on the homicide. Take a look at the clip via the KCPD Twitter . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . KCPD asking for help to identify potential shooting witness The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is asking for help to identify a possible witness to a murder that happened last week.Police were originally called to the 2600 block of East 27th Street just after 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. Victim of Jan. 18 shooting in Kansas City, Missouri dies from their injuries KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department said that the victim of a Jan. 18 shooting at 27th Street and Prospect Avenue died from his injuries. The victim, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds last Tuesday, was pronounced dead on Sunday. Kansas City police release video of woman wanted in connection with East Side homicide KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Kansas City police are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman they say may have information on a shooting from last week that turned into a homicide when the victim died Sunday. The shooting happened at 27th Street and Prospect Avenue on Jan. Developing . . . Brevard, NC (28712) Today Plenty of sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 53F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Sponsored By: Dorsett Automotive Instant unlimited access to all of our content on triplicate.com. The Triplicate's E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) 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). Zachary Zwald is instructional assistant professor of political science at the University of Houston. Alexey Golubev, assistant professor of history is a scholar of Russian and Soviet history with a focus on social and cultural history of the 20th century. With growing concern that Russia could invade Ukraine, 8,500 American troops are now on higher alert for a possible European deployment as part of a NATO response. According to Zachary Zwald, instructional assistant professor of political science at the University of Houston, the worlds premier political and military alliance finds itself at a crossroads. The world is seeing a re-balancing from the Post-Cold War order. By threatening to invade Ukraine and making demands on NATO, Russia is trying to make the West explicitly accept a new balance of power with an expanded Russian sphere of influence, said Zwald, who studies international relations and security, nuclear strategy, technology and policy. With its current Ukraine gambit, Russia's end-game is to reveal divisions within the Western alliance. NATO, therefore, finds itself at a crossroads: it can demonstrate its continued relevance by issuing a united front (including both economic and military retaliatory threats) or it can accede to a new power reality where Russia once again strongly influences European affairs. Alexey Golubev, assistant professor of history is a scholar of Russian and Soviet history with a focus on social and cultural history of the 20th century. He said while all sides seem to be willing to avoid any major military confrontation, there is potential for escalation, especially with NATO, European Union and United States leadership determined not to allow further violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. Russias current policy vis-a-vis Ukraine is driven by a combination of foreign policy ambitions of its current political establishment and their perception of Ukraines potential NATO membership as a deadly risk for Russian national security, said Golubev. If Ukraine is admitted to NATO, Russias land border with the alliance will increase from 755 to 2,600 miles, and Russian generals have for decades argued that it would render useless the entire national defense infrastructure. Ukraines NATO membership would also become a major blow for Vladimir Putins domestic and international reputation. At the same time, the Russian leadership is willing to maintain and build up the tensions around Ukraine as a form of additional pressure in negotiations with the European Union and the United States. Paradoxically, this situation also benefits the Ukrainian leadership as it solidifies the international community in its diplomatic, economic and military support of Ukraine. Professors Zwald and Golubev are available to provide analysis on the emerging crisis. If you are interested in scheduling a media interview, please contact Sara Tubbs at 786.877.0421 or sstubbs2@uh.edu. Ukraines police over the past weeks received more than 600 bomb reports, all of which turned out to be fake. This is around the same number as that reported throughout the last year. This was announced on Facebook by First Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Yenin, Ukrinform reports. "As of today, more than 600 bomb threats have been received. It's almost as many as last year. In addition, a single report could involve dozens of sites at once. Thus, law enforcement officers had to inspect 5,391 sites," Yenin said. According to the senior official, a significant number of false bomb reports come from the temporarily occupied territories and the Russian Federation, which complicates work to identify perpetrators. "But we will get to them," Yenin assured. "Police have already identified 20 individuals who wanted to play terrorists. Now all of them face up to six years in prison," the senior official wrote. He noted that the key elements in fighting information terrorism include rapid and effective response to such reports on the part of law enforcement; identifying and prosecuting those involved; running awareness campaigns for the public on the real motives driving culprits and the appropriate response to such bomb threats. As reported, Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrskyi said nearly 70% of anonymous bomb threats come from either the temporarily occupied territories or the Russian Federation. im Over the past day, January 24, one ceasefire violation by the Russian-occupation troops was recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine. Towards Prychepylivka (50km north-west of Luhansk), the armed formations of the Russian Federation opened fire from grenade machine guns, heavy machine guns, and small arms, the JFO Headquarters press center informs. As of 07:00, January 25, no ceasefire violations by the Russian-occupation forces were recorded. ol Ukrainian authorities urge citizens to remain calm as tensions mount in international media reports, noting that an actual military incursion into Ukraine on the part of Russia is physically impossible at the moment. Thats according to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, who also spoke of a national alert system which would be activated should Russia opt for an escalation at Ukraines borders, an Ukrinform correspondent reported from a briefing following an NSDC meeting held Monday afternoon, chaired by President Volodymyr Zelensky. "As for the population: calm, tranquility and calm, again. In case we need it, we have a national alert system. We will not be hiding anything as you see that we put all ongoing processes forward to your discretion and remain ready to communicate any case," Danilov assured the public. According to the NSDC secretary, Russias full-scale offensive on Ukraine is off the table at the moment. "We dont see any grounds for allegations of an (imminent) ed.) offensive against our country today. It would be impossible to pull this out, even physically," the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council stressed. At the same time, the movement of Russia's forces is really underway across Russian territory, Danilov confirmed "We are recording it, but theres nothing strange for us. Its a surprise for our foreign partners that they have finally seen that there are Russian troops there, that they are moving in a certain way. This whole thing has been developing since October 30, when the Washington Post released its report," Danilov recalled. Today, the NSDC secretary believes, many nations are ready to support Ukraine by supplying weapons to protect its territory. "We are very pleased that the world has finally noticed that were faced with this aggression. Today it's not just the UK, the U.S. -- mostly, these are NATO allies that are ready to help us if necessary so that our sovereignty and our country are protected," said the secretary of the Security Council, adding that his attitude to Germany in terms of assistance provided has not changed. As reported earlier, Oleksiy Danilov said that he believed Germany and France were partly responsible for the occupation of Crimea because Russia decided to attack after the major European powers refused to grant Ukraine a NATO Membership Action Plan back in 2008. im Up to 8,500 U.S. troops have been put on high alert ahead of a possible deployment in Eastern Europe amid Russian military buildup near Ukraine's border. Thats according to Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby, who spoke with reporters on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The official says U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered that the forces be prepared for deployment on the instructions of President Joe Biden. Most of these troops are designed to respond to a range of contingencies, including support to the NATO Response Force, if it is activated, Kirby said. At the same time, he noted that as of Monday afternoon local time, the final decision on the deployment of troops had not been made. According to the official, the NRF altogether comprises around 40,000 multinational troops. "In the event of NATO's activation of the NRF or a deteriorating security environment, the United States would be in a position to rapidly deploy additional brigade combat teams, logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, transportation, and additional capabilities into Europe," Kirby said. The United States has "made it clear to the eastern flank allies that we're prepared to bolster their capabilities if they need it, the spokesperson added. As Ukrinform reported earlier, NATO said the bloc would be increasing response readiness and deploying across the eastern flank some additional forces, including warships and aircraft, to strengthen defense and deterrence in Eastern Europe. According to the NYT, U.S. troops may be stationed in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. im Representatives of the Latvian defense ministry were this week scheduled to visit Smolensk and Bryansk regions of the Russian Federation as part of an OSCE arms control effort. Russia has denied such access, while its defense agency posted on its website a report on the alleged arrival of the Latvian monitors. Thats according to Latvias defense ministry, Ukrinform reports. This refusal is incomprehensible in a situation where Russia is massively building up its armed forces near the borders of Ukraine, at the same time assuring that it does not plan an attack. Excuses due to COVID-19 restrictions make it seem that Russia has something to hide and that it is unwilling to reveal the true size of its military activity and its intentions, as envisaged by cooperation with the OSCE, said Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks. The visit was scheduled for January 25-29, but on January 21 Latvias request for access was turned down. On January 24, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation published false information about the inspection thats allegedly been held, the Latvian side noted. It was assumed that the Latvian military inspectors would visit Bryansk and Smolensk regions, assess the military activity there, especially the type of which the OSCE must be informed in advance, according to the OSCE Vienna Document. As a formal pretext for the refusal, Russia named the COVID-19 risks. The Latvian side, however, points out that the pandemic has not prevented Russia from moving large military formations and performing military maneuvers. Inspection visits and the fulfillment by the OSCE member states of arms control obligations are especially important now that Russia is holding major military exercises jointly with Belarus and is amassing forces near the borders of Ukraine, Latvias defense ministry emphasizes. At the moment, the report on the missions alleged arrival is absent on the Russian defense ministrys website, although it has already been spread by Russian media. Most likely, the message was removed from the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, said Kaspar Galkin, PR Department chief at the Latvian defense ministry. He clarified that his office has screenshots confirming that such misleading information had been posted. The announcement came amid a series of talks between the Russian Federation and the United States, as well as between Russia and NATO, over the ultimatum for "security guarantees" put forward by Russia in December 2021. At the same time, the Russian Federation deployed significant military forces toward the border with Ukraine. Western experts are considering several possible options for a new round of Russian aggression against Ukraine. In particular, the documents released by U.S. intelligence suggest that Russia could launch an invasion involving hundreds of battalion tactical groups, or 175,000 troops. About 50 such groups have already been deployed near Ukraine in the north and east, as well as in Crimea in the south. Russian troops may also move in from Belarus. Recall that Smolensk region borders on Belarus, and Bryansk on Belarus and Ukraine. im A new EUR 1.2 billion macro-financial assistance package, announced by the European Commission, will help Ukraine overcome the negative economic consequences of the threat of Russian aggression and restore the country's economic stability. "Russia must already bear responsibility for this instability in Europe and on global scale. Markets have already reacted to this situation, and we [Ukraine] are already paying the price. We are really grateful for today's [January 24] decision of the European Commission to provide Ukraine with a new package of macro-financial assistance of 1.2 billion euros. This will be very useful for stabilizing the financial situation in Ukraine, will allow our Ministry of Finance and other players to resume borrowing in international markets. It is very important for us to stabilize the economy, stop the outflow of investments, and return to business as usual," Vsevolod Chentsov, the Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the EU, said at the Friends of European Russia Forum on January 24, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. He stressed that Russias current actions were a violation of the UN Charter, the threat of using force by Russia, even without further aggression, should be considered at the level of the UN Security Council. What the Kremlin is doing runs counter not only the interests of Ukraine and other European countries but also the real interests of the Russian people and society as the entire international agenda has been taken hostage by just one player. Chentsov reminded that Ukraine had been at war with Russia for almost 8 years and was now ready to repel a possible new attack. "We defend our country. Of course, we are currently dealing with an emergency situation, and all the resources are focused on being ready in case of further aggression by Russia against Ukraine," the Ukrainian ambassador added. ol The Australian authorities are considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia should it launch a new invasion of Ukraine. That's according to the Australian Financial Review, Ukrinform reports. "They [new sanctions against Russia] are a potential tool Australia can use in concert with like-minded countries," said Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne. According to her, Western countries did not accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's "bullying." She also confirmed that the Australian government was considering providing cyber security assistance to Ukraine, but direct military assistance was off the table. Last week Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had his first phone call with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in the context of consolidating the international coalition in support of Ukraine. op The Canadian Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens to leave Ukraine if their presence is not mandatory due to the threat of military action. That's according to an updated statement posted on the ministry's official website, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine due to ongoing Russian threats and military buildup in and around the country. If you are in Ukraine, you should evaluate if your presence is essential," the statement reads. Canadian nationals were also advised to avoid all travel to Crimea and non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as the ability to provide consular assistance to Canadians there is extremely limited. op Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has opened the plenary session, the first one after the holiday period. According to an Ukrinform correspondent, 181 people's deputies have registered in the session hall. "I declare the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine open," Stefanchuk said. Thus, at the first sitting after the vacation, legislators intend to consider a draft resolution "On the appeal of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the United Nations, the European Parliament, governments and parliaments of foreign states and parliamentary assemblies of international organizations on the inadmissibility of military blackmail against Ukraine on the part of Russia, aimed at preventing the realization of Ukraines European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations." (No. 6543). The parliamentarians also seek to unblock the signing by the Speaker and President of the laws "On effective management of property rights of copyright holders and (or) related rights" to ensure the collection of revenues by collective rights management organizations and On the National Commission regulating the spheres of electronic communications, radio frequency spectrum, and postal services by rejecting draft resolutions on their abolition. People's Deputies also plan to establish an Interim Special Commission to verify possible breach of oath by the Ombudsperson. In addition, Draft Law "On Compulsory Accumulative Pension Provision" is to be heard at the second reading. Other draft laws to be considered at the second reading include bills On Amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine to establish liability for forgery related to vaccinations, On Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and On Amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses regarding the powers of higher specialized courts to hear cases on administrative offenses. im The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has addressed the United Nations, the European Parliament, governments and parliaments of foreign states, as well as parliamentary assemblies of international organizations, regarding the unacceptability of Russia using military blackmail against Ukraine to prevent it from joining the EU and NATO. According to an Ukrinform correspondent, 282 MPs voted for a respective resolution, No. 6543, at a parliament meeting on Tuesday, January 25. Ukrainian lawmakers proposed recognizing that Russia's demands to international partners to prevent the implementation of European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine are a violation of, inter alia, the Constitution and legislation of Ukraine, basic principles and norms of international law, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act of August 1, 1975, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe of November 21, 1990, the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances of December 5, 1994, UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine" (March 27, 2014), and the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism (December 9, 1999). Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk has been instructed to immediately send the text of the address to the United Nations, the European Parliament, governments and parliaments of foreign states and parliamentary assemblies of international organizations. "The measures proposed by the draft resolution will help consolidate international legal efforts to prevent the expansion of aggressive actions by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the whole of Central and Eastern Europe," Stefanchuk said, delivering a report from the parliament's rostrum. The resolution comes into force from the date of its adoption. Russia has been moving its troops to Ukraine's borders since late October. Western media outlets, citing their sources, reported that a new Russian invasion of Ukraine could occur in early 2022, with about 175,000 Russian troops involved. The situation near the eastern Ukrainian border is a matter of concern to U.S. and European officials. On January 24, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky chaired a meeting of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council to discuss measures to ensure national security from internal and external threats, the current situation in the economy, energy, countering the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, etc. At a briefing held after the NSDC meeting, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that the authorities urged Ukrainians to remain calm, as the country has an alert system and people will be informed about a possible escalation of the situation by Russia. op Employees of the Dutch Embassy in Kyiv and their relatives have the right to leave Ukraine and return home amid fears of a Russian invasion. That's according to Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra, Ukrinform reports, citing the NOS news site. "Employees of the Dutch Embassy in Ukraine and their families may return to the Netherlands if they wish," the minister said. According to the report, Dutch diplomats were allowed to leave Kyiv, while the EU is working on a significant package of sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion. "It's a huge dilemma, because you don't want to leave too early. Then you potentially contribute to instability," Hoekstra said. At the same time, he noted that "you don't want to leave too late either, because you don't want to endanger your own people, especially after what we saw in Afghanistan." According to Hoekstra, at this time the Netherlands does not consider Ukraine dangerous and sees no reason for evacuation. The Dutch Embassy in Kyiv is operating as normal. The Dutch government stated earlier that it was ready to provide military assistance to Ukraine due to the threat of a Russian invasion. According to the Dutch foreign minister, "if there is such a request through NATO, we will treat it with understanding." The majority of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands also supports the provision of defensive military support to Ukraine. op UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will visit Ukraine next week. Truss said this in parliament on Tuesday, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters. "I'll be visiting Ukraine next week," she said. Truss also recalled warnings that "a further military incursion by Russia into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake and come with a severe cost on Russia's economy, including coordinated sanctions." Truss said earlier that she was considering creating a trilateral alliance between Britain, Poland and Ukraine. Truss also discussed with diplomats the signing of a partnership agreement, with Ukraine being able to receive about GBP 35 million from the UK, the United States, Canada, Sweden and Switzerland to counter Russia's influence in Ukraine. The minister expects the agreement to be signed before January 31. op The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which has been working with Ukraine for years to increase its cyber defenses, will continue to do so in the face of growing threats from Russia. Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said this in his virtual speech at the Cybersec Global 2022 event in Brussels on Tuesday, January 25, according to a statement posted on NATO's website. "Focusing on the tensions between Russia and Ukraine during his keynote speech, the Deputy Secretary General stressed that NATO has been working with Ukraine for years to increase its cyber defenses, and will continue to do so at pace," the statement reads. "The use of hybrid attacks against Ukraine, including cyber-attacks and disinformation, as well as the massing of advanced weapons on its borders, underlines the key role of advanced technology in modern warfare," Geoana said. He stressed that China and Russia are investing heavily and deploying new technologies with little regard for human rights or international law, aggressively challenging NATO's technological edge. Geoana also noted NATO's leading role with regard to the new technologies, in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, biotechnology, big data, hypersonics, quantum computing and space. He recalled that last summer Allies had agreed a new comprehensive cyber defense policy for NATO and went on to say that "we are strengthening our cyber defenses and increasing the resilience of our critical infrastructure and supply chains to reduce our vulnerabilities." On the night of January 13-14, 2022, hackers launched a massive attack against Ukrainian government websites, affecting more than 70 websites. The State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine managed to quickly resume the operation of most government websites. op Russian President Vladimir Putin's "investments" in politicians and lobbyists in the West are paying off, and Berlin's refusal to provide Kyiv with weapons to protect itself from the aggressor is "a big disappointment." Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said this in a post on Facebook on Tuesday, Ukrinform reports. "We are concerned about the situation in Ukraine and the reaction of our German neighbors in light of the threat posed by Russia. A big disappointment is, in particular, the suspension of Germany's consent to the supply of weapons from Estonia to the country that is preparing to defend itself against the aggressor," Morawiecki said. According to him, a "black scenario" is being implemented, which Poland has long warned against: "the construction of Nord Stream 2, Russia's gas blackmail, billions 'invested' by Putin in former politicians and lobbyists, give him tools to terrorize other European countries." Morawiecki stressed that Poland has for many years strongly supported Ukraine's path to integration with Europe and the West. "We have consistently opposed further acts of aggression by Russia, including the illegal seizure of Crimea. Our voice is now on the side of our neighbors from Kyiv. We are on the side of Ukrainian freedom, democracy, security and the right of Ukrainians to individually decide the fate of their people," he said. He added that economic and energy interests cannot be seen as a pretext for aggression against Ukraine. Germany earlier rejected Estonia's request to provide Ukraine with German-made lethal weapons. The issue concerned the transfer of 122mm howitzers produced in the GDR. op Syrian refugee Nizar (right), 25, searches for work on building sites near his home in Amman, Jordan. UNHCR/Lilly Carlisle GENEVA UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today welcomed the major progress achieved in Jordan in including Syrian refugees in the countrys labour market. In 2021, a record 62,000 work permits were issued to Syrians, according to figures published by the Government and UNHCR. This is the highest annual number since work permits for Syrian refugees were introduced. Syrian refugees have been allowed to work in several sectors of Jordans economy since 2016, after the international community committed funding and expanded trade facilitation under the Jordan Compact, an initiative to improve access to education and legal employment for Syrians forced to flee their homes. Refugees can play a significant role in the Jordanian economy, and so they should, said the UNHCR Representative in Jordan, Dominik Bartsch. Allowing refugees to work also reduces the need for humanitarian aid, like cash grants, which could be channeled to support the most vulnerable among them. Jordan hosts 760,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR. Of those, some 670,000 are from Syria, making Jordan the No. 2 host of Syrian refugees per capita globally behind Lebanon. The 62,000 work permits include 31,000 flexible ones also a record which allow refugees to move between similar jobs in the same sector, as well as among employers and Governorates. UNHCR Jordan works closely with the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions to inform Syrians about the benefits available. The initiative puts Jordan at the forefront of global efforts to give both refugees and host communities access to decent work, as promoted by the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). A recent UNHCR report on progress in indicators under the GCR showed that many refugees still lack access to decent work. Globally, only 38 per cent of refugees live in countries with unrestricted access in practice to formal employment, including wage-earning jobs or self-employment. Even in countries with laws allowing refugees to work, getting a job is often very difficult, especially with high unemployment rates in host countries, said Ayman Gharaibeh, UNHCRs Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. The devastating impact of COVID-19 on host economies is another obstacle for refugees trying to access the labour market. Increased support to host countries is critical to help economies recover, and that would make it easier for refugees to work. Given a chance, he added, "refugees can bring innovation, reliability, regional networks and technical know-how to the workplace and make significant contributions locally. Previously, Syrian refugees in Jordan were mostly allowed to work only in agriculture, construction and manufacturing. Last year, some were given exemptions to work in other sectors, including as healthcare professionals to help fight COVID. And since July 2021, Syrian refugees have been able to get work permits in all sectors open to non-Jordanians. This means they can now work in services and sales; crafts; as skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers; plant and machine workers; and in basic industries. As Jordan rebuilds from the pandemic, UNHCR is committed to keep working with its partners and the authorities to increase employment opportunities for refugees and Jordanians alike. With the pressing need to support Jordans economic recovery from COVID, its great to see more refugees than ever being able to contribute, added Bartsch. Despite this, significant challenges remain. With an unemployment rate of 23 percent in Jordan, many refugees who hold work permits still struggle to find jobs and support their families. And only Syrian refugees in Jordan are legally allowed to work. Those from other countries, including Iraq, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia, are not able to apply for permits. UNHCR Jordan is advocating for non-Syrian refugees also to be given the opportunity to work. For more information on this topic, please contact: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today welcomed the major progress achieved in Jordan in including Syrian refugees in the countrys labour market. In 2021, a record 62,000 work permits were issued to Syrians, according to figures published by the Government and UNHCR. This is the highest annual number since work permits for Syrian refugees were introduced. Syrian refugees have been allowed to work in several sectors of Jordans economy since 2016, after the international community committed funding and expanded trade facilitation under the Jordan Compact, an initiative to improve access to education and legal employment for Syrians forced to flee their homes. Refugees can play a significant role in the Jordanian economy, and so they should, said the UNHCR Representative in Jordan, Dominik Bartsch. Allowing refugees to work also reduces the need for humanitarian aid, like cash grants, which could be channeled to support the most vulnerable among them. Jordan hosts 760,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR. Of those, some 670,000 are from Syria, making Jordan the No. 2 host of Syrian refugees per capita globally behind Lebanon. The 62,000 work permits include 31,000 flexible ones also a record which allow refugees to move between similar jobs in the same sector, as well as among employers and Governorates. UNHCR Jordan works closely with the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions to inform Syrians about the benefits available. The initiative puts Jordan at the forefront of global efforts to give both refugees and host communities access to decent work, as promoted by the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). A recent UNHCR report on progress in indicators under the GCR showed that many refugees still lack access to decent work. Globally, only 38 per cent of refugees live in countries with unrestricted access in practice to formal employment, including wage-earning jobs or self-employment. Even in countries with laws allowing refugees to work, getting a job is often very difficult, especially with high unemployment rates in host countries, said Ayman Gharaibeh, UNHCRs Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. The devastating impact of COVID-19 on host economies is another obstacle for refugees trying to access the labour market. Increased support to host countries is critical to help economies recover, and that would make it easier for refugees to work. Given a chance, he added, refugees can bring innovation, reliability, regional networks and technical know-how to the workplace and make significant contributions locally. Previously, Syrian refugees in Jordan were mostly allowed to work only in agriculture, construction and manufacturing. Last year, some were given exemptions to work in other sectors, including as healthcare professionals to help fight COVID. And since July 2021, Syrian refugees have been able to get work permits in all sectors open to non-Jordanians. This means they can now work in services and sales; crafts; as skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers; plant and machine workers; and in basic industries. As Jordan rebuilds from the pandemic, UNHCR is committed to keep working with its partners and the authorities to increase employment opportunities for refugees and Jordanians alike. With the pressing need to support Jordans economic recovery from COVID, its great to see more refugees than ever being able to contribute, added Bartsch. Despite this, significant challenges remain. With an unemployment rate of 23 percent in Jordan, many refugees who hold work permits still struggle to find jobs and support their families. And only Syrian refugees in Jordan are legally allowed to work. Those from other countries, including Iraq, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia, are not able to apply for permits. UNHCR Jordan is advocating for non-Syrian refugees also to be given the opportunity to work. For more information on this topic, please contact: In Jordan: Lilly Carlisle [email protected] +962 65 30 27 73 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Jules, a 26-year-old student from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, scans the shelves of the social science library at the University of Florence. UNHCR/Michele Borzoni These are my thoughts and prayers, says Jules, smiling as he points to a wall of hand-scribbled notes and quotes in his comfortable studio apartment a few steps away from the central Piazza della Signoria, in the heart of Florence. I write down whatever inspires me, it helps me stay focused. When Jules, a Congolese refugee living in Ethiopia, received the news that he had been accepted to do a masters degree in natural resource management at the University of Florence, he Googled the city. Now, over a year into the programme, he can confirm his first impression of a beautiful, welcoming city were correct. My faculty is really very inclusive. There are so many other international students from all over the world studying with me, I have learned as much from them as from the courses themselves, he says. My tutors are incredible people that have supported me above my expectations; they have become like family. Just months after Jules was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both of his parents were killed in ethnic clashes and he was taken in by his aunts family in Goma, North Kivu. Fighting in the region continued to escalate, and the family lived under the constant threat of violence. You get used to this life, but there comes a day when you think I am not going to wait here to die, and so we left, he says. After a complicated journey, he and his family arrived in Ethiopia where they were registered as refugees and housed in Sherkole Refugee Camp. In the camp they measured salt in a little cup; there was no sugar, no nothing, we learned to make meals out of imagination, but I was happier than I if I had enjoyed a big meal in Congo. At least I could sleep with both my eyes closed there was peace, and I was safe, he recalls. Only after some time living in the camp was Jules able to start thinking about his future. He was worried that as a refugee he might never get the opportunity to continue his education. I used to see people who had recently graduated [from university] return to the camp, maybe two or three people a year. They were respected members of the community, everyone looked up to them and turned to them for advice. I knew I wanted that for my life as well, he says. Jules walks through the city of Florence towards the university campus. UNHCR/Michele Borzoni Jules talks to Professor Alberto Tonini at the University of Florence where is enrolled in a natural resource management course. UNHCR/Michele Borzoni Jules studies in his apartment in Florence where the walls are lined with hand-scribbled notes and quotes. UNHCR/Michele Borzoni Thanks to his determination and a scholarship through the DAFI programme, Jules was able to enrol at Ethiopias Gambella University some years later. There, he became interested in agriculture, particularly the small-scale farming and fishing practised by the local community. He observed how they struggled during periods of drought, which over the years had become longer and more severe. Just waiting for the rain to come back was the normal thing to do, but I thought that with better knowledge and technology those communities could address drought periods differently, to be self-reliant all year round. When he heard about the University Corridors for Refugees programme (UNICORE) from a friend, he applied with few expectations. The chances of being selected for one of the scholarships offered was so, so far away, he recalls. When I received the email from the University of Florence I was stunned into silence, I was just overwhelmed by happiness. UNICORE aims to increase opportunities for refugees living in Ethiopia to continue their higher education in Italy through a partnership between Italian universities and the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. It forms part of UNHCRs broader goal of creating safe routes for refugees to be able to fulfil their dreams for a better future without having to risk their lives on perilous journeys. "Refugees need opportunities like this." Only 5 per cent of refugees manage to enrol in higher education compared with an average of 39 per cent among the general population. Together with its partners, UNHCR is aiming to ensure that 15 per cent of refugees can access higher education by 2030. After starting in 2019 with a pilot phase, the UNICORE project has since grown to offer a total of 70 scholarships at 28 universities across the country. In 2021, 45 refugees secured scholarships to pursue degree courses in Italy. Jules is set to graduate this summer. He plans to go back to his community and use his newly gained expertise to help refugees and locals sustain themselves without outside help, even as the climate becomes drier and more unpredictable. Refugees need opportunities like this, he says about his scholarship. The more refugees have skills, the more they can support themselves. They need knowledge to have a voice, to be empowered, and also to be able to dream again. Darren Steelman settles in for the night with his dog, Jackpot, at the emergency warming center at New Beginnings Chapel, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. For nearly two years, masking, social distancing and vaccinations have been part of society's vernacular and everyday life. (Dreamstime/TNS) Has your COVID rapid test expired? Here's how to tell Jennifer Ann Hancock was born Nov. 20, 1956, in Atlanta, to William Roy and Martha Jones Hancock. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Gray. She was preceded in death by her father, William Roy Hancock, and her brother, Timothy Roy Hancock, as well as grandparents Like all great things, the 2021-22 editorial boards term has come to an end. Read more (@FahadShabbir) New York, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jan, 2022 ) :Boeing has invested $450 million in Wisk, a Silicon Valley air taxi venture that aspires to develop the first autonomous, all-electric passenger-carrying aircraft certified in the United States, the companies said Monday. Flying electric taxis have been seen as a promising, emissions-free solution to address urban congestion. However, Mountain View, California-based Wisk's emphasis on autonomy is expected to push back its development timeframe compared with some rival concepts. Marc Allen, chief strategy officer for Boeing, said in a statement that autonomy "is the key to unlocking scale," meaning that "straight-to-autonomy is a core first principle." In 2019, Boeing joined the venture, which is also backed by Kitty Hawk Corporation, a company co-founded by Google co-founder Larry Page. Boeing has not disclosed the size of prior funding rounds. Some other companies in the flying taxis space have envisioned piloted air taxies as a first step towards autonomous service. Wisk has not released a timetable for commercialization, but it envisions some 14 million annual flights serving more than 40 million people within five years of certification. "We recognize that our self-flying first approach means that we will not be first to market," a Wisk spokesperson said. "We're ok with that. However, our progress to-date and our leadership in autonomous flight means that we will be first to market with a fully autonomous, scalable and accessible" electric air taxi. Monday's announcement follows public stock listings of a number of other companies in the flying taxi space, including Vertical Aerospace and Joby Aviation. The latter has said it wants to win US certification in time to launch commercial service in 2024 with piloted taxis. Seven migrants have died while attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing from Libya in a boat carrying 280 people in cold weather, the mayor of Italy's Lampedusa island told AFP Tuesday Rome, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jan, 2022 ) :Seven migrants have died while attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing from Libya in a boat carrying 280 people in cold weather, the mayor of Italy's Lampedusa island told AFP Tuesday. Hundreds of people have made the often-deadly journey this year, despite winter weather that once deterred migrants from attempting the crossing, and numbers are expected to rise further. "Three people died during the crossing, another four suffering severe hypothermia died after they were intercepted by the coast guard and were being transferred to the island," mayor Toto Martello said. The Mediterranean Hope migration project said on Twitter that the 280 migrants hailed originally from Bangladesh, Egypt, Mali and Sudan, and "almost all of them were in a severe state of hypothermia". The seven dead were Bangladeshi, according to Italian media reports. "The shocking thing is there continues to be a deafening silence from the Italian government and Europe, even in the face of deaths," Martello said. After undergoing coronavirus tests, the survivors were split between the health centre and the heavily overcrowded reception centre on the tiny island, which lies closer to Africa than Italy. The centre, which can hold 250 migrants, currently houses over 600 people. Just over 100 were to be transferred Tuesday to a quarantine ship moored off Cala Pisana, one of the island's tourist spots. While some 34,000 migrants arrived in Italy in 2020, that figure almost doubled to 64,500 people in 2021. "It's become a continuous phenomenon. There's no difference any more between summer and winter, when boats didn't use to arrive," Martello said. "This year, if the start is anything to go by, we're going to double the number for 2021". Despite freezing temperatures and rough seas, over 1,750 people have arrived in Italy so far this month, compared to 379 in the same period last year. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th January, 2022) The United States is prepared to meet directly with Iran to advance ongoing Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiations, a State Department spokesperson told Sputnik on Monday. Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that Tehran may consider holding the direct talks if it helps reach a better deal. "We are prepared to meet directly. We have long held the position that it would be more productive to engage with Iran directly, on both JCPOA negotiations and other issues. This extends to bilateral and multilateral formats," the State Department spokesperson said. A direct meeting would enable more efficient communication between the US and Iran, which is urgently needed to reach an understanding on a mutual return to JCPOA compliance, the spokesperson added. The University of South Florida delivers some of the best online graduate programs in the country, according to new rankings released today by U.S. News and World Report (U.S. News). Five of USFs online programs rank in the top 100, including three programs in the top 50 and one in the top 15. USFs highest-ranked programs are Computer Information Technology at No. 14, Engineering at No. 30 and the online MBA program in the Muma College of Business at No. 31. Since 2019, USFs online MBA program has risen significantly from No. 82 to No. 31. U.S. News also ranks the online MBA program No. 45 for veterans. USF continues to expand its broad array of fully online programs, which combine relevant curriculum with the flexibility to meet the unique demands of graduate students, including many working professionals. Continuing to grow and enhance our online programs is a key part of the University of South Floridas mission to provide students with access to a world-class education and help meet the workforce needs of our state, USF President Rhea Law said. These rankings reflect USFs commitment to excellence and serve as a testament to the hard work of our faculty and staff who develop and deliver high-quality online courses. The U.S. News methodology for graduate online programs considers factors such as graduation and retention rates, admission requirements, peer reputation, faculty credentials, technology infrastructure and student support services. The weight of each category varies from program to program. In September, U.S. News ranked USF as Americas fastest-rising university on its list of best colleges. USF currently ranks No. 46 among public universities, and over the past 10 years no university in the country has climbed higher in the rankings than USF. The Pentagon has announced that it has put 8,500 U.S. military troops in a state of heightened readiness to deploy at the command of President Joe Biden to provide support to its eastern allies of NATO if tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate. Russia has reportedly deployed around 127,000 troops near the Ukrainian border. In a Jan. 24 press briefing, John Kirby, press secretary of the Department of Defense, stated that no decision with regard to the deployment of troops has been made. The 8,500 troops are only on stand-by, to be deployed immediately should the need arise. They are expected to support the NATO RAPID Response Force (NRF), which the organization terms is a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational force that is composed of air, land, and maritime Special Operations Forces (SOF) components. NRF can be deployed quickly wherever needed. The U.S. troops on stand-by include brigade combat teams, aviation support, medical support, logistics personnel, and those involved in surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence missions. Kirby pointed out that the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, also wants an unspecified number of troops to be ready for other unforeseen contingencies. We remain committed to the alliance and we absolutely remain committed to bolstering the capabilities of our of our of NATOs eastern flank to the degree that they desire that extra support I dont think anybody wants to see another war on the European continent. And theres no reason why that has to occur. This could be solved very easily by the Russians de-escalating. By by moving some of these forces away, which they havent done, Kirby said in the press briefing. Meanwhile, the U.S is ordering its diplomats and families to leave Ukraine. Australia and the UK are also following Washington in this regard and have asked their diplomats to leave Kiev. However, Ukraine and the EU have criticized such actions, arguing that such withdrawal of embassy personnel is creating panic among people. In an interview with Euractiv, one EU diplomat called the diplomatic withdrawal of foreign nations ill-timed and that the decisions to evacuate are sending the wrong signal to Ukrainians. EUs chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, called the diplomat exit premature and sought to calm down any fears that people may have about safety in Ukraine. We know very well what the degree of threats are and the way in which we must react, and no doubt we must avoid alarmist reactions You have to stay calm doing what you have to do, and avoid a nervous breakdown, Borrell stated. Diplomats of EU nations continue to remain in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, thanked EU leaders for keeping diplomats in the country. Within Ukraine, some are worried while others are preparing for war. A recent survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that 48.1 percent of Ukrainians think the Russian buildup of troops near the countrys border points to the possibility of an invasion come spring or winter. One-third of Ukrainians are committed to taking up arms if a Russian invasion does take place. In an interview with BBC, Andrei Volkov, an IT consultant in Kiev, called the situation in his country dangerous and admitted that he was making contingency plans in case things turn ugly. The situation is extremely tense, I think something might happen Going to western Ukraine I suppose, going somewhere where its going to be safe, he said. Of course I am worried. I am a peaceful woman, I dont want to have a war started. But in any case, in case its started, I should be ready to defend the country, a 50-year-old female doctor who is part of a local defense force made up of volunteers told the media outlet. Adifu Maulana quit school in 2014 to escape punishment she often received for arriving late. She had to walk 7 kilometers to attend classes held under a tree because of Malawis shortage of classrooms. But thanks to what is being called the worlds first 3D-printed school, constructed by joint-venture group 14Trees, Maulana has resumed learning. The Swiss-British group says the fast construction of computer-built schools could help alleviate a shortage of classrooms in countries like Malawi. Maulana said she is happy because she can realize her dreams of becoming a teacher. The school is near now, she said, so she wont arrive late at school, and her lessons are going smoothly. The aid project 14Trees is a joint venture between Swiss cement maker LafargeHolcim and the United Kingdoms development finance institution, the CDC Group. The project aims to quickly construct affordable housing and schools in African countries like Malawi, which has a shortfall of 36,000 classrooms according to the U.N. Childrens Fund (UNICEF). Our estimate is that with conventional construction methods, it would take more than 70 years to build so many classrooms, said Francois Perrot, managing director for 14Trees. And we think that 3D printing can bring a lot of speed to the construction process and reduce time needed to build those schools to 10 years or even less. The 3D printing technology allowed the Malawi school to be built in just 18 hours; Perrot said building by hand would have taken about three weeks. The other advantage is that you can reduce drastically the quantity of the material that you need when you print, Perrot said. And this has an effect on affordability; meaning that the building becomes more affordable and also [carbon emission] is reduced, which in Malawi is up to 70% that is emitted per building. But even though 3D printing could transform construction around the world, its high cost is a challenge. While the school cost about 15% less to print than to build, the 3D printing machine costs about $500,000. Now the other thing that we want to consider at this point will be: if this is a welcome development, who will own the 3D printing machine? said Khumbo Chirwa, a representative of the Malawi Institute of Architects. Will it be the local contractor, or the government will buy it and then start printing all these classrooms all over the place? Maybe thats the discussion for another day. But the project implementers say costs will go down as materials begin to be locally produced. Meanwhile, 14Trees plans to continue demonstrating the power of the technology by printing more schools and houses in Malawi as well as in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Malawi's Constitutional Court has agreed to hear a challenge to last year's presidential election rerun from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party. President Lazarus Chakwera defeated the DPP's Peter Mutharika in the rerun after the court nullified the 2019 election, which Mutharika had won. The DPP argues the rerun should also be nullified after the High Court quashed the appointment of four DPP commissioners to the Malawi Electoral Commission. This past June, the High Court quashed the appointment of four DPP commissioners Jean Mathanga, Linda Kunje, Steven Duwa and Arthur Nanthuru, saying their appointment was invalid and unconstitutional. The court acted after the governing Malawi Congress Party had challenged the appointment of the commissioners. In his ruling, Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda further said the quashing of the appointments did not affect the validity of the June 2020 re-run presidential election. But the opposition DPP said Nyirenda erred in his ruling because he touched on issues beyond his mandate. The party wants the court to also invalidate the rerun election because it was managed by commissioners who it says were wrongly appointed. They argue that the Malawi Constitution does not recognize an election that was presided over by undeserving commissioners. Charles Mhango is a lawyer for the opposition DPP. My clients believe strongly that the elections that took place on 23rd June, electing President Chakwera, is also null and void because the principal of the law is very clear; out of nothing, come nothing, he said. Critics fear the case will result in another long and protracted legal battle which will cost the government a lot of money. They believe the case could have been avoided had the government listened to the advice of the former attorney general, Chikosa Silungwe, that the government should recognize the commissioners. Osman Kennedy, a law lecturer at Blantyre International University, told VOA that serious implications will happen only if the court rules in favor of the DPP. Because what will happen is that we will revert back to 2020 when Mutharika was the president. Because the court may say no, if you [President Chakwera] were elected by the commission that was illegal, then you were not elected, then you were no longer the president and therefore we are reverting the status quo back to Mutharika and Chilima respectively.' Social commentator Humphrey Mvula said the case demonstrates failure by political leaders to accept electoral defeat. Our challenge as most African countries including Malawi is that we rarely accept that we have lost the elections. We always want to fight and always want the court to tell us that we have lost the elections. Even at that time, we have been able to trash the decision of the court," he said. Former president Mutharika has said he does not recognize the results of the rerun election he lost to Chakwera. In the meantime, the Constitutional Court has set Monday next week to decide whether to proceed with the case and if so, how. Two years ago, on Tuesday (Jan 25) the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Australia. The disease would trigger some of the worlds toughest coronavirus controls. The first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in Australia was a man in his 50s who had spent time in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the infectious disease was first detected. Two years later, Australia has recorded 1.6 million infections and more than 3,000 people have died, according to official government data. Health officials report that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals in New South Wales the nations most populous state is at almost 3,000, the highest level since the pandemic began. New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet has paid tribute Tuesday in Sydney to the states medical staff. Can I begin by thanking our health workers right across our state who are doing an inspirational and amazing job during these challenging times as they have been over the last two years in keeping people safe in our health system? he said. However, experts are optimistic the current omicron wave may have peaked in Australia. 93% of eligible Australians have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. New South Wales Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant has stressed the importance of receiving a booster shot. For those with underlying health conditions, I just want to acknowledge that it has been a difficult time throughout the pandemic and a difficult time recently. But can I re-emphasize that booster doses will give you significant additional protection against severe disease, said Chant. New South Wales has Tuesday extended its indoor mask mandates and capacity limits for cafes and restaurants for at least another month. The pandemic prompted Australia to bring in some of the worlds toughest disease-control measures, including international border closures, lockdowns and vaccine mandates for key workers. Many foreign travelers remain barred from entering the country. Borders between Australias six states and two main territories have also been closed during the pandemic. Western Australias plans to reopen its internal borders on February 5 have been postponed indefinitely because of the omicron wave sweeping the rest of the country. Lawyers representing award-winning Ugandan writer and prominent government critic Kakwenza Rukirabashaija say he has been rearrested, hours after being granted bail by a court. His lawyers say plainclothes men took him from prison before his release and drove off to an unknown destination. Ugandan writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija had been offered a conditional bail Tuesday, but when his lawyers arrived at the Kitalya prison facility where he was being held, he was nowhere to be found. Rukirabashaijas lawyer, Eron Kiiza, spoke to VOA. The prison officers didnt have him and pointed to a car that was moving out of prison as the one that took him. And on condition of anonymity, they described it as a military SFC car and it had no number plate. And they also confiscated our bail forms, said the lawyer. Kiiza was referring to the Ugandas Special Forces Command, which conducts specialized operations. Detained at the end of December, Rukirabashaija was held incommunicado at an undisclosed location before being charged with two counts of offensive communication against President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Lt. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Kainerugaba is seen as a possible successor to his long-ruling father in Ugandas 2026 election. After being charged, Rukirabashaija was then transferred to Kitalya prison, where he was picked up Tuesday. Lawyer Eron Kiiza said he will be heading back to court Thursday. It is back to square one. SFC has our man again. (The) SFC that tortured him for 13 days and SFC that disregarded all court orders for his liberty that have hitherto been given by the courts. We are going back to court. We dont know how to do military warfare, said Kiiza. In a tweet, Ugandas opposition leader, Mathias Mpuuga, said when he went to visit Rukirabashaija in prison, the writer had scars and other marks of torture all over his body, and he limped slightly when he walked into the room. The writer reportedly told Mpuuga that soldiers used a pair of pliers to pluck his fingernails and other body parts before making him dance nonstop as soldiers insulted and beat him. There has been no response from the government or security forces regarding the accusations of torture. Rukirabashaija is best known for a novel he wrote about greed and corruption in a fictional country widely thought to be Uganda. Last year, he was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize as an International Writer of Courage. In the months since Russia began massing troops on the border of Ukraine, the Biden administration has, on multiple occasions, warned that any further aggression by Moscow toward its neighbor would be met with unprecedented levels of sanctions. Now, the White House appears to be dropping some specific hints about what those sanctions might look like. According to multiple confirmed media reports, the administration has begun laying the groundwork for a ban on the sale of high-technology products containing U.S.-made components or software to Russia. The plan echoes steps the Trump administration took against the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei in 2020, barring vendors from selling the company semiconductors it needed to produce mobile telephone handsets. The ban had devastating consequences for Huawei's business. Once the world leader in smartphone sales, it has fallen to 10th overall since the ban was put in place. The extent to which the administration intends to cut off Russian supplies of high-tech gear is unclear, and that's probably intentional, experts said. "As with any sort of major event, or crisis, or potential invasion, government leaders want options from strongest to weakest and everything in the middle, in terms of actions that can be taken," Kevin Wolf, a former assistant secretary of Commerce for export administration in the department's Bureau of Industry and Security, told VOA. Wolf, now a partner with the law firm Akin Gump in Washington, said that the administration is unlikely to signal exactly what action it will take unless Russia forces its hand by trying to take over more of Ukraine's territory. In 2014, in an earlier invasion, Russia took control of Crimea, a region of Ukraine, and continues to support local militias that control parts of the country's Donbass region. Extraterritorial reach The U.S. appears to be considering the application of a new doctrine, the foreign direct product rule, to Russia. First put forward under the Trump administration, the rule would make it illegal under U.S. law for any entity in the world to sell high-technology equipment to Russia if that equipment was made or tested using U.S. technology. Theoretically, that could apply to virtually any product in the world that contains semiconductors, given the prevalence of U.S. technology and software involved in the devices' manufacturing process. The rule relies on the implicit threat that companies that rely on U.S. technology or software to produce their products even if the physical components of the products themselves originate outside the U.S. could find themselves cut off from crucial licenses or equipment if they refuse to honor the U.S. export ban. The extreme reach of the rule, into the business dealings of non-U.S. firms, makes it politically fraught, according to Jim Lewis, senior vice president and director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. However, speaking with VOA, Lewis said, "Using force against Ukraine really justifies it." 'No more iPhones for Russia' The U.S. has a wide range of options when it comes to blocking the transfer of technology to Russia, both in terms of the entities within Russia that the sanctions affect and the companies outside Russia that would be subject to them. (The U.S. already has export controls in place that target Russia's defense sector, so anything the Biden administration applies would be in addition to those existing sanctions.) At the more targeted end of the spectrum, the administration could identify specific companies, making it illegal to sell U.S. technology to them. More broadly, the U.S. could impose sectorwide restrictions, barring the export of technology to, for example, the Russian civil aviation industry. At the far end of the spectrum would be a flat-out ban on the sale of all U.S.-related technology to Russia. "If they go for the maximum approach, that means no more iPhones for Russia," said Lewis, of CSIS. Pushing Moscow toward China? If the U.S. does move forward with extensive technological sanctions against Russia, it will be difficult for Moscow to fill the gap with domestic production, said Jeffrey Edmonds, a senior analyst at the security think tank CNA. "Russia has always been fairly weak when it comes to things like microchips, microelectronics and electronics in general," Edmonds told VOA. "That's coupled with the fact that Russia has a very weak entrepreneurial system, in that most of the technology companies in that whole sector are really run by government-sponsored organizations that are highly inefficient and subject to high levels of corruption." The result could be to push Moscow toward China, which has already been working to create a domestic manufacturing base that, in the future, might be able to provide Russia with homegrown equipment that would render U.S. sanctions ineffective. In an email exchange with VOA, research analysts Megan Hogan and Abigail Dahlman, at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, pointed out that United Nations data indicate that Russia already imports some 68% of its consumer IT products from China. "In the short term, the application of the (foreign direct product) rule will provide the Chinese government with further evidence of Western powers, particularly the U.S., meddling in Eastern affairs, validating the Chinese government's anti-foreign sanctions measures and further straining U.S.-China relations," Hogan and Dahlman wrote. "Chinese tech companies will likely be forced to choose between access to the U.S. market and access to the Chinese market, with penalties associated with either decision." They continued, "In the long term, the U.S. risks expediting China's development of its own domestic semiconductor industry. China's largest chip manufacturer, SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), is currently years behind its competitors in terms of its manufacturing technology and capacity. While China is already making moves to improve its domestic semiconductor manufacturing (as is the U.S.), U.S. technology sanctions on Russia are likely to expedite the process at the cost of the American semiconductor industry." Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday confirmed he had invited Myanmar's junta chief to a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on the condition he makes progress on a peace plan he agreed to last year. Hun Sen, the ASEAN chair, said he would talk to military chief Min Aung Hlaing by video on Wednesday, noting that since their Jan. 7 meeting in Myanmar, ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi had been sentenced to four years' detention and military aircraft had been deployed in operations. Min Aung Hlaing led a coup in Myanmar last year and ASEAN made a surprise move in barring his junta from key meetings over its failure to honor a five-point ASEAN "consensus" that included ceasing hostilities and allowing dialog. "He (Hun Sen) said that he had invited HE (His Excellency) Min Aung Hlaing to attend the ASEAN summit if there was progress in the implementation of the five points agreed unanimously," said a statement on Hun Sen's Facebook page, summarizing a call with Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. "But if not, he must send a non-political representative to ASEAN meetings." As new chair of ASEAN, Cambodia has indicated it wants to engage not isolate the junta, but Hun Sen has been pressed by several ASEAN leaders, including those of Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, not to give way on the agreement, which is backed by the United Nations and United States. The overthrow of Suu Kyi's elected government in Myanmar has been a setback for ASEAN and its efforts to present itself as a credible and integrated bloc. Hun Sen's Myanmar visit caused concern within the group that it could suggest ASEAN recognition of the generals, who have overseen a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy forces. Fissures have been exposed over the Myanmar issue and Hun Sen last week took a swipe at Malaysia's foreign minister, calling him arrogant for voicing concern about him meeting the junta chief. The ASEAN consensus includes halting offensives and granting full access to a special ASEAN envoy to all parties in the conflict. Malaysian leader Ismail Sabri told Hun Sen there was an urgent need to de-escalate the Myanmar situation and release Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, according to a foreign ministry statement. A former Irish army soldier went on trial Tuesday in Dublin, accused of being a member of the so-called Islamic State group in Syria. Lisa Smith, 39, from Dundalk, on Ireland's east coast, has pleaded not guilty to membership in an unlawful terrorist group between October 28, 2015, and December 1, 2019. She has also denied funding terrorism by sending $900 to aid medical treatment for a Syrian man in Turkey. But prosecutor Sean Gillane said Smith had "enveloped herself in the black flag of ISIS" in response to a call to arms from the group's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In doing so, she had "self-identified" as a member of the proscribed group, he told three judges at the Special Criminal Court in the Irish capital. Gillane said Smith was a member of the Irish Defense Forces from 2001 to 2011 but applied to leave after converting to Islam. Smith, said by one witness to have had a difficult upbringing with a violent, alcoholic father, had applied unsuccessfully for the right to wear a hijab. In 2012, she went on pilgrimage to Mecca, and on an Islamic Facebook page expressed a desire to live under Islamic law and to die a martyr. Smith moved to IS-controlled territory in October 2015 after buying a one-way ticket from Dublin to Turkey, and from there crossing the border to Syria. The court was told she lived in Raqqa, the capital of Baghdadi's self-styled caliphate, and unsuccessfully attempted to get her husband to join her. He refused and she divorced him in 2016. Some months later, she married a U.K. national who had moved to Syria and been involved in patrols on the Iraq border. When Raqqa fell to allied forces in 2018, she moved to Baghouz, the group's last remaining stronghold. After that too fell in March 2019, she eventually returned to Ireland and was arrested on arrival with her young daughter at Dublin airport on December 1. Gillane said the judges had to consider Smith's conversations, state of mind and statements, arguing that her IS membership could be inferred from her conduct. Moving to IS-controlled territory "is a central act of allegiance an act without which the terrorist government cannot survive," he added. Smith, described by one witness as "naive and easily taken in" who may have been "looking for a sense of belonging" in Islam, was "running with ISIS, not running away," Gillane said. A Florida man accused of smuggling Indian migrants who crossed through a freezing snowstorm into the United States from Canada last week was granted conditional release in a hearing on Monday. Steve Shand, who appeared via video feed from a Minneapolis jail, was arrested by U.S. border patrol the same day Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the bodies of four people, including a baby, frozen to death in the Manitoba snow meters from the U.S. border of Minnesota. Shand, who waived his right to a probable cause hearing, will remain in custody until plans are made for his return home to Deltona, Florida. The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota said conditions of Shand's release include restrictions on travel and the surrender of any travel documents, as well as his promise to appear in court as required. The court did not specify when he would be released. U.S. authorities charged Shand with smuggling two people Gujarati-speaking Indian nationals that U.S. border patrol agents found with him in a 15-person white rental van driving through blowing snow Wednesday morning. Authorities suspect he is involved in a larger smuggling operation, the charge documents say. Authorities believe the four deceased people were separated from another group of five Indians who were traveling on foot in the snow as they tried to cross the border. That group of five also was apprehended Wednesday. The group of five had new-looking winter gear that matched Shand's, the documents say, and their boots matched boot-prints from people who walked across the border last month, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security special agent John Stanley. One woman walking had to be hospitalized for frostbite and may have part of her hand amputated, authorities said. "The investigation into the death of the four individuals in Canada is ongoing along with an investigation into a larger human smuggling operation of which Shand is suspected of being a part," the charge document reads. One of the men picked up by border patrol reportedly said he had obtained a fraudulent Canadian student visa and intended to meet his uncle in Chicago. Shauna Labman, a human rights professor who studies migration at the University of Winnipeg, said going south from Canada into the U.S. is less common than the opposite direction. The U.S. is usually easier to get to, by land or air, and Canada is generally seen as having fairer refugee policies, she said. "The news is upsetting but it's also not surprising: It is a risk that we know occurs. ... Our border policies force people into dangerous crossings." On a blustery January afternoon, Professor Kang Dong-won is scouring the beach for trash specifically, North Korean trash thats washed ashore on the remote Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed sea border with North Korea. Ah, right here, Kang exclaims as he reaches under a heap of garbage tangled by a fraying rope. Eskimo, he says, holding up a blue plastic package. North Korean ice cream. Its the 35th different type of Eskimo brand ice cream Kang has found during his past year of hunting for North Korean garbage. In total, he says he has collected 1,414 pieces of North Korean trash from South Korean beaches. The waste is so diverse food, beverages, snacks, medicines, cosmetics. Its like a little (North Korean) market here at the beach, says Kang, a professor of political science and diplomacy at Dong-A University in Busan, South Korea. Though it may seem strange, examining trash is one of the few ways to observe North Koreas economy firsthand during the coronavirus pandemic, which has made the country more inaccessible than ever to outsiders. New dark age Since North Korea sealed its borders in February 2020, most foreigners, such as diplomats and aid workers, have left the country. Increased border patrols which include shoot-to-kill orders, according to U.S. officials have drastically reduced the flow of defectors and smuggling across the North Korea-China border. Meanwhile, domestic travel restrictions complicate the ability of North Koreans to covertly use Chinese cell phones to communicate with those outside the country. The restrictions are severing already fragile links to North Korea, plunging the country into what some observers say is a new information dark age. The situation is frustrating for scholars like Kang, who has visited Pyongyang and made several research trips to Chinese cities on the North Korea border. Since those kinds of trips are now impossible, he has instead turned to trash. Trash: more revealing than you may think During a brief garbage hunt with VOA, Kang found a diverse range of items, including toothpaste containers, instant noodle packages, fruit juice boxes, and a piece of North Korean propaganda slamming South Korean conservatives. Even simple commercial products can offer insights about North Koreas economy. Mundane details such as ingredient lists and production dates can show what North Korea is able to produce and import during the pandemic. Many of the packages specify the exact North Korean factory where the product was made. In some cases, the factory is a known military facility a detail that can indicate what products the North provides to its soldiers, Kang says. Even the packaging material holds clues. Newer trash, Kang says, is often composed of recycled or locally sourced product, likely because of North Koreas import difficulties. The most insightful trash, according to Kang, is North Korean medicine containers, which help him better understand the kind of traditional Korean methods of healthcare often used in North Korea. This is revealing because these items could not be easily obtained even if I were able to visit North Korea, he says. Kang also pays attention to the way North Korea, perhaps the least capitalist country in the world, markets its products. In recent years, he says, North Korean brands have put more effort into creating sleek advertising on their products. Not even North Korea can ignore the tastes and desires of its people, he says. Locals unimpressed Although North Korean garbage can be found on several South Korean beaches, many of Kangs trash hunts occur on Yeonpyeong Island. Part military outpost, part quiet fishing village, Yeonpyeong feels disconnected from the rest of South Korea. It is reachable only by a passenger ferry that runs once a day, if weather conditions allow. At its closest, North Korean territory is just four kilometers away from Yeonpyeong and easily visible with the naked eye. Its not difficult to find North Korean trash here, especially at beaches facing the North. But many longtime residents say they barely notice the North Korean garbage. Eighty-one-year-old Oh Gui-im, who frequently collects oysters at the beach, says shes seen a lot more than just trash wash ashore during her 55 years on the island. Landmines also float around, she told VOA. You have no idea how much stuff comes from the North. So many products and even human corpses. Growing trend While local residents may be unimpressed by the trash, a growing number of Korea analysts are interested, especially when so many other sources of information about North Korea have run dry. Its kind of become, I like to say, like lunar studies, says Chad OCarroll, the Seoul-based chief executive of Korea Risk Group, which monitors North Korea. Telescopes, satellite imagery thats pretty much how were having to do it. Examining North Korean trash is not only a way to learn about North Koreas economy, he says, its also a way to feel more physically connected to the country. North Korea is a very abstract country and when youre looking at it through the computer screen all day and making phone calls and researching online, its sometimes easy to forget that its just a few dozen miles away from where were sitting right now, he says. Kang agrees. He says at first some questioned why a university professor would spend so much time looking through trash. But he says hes found so much useful info that hes written a book on the topic. With this trash, I can see the lives of North Koreans, he says. With North Korea closed indefinitely, scraps may be all that he has for a while. Lee Juhyun contributed to this report. Guinea and Vanuatu had their ability to vote at the United Nations restored on Monday, having been denied the right at the beginning of the month over their failure to pay their dues to the world body, a UN spokeswoman said. "The General Assembly took note that Guinea, Iran and Vanuatu have made the payments necessary to reduce their arrears below the amounts specified in Article 19 of the Charter," U.N. spokeswoman Paulina Kubiak said. "This means that they can resume voting in the General Assembly," she said. Under Article 19, any country can have their voting rights in the General Assembly suspended if their payment arrears are equal to or greater than the contribution due for the past two full years. The payment Friday of more than $18 million by Iran, via an account in Seoul and most likely with the approval of the United States, which has imposed heavy financial sanctions on Tehran, had been announced at the end of last week by UN sources and confirmed by South Korea. For their part, Guinea had to pay at least $40,000 and Vanuatu at least $194 to recover their right to vote. Kubiak later added three other countries that lost their U.N. voting rights in early January had also recovered them after paying the minimum arrears required last week. Those countries were Sudan, which had to pay about $300,000, Antigua and Barbuda, which owed some $37,000 and Congo-Brazzaville, with around $73,000 in arrears, said the spokeswoman. On the other hand, Venezuela, which is facing a minimum payment of nearly $40 million, and Papua New Guinea, which must pay just over $13,000, remain deprived of the right to vote, according to the U.N. They are the only two countries out of the 193 members of the United Nations that will not be able to participate in votes this year. Iran has sentenced a prominent human rights activist to more than eight years prison, according to her husband. Paris-based Taghi Rahmani tweeted on Sunday that his wife, Narges Mohammadi, was tried in five minutes and sentenced to prison and 70 lashes. He has said she is prohibited from communicating and has no access to lawyers. Last week, she was sent to Gharchak prison near Tehran. Authorities arrested Mohammadi in November after she attended memorial for a victim of violent 2019 protests. Rahmani said in December his wife stood accused of spying for Saudi Arabia. Mohammadi has a long history of imprisonment, harsh sentences and international calls for reviews of her case. In May, the European Union called on Iran to reconsider her sentence of 30 months in prison and 80 lashes on charges of protesting the killing of protesters during the countrys 2019 unrest. A spokesperson for the bloc urged Iran to look into Mohammadi's case under applicable international human rights law and taking into account her deteriorating health condition. Mohammadi confirmed her sentence at the time in an Instagram post, saying she does not accept any of these sentences. In the post, Mohammadi said one of the charges against her is having a party and dancing in jail. She was released from jail in October 2020, after serving eight and a half years in prison, after her initial, 10-year sentence was commuted. In that case, she was sentenced in Tehrans Revolutionary Court on charges including planning crimes to harm the security of Iran, spreading propaganda against the government and forming and managing an illegal group. Before imprisonment, Mohammadi was vice president of the banned Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. Mohammadi has been close to Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who founded the center. Ebadi left Iran after the disputed re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009, which touched off unprecedented protests and harsh crackdowns by authorities. In 2018, Mohammadi, an engineer, was awarded the 2018 Andrei Sakharov Prize. The International Monetary Fund board on Monday approved a three-year $455 million loan for the Republic of Congo to help undergird the small African nation's economic recovery. The global crisis lender will provide $90 million immediately under the Extended Credit Facility to help the oil-dependent country deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy "is expected to strengthen in the second half of the year, supported by vaccine rollout, social spending, and domestic arrears, payments," IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura said in a statement "However, the nascent recovery is facing significant risks, including a possible worsening of the pandemic (and) continued volatility in oil prices." But reducing the nation's "debt vulnerabilities" will be key, Okamura said, noting the government is working on restructuring its debt. The Republic of Congo, a land of 5 million people that abuts the vast Democratic Republic of Congo, relies on oil for most of its wealth and has built up debt to China through loans that helped build some of its petroleum infrastructure. The IMF estimates the economy will grow 2.4% this year, after a slight contraction in 2021. A French national who has been in Iranian custody since May 2020 was sentenced Tuesday by an Iranian court to eight years and eight months in prison for spying. Benjamin Briere, 36, was accused by Iranian authorities of flying a drone equipped with a camera near the Turkmenistan-Iran border. He was convicted of spying and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic." His lawyer, Philippe Valent, called the ruling the result of a purely political process" and said the trial was a masquerade. "Benjamin Briere obviously did not nor ever benefit from any form of fair trial before impartial judges," Valent said, noting that Briere was not able to read the indictment, which made preparation for the trial difficult. Irans judiciary was not immediately available for comment, according to Reuters. Valent said Briere has been on a hunger strike for a month and is increasingly weak. Agence France-Presse reported that Iran is currently holding more than a dozen Westerners on various charges. The country has been accused of holding the hostages as leverage in ongoing talks to resuscitate the Iran nuclear deal. Some information in this report comes from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. A coordinated attack by Islamic State on a Kurdish-run prison in the northern Syrian city of Al-Hasakah last week has exposed the squalid conditions for detainees and put thousands of civilians at risk. The Jan. 20, 2022, attack by Islamic State was the biggest since the militant group was defeated in Syria in 2019. Dozens of inmates many suspected of being IS members escaped. The attack also sparked fighting between the militants and the Kurdish-led Syrian Defense Forces who govern the area. In response to the attacks, international forces have carried out several airstrikes near the prison, U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said, adding the raids have put civilians in the area at risk and endangered the lives of inmates. "We are particularly disturbed by reports that a significant number of boys, possibly several hundred, are held there and are extremely concerned for their safety and well-being," she said. "There are allegations by the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) that those apparently affiliated with ISIL are holding these children as human shields. We have not been able to confirm these allegations." The large Ghweiran prison houses an estimated 5,000 male detainees, many in prolonged pretrial detention or internment. The inmates include Iraqi and Syrian nationals, as well as suspected IS fighters, also known as ISIL. Shamdasani described the prison conditions as appalling. "We have previously warned about the squalid and insecure state of detention facilities run by the SDF, where detainees are held in overcrowded conditions, do not have access to proper medical care and cannot see their families," she said. "They are languishing in these squalid conditions over more than two years, overcrowded together. It is a recipe for violence, and it is a recipe for some kind of interruption. It is very important that there is international attention to this situation, which is a ticking time bomb." The United Nations also remains concerned about the situation of more than 60,000 women and children with family links to IS. They have been confined in displacement camps for years. While most are from Syria and Iraq, thousands are from other countries. U.N. officials are urging the countries of origin to repatriate their nationals, especially women and children, in accordance with their obligations under international law. Israel's President Isaac Herzog will make a historic visit to the UAE at the end of the month, his office said Tuesday, in the latest high-profile diplomatic trip since the countries normalized ties. Herzog's office said the president, who will travel with the first lady, will meet United Arab Emirates' Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan during the January 30-31 trip. "We have the privilege of making history by making the first visit of an Israeli president to the United Arab Emirates," Herzog said in the statement, adding that the countries were "laying the foundations of a new shared future". Herzog is also scheduled to meet with the ruler of Dubai and senior government officials, and visit the Dubai Expo, his office said. The visit comes some 16 months after the wealthy UAE broke with decades of Arab consensus and forged diplomatic ties with Israel. The move was part of a series of U.S.-brokered deals known as the Abraham Accords, pacts that have angered the Palestinians. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made history last month when he became the first Israeli head of government to visit UAE, in a trip that partly focused on international talks on Iran's nuclear program, a top Israeli security priority. Herzog, whose position is largely ceremonial, will be the first Israeli head of state to officially visit the UAE. He vowed "the bold new partnership" between the countries "will transform the Middle East", with Israel keen to expand the list of Arab nations that sign on to the Abraham Accords. The deals were negotiated under former U.S. President Donald Trump but endorsed by President Joe Biden's administration. Bahrain and Morocco have also normalized ties with Israel under the accords. Sudan has agreed to do so but formal diplomatic relations have not emerged amid roiling instability in Khartoum. Judges have approved a request for a special grand jury by the Georgia prosecutor who's investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others broke the law by trying to pressure Georgia officials to throw out Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last week sent a letter to county superior court Chief Judge Christopher Brasher asking him to impanel a special grand jury. Brasher issued an order Monday saying the request was considered and approved by a majority of the superior court judges. The special grand jury is to be seated May 2 for a period of up to a year, Brasher's order says. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney is assigned to supervise and assist the special grand jury. Willis wrote in her letter to Brasher that her office "has received information indicating a reasonable probability that the State of Georgia's administration of elections in 2020, including the State's election of the President of the United States, was subject to possible criminal disruptions." She said her office has "opened an investigation into any coordinated attempts to unlawfully alter the outcome of the 2020 elections in this state." The special grand jury "shall be authorized to investigate any and all facts and circumstances relating directly or indirectly to alleged violations of the laws of the State of Georgia, as set forth in the request of the District Attorney," the order says. Willis has declined to speak about the specifics of her investigation, but in an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, she confirmed that its scope includes but is not limited to a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger; a November 2020 phone call between U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and Raffensperger; the abrupt resignation of the U.S. attorney in Atlanta on Jan. 4, 2021; and comments made during December 2020 Georgia legislative committee hearings on the election. In a statement last week, Trump called his call to Raffensperger "perfect" and said he did not say anything wrong. Graham has also denied any wrongdoing. Special grand juries, which are not used often in Georgia, can help in the investigation of complex matters. They do not have the power to return an indictment but can make recommendations to prosecutors on criminal prosecutions. Willis wrote in her letter that the special grand jury is needed because it can serve for longer than a normal grand jury term, which is two months in Fulton County. It also would be able to focus on this investigation alone, allowing it to focus on the complex facts and circumstances. And having a special grand jury would mean the regular seated grand jury would not have to deal with this investigation in addition to their regular duties, Willis wrote. Willis' investigation became public last February when she sent letters to top elected officials in Georgia instructing them to preserve any records related to the general election, particularly any evidence of attempts to influence election officials. The probe includes "potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local government bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election's administration," the letters said. Kyrgyz media have condemned the arrest by Kyrgyzstan authorities of an investigative journalist the U.S. State Department has named an anti-corruption champion. Bolot Temirov, founder of the independent news website Temirov LIVE, was arrested on Saturday after a raid by drug control officials in the capital, Bishkek. Temirov was detained and forcibly removed from his office. Police also confiscated computer equipment, documents, and video surveillance camera recordings. The Interior Ministry said that cannabis was found on Temirov during the search. Temirov denies the accusation and said that drugs were deliberately put in his pocket. He believes the arrest is linked to recent reporting on alleged high-level corruption. On January 20, Temirov Live alleged that relatives of Kamchybek Tashiev, who is head of the State Committee for National Security, were involved in a corruption scheme involving a state-owned refinery. The day after Temirovs arrest, Tashiev said the reporting contained blatant lies and that he had "not stolen a single som [Kyrgyz currency] from the state. Tashiev said that the State Committee for National Security had nothing to do with the raid on the media outlet. Charge questioned After the raid, police questioned Temirov in the presence of lawyers at the Bishkek police department and released him on the agreement that he not leave the city and sign a nondisclosure agreement, according to his lawyer. The following day, a court charged Temirov with drug possession and released him on bail. After leaving the courtroom, Temirov told reporters he believed the arrest was "directly related" to the story on Tashievs family. International bodies and rights groups, including the nongovernmental Norwegian Helsinki Committee and New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, have questioned the drug charge and said Kyrgyz authorities should investigate claims that police planted evidence on the journalist. Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov commented on the arrest Sunday, saying Temirov will be investigated fairly and that he would closely monitor the case. At the same time, I would like to ask journalists to refrain from public slander and unsubstantiated accusations against anyone, he said in a post shared on Facebook. Corruption reporting Temirov is well known in Kyrgyzstan for reporting on corruption, and in 2021 was one of 12 people recognized by the U.S. State Department as an anti-corruption champion. The journalist was honored for his long career investigating organized crime and high-level corruption. The U.S. State Department reacted to Temirovs arrest on Monday, saying, A free media is vital to fighting corruption. In a statement on Twitter, the State Department spokesperson Ned Price added, As a committed partner in the Kyrgyz Republics anti-corruption efforts, the U.S. recalls our shared commitments to protect press freedom, including for journalists whose work helps to bring transparency to public affairs. At the time of his State Department award, Temirov was chief editor of the news website FactCheck, which investigated a $700 million scandal allegedly involving former deputy Customs Service chief Raimbek Matraimov. The U.S. has sanctioned Matraimov, who last year pleaded guilty to corruption charges. Shortly after the report was published, Temirov was beaten by three unidentified attackers. Media solidarity Protesters gathered in the Kyrgyz cities of Bishkek and Osh this week to demonstrate against Temirovs arrest. Kyrgyz journalists who joined the protest said that a free media is vital for Kyrgyzstans development. "When will Kyrgyzstan develop? When corruption stops. If there is no freedom of speech, if corruption grows, we will remain as we are, said Idris Isakov, a journalist who took part in the protests in Osh. That is why we are not in a position to turn a blind eye to corruption. That's why we need freedom of speech, that's why we need journalistic inquiries. Another journalist, Shohrukh Saipov, said that freedom of the press in Kyrgyzstan was better than in neighboring countries, but that journalists were sometimes threatened. "Whether we like it or not, journalists are constantly under the control of law enforcement agencies," he said at the Osh protest. They are also threatened. The case of Bolot Temirov is a clear example of this. Freedom of the press, freedom of thought is the only achievement of the state. However, in recent years, international organizations have reported that freedom of speech and the press in Kyrgyzstan are deteriorating. This is unfortunate, Saipov added. Kyrgyzstan ranks 79 out of 180 countries where 1 is freest on the World Press Freedom Index. Its 2021 ranking was a three-point improvement on the previous year according to the data compiled by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). RSF said that media pluralism is exceptional in the country but that investigative journalists risk violence, cyberattacks, or being questioned. Exposing corruption can still be very dangerous, RSF states. This story originated in VOAs Uzbek Service. In Malawi, nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, only 7% of the population has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, one of the lowest rates in Africa. Village chiefs are trying to change that by urging people to take the jab from mobile vaccination clinics. Lameck Masina reports from Blantyre, Malawi. A journalist has been killed the northern Mexico border city of Tijuana the second in the city in a week and the third in Mexico this month. Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called Monday for a full investigation and cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the motive for the killing of Lourdes Maldonado Lopez, a Tijuana journalist who had once come to him for help. For the story, click here. Maldonado was found shot to death inside a car on Sunday, according to a statement from the Baja California state prosecutor's office. Authorities had received a 911 call around 7 p.m. and found Maldonado dead on arrival. In 2019, Maldonado came to Lopez Obrador's daily morning news conference and asked for his help "because I fear for my life." Maldonado had been locked in a yearslong labor dispute with Jaime Bonilla, who was elected governor of Baja California later that year as a candidate from Lopez Obrador's Morena party. He left office late last year. Maldonado had recently announced that she won her dispute with a media company Bonilla owned after nine years of litigation. The press organization Article 19 said via Twitter that Maldonado had covered corruption and politics in Tijuana and faced aggression previously because of her work. She was enrolled in the state's protection system for journalists who have been threatened, but the group did not describe the security measures. On Monday, Lopez Obrador said an investigation was needed to know "if there is a tie with the labor complaint and see who is responsible." "You can't automatically tie a labor lawsuit to a crime. It's not responsible to rush to judgment. You have to wait," the president said. He added that after she came to his news conference in 2019, he helped her, but he did not specify how. Maldonado had collaborated with many outlets, but recently was doing an internet, radio and television show, Brebaje, focused on local news. Another Tijuana journalist, photographer Margarito Martinez, was gunned down outside his home on January 17. He was well known for covering the crime scene in the violence-plagued city. He worked for the local news outlet Cadena Noticias, as well as for other national and international media outlets. There has been no indication the killings are connected. Tijuana has been torn by drug violence as rival cartels battle for control of lucrative border smuggling points and the Tijuana street-level drug trade. Mexico is the Western Hemisphere's most violent country for journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. North Korea launched a pair of cruise missiles early Tuesday, according to South Koreas military, Pyongyangs fifth missile test of the new year. The missiles were fired from an inland area and landed in the sea off Koreas east coast, South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported. South Koreas military confirmed the launch in a message to VOA, saying authorities are still conducting a detailed analysis. So far this year, North Korea has fired eight missiles during five separate launch events. Last week, North Korea also threatened to resume long-range missile and nuclear tests. North Korea is prohibited from any ballistic missile activity, including launches of any range, by a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The resolutions, however, do not prohibit cruise missile tests. North Korea has recently expressed displeasure with what it calls the hostile policy of the United States. Particularly, it has taken issue with U.S.-South Korea military cooperation. The United States has about 28,000 troops in South Korea a remnant of the 1950s Korean War, which ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty. Under U.S. President Joe Biden, Washington has regularly announced it is open to talks with North Korea without preconditions. Theyve shown no desire to move that forward, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said at a regular press briefing Monday. Kirby reiterated U.S. concerns about North Koreas advancing nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile capabilities. We continue to condemn it and to call on the north to cease these provocations and to abide by international law and these security council resolutions and to try to find ways to deescalate the tensions, he added. Why wont Russias Vladimir Putin let Ukraine go? He might not be able to, according to a former head of Britains MI6 external intelligence agency, Alex Younger. In an interview Tuesday with the BBC, Younger said he cannot see how the Russian leader can back down as fears mount that Putin is poised to order a Russian invasion of Ukraine, a former Soviet republic. Younger said the Russian president was playing poker rather than chess to create options for himself. But Younger added, At the moment I cannot see a scenario where he can back down in a way that satisfies the expectations that he has created. He added, It feels dangerous and it's clearly getting more dangerous. It's hard to see a safe landing zone given the expectations that President Putin has created. British officials Tuesday said elements of a Russian military advance force are already active inside Ukraine. We are becoming aware of a significant number of individuals that are assessed to be associated with Russian military advance force operations and currently located in Ukraine, said James Heappey, Britains armed forces minister. His remarks coincided with Ukraines SBU security service saying in a statement it had broken up a group of saboteurs preparing a series of destabilizing attacks along Ukraine's borders. The SBU said the saboteurs intended to target infrastructure coordinated by Russian special services. Last week, the Pentagon accused Russia of preparing false flag attacks. It has pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct what we call a false flag operation, an operation designed to look like an attack on them or Russian-speaking people in Ukraine as an excuse to go in, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington. Russian officials deny any plans to invade Ukraine, despite their building up military forces along their neighbors borders, where Ukraines defense ministry estimates 127,000 troops have been deployed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed accusations that Russia plans to stage an offensive, describing the charges as hysteria. But as tensions soar in eastern Europe, some Western diplomats and analysts fear the geopolitical confrontation is approaching a point where it might be impossible to avoid conflict and Putin may have backed himself into a position where he has no off-ramp, if he is not to lose face. Putin has long appeared set on challenging the outcome of the Cold War and eager to re-establish a Russian sphere of influence in eastern Europe. Maintaining influence over Ukraine and halting the country from joining NATO are crucial elements of that project. Vladimir Putin sees the current security architecture as both unacceptable and dangerous to Russia. It is unacceptable because it manifests a series of tightening military, political, and economic relationships between Ukraine and the West, and Putin sees the West as fundamentally hostile to Russia, according to Liana Fix and Michael Kimmage of the German Marshall Fund, a Washington-based research group. What Putin wants is to unwind the tightening military, political, and economic relationships between Ukraine and the West. He realizes that this aim cannot be accomplished through persuasion alone, they add. Ukraines drift toward the West has long frustrated the Russian leader. In 2008, Putin told then-U.S. President George W. Bush, You have to understand, George, that Ukraine is not even a country. He has not shifted his view since. After annexing Crimea, and as separatist agitation encouraged by the Kremlin in eastern Ukraine intensified, Putin said, Russians and Ukrainians are one people. Kyiv is the mother of Russian cities. Ancient Russia is our common source, and we cannot live without each other. Last year the Russian leader wrote a 5,000-word tract, titled, On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians in which he argued Ukraine can only be sovereign in partnership with Russia and has been weakened by the West's efforts to undermine Slav unity. One historian described the essay as a call to arms. The rallying cry predates that essay, though. Back in November 2014 in Donetsk, newly arrived pro-Moscow fighters from Russias Caucasus region, mainly Chechens and Ossetians, were in no doubt as to why they were in Ukraines Donbas region, recently seized by a rag-tag collection of insurrectionists, separatists and unemployed youngsters. As far as they were concerned, they were defending Mother Russia from NATO and reclaiming Ukraine. A bearded 28-year-old ethnic Ossetian, a bear of a man with a gnarled left ear and veteran of Russias 2008 five-day war against Georgia, told this correspondent, Two of my grandparents were killed here in Ukraine during the Second World War fighting against the fascists, and I have to finish their work. He and his Ossetian comrades, seasoned combat fighters, claimed to be on leave from the Russian military. They said the Maidan uprising that toppled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, an ally of President Putin, nearly a decade ago, was the handiwork of NATO, the Americans and Europeans and all part of a plot against Russia. NATO bullied us in Georgia and now they are doing the same again here, and we have to stop them. This is the land of my ancestors, and I have to participate. If you dont stop fascists, they grow, and when we have finished here in the Donbas, we will then go to Kyiv. The march on Kyiv never happened and the conflict remained limited to the Donbas, claiming from its outset more than 15,000 lives. Some fear Putin, who famously dubbed the collapse of the Soviet empire the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century, might seriously be weighing an assault on Ukraines capital. The Chechens, Ossetians and ethnic Russians arrived in large numbers in late 2014 to stiffen and organize local separatists and help them organize a pushback against a Ukrainian counter-offensive. They were parroting what they had heard from the Kremlin since Putin first took office in 1999, but which has led to a crescendo since 2008 that Russia is besieged by determined adversaries and was robbed when the Soviet Union collapsed, with the biggest theft being Ukraine. That view, though, glides past the history of the breakup of the Soviet Union. It collapsed itself in the wake of a failed KGB coup to unseat Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev when Russias Boris Yeltsin and his counterparts in Ukraine and Belarus announced after meeting in December 1991: the USSR as a subject of international law and geopolitical reality has ceased to exist. Western leaders had no hand in the dissolution of the Soviet Union, say authoritative historians, and it prompted the alarm of Western leaders, who worried about what would happen to the Soviet nuclear arsenal, which was spread out across Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Nonetheless, Putin looks more determined than ever to turn the clock back, says Frederick Kempe, president of the Atlantic Council, a U.S.-based research group. He sees Putin as an opportunist testing the West but with a clear direction. The problem isnt the nature of Putins next move but rather the troubling trajectory behind it, one that has included Russias 2008 invasion of Georgia, its 2014 annexation of Crimea, he says. Russia has added jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny and several of his allies to its list of "terrorists and extremists," as the government continues its assault on the country's civil society. The entries for Navalny and five of his associates -- Lyubov Sobol, Vyacheslav Gimadi, Georgy Alburov, Lilia Chanysheva, and Ruslan Shaveddinov appeared in the register of Rosfinmonitoring on January 25, putting them on the same level as right-wing nationalist groups and foreign terrorist organizations such as the Taliban and Islamic State. The move marks the latest in an ongoing crackdown on Navalny's now-outlawed political network and civil society more broadly. Less than two weeks ago, two other close associates of Navalny, Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov, were added to the list, which by law means their bank accounts must be frozen immediately. Over the past year since Navalny returned from Germany, where he was recovering from a poison attack that almost killed him, thousands of protesters have been detained for demonstrating in support of the Kremlin critic, with many jailed. More than half of his political coordinators have left Russia or been arrested for their activism, with some placed on wanted lists as "terrorists" or "extremists." Journalists who probed the circumstances of Navalny's poisoning and cited his corruption investigations have been branded "foreign agents." Last year, the Moscow City Court declared all organizations linked to Navalny as "extremist," preventing people associated with Navalny and his network of regional offices across Russia from seeking public office. The ruling on his organizations also carries possible lengthy prison terms for activists who have worked with them. Navalny himself has been in prison since February 2021 after being speedily tried and handed a 2 1/2-year prison sentence for violating the terms of an earlier parole in what was widely regarded a trumped-up, politically motivated case. Navalny has blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for his poisoning with a Novichok-style chemical substance. The Kremlin has denied any role in Navalny's poisoning. Time may finally be running out for followers of Islamic State hoping to break free from a massive make-shift prison in northeastern Syria, where they and thousands of others have been held following the collapse of the terror groups self-declared caliphate. A U.S. official, speaking to VOA on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss an ongoing operation, said troops with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on Tuesday successfully cordoned off the al-Sinaa prison complex. The official said the SDF had established both an inner cordon and an outer cordon, making it difficult for IS prisoners or IS sleeper cell operatives to get in or out. There is still a significant number of ISIS folks holed up, the official added, using another acronym for the terror group, noting that most of the holdouts appeared to be concentrated in one building. Earlier Tuesday, the United States said its forces were continuing to assist the SDF as fighting in and around the prison raged for a sixth day. "We are still providing a measure of support to the SDF to help to contain this threat," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters. "We helped them establish a perimeter around this facility, he added. They've seized back several areas that were under ISIS control. Earlier Tuesday, the SDF said an operation to retake part of the facility, including a block of eight buildings, allowed them to free nine prison workers held by IS followers. SDF officials also said another 17 IS members were killed in a series of security sweeps in neighborhoods adjacent to the prison, noting that at least seven were killed after detonating explosive devices. The assault on the al-Sinaa prison in Hasakah began Thursday night when, according to the SDF, about 200 IS operatives set off a car bomb and converged on the facility. Al-Sinaa holds about 4,000 IS prisoners including about 700-850 boys and teenagers from IS families. An SDF official statement indicates about 660 prisoners have surrendered or been recaptured, including 550 in just the past two days. Officials have said close to 200 IS fighters and prisoners have been killed, while close to 30 SDF soldiers have also died. Several civilians were also killed in the early stages of the assault on the facility. An SDF spokesperson said at least one person was beheaded by IS fighters trying to gain access to a residence outside of the prison complex. Both SDF and U.S. officials cautioned that the numbers could change drastically once there is an end to the fighting, which at times has been intense and involved coalition airstrikes and support from both Apache attack helicopters and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Officials and humanitarian groups have also raised concerns about the fate of the hundreds of minors who had been held at the facility, with SDF spokespeople saying IS attackers and prisoners had been using them as human shields. We have not been able to confirm these allegations, said United Nations human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani, calling the reports disturbing. We have previously warned about the squalid and insecure state of detention facilities run by the SDF, Shamdasani added. It is a recipe for violence, and it is a recipe for some kind of interruption. There are also questions about how many IS prisoners may have escaped. U.N. officials put the number at dozens while the U.S. official said the figure was likely in the 10-20 range. A source close to SDF leadership said the number of escapees might be much higher, although it will be impossible to know for sure until the fighting is over. SDF officials have also been on alert for additional IS attacks, with a smattering of operations reported across Syrias northeast. On Monday, a Western counterterrorism official, speaking with VOA on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive information, warned more IS operations are likely. Definitely, we anticipate further attacks on prisons and camps, the official said. This has been a major theme of all recent ISIS leadership communications. Analysts, too, fear more IS operations like the assault on al-Sinaa are in the works. Clearly their focus right now is on trying to increase their manpower, said Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a counterterrorism analyst and the CEO of threat analysis firm Valens Global. It's clear that they're nowhere near the size that they had when they were able to capture and hold territory for a sustained period in 2014 to 2015. Mutlu Civiroglu, Margaret Besheer at the UN, Lisa Schlein in Geneva contributed to this report. Two Senegalese soldiers were killed and nine are missing and were likely taken hostage during fighting with separatist rebels in neighboring Gambia, Senegal's army said Tuesday. One rebel from the Movement of Democratic Forces for Casamance (MFDC) was also killed and three were captured by Senegalese forces in the fighting on Monday, an army statement said. "The nine missing soldiers are probably held hostage by the MFDC. Operations are ongoing to find them and secure the zone," the statement said. The soldiers were monitoring timber trafficking as part of a multinational force in Gambia, which is bordered on three sides by Senegal. The MFDC was formed in 1982 to fight for independence for Senegal's southern region of Casamance, which borders Gambia. The movement has been largely dormant since a cease-fire in 2014 but has been blamed by the Senegalese government for occasional attacks since then and continues to finance itself through timber trafficking between Senegal and Gambia. A severe snowstorm battering Greece is growing into a political crisis with the main opposition leader calling on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to resign and hold snap elections. The call comes after thousands of people were left trapped along a main highway near the capital, Athens. The Greek governments response to the storm is being called a fiasco. Heart-wrenching appeals, like one by Christos, a 74-year-old motorist trapped in his car for 22 hours, have triggered public and political fury. Please, please, please, Christos cried to a television presenter. Please, show us some mercy. Tell them to open the road to help us. We are freezing. We have been left without any gasoline, nothing to tide us over, Christos pleaded. Rescue crews working through the night have so far managed to evacuate some 3,500 drivers on a key motorway that homeland security forces promised ahead of the storm to keep open, but didnt, leaving thousands of motorists stranded in snow, with rescue crews blocked from accessing those in distress. Despite efforts, about 1,200 others remain stuck on the Attiki Odos motorway that circles the Greek capital, and thousands more on other roads and highways snaking through Athens, which is home to half the countrys population of 11 million. Fifteen passengers were injured when a rail transport vehicle tried to pull a train carrying more than 200 passengers in heavy snow on Monday. Much of the capital has also been left without heat and electricity, sending hundreds of families streaming to their cars to keep warm as temperatures dip below freezing. On Tuesday, Christos Stylianides, Greeces climate crisis and civil protection minister, apologized, but he said it was not the time to enter into a blame game. We are focused on managing this unprecedented crisis, he told a news briefing after back-to-back crisis talks with Mitsotakis. He reiterated the governments apology for its failed response and for troubling thousands of people by extending a shutdown of schools, public services and banks for an extra day in three regions in Greece, including the capital. But the publics fury remains so intense, amid the failings of the system, that a public prosecutor has ordered an urgent investigation into why the nations most important motorway was left unattended for so long. Alexis Tsipras, the main opposition leader, wants the government to resign and hold elections immediately. He said in a statement issued Tuesday that he laid blame squarely on Mitsotakis, and that the country would be better off "without him" and a government unable to manage a snowstorm. Snowfall is common in the Greek highlands, but extremely rare in the center of Athens and the countrys islands. Mitsotakis has refrained from making any comment, or even appearing at any distressed location. Aides to the prime minister tell VOA, though, that he is pushing to compensate trapped motorists with at least 2,000 euros each, or just more than $2,250. A Slovenian business group has said its members are facing a Chinese backlash days after Prime Minister Janez Jansa publicly discussed his hopes for closer ties with Taiwan during an interview. It marks the latest case of China refusing to tolerate dissent on the issue of Taiwans autonomy. On January 17, Jansa told Indian media that he hoped Taiwan and Slovenia could open mutual representative offices. He also praised Taiwans COVID-19 response and said Taiwan should determine its relationship with China independently. Opening offices in Taiwan would bring Slovenia in line with the rest of the European Union, as it is one of only a handful of countries including Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Malta, and Romania without a Taiwanese mission. Swift criticism against Jansa came from the Chinese government describing his remarks as dangerous. China considers Taiwan a province and treats any discussion of its disputed political status as taboo. Moreover, within days of the interview, the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council said Chinese partners were already terminating contracts and exiting the agreed investments, according to the Slovenian Press Agency. The business group and its parent organization, the CCIS- Ljubljana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, did not immediately respond to VOAs email inquiries. The statement has also drawn fire both from Slovenias opposition and businesses with links to China. In an email response to VOA, Sasa Istenic Kotar, the director of the Taiwan Study Center at the University of Ljubljana, said his remarks were regarded by them (business groups and opposition parties) as his personal position not in tune with the National Assembly and could severely harm Slovenias economic cooperation with China. Business groups in Slovenia fear they could suffer the same fate as Lithuania, which is now under a Chinese trade embargo in retaliation for pursuing closer ties with Taiwan, Istenic said. The Chinese market remains important for Slovenian companies and [the] Slovenian government has certainly been paying attention to Chinas retaliation measures directed toward Lithuania, Istenic said. We have yet to see how far China is willing to go in preventing the EU member states from upgrading their relationships with Taiwan. The EU maintains the One China Policy which recognizes Taiwan as part of the Chinese nation, and has traditionally had a less tumultuous relationship with Beijing than has the United States. But dissent is growing within the EU and some countries in Central and Eastern Europe have also found that promises of Chinese investment have not panned out as previously hoped, according to a 2021 report by the Central and Eastern Europe Center for Asian Studies. Chinas growing strength in the Asia-Pacific region has also alarmed both the EU and NATO. The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with Beijings human rights violations in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet, have raised questions about its suitability as a close partner. These concerns have given Taiwan a wedge to improve its relationship with some countries in Europe such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and, most notably, Lithuania. Lithuania and Taiwan have grown closer during the pandemic, swapping donations of vaccines and emergency protective gear. But, in April, Lithuania exited the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries trade initiative, a group formed in 2012 to improve trade and investment and known colloquially as the 16+1. In November, Taiwan opened a controversially named Taiwan representative office in Lithuania. The office angered Beijing as it broke with the tradition of Taiwan using more politically neutral names like Taipei Economic and Cultural Office or Taipei Representative Office that did not suggest it was an independent political entity. Aware of the economic cost of its closer ties, Taiwan has worked to offset some of the newfound economic pressure on Lithuania by pledging a combined $1.2 billion in investment across several sectors including industries like semiconductors, biotechnology and lasers. [This] investment is meant to shape Taiwans image as a reliable partner and viable democratic alternative to China, so there is both a financial and a political dimension to these financial proposals for investment, said Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, postdoctoral researcher in Taiwan and former political adviser in the European Parliament, over email. Access to Taiwans advanced technology sector could also be an attractive pull for other European countries, including Slovenia, whose automotive manufacturing and metallurgical industries rely on industrial robots. Una Aleksandra Berzina-Cerenkova, a China scholar and head of the Asia program at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, said Slovenias plan to potentially upgrade ties with Taiwan is a sign that Europe has not lost interest in democracy despite coercive measures from Beijing. It seemed that there was a bit of a loss of momentum when the Lithuania example was not being followed by others in terms of withdrawing from the 16+1 and then turning towards Taiwan, said Berzina-Cerenkova by phone. But we actually see that Lithuania is leading against the backdrop of attracting all the heat to itself. The other Central and Eastern European countries are actually also exploring opportunities, and trying to ride this train of momentum in their relations with Taiwan, because Taiwan, of course, is an interesting partner. Some sectors in Slovenia could have a lot more to lose, however, than Lithuania. While cumulative Chinese investment in Lithuania was just 82 million euros in 2020, according to the Central and Eastern Europe Center for Asian Studies, investment in Slovenia was valued at a far greater 1.5 billion euros over the same period. Up close, the picture is more complicated. Much of that investment is represented by a single acquisition of a video game developer, the report said. China has also failed to win public bids in Slovenia, said Kotar, beyond the purchase of a single home electronics company. Other countries in the EU may need more support to weather the Chinese economic backlash if they choose to strengthen ties with Taiwan. So far, said Ferenczy, that support has taken the form of statements of support and resolutions in the EU Parliament, but she said more is needed. The EUs toolbox is limited. It is in the process of drafting its anti-coercion instrument designed to reinforce its resilience. It will be key to ensure the instrument works effectively in order to make a difference in terms of pushing back against Chinas coercion, Ferenczy said. So, whether Brussels will stand with Lithuania and jointly push back against such messaging all the way, is key for the EUs credibility and its ambition to be able to defend its interests. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated human trafficking, the U.S. State Department said in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report released Tuesday. "This year's Trafficking in Persons Report sends a strong message to the world that global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and enduring discriminatory policies and practices, have a disproportionate effect on individuals already oppressed by other injustices," U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the report's introduction. "These challenges further compound existing vulnerabilities to exploitation, including human trafficking," he said. In the report, Blinken calls for other countries to join the United States to improve "our collective efforts to comprehensively address human trafficking." He said doing so requires mitigating "harmful practices and policies that cause socioeconomic or political vulnerabilities that traffickers often prey on." The report said the COVID-19 pandemic has brought "unprecedented repercussions for human rights and economic development globally, including in human trafficking." "Governments across the world diverted resources toward the pandemic, often at the expense of anti-trafficking efforts, resulting in decreased protection measures and service provision for victims, reduction of preventative efforts, and hindrances to investigations and prosecutions of traffickers," the report said. The report explained that those involved in anti-trafficking efforts "found ways to adapt and forged new relationships to overcome the challenges." It added that traffickers were also adept in altering their methods. Some specific cases mentioned in the report include examples in India and Nepal in which young poor girls left school to help support their families due to the pandemic's economic impact. Some, the report said, were forced into marriage for money. The report cites incidents in the United States, the United Kingdom and Uruguay in which landlords forced female tenants who were economically hurt by the pandemic to have sex with them when the tenant could not pay rent. In Haiti, Niger and Mali, "gangs" working in camps for displaced people used lax security caused by the pandemic to force residents into sex-for-money acts. In Myanmar (formerly Burma), which has been roiled by COVID-19 and political unrest, the report said 94% of households saw a decline in income, leaving some members vulnerable to sex trafficking. "If there is one thing we have learned in the last year, it is that human trafficking does not stop during a pandemic," Kari Johnstone, senior official and principal deputy director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, said in the report's introduction. "The concurrence of the increased number of individuals at risk, traffickers' ability to capitalize on competing crises, and the diversion of resources to pandemic response efforts has resulted in an ideal environment for human trafficking to flourish and evolve," Johnstone said. Supporters of Burkina Faso's military have welcomed Mondays coup, as the armed forces are seen as key in the fight against Islamist militants. Analysts say the coup and attempted assassination of deposed President Roch Kabore raise concerns about long-term stability and a return to democracy. On Monday evening, after taking control of the national TV station earlier in the day, a group of 14 soldiers appeared on screen with the message, In view of the continuous deterioration of the security situation which threatens the very foundations of our nation, the manifest inability of the power of Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kabore to unite the Burkinabes. The soldiers said they had seized power in the West African country and dissolved the Kabore government. It marked the end of a two-day mutiny by the army, the end of Kabores six-year rule and the only period of democracy in Burkina Fasos history. While French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the coup, as has the U.S. State Department, on Tuesday morning, more than a thousand pro-coup demonstrators gathered in the center of Ouagadougou to celebrate the military takeover. One of the demonstrators, air traffic controller Jibre Traore, said the country has become unsafe. So far, we dont have any response to terrorism. From Ouagadougou, you are not even able to step out more than 100 kilometers after Ouagadougou. When are we going to live in safety in our country? Kabore and his government had come under increasing criticism for failing to subdue groups with links to Islamic State and al-Qaida militants. The terrorist threat provoked a military coup in neighboring Mali last year. Paul Melly, an analyst with London-based research group Chatham House, doubts that Mondays takeover will have a positive effect. The coup in Burkina Faso doesnt really do anything to take the country forward in terms of stability and organizing a response, either to the security crisis or to the establishment of some sort of clear roadmap forward in political terms. Because the constitutional institutions have been suspended the country is now at risk of being under sanctions from ECOWAS, he said. On Tuesday afternoon, West African political bloc ECOWAS announced it sees Burkina Faso's power shift as a military coup, which could indicate a step toward political and economic sanctions. ECOWAS recently imposed sanctions on Mali because its military leaders have tried to extend the transition to civilian rule by five years. Andrew Lebovich is an analyst with the European Council on Foreign Relations. I think its a bit too early to say whats going to happen in terms of democracy for the new military leadership. I think certainly its very unlikely that theyre going to turn over power anytime soon. The model in the region, looking at Guinea, looking at Mali, has been to push for a much longer transition timeline, he said. The soldiers who have taken over the country are yet to announce who Burkina Fasos president will be, while the whereabouts of former President Kabore is still not known. Uganda on Monday lifted its two-year COVID-19 curfew, allowing bars and nightspots to re-open. Excited revelers celebrated the end of one of the world's longest lockdowns. A reveler who only identified herself as Peace said she has been drinking every night of the lockdown. Uganda imposed the nighttime curfew in March 2020 in a bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which has led to about 3,500 deaths in the country. Every night, businesses had to shut down at 7, and no cars were allowed on the streets. Peace tells VOA that during the lockdown, she ventured into bars owned by government employees that continued to operate in secret but charged high prices for beer. Excited, she said she is happy she can now drink at her favorite local bar. But Im glad that they opened," Peace said. "I can manage to go out. I can freely move with a boda. Or I can drive. Like here, three beers at ten thousand. So, if I move out with fifty thousand, I can spend the whole night. The government lifted the curfew on Monday, but some restrictions remain.Anyone wandering into a bar or restaurant must wear a mask and show their COVID vaccination card. Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police spokesperson, cautioned the public to adhere to the health and safety protocols if they do not want to return to curfew. Therefore, it is important that all proprietors and managers in night life and the night economy carefully manage the reopening of their business in the safest possible way," Enanga said. "Where possible they can have ventilation systems in all venues, Sanitation stations throughout the venues. Chris, a manager at the High Five bar in Kampala, is hoping to recover the losses he has incurred in the last two years. Mondays business was disappointing, he said - he didnt get as many customers as he wished. The real challenge, he said, could be implementing the safety measures. It has been two long years without operating. It is difficult to really tell everybody, show me your vaccination card or certificate," Chris said. "Nonetheless, we have sanitizer, all the waitresses are vaccinated and we believe we are ready. As Uganda attempts to return to normalcy, including the night life, statistics from the Ministry of Health show that as of Sunday, the country had recorded about 160,000 cases of COVID-19. About 12,5 million people have been vaccinated, well short of the governments target of 20 million. Ugandan authorities have released author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija on bail, a month after his arrest for insulting the presidents son, but on the condition that he and his supporters not speak to the media. His lawyer has alleged he was tortured in custody. Ugandan writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was today given bail after a month in detention. Speaking to VOA, his lawyer Eron Kiiza described Kakwenzas health condition as frail saying, he is a torture victim. His bail conditions include a ban on all parties and lawyers not discussing the matter in the media. He is charged with two counts of offensive communication against the person of the President Yoweri Museveni and his son Lt. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Kakwenza was arrested December 30 after he tweeted calling Musevenis son, obese, drunk, bad-tempered, and a rotting corpse of a future president. Kainerugaba is seen as a possible successor to his long-ruling father in Ugandas 2026 election. Kakwenzas detention was marked by his detention in an unknown location allegedly by the military and later reports emerged of him being tortured before he was transferred to a maximum-security prison facility. In a tweet, Ugandas leader of opposition Mathias Mpuuga says when he went to visit Kakwenza in prison, he had healing scars and other marks of torture covered his body as he slightly limped into the room. He further shared details on the nature of abuse saying that Kakwenzas fingernails had patches of blood caused by injuries during the torture. Kakwenza reportedly told Mpuuga that soldiers used a pair of pliers to pluck his fingernails and other body parts before being made to dance nonstop throughout the night and day as soldiers insulted and beat him. This was the third time the award-winning writer was arrested, the first in April 2020 for his novel, the Greedy Barbarian, a fictional writing of high-level corruption. His second arrest was in September 2020 for his second novel detailing torture titled, Banana Republic, where writing is treasonous. He won the PEN Pinter Prize International Writer of Courage award in 2021. U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has condemned the militarys seizure of power in Burkina Faso and is calling for a swift return to civilian rule. The high commissioner is calling on the coup leaders to immediately release President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and other high-level officials. Michelle Bachelet is urging the military to engage in meaningful dialogue with all sectors of society to restore the hard-won democratic gains that have been made in the country. Bachelets spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, accompanied the high commissioner on her visit to Burkina Faso at the end of November. She says there were evident signs of popular discontent with the governments inability to handle the multi-faceted crises facing the country. You had climate change affecting the ability of herders and pastoralists to carry out their daily work and conflict as a result of climate change and that crisis. And then you have violent extremist groups attacking, coming through the porous borders of the country and launching increasing violent attacks against the local population, she said. Burkina Faso is also facing a humanitarian crisis. The United Nations estimates 3.5 million people need international aid to survive. It says nearly all, some 3.3 million people, are facing acute food shortages. Shamdasani says U.N. monitors on the ground describe the situation as calm for now. But this may change during planned street protests. There are people protesting in support of the military coup, as well," she said. "Those who are frustrated with what they perceive as ineffective measures taken to address the conflict. But again, we stress that a military takeover is not the solution. She says it is more important than ever to ensure the rule of law and the countrys obligations under international human rights law are fully respected. Shamdasani says it is crucial that peoples democratic rights are protected and that they are able to air their grievances without fear. Residents of Hasakah in northeastern Syria endured a fifth night of gunfire and explosions as fighting between the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and fighters with the Islamic State terror group there raged into a sixth day. Video from activists on the ground near the al-Sinaa prison and shared with VOA showed repeated flashes and explosions while the constant drumbeat of gunfire could be heard echoing in the background. VOA could not independently confirm the authenticity of the video, but other accounts on social media from activists and residents, including the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said fighting continued unabated as SDF troops tried to retake control of the entire prison and root out IS fighters still holed up in surrounding neighborhoods. Multiple U.S. officials Monday told to VOA that the U.S. and coalition increased their support the SDF to help retake the prison and were now sending in armored vehicles strategically positioned to assist with security in addition to providing real-time aerial intelligence and precision airstrikes. There's been some limited ground support," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said later, during a briefing, in response to a question from VOA. For instance, putting Bradley fighting vehicles across access points to help block as obstacles. SDF officials, meanwhile, said about 300 IS fighters and prisoners surrendered early Monday after SDF forces stormed one of the buildings in the prison. An SDF spokesperson also urged holdouts to give up, sharing a final call for safe surrender on social media. We know that you have internet connection and see your setbacks, an English version of the warning said. You are completely surrounded by our forces and there is no way out. Surrender yourselves. Do not chose the final dance of death, it added. In all, SDF officials have said about 10,000 troops have been brought in to quell the prison break, which began late Thursday when IS sleeper cells converged on the prison and detonated at least one car bomb. So far, the SDF officials have said more than 180 IS fighters and prisoners have been killed, while at least 28 of their own troops have been killed. The SDF said at least five civilians are also dead, saying at least one was beheaded by IS fighters for refusing to allow them into a residence. While the fighting rages, United Nations officials and humanitarian groups have raised concerns about Hasakahs residents. U.N. officials estimate that at least 45,000 people have been displaced by the fighting while the International Committee of the Red Cross called on all parties to allow "unhindered humanitarian access" to areas around the prison. With temperatures dropping below freezing in northeast Syria, we are deeply concerned about the situation of people forced to flee their homes who need access to shelter, food, water, health services and above all a safe environment, the head of the ICRCs Syrian delegation, Christophe Martin, said in a statement. U.N. and humanitarian officials have also voiced concern about some 850 children, mostly boys and teenagers, kept in nearby detention facilities, especially following reports by the SDF that IS fighters had been using them as human shields. At the same time, communities across northeastern Syria, especially those near other prisons, are preparing for the possibility of more attacks. According to the Rojava Information Center, a pro-Kurdish research group, regional officials have imposed curfews on multiple cities across northeastern Syria, while there have been reports of additional IS attacks on several SDF positions in and around Deir el-Zor. Definitely, we anticipate further attacks on prisons and camps, a Western counterterrorism official told VOA on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive information. This has been a major theme of all recent ISIS leadership communications, the official added, saying the attack on the al-Sinaa prison in Hasakah was not surprising. Separately, a U.S. official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, told VOA the attempted prison break is certainly a troubling event and described the size of the attacking force as significant. The official further warned that the ability for IS to communicate and coordinate with prisoners inside the al-Sinaa prison was equally alarming. Both officials expressed doubt that the ongoing attack on al-Sinaa would ultimately be successful, but IS has sought to seize on what it has called "a broad offensive," using its Amaq news agency and social media channels to pump out a steady stream of propaganda. One video, posted Sunday, claimed to show scenes from inside the prison, including what IS said were captured and dead SDF personnel. VOA was not able to independently confirm the authenticity of the video, but according to a translation by SITE Intelligence Group, an IS fighter vowed to fight to the death. We will not withdraw until Allah grants us conquest, he said. Or we die. Separately, a series of social media posts seen and translated by SITE has shown IS supporters from across the world, including children, holding handwritten notes of support for the operation. This will be a boon for ISIS and so they'll consider this a success no matter what, Colin Clarke, director of policy and research at the global intelligence firm The Soufan Group, told VOA. But it is the big-picture coordination of the attack on the al-Sinaa prison, on the ground, especially, and on social media, that he finds most worrisome. This was clearly part of a more deliberate campaign aimed at generating momentum, he said. This could very well be the beginning of a sustained campaign to make noise, to generate propaganda which will help with recruitment. Clarke and other analysts also caution that the effort to launch a major prison break is reminiscent of the terror groups early playbook, when IS strengthened its ranks with what became known as Breaking the Walls during which it repeatedly targeted prisons. The Breaking the Walls campaign gave ISIS a tremendous amount of strength and capacity, Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a counterterrorism analyst and the CEO of Valens Global, told VOA. Whether a new series of attacks on prisons holding IS fighters can do the same, however, is no sure thing, especially given reports that in the case of the attack in Hasakah, most of the IS sleeper cell forces have been killed and that few prisoners have escaped. It's not really possible to calculate the fog of war, Gartenstein-Ross said. The full strategic impact may not be known for months or even years. Mutlu Civiroglu and Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned of severe and enormous consequences for Russian President Vladimir Putin including personal sanctions against Putin himself if the Russian leader mobilizes the estimated 127,000 troops who stand ready to strike along the Ukrainian border. I have made it clear early on to President Putin that if he were to move into Ukraine, that there would be severe consequences, including significant economic sanctions as well as Id feel obliged to beef up our presence, NATOs presence, on the eastern front, Poland, Romania, etc, Biden said, adding: If he were to move in with all those forces, it would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world. He also stressed that none of the 8,500 U.S. troops put on high alert this week would be moved into Ukrainian territory, and they would be deployed as part of a NATO operation, not a sole U.S. operation. He did not say when he might decide to order those troops into theater. Biden said the United States has a sacred obligation to come to the aid of NATO allies that face threats. Ukraine is not a member of NATO though it wants to be. However, neighboring Russia sees possible NATO membership as a threat and has demanded that the security alliance bar Ukraine from membership. Putin has said he has no intention to invade Ukraine but sees NATOs eastward expansion as a threat. And Ive spoken with every one of our NATO allies ... virtually, and were all on the same page, Biden said. Weve got to make it clear that theres no reason for anyone, any member of NATO, to worry whether or not ... we NATO would come to their defense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy used a televised address Tuesday to urge calm at home. There are no rose-colored glasses, no childish illusions, everything is not simple. ... But there is hope," Zelenskiy said. "Protect your body from viruses, your brain from lies, your heart from panic. Zelenskiy said plans are being made for him to meet with the leaders of Russia, Germany and France. Officials from the four countries were due to hold talks on Wednesday in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he would seek clarification about Russias intentions during a phone call with Putin scheduled for Friday. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, in a response to a question from VOA, said Tuesday that Russian forces have grown consistently but not dramatically. We have seen a consistent accumulation of combat power by the Russians in the western part of their country around the borders with Ukraine and Belarus, Kirby said. Earlier in the day, the United States warned Russia it would face faster and far more severe economic consequences if it invades Ukraine than it did when Moscow annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. We are prepared to implement sanctions with massive consequences that were not considered in 2014, a national security official told reporters in Washington. That means the gradualism of the past is out. And this time, well start at the top of the escalation ladder and stay there. The security official, speaking anonymously, said the United States is also prepared to impose novel export controls to hobble the Russian economy. We use them to prohibit the export of products from Russia, the official said. And given the reason they work is if you step back and look at the global dominance of U.S.-origin software technology, the export control options were considering alongside our allies and partners would hit Putins strategic ambitions to industrialize his economy quite hard, and it would impair areas that are of importance to him, whether its in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or defense or aerospace or other key sectors. The United States and its allies imposed less severe economic sanctions against Moscow after its Crimean takeover, but they ultimately proved ineffective, and the peninsula remains under Russian control. Meanwhile, Russia said it is watching with great concern the decision to put U.S. troops on heightened alert for possible deployment. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated to reporters the Russian accusations that the United States is escalating tensions in the crisis along the Russia-Ukraine border, where Putin has deployed an estimated 127,000 troops. Russias demand that Ukraine be barred from NATO has been dismissed by the West, where leaders have said they wont give Moscow veto power over who belongs to the 30-country military alliance that was founded to counter Soviet aggression after World War II. Some information for this report came from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Thousands of anti-mask and vaccine mandate protesters rallied on the mall in Washington, D.C., on Sunday to voice opposition to the Biden administration's COVID-19 mask and vaccine policies. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says there wont be any by-elections in six constituencies where some lawmakers, who were recalled by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), won a court case early this year to stay in parliament but President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently declared the seats vacant, ahead of the March polls. In a statement, ZECs chief elections officer, Utoile Silaigwana, said, It is hereby notified that following a court order issued in the case of Kucaca Ivumile Phulu and six others vs Benjamin Rukanda and 7 others, case No HCH 106/22, there exists no vacancies in Nkulumane, Mbizo, Kambuzuma, Mutasa South, Pumula, and Harare East National Assembly Constituencies. The proclamation calling for by-elections issued by His Excellency the president in terms of Statutory Instrument 1 of 2022 on 6 January 2022 is accordingly amended. Nomination Courts for the purposes of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of the National Assembly for the said constituencies shall therefore not sit and there shall be no by-elections in the said constituencies. High Court judge Amy Tsanga in April this year dismissed the the recall of members of the Peoples Democratic Party Phulu (Nkulumane), Tendai Biti (Harare East), William Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Sichelesile Mahlangu (Pumula) and Regai Tsunga (Mutasa South) noting that Rukanda, who claimed to be the PDP secretary-general, was not a legitimate member of the party. Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda announced the expulsion of the six legislators saying they had been recalled by the MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora. In another statement, Silaigwana said there wont be a council by-election in Ward 3, which fell vacant after Tinashe Kambarami of the PDP lost the seat after allegedly failing to disclose a theft conviction. Silaigwana said, It is hereby notified for general information that the declaration of a vacancy in ward 3 has been withdrawn by the local authority following an urgent Chamber Application challenging the existence of a vacancy. The Nomination Court for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as councilor for the said ward shall therefore not sit and there shall be no by-election in ward 3 of Bulawayo Municipality. The High Court ruled that he violated section 119(2)(e) of the Electoral Act for not disclosing his conviction on theft charges. Kambarami appealed against the conviction arguing that his recall by the MDC-T following the court ruling was unconstitutional. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave a statement on the Kremlin plan to install pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine. We have information that indicates the Russian Government is looking to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine. The former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev is being considered as a potential candidate. We have information that the Russian intelligence services maintain links with numerous former Ukrainian politicians including: Serhiy Arbuzov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2012 to 2014, and acting Prime Minister in 2014 Andriy Kluyev, First Deputy Prime Minister from 2010 to 2012 and Chief of Staff to former Ukrainian President Yanukovich Vladimir Sivkovich, former Deputy Head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council (RNBO) Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014 Some of these have contact with Russian intelligence officers currently involved in the planning for an attack on Ukraine. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking. Russia must de-escalate, end its campaigns of aggression and disinformation, and pursue a path of diplomacy. As the UK and our partners have said repeatedly, any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs. The UKs position on Ukraine is also clear. We unequivocally support its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including Crimea. Ukraine is an independent, sovereign country. Since President Joe Biden took office, the United States has attempted to engage in negotiations with Iran to restore the secret agreement it signed under President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Iranian nuclear negotiations. Let us remember that the 5+1 negotiations (the five members of the Security Council + Germany) with Iran began in 2013 in Vienna; that they quickly found an agreement in principle and were then interrupted. The United States and Iran conducted separate deliberations before returning to the negotiating table and signing the previously agreed-upon seven-way deal in July 2015. In the West, the agreement is seen as ending Iranian military nuclear research, but in reality some of the signatories never believed that the Islamic Republic of Iran had pursued the monarchys military program beyond Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis fatwa banning the weapon as un-Islamic. Despite repeated accusations by Israel and the documents that Mossad managed to steal from Tehran, there is nothing to date to contradict the Iranian position. At most, it has planned to manufacture a shock wave generator [1]. Tehran dismantled its military nuclear program in 1988 and has never restarted it. From this point on, it appears that the two years of negotiations in Vienna were not aimed at dissipating a non-existent nuclear threat, but at framing the secret bilateral US-Iranian negotiations. These were led on the U.S. side by three negotiators who have become pillars of the Biden administration: William Burns (current director of the CIA), Wendy Sherman (current deputy secretary of state) and Jake Sullivan (current national security advisor). As in 2013-15, the negotiations aimed at restoring the 5+1 agreement mask other negotiations, this time between Saudi Arabia and Iran. They have just reached an agreement in principle. The opposition between Sunnis and Shiites has always existed, but it is wrong to assume it. It has its roots in the conflict over the political succession to Muhammad, the founder of Islam, who was also the ruler of Mecca and Medina. But the current religious and political conflict did not always exist. In modern times, relations between Riyadh and Tehran have fluctuated. Saudi Arabia supported Iraq during its war against Iran (1980-88), but Iran and Saudi Arabia together supported Kuwait against Iraq (1990-91). Moreover, both countries sent troops to support Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-95) under the orders of NATO against Yugoslavia. This episode is often ignored. The Islamic Republic had sent Revolutionary Guards to support the Bosnian Muslims. The Lebanese Shiite resistance to Israel thought it should follow its example, and Hezbollah therefore also sent fighters into a conflict that had no relation to its raison detre. Saudi Arabia, which was protecting the Muslim Brotherhood at the time, sent Osama bin Ladens Arab Legion to support the president and former Nazi Alija Izetbegovic. Bin Laden became his military advisor, along with his political advisor, the American Richard Perle, and his media advisor, the French Bernard-Henri Levy. In retrospect, this amalgam seems unnatural, but at the time, this alliance was not as stupid as it seems today. The United States had gathered all its forces against the Yugoslavia of pro-Russian Slobodan Milosevic. The rivalry between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran developed rapidly in the early 2000s around the Yemeni conflict, with Iran supporting the Zaidists grouped in the Houthi party. The Zaidists are Shiites, but of a very particular form, very much influenced by Indian culture. For many years, the Saudis ran Yemen (North and South) along tribal lines. While the United States was negotiating the nuclear deal and its Secret Protocol with Iran during 2013-15, Israel was negotiating just as secretly with Saudi Arabia. The two countries agreed to exploit the oil in Yemen and Ogaden (Horn of Africa) together.) [2]. To honor this agreement, Saudi Arabia went to war in Yemen, supported officially by the United Arab Emirates and unofficially by Israel, which used tactical nuclear bombs. Currently (2021-22) the United States and Iran are negotiating a new 5+1 agreement, while Israel and Saudi Arabia are moving toward formalizing diplomatic relations. At the same time, Iran and Saudi Arabia are discussing at the level of the heads of their secret services and diplomats. They are trying to re-establish their alliance of the early 1990s in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They are on the verge of achieving this, which will unblock the other two negotiations. Iran has already announced that it is reopening its office at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. The two countries could seal their alliance around political Islam. Especially since the OIC is the only intergovernmental religious organization. Let us emphasize this point: no other religion has given rise to an intergovernmental organization. This is unique to Islam, whose founder, Muhammad, was both a spiritual leader and a political and military leader. If this alliance takes shape, it will come into conflict not with secularists in general, but with Muslim secularists who distinguish Mohammedan religion from politics. In the first place with the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Egypt. At the same time, this alliance will move closer to the other supporters of political Islam, Qatar and Turkey. It will be a complete reversal of the Middle East chessboard. Already, we can observe the concern of some actors. For example, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah, is multiplying his verbal attacks against Saudi crimes in Yemen, but not against his Emirati ally. Yet Nasrallah defends a secular vision of Islam as the source of his commitment. He has included fighters of other religions in his resistance network, which would be impossible if he defended political Islam. Or the Yemeni Houthis bombed the United Arab Emirates using drones. These drones flew 1,200 kilometers in more than 4 hours under the watchful eye of American and French radars and satellites. The Emirates were hit. Washington and Paris condemned the attack, but did nothing to warn the Emirates when they could. Clearly the silence of the West was a warning to Abu Dhabi, an incentive to abandon its policy of religious tolerance and embrace political Islam. The Emiratis have few illusions about their Anglo-Saxon allies, who have never stopped playing on religious conflicts to extend their domination, but they were stunned to see the French following suit. The Emirates had appealed to President Jacques Chirac in 1995 because they were counting on a secular power to ensure their security. The Emirates carried out a retaliatory raid in Yemen, but the Houthis are now threatening to attack the Bourj Khalifa Tower (a building over 800 metres high) in Dubai and economic interests in Abu Dhabi. The United States will change its position in Yemen. For the moment, it is advocating a political settlement of the conflict. At the beginning of Bidens term, it removed the Houthis from its list of terrorists, arguing that this would help NGOs distribute humanitarian aid. They just did not intervene in the Houthi bombing of the Emirates. Tomorrow they will divide Yemen between Wahabi (Saudi Arabia) and Zaidist (Houthis). This Western reorganization of the Middle East directly contradicts the traditional Russian vision, which is based on the cultural identity of states and not only on their religion. Moscow has an ambiguous attitude towards Iran. On the one hand, it integrates it into its defence system, on the other, it leaves it alone to confront Israel. Thus, President Ebrahim Raissi has just been received by President Vladimir Putin and the Duma on January 19. Anticipating the lifting of the US embargo, he managed to sign important agreements for technical assistance in the exploitation of his hydrocarbons. It has celebrated the joint victory in Syria and its army is participating in the Russian-Chinese naval manoeuvres in the Indian Ocean ("Maritime Security Belt 2022"). But at the same time, Russian forces are letting the Israelis strike Iranian bases in Syria as they please. In reality, Iran could benefit from a US-Russian confrontation by joining the Russian-Chinese axis, it could become the missing link in the silk roads between India and Russia. It would be integrated into its banking system (the SPFS and no longer SWIFT) and could once again become a commercial power. In the meantime, Tehran is playing both sides of the fence. The United States and Russia agreed several months ago on what the Middle East should be. It was more a question of defining zones of influence. Thus, we have just learned that the Egyptian gas that should soon be delivered to Lebanon is in fact of Israeli origin. However, this information had been concealed by all the actors involved because today Israel is still at war with Lebanon and Syria. Moreover, the Arab pipeline passes through Jordan and Syria. Not only Russia, but also the United States had encouraged this deal. However, US law forbids any trade with Syria on pain of the wrath of hell. The Saudi-Iranian alliance would allow the US and the UK to expand the jihadist system [3], for the moment exclusively Sunni. We would then see fanatics from all sides unite against the secularists; a division that the British piloted during their imperial period and which had proved its worth. The Gilded Age Never the New Season 1 Episode 1 Editors Rating 3 stars * * * Previous Next Previous Episode Next Episode Photo: HBO IT IS HERE. The long-awaited The Gilded Age has finally arrived, and it is complicated. Creator Julian Fellowes introduces an even more expanded version of his typically large cast of characters, which may leave you in a bewildered wait who is that again? state, but we will sort all that out! Together! Where are we? Were in New York City, in the eponymous Gilded Age. The Gilded Age is a period in America that encompasses approximately 1870 to 1900. It is marked by corruption, greed, corporate monopolies, and industrialization, as well as economic mobility. All of these elements will appear in this series, and they will all be dramatic, which is fun. Lets dive right into it because the first episode lasts over an hour and covers much expository ground. The year is 1882, and Miss Marian Brook has no money. Her recently deceased father never informed her of this, and now she is going to live with her fathers wealthy sisters in New York City. Marians lawyer Tom is clearly into her, but we dont need to worry about that for the moment. As she waits for the train to New York, Marian is seated next to a young Black woman, aspiring writer Miss Peggy Scott, played by Tony-nominated actress Denee Benton. She marks the first of many extremely impressive Broadway cameos in this series, and I invite all musical-theatre nerds to just lose their skittles with me about this. My only guess is that the shutdown of Broadway led to all these amazing people being available for something shot in New York that was not a Law & Order spinoff. Marian loses her purse just as the train arrives, and Peggy buys her a ticket because she is generous and amazing. This is after Marian accidentally tears Peggys dress too, so I think we can all just say, wow, good job befriending the Best Person, Marian. Peggy has to board in the last group because she is Black and everything is garbage. It turns out shes from Brooklyn, and Marian brings her to her aunts because the ferry isnt running. What about the Brooklyn Bridge? you say. Thats exactly what I said! It didnt open until 1883, so weve got another year. Lets meet Agnes and Ada! Christine Baranski plays Agnes van Rhijn, a woman who is not quite the doyenne of Old New York high society, but shes up there. Her sister is Ada Brook, played by Cynthia Nixon, a timid but smiley woman who loves her Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Its name is Pumpkin. Agness character is marked by stoicism, grumpiness, and occasional humor and kindness. Her late husband was apparently terrible. When Marian arrives and tells the story of Peggy lending her money, they demand to meet her. Agnes asks for Peggys address, which shes reluctant to provide, but when she does, Agnes admires Peggys exquisite penmanship. Peggy says she learned to write at the Institute for Colored Youth, which delights both Agnes and Ada, as their father was a patron and they used to attend performances there. Agnes hires Peggy to be her secretary, a thing we can all be excited about because Peggy is great. Heres where I admit that I do not care about Marian. Maybe future episodes will make me care about her! I have not given up hope on Marian. Sometimes it takes younger actors a few episodes to get into it, but as of the premiere, she is stilted and does that thing some actors do where they overenunciate because it takes place in The Past. Am I also grumpy that the actress playing her compared calling-card culture to Instagram? Possibly. But fortunately, there are so many other characters! This period involves the new pushing out the old, building railroads, creating empires, and knocking very insistently at Mrs. Astors door. Caroline Astor was Societys gatekeeper and descended from the early Dutch white settlers back when New York was New Amsterdam (and part of what was known as Lenapehoking by the Lenape). She married William Backhouse Astor Jr., who was a businessman who owned and bred racehorses and sailed yachts, so I dunno about that. His grandfather was John Jacob Astor, who made his money by killing all the beavers in Michigan (not an exact fact) and smuggling opium into China after the emperor said, Opium is a poison. So as you can see, these nouveau riche (read: didnt make their money from killing beavers and forcing drugs on entire countries) upstarts needed to learn their place. Enter the Russells! While the van Rhijn home evokes dark, dusty, Victorian wealth, the Russells Beaux-Arts palace across the street is enormous and airy and opulent. Its architect, Stanford White, would eventually design the Washington Square Arch and be murdered by a millionaire at Madison Square Theatre. He also sexually assaulted many underage girls, so lets not spend any more time on him. Bertha Russell, played by the excellent Carrie Coon, is determined to be a part of Society. Her husband, George Russell, owns Russell Consolidated Trust and is a Jay Gould type, building railroads and making ridiculous amounts of money. They have a son named Larry, a daughter named Gladys (Taissa Farmiga!), and a servant named Miss Turner, who seems pretty determined to bang Mr. Russell. This is probably an achievable goal. Side note because Im mad about it: The actor who plays Larry is only 12 years younger than Carrie Coon, and when he first showed up, I definitely thought he was her brother. But here we are. Larry is part of the Rich Young People set, and so Mamie Fish (another real person!) invites him to Newport, Rhode Island, where he is forced to play party games. This sounds like my personal hell. All I will say about Mamie Fish is she was married to Stuyvesant Fish, and then they named one of their children Livingston Fish. If you are thinking these sound like characters in absurdist novels of the 20th century, you are correct. Bertha Russell clearly hopes her sons in with the Fish people and that it will help her family. Back with the van Rhijns, some of the servants are being racist about Peggy Scott moving in, but theres a cute little butler who is nice about her. Broadway star Debra Monk is annoyed with her, which is disappointing. Peggy goes to a cafe to meet her mother, who is wait for it YES, SIX-TIME TONY WINNER AUDRA MCDONALD. If you have never listened to Audra McDonald sing, then you go find Wheels of a Dream from Ragtime right now. We still dont have the full story about why Peggy is avoiding home, but its clear she has an issue with her father. Broadway, film, and television star Audra McDonald says Peggy will have to forgive him eventually and that he loves her. Then she leaves, hopefully to return. Bertha and the van Rhijns are invited to a charity planning event (its honestly pretty unclear whats going on there) that is going to train orphans to be servants. Sure, why not. Marian and Ada go, where they meet Old New York stalwarts Aurora Fane and Anne Morris, played by more Broadway legends, Tony winners Kelli OHara and Katie Finneran. I just cannot. The extreme number of musical phenoms playing small parts is a true highlight of this series. Bertha introduces herself and her daughter Gladys, and everyone is awkward and uncomfortable but Marian. Its clear Bertha was only invited because the charity needs money, which she is aware of, but also plans to make use of if she can. Everyone is very mysterious about a Mrs. Augusta Chamberlain and refuse to say why she is scandalous. I will be so delighted if she turns out to be a fictional version of early suffragist, candidate for president, stockbroker, and self-proclaimed medium Victoria Woodhull. Thats my dream. My notes for George Russells business meeting just say, Railroad man is meeting with capitalist man. George menacingly says that he wants to control Sandusky, Ohio, and I cant tell if thats a joke or if Julian Fellowes just does not get that it should be. The main message here is that George is Good at Business and also ruthless, so hes a robber baron. Bertha decides to hold an at-home, which immediately seems doomed to failure because we know the rules of fiction. Bertha is steadily optimistic, though, and orders food for 200. Almost no one comes, although Marian does slip away from her aunts watch to take a look inside. The humiliation of rejection clearly creates a John Wicklevel desire for vengeance inside Bertha Russell, which will probably result in a very satisfying comeuppance for Mrs. Astor and her friends. Silver-Plated Thoughts Will Marian get better? Or maybe instead Peggy can take over as the protagonist and Marian can go away somewhere? I understand Marian wants her independence, but I kind of want two aunts telling me I am not allowed to carry my suitcase down the street by myself? Im tired. Let someone else carry that shit. How did I not even MENTION Broadway luminaries Douglas Sills, Michael Cerveris, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and Donna Murphy? VULTURE NEWSLETTER Keep up with all the drama of your favorite shows! Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Decatur, IL (62521) Today Cloudy. High around 65F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 52F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Italian government would keep minority stake in ITA Airways as MSC and Lufthansa make joint offer. ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia as Italy's flag carrier, has revealed that the Swiss-Italian shipping group MSC and German airline Lufthansa have expressed an interest in buying a majority stake in the state-owned company. The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Lufthansa have requested a 90-day exclusivity period to study ITA Airways' financial data, during which time the state-owned airline would not be able to negotiate with other companies. When ITA launched last October, its chairman Alfredo Altavilla told reporters that the company would be seeking a deal with a larger airline by the end of 2022 as it is too small to compete on its own. The economic terms of the proposal from MSC and Lufthansa have not been made public however government sources told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the proposed deal has a total value of between 1.2 and 1.4 billion. In the coming days the expression of interest is to be examined by the government and, pending its approval, the board of ITA Airways will meet to discuss the next move, Reuters news agency reports. Recently there has been talk of several companies interested in buying ITA Airways, which currently has a fleet of 52 aircraft and is aiming to reach 105 by 2025, reports Italian newspaper Il Post. MSC is the largest container shipping line in the world and also owns a cruise subsidiary, MSC Cruises, as well as operating in the aviation sector by leasing cargo planes for the transport of goods. Aquiring a stake in ITA Airways would be hugely significant for MSC according to Il Post - and would mean the shipping company would no longer have to rely on external aviation companies. For Lufthansa, which is the largest airline in Europe in terms of the number of aircraft, the acquisition would be its latest stake in a smaller European carrier, after Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, reports Il Post. Several media outlets reported in recent days that Lufthansa was ready to offer a deal on its own to take a 40 per cent stake in ITA, which took to the skies last October with a fleet less than half the size of its predecessor Alitalia. On Monday Reuters reported that news of the expression of interest prompted a positive initial reaction from Italy's National Air Transport Federation (FNTA), which described MSC and Lufthansa in a statement as "two extremely solid partners who could guarantee future growth to ITA with an excellent positioning at international level." No Green Pass, no gelato: incident took place near Naples. An 88-year-old man who pulled a gun on a security guard after he was asked to show his covid Green Pass has been reported by police for aggravated threat and resistance to a public official. The incident occurred at a McDonald's outlet in Casoria, on the outskirts of Naples, where the elderly man was attempting to buy a gelato before being asked for a Green Pass, reports news agency ANSA. Instead of showing his Green Pass, however, the man whipped out a pistol and pointed it at the guard, demanding to be allowed inside for ice cream, before changing his mind and leaving the scene. The security guard alerted the carabinieri who tracked the man down to his home where a heated stand-off ensued. The elderly man refused to let them in, leaving police and firefighters no option but to break down the door. The man's weapon - a metal cap gun or 'sciacciacane' with its red cap removed - was seized by officers, ANSA reports. Under Italy's latest restrictions, bars and restaurants require customers to show a Super Green Pass, the digital certificate proving the holder has been vaccinated or recovered from covid-19. Placeholder while article actions load Lina Khan, chair of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, gave her first televised interview last week, and it was every bit as bold and sweeping as her supporters and critics expected. She criticized inaction after inaction by her predecessors and said that she wouldnt back down against enormously well-resourced companies. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Global regulatory action against Big Tech has ratcheted up over the past few years, with European watchdogs recently probing the gargantuan ad business of Alphabet Inc.s Google and ordering the reversal of a major acquisition by Facebooks parent, Meta Platforms Inc.; the regions lawmakers are also preparing legislation that will hold them accountable for harmful content. But a question mark has remained over U.S. regulators. While the Europeans get to investigate companies and then issue an order, the FTC treads a more arduous path: It must bring every case before a judge and fight it, within a potentially short time frame, through a U.S. court system thats relatively business-friendly and non-interventionist. It doesnt help that tech companies ballooning wealth affords them armies of lawyers, while the FTCs budget has stayed largely flat since the 1980s. We are severely under-resourced, Khan said in her CNBC interview. Advertisement A case in point was when a federal judge last year dismissed the FTCs sweeping lawsuit seeking to break up Facebook. The FTC bolstered its case and the same judge finally let it through earlier this month, but the initial stumble was a reminder of what Khan is up against. Amazon Inc. and Facebook, for instance, also separately demanded she be disqualified from investigating them. (Those attempts failed). Khan made a name for herself in 2017 when, as a student at Yale Law School, she published an influential essay called Amazons Antitrust Paradox, arguing that regulators narrow focus on consumer welfare had allowed anticompetitive behavior by Amazon and others to flourish. She went on to become an associate professor at Columbia Law School and then legal adviser to FTC Commissioner Rohit Chopra, before President Joe Biden appointed her chair of the FTC in 2021. Khans initial nomination as commissioner gained wide bipartisan support in Congress, where Republican and Democratic lawmakers have found a rare consensus over Big Techs unmatched power. In one way, Khans plans look too ambitious. In the midst of updating the FTCs guidelines, Khan spoke in her interview last week of broadening the agencys ability to look at how dominant companies hurt employment, plus the numerous ways they can harm consumers, such as by infringing on privacy. She also spoke of anticipating trends towards consolidation in tech in other words, finding out what every venture capital investor wants to know too: Who is going to dominate a market down the line? Advertisement Future-gazing, triaging the masses its all a bit much isnt it? At 32, Khan is the youngest person to have ever chaired the FTC, and some of her critics likely think she doesnt have a full grasp of the limits she faces. Attempts to enact new privacy rules have already faltered in the face of resistance from two Republican commissioners on the FTCs five-member leadership committee. With tech stocks entering correction territory making firms like Peloton Interactive Inc. and Pinterest Inc. look like ever-more appealing acquisition targets her in-tray could swell this year with even more deals to adjudicate. Khan is nonplussed. Even if there is a risk you might lose, there can be enormous benefits from taking that risk, she said. You might win. Right? You lose all the shots you dont take. Advertisement It sounds wild, but there is no other way the FTC can possibly approach Big Tech. Khan has to swing for the fences. Meta, Alphabet, Amazon and Apple Inc.s wealth and power are so unprecedented, that the FTC must radically overhaul its approach to judging market dominance and consumer harm. Little wonder that FTC and the U.S. Department of Justice have, according to the Washington Post, divvied up the responsibility of going after Big Tech with the FTC taking Facebook and Amazon, and the DOJ taking Apple and Google as if the companies were markets in and of themselves. Khan gave away few specifics about how she might target Facebook or Amazon. In such an antagonistic environment, both politically and legally, it makes sense that she keep her cards close to her chest. But so long as she keeps a laser focus on breaking up Meta, and doesnt get sidetracked by her other commitment to chase down more mergers, more strictly, she has a chance of winning a history-altering case. She may also have a secret weapon: the FTCs so-called rule-making authority. Antitrust circles in Washington have been discussing this little-known power that the agency hasnt deployed in 40 years, according to Sarah Miller, founder of the American Economic Liberties Project, a non-profit, anti-monopoly group. Advertisement In her interview, Khan was asked about revamping the FTCs guidelines, a kind of soft power, but not about the agencys scope to make rules, which are stronger and could be used to address specific behavior by some firms. Think targeted advertising or data collection practices. Some antitrust experts say the FTCs rule-making power poses a serious threat to Big Tech if invoked. Khan may well go down this route. In December, the FTC said it was exploring new rules to stop certain surveillance-based business models. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce one of the most vocal critics of Khan has warned she doesnt have full statutory authority to create new rules. That will be for lawyers steeped in antitrust law to untangle. Khan seems to be pressing ahead in the meantime, and rightly so. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. She previously reported for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes and is the author of We Are Anonymous. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Upon his return to Apple Inc. in the 1990s, Steve Jobs started what would become one of the most legendary business turnarounds in history. The key to the comeback was refocusing the iconic technology company on its original DNA: combining beautifully designed, high-quality products with a simplified, friendly customer experience. While Mac users have benefited from Apples return to form, the roughly 9 in 10 computer users who rely on Windows machines generally have not. But at least one company is challenging the notion that consumers who want an affordable Windows-based computer have to settle for clunky design and suboptimal performance. NZXT, based in Southern California, started out as a small-scale manufacturer of hardware components and accessories and has been making complete desktops for only about four years. In an industry where giants like HP Inc. and Lenovo churn out more than 70 million computers a year, NZXT is a tiny player. Yet the brands growing popularity among gamers, designers, engineers and others who tend to have strong views about technology suggests the computer market isnt inevitably locked into two extremes, Apple or an interchangeable array of bland Windows machines. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Johnny Hou started NZXT in 2004 to sell a colorful, robot-themed computer case he designed when he was an engineering student at University of California, Irvine. In an interview earlier this month, the entrepreneur explained how the venture brought together his lifelong passions for gaming, design and technology. Advertisement Desktop computers are popular with gamers because they can be run with the most powerful chips, producing the best image quality. But Hou also noticed the community cared about how their computers looked from the outside, which for PCs generally meant beige or black plastic housing. Bootstrapping the company with his own funds and money borrowed from his parents, NZXT built a thriving business selling sleek glass and metal computer cases. The firm later added components including cooling machinery and power supplies. Yet NZXTs big business evolution didnt come until 2017, when Hou decided to test the markets appetite for full desktop systems that broke the mold of clunky mass-market PCs. Like Apple, NZXT focuses on customer experience. Its PCs are sold exclusively on the companys website. Outside a monitoring app to adjust color settings for its coolers, NZXT doesnt install additional software. Instead of showing buyers a list of confusing technical specs, the website asks video game-oriented customers simple questions about what games they want to play within a certain price range before recommending a system setup. Most important, each PC comes with NZXTs high-quality cases and cooling systems. Advertisement Its hard to know whether the NZXT model is financially sustainable. The company declined to say whether it was profitable or disclose revenue or sales details. It announced its first large-scale capital infusion last month, raising $100 million from private equity firm Francisco Partners and several technology entrepreneurs including the co-founders of Twitch and Fitbit. Hou said the funds were needed to become a billion-dollar-plus company and get to the next level. NZXT now has 450 employees, having doubled in size over the last 18 months. By comparison, PC giant HP has roughly 50,000 workers. Curious about alternatives to mass-market PCs, I purchased an NZXT machine last month. NZXT allows for more customization than systems with similar specifications from HP or Dell, a feature I appreciated as a gamer and PC enthusiast who wants the most reliable components. The machine I ultimately bought cost $2,434, hundreds to thousands of dollars less than those offered by other boutique PC makers such as Falcon Northwest or Corsair. The NZXT desktop is quiet and fast. Design aficionados will appreciate the tidy cable management design. Advertisement NZXT has built a passionate fan base. Whether it can make money while turning out premium machines and keeping prices affordable remains to be seen. Its possible that as with other niche manufacturers, its success will make it an attractive acquisition target. But for now, NZXTs arrival in a marketplace that for years has left consumers with mainly unappealing choices shows that mediocrity isnt inevitable. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Dear Rivals, TSMC Can and Will Outspend You All: Tim Culpan Tech Giants Chained Us to Work. Now They Promise to Help: Parmy Olson This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Tae Kim is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. He previously covered technology for Barrons, following an earlier career as an equity analyst. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load China is putting market-oriented solutions for its troubled collection of property developers into practice even in a market frozen by fear. Industry consolidation or nudging stronger players to take over projects from weaker ones has always been Beijings preferred remedy for a liquidity crisis. In recent years, we witnessed a wave of regional bank mergers, with bureaucrats maneuvering behind the scenes to avoid stirring panic and bank runs. We are seeing that approach echoed with indebted real estate developers too. Its the most effective market-oriented means, said a Peoples Bank of China official at a media briefing late December, even as the biggest builders from China Evergrande Group to Kaisa Group Holdings defaulted on their dollar notes. In recent days, state-owned enterprises have begun to cherry pick prized assets off distressed developers. The most eye-popping deal came from Shimao Group Holdings, which until November still boasted an investment-grade rating at S&P Global Ratings. The developer sold a plot of land in Shanghai for 1 billion yuan, 23% lower than the asking price, according to local financial publication, The Paper. Advertisement The trades may buy some time, but its not a viable solution for an industry plagued with soaring fixed costs. Even as apartment purchases slow dramatically, developers still have a lot of monthly bills to pay. Take Shimao. Its contracted sales have collapsed, with the December number down 70% from a year ago. But since pre-sales remain the dominant business model, developers cant just stop a project when sentiment turns sour. As long as Shimao has sold a few units, it has to deliver the entire complex. As of June, contract liabilities, which include deposits owed to apartment buyers, stood at 113 billion yuan, or about one-quarter of Shimaos total liabilities. Theres also the debt. Shimao pays more than 8 billion yuan per year in interest expense alone. In addition, as of June, the latest financials available, it had 78 billion yuan of borrowings due within a year total revenue in the year ended June 2021 was 144 billion yuan. And these are just numbers on the books. According to UBS Group AG, Shimao has another 120 billion yuan in off-balance sheet debt, accrued mostly through aggressive land acquisitions between 2017 and 2019. We have no idea when the hidden debt is due, or how much is due. Advertisement Shimaos latest land sale has got financial media excited. According to local news reports, its Shanghai projects could fetch as much as 12.9 billion yuan, and it was in talks to sell a 26.7% stake in the Guangzhou Asian Games City project, which could be worth another 1.8 billion yuan. While sporadic project sales could boost some confidence in Shimao, they are peanuts compared to the formidable bills the developer has to pay. Industry M&A can still help distressed developers, but only when state enterprises are willing to take a stake in the parent company. Only then can market confidence be restored. More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion: Matt Levines Money Stuff: Evergrande Borrowed From Everyone Can Chinas Developers Just Lie Flat and Default?: Shuli Ren Cathay Pacifics Life-Support Window Is Closing: David Fickling This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Shuli Ren is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian markets. She previously wrote on markets for Barrons, following a career as an investment banker, and is a CFA charterholder. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load FTC moves to block Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Lockheed-Aerojet deal The Federal Trade Commission is suing to block a $4.4 billion merger between the defense manufacturing giant Lockheed Martin and the missile propulsion company Aerojet Rocketdyne. The FTC said the combination would concentrate too much power in the hands of Lockheed, the worlds largest defense contractor, which announced the merger in late 2020. The FTC is concerned that Lockheed could press its advantage to harm rival defense contractors that purchase Aerojets solid rocket motors to build missiles for the military, with the military and taxpayers paying the price. Without competitive pressure, Lockheed can jack up the price the U.S. government has to pay, while delivering lower quality and less innovation, said Holly Vedova, the director of the FTCs Bureau of Competition. We cannot afford to allow further concentration in markets critical to our national security and defense. Advertisement A Lockheed Martin spokesperson declined to comment. Executives said in a recent corporate earnings call that the company would review the FTCs complaint and respond in due course. An administrative trial on the matter is scheduled to begin June 16. This is the first instance in decades in which federal regulators have intervened to block a defense merger. Aaron Gregg GM plans major boost to EVs in Michigan General Motors said Tuesday it will invest $7 billion in Michigan, much of that aimed at dramatically boosting production of full-size electric pickups, intensifying a battle with rival Ford Motor for EV supremacy in North America. Both U.S. automakers, however, will have to contend with current leader Tesla, which will soon open a second U.S. plant in Austin and is on pace to sell more than 1 million electric vehicles globally in 2022. Advertisement GM said its Detroit-Hamtramck and Orion Township plants will be able to build more than 600,000 electric trucks a year by late 2024, with three other plants in Tennessee, Ontario and Mexico boosting the companys total North America EV production capacity to more than a million units by late 2025. In January, Ford said it will have the annual capacity to build 600,000 electric vehicles, including 150,000 F-150 Lightning pickups, within 24 months, when it aims to become the clear No. 2 electric vehicle maker in North America behind Tesla. Reuters Walmart takes stake in vertical farm start-up Walmart said Tuesday it has taken a stake in agriculture start-up Plenty, becoming the first large U.S. retailer to significantly invest in indoor vertical farming as a way to deliver fresher produce to its stores. Advertisement Vertical farmers tout their high-quality produce that brings higher yields while using less water and land. The method also doesnt use pesticide, and the produce can be grown year round near the point of distribution, increasing the reliability of supply. Walmart, the nations largest retailer, declined to comment on the size of its investment or the financial terms of the deal. But the retailer based in Bentonville, Ark., said that it will join Plentys board at the close of the transaction. The deal comes as grocery stores are under pressure to have more environmentally friendly practices. Plenty, based in San Francisco, is one of many players in the fast-growing field. Associated Press Starbucks is asking the U.S. labor board to overturn a ruling allowing store-by-store unionization in Arizona, where ballots were already mailed to employees last week. In a Monday filing with the National Labor Relations Board, the coffee chain sought to overturn a regional director's ruling that deemed the employees of a single store in Mesa an appropriate potential bargaining unit. As it has in similar disputes across the country, the company argued that any election should include a larger group of workers in the region, meaning the union would need more votes to prevail. 2 p.m.: Federal Reserve policymakers release statement. Earnings: Boeing, Tesla. From news services GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load At the end of 2021, in the middle of a European energy crisis which has pushed electricity costs to a record high, Germany defied critics by shutting down some of its last remaining nuclear power stations. Other countries, including Belgium and Spain are planning to follow suit in the next few years. Meanwhile, in the U.K., Rolls-Royce is seeking a location for a factory to make a fleet of small modular nuclear reactors. In the U.S., Senator Joe Manchin is pushing for tax credits to keep Americas fleet of nuclear power stations open for longer. What can be learned from the Europes experience with nuclear power? Bloomberg columnists Javier Blas, Andreas Kluth, Liam Denning and Jonathan Ford got together on Twitter Spaces to discuss more. Here is an edited and condensed transcription of their conversation. Javier Blas: What has been the reaction in Germany to the latest shutdown of nuclear power reactors? Advertisement Andreas Kluth: Just to bring people up to speed, Germany had 19 nuclear reactors. A few weeks ago, it shut down three of the last six. The three remaining plants will be shut down later this year. Its all part of the nuclear exit that Angela Merkels government decided just after the Fukushima disaster. Being anti-nuclear is a religion in Germany, so most of the controversy right now, especially with the Greens in power, is how should the nation react to a move by the EU. The EU proposed including nuclear in its green taxonomy, which would have investment consequences. This puts Germany in a very difficult position. Among the Green party elite, its dawned on them that theyve gone down the wrong path. Because of the nuclear shutdowns, the country will probably miss its targets for decarbonization. Javier: In the U.K. weve seen the government moving to build more nuclear power stations, do you think there is a change in attitude in Europe notwithstanding what has happened in Germany? Advertisement Jonathan Ford: You have to split whats happening in Europe between countries like Germany, Belgium and Spain who have very long standing policies to exit the nuclear industry, and other places. Broadly speaking, there is a bit of a sea change moving in the opposite direction. Countries which have been uncommitted to nuclear in the past like the Netherlands and Poland, are pushing to get into the nuclear space. In central and eastern Europe, thats driven in part by a strategic concern to achieve a greater degree of energy security. Meanwhile, green issues are driving the Netherlands and the U.K. to look at nuclear energy. Its one of the only carbon-free, dispatchable options that we have. I think that the Belgian and German decisions are absolutely nuts. By 2030, the carbon in Belgiums grid will be higher than it is today, as a result of the decisions its in process of implementing. Javier: As Germany was shutting down its nuclear reactors, France was having trouble with its nuclear fleet. Frances EDF has had a lot of trouble with sustaining capacity and budget overruns on its new nuclear reactors. It highlights one of the big problems of nuclear power its very expensive and the technology brings a lot of trouble with it. Advertisement Liam Denning: Look at the two half-built and now abandoned reactors in South Carolina at the V.C. Summer project. That plant just so happened to be approved as the U.S. energy market was undergoing a very fundamental shift. When work was given the go ahead, natural gas was trading at double digit prices. In short, any nuclear plant will absolutely mint money when gas prices are that high. Back at that time, electricity demand was expected to go up by something like 40% by 2030 in the region those plants were being built in. Fast forward to the late 2010s: Gas prices had collapsed, electricity demand was flatlining across the U.S. and the plants just didnt make economic sense anymore. Nuclear faces a problematic period of energy transition. It isnt just changing the source of energy, but other shifts that have occurred such as the fact that energy demand in the U.S. has gone from being a fairly reliable growth market to one thats even slightly down in some areas. In that kind of a market, its very hard to get private capital to commit to a project that is going to cost billions, will almost certainly run over budget and wont generate a single watt of electricity for a decade. Thats one reason why the vast majority of new nuclear plants are being built in countries where there is a very heavy role of government operating in the energy market or guaranteed prices such as weve seen in the U.K. Advertisement Jonathan: We are looking ahead at a policy of energy transition. The fundamental question is: What is the credibility of that policy? If people do not believe the government is actually willing to shut or move away from fossil fuels, the headwinds against nuclear power become substantially higher because then you are looking at nuclear energy competing in essentially the market that we already have. That is a tall order given all the known characteristics of nuclear, like the very large cost and long lead times. Most of the projects that are now underway are first-of-a-kind projects and require very heavy price guarantees like the U.K. project at Hinkley Point. The future of nuclear fundamentally depends on governments ultimately having a credible approach to climate transition. Javier: Do we have the expertise to do brand-new nuclear? Advertisement Liam: Expertise in the U.S. has atrophied to some degree. Its worth pointing out that the V.C. Summer projects and the Vogtle projects were in one important respect an attempt bring that kind of scale argument to things. Westinghouse Electric Company was building the same type of reactor design. So four reactors, all the same design, and the idea was that would help to bring down the costs. There is talk of addressing that through the development of small modular reactors and different types of nuclear technology. What this all rests on is a policy decision. On the environmentalist side, theyre having to grapple with a longstanding antipathy towards nuclear power. Californias last nuclear reactor, for example, is about to shut down within the next couple of years which will remove 9% of the states power mix and a lot of its zero carbon power mix. Its not just antipathy here. There are fears related to earthquake risk and the role of PG&E, which is widely distrusted. But that has to be dealt with. This summer, California had to effectively pay very old, inefficient gas plants to be on standby to deal with a surge in power demand in the evening when the sun goes down. On the kind of climate skeptical side of things, were seeing political players such as Senator Joe Manchin tie themselves up in knots to some degree, because on the one hand, they back nuclear power. At the same time though, they dont really wish to go for a more methodical approach in terms of encouraging zero-carbon technologies in general. Advertisement Javier: Recently, weve had days of very low wind in Germany, meaning it had to burn a lot of gas and coal. What is the elite in Germany thinking now? They are shutting down nuclear but still need a backup because wind and solar are not always there. Andreas: Robert Habeck, vice-chancellor of Germany and federal minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has already said that Germany will miss this coalition governments own targets this year and next year for decarbonization. Just to put it in perspective, Germany decided simultaneously to exit nuclear and coal. Renewables like solar and wind made up about 46% of the power mix last year. They want to double that by the end of the decade to 80%. Nuclears 13% and will go to 1%. The rest is coal and gas. There are even geopolitical problems because of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a new gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The Green party knows it cannot meet its climate goals, their geopolitical goals and be pro-European and good allies, while exiting coal and nuclear at the same time. So something must change. Advertisement One irony: Germany has a large neighbor to the west called France, the poster-boy of nuclear energy, and another large neighbor to the east called Poland, the poster boy of coal-fired electricity. Germany will increasingly have to import from the EU grids these two markets electricity. So itll be importing nuclear power from France and coal-fired power from Poland. Thats the net result of this German policy. When this becomes a big thing, the irony, the absurdity, the perverseness of this will lead to some big political change. Javier: The approach to nuclear power across Europe isnt homogenous. There are large chunks of the green movement that actually get that nuclear is needed. Jonathan: There are environmental arguments against nuclear, against solar and against dams. In the U.K., some of the larger solar developments that have been attempted in recent years have been opposed by groups like Greenpeace on the grounds that they are eating too much land, which could be used for other purposes or for nesting birds. The same issues arise when you look at hydroelectric and pump storage schemes. Advertisement The environmental movement is in a situation where it has to choose between what it regards as various evils. The virtue of nuclear is that it has a very small footprint. If you dont want to cover the countryside in solar panels or wind turbines or you dont want to flood lots of valleys to create the storage required in a highly renewable market, nuclear is a credible and valid option. Javier: One thing thats fascinating for the future of nuclear power is the forecast of electricity demand in the Western world. That was a big problem for some of the early projects we were expecting 15 years ago. Between 1997 and 2007, U.S. electricity demand increased by roughly 20%. Between 2007 and 2019 that year because its the last pre-Covid year demand for electricity just stagnated and actually came down in the U.S. by 1%. So we dont know how much electricity we are going to need to generate 10, 15 years down the road. Liam: If we are going to embrace mass electrification as a tool to address climate change, which I would say we have to, then electricity demand in the U.S. must start to go up again. The problem with that is, in a period of transition, what you want is not really large scale energy, but scalable energy: energy that can be built in a modular fashion and be put up quickly. Thats one of the reasons why renewables have scaled so quickly in the U.S. despite a fairly unwelcoming political climate in some parts of the country. Now, their problem is that they are intermittent. For new nuclear, especially in the U.S., there are really just two options. One is that the industry finally cracks the code on building small modular reactors. The other is that it gets explicit price support, whether thats zero emission credits or another credit predicated on the idea of security. There is a disconnect in American politics, which likes to think that energy operates as a free market when actually it doesnt and never has because its just too important to be left to the market. Nuclear power presents a particular issue because so much of its benefit in terms of security and zero carbon are things that are simply not priced in the market. Javier: One argument thats often made is potentially a future nuclear power station in the U.S. wont just be competing against a massive gas fired power station, or even a wind farm. It may be competing against the solar panels on my roof. Jonathan: So in the U.K., as far as the National Grids planning is concerned, theres an expectation that demand will triple by 2050. Quite what will happen to broader energy demand is another issue, but I dont see electricity demand is going to be an issue for building new electrical facilities. The issue will be can you actually build enough in time to deliver the goals that have been set? Thats a really open question. If you go back to the last time, certainly in Europe, countries looked at the necessity of developing nuclear power from a policy and energy security perspective for example, Sweden and France in the 1970s the pace of building was very dramatic. France built 33 reactors within the first decade of the Messmer plan. So it is possible, its not an act of God that nuclear power stations take a long time to build. Javier: It is a technology that we mastered many decades ago. While building new power plants is proving very difficult, perhaps the smart solution for now is to try to extend the life of the nuclear reactors that already exist, which is what Manchin was getting at. The average life of a nuclear reactor in the U.S. is approaching 40 years. Is it safe and technologically-possible to extend the life of the reactors in the U.S.? Liam: My understanding is that you can extend the life of reactors to perhaps 60 years, maybe even 80 years. I dont think its technologically beyond us to extend their lives. The Diablo Canyon project thats being shut down in California needed about $1 billion of investment to deal with its seismic and water-cooling issues. Ultimately, they balked at doing that. Andreas: The price signal is so important, but its not just for nuclear, its for everything. The EU has the largest scheme in the world for setting the carbon price through an emissions trading system. But policy makers dont trust that tool enough. They do other things that neutralize the effect, but if you expanded it to the whole economy, not just 40% of it as in the EU right now, a carbon trading mechanism that sets a high carbon price would help nuclear and other technologies become more competitive. It makes the price of the carbon visible. A lot of the focus should be on expanding the carbon trading system in the EU and founding a carbon club with the U.S. and other like-minded countries. Eventually everyone would join the club and wed have a global carbon price, the way theres a global oil price. Thats the price signal we need. Liam: One of the real drawbacks of shutting down an existing nuclear power plant is that you kind of dig yourself into a hole. On one level, you suddenly have to replace that big missing chunk of zero carbon power with something else. The other thing is you bring forward all the decommissioning expenses. It might be better to put that capital to work developing other zero carbon technologies rather than having to spend billions on decommissioning a plant. Javier: What can we do to reassure the public that this is a safe technology? If you look at the track record of the industry, barring two massive accidents, it has been very reliable. Andreas: Just from the German perspective, because there is so much hysteria here about it, I think it comes down to two things. One is communicating that nuclear is actually safe, much safer than almost all other, except for wind power, energy sources in terms of people whove actually died and thats with Chernobyl and Fukushima factored in. The second aspect, especially here in Germany is finding a solution to storing the waste. Thats what people here are so uncomfortable with. Possibly with new technologies or new kinds of reactors, we can find a solution to that. But until then, youre not going to move the German debate. Jonathan: The safety case speaks for itself. Nuclears responsible for 0.07 deaths per terrawatt hour of electricity generated. Coal is 25 and oil is 18. Its pretty much the safest technology out there apart from renewables. The industry for a long time after Chernobyl shut down the conversation and didnt really engage very much with the public. If nuclear is going to play a bigger role in the energy system going forward, it needs to kind of come out of the closet and speak for itself about waste. If you cant guarantee the whole life cycle is taken care of, people reasonably ask about the security and safety of whats left on the surface. The example there is to look at Finland where an essentially open process was created by the Finns to encourage communities to essentially bid for the right to host the the nuclear site. It was a bottom up approach and a very rigorous safety case was constructed over a long period of time. Liam: It is a fairly low risk technology. The problem with risk is that it is probability multiplied by outcome and in the minds of most people, even if the probability is quite low, the risk of a catastrophic outcome tends to loom large. Getting around that is just very difficult. One potential way is to emphasize the alternative risk out there: climate change. Global warming is happening right now, and the outcomes are pretty scary, too. Nuclear energy helps address that crisis now, though, you do have some difficulties here like this ridiculous tribal warfare between nuclear proponents and renewable proponents. They need to get over that and join forces as part of a broader zero carbon coalition. The other thing is, as I mentioned earlier, the same politicians who are pushing nuclear are also very much downplaying the risk of climate change. Its just a politically untenable and unconvincing message. The second thing that needs to be done particularly in the U.S. is we designated a nuclear waste repository back in 1987 Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Yet decades later, its effectively been thrown off the table. We still dont have long term nuclear waste storage set up in this country. I think getting over that might go some way to easing peoples fears. More From Bloomberg Opinion: NIMBYism Is Good If the N Stands for Nuclear: Matthew Yglesias Abandoning Nuclear Power Would Be Europes Biggest Mistake: Jonathan Ford Climate Change Will Kill National Sovereignity As We Know It: Andreas Kluth This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Javier Blas is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. He previously was commodities editor at the Financial Times and is the coauthor of The World for Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earths Resources. 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. Liam Denning is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy, mining and commodities. He previously was editor of the Wall Street Journals Heard on the Street column and wrote for the Financial Times Lex column. He was also an investment banker. Jonathan Ford is a freelance writer. He was the chief leader and city editor of the Financial Times, and has held senior editorial positions at Prospect Magazine, Reuters and Breakingviews. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load After years of controversy, the Supreme Court is finally going to take up whether colleges and universities are routinely discriminating against Asian-American applicants and, if so, whether they may keep doing it. Even now, it is showing no great haste at remedying the possible injustice. It is probably going to hear the case next fall. The court has ruled on many previous cases involving colleges affirmative-action policies. The justices typically write many pages on the practical consequences of different policies and on philosophical questions about what fairness prospective students are due. They work in the occasional pronouncement about grand questions of constitutional meaning. And they argue over very fine points about how race-conscious the admissions office can be. In 2016, for example, justices disagreed about whether the University of Texas was using race in a narrowly tailored way and using it to achieve sufficiently concrete and precise goals. This time, the court ought to issue a simpler ruling: It is illegal for colleges to treat applicants differently based on their race. Congress and the president decided that policy in 1964, and for the justices that should be the end of the matter. Advertisement The Civil Rights Act of that year included this provision: No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Nearly every college in the U.S. receives some form of federal assistance. This language seems obviously to prohibit any of them from applying different admissions criteria to applicants depending on their race. But Justice Lewis Powell figured out a way to avoid the import of these words in a 1978 case. The Civil Rights Act was an attempt to enforce the 14th Amendments guarantee that all people will receive the equal protection of the laws, he wrote, and it was up to the justices to decide what the amendment means. If the justices decided to read the amendment to allow race-conscious policies, then the statute had to allow them, too. The status of Powells sophistry as a precedent is open to question. He wrote the controlling opinion in the case, but no other justice joined it. In subsequent cases, though, justices have mostly ignored the statutory issue. It warranted one dismissive sentence in a 2014 opinion of the court. Even the justices who oppose affirmative action have not mentioned the statute, preferring to make a constitutional case against the practice. Advertisement Powells opinion pulled the court into a morass that gets ever muddier. Allowing the plain meaning of the Civil Rights Act to govern these cases would let the court escape. No longer would the court have to determine whether racial diversity is a legitimate objective for colleges, how much diversity they should seek, or how far they should go to achieve it. It wouldnt have to ask how much leeway colleges should have to discriminate if they think it would further their educational mission. It wouldnt have to ask, either, whether theres a difference between discriminating against Asian-Americans to help African-Americans and Hispanics, on the one hand, and discriminating against them to help Whites, on the other. Instead the court could conclude that Congress has already decided these questions for it. The simple rule would be: No amount of discrimination on the basis of race is acceptable. Advertisement If it followed this course, the court would not even have to decide whether the 14th Amendment blocks institutions of higher education that take public funding from considering applicants race. So long as Congress forbids the practice, the constitutional question is hypothetical, as Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in a fine response to Powell in that 1978 case. The debate about affirmative action often appears to give the Supreme Court a choice between deferring to universities and asserting an ideal of colorblindness. But there is an alternative: deferring to a law that has already been passed. Thats the democratic answer to the conundrum that the court keeps posing for itself. More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion: This Supreme Court Wont Uphold Affirmative Action: Noah Feldman Advertisement On Affirmative Action, Supreme Court Rules for Humility: Cass R. Sunstein The Courts Irrelevance on Affirmative Action: Bloomberg Editorial Board This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Ramesh Ponnuru is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the editor of National Review, a contributor to CNN and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The tension between labor and capital is as old as capitalism. On Wall Street, it plays out each year in bonus discussions, which began last week among the large firms. The process hasnt changed much since Michael Lewis first described it in Liars Poker. Staff are summoned into meetings with line managers and given a few words of appraisal before being informed of their number for the year. Watching the faces of other people as they emerged from their meetings was worth a thousand lectures on the meaning of money in our small society. People responded in one of three ways when they heard how much richer they were; with relief, with joy, and with anger. These days, theres frequently a third, albeit unseen, presence in the meeting room: the shareholder. That was on display last week at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., traditionally one of the first firms to announce bonuses. Employees saw compensation rise 23% over 2020, to about $400,000 per head, the highest level in more than 10 years. Within that average there were some very large numbers: There are claims that some third-year vice presidents were handed seven-figure packages, and partners were awarded special one-off multimillion dollar payouts. Most employees responded with either joy or relief. Advertisement Shareholders, in contrast, were less pleased. The stock price fell, as compensation came in higher than expected. While Goldman Sachs can plainly afford to pay well revenue last year amounted to more than $1.35 million per head the annual bonus cycle resurfaces the question of how best to divide spoils between employees and shareholders. In the old days, before the 2008 financial crisis, labor had free rein. Banks could goose revenue by piling on leverage, and did so liberally to solve for compensation: target a number, back out the amount of revenue required to provide it and load up sufficient leverage to manufacture that revenue; rinse and repeat. Since then, regulators have required banks to tighten things up. In the five years before the financial crisis, a dollar of capital was enough to generate a dollar of revenue at Goldman Sachs; now it takes two dollars of capital to generate the same dollar of revenue. Shareholders who provide this capital rightly demand their own compensation and, sure enough, Goldman Sachs has rebalanced the amount of revenue it shares with them. Since its IPO just over 20 years ago, it has ratcheted down the share of revenue it allocates to employees to about 30% from about 50%.But whats the right split? The balance sheet is a resource of the firm, rather than of employees and, increasingly, the same can be said of technology. Goldman Sachs spends between $4.5 billion and $5 billion a year on technology, funded by its shareholders to make employees more productive. So who should receive the benefits of those productivity gains employees or shareholders? Advertisement The influence of capital and technology on compensation levels can be seen by comparing Goldman Sachs with firms operating in narrower segments. Virtu Financial competes it market making, which is capital and technology intensive; its employees took home only 17% of firm revenue in 2020 (it hasnt yet reported for 2021). By contrast, Perella Weinberg Partners, which competes in advisory a much more labor-intensive business paid its employees 70% of revenue in 2020. But compensation can also be a strategic tool. The investment-banking industry is highly competitive. There are no patents innovation can be copied very quickly, such as in the case of credit-default swaps (pioneered by JPMorgan Chase & Co.) and block trading (pioneered by Goldman Sachs). Customers like to work with a range of counterparties, limiting the market share that a firm can accrue. And the regulatory scrutiny that descended on the industry following the financial crisis forced firms to abandon many complex products whose opacity allowed them to charge high prices. By paying up for labor, more profitable firms can put competitive pressure on less profitable ones even as it hits shareholders in the short term. We want to be very, very competitive in pay, JPMorgan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon, said on his earnings call recently. Theres $1 billion in merit increase. Theres a lot more compensation for our top bankers and traders and managers We will be competitive in pay. If that squeezes margins a little bit for shareholders, so be it. Advertisement Facing the brunt of this pressure are European banks, whose profitability has lagged that of U.S. firms in the past decade. Credit Suisse Group AG is a good example. Its returns trailed those of Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan even before it was hit by losses last year. And that was on lower compensation costs; its material risk takers key personnel whose compensation is subject to special regulatory disclosure in Europe saw their bonuses drop 15% in 2020 from the prior year. Credit Suisse simply may not have the capacity to bring them back up to market rates in the current cycle. In addition, stock forms a large part of banker bonuses just over 40% in the case of Credit Suisse. That creates another competitive wedge between firms. Every dollar of stock compensation Credit Suisse employees were told they were getting last year is now worth 74 cents; at Goldman Sachs a dollar of deferred stock in last years bonus package is currently worth $1.22. The struggle between labor on one side and capital and technology on the other will continue over many years. In the short term, it will be bolstered by competitive jockeying. For the winners, that means relief and joy; for the losers, it could mean anger: not just unhappy employees but unhappy owners as well. Advertisement More from Bloomberg Opinion: Bank of America, Morgan Stanley Buck Cost Trend: Paul J. Davies The Paranoid Style in American Investing: Chris Bryant Rokos Investors Sign Up for a Wild Hedge Fund Ride: Mark Gilbert This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Marc Rubinstein is a former hedge fund manager. He is the author of the weekly Net Interest newsletter on financial-sector themes. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load For almost as long as affirmative action policies have been used in college admissions, there have been legal battles over whether they should be allowed. The U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in time and again, pushing along the evolution of how race plays into school acceptances. Now, more than 40 years after first considering the matter, the court has agreed to hear cases that could mean the end altogether of racial considerations in shaping a student body. 1. Whats new? The Supreme Court has agreed to take up appeals in separate cases challenging the racial considerations of admissions policies at Harvard College and the University of North Carolina. The cases give opponents of the policies an opportunity to have the matter weighed by a court that has become much more conservative in recent years. The appeals are expected to be heard in the courts term starting in October. Advertisement 2. Whats the background? As part of a broader campaign of affirmative action to redress discrimination against minorities, some U.S. universities in the late 1960s began considering race when admitting new students. In its 1978 decision on the matter, the Supreme Court struck down the use of strict racial quotas but said schools could consider race as one factor in admissions as a way to ensure a diverse student body. In 2003, the court refined its view, ruling that admissions offices could consider race, as long as they do so as part of a holistic review of the applicants file and dont mechanistically give racial minorities an advantage. It reaffirmed that position in 2016, saying a university may institute a race-conscious admissions program as a means of obtaining the educational benefits that flow from student body diversity. 3. Whats the practice among U.S. universities? Advertisement About 20% of four-year public universities use race as a consideration in admissions, according to a report by Ballotpedia, an organization that focuses on U.S. ballot measures. The practice is more common among elite universities, which admit a relatively small percentage of the applicants they get. Its banned altogether at public institutions in nine states, including California and Florida. The Supreme Court upheld such a state ban in a 2014 case involving Michigan. 4. Whats the argument for barring race as a consideration in admissions? In the Harvard case, plaintiffs argue that in trying to achieve diversity in admissions, the school discriminates against Asian-American applicants, limiting the number it accepts. (Harvard says it doesnt penalize Asian-American applicants.) The group Students for Fair Admissions supports race-neutral approaches for ensuring student body diversity, such as admitting the top academic performers at every high school in a state. Advertisement 5. Whats the argument for keeping race-conscious policies? Advocates of the policies say that race-neutral initiatives fall short of ensuring a diverse student body. They argue that abandoning racial considerations will hurt minorities long-term. Data from states that have banned race-conscious admissions policies show a widening gap between the percentage of freshmen who are Black and Hispanic versus college-aged residents who belong to those groups. One study concluded that after California barred race-conscious admissions, minority applicants to the University of California experienced declines in degree attainment and in income. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Jamestown, site of the first permanent English settlement in North America, is seen last month, sandwiched between the James River and a swamp. (Julia Rendleman for The Post) Retropolis The Past, Rediscovered Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. A Perth tradesman who left drunken voice messages on Premier Mark McGowans personal mobile phone, telling him to go f--- yourself and that he deserves to die in a hole has been fined $3000. Electrical apprentice Zayvier Rose, 20, allegedly made the late-night calls with a friend on November 20 in retaliation to the sweeping vaccine mandates Mr McGowan had announced a month earlier. Max Czirr and Zayvier Rose (right) were charged by police after allegedly making threats against WA Premier Mark McGowan. Credit:Facebook His co-accused, Max Czirr, 18, is accused of leaving a message threatening to behead the Premier and his family, after Mr McGowans phone number was leaked on social media. He is yet to enter a plea. In the two messages Rose left at 8.50pm, he told Mr McGowan no one liked him. A West Australian police officer who led the discovery of missing four-year-old Cleo Smith, spearheaded a serial killers undoing 23 years on and honed a sniper murder investigation has become a national hero in Australia Day honours. Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde steered the 140-officer Taskforce Rodia which swooped on the home of Cleos abductor in the early hours of November 3 last year. Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde. Credit:Cameron Myles On Monday, 36-year-old Terence Darrell Kelly admitted in court to kidnapping Cleo from a Carnarvon campsite more than 900 kilometres north of Perth. The news of Cleos rescue 18 days after she was abducted from her familys tent in October sent a sigh of relief around Australia and made headlines across the world. Washington: US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday AEDT he would consider personal sanctions on President Vladimir Putin if Russia invades Ukraine, putting the Russian leader in the same league as Syrias Bashar al-Assad and Libyas Muammar Gaddafi. The rare sanctions threat came as NATO places forces on standby and reinforces eastern Europe with more ships and fighter jets in response to Russias troop build-up near its border with Ukraine. Russia denies planning an attack and says the crisis is being driven by NATO and US actions. It is demanding security guarantees from the West, including a promise by NATO never to admit Ukraine. Moscow sees the former Soviet republic as a buffer between Russia and NATO countries. Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. Credit:The Age Following multiple rounds of US-Russia talks over Ukraine that failed to reach a breakthrough, Biden, who has long warned Moscow of economic consequences, upped the ante on Tuesday by saying Putin could personally face sanctions. Salisbury, MD (21801) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 81F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 57F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. By Tom Lotshaw A North Atlantic right whale and calf. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries. When Vicki Szabo, associate professor of history, finished her 2008 book on medieval whaling, she quipped in the acknowledgements she would remember all her Western Carolina University colleagues when it was made into a feature film. Szabos new project about Vikings and marine mammals is coming a little closer to the movie screen. She spent part of fall semester in Iceland working on an upcoming documentary about critically-endangered North Atlantic right whales. Vicki Szabo, left, Emily Lethbridge, of the Arni Magnusson Institute for Icelandic Studies, right, and Nick Dean, of Spindrift Images, review Norse manuscripts in the Icelandic National Archive in Reykjavik. The project explores how the seafaring Norse utilized whales, seals and walruses over 1,000 years, from 800 to about 1800. The timeframe spans Viking voyages to Iceland, Greenland and North America, and the onset of the Little Ice Age, a centuries-long cooling period for parts of Earth. More than a dozen researchers from seven countries are working on the National Science Foundation project. The interdisciplinary team includes archaeologists, folklorists, biologists, molecular scientists and historians like Szabo. It also has employed eight WCU students from various programs. The researchers have been translating and investigating Norse texts, examining archaeological sites and artifacts from Iceland and Scotland and analyzing unearthed animal bones with DNA and other advanced tests. Their goal is to learn more about the Viking age and marine mammal populations of ancient northern seas knowledge that could help inform modern-day ocean conservation efforts. The project caught the attention of Spindrift Images, a husband-and-wife team working on a documentary exploring the plight of North Atlantic right whales and what can be done to avert their human-caused extinction. Commercial whalers hunted the right whale species nearly to extinction by the 1890s and eradicated it from European waters centuries earlier. An illustration of whale species created by Jon Laeri, or Jon the Learned (1574-1658), from his Natural History of Iceland, GKS 1639 kvart, Royal Library, Copenhagen. Photo courtesy of Icelandic Museum of Natural History. The whales, which grow up to 52 feet long and weigh up to 140,000 pounds, remain imperiled today. They are at risk of deadly vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements as they migrate along North Americas busy eastern seaboard, and also face threats from ocean noise pollution and climate change. Biologists estimate fewer than 350 are left, with less than 95 reproductive-age females. Szabos project is documenting some of the earliest human impacts on North Atlantic right whales, making it a natural starting point for the documentary. She and some research partners met the Spindrift Images team at Icelands national archives in Reykjavik and then traveled with them to a site in the countrys far north, just below the Arctic Circle, to share their findings. Jane Eastman (left), with WCUs Anthropology Department, and Alex Macaulay, with WCUs History Department, helped Szabo butcher a pilot whale that washed ashore dead on North Carolinas Outer Banks. The work Vicki and her colleagues are doing is fascinating, giving us a glimpse of how the Norse hunted whales, said Cheryl Dean, of Spindrift Images. It will be great to be able to include this part of history in our film to show that right whales have been struggling to coexist with people for centuries longer than most people realize. Now in its sixth and final year, the project is revealing that the medieval Norse were more knowledgeable about different whale species than previously thought. They were hunting some species, including the right whale, and observing and reacting to changes in their populations. I think were discovering and telling this new story about how people in the past were aware that the seas were changing and that they were losing whales, Szabo said. I think they were not entirely sure why. But they knew they were making an impact, which is fairly disturbing in that early of a stage. There is evidence of Norse whale hunting as early as the 800s. Unlike devastating commercial whaling centuries later, Norse whale hunting is believed to have been almost entirely opportunistic, though ancient texts highlight its importance. One whale could provide thousands of pounds of meat that could mean the difference between survival and starvation for entire settlements in the harsh North Atlantic. The whales bones provided a versatile material for tools, goods, even buildings. This image shows sea monsters of the North Atlantic as depicted by Olaus Magnus in Carta Marina, 1539. Norse laws prescribed how whales were to be butchered and set harsh punishments for theft, including outlawry. They allocated the largest shares to the hunters who mortally wounded a whale, identified by registered marks on their hunting weapons. Smaller shares were reserved for the people who later found the dead whale or owned land where it washed ashore. Even the limited hunting could have impacted whale populations, including the North Atlantic right whale, Szabo said. Medieval hunters targeted migrating whale calves, a strategy that doomed small populations, particularly during a time of stressful climate change like the Little Ice Age. Szabos project is also working to connect those lost whale populations with the right whale populations of today by comparing the genetics of remains found at Norse sites with modern whales. That research by Brenna Frasier, of Saint Marys University in Nova Scotia, aims to shine more light on the endangered right whale species, its former distribution and genetic diversity, and how the whales may have lost the migration memories that might otherwise help them recolonize once-perilous waters off Europe. Another finding the researchers are working to understand is the number of blue whale bones discovered at Norse sites. Vicki Szabo studies an artifact made from a fin whale vertebra. It was recovered from a late Iron Age archaeological site at The Cairns in Orkney, Scotland. In sagas, the Norse claim to be hunting the massive blue whale, which grows up to 110 feet long and weighs up to 330,000 pounds, prizing it as their whale of choice. Researchers have doubted the claim, Szabo said. Thats largely because of the blue whales size, speed and preference for offshore waters. But its also because blue whales tend to sink when killed, unlike North Atlantic right whales, which tend to float because of their higher blubber content. Yet, DNA testing for the project has found blue whales to be the most abundant whale species found throughout all the Norse sites. So now we have this great mystery to try to figure out, Szabo said. Szabo specializes in medieval environmental history and has studied medieval whaling and whale bone artifacts for two decades. She describes this project as a dream come true and incredible challenge. The project has taken Szabo to countries across the North Atlantic for research and collaboration. It also unexpectedly took her to North Carolinas Outer Banks. There, in a buggy marsh on a muggy May morning last year, she and WCU colleagues Jane Eastman and Alex Macaulay butchered a 12-foot pilot whale that washed ashore dead. The surprise research opportunity gave them a chance to experience firsthand how the medieval Norse would have processed a whale. History is about more than the archives, Szabo said. Like many research initiatives in WCUs history department, this project is trying to use every available resource to piece together a better understanding of the past and its importance for the present and future. Szabo hopes it will help encourage WCU students to take creative approaches in their own studies of the past. Were working with documentary filmmakers on the preservation of a whale species. Were learning how whales are put together and how whales come apart. Were learning how to work whale bone and how medieval people worked whale bone. And were trying to relate all of this with the stories the Norse told about using whales in the past, Szabo said. Its a completely holistic project using every tool at our disposal. Wilmington, DE (19810) Today Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High around 75F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 56F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. A Ukrainian soldier holds a cat and walks in a trench on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels.jpeg You have permission to edit this image. Edit Close Weatherford, TX (76086) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low 67F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Weber State Gives Entrepreneurs Confidence to Launch Multimillion Dollar Company January 21, 2022 OGDEN, Utah HydroJug is the kind of success story every entrepreneur dreams: a growing $40 million company that started production in the familys metal garage just five years ago as a part-time side hustle for two brothers who attended Weber State University. Ryan Holmes, director, and Jake Wadsworth, co-founder HydroJugs concept is simple: a 73-ounce water bottle for health enthusiasts who want to stay hydrated all day. The growth is exponential. In August 2021, Inc. magazine ranked HydroJug at No. 33 on its annual 5000 list of the nations fastest-growing private companies. In 2021, the company expanded to a 35,000 square-foot manufacturing facility at the Business Depot Ogden and will add another 119,786 square feet in the first quarter of 2022. They now employ 80 people and have a distribution center in the United Kingdom. Co-founder and COO Jake Wadsworth gives thanks to the executive director of Weber States Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center, Dave Noack, for giving him the confidence to make HydroJug a full-time pursuit following his graduation in accounting in 2017. Professor Noack said, This is kind of rare that you have something thats grabbing traction, Wadsworth said. Accounting jobs youre thinking of will be there after HydroJug, so go for it; jump into it. And I did. Wadsworths brother Hayden, who has a WSU bachelors degree in accounting, conceived the idea of HydroJug five years ago while watching an athlete on YouTube carry water in a plastic milk jug. The brothers decided they could improve the design, quality and durability of a milk jug, so they paid a designer and ordered three pallets of product: one each of white, black and clear, nearly 1,000 jugs altogether. Hayden handled marketing; Jake processed and delivered. I was fulfilling out in the uninsulated, unheated metal shop at my parents house, he said. It was a grind, and a lot of those bottles would leak, so they sent us replacement parts to make them not leak, so I would test every one of them before I would send them out. If customers were in the local area, I would actually deliver them. The brothers werent afraid to work hard and remain frugal. They grew up as employees on their dads landscaping crew and in their mothers Subway sandwich shops. It gave them the chance to contribute to ensure the financial success of their family. They took those lessons to HydroJug, where they were willing to build sweat equity. They kept their expenses at a minimum, returning all the profits to the business for the first two years before jumping in full time. Id been going to Weber State for the last few years, so I was used to living off pretty well nothing, Wadsworth said, laughing. I was really careful about student debt as well and taking out the minimum I needed and paying for the rest with part-time jobs and my scholarship, so the timing of it was really good. To build their business, they set up displays and demonstrations at expos and gyms. Thered be guys carrying milk jugs, and wed say, HydroJug is so much better. Yours is not dishwasher safe; its leaching plastics in your water, and guys just didnt really care, Wadsworth said. But we had a lot of traction with women, so we decided, OK, for the next order, were going to do a bunch of color. The colored jugs sold, and buyers then asked for a straw and an insulated sleeve. The product has continued to evolve rapidly with glass and stainless steel jugs as more sustainable options. HydroJug is now looking for other growth opportunities, including sportswear. One challenge that plagued the young business was forecasting needs and trends. They would build up stock, then do marketing and then sell out. To help solve that problem, the Wadsworths turned to another Weber State Wildcat. Ryan Holmes graduated from the supply chain management program in December 2020 where he was president of the supply chain club, coordinated WSUs annual CASE competitions, and completed an internship with Autoliv. His depth of experience and faculty support gave him confidence to tackle the work of a growing, multi-million dollar company. You have the right amount of inventory to support the demand while still keeping cashflow healthy, Holmes said. On the outbound side, we make sure were optimal in how we ship our product, so we can decrease outbound spending. Quality control reports are very robust, and I attribute all of that, I really truly attribute all of my knowledge and success to what I learned at Weber State. After 18 months at HydroJug, Holmes is now director of operations. He focuses on forecasting, supply chain management and product development. You dont graduate and remember every single piece and part of the book, but it's the principles you learn there, how to deal with your suppliers, what you need to do to optimize your supply chain, he said. Those key principles stick with you and having professors who care about your success and your success after you graduate is really what did it for me. As a young business, HydroJug has also successfully employed two other strategies that have yielded great returns: when they have a question, they seek out other Utah entrepreneurs who have been generous with information and insights. HydroJug has also harnessed the power of social media, which has been an integral part of their advertising and marketing strategy from the very beginning. They retain fitness influencers who use their product. HydroJugs Instagram following just topped 400,000. Social media is the driving factor that builds a brand. Thats how people are doing it, Wadsworth said. I feel like we have a competitive edge there because of our knowledge in that space. Its something that we have been doing for a long time. Thats what really took the business to the next level. They also use social media to help monitor trends and scan the environment for the opportunities and pitfalls of the future. In 2022, they plan to move into retail sales and international markets with private labels and product customization. They are positioning the company to become an e-commerce business that owns several other e-commerce companies. From a basic level, we solved the problem of people who had a need for this product, so now we are refining the processes and finding new problems, Wadsworth said. Thats what its all about, and thats whats going to give you growth: identifying problems, finding solutions, putting them in place, reviewing what youve done, and building upon that. To learn more about HydroJug, visit this link. For photos, visit this link. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. National Nurses Week is May 6 to May 12, an annual celebration that recognizes the critical role nurses perform in our hospitals and for our community. This year, we recognize our nurses for their continued commitment and unfailing dedication to our patients and their families, and for alway The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. The National Theatre of Scotland has confirmed a slew of world premieres and new productions for 2022. Alan Cumming will return to the stage, teaming up with award-winning choreographer Steven Hoggett to create a new piece of dance theatre entitled Burn. Co-produced with Joyce Theater and Edinburgh International Festival, the show is inspired by the life and times of celebrated Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Following its EIF premiere, it will then tour to Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Perth, before heading out to New York. Directed by Michael Boyd and starring Adura Onashile, a new staging of Liz Lochhead's adaptation of Medea will also be presented at the EIF. Twenty years after its original tour, the show returns with a large ensemble, infusing the classic Greek tragedy with Scots. Uma Nada-Rajah's new play Exodus is set to premiere at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, before touring to Stirling, Peebles, Glasgow, Stornoway, Aberdeen, and Kilmarnock. Helmed by National Theatre of Scotland's new associate director Debbie Hannan, the piece is billed as "a dark and surreal satirical comedy, standing by to shamelessly ridicule the systems of power". Presented by Raw Material and Capital Theatres in association with the National Theatre of Scotland, Rona Munro's James IV - Queen of the Fight will follow in the footsteps of the first three 'James Plays' and once again explore an uncharted period of Scottish history. Directed by Laurie Sansom, the play will tour to Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Stirling, after its opening at Edinburgh Festival Theatre. As previously announced, the world premiere stage adaptation of the cult Peter Mullan film Orphans will also be presented this year. Directed by Cora Bissett, the dark musical comedy about family, grief and forgiveness will open at the SEC Glasgow, with subsequent stops scheduled for Edinburgh and Inverness. Co-produced by Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Enough of Him tells the true story of Joseph Knight, an enslaved African man brought to Scotland by a plantation owner named John Wedderburn, who would go on to challenge his slave status in court. Written by May Sumbwanyambe and directed by Justin Audibert, the play will open in Pitlochry before heading to Cumbernauld, Musselburgh and Perth. In addition, National Theatre of Scotland will also present a special live screen project. In partnership with Selkie productions, Screen Scotland and Sky Arts, a new retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde will not only relocate the setting from London to Edinburgh, but will also incorporate both theatrical and cinematic elements to create a live experience as well as a feature film. Conceived and directed by Hope Dickson Leach, the piece will be performed at Leith Theatre and later broadcast to cinemas across the UK. Jackie Wylie, artistic director and CEO, commented: "Theatre as a live art form is uniquely placed in how it can evolve in form to connect deeply with its audience. Scottish theatre-makers and artists have embraced language, genre and experimentation to explode compelling stories and characters onto our stages satire, comedy, horror, musical theatre, Scots, aerial performance, tragedy, spectacle, dance and poetry all have their moment in our 2022 programme. We hope you will return safely to your local theatre to join us for an evening or afternoon of theatrical magic and belonging." GIS Data Engineer, Home-based Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme Country: Home-based Closing date: Tuesday, 1 February 2022 GIS DATA ENGINEER Location : home-based, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Application Deadline : 01-Feb-22 (Midnight New York, USA) Additional Category : Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Type of Contract : IPSA (Short-Term) Post Level : IPSA-10 Languages Required : English Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 15-Feb-2022 Duration of Initial Contract : 4 months UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background The UN Reform Resolution tasks UNDP to provide countries with an "integrator function" to accelerate progress towards the SDGs by tackling multiple interlinked and interdependent development challenges. The UNDP Global Policy Network (GPN) draws on expertise globally to provide more effective responses to the complex development challenges countries face in achieving the SDGs and responding to crisis in an integrated and coherent manner. Anchored in the Crisis Bureau (CB) and the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), the GPN has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDPs Strategic Plan, which is aligned with the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). An SDG Integration Team located with UNDPs Global Policy Network (GPN) offers a menu of services emphasizing direct short- to medium-term engagements to respond rapidly to requests from country offices for support on national implementation and monitoring of integrated policy solutions, qualitative and evidence-driven analysis for accelerated progress, and knowledge sharing and upscaling of innovative approaches to sustainable development. The teams work emphasizes the application of evidence-driven data and analytics for SDG implementation and reporting. In this regard, advances in digital technology are creating data at unprecedented levels of detail and speed, turning the stories of peoples lives into numbers every minute of every day, across the globe. An important focus of the integration work is to complement traditional data (e.g., national statistics, NHDR like analysis) with new and alternative sources including digital breadcrumbs, satellite data, social media to identify emerging trends and gain new perspectives on issues in development. Under the guidance of the Global Policy Advisor of the SDG Integration Bureau for Policy and Programme Support/Global Policy Network, the Geospatial Data Engineer will support the Integration Teams work by developing and implementing policies and pipelines for geospatial data management, structuring and organizing spatial data. The Data Engineer will contribute to the development of scalable geospatial data pipelines and have sound knowledge and understanding of GIS tools. This work will be pivotal in providing more complete and rigorous information when developing novel solutions or validating decisions. Duties and Responsibilities The GIS Data Engineer will contribute to the following tasks: Prototype, design, build, and test production geospatial data pipelines, tools and associated software systems. Design and the implementation of a data management architecture to optimize storage and web rendering/publishing of vector and raster data in a spatial database. Support strategic thinking and processes related to infrastructure, geospatial data pipelines, software development and deployment Institutional Arrangement The GIS Data Engineer will work under the guidance and direct supervision of Global Policy Advisor of the SDG Integration Bureau for Policy and Programme Support/Global Policy Network and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the scope of work mentioned above. The Data Analyst will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment. The Data Analyst will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop. Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the Data Analyst is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones Competencies Core Competencies Innovation - Ability to make new and useful ideas work; Leadership - Ability to persuade others to follow; People Management - Ability to improve performance and satisfaction; Communication - Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform; c44FWCO Dh7qKS Delivery - Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement. Required Skills and Experience Min. Academic Education Masters degree or equivalent in GIS, Computer Science, Engineering or Scientific Discipline; Bachelors degree or equivalent with an additional two years of experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of Masters Min. years of relevant Work experience Masters degree with 5 years relevant experience in geospatial data engineering, or Bachelors degree with 7 years relevant experience Required skills and competencies Experience in design, building and testing geospatial data solutions that are complex or large-scale working as a GIS Developer/Data Engineer or in a related technical role Advanced knowledge and experience with developing data pipeline architectures using PostGIS (plpgsql/plpython), GDAL, python, numpy, rasterio, pandas, proj4 Proficiency in data modelling and relational databases Experience with geospatial analytics in Jupyter environment (leafmap, ipyleaflet, ipywidgets) Proven experience (GitHub repo or real-life examples) in working with geospatial data integration and theoretical knowledge of the geospatial problem domain. Desired additional skills and competencies Experience working in a Cloud environment, ideally Azure Ability to present outputs using contemporary methods and communicate effectively with a range of audiences to transfer the knowledge gained. Required Language(s) (at working level) Fluency in written and spoken English Professional Certificates Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders). Link to the organizations job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1642538786106 Willmar, MN (56201) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 61F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Winchester, VA (22601) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 76F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 51F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Nearly two dozen sailors on an Australian military ship going to deliver aid to Tonga have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, raising fears they could bring COVID-19 to a Pacific nation that has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks. In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force, soldiers load onto HMAS Adelaide at the Port of Brisbane before departing for Tonga Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, after a volcano eruption. Nearly two dozen sailors aboard the Adelaide have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, Jan 25, 2022, raising fears they could bring the disease to Tonga which has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks. (CPL Robert Whitmore/Australia Defense Force via AP) WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Nearly two dozen sailors on an Australian military ship going to deliver aid to Tonga have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, raising fears they could bring COVID-19 to a Pacific nation that has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks. Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said his government was working with Tongan authorities to keep the ship at sea and make sure there is no threat to Tongas 105,000 residents. Tongan authorities have been wary that accepting international aid could usher in a bigger disaster than the huge eruption of an undersea volcano 10 days ago. The eruption triggered a tsunami that destroyed dozens of homes, and volcanic ash has tainted drinking water. Since the pandemic began, Tonga has reported just a single case of COVID-19 and has avoided any outbreaks. Its one of the few countries in the world currently completely virus free. About 61% of Tongans are fully vaccinated, according to Our World in Data. Australian officials said 23 crew members were infected on the HMAS Adelaide, which left Brisbane on Friday. In this photo provided by Japan Joint Staff Office, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft arrives at Tonga's Fua'amotu International Airport, near Nuku'alofa, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 to deliver aid after an undersea volcano eruption. (Japan Joint Staff Office via AP) "They need the aid desperately, but they dont want the risk of COVID," Dutton told Sky News. "We will work through all of that as quickly as we can." Its the second aid shipment from Australia in which at least one crew member tested positive. A C-17 Globemaster military transport plane was earlier turned around midflight after somebody was diagnosed. Meanwhile, a cable company official said Tonga's main island could have its internet service restored within two weeks, although it may take much longer to repair the connection to the smaller islands. The single undersea fiber-optic cable which connects the Pacific nation to the outside world was severed after the eruption and tsunami. That left most people unable to connect with loved ones abroad. For days, people couldn't get through on their phones, by email, or through social media. Since then, Tonga's Digicel has been able to restore international call services to some areas by using satellite connections. Some people have been able to send emails or get limited internet connectivity. Samieula Fonua, who chairs the board at Tonga Cable Ltd., the state-owned company which owns the fiber-optic cable, said a repair ship had left from Papua New Guinea and was due to stop over in Samoa by Monday to pick up supplies. It should then arrive in Tonga by Feb. 1. Fonua said the CS Reliance had a crew of about 60 aboard, including engineers, divers and medical staff. He said its equipment included a robot which could assess the cable on the seabed. Fonua said preliminary estimates indicated the break in the cable was located about 37 kilometers (23 miles) offshore from the main island of Tongatapu. He said that all going well, the crew should be able to repair the cable by Feb. 8, restoring the internet to about 80% of Tonga's customers. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The cable runs from Tonga to Fiji, a distance of about 800 kilometers (500 miles), and was first commissioned in 2013 at a cost of about $16 million. It was financed through grants from the World Bank Group and Asian Development Bank, and increased Tonga's internet capacity fivefold. But like many small Pacific countries, Tonga relies heavily on a single cable to stay connected and has little in the way of a back-up plan. Three years ago, a cable break believed to have been caused by a ship dragging its anchor also led to weeks of disruptions. A second, domestic fiber-optic cable that connects Tonga's smaller islands to the main island could prove much more difficult to repair. Fonua said that cable runs near the undersea volcano which erupted and may have been severely damaged. It might need extensive repairs or even a replacement, he said. Fonua said the focus was on fixing the main international cable, and they could deal with the domestic connections "at a later time." He said Tongans had been somewhat understanding of the communication disruptions caused by the disaster, which killed three people, destroyed dozens of homes and tainted water supplies with volcanic ash. "People are calm. Coming out of a total blackout, just being able to call outside and send an email has settled them a bit," Fonua said. "By the time they start getting more frustrated, I'm hoping we'll have the cable connected by then." HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he and his Atlantic counterparts heard encouraging statements from Ottawa on Tuesday about the importance of the proposed Atlantic Loop clean energy project, but no firm financial commitment. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston fields a question at a COVID-19 briefing in Halifax on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he and his Atlantic counterparts heard encouraging statements from Ottawa on Tuesday about the importance of the proposed Atlantic Loop clean energy project, but no firm financial commitment. The estimated $5-billion proposal was among the priorities discussed during a virtual meeting hosted by Houston that involved the region's four premiers. In a post-meeting interview, Houston said federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc updated the leaders on Ottawa's position on the Atlantic Loop, which would connect the four provinces to hydroelectricity from Quebec and Labrador. "It's a very significant project with a lot of moving parts we (Atlantic premiers) were encouraged to just hear the confirmation from Minister LeBlanc that they also feel a sense of urgency and also see the importance of this project." However, Houston said the minister didn't give the four premiers a specific amount the federal government would be willing to spend on the project, which would include major upgrades to the region's transmission systems. "There's still work to be done on that (funding)," the premier said. "But in terms of their interest level from an environmental perspective, from an economic development initiative perspective, I have every indication that they see the importance of this project just like we do." Houston said he hopes some kind of word on federal support will come within months as opposed to years given the urgency around climate change. A spokesman for LeBlanc said the minister was unavailable for comment on Tuesday. The premiers issued a news release following the meeting, stating that the Atlantic Loop is key to the region achieving a "clean-power future." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Houston, in particular, has placed a high priority in getting the project off the ground. In November, he met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa to plead for federal help, and in October, he hosted a meeting to discuss the project with officials from Nova Scotia Power, provincial opposition leaders and the province's 11 members of Parliament. Houston's Progressive Conservative government has enshrined a series of environment and climate change targets in legislation, including a new goal of phasing out coal-fired electricity generation by 2030. But Houston has maintained that regional ratepayers would pay a disproportionate amount of the hefty cost to move to cleaner energy if the Atlantic Loop isn't heavily subsidized by the federal government. Meanwhile, the Atlantic premiers also discussed the impact of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus and the necessity of ensuring that health-care systems can continue to provide important services. Immigration was also on the agenda, with the premiers saying they want to continue working with Ottawa to find ways of addressing labour shortages in all four provinces. They say that includes broadening access to federal and provincial student job programs for international students. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2022. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Workers at a West Virginia franchise of a regional fast-food restaurant on Tuesday rejected efforts to form a union that would have been the first of its kind in the state. Immediately after the vote, union organizers announced that they had filed unfair labor practice charges against the company. Former Tudor's Biscuit World employee Jennifer Patton, 38, holds up stickers displaying the logo of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 union at her coworker's home in Elkview, W.Va., on Jan. 20, 2022. Patton said she was retaliated against and fired by management after she joined efforts to unionize the restaurant. Employees at the Elkview, W.Va., restaurant have already case ballots to decide whether or not they want to create a union. The votes will be read Tuesday. (AP Photo/Leah M. Willingham) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Workers at a West Virginia franchise of a regional fast-food restaurant on Tuesday rejected efforts to form a union that would have been the first of its kind in the state. Immediately after the vote, union organizers announced that they had filed unfair labor practice charges against the company. United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 alleges that Tudor's Biscuit World fired employees of the Elkview franchise and used union-busting techniques to discourage others from voting in favor of a collective bargaining unit, said Local 400 Organizing Director Alan Hanson. Because of that, the vote should also be thrown out, Hanson said. Were incredibly proud to stand with these extraordinarily brave workers, and this fight is far from over, he said in an interview at union headquarters in Charleston. Several pro-union workers had gathered there Tuesday to watch a representative of the National Labor Relations Board count the ballots on a live Zoom call. A secretary who answered the telephone at Biscuit World's corporate headquarters said Tuesday that she would forward a request for comment on the unfair labor practice charges. She said the company would not comment on the vote. Former Tudor's Biscuit World employee Jennifer Patton hold stickers displaying the logo of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 union at her coworker's home in Elkview, W.Va., on Jan. 20, 2022. Patton said she was retaliated against and fired by management after she joined efforts to unionize the restaurant. Employees at the Elkview, W.Va., restaurant have already case ballots to decide whether or not they want to create a union. The votes will be read Tuesday. (AP Photo/Leah M. Willingham) The union effort is part of a larger national trend of organizing among retail and food service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mood among pro-union Elkview Biscuit World workers was somber after the NLRB official counted the ballots out loud one by one and announced that employees had rejected the union by a 7-5 vote. Roughly two dozen people work at the franchise. Twenty workers were eligible to vote. Fourteen returned ballots and two ballots were challenged and not counted. Employees sent in their ballots over the past few weeks. It's disheartening, said employee Cynthia Nicholson, 64, who wore a scarf with the UFCW logo and clutched her good luck charm, a work badge used by her late husband, a coal miner and pipefitter who belonged to unions. Were going to keep fighting because you just cannot let this injustice go on. ... That battle is not over yet. Relatively unknown outside the region, Tudors Biscuit World is a staple of West Virginia where diners can get made-from-scratch biscuits doused in gravy; country-fried steak and sandwiches including the Miner or the Mountaineer. Founded in Charleston in 1980, the chain now has more than 70 locations, mostly in West Virginia and in parts of neighboring states Ohio and Kentucky. Some of the workers in Elkview, a town of fewer than 2,000 surrounded by hills, pushed to unionize because they said they were treated unfairly and have worked in unsafe conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Among the employees allegations were that they were not informed when workers tested positive for COVID-19 and that they were asked to work long hours and at different store locations and then were reprimanded for working overtime. Nicholson and many others were also driven to organize because of familial ties to unions and a connection to the state's history of labor activism. A century ago, West Virginia was the site of the largest labor uprising in U.S. history when a group of armed coal miners marched to Blair Mountain seeking safer working conditions and better treatment. At least 16 men were killed in the clash with government officials. Jennifer Patton, former head cashier at the Elkview franchise whose father-in-law was a union man, was clearly upset after the ballots were read. Patton joined the union efforts after she rode in a car and worked with an employee who had recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was never told. After she started questioning the companys policies, she was disciplined and got her hours cut. A week ago, she was fired. I lost my job for this, she said, burying her head in her hands. Patton, 38, spent the morning before the vote at the Local 400 office speaking with a representative from the NLRB to document the retaliation she said she experienced at Tudors after joining the union efforts. Tudors employee Susie Thompson, 67, said it will be difficult going back to work this weekend for the first time after the union vote. Still, Thompson, whose ex-husband was a strip miner and union member, said shes determined to see the work environment change. We know the way were being treated is wrong, she said, wearing a vote union" pin. We know it. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Signaling an eagerness to diversify its energy offerings, coal-dependent West Virginia would eliminate a ban on nuclear power plants under a bill that passed the state Senate on Tuesday. FILE - West Virginia Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo, a Kanawha County Republican, listens to a colleague before the start of the 2020 regular legislative session Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Charleston, W.Va. Signaling an eagerness to diversify its energy offerings, coal-dependent West Virginia would eliminate a ban on nuclear power plants under a bill that passed the state Senate. The bill was approved on a 24-7 vote Tuesday, Jan. 25, ,2022. (AP Photo/John Raby, File) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Signaling an eagerness to diversify its energy offerings, coal-dependent West Virginia would eliminate a ban on nuclear power plants under a bill that passed the state Senate on Tuesday. The bill was approved on a 24-7 vote. Three senators did not vote. A similar bill is pending in the House of Delegates. The states ban on nuclear plants was enacted in 1996, but nuclear power has in recent years gained support as a tool to keep climate change under control, with proponents noting that it emits few planet-damaging emissions and is safer on average than nearly any other energy source. All this bill does is simply says were open to discussion. That's it," said Kanawha County Republican Sen. Tom Takubo, the bills sponsor. "Were not close minded. "I think it's important for West Virginia to be looking forward to the future, looking forward to diversify, and simply say to the rest of the world we are open for discussion should this technology come to our mountain state. West Virginia is the nations second-largest coal producer, behind Wyoming, and accounted for 5% of the nations total energy production in 2019, ranking fifth among the states, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But West Virginia has lost thousands of coal jobs in the past decade as companies and utilities explore using other energy sources such as natural gas, solar and wind. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, coal provides 88% of West Virginias energy needs, followed by 5% from natural gas, 3.3% from wind, 3.1% from hydroelectric and 0.2% from other energy sources. There are nuclear power plants in 28 states, although Georgia is the only state with a nuclear project currently under construction. Among surrounding states, there are a combined 8,500 nuclear energy jobs in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to the NEI. Some states are transitioning away from carbon dioxide-emitting fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stave off the worst effects of a warming planet. When companies are looking at West Virginia and they have a market globally that theyre selling a product to, they need to say their carbon footprint is at or near zero," said Putnam County Republican Eric Tarr. That requires a diverse portfolio of energy. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Harrison County Democrat Mike Romano said he supports nuclear power but was concerned that the bill didnt address regulatory oversight. But Mercer County Republican Chandler Swope said the state Public Service Commission has indicated it has authority over all forms of energy. Takubo said future legislatures could address nuclear plant planning if a company shows interest. Monongalia County Democrat Bob Beach, another bill opponent, said he was concerned about national security, arguing that nuclear facilities could be targets. He said few states east of the Mississippi River do not have nuclear plants. I would like West Virginia to continue to be one of those safe states, Beach said. Supporters of nuclear energy say nuclear accidents are scary but exceedingly rare while pollution from coal and other fossil fuels causes death and illness every day. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw has indicated his support for the legislation. He said Tuesday on Twitter that while the fossil fuel industry is not going away any time soon, "weve got to have baseload power. We just want to be sure that the signal were sending to the world is yeah, consider West Virginia. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A Minnesota appeals court on Monday issued a mixed opinion in a complicated case contesting one of the key permits that a St. Paul-based company needs to build what would be the states first copper-nickel mine. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A Minnesota appeals court on Monday issued a mixed opinion in a complicated case contesting one of the key permits that a St. Paul-based company needs to build what would be the states first copper-nickel mine. The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed a decision by regulators to issue the PolyMet Mining Corp. a water quality permit for the project. It now goes back to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to determine whether any pollution discharges from the mine into groundwater would violate the federal Clean Water Act. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. However, the three-judge panel rejected several other arguments from PolyMets opponents. Among them, there was a demand for more stringent limits on the treated wastewater thats discharged from the mine and a call for a contested case hearing to gather more evidence and testimony on certain aspects of the permit before a neutral judge, Minnesota Public Radio News reported. Both sides said they were happy with the decision. This is a huge victory, said Paula Maccabee, advocacy director and counsel for WaterLegacy, one of the groups that challenged the permit. Jon Cherry, PolyMet president, chairman and CEO, said the company is pleased that we have prevailed on the majority of the issues and court has narrowed the case down to a single dispute. While it means an additional delay for the contentious project, it does not put a stop to the $1 billion open-pit mine that PolyMet has proposed near the towns of Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes. We conclude that the PCA erred by not properly considering whether the federal Clean Water Act applies to any future discharges from PolyMets facility to groundwater. But we conclude that there is no reversible error with respect to all other issues that have been raised by the parties, the judges wrote in the 39-page opinion. The ruling is just the latest step in a long legal battle that opponents to the PolyMet project have waged since the state first approved it more than three years ago. Several other key permits that PolyMet needs to begin construction also remain tied up in litigation or have been remanded to state agencies for additional work. The company says the mine would create hundreds of jobs while supplying metals that the U.S. economy needs. Environmentalists have fought it because of the potential for acid mine drainage. PARIS (AP) Huge spinning wheels, floating wooden blocks and suspended geometric shapes hovered over a surreal mini golf course Tuesday at Chanels remarkable couture show. Charlotte Casiraghi rides a horse as she wears a creation for the Chanel Spring-Summer 2022 Haute Couture fashion collection collection, in Paris, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly) PARIS (AP) Huge spinning wheels, floating wooden blocks and suspended geometric shapes hovered over a surreal mini golf course Tuesday at Chanels remarkable couture show. Even Pharrell Williams, who is no stranger to elaborate sets, had to take a moment to take stock, before posing beside a white, three-meter (yard) tire. This sublime, avant-garde decor was the work of Xavier Veilhan and marked the first time in its history that Chanel has entrusted a contemporary artist for staging. The equestrian photos handed out to guests as they filtered in were a hint of what was to come. But no one quite expected Charlotte Casiraghi, the daughter of Caroline of Monaco and the granddaughter of Princess Grace Kelly, to appear out of nowhere atop an actual racing horse. Here are some highlights of the second day of spring summer 2022 couture shows in Paris. CHANEL SEES PARED DOWN SPRING AESTHETIC The beautiful beast and its VIP rider, in a black Chanel tweed sequined jacket of course, began the show to a symphony of gasps and clopping hooves around the Grand Palais Ephemeres auditorium as celebrity guests snapped pictures. The horse seemed to enjoy its 15 minutes of fame, trotting by with ease, snaking in and out of the 1920s and 30s constructivist installations and by sand and imitation grass, before breaking out into a canter around the set. Virginie Viard, Chanel's designer, said the art backdrop was not just decor, but the collections creative starting block. A model wears a creation for the Stephane Rolland Spring-Summer 2022 Haute Couture fashion collection, in Paris, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) These geometric shapes made me want contrasts, a great lightness and a lot of freshness: ethereal dresses that float as if suspended, she said. Thus Chanel produced a relatively pared down aesthetic for spring with matching tweeds, minimalist touches, clean curved peplums and lots of white. A split leg on heavy three-quarter length skirts was this seasons big theme, creating a silhouette with lots of swag as the models walked. A pink tweed jacket with white stripes possessed beautiful loose proportions, which perfectly captured the spirit of pared down femininity. It was the best piece in the show. Yet the 47-look collection at times seemed to fall victim to its own restraint, seeming to lack vibrancy. ALEXIS MABILLES FLOWERS AND INSECTS A single butterfly earring. That was the most delicate of leitmotifs for the lauded French designer, who took the shapes and textures of butterfly wings and flower petals to produce an organic-infused display. Silhouettes were truncated or unfurled at the top and bottom in swooshes of silk that resembled an opening flower. Or was it a butterfly emerging from the cocoon? Either way, an organic feel pervaded the 26 couture designs. A white silk train billowed majestically out from the bottom of a sheer bustier corset that sported embroidered lines resembling veins. Elsewhere, pleated silk hung beautifully down from a pink halter neck gown, evoking the delicate crinkling in wings. A black lace hood hung over one models head as if she were in mourning. She may even have been a Black Widow spider. ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER'S GLAM The French couturier known for his unapologetic glamour was at it again this season, producing a collection that oozed with shimmer, sequins, feather flourishes and even a flash of leopard. The mood felt very late-80's. A white broad-shouldered tuxedo above an exposed chest led to a dazzling silver gown that covered the model in sequins from head to foot. This season, Alexandre Vauthier also brought out the sensuality. A loose Chinese white satin gowns fabric rippled across the models body as if blown by the breeze -- an effect carefully mirrored by her windswept tousled hair. The 50-year-old designer has expressed his desire to create fashions that celebrate life and going out especially amid the constraints of persistent lockdowns. At this show, fashions were disco-ready. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. VAN DER KEMP IS SUSTAINABLE Its no secret that Ronald van der Kemp, the self-proclaimed first sustainable couture label, wants to spearhead a revolution. The Dutch designer wants to create couture out of unwanted materials to shake up fashions wasteful ecosystem. Its a noble cause and -- judging by the fact his wares are being worn by the likes of Kate Moss, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry -- a successful one, too. On Tuesday, van der Kemp proved again that you dont have to be cruel to be beautiful in a series of vibrant couture looks made from upcycled materials -- although you might be forgiven for not guessing they were. A mini dress in Chinese white was beautifully constructed with heaped bands of fabric, long train and impenetrable bodice. Elsewhere, peaked curved shoulders on a silken 1940s elderberry cut a timeless style with a chic, sheer pencil skirt. HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong expanded a partial lockdown and tightened pandemic restrictions Tuesday after more than 200 cases of COVID-19 were discovered at a public housing estate. HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong expanded a partial lockdown and tightened pandemic restrictions Tuesday after more than 200 cases of COVID-19 were discovered at a public housing estate. Hong Kong has already suspended many overseas flights and requires arrivals be quarantined, similar to mainland Chinas zero-tolerance approach to the virus that has placed millions under lockdowns and mandates mask wearing, rigorous case tracing and mass testing. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said a second residential block at the Kwai Chung housing complex would be locked down for five days. The block where the virus was first discovered is already under lockdown, which will now be extended from five to seven days. The measures aimed to play safe protecting the residents as well as preventing the spread of the virus," Lam told reporters. Schools have been closed and restaurants cannot offer in-house dining after 6 p.m. in a return to previous measures to contain surges in cases. Compulsory testing has been ordered on people who reside in or visited buildings where the virus was detected. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The outbreak has also prompted the city of Shenzhen just across the border in mainland China to tighten rules on people arriving from Hong Kong. Starting from Wednesday, Hong Kong travelers will need to show a negative COVID-19 test result obtained over the previous 24 hours, undergo 14 days of quarantine at a government-designated location and seven further days of isolation at home. Lam also criticized one of her senior Cabinet members, Home Affairs Secretary Casper Tsui, who was among several government officials suspended from duty and ordered into quarantine after they attended a birthday party where two guests later tested positive for coronavirus. The Secretary for Home Affairs is an official whom we will have to look into very deeply because of various aspects," Lam said. As with mainland China, Hong Kong's tough anti-pandemic rules have helped keep case numbers relatively low, but are also taking a toll on the economy and public patience. An international center of finance and trade, the city has a prominent expatriate population, some of whom are beginning to chafe at the travel controls and other restrictions. A survey released this month by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong showed more than 40% of members surveyed were more likely to leave because of the restrictions. Couples are out thousands of dollars after a catering company unexpectedly shut its doors and announced insolvency. Couples are out thousands of dollars after a catering company unexpectedly shut its doors and announced insolvency. "This is devastating to us," said Stephanie Dyck, a bride-to-be with plans for a rural July wedding. She and her fiance were wowed by Modern Plate Caterings menu and online reviews. They put a $2,000 deposit down in November after settling on a prime rib dinner for their 250 wedding guests. Dyck was shocked to receive an email Jan. 15 from the River Heights-based company saying it was shuttering. "Due to the last two years of financial and personal strain due to the pandemic, we are writing this letter to inform you that Modern Plate Catering has closed its doors," the email read. "We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused you." Co-Owners of Modern Plate Catering Amber Gill (left) and Lindsay Platt Dyck said she responded immediately and asked for her money back. After two days without a reply, she emailed again. She did so another four times. "We have no idea, other than their emails, how to reach them, because their phone is out of order," Dyck said. Modern Plate Caterings phone is disabled, and the company has scrubbed its website and social media presence clean. Even co-owner and head chef Lindsay Platts LinkedIn account has been deleted. Wedding industry looking to booming summer The wedding industry hard hit by public health restrictions over the past two years is facing the future with optimism. Elisabeth Schalla, owner of The Rustic Wedding Barn, is preparing for pre-pandemic numbers of weddings this summer, as long as there arent restrictions. Its kind of going to be like three years worth of weddings piled into one, she said, adding she knows many in the industry who cant go another year with fewer bookings. Its gotta roll out, said Allison Polinsky, owner of Alli Mae Events. The entrepreneur said shes busier than pre-pandemic. I know so many planners who are booked solid this year, and thats just because of all the postponements, she said. Were trying to push people into 2023 for new inquiries. click to read more The wedding industry hard hit by public health restrictions over the past two years is facing the future with optimism. Elisabeth Schalla, owner of The Rustic Wedding Barn, is preparing for pre-pandemic numbers of weddings this summer, as long as there arent restrictions. Its kind of going to be like three years worth of weddings piled into one, she said, adding she knows many in the industry who cant go another year with fewer bookings. Its gotta roll out, said Allison Polinsky, owner of Alli Mae Events. The entrepreneur said shes busier than pre-pandemic. I know so many planners who are booked solid this year, and thats just because of all the postponements, she said. Were trying to push people into 2023 for new inquiries. Daisy Prockert, co-owner of All Seasons Catering, said shes heard of event planners, DJs and photographers leaving the business during the pandemic. But, things are picking up. Wedding wise, (were) not quite back to normal, because we used to do over 200 (person) weddings, Prockert said. Beginning the pandemic with good finances was crucial to making it through the past couple years, she said. Loyal customers were key for Melina De Luca, owner of bridal shop 7th Avenue Fashions. Still, there have been difficult periods, she said. When they cut us to 10 per cent (capacity), we might as well have locked the door, she said. There were days where I think it cost us more just to turn on the lights than we made in sales. Couples seem cautiously optimistic about weddings this year, De Luca said. This is a huge wedding year. We think 2023 is going to be even bigger, and were ready for the world to open up. - Gabrielle Piche Close On Saturday, Dyck received an email from the business her first since it had proclaimed its closure saying it was insolvent and wouldnt be issuing refunds. "I cried," Dyck said. "We have five children Even coming up with the $2,000 to put down was really difficult for us. Its not easy, especially in the pandemic." But, she knew she wasnt alone: many couples stated in a Manitoba weddings Facebook page that they were facing the same issue. "We question where this money has gone," Dyck said. "They wouldnt have bought our food in January for a July wedding, so wheres our money?" No bankruptcy or insolvency records appear under Modern Plate Caterings name in Ottawas online database. The companys annual filings for 2020 and 2021 are overdue, and the businesss status was still active Monday in the federal governments business registry. "They had to have known that they were having financial issues in November when they took our deposit," Dyck said. She and her fiance have contacted a lawyer and plan to take Modern Plate Catering to court if they dont regain their deposit. Modern Plate Catering did not respond to the Free Press by print deadline. Instead, a reporter received a bounce-back email stating the companys closure and thanking people for their love and support. Marcus Gallant and his fiancee had a custom plant-based menu made for them. The wedding is in August, but they deposited $1,000 last year. "She was quite a bit more expensive than others, actually, but we really enjoyed her and her tailored menu," Gallant said of Platt, who co-owned the business with Amber Gill. Now, hes scrambling to find a new caterer, and dishes and table settings, for his 150 guests. We have no idea, other than their emails, how to reach them, because their phone is out of order. Stephanie Dyck "Im upset as a consumer, but Im empathetic," he said. "Its not an easy decision, Im sure, to make the call that she made (to close)." As of Monday, he didnt intend on taking Modern Plate Catering to court its a big investment of time and money. "If the company is insolvent and claiming bankruptcy, then theres no money to take," he said. However, hes frustrated the company possibly used his dollars to pay bills. "Those funds should not be accessible to the caterer until payment is actually required for the service that they provide," Gallant said. We question where this money has gone. They wouldnt have bought our food in January for a July wedding, so wheres our money? Stephanie Dyck Elisabeth Schalla, the owner of The Rustic Wedding Barn in La Broquerie, said she was stunned to hear Modern Plate Catering closed. "I did not see that coming," she said. "(Platts) skillset was incredible, her food was amazing, and I thought she was heavily booked." Closures in the wedding industry are disheartening, Schalla said, bringing up Andersons Hitch N Post Ranch, a venue in Grosse Isle that closed last June after decades in business. "You make friends with these people," Schalla said. "Its very much a community." Modern Plate Catering was incorporated in June of 2017. gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com GENEVA (AP) Seven environmental activists were cleared or given suspended fines Monday on charges of trespassing and resisting arrest for their roles in a protest against expansion of a limestone quarry in Switzerland, local media reported. GENEVA (AP) Seven environmental activists were cleared or given suspended fines Monday on charges of trespassing and resisting arrest for their roles in a protest against expansion of a limestone quarry in Switzerland, local media reported. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The defendants in the court in Nyon, north of Geneva, were the first among some 40 people who are facing court action over a show of civil disobedience last March at Mormont hill. That is the site of a quarry owned by Swiss-French construction materials company Lafarge Holcim about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Lausanne. At least two of the defendants and a defense lawyer expressed disappointment that the court didn't address the environmental concerns or their rights of expression and freedom of expression directly, Swiss media reported. Protesters against plans to expand the quarry set up a makeshift campsite and squatted in an abandoned house in the area before more than 100 police in riot gear, firing tear gas and rubber bullets, evicted about 200 activists March 30, according to Swiss media at the time. A public prosecutor, among other things, sought prison terms of up to six months in part because the protesters refused to immediately reveal their identities to authorities. The most severe penalty handed down involved suspended fines. The case went ahead even though Holcim dropped the charges after the demonstrators were expelled. The legal showdown was the latest case in Switzerland pitting environmental campaigners against big business. Holcim has argued that the site is important to help reduce reliance on other countries resources for its production of building materials. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. People wait for their coronavirus test at a makeshift testing site in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea recorded more than 8,000 new coronavirus infections for the first time Tuesday as health authorities reshape the country's pandemic response to address a surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. The 8,571 new cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency followed three straight days exceeding 7,000. With omicron spreading more than twice as fast as the delta strain that cause the last surge, experts say new cases may exceed 10,000 this week and possibly 20,000 after the Lunar New Years holiday break that begins this weekend and continues to next Wednesday. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. To prevent a sudden explosion of infections from overwhelming hospitals and disrupting workplaces and essential services, South Korea will reduce quarantine periods, expand testing and treat more people at home. From Wednesday, the quarantine periods for people who test positive after being fully vaccinated will be reduced from the current 10 days to seven days. Fully vaccinated people who comes in close contact with virus carriers won't be placed under quarantine. Officials are also planning to treat a larger number of mild or moderate cases at home and expand the use of rapid antigen tests to detect more infections sooner. Park Hyang, a senior Health Ministry official, pleaded people to stay home during the upcoming holidays and get vaccinated if they havent already. While those who aren't fully vaccinated account for less than 7% of South Koreans who are 12 years or older, these people have accounted for about 60% of serious cases and deaths in the past eight weeks, Park said during a briefing. While infections are increasing, cases among people in their 60s or older, who are at higher risk of serious illness and death, have so far remained at a low level, Park said. We believe this is because the rate of people in that age group who received booster shots has now rose to 84.9%. Omicron has become the dominant variant in many countries and more easily infects those who have been vaccinated or had COVID-19 previously. But vaccination and booster shots still provide strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death. More than 85% of South Korea's more than 51 million people have been fully vaccinated. The KDCA said 50.1% of the population have been administered booster shots as of Tuesday afternoon. The SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced Tuesday, saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission. The SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced Tuesday, saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission. Test-takers will be allowed to use their own laptops or tablets but they'll still have to sit for the test at a monitored testing site or in school, not at home. The format change is scheduled to roll out internationally next year and in the U.S. in 2024. It will also shave an hour from the current version, bringing the reading, writing and math assessment from three hours to about two. The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant, said Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the New York City-based College Board, which administers the SAT and related PSAT. Were not simply putting the current SAT on a digital platform. Were taking full advantage of what delivering an assessment digitally makes possible." Once essential for college applications, scores from admission tests like the SAT and rival ACT carry less weight today as colleges and universities pay more attention to the sum of student achievements and activities throughout high school. Amid criticism that the exams favor wealthy, white applicants and disadvantage minority and low-income students, an increasing number of schools have in recent years adopted test-optional policies, which let students decide whether to include scores with their applications. The pandemic accelerated the trend as testing sessions were canceled or inaccessible. Nearly 80% of bachelors degree-granting institutions are not requiring test scores from students applying for fall 2022, according to a December tally by the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, a watchdog group that opposes standardized testing. The group, known as FairTest, said at least 1,400 of them have extended the policy through at least the fall 2023 admissions cycle. About 1.5 million members of the class of 2021 took the SAT at least once, down from 2.2 million in the previous year. A College Board survey found many students want to take the SAT to preserve the option of submitting the scores and qualifying for certain scholarships. Rodriguez said the digital version will be delivered in a format more familiar to students who regularly learn and test online at school. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Also, student score reports will not only focus on connecting students with four-year colleges and scholarships, but also provide information about two-year college and workforce training options. That reflects an increase in the number of students who are given the exam during a designated SAT day at school, with some districts requiring students take it. About 60% of students who take the SAT do so at school, Rodriguez said. We want to present students with a wider range of information and resources about their post-secondary options, she said. Scores will be available in days, rather than weeks, she said. There have been cases through the years of sets of paper exams getting lost in the mail. The digital version, I thought, was a lot less stressful than the paper and pencil version. It felt a lot more familiar, said Natalia Cossio, 16, of Fairfax County, Virginia, who took part in a November pilot after first taking the PSAT on paper. She said the digital format would solve some logistical issues she's seen, like students bringing mechanical pencils instead of the required No. 2 variety, or advanced calculators that are not allowed. The digital version includes a basic calculator for the math section. The College Board said students without a personal or school-issued device will be provided one for test day. ISTANBUL (AP) Rescue crews in Istanbul and Athens dug through snow and ice Tuesday to clear paralyzed roads and rescue people stranded overnight in their cars after snowstorms and a massive cold front brought much of Turkey and Greece to a standstill. Two storm-related deaths were reported. The city of Athens with the ancient Acropolis hill is covered with snow after heavy snowfall on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. A snowstorm of rare severity disrupted road and air traffic Monday in the Greek capital of Athens and neighboring Turkey's largest city of Istanbul, while most of Greece, including unusually several Aegean islands, and much of Turkey were blanketed by snow. (Antonis Nikolopoulos/Eurokinissi via AP) ISTANBUL (AP) Rescue crews in Istanbul and Athens dug through snow and ice Tuesday to clear paralyzed roads and rescue people stranded overnight in their cars after snowstorms and a massive cold front brought much of Turkey and Greece to a standstill. Two storm-related deaths were reported. Highways and roads in Istanbul became clogged Monday after the storm pounded the city of 16 million that straddles Europe and Asia dropping more than 80 centimeters (31 inches) of snow in some areas. Stranded motorists spent the night in their cars, abandoned their vehicles to walk home or crowded subways and other limited public transportation. All highways and main roads in Istanbul were reopened by Tuesday afternoon, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoglu announced on Twitter, while Istanbul Gov. Ali Yerlikaya said restrictions on vehicles traveling into Istanbul were lifted. Authorities also cleared a runway at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday, allowing limited flights to resume. Flights were suspended on Monday for safety reasons at the airport, where the roof of a cargo facility collapsed from the weight of the snow. Istanbuls second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, was also operating limited services. Hundreds of passengers stranded at Istanbul Airport a key travel hub shouted We need (a) hotel! to protest their ordeal, the Cumhuriyet newspaper reported, and airport police were called in. Abandoned vehicles are seen in an motorway way after a snowstorm, in Athens, on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Army and fire service teams were deployed late Monday to extract hundreds of motorists trapped for hours in snowed-in cars. A snowstorm of rare severity disrupted road and air traffic Monday in the Greek capital of Athens and neighboring Turkey's largest city of Istanbul, while most of Greece, including unusually several Aegean islands, and much of Turkey were blanketed by snow. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas) Huand Mahperi, who posted a video of the protest on Twitter, said the outcry came Tuesday morning after passengers were given conflicting information and were told that Turkish Airlines flights had been canceled until midnight. In Athens, rescue crews freed up to 300 drivers trapped on a major highway that connects the Greek capital with the citys international airport. Drivers there had abandoned their cars and walked home. Others had trekked to a nearby train station, jumping over barriers to reach the platform after spending the night in their cars. Train service had been suspended, but a train was sent Tuesday to pick stragglers up. Abandoned cars and trucks on a main road at Istanbul, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Rescue crews in Istanbul and Athens scrambled on Tuesday to clear throughways that came to a standstill after a massive cold front and snow storms hit much of Turkey and Greece, leaving countless people and vehicles in both cities stranded overnight in freezing conditions.(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) The army was sent out overnight to deliver food and water to those trapped and to help free as many as possible. Officials said each trapped driver would receive 2,000 euros ($2,265) in compensation, which the highway administration accepted. It was a very difficult night and we faced unprecedented conditions, Civil Protection and Climate Change Minister Christos Stylianides said. I want to again express an apology from the state for all the difficulties that the (stranded) drivers faced. By Tuesday, the heavy snowfall had mostly stopped but many streets in Athens remained blocked by fallen trees and several northern neighborhoods were without power. Authorities had ordered all but essential businesses shut on Tuesday, and have extended that for Wednesday in the wider Athens area and several other regions. The snow-covered Suleymaniye Mosque at Istanbul, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Rescue crews in Istanbul and Athens on Tuesday cleared roads that had come to a standstill after a massive cold front and snowstorms hit much of Turkey and Greece, leaving countless people and vehicles in both cities stranded overnight in freezing conditions.(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, police said a homeless man who had been sleeping outdoors was found dead Tuesday. Local authorities said the 60-year-old had refused to relocate to a shelter. In Turkey, authorities recovered the body of a 34-year-old who is believed to have died in heavy snowfall while trying to reach his village in Amasya province, 326 kilometers (202 miles) northwest of Ankara, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the snowfall around Istanbul would continue until Thursday and urged people not to venture out in private cars unless necessary. He said many of the stranded vehicles did not have snow tires. A woman walks past a the Runner, sculptured by Kostas Varotsos, after a snowstorm, in Athens, on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. A snowstorm of rare severity disrupted road and air traffic Monday in the Greek capital of Athens and neighboring Turkey's largest city of Istanbul, while most of Greece, including unusually several Aegean islands, and much of Turkey were blanketed by snow. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Nothing is moving. The snow plows cant even reach us, Ahmet Odabasi, 40, one of thousands who stranded overnight on a highway west of Istanbul, told The Associated Press. The snowstorm, complete with thunder and lightning, hit the Athens area late Monday morning, the second year in a row that Greece has experienced a freak snowstorm. The severe weather also brought rare snowfall to vacation resorts in Turkey's southwest region, including Bodrum and Datca, with snow and slippery conditions blocking a highway linking the provinces of Mugla and Denizli. Antalya city center, on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, saw its first snowfall in 29 years, the private NTV television reported. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Authorities in Istanbul suspended intercity bus services Monday and blocked travel to the city from Turkeys northwestern Thrace region. Civil servants were given leave until Thursday, except for those employed in security, health and transportation sectors. Schools across Turkey were already closed for a winter break and universities decided to close until Jan. 31. The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, said the city provided shelter to around 1,500 homeless people. He said he hoped the snow would fill dams and bring relief to the parched region. The Balkans was also gripped by freezing weather, with temperatures dropping way below freezing in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia. Montenegrin authorities said a record national low temperature was confirmed in the northern village of Kosanica, which plunged to minus 33.2 C (minus 27.7 F). In Bosnia, ice formed on the Miljacka River after a minus 15 C (5 F) temperature was recorded in the capital of Sarajevo on Tuesday. ___ Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece. Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Costas Kantouris in Thessaloniki, Nadia Ahmed in London and Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report. WINNIPEG - A large convoy of truck drivers and supporters making its way to Ottawa to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates was greeted by a throng of supporters Tuesday on the outskirts of Winnipeg. Truckers and supporters depart on a cross-country convoy destined for Ottawa to protest a federal vaccine mandate for truckers in Delta, B.C. on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck WINNIPEG - A large convoy of truck drivers and supporters making its way to Ottawa to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates was greeted by a throng of supporters Tuesday on the outskirts of Winnipeg. Some waved signs while others handed out sandwiches, snacks and water as the truckers slowly rolled by. Some brought family members and cheered as the thermometer stayed below -20 C. Many greeting the convoy were parked in a line stretching roughly one kilometre. More supporters filled an adjacent gas station parking lot. "If we're willing to do this, and truckers are willing to give up their income and do this, you know we stand for something," Laurie Hamilton, a 66-year-old retiree, said as she stood beside the road with her daughter. The convoy, which started in British Columbia, has grown as it rolls east. There were about 1,200 trucks and other vehicles by the time it reached Regina on Monday night, police in the Saskatchewan capital said. Despite consistent messaging from major world public health agencies that vaccines are safe and effective, and ongoing data showing the unvaccinated are ending up in intensive care at higher rates, many involved in the protest said they don't trust the vaccine. "I personally don't agree with the RNA vaccination, or what they call the vaccination, but ... I've had every other shot," Don Ross, a trucker from Dawson Creek, B.C., said while his semi-truck was stopped briefly at a red light. Protesters of COVID-19 restrictions and supporters of Canadian truck drivers protesting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate cheer on a convoy of trucks headed to Ottawa on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski Not getting vaccinated has meant Ross can't cross the border. In parts of Canada with vaccine passport requirements, Ross also can't go into restaurants. "I can't go into restaurants. I can't go into bathrooms. I'm out on the road, going in the bushes with the bears." Most of the vehicles in the convoy Tuesday were not semis. There were pickup trucks and the occasional sport utility vehicle. Many were adorned with slogans, signs or flags calling for an end to vaccine mandates, such as the one for truckers. There were other signs too. A few referenced communism. Some used profanity in talking about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The convoy was expected to overnight in Kenora, Ont., and arrive in Ottawa on Saturday. There have been fears of extremists latching onto the protest, including a group that has talked online about the convoys arrival and subsequent rally in Ottawa possibly spurring an insurrection similar to the one in the United States last year on Jan. 6. The Parliamentary Protective Service said it is aware of the planned rally. "The Service continuously monitors threats and is closely monitoring the situation." Donald Trump Jr., son of former U.S. president Donald Trump, said on Facebook Tuesday that he supports the truck convoy in Canada "fighting against medical discrimination." Conservative MP Candice Bergen, in a written statement, said she supports peaceful actions by the truckers. "Now more than ever, our economy needs to be reopened and we need every sector working in order to recover from the pandemic. I support peaceful demonstrations against these mandates and our truckers from ... across Canada." Fellow Conservative MPs Andrew Scheer and Warren Steinley also greeted the convoy in Regina on Monday night. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A Calgary woman, who would only give her name as Delores, said the convoy is more than a protest against vaccine mandates for truckers. She said it's also about an "us versus them" mentality that she believes applies to the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Several vehicles spotted in Regina waved American and upside-down Canadian flags, while one pickup had a Maverick Party sign although those involved did not all associate themselves with Western separatism. One man, who declined to provide his name because he works for an oil and gas company and didn't want to get reprimanded, said he joined the convoy in Hinton, Alta., with his 12-year-old son. He said he's supporting the convoy because he's tired of seeing his children affected by COVID-19 measures, including restrictions on sports. With files from Mickey Djuric in Regina and Jim Bronskill in Ottawa. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2022. It may come as a bit of a shock to the pandemic-weary residents of Manitobas largest city, but in just nine months Winnipeg will be getting a new mayor. It may come as a bit of a shock to the pandemic-weary residents of Manitobas largest city, but in just nine months Winnipeg will be getting a new mayor. With COVID-19 still dominating most aspects of our day-to-day lives, most Winnipeggers can be forgiven for not paying attention to the municipal elections scheduled in October. But its likely to be quite a dynamic campaign. Mayor Brian Bowman has already announced he will not be running for what would be his third term. And any time you take away the incumbent, you typically open the floodgates to a broad and colourful slate of candidates, many of whom start to make their presence known just after the holiday season. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Mayor Brian Bowman has announced he will not be running for what would be his third term. This time around, however, weve seen no obvious signs of interest. The pandemic might have something to do with the hesitancy to launch a campaign. The last two-plus years have, no doubt, squelched the enthusiasm of some potential candidates. With the Omicron variant of the virus still holding this province hostage, its also more difficult right now to raise money or hold in-person campaign-strategy meetings. A deathly silence seems to have descended upon the upcoming race. In 2014, the last time a Winnipeg mayoral race did not feature an incumbent, the first serious candidates started to appear in mid- to late January. For example, Judy Wasylycia-Leis announced on Jan. 14 she was launching a second bid to lead the city, months before candidates were officially allowed to register. RYAN THORPE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Judy Wasylycia-Leis announced in 2014 she was launching a second bid to lead the city, months before candidates were officially allowed to register. RYAN THORPE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Others publicly declared their intentions over the next few months. Most of the field rushes to enter the race near the beginning of May, when they are officially allowed to register, campaign and raise funds. Potential candidates are being particularly cagey this year. Council typically produces at least one candidate, and city hall insiders believe Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River), Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) and Scott Gillingham (St. James) are considering a run. Outside council, there has been speculation that Robert-Falcon Ouellette, a mayoral candidate in 2014 and a Member of Parliament from 2015 to 2019, is considering another attempt for the mayoralty. But there is no indication from his social media account that hes doing the spadework for a comeback. Others believe a viable candidate could come from within the caucus of the Progressive Conservative party of Manitoba. The Tories continue to languish in opinion polls and its quite likely that several Tory MLAs from Winnipeg ridings will contemplate a bid for the mayors office. And then, there is Glen Murray. JESSE BOILY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Although Glen Murray is hardly a slam-dunk to win the race, his presence would likely discourage some others from making their way to the starting line. Mayor of Winnipeg from 1998 to 2004 and a former Ontario cabinet minister, Murrays social media accounts reek of someone about to launch a campaign. From a return of streetcars to Portage Avenue, to snow-clearing, bike lanes and municipal fiscal challenges, Murrays Twitter and Facebook offer a frantic commentary on all things related to the quality and orientation of local government. And many political observers know that since leaving Ontario provincial politics in 2017, he has given off strong signals he is desperate to get back into it. Murray even launched a campaign in 2020 to become the leader of the federal Green party. He ultimately finished fourth. He did not respond to an interview request, which should keep other potential candidates on edge. Although Murray is hardly a slam-dunk to win the race, his presence would likely discourage some others from making their way to the starting line. It should be noted that being among the first to enter does not necessarily guarantee success. Bowman did not formally announce his 2014 bid until May and was thought to be trailing Wasylycia-Leis for much of the campaign. Bowman did not formally announce his 2014 bid until May and was thought to be trailing WasylyciaLeis for much of the campaign. It should further be noted that unlike other elections at other levels of government, a mayoral campaign can be organized in fairly short order. For example, a candidate for either federal or provincial legislatures, or city council, might have to start knocking on doors a year in advance of voting day to have a chance. In all those races, face-time with constituents serves as table stakes for any viable candidacy. Mayoral elections, on the other hand, are fought largely through mass media. There is no door-knocking to be done; mayoral candidates will typically work big events (cultural celebrations, sporting events, community gatherings), and build their campaigns through news conferences at which they make key policy pledges. Candidate debates also draw intense media focus. Bowman raised just over $200,000 and spent $187,000 in 2014, the first election he won. The rest of the campaign really becomes a war of attrition between the candidates who can afford billboards, television ads and flyer drops. Bowman raised just over $200,000 and spent $187,000 in 2014, the first election he won. Although that sum may pale in comparison to the lofty price-tags associated with federal or provincial campaigns, its significant enough that it often sorts the contenders from the pretenders. While the eventual field remains a bit of a mystery at this point, one thing is for certain: with only 275 days to go before Winnipeggers pick a new mayor, someone is going to have to step up to declare an interest in the job. And fast. dan.lett@winnipegfreepress.com Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A message from Manitobas executive director of custody corrections to Headingley Correctional Centre staff, saying he believes they were acting in good faith when an inmate was killed last year, has critics questioning the fair administration of justice. A message from Manitobas executive director of custody corrections to Headingley Correctional Centre staff, saying he believes they were "acting in good faith" when an inmate was killed last year, has critics questioning the fair administration of justice. William Ahmo, 45, died Feb. 14, 2021, in hospital, following a physical altercation a week earlier with the critical emergency response team at the jail west of Winnipeg. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled Ahmos death a homicide. SUPPLIED Will Ahmo with son Emory. Ahmo died while an inmate at Headingley Correctional Centre last year. On Jan 21, RCMP charged guard Robert Jeffrey Morden, 43, with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life. After the charges were announced, executive director Greg Skelly sent an email (obtained by the Free Press) to employees, saying: "Staff health and safety is paramount and we will continue to support a safe environment for front-line staff at our facilities." Ahmos death, he wrote, was "a tragic outcome," but "we believe staff were acting in good faith to control the critical incident." The suggestion a corrections staff member whos been criminally charged was among those "acting in good faith" is troubling, say lawyers and critics. "Its important for leadership in this instance to instill in their staff faith in the fair administration of justice through the courts, no matter what the final outcome," Winnipeg lawyer Danielle Morrison said Monday. "Any messaging that suggests bias towards a particular outcome for this criminal proceeding is counterproductive to public faith in the fair administration of justice, and highly inappropriate coming from the lead of the correctional facility in question." Morrisons part of the legal team representing the family of Eishia Hudson. The 16-year-old was shot and killed by Winnipeg police in April 2020, after fleeing in a stolen vehicle following a reported Liquor Mart theft. International human rights lawyer David Matas cited a criminal code provision that says "acting in good faith" is not a defence when a person causes a bodily injury that is of itself of a dangerous nature and from which death results. International human rights lawyer David Matas cited a criminal code provision that says acting in good faith is not a defence when a person causes a bodily injury that is of itself of a dangerous nature and from which death results. "While it is understandable that a superior would stand up for those working for them, that stance is out of place in the police and corrections field when criminal behaviour of one of their own is at issue," said Matas, who noted hes not a criminal lawyer and only knows about Ahmos case from news reports. The Winnipeg-based immigration law expert does, however, know about power imbalances. "In a conflict between the police and the public or corrections guards and inmates, there is an imbalance of power. There needs to be guardrails in place to prevent that imbalance from becoming harmful to the public and, in the corrections setting, inmates," Matas said Monday. "One of those guardrails should be standing down, rather than standing up for one their own, when one of their own is accused of wrongdoing." The fact a police investigation led to charges against a guard should have those in charge of the jail waiting for the court to decide before pronouncing staff were "acting good faith," the Manitoba NDP justice critic said. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Nahanni Fontaine said. When theyre put in custody, its a responsibility of the state to make sure that they actually get out alive and in one piece, said NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine. "My hope is that people would want to participate in a process that will get us to a place where Manitoba citizens housed in correctional facilities are safe," St. Johns MLA Nahanni Fontaine said. "When theyre put in custody, its a responsibility of the state to make sure that they actually get out alive and in one piece." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzens office did not respond to an interview request nor provide comment Monday. Manitoba Justice and the union representing the accused guard have both declined to comment now that the matter is before the court. The Southern Chiefs Organization issued a statement Monday, saying Ahmo "was a beloved member of the Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation." Sagkeeng Chief Derrick Henderson is quoted as saying Ahmo was "just one of so many of our people, who have been taken from us while in colonial justice and health-care systems." Henderson said he hoped having a court hear the criminal charges against a guard "results in real and transformative change when it comes to the treatment of incarcerated First Nation people." carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca WINNIPEG - A First Nation in Manitoba says it has not been properly included in sustainable forest management practices and is asking for a judicial review into commercial logging in a provincial park. Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, speaks at a Special Chiefs assembly/conference on climate change and the environment in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods WINNIPEG - A First Nation in Manitoba says it has not been properly included in sustainable forest management practices and is asking for a judicial review into commercial logging in a provincial park. Minegoziibe Anishinabe, also known as Pine Creek First Nation, is asking Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench to quash the government's decision to extend a timber-cutting licence to Louisiana-Pacific Canada. "Manitoba did not consult with Pine Creek before authorizing Louisiana-Pacific to continue logging in the Duck Mountain Park forest and surrounding areas," said Jeremy McKay, a policy analyst for the community. The U.S.-based building company submitted a 20-year forest management plan in 2006 to obtain logging rights for an area in Duck Mountain Provincial Park near the Saskatchewan boundary. A notice of application filed Tuesday in court alleges the province extended the current licence last month without consulting the First Nation. Pine Creek says it wasn't consulted on two previous extensions either. Chief Derek Nepinak said the community is not opposed to logging in the area. But it is concerned it's not being done in a sustainable way and wants to be included in conversations about it. "What we believe in is sustainable forestry management. We can't say for certain whether that's been happening on Duck Mountain because we haven'tbeen party to the conversations," Nepinak said during an online news conference. "Louisiana-Pacific has never come forward and shared the detailed information about what kind of sustainable forestry initiatives they've put in place from year to year." Community leaders have brought their concerns to Louisiana-Pacific, but conversations have not netted "tangible results," he added. The First Nation says current practices have affected the moose population in the area as well as access to essential medicines. During that time we have seen a steady decline in the population ... as moose have moved on into other geographies. That has impacted our ability to provide a stable food source on the tables, in the kitchens in our homes and our community," said Nepinak. McKay said the community raised its concerns with the province before the last extension and at that time was told there wouldn't be a decision before the end of last year. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A few days later, authorization was granted to issue an extension until the end of 2022, but the community was unaware that had happened, the review application says. The province said it was unable to comment as the matter is before the courts. The company said in a statement it remains committed to working with First Nations about its operations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2022. ___ This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship Anxious families in India are waiting to find out if their loved ones are among 11 migrants who made an ill-fated bid to walk across the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson. Anxious families in India are waiting to find out if their loved ones are among 11 migrants who made an ill-fated bid to walk across the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson. People who may be relatives have come forward after the frozen bodies of a family of four, including an infant and teenage boy, were found in a snow-covered field just north of the border last Wednesday. As Manitoba RCMP continue trying to unravel the mystery, a team from Indias Toronto consulate is in Winnipeg to help to identify the victims and notify their relatives. "(Consular officials) said they have some people who contacted the Ministry of External Affairs in India," said India Association of Manitoba president Ramandeep Grewal, who has been assisting the team. "They have some information and are checking to see if it is a match (to the family)." RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ramandeep Grewal, president of India Association of Manitoba, has been assisting officials from India's consulate in Toronto in their efforts to identify the family of four who died east of Emerson while trying to cross into the U.S. The association has been unable to find out if anyone in Manitoba knew the family, said Grewal. Over the weekend, news agencies in India began reporting possible names of the four victims. Some websites published a photo of a family. Responding to those reports, the RCMP said it is still working to positively identify the bodies. "Our investigators are working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Manitoba and pursuing other investigative avenues to confirm the names," an RCMP press release stated. "We are also in regular contact with Indian consular officials who have arrived in Manitoba. Once the identities have been confirmed, our priority will be to formally notify the next of kin. (Consular officials) said they have some people who contacted the Ministry of External Affairs in India. They have some information and are checking to see if it is a match (to the family). Ramandeep Grewal "We are aware that some media outlets are publishing the possible identities of the four victims. As a law enforcement organization, we will not be in a position to confirm these names until we have 100 per cent certainty of their identities and next of kin notification is completed." Chellappan Gurusubramanian, first secretary of the High Commission of India in Ottawa, was "distressed" by the deaths. "Confirmation of identities will only be possible after investigations are completed this week," the diplomat wrote in an email. RCMP officers found the bodies steps north of the border about 10 kilometres east of Emerson after U.S. border patrol agents arrested seven undocumented Indian nationals and alleged human smuggler Steve Shand just south of the boundary in Minnesota. One of the migrants told agents they had been walking for more than 11 hours in deep snow and a -35C blizzard after being dropped off on the Canadian side during the night. The survivors speak Gujarati, a language native to Indias western state of Gujarat, and very little to no English at all, according to an affidavit prepared by a U.S. Homeland Security special agent. As investigations were carried out on both sides of the border, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer agreed to release Shand, 47, from custody while he awaits trial. The Deltona, Fla., native is charged with transporting or attempting to transport illegal aliens. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing as he appeared at a virtual detention hearing before the Minneapolis-St. Paul judge. The naturalized U.S. citizen, who was born in Jamaica, must surrender his travel documents, remain in his Florida district except for travel to court, and have no contact with any victims or witnesses, among other conditions of his release. Shand, who is being held at the Grand Forks County Correctional Centre, was wearing an orange prison suit and a black face mask during the hearing. He told the judge he understood the conditions, which were agreed upon by his defence lawyers and U.S. District Attorney Laura Provinzino. He said, "Yes, maam," and spoke very little during the hearing, which lasted about 20 minutes. Shand was to remain in custody until documentation was completed and transportation to his home in Florida had been arranged. "They must have been so desperate to come into the U.S. in these winter conditions. These people probably didnt know they were going to have to face these harsh conditions for a better life. Its not humane to take advantage of peoples desperation." Hitesh Patel U.S. authorities allege he was supposed to pick up the migrants in a rental van once they crossed into Minnesota from Manitoba. Homeland Security suspects it was part of a wider human-smuggling operation. Two migrants were inside the van when it was pulled over near St. Vincent, Minn., Wednesday morning, and five others were discovered walking nearby. One of the Indian nationals, who was carrying items for an infant, told border patrol agents the family of four became separated as the group walked together towards the border during the night. That precipitated the search that ended tragically on the Canadian side several hours later. Another migrant said he travelled from India to Canada on a fraudulent student visa. He was trying to reach family in Chicago, the affidavit stated. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A border-security expert said the perilous crossing could have been a byproduct of heightened security and a crush of migrants, mostly from Latin America, on the U.S.-Mexico boundary. "Its usually done at the southern border. The path of least resistance is going to be the northern border," said Keith Cozine, an assistant professor of homeland security at St. Johns University in New York. Hitesh Patel, a spokesman for the Gujarati Samaj of Minnesota cultural organization, has heard of Gujarati people trying to cross into the U.S. from Mexico, but never via Canada. "They must have been so desperate to come into the U.S. in these winter conditions," he said. "These people probably didnt know they were going to have to face these harsh conditions for a better life. Its not humane to take advantage of peoples desperation." chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @chriskitching As the Omicron variant deals yet another COVID-19 pandemic-related blow to the local economy, efforts to attract Winnipeggers to the downtown have been widely sacrificed. As the Omicron variant deals yet another COVID-19 pandemic-related blow to the local economy, efforts to attract Winnipeggers to the downtown have been widely sacrificed. "I had hoped that I would be at city hall this morning, presenting to you (in-person), but once again our community is facing more challenges as a result of the Omicron variant. Its another setback for our businesses, our attractions and our downtown, keeping people out of offices and (reducing) capacities for businesses," Dayna Spiring, president and chief executive officer of Economic Development Winnipeg, told councils innovation and economic development committee by a video feed Monday. During what was slated as a "post-pandemic" recovery update, Spiring noted efforts to get remote workers back into downtown office spaces, which would finally restore the typical customer base for many of the areas businesses, have again been thwarted by work-from-home directives. However, other work to boost the financial recovery from the novel coronavirus continues, including global recruitment efforts to boost the local talent pool. Economic Development Winnipeg has embarked on virtual "recruitment missions" in Los Angeles and Hong Kong that will continue into March, with further ones planned for Ukraine, Argentina, France and the United Kingdom later this year, said Spiring. "We know all companies in all sectors of our diverse economy are looking for talent. Its a war for talent even in the middle of a pandemic." She said skilled workers are especially needed to support growth in the technology and film sectors. "We see more options in a variety of roles that didnt even exist five years ago." Spiring stressed work is also needed to help Winnipeg compete against other municipalities to attract new development. She welcomed a city commitment to put aside $20 million for future water and sewer services to help develop CentrePort Canada lands. "The pandemic has put tremendous financial pressure on the city, so we need to look at the most pressing issues now CentrePort needs to be serviced quickly or we will continue to fall behind (other areas)," said Spiring. Despite the many challenges ahead, she said a few upcoming events should help jump-start the economic recovery. "We have worked hard at our office to book (events) and rebook and, in some cases rebook again as restrictions have tightened or loosened," said Spiring. If public health orders allow, that work is expected to pay off with a lumber association event that would attract 2,200 people and fill 900 hotel rooms in March, followed by a public service alliance convention expected to bring another 1,000 to Winnipeg in May. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Coun. Jeff Browaty, chairman of the economic development committee, said he shares both the concern and optimism noted in the update. "We still (see) challenges in our downtown. And (corporations), including the City of Winnipeg, continuing to push remote work as much as possible at the moment, just trying to provide relief (for) our front-line workers in the health-care system. Were coming up on two years into this and people are tired and frustrated," said Browaty. "But Im remaining optimistic. Im encouraged by what were seeing in some parts of the world (reports of plateauing Omicron numbers) and hope that thats our future here, too." The North Kildonan councillor agreed attracting more skilled workers and providing city services to support future developments should be key priorities in Winnipegs economic recovery. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga A metro school board is searching for a new superintendent, after longtime leader Ted Fransen submitted his retirement letter to trustees in the Pembina Trails School Division this month. A metro school board is searching for a new superintendent, after longtime leader Ted Fransen submitted his retirement letter to trustees in the Pembina Trails School Division this month. In a notice dated Jan. 13, Fransen began with: "It is time!" "Its been 40 years. I have had a wonderful 40-year career in education and I am healthy and I have six grandchildren, and three of them live in Ontario, so its simply time to devote the next chapter of my life to things outside of the realm of being a superintendent," the 63-year-old said in a recent interview. Fransen will continue overseeing the Winnipeg district, which has a student population of almost 15,000 and nearly 2,000 employees, until the 2022-23 school year gets underway in September. He said he will support his successors transition so a new face can lead the community during the latter half of the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time Fransen retires, he will have served as Pembina Trails chief executive officer for nearly nine years. He was an assistant superintendent before that, dating to 2005. When Fransens young family moved to Winnipeg from southwestern Ontario where he studied education so he could take on a science teaching job at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute in the 1980s, he had no intention of braving Prairie winters for the rest of his life. Much to his surprise, Fransen found a passion in teaching American history at MBCI and stuck around. He rose in the educational ranks to become a vice-principal, principal and division leader. Fransen, who acknowledged he could not have built his career without the support from his wife, a now-retired public health nurse, has worked in various roles in Winnipeg, Altona and Morden. According to the provinces latest public-sector compensation disclosure report, he currently earns $204,049 annually. School board chairwoman Kathleen McMillan said she has no doubt there are many qualified candidates, but Fransens visionary leadership and wisdom will be greatly missed. "He runs a respectful ship and hes a very good listener," said McMillan. (Fransens self-described leadership style is "collaborative," which he said he encourages by inviting criticism. Asked about the divisions media policy, which prevents educators from speaking to the Free Press, citing fears about workplace retribution, he indicated the policy is not unique in deeming only the superintendent and board chairwoman as division spokespeople.) In recent years, the division introduced its "Accomplish Anything" slogan, started focusing on data-informed decision making to improve literacy education, and launched the Pembina Trails Early College, McMillan said. She added the division facilitated a massive art installation highlighting the human rights of children at IG Field stadium in 2015, and was among the first to sign the Winnipegs Indigenous Accord in 2017. Fransen also oversaw the mid-pandemic expansion of InformNet, Manitobas online high school, which is operated by Pembina Trails and St. James-Assiniboia. "Learning is a social enterprise. We need each other to do that. The best way is in a classroom or in a group," Fransen said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. At the same time, his prediction is InformNet will continue to thrive after the pandemic settles down as an ongoing complement to in-person learning: "What InformNet provides is that flexibility and one of the things that COVID has taught us is the importance of being flexible." Meantime, as the vaccine rollout continues for young learners, Fransen said he is concerned about uptake; roughly half of children ages five to 11 have received their first dose to date. "If the public could truly see the impact in a K-4 or K-6 school, when so many kids are ill and so many of the parents are ill, I think we would actually have a higher vaccination rate," he said, adding some school communities in the south end of the city have been hit extremely hard by the virus. "It has been really a hardship for those families, the kids, their parents, their guardians, and the staff who serve them." maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie STAGNANT provincial funding has left thousands of adult learners with fewer options to improve literacy skills or receive a high school diploma, according to new research by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. STAGNANT provincial funding has left thousands of adult learners with fewer options to improve literacy skills or receive a high school diploma, according to new research by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. A report by University of Winnipeg professor emeritus Jim Silver, and published Tuesday by CCPA-Manitoba, makes 11 recommendations to improve adult education based on in-depth interviews with directors of 30 schools, representing just under half of Manitobas adult learning centres and literacy programs. According to the 44-page report titled, "Unearth this Buried Treasure: Adult Education in Manitoba," the number of adult literacy programs in Manitoba which help students improve their skills to obtain a high school diploma have decreased by about 29 per cent over the past 10 years. Meanwhile, educators say the number of students wanting to enroll in their programs far exceeds capacity, the report states. At the same time, provincial funding for adult education has increased by just four per cent over 10 years, to $19.9 million from $19.1 million. "Neither the current government nor the previous provincial governments have treated adult education as anything other than an afterthought," Silver said Monday. "The amount of money allocated to adult education is abysmal and its just an infinitesimal proportion of the total amount spent in the province on education." The shortfalls in adult education also ripple across the economy and the labour market with a pronounced impact in northern and rural communities, as jobs go unfilled while people struggle to upgrade their education, Silver noted. One program director in northern Manitoba reported as many as 2,000 people were in need of a seat at her centre. In the 2019-20 academic year, there were 8,892 people enrolled in adult education programs across the province. A lack of seats also disproportionately affects Indigenous people in Manitoba, who are statistically less likely to obtain a high school diploma on time compared to non-Indigenous people, due to ongoing and historical damage caused by colonization, the report noted. About 38 per cent of students enrolled in adult education identify as Indigenous, despite making up about 18 per cent of the provinces population. Silver said adequately funding and supporting adult education programs to meet the needs of Indigenous learners will be critical to advance reconciliation. "Adult education seems a fair way to try to make up for some of the damage done by the residential schools in the past," he said. An estimated 20 per cent of the adult population in Manitoba could benefit from adult education programs, Seven Oaks School Division Adult Learning Centre director Fran Taylor said. "Its a lot of people and theres a workforce there that we could easily help support," said Taylor, who has worked in adult education for more than 15 years. However, money remains the biggest challenge for the sector in meeting demand while disparities in programming and compensation between adult education centres widen, Taylor said. Some programs supported by school divisions provide child minding and counselling for students and union wages for staff, while other independent programs struggle to offer competitive salaries due to differences in funding. "Unlike many adult learning centres, Seven Oaks funds me and provides in kind support in a way that not everybody is getting," Taylor said. "If I didnt have that, I would not be able to run the program as it is." Silver recommended the government make adult education part of a continuum that includes kindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary, with certified instructors and appropriate supports for students, as part of an overall strategy to enhance the program. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "You can scarcely believe that in one of the richest countries in the world we would have such a high proportion of people who have not had the full advantage of the K-12 system," Silver said. "Its a huge disadvantage to those individuals whose literacy levels are so low, but its a huge disadvantage to all of us because we end up in so many cases having to support those people. When if we were to invest in them, they would be employed and paying their fair share of taxes." In a statement, Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes said the adult education sector continues to adjust programs to meet the needs of learners and communities. The minister did not respond to questions about funding but noted the sector receives more than $20 million annually. "The adult education programs help remove barriers to student success, including skill barriers, and promotes access to advanced education as guided by Manitobas Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy," Reyes said. "With the provinces support, adult learners can pursue educational pathways to develop the skills needed to participate fully in the community and contribute to a growing economy." danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca In an op-ed published in this newspaper on Jan. 19 (From now on, its Stefansons pandemic), former Manitoba Executive Council Clerk David McLaughlin told Free Press readers that public-health advice must be trusted by government. That no longer appears to be the case. Opinion In an op-ed published in this newspaper on Jan. 19 (From now on, its Stefansons pandemic), former Manitoba Executive Council Clerk David McLaughlin told Free Press readers that "public-health advice must be trusted by government. That no longer appears to be the case." He added that "Instead, the premier has signalled 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." He ended with this shot: "By doing so, Stefanson now owns the pandemic with all its consequences." McLaughlins comments reminded me of a conversation I had with former premier Brian Pallister in the early days of the pandemic, when I was still working for Executive Council. I told him there was no possibility of a political "win" for any government in the pandemic; that if everything worked out OK, the credit would go to the doctors but, if the pandemic took a turn for the worse, the government would be blamed even if it was blameless. I told him the best way to avoid that happening would be for the government to assiduously and conspicuously follow the advice it received from the doctors. I also said that from the moment they failed to fully follow that advice, the government would take ownership of the problem and be blamed for everything bad that happened after that. I told him that in March of 2020, before McLaughlin joined the government. Im sure others were saying the same thing to him at the same time, because it made sense. Politicians arent doctors. They cant be freelancing life-and-death decisions. In last weeks piece, McLaughlin suggests Pallister pretty much followed that advice. He writes that "until her (Stefansons) accession, it was public-health advice that directed the scope and scale of pandemic policy decisions within the government." He adds that, "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." I wasnt "in the room" when all those decisions were being made I had moved back to Brandon, to be with my dying mom but that is my recollection of how senior staff, including McLaughlin, described the process to me at the time. In other words, they suggested Pallister was giving the doctors the final say. Thats not how the public saw it, however. There was a widespread perception that Pallister was a radical libertarian, bent on putting personal freedom before public safety. There was a provincewide assumption that he was ignoring the advice of the public health doctors, his cabinet and his caucus, by blocking the imposition of strong public health orders that would stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 in Manitoba. That was the assumption many Manitobans were making, but was it accurate? Was medical advice being ignored? If so, was Pallister the problem, or was it others in the government? A few days ago, our new premier told us, "People have to learn to protect themselves. We have to learn to live with this." "At the end of the day, well take advice from public health," she said, "but we will be taking advice from other Manitobans as well moving forward." Thats not the advice I gave to Pallister, and McLaughlin claims that was not the governments approach before Stefanson became premier. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. But it sure is now, and it is totally "on brand" for Stefanson, who revealed her "hands off, not my problem, youre on your own" approach to the pandemic during her six-month tenure as our invisible health minister. All of this suggests but does not prove Manitobans may have misread or misjudged the dynamics that impacted the Pallister governments response to the pandemic. It suggests there is a lot we dont know about the decisions that were made and the factors that determined what those decisions would be. Most of all, it suggests a public inquiry cant come soon enough. Deveryn Ross is a political commentator living in Brandon. deverynrossletters@gmail.com Twitter: @deverynross As news broke that a family of four was found dead near the Manitoba-U.S. border, we, like most Canadians, were heartbroken. But we were also angry. Opinion As news broke that a family of four was found dead near the Manitoba-U.S. border, we, like most Canadians, were heartbroken. But we were also angry. This was neither shocking nor unexpected. In some ways the greater surprise is that we have not seen more deaths along this border. We are reminded that in May 2017, the body of 57-year old Mavis Otuteye was found on the American side of this same border near Emerson. She died trying to cross the border to reunite with her daughter and meet her new granddaughter. Seidu Mohammed and Razak Iyal wandered lost for hours in December 2016 along this same border before being rescued by a truck driver. They lost fingers and toes to frostbite on their journey but it could have easily been worse. Ultimately, Canada recognized both mens claims for refugee status and welcomed them. We dont know why this family of four and others made the dangerous and tragically deadly decision to cross the border and attempt entry into the United States but we can speak to what influenced their decision to pursue such a risky route and, it seems, rely on human smugglers. The Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) requires individuals to make a refugee claim in whichever country they arrive. In practice, this has meant that Canada has effectively outsourced much of its asylum decisions to the U.S. as it is easier for asylum seekers to reach the U.S. first. However, in what has often been described as a loophole, the STCA only applies at official ports of entry between the two countries. Rather than making the border more accessible to those seeking protection and safety, this pushes people to find increasingly clandestine ways to cross the border. The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a constitutional challenge to the STCA. This is the culmination of legal challenges that have highlighted how the STCA violates the fundamental rights of asylum seekers with evidence that the U.S. is unsafe for many refugees and that serious rights violations occur in U.S. detention. This most recent phase in efforts to end the STCA is playing out as La Presse reports U.S. and Canadian officials have been quietly meeting since December to negotiate a new version of the agreement. Advocates in both countries have also long warned officials that the STCA encourages smuggling at more remote border points. This latest tragedy underscores those dangers, regardless of the circumstances or intentions of the family of four found on Wednesday. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy has warned others contemplating similar crossings, I do understand that for some there may be a great need to get to another country, but this is not the way. You will be risking your life and the lives of the people you care about if you try it. Yet, for some this risk feels like the only chance at life. A 47-year-old American citizen has been arrested and charged with human smuggling related to this case. It appears the victims were part of a larger group and that they became separated from the rest of the group after having been abandoned in the extreme cold to complete their journey. Smugglers profit by exploiting the desperation of others. Governments are good at making laws to punish smugglers, too often also punishing those who offer genuine acts of humanitarian assistance. But smugglers work in the space created by laws that erect obstacles to safe routes of migration across borders. We cant end the desperation that leads to choices to cross borders and this tragedy reveals there is no shortage of people who will seek to profit from the desperation of others. But we can do more to ensure no one else dies crossing the Canadian border. Rather than strengthening restrictions and building obstacles, we implore the government to instead find ways to make the border more accessible so no one else is forced to put their family in grave danger in the hope of finding safety. Shauna Labman is an associate professor of human rights at the Global College, University of Winnipeg. Julie Young is an assistant professor & Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Critical Border Studies in the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Lethbridge. Russian President Vladimir Putin has kept Canada and other western governments in a nervous state since mid-October 2021 by moving troops and military equipment close to Ukraine, as though he meant to start a war. He and his policy makers have meanwhile complained more and more loudly about a supposed threat to Russia from the stationing of western military forces in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland four year ago. Russian President Vladimir Putin has kept Canada and other western governments in a nervous state since mid-October 2021 by moving troops and military equipment close to Ukraine, as though he meant to start a war. He and his policy makers have meanwhile complained more and more loudly about a supposed threat to Russia from the stationing of western military forces in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland four year ago. Since he seized Crimea by military force in 2014 after Ukrainians kicked out their pro-Russian president, and since he has been supporting pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine ever since, it is clear Mr. Putin thinks he has some freedom to throw his weight around in Ukraine. But would he actually go to war? Cyberattacks on Ukraine on Jan. 14 and, as disclosed Monday, on Canadas Global Affairs department seemed to warn that Russian hackers were softening up Ukraine and its allies for some kind of big push. Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved thousands of troops and military equipment close to Ukraine. (The Associated Press files) If Mr. Putin is preparing a ground offensive, he is taking his time about it. U.S. newspapers relying on U.S. military intelligence sources have been drawing attention since Dec. 3 to the presence of more than 75,000 Russian troops within striking distance of Ukraine. Many of these troops had been moved from distant locations in Siberia. Since then, the estimated numbers of troops have risen above 100,000. So far, the Russian hostilities have consisted of threatening deployments, heated rhetoric, high-level diplomatic contacts and, this week, an announcement of Russian naval exercises off the coast of Ireland. Mr. Putin seems to hope that, if he barks loud enough from the bottom of the tree, he can frighten western leaders so much that Ukraine will drop into his hands. Mr. Putin knows perfectly well that the NATO forces in Poland and the Baltic countries pose no threat to Russia. Canadas 500 troops in Latvia, for example, part of a 1,000-strong battle group, would not stand a chance against the Russian army if they ever attacked Russia. Mr. Putin knows exactly what the Canadians are up to because Russian military observers are invited to attend their activities. The government of Ukraine hopes to join NATO and the European Union. Something like that may eventually happen. People in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, however, look to Russia and would not welcome connection to the west. People in western Ukraine look to the west and do not wish to live under Russian domination. If Ukraine is to remain one country, it will have to live with these opposing ambitions. CP An instructor trains members of Ukraine's Territorial Defence Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine on Jan. 22, 2022. Dozens of civilians have been joining Ukraine's army reserves in recent weeks amid fears about Russian invasion. (Efrem Lukatsky / The Associated Press files) Neither the logic of the case nor Mr. Putins manoeuvres can force the NATO countries to turn their backs on Ukraine. If Mr. Putin really wants to fight a war in order to imprison Ukraines people once again within a revived Russian Empire, on his head be it. The most it will get him is a country of unwilling subjects who detest him and his government and who have tasted 30 years of freedom since the Soviet Union collapsed. The governments of Canada and its allies should calm their nerves and ignore Mr. Putins provocations. They should prepare for an onslaught of cyberattacks and a crescendo of barking from the dogs at the bottom of the tree. They should waste no tears on Mr. Putins lament that his country is misunderstood, encircled and threatened. The worst threat to Russia comes from the man who runs it. GoFundMe has frozen access to the more than $4.7 million in funds raised by the trucker convoy now wending its way across the country toward Ottawa in a protest against vaccine mandates. Trucks sit idle before a cross-country convoy departure for Ottawa to protest a federal vaccine mandate for truckers, in Delta, B.C., on Sunday, January 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck GoFundMe has frozen access to the more than $4.7 million in funds raised by the trucker convoy now wending its way across the country toward Ottawa in a protest against vaccine mandates. "We require that fundraisers be transparent about the flow of funds and have a clear plan for how those funds will be spent. In this case, we are in touch with the organizer to verify that information," Rachel Hollis, a spokeswoman for the crowdfunding platform, said in an email. "Funds will be safely held until the organizer is able to provide the documentation to our team about how funds will be properly distributed." As of Tuesday afternoon, funds were raised from 61,100 donors, according to the GoFundMe page of the "Freedom Convoy." Tamara Lich, who is also secretary of the fledgling Western separatist Maverick Party, launched the campaign on Jan. 14. It states that the money will go toward fuel as well as food and lodgings for big-riggers taking part. "Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods," the convoy's GoFundMe page states. "We are a peaceful country that has helped protect nations across the globe from tyrannical governments who oppressed their people, and now it seems it is happening here." As of Jan. 15, the federal government required Canadian truckers to be fully vaccinated if they want to avoid a 14-day quarantine when they cross the border from the United States. Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has also announced that vaccination will become mandatory for workers in all federally regulated industries, though no timeline has been laid out. The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which has denounced the convoy protest, says more than 85 per cent of the 120,000 Canadian truck drivers who regularly traverse the border are vaccinated, but that up to 16,000 may be sidelined due to the new restriction, exacerbating supply chain problems. The big-riggers are bound for a protest set for Saturday in Ottawa, where drivers from across the country are planning to converge. In a joint release Tuesday, the federal government and alliance president Stephen Laskowski acknowledged "unprecedented challenges" to a sector that ships the vast majority of food and consumer products, but stressed vaccination as the route to economic health. "Vaccines, medications, personal protective equipment, food, and supplies continue to arrive where they need to be thanks to the efforts of our dedicated commercial truck drivers," said Laskowski, O'Regan, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough. "The government of Canada and the Canadian Trucking Alliance both agree that vaccination, used in combination with preventive public health measures, is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for Canadians, and to protect public health." Last Saturday the U.S. barred unvaccinated Canadian drivers from entering the country, mirroring Canada's border filter for American truckers. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In a Twitter thread Monday showing pictures of depleted grocery store shelves, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said he was "on the phone with U.S. governors" that morning who share his concerns. He said he is was working on a joint letter to U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end the dual vaccine mandates. The convoy was greeted in Saskatchewan on Monday night by supporters Conservative members of Parliament Andrew Scheer and Warren Steinley were among them and by more backers Tuesday morning before it left for Manitoba. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole warned last week that "we're going to see prices skyrocket for groceries, for everything," and that the Liberal government's vaccine mandate would spark "division and pink slips." Trudeau said Monday that Conservative politicians were "fearmongering" about the supply chain. "The best way to continue to prevent supply chain disruptions is to ensure that everyone gets vaccinated," Trudeau said in French. He noted the Canadian Trucking Alliance backs vaccination though the association argued persistently against the mandate in the lead-up to its implementation earlier this month. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2022. A Canada-wide series of protests against the cross-border travel vaccine mandate for the trucking industry passed through Winnipeg on Monday afternoon. A Canada-wide series of protests against the cross-border travel vaccine mandate for the trucking industry passed through Winnipeg on Monday afternoon. A fleet of vehicles, called the "Freedom Convoy," started out in B.C. on Sunday. It is set to visit cities across the country before gathering in Ottawa to protest the policy that requires all Canadian truckers crossing the border from the United States to be vaccinated to avoid a two-week quarantine. The policy was announced in November; it came into effect Jan. 15. The Winnipeg leg of the protest began on Portage Avenue at the west Perimeter Highway, travelled east and ended on Broadway near the Manitoba Legislative Building, according to city police, who recommended motorists avoid the route, if possible. A GoFundMe webpage started by organizers to fund the cost of fuel, food and amenities for those taking part has reached more than $3.5 million in 10 days. By 12:30 p.m. Monday, around 30 vehicles mainly personal vehicles, but a few commercial trucks had stopped on Broadway, backing up traffic. Some carried signs with slogans critical of Canadas COVID-19 response, including signage reading "No Vax Pass" and "Mandatory injections are a global mass murder." One supporter, who had signage around his personal vehicle comparing the COVID-19 pandemic to the Nuremberg trials and insinuating PCR tests were reading false positives, said he had come out because he has family in the trucking industry. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Manitoba Trucking Association distanced itself from the protesters, saying it supports the Canadian Trucking Alliances stance concerning the convoy. "Im here to support the truckers, because theyre all getting hurt, theyre losing their livelihoods," said the man, who didnt want his name published. "This pandemic has cost peoples jobs and businesses are hurting, and the science just doesnt support this pandemic." The man said he works in the medical field. His passenger, who said she was a nurse, said the pair had found out about the convoy through "like-minded" social media groups. Both implied the vaccine against COVID-19 was dangerous and the response to the pandemic had underlying political motives. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "This has divided families families are so divided now, were paying for it on so many different levels its not even funny," the man said. The Manitoba Trucking Association distanced itself from the protesters, saying it supports the Canadian Trucking Alliances stance concerning the convoy. A spokesperson from the Canadian Trucking Alliance condemned the protests, calling them ineffective and unsafe. "CTA believes such actions especially those that interfere with public safety are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed," the spokesperson wrote in a statement. "Members of the trucking industry who want to publicly express displeasure over government policies can choose to hold an organized, lawful event on Parliament Hill or contact their local MP. What is not acceptable is disrupting the motoring public on highways and commerce at the border." malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca A Georgia timber company is turning to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in its six-year quest to build a frac sand facility on western Wisconsin wetlands. Meteor Timber is asking the high court to grant a permit for the $75 million project, overturning findings of two lower courts and an administrative law judge. A state appeals court last month upheld lower court rulings that the state Department of Natural Resources violated the law when it issued Meteor Timber a permit to fill 16.25 acres of wetlands in Monroe County. The three-judge panel found the DNR lacked sufficient information to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed project and improperly amended a permit that was granted despite dozens of unanswered questions. The rescinded permit would have been the states single largest destruction of wetlands for a frac sand project. Meteor argues that the administrative law judge who revoked the permit should have deferred to the agencys expertise and relied less on the testimony of a recently retired DNR ecologist who said there wasnt enough data to assess Meteors mitigation plan. The petition, filed last week, claims the judge also placed too much emphasis on a heading on the initial permit conditions. In his view, the heading operated as a specific admission that the Department lacked sufficient information to assess environmental impact, Meteors petition states. To be sure, the heading was not artfully worded. However, it is reasonable to suggest that the meaning of the heading is more ambiguous than perceived Meteor argues the courts review will develop and clarify the law regarding wetland permit conditions and how much weight administrative law judges should give to government agencies. The Supreme Court has not said if it will hear the case. Opponents, including Clean Wisconsin and the Ho-Chunk Nation, have until next week to respond. Midwest Environmental Advocates, which has represented the Ho-Chunk Nation, said the court should reject the case but the group is prepared to defend the previous victories. Meteor Timbers attempts to obtain a permit have been denied by the courts at every level, yet they appear dead set on destroying these irreplaceable wetlands, said MEA spokesperson Peg Sheaffer. The appeal is the latest act in a five-year legal saga that spans two administrations, multiple courts, and shifting markets for the high-quality Wisconsin sand used to extract oil and gas from deep rock formations. Meteor applied for the permit in 2016, saying it needed to fill the wetlands to build a processing and rail loading facility near the town of Millston that would serve two nearby mines on land the company acquired when it purchased nearly 50,000 acres of Wisconsin forest. The company argued the site, on the Union Pacific rail line, was the only viable option to economically deliver its product to oil producers in Texas. Despite finding that the project would result in permanent and irreversible impacts and the loss of 13.4 acres of exceptional quality imperiled habitat, Gov. Scott Walkers DNR granted a permit that included dozens of conditions and questions. The agency issued a final permit five months later with some of those questions unanswered. Clean Wisconsin and the Ho-Chunk Nation challenged the permits, and an ALJ revoked it after a five-day hearing in 2018. Meteor petitioned then-Secretary Dan Meyer to overrule the judges decision, but Secretary Preston Cole, appointed by Gov. Tony Evers in January 2019, closed the case without acting on the petition. Monroe County Circuit Judge Todd Ziegler and a three-judge appeals panel agreed with the ALJs ruling. In the years since the initial application, Wisconsins sand industry has seen bankruptcies, consolidation and closures amid competition from mines in Texas. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Winona, MN (55987) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High 62F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 42F. Winds light and variable. For the first in three years, area special needs individuals will have a night to celebrate in March. Through the Beacon Grant from the Elks National Foundation, Baraboo Elks Lodge 688 is sponsoring Dancing Under the Stars, A Prom for Individuals with Special Needs, on March 19. According to the event flyer, the dinner, dance and coronation will run from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Baraboo Civic Center, and is free of charge to all guests. We are spending $2,500 of the grant to sponsor the Prom, said Baraboo Elks Secretary Kathy Francisco. The first one was fabulous. They (attendees) had the best time of their lives. These are a lot of people who, in high school, did not have the opportunity to go. Were giving them their own prom night and they really enjoy it. Anyone with special needs age 13 and older can attend the event. Francisco said the guest limit is 100. According to Francisco, 16 area businesses and residents are contributing to the event, including Kevin Kellogg, a local disc jockey and The Wilderness Resort in Lake Delton, which is providing table linens. We didnt solicit, said Francisco of the many contributors. I put it out on Baraboo United on Facebook that we were going to sponsor this prom three years ago and boom people started calling. I am excited to be offering my services for free as I feel this is a very worthwhile event the that the Baraboo Elks are hosting, said Kellogg through email Catering the event will be Jo Heath with assistant Amber MacMurray. The original event flyer said the dinner will consist of bite size beef medallions, mashed potatoes, salad and dessert. Water, lemonade, and iced tea will be served as drinks. Francisco said she may consider coffee as well. The first installment of the event in 2019 was at Camp Wawbeek in Wisconsin Dells, according to Francisco. She added that a need for more space was the basis for the venue change. Well use the gym so itll be a real prom, said Francisco with a laugh. The prom attendees should have a great time dancing to the music and enjoying the event, said Kellogg. If any guests requires assistance with restroom or feeding needs or have behavioral issues that require assistance, the Baraboo Elks asks that a caregiver attend. Francisco said there are no current guidelines in place regarding masks or COVID-19 vaccinations for attending. Cast and crew members from three area high school productions have been nominated for top state theater awards. Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre, Beaver Dam High School and Mayville High School are participants in the Jerry Awards, a program run through the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. Named after philanthropist and arts supporter W. Jerome Frautschi, the program encourages and recognizes student excellence in musical theater. The Jerry Awards will see roughly 100 productions each year. Educators and industry professionals review musicals in 30 Wisconsin counties, providing constructive feedback to the schools. Mayville High Schools December production of Mary Poppins received the following nominations: Outstanding Lead Performance: Leah Seiler and Alec Twigg Outstanding Supporting Performance: Tahlia Holappa, Emma Tenerelli-Meddaugh and Joseph Weiglein Outstanding Ensemble Outstanding Choreography: John Dobbratz Outstanding Scenic Design: John Dobbratz Spirit Award: Joseph Weiglein MHS Musical Director John Dobbratz said he was impressed with every single person involved with the show. This cast and crew took care of each other, spent time growing each moment of this show and truly committed to taking audiences to a magical place, he said. The outpouring of emotion following the final show made it clear that this cast cared so much about what they do and Im so thankful for them to have had the audiences and reviews that they did. Beaver Dam High Schools November production of Fiddler on the Roof received the following nominations: Outstanding Lead Performance: Karl Weidler, Rachel Falkinham, Abby Davidson, Warrick Gochenaur and Eli Uttech Outstanding Supporting Performance: Elise Mangan, Mylana Lunde, Natalie Franke, Brendan Simon, Clara Hale, Kadon Hoffman and Zoe Lord Spirit Award: Warrick Gochenaur, Kadon Hoffman, Eli Uttech and Karl Weidler BDHS Musical Director Mark Lefeber said the review he received of the show contained 21 pages of notes for the cast, crew, and orchestra. Reviewers specify things that are being done well, and things that can be improved upon the next time a musical is produced. Its so great to see students being recognized for their hard work throughout the fall. I am, as always, grateful to my team for doing all they can to make these students shine on stage, he said. Lefeber also directed Beaver Dam Area Community Theatres all-area high school production in June. Dobbratz joined him as the choreographer of Working: A Musical. John was fantastic! The kids loved him, the direction team loved working with him. He was an excellent addition to the team, he said. The musical doesnt have lead characters as the audience meets and hears stories of individual workers in the course of one day. Lefeber said this allowed the opportunity to cast many more voices and to feature some performers in speaking roles, and not just singing roles. Students from five high schools were recognized for their work. Working: A Musical received the following nominations: Outstanding Supporting Performance: Kaleb Herrick of Horicon High School, Riley Smith of BDHS, Alanna Schuett of Wayland Academy, Elyse Braun of BDHS, Sarah Rhoads of Sun Prairie High School, Koen Jaeckel of BDHS, Matthew Bachmann of BDHS, Reese Vache of Columbus High School, Natalie Dibert of BDHS, Brendan Simon of BDHS, Eli Uttech of BDHS, Trevor Wunsch of BDHS and Weston Fields of BDHS. Outstanding Direction: Director Mark Lefeber and Assistant Director Amy Friedl Outstanding Costume Design: Natalyn Nelson Outstanding Sound Design: Greg Ritchart Spirit Award: Matthew Bachmann, Natalie Dibert and Olivia Lafler, all of BDHS An exciting note about the spirit nominees is that Olivia is the first pit member to be nominated for the Spirit Award. Shes played keys in the pit for the last three years, and this year she took the podium as conductor for the show, said Lefeber. The Overture Center announces the Jerry Award recipients based on the nominations in May. The 2022 Jerry Awards Show will be held on Sunday, June 12, and features performances by outstanding musical and performers. Follow Kelly Simon on Twitter @KSchmidSimon or contact her at 920-356-6757. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Portage Boys and Girls Club is not yet an official part of the West Central Boys and Girls Club network but it is one step closer with a temporary building facility. The group continues to fundraise for the initial funds needed to start the club. The Edward C. Lenz and June M. Lenz Charitable Trust is supporting the Together We Can Portage Project with a $150,000 challenge grant. The grant will match every dollar donated until they reach the goal of $300,000. The club was given permission by Portage School Board to use the East Wing of the Rusch Building for club activities starting as early as fall. Portage would become the fourth club as a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin along with Baraboo, Reedsburg and Tomah. To become an official club the group needs to raise $300,000 as an operating budget. All potential clubs are required to raise an operating budget before becoming a club to show the community supports the club. Erika Sween is a member of the steering committee for the group and works for the school district as a math interventionist. She said the Rusch Building is ideal for the time being because it has an inside gymnasium, theater, fenced in playground and a secure entrance. How To Donate To donate, visit www.BGCWCW.org/ and click the Portage Project button on the main menu. All donations received will be restricted to the Together We Can Portage Project. This will help us get the Club up and running quicker than if we were to wait for an ideal location to open up in the community or for us to try to raise even more funds for a building of our own, Sween said. We will continue to work with the School District to decide if this will be the permanent long-term location, but this location makes the most sense right now. The Rusch building is being retired as an elementary school after the 2021-2022 school year. Next school year, all elementary students will attend Woodridge Elementary and John Muir Elementary schools. Erika Sween said the goal is for the club to be open at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Portage School Administrator Josh Sween, married to Erika, said in his recent video update that the district is continuing to work with the group to bring a club to Portage. The plan as it stands right now is to have the club up and running in the fall of 2022 to coincide with the beginning of the school year, Josh Sween said. This is a wonderful opportunity for our community and would provide safe and engaging atmosphere after school. He said the school district will allow the future club to have access to the Rusch Building gym, music rooms and kindergarten rooms. Some people has asked Why is that building good enough for the boys and girls club but not for continued use for school? Sween said in the video posted online. The issue the district ran into was the cost of bringing the entire building up to standards suitable for operation and also dealing with the declining enrollment by consolidating students and staff into our other elementary buildings. The club will only be using the east wing of the Rusch building and the rest of the building will be closed as the district figures out what it will do with the building. Josh Sween said the partnership with the Boys and Girls Club and the school district will be an exciting opportunity. I know it will be well worth it for our students and the community, Josh Sween said. Portage Police Chief Keith Klafke wrote a letter in support of the Portage Boys and Girls Club. He is also a member of the clubs steering committee. I am an active committee member because I believe this program will provide our youth with opportunity and structure which is currently limited. I have been a part of this community for over 20 years and have seen the voids that this program will address and immediately enhance, Klafke wrote. Members of the Portage Police Department will support the Boys and Girls Club in a variety of ways from safety and educational presentations, mentorships, and positive youth interactions. Erika Sween said the next step for the group is to establish a board of directors and hire staff members, which will need to be done before the $300,000 goal is reached. We will open the doors and then establish regular major fundraising events that would continue to help us serve all in the community at a low cost to individuals and families, she said. She said the club could help draw families to the community by helping to address concerns about after school childcare and enhance learning opportunities. I think its really a great opportunity and I cant wait for my own three young children to attend the Club themselves. Right now only one of them would be old enough to attend, so I will be involved in this organization for many years to come, she said. Erika Sween added that the club is hoping to work with the Portage Parks and Recreation Department in the future. The department works with the school district to operate the pool at the Rusch Building. Boys and Girls Club would hope to continue to work in partnership with the School District and the citys Park and Rec Department to make sure each operates to its full potential and that together they will be a force the incentivizes people to move to Portage with their families, Erika Sween said. The club has a number of fundraising opportunities coming up. On Jan. 31 Culvers is holding a give back night, on Feb. 10 there will be a 50/50 raffle at the Portage Boys Basketball game and a trivia night on March 26 at the Masonic Lodge. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Absentee ballot drop boxes will be allowed in the Feb. 15 spring primary, a state appeals court decided Monday as it blocked a recent ruling by a Waukesha County judge. The state District 4 Court of Appeals issued a stay against the earlier ruling by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren, which barred the use of absentee ballot drop boxes in the state. The appeals court said in an order Monday that the lower courts ruling creates the potential for voter confusion and uncertainty in the upcoming primary. In their order, appeals court judges Brian Blanchard, Rachel Graham and Jennifer Nashold agreed with the Wisconsin Elections Commissions concern that some voters may have already deposited their absentee ballots in drop boxes or given them to a spouse or caregiver to be mailed or delivered to a clerk. The commission reported that, as of about 8 a.m. Monday, nearly 8,400 absentee ballots had already been sent out by local clerks and at least 1,845 ballots have already been delivered or are currently out for delivery, according to court records. If the current guidance is withdrawn at this stage of the election process, there is significant uncertainty as to whether these votes would be counted, the court wrote. Given this situation, the risk of confusion and possible disenfranchisement is compelling. The appeals court will decide at a future date what measures need to be in place for elections after the spring primary. At the same time, the state Supreme Court also could take up the matter. Todays ruling will stop new barriers to voting from being imposed, and almost certainly prevent some Wisconsinites from being disenfranchised, in the upcoming February elections, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement. We will continue protecting Wisconsinites freedom to vote. On Jan. 13, Bohren ruled in a case brought by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty that there is no statutory authority to have drop boxes used for the collection of absentee ballots outside of a specifically allowed alternate absentee ballot location or at a clerks office. Bohren also ordered that voters cannot have anyone else return their ballot for them. WILLs lawsuit was filed days after the state Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling, turned back a separate attempt by a major Republican donor to ban the boxes. The state Department of Justice filed a motion for an appeal late Friday following Bohrens decision that day denying a request to put the ruling on hold until after the upcoming spring primary. The state Elections Commission and a group of voting rights advocacy organizations also appealed the ruling last week. The bipartisan commission was originally scheduled to discuss Bohrens ruling later Monday, but the meeting was canceled in light of the Court of Appeals decision. Widely used State statutes do not address the use of ballot drop boxes, though the commission issued guidance in early 2020 to allow election clerks to make use of them. The boxes were widely used in the state that year as an alternative for voters worried that, with the crush of absentee ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic and potential delays in mail delivery, their ballots might not make it back before Election Day. At least 34 states used or planned to use ballot drop boxes in the 2020 election and about 16% of nationwide voters in the 2016 general election made use of the boxes, according to the commissions website. Only four states prohibited the use of drop boxes when the commission issued the 2020 guidance for their use in Wisconsin. State elections commission administrator Meagan Wolfe said in testimony in the circuit court case last year the commission was aware of at least 528 drop boxes being used across the state in the 2020 November election. While some cities installed multiple boxes, Wolfe said the boxes were ultimately used by more than 430 communities. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement she was happy to hear the state appeals court recognizes that drop boxes are a normal part of elections in our state and that changing the rules right before an election is inappropriate. I am confident that they will recognize that removing drop boxes altogether risks disenfranchising voters in Madison and across the state, Rhodes-Conway added. The Wisconsin Supreme Court also could take up the topic of drop boxes in a lawsuit filed last year by Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch challenging the commissions guidance on drop boxes. The states high court has not said if it will take up the case before it goes through lower courts. Another lawsuit was filed earlier this month by a Waukesha County resident represented by WILL. The voter is suing the Elections Commission for rejecting a complaint he filed last year regarding ballot drop boxes. Wisconsin lawmakers approved bills Tuesday that would create enhanced penalties for rioters and divert federal funds to shore up law enforcement staffing challenges. While the Republican-authored bills would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, they show Republicans tough-on-crime agenda going into Novembers gubernatorial and Senate elections as Wisconsin Republicans say Democratic politicians push ineffective crime policies and encourage violent protests. The Senate passed a GOP-authored bill that would bar public schools from teaching students or training employees about concepts such as systemic racism and implicit bias. The chamber also approved the first of several votes on a joint resolution that would give the Republican Legislature the final say over how the governor spends federal funds allocated to the state. Riot penalties A Republican bill headed to Evers after passing the Assembly and Senate Tuesday would create mandatory minimum sentences for people participating in riots defined as gatherings of at least three people with a clear danger toward property or people where somebody commits or threatens to commit an act of violence. Under the bill which passed the Senate on a voice vote and the Assembly on a 59-34 party-line vote intentionally attending a riot would constitute a misdemeanor and carry a 30-day jail sentence; knowingly participating in a riot resulting in injury or property damage would carry up to a 45-day jail sentence. Several law enforcement organizations backed the bill, while activist groups and the city of Milwaukee opposed the bill as likely to infringe protesters free speech and assembly rights. Protest is democracy, Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, said ahead of the vote. This bill brought forward today by my friends across the aisle is a declaration of war against the First Amendment. The bill was also opposed by the conservative group Americans for Prosperity, who shared a statement saying, AFP fears this well-intended legislation would have a chilling effect on the lawful exercise of free expression and could be inappropriately applied by government officials in a partisan or otherwise biased manner. The Assembly Tuesday passed a second bill that would permit three-and-a-half-year sentences for people who damage or deface government property or items on government property of commemorative or historical significance. It came in response to 2020 incidents in which racial justice demonstrators tore down the Forward and Col. Hans Christian Heg statues on Capitol Square. The bill, which is headed to the Senate, passed on a 59-33 roll call vote Tuesday with all Republicans as well as Rep. Steve Doyle, D-Onalaska, in favor. Law enforcement Several bills the Assembly passed Tuesday would use around $25 million in federal COVID-19 relief money to recruit, train and retain law enforcement officers. The bills making up the package are now headed to the Senate. If they pass, they are likely to be vetoed by Evers, who has rejected similar measures by lawmakers to direct federal spending in the past. Ahead of the Assembly session Tuesday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said workforce shortages combined with negative Democratic messaging about police have exacerbated law enforcement challenges. Probably the toughest job right now, where it seems like a whole bunch of forces are coming down on folks, is in law enforcement, Vos said. Vos added that while health care workers often receive strong bipartisan support, law enforcement officer support is more divided, especially among Democrats and the defund the police movement. The bills, which passed on roll call votes with Republicans and Doyle in favor, would use federal funds to provide bonuses to law enforcement officers serving in Wisconsin for the first time; establish part-time police academy programs in at least two technical colleges; provide required medical testing and certain supplies to officers at local agencies; reimburse people training to be officers and law enforcement agencies whose officers recertify each year; and lead to the creation of a marketing campaign focused on recruiting and retaining officers in Wisconsin. Critical race theory The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to prohibit teaching concepts related to critical race theory, which was introduced amid a nationwide push by conservatives to police how teachers talk about race in the classroom. Critical race theory is a decades-old academic framework that can be used to understand how systemic racism prevails through laws and institutions. The theory asserts that racism is ingrained in the nations social structures and policies. The bill passed 20-13, with Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, joining all Democratic lawmakers in opposition to the bill. Marklein said local school boards should retain control over the matter. The measure passed the Assembly on a 60-38 party-line vote last fall, but is all but certain to be vetoed by Evers, a former state schools superintendent. Opponents have criticized the bill as an attempt to strip local control from school districts and say it misinterprets the concept of critical race theory, which focuses on social and racial inequality in U.S. law and institutions. Federal funds The Senate voted 21-12, with all Democratic lawmakers opposed, in favor of a GOP-authored constitutional amendment that would give Republicans final say over how the governor spends federal funds allocated to the state. The measure would need to pass the Senate and Assembly in two successive sessions before going to voters in a referendum. The governor cannot veto a constitutional amendment. Currently, the governor has sole discretion over how federal funds are spent, but there has been a growing push among legislative Republicans seeking more control over how the executive office doles out federal funds primarily in recent years as the federal government pumped billions of stimulus dollars into the state to help address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal before the Senate would prohibit any executive branch official or department from allocating any federal dollars without first securing approval from a legislative committee, which officials have said would likely be the GOP-led budget committee. Evers has vetoed several efforts in recent years by Republicans seeking control over federal funds. COVID-19 The Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that would require employers to allow proof of prior COVID-19 infection known as natural immunity as an alternative to vaccination and regular testing even though studies show unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected with the virus as vaccinated people. Ahead of the bills party-line 59-34 vote, Rep. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton, said she wished there were two lines one to get a vaccine and the other to get COVID-19 so Wisconsin could move beyond the pandemic. In Wisconsin, 12,010 people have died from COVID-19 so far, and the mortality rate among the unvaccinated is far higher than those who are vaccinated. Another Republican bill that passed the Assembly on a voice vote Tuesday would prohibit governmental entities from discriminating against people based on whether they received a COVID-19 vaccine. Both of the COVID-19 bills are now headed to the Senate. If they pass, they will face a likely veto from Evers, who last year vetoed a GOP bill that would have barred public health officials from requiring people get vaccinated. Employee contracts Both chambers Tuesday approved new contracts for state troopers and building tradespeople such as carpenters and electricians. The contract for state troopers provides a 2% wage increase in the previous two-year period that ended last June. It also includes payments equal to a 2% increase for hours worked 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, 2021. Contracts for other workers apply to the previous and current fiscal years and implement raises ranging from 1.23% to 1.8%. The Senate and Assembly unanimously approved the contracts Tuesday, which will now be sent to Evers. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Gender Commission has failed women Scientists say the Commissions statement against mandatory vaccinations is offensive, irresponsible and misleading. Scientists call on the Gender Commission to withdraw its statement, engage with the relevant institutions, societies and experts and replace it with one that truly addresses Covid-19 reproductive health concerns. On 16 January, the Commission for Gender Equality issued a statement titled Gender Commission on imposing mandatory Covid-19 vaccination, in which it noted a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology earlier in the month that found vaccines cause a small, but temporary change in menstrual cycle length. In the article, the commission misinterprets the paper and also fails to consider the many other harmful impacts associated with Covid-19 disease and reproductive health that make immunisation a priority for women of childbearing age. In the Obstetrics and Gynaecology article (online here) cited by the Gender Commission, the authors found that in women using Pfizer-BioNTech (55%), Moderna (35%) or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (7%), Covid-19 vaccination was associated with a less than a one-day change in cycle length for both vaccine-dose cycles compared with pre-vaccine cycles (first dose 0.71 day-increase, second dose 0.91 day-increase). The overall conclusion of the study was that their findings were reassuring in that there was no population-level clinically meaningful change in menstrual cycle length associated with Covid-19 vaccination and that Covid-19 vaccination was not associated with changes in menses length. Using this study as justification and ignoring the studys reassuring conclusions, the Gender Commission cautioned businesses and institutions against forcing employees to vaccinate and recommended against imposing sanctions against them if they did not vaccinate against Covid-19. It further warned that mandatory vaccination mandates do not supersede South Africas Constitution and its provisions and that Maintaining public health, reaching herd immunity, and preventing mutating Covid-19 variants are noble acts but should not be achieved by trampling the basic human rights that are enshrined in the Constitution. The commission specifically noted that the large numbers of young females employed as cashiers and cleaners in South Africas retail sector were unable to negotiate with their employers, should they not wish to vaccinate. In addition, it called for institutions of higher learning to afford the same respect to students and workers who may not wish to vaccinate. It further stated that many students and workers were not empowered to negotiate with big corporates and institutions and attributed this shortcoming to the countrys legacy of oppression, economic inequality and limited access to information. The commission underscored that section 12 (2) of the Constitution on the rights to bodily and psychological integrity, which include the rights to make decisions concerning reproduction; to security in and control over their body; and not to be subjected to medical or scientific experiments without informed consent could not be infringed. However, the Gender Commission, in its misunderstanding and hence misrepresentation of the studys findings, asserts that due to possible long-term effects from what it describes more broadly as a scientifically established connection between Covid-19 vaccinations and womens reproductive health, many women may not be comfortable taking vaccines. In so doing, the Commission ignores the fact that, as explained below, Covid-19 itself poses an enormous threat to womens reproductive health, and that addressing the low vaccine uptake among women of child-bearing age is both ethically imperative and a human rights obligation for the protection of their reproductive health in the ongoing pandemic. Unfortunately, such messaging compounds young peoples concerns regarding fertility and Covid-19 vaccination, which is unfounded in published literature and undermines vaccination efforts. Low uptake of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnant and breastfeeding women in public health facilities remains a concern and frequently stems from healthcare workers themselves not following recommended guidance due to their own beliefs and misperceptions. In publishing an article like this, the Gender Commission seems oblivious of the danger of the assertions made in its statement that the enthusiasm of women of reproductive age for receiving a Covid-19 vaccine may be negatively curbed especially in light of currently circulating anecdotal claims of the vaccines adversely affecting fertility and pregnancy. Rather than debunking these contentions and reassuring the women, it claims that there is no available scientific evidence to support such assertions, it causes further harm to them by issuing cautions and warnings based on false information and a misreading of the science. It is unclear how the commission has come to the conclusion that reproductive health is negatively affected with regard to a less than one-day change in cycle length that corrects itself the following cycle. While some studies have noted menstrual changes after mRNA and adenovirus vectored Covid-19 vaccinations, menstrual lengths return to normal with the following cycle. Moreover, in a study of menstruating women, it was found that a quarter of those that had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 experienced menstrual disturbances. There is no evidence that the use of Covid-19 vaccines adversely affects womens long-term reproductive health. Of note, there is currently no evidence that Covid-19 vaccinations cause infertility (see Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists, British Fertility Society, Covid-19 vaccines and fertility, 2021 here, an article in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology here) and in clinical trials, unintended pregnancies occurred at the same rate in both the vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Studies (see here and here) have also found that being unvaccinated is a huge risk to women in the reproductive age group as being infected with Covid-19 starkly increased pregnancy complications, including stillbirths and critical care admissions among the unvaccinated groups. It is the mandate of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) rather than the Gender Commission, to evaluate the balance of any possible risk resulting from vaccine use against proven clinical benefits. Sahpras current guidance is that Covid-19 vaccines for women of childbearing age and pregnant women are recommended. Using evidence generated by robust scientific studies, the CDC (US), WHO, NHS (UK), other internationally recognised authorities and the SA Vaccine Ministerial Advisory Committee have issued guidelines and advisories emphasising the importance of Covid-19 vaccination for women in this age group. It is disconcerting that the Gender Commission, a Chapter 9 Institution of the SA Constitution and an organ of state, would stray from its constitutional mandate as set out in section 187(2). The commission must promote respect for gender equality and protect, develop and attain gender equality. In realising its mandate, it has the power to monitor, research, educate, lobby, advise and report on issues concerning gender equality as regulated by the Commission for Gender Equality Act 39 of 1996. The drafters of the Constitution judged it to be necessary to create a separate independent institution to deal with the distinctive needs of women, considering the unfair discrimination South African women were subjected to during the colonial and apartheid eras, and the patriarchal nature of society in our country. Given the history of South Africa and the reason the commission was established, it is unfortunate and unacceptable that the commission seems to have lost its way and muddled the issues emanating from the mandatory vaccination debates with womens reproductive health and rights. In addition, similar to the initial utterances from the Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) (also a Chapter 9 Institution), it is clutching at the wrong end of the stick and missed the point on individual rights versus public health needs when it uses section 12 of the Constitution to admonish employers and institutions regarding the trampling of human rights. Notwithstanding the entitlements to rights, most rights in the Constitution may be limited, provided the limitation is of general application, and is reasonable and justifiable which means that it is rational, proportional and the least restrictive in terms of achieving its objective (section 36). It is argued that, where backed by scientific evidence and the rights of all people to a safe environment, (both at work and educational institutions), it would be reasonable and justifiable to compel workers and students to take a vaccine that is available and approved for use by the Sahpra. Fortunately, the SAHRC reviewed its communication and in September last year, while strongly encouraging voluntary vaccinations, recognised that the existential crisis caused by the pandemic affected all human beings and also that there were implications on both rights and responsibilities. It stated, therefore, that it was highly likely that a general law mandating vaccination would pass constitutional muster. The purpose of Chapter 9 Institutions is to support and protect our constitutional democracy. It is essential that they monitor the government and assist us in holding the government accountable. They need to ensure that South Africa transforms into a society in which social justice prevails. Social justice includes gender justice. The Gender Commission has failed the women it is mandated to protect by failing in its responsibility to make certain that prior to communicating with the public, its statement was well researched and based on robust scientific evidence. On the contrary, its statement is offensive and diametrically against womens education and empowerment, and an impediment to attaining gender equality. We call on the Gender Commission to withdraw its statement, engage with the relevant institutions, societies and experts and replace it with one that truly addresses Covid-19 reproductive health concerns. Instead of misconstruing science to justify a stance against mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations, it would bode well for it to use the available evidence to build up and strengthen vaccine confidence among women. Surely, in this way, its mandate to promote and protect reproductive health and rights of women will be realised. This article was first published in the Daily Maverick. Ames Dhai is Chairperson Bioethics Advisory Panel (SAMRC) and Unesco International Bioethics Committee, Visiting Professor Bioethics, Wits School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences. Helen Rees, Executive Director Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences and Chairperson, Board of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Glenda Gray, president and CEO, SAMRC. Aslam Dasoo, Progressive Health Forum. Mike Sathekge, professor and head of the Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Angelique Coetzee, chairperson, South African Medical Association Priya Soma-Pillay, head of department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, president of The College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of South Africa. Yasmin Adam, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand. Lee Fairlie is director of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute. Man shot in the back in Utica, admits self into hospital By age 22, Jason Rivera had already made profound contributions to New York -- and on Friday night, he gave his life trying to protect it. New Protocols Sent Out by Scott Hanback, Superintendent of TSC Civil rights lawyer, advocate Ben Crump to speak at W&M Benjamin Crump, a civil rights leader and attorney who has represented such clients as the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, will speak at William & Marys 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. The event, which will take place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 in the Sadler Center, is being hosted by the Center for Student Diversity and the Honor and Conduct Councils as part of Ethics Week. The program also is co-sponsored by W&M Law School, the Student Assembly and Alma Mater Productions. Tickets are required and are available here. While most of the tickets are reserved for the W&M community, a limited number are available to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The founder and principal owner of Ben Crump Law, Crump has been involved in many high-profile civil rights cases. In addition to the families of Martin and Brown, Crump has represented the family of Stephon Clark, who was killed by police in 2018; residents of Flint, Michigan, who were affected by the poisoned water of the Flint River; and nine of the 13 Black women who were victims in the 2015 Oklahoma City Police rape case with Daniel Holtzclaw. Crump also worked on the precedent-setting U.S. Supreme Court Case involving excessive police force against Robbie Tolan in 2008. His work has led to legislation aimed at preventing excessive force and to the creation of implicit bias training and policies. The founder and director of the Benjamin Crump Social Justice Institute, Crump currently serves as the president of the National Civil Rights Lawyers Association and was previously president of the National Bar Association. He was the first African American to chair the Florida State University College of Law Board of Directors and is a current member of the Innocence Project Board of Directors. Crump has received myriad accolades for his work. He was named the 2014 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Newsmaker of the Year and was counted among the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 and Ebony Magazines Power 100 Most Influential African Americans. He was also honored with the NAACP Thurgood Marshall Award, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Martin Luther King Servant Leader Award, the American Association for Justice Johnnie Cochran Award and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Eleanor Roosevelt Medallion for Service. He is a frequent contributor on national news networks and other media outlets, has hosted several TV docudramas and served as executive producer of the documentary Woman in Motion. Crumps book, Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People, was published in 2019. Woodward, OK (73801) Today Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 61F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Low 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. The history of modern-day humans began in Africa. Then, it is no surprise that Africa was once home to several great ancient civilizations. Some of these civilizations existed over millennia ago, while others flourished more recently. These civilizations often built great structures that were marvels of the ancient world. In many cases, these structures still stand today. For the most part, the prosperity of Africa's ancient civilizations was highly dependent on trade and the exchange of knowledge. Ultimately, all of the continent's ancient civilizations met their end, though not before leaving a lasting legacy on the people they once ruled. Here are eight of Africa's greatest ancient civilizations. 1. Egypt The Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Ancient Egypt is arguably the most well-known of Africa's ancient civilizations. It began around 3400 BCE. Originally, there were two Egyptian kingdoms. One was Upper Egypt, which was based in what is now central and southern Egypt, along the Nile River. The other kingdom was Lower Egypt, based primarily in the Nile Delta region of present-day northern Egypt. In 3100 BCE, King Menes of Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt and united the two kingdoms. During the period of the Old Kingdom (c. 2686 2181 BCE), the Egyptians built the pyramids for which the ancient civilization is best known, including the Great Pyramid, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 2. The Kingdom Of Kush Historical Meroe pyramids in the Sahara desert in Sudan. Meroe served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kush. The Kingdom of Kush flourished between c. 1069 BCE and 350 CE. It controlled a large swathe of territory along the Nile River in what is now northern Sudan. The kingdom was an economic center that operated a lucrative trade in ivory, incense, iron, and gold. It was both a trading partner and rival of ancient Egypt to the north. In fact, in the 8th century BCE, the Kushites conquered Egypt, establishing the 25th Egyptian Dynasty, which would rule Egypt for more than a century. The area surrounding the ancient Kushite capital of Meroe is now home to the ruins of over 200 pyramids more pyramids than in all of Egypt. 3. Punt Relic showing Egyptian soldiers in the expedition to the Land of Punt at the Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt. There is no definitive consensus on where ancient Punt was located. Still, most scholars believe it was situated somewhere in East Africa, possibly along the Red Sea coast and/or present-day northwestern Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea. The kingdom was established around the year 2500 BCE. Most of what is now known about ancient Punt comes from ancient Egyptian sources, which hold that the kingdom was rich in ebony, gold, myrrh, and exotic animals such as apes and leopards. Egypt was a major trading partner of Punt. Punt also had a profound cultural and religious influence on ancient Egypt. In fact, the ancient Egyptians believed that Punt was their place of origin, calling it "the Land of the Gods." 4. Carthage View of the Antonine Baths in the ancient city of Carthage, Tunisia. Carthage began as a city-state in what is now Tunisia around the 8th or 9th century BCE. The city was built by Phoenician settlers, who migrated to the area from ancient Lebanon. Eventually, Carthage grew into a far-flung sea-faring empire, which controlled large parts of coastal North Africa, the southern Iberian Peninsula, and all or part of the Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. At its height, Carthage itself had a population of nearly half a million inhabitants. By the mid-3rd century BCE, the Carthaginian Empire came into conflict with another ancient great power, the Roman Empire, which led to the Punic Wars. These wars ended in 146 BCE. 5. Aksum Ruins of the palace of the Queen Sheba, Aksum civilization at Axum city in Ethiopia. The Kingdom of Aksum existed from about the 4th century BCE to the 10th century CE in what is now Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is thought that the kingdom was the Biblical Ark of the Covenant's resting place and the homeland of the Queen of Sheba. By the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, Aksum was a trading giant and vital conduit for trade between ancient Europe and the Far East. Its most important commodities were gold and ivory. Aksum was among the first empires to adopt Christianity. By the 7th or 8th centuries CE, the empire went into decline, though its religious legacy still exists in the form of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. 6. Mali Empire View of Sankore Mosque built in Timbuktu, Mali in the 14th century that has been recently restored after being placed in UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger in 2012. Editorial credit: DemarK / Shutterstock.com The Mali Empire emerged in the 13th century CE and lasted until the 16th century CE. It largely owed its success to the vast gold deposits within its territory, which consisted of a large swathe of West Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean to the border between present-day Mali and Niger. In fact, at one point, the Mali Empire was thought to have produced two-thirds of the world's entire gold supply. The person believed to be the empire's greatest ruler, Mansa Musa, who ruled during the early 14th century, was so rich that his wealth is inconceivable even by today's standards. Under the rule of the Mali Empire, the city of Timbuktu, now located in present-day Mali, became a prominent center of learning in the Islamic world. 7. Songhai Empire The Songhai Empire was formed in the 15th century. It included some of the territories formerly under the control of the Mali Empire. In fact, the Songhai Empire largely replaced the Mali Empire as the prominent power in the region. At its height, the Songhai Empire was bigger than all of Western Europe. It owed its success to vigorous trade policies and a sophisticated bureaucratic system of government. Like the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire also controlled Timbuktu at one time, opening many Islamic schools in the city. The Songhai capital, Gao, once boasted a population of 100,000. 8. Zimbabwe Ruins of Great Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is the name of an ancient city located in the present-day country of Zimbabwe. In fact, the country of Zimbabwe is named after the ancient city. Sometimes called Great Zimbabwe, the city was composed of imposing stone walls and various other stone structures. The name "Zimbabwe" in the language of the indigenous Shona people means "stone houses." The city dates back to the 10th century, though, between the 13th and 15th centuries, it was the center of a vast empire, which controlled a large chunk of territory in present-day Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. The empire had an economy based on cattle husbandry, crop cultivation, and the trade of gold on the coast of the Indian Ocean. For reasons unknown, Great Zimbabwe was abandoned in the 15th century. At its height, it was home to an estimated 20,000 people. The President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, pictured here, in Ouagadougou on December 1, 2015, is being detained in a "safe place" following an attempted coup d'etat in the West African country, two mutinous soldiers told a journalist working for CNN. Wrexham Glyndwr University achieves White Ribbon Accreditation This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jan 25th, 2022 Wrexham Glyndwr University has taken a stand, committing to support those who experience violence regardless of their gender identity, including those who identify as Trans or non-binary by becoming White Ribbon Accredited. White Ribbon is a global campaign that encourages people, especially men and boys, to individually and collectively take action and change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence. To wear a white ribbon is to promise to never to commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women. Commitments made by Wrexham Glyndwr University in their White Ribbon action plan include; appointing volunteer ambassadors and champions to carry the message out to more men, developing a staff and student awareness raising programme, training staff to recognise and handle situations where there might be abuse and promoting the accreditation more widely into local community, identifying the University as a safe space within Wrexham. Anthea Sully, Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK said: Our call to end violence by raising awareness, educating and campaigning to bring about change is greatly strengthened by working together with our White Ribbon accredited organisations. Our partners are able to engage with many thousands of people to change the cultures that lead to violence against women and girls. We are delighted to welcome Wrexham Glyndwr University as one of our White Ribbon Accredited organisations. Together we can prevent violence happening in the first place. Lynda Powell, Executive Director of Operations at the University and Chair of the White Ribbon Action Group said: At Wrexham Glyndwr University, we have taken a stand to end gender-based violence by becoming White Ribbon Accredited. We have joined many others in encouraging men to become positive role models and prevent violence against women. White Ribbon is a global campaign that encourages individuals to act and change the behaviour and cultures that lead to abuse and violence. With it sadly being such a prominent issue in Britain, we hope and believe that by raising awareness, we can engage individuals to call out abusive and sexist behaviour among their friends, colleagues, communities to promote a culture of equality and respect. Gaining the accreditation and working through a strategic approach shows our commitment to ending violence by engaging with our staff, students and the local community, helping to change culture and raise awareness via a group of passionate Champions and Ambassadors. The University has appointed White Ribbon Champions and Ambassadors who act as positive role models, helping to raise awareness and provide training to staff and students, with the aim of supporting a culture here at the University that promotes the White Ribbon ethos. We want all visitors to the University and those within the local area to know that our campuses are safe spaces. Gaining the accreditation is a public commitment to support those who experience violence regardless of their gender identity, including those who identify as Trans or non-binary. We will work through our White Ribbon Action Plan over the next three years to drive necessary change, ensuring our staff and students have the appropriate skills and knowledge to address gender-based violence. We are proud to support the community of Wrexham and North East Wales and will make every effort to support that community, making a difference to improve culture and safety we look forward to increasing our efforts as we work through our White Ribbon Action Plan. More than 100 organisations have received White Ribbon accreditation, including councils, police forces, fire and rescue services, health authorities, housing associations, schools and universities. There is also a scheme for smaller organisations to become White Ribbon supporters. Individuals can join over 37,000 others who have signed the White Ribbon UK pledge and get more information online at whiteribbon.org.uk. Rockford lawmakers propose new way to remove elected officials for certain crimes A BNSF train in 2018 (Source: Wikimedia Commons) If you are a railroad worker at BNSF or another company, contact the WSWS with your comments. Opposition is mounting among workers at freight railroad BNSF to a new points-based attendance policy which management has unilaterally implemented. Under the new policy, which is slated to take effect on February 1, workers will be charged points for any time off that they take. After a worker loses a certain number of points, he or she will face discipline, including termination. Workers have voted by an overwhelming margin in favor of strike action against the new policy. David Manning, a locomotive engineer from Illinois, spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about BNSFs new policy, the mood among his coworkers, and the increasing pressure that the company is putting on its workers. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Erik Schreiber: How long have you worked for BNSF? David Manning: I hired out in 2005 as a conductor. I worked as a conductor for a couple years, and Ive been an engineer since 2008, so, a little over 16 years. ES: What are your thoughts about the company in general? DM: I can tell you that its been 100 percent flipped since the time I hired out back in 2005. It used to be a pretty awesome job, but in the last five years, its just completely gone downhill when it comes to morale and how they treat us. And its just getting worse. Every other month, they shove something else into our face and force us to deal with it. Its getting to the point where guys who have been out here for 10-plus years are quitting. And its a good-paying job. Its unheard of for somebody to quit something like this. People cant deal with it anymore. ES: What are some of the things that the companys thrown at you? DM: Theres a huge list, but anything from low hours policy to performance issues to changing the rules, sometimes weekly. They make our jobs more difficult. Micromanaging us. Theyve installed cameras. Virtually from the time we come to work to the time we leave, were being observed. They installed cameras inside the locomotives, above our head. It literally watches over our shoulder 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Theres zero privacy, unless youre going to the bathroom. They can see everything that were doing. Theres a huge issue with that in my mind. They intentionally slow down trains now to preserve fuel. Its what they say, but in reality, its just taking us longer and extending our hours on duty. I really dont know if its actually saving that much fuel. For instance, a train thats good for 55 mph, theyll intentionally tell us that we cant run it over 40 mph that day because they think they can save 100 gallons of fuel from point A to point B, which could very well mean that were stuck at work for three or four hours longer than what we wouldve been if theyd just let us go track speed. The attendance policy keeps getting adapted. They came up with this thing called high-impact days. They could be any day of the week, but it started out as the holidays. This happened about a year and a half or two years ago. They started telling us that we could only take up to five a year before we could be disciplined. Then they said, Well, we can adjust these to any day that we think could be considered a high-impact day. They consider Super Bowl Sunday a high-impact day, because attendance, I guess, is an issue on those days. So, now people are afraid to take off holidays because theyre going to get fired. And theyve integrated this high-impact day into this new availability policy that theyre coming out with that will virtually eat half their points if they even take one of them off. Theres so many things that are unrealistic and almost evil in this new policy thats going to force us just to be robots: either work for the railroad or just go home and rest so you can come back to work for the railroad. Therell be zero time for your family and anything else in general besides revolving your life around the railroad. And thats exactly what they want. We just had a poll to strike between the UTU [a union now integrated into the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation union-Transportation Division, or SMART-TD] and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen [BLET]. From my understanding, it passed by almost 99.5 percent of the combined population of union members. Thats more than just a bunch of railroaders crying about getting some time off. Thats full-on impact. Were begging the company to negotiate something fairer with us. Thats how much they respect us. Theyd rather just tell us all, No. Youre going to do what youre told, or youre going to just go work somewhere else. [BNSF has] already gone to court to put a stop to any kind of work action before it happens because of the Railway Labor Act [RLA]. Theyll probably win because of two words: major and minor. Any kind of dispute thats major, a union can take a work action and call a strike. But the person who gets to define that is a judge. Every time somethings come up in the past, the judges usually side with the carrier and say its a minor dispute, because if we go on strike, the economic impact can be catastrophic. None of us want that, but at the same time, the company has all the leverage. With our company, they keep all this stuff a secret until they just impose it. We just got told about this about a week ago, and its supposed to take effect on February 1. No way to plan for it. ES: Do you have a predictable schedule with assigned days off? DM: Absolutely not. I never know when Im going to work until the phone rings. All Im guaranteed is 10 hours off in between trips. Im on a rotating list of people. So, in my pool, weve got 25 guys on it. If it takes thirty-some hours for me to go all the way up to the first out on that list, the railroad considers that my time off, even though I have no way of planning for that time off or predicting it. It could have been 10 hours later I went to work. It all depends on the traffic and whats going on in the area. The only way I can plan a doctors appointment or something is if I take off a day before the doctors appointment so I know I can be there. And thats what theyre taking away from us. With this new policy, if I do that, I could virtually be out of points and terminated within a month. High-impact days cost you seven points. Lets say I have a doctors appointment on Monday after Super Bowl Sunday. I have to take off Saturday to ensure that I can be there Monday. Saturday is another day that costs more points. I think weekend costs four points. Then, the high-impact day is on Sunday. Theres seven. So, now were at 11 points, and then I got to take off Monday, too, to be at the doctors appointment. Were at 16 points right there. So, Im almost halfway to being disciplined. Im not going to get any more points back unless Im physically available to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 14 days straight, without any lapse or break. You can see how that can turn into a pretty gruesome process pretty quickly. In the previous policy, I was allowed to take up to five weekdays off a month and two weekend days. Its not like I could take Saturday and Sunday off. It would depend on when I took them off. Everythings in a 24-hour cycle. Say you have a kid and you get every other weekend. Youre only going to see your kid once a month if you want to stay under that policy, because if you take off a Saturday and it falls into Sunday, even though you just took off one day, because that layoff on Saturday rolls into Sunday, that counts as two weekend days, even though youre only off for one 24-hour period. So, your weekend is dead right there. Theres been times when Ive had to go a couple months without seeing him [his son] because of the existing policy. My son is 16. Hes almost at the age where visitation doesnt matter all that much. But anybody in my situation with a kid younger, I really do feel sad for them. Theyre not going to have any option besides to pray that their significant other will maybe work with them on some other schedule. But any court-ordered schedule, like every other weekend, youre not going to be able to work out here. Youre going to get fired, probably, within a couple months. And then, that insurance that youre required to have on your child can be taken away. Your child support, I mean. It can get deep pretty quick. Thats why we got 99 percent of my coworkers are ready to give everything we can to stop this. And our employer wont even budge. They wont even talk to us about it or consider any kind of middle ground, negotiation, anything. And its all for some investors pocketbook at the end of the day. Thats all this is about. ES: Are you working under an expired contract? DM: [SMART-TD] has been without it for about three years, but for the RLA, theyre still required to work on their expired contract until a new one is voted in. The BLET contract, I think, is also outdated maybe about a year or two. Both the unions and the employer are blaming the pandemic, but, realistically, theyre almost always a couple years outdated before theyre ever voted in by the membership. ES: Which union do you belong to? DM: Im a member of the BLET, which is a part of the Teamsters. ES: Are you in favor of a strike? DM: Oh, yeah. My entire local was 100 percent in favor. There were zero no votes, which is unprecedented. Theres always been one or two people against something, you know. People who are scared to go to that next step. But in this case, 100 percent of our membership in our local is ready to strike. ES: How has the union responded to this poll? DM: Basically, were all on standby mode until the 25th or 26th, when a federal judge down in Texas is going to determine whether this is a major or minor dispute [UPDATE: Federal judge Mark Pittman issued a temporary restraining order against a strike on Tuesday]. In my opinion, the judge will probably favor the carrier again, well be forced to have this imposed on us, and probably a goodI hate to say it, but 30 to 50 percent of the workforce will probably end up fired or quit in the next year unless they change something. Any changes they make are going to be of their own accord once this judge considers this a minor dispute. They see the outcry now, and theyre not willing to change anything now, so why would they change anything a year from now? Theyre perfectly content with this. They think its fair and reasonable. But none of them do what we do. They work a nine-to-five schedule, weekends off. I think it all revolves around the whole Precision Scheduled Railroading [PSR]. Hunter Harrison, the old CEO for CSX who passed away a couple years ago, came up with this idea, which involves cutting employees, getting rid of middle management, building bigger trains and doing more with less. The CSX adopted it. Well, in the beginning, it failed miserably. CSX was almost bankrupt. But now, certain railroads are taking parts of his plan and creating their own version of a PSR. They went from building intermodal trains from a typical 6,000 to 7,000 feet long to where were running them close to 16,000 feet long now to get rid of crews in between. They all have the one-man-crew thought in the back of their head. Thats their ultimate goal. Probably in the next five to 10 years, they want one person on that train. If they could do it now, they would. So, imagine that: no time off in between trips. Now you have to come to work and work 12 hours by yourself. They tried to do that five years ago, even, and the Federal Railroad Administration [FRA] didnt let them do it. But they keep pouring money into their technology. They have positive train control, they have auto control, where the train virtually drives itself. But its not very accurate and doesnt work very well. A lot of times, you have to take it out because it messes up. Conductors are still very much needed because trains break. The knuckles break in between the cars. When that happens, they got to go back there and fix it. If I have to do that by myself, Im going to have that crossing blocked or that town blocked for hours. A conductor can get it done within an hour, especially when theyre building these 16,000-foot trains. We have the highest divorce rate, I think, in the country. When it comes to our health, insomnia problems, mental health, divorces. Were going to go from seeing our kids once a month in my situation to maybe once every three or four months, just so you dont break some ridiculous policy they came up with overnight. Ive been out here long enough, and I know my coworkers well enough. I dont think Im going to last three months. I could see me being terminated within three to six months if this is imposed on us. Even if we get Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA]. Youre not supposed to be disciplined on that. They think they found a loophole, I guess. Youve got to be available for 14 days straight to get any points credited back to you. Well, if you got a doctors appointment and you take off FMLA, youve got to restart your 14 days. They dont consider that discipline. Now, to me, theres consequences. If I take off FMLA, Ive got to restart my 14 days, thats a consequence for taking off FMLA to go to a doctor. But theyre not considering it that, because theyre not counting it against you. Theyre just not letting it benefit you, either. They [i.e., BNSF] think were all overpaid. Weve been compared to overpaid truck drivers. During this process, somebody in their labor relations was quoted as saying, We gotta make these guys good employees or we gotta get rid of them. I took offense to that. ES: How would you describe the work conditions youve faced during the pandemic? DM: When the pandemic started, we were getting called heroes and all that stuff. The railroad was making money off this. They got FRA exemptions to override certain laws. Before, if I had a conductor and we had to go somewhere where hes never been before on the main line, the railroad would have to get him a pilot so that that pilot can work with him until hes qualified over there. When this pandemic started, the railroad got an exemption and said, Well, your engineer can be your pilot. This exemption just ended four months ago. They forced me for about a year and a half to be my conductors pilotto work two jobs. I wasnt getting paid a dime more for it. The company was saving another crew member theyd have to pay to come out here and be this guys guide. The money they profited from that systemwide is probably in the millions. So, they made money from this pandemic. Thats just one exception. They also came up with other exceptions that allowed them to start doubling up and tripling up trains that they werent supposed to do before. Theres a whole list of them. It seemed like they came up with a new one about every month until they expired. They got an exemption on the air test. If a train is off air, its not getting air pumped through its air system, because everythings air brakes on the train. If its been off air for four hours, then somebody would have to put it back on air and physically inspect the train on both sides to make sure the brakes were working. They got that changed to 24 hours now. Now we have trains sitting out that are broken up, off air for 24 hours. If I rebuild that train at 23 hours, nobody has to inspect anything. Thats leading to a lot of carmen losing their jobs and trains being inspected. Youre already seeing the outcome of that with the increase in derailments and train compliance. And youre going to continue seeing it until they fix it. These trains went from being inspected quite often to maybe once between point A and point B in a 3,000-mile trip across the country. We didnt see a bottle of sanitizer until probably six to seven months into the pandemic. They didnt start cleaning our cabs until maybe 10 months into it. They didnt enforce any mask requirements at all until about 10 months into it. And then the only time they cared was when the federal government was trying to enforce vaccinations. Then when they heard about the court rulings, they just gave up on that and said, Never mind. Were not going to force you to do it now. Its almost like they didnt care about the pandemic at all. The only ones that they cared about was management. They had them stop coming to the office and do everything on Zoom calls. When it comes to us, we were just told to continue coming to work. Thats it. Like nothing was happening. If I didnt watch TV, didnt have social media or read a newspaper, and we were in the 1800s, I wouldnt even have known the pandemic was going on. I would have just kept coming to work. Thats how they treated it. To this day, its not any different. One example: I had a guy riding on my train. He was deadheading [i.e., riding a train as a passenger] home from Chicago. He found out that hed tested positive for COVID at the hotel. So, they just put him on our second motor to ride home with us. When we got to our terminal, I watched the crew that was going to take over get on that same motor where this guy with COVID had been. Nobody told them. So, they probably spent 10 hours on that motor that this guyd just got off of, and nobody was there to sanitize it or even told them about it. Lets put this into perspective. You know how they shut down the airlines because they didnt want people going in and out and traveling? I traveled almost every other day to Chicago and back. If I had COVID, or any of the 30 people who work in my pool, we would have continued doing that back and forth. There were no temperature checks. Nothing to prevent it. Nothing at all. We went to these public hotels. And you want to know what they wanted to do to us if we got sick? Fire us for taking too much time off! It wasnt until about eight months in that they came up with a COVID protocol where they would pull you off for seven days, and it would just go against a medical [leave]. Before that, if you got sick and took three or four days off, if you went over their policy, you were going to get disciplined. And a lot of people did get fired during the pandemic until they came up with something. I can only imagine whats going to happen with this new policy, because COVID sure as hell hasnt gone away. And now more people are scared to even admit they have it. Theyre forced off. Theyre not getting any kind of compensation for it like everybody else was in the beginning. Thatll tie into that 30 to 50 percent workforce reduction, you watch. This is not a good time to switch your career over to the railroad, lets put it that way. ES: What demands do you have of the company? DM: I didnt sign up to work in a position where my life has to revolve around the railroad. None of us signed up for that. We were told that the railroads going to own most of your time, but now they want the railroad to own almost all of your time. The only time youre going to get off is so you can rest to go back to work. I demand they change that. Thats all I demand. Do not impose this on us. Id like to see something done in the courts to change the RLA. And Id like to put that as a demand. If you are a railroad worker at BNSF or another company, contact the WSWS with your comments. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) encourages high school youth to contact us today to share the conditions in your school. Get involved in the fight against unsafe school reopenings! High school students throughout Broward County, Florida planned to walk out of their classrooms Monday morning to protest against the county school boards reckless COVID-19 policies. The students were demanding, and continue to demand, better, scientifically guided public health policies to stop transmission of the disease through the schools. Coral Glades High School, located in Coral Springs, Florida (Source: Wikimedia Commons) However, the students canceled the protest over the weekend after the county school board issued a series of warnings to the students and threatened them with retaliation. Student organizers at several high schools, who created social media pages on Twitter and Instagram to protect their identities, first announced last week that they would mobilize students for mass walkouts during school hours. Youth in Broward had become furious and fed up with the needless sacrifice of countless lives due to the callous indifference displayed by school district officials. The county school board, however, has been determined to suppress their democratic and free speech rights and send children back into unsafe classrooms after their winter break, despite the massive surge in COVID-19 infections sparked by the highly infectious Omicron variant. A collective of students in the sixth-largest school district in the US issued an open letter through social media on January 11 to the Broward County School Board demanding officials put in place policies that would curb the spread of the pandemic. The open letter came just one week after students returned to classrooms for the spring semester, while case numbers in Broward and throughout Florida had already been soaring. The open letter notes several incredible statistics showing the explosive growth of COVID-19 infections in Broward. An average of 7,179 cases have been recorded each day, while the countys positivity rate remains at a staggering 37.8 percent, far exceeding the World Health Organizations threshold of 5 percent needed to demonstrate the pandemic is contained. More than 8,000 students and teachers have tested positive for the virus for the 2021-22 school year, with 40 percent of these cases occurring since winter break. Most of the remaining cases came during August and September, with schools reopening during the height of the Delta surge. (Source: Twitter/@browardwalkout) The letter stresses that under these dire conditions it is necessary to curb the spread of the pandemic now to protect our communities and ensure that a more disruptive period of online school does not happen later. The demands that the students placed were: 1) a return to virtual learning for at least two weeks to stop the transmission of COVID-19 on campus, 2) provide students and staff with N95 masks to effectively curb the spread of COVID-19 after in-person learning resumes, 3) perform weekly PCR tests on the staff population to isolate and contain outbreaks of COVID. After learning of a planned student walkout to protest these life-threatening circumstances, the Broward School Board responded with enormous repression and intimidation in an effort to browbeat students into calling off the walkout. The board released an email on Friday denouncing the students demand for remote learning. Giving tactical support for the reactionary policies of far-right Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has signed legislation making it illegal for schools to teach virtually, the email read: Intermittent virtual learning opportunities as offered last school year are prohibited by our state. Seeking to muzzle any opposition, the email warns students against any independent action done without the blessing of the board, declaring: the district is not sponsoring or participating in the walkout and any student advocacy needs to be outside of the school day. The email concludes with an ominous threat: Students will not be authorized to leave campus during the regular scheduled school day to participate in a walkout. The threats were not without foundation. Several schools reported that administrators reinforced security personnel and police officers to block the school gates to effectively lock students inside the buildings. Administrators also threatened anyone who participated in the walkout with punishments similar for students who skip class or engage in other types of truancy. The email painted an entirely false portrait of the situation inside Browards schools. Its authors note that the district has maintained its: commitment to provide our students and staff with a healthy learning environment. The email claims that the other two protocolsmasking and COVID testingare already being implemented and thus no further changes are needed. It touts recent changes made in their face-covering policy for guests, which requires visitors and vendors to wear masks while inside facilities but acknowledges that masking for students and staff is optional. The policy change does not come close to addressing the real safety concerns of students, teachers and staff. There are over 261,000 students and 21,000 teachers and staff in the Broward County district who are being crammed into overcrowded classrooms and hallways that give ample opportunity for the virus to spread. Just like the prohibition of virtual learning, the email also cites recent legislation from DeSantis that bars school districts from requiring face covering usage by students. The governors right-wing action is in defiance of the most basic public health procedures meant to stop transmission of the virus. The email goes on to mention that at-home test kits are provided to all employees and that free, voluntary testing is available to all students. This is meant to conceal the failure of the school district to implement systematic, rigorous testing and contact tracing that epidemiologists and public health experts say are needed for identifying outbreaks of COVID. Testing is offered on a voluntary basis, but nothing is said of requiring testing for students exposed to the virus. The statistics referenced in the open letter written by Broward students dismantle the assertion made in the Broward County email that the districts: protocols contribute to the downward trend of COVID-19 related absences for staff and students. Moreover, the explosive growth of child COVID infections has coincided with the reopening of schools for the spring and undermines the arguments made by the school board that schools are not accelerating community transmission. From December 17 to 23, the first week of the winter break holiday, and when students were not in classrooms, the number of cases recorded for Floridas school aged children and adolescents was 17,537. But last week, January 14 to January 20, the number of weekly cases recorded for this group rose to 56,402, a staggering 321 percent increase in less than three weeks after the resumption of classroom learning. Hospitalizations among Floridas minors positive for COVID-19 have also soared in the past month. On December 21, the number of children hospitalized with the virus was approximately 100 and by January 14 this number more than doubled to 237 children hospitalized with active cases of COVID-19. As the omicron surge was gaining steam this month, thousands of teachers were calling out sick in Miami-Dade and Broward County public schools, as new COVID-19 cases continued to skyrocket across South Florida. On the first day back after the two-week winter holiday, 2,110 Miami-Dade instructional personnel, including counselors, and 94 bus drivers were absent. The massive staffing crisis and the inability of the district to fill teacher positions tear to shreds the assertion that in-person learning amounts to a healthy learning environment. The bullying tactics toward Broward students are testament to the sort of repressive methods that district figureheads, allied with the Democratic Party and backed by the teachers unions, have resorted to in their campaign to reopen the schools nationwide. A conscious decision was made to stamp out any opposition out of fear that a walkout would fuel more rebellions. Broward Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, a Democrat, told the media: It seems to be more of a copycat type of approach thats happening, for example, up in New York and Chicago. Governor Ron DeSantis has garnered a notorious reputation nationally as a far-right reactionary whose administration has not only prohibited any attempt by school districts to implement virtual learning, but also forbidden even the most bare minimum mitigation measures like masking in schools. DeSantis declared earlier this month that public schools must remain open for in-person learning, regardless of the numbers of students and teachers getting sick from COVID due to the Omicron wave, and condemned widespread fears and public concern over the variant as fauci-ism, a political slur suggesting that infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci is a dictator. During the fall semester, he directed state education officials to take away salaries from school board members and withheld funding from local school districts, including the largest ones like Broward, that defied his ban on pandemic mask mandates in classrooms. All of Broward Countys school board members are either members of the Democratic Party or closely associated with its apparatus. The response of the Democrats and teachers unions to the fascistic Republicans in Florida, just like their counterparts nationwide, has been completely empty. While some have postured as defenders of public health and science, they have mounted no serious opposition. Both local and state Democratic figures have acquiesced to the Republicans policies regarding the schools and the broader pandemic crisis, and have been just as supportive of the back-to-school policy. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality and the WSWS call on all students, teachers and educators to oppose the anti-democratic methods of the Broward County School Board. We appeal to students to join the IYSSE and the growing movement calling for the closure of schools and the immediate return to virtual learning, along with lockdowns, the closure of nonessential businesses and rigorous contact tracing and testing, to finally put an end to COVID-19 in the US and internationally. The World Socialist Web Site received the following guest contribution from J.D. Palmer, a freelance journalist and fiction writer from Montreal. Palmer recently submitted a formal complaint to Canadas state broadcaster, CBC, over its coverage of last months UK court ruling against the acclaimed journalist Julian Assange, which cleared the way for his extradition to the US to face trumped-up espionage charges. Yesterday, Britains High Court ruled that Assanges legal team has the right, albeit only on very narrow legal grounds, to appeal the decision ordering his extradition at the countrys Supreme Court. *** Following the calamitous ruling on December 10, 2021 by a British court to extradite Julian Assange to face espionage charges in the US, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) aired two reports, densely packed with hideous deceptions that lend support to Washingtons efforts to persecute and silence the award-winning journalist. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is taken from court, May 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File) I filed a complaint with the CBC Ombudsman on December 18, wondering how Canadas public broadcaster could possibly justify its malevolent reportage. Having laid bare the US empire as a never-ceasing conveyor belt of war crimes, Assange exposed Washingtons lies of nation building in Afghanistan and Iraq as a vast money laundering operation. And yet, as his legal case progressed, it was clear that the Wikileaks founders heroism was resulting in his slow murder via multi-state judicial corruption. In response to this remarkable case, in one of many examples of journalistic malfeasance, Chris Brown, in his report for the CBCs flagship news program The National, falsely asserts that Assange leaked the cables that contained the infamous Collateral Murder video. Brown, a long-time CBC correspondent, can presumably distinguish between publishing and leaking. Determined to confuse the viewer, Brown fails to mention the role of whistleblower Chelsea Manning (Assanges source) and through conflation taints the journalistic credentials of the man who exposed torture at Guantanamo. Brown knows quite well that publishing leaks is the backbone of national security journalism with the quotidian apparatus of legacy newspapers like the New York Times, providing potential whistleblowers with technical instructions on their websites for evading detection. Thats why, as CBC fails to inform the viewer, the Obama administration chose not to prosecute Assange (a decision later reversed by Trumps Department of Justice or DOJ). Due to what it deemed the New York Times problem, such a precedent, Obamas DOJ concluded, could be used against fellow elites. Now in the hands of Bidens DOJ, this clear case of selective prosecution by the US and its colluding vassal state, the UK, has been denounced by legal experts, a swath of trade unions and activists. And while one can reliably count on Canadas public broadcaster to ignore grassroots campaigns, whats remarkable is that the CBCs reporting on this historic case sinks below even the corporate medias degraded standards. Both CBC reports dodged press freedom groups, humanitarian organizations, politicians and the sorts of celebrity activists that would normally be made the unabashed focal point of any press coverage of a humanitarian cause. Browns segment, as well as Tessa Arcillas segment for the CBC morning news, made reference only to Assanges partner, Stella Moris, and supporters, aiming to paint protestors as merely fringe and familial. When I contacted Moris about my intention to file a complaint with the CBCs Ombudsman, she wondered why CBC had not, at the very least, ... provided equal length to the defence arguments or arguments from press freedom groups and Amnesty [International]? By December 10, Nils Melzer, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, was just one of many impartial legal and humanitarian experts seeking the attention of any media organization that would listen. Melzer, along with a medical team, had adjudicated Assange as a victim of torture, after finding him in a degraded and frail state in Belmarsh Prison, Britains Guantanamo Bay. While other networks provided at least some time for humanitarian lawyers, such as Reporters Without Borders Rebecca Vincent, to refute the USs case, no legitimate expert found their way onto the screens of CBCs viewers. Instead, viewers were presented with camouflaged shills. Only a week prior, the CBC, already swimming in ethics-based scandals, was identified as a major culprit in a study by Ricochet Media documenting the habitual passing off of lobbyists as neutral experts. And yet, unrepentantly, both segments on December 10, drew on dubious legal opinions, obscuring the partisan pedigrees of their commentators. Outrageously, the ghoulish Nick Vamos, whose last British government post was as the Washington liaison to the DOJ, and who has now become a private prosecutor (according to his employers website) is wearing only his solicitors cap, as Partner, when he cavalierly dismisses objections to extradition as unfounded. Had the CBCs meat puppets read scripts written by MI6 or the CIA, its hard to imagine their stories would have been markedly different. Leveraging a courtier class standard of what a real journalist is, CBC, like the rest of the media, falls over itself to do the security states bidding in narrowing the definition. The Assange case is a trial balloon, with press freedoms for non-elites in the crosshairs, to ensure that state violence can proceed with impunity. While CBCs upper management vociferously decries misinformation in self-congratulatory, tone-deaf blogs, presenting itself as brave gate-keepers battling the growing scourge of disinformation, their history of covering the Assange case provides a window into just how depraved its journalistic culture has become. Blighting what an international panel of jurists at the UN adjudicated as Assanges arbitrary detention in the Ecuadorian embassy, CBC Radio, from 2018 to 2019, aired a series of smear pieces in the guise of lifestyle segments, comedy and news. Often aimed at the Wikileaks founders alleged hygiene failures, these dehumanizing broadcasts trotted out sketch comedians, UK diplomats and other Assange enemies (such as discredited filmmaker Alex Gibney, and co-fabricator of the debunked Manafort-Assange conspiracy theory, Dan Collyns) as neutral experts. In one sickening case, CBC (in a painfully long segment) offered up a master butler to smugly chasten Assange, If thats the type of service you want, you need to go to a hotel. None of CBCs hacks seemed to care that they might be willing pawns in a disinformation campaign launched by vicious technocrats, something proven years later when senior members of the UK government were revealed to have conspired to violate Assanges asylum rights. Or when Intelligence firm, UC Global illegally spied on him for the US government. Three years later, in front of the court, Arcilla, pointing keenly to yellow ribbons, said, The U.S. side has provided assurances that he will not be subject to the strict measures that the lawyers of Julian Assange had been worried about.... Arcilla averted the obvious rejoinders, leaving the viewer with the impression that these so-called assurances had gone unrefuted. Not only did Assanges lawyers reject these so-called assurances, human rights and press freedom groups declared them unenforceable and not worth the paper theyre printed on. In the court case CBC was ostensibly covering, Assanges legal team submitted evidence of the USs history of violating such agreements. Judge Baraitser in a January 4, 2021, decision denied the USs request for extradition, naming the conditions he would face as inhumane and likely to trigger suicide. But it was the narrow conditions of her ruling that opened a legal aperture to extradition in the subsequent appeal. Baraitser, who had glaring conflicts of interest rejected what was an irrefutable fact, that the prosecution in question was political, by definition, which should have automatically quashed the extradition. Not only did the CBC subvert what should have been the plinth of their story (the courts whittling away at the rule of law) but additionally they ignored the fact that one of the USs key witnesses, who was previously convicted on various counts of sexual abuse of minors and financial fraud, had recanted his testimony not long after it secured him immunity from prosecution for fraud. Commensurately CBCs dispatches found no use for dramatic revelations by Yahoo! News, only weeks earlier, that a CIA plot to murder or kidnap Assange made it abundantly clear that extradition would put his life in the hands of his would-be assassins. Arcilla, adding tinder to her immolation of journalistic standards, repeated, without a counterpoint, the thoroughly debunked canard that Assange had put people in danger. In reality, Wikleaks had achieved the opposite by providing evidence to vindicate the wrongly convicted and by bringing international pressure against the war machine. Not to be outdone, Brown introduces a competing narrative, with Assange as a Russian agent, disrupting Hillary Clintons presidential campaign by leaking Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails that revealed chicanery in the 2016 Democratic primaries. Still appearing befuddled by the words of his own trade, Brown neglects to inform CBCs viewers that the current indictment, which refers only to documents published in 2010, makes no mention of the DNC emails leaked six years later. Yet the esteemed correspondent makes sure to leave the viewer with the opposite impression. At first, absent Assange owning a time machine, Browns ahistorical version of the case is baffling. However, his stratagem comes into focus when reviewing the former Moscow correspondents larger body of work. Smearing the entire Russian Canadian Congress as Putin lackeys in a piece from January 2019, Brown whipped up anti-Russia hysteria, stating, One of the Kremlins most prominent propagandists is making an incredible claim that Ottawa is being manipulated from the inside by Nazi-loving Ukrainian nationalists. Responding to a complaint, Jack Nagler, the CBCs Ombudsman, grudgingly admits the 2019 segments central claim (now apparently cut from the online version) that a Russian documentary reported that Ukrainian nationalists have seized control of the Canadian government is literally untrue. But Nagler brushes aside the problem as a mere case of incautious wordsmithery in what must be assumed are CBCs figurative standards for their repeatedly touted fact-checking excellence. Along with nebulous historical connections, Russophobia and grotesque distortions, a key semantic tool deployed by CBC on December 10 was the insidious and hypocritical leveraging of balance. With Arcilla framing the Assange case as National Security versus press freedom, and an issue of where does one draw that boundary, she offers tacit approval for the idea that press freedom and political speech standards should be defined through deference to the war criminals in the national security state. Absent any whiff of a moral ballast, the CBC fails to grasp the irony of imprisoning a journalist for publishing evidence of war crimes and not the criminals who committed them. As the US led global shop of horrors comes nearer to its goal of criminalizing substantive journalism, the CBC and its gutless class of information dilettantes can rest safely knowing they pose no threat. The Committee for Public Education (CFPE) in Australia held a well-attended online meeting last Saturday, titled No to Australian school reopenings amid record COVID infections! Educators, students, parentsjoin the fight for rank-and-file safety committees! The event drew a wide range of participants from across regional and urban Australia, and was also viewed by several international supporters of the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS). Participants included longstanding members and supporters of the CFPE, as well as several teachers and parents who were attending their first meeting of the organisation. Detailed reports were provided by Evan Blake, a member of the Socialist Equality Party in the United States and a leading writer for the WSWS, and Patrick OConnor, national committee member of the Socialist Equality Party in Australia and WSWS writer. CFPE national convenor and public school teacher Sue Phillips, who chaired the meeting, began by providing an overview of the situation facing teachers, students and parents as the new school year commences. Highlighting the criminal role of the ruling elite in every country, Phillips explained: The reopening of schools is the implementation of a let it rip policy, consciously infecting the population, the youngest and the most vulnerable, which is now the murderous program of virtually every government across the globe. Educators are regarded as little more than babysitters whose lives are expendable and easily replaced if necessary. The first report was delivered by Evan Blake, who began by emphasising the significance of the WSWS Global Workers Inquest into the pandemic. Encouraging those present at the meeting to participate, Blake stated that its primary focus is on the working class and bringing forward the experiences that workers in every industry have gone through over the past two years and in the present. Outlining the situation in the United States, Blake noted the huge increase in infections, hospitalisations and deaths that has accompanied the Omicron variant. Describing the impact of the recent surge in schools, Blake referred to a recent interview published on the WSWS in which a psychologist described the mental and emotional impact on children of bringing the virus home to vulnerable care givers. She also reported a shocking incident of children witnessing emergency medical teams treating a teacher who collapsed in front of them. Blake explained the immense trauma being inflicted on students: 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). In outlining the response of the ruling elite to the unfolding disaster, Blake made reference to a recent speech by US President Joe Biden who made no reference to this horrific reality and refused to even acknowledge the over 446,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19 since his inauguration. Blake pointed to an upsurge in struggles being waged by students and workers: Theres a real shift taking place, and a sense that things cant go on like this anymore. In concluding his report, Blake noted the critical role being played by educators rank-and-file committees in the United States, led by the Socialist Equality Party, which have undergone significant growth as more educators and students are getting involved in building them. Patrick OConnor delivered the main report. Reviewing the recent explosion in case numbers in Australia, he noted that the situation will only get worse if schools are permitted to open up their doors in two to three weeks. OConnor referred to recent statements by the Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the need to keep schools open in order to keep workers in their workplaces. The speaker explained: Schools are being forced open to ensure that workers remain in their workplaces, continuing to generate surplus value extracted by big business and finance capital. This is why we have on the WSWS characterised the reopening drive as a class war measure. OConnor went on to review the abandonment of even basic mitigation measures, including vaccination, air filtration, isolation for close contacts and contact tracing. He drew out the class implications, stating: Elite private schools will make their own arrangements, including remote learning options. Several of these institutions previously funded their own vaccination medical staff, turning their grounds into vax hubs to allow their students priority access while other families were having their vaccine bookings cancelled due to supply shortages. In reviewing the role of the teacher unions, OConnor noted that they had not called a single mass meeting or members forum to discuss the pandemic. To the extent that they have been able, the bureaucracy has sought to suppress any discussion among ordinary educators on the COVID situation. The unions were enforcing the reopenings and seeking to prevent any struggle against them. He went on to note that significant opposition to the return to face-to-face learning has developed amongst parents and teachers. OConnor concluded his remarks by referring to the Committee for Public Educations programmatic demands, including the suspension of face-to-face teaching amid community transmission of the virus. He explained: We are seeking an independent and unified mobilisation of working people, through the formation of rank-and-file safety committees of teachers, school staff, parents and students within every school community that will take forward the fight for online teaching and learning, as an essential measure within a broad emergency response aimed at eliminating the dangerous coronavirus. Following the reports, the meeting was opened for questions and comments. Questions were raised about whether the vaccine only approach was viable and the role of the unions in suppressing opposition. Participants also had many questions about the formation of rank-and-file committees, with some teachers asking how to go about establishing them. Teachers, parents and caregivers also shared their experiences, both in the chat and by speaking. One parent said, I am giving up work so I can home school my children. It has been an extremely hard decision and will make it very difficult for us financially but I also recognise that were lucky that we can try to keep our children safe that way where most cant. I am so angry. The strategy is forced infection. Several others made very powerful contributions and comments regarding their concerns regarding the return to school. The online meeting reflected the fact that the CFPE and the Socialist Equality Party are the only organisations fighting in opposition to the dangerous school reopening drive. As Evan Blake concluded: As the pandemic deepens, its ever more critical that educators and all workers develop rank-and-file committees like the CFPE and those that have been formed in the US, across Europe, in Brazil, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and other countries, and coordinate our struggles globally. The unfolding tragedy must be stopped, and that will only come through our independent initiative. Contact the Committee for Public Education to join the fight: Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation Twitter: @CFPE_Australia One measure of the social crisis that besieges a country is to see how the most vulnerable in society are protected by those empowered to look after their welfare. The pandemic continues to thoroughly expose those placed into leadership positions, both Democrats and Republicans. The Biden White House stands on a par with Donald Trump and his barbaric and reactionary minions in utter contempt for and neglect of the American people. Principal Brad Foss holds the door for students at Fox Hills Elementary School, August 26, 2021, in Watford City, North Dakota (AP Photo/Matthew Brown) In its weekly report on the state of COVID-19 infections among children in the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that for the week ending January 20, 2022, more than 1.15 million new COVID-19 infections were reported. Infections among children also accounted for 25.5 percent of all those in the country. The Biden administration, however, continues to demand that schools remain open for in-person instruction. The figure is a pandemic high, 17 percent more than even the 981,000 cases from the previous week, five times the rate of infections from last winters peak. Of the 10.6 million total pediatric infections during the pandemic, more than 2 million occurred in just the last two weeks. Half of all these cases, some 5 million child infections, took place in the last five months. Such a level of mass infection can only happen as a matter of deliberate policy. The US ruling elite is forcing working people to live with the virus, which means sacrificing their children to a potentially deadly infection in order to fulfill the demands of the capitalists to produce surplus value. It is the only possible explanation for the systematic infection of so many children, who remain by far the least likely to have been vaccinated, by forcing them into schools, based on repeated lies that children are safer there and the virus does them very little harm. Pediatric hospitalizations are at a pandemic high, impacting the youngest children at the highest rates. According to the AAP, 2,000 children were admitted last week and almost 7,000 since the Christmas holidays, accounting for 20 percent of all pediatric admissions since the pandemic began in early 2020. Along with the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization, deaths have also followed suit. Last week, 27 children died, about four every day. This is the second-highest weekly death toll, trailing only the week ending December 30, 2021, when 34 children died. Notably, almost half of all pediatric COVID-19 deaths have occurred since the beginning of September when children were ushered back into schools en masse. Justifying the fear and consternation parents and caregivers face when their children take ill from a virus that could be eliminated, the consensus of epidemiologists is that around one in 10 childrens COVID-19 infections turns into Long COVID. Symptoms of Long COVID include flare-up of severe fatigue, debilitating headaches and inability to concentrate or retain information, or a variety of conditions that can affect the heart, lung, kidneys, brain and skin, such as COVID toes. This is a painful blistering rash that occurs on the feet and toes. Dr. Peter Rowe, a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine professor of pediatrics, said, No one is certain exactly how many people whove had COVID-19 end up being long haulers. One study showed that as many as 52 percent of teens and young adults between ages 16 and 30 may experience lingering symptoms six months after COVID. The UK Office for National Statistics estimated 12.9 percent of children two to 11 years of age, and 14.5 percent of children 12 to 16 years old, still experienced symptoms five weeks after infection. Reports are also emerging that COVID-19 cases among nursing home residents and staff are rising sharply. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there were over 40,000 last week, a ten-fold rise since November. Additionally, nearly 1,000 residents and staff died. The previous pandemic peak occurred last winter with 33,534 COVID-19 infections for the week ending December 20, 2020. At that time almost 6,000 nursing home residents died across the country. The lower death toll being reported now has much to do with high rates of vaccination among this group. But it also underscores the fact that vaccines do not absolutely protect against infections and death. And given the changes in how deaths are being diagnosed, it must be assumed that the latest figures are also undercounts. Many of these infections are the result of infected nursing home staff transmitting the virus to the residents. In the first week of January, the CDC reported that more than 67,000 staff had been infected despite nearly 84 percent being fully vaccinated. Compounding the rise in COVID-19 infections are staffing shortages. Speaking with NPR, Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, the long-term care ombudsman in New Jersey, said, We are certainly seeing a huge increase in the number of calls from residents who are saying that they are not being changed, theyre not receiving their meals on time. Though staffing limits in New Jersey mandate one certified nursing assistant to eight residents on the day shift, under the current predicament the number of residents these overworked and underpaid assistants are caring for is in the double digits. Outrage and stress are leaving workers in a state of despair. Many are leaving due to chronic burnout. In turn, these facilities are being forced to shut down under the pressure, leaving hospitals in the lurch as they scramble to find a place to transfer their patients to care and rehabilitation centers. David Grabowski, a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, explained, Things are condition critical today. Individuals cant find an empty or staffed bed out there. It really puts hospitals in a difficult position. Thats a huge problem because theyre occupying a bed that would otherwise go to a new patient. The current daily average of COVID-19 fatalities has reached 2,150 and continues to climb. Some 40,000 more people have perished since the New Year celebrations were held. The official cumulative death is expected to surpass 1 million before winter ends. None of these grim figures, including the deaths of children and grandparents, are being mentioned by the major press. The jubilant mood is being driven by the natural course of the wave as overall COVID cases and hospitalizations are turning downward, at least in some parts of the country. They hope that once the scale of infections retreats, states and federal health departments can finally dispense with troubling statistics and ceremoniously declare the pandemic over despite ample warnings against such cavalier attitudes. The working class must absorb these lessons that have come at a tremendous price to them. COVID-19 can be eliminated. But standing in the way is not the coronavirus but the outmoded capitalist mode of production that destroys everything it touches. Directed by Matti Geschonneck; screenplay by Magnus Vattrodt and Paul Mommertz To mark the 80th anniversary of the infamous Wannsee conference of January 20, 1942, at which leading Nazis and ministers planned the extermination of Europes Jewish population, The Conference was shown on the German television channel, ZDF on January 24. The film, directed by Matti Geschonneck, can also be viewed in German online. The participants of the Wannsee Conference (Photo/ ZDF/Julia Terjung) Geschonnecks film, shot on location, focuses almost exclusively on the 90-minute meeting in the Villa am Wannsee near Berlin. Here, on a Saturday morning, leading figures of the Nazi regime gathered at the invitation of Reinhard Heydrich (Philipp Hochmair), the head of the Reich Security Office (RSHA) of the SS for a discussion followed by breakfast. The meeting had one item on the agenda: The Final Solution of the Jewish Question. Heydrich had been assigned to play the leading role in the Final Solution. In addition to Heydrich, the participants were: Adolf Eichmann (Johannes Allmayer), SS-lieutenant colonel and minute-taker of the meeting Heinrich Muller (Jakob Diehl), SS-squad leader and head of the Gestapo Martin Luther (Simon Schwarz), Undersecretary of State in the Foreign Office Josef Buhler (Sascha Nathan), State Secretary in the Office of the Governor General of occupied Poland, Hans Frank Roland Freisler (Arnd Klawitter), State Secretary in the Reich Ministry of Justice and later President of the Peoples Court (about one year later Freisler sentenced Hans and Sophie Scholl from the resistance group White Rose to death) Gerhard Klopfer (Fabian Busch), Ministerial Director in the NSDAP Chancellery Friedrich Wilhelm Kritzinger (Thomas Loibl), Ministerial Director in the Reich Chancellery Rudolf Lange (Frederic Linkeman), SS-Sturmbannfuhrer and Commander of the Security Police and SD in Latvia Otto Hofmann (Markus Schleinzer), Chief of the SS Race and Settlement Main Office Georg Leibbrandt (Rafael Stachowiak) and Alfred Meyer (Peter Jordan), both from the Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories Erich Neumann (Matthias Bundschuh), State Secretary in the Office of the Commissioner for the Four-Year Plan Karl Eberhard Schongarth (Maximilian Bruckner), Commander of the Security Police and Security Service in the General Governorate for the Occupied Polish Region Wilhelm Stuckart (Godehard Giese), co-author of the Nuremberg Race Laws and then State Secretary in the Reich Interior Ministry. In the films opening sequence, we see the final minutes of preparations for the meeting. Various documents, including a list totaling 11 million Jews in Europe compiled by Eichmann, are arranged on the table for each participant. Salmon canapes, cognac and coffee are provided for refreshment. Heydrich conducts preliminary talks with Martin Luther, the Undersecretary of State at the Foreign Office, followed by Rudolf Lange, Schongarth and Gestapo chief Muller. Heydrich asks Eichmann in the meantime to go and entertain these gentlemen with some stories from the East. Besides Eichmann and Muller, it is Luther from the Foreign Office who is most informed of the RSHAs plans and preparations for the extermination of the Jews. Before the meeting begins, Luther assures Heydrich of complete access to Jews of all nationalities in Europe. The time for restraint is over. In Heydrichs office overlooking the lake, Schongarth and Lange report from the Eastern Front, where the Nazis have shot hundreds of thousands of Jews in mass graves in the months following the invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. Lange declares that Estonia is free of Jews [judenfrei]. Latvia and Lithuania were also free of Jews except for working Jews [Arbeitsjuden]. Reinhard Heydrich (Philipp Hochmair), Heinrich Muller (Jakob Diehl) and Adolf Eichmann (Johannes Allmayer) (Photo-ZDF/Julia Terjung) By the time of the Wannsee Conference, the Nazis, with the help of local fascist collaborators, had already murdered 537,000 Soviet Jews. Heydrich informs his SS colleagues that the state secretaries are made of less stern stuff than the SS. But: The gentlemen should know what they are about to be participating in, that helps close the ranks. It was only a question of dosage. The meeting itself revolves primarily around two issues: firstly, Heydrich wants to ensure that all the state authorities involved agreed with the plans for industrialized mass murder and recognize the main role played by his authoritythe Reich Security Office. In chilling manner, the film features a sinister display of bickering between state secretaries sensing that their ministerial powers are under threat. Buhlers main concern is that the two million Jews in the General Governorate for the Occupied Polish Region be the first to be deported and murdered. What exactly is to happen to the Jews is not clearly stated at any point. This too is historically correct. The Wannsee Conference minutes only refer to the evacuation of the Jews to the East. The other, even more ominous term used several times by the conference participants to refer to the mass murder is the working away [wegarbeiten] of the Jews. The second and by far longest part of the session dealt with the so-called Mischlingsfrage. According to the Nuremberg Race Laws introduced in 1935, people could be classified as a half-Jew or quarter-Jew if, for example, a German citizen had a Jewish parent, or one Jewish grandparent. Stuckart helped draw up these laws and insists at the meeting that such Mischlinge [derogatory for people of supposedly mixed race] be exempted from deportations, proposing instead their mass forced sterilization. Like several other secretaries of state, Stuckart was primarily concerned that the mass deportation of Jews from the German Reich would lead to unrest, irritation and enquiries among the population. At one point Stuckart says that the mass deportations of these approximately 70,000 citizens could lead to chaos, and chaos breeds resistance. No one at the conference expresses any fundamental objections to the mass murder. Erich Neumann, State Secretary in Gorings Office for the Four-Year Plan, repeatedly stresses that skilled Jewish workers in Germany must be exempt from the deportations in order not to endanger the economy. Nor should Jewish labor in the East simply be wasted. Heydrich reassures him: the criterion of Jews capable of work and Jews not capable of work would play a greater role from now on. Jews capable of work would be exploited to advance the war economy before they too were added to the Final Solution. At another point, state secretaries express their concern that the mass transport of Jews in the middle of the war could jeopardize the war effort. Heydrich counters: The war is not an obstacle but an opportunity, because things can now be done and achieved that would be impossible under peacetime conditions. State Secretary Kritzinger is somewhat disturbed by reports from the East and raises the effects of mass shootings on the morale of our German soldiers. Toward the end of the meeting, he calculates that, on the basis of the shooting of over 33,000 Jews in the Babi Yar ravine near Kiev, carried out under ideal conditions within three days, the mass working away of all 11 million European Jews would take over 450 days non-stop. Heydrich is sympathetic. Even Heinrich Himmler acknowledged he had been affected when he witnessed such mass shootings and immediately requested more humane methods of mass murderi.e., more humane for the mass murderers. Since then, Heydrich continues, new methods had been developed on the basis of the findings from the Nazi T4 euthanasia program, which used gas to murder 70,000 physically handicapped and mentally ill people. In Auschwitz, Heydrich continues, Rudolf Hoss has conducted promising experiments with Zyklon B on Russian prisoners of war, and it could be assumed that in the near future thousands of people a day could be worked away in the Auschwitz camp alone. Reassured, Kritzinger leaves the villa at the end of the conference and hurries to the next meeting, where the restructuring of the post office is on the agenda. The only participants at the Wannsee Conference to face retribution for their crimes were Buhler, Schongarth and Eichmann, who was sentenced to death in Israel in 1961 and executed in 1962 after he had continued for a number of years after the war to cultivate a Nazi milieu in exile in Argentina. Several of those attending the meeting in Wannsee were actually able to continue their careers undisturbed in the post-war Federal Republic, including Georg Leibbrandt, who became an advisor to the Adenauer government. Screenwriters Magnus Vattrodt and Paul Mommertz wrote the script for The Conference based on the only surviving transcriptall other copies were destroyed because the meeting had never officially taken placetogether with extensive historical research. The film dispenses with music and relies entirely on a mobile camera to chart the interaction of an outstanding cast of players. The director Matti Geschonneck is the son of the famous East German actor Erwin Geschonneck, who survived several concentration camps. Geschonneck is said to have told his actors not to play Nazis and told Deutschlandfunk that the film should convey the character of a board meeting. It is precisely this approach and atmosphere that make the film so disturbing and topical: not only does Geschonneck show the banality of the crimes of fascismat least from the point of view of the Nazis. In doing so, he also conveys, whether consciously or not, an impression of the milieu and climate that must be prevailing today at the highest levels of governments, major corporations and banks, where the fate of millions, for instance through mass death due to COVID-19, or a war in Ukraine are being discussed as an opportunity in an entirely cold-blooded manner. In an understated, and thereby all the more terrifying manner, The Conference shows what it looks like and what it leads to when the ruling class and forces of political reaction dominate and determine political events. For that reason alone, it deserves a wide audience. In an interview this past Sunday with Maria Bartiromo of Fox News, former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich accused congressional members of the US House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack investigating Trumps attempted coup of being criminals and threatened them with jail time should Republicans retake the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections. Gingrich in 2011 (Wikimedia Commons) Comparing the legally constituted panel to a lynch mob, Gingrich complained to the far-right news host Bartiromo that Attorney General Merrick Garland and the select committee have run amok. They are breaking the rules. They are going after people in a way which reminiscent of the British monarchy using closed-door systems that we outlawed deliberately because we had seen it and we knew what it was like, claimed Gingrich without citing a single example or offering any evidence. Repeating the well-worn talking points of Trumps fascist co-conspirators in Congress, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ), who have repeatedly defended the far-right Trump supporters who have been arrested for their participation in the coup, Gingrich added: They are running over peoples civil liberties. Threatening retribution, Gingrich, who is reportedly advising current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, warned that all these people who have been so tough and so mean and so nasty will be delivered subpoenas for every document, every conversation, every tweet, every email. Just over a year after Trump-aligned fascist paramilitaries came within moments of capturing and/or killing Democratic politicians in the failed coup, Gingrich mused: I think when you have a Republican Congress, this is all going to come crashing down and the wolves will find out that they are now sheep Echoing frequent chants at Trump rallies to lock up his enemies, Gingrich concluded: and they are the ones who are in fact, I think, face a risk of jail for the kind of laws they are breaking. In addition to serving as speaker of the house for five years, Gingrich was a Republican representative from Georgia for 20 years. His threats to jail members of Congress are a warning to the working class that growing sections of the ruling class are prepared to dispense with the 200-year-old norms of American democracy and embrace fascistic forms of rule. There is no doubt if Republicans gain control of the House of Representatives they will abolish the select committee, rescind any subpoenas or lawsuits and halt any further investigations into Trumps failed coup. Gingrichs threats, however, indicate the Republicans would be willing to go much further, aligning themselves openly with what Trump and his far-right paramilitaries started on January 6. In response to Gingrich, a 2012 Republican candidate for president, threatening congressional members with prosecution for carrying out their constitutionally mandated duties, the Democrats for the most part left it up to far-right Rep. Liz Cheney, one of only two Republicans on the select committee, to defend its activities and draw attention to the gravity of the threats leveled by Gingrich. A former Speaker of the House is threatening jail time for members of Congress who are investigating the violent January 6 attack on our Capitol and our Constitution, Cheney tweeted on January 23. This is what it looks like when the rule of law unravels. Asked to respond to Gingrichs menacing remarks in an interview with CNNs Jim Acosta on Sunday, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), a member of the select committee, downplayed the threats. Thats just bizarre. I think Newt has really lost it It leaves me speechless, she responded. Hinting at a reality that was moments from materializing on January 6, Lofgren added: Unless he is assuming that the government does get overthrown and there is no system of justice. Theres just random arrests Lofgren qualified that statement quickly, reiterating: I mean its just a bizarre statement. And he looks terrible. As of this writing, no other prominent Democrat, including President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders or leading left Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had spoken out against Gingrichs threats. In fact, Lofgren herself did not even bother to share her CNN interview on Twitter, demonstrating the Democrats determination to bury the true extent of the fascist threat following January 6. The Democrats remain silent on the ongoing revelations of the January 6 committee, particularly the draft executive order drawn up by Trumps lawyers on the eve of the attack on Congress ordering the military to seize ballots and voting machines and install Trump as president-dictator. But Trumps fascist allies hailed Gingrichs remarks. In a Monday appearance on former Trump adviser Steve Bannons War Room Pandemic podcast, fascist Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz vociferously declared his agreement. He declared, [Y]ou know what, Newts Right! We are going to take power! Using a homophobic slur, Gaetz added, And its not going to be the days of Paul Ryan and Trey Gowdy where Republicans go limp wristed, where they lose their backbone and fail to send a single subpoena. No its going to be the days of Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor-Greene and you know what we are going to get answers. Gaetz launched into a series of fascistic conspiracy theories, demanding Real answers about what happened in the election, answers about the Wuhan Institute of Virology and certainly answers about a Department of Justice and a national security apparatus. As Biden and the Democrats seek to lull the working class to the very real danger of a fascist government taking power in the US, the Republicans continue to go on the offensive against their political opponents. A day after Gingrich leveled his threats, the newly elected Republican state attorney general in Virginia, Jason Miyares, fired the top lawyer at the University of Virginia from his position for his role in leading the January 6 investigation. On August 12, 2021, committee chairman Bennie Thompson announced he had appointed Timothy Heaphy, former US attorney for the Western District of Virginia from 2009 through 2014, as the chief investigative counsel for the select committee. Heaphy is a Democrat who has been the top lawyer at the University of Virginia since 2018. Victoria LaCivita, a spokeswoman for Miyares, claimed the Republican attorney generals decision to fire Heaphy had nothing to do with the January 6 committee or their investigation, instead claiming that Heaphy had a been a controversial hire and that the new attorney general wants the university counsel to return to giving legal advice based on law, and not the philosophy of a university. Heaphy had been granted a leave of absence by the university to participate in the committees activities. After Heaphy announced he would take leave from the university to work for the committee, University of Virginia President Jim Ryan issued a statement that read in part, I wish him all the best in this important public service assignment, but also look forward to his return. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 can be read here. The [SARS-CoV-2] virus is circulating far too intensely with far too many still vulnerable. For many countries, the next few weeks remain critical for health workers and health systems. Now is not the time to give up and wave the white flag. This pandemic is nowhere near over, and with the incredible growth of Omicron globally, new variants are likely to emerge. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General,World Health Organization The word endemic in describing the future of the COVID-19 pandemic is being repeated by government officials and the bourgeois press in the hopes that the population will accept the big lie that SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that can live peacefully among human beings more or less indefinitely. In epidemiology, to say that an infection is endemic means that it is native to or confined to a location or a population. In some instances, this is because the disease does not pass directly from person to person but only by means of a localized vector, such as the mosquitos that transmit malaria and yellow fever. In other cases, the infection maintains a steady state, rather than expanding into a pandemic, because of limited transmissibilityone person passes it on, on average, to only one other person, so the infection neither dies out nor grows exponentially. Figure 1 Reported-malaria-deaths-per-WHO-region-from-1990-2017. Case rates are stable over time. Source WHO. But the virus that causes COVID-19 is present worldwide, not localized, and it is highly infectious from person to person and continues to mutate. Also, the waning population immunity means SARS-CoV-2 infections will continue to threaten communities with repeated outbreaks. There is no possibility of it becoming endemic in a scientific sense of the word. The campaign to declare COVID endemic is thus political rather than scientific. Its purpose is to accustom the worlds people to mass infection and death without end. It will be added to the list of ever-present diseases even when the world possesses the means to eliminate it. Declaring the pandemic over and SARS-CoV-2 endemic as a matter of policy is a premature and risky proposition. But from the likes of Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician and researcher at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) who has called for the dismantling of mass testing and reporting, in declaring COVID-19 endemic, the term acquires even more dangerous implications. In a recent interview, she told The Hill, I think we have turned the corner. She explained that once the Omicron wave passes, the country could enter a more endemic phase of the virus, in which it continues to exist but no longer poses a crisis affecting everyday life, and widespread masking and testing among the general public are no longer needed. Four UCSF physiciansDr. Jeanne Noble, director of the COVID-19 response for the UCSF Parnassus Emergency Department; Dr. Jennifer Nguyen, a pediatrician for UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland; Dr. Vinay Prasad, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF; and Dr. Jarrett Moyer, a general surgery specialist in San Franciscosent an online petition on Friday to California Governor Gavin Newsom, all public school superintendents, and every county public health officer in the state, demanding that the virus be declared endemic. They called for guidelines to be changed, claiming that current pandemic restrictions are causing undue harm, such as the mental health and well-being of the students, without any evidence to back these statements. All the while, global infection rates continue to climb, with 3.7 million infections reported each day and daily death tolls approaching 10,000. The rate of infection in the US continues at over 700,000 per day, hospital admissions for COVID-19 are at pandemic highs, and daily deaths are approaching 3,000. The petition for a declaration of endemicity is a calculated maneuver to force the population to abandon all resistance to the dangers posed by the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. The presumption that COVID-19 would become endemic is not new. Even a year ago, before the vaccines had been widely distributed, the idea of endemicity was being promulgated by well-known scientists. Almost from the outset, even while a few countries in Europe and Asia succeeded in implementing a Zero COVID strategy, many health experts declared elimination and eradication were off the table. According to a report published in Nature last year, in a survey of more than 100 immunologists, infectious disease experts and virologists, 89 percent felt that SARS-CoV-2 would likely become an endemic virus without explaining what this would mean to the population. Dr. Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, stated then, Eradicating this virus right now from the world is a lot like trying to plan the construction of a stepping-stone pathway to the moon. Its unrealistic. Others like Christopher Dye from Oxford University thought that COVID-19 might be eliminated in some regions through a Zero COVID policy and obtaining herd immunity through vaccination: I guess COVID will be eliminated from some countries, but with a continuing risk of reintroduction from places where vaccine coverage and public health measures have not been good enough. A bleaker assessment by Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist from Georgetown University, noted that the virus becoming endemic is likely, but the pattern it will take is hard to predict. Indeed, estimating the long-term social impact the virus will have on the population over several decades is complex. Based on current understanding, it can accelerate chronic diseases, including the effects of infection on the brains ability to function properly. A recent collaborative animal model study led by Yale University researchers demonstrated that even those who contract mild infections could suffer neurological damage. The authors of the study wrote, Taken together, the findings presented here illustrate striking similarities between neuro-pathophysiology after cancer therapy and after SARS-CoV-2 infection and elucidate cellular deficits that may contribute to lasting neurological symptoms following even mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. An example is the case of Rainey DeGroot, a 10-year-old girl who developed Long COVID and dysautonomia after her bout with the infection. The neurological disease caused failure of the autonomic nervous system that controls basic processes like digestion, breathing and the beating of the heart. She is now using a feeding tube. One of the lead authors, Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at the Yale University School of Medicine, explained , And what we found is that even with a very mild infection, which we really cannot measure any disease phenotype in these mice, we still saw some significant damage in the cells of the brain. This means that even mild respiratory infection could lead to neurological symptoms; thats based on the damage that we see. She added that though vaccines or a prior infection could prevent these long-term consequences from occurring after infection, it still is no guarantee. Much remains unknown about the nature of the virus and its impact on the immune system and the body as a whole, such as whether COVID-19 infections contribute to hastening the development of chronic illnesses. A recent report in the Financial Times found that since summer, excess deaths that are non-COVID-19 related have been higher than the weekly average for the five years leading up to the pandemic. These were related to cardiovascular diseases and strokes, up 30 percent than pre-pandemic levels. Figure 2 - Weekly excess deaths no longer explained solely by COVID in the UK. Source FT. Public health officials speaking on the findings speculate that people are choosing not to access health care out of fear or waiting too long due to the gridlock and staffing shortages. Others claim it may be due to the growing age of the population compared to previous years. However, as Sarah Scobie, deputy director of research at the Nuffield Trust think tank, told the FT, there was no hard evidence of the delay in care. J. Scott Davison, CEO of the insurance company OneAmerica, speaking at a health care conference organized by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, explained that his company saw the highest death rates ever seen since he joined the business. Alarming, he noted, was a spike in deaths among working-age populations. Death rates are up 40 percent over what they were pre-pandemic. He added that a once in 200-year catastrophe could be expected to cause a 10 percent increase over pre-pandemic deaths. Though COVID-19 deaths surpassed 850,000 in the US at the new year, excess deaths are between 940,000 to 1.2 million. Figure 3 - US estimated cumulative excess deaths. Source Our World in Data. On a per capita basis, the US is within an arms reach of and closing in on the scale of death caused by the 1918 influenza virus, also known as the Spanish flu. The difference now is that this is occurring despite our understanding of how to stop the virus and having lifesaving vaccines and treatments available to stem the impact of infections. This means the level of death we are seeing now is intentional. Micah Pollak, associate professor of economics at Indiana University Northwest, said regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the population, We really dont know what the tail of this thing looks like. The further you get out [from infection], the longer time you have to potentially develop some kind of complications. Theres just so much evidence of these long-term effects of COVID that I naturally assumed people realized that we are going to see probably a lot of deaths down the roadnot necessarily soon after infection, but indirectly as a result of infection, as well as not just deaths but disability. One year later, despite the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments for symptomatic COVID-19, the spawning of ever new, more transmissible and immune-evading variants like Omicron and the continued deaths of millions more have not dissuaded the ruling elites from reconsidering their approach. On the contrary, they have redoubled their efforts to ensure the Omicron variant infects every person on the planet and propel the world into a forced endemic state and a return to normalcy (i.e., the normal operations of capitalist exploitation and profit extraction). In an update on the topic of endemic COVID-19, an editorial in Nature from January 10, 2022, was headlined COVID is here to stay: countries must decide how to adapt. The editors go on to write, For those who hoped that 2021 would be the year that put the pandemic in the past tense, it was a harsh reminder that it is still very much present. Rather than laying plans to return to the normal life we knew before the pandemic, 2022 is the year the world must come to terms with the fact that SARS-CoV-2 is here to stay. A recent statement by Pfizers CEO Albert Bourla is typical of this mindset. Speaking with the French newspaper Le Figaro, he predicted, We will soon be able to resume a normal life. We are well-positioned to get there in the spring thanks to all the tools at our disposal: tests, very effective vaccines and the first treatments that can be taken at home. The last part of the statement is about Paxlovid, Pfizers FDA-approved antiviral treatment against COVID-19 infection, which also appears to be effective against Omicron. COVID forever will ensure the giant pharmaceutical remains in a position to enrich itself in perpetuity with the virus. A recent commentary appeared in The Lancet by Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), whose modeling and predictions have been closely followed by the White House and major media. After explaining that Omicron has been causing upwards of 125 million infections per day and that 50 percent of the world will have been infected with Omicron by the end of March 2022, he tried to reassure readers that COVID-19 will become another recurrent disease that health systems and societies will have to manage. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHOs COVID-19 technical lead, has rebutted such conceptions, declaring, We are hearing a lot of people suggest that Omicron is the last variant, that its over after this. And that is not the case because this virus is circulating at a very intense level around the world. Senior WHO official Dr. Bruce Aylward added, We dont fully understand the consequences of letting this thing run. Most of what we have seen so far in areas of uncontrolled transmission has been that we paid a price for the variants that emerge and new uncertainties we have to manage as we go forward. Indeed, Omicron sub-variant BA.2 has 80 to 90 mutations compared to Omicron BA.1 with 60 mutations. Professor Yaneer Bar-Yam, a complex systems physicist and head of the World Health Network calling for global elimination of COVID-19, noted, [They are] not the same thing. [BA.2] is about as different as Delta started out from the original variant. He added that mutations in Omicron are occurring at faster rates than previous strains. Presently, BA.2 is growing rapidly in the UK, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Peter Arden was employed by First Bus in West Yorkshire until he was dismissed in October last year, after suffering a stroke. He was made jobless at the age of 63 after working for the company for four years. Arden (whose name has been changed to protect against victimisation) worked at First Bus Wests Bradford interchange and was previously a private car driving instructor. He puts his stroke down to the stress bus workers have endured during the pandemic. In early 2020, buses were designated an essential service and the union, Unite, agreed to a lengthening of the working day. New rosters saw drivers on the late shift finishing at midnight and often getting home around 1.00am. When his shift switched to earlies the next day, a 9.00am start would leave Arden calculating whether he should eat or go straight to bedsometimes he didn't sleep. First Bus in Bradford (Credit: North West Transport Photos, Flickr) Arden experienced first-hand the companys cavalier attitude towards safety for drivers and passengers. Drivers were told to pile them on during the final weekend bus service from Leeds to Bradford. They were encouraged to turn off their contact tracing app while driving. They were expected to enforce safe passenger limits, set at 27 per bus. When passengers complained, managers would confront drivers back at the depot, saying, you could have got another one on. When passengers objected to those without masks getting on the bus, Arden had to explain, Im not a policeman, that's not my job. In December 2020, 300 drivers at Ardens depot in Bradford voted for strike action against dangerously unsustainable rotas, with just 50 voting against. The public was behind them, with a Telegraph and Argus poll showing 60 percent support for the drivers action. They demanded a return to rosters they were contracted to before the pandemic. Many employers have seized on the pandemic to tear up existing contracts, including threats to fire and rehire staff on significantly worse pay, terms and conditions. Unite called off the First Bus West strike in the run-up to Christmas 2020, and it was never reinstated. As far as Arden is aware, there was no resolution to the drivers concerns. He believes the B gradersnewer drivers who receive lower payare still doing the longer shifts. First Bus in Bradford and First Bus Leeds are currently in negotiations around a miserly 2 percent pay offer, which Arden describes as a loaf of bread and a pint of milk. Last time he heard, negotiations were locked in stalemate. True to form, Unite is keeping the Bradford and Leeds negotiations separate, even though services were operated together during the pandemic to mitigate driver shortages caused by infections and staff self-isolating. In Ardens case, the severity of the pandemic was driven home when he called an ambulance after suffering a stroke last Octoberparamedics told him it would be four hours before they could reach him. Luckily, a neighbour drove him to hospital. After being hospitalised for a stroke, Arden was automatically barred from driving a bus for one year and told he would revert to B grade status on return. This is effectively a punishment for illness. As an A-grader, he had been employed on the buses at 13.00 an hour, whereas B grade drivers earn just 10.80. He worked a 37.5 hour-week, but other drivers, mainly those on lower pay, work 45 hours. After his state sick pay ended recently (less than 100 a week) and with no other income until unemployment benefit kicks in, Arden is once again looking for work. The retirement age for men in the UK is currently 66, but it will rise to 68 by 2044. Arden believes his stroke was triggered by the stressful daily conditions for drivers during the pandemic. If their overwhelming demands for industrial action in 2020 had not been suppressed by the union, the outcome might have been different. Talking to an ex-workmate, Arden discovered another First Bradford driver died recently, a man younger than himself. Arden doesnt know if his death was from COVID. In 2020, two drivers, Andy Powell and Nazrul Hussain, from the same First depot at Hunslet Park in Leeds, died from COVID-19. A third driver from Leeds First died from COVID-19 a few months later, on February 17, 2021. Arden says First Bus West is haemorrhaging drivers, piling pressure on remaining staff. Of late, eight drivers have left the company and another six are planning to leave as they are fed up. As to how has the company treated me, he says, there have been too many incidents whereby they have encouraged me to do things that were very, very unsafe and amount to absolute stupidity. They are skating on thin ice, and they are getting away with things that could go terribly wrong, due to no fault of the driver. You felt you were being pushed to the limit. As far as it goes with the union, I have found they have been okay on a personal basis but there is a lot of chat among the drivers that they are in league with the bosses. They favour the bosses interest over workers, and they get paid whatever happens. As a group, the union in Bradford is supposed to be the strongest in the country. God knows whats going on elsewhere. I do worry about that. I think there should be strike action as the only way to make them listen because they are not listening to anything else. If you are going to fight this war you have to unify all bus workers, one hundred percent, and you are going to have to fight hard. A lot of drivers are leaving because they see the Unite union as the enemy within and are refusing to pay the 5 a week dues. Arden referred to London bus driver David OSullivan, sacked for demanding health and safety protections during the pandemic. Dave should be reinstated and get full back pay because he has done nothing wrong at all. What he was doing was looking out for the safety of his colleagues. The unions collaboration is costing lives and causing mental stress. Some are leaving even though they dont have another job to go to. Why cant the companies see whats happening? I think Dave O'Sullivan has been grossly mistreated. He's been putting concerns forward that affects everybody not just himself. He was kind of like, someone's got to do something. He spoke out and lost his job, which I think is an absolute stab in the back. He should not have been sacked obviously, and he should have his job reinstated if thats what he wants. It shows the contempt that the bus company and the unions hold towards workers. Ford workers in Saarlouis find themselves on short-time working this week. But this does not apply to the union-appointed works council representatives, because together with the group management, they are working out the cuts that are going to be imposed on the workers in Saarlouis. If Ford workers in Saarlouis and Valencia, Spain do not oppose the works councils and trade unions and unite independently to defend all jobs, tens of thousands of positions will be lostat both sites. Assembly of the Kuga at Ford's Almussafes plant near Valencia (Image: Ford)] European management has asked the plants in Saarlouis and Valencia to submit their savings plans to them by Thursday. The site that slashes the most costs is to be awarded the contract to build a new electric model. The works councils at both plants have been negotiating this with the respective plant managements for months and are preparing huge attacks: job cuts, wage cuts, working-time extensions, holiday reductions, etc. In a letter, Spanish factory management demanded from workers the reduction of wage costs, the extension of daily working hours and an increase in the number of working days per year. Otherwise, the plant was threatened with closure. The Spanish works council under Jose Luis Parra complained, but assured management, We know no red lines and are ready to negotiate. In Germany, the general works council draws up the threatening letters issued by the factory management. We have already been told quite clearly that Valencia has considerable advantages, especially with regards to personnel costs, explains the acting chairman of the German Ford general works council, Martin Henning, in a circular. Allegedly, labour costs in Spain were one-third lower than in Germany. What this means for the workers in Saarlouis is clear. They will have to accept huge cuts. Some of those affected told the WSWS that the factory was talking about cuts of 120 million per year. Among other things, the three daily breaks are to be halved from a total of one hour to 30 minutes. The millions that are squeezed out of the workforce in this way can then flow directly to the shareholders and hedge funds through their dividend payments. The brutal extortion being planned has been the number one topic of conversation among Ford workers for weeks and months, who fear for their jobs and wages. The works council, under the direction of the IG Metall union, is exploiting this fear. At the end of last year, Markus Thal, works council chairman in Saarlouis, said he was pinning his hopes for saving the plant primarily on workers willingness to make sacrifices. They had always supported concessions in the past and are also prepared to make concessions now, the Suddeutsche Zeitung quotes him saying. Thal had not asked the workers beforehand. I dont know that we were asked, reports one Ford worker from Saarlouis in a conversation with the WSWS. In any case, nobody talked to me about it. But I would be interested to know what was contained in the Saarlouis offer, he says. But he and his colleagues had not heard anything through the union. The workforce must read everything in the media. Complaints by the trade unions and works councils in Germany and Spain about the company's actionsSpanish trade union functionaries spoke of being forced into gladiator-like hunger gamesare reminiscent of the perpetrator shouting Stop thief! to hide his crime. In both countries, they play off the workforces against each other. Their media-reported complaints are only the background music to the attacks they themselves help devise and impose on the workers. Management has been able to rely on the trade unions for years. Ford has already closed several plants in Europe in the past. A first wave of closures affected the plants in Southampton and Dagenham (UK) in 2013 and the plant in Genk (Belgium) in 2014. Only five years later, in 2019, plants in Russia, France and again Britain were closed, and a plant in Slovakia sold off. Now, Saarlouis and Valencia are being urged to outdo each other in the cuts they offer. Germany and Spain are the two most important car-producing countries in Europe. In Spain, the auto industrywith plants belonging to VW, Mercedes, Renault, Stellantis (Citroen, Opel, Peugeot) and Fordis one of the most important sectors of the economy. The situation is even more pronounced in Germany. Ford has been producing cars in Saarland for over 50 years. Of the 7,000 workers who once worked at the plant, fewer than 5,000 remain today. But in Saarland alone, a total of about 40,000 jobs in the supplier industry depend on the plant. The Ford plant in Almussafes, Valencia, looks back on a similar history. It has been in existence for almost five decades. Of the 9,000 who used to work there, just under 6,000 are still employed and 30,000 more jobs are at stake in the regional supplier industry. In view of the importance of the plants, the Ford group is relying not only on the trade unions and works councils, but on governments to extort money. According to media reports, Spanish head of government Pedro Sanchez (PSOE) has held out the prospect of subsidies for the factory to convert to e-mobility if Valencia wins the competition. The carmaker has been receiving millions in subsidies from the regional government in Valencia for years. We stand by Ford, assures Valencia's state premier Ximo Puig, who, like Sanchez, is a member of the social democratic PSOE. Saarland state Premier Tobias Hans (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) and his Social Democratic Economics Minister Anke Rehlinger are also giving assurances of state support, saying the state government was doing everything possible. The strong solidarity between the workforce, the works council, the trade unions, local management, and the state government is also understood in Detroit, London and Cologne. The Saarbrucker Zeitung quotes Hans as saying. That certainly made an impression on Ford Europe boss Stuart Rowley, with whom I spoke. In Germany and Spain, the state and regional governments are also backing the construction of battery plants in the immediate vicinity of the existing factories. In Saarland, Chinese manufacturer S-Volt announced it would build a large battery plant just 20 kilometres from the Ford factory. Almussafes has also announced the construction of a huge battery production facility right next to the Ford plant. Ford is said to be among the investors. Germanys finance daily Handelsblatt and Spanish daily El Pais conclude that this greatly increases the chances for the Valencia plant in the bidding war. Time is pressing. The decision to award the contract for a new electric model is to be made by June 30. Before then, the initiative must be taken out of the hands of the works councils and trade unions. They are not the solution to the threat to jobs, but part of the problem facing workers in Germany, Spain and around the world. They not only accept the undercutting competition, where only the plant with the lowest costs survives. They also work out the cuts themselves and enforce them. This trade union policy leads to an unrelenting downwards spiral. What will the situation be like in four or five years? Will the factory that is winning now have to compete against Ford factories in Romania or Turkey and the low wages paid there? In a previous article, we wrote, In order to resist the blackmail of management and the works councils, a new political orientation is necessary, which proceeds from the common interests of all workers in all locations and opposes the logic of the capitalist profit system. Workers must take the defence of their interests and their rights into their own hands and organise themselves completely independently of the pro-capitalist trade unions and their works councils. All those who are serious about defending jobs and working conditions must now put on the emergency brake. Ford workers in Saarlouis, Valencia, Cologne and other plants must form rank-and-file committees independent of the unions, link up with each other and discuss a common strategy against the top management, governments, unions and works councils. The International Committee of the Fourth International and its affiliated Socialist Equality Parties will support you. We have formed the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees to coordinate workers struggles worldwide against the corporate attacks. Contact us today! In a Daily Mirror interview earlier this month, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared that there was an urgent need to take over political power to save Sri Lanka from disaster. We are ready to take over the leadership, he declared. Sri Lankan capitalism is indeed mired in a deep economic, social and political crisis fuelled by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Economic growth has plummeted. Foreign exchange has dried up as exports, tourism and the remittances of overseas workers have dramatically declined, threatening an external debt default. Anura Kumara Dissanayake [Source: Anura Kumara Dissanayake Facebook] In a desperate bid to prop up the economy, the government of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse has responded by curbing imports, including of essential items, and is imposing new austerity burdens on the working class. This has provoked numerous strikes and protests over the past year involving hundreds of thousands of workers in the state and private sectors. In rural districts, farmers, facing ruination, have repeatedly protested against bans on the import of basic agricultural imports, including fertilisers. The eruption of the class struggle has sent a shiver down the spine of the ruling class. Both of the traditional parties of the Sri Lankan bourgeoisiethe United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP)have split and been reduced to insignificant rumps. Neither the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna that broke from the SLFP nor the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) that split from the UNP commands widespread popular support. The Rajapakse administration relies heavily on the military and has no answer to mounting discontent, except repression. The JVP has stepped onto the stage to offer its services to save Sri Lankan capitalism from disaster, and is being promoted accordingly. The JVP was formed in the 1960s, recruiting disaffected Sinhala youth in the islands south on the basis of the peasant guerrillaism of Maoism and Castroism, heavily laced with Sinhala chauvinism. Its armed struggle led to one disaster after another. The JVP has long ago abandoned its phony claims to be fighting for socialism. Like similar formations around the world, the JVP has long ago integrated itself into the political establishment, exchanging automatic weapons for comfortable parliamentary seats. The high-profile interview with the JVP leader in the Daily Mirror is part of broader media coverage of the JVP that features its exposures of government mismanagement and corruption. One columnist, writing recently on the countrys crisis, declared favourably of Anura Kumara Dissanayake: Is he the answer? Why not? Dissanayakes interview with the Daily Mirror is notable for the complete absence of any concern for the plight of working people amid the social catastrophe created by the COVID-19 pandemic. He does not call for the imposition of basic public health measures such as masks, testing and contact tracing, lockdowns or criticize the governments criminal policy of opening up, because he supports its priority of putting profits ahead of lives. The JVP joined the all-party conference on the pandemic convened by President Rajapakse in April 2020 and offered its support for the governments policies. Dissanayakes exclusive focus is on salvaging Sri Lankas economy from the depths of a crisis that he blames solely on corruption, waste and mismanagement, not the bankrupt profit system. In place of the self-serving politicians of the government and opposition, Dissanayake offers a government of technocrats, as if new faces are going to solve an economic predicament that is rooted in the crisis of global capitalism immeasurably intensified by the pandemic. Dissanayake boasted that the JVP and its associated National Peoples Power (NPP)a motley collection of the partys front organisations and trade unions as well as sympathetic academics, professionals and ex-radicalscould appoint a cabinet with people who are extremely qualified in the respective subject areas compared to both the previous and the present regimes. The bankruptcy of the JVPs perspective is evident when Dissanayake lays out the partys national plan which is nothing more than a collection of empty hopes and phrases. He makes no mention of the world economic crisis. * To save the country from imminent default, the JVP is going to seek a three-year moratorium of debt repayments. How it is going to convince international institutions and banks to do that is not explained. * Dissanayake declared it is that not opposed to seeking a bailout from the IMF, which is notorious for imposing austerity demands. Rather, he thought that such an approach should be cautious, as if Sri Lanka, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, not the IMF, will set the terms! * After noting a precipitous decline in the remittances of Sri Lankans working overseas, Dissanayake declares that the JVP will offer incentives to repatriate funds. He doesnt explain how the JVP will stem the out-of-control deflation of the rupeethe source of the reluctance to send funds home. * In a telling demonstration of its class orientation, the JVP is going to appeal to rich Sri Lankans around the world to invest at home. As for what they are going to invest in, the JVP has come up with the bright idea that traditional Sri Lankan crops and a software industry are lucrative prospectsas if no one has tried these options before. In reality, this pompous national plan is nothing more than a pledge to big business that the JVP supports Sri Lankan capitalism and will always act in its interests. The real interest of the ruling class in the JVP is whether it can be used as a tool to divert, divide and disorient a growing movement of the working class. The Daily Mirror s introduction to the interview noted that the JVP has shown impressive progress in its popularity among all sections of the society. In fact, the JVPs support has plunged as a result of its sordid manoeuvres and alliances over the past three decades with the traditional parties of the Sri Lankan bourgeoisie. In 2004, it had 39 parliamentary seats and joined a coalition government headed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga in which its four ministers were responsible for imposing a pro-market agenda. The JVP contested the last election under the umbrella of the National Peoples Power, which won only three seats. Two went to JVP members. Asked how the JVP proposes to form government, given that it currently commands only three MPs, it rejects coalitions with corrupt traditional parties, and the present government still has three years of its term, Dissanayake suggested that it come to power by other means. With regard to change of government our first option is elections. But in the world we have seen how these corrupt and disastrous regimes have been toppled by people getting on to the streets. That is also democracy. Even though that is not our plan we are ready for that So there is no necessity to go for another three years. Asked if the JVP would step in if such a situation arose, Dissanayake declared: Yes. If there is a danger that the country would become a failed state and if there is a breakdown of social institutions then as a political movement we have a responsibility to do that. Amid a growing mass movement of workers and the poor, the JVP is offering its services to the Sri Lankan ruling class to show that it poses no challenge to bourgeois rule. Everything that the JVP has done to date demonstrates that it is determined to save capitalism, not overthrow it. In the past few months, the party through its unions among teachers, health workers, electricity, and in the ports and free trade zones has worked to limit the repeated struggles of workers for improved wages and conditions and to sow the illusion that the government and big business can be pressured to grant concessions. On November 24 last year, Vijitha Herath, a JVP leader and MP, told a Zoom meeting organised by big business leaders that his party was prepared to assist the government of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse, temporarily to overcome the grave economic crisis. Herath pledged that the JVP would come to consensus on the essential financial discipline and management if the government was ready. Such financial discipline would inevitably mean new austerity measures and new burdens on working people. While the Rajapakse regime did not take up the offer, Heraths comments clearly demonstrate its support for big business and its priorities of profit over lives. In his Daily Mirror interview, as he sought to posture as the champion of the nation, JVP leader Dissanayake sought to disown the partys reactionary Sinhala chauvinist politics, claiming it had turned over a new leaf and upheld equal rights for Tamils and Muslims. The JVP was always a ruthless proponent of Sinhala supremacism and supported the communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) right from the outset in 1983, following an anti-Tamil pogrom. In 2005, the JVP backed the President Mahinda Rajapakse regime which unilaterally broke a ceasefire and restarted the reactionary communal war. The party functioned as cheerleaders for the military and apologists for its war crimes to its bloody conclusion in May 2009, when tens of thousands of civilians were killed and surrendering LTTE leaders murdered. No one should believe Dissanayakes self-serving declaration that the party should have thought more seriously about the difficulties faced by the ordinary Tamil civilians we failed in our responsibilities. We have a self-analysis on that. What difficulties are being referred to? What responsibilities did the JVP fail to uphold? What self-analysis has it made? Dissanayakes mea culpa explains nothing and is completely meaningless. The JVP has no intention of fighting for the democratic rights of ordinary Tamils and Muslims. This is an orientation to the discredited parties of the Tamil and Muslim elitesthe Tamil National Alliance and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congresswhich Dissanayake declared that the JVP is ready to work with. The leopard has not changed its spots. Following the terrorist attack by Islamic extremists on churches and luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, the JVP joined the chorus of filthy anti-Muslim chauvinism whipped up Sinhala Buddhist racists. Dissanayake and other JVP MPs demanded in parliament that all Muslims denounce the attack and assist in the military-led dragnet as though the entire Muslim community was responsible. A final warning should be made. One of the main attractions that the JVP holds for the ruling class is its past record of murderous physical attacks on the working class. It bitterly opposed the 1987 Indo-Lankan Accord, accusing the government of the day of dividing the island by reaching a deal to introduce Indian peace-keepers into the North and East to disarm the LTTE. The JVP whipped up a filthy Sinhala racist campaign in which it ordered workers to take part in its strikes and protests at the point of a gun. Its gunmen shot and killed anyone who they regarded as a political opponent of their campaign to save the nation including workers and trade union officials. The JVP murdered three members of the Revolutionary Communist League, the forerunner of the Socialist Equality Party, which opposed the Accord, not from the JVPs standpoint of saving the nation, but of unifying the working classTamil, Sinhala and Muslimagainst the designs of the bourgeoisie. The revolutionary task of uniting the working class in Sri Lanka and internationally now takes on a pressing urgency in face of the deepening crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. To defend the most elementary democratic and social rights, the working class needs to take up the fight for a socialist alternative and win to its side sections of the rural and urban poor to establish a workers and peasants government. That is the perspective for which the SEP fights today in opposition to all the political tools of the capitalist class including the JVP. The Autoworker Newsletter encourages workers to contact us and share information about conditions at your plant. Email us at autoworkers@wsws.org. In recent weeks, COVID-19 has been spreading out of control at Fords Kansas City Assembly Plant (KCAP), creating dangerous conditions at the factory and leading to multiple deaths, according to workers at the complex who spoke with the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter. The factory employs over 7,000 hourly and salaried workers and is the biggest manufacturing facility in the Kansas City area. Ford Kansas City Assembly (WSWS) Masks are not enforced. We have had a ton of deaths, a worker at KCAP wrote in an email to the WSWS. They have opened access to grief counselors but never tell us how bad COVID is here. Exact information on the number and identities of workers from KCAP who have succumbed to COVID-19 is difficult to determine, given the unstated policy of the company and the United Auto Workers union to conceal the number of cases and deaths. However, based on word of mouth and death notices posted on social media, workers believe that as many as 10 workers from the plant have died from COVID-19 since the holidays. Ten people died at KCAP since Christmas from COVID, a veteran worker at the plant told the WSWS last week. Heard it from a retired union committeeman. The union did not say anything about it in the plant. Theyre protecting the company. Greg Guinn One confirmed death from the virus, according to information shared with the WSWS, is Greg Guinn, a millwright at KCAP who died in December. Daily reported cases in the Kansas City metro area have repeatedly broken records in recent days, averaging between 3,500-4,000, three to four times last winters peak. With testing capacity overwhelmed, however, even these numbers reflect only a portion of the virus full spread, as indicated by the extremely elevated test positivity rates of over 30 percent. Hospitals in the region, like many parts of the US, continue to be strained to the limit due to the influx of patients infected with the hyper-transmissible Omicron variant. Weekly hospitalizations in Jackson County, where Kansas City, Missouri is located, are averaging an all-time high of 619. On Friday, the University of Kansas (KU) Health System shared video with the media showing its morgue full of bodies, stating it may soon need to bring in refrigerated trucks, as other cities have done. We are right at the edge of our capacity any given day about being able to manage the number of deceased patients down there, Dr. Tim Williamson, KU Hospitals vice president of quality and safety, told a local Fox News affiliate. Workers at KCAP have also said so many are now either sick or self-isolating due to exposure that Ford is struggling to maintain production. Multiple shifts for the facilitys Truck Departmentwhich builds the F-150 pickup truck, a linchpin of Fords profitabilitywere canceled on Thursday and Friday, according to posts by UAW Local 249. At the same time, workers have found it increasingly difficult to secure leave from work and self-isolate following exposure to the virus. Some workers have reported that management has said they should report to work after members of their household test positive for COVID, raising the danger of the virus spread being accelerated. With the Omicron variant exploding through auto plants and spreading everywhere throughout communities, the companies and the UAW have adopted a de facto herd immunity policy of letting the virus infect as many as possible. On Monday, Ford announced that it was revising its masking policy. Falsely claiming that its flimsy surgical masks provide effective protection against the spread of COVID-19despite the fact that scientists have repeatedly stressed that they are inadequate to fully protect against the airborne virusFord said workers could now wear your own N95 or KN95 respirator, wear a cloth mask over Fords surgical masks, or only wear the surgical mask. A worker who normally works in the Transit Van Department said that many on his side of the plant were redeployed to the Truck Department recently due to staff shortages. A couple weeks ago, they had over 200 people off work for COVID. Last year, we had a lot of people on Transit side out with COVID, he said. On the Truck side, people work extra close. I had my facemask on at all given times over there, because we were working extra close, side by side. Also, at that plant, I went to the bathroom, and they have a narrow stairway, people rubbing side by side to get past each other. I can look and tell that wasnt a safe place to work at, bro. Right now, they want to keep production running no matter what, no matter how many people are sick with COVID. The worker said he was moved by the report on the death of the young autoworker at Ford Chicago Assembly, Caleb Mateo Dye, who recently died after a lengthy battle with COVID-19. I read that article, he suffered bad. Its sad to see him losing his life to that, just trying to make some money for his family. I truly think its not safe to work around that type of environment, its risky especially during wintertime. They dont keep that plant sanitized. Its like they just dont care that were going to work in that environment. We dont know how many have been sick. Workers still are frequently not informed that they should get tested when a nearby worker tests positive. When someone comes in to work with COVID, and theyre working next to other employees, when they go to medical, they should allow the other people working next to them to get tested, the worker said. Its creepy that doesnt happen. The UAW has been protecting the companys interests, not workers, he added. Its like the UAW, to me theyre trying to defend the company, they want us to keep working. The UAW Im working for, theyre sellouts, its true. At the same time, we at Ford KCAP are suffering unemployment, people have been waiting weeks and weeks to get their SUB [supplemental unemployment] paychecks. The struggle by teachers and students to force a switch to remote learning is right, the worker said. I agree they should have kids go back to homeschooling, or internet schooling, especially with this cold weather and everyone indoors. I truly dont feel safe right now. I think that right now everything should be at a point to where folks should just be away from environments where people are so close together. The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter is assisting autoworkers in organizing rank-and-file factory committees independent of the UAW. These committees have called for Zero COVID policies, including a shutdown of nonessential production and the payment of workers full income during downtime, as well as other necessary public health measures to halt the pandemic and save lives. To get in touch with us about forming or joining a committee, fill out the form below: Recent data released by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) has revealed that three children between the ages of 0-17 died of COVID-19 the week of January 14-21. Individual teachers and parent groups noted that the total COVID deaths reported by the DOH for this age group rose from 29 for the previous week to 32 in new DOH data. Students walking out of Brooklyn Tech High School January 11 (Source: Twitter/@Jill_Jorgensen) No details have emerged on the victims, and families have not come forward with more information. A similar instance of a child COVID-19 death in October of last year prompted a single article from Gothamist. No media outlet has commented on the most recent deaths. Neither Mayor Eric Adams nor Governor Kathy Hochul has issued statements on these preventable deaths or have gotten on a public platform and promised to stop what the politicians usually like to call a senseless tragedy. The grieving families, whoever they are, have received no public condolence from a single politician, including elected officials from the Democratic Socialists of America, who now sit in the State Assembly and on the New York City Council. No one in official society has voiced outrage. Instead, Adams and the local media have been entirely consumed with the shooting of a young police officer, Jason Rivera, on Friday night in Harlem as he and his partner (also shot) answered a domestic disturbance call. After Shootings, Eric Adams Rushes to Release Safety Plan, says the New York Times. Save our city: NYC Mayor Eric Adams makes desperate plea after cop shooting, yells the Murdoch rag, the New York Post. And the Daily News reports: Young widow of fallen NYPD officer posts tribute to late husband fly high, my beautiful angel. Adams has ordered the American flag in front of City Hall to be flown at half-mast to commemorate the officer. Gone are the days when the flags were lowered for the victims of COVID-19. The message is unmistakable: As far as the corporate media and the political establishment are concerned, dead children do not matter. It is better to ignore their deaths completely because now that the pandemic is being declared endemic, more children will die. The population of the city cannot be reminded of that, especially given the tide of sickness in the schools impacting both educators and students under conditions where Adams and the rest of the Democratic Party from Biden on down have insisted on keeping schools and businesses open during the Omicron surge. The reactions of the educators and parents who do know of these deaths provide an example of why the establishment needs to censor it. Its heartbreaking, three preventable deaths too many, one educator told the WSWS. Its not worth hyping up in the media because they dont want to cause needless panic. The priority should have been for these childrens deaths not to happen to begin with. But we are putting families in a position where they feel they have no choice but to send their children to school because society dictates so. The compassion has been lost. These deaths are the outcome of an explosion of infections from the Omicron variant, which consumed New York City beginning in early December as part of an unprecedented surge in cases globally. In little more than a month and a half, more than one million of the citys 8.8 million residents have tested positive. Countless more who contracted the virus were unable to get a test. Others took home-based tests that were not recorded in the official tally. The silence and deflection of the media and the politicians about the deaths of the three children from COVID-19 are a part of deliberate policies aimed at allowing the virus to spread unchecked and infect the entire population while demanding that working people accept the consequences. When the Omicron crisis is mentioned by state and local Democrats, it is to seize on decreases in reported new cases to claim that the crisis is over. In a press briefing last Tuesday, Adams declared that the city was seeing good news on the COVID front. He continued, We are winning. We are winning. And we are going to win because were resilient. The situation, however, remains dire. From the few reports of conditions that appear in the corporate media, it is clear that the acute stage of the crisis is far from over. The New York Post, in an article on the situation in the hospitals, described the inability to process the number of dead because of the numbers of staff who are out sick and death rates that are on the rise. The whole hospital system is at capacity with patients, and, of course, that includes the morgues, according to one person quoted in the article. While down from the peak in early January, transmission in the city continues at extremely high levels, including among school children. Last week the city recorded 23,859 new cases in the under-18 age group, with 230 of them admitted to the hospital. This month the city school system has experienced a dramatic drop in attendance due to infections, as well as families opting not to send their children in for in-person learning. Teachers also report that testing in schools continues to be a farce. One teacher described to the WSWS the experience of trying to get tested at her Brooklyn school last week, You have to fill out the online form exactly three days before you come. We dont know when they come in advance. Its clear that they are trying to keep the numbers down. Adams, in lockstep with the Biden administration, has refused to even consider the temporary closing of school buildings or nonessential businesses to stop the transmission of the virus. He and Governor Hochul have reduced the quarantine period to five days, following CDC guidelines. The obligation to do contact tracing was also suspended. As Omicron spreads there has been massive opposition by the working class to the reckless policies of the ruling establishment. In the past several weeks, New York City middle and high school students have led a number of protests, demonstrations and walkouts across the city against unsafe conditions in the schools, winning the support of educators, parents and school staff. Such actions, while underreported in the mainstream press, have multiplied in schools across the country. To defuse opposition, the Adams administration issued a series of conflicting statements last week, raising then deferring the possibility of a remote option. Education Chancellor David Banks also held a meeting last Tuesday with a student organization that initiated the walkouts. The latest post from the groups Twitter account expressed a sense of futility over the meeting. As grateful as we are to have student voices at the center of the table, we felt dismissed and sensed some disrespect towards teachers. Were looking forward to our second session and hope student voices are not only heard but acted upon, it stated. The three child deaths this past week demonstrate the reality lurking behind the deception of the Adams administration. Despite the magnitude of the health crisis and warnings by epidemiologists across the globe, the New York City government has followed the criminal let it rip policies of the Biden administration, which were themselves a continuation of the approach headed by fascistic ex-President Donald Trump. Both former Democratic Mayor Bill De Blasio and current Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who took office on January 1, have endlessly repeated calls to keep New York City schools open no matter the costs. These policies, which prioritize profits above all else, are directly opposed to the interests of workers and youth. It is urgently necessary to build and expand the New York City Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) as part of a global movement to save lives and protect the health and incomes of millions of workers and youth in the city and beyond. We urge those interested in joining this struggle to contact the WSWS today. Faced with the explosion of the highly contagious and vaccine-resistant Omicron variant, the Network of Rank-and-File Committees for Safe Education in Germany called an emergency meeting on Tuesday, January 18, to arm the opposition to the ruling elites policy of mass infection with a political perspective and develop a global strategy to eliminate COVID-19. The meeting took place amid an international wave of school strikes and teachers protestsreaching from the US to France, Italy, Austria and Greeceand gave conscious political expression to this growing mass movement. The online gathering was attended by several dozen youth and workers from various fields. The immediate action of students, teachers and workers is necessary to end the pandemic once and for all and prevent further catastrophic suffering, said Gregor Link, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) and writer for the World Socialist Web Site, at the beginning of the meeting. The governments of Germany, Europe and North America have made a conscious decision to infect the population with Omicron, continued Link. In the US, France and other countries with particularly high infection rates, hospitals are already at their limit and intensive care units are overcrowded. Every day in Germany an average of around 250 people die from COVID-19, which is like a medium-sized passenger plane crashing every single day. The virus could be eliminated within a few months and the pandemic ended through a globally coordinated policy to massively reduce contacts by closing schools and nonessential businesses, mass vaccination and comprehensive public health measures. But governments have refused to adopt such a policy for over two years because it would hurt bank and corporate profits. Referring to the recent report by the British organization Oxfam, Link described how an unprecedented enrichment was organized during the pandemic: In the midst of mass deaths not seen since World War II and the worst economic catastrophe in a lifetime, the capitalist oligarchs have enriched themselves enormously as never before. In the same period that 15 million people have died from the virus and 163 million people have been plunged into poverty because of the pandemic, the worlds top 10 billionaires have doubled their wealth to $1.5 trillion. In Germany, the profits of the 10 richest billionaires alone during the coronavirus pandemic correspond to the combined assets of the 33 million poorest Germans. This profits before life policy, Link explained, is actively pursued by all mainstream parties and fully supported by the unions. To enforce them, the ruling class is resorting to foul lies: that Omicron is mild and could establish an endemic state of the pandemic, that the impact of infection on children is negligible, and that the infestation of students with COVID-19 is for their own psychological well-being. According to Link, this class policy finds its sharpest and most ominous expression in the aggressive war propaganda of the imperialist NATO powers against the nuclear-armed power Russia. Under these circumstances, an international movement of the working class against disease, mass layoffs and war is crucial. Such a movement is currently developing around the world. But in order for the strikes and protests by students and teachers in the US, France, Italy, Greece, Austria and elsewhere to succeed and grow, we believe new democratic organizations of working class struggle are needed, concluded Link. We at the SGP are fighting for the establishment of rank-and-file committees in schools, day care centres, companies, social institutions and in all neighbourhoods, which must be independent of all bourgeois parties, unite internationally and organize a general strike to end the pandemic once and for all and defend all jobs. Parents, teachers and students demonstrate outside a suburban Paris hospital with banners that read 'COVID at school equals hospitalized parents, (left) and 'Overcrowded classes, equals saturated hospitals' (right). (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Alex Lantier of the French sister party of the SGPthe Parti de lEgalite Socialiste (PES)spoke next, focusing on the development of the international class struggle and the role of the trade unions and the pseudo-left. He stated: The enormous number of infections is leading to an international upsurge in the class struggle, which gives enormous urgency to this meeting of rank-and-file committees. Last Thursday, French teachers led a day-long nationwide strike against the Macron governments pandemic policies in schools. The strike demonstrated the tremendous resistance of the working class to the policy of mass infection. Seventy-five percent of teachers joined in, temporarily closing about half of public schools in France. As the striking teachers told us, they deeply oppose Macrons inhumane policy of allowing the virus to spread in schools. Many feared the unknown long-term effects of COVID-19 on childrens brains and health. One student was heartbroken by children in her classes blaming themselves for unknowingly infecting their parents or grandparents who died from COVID-19. As Lantier explained, the unions, in cooperation with the Macron government, managed to end the nationwide teachers strike after one day. At the same time, pseudo-left tendencies, which are closely allied with the union bureaucracy, have called for protests led by right-wing opponents of vaccination. Lantier concluded that the building of new fighting organizations of the working class and the establishment of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) in Germany, France and Europe was of crucial importance for the class struggles to come. Following the introductory contributions, a lively discussion developed about the social catastrophe of the last two years and in particular the devastating consequences of the current Omicron wave of infections in workplaces, day care centres and schools. Only unvaccinated students are tested, although it is clear that vaccinated people can also spread the virus and become ill, reported Tamino, a high school student from Baden-Wurttemberg. The coronavirus tests provided by the state are also among the most unreliable tests that exist, with a sensitivity of only 54 percent. Despite four-digit incidence rates, which means that there have been more than 1,000 infections per 100,000 people within the previous seven days, the government is not taking any real protective measures, he added. Jennifer, a pre-school educator from Frankfurt, reported on the immense pressure exerted on child care workers to force them into service despite the risk of a potentially fatal infection. She described the fate of a colleague who suffered severe COVID-19 after her medical certificate was ignored. Jennifer said: Since December 16, a total of 92 of 145 day care centres in Frankfurt have had to close in whole or in part due to coronavirus cases. The age group of day care children can neither keep their distance nor pay attention to hygiene, cannot be vaccinated and is defenceless. There is neither the space nor the staff to separate the children. Even before the pandemic, the pedagogical preparation time was reduced from seven to one hour. Regarding the situation of the students, parents and carers, Jennifer explained: My nephew is terrified at the idea of going to face-to-face classes and possibly infecting his grandfather. It is unacceptable for parents to be fined or threatened with taking their children away because they refuse to expose their children to the disease. Nurses are forced to continue working despite an infection. As the discussion continued, the question was raised of how to reconcile the apparent contradictions between the right to education, the right to work and the right to physical integrity. Participant Marion emphasized, for example, that the long and irregular phases of changing forms of schooling were a considerable burden for children and parents. Many children have no access to digital learning materials and many parents also fear for their jobs if they resist getting infected. Marianne Arens, national committee member of the SGP and WSWS writer, responded: All of these problems are solvable. But we are facing a political problem: We are dealing with governing politicians at all levels who put the wellbeing of the economy before the wellbeing of children and the entire population. They have a mass infection policy that is inhumane and they lie to our faces. You have to realize that. Above all, you have to reckon with the fact that they are not on our side. They dont strive to establish good and decent schools for all children, because that reduces the profits of the shareholders. They even punish parents and educators and, against their better judgement, force them into a practice that endangers them. The politicians will not listen. We must combine our initiative with a political struggle. We cannot rely on the unionsthe strike in France also showed that. They called off the strike after a day to negotiate with the government. Instead, we must address the working class, who are being severely impacted by COVID-19 everywhere. If we succeed in combining these struggles, we can assert our demands. Christopher, a leading member of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) from Leipzig, underlined in his contribution the class character of the pandemic policy and emphasized that the planned mass infection of the population is rejected by the overwhelming majority: In my work as a cashier, every day I see working people suffer the consequences imposed on them by a government thatand this is true of almost all governments in the worldignores all scientific facts. Lets look at how many billions of dollars and euros have been amassed since the beginning of the pandemic in the wake of the so-called coronavirus bailouts, which were essentially gigantic cash injections for the top earners and top companies. We have to ask ourselves why the air filters that parents paid for themselves are being taken out of schools at the same time, or why people have to volunteer to help with vaccinations. Something doesnt fit. There is money. Its just in the wrong place. We cannot avoid asking ourselves the larger political questions that arise from this. We cannot fight this pandemic individuallynor can we move to an island and wait for it to be over. We dont have to pretend to be a minority either. What we are discussing here is a majority opinion. Towards the end of the meeting it was stated that everything must be done to prevent a third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several speakers emphasised that rank-and-file committees must be set up in all schools, day care centres, workplaces and other facilities to take the fight against the pandemic and governments into their own hands and join forces worldwide. The only viable strategy is to eradicate the virus based on a zero COVID policy, as advocated by leading epidemiologists, virologists and other scientists. To implement these policies, the growing global movement against COVID-19, mass layoffs and war must be armed with a socialist program directed against capitalism and the entire ruling class. This programme unites all those who are no longer willing to accept that every aspect of social life is subordinated to the profit interests of the super-rich. In the fight against the pandemic, the alternative is socialism or mass infection. After the conclusion of the meeting, several participants expressed their support for the perspectives discussed at the meeting. Taminos and Jennifers words were absolutely rightIm glad I was there, Heike Lein from Bavaria said. Tatjana from Hesse said, I found it very interesting. Many spoke in exactly the way I feel. We have no time to lose. I can no longer accept that profit comes before health. On January 3, demonstrators rallied at the Federal Court House in San Juan, Puerto Rico, demanding that U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain reject Puerto Ricos debt restructuring plan, proposed by the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (FOMBPR). Pointing out the precarious state of the islands economy, the protesters, who included retirees, teachers, government employees and students from the University of Puerto Rico, demanded legislation forbidding the payment of illegal government debt, and instead prioritizing education, such as funding for the University of Puerto Rico, other essential services and guaranteeing retirement pensions. Mass protest in Puerto Rico, July 2019 (Credit: Daryana Rivera) Judge Swain, who presides over the Puerto Rico bankruptcy case, while acknowledging the popular opposition in Puerto Rico, approved the FOMBPR plan on January 18. Puerto Ricos 25 years of financial implosion and economic decline will now take a new turn with Swains approval of the debt restructuring plan engineered by the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, an unelected body established by the US Congress in June 2016 under the Obama administration to manage the US island territorys debt crisis. The seven members of the financial oversight board are well connected to European and US banks and to the Wall Street vulture funds. Five years in the making, the restructuring plan cuts Puerto Ricos 2016 debt default in half, while assuring multi-million-dollar profits for Wall Street high risk hedge (vulture) funds, at the expense of public employee pensions, jobs and wages. The debt restructuring plan, which is expected to be approved by most debt holders, continues the island governments prolonged austerity policies, including replacing defined benefit pensions with 401K plans (subject to the vagaries of stock markets). It also reduces Puerto Ricos current public debt from $70 billion to $34 billion, lowering what the government pays in debt service. Investors will get $7 billion up front, plus billions more if tax collections exceed projections. The Financial Oversight Board is to remain in control until four years have passed with the government budget in balance. Unresolved are other aspects of the islands financial crisis, such as the bankruptcy of the public Electrical Authority. Puerto Rico defaulted on a $2 billion government bond payment on July 1, 2016. At the time it had already missed debt payments on tens of billions of dollars worth of other government debt and unfunded pension liabilities. The effects of the 2008 global financial crisis worsened Puerto Ricos crisis, causing the collapse of labor-intensive firms (construction, agriculture, and small and medium businesses). The Puerto Rican establishment responded with a combination of austerity and borrowing. In 2009, the administration of Governor Luis Fortuno Burset passed emergency legislation that led to the sacking of 30,000 public workers, increasing rates of unemployment and encouraging mass emigration. US firms that had established plants in Puerto Rico in the 1980s, due to US government tax breaks, such as big pharmaceutical firms, moved their production to other parts of the world, as these tax advantages were abolished during the Clinton administration. Puerto Rico witnessed a mass exodus of young skilled workers to the United States; its population fell by half a million, from 3.8 million in 1996 to 3.3 million in 2020. As industries were shutting down and plants and jobs were disappearing, the borrowing continued. Old debt was paid with new debt, in violation of the islands constitution, which sets limits on how much the government can borrow. The crisis continued to worsen. By 2014, as it became clear that the situation was untenable, Wall Street rating agencies downgraded Puerto Rican bonds to the status of junk bonds. Vulture hedge funds, such as Aurelius Capital, began buying bonds at a fraction of their face value, determined to collect full payment in the future. The crisis became what the New York Times described as the biggest financial collapse in United States history. The amount of money involved, $73 billion, was complemented by $50 billion in unfunded pension obligations. In response to the debt crisis, the US Congress imposed the unelected seven-member Financial Oversight Board on Puerto Rico under the terms of the newly approved Puerto Rico Oversight Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA). Individual debt holders were barred from suing Puerto Rico, while the unelected Oversight Board came up with a plan to resolve the crisis. The boards real purpose was to protect the investments of Wall Streets financial speculators by imposing deep austerity measures on wages, education, health services, electricity and government pensions. These measures included moves to privatize public education and electricity services. Following the imposition of PROMESA and of the Financial Oversight Board, a series of natural disasters struck the island. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, had a devastating effect, destroying much of the electrical infrastructure and resulting in more than 5,000 deaths, as well as damage exceeding $100 billion. By 2018, Puerto Rico had lost 15 percent of its medical specialists, leaving only 9,500 to serve the entire population of 3.2 million. Three years after Hurricane Maria, 130,000 people had left the island, while Puerto Rico had only received $1.5 billion in federal assistance, out of the $20 billion it had originally been promised. All these events, austerity, unemployment, the debt crisis, and the disastrous response to Hurricane Maria combined to provoke mass demonstrations in 2019 that led to the collapse of the corrupt administration of then-Governor Ricardo Rosello, alarming the US and Puerto Rican ruling classes. In 2020 the Guayanilla earthquake, which registered 6.4 on the Richter scale, the strongest in 102 years, left the island without electricity and destroyed parts of the southwestern coast, destroying 8,000 homes and creating conditions for a new wave of emigration. These natural disasters also exposed the high rates of income inequality on the island, the highest in the Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere. Forty-five percent of the population subsist below the poverty line, including over 50 percent of Puerto Rican children. One third of adults report food insecurity, while one fifth report missing meals because of lack of money. With the COVID-19 pandemic the situation is becoming even worse, due to high rates of unemployment and lower incomes. The spread of the Omicron variant on the island is affecting hospitals and clinics, which are on the verge of collapse due to lack of supplies and personnel. As of January 23, Puerto Rico reported 3,338 deaths, out of a population of over 3 million, since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. It recorded a daily death toll of 14, the first double-digit figure since the summer of 2021, while nearly 700 patients are hospitalized, more than at the last peak of the pandemic. The protests on January 3 were a warning of growing popular anger. Just as in 2019, all the elements are coming together for a social explosion of the Puerto Rican working class. Teachers in South Australia (SA) voted by a two-thirds majority yesterday for strike action against the planned resumption of in-person schooling on February 2. The endorsement of industrial action has thrown the SA executive of the Australian Education Union (AEU) and its national leadership into crisis. The union only called the ballot for fear that widespread anger over the reopening, in the middle of the states first major COVID surge, could escape its control. South Australian teachers protesting attacks on their pay and conditions in 2019 (Credit: AEU SA, Facebook) The AEU restricted the vote to a yes or no response to a one-day strike on the first day of term. But the union is seeking to prevent even this limited action from going ahead. Within hours of the vote, the SA AEU executive announced that it would hold urgent talks this morning, with a view to calling off the strike and reballoting members on the basis of unspecified progress in secret backroom talks with the state Liberal government. The union announced this afternoon a deadline of 10am Thursday for government undertakings on expanded COVID testing for teachers, if the strike is to be cancelled. The vote and the union response has underscored the battle lines in the fight against the reopening of the schools, which is the spearhead of a pro-business drive to force parents and all workers into their workplaces, despite the mass spread of the virus. In every state and territory, the unions are collaborating closely with their respective governments to ensure an orderly return and to neuter widespread hostility. The SA vote demonstrates that this program is encountering growing opposition. There is little doubt that if a similar ballot were held of teachers in any other state, especially Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), whose respective Labor and Liberal governments are spearheading the national school reopening, there would be a similar result. A South Australian teacher told the WSWS: The handling of the return to school has caused concern and anxiety for teachers and families. The mixed message of how dangerous COVID is to our community but how safe staff and students are at school is no longer being accepted. Student learning is of the utmost priority to all teachers. It is second only to the priority of keeping students safe. Under the current plan, many teachers doubt they can meet either of these priorities. As in other states, the SA government has said that teachers exposed to the virus can remain in class, but should isolate from their family and the community. The teacher continued: The union ballot for strike, as is always the case, comes after the government has refused to respond to members concerns, with the get-out clause that if concerns are addressed the action will be called off. There are too many details missing and teachers are not fooled by this. Rapid antigen tests [RATs] only help the government keep workers at work, they DO NOT do anything to keep workers safe from COVID infection in the first place. The union has said they will negotiate and will work to rectify the ventilation issues at the cost of the government. There is a great deal of skepticism about this. I have never worked in a class with opening windows and we have often been told to lock doors for security reasons. Have those security concerns suddenly disappeared? There are a lot of windows that will need fixing and many buildings dont have any windows that can open at all The departments refusal to release the air quality audit is only exacerbating teachers concerns about the departments intentions. Fearful of opposition, the government announced a staggered return, with years one, seven, eight and 12 beginning on February 2, and all other grades by February 14. The AEU initially called for the start of term to be delayed by two weeks and asked for the release of audits on the effectiveness of air purifiers, which the government is not mass distributing, and on ventilation. At no point has the union challenged the basic premise of the reopening or called for online learning. The union appears to have dropped any suggestion of a postponement of term. In their comments since the ballot, AEU officials have exclusively referenced the issue of RATs being provided en masse to schools. This is a centrepiece of the reopenings in NSW and Victoria. In those states, students will be provided with two RATs per week. But this is limited to the first four weeks of term. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said he had not received health advice that this would be effective. Instead it would give people a false sense of security, with many false negative results from the less reliable tests which are to be administered by students themselves and their parents. The AEU is angling for broader use of RATs, precisely to provide its members with such a false sense of security and to justify calling off the strike, along with the release of the air quality reports, which will do little to protect staff and students. As the teacher who spoke to the WSWS warned: I predict that the withholding of the air quality report and air purifiers is tactical and they will be implemented in response to empty threats made by the AEU. This will make the AEU look good and the department will be able to demonstrate to the community that they are indeed responding to raised concerns. Win/win for DfE and the AEU. But not for students or staff. The concerns in South Australia are intensified by the fact that the state previously had very limited transmission, in line with the successful suppression of the virus through much of the pandemic in Australia. In the first two years of the COVID crisis, to December 15, there were just 1,031 infections in SA. Since the profit-driven reopening of the border and lifting of safety measures, there have been more than 100,000 in the past six weeks. That the union felt compelled to call a ballot was likely also the result of the near-rebellion its enterprise agreement encountered in 2020. The AEU-brokered deal provided for real wage cuts and the continuation of existing poor conditions. It was only narrowly ratified by 54 percent with 46 percent of educators voting against. Whatever the state-based peculiarities, however, the same sentiments are emerging everywhere. On Sunday, the AEU in Victoria and the NSW Teachers Federation gave their stamp of approval to reopening plans in those states, under which there will be no state-organised contact-tracing in schools or closures, even in the event of mass outbreaks. Official modelling reported by the Guardian indicates that up to 20 percent of teachers will be off sick at any given time, with the NSW and Victorian governments assembling a replacement workforce of university students and vulnerable retired educators. On social media, teachers in NSW and Victoria condemned the union complicity in this plan for mass infection. A NSW teacher, for instance, wrote: What a joke! Its not as if we dont know how it is going to go. You just have to look at what is happening in the UK, USA and Canada where there are next to no mitigations in schools. 20-30% students and teachers absent at any one time and mass infection and reinfection of students and teachers. Teachers in both states welcomed the SA strike vote. One in NSW posted on social media that the ballot would hopefully spotlight our situation. I wish all Australian teachers went out on day 1 Another said: I think striking is one of the few means left to teachers who want to be heard. not ideal, sure, but how else to communicate in a way that is LISTENED to? The unions are demonstrating in practice that they in no way represent teachers. Having imposed regressive enterprise agreements, they are now endorsing reopenings that will likely result in the serious illness and death of some of the workers they claim to represent. This is only the starkest expression of the unions role as an industrial and political police force of governments and the corporations, advancing the interests of a privileged bureaucracy. Teachers must take matters into their own hands, including by establishing rank-and-file committees at all schools. These must fight for the SA strike to proceed and for it to be broadened across the country. The aim must be to force a return to online learning, as the only means of protecting health and safety, with full compensation for all affected parents and a massive expansion of funding for public education. The fight to protect children and their teachers must be taken up by the working class as a whole, as the spearhead of a broader struggle against the pro-business pandemic program and for scientifically-grounded policies required to eliminate the virus. Contact the Committee for Public Education (CFPE) to take part in this struggle. Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation Twitter: @CFPE_Australia Opening statements were heard on Monday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers charged with deprivation of civil rights for refusing to stop Derek Chauvin from killing George Floyd by kneeling on his neck on Memorial Day 2020. The trial of J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao is being presided over by Judge Paul Magnuson of the U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Kiernan Lane, Tou Thao (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office) The three men were charged, along with Chauvin, in an indictment by a federal grand jury in Minnesota nearly one year after the killing of Floyd. The charges of deprivation of civil rights were applied in three counts: the first against Chauvin for keeping his knee on George Floyd after he became unresponsive, the second against Thao and Kueng for willingly failing to intervene to stop Chauvin from using unreasonable force, and the third against all four of the former officers for willfully failing to provide aid to Floyd and acting with deliberate indifference when he was in distress and dying. Chauvinwho was convicted of murdering Floyd in a state trial on April 10 and is now serving a 22.5-year prison sentencepleaded guilty on December 15 to the federal civil right charges against him. He is expected to receive an additional 2.5 years of prison time for the federal offense. A jury of five men, seven womenwith an even number of white and non-white jurorsand six alternates was selected from across the state of Minnesota last Thursday. Judge Magnuson repeatedly stressed that the conviction of Chauvin on state murder charges and his guilty plea on federal charges must not influence the proceedings against the trial of the other three. Kueng, Lane and Thao also face a state criminal trial of their own that is scheduled to begin on June 13. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Trepel opened the prosecutions case saying that the three officers did not lift a finger to help George Floyd even though he said 25 times that he could not breathe. Speaking to the defendants directly, she said that Floyd was in your custody, in your care and then read from the MPDs policy about how people are to be treated once taken into police custody. Using still images from a city surveillance camera, the prosecutor described the actions of each of the defendants as they made the conscious choice over and over again not to act to protect a man they had in handcuffs and pinned to the pavement. Protecting those in custody is not just a moral responsibility, its what the law requires under the U.S. Constitution, Trepel said. Trepel singled out the actions of Thao, 36, who was a veteran officer and Chauvins partner. She showed in a bystander video how Thao was trying to keep at bay the angry crowd that was witnessing the murder and demanding that Chauvin get off George Floyds neck. Instead of trying to stop Chauvin from killing Floyd, she explained, Thao cynically told the witnesses, This is why you dont do drugs, kids. The prosecutor acknowledged that both Kueng and Lane were rookie officers but said this was no excuse for their actions. She said even though it can be awkward and uncomfortable to criticize a fellow officer, the two had received extensive training for 1-1/2 years that use of force and the duty to intervene should have been fresh in their minds. Among the training that Trepel mentioned was the obligation to turn a subject on his/her side when they are having trouble breathing. As to the third charge, the prosecutor said that the officers were trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation but took no action to help save George Floyds life as he was rendered unconscious and lost a pulse. Here on May 25, 2020, for second after second, minute after minute, these three CPR-trained defendants stood or knelt next to Officer Chauvin as he slowly killed George Floyd right in front of them, she said. In conclusion the Assistant US Attorney told the jury, We will ask you to hold these men accountable for choosing to do nothing and watch a man die. Following the prosecutions opening statement, the attorney for Kueng, Thomas Plunkett, made a motion for a mistrial on the grounds that Trepels presentation to the jury was more argumentative than based on the evidence the prosecutors were planning to use during the trial. Judge Magnuson denied the motion. In his opening statement of defense, Robert Paule, the attorney for Thao, attempted to blame George Floyd for his own death by saying it was a tragedy but a tragedy is not a crime. Paule told the jury to look beyond the video and see that Floyd was acting erratically and appeared to be on drugs when the officers attempted to arrest him. George Floyd (Photo: Offices of Ben Crump Law) According to a report in the New York Times, the defense appeared to be outlining a defense built on several pillars: That by initially resisting arrest, Mr. Floyds actions justified the aggressive police response; that Mr. Lane and Mr. Kueng were rookies, and that Mr. Chauvin was a training officer; and that Mr. Thao was busy keeping bystanders at bay, acting in the words of Mr. Paule as a human traffic cone. Plunkett also suggested that he would try to blame the MPD for insufficient training of the rookie Kueng, and Earl Gray, attorney for Lane, was also pointing a finger at the city police department for keeping Chauvin on the force when he had a history of abuse and misconduct. Gray said that Lane had been told by superior officers that Chauvin was an excellent field training officer. Attorney Gray also said that his client intended to testify in his own defense, the only one of the three to do so, and said that Lane had two times tried to get Chauvin to roll George Floyd onto his side. Legal experts have said that obtaining a conviction in the federal trial of Kueng, Lane and Thao is difficult because the prosecution must prove that the defendants are guilty of willingly violating George Floyds constitutional rights by not acting in his in defense rather than doing something directly to him. The behavior of the then-Minneapolis officers is hardly unknown to working class and poor people in the US or other countries around the world. The actions of Kueng, Lane and Thao are part of an unstated law enforcement code of conduct where extreme brutality is followed by the victim being left unconscious or dying as officers mill around at the scene discussing how they will cover up their crime. The only thing that is different in the death of George Floydand other similar cases recently, such as the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County, Georgiais the presence of the smartphone phone video shot by Darnella Frazier that was then viewed millions of times, triggering mass protests against police violence which swept across the US and internationally during the summer of 2020. Additionally, the case of the three officers who cooperated with Derek Chauvin in killing George Floyd shoots a hole in the racialist presentation of police violence as purely a matter of blacks being killed by white police officers. The fact that Kueng is black, Lane is white, and Thao is Asian American makes clear that police violence is rooted in class society and capitalism, and the only way to stop it is by unifying the working class across all national, ethnic, racial and language barriers in the struggle for socialism. The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) hosted a virtual town hall last Wednesday to address questions and concerns held by students, faculty and university workers regarding the plans to resume in-person learning in the midst of an unprecedented surge of the Omicron variant across the country. The town hall came just days after UIC hastily announced the university would return to full in-person instruction on Monday, January 24. This return to in-person learning means over 30,000 students and 10,000 workers and staff will be forced back onto the university campuses where they will inevitably spread the virus. The lead speakers of the event, Dr. Susan Bleasedale and UIC Chancellor Michael D. Amiridis, spoke on the return to school and downplayed the ongoing dangers of the pandemic. Such downplaying of the dangers of the pandemic is in line with the policies of the Biden administration nationally, which has pushed for school and university reopenings with the help of the unions. In Chicago, Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot conspired with the Chicago Teachers Union to reopen the Chicago Public Schools despite widespread opposition from teachers, parents and students. UIC panelists Dr. Susan Bleasedale and UIC Chancellor Michael D. Amiridis (Credit: UIC) Dr. Bleasedale and the panelists made the specious argument that in-person education would be safe because of the relative decline in cases and test positivity rates over the past few weeks, largely due to remote learning. The panelists claimed that vaccination, testing and masking would prevent the spread of the Omicron variant on the campus and beyond. The panelists also justified the reopening with pseudo-scientific claims that denied the possibility of contracting COVID-19 within a classroom or on campus. While the panelists addressed how many students and workers may have concerns and fears about returning to campus amid a raging pandemic, they largely downplayed the risk of campuses becoming superspreaders for the virus as they have throughout the pandemic. One attendee at the town hall event asked the UIC panelists about the danger of the surge of the Omicron variant: COVID numbers in the current wave are on a downslide, yet several times they were as high as at the highest point of the Fall/Winter 2020-21. I dont understand the insistence that we go back to class next week. Wouldnt it make sense to delay a few more weeks, when COVID trends indicate it will be substantially safer? No serious answer was given and instead the panelists cited the mitigation efforts by the university. Resuming in-person learning at UIC and other universities and schools at present will only accelerate the Omicron surge. The current seven-day average for cases across the country is at 713,007. Over 2,000 people are dying every day and at least 866,000 people have lost their lives to the virus in the United States alone. In Chicago, at least 22 people continue to die every single day, with the current average of daily cases at 2,454. Hospitalizations in the city remain elevated at 183 people per day and the positivity rate remains above 10 percent. UICs own dashboard shows that there have been over 1,852 positives for students since school reopened last fall and over 2,250 employees have tested positive since then. Cases surged in the month of December when Omicron began to spread across the country and the region. Even though cases have since subsided due to students staying temporarily remote after the end of winter break, a rapid surge can only be expected in the days and weeks ahead. UIC COVID-19 Dashboard (Credit: UIC) Despite the widespread surge last month, Dr. Bleasedale dismissed the possibility of student-to-student transmission through aerosol spread in indoor classrooms on multiple occasions by brazenly saying, Virus transmission inside classrooms does not pose a threat and data from the past month shows us that transmission happens outside of classrooms. Dr. Bleasdales claims fly in the face of more than two years of data showing schools and universities are vectors for transmission and community spread. A New York Times study in the fall of 2020 of more than 200 counties with large college student populations found that COVID-19 deaths rose faster in those counties than other counties. A study of over 30 colleges published in the peer-reviewed journal Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering found that college campuses are superspreaders of COVID-19. At least half of the colleges studied reported infection spikes of 1,000 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people within the first two weeks of classes. The study concluded, These findings suggest that college campuses are at risk to develop an extreme incidence of COVID-19 and become superspreaders for neighboring communities. Last month, Cornell University saw an unprecedented surge of the Omicron variant that forced the campus to shut down and go remote. Even though more than 97 percent of students were vaccinated, over 986 infections among Cornell students occurred in just four days. When an anonymous attendee asked the UIC panel, How are we supposed to social distance when there are classes of 95-100 people? the panelists admitted that it would not be possible. According to the UIC administration, social distancing is no longer necessary. In an email sent to students and staff addressing this same concern, the administration stated, Our classroom seating arrangements, which follow the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Department of Public Healths guidance, do not require distancing. In the fall, we did not see transmission within classrooms. Masking is our primary prevention, and masks are required in all classrooms. At the town hall, Dr. Bleasedale spoke on UICs prevention plan, which consists largely of mask enforcement. Instead of distributing the most protective and effective masks to students and staff, Bleasedale even went so far as to state that high-quality N-95 masks are overkill in classroom settings and that cloth or surgical masks are protective enough. UIC administrators have made it clear that they have heard and received the concerns of students, faculty and university workers. Yet students and staff are being forced back into a situation where they have to choose between their education and potentially catching a deadly virus. Student workers who make less than minimum wage are also battling COVID-19 while working for the university that puts them in danger. The administration has sought to silence UICs community as well. Students and staff have absolutely no say in what UIC chooses to do to them, as UIC has continuously ignored all voices of opposition. Removing remote learning also means disabled, immuno-compromised students who do not return to in-person learning will be forced to choose between education and their safety. The university has demonstrated its total lack of concern for the lives and health of its students and workers. The decision to return to in-person learning is not for the sake of its students or their education, but to ensure that the high costs of tuition and room and board are justified. Since the onset of the 2020-21 school year there have been multiple petitions circulated online to demand UIC lowers its obscene tuition costs during remote learning. One petition with over 10,000 signatures states that the students of UIC hereby request the University to refund all students the difference between the costs of in-person and online instruction. While the president of the University of Illinois system racks in an annual salary of over $700,000, students are going into debt over high tuition rates that do not reflect the actual cost of online (or in-person) learning. Students, faculty and UIC workers opposed to the unsafe reopening of the campus for in-person learning should take matters into their own hands and join with the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality to demand a return to remote learning until community spread of the virus is eliminated. UIC students can contact the IYSSE to learn more or fill out the form below to join the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee. The UK is acting as an attack dog for the Biden administration in justifying military conflict with Russia. Its latest provocation was a transparent attempt to provide a casus belli, blaming Moscow for an escalating drive to war that is being provoked by the United States. On Saturday evening, the Foreign Office issued a press release, signed by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, claiming that Vladimir Putins government is looking to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine. On Saturday evening, the Foreign Office issued a press release, signed by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, claiming that Vladimir Putins government is looking to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine. (screenshot: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) The former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev was cited as a potential candidate, with links to Russian intelligence, along with Serhiy Arbuzov, a former deputy prime minister and later acting prime minister of Ukraine, Andriy Kluyev, another deputy prime minister and chief of staff to former President Viktor Yanukovich, Vladimir Sivkovich, former deputy head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council, and Mykola Azarov, a former prime minister. Most of those named reside in Russia, which the Observer was forced to note makes their ties to Russias leadership less a matter of subterfuge than public record. Murayev, Moscows putative president of Ukraine, told the newspaper, Im banned from Russia. Not only that but money from my fathers firm there has been confiscated. History has proved that anything that emanates from Britains government and security services regarding the danger of war and who is responsible should be assumed to be a pack of lies. In 2002-3, Tony Blairs Labour government provided its services to the Bush administration in preparing war against Iraq. In March 2002, Blair met with Bush in Crawford, Texas, having promised he would support war against Iraq and, according to Secretary of State Colin Powell, suggest ideas on how to make a credible public case on current Iraqi threats to international peace, and handle calls for a [United Nations Security Council] blessing that can increase support for us in the region and with UK and European audiences. MI5 and MI6, with the support of the CIA, then assembled evidence they knew to be false to further war aims already decided uponthe September 2002 dossier asserting that Iraq possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction and the February 2003 dodgy dossier , mostly plagiarised from a thesis by a graduate student. Once more a monstrous lie is being crafted to justify an act of imperialist violence with potentially unimaginable consequences. The same filthy alliance is in play, with the UK seeking to reinforce the Biden administrations claim on January 20 that Russian intelligence was recruiting current and former Ukrainian government officials to take over government following an invasion. British imperialism has consistently sought to capitalise on its relationship with the US in order to project its own interests globally. This criminal policy took on even greater importance post-Brexit, as a means of countering Britains declining world position and meeting the challenge of its European rivals. Today, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government, battered by a raging economic crisis, widely hated for its murderous herd immunity policy and intent on ending all measures to even ameliorate the pandemic, is seizing on a war drive as a means of rescuing itself. The aim is not to strengthen a supposedly defensive struggle by Ukraine, but to create the conditions for an aggressive anti-Russian offensive by the NATO powers. To make this clear, the Foreign Office press release was accompanied by another portraying Johnson as fighting to establish a new version of Blairs coalition of the willing, this time an anti-Russian alliance. It was centred on criticisms of France and Germany, along with boasts of Britains greater determination to confront Russia. Advancing Johnson as the defender of a unified NATO, the press release attacked French President Emmanuel Macrons suggestion of an independent response to the Ukraine crisis by a stronger European defence pillar as a form of appeasement. The prime minister has been clear to counterparts in recent days that now is not the time in the face of spiralling aggression on the border to start a conversation about Europes strategic autonomy, it stated. Also noted was Johnsons declared opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline transporting Russian gas to Germany as a major strategic problem for European security. The theatrical timing and cloak-and-dagger nature of the intelligence disclosure, which came in the midst of a roiling political scandal at home, raised a more cynical question, wrote the New York Times, whether some in the British government were simply eager to deflect attention from the problems that threaten to topple Prime Minister Boris Johnson Some Conservative lawmakers warn that Britain cannot afford a messy leadership battle at a time like this. Tough talk about Russia also appeals to the Tory right, and critics say some ambitious officials are taking advantage of the tensions. Among such ambitious officials, the Conservative chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, told the BBC, This is more than just about Ukraine, this is about Putin wanting to establish, absolutely, a sphere of influence way beyond Ukraine itself. Nato needs to develop a fresh sense of purpose. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace wrote in the Times that Russian aggression in Ukraine was driven by the ethno-nationalism at the heart of his ambitions Not the straw man of Nato encroachment. All efforts to portray Russia as the aggressor are disproved by an official UK government research briefing, Military Assistance to Ukraine, issued January 18. This noted the major extension of military relations with Kiev by the UK, the US and NATO, beginning with Operation Orbital in 2015, when the UK began training the Ukrainian Army, and now encompassing enhanced defence cooperation, a Memorandum of Intent on developing Ukraines naval capabilities and the release of a massive 1.7 billion of financing. Royal Navy vessels have been regularly deployed to the Black Sea region to conduct joint training exercises with the Ukrainian Navy, most recently in summer 2021 as part of exercise Cossack Mace and as part of NATOs annual Sea Breeze exerciseleading in June 2021 to an altercation between HMS Defender and Russian jets. Britain is already leading a 1,200-strong battle group in Estonia, involving 830 UK troops, alongside 300 French troops, and has 140 British soldiers in Poland as part of NATOs Enhanced Forward Presence mission. Britains largesse, however, pales before the $2.6 billion provided by Washington between 1990 and 2000, and around $5 billion during the US orchestrated campaign to install an anti-Russian government in 2014 that precipitated Russias defensive annexation of the strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. NATO has in addition stepped-up maritime cooperation with both Ukraine and Georgia, in an extensive list of exercises including Exercise Joint Endeavour in 2020, with British, US and Canadian troops. This is a policy of encirclement of Russia, focused on the expansion of NATO membership and the stationing of military forces and equipment directly on Russias borders or within striking distance. This past week, the UK sent an additional 30 troops from the Ranger Regiment to Ukraine and delivered 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers. More broadly, the UK is considering sending hundreds more troops to Ukraines NATO neighbours to act as a deterrent to Russia, according to defence sources. Other NATO member states are considering similar moves, a source told the Times . This follows Sundays report in the New York Times that the Biden administration has discussed deploying 1,000 to 5,000 troops to Romania and the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, with the possibility of increasing this to 50,000 troops. Yesterday 8,500 US troops were placed on standby. The US navy has sent the USS Georgia guided-missile submarine to the eastern Mediterranean, where it joins the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier battle group. A US shipment of 90 tonnes of lethal aid arrived in Kiev Saturday, as part of a $200 million security support package approved in December. This is the massive campaign of military provocations the Tory warmongers are complicit in, and which must be resolutely opposed by workers and young people. As always, Johnson and his criminal clique are being backed to the hilt by the Labour Party. Sir Keir Starmer wrote an opinion piece in the Tory Partys house organ, the Telegraph, headlined, Britain must stand firm against Russian aggression. Not only does Labour understand the threat posed by Putins Russia, we stand resolute in our support of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, he fulminated. For too long the implicit message to Moscow has been that Putin can do what he likes and the West will do little to retaliate. KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Another Wabash Valley hospital has asked for Indiana National Guard support following a large spike in COVID-19 patients. On Monday, Good Samaritan Hospital said six members of the Nation Guard are on-site to support hospital staff. "As we are back into the highest peaks we have seen of COVID-19 patients," Rachel Spalding, Good Samaritan Chief Nursing Officer, said. Just like Union Health and Greene County Community Hospital, the guard has sent a staff of six service members to assist Good Samaritan. Two of the service members are combat medics. They will take vital signs and directly help nurses. The other four are non-medically trained. They will help with cleaning patient rooms, delivering meals to patients, assisting unit clerks, stocking supplies, and helping with other general tasks. "We are so grateful to receive assistance from the Indiana National Guard," Spalding said. " It means so much to have them here supporting our staff and community. The health care community has been working tirelessly for two years with COVID and these actions remind us we are not alone in this fight." The National Guard will remain at Good Sam for at least two weeks. After that time, there will be an assessment to determine if the hospital needs additional help. Weather Alert ...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Indiana... White River at Edwardsport. White River at Elliston. Wabash River at Montezuma. .Multiple rounds of rain over the last few days 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. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/ind. This statement will be updated within the next 12 to 24 hours. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MONDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Wabash River at Montezuma. * WHEN...Until Monday 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 Wednesday the stage was 13.0 feet. - Forecast...The river will rise to 13.4 feet just after midnight tonight. It will then fall to 13.3 feet and begin rising again early tomorrow afternoon. It will rise above flood stage early Friday morning and continue to rise to 17.1 feet early Saturday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage Monday morning. - Flood stage is 14.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - The holiday and omicron surge has been hitting Knox County hard in recent weeks. This has put the community well into the red with the state. That has been hard on the county's hospital Good Samaritan Hospital. On Friday there were 21 patients in the hospital with COVID-19. Six of those were in the ICU. With staff shortages, the Emergency room is already facing an uphill battle. But another problem has come along with this recent surge. News 10 caught up with ER DR. Lance Payton. He is the medical director at the Good Samaritan's ER. Dr. Payton says they have been inundated with folks with non-emergency symptoms. Payton says people are looking to get tested for COVID-19 at the ER. He says this is causing a lot of unneeded stress to the health system. It is also causing those folks who come in to be potentially exposed to the virus. Dr. Payton explains, "The emergency room, especially right now, is not the place for your...you know if you have a cough, congestion, common cold symptoms, a little nausea and body aches. A lot of that you can do at home and we're not going to change what you can do at home." Alec Baldwin and other Rust producers are claiming immunity in a bid to dismiss a lawsuit from the movies script supervisor over the on-set shooting in October that resulted in the death of the films director of photography, Halyna Hutchins. They argue Mamie Mitchell, who was standing just a few feet away from Baldwin when he fired the gun and was the first to call 911, should be pursuing workers compensation in New Mexico instead of a civil suit in California. More from The Hollywood Reporter It is completely illogical for Plaintiff to contend defendant Mr. Baldwin received a prop gun that everyone including Plaintiff and defendant Mr. Baldwin expected to be cold, while at the same time stating that Mr. Baldwins conduct was intentional in accidentally firing a live round, reads the demurrer filed on Monday. In November, Mitchell sued Baldwin, production companies and other individuals involved with the production of Rust after a loaded gun was fired on set, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Her claims include assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and deliberate infliction of harm. In a filing detailing his legal defense for the first time, Baldwin argued that Mitchells workplace injury claim is barred by New Mexico law. He said her exclusive remedy for a job-related injury is workers compensation, not those provided by civil court. Mitchells lawyers attempt to get around the law by claiming that the alleged negligence that led to the incident was intentional. In a case involving a worker at a smelting plant who died after his supervisor ordered him to remove a cauldron with molten slag, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that willfulness can render a workers injury non-accidental and outside the scope of workers compensation laws. It allowed the wife of the deceased worker to proceed with her lawsuit under the theory that the defendant acted intentionally with the knowledge that her husband could be seriously injured or killed as a result of the supervisors order. Story continues Baldwin challenged arguments that he intentionally committed any harmful conduct. He argued that nothing Mitchell alleges suggests that any of the defendants knew the prop gun would be loaded with live ammunition. The incident occurred when Baldwin was rehearsing a scene in which he draws a gun. Although it was not intended to be loaded with live rounds, the gun discharged while Hutchins and Souza were standing adjacent to the camera where Baldwin was directed to point the firearm. Plaintiff alleges facts suggestive of negligence (i.e., a claim exclusively subject to New Mexicos workers compensation system), not assault, wrote defense attorney Aaron Dyer of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in the demurrer, which is embedded below. Baldwin also alleged that Mitchell has no apparent physical injury and raced to the courthouse in California, without providing the notice in New Mexico required for a workers compensation claim, apparently to get her claim in front of any potential claims by the two individuals who were hit by the live round. Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who is named in the lawsuit and has not yet filed a response, on Jan. 12 sued Seth Kenney, the man whose company supplied ammunition to the production, claiming that he was at fault for introducing live rounds on set. Neither Hutchins estate nor Souza have brought lawsuits over the shooting, though Hutchins husband has hired Brian Panish of Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi in connection to the incident. Click here to read the full article. The post Cardi B Wins Million Dollar Defamation Suit Against YouTuber appeared first on Consequence. The people have spoken: Cardi B was the victim of an Invasion of Privacy. Today (January 24th), a federal jury ruled that a womans YouTube videos and social media posts about Cardi B were, in fact, defamatory, ending a two-week trial and awarding the rapper a cool $1.25 million. Born Belcalis Almanzar, Cardi B sued Latasha Kebe in 2019 over a malicious campaign to tarnish her reputation. Kebe posted dozens of videos about the rapper with accusations ranging from the unfortunate to the unsavory, including that she had cheated on her husband, that she had contracted herpes, and that she had fucked herself with beer bottles on fucking stripper stages. In a trial that kicked off January 10th in Georgia, Cardi said she felt suicidal over the videos, proclaiming that only an evil person could do that shit. In addition to Cardis testimony, Kebe also took the stand, admitting that she knowingly spread lies about the rapper. At the trials end, the jury found Kebe liable for defamation, invasion of privacy through portrayal in a false light, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Kebe has the opportunity to appeal the decision, but for now, she owes Cardi $1 million in general damages and $250,000 in medical expenses. Tomorrow, proceedings will begin to determine if she owes additional damages, or if shes liable for Cardis legal expenses. Cardi B recently pledged to finance the funerals for those who perished in an apartment fire in her native Bronx. She also contributed the song Bet It to Netflixs series Bruised, and teamed up with Lizzo for former Song of the Week Rumors. Cardi B Wins Million Dollar Defamation Suit Against YouTuber Carys Anderson Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequence of Sounds email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. Cheryl Hines is weighing in after her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., invoked the Holocaust and Nazi Germany in a recent speech about vaccine mandates. During a Washington, D.C., anti-vax rally on Sunday, Kennedy suggested that the situation is worse today for those in the U.S. who oppose vaccine mandates than it was for Anne Frank, who hid from the Nazis with her family in a secret compartment within an Amsterdam home for two years before dying in a concentration camp in 1945. More from The Hollywood Reporter Even in Hitler Germany, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland, you could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did, Kennedy, a vocal critic of vaccines, said at the event. Today, the mechanisms are being put in place that will make it so none of us can run, and none of us can hide. After footage of the speech went viral on social media and was met with widespread criticism, a Twitter user tagged Hines to ask the actress if she stands by her husband. My husbands opinions are not a reflection of my own, the Curb Your Enthusiasm star replied via Twitter on Monday. While we love each other, we differ on many current issues. After another Twitter user tweeted that Hines should have said her husband was wrong to compare the vaccine situation to the Holocaust, the actress replied, Yes, I agree with you. Hines, who wed Kennedy in 2014, later wrote that her initial tweet was Nothing about WW II. When asked to further clarify what her initial tweet was addressing, she posted, I was responding to, Do you stand with your husband.' After these initial exchanges, Hines posted a statement to her Twitter account calling Kennedys comments reprehensible and insensitive. My husbands reference to Anne Frank at a mandate rally in D.C. was reprehensible and insensitive, she wrote. The atrocities that millions endured during the Holocaust should never be compared to anyone or anything. Story continues Among the responses to Kennedys speech was a statement posted to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museums Twitter account Sunday that condemned his remarks as outrageous and deeply offensive. Kennedy also apologized on Tuesday morning, via Twitter, for his reference to Frank, saying he was especially sorry to families that suffered the Holocaust horrors. My intention was to use examples of past barbarism to show the perils from new technologies of control, he added. To the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry. Jan. 25, 10:54 a.m. Updated with Hines tweet clarifying her response. Jan. 25, 11:58 am. Updated with Kennedys apology. This story was originally published on Jan. 24, 2022, at 9:12 p.m. Click here to read the full article. Del. Gary Howell The first full week of the regular legislative session is now in the books. Things are still slow but are starting to pick up. Here is a little of went on last week. A lot of what the Legislature does is not glamorous. Take HB 4060, one of the first bills to pass. It simply removed obsolete code. In this case, the Coalition for Diabetes Management. It was no longer needed due to Obama Care, so the state disbanded it, but the code remained. This bill removed that code section that no longer functioned and could have caused confusion. SB 8 was also a repealing bill that removed the West Virginia College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Act to reflect the termination of the Prepaid Higher Education Program, Plan, and Trust Fund. All of this has been replaced by other programs. The committee on Finance which I serve on has been having budget presentations. This is where the various state agencies present their budgets, and we can ask about changes they are requesting. So far we have heard from Veterans Assistance, Senior Services, Tourism, Supreme Court, Homeland Security, Commerce, Economic Development, Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical Colleges. For the most part the budgets are remaining flat this year. We are hoping this will give us the ability to do tax reduction in the state. What form that will take remains to be seen. The return of Mineral County Day was welcomed at the Legislature. It is a great opportunity for the people of Mineral County to interact with bureaucrats in person, that would otherwise be a voice on the phone. This pays dividends in the future when a project is being discussed because relationships have already been formed. I took the opportunity for the Speaker of the House to meet with the representative from Northrup Grumman and discuss what is done at the plant that provides 1,600 jobs in Mineral County. We are planning on exploring additional economic opportunities with them. As the pace begins to pick up, I will have more information in coming articles, but in the meantime if you have a question, a suggestion on making West Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family or need help with a state agency, then you can always call me at 304-340-3191 or if you prefer e@mail me at Gary.Howell@WVHouse.gov. Make sure you leave your full name, address, and phone number so I can contact you if you leave a message. This article originally appeared on Mineral Daily News-Tribune: From Your Delegate: First bills not necessarily 'glamorous' James Austin Johnson, Seth Meyers Anytime a current or former Saturday Night Live star appears on Late Night With Seth Meyers, theres going to be some shop talk. Specifically, there are going to be dueling Lorne Michaels impressions, as Meyers and, in this case, James Austin Johnson reminisce about Michaels infamous habit of never actually telling anyone theyre hired. Mysterious, and cryptic, and warm at the same time, somehow is how the fast-tracked SNL featured player described his initial interactions with Michaels, who typically talked (and talked) about seemingly everything but whether the auditioning Johnson was about to face telling his then 6 months pregnant wife they were moving to New York in the middle of a pandemic (and a New York winter). Meyers sympathized, doing his own Michaels impression as he recalled emerging after his own pre-hire meeting and parsing Michaels ambiguous, Obviously, well need to see how you look in wigs for clues as to whether he had a job. Read more Still, unlike Meyers, who claimed to have gotten in two sketches his first year on Saturday Night Live, Johnson eventually discovered he was strapped onto the new guy bullet train when Michaels oblique interrogation revealed that the show was planning to have him play not just Joe Biden, but Donald Trump as well. Johnson, in fact, opened Season 47 by unveiling his Biden (his 38th most confident impression) in the first episodes cold open. So, no pressure there. Johnson came onto most peoples radar thanks to his viral, stream-of-consciousness Trump, which finally made its appearance on the show a few episodes later. For Nashville native Johnson, finding the right take on the character (so called) of the former president and current seditious COVID vector, was a matter of being a little less accurate, as it turns out. Explaining that doing a spot-on Donald Trump and spouting eerily accurate, verbatim horrific things right from neophyte political candidate Trumps speeches was met with unnerved/hostile silence from the bars he was performing at, Johnson told Meyers that unplugging from reality a skosh was what finally brought the bit home. Story continues Doing a snippet of a medieval fantasy movie Trump promising to take care of the evil wizard on the hill and attack that dragons soft underbelly with the enchanted sword only he knows how to wield, Johnson demonstrated that a truly great Saturday Night Live political impression is less about finding the voice, and more about channeling a subjects essence. That Johnson also does a technically brilliant Trump only makes the loopiness of his impersonation that much more uncanny. For that, Johnson noted, he had to watch a whole lot of Donald Trump from over the years. (Here, Meyers denied that NBC ever aired a Donald Trump reality game show. Ever.) Explaining that a lot of his fellow faux Trumps ignore both Trumps vocal and mental deterioration since the Home Alone 2 days, Johnson stated that accessing the sort of dark dungeons of my throat is key. Demonstrating how far back he has to go to replicate present-day Trumps gurgly undertones, Johnson said its like going to a present-day Bob Dylan concert, where you can hear the entire long and sordid history of a voice all in one performance. Americas imperiled wildlife could see support from U.S. Congress as efforts to increase funding for recovery efforts were advanced by federal lawmakers with support from New Mexicos congresspeople. The Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (RAWA), was passed last week by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, cosponsored by New Mexicos U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, while the Senate version was introduced last year by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM). The bill would provide $1.3 billion in federal funds to pay for conservation efforts targeting about 12,000 species of animals and plants believed to be nearing extinction. More: Feds release plan to restore rare New Mexico mouse after years of debate with landowners It would also augment ongoing recovery efforts of about 1,6000 species already listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and would require the work be dictated by state-specific planning. Another $97.5 million would be provided annually to Tribal nations for conservation programs annually on about 140 million acres of land. Upon the bills passage by the House committee, Stansbury said the bill would invest about $28 million for New Mexico species that lack funding under the states Wildlife Action Plan. More: Looking back: Federal actions in 2021 could save New Mexico's rarest species Democrat Melanie Stansbury won election to Congress for New Mexico on Tuesday with a campaign closely tied to Biden administration ideas. The 42-year-old state legislator will fill a vacant seat previously held by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. (June 2) She said the added federal dollars were essential to help save some of New Mexicos famed species like the lesser prairie chicken, Texas hornshell mussel or checkerspot butterfly. The hornshell, New Mexicos last native mussel, was listed as endangered in 2018 and is known to dwell only in a section of the Black River in southeast New Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the lesser prairie chickens southern distinct population segment in eastern New Mexico as endangered last year and earlier this week the checkerspot butterfly of the Sacramento Mountain in Lincoln National Forest was also proposed to be listed. Story continues More: New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich's bill to save animals from extinction heard in US Senate committee Restoring the threatened and endangered species that are integral to our landscapes and cultures requires all hands on deck. Thats why I am proud to cosponsor the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act and vote to advance this critical bill out of committee today that represents the best in conservation policy, Stansbury said. This bill will allocate millions of dollars to state, Tribal and other partners to deploy innovative solutions that will restore wild systems in New Mexico and our country. Upon the bills advancement, Heinrich touted its support by both Democrats and the GOP, pointing to 32 lawmakers of both parties now acting cosponsors. More: Conservationists hope their plan can save imperiled New Mexico chicken from extinction Following its passage from the House Committee on Natural Resources, the Act must next receive support from the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works before being voted on by the full Congress. He said that by increasing protections for the nations plants and animals, Congress would also take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Preserving the health of our outdoors and wildlife has proven time and time again to be one of the most successful, nonpartisan issues to advance through Congress, Heinrich said. "This bill strikes a positive balance on priorities from both sides of the aisle and has become one of the most important wildlife bills in decades. From Missouri to New Mexico from bison to bumblebees this legislation creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save thousands of species with a solution that matches the magnitude of the challenge. More: U.S. Rep. Herrell hopes bill will protect oil and gas industry from species conservation Environmental and conservation groups also supported RAWA, touting is as a means to protect species, keeping populations from dwindling and being listed under the ESA. Kevin Pollack, legislative associate with national group Environment America said that while the ESA gives protections to species most at risk, funding from the bill would help ensure more plants and animals avoid such a need. Our countrys fish and wildlife need protection, and they need it now. Destroyed habitats, invasive species, climate change and pollution have all contributed to a biodiversity crisis, and while the Endangered Species Act has done its job by keeping species from going extinct, we need to do more for the species not at immediate risk of extinction, Pollack said. States dramatically need the resources to effectively implement proactive conservation efforts to protect those species, and passing the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act helps them do exactly that. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-618-7631, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexico congresspeople push wildlife recovery bill through U.S. House One of actor Michael Madsens sons, Hudson Madsen, has died by suspected suicide. Hudson Madsens family confirmed his death in a statement, though did not note a cause. He was 26. We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson. His memory and light will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. We ask for privacy and respect during this difficult time, the family said in a statement to Metro in the UK shared Tuesday. According to a spokesperson for the Honolulu Medical Examiner, Hudsons death is suspected to be a suicide. Hudson lived in Hawaii with his wife Carlie. The pair married in 2018 and moved to Hawaii in 2019. He was an army veteran who served in Afghanistan. Hudson was Michael Madsens oldest of three sons with his wife DeAnna Madsen, whom Michael married in 1996. The actor also has two other sons from a previous marriage and a daughter. Michael Madsen, 64, is a frequent collaborator of director Quentin Tarantino, starring in films such as Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill and The Hateful Eight. A representative for Michael Madsen did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information and local resources. First Time Mom GoFundMe A new mother is fighting for survival after contracting COVID-19 just before welcoming her first child. According to a GoFundMe page, Texas teacher Alexandra Chandler left work early on Jan. 6 after experiencing cold-like symptoms. She tested positive for COVID a short time later when she arrived at a local hospital to give birth to her son, Beau. Despite the news, Chandler gave birth to Beau via C-section and returned home on Jan. 12 after recuperating at the hospital. Yet her condition would quickly worsen just a day later. "This is where her illness took a turn for the worse and progressed rapidly as she began to experience shortness of breath on Thursday the 13th," organizers said on the donation page. "Both Alex and Baby Beau went into the ER to be evaluated and doctors suspected Alex to have a blood clot. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with both COVID and Pneumonia." RELATED: One Illinois Police Department Loses 2 Officers to COVID-19 Within Days: 'Extremely Difficult' In the days that followed, both of Chandler's lungs collapsed and she was placed on a ventilator, according to the page. Beau also tested positive for the virus but is recovering. "Alex remains hospitalized as she fights to return home to her sweet baby and loving husband," organizers explained. "Alex is by far the kindest person and loved by everyone who knows her. She is a woman full of grace and seeing how others rally around her is a true testament to her character." RELATED: Good Morning America's Amy Robach Reveals Positive COVID Diagnosis: 'Getting Stronger Every Day' The family's GoFundMe page has raised over $9,200 as of Monday afternoon with funds going toward medical expenses and other necessities. Both Chandler and her husband, James, had done their best to protect themselves from the virus through the pregnancy, according to the page. Organizers said Chandler was "fully vaccinated" against COVID-19, but did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for clarification if that meant she also received a booster shot. Story continues The virus now has "robbed [Chandler] of the joy of being a first-time Mom," organizers said. RELATED VIDEO: Here are Some Myth-Busting Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines James, meanwhile, is relying on faith during his wife's hospitalization. "We're going up there and praying for her and I feel like that means something to her," he told KWTX. "You just have to have complete and utter faith and don't look at all the negative cause there's plenty of it. God has a plan. It may not be what we want it to be right now, but He has a plan for all of us." "There's not another person like my wife," he added. "I just want to tell her that I love her. I've always loved her, and I'll see her when she gets home." As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from the CDC, WHO and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here. Vachik Mangassarian, a character actor with dozens of credits including Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Curb Your Enthusiasm and feature The Stoning of Soraya M., has died. He was 78. His reps at McCaffrey Talent Management told Deadline that he died Saturday of Covid complications. More from Deadline Born in Iran of Armenian descent in 1943, Mangassarian came to the U.S. in the mid-1960s, working in theater and occasionally returning to Iran, where he had roles in films including some by Iranian director Samuel Khachikian. He eventually landed his first Hollywood role in The Souths Shark (1978). By the mid-80s, he began scoring guest shots on such popular series as The Fall Guy, The A-Team, Sledge Hammer! and Murder, She Wrote. Mangassarian would work steadily through the 2010s, guesting on shows including Murphy Brown, Falcon Crest, Jake and the Fatman, NYPD Blue and JAG, along with some telefilms. Mangassarian landed a key role in Cyrus Nowrastehs 2008 film The Stoning of Soraya M., playing the father of a young woman sentenced to death amid false charges. Starring Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jim Caviezel, the film won an NAACP Image Award, took prizes at the Los Angeles and Ghent film festivals and was nominated for the Peoples Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Mangassarian also was instrumental in getting the script for Lost and Found in Armenia made into a movie, which got a U.S. theatrical release in 2012. It starred Angela Sharafyan and Jamie Kennedy and was the first time in Armenian cinematic history that Armenian and American actors performed in same feature. After that, the actor continued to land guest-star TV roles on such series as Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Curb Your Enthusiasm and NCIS: Los Angeles. Mangassarian also anchored his own radio and later television show, The Armenian National Network for 10 years. Story continues Survivors include two sisters, Linda Lalaian of Glendale and Elda Hacopian of Maryland and their spouses; nephews Derek Hacopian and Ara Hacopian and niece Aida Hacopian. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON A new Department of Homeland Security bulletin warns that Russia could launch a cyberattack against U.S. targets on American soil if it believes Washingtons response to its potential invasion of Ukraine threatens its long-term national security. DHS blasted out the memo Sunday to U.S. critical infrastructure operators and state and local governments around the country, warning that Russia maintains a range of offensive cyber tools that it could employ against U.S. networks that make everything from planes to hospitals to dams and bridges operate. Separately, a well-respected private cybersecurity firm leader warns that while cyber espionage is already a regular facet of global activity, as the situation deteriorates, we are likely to see more aggressive information operations and disruptive cyberattacks within and outside of Ukraine. Ukraine: Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on alert as Biden consults with European allies on Ukraine: What we know The crisis in Ukraine has already proven to be a catalyst for additional aggressive cyber activity that will likely increase as the situation deteriorates, wrote John Hultquist, vice president of threat intelligence for Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm that provides services to private enterprises, governments and law enforcement agencies worldwide. At Mandiant, we have been anticipating this activity, and we are concerned that, unlike the recent defacements and destructive attacks, future activity will not be restricted to Ukrainian targets or the public sector," Hultquist wrote in his Jan. 20 online report. Paul Rosenzweig, a former senior Homeland Security official, said the DHS Intelligence and Analysis bulletin underscores how even U.S. efforts to help avert a potential military conflict thousands of miles away has the potential to cause real harm to Americans here at home. In a globally connected world, conflicts are no longer geographically isolated. As DHS is warning, Russia may respond to U.S. actions in support of Ukraine by using offensive cyber tools against U.S. networks, Rosenzweig told USA TODAY. We have seen how vulnerable American systems are think of the criminals who disrupted gas pipelines and meat packing last year. Now imagine that an angry Russia decides to take it to the next level wastewater treatment; agriculture; transportation are all potential targets. Story continues Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on alert as Biden consults with European allies on Ukraine: What we know If Russia were to launch such a cyberattack against U.S. targets, Washington would likely retaliate with defense or even offensive cyberweapons of its own. And that could trigger a potentially dangerous escalation that could threaten to draw the United States directly into the conflict between Russia and its neighbor Ukraine. Thats why the Russian attack on Ukraine is so dangerous, Rosenzweig said. It seems quite possible that the conflict will spin out of control both on the ground and in the cyber universe. In its memo, DHS said Russian government cyber actors have spent years targeting and gaining access to critical infrastructure in the United States. In one particularly alarming campaign, Russian hackers have compromised U.S. energy networks since at least 2016, conducted network reconnaissance and collected the kind of information needed to gain control of those systems if they wanted to, it said. More: Dam releases, bank failures and poisoned water: Cyber pros warn worst cases are possible "Separately, Russian state-sponsored cyber actors have successfully compromised routers, globally, and U.S. state and local government networks, according to a CISA alert and a joint US-UK report," the new DHS memo said. Despite those capabilities, the DHS memo said U.S. intelligence officials believe that Russia's threshold for conducting disruptive or destructive cyber attacks in the homeland "probably remains very high," in part because Moscow hasn't engaged in such confrontational behavior in the past. In a statement issued late Monday, a Department of Homeland Security official declined to elaborate on the intelligence bulletin, but said that DHS regularly shares threat information with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials and the private sector to help ensure their safety and security. More: Hackers targeted US drinking water and wastewater facilities as recently as August, Homeland Security says "We have increased operational partnerships between private sector companies and the federal government to strengthen our nations cyber defenses, including through CISAs newly established Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative," or JCDC, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. "The JCDC brings these partners together to help us understand the full threat landscape and enable real-time collaboration to empower our private sector partners to gain information and take action against the most significant threats to the nation. The DHS bulletin is just the latest indication that the U.S. government is worried about Russian cyberattacks, even as Washington says it's ready to deploy military and intelligence assets to the region in anticipation of a Kremlin military incursion. A joint Cybersecurity Advisory authored by CISA, the FBI and the National Security Agency was sent out nationwide on Jan. 11 in an effort to prepare state, local and private sector officials of Russian cyberattack capabilities, including commonly observed tactics, techniques, and procedures. It also included detailed instructions on how potential victims could response to such cyberattacks and reduce their exposure. And a month earlier, on Dec. 15, the Homeland Security cyber agency sent out another report with the ominous title, Preparing For and Mitigating Potential Cyber Threats that warned of sophisticated threat actors, including nation-states like Russia and their proxies, that have proven their ability to compromise U.S. networks and develop long-term persistence mechanisms that can lurk in their systems even after the most intensive efforts to root them out. More: The next big cyberthreat isn't ransomware. It's killware. And it's just as bad as it sounds. Officials warn that efforts to stop such cyberattacks on U.S. targets are virtually impossible, given their sophistication and the relatively lax security protocols that most U.S. companies use. Many, if not most, elements of U.S. critical infrastructure are also vulnerable, and have been victimized by Russian cybercriminals in recent years. There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on U.S. security, including the economic well-being and health and safety of Americans. Last year, Russia-based cybercriminals were behind two of the most destructive cyberattacks in recent history, including a ransomware attack that caused the operators of the massive Colonial Pipeline to shut down in May 2021, leading to widespread gas shortages. Soon after, hackers linked to Russia targeted the meat supplier JBS. In both cases, the companies paid millions of dollars in ransom in order to get their systems up and running again. Russia was also responsible for one of the most devastating hacks involving U.S. government agencies in late 2020. Known as the SolarWinds breach, U.S. officials say Russian-backed cybercriminals gained access to 10 U.S. government agencies including DHS and the Department of Commerce. And Russian military intelligence assets have launched devastating cyberattacks against Ukraine's power grid for years, succeeding in shutting down elements of it and knocking out power to millions of people. In recent months, Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of being responsible for another cyber outage afflicting many government websites. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Homeland Security says Russia could launch cyberattack on US Mikhaila Friel and Scottish tablet. Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Fortnum and Mason I was born in Scotland, a country in the United Kingdom. Scotland is known for its Burns Supper, which people eat on Burns Night, January 25. From Mackie's ice cream to digestive biscuits, here are some of my favorite Scottish foods. When most people think of Scottish food, they think of Burns Supper. Haggis, neaps, and tatties. Colin McPherson/Corbis via Getty Images A Burns Supper consists of haggis (spiced meat encased in animal intestines), neeps (turnip), and tatties (potato). It's most popular on Burns Night, which is celebrated every year on January 25 in honor of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. While most people who visit Scotland are usually told to try haggis, there is actually a wide range of food you can try. Here are just a few I would recommend. Haggis bon bons. Haggis bon bons are just like the traditional haggis that you would enjoy in a Burns Supper, except they're shaped in bite-size pieces and rolled into breadcrumbs. The smaller size is ideal for anyone who is reluctant to try haggis for the first time. When I eat at Scottish restaurants, I usually chose haggis bon bons as an entree or a side dish. McVitie's digestive biscuits. Digestive biscuits. John Keeble/Getty Images McVitie's digestives are a brand of sweet biscuits or, cookies that are popular in supermarkets across the UK. The original 1892 recipe was created in Edinburgh by Alexander Grant and is still used, according to the McVitie's website. These days, there are a wide range of digestive biscuit flavors, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and caramel. My favorite flavor, the caramel digestive, costs 1.75, or about $2.35, from the British supermarket Tesco. It's something my parents sent me when I lived in Pennsylvania. We later discovered you could actually get the product in some US supermarkets with a British or international food section. A Scottish cooked breakfast. You may have heard of an English cooked breakfast, which usually includes bacon, sausage, cooked tomato, egg, baked beans, and toast. A Scottish cooked breakfast is similar, with the exception of a few items. Scottish cooked breakfasts can also include black pudding (a blood sausage made with oats), potato scone (or a "tattie" scone in Scotland), haggis, and square sausage. Story continues Irn Bru. Irn Bru. Education Images / Contributor/Getty Irn Bru is a bubblegum-flavored soft drink that is produced in a factory just outside Glasgow, according to Food is in the House. Since its origin in 1901, Irn Bru has been considered Scotland's favorite soft drink so much so, that it was named "Scotland's other national drink" after whisky, according to CBC. The Irn Bru flavor has been adapted to different food products by independent brands over the years, including the Irn Bru bar a type of candy that was popular during my childhood and has since been discontinued as well as Irn Bru-flavored cupcakes. Mackie's ice cream. Mackie's of Scotland ice cream. Sainsbury's Founded in 1986, Mackie's of Scotland is best known for its ice cream, which is made at a family farm in Aberdeenshire. Today, the farm has 280 milking cows, according to the Mackie's website. There are a range of flavors, available at both supermarkets and ice-cream parlors across the UK, including vanilla, honeycomb, strawberry, chocolate, and Scottish tablet. A 1-liter tub of the original vanilla ice cream costs 3, or about $4.05, from Tesco. Tablet. Fortnum and Mason tablet. Fortnum and Mason Tablet is a sugary candy that's similar to fudge but with a more crumbly texture. It's commonly found in Scottish supermarkets and tourist shops. When I was growing up, my dad made homemade tablet that I would hand out to my friends at school. But if you don't feel like making it at home, you can buy a 150-gram gift box for 7.50, or about $10.10, from Mrs. Tilly's, or a 300g gift box from the royal-warrant holder Fortnum and Mason for 13.95, or about $18.80. Shortbread. Scottish shortbread. Schoning/ullstein bild via Getty Images Shortbread is a type of sweet cookie that is one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour, according to The Nibble. While the recipe dates back to the 12th century, it wasn't popularized until the 16th century, when Mary, Queen of Scots, had her team of chefs make the biscuit, according to the publication. Today, shortbread can be found in most supermarkets and tourist shops in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Read the original article on Insider Clarks is giving recent graduates the chance to create and sell a new design for the iconic Wallabee silhouette. The almost 200-year-old British shoe company is partnering with One School, a free and intensive portfolio program for Black designers and creatives, to offer a design competition for graduates. Over 60 graduates from the past year are eligible to submit their own designs for Clarks classic Wallabee Boot. More from Footwear News The submissions will be reviewed by Clarks Originals shoe designers and one winner will be selected based on creativity, relevancy and production potential. The winning design will be produced, marketed and sold across the globe, with a portion of the proceeds going to the original designer in order to fund his or her education and career. The creativity of the group is palpable, and we cannot wait to see their perspectives on the iconic Clarks style, said Clarks CMO Tara McRae in a statement. Through its Clarks Originals line, Clarks has launched a series of high-profile collaborations with hot brands and celebrities in recent years, including Supreme, Stussy and Wu-Tang Clan. Clarks last year launched a collaboration with Kith founder Ronnie Fieg and announced it would drop a Jamaica Pack collection for spring 21. McRae previously told FN that theres a lot more to come, in regard to drops like these in the future. In winning the U.S., the British footwear brand has recently focused heavily on younger millennial and Gen Z consumers. Theres a huge opportunity for us to unlock the younger generations, this current generation of consumers, McRae previously told FN. Clarks currently operates 50 full-price stores and 114 outlets in the U.S., down from 214 total U.S. stores a year ago. However, Clarks wholesale arm makes up the majority of its U.S. business, through brick-and-mortar stores and associated websites, such as Dsw.com and Macys.com. The most popular styles in the U.S. have been the Desert Boot, which launched in 1950, and the classic Wallabee boots. The company has also seen an uptick in its womens sandals business throughout spring 21. Story continues In addition to the competition for graduates, Clarks and One School will also allow incoming prospective students to create a Clarks style and marketing plan as part of a challenge for their spring 2022 application. Clarks Originals has provided an amazing opportunity for a One School student to design a real product, and its a testimony to the creative calibre of those who have gone through the program, said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO at The One Club, a non-profit that developed the One School. Were extremely proud of our graduates, 65% of whom are women, and very grateful to Clarks Originals for offering this rare product collaboration. Best of Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Museum of Fine Arts Boston has returned a painting by Salomon van Ruysdael to the heirs of Ferenc Chorin, a Jewish collector who had deposited the 17th-century landscape in a Hungarian bank vault, only to see that vault emptied in 1945. The painting, titled View of Beverwijk (1646, seen above), is currently being exhibited at Christies in New York, where it will head to auction later this year. Chorin grew wealthy as an industrialist and a banker in Hungary, and had used his fortune to acquire works by Francois Millet, Mihaly Munkacsy, and Alfred Sisley, as well as items of Renaissance furniture, Ushak carpets and more. The museum said it believed that Chorin had bought the painting from a collector named Frigyes Gluck in 1931. It was this piece of the paintings provenance, provided to the museum by art historian Sandor Juhasz in 2019 and later posted to the MFAs site, that ultimately led the Chorin heirs to the work in 2021, after years of searching for it. More from Robb Report Agnes Peresztegi, a lawyer representing the Chorin heirs, applauded the MFA for its swift and just restitution in a statement. Because Chorin had supported opposition movements and even provided funds to Jews fleeing Hungary during the war, he faced the threat of the Nazis. Like many Jewish collectors during that era in Europe, he began looking for means to stow away his riches. He placed the painting in the Hungarian Commercial Bank of Pest in 1943, and went into hiding the following year. After being discovered by the Nazis, he was deported, though he was not killed because he provided the Nazis with his knowledge of business in Hungary in exchange for the lives of his extended family. He later escaped to Portugal and ultimately settled in New York after the war. Story continues The MFA said it had acquired the work in 1982 from a London dealer. At that time, the museum received no information about its history other than that it had come from a Swiss collection. The museum also said that the work appeared in a 1988 publication about objects lost in Hungary during the war, but that the painting had been paired with the wrong image and described inaccurately. Restitutions of works such as the Ruysdael painting are rare although not unheard of at major US museums. Last year, for example, the Philadelphia Museum of Art returned a 16th-century shield that had been confiscated by the Nazis to the Czech Republic. We are pleased to have worked so quickly and amicably with the heirs of Ferenc Chorin to redress this historical loss, Matthew Teitelbaum, the MFAs director, said in a statement. The return of Ruysdaels View of Beverwijk underscores the importance of transparency and providing online access to our collection. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bryggen, a series of Hanseatic commercial buildings lining the eastern side of the Vgen harbour in Bergen, Norway Gili Yaari/Getty Images Norway is eliminating its quarantine requirement starting Wednesday, welcoming travelers from all over the world including from the United States, without having to self-isolate upon arrival. To enter the country, travelers 16 and older must complete an entry registration form within 72 hours of arriving in Norway, the Tourism Board of Norway announced Monday. U.S. travelers above 18 years old must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours prior to arriving in Norway, according to The Norwegian Directorate of Health. American travelers only need to provide a negative COVID-19 test and not proof of vaccination as CDC-issued vaccine cards cannot be verified in Norway. All travelers will also have to get tested with a rapid antigen test upon arrival and wait for the test results before proceeding. The tourism board noted these tests are typically free and test stations are available at most points of entry. The tourism board said the new rules are "particularly welcome news for travelers from the USA and other countries outside the EU." Currently, travelers arriving in Norway from an area that required self-isolation, who could not show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test would need to quarantine for at least 3 days, according to Reuters. The updated entry protocols will eliminate Norway's previous quarantine policy, putting the country more in line with other European countries that welcome American tourists, including France, Italy, and Spain. Currently, Norway is classified as a "Level 4" destination by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicating a "very high" level of COVID-19 community transmission. New COVID-19 cases are peaking in Norway with more than 15,700 new infections reported each day, according to Reuters. In Norway, face masks are required on public transportation, in taxis, and in shops, according to the Directorate of Health. Story continues Travelers who visit Norway will be greeted by new museums, new national parks, and the country's breathtaking beauty where outdoor enthusiasts can even sail and ski the fjords in the same day. "It is easy to travel to Norway, and we have lots of space!" the tourism board wrote. "Spectacular outdoor adventures, ski slopes, and plenty of indoor kos [coziness] await this winter, and summer is just around the corner!" Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram. Former President Donald Trump Host Save America Rally Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Save America rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Trump has been hinting about another presidential bid, even as he has tried to steer clear of activities that would trigger federal election laws that would require him to register as a candidate -- and limit spending. Credit - Dan BrouilletteBloomberg/Getty Images Ask most people why countries break apart and many will say that different groups sharing a single country naturally dislike and distrust one another. Yugoslavia fragmented because the Serbs and Croats and then the Bosnian Muslims started to fight each other soon after the Soviet Union collapsed. The citizens of Northern Ireland fought because Catholics resented Protestant dominance and discrimination. Ethiopia recently descended back into civil war because its various ethnic groupsthe Tigrayans, Amharans, and those from the Sidama regioneach wanted control of government. So fundamental ethnic, religious, or racial differences must be the cause of all these conflicts, right? Americans have a lot at stake in the answer to this question. Our country has become increasingly divided, with race now playing a central role in debates over policing, immigration, healthcare, even the teaching of history. Could the country fracture as a result of this polarization? It turns out that differences themselves do not lead to violence. This is the finding of political scientists who have studied hundreds of ethnic conflicts around the world. Almost all countries around the world are multi-ethnic and religious and yet few experience civil war. In fact, most ethnic groups co-exist quite peacefully. Until 1992, Bosnia was a diverse nation where Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks lived together peacefully for decades. Education levels were high, and intermarriage was common and yet 100,000 people died during its civil war. For a society to fracture along identity lines, you need mouthpiecesinfluential people who are willing to make discriminatory appeals and pursue discriminatory policies in the name of a particular group. They provoke and harness feelings of fear as a way to lock in an ethnic constituency that will support their scramble for power. These mouthpieces are often politicians seeking to gain or maintain power, but they can also include business elites (seeking brand loyalty), religious leaders (seeking to expand their followers), and media figures (seeking to grow their audience and revenue). Separate and hostile ethnic and racial identities dont exist in a vacuum; they need to be craftedand these individuals rise up to do just that. Theyre often at high risk of losing power or have recently lost it. Seeing no other routes to securing their futures, they cynically exploit divisions to try to reassert control. Weve seen such figures here in the United States, from cable news hosts to congresspeople, and theyre more dangerous than weve been led to believe. Story continues Experts have a term for these instigators of conflict: ethnic entrepreneurs. The term was first used in the 1990s to describe figures such as Slobodan Milosevic and Franjo Tudjman in the former Yugoslavia, but ethnic entrepreneurs have emerged many times over, in all parts of the world. Though the catalyst for conflict is often ostensibly something elsethe economy, immigration, freedom of religionethnic entrepreneurs make the fight expressly about their groups position and status in society. Harnessing the power of the media, they work to convince citizens that they are under threat from an out-group and must band together under the entrepreneur to counter the threat. They also try to persuade those in their group, often with incendiary language, that they are superior and deserve to dominate. This is how, at a 1992 rally in the Rwandan city of Kabayatwo years before that countrys civil warHutu politician Leon Mugesera came to tell supporters that Tutsis were cockroaches, adding that anyone whose neck you do not cut is the one who will cut your neck. And its how Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir exploited the distrust between Arabs and Africans in his country in 2012, by describing his political rivals in similar terms: The main goal should be liberation from these insects and to get rid of them once and for all, God willing. Serbian President, Slobodan Milosevic, campaigning in Krusevac, during the 1992 Serbian general election, December 17, 1992. Chip HiresGamma Rapho/Getty Images So why do average citizens let themselves be swept along by this rhetoric? Perhaps surprisingly, theyre often clear-eyed about ethnic entrepreneurs: They know these individuals have their own agenda and are not telling the whole truth. Many Serbs did not trust, let alone love Milosevic, who had been a dedicated Communist just a few years earlier. But citizens become willing to show support if they feel a mounting threatto their lives, livelihoods, families, or futuresand over time, Milosevics rhetoric, together with increasing Croat bias against Serbs, steadily sowed doubts. After silencing disloyal journalists Milosevic and his government controlled over a dozen newspapers, radio stations, and TV stationshe plied his audiences with unrelenting messages of fear and suspicion. He appealed to Serbias historic greatness and reminded listeners of past atrocities perpetrated against their people. When Croatia declared independence, the governments main TV station in Belgrade focused its coverage on the Serbs in the Krajina region of Croatia who, it was announced, were now defenseless against the dark, genocidal urges of the Croats. If citizens come to believe there is even a small chance that the opposition could become violent, they will turn to a leader who offers them protection, no matter how unscrupulous. Thus, when Tudjman adopted the Croatian coat of arms and purged Serbs from his government, Serb residents of Krajina interpreted their sudden loss as confirmation that Milosevics warnings were true. Likewise, by the time Milosevic ordered the Serb-dominated Yugoslav army to move into Croatia, Croatians had begun to believe that their way of life, championed by Tudjman, was under attack. Both factions eventually took up arms in the misguided belief that violence was the only way to protect themselves and their group. Read More: The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign to Save the 2020 Election Here in the U.S., ethnic entrepreneurs are thriving. But they didnt emerge out of nowhere. In fact, the shift toward a whites-only Republican party began in force in the mid-1960s, with the passage of the Civil Rights Act. Voters in the eleven former Confederate states had been faithful Democrats for over a hundred years, still angry that Republican president Abraham Lincoln had refused to accept secession. But Lyndon Johnsons landmark legislation in 1964, led to a seismic change. (I think we just delivered the South to the Republican Party for a long time to come, Johnson said to his special assistant, Bill Moyers.) Running for president in 1968, Nixon decided to capitalize on that racial resentment, leveraging white fear with calls for law and order and a pledge to fight the war on drugs. This so-called Southern Strategy helped the GOP win the presidency and later reclaim the Senate after being out of power for almost thirty years. Future Republican candidates would rely on similar appeals to win the presidency, though always with coded language, whether it was Ronald Reagan shaming welfare queens or George H. W. Bush disparaging Willie Horton. George W. Bushs campaign was accused of spreading rumors that John McCain had fathered an illegitimate Black child. Religion was next. In an effort to secure the support of evangelical leaders and their increasingly mobilized voters, Republican elites staked out more and more pro-life positions. People like Jerry Falwell, Sr., the leader of the Moral Majority, a political organization associated with the Christian right, grew more powerful. Democrats, seeing a chance to win over more atheists, agnostics, and culturally liberal voters, came out increasingly in favor of womens rights and access to abortion. By the early twenty-first century, if you were a white evangelical Christian, you had little choice but to vote Republican. Early partisan divides on abortion were followed by increasingly polarized positions on gay rights and eventually transgender rights. Moral imperatives and cultural identities are now, more than ever, driving voting patterns. By appealing to core policy concerns like gun rights and by stoking anxiety about immigration and Americas changing racial demographics (whites are projected to be in the minority by 2045), Republicans have been able to win over larger and larger shares of the white rural vote. Likewise, the Democratic Party has become an increasingly urban party by doing essentially the oppositetrying to reduce violence by restricting access to guns and embracing the diversity that is reshaping urban America. In the mid-2000s, all of this was exacerbated by social media. Just as the two parties were diverging on identity, Twitter exploded, Facebook went mainstream, and social media became an ever present part of our lives. Critically, a network of gleeful ethnic entrepreneurs realized that they could gain ratings and influence by emphasizing this division online. Media titans such as Rupert Murdoch and the Sinclair Broadcast group (controlled by the Smith family) whose bottom lines were enhanced by ratings and clicks fed us more and more polarized content. Savvy TV personalities like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity were only too happy to spread conspiracy theories and use hatred to increase their own ratings. They were joined by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who promoted distrust of the political system altogether; by 2010, The Alex Jones Show was attracting two million listeners each week. Keith Olbermann, for his part, stirred up left-leaning voters. Into this political morass stepped the biggest ethnic entrepreneur of all: Donald Trump. And in his bid for power, he realized that appeals to identity could galvanize his political base. In the past, he had made a racist crusade of questioning Obamas birthplace. Now he embraced identity politics explicitly and with gusto. He painted Black Americans as poor and violent. He referred to Mexicans as criminals. He spoke of Christian values, despite numerous accusations of sexual assault. He called women horseface, fat, and ugly. Once sworn into office, he quickly instituted a travel ban on many Muslim countries, and called Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations shithole countries. His policies were nativist policies: He started building a big, beautiful wall along the border with Mexico, pulled out of international agreements, and started a trade war against China. Trump retweeted a video of a retiree in Florida chanting white power. And he threatened to veto a defense spending bill in order to protect the legacy of Confederate generals on U.S. Army bases. Demonstrators disputing the recent election results clash with police outside the Belgrade Parliament, 5th October 2000. Yugoslavian President, Slobodan Milosevic resigned two days later. Yannis KontosSygma/Getty Images In all of these ways, Trump was encouraging ethnic factionalismthe splintering of political parties along ethnic lines. Its what Tudjman did when, as part of his plan to become president of an independent Croatia, he began to consolidate Croatians into an ethnic faction in 1989. It is what Hutu extremists did when they characterized Tutsis as cockroaches and Hutus as the chosen people. Its what President Henri Konan Bedie did in the Ivory Coast in the mid-1990s, when he reversed his pro-immigrant policies to gain more votes from native citizens. And it is what Modi in India does when he promotes India as primarily for Hindus. No Republican president in the past fifty years had ever pursued such an openly racist platform, or so explicitly championed white, evangelical Americans at the expense of everyone else. At first, it wasnt clear that the Republican leadership would go along with itduring his own presidential campaign, Texas senator Ted Cruz blasted Trump, calling him utterly amoralbut many of them saw in Trump a way to enact their own agendas. This included tax cuts for the rich, business deregulation, and environmental rollbacks. With Trump in the White House and Republicans controlling the Senate, the party could also stack the Supreme Court and the judiciary more generally with conservative judges who could potentially stymie democratic initiatives for years to come. They, too, became ethnic entrepreneurs. Trump intuitively understood that the deep feeling of alienation among many white voters could carry him to power. And so he didnt just focus on division, denigrating Muslims or Black Americans as the other. Like other ethnic entrepreneurs before him, he emphasized the downgrading of the former majorityin this case, how much whites had lost. He put the grievances of white, male, Christian, rural Americans into a simplified framework that painted them as victims whose rightful legacy had been stolen. He spoke often about what was being taken away: religious rights, gun rights, job opportunities. His campaign slogan promised a return to glory: Make America Great Again. In him, people saw someone unlike any other candidate, someone who recognized the value of their lives and offered them protection. Trump was a naturally gifted ethnic entrepreneur. He showed future candidates how to lock in a subset of white voters and rally them to go to the polls. He was not as successful, however, in convincing a majority of the white population that they truly were under attack from the Left. He exaggerated the threat from antifa, conjured Mexican rapists, and claimed that Americas cities were dens of violence. Not all white voters believed him. Suburban women, in particular, were skeptical. But his hold on the party remains powerful and millions of Americans, including the Republican leadership continue to support him. Ethnic entrepreneurs tend to be difficult to defeat once they have convinced average citizens that their fortunes depend on an individual. In this way, they often maintain power through a combination of extreme nationalism and fear. Milosevic remained Serbias party leader and president for 8 yearscrafting an increasingly authoritarian governmentuntil he was eventually thrown out as a result of mass protests. All signs indicate that Trump is likely to be the Republican candidate again in 2024, but even if he isnt, other ambitious RepublicansTom Cotton, Ron DeSantis, Josh Hawleyhave studied his playbook and will no doubt use it to try to catapult themselves into the White House. They will try to attract Trumps eighty-eight million followers, but they will also seek to gain additional ones. And they will do so by manufacturing threats, fomenting even more racial fear, and convincing whites that they truly are in the midst of an existential fight. How far will these ethnic entrepreneurs go? How far will we let them? Woman drives to North Carolina town to see Alps after she is tricked by viral TikTok (TikTok / @itsoliviagarcia / @realzacharykeesee) A woman has revealed that she travelled to a North Carolina town after a TikTok tricked her into believing she would find a picturesque village surrounded by the Alps. Olivia Garcia, from Florida, who goes by the username @itsoliviagarcia on TikTok, posted a video to the app detailing her experience, and what she actually found when she arrived in Gastonia, North Carolina, earlier this month. In the clip, Garcia began by showing the video, created by TikTok user and North Carolina native Zachary Keesee, who goes by the username @realzacharykeesee on the app, that convinced her that the North Carolina town would resemble a winter village. In the video, it showed a scenic town surrounded by snow-covered mountains, which Keesee, who frequently shares fake location videos, identified as Gastonia, North Carolina. However, as he later revealed in the comments, the footage actually showed Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, which he described as one of the most beautiful places on earth. While Keesee clarified the location in the comments, the video, which has been viewed more than 5.9m times, was reportedly enough to convince Garcia, who revealed in her own video that she made her family drive an hour out of their way to visit the allegedly TikTok famous town. I made us drive an hour out of the way because of this TikTok, Garcia wrote in a text caption on her video. Im dead. The TikToker then proceeded to share what she and her family actually saw upon their arrival in the North Carolina town, with the video showing the car speeding past strip malls and various gas stations. According to Garcia, who spoke to WBTV about her mistake, she and her family were in North Carolina to see the recent snowfall when she asked if they could make a pitstop to visit the town, which she noted reminded her of a Disney movie. Story continues It sounded like a Disney movie, right? Like a little town out of a Disney movie, she said, adding: I was like oh wait can we make a pit stop in this place called Gastonia because I just saw this TikTok and it looks so pretty. Rather than the idyllic village that she was expecting, Garcia told the outlet that the destination included a lot of rundown gas stations. While the road trip didnt live up to her expectations, her video documenting the error has since gone viral on TikTok, where it has been viewed more than 333,000 times. As someone from NC Im laughing so hard. Sorry this happened to you. If it makes you feel better your mistake has brought me and my fam a lot of laughs, one person commented. Another joked: Youre on the wrong side of the mountain, just take the next exit. Others said that Garcia was to blame for the mishap, as they claimed she should have searched her destination beforehand. Theres this thing called Google someone else wrote. The video also prompted a response from Keesee, who wrote: Im so sorry, to which Garcia responded: I forgive you. The Independent has contacted Garcia for comment. The Deming Fire Department advertised job openings over the weekend at 309 S. Gold Street. Family members and supporters of Deming firefighter/EMTs demonstrated in front of the John Strand Municipal Building on Monday for better wages. Fourteen firefighter/EMTs gave city officials two weeks' notice on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. DEMING Social media blew up over the weekend with support for 14 Deming firefighters/EMTs who surprised city officials on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 by tendering their two weeks notice at the John Strand Municipal Building, 309 S. Gold St. The 14 city employees cited low pay as the reason for tendering their resignations. A flood of social media posts began to appear on Facebook, with concerns of whether the city would be able to provide emergency services with nearly half of the Deming Fire Department personnel depleted. City Administrator Aaron Sera was at the Legislative Session in Santa Fe on Friday and was scheduled to meet with Union 4251 representatives at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at City Hall. Sera was the target of the social media blitz over the weekend despite his claims to have worked on behalf of the Deming Fire Department for better pay. The city provided the firefighter/EMTs with a 6.5 percent pay raise and bonus incentives that amounted to retaining bonuses of $2,000 to $10,000, Sera said. We guaranteed another three percent raise in July, and they came with the resignations. The city did pay plans with at least nine different municipalities that compare to keep pay scales competitive. According to Robert Sanchez, President of the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association, one DFD first responder has been with the department for 15 years and is making 13.45 an hour. Sanchez is convinced the City of Deming is not bargaining in good faith. "Deming firefighters/EMTs are working a 48-hour shift, with 96 off. That breaks down differently from the 40-hour work week they used to compare," Sanchez stated. "In calculating some of the hours worked during a pay period, these guys are putting in upwards of 120 hours. "How can that be fair. Management is not foolish; they know exactly what they are doing. They have money to give the Deming Police officers who received raises. We just want what is fair." Story continues In 2020, the union missed the deadline for coming to the bargaining table and Sera admitted to seeing that deadline slip by. The six percent pay raise in 2021 was the largest of any department in the city works, Sera said. I am saddened by the resignations and the city has been busy trying to secure ambulance services for our area. Monday's demonstration drew plenty of attention from passersby in front of the John Strand Municipal Building at 309 S. Gold St. Now hiring signs have been placed in front of the Deming Fire Department at 309 S. Gold Street. Demonstrators were out in front of the city hall at 3:30 p.m. on Monday along with New Mexico TV news crews. Local firefighter/EMT union reps and City of Deming officials will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the John Strand Municipal Building at 309 S. Gold Street. All they had to do was say, hey, can we open negotiations and just talk about this, Sera told the Headlight. I would have worked with them even though we gave them a raise last year, with incentives, and stability pay the year before. Instead, we have resignations and I get blamed. As of Tuesday morning, state union president Sanchez said the Deming firefighter/EMTs continue to be unhappy with the pay scale and contradicted claims that the pay scale is comparable to other fire departments in the area. Sanchez said there is no breakdown in communication between the two parties, "Deming's front line first responders want to be treated fairly and paid a fair wage. A union representative for Local 4251 submitted an email to the Deming Headlight for publication but did not want to be identified for this article. Another representative called the Headlight an asked that the contents of the email is not published. The firefighters who submitted their two weeks notice are taking a stand for better pay and for the job performance they have executed over the past year. By a statewide panel of peers, Deming Fire Department Firefighter/EMTs were honored as the Emergency Medical Services of the year Award for 2020 in the entire state of New Mexico. The award requires competing departments to nominate a neighboring fire department. The Las Cruces district was supportive of the Deming firehouse and EMS work. Deming EMS answered 3,442 calls in 2020. Officials for the department said EMTs were on pace to eclipse that number in 2021. EMS runs the whole spectrum of calls from pediatrics, to heart related, accidents and injuries, diabetes, trauma, and vehicle rollovers. DFD is staffed with19 EMTs. The entire battalion is either a certified EMT or working on certification. The local EMTs have provided ride-a-longs for neighboring fire departments who have EMS students in training. "I want to make sure we can negotiate in good faith, Sera said. Sera did reach out to local union president Ernesto Gomez and a meeting with firefighters Matt Hudson and Victor Salas was slated for Tuesday. Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (leave a message) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com. Support for Deming firefighter/EMTs came out in force on Monday during a demonstration at City Hall. This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: 14 Deming firefighter/EMTs give two weeks' notice over low pay Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attend a news conference in Sochi, Russia, October 22, 2019. Reuters Turkey's improving ties with Russia has been a headache for NATO amid the alliance's tensions with Moscow. Relations between Ankara and Moscow have warmed because of changing regional dynamics, including mutual frustrations with Europe. But there are still fault lines in their relationship, and the embrace could quickly become a confrontation. Of the 30 countries in NATO, none have caused the alliance more recent headaches than Turkey. Turkey has NATO's second-largest standing army and is centrally located in a strategically significant region, which makes it an indispensable ally. Turkey has also shown a willingness to confront Russia, a longstanding rival, and continues to support NATO interests and missions in the region and around the world. But Ankara's warming relationship with Moscow has complicated things for the alliance. The current state of relations between Turkey and Russia is the product of changing dynamics and shifting priorities after the Cold War and of changes to the balance of power in the region over the last decade. Their relationship is unlikely to bloom into an alliance of its own, but their apparent closeness and its effect on NATO's interests has vexed policymakers and analysts alike. Troubled, but cooperative Russian navy Grisha-class corvette Mirazh sails by Istanbul on its way to Syria, October 7, 2016. OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images Historically, Russo-Turkish relations have been troubled, as evidenced by the fact that they fought over a dozen wars between the 16th and 20th centuries. There was some limited cooperation early in the 20th century, but after post-World War II disputes led to Turkey's accession to NATO in 1952 (alongside Greece) Ankara and Moscow were firmly on opposing sides on most issues Turkey even agreed to host US nuclear weapons, dozens of which are still based there. As the Cold War ended, however, their relationship thawed. In 1987, Turkey began importing Soviet gas, and Russia eventually became Turkey's primary energy supplier. Russo-Turkish economic ties also grew after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Russia, less of a military threat than the USSR, became Turkey's second-largest trading partner (after the EU) in 2008. In 2010 they signed a visa-free travel agreement. Story continues The relationship between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin has facilitated closer cooperation. Those ties have only gotten closer as Erdogan has become more autocratic, especially after a failed coup in 2016. A 'balancing act' Erdogan at NATO headquarters in Brussels, May 25, 2017. Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images Turkey's purchase of Russia's advanced S-400 air-defense missile system, its invasion of northern Syria and operations against Kurds there, and Erdogan's continued suppression of dissent have prompted many Western countries to apply sanctions and reduce their cooperation with Ankara. That Western backlash, combined with Turkish resentment over perceived double standards, tensions with European countries over issues like Cyprus and migration, and Turkey's stalled bid to join the EU, has led Turkey look toward Russia even more. Consequently, Turkey has shifted away from being a largely reliable partner for Western countries and now carefully balances between the West and Russia. But Turkey is by no means totally comfortable with Russia's recent actions and ambitions. Moscow's ongoing military modernization, its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and intervention in Syria in 2015, and its growing influence in the Black Sea and the Caucasus have all increased Turkish anxiety about its larger neighbor. "Turkey is trying to continue this balancing act that is driven by the fact that they fundamentally do not trust the Russians, but they are also unsure about Western support," Stephen Flanagan, a senior political scientist at the RAND corporation, told Insider. Clashes and confrontations Russian and Turkish soldiers before a joint patrol in northeastern Syria near the border with Turkey, July 14, 2021. DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images That lack of trust is underlined by multiple deadly clashes between the Turkish and Russian militaries, particularly in Syria, where the fundamental differences between Ankara's and Moscow's ambitions are on display. US officials have said that they believe "dozens" of Turkish soldiers have been killed by Russian military operations in Syria. Turkey has also shot down a Russian jet there and launched operations directly against Moscow's Syrian allies. Turkey has also clashed with Russia's proxies in Libya. Turkey has provided military support to nearby countries that have clashed with Russia or Russia's allies, including helping build up the navies of Russia's Caspian Sea neighbors. Ankara has also built a close relationship with Ukraine since 2014, selling Ukraine armed drones that Kyiv has already used on the frontlines and helping rebuild the Ukrainian navy. Ankara has even openly advocated full NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia, which many alliance members have resisted or argued against. While Turkey's purchase of Russia's S-400 is a sign of closer cooperation, its ongoing military modernization efforts are largely a response to Russia's own increased military capabilities. Ankara has also never sworn off its Western military partnerships. Although the US kicked it out of the F-35 program over the S-400, Turkey recently asked the US to sell it 40 new F-16s and 80 modernization kits for its current fleet. The Russo-Turkish relationship "is on a knife's edge on any given day," Flanagan said. "Turkey is still very much anxious to protect its own interests in the broader region and still very worried of the Russians." Risks in the future Russian troops patrol with Turkish troops in northeastern Syria near the Turkish border, February 4, 2021. DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images Despite its concerns, Turkey continues to have extensive engagement with Russia. Russia is building several nuclear reactors for Turkey, and Erdogan has refused to rule out purchasing more Russian military equipment. That ongoing cooperation is in part a reflection of Ankara's acceptance of geopolitical reality. "The Turks, at some level, have no choice but to have a somewhat cooperative relationship with Russia given that Russia controls the endgame in Syria" and has increased its strength in the Black Sea, Flanagan said. While Turkey supports an increased NATO presence in the Black Sea to counter Russia, it also does not want to provoke a crisis. Ankara "would like to lead efforts to support whatever NATO is doing to deter further Russian aggression in the Black Sea region, but they don't want to over-militarize the region," Flanagan said. "What they don't want is overly zealous US deployments that provoke a crisis that then leads to the [Turkish] Straits being somehow closed or see major fighting along its territorial waters." Russia and Turkey's relations seem destined to hover between rivalry and partnership, but their competing interests in the Black Sea, the Middle East, and North Africa give that relationship the potential to become confrontational quickly. "It remains kind of volatile," Flanagan said. "Either side could miscalculate." Read the original article on Business Insider Three young men aged 17 to 18, two of them brothers, have been charged in the death of a 42-year-old man accused of inappropriately touching a child (KRGV) Three teenagers face charges in the death of a 42-year-old man accused of inappropriately touching the half-sister of two of the teens. Brothers Alexandro and Christian Trevino, 18 and 17 years old, are thought to have beaten their stepfather, Gabriel Quintanilla, 42, to death after he allegedly abused their half-sister, according to police in Pharr, Texas. Juan Eduardo Melendez, 18, has also been arrested in connection to the case. The body of Mr Quintanilla was found by a farmer who informed law enforcement, with officers from the McCallen Police Department arriving shortly before 3pm on Thursday. The Pharr Police Department took on the case the following day. Mr Quintanilla bore signs of severe trauma and had been beaten with brass knuckles, MyRGV News reported. His nine-year-old daughter notified someone on 20 January that he had touched her inappropriately. Police have said that Mr Quintanilla already had been issued a warrant for abusing another child. During a press briefing on 23 January, Pharr Police Deputy Chief Juan Gonzalez said that when the brothers Alexandro and Christian found out, they confronted Gabriel at the residents, and a physical fight ensued between the three. Quintanilla left the location on foot ... Christian Trevino runs out after the victim and finds him outside of an apartment complex further south down the road, he added. A second assault occurs there and Alexandro Trevino and the driver of a red Dodge Charger, who we have identified as Juan Gonzalez Melendez, catch up to him and again join in on an assault of the victim at that point, Mr Gonzalez said. The teenagers left the scene and changed vehicles, and again looked for Mr Quintanilla, finding him walking alone along a road. Thats when police say a third assault took place and Mr Quintanilla was placed in the back of a truck, a white Ford F-150, still alive. The suspects then drove to an area in McCallen, where Mr Quintanilla was left in a field. The authorities have said that they believe he was still alive at that point. The three teens fled the area after leaving Mr Quintanilla. Story continues The suspects were arraigned on Sunday. Christian Trevino and Mr Melendez have been charged with capital murder, aggravated assault, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Its unclear if they have retained lawyers to speak on their behalf. Alexandro Trevino has been charged with aggravated assault and engaging in organised criminal activity. The bond for all three suspects has been set at $500,00, according to ValleyCentral. MBA students at IESE in 2021 Its 2019 again at Spains IESE Business School only now the money is better. The business school of the University of Navarra in Barcelona released its 2021 MBA employment report today (January 24), showing job placement numbers three months after graduation have returned to their 2019 rate after a pandemic dip last year. Ninety-four percent of IESE graduates secured a job offer after 90 days, up from 87% in 2020. Salaries, too, are around or slightly better than two years ago. Overall base salaries averaged 87,613, or around US$99,000, up from $96,208 (85,046) in 2019. The lower end of the salary range rose as well, to $52,221 (46.162) from around $40K, but the upper end dropped to $190,787 (168.652) from around $207K. Average other compensation just exceeded its 2019 level at $57,105 (50,480) but the range grew substantially this year when someone (more on them later) reported bonuses of almost $400,000. The high bonus two years ago: about $255K. 1/3 OF THE CLASS: TRIPLE JUMPERS Despite the pandemic or perhaps because of it one-third of IESEs 2021 MBA class (33%) made the triple jump career change, switching industry, job function, and geography at the same time. Thats about the same proportion of the 2020 MBA class, and both are up from 21% of the class in 2019. Then again, particularly in recent years, lots of pivoting has been going on. For comparison, in a recent class of HEC Paris MBAs, 45% made the triple jump. The class of 2021 entered into the MBA program prior to the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic and graduated into a world and a job market very different to the one they knew before this, IESEs jobs report reads. From supply chain disruptions to frequent regulatory changes to rapidly emerging new talent trends and shortages, the tasks facing global businesses are complex. Now more than ever, the world needs leaders who demonstrate professional excellence, integrity and embody a spirit of service to successfully navigate through these challenging times. Story continues The latest class of MBA graduates from IESE Business School is well prepared to do just that. Source: IESE LATIN AMERICA LEADS IN AVERAGE OTHER COMP THANKS TO 1 PERSON The IESE MBA Class of 2021 comprises 364 students (31% of them women) of 56 different nationalities. So where did they find work? Geographically, Europe (excluding Spain) was the most sought-after region, with 26% of graduates accepting jobs there. Close behind was Latin America (22%), Asia-Pacific (20%), and Spain (20%), and then Middle East/Africa (7%) and North America (5%). Top recruiters of IESE MBAs were ABInBev, Amazon, Bain & Company, BCG, Citi, McKinsey & Company, Novartis, and Pepsico. Consulting continues to be the most popular destination for IESE MBAs, attracting 34% of the Class of 2021 who were seeking employment, up slightly from 33% last year and surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. Finance (25%, up from 23%) and industry (24%, down from 29%) were the next most popular sectors, followed by technology (17%, up from 15%). Within the industrial sector, healthcare was the most popular choice, with 10% heading into that field. Consulting the highest paid sector, at an average base of about $106K (93,981), followed by tech ($97K/86,051), and finance ($95K/83,998). Consulting salaries in 2019 were actually a bit higher, at about $107K (94,630), and finance salaries are up only incrementally, but tech salaries two years ago averaged just $87K. Consultants in North America made the most: $169K (149,778), just as they did in 2019 ($130K/115,538) which was also the case for finance ($122,722/108,484, from $139K/122,812 in 2019) and tech ($120K/105,945, from $117K/103,608 in 2019). North America was also where IESE grads reported the highest average base salary: $132K (116,615). The highest reported base salary was someone who took a job in Europe (excluding Spain) with a base of about $191K (168,652). Other compensation was richest in Latin America, with an average of more than $92K (81,493) but that number was driven up by one person, someone in consulting who reported bonuses totaling 350,844, or $396,892 at current exchange rates. Thats much higher than the biggest bonus in 2019: $255,136 (225.535), reported by someone in finance in Europe. (See this years salary details at the bottom of the page.) A RADICAL SHIFT FROM MY PRE-MBA WORK Alix Chausson, IESE Class of 2021 MBA and triple jumper One example of an IESE MBA Class of 2021 triple jump career-changer is Alix Chausson, who before her MBA worked in the UK as a vendor manager for Amazon. Chausson decided to pursue an MBA at IESE after realizing her dream job was much different from the sector and role she had at the time. I arrived at IESE with a laser focus: to work in a venture role in foodtech specifically in alternative proteins post MBA, she says. Chausson was featured by P&Q in May 2020. Now working in Germany as a senior associate for Evig Group, a foodtech company, she credits IESE with her move. This was a radical shift from my pre-MBA work and I strongly believe that my two years at IESE provided me with solid foundations for this unusual transition, Chausson says. As a committee member of the Tech Club, I put together and moderated a panel with foodtech experts where the exposure to investors and entrepreneurs was a fantastic opportunity to further my transition. DONT MISS IESE TOPS ECONOMIST RANKING FOR 2021 and HEC PARIS STAYS ON TOP IN NEW FINANCIAL TIMES EURO B-SCHOOL RANKING The post 2021 MBA Jobs: At Top European B-School, 33% Make Tricky Triple Jump appeared first on Poets&Quants. Airlines eliminated pricey fees to change or cancel a ticket more than a year ago and tout the newfound flexibility at every turn. "Welcome back to travel with no change fees," American Airlines' website proclaims. "Book your next trip now and enjoy peace of mind with no change fees," Delta tells online ticket shoppers. Hawaiian Airlines' pitch: "Say hello to effortless travel. Book now, change if you need to." The pandemic-induced policy change, which airline executives now say was long overdue, has been a major win for passengers. Pre-pandemic: Is Delta Air Lines going to shake up those onerous change fees? Pay up: Delta to allow changes to basic economy tickets, for a fee But travelers need to beware of the asterisks. Every airline from American to Spirit has fine print attached to their free flight change policies. Travelers need to understand the restrictions before buying a ticket or risk a nasty surprise if their plans change. Basic economy vs. economy on American, United, Delta On major airlines, travelers who buy the cheapest tickets will still find restrictions on changing or canceling flights. A keyword to look for in flight search results: basic. American, United and Delta call their cheapest tickets basic economy tickets, while JetBlue Airways calls them "Blue Basic" tickets and Hawaiian Airlines calls them "Main Cabin Basic." Alaska Airlines calls them "saver" fares. No-frills airline Allegiant even has a basic fare. Southwest Airlines does not offer a basic economy ticket or charge change fees; its cheapest tickets are changeable but a fare difference applies. Southwest ticket shakeup: Airline to introduce new fare class in 2022 Just don't call it basic economy: Is Southwest Airlines considering a no-frills ticket? Buying basic economy tickets early in the pandemic carried little risk because broad airline travel waivers eliminated most of the restrictions. Story continues The waivers started to expire last year and any existing ones no longer cover new basic economy ticket purchases. That means travelers buying basic economy tickets face the return of one of two issues/restrictions: no changes or cancellation allowed, or changes allowed but with a cancellation fee. On some airlines, including United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian, basic economy tickets cannot be changed or canceled even by paying a fee. That means travelers lose their money if plans change. No travel credits are issued. United Airlines' basic economy tickets carry the most restrictions of any ticket. Delta, JetBlue allows changes on basic economy tickets for a fee On other airlines, including Delta and JetBlue, basic economy tickets can be changed or canceled for future flight credit but only if you pay a change fee. Delta's is $99 for domestic flights and flights to Mexico and the Caribbean and $199 for other international flights. JetBlue, similarly, charges $100 for domestic flights and short international flights, and $200 for others. On cheap tickets, the fees can wipe out all or part of a ticket. Passengers buying JetBlue's cheapest tickets, called Blue Basic fares, can change their tickets but have to pay a cancellation fee. There is no cancellation fee for its regular economy ticket, called Blue. Fare differences apply in each case. The change fees on those basic economy tickets are in addition to any fare difference. Do you need to move the dates for that bargain $250 basic economy ticket to the Caribbean? Fork over the applicable change fee plus any difference in ticket price since you booked. (Fare differences also apply when buying regular economy tickets despite no change fee, so even those changes aren't free.) Changing a ticket on Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant Major airlines created those basic economy fares in response to the cheap tickets dangled by budget airlines, which have long been rife with restrictions. Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant have long had fees to change their cheapest tickets and those restrictions have returned, too, as pandemic travel waivers expired. The only exceptions? Frontier and Spirit offer free changes made at least 60 days in advance, a policy Frontier introduced in 2019. Travelers on those airlines who want the flexibility to change their plans need to buy a pricier ticket that comes with perks the airlines call them bundles or purchase an a la carte option to cancel during booking. Spirit calls the a la carte option "Flight Flex," Frontier, "Flight Flexibility," Allegiant, "Trip Flex." For those who don't pay for the extras and can't change their flight at least 60 days in advance, here are the per person change fees at the three major discount airlines: Spirit: $49 for flights departing in seven to 59 days; $79 for flights departing in three to six days and $99 for last minute changes. (Flight changes are allowed up to one hour before the schedule departure.) Fare differences apply. Frontier: $49 for flights departing between seven and 59 days and $79 for flights six or fewer days before departure. Fare differences apply. Allegiant: The Las Vegas-based airline has temporarily lowered its change fee to $25 per one-way flight (due to the pandemic. Fare differences apply. Can I change or cancel my cheap airline ticket if I test positive for COVID? The stated policies for basic economy tickets and no-frills tickets are strict, but travelers holding the cheap tickets still have an out in some instances. With coronavirus cases rising again, American, Delta, United and Alaska all told USA TODAY they are working with basic economy passengers who test positive for the virus before their flight. Delta spokesman Drake Castaneda said the airline is waiving the airline's new basic economy change/cancellation for passengers. Delta tries to rebook them on a flight at least five days in the future given Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isolation guidance, he said. Those who opt not to travel will be given a credit for future travel valid for one year from the date of original purchase. United said basic economy passengers who test positive for coronavirus can't fly and should contact the airline for options including changing their flight to a minimum of five days after the positive test or requesting a travel voucher. American said basic economy passengers who test positive for coronavirus are covered, too, and Alaska said travelers who buy its saver fares can change or cancel them if they tested positive for coronavirus or were in close contact with someone who did and has had symptoms in the past five days. Frontier and Spirit said they handle flight changes for coronavirus infections on a case-by-case basis. Major airlines and bargain airlines also generally allow exceptions to their change policies for basic economy and cheap tickets during storms and other events that disrupt their operations. Bottom line: Check with your airline for their policy. We do make special allowances for positive tests, kindly meet us in DMs with your flight information and we'll look into this further. americanair (@AmericanAir) January 5, 2022 With change fees and restrictions back, should I avoid basic economy tickets and other no-frills plane tickets? Major airline executives have long conceded that they hope the restrictions on basic economy tickets drive passengers to buy the higher-priced regular economy tickets. Budget airline executives similarly hope all the restrictions on their bare-bones tickets prompt travelers to buy the extras it pitches. With so much uncertainty remaining around COVID-19 trends and ever-changing travel restrictions, more travelers are asking whether the cheap tickets are worth the risk. In its annual State of Cheap Flights report out Monday, travel deals site and subscription service Scott's Cheap Flights said travelers are paying more attention to cancellation policies. One member surveyed said, "I am now willing to spend more to have the option to change or cancel a reservation. I always bought the cheapest option available before. Andrew Nocella, United Airlines' chief commercial officer, has noticed it too. Before the pandemic, he said, more than 20% of United's tickets booked were basic economy tickets. Today, that figure is in the high single digits for domestic flights. American Airlines cheapest ticket, basic economy, cannot be changed or canceled. "Main cabin'' tickets can be changed without a fee but travelers must pay any fare difference will apply. What's a skittish traveler on a budget to do? Do the math when searching for flights. If the gap between basic economy and regular economy is reasonable, pay it so you can change the flight or change it without a fee. (I never shun basic economy tickets but paid up to main cabin on a one-way flight I booked for my sister last week because the price difference was $25). The difference between basic economy and regular economy (called main cabin) on American for a Phoenix-New York trip priced last week for mid-February travel was $16 one way. Spirit Airlines sells bargain tickets with no extras as well as ticket "bundles'' with perks including free flight cancellations includes. Travelers can also buy individual perks a la carte. The calculation is more complicated on the budget airlines because of their upselling and variety of products for sale. The cheapest options on Spirit and Frontier are generally to add the option to cancel when booking the flight, especially if you want the ability to change flights last minute. Before paying more for a ticket with the option to change or cancel a flight on any airline, keep in mind that ticket flexibility is not the same thing as refundability. Passengers won't receive their money back. They generally will be given the option to rebook their flight or cancel and save the money for a future trip. The only way to guarantee a refund is to buy a pricier refundable ticket. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Looking for a cheap flight? Beware these airline ticket change fees Christine Baranski stars in The Gilded Age Agnes van Rhijn: You are my niece, and you belong to old New York. When Downton Abbey crossed the pond to PBS in 2011, the truncated form it arrived inedited down from seven episodes to fourwas a sign of how little Masterpiece expected of the winter-filler acquisition. Instead, it changed the entire PBS landscape. It also generated a spinoff announcement at its height. The Gilded Age, an 1880s New York set prequel from series creator Julian Fellowes, was set for NBC (producer Carnival Films is owned by NBCUniversal), telling the story of the wealthy Cora Levinson and her engagement to fortune-hunter Lord Grantham. Read more A Downton Abbey clone was never a good fit for NBC, though, and it sat for years in development hell before executive Bob Greenblatt left for HBO, taking the project with him. The pandemic then delayed the show again, making it an entire decade from that 2012 announcement to the final product. Meanwhile, Fellowes attempted two other projects, Belgravia and The English Game, neither of which came close to capturing the Downton magic. Those failures may explain the opening to The Gilded Age, which plays like Downton almost beat for beat. Instead of a train across the English countryside, horse-drawn carriages speed across a sheep-infested Central Park, and the mail arrives bearing bad news, not a telegram. But the downstairs scene in the kitchen between cook and butler could be Lesley Nichols Mrs. Patmore and Jim Carters Carson instead of Kristine Nielsens Mrs. Bauer and Simon Jones Bannister, and it would not make a difference. Story continues The Gilded Ages premiere runs nearly as long as the 90-minute PBS-edited version of Downtons opening episode, a full hour and twenty minutes, creating the same sense of elongated introduction to the ensemble. The initial Cora-centric idea was abandoned for a more Shakespearean one, two houses, both alike in dignity, etc. In short order, viewers are introduced to them, sitting across the street next to Central Park. One is the long-established home of old-money widow Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and her spinster sister, Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon). The other is a just-built mansion moved into by the new-money Russells, George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha (Carrie Coon). Carrie Coon in HBOs The Gilded Age The show also introduces Marian Brook (newcomer Louisa Jacobson, whose main credit is being Meryl Streeps daughter). Her father, Henry, just inconveniently died, leaving her all of $30 and no choice but to leave her Pennsylvania home and throw herself upon the mercy of Aunts Agnes and Ada in NYC. Her late fathers lawyer, Tom Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel), is a potential suitor. However, the Russells son Larry (Harry Richardson) is obviously love interest number two, despite his mothers lofty ambitions to marry him to someone of higher stature like Caroline Astor (Amy Forsyth). Agnes son Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) also seemed smitten by Marian, but the Matthew-and-Mary vibes are a deliberate red herring, as hes in love with John Adams IV (Claybourne Elder). However, despite his mothers instant hatred of the new neighbors, Oscar recognizes that Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga) is the monetarily smart match. His predatory eye suggests hell be over there like a shot as soon as she makes her debut into society. Bertha says shes holding out on Gladys debut because it should be part of the Russells first official ball. However, Gladys may be in her mid-20s before that happens; Bertha is in for a rough ride to break into society. When she and Gladys attend the charity fundraiser held by Mrs. Fane (Kelli OHara), the hostess is almost comically terrified that someone will notice. Berthas open house is a disaster as nearly the whole of society ignores the invitations she spent hours personally delivering. At least Marian sneaks over to see the inside of the Russell house in a Beauty and the Beast-like ballgown, officially befriending both Larry and Gladys along the way. Taissa Farmiga and Carrie Coon in HBOs The Gilded Age Marian also picked up a BFF on the way to New York, Peggy Scott (Denee Benton), who rescues Marian when her purse is stolen. Theres a (long needed) movement in period pieces to show the Black perspective. Peggys lead status puts The Gilded Age on the same footing as Sanditon, Grantchester, and others that have recognized these all-white worlds are historically false. Miss Scotts role is also quickly upgraded from random BFF people mistake for the maid to Agnes secretary in less than 45 minutes, cementing the shows plans to keep telling that story. It remains to be seen how comfortable the series is in going deep into this unexplored side of period dramas. However, the scene on the train and Peggy meeting her mother Dorothy (Audra McDonald) in an all-Black establishment gives hope The Gilded Age will screw its nerve to the sticking place and keep going. But Miss Scotts story also highlights an issue all shows that followed in Downtons wake have struggled with: How to make people care about downstairs. Downtons downstairs crew introduced the household through their eyes, so fans cared about them before they cared about upstairs. But this was a rare feat since most plot drivers come from above. Though the racist microaggressions Peggy encounters are far from easy to watch (and theyre not supposed to be), the scenes help immediately define the van Rhijn downstairs set for viewers through a set of eyes not usually given a perspective in these series. In contrast, the Russells downstairs team is far less interesting, a major letdown since the upstairs story on that side of the street is, so far, the far superior one. Stray Observations It's been two years since "Accused" fans had new episodes to listen to, but the wait is over. Season 4 of the hit true-crime podcast from the USA TODAY Network's Cincinnati Enquirer released with early, ad-free access for subscribers on Tuesday. The new season follows the divisive case of Elwood Jones, who was convicted in the 1994 fatal beating of 67-year-old woman Rhoda Nathan and now awaits execution on Ohio's death row. Millions of listeners were captivated by the mysterious cases examined in the first three seasons, including a 23-year-old woman fatally stabbed in her college town, an overturned conviction in the death of a grandmother and the disappearance of a worker at a shady processing plant. Listen now: Subscribe to USA TODAY today to get all of this season's episodes, ad-free 'Accused' returns in 2022 with Season 4. If you're wondering what you might've missed in the first three seasons of "Accused," or if you just need a refresher, here's what each season investigated: Spoilers have been omitted. Season 1: A college town killing Elizabeth Andes was found dead in her Oxford, Ohio, apartment in 1978. Police saw it as an open-and-shut case. Bob Young emerged as a prime suspect. He was her boyfriend of three years and a fellow recent graduate of Miami University. Within an hour of arriving to Andes' apartment, hed be questioned in his girlfriends murder. Within 15 hours, hed confess to it. Within four years, hed be exonerated twice. But the span of nearly four decades changed little about the horror of what Bob saw and felt on the night of Dec. 28, 1978. It also changed little about law enforcements belief that he had taken Beths life. They were so sure he had done it, they looked no further for her killer even after the evidence and two juries said he didnt do it. It wasnt because no one else could have. It was because they were convinced they were right. After 37 years, it was time to find out if they were. Story continues You can listen to Season 1 of Accused on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Wondery. Experience in augmented reality: Step inside the crime scene at the heart of 'Accused: The Impending Execution of Elwood Jones' Season 2: DNA test frees a man, but doesn't clear him Retha Welch was a God-fearing mother of four children. A framed picture of Christian minister and Veterans Administration nurse Retha Welch who was murdered in 1987. On April 13, 1987, Welchs lifeless body was found in a pool of blood in her Newport, Kentucky, apartment bathtub. She had been beaten and stabbed. An autopsy suggested shed been sexually assaulted as semen from three men was discovered at the crime scene. Police soon zeroed in on a convict shed counseled, and within two weeks of Welchs death, William Ricky Virgil was charged in her murder. For police and prosecutors, the case was over. But not for Virgil. He proclaimed his innocence to anyone who would listen. After 28 years in prison, Virgil was freed, his conviction reversed largely thanks to DNA testing. But police did not clear him of suspicion in Welchs death. Season 2 of "Accused" re-examines what happened in the original investigation. It begins with the premise that one of two scenarios must be true: Either William Virgil killed Welch and the state can no longer prove its case, or he was innocent all along, meaning that the system indicted and punished the wrong man and someone else got away with murder. You can listen to Season 2 of Accused on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Wondery. Season 3: A disappearance at a mysterious plant On a muggy night in June 1984, a 39-year-old father of three went to work at a secretive plant in rural Ohio and disappeared. David Bocks disappeared mysteriously at the Fernald Feed Materials Production Center in Ohio in June 1984. At first, David Bocks' family and coworkers thought maybe he'd fallen asleep somewhere private during his overnight shift. Then, the next day, bits of human bone were discovered floating in a vat of molten salt at the plant, and it became clear that Bocks had met a gruesome fate. Bocks was declared legally dead two years after his disappearance at the Fernald Feed Materials Plant, a processing plant that many neighbors thought produced dog food. In reality, the plant was used to process uranium for nuclear weapons during The Cold War. Detectives determined that Bocks had killed himself, but his family long doubted this explanation for his fate. Season 3 of "Accused" used new interviews with dozens of witnesses and experts and investigated never-before-released documents to explore the case and the handful of conspiracy theories surrounding it some of which have proved true. You can listen to Season 3 of Accused on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Wondery. Contributing: Amanda Rossmann and Amber Hunt, The Cincinnati Enquirer; Jay Cannon, USA TODAY Join the conversation of the day: All USA TODAY Podcasts Daily news updates, right in your inbox: Sign up for the Daily Briefing newsletter This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Accused podcast Seasons 1, 2, 3: Summary of cases, how to listen As the world watched with trepidation as this month's hostage standoff at a Texas synagogue unfolded, officials around the Hudson Valley alerted residents to an increased police presence at houses of worship. There was no threat detected, law enforcement leaders made clear during the Jan. 15 incident in Colleyville that ended with a dramatic escape by a rabbi and congregants. Left unsaid by local law enforcement, but equally clear, was the acknowledgement that such incidents could, and have, happened here. A law enforcement vehicle sits in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on January 16, 2022 in Colleyville, Texas. "After the Monsey machete attack, we really ramped up," said Ramapo Police Chief Martin Reilly. "We always have a high priority of patrolling our houses of worship." In December 2019, a machete-wielding man entered a Hanukkah party at a Ramapo rabbi's home. Party attendees, members of the Hasidic congregation next door, fought off the attacker, but not before several were injured. One man later succumbed to his wounds. The alleged perpetrator has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial on federal murder and hate-crime charges. An early morning attack in Monsey on a Hasidic man a month prior remains unsolved. The machete attack came weeks after heavily armed attackers targeted a Jersey City kosher supermarket on a quest to slaughter Jews and police. The year prior, 11 Jewish congregants were gunned down at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh; six months before the Tree of Life attack, multiple people were shot, one killed, during services at Chabad of Poway in San Diego County on the last day of Passover. Police work inside the Monsey home of a rabbi where a man reportedly entered with a machete, stabbing worshipers earlier Saturday evening. Police in Ramapo have offered safety and security training for houses of worship, schools and businesses for several years now, Reilly said, a needed effort in a community that's home to hundreds of synagogues from every possible Jewish denomination and growing Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish communities. Colleyville: Hostages safe after Attack at synagogue At the Capitol: Rep. Bowman arrested during voting rights protest Story continues NY voting rights: Lawmakers push for reforms Lemmon case: NY courts honor historic anti-slavery ruling on precipice of Civil War It is similar to the training offered by the Anti-Defamation League and taken by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who leads Congregation Beth Israel in Texas and engineered the dramatic escape by the hostages. Cytron-Walker, known as Rabbi Charlie, credited the ADL training with his and congregants' survival. He discussed the incident, and the importance of preparation, during an ADL webinar on Thursday called "Fighting Hate From Home: Lessons from a Hostage Crisis." A cup of tea, 11-hour standoff Cytron-Walker, in the ADL safety webinar, recalled letting in Malik Faisal Akram, that Sabbath morning. "The guy asked if we had a night shelter," Cytron-Walker recalled. "We don't, but it was cold. He said he was walking, he did have a couple bags. He looked like he was telling the truth." Cytron-Walker, who had been talking with Akram with the door cracked, let him in, walked him to the kitchen and made him tea. "He was calm ... looked me in the eye." Then the gun came out and the rabbi and three congregants most members attend virtually due to COVID were hostages. Akram's demand: Use Jews' influence to free Aafia Siddiqui, a convicted terrorist being held in a nearby federal prison. The gunman called New York City Central Synagogue Senior Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl, demanding she secure Siddiqui's freedom. Buchdahl, who once served as cantor and rabbi at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, immediately contacted law enforcement. She also said past security trainings helped guide her in the crisis. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker makes a statement to the media after the service at White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, on Jan. 17. The church held a healing service for congregants and members of the community after a hostage standoff at Congregation Beth Israel on Saturday. "When he was making this demand, I didn't understand why," Cytron-Walker said during the ADL webinar. Then he realized the motivations behind Akram's request, the rabbi said, and he knew "we were in trouble." "I knew what he didn't," Cytron-Walker said. "I knew that Jews did not control the world." Hours into the standoff, Cytron-Walker said, Akram's impatience was growing and the situation deteriorating. Then Cytron-Walker saw a chance for escape. He hurled a chair at Akram and they all fled. Law enforcement killed Akram. 'I will be at shul on Saturday morning' FBI Director Christopher Wray also spoke at the ADL webinar. "Let me be clear and blunt," he said last week. "The FBI is, and has been, treating (last) Saturdays events as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community." Wray also lauded relationships between federal, state and local law enforcement and religious leaders. For example, a Ramapo police detective is assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht said. Rockland is home to a large and diverse Jewish population; in Ramapo, the villages of New Square and Kaser were established by Hasidic Jewish congregations; the hamlet of Monsey has a large and growing Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish population, and other villages and areas of town have a large Orthodox Jewish presence. Instruction cards were handed out at a safety training geared toward Orthodox Jewish residents in Monsey on Jan. 5, 2020. The training took place in the wake of a machete attack at a rabbi's home during a Dec. 28, 2019 Hanukkah party. Ramapo police offer their own training, called CRASE, or Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, for organizations, schools and houses of worship. Specht said he attended the safety training several years ago at Montebello Jewish Center, a Conservative synagogue. "I was very impressed by the caliber," he said. "Very eye-opening." After the Colleyville incident, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County asked its supporters to contact federal, state and local officials and advocate for increased security grants and funding for religious institutions. Ari Rosenblum, CEO of the Jewish Federation, said every type of Jewish institution should know how to access training. "The line from rhetoric to violence is pretty clear, unfortunately," he said. About 15% of Westchester County's population of about 1 million is Jewish, said Elliot Forchheimer, CEO of Westchester Jewish Council. Synagogues, schools and other Jewish organizations have undergone similar safety training. "Thats the first person you call," he said of police. "That has to be No. 1 or 2 on your cellphone speed dial." Antisemitism, said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL's CEO and national director, remains a "core tenet of extremism across the spectrum." Some, Greenblatt said, have asked if it would be safer to not wear a yarmukle in public or take other measures to hide their Jewishness. Elliot Forchheimer, CEO, The Westchester Jewish Council. "What a sad question to be asking in America in 2022," Forchheimer said. "Life in America in 2022, we have to be smart, we have to be aware, and we have to be proud. Whether its wearing a kippah or wearing a hijab or wearing a cross, I would hate that America would be a place you cant express your religion or faith." Specht said in Ramapo, the Orthodox Jewish community is more visible, and that would not change. He remains concerned about rising antisemitism, the rising attacks and violence against Asian Americans around the New York region, and hate against so many others. Forchheimer didn't anticipate this or other attacks would change behavior. "Attendance in synagogues this Shabbat will be up from last Shabbat," he said. "Were not going to be afraid, we are going to support each other, we are going to love each other." Jeff Kapelus, the security chair for the Westchester Jewish Council, is pictured at their office in White Plains, Jan. 21, 2022. Jeff Kapelus, security chair of the Westchester Jewish Council, agreed. An attack like Texas, like Monsey two years ago, he said, is scary. But, "we're not going anywhere." Cytron-Walker on Thursday told those watching the ADL webinar the same. "I will be at shul on Saturday morning. I hope you will be at shul on Saturday morning. We should not be afraid." Greenblatt agreed. "The best way to build the beloved community is do it with your own bare hands." Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Click here for her latest stories. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Colleyville synagogue attack reflects security concerns at synagogues Motorists line up along 12th Street in Sarasota for the COVID testing site at Ed Smith Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. COVID-19 case numbers in Sarasota and Manatee counties decreased the week of Jan. 14-20, compared to the previous week. But the area is still seeing a high level of transmission of the coronavirus, so Sarasota County's top health official is encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, practice social distancing and wear a mask when physical distancing isn't possible. The Florida Department of Health reported 5,447 new cases in Sarasota County and 4,526 in Manatee County for the week of Jan. 14-20. This is a change from the previous two weeks, when both counties, each week, broke records for the number of cases reported by the Department of Health. The department releases weekly case numbers each Friday for the previous seven days. The numbers were 6,089 for Sarasota County and 5,423 for Manatee the week of Jan. 7-13. This means that the weekly total fell by 10.5% in Sarasota County and by 16.5% in Manatee the week of Jan. 14-20, compared to the previous week. "We continue to see high rates of viral transmission locally, but are encouraged that the numbers in the latest COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report declined slightly," said Chuck Henry, the health officer for the Florida Department of Health's Sarasota County office, via a spokesman. The latest: Sarasota public schools end individual student contact-tracing for COVID-19 Related: COVID cases fall as Florida ranks 37 (from No. 11) on list where coronavirus spreads fastest Henry said the county is continuing to see some of the highest rates of COVID-19 transmission of the pandemic. Sarasota Countys positivity rate was 24.9% and Manatees was 26.2% for the week ending last Thursday. COVID-19 deaths Florida does not directly publish county-level death data. But the state as a whole reported 605 additional COVID deaths the week of Jan. 14-20. Deaths can take weeks to be processed and make their way into state statistics. The states COVID death toll is rising slower than it did during last summers delta surge, The Palm Beach Post reported. Story continues COVID cases across the state Florida is seeing cases decrease. The state reported 282,520 new cases in the week ending Sunday, a 30.9% drop from the previous week's tally of 408,841, according to a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data. Florida ranked 37th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, the analysis showed. Holiday weekends, such as the Martin Luther King holiday, can often affect case reporting. In the latest week coronavirus cases in the United States decreased 14.9% from the week before, with 4,770,122 cases reported. With 6.45% of the country's population, Florida had 5.92% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 27 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before. Within Florida, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Taylor County with 2,276 cases per 100,000 per week; Madison County with 2,233; and Jackson County with 2,146. The Centers for Disease Control says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week. Recently: Feud between Trump and DeSantis highlights hardening GOP views on COVID-19, vaccines Adding the most new cases overall were Miami-Dade County, with 46,959 cases; Broward County, with 23,063 cases; and Orange County, with 18,738. Weekly case counts rose in 19 counties from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Jackson, Santa Rosa, and Baker counties. A total of 5,324,438 people in Florida have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 63,763 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 70,700,678 people have tested positive and 866,540 people have died. Hospitalizations at Sarasota Memorial Sarasota Memorial Hospital reported on Monday that it was treating 221 COVID inpatients, which is up from 215 on Sunday and 186 last Monday. The health system treats COVID patients both at its campus in Sarasota and at its campus in Venice. "We hope to see the number of hospitalizations begin to level off this week and begin declining by the end of this month or first week in February," Sarasota Memorial spokeswoman Kim Savage said in an email. In November, the health system opened a new hospital in Venice and a new cancer tower in Sarasota. These new facilities have "greatly increased" Sarasota Memorial's capacity to care for patients with and without COVID, Savage said. In past coronavirus surges, the health system had to scale back non-emergency or elective procedures to preserve space in its ICU. Not as many COVID patients are being admitted to the ICU during the omicron wave, though. "That said, because we are a major referral center, it is not unusual for our ICUs to remain at or near 100% capacity," Savage said on Monday. "Approximately 70% of patients in our ICU today do not have COVID they are recovering from surgery or other illnesses or injuries." Twenty-six COVID patients were in the ICU at Sarasota Memorial on Monday, the same number reported last Monday. Sarasota Memorial Hospital Sarasota Memorials most recent positivity rate is 21.7%, which is down from the number reported last Monday: 25.3%. USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Jan. 23. The numbers show that there were 14,873 likely COVID patients admitted in the state, down from 16,789 the week before, but up from 4,930 four weeks ago. Hospitals in 25 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 22 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 30 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. Anne Snabes covers city and county government for the Herald-Tribune. You can contact her at asnabes@gannett.com or (941) 228-3321 and follow her on Twitter at @a_snabes. This report includes material from USA TODAY NETWORK reporter Mike Stucka. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Omicron wave Sarasota County: weekly case count decreases by 10.5% Jan. 24A turkey hunter from Leeds faces three charges, including two felonies, stemming from a shooting last fall that injured a woman. Timothy H. Jacobs, 61, was indicted by the Androscoggin County grand jury earlier this month for aggravated assault with a firearm and reckless conduct with a firearm, according to the clerk's office at Androscoggin County Superior Court. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of assault while hunting. Jacobs waived his arraignment and pleaded not guilty. His next court date is June 21. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said authorities received a 911 call from Jacobs on Sept. 27, 2021. He was hunting near the end of Walton's Way in Leeds. Jacobs provided aid to the injured woman until emergency personnel arrived, DIF&W officials said. She was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston and was reported in stable condition. If convicted, Jacobs faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 for the Class B charge of aggravated assault, and up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 on the Class C reckless conduct charge. He also would be prohibited from possessing a firearm. Assault while hunting is a Class D crime punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. Jacobs' lawyer, James Howaniec, is working a case in Alaska and said he is not prepared to comment on the Jacobs case at this time. Attempts to reach assistant district attorney for Androscoggin County Neil McLean were unsuccessful. The hunting-related shooting was the first in Maine since the October 2017 killing in Hebron of Karen Wrentzel by deer hunter Robert Trundy. Trundy, of Hebron, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2019 and was sentenced to seven years in prison with all but nine months suspended. He fatally shot the 34-year-old Wrentzel as she was digging for rocks on her property. Two weeks after they spent a freezing night sleeping behind a strip mall in the Bayville section of Berkeley, Dustin Maggard and his dog, Surfer Baby, have come a long way. Literally. The duo, whose plight sparked an outpouring of generosity from locals and Asbury Park Press readers, relocated to Tennessee and moved in with friends there. In a phone interview Monday, he said hes lining up job interviews. It was amazing. It was a miracle, Maggard said. I never expected so much support. It made a tough situation a lot easier. Maggards situation also shed light on the larger issue of homelessness at the Jersey Shore, and thats particularly timely during the current cold snap and ahead of this week's point-in-time count, a crucial annual census of the homeless that helps determine government funding for social-net programs. How did it work out? Revisiting the Toms River family who took in six homeless siblings 'So much support' The 42-year-old Maggard, who came to Berkeley from Florida in the summer of 2020 to be reunited with his teenage son and the boys mother, was expelled from their home Jan. 8 due to a domestic dispute. Maggard said Berkeley police tried to find him a place to spend the night, but none of the shelters they called would accommodate his dog. Rather than part ways with 8-year-old Surfer Baby, who had helped Maggard recover from a deep depression after his fiancee was killed in a car crash, he slept next to a dumpster. The next morning, Beachwood resident Susan McGrath spotted them sitting in the rain outside the Bayville McDonalds, bought them breakfast, learned their story and posted about it on Facebook. After the Asbury Park Press reported on her generosity, McGrath was flooded with 200 emails and raised $3,000 for Maggard and his dog. Susan McGrath (right) with Dustin Maggard and Surfer Baby Homelessness: After 18 years in Toms River woods, homeless veteran finds a home Theres good people out there; people are still reaching out, McGrath said. We raised enough money for him, and I told people to donate to either a homeless shelter or a dog shelter. Story continues After Maggard and Surfer Baby stayed in a motel for a week, McGrath rented a car for them, and they drove to Tennessee to start anew. McGrath said Maggard insisted on paying her back for the car from the donated funds. Maggard currently has COVID he said the symptoms are mild and said he's lined up job a handful of interviews with local warehouses and stores. He said the publics kindness made a huge difference. In that situation it is very easy to allow yourself to get angry, which will just spiral everything downward, he said. There was so much support, I havent had a bit of anger. McGrath said the episode was eye-opening to the challenges faced by people who have fallen on hard times. If you dont have housing, its hard to get a job, she said. And if you dont have a job, its hard to get housing. You can help: Jersey Shore homeless numbers rise during COVID-19 Dustin Maggard recently found himself without a place to call home. When a Beachwood woman crossed paths with him and his dog, she rallied the community to help The bigger picture Versions of Maggards hardship are playing out across Ocean County and elsewhere, but not everyone is so fortunate to have the community unite behind them. Paul Hulse of the nonprofit Just Believe Inc., which helps those in Ocean County who are homeless or facing homelessness, said Toms Rivers Code Blue shelter has been near capacity for the past few weeks. The Code Blue initiative is a chain of overnight warming shelters that open when the temperature dips below a certain mark (the temperature varies depending on the municipality). Though endorsed by the government and aided by police, the shelters are powered by volunteers and goodwill organizations. Homelessness: Could Ocean County finally get a homeless shelter? Jackson site eyed U.S. Rep. Andy Kim meets with Bill Southrey (l) and Paul Hulse (r) of Haven Beat the Street at Riverwood Park Code Blue facility in Toms River. Just Believe runs the site at the Riverwood Park recreation building in Toms River. Hulse said Code Blue has been triggered for four straight weeks, a record, and Riverwood is taking in 23 to 25 people per night, which is close to the 30-guest limit. Local restaurants donate dinners, but Hulse said there are other needs. We can definitely use some more Wawa gift cards, snacks, soda and water, he said. Right now were open seven days a week and feeding about 30 people a night, including volunteers who stay as overnight staff. Hulse, who learned about Maggard and Surfer Baby after the fact, said he welcomes guests with pets people have come in with their dogs and cats in the past as long as the animals are comfortable around people. If it doesnt make sense to them to stay with us, well get them put up in a hotel, he said. The Riverwood Park Code Blue site was one of several area locations used for the point-in-time count. For the count, homeless service providers interview people who stayed in shelters, transitional housing programs, hotels paid for by agencies and the woods as many as can be located. The data collected helps influence social service policy and, this year, will shed light on how COVID-19 is impacting New Jersey residents experiencing homelessness. The count continues Wednesday at Lakewood's town square (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Thursday at New Life Christian Center in Lakewood (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). The 2021 statewide Point-in-Time count found 8,097 homeless men, women and children, in 6,210 households, across the state. Contributions to the Toms River Code Blue warming center cam be made through Just Believe Inc. at www.justbelieveinc.org. Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shores interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean County homeless man moves in with friends, and keeps his dog My boys were taught that the police officers who protect and serve our communities are to be respected and trusted. That trust was destroyed on Jan. 8, 2018, when they were stopped at gunpoint, forced to lie on the ground, handcuffed and searched. On this cold, rainy night the boys had spent the evening with their grandparents and were walking the short distance back to my house. This walk home turned into a nightmare that still haunts them to this day because an inexperienced police officer in Springdale, Arkansas, overreacted to a dispatch report about some alleged gang members who had fled during a traffic stop earlier that evening. When officer Lamont Marzolf encountered my kids, who were just 12 and 14 at the time, he could have acted in a professional manner, asked them some questions, and it would have been readily apparent (1) they didnt come close to matching the description of the suspects, and (2) they were just young kids walking back to their moms house after spending time with their grandparents. Could happen to anyone: My brother wanted to go to the bathroom. Police killed him instead. In a just and reasonable world, this conversation between my children and officer Marzolf would have resolved the situation and everyone could have gone on with their lives. Instead, he jumped out of his patrol car, drew his weapon, pointed it at my children and escalated the situation beyond all bounds of decency. Casondra "Cassi" Pollreis and her sons, Haden Young and Weston Young, show dashboard camera footage from Jan. 8, 2018, the night the boys, who were 12 and 14 at the time, were held at gunpoint and searched by a police officer outside their home in Springdale, Ark. Within a minute of this event, as is clear in dashboard camera footage, I approached Marzolf, told him I am their mother and let him know they were just walking home. His response was to yell at me, point a Taser at me and order me to "get back." Their stepfather also came and identified the boys. He was ignored. Three minutes after that, their grandparents approached the scene, identified my sons and said they had just left their house. Despite every conceivable fact pointing to the conclusion that Marzolf had the wrong people, my kids had a weapon pointed at them, were forced to the ground, handcuffed and searched and had their trust in law enforcement betrayed. Story continues We turned to the courts for justice After this horrific event, I filed a lawsuit in federal court against Marzolf to vindicate the rights of my kids, to let them know what happened wasnt right, and to try and ensure this sort of traumatic event doesnt happen to anyone elses children. After the lawsuit began, Marzolf filed a motion for summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity. This subject was unfamiliar to me. In essence, qualified immunity means officers are shielded from civil liability for their actions unless their conduct was egregious and violated a clearly established constitutional right. If the story I outlined above isnt egregious or a violation of our Fourth Amendment rights, Im just not sure what would ever rise to that level. The court denied Marzolf's motion, but he appealed the qualified immunity issue to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed the lower court's decision and, in essence, shielded Marzolf from liability for his actions. It's worth noting the 8th Circuits decision said my sons "acted bravely, respectfully, and responsibly throughout the encounter, and their family would rightly be proud of them. Likewise, their family acted responsibly and respectfully during what would have undoubtedly been a frightening experience." Regardless of these kind words, the event happened, the boys were traumatized and the system in essence told them, Sorry, guys, sometimes bad stuff just happens and nobody is held accountable. I dont accept that answer, I dont believe thats what my kids deserve and, most important of all, I want my kids to live in a world where people with guns and power are held to the same standards as the rest of society. So we partnered with the Institute for Justice and asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review our case. The court denied our petition Monday but our fight is not over. Casondra "Cassi" Pollreis and her sons, Weston Young and Haden Young, at home in Springdale, Ark. We are also fighting qualified immunity on my separate claim involving the officer threatening me with a Taser while at the same time pointing a gun at my boys. He drew a dangerous weapon at me all because I was trying to explain to him that the boys he's got under the gun were my two sons walking home from dinner. He did it even though I was not a suspect in any crime and nothing that I did put him in any danger. To deescalate the situation, I had to leave my kids alone with the officer. That feeling of hopelessness haunts me to this day. Regardless of the outcome of this 8th Circuit appeal, my boys and I have gotten some solace from the fact we are fighting to do whats right and will continue to do so until justice is served. Cassi Pollreis is a mother of two boys and advocate for police accountability. This column is part of a series by the USA TODAY Opinion team examining the issue of qualified immunity. The project is made possible in part by a grant from Stand Together. Stand Together does not provide editorial input. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: My sons were mistaken for gang members, searched at gunpoint by police Photo credit: ROSS FERGUSON - ITV Trigger Point has already become a classic example of quiet, heart-stopping drama so we weren't surprised to learn that the cast did everything they could to keep things as authentic as possible. No matter how physically demanding it may have been. Following Trigger Point's premiere on Sunday (January 23), Vicky McClure who plays explosives officer Lana Washington has revealed which aspect of the show was the toughest to shoot. Speaking to Digital Spy and other media, Vicky confirmed that she had decided to wear a suit worn by real-life EXPOs, calling it the "real deal". Photo credit: ROSS FERGUSON - ITV Related: Line of Duty boss explains why Trigger Point won't drop all at once on ITV Hub Unsurprisingly, the experience of wearing such a heavily-protected suit wasn't exactly a walk in the park. "I wasn't being a hero by any stretch they shout 'Cut!' and I took it off but I wanted to do it, because it just felt right," she explained. "It just makes everything that bit more authentic." Revealing that the "incredible piece of kit" also featured in-built air-conditioning, Vicky said that wearing the outfit was "surreal", especially during a heatwave. "It was surreal trying to move in that, and the helmet is absolutely huge. It weighed about the same that I do," she said. Photo credit: Matt Frost - ITV Related: Trigger Point's Vicky McClure and Adrian Lester say they could be killed off at any time "Wearing those kits all day, every day... It was no big deal, but I certainly wanted to do it for real." Written by Daniel Brierley and produced by Line of Duty mastermind Jed Mercurio, the six-part Trigger Point follows Lana Washington and her partner Joel Nutkins, played by Adrian Lester. Promising a twisty run, Adrian Lester recently teased: "I think one of the fun things is that people don't know what's going to happen next. Daniel's script keeps the audience on their toes, drip feeds the information as all good thrillers should, and stays one step ahead of them." Story continues Trigger Point continues Sunday (January 30) at 9pm on ITV. You Might Also Like A still of Tucker Carlson talking about the US, Russia, and Ukraine. Fox News Carlson questioned why the US wouldn't side with Russia as it appears ready to invade Ukraine. "Why is it disloyal to side with Russia but loyal to side with Ukraine?" the Fox News host asked. Russia is building up troops on Ukraine's border. Governments warn of an imminent invasion. The Fox News host Tucker Carlson again questioned why the US would side with Ukraine as Russia appears poised to invade the country. "Why is it disloyal to side with Russia but loyal to side with Ukraine?" Carlson asked on Monday night. "They're both foreign countries that don't care anything about the United States. Kind of strange." He said Ukraine was "strategically irrelevant to the United States. No rational person could defend a war with Russia over Ukraine. Nobody thinks a war like that would make America safer or stronger or more prosperous." Watch him speak here: Carlson said the US needed to focus on its own economy instead, and that China benefited from the US having a conflict with Russia. "The Chinese government is the only certain winner here," Carlson said. The US, Ukraine, and other Western governments say Russia appears poised to invade Ukraine, and Ukraine says Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops along the border. Russia has repeatedly denied plans to invade. Carlson appeared to be directly comparing Russia to Ukraine despite their different political systems Russia is an authoritarian regime while Ukraine is a democracy. Carlson has previously sided with Russia over Ukraine, saying in December that Putin was justified in building up troops along the border. The Pentagon says it has 8,500 US troops on "heightened alert" over the Ukraine-Russia tensions. Russia seized Ukrainian territory by force in 2014, annexing the Crimean peninsula, and calls the citizens of Russia and Ukraine "one people." Russia also supports rebels in a war against Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas region. More than 13,000 people have died in that fighting. Read the original article on Business Insider Volodymyr Zelensky JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov spoke to Ukrainians Tuesday in an attempt to reassure the country's citizens that a Russian invasion was neither imminent nor inevitable, The Associated Press reported. "Don't worry, sleep well," Reznikov said in a speech to Ukraine's parliament. "No need to have your bags packed." He also said that "as of today, there are no grounds to believe" Russia would invade in the immediate future. Zelensky, in a televised address to the nation, said, "We are strong enough to keep everything under control and derail any attempts at destabilization." Earlier this month, Ukraine blamed Russia for a cyberattack that infected dozens of Ukraine's government and private computer networks Zekensky added that decisions by other countries to evacuate citizens, diplomats, and diplomats' dependents from Ukraine "doesn't necessarily signal an inevitable escalation and is part of a complex diplomatic game." The U.S., Britain, Australia, Germany and Canada have all evacuated some of their nationals, per AP. President Biden said in a press conference Wednesday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin "will move" against Ukraine, but that he's unsure whether Putin will order a full-scale invasion or a "minor incursion." Biden also said he didn't think Putin had "made up his mind yet," a position Biden reiterated Tuesday when he compared discerning Putin's intentions to "reading tea leaves," an ABC affiliate reported. You may also like Senate candidate J.D. Vance defends caustic jokes because 'our country's kind of a joke' Russian threat complicates Olympics for Ukrainian athletes Florida advances DeSantis-backed ban on making white people feel 'discomfort' or 'guilt' from past racism A view from the gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives. PROVIDENCE The behind-the-scenes jockeying among potential candidates for U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin's soon-to-be open congressional seat went into high gear over the weekend. By Sunday night, three of Dan McKee's announced challengers in the governor's race had issued statements saying they were not changing their minds and running for Congress instead, although state Treasurer Seth Magaziner left the door open by adding: "at this time." Before that happened, Democratic Party sources told The Journal: Magaziner, the fundraising leader in the race for governor, had reportedly made a round of calls to his backers saying he was indeed switching gears and running for Congress. (Magaziner has not denied the report.) Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and her team reportedly made a full-out effort to recruit Magaziner's backers to her campaign for governor. (Gorbea spokswoman Dana Walton confirms: "As rumors built up and we received persistent reports of the possibility of him leaving the governor's race, she called a few people to ask for their support should he make the jump to Congress.") And former CVS executive Helena Buonano Foulkes whose family has a long-standing relationship with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi resisted calls from top-ranked party leaders to run for Congress instead of governor. (Foulkes has not denied the report.) The good, the bad, the memorable: An exit interview with US Rep. Jim Langevin In the middle of all this frantic activity, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi reportedly got a call from the White House urging him to reconsider his own announced decision to forgo a run for Langevin's Second Congressional District seat. No dice, according to others familiar with the situation. By Monday, the list of high-profile potential Democratic candidates was in flux, with the state's departing health director, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, being mentioned by The Public's Radio as a possible contender. Story continues She has not personally confirmed the report, but issued this statement: "Im currently weighing a number of different options for after I step away from the department that would allow me to continue working to give all people and all communities an equal opportunity to be healthy and thrive. And that's how Monday began, in a swirl of rumors about who's in and who's out. What do we know? Which Republicans are running for Rhode Island's House seat Robert Lancia On the Republican side, former Rep. Robert Lancia, who captured 41.5% of the vote when he ran against Langevin in 2020, is running again. State Sen. Jessica de la Cruz, who lives in North Smithfield, just outside the Second Congressional District, confirmed Sunday night: "I'm running for CD2." Jessica de la Cruz A big unknown: whether Cranston's former Republican Mayor Allan Fung, who carried the second district in his first run for governor against Gina Raimondo in 2014 and came close in 2018, will run for the open seat. His wins included Cranston, wi the second-largest pool of voters in the district, which lies west of the Bay and includes part of Providence, all of South County and Kent County, and includes eight towns that went for Donald Trump in the last presidential election: Burrillville, Coventry, Johnston, Scituate, Glocester, Hopkinton, Exeter and Foster. "I am taking a look at the entire chessboard and will take some time to thoughtfully think about this race,'' Fung told The Journal last week. Which Democrats are running for Representitive Jim Langevin's seat? On the Democratic side, Omar Bah, founder and CEO of the Refugee Dream Center, on Saturday became the first candidate to declare for the race. Omar Bah The main reason is I want to bring in a diverse identity in politics, said Bah a former African newspaper journalist who came to Rhode Island as a refugee, founded a local organization that helps refugees and later became a psychologist. He was joined on Monday by former state Democratic Party chairman and state Rep. Edwin Pacheco. Edwin Pacheco This is a pivotal moment in our countrys history," Pacheco wrote in a news release. "Every day it feels as though we are being pulled further apart and the very fabric of our democracy is under attack." Who says they're not running The list of top-tier candidates who say they are not running for the seat includes Shekarchi, Magaziner, Gorbea, Foulkes, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and former State Police Supt. Brendan Doherty, who ran for Congress once as a Republican. On Sunday night, Foulkes issued this statement: Over the past few days, Ive been overwhelmed by the number of phone calls Ive received from Democrats across Rhode Island asking me to consider a run for Congress. Shekarchi: 'No intention' to run for Langevin's Congressional seat "I share their commitment to electing a strong Democratic candidate to serve our second congressional district and will do everything in my power to make that happen, but I will not be running for Congress myself. "Im running for governor because I believe my executive and leadership experience will allow me to get things done for Rhode Islanders. That is the role where I can make the most impact to improve peoples lives and unlock our states amazing potential." Gorbea posted on Twitter: "I remain committed to ... partnering with our federal delegation as the state's next governor." Magaziner left the door ajar with this statement: "Im flattered by the many people who have encouraged me to consider running for Congress and I share their concern that Democrats need a strong candidate to hold the seat. "While I feel I owe it to those who have reached out to consider the possibility, I also believe strongly in our campaign to bring strong economic leadership to the governor's office and remain in the race for governor at this time." Who's thinking about running, but undecided That leaves a lot of maybe candidates, including a number of past and present legislators. That list includes Representatives Carol Hagan McEntee, Robert Craven, Joseph Solomon Jr., Thomas Noret and Teresa Tanzi on the House side; and Senators Joshua Miller and Sam Bell and former Sen. James Sheehan. Tanzi on Monday told The Journal she is "still considering it." Solomon Monday said Langevin's stepping down presented a "once in a lifetime opportunity" that he is "seriously thinking about." Providence City Council President John Igliozzi is "weighing options," an aide said Monday. Over the weekend, Joy Fox, who worked for both Langevin and former Gov. Gina Raimondo and is now running the Clarendon Group confirmed that she, too, is considering a run. And she's not the only former Raimondo staffer in the mix. Gabe Amo, who now works in the White House, is being mentioned as a possible candidate by people with ties to Raimondo and the state congressional delegation. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: U.S Rep. Langevin isn't running again. Here's who may take his seat Yakima Police investigate after a pursuit and shooting Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at Martin Luther King Boulevard and North Fifth Avenue in Yakima, Wash. Step inside a B-29 bomber The Museum of Flight has 360-degree pictures of cockpit, gunner's station and tail gunner's position on T-Square 54. To see the interactive photos, go to https://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/boeing-b-29-superfortress. Submit An Obituary Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form I intended this column to focus on Elizabeth Economys important new book, The World According to China, which describes Xi Jinpings vision for Chinas future dominance in the world. This book is important because it illuminates the ways in which Xis China aims to shape a radically transformed international order by force and by other means. But I have to take a short detour to comment on President Joe Bidens disturbing slip of the tongue on Wednesday when speaking about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine because what happens between Moscow and Kyiv is bound to affect Xi Jinpings future moves. Biden appeared to give a green light to Russia to attack Ukraine so long as it wasnt a full-scale invasion, saying that if it was a minor incursion, the allies might disagree over how to respond. The White House later tried to walk back his comments, saying any invasion would be met with a swift, united allied response. Yet it is highly unlikely that Vladimir Putin would mount a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, since he wants to avoid heavy Russian casualties. Far more likely is a short, sharp strike to degrade Ukraines military followed by a swift Russian withdrawal. Or even a massive cyber and offshore missile attack on military targets with no invasion. The goal would be to show that a disunited West cant or wont prevent Ukraine from being forced back into the Russian orbit. Yet, as Economy writes, this is exactly Xis modus operandi, an effort to establish a dominant Chinese sphere of influence across Asia, while undermining U.S. alliances in the region. A Putin success in coercing Ukraine will reverberate in Beijing. Indeed, Beijing has accelerated its efforts to seize what it claims are its sovereign lands. Many Americans are familiar with Beijings designs on democratic Taiwan. But fewer Americans are aware of Chinas designs on islands claimed by Japan, undersea gas and oil claimed by Indonesia, territorial waters claimed by five countries bordering the South China Sea, and land border territories in India and Bhutan. China has nibbled bit by bit to restore its sovereignty to these territories, taking land and seizing South China Sea atolls that it turns into military bases without any serious pushback from Washington or its Asian allies. Beijing has shown utter disregard for international legal judgments not in its favor. So if Putin can smash Ukraine via cyberattacks and missiles without a fierce united NATO response, why shouldnt Xi imagine he can soon do the same to Taiwan? China seeks to become the supreme power in East and Southeast Asia, writes Economy. Xi also aims to expand Chinas sphere of influence far beyond Asia by using economic power to induce and coerce compliance with his vision. In Xis vision, she adds, in Foreign Affairs magazine, a unified China would be on par with or would surpass the United States, become the preeminent power in East and South China, control the East and South China Seas, and send the United States retreating back across the Pacific. Note: That vision is unlikely to happen anytime soon, but it cant be discounted. But what is even more scary is Xis use of Chinas massive economic heft and technological advances for coercion. Xi ably uses Chinas economic power to induce compliance with his vision, Economy writes. In Xis Belt and Road initiative (known as BRI), China has spread its influence through Africa, South America, Central Asia, and, yes, Europe through massive infrastructure projects. These range from ports to railways and bases, to fiber-optic cables, e-payment systems, and satellites. Yes, as Economy notes, many developing countries complain about corrupt Chinese behavior and have trouble paying back their debts to Beijing. But many security experts believe China will ultimately convert delinquent loans for ports into taking ownership of potential military bases in strategic areas across the globe. Moreover, Beijing has massive investments in ports and other infrastructure around the Mediterranean (including a majority stake in Piraeus port in Greece), which gives it political leverage when the European Union considers penalties for Chinese aggression. Case in point: China has exerted severe economic pressure on Lithuania because it opened a Taiwan office (not an embassy) in Vilnius, even warning large multinational companies not to invest in Lithuania lest they also be punished. The European Union has still not fully backed up Lithuania against Chinese blackmail. If you read only one chapter in Economys book, read From Bricks to Bits. When it comes to technology, China is in hot competition to build the worlds new technological backbone. And China is trying hard to promote new rules in multilateral institutions for global internet and satellites that endorse its approach of state controls of information flows. If Xis dreams come true, Economy writes, the system of U.S. alliances that have underpinned the international system for more than 70 years would be dissolved in favor of a proposed Chinese framework that favored state controls and repression over individual freedoms, including rules for the global internet, cyber, and safety in space. None of this is preordained. But so much depends on whether Americans can grasp how our disunity encourages adversaries abroad. As The World According to China makes clear, Xi Jinping is eagerly capitalizing on Americas disarray. Greensboro, NC (27407) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Peter Marki-Zay, the political oppositions candidate for prime minister, thinks that Fidesz will make an attempt to persuade opposition candidates to withdraw their candidacies, the politician said in an interview with Szeretlek Magyarorszag. But he indicated that even more unsavory tactics by Hungarys governing party may be afoot: We are even spiritually prepared for the possibility of opposition politicians being taken away in chains as soon as the nominee lists are finalized. - the opposition leader told the website. Asked whether, for example, Szombathely politician Csaba Czegledy could find himself in such a situation, Marki-Zay said that exactly someone like him could be the target of such an attack. As he pointed out: You can see that Fidesz has always made very noteworthy arrests before elections are held. We expect that they will employ similar tools this time as well. Asked if there was anything he would have done differently in the past three months since the primary election was held, Marki-Zay said most likely yes. Perhaps an agreement with the [other opposition] parties could have been made sooner, but I didnt realize how important it was for them, for example, to divide up the spots on the joint party list. - stated the opposition leader. The politician also talked about reaching as many settlements as possible, which requires a large number of activists. He expressed optimism on this point: Fortunately, were in good shape, as 17,000 of the required 22,000 people have already applied to serve as ballot counters, and a significant portion of them are willing to spend at least one day a week during the campaign to hand out flyers, put up posters, and talk [with voters]. Marki-Zay was also asked about his relationship with the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party, but he said he had never campaigned against them. As he explained his thinking: Based on simple mathematics, I wanted them to be part of the opposition, as it may be their voters who determine whether well be able to call Viktor Orban or Peter Marki-Zay prime minister after April 3. There is no third option. He was also asked how much time he would need to run in his local campaign as an individual candidate in the Hodmezovasarhely-based electoral district, considering the fact that more than a dozen mayors in the constituency had already spoken out against him. The Hodmezovasarhely mayor said that these were mayors who had been intimidated by Fidesz. He said that naturally he would be visiting these towns, and he plans to spend one day a week on his local campaign, three on the national one, and the rest of his time fulfiling his tasks as mayor. Multi-platinum recording artist Harry Styles will kick off his colossal 32-city tour in the U.K. in June, and will continue in July with rescheduled arena dates in Europe, as well as a new shows, before concluding in Latin America later this year. All existing tickets for rescheduled shows will remain valid, and further tickets are available again. Harry is equally renowned as an incredible live performer. His Love On Tour shows finally started in September 2021 in Las Vegas. Harry performed over 40 shows throughout the US winning praise from fans and critics alike. His shows are packed with his global hit singles including Sign of the Times, Lights Up, Adore You, Watermelon Sugar and Kiwi. Special guest: Wolf Alice. Since launching his solo career, he has gained prestigious accolades including, two BRIT awards, a Grammy award, an Ivor Novello Award an American Music Award and many others across the world. Doors open: 18:30 Source and ticket: Livenation.hu The Legislature applied the brakes Monday to a bill that would incrementally eliminate the state income tax on Social Security benefits amid arguments that senators need to gain a clearer picture of developing revenue and budget factors before they begin reducing the state's revenue stream. Most senators who spoke in support of slowing down the process said they eventually would vote in favor of the bill (LB825), authored by Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, which would phase out the state tax on Social Security income by 2025. That would result in an estimated $73 million loss of annual state revenue by 2027. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha offered a motion to return the bill to the Revenue Committee and Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha argued for delay until the Legislature has a better picture of state government's overall budget and appropriations picture. No action was taken prior to adjournment for the day. Appropriations Chairman John Stinner of Gering said "I want to make an informed decision" after balancing revenue forecasts with appropriations needs and economic conditions. "We're going to have to pick and choose," he said. Sen. John McCollister of Omaha said he believes it would be wise to hold the bill at second-stage floor consideration while gathering a better understanding of all the economic and fiscal factors in play. "I don't want to imperil future years," he said. "I support this bill," Wayne said. "I want to make sure we have enough money to pay for everything." "It's not time yet for us to be debating big spending and revenue bills," Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said. The current fiscal picture is distorted by a huge influx of federal pandemic recovery funds, several senators noted. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee, said the Legislature already knows that the state is collecting $400 million more in revenue than the amount budgeted and has secured a $1 billion rainy day fund that builds in a solid cash reserve. It's time, she said, to "give back to the people." Lindstrom, a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, said the bill represents the culmination of eight years of efforts to phase out the tax on Social Security income. "It's something I came in fighting for," he said, with a goal of making sure retirees would want to stay in Nebraska. The lesson for him, he said, has been "never give up." Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon In Karnataka's Tumkur, a video showing a Mahindra salesperson insulting a farmer went viral. Upon entering the Mahindra showroom, the farmer attempted to inquire about the Mahindra Bolero pickup truck, but was insulted by the salesman. In response, the farmer challenged the salesperson, saying that if he gets Rs 10 lakh immediately, then the car should be his right away. According to the farmer, the salesman was rude to him when he asked about buying a Mahindra Bolero pickup. The salesman probably made some assumptions about the farmer based on his appearance and clothes. He made fun of the farmer by telling him there are no vehicles for Rs 10 lakh on the lot and the salesman also added that he had never seen anyone like him before in the showroom. The farmer's messy appearance was likely what he meant. This clearly indicates that the salesperson was judging the farmer on the basis of his looks. Read also: Honda launches 2022 CBR650R in India at Rs 9.35 Lakh; available via BigWing showrooms In response to the salesman, the farmer asked how long it would take them to receive the product if they received Rs 10 lakh. The salesman told the farmer that the car would be delivered in less than half an hour if he could not produce Rs 10 lakh. An amount of Rs 10 lakh could be arranged in a short period of time by the farmer was unthinkable to the salesman. Mahindra Car showroom salesman taunted a farmer aftr seeing his attire when he visited showroom to buy Bolero Pik-up. Farmer Kempegowda alleged field officer of showroom made fun of farmer & his attire, told him tat car is not worth 10 rupees for him to buy. @anandmahindra pic.twitter.com/9fXbc5naY7 Sagay Raj P || (@sagayrajp) January 23, 2022 After collecting Rs 10 lakh, the farmer returned to the showroom about 30 minutes to an hour later. Once the money was collected, the farmer demanded the pick-up be delivered immediately. The salesman in shock, however, explained that the delivery could not be made immediately since the process takes four days. A police report was later filed by the farmer for rude behaviour and misbehaviour. After the police intervened, the matter was settled amicably before it escalated further. An apology was provided by the salesman and the other staff members of the dealership. A lot of negative comments about the salesman appeared on social media. There has been no official response from Mahindra yet. Live TV #mute As per an official order, Air India has decided to check grooming and body mass index (BMI) of cabin crew members just before they board their respective flights. On January 24, the carrier's two unions - Air India Employees' Union (AIEU) and All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) wrote a letter to Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Vikram Dev Dutt opposing the order on the grounds that it is dehumanising and in violation of rules prescribed by aviation regulator DGCA. "BMI is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in metres. A high BMI can indicate high body fatness," stated the website of US' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The order dated January 20, 2022, has come days before Air India's hand over to the Tata group, which acquired the carrier in a competitive bidding process last year. Cabin crew, who are well dressed and well groomed according to uniform standards and regulations, present a positive and professional image of the airline, the order stated. "It is therefore emphasized that, all cabin crew adhere to uniform regulations communicated by the circular dated November 18, 2019," the order noted. Read also: Dependency on technology to increase as travellers plan their future travels: Report The January 20 order was sent by Vasudha Chandana, Executive Director - In-flight Services, Air India, to all cabin crew members in the carrier. "Grooming associates have been assigned the task of recording observations on the BMI management/grooming/uniform turnout of cabin crew when they report for a flight or standby duty at CCMCO (Cabin Crew Movement Control Office)," she noted. These observations must be compiled and sent to her office, she stated. Each cabin crew shall be observed or assessed once on quarterly basis, she noted. However, it will be the responsibility of the cabin supervisor of the flight to ensure that her or his set of crew are well turned out and follow complete uniform regulations, she mentioned. All cabin supervisors must lead by example and ensure compliance by cabin crew at all times, she stated. Any non-compliance by a crew member must be noted in the report of the cabin supervisor, she noted. In a letter to the CMD, the aforementioned two unions said that as per DGCA's rules, the BMI checks can be done only by medical practitioners. The unions said that such BMI checks at airports by non-medical grooming associates violates not only DGCA rules but also "settled service conditions and court orders." "We must stipulate that we are not objecting to BMI checks, which crew have undergone for more than 15 years now, however, the same must be conducted by medical doctors, in the privacy of the Air India clinic, as has been the case until now," the unions noted. This process of weighing scale checks at airports "dehumanizes and denigrates" Air India's cabin crew, apart from violating working conditions, they stated. With inputs from PTI Live TV #mute Booking.com in its recently released Travel Predictions 2022 Research predicted how travel will continue to be redefined in 2022. The report also emphasizes how the dependency on technology will increase as travelers plan their future travels. Having leaned on technology in a variety of ways to stay connected and inspired over the past year and a half, our favorite apps will continue to help us navigate the unknown on our trips. Having said that, as per the research, about 76 percent of Indian travellers agree that technology helps alleviate the anxiety around travelling. It says technology will play a key role in supporting spontaneity with the flexibility to adapt plans and follow where the adventure leads. The report states that 72 percent of Indian travellers are looking to the latest travel technology innovations to offer a `wildcard` or surprise option of a completely new travel experience that`s suggested based on their past preferences or budget to help them seize every new potential opportunity. Read also: Air India likely to be handed over to Tata Group by weekend: Senior govt officials From AI-powered instant translation services that make it easier for travellers to negotiate last-minute changes of the plan directly with accommodation hosts and rental car providers who don't speak the same language to machine learning models that automatically inform the host about the change in plan. Because of this, it is expected to see even wider adoption of predictive technologies which can help travellers make more informed decisions, especially considering that 79 percent of Indian travellers would be interested in an innovative service that could predict which countries will be safe to travel to, even months in advance, or automatically suggest destinations which are easy to travel to now based on their country`s and the destination`s current Covid requirements (77 percent). Ritu Mehrotra, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com said, "Travel has been in a state of flux in the past year and the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift in traveller attitude and behaviour. Read also: Explained: What are reflective tapes and why Noida Police can fine Rs 10,000 on your vehicle? Entering into the new year, we are observing that technology continues to play an important role in bringing the travel community closer together, as people rely on first-hand experiences from other travellers to make informed decisions and gauge where and when it's right for them to travel again, Mehrotra said. As we emerge from the pandemic and the world settles into a new reality, no matter how accurate any machine learning predictions might be, for everyone to truly embrace our new unpredictable normal, the broader travel industry will continue to prioritize flexibility. And as always, we will be there for travellers - offering the widest choice, great value, and the easiest experience from anywhere and on any device - for travellers ease as and when it's safe to do so again." With inputs from IANS Image Source Live TV #mute Since the Election Commission has banned physical rallies in five poll-bound states due to a surge in the Covid-19 pandemic, the business of charter flight operators has been affected drastically. 10-15 percent of the 350-400 flight hours per month are election-related travel at this stage, the operators said. "Election travel has not really picked up. It had started to pick up initially, around mid-December, but then the EC announced the ban on rallies so that completely stopped most of the (election-related) travel," Rajan Mehra, CEO, Club One Air said. Election travel is very limited, added Mehra, former India head of Qatar Airways. Kanika Tekriwal, CEO and Founder, JetSetGo Aviation, said that as there is a ban on rallies due to Covid-19, the company has seen only 70 percent of inquiries for election-related travel this year as compared to last year. However, no inquiry has been actually converted into actual flights as of yet and their conversion is in process, she added. Read also: Republic Day 2022: A look at mighty helicopter fleet of Indian Air Force - Apache, Mi-17 and more "Since the ban on physical rallies has been extended, we don't see many flights happening for elections this time for rallies," Tekriwal noted. JetSetGo Aviation and Club One Air have a fleet of 18 and 10 aircraft, respectively, to operate charter flights. Announcing the dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur on January 8, the poll panel had announced a ban on physical rallies, roadshows bike rallies, and similar campaign events till January 15. On January 15, the commission extended the ban until January 22. However, it was later extended to January 31. While election-related travel is not picking up for charter companies, the overall scenario for business aviation (charter flight operations) has been very good, Mehra stated. Right after the first Covid-19 wave, safety has become an issue of paramount importance beyond luxury or anything else, he mentioned. "There has been a regularity of travel in private jets. So, before Covid-19, if we would on an average see around 150-200 flying hours per month, that has gone up to 350-400 flight hours per month," he stated. "It might pick up once the EC announces (removing the ban on) rallies but right now it is 10-15 percent for most operators," he mentioned. Last year, in the election season, approximately 30-40 percent of the travel was for election rallies, he stated. Tekriwal said JetSetGo Aviation used to achieve its "major numbers" from business travel before the pandemic. However, leisure travel brings the major share of business right now. "We have received a positive response from our customers towards our 'Fly Safe' commitment to maintaining the Covid-19 protocol standards and experiencing a sharp increase in leisure travel bookings which is continuing now also," she said. "Our business travel requests have started showing positive redemptions which are slowly getting back to usual," she noted. With inputs from PTI Live TV #mute Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) donned tricolour to celebrate the Republic Day 2022. The pillars designed with the peacock feather-theme can be seen glowing with the colours of the national flag. The beautification of the pillars has been done by projecting the lights resembling the tricolour. India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day and for the first time ever, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) will have its display tableau at the Republic Day parade, highlighting the growing focus on regional air connectivity under the RCS-UDAN scheme. On the other hand, Mumbai International Airport is the second busiest airport in India after Delhi's IGI airport and has been adjudged the best several times for its design and cleanliness. CSMIA handled 21 per cent more passengers at 19.8 million in 2021 compared to the previous year, led by domestic passenger volume, which accounted for 88 per cent of the overall traffic, the private airport GVK operator informed. Also read: A look at mighty helicopter fleet of Indian Air Force - Apache, Mi-17 and more "This was driven by the recovery in domestic air travel. The second half of 2021 saw a whopping 117 per cent jump in passenger volume at around 10.9 million passengers as against about 5-million passengers in H2CY2020," said. The airport handled 16.3 million passengers in CY 2020, as per the CSMIA. Of the 19.8 million passengers, the airport catered to approximately 17.4 million domestic passengers across 1,40,000 flights and over 2.43 million international passengers across 17,290 flights. "The domestic passenger traffic accounted for almost 88 per cent of the overall passenger movement from CSMIA.In terms of international load, the last three quarters of CY 2021 cumulatively witnessed around 1.9 million passengers, which is approximately 174 per cent growth 2020, where over 0.7 million passenger footfalls were registered," the airport operator stated. According to the airport operator, "Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru continued to retain the spot as the top three domestic destinations from Mumbai with the highest number of passengers in CY2021 during the middle eastern countries. Dubai, Doha, Sharjah were the top three international destinations with increased passenger traffic to and from CSMIA in the previous year compared to 2020, where Dubai, London-Heathrow and Newark were the top three international destinations." With inputs from PTI Live TV #mute New Delhi: As the nation gears up to celebrate the patriotic spirit of 73rd Republic Day on January 26, we thought of sharing some messages which will ignite the nationalist spirit in you and your loved ones. BEST WHATSAPP, FACEBOOK, TEXT MESSAGES ON REPUBLIC DAY: 1. On this Republic Day, let us take pride in being from the land of noble souls and freedom fighters who put their lives at stake to let this nation be free and flourishing. Jai Hind 2. A big salute to all the freedom fighters - known or lesser-known, popular and anonymous. For it was they who led the struggle and helped in a beautiful nation-building - India. 3. This Republic Day, let us pledge to keep our neighbourhood clean and tidy. This would, in turn, keep diseases at bay and make India prettier and healthier. Jai Hind 4. Republic day is not just about flaunting our patriotic zest or a one-day celebration. We shall understand the true meaning of Independence only if we acknowledge the selfless sacrifices of freedom fighters, the thankless services of our defence forces and the infinite contributions of our farmers. Ignite the undying spirit of nationalism within. Jai Hind. 5. We can contribute a lot towards nation-building by: - paying our taxes on time - taking care of the public property - taking an active part in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan - preserving national monuments and heritage sites - celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions of our country And last but not the least, respecting the law of the land. Jai Hind. Let us all unite and pledge to make our Motherland a beautiful nation that is home to diverse cultures, races and ethnicity. Respect all and shower gratitude. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Jai Hind! Here's wishing all countrymen, a very Happy Republic Day! New Delhi: Ahead of the Republic Day 2022 celebrations, Delhi Police has made high-tech security arrangements to prevent any terror incident. In order to keep a close watch on the people coming to watch the R-Day Parade, the Delhi Police has made a top-notch security arrangement in and around the majestic Rajpath. Delhi Police also said that a face recognition system has been installed to immediately identify any terror suspect or criminal. The system has a database of 50,000 suspected criminals. Delhi Police installed Facial Recognition Systems(FRS), CCTV cameras to strengthen security in view of #RepublicDay "We've installed FRS at 30 locations including 6 entry points for frisking. The FRS has a database of 50,000 suspected criminals," said a police official (24.01) pic.twitter.com/2LdpgupDJI ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2022 According to the police, 30 face recognition systems have been installed at six entry points and 16 bridges for the people coming to watch the parade. Whenever a suspected person enters from these places, a red light will appear on the system. Further, three control rooms are keeping a watch on the Rajpath through more than 500 CCTV cameras. Delhi Police has deployed about 30,000 personnel, including 65 companies of paramilitary forces, ahead of the Republic Day parade. 71 DCPs, 213 ACPs, 753 Inspectors of Delhi Police have been given the command of security of the parade. A counter-drone system has been installed to monitor the air space. In view of the terrorist threat, 26 parameters of anti-terror measures have been followed. In order to gather intelligence input, Delhi Police is continuously verifying all the hotels, guest houses, dharamshalas, tenants living in Delhi, servants working in the houses and labourers. Delhi Police is making security arrangements in coordination with the agencies involved in the Central Vista project without halting the work. To collect every small input, inter-state coordination is used to avert any terrorist activity. A unit of Delhi Police is especially keeping an eye on social media. People are also being made aware through social media. Live TV Bhavish Aggarwal, the Chief Executive Officer of Ola Electric, released an image of a concept car that is likely to enter into production sometime next year. Despite the lack of additional details, it may be a completed design and serve as a basis for the production-spec electric four-wheeler. S1 and S1 Pro scooters were the company's first offerings in the electric two-wheeler space. However, customers have also reported reliability issues and major setbacks in delivery. Tekne Private Ventures, Alpine Opportunity Fund, Edelweiss, among others, also invested in Ola as the company raised over 200 million USD. Approximately 5 billion USD is the startup's valuation based on the funding round. Bhavish Aggarwal had previously teased his followers by replying to a tweet and saying, Next car replacement should be the Ola electric car. Read also: Electric vehicles to fleet's age, Delhi becomes first state with cab aggregator policy In the meantime, the brand may require a new production line for cars at its existing factory in Tamil Nadu, which is reportedly the worlds biggest in electric two-wheeler production, is busy in fulfilling the S1 and S1pro orders. As a result, the launch date of 2023 may not be feasible. Can you guys keep a secret? pic.twitter.com/8I9NMe2eLJ Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) January 25, 2022 With regards to the design, the pillars, windshield and roof are covered with a large glass canopy while the illuminated Ola lettering is visible on the front. A horizontal LED light strip covers the entire width of the body panels and the canopy in a swooping fashion. There is nothing conventional about the concept aside from the wheels, which makes us wonder how similar the final production model will be. Softbank Group will fund the project, while Ola has stepped into the used car business under a new vertical. There is a backlog of almost 90,000 orders for Ola's S1 Pro electric scooter which has caused frustration among buyers. For any brand to succeed, it is essential to build a strong customer base, and committing to delivery is one part of that equation. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a virtual meeting with nine states and United Territories on Tuesday to take stock of the prevailing Covid-19 situation. A source said that Mandaviya will interact with the health ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh. This meeting will discuss the prevailing Covid situation and public health preparedness for containment and management of the pandemic in these states, he said. Earlier on January 10, Mandaviya had held a meeting with the health ministers and senior officials of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra & Nagra Haveli and Daman & Diu. Mandaviya had told these states to utilise efficiently the fund provided under ECRP-II for strengthening the health infrastructure across the country and urged the states to make robust preparations in terms of physical infrastructure. Meanwhile, India on Monday reported a substantial decline in new Covid cases at 3,06,064. With the addition of 439 deaths in the last 24 hours, the country`s overall Covid death toll has mounted to 4,89,848. India`s vaccination coverage has crossed 162.77 crore with over 49 lakh doses being administered till 7 pm on Monday. More than 87 lakh precautionary doses have been administered to the identified categories of beneficiaries so far. Live TV New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday framed charges under sedition against JNU student Sharjeel Imam and denied him bail in a case related to alleged inflammatory speeches made by him during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019. "Accused is directed to be charged for the offences under sections 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity on grounds of religion), 153B (assertions prejudicial to national integration), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), of Indian Penal Code and section 13 (punishment for unlawful activities) of UAPA. Vide separate order, the application filed by Sharjeel Imam for grant of regular bail is dismissed," Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat ordered. As per the prosecution, Imam had allegedly made speeches at Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13, 2019, and at Aligarh Muslim University on December 16, 2019, where he threatened to cut off Assam and the rest of the Northeast from India. Imam, while seeking bail, said that his speeches do not fall within the meaning of Sedition. "Where is the call of violence? How does Sedition come into play? The context is to block the roads. How is this seditious? He called for a greater federal structure. That was the intent," his lawyer had argued before the court. Whereas, the prosecution claimed that his speeches incited hatred, contempt, and disaffection towards the Central Government and instigated the people which led to the violence in December 2019. "In the garb of CAA, he (Imam) exhorted people of a particular community to block highways leading to major cities and resort to 'chakka jaam'. Also, in the name of opposing CAA, he openly threatened to cut off Assam and other Northeastern states from the rest of the country," the Delhi Police's charge sheet stated. Imam is in judicial custody since January 2020. He is also one of the accused in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. In his defense, Imam had earlier told the court that he is not a terrorist and his prosecution is a "whip of a monarch rather than a government established by law". Whereas, the prosecution claimed that violent riots took place pursuant to Imam's speech. Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against Imam in the case, in which it alleged that he allegedly gave speeches inciting hatred, contempt, and disaffection towards the Central Government and instigated the people which led to the violence in December 2019. Live TV NEW DELHI: In a major blow to the Congress party, its senior leader and former Union Minister RPN Singh on Tuesday resigned from the party. According to reports, Singh has also tendered his resignation letter to interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Congress leader and former Union Minister RPN Singh resigns from the party; tenders his resignation to the Party president Sonia Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/jzhhEFoOrx ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2022 In his resignation letter, Singh wrote, "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind.'' Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/O4jWyL0YDC RPN Singh (@SinghRPN) January 25, 2022 His resignation came a day after he was named as one of the party`s star campaigners for UP polls. The resignation of RPN Singh, a Congress heavyweight from the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, has triggered intense speculations about his switching over to the BJP soon. Singh has been the Congress partys Jharkhand in-charge till now. He was apparently sidelined in the Congress and had reportedly lost touch with the powerful Gandhi family, which is at the centre of Congress politics for many decades. Sources said that he was miffed over the party affairs in his home district of Padrauna as he was not taken into confidence on many issues related to the party functioning in his turf. A descendent of the royal family of Sainthwar of Kushinagar, RPN Singh had lost the last election from UPs Padrauna seat. He is likely to be fielded from the same seat against SPs Swami Prasad Maurya, who recently jumped ship from the BJP. Son of late Congress veteran CPN Singh, he has been a staunch loyalist of the Congress party and an MLA from the Padrauna assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh. RPN Singh was also elected as the MP from the constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha election. In the 16th Lok Sabha election, he lost to BJPs Rajesh Pandey. He has also served as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs during the past Congress government at the Centre. RPN Singh's exit is a big setback to Congress' UP in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's efforts to keep the party united ahead of the crucial assembly elections in UP Singh is the second top rung Congress leader from UP to have quit the party after Jitin Prasada, who joined the BJP and was also sworn in as a minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led cabinet. Live TV New Delhi: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will meet at separate times of a day for five hours each to ensure Covid distancing norms during the Budget Session beginning January 31. Lok Sabha will meet at 11 am on February 1 for the presentation of the Union Budget and it will meet from 4 pm to 9 pm from February 2 to February 11, when the first part of the session concludes. During sittings of the Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers and their galleries will be used for sitting of members in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Lok Sabha bulletin said. While the exact timings of Rajya Sabha are yet to be formally notified, it could meet from 9 am to 2 pm. On January 31, the President would address both Houses of Parliament. The second part of the session will be from March 14 to April 8. But the timings of sittings are not yet clear for the Part II of the session. The Monsoon Session of 2020 was the first full session held under Covid protocol with the Rajya Sabha meeting in the first half of the day and Lok Sabha in the second half. The same process was followed for the first part of the Budget Session in 2021. For the second part of the Budget Session and Monsoon and Winter sessions last year, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha went back to normal timings, but with members sitting in the chambers and galleries of respective Houses to ensure distancing. Live TV CBSE Term 1 Result: As lakhs of students across India wait for their CBSE Class 10 and 12 Term 1 exam results 2022, the Central Board of Secondary Education is likely to announce their scores soon. According to various media reports, the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 Board Exam Term 1 Results are likely to be declared this week. However, no such official announcement has been made by the Board officials yet. Once released, students can view their results via different modes. How to check CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam Term 1 Result 2022? Once results are announced, you need to visit CBSE's official website (cbse.nic.in). On the homepage, you need to click on the 'results' link. You will be redirected to a new page where you need to click on the 'CBSE Class 10th Result 2022' or the 'CBSE Class 12th Result 2022' link. Enter your details including your roll number and click on the 'submit' option. Your CBSE Class 10 or 12 Board Exam Term 1 Result 2022 will be displayed on your screen. Other ways to check CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 Board Exam Term 1 Results? Students can also check their scores via the DigiLocker app and on the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) app. Live TV New Delhi: The Delhi government on Monday reduced the number of dry days to just three from the existing 21, a move that drew praise from the hospitality industry but invited criticism from opposition BJP and Congress. Under the new excise policy, liquor shops and opium vends in the national capital will now remain closed only on three national holidays -- Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. The excise department, however, said the restriction on the sale of liquor on dry days will not apply to the service of alcohol to occupants in case of hotels having L-15 licenses. L-15 license allows hotels to serve liquor to guests in their rooms. "In pursuance of the provisions of Rule 52 of Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, it is hereby ordered that the following dates shall be observed as "Dry Day" in the National Capital Territory of Delhi by all the licensees of the Excise department and opium vends located in Delhi for the year 2022," the department's order stated, listing the three national holidays as the days when the sale of alcohol will not be permitted. Earlier, the dry days numbered 21 including on birth anniversary of great leaders and religious festivals. The business premises of a licensee will be kept closed on a dry day. In 2021, the dry days had been observed on Holi, Diwali, Janmashtami, Muharram, Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid), Good Friday, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Maharishi Valmiki' s Birthday, Guru Nanak's Birthday, Dussehra and other occasions. The order issued on Monday said that apart from the three dry days, the government may declare any other day in the year as 'Dry Day' from time to time. The licensees will not be entitled to any compensation on account of any changes related to the number of 'dry days'. All the licensees will exhibit the 'dry day' order at some conspicuous place of their licensed premises, it said. The decision to reduce 'dry days' was welcomed by the hospitality industry in Delhi. "We welcome this move as it will benefit both consumers as well as traders. It will save us from losses that earlier occurred due to more dry days that meant the closure of shops and restaurants and business despite paying a full licence fee for the year," said Kabir Suri, president of National Restaurants Association of India. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) also welcomed the government's decision, saying that an "anachronistic anomaly" has been removed. "This is indeed a very welcome step, befitting a modern city of international nature that Delhi is. Such a high number of dry days in Delhi made little sense, especially as the neighbouring states have no such limitations. We applaud the Delhi Government for rectifying this anachronistic anomaly. "People of Delhi are matured, know how to enjoy their drink responsibly and reducing the number of dry days will only make things easier for them without any adverse fallout on social behaviour," he told PTI. However, both the BJP and the Congress slammed the Arvind Kejriwal government, alleging that the move is aimed at promoting liquor in the national capital. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that with cutting down of alcohol dry days in Delhi from 21 to just three days, the Arvind Kejriwal government stands "exposed as promoter of intoxication in society, especially amongst the youth". "Till today, the sale or service of liquor in Delhi was prohibited on major festivals of all religions as a mark of respect for religious sentiments. But, with the decision to forego all dry days, Arvind Kejriwal government has shown it has no respect for any religions sanctity," Kapoor alleged in a statement. Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee vice president Mudit Agrawal also criticised the move. "By decreasing the number of dry days, the government wants to maximise the sale of liquor in Delhi without realising the social consequences of it. We will oppose this move," Agrawal told PTI. He said the Congress will surely oppose and protest the move and will not let the government do things arbitrarily. The new excise policy of Delhi was implemented from November 17 with the private liquor vends opening across the city. So far, nearly 550 private liquor vends out of 849 licences issued by the department have started functioning in the city. The limiting of dry days to three days is one component of the new policy. The government is yet to take a call on bringing down legal drinking age from present 25 years to 21 years, which is also part of the policy. The department has also yet to pave way for the opening of five super-premium vends mandated by the new policy by issuing tenders for it. An excise department official said the new policy replaces the previous one overhauling the liquor trade completely. The provisions of the new policy are to be implemented keeping interest of all stakeholders including consumers in view. Live TV New Delhi: India on Tuesday (January 25, 2022) recorded 2,55,874 new Covid-19 cases, 50,190 less than Monday. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the country's active coronavirus caseload now stands at 22,36,842 and constitutes 5.62% of the total positive infections. The last 24 hours also saw a total of 16,49,108 tests being conducted and India has so far done over 71.88 crore tests. The country's weekly positivity rate is currently at 17.17%, while the daily positivity rate is at 15.52%. #Unite2FightCorona#OmicronVariant India's Active Caseload currently at 22,36,842. Active Cases presently constitute 5.62% of Total Cases. pic.twitter.com/Prd4LdS7a2 Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 25, 2022 India also reported 614 fresh deaths and 2,67,753 recoveries. With this, the death toll has increased to 4,90,462 while the number of recoveries has jumped to 3,70,71,898. The country also administered more than 62 lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours and the total vaccination coverage has now exceeded 162.92 crores. This, notably, has been achieved through 1,77,12,517 sessions. #Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive Indias Cumulative #COVID19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 162.97 Cr (1,62,92,09,308). More than 62 Lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours. More than 88 lakh Precaution Doses administered so far. https://t.co/FvOppuI1KF pic.twitter.com/eGlp8RZQ9V Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 25, 2022 Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting with nine states and United Territories on Tuesday to take stock of the prevailing Covid-19 situation. A source said that Mandaviya will interact with the health ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh. Earlier on January 10, Mandaviya had held a meeting with the health ministers and senior officials of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra & Nagra Haveli and Daman & Diu. He had directed them to ensure there is no lapse in the preparation to battle the Covid-19 surge and stressed maintaining a holistic synergy for seamless management of the pandemic. Live TV Thiruvananthapuram: As Kerala continues to register a steep rise in COVID-19 cases, the State government on Monday said the educational institutions which have less than 40 per cent attendance for consecutive three days will be closed for two weeks. The COVID-19 evaluation meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan virtually from the USA where he is undergoing treatment, decided to declare the educational institutions with less than 40 per cent attendance as clusters. "The meeting has decided to close, for two weeks, the educational institutions with less than 40 per cent attendance for three consecutive days and declare it as a cluster. The categorisation of districts based on the infection and hospitalisation will come to effect from Tuesday," the Chief Minister's Office said in a release. The meeting noted that the spread was rapid and the hospitalisation has increased in the state. The State government had earlier decided to impose restrictions at the district level on the basis of the number of people admitted to hospitals and authorised the Disaster Management Authority to divide the districts into three groups, A, B and C. In the districts falling under the A category, all social, cultural, religious, political and public events and weddings and funerals can be attended by up to 50 people. No such gatherings will be allowed in the B and C category districts. In such areas, religious worship should be conducted online only and a maximum of 20 people will be allowed for weddings and funerals. Movie theatres, swimming pools and gyms are not allowed to function in C category districts. Thiruvananthapuram district has been included in the "category C" - where there will be the highest restrictions in Kerala is the only district in that category. Theatres, swimming pools, gyms to be closed there. All classes (including tuition centres) -- except undergraduate and postgraduate level final year classes besides 10 and 12 classes-- are allowed online only in C category districts. However, residential educational institutions are allowed to operate on a bio-bubble model. The CMO also informed that 83 per cent of the people in the state received both doses of the vaccine while 66 per cent of children received their vaccination in Kerala. The evaluation meeting also said that it was better to approach accredited labs for testing for coronavirus and noted that there are instances where self-testing kits, purchased from medical shops, have recorded wrong readings. Meanwhile, state health minister Veena George denied media reports that the ICUs and ventilators in the state were fully occupied and visited Thiruvananthapuram Medical College to evaluate the situation. The Minister said that more than 100 ICU beds were vacant and only 28 were occupied in the medical college. She said more beds, ICUs and ventilators will start functioning in the state if the number of patients go high in Kerala. Kerala, which has been registering over 45,000 daily new COVID-19 cases for the past few days, on Monday recorded 26,514 fresh positive cases taking the total affected in the state to 56,46,665. The State reported 45,449 cases on Sunday while on Saturday, the state had recorded 45,136 new cases. On January 20, Kerala had registered 46,387 cases, the highest single-day spike since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. Live TV New Delhi: Asserting that arrangements have been made for "absolutely Covid safe" assembly polls in five states, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on Monday appealed to voters in these states to exercise their democratic right enthusiastically. In his message on the eve of the 12th National Voters' Day, Chandra also said the presence of voters at polling stations strengthens democracy. The Election Commission came into being on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a republic. For the past 12 years now, January 25 is celebrated as National Voters' Day. Chandra said that holding elections in the past two years amid the coronavirus pandemic had been "extremely challenging". The Commission, while holding polls, ensured that the vote and the voters were protected. In the recently-held elections to six assemblies and various bypolls, voters defied naysayers and sceptics to turn out in large numbers to exercise their franchise amid the pandemic, he said. Referring to the elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur to be held in seven phases between February 10 and March 7, he said the poll panel has emphasised on increasing the pace of COVID-19 vaccination in these states. In his message, Chandra also referred to the recent poll reforms implemented by the government on the Commission's recommendation. These include linking voter list with Aadhaar to weed out duplicate entries and giving four dates to young citizens turning 18 to register as voters every year. Message from the Chief Election Commissioner of India Shri Sushil Chandra on the eve of 12th National Voters Day. #NationalVotersDay #NVD2022 #ECI #ElectionCommissionOfIndia pic.twitter.com/6OXgzZVkcC Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP) January 24, 2022 So far, January 1 of every year was the only qualifying date for those turning 18 on or before that day to register as a voter. Now the youth can register on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. He said this National Voters' Day assumes greater significance as it marks 70 years of the first election held in India. The theme for this year's National Voters' Day is 'Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative'. To mark the occasion, the EC's publication 'Leap of Faith: Journey of Indian Elections' will be released. A national voter awareness contest on social media, 'My Vote is My Future-Power of One Vote', will also be launched. Live TV Mumbai: Amid an ongoing war of words over Hindutva, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday said that the BJP ruling at the Centre has clearly deviated from its core Hindutva ideology. Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut also asserted that his party was the first to contest any elections on the core issue of Hindutva. Shiv Sena was the first party in the country to contest elections on the issue of Hindutva...BJP new leaders (Nav Hindutvavadi), are not aware of history, someone has torn the pages of their history. But from time to time, we'll give them information, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was quoted as saying by ANI. Shiv Sena was the first party in the country to contest elections on the issue of Hindutva...BJP new leaders (Nav Hindutvavadi), are not aware of history, someone has torn the pages of their history. But from time to time we'll give them information: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut pic.twitter.com/TEUecQkqsc ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2022 Raut on Monday took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party saying that his party took BJP from the bottom to the top in Maharashtra. He also reiterated Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray`s statement and said that BJP only uses Hindutva for power. Talking with the media, Raut said, "We took BJP from bottom to top in Maharashtra. After Babri, there was a Shiv Sena wave in Northern India; if we had fought polls at that time, there would have been our (Shiv Sena) Prime Minister in the country but we left it for them. BJP only uses Hindutva for power." Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik also spoke in favour of Uddhav Thackerays `Wasted 25 years with BJP` remark. "It is a fact that the parties that made an alliance with BJP were gradually destroyed by them. It`s good to take pride in one`s religion, but it is not right to have hatred towards other religions," he said. Uddhav Thackeray`s remarks came on the 96th birth anniversary of the party founder Bal Thackeray. "We are the ones who supported them (BJP). We had an alliance for 25 years. BJP used Hindutva for power. We left BJP but will not leave Hindutva. BJP is not Hindutva. Tactics were used against us when we challenged them," he said. He also said that the BJP has used Hindutva for power. The BJP, however, reacted sharply to Maharashtra Chief Minister's remark and reminded it to introspect whether Shiv Sena is actually following late Bal Thackeray's ideology. Before lecturing on Hindutva, Uddhav Thackeray should introspect whether Shiv Sena is following late Bal Thackeray's ideology, who had said that in politics and life his party will never join Congress, & if such circumstances arise, he would prefer locking party (office), Ram Kadam of the BJP said. Live TV Srinagar: Patrolling day and night, come snow or rain, and keeping the enemy at bay is what these Indian Army personnel chief agenda is. At 12,000 feet above sea level, where the snow accumulation is over 10 feet deep, is the last post of the Indian Army in Keran sector of the border district of Kupwara, north Kashmir. The hard work of the soldiers meant that infiltration of terrorists remained at zero and even the active terrorists' number remained below 200. The Keran sector has remained the traditional route for terrorists who infiltrate from POK for terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir. But since last one year, soldiers of the Indian Army posted in this sector had ensured that no infiltration happens; as per the data, infiltration from this sector had remained zero. This became possible only because those brave soldiers of the Indian Army patrol day and night on borders. They have taken an oath that come what may, they will not let enemies cross over this side. If the whole country celebrates the Republic Day celebrations with pomp and grandeur, then the credit goes to these soldiers who have crossed the borders. The challenges are many, but those soldiers have made themselves so strong that they handle them with a smiling face always. Stopping infiltrators and surviving in tough terrain - these . Soldiers who are posted are given special training so that they can have no health issues in those low oxygen areas. Here patrol parties are divided into small groups of 8 to 10 soldiers. And they patrol the borders continuously day and night in shifts. In snow, they are in white clothes, which are windproof and waterproof, equipped with the latest weapons and every party patrol their area for two hours. Day or night, surveillance of the Line of Control and monitoring of the camps built on the Line of Control do not stop. Amidst the icy hills, tough terrain, and cold climate conditions don't stop this exercise of a soldier. The soldiers posted at the forward post are fully acquainted with this place, every preparation is done in advance. Special training is given to stay in this area, every item that is needed in these inaccessible areas - be it weapons, clothing or food items - is provided to them. The challenge remains double; one, enemy across the border and the other. weather. Because these areas are prone to avalanches, snowstorms keep coming, which makes the forward posts vulnerable and also for the people living nearby. Therefore, in these areas, the Army's Avalanche Rescue Team is forever ready to deal with these emergency situations. Also read: Republic Day 2022: A look at mighty helicopter fleet of Indian Air Force - Apache, Mi-17 and more The government, understanding these difficult situations, tries to make lives easier. Latest vehicles, advanced arms and ammunition, American assault guns, German and American-made night and day surveillance equipment, drones to snow scooters - everything modern thing is provided to them. Today, if for the first time in the last thirty years the number of active terrorists in the Kashmir Valley had gone below 200, this has become possible due to this strict vigil on the borders. For these brave soldiers, there's only one slogan that they follow - Nation first! Live TV New Delhi: Russia has delivered to India all the contracted 70,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles as envisaged under a contract signed late last summer between India and Kalashnikov. The entire delivery was made earlier this week. A source explained, "deliveries were fast-tracked", pointing to the short time gap from the signing of the contract and its fructification. India's Ministry of Defence plans to procure 670,000 Ak203 assault riffles, and the 70,000 delivered is part of the overall objective. Rest all 600,000 will be manufactured in India's Amethi under a joint venture, the contract for which was signed 6th December 2021. The day saw the first India, Russia 2+2 meet at foreign and Defence ministers level and the visit of Russian president Putin for the annual summit in Delhi. The total cost of the contract is around Rs 5000 cr. As part of India's localisation of defence manufacturing, a special purpose Joint Venture called Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL) has been created for the production of 600,000 AK 203 in India. Joint Venture is between India, represented by the Defence PSUs-Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) & Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Russia, represented by Rosoboronexport (RoE) & Concern Kalashnikov (CK). The 7.62 X 39mm caliber AK-203 Rifles will replace in-service INSAS Rifle inducted over three decades back. AK-203 Assault Rifles has an effective range of 300 meters are light weight and seen as easy to use Modern Assault Rifles. Live TV New Delhi: Seven MBBS students, including the son of a BJP MLA, were killed in Maharashtra's Wardha district in the wee hours of Tuesday (January 25, 2022) when their car fell off a bridge. The incident occurred near Selsura village, 77 km away from Nagpur and an official informed that all seven students died on the spot. One of the seven students, Avishkar Rahangdale, was the son of Tirora BJP MLA Vijay Rahangdale. He was a first-year MBBS student of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College at Sawangi (Meghe) in Wardha. PM Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims. Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident near Selsura in Maharashtra. In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured are able to recover soon: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 25, 2022 PM @narendramodi announced that Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the accident near Selsura. Those who are injured would be given Rs. 50,000. PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 25, 2022 According to Police, they were returning from neighbouring Yavatmal district after celebrating a birthday of a student. Due to the impact of the crash, the SUV was reduced to pulp. All the deceased were students of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, OSD of the Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences Dr Abhyuday Meghe told PTI news agency. "One of the deceased students was a medical intern. Of the rest six, two each were studying in the final year, third year and first year," he said. Other six deceased have been identified as Niraj Chauhan, who hailed from Daudpur in Gorakhpur, Pratyush Singh, Shubham Jaiswal from Chandauli (Uttar Pradesh), Vivek Nandan and Pawan Shakti (both from Gaya in Bihar), and Niteesh Kumar Singh from Belapur in Odisha. (With agency inputs) Live TV NEW DELHI: Actor Abhinav Shukla recently took to social media to inform his fans that his cousin brother was brutally beaten up and robbed by a few miscreants in Punjab. The actor, who was seen in Bigg Boss 13, revealed that they had to struggle to file an FIR in Punjab in connection with the incident. As per Abhinav, his cousin was beaten up a month ago, stripped naked and left to die on the street in an unconsious state. He added that he has spent over 30 days in the hospital and has now been paralysed. Sharing a picture of his cousin along with the details of the police station, Abhinav took to Twitter and wrote, "My cousin was brutally beaten when he was unconscious,stripped naked,left to die somehow he survived. spent 30 days in ICU. Now he is paralysed, so much happened but we all are begging the concerned PS to file an FIR." Abhinav tagged Gurdaspur Police, DGP Punjab Police and Punjab Police India in his tweet. Responding to the actor's post, IPS officer Surendra Lamba replied to Abhinav. "@ashukla09 Please ask them get their statement recorded to @PathankotPolice at PS Mamoon Cantt. They have already been directed to ensure legal action. Also, share with me if any issue is there. We are committed to ensure justice as per law and facts. Jai Hind !" Abhinav, thanking him, said, Thankyou Sir, getting the needful done! Jai Hind." Punjab Police India and Gurdaspur Police also responded to his Twitter post. Punjab Police India tweeted, "@ashukla09 Sir, The complaint shared by you is further forwarded to @PP_Gurdaspur for immediate necessary action, please." "@ashukla09 sir, PS Mammon Cantt falls in jurisdiction of district @PathankotPolice. Matter related to @PathankotPolice," Gurdaspur Police responded. Abhinav Shukla's wife and Bigg Boss 14 winner Rubina Dilaik sent her prayers to Abhinav Shukla and his family. "Praying for his speedy recovery. May justice will be provided soon. Stay strong and fight till the justice is served," a fan tweeted. "Praying for the speedy recovery. Stay strong Abhinav," added another. Extremely sorry for what you & your family are going through Abhi," a third fan said. Meanwhile, on the work front, Abhinav Shukla was last seen on 'Khatron Ke Khiladi 11'. Live TV Washington: American actor and musician Evan Rachel Wood has accused Marilyn Manson of raping her on the set of the music video for his 2007 single Heart-Shaped Glasses. According to Fox News, the claim was made in a new documentary titled Phoenix Rising that focuses on her life and career. It premiered during the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. In it, the 34-year-old alleged that during a previously discussed "simulated sex scene," the rocker "started penetrating me for real," once the cameras were rolling. "I had never agreed to that," said Wood. As per the star, she was fed absinthe on the set of the video where she played a Lolita-styled character. Wood also said she was barely conscious to object to the 53-year-olds alleged actions. "[I had] never been on a set that unprofessional in my life up until this day. It was complete chaos and I did not feel safe. No one was looking after me," said Wood. Wood said she didn't know how to advocate for herself or say no "because I had been conditioned and trained to never talk back, to just soldier through." She claimed the crew "was very uncomfortable and nobody knew what to do." Wood said the alleged incident made her feel "disgusted and like I had done something shameful." "I was coerced into a commercial sex act under false pretenses. Thats when the first crime was committed against me and I was essentially raped on camera," she said. According to the outlet, Wood said her ex-fiance gave her "really clear" instructions on how she was supposed to describe the video to journalists. But Manson teased the press with the notion that there was truth to the music videos "realism." "I was supposed to tell people we had this great, romantic time and none of that was the truth. But I was scared to do anything that would upset Brian in any way. The video was just the beginning of the violence that would keep escalating over the course of the relationship," said Wood. Wood and Mansons relationship became public in 2007 when he was 38 and she was 19. They were briefly engaged in 2010 before breaking up. In 2021, Wood publicly accused Manson of abuse, alleging she was "manipulated into submission" during their relationship. She previously spoke out about being abused in a relationship but didnt name the person until she detailed the allegations on Instagram. "The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years," Wood said. "I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives," the post shared. She concluded, "I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent." Wood is among several women, including Game of Thrones actor Esme Bianco, who has accused Manson of sexual and physical violence involving torture. Manson has denied Woods allegations as "horrible distortions of reality." He responded to Woods allegations with his own Instagram post the same day as hers. "My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how -- and why -- others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth," his post said. As per Fox News, Mansons label, Loma Vista Recordings, said in a statement that after the "disturbing allegations," it will "cease to further promote his current album" and has "also decided not to work with Marilyn Manson on any future projects." New Delhi: Celebrities often bear the brunt of online trolling or face backlash by haters on social media platforms. More often than not, our favourite celebrities also have to manage or cover-up a fashion faux pas which they do encounter at some events. A fan page of Janhvi Kapoor posted a picture of the star kid wearing a body-fitted gym outfit. But it was so tight that it resulted in her having an oops moment. Check out the photo post here: Sometime back, an old picture of Ileana D'Cruz was doing the rounds on social media were due to heavy flashlights, her see-through dress played a spoilt sport. In the viral photo, Ileana D'Cruz is seen at an event when she faces an oops moment. On the work front, Janhvi Kapoor was last seen in horror-comedy Roohi along with Rajkumar Rao and Varun Sharma. The actress will next be seen in Sidharth Senguptas Good Luck Jerry and 'Mr and Mrs Mahi'. Janhvi often shares her vacay pictures on Instagram, which needless to say go viral. NEW DELHI: Katrina Kaif surely knows how to set the internet on fire. Well, her recent pictures are a proof of it. Katrina in her recent Instagram post has shared some jaw-dropping pictures of herself, straight from the beach of Maldives. The Bang Bang actress is currently in Maldives for a new brand shoot reportedly. Sharing the pictures on her social media handle, she wrote, Seas the day. In the pictures, Katrina can be seen in a colourful bikini and looked extremely gorgeous as ever. In another viral video shared by fan pages, Kat can be seen feeding few parrots, which were sitting on her hand, while she was holding grains for them. While the world is drooling over her recent pictures, one of her fans said, Man Vicky Kaushal is one lucky person. For the unversed, Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal got married in an extremely private, intimate ceremony at the luxurious Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan on December 9. Soon after their gala wedding, the duo jetted off to the exotic island country of Maldives for their honeymoon. On the work front, Katrina has Merry Christmas with Sriram Raghavan and a few portions of Tiger Zinda Hai 3 with Salman Khan to be completed. Meanwhile, Vicky is currently shooting for Mimi director Laxman Utekars yet-to-be-titled film with Sara Ali Khan. NEW DELHI: Actor Kartik Aaryan has been making headlines for his upcoming film 'Shezaada', which is the Hindi remake of Allu Arjun's Telugu blockbuster 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo'. However, it seems like the actor has got into a tiff with producer Manish Shah, who reportedly has called the actor 'unprofessional'. It so happened that makers of Allu Arjun's 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' were planning to release the Hindi version of the film in theatres in coming days. However, the plan was cancelled a few days back. Now, Manish Shah, in an exclusive interview with India Today revealed that actor Kartik Aaryan, who has been shooting for the Hindi remake of 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' had threatened to walk out of the film if the Telugu original was released in theatres. "The makers of Shehzda were not keen to release the Hindi version in cinemas. Also, Kartik Aaryan said if the movie was released in theatres, he would walk out of the film, which would have caused Shehzada producers a loss of Rs 40 crores. It was extremely unprofessional of him," Shah told India Today. "I have known Shehzada producers for 10 years. I cannot have people who are close to me losing Rs 40 crores, so I dropped it. By doing this, I ended up losing Rs 20 crores. I spent Rs 2 crores only on dubbing. I wanted this film to be bigger than 'Pushpa: The Rise'. If I do not release the film I lose money, so now I am releasing it on my channel. I would not have done anything for Kartik Aaryan, I only did this because of Allu Arvind. Why would I do this for a Bollywood hero? I dont know him," Shah added. However, filmmaker Rohit Dhawan, who is the director of 'Shehzada', came out in defence of Kartik Aaryan, said, "Kartiks intent and excitement for Shehzada is unquestionable. Its been a joy working with him. As director and actor, we share a solid bond and nothing can come in the way of our love for the film." On the other hand, producer Aman Gill too supported Aaryan "After finding out about the Hindi version release of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, we the producers on our own, requested Manishji to not release it. Kartik is going all out for Shehzada as an actor and only discusses how he can contribute to make this the biggest film for everyone involved, he is one of most dedicated actors in the industry." Kartik had made headlines in April 2021 due to his controversial exit from Karan Johars Dharma Productions' 'Dostana 2'. Dharma Productions had released an official statement informing fans that they would be recasting its upcoming much-anticipated movie 'Dostana 2' despite that Kartik had extensively shot for a portion of the film. The original cast of 'Dostana 2' included names like Kartik Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor and Lakshya Lalwani. Several speculations were made around Kartiks exit from the film, one being that the actor didnt want to do the film because he had a big fallout with Janhvi Kapoor. Later, filmmaker Karan Johar unfollowed Kartik on social media. Earlier, the actor had stated that controversies surrouding his exit from 'Dostana 2' had effected his families. Live TV Mumbai: Almost 15 years after Shilpa Shetty landed in an obscenity case when Hollywood star Richard Gere kissed her on her cheeks at a public event, the actress was discharged from the case by a Mumbai court which observed that she seems to be the victim of the act of Gere. A court of metropolitan magistrate Ketki Chavan discharged Shetty on January 18. A detailed order was made available on Monday. In 2007, Gere and Shetty had come together for an AIDS awareness programme in Rajasthan. On the stage, Gere kissed the actress on her cheeks, causing a stir in the country. "It seems that the accused Shilpa Shetty is the victim of the alleged act of accused no. 1 (Richard Gere). Not a single element of any of the alleged offences is being satisfied in the complaint,the court said in the order. The kissing incident had evoked strong protests in several cities in India. Following complaints, cases were registered against both Gere and Shetty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act for obscenity. The case was transferred to Mumbai from the court of magistrate first class in Rajasthan on the orders of the Supreme Court in 2017. In its order, the Mumbai court held that none of the news reports annexed to the complaint demonstrated common intention. The allegation against Shetty is that she did not protest when she was kissed by the co-accused Gere. "This by no stretch of imagination makes her a conspirator or perpetrator of any crime," the order said. New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission latest update: Central government employees eagerly waiting for the official update on 18 months DA arrears might be in for some good news soon. The Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief of Central government employees and pensioners were restored to 31% from 17% from October 2021, however the arrears have not been deposited as yet. It has been speculated in the media that the employees will now get the arrears at one go --meaning that the amount could reach a whopping Rs 2 lakh for some band of employees. Several media reports are now stating that the Union Cabinet is contemplating to take the matter for discussion. A Zee Hindi report, quoting Shiv Gopal Mishra of the National Council of JCM, had previously mentioned that the DA arrears of Level-1 employees range from Rs 11,880 to Rs 37,554. Whereas, for Level-13 (7th CPC basic pay scale Rs 1,23,100 to Rs 2,15,900) or Level-14 (pay scale), the DA arrears in the hands of an employee will be Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200 that will be paid, quoted the reports. The report further adds that issues related to arrears were discussed between the National Council of JCM, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Finance Minister. However, no concrete answer was received. The employees are still adamant on the demand and talks are on with the government reportedly. However, it is expected that soon this can be discussed with the Cabinet Secretary. According to the annual report of the Department of Expenditure, there are a total of 48 lakh central employees in the country and about 60 lakh pensioners. Live TV #mute New Delhi: In a setback for the Kerala government, the Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain its plea to extend the time to complete the trial in the actor rape case, involving Malayalam actor Dileep, who is allegedly accused of being the chief conspirator of the crime. A bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and C.T. Ravikumar said such a demand can be made only by the trial judge and the judge can also submit a report before the top court seeking extension, if it is felt necessary. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing the Kerala government, sought 6 months more time, as the existing deadline to complete the trial is February 16. But, the bench made it clear that it will not grant the extension, at the instance of the Kerala government. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Dileep, opposed the Kerala government plea and submitted that the state government is trying to delay the trial. He vehemently argued that the time to complete the trial had already been extended several times. He argued that after the examination of 200 witnesses, another man came with a fresh set of allegations, when the trial in the matter is about to complete. The bench orally observed that it will not pass an order at the instance of the state government and disposed of the application. "We leave it at the discretion of the trial court to take an appropriate view in this matter...". Rohatgi pointed out all the extensions in the trial were on the basis of the request made by the sessions judge and not by any of the parties. He added that the state government is not justified in seeking extension of time and it is for the judge concerned to seek extension of time, if he thinks it is required. At the end of the hearing, Gupta urged the top court to keep the state government application pending, which was opposed by Rohatgi. The bench noted that if it is kept pending, then it will give a different meaning. Rohatgi said the state government is conducting a media trial against his client. Dileep is allegedly accused of hatching the criminal conspiracy in connection with the abduction and the sexual assault of the victim, in a moving vehicle in the outskirts of Cochin city in February 2017. New Delhi: With the internet growing in size every day, the number of scammers on the internet is also growing at a rapid rate. Bad actors online are now drawing in folks who are viewing pornography on their computers, resurrecting an ancient scamming strategy. According to a recent allegation, people visiting pornographic websites are getting a false pop-up warning them that their "browser has been locked" for watching pornographic films. This fraud has been reported by a security researcher, who also shared a snapshot of a suspicious URL that results in a full-page pop-up on a Google Chrome browser. The pop-up notifies users that their browser has been closed due to accessing porn, according to a complaint on Twitter by internet security researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia. The pop-up requests for money in exchange for the browser being unblocked. The pop-up pretends to be from the Ministry of Law and Justice, and claims that the user's computer "has been blocked." "173-279 is the decree number. It also informs users that their browser has been blocked because they are "viewing and disseminating items prohibited by Indian law." The pop-up demands Rs 29,000 as a penalty in order to open the computer. The con even goes so far as to say that if the user does not pay the penalty, the case documents for the computer will be forwarded to the ministry for criminal proceedings. The user has 6 hours to pay the fine, according to the message. The message also includes a section called "Payment Details" where customers can pay with a Visa or MasterCard card. It states that after payment is received, the browser will be unlocked. If you don't want to fall for such a con, the most simple thing you can do is avoid watching porn. If a pop-up appears on your computer, the simplest solution is to close the browser window. If that doesn't work and the pop-up has taken over your browser (unlikely), go to Task Manager (ctrl+alt+delete) and End Task for your browser. In addition, if the previous two procedures fail, a forced shutdown will aid your case. The scheme is clearly a hoax, and it incorrectly refers to the Ministry of Law and Justice in order to deceive people. While pornography is still illegal in India, the government does not monitor people's computers to identify individuals who find ways to circumvent the ban. Scammers in India have used this tactic for a long time. In July of last year, a similar scam was discovered, in which scammers demanded Rs 3,000 in exchange for a similar warning. Live TV #mute Mumbai: As the 'Bigg Boss 15' finale is just around the corner, the contestants were given one last task 'BB Hotel', where Tejasswi Prakash and Shamita Shetty got into a heated fight. In the upcoming task, Tejaswwi and Shamita were the hotel staff. Other contestants were hotel guests. A live audience was also seen entering the 'Bigg Boss 15' and are supposed to vote out one member from the show in the new episode. During the task, Tejasswi was supposed to give a massage to co-contestant and beau Karan Kundrra, who was not impressed by her skills and said: "Aesi kaunsi hotel staff hoti hai Yeh bakwaas massage kar rahi hai (Which hotel staff does this. This is such a bad massage she is giving me)." Moments later, Shamita is seen giving Karan and Tejasswi pulls her by her leg. Tejaswwi gets insecure and says: It's Karan Kundrra and not Raqesh Bapat. Isse pahele aapne apne task ko kabhi nahi liya tha (You have never taken any task seriously.)" Shamita defends herself by saying it's just a massage. She later is seen giving a back massage to Prateik Sahejpal. An angry Tejasswi, said: "That aunty is on top of this one too." This bothers Shamita, who retaliates saying: "There is an audience here, we are doing it for them -- respect the audience." "It's a task and you have no business calling me an aunty (Pointing at Karan) You should be ashamed that you did not take up for me." "She is crossing her lines and because of you I keep my mouth shut.. Karan, she has pulled me -- Something in the outer world I would have handled very differently. How Dare she touch me and pull me," Shamita said on the Colors show. New Delhi: Every year on January 25, National Tourism Day is celebrated to promote and encourage tourism. &TV artists Tej Sapru (Prajapati Daksh, Baal Shiv), Shivya Pathania (Devi Parvati, Baal Shiv) and Rohitashv Gour (Manmohan Tiwari, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai) share their favourite destinations and must-visit places in the state. Tej Sapru, a very popular actor from Punjab, is now seen playing the role of Prajapati Daksh in &TVs Baal Shiv shares, Punjab has several impressive forts and palaces, ancient monuments and architectural marvels. Every time I visit Punjab, I leave a piece of my heart there. The warmth that I receive there is very rare. Shivya Pathania who is essaying the role of Devi Parvati in &TVs Baal Shiv shares, Punjab is a beautiful land. From the people to the food to the whole aura of the place make you feel at home irrespective of your hometown. I have visited Punjab numerous times and there is always something new to explore. The must-visit place for me is the Golden Temple, situated in Amritsar. It is believed that the Golden Temple is surrounded by the Pool of Nectar and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. I believe one must visit Golden Temple at least once in their lifetime and experience its surreal beauty and vibe. Talking about the mouth-watering Punjabi cuisine, Rohitashv Gour, seen as Manmohan Tiwari in &TVs Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares, The evergreen Makke di Roti and Sarso ka Saag, Amritsari Kulcha, the heaviest breakfast dish of Chole Bhature, Tandoori chicken and of course how can someone forget Punjabs famous Lassi, no meal is complete without it! I cannot stop drooling over them. My main aim to visit Punjab is to dive into the rich Punjabi cuisine which is not just popular in India but is a global dominator. I never miss out on any dishes. Punjab has my heart, and it is a very special place for me in the world. Watch Baal Shiv at 8:00 pm and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV Lucknow: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will issue the notification for the filing of nominations for the third phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 on Tuesday. A total of 59 assembly segments across 16 districts will be covered in the third phase of polls in the BJP-ruled state. According to the states Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ajay Kumar Shukla, the notification for the third phase would be issued at 1100 hours. On Monday, scrutiny of nominations was done for the first phase of polls. In view of the Covid-19 situation, the apex poll body has extended the facility of filling the online application to candidates through its web portal - suvidha.eci.gov.in In view of the Covid-19, no candidate is allowed to hold a procession at the time of filing the nomination. Total 58 assembly seats will go to polls in the first phase across 11 districts of western UP. A total of 815 candidates have filed their nominations in this phase. The nomination process of the second phase also commenced on January 21 and till now only 10 candidates have submitted their papers. The voting in Uttar Pradesh will be held in 7 phases for 403 assembly seats between February 10 and March 7 while the results will be declared on March 10. In the first phase polling to be held on February 10, filing of nominations commenced from January 14 which ended on January 21, scrutiny on January 24 and the last date for withdrawal is January 27. In the second phase polling to be held on February 14, filing of nominations commenced from January 21, last date for filing of nominations is January 28, scrutiny on January 29 and the last date for withdrawal is January 31. Altogether 55 assembly segments will go to the polls in the second phase covering 9 districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Badaun and Shahjahanpur. In the third phase polling to be held on February 20, filing of nominations will commence from January 25, last date for filing of nominations is February 1, scrutiny on February 2 and candidates can withdraw their candidature till February 4. A total of 59 assembly segments will go to the polls in the third phase in 16 districts which are Kasganj, Hathras, Firozabad, Etah, Mainpuri, Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Etawah, Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur. In the 2017 elections, BJP swept the polls winning 50 seats of these 59 assembly segments which will go to the polls in the third phase while SP could win 7 seats and one each went to BSP and Congress. Already over 120 companies of Central Forces have reached UP to maintain the law and order during the polls. In the fourth phase polling to be held on February 23, filing of nominations will commence from January 27, the last date for filing of nominations is February 3, scrutiny on February 4 and the last date for withdrawal is February 7. A total of 60 assembly segments of the Awadh region will go to the polls in this phase covering 9 districts including Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, Lucknow, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Fatehpur and Banda. In the fifth phase polling to be held on February 27, filing of nominations will commence from February 1, the last date for filing of nominations is February 8, scrutiny on February 9 and the last date for withdrawal is February 11. A total of 60 assembly seats will go to the polls in the fifth phase covering 11 districts of Shravasti, Bahraich, Barabanki, Gonda, Ayodhya, Amethi, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi, Chitrakoot and Prayagraj. In the sixth phase polling to be held on March 3, filing of nominations will commence from February 4, the last date for filing of nominations is February 11, scrutiny on February 14 and the last date for withdrawal is February 14. In the sixth phase, 57 assembly segments will go to the polls in 10 districts of Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria and Ballia. In the seventh and last phase polling to be held on March 7, filing of nominations will commence from February 10, the last date for filing of nominations is February 17, scrutiny on February 18 and the last date for withdrawal is February 21. A total of 54 assembly seats will go to the polls covering 10 districts of Azamgarh, Mau, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, Chandauli and Sonbhadra. The Election Commission had on Saturday extended the ban on physical rallies and roadshows till January 31 in the five poll-going states but allowed public meetings with a maximum of 500 people in the constituencies going to poll in the first two phases and relaxed door-to-door campaign rules. In a statement, it said the limit of five persons for a door-to-door campaign has now been enhanced to 10 persons, excluding security personnel. Video vans for publicity have also been permitted at designated open spaces with COVID-19 restrictions. It cautioned that the video van events should not cause inconvenience to the people and should not be a hindrance to the smooth flow of traffic. It will be the responsibility of the district election officer concerned to identify and to notify the designated spaces in advance for the events. Live TV Bangalore: NASA`s James Webb Space Telescope, designed to give the world an unprecedented glimpse into the earliest stages of the universe, arrived at its gravitational parking spot in orbit around the sun on Monday, almost 1 million miles from Earth. With a final course-correcting maneuver by on-board rocket thrusters, Webb reached its destination at a position of orbital stability between the Earth and sun known as Lagrange Point Two, or L2, arriving one month after launch, the space agency said on its website. The thrusters were activated by mission control engineers at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and the ground team used radio signals to confirm that Webb was successfully "inserted" into an orbital loop around L2. From its vantage point in space, Webb will follow a special "halo" path in constant alignment with Earth, as the planet and telescope circle the sun in tandem, enabling uninterrupted radio contact. By comparison, Webb`s 30-year-old predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, orbits the Earth from 340 miles (547 km) away, passing in and out of the planet`s shadow every 90 minutes. The combined pull of the sun and Earth at L2 will hold the telescope firmly in place so it takes little additional rocket thrust to keep Webb from drifting, Eric Smith, NASA`s program scientist for Webb, told Reuters in an interview last week. The mission operations center has also begun fine-tuning the telescope`s primary mirror - an array of 18 hexagonal segments of gold-coated beryllium metal measuring 21 feet, 4 inches (6.5 meters) across - far larger than Hubble`s main mirror. Its size and design to operate mainly in the infrared spectrum will allow Webb to peer through clouds of gas and dust and observe objects at greater distances, thus farther back in time, than Hubble or any other telescope. These features are expected to usher in a revolution in astronomy, giving a first view of infant galaxies dating to just 100 million years after the Big Bang, the theoretical flashpoint that set the expansion of the known universe in motion an estimated 13.8 billion years ago. Webb`s instruments also make it ideal to search for signs of potentially life-supporting atmospheres around scores of newly documented exoplanets - celestial bodies orbiting distant stars - and to observe worlds much closer to home, such as Mars and Saturn`s icy moon Titan. NEXT STEPS It will take several more months of work to prepare Webb for its astronomical debut. The 18 segments of its principal mirror, which had been folded together to fit inside the cargo bay of the rocket that carried the telescope to space, were unfurled with the rest of its structural components during a two-week period following Webb`s launch on Dec. 25. Those segments were recently detached from fasteners that held them in place for the launch and slowly moved forward half an inch from their original configuration, allowing them to be adjusted into a single, unbroken, light-collecting surface. The 18 segments now need to be aligned to achieve the mirror`s proper focus, a process that will take three months to complete. As the alignment progresses, ground teams will start activating the observatory`s spectrograph, camera and other instruments. This will be followed by two months calibrating the instruments themselves, Smith said. If all goes smoothly, Webb should be ready to begin making observations by early summer, with initial images used to demonstrate the instruments function properly. But Smith said Webb`s most ambitious work, including plans to train its mirror on objects farthest from Earth, will take longer to conduct. The telescope is an international collaboration led by NASA in partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies. Northrop Grumman Corp was the primary contractor. Live TV Washington: The US Department of Defence has announced that nearly 8,500 American troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment due to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, but there is no decision on formal deployments. John Kirby, the Defense Department`s spokesperson, said on Monday during a press briefing that putting US forces on heightened alert is to ensure that the US will get ready to respond to a possible decision by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to deploy its 40,000-strong multinational response force known as NRF, which could be shored up on short notice. "This is really about reassuring the eastern flank of NATO," Kirby said, adding the order, which came from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the direction of President Joe Biden, was about "proving how seriously the US takes our commitment to NATO" and to the alliance`s collective defense commitment, Xinhua news agency reported. "All told, the number of forces that the Secretary has placed on heightened alert comes up to about 8,500 personnel," the spokesperson said. Kirby stressed that no decision has been made on deploying US forces, and that the troops on high alert include "additional brigade combat teams, logistics personnel, medical support, aviation support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance." The spokesperson also reiterated Biden`s position that the US will not be sending its troops into Ukraine in the event that war breaks out between Kiev and Moscow, but that the West is still determined to deter the Kremlin from launching an invasion through the threat of sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. The Pentagon`s prepare-to-deploy order came one day after the State Department authorised the voluntary departure of US government employees at the US Embassy in Kiev and required their family members to leave Ukraine. Live TV Woburn, MA (01801) Today Rain showers early becoming a steady light rain for the afternoon. High 54F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 14:00 | Vienna (Austria), Jan. 25. In a video meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Oscar Maurtua following Peru's request for urgent assistance, Director-General Grossi said nuclear techniques can be used to collect the precise scientific data the authorities need in order to deal effectively with the impact of the oil spill and overcome the environmental crisis. "The IAEA will take immediate action to assist Peru in addressing this serious situation, which is threatening the country's precious coastal environment, as well as its fisheries-dependent economy," Grossi expressed. "In the next few days, we will dispatch a fact-finding expert mission as the first step to support the country's efforts to clean up the oil spill and reduce the negative consequences as much as possible," he added. Based on the mission findings, the IAEA will be able to provide targeted nuclear-related technology for the development of a comprehensive long-term monitoring program in the affected area's coastal waters, sediments, biota, and air. The IAEA can also deliver specialized equipment, technical advice, and training for the establishment of a dedicated laboratory facility for oil spill monitoring and toxicity assessment. "The deployment of world class experts and powerful monitoring equipment can make a very real difference in Peru's fight against this environmental emergency," Director-General Grossi said. The IAEA provides expertise on a range of nuclear and isotopic techniques to gain a better understanding of ocean contaminants such as oil and paraffin. This helps countries to identify the source of spills and better plan remediation activities, and to determine where the responsibility for them lies. The oil spill in Peru's waters has affected large areas both at sea and on land, according to the South American country's Environment Ministry. The planned IAEA assistance draws on the scientific know-how of its Environment Laboratories in Monaco. These unique laboratories within the United Nations system investigate the effects of pollution on marine ecosystems. The IAEA provided similar assistance to Sri Lanka after a container ship burned and sank off the coast of Colombo in May 2021, leading to a toxic chemical leak; and to Mauritius after large amounts of fuel oil leaked into the Indian Ocean surrounding the island nation from a ship that ran aground off its coast in July 2020. The IAEA, which joined the Bonn Agreement Oil Spill Identification Network of Experts (OSINet) in 2014, has worked for years on monitoring petroleum hydrocarbon and its derivatives in the oceans. It has developed methods based on stable carbon isotope and chemical signature analyses, which enable investigators to trace the origin of contaminants. Editor's note: Information provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (END) NDP/RMB/MVB The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will send experts and sophisticated monitoring equipment to help Peru assess and limit the environmental damage from a major oil spill in its coastal waters, Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi told Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Oscar Maurtua on Monday.Publicado: 25/1/2022 "They not only do a great work, but also advise groups of volunteers and representatives from some municipalities that are lending a hand in this matter," he said while highlighting the work of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces , the Navy , and the Peruvian Army ???? #Noticias | Descubren un tesoro arqueologico oculto bajo Machu Picchu. Estaba muy cerca y ni siquiera sabiamos que estaba alli, dice una investigadora. Via @TelemundoNews ????https://t.co/U6ZMbbrptD pic.twitter.com/kDiAdDXqTi Presidente @PedroCastilloTe: "Extiendo un abrazo de solidaridad a los pescadores afectados. Desde el Gobierno ratifico nuestro compromiso de sancionar y hacer responsable a la empresa que tiene que pagar por los danos a la poblacion y a la naturaleza".#SiempreConElPueblo pic.twitter.com/OfNNGI3iI1 Comunicado de la Alianza del Pacifico sobre derrame de crudo de petroleo en el Peru. https://t.co/CscHm3Asge pic.twitter.com/5SnVQ32P9K The Permanent Representative of Peru at International Organizations based in Geneva, Ambassador Luis Chuquihuara , affirmed that Peru's support for the candidacy of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus represents the search for a robust and efficient WHO in the face of future pandemics. The participation of Peru as a new member of the WHO Executive Board occurs at a key moment for the future of the organization focused on strengthening preparedness, as well as response to health emergencies and pandemics, in the face of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the voting session, the director general made a presentation in which he emphasized the lessons that the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving, which he said will encourage him to continue promoting the recognition, worldwide, of health as a basic human right. Peru apoya reeleccion del Director General de la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud https://t.co/2SiNOLgSMa pic.twitter.com/1OfhCqLsdY YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. North Korea fired what appeared to be two cruise missiles into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, Reuters reported citing the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. The South Korean military said it is assessing the launches to determine the nature of the projectiles. YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The prosecution forwarded the allegations that Armen Sarkissian held foreign citizenship in violation of the constitutional requirements at the time of becoming President to the National Security Service (NSS). Moreover, the prosecution told ARMENPRESS that a criminal case is open since April 2021 regarding Sarkissians alleged concealing of his dual citizenship. The new allegations were reported by Hetq investigative journalists, claiming that Sarkissian held citizenship from St. Kitts and Nevis. This allegation will be part of the same criminal case of April 2021, which was opened by the NSS in connection with Sarkissians British citizenship, which he claimed hed renounced in 2011 and holds only Armenian citizenship since, which in turn made him eligible for the presidency. Sarkissian announced his resignation as president on January 23. The reasons he cited for stepping down were not related to the citizenship issue. His resignation will take effect in one week after the announcement. The Constitution requires presidential candidates to have resided in Armenia in the last 6 years and to have held only Armenian citizenship in the last 6 years to be eligible for the presidency. Sarkissian hasnt yet publicly commented on the new allegations of violating the citizenship requirement. YEREVAN, 25 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The servicemen wounded during the 44-day war receiving rehabilitation treatment at Soldiers House will have a job in the field of civil aviation, ARMENPRESS reports, Soldiers House rehabilitation centre informed on its Facebook page. The Soldiers House rehabilitation centre and the Civil Aviation Committee today signed a memorandum of cooperation. The Civil Aviation Committee will organize courses on its own initiative for all those servicemen of Soldiers House who will express willingness to specialize in this field and work. The servicemen will be offered different courses, consequently also different workplaces. Some physical limitations of the servicemen according to the President of the Committee are not an obstacle. YEREVAN, 25 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. Amid rising military and political tensions in Ukraine, five countries - the United States, the UK, Germany, Canada and Australia - have announced the decision to evacuate some of their diplomats and their families from Ukraine. ARMENPRESS reports Foreign minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said only four embassies of the 129 diplomatic missions in Ukraine - the United States, Britain, Germany and Australia- had informed of the decision to evacuate their staff. The decision was later announced by the Canadian Foreign Ministry. According to TASS, sources of the Japanese Kyodo reported that the Japanese government is also considering the need to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine, including embassy staff. According to TASS, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister considers the decision of these countries premature. According to the Ukrainian authorities, there are no real grounds for that. As Russia-NATO military-political tensions over Ukraine escalate, Russia and the United States are holding talks at the levels of presidents, foreign ministers and lower levels to avoid further escalation. The main concern of Washington: the alleged threat of Russian troops invading Ukraine, Moscow's concern is NATO expansion to the East, including Ukraine's possible membership to the North Atlantic Alliance. YEREVAN, 25 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the NATO is not ready to go for compromises on the basic principles of the alliance with Russia, ARMENPRESS reports, RIA NOVOSTI writes citing TB television centre. As Russia-NATO military-political tensions over Ukraine escalate, Russia and the United States are holding talks at the levels of presidents, foreign ministers and lower levels to avoid further escalation. The main concern of Washington: the alleged threat of Russian troops invading Ukraine, Moscow's concern is NATO expansion to the East, including Ukraine's possible membership to the North Atlantic Alliance. YEREVAN, 25 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced that the alliance will not deploy troops in Ukraine, ARMENPRESS reports Ria Novosti" writes, referring to Stoltenberg's interview with CNN. As Russia-NATO military-political tensions over Ukraine escalate, Russia and the United States are holding talks at the levels of presidents, foreign ministers and lower levels to avoid further escalation. The main concern of Washington: the alleged threat of Russian troops invading Ukraine, Moscow's concern is NATO expansion to the East, including Ukraine's possible membership to the North Atlantic Alliance. Leaders of the United Kingdom and other leading NATO member states agreed that "an unprecedented package of sanctions" should be imposed on Russia if it invades Ukraine, the UK prime ministers press office said in a statement after a video conference on Monday night, Tass informs January 25, 2022, 11:58 Group of NATO countries, including UK, threaten Russia with unprecedented sanctions STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: "The leaders agreed that, should a further Russian incursion into Ukraine happen, allies must enact swift retributive responses including an unprecedented package of sanctions. They resolved to continue coordinating closely on any such response," the statement says. According to earlier reports, the video call was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the leaders of the UK, Italy, Poland, France and Germany. It was closed for the media. During the 2020 Artsakh War unleashed by Azerbaijan, many devotees have sacrificed their lives for the homelands salvation. Karen Beglaryan was one of them. January 25, 2022, 12:07 Devotion is immortality. Karen Beglaryan STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: Karen Beglaryan was born on January 8, 1997, in Stepanakert. He studied at Stepanakert Secondary School No.7. Afterwards he entered the military school after Ivanyan. "After completing his compulsory military service, since 2018 he had started serving in the Martakert military unit as an explorer-sapper. He left for the battlefield on the very first day of the Artsakh War. On October 6, 2020, he was wounded while defending the Varankatagh hill. For four days he was fighting to live but on October 10, Karen died," Karen's widow Angelina told Artsakhpress. She wrote a novel dedicated to her husband's memory - "Unfinished Story". "Karen has been a lively, active child since childhood. He loved his profession very much. He was on vacation when the war broke out, without a moment's hesitation, leaving the pregnant woman at home he left for the battlefield. Karen Beglaryan was posthumously awarded the "Combat Cross" of the Second Degree and "Combat Service" orders. Cheating is rife across many gaming platforms, but the biggest cheaters are usually found around PC gaming despite games companies banning thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of the scamps. Valve's Steam Deck, its upcoming handheld, should make it harder to bend the rules. TMA The company announced titles that depend on Epics Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) software can now run on the portable. Valve said adding Steam Deck support to titles that use EAC is a simple process. Developers wont need to update their SDK version or make other time-consuming changes. It joins BattlEye support, meaning, as Valve notes: The two largest anti-cheat services are now easily supported on Proton and Steam Deck. However, its still unclear whether some of the most popular multiplayer games on Steam that use BattlEye and EAC, including titles like Rainbow Six Siege and PUBG, will work on day one. Mat Smith Must be a hard workout. TMA Peloton didnt need more bad news. The premiere episode of Billions season six includes a scene that, like the Sex and the City follow-up And Just Like That, points a finger at Peloton's Bike for causing a heart attack for Mike "Wags" Wagner (played by David Costabile). Unlike And Just Like That, however, Wagner survives he even references the AJLT scene, telling staff that he's "not going out" like that character. Continue reading. And less memory for the highest-specced model TMA According to WinFutures Roland Quandt, European pricing for the Galaxy S22 series will start at 849 (roughly $1,018), with the base models of the Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra slated to cost 1,049 ($1,188) and 1,249 ($1,414). If accurate, this should mean the 2022 Samsungs Galaxy S lineup will cost just as much as it did in 2021. In Europe at least, the Galaxy S22 Ultra will ship with 8GB of RAM, while the S21 Ultra packs 12GB of RAM. Story continues And if you thought that was pricey, a separate leak from Android Police earlier this month suggested the company could charge an extra $100 stateside for every model in the Galaxy S22 lineup. We should know more very soon. Continue reading. The move may be temporary. Earlier this week, Apple began requiring students and teachers in the US to verify their identity through authentication service UNiDAYS before they could take advantage of the companys discounted education pricing. However, thats since disappeared. You can once again buy discounted Macs, iPads and other Apple products from the companys US education website without needing to verify youre currently a student or a teacher. Continue reading. The company appealed to Australia's High Court to overturn a defamation case. Google has asked the High Court of Australia to overturn a 2020 ruling it warns could have a devastating effect on the wider internet. Google claims it will be forced to act as censor if the countrys highest court doesnt overturn a decision that awarded a lawyer $40,000 in defamation damages for an article the company had linked to through its search engine. In 2016, George Defteros, a Victoria state lawyer, contacted Google to ask the company to remove a 2004 article from The Age. The piece featured reporting on murder charges prosecutors filed against Defteros related to the death of three men. Those charges were later dropped in 2005. The company refused to remove the article from its search results as it viewed the publication as a reputable source. Continue reading. The biggest news stories you might have missed Sony will release a movie made using the PlayStation game-builder 'Dreams' 'We Met in Virtual Reality' finds love in the metaverse PlatinumGames' long-awaited shoot 'em-up arrives February 22nd What we bought: A rice cooker whose greatest trick isn't actually rice The latest 'Star Trek: Picard' season two trailer teases a time-traveling adventure (Refiles to fix typo in second paragraph) By Marcy de Luna and Nina Chestney HOUSTON/LONDON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Sky-high European demand drove U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to a record in December, Refinitiv data showed, with winter supply worries set to sustain orders for the fuel. About half of the record U.S. LNG volumes shipped last month went to Europe, up from 37% earlier in 2021, data from Refinitiv and the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed. The gains reflected soaring demand for the home heating and industrial fuel that pushed prices in Europe and Asia to record highs. The United States has ample and cheap supplies as its shale oil and gas boom in the last two decades led to domestic production that has exceeded U.S. demand by about 10%. Vessel tracking data showed about 7.15 million tonnes of LNG were shipped last month on 106 vessels, up 16% compared to 6.14 million tonnes on 89 vessels the same month a year ago. That topped the previous record of 6.51 million tonnes set in May. Dutch gas prices, the European benchmark, have cooled since late December removing their premium to Asia. On Wednesday, the Japan Korea Marker (JKM) price for Asia spot gas was $34.19 per million British thermal units, a premium of about $4 https://tmsnrt.rs/3t3mB3P to Europe. Two LNG cargoes originally destined for Europe have been re-routed this month, people familiar with the matter said, with one heading to Asia. That is a reversal to late last year when at least 10 cargoes heading for Asia were re-routed to Europe attracted by the price differential. "LNG diversions from Asia are a useful stop-gap measure but are not a sustainable substitute for stable pipeline supplies," Wei Xiong, senior analyst at consultancy Rystad Energy, said. LNG demand in Asia may jump in January, halting further diversions to Europe, she added. "Prices are volatile right now," said Reid I'Anson, senior commodity analyst at data provider Kpler. Story continues While LNG prices being higher in Asia than in Europe lowers the likelihood of a new record for U.S. exports to Europe, flows could shift again if temperatures tumble there, I'Anson said. Ports in Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium have around 30 LNG tankers scheduled for delivery this month, with at least 13 arriving from the United States. CHILLING While the United States has plentiful natural gas, its processing and chilling capacity is limited. Gas flowing to U.S. LNG export plants in December hit a record 12.2 billion cubic feet per day, about the maximum processing capacity. There were no LNG processing plants approved in the United States last year, while nearly a dozen plants proposed in past years are still awaiting financial commitments. Spending on new LNG projects fell in recent years as trade tensions between the United States and China rose and more recently as gas prices fell during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reporting by Marcy de Luna in Houston and Nina Chestney in London; Additional reporting by Susanna Twidale; Editing by Alexander Smith) Staff from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network will discuss how historic sites of all sizes and budgets can offer virtual content, covering the basics of planning a project and sharing stories from those who've successfully created digital exhibits. Staff from the South Central Regional Library Council will talk about New York Heritage, a statewide collaborative site with photos, books and more content from hundreds of cultural organizations around the state. The workshop will cover how sites can add their content to the site, as well as some existing Cayuga County collections there. Additionally, staff from Seymour Library will share how to access interns and equipment to start digitizing content this spring and share it on social media. Well, the winter weather has arrived here in Cayuga County and across our region, and with it an increase in the number of home fires. In order to deliver help and hope to those who need it most, the American Red Cross of Western New York is recruiting new volunteers to help respond to these local emergencies by supporting people in their time of greatest need. Nationally, the Red Cross has already responded to more than 1,900 home fires since 2022 began, providing assistance to more than 6,500 people. In our region in the last six months alone, trained Red Cross Disaster Action Team members have responded to 352 homes fires and helped 621 people impacted by a fire in their home. Local response help needed: In order to continue helping families recover from devastating home fires, we invite you to join our team in this new year to ensure no family faces this heartbreaking situation alone. Our local DAT volunteers help families with their immediate needs after a fire in their home and offer support during a very difficult time. As a DAT team member, you will provide emotional support, access to financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover. DAT team members respond to emergencies to provide immediate compassion and care. Training will always be provided. Blood services volunteers also needed: The Red Cross also needs volunteers to support blood collections as the country faces an ongoing critical need for blood products and platelets. Blood donor ambassadors play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in our communities. Dont forget, you can also volunteer through blood donation by making an appointment at redcrossblood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app. COVID-19 and staying safe: The need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve as the Red Cross navigates the ongoing pandemic. The safety of everyone is our top priority and our guidelines reflect the latest Centers for Disease Control & Prevention safety recommendations. COVID-19 vaccination is required for in-person volunteer roles beginning Feb. 15. When considering volunteer opportunities, review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. This new year, please consider joining the Red Cross as a volunteer as we continue to bring help and hope to people in need here in Cayuga County and beyond. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in our region by visiting redcross.org/volunteertoday. Meg Rossman is regional communications manager for the American Red Cross Western New York Region. For more information, call (315) 234-2200 or visit redcross.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Cayuga County Legislature on Tuesday voted to table a resolution asking the local health department not to enforce the state's mask-or-vaccine mandate. The vote was 14-1. Legislator Andrew Dennison, who introduced the resolution, was the lone vote against the motion to table the measure. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the mask-or-vaccine mandate for businesses and indoor public venues in December as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations began to rise. The directive is temporary it was due to expire in mid-January but was extended to Feb. 1 and requires businesses and indoor venues to either require customers and staff to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or wear a mask. Hochul said that counties would be responsible for enforcing the requirement, but some counties are defying the directive and not enforcing the mask-or-vaccine rules. In December, then-Cayuga County Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman said that the county would enforce the mandate, but that the health department would take an educational approach before fining businesses. Kathleen Cuddy, the county's public health director, told The Citizen on Monday that while the health department has received complaints since the new requirement took effect, it has not issued any consent orders fines for failing to abide by the directive. According to Cuddy, if there is a complaint, the health department has a conversation with the business or venue and offers masks to provide to customers and signage to encourage patrons to wear masks. "The majority of businesses are appreciative of the phone call and offers of support and indicate they continue to do their best to remain in compliance with the vaccination or mask use mandate," Cuddy added. The Cayuga County Board of Health met Tuesday afternoon and asked the county Legislature to postpone its vote on the resolution. After a discussion about the resolution and new developments involving the state directive, the board voted to ask the Legislature to postpone its consideration of the measure. "My opinion is that right now, especially with this court order from downstate, if there was a resolution here at the county level it's going to create an enormous amount of confusion at all levels," said Tim Fessenden, a member of the health board. Fessenden was referring to a state Supreme Court in Nassau County judge's ruling on Monday that the mask-or-vaccine mandate is unconstitutional. However, there was an earlier ruling from a different judge in another county that upheld the directive. A state appellate court on Tuesday issued a stay, which means the mask mandate remains in effect. Dennison's resolution followed a vote on a motion opposing the mask mandate at the legislature's reorganizational meeting on Jan. 1. But the county Legislature's action created confusion because there wasn't a formal resolution. Chris Palermo, the county attorney, told members of the board of health earlier this month that it would be illegal for the legislature to prevent the health department from enforcing public health law. Since there are legal questions about the legislature's authority, Dennison's resolution was worded to request that the local health department not enforce the requirement. Cayuga County Legislator Elane Daly, who serves on the health board and is the county's former director of health and human services, thought the resolution would create more confusion and divisiveness at a time when COVID-19 cases remain high and nearly 20 residents are hospitalized. "There is still a public health directive to enforce," she said. "There is still a state education mandate that requires children to go and be masked in school. I'm unclear why we would be voting on this anyway. I'm not sure it compels anything." Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Cayuga County Legislature on Tuesday will vote on a resolution asking the board of health and health department to not enforce the state's vaccine-or-mask mandate for businesses and indoor public venues. The resolution was introduced by Legislator Andrew Dennison, an independent. The measure follows Dennison's motion at the Jan. 1 reorganizational meeting to oppose the new COVID-19 requirements. The majority of legislators voted to support that motion, but no formal resolution was considered. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Dec. 13 that businesses and indoor public venues must request proof of vaccination or require employees and customers to wear masks. The mandate was initially due to expire on Jan. 15, but was extended to Feb. 1. Under the directive, counties are responsible for enforcing the vaccine-or-mask mandate. Those who violate the mandate could be fined up to $1,000. However, some New York counties have said they would not enforce the requirement. At issue in Cayuga County is whether legislators can direct the health department to not enforce the order. Chris Palermo, the county attorney, told the board of health at its Jan. 7 meeting that legislators can't overrule state public health law and the public health director, Kathleen Cuddy, must enforce the mandate. But that did not discourage Dennison and other lawmakers in their bid to prevent enforcement of the mandate. Dennison introduced the resolution and bypassed the committee process, meaning that it was not reviewed by the Legislature's health and human services committee before Tuesday's meeting. In his resolution, Dennison states it's the Legislature's opinion that "a mask mandate is an affront to personal freedom." He also notes that the county health department recently ended its contact tracing efforts for new COVID-19 cases a step taken because of a massive surge in cases. Dennison adds, "[T]he Cayuga County Legislature is of the opinion that the county health department should refrain from enforcing the state's mandate at county taxpayer expense and at the expense of necessary resources, rather leaving the choice to wear a mask to the individual." Cuddy wrote in an email to The Citizen that the health department "does not have any consent orders related to the vaccinate or mask mandate on this month's agenda for the (board of health)." She added, "We have responded to complaints received since the Dec. 13, 2021, mandate went into effect." "Our first step is to listen to the complainant's concern," Cuddy said. "Based upon that conversation, as time has allowed given the uptick in other patient-related COVID-19 work around the holidays, we call the business to speak with them. The conversation with businesses is to provide education, offers of signage for their business to display and offers of masks for their use to provide to customers. The majority of businesses are appreciative of the phone call and offers of support and indicate they continue to do their best to remain in compliance with the vaccination or mask use mandate." For more than a year, from April 2020 to May 2021, there was a statewide mask mandate in effect. The health department issued more than 30 consent orders to local businesses that violated the state order. First-time offenders paid a $50 fine. Repeat offenders were subject to larger penalties. After Hochul announced the new vaccine-or-mask directive, then-Cayuga County Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman said in December that the county would enforce the mandate. Cuddy told reporters that the health department would take an educational approach at first and then follow its standard procedure for health violations. But a coalition of Republicans, a Conservative and Dennison are now in the majority. There is also a new chair, Cayuga County Legislator David Gould. Gould told the board of health that there is concern about how the vaccine-or-mask mandate will affect businesses. The vote on Tuesday will come as Cayuga County is still in the midst of a COVID-19 surge. The health department reported 511 active cases on Monday and one death, a woman in her 80s. Twenty residents are hospitalized, 12 of whom are unvaccinated. It's possible that the county may not have to worry about the mandate. A state Supreme Court judge in Nassau County struck down the requirement in a ruling on Monday. Hochul said in a statement that her office is "pursuing every option to reverse this immediately." Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 6 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 10 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hyundai Creta has become the country's most exported SUV in 2021 by registering a growth of 26.17 % YoY. A total of 32,799 units of the SUV were exported overseas from India last year as compared to 25 995 units of Creta being exported in the year-ago period. Hyundai Motor India exported a total of 42 238 SUVs last year, which included models such as Venue and Creta Grand. The exports figure for Venue stood at 7,698 units while that for Creta Grand stood at 1,741 units. With its milestone achievement, Hyundai maintained the SUV leadership position in the domestic market for calendar year 2021. The company said that Creta encapsulates its commitment to the government's Make-in-India' vision. (Also read | Hyundai India looks to maintain leadership position in SUV segment in 2022) The company has already shipped over 2.62 lakh units of SUVs overseas with Creta contributing over 93% to the total figure, along with Venue, making the automaker one of the leading SUV exporters in the country. Ever since its global debut, Creta has been a runaway success in domestic and international markets alike. It has (played a) strategic role in Hyundai's Global SUV portfolio," said Un Soo Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Limited. (Also read | Hyundai India to launch six electric cars by 2028, focus on charging infra) Hyundai India last year launched models such as Creta, i20, Verna and Alcazar in select global markets, expanding its export outreach. It also began shipments of the new N Line and LPG variants of its existing models in some key markets abroad including South Africa and Peru, respectively. Additionally, it added four new markets to its list of export countries Dominica, Chad, Ghana and Laos. Hyundai India's cumulative exports last year stood at 1,30 380 units last year, registering a growth of 31.8 % over the year-ago period despite the global semiconductor crisis and intermittent lockdowns in various global markets. The automaker witnessed a growth of 91 % in its export orderbook thanks partly to the pent-up demand of customers. First Published Date: Beijing (Gasgoo)- The CEO of Chinas Roborock intelligent cleaning robot company, Chang Jing, has reportedly raised $100 million from Tencent and others at the end of 2021 for his automaking project, Luoke Auto. Photo credit: Roborock As the leading investor, the tech giant, Tencent is said to put in over $50 million in this financing round. Currently, Luoke Auto is kicking off a new investment round, with a $2 billion valuation, sources close to the matter told a local media outlet. The media asked Luoke Auto but was not replied. On the other hand, Tencent responded to the media outlet with no comment. Luoke Auto is Chang Jings car-making project founded at the end of 2020. With the founder being an off-roader maniac, Luoke Autos first production model is set to rival the Mercedes-Benz G Series. The company intended to endow over 1,000 km of range to its first model with the help of range extension technology. 2020 might seem like five years late to enter the auto industry, compared to other popular Chinese auto startups, like NIO and Li Auto. However, Chang Jing still holds an upper hand with his higher start. The entrepreneurs automated floor cleaning robot company, Roborock, is a star within the Xiaomi ecosystem, with a hundred-billion-yuan market value on the Science and Technology Innovation Board once. Notably, with the tech giant and head financial organization participating, Luoke Autos investment round has tipped off the industry. After Tencents investment, NIO Capital and Li Autos investor Meituan also came in contact with the new star but were declined by Chang Jing. POMPANO BEACH, Fla.M.D. Science Lab, maker of the Swiss Navy brand, is reporting record sales for 2021. 2021 really outperformed all our expectations, said Briana Watkins, M.D. Science Labs vice president of sales and marketing. Its evident that our teams hard work and extra efforts have paid off. Swiss Navys record-breaking sales wouldnt have been possible without the work of each and every team member. In addition to adding team members to its Swiss Navy team, M.D. Science Lab expanded its production facility and increased its manufacturing shifts to keep up with continued product demands. Our sales drove all-time revenue records with growth in every product category, Watkins said. Were very thankful for our customer-partners' enthusiastic response to all our products, especially our two new collections that were introduced in 2021, Desire by Swiss Navy and our 4-in-1 Playful Flavors. The company also reported the year is off to a productive start with Swiss Navy focusing on helping its customers meet their own consumer demands and adding even more B2B support with the launch of a new business-to-business resource website, in addition to plans to expand product offerings. I am continually proud to see the effectiveness of our team working together, said Ralph Albrecht, M.D. Science Labs CEO. 2021 set records for us and I cant wait to see what we do in 2022! For more information on Swiss Navy products, visit swissnavy.com or e-mail [email protected]. To access Swiss Navys Business-to-Business website, visit B2BSwissNavy.com. "Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world." This is what I looked up from Wikipedia about "Valentine's Day". Nowadays this special holiday is mostly associated with roses,chocalates and heart-shaped gifts,as well as love letters. Talking about love letters,I remember the first love letter I received when I was just seventeen. In the letter it was a poem and I didn't know whom the author is. I do remember one sentence in the poem which I couldn't translate it precisely(). The letter annoyed me a lot because all the other roomates in my dormitory laughed at me and gossiped. At last,I tore the letter into pieces. Not long after that,I received another two letters from another classmate. OMG,what the hell! Do that to me one more time Do that to me one more time Once is never enough with a man like you Do that to me one more time I can never get enough of a man like you Oh, kiss me, like you just did Oh baby Do that to me once again Pass that by me one more time Once just isn't enough for my heart to hear Wha-ha-ha, tell it to me one more time I can never hear enough while I got ya near Who-ho-ho, say those words again like you just did Oh baby Tell it to me once again Do that to me one more time Once is never enough with a man like you Wha-ha-ha, do that to me one more time I can never get enough of a man like you Who-ho-ho, kiss me like you just did Oh baby Do that to me once again Who-ho-ho, baby Do that to me once again Who-ho-ho, baby Do that to me one more time One more time (Do it again) One more time (Do it again) One more time (Do it again) One more time (Do it again) One more time (Do it again) One more time (Do it again) One more time (Do it again) Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Toni Tennille The Billings School Board voted unanimously Monday to keep two controversial books on the shelves of high school libraries. A parent of a local high school student in the district challenged Lawn Boy, an autobiographical novel by Jonathan Evision and a graphic style memoir by Maia Kobabe called Gender Queer. Both books have been challenged in numerous school districts across the country, and in several areas they have been banned. "Child-on-child sex acts really have no value to any kind of learning inside of the school," said Nathan Mathews, who challenged the books. "Lawn Boy" depicts sex acts between 10-year-old boys. "Gender Queer" also depicts sex scenes. Mathews said that after hearing about a fight over the books in another state, he checked in October to see if public schools in Billings had the books. "My point would be that if I stood outside that school and handed out pornographic materials, Id go to jail," he said. "It seems odd to me that these books would be in our school library for everybody to access." It is rare for a book challenge to reach a school board for a decision, said Jeff Weldon, the legal counsel for the board. Challenged books are first discussed with a librarian, or a teacher if the reading is an assignment. Most disagreements are resolved at this level or are resolved in discussion with a school's principal. In addition to asking themselves a number of questions about the books per policy, the board focused on the works as wholes rather than focusing on the controversial parts in question. They also weighed the educational value, the district's existing policies, and both state and federal law. "I don't like those images," said Russell Hall, board member. "But then I saw the rest of the book. I saw enough to recognize someone in a really tough situation... all I can imagine is that there are youth in our schools and they don't know where to turn." Much of the discussion emphasized a need to support LGBTQ students, but that the issue would also hopefully be discussed in the same terms if heterosexual sex scenes were instead depicted. Libraries in the district have only lent "Lawn Boy" twice and "Gender Queer" eight times. Following the parent's complaint, a review committee comprised of a building administrator, a parent, a teacher, and a librarian from schools other than the ones in question recommended that both books remain in the high school libraries. Legal counsel and administrators agreed there is a narrow scope for when a book can be removed without violating First Amendment rights. A 1982 supreme court decision rules that public schools can ban books that are "pervasively vulgar" but they cannot remove books "simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books." An ad hoc committee consisting of at least three school board members also earlier reviewed the materials. They recommended banning "Gender Queer" within the district and keeping "Lawn Boy." "Conflict is often ugly and harsh," said Kathryn Pfaffinger, a member of the review committee and a veteran English teacher at Skyview High School. She compared vulgar language she sometimes hears in the halls to the content in question: "Does it help to appeal to teen readers? Yeah, absolutely it does." By 5 p.m. on Monday, the school board had received more than 250 emails addressing the request to ban the books. Jennifer Sanchez wrote a letter supporting removal of both books. The books are obscene because they fit the definition of obscenity, she wrote. For me, this is not a heterosexual vs homosexual issue." Gender Queer glorifies sexting and depicts sexual acts. Sexual terms in the book are exactly what pedophiles use to try and normalize their interaction with kids, she said in the letter. She said Lawn Boy, which describes oral sex between two 10-year-old boys, is child pornography. James Allen describes himself in his letter to the board as a concerned citizen and taxpayer and ends the letter with God bless. I beg you to pull these titles out of any school in the district, Allen writes. It's the job of parents to teach their children about sex and it is not the schools place to push this on young minds. The majority of emails to the board opposed banning the books. One writer, who used a pseudonym to sign the letter, said as the mother of two gay children I encourage you to keep this book available to students who are seeking answers in their life. I wish this had been available when my children were in high school. Alice Asleson identified herself in her letter as a librarian at Senior High School who recently served on the districts Materials Challenge Review Committee as the librarian representative. She said she wholeheartedly supports both books and feels strongly that pulling either would be a grave error. It is critical that we include library materials to meet the needs of older students and LGBTQ+ students, not only the needs of younger students and cisgender/heterosexual students, she wrote. Dane Spencer told the board he feared banning the books would send the message to all students (but specifically queer students) that there is something wrong or grossly inappropriate about queer sexual identities. He said he also found the targeting of queer books hypocritical. Controversial books depicting heterosexual sex, including Vladimir Nabokovs Lolita remain in high school libraries. Board Trustee Mike Leo, who served on the ad hoc committee, said that high schoolers have easy access to pornography with cell phones and computers, adding that he doubts any of the students are looking to the library as a source for pornography. "This is a solution in search of a problem, and theres not a problem here. The problem is that theres an out-of-state agenda thats being pushed forward, probably for some entity or individuals gain, and weve got some people who have taken it up here," said Leo. Love 32 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 2 Angry 16 The death penalty is no longer on the table for Dale Wayne Eaton. Court filings show that Eaton, who was convicted of the 1988 murder, rape and kidnapping of Lisa Marie Kimmell, is set to receive a non-capital sentence. At the time of the incident, Kimmell was driving from Colorado to Billings, where her family used to live. A sentencing hearing was initially set for November, but has been postponed twice and will now tentatively take place in March, said Eatons attorney Terry Harris. Natrona County prosecutors agreed to withdraw their intent to seek the death penalty in September 2021, court documents state. The decision comes after Eaton completed a mental evaluation at the Wyoming State Hospital in August. Court filings state that evaluators found Eaton was not competent to withstand a capital sentencing hearing, but that he is able to proceed with sentencing that does not include the death penalty. The parties agree that Mr. Eatons death sentence ... must now be replaced with a life sentence as required by federal law, a stipulation filed by Harris in September states. Mr. Eaton will undoubtedly remain in prison until he dies no matter how this court exercises its remaining sentencing discretion. Eaton is already serving a life sentence plus another 40 years, the filing states. A jury concluded in his 2004 trial that he should be put to death for the crimes, but a federal judge took him off of death row in 2014 after finding he didnt have appropriate representation during the penalty phase of his trial. During that period, Eaton was the only person in Wyoming on death row. The last execution in the state took place 30 years ago, with Mark Hopkinson in 1992. When prosecutors moved again for Eaton to receive the capital penalty, the court ruled that a mental evaluation was needed. According to the state examiner, Eaton showed signs of dementia and depression, and has also recently suffered strokes that have damaged his brain function. He is confused at times, the examiner reported, and has trouble with speech and memory. A doctor noted Eaton thought he was 10 years older than his actual age. While death penalty hearings can take months, sentencing without capital punishment as an option is much quicker, less complex and calls far fewer witnesses. The sentencing is mostly a formality, since Eaton will already be spending the rest of his life behind bars. While the crime was committed in 1988, evidence did not implicate Eaton until more than a decade later. Fourteen potential death penalty cases have been presented to Wyoming prosecutors since 2006. Just five of those have made it to a trial, and none of those resulted in a recommended death sentence. Recent proposals have been made in the Wyoming Legislature to abolish the death penalty in the state, as opponents cite how much more expensive it is to prosecute cases with the potential punishment. The most recent attempt at repealing the death penalty in Wyoming died on the Senate floor during the 2021 legislative session. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas, said that it costs around $750,000 a year to keep the state's lawyers trained to deal with death penalty cases. Capital trials tend to take up to four times as long to complete as other criminal cases, and often require the accused to be placed in special solitary confinement facilities with increased security, further adding to the cost. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 27 states, the federal government and U.S. military still have the death penalty. Aside from Colorado, Wyoming's neighboring states all still have capital punishment on the books. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 25 Billings Police on Tuesday continued their investigation into the shooting death of two men, and the critical injury of a third. Police responded early Tuesday morning to an accident and found two men shot dead. The third man was found with a severe neck injury and taken to a Billings hospital, police said in a tweet. Police responded to a report of a crashed pickup truck on the 300 block of South 37th Street a little after 3 a.m., according to a statement from Billings Police Lt. Brandon Wooley. They found two of the men inside the truck unresponsive and not breathing, and they were later pronounced dead at the scene. Both have yet to be identified, but "appear to be in their 20s," Wooley wrote. The third man was identified as a 22-year-old from Billings. Wooley did not specify the nature of his injuries, but did say they were not consistent with those normally sustained in a vehicle crash. The two men's bodies lay for several hours next to a red Nissan pickup truck that had crashed into a tree on the 300 block of South 37th. Bullet holes could be seen in the driver's side window and door of the crashed truck. Police cordoned off the area around the scene and searched nearby streets. While the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, Wooley wrote in his Tuesday morning statement that initial evidence suggests that a fight broke out inside the pickup truck prior to the crash. Officers are not searching for anyone else connected to the shooting, and no arrests have been made. The rolling shooting is the latest in a series of high-profile violent crimes in the city. Billings police are still investigating the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy in the Heights earlier this month. As of Tuesday morning, no arrests have been made in connection to that homicide, which occurred in the early hours of Jan. 16. Later that same week, a man was hospitalized with a gunshot wound after a shooting on the South Side. A Billings Police officer was placed on administrative leave after a fight broke out between off-duty officers and two men at a casino on Grand Avenue. A Yellowstone County deputy was injured by a possible bullet fragment during the melee, and a man was hospitalized with serious injuries after he wrecked a car driving away from the scene. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation has been tasked with determining the cause of the fight. The rise in violent crime in Billings and Yellowstone County has garnered the attention of both local and state authorities. Gov. Greg Gianforte held a roundtable discussion in Billings Jan. 21 centered on improving public safety in the area. The overcrowding of the Yellowstone County Detention Center dominated the conversation. A week prior to the governor's visit, local officials held their own presentation. Homicides in particular climbed to 22 in Billings during the year 2020, Police Chief Rich St. John told those in attendance. For 2021, the number dropped to nine, and all of which were solved by investigators. Love 2 Funny 10 Wow 13 Sad 21 Angry 55 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Billings transgender woman has been awarded compensation by the Montana Human Rights Commission after Yellowstone Countys health care policy denied her all gender-affirming health care. In 2019, Eleanor Andersen Maloney filed a complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau alleging Yellowstone County and county commissioners violated her human rights by expressly denying health care for "services or supplies related to sexual reassignment and reversal of such procedures," according to an administrative decision issued by the HRB. On Monday an HRB administrative hearing officer awarded Maloney $66,531 to compensate her for lost wages and compensation after she was "constructively discharged" from her job as a result of the county's health care policy denied her health care on the basis of her sex. Maloney had worked as an attorney in the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office at the time. She is a transgender woman, meaning she identifies as a woman, but had male sex assigned at birth. Most experts agree that gender identity has a biological component, meaning that each person's gender identity is the result of biological factors in addition to social, cultural and behavioral factors, according to facts presented to the HRB. In August, an administrative judge with the HRB ruled Yellowstone Countys blanket ban on coverage for gender-affirming care constitutes unlawful sex discrimination violating Maloney's human rights and the Montana Human Rights Act in general, according to hearing documents. I'm grateful that the rights of LGBTQIA+ Montanans are vindicated today," Maloney said via the ACLU's press release. Love 41 Funny 9 Wow 4 Sad 2 Angry 52 The Northern Cheyenne president has been accused of neglect and failing in the duties of her office, and will face a hearing with the tribal council in February that could end with her removal. Tribal Vice President Serena Wetherelt filed a complaint against President Donna Fisher earlier this month with accusations centered on a tribal employee allegedly making unauthorized purchases with funds belonging to the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The Tribal President continued to aid and abet the misuse of the tribal credit card by simply doing nothing, wrote Wetherelt in her complaint emailed to The Gazette by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council. The allegations against Fisher stemmed from her delegating Wetherelt as acting president in early December 2021 while Fisher was away. During those two days, according to complaint documents, Wetherelt found that a tribal employee was not following finance and purchasing protocols when using a tribal credit card. The unauthorized charges amounted to nearly $7,000, documents say. Fisher allegedly did not discipline the tribal member once she returned back to her office. In an email exchange in December between the president and vice president included in the complaint, Fisher wrote that she did not delegate any authority to Wetherelt regarding personnel issues. She also wrote that Wetherelt was violating federal privacy law by discussing the matter with Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council members. Fisher could not be reached for comment on the allegations. Both Fisher and Wetherelt were elected to office in Nov. 2020. In her complaint submitted to the tribal council dated Jan. 11, 2022, Wetherelt cited the Northern Cheyenne Constitution in charging Fisher with gross neglect and failing to use the power of her position to act in good faith and in the interests of the tribe. The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council released a statement Tuesday announcing that a formal hearing would be held Feb. 2 that will include both parties. The council will review the complaint and hear the response from Fisher before it votes whether to remove the president. Tribal law requires that at least two thirds of the 10-person council approve a sitting presidents removal. Should that occur in February, a special election will be held to select a new president. Prior to the councils announcement, copies of the complaint appeared on social media. In their statement, the council called the leak unfortunate. This is a reminder that there is a process for removal hearings and the Tribal Council is moving forward to afford both the complainant [sic] and the accused a fair hearing, the councils statement concluded. Februarys hearing will mark at least the third time in a decade the tribal council has voted on whether to remove the Northern Cheyenne president. In July 2013, they voted to remove then-president John Robinson for firing the head of a Northern Cheyenne program for abused children. In October 2017, the council voted to oust then-tribal president Lawrence Killsback following a complaint of gross neglect from a tribal council member. Three months after his removal, he was reelected by popular vote after a subsequent special election. He later resigned and was sentenced to prison time for misusing tribal funds for his personal benefit. The tribal councils hearing and vote will take place in Lame Deer within the Littlewolf Capitol Building. The hearing is scheduled to start Wednesday, February 2 at 10 a.m., and will be streamed on the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council Community Broadcasting Networks Facebook page. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 4 Sad 7 Angry 4 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A North Dakota man who served 6 years in prison for a Wishek murder could have his probation revoked after authorities leveled allegations of four violations during December. Nicholas Caspers, 38, is scheduled for a Feb. 23 revocation hearing, court documents show. Authorities say that in December he used methamphetamine twice, defrauded a urine test, and left South Dakota without permission from his supervising officer, according to a North Dakota Parole and Probation affidavit. Court documents show Caspers lives in Huron, South Dakota, and is supervised there under an agreement between the two states. He is free on $3,000 cash bond. Caspers in 2011 pleaded guilty to Class A felony murder in the death of Paul Varner. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with seven years suspended and five years on probation upon his release, which was in August 2017. Caspers was originally charged with a Class AA murder, a charge that carries the possibility of life in prison. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge under the terms of a plea agreement. Class A felony murder occurs when "the person causes the death under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance for which there is reasonable excuse," according to state law. Caspers, who was living in Bismarck at the time, and Varner had argued for a couple of years before Varners death. Caspers claimed Varner, 30, taunted and demeaned him. An altercation occurred when Caspers went to Varners Wishek home after a heated phone conversation in February 2010. An autopsy showed Varner died of an upper airway obstruction from multiple facial fractures and bruises caused by heavy blunt impacts. The coroners report showed Varner's injuries likely occurred when his head was fixed against an object, because he had no neck injuries. Caspers violated his probation by consuming alcohol in 2020. The violation did not warrant revocation, authorities concluded. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail. He also pleaded guilty to DUI in Morton County in January 2020. He was given a 10-day suspended sentence and fined $750. Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Planners of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library are closer to securing their preferred site for the project near Medora. A contractor earlier this month completed an appraisal of the U.S. Forest Service land near the Medora Musical's Burning Hills Amphitheatre. The Forest Service reviewed and approved the appraisal. The appraisal value is confidential until the land sale is completed, according to Dakota Prairie Grasslands Medora District Ranger Misty Hays. The land comprises 90.21 acres. The sale is expected to take place in April. The site will provide a location for the library that will honor the 26th president, who ranched and hunted in the Medora-area Badlands as a young man in the 1880s. The Roosevelt family has committed the money to purchase the land through the library foundation, according to Library CEO Ed O'Keefe. He said the family committed $100,000, "and that is more than needed to make the land purchase." Officials now will complete an environmental review and a process for drafting and finalizing documents. The environmental review will not include public comments because the land sale was an act of Congress, according to Hays. "We're really just reviewing to be sure that the (land sale) is in compliance with other federal laws; so for instance, historic properties and wildlife and those kind of things," she said. The Forest Service is looking to maintain easements for a two-track road on the land, as well as a portion of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, Hays said. The land sale will mark another milestone for the project advanced by the 2019 Legislature, which approved a $50 million operations endowment for the library, contingent upon $100 million being raised in private donations. Library organizers met that goal in October 2020 and continue to raise money for the project. Through June 2021, they had secured $155.1 million in donations, signed agreements, pledges and the state endowment. O'Keefe declined to give an update, saying fundraisers are "still in the quiet phase of the campaign." Organizers have chosen a landscape architect of record for the project. Confluence, which has offices throughout the Midwest including Fargo and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will work with Snohetta -- design architect and design landscape architect -- and architect of record JLG. JE Dunn is the construction manager. Library organizers are planning to begin construction next year, hold a "soft opening" in fall 2025 and celebrate a grand opening on July 4, 2026. Last month, Rob and Melani Walton of the Walmart fortune gave $10 million to Dickinson State University to boost its Theodore Roosevelt Center, which is digitizing and archiving Roosevelt materials. The donation fulfilled a key provision of the legislation for the library. Melani Walton is a library board trustee and a 1998 Dickinson State alumna. The Arkansas couple earlier this year purchased nearly 2,000 acres of the Hellickson Ranch near Medora for $3.8 million, with intentions to preserve the land and to continue grazing. They previously gave $50 million toward the library's $100 million goal. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Abraxas Petroleum Corp. says vandalism over the weekend led to a saltwater spill at one of its oil wells in McKenzie County. The company filed a report with state officials after discovering the spill on Sunday. The North Dakota Oil and Gas Division said valves were left open at the well site, causing the leak. Abraxas said someone had opened up its equipment overnight. The company estimated 435 barrels or 18,270 gallons of saltwater spilled. The fluid was contained within the well pad, and crews have recovered most of it, Abraxas told the state. Saltwater is also known as produced water or brine in the oil fields, and it comes up in wells along with oil and gas. It's sometimes stored in tanks at well sites, which is where the fluid was when it leaked. The incident occurred 9 miles east of Watford City. Abraxas told the state it notified the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Kari Stuart on Tuesday told the Tribune that an investigation remains open, but she did not have more details to share. Abraxas did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment. Vandalism in North Dakota's oil fields is rare. State lawmakers in 2019 beefed up penalties against people who vandalize "critical infrastructure" such as pipelines and oil well sites. The legislation was introduced to deter people from tampering with such infrastructure, and it came in response to activists who turned an emergency valve of an oil pipeline in northeastern North Dakota in 2016. They were among 11 climate change activists who dubbed themselves Climate Direct Action and simultaneously turned shut-off valves on five pipelines in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Washington state that carry Canadian tar sands crude into the U.S. No oil was spilled. Michael Foster, the Seattle man who turned the valve in North Dakota, ended up spending six months in jail. Samuel Jessup, a Vermont man who filmed Fosters protest, was sentenced to two years of probation. Under the 2019 law, a person who intentionally vandalizes such a site can be charged with a Class C felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A state inspector has visited the site where the incident occurred over the weekend and will continue to monitor cleanup, the Oil and Gas Division said. Reach Amy R. Sisk at 701-250-8252 or amy.sisk@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Firefighters in New Jersey battled a fire at Firematic, a business that specializes in fire extinguishers. The fire safety company, on the first floor of a two-story building, "sells, designs, manufactures, and services firefighting equipment," according to their website. But they do not put out their own fires. Fortunately, firefighters were able to evacuate tenants who lived in apartments on the second floor, and nobody was badly inured. But the entire building, including Firematic, was heavily damaged. From NorthJersey.com: The fire displaced four residents living in the second-story apartments, but none were injured, said Garfield Assistant Fire Chief E.J. Morano. He said a police officer was hurt after slipping and falling. Crews responded to the call shortly after 5 a.m., Morano said. The business on the first floor of the building is Firematic & Safety Equipment, a fire protection business that has been in operation since 1949, according to its website. Its services include fire extinguisher recharging, sprinkler inspections and fire safety consulting. The cause of the fire is under investigation. An orthopedic surgeon in Paris tried to get in on the NFT craze by attempting to sell an X-ray image of patient's arm with a lodged bullet in it without her permission. Since the patient was a survivor of the 2015 Bataclan theater terrorist attack, where her boyfriend was killed, Dr. Emmanuel Masmejean thought he could fetch its listing price of $2,776 (2,446 euros). But his side hustle ended abruptly when investigative website Mediapart reported on it. Now he acknowledges it was "an error." From NDTV: We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. When you were a kid, your parents used to tell you to be wary of pickpockets and stranger danger lurking around every corner. While these things may still be around today, you have even more dangers to face on the daily, except they're harder to see coming and they're all hiding in the digital sphere. From sensitive work materials to personal data, protecting yourself online is incredibly important, and being armed with Surfshark One is one of the best ways you can stay safe out there. From antivirus protection to a stellar VPN and data leak alerts, this blanket security service acts as a digital safeguard, covering you while you complete all your online tasks. And at just over $47, that's quite the bang for your buck. For one, Surfshark One provides you with four crucial protective services, including a VPN that secures your identity online with complete anonymity, never limiting what you can do by way of geo-restrictions or government censorship. The program also gives you real-time protection from viruses, immediately notifying you if any are detected and running scheduled scans to ensure none are ever on the horizon. Additionally, you'll also receive alerts regarding any data breaches, stopping identity thieves, protecting your credit cards, bank information, and so much more. Surfshark One also allows you to surf the net without being traceable at all. You'll also experience an ad-free browsing experience, never dealing with pop-ups again. Additionally, Surfshark One gives you access to fantastic key features that make your online experience smoother and more enjoyable than ever, with 10 Gbps VPN servers, selective VPN bypassing, a strict no-logging policy, private DNS and leak protection, and so much more. It's no wonder the program has received tons of praise online, earning it 4.5 out of 5 stars on TechRadar and the title of "Editor's Choice" on PCMag with a 4- out of 5-star rating. Stay protected with Surfshark One, on sale for $47.76 down from $173. Prices subject to change. Earlier this month, "Vaccine Police" captain Christopher Key told his anti-vax followers he had the antidote to Covid-19. "Drink urine!" he said. Now the Alabama gentleman, protecting his individual freedoms at any cost to others, insists he doesn't need a driver's license to drive. "I travel," he told the Daily Beast yesterday, insinuating that traveling was different than driving. "My car is not a car. My car is my wagon, with wagon wheels." (In reality, his car is a car plastered with cheap stickers, as seen below.) From Daily Beast: Anti-COVID-19 "Vaccine Police" leader Christopher Key, who has set out on a cross-country road trip with the end goal of conducting citizen arrests of Democratic governors, says he doesn't need a driver's license, despite operating a motor vehicle. "You only drive if you are committing commerce," Key added. "The only people that need a driver's license are truck drivers, Uber drivers, FedEx drivers, but if you understand your constitutional rights, you have the 'life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.'" The anti-vax leader, who swears by drinking copious amounts of his own urine, added: "I am a free man living on the land." "There is no crime," he said when asked about the possibility of police pulling him over and asking for a driver's license. In the United States, where Key is "traveling," one must have a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle. Christopher Key aka Vaccine Police car has finished being wrapped. https://t.co/EfaPHoSZ2k pic.twitter.com/t59E5xJdbR 2022 Karma (@2022_Karma) January 22, 2022 A second Rochester-based provider of fiber-optic broadband services is coming into Western New York, bringing high-speed Internet services first to the Village of Depew before expanding outward into Cheektowaga and beyond. GoNetspeed said it plans to spend $50 million on the new project to expand its fiber-to-the-premise service, laying over 300 miles of new fiber lines to connect thousands of new customers. Public corporation created to bring high-speed broadband to all of Erie County The goal is a new network that could level the economic development playing field by offering super-fast speeds to poorer cities and rural towns that currently suffer from a distinct connectivity disadvantage. The company said it has also signed a lease for office space in Cheektowaga, where it expects to hire as many as 65 people over the next three years. We welcome GoNetspeed and appreciate the benefits they are bringing to Cheektowaga, said Cheektowaga Town Supervisor Diane Benczkowski. This network of the future will help foster additional growth and economic development for the area. GoNetspeed is the second broadband provider to come into town from Rochester, after Greenlight Networks backed by former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano. The company said fiber-optic connections are considered faster, more stable and more equal for both uploading and downloading than what is available through cable or DSL. Greenlight Networks ready to provide internet service competition The company on Tuesday announced a $100 million investment by its owner, Tom Golisano, in the Buffalo and Rochester areas, as well as possibly some other regions, as the firm seeks to spread across upstate New Thats significant because the arrival of more alternative providers helps address the longstanding complaint by consumers and public officials about inadequate Internet connectivity in many areas of the region, especially after the work-from-home and learn-from-home experiences during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fast, reliable connectivity is more important than ever, and having a choice in providers is even more important, GoNetspeed President and CEO Richard Clark said in a statement. GoNetspeed said it will offer speeds of 150 and 500 megabytes per second, as well as an even faster Gigabit service of 1000 megabytes that will top the ticket of residential offerings. It will also customize speeds for businesses beyond that, if customers need it. GoNetspeed is now seeking permission to connect its wires to existing utility poles owned by other companies, and hopes to start building out its network in April, with service becoming available in Depew later this year, spokesman Trevor Jones said. The company has already mapped out its construction plans, so consumers can check for availability in their area and sign up for priority installation at https://ny.gonetspeed.com/buffalo. Discount Diva: See what a little competition means for internet service? A precious few Buffalonians on the West Side and Elmwood Village can now preorder high-speed fiber optic broadband through Rochester-based Greenlight Networks and can expect live service by the end of summer. Jones said the company selects its new markets by looking at areas without fiber-optic service, with a dense population, where it can easily get connectivity. Those are all factors that go into our decision, he said, adding that we thought the conditions were quite favorable here. The project will be constructed in phases, with new service added as soon as work is complete in each area, starting with a significant portion of the village, Jones said. Other villages and hamlets are also under consideration, he added. GoNetspeed, which is owned by private-equity firm Oak Hill Capital, was formed last year after Oak Hill combined five separate broadband provider and construction firms based in New York, Maine and Alabama. All five sought to build fiber networks. Those include the former GoNetspeed in Rochester (the merged entity adopted the same name), as well as Upstate Fiber Networks of Phelps, N.Y., and contractor Lantek, based in the Rochester suburb of Victor. The other two were Alabama-based Otelco and Icon Connections of Maine. The combined company now operates in eight states New York, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Missouri, Massachusetts, West Virginia and Vermont with 470 employees. It includes legacy telephone company and DSL networks in some markets, including parts of Upstate New York, but its focus is on new fiber-optic service, including in the Finger Lakes region last year. Buffalo Next Must-read local business coverage that exposes the trends, connects the dots and contextualizes the impact to Buffalo's economy. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Wyoming County Community Health System CEO Joseph L. McTernan was at work as recently as Thursday and even squeezed in a conversation on his way home to review the agenda for a board meeting. "He was in good shape, talking, laughing," Rich Kosmerl, president of the health system's board of managers, recalled of that conversation Thursday with McTernan. McTernan, 44, called in sick Friday and died early Monday morning, following what the Warsaw-based health system called a "brief illness." At the family's request, Kosmerl said he was "not at liberty to talk about what the causes were." The news shocked the health system's board, county officials and the organization's payroll of just under 500 employees, who saw McTernan lead the small, county-owned system through the significant challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. "He's going to be missed by myself and the board and many, many people in the hospital and the health community out here," Kosmerl said. "He was a good find for a small county." Joseph L. McTernan joins the Wyoming County Community Health System The Wyoming County Community Health System Board of Managers announced the appointment of Joseph L. McTernan as Chief Executive Officer. He began his career as a paramedic in New York City and subsequently moved into hospital administration, including roles in process improvement and internal consulting at New York Presbyterian McTernan, a native of Rockland County downstate, had the qualifications and professionalism the health system's board was looking for when they brought him on in August 2019. In the months ahead, he worked closely with retiring CEO Donald T. Eichenauer to learn the system and ease the transition, before McTernan officially took over as CEO in January 2020. In the role, McTernan brought his career experience that started as a paramedic in New York City and then moved into hospital administration. That included 12 years in an administrative role at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and nearly eight years at Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth, N.J., where he advanced from senior director of community and clinical services to vice president of special operations. "He came in and went right to work and being a New Yorker, it was his first experience out here in Western New York and he adapted very well to the community," Kosmerl said. Not too long after taking the helm, McTernan, the health system and world were confronted with a pandemic that, over the last two years, has exhausted the health care industry. Kosmerl said McTernan provided a "strong leadership voice" during the pandemic and was key in securing the necessary personal protective equipment for the health system's 62-bed hospital and 138-bed skilled nursing facility. Hochul pledges support for rural hospitals struggling with Covid "We've come a long way," Hochul said, noting vaccines, booster shots and testing are more available. During a visit to the hospital about a month ago by Gov. Kathy Hochul, in which she pledged support for rural hospitals, McTernan said the health system was facing pressure in finding qualified staff members to provide relief to the beleaguered employees who remained. That day, McTernan described the past 21 months of the pandemic as "a period of endurance, perseverance and, also, a great level of innovation." With the loss of McTernan, the health system said its senior leadership team is handling business and day-to-day operations in the near term. Kosmerl expects the board will discuss the next steps at its meeting Tuesday night, including authorizing a search to find McTernan's successor. McTernan is survived by his wife and four children, all 6 years old or younger, according to a GoFundMe created to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser's description called McTernan "a loving father, dedicated colleague and wonderful human being." Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris. Buffalo Next Must-read local business coverage that exposes the trends, connects the dots and contextualizes the impact to Buffalo's economy. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. In a city that prides itself on pizza, the fastest way to start an argument is declare your favorite pizza, the one pie to rule them all. After being raised on Bocces on Bailey, in my latter years I came to appreciate the attributes of non-Buffalo styles, like the blistered Neapolitan, and the New York slice, whose chief attraction is foldability, a sort of mozzarella-covered origami. But I must confess: Detroit style captured my fancy. Its baked in a rectangular pan, rimmed with crispy cheese frico in every perimeter bite. Theres no pizza handles going into the trash, just wall-to-wall flavor. Jets Pizza, 2165 Delaware Ave., was the first Detroit-style pie available in the area, part of a 390-store nationwide chain. If you want to stick with the Pizza Hut of Buffalos Detroit-style offerings, you can it's not bad. But if youd like to see what some of the areas pizza impresarios are doing with the luxe rectangular form, check these places out: Marble + Rye 112 Genesee St., marbleandrye.net, 716-853-1390. Besides a first-rate cocktail program, and the best vegan happy hour in Buffalo, this hip casual venue offers an array of Detroit-style pies ($16 to $22), including one of the only clam pizzas in Buffalo. Lemon, creme fraiche, garlic, cheese and chopped bivalves combine for a sunny seafood snack with panache. Long-simmered grass-fed beef Bolognese sauce crowns another. A version with smoked salmon, capers, red onion and lemon is a special of the moment, and more are on the way. What about a vegan version? Chef-owner Michael Dimmer said an animal-free Detroit-style pizza is only weeks away. . . . Connors Restaurant 3465 Seneca St., West Seneca, connorswestseneca.com, 716-674-9945. For 60 years, Connors has served generations of neighbors a menu of standards, from fish fry to French onion chicken pasta. Recently, it added Detroit style pizza after Mitch Schmitt learned its ways, making the Detroit-style search a smidge easier for Southtowners. Excellent values ($11 to $14) include the Dueling Pepperoni, wherein standard flat pepperoni is used as a base, to be chopped with sauce, cheese and a profusion of cup-n-char pepperoni slices, each bearing a jewel of pepperoni sweat. A chicken finger number, tuned to the customers heat preference, also rocks. If those choices don't speak to you, customers can select from an extensive list of toppings to build their own Detroit lineup. . . . Jays Artisan Pizza 2872 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, 716-322-1704. Pizza whiz Jay Langfelder was the first to bring the finer possibilities of Detroit-style pies to the Buffalo dining crowds attention. Current owner Joe Powers has carried on Jays standards with no drop-off in results ($15 to $19). In fact, Jays hot cherry pepper Detroit style is my death row last meal choice. Vibrant pickled cherry peppers, cup-and-char pepperoni, mozzarella and parmigiano-reggiano cheeses, gilded with chile honey, hits all my buttons. Specials like the late, lamented French onion soup pizza come and go. Up soon: a chicken parm version, Powers said. Send restaurant tips to agalarneau@buffnews.com and follow @BuffaloFood on Instagram and Twitter. The Buffalo News: Food & Drink Get what you need to know about Western New York's dining and bar scene, including restaurant openings and closings, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Press Release January 25, 2022 De Lima deplores reported torture and killing of dead woman found in Davao del Sur Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima condemned the reported torture and barbaric killing of a woman whose corpse was recently found floating near a beach in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said such death, as with recent killings in the country, further highlighted the reigning culture of violence and abuses in the country tolerated and encouraged by no less than Mr. Duterte. "This reported torture and killing of a woman is one of its worst forms. Appalling and unacceptable! Walang puso at walang konsensya lamang ang kayang gumawa ng ganitong mga karumal-dumal na krimen," she said. "When will these barbaric and lawless killings ever stop? While the rest of the country is dealing with the continued surges in COVID-19 cases, the violence and killings persist. Sa ilalim ng rehimeng ito, lumalala ang krimen at lumalakas ang loob ng masasamang loob na gumawa ng kasamaan sa kapwa," she added. Last Jan. 24, authorities confirmed that a woman believed to have been tortured was found lifeless and floating near a beach in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur last week. According to police, the victim's body was found hogtied from her neck to her limbs with nylon rope and black twine, while connected to a water container with cement serving as anchor. She sustained a long laceration on her stomach while her face looked like it was struck using a hard object. Authorities are trying to establish her identity and possible motive for the killing. The lady Senator from Bicol urged police authorities not to rest while the woman's killer/s remain scot-free. "Enero pa lang at parami na naman nang parami ang mga pinapaslang. Authorities should leave no stone unturned in finding the victim's killer, lest we want to embolden the perpetrators to further 'kill, kill, kill' because they can easily get away with murder," she said. "I also urge people from nearby areas where the woman's body was found to cooperate with authorities to help them catch the heartless evil behind the crime. Any information you can provide can help solve the case and hold the killer accountable," she added. More than 800,000 rapid COVID-19 tests passed their expiration date recently in a Florida warehouse, prompting concerns that they would go to waste. But the manufacturer, Abbott, obtained a three-month extension on the expiration date after supplying additional data to the FDA. Such tests which work by detecting antigens (pieces of viral proteins) on the patient's swab sample will eventually expire. But the exact date in each case is an open question, in part because some of the manufacturers are new at this game. Even Abbott, which has years of experience making similar tests for other purposes, has extended the expiration dates on its COVID tests several times, after demonstrating that the components remain stable. For a crash course on what is meant by expiration in this context, and how to make sure your test is still OK, we spoke to Emily Volk, president of the College of American Pathologists, and Matthew Pettengill, director of clinical microbiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Why the tests expire The chemistry behind the antigen tests typically depends on two key components: a liquid reagent that is used to extract protein fragments from the patient sample and customized antibodies that are painted on the test strip. If coronavirus proteins are present in the sample, the antibodies bind to them in such a way that the strip changes color, said Volk, chief medical officer of Baptist Health Floyd Hospital in New Albany, Ind. Both components, the reagent and the antibodies, start to degrade at some point, Pettengill said. They won't go bad the very day of the printed expiration date, but eventually the accuracy of the test may start to decline. To be on the safe side, use a test that has not expired. "It's really no different than when your medications expire," Volk said. "They have a shelf life. Afterward, they don't work as well." But be aware that with the COVID antigen tests, the expiration date may be a moving target. How to tell if expiration date has changed Generally, the expiration dates are stamped on the back of the package. In the case of Abbott's BinaxNOW tests, the date is printed alongside a small icon of an hourglass. A second, earlier date the day the test kit was assembled is typically printed below that, next to a mysterious-looking icon with a jagged line. Make sure you're looking at the expiration date. But for certain tests, that expiration date may have been extended beyond what is stamped on the package, provided the manufacturer has demonstrated to the FDA that the components remain stable. The type of Abbott tests in the Florida warehouse are now deemed to have a shelf life of 15 months, up from 12. The shelf lives for tests from some other manufacturers have been extended as well. In some cases, the companies have inserted notices into the packages with the updated info. In others, new expiration dates are posted on company websites, organized by lot number, but finding them can be a challenge. If there is any doubt, stick with the date on the package. With the number of cases still high, you'll likely be using the test long before that date anyway. Says Pettengill: "Most of these antigen tests have a pretty good shelf life," he said. "They're pretty stable for over a year." How to store tests so they last longer It may seem obvious, but read the instructions. Generally, the tests are designed to be stable at a wide range of temperatures. Abbott says its tests can be stored between 36 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but that the kits should be at room temperature at the time they are used. Another test, called the QuickVue SARS Antigen Test, is designed to be stored at 59 to 86 degrees. What if packages are exposed to temperatures outside those ranges for short periods, such as during shipping? They are still fine, according to WHEC, the NBC affiliate in chilly Rochester, N.Y., which posed that question to manufacturers. But stick to the recommended temperatures as much as possible. That guidance is based on how the products were tested. And when it's time to use the test, read the instructions carefully then, too. They are not all the same, and they can be confusing. ECRI, a Plymouth Meeting-based nonprofit that evaluates the safety and quality of health care, recently ranked seven common tests on their user-friendliness, at www.ecri.org/covid-at-home-testing. When Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz rolled out his 2022 budget proposal last year, he framed as a key accomplishment his reduction of the county property tax rate to the "lowest property tax rate in modern history for Erie County." That does not mean, however, that everybody's county property taxes went down this year. In 16 towns and cities this year, the county tax rate actually went up. The towns of Orchard Park and Hamburg, for instance, are seeing their property taxes rise by nearly 6%. Meanwhile, the towns of Grand Island and Cheektowaga are seeing property tax reductions of 17% and 19%, respectively. Buffalo city residents are seeing their county tax rates drop marginally, by less than 1%. Overall, county tax rates fell in 12 of 28 communities. How can this be, when Poloncarz's budget supposedly cuts the county's property tax rate to the lowest level since at least 1960? It's complicated. As the bill shows up in the mail, here's what you need to know about how much you're paying in county property taxes and why. Property taxes 101 The property tax rate roughly refers to the amount of taxes the county collects for every $1,000 your property is officially worth. So, if you own a home assessed at $100,000, and the tax rate is $2, then you'll pay an annual property tax bill of $200. If the property tax rate goes down, and the value of your home stays the same or loses value, then your tax bill will go down. But if your home increases in value which is often the case then even if the tax rate goes down, you can still wind up paying more out of pocket. That makes tax rate numbers misleading. Erie County tax rates have either stayed the same or fallen nearly every year since 2009. Yet, the county collects about $98 million more in property taxes now than it collected back then. The fact is, county government spending has risen every year, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, and county tax collections have risen along with it. That's why the better measure of whether your property tax bill will rise is the "tax levy," the total amount of taxes collected by a government. Erie County will collect $9 million more in property taxes this year than it did last year, as part of the 2022 tax levy, an increase of 3%. That's a bigger increase than last year, but less than it was in 2020. The political fight The definition of "lowering county taxes" has been woven into the political budget fight in the Erie County Legislature over the past two years. Republican-supported legislators have publicly pushed to lower the overall tax levy and provide "meaningful property tax relief" to residents in light of the record levels of outside federal funding the county has received. The year-end county surplus for 2021 is also currently projected to be $150 million, which is enormous, compared with previous years. Democratic legislators, meanwhile, have supported Poloncarz's budgets, which call for tax rate reductions, but overall increases in the tax levy to fund various countywide and city priorities during a period of great economic uncertainty and unknowns regarding future federal support. The inability for both sides to reach a compromise on budget reductions has contributed to an overall souring of relations between the two parties. Assessments vs. true value When the 2022 budget was approved by the County Legislature, the administration said the county's tax rate would fall from $4.42 to $4.33. But this is a reference to the "full value tax rate," the rate the county would charge property owners across the board, assuming all homes are assessed at what they are really worth. In reality, few properties have assessments that match their true market values. Why your county tax bill is going up when Erie County says it's going down The tax levy amount is a better indicator than the tax rate of whether taxpayers will pay more or less in taxes. Complicating the picture is the state equalization rate, which aims to correct the failure of municipalities to update Many local governments do not reassess their residents properties on a regular basis because it is costly, time-consuming and politically unpopular. In most communities, homes are worth more, and sell for more, than what they are assessed at by their city or town. So, the state tries to close that gap with an "equalization rate" that is dropped into the tax rate calculations for every community every year. When leaders of thriving communities refuse to reassess property values for a long time, a disparity grows between a property's government-assessed value and its true market value. In such communities, tax rate changes become a meaningless indicator of how much more or less a taxpayer must fork over in property taxes because of the equalization rate. For instance, the Town of Elma has gone so long without reassessing its properties that it has an equalization of 3.61 as in, the state considers homes in Elma to be assessed at only 3.61% of their true worth. For that reason, Elma's county tax rate is $112.44 this year. That remains the highest tax rate, by far, of any Erie County community. While that sounds bad, in reality, Elma's county property tax bills fell slightly this year. The state considers Elma's overall property values to be relatively unchanged, and because Elma's state equalization rate changed very little, the decline in the county's tax rate actually benefits those residents. To complicate matters further, the county also tacks additional charges onto tax bills for certain community college fees and Erie County Board of Elections operations. Regardless, critics of Poloncarz's spending plans in recent years have complained that residents are overtaxed. But Poloncarz and his supporters have pointed out that even with the tax levy increases, county taxes remain lower, overall, than many city, town and school tax bills. Poloncarz's budgets have also consistently remained under the state-imposed tax cap, and the county's credit ratings have been solid. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two new programs aimed at identifying victims of human trafficking in Western New York will be part of what's funded through new federal grants announced Tuesday. The Erie County Sheriff's Office and the International Institute of Buffalo will receive $1.5 million from the Department of Justice over the next three years to boost efforts at combating labor and sex trafficking throughout the region. The funding for the work of the Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force will also support the work of prosecutors, investigators and agencies that provide services to victims. The number of human trafficking cases and victims in the area has been on a "steady climb" since 2006, the first year the Sheriff's Office had a unit dedicated to trafficking, Sheriff John Garcia said at a news conference announcing the funding. Garcia attributed the rise to efforts to empower victims to come forward. Since 2006, the International Institute has provided case management services for about 1,800 survivors of human trafficking, said interim Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi. Victims of human trafficking come in all ages and about three-quarters of victims are U.S. citizens, said Mary Cosgrove Moran, task force coordinator. The Sheriff's Office will establish two new programs, Garcia said one will enhance the screening process of individuals coming into the Erie County Holding Center to help identify human trafficking victims, while the other will allow school resource officers to educate students on what signs to look for that may indicate a person is a human trafficking victim. The funds also will pay for two staff attorneys with the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project and will allow the organization to offer services beyond immigration-related assistance, said Gretchen Gonzalez, the organization's executive director. The task force's work covers the 17 counties of the Western District of New York, which includes Buffalo and Rochester. To report suspected human trafficking, call 1-866-347-2423. Reach Aaron at abesecker[at]buffnews.com or 716-849-4602. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. With Buffalo suddenly awash in a flood of federal dollars, a new faction of Common Council members is about to claim its "fair share" for their districts and assert independence from Mayor Byron W. Brown in the process. A bloc of at least five Council members is now forming inside City Hall's art deco Council chambers, demanding its voice be heard in dispensing what Brown estimates as $2 billion over the next couple of years. It's not that open warfare is breaking out. None of the expected $40 million in withheld casino revenues has even arrived; ditto for expected infrastructure funds stemming from the $1.2 trillion bill authorized by Congress. And only some of the $331 million in American Rescue Plan funds has reached city coffers. But the day is coming when the city treasury will be brimming, they say, and the new majority bloc now aims a warning shot directly at the newly re-elected mayor. "I will not be hamstrung or silenced because they might not like what we say," said University Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt. "I'm not going to walk on eggshells because the administration will not cooperate." Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera, noting that Council members are closest to district needs, spells out exactly what he and his cohorts expect. "We want to be part of the planning process, we want input and we want to be satisfied that the needs of the neighborhoods and the residents are met," he said. "It's possible we are all in agreement, but for some reason there has been a break in communications. Whatever happened last year, let's get down to taking care of the people." Bloc coalesces around election year battle lines Council members began raising concerns, according to Fillmore's Mitchell P. Nowakowski, at the dawn of Brown's unprecedented fifth term. The Buffalo News reported on Dec. 31 that Council members like Ulysees O. Wingo Sr., who backed Brown but whose Masten District favored challenger India B. Walton, questioned how some lawmakers could oppose the mayor after he overwhelmingly won a write-in contest. "I don't see how he can reward them," Wingo said then, pointing to those who supported Walton or remained neutral after the mayor lost the June Democratic primary and sensed "blood in the water." "I want to see if there is any humility in how they approach the mayor," Wingo said then. "They had been dealing with a mayor they thought was weak. It turns out he still has the confidence of the City of Buffalo." Nowakowski said the comment spawned questions about political support translating into either rewarding supporters or penalizing those who backed Walton or remained neutral. "Frankly, that mindset is destructive, morally wrong and embarrassing," he said. "A majority of Council members will be demanding parity among projects and progress right off the bat into the new year." Now Nowakowski is joined by Rivera, Wyatt and Lovejoy's Bryan Bollman in the group's core. He said the group also considers Council President Darius G. Pridgen an ally. "The four of us often times see matters in the same way, so we've been able to coalesce around each other," Nowakowski said, adding the Council's oversight responsibilities are most "efficient" under a majority. Indeed, The News reported last February that new frictions were developing between the city's legislative and executive branches after a long and "placid" relationship. "I saw those 'rubber stamp' times," Bollman added. "This Council has shown independence and will stand up for what is right." Even before casino revenues stemming from the resolution of a dispute with the Seneca Nation of Indians entered calculations, individual members were looking at $800,000 each for their districts this year, more than double the amount of recent years. Nowakowski believes the Council should demand some of the new money replenish various emergency funds as part of the budgetary process. "God forbid we have another crisis without ARP or casino funding," Wyatt said. "We would have had a huge deficit, maybe even with layoffs and cutting services if not for the ARP and casino money. "It's not that we're against the mayor," he added. "This is about our responsibility as fiduciaries and making sure the city is on good financial ground." Mayor says he doesn't play favorites Brown rejects the new bloc's approach. He points out the Council last summer voted in favor of the priority plan he submitted for the ARP funds, that any final spending must be approved by the Council, and that through 16 years as mayor he has never pitted one district against another. The mayor would note further only that he earned the "confidence" of voters in the last election. "As always, I'm looking forward to working with the Common Council and members of our community to improve the quality of life for every person in our city," he said. But more than anything else, Council members seem to fear any one district scoring success over another. "Having a mentality of favored districts did not work in the past," Bollman said. "I understand some districts have special needs, but we need to ensure parity for these once-in-a-lifetime dollars. The residents will be watching what we do with it." Already, some City Hall sources wonder if districts voting for Brown in November are attempting to assert themselves. They point out that Council Member Christopher P. Scanlon, whose South District overwhelmingly supported the mayor on Election Day, quietly but unsuccessfully attempted to replace Pridgen as Council president after the election possibly reflecting a new, favored status. Scanlon acknowledges "discussions" about the Council presidency and the need for a "fresh set of eyes." "It was a situation where I can now use my experience to benefit the City of Buffalo, and we had a couple of discussions," he said, while not challenging that South Buffalo's support for the mayor may result in new attention to the district. "I will advocate for funds as hard as anyone," Scanlon said. "What those determinations ultimately are that's not my decision." Bollman, who serves as the Council's liaison to the administration on the new funds, said more attention must be paid to "tracking" their flow to ensure parity among districts. Wyatt, meanwhile, noted the Council bloc's concerns extend beyond individual districts to the city's overall financial health. Without the new influx of federal money, they note, Buffalo would be facing serious financial problems the kind that resulted in the installation of a financial control board several years ago. Wyatt says the new bloc sounds its warning because of the Council's recent experience with the administration. "We've tried to extend an olive branch, but every time we do it's ignored," he said. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A State Supreme Court justice on Long Island ruled Monday that New York States mask mandate is null and void but in schools and for those living in Erie County, little will change. The State Education Department sent a message to school districts statewide Monday night declaring that they must continue to enforce the mask rule. Erie Countys local mask requirement also remains in effect, according to a spokesman for County Executive Mark Poloncarz, who ordered masks to be worn in public across Erie County several weeks before Hochul introduced a statewide mandate. Poloncarz noted Monday night that the county's mandate was not changed by Monday's court ruling because it is based on different state laws. Justice Thomas Rademacher declared Monday in a state courtroom in Nassau County that the order last month by State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett requiring face coverings in public places violated the State Administrative Procedure Act, which the Legislature enacted in March in response to the measures taken by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo after he declared a disaster emergency in the early days of the pandemic in 2020. While the intentions of Commissioner Bassett and Gov. (Kathy) Hochul appear to be well aimed squarely at doing what they believe is right to protect the citizens of New York State, they must take their case to the State Legislature, Rademacher wrote. The judge was clear in noting that his ruling was based on the legalities of the situation, and should not be interpreted as casting doubt on whether masks help stop the spread of Covid-19. The ruling does not preclude private businesses from requiring people to wear masks. Nor, apparently, does it affect schools. The State Education Department officials, in their message, stated that the mask order is the subject of conflicting decisions and cited a recent ruling by Albany County Supreme Court upholding the mandate. It is SEDs understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, the message stated, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further rule. No such stay was issued by Judge Rademaker in striking down the mandate Monday, though an appeals court could stay the lower court's ruling and put the mandate back into effect while the case is litigated. Hochul expressed her displeasure with the decision in a statement Monday night. My responsibility as governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and save lives, Hochul said. We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately. Earlier in the day, prior to the judge's decision, Hochul told the Editorial Board of The Buffalo News that she was optimistic that Covid-19 infections were on the decline, and that if the state continued in that direction, she would rescind the mask mandate voluntarily. "I look forward to the day of rolling these back, I truly do," she said in a virtual meeting with editors and reporters of The News. "But I can't sit here today and say I have a number where magic is going to happen. "I don't think it's too many more weeks out in the future, maybe a few more months, I'm not sure. But there will come a time." The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Jane A. Porter should have been rich. Her name should be known around the world. After all, she was a part-owner of Niagara Falls before New York State bought the cataract to create the nation's first state park in 1885. Dating back decades, the Porter family, which owned Goat Island and the land bordering the falls on the mainland, had charged admission to see the waterfall. The state paid the Porters $525,000 in 1885, which is the equivalent of more than $15.3 million today. One-quarter of that was Jane's. But instead of living a life of luxury, Jane Porter was found insane by a jury, committed to a sanitarium, and lost control of her massive estate thanks to the machinations of her sister, the laws of the day and a lawyer who thought he would cash in from his investment in the earliest efforts to harness the falls to generate electricity. Aside from a handful of newspaper clippings at the time, Jane Porter's story was largely lost to history. But the facts were preserved all along, hidden in a wooden chest in the basement of the Niagara County Courthouse. Now, the sad story of a woman who once owned a world wonder, only to lose everything, is being told anew. After the chest was found, it took years to decipher the documents inside, many of which were rolled up and had become stuck to each other over the years. In 2011, The Buffalo News reported on the discovery and early efforts to tell Porter's story. Now, researchers have read the documents that hadn't been unrolled 11 years ago and have told a more detailed and corrected version of what happened to her. Christine L. Bacon, an attorney who works as director of education and development for the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, wrote her master's thesis at Niagara University on the Porter case in 2017. After that, Bacon stayed on the case and plans to expand her findings into a book. "That estate included the lands taken for the Niagara Reservation, but it was much bigger than that," Bacon said. "And, perhaps even more alarmingly, she lost control of her person as well. Like Britney Spears, a conservator was appointed to control both her money and her person." That conservator, attorney Benjamin Flagler, at one point doled out an allowance of $100 a month to Porter. He controlled the estate until he died in 1900. Porter died in 1907. Flagler was one of the investors in a company that sought to dig a tunnel under what is now the City of Niagara Falls to divert Niagara River water to a yet-to-be-constructed power plant. Many of the investors also were members of the Free Niagara movement that agitated for a state park, Bacon's thesis points out. Gaining effective control of Porter's property would help them execute the tunnel-digging plan. Elena S. Guy, another researcher, has acquired some letters sent in the 1880s to Jane Porter and Augustus Porter Barnard regarding the state legislation creating the Niagara Reservation. Guy, who holds a doctorate in education, published the letters in "The HourClass Approach to Classroom Instruction," a book about using old letters to help teach reading comprehension in schools. She devotes a chapter to the Porter case and letters from the maternal side of her family, which tend to confirm Bacon's research. Bacon plowed through the contents of a wooden case with Jane Porter's name on it, which was discovered in the Courthouse basement by then-Deputy County Clerk Wendy Roberson in 1996. The box ended up as an end table in the County Legislature chairman's office, but its contents went to the County Historian's Office. It was at a loss on how to access their secrets until 2010, when Jason R. Dodson, a University at Buffalo graduate student working as an intern, developed a method of exposing the documents to hot water vapor and making it possible to unstick the rolled-up papers without damaging them. Investigating who owned the falls Jane Porter's intrigue-laden life revisited as papers are restored by resourceful intern Once, when Jane A. Porter was visiting Europe in the late 19th century, someone asked her if she had ever seen Niagara Falls. Seen them? she allegedly replied. Why, I own them. She wasnt kidding. As an heir to the property bought by her grandfather, Augustus Porter, Jane Porter did indeed own the mighty cataracts at least until When Bacon came along a few years later, she was able to place them in order and understand their complexities. "It takes a certain mindset to understand all that, and she was uniquely qualified," County Historian Catherine L. Emerson said. Porter lost control of her property and of herself in a courtroom in the Niagara County Courthouse in Lockport on Oct. 4, 1886. A jury of 22 men was convened for a "lunacy hearing" at which Porter testified that she had been sad since 1880 and wanted help in managing her financial affairs, but she declared repeatedly that she was not insane. Some doctors testified otherwise, including one who was the brother-in-law of Jane's sister, Frederica Sarah Burrall. The sisters were the granddaughters of Augustus Porter, one of the early settlers of Niagara Falls and the man who obtained control of the area around the cataract in the early 19th century by pulling legal strings and evicting a farmer, Bacon's thesis says. Burrall had sought to have her sister committed as early as March 1885, when they were both living in England. Jane fled back to the United States to escape the clutches of the Lunacy Commissioners of England, who had come to her home to question her. Bacon's research establishes that in the 19th century, women had no legal rights to speak of and could be institutionalized without legal recourse by men who stood to benefit from that action in some way, either personally or economically. According to a court transcript cited in Bacon's thesis, a juror asked the judge if they could rule that Porter had "melancholia" and could not handle her finances alone, but that she was not insane. "The judge replied that they could not," Bacon wrote. "As a result, the all-male jury declared Porter a lunatic. Their decision cost Porter her independence. She lost complete control not only of her assets, but also of her own life." She was sent to a sanitarium. "Although my thesis suggests this sanitarium was a poor choice, I now understand from family correspondence that it may actually have been family members sympathetic to Jane who suggested this as a good place for Jane to recoup from the ordeal of the lunacy trial," Bacon said. Burrall had started the whole circus by petitioning the court to have her sister declared a lunatic, but she told the New York Times in 1887 that she resisted efforts by other Porter heirs to sell the land around the falls to the state. Burrall also said she and Jane were involved in a lawsuit over ownership of other land they jointly owned, both near the falls and in the Town of Niagara, and Burrall accused Porter's lawyer of conspiring to gain control of that property. Jane Porter had given her power of attorney to that lawyer, her cousin Augustus Porter Barnard, in 1885. He tried a lawsuit to split up the sisters' interest in the disputed property, but Burrall got the case dismissed after she presented doctors' affidavits that Jane was insane before she granted power of attorney to Barnard. The Barnard side of the family may have tried to protect Jane Porter and her interests, Bacon suggested. "It's a story that needs to be told," Emerson said. "It sheds an interesting light on the Niagara Reservation." The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Since 2011, the North Adam Street Bridge over the Erie Canal in Lockport has been frozen in time. The bridge was closed to traffic that year because of the deteriorating lift mechanism. Closed Lockport bridge to be spruced up, but no decision on its future The bridge, built in 1918, was closed April 28, 2011. A 2019 national report said North Adam Street was one of the two most structurally deficient bridges in the entire state. The bridge deck remains in the up position, making a crossing there impossible. That's not such a big deal for drivers in Lockport's Lowertown neighborhood, since three other canal crossings are nearby, at the Exchange Street, Joseph J. Villella and Cold Springs Road bridges. Mayor Michelle M. Roman said Monday that she has advocated for a complete reopening of the bridge to vehicle traffic, but state officials have shown no interest in a repair project that was estimated to cost $9 million a decade ago and probably would cost more today. Study finds 1 of every 13 bridges in the area is deficient A report released Monday rated 91 of the Buffalo Niagara regions 1,164 bridges about 8 percent as deficient. Ten bridges built from 1918 to 1960 and located in the Southtowns, Lancaster, Buffalo, Lockport and Akron topped the list of the most deficient, according to TRIP, a Washington-based national transportation research group. Elected officials, transportation experts Instead, a new, grant-funded, $150,000 project might be the first step toward returning North Adam Street Bridge to use as a pedestrian crossing. However, Roman said even that might be a heavy lift. "With the $150,000, that's nowhere near what we would need, because you'd have to make it handicapped accessible," Roman said. "You'd have to have either ramps on both sides with a certain elevation which would make it super-long ramps or elevators." The Canal Corp. is conducting a structural analysis of the Adams Street Lift Bridge to determine the feasibility of the bridge becoming a pedestrian only crossing as part of the larger Lockport Lowertown Loop initiative," Canal Corp. spokesman Shane Mahar said. "Any decisions regarding the future of the bridge will be made in partnership with the State Department of Transportation and local officials," Mahar said. Shortly before Christmas, the state's Regional Economic Development Council for Western New York announced the $150,000 grant to the city for what the list described as Phase I of the Lockport Lowertown Loop. The project involves improving existing canalside trails on both banks of the waterway and reopening a closed restroom near the North Adam bridge. Keeping North Adam bridge is urged City residents and officials would like to see the state Department of Transportation repair or reconstruct the closed North Adam Street Bridge over the Erie Canal. DOT scoping supervisor Christopher Church said at a public information meeting Thursday in City Hall that either option would cost about $9 million, counting design costs. We dont have money set aside for Starting small, the formerly paved approaches to the bridge are to be spruced up and a restroom reopened with the $150,000, with most of the work slated on the south side, off Market Street, Planning and Development Director Brian M. Smith said. "That's just one phase. We're looking to get more grants," Roman said. The project would improve the trail from North Adam Street to Scalzo Park on Market Street hill, south of the closed bridge. "They eventually want to be able to do it so it's easier to access the locks area from the south side, as well as the north side. That's the ultimate goal of the Lowertown Loop," Roman said. Smith said a request for proposals for the $150,000 project will be issued this year, but work is more likely in 2023. The state Department of Transportation owns part of the approach and the bridge itself, Roman said, but the Canal Corp. owns the bridge mechanism and structural supports at the bottom of the bridge. However, Roman said the Canal Corp. has shown interest in the project as part of its "Reimagining the Canals" program, and there's talk of having the canal agency take over all ownership on the site. "The DOT did come and they did remove the deteriorated roadway leading up to it and got rid of the temporary Jersey barriers for us," Roman said. That allowed for a trail connection on the Market Street side of the bridge. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Williamsville Village Board decided Monday night to pay the $300 fine imposed by Erie County Department of Health for violating the countys mask mandate. The measure passed 3-2, with Trustees Eileen Torre and Christine L. Hunt and Deputy Mayor David F. Sherman giving approval. Mayor Deb Rogers, who has been outspoken in her opposition to mask regulations, was joined by newly-appointed Trustee Matt Carson in voting no. Sherman, in a brief interview with The Buffalo News after the boards regular meeting Monday night, said he voted for it reluctantly. A week ago, I would have told you I would not vote yes, he said, but I really took to heart the emails, the in-person conversations from residents, some of whom I know and some I dont know. The deputy mayor, in a special meeting of the Village Board that was held remotely last Thursday, had voted with Rogers and Carson to hire an outside attorney to defend the Village Board against the county. On Monday, he said it would have been hypocritical to vote no on the resolution to pay the fine after hearing from his constituents. Earlier, Rogers and the Village Board had gotten support in fighting the fine imposed on the village after she and members of the public did not wear masks at a meeting earlier this month. "We're going to join them in fighting the fine," Marilla Supervisor Earl "Skip" Gingerich said. "Why are they picking on the Village of Williamsville?" 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. Gingerich said the Marilla Town Board planned to approve a resolution Tuesday officially supporting the legal fight against the fine. The Erie County Health Department sanctioned Williamsville and fined the village $300 for actively and repeatedly flouting the Covid-19 mask-wearing rules, County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced last week. Dozens of people attended the Village Board's Jan. 10 meeting, with most of them not wearing face coverings. They criticized the mask mandate as infringing on their rights, and the board voted 3-2 to approve a resolution criticizing the mask mandate and asking Erie County state health department employees not to enter the village to enforce the mandates. 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. During a special meeting last week, the Village Board hired an outside attorney to challenge the fine. That prompted Rus Thompson, a local conservative activist, to start a GoFundMe page to raise money to help the village pay for legal challenge. "We anticipate fees to reach $5,000," Thompson said on the GoFundMe page. Gingerich said Marilla was the first municipality to officially oppose the mask mandate in December, after announcing its stance Nov. 25. Leaders in other towns, including Grand Island, West Seneca and Eden, also have criticized the mandate as government overreach, while the supervisors of Amherst and Tonawanda have urged residents to follow the requirements. "Weve been openly visible, not requiring it, not making anybody mask or any businesses, making it their choice," Gingerich said. 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. He said at most of the board's meetings, most of the people are not wearing masks. "We've had as many as 50 people at our meetings," he said. He said he is surprised the town has not heard from Erie County. He said he sent the county a copy of the board's resolution. "As far as we know, not a single person in the health department has set foot in the town of Marilla," he said, but he added that there is speculation the town will become a target now. Gingerich also questioned whether Williamsville was targeted because its mayor is a woman. Williamsville says little before meeting to hire mask-fine law firm The Erie County 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 spokesman for Poloncarz said the county health department received a complaint about the Williamsville Village Board flouting the mask policy at an earlier meeting. "The department then followed up with a letter to the board and sent an inspector to a subsequent Village Board meeting," the spokesman, Peter Anderson, said in an email. Anderson said that is the general practice when receiving complaints, and the same procedure would be followed whenever a complaint is received. The sanction was issued to the Village of Williamsville after a public health sanitarian saw "willful violation" of state and county rules at the Village Board meeting, Anderson said. Gingerich said he does not believe the mandates are constitutional because they were not issued by a legislative body, and if the Erie County Legislature or the State Legislature enacted laws requiring the masks, he would follow the requirements. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Barbara O'Brien Reporter I grew up in Rochester, graduated from St. Bonaventure University and worked in radio before joining The Buffalo News. I report on issues in local communities. Over the years I have covered stories in every town in Erie County. Follow Barbara O'Brien Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Press Release January 25, 2022 Bong Go hails hard-fought gains in vaccination efforts; calls for stronger cooperation, increased vigilance to achieve pandemic recovery Senator Christopher "Bong" Go called for continued cooperation and vigilance among Filipinos in order to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed the government's position to strike a delicate balance between Filipinos' collective health and economy recovery efforts to overcome this crisis. "While daily numbers of new COVID-19 cases remain high, we are also cautiously calibrating the conduct of businesses and activities to sustain our economy and our people's livelihood," Go said. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go recently commended the government's efforts to fast-track vaccination accompanied by information campaigns on the COVID-19 vaccines after a new poll found vaccine hesitancy among adult Filipinos have dropped to a single-digit percentage. "I truly believe that vaccination holds the key to our return to our normal lives. We must be able to protect ourselves from the severe effects of this virus and death so we can remain healthy and safe," he stressed. "This is indeed welcomed news so that we can inoculate more Filipinos and further protect them from harm. Let us ramp up our information campaign to educate and convince every citizen about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine so more and more will be willing to take their respective jabs," he added. The December 2021 SWS survey showed that only 8% of adult Filipinos are still reluctant to get inoculated. This is significantly lower than the 18% in September, 21% in June, and 33% in May of last year. The lawmaker, however, noted that there is a lot more work to do. He urged authorities to find new and creative solutions to increase the vaccine uptake, particularly among at-risk groups, to slow the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. "I urge our national and local officials to be creative and innovative in finding ways to reach every willing member of their community as soon as possible. If we have to, let us visit every household in every barangay to ensure that every eligible Filipino is being taken into account when it comes to the vaccination program," Go further appealed. As of January 23, a total of 215.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in the country. The government has administered more than 123 million doses. Nearly 57.3 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated while 59.8 million have obtained their first dose. Another 6.3 million individuals have also received their booster shots. "Once again, I am pleading to every unvaccinated Filipino...It has already been proven by science that the vaccines can drastically reduce our chance of developing severe illness and even death arising from COVID-19. So let us take every ounce of protection that we can so we can live fully and protect others along the way," appealed Go. On this note, the senator reminded concerned authorities to reinforce measures to curb the spread of the virus. He reiterated the need for Filipinos' continued cooperation, pointing out that initiatives such as the "No Vax, No Ride" policy must be properly explained to the public to avoid confusion. "As I have mentioned before, this is just one of the many pandemic measures--which includes guidelines on non-essential travels, health protocols, and activities, among others--that we have to implement to regulate the transmission of the virus. Let us all do our part to protect ourselves and others so that this pandemic can finally end," said Go. In the end, the lawmaker once again lauded the country's healthcare workers and volunteers who continue to lead the fight against the pandemic. He also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for recently approving the release of P1.185 billion for the COVID-19 Special Risk Allowance of eligible private HCWs and non-Department of Health plantilla personnel who are catering to or are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. "Let us ensure that our heroic healthcare workers are being taken care of and well compensated for they provide a crucial role in our fight against this pandemic," said Go. "Let us give them the proper support they need as they face unprecedented dangers in the performance of their duties. In the remaining months of the Duterte Administration, I assure you that we will always be on top of the situation and we will pursue every solution to bounce back and return to our normal lives once and for all," he vowed. That got their attention. After months of ignoring a district familys desperate plight, the Buffalo Public Schools reversed itself on Tuesday, allowing a 10-year-old boy with disabilities to return to his fifth-grade class. All it took was a federal lawsuit and some terrible publicity. Indeed, the district reversed itself so quickly it seems obvious it could have resolved this problem much earlier. Other school districts should take note: This is a lesson in how not to behave. The boy, son of Edward Speidel and Amy Szafranski, cannot medically tolerate wearing a mask. Legally, that meets an exception for masking in school. The matter should have ended there. But the child is burdened with many challenges. In addition to autism, he contends with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, migraines, hypotonia and pica, an eating disorder involving eating nonfood items. Regardless, the familys lawyer, Rebecca F. Izzo, said the district was violating both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. In the end, the solution wasnt difficult. The boy can tolerate a face shield, so hell wear one when he returns to class on Feb. 7. Hell have bus transportation and will attend classes with safety protocols in place, including social distancing. Hell undergo testing for Covid-19 once a week. It didnt take a brain trust to figure this out. All that was required was good intentions, a commitment to the law and a little common sense. But to get there, the district first needed to face the threat of a federal lawsuit and the parents had to be put through months of misery. Like all other students, their boy attended school remotely when the pandemic hit 22 months ago. But unlike others, he never went back. The district decided that his inability to tolerate a mask was an insurmountable problem. Or so it said. Since then, his mother has been teaching him at home, based on assignments sent by his teacher. Were doing our best. But thats not what he needs, Szafranski told a reporter. They had tried for months to resolve the problem. The boys father said he had gone to the special education office, attended School Board meetings, contacted administrators, board members, the state Education Department and even the governors office. What he got was anguish. No matter what I said or did, no one cared, he said. They kept saying, Were working on it, were working on it. But my son deserves to be in school. Its his right. Theyre punishing him because hes disabled and it breaks my heart. It hurt his boy, too. He thinks its his fault, Speidel said. How about when your son comes up to you and goes, How come I cant go to school? Ill be good, I promise Ill be good. Were telling him You didnt do anything wrong, but he doesnt understand, he said. The rejection made him cry. Now, a day after their story appeared in The News, the district suddenly had a brainstorm. Go figure. So was it the masking problem or a preference to avoid a complicated problem? The job of educating someone with this boys challenges is surely complicated. It takes care. But from the start, the law entitled him to a classroom. This never should have happened. Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. In the late 1920s a man in Germany renewed his political aspirations by rebuilding a party without interference from a government which he tried to overthrow. He became chancellor in January 1933 during a time of chaos caused by the Great Depression by promising a strong Germany and national glory. He was thought to be controlled by his supporters, however, it turned out that he was able to control them based on their political loyalty (starting to sound familiar?). At one time he even used the so- called brown shirts considered nowadays as ultra-right to cause more chaos and terror. Is this sounding even more familiar? I am afraid that this is happening again, only in our country. These tactics are being followed by someone in our country. Does no one see it? Are we all blind and deaf to what is happening? Because of this pandemic the world is in chaos. Besides fearing the possibility of a demagogue at home, there is another danger facing us. During the chaos of the Great Depression, the man mentioned above in Germany annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia and eventually started a World War. Isnt this what Vladimir Putin is proposing now? Havent we learned anything? I pray our president makes the right decisions. Marsha Berst West Seneca Have you ever noticed a particularly memorable signature? Perhaps your eyes lingered over a well-crafted handwritten note? Numerous books and online courses teach ways to analyze a persons signature. And supposedly, certain handwriting styles, slants and size of the alphabet characters provide insight into a persons character. Some signatures, such as those of John Hancock or Benjamin Franklin, are singularly recognizable. We can infer wisdom and self-worth in those autographs. Womens signatures tend to be more rounded, softer and flowing, although certain female leaders sign with a firm, broad stroke. Eleanor Roosevelt and Angela Merkel are good examples. Conversely, handwriting that is tiny and tight makes another kind of personal statement. A study of signatures is surely interesting but there is more about handwriting that merits consideration. To me, however, the written signature of a human being conveys much more than the persons name or their leadership style. A 2016 article in Forbes magazine suggests that the act of handwriting affects the brain in positive ways: neural activity in certain parts of the brain are increased, the brains gets sharper, and it may even nurture creativity. For me, the act of note taking by hand helps to transfer information into my memory more effectively than listening. However, this is not a commentary on the need for handwriting practice, but rather an observation that those who have worked on their handwriting styles can better our understanding of the writer. For instance, my dad had a beautiful hand lots of flourishes and swirls. To read a brief piece of his writing, even now after he has been dead 30 years, will bring tears to my eyes. He is, for that moment, as close to me as if we were sitting and talking together. It is the same with my moms handwritten recipes really the only piece of handwriting I have of hers. I do not know why this is, but to see their handwriting provokes a nostalgic emotional response in me. As a person who spends time in cemeteries, I am also often struck when I see a tombstone with the persons signature etched in stone as he or she would have written it, making a living permanent statement of the deceased. My own signature and writing style were inspired by Herman Wouks novel Marjorie Morningstar. As a teenager I was suitably impressed by her signature, replicated on the book cover. I spent many hours designing my personal handwriting to mimic that signature. These musings bring me to my current dilemma. Today, often we sign our names electronically at the grocery store checkout, in doctors offices, and at the bank. My carefully honed signature is now an illegible scrawl especially when my signature is written with a finger. I believe there is something precious lost when the writing instrument is not attached to the hand to produce a signature. If writing in cursive is a discipline that moves thoughts from the brain through the heart to the hand, I can only hope that children and adults are encouraged once again to take pride in their handwriting, and especially in the care with which they write their name. A California state lawmaker said he wants to ensure that all school students in Los Angeles and throughout the state are vaccinated against Covid-19. To do that, he announced a proposal today to eliminate personal belief exemptions and expand upon a state vaccine mandate. We have an opportunity here to keep kids safe, Sen. Richard Pan, D- Sacramento, said during a California Medical Association news conference at Arleta High School in the San Fernando Valley, where the legislator and pediatrician announced details of the Keep Schools Open and Safe Act. More from Deadline As a pediatrician, parent and legislator, I am committed to giving the public confidence and certainty that we are working to prevent or slow down the next coronavirus surge, Pan said. Legislators have the ability to pass laws to make our communities safe, including increasing vaccination rates to keep schools open and safe. Under state law, personal belief exemptions must be allowed for any newly-required childhood vaccine unless the legislature passes a law banning them. Pan said closing the personal belief exemption loophole for the safe and effective shots ensures that every medically-eligible student attending school in person is vaccinated. Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a statewide school vaccination mandate, but it will not take effect statewide until a vaccine receives full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Pans bill would require the shots even if they are only being offered under an emergency-use authorization by the FDA. Newsom has frequently pointed out that there are already a number of vaccinations required for school children in California. The California Medical Association tweeted the following support for the measure today: We know that vaccines are our greatest defense, but too many kids are left vulnerable to this serious disease. CA needs policies to minimize the threat to children. CMA appreciates @DrPanMDs leadership of for working to protect childrens health and their right to safe schools. Story continues We know that vaccines are our greatest defense, but too many kids are left vulnerable to this serious disease. CA needs policies to minimize the threat to children. CMA appreciates @DrPanMD's leadership of for working to protect childrens health and their right to safe schools. pic.twitter.com/GPC4jUv1MX California Medical Association (@CMAdocs) January 24, 2022 Anyone aged 5 and older is currently eligible for a Covid vaccine, but in Los Angeles only 19% of residents between the ages of 5 and 11 are fully vaccinated. Los Angeles Unified School District Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly on Monday called vaccine requirements an integral part of keeping students safe, especially those from low-income communities who are disproportionately impacted by the deadly virus. All employees at our schools are 100% vaccinated, and nearly 90% of our students 12 and older are in compliance with our vaccine requirement, Reilly said. The vaccination rates for teens countywide are 74% with two doses and 83% with one. We have lowered case rates with our students and employees and in our schools because of the many layers of protections and safety measures but, most of all, because of vaccines. She voiced her support for a statewide vaccine mandate. With a county as large as Los Angeles, where there are nearly 1.5 million students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade across 80 different school districts, this consistency in health standard will help ensure all of us in the school community are doing our part to keep community transmissions low and ensure a safe school environment for our most vulnerable student populations, she said. San Diego Unified Board member Richard Barrera also attended Mondays news conference. He called a vaccine requirement a common sense way to protect students and educators and keep kids in schools. SDUSD has unsuccessfully tried to implement its own such vaccine mandates for students and staff for the spring semester, but those policies are being held up in the courts. The state Legislature does have the authority to require a vaccine mandate, he said. What Senator Pan is doing is stepping up and doing what all people following the science understandWe welcome this necessary legislation by our state leaders to help end the roller coaster of the pandemic and allow schools to go back to focusing on what we do best educating our students. The Keep Schools Open and Safe Act builds on SB 277, also sponsored by Pan, which eliminated the personal belief exemption loophole for all other childhood vaccinations required for public and private school students when it became law in 2015. The most effective way to keep schools open and safe is to ensure the COVID vaccination rate of students and school staff is as high as possible in addition to masks, testing and good ventilation to minimize infections, Pan said. My legislation will give parents great certainty that their child is unlikely to get seriously sick and their school will stay open during COVID. In related developments, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced today that weekly Covid testing for students and employees regardless of vaccination status which was previously going to end at the end of January will now continue through February. School district officials also noted that vaccinations remain a key element in reducing the impact of the virus on communities and will be required for students 12 and older at the start of the fall semester of 2022. LAUSD students are also being required to wear higher-grade, non-cloth masks starting today. The rule calls for well-fitting, non-cloth masks with a nose wire at all times, indoors and outdoors. All employees are already being required to wear surgical-grade masks. District officials said they will continue to provide masks to students and employees at school sites, as needed. And, as with the previous masking requirements, the mask requirements do not apply to people with mask exemptions. City News Service contributed to this report. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Press Release January 25, 2022 Lacson: Localized Peace Talks the Best Way to Deal with Insurgents More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-localized-peace-talks-the-best-way-to-deal-with-insurgents Localized peace talks will be the best way for the government to deal with insurgents under a Lacson presidency. Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said this approach, which he first suggested to peace process officials, lets the government deal with those who know the situation on the ground. "This is why earlier, I proposed in a Senate hearing to shift to localized peace talks with the CPP/NPA. I told ex-Sec Dureza and Sec Bello that talking to Joma was useless. He had either lost control or was pursuing a malevolent agenda. That became the new policy of the government," Lacson said on his Twitter account Tuesday. "While it goes without saying we will exhaust all means to achieve peace, it is best that the peace efforts be localized. This is considering the failures of past administrations that engaged in centralized peace talks," Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, added amid concerns from some sectors regarding the sincerity of the centralized leadership of the insurgents. Lacson recalled that he "strongly suggested" the localized peace talks during a Senate committee hearing attended by former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. He said local government units (LGUs) are in a better position to determine and address the situations and needs of rebels in various areas. The national government can offer clear guidelines for the talks, along with the proper assistance and supervision, he added. Also, Lacson reiterated the peace talks must go hand in hand with the development of areas cleared of the presence of the New People's Army - to prevent NPA surrenderees from going back to the ranks of the rebels. To do this, he said he will correct the flaws in the implementation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)'s programs, such that funds go to the areas that need them. Max Verstappen has been praised by Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez (AP) Max Verstappens Formula 1 world title win has been described as legendary by Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. The Dutchman claimed his maiden Drivers Championship in 2021 ahead of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, controversially able to pass the Mercedes driver in the final corners of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after the intervention of race director Michael Masi. Perez also played a key role in enabling the 24-year-old to snatch victory, holding up Hamilton midway through the race to allow Verstappen to recover lost ground. The Mexican had a mixed season, winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after both of the eventual title rivals ran into trouble, but otherwise largely failing to challenge. Perez is targeting improvement in 2022, but hailed the achievements of teammate Verstappen. He was really good, he was really at one with the car, said Perez of the Dutchmans performance. He is very good in qualifying, he is very good at the races, he is very complete. The season he has done, it has been legendary, really impressive. Big credit to him, he is really at one with the car. I have to raise my game for 2022 and hopefully we are all able to go forwards. Perez enters his second season at Red Bull with a Grand Prix victory in each of the last two seasons, and admits that the world title remains his biggest dream. The 2022 season begins in Bahrain in March. Members of Ukraines Territorial Defence Forces (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) (AP) Russia has been warned it will be swiftly hit with an unprecedented package of sanctions in the event of a fresh incursion in Ukraine after Boris Johnson joined Joe Biden and world leaders to present a united front to combat a feared invasion. The Prime Minister and the US President met virtually with the leaders of Nato, the EU, Italy, Poland, France and Germany on Monday evening as they hoped to avert what Mr Johnson warned would be a bloody and protracted conflict for Moscow. Downing Street said they stressed diplomatic discussions with Russia remains the first priority, but said the nation would be hit with swift retributive responses if a further Russian incursion into Ukraine takes place. Today, I spoke with European leaders in response to Russias military buildup on Ukraines borders. We discussed our joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression, such as preparations to impose severe economic costs on Russia and reinforce security on the eastern flank. pic.twitter.com/2XvTTvdLJl President Biden (@POTUS) January 24, 2022 Under efforts to deter Russian aggression, Mr Biden said the leaders discussed preparations to impose severe economic costs against Moscow while seeking to reinforce security on the eastern flank. The Pentagon put 8,500 US troops on heightened alert, preparing them for a possible deployment to reassure Nato allies amid rising tensions. Earlier in the day, Mr Johnson warned in an interview that gloomy intelligence suggested Russia was planning a lightning raid on Kyiv, as British staff and their families began leaving the Ukrainian capital. The Prime Minister warned Russian President Vladimir Putin who in 2014 led a Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, that a fresh invasion would be a disastrous step. The intelligence is very clear that there are 60 Russian battle groups on the borders of Ukraine, the plan for a lightning war that could take out Kyiv is one that everybody can see, Mr Johnson said. Story continues We need to make it very clear to the Kremlin, to Russia, that that would be a disastrous step. He warned that the people of Ukraine would resist any invasion and from a Russian perspective, (it) is going to be a painful, violent and bloody business, he said. I think its very important that people in Russia understand that this could be a new Chechnya. Frances Emmanuel Macron, Germanys Olaf Scholz, Polands Andrzej Duda and Italys Mario Draghi also joined the video call on Monday evening, along with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg. The leaders agreed that, should a further Russian incursion into Ukraine happen, allies must enact swift retributive responses including an unprecedented package of sanctions, Downing Street said following the discussions lasting over an hour. Mr Johnson, according to No 10, emphasised the need to support Ukraines defences against the full spectrum of malign Russian activity. #Ukraine Some Embassy staff and dependants are being withdrawn from Kyiv in response to growing threat from Russia. The British Embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work. (see Summary' page) https://t.co/NDOk0vdKBg pic.twitter.com/OSm9fd89id FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) January 24, 2022 The United States also ordered the families of all American personnel at the US Embassy to leave the country in response the the risk of an invasion. But the European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: We are not going to do the same thing and Ukraines foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said the US decision was a premature step and a sign of excessive caution. Downing Street said British combat troops would not be used to defend Ukraine. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said around 30 British diplomats, including the ambassador, remained in Ukraine. An estimated 100,000 Russian troops have massed at the border with Ukraine and intense diplomatic activity has failed to ease tensions. The Foreign Office said: Some embassy staff and dependants are being withdrawn from Kyiv in response to the growing threat from Russia. The British Embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work. Meanwhile, Nato committed more ships and fighter jets to eastern Europe. Allies are sending more ships & jets to enhance #NATO defensive deployments in eastern Europe. A strong sign of allied solidarity. Offers include: F-16 jets to Lithuania troops to Romania F-35 jets to Bulgaria frigate heading to the Black Seahttps://t.co/2GnJKupEA9 pic.twitter.com/UvsRXpkvLT Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) January 24, 2022 Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is set to deploy F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania, Spain is sending ships and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria, France has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania, and the Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter planes to Bulgaria from April. Three people were killed in a crash into a semi early Saturday morning just off Interstate 94 near Black River Falls, the Wisconsin State Patrol reported. Shortly after 1:30 a.m. Saturday, a semi-tractor trailer was leaving a parking lot, attempting to cross Highway 54 into a Kwik Trip parking lot, when a car that was westbound on Highway 54 struck the trailer, Sgt. Jeffry Hudacek said in a statement. The three occupants were not wearing seat belts and all died at the scene, Hudacek said. They were identified as driver Leonard R. Hopinka, 34, of Black River Falls, and passengers Tyler E. Decorah, 36, also of Black River Falls, and Jorden L. Vidana, 35, of Onalaska. No information was provided on the semi driver. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Gov. Tony Evers is urging Wisconsin residents who cant afford internet service to sign up for new federal subsidies. Administered by the Federal Communications Commission, the Affordable Connectivity Program provides discounts of up to $30 a month for eligible households and up to $75 a month for homes on tribal lands. Established this year with $14.2 billion from the federal infrastructure act, the affordable connectivity program replaced a previous program known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, cutting the benefit from $50 but expanding eligibility. Some households can also receive up to $100 toward the purchase of a computer. Only about 20% of the estimated 650,000 eligible households representing nearly 1.6 million people were enrolled in the broadband benefit program, according to research by the website broadbandnow.com. There are nearly 47,000 Milwaukee County households enrolled and about 8,500 in Dane County, according to the program administrator. Evers said Wisconsin residents should not have to choose between essential needs and internet access, which has become increasingly important since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that the digital divide in our state is holding our communities back, as high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity to learn, work, and access critical resources in our state and country today, Evers said in a statement. According to a 2021 report from the Federal Communications Commission, roughly 394,900 people in Wisconsin lack access to quality broadband service, though a private study estimated the actual number could be higher than 600,000. That has long been a problem in rural Wisconsin, especially remote areas where there arent enough customers to justify the high cost of running wires, but a recent UW-Extension study found internet access is also a problem in cities where many cant afford it. To qualify for the affordable connectivity program, households must have income less than twice the federal poverty guidelines about $46,000 a year for a family of three or receive certain types of government assistance such as Medicaid, SSI or school lunch subsidies. Current recipients of federal Pell Grants are also eligible. Participating broadband providers including AT&T, CenturyLink, Comcast, and TDS receive money directly from the program and apply the discount to customer bills. Those enrolled in the previous program will continue to receive benefits through February but may need to re-enroll after March 1. Eligible households can enroll by visiting acpbenefit.org or by contacting participating broadband providers. Customers who need additional assistance can call the FCCs information line at 877-384-2575. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) Half of all retail payments will shift to digital by 2023 with a number of initiatives in place, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Monday. Monetary officials told a virtual briefing they are working with the Philippine Payments Management, Inc. on the interoperable bills pay facility, request to pay facility and direct debit. They said they hope to roll these out for merchant payments, which comprise 70% of financial transactions. The bills pay facility allows clients to settle their bills "even if your financial institution is not the same as your biller," said BSP Assistant Governor Edna Villa. Meanwhile, the request pay facility allows the payee to prompt the payor on the amount and details of transaction. "From the perspective of the payee, it reminds the payor. From the perspective of the payor, he is now able to eliminate input errors because he already has the exact transaction details of the payee," said Villa. The direct debit facility, meanwhile, allows the authorization of payees to pull the required payment from the customer's account. "Based on our conversations with the industry, we should be able to get this off the ground maybe during the first half of this year until maybe the third quarter of this year," Villa said. Given these efforts, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the digitization target will be achieved by the end of his term next year. "With all these digitalization initiatives in the pipeline, the enhancements to the existing payment streams, and the continued expansion of the e-commerce industry in the country, we remain optimistic that the 50% digital payments target by end-2023 is very much doable," he said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) Figaro Coffee Group, Inc.s defied a weak market after a successful initial public offering on Monday. From an offer price of 0.75, the homegrown brands shares rose by 2.67% to close at 0.77 in its market debut. We are very happy that our IPO generated strong interest from institutional and public investors. We are also grateful to the strong support of the banking community as this reflects their confidence in the food industry, especially in FCGs subsidiary, Figaro Coffee Systems Inc., a company that has over 25 years of experience, FCG chairman Justin Liu said in a statement. In another statement, PSE President and CEO Ramon Monzon said the successful completion of Figaro Coffee Groups maiden share sale demonstrated investor confidence in the products and prospects of the companys food and beverage brands as well as its strategic objectives to further grow its business. Figaro is known for the brands Figaro Coffee, Angel's Pizza, Tien Ma's Taiwanese Cuisine, TFG Express, and Cafe Portofino. As of Jan. 21, it operates 56 Figaro coffee shops, 39 Angels Pizza outlets, 6 Tien Mas Taiwanese cuisine restaurants, 7 TFG Express outlets, and a Cafe Portofino outlet. Proceeds from the initial offering will be used for store openings and renovations, commissary expansion, debt repayment, and IT infrastructure developments. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) A company owned by former senator and billionaire Manny Villar has gained the government's backing to enter the television market using frequencies previously assigned to ABS-CBN. From what it seems a revival of the company's application filed in October 2006, Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) secured a provisional authority to operate a digital television broadcasting system in Metro Manila and Mega Manila using Channel 16 almost two years after ABS-CBN lost in its franchise renewal push. RELATED: ABS-CBN franchise expires May 4 AMBS received a 25-year franchise to operate TV service last 2019. Congress approved Villars bid to own AMBS through his firm Planet Cable Inc. in November 2021. A copy of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) order released to the media Tuesday night showed that the regulator sought the legal opinion of the Department of Justice. The NTC also said the Office of the President-Office of the Executive Secretary "interposed no objection for the NTC to proceed with the issuance of CPCNs/PAs and to assign vacated and available frequencies to qualified entities." "AMBS was granted the PA after the determination of its legal, technical, and financial qualification," the NTC said in a separate statement. The regulator also said analog TV Channel 2 has been temporarily assigned to AMBS. "This temporary assignment is for simulcast purposes only, and only until the analog shutoff scheduled in 2023," it said. "The temporary assignment was granted to ensure service to both analog and digital TV signal users as the country transitions to full digital TV," the NTC added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) Presidential aspirant Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. said he may appoint his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as the countrys Defense chief if he wins the election. Ang gusto niyang puntahan is DND...Nagulat din ako nung sinabi niya sakin, but it seems like it's going to be a good idea, he said when was asked about potential Cabinet members during an interview. [Translation: She wants to go to the Department of National Defense. I was also surprised when she told me, but it seems like it's going to be a good idea.] Marcos also expressed confidence that Duterte would bring a lot to the table, such as helping combat terrorism, which he said is something that she helped address in Davao City. Nakilala ko na nang mabuti si Mayor Sara [I've known Mayor Sara well], and she's a very intelligent person, and I'm sure her ideas will be of value, he added. Marcos said he only wants "the best" individuals to be part of his Cabinet, and he is willing to include members of the opposition if he thinks they are the most suited for the role. "Walang kinalaman ang partido. Walang kinalaman ang utang na loob sa kampanya. Walang kinalaman sa kamag-anak," he added. "Ang iniisip lang natin ang kung sino ang pinakamagaling na umupo diyan sa pwestong 'yan." [Translation: It has nothing to do with the political party. It has nothing to do with debt of gratitude owed after the campaign. It has nothing to do with family members. The only thing we're thinking of is who is most fit for the position.] Based on the 1987 Constitution, Duterte may still be appointed as a Cabinet member even if she becomes vice president. Last week, Duterte said she would 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 polls. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the DND supports Dutertes proposal, but noted this would be difficult to implement due to lack of resources. Requiring Grades 11 and 12 students to undergo the Reserve Officers' Training Corps or ROTC program may be a better alternative, he added. Poe on protecting people's money in banks: More people turning to online transactions amid the pandemic should not drive the uptick in hacking activities and other attempts at digital thievery. We expect banks and concerned financial institutions to fortify their systems to thwart emboldened threats and security breaches. Intensified collaboration is crucial among the government, banks and our people in taking the necessary measures to protect financial consumers from becoming victims of these cybercrimes. Our people's hard-earned money entrusted in banks must at all times be secure. We ask the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to furnish the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies copies of the results of its investigations including on the recent BDO Unibank incident. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) Presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos on Tuesday backed calls for the possible revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which he claimed was ordered shut purely for political reasons. In a DZRH interview, Marcos said the country must work on improving its energy situation by exploring various sources including nuclear power to attract more investors. For one, he said the BNPP which was built during the administration of his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. may be worth looking into. The $2.2-billion facility is the country's first and only nuclear power plant. However, in 1986, then president Corazon Aquino decided not to operate it due to corruption and safety concerns, compounded by fears after the Chernobyl nuclear fallout in Russia that same year. But Marcos alleged Aquino mothballed the BNPP "not because of any scientific reason," but "for politics." "We really have to look at nuclear power. Wag natin i-politika [Let's not politicize it]. Once again, follow the science," he said. According to the former senator, Korea previously offered to help evaluate if the Bataan plant may still be used. "Kaya't baka naman mapakinabangan pa natin 'yan," Marcos said. "Kung hindi, then maybe magtayo tayo ng iba," he added. [Translation: So maybe, we can still use it. If not, then maybe we can build another one.] In 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte issued an executive order that would look into the possible use of the BNPP. In 2018, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev told CNN Philippines that he believes the plant was beyond revival because of its "absolutely outdated" technology. (CNN) At least seven fighters from the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces were killed when ISIS attempted to break thousands of its fighters out of a Syrian prison on Thursday, an attack underlining concerns the terror group could be quietly resurging. The assault on the Ghweran prison, located in the northeastern city of Hasakah began Thursday when a car bomb exploded outside the facility, according to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Kurdish-led SDF is the dominant military force in the region and a key US partner in the fight against ISIS. ISIS fighters then snuck into the area and struck local forces guarding the prison, while the militants inside burned blankets and plastic items inside dormitories "in an attempt to create chaos," the SDF said. It is not clear if the actions were coordinated or if the inmates simply saw an opportunity to sow confusion at an opportune moment. The SDF said Thursday it "thwarted" the attempted jailbreak; however, small clashes were still reported in the area Friday. ISIS said in a statement Friday it was launching a "large-scale" attack to liberate the entire prison. The head of the SDF said later Friday they had fended off the attack with the support of airstrikes from the US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria fighting ISIS. Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby confirmed the airstrikes during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Friday. "On whatever support the Coalition has been given to the SDF as they have dealt with this and continue to deal with this prison break, I can tell you that we have provided some air strikes to support them as they deal with this particular prison break," Kirby said. Farhad Shami, head of SDF Media Center told CNN Friday SDF forces killed 28 ISIS militants in the clashes. At least 89 inmates managed to escape, but have since be recaptured, the SDF said in a statement. Several militants involved in the assault were thought to be hiding out in civilian homes near the prison, forcing authorities to put up a security checkpoint, it said. Some 11,000 to 12,000 ISIS fighters are held in prisons and detention camps in northern Syria run by the SDF. While this is not the first such prison break attempt several escaped in 2020 by ripping off doors and using them to destroy a wall concerns are mounting that the timing and audacity of the attack are indicative of the terror group's renewed strength. ISIS also claimed responsibility for an ambush on an Iraqi military post near Baghdad on Friday in which 11 soldiers were killed. "Certainly, the attempts to revive terrorism in the region cannot be underestimated," Iraq President Barham Salih said in a tweet Friday. 'Break down the fences' At the height of its power in 2014 and 2015, ISIS governed a self-styled caliphate which stretched over large swaths of Syria and Iraq. Further abroad, ISIS was linked to massive terror attacks, including a truck bomb killed almost 300 people in Baghdad in 2016, just months after gunmen and suicide bombers attacked the Bataclan and other locations in Paris. Other atrocities were allegedly inspired by ISIS, such as truck attacks in Berlin and Nice, France. The terror group was eventually driven out of power, but many warned militants could continue to operate from the shadows. In 2019, Iraq's then-head of military intelligence, Lt. Gen. Saad al-Allaq, warned such prison breaks were being planned. He said a new ISIS mission the terror group codenamed "Break Down the Fences" intended to storm jails where their followers were being held and try to rebuild its structures from there. In recent months, Iraq security forces have warned ISIS will continue trying to regroup to stage such deadly attacks, while some senior commanders have warned sleeper cells are continuing staging deadly attacks in the region. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered an increase to security on the Iraqi-Syrian border following the prison attack on Friday. Hussein Allawi, an adviser al-Kadhimi, said Iraqi security forces still need to develop their intelligence effort to be able to repel such coordinated attacks by various terrorist groups. "We need to develop the intelligence effort of the Iraqi armed forces through technical and sensing equipment, thermal cameras, and modern fortified towers," Allawi told CNN. Allawi also said the Iraqi armed forces need to continue cooperating with the US-led coalition in Iraq which, since 2021, is no longer engaged in combat missions. The coalition is now focused on training and assistance, but its presence remains controversial. The Iraqi government is under tremendous pressure from powerful Iran-backed Shia militias to end the presence of US troops in Iraq. The prison attack serves as a sharp reminder about the challenges of combating Sunni extremists like ISIS and the readiness of Iraqi security forces to repel terror attacks. This story was first published on CNN.com "Deadly ISIS prison break attempt fuels fears of the group's resurgence" (CNN) A cruise ship heading to Miami changed course to the Bahamas Saturday after a US judge issued an arrest warrant for the ship due to unpaid fuel bills. If the Crystal Symphony had continued course to Miami, it would have been seized by authorities. So it headed to Bimini instead, as USA Today first reported. The ship is still docked at the Bahama port, according to a cruise ship tracker. The saga began Wednesday, when Peninsula Petroleum Far East filed a lawsuit in a South Florida federal court against Crystal Cruises, alleging it owed unpaid fuel bills totaling more than $4.6 million of which $1.2 million is for Crystal Symphony specifically. On Thursday, a US judge issued an arrest warrant ahead of the ship's scheduled Saturday arrival in Miami, meaning the ship would be seized by a US Marshal and court-appointed custodian. Crystal Cruises said about 300 passengers were transferred by ferry on Sunday from Bimini, Bahamas, to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In a statement to the Associated Press, a spokesperson said that the ferry ride to Fort Lauderdale was "uncomfortable due to inclement weather." "This end to the cruise was not the conclusion to our guests' vacation we originally planned for," the cruise line said in a statement. The cruise ship can hold up to 848 guests, though the total number of passengers on the ship is unknown. Also on Wednesday, the day the lawsuit was filed, Crystal Cruises announced it was suspending operations for its ocean voyages through late April and its river cruises through May. "Suspending operations will provide Crystal's management team with an opportunity to evaluate the current state of business and examine various options moving forward," the cruise line said in a statement. The company's two cruises currently in operation one heading to Aruba and one bound for Argentina will complete their voyages. Guests who have booked future trips will receive a full refund. "This was an extremely difficult decision but a prudent one given the current business environment and recent developments with our parent company, Genting Hong Kong," said Jack Anderson, Crystal's president. Genting Hong Kong, which is one of Asia's largest cruise operators, is about to enter liquidation as the pandemic has decimated the cruise industry worldwide. This story was first published on CNN.com "A cruise ship had an arrest warrant waiting in Miami. So it took passengers to the Bahamas" (CNN) Facebook has long bet that artificial intelligence can help it with the difficult task of moderating posts from its billions of users. Now its parent company is taking a step that could move it closer to that elusive goal: building its first supercomputer. Meta on Monday announced its new AI Research SuperCluster (RSC), a supercomputer meant to be used for AI research projects. The supercomputer, which has been in the works for two years, may eventually help Meta develop far more powerful AI software potentially useful for tricky tasks such as spotting hate speech in posts. "With RSC, we can more quickly train [AI] models that use multi-modal signals for example, to understand the context of a post, including language, images, and tone," Shubho Sengupta, a software engineer at Meta, told CNN Business. Supercomputers, which feature many interconnected processors clumped into what are known as nodes, have become increasingly popular and powerful in recent years for AI research. The US Department of Energy's Summit, which is the fastest supercomputer in the United States and the second fastest in the world, has been used to aid investigations into things like unfamiliar proteins. A few large tech companies, such as Microsoft and Nvidia, also have supercomputers for their own use. In a blog post Monday, coauthored by Sengupta, Meta said that, as of January, its supercomputer includes 6,080 GPUs divided among 760 nodes, potentially making it one of the most powerful in the world. At its current size, Sengupta said, it's on par with the Perlmutter supercomputer at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, which ranks fifth in the world. When completed later this year, however, Meta said it will have 16,000 GPUs, and the company expects it will be capable of nearly five exaflops of computing performance that's 5 quintillion operations per second. "When fully built out, the cluster will almost triple in size, which will, to our knowledge, make it the fastest AI supercomputer in the world," Sengupta said. Meta said its researchers have begun using the supercomputer to train large models related to natural-language processing and computer vision, and that researchers will be able to use the supercomputer to "seamlessly analyze text, images, and video together" and come up with new augmented reality tools. Over time, Meta hopes it will enable the company to "build entirely new AI systems" that can do computationally difficult tasks such as real-time translations for a large group of people who all speak different languages. The company said early tests showed the supercomputer could train large language models three times faster than the system it currently uses. That means an AI model that would take nine weeks to train with the existing system could be trained in three weeks with the supercomputer. Meta hopes its new supercomputer will eventually be able to train AI models with trillions of parameters there are just a few known existing AI models at that scale. It would also be many times larger than GPT-3, which is a large language model from OpenAI that can generate human-sounding text and is being used for applications like language-learning and tax software for freelancers. Eventually, Meta said, the supercomputer will lead to technologies needed to build a so-called "metaverse" a wide-ranging, interconnected virtual realm that people can walk around within, via digital avatars, and interact with others who are also there virtually. Facebook has positioned the metaverse as the future of the company, but today, only snippets of that vision have been realized. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Meta is building an AI supercomputer." (CNN) Australia has accused WeChat of taking down Prime Minister Scott Morrison's account and redirecting his followers to a site that claims to provide information for Chinese Australians. The removal of the account was first confirmed Monday by James Paterson, chairman of Australia's Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. He said in interviews with Australian media that Morrison's account on the platform had been "taken over and rebranded." "His account's been hacked," Paterson told the radio network 4BC on Monday, adding that Morrison's account on the platform now redirects to one called "Australian Chinese New Life." Paterson and Morrison are both members of the Liberal Party. WeChat is one of the most widely used social messaging apps in China. It counted roughly 1.2 billion monthly active users in 2020. The vast majority are based in China, analysts say, but it also has users elsewhere, and is popular among the Chinese diaspora. Morrison had 76,000 followers on his WeChat account, which he used to communicate with Chinese Australians. According to a WeChat notice dated January 5, "all business and functions" of Morrison's account have been transferred to Australian Chinese New Life, an account the notice linked to a technology firm based in China's Fujian province. Tencent, the publicly traded company that owns WeChat, said there was no evidence Morrison's account had been hacked, adding that ownership of the account was disputed. "The account in question was originally registered by a [Chinese] individual and was subsequently transferred to its current operator, a technology services company and will be handled in accordance with our platform rules," a media representative for Tencent told CNN Business. "Tencent is committed to upholding the integrity of our platform and the security of all users accounts, and we will continue to look into this matter further." During another interview with Sky News Australia, Paterson said the government started having difficulty posting to Morrison's account in mid-2021. "The government has directly appealed to WeChat to ask them to restore access," he said, adding that "no response has been given to the government." Paterson suggested that the removal of Morrison's account could be connected to tensions between China and Australia. He speculated during one local interview on Monday that the timing could have been related to the prime minister's discussions with world leaders at last year's G7 summit "about the dangers of becoming overexposed to China and having leverage of China over you." Asked about the account during a regular press conference in Beijing on Monday, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry of Affairs called it an "issue between Morrison and WeChat," and declined to comment further. WeChat has been criticized by other Western governments in the past because of perceived ties to the Chinese government. The Trump administration, for example, tried to ban the app in the United States in 2020, alleging that it posed a national security risk because it collects user data that could be accessed by China's ruling Communist Party. That attempt was blocked by US courts and never took effect. At that time, Tencent emphasized that the international version of WeChat is separate from the Chinese app, which is also known as Weixin, and its website said that Tencent uses data "in strict accordance with applicable laws and regulations." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) These days, people easily get worried when they suddenly get a sore throat. This is a big concern since the World Health Organization listed this as one of the symptoms of the feared COVID-19. A cure has yet to be developed and the only thing people can do is to address these signs. Specifically for sore throat, gargling may be a way to deal with it, but did you know that there is a clinically proven solution to help relieve your sore throat symptoms? Yes, there is such a thing and they are in the form of lozenges. Photo from Strepsils Medicinal lozenges are one of the Department of Healths recommendations for managing COVID-19 symptoms at home[1], while clinical studies[2] have already proven the effectiveness of lozenges in treating sore throat compared to gargles. Unlike gargles which are expelled from the mouth, lozenges are kept in the mouth longer providing a steady supply of medicine to the throat. This results in greater activity in both the mouth and the throat for up to 20 minutes even after the lozenge is completely dissolved. But with all these lozenges available in the market, which one should you really trust? Use the brand that has been relieving symptoms of sore throat for more than 50 years. Strepsils provide 2-in-1 defense that helps kill common viruses and germs that cause sore throat in as fast as 60 seconds, and provide deep-down, lasting relief up to 2 hours. This 2-in-1 defense is what made Strepsils the go-to lozenge brand for many years now. Photo from Strepsils It also has different products that will surely address whatever relief your throat needs, namely Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils Cool Sensation) for mild sore and itchy throat; Hexylresorcinol (Strepsils Max) for moderate pain and irritated throat; and Flurbiprofen (Strepsils MaxPro) for severe, inflamed sore throat. Remove those worries away! At the first sign of sore throat, get 2-in-1 defense with Strepsils. Get a pack of your Strepsils now through your nearest drugstore, or even online through Lazada and Shopee. To know more about Strepsils, check out www.strepsils.com.ph. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. ASC Reference Code R113N012022SS [1] Department of Health, Department Circular (January 6, 2022) [2] Limb M, et al. Int J Clin Prac 2009 Metro Manila ( CNN Philippines, January 25) Children aged 5 to 11 can soon receive their coronavirus shot starting Feb. 4, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said. During the weekly televised Cabinet briefing, Galvez said the memorandum guidance will be released within the week, while trainings, meetings, and other preparations in connection to the program have been ongoing to ensure proper implementation. RELATED: COVID-19 vaccination for kids 5-11: What you need to know Makaka-assure po tayo, Mr. President, sa ating mga magulang na very safe ang ating gagamitin na bakuna dahil ito ay mas mababa ang formulation na angkop para sa mga bata, he noted. Ngayon mas prepared po tayo at mas experienced. Galvez said the first batch of supply is expected to arrive next week. Currently, Pfizer is the only vaccine brand given emergency use authorization for pediatric use. Based on his presentation, the proposed rollout of vaccines for kids will be done in phases. In the pilot implementation, two sites will be established per city in the National Capital Region that will either be hospital or non-hospital settings. After this, immunization of kids will be expanded in other sites in NCR and in other regions. The government aims to inoculate about 14.7 million children belonging to the 5 to 11 age group. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) The risk classifications of the Philippines and the National Capital Region for COVID-19 have been lowered from "critical risk" to "high risk, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Monday night. Duque explained that the two-week growth rate, or the growth in cases in the span of 14 days, has decreased from 3,661% to 176% nationwide. In NCR, the rate dropped to only 65% from 7,226%. The average daily attack rate, however, is still high at 84.56%. Other regions classified as high risk are MIMAROPA, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM. Duque noted that cases in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, or the NCR Plus, have been declining, while "the rest of Luzon [is] showing signs of plateauing." He said the Inter-Agency Task Force will meet on Thursday to discuss the possible deescalation of the alert level status in the capital region. "Maganda po ang nangyayari sa NCR. Talagang mabilis na bumababa. Ganu'n din ang NCR Plus areas," Duque added. "Kung mapababa natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon, pwede na po tayong mag-Alert Level 2 ulit sa NCR." [Translation: The situation is getting better in NCR. Infections are rapidly decreasing. Same goes for the other NCR Plus areas. If this continues, we can go back to Alert Level 2.] "Pero ang binabantayan po natin, ang Visayas and Mindanao... Pataas po ang mga kaso," the DOH chief said. [Translation: But we are closely monitoring the situation in the Visayas and Mindanao. Cases there are on the rise.] Earlier in the day, Duque said the spike in COVID-19 cases brought by the highly contagious Omicron variant may have already reached its peak in Metro Manila. READ: Omicron surge has peaked in Metro Manila, DOH chief says Independent pandemic watchdog OCTA Research, meanwhile, said the wave of infections may be far from over, as cases are only beginning to go up in other regions. It said the surge may end by March or April. (CNN) As many as 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment to Eastern Europe as Russian troops mass on Ukraine's border, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued the prepare to deploy orders at the direction of President Joe Biden, the latest step the US has taken to prepare for a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine that officials have warned could be imminent. Kirby said that the "bulk of" US troops placed on heightened alert were intended to bolster NATO's quick response force, but added they would be "postured to be ready for any other contingencies as well." As of Monday afternoon, no final decision to deploy the troops had been made, Kirby emphasized. "The United States has taken steps to heighten the readiness of its forces at home and abroad, so they are prepared to respond to a range of contingencies, including support to the NATO response force if it is activated," Kirby said. He noted the NATO Response Force "comprises around 40,000 multinational troops." Earlier on Monday CNN reported the Biden administration was in in the final stages of identifying specific military units it wants to send to Eastern Europe, according to multiple US and defense officials. Biden discussed options for bolstering US troop levels in the Baltics and Eastern Europe with his top military officials during a briefing at Camp David on Saturday, according to a senior official. The goal of sending military reinforcements to Eastern Europe would be to provide deterrence and to reassure allies, and there's been no suggestion US combat troops would deploy to Ukraine or take part in any combat roles. Kirby noted the US does have military advisers in Ukraine. Kirby would not say where the US troops might deploy, but said the US has "made it clear to the Eastern flank allies that we're prepared to bolster their capabilities if they need it." "In the event of NATO's activation of the NRF or a deteriorating security environment, the United States would be in a position to rapidly deploy additional brigade combat teams, logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, transportation and additional capabilities into Europe," Kirby said. The news comes amid US warnings that a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent. The State Department on Sunday reduced staffing at the US embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, with the departure of nonessential staff and family members out of "an abundance of caution." Biden holds calls with European leaders Biden held an 80-minute secure video call with European leaders on Monday afternoon, which the White House said was part of the administration's consultation and coordination with European allies in response to Russia's military buildup. Biden told reporters at the White House there was "total unanimity" with European leaders on the call. "I had a very, very, very good meeting," Biden said. A White House readout of the call said the leaders discussed "preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia for such actions as well as to reinforce security on NATO's eastern flank." Following the virtual meeting with the leaders of the US, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom and the European Union, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, "We agree that any further aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have severe costs." Biden and his national security team have been refining military plans "for all scenarios," including the option of sending troops to Eastern Europe ahead of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, the White House said Monday. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said a decision to increase US troops could come ahead of Russian forces moving across the Ukrainian border, but said such a move did not amount to a shift in Biden's thinking. "We have never ruled out the option of providing additional assistance in advance of an invasion. Those discussions have been ongoing," she said. Last week, Biden said during a news conference, "We're going to actually increase troop presence in Poland, in Romania, et cetera, if in fact he moves." But Psaki said Biden had never ruled out sending additional US troops before an invasion. "That's been part of our contingency planning," she said. The US sent two weapons shipments to Ukraine over the past week as part of recently directed security assistance to help bolster Ukraine's military. NATO countries are also sending additional ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe and putting forces on standby, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement Monday. "NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the Alliance," Stoltenberg said. US, UK reduce embassy staffing in Kyiv The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's latest intelligence assessment found that Russia has now deployed more than 127,000 troops in the region, while US officials have said Russia is in a position to launch an invasion at any time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address Monday that Ukrainian citizens have "no reason to panic" as authorities are "working for the full de-escalation of the situation" in eastern Ukraine. US officials still don't know what Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to do, or if he has decided to invade Ukraine. But some officials who have seen the intelligence say there is evidence Russia is planning to try to take Kyiv and overthrow the government, as CNN has previously reported. The UK foreign office said in a statement on Saturday that it has information the Russian government is planning to "install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine." Kirby said Monday that Russia continues to add "battalion tactical groups" to the border with Ukraine and in Belarus. "They have not only shown no signs of de-escalating, but they are in fact adding more force capability," he said. Moscow denies it is planning to invade, accusing the US and NATO of escalating tensions over their support for Ukraine. The Kremlin on Monday dismissed the reports about plans to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine as "hysteria. "Tensions are escalating due to concrete actions taken by the US and NATO," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "I mean, the informational hysteria that we are witnessing. It is generously framed by a huge amount of false information, just lies and fakes." State Department officials told reporters Sunday that the decision to reduce staffing at the embassy was not due to any change in threat levels to US personnel in the country. The officials said the move to reduce embassy personnel and urge Americans in the country to leave was in part because State Department assistance would be "severely impacted" if there is Russian military action in Ukraine. In addition to the US reducing staffing at its embassy in Kyiv, the UK Foreign Office also announced Monday that some British Embassy staff and dependents were being withdrawn in response to growing threats from Russia. The US is continuing to engage diplomatically with Russia, but recent talks have failed to bring about any breakthroughs. Russia has said that the US and NATO must commit to never admitting Ukraine into NATO and pull back military deployments from Eastern European counties, including Romania and Bulgaria. The US has said repeatedly these demands are a non-starter, though Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week the US would respond in writing to Moscow's demands following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This story was first published on CNN.com, "US places up to 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe amid Russia tensions" (CNN) The pilot of a US F-35 jet ejected as his jet crashed on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, injuring seven, the US Pacific Fleet said in a statement Monday. The pilot was conducting routine flight operations when the crash happened. They safely ejected and were recovered by a military helicopter, Pacific Fleet said. The pilot is in stable condition. Six others were injured on the deck of the carrier. Three required evacuation to a medical facility in Manila, Philippines, where they are in stable condition, according to Pacific Fleet. The other three sailors were treated on the carrier and have been released. The cause of what the statement called a "inflight mishap" is under investigation. A spokesman for the Navy's 7th Fleet in Japan, Lt. Mark Langford, said Tuesday the impact to the Vinson's flight deck was "superficial" and the warship and its air wing had resumed normal operations. As for the F-35, "the status of the recovery is in progress," Langford said. The crash is the first for an F-35C, the US Navy's variant of the single-engine stealth fighter, designed for operations off aircraft carriers. The F-35A, flown by the Air Force, takes off and lands on conventional runways, and the F-35B, the Marine Corps version, is a short-takeoff vertical landing aircraft that can operate off the Navy's amphibious assault ships. Versions of the F-35 are also flown by US allies and partners, including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and Israel. More countries have orders in for the jet. The US Navy variant "features more robust landing gear to handle carrier takeoffs and landings, folding wings to fit on a crowded flight deck, larger wings, a slightly larger payload, and a slightly longer operating range," according to the aircraft's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. The F-35C was the last of the three variants to become operational, doing so in only 2019. Carl Vinson was the first of the US Navy's 11 aircraft carriers to deploy with the F-35C when it left San Diego last August. "This deployment marks the first time in U.S. naval aviation history that a stealth strike fighter has been deployed operationally on an aircraft carrier," Lockheed Martin said. The addition of the F-35C to Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard Carl Vinson for its current deployment marks the first time a US carrier has flown with what the Navy calls its "air wing of the future," which also includes F/A-18E/F fighters, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, E-2D airborne early warning aircraft and CMV-22 tilt-rotor transports. Monday's crash in the South China Sea was the second of an F-35 this year. On January 4, the pilot of a South Korean F-35 made an emergency "belly landing" at an air base on Tuesday after its landing gear malfunctioned due to electronic issues, according to the South Korean Air Force. In previous years, F-35s have been involved in at least eight other incidents, according to records kept by the crowdsourced website F-16.net. Last November, a British F-35B crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The pilot ejected safely. In May 2020, the pilot ejected safely when a US Air Force F-35 crashed on landing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The Air Force attributed the crash to a variety of factors involving the pilot and the plane's systems. In April 2019, a Japanese F-35 crashed into the Pacific Ocean off northern Japan, killing its pilot. The Japanese military blamed that crash on spatial disorientation, "a situation in which a pilot cannot sense correctly the position, attitude, altitude, or the motion of an airplane," according to the journal Military Medicine. When the latest crash occurred, Carl Vinson and its escorts were operating in the South China Sea along with the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group in dual-carrier operations that began on Sunday, according to Navy social media accounts. The 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea has been the site of frequent naval activity in the past several years as China has asserted its claims over almost all of the area by building up and militarizing islands and reefs. The US military asserts its right to operate freely in what are international waters. Carrier deployments like the current one exercise those rights. The two strike groups along with a Japanese helicopter destroyer staged a large exercise on Saturday in the Philippine Sea, the part of the Pacific Ocean between Taiwan and the US island territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. A day after that exercise, China sent 39 warplanes into Taiwan's self-declared air defense identification zone, the largest such incursion of Chinese warplanes into that zone this year. This story was first published on CNN.com, "7 injured after F-35 jet crashes on aircraft carrier in South China Sea" Press Release January 25, 2022 Senate adopts three amnesty measures The Senate on Monday, January 24, 2022, adopted three measures granting amnesty to members of three rebel groups that have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and special penal laws in pursuit of their political beliefs. Sponsored by Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, House Concurrent Resolution Nos. 12, 13 and 14 were adopted with 18 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and no abstention. The resolutions concurred with Presidential Proclamation Nos. 1090, 1091 and 1092 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 5, 2021, which grant amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), respectively. With the amnesty grants, Lacson said, the government is giving out second chances to over 7,600 prospective applicants who are willing to have a new start in life in a secure place in society. "Never in our history has our nation sought and demanded a 'time of healing' with much fervor and tenacity than we do today -- healing from the health crisis which scarred our people; healing from the economic, social, and political distress that, by and large, spoiled our nation," Lacson said in his omnibus sponsorship speech on Committee Reports 372, 373 and 374 recommending the adoption of the resolutions. The amnesty however shall not be granted to those who have already been proscribed or those charged under Republic Act (RA) No. 9372, otherwise known as the Human Security Act of 2007, or RA No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Under the presidential proclamations, the amnesty shall not cover kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism and other crimes committed against chastity as defined in the Revised Penal Code as amended, crimes committed for personal ends, violation of RA No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002, grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949, and those identified by the United Nations as crimes that can never, be amnestied such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances and other gross violations of human rights. The measures also call for the creation of an Amnesty Commission that shall receive and process applications for amnesty and determine whether the applicants who shall apply are entitled to amnesty under the presidential proclamations. "Indeed, amnesty is an act of compassion on the part of the government. It is a chance to mend our wounds from our constant struggle. More importantly, this is our time to heal. If viewed the same by all parties concerned, then our concurrence may be another step closer towards reconciliation, and ultimately the attainment of lasting peace," Lacson added. (CNN) Burkina Faso's army said it took control of the country on Monday, deposing President Roch Kabore, dissolving the government and parliament, suspending the constitution and shuttering its borders. The coup was announced on state television by Captain Sidsore Kader Ouedraogo, who said the military had seized power in response to the "ongoing degradation of the security situation" in the country and the "incapacity of the government" to unite the population. Sitting alongside him dressed in military fatigues and a red beret was Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, a senior military officer who was introduced to the people of Burkina Faso as their new leader. Damiba was promoted in December by Kabore to commander of the country's third military region, which is responsible for security in the capital Ouagadougou, according to Reuters. He studied at a military academy in Paris, and recently authored a book titled "West African Armies and Terrorism: Uncertain Responses?" There was no mention made in the televised statement about Kabore's whereabouts. The president has not been seen in public since fighting broke out on Sunday around the presidential palace in Ouagadougou. One of the coup leaders told CNN that Kabore was detained early Monday by soldiers that had taken control of a military base before storming the palace grounds and firing shots near the president's home. The same source said that Kabore signed his resignation and is being kept in a "safe place" in the West African country. But Kabore's exact location remains unknown; on Monday afternoon, a message was posted from his Twitter account asking those involved in the insurrection to lower their arms. "Our nation is going through difficult times," the tweet said. "We must in this precise moment, preserve our democratic achievements. I invite those who took arms to lower them in the superior interest of the nation. It is through dialogue and listening that we must resolve our contradictions." The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about the whereabouts of President Kabore and is following developments in Burkina Faso closely, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a Monday statement. Pictures from Ouagadougou on Monday showed armed vehicles and soldiers parked outside the headquarters of the state broadcaster, Radio Television du Burkina (RTB). Plans for the military coup have been underway since August, hatched in encrypted messaging apps and countless secret meetings held outside the capital, one of the coup leaders told CNN, adding that the soldiers are angry at the government's handling of jihadist attacks in the country, and believe Burkina Faso is better off under military rule right now. Civilians gathered on the streets honking car horns and cheering in support of the military following Monday's announcement. "People are fleeing their homes and people are dying everywhere because of terrorism. The situation is not solved. If the army takes the lead I think things will go back to normal," said Oumar Junior Bahoro, who was protesting in downtown Ouagadougou. The Economic Community for West Africa States (ECOWAS) posted a statement on Facebook Monday saying it was watching "with great concern the political and security situation in Burkina Faso, following an attempted coup d'etat." ECOWAS demanded that the "soldiers return to the barracks, maintain a Republican situation and favor dialogue with the authorities to resolve problems," adding that it held the military responsible for Kabore's wellbeing On Monday, the French embassy in Burkina Faso posted a message on its website warning its citizens in the country that the situation "remains rather confusing." "In the wait for a clarification, we recommend that you avoid non-essential movements during the day and do not go out at night," the message said. Two Air France flights scheduled for Monday evening were also canceled, according to the embassy. 'Mounting dissatisfaction' Burkina Faso has been wracked with violence linked to the Islamic State and al Qaeda that has killed thousands and displaced 1.5 million people, according to UNHCR. The military has been hard hit; last month at least 50 security forces were killed in the Sahel. Anger has been mounting across the country for weeks. The coup comes one day after a protest in the capital demanding the president's resignation. "This coup attempt isn't coming out of nowhere. It's building on mounting dissatisfaction within the population and security forces with the government's handling of the security crisis," said Constantin Gouvy, a Burkina Faso researcher who works for the Netherlands-based Clingendael Institute. Kabore has championed a military-first approach since being first elected in 2015 and it's not been successful, he said. Reuters reported that sustained gunfire rang out from military camps in the West African country on Sunday, as soldiers demanded more support for their fight against Islamist militants. Protesters came out to support the mutineers on Sunday and ransacked the headquarters of Kabore's political party, according to the news agency. The government declared a curfew until further notice and closed schools for two days. The turmoil in Burkina Faso comes after successful military putsches over the past 18 months in its West African neighbors Mali and Guinea, where the army removed President Alpha Conde last September. West Africa, which until recently appeared to have shed its reputation as Africa's "coup belt," remains susceptible to unrest. The military also took over in Chad last year after President Idriss Deby died on the battlefield there. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in West Africa -- despite being a gold producer. Its army has suffered heavy losses at the hands of Islamist militants, who control swathes of the country and have forced residents in those areas to abide by their harsh version of Islamic law, Reuters reports. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Burkina Faso's military seizes power in a coup, detains president and dissolves government" On January 7th, Sinead O'Connor's 17 year old son, Shane O'Connor was found dead after being missing for 2 days. Sinead O'Connor has checked into a special centre to help her with her mental health challenges following her son's suicide. This news sent me off exploring Sinead's great body of work and the many songs she has written about motherhood and children - some of them being very personal songs about her own children as she is the Mother of four children. These are beautiful songs made all the more poignant when you listen to them and ponder the recent tragedy around the loss of her son. Sinead O'Connor has faced many challenges in her life and dealt with many mental health issues that she openly explores in her memoir, "Rememberings." If you'd like to read the book it is currently available at the Ottawa Public Library. https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S26C1284367 Here are some reviews of the book. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/55609892-rememberings In the second hour we play songs by other artists about children and parenthood and I hope you enjoy the mix tonight. If you listened to the FM broadcast you did not get to hear the entire piece "Age" by R Grunwald, but you can hear all of it here as part of the On Demand version of the show. Here is where you can get more information about R. Grunwald. https://rgrunwald.com/about/ https://rgrunwald.bandcamp.com If you found anything triggering during the show tonight as we talked about the suicide of Shane O'Connor, or if you are experiencing grief, anxiety or overwhelming sorrow in any way during these difficult times, please reach out to the Ottawa Distress Centre. Their phone lines are staffed 24 hours each day and you can reach them at: 613-238-1111 1-866-996-0991 https://www.dcottawa.on.ca Thanks for listening tonight. Take care of yourselves and take care of those around you. A man facing a murder charge out of Columbus will be making his first appearance in Platte County Court on Thursday, Jan. 27. Michael J. Keener, 28, of Columbus, was recently arrested on charges of first degree murder, a class IA felony; use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, a class II felony; and possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, a class III felony, in the death of 77-year-old Larry Houdek. According to public court documents, the charges carry the following penalties if Keener is found guilty: first degree murder, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment; use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, a minimum of one year imprisonment and a maximum of 50 years imprisonment; and possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, a maximum of four years imprisonment and two years post release supervision or a $25,000 or both. According to an affidavit filed Jan. 18 in Platte County Court, on Jan. 16 at about 4:19 p.m., a Columbus Police Department officer arrived at 1305 Eighth St. in Columbus on the report of a man who had fallen. The officer made contact with Keener, who reportedly told the officer that he had murdered someone. After being bandaged for a cut on his finger by a rescue squad, Keener said he would show the officer where he murdered the individual. Keener directed the first officer and a second one to 268 16th Ave. in Columbus. Police found a man, later identified as Houdek, deceased in the residence, the affidavit stated. Keener was taken into custody and police found items of Houdeks in his pockets, the court document stated. According to the affidavit, Keener said he knew Houdek from around town but did not know him well. He told police he had gone to Houdeks residence to kill him. Later on in the affidavit, police asked Keener why he picked Houdek's residence and Keener reportedly responded that he "liked the color of it." Keener reportedly told officers that he had stabbed Houdek multiple times with a knife taken from the kitchen and taken some money from him, the affidavit stated. He was eventually transported to the Platte County Detention Facility. Keener is being held on $1 million bond, with 10% to apply, per a bond review order filed in Platte County Court Jan. 19. Keeners first appearance is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday in Platte County Court. Public court documents indicate that Keener is being represented by Public Defender Timothy P. Matas. Public court records show Keener as having criminal past mainly involving misdemeanors. Keener had been one of three Columbus teens involved in burglary and attempting to sell stolen firearms in 2011. According to a Telegram article from 2011, Keener was convicted of burglary and attempting to sell stolen guns. Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 9 Angry 5 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Area county boards oppose a proposed state bill that would increase certain exemptions for the inheritance tax, thereby decreasing the amount gathered for each county's inheritance tax fund. When someone passes away, those who inherit the estate pay inheritance tax on the value of the money or property they receive. That money goes into the inheritance fund at the county level. At the end of December, Platte County had nearly $12 million in its inheritance fund. Platte County Board of Supervisors Chairman and District 2 Supervisor Jerry Micek said the inheritance fund is an important resource for the county, and that the county tries to use the funds for projects that will benefit the entire county. The reasoning is that residents in the county live there and make their money there and that when they pass away, the inheritance tax can help put their money back into the community. In 2021, Platte County took about $3.1 million into its fund and spent roughly $3.4 million. "The only time we will actually go into the inheritance tax is, for instance, if we have a major road project that's going to cost a couple million dollars...that's not in our budget," Micek said. Another relatively recent use of inheritance funds was for improvements and remodeling of the Platte County Courthouse, Micek said. By paying for those kinds of projects out of the inheritance tax fund, Micek said the county can avoid increases to its property tax request. Meanwhile, neighboring Butler and Colfax counties have both used inheritance funds to mitigate levy increases in the last year. "The ending balance for 2021 of the Colfax inheritance tax fund is $4,449,051.26; the only withdrawal was in September of 2021 of $600,000 to the general fund -- we did this when the budget was adopted. (The $600,000 was used) to lower the tax request for the budget," Colfax County Clerk Rita Mundil said in a Jan. 7 email to the Telegram. Around the same time, Butler County opted to use $500,000 of inheritance tax funds to keep its levy down. Butler County had just under $4.3 million left at the end of November. According to a 2021 article on the American Association of Retired Persons website, Nebraska is one of six states with an inheritance tax. The others are Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, though Iowa passed a bill in 2021 to phase out its inheritance tax completely by 2025. In Nebraska, inheritance tax tops out at 18%, the highest of the six states. As it currently stands, the bill -- Legislative Bill (LB) 310 -- would top inheritance tax out at 15% for deaths on or after Jan. 1, 2022. Butler County Board of Supervisors Chairman and District 7 Supervisor Anthony Whitmore said the bill would take a toll, if it passes. "Right now they're talking about reducing the overall...so it's going to really affect the smaller inheritance that people get. We won't really see any of it like we do now, if it does go through," Whitmore said. Micek said he has already reached out to a number of senators to express opposition to LB310. "I've personally contacted 11 senators at the state, either by email, phone call or in person, and told them how the (Platte) County Board felt about it," Micek said. "...And most of the ones I contacted were very receptive. A couple of them said, 'Well, we're not sure we'll vote to eliminate it but we may vote to lower." Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A vacant seat on the Carlisle Borough Council could be filled this week. The council could select a new member at a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Borough Hall, 53 W. South St. The borough reported Monday that five candidates are vying for the position: Meghan Anderson, 1000 block of Northfield Drive Ethel Carryer, 200 block of South West Street M. Catherine Mellen, 200 block of South Pitt Street David Sheridan, 200 block of West Baltimore Street Curtis Thompson, 300 block of North West Street The council plans to interview each candidate at Thursdays meeting, and it could select one of them to be sworn in as a council member the same night. The seat opened when former Deputy Mayor Sean Shultz resigned to accept his newly elected position as mayor. The council sought registered voters who have lived in borough for at least a year to fill the vacant position. Each applicant was required to provide a resume and letter of interest along with answers to the following questions by last week: Why do you want to serve on Carlisle Borough Council? What prior experience can you bring to Borough Council that will benefit the Carlisle community? What objectives and projects do you envision Carlisle pursuing in the next five years? Information about the vacancy and candidates can be found on the boroughs website. State law dictates that the council has 30 days from a members resignation to fill any vacancy; in this case the deadline would fall on Feb. 2. If the council fails to select a new member by that date, that responsibility would fall to the Vacancy Board. That board is composed of members of the council which, under the boroughs Home Rule Charter, includes the mayor, as well as Vacancy Board Chair Sonya Browne. The Vacancy Board would then advertise a meeting within 15 days beyond the Feb. 2 deadline to fill the position with someone who would hold office until Jan. 2, 2024. The seat would be up for election in the 2023 municipal election. State law calls for the individual appointed by the vacancy board to hold office until the first Monday in January after the first municipal election occurring more than 60 days after the vacancy occurs. Municipal elections occur every two years and the first Monday in January 2024 is a holiday, so the term date was moved to the following day, Jan. 2, 2024, in accordance with the state Borough Code. According to Shultz, filling council vacancies is relatively uncommon for the Carlisle Borough Council. Council plans to conduct a public interview process like those followed in 2005, 2012 and 2017 when council was responsible for filling the unexpired term of Councilor Fishman, Mayor Wilson and Councilor Bires, respectively, Shultz said in the news release. Shultz said the special meeting will also include an opportunity for public comment, as is customary with all other meetings. Deputy Mayor Brenda Landis encouraged public involvement. The borough encourages the Carlisle community to attend the Jan. 27 meeting either in-person or virtually, she said in a news release. The five candidates will share their responses and perspectives to the topics covered in their written material, as well as answer additional questions that any member of council may pose during the evenings meeting. The meeting can be live-streamed via the Carlisle Boroughs Facebook page, and anyone with further questions can contact Shultz at 717-240-6920 or Landis at 717-240-6922. Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Mechancisburg man who tampered with products and returned them to area stores in 2019 was sentenced Tuesday to 2 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. U.S. Attorney John Gurganus said Robert K. Burns, 61, was sentenced to prison, as well as two years of supervised release following imprisonment. Burns previously admitted that in May 2019, he replaced pills in multiple bottles of lansoprazole, resealed the bottles and then returned them to a store in Enola. He then tampered with and returned other products, including sinus relief products, to a Mechanicsburg store in May and June 2019. He also did the same with toothpaste to a different Mechanicsburg store. In a presentence report filed with the court in December, Burns lawyer called it a petty, if sophisticated, theft, saying no one could have been hurt by Burns behavior and that harming others was not his intention. The letter from Burns lawyer said he worked for 30 years in consumer products production, sales and supervision and believed the tampered items would have to be thrown out, not restocked. Prosecutors said the length of Burns sentence was justified by his sophisticated methods, his repeated actions and the potential danger from consumer packaging tampering. According to the originally filed affidavit, the Giant Co. helped identify the issue and Burns as a suspect since he used the companys bonus card during the return. Affected stores in the investigation included Giant, Walmart, Wegmans and CVS. In August 2019, police executed a search warrant on Burns home and found additional products with which he had tampered and other evidence, including hundreds of cut-up product packages and tamper-resistant seals. The case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Silver Spring Township Police. Burns lawyer, Craig E. Kauzlarich, declined comment on the sentence. When Burns home was searched and police took medication packaging, glue, jars and white cream, a warrant affidavit said he returned items to the same grocery store at least 24 times. But Kauzlarich said the guilty plea only concerned one return, a heartburn medication taken back to a drug store. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Email Naomi Creason at ncreason@cumberlink.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelCreason Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CORRECTION: No more than two members of the four-member Missouri Conservation Commission can be of the same political party. A news story published Wednesday incorrectly said commissioners were nonpartisan. JEFFERSON CITY Lawmakers and the Department of Conservation have resumed their protracted tug of war over who gets to control the states Conservation Commission. A House committee heard testimony late Monday on a proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would increase the size of the commission and require its members to stand for election. The Conservation Commission is currently is composed of four members appointed by the governor. The commission makes spending decisions for the departments $170 million annual operating budget, controls regulatory decisions and appoints the director of the Department of Conservation. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Chris Dinkins, R-Annapolis, would create an eight-member commission, with each member representing one of the states congressional districts. Members would be elected beginning in November 2024, eventually to serve staggered six-year terms. Dinkins told the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee that increasing the number of commissioners and requiring them to represent different areas of the state would ensure representation of areas that currently feel ignored. Many in favor of the bill expressed a lack of faith in the commissions commitment to issues in their area. Several residents of Shannon County, in the Ozarks of southeast Missouri, came to speak on the issue of clear-cutting on conservation land in the area. The Conservation Department, through the terrible practices in about, at least, five, six, seven counties down through there in our part of the country, have completely lost the trust of the citizens, said Leon Michel, a Shannon County resident, describing the process of clear-cutting as raping the land. We are pretty much in a position where weve got to do something to make change, Dinkins said. And the only way we I feel like we can do it is by expanding the commission. Sarah Parker Pauley, director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the department does its best to engage with residents and make the best choices in the long view. The citizens more than 80 years ago demanded less politics and special interests influencing decisions impacting our public trust resources because such interests had led to devastating results, Pauley said. So now why would we pivot to a different system with elected commissioners, who likely will need to campaign on the interests of areas, individuals, groups or parties versus considering the science of sound wildlife management? Pauley asked. Elected commissioners would have a responsibility to the interests of their districts, not to the resources or the citizens as a whole. Several members of the committee voiced concern about the potential politicization of the commission. Im not sure that I really want more national groups in our elections, said Rep. Paula Brown, D-Hazelwood, referencing the amount the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, and the Humane Society had spent in elections per year. Thats what Im afraid of. I do think it sounds like we all liked the idea, said Rep. Bridget Walsh-Moore, D-St. Louis. Its just everyones a little worried about if we open up an election, wheres the money going to come from. Testimony filed by the Conservation Federation of Missouri argued the amendment is a clear attempt by the House of Representatives to seize power over the forestry and wildlife resources of the state. If lawmakers approve Dinkins proposed constitutional amendment, it would appear on the November 2022 ballot. Dinkins has put forth similar proposals in the past, following a number of clashes between the commission and the Legislature. In the last year, among other disputes, the Legislature attempted to negate the commissions ability to purchase land, which the Conservation Commission successfully challenged in court, and the commission refused to use funds budgeted to process feral hogs as directed by lawmakers. The House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee previously advanced the proposal last year after several new committee members were added, boosting the votes in favor of the amendment. The legislation is House Joint Resolution 107. Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Its that time again. Its time for fresh-off-the-flattop pancakes and homemade donuts. Local residents can pick up a free hot breakfast this Saturday on the parking lot in front of Park Hills Save A Lot. The event runs from 8 to 10 a.m. All monetary donations go to East Missouri Action Agencys Uplift Center for Better Living. We are partnering up again with our food truck friends to provide you with a delicious free breakfast, said Clint Price, supervisor of the Leadbelt Save A Lot locations. This is our way of giving back and saying thank you to our community. The second annual early-morning breakfasts menu includes pancakes, homemade glazed donuts, coffee, milk and juice. The events cooking crew includes some familiar faces: The Lunch Lady Food Trucks Tom and Julie Abel, Casey Richardson of Caseys Cookin, and Misti Barnhouse with Grandmas Sugar Shack. New to this years event is Holy Grounds and Daddy Os Cheesesteaks and Street Food. Three employees of Daddy Os, including operations manager Taylor Roellig, and Ben Wilde and Shayne Shaw, cheesesteak slingers or line cooks, will be cooking pancakes Saturday morning with the Abels and Richardson. Donny Meyer will serve hot-and-fresh regular Americano coffee from his Holy Grounds truck. This event brings the community and food truck friends together. Its a good time to meet the owners of these awesome food trucks, said Price. They work really hard to serve our community great food. Barnhouse, wholl be making homemade glazed donuts, said this event gives them all a chance to show their appreciation. This is a way for us to give back to our beautiful community who supports us no matter the weather, she said. We love working next to our food truck friends giving back! Tom agreed. He was looking through photos a few weeks ago and came across the photo seen here with this story. I got to thinking that it was about the time of year we did last years pancake breakfast, he said, and within the hour, Clint sends me a picture of the article from last year and said he is ready to do another one. Tom said with Prices and the other food truck owners help, they wanted to do this years breakfast for the same reason they did last year to give back to others who give so much all year long in our community. The early morning breakfast is really just part two in what we really hope will be a very long-standing tradition, said Tom. I love all these people, and I have never in my life been around so many people who root for each other the way that we all do. Roellig agreed that the Daddy Os staff is great friends with the other food truck vendors who are involved with Saturdays breakfast. They get excited when they know theyll be working alongside the other small business owners who have always welcomed them with open arms. They reached out and asked if we wanted to join in [this Saturday] and we didnt hesitate, she said. Having it be for a great cause and to be able to put some good out into the world is just something we wouldnt ever want to pass up. Roellig said their staff loves to be involved in as many events like this as possible. Our community has always been our backbone in times of hardship, and weve been given nothing but love and support from them, she said. We think its important to do the same for anyone who needs it. We are first and foremost a family, and we treat everyone as family. Meyer, who owns Holy Grounds, said hes excited simply because its a chance to be part of the community and have this ability to be a benefit to others. That is not the common case for a lot of the world, he said. Pam Clifton is a contributing writer for the Daily Journal Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The continuing COVID-19 surge of patients into area hospitals is placing a greater burden on already over-burdened healthcare workers, the chief executive officers of the University of Virginia Medical Center and Augusta Health said Monday. Our healthcare workers your loved ones, friends and neighbors are at their breaking point, they wrote in a joint statement. Wendy Horton is the CEO of UVa Medical Center and Mary Mannix is the CEO of Augusta Health. They wrote that the more contagious omicron variant is the most serious challenge the hospitals have faced thus far in the pandemic a challenge that has exhausted their staff. The variant has caused cases to surge to record levels in the area, state and nationally. With more patients with COVID in our hospitals to care for and fewer staff members to help because they too have COVID this latest surge is putting our ability to care for everyone in the community who needs our help in jeopardy, they wrote, adding that they are grateful for the healthcare workers who have stepped up throughout the pandemic. The vast majority of COVID patients in both hospitals are unvaccinated, according to the statement. The UVa Medical Center admitted 14 new COVID-19 patients on Sunday and has 122 patients overall, according to UVas COVID tracker. In the last week, the hospital averaged about 20 new patients a day. This has left our healthcare workers not just exhausted but heartbroken heartbroken by caring for patients who are dying needlessly; patients who would have had different outcomes if theyd been vaccinated, they wrote in the statement. So far this month, the Blue Ridge Health District has reported 164 new hospitalizations, which far exceeds the record of 94 set in September. Horton and Mannix urged their community members to get vaccinated or a booster dose, if eligible, as a way to show respect and appreciation for healthcare workers. Vaccine appointments can be made through vase.vdh.virginia.gov. Hospitalization rates for people 12 years and older who are not vaccinated are about 8 to 10 times higher than for those who are vaccinated, and we are seeing this same trend across our hospitals, they wrote. Free COVID vaccines are proven to be safe and are incredibly effective at preventing severe COVID. Forgoing the vaccine and booster shot means prolonging the pandemic, they wrote. In response to the increase in cases and hospitalizations, area hospitals have moved to once again restrict visitors and delay elective surgeries, in some cases. When cases increased in September, August Health created a second intensive care unit, and brought in a mobile morgue. In the last month, area hospitals urged people to stay away from the emergency department if they only needed a COVID-19 test or had mild symptoms. That message was reiterated in the joint statement. If everyone in our community who is eligible becomes vaccinated and boosted, it would go a long way toward relieving the crisis our teams are facing daily in our clinics, emergency departments and inpatient units, they wrote. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. KYIV, Ukraine With 100,000 Russian guns pointed at their heads, Ukrainians appear to take a stoical pride in not seeming rattled. They appear ready for what could be a savage war. Their main worry is that the United States and its allies will get so nervous they will yield to Russian pressure. Driving through Maidan Square in a light snow on Friday afternoon, with traffic snarled and the lights of the city blazing, you could almost think this was normal life, on the eve of what could be a Russian invasion. Some people with money are buying dollars and property abroad. But the restaurants are full, and Ukrainians appeared to get the jitters only when President Volodymyr Zelensky told them this past week not to panic. Over several days of intense conversation here, I heard the same message of resistance. Russian President Vladimir Putin might imagine that Ukrainians share his almost mystical conviction that Russia and Ukraine are the same country, but if so, hes wildly mistaken. Putins eight years of war against Ukraine, beginning with his seizure of Crimea in 2014, have made him nothing but enemies here. Polls say that even a large majority of Russian-speaking Ukrainians oppose him. Dont trust Putin. Dont fear Putin, said former president Petro Poroshenko on Friday during a conversation with a group organized by the German Marshall Fund. (Im a trustee of GMF but came here as a journalist, along with Sylvie Kaufman of the French newspaper Le Monde and a half-dozen others, including two German parliamentarians and analysts from NATO and the European Union.) It was partly bravado, but a defiant Oleksiy Danilov, the head of the national security and defense council, told our group: Since 2014, we have been in a state of war with Russia. There are no people other than us who will defend us. Even if we dont receive weapons [from the West], we will strangle them with our bare hands. Ukraine is where the dissolution of the Soviet Union was ratified in 1991, when 92% of Ukrainians voted for independence in a referendum. Putin has said that he regards the Soviet collapse as a tragedy that he is determined to avenge and that resolve has led him inexorably toward this confrontation. He sent troops to the border in April, paused for a round of diplomacy with President Joe Biden in Geneva in June, and then stormed back to the Ukraine border in October with what U.S. intelligence concluded was a force ready to invade all the way to Kyiv. As the Biden administration mobilized NATO resistance, Putin has doubled down repeatedly, saying that he wants to dismantle the post-Cold War architecture of Europe and insisting on promises that Ukraine will never join NATO. On Friday, against a firm NATO rejection of that ultimatum, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went even further, demanding that the alliance withdraw its troops from Russian neighbors Bulgaria and Romania. Putin has left little room for maneuver or compromise. He evidently feels that now is the time to strike when the United States is politically divided, with what he apparently sees as a weak and compromising president. Biden did not help himself when he talked Wednesday about his expectation of a small Russian invasion a suggestion of accommodation that he had to reverse the next day. Its also unfortunate that NATOs unity has appeared fragile this week with France and Germany both appearing uncertain about following the United States lead. Putin has prepared well for this strategic moment. Russias financial reserves are substantial enough to ease the impact of sanctions, at least initially, and energy prices are high. And Russias military alliance with China hasnt been this strong in decades. Putins popularity has been sagging, but given Russias prospects for long-term decline, it probably wont get any better. For the Russian leader, this is a window of opportunity that wont last. What I am concerned about is that Russia is putting itself in such a position that it cant step back, argued Dmytro Razumkov, a young member of the Ukrainian parliament who led Zelenskys party there and has now formed one of his own. A similar view that there might be no escape came from Ihor Zhovkva, the senior foreign policy adviser in Zelenskys administration. Ukraine is not in a panic, he told us. We understand we will have to fight. This is our destiny. Over and over, here and in Warsaw, I heard an argument that the United States must stop being reactive in dealing with Putin. The Russian leader loves to provoke anxiety in the West, and he has shown with Ukraine that hes ready to turn the dial way up. Hes apparently convinced that the United States and Europe in the end will prefer accommodation to an ever-escalating crisis. Putin wages war without any rules, says a senior Ukrainian defense ministry official, sitting across from a painting depicting a wild cavalry charge by warriors from several centuries past. The Russians have a name for Putins form of intimidation. They call it bespredel, a Russian mafia term that means, without limits. It falls to Biden to find a way to contain this bullying Russian leader without triggering an all-out war in the heart of Europe. The best advice I heard, echoed by the most thoughtful analysts in Kyiv and Warsaw, is that the United States and its allies must check the balance of intimidation by taking action themselves rather than responding to Moscow. Impose severe sanctions on Russia now, rather than after it has rolled into Ukraine. If Putin persists in covert actions in the West, match him. You cannot permit the Russians to believe you are afraid of an escalation. They will use it time and again, argued one of Polands wisest Russia analysts during a conversation on Wednesday in Warsaw. Restraint does not stabilize Putin. It encourages him. To paraphrase the analogy coined by the Brookings Institutions Robert Kagan, Putin thinks that accommodationist Americans are now, similar to Europeans, from Venus while warlike Russians are very much from Mars. Its a dizzying and frightening prospect, to imagine a war triggered by a doomed attempt to rewrite history. The most reassuring note is that Ukrainians, in the eye of the storm, dont appear all that worried. I posed to Ukraines defense official the question asked by Gen. David Petraeus at the beginning of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Tell me how this ends. He answered without hesitation: with Ukrainian sovereignty over all of its territory. David Ignatius writes on foreign affairs for The Washington Post. Contact him on Twitter @IgnatiusPost. Press Release January 25, 2022 Senate concurs in PH accession to 1961 Convention on Reduction of Statelessness The Senate, voting 21-0-0, approved on third and final reading Tuesday, January 25, 2022, a resolution agreeing to the Philippines' accession to a United Nations (UN) convention seeking to prevent and reduce statelessness. Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, chairperson of Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and sponsor of the measure, said acceding to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness will show the country's commitment to its obligations under human rights agreements, especially those that concern the affirmation of the right of all individuals to a nationality. The Philippines is already a signatory to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. The 1961 Convention lays down measures to prevent and reduce statelessness among children; statelessness due to renunciation of nationality; statelessness due to deprivation of nationality; and statelessness in the context of State succession. "It is a pressing concern, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic. But with or without a pandemic, statelessness is a real problem for millions of people around the world," Pimentel said in his sponsorship speech earlier. Under the 1987 Constitution, "no treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate." Approved Resolution No. 964 states that the Senate concurs in the accession to the 1961 Convention with the following declarations: The Republic of the Philippines maintains the grounds for the acquisition, loss and reacquisition of Philippine citizenship as provided under Article IV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and relevant domestic laws; As to Article 2 of the 1961 Convention, the Republic of the Philippines declares that a foundling found in the Philippines, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is presumed born to a Filipino parent, and therefore, a Filipino citizen; In accordance with paragraph 3, Article 8 of the 1961 Convention, the Republic of the Philippines retains the grounds for losing Philippine citizenship as provided for under the Commonwealth Act No. 63 (s.1936) or "An Act Providing for the Ways in Which Philippine Citizenship May be Lost or Reacquired," subject, however, to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 9225 or the "Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003" and RA No. 8171, and other prevailing domestic laws; and, While Article 12, paragraph 3 of the Convention provides that "[t]he provisions of Article 2 shall apply only to foundlings found in the territory of a Contracting State after the entry into force of the 1961 Convention for that State," the Republic of the Philippines may apply Article 2 retroactively should it be more beneficial and conducive to the well-being of the foundling. Further, concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment, shall take measures to register and assist undocumented Filipinos and children born under disadvantaged situation to avoid their risk of being stateless. The resolution also states that the President of the Philippines may, with the concurrence of the Senate, withdraw from the treaty. When dealing with tyrants, appeasement and clarity of intent rarely work out well for the appeaser. Beginning with that maxim, I see three courses of action with respect to the current tyrants running Russia. First, there is what I would like to do if I wielded the power of the presidency: simply withdraw, honestly acknowledge the state of the American empire and formulate a way forward that rebuilds our nation, starting at home. Second, what I would do if I wielded the power of the presidency: I would do what I think John McCain would have done at the initial buildup of Russian forces, deploy NATO forces to their maximum forward positions, telegraph that new centers of operation are going to be set up in Poland and the Baltics, and only negotiations regarding the Russian military buildup to the east would modify that course of action. Yes, NATO members would balk, but others would cheer, and leadership is about leading. Third, what I think an America tied to expanding its empire should do: Do what we can to secure Ukraine territory by telegraphing nothing. Say nothing, but do everything we can to defend the people of Ukraine, including enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine. If Russia attacks, so be it. They, in effect, would be attacking NATO, and the result would be to prevent the Russian armys gaining territory in Ukraine. Once lost, territory is too hard to regain remember Normandy. The Russians remember the millions of dead soldiers on the flats of Ukraine the last time they drove out invaders. Once Russia attacks, make defending the Ukraine border just the start by pushing back the invaders all the way to Moscow. One thing is clear: NATO countries have a population of 1 billion people, compared to Russias 150 million people; a far richer economy; and better-equipped military forces. Despite the failures of past Russian invaders, I am sure of the outcome of this one. That last sentence is deliberately vague on specifics. Having said all that, the Russian government is right that this situation is precipitated by the inconsistencies of U.S. foreign policy. Bush and Baker did assure Moscow that there would be no eastward deployments after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They did it for a good reason: 20 million Soviets who died the last time Russia was invaded from Ukraine. It was obvious this day was coming the minute the Clinton Administration started moving NATO eastward. But that does not change the facts on the ground today. To free Ukraine, to stop current tyrants, requires the will to lead and a belief in the cause. I know the Russian people believe in the right of their cause which is why this outcome was so predictable once NATO moved eastward. Do we still believe in the right of our cause? Independent of ones personal beliefs, this is a great opportunity, either for an expansion of the American empire or a rekindling of the American experiment in self-governance. Nicholas Tufillaro of Corvallis is an associate professor (senior research) at Oregon State University, where he measures water quality to help communities manage their water resources in a sustainable manner. For instance, a recent project involves using remote sensing to monitor for harmful algal blooms in Detroit Reservoir, thereby assisting the City of Salem with keeping its drinking water clean and safe. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The hyper-contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 is sweeping across Oregon even as it sharply declines in parts of the nation hit earlier in the wave of infections. Oregon is coming into the two-week peak of hospitalizations and absenteeism that will hobble medical staff, police, fire departments, schools, businesses and transport. Hospitals will face a major influx of new patients before the wave's number of severe cases peaks early next month. If people can stick with it for another couple of weeks, it will help to ensure timely care for everyone who needs a hospital bed.," Peter Graven, director of the Oregon Health & Science University Office of Advanced Analytics, said Friday. The Oregon Health Authority issued its weekend report on Monday, which covers COVID-19 reports Friday through Sunday. It showed 19,400 new cases and 17 deaths statewide over the three days. As of Sunday night, there were 1,045 COVID-19 positive patients in the state's hospitals, down from the 1,091 reported on Thursday. COVID-19 cases accounted for 161 patients in intensive care unit beds on Sunday, up 17 from Thursday. The positive test rate remained at a highly elevated 22.9% The positive test rate needs to be under 5% to control spread, OHA has said. Daily numbers fluctuate, but are forecast to rise this week to a peak level of 1,533 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Feb. 1, according to Graven. The ray of hope is that Oregon is at the end of the nationwide wave and evidence from around the country indicates omicron levels drop rapidly after cresting. While by far the most contagious version of COVID-19 seen since the virus was first reported in China on Dec. 31, 2019, it was less virulent in individual cases of those who had been vaccinated and received a booster shot recommended late last year. The World Health Organization said Monday that it had enough solid data to believe there was plausible hope for stabilization of the omicron variant. An east-to-west spread across the United States showed a wave-like rise and fall. Omicron-driven infections and hospitalizations were reported Monday as rapidly dropping in areas of the nation where the variant first hit. An ongoing New York Times survey of state and local health agencies showed the rate of infection had dropped 66% in New York compared to two weeks ago. Florida has seen cases decline 36%. Hospitalizations over the same period have slowed as well. The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals nationwide was 157,429 on Jan. 22, according to the New York Times survey. That was up a relatively slow 18% from two weeks earlier. Like infections, there were wide regional differences, with Maryland reporting a drop of 17%, while New York was down 3%. Omicron was rising fastest in states in the West and Midwest that had seen relatively slower rates of growth. Idaho, which had been at or near the bottom of new infection reports, was up 174% the past two weeks. Oregon was up 71%. Montana had the highest rate of new hospitalizations, up 93% over the past two weeks. Idaho was up 67%, just ahead of Oregon at 65%. The New York Times survey showed the five Oregon counties with the highest rate of infections per 100,000 people were Jefferson, Deschutes, Umatilla, Crook and Morrow counties. The five counties with the highest per capita hospitalizations were Jackson, Josephine, Lake, Jefferson and Baker counties. The situation in Idaho was worsening quickly on Monday, with 33.4% of COVID-19 tests coming back positive. Extremely high, unprecedented community spread its the most dangerous time weve had, Dr. Ted Epperly, president and CEO of the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, told the Idaho Statesman. The rapid spread in the state is especially worrisome because it has the lowest vaccination rate in the nation, with 48% having received two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Alabama is the only other state with less than half its population vaccinated, 49%. The national average is 63%. Oregon is at 67%. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on Monday activated "crisis standards of care" in much of southern Idaho, including Boise, the state's largest city. The standards dictate the priority of patients to be treated if care has to be rationed because of a shortage of staff, beds and medicine. Much of the area borders Eastern Oregon, including Malheur, Baker and Wallowa counties. Omicron is part of a back-to-back wave of new strains since infections hit an all-time low level in June 2021. For the first 18 months since the pandemic, Oregon had dealt with the original version of COVID-19, now called the "ancestral" strain by epidemiologists, and some minor variations that started in California. First came delta, a variant discovered in India in May 2021 that arrived in Oregon in June. Twice as contagious as the original virus, it struck hard at unvaccinated people, with hospitalizations and deaths reaching new records in late summer before beginning a stubbornly slow decline for its peak on Sept. 1. The delta decline was on pace to reach June levels of infections by the end of 2021. Omicron changed the math. First reported in Southern Africa on Nov. 24, it reached the United States on Dec. 1 and was in Oregon on Dec. 13. Spreading at six times the rate of the original virus, it quickly supplanted delta as the major variant and also showed the ability to infect vaccinated people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported earlier this month that initial studies showed omicron was 90% less likely to cause death in all those infected than the delta variant. Unvaccinated people were four times more likely to become infected with the omicron variant than vaccinated people. The infection rate for vaccinated people has risen with omicron compared to earlier waves, but the outcomes of infections have been starkly different. Unvaccinated people who were infected were 10 times more likely to die than vaccinated people. The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver launched a task force it hopes will help the victims of the deadly Marshall fire with rebuilding their homes, according to a news release. The Marshall Fire Rebuilding Task Force occupies a space on the association's website, HBAdenver.com, and includes a series of public service announcements it hopes will help consumers steer clear of the shady contractors that always seem to show up after home-destroying disasters. Louisville-based homebuilder Steve Erickson heads up the task force with Robert August, a Denver-based consultant and builder. The Marshall Fire was an unprecedented disaster for so many Colorado families. Rebuilding the homes lost in the fire will be one of the most important efforts undertaken in our states history Erickson said in the release. Estimates show about 1,100 homes were destroyed in the Dec. 30 fire that tore through more than 6,000 acres near Superior and Louisville, and many more homes were severely damaged. Were here for the long haul, CEO Ted Leighty said in an interview. We want to be there as long as it takes for those who want to rebuild. Its really heartening to see the people of the community, and the people in our industry, roll out and say, We want to help. The website includes information from the state, industry partners, insurers and utilities, providing some information in Spanish. Asked about strategies for rebuilding, and including more fire resistant materials, Leighty said there are too many variables to make blanket statements. It all comes down to conversations with homeowners and local governments, he said. Weve had those discussions, about visions for building back. Many want to to build back greener and more resilient. But those net zero measures and fire resistant materials add costs to the price of the home. Theres a lot of under-insurance going on too, which is going to make rebuilding harder. Some of those people who have lived there 20 and 30 years are finding out they cant afford to live there now, said Leighty. The association has about 445 company members. It also has a robust policy arm to work with legislators, but no statewide fire issue bills have cropped up yet, he said. The HBAs members are ready to meet this challenge over the coming years and will stand side-by-side with the residents of Louisville, Superior and Boulder County to rebuild their homes and communities, August said. The biggest piece of advice offered on choosing contractors: Do your homework. Ask the potential contractor for references, licensing, proof of liability insurance, and workmans compensation insurance, as well as BBB records, Leighty said. Just make sure theyre not fly-by-night, or coming from a neighboring state or give the too low bid, or ask for cash payments up front. The sustained decline in Colorado's COVID-19 wave has prompted a group of physicians to back off a request that Gov. Jared Polis enact crisis protocols for hospitals and emergency rooms, the head of the group confirmed Monday. The Colorado chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians issued a statement Sunday night, reversing its request. A week before, it had asked Polis to institute the crisis standards of care, which would extend liability protections and a uniform approach to hospitals choosing who should be admitted and who could safely be sent home. Polis had declined to do so, citing dropping COVID-19 case numbers, which spiked through the first half of January but have dipped since. Ramnik Dhaliwal, the head of the emergency physicians group that had reiterated the request for the standards on Friday, said Monday that his organization had seen enough data to feel comfortable walking back the ask. "Everything is dynamic when it comes to COVID. It can be a day-to-day thing," he said. "Where it was last week, we hadn't seen enough days of data to see a continued plateau or a decrease." He called the last few days "much more reassuring." Providers like Dhaliwal had warned throughout the omicron wave that the variant's high transmissibility meant more and more health care workers were getting infected, further thinning ranks already depleted by burnout. Eric France, Colorado's chief medical officer, said last week that hospitals were reporting fewer quarantined providers than in the earlier periods of the omicron surge, which began in mid-December. The downturn in cases also likely means fewer patients will turn up at emergency rooms for COVID-19 testing: Though ERs are not testing sites, long lines elsewhere had prompted the public to turn up there instead. While the emergency physicians were calling for an official activation of the crisis standards, some hospital systems including UCHealth were already using their own version of the emergency protocols to ease the burden on their hospitals. "We were pushing this because we were concerned that if this wasn't going to hold, what would that mean in terms of patient care?" Dhaliwal said of the crisis standards. "Now that we've seen (the wave) plateau, we felt the benefit of it is not as much there." Dhaliwal's group met with state representatives last week, a meeting that physicians affiliated with the group said was promising. Though Dhaliwal was critical of Polis' comments about the broader pandemic last week, the emergency physicians group wrote in its statement Sunday that it wished "to publicly thank the administration for meeting with us to discuss our concerns and recommendations so we can ensure the continued availability of quality and timely emergency care to anyone in Colorado." Dhaliwal said the improvement of COVID-19 metrics didn't change the staffing crisis facing hospitals more generally. Shortages predated the pandemic, but they've been exacerbated by burnout among providers who've worked nonstop, in increasingly hostile and exhausting conditions, through a public health crisis for nearly two years. The state has spent millions since November alone to bring in reinforcement providers, which brings both relief to existing workers and opens up bed space closed by their departed peers. But bringing temporary "travelers" isn't a permanent solution, providers have said. The long-term answer is the "million-dollar question," Dhaliwal said, that will have to involve better recruitment and retainment for nurses and other providers. For now, he hoped as others in public health do that omicron's receding wave will bring some period of less turbulent waters to providers here. "I want to make clear that us stepping back from precipice of (the crisis standards of care) doesn't mean that the ship has been righted," Dhaliwal said. "It just means (that for) now, we are in an OK place, right? We still are dealing with the same problems we discussed over the last two, three, four weeks, a year. I don't think that's going to be going away in the next few days. This is something we have to continue to deal with as a society and as a health care system." Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. After a few months during which South Africas operators have had a number of reported disagreements with each other or the South Africa regulator, MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, Cell C and Liquid Intelligent Technologies have now joined forces in a common cause: to take on criminals. These communication giants have together established a non-profit organisation, the Communication Risk Information Centre (COMRiC). COMRiCs main focus will be on identification, mitigation and prevention of the common risk issues within the communications industry. Not too surprisingly the key focus will be critical infrastructure network vandalism, commercial crimes and cyber security. Theft and vandalism have been a major issue lately, affecting the main operators and causing disruption of communication services and large financial losses. For example, some operators have reportedly not found it viable to replace damaged base stations. Hence the formation of COMRiC, which has enabled formal discussion and solution finding between operators to handle the risks they face and support the government in the overall fight against crime in South Africa. This collaboration between the countrys operators to fight theft and network infrastructure vandalism has resulted in the establishment of the Critical Infrastructure Monitoring Operations Centre (CiMOC), which operates under the COMRiC structure. The CiMOC will prioritise the collective monitoring of critical network infrastructure theft and vandalism across the combined network footprint of all the countrys operators. This includes working closely with the police services to identify and apprehend suspects in network vandalism, store robberies, battery theft and fraudulent application scenarios, including commercial crimes. IHS Towers, which describes itself as one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared telecommunications infrastructure in the world by tower count, just got even bigger after a major acquisition in Brazil. IHS has signed an agreement to acquire Sao Paulo Cinco Locacao de Torres Ltda (SP5), a Grupo Torresur (GTS) portfolio company. GTS is one of the leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure in Brazil and SP5s portfolio includes 2,115 telecommunication towers across Brazil. SP5s sites are located in 25 of Brazils 27 states. SP5 will be integrated into IHS Towers existing Brazilian business. As a result of this deal, IHS Towers will own approximately 7,000 towers in Brazil, in addition to the secondary fibre network covering approximately 6.4 million homes passed that it currently operates. This transaction is highly relevant to emerging markets. IHS says it forms a key part of its inorganic growth strategy in Latin America as the company seeks to become the leading emerging market telecommunications infrastructure provider. The acquisition of the GTS SP5 portfolio is the fifth IHS transaction since it entered the region two years ago. As Sam Darwish, IHS Towers Chairman and CEO, commented In the SP5 portfolio there are 2,115 sites strategically located across Brazil, increasing the attractiveness of IHS portfolio to our customers, whether in Brazil or across our Latam operations. IHS has more than 38,000 towers across its 11 markets, which include Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote dIvoire, Egypt, Kuwait, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia. Mexican telecommunications service provider GigNet has announced a deal to install a private high-speed internet and Wi-Fi network for Mera Corporation. Mera is a private multinational company focused on concessions of food and beverages with a critical mass within non-traditional places such as airports and cruise ports. Under the deal, GigNet will connect Mera's corporate Cancun offices to the company's 18 airport terminal locations. Mera Corporation actively seeks operations in the industry of food and beverages where we can add value and increase income. We are operators, concept developers, franchise partners, strategic allies, and restaurant owners, said Rafael Aguirre, President of Mera Corporation. High-speed data access and efficient communication is a requirement to keep at the forefront of our business. GigNet is a perfect fit to connect our Headquarters operations because they understand what it means for our business to have reliable high-speed Internet, Rafael added. GigNet is the Mexican Caribbean brand of GigNet, a U.S.-based international Digital Infrastructure company. Through its Mexico operating subsidiaries, GigNet, S.A. de C.V., and Sanalto Redes Peninsular, S.A.P.I. de C.V., the Company is a fully licensed telecommunications provider in Mexico. Mark Carney, OBE, President of GigNet Mexico said: We will be supplying our GigNet enterprise solutions, enabling simultaneous use of cloud and streaming applications that will not only enhance Meras already superior customer service but will also improve communication, automation, and the decision-making process for the groups corporate management team. With this expanded relationship we look forward to partnering in their growth and continued success as Mera continues to lead the global travel industry. Press Release January 25, 2022 SPONSORSHIP SPEECH INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE UP-DND ACCORD Senator Joel Villanueva Delivered on 25 January 2022 Mr. President and distinguished colleagues: We are greatly honored to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2491 under Committee Report No. 508, entitled, "An Act Institutionalizing the 1989 University of the Philippines - Department of National Defense Accord, Amending For This Purpose Republic Act No. 9500, otherwise known as the University of the Philippines Charter of 2008, and For Other Purposes." This measure consolidates Senate Bill No. 2002, filed by Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Risa Hontiveros, Migz Zubiri and this representation; Senate Bill No. 2014, filed by Sen. Kiko Pangilinan; and Senate Bill No. 2035, filed by Sen. Leila De Lima. Mr. President, no less than the Supreme Court has recognized the importance of ensuring peace and security in learning institutions. In G.R. No. 84698 and several other decisions, declared and reiterated the following doctrine: "Institutions of learning must also meet the implicit or built-in obligation of providing their students with an atmosphere that promotes or assists in attaining its primary undertaking of imparting knowledge. Certainly, no student can absorb the intricacies of physics or higher mathematics or explore the realm of the arts and other sciences when bullets are flying or grenades exploding in the air or where there looms around the school premises a constant threat to life and limb. Necessary, the school must ensure that adequate steps are taken to maintain peace and order within the campus premises and to prevent the breakdown thereof." Guided by this principle, Mr. President, your Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education has finalized this measure that seeks to institutionalize the 1989 UP-DND accord, which we believe will enhance academic freedom and student protection and promotion of education - all embodied in the 1987 Constitution. Mr. President, the University of the Philippines system is composed of eight constituent universities located in 17 campuses all over the Philippines - UP Diliman, UP Los Banos, UP Manila, UP Visayas, UP Open University, UP Mindanao, UP Baguio, and UP Cebu - collectively, the country's national university. The impact and influence of the University of the Philippines in the Philippines cannot be denied. In its 113 years of existence, its community of professionals in various fields of study has made not only the institution but our country, proud of their countless contributions to Philippine development and nation-building. To date, the National University has produced 39 National Scientists, 40 National Artists, 2 National Social Scientists, 7 out of the 16 Presidents of the Republic, 15 Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, and generations of graduates embodying the institution's signature brand of excellence.[1] Their presence has been felt even more so during this public health emergency, as they take the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic response through several of their efforts - among others, the creation of locally produced COVID-19 test kits, personal protective equipment, sanitation facilities and others. We are also all aware of the heroism of health workers, doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff, including those from the UP Philippine General Hospital. The university has had many other initiatives and undertakings, both seen and unseen, for which our country has greatly benefited. Mr. President, we believe that the UP community thrives because it has always been a citadel of excellence, a marketplace of ideas, and a vanguard of independent thought. Nonetheless, historically, the institution's students, faculty, and personnel had been targeted for the exercise of their political beliefs. One of the incidences that necessitated the signing of the UP-DND Accord on June 30, 1989, was the abduction of Mr. Donato Continente - a messenger of the UP Collegian - who was abducted inside the UP Diliman campus by the police for the alleged killing of US Army Officer, Col. James Rowe.[2] Given the antecedent circumstances affecting the dynamics between the University of the Philippines and the unannounced presence of law enforcement agencies on school campuses, the 1989 UP-DND Accord became the agreement by then DND Secretary Fidel V. Ramos and UP President Jose Abueva. The latter described the agreement as a reflection of the "deep understanding between [him and Ramos] about the inalienable rights to freedom, democracy, justice and peace" and concluded "for the good of UP" and the rights of the members of the community. Indeed, it is unfortunate that the UP-DND Accord was unilaterally abrogated at a critical junction in our history, not only of our country, but of the world as a whole - when suppression of free speech and attacks on our democratic ideals are becoming more and more rampant. Mr. President, we can ensure that UP continues to enjoy unimpeded and unrestrained academic freedom through the institutionalization of the 1989 UP-DND Accord through its incorporation in Republic Act No. 9500, or the "University of the Philippines Charter of 2008." This measure requires the following: 1. Prior notification by law enforcement agencies or person/s acting on their behalf must be made to University officials if they intend to conduct operations within the premises of the national university nationwide, including its constituent universities; 2. Law enforcement agencies cannot enter the premises of any UP campus, except in cases of hot pursuit and similar occasions of emergency, or if determined by the University officials as indispensably necessary in the maintenance of security, peace and order. In such cases, the law enforcement personnel shall be in proper uniform and with proper identification; 3. Service and execution of warrants on any student, faculty, or personnel, regardless of their status of enrollment, engagement, or arrangement, or invited guests or participants in official activities of the University shall be in accordance with the Rules of Court and subject to prior coordination with University officials, as far as practicable; 4. No student, faculty, personnel, or invited guest/s or participants in official school activities shall be subjected to arrest, detention, or custodial investigation without prior notice to University officials. At all times, persons arrested, detained, or under custodial investigation shall have the right to counsel; 5. Law enforcement agencies shall not interfere with the peaceful protest actions by individuals or groups within the premises of the University, and those held outside of its premises by recognized student organizations for which a prior notification have been made by the group to the University officials; 6. The security, police, and firefighting capabilities of each constituent university shall be strengthened to prevent its campuses from being exploited by criminal elements. These campus security groups shall likewise extend the necessary assistance to law enforcement agencies to ensure law and order on the campuses; 7. Lastly, there shall be established a Joint Monitoring Group as well as constituent university-based joint monitoring groups that shall monitor compliance with the provisions of the institutionalized accord. To ascertain that the provisions of this measure shall be upheld, the Joint Monitoring Group shall likewise be tasked with the duty of penning the implementing rules and regulations that will govern the same. This representation emphasizes that this is not a "Do Not Enter" sign that will bar law enforcement agencies from entering the campus. It is not meant to obstruct justice or deter the solution or prevention of crime. It only lays down the guidelines on the conduct of operations by law enforcement agencies - highlighting the necessity for prior notification and coordination by law enforcement agencies with university officials. Mr. President, our 1987 Constitution provides that "academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning." It is a dynamic concept, described by Commissioner Adolf Azcuna during the deliberations of our Constitution. We, as members of this august chamber, have the duty to protect academic freedom and to keep it alive. Maraming salamat po, and God bless us all. [1] https://up.edu.ph/university-history/. [2] https://law.upd.edu.ph/faculty-portfolio/the-1989-up-dnd-accord-content-and-context/. A message from the Minister For Foreign Affairs News On the 22nd of January 1972 Ireland signed the Treaty of Accession to join the European Communities. In May of that year the people of Ireland overwhelmingly ratified this through a referendum and on 1st January 1973 Ireland officially acceded to the European Communities. Irelands 50 years of membership has coincided with a radical economic and social transformation of our country. From an isolated island on the periphery of Europe with a small economy, Ireland has developed into one of the most open, globalised, advanced and progressive societies in the world. Our EU membership has played a fundamental role in this transformation and the EU is now the prism through which Ireland shares its values, pursues its goals and understands its place in the world. Over the course of 2022 and 2023 Ireland will mark the milestones that led us into the Union with reflection, discussion and celebration. It will be an occasion to consider the remarkable progress we, as a nation, have made and the progress we, as a Union, must make in order to make the next 50 years as successful as the last. - Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD Previous Item | Next Item Moscow, ID (83843) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High 68F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low around 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Local hospitals are seeing a jump in hospitalized COVID-19 patients as state hospital officials warn that the Omicron wave could cause a record-high peak in coming days. Southeast Health, the Wiregrass areas largest regional hospital, surpassed the 100 mark on Tuesday as it reported a single-day jump of 33 admitted patients with COVID-19. Currently at 102 hospitalized patients, SE Health is rapidly nearing totals seen in past peaks 117 in January 2021 and 128 on Aug. 30. Flowers Hospital logged 57 COVID-19 inpatients on Tuesday. Statewide, hospitals reported caring for 2,946 people as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Alabama Department of Public Healths online dashboard. That number is around 100 fewer patients than Alabama hospitals collectively reported to the state health agency during the January 2021 spike. Although the rate of new cases has seemed to plateau, the total hospitalizations are a lagging indicator expected to grow, Dr. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, told Al.com. Based on past surges, Williamson said he expects the total hospitalization rate to grow over the next week, setting a higher record than the state has seen before. During Southeast Healths last surge in caseload, patients were being treated in the halls and in makeshift critical care units. As part of the federal governments response to the public health crisis, a 20-member Air Force medical team was sent to the hospital to relieve overworked staff. Shortly after, a 20-member was deployed to Dale Medical Center, a small community hospital in Ozark overwhelmed with the high number of COVID-19 patients. During that time, hospitals were frequently on diversion, unable to accept trauma patients and others seeking emergency medical care. Southeast Health officials have previously told the Dothan Eagle it is better prepared for a surge in caseload and encourages vaccinations and subsequent booster shots as the best line of defense against the highly transmissible virus. The health system is still administering vaccines by appointment only at the medical clinic on Fairview Avenue. Williamson told Al.com that the Alabama Hospital Association has started collecting data on COVID patients vaccination status, including whether theyve had a booster dose. As of Friday, for the period covering the preceding 10 days, 61% of Alabamas COVID hospitalizations were unvaccinated, and 3% were partially vaccinated. That leaves 36% who have had at least two doses, Williamson said. But the vast majority of those hadnt had a booster. Williamson said less than 5% of Alabamas COVID hospitalizations over that period had received a booster dose following a full vaccination series. A series of tents are erected by authorities of Thanh Phong Commune, Thanh Hoa Province to quarantine those who returned home for the Lunar New Year. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Son A commune in central Thanh Hoa Province has erected tents to quarantine those who returned to celebrate Tet. Since earlier this month, authorities of Thanh Phong Commune, Nhu Xuan District have built three rows of temporary housing inside the old Quang Hung Village Cultural House and a local cultural center. They are divided into 60 rooms to quarantine those who returned for Tet, or Lunar New Year, Vietnams most important holiday. The tents are made of bamboo, leaves and sheets of plastic. Each room is around five square meters, equipped with a bed, electricity and Wi-Fi. Each room is reserved for one person only. Le Van Tuan, chairman of Thanh Phong Commune Peoples Committee, said there were times all 60 rooms were occupied due to the high number of Tet returnees. The reason the tents were erected was because most houses in the area don't have separate, isolated rooms that satisfy coronavirus quarantine criteria. Authorities have consulted with the people before erecting the tents, he said. Since mid-January, over 300 people have returned to the commune for Tet, of whom around 200 are eligible to be home quarantined for seven days. But since their houses cannot satisfy quarantine criteria, they had to be quarantined elsewhere, including in these tents. "During quarantine, two people were found to be infected with the coronavirus. Due to good management, the disease has not spread to the community," Tuan said. The Thanh Phong Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has deployed patrol personnel among the tents to monitor quarantine zones. Meals are prepared by family members and brought here. On Tuesday morning, Tuan said the 20 people being quarantined at the tents have been allowed to return home. Patrol personnel were also dismissed. The tents will also be dismantled in the coming days to make room for the local cultural house's activities. "As Tet approaches, returnees need to go to the commune's medical station to medically declare themselves, and either be quarantined at proper locations or self-monitor their health at home," he said, adding that those who wish to be tested for Covid-19 may do so for free. Until the Tet festival hits, Thanh Phong Commune is expected receive over 100 more people from other localities, according to the local Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. Nguyen Duc Dong, chairman of Nhu Xuan District Peoples Committee, said there has been no instruction from the district to the commune to erect tents for quarantined people, adding that he's requesting commune authorities to report on the matter and abide by coronavirus protocols as directed by the government and provincial authorities. On Jan. 22, the Ministry of Health has requested localities to not quarantine those who return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet. Several foreigners stranded in Vietnam because of Covid-19 are distressed at Vietnam's sudden decision to stop automatic visa extension, requiring them to leave within a week. On Jan 8, Vietnam's Immigration Department said the automatic extension of visas for foreign nationals stranded in the country due to Covid-19 would end on Jan 15 because the country had resumed regular commercial international flights. From January 1 to 15, Vietnam reopened regular commercial flights on nine international routes covering Bangkok, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Phnom Penh and Vientiane. Flights to Australia were launched on the 15th. Similar flights to France, Germany, Russia and the U.K. are yet to be added to the list. With many countries easing travel restrictions, it has not been very difficult for foreigners on tourist visas to leave the country for several months now. The launch of regular commercial flights to some major destinations has further eased travel back home. But the latest rule has been problematic to many as it came at short notice, especially for people who are stuck here for various reasons without money to afford expensive tickets back home. "It was a very stressful week because I wasn't prepared for this unscheduled notice. I left on time and am now in Cambodia," said Australian Lucas Smith (name changed), 72, who'd stayed in Hanoi for nearly two years. Living off his pension after retiring, Smith rented a house and occupied himself by volunteering to teach English. Smith said he has great respect for the Vietnamese government and immigration agency for granting people like him free visas, but a planned process giving people sufficient time would have made things easier. To leave within a week, he had to juggle moving out of his apartment, getting a PCR test done, applying for a visa for Cambodia and booking a flight. He said having to leave in the middle of a Covid spike close to Tet (Lunar New Year) was somewhat unnerving. When not many tourists are coming to Vietnam, "asking expats whose spending contributes to the country's economic recovery to leave was not good idea," he felt. Smith said he loves Vietnam and its "wonderful people," and he will return one day. "I chose Cambodia to wait for a chance of coming back to Vietnam. If the country introduced a retirement visa, I would stay forever." Foreigners are in Hanoi in Feb 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Hai Brian Matthews (name changed), a British retiree living in Da Nang, said he "panicked" when the official announcement came. His visa extension was granted for Christmas and he had relaxed, thinking it was unlikely to change until after the Lunar New Year. Matthews, whod come to Vietnam in March 2020 and had stayed back because of the pandemic, said he expected a properly scheduled notice on the lines of "this is the last month and you must leave." He was surprised when he got a week's official notice and an agent only told him two days before the deadline that "no extensions are available." Before Covid, Matthews had chosen Vietnam as a base to visit other countries in Southeast Asia. With savings and rental income from his property in the U.K., he had no intention to work in Vietnam. Matthews said he was grateful to the authorities for giving free extensions to his tourist visa. He said hed been careful to comply with all country's laws and regulations. He thought he had not been "a burden to Vietnam" and had a good life. In addition, Matthews considered his move to Southeast Asia to be permanent so he went through the process to have his pedigree cat with him. After experiencing some "stress" amid "unclear" regulations, Matthews was allowed to stay to find a flight back to the U.K. by the end of January, transiting in Qatar. When the Omicron variant made things difficult, he left his cat with a Vietnamese friend, and was checking on the possibility of getting his cat back. "I'll go back to the U.K. and move on from there later. Hope that I will be able to come back to Vietnam soon." Frenchman Thierry, also living in Da Nang, said the "sudden" announcement meant that he had to leave when he and his Vietnamese fiance were waiting for necessary documents to get married. The marriage had to be postponed because of the pandemic. "It was not easy and there was a lot of drama when it was time to leave and pack almost overnight." Thierry, 57, had been in Vietnam for over two years after retiring in Singapore. He lived in a hired apartment with his savings. He said "all looked fine till the immigration agency decided to stop any chance of extending or renewing the tourist visa." After checking his options, Thierry decided that Cambodia was the easiest place to leave to. His visa agent tried to apply for documents needed for him to leave in time, but failed. He was fined and had to wait around two weeks to leave. At a time when "some places are continuously changing their regulation for transit flights owing to the new development of the pandemic, Vietnam could have been "a bit more lenient towards the few (foreigners) remaining," Thierry said. Finding ways to stay Amelia Evans (name changed), an Australian woman, said she was asking an agent to get her a business visa. She wanted to stay in Vietnam because conditions in the country are good for her job category. With the new visa, Evans would have time to process a work permit, which she could be qualified to get. "I need to wait for around two weeks to know the result." She said she had paid the fine for overstaying and was waiting to know the final word on her being able to continue to live in Vietnam. Louise Janssens (name changed), a Belgian living in HCMC, felt that speeding up completion of paper work for marrying his Vietnamese fiance was a good way to stay on in the country. He said he has had trouble in extending his business visa since the lockdown in summer 2021. For his part, Dylan, 29, a Canadian living in Hanoi, said he had been asked by his employer to get his visa renewed several times so far. He said he was waiting for his company to process his work permit and would know the results after the Lunar New Year. "I am worried, I really don't want to leave because it may be hard to return to Vietnam." An officer of UNICEF labels a package of vaccine donated by Germany in December 2021. Photo courtesy of UNICEF Germany, the U.K., Portugal and Luxembourg have handed over 6.27 million additional Covid-19 vaccine doses, increasing Vietnam's Covax facility receipt to over 51 million doses. The deliveries, arriving in Hanoi from Dec 2021 to Jan 24, were made in close coordination with UNICEF, a Tuesday UNICEF press release said. Germany, Portugal and Luxembourg donated 4,000,230, 159,120 and 99,450 doses of the Pfizer vaccine while the U.K. donated 2,012,960 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. With the latest shipment, Germanys Covid vaccine donations to Vietnam has topped 10 mln doses. German Ambassador to Vietnam, Guido Hildner, said the pandemic can be defeated when it is brought under control everywhere. Therefore, Germany and the European Union support the Covax campaign for fair and transparent access to Covid-19 vaccines worldwide, Hildner said. "In 2022, Germany will continue to show solidarity with Vietnam in the fight against the effects of the pandemic and provide further vaccines through Covax," he added. British Ambassador Gareth Ward said the donation was part of the U.K.'s support to Vietnam's roadmap of opening the economy by facilitating its vaccine boost on a large scale. "We are committed to accompanying Vietnam in embracing a new chapter in 2022 when we all can live with Covid-19 with peace and prosperity again," Ward said. He said that the U.K. will continue to strengthen its bilateral health partnership with Vietnam this year by supporting the building of a resilient health system through providing vaccines and medical supplies, and by facilitating knowledge exchange opportunities between the two countries. This contribution also marks the third vaccine delivery by the U.K. after more than 727,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were delivered in 2021. Vi Van Biet (L) and Tran Thi Hanh, his wife and kidney donor, at Cho Ray Hospital in HCMC on January 21, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/An My Doctors in Ho Chi Minh City have successfully performed a kidney transplant without the same blood type, the first case of its type in Vietnam. The transplant was performed at Cho Ray, a leading hospital in southern Vietnam. The recipient is Vi Van Biet, 54, and the donor is his wife, Tran Thi Hanh, 51. Biet has blood type A and Hanh, type B. Biet had had to rely on dialysis since December 2020 as he reached the end stage of renal failure. For almost two years, Biet had to undergo the process three days a week in HCMC. For the procedure, he had to leave home in Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta to take a bus at 5 a.m. and return home in the evening. Traveling and dining out cost him VND10 million ($440) per month. "Whenever returning home from dialysis, I always felt exhausted. I had to spend almost the entire next day resting and couldn't do anything," he said. Biet's older brother, who has the same blood type, wanted to donate a kidney, but health examination shows he was not qualified. His wife, Hanh, has the same wish, but their blood type did not match. "Our son is just 16 so I really wish for his father to live on and be there for him." Thai Minh Sam, head of the Department of Urology, said around 300 patients register for kidney transplants every year but the hospital could not cure 100 because of different reasons, with one of them being the lack of donors with the same blood type. Sam said the process to transplant kidneys between recipients and donors with incompatible blood types has occurred in several countries. "To perform incompatible organ transplant, it requests meticulous preparation and calculation or the recipient could suffer anaphylaxis and die shortly after the operation," said doctor Sam. "Over the years, the hospital has sent doctors abroad to study and coordinate with dialysis units and blood transfusion centers to develop detailed plans," he said. To transplant a kidney with different blood types, doctors must first stop the production of antibodies in the blood to avoid rejection. The patient is then subjected to the maximum removal of circulating antibodies by plasmapheresis, a term used to refer to a broad range of procedures in which extra corporeal separation of blood components results in a filtered plasma product. Eventually, the hospital and Biets family reached an agreement for his wife to give him a kidney. For the unprecedented kidney transplant in Vietnam, Biet and Hanh had to be hospitalized two weeks instead of two days before the operation. Nguyen Minh Tuan, head of the Department of Artificial Nephrology at Cho Ray, said the goal of plasmapheresis is to remove antibodies from the patient's body. "Fortunately, in this case, the patient has low antibody levels, so only three filtrations are needed," said Tuan. The operation took place on Dec. 29 last year and the recipient could urinate right away. The next day, he could eat and drink normally. His health has kept improving day by day. "Im feeling a lot better now. From now on, I no longer have to go through dialysis. My wife has recovered speedily after the operation," he told VnExpress on Jan. 21. Biet has since been discharged from hospital. The cost of the operation is thrice higher than normal but thanks to health insurance, Biets family only had to pay VND100 million ($4,400), similar to a normal kidney transplant. Nguyen Tri Thuc, director of Cho Ray, said: "This initial success is a great signal that opens up a lot of opportunities for kidney patients." In Vietnam, where organ donation is considered taboo as many believe one should die wholly prepared for the afterlife, black market kidney transactions are common. In most cases, those with kidney failure have to register to wait in line for a legal kidney, which normally takes several months or even more due to a serious donor shortage. This has prompted many kidney patients to gradually lose hope and turn to the black market. In many cases, donors and receivers have no information on each other. The United States welcomes the agreement reached by Venezuelas democratically elected 2015 National Assembly to extend its mandate for one year, with Juan Guaido as its interim president. The United States continues to recognize the authority of the 2015 National Assembly as Venezuelas last remaining democratic institution. The Nicolas Maduro regimes pattern of political repression, rampant human rights abuses, as well as severe restrictions on political and civil society actors and freedom of expression have robbed the Venezuelan people of democratic self-determination. We support the efforts. . .to establish democratic order and rule of law in Venezuela, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price in a statement. We call on Nicolas Maduro to reengage in the negotiations in Mexico, and to do so in good faith for the benefit of the Venezuelan people, added Mr. Price. We will continue to work with a broad range of Venezuelan and international partners using all appropriate diplomatic and economic tools to press for the release of all those unjustly detained for political reasons, the independence of political parties, respect for freedom of expression and other universal human rights, and an end to human rights abuses. In addition, the U.S. will continue to work with members of the international community to press for conditions conducive to free and fair elections in Venezuela. The United States also supports efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people and bring the humanitarian crises in Venezuela to an end. Since 2017, the United States has provided more than $1.9 billion in humanitarian, economic, development, and health assistance to help Venezuelans both inside Venezuela and those forced to flee throughout the region. The United States will remain a strong advocate for the Venezuelan people as they work toward a peaceful restoration of democracy through free and fair elections. Gov. Steve Sisolak is joining the chorus in calling for action against members of the Nevada Republican Party who filed false electoral certificates last year. Sisolak, a Democrat who made similar comments to 8 News Now/KLAS-TV on Thursday, said in a statement on Friday that actions by the state Republican Party which included sending Congress and the National Archives a copy of false electoral certificates pledging the states six electoral votes to former President Donald Trump rose to the level of criminality. While the Governor is not a lawyer, he believes if you file a document with blatantly false statements with a government agency, that is a crime, or ought to be a crime, his office said in a statement. In a statement on Jan. 18, Attorney General Aaron Ford, also a Democrat, said his office had received numerous inquiries about the issue and that he cannot and will not accept any efforts to overturn a free and fair election, but declined to comment or confirm the existence of any state-based investigation. While we cannot confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, rest assured that this matter is on our radar, and we take seriously any efforts to rob Nevadans of their votes, Ford said in a statement. A spokesperson for the attorney generals office said on Friday that they have no additional comments on the issue. The state Republican Party did not reply to a request for comment on Friday. The development comes more than a year after Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald and five other electors held an illegitimate signing ceremony outside of the Legislature in Carson City that purported to pledge the states six electoral votes to Donald Trump. In reality, Joe Biden won Nevada by more than 33,000 votes, and no evidence of widespread voter fraud has been substantiated by Republican Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske. The state Republican Party submitted the illegitimate election documents to the Secretary of State, Congress and the National Archives, and similar fake documents were also sent from six other states with close margins in the presidential race Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Those documents were initially obtained by left-leaning watchdog group American Oversight in March 2021, and have received renewed interest amid news that a congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection is looking into them as it attempts to retrace the former presidents state-level efforts to subvert the election. In Nevada, the alternate signing ceremony (which was livestreamed by a pro-Trump media outlet and advertised by the party) and submission of illegitimate electoral documents was largely viewed as a publicity stunt with no legal weight. The state Supreme Court certified the results of the states presidential election results on Nov. 24, and on Dec. 14, 2020 the same day as the state Republican Partys signing ceremony electors for Joe Biden gathered via Zoom to cast their ballots for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Bradley Schrager, an elections attorney who often represents Democratic candidates and causes, said in an interview on Friday that he believed the state GOPs conduct last year likely violated state laws against forgery and several federal mail fraud laws. He said the openness of the partys conduct and actions shouldnt preclude action. All this depends on how seriously you can take these people, he said. I would submit that its time to start taking violations of our democratic norms and statutes pretty seriously. State law requires electors to vote for the winners of the popular vote; they are legally bound not to go rogue and cast a ballot for people of their choice. Several attorneys general in other states where false electoral documents were submitted have also asked the federal government to investigate, including those in Michigan and New Mexico. In Wisconsin, a pair of attorneys filed a complaint with the state ethics commission against the ten individuals who submitted false electoral documents, but the case has been delayed in part because one of the electors is a member of the ethics commission. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Though covid-19 cases are soaring, with deaths rising to meet it, anti-vaccine protestors have continued to defy rules and march against measures to tackle the virus. 20,000 people turned up at the Lincoln Memorial last Sunday to march against what they say are injustices. The protest in Washington DC was billed as a protest of mandates, but, like most anti-vax protests in the US, was filled with conspiracy theories, and anti-Semitic tropes and equivalences. Attacks against all vaccines are commonplace, as well as false facts on how they don't work. Spoiler: they do! So let's take a dive in. Against measures to tackle the pandemic A real bone of contention for protestors is proof-of-vaccine requirements to enter many indoor places. While not a federal rule, states like New York and the District of Columbia have introduced the requirement. Many people who have not had the vaccine see this as an attack on their god-given right to eat a burger indoors. Joking aside, another reason for this anger is the belief that the rules will continue beyond the pandemic. While this likely stems from a general mistrust of government (we'll get into that a bit later), there is no evidence to suggest this is plausible. The UK has announced that by the end of March there will no longer be covid-19 restrictions, and there is little to no chance that even a vaccinated person would continue to be happy following restrictions to their daily lives forevermore. Even light measures, such as mask wearing, have been politicized beyond the point of credulity. In Australia, a man smashed the covid-19 protective equipment for staff after he was asked to wear a mask indoors. That such a reaction exists to such a simple request points to deep public health problems, where conspiracies surrounding a global pandemic have been allowed to fester and put millions of people's lives at risk. Conspiracy theories Organizer Matt Tune, an unvaccinated 48-year-old from Chicago, said he wanted the DC event to help change the current narrative which is basically saying that were a bunch of weirdos and freaks who dont care about humanity. And thats not true at all. But if we're looking at what was being said at the rally, there are some truly uncomfortable beliefs espoused; certainly not good for a group who are supposedly not "a bunch of weirdos and freaks." Protestors at the DC rally claimed: There is a link between vaccines and autism , , "The science is settled. [Vaccines] aren't working ", ", Vaccine mandates are like Nazi Germany , , That there should be a Nuremberg trial for medical professionals. Commonplace at US protests are people claiming that the last US election was rigged, that Biden isn't the real president, and that Anthony Fauci and Jacob Rothschild should be exiled or arrested. Regardless about whether the organizers mean to simply protest what they see as government overreach, even though would admit that the people standing next to them make strange bedfellows. What is the point? With the pandemic in the US and Europe potentially reaching its final stage according to the WHO, what do the protestors need to protest about? Yes, no one enjoys restrictions on their personal freedoms, but when does the line between supporting a community and supporting the individual become blurred? There are many people with legitimate grievances surround vaccine mandates, especially those in minority communities in the US that have been the targets of lethal government testing through vaccines. But these people are not going on stage with covid-19 deniers and anti-Semitic propagandists. With regard to how long the restrictions will last, crucial midterm elections coming up toward the end of this year mean continued covid-19 restrictions beyond their usefulness would be another electoral blow for the embattled president. Biden needs every vote he can get, and turning off 50 percent of the electorate by pushing laws which half of Americans find unpalatable is out of the question. While the pandemic continues, the protests will continue. But their pressure is extremely unlikely to lead to a volte-face from the Biden administration, at least while the pandemic still has its teeth still sunk into the belly of the US. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc offers incense to Gen Vo Nguyen Giap (Photo: VNA) Paying respect to Nguyen Duc Canh on the occasion of his 114th birth anniversary at a memorial house dedicated to him in the northern city of Hai Phong, the President hailed the great contribution of the late leader, who was a pioneering leader of the Vietnamese workers movement and one of the founders of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), to the Party and the Vietnamese workers and trade unions movements. The State leader also paid tribute to Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, Commander-in-Chief and the first General of the Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA). Recalling the Generals great contributions to the development of the peoples war strategy and Vietnamese military doctrine in Ho Chi Minh era, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Gen. Giap is the eldest brother of the heroic VPA who educated and nurtured the quality of Uncle Hos Soldiers for VPA officers and soldiers. The President offered incense in commemoration of Nguyen Huu Tho, Chairman of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam from 1962 until national reunification, the first Vice President of Vietnam following reunification, acting President from April 1980 to July 1981, Chairman of the National Assembly and Vice President of the Council of State from 1981 to 1987. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc described the late leader as a symbol of national great unity who dedicated his whole life to national independence and reunification. The State leader also offered incense in memory of Gen. Tran Dai Quang, who was President and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council from 2016 to 2018./. At the meeting (Photo: VNA) On this occasion, Vanxay and Chairman of the Quang Binh Provincial Peoples Committee Tran Thang signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in building an ethnic boarding school in Khammoune. It is one of the seven projects funded by the Vietnamese Government as gifts to Laos. Quang Binh province was assigned to work as the investor of the project. Vanxay said in celebration of the 60th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Khammoune will direct departments and agencies to promptly complete the construction of the provincial vocational training school a gift presented by the Vietnamese President to Laos, and speed up the building of the ethnic boarding school in the province. Secretary of the Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee Vu Dai Thang wished that the Party Organisation, administration and people of Khammoune would continue creating favourable conditions for Quang Binh residents and enterprises to live and do business in the province. Both sides expressed their high determination to develop fraternal ties and help each other tap their own potential for further development./. An overview of the reception (Photo: VNA) They are Chairman of the Ukrainian painters association Konstantin Cherniavsky, General Director of the Kharkiv State Aviation Production Enterprise Oleksandr Kryvokon, Deputy Executive Director of the Gorchakov Fund Andrey Gorchakov, and Rector of the Odessa State Medical University Ruslan Vastyanov. Ambassador Thach expressed his sincere thanks for the warm affection of Ukrainian friends and partners for Vietnam, himself and the Embassy. On this occasion, Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thach also sent best wishes to friends and the country of Ukraine. Thach agreed with Cherniavsky on the preparation for an exhibition by Ukrainian painters featuring the Vietnamese country on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, which will be held on February 10 in Kiev. Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine Nguyen Hong Thach presents paintings to Ukrainian guests (Photo: VNA) The two sides pledged to work together to ensure the event will be a great success, contributing to promoting cultural exchange, mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries' people. Rector of the Odessa State Medical University Ruslan Vastyanov proposed intensifying cooperation in medical training for Vietnamese students. Meanwhile, the Deputy Executive Director of the Gorchakov Fund affirmed that the fund will support qualified students who face financial difficulties to study in Ukraine. The General Director of the Kharkiv State Aviation Production Enterprise expressed his desire to engage in maintenance and repair of Antonov aircraft that Vietnam has bought from Ukraine. Ambassador Thach agreed with this proposal and said he will transfer the factory's official proposal to Vietnamese partners./. Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee Commission for External Relations Nguyen Thi Hoang Van (middle) attends the teleconference. (Photo: CPV) The history also affirms that both countries consider each other an important priority partner in their foreign policy. So agreed delegates during a teleconference chaired by the Committee for External Relations of Russias Saint Petersburg City on January 24, on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties. During the conference, delegates discussed outstanding achievements in cooperation in politics, economy, national defence, education-training, and via Party and people-to-people channels. They highly appreciated the great potential of cooperation between the two countries in general, and between Saint Petersburg and Vietnamese localities in particular, identifying a number of cooperation areas in 2022, contributing to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation in the coming time. They also expressed their belief that with high determination from both sides, the Joint Statement on the Vision of Vietnam Russia comprehensive strategic partnership till 2030 on the occasion of State President Nguyen Xuan Phucs recent visit to Russia will be carried out effectively, bringing the bilateral ties to a greater height for their own prosperity, and for peace and stability in the region and the world. Attending the conference were leaders of Saint Petersburg city, leaders of the Party Central Committee Commission for External Relations, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia, representatives of a number of agencies, departments, branches and associations of Vietnamese people in the Russian Federation, and many scholars and researchers of the two countries./. Ambassador Nguyen Thi Bich Hue at the virtual event (Photo: VNA) At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Thi Bich Hue extended the best New Year wishes to the Vietnamese community in Italy and Cyprus and expressed her gratitude for their support to the homeland over the past time. The ambassador said that despite complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnamese culture has been popularised in Italy. According to her, September 8 has been chosen to honour the mother tongue among overseas Vietnamese and many people attend Vietnamese language classes in Italy. With efforts of the Vietnamese Embassy in all fields, particularly citizen protection work, hundreds of Vietnamese in Italy and Cyprus were safely repatriated home amid the ongoing pandemic. At the event, musical performances were also held, especially cheo - a form of Vietnamese traditional stage art and quan ho love duet singing, together with Vietnamese poems Truyen Kieu (the Tale of Kieu) recited by young Italians./. Vietnamese workers carry out immigration procedures at Incheon Airport, the Republic of Korea. (Photo: VNA) Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has just announced that from now until August 2022, this agency will pilot receiving Vietnamese workers working in Singapore in the construction, maritime and processing industries - in the form of work permit visas. The average salary in the construction industry of Vietnamese workers under the pilot program is SGD768-840 per month. Notably, workers under this category will be provided with free accommodation by the employer. This regulation will provide many new opportunities for Vietnamese workers in Singapore. Meanwhile, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has just announced a plan to recruit about 50,000 skilled workers from Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam. Accordingly, the Japanese Government will help Japanese companies organize training sessions for workers before starting work, or organize online internships for about 50,000 people in the next 5 years. The Japanese Government's support for domestic enterprises in recruiting is to promote the competitiveness of companies in the context of scarce human resources in this country. Besides, in the Republic of Korea, since the beginning of 2022, the Government announced increased efforts to attract more foreign citizens with high education. There will be changes to the visa system for foreigners who have completed a master's or doctoral program in this country. Nguyen Ngoc Quynh, Vice Chairman of the VAMAS, said that in major markets such as Japan and the Republic of Korea, in addition to the programs that the two sides have signed, these countries are promoting the attraction of qualified and skilled human resources from Vietnam. This is a good sign, showing that Vietnamese workers have gradually asserted their skills and qualifications in the highly demanding markets in these developed countries. According to Nr. Quynh, Vietnam has a lot of potential for manpower supply, bringing the country many opportunities, both in terms of foreign currency and in learning techniques and improving skills to help the country develop faster. According to a report by the Department of Overseas Labour Management, in 2021, the whole country has more than 45,000 workers going to work abroad, equaling 57.3% compared to the same period in 2020. In 2022, the department set the goal of sending 90,000 Vietnamese workers to work abroad./. A sticker with a photo of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen on a road sign outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, on Jan. 24, 2022. Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) LONDON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. The High Court in London decided on Monday that Assange had an arguable point of law that UK Supreme Court justices may want to consider. However, the High Court refused him permission for a direct appeal, meaning the Supreme Court will first have to decide whether it should hear his challenge. Assange's lawyers now have 14 days to prepare the application to the Supreme Court. Last month, the High Court ruled that Assange can be extradited, as it overturned an earlier judgment based on concerns about Assange's mental health and risk of suicide in a maximum-security prison in the U.S. Assange, 50, is wanted in the United States on allegations of disclosing national defense information following WikiLeaks's publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked military documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars a decade ago. He has been held at south London's high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019. Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2022 shows the Royal Courts of Justice (London's High Court) in London, Britain. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won permission from the court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) A sticker with a photo of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen on a road sign outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, on Jan. 24, 2022. Assange has won permission from a court here to appeal against his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United States, where he faces espionage charges. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) Editor: JYZ People gather on the National Mall during an event protesting vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 23, 2022. Thousands of Americans from across the country on Sunday gathered in the nation's capital for a march against vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions, as Americans were frustrated and fatigued by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the overall pandemic. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Americans from across the country on Sunday gathered in the nation's capital for a march against vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions, as Americans were frustrated and fatigued by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the overall pandemic. During the march called "Defeat The Mandates: An American Homecoming," protesters walked from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. to decry COVID-19 mandates. The march was billed as a protest of vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, vaccines for children, and other pandemic requirements and restrictions. Among those marching were firefighters, teachers, first responders, anti-vaccine activists and other groups. "We are gathering together in peace and solidarity for the preservation of personal sovereignty and to STOP medical coercion, discrimination and mandates," organizers of the march said on the event's website. The march came just a week after Washington D.C.'s vaccine mandate, which requires patrons of indoor businesses to show proof of vaccination, took effect, in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases and the highly infectious Omicron variant. The march also came after U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month blocked the Biden administration's vaccine-or-test mandate for large businesses amid an increasingly heated nationwide debate on anti-pandemic regulations. In a 6-3 decision, the conservative-majority in the high court said the White House overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) rule requiring workers at U.S. businesses with 100 or more employees to either get vaccinated or submit a negative COVID-19 test weekly. The court's decision came as Americans are becoming intensely divided over coronavirus-related measures, and some are fed up and frustrated by the strain the pandemic has put on daily life. At a press conference on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged that "there's a lot of frustration and fatigue in this country" due to the pandemic. "I know that after almost two years of physical, emotional, and psychological weight of this pandemic ... the impact it's had on everyone, for many of us, it's been too much to bear," Biden told reporters. But Biden insisted that the United States has made great progress in the fight against pandemic, and the administration will stick with vaccination efforts "because vaccinations work." "The bottom line on COVID-19 is that we're in a better place than we've been and have been thus far, clearly better than a year ago. We're not going back to lockdowns. We're not going back to closing schools," he said. Nearly a quarter of eligible Americans remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, according to data of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anthony Fauci, top U.S. infectious disease expert, said on Sunday he is confident that most states in the country will reach a peak of Omicron infection cases by mid-February. "You never want to be overconfident when you're dealing with this virus," Fauci said in an interview with ABC. "Things are looking good. We don't want to get overconfident, but they look like they're going in the right direction right now," he said. The recent COVID-19 surge in the United States driven by the Omicron variant is leading to record high cases, hospitalizations, and critical shortages of healthcare staffs. The country has recorded over 70 million COVID-19 cases and more than 866,000 deaths as of Sunday afternoon, according to real-time data from Johns Hopkins University. A man poses while attending an event protesting vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 23, 2022. Thousands of Americans from across the country on Sunday gathered in the nation's capital for a march against vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions, as Americans were frustrated and fatigued by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the overall pandemic. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) Editor: WXY NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy sees potential in cooperation with the Polish state oil and gas company PGNIG in Western Ukraine, Naftogaz board chairman Yuriy Vitrenko said on Twitter following a meeting with the leadership of this Polish state oil and gas company in Poland on January 24. "Possibilities for cooperation regarding exploration and production (upstream) in Western Ukraine were discussed," PGNIG said on Twitter. At the same time, there is no information about other details of this cooperation. Both companies also noted that the parties discussed joint efforts to stop the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as well as the risks associated with it. From the Polish side, head of PGNIG Pawe Majewski and two vice presidents Artur Cieslik and Robert Perkowski took part in the talks. As reported, at the end of March last year, Naftogaz and PGNiG (Poland) signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of hydrocarbon exploration and production projects, primarily in areas in Western Ukraine bordering the Polish border. In particular, the partners allowed cooperation at Berestiansky site, on which Naftogaz signed a production sharing agreement (PSA) with the government at the end of 2020. Naftogaz will import gas from Feb if necessary - Energy Minister NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy, if necessary, intends to import gas in the volumes necessary to ensure the security of its supplies, Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko said. "From February, Naftogaz will, if necessary, import gas in the volumes necessary to ensure the security of its supplies," he said at a briefing in Kyiv. At the same time, he noted that at present "gas reserves are sufficient for the passage of the heating season." As reported, from the heating season that began on October 2, 2021, to January 23, 2022, Ukraine reduced natural gas reserves in its underground storage facilities (UGS) by 36.9% (by 6.901 billion cubic meters), to 11.800 billion cubic meters. On Tuesday, the dispatch center of NPC Ukrenergo requested for emergency electricity supply from the power system of Belarus at certain periods of time with a total volume of 650 MWh. According to the company's operational data published on the Ukrenergo website, from 10:00 to 13:00 the amount of power provided was 450 MWh, from 13:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 17:00 in total 200 MWh. The system operator explained the request for emergency electricity supply by the need to conserve currently available reserves and ensure sustainable coverage of consumption peaks in the following periods. "The request for emergency electricity supply is not related to the lack of power reserves in the power system," Ukrenergo said. Earlier Belarus announced the provision of emergency electricity supply to the United Power System (IPS) of Ukraine on January 25 from 11:00 to 18:00 under a bilateral agreement on emergency electricity supply. The maximum power was to be 150 MW. On January 25 at 4:22 am, Khmelnytsky NPP power unit No. 1 was disconnected from the power grid due to actuation of the differential protection relay of the unit transformer, followed by the actuation of the protection of the reactor plant. In addition, unit No. 4 was disconnected from the power system at the Zaporizhia NPP on January 25 to eliminate the gas leak in the turbo generator cooling system for the duration of work until 07:00 on January 27. According to NPC Ukrenergo, as of 12:00 on Tuesday, the unit's capacity was reduced to zero. Thus, on January 25, 12 out of 15 power units of four operating NPPs of Ukraine were actually in operation: the 66th day of the scheduled maintenance continued at power unit No. 4 of the Rivne NPP. Emergency supplies in 2021 to Ukraine from Slovakia amounted to 4.1 million kWh, from Belarus 13.2 million kWh, to Belarus 0.4 million kWh, to Poland 9.4 million kWh. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba spoke in support of Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu's proposal to hold a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Kyiv. "Dear friend, thank you for this wonderful idea. Earlier in December, I called on Ukraine's partners to do just that: visit Ukraine in January-February. We will be happy to welcome EU foreign ministers to Kyiv for a meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers," - Kuleba wrote on Twitter on Monday. Earlier, Aurescu announced about the initiative to hold a meeting in Kyiv on his Twitter page. "During the FAC second day, on the worrying security situation in proximity of Ukraine, I reiterated Romania's position on the need for dialogue, but also deterrence. Need fast progress in preparing EU firm and credible sanctions. Suggested to examine organizing a FAC meeting in Kyiv, in solidarity with Ukraine," Aurescu wrote. EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrel also reportedly supported the Romanian side's proposal. "Yes, that was one of the suggestions. Why not?" Borrel said, answering a journalist's question about Romania's proposal to hold a meeting of EU ministers in Kyiv. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said that the withdrawal of the bill On the Fundamentals of State Policy in Transition in the occupied territories is not related to the upcoming meeting of advisers to the Normandy Four. "I would like to dispel from the very beginning some fakes, which today began to appear, unfortunately, in Ukrainian media. First is that Ukraine was forced to accept some demand from someone to withdraw the bill on the basics of state policy in transition. I do not know who says what, but I can say that this government accepts only the demands of the Ukrainian people, the main demand of Ukrainian society today is to do everything to avoid escalation, which we are working on 24/7. I want to say officially that there were no preconditions for holding the meeting in the Normandy format," Yermak said on the air of the Freedom of Speech program on ICTV. The meeting of advisers to the leaders of Normandy Four was reported to take place on January 26 in Paris. First Deputy Head of Kyiv City State Administration Mykola Povoroznyk has been served with charges of depriving the staff of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) in 2019, where the agency intended to construct houses, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has said. According to him, in 2009, the land plot on Schusyev Street near Syrets metro station was transferred to the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine for permanent use for the construction, operation and maintenance of multi-apartment residential buildings with underground parking and social infrastructure facilities. However, in 2019, it was found that for all ten years the land plot was not used for its intended purpose, construction was not started, and a spontaneous dump formed on the land plot. In 2019, the city authorities terminated the right to permanent use of the land plot. "The city put the abandoned territory in order, took out the garbage, carried out the landscaping of the territory. And arranged a square there. But the National Security and Defense Council does not abandon its intention to build up the territory with skyscrapers and continues to put pressure on the city authorities because of law enforcement officers," Klitschko said on his Telegram channel on Tuesday. Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov believes that the Russian Federation will demonstrate the rejection of the Minsk agreements in the event that the State Duma recognizes the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" as independent states. "I think it will be an obvious step for Russia to withdraw from the Minsk agreements, a demonstration that they are essentially abandoning the Minsk agreements, which, although not an act of international legal nature, are political and diplomatic agreements that have even been agreed by the UN Security Council... So, we need to look for other models of cooperation to overcome this situation. But I personally have a feeling that they do not dare to do that," Reznikov told reporters on the sidelines of the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday. At the same time, he called the initiative for the possible recognition of "L/DNR" a provocation, about which there is no need to get "nervous". "The Russian Federation has started a hybrid war against us: information attacks are also its constituent elements. But such initiatives of the Russian Communists are also provocations designed to make us nervous. We will not get nervous about this," the Defense Minister said. "It is not the first day we hear calls to recognize illegal terrorist groups that are in the temporarily occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions... it's an old song, an old narrative. By the way, as well as the fact that there are allegedly no Russians. And let me remind you: 2,000 of staff officers of the Russian Armed Forces are present on a regular basis in the ORDLO, who are in command and control of the first and second army corps, formed of mercenaries and other scum," Reznikov said. The Ukrainian rocket company Promin Aerospace has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC). Promin Aerospace said the rocket company's main goal is to have a safe and secure launch site from which to rapidly iterate its developments and prepare for the commercial phase of the product. The company emphasized that by confirming its relationship with a launch partner such as ASC, Promin Aerospace will be able to offer potential customers a reliable plan for launching their cargo into orbit. "Cooperating with ASC is an important step in the development of Promin Aerospace ... We need a partner who can adapt. We see such a partner in ASC. Together we can quickly finalize the offer for our customers and ensure the smooth operation of the launch of the rocket," Mykhailo Rudomynsky, the co-founder and CEO of Promin Aerospace, said. In addition, for the Azores-based ASC, cooperation with Promin Aerospace will allow it to better meet customer requirements and adapt its services and operational processes to new rocket launches, the company said. Promin Aerospace's new rocket offers to launch small payloads into orbit and serve the suborbital and orbital launch markets. Thanks to its technology, Promin Aerospace can guarantee safety for the environmental and people when launching rockets, since virtually no rocket components remain in orbit and do not fall back into the ocean. The Ukrainian rocket company Promin Aerospace, founded in January 2021, which is developing an ultralight launch vehicle, raised $500,000 from the Ukrainian fund QPDigital. The project plans to create the smallest solid rocket capable of launching a payload into orbit. The Atlantic Spaceport Consortium is developing capabilities to operate launch pads on islands in the Atlantic Ocean. By moving launch sites away from populated areas, ASC eases the regulatory and logistical burden for launch vehicle suppliers and their customers. The consortium will also provide the necessary infrastructure, support equipment and facilities for payload integration and the smooth operation of launchers. Great Britain, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States are planning to create a fund at the end of January 2022 to help Ukraine with financing of GBP 35 million over three years. "We are talking about the creation of an international fund 'Partnership for a Strong Ukraine.' This is a common initiative of Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Switzerland and Sweden. The official start of the work of the fund is planned this month. The agreement is to be signed on January 31," the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine press service said. The goal of the fund is to support long-term sustainable development and increase the resilience of the communities affected by Russian aggression, prevent further escalation and prepare for a smooth and unhindered social, economic and political reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories. According to the statement, the main projects to be implemented in 2022 with the help of the Fund will be: projects on energy efficiency, strengthening and viability of communities. Ukraine and Germany have reached the moment of truth on a number of fundamentally important issues for the security and future of the Ukrainian state, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said. "Germany has done a lot since 2014 for Ukraine, including to mobilize sanctions pressure, support Ukrainian reforms, the Ukrainian economy. But every crisis brings relations to a moment of truth. And now we have reached a moment of truth with Germany on a number of fundamentally important issues for security and the future of Ukraine as an independent state, and Euro-Atlantic security in general," Kuleba said on the air of the Svoboda Slova (Freedom of Speech) program on ICTV on Monday. According to him, this is about the support of the most powerful sanctions against Russia by Germany, Nord Stream 2, the issue of supplying weapons. "There is one aspect, namely bilateral arms supply from Germany to Ukraine. But there are others. There is the issue of Germany granting permission to a third country for the transfer of weapons. There is the issue of Germany's consent to the purchase of weapons by Ukraine through the NATO system. These are issues where we believe it cannot at all there will be no talk of Germany blocking something," the minister said. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported an appeal to a number of international institutions, including the UN and the European Parliament, in which it points to blackmail by Russia with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in exchange for guarantees of non-expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and prevention of the implementation of Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and asks them to help de-escalate the situation. For the relevant resolution on the appeal of the Verkhovna Rada to the UN, the European Parliament, governments, parliaments of foreign states and parliamentary assemblies of international organizations regarding the rejection of military blackmail against Ukraine by Russia, which it carries out in order to prevent the implementation of European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine (No.6543) at a meeting on Tuesday, some 282 MPs voted. In its address, the Verkhovna Rada, in particular, calls for strengthening the defense capability of Ukraine, developing its Armed Forces in accordance with NATO standards, as well as "supporting Ukraine's desire to recognize its European perspective and determine specific time frames and modalities for the further integration of our state into NATO." The Ukrainian parliament called on international organizations "to use all possible diplomatic means to help de-escalate the situation, withdraw Russian troops from the borders of Ukraine, and completely abandon Russia from its aggressive intentions of redistributing Europe into zones of influence." The Verkhovna Rada also calls on international organizations to condemn the position of Russia on blocking progress in the framework of international political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict, to use all possible political and diplomatic mechanisms against Russia to stop the buildup of its military forces on the border with Ukraine, as well as increase sanctions pressure on the occupying state. Russia-led forces in Donbas have violated the ceasefire regime five times since the beginning of the day, as a result of which two Ukrainian servicemen were injured, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters reported. "Since Tuesday midnight, five violations of the ceasefire regime by the armed formations of the Russian Federation have been recorded. In the direction of Avdiyivka, the armed formations of the Russian Federation opened fire from automatic and machine-gun anti-tank grenade launchers. Not far from Maryinka, the enemy opened fire with hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms," the staff said on Facebook. Also, near Shyrokyne, the enemy fired from heavy machine guns and small arms, and near Pyschevyk, Russian mercenaries used an unmanned aerial vehicle, with which they fired VOG-17 shots. "As a result of the enemy's actions, two servicemen of the Joint Forces were injured. The soldiers are placed in medical institutions. The health condition of one serviceman is satisfactory, of another is serious," the headquarters of the JFO stressed. New batch of technical assistance from USA for Ukrainian Armed Forces arrive in Ukraine A new batch of technical assistance from the United States for the Armed Forces of Ukraine arrived at the Boryspil International Airport on Tuesday, January 25, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said. "The next delivery of U.S. international technical assistance for the Armed Forces is already in Ukraine. The party is met by colleagues from the Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Embassy at the Boryspil International Airport. The package contains modern equipment and ammunition for defense purposes. We are strengthening our defense capability!" Maliar said on her Facebook page. She also thanked the American partners for their support and practical assistance. "Together we are stronger, and the world is safer!" the deputy minister added. As reported, on January 22, Ukraine received the first part of military aid from the United States. The cargo includes about GBP 200,000 worth of lethal weapons, including ammunition for the defenders of Ukraine on the front line. Ottawa has made a decision to evacuate the family members of the employees of the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. "Due to the ongoing Russian military buildup and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine, we have decided to temporarily withdraw Canadian embassy staff's children under 18 years of age and family members accompanying them," the ministry said. The Canadian Foreign Ministry said that it will continue to closely monitor the situation together with the employees of the Embassy of Canada in Kyiv. "The safety and security of Canadians, our personnel and their families at our missions abroad is our top priority," it said. It was reported earlier that several Western countries have made decisions to evacuate some of their diplomatic personnel from Kyiv. In particular, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany made such decisions. The European Union said it sees no need for such measures. Svyatoslav will lead Gazelle Finances investment strategy in Ukraine. An economist by education, as well as a graduate of Harvard Business School, Svyatoslav brings deep private equity investment experience developed over a long career working for some of the leading regional private equity firms in Central Europe, Russia, and Ukraine including Abris Capital Partners, Icon Private Equity and advising to investment funds with Bain & Company. In June 2021, Gazelle Finance, as part of its expansion strategy targeting Eastern Partnership countries along the eastern border of the European Union, launched its operations in Ukraine. Gazelle Finance is an investment company that finances high-growth small and medium size enterprises in the Eurasia Region. The company seeks to identify gaps and barriers in frontier capital markets and provide a combined financing and business advisory solution to ambitious entrepreneurs. By investing and partnering with these entrepreneurs, Gazelle Finance helps local markets and economies to expand, while generating commercial returns for its investors. For additional information, please contact Natia Mariamidze at: +995 32 2 243 432 or via e-mail: nmariamidze@gazellefinance.com. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected Egypts government gross debt to hit 91.4 percent of its GDP in 2021, up from the 89.8 percent recorded in 2020. In its Fiscal Monitor Report that was released on Wednesday, the IMF expected this ratio to decline as of 2022 to record 89.5 percent, then to 78.2 percent in 2025, and then 74.1 percent in 2026. Moreover, the report predicted Egypts general government net debt to jump to 83.5 percent of GDP in 2021, up from the 79.2 percent recorded in 2020. The governments net debt to GDP ratio is expected to commence its downturn in 2022 to reach 82.2 percent, then 78.8 percent in 2025, and 68.2 percent in 2026, according to the report. Additionally, the report anticipated Egypts governments general expenditure to increase slightly to 27.2 percent of GDP in 2021, up from the 27.1 percent posted in 2020, which is below the pre-pandemic levels of 28.3 percent. Government expenditures are projected to continue declining and are expected to reach 26.7 percent in 2023 and 26 percent in 2026. On the other hand, Egypts government revenues are expected to rise to 19.9 percent of GDP in 2021, up from 19.2 percent in 2020, both of which remain below pre-pandemic levels, which ranged between 20 and 22 percent, according to the report. However, by 2022, revenues will record 21 percent of GDP and then increase to 21.6 percent of GDP by 2025 and 2026. The governments cyclically adjusted balance which is an estimate of the fiscal balance that would apply under current policies if output were equal to potential is expected to roll back by 7.6 percent of potential GDP to 4.4 percent by 2026, according to the report. The governments primary balance is also expected to remain unchanged from 2020, standing at 1.3 percent of GDP in 2021, before rebounding in 2022 and 2023 to reach 1.7 percent and 2.1 percent respectively. However, the report expected this ratio to fall back to 2 percent in 2024 and 1.7 percent in 2026 Furthermore, the report projected Egypts gross financing needs to hit 36.9 percent of GDP in 2021. Globally, the report expected the global government debt to GDP ratio to remain at record-high levels close to 100 percent in 2021 and to decrease slightly through 2026, explaining that debt buildup has led to a rise in governments gross financing needs. Many low-income developing countries will likely need further international aid and in some cases debt restructuring, according to the report. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's Senate, the consultative upper house, will convene on Sunday and Monday to resume discussions over the articles of the country's new labour law following a two-week holiday. The Senate, which gave a preliminary approval of the law on 2 January, has finished discussing and passing 38 articles out of a total 267. On Sunday, the Senate will begin discussing articles related to women labour. Abdel-Khaleq Ayad, chairman of the Senate's Energy, Environment, and Labour Committee, said the draft adopts a legislative policy aimed at protecting women against discrimination and making sure that working women and men are treated equally as long as the work circumstances are similar. "The minister of labour is also authorised by the law to issue decrees regarding the conditions and occasions in which women are allowed to take paid holidays," said Ayad, indicating that "according to the law, working women can't be dismissed while on a labour leave." The draft took four months of discussions. "The committee held a series of hearings during this period to listen to the viewpoints of labour experts on the draft law," said Ayad. Ayad added that "in our four-month discussions we focused on how the draft law will serve production and workers and how it will encourage businessmen and investors to set up new projects that can generate new job opportunities for young people." According to Ayad, the new labour law was drafted to strike a balance between the interests of both the employers and employees. "The law does not serve the interests of one party at the expense of the other. It is a progressive step for the country," said Ayad. He insisted that the draft labour law does not include any articles that can lead to the "automatic dismissal of workers". "The new labour law is meant to regulate the relationship between employers and workers and in this respect, it includes rules that can be used to settle differences between the two parties," said Ayad, adding that "the law states that a worker can be dismissed only upon a final judicial order from a labour court." Minister of Labour Mohamed Saafan said the number of workers in Egypt is estimated at 30 million and that private-sector employers account for 80 percent of the total. "This means that private-sector businessmen and investors represent the majority of employers in Egypt, and the new labour law was drafted to reflect this fact," said Saafan. He indicated that in drafting the new labour law, the government was keen to note the remarks of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). "We also tried our best to make the law in line with foreign agreements and conventions which Egypt signed in this respect," said Saafan. Hossam El-Khouli, the parliamentary spokesman for the majority party Mostaqbal Watan (The Nation's Future) said the party approves the new government-drafted labour law. "We approve this law in principle because it is balanced, and let's note that this is a labour law, and not an employers' law or businessmen's law, but it is a law that serves the interests of the two parties in a balanced way," said El-Khouli. Senator Tarek Raslan said the new labour law comes at a time Egypt is paving the way for the private sector to be the main player in the field of mega-development and industrial projects. "The law was drafted to reflect the new fact that Egypt is now a market economy dominated by the private sector, but at the same time we should put into consideration the fact that the constitution states that the rights of workers should be protected and preserved," said Raslan. Senator Mahmoud Bakri said that while the number of workers in Egypt is estimated at 30 million, 25 million of them are now employed by the private sector. "It is not the case as before or when the public sector was the main employer of workers," said Bakri, praising the fact that the law provides workers with a number of protective measures. "The law does not allow the automatic dismissal of workers. It sets up labour courts to settle disputes between employers and workers within 60 to 90 days and stipulates that work contracts are drafted in a balanced way, reflecting the interests of both employers and workers," said Bakri. Article 10 of the new labour law states that once ratified by the president and published in the official gazette, it will be effective after 90 days. Search Keywords: Short link: 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. Search Keywords: Short link: The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will send US-made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine in a move that Washington says it is fully endorsing amid Kyiv's escalating tensions with Russia US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet posted on Saturday that Washington saluted the three NATO nations and former Soviet republics ``for their longstanding support to Ukraine''. ``I expedited and authorized and we fully endorse transfers of defensive equipment (at) NATO Allies Estonia Latvia Lithuania are providing to Ukraine to strengthen its ability to defend itself against Russia's unprovoked and irresponsible aggression,'' Blinken said in another tweet. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, earlier this week described western arms supplies to Ukraine as extremely dangerous and said they ``do nothing to reduce tensions.'' Moscow has massed tens of thousands of troops at the border with Ukraine, leading to fears of an invasion. The West has rejected Moscow's main demands, promises from NATO that Ukraine will never be added as a member, that no alliance weapons will be deployed near Russian borders, and that it will pull back its forces from Central and Eastern Europe. A meeting Friday between Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ended with no breakthrough. In a joint statement published late Friday, the defense ministers of the three Baltic states said they ``stand united in our commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in face of continued Russian aggression.'' They said Estonia would provide Ukraine with Javelin anti-tank weapons while Latvia and Lithuania were sending Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other related equipment to bolster Kyiv's defensive military capabilities. ``Today Ukraine is at the forefront of separating Europe from the military conflict with Russia. Lets face it _ the war in Ukraine is ongoing and it is important to support Ukraine in every way we can so that they can resist the aggressor,'' Minister of Defense of Estonia Kalle Laanet said. It wasn't immediately clear when the weapons and equipment would be sent to Ukraine. In a separate development, Estonia is seeking Germany's approval to send Soviet-made howitzers, which once belonged to East Germany, to Ukraine. Estonia acquired the howitzers from non-NATO member Finland, which in turn had bought them from Germany's military surplus supply in the 1990s. The German government said Friday that it was considering Estonia's request to pass the howitzers on to Ukraine but gave no timeline for a decision. Berlin said it planned to coordinate the issue with Finland, which has received a similar approval request from Estonia. Some recent media reports suggested German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Cabinet has blocked Estonia's transfer of weapons to Kyiv, pointing to strains in the West's response to the Ukraine crisis. Search Keywords: Short link: Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah on Sunday called for a constitution to be established before holding delayed presidential and parliamentary elections. "Now more than ever we need a constitution that protects the country and its citizens, and that governs the elections," Dbeibah said. Libya collapsed into years of violence after the 2011 overthrow and killing, during a NATO-backed revolt, of leader Muammar Gaddafi who scrapped the country's constitution in 1969. Rival power bases and administrations arose in the country's east and west. After a landmark ceasefire in 2020, a United Nations-led process saw elections scheduled for December 24 last year, but the polls were postponed after months of tensions, including over divisive candidates and a disputed legal framework. Libyans "want free elections that respect their will, not the extension of the crisis with a new transition", Dbeibah told a symposium in the capital Tripoli titled: "The constitution first". "Our problem today is the absence of a constitutional base or of a constitution," he said. The event brought together high-profile figures from Libya's west including Khaled el-Mechri, who heads the High Council of State -- a Tripoli-based body that is equivalent to Libya's senate and rivals the House of Representatives, based in the eastern city of Tobruk. "Certain parties have worsened the crisis" with "tailor-made" laws favouring certain candidates over others, Dbeibah charged, referring to House speaker Aguila Saleh's September decision to ratify a contentious electoral law. An official from the elected commission in charge of drafting a new constitution, Daou al-Mansouri, told Sunday's symposium that the body had in July 2017 submitted a draft constitution to the House. The draft was supposed to be put to a referendum, which has never been organised. Saleh on Tuesday proposed establishing a new commission of Libyan and foreign experts to draw up a new draft constitution. He also called for a new interim government to be established, and said that by the end of January, a "definitive" date for the postponed polls needed to be set. Search Keywords: Short link: NATO said Monday it was sending jets and ships to bolster its eastern European defences, as the US and EU looked to coordinate a tough response to Russia if it invades Ukraine. Tensions have soared over Russia's deployment of some 100,000 troops and heavy armour at its neighbour's borders, despite the Kremlin's insistence it is not planning a new incursion. The United States and Britain ordered diplomats' families to leave Ukraine -- but both Kyiv and the European Union said the moves appeared premature amid divided views over how imminent any attack could be. Top US diplomat Antony Blinken was to dial in to a meeting of EU counterparts in Brussels to brief them on his talks Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, where the two sides failed to make a breakthrough but agreed to keep working to ease tensions. The US is trying to marshal its allies to prepare an unprecedented package of sanctions for Moscow if its sends in more of its forces -- and European Union members insist they could hit the Kremlin with "massive consequences" within days if needed. The US-led NATO alliances said its members were placing troops "on standby" and sending ships and jets to bolster eastern Europe's defences in response to the Russian buildup, pointing to recent decisions by Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands to mobilise forces. "NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said. The Kremlin accused the alliance of ramping up tensions through "information hysteria" and "concrete actions", adding the risk of an offensive by Ukrainian troops against pro-Russia separatists was "very high." EU foreign ministers will sound out Blinken over a written response Washington has committed to provide to Moscow this week after the Kremlin laid down a series of security demands that would stop Ukraine joining NATO and roll back the alliance's forces in eastern Europe. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc has as yet no plans to pull personnel out of Kyiv, adding there was no need to "dramatise" the situation while talks with Russia continued. - 'Never seen before' - The EU -- in consultation with the US and other allies -- is pushing to put together a package of sanctions against Moscow that it hopes will help deter Russia from any military action. Foreign ministers are not expected to give approval to any options for sanctions on Monday, but an EU source said Russia's mammoth oil and gas supplies to Europe could be targeted. "There's no doubt we are ready to react forcefully with comprehensive sanctions -- never seen before," Danish Foreign Minister Denmark FM Jeppe Kofod said. The 27-nation bloc faces a complex task compiling its raft of measures as its members have starkly differing approaches and ties to Russia. The new government in economic powerhouse Germany has faced criticism from Kyiv over its refusal to send arms to Ukraine and hesitation over calls to cut Moscow from the global SWIFT payment system. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock insisted any further aggression from Moscow would get a "clear response" from Europe and talked up economic support Berlin gives Kyiv. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was preparing a 1.2-billion emergency financial aid package for Ukraine. The West is struggling to work out at what point Russian actions would trigger the sweeping response it has threatened -- after US President Joe Biden spoke of a "minor incursion" last week. Britain, which left the EU at the end of 2020, ramped up the rhetoric with Moscow over the weekend by alleging it had information the Kremlin was seeking to install a "pro-Russian" leader in Kyiv. The current fears of a Russian invasion follow Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Kyiv is already fighting a low-level conflict with Russian-backed rebels controlling a chunk of the east of the country that has claimed 13,000 lives in the past eight years. Search Keywords: Short link: The U.N. General Assembly said Monday that Iran, Guinea and Vanuatu had paid sufficient back dues to the United Nations' regular operating budget to regain their voting rights in the 193-member world body. That leaves only two countries -- Venezuela and Papua New Guinea -- without the right to vote in the General Assembly. The U.N. Charter states that members whose arrears equal or exceed the amount of their contributions for the preceding two full years lose their voting rights. But it also gives the General Assembly the authority to decide ``that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the member,'' and in that case a country can continue to vote. According to a letter to the assembly from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres circulated Jan. 12, eight countries lost their voting rights, Three of those countries -- Sudan, Antigua and Barbuda, and Republic of Congo -- paid enough of their owed dues last week to regain their right to vote. The General Assembly decided that three African countries on the list of nations in arrears -- Comoros, Sao Tome, and Principe and Somalia -- would be able to keep their voting rights. According to Guterres' letter, the minimum payments needed to restore voting rights were $18,412,438 for Iran, $39.850,761 for Venezuela and $299,044 for Sudan. The five other countries each needed less than $75,000 to restore their voting rights. Using Iranian bank funds freed from American sanctions, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Sunday it has paid Iran's more than $18 million in delinquent dues. It said the payment was made after consulting with the United States Treasury _ a potential signal of flexibility amid floundering nuclear negotiations over the U.S. rejoining the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran which the Trump administration pulled out of in 2018. Search Keywords: Short link: Mali's military government on Monday called on Denmark to "immediately" withdraw its roughly 100 recently arrived contingent of special forces troops deployed in the troubled Sahel country. The junta, which came to power in a coup in August 2020, said in a statement on state TV and published on social media that "this deployment was undertaken without consent". The contingent of around 90 Danish soldiers arrived in Mali to join European special forces supporting the country's anti-jihadist operations earlier this month, Denmark's military said at the time. Denmark's foreign ministry said in a statement Monday that they were "working intensely to bring more clarity to the situation" and were "in contact with the Malian transitional government". "There is currently considerable uncertainty about the transitional government's announcement. The Danish contribution is part of the French-led operation in Mali, and we are therefore also coordinating closely and on an ongoing basis with our partners, not least France," the statement said. The force, whose deployment was announced in April 2021, is stationed in Menaka in eastern Mali. Its mandate was due to run until early 2023. Denmark has previously sent troops to participate in military interventions in Mali, some with the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping force and others with the French-led Operation Barkhane. The new contingent is joining Task Force Takuba -- a 900-troop French-led unit launched in March 2020. Other contributors are the Netherlands, Estonia, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy and Hungary. European countries have raised concern over the deployment of mercenaries from Russia's Wagner group on Malian soil and Mali's delayed return to civilian rule after a military coup in August 2020. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt said on Tuesday that it is interested in resuming negotiations soon with Sudan and Ethiopia to reach a balanced and fair agreement on the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The last talks between the three parties collapsed a year ago without reaching an accord. In a post by the Cabinet on Facebook, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that Cairo is interested in resuming talks to resolve technical and legal points of contention and reach a balanced deal. The deal should take into consideration Egypts water scarcity and reliance on the Blue Niles water, he said. Madbouly added that development in the Nile Basins countries has always been a priority for Egypt, which has provided aid and expertise to help fraternal nations as a main basis in providing stability for the nations of such countries. Egypt hopes to reach the desired agreement on the GERD to establish a new phase of cooperation to achieve territorial stability, he said. The statements by Madbouly come hours ahead of a meeting in Cairo between Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and the new US envoy to the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, where the GERD crisis is expected to be discussed. Satterfields visit comes following visits to Ethiopia and Sudan earlier this week. Last week, Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on Egypt, Sudan to back the GERDs narrative towards peace and cooperation without harming interests. Abiy said the GERD holds multiple benefits for Egypt, Sudan, and the East African region at large, stressing that despite the perceived negative impacts during negotiations on the dam, positive attributes rather outweigh the opposing rhetoric and downplay the potential for cooperation to mitigate negative factors, if such factors exist. It is unclear if Abiys statement is an invitation to revive African Union- (AU) sponsored talks in Kinshasa with Egypt and Sudan, which reached a deadlock in April 2021 owing to Addis Ababas intransigence, according to the two downstream countries. Egypt and Sudan have been negotiating for almost a decade now with Ethiopia to reach a legally binding and comprehensive deal on the GERDs construction, which Addis Ababa started to build on the Blue Nile in 2011. Despite warnings from Egypt and Sudan about any unilateral steps regarding the GERD before an agreement is reached, Ethiopia unilaterally implemented the first phase filling in 2019 and the second filling in July 2021 without the two countries consent. Ethiopia disclosed plans earlier this month to remove 17,000 hectares (40,000 acres) of forest around the dam as part of engineering works for the third filling of the dams reservoir, saying it will complete the work within two months. Satellite pictures, however, show no sign that construction work in preparation for the third filling or for generating electricity has started. The deadlocked talks last year later led to a war of diplomacy between Egypt and Ethiopia that reached the UN Security Council in September 2021, which concluded with the council adopted a draft presidential statement calling on the three countries to resume negotiations under the auspices of the AU. Egypt and Sudan welcomed the UNSC decision, while Ethiopia said it will not recognise any claim that may be raised on the basis of this statement. Cairo insists on a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the mega dam. Earlier this month, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said at the World Youth Forum that Egypt is keen to reach a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD which would take into consideration Egypts concerns. He stressed that the crisis should be resolved with dialogue. Egypt, which is considered one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, receives around 60 bcm annually mainly from the Nile while its needs stand at around 114 bcm, placing the over 100-million-strong country well below the international threshold for water scarcity, at 560 cubic metres per person annually. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt House of Representatives gave Tuesday a final approval of five important economic laws, including the General Unified Planning Law which aims to engage the private sector in economic development projects. Topping the list are two laws on the General Unified Planning and the General Unified Finance. The General Unified Planning Law aims to streamline the process of preparing Egypt's economic policies and engage the private sector in economic development projects. Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Saeed told MPs that the law states that a Higher Council for Planning and Sustainable Development will be set up to help create coordination among all state authorities, the private sector, and civil society organisations when it comes to forging economic planning policies, and that the Council will make sure that no development projects are implemented without making sure first that they are economically feasible. Article one states that "while the Council will be headed by the president of the republic, its board members will include the prime minister, the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, the ministers of planning, international cooperation and finance, five cabinet ministers to be nominated by the prime minister, and four development experts to be nominated by the minister of planning." As for the General Unified Finance Law, it will merge two pieces of legislation regulating the annual state budget and government accounting into a single bill. Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait told MPs that the law is part of the government's economic and structural reforms that go in line with modern international methods in the area of budgeting and accounting. The House also approved a legislative amendment to law regulating cotton production (law 106/1973) to allow merge the fund on improving Egyptian cottons into the Cotton Research Institute related to the Agricultural Research Center. "The merge is a step forward on the way of the government's efforts aimed at improving the quality of Egyptian cottons," said a House report. The fourth law which got final approval from MPs on Tuesday was one which gives a legal green light for the Arab Union Company for Land Transport "Super Jet" to obtain an EGP 800 million loan from a number of Egyptian banks under guarantees provided by Minister of Finance. A parliamentary report said "the loan will give Super Jet the money necessary to buy 120 minibuses and build a garage inside Egypt's New Administrative Capital (NAC) to serve the first phase of internal transport there and that it will make it legal for the Finance Minister to guarantee Super Jet as the constitution stipulates that the government can take loans or offer loan guarantees only with prior approval from parliament. The report indicated that Internal transportation is very important to facilitate the transfer of businesses and government ministries and institutions to the NAC, particularly during the first phase of operations there." The fifth and last law which got final nod from MPs was a one which will set up "The Tourism and Antiquities Fund," which aims to merge the existing three funds that finance Nubia's antiquities, national museums and tourism under one entity. A House report explained that the new fund would finance national projects in the area of restoring antiquities, upgrading Egyptian museums, and promoting the tourism sector. "The final objective of this law is to conserve the heritage of Egypt's civilisation and keep it intact for the coming generations, and achieve concrete progress in the sector of tourism," said the report. On Tuesday, the House also provisionally approved a draft law on regulating hotel and tourism establishments. A House report said "the law aims to regulate and facilitate the procedures of licensing tourism and hotel establishments in terms of introducing the "One Window" system, and that this new system will help boost tourist investments in terms of phasing out bureaucratic obstacles and hence generating more revenues from the tourism sector." The draft law stipulates that a tourism ministerial committee, headed by the prime minister and including concerned ministers, will be formed to facilitate all procedures related to tourist activities, overcome all obstacles that might stand in the way of promoting tourist investments, and finally raise the competitive edge of Egypt in the area of tourism. Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Alaa Fouad demanded that article 23 of the law on granting ministry of tourism's inspectors judicial powers ensure that tourism and hotel establishments offer high quality services to clients. MPs, however, rejected, insisting that inspection of tourism and hotel establishments could happen without need for judicial powers. The House speaker Hanafi Gibali said "the law on hotel and tourism establishments" will be up for a final vote in a later session. The House's next plenary sessions will be held on 6 February. Search Keywords: Short link: Could negotiations with terrorist groups end the vicious cycle of violence that has been taking over Mali and other countries in the African Sahel region, asks Khaled Hanafi Ali W hen French President Emmanuel Macron was asked by the magazine Jeune Afrique last November about negotiating with radical groups in Africas Sahel region, he said that with terrorists, we do not negotiate. We fight. One year later, Paris has not changed its position, but it seems more amenable to dialogue with armed groups inside Mali, with the aim of including them in a peace agreement that has faltered since it was signed in 2015. The military route has reached a dead end in combating terrorism in Mali and the region overall, and this has revived debate about whether negotiations could end the vicious cycle of violence. There has been hesitation about this step, however, at least officially, especially in Mali, even though it has been declared several times in recent years. This was the case most recently when the Malian ministry of religious affairs announced last October that it had been put in charge of talks with the Nusrat Al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM) and Macina Liberation Front (MLF) groups. However, the government quickly denied this news. Despite this confusion, there have been calls inside and outside the region for negotiations with some of the radical groups in the African Sahel. These have sometimes been influenced by the US experience in negotiating with the Taliban in Afghanistan and at other times by reasoning that sometimes ideological extremism combines with local rebel movements in the region. The real question is whether selective negotiation with a view to combating terrorism actually works. Over the past two decades since terrorism began to spread after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, there has been a broad debate in the West about using negotiations as a tool to combat terrorism and extremism. While some reject this idea, others support it, and a third trend promotes selective negotiations. Those who reject the idea believe terrorists are evil and irrational and are nothing more than members of isolated and fanatical groups that want to destroy negotiations, not take part in them, since they see others as infidels that should be annihilated. They say that the terrorists do not have any national common feeling with governments to begin with. Terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group have goals that go beyond nation states (a global caliphate), for example, which make it difficult to reach a non-zero-sum solution on common ground within the country. Negotiating with terrorist elements is an ethical and humanitarian aberration, they add. Terrorist attacks leave victims whom governments are responsible for avenging by punishing the terrorists, not rewarding them with negotiations. The negotiations mechanism also runs the risk of the tacit legitimisation of terrorist elements, which could give the latter a peaceful path to achieve their goals. They may also lead to a belief that violence can be a means to achieve demands from the authorities, undermining the legitimacy of the ruling regime. Reasons to refuse negotiations with terrorists range from political issues to kidnapping by terrorists in return for ransoms. The laws in some countries, including the US, prohibit paying a ransom to terrorists in return for freeing hostages, because this would contribute to the funding of terrorist activities. UN General Assembly Resolution 2133 of 2014 urges countries to prevent terrorists from directly benefiting from ransom payments or political compromises and to guarantee the safe release of hostages. S UPPORTING NEGOTIATIONS: Those who support talks with such groups, on the other hand, believe there can be opportunities to negotiate with terrorist groups in order to reduce violence. Some analysts say that negotiations are both a pragmatic and humanitarian mechanism, are less costly than military options, and decrease the number of victims. Others believe that terrorist elements can be rational and accept to enter negotiations to survive and make gains based on temporary truces or can allow aid to get through or release prisoners. Some argue that terrorism is an expression of political crises within societies, and therefore resolving these problems through negotiations can reduce violence. Negotiations can also be a strategic tool to end terrorism by forcing such groups to engage in a peaceful political process on the condition that they stop resorting to violence. In the long run, this could cause terrorist groups to lose resources, cohesion, and supporters, they say. Examples here include the negotiations between Britain and the IRA in Northern Ireland and between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. However, this perspective can be problematic for several reasons, including the question of how to guarantee that terrorist groups adhere to the conditions of the peace process, as well as how to negotiate with groups that combine nationalist goals and terrorism with global goals such as IS and Al-Qaeda. There is also the question of who should represent the terrorists, what legal basis the negotiations should have, and how receptive societies can be to negotiations when they have been harmed by these groups. The third view, which supports selective negotiations with terrorist groups, says that negotiations can be appropriate for some, but not all, terrorist groups based on certain conditions and contexts. It does not oppose the use of negotiations and military action, especially in cases where there is a splintering of terrorist groups. The rationale behind this view is that the official classification of a group as a terrorist group may hide the fact that it represents a blend of religious extremism driven by a global vision and social rebellion as a product of particular social, local, and ethnic grievances. This hybrid type of terrorism means negotiations with it could defuse the reasons for the violence if the terrorists are directed towards peaceful channels, which in turn would reduce their need to resort to violence. It also means the separation of globalised religious extremism and local social factors, meaning that local social factors for some groups could be more important than declaring their allegiance to Al-Qaeda or IS, which they do to gain notoriety and put pressure on governments. Some observers reference this approach by citing the US agreeing to negotiations with the Taliban but not IS in Afghanistan. The Taliban combines radical religious views and an allegiance to Al-Qaeda with local Pashtun grievances in the Afghan context, while IS has extremist trans-border plans. It is notable that Washington did not classify the Taliban as a terrorist group, but did add the Haqqani Network, which is allied with the Taliban, to its list of terrorist groups, as well as the IS-Khorasan province. This experiment in negotiations, which led to an agreement between Washington and the Taliban in Doha in February 2020, caused Ismail Sharqi, the African Unions commissioner for peace and security, to suggest a dialogue with extremists in the Sahel region of Africa. The dilemma, however, is whether this choice of selective negotiations to end the violence may be counterproductive, such as when the Taliban took over power once the US withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021. E XTREMISM AND LOCAL GRIEVANCES: The selective approach seems to deal with territorial and organisational idiosyncrasies when considering negotiations as a tool to combat terrorism, which at times can prevent the larger use of them, but at other times can encourage it, as is the case in the African Sahel due to the hybrid structure of some terrorist groups in the region. Calls for dialogue and negotiations, especially in Mali, are focused on two main groups: the JNIM and MLF, both of which are loyal to Al-Qaeda. There are no calls to negotiate with IS associates such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGC) group, which splintered from the Al-Mourabitoun group in 2015. For example, the international NGO the International Crisis Group (ICG) has called for dialogue between the government and the MLF to reduce increasing violence in central Mali. For both the MLF and the JNIM, ideological extremism and ethnic and territorial grievances converge. The JNIM is a jihadist-Tuareg alliance that has been led by Iyad Ag Ghali since March 2017, and it started in northern Mali where the Tuaregs have suffered ethnic, political, and developmental marginalisation since Malis independence from France. It includes the Ansar Al-Din, Mourabitoun, MLF, and Sahara Emirate groups. While the Ansar Al-Din belongs to the Tuareg Ifoghas tribe, the Mourabitoun emerged in 2013 as an alliance between the Tawheed and Jihad in West Africa group, which draws on Arab tribes in northern Mali, and the Al-Mulathamoun group, which includes Algerian, Malian, and Mauritanian nationals loyal to Al-Qaeda. In recent years, the JNIM has expanded attacks from Mali to neighbouring countries, especially Niger and Burkina Faso, so that it can geographically expand into the states of the Gulf of Guinea. The group has not carried out attacks outside Africa and is focused on targeting French influence in the region, which it describes as crusader colonialism. Meanwhile, the MLF, which emerged in central Mali in 2015 and is led by Amadou Kouffa, also combines extremism with political and developmental grievances of the Fulani tribe. The MLF is founded on the legacy of the 19th-century Islamic Macina Empire and present political and developmental exclusion, since the Fulanis complain that the Malian government is biased in favour of tribes such as the Bambara and Dogon. Although the MLF was originally an ethnic Fulani group demanding greater autonomy, it has now become part of the JNIM in an attempt to strengthen its hand against the state. Such hybrid forms of terrorism have also reached Burkina Faso, especially with the rise of Ansar Al-Islam in the north, in a country which combines extremism and Fulani grievances. It has also moved from the Sahel region to Lake Chad, where the Boko Haram group recruits from the Kanuri tribe that is spread across the Lake Chad countries. It is also an expression of intertwined identity, political, developmental, and tribal problems in northeast Nigeria. Boko Haram pledged allegiance to IS in 2015, and this splintered it into two groups, one led by Abu Bakr Shekau (his death was announced in June 2021) and the other by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (Nigeria announced his death in October 2021). In August 2016, IS chose Al-Barnawi over Shekau to become leader of the IS West African Province. The combination of extremism and ethnic grievances is more complicated in the Sahel region due to poverty and developmental marginalisation. The rise of Ansar Al-Islam in northern Burkina Faso and terrorist groups in north and central Mali are directly linked to economic decline and environmental degradation, which have sparked conflicts between herder tribes (the Fulani) and farmer tribes (the Dogon) due to fewer water resources from the Niger River. This has resulted in greater poverty among the Fulani and made them vulnerable to the extremism that has infiltrated central Mali. M ILITARY OPTIONS AND NEGOTIATIONS: Although hybrid terrorism has been present in the region since a coalition between the Tuareg and the Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb group took control of northern Mali in 2012, the idea of dialogue or negotiations was not on the table except when military options failed. In 2021, interim Malian president Dioncounda Traore gave the Tuareg-Al-Qaeda alliance a choice between dialogue or war, but the offer was retracted once France intervened militarily in support of the Malian government through Operation Serval in early 2013. Negotiations with terrorist groups remained off the table after Malian president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita took office in 2013 and the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces (MINUSMA) in Mali the same year, as well as the launch of Frances Operation Barkhane in 2014 that expanded the fight against terrorism to include other countries in the region. A peace agreement in Mali was signed in 2015, but it was problematic because it did not include all the armed groups and was hard to enforce, especially its provisions on security reform. Frances plan to regionalise the fight against terrorism after 2017 using the forces of the five Sahel countries has not succeeded. The regional and French intervention has focused on targeting terrorist leaders and not direct confrontation with the terrorist groups on the ground, either due to a lack of efficiency, a lack of regional coordination, or the fear of human losses. In contrast, the terrorists in the region have become more adapted to the growing militarisation of the region through their geographical mobility, tribal alliances, and mobile bases. The violence in the regional countries expanded from northern Mali in 2012 to its centre in 2015 and then to the countrys borders with Niger and Burkina Faso in recent years. The violence is now on the doorstep of countries in the Gulf of Guinea, especially Cote dIvoire, Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The US Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) shows a seven-fold increase in violence between 2017 and 2020, with the JNIM and ISGS being the key culprits. Calls for dialogue and negotiations with the terrorist groups in Mali gained traction with invitations to two national conferences in 2017 and 2019. Former president Keita, who initially was opposed to any form of dialogue, admitted to communications with some groups in February 2020. Meanwhile, the military forces that carried out a coup against Keita in August 2020 also suggested possible dialogue when interim Malian Prime Minister Mokhtar Awani announced the creation of a panel for dialogue with extremist groups in March 2021. The political instability caused by the military coup in Mali in May 2021 gave more impetus to the negotiations, which became a bargaining chip in the face of the French declaration that it was downsizing Operation Barkhane and redirecting efforts to supporting the European Takuba forces in the region. This led to tensions with the Malian government, which escalated when reports emerged that Takuba would resort to using mercenaries from Russias Wagner Group. At the time, the Malian government denied that anyone had been assigned to hold talks with the JNIM and MLF out of a concern that this would lead to further tensions with Paris. France has valuable bargaining chips, including encouraging northern Mali to secede from the rest of the country. A LTERNATIVE NEGOTIATIONS: Malis hesitation to negotiate did not prevent other forms of communication with terrorist groups in the Sahel region, ranging from forced negotiations to localised negotiations to avoid the risk of formal ones. Forced negotiations are those that governments and terrorist groups accept as compulsory, but they do not prevent the use of military force later on. Such talks are usually mediated by local leaders and revolve around certain issues, such as the safe passage of humanitarian aid or a temporary truce. While governments benefit from this form of negotiation as a tool to gather information about the nature of terrorist groups, the groups themselves can use them, especially if a truce is declared, as an opportunity to catch their breath or to allow humanitarian aid through so that local communities do not turn against them and or to reduce their civil responsibilities in areas where they are active. Such negotiations could also include the release of figures detained by the state. For example, the Nigerian government negotiated with Boko Haram for the release of kidnapped schoolgirls in the northeast of the country in 2018, and the Malian government made a deal with the JNIM through local negotiators for the release of four hostages, including one French woman, in exchange for the release of 200 prisoners in October 2020. Burkina Fasos public refusal to negotiate with terrorists did not prevent indirect talks in November 2020 from taking place to discuss a truce in the north. Localised negotiations rely on negotiating with traditional and religious leaders in communities that host terrorist groups by settling disputes and grievances that motivate individuals and groups to join terrorist organisations through local peace agreements. They are a form of indirect social negotiation facilitated by international NGOs such as the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), the Geneva Call, and the US-based Search for Common Ground. For example, in August 2019 HD succeeded in brokering a peace agreement between the Dogon, Fulani, and Dafing tribes in Mopti in central Mali, and in July 2020 local officials in several Mopti areas negotiated a local peace deal with MLF fighters. P OSSIBLE RISKS: However, selective negotiations with some extremist groups as an option to end the violence in the African Sahel face many risks, most notably an uneven balance of power between the negotiating parties. For example, the Malian government is facing a serious security crisis that is not conducive to negotiations, and it has been weakened due to tensions with Paris and expanding attacks by the JNIM. If talks take place today, the terrorist groups could dig in their heels or even make gains that would impact on the legitimacy of the incumbent regime. The imbalance of power relates to another dilemma regarding the terms of any negotiations. Although the JNIM has agreed to talks, as seen in a statement it reportedly released in March 2021, its precondition would be the full withdrawal of all French and UN forces from the country. This would weaken the governments military position when it enters the talks. Some are also worried that if talks take place once France withdraws, the same scenario as the Taliban recapturing power when the US withdrew from Afghanistan would repeat itself in Mali. The JNIM already views Frances decision to downsize Operation Barkhane as a victory. Others disagree that this will happen, because there are great differences between the organisational structure and political capabilities of the Taliban and the JNIM. Selective negotiations are also problematic due to concerns by civil groups in Mali that the JNIM or MLF will seek to impose Sharia Law in the country. Negotiations could cause army ranks to splinter because talks would be an admission that the military has failed in combating terrorism and could lead to more political instability. Since its independence from France, Mali has experienced five successful military coups, including two within nine months of each other in August 2020 and May 2021. Meanwhile, excluding groups with ties to IS such as ISGS from selective negotiations could increase the violence, especially in their battle with Al-Qaeda loyalist the JNIM. There are also regional powers that do not support Malis position on negotiating with the jihadists. Burkina Faso and Niger refuse, at least publicly, to negotiate, and it is unlikely that France will change its mind, at least until later this year. Macron will face voters this year for another presidential term, so he would not agree to negotiate with extremists, at least for the time being, and his electoral campaign has focused on efforts to fight religious extremism inside France. The above shows that negotiations as a tool to combat terrorism carry a great deal of risk in the case of the Mali and Sahel region, where countries are wedged between expanding terrorism because military solutions are ineffective and the risks of negotiation, even if selective. This has prompted some circles, including in the International Crisis Group, to call for grassroots dialogue in areas controlled by the JNIM and MLF as an alternative that could reduce the risk of their legitimacy and recognition while exploring localised problems and grievances. The writer is a researcher at Al-Ahram. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: First, the Arab countries no longer constitute a recognisable world. Although Arabic remains the most prevalent language in the region extending from Moroccos shores on the Atlantic to Bahrains on the Gulf, other key unifying factors have been severely diluted. There is no common political rhetoric, let alone objectives. There is minuscule economic cooperation, let alone integration. There is extreme difficulty in the movement of humans and goods. And there has been an acute weakening of the traditional seats of cultural production and dissemination in Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria that has neither been addressed nor seriously replaced elsewhere. Second, Arab civil space has been emptied. Most of the Arab media is state-controlled. The lions share of the private sector in most Arab countries is in the hands of a small number of merchant families. Most Arab universities, labour unions, and professional syndicates have long ceased to be crucibles of their countries political scenes. Third, destinations differ. Most of the Gulf states are reaping the benefits of four decades of immense wealth, such that a significant majority of their youth is now much more comfortable interacting with the most advanced parts of the world economically and technologically than with the rest of the Arab world. Most Maghreb societies have abandoned the Arabisation drive of the 1960s and 1970s and now sustain a cultural milieu in which a mix of Islamism and Europeanism is far more potent than Arabism. The result is that they are increasingly more linked to the north (Europe) and the south (Sub-Saharan Africa) than they are to the Arab Mashreq. The Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant have undergone a painful two decades that have exacted tremendous costs on their demographics, religious composition, availability of human talent, and, crucially, on their social cohesion. Those who can, leave; those who cant, struggle to survive. Fourth, in the same way as destinations differ, so interests clash. There are now countries in the Arab world that are weaving new security arrangements, primarily with the Western powers and/or Israel, that other Arab countries consider to be damaging to their interests. On the other hand, there are also Arab countries that see in Iran a strategic ally at a time when other Arab countries consider it to be the most significant threat they face. These divisions transcend the clash of values we see between member states of the European Union and social constituencies in the US, and they give rise to conflicting national security doctrines. Fifth, questions from the past that have tormented the present still haunt the future. After 150 years of development experiences within different frames of reference, the Arab world remains divided, and bewildered, by the role of religion Islam and Christianity in political legitimacy, legislation, the shaping of society, and national identity. Sixth, there is muted anger. The conditions that gave rise to the Arab uprisings a decade ago have not been resolved across most of the Arab world. A few Arab countries have advanced the kind of economic reforms that can gradually make their social contracts more sustainable. But in most of the rest extractive political economies, lingering inequalities, a lack of genuine representation, and oppressiveness fester and create angst under the surface. Seventh, the Arabs place in the world has regressed considerably over the past four decades. Until the mid-1970s, the Arab world as a whole was developmentally comparable to most of East Asia, Latin America, and several countries in south-east Europe. Now almost the entirety of the Arab world has lost parity with all of these regions. These challenges continue to simmer while the Arab world faces three immediate decisions. The first concerns the future of the nation state. The state has collapsed in some Arab countries. In others, the foundations upon which the state was built have been changing, typically with sectarianism eroding nationalism. In still other Arab countries, especially the small Gulf states that have achieved tremendous developmental success, their social composition and dynamics increasingly fly in the face of their fundamental principles. In some of these countries, citizens constitute tiny slivers of their populations. The vast majority of the young citizens of these societies have grown up in milieus in which Arabness has become a diluted societal component. The result is that in at least half of the Arab world the state needs rejuvenation, or often resuscitation, and in the rest the society is no longer truly Arab. These situations remind us of the mediaeval Arab historian Ibn Khaldouns view that Arab societies can either embrace the limited collectivism of family and community, in which specific constituencies might thrive but the state collapses, or they can adopt the harder, but state-sustaining, wider collectivism of the nation. The more Arab societies shirk making that decision, the more they will find themselves entrapped in the first situation. The second decision is about fragmentation versus unity. Arab nationalism, the last political project to seriously call for and attempt a form of Arab unity, ended defeated and in the view of some defamed. But the notion of closer Arab cooperation, integration, and orchestration of foreign policy is much older than almost all other major political-integration projects in the world today, most notably the European Union. Today, ideas about serious Arab political integration and orchestration of action in foreign affairs might sound laughable. However, looked at from a perspective that includes the sweep of centuries, those who identify as Arabs who believe that Arabic, Arabness, and Arab history and culture have formed their psyche must confront the reality that divisions, diverse directions, and fragmentation are bringing the idea of a collective Arab polity close to atrophy. This brings us to the third decision, which is about self-respect versus self-delusion. The Arab world over the past quarter of a century has lost close to 30 million people to violent death, immigration, or permanent displacement. This is a human tragedy comparable to the devastation of Europe during World War II. However, unlike Europe in the late 1940s and 1950s, glaring lessons have not been learned and there have been no never agains. The more the Arab elites refuse to reflect seriously on such lessons, the higher the likelihood is that further human tragedies will materialise. Like every country or region discussed in this series, the Arab world today is undergoing a transition. However, in the case of the Arab world, that transition seems to be through purgatory. Some constituencies in the Arab world are finding their way to reincarnation and to creating for themselves new chances at redemption. Perhaps in time they might find their way to states of bliss. The majority, however, are walking on a straight path where colossal mistakes accumulated over decades have brought them close to extended torment. An immediate awakening, firm will, serious discipline, and correct decisions could be their saving grace. *The writer is the author of Islamism: A History of Political Islam (2017) and Egypt on the Brink (2010). *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt is expanding its economic partnership with South Korea following a visit by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Cairo last week. Cairo and Seoul are busy working on a host of economic cooperation agreements in various sectors that will benefit both sides on the heels of South Korean President Moon Jae-ins visit to Cairo last week, the first by a South Korean president to Egypt in 16 years. During the visit, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and his South Korean counterpart agreed to sign a free-trade agreement between the two countries, South Koreas first with an African country. Al-Sisi and Moon discussed electric-car manufacturing in Egypt, in addition to cooperation in the fields of communication, tourism, mining, and security. South Korea may also take part in the presidential Decent Life Initiative aiming at improving the livelihoods of Egypts poor, according to a statement by the presidency. The two countries signed a development financing agreement worth $251.6 million to develop and modernise the signalling systems of the Luxor-High Dam railway, read a statement by the Ministry of International Cooperation. In addition, the Korea International Cooperation Agency will give Egypt a $7.9 million development grant to establish an e-procurement system, enhance its human resource capabilities, and provide technical support for the management and operation of the new system. South Korea is set to provide Egypt with $1 billion in soft loans over the next five years to finance construction and infrastructure projects, including transportation and water infrastructure, according to a memorandum of understanding Al-Sisi and Moon signed during the visit. The Ministry of International Cooperation said in a statement that the funding provided by the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund would also be used to finance new and renewable energy projects. The two countries also signed a cooperation agreement in the fields of archaeological sites, restoration, and museum management, including the use of technology and combating the illicit trade in antiquities. Cooperation between the two sides will begin with restoration work at Luxors Ramesseum, the memorial temple of the Pharaoh Ramses II. The cumulative value of Korean investments in Egypt is more than $700 million in 181 projects in different fields, especially in electronic products, information technology, the textile industry, auto spare parts, chemicals, building materials, renewable energy, construction, shipping, and transportation. According to the Egyptian cabinet, there are 33 Korean companies operating in Egypt including Samsung, LG, DI Dong Il Corporation for the Manufacturing and Distribution of Cotton Yarns, Tex Chem, Mobis for Car Parts, GS Engineering & Construction, SK Engineering & Construction, and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction. Data released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) show that trade between Egypt and South Korea increased to $1.9 billion during the first 10 months of 2021, up from $1.6 billion during the same period in 2020, registering a 23.6 per cent increase. Egypts imports from South Korea increased to $1.4 billion during the first 10 months of 2021, up from $938 million during the same period in 2020, recording an increase of 44.8 per cent. However, Egyptian exports to South Korea decreased to $560.2 million during the first 10 months of 2021, down from $613.5 million during the same period in 2020, registering a decrease of 9.5 per cent. Egypt exports fuel and mineral oils, chemical products, animal food, stone and cement to South Korea and imports machines and electrical appliances, cars, tractors, and bicycles. Ahmed Zaki Al-Gabbas, a member of the Egyptian-South Korean Business Council, said Egypt could benefit from South Koreas expertise in the fields of chemicals and automobiles, adding that Egypt could increase its exports of crops and leather to South Korea. As for the planned free-trade agreement, Al-Gabbas said the deal may help Egypt to benefit from South Korean technology in the fields of automobiles and electrical appliances. Khaled Nosseir, chair of the Egyptian-South Korean Business Council, said that an agreement on economic and trade integration between the two countries would increase Egyptian exports, maximise benefits for Egypt, and raise the competitiveness of Egyptian products. He added that South Korea is a strategic partner for Egypt in the auto industry. Ali Eissa, head of the Egyptian Businessmens Association, said Egypt should study carefully whether it will benefit from signing a free-trade agreement with South Korea, since it may sacrifice the value of the customs duties it currently receives, especially since Egypts imports from South Korea far exceed its exports to it. According to Eissa, the agreement will not benefit the agricultural exports sector, which is based on deals with the private sector. He said that South Korea insists that its own quarantine protocols be followed on imports, a very costly operation if large quantities are not exported. However, a free-trade agreement between Egypt and South Korea may reflect positively on the automobile industry since South Korean car components manufactured in Egypt would be exported without paying customs duties, he said. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Al-Ahram Weekly reviews a new book which provides hitherto unknown details of the upheavals Egypt passed through between 2011 and 2013 Yasser Rizk, the former board chairman of Akhbar Al-Youm press organisation, has released a book on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the 25 January 2011 Revolution which led to the ousting of Hosni Mubarak from power. According to Rizk, a military correspondent for more than 20 years, The Years of Khamaseen: Between the Anger in January and Salvation in June, tells the story of the period between the 25 January Revolution which led to the removal of Mubarak from office and the overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. (Khamaseen is the annual sand storm which hits Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula and Syria, Lebanon, , and Palestine in March and April.) They were the most dramatic three years in Egypts modern history, says Rizk. As a journalist and an eyewitness, I was keen to record firsthand memories of the tumultuous events and expose secrets which very few know. The book, he adds, is less about recording the history of Egypt during a very critical period than showing future generations how they were about to lose their country to an irresponsible group. The volume is intended to be the first part of a trilogy about Egypts Second Republic. After throwing off the rule of the Mohamed Ali family in July 1952, Egypt was officially declared a republic on 18 June 1953. On 25 January 2011 this republic came to an end and after a two-year transitional period a new republic was declared on 30 June 2013, when the Egyptian people revolted to force the Muslim Brotherhood regime out of office, says Rizk. The first of the books seven chapters chronicles the fall of the first republic. The uprising against the Mubarak regime in February 2011, says Rizk, was no surprise to the Egyptian army. Rizk reveals that in April 2010 a year ahead of the revolution Mubaraks minister of defence Mohamed Hussein Tantawi received a classified report from Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, then chief of Military Intelligence, warning that public discontent against the ruling regime was rampant. The report referred to corruption and Mubaraks grooming of his son, Gamal, as his successor as the main reasons for the simmering discontent, and noted that, after almost 30 years in power, Mubarak had lost interest in governing Egypt. According to Rizk, Al-Sisis report informed Tantawi that after the death of his grandson last year (June 2009) President Mubarak lost interest in power and on his 83rd birthday on 4 May 2010 he intends to resign from office and call elections which see his son Gamal succeed him. The report warned that the planned inheritance scenario will face two obstacles, mass public protests and rejection by the Armed Forces. Al-Sisis report predicted that the police would be unable to contain the outpouring of public anger and that the army would be called in, an event for which we should prepare for from now. The uprising Al-Sisi expected on Mubaraks birthday in 2011 came four months early because, says Rizk, of the rigging of parliamentary elections in November 2010, and the outbreak of the Tunisian revolution which led to the overthrow of president Zein Al-Abidine bin Ali on 14 January 2011. As presidential correspondent for Al-Akhbar newspaper between 1989 and 2008, Rizk had covered Mubaraks foreign visits and press conferences. Mubarak used to get annoyed whenever he was asked why he had not appointed a vice president, writes Rizk. Then, after his son Gamal entered politics in 2000, whispers began about an inheritance project, and Mubarak had refused to name a vice president. As a result, Tantawi and the then chief of [General] Intelligence Omar Suleiman met with Mubarak in early 2009 to warn him of such a course. Ignoring the warnings, and following the death of his grandson in May 2009, Mubarak allowed his son Gamal to act as a caretaker president. Rizks first chapter also repeats the theory that the 25 January uprising was an American conspiracy. The first step in this direction, he writes, came when US president Barack Obama delivered a speech in Cairo University in June 2009. Rizk cites Obamas own book, The Promised Land, as providing evidence for how Washington pressured Mubarak to allow the speech to be delivered at Cairo University, and subsequently step down in 2011. The second chapter, The First Transition, spotlights the growing political role of Al-Sisi. Even though I had served as a military correspondent for 23 years, my first meeting with Al-Sisi was in March 2011, a month after Mubaraks resignation, writes Rizk. He was struck by how Al-Sisi was keen to show himself to journalists not only as a senior military officer but also as a national leader. The third chapter, The Republic of Mirage and the Group of Treachery, recounts how Al-Sisi reacted when the Muslim Brotherhoods candidate Morsi was elected president in June 2012. When Morsi was officially declared the winner, I called Al-Sisi by phone, asking for a comment, writes Rizk. I asked Al-Sisi whether he thought Morsi would be able to free himself from the Muslim Brotherhoods tight grip and the control of its supreme guidance office. Al-Sisis answer was very significant: he said the question is not will he be able, but whether he really wants to free himself from the groups control. The third chapter deals with Morsis appointment of Al-Sisi as minister of defence. Al-Sisi was completely unaware that it was Tantawi who nominated him to be his successor, writes Rizk. On 12 August 2012 Morsis presidential spokesperson announced that Morsi had decided to send Tantawi and chief-of-staff Sami Anan into retirement, and had chosen Al-Sisi as the new minister of defence. The army was unhappy with Morsis decision to dismiss Tantawi, but at the same time it was pleased that one of their men Al-Sisi had been named as the new minister of defence, writes Rizk. On his way out from Al-Ittihadiya presidential palace, Tantawi told Al-Sisi: You are very dear to me and you are the best to replace me as minister of defence God bless you. Chapter four, The Beginning of the End, recounts how public opposition to Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood placed Morsi and Al-Sisi on a collision course. The beginning of the end of the Muslim Brotherhood regime came on 22 November 2012, writes Rizk, when the Muslim Brotherhood pushed Morsi to issue a constitutional declaration placing his decrees beyond judicial review, even by the Supreme Constitutional Court. On 12 December, Morsi asked Al-Sisi to mobilise the army to disperse thousands of citizens who had gathered around the Al-Ittihadiya presidential palace to protest against the constitutional decree. Al-Sisis response was it is impossible for the army to do this. Morsi then tried to pressure Mohamed Zaki, the current minister of defence and then leader of the Presidential Guard, to disperse the protesters. Zaki also refused, saying the role of the Guard was limited to protecting the presidential palace from infiltration. On 2 March 2013, four months after the start of protests against Morsis rule, newly-appointed US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Egypt and met with Al-Sisi. At the end of the meeting, Kerry asked Al-Sisi how he assessed these people [Morsi and the Brotherhood]. Al-Sisis response was Game Over, writes Rizk. Chapter five, The Fall of the Republic of Mirage, contains an account of a 25 June 2013 confrontation between Al-Sisi and Khairat Al-Shater, the Muslim Brotherhoods deputy supreme guide and de-facto leader of the group. On 23 June, an army statement warned that Egypt was facing civil war and that there must be dialogue between Morsi and opposition political forces, and that the army was willing to give a grace period of seven days for this dialogue to be initiated, says Risk. On 24 June, Al-Shater and Saad Al-Katanti [chairman of the Muslim Brotherhoods Freedom and Justice Party] asked for a meeting with Al-Sisi and on 25 June it took place. Al-Shater talked uninterrupted for 45 minutes, at the end of which he threatened that Egypt would sink into terrorism and violence if the Muslim Brotherhood was forced from office. In response, Al-Sisi, with red eyes, shouted at Al-Shater, What do you want, you want to either rule us or kill us? First digest what you have eaten before you ask for more food You did a lot of damage to this country and made the people hate religion You are the enemies of Islam and I will not let you terrorise people, and I swear that I will send to hell whoever shoots a citizen or comes close to a military installation. After moments of deadly silence, Al-Katanti asked Al-Sisi: So what do you want? Al-Sisi replied, I have sent three reports to the president about the current dangerous situation, asking him to solve his problems with Al-Azhar, the Church, the judiciary, the media, and public opinion before conditions spin out of control. On the same day, 25 June, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) held an urgent meeting, after which they requested a meeting with Morsi. Morsi was asked to respond to popular demands by changing the government and the prosecutor-general ahead of 30 June, and to use a public speech scheduled for the next day, 26 June, to declare a period of reconciliation with the people. On the morning of 26 June, Al-Sisi held a two-hour meeting (between 11am and 1pm) with Morsi, asking him to do his best to use his speech to contain public anger. Morsi promised to do so. The speech, scheduled for 7pm, was delayed by two hours. As Al-Sisi and army commanders were listening to the speech, they knew immediately why it had been delayed. By the time Morsi finished his rambling address at 12pm, he had broken all his promises to Al-Sisi. Al-Sisi, who was taken by surprise, concluded the Muslim Brotherhood would never stop manipulating Morsi, writes Rizk. On 28 June, Morsi and Al-Sisi met for the last time. Al-Sisi presented Morsi with a strategic report. This was the fourth, and last, report to be submitted by Al-Sisi to Morsi, writes Rizk, who reveals that on 29 June, the then US ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson, accompanied by chief of the American Military Assistance Office in Cairo, met with assistant minister of defence Mohamed Al-Assar, and informed him that American law prohibits the US administration from offering any military assistance to a state which leads a coup against a legally elected regime. After receiving the message from Al-Assar, Al-Sisi said: The American administration is mistaken if it imagines we will abandon the Egyptian people in return for $1.3 billion in American military assistance. The rest, as recounted in chapters six and seven, is history. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Fabrizio Carboni, regional director for the Near and Middle East of the International Committee of the Red Cross, tells Al-Ahram Wekly there can be no end to violence without political will. Fabrizio Carboni has been regional director for the Near and Middle East of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) since September 2018. He was head of the ICRC delegation in Lebanon for four years before taking over as the head of the delegation in Yangon, Myanmar, in 2017. Carboni was in Cairo on a four-day visit to meet officials in Egypts foreign and health ministries. What is the aim of your visit to Egypt? For the ICRC, Egypt is a very important country. We have a long history dating from World War II when we visited detainees in Egypt. Today, Egypt is a country that has a unique position for us. It has one foot in Africa, one in the Middle East and one in the Mediterranean. It is a kind of a crossroads. When you look at the map or at the Egypts neighbours you see the challenges. The ICRC has important operations in Sudan, Libya, Ethiopia and Gaza. It is key for us to have dialogue with Egypt which is trying to play a constructive role in all these areas. The authorities in Egypt are interested in the law of armed conflict and in humanitarian action, issues that we discuss with universities, the armed forces and government bodies. It is the responsibility of the ICRC to promote and develop the law of armed conflict and help states that want to improve their knowledge of international humanitarian law. It is also interesting for us, as an organisation, to hear what states have to say about the challenges around the law, how it can be integrated and how it can be applied. We count a lot on Egypt in Geneva and New York. Egypt plays an active role in promoting humanitarian values. We also have constructive relations with the Egyptian Red Crescent, an important partner for us. We managed, in cooperation with the Egyptian Red Crescent, to support people affected by the situation in North Sinai and we hope to do more. We started by food distribution but now we work on what we call livelihood, that is to help the poorest families develop their own business and have the capacity to be autonomous. It is important to give people the opportunity not to rely on humanitarian support. You took part in the World Youth Forum in Sharm El-Sheikh earlier this month, and talked about climate change. How does climate change affect people, particularly during conflicts? If you look at the countries most affected by climate change, you will see an overlap with countries affected by conflict. When conflicts take place, the climate crisis can make the situation even worse. Take the situation in Yemen where there is conflict, but also falling levels of water. The challenge for the ICRC, on one hand, is to help people face and adjust to the climate change, and on the other to ensure the impact of our work does not aggravate the climate crisis. This is a problem. Money to tackle the climate crisis, whether from the private sector or states, does not go to areas affected by conflict. The paradox is the people who need that climate money most are the ones not receiving it because it is more difficult and riskier to invest in conflict zones. You have said that in places like Yemen and Syria, which have millions of people who need a safer life, more food, and better access to health care peoples basic needs remain unfulfilled. Why is this? I am convinced that if people work, provide for their families, have access to education and healthcare, most will not fight. Yet what we see in the region is that these basic have often not been met. After 10 years of conflict the level of violence has probably decreased a bit, but the reasons why people fought in Iraq or Syria have not been addressed. If you look at the health system and the provision of water or electricity, it collapsed in these countries. The level of violence may have decreased, but the individual experience of people has never been as dramatic as today. If you look at Syria, 90 per cent of the population live below poverty line. Ten years ago Syria was, in terms of development and economy, one of the more advanced countries in the region. Security is important, but if individuals dont feel the difference, there is a problem. This is why we always ask states that have an interest in these countries not to abandon them but to continue investing and making sure peoples minimum needs are met. If we forget about people, they will find a way to draw our attention, and that may be unpleasant. How do you deal with the humanitarian consequences of years of conflict in a country like Syria? Countries that host displaced Syrians need to be supported. It is not just a matter of money. Lebanon, for example, is hosting 1.5 million refugees though its population is just four million. Many Syrians would love to return, but they need services, security, and they need to rebuild their houses. This means a lot of investment is needed to stabilise and rehabilitate and, at a later stage, rebuild. If you want people to go back, then you need to build the conditions that can allow them to return. If, for political reasons, there is no will for rehabilitation and reconstruction, it is unlikely that people will return to destroyed houses in areas where there are no basic services. ICRC can do its bit as far as maintaining infrastructure is concerned, but we cannot replace the political mechanism. How are you coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, and what efforts are you making to ensure vaccines reach vulnerable populations? If you ask in the streets of Aden or Sanaa what the biggest threats are that people face no one will mention Covid. While it is important to focus on the impacts of the pandemic, we should not forget that for the poorest people providing food for their families is a greater challenge. At the beginning of the pandemic the guidelines were: wash your hands, stay at home, socially distance. But in a detention camp in Iraq, among the displaced in Syria, if you are in Yemen or in a poor neighbourhood of Tripoli in Libya, people will tell you there is not enough water. They will say, you want me to socially distance, then tell me how. Yes, this pandemic is very important, but the people issuing instructions on how to deal with it need to take account of the living conditions of the most vulnerable groups. Of course, we need to do more to make sure the vaccine reaches the poorest places. But people also do not trust the vaccine. We need to build their trust. How can you cooperate with regional organisations in Yemen to ease peoples suffering? The situation in Yemen is dramatic. People will need assistance and support for many years to come. The conflict we see today is just one aspect of Yemens vulnerability as a country. In Yemen there are also floods, low rainfall, the level of water decreasing, a mix of heat and humidity that make some areas difficult to live in, there is under investment and the economy is almost non-existent. We need to urgently stop the conflict because there are so many other issues to address. The ICRC cannot solve conflicts. To do so requires political will. Our job is to work on the frontline and help the displaced and wounded. We do that with the Yemeni Red Crescent. We have surgical teams and provide medical supplies. We offer an emergency response. Often people are displaced multiple times. Alongside providing emergency services, we try to maintain health and water systems. We have active in Yemen for more than 50 years. There are long-term issues that need to be addressed. One thing we are doing is helping people to be autonomous, and provide for their families. Rather than giving a bottle water to everyone, we prefer to work on improving the water supply network. In Yemen, we also have an important role in detention centres. We organised the release of more than 1,000 detainees a year and a half ago. As an organisation, we try to build a relationship with all parties in a conflict and discuss any miscarriage of the law in confidentiality, away from the attention of the media and public pressure. What is the ICRC doing to ease the suffering of people in the Palestinian territories? We are in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. During the last escalation in Gaza, we were the only organisation active during the conflict. We try to be prepared for such events, even if in reality you are never ready because the scale of violence is such that it is hard to predict the consequences. The last escalation affected everybody. The centre of gravity was Gaza, but violence was taking place all over. I think if you want to summarise the Palestinian crisis it is an issue of hope. It is an open-ended occupation with no end in sight. It leads back to the same point. Where are the politicians? What are they doing? You cannot escape the fact you have to negotiate, so when is that going to happen? How many times are we going to rebuild Gaza? Everybody focuses on humanitarian action, but it cannot substitute for politics. Political solutions are needed. What about Iraq? You are going to open a rehabilitation centre there Yes, and I am very happy about that. When the guns stop we have to deal with the consequences of the violence. Mines, for instance, pose a threat for decades after conflict has ended. In Iraq, a huge number of people need physical rehabilitation. We have built a large centre in Irbil from scratch which will not only treat people but provide training in rehabilitation techniques. Lebanon is facing an economic crisis that is compounding the countrys difficult humanitarian problems. What is the ICRC doing to ease the situation? We were present in Lebanon before the 1975 Civil War. Hundreds of ICRC staff work there, and we have a long-standing relationship with the Lebanese Red Cross. The level of poverty is huge. When we started working in Lebanons largest public university hospital five or six years ago the majority of patients were Syrians or other impoverished migrants. Two years ago, Lebanese patients started coming. The level of poverty among Lebanese is skyrocketing. The situation needs a massive response, led by states or the international community. The needs are so great individual response will not work. There is no electricity. The water network desperately needs stabilising. People in the region are the best capital you can have, and with the right support people can do great things for the region. Although we are an international organisation, most of our staff are local nationals. The majority of staff in our Egypt office are Egyptians. In Syria, the majority are Syrians. They need to be given space to work. What about your plans for Libya? Libya has been in violence for more than a decade. Is there a credible political process or not? The impact on Libyans has been devastating. It is compounded by the migration crisis, people passing through Libya to Europe. Conflict and migration, it is really appalling. Elections have not taken place yet, though they are the only option to escape the fighting. Libya has everything resources, people to be a successful country, but you need to put an end to the violence. Around a million people in Libya receive either food or cash from the ICRC. Covid restrictions, however, are complicating our work. Our most recent focus has been on providing emergency assistance for 30,000 displaced persons. We are also working to stabilise the water system, and support 63 hospitals in Libya. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Stakeholders in the conflict in Yemen are vying for strategic gains before talks take place on a possible political solution. Fighting escalated in Yemen this week in the aftermath of an attack claimed by Houthi forces on UAE capital Abu Dhabi on 17 January. The attack left three people dead and six wounded. The Saudi-led Arab Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen then intensified its air strikes on the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, targeting the port of Hodeida, the capital Sanaa, and the Houthi stronghold of Saada. Though the fighting has been heating up in the south of the country, driving the Houthi rebels out of Shabwa and the energy rich Marib province, the air strikes appeared to be in retaliation for the Houthi attack on the UAE. Forces loyal to Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansur Hadi have been suffering setbacks in trying to stop Houthi advances in Marib, and the forces of the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the Amaleqa (Giants) Brigades led by Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, son of late Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, have been the main authors of military successes against the Houthis. Although the UAE withdrew its forces from Yemen in 2019, it has maintained its involvement in the coalition by supporting the Southern forces. Observers say that the Houthi attack on the UAE was a result of the battles in Shabwa and around Marib. The escalation is mainly an indication that the Houthi rebels are feeling the pain of their losses in Shabwa and Marib, Saudi commentator Abdel-Aziz Alkhames told Al-Ahram Weekly. It could be a last flare-up, leading to the rebels backtracking and accepting the Saudi and international initiatives to end the war and start a political process for a settlement in Yemen. Iran might also want this to happen, as it fears the collapse of the ongoing talks on a nuclear agreement in Vienna, Alkhames added. The escalation in the fighting could also suggest that strategic manoeuvering is taking place in order to determine ground positions as a negotiating card in any upcoming talks about a political solution in Yemen. While both the US and Saudi Arabia agree on a vision to end the war that would recognise the Houthis, the UAE wants to end the influence of the Yemeni Muslim Brotherhood affiliate Al-Islah Party in Shabwa. The STC also wants to regain control of Shabwa, said Gulf expert and Oxford University academic Andrew Hammond. All parties agree on the need for talks, but the difference is about what comes first to start a political process: a ceasefire or ending the blockade of the Houthis, Hammond told the Weekly. The Houthis might accept the Saudi demand that a ceasefire precede lifting the blockade if they lose the conflict in Marib, he said. Military advances by Amaleqa and STC forces could make the Houthis more open to accepting peace initiatives. The escalation in the Yemen conflict coincides with the anticipated end of the eighth round of talks in the Austrian capital Vienna between Iran and the major powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. The previous deal faltered in 2018 when former US president Donald Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that was meant to curb Irans nuclear programme in exchange for lifting international sanctions on Tehran. The talks in Vienna focus on what sanctions will be lifted if Iran starts to recommit to the JCPOA and the US rejoins. There has been talk about an interim agreement to replace the JCPOA that might include provisions beyond Irans nuclear programme. The Arab Gulf countries have been raising concerns about Irans ballistic missile programme and its interference in the region through proxies like the Houthis in Yemen and Hizbullah in Lebanon. It is not clear how far the US will adopt the Gulf interests, but the Vienna talks are now entering a critical juncture. This might explain why the UAE said it reserved the right to respond to the attack on Abu Dhabi by the Houthi rebels and did not immediately retaliate. Professor at Exeter University in the UK and former BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus suggested this week that the Emirati response might come in the form of increasing its support for forces fighting the Houthis in Yemen. So how will the UAE now react? Stability is crucial to the states self-image One obvious response might be to step up support for its allies on the ground, Marcus wrote on the BBC website this week. While Iran remains a clear ally of the Houthis (and much of the weaponry used in these recent attacks may well be of Iranian origin), the fact remains that this is not a simple client-proxy relationship. The Houthis make their own strategic decisions, and it is unclear the extent to which this attack will be viewed positively in Tehran, he added. The next few weeks may be decisive in the Yemen conflict, as all the parties involved agree that there can be no military solution. A political settlement is the ultimate goal, and Houthi stubbornness in snubbing Saudi, UN, and US calls for talks used to be fuelled by the weakness of Hadi government forces. With the Southerners and Brigades now making advances on the ground, the Houthis might become less stubborn. The fighting in Yemen and the attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE might come to an end if the Houthis suffer more losses in the fighting around Marib. Some observers, including Hammond, say it will be a week or two before things become clearer. The US is keen to reach an outcome to the Vienna talks by the end of this month, and whatever that outcome is, it will be reflected in the Yemeni situation, with either the fighting heating up or there being a move towards a ceasefire and talks on a political settlement. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune agreed on Tuesday on the importance of holding Libyas delayed parliamentary and presidential elections. In a joint press conference following their talks in Cairo, El-Sisi said they also agreed on the necessity of the exit of mercenaries and foreign troops from Libya for the return of stability in the country. The statements come as uncertainty continues to loom over the future of national elections in Libya as a United Nation backed peace process, which saw parliamentary elections scheduled for December 24, collapsed over disagreements related to the eligibility of several main candidates. On Monday, a Libyan parliament committee tasked with drafting the countrys political path after planned elections failed set at least nine months to prepare for a new election to eliminate chances of fraud and ensure security. During their talks, El-Sisi and Tebboune also discussed the Palestinian cause and efforts exerted to preserve the rights of Palestinian people and their aspirations towards an independent state. They also tackled the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis, and agreed on the necessity of reaching a legally binding accord on the dam and the importance of preserving Egypts water rights. The talks saw consensus over the importance of bolstering joint efforts and close coordination towards ongoing developments in their geographical scope as a main pillar to preserve the national Arab and African security. The two sides have highlighted the strategic partnership between Egypt and Algeria as part of efforts to combat terrorism and all forms of organized crime at a regional level, particularly through military and information cooperation and coordination in the Sahel region. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) organized a retreat on Post-2021 Arrangements in Somalia on Tuesday in Cairo with participation from the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, the United Nations, and several international partners. According to the CCCPAs statement, the retreat comes as part of the preparatory process for the upcoming third edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, for which CCCPA acts as the executive secretariat. The retreat aims to provide a space for informal consultations between Somali officials and African and international partners in order to discuss post-2021 arrangements in Somalia, given the completion of AMISOM mandate on the 31st of March 2022, the statement said adding that it seeks to envision the future of the new African Union mission, including its objectives and tasks; as well as explore the possibility of greater involvement of both the UN and international partners in supporting this new mission. The two-day event kicked off on Tuesday to discuss various topics, including ways to support and build the capacities of the new African Union mission in order to fulfill the security needs of Somalia, primarily addressing the terrorist threat of Al Shabaab terrorist organization, in addition to the anticipated role of the newly established African Union Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development based in Cairo. It will further discuss the support required from international partners to enable Somalia to effectively overcome the challenges of the current phase, as well as strengthening efforts to build institutions and capacities and achieve development in Somalia. Egypts delegation in the retreat is headed by Ambassador Hamdi Loza, deputy minister of foreign affairs for African affairs, and the Somali side is headed by Mahmoud Abdi Hassan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the statement added. Founded in 1994 by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CCCPA is an Egyptian public agency specialized in training, capacity building, and research in the fields of peace and security in Africa and the Middle East. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts Ambassador in Kampala Ashraf Swailem handed over the Busia solar power plant to Ugandas top officials on Tuesday in a grand ceremony organised by the Ugandan government as part of the celebrations on the occasion of Ugandas Independence Day. Ugandas First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of African affair Rebecca Kadaga, Minister of energy and Mineral Resources Ruth Sentamu and a representative of Minister of state for Higher of education John Muyungu attended the event, the Egyptian embassy in Kampala reported. According to the embassy, Ugandas first deputy prime minister and minister of energy expressed their happiness as well as their deep thanks on behalf of the Ugandan leadership to the president and the government and people of Egypt for this great project, and what it represents in strengthening the strength of the extended bilateral relations between the two countries. The Ugandan officials praised the Egyptian support for the energy sector in Uganda, which is considered one of the main axes of the Ugandan national strategy for development, adding that they were looking forward to more cooperation with the Egyptian side in the field of energy and others, and studying opportunities for future investments, and ways to maximize the benefit from Busia station project. Ambassador Ashraf Swailem stated that the Busia solar power plant project in eastern Uganda was a significant addition to the Egyptian projects in the country, where the amount of energy provided by the plant reaches 4 megawatts, which will be connected to the Ugandan national electricity grid to maximize the benefit of other regions from the energy generated from the station. The ambassador highlighted in his word during the event the important role of the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy which launched the project and signed its agreement with its Ugandan counterpart ministry. According to Swailem, the Foreign Ministrys Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development financed the project with USD 6 million. The solar power plant was implemented by the Arab Renewable Energy Company in cooperation with Giza System Company. The Arab Renewable Energy Company is one of the Arab Organization for Industrialization Companies subsidies. The Egyptian ambassador in Uganda added that the Busia station project was another example of the great improvement in Egyptian-Uganda relations during the recent period, listing the recent Egyptian projects in the country, which includes the opening of the medical center in Jinja last October and the inauguration of a new phase in joint Egyptian model farm in November and the continuation of the projects carried out by the Egyptian irrigation mission such as removing weeds from Ugandan lakes. The ambassador explained that the Egyptian support to the plant project in Uganda comes from a belief in the importance of renewable energy to face the repercussions of climate change in Africa and to adapt to it, coinciding with Egypt's presidency of the twenty-seventh session of the UN Conference on Climate Change "COP27", which Sharm El-Sheikh will host next November. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US special envoy for Horn of Africa David Satterfield discussed on Tuesday in Cairo the latest developments in the region especially in Sudan, Somalia and Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Shoukry reiterated the importance of resuming the talks in the nearest time to reach a fair, balanced and legally binding agreement on the filing and operation of the Ethiopian dam that takes in consideration the interests of the three countries in accordance with the UN Security Councils presidential statement issued in September 2021. Earlier Tuesday, Egypts Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a statement that Cairo is interested in resuming talks to resolve technical and legal points of contention and reach a balanced deal. The Egyptian foreign minister highlighted the importance of dealing with security and stability in the Horn of Africa from a comprehensive perspective that ensures the settlement of all the issues it witnesses. Satterfield and Shoukry discussed the latest developments in Sudan which tops the issues he is discussing in his current tour in the region that kicked off on 24 January with a visit to Kenya and will continue to 4 February according to US department of State. Shoukry said Egypt is keen to provide all support to Sudan as it considers its security and stability as part of its own as well as the regions, adding that Egypt was supporting the United Nations initiative for dialogue with the different Sudanese parties and powers to resolve the current crisis. Concerning Somalia, Shoukry asserted Egypts interest in the latest situation in Somalia and its support for the efforts to achieve stability and security in the East African country. He also hinted out that Cairo was hosting a special retreat on Post-2021 Arrangements in Somalia on Tuesday and Wednesday with participation from the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, the United Nations, and several international partners. From his side, the veteran US diplomat expressed his appreciation that Egypt was organising that event. According to the US Department of State, the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa will later visit the UAE, Turkey, and Israel. His talks with officials from those governments and key stakeholders aim to promote the democratic civilian rule in Sudan and to support peace and prosperity in the Horn of Africa, the statement said. This is his second tour in the region after Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Ethiopia. David Starfield was appointed as the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa in early January replacing veteran US diplomat Jeffery Feltman stepped down from his position. This is considered his first visit to Cairo after assuming his position. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt, known for its mild and cool winters, is currently experiencing relatively colder waves, with experts deeming the current spell as the coldest in almost ten years and attributing the phenomenon to the climate changes. The current cold spell has not ever been seen in about ten years, not only because the plummet in temperature degrees, but also due to the long duration of coldness across the country, which nears a whole month, Ali Kotb, a professor of climate at Zagazig University, told Ahram Online. "Egypt has been witnessing very cold weather at daytimes and frost at night-times for up to a month. Earlier, the country was accustomed to only two-day to week-long cold waves," he added. Kotb linked the current weather fluctuations to climate changes, which he said is not limited or only cause high temperatures. The country has been recently witnessing unfamiliar weather patterns, including colder winters with temperatures dropping to unprecedented degrees and summers with Gulf-like heat. For example, since the beginning of this year's winter, Egypt has been witnessing repeated snaps of cold, with some governorates having witnessed snow-covered streets in the past several days in a seldom scene in an African country. From tomorrow, a new cold wave marked with a noticeable drop in temperatures is expected to start nationwide, with highs of 12-16 degrees Celsius and lows of 6-9 degree in Greater Cairo, according to the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA). Such degrees have never been recorded over the past ten years, according to Kotb, who said temperatures are 7 -8 degrees Celsius lower than the normal rates for this time of the year in Egypt. He stressed that the climate change increases the recurrence of extreme weather phenomenon, meaning cold and heat waves will become more extreme in comparison to the past seasons, noting that is also causes other consequences related to healthy, agricultural and environmental aspects. Former Chairman of Board of the EMA Ahmed Abdel-Aal agreed with Kotb that climate change has started to affect weather in the country, but he affirmed that temperature degrees are still within normal rates. "The current wind activity is the reason behind our feeling of the low temperatures," he explained. The EMA expected an average wind speed of 60-70 kilometres per hour and an average wave height of 2.5-5 metres along the Red Sea and the Red Sea this week. Egyptians, Abdel-Aal said, used to feel wind activity for around two days at most, but now it extends for longer time due to climate change affects. Abdel-Aal predicts current weather spell to abate by the end of January. The climate change impacts are currently limited but they may exacerbate in the coming decades, professor Kotb pointed out. However, temperature fluctuations and wind movement may endanger some agricultural crops, especially those that are sensitive to certain weather conditions, according to Kotb. Some winter crops are facing no problem with the current cold wave such as wheat, beans, Mohamed Fahim, head of the Climate Change Information Centre at the Ministry of Agriculture, said in televised statements on Saturday. He added that other crops might suffer due to the current weather like mango, urging farmers to stick to the ministrys recommendations to face such circumstances. Last year, some mango farms witnessed decrease in productivity caused partially by the drop in temperature degrees. Egypt has adopted several steps to cope with climate change. The United Nations Climate Change Conference, a global gathering aimed at fighting against climate change consequences, will hold the 2022's edition known as (COP27) in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November. Search Keywords: Short link: One year on, Ahram Online remembers the run up to the ouster of Egypt's most infamous president and the fate of his still ongoing trial In hindsight, some Egyptians argue that it was only a matter of time before there was a revolt. However, no one could foresee the course of the revolt as it actually happened a year ago not even secret intelligence. The uprising slipped through the wiretaps and floated over confidential files on citizens kept by Mubarak's ever-potent state security force simply because the revolution was never planned. Just half an hour into the demonstrations on Tahrir that 'started it all' on 25 January 2011, amidst chants of bread and freedom, a few lone voices chanted "down, down with Hosni Mubarak." Protesters carefully chanted for "democracy" which if implemented could bring Mubarak down and prevent his son from comfortably inheriting the title of president. Only pro-democracy activists really considered the bold move to call for Mubarak's outright ouster. On Friday, 28 January, the state turned off all communications channels and began shooting tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition at the peaceful protesters marching to Tahrir. The police used their muscle against citizens and when the television came back on the world saw millions some wounded, some almost dying from the brutal attacks demanding vehemently that Mubarak leave. Mubarak did step down three weeks later, on 11 February, after a 37-second statement by his vice president and long-time intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman. Egyptians poured onto the streets. Mass celebrations erupted, fireworks were set off and people were ecstatically joyful. The beginning of the end On 25 January, both protesters and police forces were tense with anticipation. A large-scale demonstration was organised through Facebook, inspired by Tunisia's revolt the month before. As tens of thousands began marching towards Tahrir Square, adequate numbers of central security forces matched the protesters. It was clear that no orders were given to use force but they were, nonetheless, prepped with anti-riot gear. It was also obvious that mid-ranking police officers wanted to wait and see how events turned out before committing to a decision. By 4:30 pm, police forces lining the Qasr El-Nile bridge allowed the march into Tahrir Square seemingly without any intention to block the bridge. Protesters expected a crackdown at any point. Police forces on the outskirts of the square did, indeed, fire teargas and hose the crowds down with water but it did little to deter demonstrators. When it was obvious that by the end of 25 January protesters were going to set up shop in Tahrir Square, police orders changed at midnight. By Friday, 28 January evening police forces had failed to suppress the masses, even after killing hundreds of protesters and injuring thousands. Finally Mubarak and his cronies faced the reality that the uprising merited a presidential speech. Mubarak's regime cut off mobile phones and internet connections. Under the cover of a communications blackout, police killed hundreds of protesters around the country that day. Many prisons were stormed and Egyptians had to defend their homes and livelihoods from inmates who ran rampant in the streets. Residents of all ages set up midnight neighbourhood watches, working in shifts to protect their houses and families with whatever weapons they could grab. The scene was chaos. The then president Mubarak addressed the nation, telling them in a recorded speech that Egypt's beloved military would mobilise in order to handle the security situation and to impose a curfew. Police forces had completely withdrawn. Demonstrators claimed victory over the longstanding state-tool of oppression as they seized the square. The curfew was supposed to be imposed that same night, even as Tahrir swelled by the thousands. Mubarak also said in the speech that he would appoint a new government but this only served to infuriate the masses. It also raised the stakes as protesters then started calling for his immediate ouster. "We will not go, he [Mubarak] should go" was the chant heard across every revolutionary square in Egypt. Meanwhile, as more numbers were pouring into Tahrir square which was fast becoming the heart of the uprising, Mubarak's regime continued to carry out its own idea of damage control. Mubarak gave an emotional speech on 1 February declaring that he "did not intend" to run for another presidential term and that a committee would be formed to amend certain regulatory articles of the constitution. However the military council had already released a statement on 31 January saying that it was convening without Mubarak. Possible a gesture to the public, this move showed that the military council was planning to resolve the situation without the president. Media coverage of the uprising broke records. International pressure escalated as the square hosted over a million peaceful protesters from all social backgrounds united in overthrowing the president. Ten days after the last speech, Mubarak gave another televised statement on the evening of 10 February. Everyone was certain that this would be the moment that Mubarak would announce he was stepping-down. To the indescribable disappointment of millions... he did not. The former chief of Egypt's state television news sector and friend of the Mubaraks, Abdul Latif El-Menawi, wrote in his recently published memoirs that Mubarak's younger son, Gamal, who was pruned to become the next president, convinced his father at the last minute not to step-down in the 10 February speech. Despite the setback, Egyptians continued their protests. The next day, at around 6:00 pm, state television aired a recorded statement by Omar Suleiman, with Mubarak notably absent, announcing the president had resigned and that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) was to take charge of the country. Mubarak's older son, Alaa, had apparently finally talked his father into leaving office. As the resignation was announced, Mubarak and his wife had already boarded a plane to Sharm El-Sheikh, the coastal Red Sea resort town. The Aftermath: will Mubarak see justice? Egyptians accused the ousted president of being directly responsible for the killing of hundreds of peaceful protesters during the 18-day uprising, as well as blaming him for the rampant corruption that crippled the country throughout his 30-year tenure. When nothing changed and those responsible were not brought to justice, the people took to the streets again. Instead of going to jail, the ousted president stayed in the Sharm El-Sheikh hospital for "health reasons." Residents who relied on tourism for their livelihood repeatedly protested in front of the hospital. They demanded Mubarak be transferred back to Cairo, along with his extensive security entourage that scared tourists away, so they could resume their work in the lucrative resort town. Up until April the SCAF failed to declare any intention of putting the ousted president on trial. The inaction of the ruling military council added to the fears that Mubarak would be above the law and escape retribution. In Cairo, suspicions arose that Mubarak would be allowed to live peacefully in his beach house. Consequently in early April 2011, political groups called for repeated mass rallies in Tahrir Square demanding Mubarak be brought to justice. Hundreds of thousands of protesters responded to the call forming a series of mass demonstrations. In response to the April rallies, the prosecutor general confirmed the detention of Mubarak and his sons pending investigation. Satisfaction with the result was reflected in an empty Tahrir Square the following Friday. Political groups cancelled calls for more million-man marches. After a series of investigative phases, Mubarak was flown to Cairo to attend the first session of his trial in early August. In late July, Judge Ahmed Fahmi Refaat announced that the trial would be shown on live television following a sit-in on Tahrir that had started on 8 July. The action to allow cameras into the courtroom at least showed a vague intention from the authorities to maintain transparency. It seemed an attempt to prove to the majority that it was not a sham trial. In the summer, against a backdrop of rising violence, protesters and political groups began to suspect the true motives of the ruling military council, with many campaigning against the SCAF's decision to subject civilians to military trials. Although there were many divisions in the revolutionary movement during Egypt's transitional phase, the issue of punishing the ousted president was a unifying demand among political groups. Even though Mubarak was brought before a civilian court, rather than being put on "exceptional trial" which is usually reserved for key political figures, there has been continued political pressure on the judiciary and the state by the public to find him guilty. However, Mubarak, who is 83 years old and reportedly unwell, may not make it to the verdict due to the length and complexity of the trial. The case files now number over 50,000 papers, according to a statement made by the head of the judicial club on 6 February. Mubarak's defense lawyers have also called hundreds of witnesses to the stand. Others fear that Egypt's former president will be acquitted or given a reduced sentence as the infrastructure of his regime is still very much in place. Moreover Suzanne Mubarak revealed in her recently published memoirs that on 1 February, 2011 in a telephone conversation with the USA President Barack Obama, Mubarak asked for written guarantees of safe passage for himself and his family. These, she wrote, were granted by a special envoy from America. With the prolonged nature of civilian lawsuits, the SCAF still in power and continuing doubts about the trial being an elaborate sham, it is hard to determine whose hands Mubarak's fate truly lies in. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts Parliament the House of Representatives approved on Sunday a draft law aiming to allow the Arab Union Company for Land Transport Super Jet to obtain an EGP 800 million loan from a number of Egyptian banks under guarantees provided by Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait. A report by the Houses Budget Committee said that the loan is necessary to help Super Jet operations inside Egypts New Administrative Capital (NAC). The loan will give Super Jet the money necessary to buy 120 minibuses and build a garage inside the NAC to serve the first phase of internal transport there, said the report, adding that the law will also make it legal for the Finance Minister to guarantee Super Jet as the constitution stipulates that the government can take loans or offer loan guarantees only with prior approval from parliament. The report indicated that in return for guaranteeing the loan, Super Jet will offer the Ministry of Finance an in-kind collateral in the form of assets such as lands, buildings, cars, and microbuses, the price of which is equal to the loan. The committees report explained that Super Jets decision to take a bank loan comes under the instructions of the political leadership, which is doing its best to implement the first phase of internal transportation inside the NAC. Internal transportation is very important to facilitate the transfer of businesses and government ministries and institutions to the NAC, particularly during the first phase of operations there, said the report. MP Mohamed Hammadi said the transfer of government departments and ministries to the NAC is very important and in order to achieve this objective, it is necessary to support internal transportation there. Super Jet is 50 years old and has a lot of experience in land transportation operations, not to mention that it has a lot of assets that can help it repay the EGP 800 loan, said Hammadi. MP Abdel-Fattah El-Shahat said it will be very difficult to encourage government and private institutions move to the NAC without first introducing an integrated system of land transportation there. The loan will help Super Jet implement this system and make it very easy for citizens to go to the NAC, said El-Shahat. MP Mahmoud Essam said he has reservations over the bank loan, revealing that Super Jet suffered EGP 11 million in financial losses in 2021. I am afraid the loan could complicate the companys financial problems, said Essam. Search Keywords: Short link: Trucks bearing badly-needed food aid were stuck at a checkpoint outside Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray region for a second day Tuesday, aid workers said, as the government and rebels blamed each other for stalling the deliveries. Last week the UN said food distribution was at an all-time low in Tigray, where a 14-month conflict has driven hundreds of thousands of people into what it terms "famine-like conditions". On Sunday 27 trucks carrying 800 tonnes of food left for the Tigray capital Mekele from the neighbouring Afar region along the only functional land route, according to the World Food Programme. But the convoy has since Monday been stuck at a checkpoint in the town of Serdo, two humanitarian officials told AFP Tuesday, and it is unclear whether it will proceed. Government spokesman Legesse Tulu said Monday that rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) had "attacked" locations including the town of Abala along the Tigray-Afar border, "cutting off the primary artery of humanitarian aid". He said tens of thousands of people had been displaced over three days and that there were "no government defence forces in this area". The TPLF, for its part, blamed pro-government forces for instigating clashes in the area. The competing claims could not be independently verified. Fighting broke out in Tigray in November 2020 after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops to topple the TPLF, the region's former ruling party, saying the move came in response to TPLF attacks on army camps. After initially losing control of Tigray's cities and towns, the TPLF regrouped and retook the region in June, then launched offensives into neighbouring Afar and Amhara. Tigray itself, a region of six million people, has been subject to what the UN describes as a de facto blockade for months. Washington accuses Abiy's government of blocking aid, while Addis Ababa blames rebel incursions. Humanitarian access was a main topic during last week's visit to Addis Ababa of the State Department's highest-ranking diplomat for Africa and its special envoy for the Horn of Africa, diplomats briefed on the talks said. On Sunday, Ethiopia said it would allow more flights "to augment the land transportation" of food and medicine into Tigray. AFP documented starvation deaths in Tigray in September, and in November Tigray's pre-war government said nearly 200 children had died of starvation in hospitals across the region. Search Keywords: Short link: More than a dozen mutinous soldiers declared Monday on state television that a military junta had seized control of Burkina Faso after detaining the democratically elected president following a day of gunbattles in the capital of the West African country. The military coup in a nation that was once a bastion of stability was the third of its kind in the region in the last 18 months, creating upheaval in some of the countries hardest hit by Islamic extremist attacks. Capt. Sidsore Kaber Ouedraogo said the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration ``has decided to assume its responsibilities before history.'' The soldiers put an end to President Roch Marc Christian Kabore's presidency because of the deteriorating security situation and the president's inability to manage the crisis, he said. It was not immediately known where Kabore was, and the junta spokesman said only that the coup had taken place ``without any physical violence against those arrested, who are being held in a safe place, with respect for their dignity.'' A soldier in the mutiny, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of situation, told The Associated Press that Kabore had submitted his resignation. The new military regime said it had suspended Burkina Faso's constitution and dissolved the National Assembly. The country's borders were closed, and a curfew was in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Ouedraogo said that the country's new leaders would work to establish a calendar ``acceptable to everyone'' for holding new elections without giving further details. After the televised announcement, crowds took to the streets, cheering and honking car horns in support of the takeover. People hoped that the coup would ease the devastation they have endured since jihadist violence spread across the country. ``This is an opportunity for Burkina Faso to regain its integrity. The previous regime sunk us. People are dying daily. Soldiers are dying. There are thousands of displaced,'' said Manuel Sip, a protester in downtown Ouagadougou. The army should have acted faster in ousting the president, he said. After the overthrow of strongman Blaise Compaore in 2014, several people told the AP they no longer cared if they had a democratically elected leader. They just wanted to live in peace. The communique read aloud on state broadcaster RTB was signed by the country's apparent new military leader, Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba. He sat beside the spokesman without addressing the camera during the announcement. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on coup leaders to lay down their arms. He reiterated the U.N.'s ``full commitment to the preservation of the constitutional order'' in Burkina Faso and support for the people in their efforts ``to find solutions to the multifaceted challenges facing the country,'' U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The U.N. chief said the military takeover was part of ``an epidemic of coups around the world and in that region.'' The U.S. State Department in a statement expressed deep concern about the dissolution of the government, suspension of the constitution and the detention of government leaders. ``We condemn these acts and call on those responsible to deescalate the situation, prevent harm to President Kabore and any other members of his government in detention, and return to civilian-led government and constitutional order,'' spokesperson Ned Price said. In a statement, Kabore's political party accused the mutinous soldiers of trying to assassinate the president and another government minister and said the presidential palace in Ouagadougou remained surrounded by ``heavily armed and hooded men.'' The coup ``is a signal of frustration and exasperation on the heels of a growing struggle to stem the threat of militants, cope with the degraded security structure, and an attempt to restore faith in the institution of the military,'' said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, which provides intelligence analysis. Gunfire erupted early Sunday when soldiers took control of a major military barracks in the capital. In response, civilians rallied in a show of support for the rebellion but were dispersed by security forces firing tear gas. On Monday, groups of people celebrated again in the streets of the capital after reports of Kabore's capture. Kabore was elected in 2015 after the popular uprising that ousted Compaore. Kabore was reelected in November 2020, but frustration has been growing at his inability to stem the jihadist violence. Attacks linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have killed thousands and displaced more than an estimated 1.5 million people. The military has suffered losses since the extremist violence began in 2016. In December, more than 50 security forces were killed and nine more died in November. Mutinous soldiers told the AP that the government was out of touch with troops. Among their demands are more forces in the battle against extremists and better care for the wounded and the families of the dead. About 100 military members have planned the takeover since August, according to one of the mutinous soldiers. The West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS said in a statement that it was following events in Ouagadougou with ``great concern.'' The bloc has already suspended Mali and Guinea over military coups. Those coup leaders appear in no hurry to return their countries to civilian rule. Burkina Faso has also seen its share of coup attempts and military takeovers, although it experienced a period of relative stability under Compaore, who ruled for 27 years until his ouster in 2014. In 1987, Compaore came to power by force. And in 2015, soldiers loyal to him attempted to overthrow the transitional government put into place after his ouster. The army was ultimately able to put the transitional authorities back in power, who led again until Kabore won an election and took office. Search Keywords: Short link: Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Notice body On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Study Alabama representatives from Auburn University, Coastal Alabama Community College and the University of Alabama will lead a panel discussion on leveraging Alabama higher education for economic and workforce development. The panel is comprised of Ed Douglas, director, Coastal Alabama Community College; Andrew Gillespie, assistant provost, Auburn University Office of International Programs; Monique Meadows, US Visa Pro; and Charter Morris, director, University of Alabama International Student and Scholar Services. In their discussion, the panel will highlight the value that 2-year and 4-year schools offer to the expansion of Alabamas workforce and its economic development. Each panelist will share and create open conversation about how the schools and their established programs and pathways can assist companies in hiring interns and trainees, establishing and maintaining partnerships, and building allied programs for company workers and their families, as well as domestic and international staff. Ultimately, the goal of the panel is to further the discussion on how and more importantly why leveraging Alabamas 2-year and 4-year schools is valuable for the states workforce and economic development. There are 61 colleges and universities and over 500 foreign direct investment businesses in Alabama, making it an ideal setting for students and scholars from around the world. Study Alabama and their EDAA panel seek to raise the profile of the Alabama higher education sector as a global study/research destination, share expertise and experience in the field of global education and workforce development, foster awareness of the role of higher education institutions in supporting economic development and international trade, and foster strategic partnerships. To learn more about Study Alabama and its initiatives, please click here. More information on the Economic Development Association of Alabama can be found here. At least 18 people were killed during clashes between two groups at a night club in the town of Sorong in Indonesia's West Papua province, police said Tuesday, with most dying after the venue caught fire. "The clash broke out last night (Monday) at 11 pm. It was a prolonged conflict from a clash on Saturday," Sorong police chief Ary Nyoto Setiawan said in a statement. One victim was stabbed and 17 more died in the blaze at the Double O nightclub, officials said. "We found 17 bodies in Double O. They were all found on the second floor. We have evacuated the bodies to Selebe Solu Hospital," said Sorong Police's health division head Edward Panjaitan. Police said the clash did not involve locals in remote West Papua, where there is a long-running, low-level insurgency. They were investigating the cause of the fire, which gutted the large red and white building. A burnt-out vehicle was seen lying on its side by the club's blackened entrance as officers guarded the site. "The club was burnt from the first floor. We tried to evacuate as many people as possible, but after the firefighters extinguished the fire this morning, we found some bodies there," police chief Setiawan said. Police said the conflict was between two ethnic groups. "It actually started with a misunderstanding between two members of the respective groups," Setiawan said. "We tried to mediate between the groups, as we called their leaders before last night's clash." Police have deployed forces in the town to prevent any further clashes, according to an AFP journalist. A usually quiet corner Sorong, gateway to the coral-rich Raja Ampat islands, is the largest city in West Papua province and home to a major port. It is relatively quiet compared to other regions of West Papua, which have seen clashes due to the ongoing insurgency between separatists and Indonesian security forces. Rebels have recently escalated their fight, targeting road contractors, as well as schools and clinics they say have links to the military. Authorities have responded by reinforcing deployments of troops and police. The province shares a border with independent Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea, just north of Australia. A former Dutch colony, mineral-rich Papua declared independence in 1961 but neighbouring Indonesia took control two years later, promising an independence referendum. The subsequent vote in favour of staying part of Indonesia, approved by the UN at the time, was widely considered a sham. Papua's Melanesian population, predominantly Christian, share few cultural connections with the rest of Indonesia -- the world's biggest Muslim-majority country. Search Keywords: Short link: Israel's figurehead president will make the first visit to the United Arab Emirates by the country's head of state next week, his office said Tuesday. The high-profile visit by President Isaac Herzog aims at further cementing the burgeoning ties between the two states following the normalization of relations under the so-called ``Abraham Accords.'' Herzog will fly to Abu Dhabi on Sunday and will meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Gulf state's crown prince and de facto ruler, as well as Emirati leaders and members of the small Jewish community. Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett paid a two-day visit to the Gulf state, the first official visit to the country by an Israeli leader since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 2020. Israel and the UAE had long nurtured clandestine security cooperation before they formalized diplomatic relations as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords. The agreements established diplomatic relations between Israel and four Arab states: the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. In the year and a half since the signing of the agreement on the White House lawn, bilateral trade and cooperation have skyrocketed, and Israeli ministers have made several official visits to the region. Herzog's office said the ``important visit comes as the Israeli and Emirati nations are busy laying the foundations of a new shared future.`` ``I believe that our bold new partnership will transform the Middle East and inspire the whole region,'' he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Kazakhstan's leader has trumpeted ambitious economic reforms following the worst unrest in the country of 19 million in three decades. The measures are aimed at reducing the state's deep involvement in the economy, bridging the gap between the wealthy minority and the struggling majority _ and eliminating triggers for further turmoil. Experts say the announced changes look good on paper, but question whether the new government in the energy-rich former Soviet state will implement them. A look at the causes of discontent and the government's promised reforms: WHAT'S ROILING KAZAKHSTAN? On Jan. 2, small protests broke out in an oil city in western Kazakhstan where residents were unhappy about a sudden spike in prices for liquified gas, which is widely used as automotive fuel. The demonstrations soon spread across the vast country, reflecting wider public discontent with steadily decreasing incomes, worsening living conditions and the authoritarian government. By Jan. 5, the protests descended into violence, with armed groups storming government buildings and setting cars and buses on fire in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty. To quell the violence, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested help from a Russia-led security alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The bloc of six former Soviet states sent more than 2,000 troops. Authorities arrested thousands of people and more than 220 _ mostly civilians _ were killed. About a week after the protests began, order was largely restored. WHY WERE GAS PRICES SUCH A SORE POINT? The price of gas soared to 120 tenge ($0.27) per liter, a significant increase in the country where, according to Tokayev's own admission, half the population earns no more than 50,000 tenge ($114) a month. The spike came about as the government moved away from price controls as part of efforts to build a market economy. Analysts say the increase came as a complete surprise. ``All these decisions were made without transparency. ... People woke up to a new gas price that was 2 1/2 times higher,`` said Kassymkhan Kapparov, an economist in Kazakhstan and founder of the Economist.Kz think tank. The western region of Kazakhstan where the protests started also produces oil and gas. Residents were outraged that the price increased while their salaries remained stagnant, said Rustam Burnashev of the Kazakh-German University in Almaty, an expert on regional security in Central Asia. ``They were saying, `Guys, we're producing it, and now we (have to) buy it at astronomical prices?' They agree that gas prices (all over the world) grow, but in that case (they say) that `our salaries should too,'`` Burnashev said. HOW DID KAZAKHSTAN END UP IN THIS SITUATION? Kazakhstan became independent when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. In the first post-independence years, the country saw rapid economic growth and rising prosperity. For almost three decades, it was dominated by Nursultan Nazarbayev, its last Communist Party leader at the time of independence. The country profited from its natural resources, most notably oil. Foreign investors were welcome, money flowed into state coffers, and social spending helped keep abject poverty low. But key sectors such as mining, telecommunications and banking were dominated by state-owned companies and a few figures connected to Nazarbayev, either politically or through family ties. As time went on, Nazarbayev increasingly monopolized the country's politics, suppressing opposition and introducing a highly personalized form of rule as Elbasy, the Leader of the Nation. Nazarbayev resigned in 2019, but until recently remained head of the ruling Nur Otan party and chair of the Security Council. Tokayev, the chair of the upper house of parliament, was appointed president and renamed the capital of Astana to Nur-Sultan, to honor his predecessor. WHAT ARE THE ISSUES BEHIND THE PUBLIC DISCONTENT? Discontent among ordinary people goes way beyond gas prices. People are aware of the country's striking level of inequality and the immense economic privilege of those around Nazarbayev, in which 162 people control more than half the country's wealth. Meanwhile, the average monthly wage is around 243,000 tenge, or $558, according to government statistics, although the cost of living is relatively low compared with Western countries. A recent report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project found that a charitable foundation created by Nazarbayev held assets worth $7.8 billion, including stakes in banking, shopping centers, logistics firms and food production. British authorities issued ``unexplained-wealth orders'' to Nazarbayev's daughter and grandson demanding they reveal where they obtained funds for three London properties worth more than 80 million pounds. A judge threw out the orders. WHAT APPROACH IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT TAKING? Tokayev publicly acknowledged Kazakhstan's rampant inequality and initially tried to quell the protests with a few concessions: He capped gas prices for 180 days, named a new Cabinet, and ousted Nazarbayev from the National Security Council. The president outlined future reforms to ``reset'' the economy, remarking, ``We need to define new `rules of play' _ fairer, more transparent and just.`` Among the ambitious measures he touted are reducing the government's involvement in and oligarchs' influence on business; reforming the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, which owns major companies; and ensuring fair competition, a better investment climate and the integrity of private property, in part by overhauling the country's justice system. WHAT CHANCE OF SUCCESS DO THE PROPOSED REFORMS HAVE? Kapparov, the economist, said important questions remain about the Samruk-Kazyna fund and its companies. ``Will there be a privatization? On what scale? In which time frame?'' he asked. ``Will it be open to everyone, including foreign investors? These issues haven't been mentioned.'' The inner circle's power and influence raise serious obstacles to any wide-ranging reform that would be required to privatize state companies and allow outside interests to compete in key sectors, said former World Bank official Simon Commander, now managing partner at emerging markets advisory firm Altura Partners. Tokayev's speech, while interesting, is ``certainly more radical than is likely to be possible. ... Let's hope he turns out to be a genuine reformer.'' But he added: ``I'm very skeptical. Their economic and political structure hems them in.`` WHAT ABOUT POLITICAL REFORMS? During his years in office, Tokayev also has promised limited political reforms, including local elections. But the crackdown on protesters suggests authorities don't intend to allow genuine political opposition, and without political reform, economic reform is difficult to imagine. Greeting discontent with more than 12,000 arrests ``is a pretty good metric for how the regime thinks it needs to respond,'' Commander said. Search Keywords: Short link: The United States warned Moscow on Tuesday of damaging sanctions, including measures personally targeting Vladimir Putin, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises. Tension appeared to be only increasing, with the White House saying the risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine "remains imminent." Warning that would prompt "enormous consequences" and even "change the world," President Joe Biden said he would consider adding direct sanctions on Putin to a raft of measures being drawn up. "Yes. I would see that," Biden said when asked by reporters in Washington about targeting Putin, whom opponents have long accused of holding gigantic, secret wealth. A senior US official laid out economic sanctions "with massive consequences" that go far beyond previous measures implemented in 2014 after Russia invaded Ukraine's Crimea region, warning that "the gradualism of the past is out." New measures would include restrictions on exports of high-tech US equipment in the artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and aerospace sectors, the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "What we're talking about are sophisticated technologies that we design and produce," and cutting them off would hit Putin's "strategic ambitions to industrialize his economy quite hard," the official said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoed the threat, saying sanctions would be "heavier than anything we've ever done." In a bid to break the growing tension, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would talk by telephone with Putin on Friday, seeking "clarification" on Moscow's intentions. New Russian Military Exercises A day after Washington said it was putting 8,500 US troops on alert for possible deployment to bolster NATO forces in Europe, the Russian military announced it was conducting new drills involving 6,000 troops near Ukraine and within the Crimea region. The drills included firing exercises with fighter jets, bombers, anti-aircraft systems and ships from the Black Sea and Caspian fleets, the defense ministry said. According to Western officials, the Kremlin has already deployed more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders, with reinforcements arriving from all over Russia. "We continue to watch the accumulation of significant combat power," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. Canada announced it was following Britain and the United States in pulling families of its diplomats out of Ukraine. The United States and its EU allies accuse Russia of seeking to upend European stability by threatening invasion of Ukraine, a former Soviet republic striving to join NATO and other Western institutions. Moscow denies plans to invade the country, where in addition to seizing Crimea it backs separatist forces in the east. Russia instead blames the West for the tension and has put forward a list of demands, including a guarantee that Ukraine never joins NATO and that NATO forces already in the former Soviet bloc pull back. Energy Threats The senior US official said "contingency" plans were being drawn up to get Europe through the winter in case of Russia squeezing or even cutting off energy supplies. Washington and its European allies are scouring global markets for alternative energy sources, even as Europe already struggles with soaring mid-winter energy prices. The US official said that if Russia uses energy supplies to retaliate against sanctions, this would backfire. "If Russia decides to weaponize its supply of natural gas or crude oil, it wouldn't be without consequences to the Russian economy," a senior US official told reporters. Although the European Union sources about 40 percent of its supply from Russia, Moscow also relies heavily on sales of energy, meaning "it's an interdependency," the official said. Negotiating Attempts Negotiations this month have failed to ease tensions, though the US and Russia have agreed to keep talking. In addition to the Macron-Putin talks later, the French government said Russian and Ukrainian officials would meet, along with French and German counterparts, in Paris on Wednesday. Washington has promised to provide written answers to Moscow's demands this week, while already making clear that it rejects giving Russia a veto on Ukraine joining NATO. But the crisis has laid bare divisions in the West. The new government in Germany, in particular, has faced criticism from Kyiv over its refusal to send defensive weapons to Ukraine, as well as hesitating over one of the harshest economic sanctions under discussion -- cutting Moscow from the global SWIFT payments system. Weapons Arrive Ukraine's military is heavily outgunned by Russia and Biden repeated that he has "no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine." However, the United States has stepped up deliveries of weapons. A shipment arrived on Saturday and another batch was due Tuesday. At a ceremony for the latest shipment arriving in Kyiv, US charge d'affaires Kristina Kvien said "our preference is diplomacy." But in case of attack by Russia, "the Kremlin will face fierce resistance, the losses to Russia will be heavy." "If President Putin decides to make this reckless choice, we will provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians above and beyond what we've already sent," she said. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts state-owned company Gosoor El-Nasr inked on Tuesday 10 agreements with local and foreign insurance, banking services, and logistics providers with the aim of providing services for the external trade community members and boosting Egypts exports sector, the Ministry of Public Enterprise announced. The agreements were signed with the National Bank of Egypt, Misr Life Insurance, the worlds leading global logistics provider DB Schenker, Conformity Assurance, among others. Gosoor El-Nasr previously known as El-Nasr for Export and Import is affiliated with the Holding Company for Maritime & Land Transport, operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Public Enterprise. Under the governments strategy to improve and rehabilitate the public business sector, the ministry launched the Gosoor Project in 2019 with the aim of boosting Egyptian exports. Gosoor is expected to open its first five branches out of 16 outside the country by the end of February in France, Cameroon, Ghana, China, and Dubai using a B2B system, according to Hisham Tawfik, the minister of public enterprise. The company launched its e-catalogue in June 2021 for the sake of marketing and promoting Egyptian products and goods to raise their competitiveness. The e-catalogue provides producers and traders with a complete intermediation and matchmaking service for both inputs and outputs, particularly targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. It will enable Egyptian companies, especially small ones, to register their exportable products for free, allowing workers in the companys external branches to find the appropriate commercial partner for the needs of each factory, according to the minister. Tawfik also said that the catalogue supports over 3,000 products and provides a package of logistics services to exporters and importers alike, including land, sea, and air freight, customs clearance, and examination. Under the directives of Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the government is working on a plan that aims to increase Egypts exports to $100 billion in value per year. In 2021, Egyptian non-oil exports reached an all-time high exceeding $32 billion, up from the $25.4 billion recorded in 2020 an increase of 26 percent according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. This amount exceeds Egypts pre-pandemic levels of non-oil exports, as they recorded about $30.6 billion in 2019. Search Keywords: Short link: There was a flurry of news reporting last month after a newly elected Republican member of Congress was captured on video telling a crowd of supporters about her nervous elevator ride with a Muslim member of Congress. As her audience giggled in delight, she noted that there was no worry because her Muslim colleague didn't have a backpack in other words, no bomb. The story wasnt true it never happened. But what was true was that she was playing to an audience that was primed to believe her. The news coverage lasted a few days and then drifted off into the ether. The congresswoman in question is part of a new breed of Republican members cut from the same cloth as Donald Trump. They are confrontational, creating outrage to generate attention and money, and bigots who, because they pay no price for their bigotry, continue on their merry way. A toxic disease of bigotry has taken hold in the GOP polity. It didn't start with this congresswoman or with the former president. The anti-Muslim remarks and policies they serve up are merely the fruit of a poisonous tree that was planted and carefully cultivated by some in the GOP for decades. This wasn't always the case. During the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush, the White House was respectful in its outreach to the still-new American Muslim community. It wasn't the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 that brought on the change; it was the way anti-Muslim ideologues used 9/11 to foment fear and hatred that made the difference. Specifically, it was the ascendancy of neoconservatives and the Christian right in the Republican party that was largely responsible for the change. Recall how after 9/11 while President George W. Bush was warning Americans not to target Arabs and Muslims, both his attorney general and neocon ideologues were doing just that. Even some of the networks, not just Fox News, were complicit. When Americans were asking the question "Why did they attack us?" the networks too often gave a platform to well established anti-Arab, anti-Muslim bigots to provide the answers some were even paid commentators. At first the impact was limited. Throughout the 1990s, and as late as mid-2003, polling showed that American attitudes toward Arabs and Muslims were still favorable among both Democrats and Republicans. There was a steady erosion during the next few years. It was the ascent of Barack Obama that decisively turned the tide. Racism and anti-Muslim bigoty came together in an all-out campaign to "other" Obama. "He wasn't born here." "He's not like us." "He's a secret Muslim who hates America." All were propagated by a well-funded, well-organized campaign. Many will remember how Senator John McCain, who ran for president against Obama, was forced to confront a supporter who challenged him at a 2008 rally by saying that she couldn't support Obama because "He's an Arab." Attacking Americas first Black president with conventional racism was less desirable then, so it was more acceptable to focus on his fabricated Muslim identity or Arab heritage. It continued. In 2009, Republican Congresswoman Sue Myrick wrote the introduction to the "Muslim Mafia," a bigoted assault on American Muslim staffers on the Hill. Then, in 2010, former GOP Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich preyed on the growing anti-Muslim sentiment, charging that plans to build an Islamic Community Center blocks away from the site of the World Trade Center was a thinly disguised Muslim effort to build a "Victory Mosque" celebrating "their conquest of America." The National Republican Congressional Committee ran TV ads opposing this so-called "Victory Mosque in NYC" in 17 congressional races. By 2012 the hysteria within the GOP had grown to such an extent that during a Republican presidential primary debate almost every candidate on stage pledged either never to appoint a Muslim or to make Muslims take a special loyalty oath before appointing them. Only the eventual nominee, Mitt Romney, disagreed. The campaign continued. In 2012 Representative Michele Bachmann drew headlines charging that then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's aide Huma Abedin was a Muslim Brotherhood supporter. And then with the ascent of Donald Trump, the campaign reached its peak with his pledge to ban immigration of Muslims, warning that "there's something going on with them." So, when, a month ago, the Republican congresswoman was telling her fictional elevator story, she knew she was playing to an audience who had been primed to understand it. Recent polling shows a deep partisan divide on attitudes toward Arabs and Muslims. Republicans have overwhelmingly unfavorable views of both, while Democrats, possibly in reaction to the policies of Trump, have far more favorable views. Considering this background, it's important to recognize that the problem is deeper than one congresswoman or one president. It has become organic to the GOP. They created this bigotry and weaponized it for electoral advantage. It's their cancer, and they must root it out. It's also important to note the extent to which Democrats have been timid in response. They haven't attacked it and stigmatized it with the same vigor they use to combat bigotry against Blacks, Jews, Latinos, Asians, or the gay community. And Democratic leaders, including former President Obama, have played into this "othering" of Muslims by securitizing their relationship with that community too often viewing them through the lens of national security, instead of dealing with Muslims as simply citizens, neighbors, and friends. Finally, Democrats must acknowledge their responsibility for this othering and end their fear of engaging with Arabs or Muslims who raise legitimate criticism of Israel. When Democratic leaders demonize these voices as anti-Semitic or accept the GOP's effort to challenge their fitness to serve in government to avoid the fallout of engagement, Democrats allow the bigotry to continue. This is a battle that can be won. But it will only be won if it is confronted head on in both parties. Search Keywords: Short link: In little over a week, African leaders are expected to head to Addis Ababa to attend the two-day African Union (AU) summit, scheduled to convene on 5 and 6 February. The meeting will address a long list of conflicts including militant activities, management of natural resources, and internal disputes that are stirring instability across the continent. Much attention is likely to be paid to developments in Mali and Burkina Faso, where internal and regional power plays are undermining the already frail stability of the Sahel and Sahara zone, and to developments in East Africa where Somalia, Sudan, and Ethiopia all face threats to their security. Government officials in Egypt also say the dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will also take up attention, especially on the fringes of the summit. In addition, the AU summit will see the AU presidency handed over from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Senegal. Senegal will thus become the third AU president, following South Africa and DRC, to take on responsibility for mediating a final, comprehensive, and legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of GERD. Days ahead of the summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issued a seemingly conciliatory message to Egypt and Sudan, stressing that GERD will have multiple benefits for the two downstream countries of Sudan and Egypt, as well as for East Africa at large. Ahmed added that as a hydropower dam GERD will not consume water, and thus cannot harm the water needs of downstream countries. Instead, he said, it will help regulate the flow of water in the best interest of Sudan and protect it against devastating floods. Egypt, Ahmed argued, will also benefit from GERDs water conservation which will prevent the wastage of billions of cubic metres of water to evaporation in downstream flood plains. A concerned government official in Cairo, reading between the lines, argued Ahmeds final point gives the lie to Ethiopias plans. The prime minister of Ethiopia, like his predecessors, has indicated once again that GERD is not just about hydropower. The real objective, the hidden intention, is to create a water bank and eventually force downstream countries, and maybe invite other regional states, to buy water from Ethiopia. This is not, he added, something to which Egypt can ever agree. Cairo has repeatedly stated that it has no objections to Ethiopia using the dam to generate the electricity it needs for its development plans. What Egypt opposes is any action that compromises its already inadequate supply of Nile water, or that renders that supply unpredictable. And like Sudan, Egypt wants reassurances that any malfunction in GERD will not cause sudden and uncontrollable flooding in downstream countries. We have seen great reluctance on the part of Ethiopian delegations to address the need for a timely and transparent mechanism to exchange information, or for dispute settlement, said the official. He added that Cairos experience of negotiations over the past seven years had made it clear that last weeks statement by Ahmed was no more than an attempt to pay lip service to Egyptian and Sudanese concerns and improve his regional and international image. Ahmeds image, the source continued, has been undermined not only by his repeated blocking of an agreement over GERD, but because of the human rights atrocities he has committed against his own people in the war against the Tigray. The prime minister of Ethiopia is aware that he will face considerable pressure during the AU summit if he opts to act aggressively on a number of fronts, GERD included. The source pointed out that in the last two weeks Ahmed had ordered the release of high-profile political prisoners, issued his statement on GERD, and met with Mohamed Dagalo, the vice president of Sudans Transitional Council, to discuss the border dispute between Addis Ababa and Khartoum over Fashqa. Two days after Ahmed issued his statement, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri stressed that as far as Cairo is concerned, what counts is genuine political will to reach a final agreement to end the dispute over GERD. While Shoukris remarks did not directly comment on Ahmeds statement, Water Resources Minister Mohamed Abdel-Ati directly addressed Addis Ababas failure to respond to Egypts and Sudans repeated requests for reassurances on an information exchange and dispute mechanism, and on details of GERDs security specifications. He did so while speaking at an event held in the UAE. Despite the international pressure Ahmed has come under to end the war in Tigray, there is little expectation in Cairo that such pressure will lead to him significantly changing his position. Egypt and Ethiopia are both trying to lobby the AUs incoming Senegalese presidency to their side, and have been actively wooing other African states to support their positions. The two countries are also tussling to secure Sudanese support. What we are working on is to lobby for as much support as possible for our demand Ethiopia honour its commitment to sign a comprehensive and legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD, said the Egyptian government official, adding that Cairo is talking to the Senegalese, other members of the AU, the Europeans, and the Americans. Egypts message, is clear: the resumption of talks must include the parameters and a tentative deadline for a comprehensive and a legally binding agreement. The idea of a tentative agreement that seemed to be in the works last year is no longer on the table. GERD negotiations last ground to a deadlock in April 2021, two months ahead of Ethiopias execution of a second filling of the GERD reservoir. Construction of the dam began in April 2011, and Ethiopian officials now say the long-delayed operation of GERDs first two turbines will begin within days. For Cairo, however, whether or not the turbines do enter an operational phase is far less important than what happens come the rainy season in July. Will Addis Ababa then go ahead with its threatened third unilateral filling? While officials in Cairo say Egypt has been successful in managing its water resources in the last two years this is partly due to heavy rainy seasons, and there is no guarantee that such heavy rainfall will continue. In a post on Facebook, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said that Cairo is interested in resuming talks to resolve technical and legal points of contention and reach a balanced deal. The deal should take into consideration Egypts water scarcity and reliance on the Blue Niles water, he said. Madbouli added that developments in Nile Basin countries were a priority for Egypt and that Cairo has provided aid and expertise to help secure stability in its neighbours. Egypt hopes to reach an agreement on GERD and establish a new phase of cooperation to underpin stability, he said. Madboulis statement was posted hours ahead of a meeting in Cairo between Foreign Minister Shoukri and the new US Envoy to the Horn of Africa David Satterfield. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Coordination over Syria, Libya, and Palestine vied with bilateral relations during this weeks talks between the Egyptian and Algerian presidents, writes Gamal Essam El-Din Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune paid a two-day visit to Cairo this week. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi received Tebboune at the Cairo airport on Monday afternoon. Following bilateral talks on Tuesday morning, President Al-Sisi told a press conference that the focus had been on fostering bilateral political, economic, and commercial relations, as well as on regional issues such as the situations in Libya, Syria and Palestine, and terrorism in Africa and the Arab world. Al-Sisi also revealed that the next round of meetings of the higher joint Egyptian-Algerian Committee would soon be scheduled, and that they would aim to push economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. Trade between Egypt and Algeria has fluctuated since 2019 when, says economic commentator Karim Al-Omdain it reached $1.5 billion. In 2020, on the back of the coronavirus pandemic, it fell to $650 million, but in 2021 Egypts non-oil exports to Algeria increased by 14 per cent, and the value of commercial exchanges between the two countries bounced back by 15.4 per cent to $1 billion. Al-Sisi said he had also addressed the importance of reaching an agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in talks with Tebboune and that they had agreed there is a pressing need to reach an equitable settlement on the filling and operation of the dam. There has been much speculation that Algeria is mediating between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan with the aim of restarting negotiations over GERD. Political analysts cite the recent exchange of positive statements on the issue by Ethiopian and Egyptian senior officials. On 20 January, Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on Egypt and Sudan to view GERD as a symbol of peace, cooperation, and mutual coexistence. In return, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli announced on Tuesday that Egypt is interested in resuming talks to resolve technical and legal points of contention and reach a balanced deal with Ethiopia. Egypt hopes to reach an agreement on GERD and establish a new phase of cooperation to achieve territorial stability, said Madbouli. President Al-Sisi also indicated that Egypt hopes the Arab summit expected to convene in Algeria will be a success. We held intensive and constructive talks on how to push joint Arab action and ensure that the coming Arab summit will be a success, said Al-Sisi. The talks in this respect focused on the necessity of creating a Palestinian state, and holding presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya. We agreed that foreign mercenaries should leave Libya in observance of UN Security Councils resolutions in order to pave the way towards Libyan independence and sovereignty. President Tebboune said Egypt and Algeria had identical positions on a host of Arab and African regional issues. We agreed to hold regular contacts and consultation ahead of the next Arab summit which will be held in Algeria, said Tebboune, and discussed ways to forge a consensus over the summits agenda. President Tebboune pointed out that both Egypt and Algeria want the Arab summit to serve as a bridge between Arabs in Africa and those in Asia. Egypt has strong relations with our Arab brethren in Asia and it could help build bridges in this area. The next Arab summit should help Arabs face the challenges that result from foreign conflicts and secret agendas which do not serve Arab interests and ambitions, he said. Bahaa Mahmoud, a political researcher at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, stressed that Tebbounes visit to Egypt was the first for an Algerian president in 14 years, and noted that Algeria was the first country President Al-Sisi visited after his election in 2014. Mahmoud said Tebbounes visit was of great importance to Algeria as it prepares to host the Arab summit and that during his visit to Cairo, President Tebboune was keen to secure Egypts support in helping to ensure the success of the planned summit. Algerias Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra was also in Cairo last week, where he met with President Al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Abul-Gheit. Lamamra said Algeria suspects hostile forces are conspiring to undermine the next Arab summit in Algeria. Hossam Zaki, the Arab Leagues assistant secretary-general, said the Arab summit could be postponed to June because of the coronavirus pandemic and to allow time to forge a consensus over the complex situations in Palestine, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Algeria has fears that there will be poor representation at the next Arab summit, particularly from Arab Gulf countries, says Mahmoud. Algerian professor of political science Mohamed Al-Sayed Bishr told Sky News Arabia on Monday that the issue whether Syria should rejoin the Arab League and participate in the next Arab summit could also be a thorny issue. Arab countries are divided over the issue. While Algeria, and possibly Egypt, would welcome Syrian attendance, other Arab countries have reservations. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt is witnessing a record rise in infections with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, though the risk of serious illness or hospitalisation is far lower. There is almost no home now that doesnt have at least one case of Omicron, Mahmoud, whose parents have recently contracted the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, told Al-Ahram Weekly, adding that the low severity of the symptoms was making people less cautious and dealing with it as a common cold. People are now less scared of the coronavirus, letting their guards down and abandoning many precautionary measures, said Tamer Fikri, a physician. A lot of people infected with the Omicron variant go about their daily activities, go out and mingle with others, and claim that their mild symptoms are seasonal flu and thus spread the virus, he added. According to the Health Ministry, the symptoms of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 include a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and a sore throat. It has recently updated its health advice by urging those who suffer from common cold symptoms to consider that they may have contracted Covid-19 and should therefore self-isolate and avoid sharing personal items with family members so that they can avoid developing symptoms and passing the infection to others. Presidential adviser for health affairs Mohamed Awad Tageddin said last week that the highly infectious Omicron variant is now responsible for the vast majority of cases. Due to the spread of the Omicron variant, Egypt has been seeing a hike in daily infections that on Tuesday exceeded the record rates of summer 2020. The country reported 1,809 new cases on Tuesday. The global average daily infection rate of the Omicron variant is three million cases, a number that is three times that for the Delta variant. These numbers mean that Omicron is much more widely spread than Delta, but less severe [in symptoms and illness], Islam Anan, a pharmacoepidemiology and pharma-economics lecturer at Ain Shams University in Cairo, said. When the coronavirus emerged, we used to say that one person could infect up to three people. With the Delta variant, a patient could infect six or seven people, but now with Omicron a patient can infect three times the number of those with Delta, he noted. Any virus tries to maintain its survival, and that is why it mutates to become more prevalent. In this process, it often becomes less severe, Anan said. Thus, this is the beginning of the end to the coronavirus, he added, predicting that in 2022 Covid-19 will become like any other seasonal virus treated with an annual vaccine. Unlike with Delta, we now have [various types of] vaccines and more vaccinated people and anti-viral drugs for the coronavirus. Moreover, because of Omicrons rapid spread, a large number of people have been infected in a short time, and this is a contributing factor in achieving relative herd immunity in the community, Anan said. On Monday, the Health Ministry announced that Egypt was the first country in Africa and the Middle East and the fourth globally to provide the anti-coronavirus drug Molnupiravir after the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) issued an emergency use authorisation for Mercks Covid-19 drug and allowed five national companies to manufacture the oral antiviral in a first stage. The local companies have already manufactured 25,000 Molnupiravir packages that are ready for use, head of the EDA Tamer Essam said in a Health Ministry statement, adding that Egypt has enough raw material to manufacture an additional 150,000 packages. Molnupiravir, which has been included in treatment protocols and will only be allowed for hospital use, has obtained emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It consists of capsules to be taken orally to treat the coronavirus that can decrease hospitalisations and deaths by half for patients suffering from mild to moderate illness. Egypt is also expected to receive AstraZenecas Evusheld coronavirus antibody treatment for the treatment of 50,000 patients, and Pfizers Paxlovid pills required for the treatment of 20,000 coronavirus patients by the end of the month, said Health Ministry Spokesperson Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar. While Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are both used to treat cases with mild-to-moderate symptoms during the early days of infection, Evusheld is meant to prevent coronavirus infections. Egypt tops Africa in coronavirus vaccine stock, including almost all the available vaccines worldwide the Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac, the British-Swedish AstraZeneca, the Russian Sputnik V, and the US-made Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Egypt has obtained over 134 million vaccine doses and had administered up until Monday this week 36.9 million vaccine shots as first doses and 25 million as second doses, in addition to 564,000 booster shots, according to the Health Ministry. The rate of hospital admissions, according to the latest studies in the US and Britain, is 50 per cent lower than for the previous wave, said Anan. This is good, but we still have to be careful because even though Omicron is less ferocious, it still causes deaths and hospitalisations, he said, stressing the importance of adhering to precautionary measures. Anan believes that the current peak of infections will continue until the first week of February and then the infection curve will gradually reduce in March. Amid the increase in daily coronavirus infections, Egypt has recently updated its plans to contain the spread of Omicron by implementing new coronavirus-related restrictions at airports, seaports, and land crossings. Starting on 22 January, Egyptian and foreign travellers arriving in Egypt, except children below the age of 12, are required to hold certificates of World Health Organisation-approved or EDA-approved coronavirus vaccination, either the single-dose vaccine or the last dose of a two-shot vaccine at least 14 days before arrival. If travellers are not vaccinated, they must present the negative results of coronavirus tests the PCR test, the Antigen rapid test or the ID NOW test issued within 72 hours of arrival. Egypt will not accept ID NOW tests from travellers coming from South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Eswatini, the acting health minister said on Friday. Travellers whose coronavirus tests or vaccine certificates do not conform to established standards will have to take Antigen rapid tests at the airport. If the test is positive, they will have to self-quarantine at their hotel or residence for five days. On the sixth day, they will undergo a PCR test and will be allowed to end the quarantine if they test negative and show no symptoms of illness. Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli recently stressed the importance of not allowing any person who is unvaccinated to enter government facilities in Egypt in a reminder to people to get the vaccine and contain the outbreak. Egypt has not only made vaccination mandatory for those above 18 years old and is now vaccinating 12 to 18-year-olds as well as offering booster shots to those who are double vaccinated, but it is also studying lowering the age of vaccination for children from five to 12 years old, according to the Health Ministry spokesperson. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: President Al-Sisi directs the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to appoint 30,000 teachers annually for the next five years to fill a shortage gap. As Egypt suffers a real deficiency in the number of school teachers, especially those of primary schools, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi last week instructed the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to appoint 30,000 teachers annually for five consecutive years. The problem of a teachers shortage in K12 education years surfaced at the beginning of the current school year in early October when Minister of Education Tarek Shawki asked for volunteers for LE20 an hour to fill in the gap resulting from the ministrys limited resources. Al-Sisi instructed the government to provide LE3.1 billion as additional incentives for teachers. The new teachers will be appointed through a competition, according to Mahmoud Hassouna, spokesman of the Ministry of Education and Technical Education. When the ministry finishes preparing and defining the technical and educational qualifications for choosing teachers, an official announcement on the contest will be made. Defining these qualifications is being worked on in coordination with the Central Agency for Organisation and Administration, Hassouna said. The results of the contest will be announced within two months and teachers will be chosen mainly from among graduates of the faculties of education, those who hold a diploma in education, and those who have previously served as part-time teachers, explained Hassouna. Fulfilling the needs of teachers for the schools, part of the Decent Life initiative, will be included in the competition, Hassouna said, adding that the contest will be public and open to all. Abdel-Raouf Allam, chairman of the Supreme Council of Education Trustees, praised President Al-Sisis directives, saying the shortage in the number of teachers ranges from between 200,000-300,000. By appointing 30,000 teachers annually for five years means a total of 150,000 teachers. This would help in developing the education sector, Allam said. According to Allam, the shortage of teachers had reached a stage where it was necessary to come up with complete and radical solutions. The new appointments reveal the governments high awareness of the problems which the education system is suffering from, Allam added. Educational expert and professor at Ain Shams University Mohamed Fathallah noted that according to the Egyptian constitution the government should allocate six per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to developing the education sector, four per cent for pre-university education and two per cent for higher education. But the government has allocated only 2.4 per cent to the entire educational system. This year the government has allocated LE56 billion for school education. Most of the money goes to salaries with very little invested in new schools and training teachers. According to Fathallah, the country needs at least 30,000 more classrooms. Figures from the Information Systems and Decision-Making Support Centre put the overall number of schools in Egypt at 57,749, with 518,553 classrooms for 24,403,924 students. There are currently one million teachers. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Notice body The Master of Community Planning, or MCP, program at Auburn University welcomes applications from all undergraduates of all backgrounds. It is a professionally-oriented master's degree program that focuses on the skills that professional planners need for practice in an interactive and interdisciplinary environment. Auburns MCP program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board for a seven-year term through December 2027. Ranked sixth among programs with the "Largest Percentage of Minority Representation" and ranked 10th among the "Top Small City Programs," Planetizen has recognized Auburn's MCP program as a national leader. The centerpiece of Auburn's MCP program is the Alabama City Year Program, which provides opportunities for students and faculty to engage with underserved communities throughout Alabama and the Southeast through outreach, teaching, and engaged research. MCP graduates boast up to a 90% employment rate in a planning field within a few months of graduation! As per an American Planning Association survey, the median income of planners was about $80,000 in 2018, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a job growth of 11% for planners, which is three times the projected U.S. job growth. For more information, please visit the MCP website or contact the MCP Director, Sweta Byahut at sweta.byahut@auburn.edu. The conflict in Ukraine is part of a renewed Western-Russian geopolitical rivalry, but it also has huge implications for the Arab world. As the rhetoric between the US and Russia over Ukraine grows more bellicose amid warnings that Russian President Vladimir Putin could at any point send tanks rumbling into the country, attention has been focused on Europe since the continent is spiralling towards its worst security crisis in decades. But in the Arab world the crisis is also raising questions about what the Arab regimes and public think of the current tensions, especially if they escalate into a fully-fledged war. Whether because of competition between rival global powers or its proximity to the Middle East, a war in Eastern Europe would have far-reaching consequences for the region and the Arab worlds security order. For many analysts, the situation in Ukraine is bad, and war is increasingly becoming a possibility. The grim assessment comes as Russia continues to send troops to Ukraines eastern border and neighbouring Belarus and the US and its Western allies are upping weapon supplies to Ukraine. US President Joe Biden last week triggered the alarm by saying that he expected Putin to order his troops into Ukraine. Biden warned that any movement of Russian units across the Ukrainian border would be taken as an invasion. For now, the US and Russia have agreed to keep diplomacy alive in their standoff over Ukraine, even as both sides continue to raise the military stakes on the ground and step up the rhetoric. The escalation has attracted global attention with most of the concern centred around Europe and its security. Little attention has been given to the costs that could be paid by other parts of the world if there is an uptick in military activities and possibly a war. One of these vital areas is the Arab world, where the rising tensions have ignited little debate as to whether the region risks becoming embroiled in a terrible quagmire in case of a flare-up in Eastern Europe. In the larger Middle East arena, Iran, Israel, and Turkey are facing similar consequences, and the three countries seem to be trying to figure out what the crisis could mean for their strategic choices. History could be useful in understanding these implications, since the Middle East suffered tremendously from the geopolitical rivalries of the major powers during the 20th century, particularly during the two world wars when the consequences for the Arab region were dire. More than a century after the end of World War I, its impact still echoes across the region both militarily and geopolitically and reverberates in the Arab worlds politics. The experience of both wars in the Arab region was far-reaching, and their political, social, and economic effects were deep and devastating. The former Ottoman Empire, which included most of what is now the Arab world, joined Germany through a secret alliance before World War I. Its objective was to recover territories lost during the Russo-Turkish wars and to thwart attempts by the British-French alliance to seize its Arab provinces. The impact of the war is still exceptionally strong in the region and was demonstrated in the political arrangements entered into immediately afterwards that eventually led to the emergence of the modern Arab states as well as to the aborted birth of the state of Palestine. Many of the newly independent states attained their present borders as part of the post-war colonial arrangements between the victors, and that carve-up has continued to haunt the region. During World War II, the Middle East again became an active theatre for some of the major battles between the allied forces and the Rome-Berlin Axis because the allies thought the Germans might invade the region. The war witnessed a major shift in the major powers strategic orientations towards a region which had increasingly become vital to their national security and other political and economic interests. With the Axis defeated and the armies of the wartime allies no longer on the field, the Cold War started, and the former allies began openly to disagree about the design of the post-War map and their strategic global outreach. The Arab world found itself sandwiched between competing agendas and interests as the superpowers vied to expand their influence, spread their ideological preferences, and achieve long-term ambitions in the region. The Cold War may have had various goals, but in the Middle East the US and its Western allies had a fairly straightforward objective: to entrench their influence as the dominant external power in the region and to prevent or limit the influence of the former Soviet Union. This history helps the Arabs to understand how this violent past is responsible for the current turmoil in the Middle East and that the current crisis in Eastern Europe cannot be taken for granted. However, the Arab world seems to be sitting out the growing crisis between the US and Russia, leaving the conflict to solve itself and prevent a war on its doorstep. There are debates on social media, but little attention is being paid by governments or experts on what a war over Ukraine could mean for the Arab world and the regions choices. The Arab countries seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place on the US-Russian standoff, and their diplomacy is attempting to walk a fine line amid the complexities of the Middle Easts new geopolitics and foreign-policy challenges. No one knows how the Arab regimes will assess the risks to their countries and the possible implications if the negotiations fail and Russia invades Ukraine. While a full-scale invasion will have serious consequences on a region that is not far away from the theatre of operations, even a limited war will remain consequential. Apart from the military actions, the conflict could also play out in any number of ways, including so-called cyber-attacks, hacking, and disinformation campaigns that could signify a return to Cold War policies implicating the Arab world. With a strong military, political, and economic presence in many Arab countries, Russia enjoys extensive ties in a region where it presents itself as an alternative partner compared to the Western powers that have been the predominant external actors and security guarantors over the past century. While the Arab governments have so far been reluctant to respond to the Ukraine crisis publicly, apparently to safeguard their bilateral relations and economic interests with both parties, many in the Arab street have been more receptive towards Russia. This attitude does not express a realistic calculus or reflect favourably on Russia but rather indicates a tendency to review Washingtons Middle East policies negatively and a desire to see the US challenged by a rival superpower. The ambiguity in the official Arab position on the Ukraine crisis will certainly end if no diplomatic solution is found, in which case the Arabs will find themselves obliged to choose between the US and its Western allies and Russia. There is the question of how the Arab countries will react if the Western alliance imposes strict economic sanctions on Moscow, since Washington will expect these to be forcefully applied by its allies worldwide and they will have negative impacts on the Arab economies. The Arab countries should think about the broader consequences of the conflict and how it could affect their security and stability, not precluding the much-talked-about Putins quixotic quest to restore a Russian empire that could expand further south into the Mediterranean. Whether as a result of its naval strategy or its military outposts in Syria, its outreach in Libya, and its growing role in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East is becoming an integral part of Russias strategy for the wider theatre and its broader global ambitions. The conventional wisdom also dictates that the Arabs should also weigh up their options if the US and its allies get an edge over Russia in the crisis in the Balkans. The Arabs have always been divided on confronting challenges and safeguarding their common and national interests, but it is now time that they put aside their differences and took collective stands on the dangers posed by a looming international conflict on their doorstep. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: The plea bargain being sought by former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is putting Israel at a crossroads, reports Mohamed Abu Shaar from Gaza Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads the Likud Party and is currently the leader of the opposition, is continuing to haggle through his lawyers with the Israeli Public Prosecutor to reach a plea bargain to end several corruption and breach of trust court proceedings against him. There are three main cases against Netanyahu, now 73 years old, who served as Israels prime minister over the past 12 years. The first is Case 4000, in which he is accused of offering benefits to the owner of the Israeli news website Walla in return for favourable media coverage of Netanyahus cabinet. In the second case, Case 1000, Netanyahu is accused of receiving gifts from businessmen in return for facilitation. In the third, Case 2000, he is accused of trying to reach an agreement with the owner of the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper to ensure favourable coverage in return for measures that would weaken its competitor Yisrael Hayom. Despite statements by Israeli media outlets that Netanyahu has asked his lawyers to reach a plea deal with prosecutors on these cases, Netanyahu has not himself announced this. However, the anticipated step has triggered a deluge of analyses about the future of politics in Israel, some looking at Israels right-wing camp and its largest component the Likud Party and others focusing on the future of the incumbent government. Even though Netanyahu is not a member of this, he still has influence over the balance of power upon which it is built. A plea deal would require Netanyahu to plead guilty to moral turpitude in Case 4000 and Case 1000 and for the prosecutor-general to drop Case 2000 altogether. In return, Netanyahu would not face jail time if convicted but would be sentenced to community service for seven to nine months instead. The real obstacle to this deal, according to Netanyahus inner circle, is that it would ban him from politics for up to seven years, meaning the end of his political career. If Netanyahu agrees to the deal, the Likud Party, the largest right-wing party in Israel with the most seats in the Israeli parliament the Knesset at 30 out of 120, would need a new leader. Among the candidates to succeed Netanyahu if he opts for the deal is Nir Barkat, a Knesset member and former mayor of Jerusalem. Other contenders are Avi Dichter, a former head of the internal security service Shabak, and Yuli Edelstein, a former minister of health. Other names have been put forward, including Gilad Erdan, Israels current ambassador to the UN, Moshe Feiglin, a former deputy Knesset speaker, and Tzachi Hanegbi, who previously served in the Israeli cabinet. These three candidates are considered to be less likely to be selected as the new leader. Netanyahus rivals inside and outside the Likud Party believe he was the main reason why the right-wing bloc failed to form a government after the March 2021 elections in Israel. These ushered in a coalition government that included right, left, and centrist parties, as well as the United Arab List (UAL), which for the first time supported a coalition Israeli government. Netanyahus name is linked to various disputes with right-wing parties in Israel, as well as extensive quarrels with non-right-wing parties. Most of the latter closed ranks to form the current cabinet headed by Naftali Bennett and alternate prime minister Yair Lapid. Many Israelis believe that if Netanyahu quits politics, the right-wing would once again be able to form a government. Among the repercussions of a possible plea deal is the possible collapse of the incumbent coalition cabinet, which is supported by 61 Knesset members, the narrowest majority needed to form a government. Bennetts cabinet includes members of the Yesh Atid Party led by foreign minister and alternate prime minister Lapid, and the Kachol Lavan Party led by Minister of Defence Benny Gantz, both centre-left parties. Other cabinet partners include the Yamina Coalition led by Bennett, which includes several smaller right-wing parties, and Yisrael Beiteinu, another right-wing party, which is led by Minister of Finance Avigdor Lieberman. It also includes several left-wing parties, including the Labour Party, the Meretz Party, and Tikva Hadasha, as well as the UAL led by Knesset member Mansour Abbas. This miscellaneous combination makes the coalition government very fragile, since what united the parties was the desire to end Netanyahus grip on power after he headed the Israeli government for 12 years. If Netanyahu takes the plea deal and exits the political scene, it will be a good opportunity for partners in the coalition government to reconsider remaining in the government. Netanyahus absence would leave two possible options. The coalition could expand to include Likud members, which would strengthen it and end what the incumbent government views as blackmail by the UAL. The latter has proposed policies adamantly rejected by the main figures in the Israeli cabinet. Alternatively, it could fall apart, and a new government could be formed. There could be early elections, which would create a new balance of forces in the Knesset and a new government. This may be a likely option since several Likud members have denied negotiating with the present government to join the cabinet when Netanyahu goes. Whichever scenario takes place, Netanyahu and his long legacy in Israeli politics will leave a huge impact on Israeli political life, especially due to the many crises that current and future governments will face. These include the nuclear issue, attempts to revive the peace process with the Palestinians, the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic impacts, and relations with the current US administration under President Joe Biden. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: A new exhibition at the Institut du Monde Arabe aims to give a synoptic view of the mostly now-vanished Jewish communities of the Arab world, writes David Tresilian, while another also in Paris draws intriguing connections between modern European jewellery and traditional Islamic art Opening at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris in November and set to run until March this year, Juifs dOrient Jews of the Orient is the Instituts main winter exhibition. It was planned and put together by a mostly French group of curators headed by Franco-Algerian scholar Benjamin Stora, himself the author of several works on Algerias former Jewish community, and it represents a kind of logistical triumph since the several hundred items on show have been brought together from public and private collections in some half a dozen countries, all under the difficult circumstances of the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19. It is a survey exhibition taking in a vast geographical area the Orient of the title turns out to refer to most of the Middle East as well as the Arab Maghreb and even beyond as well as some three millennia of history. It includes material relating to the earliest Jewish communities in the wider Middle East in the first millennium BCE and to the much later dispersal of such communities in the wake of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Given this geographical and temporal scope, the exhibition cannot say much about any one community, though there is some focus on the more modern period and the Jewish communities of the former Ottoman Empire in its later parts, possibly because of the relative abundance and greater variety of the material that can be put on show. Overall, the intention has been to trace the history of the Jews of the Arab world mostly over the past millennium with some side glances at Jewish communities in the non-Arab Middle East such as in some former Ottoman territories as well as in Iran. It picks out some important moments from this history, one such being the close relationship between Muslims and Jews in Al-Andalus (Arab Spain) from around the 10th to the 15th century. An important representative of this was the Arab Jewish philosopher and theologian Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon or Mousa ibn Maimoun), born in Cordoba in southern Spain in 1138, writing largely in Arabic, and later moving to Cairo to become a leading figure of the citys Jewish community. Another important moment took place in Cairo itself, where the citys Jews flourished under first Fatimid and then Ayyubid and Mameluke rule especially between the 10th and 14th centuries. A great deal is known about this community, along with its connections to the wider world, because of the discovery of a unique set of documents in a storeroom leading off the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo at the end of the 19th century. This material, known as the Geniza documents, only survived because of the communitys habit of not destroying any written documents, instead discarding them to build up what eventually became an enormous mound of paper. When this was excavated and studied, it turned out to contain documents of great importance, such as texts by Maimonides written in his own hand, along with others that might seem to be of little intrinsic interest, such as commercial correspondence along with other humdrum materials relating to everyday life, but that could yield important information to historians. By studying the Geniza documents the US-based German historian S D Goitein was able to reconstruct what he called a whole Mediterranean society based in Cairo. A third focus of the exhibition is on the Sephardic Jews, those who in the main traced their origins back to formerly Arab Spain until they were expelled from the country, along with Spains Muslims, in 1492. Many members of the Jewish communities that were such a feature of many of the large urban centres of the former Ottoman Empire were of Sephardic origin, including Arab centres such as Baghdad and Cairo, along with non-Arab Mediterranean centres such as Salonica (Thessaloniki), now in Greece but until 1913 part of the Ottoman Empire, and of course also Istanbul. They added to the pre-existing Jewish communities in these areas, some of them flourishing in mediaeval times such as Cairos Geniza Jews and some tracing their origins even further back to earlier periods when they lived under ancient Roman or other rule. Overall, while some of the material included in the exhibition will be familiar to many, seeing it presented together provides considerable food for thought. While at times some parts of the Jewish communities of the Arab world may have kept aloof from their Muslim and Christian compatriots, perhaps especially during the final stages of European colonial rule, more often they were integrated into a common Arab civilisation, sharing its language and non-religious aspects of its culture and making many contributions to cultural, political, and economic life. The kind of persecution of the Jews that historically was such a feature of many European societies did not exist in the Arab countries or the Islamic world, perhaps partly to be put down to the fact that the Jews like the Christian religious minorities had a clearly defined legal status that gave them rights as well as responsibilities and guaranteed their position in the wider society. MILLENNIAL HISTORY The exhibition begins with early items such as papyrus documents written in Aramaic recording contracts between members of the Jewish community in Elephantine in Upper Egypt dating from the Sassanid period in the 5th century BCE. There are architectural and other elements from early synagogues, including mosaics from the 4th-century CE Naro Synagogue (todays Hammam Lif) in Tunisia and images of wall paintings from the 3rd-century CE Synagogue of Dura Europos, a Hellenistic and later Roman city in the Syrian desert the remains of which were excavated in the last century. Photographs of parts of the Hijaz in the west of todays Saudi Arabia suggest the environment of the early Jewish settlements of this region, whose inhabitants are mentioned in the Quran. The exhibition continues into periods having more written records, looking first at the Jewish communities of Arab Spain and then at documents from the Cairo Geniza. Writing of the former in the exhibition catalogue, US academic David Wasserstein says that the Arab conquest of Spain in the 8th century CE led to a remarkable renaissance of Jewish life since in becoming part of Arab-Muslim civilisation, the Jews were able not only to travel from Spain to as far afield as India, since they were members of a common cultural space, but they were also able to actively participate in the economic and cultural life of this vast area through the common use of Arabic. Writing of the Cairo Geniza documents also in the exhibition catalogue, US academic Mark Cohen says that these show the presence of Jews working side by side with Muslims at almost every level of societyThey were artisans, civil servants, doctors, and members of other professions also exercised by Muslims. Their intellectual elites naturally shared the same interests, for example in philosophy, as their Muslim peers, and their doctors took care of the same patients in the same multi-faith hospitals. Following the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, many went to Morocco where a distinction grew up, the exhibition says, between native Moroccan, mostly Berber, Jews and the newer Sephardic Jews. Important communities grew up in the central Moroccan city of Fes, as well as in northern and southern coastal towns such as Tangiers, Tetouan, and Mogador (Essaouira). Other Sephardic Jews went to cities throughout the Ottoman Empire, where they established themselves in various industries, as well as in international trade. A large section of the exhibition is given over to what it calls the period of Europe when growing European intervention in the Arab world from the 19th century onwards produced first colonialism and then national-liberation movements intended to throw off European colonial rule. For the Jewish communities of the Arab world, this reorganisation of relations between east and west, associated with a general weakening of the Ottoman Empire and a rewriting of its societal rules, had ambiguous results, the exhibition says. Some Jews shared in a new prosperity impacting the empires commercial classes, while others became more detached from their Arab environment, in some cases the result of deliberate policy adopted under European rule. According to Israeli historian Michel Abitbol writing in the exhibition catalogue, such processes were particularly at work in the Arab Maghreb countries of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia under French rule. More and more Jews left their traditional districts the hara and mellah [of traditional towns and cities] to live in the new mostly European areas, he writes. More and more started to receive a European-style education, notably through the French-sponsored Alliance Israelite Universelle schools, and more and more expressed themselves more readily in French than in Arabic. In Algeria, the Jews were given French citizenship in 1870, seen by some, Abithol says, as an indication of their collusion with European colonial rule. Things were different in the east of the Arab world, though here too it seems that the Jewish communities of countries such as Iraq and Egypt, while present in these countries for millennia, or centuries in the case of the Sephardic Jews, were increasingly seen as somehow linked to foreign influence. Despite the efforts of many to prove their Arab belonging, in some cases playing important roles in nationalist struggles particularly on the left, they found themselves in a precarious position in states increasingly practising a revolutionary style of politics suspicious of anyone considered as being linked to European colonialism. Increasing tensions linked to Zionism in Palestine and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War made many Jews want to leave, the exhibition notes in its final sections. The accompanying text says that whereas in 1945 the Jewish population of the Arab-Muslim countries was around a million, today the only Arab country having a significant Jewish community is Morocco. There are photographs and other materials bearing witness to the movement of populations of the time. While the exhibition surveys several millennia of the history of the Jews of the Arab world, its last sections on their departure from the Arab countries after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which also gave rise to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, has caused most controversy. Many Arab public figures have criticised the Institut du Monde Arabes collaboration with Israeli institutions on the exhibition in a widely circulated open letter quoted in the French newspaper Le Monde on 13 December. Juifs dOrient, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, until 13 March 2022. *** Among the more intriguing exhibitions on aspects of the Arab and Islamic world in Paris this winter is a major show at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, the Decorative Arts Museum that is part of the Louvre, on the relationship between French high-end jewellery maker Cartier and traditional Islamic art. While the exhibition, called Cartier et les arts de lIslam, aux sources de la modernite and running until February, seems likely to attract mostly visitors interested in Cartier jewellery and its relationship to modern French and European jewellery design, it turns out to be perhaps surprisingly interesting even to those ordinarily not particularly taken by such matters. Coproduced with the Dallas Museum of Art in the US and with the support of the Cartier company, it extends an argument already pursued in an earlier exhibition at the same museum that looked at the ways in which traditional motifs from Islamic art were incorporated into European design from around the mid-19th century onwards, eventually giving rise to a whole range of European-produced objects with an Islamic flavour, from architectural elements to tea sets, wallpaper, and kitchenware. This earlier exhibition, entitled Purs Decors? (Just Decoration?) and reviewed in Al-Ahram Weekly in November 2007, showed how the European encounter with Islamic art, perhaps beginning with the rediscovery of the Alhambra Palace in southern Spain in the early 19th century and increasing as more and more Europeans visited Cairo and elsewhere in the Middle East, led to the publication of growing numbers of illustrated books that could be mined for design ideas. There was Englishman Owen Jones Grammar of Ornament, for example, published in 1856, and Lart arabe dapres les monuments du Caire, a survey and source book for architectural design by Frenchman Emile Prisse dAvennes published between 1869 and 1877. Jones Grammar, a kind of pattern-book, provided examples of the Islamic style of geometric decoration found at the Alhambra Palace and elsewhere, while Prisse dAvennes survey of Arab art fed the growing vogue for Islamic architectural decoration that had already been primed by its careful reproduction in the works of the 19th-century French orientalist painter Jean-Leon Gerome. The present exhibition is a kind of continuation of the earlier argument, showing how the Cartier company, looking round for new ideas at the beginning of the 20th century, hit upon the growing vogue for Islamic design. There were numerous exhibitions of Islamic art in Paris before World War I, the exhibition says, and there was a growing vogue for objects drawing on Islamic design. There was an exhibition of Islamic art at the Louvre in 1903, for example, curated by Gaston Migeon, co-author of a Manuel dart musulman in 1907 that also figures in the present exhibition. Three years later, there was a larger exhibition of Islamic art in Munich in Germany bringing together some 3,600 objects from across the Arab and Islamic world. At the same time, there was Joseph-Charles Mardrus French translation of the Thousand and One Nights published in Paris between 1898 and 1904 that also fired up European interest in the Arab world. It served as additional inspiration for impresario Serge Diaghilevs production of Russian composer Rimski-Korsakovs Scheherazade for the Ballets Russes in Paris in the early years of the century, and it is also mentioned in the novel A la recherche du temps perdu by French author Marcel Proust. It was against this background of heightened interest that traditional motifs from Islamic art were adopted by European designers who stripped them of their association with the traditional arts and crafts of the Islamic world and incorporated them into self-consciously modern European designs. It is for this reason that the exhibition is subtitled aux sources de la modernite the origins of modernity since Islamic art, traditional in Islamic societies, became modern in European. Cartier, though already well-established by the turn of the 20th century and soon to be a favoured supplier of various European monarchs, was looking for ways to differentiate its products from those of its competitors while at the same time producing jewellery that was resolutely not Victorian in style. Jewellery that drew on Islamic design motifs answered to the general early 20th-century European injunction to make it new, the exhibition says. Visitors to the exhibition can see the results of this quest in several hundred pieces taken from the Cartier collection and dating from the early 1900s to the 1930s, 1940s, and beyond, as well as in the materials that were mined for inspiration in the form of photographs of Islamic mosques and madrasas in a range of countries, objects gleaned from foreign tours, and books and articles on Islamic art and architecture all in the main taken from the Cartier archives. The company itself was undergoing a process of renovation at more or less the same time, as the patriarch of the firm, Alfred Cartier, began to pass on responsibility for its commercial strategy and design ideas to his sons Pierre, Louis, and Jacques Cartier. While the former turned out to have a genius for strategy, with Cartier opening branches in London and New York in the early 1900s and giving the firm an international profile, the latter two brothers, especially Louis, were in charge of updating and developing its designs. Louis put together his own collection of Islamic art as well as of books and photographs of Islamic crafts and architecture that could be mined for design ideas. Jacques visited the Middle East and northern India on multiple occasions in search of pearls and precious stones and textiles. Some of these materials as well as objects from Louis collection have been placed on show in the Paris exhibition along with the Cartier designs they inspired. ISLAMIC DESIGN The exhibition is arranged around a darkened double-volume central space featuring large projections wonderfully realised by the US design firm DS+R and showing in detail how motifs from traditional Islamic art and architecture found their way into Cartier jewellery designs. Rooms around the edges begin by exploring the early 20th-century context and the growing appeal of Islamic art in Europe before focusing on objects from Louis Cartiers own collection of Islamic art and the books and photographs from his library that he made available as sources of inspiration to the firms designers. Among the latter was lead designer Charles Jacqueau, responsible over several decades for many stand-out Cartier designs. Drawings by him are included in the exhibition, sometimes alongside photographs of the objects that inspired them, together with pages from Louis Cartiers own notebooks. Much of the detail here is fascinating, and curators Evelyne Posseme and Judith Henon-Raynaud must be congratulated for their sleuthing in the Cartier archives. This has turned up many hitherto unsuspected allusions, such as a 14th-century star shaped decorative tile from Iran, now in the Louvre but previously in the Louis Cartier collection, providing the geometrical outlines for a 1907 Cartier platinum and diamond pendant, or a section of 18th-century Egyptian mashrabiyya the turned wood panelling typically used for window screens inspiring a 1907 Cartier platinum, sapphire, and diamond brooch. Other examples include architectural motifs found in the 1883 book Ornements arabes, a copy of which Louis Cartier owned, later turning up in miniature form in a 1923 Cartier platinum and diamond headband. Or the shape of the arcades in the Moti Masjid, the Pearl Mosque, in the Agra Fort near Delhi in India, similarly suggesting a solution to the problem of how to create running designs. Another example is the way in which the repeated shapes used in a 1924 Cartier platinum and diamond headband originally commissioned by the mother of US tobacco heiress Doris Duke were suggested by an illustration in British author Thomas Hendleys 1909 survey of Indian Jewellery. Henon-Raynaud writes that this book, much studied by Louis Cartier, included illustrations of the headbands traditionally worn by the Hazara people of Afghanistan. The highly flexible structure of these inspired the rigid 1924 headband [made for Nanaline Duke], where the lozenge motif is repeated and encrusted with diamonds, she says. A 1902 gold, silver, and diamond pendant was inspired by an Iranian original seen hanging from the waistband of an early 19th-century portrait of Persian shah Fath Ali Shah in the Louvre, as was a platinum and diamond bazuband, a kind of upper-arm bracelet, commissioned by Indian millionaire Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji in 1922. However, it was not only jewellery that was inspired by originally Islamic designs, since Cartier also used motifs and design principles gleaned from traditional Islamic art for a range of other objects, including cigarette and vanity cases. An exquisite gold and lapis lazuli cigarette case made in 1930 by the Paris branch of the firm provides much of the advertising for the exhibition, and it turns out that its use of repeated gold-and-blue motifs was taken from Islamic architectural decoration found reproduced in a volume published in French in St Petersburg in 1905 called Les Mosquees de Samarcande. These famous mosques, clad in blue and green tiles featuring repeated geometrical designs, provided inspiration for the colour palette and decorative principles used by Cartier. Other cigarette cases and similar items used motifs taken from traditional Islamic bookbinding. The decorative binding of a copy of poems by the Persian poet Saadi made for sultan Abdel-Aziz of Bukhara in Central Asia in 1531 and formerly in Louis Cartiers collection suggested the design of a 1928 Cartier New York gold, coral, and platinum cigarette case, for example. The kind of decoration typically found on a whole range of objects of Islamic art was borrowed and repurposed by Cartier to solve the problem of how to cover flat surfaces with continuously interesting repeating motifs. Scrupulously researched and beautifully designed, the exhibition shows in detail how one major European firm drew on and was inspired by traditional Islamic art and architecture as part of a larger project to reinvigorate and find fresh ideas for self-consciously modern European designs. In this case, the intention was to find new sources of inspiration for jewellery, but similar exhibitions could be mounted for other later 19th-century and early 20th-century European arts, as indeed the Musee des Arts Decoratifs has already done in its earlier exhibition Purs Decors? In the relations between the Western world and the societies beyond its borders, the civilisation of Islam occupies a singular place, the catalogue to the exhibition comments, owing not only to its geography, stretching from the Mediterranean to more distant lands and from Andalusia in southern Spain to India, but also to its many diverse cultural facets, among them the traditions of Islamic art. One way of thinking about these relations has wanted to emphasise the European colonialism of the 19th and early 20th centuries, reducing them to matters of power or cultural appropriation. In fact, as this exhibition shows, things were always more complicated than that, with Islamic art being an important factor in the renovation of European art and not, as one author quoted in the exhibition puts it, so much a passive object of study as an active subject of exchange. Cartier et les arts de lIslam, aux sources de la modernite, Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, until 20 February 2022. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Arcade 25 Orabi St, off Port Said, Maadi, Tel 010 19222220 Pareidolia -The Soundtrack of Real Life, paintings by Marwan Sabra (closing 30 January). Art Talks 8 El-Kamel Mohamed St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 3948, 0100 3970141 Upside-Down, a retrospective exhibition by veteran artist Georges Bahgory (25 January-10 February). Cairo Opera Complex Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Zamalek Salah Taher gallery Tel 02 2739 0132/0144 Colours and Strings oil paintings by Tarek Sharara (closing 28 January). Music Library (Ziad Bakir) gallery Oil paintings by Salwa Alhomsy (closing 28 January). Palace of Arts Dream is the Land of Creativity is the title of the 32rd Youth Salon showcasing around 190 art works by 210 artists covering the fields of ceramic, sculpture, painting, mixed media, installation, digital arts (closing 31 January). French Cultural Institute Madrasset Al-Huquq Al Frinseya St, Mounira, Tel 02 2791 5800 Media Library Aida and Mariette exhibition showcases thirty sketches and drawings of costumes and sets for the first performance of Aida opera on 24 December, 1871 in Cairo. They are produced by the hand of Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, or targeted by him, and show the precision of the artist and his quest to make this pharaonic opera real (closing 19 February). Gezira Arts Centre 1 Al-Sheikh Al-Marsafi St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2737 3298/96 The Company, The Interview, exhibition of paintings features Sameh Ismail, Mohamed Khedr, Muataz El-Imam, and Yasser Gaessa (closing 29 January). Italian/Egyptian Centre for Restoration and Antiquities (CIERA) 31 Al Suyuffeya St, Al Helmeya, Cairo, visitors are welcomed by appointments so contact the manager Mr. Salah Ramadan 0100 8716067 Architectural complex of the Mevlevi Dervish Samaa Khana, Restorations and Restorers permanent exhibition of the activities of the working/formation sites for the restoration and recovery of the monuments. Visitors are welcomed during the opening hours determined by the Ministry of Antiquities. Liwan 23 Hassan Assem St, Zamalek, 02 2735 3538/ 012 00999448 The Absurd exhibition of paintings by Yasser Nabaiel, inspired by Albert Camuss The Myth of Sisyphus (10 January-3 February). Almashrabia 80 Mohieddin Abul Ezz St, infront of the Shooting Club Gate 3, Dokki, Tel 02 3335 7507 Rosy Dreams, paintings by Abdel-Wahab Hawam (closing 29 January). Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art 15 Mahmoud Bassiouny St, Qasr Al-Nile, Downtown, First Floor, Tel 02 25750353 / 0100 1704554 Alexandria Blues, solo exhibition of paintings by Amr Heiba (closing 31 January). All about Relationships, through her artwork, artist Marwa Saad tries to create a miniature of a world that lies inside of her (2-28 February). Museum of Modern Egyptian Art Cairo Opera House Grounds, Gezira, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 6667/65 Al-Bab Selim Hall Exhibition of paintings by Mustafa Batt (25 January- 8 February). The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) El-Fustat Road, Ein El-Sira, Cairo, opening hours Saturdays to Thursdays 9am-5pm, Fridays 9am-5pm & 6-9pm, Tel 02 2741 2273 Eternal Egypt exhibition by Farid Fadel showcases 60 paintings and drawings inspired by ancient Egypt (closing 31 January). Picasso 30 Hassan Assem off Brazil St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 7544 Hall I A Folk Ritual, paintings by Adel Tharwat (16 January- 3 February). Hall II Circles of Zodiac, paintings by Mai Heshmat (16 January- 3 February). Picasso East Villa No 39 Al Narges 35th settlement, 90's St, in front of Lake View Compound, New Cairo, Tel 0122 0000035 The Magic of the West Bank, paintings by Mohamed Al-Jaloos (9-30 January). Dentelle, paintings by Eman Osama (closing 30 January). Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC) AUC Tahrir Square Future Gallery Van Leos Legacy is celebrating Egypts premiere 20th-century studio photographer Van-Leos 100th birthday, with a season-long extended exhibition displaying a rare selection from AUCs Rare Books and Special Collections Library. The exhibit exclusively features more than 150 photographs that include some of his iconic portraits that are showcased for the first time as well as some of his personal studio furniture, including his art deco desk and the plateau on which he displayed his portraits for four decades, in an attempt to recreate his studio. Open daily from 10am to 9pm (20 November- 20 February). TAM KM 28, Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Abu Rawash, Giza, Tel 01000773860 The 7th exceptional edition of Cairo Art Fair (CAF) is hosted by TAM gallery. With more than 150 artists participating this year, the gallery walls will be adorned with over 1500 new and stunning contemporary artworks; catering to everyones tastes with an incredible range of prices, styles, techniques and concepts. Both prominent and emerging artists will be showcasing their work in a synergized setting; breaking the boundaries of format, participation, duration and presentation, and presenting an honest reflection of todays Egyptian art scene. The artworks will periodically change throughout the duration of the show (closing 31 January). Zamalek Art gallery 11 Brazil St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2735 1240 We Dont Live Alone, exhibition of paintings by Noha Deyab (closing 31 January). Zambalek, first solo photography exhibition by Ayman Lotfy (closing 31 January). ALEXANDRIA Bibliotheca Alexandrina Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999 Archeological Museum A permanent exhibition on the results of the Archaeological Mission of the University of Turin in Nelson Island. Planetarium Science Centre, BA Main Building Ancient Greek Science and Technology exhibition is hosted by the Planetarium Science Centre of the Cultural Communication Sector at the BA. This touring exhibition is held in cooperation with the Hellenistic Studies Centre in the Academic Research Sector, and the Museum Technology in Thessaloniki (NOESIS), and sponsored by the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Greece. It reviews the development of Greek knowledge in many scientific fields that have achieved multiple technical and technological achievements such as basic technologies, astronomy, exploration and communication, body and mind, arts, architecture, and self-employment. Open daily to the public from 10am-3pm; except on Fridays, Saturdays and official holidays (closing 31 January). A permanent exhibition on the results of the Archaeological Mission of the University of Turin in Nelson Island. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: KYODO NEWS - Jan 25, 2022 - 21:16 | All, Japan A government-backed watchdog has urged a Japanese construction company and an intermediate body to take measures to prevent abuses of foreign technical trainees after a Vietnamese man suffered serious injuries at the hands of Japanese co-workers at the company, Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa said Tuesday. The Organization for Technical Intern Training will further probe the case with the possibility that the watchdog may revoke the body's permit to act as an intermediary between such trainees and host companies, according to government officials. The Vietnamese trainee was repeatedly assaulted by Japanese workers at the company in Okayama, western Japan, for roughly two years and sustained serious injuries, including broken bones, according to a labor union representing the 41-year-old man. Related coverage: Vietnamese trainee in Japan demands apology for 2 years of abuse "Human rights violation must never happen," Furukawa told reporters. Later Tuesday, the Vietnamese man, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said he could not report his abuse to police for fear of retaliation. "What I was most afraid of was that I might no longer be able to work at the company and be sent back to Vietnam," he said in a virtual news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. "I was very scared and panicked and did not know what to do." Speaking alongside the victim, Mitsugu Muto, head of a labor union supporting him, said the police are investigating the case in cooperation with the union. Muto criticized the government for responding to the case "too late" and said, "I think it would be a good opportunity for the justice minister to delve into this issue and think about how this (whole) trainee system should work." "There is still much to do," he said. The Organization for Technical Intern Training is arranging for the Vietnamese victim and his foreign colleagues to be transferred to another company to continue their internships. Muto said the Vietnamese man has received several offers from companies that want to accept him as a trainee. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the watchdog released a statement Monday calling on companies that accept foreign trainees and intermediary organizations to monitor workplace abuse. The Vietnamese trainee said he arrived in Japan in the fall of 2019, and the abuse began around a month after he started work and continued for about two years. Video footage of the violence showed the man being punched, hit about the head and body with a broom, and berated for failing to respond well in Japanese. The man is demanding an apology and compensation from the construction company and the intermediary body. Muto said the company has admitted to the abuse and said it would apologize and make compensation. The intermediary body, also based in Okayama, has "generally accepted" its responsibility in the case and said that it should have prevented the abuse from happening, he said. Japan established the technical internship program in 1993, aiming to transfer skills to developing countries. But it has been criticized for creating a hotbed of exploitation and accused of providing a cover for companies to import cheap labor from other Asian countries. KYODO NEWS - Jan 25, 2022 - 20:50 | All, Japan A Japanese high court on Tuesday ordered a former senior television reporter to pay 3.3 million yen ($28,990) in damages to journalist Shiori Ito in a high-profile rape case that helped spark Japan's #MeToo movement. Upholding a lower court decision in 2019, the Tokyo High Court ruled in favor of Ito, saying Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a 55-year-old former Washington bureau chief of Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc., had sexual intercourse without her consent in 2015. Ito, 32, had sought 11 million yen in damages, saying she was raped at a hotel while unconscious following a dinner in Tokyo with Yamaguchi, who had promised to help her get a job. The former TV journalist had claimed the act was consensual. Presiding Judge Takao Nakayama said they only became acquainted through work, and "there was no intimate interaction between the two that could lead to sexual intercourse." "Accordingly, the court has to conclude that (Yamaguchi) began the sexual intercourse while Ito was unconscious," he said. Yamaguchi countersued, seeking damages of 130 million yen on the grounds that there is no truth to her allegations, including that he slipped her a drug to make her unconscious. The high court ruled in his favor over the drugging allegation, ordering Ito to pay him 550,000 yen. In the trial, Yamaguchi said he was "murdered socially" and "suffering irreparable hardship" caused by a "nonexistent" sexual assault, while Ito said she "suffered new pain" as she was called by Yamaguchi "a false accuser and sex crime victim." In December 2019, the Tokyo District Court ordered Yamaguchi to pay 3.3 million yen in damages to Ito, recognizing he had sexual intercourse without her consent and that the plaintiff was "in state of intoxication and unconscious." Yamaguchi appealed the ruling in January 2020. Related coverage: #MeToo movement journalist among Time's 100 Most Influential People LDP lawmaker apologizes for saying "women lie" about sexual assaults "The court ruling which acknowledged that there was no consent means a lot," Ito said in a news conference. In a separate news conference, Yamaguchi said he is dissatisfied with the ruling other than damages awarded to him and plans to appeal to the top court. The civil trial decisions sharply contrasted with the criminal procedure, in which prosecutors had decided not to indict Yamaguchi citing insufficient evidence after Ito filed a complaint with police. Ito has said she believes Yamaguchi's close ties with then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, about whom he has written a best-seller, might have discouraged prosecutors from pursuing the case. After unveiling her real name and publishing a book in 2017 about her experience of sexual assault, Ito became a symbol of Japan's #MeToo movement. Her decision attracted a lot of sympathy as well as bashing in a country where few victims come forward. Despite widespread support for her, abusive and derogatory remarks are still rampant on the internet, with some posts accusing her of having tried to "sleep her way up." Ito denies those allegations and has filed lawsuits against some of the people who posted such comments. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a virtual summit on Tuesday to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The past 30 years have witnessed remarkable development of their ties, which have served as an example of a new type of international relations. Building on past breakthroughs and achievements, China and Central Asian countries are embracing a brighter future. Three decades ago, China was among the first countries to set up diplomatic ties with the five countries following their independence, heralding a new era of friendly exchanges based on mutual respect and equal treatment. Over the years, they have firmly supported each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respected the countries' exploration of their own development paths. From good-neighborly and friendly relations to strategic partnerships, China and Central Asian countries have witnessed deepening mutual political trust and increasing connectivity. In the common pursuit of security and development, they have joined hands to combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism as well as drug trafficking and transnational organized crime within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization mechanism, creating a favorable environment for the economic development and the well-being of the people in the region. The past three decades also mark booming trade and economic cooperation. According to data released last week by China's Ministry of Commerce, trade between China and Central Asian nations has grown by more than 100 times from 30 years ago, with the stocks of China's direct investment in the five countries exceeding 14 billion U.S. dollars. It was in Kazakhstan that Xi proposed the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt, a component of the landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which also includes the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, steering partner countries on a fast lane of common development under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. Over the years, the BRI cooperation has unfolded with a number of landmark projects, for example the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline, the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, the Central Asia's largest wind farm in Kazakhstan and the China-Europe freight trains transiting through the region. And cooperation remains unimpeded despite COVID-19. China and Central Asian countries have stood together and supported each other in response to the common challenge. From offering medical supplies to sending expert teams and providing vaccines, they have been building a community of health with concrete actions. Over the 30 years, thriving people-to-people and cultural exchanges have been carried out among universities, think tanks and media, and in cultural heritage preservation, literary and art works translation as well as films and publishing cooperation. Xi stated at the virtual summit that principles of mutual respect, good neighborliness and friendship, solidarity, and mutual benefit are the keys to the successful cooperation between China and five Central Asian countries, and valuable experience and shared wealth for the countries. At a historic starting point, China stands ready to work with Central Asian countries to build on past achievements, forge ahead and rise to common challenges such as persisting hegemony, rising protectionism and unilateralism, and interference of external forces. Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and changes unseen in a century, it is in the common interests of China and Central Asian countries to work in solidarity as a builder of world peace, an advocate of multilateralism, a defender of the international order, and a practitioner of mutual benefit and win-win results, and actively promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. BAGHDAD, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of six militants of the Islamic State (IS) group were killed on Monday in airstrikes near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the Iraqi military said. The Iraqi warplanes, based on intelligence report, conducted a series of airstrikes on the IS position in the Tarmiyah area, some 30 km north of Baghdad, leaving six IS militants killed, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement. The latest airstrikes came after another series of airstrikes earlier in the day targeting an IS position in the Makhoul mountain range in the northern part of Salahudin province, reportedly killing four militants. The areas, which the militants had previously controlled, have witnessed intense activities of the IS militants during the past months, despite repeated military operations to hunt them down. The security situation in Iraq has been improving since the Iraqi forces defeated the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have since melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nineteen people were found dead in a nightclub, which caught fire, following a clash between two community groups in Sorong city of Indonesia's West Papua province earlier Tuesday, a police spokesman said. Provincial Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Adam Erwindi said the clash started at midnight in the Double O Executive Karaoke & Club, killing one person, and then the clash continued before the building caught fire. "After the clash, it was found 18 other bodies inside the building. So the total casualty is 19 people," the police officer told local Metro TV in a live broadcast, adding several others were wounded. The television footage showed several cars were burned outside the nightclub. JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nineteen people were found dead in a nightclub, which caught fire, after a clash between two community groups in Sorong city of Indonesia's West Papua province, Provincial Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Adam Erwindi told Metro TV on Tuesday. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Notice body Supervisors and HR liaisons are invited to attend the free conference, Veteran Voices: Recruiting and Supporting Veteran Employees. It will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., at the Harold D. Melton Student Center ballroom. Attendees will learn more about the complexities of military careers and transitioning to the civilian workforce. Guest speakers from all military branches will discuss these experiences and share practical ways to help employers recruit and retain veteran employees. The conference will focus on the following areas: Military 101 Transitioning Out of the Military Veteran Life After the Military Supporting Your Veteran Employees At least 11 guest speakers from the university and across the region will participate. They include: Lt. Gen. Ron Burgess, Chief Operating Officer, Auburn University Paul Puck Esposito, Veterans Resource Center Director, Auburn University Donal Cieutat, Alabama State Jobs for Veterans State Coordinator, Alabama Department of Labor Lt. Col. Michelle Alexander, Alabama National Guard Kent Davis, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.), Commissioner, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Charles Livings, Chattahoochee Valley Regional Director, Still Serving Veterans The conference is being hosted by Auburn University Human Resources and the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. Lunch will be served to conference attendees. To register or to learn more about the event, click here. Masks will be required and social distancing protocols will be followed. DUBAI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Defense Ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Monday that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi militia. The attack, which came one week after a deadly Houthi attack on the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi on Jan. 17, caused no casualties, as the ballistic missile fragments fell in several locations around Abu Dhabi, the official Emirates News Agency reported, citing a statement of the ministry. The ballistic missile launcher in Yemen's Al Jawf governorate was destroyed shortly after it launched the two missiles against Abu Dhabi, UAE's Defense Ministry announced in a post on its Twitter account. Video footage posted on UAE Defense Ministry's Twitter account showed a huge fire erupting at an infrastructure, which was described by the ministry as a ballistic missile launcher in Yemen, after it was hit by a missile. The missile was reported to have been launched by an F-16 fighter jet. The ministry also said in a statement that it is ready to deal with any threats and will "take all necessary measures to protect the state from all attacks." Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesman Yehya Sarea asked foreign companies and investors in the UAE to leave, because the country has become "unsafe." "As long as the UAE continues its assault and siege of the Yemeni people, it will be repeatedly targeted," he said. Yemen's Houthi militia on Monday claimed responsibility for using ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones to strike a number of facilities deep within the UAE and Saudi Arabia, both of which have joined a military coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen. The strike had targeted the Al Dhafra Air Base and other sensitive sites in Abu Dhabi, as well as important sites in Dubai, Houthi military spokesman Yehya Sarea said in a statement. The militia also used "a large number of drones" to attack multiple military bases in Saudi Arabia's Sharurah and other areas, and fired ballistic missiles against the Jazan and Asir regions, according to Sarea. The strike against Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi-led coalition, resulted in material losses but no casualties. Turkey and Lebanon condemned the Yemeni militia's missile attacks shortly after they occurred on Monday. The Houthis have frequently launched cross-border missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia, and on Jan. 17, they staged an unexpected attack on the UAE, in which three petroleum tankers caught fire near Abu Dhabi National Oil Company storage facilities. The attack resulted in the deaths of three people and the injuries of six more. In the week following Jan. 17, a Saudi-led coalition conducted a series of airstrikes across Yemen, hitting various Houthi-controlled targets and killing dozens of people. (Murad Abdo in Aden, Yemen contributed to the report) Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua) TEHRAN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Though the thorniest points persist between the United States and Iran in the ongoing indirect negotiations in the Austrian capital of Vienna to restore the 2015 nuclear pact, the latest developments have brought fresh attention to the possibility of direct meetings between the two main parties in the international talks. Iran on Monday hinted that direct talks with the United States are possible, and the U.S. State Department reaffirmed later in the day that the U.S. side is prepared to hold direct negotiations with Iran. The months-long diplomatic endeavors in Vienna have yet to find a way to break the impasse between Washington and Tehran, which have complained repeatedly about each other's foot-dragging in the negotiations on the fate of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Photo taken on Dec. 17, 2021 shows a meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria. (EU Delegation in Vienna/Handout via Xinhua) DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS? Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Monday that Iran did not rule out the likelihood of talks with the United States in the run for a "good agreement." Americans have occasionally sent messages to negotiate directly with Iran, however, "we have not yet reached this point in our conclusions," said Amir Abdollahian at the National Conference of Iran and Neighbors here. "If we reach a stage in the negotiation process where a good agreement requires to have a dialogue with the United States, we will not ignore it," he said. In response, "we have long held the position that it would be more productive to engage with Iran directly, on both JCPOA negotiations and other issues," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Monday. So far, in the Vienna negotiations, Iran and the United States have had to exchange their opinions through a third party, which is not flexible enough, said Fan Hongda, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University in China. INTERIM DEAL? Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday ruled out the possibility of an "interim deal" in the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers. "Iran is looking for a stable and reliable agreement and will not accept anything less than that. The quality of the agreement is important to us, nothing less and nothing more," Saeed Khatibzadeh made the remarks at his weekly press conference. The response came as U.S. media NBC News network reported on Saturday that Russia has discussed a possible interim nuclear deal, which includes limited lifting of anti-Iran sanctions and re-imposition of certain restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities, with Iran in recent weeks. "The interim deal is a code name designed by the (U.S. President Joe) Biden administration to evade fulfillment of JCPOA commitments, while at the same time, notching up a dramatic achievement within the framework of Democrats' slogans in the 2020 presidential election," wrote Nour News, a website close to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in reaction to the NBC report. REMAINING CHALLENGES Commenting on the status of the talks in Vienna, Khatibzadeh said Monday that "good progress" has been made in some areas, and it is important that all parties in Vienna have agreed that the United States should not leave a possible agreement again. As has been agreed by various parties, progress has accelerated in less complex issues of dispute, yet disagreement on thorny matters, like guarantees and verification measures, still remains. Elaborating on Tehran's stance, Khatibzadeh said in a previous interview with Xinhua that Iran demands "objective guarantees that the United States is not going to mock international law" by violating the deal again, and wants to "verify that this time they are not going to cheat as previously they did their best to actually make enough obstacles" for Iran's economic relations with other countries. However, U.S. officials have said the current administration is not in a position to provide such legal guarantees because it views the nuclear pact as a non-binding political understanding, not a legally-binding treaty. Notably, there remains resistance to direct Washington-Tehran negotiations, Fan said, the most outstanding issue is that there have been voices within both countries against improving bilateral ties over the past four decades. While U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said "we are indeed at a decisive moment," Nour News also said that "the Vienna talks have reached a very critical and decisive stage," and urged the United States to make "political decisions," otherwise Washington has to "accept responsibility for the failure of the negotiations." JERUSALEM, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Ministry of Finance on Tuesday announced a 1.3-billion-shekel (410 million-U.S.-dollar) plan to support businesses amid the Omicron crisis. The plan includes easing business cash flows by immediate governmental payments to suppliers, early tax refunds, and advance payments to cultural institutions. The program also includes reliefs in bureaucratic procedures for businesses, approval of state-guaranteed loans and export procedures. "In the current peak of morbidity wave, we want to allow quarantined, self-employed, businesses and industries affected to get through the complicated period with appropriate support," said Israel's Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman. "This is an important step in helping businesses, which are experiencing a significant slowdown in their revenues as a result of the Omicron crisis," said Ron Tomer, president of the Manufacturers Association of Israel. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries and delivers an important speech in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) -- Hailing the development of China-Central Asia relations over the past three decades as "a good example of fostering a new type of international relations," Xi pointed out that the keys to the successful cooperation are mutual respect, good-neighborly friendship, solidarity in trying times and mutual benefit. -- The Central Asian leaders said they will work with China "together for a shared future," echoing the motto for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and said they eagerly look forward to attending the opening ceremony of the sporting event next week. -- Analysts said that the complementarity between China's economy and the economies of the five countries provides huge space and potential for them to expand their pragmatic cooperation. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and five Central Asian countries vowed on Tuesday to build an even closer community with a shared future, as Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five countries. As China's first major diplomatic activity involving Central Asia this year, the summit was attended by leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. "No matter how the international landscape may evolve or how developed China may grow, China will always remain a good neighbor, a good partner, a good friend, and a good brother that Central Asian countries can trust and count on," Xi said, reaffirming China's commitment to the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries and delivers an important speech in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) MODEL TIES Hailing the development of China-Central Asia relations over the past three decades as "a good example of fostering a new type of international relations," Xi pointed out that the keys to the successful cooperation are mutual respect, good-neighborly friendship, solidarity in trying times and mutual benefit. The leaders of the five Central Asian countries spoke highly of the fruitful results of cooperation with China, praising the development of relations between Central Asian countries and China that has not only promoted their respective development and prosperity, but also effectively safeguarded regional peace and stability. Li Yongquan, head of the China Society for Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, said that, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has always treated the five Central Asian countries equally, and has carried out practical cooperation with the five countries to help them resolve their most urgent problems. Both sides said they viewed the summit as a significant milestone. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the heads of state of the six countries reviewed the past, summed up their experience, discussed cooperation, and reached many important consensuses, which will inject new impetus into the future development of relations, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng told media after the summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries and delivers an important speech in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) CLOSER COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE "China stands ready to work with Central Asian countries to build on the good momentum and strive shoulder-by-shoulder to build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future," Xi said in his speech, also making some proposals to realize the objective. He announced that China will continue to provide vaccines and anti-epidemic supplies to Central Asian countries, and will step up joint production and technology transfer with respect to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines. In 2022, China will provide an additional 50 million doses of vaccines as aid to Central Asian countries, and set up traditional medicine centers in countries where they are needed, Xi added. The Central Asian leaders said they will work with China "together for a shared future," echoing the motto for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and said they eagerly look forward to attending the opening ceremony of the sporting event next week. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries and delivers an important speech in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) HIGH-QUALITY COOPERATION Trade between China and Central Asian nations has grown by more than 100 times in the past 30 years, and the stocks of China's direct investment in the five countries exceeded 14 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Jan. 17. Analysts said that the complementarity between China's economy and the economies of the five countries provides huge space and potential for them to expand their pragmatic cooperation. In his speech, Xi suggested that the two sides should speed up high-quality cooperation, and strengthen cooperation on artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and other high-tech sectors. According to a joint statement released after the summit, China and the Central Asian countries agreed to strengthen the docking of the Belt and Road Initiative with the five nations' own development strategies. "I believe the summit will open up broad prospects for Central Asia and China to further strengthen pragmatic cooperation," said Yerlan Madiev, an expert at the Institute of World Economy and Politics in Kazakhstan. Enditem LUSAKA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Monday received a fresh batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government. The 400,000 doses of vaccines were received by Li Jie, the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia and Sylvia Masebo, Zambia's Health Minister, during a ceremony held at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the country's capital. Addressing the ceremony, the Chinese envoy said the two governments have agreed that the 1 million vaccines pledged last year will be dispatched in three batches. The Chinese side, he said, was willing to mobilize more resources to help Zambia tackle the COVID-19 pandemic as a demonstration of the cordial relations that have existed between the two countries over the years. The current donation was in addition to another 100,000 doses donated last year, he added. According to him, the two countries have collaborated in the fight against the pandemic since the first case was announced in the southern African nation in March 2020, and thanked Zambia for the support rendered when China recorded its first cases in 2019. The Zambian minister thanked China for the donation, saying this was a mark of the cordial relations that have existed between the two countries. The Zambian minister said the arrival of the vaccines was timely as it comes at a time when the country has started administering booster vaccines as well as the introduction of the vaccines for children aged 12 years and above. The government, the minister said, has targeted to vaccinate about 70 percent of the eligible population by June this year. She said the friendship between the two countries was centered on a people-to-people basis despite a change of governments, adding that the mission of the current government was to continue building on the cordial relations laid by the leaders of the old generation of the two countries. Masebo said the Zambian government was thankful to China for the support rendered over the years in various areas including the health sector and infrastructure development. LILONGWE, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday dissolved his cabinet amid speculations that many of the highest political figures, judiciary and others are involved in a corruption case involving UK-based Malawian businessman, Zuneth Sattar, who is being investigated by both Malawi and UK anti-corruption agencies. This followed a leaked phone conversation between the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) chief, Martha Chizuma, and an unidentified caller, in which the ACB chief made some sensitive revelations concerning investigations of the corruption case. The president has since issued a stern warning to Chizuma for her conduct in the leaked phone call, which he described as misconduct. WINDHOEK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Agatus Timo, a farmer at a far-flung village in the Oshana region, applied manure strategically next to portions he sows pearl millet seeds at his fenced-off field. This is contrary to the traditional practice whereby farmers would first randomly place manure on the field ahead of ploughing and later sow pearl millet seeds. The method he is premiering is aimed to maintain soil fertility and feed the crops in the hope of improved yields for the rain-fed crops. "With this new method, when it rains, the manure spreads advantageously to the crops upon germination," he said on Monday. He is one of the many farmers in the north-central part of Namibia embracing unconventional approaches to mark the farming season after prolonged rainfall. The farming season would usually start in late November the previous year. According to the latest flood bulletin by Hydrological Services in Namibia, rainfall performance during the first part of the rainy season was very poor over most parts of the country. The country's northeastern, southwestern, and north-central areas recently received above-average rainfall. "With prolonged rainfall, as farmers, we are forced to devise new ways to improve yields. And nourishment of crops is the key to success," said the 80-year-old Timo. Unpredictable climate patterns have also inspired 58-years-old Nacky Mateus, another farmer in the region, to employ the intercropping technique, which entails growing two or more crops in proximity. "In addition to crop rotation, I also mix the crops, and I would sow legumes such as cowpea in the same plot where I plant pearl millet. In case one fails, another prospers," she said. Intercropping is also necessary for pest control, according to the farmers. Tate Asino, from the Oshikoto region, maximizes services provided by the Namibian government to improve agricultural input. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform runs the rain-fed crop production programs in ten crop-growing regions in the country by providing subsidies on ploughing, seeds and fertilizers among others. Asino said he hoped that the new seed variants would complement the seeds he has been sowing for over five years and catapult his farming efforts to success. "This year, I decided to get new seeds variants and fertilizers by government to supplement the traditional manure to counter climate change and improve yields," said Asino. In the interim, farmers hope that good rainfall will aid their efforts for a bumper harvest later in the year. "Complemented by our new approaches, with good rain, we pray for surplus so that we do not only sustain our households but also trade and generate an income," said Mateus. Odillo Kgobetsi, the chief meteorological technician at the Namibia Meteorological Services, said that received rainfall in parts of Namibia after months of the prolonged dry spell had been welcomed by many farmers. JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo and visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong signed agreements Tuesday on economy, travel bubbles and the extradition of fugitives. At a press conference with Lee after their meeting in Bintan city, Riau Islands province, Widodo said the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation to recover the economies of the two countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "The meeting noted new investments worth 9.2 billion U.S. dollars, including those in the field of renewable energy, as well as a construction of a logistics hub at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta," Widodo said in a speech broadcast by his official YouTube account. Singapore is Indonesia's largest investor with an investment value of 7.3 billion U.S. dollars from January to September last year, Widodo noted. The two leaders also welcomed the signing of defense cooperation, reopening of quarantine-free cross-border travels in Batam and Bintan, extension of a bilateral extradition agreement from 15 to 18 years, and continuation of the Jakarta Flight Information Region (FIR) and Singapore FIR agreements. BRUSSELS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and jets to eastern Europe to reinforce the organization's presence in the region. In the past days, Denmark, Spain, France, and the Netherlands are sending or planning sending ships, planes or troops to NATO's deployments in eastern Europe, NATO said in a statement on Monday. The United States, said the statement, has also "made clear that it is considering increasing its military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance." Other countries already present on the ground include the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany. "I welcome Allies contributing additional forces to NATO. NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in the statement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the Russian military cannot ignore an increase in military activities of NATO as tensions regarding Ukraine have flared up. The current escalation of tensions was caused by the United States and its NATO allies, who have launched a propaganda campaign full of lies against Russia, Peskov said. NATO, the United States, and Ukraine have accused Russia of having assembled heavy troops near the eastern border of Ukraine with a possible intention of "invasion." Russia denied the accusation, saying it is feeling threatened by NATO's presence in its neighboring countries. Attempts at solving the matter have been met with little results. The latest meeting between top Russian and U.S. diplomats last Friday in Geneva achieved no major breakthrough. Also on Monday, the European Commission announced extra financial support of 1.2 billion euros (1.36 billion U.S. dollars) to address Ukraine's immediate and future needs "in these difficult circumstances." Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East HELSINKI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Finland underlined the need to secure the continuity of the welfare state structures throughout the Nordic area as it began its rotating presidency of the Nordic Council on Monday. "The themes of the Finnish tenure are the future of the Nordic welfare formula and sustainable North," Council President Erkki Tuomioja told a virtual gathering, where the Presidency of the Council and all four committees meet remotely. Established in 1952, the Nordic Council is a cooperative forum for the parliaments of the five Nordic countries including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. "Continuity can be assured through the focus on basic services, wellbeing, high employment level, and a sound fiscal base," Tuomioja was quoted in a press release. The Finnish blueprint noted that new challenges of the Nordic economies put the welfare model to a test. It listed "economic insecurity, widening inequality and a deterioration in the dependency ratio due to an aging population" as problems. It also referred to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We want to make a critical assessment of the current state and challenges of the Nordic model and must openly face the problems that the welfare model encounters in the 2020s," the Finnish document said. KIEV, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Britain have no ample grounds to withdraw some of their staff from their embassies in Kiev as the security situation at the Ukrainian border is relatively stable, a Ukrainian political analyst said Monday. "Considering that there have been no fundamental changes on the Ukrainian borders over the past year (the concentration of Russian troops has even somewhat decreased), today there is no reason to fully support the corresponding step by Washington and London," Igor Chalenko, chairman of the Center For Analysis and Strategies, told Xinhua. The U.S. Department of State on Sunday ordered eligible family members of staff at its embassy in Ukraine to leave the country. Separately, the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said the United Kingdom has begun to withdraw staff from its embassy in Kiev. "It should be mentioned that these countries have intensified the supplies of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine, even flying around the countries that oppose such support, in particular Germany," Chalenko said. According to him, the United States and Britain are possibly withdrawing diplomats' families from Kiev in a move to prove the expediency of weapons supplies to Ukraine. "It can be assumed that such a step with the evacuation is also aimed at leveling the opponents of providing new batches of weapons within these countries," Chalenko said. He added that another purpose of the evacuation is to draw global attention to the Russian military build-up along the Ukrainian borders. "It was the signal that was given by the United States and Great Britain to their partners and allies. This is another emphasis on the risks posed by the Russian Federation," Chalenko said. He added that the evacuation of employees of diplomatic missions is unequivocally regarded in the world as a deterioration in the security situation in the host country. "At this stage, Ukraine, first of all, found itself in the information confrontation between the United States and the Russian Federation," Chalenko said. On Jan. 22 and Jan. 23, the United States provided Ukraine with two batches of military assistance as part of a military package worth 200 million U.S. dollars that was approved for Kiev last year. Last week, Ukrainian Armed Forces also received anti-tank defensive weapons from Britain. BERLIN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Germany's electrical industry is projected to increase production by four percent in 2022, the country's Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI) said on Monday. Despite "major uncertainties in this year's forecast" due to bottlenecks along the materials supply chain, the ZVEI expects the situation to improve from mid-year at the earliest. "Growth-promoting megatrends of electrification and digitization are directly linked to the electrical and digital industries," the ZVEI noted. This trend is reinforced by the new German government's environmental aspirations. "Electrification can reduce primary energy demand by more than 40 percent by 2045, the target year for climate neutrality" in Germany, said Wolfgang Weber, chairman of the ZVEI Management Board. In 2021, the German electrical industry already fully recovered from losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the previous year, according to the association. Production rose by around nine percent year-on-year between January and November, while nominal revenues increased by almost ten percent. Exports have also contributed to this growth. In the first eleven months of 2021, the German electrical industry exported goods worth 22.9 billion euros (25.9 billion U.S. dollars) to the industry's top customer country China, a year-on-year increase of 7.9 percent, according to ZVEI. Exports to the United States, the second biggest customer country, rose by 9.4 percent year-on-year to 17.4 billion euros in the same period, according to ZVEI. (1 euro = 1.13 U.S. dollars) SOFIA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- In a bid to boost bilateral ties, Bulgaria and North Macedonia signed here on Tuesday three memoranda of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, transport and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The documents were signed by the two countries' ministers following a joint session of the two governments. The documents address "key and important issues" and are an example of the good-neighborly ties and the "new energy and real results" in bilateral relations, Bulgaria's Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said at the signing ceremony. Petkov and his North Macedonian counterpart, Dimitar Kovachevski, met in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, last Tuesday, where they pledged to renew dialogue and extend cooperation. Under the first memorandum signed on Tuesday, the two countries would deepen agricultural cooperation through the exchange of scientific and technical information and the transfer of expertise. The second memorandum covers the development of the Sofia-Skopje railway link, complete with an assessment of its investment value and a study on the possibilities for financing from the European Union and international financial institutions. The third document recognizes the strategic role the development of SMEs plays in increasing employment, and ensuring economic and social stability. ROME, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The first ballot to elect Italy's next president ended with inconclusive results on Monday, after a procedure that lasted over five hours. Casting their votes were some 1,008 "grand electors," namely all the members of the parliament plus 58 representatives chosen by regional councils. With a large majority of blank ballots among all those registered at the end of the day, no majority was found on any name. The outcome of this first round was largely expected, since no official candidate was backed by both alliances -- center-left and center-right -- holding the most parliamentary seats and currently governing the country together in the coalition cabinet. According to the Italian constitution, a majority of two-thirds in the first three rounds of voting is required to elect a president, followed by a simple majority, or at least 505 votes, from the fourth on. The parliament in the joint session of both houses will keep gathering this week to hold new rounds of voting until a candidate gathers enough support. The seven-year term of President Sergio Mattarella will expire on Feb. 3. The president in Italy is a traditionally ceremonial figure that plays a balancing role within the institutional landscape. However, the role becomes crucial in cases of broad political instability, since the president is tasked with helping solve major deadlocks between the government and the parliament. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Due to foggy weather and new 5G restrictions, several flights were canceled Tuesday morning at the Paine Field Airport near Seattle, the U.S. state of Washington, after all commercial flights out of the airport being canceled on Monday. Alaska Airlines' regional carrier Horizon Air, the only commercial airline operating out of Paine Field, warned that cancellations could continue for several days. Due to continued fog, a replacement flight may not be available for the next two to three days, the company said, offering some accommodations to affected travelers, suggesting rebook or cancelation. "FAA-issued flight restrictions due to the new 5G C-Band signal have limited our ability to land certain aircraft in low visibility," it noted. The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed limitations on low-visibility flying to avoid 5G interference with cockpit instruments. That has created a problem specific to the Embraer E175 regional jets that operate out of Paine Field, according to a report by The Seattle Times. The new 5G radio signals turned on last week at cell towers near the airports around the country can potentially interfere with the airplane's altimeter. A false reading could endanger the aircraft. New Delhi: Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is likely to be sacked from the NCP, sources told the News Nation today. The partys top leadership have decided to throw Ajit Pawar outside party after numerous efforts to convince him and come back to Sharad Pawar failed. There are reports coming in that the Sharad Pawar camp has given a final warning to Ajit Pawar. In case, he doesnt return to the fold, he will be sacked from the party, sources said. A disciplinary panel has already prepared a list of Pawars anti-party activities. In case, he is sacked, Ajit Pawar will not have any legal status in the party. It should be noted that earlier in morning, Chhagan Bhujbal had met Ajit Pawar at his Mumbai residence. However, the meeting didnt help in resolving the impasse. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday said it will pass an order at 10.30 am on Tuesday on the plea filed by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine against the Maharashtra governor's decision to swear-in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister. A bench comprising justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna is likely to pass an order on holding of a floor test. The combine was pressing that the floor test be ordered on Monday itself, which was opposed by Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. When Fadnavis was sworn-in as chief minister on November 23, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had granted him 14 days to prove majority in the House. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the secretary to the governor, narrated the sequence of events since the Maharashtra polls and said the governor was immune to the proceedings in the apex court. Maintaining that the BJP had the support of all 54 NCP MLAs to form government, Mehta asked the top court for two to three days to file a reply to the combine's plea. The Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP has filed a plea against the governor's decision to swear-in BJP's Fadnavis as chief minister and NCP's Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister. The Centre said the governor had, in his absolute discretion, invited the largest party to form government on November 23. Mehta told the apex court that the governor was not supposed to conduct a roving and fishing inquiry to ascertain which party had the numbers to form government. The apex court, after perusing Koshyari's letter inviting Fadnavis, said it had to be decided whether the chief minister enjoyed majority support on the floor of the House. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday heard the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combines plea against the governors decision to swear in Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister. Seeking two to three days to reply to the plea against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyaris decision, the Centre, however, maintained that the BJP had the support of all 54 NCP MLAs. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Shiv Sena, said the combine has affidavits from 154 Maharashtra MLAs and the BJP should be asked to prove its majority within 24 hours. In a dramatic turn of events in Maharashtra, President's Rule was lifted on Saturday morning, following which Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as chief minister and deputy chief minister, respectively, by the governor. The development came hours after the new alliance of Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress arrived at a consensus that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be their chief ministerial candidate. The Centre told a bench comprising Justices N V Ramana, Ashok Bhushan and Sanjiv Khanna that the governor had in absolute discretion invited the largest party to form government on November 23. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the top court the Maharashtra governor is not supposed to conduct a roving and fishing inquiry to ascertain which party has the numbers to form government. The question is, he said, can a party come and seek the courts intervention to hold a floor test within 24 hours. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Ajit Pawar, told the bench that the governor rightly invited Fadnavis to form government. Opening his arguments, Sibal, appearing for the Shiv Sena, referred to Uddhav Thackeray being declared the next Maharashtra chief minister at a press conference of the three parties. Where was national emergency to revoke Presidents rule at 5.27 am and CM being administered oath at 8 am next morning, Sibal asked. Sibal referred to the alleged haste by which Presidents rule was revoked and a new government was formed in Maharashtra and said it has never been done in history. (Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress) Combine has affidavits of 154 Maharashtra MLAs supporting it. If the BJP has numbers, then they should be asked to prove majority within 24 hours, Sibal said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Uttar Pradesh: The 23-year-old law student, who has accused BJP leader and former Union minister Swami Chinmayanand of rape, was taken to Bareilly on Monday for her first-semester back paper amid a tight security. The law student, accused of demanding extortion money from Chinmayanand and presently in jail, was taken to the MJP University in Bareilly for her first term LLM back paper, Superintendent of Police (SP), City Dinesh Tripathi said. The woman, who was studying in Chinmayanands Swami Shukdevanand Law College, was given admission to the Bareilly college on Supreme Courts directions in order to ensure her education and her counsel, Kulvinder Singh, had moved an application before Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Omvir Singh to let her appear in the exam. The CJMs court gave permission for the same on November 23, the SP said. In another development, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has submitted a chargesheet against two BJP leaders, who have been summoned by the court, which is hearing the matter. Summonses have been sent to the chairman of Cooperative Bank DPS Rathore and BJP leader Ajit Singh, who have been asked to appear before the court on December 3, government counsel Lal Saheb said. Rathore and Singh are accused of snatching a pen drive containing a video clip of the woman giving massage to Chinmayanand from her in Rajasthans Dausa. The post-graduate student has alleged that she was physically exploited by the 72-year-old BJP leader for a over a year. Chinmayanand, sent to judicial custody after his arrest, was booked under section 376C of the IPC, which is usually applied in cases where a person abuses his position to induce or seduce a woman under his charge to have sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape. This is a lesser charge than section 376, under which a rape convict faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. The punishment under section 376C is between five and 10 years in jail. The woman and three of her friends have been arrested for demanding Rs 5 crore from the BJP leader. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. London: More than 60 doctors wrote an open letter published Monday saying they feared Julian Assange's health was so bad that the WikiLeaks founder could die inside a top-security British jail. The 48-year-old Australian is still fighting a US bid to extradite him from Britain on charges filed under the Espionage Act that could see him given a sentence of up to 175 years in a US prison. In the letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel, Britain's interior minister, the doctors call for Assange to be moved from Belmarsh prison in southeast London to a university teaching hospital. They based their assessment on "harrowing eyewitness accounts" of his October 21 court appearance in London and a November 1 report by Nils Melzer, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture. The independent UN rights expert said Assange's "continued exposure to arbitrariness and abuse may soon end up costing his life". Assange used WikiLeaks to publish classified military and diplomatic files in 2010 about US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq that proved highly embarrassing to the US government. "We write this open letter, as medical doctors, to express our serious concerns about the physical and mental health of Julian Assange," the doctors said in their 16-page open letter. They said they had "concerns about Mr Assange's fitness" to go through the full extradition hearing, which is set for February. "Mr Assange requires urgent expert medical assessment of both his physical and psychological state of health," the wrote. "Any medical treatment indicated should be administered in a properly equipped and expertly staffed university teaching hospital (tertiary care). "Were such urgent assessment and treatment not to take place, we have real concerns, on the evidence currently available, that Mr Assange could die in prison. The medical situation is thereby urgent. There is no time to lose." The doctors are from the United States, Australia, Britain, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Sri Lanka, Poland. At his first appearance in public for six months, in a court hearing last month, Assange seemed frail. He also appeared confused whenever he was asked to talk at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. He seemed to have difficulties recalling his birth date, and at the end of the hearing told District Judge Vanessa Baraitser that he had not understood what had happened in court. He also complained about the conditions in which he was being kept in Belmarsh. It was his first public appearance since being dramatically dragged from Ecuador's embassy in April. Swedish prosecutors said last Tuesday they had dropped their investigation into a 2010 rape allegation, even though they found the plaintiff's claim "credible". For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: As many as 9,49,800 vehicles were delivered in the month of October 2019 by the Volkswagen Group. It is worth mentioning here that the automaker registered a growth of 12.2 per cent as compared to the 8,46,300 units delivered during the same month last year. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales, "The Volkswagen Group brands produced a strong delivery performance in October. We outperformed the market in all core regions and once again substantially expanded our market shares, especially in China, our largest market. It is also pleasing to see that we made noticeable gains in our home market of Germany over and above making up the ground lost a year ago as a result of WLTP." According to a report of NDTVs carandbike, the Volkswagen Group registered a decent growth of 6.6 per cent in China, where it delivered 3,89,300 vehicles. In Europe, the automakers deliveries for October grew by 25.5 per cent at 370,700 units, while in its home market, Germany, VW Group's total deliveries grew by 41.5 per cent at 112,400 units. In North America, Volkswagen Groups total deliveries in October 2019 stood at 80,400 with a marginal 0.9 per cent growth. Whereas, in the USA, the deliveries of VW Group saw a growth of 5.8 per cent at 53,200. Also Read: Musk Touts 146,000 Orders For Tesla's Electric Pickup Truck However, in South America, VW Group's total deliveries went down by 1.2 per cent to 53,800 units. In Brazil, VW Group's deliveries grew by 2.9 per cent, to 43,000. In Argentina, the company saw a drop of 24.4 per cent compared with October 2018. Volkswagen Group delivered 5,300 vehicles in October 2019. New Delhi: The success of parliamentary democracy rests on listening and respecting the views and opinions of the opposition, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Monday. He was speaking at the inaugural function of the 10th Commonwealth Youth Parliament hosted at the Delhi Legislative Assembly. "We should understand the founding principle of parliamentary democracy and what is its inspiration. Its founding principles are dialogue, debate and decision. We are working towards strengthening the system of democracy and collective thinking and discussion," he said at the event. Dialogue, debate and decision making based on these are the soul of parliamentary democracy, he said. "The biggest thing is that all the stakeholders have a right to express their views and their viewpoints are also heard. Their viewpoint is also considered during the decision-making process which is a key quality of our democracy," he said. There is a right to have disagreement in a democracy, he stressed. "One should listen and respect oppositions views and the success of parliamentary democracy depends on this," he said. Also Read | Congress Alleges Lok Sabha Marshals Mistreated Women MPs, Sonia Gandhi Lodges Strong Complaint Stressing on the involvement of youth in a democracy, he said when they get involved in the decision-making processes, the needs of the youth and their futuristic approach get a new dimension in the public domain. "The problems of the modern world need out of box thinking to create innovative solutions. Recently, Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teenage environmental activist campaigning on climate change, has gained international recognition. "This kind of activism towards positive change can act as a catalyst for the world community to act on problems with greater public attention," he said. He said internet technology has brought both positive and negative changes but stressed on using it in a positive direction. He called for collective thinking to find solutions to issues, including climate change. "In order to tackle issues, the world has to form a common agenda through dialogue, debate and discussion. This 3D is the soul of democracy," he said. The event, attended by delegates from Commonwealth countries, was also addressed by Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, chairperson of the Executive Committee, Common Parliamentary Association (CPA). For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: An enormous asteroid (space rock) identified as 2019 VF1 is all set to come dangerously close to Earth on November 25 at around 9.40 AM (IST). The space rock measures up to 492 feet in diameter and is officially designated as a "near-Earth object". If hits the Earth, asteroid 2019 VF1 can cause a significant amount of damage and mass extinction. Asteroid 2019 VF1, which was first discovered this year, will be traveling towards Earth at a staggering 38,498mph i.e. about 63 times faster than the top speed of a Boeing 747 jet. Fortunately, this gigantic space rock will pass Earth with a very wide berth. It is expected that the asteroid will no closer than 3,172,582 miles (5,105,776km). It is the distance about 13 times farther from Earth than the Moon. It is to be noted that asteroids, if hit Earth, can bring tsunamis, shock waves and flattening winds that could be catastrophic. The space rocks approach towards the Earth due to the gravitational forces that affect them. It is said that one day all life on the Earth will be extinct. Not only life, but the Earth will also extinct someday and an asteroid could be the possible reason. Shocked to hear that? However, a car-sized asteroid slams into the Earth's atmosphere about once in a year. On the other hand, an asteroid large enough to threaten the existence of life on Earth arrives once every few million. Also Read: Less Than 24-Hours To Go: Earth To Have Close Encounter With Asteroid 2006 SF6, Might Get Hit On December 20, a mammoth asteroid (space rock) identified as 216258 (2006 WH1) will come dangerously close to Earth at a staggering speed of 26,843 miles per hour. The 540-metre space rock is the same size as the World Trade Centre and would cause a significant amount of damage and mass extinction if hits Earth. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading a noticeably tense Cabinet meeting. It's his first since Israels attorney general announced Netanyahu will be indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu didnt mention the looming indictment during Sundays weekly meeting. Instead, hes projecting an attitude of business as usual, discussing Iranian belligerency, threats from Gaza and domestic affairs. His typically talkative ministers have remained noticeably silent. This has been their first public appearances since the attorney generals announcement Thursday. Netanyahus party has long pledged loyalty to its leader. But his top rival within the party is calling for an immediate primary vote to replace him, sowing the first seeds of rebellion. Replacing Netanyahu offers perhaps the most likely option of preventing a looming third election within a year. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Amul has launched the National Milk Day Bike Rally campaign in the honour of Late Dr. Verghese Kurien on his 98th birth anniversary. The Bike Rally starts from Varanasi and is going to end at Anand, Gujarat. The Campaign revolves around the life and work of Dr Kurien and is fully active now on social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. The campaign aims to motivate and inspire young Indians to find the real purpose of their lives. Keeping this in mind, Amul has the launched the National Milk Day Bike Rally Campaign. Meanwhile, Amul has tweeted that the National Mild Day Campaign is now in its final round, and is marching towards Anand where all the riders will celebrate the National Milk Day at the work place of Dr. Verghese Kurien, who is also known as the Milk man of India. The #NationalMilkDay Bike rally 2019 now in the final leg, heads to Anand. Here riders will celebrate National Milk Day at the karmabhoomi of Dr. Verghese Kurien, affectionately known as the Milkman of India.#CelebratingDrKurien #NationalMilkDay #VaranasitoAnand pic.twitter.com/cH8ZM5Gmz4 Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) November 26, 2019 As the part of this campaign, the bike rally will have a group of 50 riders who will cover 2500 kms from Varanasi to Anand. During the rally, riders will meet dairy professionals, dairy farmers and institutions such as Sanchi, Parag and Amul that were formed by Dr. Kurien. The Bike Rally will be captured through social media platforms like Youtube, Facebook and Instagram. Meanwhile, 60 second films are also being promoted. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Pakistan army on Monday fired mortar shells on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Poonch districts. Repeated unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops took place in the Akhnoor Sector in Jammu district from 4 am Monday and intermittently continued till 10 pm, an official said. They resorted to firing of small arms & shelling with mortars, the spokesman said. Pakistani troops also fired and shelled forward posts and civilians areas in Qasna and Kerni sectors along the LoC in Poonch district, he said. The Indian army retaliated befittingly, the spokesman said. Last week, Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the data informed in the Lok Sabha, as many as 950 incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan have been reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August. Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also said in the Lok Sabha that terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistans control remains a core concern in bilateral relations. 950 incidents of ceasefire violation along the LoC from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir were reported during August 2019 to October 2019, he said, replying a written question. On August 5, the central government had announced the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party legislator on Sunday held a meeting in Mumbai and discussed a strategy to comfortably pass our floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly. The legislatures also passed a resolution congratulating Devendra Fadnavis on taking oath as Chief Minister. In this meeting, we discussed & decided the strategy to comfortably pass our floor test. We also passed a resolution congratulating Devendra Fadnavis on taking oath as Chief Minister, Ashish Shelar said after the meeting. Shelar said that all the party MLAs were present in the meeting and another meeting of independent MLAs who are willing to support the BJP will be held soon. In today's meeting all expected MLAs were present, a meeting of those independent MLAs who are supporting us will be held at a different place, he said while addressing media persons after the meeting. The BJP also accused its one-time ally Shiv Sena of committing the sin of abandoning its founder Bal Thackerays thoughts of aligning with the BJP by joining hands with the Congress and the NCP. The Shiv Sena committed the sin of abandoning Bal Thackerays thoughts of aligning with the BJP, he said. The meeting of Maharashtra BJP MLAs was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil and Union minister Raosaheb Danve are among those present. The meeting was held at the Mumbai BJP office Vasant Smriti in Dadar. New Delhi: A 29-year-old man shot dead his wife with his licensed pistol on Sunday and then turned it on himself in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, police said. The incident happened in the afternoon in Madhoganj area, said City Superintendent of Police Hemant Tiwari. As per initial probe, Satendra Chauhan first shot dead his wife Anshu (25) and then ended his life. They had got married five years ago and have a four-year-old daughter. The child was in another room of the house when the shootings took place, the CSP said. The child got a call from a relative whom she told that her parents were lying in a pool of blood. The relative in turn called the police. It appears the couple had a fight before the twin shootings. Satendra was jobless for some time now, Tiwari said. A case has been registered and further investigations are on, he added. For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: SSC CGL Registration: The online registration process for SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam 2019-2020 will end on Monday, and all the eligible candidates who havent applied till now need to register right away. Candidates can visit the official website of the commission, i.e. ssc.nic.in for the registration. It is to be noted that as per the official notification by SSC CGL, the deadline for applying for SSC CGL 2019-20 is November 25. Candidates must make sure to read the official notification and eligibility criteria carefully before applying for the exam. To apply for the SSC CGL exam, candidates need to have Bachelor Degree or should be in the final year of Graduation. For those candidates who are still pursing Graduation need to get their degree before January 1, 2020. The age limit for the SSC CGL is 18 to 27 and 18 to 30 years as on January 1, 2020 for Group C and Group B posts respectively. The upper age limit for Junior Statistical Officer is 32 years. SSC CGL Registration fee Candidates will have to pay Rs 100 as registration fee, through BHIM UPI, net banking or by using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, RuPay credit or debit card or in cash at SBI branches by generating SBI challan. Importantly, women candidates and applicants from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Disability (PwD) and Ex-servicemen (ESM) category do not have to pay the fee. To apply for the SSC CGL 2019 exam, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps: Firstly, visit SSCs official website, ssc.nic.in Then, confirm the eligibility and click on the registration link Register by providing the information and validating the mobile number, email id provided Register by providing the basic details such as email ID, mobile number, etc. After the registration process candidates need to duly fill the application process upload the images in prescribed format and pay the application fee. Once the registration process is done, download and save your application form for future reference. Importantly, candidates should note that questions from the sections of General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language will be asked in the exam. About SSC Established on November 4, 1975, the SSC works under the Indian government. The organisation is responsible for recruiting staff for several posts in various ministries and departments of the government of India and in subordinate offices. The posts for which SSC conducts recruitment include Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer, Assistant Section Officer, inspector, sub-inspector, income tax inspector, auditor, tax assistant, upper division clerk, etc. New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Punjab Chief Minister Candidate Bhagwant Mann ridiculed Captain and asked him that if he was receiving calls and messages from Pakistan to make Navjot Singh Sidhu a minister, then why did he keep it a secret for so many years? Was it at the behest of Pakistan that Captain was again offering ministry to Sidhu, asked Mann. Addressing the media in Chandigarh on Tuesday, Mann said Captain Amarinder Singh was making such statements to disturb the atmosphere of Punjab during the elections as he had nothing left now. Mann, without naming anyone, remarked that 'Pakistan' himself used to live with him in his house. Captain used to appoint ministers, DGP and Chief Secretary of the state only after asking Pakistan. Captain used the services of senior officers of Punjab to take care of the Sitaphal and Chiku in his Siswan Farm House. Reacting to Captain Amarinder Singh's comment calling Bhagwant Mann a comedian, Mann said that this comedian has always raised the issues of Punjab's water, Punjab's agriculture, farmers and mafia in the Parliament. Whereas, when Captain was an MP, he did not even go to Parliament. His (Captains) attendance was the worst, let alone his chances of raising any issue pertaining Punjab and its people. Even as the Chief Minister, he deceived the people of Punjab. Instead of fulfilling the promises, he was leisurely spending time in his farm house. Today he is getting punished for the betrayal he has done with the people of Punjab. Mann said that during the last Lok Sabha elections, Captain used to call him a strong candidate; today he is calling him a comedian because Captain is agitated about the love and support that Mann is getting from the people of Punjab. Mann strongly condemned the sacrilege incident at the famous Kali Mata temple in Patiala and said that if the culprits in the old sacrilege cases had been punished severely, such incidents would not have happened time and again. He appealed to the people to maintain peace and wished for harmony in Punjab. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party government will maintain peace and brotherhood in Punjab by improving law and order and will give strict punishments to the guilty after conducting a high-level inquiry into all the previous sacrilege cases. Mann narrated the lines of famous poet Rahat Indori about the relation between tension and elections, saying that such incidents are happening because of elections. First there was an attempt of sacrilege at Sri Harmandir Sahib, then in Ludhiana there was desecration of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and now an attempt at Kali Mata Mandir. Some anti-social forces are carrying out such incidents to disturb the communal harmony of Punjab. Mann said that Navjot Singh Sidhu gives lousy statements and use abusive language towards Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal, because he has no topics of work or development to talk about. He advised Navjot Sidhu to keep a check on his words. To earn others respect, first you have to show respect. If he has so much desire to become the Chief Minister, then he should get the survey done on behalf of the Congress party, he will know the truth, added Mann. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday made a sensational claim where he said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls under the leadership of Delhi party president Manoj Tiwari. We will make Manoj Tiwari Delhis Chief Minister, Singh added. Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said he had no intentions to run for the post of Delhi chief minister. The party (BJP) has a well-defined leadership in Delhi. There are people who have grown up in the city. I have no such intentions (to run for the CMs post). I am happy where I am, he replied to a question during a press conference here. Assembly elections in Delhi are due early next year. The BJP had placed its bets on Harsh Vardhan during the 2013 assembly elections, while former IPS officer Kiran Bedi was its CM face in 2015. Puri also denounced the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi for its obstructionist irresponsible attitude on every issue pertaining to the welfare of the people in the national capital. Inaugurating a portal which will define and delineate the boundaries of 1,731 unauthorised colonies here using satellite imagery, he claimed that the AAP government kept delaying the work on various pretexts. The same obstructionist attitude is evident as far as Delhis urban mobility infrastructure is concerned. Instead of strengthening the existing urban mobility infrastructure like metro and buses in Delhi, the local government is resorting to election gimmicks, he said. We are not against offering benefits to citizens, but firmly believe that if DTC had a full fleet of 11,000 buses instead of just 4,000, the benefit to the citizens would have been more pronounced, Puri said. New Delhi : Remember Dele Alli challenge which became popular a couple of month back where people has to twist their fingers to outline their eyes? Now, a video of a girl is making rounds over the internet where she could be seen making an illusion with her hands and netizens are trying to copy the same. The clip was originally posted by a TikTok user Tori Pareno where she creates an optical illusion with her hands by moving her fingers quickly to make it appear as if the palm of one hand is moving through the other. Tori wrote, "Here's something trippy for your night. The video has been viewed more than 8.5 million times and has garnered around 5 lakh likes and hundreds of comment applauding the girl. Check out the video yourself: heres something trippy for your night lol pic.twitter.com/lkcX25mgri LG Tori Pareno (@ToriPareno) November 21, 2019 Even some people in the comment section posted their video of this illusion which are as below: i did ur thing but with LED gloves :^) pic.twitter.com/yh1jGlEXp9 Y The Lightshow Hashira Y (@JomarriSalomon) November 22, 2019 Said I was gonna do it with my gloves pic.twitter.com/Ms3qWASdKX alyburrr (@alvinvelasc0) November 22, 2019 This is not the first time, such video has surfaced over the internet that grabbed eyeballs of many. Few months ago, a video of an arrow that wouldn't point left, no matter how it was turned, left the Internet totally stunned and speechless. For all the Latest Offbeat News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Ahead of the floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly, there are reports coming in that BJPs Kalidas Kolambkar is likely to be appointed as the Protem Speaker. Kolambkar, who was the Congress MLA from Wadala in Mumbai, had joined the BJP in July this year. Kolambkar, an eight-term lawmaker, was originally with the Shiv Sena before joining the Congress. The leader is seen is the likely candidate for the crucial post, which may change the course of event for the BJP during the floor test. Other names that are doing rounds for the appointment of the Protem Speaker are KC Padvi, Dilip Valse Patil, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Balasaheb Thorat and Babanrao Pachpute. The chances of Balasaheb Thorat being appointed as Protem Speaker are bit low as the Maharashtra Congress has appointed him as the Legislative Party leader. Kolambkar is considered a close aide of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane. In March, he had said that he would support those who work. Kolambkar had removed the party signboard outside his residence and put Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis's portrait instead. In April, he attended an NDA election rally and openly declared his plan to desert the grand old party. "I am angry with the Congress party as no work could happen in my constituency. I will leave Congress and support those who work. I came here to listen to their speech. I used to come to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's speeches as well," Kolambkar had said. Meanwhile, with the Supreme Court ordering floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday, all newly elected BJP MLAs in the state have been asked to reach Mumbai to attend a meeting to be addressed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis here on Tuesday evening, a party leader said. Along with its own 105 MLAs, the BJP has the support of "14 other legislators" from various smaller parties and Independents, the leader claimed. The BJP also has the support of NCP's Ajit Pawar to meet its requirement of minimum 145 MLAs to prove majority in the 288-member House, he said, without elaborating. The BJP earlier withdrew its claim to form government but in a dramatic turn of events, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister and NCP's Ajit Pawar as his deputy by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at a hush hush ceremony in Raj Bhavan early Saturday morning. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was on Saturday sworn in as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, returned to his private residence near Churchgate in the early hours of Sunday, sources said. He spent Saturday at his brothers home in Mumbai even as his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar attended a party meeting where most of the NCP MLAs were present. Meanwhile, a meeting of BJP legislators is slated in Mumbai on Sunday, a day after Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the chief minister again. The NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena are trying to ensure their MLAs are not poached. In view of this, the NCP and Shiv Sena have moved their legislators to luxury hotels in Mumbai, while the Congress sources said they may take their MLAs to Jaipur. In the 288-member state Assembly, the BJP government will have to prove that it has the backing of 145 legislators. There has been no official confirmation on reports that the governor has asked Fadnavis to prove his majority in the Assembly by November 30. In a stunning turn of events, Fadnavis on Saturday returned as chief minister propped up by Ajit Pawar, who was made his deputy, just hours after the new alliance of Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress reached a consensus that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be their chief ministerial candidate. Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in by Koshyari at a hush hush ceremony here, leading to lifting of the Presidents rule in the state. Speaking to BJP workers at the party office here after being sworn in, Fadnavis said he would give Maharashtra a strong government with Ajit Pawars support. Ajit Pawars volte face created fissures in the NCP, whose chief Sharad Pawar distanced himself from his nephews dramatic action, saying the decision to back Fadnavis was his personal choice and not that of the party. On Saturday evening, the NCP removed Ajit Pawar as the partys legislature unit head, saying his move was not in line with the partys policies. The Shiv Sena also approached the Supreme Court against the arbitrary and malafide actions/decisions of Governor Koshyari of swearing in Fadnavis. The BJP and the Sena, which fought the last months Assembly polls in an alliance, secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats respectively. The Sena, however, broke its three-decade-long ties with the BJP after the latter declined to share the chief ministers post. The Congress and the NCP, both pre-poll allies, won 44 and 54 seats respectively. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : The Centre has extended the ban on Assam-based Bodo insurgent group NDFB by another five years, saying the outlawed outfit has continued to indulge in violent activities, including killing and extortion, and undermine the countrys territorial integrity in collusion with anti-India forces. The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) has been indulging in illegal and violent activities, intending to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India in furtherance of its objective of achieving a separate Bodoland, said Union Home Ministry in a notification, extending the ban on the north east militant group. The ministry extended the ban on NDBF under the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The ministry said by its unlawful and violent activities, the NDFB has been "undermining the authority of the government, spreading terror and panic among people, causing carnage and ethnic violence, resulting in killings and destruction of properties of non-Bodos, inhabiting the Bodo-dominated areas in Assam". "For the aforesaid reasons", the notification said "the central government is of the opinion that the NDFBs activities are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that it is an unlawful association". The central government, the notification added, is also "of the opinion that unless NDFBs unlawful activities are kept under control, the organisation may re-group and re-arm itself, make fresh recruitment, indulge in violent, terrorist and secessionist activities, collect funds and endanger the lives of innocent citizens and security forces personnel". "Therefore, circumstances do exist which render it necessary to declare the NDFB as an unlawful association with immediate effect," it said. Accordingly "in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (Act 37 of 1967), the central government hereby declares the NDFB, along with all its groups, factions and front organisations, as an unlawful association", the notification said. Also Read | Give us Bodoland or lose people's support in 2019: Bodo organisations' threat to BJP in Assam The ban on NDFB comes with immediate effect and will last for five years, a home ministry official said. The home ministry also noted that the insurgent group has aligned itself with other underground outfits of the north eastern region to achieve its objectives of creating a separate Bodoland. The ministry said the group has been indulging in extortion of money from various sections of the society to finance and execute its plans to create a separate Bodoland and has launched a systematic drive to recruit fresh cadres to continue its terrorist and insurgent activities. It said the NDFB has also established camps and hideouts across the countrys border to carry out its secessionist activities and obtain assistance from anti-India forces in other countries to procure arms, besides securing other helps to have a separate Bodoland. The MHA notification said the NDFB has been involved in 62 violent incidents since January 2015, resulting in killings of 19 civilians and 55 extremists, besides the arrest of 450 ultras and confiscation of 444 arms from them. The NDFB was first declared an outlawed organisation in 1990s and the ban has been extended every five years since then. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Definitely not a very feasible reason of make-believe! A man in Florida who was caught with a bag of cocaine in his car told the police that is was the wind that placed the substance there. Joseph Zak, 37, was pulled over by the unmarked police car on 5 November in Fort Pierce after he failed to stop at a stop sign on Canal Terr and North 23rd Street, according to the arrest affidavit acquired by The Smoking Gun. The suspect gave himself away when he started 'making furtive movements', and appeared to be leaning over as if 'attempting to discard an item out of the passenger window'. The affidavit summary said, "During our interaction with Zak I observed him to being very confrontational and looking around the vehicle as if attempting to conceal another item, and his physical appearance was observed having blood shot eyes, glossy eyes, and was slurring his words when answering questions. "Due to the open container violation he was removed from the sedan and detained in handcuff for our safety. "Zak gave his consent to the search of his vehicle. A search of his vehicle revealed, through my training and glass round cylinder commonly used for smoking crack cocaine in the center console. A clear baggie was also located in the rear seat with a whitish residue, which tested positive for crack cocaine." The summary continued: "Zak stated the bag of cocaine residue that was found did not belong to him. Zak stated that the police or the wind must have placed it there. "When asked if the bag that tested positive for cocaine belong[ed] to the owner of the vehicle he refused to speak. No other clear baggies were located inside the vehicle." In addition to drinking and driving, Zak has also been arrested and charged with possession of drugs. He has been transported to the Saint Lucie County Jail. For all the Latest Offbeat News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Jharkhand Congress on Sunday released its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. The manifesto was released by Congress party's Jharkhand election in-charge RPN Singh along with other top leaders of the state. Right to health services, strengthening MNREGA scheme in the state and buying forest produce on a fair price were among the key promises made by the Congress party in its election manifesto. The Congress has announced a pre-poll alliance for the Jharkhand Assembly elections with the Jarkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Lalu Prasad Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), with former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren as the alliances CM candidate. The Congress will contest 31 out of 81 seats in the Jharkhand assembly. The RJD will contest on seven seats, while the largest chunk of the alliance share has gone to the JMM, which will contest elections on 43 seats. Jharkhand will vote in five phases, with the first one on November 30 and the last on December 20. Results will be declared on December 23. Key Poll Promises of Congress party in Jharkhand Amritsar: Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has made a big revelation about Congress state unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu. Captain Amarinder said that when he was the Chief Minister, he had received a message from Pakistan to make Sidhu a minister. The NDA alliance in Punjab has announced that the BJP will field candidates in 65 seats, the Punjab Lok Congress in 37 seats and the 'Samyukta Akali Dal' in 15 assembly seats. The captain said that in the message that came to him from Pakistan, it was written that you take Sidhu in your cabinet and make him a minister and if he does not work, then remove him. He said that in the message from Pakistan, it was said that the PM Imran Khan had called Sidhu his friend and requested him to give him a ministerial post in the Congress government of Punjab. However, he did not say who had given him this message. Announcing the seat-sharing for the alliance, BJP national president JP Nadda said that Punjab is a state on the border, in such a situation, it is necessary to have a stable and strong government in Punjab for the security of the country. Nadda said that we know how Pakistan's actions have been for our country and we have seen there that there are attempts to smuggle drugs and weapons from there. He said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the country is progressing at a very fast pace and ill-mannered efforts are made to derail it, anti-national forces, in which there is an activity through Punjab, is always an effort of anti-national forces. Nadda announced seat-sharing for Punjab elections 'Get a tweet from Rahul Gandhi on Balasaheb and show it..', BJP's challenge to Shiv Sena" If Yakub Memon not been hanged, Akhilesh would have made him a candidate too: Patra TEHRAN, Iran Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has ruled out the possibility of a "interim deal" in the country's ongoing nuclear talks with world powers in Vienna. "Iran is seeking a stable and dependable agreement and will not settle for anything less. We are concerned with the quality of the agreement, nothing more, nothing less "Saeed Khatibzadeh made the comments during his weekly press conference on Monday. "An interim agreement has never been on Iran's agenda, and we have a serious need for a qualitative and substantive agreement, which I hope Washington recognises," he said, adding that "obtaining guarantees is critical" to achieving a stable and reliable agreement, according to the state news report. In a statement on the status of the Vienna talks aimed at lifting anti-Iran sanctions and restoring the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he said "good progress" has been made in some areas, and it is critical that all parties in Vienna agree that the US should not leave a possible agreement again. Commandos Force To Be Deployed In Kaziranga National Park to Stop Poaching China to step up control over cold-chain food imports amid pandemic Shanghai strengthens health observation for inbound travellers Thiruvananthapuram: The Digital University Kerala (DUK), in collaboration with the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) in Thrissur, will establish India's first graphene innovation centre in Kerala for Rs 86.41 crore. This will be the country's first graphene Research and Development (R&D) incubator. Tata Steel Limited is expected to be the center's industrial partner. The project has received approval from India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The initiative, which will be carried out with the cooperation of the Kerala government, is anticipated to help the state's knowledge industry sector grow faster. Dr. AP James of DUK and Dr. A Seema of C-MET are the project's chief investigators and will also lead it. Scientists from the National Graphene Institute, the University of Manchester, and other industrial partners from around the world are among the major collaborators. We expect the centre to provide students, researchers, established enterprises and fledgling startups to test and explore new revolutionary goods, and make it a thriving environment for inventive graphene-based product development, said Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor of DUK. Kerala CM comes out with Ordinance to dilute Lokayukta powers, amidst opposition Kerala's Health Minister refutes false reports about Covid Kerala High Court restrains police from arresting actor Dileep until Jan 27 BEIRUT - Lebanon's Foreign Ministry has condemned the Yemeni Houthi militia's missile attacks against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "solidarity with the brotherly UAE leadership and people in the face of any attack on their sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity" in a statement issued Monday. The UAE Ministry of Defense announced Monday that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired against the UAE by the Houthi militia. According to state news, no casualties were reported as a result of the attack. Soon after the attacks, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the destruction of a ballistic missile launcher in Yemen's Al Jawf governorate. The latest exchange of fire occurred in response to a Houthi attack on the UAE on January 17, during which three petroleum tankers caught fire near storage facilities for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE capital. The attack claimed three lives and injured six others. The Houthi militia in Yemen, backed by Iran, has claimed responsibility for the January 17 attack in the UAE, which is a member of the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis. US directs embassy staff members' family to leave Ukraine Russia Military conducts large-scale drills in Baltic Sea amid Ukraine crisis US places troops on high alert due to border tensions with Ukraine According to media reports, a visiting Taliban group met in Oslo with leaders from the United States and seven other countries to discuss Afghanistan's economy, humanitarian aid, security, and healthcare. According to Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the three-day conference began on Monday, with representatives from the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, Italy, France, Qatar, and the European Union staying (EU). Balkhi stated in a tweet: "The meeting's topics included the economy, humanitarian relief, security, central bank operations, health, and other essential topics. The conversations are still ongoing, and a full report will be available soon." The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, indicated on Sunday evening, a day before the conference, that Washington and its partners were looking for solutions to solve the continued humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, according to media sources." As we work with friends, partners, and relief organisations to solve the humanitarian crisis, we will maintain an open dialogue with the Taliban about our concerns and our long-term goal in a stable, rights-respecting, and inclusive Afghanistan "he stated According to political analysts, such gatherings might be crucial in resolving the country's problems. Professor Sayed Baqir Mohseni said, "There is a need to take a positive step within Afghanistan for the development of an inclusive and sustainable government." On Sunday, the Taliban gathered with members of Afghanistan's civil society, including women, to discuss the country's current situation. Two Indonesian cities create travel bubbles with Singapore Growth is highest in 11 years in South Korea's economy Mobility of the South Korean population has declined by the most in nine years JAKARTA With the goal of reviving the tourism sector in both locations, Indonesia has permitted quarantine-free cross-border travel between Singapore and the two cities of Batam and Bintan, according to an official. "The government has supported the travel bubble between the cities of Batam, Bintan, and Singapore to boost the tourism industry's revival," said Airlangga Hartarto, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy. According to sources, travellers from Singapore with complete Covid-19 vaccines are allowed to enter both cities via boat docks in Nongsa Batam and Telani Bintan with documentation of negative coronavirus testing within the last 72 hours. To activate Indonesian Covid-19 tracing programmes and monitor applications, visitors must have insurance with a guarantee of S$30,000 (USD22,300s). The Indonesian Presidential Staff Office's Deputy for Infrastructure, Energy, and Investment, Febry Calvin Tetelepta, said on Monday that the plan has been delayed multiple times due to the unpredictable conditions of the Covid-19 outbreak in both nations. According to Tetelepta, the travel bubbles are predicted to help these two cities' economies recover and have a large multiplier effect. Guterres calls for all nations to focus on education as top political priority NATO strengthens its presence in Eastern Europe amid Ukraine tensions Lebanon accuses of Yemeni Houthi missile attacks against UAE In the organization of tomorrow, the finance organization would be a more agile unit moving in sync with the business The world around is changing rapidly. Businesses no longer can be conducted in the same manner they have been in the past. Some of the factors which are influencing businesses today areNowadays businesses are no longer competing with only companies in their country. The global enterprise has become a reality and businesses can no longer operate in isolationGlobal events can no longer be ignored. Unlike the past when business only concerned themselves on local decisions, today no global event can be ignored. A recession in America is a significant event in India directly affecting businesses. Price rise of a commodity in China would affect businesses in IndiaTechnology is changing the way businesses deliver products and services to the customer. Technology is a great leveler, directly affecting companies which had in the past relied on significant barriers to entry.As the reliance on technology increases, the quantum of data available to businesses has increased manifold. Companies can use the data to provide personalized services and solutions directly to customers creating a new form of loyalty which did not exist beforeAs the way of doing business changes, there is a need for the laws and regulation to evolve to ensure that the rights of companies and individuals are affected. Data privacy and Intellectual property rights laws are critical in today's world.As businesses evolve, the finance function has to evolve along with the businesses. Finance has always been critical to the functioning of businesses. However, in the past a large portion of finance was focused on analysis and reporting. The analysis was mostly done on data generated from events which had already been completed. However, that way of working cannot serve companies operating in the current environment. The CFO needs to become a trusted business advisor. The CFO is unique in the sense that he is one of the few people who would be able to quantify the impact of ever-changing environments to the company's top line and the bottom line helping the company make the unique decision. Thus, it is imperative that the CFO moves from analyzing the decision post facto to becoming an integral part of the decision-making process. To achieve that end it is necessary that the finance function itself evolve.Today most finance organizations are organized in line with the business units. Each division has people who perform functions such as accounting, planning and pricing. Moreover, there are also certain functions such as accounts payable and accounts receivable. These are centralized functions which today are fairly employee dependent. In most companies the finance team does not have people who work on automation. They tend to look at vendors as and when needs arise. The big challenge with this is automation in the finance function ends up getting deprioritized.In the organization of tomorrow, the finance organization would be a more agile unit moving in sync with the business. To enable this, my view is that eventually the finance function would possibly have three layers and then there would be the CFO who would be using the output of the layers to ensure proper decision makingAt the bottom layer you would have smart finance factories. These factories would be common across the company reducing the amount of duplication. These factories would be lean and automation would be a major part of these centers. By and large there would be a specific IT team which would continuously work towards automating processes and reports in a structured manner. This layer would mostly be offshore driving cost efficiencies.The next layers would be having specialist centers of excellence that would be using the output of the factories to perform specific tasks needed for the business. These would be teams with deep functional capabilities performing functions such as revenue analytics, balance sheet management and reporting. Along with these tasks, most common functions such as treasury, regulatory reporting and tax would reside in these centers of excellence and they would work to ensure regulatory requirements are met.The third layer would be specific business specialists. These would be people who would work closely with the business units and would be the point of contact between those units and the finance function. One can think of them as controllers for their units. Any customer interaction for their units on the finance side would also be handled by them. This layer would interact with the centers of the excellence and ensure that the requirements of the business would be met. One of the major functions of this layer would be to build scenarios allowing the business to see the financial impact of different business situations.At the highest level the CFO would be responsible for holding the entire structure together and driving the unit in the same strategic division as the overall business. The CFO would need to keep tweaking the structure to ensure that the needs of the business are metOne of major drivers which would help transformation of the finance function would be the use of technology. Three key technologies which would be important for the digitization of the finance function are listed below.Processes which are repetitive can be automated and in many cases the work can actually be done by bots who perform the functions ensuring work is done quickly and without errorsVarious tools allow data to be represented graphically allowing business to make proper decisions. These charts would be updated on a real time basisIn today's organization, there is no shortage of data. This data however is useless unless the organization is able to use the data to gain a competitive advantage. For that advanced level of analysis would need to be done on the data. The big advantage is that computing power is cheap and readily available allowing organizations to perform analytics which were unthinkable 2- 3 years ago.While most organizations understand that digitization is essential, there are several challenges which organization would have to overcome. Some of these are listed below1. Lack of talent specially in skills such as automation / advanced analytics2. Lack of IT infrastructure3. Upfront costs of transformation4. Change in mindset of employees who are happy with existing processesUltimately as the world around us continues to change it is essential for the finance function to evolve. While there are challenges which organizations face it is essential that organizations understand that transformation of the finance function is directly linked to their survival. WESTPORT, Conn., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Balance Point Capital Advisors, LLC ("Balance Point"), a leading provider of capital to lower middle market companies, is pleased to announce the promotions of Nathan Elliott to Senior Managing Director, Adam Sauerteig to Managing Director, Grant Groher to Senior Vice President and Dan Freshman to Vice President. Balance Point Capital Partners, LP. (PRNewsfoto/Balance Point Capital Partners,) "We are excited to promote these outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to our firm," said Seth Alvord, Managing Partner of Balance Point. "Each of these dedicated professionals has added meaningful value to Balance Point and our portfolio, and we look forward to sharing in their continued success." "These individuals have been instrumental in advancing Balance Point's strategy of providing flexible and patient capital solutions to the lower middle market, and we congratulate each of them on their well-deserved promotions," added Partner Justin Kaplan. Mr. Elliott joined Balance Point as a Vice President in 2014. As Senior Managing Director, Mr. Elliott will continue his role within portfolio management and deal execution. Prior to joining Balance Point, Mr. Elliott was a Vice President at Jefferies Finance, LLC where he spent four years and was responsible for the underwriting and execution of syndicated bank loans and bridge financings primarily for sponsor-led LBO and M&A transactions. Prior to that, Mr. Elliott was an Assistant Vice President at GE Capital underwriting cash flow loans for LBOs and M&A transactions. Mr. Elliott is also a graduate of GE Capital's selective 2-year ECLP (Experienced Commercial Leadership Program) which combines extensive formal finance and Six Sigma training with 6-month rotations throughout the GE Capital businesses. Mr. Elliott received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. Mr. Sauerteig rejoined Balance Point in 2015 as an Associate upon receiving an M.B.A. As Managing Director, Mr. Sauerteig will continue his focus on deal origination, deal execution and portfolio management. Since originally joining Balance Point in 2010, Mr. Sauerteig has underwritten, structured, and executed debt and equity investments in lower middle market companies across a variety of industries including Media & Telecommunications, Healthcare, Consumer & Retail, and Business Services. Prior to rejoining Balance Point, Mr. Sauerteig worked as a Summer Associate in the Investment Banking Division of Lazard. Mr. Sauerteig began his career as an Analyst with Balance Point. Mr. Sauerteig holds a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University. Story continues Mr. Groher joined Balance Point in 2017 as a Senior Associate. As Senior Vice President, Mr. Groher will continue his focus on deal origination, deal execution and portfolio management. Prior to joining Balance Point, Mr. Groher worked in the Financial Sponsors Group at Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC where he was an Associate responsible for the due diligence and underwriting of syndicated loan and bridge financings for sponsor-led LBO and M&A transactions. He developed significant experience in a variety of industries including Healthcare, Technology, Telecommunications, Industrials, and Consumer & Retail. Mr. Groher began his career at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation where he assisted in the evaluation and execution of corporate M&A and asset transactions in the energy industry. Mr. Groher holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia. Mr. Freshman joined Balance Point in 2018 as an Associate. As Vice President, Mr. Freshman will focus on deal origination, deal execution and portfolio management. Prior to joining Balance Point, Mr. Freshman held various roles at Tudor Investment Corporation. Most recently, he was an equity analyst focusing on the Industrials and Business Services sectors. Prior to that, he was responsible for the monitoring of Tudor's private equity and illiquid investment portfolio. Mr. Freshman holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and is a CFA Charterholder. About Balance Point Capital Balance Point is an alternative investment manager focused on the lower middle market. With approximately $1.7 billion in assets under management, Balance Point invests debt and equity capital in select lower middle market companies across a variety of investment vehicles. Balance Point takes a long-term, partnership approach to investing and is committed to building lasting relationships with its partners, management teams and intermediaries. Balance Point Capital Advisors, LLC (referred to herein as Balance Point) is a registered investment advisor. Further information is available at www.balancepointcapital.com. Media Contact: Justin Kaplan, Partner Office: (203) 652-8264 Email: jkaplan@balancepointcapital.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/balance-point-capital-announces-investment-team-promotions-301467820.html SOURCE Balance Point Capital Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Banco de la Republica Oriental del UruguayGlobal Credit Research - 24 Jan 2022New York, January 24, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review discussion held on 17 January 2022 in which Moody's reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology(ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers. The review did not involve a rating committee. Since 1 January 2019, Moody's practice has been to issue a press release following each periodic review to announce its completion.This publication does not announce a credit rating action and is not an indication of whether or not a credit rating action is likely in the near future. Credit ratings and outlook/review status cannot be changed in a portfolio review and hence are not impacted by this announcement. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.Key rating considerations are summarized below.Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay's (BROU) Baa2 long-term local and foreign currency deposit ratings reflect the bank's baseline credit assessment (BCA) of baa3 and Moody's assessment that, as a government-backed bank, BROU would receive very high support in a situation of stress. The bank's deposit ratings are lifted by one notch reflecting the full and unconditional guarantee of the Uruguayan government to BROU's obligations.BROU's baa3 BCA acknowledges its dominant market share in loans and deposits in Uruguay. The bank's nationwide distribution network and well-established franchise supports its ample access to a low-cost stable retail deposits. The baa3 BCA also incorporates BROU's diversified revenue base and its historically good capital position. On the other hand, the baa3 BCA is constrained by a loan book with high borrower concentration from corporate clients, despite the fact that loans to households account for almost half of total loans. Although asset quality metrics are aligned to industry average, they have increased in the past because of bad performance of loans to some single companies.This document summarizes Moody's view as of the publication date and will not be updated until the next periodic review announcement, which will incorporate material changes in credit circumstances (if any) during the intervening period.The principal methodology used for this review was Banks Methodology published in July 2021. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.This announcement applies only to EU rated, UK rated, EU endorsed and UK endorsed ratings. Non EU rated, non UK rated, non EU endorsed and non UK endorsed ratings may be referenced above to the extent necessary, if they are part of the same analytical unit.This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history. Alexandre Albuquerque Vice President - Senior Analyst Financial Institutions Group Moody's America Latina Ltda. Avenida Nacoes Unidas, 12.551 16th Floor, Room 1601 Sao Paulo, SP 04578-903 Brazil JOURNALISTS: 0 800 891 2518 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Ceres Lisboa Associate Managing Director Financial Institutions Group JOURNALISTS: 0 800 891 2518 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. 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Andrew Pinnington will bring his experience to Beat as former CEO of mytaxi, the leading European ride-hailing company that rebranded to FREE NOW on 2019 ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beat , one of the fastest growing ride-hailing apps in Latin America, part of the FREE NOW group, the ride-hailing joint venture of BMW and Daimler, announces the appointment of Andrew Pinnington as its new CEO to lead the team and continue the company's expansion and growth in the region. Andrew Pinnington will continue Beats expansion and growth in Latin America. FREE NOW group's board of directors is confident that Pinnington's experience, focus and leadership style will help further develop Beat's business and drive growth in Latin America, unlocking further business potential across the region. "We're really fortunate to have Andrew, an experienced leader with gravitas and vision, as a companion to our mission, to develop seamless mobility for a safe and sustainable urban life", members of the board said. "The board and the executive leadership team are confident that Andrew is the best person to lead Beat into building mobility solutions that unlock the true potential of cities and people's lives, while continuously improving Beat's culture, making the company one of the best places to work." On his part, Beat's new CEO said he is very happy to join such a hypergrowth company, with a unique culture and mission of developing innovative mobility solutions for seamless experiences that passengers and drivers deserve. "I am thrilled to be joining Beat to lead the next phase of growth for the company across the Latin American region, especially at such an exciting time for the business. I am really looking forward to working with the team and returning to such an exciting and dynamic industry as ride-hailing," he highlighted. Andrew brings tremendous insight and experience, having served as CEO of ride-hailing business, mytaxi, whilst helping the business grow from 9 markets in Western Europe, to span across 19 countries in 2 continents, seeing revenues grow more than 8x over a two-year period, through a combination of organic and acquisition-based growth. Story continues Andrew's most recent role was CEO of the high growth, UK-based, DTC pet supplies subscription business, itch, from April 2020 through until the end of 2021, at which point the business transitioned to a new ownership structure. During his leadership, the business scaled 3x and moved from early stage startup to a more mature business, ready for rapid domestic and international scaling. Andrew has more than 30 years of experience in different capacities across the technology, retail, FMCG and consulting sectors for both public and privately backed businesses. He spent the bulk of his career at the retailing entrepreneurial success story, The Carphone Warehouse, finishing his journey there as Chief Operating Officer, being a key component of a team that had overseen rapid growth from 150m annual turnover to more than 4 billion across 11 different markets during the previous decade. Before Carphone, Andrew worked in the USA for PepsiCo in a variety of financial and general management roles, having gained an MBA at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Earlier, he gained his initial work experience with management consultants Bain & Company, having graduated from the University of Bristol. Andrew Pinnington is taking over the new role from Marc Berg, CEO at FREE NOW who also led Beat as interim CEO. #WhereNext About Beat Beat creates a new ride experience by connecting thousands of passengers with nearby available drivers in real-time. Through the app, you can request a driver 24/7. Beat is more than an app that takes you from A to B. Our mission is to develop seamless mobility for a safe and sustainable urban life, becoming part of people's life by making transportation in the city more affordable, efficient and reliable, while providing economic opportunities to anyone. The company was founded in 2011 and is part of the FREE NOW group, the ride-hailing joint venture of BMW and Daimler. Beat is currently available in Greece, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, with plans to expand to more cities in Latin America, and has a Tech Innovation and Engineering Hub in The Netherlands. For more information, please visit thebeat.co . Find us on: Facebook: facebook.com/TheBeatApp Twitter: twitter.com/thebeatapp Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/thebeatapp/ Medium: build.thebeat.co/ Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beat-appoints-experienced-ride-hailing-leader-andrew-pinnington-as-its-new-ceo-301467410.html SOURCE The Beat App Pictured here: Daniel Blumberger, Catherine Lebel, Martin Lepage, Manuela Ferrari, and Tarek Rajji are leading the research projects receiving funding from Bell Lets Talk and Brain Canada (CNW Group/Bell Canada) Five Canadian research teams receive major grants to address gaps in mental health care highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis MONTREAL, Jan. 25, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell Let's Talk and Brain Canada are pleased to announce that five outstanding research teams have been selected to receive a total of $4,190,000 in funding support through the Bell Let's Talk-Brain Canada Mental Health Research Program. Launched in January 2021, this initiative supports the development of innovative solutions to provide effective, sustainable, and accessible mental health care for everyone in Canada. Brain Canada's contribution is made possible through the Canada Brain Research Fund, with financial support from Health Canada. "Across Canada, we have seen that the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating peoples' mental health and substance use problems. Thanks to the Bell Let's Talk-Brain Canada Mental Health Research Program, and the hard-working researchers, more Canadians and Indigenous Peoples will have access to the mental health and substance use supports they need - today, and every day. Because there's no health without mental health." - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions It is currently estimated that one in five Canadians will experience some type of mental health issue or illness in any given year, with 1.6 million reporting that their mental health needs are not being fully met. While some individuals benefit greatly, for many living with a mental health issue or illness, the options that are available are not always adequate. The pandemic has only highlighted the need for enhanced mental health research and care initiatives that address this. By developing new and emerging directions and solutions for mental health challenges, the selected teams are advancing efforts to recognize and respond to the evolving mental health needs of Canadians. The Bell Let's Talk-Brain Canada Mental Health Research Program recipient teams include some of the best researchers from across the country in the mental health field. The projects are: Story continues A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depression - team led by Daniel Blumberger, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) AID-ME: Artificial Intelligence in Depression Medication Enhancement: A Randomized, Patient and Rater Blinded, Active-Controlled Trial of a Deep-Learning Enabled Clinical Decision Aid for Personalized Depression Treatment Selection - team led by Manuela Ferrari, Centre de recherche de l'hopital Douglas - Douglas Hospital Research Centre BEAM: Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health in Parenting. An app-based intervention to improve postpartum mental health and support children's brain development - team led by Catherine Lebel and Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen, University of Calgary Promoting cognitive health in schizophrenia with online psychological interventions: A national implementation strategy centered on a digital learning platform - team led by Martin Lepage, McGill University Optimization of Prefrontal Theta-Burst Stimulation to Treat Depression: A Bench to First-in-Human Study - team led by Tarek Rajji, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) "The Bell Let's Talk-Brain Canada Mental Health Research Program is helping to ensure our health care system is equipped with the best treatment options available. We are grateful for this partnership with Bell Let's Talk as we continue working together to achieve meaningful impact in a field where there is still so much to discover. During the application process we saw a great amount of interest from many key research teams across the country, which is very encouraging for scientific advancement. Neuroscience, including mental health, is a critical research domain to invest in, for a healthier and stronger Canada." - Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada "On behalf of Bell Let's Talk, I would like to congratulate these incredible multidisciplinary research teams on the work they are doing to advance mental health care in Canada. Now, more than ever with the impacts of COVID-19, we need to invest in timely research that will generate long-term benefits. The Bell Let's Talk-Brain Canada Mental Health Research Program is supporting innovative projects that will meet the rising demand for improved, more accessible and more effective mental health care." - Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk The projects were selected following a rigorous peer-reviewed grant competition that engaged an international panel in evaluating projects grounded in scientific excellence and with the potential to quickly address gaps in mental health research. To view the research projects, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. The Bell Let's Talk-Brain Canada Mental Health Research Program has been made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada. To date, Health Canada has invested over $130 million through the CBRF which has been matched by Brain Canada and its donors and partners. Bell Let's Talk Day is tomorrow Join the conversation! On Bell Let's Talk Day, Bell donates an additional 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube view of the Bell Let's Talk Day video, and every use of the Bell Let's Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens. All at no cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access. About Bell Let's Talk The largest-ever corporate commitment to mental health in Canada, Bell Let's Talk is focused on 4 key action pillars Anti-stigma, Care and Access, Research and Workplace Leadership -and is a driver of Bell for Better. Since its launch in 2010, Bell Let's Talk has partnered with more than 1,300 organizations providing mental health services throughout Canada, including hospitals, universities, local community service providers and other care and research organizations. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. About Brain Canada Brain Canada is a national non-profit organization that enables and supports excellent, innovative, paradigm-changing brain research in Canada. It plays a unique and invaluable role as the national convener of the brain research community. Brain Canada understands that better insight into how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of disorders of the brain, thereby improving the health outcomes and quality of life of all Canadians. To learn more, please visit braincanada.ca. Media inquiries: Bell Jacqueline Michelis jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca @Bell_LetsTalk @Bell_News Brain Canada Melissa Arauz 514-377-6461 melissa.arauz@braincanada.ca @BrainCanada SOURCE Bell Canada Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/25/c7446.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / BeMetals Corp. (TSXV:BMET)(OTCQB:BMTLF)(Frankfurt:1OI.F) (the "Company" or "BeMetals") is pleased to announce results from its 2021 core drilling program at the Pangeni Copper Exploration Project ("Pangeni Project" or the "Project"), located on the western extension of the Central African Copperbelt in Zambia. This program comprised six drill holes to test aircore copper anomalies at the D-Prospect and the Q and F targets. The Pangeni Project is located in an area where prospective extensions to the prolific Zambian Copperbelt (See Figure 1) are covered by a thin veneer of Kalahari sand units. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2021 PANGENI COPPER PROJECT CORE DRILLING Q-Target : Drill Hole Q3-C1 intersected 4.14 metres grading 0.62% copper ("Cu") Including: 1.30 metres grading 1.10% Cu D-Prospect : Drill Hole D7-C1 intersected 5.00 metres grading 0.58% Cu D-Prospect : Drill Hole D7-C2 intersected 3.37 metres grading 0.51% Cu And also: intersected 6.00 metres grading 0.39% Cu Note: Intertek Genalysis completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Kitwe, Zambia. All analytical procedures were conducted in an Intertek Genalysis laboratory in Australia. Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. Based upon current data it is estimated true widths range between 80 to 90% of the drilled intersections. John Wilton, President and CEO of BeMetals commented, "The 2021 drilling program at the Pangeni Copper Project has delivered a new and exciting dimension to our copper exploration with drill hole Q3-C1 returning a significant copper intersection hosted in siltstones at the Q-Target. These siltstone units are interpreted to be part of the Katanga Supergroup. Katanga lithologies near basement units are known to be the setting for many world class copper deposits in the Central African Copperbelt. This first Katanga sediment hosted copper intersection adds considerable prospectivity to the Project. We are now designing a follow-up exploration campaign for the Q-Target area to focus on its relatively close proximity to the SW-Prospect and a number of untested shallow aircore copper anomalies to the west and north of the Q3-C1 drill hole intersection. Story continues Including today's results from the D-Prospect, we are also encouraged that five of six core holes completed to date have returned significant copper mineralization. The grades of these intersections are similar to producing operations in the Domes Region, such as First Quantum Minerals' Sentinel and Barrick Gold's Lumwana copper mines in the Zambian Copperbelt. Further exploration to scope the scale potential of the D-Prospect mineralization is also being planned." PANGENI COPPER PROJECT In 2021 the Company completed 1,382 metres of core drilling in six holes, 4,353 metres of shallow aircore, and a helicopter-borne electromagnetic ("EM") survey over the Project. The interpretation of the EM survey data was integrated with previous geophysical and geological interpretations of the Property. The EM data improved exploration target selection and mapping of the Kalahari sand cover units. Four priority targets were identified from the aircore program for testing with core drilling. These were related to both the D-Prospect and two standalone new exploration targets, namely the Q and F targets (See Figure 1). The core drilling program was completed in early December and the analytical results were recently received. Table 1 provides details of the drilled copper intersections from the core drilling and Table 2 provides the collar location, azimuth and dip information. Q-TARGET The intersection of 4.14 metres grading 0.62% Cu (from 92.36 metres drilled depth) is of specific interest as this zone of observed copper oxide mineralization in drill hole Q3-C1 is hosted within siltstones interpreted to be part of the Katanga Supergroup. These siltstones have been intersected in relatively close proximity to what is currently interpreted to be basement hosted copper mineralization at the SW-Prospect (See Figure 2). Many of the world class, sediment-hosted, copper deposits and mines of the Central African Copperbelt occur in this type of geological setting when coupled with favourable structural feeders for the copper mineralization. Figure 2 illustrates the location of the Q3-C1 drill hole in relation to the 2021 and previous shallow aircore drilling anomalies. Based upon the new geological results, complemented with interpretation of the geophysics for the Project, we expect the prospective target area of the structural and/or stratigraphic contact zone between the basement and the Katangan Supergroup units to be located between the Q3-Target and SW-Prospect. Figure 2 also indicates a number of untested shallow aircore targets to the north and west of Q3-C1 which now represent high follow-up priority targets for 2022. D-PROSPECT The Company first discovered copper mineralization at the D-Prospect near the end of 2019 and this area remains an important target area for further exploration. Table 1 provides details of the mineralized zones intersected in drill holes D7-C1, D7-C2 and D3-C2. These drill holes returned meaningful and multiple copper intersections ranging from 6.0 to 0.5 metres in width and 0.58% Cu to 0.32% Cu in grade (0.3% Cu cut-off grade). Figure 3 shows the recent results from the 2021 core drilling program in context with the previous core and shallow aircore data. Thus far, copper mineralization extends for at least 1.2 kilometres along the interpreted strike of the host rocks and remains completely open to extension in the southwest direction and down-dip. The aircore drilling to date to the northeast of the prospect has not identified drill targets in that direction but the relatively wide spaced drill centres at 400 metres does not rule out potential extensions in that area. Also, there is an untested aircore anomaly towards the northwestern end of the D2 line (See Figure 3). Significant copper mineralization has now been intersected in five of the six core drill holes completed at the D-Prospect. The copper grades in many of the 2021 (D7-C1 & D7-C2) and previous drill holes are similar to those for operating large-scale copper mines in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt (Examples: First Quantum Minerals' Sentinel Mine Reserves: 792.4 million tonnes grading 0.46% Cu(1) and Barrick Gold's Lumwana Mine Reserves: 538.8 million tonnes grading 0.56% Cu(2)). (1) First Quantum Minerals Ltd. website, Mineral Reserves - as at December 31, 2020, and reported based on a long-term $3.00/lb Cu price. The current depleted in-pit Mineral Reserve as at December 31, 2020 for Sentinel (2) Barrick Gold Corporation website, Mineral Reserves - December 31, 2013, Technical Report on the Lumwana Mine, North-Western Province, Republic of Zambia, Barrick Gold Corporation, Report for NI 43-101, March 27, 2014 F-TARGET Figure 1 shows the location of the F-Prospect. Drill holes F4-C1 and F4-C2 encountered interpreted basement lithologies without significant width zones of copper mineralization above 0.3% Cu. Figure 1: Location of the Q-TARGET, D-PROSPECT and F-TARGET Figure 2: Map of Q-TARGET, Q3-C1 Drill Hole Results with SW-PROSPECT Results and Aircore Anomalies (See Company's previously reported news releases dated October 16, 2019 and October 6, 2021). Figure 3: Map of D-PROSPECT, D7-C1, D7-C2 and D3-C2 with Core Results and Aircore Anomalies (See Company's previously reported news releases dated October 16, 2019, April 14, 2021 and October 6, 2021). Table 1: Selected Core Drill Hole Results from 2021 Exploration Program: Q3-C1, D7-C1, D7-C2 and D3-C2 Prospect, Target, Borehole ID & Interval From (m) To (m) Core Interval (m) Cu % Q-TARGET Q3-C1 92.36 96.50 4.14 0.62* Including: 94.70 96.00 1.30 1.10 D-PROSPECT D7-C1 Interval 1: 43.00 48.00 5.00 0.58* Interval 2: 99.76 103.26 3.50 0.38 Interval 3: 111.50 112.00 0.50 0.50 Interval 4: 127.05 132.05 5.00 0.32 Including: 127.05 129.05 2.00 0.46 And Including: 131.05 132.05 1.00 0.53 D7-C2 Interval 1: 118.09 121.46 3.37 0.51 Interval 2: 158.00 160.12 2.12 0.56 Interval 3: 178.42 184.42 6.00 0.39 Including: 178.42 180.80 2.38 0.45 And Including: 182.90 184.42 1.52 0.59 D3-C2 124.89 125.40 0.51 0.42 Note: Intertek Genalysis completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Kitwe, Zambia.All analytical procedures were conducted in an Intertek Genalysis laboratory in Perth, Australia. Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. Based upon current data it is estimated true widths range between 80 to 90% of the drilled intersections. A nominal cut-off grade of 0.30% Cu has been used to determine the boundaries of the intersections with no more than 2 metres of internal dilution of the intercept. denotes single sample. *Copper Oxide mineralization observed. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL The results reported here for this core drilling program were analyzed by Intertek Genalysis, an independent and accredited laboratory. Samples were prepared at their facility in Kitwe, Zambia and analytical work conducted in Australia. The results were determined using multi-acid, near total digest, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma ("ICP") Optical (Atomic) Emission Spectrometry ("OES"). The core sampling was conducted with a robust sampling protocol that included the appropriate insertion of standard reference material, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream. Field operations and management have been provided by Remote Exploration Services ("RES") an independent geological consulting and contracting company. The core drilling was conducted by Blurock Mining Services, of Kitwe, Zambia. Table 2: 2021 Core Hole ID, Azimuth, Dip, End of Hole Depth and Collar Coordinates and Comments Drill Hole ID Azimuth Degree Dip Degree End of hole Depth (m) Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Comments Q3-C1 290 70 272.55 173085 8584343 1163 Results in Table 1 D7-C1 310 60 249.70 177684 8601474 1305 Results in Table 1 D7-C2 290 60 286.32 177765 8601424 1304 Results in Table 1 D3-C2 310 60 175.55 179315 8600940 1259 Results in Table 1 F4-C1 310 60 191.80 175000 8600979 1313 Did not intersect significant mineralization F4-C2 080 70 206.43 174789 8601057 1301 Did not intersect significant mineralization THE PANGENI COPPER EXPLORATION PROJECT The Pangeni Project is located on the western extension of the Zambian Copperbelt, within the Lufilian Arc, underlain by Katangan Supergroup metasediments situated unconformably on basement schists and gneisses, which are covered by a thin veneer of Kalahari sands. The open pit Sentinel Copper Mine is operated by First Quantum Minerals Ltd. some 130 kilometres to the northeast of the Pangeni Project. A number of major international mining companies have identified this region of the Zambian Copperbelt to be prospective for the discovery of tier one copper mines and are also conducting extensive exploration work in this area. The Pangeni Project property is geologically prospective for the following deposit types; Basement-hosted Cu (analogues: the Lumwana Deposit, Nyungu Prospect), Sediment-hosted stratiform Cu-Co (analogues: Nchanga, Konkola, Nkana, and Mufulira Deposits), other Domes Region Deposits e.g. Sentinel, and Kansanshi and DRC Copperbelt Deposits e.g. Lonshi, Frontier, Kamoa-Kakula). ABOUT BEMETALS CORP. BeMetals is a precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on becoming a leading metal producer through the acquisition of quality exploration, development and potentially production stage projects. The Company has recently established itself in the gold sector with the acquisition of certain wholly owned exploration projects in Japan. BeMetals is also progressing both its advanced high-grade, zinc-silver-gold-copper polymetallic underground exploration at the South Mountain Project in Idaho through a preliminary economic assessment, and its tier-one targeted, Pangeni Copper Exploration Project in Zambia. Guiding and leading BeMetals' growth strategy is a strong board and management team, founders and significant shareholders of the Company, who have an extensive proven record of delivering considerable value in the mining sector through the discovery, construction and operation of mines around the world. The technical information in this news release for BeMetals has been reviewed and approved by John Wilton, CGeol FGS, CEO and President of BeMetals, and a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101.1 ON BEHALF OF BEMETALS CORP. "John Wilton" John Wilton President, CEO and Director For further information about BeMetals please visit our website at bemetalscorp.com and sign-up to our email list to receive timely updates, or contact: Derek Iwanaka Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development Telephone: 604-609-6141 Email: diwanaka@bemetalscorp.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 news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to future exploration, development and advancement of the South Mountain Project, the Pangeni project and the Japan properties, and the acquisition of additional base and/or precious metal projects. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts", "anticipates", "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. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the actual results of exploration activities, the availability of financing and/or cash flow to fund the current and future plans and expenditures, the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions of the option agreements for the South Mountain Project and/or the Pangeni Project, and changes in the world commodity markets or equity markets. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements or forward looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Please refer to the Company's most recent filings under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its business. SOURCE: BeMetals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/685270/BeMetals-Intersects-Further-Encouraging-Copper-Results-from-the-Pangeni-Exploration-Project-in-Zambia Vietnam to resume cut flower exports to Australia A new phytosanitary measure for Vietnams cut flowers exported to Australia was unveiled during a ceremony held on January 24. Workers classify and pack flowers for exports (Photo: VNA) The event was jointly organised by the Plant Protection Department (PPD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Department together with the Embassy of Australia in Vietnam. The PPD has reached an agreement with the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources on the use of metsulfuron methyl instead of glyphosate, which has been banned in Vietnam since June 2021 for the sake of people's health and the environment, for treatment of bulbs of cut chrysanthemum before exporting to Australia, starting March 1.After the resumption of Vietnams flower shipments to Australia, the sides will continue keeping watch on safety and effectiveness of metsulfuron methyl on the batches for the next six months, vice head of the PPD Nguyen Thi Thu Huong said.Cut flower exporters are asked to make thorough preparations in terms of technical and quality requirements by both countries, for the resumption of cut chrysanthemum shipments from March 1, thereby raising export revenues of the agricultural sector in particular and the country at large, she added.Australia has been among important traditional markets of Vietnamese flowers for 23 years. Vietnam ships nearly 30 million cuts of flowers and foliage to the Oceania nation each year, raking in 5.2 million USD.As Australia only allows the use of glyphosate solutions for treatment of imported cut flowers, the PPD and the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources had worked with Vietnamese producers to carry out various experiments in an effort to find suitable alternatives.After months of negotiations, the Australian Department has allowed Vietnam to be the first nation to use metsulfuron methyl in place of glyphosate.The PPD will continue working with the Australian side to try on other alternatives to glyphosate on other flowers for export to the country, as well as promoting shipments of Vietnams cut flowers and foliage to other markets. CCTV: Park Byeong-Seug, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, according to reports by ROK media. Do you have any comment on this? Zhao Lijian: China welcomes National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-Seugs attendance of the opening ceremony of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. China and the ROK are each others important neighbor. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. The ROK is the host country of the last Winter Games. It has been actively supporting China in hosting a successful Winter Games, which is in keeping with the Olympic spirit and embodies the bilateral friendship. China is ready to work with the ROK to practice the Olympic spirit of together and take the Beijing Winter Olympics as an opportunity to enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation in various sectors and bring the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership to a new level. Hubei Media Group: On the ten-day countdown to the Beijing Winter Olympics on January 24 local time, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on nations to observe the Olympic Truce during the 2022 Beijing Games in a written address. Do you have any comment? Zhao Lijian: China welcomes and firmly supports Secretary-General Antonio Guterres written address. The Olympic Truce has a long tradition. It carries with it mankinds pursuit of peace and mutual assistance. It also chimes with the UNs founding mission of upholding international peace and security. Not long ago, the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution on Olympic Truce for the Beijing Winter Games, which demonstrates international confidence in a successful Winter Games to be hosted by China and embodies the strength of all people aspiring for solidarity, cooperation and world peace. China stays committed to upholding peace and practicing true multilateralism. We deeply participate in and support the cause of the UN. China actively participates in summer and winter Olympics and supports all previous Olympic Truce resolutions. By doing so, we have injected Chinas strength into efforts to safeguard world peace, promote development of countries and enhance friendship among the people through sports. China also calls on countries to take the opportunity presented by the Beijing Winter Games to resolve differences through dialogue, replace confrontation with cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and promote world peace and development. In just ten days, the Olympic flame will blaze in Beijing for the second time. China has confidence that we will work with all parties to act on the Olympic spirit of together and take Beijing 2022 as an opportunity to work for a peaceful and better future. Shenzhen TV: It is reported that German Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Kay-Achim Schonbach said in a speech on January 21 during his visit to India that he is a very radical Roman Catholic and sees China acting as an enemy, and said that We need Russia against China. What is Chinas comment? Zhao Lijian: His remarks feature typical religious extremism. In todays world defined by peace and development, overtly preaching religion-based division of blocs and inciting hatred and hostility is a regression of history. It is ridiculous and extremely dangerous. This practice should be universally condemned by the international community. We noted that Schonbach has already resigned and he has only himself to blame for that. I would also stress that China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners. Since the formation of the new German government, Chinese and German leaders have had close interaction, and agreed that it is important to have a keen grasp of the bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and promote practical cooperation with a pragmatic attitude. Both sides agreed to take the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2022 as an opportunity to strengthen communication and cooperation, expand mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, respond to challenges together, and make due contribution to global governance. Xinhua News Agency: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach arrived in Beijing on January 22 for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games and relevant activities, the IOC told media the other day. Could you share more information on his schedule in Beijing? Zhao Lijian: We welcome IOC President Thomas Bach to China for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games and relevant activities. Mr. Bach has expressed his best wishes and support for Beijing 2022 on multiple occasions, and we highly commend that. The Beijing Olympic Winter Games is a grand gathering for all athletes and a symbol of human solidarity and friendship. We are confident that along with all parties including the IOC, we will present a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games to the world. As to Mr. Bachs schedule in China, we will release information in due course. Please stay tuned. RIA Novosti: Earlier the military in Burkina Faso said that the President of the country was no longer exercising his powers, the government and the National Assembly are dissolved, and borders are closed. Do you have any comment? Is China considering an evacuation from Burkina Faso? Zhao Lijian: China is closely following the development of the situation in Burkina Faso and noted the remarks of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). China calls on all parties in Burkina Faso to bear in mind the fundamental interests of the nation and people, peacefully resolve differences through dialogue, restore normal order at an early date and uphold national stability and solidarity. The Chinese embassy in Burkina Faso has issued a security alert. China will spare no effort to protect the safety of Chinese citizens in the country. AFP: According to a Bloomberg report, foreign diplomats attending the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics could go through a 21-day centralized medical observation if they are deemed close contacts of any positive case in the audience. Could you confirm it? Zhao Lijian: For your specific question on the epidemic prevention and control work of the Beijing Winter Olympics, I would like to refer you to competent authorities. Beijing Youth Daily: According to Cambodian media reports, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics at invitation. Can you confirm this and offer more details? Zhao Lijian: As Chinas neighbor with long-standing friendship, Cambodia firmly supports China in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics. His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni is an old friend of the Chinese people. We welcome His Majesty to China to witness the historical moment of Beijing becoming the first city ever to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games. Global Times: We noted that relevant data from the US non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive website shows that in 2021, there were 691 cases of vicious gun violence incidents involving at least four victims in the US, a record high since the website started tracking gun violence cases in the US in 2013. What is your comment? Zhao Lijian: I noted the situation you mentioned. I also noticed that the archive revealed that gun violence resulted in 44,750 deaths in 2021. Among them, 1,533 were teens or children at or under the age of 17. Up to 40,359 people were injured, including 4,107 people at or under the age of 17. These numbers also set record highs since the website started to track the data. Behind those numbers are bereaved families and devastated relatives. This is shocking and heartbreaking. With every gun shot, the American dream is perforated with a bullet; and with every whiff of gunpowder, public introspection and suspicion arise. People wonder, is democracy flaunted by the US blind to peoples lives, and is freedom touted by the country only about the freedom of shooting other people? Gun violence in the US has grown into a tumor of society. Compounded with grave problems including the unchecked pandemic, drug proliferation and racial discrimination, gun violence has become a serious systemic human rights issue. Oddly enough, the US politicians pretend not to see, still less address peoples deep sufferings. The politicians are obsessed with blowing the countrys own trumpet, and lecturing other countries. We cannot help but wonder: On what grounds have they put themselves in the position and given themselves such confidence to do so? We hope the striking numbers can have a sobering effect on these people so that they will do some soul-searching and take concrete actions to improve the human rights conditions in their own country. DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Safety Technology Holding Company (CST) has appointed Kathy Boden Holland as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 2021. For more than 30 years, CST has been dedicated to helping people live and drive responsibly. The Company provides consumers and monitoring authorities with products and services to effectively deter impaired driving and support individuals as they navigate the license restoration process. CST Holding Company Ms. Boden Holland was selected following a nationwide search by CST's private equity owners, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS). She has demonstrated a strong track-record of success in growing mission-oriented businesses. Most recently, Ms. Boden Holland served as President of the Medical and Healthcare Group within Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE). In that role, she helped grow the organization while also expanding margins and improving student outcomes. Prior to that, Ms. Boden Holland focused on developing and scaling new lending products as Executive Vice President at Elevate Credit (NYSE: ELVT). Other previous roles include Vice President at Legg Mason Wood Walker and President of RLJ Financial LLC. "I am excited to take on this new opportunity," confirmed Ms. Boden Holland, "The CST team has a strong track record of growth and history of over-delivering on both the social and financial measures of success. I see significant opportunity for continued growth in the ignition interlock business and further expansion into related products and services that add value for all of our stakeholders." Ms. Boden Holland began working with outgoing CEO, Kimberly Williams, in December 2021 to transition duties. Kimberly Williams remains a member of the CST Board of Directors while in her new role as CEO of Absorb Software Inc. "We are thrilled to have Kathy leading CST in this next phase of the business. She brings deep, relevant experience and is a strong cultural fit for the organization," said Mike Donovan, Head of Technology Group & General Partner at WCAS. "Kimberly led CST through significant growth and market share gains even during the last 18 months of COVID. I am pleased that we will be able to leverage her experience going forward." Story continues About CST Holdings Co. CST Holdings and its family of brands have been making communities and roads in the United States safer for more than 30 years. CST provides consumers and monitoring authorities with products and services to effectively deter impaired driving and support individuals as they navigate the license restoration process. CST Holdings has helped millions of individuals to live and drive responsibly. By delivering exceptional customer experiences, CST has had an average annual revenue and EBITDA growth of 29 percent for the past five years. Intoxalock is the #1 ignition interlock brand in the US, and along with its associated brands, operates in all 50 states and has the largest and most convenient service center network with over 4,500 locations. Breathe Easy Insurance Solutions offers low-cost high-risk and other insurance solutions to customers in 42 states. New Directions, acquired in 2021, offers assessment services for alcohol, substance abuse, and other mental health or behavioral issues. CST Holding Company is a portfolio company of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Kathy Boden Holland Announcement Image Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-safety-technology-holding-company-appoints-kathy-boden-holland-as-ceo-301467837.html SOURCE Intoxalock Small Business & Self-Employed - File your 1099 Forms with Us before January 31, 2022 ATLANTA, GA --News Direct-- Daniel Ahart Its that time of the year again! Employers have until Jan. 31 to submit income tax withholding records. Georgia workers have started filing their taxes, and employers and organizations are nearing their deadline to provide W-2 and 1099 forms to the state. Any entity in Georgia that withheld state income taxes or could withhold them in 2021 has until Jan. 31 to submit withholding records. That means all W-2s and 1099 forms must be sent to the State by that date. "We strongly encourage employers to provide withholding records on time. Having said that, before submitting 1099 employers are encouraged to check recent changes to IRS formatting rules, says Daniel Ahart, chief tax officer at the tax preparation company Daniel Ahart Tax Service." Other Tax Preparation for Small Business Owners by Daniel Ahart Tax Service -- Cloud Bookkeeping -- Online Payroll -- File your Business Tax Extension Join the thousands of small businesses in the State of Georgia that trust their taxes to Daniel Ahart each year! Looking for a location near you? Find an office here. At Daniel Ahart Tax Service, we have also tax solutions for the individuals, including: -- Simple Return -- Student/Retired -- Family/Investor -- Rental Property -- Self Employed/Gig Worker Preferred-Spanish Speakers? Daniel Ahart Tax Service has a dedicated Spanish-language version of its website, which connects tax experts at Daniel Ahart with taxpayers who prefer to communicate in Spanish. -- Go to: https://www.danielahart.com/es/ -- You can also visit the Spanish-language Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DanielAhartTaxEs/ About Daniel Ahart Tax Service: With 22 offices, Daniel Ahart has 30+ years experience assisting individuals and businesses with their tax needs. Our preparers are thoroughly trained to find all the credits and deductions you are legally entitled. We guarantee it! Satisfied or your money refunded. We assist individuals and business with tax preparation, accounting and payroll. We also provide incorporation services. Products: Tax Preparation, Tax Problem Resolution, Taxpayer Representation, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Notary Public, Certified Acceptance Agent. We provide year-round support. More info: https://www.danielahart.com. Story continues Contact Details Daniel Ahart Service@DanielAhart.com Company Website https://www.danielahart.com/ View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/daniel-ahart-tax-service-makes-it-easy-to-file-your-small-and-medium-business-taxes-504404698 NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman, a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager announced that Daniel Hanson, CFA, joined the firm today and will become Head of the U.S. Sustainable Equity team effective April 1, 2022. Mr. Hanson brings more than twenty-five years of experience as a pioneering environmental, social and governance (ESG) investor and thought leader, bolstering the firm's current, industry leading ESG efforts. Neuberger Berman Logo (PRNewsFoto/Neuberger Berman Group LLC) Ingrid S. Dyott and Sajjad Ladiwala, CFA, Co-Portfolio Managers for the Neuberger Berman Sustainable Equity Fund (NBSLX)("Fund"), have announced their intentions to retire from the firm. To ensure a smooth transition, Ms. Dyott and Mr. Ladiwala will work with Mr. Hanson until their respective retirement dates of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Mr. Hanson will become Senior Portfolio Manager for the Fund and group head with investment discretion and full fiduciary responsibilities on April 1, 2022. He will be supported by the current U.S. Sustainable Equity team, consisting of seven professionals with average industry experience of 17 years, deep domain expertise and long-standing experience in ESG investing. The team also leverages Neuberger Berman's Global Equity Research Department of 51 analysts and its ESG Investing team of 13 individuals. The U.S. Sustainable Equity team manages $5.5bn (as of December 31, 2021). Joseph Amato, President and Chief Investment Officer, Equities, Neuberger Berman said, "Dan has been an acknowledged leader in sustainable investing and has a long history of strong investment performance. We thank Ingrid and Sajjad for all they have done for this franchise and for our clients. They have been great partners and have been instrumental in making Neuberger Berman the recognized ESG leader that we are." At the start of 2023, Ms. Dyott will continue her 25-year association with the firm by joining its ESG Advisory Council. Ms. Dyott remarked, "I'm looking forward to this next stage in my career, focusing on philanthropic endeavors to fuel my passion for sustainability and impact." Story continues Doug Kramer, Head of Institutional Equities & Multi-Asset Class, Neuberger Berman added, "We are excited to have Dan Hanson assume leadership responsibilities for our U.S. Sustainable Equity franchise. We've known Dan for many years given our mutual engagement in the ESG industry and have a common vision for the future. Dan will lead the franchiseone which helped pioneer the modern ESG industry even before this Fund's inception in 1994." Mr. Hanson spent 10 years at BlackRock where he managed the firm's first large, fundamental active ESG strategy, the BlackRock Socially Responsible Equity strategy. Hanson joins Neuberger Berman from Waddell & Reed, Inc. and Ivy Investments, where he was Chief Investment Officer, responsible for $75 billion in client assets. He previously served as Head of Impact Investing for JANA Partners. Prior to that role, he was Partner and Head of U.S. Equities, and Co-Chair of the Investment Strategy Committee overseeing $30 billion in assets with Jarislowsky Fraser Global Investment Management. He also was an investment banker at Bear Stearns earlier in his career. Mr. Hanson is a founding board member of the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board ("SASB") in 2011 and pioneered the SASB Materiality Map(R) in 2012. Mr. Hanson served on the faculty at the University of California-Berkeley Haas School of Business, where he taught sustainable investing from 2016-2019, and he has been a member of the Northwestern Kellogg Impact & Sustainable Finance Faculty Consortium since its founding in 2018. Mr. Hanson is a recipient of the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRCi) research award and has served as a judge for the Moskowitz Research Prize, recognizing outstanding quantitative research in sustainable and responsible investing. Mr. Hanson received his bachelor's degree in Economics and French from Middlebury College, and earned an MBA, Accounting and Analytic Finance, from The University of Chicago. He is a CFA charterholder. Mr. Hanson said, "I'm honored to assume portfolio management duties from Ingrid and Sajjad and look forward to continuing with them throughout the year, along with the terrific team in further building this franchise. We will continue to manage the strategy for the long term, seeking high quality, sustainable businesses, and authentically integrating ESG through our own bottom-up analysis. Neuberger Berman's commitment to ESG leadership and engaged ownership is highly aligned with my own investment philosophy and stewardship approach. I'm excited to join a firm that truly believes in the role of ESG as a material driver to performance. I'm also looking forward to joining Neuberger Berman's ESG Committee and contributing to the industry-leading NB Votes initiative, as well as executing on our firmwide Net Zero pledge." About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 25 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,400 professionals. For eight consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). In 2020, the PRI named Neuberger Berman a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The PRI also awarded Neuberger Berman an A+ in every eligible category for our approach to ESG integration across asset classes. The firm manages $460 billion in client assets as of December 31, 2021. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com . The year 2020 represents the first year that asset managers became eligible for PRI Leader designation, which formerly included asset owners only. The new designation was awarded to only 20 of the 2100+ investment manager PRI signatories. The Leaders' Group showcases signatories at the cutting edge of responsible investment, and highlights trends in what they are doing. PRI uses signatories' reporting responses and assessment data to identify those that are doing excellent work in responsible investment across their organizations and with a focus on a given theme each year. The 2020 theme is climate reporting. Information about PRI Leader is sourced entirely from PRI and Neuberger Berman makes no representations, warranties or opinions based on that information. This material is being issued on a limited basis through various global subsidiaries and affiliates of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Please visit www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for the specific entities and jurisdictional limitations and restrictions. The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. 2022 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved. Media Contacts: Alex Samuelson, Neuberger Berman, 212 476 5392, Alexander.Samuelson@nb.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/daniel-hanson-joins-neuberger-berman-to-become-head-of-the-us-sustainable-equity-team-301467528.html SOURCE Neuberger Berman Daniel MacDonald, the creator known online as Daniel Mac who shot to fame on TikTok by asking luxury auto owners and celebrities What do you do for a living?, has signed with CAA for representation. MacDonald is one of the largest automotive and entrepreneurial content creators on TikTok, having amassed an audience of more than 12.4 million followers just one year after joining the platform. He has a 1.6 million followers on Instagram, 1.3 million subs for his YouTube channel and 1.2 million on Snapchat. More from Variety Daniel Macs most popular videos on YouTube are one in which a complete stranger lets him party on the guys superyacht (62 million views), followed by a 36-second video in which he walks up to Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, and interrupts Portnoys pizza video review (47 million views). Excuse me man, what do you do for a living? MacDonald asks Portnoy, who responds, What does it look like Im fuckin doing? I eat pizza for a living every day, on the hour, every fuckin day I eat pizza. (In the video description, MacDonald says, But on the real I love Dave and Barstool Sports. Man tells it like it is!) MacDonalds format has lent itself to buzzworthy global events, such as the launch of Virgin Galactics SpaceShipTwo, which attended and filmed content with CEO Richard Branson. He also was at the premiere of Universal Pictures Fast 9, shooting content with CAA clients Helen Mirren and Sung Kang. Last year, MacDonald attended and shot content at the first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. CAA said it has closed deals for MacDonald with brands including Chevy, Bugatti, Gillette, Activision, Amazon, Epic Games, Xbox, UPS and most recently Formula 1. Originally from Tucson, Ariz., MacDonald moved to Dallas last summer. Story continues Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. MAUMEE, Ohio, January 25, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta, a durable, eco-friendly collection of premium outdoor furniture, is now expanding to be offered through dealers in a convenient ordering program. Dealers will be able to place orders directly through their distributors and Fiberon will work with their partners at Breezesta to handle the rest. Through this program, Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta orders will ship to the location of the dealers choosing, including directly to the customer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125006067/en/ Choose Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta to complete your outdoor living space (Photo: Business Wire) "Were proud to offer a convenient program to our dealer partners," said Chris Hayn, vice president of sales for Fiberon. "Since the furniture ships directly to the location of their choosing, dealers work with us to provide their customers with the specific pieces theyre looking for." Each piece of Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta is ergonomically designed with comfort in mind and crafted from maintenance-free recycled plastic, featuring a realistic wood texture that is durable for all seasons. Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta is available in two collections the Chill Collection provides relaxed style with retro flair, and the Coastal Collection brings the easygoing feel of the beach to any environment. Cushions made from vibrant, durable Sunbrella fabric are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Specially formulated cleaning products for Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta will be sold exclusively through dealers. The Breezesta partnership furthers Fiberons mission to provide beautiful, durable products in a more environmentally responsible way. "Were excited to add Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta to our offering of beautiful, durable outdoor living products," said Mark Ayers, senior vice president of marketing and product development for Fiberon. "Homeowners can turn to one source Fiberon for all of the products they need to create a complete outdoor living space." Story continues Get an in-depth look at Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta by visiting the Fiberon 2022 Virtual Experience, launching Feb. 1 at fiberondecking.com/virtual-experience. Shareable Highlights Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta, a durable, eco-friendly collection of premium outdoor furniture, is now expanding to be offered through dealers in a convenient ordering program. Explore the full collection at fiberonfurniture.com. Get an in-depth look at Fiberon Furniture by Breezesta by visiting the Fiberon 2022 Virtual Experience, launching Feb. 1 at fiberondecking.com/virtual-experience. About Fiberon Founded in 1997, Fiberon is a leading U.S. manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing and cladding distributed worldwide. Fiberon also provides products like lighting and outdoor furniture, for a complete outdoor experience. Fiberon products are available in a wide range of styles and price points, all providing the warmth and beauty of natural wood without the costly, time-consuming maintenance. With a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, Fiberon PE decking contains a minimum of 94% recycled content. Fiberon maintains operations in North Carolina and Idaho. For more information, visit www.fiberondecking.com or call 800-573-8841. Fiberon is part of the Outdoors & Security division of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. (NYSE: FBHS), a Fortune 500 company, part of the S&P 500 Index and a leader in the home products industry. The Companys growing portfolio of complementary businesses and innovative brands include Moen and the House of Rohl within the Global Plumbing Group, outdoor living and security products from Therma-Tru, LARSON, Fiberon, Master Lock and SentrySafe, and MasterBrand Cabinets wide-ranging offerings from Mantra, Diamond, Omega and many more. Visit www.FBHS.com to learn more about FBHS, its brands and how the Company is accelerating its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125006067/en/ Contacts Kevin Metz 312.507.9690 kevinmetz@upshotmail.com Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on Tuesday became the latest Republican lawmaker to seek credit for the bipartisan infrastructure overhaul he opposed in Congress. After joining U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials for a tour of the Herbert Hoover Dike, which stands to benefit from investments in the law dedicated to making the Everglades more resilient against climate change, Scott said he was proud to help secure an unprecedented $1 billion for Everglades restoration, the largest single amount ever allocated by the federal government. Im working to make sure that every dollar of this funding will go toward the most critical projects that build on our restoration efforts and provide a good return on investment for Floridians and all American taxpayers, Scott added in a statement issued by his office. His office also released several photos of Scott shaking hands and posing with local officials near the earthen dam that surrounds Lake Okeechobee. Florida Sen. Rick Scott (R) meets with local officials at Lake Okeechobee. (Photo: Office of Rick Scott) President Joe Bidens administration announced last weekthat $1.1 billion would be allocated to Everglades restoration as part of the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The measure passed in the Senate in a broad, bipartisan vote of 69-30. But Scott, who served as governor of Florida before heading off to Washington, wasnt among the senators who voted aye. We have to stop this reckless spending and live within our means. This bill is not paid for, and thats wrong, Scott said last year ahead of the bills passage. The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package is projected to add $256 billion to the federal deficit over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Many Republicans supported the bill anyway, arguing that CBOs score didnt accurately reflect the real-world budgetary effect of infrastructure spending. Late last year, Scott said party donors were furious with those Republicans who voted for the law, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Story continues A request for comment with Scotts office was not immediately returned. Scott isnt the only GOP lawmaker touting funding in the infrastructure law after voting against the bill, though he appears to be the first senator to do so. Reps. Ashley Hinson (Iowa), Kay Granger (Texas), Steve Scalise (La.) and Clay Higgins (La.) did the same. They have sought to explain their reversal by noting they support parts of the law, but not all of it. The White House, meanwhile, has embraced those lawmakers who are now singing the laws praises even though they voted against it last year. We welcome their support for the presidents agenda, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a Monday press briefing. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... FILE PHOTO: Workers stand at a residential area under lockdown following COVID-19 outbreak in Xian By Christian Kraemer BERLIN (Reuters) - German companies doing business in China are worried the Omicron coronavirus variant will trigger more strict lockdown measures from Beijing that could exacerbate supply chain problems, the DIHK Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday. "The Chinese strategy with targeted lockdowns has been very efficient so far," Jens Hildebrandt, DIHK's executive board member in China, told Reuters in an interview. But the more contagious Omicron variant could challenge the zero-COVID approach by Chinese authorities, especially as more Chinese citizens will travel across the country due to the upcoming holiday season, Hildebrandt said. "There will be a lot of travel despite warnings," he said. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday called on China to reassess its zero-COVID approach given the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the strategy, which has included sealing off entire cities with millions of citizens, had increasingly proved to be a burden for the domestic and global economy. "The criticism of the IMF is not entirely unjustified," Hildebrandt said. But he added Beijing would probably stick to its zero-COVID strategy, in part because scientific studies suggested Chinese vaccines were not as effective against Omicron as mRNA vaccines from Western countries. The DIHK's concerns were echoed by the BDI industry association. "Should the Omicron variant also be transmitted more quickly and easily in China, this could again become a bottleneck for global supply chains and fuel a recession in certain sectors of German industry," BDI said in its "Global Growth Outlook" published on Monday. With the Olympic Games starting in Beijing next week, thousands of foreigners would enter the country and increase the infection risk from Omicron, potentially leading to more strict lockdowns, BDI warned. Story continues This could pose new challenges for producers and exporters as well as companies at the end of the supply chain, it said. "The bottlenecks would probably also be accompanied by higher prices, which would continue to affect inflation," BDI said. "The development of the coronavirus pandemic in China thus poses a risk for the recovery process of the German industry." (Reporting by Christian Kraemer; Writing by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Mark Potter) General Motors said it will invest more than $7 billion in four Michigan factories focused on battery cell and electric truck manufacturing, including a third plant with partner LG Energy Solutions, as the company aims to meet ambitious EV production targets. The funding plans, which GM says will create 4,000 new jobs and the retention of 1,000 others, includes investment into two previously announced sites: the Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing, Michigan and the conversion of GM's assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan. A third, new Ultium battery cell manufacturing plant will also join the growing list of EV-focused facilities. This $2.6 billion cell factory will be in Lansing, Michigan on land leased from GM. The automaker said that site preparation on the 2.8 million-square-foot facility will begin this summer, and the plant is scheduled to open in late 2024. The facility will supply battery cells to Orion Assembly in Michigan and other GM EV assembly plants, the company said. Ultium Cells, which is the partnership between LG Energy and GM, expects the facility will have 50 gigawatt hours of battery cell capacity when running full production. GM and LG Energy already are planning two battery cell manufacturing sites that are being constructed in Ohio and Tennessee. Meanwhile, the Orion factory will be used for production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra the second assembly plant to build full-size electric pickups for the automaker. GM's Factory Zero, formerly known as Detroit-Hamtramck, will also build GM's coming slate of EV pickups, including the GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV, the Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup truck and the electric, autonomous robotaxi vehicle Cruise Origin. GM said it will have more than 1 million units of electric vehicle capacity in North America by end of 2025. Notably, the focus is on EV pickup trucks an area where GM, Ford and newcomers like Rivian will all compete. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 25, 2022 /CNW/ - HealthSpace Data Systems Ltd. ("HealthSpace", or the "Company") (CSE: HS) (Frankfurt: 38H) (OTC: HDSLF) is pleased to announce that it has launched an overnight marketed public offering (the "Offering") of units (the "Units") of the Company for gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 or such other amount as the Agent and company may agree, on terms to be determined in the context of the market. HealthSpace Data Systems Ltd. (CNW Group/HealthSpace Data) Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each full warrant, a "Warrant" and collectively the "Warrants"). The Offering will be conducted by Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. ("Echelon") as sole agent and bookrunner, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the securities regulatory authorities and the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Offering will be completed by way of a prospectus supplement to the short form base shelf prospectus of the Company dated September 14, 2021 to be filed in with the securities commissions in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. The Company intends to file a prospectus supplement to its short form base shelf prospectus prior to closing the Offering. Additionally, the Offering will be conducted by way of a private placement in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and outside Canada and the United States on a basis which does not require the qualification or registration of any of the Company's securities under domestic or foreign securities laws. The Offering is expected to close on or about February 4, 2022, or such other date as the Company and Echelon may agree. Story continues The size of the Offering and the price of the Offering, as well as certain terms of the Warrants (including the term and the exercise price), will be determined in the context of the market prior to the filing of the final prospectus supplement. The Company has granted Echelon an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units sold under the Offering. The Over-Allotment Option may be exercised in whole or in part to purchase Shares, Warrants or Units as determined by Echelon upon written notice to the Company at any time up to 30 days following the closing date of the Offering (the "Over-Allotment Option"). The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for sales, marketing, research and development, working capital and general corporate purposes. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About HealthSpace HealthSpace Data Systems Ltd. is an industry leading software as a service company serving the state, provincial and local government market across the United States and Canada. HealthSpace's cutting edge platforms currently provide inspection, information, communication and data management systems that enable government agencies to operate more efficiently. HealthSpace's cloud and mobile based platforms are currently deployed in over 600 state and local government organizations across North America. HealthSpace currently offers the only fully integrated inspection, administration and analytics product suite across all platforms in North America. HealthSpace also delivers its government grade technologies to private businesses through its My Health Department platform, enabling citizens and private businesses to gain visibility and predictability into their own organizations and move from a reactive to a proactive operational status. As HealthSpace continues to deliver focused service and innovative solutions to government organizations, the Company entered the FinTech space through its HSPay offering which serves as a payment platform that streamlines the intake of government revenue. Further, HealthSpace's GovCall platform offers one of the only teleconferencing and video collaboration platforms tailored exclusively for government agencies. Forward-Looking Information This release may contain 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 statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the "Cautionary Statement regarding Forward-Looking Information" section contained in the short form base shelf prospectus of the Company dated September 14, 2021. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's public securities filings with the Canadian securities commissions, including the Company's shelf prospectus. Although HealthSpace believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. HealthSpace expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE HealthSpace Data Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/25/c8051.html Returning from injury with a single drive on Friday (Jan. 22) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Bob McClure is set for a full-time return to driving next month. Giving the healed right arm a stern test on Friday courtesy his wife Jody's pacing mare Postmodernism, McClure told Trot Insider that his arm felt "perfect" after that contest. He gave a shoutout to Hilary Stonehouse at Grand River Physiotherapy and Dr. Michael Venneri for both helping him in his recovery. Having received the all-clear to resume activity, McClure won't be back in action full-time just yet. A planned trip to Florida will delay his return to the Mohawk drivers' room for the time being. There's a chance he'll make himself available for a drive or two at Pompano Park during his time in the Sunshine State, "just to say I drove there before they close," on a trip that will inevitably mix some business with pleasure and a break from the frigid winter temperatures. McClure comes into 2022 with 2,913 wins and more than $34.4 million in purses. The 2020 O'Brien Award winner as Canada's Driver of the Year finished sixth in earnings in Canada this past season with more than $4.6 million in purses and just missed the top 10 of the nation's leaderboard with 185 wins despite missing the final two months of the harness racing season. Expect McClure to return to action at Mohawk in early to mid-February. LILBURN, Ga., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Announcing a Vaccination Event that will provide the Lilburn community a safe and friendly opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters. The event represents a genuine collaborative effort between the HHCGA, CORE, the City of Lilburn, the Lilburn Police Department, and the Gwinnett County Fire Department to collectively support our community. HHCGA and Lilburn Community Event Starting at 10 am, Friday February 4th, 2022, all members of the community looking to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or boosters are invited to take advantage of this FREE event. The auditorium in the Lilburn Municipal Court Building located at 76 Main St NW, Lilburn, GA 30047 is the location for this event. Chief of Police Bruce Hedley for the City of Lilburn provided significant support for the vaccine event. He and his team were instrumental in the coordination and overall logistics of the event. Chief Hedley said, "This is an amazing opportunity for us to further expand our relationship with the Lilburn community. We know this will be a great success and we look forward to future events with our community partners and continued engagement with our citizens." Gwinnett County Fire Chief Russell Knick was also positive in supporting the vaccine initiative when he said, "We are looking forward to welcoming the community to this event. Members of my fire service staff will be on hand to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for all in attendance." The HHCGA in its continuing partnership with CORE acknowledges the tremendous commitment that CORE has undertaken in working with local partners, including the HHCGA, to support the equitable distribution of COVID-19 resources across the State of Georgia with mobile vaccination sites committed to reaching all Georgians. Shirley E, "Bella" Borghi, Executive Director and Vice-Chairman of the HHCGA said, "On behalf of the HHCGA we are honored to work with CORE and all of the important stakeholders in getting the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters to the Lilburn Community, in a stress-free, safe, community orientated environment." The first 250 persons receiving vaccinations will receive a $50 Publix Gift Card. Story continues The following vaccinations are available: 1st and 2nd dose of Pfizer, Moderna or single dose Johnson & Johnson Booster dose of Pfizer, Moderna or single dose Johnson & Johnson Pfizer Pediatric doses (available to Children 5 years and older) No ID nor insurance are needed; you will not be asked about your immigration status. Appointments are preferred, however walk ins are welcome. To make your appointment please visit: www.gnrhealthvax.coreresponse.org Post vaccinated individuals will have the opportunity to complete a brief survey during the 10--15-minute post observation period. Individuals who participate in the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $75.00 Walmart Gift Card. Do you have young children? Car seat safety checks will also be available. (Car seats will not be provided.) It's local! it's free! it's easy! so, come and take advantage of this opportunity to get the COVID -19 vaccine. First come first serve means you should plan to arrive early and avoid the last-minute rush. This event is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U3S42189, Community-Based Workforce to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in Underserved Communities, for $11,168,768, with 10% percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hhcga-core-and-the-city-of-lilburn-organizes-vaccine-event-for-the-lilburn-community-301468146.html SOURCE Hispanic Health Coalition of GA Company expands offerings with new healthcare, finance, life sciences, and staffing divisions The Methodical Group The Methodical Group The Methodical Group ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consulting firm HLTH.IT today announced it has changed its name to The Methodical Group. For decades, the company has been a leader in information technology in the healthcare field, having represented many of the major hospital and healthcare groups in the country. In recent years, it has expanded its reach into staffing, finance, and life sciences. The rebranding is an acknowledgment of the company's significant growth outside of the healthcare marketplace. The Methodical Group will include five divisions including Methodical Healthcare, Methodical Finance, Methodical Life Sciences, Methodical Search, and Methodical Services. The company is well-known for delivering solid results ahead of schedule and below budget by leveraging its wealth of U.S-based and offshore talent. The new name is a nod to the company's pragmatic, thoughtful, and methodical approach to solving technology issues. Methodical Healthcare will continue the HLTH.IT tradition of providing business, technical, and clinical expertise to enhance the delivery and quality of care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs. Methodical Finance works with its financial and fintech clients to build custom solutions that combine deep industry expertise, quantitative analytics, and research, while helping them build capabilities needed for long-term success. The Methodical Life Sciences team of developers and data scientists offers clients a focused set of services and data solutions to help clients bring breakthrough treatments to the market at a consistent rate. Methodical Search provides staffing and executive search functions for companies in a wide variety of industries, using the latest technology and services to improve hiring and staffing efficiency. Methodical Services provides precision IT solutions across all industries for an increasingly digital world with systematic and continuous transformation. Story continues "We are restructuring around our key business units, and we believe this rebranding effort will improve our focus as a company," said Methodical Group President Josh Mann. "We expect to augment our leadership teams without changing any customer or employee relationships. Our core offerings will remain largely unchanged." The Methodical Group is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, but its employees and key contractors work remotely from around the globe. The company represents regional and national mid-sized companies as well as many members of the Fortune 500, including some of the best-known healthcare brands in the United States. For more information, visit www.MethodicalGroup.com. Contact: PR Manager media@methodicalgroup.com -end- Related Images Image 1: The Methodical Group Brand Logo This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment The fast-growing collection of integrations enables growing companies to tailor their HubSpot experience to their exact needs CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HubSpot , the customer relationship management (CRM) platform for scaling companies, announced today that its App Marketplace is now home to more than 1,000 integrations that span use cases in marketing, sales, service, and more. The news comes less than two years after the marketplace surpassed 500 apps , reflecting HubSpot's commitment to building an ecosystem that serves the needs of customers and partners alike. HubSpot, Inc. logo - www.hubspot.com . (PRNewsfoto/HubSpot) A recent IDC white paper commissioned by HubSpot predicted that the cloud computing industry will grow 22% per year between 2020 and 2024, creating even more software choices for growing companies. HubSpot customers install seven apps on average, and more than a quarter of customers install more than 10. As customers continue to increase the amount of apps they use, it can be difficult for them to manage data and create a cohesive customer experience across their tech stack. HubSpot's App Marketplace offers a customer-centric solution to this issue by making it simple for companies to quickly and easily find and connect the integrations they need to run and grow their business. "We're most excited about what this milestone means for our customers. Expanding and improving our platform ecosystem is central to our goal of connecting customers of all types with the integrations that will help them grow better," said Scott Brinker, VP of platform ecosystem at HubSpot. "By building out the vast network of apps in our ecosystem, we're able to both increase the value of our platform for existing customers and offer more support for new partners." According to IDC, HubSpot's global partner ecosystem will reach $12.5 billion in revenue by 2024, representing a significant opportunity for companies that are looking to partner with and build on top of HubSpot. SaaS companies, including many top-rated G2 leaders such as Calendly, PandaDoc, and Aircall, have capitalized on this opportunity by building integrations with HubSpot. As companies continue to prioritize a digital-first approach, this growth will create more opportunities for developers to build new integrations that support every stage of the customer journey. Story continues "Our deepened integration and partnership with HubSpot continues to deliver value for our joint customers, who are increasingly looking to build a more connected tech stack," said Preseetha Pettigrew, Vice President, Global Strategic Alliances at Seismic. "Not only does the HubSpot App Marketplace strengthen our offering by providing access to its growing ecosystem, but it also helps us better support our joint customer base, increase satisfaction, and improve adoption rates." Over the last year, HubSpot has worked to extend the extensibility of its platform to meet the ever-changing needs of growing companies. In addition to new APIs that have allowed partners to build media apps , marketing event apps , and workflow integrations , the company also launched Operations Hub , a new product that helps companies unify their customer data in one connected platform. The Hub's new data sync feature enables a bi-directional flow of data between apps, ensuring that customer data is always consistent and up to date regardless of how many tools a company adds to its tech stack. HubSpot has built more than 100 data sync-enabled apps since launching the new Hub in April. To learn more about HubSpot's App Marketplace, please visit https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/apps. About HubSpot HubSpot (NYSE: HUBS) is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform that provides software and support to help companies grow better. The platform includes marketing, sales, service, operations, and website management products that start free and scale to meet our customers' needs at any stage of growth. Today, more than 128,000 customers across more than 120 countries use HubSpot's powerful and easy-to-use tools and integrations to attract, engage, and delight customers. Named Glassdoor's #2 Best Place to Work in 2022, HubSpot has been recognized for its award-winning culture by Great Place to Work, Comparably, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Inc., and more. HubSpot was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company's thousands of employees work across the globe in HubSpot offices and remotely. Learn more at www.hubspot.com . Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hubspots-app-ecosystem-surpasses-1-000-integrations-demonstrating-investments-in-platform-growth-301466697.html SOURCE HubSpot This graphic shows photos of (L-R) Jason Isbell and R.E.M. founding member Mike Mills. Mills surprised the audience at Isbell's Jan. 24, 2022 performance at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. by joining Isbell for a performance of R.E.M.'s "Driver 8." It doesn't get more Athens than a former member of the Drive-By Truckers doing an R.E.M. cover at the Georgia Theatre and having one of the artists who performed on the original recording get up onstage to join the show. At Monday's Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit concert, R.E.M. founding member Mike Mills posted a tweet from backstage that showed a peek from behind the curtain as he waited to surprise the audience during Isbell's cover of "Driver 8" from R.E.M.'s 1985 album, "Fables of the Reconstruction." Mills' Twitter post read: "About to go onstage with #JasonIsbell and the #400Unit to sing Driver 8. #psyched #GATH #Athens" "We've got a friend who has agreed to come up and sing a song with us," Isbell said before bringing Mills onstage to sing backing vocals and play tambourine. (Story continues after video...) "Driver 8" is the final track on Isbell & The 400 Unit's "Georgia Blue" album, which was released last October and contains covers of songs by Georgia artists. The band also covered R.E.M. ballad "Nightswimming" from the group's 1992 album "Automatic for the People." Isbell & The 400 Unit is currently on a national tour that will continue to Europe in November. Though they performed at the Jan. 24, 2022 Georgia Theatre show without an opener, supporting acts on future dates include Shawn Colvin, Adia Victoria, The Rails and Waxahatchee. Isbell will be joined by Emmylou Harris for a show in Huntsville, Ala. on May 13. What a night in Athens! https://t.co/ZcBQ4MwrkV Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) January 25, 2022 This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: R.E.M. founding member Mike Mills joined Jason Isbell onstage in Athens BRISBANE, Australia, January 25, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Microba Life Sciences, a precision microbiome science company, will showcase its Therapeutic Platform and Discovery Platform for the identification of novel microbial signatures at annual Europe summit. The event brings together researchers from the biopharmaceutical industry to discuss the latest scientific discoveries and development progress, with the aim to translate this complex biology into effective therapies for improved patient outcomes. Presenting on 27 January, Dr Paraic O Cuiv, Vice President Drug Discovery at Microba, will outline how Microba's proprietary platform technologies have enabled the rapid discovery of novel microbiome-derived therapeutic candidates in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Leveraging a large metagenomic human microbiome dataset, Microbas data-driven Therapeutic Platform interrogates the novel microbiome and uses advanced computational and molecular methods to isolate previously uncultivated microbial species. By applying this novel approach to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Microba has identified new bacterial leads that promote mucosal healing and suppress key inflammatory pathways in pre-clinical studies. The candidate selection process was achieved in 18 months, with progress towards a Phase 1b clinical trial in 2022 demonstrating rapid translation from data to first in human studies. Underlying this progress is an analysis platform technology that profiles the microbiome at high-resolution to discover novel species at low abundance rates, and advanced biostatistical methods to uncover the significance of those species in a disease setting. Microbas Discovery Platform powers the identification of these disease-associated microbiome signatures, using advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to address the analytical challenges that complex microbiome data generates. Dr Alena Pribyl, Senior Scientist at Microba, will demonstrate further applications of these technologies in the Microbiome-based Biomarkers & Patient Stratification workshop as part of the event. Story continues Alongside Gerard Honig, Crohns & Colitis Foundation and David Hava, Synlogic Inc., Dr Pribyl will discuss how precisely measuring the microbiome is driving new opportunities for biomarker discovery which can provide extensive clinical benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. About Microba Life Sciences Microba Life Sciences is advancing precision microbiome science to improve human health. With a data-driven approach to microbiome discovery, Microba's proprietary platform technologies interrogate the novel microbiome to identify new microbiome-based treatments. Through global partnerships, Microba is powering innovative research and product development with precise and comprehensive microbiome analysis. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005918/en/ Contacts Dr Kylie Ellis Kylie.ellis@microba.com Microba Life Sciences NASA's Spinoff magazine is one of the things I look forward to reading every year. The space agency's research trickles down to the rest of the world in surprising and interesting ways, which it tracks and collects in this annual publication. This year is no different, and NASA tech can be found in everything from hiking gadgets to heavy industry and, funnily enough, space. There are dozens of technologies that have made their way to everyday use in a variety of places highlighted in this year's issue, which you can browse here. (It's about 60 pages, so pour some coffee and settle in.) I talked with Daniel Lockney, the head of NASA's Tech Transfer Program overseeing the deployment of its tech and research among terrestrial companies looking to put it to good use. "Typically what happens is: NASA develops something, they report it to my office, and we look at it to figure out, first, does it work? And second, who else can use it? And if someone can, we figure out how to get it to them," Lockney explained. "I try to give as much away for free as I can. I've got no direction to generate revenue or bring something back to the U.S. Treasury. The 1958 NASA act that created us says to disseminate our work nothing in there about making a dime." The result is cheap or free licensing of interesting tech like compact, long-lasting water filters, unusual mechanical components and other tech that was needed for space or launch purposes but might find a second use on the ground. Lockney highlighted a couple items in the latest batch that he thought were especially interesting. "There was a partnership with GM to develop the Robo-Glove, a functional glove that astronauts will wear to help reduce strain during repetitive tasks and increase grip strength," he said. "Squeezing something on a spacewalk, you can do it a couple times, but if you're gripping a tool for the whole afternoon... so we developed this glove to assist in that work, and now it's being used at factories around the world." Story continues Two images of people wearing a robotic glove at work. Image Credits: Bioservo Technologies The Swiss company Bioservo licensed the NASA patents for Robo-Glove and has been iterating on the concept for years, and the latest version of its Ironhand device came out last summer. Its most common use case is by employees with hand injuries that might cause them to lose work, but can use the glove to return to the job faster, as well as reduce pain medication. It's not always just a single company licensing a tech. Lockney noted how NASA was the first organization to look into the question of precision agriculture under totally artificial conditions. "NASA has a lot of experiments for keeping crews healthy on long distance spaceflight. One thing we have to do is grow our own food, plus there's the psychological benefits of seeing plants," he said. "But we needed to find ways to grow crops without a heavy growing medium like soil, or even hydroponics water is so heavy, and so valuable. And you have to get the lighting right, but you can't use too much energy. So we made these farming techniques to grow a lot of plants in a small space. If you control the plants' stress, you can really dial in precision growth conditions and improve yield; we actually use a nutritive film that covers the roots, LEDs to give the right spectrum of light and of course there's sensors everywhere." "It's a similar situation in cities, how do you provide food to this population without the resource waste of farmland? But we led this research because no one else had the need for it it ended up being the direct result of the demands of spaceflight. And now there are a handful of companies doing vertical farms in dense urban areas, actually providing grocery stores with vegetables," he continued. We've actually covered a few, and they're still in early days, but the appetite is clearly there for both consumers and investors to have food grown efficiently and within a few blocks of them rather than shipped a thousand miles overseas. NASA work makes its way to leisure as well as life-sustaining industries. At least three of the items in this year's Spinoff have to do with outdoors activities like hiking and camping. One, a thin-film radiant barrier originally used to line spacecraft, has made its way to jackets by 13-One and others as a super-light insulating layer. Aerogel research from the '90s has made its way to new gear from Seattle-based Outdoor Research (a brand I covet when I walk by their store). And a material called NanoCeram is used in a new portable water filter bottle. One new application you wouldn't expect to find in a publication about spinoff techs is Astrobotic's Peregrine moon lander. In the past such things have been exclusively the domain of nationally backed programs, but with the commercial space sector expanding quickly, NASA tech is valuable to spacefaring companies as well. Not all of these are new some are decades old and still finding new applications or companies to sell them. "By the time we've done all the work and we've found a partner doing the commercial stuff, manufacturing, marketing.... next thing you know, 10 years have passed," Lockney said. "The R&D timeline is long and the commercialization timeline is long." But that means there's always something fresh coming out even when the papers or materials are years old. There are dozens more techs and companies worth looking at in this year's Spinoff, so take a look. And if you've got time, head to the archives. When El Salvador President Nayib Bukele introduced pro-Bitcoin laws to the country and bought the flagship digital currency with its fund last year, many saw it as the start of a new era. But several individuals also kicked against it, and one of them was Nouriel Roubini. Roubini Calls for Bukele Impeachment The professor of Economics who has always spoken against Bitcoin recently stated that Bukele ought to be impeached for bankrupting the country with his Bitcoin investment. This came after Moodys downgraded El Salvador credit rating as concerns about its crypto tradings increased. With the downgrade, the country will not get the $1.3 billion loan it seriously needs from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to Jaime Reusche, an analyst at Moodys, the credit rating will only keep getting worse as El Salvador increases its Bitcoin exposure. The higher it is, the riskier it would be to borrow the countrys new funds. The Central American country has $800 million worth of dollar bonds due in January 2023. The volatility of Bitcoin and the countrys debt problems have increased the bonds yield by 34% already. They were also the worst-performing bonds in the world. With El Salvador holding at least 1,801 Bitcoin, the dip has led to criticisms from various quarters. According to some estimates, Bukele has lost over $20 million of El Salvadors money to the dip. Bukele Remains Undisturbed About Bitcoin dip The self-styled CEO of El Salvador doesnt seem to care about the dwindling fortunes of BTC. Amidst the tumbling prices, he announced that the country just bought an additional 410 units of the coin for just $15 million. In the tweet, which included several emojis, he added that the recent buy was really cheap. Earlier this year, Bukele made several bullish predictions about Bitcoin, including that itll get to $100k. Thus, this dip-buying frenzy isnt surprising for someone whos very optimistic about the asset. Already, there are plans to issue Bitcoin-backed loans for businesses in the country. Story continues While Bukele might be optimistic, those in economic circles dont share the same views. There are also allegations of authoritarianism against the man who has called himself the worlds coolest dictator in the past. Yesterday, he changed his Twitter profile picture to one where he was wearing a face cap from McDonalds a nod to the ongoing job application joke ongoing on the social media platform due to the dip of Bitcoin. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 25, 2022 /CNW/ - Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation (TSXV: OCG) (OTCQX: OCGSF) (DE: MRG1) ("Outcrop") is pleased to announce that drilling at El Dorado vein system commenced on January 8, 2022, and as a result of the successful regional exploration work that generated seven new vein targets last year, plans to add a second drill-rig in February to accelerate the definition of additional high grade shoots is underway. In late March, Outcrop plans to bring in a third drill rig to focus on delineation drilling of potential resource areas from eight shoots that cumulatively totals 2,100 metres long by 350 metres projected depth. Outcrop is working towards defining twelve shoots in total to provide a potential resource area of over 3,000 metres by 350 metres projected depth, adequate for a maiden resource report to be released before the end of 2022. Highlights Outcrop is guiding an initial resource between 45 and 55 million ounces equivalent silver at grades between 550 and 750 grams equivalent silver per tonne. 18,000 metres of drilling is planned for this year to complete the discovery of 12 high-grade shoots and up to another 8,500 metres for definition drilling in preparation of the maiden compliant resource. One drill-rig will remain in the north to explore El Dorado, Naranjos and Alaska targets and a second rig will be deployed to the south to explore La Isabela, Espiritu Santo, Las Maras, and California veins. In parallel with drilling, Outcrop will continue advancing regional-scale exploration south to the Frias Mine Group (Frias, Plaza, and Calamonte mines in three parallel vein zones) where it expects to generate numerous additional drill targets. Outcrop will expedite prospecting, mapping, and sampling activities between El Cristo mine and Baroyeca Silver's La Ye vein system which projects to the northeast and southwest onto Outcrop concessions. The El Cristo to La Ye vein system provides a new target zone 2.5 kilometres long. The resource may be upscaled as new shoots are discovered and delineated on the Santa Ana project. The maiden resource is expected to represent less than 25% of the veins mapped and projected from only 6,000 hectares of the entire 36,000 hectare property. Story continues "Success in defining eight high-grade shoots and generating seven high-grade targets to the north and south of the historic mines of Santa Ana, demonstrates the exceptional geologic potential of the district and reinforces Outcrops goal to identify a total of twelve shoots in preparation for a maiden resource report by year end," commented Jesus Velador, Vice President of Exploration. "Santa Ana is quickly maturing towards the next important stage of the project, where a significant, high-grade discovery provides a robust initial resource," adds Joseph Hebert, Chief Executive Officer. Near-term targets and geologic potential Seven near-term targets were generated last year within a radius of 2.5 km from the historic mines of Santa Ana. Outcrop plans to complete its phase four program of 18,000 metres for exploration drilling and up to another 8,500 metres for potential resource delineation. Exploration drilling by target ranking may extend to Baroyeca Silver's La Ye vein that project onto Outcrop claims, and further south to the Frias Mine Group. Outcrop will prioritize exploration drilling along 16 kilometres of veins with the objective to define and delineate a total a minimum of four new shoots for a total of twelve shoots minimum. The veins commonly outcrop or sub-crop as vein boulders. Veins uniformly show surface samples that exceed 1,500 g eq Ag/t and veins within target areas can be traced by mapping and or trenching, or gridded soil sampling. The seven targets show high values of 5,224 g Ag/t and 64 g Au/t. Guidance for Geologic Resources Outcrop is providing guidance for an upward scalable maiden compliant resource by the end of 2022 of between 45,000,000 and 55,000,000 silver equivalent ounces with grades between 550 to 750 g eq Ag/t. Minimum vein widths will be appropriate to potential mining with resue or modified resue stopes. Grade and tonne models for each shoot are estimated using an estimation module in Leap Frog software. Grade and volume limiting vein surfaces are created using a wire-frame 3D model based on geologic logs from drilling. A minimum vein width of 0.25 metres is used, and grades are estimated from drill-hole assay composites using a projection ellipsoid oriented to the preferential trend of shoot mineralization. No grade capping or external dilution was applied. The guidance is conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient drilling to define a compliant resource, and there is no certainty that a resource will be defined. Forward-looking geologic resource estimates anticipate success from a significant amount of additional drilling and achieving a success rate comparable to drilling to date. An anticipated success rate is derived from measuring the cumulative length of the eight shoots discovered to date as a proportion of vein length, the relatively consistent spacing or periodicity of these shoots, the cumulative length of drilled veins, the calculated true widths of veins, and the weighted average silver equivalent grades of 110 drill intercepts of 1,380 g eq Ag/t across all shoots as future prediction of as of yet undiscovered shoot grades. From the high-level metrics and internal shoot modeling described above, Outcrop estimates that each kilometre of vein zone can provide a geologic potential of up to 4.9 million silver equivalent ounces and undiscovered shoots will have a predictable spacing based on structural controls observed in the veins. Figure 1. Map showing inferred veins within a 2.5-km radius of the historic Santa Ana mines. The veins are in red and the length of known shoots in burgundy. The shoots are labeled with white callouts and the near-term drilling targets with yellow callouts. (CNW Group/Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation) Figure 2. Regional map showing the approximately 6,000-hectare titles, near-term targets (red dots) and vein trends (red lines). The dashed circle represents the 2.5 km-radius that includes the seven near-term targets around the historic mines of Santa Ana: 1- El Dorado, 2-Naranjos, 3-Alaska, 4-Isabela, 5-Maras, 6-Espiritu Santo, and 7-California. (CNW Group/Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation) Figure 3: Location of Figure 2 map with respect to the entire property. Outcrop guidance in this release is limited to vein trends within the yellow outline. Four other vein zones are identified. At least three vein zones to the northwest will also be explored. (CNW Group/Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation) QA/QC Core samples are sent to either Actlabs in Medellin or ALS Chemex in Medellin for preparation and then to ALS Chemex in Toronto or Lima, Peru for analysis. In line with QA/QC best practice, approximately three control samples are inserted per twenty samples (one blank, one standard and one field duplicate). The samples are analysed for gold using standard fire-assay on a 50-gram sample with a gravimetric finish. Multi-element geochemistry is determined by ICP-MS using either aqua regia (ME-MS41) or four acid (ME-MS61) digestion. Comparison to control samples and their standard deviations indicates acceptable accuracy of the assays and no detectible contamination. About Santa Ana The 100% owned Santa Ana project comprises over 36,000 hectares located in northern Tolima Department, Colombia, 190 kilometres from Bogota. The project consists of five or more regional scale parallel vein systems across a trend 16.5 kilometres wide and 30 kilometres long. The Mariquita silver-gold belt contains the highest-grade primary silver in Colombia, with historic silver grades reported to be among the highest in Latin America from dozens of mines dating back to 1585. Historic mining depths support a geologic and exploration model for composite mesothermal and epithermal vein systems having mineralization that likely extends to great depth. At Santa Ana it is unlikely that there is sharp elevation restriction common to high-grade zones in many epithermal systems with no mesozonal component. Within the current area of focus of Santa Ana project, located at the northern extent of just one of the regional vein systems controlled by Outcrop, seven high grade shoots have been discovered La Ivana hanging-wall and footwall (La Porfia vein system); San Antonio, Roberto Tovar, San Juan (Royal Santa Ana vein systems); El Dorado (El Dorado and El Paraiso vein systems) and Megapozo (El Paraiso vein system). Each zone commonly contains multiple parallel veins. The veins can show both high-grade silver and high-grade gold mineralization and low angle veins appear to connect more common high angle veins. Outcrop drilling indicates that mineralization extends from surface or near surface to depths of at least 300 metres. Cumulatively, over 60 kilometres of mapped and inferred vein zones occur on the Santa Ana project. The Frias Mine on the south-central part of the project, 12 kilometres south of the Royal Santa Ana Mines produced 7.8 million ounces of silver post-production in the Spanish colonial era at a recovered grade of 1.3 kg Ag/t. The Frias Mine is considered an analogue to each of the seven shoots discovered to date by Outcrop. Outcrop has advanced numerous target areas to the north, including north Eldorado that comprises the northern extension of seven Royal Santa Ana veins for over 1 kilometre. The north Eldorado shows high values over 3.0 kg Ag/t. Between the Royal Santa Ana mines and Frias, veins have been extended 2.8 kilometres to the south providing strong drill targets in the Espiritu Santo, Maras, and El Christo veins that show high values up to 5.5 kg AgEq/t. These veins show widths up to 2.8 to 4.0 metres. About Outcrop Outcrop is rapidly advancing exploration on five silver and gold exploration projects with world-class discovery potential in Colombia. Outcrop is currently drilling and expanding the Santa Ana historic high-grade silver district. These assets are being advanced by a highly disciplined and seasoned professional team with decades of experience in Colombia. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been approved by Joseph P Hebert, a qualified person as defined in NI43-101 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Outcrop. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joseph P Hebert, Chief Executive Officer Mars Investor Relations +1 775 340 0450 +1 647 557 6640 joseph.hebert@outcropsilverandgold.com www.outcropsilverandgold.com ocg@marsinvestorrelations.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "we believe", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Outcrop to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, capital expenditures and other costs, financing and additional capital requirements, completion of due diligence, general economic, market and business conditions, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, political uncertainties, and the state of the securities markets generally. Although management of Outcrop have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Outcrop will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation Logo (CNW Group/Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation) SOURCE Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/25/c8467.html CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peak Support is excited to announce that it has hired its first Chief Information Officer, Stephen Lowe. Peak Support- Customer Service and Business Process Outsourcing Stephen brings more than 25 years of technology and security experience to Peak Support, much of it within the business process outsourcing industry. In his role as Chief Information Officer, Stephen will be responsible for leading Peak Support's internal technology and security functions. "I am honored and beyond excited to be joining the amazing team at Peak Support," Stephen said. "When I first spoke with the leadership team, I was struck by the outstanding culture of the company as well as its massive growth curve. My entrepreneurial and BPO background will allow me to add immediate value to Peak Support and its clients." Prior to his role at Peak Support, Stephen served as Global Vice President of Information Technology and Security for ResultsCX, a customer experience partner based in Florida. Before his time at ResultsCX, Stephen was the North American Director of IT and Security for Arvato Bertelsmann. Stephen also co-founded PCS Partners, which was the first wireless dealer in the nation to sign with MetroPCS in 2001 and had over 60 locations in the US. "I am thrilled to bring a technology and security leader of Stephen's caliber to Peak Support," said Jonathan Steiman, Peak Support's CEO and founder. "He has deep experience in the business process outsourcing industry, but he's also an excellent fit with our people-first, entrepreneurial culture." "Protecting our clients' data is our top priority," said Hannah Steiman, Peak Support's Chief Operating Officer. "Stephen brings the skills and experience we need to ensure that our technology and security functions are second to none." "Stephen brings a wealth of experience in the BPO space. We are delighted to have him leading our technology and security functions as we move into our next phase of growth," said Chief Financial Officer, Danny Guterriez. Story continues Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Peak Support is a rapidly growing services provider dedicated to providing exceptional support to high-growth companies. We offer a wide array of services including customer support, sales operations, and business process outsourcing. Our global delivery model enables us to provide service from the Philippines and the U.S. We hire the best agents in the business and we are relentlessly dedicated to helping our clients succeed. In the last year, Peak Support surpassed 1,000 employees across the U.S and the Philippines and reached number 1,035 on the Inc. 5,000 list. Peak Support has been certified as a Great Place to Work, and was recognized as a Top Global BPO by Clutch. Company Name: Peak Support Address: 678 Massachusetts Ave #901 City: Cambridge State: MA Zip Code: 02139 Phone Number: (866) 620-5538 Email: info@peaksupport.io Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/peak-support-hires-stephen-lowe-as-chief-information-officer-301467706.html SOURCE Peak Support Coinstar's full-service solution replaces equipment at PLS locations BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Coinstar, LLC, the global leader in self-service coin counting, today announced the planned installation of Coinstar kiosks at approximately 200 PLS Financial Services Centers in 12 states. PLS selected Coinstar's industry-leading, turnkey service as its new coin counting solution. Coinstar, LLC (PRNewsfoto/Coinstar, LLC) "After a successful pilot, we are excited to roll out Coinstar kiosks at our centers," said Robert Fisher, senior vice president, support operations at PLS. "The Coinstar kiosks improved the customer experience with fast and highly accurate transactions. At PLS, we believe our customers deserve better and we are committed to providing financial solutions with transparent, convenient, respectful service." Coinstar provides an easy to use, highly accurate coin-counting service that consumers trust. PLS customers can conveniently process their loose change at the kiosk and receive cash in minutes. Financial centers like PLS and other retailers value the Coinstar turnkey service because it takes the coin handling and machine trouble-shooting responsibility away from employees so that they can serve customers. In addition, Coinstar kiosks are networked to ensure optimal uptime and timely reports. "PLS offers a wide variety of financial services that consumers depend on, and we're proud to be a partner that supports their commitment to make life easier for people," said Jim Gaherity, CEO of Coinstar. Coinstar kiosks are now being installed in PLS centers and will be fully operational in approximately 200 locations by March. About Coinstar, LLC Coinstar is the global leader in self-service coin counting with 24,000 kiosks in North America, Europe, and Japan. More than 800 billion coins have been processed since Coinstar's inception in the early 1990s. In the United States, consumers can convert their change to cash, a no-fee eGift card, or donate to charity at supermarket, mass merchant, drug store, and financial institution kiosk locations. Expanded cash services at Coinstar kiosks include purchasing cryptocurrencies and adding money into digital accounts. For brand advertisers, Coinstar now offers adPlanet, which enables lead generation on the interactive kiosk screen and a flexible digital advertising platform that sits atop Coinstar kiosks at select grocery locations. For more information on Coinstar or kiosk locations, visit www.coinstar.com. Story continues About PLS PLS, headquartered in Chicago operates over 200 community financial services centers across the country. PLS believes that customers deserve better than the existing services available in the marketplace to meet their critical financial needs. PLS financial service centers offer free money orders, check cashing, Xpectations! Visa Prepaid cards, money transfer services, and bill payments. Some PLS locations offer auto insurance, and vehicle license and registration services. The PLS brand also includes automobile dealerships located in Indiana and Texas. PLS employs over 3,000 team members from the neighborhoods it serves. PLS does not offer any lending products. Visit PLS at www.pls247.com for additional information on products and services. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pls-financial-services-chooses-coinstar-coin-counting-301466875.html SOURCE Coinstar Parents' School Revolt About to get a Jolt with Groundbreaking Documentary NEWS PROVIDED BYHamilton StrategiesJan. 25, 2022WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2022 / Standard Newswire / -- The COVID-19 pandemic has at least one silver liningrevealing the truth to parents and teachers about America's public education system.For years, most government-funded schools have been pursuing a political agenda of anti-American history, divisive Critical Race Theory, explicit sex education and gender theory for children as young as kindergarten. These assaults on children's innocence have often been deliberately kept secret from parents.Soon, a groundbreaking documentary by an all-star production team will reveal exactly how extreme schools have become and what parents and taxpaying citizens can do about it.Slated for release in Spring 2022, "Whose Children Are They?" features brave teachers, emboldened parents, impacted students and frontline experts who show how schools are bombarding children with age-inappropriate sex education and indoctrinating them with political and social ideologies without their parents' knowledge or consent.The production team includes Producer and Parents United America Founder Deborah Flora, and award-winning Writer, Director and Producer Jonathan Flora who worked at Walt Disney Studios on their blockbuster Marvel and Star Wars franchises."'Whose Children Are They?' is designed to launch a national conversation about the need to return to education instead of indoctrination," says Deborah Flora. "No one who sees this comprehensive overview will ever view our current school system the same way again. We took special care lining up articulate and passionate parents along with caring teachers and renowned experts in the field in order to expose the gravity of the problem and discuss what we can all do about it. This nonpartisan film is not about left or right, but right and wrong, and how we can all stand together for the sake of our children."Also on the team is Producer Rebecca Friedrichs, founder of For Kids and Country. Friedrichs is the author of Standing Up to Goliath, and she served with nine other teachers as the plaintiff in the 2016 U.S. Supreme Court case Friedrichs v. California Teachers' Association that blazed the trail for ending forced unionization of teachers and government employees.For more information and to view the 60-second trailer visit WhoseChildrenAreThey.com SOURCE Hamilton StrategiesCONTACT: Media@HamiltonStrategies.com or Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108 Chad Snow and Ken Smith. Chad Snow, the former chair of Citizens for a Better Arizona, has died at the age of 51 after a years-long cancer fight, according to several people close with him. Snow was known politically for leading the recall effort against former state Senate President Russell Pearce in 2011. Outside of his political engagements, he was most remembered for his generous, easy-going nature that helped him make friends easily and his tireless pursuit of an ethic of love and acceptance. Snow, an attorney who fought for workers' rights at Snow, Carpio & Weekley, PLC, was diagnosed with cancer more than five years ago. In a Facebook post in December 2021, Snow wrote that having a terminal illness made life's more trivial details fade away. Knowing death was near, he embraced the relationships forged throughout his lifetime. "Everything gets distilled down to that which is most important, which I've found to be (1) my relationship with God; and (2) my relationships with my family and closest friends," Snow wrote. "At the end of your life, those two things are all that really matter to you." They mattered as much to his friends as they did to Snow. In his final weeks, friends and family members from around the country traveled to Arizona to say goodbye. The farewell messages and adventures were chronicled on social media, and included caroling with friends and visiting a Chinese buffet. Snow died Sunday morning. Services for him are being planned for Jan. 29, his family announced. Lifelong friendships formed during recall election Yasser Sanchez, an immigration attorney, told The Arizona Republic he met Snow during the effort to recall Pearce more than a decade ago. Pearce, a Republican from Mesa, was the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 1070 a controversial immigration enforcement law that was the toughest in the nation when it passed in the spring of 2010. Sanchez said Snow, chairman and co-founder of the recall effort, provided a "stable voice in the community" during that time, linking activists and community groups across party lines to secure his vision for a better Arizona. Story continues His efforts were successful. In November 2011, Pearce became the first sitting president of a state Senate in U.S. history to be recalled and removed from office. In November 2021, Snow commemorated the anniversary of the recall with a speech in which he said the recall paved the way for Medicaid expansion and other improvements in Arizona. "Apart from the immigration component about it, I think the education system has become much better the state is just a much better place today than it was 10 years ago because of what we did," he said. Snow and Sanchez maintained a friendship over the years. Sanchez described Snow as "incredibly brilliant," with a wonderful sense of humor and commitment to others. He loved his family, cared for his community and was "obsessed" with the Phoenix Suns, Sanchez said. Snow exemplified kindness, forgiveness, grace and humor even in the midst of his cancer fight. Sanchez said he looked up to Snow for the impact he had on all who knew him, and that his legacy of service will live on. "It makes you want to be a better human being so when your time comes, you can say you made a difference to the world," Sanchez said. Ken Smith crossed paths with Snow at a Spanish-language TV station during the recall effort. Smith, a personal injury lawyer, said he "hit it off" with Snow. The pair worked on several cases and even served together in the public affairs bureau of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Smith attributed Snow's natural ability to connect with others to their shared faith. "That was the power Chad had he could be at home with any religion, any age person, any ethnic category, any race," he said. "He was a man of faith. He knew what the end game is, and he knew everybody was a brother or sister." That faith gave Snow "the courage and the strength" he needed to be at peace even as he knew cancer was cutting his earthly time short, Smith said. He added that it was a "blessing" to know Snow and see all the good he did with his life. "He's the type of guy that the world needs he made the world a better place," Smith said. Ian Danley had been working for immigrant rights for a number of years when he met Snow during the recall effort. Several years later, each of them was diagnosed with blood cancers. They endured treatment together, bonded over their shared experience and celebrated one another's victories along the way. He said Snow always had a mischievous smile and "never let cancer stop him from living." "He didn't get angry and bitter and 'why me?' he just took it," Danley said, calling his friend a "really resilient guy." Danley was working for David Garcia's campaign for Arizona governor in 2018 and said Snow offered an entire floor of his building to the team, an example of his "super generous" spirit. Danley said he'll "truly miss" his friend, who he said, above all else, wanted to spread love and justice. "He didn't protect, he didn't try to hold and save, he tried to share and he's loved for that," Danley said. "His legacy is going to be really incredible, and his legacy is going to continue to grow." Snow was the 'consummate protector of the underdog' Former state Sen. Jerry Lewis first met Snow on the night that he defeated Pearce in the 2011 recall election. Lewis said Snow was the "epitome of servant leadership" and had a knack for connecting with people of all backgrounds and beliefs. "He was very sincere in his efforts to help people without any ulterior motives, without any hidden agenda," he said. "He was about doing good for his brothers and sisters who needed advocacy on their behalf. He was always just genuinely kind and honest and full of integrity." Lewis said that, ultimately, his friend eschewed labels and simply "did what was right for humanity." "Chad was the consummate protector of the underdog," Lewis said. The pair developed a "wonderful" friendship that included numerous lunches and discussions about their shared faith and commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lewis last saw Snow on Thursday, when he stood alongside his friend as he was honored by the Arizona Senate with a proclamation on the floor. "Be it proclaimed by the Senate of the state of Arizona that Chad Snow's leadership and advocacy will forever be remembered for making our state stronger, and more inclusive, and recognized for his contributions on behalf of all Arizonans," said state Sen. Raquel Teran, who also serves as chair of the Arizona Democratic Party. Attorney Danny Ortega said he "jumped for joy" that he was also able to attend the event. He said he hugged Snow, told him he loved him and said goodbye for what he knew could be the last time. Ortega knew Snow for about 20 years, adding that he "took a very active part in fighting for justice, equality and all the things that are the founding principles of our country." He said Snow's upbringing in Latino communities in the West Valley helped him develop compassion and a "tremendous ability to connect" with people regardless of their background. Ortega called Snow a "model of servant leadership," and said that despite the accolades and accomplishments he racked up over his life, what matters most was how he treated others. "People can say he was a great human being, he was a great lawyer, he was a great member of our community, but I think the fact that on top of that he was so kind that's probably what I'll remember most about him," Ortega said. 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: Lawyer Chad Snow, who led historic recall effort, dies of cancer at 51 TipRanks As an indication of how the stock market has suffered so far this year, the 2022 selloff has been unlike anything seen for the last 80 years. While there have been a host of reasons for the market wide rout, the meltdown has been most acute amongst growth stocks. As Wells Fargos Head of Equity Strategy Christopher Harvey puts it, "the sell-off is all about growth -- but not economic growth. Rather, it is about the growth style, the mispricing of duration, and risk appetite (or lack thereof). VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 25, 2022 /CNW/ - Scottie Resources Corp. ("Scottie" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE: SR8) is pleased to report additional assay results from the Blueberry Zone on its 100%-owned Scottie Gold Mine Project, located in BC's Golden Triangle. The Blueberry Zone drilling is part of a 14,500 m drill program completed during the 2021 season and is located north-northeast of the past-producing high-grade Scottie Gold Mine, 35 kilometres north of the town of Stewart, BC. Initially discovered during a small drill program in 2019, the Blueberry Zone has become one of the most significant areas of deposit growth on the property and has more than quadrupled its strike length in the past 9 months, to a length now exceeding 650 metres. "Blueberry continues to deliver consistent results with these near surface hits, illustrating the grade continuity of the primary structure." comments President and CEO, Brad Rourke: "We believe that this expanding zone could be a major production centre for the area. The untested potential of the andesite siltstone contact leaves tremendous upside as it remains open at depth and along strike where our geologists have mapped it hundreds of additional metres to the south before it becomes hidden beneath the overlying historic lakebed sediments." Table 1: Selected results from new drill assay results (uncut) from the Blueberry Zone. Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) SR21-069 8 9.25 1.25 6.78 2.60 and 52.04 56.6 4.56 2.73 1.24 including 54.74 56.6 1.86 6.00 1.51 SR21-070 4 14 10.00 3.21 2.70 including 10.3 14 3.70 6.99 3.95 and 62.25 64.5 2.25 15.6 5.50 including 63.75 64.5 0.75 46.3 5.80 and 75.4 76.38 0.98 5.86 2.60 SR21-071 3.3 4.24 0.94 2.26 9.50 and 50.93 74 23.07 2.11 1.47 including 50.93 53.9 2.97 4.07 1.54 and including 65 71 6.00 4.36 2.13 SR21-111 85.5 86.82 1.32 2.46 38.00 and 108 112.2 4.20 1.53 8.89 SR21-123 36 37 1.00 2.08 0 and 47.7 56.7 9.00 2.29 4.07 including 53.7 54.55 0.85 22.1 12.00 * True thicknesses of mineralized intercepts are undetermined Story continues Figure 1: Long section of the Blueberry Zone depicting the most recent drill results. (CNW Group/Scottie Resources Corp.) Holes SR21-069 to -071 were all drilled from the same drill pad and were designed to test two distinct targets: (1) the outcropping northeast trending Blueberry Vein, (2) and the adjacent N-S mineralized contact between the andesite and siltstone. All three holes were successful in hitting both targets and confirmed the continuity of the respective mineralized structures. Historic work on the property had targeted the high-grade Blueberry vein outcropping at surface, however the importance of the adjacent andesite siltstone contact as a major gold-bearing structure was not recognized. The significance of the contact was first realized when the Company's last hole in 2019 intercepted an unexpected intercept 7.44 g/t gold over 34.78 metres (SR19-20) in advance of the primary target. Drilling in 2020 followed up on the discovery and revealed the geological control on the mineralization. Hole SR21-111 was drilled at the northern extent of the 2020 drilling and intercepted mineralization about 40 metres along strike. This hole was designed to test a till covered area between the 2020 drilling and the newly discovered high-grade area at the north end of the Blueberry Zone (October 7, 2021). SR21-123 tested the continuity of the structure south of the 2020 drilling. Figure 2: Overview plan view map of the Blueberry Zone, highlighting the projection of the inferred N-S mineralizing trend, drill intercepts from 2019 and 2020, as well as recent 2021 results gold highlighted results are from this release. (CNW Group/Scottie Resources Corp.) About the Blueberry Zone The Blueberry Zone is located just 2 km northeast of the 100% owned, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine located in British Columbia, Canada's Golden Triangle region. Historic trenching and channel sampling of the Blueberry Vein include results of 103.94 g/t gold over 1.43 metres, and 203.75 g/t gold over 1.90 metres. Despite high-grade surficial samples and easy road access, the Blueberry Vein had only limited reported drilling prior to the Company's exploration work. The target was significantly advanced during Scottie's 2019 drill program when an interval grading 7.44 g/t gold over 34.78 metres was intersected in a new splay off zone of the main Blueberry Vein. The drill results received in 2020, coupled with surficial mapping and sampling suggest that this splay is in fact a major N-S mineralizing structure, of which the Blueberry Vein was only a secondary structure. This near surface zone is much wider than pursued in previous exploration models and drilling in 2021 aims to expand its strike length. The Blueberry Zone is located on the Granduc Road, 20 km north of the Ascot Resources' Premier Project, which is in the process of refurbishing their mill in anticipation of production in 2022 (August 10, 2021). Quality Assurance and Control Results from samples during the 2021 field season were analyzed at either ALS Laboratory in Vancouver, BC or at SGS Minerals in Burnaby, BC. The sampling program was undertaken under the direction of Dr. Thomas Mumford. A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+9 g/t Au). Analysis by four acid digestion with multi-element ICP-AES analysis was conducted on all samples with silver and base metal over-limits being re-analyzed by emission spectrometry. Thomas Mumford, Ph.D., P.Geo and VP Exploration of Scottie, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release on behalf of the Company. ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP. Scottie owns a 100% interest in the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine and Bow properties and has the option to purchase a 100% interest in Summit Lake claims which are contiguous with the Scottie Gold Mine property. Scottie also owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project which contains the high-grade past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria Project properties and the Sulu property. Altogether Scottie Resources holds more than 52,000 ha of mineral claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle. The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mines while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource. The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mine while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource. All of the Company's properties are located in the area known as the Golden Triangle of British Columbia which is among the world's most prolific mineralized districts. Forward Looking Statements This news release may contain forwardlooking 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. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forwardlooking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forwardlooking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release. Scottie Resources Corp. Logo2 (CNW Group/Scottie Resources Corp.) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scottie-resources-reports-intercept-of-15-6-gt-gold-over-2-25-metres-and-3-21-gt-gold-over-10-00-metres-at-blueberry-zone-301467613.html SOURCE Scottie Resources Corp. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/25/c9099.html Former Lockheed Martin Chief Executive and Navy SEAL Vice Admiral to lead expansion of company's global operations SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "Teams of autonomous aircraft that train and learn to execute increasingly complex missions will give our military and allies intelligent, affordable mass. The intersection of AI, autonomy, and aircraft is transformational to the battlefield and national security and is required to maintain global stability in an increasingly unstable world. One only needs to look at recent headlines around the world to see our relative global stability and peace is under immense threat. Shield AI has marshalled the talent, resources, and resolve to meaningfully work on these issues and is actively working with our allies to help them solve their most pressing security problems," said Bob Harward, Shield AI's Executive Vice President for International Business and Strategy. Shield AI Logo (PRNewsfoto/Shield AI) Former Navy SEAL Vice Admiral Bob Harward joins Shield AI to lead expansion of company's global operations. Shield AI, the defense-technology company using self-driving software to enable collaborative teams of unmanned aircraft to operate in GPS- and RF-denied environments, announced it has opened an international office headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates under the leadership of Bob Harward as Executive Vice President for International Business and Strategy. Harward joins Shield AI after leading Lockheed Martin's presence in the Middle East since 2014. During his tenure there, he was instrumental in advancing human capital development and industrial partnership initiatives as well as strengthening ties between Middle East Allies and the United States. "Bob brings a truly special energy and sense of service to everyone he engages with. I couldn't be more excited about him joining Shield AI and bringing that energy and service to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East as we expand our international operations. We aim to make all of our customers proud, and Bob will help us achieve that aim on a global scale," said Brandon Tseng, former Navy SEAL and cofounder of Shield AI. Story continues Harward is a retired United States Navy Vice Admiral (SEAL) and a former Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command, under the leadership command of General James Mattis. He served on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush and commissioned the National Counterterrorism Center. About Shield AI Shield AI is a venture-backed company built around a team of proven executives, warfighters with relevant national security experience, and world-class AI engineers. The company is headquartered in San Diego, CA with satellite offices across the United States and abroad. Shield AI's products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the US Department of Defense and allies. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Media Contact: Lily Hinz media@shield.ai Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shield-ai-establishes-international-office-in-uae-under-leadership-of-bob-harward-301467995.html SOURCE Shield AI Leading engineering firm invites clients to "Explore with us" OLATHE, Kan., Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Terracon has announced its first-ever refresh of brand visual assets and related collateral to better reflect its alignment with today's client needs. As a leading national consulting engineering firm comprised of engineers, scientists, architects, facilities experts, and field professionals who thrive on turning big ideas into reality for partner clients, employees and the world, Terracon's brand now invites clients to "Explore with us." Terracon logo (PRNewsfoto/Terracon) As an employee-owned firm with a long history of providing excellence in consulting services, Terracon has continued to evolve to provide clients with the best experience, on-time, quality earth-to-sky solutions, from dedicated partners. The brand is focused around meeting clients where they are in their project journey from the time a site is selected, to the design and construction, to maintaining the life of the structure. "After more than 55 years in business, it was time for our brand to better reflect who we are and where we're headed in the future," said Gayle Packer, Terracon chair, president and CEO. "Our refreshed brand respects our history while also pointing the way to the exciting future with our employee-owners and clients." Key elements of Terracon's refreshed branding include: A modernized logo featuring a layered strata representing a comprehensive set of services from earth to sky; A new tagline representing the desire to explore together with clients to deliver innovative quality projects faster; A compelling company story told authentically through the experiences of our employee-owners; Website navigation and graphics, signage, advertising and other visual assets. The refreshed Terracon brand was created through a year-long process to align how the company meets client needs, which began with identifying opportunities to better sync Terracon's strategic plan with how the company presents itself externally. More than 600 Terracon employee-owners at various levels participated in this deliberate, thoughtful process. Story continues Since its founding in 1965 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as a geotechnical engineering company, Terracon has grown to a thriving multidiscipline engineering consulting firm with more than 175 locations throughout the U.S., and more than 5,000 employees. The company's successful growth strategy has included organic growth and innovation as well as the acquisition of more than 60 firms with specialized capabilities. A focused and uncompromising dedication to safety has been integral to all operations, particularly over the past 10 years. About Terracon Terracon is an employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 5,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/terracon-launches-refreshed-branding-301467997.html SOURCE Terracon Scams are rife in the world of crypto. But OneCoin is arguably the most successful cryptocurrency scam in history. Between 2014 and 2016, the project raked in $ 4 billion from investors based all over the world. Despite the fact that it was never even listed on an exchange, it drew in cash from almost every nation you care to mention. Its co-founder Ruja Ignatova, aka Dr. Ruja, disappeared without a trace in 2017 after spending millions of her investors dollars on luxury apartments and other assets. Its co-founder Sebastian Greenwood was jailed for wire fraud in the United States, while Dr. Rujas brother Konstantin, later the OneCoin CEO, has also been put behind bars. Years later, police the world over are still chasing down OneCoin execs. It may take them decades to track them all down. The Court of Appeal in Nancy, France has granted the US extradition request for Luxembourg ex-spy Frank Schneider sought in the multibillion OneCoin crypto fraud. His lawyers will appeal the decision (pourvoi en cassation) (Photo: Marc Wilwert) via @LuxTimes pic.twitter.com/5Eq4818Nij Yannick Lambert (@YannickLamber11) January 19, 2022 But this remarkable story soon to become a major Hollywood movie starring Kate Winslet as Dr. Ruja has some important takeaways for crypto investors who want to learn how to spot a scam In the World of Crypto, if Something Looks Like an MLM Scamit Probably Is Contrary to what naysayers say about crypto, its not a pyramid scam. Last month, an FT contributor wrote that calling Bitcoin a Ponzi scheme, was arguably being too kind. But what the FUD brigade misses is that cryptocurrencies are the product of blockchains, which are immutable and uneditable in nature due to the fact that they do not exist on a single database, but rather are a shared network that continues to exist even if an individual node goes offline. Story continues Blockchains are a powerful financial tool: They are possibly the ultimate accounting tool, in fact, because anyone in the world with internet access can examine all transactions conducted on them at any given time. With the exception of privacy coins like Monero, you can see how many tokens an individual wallet owns, when coins left a wallet, where they went and so on. A multi-level marketing (MLM) scam operates in the shadows, using fabricated records or inaccessible ledgers just like OneCoin, which kept much of its accountancy a secret and didnt even have a blockchain. Instead, the sum total of its accounting appears to have been conducted on a bunch of PCs in a small office in Sofia, Bulgaria, that was hurriedly emptied one day in 2019. Some action at the OneCoin HQ at last. Doors opened. A small beaten down van parked in front and was filled with various office equipment and supplies. Didn't seem to be the contents of the famous 3rd floor cash room Looked as if the company is moving out, but who knows pic.twitter.com/vH0XzMFef0 IKOY TOYO (@Svrakata) November 21, 2019 In the world of bona fide crypto, nobody will ever try to recruit you. There are no membership levels, you dont get referral bonuses or guaranteed returns on genuine exchanges. Sure, some protocols occasionally offer airdrops and exchanges offer promotional giveaways. But there is a clear line between marketing and outlandish MLM promises. When a crypto project starts trying to get you to press-gang your friends and relatives into joining something or other, its almost certainly a wolf in sheeps clothing. If Somebody Tells You Their Projects the Next Bitcoin Run the Other Way! It is June 11, 2016. In London, Dr. Ruja takes to the stage in Wembley Arena, the UKs premium concert venue. Flames shoot out of the stage as she enters, while This Girl Is on Fire by Alicia Keys blares on the sound system. Wearing a flowing red dress, Dr. Ruja tells the enthralled audience that OneCoins market cap is now second only to Bitcoin. In fact, she says, her protocol is the Bitcoin Killer. We dont have far to go, she enthuses. And if everyone just keeps on investing their money, in two years, nobody will speak about Bitcoin anymore. While there is undoubtedly some competition among crypto communities there are bitcoin-only folks like the Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and Ethereum advocates who champion their favorite coin among all others. But when it comes to token founders, animosity is rare. Even crypto celebs like Vitalik Buterin, the Ethereum co-founder and Changpeng CZ Zhao, the founder of Binance Coin, have admitted to holding Bitcoin and other tokens. Solana is billed by proponents as an Ethereum killer, but the co-founder of the protocol, Raj Gokal, has shunned this kind of label. its not just pretty words, man. it really doesnt have to be a fight. more key pairs are better. users will be able to switch as these platforms prove out or dont prove out over time. the TAM is every human with a computer and we should all be trying to get them on web 3.0 raj.sol (@rajgokal) November 10, 2021 Real high-worth protocols are not interested in being the only show in town. There is plenty of space in the industry for successful protocols and those trying to catch BTC and the rest are likely making pie-in-the-sky promises aimed at nothing more than filling their pockets with your cash. Beware Charismatic Leaders and Remember Cryptos Supposed to Be Decentralized Dr. Ruja was ostensibly the perfect antithesis to the Vitalik Buterins of this world. While the latter is a bookish, understated, nerdy, intellectual type, Dj. Ruja was the opposite: She was the last word in charm. And while Buterin is only a cog in the Ethereum machine, Dr. Ruja was anything but. She actively sought out the limelight, making incredible promises of fabulous wealth. Remarkable words by Dr. Ruja Ignatova! pic.twitter.com/RDrlq0qop6 OneCoin (@OneCoinCrypto) April 6, 2016 But in the real crypto sphere, this kind of focal point is almost always a bad sign. Cryptos big selling point is its decentralized nature a factor that makes a protocol almost indestructible after it has grown to a certain size. The less you hear about the founder of a protocol, and the more you hear about a large community of busy developers plans to improve the network, the better. Few people have dug up as much dirt on this scam as the British journalist Jamie Bartlett the creator of the most famous expose of OneCoin yet: the BBCs Missing Cryptoqueen podcast. In summing up Dr. Ruja, Bartlett wrote that most frustratingly of all, she correctly guessed that by the time we realized [the extent of her scam], shed be gone, along with the money. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: NEW YORK, January 25, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TransPerfect, the worlds largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business, today announced that it has been named a winner of the 15th annual Grand Stevie Awards. The Grand Stevie is the highest honor of the Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service. Winners cannot apply and are instead chosen based on the total number of awards won in other categories. TransPerfects employees and teams won fourteen Stevie Awards in total, in addition to the Grand Stevie. Only ten companies are honored with a Grand Stevie Award each year. TransPerfect earned the distinction alongside DP DHL and IBM, among other industry leaders. All winners were recognized during a virtual award ceremony. The full list can be found here. For the 2021 Stevie Awards, judges considered more than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes representing 51 countries and virtually every industry. Over 160 professionals took part on specialized judging committees, scoring each organization based on performance across 90 categories. Winners were determined by the average of those scores. Employees from TransPerfect earned awards in categories such as Global Sales Team of the Year, Customer Service Leader of the Year, and Worldwide Sales Executive of the Year, among others. TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe stated, "We are honored to be recognized as a Grand Stevie Award winner. Our people strive to be the best sales and customer service teams in the industry, and this distinction is a testament to their skill and hard work in providing solutions that help drive our clients success in the global marketplace." About TransPerfect TransPerfect is the worlds largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. From offices in over 100 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 170+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 5,000 global organizations employ TransPerfects GlobalLink technology to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com. Story continues About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors of the 15th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Sales Partnerships, Inc., and ValueSelling Associates, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220124005889/en/ Contacts Ryan Simper +1 212.689.5555 mediainquiry@transperfect.com About six Stafford County families showed up at Margaret Brent Elementary Monday morning to oppose the school divisions continued mask mandate, which the parents said goes against Gov. Glenn Youngkins recent executive order. The parents attempted to send their children into the school without masks and were told the children could not go to class, said April Battiste, the mother of two boys enrolled at Margaret Brent. I hate to call it a protest, because thats not what it was, Battiste said in an interview Monday morning. This was basically us bringing our kids to school as a typical, normal day, but today was a little different. We walked in with a mask opt-out form that referenced everything that was set in place to help us have that choice that was taken away from us. Battiste said the students were not allowed into the school without masks and were offered virtual learning at home. They asked us to be patient, she said. The Stafford County School Board last week voted 52 to continue requiring students, staff and visitors to wear face coverings while in school buildings. Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order after taking office earlier this month that allows parents to opt their children out of any existing mask mandates, beginning Monday. But the Stafford board cited a Virginia lawSenate Bill 1303that states that schools must adhere to CDC guidelines for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent practicable. The CDC currently recommends universal indoor masking in K12 settings. Caroline and Fredericksburg school divisions also opted to keep their mask mandates in place. The legality of Youngkins executive order is being challenged by a group of parents in Chesapeake, as well as Fairfax County and several other large school systems in the state. The governor advised parents in a statement last week to listen to their [school] principal and expressed confidence that the Virginia Supreme Court would rule in favor of the executive order. In the meantime, he asked parents to trust the legal process. Alyssa Halstead, Hartwood District representative on the Stafford School Board, and Crystal Vanuch, Rock Hill District representative on the county Board of Supervisors, were present at Margaret Brent Elementary Monday morning to support the parents. Halstead was one of the two members who voted against the School Boards motion to continue the mask mandate last week, citing her desire to uphold parental choice. Battiste said she asked if her childrens absence from school today would be considered excused or unexcused. They couldnt answer that for me. I thought that was upsetting, she said. Division spokeswoman Sandra Osborn said Monday afternoon that the absences would be excused. She said there were no instances at any other county schools on Monday. Battiste said she understands that individual school administrators and teachers are not responsible for masking decisions. We are trying to be as respectful as possible, but we are making it known that we as parents should have this choice, she said. Caroline County schools spokeswoman Kimberly Young said the division did not experience any anti-mask demonstrations Monday. The school division will be sharing a message of gratitude after the end of the school day today to express collective thanks to school leaders, staff, students, and families for supporting a productive and safe day of teaching and learning today, Young said. Fredericksburg City Public Schools were closed Monday for a teacher workday. The division sent out a robocall Monday afternoon reminding parents that masking is still required and quoting Youngkins advice to love your neighbor, to listen to school principals, and to trust the legal process. We understand that not everyone will agree with this decision. However, with the surge of COVID-19 cases we are experiencing in our schools and community at this time, requiring masks represents a key strategy in preventing the spread of the virus, the Fredericksburg schools message stated. Students who attend city schools on Tuesday without a mask will be given one and expected to wear it in class and on the bus, the announcement continued. The Spotsylvania School Board voted last week to make masks optional for students and visitors. Teachers in the division are still expected to wear face coverings according to Department of Labor health and safety standards. Masks are optional in King George County schools for secondary students, and for elementary students with a signed waiver. Division spokeswoman Amanda Higgins said Monday that 624 out of 2,055 students in preschool through grade 5 have opt-out waivers. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. THE INAUGURATION of Virginias 74th governor, Glenn Youngkin, was one for the history books. I was honored to be seated behind the governor in the exclusive Portico Seating Area as the guest of state Sen. Bryce Reeves, a candidate running for the newly designated 7th Congressional Districta legislative champion to law enforcement officials, veterans and outreach causes. Youngkin, the political newcomer and former private equity firm co-CEO assumed office along with Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares. Sears becomes the first Black woman and former Marine to hold the office of lieutenant governor, while Miyares is the first Hispanic American to be Virginias attorney general. Suzanne Youngkin did not disappoint style-conscious observers, dressing with the classical elegance expected of a first lady. During the inauguration and at every event, she was simply resplendent in presentation. Witnessing her outreach and compassion on the campaign trail, expect this Virginia first lady to be more involved than others in worthy political causes. Newly appointed nominee for the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth, Kay Cole James, looked magnificent in her mink coat and was all smiles. Understandably not all were elated. Frowns and weak applause were evident from Democrats. They were easily identified from others by mostly wearing one mask while some donned two. Reeves called the overall events euphoric, while former Gov. George Allen stated, It was the feeling of liberation from the burdensome mandates over the last several years Allen was apparently referring to the recent executive orders signed by Youngkin such as banning critical race theory and allowing parents to make decisions on mask mandates in public schools, declaring Virginia open for business, ensuring safer communities, and reinvigorating job growth. Youngkin and Allen both ran similar campaigns on such issues seeking higher academic standards in schools, increased public safety and reducing cumbersome legislation. Youngkin in his first executive directive seeks to reduce job-killing regulations by 25 percent. Such desires were discussion topics throughout the inauguration weekend by both the well-heeled and the average citizen seeking a return to conservative values. Independents simply wanted to celebrate the restoration of political civility. But celebrate they did. At the lieutenant governors ball, Sears demonstrated remarkable dance moves with her former Marine husband. During the welcome reception at the Omni hotel, the cuisine was exceptional. As the first family greeted guests, some like my 9-year- old granddaughter Grace Marie received words of encouragement from the governor and first lady, and an exclusive white 74 ball cap with a stitched Youngkin signature. Ditching ball gowns for boots, hats, and more casual attire after the inauguration, over 5,000 political revelers rocked at Main Street Station as Youngkin wore a classic 74 vest and black hat and Allen sported a one-of-a-kind silver Virginia bolo tie. This transplanted Texan was right at home in my boots, jeans, silver belt buckle and cowboy hat. Yes, it was a celebration to remember. But now, as Youngkin stated, time to get to work. Daniel P. Cortez is a Stafford resident, presidential appointee, political writer and broadcaster who serves as the volunteer co-chairman of the Latinos for Youngkin coalition. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijan and Israel have discussed cooperation between their small and medium-sized businesses. The discussion took place during a meeting between Azerbaijan's Small and Medium Business Development Agency Orkhan Mammadov and Israel-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Alex Kaplun. During the meeting, it was stated that the agency is interested in developing relationships between Azerbaijani and Israeli SMBs. The parties talked about bilateral cooperation and the possibility of organizing joint activities in this area. Azerbaijan and Israel have been expanding bilateral cooperation over the years. It should be noted that Azerbaijan and Israel's cooperation is founded not only on economic partnership but also on traditional historical and cultural roots, as well as mutual respect and trust. Furthermore, Israel was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's state independence and establish diplomatic relations. Furthermore, during the 44-day Second Karabakh War, Israel was among the first countries to express support for Azerbaijan's just position and territorial integrity. Azerbaijan expressed its willingness to involve Israel in the restoration of the country's newly liberated territories in January 2021. As a result, Israel will construct a buffalo farm in Azerbaijan's liberated Zangilan region. Azerbaijan established its first Trade and Tourism Representative Office in Israel last year. In the first 11 months of 2021, the two countries' trade turnover totaled $818.3 million. A record year for Lincoln startup investment in 2021 apparently was even bigger. BasicBlock, a financial technology company that makes it easier for truckers to find financing and get paid, announced Monday that it received $78 million investment that is a combination of debt and equity. Among the lead investors in the round were Autotech Ventures, Clear Haven Capital Management, Emergent Ventures and Nelnet. Previous investors Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, SaaS Ventures and TNT Ventures also participated. While the investment was disclosed on Monday, it actually was finalized in November, which means BasicBlock's pot of money, one of the largest ever for a Lincoln-based company, likely pushed last year's record-breaking venture capital haul to close to $300 million. BasicBlock's investment follows three other very large ones last year: $120 million for Monolith, $46 million for Virtual Incision, and $30 million for CompanyCam. The company got its start in 2018 as an app that allowed truckers to do factoring of their invoices and get paid faster with less of a discount. Factoring involves having an investor pay upfront for the value of outstanding invoices, for a discounted rate, and BasicBlock facilitated the factoring at a low rate of 2-3% of the invoice value. The company has since "evolved to provide critical working capital to fleets who cannot secure it through traditional financial institutions," said Taylor Monks, BasicBlock CEO and co-founder. Monks said research he did prior to starting the company showed that 96% of all trucking companies have fewer than six trucks "and one of their biggest pain points is access to capital." The company said in a news release that the $78 million investment will allow it to continue focusing on factoring while adding and expanding services to help carriers grow their fleets. One of the company's goals is to eventually be able to offer 0% factoring. Some of the investment also will be used to open and staff a new office in Chicago. Just since November, BasicBlock has seen a 50% increase in the number of drivers it serves and a 60% increase in the amount of factoring volume. "Establishing an office in Chicago, one of the leading freight-tech cities in the U.S., will enable us to meet the needs of our increasing national customer base and improve upon our already industry-leading customer service," said Brett Byman, the company's chief operating officer. Burak Cendek, a partner at Autotech Ventures, one of the lead investors, said traditional financial institutions are not meeting the needs of small trucking firms, and BasicBlock has "developed a solution to enable this critical piece of the supply chain access to financing." "Autotech Ventures sees great potential in BasicBlock's current offering as well as its plans for the future," Cendek said. Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELMWOOD A 35-year-old Lincoln man, Kyle Wainwright, was identified on Monday morning as the victim in a single-vehicle fatality accident near Elmwood on Sunday. According to Cass County Sheriff William Brueggemann, shortly before 4:10 p.m. deputies from his department responded to 286th Street and Havelock Avenue for an overturned vehicle in a ditch and waterway there. Units from Elmwood Fire and Rescue, Cass County Emergency Management Agency and the Murdock Fire Department were also dispatched to that location, which is northwest of Elmwood. When deputies arrived on the scene they found a 2004 Chevy Cavalier overturned in the water with the driver ejected, Brueggemann said. The Nebraska State Patrol was dispatched to investigate the accident scene. Wainwright was later confirmed to be the victim by prints with a mobile AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) used by the patrol, the sheriff said. The Cass County Attorneys Office was notified and an autopsy ordered, the sheriff said. The accident is still under investigation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Mark Shepard knows the vital role mental health plays in student success. Amid the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have been enlisting the help of mental health experts and working to maintain communication with staff and students. Shepard, the superintendent of Fremont Public Schools, said the focus on mental health didnt start during the pandemic, but during an arguably darker time for the city of Fremont. In the spring of 2019, we had a 400-year flood, Shepard said. That was when our awareness got heightened initially and that was pre-pandemic. We saw the need for community resources. We saw the need for the follow up with the students and their families. Thats when FPS first partnered with Lutheran Family Services, United Way, The Fremont Family Coalition and various churches. We wanted to meet the communitys needs beyond just an educational need, Shepard said. Then the COVID hit in 2020 and schools began seeing the pandemics impact. A theme among school districts' struggles has been the implementation of COVID precautions such as mask mandates and online classes - a divisive and political issue since the start of the pandemic. Cedar Bluffs Superintendent Harlan Ptomey described what districts have been facing. Some of these issues are coming from the political divisions in the country, Ptomey said. Masks or no masks, vaccination mandates, its stressful. We have two sides who are battling and that has to have an impact on our adults as well as our students. Its unfortunate right now because it is so divisive. Shepard cites other cause for uneasiness among students. It's beyond the pandemic, Shepard said. Some of the social unrest in the country and what they see and experience on media or social media has added to some of that concern. Statewide statistics have pointed to mental health concerns among teachers and students. In early December, the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) released statistics about substitute shortages and overall negative feelings from educators about their districts. One statistic that rang true for many schools across Nebraska were those relating to the impact on students. The NSEA found that 84% of educators who participated in the survey have seen an increase in student mental health concerns. It said this could be due to multiple factors like the pandemics effect on student workload, activities, extra-curriculars, social limitations and many more. The NSEA also stated that this doesn't necessarily have to be due directly to the pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, school districts within Dodge and Saunders counties have seen an increase in mental health awareness and support. The last two years, weve added social workers and partnered with community resources including Lutheran Family Services and the Fremont Family Coalition with providing additional resources in the school and providing support for not just the students but also their families, Shepard said. Cedar Bluffs Schools have taken extra measures as well. We hired additional staff this year, Ptomey said. We have two full time mental health practitioners on staff. Cedar Bluffs unfortunately knows this feeling of mental health concern all too well. In late November, a freshman at Cedar Bluffs High School passed away due to suicide. Since then, Ptomey states the support for students has been more apparent. We added our two practitioners and they come here pretty regularly, Ptomey said. They would come and talk to kids and we just wanted to have that support there for our students. Shepard indicated other things FPS has done to help students. Another thing that we have tried to do, and have been successful with, has been whenever possible keeping our students in school, Shepard said. That was probably one of the biggest issues our teachers and school district had. Shepard pointed out concerns with online learning. When we were online learning, it was really difficult to gauge a students mental, social and emotional wellbeing, he said. Shepard said mental health was the driving force behind keeping students in school. We were really pleased when the CDC relaxed its guidelines so that students will only be out for five days instead of 10, because that does get them back into school quicker, Shepard said. Another local administrator cites smaller class size and faith for helping students. Archbishop Bergan Catholic Principal Dan Koenig says that schools saving grace for mental health among students aligns with the size of its classrooms and school. Were going to do what we always do, which is do whats best for our kids, Koenig said. In a smaller atmosphere, we are able to have our teachers have a good pulse on what's going on with each and every one of our students. Koenig explained how the system works. We have a house system set up, so each kid belongs to a family so not only do you have grade level teachers checking up on kids constantly, but also other staff members who act as a mentor and check up on their kids in their house programs, Koenig said. This smaller size is what Koenig believes makes Bergan able to handle cases of mental health concerns amongst students. Even as a principal, Koenig believes hes involved in this process as well. I teach social studies in the morning, Koenig said. I've got 14 to 15 students in each of my classes. Koenig said the small class numbers allow him to know how kids are doing and whats going on with them. If I see something going on with a kid or if I notice something is not right, I pull them aside in a discrete way and check in on their mental health, how they are feeling and what is going on in their lives, Koenig said. Along with smaller class sizes providing more interconnected relationships between staff and students, Koenig also said Bergan also has guidance counselors from junior high to high school, but they are used as almost a last resort. Caseload is not very large because we have 197 students at the middle school/high school level. Thats about 200 students to check in on and take care of their basic needs as well as their mental health, Koenig said. Koenig believes another aspect of Bergans ability to tackle student mental health concerns lies in a core principle of the school, religion. We know our kids extremely well, Koenig said. We know their families. We know what they are going through. We not only have the ability to check in on them mentally, but we have the ability to talk to them about their faith life as well. Koenig talked about the importance of that faith life. We lean on our faith constantly, with us being a Catholic school. We talk about how faith is going to get them through these times, Koenig said. Koenig recognizes the value of a close-knit environment. We have a family atmosphere, and families take care of each other, Koenig said. We are raising these kids as if they are our own. We are working hand-in-hand with their parents so these kids can get through the tough times and to be the very best they can be. North Bend Public Schools Superintendent Dan Endorf touched on what the pandemic itself has brought to school districts and the country as a whole. The pandemic has and continues to create heightened anxiety among students, staff, community and all of society, Endorf said. The virus has led to an increased workload, more stress and difficult conversations in relation to how we normally operate a school. These are unprecedented times and all of us are learning as we go. I'm very pleased with how our students and staff have reacted through these times. Endorf appreciates students and what theyve experienced. Students are resilient, but they have undergone a traumatic couple of years, Endorf said. With administration, staff and the community at large taking a more in-depth look at mental health problems and solutions amongst students at various schools, it now relies on the resources available to different districts to get their students the support they may need. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Cedar Bluffs Public Schools student was admitted to Childrens Hospital in Omaha recently due to COVID while Fremont Public and Archbishop Bergan schools also continue to battle the virus. In a weekly update released Friday, CBPS Superintendent Harlan Ptomey said 13 students, 10 parents or family members, and two staff members tested positive. All of these positives resulted in 18 more students that have been quarantined, some with symptoms and some without, Ptomey said in the update. Quarantine and isolation rules at CBPS consist of five days, after which students/staff may return once they are symptom-free, but must wear a mask for another five days. Of the teachers who tested positive, one from the daycare was unvaccinated and another in the elementary was vaccinated. Ptomey encouraged everyone to get vaccinated. The fully vaccinated have less mortality than the overall mortality rate for all deaths in Nebraska and clearly shows that the not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated have a much higher rate of death than any other group. Please get vaccinated, he said. The update also stated that the seven-day rolling average for all illnesses was 59.86 per day, or 12.68% of the CBPS student population. This is a decrease from 72 students gone Jan. 13-20. Slightly more than 1% of Fremont Public Schools student population were not in school Friday due to COVID-19. There were 85 students gone due to a positive test and a total of 160 not in school due to quarantine. Thirteen district employees were not working due to a positive test and another four were in quarantine. Masks are required inside all FPS buildings and district-owned/leased/chartered transportation through January 28, 2022. Keeping our students and staff safe and in school is our priority, stated Mark Shepard, FPS superintendent. We continue to monitor our numbers closely. We are looking at adjusting our protocol as necessary and will remove the mask mandate when appropriate. On Thursday, Bergan principal Dan Koenig said in his weekly video update that six students were in quarantine and six have tested positive which is 1.6% of the total K-12 student population in quarantine and 1.3% who have tested positive. Three Rivers Public Health Department posted a weekly positivity rate of 66.67% Monday, down from a record 68.3% positivity rate on Jan. 16. There are currently a total of 17,439 positive cases within the Three Rivers district, 1,085 in the past seven days, and 1,971 in the past 14 days. There are 427 patients hospitalized (45 on ventilators) due to the virus within the Omaha Metro Healthcare Coalition which includes the counties of Dodge, Washington, Saunders, Douglas, Sarpy and Cass. Currently, 253 ICU beds are occupied and 46 ICU beds are available. Three Rivers is offering free community testing. They are open for testing from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursdays and 1-5 p.m. on Fridays at 210 East Military Avenue in Fremont. Vaccines are also available at local pharmacies and at Three Rivers Public Health Department on Tuesdays and Fridays. More information is available online at https://www.threeriverspublichealth.org/COVID-19. Ptomeys weekly update can be viewed on the CBPS website, www.cedarbluffsschools.org. Bergans update is posted to their Facebook page @ArchbishopBerganCatholicSchool. More detailed information regarding FPS protocols is on their website fremonttigers.org/return-to-school-2021. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Fremont City Council will discuss and vote on an interlocal agreement with Dodge County to apply for an inland port authority at its meeting Tuesday. If approved, the agreement will become part of an application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development later this year. The city and county announced that they would bring the proposed agreement to the council and Dodge County Board of Supervisors on Friday. With the Municipal Inland Port Authority Act signed into law last year, the state is allowing for up to five communities to receive a port authority, a distribution and transportation hub for business. This is a competitive process, Mayor Joey Spellerberg said at a press briefing Friday. Only five are going to be given out in the state, and so obviously for us, we wanted to be able to get a head start and be able to do as much as we could to give us the best chance to be able to be awarded this designation by the state. At the briefing, Spellerberg, Greater Fremont Economic Development Council Executive Director Megan Skiles and County Board Chairman Bob Missel said the current plan was to place the port authority southeast of Fremont near the Union Pacific Railroad. If Fremont is selected as one of the five port authorities, a board would be appointed by Spellerberg and approved by the city council and county board, which would then govern and plan for the district. I think by creating the district and having that set in a place that weve chosen, it really lines us up well for our growth in the future and gives us a greater say over it, Missel said. So its really exciting to see the opportunity come before us, jobs, growth, a stronger community. The council will also vote on a resolution to lower the citys food and beverage occupation tax from 1.25% to 1%. The city previously imposed the tax at a 1.75% rate in August 2015, which was estimated to generate $630,000 annually. The rate went into effect that October. With actual receipts exceeding projections, the tax rate was lowered to $1.25% in July 2016, with taxable sales exceeding $57 million in 2021. If approved, the ordinance would go into effect on April 1 to allow restaurants enough time to reprogram equipment. The council will also vote on a resolution authorizing point-to-point transmission service from NextEra Energys Cottonwood Wind Energy Center. The agreement would run from March 2022 to March 2027 with rollover rights. Through the 20 MW transmission path, the city would be able to import energy during low-cost periods, claim a portion or all capacity from Cottonwood, participate in transmission congestion to offset costs and offset transmission purchases during outages. The city previously submitted a request for the Southwest Power Pool to study the possibility of the service, which determined that no capital improvements were required, but that tariff costs would be charged per MW, estimated to be $63,000 per month. In other news, the council will vote on the Fremont Municipal Airport Capital Improvement Plan, revisions to the Keno Grants guidelines, application and scoring matrix and hear the Keene Memorial Librarys annual report. In addition, a public hearing on the citys Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project at Business Park will also be held. During the consent agenda, the council will also vote on appointing Nicholas Morris and Zachary Klein as captains with the Fremont Fire Department and a two-month extension of its contract with the FurEver Home. The council will meet at 7 p.m. with public comment starting 30 minutes prior on the second floor of the Fremont Municipal Building at 400 E. Military Ave. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Even living in Chichihualco, a small city in the south Mexican state of Guerrero, Jose Ortiz said he's always known business, mostly through his mother. "She was always taking chorizo to Acapulco, and when she'd get there, she would finish selling it and buy fish and shrimp and everything and take it back to our hometown, since we were living more in the mountain region," he said. "So she was always doing business. We've always been business-oriented." Now in Fremont, Ortiz's family opened Epicentro, a Mexican grocery market and general store in the downtown area. Recently, he also opened Los Mezcales, a bar and grill just down the street. Ortiz and other Hispanic people have found success in the Fremont community through their business, including stores and restaurants centered on the culture of their home country. As of the 2020 United States census, 15.2% of Fremont's population was Hispanic or Latino, up from 11.9% in 2010. And with the growing population, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tara Lea said Hispanic-owned businesses have expanded throughout the community, a trend she called "fantastic." "I know when I got here five years ago, there were a few obviously, but nothing like we have today," she said. "So we're very fortunate to have so many of those business owners branching out and starting their businesses right here in Fremont." Jose Ortiz's journey Born in Chichihualco, Ortiz's family, particularly his mother's side, was always involved in business, as his mother and grandmother would make and sell milkshakes, torta and chorizo, a recipe that has now been passed down to him. At a very young age, Ortiz moved with his parents to the United States, where his brother and sister were born. "I think it was just the fact that our family that was doing good here, and my parents decided to come out here and try it out, and we ended up staying," he said. Ortiz and his family lived in Colorado for around 12 years before returning to Chichihualco, where he met his future wife. The family also had their own business, a liquor store, in the city. But when he was 18, Ortiz and his family decided to return to the United States after spending several years in Mexico. "The factors of us coming back, it was just the situation, bad situations down there and everything," he said. "So we just kind of came back and tried it again out here." Settled in Fremont, Ortiz's father and wife began Epicentro at 248 N. Main St. as a clothing store that also provided money transfer and check cashing services. "After a while, my parents started putting in the meat market, started putting more of a grocery: vegetables, chips and everything," he said. "It kind of turned into what it is now over the years." After his mother died of cancer, Ortiz quit his job to help run the family business around three years ago. In starting Los Mezcales at 210 N. Main St., Ortiz said he's running the restaurant along with his brother. "I wanted something for them to grow also here in the community, as well as me," he said. "We wanted to do something more." For Ortiz, opening Los Mezcales is a way to show his culture in an original fashion, just the way he cooks at home, which he said has proven popular in the community. "Where we're from, Guerrero, we have mountains to deserts to beaches to everything in one little state," he said. "So we have numbers of food items to bring, and that's what I want to bring." Berta Quintero's story Like Ortiz, Reinita Restaurant owner Berta Quintero was born outside of the country, coming from Guatemala City around 20 years ago. "I was only thinking of work and making some money," she said. "But I never thought I could have everything I have right now." Quintero began work at Hormel Foods upon arriving in Fremont, where she lived with her husband, who was from Honduras. "I worked at Hormel for almost 10 years, and then I decided I needed to do something with my life," she said. "And my husband and I started talking about doing some business, so we started with the ice cream shop." In 2016, Quintero opened Heladeria Reinita in Fremont with her family, including her mother, Reina Rivera. But since opening the ice cream store, Quintero said it was always their dream to serve food, which came true with Reinita Restaurant at 414 N. Main St. in October 2020. "We can't believe it, because we opened when the pandemic was really strong," she said. "So it's been one year already, and we're still here." In December 2021, Quintero was appointed as a member of the Downtown Business Improvement District Board, which was approved by the Fremont City Council. The BID meets monthly and plans for improvement projects in the downtown Fremont area with the aim to assist area businesses. Receiving the phone call from Mayor Joey Spellerberg asking her to join, Quintero said she almost couldn't believe her ears. "I couldn't believe it, and I almost cried, because I never thought I could do this," she said. "But my mom showed me when you do something good, a lot of good things come." The community's response Since Epicentro's opening 12 years ago, Ortiz said the store has received an extremely positive response from Fremont's Hispanic community. "We might be a little bit more expensive than Walmart, but if you compare our vegetables and stuff like that, it can be a little bit more higher quality," he said. "And the Hispanic community always wants familiar speech and everything." When she opened Reinita Restaurant, Quintero said she was excited about the opportunity for Fremont's Hispanic population, which she believed would make up most of her customers. "But 90% of the people who come to my restaurant are American," she said. "And I'm so happy with that, because the community supports the restaurant, and the Spanish people, too, and that's a good thing." Regardless of race, Ortiz said the Fremont community has found comfort in Epicentro, including taking suggestions for taco meat. "I'll show them what to do, what to put on them and everything, and they come back," he said. "I think it's just giving that to try something new, it's just that little step." As Fremont's Hispanic population grows, Lea said she's glad to see areas like Epicentro and Reinita Restaurant provide services and goods that other areas in town might not have. "Also, it's great for people who arent familiar with those businesses or the culture and to go in and learn more about some of the things that they celebrate or they do or products that they can get here now in Fremont," she said. "It's just fantastic." Working hand in hand As community partners, Lea said Hispanic-owned businesses have been fantastic to work with due to their motivation to grow and make things happen. "It's fun to meet with them and take just a little bit of their energy and bring it to the chamber," she said. "They've got so much going on that we're just happy to be a small part of that." Quintero said she's thankful for Fremont's support, which she said has made the opening of her businesses so much easier with the hard work that she's put in. "The Fremont community, they love everything we do, so I think they're an easy people," she said. "But you need to do everything right if you want Fremont to support your business." Along with more processing plants opening in Fremont, Ortiz said he's excited to see opportunities for jobs and business for the community's Hispanic population. "Even fixing up streets and everything, there's more income coming into Fremont," he said. "The more income there is coming to Fremont, the more stuff Fremont's going to be able to do." In regard to people worried about "what kind of people" that Fremont would attract with these opportunities, Ortiz said every population may have bad people, but also has good people. "Not all Hispanics or not all other cultures are bad people," he said. "By opening ourselves up to the community, I think we can bring something good to Fremont and make it a little bit better." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Pakistani journalist working for a local TV station has been shot dead while driving his car in the eastern city of Lahore, police said. Two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on Husnain Shah's vehicle near the Lahore Press Club on January 24 before fleeing the scene, said senior police officer Safdar Raza Kazmi, adding that officials were still investigating to determine who killed the journalist. After the killing, angry journalists rallied in Lahore, condemning the assault and demanding the arrest of the killers, and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced a countrywide protest. Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar condemned the attack and ordered an investigation. Journalists in Pakistan have long been subjected to violent attacks. In 2020, Pakistan ranked ninth on the Committee to Protect Journalists annual Global Impunity Index, which assesses countries where journalists are regularly killed and the assailants go free. With reporting by AP and dawn.com Like millions of other impoverished Afghans, day laborer Omaruddin and his family are facing starvation as the countrys economic crisis deepens under Taliban rule. Omaruddin, a Kabul resident, has registered over 20 times with the Taliban regime in the hope of receiving wheat that was donated as humanitarian aid by foreign countries. But the Taliban in October established a so-called food for work program that requires recipients to do manual labor on public-works projects to receive the humanitarian aid. Omaruddin says only those with connections to the Taliban have received work under that program. Now, in what the Taliban claims is an expansion of its "food for work" program, the cash-strapped regime has begun to use foreign wheat aid to pay the salaries of public sector workers. That has contributed to already widespread allegations that the Taliban is misappropriating aid from foreign donors. The Talibans controversial program has increased calls for international humanitarian organizations to distribute aid directly to the needy rather than funneling it through the militant group. Nobody hires us, Omaruddin told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. The Taliban only take people that they know. You cannot find a job unless you know someone. They will not give you anything even if you work hard. There is no way that they are going to give out something for free. Ive gone 20 times to them to try to get food for work, but all I do is leave my identification number behind, he adds. Its only the ones who have connections who get hired under this program. Nobody gives anything to the poor. Ghazni Gul, another day laborer, says he is struggling to even earn 50 afghanis for a full day of work -- about half a U.S. dollar -- since the Taliban seized power in August. There is no business at all, Gul tells RFE/RL. The aid is only given to those who have links or relationships with the Taliban. It does not go to the poor. Poor Afghan widows are being hit particularly hard. Despite their desperation, they do not qualify for foreign aid being distributed by the Taliban because the militant group does not allow women to work. The aid that comes from other countries around the world is meant to be given to the poor, says Fatima, a widow in Kabul. Those of us who do not have any male family members in our homes are desperate. At least the Taliban give wheat to some men in exchange for work. With the United Nations estimating that 23 million Afghans now face extreme hunger, those allowed by the Taliban to work in exchange for humanitarian assistance are seen as the lucky few. Abdul Rahman, a cobbler by trade, says he is unable to feed his family of eight without assistance. The aid that is coming to Afghanistan does not reach us, Rahman tells RFE/RL. Im poor, but there is no one to help us. Aid must be distributed to the poor directly rather than through the Taliban. [The Taliban] say we will be given wheat if we come and work, Rahman continues. I have gone to them several times. Theyve taken my identification number, my phone number, and a photocopy of my identification card. But they refused to give us anything and said there is no wheat to give out. The UN this month issued a call for $4.4 billion in fresh humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. But there are strict international rules against sending money to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The United States and other foreign donors cut their financial assistance to Afghanistan when the Taliban seized Kabul on August 15. Washington also froze some $9 billion in Afghan central bank reserves held in the United States. Critics argue that the Taliban could use that money to fund terrorism. They also maintain that allowing the Taliban to receive those funds would reward and legitimize a regime that took power by force and has committed gross human rights violations. In December, the United States and the UN Security Council approved exemptions for deliveries of food aid and medicine to Afghanistan to alleviate the countrys growing humanitarian crisis. Under those exemptions, most food aid is distributed directly to needy Afghans by UN organizations and nongovernmental groups. The Talibans food for work program relies on grain reserves that had been donated to Afghanistans previous government by India. Since the Talibans takeover, more donated wheat has arrived from neighboring Pakistan and China along with smaller shipments from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The Talibans Agriculture Ministry says Islamabad has delivered 18 tons of wheat and promised to send another 37 tons. Fazel Bari Fazli, the ministrys deputy chief of administration and finance, says the Taliban is also in talks with India about another 55-ton shipment of wheat. He says about 40,000 workers now receive a 10-kilogram bag of wheat in exchange for a full day of labor. In a statement to Radio Azadi, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied allegations that the regime is only distributing aid to its supporters. But the Talibans use of humanitarian aid for government purposes, such as paying the salaries of public-sector workers, has raised questions among foreign donors. Critics within the international community say widespread allegations of the Taliban misappropriating food aid donations are the best argument for keeping in place the strict international restrictions on financial flows into Afghanistan. Strong doubts also remain among many Afghans about whether the Taliban can be trusted to distribute humanitarian aid fairly -- particularly among those from ethnic and religious communities that have fought against the Taliban for years. Written by Ron Synovitz in Prague with reporting by RFE/RLs Radio Azadi Animal rights activist Ellen Kessler, a gubernatorial appointee to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, submitted her resignation from the board at 3:26 p.m. Monday. Kessler's letter, released by the governor's office, said her resignation would be effective at the close of business on Feb. 11. "I realize that some of my actions have caused anger and discomfort and that I was unprofessional in my judgment," Kessler wrote. "I apologize to you and the citizens of our great state and wish you the best of luck as you continue to make Colorado the best in the nation." Kessler, appointed to the state vet board in 2020, has earned the wrath of ranchers and farmers for what they view as inflammatory attacks on the livestock industry. Shes a friend of first gentleman Marlon Reis, Gov. Jared Polis husband. Reis is also an animal-rights activist. Polis' office issued this statement Monday night: "The Governor appreciates that Ms. Kessler has taken responsibility for the impact of her hurtful words. He looks forward to selecting a veterinary board member that better shares his strong respect for Colorados hardworking ranchers and helps builds confidence in the practice of veterinary medicine across our state." The latest salvo was a Facebook post, now deleted, that criticized farmers and ranchers as lazy. Kessler was responding to a Jan. 19 post by Reis that cited a story from the Missoulian on a new collaboration program with ranchers who deal with grizzly bears. Colorados Commission on Judicial Discipline hasnt been able to pay a law firm it hired last year to investigate allegations of widespread judicial misconduct because the states Supreme Court hasnt given it the money. As a result, the commission on Tuesday made the unprecedented move of asking legislators to create and fund a new Office of Judicial Discipline wholly independent of the states highest court, according to documents it filed with legislators. The reason, according to the commission, is to ensure it has insulation from external pressures, including the discretion of other entities to constrain the CCJDs funding and resources, according to papers the commission filed with the legislatures judiciary committees in anticipation of a hearing Tuesday. Ultimately, the CCJDs budget is dependent upon approval by the Colorado Supreme Court, which creates inherent risks of apparent and potential funding conflicts, it said in the paperwork. Funds have yet to be approved or provided by the Colorado Supreme Court and the Office of Regulation Counsel allowing special counsel to proceed with its appointed functions. Commission chairwoman Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa and vice-chairman El Paso County District Judge David Prince said the Supreme Court has been less than helpful in its investigation, particularly with what its investigators could look into. "The rule is the commission decides what to investigate," Prince told legislators. "The leadership of the judiciary said it's subject to their oversight and approval. They said they can direct the proper scope of our retained counsel." It's asking for more than $1 million $400,000 of it to pay for the special counsel it hired last year to look into widespread allegations of misconduct tied to a contract given to a former Judicial Department official. The commission for years has relied on its funding from the Office of Regulation Counsel, whose own budget comes from attorney fees dispersed by the Supreme Court. It operated with only an executive director and a part-time assistant. The commissions 10 members are appointed by the governor and the Supreme Courts chief justice. Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright on Tuesday told legislators that he supported the idea of an autonomous judicial discipline office. "We absolutely support their ability to have separate funding and separate monitoring," Boatright told a joint hearing of the state Senate and House judiciary committees. "We should not be looking at the expenditures of the commission. We want to be out of the business of investigating judges." He added: "This particular situation was never anticipated when we set up the funding stream." Boatright said investigators had "unfettered access" to any documents, including sensitive items protected by attorney-client privilege. However, Espinosa Krupa said that did not include investigators the commission hired. "We don't have that access and we've not been given it, regardless of any agreement," she said. The Colorado Constitution establishes the commission as an independent organization supposedly unanswerable to any outside influence, yet its funding comes from the very organization its supposed to oversee. The court also creates the rules under which the commission must operate. The conflict has become increasingly evident following last years revelation that allegations of judicial misconduct were covered up to prevent their public disclosure. That put the commission in a tight spot: Its own records didnt reflect it had heard about any of those allegations, the commission said shortly after the news broke in February 2021. Additionally, the commission asked Boatright in a Feb. 23, 2021, letter why it had not heard of or received a copy of a two-page memo that is at the center of the misconduct scandal. Moreover, the commission and Judicial Department in 2010 signed an agreement in which the division would turn over any allegations of misconduct no matter their own findings which would seemingly have included the memo. Boatright on Tuesday allowed that "at the core of the problem with the (allegations in the memo) is that the HR people investigated things and did not turn it over to judicial discipline." The commission requests the creation of a separate budgetary line item to make the CCJDs resources independent from control by the entity it is charged to oversee, it said in the paperwork. The expectation of a separate budgetary line item is that any discretion by the Judicial Department in its disbursement should be removed. The commission launched its investigation into the memo in September 2021 when it hired Denver law firm Rathod Mohamedbhai as special counsel. The memo lists several instances in which judges including the states chief justice allegedly covered up the misconduct of others or were protected from discipline of their own misdeeds. The memo was allegedly drafted by then-Human Resources Director Eric Brown, who read from it during a meeting with then-Chief Justice Nathan Ben Coats, his counsel, Andrew Rottman, and then-State Court Administrator Chris Ryan. Ryan has said the contents of the memo were to be disclosed in a sex discrimination lawsuit by the departments chief of staff, Mindy Masias, who was being fired for financial irregularities at the time. Ryan has said Coats and by extension the rest of the Supreme Court agreed to award a company Masias had just formed a $2.5 million contract for judicial training in order to prevent the tell-all lawsuit. Ryan and Brown later resigned when details of the contract emerged in July 2019, but the details of the memo and the alleged quid-pro-quo deal behind it did not come out until February 2021. If legislators refuse the commissions request, it will remain dependent upon other governmental entities to perform its proper function, it said in the paperwork filed with the legislature. The appearance that the Judicial Branch controls the CCJDs funding presents a perceptional conflict contrary to the respective interests of both the Judiciary and the CCJD, as independent constitutional entities. The commission told members of the joint judiciary committee that it also wants four full-time employees, including an investigator and staff attorney. Until now, the commission has relied on investigators working for the Office of Regulation Counsel, which also chooses how much office space is appropriate for the commission. The commission is composed of two county judges and two district court judges all appointed by the states chief justice two attorneys chosen by the governor and four citizens who are not lawyers or judges, also appointed by the governor. Each serve a four-year appointment without salary. The commissions executive director is chosen by the commissioners. The current director is Christopher Gregory, a Fort Collins attorney who had served on the commission as its chairman until last summer when Gov. Jared Polis replaced him after only one term. He was replaced on the commission by attorney Mindy Sooter. As chairman, Gregory was the author of the letter to Boatright requesting answers about why the commission had not heard about the memo, its contents or could not locate any reports listed in the memo among its own records. At least six investigations were launched following news reports about the memo and contract deal including probes by the discipline commission, the ORC, two by the Judicial Department, one by the state auditor, and another by the FBI. All are pending. By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan's tourism potential has been promoted at FITUR 2022 International Tourism Fair in Spain. FITUR is the global meeting point for tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound markets in Latin America. It is one of the largest tourism events in Spanish-speaking countries, featured about 45 B2B meetings with a number of tour operators and travel agencies in Spain, Portugal and Latin America, as well as airlines and promotional companies. Around 7,000 companies from 107 countries took part in the FITUR-2022 fair. Azerbaijan was represented at the tourism fair by the State Tourism Agency and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Spain. Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Avantage Group and others took part in the international exhibition. The stand reflecting Azerbaijan's tourism potential was provided with materials in English and Spanish. Within the framework of the fair, business meetings were held with tourism companies of different countries. In connection with the announcement the Year of Shusha in Azerbaijan (2022), a corner dedicated to Shusha was presented to the guests of the fair. Representatives of the international tourism industry were also informed about the country's wine and mountain tourism, as well as tourism opportunities in the liberated territories. During the meetings, it was agreed to provide webinar trainings to tourism and travel agencies from Spain and Latin America. The House Committee on Ethics will review allegations that U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn misused official resources for personal purposes, following findings by a separate congressional ethics office the Colorado Springs Republican may have violated federal laws and House rules. A Lamborn spokeswoman called the allegations "false and unfounded" and said her boss expects to be cleared by the ethics committee. When winter comes knocking, runners might find themselves not wanting to leave the house. Gone are the simple days of throwing on shorts and a T-shirt and heading out the door. Here come the days of checking the weather and prepping for the worst. It brings up frequent conversations at running shops like RNK Running and Walking, with locations in Parker and Castle Rock. Those first one or two bad weather days hit and its like, Oh crap. We got to figure out layering and what to wear, said the stores co-owner Trent Briney. But you have to figure out how to embrace it. Or, as some of his customers do, you could take a break from running in favor of an indoor and cozier exercise. But for runners who want to stay on track, Briney, along with other runners in the Colorado Springs area, offered some advice for braving the elements. Run with a buddy The months ahead call for conditions that might be very dark, cold and windy. What could make it worse? Running alone in those conditions. Briney says winter is the perfect time to find a running buddy for accountability. It might be tempting to opt out of a solo run, but are you really going to bail on a friend whos waiting for you at the trailhead? Probably not a good idea, if you want to keep your friends. This also helps make the miles go by faster. You dont have to think about it as much, Briney said. You just show up and all of a sudden you get some exercise in. Head, heart and hands When temperatures are low, Briney says, layering is an obvious solution. But its not always obvious how much to wear. To determine his running outfit, Josh Rogerson, who works at Colorado Running Co. in Colorado Springs, follows a temperature rule. Dress for 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature on runs, Rogerson said. If its 40 degrees, I typically will wear what I would wear at 60 degrees. First, consider if you naturally run hot or cold while going about your everyday activities. That will help determine if youll tend to get hot or cold while running and you can dress accordingly for example, deciding between a thicker or thinner jacket and tights that are fleece-lined or not. When in doubt, Briney says to remember this: Head, heart and hands. If you keep those three things warm, you will be healthy and warm, he said. Start out your run wearing a beanie and mittens, which Briney recommends over gloves; you can always take those items off if you warm up. Theres also your feet. To keep them warm, wear wool socks. To keep from slipping in snow or ice, consider a traction product you can pop onto your running shoes like Yaktraks icetrekkers. The Colorado Running Co. offers a free option, too. If you bring an old pair of running shoes into the store, an employee will put sheet metal screws into the bottom to give you traction for icy conditions. Outsmart the wind In Colorado Springs, a runners worst nightmare isnt the snow or low temperatures. This is one of the few places where, yes, it snows in the winter, but its rarely that cold, said Joseph Dellinger, who logs as many as 25 miles per day for his job as dog trainer. The biggest challenge Ive faced here running in the cold is by far the wind. He calls the wind easily the most frustrating and tiring weather condition. And it can get dangerous. Although it is nice that we have such low humidity here in Colorado, dont be fooled, he said. With enough wind chill and cold temps, frostbite can still do damage in as little as 15 minutes. With that in mind, Briney said to prepare for windy runs with a wind-resistant jacket and by planning a route with tree coverage. Another trick: Start your run into the wind and finish with it at your back, so you dont freeze from the breeze after already breaking a sweat. Mind games All the gear sold at your local running store might still not be enough to leave a warm bed for the cold outside. This is where positive self-talk comes in just as handy as a warm jacket. For motivation, Dellinger tells himself: Its not forever, just get through it. The runs dont last; prepare yourself and just get it done! Motivation can be tough to find, said Tatum Russo, a runner based in Colorado Springs. It is hard to want to, because sometimes you unfortunately never warm up, she said. At least that is very true for me. If you want to be a better and stronger runner, though, that calls for putting in miles in the off season and the colder winter months, she said. You dont have to run outside in the cold everyday, and there is no shame in hitting up a treadmill if you have access to one, but sticking with training during base season will absolutely pay off during race season, Russo added. And youll be happy you got out there. Looking ahead to warmer days helps, said Briney. He suggests signing up for a race in February or March so you have something to train for. For more instant satisfaction, he has another tip. Start and end your run at a coffee shop. Even if youre cold while running, you have a cup of warm coffee waiting for you at the finish line. Suzanne Morphew, top, was reported missing on Mothers Day 2020. Photo evidence provided by Chaffee County, above, that shows a wound on the arm of Barry Morphew has been presented during Morphews preliminary hearing. He stands trial for the murder of his wife, Suzanne. Secretary of State Jena Griswold is investigating a second Republican county clerk in Colorado for an alleged breach of security protocols for Dominion Voting System equipment, this time in Elbert County. Griswold sent a subpoena and election order to Elbert County Clerk and Recorder Dallas Schroeder, according to a statement Monday from her office. "My office became aware of a potential breach of election security protocols in Elbert County," Griswold's statement said. The Elbert County clerk "has failed to respond to both an email request and an Election Order requiring disclosure of information about this potential breach. That is why I am now taking further action." The statement said the Secretary of State's office became aware of the potential security protocol breach from an affidavit Schroeder filed, tied to a November lawsuit he and five other plaintiffs filed in a Denver District Court against the Secretary of State's office over "multiple unfounded election conspiracy theories." The plaintiffs for that lawsuit also include state Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Canon City; Rio Blanco County Commissioners Jeff Rector and Gary Moyer, Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Merlin Klotz, and Park County Commissioner Amy Mitchell. Schroeder did not respond to a request for comment as of Monday evening. Similar to Mesa County, Elbert County voters overwhelmingly supported former President Donald Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2020 election. Trump won the county with 7,424 votes to President Joe Biden's 612 votes. The breach alleged took place sometime prior to Aug. 27, 2021. According to Griswold's statement, Schroeder made "an image of the voting system hard drive," made by Dominion, although the affidavit did not disclose how the copy was made or what security measures were in place at the time. The Secretary of State's office reached out to Schroeder via email, asking him how that copy was made and to verify there was no security risk to the system. Schroeder did not respond. The office then followed up with an election order "requiring the disclosure of information regarding the unauthorized copying of the voting system hard drive, requiring that video surveillance of voting equipment be activated, and that no one access the voting equipment unaccompanied." Schroeder failed to respond to that order as well, the statement said. Griswold has now ordered Schroeder to appear for a deposition, where he will be asked to testify about how the copy of the voting system hard drive was created. That order was accompanied by a subpoena for Schroeder and for his staff. The breach took place prior to the 2021 "trusted build" of Elbert Countys 2021 voting equipment, which included an update to the system. Griswold's statement said she did not believe the unauthorized copying created a security risk to Colorado's elections, although the statement did not say whether it created the potential for a security risk to Elbert County's voting systems. Schroeder has been the Clerk and Recorder for Elbert County for two terms, beginning in 2019. He is a candidate for the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners later this year. He's also no stranger to controversy. In 2015, he hung a poster above a desk where marriage licenses are issued stating marriage was between one man and one woman and citing the Bible. It led to claims the poster violated the separation of church and state. According to KMGH, Schroeder sent an email to several other county clerks stating his thought process was that citizens had to see the poster. "And if they choose to violate Gods written Word, then that is on their head," he said. The poster was later removed from public display. People gather across the parking lot from a building that was the scene of an early morning fire that killed one at the Bella Terra at City Center apartment complex on the 15300 block of East Evans Avenue on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Aurora, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Baku and Tehran have signed a protocol on the construction of a new bridge over the Astarachay River on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border, Trend has reported. The document was signed by Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rahman Hummatov and Iranian Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Kheirollah Khademi. Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev stated that the construction of a new road bridge will be completed by the end of the year. "Today the laying of the foundation of the bridge will take place, which will be built and put into operation in a short time, namely by the end of this year," he said. Cooperation in liberated lands reconstruction Moreover, Iranian Roads and Urban Development Minister Rostam Ghasemi noted that Iran, within the framework of cooperation with Azerbaijan, will contribute to the reconstruction of the country's liberated territories. "I am confident that relations between the people of our countries will continue to develop. Iran is interested in strengthening ties with neighboring countries, in particular with friendly Azerbaijan," he said. In this context, Mustafayev also stated that Iranian companies are planning to be involved in the restoration of Azerbaijani liberated lands. Industrial parks Mustafayev added that the branch of the Iranian Tractor Manufacturing Plant based in Tabriz city may become a resident of the Araz Valley Economic Zone industrial park in Azerbaijan. He added that bilateral cooperation in the transport field opens up new opportunities for Azerbaijan. "We have launched a new format of cooperation in the new geopolitical realities created after the Azerbaijani territories liberation. The Azerbaijani government, despite that our territories were completely destroyed, is pursuing a policy of peace and development of relations with all neighbors," he said. During the meeting, it was noted the next meeting of the Iranian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission is planned to be held in early March this year. After liberating its lands from Armenian occupation in the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan regained control over a 132-km section of the Azerbaijan-Iran border. The re-establishment of control over the state border opened up new prospects for deeper cooperation between the two countries. It should be noted that Azerbaijan and Iran's trade turnover in 2020 was $339.1 million. In the first 11 months of 2021, this figure was $390.4 million. Officer Craig Johnson, left, and Sgt. Olav Chaney, speak with reporters from The Gazette outside a Homeless Outreach Team patrol car Sept. 10, 2020. The HOT division of the Colorado Springs Police Department conducts outreach events and homeless camp cleanups on a daily basis. By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijani architects have been awarded by state prizes by the presidential order. The Culture Minister Anar Karimov, the head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage Azad Jafarli, the rector of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, professor Gulchohra Mammadova and other officials attended the awarding ceremony. In his speech at the event, chairman of the Azerbaijan Architects' Union, Honored Architect Elbay Gasimzade stressed that architecture and urban planning, being an integral part of state policy, are always in the focus of attention of President Ilham Aliyev. The Culture Minister Anar Karimov spoke about the development of architecture in Azerbaijan. Next, the state awards were presented to the architects. Established in 1934, Azerbaijan Architects' Union encourages the development of the creative abilities of architects, protects copyrights and promotes their achievements worldwide. Over the past decades, the Union has made a significant contribution to the country's architecture. It played a major role in the development of young architects and in the success of experienced ones. The Union successfully acts as a member of a number of architectural organizations, being recognized by the international architectural community. A number of regional architectural organizations are successfully working within Azerbaijan Architects' Union, which is a member of the International Union of Architects. The Union holds an biannual competition-review of the work of young architects and students. The Baku International Architecture Award is held annually by the Union in partnership with the International Union of Architects and the Culture Ministry. In 2019, Baku hosted the first forum of the International Union of Architects, the prestigious creative association of world architects, and the extraordinary General Assembly of the UIA. Azerbaijan Architects' Union focuses on innovative and creative solutions for sustainable architectural development through the exchange of professional architectural knowledge and skills. Crossing the party line could take on a new meaning in El Paso County if local Republicans adopt a proposed rules change to allow for "formal censure and removal" of party members who cross the GOP. In a move some local Republican officials are comparing to Soviet-style party purges, a county GOP committee wants to give the El Paso County party the power to ban disloyal Republicans from participating in party functions or running for office under the party's banner. Some flatly said it violates state law. The proposed bylaws amendment, its authors say, will "install a process by which the Central Committee can maintain and enforce accountability of all individual party members to the National and State platforms." State Sen. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, is among the Republicans who swung back hard at the proposal. Rather than the GOP's stated "big tent" approach, Liston said in an email, the proposed amendment sounds like a plan to "just burn down the whole tent." He added: "This is NOT a way to WIN elections." Several Republicans pointed out that candidate Donald Trump could have run afoul of the El Paso GOP before he secured the 2016 nomination, when party stalwarts argued Trump was steering the party in a different direction on immigration, free trade and other long-held Republican positions. A spokesman for the Colorado Republican Party declined to weigh in on the proposal but said the party's lawyer is looking it over. "We are aware of the proposed El Paso County GOP bylaws and our party attorney is currently reviewing them," Joe Jackson, the state GOP's executive director, said in a text message. "We support the right of every registered Republican to participate in our party. This is not something we will be responding to via the media." According to the draft amendment, emailed to party leaders late Friday by County GOP chair Vickie Tonkins, county Republicans could face expulsion for opposing or violating the party platform, or for backing a candidate running against the GOP nominee in a general election. Republicans could also be hauled up on charges if the county chair "believes there is malfeasance or misfeasance on the part of the individual." Under the amendment, the signatures of 25 members of the county party's governing body would initiate an investigation led by a five-member panel appointed by the party chair. Following a "due process hearing," it would take a two-thirds vote of the GOP's central committee to oust the accused, with a successful vote being "immediate, final, and unappealable." "No individual who has been censured and removed shall be certified by the El Paso Country Republican Party to the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder and may not be placed as a Republican on any primary or general election ballot," the proposed amendment reads. "In the event the individual also holds public office, the Chairman shall also inform the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder in writing within three business days that the individual may no longer serve as a Republican party member," it adds. The rule would allow banished party members to apply for reinstatement as Republicans after four years. The party's central committee is scheduled to consider the amendment at its Feb. 5 meeting. Tonkins didn't respond to repeated requests for comment. Nor did Jeremy Goodall, the chair of the party's bylaws committee. Other El Paso County Republicans, however, began sounding the alarm over the proposal almost immediately, including several who argued that the policy would violate state law and undermine the GOP's ability to attract voters in Colorado's largest county. "To suggest changes in the bylaws that good people may be brought up for a 'trial' for supposedly not being 'pure' enough and to be kicked out of our party is totally ridiculous," Liston said in an email to Colorado Politics. Efforts to enforce litmus tests on Republicans "smack of Stalinism and 'The Night of the Long Knives' in 1934 by Hitler," Liston said in another email, referring to a move by the German dictator to consolidate power in the Nazi Party. Saying the proposal "smacks of corruption," Karl Schneider, the county GOP's vice chair, told Colorado Politics that he had a hard time imaging a more wrong-headed approach. "Quite frankly, it should scare the hell out of the unaffiliated voters, and it should scare the hell out Democrats, because with these activities, where do they stop?" he said. Colorado Springs City Councilman Wayne Williams, a former secretary of state and county party chairman, said the proposed amendment could spell disaster for county Republicans. "Excluding registered Republicans from Colorado caucuses would risk invalidating all nominees selected through that process," he said. State law allows qualified residents to register with any political party they choose and establishes multiple methods for candidates to get on the ballot, including by petition, which doesn't require the assent of the party whose primary they'll be running in, several Republicans steeped in election law told Colorado Politics. Williams also faulted Tonkins for passing the proposal on to party leaders untouched instead of "circling back with the committee and having them reconsider." "When I was Republican chair, we focused on building the party and bringing unaffiliateds and Democrats into the party," he said. "I ran a radio ad highlighting Democrats who were supporting Bill Owens for governor. And we won. Thats what we should be focused on not establishing a Bolshevik purge system to send Republicans to Siberia." Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eli Bremer, a former chair of the El Paso County Republican Party, blasted the proposal. "The Republican Party has traditionally been the party of law," he told Colorado Politics. "It diminishes our ability to say were going to govern when were having trouble following the law ourselves." Added Bremer: "People are saying theyre sick and tired of the establishment picking winners and losers, but this is probably the most unadulterated move to have party insiders determine who is a Republican and who isn't. Its a blatant power grab from a small group of insiders who just want to control the system." State Rep. Dave Williams, R-Colorado Springs, said he hadn't seen the proposal until Colorado Politics asked for a comment, but once he did, he got on the phone with Goodall, the chair of the bylaws committee, to suggest revamping it. Williams said there's no question the proposal goes too far but added that he understands the impulse behind it. "Im unable to support a bylaw change that conflicts with state law concerning party affiliation or ballot designation, but Im happy to support a policy that holds RINOS like Liz Cheney accountable for their anti-Republican behavior," Williams said in a text message, using an acronym for "Republicans in name only." He was referring to Cheney, the House member from Wyoming who has drawn the ire of fellow Republicans for her opposition to former President Donald Trump. Asked whether he thinks any members of the El Paso County GOP should be similarly held to account for being bad Republicans, Williams said Bremer and U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn would qualify "at least to a large segment of the party." Williams the state lawmaker is mounting a primary challenge against Lamborn, who is seeking a ninth term representing the heavily Republican, El Paso County-based 5th Congressional District. A woman whose recreational vehicle was stolen and damaged wont see restitution in her case because paperwork was filed late by the Fourth Judicial District Attorneys Office an error attributed to a clerk being out sick with COVID-19. Amanda Roberts, who lives in Colorado Springs, saw Tucker Dunn the man she leased her recreational vehicle to in 2019 plead guilty in 2020 to stealing and vandalizing the vehicle after he stopped paying rent and replying to her several months into the agreement. Dunn was sentenced to serve a two-year deferred sentence that includes probation for stealing the vehicle. But he wont have to pay restitution the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office asked for more than $18,000 in Roberts' proposed restitution payout order to Roberts because that order was filed by the office one day after its deadline. The error was acknowledged in a Dec. 13 email from Senior Deputy District Attorney Brien Cecil to Roberts' husband. The email apologized for the office's mistake and said prosecutors had still hoped to argue for restitution at a hearing that day, but that argument was ultimately rejected by the judge in the case. "We definitely missed the deadline," Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office spokesman Howard Black said. He said there were other factors, including delays for the restitution department due to necessary paperwork for the restitution payout order not being promptly filed by Roberts upon request by the office; as well as the restitution clerk being out sick, leading to her having "lost track" of the restitution timeline. Roberts said she and her family wanted at least around $13,000 for damages and inspection costs alone, and hoped to see $18,000. On the payout order, the DA's office asked for over $18,000, Black said. In all, according to a claim ultimately denied by her insurance and an April 2020 victim impact statement, Roberts estimated the situation would cost her between $22,000 and $27,000 due to the damages, loan payments, lawyer fees, missed rent and other costs. Roberts said she first found out about the missed deadline when Cecil pulled her aside at the restitution hearing. In his email, sent after the hearing to Roberts' husband, James Roberts, Cecil said Fourth Judicial District Judge Jessica Curtis did not order restitution because of 2021 case law. That law says if a restitution order or a request for more time aren't filed ahead of prosecutors' 91-day deadline, courts have no authority to order restitution. Roberts noted she cant sell the vehicle until she pays off a loan on the van she had in place when she moved to Colorado in November 2018. The vehicle is unusable to her family because of the state they found it in, she said, and taking the case to civil court is not an option because of legal expenses. "Im straight-up screwed, Im screwed," Amanda Roberts said. "I have to pay off this damaged trailer, and the guy got community service for a felony." Dunn, according to court records, pleaded guilty to theft between $20,000 and $100,000 in August 2020, a class four felony. He received a two-year deferred sentence, which included supervised probation and 100 hours of community service. A call for comment on the case to Dunn's attorney, Anthony Sedlak, was not returned. The case began in February 2020, when Amanda Roberts said in a victim impact statement she reported stolen the vehicle she leased to Dunn a year earlier. After several months of renting the vehicle to Dunn, she said, he stopped paying rent and replying to her. On the advice of a private attorney hired for one consultation, she waited until the lease lapsed to file a police report. The next month, during a drive through Castle Rock, Amanda and James said they happened across the vehicle, and reported it to police. Inside, documents show, they found the vehicle damaged and replete with garbage and drug paraphernalia, as well as identifying information addressed to Dunn like driver's licenses, pay stubs and mail. A January 2021 inspection found nearly $12,000 in damages, on top of a $900 inspection fee that included an electrical repair. Those costs, Amanda Roberts said, were expected to have been paid for by restitution in the case. The District Attorney's Office, Black said, collects between $5 million and $6 million in restitution money in a typical year and handles thousands of requests. "That's what this group does, right? It's helping people get the restitution allowed by statute, they have a passion for it," Black said, referring to prosecutors. "I think there is some responsibility on their part. And there's responsibility here, too," Black said. President sends congratulatory letter to Second World War veteran 25 January 2022 [09:00] - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to chairperson of the Organization of War, Labor and Armed Forces Veterans of Azerbaijan, World War II veteran Fatma Sattarova. Views: 424 By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov Azerbaijani Defence Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov has left for a visit to Iran, the Defence Ministry reported on January 25. Hasanov is visiting the neighboring country at Iranian Army General Staff Chief Lt-Gen Mohammad Hossein Bagheri's invitation. Defence Minister Colonel General Z. Hasanov is scheduled to meet with some Iranian state officials and take part in events, the ministry said. Azerbaijan and Iran recently discussed the implementation of joint military projects, a source at the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran earlier reported. At their meeting, Azerbaijani ambassador to Iran Ali Alizada and Iran's Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Minister Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani stressed that the Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents emphasized the importance of bilateral relations and praised the two countries' close ties. They also emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan and Iran continuing their cooperation in all areas as friendly and close neighbors. They also focused on military and military-technical cooperation. The parties also considered the prospects for strengthening effective cooperation, such as the organization of mutual visits and the expansion of information exchange. It should be noted that after a period of aggravated tensions and a series of regrettable episodes that should have been avoided, Azerbaijani-Iranian relations entered a new age of rapprochement in late 2021. Iran was one of the 10 signatories of the final declaration of the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) which, amongst many other clauses, incorporated a congratulatory part dedicated to Azerbaijans victory in the 2020 war and the restoration of its territorial integrity. On top of that, a new gas swap deal was signed by Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Iran, which is perceived as another indication that the recent political rupture has been left behind. On November 28, 2021, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan signed a trilateral agreement on swapping gas supplies in Ashgabat. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi. The agreement envisages deliveries of 1.5 to 2 billion cubic meters of gas each year, with Turkmenistan supplying gas to Iran and Iran delivering an equal quantity of gas to Azerbaijan. Thus, under the trilateral deal, Turkmenistan will sell 5-6 million cubic meters of gas per day to Azerbaijan. These volumes are expected to increase in the future. Farmers wishing to maximize the profits from their fertilizer dollars can attend one of 15 in-person workshops or a virtual workshop hosted by Iowa State University. According to the press release, the workshop series, called Soil Testing Interpretations and Recommendations: Maximizing Return on Investment, will be held in February and March. This series will address the profitable management of soil fertility in Iowa, as conditions continue to change with increased fertilizer input costs and a rising demand for nutrients from higher-yielding crops. These workshops will lead farmers through the basics of soil testing, analytical tests, calculating crop nutrient removal, understanding return on investment from fertilizer applications, how crop response correlates to soil test levels and what is known about crop response to micronutrients, said Josh Michel, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. The workshops are designed to help farmers understand their current soil nutrient situation, the amount their crops are using in a growing season and what needs to be added. While many decisions have already been made for the 2022 growing season, said Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach, "fertility decisions will continue to evolve with changes in fertilizer prices and land tenure. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration is $40, which includes publications, copies of presentations, and any refreshments or meal (if provided for in-person meetings). Registrants should contact the applicable extension office to register for the workshop they plan to attend. Registration fees for in-person workshops may be paid in advance or the day of the program. One of these workshops runs from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Borlaug Learning Center near Nashua. Call Floyd County at 641-228-1453 to register by Thursday, Feb. 3. Another workshop will be held from 1-4 p.m. on March 2 at the library in Riceville. Call 563-547-3001 to register by Feb. 23. A virtual, statewide option is being offered via Zoom as well. This is a four-part series from 8 a.m.- 9 a.m., Feb. 22-25. Registration is $40. To register, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Kossuth County office at 515-295-2469 or go to https://go.iastate.edu/DJLJVN to register online. Participants who register and pay the registration fee by Tuesday, Feb. 15 will receive a mailed copy of supporting materials for the program prior to Feb. 22. Participants who register, but whose payment is received after Feb. 15, will receive electronic copies of the supporting materials. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering disaster assistance to farmers and livestock producers in Iowa impacted by the recent windstorm. According to the press release, Iowa agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by recent tornadoes and severe storms that occurred in early December of 2021. USDA has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Production agriculture is vital to Iowas economy, and USDA stands ready to assist in the recovery from tornadoes and severe weather, said Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). USDA employees are working diligently to deliver USDAs extensive portfolio of disaster assistance programs and services to all impacted agricultural producers. For more information, go to https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool and https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/fsa-disasterassistance-at-a-glance-sept.-2021.pdf, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and https://www.farmers.gov/loans/farm-loan-discovery-tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center, or call the FSA call center at 877-508-8364. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The trial of a Chicago man accused of fatally shooting a Garner man near Federal plaza will be moved to Mitchell County. Cerro Gordo District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder late last week ordered the trial moved after the attorneys defending Jelani Faulk requested it on Jan. 13. Prosecutors did not object to the motion. Victim of weekend shooting in Mason City dies from injuries One man is facing murder charges after a person injured in a weekend shooting that took place in Mason City has died. Faulk is charged with felony first degree murder in the shooting death of Christopher Tucker, 35, of Garner, in the early morning hours of Oct. 3. Faulk's attorneys, Charles Kenville and Parker Thirnbeck, wrote in their motion that media attention to the case has been intense, and included a story about the officer-involved shooting being ruled justified by both the state Department of Criminal Investigation and the Winnebago County Attorney. The Winnebago County Attorney reviewed the case at the behest of Cerro Gordo County Attorney Carlyle Dalen. Faulk's attorneys referenced a copy of the letter the Winnebago County attorney wrote, which was attached to a story written by the Globe Gazette on the ruling. Attorney: Officer's shooting of Jelani Faulk 'entirely justified' A Mason City Police officer who shot a Chicago man who allegedly pointed a gun at him has be Faulk's attorneys successfully petitioned the court for a protective order on the letter soon after the story published, and Cerro Gordo District Court Judge Rustin Davenport ordered any social media posts made by parties involved with the case related to the letter be deleted. However, any posts made by the media are protected under the First Amendment and remain in the public purview, making seating an unbiased jury difficult in Cerro Gordo County, the attorneys argued. Judge in Mason City murder case orders social media posts removed A protective order has been issued and a continuance granted to a Chicago man accused of kil Police say Faulk shot Christopher Tucker, 35, of Garner, in the early morning hours of Oct. 3. When an officer arrived on the scene and attempted to order Faulk to the ground, police say Faulk raised his weapon and pointed it at the officer, who then shot Faulk three times, injuring him. Faulk was taken to MercyOne North Iowa for treatment. Jelani Faulk pleads not guilty to murder in Federal Plaza shooting A Chicago man accused of killing another man and pointing his gun at a Mason City police off Tucker died of injuries sustained in the shooting on Oct. 4. Another man who was ordered to the ground with Faulk, Kristopher Keys, of Dubuque, has not been charged. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Mason City man found guilty of robbing the Dairy Queen is seeking a new trial. Ryan Matthew Allen, 39, was found guilty of second degree robbery by a jury in December. Police initially said Allen threatened a Dairy Queen employee with a knife and robbed the store before it opened for the day in August 2021. Allen was scheduled to be sentenced last week. Instead, his attorney, Richard Thompkins, filed a motion for a new trial. In documents filed in Cerro Gordo County District Court, Thompkins said the evidence presented at trial did not prove Allen's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. No hearing date on the motion has been set yet. According to the initial criminal complaint, Mason City police were called on Aug. 7 by an employee of the Dairy Queen at 3481 Fourth St. SW., who said when she reported for work before the store opened, she was confronted inside by Allen holding a knife and who threatened her. Allen took the employee's cell phone and wanted money, trying to prevent the woman's escape. She was able to get away and called police. Later that same day, police executed a search warrant at 949 Ninth St. SE in Mason City. Allen was there and was arrested on several outstanding Floyd County warrants. Three motorcycles, one scooter, all reported as stolen, as well as suspected drugs, paraphernalia and other unnamed evidence was seized. Allen was taken to the Floyd County jail. Allen was initially charged with felony first- and third-degree robbery. Abby covers education and public safety for the Globe Gazette. Follow her on Twitter at @MkayAbby. Email her at Abby.Koch@GlobeGazette.com Love 0 Funny 12 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 from producing a chemical like it , as long as those chemicals have see the shift in number. From a chemical, the choice incongruously shifts to those chemicals Correct choice. You may see that this is a comparison between tow compounds and that one is the example of each other; use of ' such as' is wrong as you find in later choices. . 1. Modification problem 2. When we use a subordinate conjunction such as when it should be part of a full-fledged clause, with a noun verb and not with a simple participial phrase as comparing 3. 'such as' is wrong -1. From the production is wrong idiom; from producing is the acceptable version 2. 2. 'Such as' are wrong 3. But having is a wrong structure. We cannot use a fanboy here to connect IC and a participial phrase 4. Do all the manufacturers put together produce one chemical? It should be chemicals rather Thank you Daagh for your time on GMAT Club and all your contributions! Thank you for everything you did! Your work will remain a great tribute to you here on GMAT Club ! -bb -bb Signature Read More a)Because a manufacturer secures a patent for a pharmaceutical compound, the patent does not bar competitors from producing a chemical like it, as long as those chemicals have at least one structural difference with the patented compound ------b)That a manufacturer has secured a patent for one of its pharmaceutical compounds do not bar competitors from producing similar chemicals and having at least one important difference from the patented compound incorrect usage of having--- The subject of the sentence is the long --- That a manufacturer has secured a patent for one of its pharmaceutical compounds--- This is considered singular and hence the verb should be -- does not bar -- and not --do not bar--.c) A patent for one of a manufacturers pharmaceutical compounds does not bar competitors from producing a chemical like the patented compound, as long as the two differ structurally in at least one way correct d)When securing a patent for one of a manufacturers pharmaceutical compounds, competitors are not barred from the production of chemicals such as the patented compound, provided that there is at least one structural difference ---e)Even if a manufacturer secures a patent for one of its pharmaceutical compounds, this does not bar competitors from the production of a chemical such as the patented compound, but having at least one structural difference from it. ---Nice question Kudo to Marcab_________________ By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad President Ilham Aliyev has said that great opportunities have emerged for regional cooperation after the second Karabakh war with Armenia in 2020. He made the remarks during a video-format meeting with the delegation led by Iran's Road and Urban Development Minister, co-chair of Azerbaijan-Iran Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Rostam Ghasemi on January 25. 3+3 cooperation platform After the Patriotic War, great opportunities have emerged for regional cooperation. After the war, Iranian-Azerbaijani relations have expanded in this direction. A very promising 3+3 cooperation platform has been put in place to establish regional cooperation. The first meeting has already taken place. I am confident that these meetings will be held on a regular basis in the interests of countries of the region, he said. Aliyev expressed confidence that Iranian companies will begin to work actively in the liberated lands in the near future. He stressed that the relevant instructions have been given to Azerbaijan's Economy Ministry in this regard. The president underlined that the Iranian delegation flew directly from Iran to Fuzuli [into Fuzuli International Airport] and visited both Fuzuli and Zangilan and recalled that during the occupation Armenia destroyed all cities and villages there. Positive news from Armenia He noted that the construction has now begun on the liberated territories - on a large area of more than 10,000 square kilometers. Yesterday, you also got acquainted with the work being done to establish the Zangazur corridor. Both roads and railways are already being successfully built, and we are receiving positive news from Armenia. Armenia plans to start this work on its side as well, he said. Aliyev expressed hope that the post-war period will open new opportunities for the whole region, adding that Irans contribution to this work is also very important. New page in Azerbaijan-Iran ties The president added that other issues, such as the creation of the North-South transport corridor, the construction of the Khudafarin Hydroelectric Power Stations, the construction of a bridge over Astarachay, will certainly be among the priorities of the intergovernmental commission. I must also say that my meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran in late November was very successful and important, as it opens new opportunities for Iranian-Azerbaijani relations. This means the opening of a new page in our relations, a page of friendship and brotherhood, he said. In turn, the minister congratulated Azerbaijan on its success in returning the territories and on the victory in the war. As you mentioned, the meeting between you and Mr. President will open a new page in the relations between the two countries, he said. Noting the visit to the liberated lands, the minister stated that the delegation got acquainted with the construction and reconstruction work carried out there. During the 13th government, i.e. the presidency of Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, our state intends to expand cooperation with all neighboring countries, especially with the state and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which has more cultural, historical and social ties with Iran, he said. During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on various issues of bilateral relations. A state-of-the-art U-Haul retail, moving and self-storage facility is coming to Danville thanks to the companys recent land acquisition of almost 9 acres northwest of Riverview Drive and east of Park Avenue. U-Haul Moving & Storage of Riverview is scheduled for completion in 2023. It will feature a multi-story building encompassing more than 100,000 square feet. The facility will contain at least 700 indoor, ADA-accessible self-storage rooms with climate-control options and high-tech security features at affordable price points. Were in expansion mode, noted Jeffrey Messenger, U-Haul Company of Southern Virginia president. Our goal is to offer the city of Danville a beautiful facility to address the growth and increased demand that were seeing. This store will provide residents with convenient access to our self-storage products and shared mobility services. U-Haul Moving & Storage of Riverview will have a spacious retail showroom and essential services like truck and trailer sharing, boxes and moving supplies, towing equipment, U-Box portable storage containers and more. Professional hitch installation and propane will be available in the future. While the store is under construction, U-Haul dealers in and around Danville are available to serve DIY movers. U-Haul has partnered with independent dealers to offer rental equipment since 1945. During these challenging times for small businesses, more than 21,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada are generating supplemental income through their U-Haul partnership. When customers rent from U-Haul dealers, they are directly supporting small businesses in their community. Because no financial investment is required, dealers are not U-Haul franchises. They are simply small businesses committing their lot space for U-Haul equipment and their time to meet the mobility needs of customers. Learn more about how to partner with U-Haul by visiting uhaul.com/dealer. Messenger plans to hire at least 15 team members to staff the new facility. U-Haul will look to hire locally to promote job growth within the Danville community. U-Haul, honored as a Best for Vets 2020 leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com. Were thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Danvilles development and future, added Messenger. As an essential service provider, U-Haul continues to serve communities during the COVID-19 recovery while offering contactless business programs and enhanced cleaning protocols, including added steps for sanitizing equipment between customer transactions. U-Haul products are used daily by First Responders; delivery companies bringing needed supplies to peoples homes; small businesses trying to remain afloat; college students; and many other dependent groups, in addition to the do-it-yourself household mover. Statewide, the weather remains quiet this week, but as we alluded to last week, the January storm cycle takes another run at Virginia this weekend. Right now, the time frame of most concern is late Friday into Saturday. For the shorter term, Tuesday will be the warmest day this week, with a hint of a southwest breeze edging temperatures into the 50s. After that, a fresh shot of very dry Arctic air settles over the state. And like we have already seen a few times this month, a storm approaching from the southwest will have a chance to team up with the cold air and produce snow in Virginia. The energy to create this storm is still working into the Pacific coast of Canada, but it will race southward and begin to blossom near Florida before racing up the East Coast. The key questions for Virginia involve how close the storm comes to the coast and how much additional Arctic air can be pulled in from the north as it moves along. For the moment, it appears the larger cities and interior areas of the Northeast will bear the brunt of this coming storm Friday night and Saturday, with snow and coastal flooding. But as a caution, there is still much to be written with this storm, as it is more than three days away. There is still a very legitimate chance at accumulating snow from Roanoke to Richmond late Friday into Saturday, so none of us should dismiss the storm yet. Once we get past this weekend, there are signs that February will bring another fundamental shift in the weather pattern, making next month milder and drier than these last three weeks. Temperatures next month may not be as warm as December, but it increasingly looks like February will average out to be warmer than normal. Despite the definitive chill in the air this month, it has not been especially cold with respect to normal. Though this past weekend, Richmonds/Roanokes average temperature this month is only 0.3 degrees below normal. ** For daylight lovers, we are exiting the darkest part of winter and entering the period when the increase in daylight per calendar day accelerates. Between Christmas and New Years Day, the sun was setting a few minutes either side of 5 p.m. Since Jan. 19, weve been gaining more than 90 seconds of daylight every 24 hours. By this weekend, sunset works back to 5:30 p.m. On Feb. 4, we begin to add at least 2 minutes of daylight to each day, which will continue until May 5. Even after that, we will add at least 60 seconds of daylight daily until June 2, when things slow down ahead of the summer solstice on June 21. Daylight Saving Time, love it or hate it, begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13. GREENSBORO A 21-year-old Roanoke, Va., man was arrested and jailed early Monday after taking someone's car at gunpoint late Sunday night, according to a spokesman for the Greensboro Police Department. At approximately 10:45 p.m. Sunday, Eric Dwayne Swain Jr. took someone's car in the 3900 block of North Church Street and was soon located and arrested by Guilford County sheriff's deputies, Greensboro police spokesman Ron Glenn said by telephone Monday afternoon. Swain also is wanted by the Henry County Sheriff's Office in Virginia in connection with a robbery Sunday night in Bassett. A news release from the agency said Swain would also face charges in Roanoke, where authorities were investigating two violent armed robberies that occurred shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday. "We're glad he was apprehended before anyone else was hurt," said Glenn, who declined to comment on charges Swain may face in other counties. The Henry County Sheriffs Office issued a news release that said Swain entered Dodges Store located along the southbound lanes of U.S. 220 in Bassett at approximately 10 p.m. Sunday and placed a food order. As the clerk prepared the order, Swain pointed a gun at the clerk, took the food and left, according to the news release. "Swain has been charged with robbery and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony," the news release stated. "Swain has been arrested in Greensboro, NC, on unrelated violent felony charges and will be extradited to Virginia to face outstanding charges in Henry County and Roanoke." Swain was jailed on $250,000 secured bail on a felony charge of robbery with firearms or other dangerous weapons. He also is charged with assault by pointing a gun; possessing stolen goods; speed to elude arrest; and two counts of carrying concealed weapons. The N.C. Economic Investment Committee has delayed by a day until 11 a.m. Wednesday a meeting that could provide the final approval of a potential high-yield economic-development project at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The Triad may learn this week whether Boom Supersonic, an aspiring Denver-based airplane manufacturer, will pledge to a $500 million capital investment at PTI that could create at least 1,750 jobs paying an average annual wage of $60,000. The days delay in the committee meeting could be an attempt to line up the three local and state incentive public hearings. The Guilford County Board of Commissioners are set to discuss an incentive offer to a manufacturer at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, while the Greensboro City Council will discuss its offer at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Sources told the Greensboro News & Record and the Winston-Salem Journal last week that a press conference involving Gov. Roy Cooper has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Greensboro airport. The sources declined to be identified. The N.C. Commerce Department and Piedmont Triad Airport Authority have had no comment on the potential economic-development announcement. The governors office has not responded to requests for comment. The press conference appears to involve Project Thunderbird, which surfaced out of the blue in November. Two Triad elected or economic officials who declined to be identified said it was their understanding that Boom is the potential airplane manufacturer that could benefit from up to $106.5 million in infrastructure improvements at PTI. That funding was included in House Bill 334 that Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law on Dec. 6. The committee is required to approve JDIG proposals submitted by Commerce. Because the committee typically makes public a high-level breakdown of JDIG proposals, the governors office tends to send out a news release within an hour following a JDIG approval. On Dec. 6, the committee approved a JDIG offer worth up to $320 million in performance-based incentives for what could be the biggest single capital investment in state history. A few hours later, Toyota Motor North America Inc. announced at a Cooper news conference that it had chosen the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite for a $1.29 billion production plant with 1,750 employees initially when production begins in 2025. Cooper was accompanied by Toyota officials and state legislative and local leaders. Toyota Battery Manufacturing N.C. will build lithium batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Other incentive offers The first local meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Guilford County Board of Commissioners considering incentives for a manufacturing corporation that would create 1,761 jobs and invest up to $500 million in the Greensboro area. The performance-based Guilford incentives would be 80% of the manufacturers eligible taxes for 10 years, according to a legal notice released by the county. Melvin Skip Alston, the boards chairman, would not confirm Friday the company is Boom, but said the project is gonna be great for Greensboro. In December, the commissioners approved $2 million for PTI to support infrastructure costs related to economic development. Meanwhile, the Greensboro City Council is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday to discuss an economic development incentive to an unnamed corporation. The meeting will be at the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St. If the project comes to fruition, construction is projected to begin in 2022. Boom says on its website that its Overture supersonic airplane is slated to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026 and expected to carry passengers by 2029. PTI has a nearly 1,000-acre aerospace site available, one of four megasites being marketed by Piedmont Triad Partnership and Carolina Core. The property, connected to the airport by a new taxiway bridge, has already received preliminary approval for development by the EPA and is ready to host a major tenant, according to the Carolina Core website. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to the consideration of race in college admissions, adding affirmative action to major cases on abortion, guns, religion and COVID-19 already on the agenda. The court said it will take up lawsuits claiming that the University of North Carolina, a state school, and Harvard University, a private institution, discriminate against Asian American applicants. A decision against the schools could mean the end of affirmative action in college admissions. Lower courts rejected the challenges, citing more than 40 years of high court rulings that allow colleges and universities to consider race in admissions decisions. But the colleges and universities must do so in a narrowly tailored way to promote diversity. The courts most recent pronouncement was in 2016, in a 4-3 decision upholding the admissions program at the University of Texas against a challenge brought by a white woman. But the composition of the court has changed since then, with the addition of three conservative justices who were appointed by then-President Donald Trump. Two members of that four-justice majority are gone from the court: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in 2020, and Justice Anthony Kennedy retired in 2018. The three dissenters in the case, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, remain on the court. Roberts, a moderating influence on some issues, has been a steadfast vote to limit the use of race in public programs, once writing, It is a sordid business, this divvying us up by race. The court already has heard arguments in cases that could expand gun rights and religious rights and also roll back abortion rights in a direct challenge to the Roe v. Wade ruling from 1973. Earlier this month, the justices weighed in for the first time on President Joe Bidens vaccine policies, halting a rule requiring a vaccine or testing at large businesses while allowing a vaccine mandate for most of the nations health care workers. The affirmative action case probably will be argued in the fall. Both suits were filed by Students for Fair Admissions, a Virginia-based group run by Edward Blum. He has worked for years to rid college admissions of racial considerations, and the courts new lineup breathed new life into his project. The group is calling on the court to overturn its 2003 ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger, which upheld the University of Michigans law school admissions program. The Biden administration had urged the justices to stay away from the issue, writing in the Harvard case that the challenges cannot justify that extraordinary step of overruling the 2003 decision. Harvard President Lawrence Bacow said the Ivy League institution does not discriminate and vowed to continue defending its admissions plan. Considering race as one factor among many in admissions decisions produces a more diverse student body which strengthens the learning environment for all, Bacow said in a statement. Blum voiced hope that the high court will order an end to taking account of race in college admissions. Harvard and the University of North Carolina have racially gerrymandered their freshman classes in order to achieve prescribed racial quotas, Blum said in a statement. The Supreme Court has weighed in on college admissions several times over more than 40 years. The current dispute harks back to its first big affirmative action case in 1978, when Justice Lewis Powell set out the rationale for taking account of race even as the court barred the use of racial quotas in admissions. In the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, Powell approvingly cited Harvard as an illuminating example of a college that takes race into account in achieving the educational diversity valued by the First Amendment. Twenty-five years later, Justice Sandra Day OConnor likewise invoked the Harvard plan in her opinion in the Michigan law school case. Now the Harvard program is under fire from opponents of race-based affirmative action. Students for Fair Admissions claims that Harvard imposes a racial penalty on Asian American applicants by systematically scoring them lower in some categories than other applicants and awarding massive preferences to Black and Hispanic applicants. Harvard flatly denies that it discriminates against Asian American applicants and says its consideration of race is limited, pointing out that lower courts agreed with the university. In 2020, the federal appeals court in Boston ruled that Harvard looked at race in a limited way in line with Supreme Court precedents. Harvards freshman class is roughly one-quarter Asian American, 16% Black and 13% Hispanic, Harvard says on its website. If Harvard were to abandon race-conscious admissions, African-American and Hispanic representation would decline by nearly half, the school told the court in urging it to stay out of the case. Groups representing Asian-American, Black, Hispanic, Native American and white Harvard students and alumni voiced fear to the appeals court about what would result if Harvard lost. If forced to abandon race-conscious admissions, Harvard would become a markedly less diverse institution due to persistent barriers to equal K-12 educational opportunities and discriminatory standardized tests, the groups wrote in an appellate brief. The Trump administration had backed Blums case against Harvard and filed its own lawsuit alleging discrimination against Asian American and white people at Yale University. The Biden administration dropped the Yale suit. North Carolinas flagship public university prevailed in a federal district court in October. U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs ruled that the schools program was intended to produce a diverse student body and had shown the benefits of doing so. The court accepted the North Carolina case for review even though it has not been heard by a federal appeals court. Blum filed a Supreme Court appeal with the hope that it would be bundled with the Harvard case so that the justices could rule on public and private colleges at the same time. The art of deconstructing an argument by refutation and holding a person accountable for previous statements that the person now contradicts was once an honored tradition. It has now mostly gone the way of other traditions in favor of sound bite statements formulated in political party meetings and used to confuse the public. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) unpacked this once-great technique when he responded to some of President Bidens outlandish claims over his first year in office that included his inaugural address and remarks made at his news conference last week and in an Atlanta speech about minority voting rights. McConnell said the Biden on display at these events was not the Biden he has known for decades. Anyone who has known or observed Biden during his 50 years in politics would have to agree. McConnell began his Senate floor speech by recalling Bidens promise in his inaugural address to unite the nation. Instead, said McConnell, that very same man delivered a deliberately divisive speech that was designed to pull our country further apart. One year ago, said McConnell, Biden said we should not see ourselves as adversaries, but as neighbors. Now he calls millions of Americans his domestic enemies. McConnell noted a year ago that the president called for lowering the rhetorical temperature, but now says, If you disagree with him, youre George Wallace. If you dont pass the laws he wants, youre Bull Connor. And if you oppose giving Democrats ... one-party control of the country, well, youre Jefferson Davis. He might have mentioned that these, as well as many other elected officials who opposed civil rights legislation, were Southern Democrats and that it was mostly Republicans, beginning with Abraham Lincoln, who supported racial equality. McConnell went on to recall that Biden has said disagreement must not lead to disunion, but then invoked the bloody disunion of the Civil War to demonize Americans who disagree with him. He compared a bipartisan majority of senators to literal traitors. How profoundly unpresidential. McConnell said he has known, liked and personally respected Joe Biden for many years. I did not recognize the man at (his news conference). The president acts as if he has a mandate for all the far-left policies he has been pushing, but McConnell noted the 50-50 Senate and the bare majority Democrats hold in the House: the narrowest majorities in over a century and that he did not get a mandate to transform America or reshape society. McConnell said the president did get a mandate to do one thing: bridge the political divide, lower the temperature and end the perpetual era of crisis in our politics. He has done the opposite. He called Bidens rant ... incoherent, incorrect and beneath his office. The president again mentioned Jim Crow 2.0 to assert Republicans are attempting to make it more difficult for minorities to vote, which is untrue. As McConnell noted there are more ways for people to vote in Georgia than Bidens state of Delaware. Jim Crow laws, it should be noted, were also created by Democrats, a fact the major media regularly ignores. Too many of todays journalists sound like shills for the Democratic Party, crafting their questions and writing their stories as if they are channeling that partys talking points and worldview. McConnell did their job for them in his deconstruction of recent remarks by the president. Polls show Biden voters are expressing buyers remorse. They can be expected to reverse course in November. Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. One of the toughest difficulties in dealing with COVID-19 these last two years has been the confusion over and misinformation about the best ways to stay safe from infection and to treat infection. Some misinformation has been spread honestly through ignorance and anxiety, but some has been spread purposely for monetary or political gain. The confusion has sometimes been made worse for the public when medical authorities altered their guidance as we learned more about the virus and its variant strains. (We were first told not to buy masks, remember, which we thought should be reserved for medical workers.) Not everyone understands that when better information comes to light, science changes. Unlike political dogma. And thats one of sciences strengths the flexibility to change when we learn better. Its a feature, not a bug. The scientific method observation, data collection, hypothesis, rigorous testing and analysis is still our best method for evaluating medical and scientific truth. Its certainly much better than rumor, personal anecdote or the obscure websites to which anti-vax pundit Candace Owens advises people to turn. Many jokes have been made about vaccine skeptics who have turned to taking ivermectin to treat COVID-19 a medication most commonly used to rid farm animals of parasites which seems especially risky when most medical professionals say theres not enough evidence that it works. Previous studies have been inconclusive or incomplete. Ivermectin poisoning skyrocketed in 2021 and the Food and Drug Administration currently says it should never be used to treat or prevent COVID-19. In Indiana, a pending bill in the legislature would approve its use. But both the Indiana Pharmacists Association and the Indiana State Medical Association have called the bill dangerous, particularly the part that would prohibit providers from discouraging patients from using the treatment. Politicians tying the hands of medical professionals is almost always a bad idea. But theres something about the drug that shows enough potential that doctors at Duke University have been testing it, along with two other potential COVID-19 treatments. There were some early studies that showed that it could potentially be helpful with COVID-19, but they were not large enough to be definitive, Dr. Adrian Hernandez, one of the studys leaders, told The (Raleigh) News & Observer last week. So we want to know either way, is it potentially beneficial or not? Please do not bypass the word potentially. We should understand if there are any benefits, Hernandez said. And if not, we should be able to report that back out to the public clearly and note what shouldnt be done. The two other drugs being tested are fluvoxamine, currently used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, and fluticasone furoate, an inhaler medicine prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, The News & Observer reported. The three drugs were chosen for the study not only because of their potential, but because any of them would be easier and less expensive to administer than monoclonal antibody treatments, which have to be administered by IV or through a series of shots in a clinic or doctors office. Nearly 2,500 patients from across 26 states are taking part in the study. Hernandez said that researchers may have the data they need to release their results within a month or so. The ultimate goal is to create a treatment that, in conjunction with vaccines, can be used easily and safely at home to make COVID-19 as manageable as seasonal flu. So, please note: Even if proved effective, ivermectin wouldnt replace the vaccines, which are still the best method of preventing serious illness and hospitalization. But its worth finding out (scientifically) if it holds any value. Learning of new treatment methods makes us feel hopeful but were not out of the woods yet. Health officials in Guilford County are still pleading with residents to continue wearing masks and maintaining social distance as COVID-19 continues to surge even if youre vaccinated and boosted. And if youre not vaccinated and boosted, you could do yourself and your loved ones no greater favor than to correct that oversight.